UFC Fight Night 191 ‘Brunson vs. Till’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Dalcha Lungiambula (185) vs. Marc-Andre Barriault (184.5)

Round 1

The UFC is giving a treat to its European audience with a midday card truncated down to only nine bouts after a slew of visa problems and other issues ravaged what was previously a substantial billing. We kick things off in the middleweight division between two knockout-inclined strikers, as Lungiambula (11-2, 2-1 UFC) squares off against Barriault (12-4, 1 NC; 1-3, 1 NC UFC) in a classic matchup of South Africa vs. Canada. The heavy-handed gentlemen do not touch gloves before coming out swinging, and referee Chris Tognoni clocks them in to begin the day’s festivities. Both men swat at one another with inaccurate jabs, until Barriault breaks the ice with a body kick. Lungiambula replies with a slapping leg kick, and he backs away as Barriault pressures him. The Canadian fires off a right hand, and Lungiambula is ready to respond with a massive overhand right. Barriault blocks it and then protects himself from another, and he is forced to fight off an outside trip attempt that makes Lungiambula stumble. Barriault gets off a one-two and is belted with a booming right hand counter that forces him to take a step back and reset. Barriault, with his feet about him, punches his way into a clinch, and backs off when Lungiambula tries to break off and load up on power shots. Lungiambula strikes the guard so hard with one of his heavy rights hands, the sheer impact shakes Barriault up for a moment. “Power Bar” picks and pokes at Lungiambula with front kicks and single strikes, keeping himself out of range from the prepared counter that soars his direction. Lungiambula changes levels suddenly to charge in for a double leg takedown, and he turns it into a head lock toss to put the Canadian on his back. Barriault springs back to his feet, breaks the grip, and separates to land a thudding leg kick. Lungiambula catches his foe with a short right hand on the inside, but Barriault pays it no mind and continues to advance. Barriault’s offense appears more in line to touch than connect with emphatic blows, but he sneaks a right hand over the top that wobbles Lungiambula for a moment. Barriault hops forward with a half-hearted superman punch, and Lungiambula catches him on the way in and reverses the momentum to put Barriault on his back. The Canadian climbs back up without issue, and in the ensuing clinch, he presses Lungiambula into the wall before the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lungiambula
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Lungiambula
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Lungiambula

Round 2

Barriault strides out of his corner ready for action in the second round, advancing and clipping Lungiambula with a left hand. Lungiambula circles along on fencing, getting backed up and landed on as he tries to find an angle. Lungiambula scores a single calf kick, and he prepares to launch a bomb of a right hand but Barriault closes the distance to protect himself from it. “Power Bar” steps in with a kick to the body and follows it with a head kick, and Lungiambula cannot land the counter he is searching for. Instead, Barriault continues to pepper his foe, and when he gets too close, he has to turn around and Lungiambula boots him in the gut. Barriault backs away to find another avenue to attack, and he successfully lands kicks at all targets while Lungiambula’s volume slows. Lungiambula continues to sit and wait for counters, but they are few and far between. As frustration mounts with Barriault scoring strikes on him, he rushes in to pursue a takedown, but Barriault sees it coming and tosses him aside. Barriault gets up and stings Lungiambula with a few short punches, but this puts him in counterattack range, allowing Lungiambula to tag him with a right hand. Barriault clips his foe with a straight right hand across the bow, and he weaves to avoid the counter so that he can pop Lungiambula with another. Lungiambula bites down on his gumshield to throw power strikes, and his swinging punches hit nothing but air. As they come together, Lungiambula lifts up a knee to the upper body, and his instep glances into the Canadian’s cup to force a pause. “Power Bar” only needs 35 seconds to recharge his power bar and continue fighting, where he stands right in front of his flamethrowing foe landing body shots. Lungiambula telegraphs his huge punches, allowing Barriault to stick and move, marking him up with left hands and body kicks. The round ends with one such exchange.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barriault
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Barriault
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Barriault

