UFC 289 ‘Nunes vs. Aldana’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Diana Belbita (114.5) vs. Maria Oliveira (115.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Belbita (-115), Oliveira (-105)

Round 1

Last week, at the beginning of the play-by-play, we remarked that the UFC was starting off a stretch of a dozen straight Saturdays (or more) of consecutive live coverage. What a difference a week makes. Now, with the news of Aug. 26 and Sept. 2 cards rolling in, fight fans are in week 2 of a record-setting 17 straight weekends of UFC shows. That string includes five pay-per-views, and the first one of which is UFC 289 tonight in Vancouver, Canada – marking the UFC’s return to the northernmost North American nation after over three years away (UFC Fight Night 158, Sept. 2019). This relatively shorter show starts things off in the women’s strawweight division between two women who are in dire need of a win to hold onto their roster spot. Romania’s Belbita (14-7, 1-3 UFC) may have a popular Instagram account, but she has won just once in four stints in the Octagon thus far, and is hoping the fifth time is the charm to make a big impression. Standing in her way will be Parana Vale Tudo trainee Oliveira (13-6, 1-2 UFC), who wants to even her promotional record to .500 in her fourth appearance. The two will look to get back in the win column under the watchful eye of referee Phil Koldyk, and they show respect before getting started by bumping their fists together. Oliveira starts off with a few quick right hands, and her head movement allows her to sway out of the way when Belbita responds with counters. Belbita steps in with a one-two, and she is swinging recklessly with her chin way down. Oliveira stands right in front of her, willing to trade, and she lifts up a knee aiming to counter the half-ducking Belbita. Oliveira sticks and moves, and she absorbs a low kick and gets popped on the way in. Belbita swings and misses with a jab and a high kick, and her follow-up leg kick does chop the lead wheel. Oliveira replies with a step-in knee, and she is missing this strike by a matter of inches. Belbita gets knocked back with a body kick, and she eats two punches up top before spurring into action. Oliveira charges with a series of punches, and she trips up Belbita and tackles her to the floor. Belbita lands and throws her legs up high for a potential triangle choke or armbar setup, but the Brazilian is wise to it and fights the hands. Belbita attempts to stand back up, and Oliveira shoulders her over to the floor again. Belbita strikes from her back with multiple elbows, and she kicks off the torso to almost stand back up. Oliveira drops down for a heel hook or an ankle lock, and this is a mistake for her as Belbita steps through it and claims top position. Belbita sits on top from a strange angle landing body shots until Oliveira explodes back to her feet, and the two clinch up and trade knees. Belbita lands a solid knee on the jaw on the break, and the two are quick to re-engage with long, rangy punches. They trade simultaneous leg kicks, and Oliveira dodges a looping right hand and misses on her own counter. Belbita again chambers and fires a big right hand, and this time, it connects. Oliveira responds in kind, and she gets clipped in a fierce exchange of fists. Belbita gets off a low kick and fires off another haymaker, and it is a straight left hand from the Romanian that concludes the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Belbita
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Belbita
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Belbita

Round 2

The strawweights touch their gloves together to start off the second stanza, and they both come out firing. Belbita strings together a few punches into a pair of leg kicks, and the second kick draws a visible reaction out of the Brazilian, who shoots for a takedown and lands it. Belbita falls to her back and initiates an offensive guard again, but this time, Oliveira is too slick and active with strikes to let it get going. Belbita hacks with elbows off her back, and she scoots her way to the fence and wall-walks to stand back up. Oliveira clings to her foe tightly, and she hangs on in this clinch position as Koldyk warns her for more activity. Belbita pushes off the chest to rip the body with knees, and Oliveira holds on as best she can even as the knees keep finding their home. Oliveira gets turned around in the tie-up, and Belbita continues smacking her with knees. Oliveira takes a deep breath in the clinch as she gets met with additional knees to the midsection, and Koldyk separates them. Belbita leads off the reset with two looping hooks, and Oliveira’s movement and evasiveness is not as on-point as earlier in the fight. Belbita bullies her foe back to the wire, and she succeeds in tripping the Brazilian out and throwing her to the canvas. In half guard, Belbita does work with punches and one final elbow before the horn blares.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Belbita
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Belbita
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Belbita

Round 3

The final round commences with a glove touch and immediate fire from both ladies. Belbita whips a right and a left, and she stuns the Brazilian in a hurry. Oliveira shakes out the cobwebs and throws back with a vengeance, and her strikes do not have the impact as the ones that she took on the chin a moment ago. Belbita slows down from a long blitz of blows to get her jab going, and she follows one jab with an overhand right. Oliveira slides out of the way and responds with an outside trip, but Belbita is able to defend it and back herself up to the fence. Oliveira engages in the clinch until she takes a knee to the breadbasket, and she thinks twice about this and backs off. The two jab simultaneously, and Belbita fires off a right hand that stings her opponent. Oliveira gets popped when looking for a spin and, on her reset, she has her lead leg chopped at. The two clinch up in the center of the cage and drive knees to the chest before Belbita pushes her away, and the Romanian is the aggressor to follow with a few long, lunging jabs. Belbita reaches Oliveira with two punches before Oliveira can get her back, and the volume of Belbita is starting to wear on the slowing Oliveira. Belbita beats her foe to the punch a few times, and the Brazilian is unable to dodge and move. Instead, leaps forward with a flying knee, and she surprises Belbita with it. Seeing its success, Oliveira spams it a few more times, and they largely bounce off the guard. Oliveira attempts to take the fight down, but Belbita pushes her away and looses a head kick and a right hand. Oliveira takes it on the chin and is no worse for wear, and she has her head snapped back with a jab. The flying knee tries for Oliveira do not slow, although they are increasingly telegraphed and land infrequently at best. Belbita sticks and moves, evading the desperation looping strikes and getting off a few jabs, and the fight comes to a conclusion.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Belbita (30-27 Belbita)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Belbita (30-27 Belbita)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Belbita (30-27 Belbita)

The Official Result

Diana Belbita def. Maria Oliveira via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

David Dvorak (125.5) vs. Steve Erceg (125.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Dvorak (-260), Erceg (+220)

