UFC on ESPN 46 ‘Kara-France vs. Albazi’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Maxim Grishin (205) vs. Philipe Lins (205.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Grishin (-135), Lins (+115)

Round 1

For the first of about a dozen straight Saturdays (or more), the UFC will be in your life. The shows will jump back and forth from the UFC Apex to various other venues in North America and a quick jaunt to Europe, and this one starts in Las Vegas in front of a small crowd. The baker’s dozen matchups begins with a match that seems plucked from the ranks of PFL, as it contains two former champs from that organization. Both light heavyweights have an even record inside the Octagon so far, which means that either Lins (16-5, 2-2 UFC) or Grishin (32-9-2, 2-2 UFC) will presumably get over the hump in the next 15 minutes or less. The referee for the first fight of the night is Dan Miragliotta, who stands back as the two competitors clap hands. Lins quickly rushes out swinging his fists, and Grishin leans back and absorbs a calf kick. Lins winds up with right hand, catching the Russian on the chin and backing him off, and he follows him to the wall to clinch him up. The two split apart, and Lins lets loose with a low kick on the break. Grishin dances out of the way and stands right in front of his opponent, ready to trade hands. Lins bears down on him with another looping overhand right, and this time Grishin is wise to it and closes the distance to tie his man up. Grishin smashes his heels on Lins’ toes repeatedly, and Lins gives him back a knee to the torso before turning him around and pursuing a potential level change. The two stall out in this position, both jockeying for underhooks, and Lins drops down for a double-leg takedown and quickly transitions to a single-leg entry. Both fail as Grishin stands him up and pushes off the forehead to get some space. Grishin slams a kick on the inner thigh, and Lins grimaces as if it struck his cup. Grishin offers a glove touch as they do not pause, and Lins gathers his thoughts and swings a left to the body and right to the head. This forward pressure allows him to drive Grishin back to the wire again, until Grishin muscles out and wings punches. Lins catches him in a counter uppercut, and Grishin’s head snaps back and his eyes go wide as he shells up against the cage wall. The Brazilian does not capitalize on possibly hurting his opponent, instead going for another tie-up to slow things down. Lins abandons this to get back to striking range, and he swats away a front kick that measures at him. Grishin chambers his right leg and fires it off, and it slaps beneath the armpit with a loud echo. Lins sits down on a right hand, and he jabs the body to get Grishin to react. Grishin fakes a level change and steps in with an elbow, and he spins with an elbow that pops Lins right on the top of the head. Lins bites down on his mouthpiece and slams his right hand into the temple, and Grishin is suddenly rocked. Lins swings for the bleachers, but time expires before he can get anything extra from it. A few land after the bell, and he immediately apologizes to his opponent and Miragliotta.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lins
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Lins
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Lins

Round 2

The fighters re-engage with a quick glove touch, and they come out swinging. Both men get the other’s attention, and Lins mixes up his punch combos with low kicks. Lins just misses with a booming uppercut, and he crashes forward, head first, and bumps it into Grishin’s chin. Grishin grits his teeth and starts preparing for takedown defense, as Lins looks to change levels. Grishin hammerfists the thigh feebly as he tries to stay active in some fashion, and Lins elects to lift him up clear off the ground. Grishin recovers his balance at the last second when getting set down to stay upright, and he threatens with a standing kimura to turn things around. Lins wrenches his arm out of it and drops down for a low single, which forces Grishin to defend by dropping to his own knees. Grishin stands up and unloads with a vicious elbow, and Lins is stung and backpedaling. Grishin gives chase, and he hopes to hammer the nail, but he does not consider that Lins is still with it and ready to sling leather. Both men crack one another with huge punches, and they decide to calm down a little as they shake out the cobwebs. Lins is the first to recover, and he rushes in for a level change. Lins turns the corner to try for a standing back take, and he hangs his right arm around the waist until Grishin torques it back around and spins. Lins settles for simple clinch control, pressing his shoulder into Grishin’s pectorals to keep him stuck. Grishin smacks the thigh with a few more hammerfists when Lins stalls out in this position, before getting a full head of steam and turning Lins about. Lins gets the upper hand and breaks with a solid right hand on the dome, and Grishin shakes his head and begins to walk Lins down. Lins slaps out a few kicks as Grishin comes forward, and he blocks a high kick and shakes his hand out. Lins lets go with a few punches when they come close, and Grishin does the same from up close. Lins connects with a thudding kick to the ribs and an uppercut to follow, and the round ends with a sweeping kick from Grishin.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lins
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Lins
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Lins

Round 3

The final frame kicks off as the light heavyweights tap their fists together, and then proceed to put their fists on one another’s faces. Grishin scores with a solid right hand over the top, and Lins backs away and blinks his eyes repeatedly. Grishin chains a left hook into a big elbow, and Lins is stunned briefly and gets his bearings to push Grishin back to the wall. Lins pursues a double, and Grishin stands him up and pops him with a right hand on the way out. Lins is quick to get back up close, and Grishin times an uppercut and a few punches on the inside. Lins does not want to take these blows, so he settles for getting as close as physically possible. Grishin’s takedown defense holds up as he sprawls and nearly does a split to remain on his feet, and Lins backs away to score a few punches before pushing forward once more. Lins commits to a double before kneeing the thigh once, and Grishin breaks away and reaches him with a few long punches. Lins replies with a low kick, and he scores a kick to the ribs for good measure. Lins then closes the distance for yet another clinch, and his takedown fails before it can even materialize. The grinding fight ends as Grishin attempts his own takedown.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Grishin (29-28 Lins)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Lins (30-27 Lins)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Grishin (29-28 Lins)

The Official Result

Philipe Lins def. Maxim Grishin via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Da'Mon Blackshear (136) vs. Luan Lacerda (136)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Lacerda (-145), Blackshear (+125)

Round 1

Moving right along, bantamweights take center stage where two men are vying for their first UFC victory. After two tries, Blackshear (12-5-1, 0-1-1 UFC) has yet to get his hand raised with the promotion, but he hopes the third time will be the charm against Brazilian grappler Lacerda (12-2, 0-1 UFC). The action on the ground should prove entertaining, and referee Chris Tognoni is assigned to keep up with it. The fight kicks off with a glove touch, and both men look for angles early. Blackshear reaches out with a right hand as he lifts his leg up anticipatorily, prepared for Lacerda leg kicks. Blackshear puts the ball of his foot on the chest and swings a right hand over the top, and Lacerda times a clean right hand counter to shake Blackshear up. Blackshear instantly moves forward, potentially on autopilot, and he clinches up to gather his thoughts. Lacerda turns to give up his back as he attempts to escape, and Blackshear hangs on and knees him in the posterior. Lacerda is warned for fence grabs, and he drops down for a leglock and gets away with a grab on the links. Blackshear turns him over and starts popping him with unguarded right hands, all while Lacerda is fully committed to any kind of leglock he can pull out, be it a heel hook or a kneebar. Lacerda turns to his side as he hunts for a kneebar, with his hands clasped below Blackshear’s knee. Lacerda ratchets the knee straight and torques it, and Blackshear slides his knee below the danger zone and slides it out. Blackshear jumps back to his feet and unloads with a combination of punches, and Lacerda looks for responsive punches as he swings for the fences. Lacerda walks his man down with lumbering, telegraphed punches, and he appears to be slowing to a degree already just three and a half minutes in. They trade jabs instead of throwing bungalows, and Blackshear darts in and hits a tackling takedown that puts Lacerda on his back. The Brazilian is quick to get back up, and Blackshear lets him up so he can punch him in the face. They engage in a clinch in the center of the cage and trade knees, and they both nail one another with power punches. Blackshear is more accurate, measuring with solid right hands while Lacerda is aiming for home run punches. Lacerda bolts ahead and drops down for a single, and he pulls Blackshear to his seat but cannot keep him there before Blackshear scrambles. When Blackshear lands on his back, he starts searching for an inverted triangle choke, but there is nothing there before the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Blackshear
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Blackshear
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Blackshear