Round 3

The Canadian begins the exchange of Round 3 with a body and high kick, and Lungiambula is quickly forced to fight off his back heels again. Barriault pressures his opponent like much of the previous round, scoring one-twos as Lungiambula winds up on overly wide hammers. One such counter glances off the shoulder of Barriault, but Barriault sees the majority of these bombs coming and stays composed. When he comes in to close range, Lungiambula clubs him with an uppercut, and the two trade heavy leather with Barriault getting the worst of the exchange. Lungiambula pushes off when his back is on the wire, and a finger goes in Barriault’s eye – and one goes up the Canadian’s nose for good measure. Tognoni calls in the doctor, as Barriault’s eye is closing fast. Tognoni is immediately concerned about the lack of vision from the fighter, and Barriault admits that he can barely see out of his left eye but still sees the shape of the doctor’s shoulder. Barriault claims he can still fight, and after a stern warning to Lungiambula from Tognoni and a two-minute break, the bout resumes. Lungiambula appears sharper after a break, landing straighter strikes when Barriault advances on him. Barriault suddenly slaps his man in the head with a kick, and Lungiambula gets energized and is ready to start fighting in a phone booth. Barriault realizes the danger he is in, and he tattoos the South African with a stream of punches before stuffing a takedown with a deep sprawl. Barriault keeps a safe enough range to not walk face-first into a counter, as Lungiambula is still loading up on everything he throws. Barriault’s guard drops just the briefest of moments, allowing Lungiambula to blast him in the face with an uppercut, and Barriault falls towards the fence but catches himself and pushes away to keep himself upright. Barriault backs off before pressing forward again to attack, remaining in kickboxing range with front kicks to the body and right hands. Lungiambula is swangin’ and bangin’ now, throwing lefts and right to the head in rapid succession to do some damage. Barriault is tough as he eats these strikes on the chin, and when they clinch up, Lungiambula smashes a knee into his face. Barriault wears it well and continues to pour on the pressure, chasing Lungiambula across the fence and signaling for Lungiambula to brawl with him. The man known as “Champion” obliges him, and both men sting the other with hellacious blows with mere seconds left in the fight. One lands, the other replies, and this continues recklessly and violently right until the final bell. It could be a close one, but it was a fun striking affair from start to finish.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barriault (29-28 Barriault)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Barriault (29-28 Barriault)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Barriault (29-28 Barriault)

The Official Result

Marc-Andre Barriault def. Dalcha Lungiambula via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Charles Jourdain (149.5) vs. Julian Erosa (149.5)

Round 1

In this next bout, a previously scheduled 150-pound catchweight affair, pure Canadian finisher Jourdain (11-3-1, 2-2-1 UFC) will try to keep “Juicy J” Erosa (25-9, 3-5 UFC) at bay in what should be a good one. In their combined 36 wins, these two men combine for 33 stoppages, so referee Jason Herzog may have his hands full. There a briefly offered glove touch, but it is rescinded when Erosa appears to want to come out firing instead. Jourdain notices this and backs off to avoid any oncoming offense, and he gets off a solid right hand. Jourdain slings a head kick, and when he follows it with another with the same leg, it gets caught and Erosa shoves him back into the fencing. Nothing comes of it, and Erosa tries to kick his man in the head but comes up so far off the mark that he bails on it halfway through and nearly falls on his face. Jourdain stands back to let Erosa reset, and Erosa marches forward to throw hands. Both land flush, and Jourdan tries to fire off a head kick and falls down to the ground. He scrambles back up, and Erosa chases him down with a body kick and a right hand that gets blocked. In the center of the cage, Erosa starts to goof around with his hands, twirling around and sneaking a right hand through the guard that forces Jourdain to stumble backwards. When Jourdain gathers himself, he sticks out a few jabs and tries to land a high kick, but Erosa evades the blow and thumps Jourdain in the liver with a nasty left hand. Jourdain stays on his heels as Erosa gives chase, stringing together a series of punches but getting interrupted when the Canadian blasts him in the body with a kick. Erosa pressures his foe into the chain-link fence, and he briefly looks for a trip before abandoning it to throw hands. “Air” Jourdain stings Erosa with a left hand and a body kick, and Erosa fights through it to rock Jourdain with a left that sends the Canadian falling backwards into the wall. When Erosa runs towards him to try to seek a finish, Jourdain preemptively leaps in the air with a knee, and Erosa watches it soar past him so that he can land a few short shots before the buzzer.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erosa
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Erosa
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Erosa

Round 2

Jourdain is the first to engage with a high kick that collides with the shoulder, and he rolls with the punches to pursue a head kick. Erosa remains composed, keeping his boxing going to keep Jourdain honest. Jourdain begins to land a few heavy leg kicks, and Erosa counters with fists that mark his nose up. Jourdain clips Erosa with a few left hands, and the two start trading wildly. Erosa steps in with an uppercut that collides with the guard, and Jourdain slips and rips him with a right hand. Erosa steps in with a knee that gets blocked, and he lands a few punches but is tagged with an uppercut that makes Erosa drop his hands. Jourdain cracks Erosa with a few punches, and the Canadian looks to set up a flying knee but gets kicked in the groin with a front push kick. Herzog blames Jourdain for jumping into the kick, and the action resumes after a 20-second pause and a laugh. Erosa starts targeting the body with impunity, ripping shots with both hands until Jourdain has to back off. Jourdain sits down in a huge left hand that stuns Erosa, and he ignores a body shot to get off another as Erosa marches him down like a Terminator. Jourdain finally gets some space, allowing them both to land kicks. Erosa walks into a left hand and eats it like a steak so that he can dig a left hand to the liver. Jourdain suddenly seems fired up, sprint towards Erosa and nailing him with punches. As Erosa pushes back, Jourdain connects a chin-crunching right hand that puts Erosa on his back. Jourdain does not jump into the guard, instead letting Erosa stand back up so that he can tee off on the feet. Erosa gathers his thoughts and starts to pressure Jourdain again. “Air” Jourdain ignores a spinning back forearm on the side of his head so that he can wind up with big right hands, and he does not even register his leg getting kicked so that he can trade with his opponent. Erosa gives him a few strikes back before the close, exciting round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain

Round 3

The fighters embrace before the last round begins, and Erosa is the one to begin by getting air, jumping up with a knee. Jourdain seems to have taken this personally, and he chains together a 10-strike combination that rocks and hurts Erosa. The American steels himself and drops down to pursue a takedown, and he hits it to put Jourdain on the canvas. Jourdain scoots his way to the fence to stand, and Erosa takes his back and looks to drag him back down. Jourdain keeps a knee out to push Erosa away, and Herzog warns them to keep fighting as they stall out in this position. Jourdain hops around and spins out, but Erosa times a high knee and clinches him back up again. Erosa unloads with several knees to the body and a few punches, and Jourdain breaks away and lands a few head shots in response. Erosa continues to work the knees until he ties up against the fence again, with Jourdain hopping around on his right leg until Erosa trips him back down to the floor. Jourdain once more walks up the wall, and he leans down to try to push away. Out of nowhere, Erosa latches on to a brabo choke, and Jourdain rolls but is completely trapped and firmly entrenched in the danger zone. “Juicy J” stays tight with the choke like a dog with a bone, and Jourdain is stuck and has to tap out before he goes out. What a win for Erosa, who becomes the first man to finish the Canadian while recording his second choke of this kind in the Octagon.

The Official Result

Julian Erosa def. Charles Jourdain R3 2:56 via Submission (Brabo Choke)

Jack Shore (136) vs. Liudvik Sholinian (135)

Round 1

Shifting gears to bantamweight, proud Welshman Shore (14-0, 3-0 UFC) will look for his 15th win in as many tries against TUF 29 semifinalist Sholinian (9-1-1, 0-0 UFC). Whether Shore keeps his win streak going or Sholinian spoils the party, referee Chris Tognoni will be the first to know. The 135ers touch gloves before handling their business. Shore begins things with a leg kick, and he swats away a few punches that lazily come his way. When he scores another leg kick, Sholinian replies with a right hand, but that falls short of the mark. The Welshman keeps working the lead leg of his opponent, while staying out of range from Sholinian’s counters and jabs. Both men swing and miss with one-twos, and Shore changes things up with a head kick that is narrowly blocked in time. Shore snaps the head back with a jab, and he targets the body and then gets off yet another leg kick. The jabs and follow-up punches have already marked Sholinian’s nose up less than two minutes in, while Sholinian may not have landed a single significant strike. When the Ukrainian goes for a body kick, Shore catches it and puts Sholinian on his back with ease. In his foe’s full guard, Shore ignores little pawing punches from his opponent to sit up and rain down a few elbows. Sholinian kicks off, but Shore is quick to re-engage down on the ground and club Sholinian in the face with a few elbows. When he is not striking, Shore holds on to a can opener to wrench Sholinian’s neck forward, doing this to break up the posture and eventually take half guard. Shore steps through to side control with Sholinian’s head pressed into the wall, and Shore easily takes mount before hopping to the other side to snatch up an arm-triangle choke. Shore is pressed up against the wall and might not have the right leverage to finish the job, as Sholinian defends by “answering the telephone.” When Shore gives up on it, Sholinian turns his back and allows Shore to take it so that he can stand up. Sholinian bucks his man off and gets pushed into the wall, with the two jockeying for position. Shore connects with one solid elbow before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Shore
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Shore
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Shore

Round 2

The gloves are touched to start the second frame, and Shore goes after a quick leg kick before springing out of the way from a right hand. Tognoni emphatically calls a pause to the round to warn Sholinian from outstretching his fingers, as he warned Sholinian between rounds from keeping them out. Shore steps forward and smacks Sholinian in the face with a right hand, and he circles out of harm’s way before uppercutting Sholinian on the way in. Shore scores a jab, a liver kick and a left hand, and Sholinian can do little more than act as a heavy bag, not likely having landed a single significant strike yet. Shore ducks a strike to hit a takedown, and Sholinian turns his back to allow Shore to take it. The Ukrainian walks up using the fence as his ally so that he can break the back take, and Shore pressures him, knees him in the face and pushes off to find a new way in. Sholinian gives chase with several left hands, and Shore cracks him with a solid one-two. Sholinian reaches out with left hands, following Shore around and finally seeming to connect with a right hand. Shore chains three strikes together before Sholinian can react, sticking and moving as Sholinian takes punches high and kicks low. Shore plants his shin on the body, and he catches his foe with a left hand when Sholinian loads up. Shore grins when he starts to put power in his shots, stinging Sholinian and forcing the latter to shoot in for his own takedown try. Shore stands tall without budging, breaking the grip and walking away while avoiding oncoming blows. Shore sits down on an uppercut, and he goads Sholinian in towards him. Sholinian looks to set up a punch, but instead drops down for a double and gets Shore to a knee. Shore scampers back to his feet and gets pressed against the wall, with his foe unable to get him down. Shore turns away and shoves off so that he can land a right hand and a body kick. Sholinian walks him down and kicks the leg, but this allows Sholinian to tag him with a right hand. Shore chips away at the lead leg and jabs from a distance, with the kicks starting to frustrate Sholinian. The TUF fighter takes a back kick right before the bell, and there may have been a late shot but they clap hands to signal there is no bad blood.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Shore
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Shore
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Shore

