UFC Fight Night 168 ‘Felder vs. Hooker’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Shana Dobson vs. Priscila Cachoeira

Round 1

We kick off this somewhat earlier card in New Zealand with a women’s flyweight scrap between two women in dire need of a win. Dobson (3-3, 1-2 UFC) and Cachoeira (8-3, 0-3 UFC) have dropped their last five combined appearances inside the Octagon, and the referee for this streak-breaking bout -- barring a draw or no-contest -- will be Neil Swailes. Cachoeira comes out aggressively, stalking down Dobson while looking to time a right hand. She lands it, and the two engage in a quick flurry. The Brazilian tags her, so Dobson backs off. Cachoeira keeps after her, and as she backs Dobson against the cage, “Pedrita” unloads an unexpectedly massive uppercut that clocks Dobson right on the jaw. In our imaginations, a man shouts “Toasty!” at the bottom right of the screen, and Swailes dives in to rescue the borderline-conscious Dobson. Having notched her first win in the UFC in devastating and speedy fashion, Cachoeira collapses to the ground in tears, celebrating but letting out all of her emotions after overcoming the pressure of this potential pink slip bout.

The Official Result

Priscila Cachoeira def. Shana Dobson R1 0:40 via KO (Punch)

Konklak Suphisara vs. Angela Hill

Round 1

Up next we stay with the women’s divisions but drop down 10 pounds to strawweight, as "Loma Lookboonmee" Suphisara (4-1, 1-0 UFC) tries to stave off the woman who is giving Donald Cerrone a run for his money in Hill (11-7, 6-7 UFC). Our referee for this one will be John Sharp, who bears an impressive resemblance to video game “Super Punch Out” boxer Nick Bruiser. As Suphisara goes for a glove touch, Hill ignores her, so Suphisara throws a few long teep kicks and low kicks that mostly do not connect. Hill walks her down but starts to absorb a few leg kicks, and they both swing at the same time and barely land. Hill sits down on a right and lands flush, but Suphisara shrugs it off and charges forward. The Thai throws a few punches, and Hill counters with an overhand right. Suphisara scores another leg kick, and they are starting to add up quickly as Hill looks to come back at her over the top. Hill jumps forward, lands a solid left, and darts away to avoid the counter. Hill sneaks in again with a right, and Suphisara appears slightly irritated as she eats another thudding right. Hill clinches up to land some elbows, but “Loma Lookboonmee” is the one who lands knees up the middle, and a body kick on the break. Hill whiffs on a big two-punch combination, and as Suphisara replies with a similar combination, she is similarly inaccurate. Suphisara wings a strong high thigh kick, and Hill catches it and drills her with a right hand that sends Suphisara sprawling. The right hands from Hill are causing some damage to the left eye of Suphisara, and swelling is forming quickly around it. Hill crashes forward, sensing her success, and considers a takedown but opts to bully Suphisara against the fence. Suphisara fires a few knees with her back against the cage, but in the process gets slammed down to the canvas by the American. Hill lands in side guard, but Suphisara uses a high knee to prevent any serious strikes from getting off or any guard passing. The round ends with Hill on top.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hill
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Hill
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Hill

Round 2

Suphisara opens the round up with a heavy low kick, and she switches stances several times to fluster her opponent and lands a solid elbow before backing off. Hill commits to a right hook, and Suphisara closes the distance but is once more pushed back to the cage wall. Hill stays tight and wraps up the leg to pursue an outside trip, and she transitions into a single leg for just a moment. Suphisara hops in the air with her other leg, lands a jumping elbow strike, and Hill backs away. Gaining separation briefly, Suphisara goes punch-for-punch with the American for a bit until clinching up once more. Hill lands a solid elbow in the clinch and Suphisara backs off, and takes a stiff left land and then a jab in the process. Suphisara chains together a four-punch combination but only scores one, and in the process hits a takedown to put Hill down. Hill immediately throws her legs up to pursue an armbar, and Suphisara scrambles so Hill transitions into a triangle choke attempt. It is more of a leg scissor choke at this point, but Hill readjusts and locks in the triangle choke as she throws elbows from her back a la Anderson Silva vs. Travis Lutter. Not wanting to burn her legs out, Hill lets go of the choke and allows Suphisara to return to full guard. Suphisara manages to work her way up and stand, but finds herself with her back once against pressed on the cage. Hill slams a few knees home, and Suphisara nearly counters with an elbow so Hill backpedals. Suphisara nails her with a solid teep kick that sends Hill stumbling across the cage, but “Overkill” collects herself, puts her arms in the air and comes back at her. As Hill rushes in to engage, the round concludes.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hill
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Hill
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Hill