Round 2

The bantamweights meet in the middle of the cage to pick up where they left off, as they begin a slugfest. Blackshear is more active and striking cleaner, while Lacerda is still committed to winging one-hitter quitters. This allows Blackshear to pick and poke at him, and reach him with solid strikes while being out of the way when the hook wooshes by him. Lacerda lands one such left hook and dislodges the gumshield, and Blackshear replies with a five-punch combination and a low kick. Blackshear kicks the body when Lacerda comes at him, and he uses his jab as a distance keeper. Lacerda ignores it as he digs two punches to the body, and Blackshear sits down on a quick right hand. When Blackshear follows it with three more, Lacerda advances in pursuit of a takedown. Lacerda falls to his back with a sacrificial drop, and he hits the mat and guns for a leglock. Blackshear sits down and keeps himself out of harm’s way until Lacerda turns to his stomach and tries to crank the ankle. Blackshear drops down several right hands to the ribs and wriggles his foot free, and Lacerda pursues another foot lock from the other side. Blackshear is warned for punching the back of the head due to the strange angle he has to attack, and he hooks his foot beneath his own knee to protect it from a submission. Blackshear gains a dominant position where he is able to wind up and smash Lacerda in the face with a series of thumping punches, and Lacerda is so singularly focused on the sub that he does not protect himself from harm. “Da Monster” batters his foe with monstrous left hands, and Lacerda’s nose busts open and blood sprays all over the canvas. As Blackshear continues to beat down on Lacerda, Tognoni watches on until he has no choice but to stop the fight. Blackshear has earned his first UFC win, doing so in a big way as he picks up what to him is a rare knockout.

The Official Result

Da'Mon Blackshear def. Luan Lacerda R2 3:54 via TKO (Punches)

Jinh Yu Frey (116) vs. Elise Reed (115)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Reed (-130), Frey (+110)

Round 1

Ladies take to the cage for this strawweight affair, one between two women that could use a win right now. While Reed (6-3, 2-3 UFC) has lost two of three, Frey (11-8, 2-4 UFC) has dropped two in a row. Referee Mark Smith draws the charge for this 115-pound affair, and it begins without them touching gloves. Reed rushes out to attack, and Frey defends and backs off early. Reed scores a front kick down the middle, and Frey runs at her to engage in a clinch. Frey successfully throws Reed to the mat, where she lands right in half guard. Reed looks for a sweep, and she maintains an active guard to prevent Frey from mounting any offense. Frey is pulled back to the guard, and she swipes down with one punch before Reed looks to kick her off. Reed paws at her foe from her back, with low-impact blows to stay the busier of the two. Reed transitions suddenly to an omoplata shoulder lock, and she uses this to burst back to her feet. As they both return standing, a large hematoma begins to form on top of Frey’s left eye. They both land with straight punches, and they decide to trade body kicks shortly thereafter. Reed lashes out with a one-two, and Frey ducks them and hits a takedown to put Reed on her seat. The New Jersey native pops right back up and pumps a right hand on the swollen forehead of her adversary. Reed checks a low kick as she walks the former Invicta champ down, and she whiffs on a high kick. Frey retaliates with a quick left hand over the top, and she comes up short with a front kick to follow. Frey circles out of the way from a strike to wind up with a huge left hand that staggers Reed for a second. Reed steels herself and punches her way into a clinch, where she knees the body when closing in. Frey breaks off with a solid left hook, and Reed eats it like a pork roll and keeps on coming forward. They trade hands until the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Frey
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Frey
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Frey

Round 2

Reed races out of her corner first to take the center of the cage, and she strikes first as well with low kicks and high punches. Reed chains the calf kicks into punches, and she does work on Frey’s lead wheel. Frey steps in with a single left hand, and it is one-and-done as Reed backs her off and misses a head kick by a matter of inches. Frey swipes out with a left, but she is out of range as Reed is light on her feet and moving quickly. Reed darts forward, planting two punches on the dome and slapping the instep of her foot on Frey’s midsection. Frey tries and fails to reply with a combination, and Reed reaches her with a straight right down the pipe. As Frey aims a low kick of her own, Reed catches her with a one-two. Frey shrugs off the strikes to close in and secure a takedown, and she lands in the half guard. Reed remains offensive from her back, searching for an omoplata or some kind of submission she can lock down, and she succeeds in shutting down the strikes from Frey. Reed lines up a solid left hand to drill it into Frey’s temple, and Frey leans herself down and finds herself in submission danger. Reed looks for a triangle and is quick to transition towards and armbar, and Frey decides to abandon ship and just stand up. Frey lets go with a head kick right as Reed is coming up, and it collides off the guard. Reed advances and clinches, where she lands a few knees and ends the round to potentially sway it in her favor.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Reed
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Reed
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Reed

Round 3

Reed picks up where she ended the last round, as the aggressor, striking while Frey defends. Frey looks for a swiping right hand, and Reed kicks her a few times in the side. The forward movement from the New Jersey-based fighter lead her into another clinch, but it does not last long before Frey is the one to push her away. Reed strings together a few short combinations as Frey hops on her bicycle, and she overextends a punch flurry to find herself defending a double. Reed stuffs it and breaks off, and she reaches her foe with a right hand. Reed kicks the lead calf and sticks Frey, and on the way out she dodges a looping right hand soaring at her. Reed prods out a jab and a front kick to the sternum, and she uses single strikes as Frey is more interested in power punches that miss the mark. Reed pushes into a clinch, and she cannot hold Frey there and returns to boxing range. They trade head kicks, with Reed blocking one and giving it back. Reed stings her foe with a sharp combination, and Frey hits nothing but air as she is kicked in the gut. Reed walks her down and operates with effective jabs, and she chains them into punch or kick bursts. Frey ducks a punch and scores a solid right hook, and Reed tanks it without batting an eye. Reed spins with a back kick that glances off the raised guard, and she dodges the looping strikes from the former Invicta queen. Frey looks to secure the round with a takedown, but Reed pushes her off, connects with a front kick and a few punches, and the close match comes to close.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Reed (29-28 Reed)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Reed (29-28 Reed)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Reed (29-28 Reed)

The Official Result

Elise Reed def. Jinh Yu Frey via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Jamie Mullarkey (156) vs. Muhammadjon Naimov (155.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Mullarkey (-500), Naimov (+400)

Round 1

On relatively short notice – not as short as a match on the main card – Mullarkey (16-5, 4-3 UFC) finds himself facing off against a new foe than expected. Rather than Guram Kutateladze, the Aussie takes on the debuting Naimov (8-2, 0-0 UFC), who made his way to the big leagues through Titan FC and the newly professional Tuff-N-Uff circuit. Both fighters sport finish rates of 75% or higher, so referee Herb Dean may have his hands full with these lightweights. They display respect before slugging it out, touching gloves prior to engaging. Naimov is the aggressor as he takes to the cage for the first time, and he strikes with leg kicks on both sides. Mullarkey responds with one of his own, and the two hand fight with their fingers outstretched. Naimov circles on the outside, and Mullarkey punches his way in as they bump heads. Naimov breaks off from the engagement and backpedals, and he cannot avoid a solid left hand and a subsequent kick to the body. The Aussie again looks for a few big punches, and he ends up in a body lock and looks to counter throw Naimov to the floor. The newcomer keeps his balance and dings Mullarkey with an elbow from behind before sprinting out of the clinch. Mullarkey flicks out a jab, and he catches a body kick and uses it to throw Naimov to his seat. Naimov springs back up, and Mullarkey greets him with a big right hand. Mullarkey does not give his man space to breathe, as he pushes him to the wall and looks to take him down with a body lock. Naimov uses a sharp knee to the ribs to allow him to separate, and he pushes off a front kick that Mullarkey dodges easily. Mullarkey plods forward, and he sneaks a right hand over the shoulder. Naimov plants a jab on the forehead and a low kick below the knee, and Mullarkey shrugs it off and advances again to take the fight down. The Tajikistan-based fighter defends the attempt and backs up to the wall, where he is able to surprise Mullarkey with an uppercut before splitting up again. Naimov kicks up high, and Mullarkey kicks him at the same time to make Naimov fall over. When Naimov stands, Mullarkey is right on him and raps the ribs with rights and lefts. Mullarkey gets off a pair of punches before the horn blares.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Mullarkey
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Mullarkey
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Mullarkey