Round 3

The bantamweights touch hands to start off the last round, and Shore opens up with a calf kick like before. Sholinian lifts his leg up to try to check it, but a few more from Shore have seriously hampered his movement. Shore mixes up right hands as he pounds on Sholinian’s lead leg, and Sholinian is struggling to walk on it. This allows Shore to fire up a high kick, and then a left hand that makes Sholinian shake his head. Shore jabs, dodges, strikes, moves, and is easily out of the way from most of Sholinian’s offense while landing whatever he wants, whenever he wants. Shore sticks out several more jabs before pursuing a takedown, and Sholinian is able to stay upright due to the fence. The Welshman complains of knee to the groin, and Sholinian takes one back in response, and he too waves it off and they continue. Shore reaches out a left jab, and he stays out a little too long, such that Sholinian can smack him in the face with an overhand right. Shore again hunts for a takedown, and Sholinian is quickly warned not to grab the fence. “Tank” gets squeezed against the wire as Sholinian exerts heavy pressure and little else, and when Sholinian fails to drag him down, Shore kicks him in the head. When they gain space, Shore pokes with jabs while Sholinian leaps with single power strikes. Shore lands a stern one-two, and Sholinian shoots from a distance and cannot even grab hold of Shore before Shore is several feet away. Shore gets off a right hand, an uppercut and a leg kick. A right hand wobbles his opponent’s legs, and Sholinian leans forward to get elbowed again. The Welshman chops down the leg and lands a few right hands before the horn sounds to end this one-way traffic of a bantamweight matchup.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Shore (30-27 Shore)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Shore (30-27 Shore)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Shore (30-27 Shore)

The Official Result

Jack Shore def. Liudvik Sholinian via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Molly McCann (125.5) vs. Ji Yeon Kim (126)

Round 1

The lone women’s match of the day comes in the flyweight division, as the powerful McCann (10-4, 3-3 UFC) takes on the fleet-footed “Fire Fist” Kim (9-3-2, 3-3 UFC). Referee Jason Herzog finishes tying his running shoes so he can keep up with these two, and there is no glove touch as McCann comes out aggressive. The Liverpool native sprints towards him and lands a right hand, and Kim backs away to get off a head kick. Kim aims a low kick as McCann winds up a right hand, with Kim starting to get her boxing going while McCann loads up. Both women drill each other with huge punches, and McCann has Kim hurt with heavy punches. Kim takes several clean punches right on the jaw, and McCann winds up throwing fire fists at “Fire Fist.” McCann pushes in to tie Kim up against the wire, even considering an inside trip, but she abandons it when Kim is about to turn her around. Kim scores a few punches, absorbs a body kick and is forced to back away when McCann plods towards her. McCann sprints at her opponent, and the two smash heads into one another like charging bulls, and McCann gets the worst of it as she drops face-first to the ground. The Scouser slowly gathers her bearings and stands as Kim holds on tight to her, pursuing a takedown and kneeing the legs. McCann stays on her feet leaning against the fence as Kim works her with knees, keeping her weight on her opponent as McCann slows down a bit from her all-offense approach from the beginning of the round. Kim continues embracing the grind, tripping McCann’s leg but not securing a takedown when McCann grabs the fence. McCann gets some space, and she picks up where she left off throwing bombs. McCann ducks in for a takedown, and Kim stuffs her and shoves her back against the fence. A wheel kick from McCann comes up short, but several punches do connect right before the close round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 McCann
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Kim
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 McCann

Round 2

McCann attacks right out of the gate, pushing forward with a kick and a right hand that shakes Kim up. McCann runs towards her and throws bombs, and Kim plants her feet and kicks the Brit in the body. Kim rings McCann’s bell with a one-two that forces McCann to drop her hands and mean-mug her opponent. Kim thanks her for this by blasting her in the face with a salvo of punches, and McCann wears it well but is continuing to eat right hands like fish and chips. McCann throws back with reckless abandon, and she gets knocked back with a right hand. Kim chains the punches into a one-two that stings McCann again, and McCann tries to fire back with a spinning back fist that is a foot off the mark. Kim takes a big punch but replies with three of her own, sticking and moving while McCann ambles towards her with little more than a brawling approach. “Meatball” walks into a clinch, but bails on it when there is no potential takedown setup to have. Kim backs her off and ducks a left hook so that she can score a right hand behind the ear. Kim times an uppercut, and McCann nails her with a one-two that bounces Kim off the fence. When Kim rebounds, McCann cracks her with a follow-up blow. Kim is not remotely slowly down either, stringing together combinations while McCann attacks the body. McCann stings Kim with a left, then a right and a left as the South Korean tries to retreat and regain her composure. The pressure of McCann is getting to Kim, as her heavy blows are finding the mark more often than not, while Kim is unable to back her off with responsive offense. McCann tags her with a solid punch combination, and she drops down to hit a takedown with a second left in the round. The Brit concludes the round on top.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 McCann
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 McCann
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 McCann