Round 1

Across this $80 pay-per-view, just six of the 11 bouts on the billing feature at least one competitor with a number next to their name, with three on the main card. The first rankings-worthy bout tonight comes all the way down in the early prelims, as Dvorak (20-5, 3-2 UFC) looks to hold the line and turn things around at the expense of debuting Australian Erceg (9-1, 0-0 UFC). When the cage door closes, referee Mitch Cadlick takes charge. The fighters elect to clap hands to introduce themselves, and the fight begins with Erceg looking for his distance with range-finding jabs. Dvorak moves busily from side to side, and he lands a solid low kick to start his own tally. Erceg whips a head kick at his man that is circling away, and Dvorak is moving well enough to avoid the worst of it. Dvorak chops down the calf with a few more blows, and Erceg walks forward to throw hands and has his chin checked in an exchange. Erceg shakes it off and responds with a low kick of his own. Erceg dodges a punch and wings a left hand that tags Dvorak square on the temple, and Dvorak staggers to the side for a few steps before regathering his thoughts. Erceg does not overextend himself, and instead of makes Dvorak come at him. Dvorak cracks his foe with a solid right hand, and Erceg takes a funny step but is responds with two punches. Dvorak reaches him with a right hand over the top, and they keep hacking at one another’s calves. Dvorak dodges a big right hand and bounces off the fencing, and his calf gets kicked hard. “The Undertaker” does not let him off the hook, instead kicking right back at him. Dvorak whiffs on a heavy right hand and has his guard up just in time to block a head kick. Dvorak stutter-steps into a low kick and one to the body, and he feints and fakes to smack Erceg in the face with a pair of crisp fists. Erceg comes up short on a high kick, and he times a right hand as Dvorak is ducking. Dvorak goes back to the calf with another kick, and he spins with a kick that grazes the chest. The round ends as Erceg gives chase.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dvorak
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Dvorak
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Dvorak

Round 2

In the start of the second round, Dvorak strides to the middle of the cage, but he gives ground and gets back to his circular movement. Dvorak digs a left to the body and a left to the head, and Erceg takes them both cleanly without issue. Dvorak is out of the way before he gets reached, and the two start trading jabs from a safe distance. Dvorak comes up short on a right hand and slams his shin on Erceg’s calf. Erceg checks it, but the damage is done as it landed with a thud. Dvorak gets tagged with a right hand when looking for a winding punch, and he gathers his thoughts and sticks Erceg with a straight right hand on the way out. Dvorak digs another left to the body and follows it with a head shot, and Erceg is just delayed enough to miss on the counter and get kicked when Dvorak escapes. Dvorak catches a body kick and knocks the newcomer back with a right hand, and Erceg gathers his balance and lashes out with a five-punch combo that is all guarded. Dvorak ducks into a left hand and dodges a subsequent blow, and he is low enough to allow him to stifle a double-leg entry from the Aussie. Erceg flicks out a jab, only to get met with a stern low kick. The kicks from Dvorak have forced Erceg to change stances, and he checks a kick and takes a funny step. Erceg misses the mark and eats a straight right hand, and he marches forward to cracks Dvorak with a right hand. Erceg follows it with a lightning-quick head kick, cracking Dvorak and hurting him badly. Dvorak is shaken up, and Erceg attacks for a standing guillotine choke to drag the Czech fighter to the mat. Dvorak drops down and slides his head out, so Erceg re-adjusts the position to lock it back down again. Dvorak again survives the choke, and he claims half guard with 30 seconds to spare. Erceg manages to get off an upkick as he finds some space, and he fights his way up to his feet and lands a right hand and a big left just before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Erceg

Round 3

The last round kicks off with a glove touch, and the pace is not as frenetic as it was when the previous frame ended. Dvorak flicks out several jabs, and he slides around a left hand to land a straight right. Erceg loads up on power shots, and Dvorak’s movement is back and he is evasive enough to avoid the worst of it. Dvorak eats a jab and a right hand, and he checks a leg kick but cannot block a stabbing body kick. Erceg absorbs a front kick to the ribs in an answer, and the two meet in the middle and throw hands. Erceg throws himself off-balance, allowing Dvorak to kick him hard. As the two crash together, Dvorak falls to his knees and Erceg takes his back. Erceg abandons the position instead of overcommitting to it, and they both stand up. Dvorak is quick to catch a kick and drive the newcomer to the wall, and he starts kneeing Erceg with stern shots. Erceg powers his way out of the position and they return to the center of the cage to slug it out. Dvorak shoot in for a low sing-leg takedown, and he grabs the leg as Erceg defends with a guillotine choke. Dvorak bails on it and stands up, and he reaches with a right hand and changes levels quickly for a double. The Aussie throws up a guillotine, and he has nothing this time as Dvorak snatches his head out of it and drops down a few elbows. Erceg scrambles brilliantly and stands up before Dvorak can follow up, and he succeeds in bowling “The Undertaker” over and threatening the neck. Dvorak hits a sweep to roll Erceg over, and the two power back to their feet in the clinch. Dvorak meets him with a knee before they split, and he succumbs to a takedown and is quick to reach the fence and stand back up. Erceg lands the mat return, but Dvorak is only down for a matter of seconds. Dvorak works his way up once more, and he eats a knee while Erceg hangs on him from behind. Erceg lands a knee to the body, and a few punches on the side of the head right before the final bell sounds. The close fight ends, and it could go either way. Regardless of the winner, Erceg impressed the masses with his skills, taking a ranked fighter to the bitter end on short notice.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erceg (29-28 Erceg)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Erceg (29-28 Erceg)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Erceg (29-28 Erceg)

The Official Result

Steve Erceg def. David Dvorak via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Blake Bilder (145.5) vs. Kyle Nelson (145)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Bilder (-240), Nelson (+200)

Round 1

While the previous pairing featured a combatant (soon to be formerly) in the UFC’s top 10 of his division, in this next matchup, the victor may be at least five or six more wins away from reaching that distinction. Fighters have to start somewhere, and there is no better time like the present than for Canada’s Nelson (13-5-1, 1-4-1 UFC) to turn things around in search of his second win with the promotion in his seventh UFC bout. Against him is unbeaten Bilder (8-0-1, 1-0 UFC), who is building a himself a decent resume that now includes the talented Shane Young on his list of names. Drawing the assignment for this featherweight affair is referee Sal Ram, and it begins with a fist bump from the competitors. Bilder flicks out a low kick, and Nelson swings at him with a pair of punches that are inaccurate. Bilder swats out a left hook, and he fakes a kick and gets countered over the top. Bilder goes low with a chopping kick, and he swipes out with a left to scrape the beard of his foe. Chants of “Canada” rain down in support of Nelson, but this does not change his approach, as he paws out with a body kick and a leg kick that are blocked or checked. Bilder retaliates with a quick kick and a left hand, and he powers straight into a double-leg takedown. Nelson defends it and is driven back to the wire, where Bilder redoubles his effort to take the fight down and is spun around with his back pushed to the fence. Nelson knees the body and thigh a few times, and Bilder smiles as he is held in this position. Nelson stays busy with knees from both legs, and Ram calls for them to stay busy. Nelson snakes his leg around for an attempted trip, but the unbeaten fighter is wise to it and breaks away with a big right hand. Nelson wears it well and retreats, and they jab at the same time. Bilder marches forward throwing bombs, and Nelson is on his heels parrying and dodging the worst of the strikes. Bilder catches Nelson on the temple with a pair of blows, and Bilder continues methodically landing at a smart range. Nelson gives him a jab back, and he turns Bilder briefly with a heavy low kick. Bilder flashes out a jab and is met with one from Nelson, and Bilder swats away a front kick. Bilder kicks low as he circles on the outside, and he pops Nelson with a right hand. Nelson throws a body kick, and Bilder catches it and throws Nelson down. Bilder charges with a flying knee and nearly flies out of the cage by jumping so high, and Nelson circles on the outside and drills him with a right hand. A sharp combination from the Canadian stings Bilder, who is suddenly wide-eyed and backing off. Before Nelson can do more, the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nelson
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Nelson
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Bilder