Round 2

The round beings with a low kick from Naimov, which slides up and clacks off the cup. Dean sees it and pauses the action, and he gives Mullarkey time to recover. The Aussie only needs about 30 seconds to catch his breath, and he starts up by paying Naimov back with a huge overhand right. Naimov backs off and cannot skirt away from a leg kick, and he swings so hard that Mullarkey crashes into him and takes a shoulder to the chin. Naimov gets off a few punches to redden the nose of his opponent, but they are few and far between while Mullarkey is quicker on the jaw and able to use his footwork to protect himself from most harm. They both fire off front kicks at one another, and after a lull, Naimov deftly spins with a back kick that slams squarely on the midsection. Mullarkey does not like this, and he bull-rushes forward and tackles Naimov to the canvas. Naimov gives up his back so he can stand up, and Mullarkey cannot take advantage of this by any way other than holding on from behind. Mullarkey sneaks some right hands in before letting go, and Naimov thanks him for releasing him by spinning with a beautiful wheel kick that skims right off the top of the head. Mullarkey darts forward and ducks down for a takedown, and Naimov intercepts him with a right hook flush on the chin. The blow knocks Mullarkey clean off his feet and briefly separates himself from his senses, and the back of his head clatters off the mat. Naimov surges into action, raining down merciless punches until Dean has seen enough. Mullarkey sits up and protests when it is waved off, but as he tries to stand up, he falls to his side like a fainting goat to justify the stoppage. This is a titanic introductory win for the man known as “Hillman,” who electrifies his home crowd packing the stands in Tajikistan just after 4:30 in the morning local time. In his first UFC win coming at the lightweight division, Naimov signals that he will be best suited at featherweight, and ambitiously calls out champion Alexander Volkanovski and ex-champ Max Holloway.

The Official Result

Muhammadjon Naimov def. Jamie Mullarkey R2 2:59 via TKO (Punches)

John Castaneda (136) vs. Muin Gafurov (136)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: N/A

Round 1

An action-packed bantamweight clash should treat fans next, as “Sexi Mexi” Castaneda (19-6, 2-2 UFC) collides with Tajikistani newcomer Gafurov (18-4, 0-0 UFC). The latter will hope to end the night with a sweep for his country, and he brings with him a 94% stoppage rate to keep the American on his toes. Referee Chris Tognoni will need to similarly be ready for anything, and he appears prepared as the fighters clap hands together. Gafurov is the first one to strike, potentially energized by his countryman getting his hand raised moments ago. He swings his way into an engagement, and Castaneda slides out of the way and avoids the brunt of the danger. Castaneda slides to his side, and Gafurov gives chase and goes after a takedown. “Sexi Mexi” escapes it and absorbs a body kick on the way out, and he tries to reply with one of his own. Gafurov wings a right hand over the top to get his foe’s attention, and he connects partially with an axe kick and a spinning wheel kick that give Castaneda pause. Castaneda sticks out a straight left hand to snap the head back, and he chips at the lead calf with a kick. Castaneda has a kick caught, and Gafurov lifts it up high and tries to take the fight down, but cannot. Castaneda evades the lunging, winging strikes whizzing at him, and he bats away a spinning back kick aimed at his midsection. Castaneda gets in another straight punch to redden the nose, and he sends the shin upside the head. Straight lefts from Castaneda continue to find their home cleanly, further disrupting the ultra-aggressive Gafurov. “Tajik” ducks down with a right hand, and Castaneda replies with a high kick that rings Gafurov’s bell. Castaneda bowls his man over with a series of punches, having hurt Gafurov with the kick, but he cannot keep him there. Gafurov works his way up, the two wildly scramble, and they return to space to strike. The Tajikistan-based fighter scores a body kick and bullies Castaneda back to the wall to unload with several punches to the body before Castaneda can get out. Gafurov swings and misses before the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda

Round 2

The bantamweights touch gloves to re-introduce themselves to one another, and Gafurov appears to have fully recovered from the knockdown. Gafurov is fired up, and he chases Castaneda around the cage throwing everything he has at him. The two clash heads, but Tognoni does it see it even as Gafurov protests. This leads to Gafurov getting angry, and he wants to make Castaneda pay for this transgression and swings for the bleachers again and again. Gafurov sweeps the leg with a calf kick, and Castaneda pops back up and uses a body lock to drag “Tajik” to the mat. Castaneda takes the back during a scramble, and he latches on to a rear-naked choke and slides the arm under the chin. Gafurov stands back up and shakes Castaneda off, and he gets up and begins drilling Castaneda with an onslaught of punches. As Gafurov is advancing, he gets tagged, and he races ahead and ends up headbutting Castaneda squarely on the chin. Tognoni pauses the action, and he deducts one point from Gafurov for what he determines to be an intentional headbutt and not an incidental head clash, with Gafurov leading with his head ducked . Castaneda takes the time he needs to recover from the foul, and when they resume, Gafurov is ready to engage and lash out any way he can. Gafurov drives forward with strikes, and ends up pursuing a takedown that he secures briefly. Castaneda rolls to his knees and powers his way back up, and Gafurov is on him with a front kick to the body and a few punches. Castaneda is giving it as much as he is receiving, but he is not swinging as wildly and reckless as his opponent. Gafurov throws everything he has into his punches, and Castaneda counters him cleanly and staggers the Tajikistani fighter. Castaneda elects to crash forward for a low takedown by the ankles, and Gafurov fights it off by grabbing the fence. The round ends with the two tied up.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 9-9
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 9-9
Tyler Treese scores the round: 9-9

Round 3

Tognoni sternly warns Gafurov through the interpreter between rounds, as heads have bumped together repeatedly through this match. When they begin fighting, Gafurov leads off with a low kick that nearly sweeps the leg, and Castaneda recovers and leans back from a looping left hand. Gafurov recklessly pursues a takedown, and Castaneda escapes it and returns to his feet where he belts Gafurov with a right hand and a left to follow. Gafurov replies with a body kick, and Castaneda is pressing the action while Gafurov is just throwing with overhands that largely do not land. Castaneda clinches up and has his ear slapped a few times, and he spins with a back elbow on the break. Gafurov shakes it off and eats a body kick, but he is not faltering in spamming wide-arced hooks. Castaneda ducks them and ties his man up again, and Gafurov signals to Tognoni that he was the victim of a headbutt or some clash. When he is paying attention to the referee, he does not keep his balance, as Castaneda slings him to the floor. Castaneda stacks his man up until Gafurov turns to his knees and partially gives his back up. Gafurov tugs the fence a few times to pull himself upright, and Castaneda is doggedly pursuing the takedown as Gafurov appears to be fading. Castaneda lifts Gafurov up, and Gafurov grabs the cage with both hands to stop the takedown from succeeding. Castaneda exerts enough energy for a second attempt, and this time, Gafurov is not able to foul his way to remain on his feet. When Gafurov lowers to his knees, Castaneda searches for a rear-naked choke. Time expires before anything can come of it.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda (29-27 Castaneda)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda (29-27 Castaneda)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda (29-27 Castaneda)

The Official Result

John Castaneda def. Muin Gafurov via Unanimous Decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)

Andrei Arlovski (245) vs. Don'Tale Mayes (262.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Mayes (-125), Arlovski (+105)

