UFC 212 ‘Aldo vs. Holloway’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round-by-Round Scoring

Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Marco Beltran

Round 1

Beltran opens with a few slapping low kicks, answered by Figueiredo with a hard kick to the ribs. The Brazilian dives in behind the body shot and shoots for the fight's first takedown. Beltran defends the first shot, but Figueiredo takes him down on the second effort. The flyweights fight at the base of the fence, Beltran wrapping up Figueiredo in a tight guard and locking down both of the top man's wrists. Figueiredo gets his right hand free to drop a couple solid punches to the face. Figueiredo loops his left arm around Beltran's neck from half guard and tries to step over, looking to finish the guillotine from mount. Beltran bumps and rolls over to top position, but the choke looks deep and Figueiredo continues to squeeze it from his back. Beltran finally frees himself with one minute on the clock, and now he makes Figueiredo pay for the sub attempt with heavy elbows from top position. Figueiredo throws up an armbar, can't get it, and both men scramble up to finish the round on their feet.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Figueiredo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Figueiredo
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Figueiredo

Round 2

Beltran again begins the round with hard low kicks, working the inside and outside of Figueiredo's lead leg. Figueiredo steps inside with a pair of body punches, catches a kick from Beltran and hustles the Mexican to the ground. Figueiredo steps over to full mount with 3:40 on the clock, but 20 seconds later, Beltran has bucked and bumped him back to half guard. Figueiredo stands up and begins smashing Beltran with heavy hammerfists. Beltran rolls over, giving up his back, and Figueiredo attaches himself immediately. Figueiredo tries a rear-naked choke, can't secure it, and he winds up back in full mount as Beltran puts his back to the canvas. Beltran tries to work his way up from deep half guard, but Figueiredo stands over him and drops back with a deep heel hook setup. Figueiredo loses the heel hook, and Beltran scrambles back to his feet. In the closing seconds of the round, Figueiredo drops his opponent with an uppercut and tries to pound him out. Beltran is saved by the bell -- until referee Osiris Maia checks on him in the corner between rounds and decides the fight is over.

The Official Result

Deiveson Figueiredo def. Marco Beltran via TKO (Corner Stoppage) R2 5:00

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Luan Chagas vs. Jim Wallhead

Round 1

Switching between stances, Chagas catches Wallhead with several early punches, followed by some hard low kicks to the lead leg. Wallhead fires back, throwing a dozen or more punches, though only a few make their way through to the Brazilian's face. After eating another hard hook, Wallhead goes diving for a takedown, but it's easily shut down by Chagas with a sprawl at the fence. Chagas eats a short right hook, then lights up Wallhead with a sharp four-punch combination. Wallhead tries another poor shot from way out; Chagas keeps it standing and throws a front kick into the judoka's breadbasket. Left hook from Chagas, now a right, followed by high knee to the face as the Brazilian closes out the round with a strong final minute.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Chagas
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Chagas
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Chagas

Round 2

Wallhead slugs Chagas with a right hand in the opening minute, the Englishman's best strike so far. Chagas throws an inside thigh kick that strays to the groin, but Wallhead is soon recovered and ready to resume. Wallhead has upped his aggression in this round but Chagas is showing great defense and not eating many punches. Chagas lands a few low kicks from his back foot, eats a heavy right hand from Wallhead and decides to change levels. Chagas runs Wallhead against the fence, gets spun around, and now the 170-pounders separate. Wallhead gets a finger in the left eye from Chagas' outstretched right hand; he immediately begins shouting "I can't see," but referee Eduardo Herdy allows the fight to continue after a short break. Wallhead is rushing forward, bombing with punches, but his connect rate is looking significantly lower than Chagas' in the second half of the round, with many shots bouncing off Chagas' arms and shoulders. Chagas connects with a short left hook to the jaw that knocks Wallhead flat on his back in the center of the cage. Chagas pounces immediately and attaches himself to the rolling Wallhead's back. Seconds later, Chagas has a rear-naked choke locked on, and Wallhead is forced to submit.