Round 2

The round begins with Bilder trying to clear his head. Nelson pursues him with a body kick, and a subsequent lands low to the cup. Ram completely misses the foul somehow, and Bilder is in pain but he has enough wherewithal to realize that the referee did not catch it and that he needs to keep defending himself. Bilder pursues a takedown as he tries to recover mid-fight, and this succeeds in allowing him to slow things down. The crowd boos this tactic, and applauds when Nelson pushes him away. Bilder appears back with it, and he checks a leg kick and throws one back as they proceed to trade jabs. Nelson steps to the side and sneaks up a head kick from his left leg as Bilder circles into it, and Bilder takes it flush without batting an eye. Bilder steps in with a jab, and he lets go with a left hand. Nelson blinks it out and pushes out jabs that Bilder crashes into several times. Bilder leaps in with a left hook and a big low kick, and Nelson sits down on a low kick that throws Bilder off-balance. Bilder has a head kick blocked, and he leans back when Nelson reaches out with a right hook. Bilder responds with one of his own that is similarly short of the mark, and he flirts with a leg kick. While Nelson’s lead wheel is showing some damage, so is Bilder’s face, as his nose is bloodied and he takes sharp jabs and right hands from the Canadian. Nelson threatens with two low kicks, and the first staggers Bilder and throws him off. Nelson walks his man down and ducks a looping left hook to slam a leg kick home, and Bilder lifts his leg up high and walks into another one that makes him do a full spin. They trade body kicks, and Nelson punctuates the frame with one to the calf.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nelson
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Nelson
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Nelson

Round 3

The featherweights reach the final round and tap their gloves together after 10 hard-fought minutes shared. Both men start lashing out with kicks, to the lead leg and body. Bilder kicks low and shoots in for a double, and he pushes Nelson back to the wall. The unbeaten fighter transitions to a single, and Nelson’s defense is resolute at shutting Bilder down. Bilder turns his attempt to a double and then a single on the other leg, and Nelson stands him up. Nelson turns “El Animal” around and threatens with his own trip, and he elevates Bilder with a body lock but cannot hit the takedown either. Nelson peppers with knees, and he keeps Bilder trapped with his back to the fence until Ram separates them. With 2:15 to spare, the two meet back in the middle of the cage, and Bilder fires off a head kick that is blocked. Nelson prods out with his own front kick and low kick, and Bilder is out of range for body. Nelson pounds his left hand to the body, and Bilder reels and races out with a flying knee and lands to swing a pair of left hands. A solid right from the unbeaten fighter rattles the Canadian, and when Bilder raises his arms to celebrate the strike, Nelson stabs his toes into the midsection. Nelson reaches out with a body kick and leans back when Bilder swings his fist at him. Nelson lands another body kick and dodges a right hook. As Bilder spins with an inaccurate kick, Nelson waits for him to plant so that he can kick that leg. Bilder grimaces and throws another spinning wheel kick. Nelson avoids it and kicks Bilder in the face. Bilder showboats that he was not hurt, and Nelson walks him down and kicks him hard. Nelson swings with all his might, and he clips Bilder a few times. Bilder misses with a high kick, and Nelson clubs him a few more times to conclude the pairing and possibly score the upset.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nelson (30-27 Nelson)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Nelson (30-27 Nelson)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Nelson (29-28 Nelson)

The Official Result

Kyle Nelson def. Blake Bilder via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Qileng Aori (135) vs. Aiemann Zahabi (135.75)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Aori (-125), Zahabi (+105)

Round 1

In his sixth year with the company, Tristar Gym’s own Zahabi (9-2, 3-2 UFC) will remarkably be entering into only bout no. six in the Octagon. This is a far cry from Chinese combatant Aori (24-9, 2-2 UFC), who is about to have five outings under his belt in a little over two years when referee John Cooper clocks them in. The bantamweight combatants do not touch ‘em up to start, and Aori instead walks forward and fires off several kicks to the body. Zahabi blitzes with a few punches, and Aori parries them effectively. From afar, Aori chips with a few kicks, including a thudding leg kick. The Chinese fighter does not recoil his leg fast enough to get his guard up, and Zahabi reaches out with a takedown to threaten. As Aori leans back, Zahabi swarms him with a right hand that hits air, and a left hand that smashes Aori square on the chin. Aori drops to the mat like a sack of potatoes, and Zahabi raises his arms in the air to celebrate what he thinks is a walk-off knockout. Cooper does not actually call the fight off, as Aori lands and turns to his side in a daze. The Canadian, learning he has to keep hitting the defeated fighter, reluctantly goes over to Aori and lowers himself to slug Aori with two more left hands to conclude the match once and for all. This is a huge win for Zahabi, and the crowd goes wild. When Aori comes to, he squares up like he wants to keep fighting, seemingly not knowing that he was knocked out cleanly. So far, the home fans have had plenty to cheer about tonight.

The Official Result

Aiemann Zahabi def. Qileng Aori R1 1:04 via KO (Punches)

Jasmine Jasudavicius (125.25) vs. Miranda Maverick (125.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Maverick (-295), Jasudavicius (+245)

Round 1

A place among the top 15 at flyweight looms for these next two women. Bolstered by her entrance to the “Top Gun” theme, Maverick (11-4, 4-2 UFC) is ready to disappoint the Canadian audience by handing Ontario’s Jasudavicius (8-2, 2-1 UFC) a defeat. This pairing will be joined by referee Jerin Valel, and they want to get right to it and blow past touching gloves. Maverick hops forward with a leg kick and hops away before she gets reached. The Canadian checks a leg kick and sticks out a jab, and Maverick moves around and scores one on either side of the inside calf. Jasudavicius flicks out a few punches, and Maverick retaliates with a solid body kick that leads to a clinch. Maverick aims punches and knees to the body when they are tied up in the middle of the cage, and Jasudavicius responds with some clinch strikes. Maverick frames off with an elbow and a right hand to break off, and she reaches a left to the body when she circles. Jasudavicius reaches her foe with a rangy right hand, and Maverick is on her bike chipping with kicks. Jasudavicius blocks a head kick, and she nearly hits a split to stuff a takedown from the Missouri native. Jasudavicius turns her around and throws her to her back, and Maverick is quick to set up a high guard with one leg on top of her foe’s shoulder. Maverick transitions to an armbar, and she sneaks her legs around to isolate Jasudavicius’s right arm and places the Canadian in the Danger Zone. Jasudavicius stacks Maverick up and presses her knee on Maverick’s neck to counter her uncomfortably. With Jasudavicius keeping her opponent squeezed awkwardly against the fencing, the leverage from Maverick is not right to secure the submission. Maverick holds on in this position until the horn stops the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Maverick
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Maverick
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Maverick