Round 1

The obligatory unranked heavyweight slobberknocker of UFC Fight Night events of late is not placed on the main card, despite a former champion among the two combatants. Instead, the grizzled vet Arlovski (34-21, 2 NC; 23-15, 1 NC UFC) is placed on the prelims even as he searches for the UFC’s win record of 24 – which would tie him with leader Jim Miller, for now – and he will be matched up against Kentucky-based slugger Mayes (9-5, 1 NC; 2-3, 1 NC UFC). While Arlovski has not earned a finish in quite some time, it is still heavyweight, and anything can still very much happen. Referee Mark Smith is on guard for the big men rumbling, and the two are not interested in touching gloves to get started. Mayes swarms forward with winging punches, but Arlovski is able to see the strikes coming and avoid everything but a few leg kicks. Mayes pushes out a front kick that Arlovski avoids, and he catches Mayes behind the ear with a right hand. Mayes is stunned, but he gathers his thoughts and tosses out a low kick. When Arlovski tags him again, Mayes stops in his tracks, and he takes a moment before gathering his thoughts to blitz. Arlovski evades the two big punches that fly at him, and he stands in front of Mayes but lets Mayes punch past him. Arlovski remains light on his feet to force Mayes to hit nothing but air, and he aims a straight right hand to the body. Mayes ducks in to land a big left to the ribs, and he darts forward as Arlovski is out of the way. Arlovski chips at the lead leg and crashes forward suddenly with a right hand, and Mayes grunts and has to take a quick count of his teeth. Mayes whiffs on a head kick, and he takes a solid low kick that makes him change stances. Mayes lunges and lands at the end of one punch, and he spins with a kick that has the heel bounce off the guard. Arlovski kicks low and punches high, and Mayes is still looking for answers. Mayes has two left hands bounce off the raised arms of his foe, and he absorbs a left to the chest when Arlovski skirts away. Arlovski sets up a pair of overhand rights that miss the intended target, and he hops away when Mayes practically runs at him with offense. Arlovski ducks a looping left hook and turns the corner effortlessly, and he spins with a back fist that clubs Mayes on the side of the dome. Arlovski catches his man with a left hand, and Mayes is so wild that he tries to grab hold of his man and throw him down with a body lock. Mayes gets up close to drive to elbows to the chin, and Arlovski is shaken up and backs off. Mayes scores one more heavy blow before the round ends, having stung the former champ right before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Arlovski
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Arlovski
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Arlovski

Round 2

Mayes looks to pick up where he left off in the last stage of the round, and he strikes first with a few whipping leg kicks. Mayes digs a shin to the body, and he plants the ball of his foot on Arlovski’s solar plexus to stop him from advancing. Arlovski dodges a left hand, and the two clash together and their heads slam together. Smith sees this and immediately pauses the fight, and gives Arlovski the time to clear his head. After a brief warning, the two get back to business, and Arlovski starts up with several kicks. The two trade hands, and the leg kicks from Arlovski are getting the better of Mayes. Mayes lifts his leg up preemptively, and attacks in blitzes and backs Arlovski up against the wall. Arlovski circles away to prevent the worst of the harm, and suddenly changes tempos to lead in with a right hand. Mayes sneaks in with a right hand, and Arlovski connects at the exact same time with an uppercut. Arlovski pins Mayes with a clean one-two, and Mayes considers a jumping move but abandons ship. Mayes lands a calf kick with a thump, and Arlovski walks him down and slugs him in the face repeatedly. Arlovski eats one to force him to think twice about this kind of reckless exchange, and he gets back to a safer range. Mayes dodges a jab and loads up on a massive right hand, clubbing the former champ right on the beard and putting him down hard. Arlovski rolls to his side, totally defeated, and Mayes hammers the nail in the form of a few concussive hammerfists. Smith dives between them to call a halt to the fight, with Mayes only needing a few final strikes to get the job done. In the blink of an eye, Mayes turned things around to put the 44-year-old out, and notched the biggest win of his career in the process.

The Official Result

Don'Tale Mayes def. Andrei Arlovski R2 3:17 via TKO (Punches)

Johnny Munoz Jr. (136) vs. Daniel Santos (135.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Santos (-205), Munoz (+175)

Round 1

Wrapping up the prelims is a fight previously scheduled for May. Suffering an injury a month ago, Santos (11-2, 2-1 UFC) is ready to go this time around, and ready to represent his team of Chute Boxe Diego Lima. He will throw down with California’s Munoz (12-2, 2-2 UFC), who is hoping to lift his UFC record above .500. The two will battle it out under the oversight of referee Herb Dean, and the fight kicks off with a half-hearted touch of gloves. The two immediately kick at the same time, and Santos’ shin spits the upright and smashes square into Munoz’ cup. Munoz collapses to the ground in agony from the brutal but accidental kick, and he rolls around trying to recover from the blow. After a minute, Munoz manages to stand up, and he leans on the cage as Dean tells him to take his time. Munoz paces back and forth, shaking it out, and he tells Dean that he is good to go after two minutes. Dean tells Santos to watch his weapons, and the two fighters get back to it with a glove touch. Santos thinks about a low kick, and he pulls back on it. Munoz strides forward with a right hand, and he rushes the Brazilian fighter to the wall. Santos attempts to trip his foe to the mat, and then both drop a knee. Munoz stands up and pulls guard to drag “Willycat” on top of him, and he fastens a body triangle around Santos’ waist on top of him. Santos breaks it up courtesy of a few body shots, and Munoz rolls for an armbar. Santos climbs back to his feet, and he gets belted with an upkick on the way. Santos lowers himself back in, and he finds himself in immediate triangle choke danger. Munoz locks it up, but Santos is able to stack him up and break the grip just enough to get some breathing room, and he stands back up. Santos allows Munoz to follow him, and he is greeted by a step-in knee. Santos thanks him for this by spinning with a kick to the body, and Munoz drills a left hand to the dome and kicks low only to catch Santos in the cup. Santos gets ample time to recover, and Munoz gets the warning this time around. After 30 seconds, Santos is ready to roll out, and he starts by kicking. Santos then decides to jump with a strike, and he takes a front kick to the body and dodges a spinning back fist that flies past him. Munoz shoots in for a double out of nowhere, and Santos stands him up and knees him in the groin. There is no break this time, and instead they explode out of the clinch position with a knee from Munoz. Munoz gets thrown to the floor and may welcome the takedown, and Santos stands and swats away an upkick before letting Munoz back up. When both up again, Santos rips the body with a kick. Munoz dives at him for a takedown, and when that fails, he attempts a flying leglock that misses the mark and ends with him flopping on his back. Before he can stand, Santos leaps at him to take top position. Santos lets the guard close around him to slow things down. Santos postures up with seconds to go, and Munoz kicks off the chest to make Santos get up. When Munoz follows him, he blocks a jumping switch kick, and the dramatic round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Munoz
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Santos
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Santos

Round 2

The fighters touch ‘em up to start the second round, and Munoz jumps with a knee and is intercepted midair with a front kick. Santos sits down on a left hook as Munoz crashes the pocket, and Munoz ends up pulling guard when he cannot secure his own takedown. Santos lets him close the guard so that he can work the body and head with punches and an elbow, and Munoz looks for a body triangle off his back. Santos breaks it up with a straight right hand, and he swats away an upkick and stands up to look for a way back in. Santos chips at the left leg with kicks as he stands with Munoz his back, and Munoz occasionally kicks back to the knee. Santos wades back into the guard, and Munoz fastens the body lock again to keep Santos pinned on top of him. This allows Santos to pound away from on top, as the submission threats have slowed while Santos is doing some work courtesy of solid ground-and-pound. Dean asks Santos to work during a lull, and Santos rains down punches and hurts Munoz to make him turn to his side. Santos opens his foe’s nose up with ground strikes, and he stands up to drive a left hand to the jaw. Santos kicks the leg a few times before letting Munoz up. Munoz punches his way into a desperate takedown attempt, and Santos stuffs him and sets up a front choke. Munoz rolls to his back before the submission can be set up, and he starts hunting for upkicks until Dean has him stand up. They let front kicks do again at the same time, and Munoz kicks a second time and gets knocked to his back with a right hand while off-balance. Santos pounds on his opponent right to the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Santos
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Santos
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Santos