The Official Result

Luan Chagas def. Jim Wallhead via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 4:48

Jamie Moyle vs. Viviane Pereira

Round 1

Pereira catches a kick under her left arm and rushes Moyle against the fence; the American hits Pereira with a knee to the body as they fight in the clinch, but Pereira maintains outside position with underhooks. Pereira switches to a double-leg and gets reversed by Moyle, who lands another hard knee to the gut of the Brazilian before separating. Pereira lands a nice right-handed counter to a Moyle low kick, then begins pushing Moyle backward with jabs. "Sucuri" blitzes Moyle with a flurry of punches and runs her against the fence, but again Moyle is able to score with a hard knee to the body in the tie-up. Pereira tags Moyle with another hard right hand in the closing seconds of the round.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Pereira
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Pereira
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Pereira

Round 2

Pereira keeps Moyle out of range with jabs and right hands over the top through the first minute of the round. When Moyle finally shoots, it's from a long way out, and the takedown attempt is easily thwarted by Pereira. The strawweights continue to circle in the center of the cage, Pereira landing strikes from range, now shoving Moyle against the cage with a forearm across the throat. Moyle spins Pereira around and drops for a double, but again the Brazilian is able to deny the takedown. Pereira is starting to turn up the volume on her right hands in the final two minutes of the round. Moyle is getting knocked around the outside, her face swelling and a mouse forming beneath her left eye as she circles off her back foot. Pereira catches a kick from Moyle and trips her to the ground, then stands over the American, dropping punches to the stomach and kicking at the legs.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Pereira
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Pereira
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Pereira

Round 3

Pereira continues to tag Moyle with overhand rights as the final round begins. Moyle keeps circling off her back foot, throwing the occasional jab but rarely finding the mark. Pereira is loading up on combinations now, striking with impunity when she steps into the pocket. Moyle dives for a takedown, but Pereira pushes down on her head and walks away from the attempt. Pereira is timing Moyle's leg kicks, coming over the top with right hands when the Las Vegas resident goes low. Down to the final 90 seconds now, Pereira is marching Moyle around the cage, continuing to bring pressure with her strikes.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Pereira (30-27 Pereira)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Pereira (30-27 Pereira)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Pereira (30-27 Pereira)

The Official Result

Viviane Pereira def. Jamie Moyle via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) R3 5:00

Iuri Alcantara vs. Brian Kelleher

Round 1

Alcantara comes over the top with a left hand and takes Kelleher to the ground with a knee tap, but Kelleher jumps right back to his feet. Kelleher catches a kick and tries to hit Alcantara with a spinning backfist, but Alcantara narrowly dodges it. Alcantara gets backed up to the fence, changes levels and shoots a double. Kelleher gets taken down, but he sits up and snares Alcantara in a tight, arm-in guillotine choke. Alcantara taps out almost immediately.

The Official Result

Brian Kelleher def. Iuri Alcantara via Submission (Guillotine Choke) R1 1:48

Johnny Eduardo vs. Matthew Lopez

Round 1

Eduardo opens with a pair of hard low kicks to the lead leg of the southpaw Lopez, who takes a left hook to the temple a few seconds later. Lopez slings a right hand over the top that bounces off the nose of Eduardo. The Brazilian lands another leg kick, another right hand, and he backs up as Lopez feints a level change. Two minutes in, Lopez shoots and takes down Eduardo in the center of the cage. Eduardo rolls underneath for a heel hook, but while he's trying to secure the submission, Lopez is punching and elbowing him in the face. Eduardo gives up on the leglock, but this leaves Lopez in strong position to kneel over the Nova Uniao fighter and land heavy ground-and-pound. After a few hard punches, Eduardo goes belly-down and stops defending himself. Lopez is pounding away as referee Mario Yamasaki shouts at Eduardo to fight back. Eduardo doesn't respond and continues to absorb punishment, and finally Yamasaki stops the bout.

The Official Result

Matthew Lopez def. Johnny Eduardo via TKO (Punches) R1 2:57

Antonio Carlos Jr. vs. Eric Spicely

Round 1

Spicely shoots for and completes an early takedown, but he takes some hard elbows to the head as Carlos throws from his back. Carlos sits up and gets hold of Spicely's right leg, tying up the American in a figure-four leglock. Both middleweights connect with punches as they sit up and strike from 50/50 guard; it looks like Spicely is landing the better shots, while Carlos is in better position for a heel hook or kneebar. Carlos takes top position with two minutes left in the round, now drops back to try a heel hook on the other leg. The middleweights scramble back to their feet with one minute left in the round, but "Cara de Sapato" quickly shoots in for a takedown. Spicely tries to escape out the back door but has his back taken instead. Carlos hunts for a rear-naked choke in the closing seconds, but Spicely rides it out.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Carlos Jr.
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Carlos Jr.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-10