Round 3

McCann takes the center of the cage to start off the last round, and Kim is there to fire back with long punches, using her reach advantage. McCann walks through a few shots to land one big bomb, and she takes two more across the bow as she launches a missile of a left hand that nearly lifts Kim off the ground. Kim keeps a stiff upper lip, and she replies by landing speedy combinations in line with her nickname of “Fire Fist.” McCann walks forward relentless, throwing wild hooks with as much power as she can muster, all while Kim is more content to string several together. Both get off right hands that knock the other back, and McCann continues to come towards Kim throwing power punches. Kim pops her with several punches as McCann takes them all on the chin and throws back. Kim sticks out a few jabs that McCann completely ignores, and McCann roughs her up with a two-hook combo. Kim circles out to the center of the cage to land a few of her own, and McCann chases her down with winging punches. The volume is terrific between these two, who both display solid chins as they have landed flush in large number. McCann lands a left hand, Kim gives it right back to her, and McCann is in her face clubbing her with heavy strikes. Kim continues to rattle off three- and four-punch salvos with McCann giving chase, and defense is not remotely a factor as the two keep swinging. McCann blasts her foe in the torso with a spinning back kick, and when she comes back around, she stings Kim with a left hand. McCann points to the ground and starts shouting, and she runs towards Kim like a berserker to throw everything she has at her opponent. “Meatball” scores a huge elbow, lays into Kim with a dangerously heavy combination, and Kim is finally showing some cracks in the armor. With seconds to go in the match, McCann pours it on with punches to the head and body, doing everything in her power to get a stoppage but coming up short as the final bell sounds. McCann releases a guttural scream after the final brawl concludes, thrilled for her performance after an extremely hard-fought battle.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 McCann (30-27 McCann)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 McCann (29-28 McCann)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 McCann (30-27 McCann)

The Official Result

Molly McCann def. Ji Yeon Kim via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Paddy Pimblett (155.5) vs. Luigi Vendramini (155.5)

Round 1

Just like that, we have reached the main card, with a lightweight tilt that is sure to bring some excitement and drama. Making his much-anticipated debut will be “The Baddy” Pimblett (16-3, 0-0 UFC), who will ply his trade against the 100 percent finish rate of Brazilian-Italian Vendramini (9-2, 1-2 UFC). Many expect this one will not need three full rounds, but just to be sure, referee Mark Smith will take charge for as long as required. There is no glove touch, and instead Pimblett engaged with a front kick and one to the thigh. Vendramini sits down on a pair of punches, and he gets kicked in the head for his effort. Vendramini makes him pay with a front kick and a jab, and Pimblett’s striking is wilder and more reckless but no less dangerous. Both trade big punches, and Vendramini blasts Pimblett with a right hand that shakes up the Brit. “The Italian Stallion” quickly lifts a damaged Pimblett up in the air and slams him on his back, where he starts unloading ground-and-pound. Pimblett escapes the worst of it, takes a few shots to the back of the head, and stands up only to absorb a knee on the jaw. Vendramini smacks Pimblett in the face with a left hand when Pimblett closes the distance, and Vendramini nails him in the lead leg when Pimblett backs off. Pimblett catches his foe with a right hand, but Vendramini chops down his calf. Pimblett slaps the Brazilian in the face with the ball of his feet, and Vendramini hurts him with a left hand. Vendramini chains a series of punches together to knock Pimblett’s hair back, and the combination makes Pimblett run away across the cage. Vendramini continues to tag him with left hands, and Pimblett tries to fire back but only hits air. Pimblett calms down by throwing a few low kicks, and he goes up high with them but is blocked each time. Vendramini gets off another calf kick to Pimblett’s increasingly swelling and reddening leg, and he lands a right hand after a kick that knocks Pimblett’s hair back. Pimblett shoots in for a single lifting Vendramini in the air and dropping Vendramini to a knee. Vendramini is able to keep his balance using the fence to hop away and keep his balance. Vendramini stumbles to a knee throwing a punch so hard, and Pimblett rocks him with a huge right hand. Pimblett connects with a flying knee, and he throws a combination of punches that knock Vendramini against the wall. Vendramini tries to counter him with hooks from the hip, but “The Baddy” lands the more accurate strikes and shakes Vendramini up again. The swarm of punches keep mounting, and a right hand amidst a tornado of fists sends Vendramini crashing down to the ground unconscious. A few strikes wake Vendramini up on the way down, but Smith is already in there to stop the thriller of a fight. McCann, who won in her last fight, sprints out from the locker room cageside to celebrate with her teammate in an emotional moment. Paddy Pimblett has successfully arrived to the UFC, surviving some adversity and scoring a crushing knockout after a wild brawl.