Round 3

The final round begins with both women slugging it out for a moment, and Hill appears to land the more significant strikes including a solid right hand. They measure each other up, and Hill again cracks her with a right. Suphisara scores a few slapping leg kicks, but Hill walks through them into boxing range. Suphisara sticks her with a jab, and then lands a front kick to the face, so Hill races in to clinch up. Suphisara pushes her off, and throws two punches that hit nothing but air. Hill loads up with a leg kick that nearly turns “Loma Lookboonmee” around, but the Thai turns back and throws punches. The two stand before each other and trade, taking turns to swing before the other evades and counters, and repeat. Like the previous round, it is Suphisara who decides to pursue a takedown, but Hill stands her up and presses her to the cage. Hill drops down as if to go for her own takedown, and she actually lifts Suphisara up and sets her back down without doing anything with it. They separate, and Suphisara strings a few punches together. They clinch, and both manage to land knees before they flirt with some grappling and abandon it. Suphisara sits down with a few punches, Hill backs off, and the Thai is loading up on her shots as she goes to the body repeatedly. Suphisara pops her with a right-left combination, leading to Hill changing levels and going after a takedown. Suphisara fights it off but ends with her back grating against the cage, so Hill goes after a single leg takedown. Hill drops the leg, and both blast each other with solid elbows at the same time. Neither appear that concerned with the strikes, as they back away and Hill wings a high kick that comes up short. They come together, the Thai throws knees, and Hill ties her leg up before trying to land a big right hand. The horn sounds to end the fight as both are swinging hard. Hill, celebrating her performance and showing off to the judges, drops down to the cage floor to do some push-ups.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Suphisara (29-28 Hill)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Suphisara (29-28 Hill)
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Suphisara (29-28 Hill)

The Official Result

Angela Hill def. Konklak Suphisara via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Kai Kara-France vs. Tyson Nam

Round 1

Moving over to the lightest men’s division, the first of three City Kickboxing representatives in Kara-France (20-8, 1 NC; 3-1 UFC) takes on Nam (18-10-1, 0-1 UFC) at flyweight. The first local fighter of the night, Kara-France draws a huge reaction from the crowd. The third man inside the Octagon is referee Marc Goddard, and a touch of gloves begins the match. Kara-France leads off with a leg kick, and sticks Nam with a jab, changes stances and lands a solid one-two. Nam crashes forward to press him against the fence, but Kara-France circles away and lands a leg kick. The Kiwi throws a head kick that is blocked, and nearly eats a right hand counter coming at his face. Kara-France scores a leg kick, and Nam counters with an overhand right. Nam jabs with his right, so Kara-France follows suit with a left jab to the body. Kara-France jabs several more times and sits down on a right hand, stumbling as he lands it. He backs away and narrowly avoids a right coming at him. Nam has timed the leg kick that comes with a counter right, and does it again. Nam lands a heavy body kick, and the two trade jabs as they move all around the cage in rapid fashion. Kara-France has a head kick easily blocked, but winds up to score a body kick and then a leg kick. He fakes a kick and goes over the top, and slings a few heavy punches as Nam loads up with some heavy rights of his own. Nam goes to the body, and then doubles up on the jab as he coils his right hand. Kara-France snaps Nam’s head back with a jab, and the two crack each other as Nam stings Kara-France with a left hook. Nam chases after his man, sensing he might be hurt, and begins to smile as he sees Kara-France’s nose reddening. Nam ducks a jab and closes the distance to take Kara-France’s back and land a lightning quick takedown. Kara-France springs back to his feet, nails Nam with an elbow, and Nam reels but readjusts and comes back at him with a fury. The two trade until the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kara-France
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Kara-France
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Kara-France