Round 2

The ladies meet in the middle of the Octagon, and Jasudavicius leads off with a head kick. Maverick keeps her left arm high to block it, and she gets knocked back by a pair of punches from the Canadian. Maverick goes back to chipping at the lead wheel of her foe, working it from both sides and staying out of the way of the longer reaching Jasudavicius. The Canadian does get off a left hand and she aims a front kick, and Maverick stands in front of her and pops her with two crisp punches. Maverick gets off a few punches, and Jasudavicius from up close manages to smack Maverick in the face with a head kick. Maverick is shaken up, and this allows Jasudavicius to press her to the fence and knee her a few times. Maverick breaks away with an uppercut, and she just manages to dodge a head kick. When she resets and advances, Jasudavicius meets her coming in with a one-two. Maverick shoots from afar for a single, and Jasudavicius sweeps Maverick and dumps her to her back. Jasudavicius transitions to the side, only to get dragged back to the guard of the American. Jasudavicius keeps moving, and she takes mount and is tossed to half guard in a quick series of shifts. Maverick turns to her side and she eats several short punches, and elects to lay on her back. Jasudavicius steps over to secure mount, and she lets Maverick turn over to take Maverick’s back and get a hook in. Jasudavicius rolls along with Maverick and locks down the body triangle, and she starts smacking Maverick with left hands. Maverick gets her arm trapped, and Jasudavicius slithers her arm around the chin in pursuit of a rear-naked choke. Maverick barrel rolls, but Jasudavicius follows her every step of the way and gets the body triangle locked up again. Maverick spins to reverse the position, and Jasudavicius is slick and keeps her dominant position. Jasudavicius gets off several left hands when she takes mount back with seconds to spare, and this is where she ends the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jasudavicius
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Jasudavicius
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jasudavicius

Round 3

The last round begins with a Superwoman punch from Maverick, and Jasudavicius defends against it and flicks out a few jabs. Maverick spins with an elbow that is blocked, and she keeps her momentum going to kick the ribs. Jasudavicius grimaces and swipes out with a left hand, and Maverick targets the liver again. Jasudavicius walks Maverick down, and Maverick leans over to punch the same spot. Jasudavicius backs her up with long, straight punches, and she snaps the head back with a left. Jasudavicius attempts a head kick, and Maverick closes the distance to not let it catch her up to. Maverick times an advancing Jasudavicius with an uppercut, and this fires Jasudavicius up. Jasudavicius unleashes a fire and fury in the form of a long string of punches, and Maverick ricochets off the fence and retreats from that salvo of blows. Maverick reaches a left hand over the guard, and Jasudavicius tags her with a combination. Jasudavicius walks Maverick down and chains a knee to a few punches to an elbow. Jasudavicius grows some swelling around the eye of the American quickly from her heavy shots, and Maverick stops her in her tracks for a second with a step-in elbow. Maverick dodges a front kick to the face, responds with a high kick that slaps in the armpit, and she gets knocked back with a right hand. Maverick shoots for an ill-advised takedown, and like the previous rounds, Jasudavicius is the one to come up with the better position. Maverick turns to her knees and looks to wall-walk when Jasudavicius has her hands clasped from behind. Maverick stands, and Jasudavicius has her from behind and lets Maverick turn to the wall. With seconds to spare, Jasudavicius lays into Maverick with a series of punches, and she ignores one coming back from Maverick when Maverick escapes with seconds to spare. Jasudavicius pops Maverick once more before the final bell rings, and Canada may have another winner tonight.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jasudavicius (29-28 Jasudavicius)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Jasudavicius (29-28 Jasudavicius)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jasudavicius (29-28 Jasudavicius)

The Official Result

Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Miranda Maverick via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Chris Curtis (185.25) vs. Nassourdine Imavov (185.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Imavov (-175), Curtis (+145)

Round 1

Headlining the prelims, two middleweights looking to get back on track collide with goals of reaching the top 10 after this performance and potentially one more triumph. Whether it is MMA Factory’s Imavov (12-4, 4-2 UFC) or Xtreme Couture export Curtis (30-10, 4-2 UFC), they will have upwards of 15 minutes to decide that. The third man in the Octagon is referee Jason Herzog, and the fight begins with a glove touch. Imavov keeps his distance early, tossing out a stomping kick to the knee. Curtis answers with a calf kick, and this exchange repeats. Curtis jabs his way in, but Imavov is out of the way before he gets reached. Imavov treats his front kicks like jabs, tossing them out to keep Curtis busy and guessing. Curtis fires off a standing hook kick, and it whizzes past the Frenchman’s hair. Imavov kicks from both legs, and Curtis gives him a few back. The two trade these low strikes, and Curtis misses on the short right hooks he attempts. Both fighters keep working on the lead wheel of their opponent, and Imavov does not get backed up and instead strafes to the side so Curtis cannot corner him. Curtis swings and misses with a big right hand, and he springs back when Curtis aims a punch to his chest. Imavov stuns Curtis with three straight punches, and Curtis takes a moment before plodding forward. Imavov ducks in and surprises “The Action Man” to grab him from the side and trip him down to his knees. Curtis crawls to the wall, and Imavov presses on the back of Curtis’ neck to keep him down. Curtis still manages to power himself up, only to succumb to a quick mat return. Curtis posts off his right arm to work back up, and Imavov knees him several times before releasing the grip and escaping. The Frenchman gets off a solid right hand, spins with a back fist and shoots for a takedown. Curtis gets dragged down to his knees, and Imavov takes the back and has a hook in while Curtis is on a knee. Imavov quickly fastens a rear-naked choke grip over Curtis’ mouth for a face crank, and Curtis toughs it out and fights the grip to defend against it. With seconds to spare, Curtis spins around, stands up and times a jump knee that bounces off Imavov’s hand before the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Imavov
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Imavov
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Imavov

Round 2

The second round kicks off without a touch of gloves, as Curtis instead wants to get right to business. Imavov backs off and stomps at the knee, and he threatens a takedown to get Curtis to react. Imavov backs off, and he leans back from an overhand right that buzzes by his chin. Curtis looks to chase after the Frenchman, and he cannot stop the unorthodox kicks from disrupting his rhythm. The two clinch up, and only a single strike comes, courtesy of Curtis, before they split up again. Curtis walks through a one-two and shoves Imavov back when Imavov considers a body lock to a trip. Curtis comes up short with a haymaker, and he gets tagged with a one-two. Imavov sticks his man with a straight right hand, and he avoids a counter from his foe. Curtis tries to fight in a phone booth, but Imavov does not want to get involved in this type of exchange. The two trade solid body shots, and Imavov kicks the breadbasket to follow. Curtis lines up power punches, and he aims a few to the body that do connect. When they tie up again, Imavov is ready to drill Curtis with an elbow. Imavov punches his way in, and after a left hand lands, his head crashes into Curtis’. A cut immediately opens on Curtis’ eye, and he is hurt badly from it and crouches down to recover. Herzog sees it, pauses the action and brings in the doctor, as blood spouts down into Curtis’ eye. Curtis informs the doctor he cannot see very well, but that he needs to clear his vision and would like to keep fighting. Curtis struggles to open his eye, and this is a terrible situation for “The Action Man,” who suffered a headbutt in his last match against Kelvin Gastelum. Curtis informs the doctor that everything is blurry, and he begs Herzog for more time to recover. Curtis wipes his eye on Herzog’s sleeve, and Herzog says he has to restart the fight because there is no five-minute recovery window for a clash of heads like there is a groin shot or eye poke. One last time, Curtis asks for a minute or so, and Herzog waves off the fight because Curtis is still struggling badly to see out of his right eye. This was an accidental head clash and not a headbutt, so it will be deemed a no contest. Hopefully the company can run it back in a few months.