The Official Result

Paddy Pimblett def. Luigi Vendramini R1 4:25 via KO (Punches)

Modestas Bukauskas (205) vs. Khalil Rountree (205.5)

Round 1

A light heavyweight brawl should excite fans in this next one, when Bukauskas (11-4, 1-2 UFC) and Rountree (8-5, 1 NC; 4-5, 1 NC UFC) vie for a .500 record inside the Octagon. Something’s gotta give, and referee Herb Dean has been assigned to keep things up on the up-and-up. The gloves are not touched, and the hands are about to be traded. Bukauskas is the first to throw a strike, and Rountree prepares a big right hand counter. Rountree catches Bukauskas backing up, snapping his head back with a left hand. Rountree already knows he has his man hurt, and he starts smashing his fists into Bukauskas’ face. Rountree chases him into the wall, unloads on him, and Bukauskas runs away. This happens a few more times, with Rountree aggressively throwing deadly powerful blows that knock Bukauskas around the cage. Bukauskas’ eyes are wide open as Rountree stalks him down with murder in his eyes, and the huge punches have shattered the Lithuanian’s nose. Rountree does not recklessly pursue a finish, instead marching him down with hammers. Bukauskas tries to keep him backed off with a jab, but Rountree pounces with power punches to the busted nose and body. The American plods ahead, sizing up his strikes and waiting for openings to drop bombs. As Bukauskas gets his wits about him after every damaging blow, the onslaught of Rountree begins to slow. Rountree ends a combination with a thudding leg kick, and he stings Bukauskas again with a right hand. Bukauskas tries to step in to throw back, but Rountree snipes him on the way in. Bukauskas swipes out with a left hook, and Dean is quick to warn him for outstretched fingers. Rountree follows him with a slapping leg kick, and another right hand forces blood to splatter out of Bukauskas’ nose. “The Baltic Gladiator” goes up high with a kick, and when it is blocked, Rountree slams his foot in the thigh. A large welt has formed on the top of Bukauskas’ thigh from the kicks, and Rountree lays into him with a final combination that makes Bukauskas turn around. He cannot finish the job, and Bukauskas survives the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rountree
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Rountree
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rountree

Round 2

Rountree takes the center of the cage, ready to unload with a big right hand, and the two nearly connect with these blows. When they come up short, Rountree chops at the swelling leg like he were a 2021 Pedro Rizzo. The kicks have actually drawn blood on the thigh, but Bukauskas pays it no mind as he tries to bounce himself off the fence. Rountree marches on, landing a punch to send Bukauskas careening towards the cage wall. Bukauskas gathers his thoughts and tries to figure out a way to land a jab or some meaningful offense, as Rountree kicks at that bloody spot on the leg and a right hand to follow. Bukauskas strikes back, but Rountree shrugs it off, lands a kick to the knee and then lifts his leg up several times like a muay Thai fighter. Bukauskas lunges forward with his lead leg planted, and Rountree times it perfectly by stomping it with a short side kick that sends Bukauskas falling down to the canvas screaming. The fight is immediately over and Rountree knows his work here is done, and Dean runs over to attend to the fallen fighter. After several minutes of medical attention, Bukauskas receives a leg brace and is helped to his feet and out of the cage. In the post-fight interview, commentator Michael Bisping remarks that the doctor informed him that multiple ligaments for Bukauskas are likely shredded.

The Official Result

Khalil Rountree def. Modestas Bukauskas R2 2:30 via TKO (Leg Kick)

Alex Morono (170.5) vs. David Zawada (170.5)

Round 1

Another striker’s delight is right around the corner, as Morono (19-7, 1 NC; 8-4, 1 NC UFC) steps in on short notice against the muay Thai practitioner known as “Sagat” Zawada (17-6, 1-3 UFC). Keeping out of harm’s way will be referee Jason Herzog, as these two might come at one another fast. They do not touch gloves before throwing caution to the wind, and instead Zawada is ready to engage as he takes the center of the Octagon. Moreno stays on the outside, dodging an overhand right that soars his way. Morono swats away oncoming offense as the German punches and kicks at him, darting in and out before landing a big right hand. Both men club the other with solid right hands, and Zawada’s may be the sterner as Morono retreats. The Houston native sits down on a right hand as Zawada advances, but Zawada connects with a trio of short punches before his foe can release it. “The Great White” blasts Zawada with a right hand, and Zawada takes it on the chin and rushes in to clinch. Morono uses this clinch to land a big knee on the inside, and he ducks an elbow to knock Zawada back with a right hook. “Sagat” ducks in with a left hand and connects a right hand over the top, but Morono is there to counter with a pair of punches ending with a stiff right. When Zawada rushes towards him, both nail the other with punches, and a huge right hand from Morono collides with the temple. Zawada does not budge, and instead spins with a back kick that Morono can avoid. Morono takes a few punches to the body so that he can have Zawada at close range, where he can unload with a duo of heavy punches. “Sagat” clips his foe with a left hand, and Morono gathers himself and strings several together to knock Zawada back. A fade-back left hand from Morono scores, and he pops Zawada with a few punches before the German rushes in to throw hands. Both connect with solid uppercuts, and they proceed to slam each other in the face repeatedly until the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Morono
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Morono
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Morono