Round 3

The last round begins with a glove touch, and Santos kicks Munoz in the thigh and it bounces up to the cup. Munoz drops to a knee, and he leans against the wall as he figuratively licks his wounds. Munoz holds his midsection because of the pain he endured from the second powerful groin strike. Dean has someone bring the bucket in case Munoz is forced to vomit, but the fouled fighter signals that he is not going to do so. Munoz stands after about two minutes, and Dean has no choice but to deduct one point from Santos for the second foul of its type. Munoz is ready to go again, and Santos is enraged. Munoz starts off looking for a takedown, and Santos throws him to the ground angrily like a sack of potatoes. Munoz allows this so he can open his guard up and try to lock Santos down or look for a submission, but it only results in him staying on his back for a time. Santos lets the body triangle clamp around him so that he can start up with ground-and-pound, and Santos does exactly this for a time. Santos jumps back to his feet, and Munoz fires off upkicks and trips Santos to his back. Munoz climbs back upright and gives chase, throwing haymakers at his opponent until they are driven to the fence. Munoz, getting pushed to the wall, jumps guard with a guillotine choke. Santos keeps tightly pressed against the fencing to prevent any leverage for the sub, and he lowers Munoz to the mat and breaks out of the grip. Santos gets pulled into the closed guard when he goes horizontal, and he opens up with punches to the body and head. Santos sneaks an elbow up top, prompting Munoz to throw his legs up for an armbar. When Santos scampers away, Munoz implores him to test his wares there again. Dean stands them up before this give-and-take ensues, and Munoz answers this by sprinting at Santos and sweeping him off his feet with a successful takedown. Munoz looks to get off strikes, only to get swept and dumped to his back. With seconds to spare, Munoz explodes back to his feet, and Santos leaps at him with a flying cartwheel kick out of the capoeira playbook. Munoz dodges it, and he crashes forward with a flying knee. The fight ends, and it will all hinge on if any judges scored the first round in favor of Munoz.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 9-9 (28-28)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 9-9 (29-27 Santos)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 9-9 (29-27 Santos)

The Official Result

Daniel Santos def. Johnny Munoz Jr. via Unanimous Decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)

Abubakar Nurmagomedov (170) vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (171)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Nurmagomedov (-110), Zaleski dos Santos (-110)

Round 1

A dynamic striker vs. grappler contest will kick off the main card, as Nurmagomedov (17-3-1, 2-1 UFC) hopes to notch one more win for his family name. He collides with flashy Brazilian striker Zaleski dos Santos (23-7, 9-3 UFC), who is making his first appearance since October 2021. The welterweights touch gloves, and referee Dan Miragliotta is watching over them. Zaleski dos Santos cuts off the cage early, taking the center of the Octagon and walking his man down. Nurmagomedov reaches with two big right hands, and the Brazilian bends over and looks to get away after getting tagged. Nurmagomedov gives chase and presses him up against the wire to start kneeing Zaleski dos Santos in the body and thigh. Miragliotta asks them to work, and Nurmagomedov pursues a hip toss but cannot get the leverage he seeks. Zaleski dos Santos rips a few knees to the body to keep Nurmagomedov honest, and he sets up a Thai plum and starts driving additional knees to the midsection. Nurmagomedov cannot hold onto him or absorb strikes cleanly, so he releases and pursues a takedown from another angle. Zaleski dos Santos catches him with an uppercut while level changing, and Nurmagomedov clasps his hands and lifts Zaleski dos Santos up but cannot deposit him to the floor from his double. Nurmagomedov stalls out until Miragliotta splits them up, and they reset with 100 seconds left in the round. Zaleski dos Santos thanks the ref by trying to kick Nurmagomedov in the head, and he spins with a subsequent kick that misses the mark by a wide margin. Zaleski dos Santos changes stances and lets go a kick combination of low and front kicks, and Nurmagomedov keeps his guard up and blocks a looping right hand. Zaleski dos Santos eats a knee when advancing, and he fires off a kick to the body in response. Nurmagomedov gets caught with an overhand right, and the Brazilian lifts his foe’s leg up and hunts for a knee, but the knee misses as the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov

Round 2

The fighters clap hands to start off Round 2, and Nurmagomedov looks to start this round off strong like the last one. Zaleski dos Santos ducks out of the way and slams a low kick to the calf, and this shakes Nurmagomedov up and makes him switch stances for a moment. Zaleski dos Santos strikes on the outside of the calf, and he reaches out with two punches and a body kick. Nurmagomedov attempts a jab, and he walks face-first into a thunderous uppercut. The Russian races forward for a takedown, having his bell rung, and Zaleski dos Santos slips out of the way and tags him with a left hand on the way out. Zaleski dos Santos chips away with low kicks on the outside, and he changes levels and ends up getting his back taken when the takedown effort fails. Zaleski dos Santos gets pressed face-first into the fencing as Nurmagomedov lumps his thigh up with knees, and he succeeds in turning himself around to his back to the cage wall. Zaleski dos Santos gains space for a moment, only for Nurmagomedov to connect with a right hand when re-engaging. Zaleski dos Santos breaks off and circles, but he is cut off by the Russian and backed off. Zaleski dos Santos darts in with a right hand, and he unloads with a right hand and works on the lead wheel with a few more kicks. They trade jabs, and Nurmagomedov changes levels and is countered by Zaleski dos Santos doing the same, leading to them bumping heads together. Nurmagomedov settles for clinch work, doing little in the way of offense while pinning Zaleski dos Santos to the wire. As Zaleski dos Santos looks to escape, Nurmagomedov hits a sweep that puts Zaleski dos Santos on his back. The round ends, and it could be anyone’s game heading into the final frame.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zaleski dos Santos
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Zaleski dos Santos
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Zaleski dos Santos

Round 3

The last round opens up with Nurmagomedov landing a leg kick. Zaleski dos Santos aims a kick to the body and one to the head, and he trips Nurmagomedov down when they kick at the same time. Nurmagomedov stands back up, eats a right hand, and dodges a spinning back kick. Zaleski dos Santos slams his shin on the calf, and he comes up short with a spinning kick. Nurmagomedov gives him a pair of calf kicks back, but the one in response from Zaleski dos Santos is much heavier. Zaleski dos Santos superman punches his way forward, and Nurmagomedov grabs him and ties him up. Nurmagomedov cannot keep him, so he settles for a side kick. Zaleski dos Santos spins without throwing anything, and he shoots in for a takedown and trips Nurmagomedov up. The resulting scramble leaves both men on their feet, but with Zaleski dos Santos landing a right hand before they break. Zaleski dos Santos eats a punch to land a body kick, and he sits down on a right hand that stuns the Russian. Zaleski dos Santos does not realize this, and he kicks up high as Nurmagomedov tries to grab hold of him and slow the offense down. Zaleski dos Santos walks Nurmagomedov down, kicking at him and dodging the occasional oncoming fire other than a few jabs. Zaleski dos Santos overcommits to a one-two, and he sprawls a takedown that comes his way. Nurmagomedov turns the corner and tries to take the fight down from another angle, and Zaleski dos Santos slips away and looses a head kick. Zaleski dos Santos tries to trip the lead leg and bring his man down, but he fails to do so and blasts several knees to the midsection. Zaleski dos Santos pops his foe with a right hand, and he shuts down a diving takedown from Nurmagomedov. Zaleski dos Santos threatens with a head lock that he looks to turn into a choke like an anaconda, but Nurmagomedov is able to take advantage of this to slither around and manage to take Zaleski dos Santos’ back. Zaleski dos Santos leans himself to the wall to break up a potential standing choke from Nurmagomedov, and Nurmagomedov sells out for a single. Zaleski dos Santos defends it and lands some undercuts below Nurmagomedov’s armpit, and he keeps himself upright. The two trade leather right to the final bell, and Nurmagomedov is not done when it sounds. He slugs Zaleski dos Santos in the face with a left hand when the fight is clearly over, and Miragliotta gets between them to stop anything from developing.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zaleski dos Santos (29-28 Zaleski dos Santos)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Zaleski dos Santos (29-28 Zaleski dos Santos)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Zaleski dos Santos (29-28 Zaleski dos Santos)