The Official Result

Nassourdine Imavov vs. Chris Curtis is Ruled a No Contest (Accidental Clash of Heads) R2 3:04

Eryk Anders (184.75) vs. Marc-Andre Barriault (185)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Barriault (-135), Anders (+115)

Round 1

The main card commences with a 185-pound tilt between two men teetering on the line of .500 after at least 10 UFC fights thus far. Both celebrate knockout rates of 60% or higher. Referee Jerin Valel will need to be on guard for when proud Canuck Barriault (15-6, 1 NC; 4-5, 1 NC UFC) takes the stage and throws down with Anders (15-7, 1 NC; 7-7, 1 NC UFC) – the latter played college football about 15 years ago, in case the broadcast does not say this repeatedly. The two sluggers do not tap their gloves together to get started, as they want to engage. Anders claims the center of the cage and starts chasing the circling Barriault, and he fires off a body kick and a huge right hand that sends Anders careening to the canvas. Barriault rushes out to finish the job, and Anders turns to his knees and wall-walks. As he is standing up, “Power Bar” is blasting him with right hands, and Anders’ knees wobble when he gets tagged. Anders gathers his thoughts and responds with a few knees on the inside, and Barriault fires off a right hand to break. Anders is on him, and the two dirty box with fierce strikes. Barriault smashes with elbows, and Anders does the same. Anders steps in with several knees to the body, and he drives Barriault back to the fencing with strikes. Barriault answers with an elbow, and Anders responds with several of his own. The two split up, and Barriault slugs it out and knocks Anders back but is not hurt. Anders gets staggered on the way in with a straight right hand, and this disrupts his attack and changes his mind on rushing in with his hands down. Anders closes the distance and gets kneed, and he gives it right back. The two rip knees to the ribs before breaking away again, and Barriault again launches his dangerous body kick to right hand combo. Anders takes it on the chin and crashes in to knee his man in the body. Anders gets a little space and starts swinging his fists, and Barriault bites down on his mouthpiece and throws back with bad intentions. Anders reaches the clinch and starts ripping knees, and Barriault responds in kind. Both belt the other with looping shots, and they separate and take deep breaths. Barriault times a knee when Anders comes at him, and he intercepts a takedown with Anders looking to take him down. Anders hits a trip and drops Barriault to a knee, but he cannot ground his opponent. The two break away, and Anders walks him down with a right hand. Anders wings a left hand, and it misses and he gets popped with a counter right. Anders kicks the body, and the thrilling round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barriault
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Barriault
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barriault

Round 2

Both middleweights are sucking wind, but when the second round begins, they spring out of their corners ready to throw down some more. Barriault leads off with a body kick, and Anders pressures his foe forward and changes levels for a double. Barriault stands him up and drills him with a three-punch combination. Anders digs his shin to the body, and he reaches Barriault with a left hand. Barriault tries to clinch up with Anders and land a knee, but the foot come up and smacks Anders in the groin. Valel calls the foul and lets Anders recover. After a minute, the fight resumes, and Valel brings them together to touch gloves. Anders steps on the gas to start off again, and he swats away a front kick. Barriault pushes out his jab and pierces the midsection with his toes, and he rings a right hand around the guard. Anders reaches his man with a straight left hand, and Barriault nods at him to bring on more. Anders misses a head kick by a matter of inches, and he considers a takedown and abandons it to throw hands. “Ya Boi” punches his way into a clinch, and he knees Barriault several times to the chest and snatches up a single. Anders wrenches the Canadian down to the mat, and Barriault turns over and finds himself in front choke danger. Anders pushes him down to his knee again when Barriault tries to stand, and he presses his weight on Barriault until Barriault explodes back up. Barriault nails Anders with a right hand and follows it with a body kick, and it is a left hook that dings into Anders’ chin. When Barriault attempts another high knee, his foot slides up and clacks into Anders’ cup. Valel pauses the action and asks for an instant replay to see the extent of the blow. Anders takes longer than before, and as he is recovering, Valel goes over to warn Barriault one more time. When they get back to it, Anders is incensed, and he swings a big punch and a high kick. Barriault backs off, and he fights off a takedown and works his way off the cage. Barriault looses a kick to the armpit, and he slugs Anders in the gut a few times. Anders steps in with a trip try, and when that fails, they trade heavy leather. Barriault tosses out a head kick and a left hand, and Anders slides to the side to avoid it as best he can. Barriault slams a kick to the ribcage, and his right hand that follows gets Anders’ attention. Anders responds with a body kick of his own, and he gets kicked one last time before the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Anders
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Anders
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Anders

Round 3

The last round has been reached by these 185ers, and Barriault is the aggressor as he starts off peppering Anders with jabs. One jab is followed with a right hand, and this makes Anders shoot for a takedown. Anders gets off a knee to the body, and Barriault sticks him with a right hand. Anders reaches out with a left hand of his own, and he absorbs a flush body kick. Anders throws a straight right to the body, and Barriault swings three hooks that land on the midsection. The American pursues a takedown, and Barriault stands him up only to get kneed several times with his back to the wall. Anders breaks off to sling a head kick, and Barriault ducks out of the way to move back to the center of the Octagon. Barriault stings Anders with straight shots, and he disrupts the advancing Anders with his power strikes. Anders is slowing with his swings, and Barriault chips away with straight and accurate shots. Barriault keeps putting in the work with body kicks and jabs, and Anders has no answers and is just following him. Anders lunges with a single body shot, only to be driven back by a flurry of punches. Barriault slides to the side back and forth, and the two trade shots. Anders gets stung and shoots, and the Canadian staves it off and keeps marking up Anders with his blows. Anders walks into a right hand as he plods forward, and he gets shaken up with a straight right and a head kick. Barriault gets Anders attention with a string of punches, and he pounds a kick to the ribs. Anders moves through it and swings back hard, and his body kick gets through. Anders snaps the head back with a left hand, and he staggers Barriault with a left hook. Barriault gathers himself and absorbs a flush head kick. Anders throws back with everything he has, and the slugfest comes to a close. Barring something unexpected, Canada remains undefeated tonight against foreign adversaries.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barriault (29-28 Barriault)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Barriault (29-28 Barriault)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barriault (29-28 Barriault)