Round 2

The welterweights pick up right where they left off, trading wildly and landing practically at will with very little defense in question. Zawada slows down and kicks the American in the midsection with a kick, and Morono keeps a poker face but manages a wince due to the damage his body has taken. Morono throws hooks that glance off the head, and Zawada shows no sign of his chin cracking. Morono gladly absorbs a punch or two to the midsection so that he can go over the top, clocking Zawada with fierce strikes. Morono catches Zawada coming in with a left hand, and Zawada’s nose is starting to open up. Morono slips one and drills Zawada in that same damaged nose with a punch that could drop a light heavyweight, but Zawada takes it flush and does not blink. Morono continues to pepper that nose with punches, drawing a reaction from Zawada as Zawada tries to fire back. The German does this by aiming body shots that continue to find their home on the torso, but Morono is unabated and walks into a solid uppercut. Zawada looks to take advantage of close range by working the body, and Morono continues to walk forward and throw. Zawada targets a stomping kick to the knee, one that ended the previous match, and Morono turns his knee the right way as to not absorb the brunt of the blow. Zawada begins to find his target with several crisp punches, but Morono greets him in the center of the cage with a few and a head kick. One last big shot from Morono connects right as horn blares.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Morono
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Morono
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Morono

Round 3

Zawada takes the middle of the cage, only to be met by a swinging Morono, who still has plenty of pop after 10 minutes of throwing everything he has into his strikes. The Houston native punches his way into a takedown, where he puts the German on his back and sneaks around to take his back in a subsequent scramble. Zawada uses the cage to scrap Morono off of him and stand back up, but Morono keeps hold of his foe’s back and locks his hands around Zawada’s waist to pursue a mat return. Zawada manages to turn around, lands a knee to the body, and gets off an elbow on the break. The welterweights crash back together like waves in the night, landing one after the other without slowing down. Morono spins with a back fist that clubs the German right in the face, and Zawada takes it like a champ and does not go down. Instead, he strides forward to initiate a brawl, and Morono throws so hard that he gets off-balance and misses with these windmilling punches. Zawada steps in with a jab, and aims another to the body. “Sagat” kicks at the leg and tries to angle his way in, putting a trio of punches together while Morono looks to fire back with a looping right hand. Morono sits down on a counter right hand, and Zawada tightens things up and scores with straight punches. The pace might finally be getting to Morono, as his offense wanes while Zawada exerts pressure. “Sagat” shoots in and lands a takedown, and Morono snags hold of a guillotine choke off his back to hold on to it and ride out the round. Zawada pulls his head out and gives up his back as they stand back up. Morono’s trip attempt does not succeed until after time expires. Both fall to the ground from this after the fight ended, but Zawada does not hold it against him and they shake hands after 15 minutes of action.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Morono (30-27 Morono)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Morono (30-27 Morono)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Morono (30-27 Morono)

The Official Result

Alex Morono def. David Zawada via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Tom Aspinall (247) vs. Sergey Spivak (238.5)

Round 1

The cage will be tested in this co-main event, as British wrecking machine Aspinall (10-2, 3-0 UFC) tries to put a beating on late replacement Spivak (13-2, 4-2 UFC). Just two decision wins have come across their combined 23-victory careers, and the odds are on this one ending inside the distance as well. Keeping his head on a swivel will be referee Mark Smith, and Aspinall thanks Spivak for taking the fight by offering a glove touch. The Brit walks forward to engage, already pushing Spivak against the cage with a long jab or two. Aspinall gets off a one-two, and he again punches right on the sternum to surprise Spivak. Aspinall is warned for stretching his fingers towards his target, and he closes his fist and introduces it to the side of Spivak’s head. Aspinall drops his hands as he feints and fakes his way towards “The Polar Bear,” nullifying the short-notice replacement’s offense with forward momentum. Aspinall fakes an ankle pick to fire off a one-two, and the two splits the guard and makes Spivak bounce off the cage wall. Spivak shoots in from a distance for a double, and the Brit stops him, knees him in the chest and breaks off with a crushing right elbow. The blow separates Spivak from his senses, who staggers back until his legs betray him and he crumbles to the canvas. Aspinall jumps at the opportunity, attacking with a series of hammerfists and left hands one after the other until Smith has seen enough, calling a stop to the fight and putting the surging Brit on a seven-fight finish streak. The heavyweight division might have a serious contender on its hands, as Aspinall put away a top-15 opponent with relative ease.