Round 2

Spicely shoots in, can't get the takedown and instead pulls guard. Carlos looks for an arm-triangle setup but loses it as Spicely shrimps inside. Spicely grabs for a heel hook which doesn't materialize but succeeds in forcing Carlos out of position. Spicely tries to roll away from the Brazilian, who stays glued to Spicely and once again takes his back. Carlos loses the back position as Spicely puts his back to the mat, and now it's "Cara de Sapato" in Spicely's butterfly guard with half the round remaining. Spicely tries to elevate and roll away, but Carlos takes his back once more. This time, Carlos secures the position with a body triangle and immediately gets to work on a rear-naked choke. Spicely defends well for a few seconds, but once Carlos finds the opening to wrap his right arm around the American's neck, the tap from Spicely comes quickly.

The Official Result

Antonio Carlos Jr. def. Eric Spicely via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 3:49

Raphael Assuncao vs. Marlon Moraes

Round 1

Assuncao lands the first leg kick of the bout, then slides backward to avoid Moraes' return fire. Moraes switches between stances and catches Assuncao with a speedy right hook from orthodox. Assuncao answers with a right hand of his own and escapes from the pocket as Moraes whirls around with a spinning kick. Moraes slips on a feinted kick but jumps up before Assuncao can capitalize. Assuncao's next leg kick strays to the cup of Moraes, but the former WSOF champion waves off referee Osiris Maia when he steps in to pause the fight. Moraes lands a thudding body kick and a quick hook; Assuncao presses forward and split's Moraes' guard with a straight right. Assuncao shoots in for a double-leg, sprawled on by Moraes, who circles away and out of danger. Assuncao continues to press forward, slipping a punch from Moraes and countering with a right hook. Body blow connects for Moraes as they fight inside the final minute of round one. Moraes ducks under a right from Assuncao and counters with a left, but it's Assuncao who lands two of the hardest shots of the round with a pair of big right hands in the last 10 seconds.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Assuncao
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Assuncao
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Assuncao

Round 2

Assuncao continues to be the aggressor in the second round, keeping forward pressure on the counterstriking Moraes. "Magic" lands a clean right off his back foot but is still having difficulty finding the range with his kicks. Moraes catches a kick and tries to come forward with punches, but Assuncao tags him with a left hook on the end of a combination. Moraes goes body-head with his next combo, further reddening the already damaged ribs of Assuncao. Two minutes left in the round as Assuncao slips on a kick, jumps back to his feet and takes a straight right to the breadbasket. Moraes ducks under a left hook from Assuncao and bops the veteran on the nose with a left of his own. Assuncao takes a kick to the body in the final seconds, catches it but can't find Moraes with the counterpunch.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Moraes
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Moraes
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Moraes

Round 3

Assuncao puts an overhand right behind the ear of Moraes, momentarily taking out the legs of the ex-WSOF champ. Moraes quickly regains his footing and gets back to low-kicking Assuncao's banged-up right leg. It's a tense final round, with neither man fully committing to attack. Moraes is using low kicks and long, flicking jabs to keep the incoming Assuncao out of range. Assuncao lands another low blow, and this time Moraes seems annoyed by the repeated foul. Nonetheless, the bantamweights are soon back to work, now with just over two minutes remaining. Assuncao looks to be freezing up a bit as he struggles to get inside, allowing Moraes to pick at him from range. Moraes gets inside on a deep single-leg in the final minute, but a great scramble from Assuncao keeps the fight standing until the end.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Moraes (29-28 Moraes)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Moraes (29-28 Moraes)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Moraes (29-28 Moraes)

The Official Result

Raphael Assuncao def. Marlon Moraes via Split Decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Yancy Medeiros vs. Erick Silva

Round 1

Medeiros gets through with a body kick as Silva presses out from the center of the cage. The Hawaiian catches Silva changing levels and catches him with a two-punch combination, one of which appears to wrap around the back of Silva's head for a knockdown. Silva quickly regains his footing, and now it's Medeiros pressing forward. Medeiros bounces a spinning backfist off the gloves of Silva, who is pressing forward once again. Silva corners Medeiros near the fence and lands a short left hook, but Medeiros gets his back off the cage and comes right back with a right hand, then a push kick that knocks Silva backward a few steps. Silva lands a right hand, pulls down Medeiros' head in the Thai clinch and fires a high knee. Medeiros stumbles backward and falls to the ground, then jumps up, shaking his head to say the knee didn't connect.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Silva
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Silva
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Silva