The Official Result

Marc-Andre Barriault def. Eryk Anders via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Dan Ige (145.5) vs. Nate Landwehr (145.25)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ige (-250), Landwehr (+210)

Round 1

These next two featherweights practically guarantee action, when “50K” Ige (16-6, 8-5 UFC) attempts to derail “The Train” Landwehr (17-4, 4-2 UFC). With the possibility for this to take place anywhere – and it likely will – referee Jason Herzog is prepped and ready for a fast and furious 15 minutes if needed. There is no touch of gloves. The two do not engage with much for the first 30 seconds, even clashing together while missing strikes. Ige gets off a few punches, but Landwehr’s guard is raised. Ige backs his man up with a series of jabs, and he clubs Landwehr with right to the body and left to the head. Landwehr counters with a good right hand, and he is driven back with a combination. Ige kicks low, and he gets reached with a right hand on the way out. When they come together, Landwehr drives a knee to the chest and breaks with a right hand. Landwehr ducks a big punch and considers a takedown, but elects to score a right hand before Ige can get away. Landwehr prods with a front kick, and he has a jab blocked. Ige comes up short with a pair of huge punches, and he gets one to the chest and whiffs on a subsequent left. Landwehr sweeps at the calf with a kick, and Ige gives it right back to him. Ige digs a right to the body, and he fights off a takedown and avoids the looping right that he expects and does comes at him when they separate. Ige dips a punch to land a left, and they trade jabs. Ige sneaks in a left to the body and gets out in time before a counter can catch him, and Landwehr sits down on a few punches when Ige looks to re-engage. Landwehr slaps a kick off the raised guard, and Ige threatens with a low kick and blocks a trio of uppercuts and a knee. Landwehr fades back and gets off a jab, and he takes a punch to the chest even when jabbing again. Landwehr tries to catch Ige with a right hand, but Ige is slick. Ige charges, and he knocks Landwehr to his seat at the waning seconds of the round. “Nate the Train” jumps back up, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ige
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Ige
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ige

Round 2

When the second round begins, Landwehr has appeared to have recovered from any ill effects from the knockdown blow. Ige is the more active puncher, landing two or three to Landwehr’s one. Landwehr paws out with his fingers outstretched, and Herzog warns them for a potential eye poke. Ige considers a level change after kicking Landwehr’s lead leg, and Landwehr searches for a knee when he does this. Landwehr leads into two punches, and Ige pops him with a check right hook. Landwehr looks for a jab, and Ige does the same as he pierces through Landwehr’s guard. Ige steps in with a right hand as he backs Landwehr to the wall, and “Nate the Train” absorbs it and then eats one to the ribs for good measure as he escapes. Landwehr cracks Ige with a right hand, and Ige looks to give it right back to him with a heavy left. The punch from Landwehr opens a cut on Ige’s nose, and the two proceed to start slugging it out. Landwehr marks up his foe’s nose and several straight punches, and Ige sits down on a few body shots and a right over the top. Ige ducks down and looks for a right hand counter, and he knocks Landwehr back with a left hook. Ige kicks low and eats a left hand without flinching. Ige sneaks a right hand around the guard, and his footwork allows him to evade the chasing blows besides a front kick. Landwehr knees the body when they come up close, and Ige drives him away with a jab. Landwehr gets off a shovel uppercut, leading Ige to a takedown consideration. Ige lets it go to attack the body, and he cracks Landwehr with a left hand when backing off. Ige swings a huge left hand that knocks Landwehr off his feet, and he goes down after him and starts beating on “Nate the Train.” As Landwehr scrambles and tries to survive, he kicks Ige off of him and even cracks the Hawaiian with an upkick. The round ends before Ige can get the stoppage, but Landwehr is wobbled when he tries to walk back to his corner.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ige
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Ige
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ige

Round 3

Landwehr is good to go for the final frame, and he walks right in front of Ige and gets punched in the face to start off the round. Landwehr is willing to trade back, and he ducks all the way down to time a right on the way up. Landwehr tosses up a kick to the shoulder, and he looks for knees up the middle but is shoved back by the Hawaiian. Landwehr sticks with a jab and loads up on a right hand, and Ige practically ignores it. Landwehr walks into a straight left hand, and he is staggered from it and his toughness is purely on display here. Landwehr manages to escape the power shots that come from “50K,” who is not chasing a bonus and is just methodically doing work and breaking Landwehr down. Ige stings his man with a right hand, and Landwehr uppercuts him before backing off. A few jabs from Landwehr open a cut on Ige’s cheek, and he breaks off with a right hook. Landwehr tosses up a high kick, and he gets his lead leg kick in response. Landwehr swipes out a left hook, and he trades it out with Ige without fear. Landwehr keeps active with jabs, and he rushes in with a knee that grazes past the jaw. The two tie up, and Landwehr smashes several elbows on the chin from up close. Ige shakes them off and circles out to get away, and he gets his own jab going. Landwehr reaches out with a front kick and spins with a back kick to follow. Landwehr steps in with a knee to the body, and he gets clubbed with a left hand that makes him take a few funny steps. Ige just misses on a massive left hook, and Landwehr steps up to knee him in the face. Ige kicks low and punches high, and Landwehr shoots for a single and sets it down. Ige sees it coming, stops it, and gets popped with a right hook. Landwehr gets Ige’s attention with knees to the chin, and he bends Ige over only to get tossed to the side by the Hawaiian. The two clinch up with seconds to spare, and Landwehr elbows Ige several times right to the final bell. The featherweights go the distance, and they hug it out after 15 minutes of trying to hurt the other.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ige (30-27 Ige)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Ige (30-27 Ige)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ige (30-27 Ige)

The Official Result

Dan Ige def. Nate Landwehr via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Adam Fugitt (170.75) vs. Mike Malott (169.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Malott (-205), Fugitt (+175)