The Official Result

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos def. Abubakar Nurmagomedov via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Karine Silva (125.5) vs. Ketlen Souza (124.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Silva (-225), Souza (+190)

Round 1

Two Brazilian flyweights will come to blows for this next encounter, as Silva (15-4, 1-0 UFC) hopes to keep her 100% stoppage rate intact at the expense of former Invicta champ Souza (13-3, 0-0 UFC). While Silva is an equal opportunity finisher, the majority of the debuting Souza’s victories have come due to strikes or an opponent saying “no mas.” The ladies will be joined in the cage by Octagon overseer Chris Tognoni, and they introduce themselves to one another with a glove touch. Silva leads the dance with a few low kicks from both legs, and she aims one to the side before lunging ahead with punches. The ladies end up in the clinch, and Silva is quick to muscle Souza right down to the floor. Silva moves to half guard, while Souza defends from her side instead of laying flat on her back. Souza recovers guard as she takes an elbow to the dome, and Souza lines up a big left from her back only to get blasted with a response. Silva drops to her back out of nowhere hunting for a leglock, and she places her foe’s ankle beneath her armpit. Before she focuses on the ankle or Achilles, Silva cranks the knee to the side calmly but viciously. Souza’s knee completely blows out as Silva torques it, in what is not quite a kneebar or an Achilles lock, as kneebars tend to hyperextend the knee and not wrench it to the side laterally. Souza immediately grimaces in pain and taps out, tendons and ligaments having snapped and popped like overtuned guitar strings. Silva releases the grip to get up and celebrate, while Souza needs help standing up. Souza is aided getting out of the cage, her knee totally thrashed, and she could be facing a lengthy layoff. Silva, however, validates her “Killer” nickname with the nasty sub, and her finish rate remains a scary 100%.

The Official Result

Karine Silva def. Ketlen Souza R1 1:45 via Submission (Kneebar)

Victor Altamirano (124.5) vs. Tim Elliott (126)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Elliott (-175), Altamirano (+150)

Round 1

This flyweight affair figures to be a wild one, as former title challenger Elliott (18-12-1, 7-10 UFC) has gone through a lot lately and is looking to push past personal drama to record a win. He faces Texan Altamirano (12-2, 2-1 UFC), who has strung two wins together on his own ledger. This potentially high-paced contest will have referee Mark Smith serve as the Octagon ranger, and the amped up fighters touch gloves quickly. Altamirano leaps out from his corner with kicks, and as he does, Elliott grabs hold of one and lowers him to the floor. Altamirano defends when his seat hits the mat with powerful hammerfists, and Elliott responds with his own from on top. Altamirano is active on his back with strikes and movement, wriggling and trying to force a scramble or irritate Elliott enough with his blows to slow offense. Altamirano kicks off the chest to fight his way up, and when he is upright again, he throws a low kick. Elliott catches it and dumps his man to the floor, and he starts unloading with Donkey Kong-esque hammerfists. Altamirano threatens with an armbar off his back, and Elliott shucks it off so that he can continue striking. Altamirano sets up a high guard and considers another armbar, and Elliott once more pushes through it to land shots. Altamirano stays busy with an offensive guard, despite the strikes landing on his face repeatedly, and the veteran Elliott sees the setups and knows how to avoid any of them from getting too close. Elliott stands up to stack his man up, and he lowers himself back down while dropping punches. Elliott grinds his forehead on the opponent, slugging away all the while. Elliott is seemingly frantic with his strikes, but doing so allows him to not set up a pattern that can allow him to fall into a trap. Altamirano tries to secure another armbar, and Elliott tosses it aside to punch “El Magnifico” in the face. Elliott keeps beating on Altamirano, with no strike individually immensely powerful, but the number is adding up fast. The round ends, and Smith is quick to get between them as they still want to keep going at it.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Elliott

Round 2

The fighters toss out a glove touch just before engaging, and Elliott walks into a leg kick and a right hand. Altamirano gets up close, and Elliott manages to force a scramble that lets him dump Altamirano to his back. Elliott looks to pick up where he left off, with erratic ground strikes and no fear of Altamirano’s guard. Elliott places his knee on his foe’s to pry open the guard, and he drags his elbow back and forth on Altamirano’s face as if he were trying to saw a log with it. Elliott postures up after landing some strikes, and he allows Altamirano to stand up so that he can drive several knees to the body. Altamirano celebrates the standing position again by booting Elliott upside the head, and the former title challenger is stung and ends up falling to his back. Altamirano climbs on top of him, and he laces an elbow over the top while Elliott maintains butterfly hooks. Elliott manages to kick off, and he darts forward with a right hand. Altamirano responds with a single, and Elliott drops down for a guillotine choke that has no legs to it. Elliott lines up a left hand, a haymaker from downtown, and he succeeds in blasting Altamirano in the head with it. Elliott takes advantage of this by bowling Altamirano over, and he moves on top even as Altamirano turns to his side in an effort to escape. Elliott settles for controlling position as he looks to move into a more traditional position on top, and he shifts into the guard that closes around him. Elliott grinds his forehead in the eye socket, and Altamirano throws his legs up for something, anything. Elliott ignores this so he can mount some offense, and he proceeds to batter Altamirano until the horn blares.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Elliott

Round 3

Elliott practically runs out of his corner to start kicking, and he lifts his leg up in the air to hop forward and kick down with a stomp to the knee. Elliott hops back and forth, springing to the side, and Smith tells to fight. Elliott obliges him by swinging a monstrous right hand, and Altamirano eats it like brisket and strikes back. Altamirano slips a kick up to the head, and Elliott ducks into a subsequent kick and avoids a spinning wheel kick. The kicks from the Texan open him up to grappling, and Elliott exploits this with an easy takedown. Elliott leans Altamirano up against the cage between the corner of the floor and the wall, and he sits in the guard slamming Altamirano with elbows. Altamirano keeps his guard up to not let many get through, but Elliott is busy attacking while Altamirano is stuck defending on his back. Altamirano gets dragged out from sitting up so that Elliott can keep working him over, and Altamirano tries and fails for a high guard to a submission effort. Elliott remains active on top with movement and control, but he lacks offense as Smith grows restless. Altamirano explodes to his seat and up, and Elliott meets him on the way up with a knee that was borderline. Altamirano gets up and releases a head kick, and Elliott takes it on the chin and keeps on chugging. Altamirano strings a few punches together into a leg kick, and Elliott gathers his thoughts and secures a takedown to place the Texan flat on his back. Elliott lands in the guard, and Altamirano closes it up and hangs on to prevent getting struck. Elliott grinds with a few elbows as Altamirano feebly tosses his legs up for an armbar. Elliott keeps on striking right to the bitter end, and he stands and marches away with a frown on his face at the sound of the horn, expecting he will get his hand raised very shortly.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Elliott (30-27 Elliott)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Elliott (30-27 Elliott)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Elliott (30-27 Elliott)

The Official Result

Tim Elliott def. Victor Altamirano via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Jesse Butler (154.5) vs. Jim Miller (155.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: N/A

Round 1

The widest gap in UFC experience will take place in this ultra-late notice lightweight fight. With the most fights (and wins) in company history, Miller (35-17, 1 NC; 24-16, 1 NC UFC) gladly accepted anyone they threw at him, after losing opponents Ludovit Klein and Jared Gordon. Taking the call this week, Butler (12-4, 0-0 UFC) will be making his UFC debut on the heels of five straight wins, including three in the growing Fury FC organization. In comparison, Miller had already competed 20 times in the UFC by the time Butler made his professional debut. This pairing that may not end in the hands of the judges will be officiated by referee Dan Miragliotta, and the fighters are glad to be competing and display this with a glove touch. Butler leads off with a left hand, and he loads up on a right hand and a body kick. Miller avoids all three, but he walks into a big pair of punches as the newcomer is ready for him. “A-10” flies into action with a right hand and a left, and the second stings his foe. Miller corks back a bomb of a left hand and detonates it on the chin of the debutant, and Butler collapses like a bird that’s just had its wings clipped. Just to punctuate his performance, Miller clobbers the unconscious fighter with a devastating uppercut before Miragliotta can get between them. Butler is all the way out, and takes some time to regain his senses from the vicious destruction. Miller declares in his post-fight interview that he has few things left he wants to accomplish in the sport, other than landing a kimura on an opponent, fighting at UFC 300 and facing someone he is “a fan” of in the cage. If Miller keeps fighting like that, it will be up to him when he wants to hang it up, as he very likely earned the fastest finish of his illustrious career while extending his record for the most wins in organizational history (25).