Round 2

The two come out firing, as Kara-France throws a body kick while Nam looks to unload his right hand. Kara-France throws a half-hearted cartwheel kick that Nam avoids, and as they get against the fence, Nam cracks him with an elbow that causes blood to trickle out of Kara-France’s nose. Kara-France shoots low for a double, transitions into a single, and Nam defends it as tests his opponent’s skills with a guillotine choke. Kara-France shrugs it off and separates, only to rush in with a multiple-punch combination that makes Nam shake his head as if to signal that they did not land -- they did. Kara-France continues to pour it on, and Nam backs away to uncork a right hand. Kara-France avoids it, and backs up to the fence, only to use it as a weapon, emulating a strike made famous by Anthony Pettis by jumping off of it. Nam barely blocks it, and the two shake it off before jabbing at one another. Nam is pressing the pace, and stings Kara-France with a heavy right hand that Kara-France tries to roll with. Kara-France trips, and Nam fakes as if to chase him down, but instead allows his opponent to return to his feet. Nam greets him with right hands, and the two trade leather as Nam walks forward. Kara-France strings together a few jabs, and eats a leg kick but avoids the heavy right. Nam keeps his foot on the gas and backs up Kara-France, and throws a head kick that is blocked at the buzzer. This was a close round, as while Kara-France may have volume on his side, Nam's strikes largely appeared more impactful.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kara-France
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Kara-France
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Nam

Round 3

The third round starts with a fury, as Nam may think he is down on the scorecards so he comes out firing. Nam stuffs a takedown, and lands a loud leg kick. He blocks a front kick, and takes a low kick for his efforts. Kara-France changes levels to go after a takedown, and Nam drops down to block it, doing so and pushing his opponent away. A right from Kara-France rattles Nam, and he grins and tries to play it off but his knees wobbled briefly. Kara-France chases after him with punch after punch, and chains several combinations as Nam fires back. Kara-France kicks high, is blocked, and is greeted with a right hand on the chin. Nam is stalking him down less than halfway through the final round, and Kara-France snaps several left jabs together one after the other to keep Nam and his big right hand at bay. Nam comes forward to clinch up, and pushes off to land a left hook. Staying on the outside, Kara-France picks at him with jabs while avoiding the power shots. Kara-France wings a two-hook combination and Nam ducks, but he cannot capitalize on a response. Kara-France scoops his opponent up and tosses him down, but Nam resets without issue as the two laugh at one another. Nam takes his back in an exchange, and drags Kara-France down. The Kiwi gets right back up, only to be dragged down. On the separation, Nam nearly nails him a high kick, but Kara-France dances away and points to the crowd. “Don’t Blink” avoids the final strikes coming at him until the final buzzer sounds, and the local fighter jumps atop the cage with his home country’s flag to celebrate a likely upcoming win.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kara-France (30-27 Kara-France)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Kara-France (30-27 Kara-France)
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Kara-France (29-28 Kara-France)

The Official Result

Kai Kara-France def. Tyson Nam via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Callan Potter vs. Kenan Song

Round 1

Shifting gears to welterweight, we will be treated to a classic Australia vs. China tilt as proud Aussie Potter (18-8, 1-1 UFC) collides with Chinese native Song (15-5, 3-1 UFC). The Octagon ranger is referee Neil Swailes. The two rush in quickly to clinch, and they back off as Song throws a kick and some heavy punches. They come together again, and Potter lifts up a knee so Song retreats to throw a body kick. Potter stings him with an uppercut, and throws Song to the ground. The Chinese fighter gets back to his feet in a scramble and nearly drags Potter down, but Potter defends it well. The two back away, only to clinch once more. Song throws some shoulder strikes made popular by Conor McGregor, and the two trade leather as Song stings Potter with several punches including a left hook, a straight right and an expelliarmus for good measure. Song smells blood and unloads a vicious salvo that sets Potter down. He does not need more than one punch after Potter hits the ground before Swailes stops the action. This is a statement performance, as Song silences the home crowd with a nasty knockout.

The Official Result

Kenan Song def. Callan Potter R1 2:20 via KO (Punches)

Jake Matthews vs. Emil Meek

Round 1

Keeping to the 170-pound weight class, “The Celtic Kid” Matthews (15-4, 8-4 UFC) tries to hand Meek (9-4, 1 NC; 1-2 UFC) his third consecutive defeat and potentially his walking papers. Keeping charge of the cage will be referee John Sharp. They touch gloves, and Matthews snaps out a jab quickly but gets nailed with a nasty low kick that spins him around. Meek tries to brawl with some looping punches, but Matthews quickly changes levels and takes him down. The Aussie lands in half guard, and stays heavy on top while Meek holds on tight to seek a referee standup. Matthews tries to pull his head free, but Meek has underhooks off his back and muscles Matthews back down. Meek bails on his controlling posture to walk his way back to the fence, and stands back up only to absorb an elbow as Matthews backs away. “Valhalla” throws a heavy leg kick and then whiffs on some big looping punches, and Matthews is quickly advancing. Meek comes forward, and Matthews hits him with an uppercut that would put Priscilla Cachoeira’s to shame from earlier tonight, and it is too bad we already made a Mortal Kombat reference -- the uppercut actually lifts Meek off his feet and plants him on his back as if he were part of a cinematic fighting sequence. Matthews chases him down and stays in full guard while he works over Meek with ground-and-pound. Meek gathers himself and spams elbows from his back, but the strikes to the body and head from Matthews are far more impactful. Meek wriggles his way towards the fence as the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Matthews