Round 2

Silva keeps the pressure on Medeiros early in the second round, landing leg kicks and backing up the Hawaiian to the outside. After a minute or so, Medeiros steps out to the center and begins attacking with combinations, but Silva slows his progress with a right hook. Silva comes over the top with a left, eats a jab and fires a hard kick to Medeiros' left leg. Medeiros steps forward with a big overhand right-left hook combination, and the hook sends Silva crashing to the mat. Medeiros pounces and lands a few follow-up shots on the ground; Silva looks to be defending himself, but referee Eduardo Herdy decides the fight is over. Silva protests immediately, and the Brazilian crowd certainly disagrees, but the stoppage win goes to Yancy Medeiros.

The Official Result

Yancy Medeiros def. Erick Silva via TKO (Punches) R2 2:01

Oluwale Bamgbose vs. Paulo Henrique Costa

Round 1

Bamgbose misses with his first overhand right, but his second finds the face of "Borrachinha" in the center of the cage. Bamgbose gets hold of a single-leg and drives Costa against the fence. Costa defends at first, but Bamgbose gets the takedown on the second effort. Bamgbose tries to jump on the back of Costa as the middleweights stand, but Costa shucks him and circles away. Halfway through the round, the pace has slowed, with Bamgbose moving and attacking less, ceding the center of the cage to Costa. Bamgbose connects with a left to the body, right hand over the top; Borrachinha answers with a heavy kick to the body. Costa seems to smell blood as he presses forward with heavy blows, attacking with body and head punches to the covering Bamgbose. Ninety seconds left in the round as Costa knees Bamgbose in the Thai clinch. Bamgbose dives for a takedown, can't get it but manages to press Costa against the fence. Bamgbose finishes the double-leg with 30 seconds left and rides out the remainder of the round clung to Borrachinha's legs.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Costa
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Costa
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Costa

Round 2

Bamgbose lands a spinning kick to the midsection that gets a shake of the head from Costa. The Nigeria native follows up with a tomahawk chop, then misses with a double axe handle attack. Bamgbose slips on a body kick and drops to his back, and Costa gives him no space to escape. Bamgbose is forces to cover up on the ground, while Borrachinha pounds away with punches from the standing position. Referee John McCarthy gives Bamgbose a few seconds to try and recover, but when the "Holy War Angel" stops intelligently defending himself, McCarthy stops the bout.

The Official Result

Paulo Henrique "Borrachinha" Costa def. Oluwale Bamgbose via TKO (Punches) R2 1:06

Vitor Belfort vs. Nate Marquardt

Round 1

After a minute of circling, Marquardt throws the first committed punch of the fight, stepping forward with a right hand. Belfort ducks underneath, but Marquardt wraps him up and sweeps the legs of the "Phenom" for a quick takedown. Belfort wraps up Marquardt in his guard and locks down the former King of Pancrase's arms. There's not enough action on the ground for referee Osiris Maia, who brings the fighters back to their feet with half the round remaining. Belfort connects with a left hand that gets Marquardt backing up, but "Nate the Great" wags his finger at the Brazilian and seems unfazed from the attack. The action on the feet drops off in the final minute, with neither man connecting with any significant blows.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Marquardt
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Marquardt
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Marquardt

Round 2

Marquardt starts the round with a few kicks to Belfort's already reddened right leg. The Grudge Training Center product remains on the outside, staying out of striking range while Belfort stalks out from the center. Marquardt sneaks in a right hand behind a low kick, but seconds later, Belfort attacks with a barrage of heavy punches up against the cage. Marquardt eats some hard right hands, now an uppercut, but he survives to circle back to the center. Marquardt appears to have cleared the cobwebs as he gets back to jabbing, keeping Belfort out of the pocket. Marquardt has a right high kick blocked but succeeds with a punch to the body. Marquardt gets in the last good shot of the round with a straight right.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Marquardt
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Marquardt
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Marquardt