Round 1

In the “featured fight of the night” slot, two unranked welterweights with plenty to prove and sky-high finish rates will do their darnedest to pump up the masses before the final two big bouts on the card. Surging into this main card opportunity, Haligonian Malott (9-1-1, 2-0 UFC) will throw down with Oregon native Fugitt (9-3, 1-1 UFC) in a vintage U.S. vs. Canada affair. Before the fight begins, during Malott’s entrance, fans lean on the railing by the walkout area and break it, and a number of them fall down to the floor. Hopefully everyone is ok. Back to the fight action, keeping a lid on things in the cage will be referee Dan Miragliotta. There is no glove touch, as these two want to start trading and do exactly that. Malott scores a few right hands, and he digs a body kick that hurts the Oregonian early. Malott rushes after him, throwing strikes, and Fugitt backs him off with a counter hook. Malott watches a few head kicks soar past him, and he aims another kick to the ribs. The right hand from Malott has marked up Fugitt’s left eye already, and he is making the body change colors as well from his kicks. Fugitt swipes out with a left hand, and Malott lashes out a head kick to keep him honest. As Malott is circling, he slips unexpectedly, but he is able to get back up without issue. Malott releases a body kick that bangs into the top of Fugitt’s cup, and Miragliotta sees it and steps in. Fugitt waves him off, declaring he is fine, and they get back to it. Fugitt, on the restart, punches his way into a takedown. Malott counters it by throwing the American down to the floor with a lateral drop, and he lands in half guard and is quick to line up an arm-triangle choke. Fugitt pulls him back to the guard, so Malott stands up. Fugitt uses his upkicks to toss his man off of him, and he fights back to his feet. Malott fires off a head kick, and Fugitt spins with a kick that misses. Malott punches his way to a head kick, and all three strikes miss as Fugitt is out of the way. Fugitt similarly misses with a head kick, and he chambers and fires a body kick. The Canadian catches it and dumps Fugitt to the floor. Malott moves to half guard, and Fugitt employs butterfly guard to try to kick Malott off. A temporary effort of rubber guard is abandoned by Fugitt, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Malott
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Malott
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Malott

Round 2

The second round begins with Malott leading off from a head kick. Fugitt blocks it and marches forward, and the two hand-fight with alternating stances. Malott jabs the body with his toes extended, and Fugitt misses the mark with his own head kick. Malott steps in with a kick, and he blasts Fugitt with a right and a left. The American topples to the mat, and Malott surges after him in an effort to secure the stoppage. Fugitt tries to get to a knee so that he can stand up again, and this is the worst idea he can have, as Malott leaps to snatch up a guillotine choke trained well by his gym of Team Alpha Male. Malott rolls Fugitt over to his back and locks down the mounted guillotine, and it is only a matter of time now. Fugitt realizes he is caught in a web, and he taps out frantically. That makes it a clean sweep for Canadian fighters tonight at 5-0 against the world, which might be a statistical achievement for the Great White North at a UFC card. The crowd erupts for their fighter, and for shared success, after a sensational performance for a fast-rising welterweight talent.

The Official Result

Mike Malott def. Adam Fugitt R2 1:06 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)

Charles Oliveira (154) vs. Beneil Dariush (156)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Dariush (-140), Oliveira (+120)

Round 1

Hold onto your hats, because a fight many fans and observers circled on their calendars is about to happen. Former champ Oliveira (33-9, 1 NC; 21-9, 1 NC UFC), fresh off losing his belt to Islam Makhachev, is aiming to bounce back from that submission loss. Across from him is the surging Dariush (22-4-1, 16-4-1 UFC), who has strung eight impressive wins together to earn this potential no. 1 contender matchup. While unfortunately only scheduled for three rounds, the two top lightweights might not need that long. Referee Jason Herzog earns the honor of officiating this co-main attraction, and the combatants respectfully bump fists first. Oliveira reaches out with a front kick, and as he does, Dariush kicks his lead leg. Oliveira walks straight into the fire, throwing a head kick and shaking Dariush up, and the two trade furious strikes. The two wind up clashing together, chest to chest, and Oliveira looks to lift Dariush and dump him to the mat but ends up falling to his back. Dariush sits in the close guard and lands a few punches, and Oliveira actively pushes off the chest and uses upkicks. Oliveira attacks with hammerfists while Dariush is striking him from above, and the blows from Dariush are heavier. Oliveira pursues a leglock, and he hooks Dariush’ leg beneath his armpit. Dariush stands up, and he slips his foot out and meanders back into Oliveira’s guard. Dariush swings hard down at his opponent, and he punches the floor a few times with Oliveira swaying back and forth. Oliveira kicks off with upkicks again, and Dariush settles to return to the closed guard, smacking the Brazilian with hammerfists and punches. Dariush avoids any traps, but Oliveira bursts back to his feet and knees his man in the chest. Oliveira abandons the clinch and boots Dariush in the head. Dariush is stung from that and a subsequent left hand, and he knocks Dariush to his knees with a clubbing right hand behind the ear. Dariush drops to go after a takedown, and when that fails, he rolls with desperation with for some kind of leglock. “Do Bronx” pushes right past it and slams his fists down on Dariush again and again. Dariush tries to turn to his side, but his bell is rung and Oliveira is not about to let him off the hook. The punches continue to mount for the Brazilian, who will not stop until Herzog pulls him off. As he keeps beating down the Kings MMA fighter, Herzog has no choice but to wave the fight off. The former champ peels off to jump atop the cage and soak it in as the deafening crowd showers him with cheers and affection. Oliveira climbs back down to embrace his fallen foe, and then he leaps out of the cage to go hug someone in the crowd. This is a statement performance for Oliveira, who claims his 20th finish as a UFC fighter, which adds to his own record. Lightweights will not likely going to line up wanting to face him next, and he has just one goal in mind: he wants his belt back, calling out Islam Makhachev and offering to the UFC brass that he will fight Makhachev on his home soil.

The Official Result

Charles Oliveira def. Beneil Dariush R1 4:10 via TKO (Punches)

UFC Women’s 135-Pound Title Fight:
Amanda Nunes (135) vs. Irene Aldana (135)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Nunes (-320), Aldana (+265)

Round 1

We have reached the main event, which comes in the form of a bantamweight championship collision between Nunes (22-5, 15-2 UFC), who is starting her second title reign at 135 pounds, and agile Mexican boxer Aldana (14-6, 7-4 UFC). Whether “Lioness” is able to feast on the opposition again, or Mexico can once more reign supreme and lay claim to its fourth current UFC belt, referee Dan Miragliotta will be the first to know. During the intense staredown, the two lock eyes and elect to bump gloves to make things official. It’s on. Nunes reaches out first with a single jab to the body, and she sticks a kick to the same spot to follow. The Brazilian hacks at the lead leg with a resounding slap, and she seems unconcerned about anything that comes back at her. Nunes misses with a high kick and paws out a front kick, and the latter is swatted away while the former misses the mark. Aldana shadowboxes with jabs, and nothing is within feet of her foe. Nunes gest off another front kick, and she changes things up for a single. Aldana falls to her back, and Nunes lets her right back up to get in her head. Nunes sticks out a jab and avoids one coming back, and Aldana may not have landed a single strike two minutes in. Nunes reaches out another jab, and Aldana has a bad reaction from it and the subsequent front kick down the middle. Nunes keeps striking the body, and Aldana tosses out a half-hearted left hand. “The Lioness” jabs the body and kicks it, and she spins with a back kick that grazes off the side. Aldana will not commit to strikes, while Nunes is comfortably picking her apart at range. Nunes mixes her punches and kicks together to completely fluster the challenger, and she fakes a level change to go up high with a right hand. Nunes pops her with a left hand, and Aldana sits down on her own strike to finally hit the champ. Aldana bites down on her mouthpiece to throw a good right hand, and she catches Nunes on the chin with a clean right hook. The few strikes Aldana has landed open a cut on the corner of Nunes’ eye. Nunes steps through a jab to hop into a right hand, and she has a leg kick checked. The round ends as Aldana throws a punch.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nunes
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Nunes
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Nunes