The Official Result

Tom Aspinall def. Sergey Spivak R1 2:30 via TKO (Elbow and Punches)

Derek Brunson (186) vs. Darren Till (185.5)

Round 1

The headliner comes in the form of a middleweight crossroads battle, as Brunson (22-7, 13-5 UFC) looks to separate himself from the 185-pound pack at the expense of “The Gorilla” Till (18-3-1, 6-3-1 UFC). As he takes the fight in the UFC Apex instead of in front of home fans in London, Till elects to walk out to silence. For the victor likely comes a spot in the top-five within spitting distance of a title shot, and the loser tumbles down the division with a long way to go back up. Referee Herb Dean will be the third man inside the Octagon for this main event, and the two touch gloves with an intense stare before getting started. Till takes the center of the cage, and Brunson is there to kick his lead leg. Till wades forward with a one-two, and another pressures Brunson back to thew all. Brunson overextends with a big left hand, and Till clinches him up and pushes him away before any wrestling can get going. Brunson steps in with a left hand and an inside calf kick, and he bites on a feint and jumps back. Till scores a solid left hand on the chin, with his strikes drawing reactions from his opponent. Both men trade strikes, until Brunson has had enough of the hands and hits a double to put Till on his back. Brunson slices over to half guard as he exerts heavy top pressure, keeping the Brit flat on the ground but not doing much in the way of offense. Till tries to kick his legs off and is scrambling just enough to stop any strikes from assaulting him, until Brunson starts to grind his elbow on the side of Till’s head. Brunson postures up to slam his fists on Till’s face in a three-quarter mount, and Till turtles up as Brunson rains down blows. Till turns to his side as his eye is swelling up quickly, and Brunson blasts him with an elbow that makes Till’s head bounce off the floor. Brunson in this half guard allows him to pummel Till with ferocious ground-and-pound, and Dean is taking a close eye on the contest as Brunson batters his opponent with elbows. Till kicks Brunson off of him and manages to get back to his feet, and even pats Brunson on the back several times to applaud his work. Then they break, Brunson scores an elbow, and Till is wearing it around his right eye. “The Gorilla” dances out of the way when Brunson swings wildly at him, avoiding an overhand right and a head kick while he tries to gather his own thoughts still. The round ends without Till pursuing much in the way of offense after getting up.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Brunson
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Brunson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Brunson

Round 2

Till is ready to come out to start the second round strong, and he pushes away a takedown try when Brunson attempts it. Till throws a right hand, but Brunson ducks it, grabs a body lock and pursues the takedown. The Scouser stays on his feet and walks his way back to the cage wall, where Brunson is glad to be as he can mash his full body weight against his opponent on the chain links like a cheese grater. Till gains separation, and Brunson instantly goes for a takedown. Till stops this double in its tracks, again winding up against the fence as they twist and turn for position. Till knees Brunson in the side to get him to back off, and he starts to work the jab to keep his advancing foe at bay. Till catches Brunson with a knee on the chin as Brunson shoots, but Brunson keeps his composure, scoops Till off the ground and puts him down on his back in the middle of the cage. In half guard like before, Brunson is comfortable on top without much risk of Till getting up, allowing him to land short shots and go chest-to-chest to squeeze the air out of the Brit. Brunson looks to pass guard, all while softening up the body with short strikes, and Till holds on for dear life to hope for a standup. Brunson methodically works Till over and tightens his grasp for a possible arm-triangle choke setup, and Till bucks but cannot get the Sanford MMA fighter off of him. As Till kicks, Brunson stands back up and lets Till get to his knees, but there is method to his madness. Brunson quickly jumps over to take his back, and he lands a few blows while Till stands back up. The round concludes in the clinch.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brunson
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Brunson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Brunson

Round 3

The Brit’s eye continues to close up as swelling grows between rounds, but he is still good to continue. Brunson slings a head kick that is blocked, and Till fires a responsive one-two that clip Brunson on the side of the head. The American appears surprised, but he is quick to recover as he goes after a double. Till stops this upright by kneeing Brunson in the chest and stinging him with an elbow reminiscent of the co-headlining finishing sequence. Till starts up landing a few heavy leg kicks, slowing Brunson, who is plodding towards him. Brunson ducks a strike and tries to hang on to Till in a clinch, but Till drills him in the side of the head with a left hand. When Brunson ducks down, hurt badly, Till pursues a standing guillotine choke. Brunson gladly takes this position, as he lifts Till in the air and slams him down to the ground. The Brit does not accept this, twisting around but ultimately giving up mount as Brunson starts to batter him with brutal blows from above. Till turns around to try to get to his knees and back up, but Brunson is able to easily secure a back-take and fish for a fight-ending maneuver. That sequence comes in the form of a rear-naked choke setup, which Brunson hits quickly as he flattens “The Gorilla” out. When the choke is set and the arm is under the neck and cinched up, Till taps out quickly as there is no escape for him. Brunson, who is now the winner of five straight over several legitimate names, is comfortable waiting for the winner of the Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker rematch in a few months. Whenever that happens, we will be here for it, and we hope you are too.

The Official Result

Derek Brunson def. Darren Till R3 2:13 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)