The Official Result

Jim Miller def. Jesse Butler R1 0:23 via KO (Punch)

Alex Caceres (145) vs. Daniel Pineda (145.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Caceres (-175), Pineda (+150)

Round 1

Two storied vets that can put offense at a premium at the expense of defense will meet in this featherweight co-main attraction. Winner of six of his last seven, Caceres (20-13, 1 NC; 15-11 UFC) will face off against a foe in Pineda (28-14, 3 NC; 5-5, 1 NC UFC) that has never needed the judges in victory. While the judges may not be needed here, referee Mark Smith almost certainly will be required. There is a sporting glove touch to start things off, and Pineda is the one to strike first with a heavy leg kick. Caceres responds with a spinning kick that knocks Pineda all the way back to the wall and bouncing off of it. Pineda leaps forward for an ill-advised takedown, and Caceres stops him with his hip and pushes the Texan to his back. Pineda fights his way back upright and gives a low kick to Caceres, and the two crash together. Pineda attempts to take the fight down again, and Caceres manages to walk all the way over him to take his back standing. As they scramble, Caceres forces Pineda to the floor again. Pineda threatens with a triangle choke, but he has one arm in and Caceres is able to easily slide out. Pineda strikes with a hammerfist as Caceres looks at him quizzically, and the two work their way back up again. Pineda nails the inside calf with a kick, and he shoots in for a takedown and looks to tie up Caceres’ right leg. Caceres defends with short elbows while balancing on one leg, and he tries to break off but is forced to stop a throw. In doing so, Caceres lands on top of Pineda, and Pineda eats a solid elbow when trying to set something up. Caceres gets off some ground-and-pound while Pineda sways back and forth to dodge the blows, and he throws his legs up suddenly to set up an armbar. It is exceedingly tight and hyperextends, but Caceres rolls all the way through it to escape by the skin of his teeth. Caceres backs off to have “The Pit” stand up and follow him, and Pineda thanks him for this with a solid low kick. Caceres walks forward with a clean right hand, and he bullies Pineda to the fence and considers his own body lock takedown. Pineda stops it but gets drilled in the face with a right hand. Pineda falls with his back to the fence, and Caceres lays into him with a few punches before Pineda gathers himself to throw Caceres down. Caceres threatens with a triangle choke when they hit the ground, and the horn sounds. Both men high five after five frantic minutes of activity.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Caceres
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Caceres
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Caceres

Round 2

The featherweights bump fists before re-engaging, and Pineda starts off with a huge right hand to smash Caceres in the chops right out of the gate. Pineda lays into him with a few more punches as he has Caceres hurt, and Caceres responds with a left hook that gets Pineda’s attention. Pineda decides to stop brawling and change levels, and he drags “Bruce Leeroy” to the floor momentarily. Caceres works his way upright with the fence behind him, and Pineda drops down low for a single. When he cannot get Caceres down, he loads up on two hellacious right hands that Caceres absorbs without issue. Caceres responds with a few body shots, and Pineda takes several deep breaths. Pineda spins with two back fists that miss wildly, and Caceres tags him with a few punches before fighting off a takedown. Caceres looks to hit his back and set up an awkward submission, but Pineda rolls through it and puts Caceres down. Caceres attempts a triangle choke, and Pineda shifts through it to move to side control. Caceres turns to give up his back and try to stand, and Pineda snatches this up and locks up a body triangle and goes for a submission. Caceres does not let him succeed, instead turning through the body triangle to push Pineda to his back. Pineda keeps the body lock tight, and the two tie up like a pair of human pretzels. Pineda uses the odd position to roll over into full mount, and Caceres turns to his side and gives his back up again in hopes of getting out. Pineda drops down a few punches and an elbow or two, and he traps Caceres on his side and lands occasional strikes. Pineda pursues a rear-naked choke from an odd angle, and Caceres ignores it to scoot his way to the wall. Caceres holds the wrist of his foe to try to turn himself, and Pineda locks down a forearm over the chin for a possible neck crank. Caceres rolls with it to his back, and he absorbs a flush elbow and a left hand before the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pineda
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Pineda
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Pineda

Round 3

The two are having a blast in the cage together, and grinning widely, they high five. Caceres looses a body kick, and it lands on the liver as Pineda staggers back, clutching his side. Caceres does not go in recklessly, as Pineda is ready to respond with heavy shots, and instead he picks his shots and opens a cut on the corner of Pineda’s left eye. Caceres kicks Pineda’s leg out beneath him, and he lets him stand so that he can slam his fists in the midsection. Pineda is hurt again, and he shoots for a takedown and is thwarted. Caceres gets space and scores a few jabs, and Pineda kicks his leg and spins with no strike with it. Caceres rips a left to the liver that sounds like someone took a baseball bat to a side of beef, and Smith asks Pineda if he wants to keep fighting after the crushing blow. Pineda lumbers forward, and Caceres times a kick to the same damaged spot. Pineda grits his teeth and throws a kick back, and he wings a haymaker of a right hand that blows past Caceres’ hair. Caceres steps in with a knee to the ribs, and Pineda puts his hands on his hips as he walks away. Caceres patiently assesses his target, sticking him with a one-two and a few more blows. Smith tells Pineda he has to fight back, and Pineda tries to throw punches but Caceres is so much fresher. Caceres fires off a right hand and follows it with a head kick that beams Pineda in the forehead. Pineda smiles at it and asks for more, and when Caceres does not oblige him, he decides to chamber and fire a low kick. Caceres advances to the clinch, and he succeeds in tossing “The Pit” down to the floor. When Caceres looks for a choke, Pineda scrambles wildly with all of his remaining energy to get up right again. Pineda wings a right hand at the backpedaling Caceres, who resets and aims a few punches to Pineda’s body. Pineda lumbers forward and blasts Caceres with a right hand, setting “Bruce Leeroy” on the canvas suddenly. Caceres jumps back up, and the two trade leather until time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Caceres (29-28 Caceres)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Caceres (29-28 Caceres)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Caceres (29-28 Caceres)

The Official Result

Alex Caceres def. Daniel Pineda via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Kai Kara-France (125.5) vs. Amir Albazi (126)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Kara-France (-110), Albazi (-110)