Round 3

It's a slow start to the final round of the fight, and possibly the final round of Vitor Belfort's career. Marquardt continues to circle the perimeter of the cage, leaving Belfort on the outside with few attacking options. Marquardt scores with a kick to the body, tries to grab the Thai clinch but has to back out when Belfort fires an uppercut inside. Marquardt steps into the pocket with a right hand and exits with a short elbow to the side of the head. Belfort charges forward with a right hand that connects, but there's no follow-up as Marquardt dashes away. Marquardt eats a left from Belfort and dives for a takedown, sprawled on by "The Phenon." Belfort skims the head of Marquardt with a high kick and thwarts another clinch attempt as they enter the final 30 seconds. Marquardt attacks with a jumping knee and a combination in the waning moments, while Belfort tries to counter, but neither man can find the finish.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Belfort (29-28 Marquardt)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Belfort (29-28 Marquardt)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Belfort (29-28 Marquardt)

The Official Result

Vitor Belfort def. Nate Marquardt via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Claudia Gadelha vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz

Round 1

Kowalkiewicz switches between stances as she bounces forward on Gadelha, flicking out long jabs. Gadelha connects with a counter right hand to the nose, tries a takedown but comes up empty. Kowalkiewicz steps into the pocket and pops Gadelha with a pair of right hands. "Claudinha" comes forward now, moving Kowalkiewicz backward to the fence, where the Brazilian grabs underhooks and drags Kowalkiewicz to the canvas. Kowalkiewicz tries to stand and has her back taken by the Nova Uniao black belt. It's only a matter of seconds before Gadelha has her right arm wrapped around Kowalkiewicz's neck, forcing the Pole to submit to a rear-naked choke.

The Official Result

Claudia Gadelha def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 3:03

UFC Featherweight Championship:
Jose Aldo vs. Max Holloway

Round 1

Referee "Big" John McCarthy is the third man in the cage for tonight's 145-pound title fight, with judges Guilherme Bravo, Derek Cleary and Chris Lee scoring at cageside. The featherweights spend the opening minute circling and pawing, neither man committing to an attack. Holloway throws a right hand to the body that barely scrapes Aldo's ribcage as the champion circles away. Aldo connects with a right hand down the center, then slides back to avoid Holloway's long jab. The fighters clinch momentarily, Aldo landing a left hand on the break. A right from Aldo gets Holloway backpedaling, and the Brazilian chases him down to land a leaping knee up against the fence. Holloway recovers quickly and circles back to the middle, where the pace of the fight slows again. Aldo rips Holloway with a left to the body, follows with a sweeping right hand upstairs. Holloway stomps forward in the closing seconds, threatening to attack, but he only manages to skim Aldo's body with a turning kick.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Aldo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Aldo
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Aldo

Round 2

Aldo catches the incoming Holloway with a two-piece to the head, then lands an uppercut inside before backing out of the pocket. It's Holloway pressing forward, dinging Aldo with a left hook and following up with a straight right hand that bounces of the side of Aldo's head. The Hawaiian looks to be finding his timing, catching Aldo with more left-handed counters in this round. Aldo knocks Holloway backward a few steps with a heavy right hook inside. Holloway steps inside to clinch, gets shoved away and swipes a right hand across Aldo's face. Aldo comes back with a left hook that gets Holloway's attention, causing the Hawaiian to raise his hands and start taunting. Aldo gets him back with a flurry of punches and leaping, spinning kick right before the round. However, it's Aldo sporting a significant hematoma on the left side of his head as he returns to his corner.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Aldo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Aldo
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Aldo

Round 3

Holloway brings the pressure at the start of round three, slugging over the top of Aldo's jabs with long, accurate combinations. Aldo catches Holloway coming inside with a knee to the body, but Holloway cracks him back with another clean left hand. Aldo gets knocked to the ground with a pinpoint one-two, and Holloway follows him down, looking to mount. Aldo bucks him out of mount, but the Hawaiian is all over him, unloading with heavy punches from top position. Aldo looks dazed as Holloway steps over to full mount. Aldo gives up his back and defends Holloway's rear-naked choke attempt. Holloway stands, comes down to a better position and passes to mount again. Aldo rolls to his knees, still absorbing punches as referee McCarthy looks on from inches away. Aldo seems to be trying to communicate to McCarthy that he's OK, while Holloway is also looking at the ref for a stoppage. With Aldo covering up, offering nothing in return, the ref stops the bout. Max Holloway is the new undisputed UFC featherweight champion.

The Official Result

Max Holloway def. Jose Aldo via TKO (Punches) R3 4:13