Round 2

The two clap hands to start things off again, and one can hope it is more offensively motivated than the first round. Nunes lunges with a sharp jab to split the guard, and Aldana fades back and absorbs a stomping kick to the knee and two punches down the middle. Nunes drops down for a single, and Aldana shifts out of the way in time but cannot avoid a front kick that follows. Nunes hyperextends the knee with a kick, and Aldana absorbs another kick of that type right after. Aldana comes up short with a one-two, and Nunes wades into action with a right hand. Nunes ignores a leg kick, and she beats on Aldana’s lead wheel with a kick. Aldana gives one right back, and she eats a jab. Nunes steps in with a vertical elbow and drops for a takedown, and she slings Aldana to the mat and walks off as if she were in a muay thai match performing a dump instead of chasing her down to follow with ground-and-pound. Aldana climbs back up, and Nunes keeps chewing up the lead leg of her foe. Nunes chains a few punches into a knee, and Aldana checks her nose to make sure it is still aiming in the right direction. Nunes clips her foe with a right hand, and she ignores two punches to make Nunes pay. Nunes switches stances to get off kicks, and she tags Aldana with a left to the body and a right to the head. Aldana is no worse for wear, and she attacks the lead leg of her opponent but gets her body struck on the way out. Nunes ducks down with an uppercut, and Aldana responds with a head kick. Nunes goes under it to secure a double-leg takedown, and she plants Aldana on her back. As if she had no interest in ground game, Nunes backs off to let her up, and the odd round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nunes
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Nunes
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Nunes

Round 3

Nunes comes out of her corner confidently, and she flings a few front kicks to back Aldana off early. Nunes pecks at the challenger with jabs and fakes level changes. Aldana starts to walk Nunes down, but she does not throw much while doing so. The two alternate with jabs, but the volume is paltry and the power is lackluster. Aldana gets off a low kick, and her head kick that follows misses the mark by a wide margin. The champ charges in for a takedown, and she succeeds in hitting it on the third try. This time, Nunes wants to do work on the ground. Aldana defends herself from harm when put on her back, as she pushes off Nunes’ chin to keep her off. Nunes settles in the half guard, and she gets off a few punches and an elbow as Aldana turns to a side. Nunes hangs on with a front choke when Aldana gets to her knees, and she trips Aldana out to drop her back down for a dramatic mat return. Aldana aims to stand again, and Nunes, holding her from behind, drags her down to the canvas. This time, Nunes has a hook in from behind, and she looks for a potential rear-naked choke setup. Nunes is too high, and Aldana looks to slide out the back door but gives up her right arm. Aldana slides out, and she stands up to punch Nunes in the face. Nunes jumps back up, and she slugs Aldana in the face with a combination. Aldana lands a straight right but eats two for her trouble, and Nunes smiles at her when the Mexican lands a one-two. Nunes toys with her foot, jabbing to the body and kneeing Aldana in the face. Nunes blasts Aldana with a few more punches and a kick, and the round ends with the ladies shaking hands.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nunes
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Nunes
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Nunes

Round 4

The two amp up the crowd between rounds, and when they start, Aldana actually strikes first. The challenger pushes out a one-two and a leg kick, and Nunes backs her off with a stern low kick. Aldana turns her hips into a leg kick to respond, and she snaps out a jab as she has mustered together more offense than for good parts of the fight. Nunes steps straight forward through a strike to belt Aldana with an elbow, and Aldana’s head snaps to the side and her nose starts leaking. Aldana crashes forward with a few punches, and Nunes waves her aside like a matador to a bull, as she slides out the side and irritates Aldana with jabs and low kicks. Nunes hammers the nose with a jab, and Aldana is wiping at it. Nunes hits a takedown, and she lets Aldana up so that she can knee her to the body a few times. Aldana fights off a dragging takedown and moves to the side, and Nunes walks her down and kicks her to the calf and body. Nunes sits down on two hooks, and Aldana is tough as she grits her teeth and keeps walking forward. Aldana gets off her own right hand, but Nunes is there right after with a crisp knee. Nunes fakes a level change to go over the top, and Aldana is trying to hit her but cannot find the target. Nunes drives her foe back with a pair of straight right hands and a push kick to the body, and she clubs Aldana with a left hook on a break. Nunes drills her opponent with a fierce right hand, and Aldana is little more than a heavy bag at this point with a few swinging arms. Aldana does get off one or two blows, but Nunes is faster, hits harder and is unfazed by anything Aldana can do. The round ends with a spinning back fist from Nunes and an attempted takedown.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nunes
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Nunes
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Nunes

Round 5

Nunes is grinning after 20 minutes of one-sided action, and she offers a glove touch to start the final frame. Aldana tries to engage, and Nunes beats her to the punch and kick and skirts out the side. Nunes shoots for a takedown, and Aldana counters her with a sharp knee but cannot stop it from succeeding. Aldana pushes off the chest with an upkick, until Nunes dives at her to jump in the guard. Nunes smothers her fading opponent and occasionally drops down punches, and she keeps the challenger pinned to her back. Aldana opens her guard in an attempt to move, and the champion batters her with short but effective strikes. Nunes steps into the half guard before climbing to mount with two minutes to go. Nunes beats on the body with a long series of punches, and she is dragged back to three-quarter mount. Nunes hacks down with an elbow, and Aldana turns her back but gets pulled back around so Nunes can shift to mount again. Nunes hammers the Mexican with short but effective punches, and she keeps going back from mount to half guard while considering an arm-triangle choke. Nunes elbows and punches Aldana to the body, and proceeds to batter the challenger right to the final bell. This fight was not close, and Aldana returns to her feet a busted, swollen and defeated fighter. The champ jumps out of the cage to go see Dana White and Hunter Campbell and kiss both of them on the forehead. The whole team has to drag Nunes back to the cage to hear the final decision, which is just a matter of how many 10-8 scores the judges want to dole out. Nunes calls in the cutman to help remove the tape and wrap from her gloves. The two-division champ slings her belts to the mat and screams at them, and she has her gloves removed and places them on the floor. Nunes drops to her knees to have an outpouring of emotions, while telling the crowd that she is indeed retiring and that this is the end. Nunes calls an end to an incredible career on top, having won her belt back in the rematch with Julianna Pena and successfully defended it once more. There is nothing more she has to prove, and she is happy to be leaving the sport behind. While there could some time to digest this event, the UFC is cruising to its next show this coming Saturday, one that will return to the UFC Apex. We will be there for it, and we hope you are too.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nunes (50-45 Nunes)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Nunes (50-45 Nunes)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Nunes (50-45 Nunes)

The Official Result

Amanda Nunes def. Irene Aldana via Unanimous Decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-43)