Round 1

For the first time since UFC Fight Night 114 in August 2017, the UFC will put flyweights in the marquee without a belt up for grabs. Both Kara-France (24-10, 1 NC; 7-3 UFC) and Albazi (16-1, 4-0 UFC) will be entering into their first UFC main attraction as a result, under the bright lights of the UFC Apex for the final fight of the night. Action could be immediate and plentiful for upwards of 25 minutes, and referee Herb Dean will be on top of it from start to finish. The 125ers touch gloves with a lot on the line, and Albazi is the one who claims the center of the Octagon. Kara-France circles along the outer edge, and neither man throw any strikes of note for the first minute besides a couple light jabs from Albazi. Kara-France tosses out a half-hearted leg kick, and he darts in with an overhand right looking to work around the guard. Albazi races forward for a takedown, punching his way in, but the single is not to be found immediately. Albazi grinds his man against the wall, landing a few short left hands while Kara-France replies with a knee up the middle. Albazi attempts to wrap up his foe’s left leg, and Dean tells them to work. Kara-France powers out of the clinch and absorbs a low kick. The two clash with punches at the same time, with the Kiwi throwing a left and Albazi using a right. Albazi paws out a front kick and two punches, and Kara-France commits to a heavy low kick. Both men are cautious of the other’s power, and they are active in their head movement and shifting footwork. Kara-France doubles up a jab after sliding out of the way from a right hand, and he chips at the leg with a kick. Kara-France reaches with an inaccurate one-two, and he tries again as Albazi parries them. Albazi whiffs on a big punch, and Kara-France attacks with a left hook that splits the guard. Both men score lefts, but they are one-and-done. Albazi spins after absorbing a low kick, and he narrowly evades a counter left hand. Albazi puts his hands behind his waist to taunt “Don’t Blink,” and Kara-France takes that personally and throws aggressively. The horn sounds, and Kara-France stares his man down and does not break until Dean has to pry them apart.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kara-France
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Kara-France
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Kara-France

Round 2

Kara-France tries to offer a glove touch, but Albazi wants nothing to do with it as the two flyweights are intense. Kara-France gets off a leg kick, and Albazi stalks him down and dings him with an overhand right. Kara-France makes Albazi back off repeatedly with lunging strikes, and even though they are off the mark, they make Albazi jump a foot or two back each time. Albazi jabs the midsection and takes a jab on the forehead, and he takes a clean right hand on his reddening nose. Albazi flicks out a few jabs, and he intercepts a big left hook with one. Kara-France triples up on a jab and lets go with a leg kick, and they clash their shins together with simultaneous subsequent kicks. Kara-France sneaks in a right hand, and he slides out of the way when Albazi tosses a huge right hand at him. Albazi shoots for a double, and Kara-France stands him up with his back to the wall. Albazi looks for punches on the break, but Kara-France is able to get away from them and pound him in the face with a right. Kara-France goes low with a kick, and he stays active with jabs and follow-up straight right hands. Kara-France loops a right hand over the top, bouncing off Albazi’s guard and not bothering him. Albazi steps in with a body kick, and Kara-France chops with a leg kick. Albazi surprises his foe with a left hook, and Kara-France stands in front of him and strings a few punches together. Albazi raises his hands to ask if that is it, and Kara-France does not bite on the gamesmanship. Kara-France crashes forward with a right hand, and Albazi backs him off with a left. The left from Albazi is finding its home more often, but they are still few and far between and even more infrequent in terms of landing flush. Kara-France cracks Albazi with three punches, and Albazi stands his ground and responds with an uppercut. The close round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kara-France
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Kara-France
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Kara-France

Round 3

The third round opens up as the first two have, with both flyweights cautious to engage initially. Albazi sticks out a few jabs, and Kara-France responds with a right hand and a leg kick. Albazi closes the distance to try to secure a takedown, and he changes it to a body lock as Kara-France puts his fingers in the fencing. Kara-France hits the mat, and as soon as he does, he scrambles to wind up on top and stand back up. Albazi follows him and keeps him clinched against the fence, and he dumps Kara-France to his backside. Kara-France is not settling down and continues fighting, even as he turns to his side and moves to the wall. Albazi sneaks around to take the back while Kara-France tries to get up, and he starts dropping down right hands while Kara-France posts off his arm. Albazi gets one hook in as he has Kara-France from behind, and he softens Kara-France up with occasional punches. Kara-France hand-fights to prevent any possible submission setup, and Albazi gets his other hook in and secures the body lock. Kara-France punches from behind his head, and Albazi attempts a choke while he feels Kara-France is preoccupied. Kara-France fights off a choke effort and turns to the side to break up the body triangle, but Albazi grabs hold of a brute force rear-naked choke. Kara-France grimaces but guts it out, as he turns from side to side to get just enough space to survive. Kara-France stands up with Albazi on his back, and he shucks Albazi off of him and plants Albazi on his back with emphasis. Kara-France lowers himself into the guard, and he proceeds to smash elbows down to open up a cut on Albazi’s face. Albazi keeps a high guard, and Kara-France postures up to nail him with ground-and-pound right to the horn. Albazi jumps back up and looks to say something to Kara-France, but Kara-France has already turned his back to return to his corner.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Albazi
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Albazi
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Albazi

Round 4

The two have reached the championship rounds, and Kara-France is the one to start up his offense first. Kara-France lands several low kicks and quick punches, and Albazi tries to counter but is only throwing single strikes to the multiple blows for Kara-France. Albazi just misses with a step-in knee, and he evades a leaping punch with Kara-France. Both fighters stick out their jabs, and Kara-France kicks high and swings an overhand right after it. Albazi dodges the strikes and keeps his hand up to block an oncoming overhand right. Albazi plants a serious right hand on the chin, and Kara-France takes it without budging. Albazi reaches his man with a front kick, and he gets caught with a right hand on the way out. The pace of Albazi has slowed significantly, with very little volume. Albazi shoots for a takedown during a lull, and Kara-France hits the floor and springs back up in an instant. The Iraqi fighter hits a mat return, but Kara-France is able to muscle his way up again and make Albazi pay with a few body shots before getting up and out. Kara-France jabs repeatedly, and he chains them into heavy low kicks. Albazi gives one leg kick back, only to get popped with two swiping punches. Kara-France reaches at the end of a left hand, and Albazi loops a right hand around the guard. Kara-France catches a kick and deposits Albazi to the floor, and he jumps into top position. Albazi scrambles immediately and climbs back to the feet, and Kara-France punches his way out of a clinch. Albazi steps in with an elbow, and Kara-France connects with a few jabs and low kick to conclude the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kara-France
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Kara-France
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Kara-France

Round 5

The last round opens with Kara-France slugging Albazi in the face with a right hand. Albazi backs off, and Kara-France gives chase and belts him with two more big right hands. Albazi tries to reply with one, only to hit air. They trade leg kicks, and Albazi steps in with a solid right. Kara-France hurts Albazi with his prized right hand, and he stonewalls Albazi trying to take the fight down. Albazi pushes through, redoubles his effort and drives Kara-France down to his knees. The Kiwi stands up, and Albazi looks to muscle him down. Kara-France grabs the fence to stay up, and Albazi drags him across the cage before letting him go. Albazi counters with his own slick right hand, and Kara-France jumps with a knee and follows it with a right hook. Kara-France ducks down and slams his fist in the chest, and he avoids Albazi’s counter in the process. Kara-France doubles a jab and backs away when his calf is kicked. Kara-France circles his way in and walks into a huge right hand, but Kara-France ignores it and throws kicks from both sides. Albazi slings a right hand over the top, and he hops to the side and reaches out with a left. Kara-France darts forward with several punches, and he jabs his way into combinations. Albazi scores a right hand, and Kara-France gives chase and glances a few blows off of him. Kara-France swings for the bleachers, and he jumps with a switch kick that collides off the guard. The two collide with power punches, and Albazi catches Kara-France with a crisp uppercut. Kara-France no-sells it so that he can lang his own shots, and he gets a jab in while Albazi is marching forward. Kara-France slips a punch and fires it back, and Albazi ducks down and almost absorbs a knee when changing levels. Kara-France cracks Albazi, who waves him on. Kara-France obliges him this time, and they throw with everything they have right until the very end. After 25 minutes of combat, the two share an embrace, and there is no bad blood after what they went through. Following the official decision, Albazi takes his opportunity to call out the date and location of his next fight: October 21 in Abu Dhabi at UFC 294. He then declares that he would like to fight for the title. If that happens, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kara-France (49-46 Kara-France)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Kara-France (49-46 Kara-France)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Kara-France (49-46 Kara-France)

The Official Result

Amir Albazi def. Kai-Kara France via Split Decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)