Round 2

A touch of gloves clocks in the second round, and Matthews comes out firing and lands a heavy right hand. He attempts to replicate the success of the previous round with a thunderous uppercut, but this one does not have the same effect. Matthews steps back, plants a knee on the jaw of his opponent, and the Norwegian fighter eats it like it is Farikal and is ready to brawl. He slings leather, but gives up the takedown quickly. As Meek scrambles, he inadvertently gives up his back, and Matthews gets his hooks in almost immediately. Fishing for a choke, Meek is able to protect himself because the fence is directly behind him, so Matthews will not have leverage or angle from this position. Meek fights the hands and protects his neck, but Matthews has him nullified at the moment. The position is a stalemate, and although Meek considers spinning about and throws punches from behind his head, neither strategy proves successful as time ticks off the clock rapidly. Meek explodes from the position and pops back up, only to lift up two ferocious knees that almost pick his opponent up off the ground as well. Meek unleashes a barrage, and Matthews counters with a spinning back elbow as Meek roars. The Aussie times some looping strikes to hit a double leg takedown and slow the berserker rage of his opponent. Meek walks his way back to the fence, and although Matthews is tight on him, Meek walks up the wall and defends a back take. He gets free, and swings wildly as Matthews comes in with a flying knee, falls over, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Matthews

Round 3

The two greet with one final glove touch, and Matthews leads with a jab. The Aussie takes a leg kick, and throws a few right hands as he ducks down to avoid the counters. Meek lands another leg kick and Matthews turns his leg around to avoid the brunt of the damage, but they are adding up. Matthews sneaks in a left, and eats a few punches before coming back at Meek. The movement may be slightly hampered for Matthews because of those leg kicks, and as Meek goes after another, Matthews picks his leg up to avoid the strike. Meek smiles, knowing his strikes are effective. Matthews shoots low with a telegraphed takedown attempt from across the cage, and Meek stuffs it, threatens a choke, and the two back off. Matthews whiffs on a few punches, and Meek is on him with a swarm of strikes as Matthews dances away. The calf kick scores for Meek, and Matthews winces and blocks a head kick that immediately follows. Meek throws a head kick with his other leg, and the Aussie has no issue defending that one as well. Meek strings a few punches together, and Matthews rushes forward to take the fight down, but this time he cannot land it. Meek comes after him with a flurry, and Matthews drops low to pursue a single leg takedown. “Valhalla” defends it with elbows popularized by Travis Browne when the heavyweight leveled Josh Barnett. Matthews does not like these and stands back up, attempts a trip, and is once more thwarted. Meek senses that his adversary is fatigued, and throws up a few knees while Matthews ducks away. Meek loops punches at him, and shouts at Matthews to engage with him. The two clinch, and both land elbows as Meek throws everything he has at him. Meek lands a few short uppercuts and knees in the clinch, and runs at Matthews with a flying knee in the final seconds and manages to land it somehow. The horn sounds as Meek is throwing punches at the side of his foe’s head, and he continues to throw them until the referee separates the two. An enraged, or possibly excited Meek unleashes an emotional scream at the end of the fight, and he might be on the wrong end of the scorecards on this one. Both men speak and embrace in the post-fight interview, and both thank the promotion for putting this fun fight together.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Meek (29-28 Matthews)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Meek (29-28 Matthews)
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Meek (29-28 Matthews)

The Official Result

Jake Matthews def. Emil Meek via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Joshua Culibao vs. Jalin Turner

Round 1

At lightweight, Turner (8-5, 1-2 UFC) and his 100 percent finish rate will try to make unbeaten newcomer Culibao (8-0, 0-0 UFC) feel unwelcome in his debut. Referee Mark Craig will clock in the action now, and the two touch gloves to begin the bout. Turner walks forward, cutting off the cage until Culibao jumps forward, and the Aussie eats a knee right off the bat. Turner eats a body kick and a right hand, but scores with his own combination as the two trade. Culibao ties him up and tries to take him down, but in the process falls to his back. Turner capitalizes on this and slams home a few nasty elbows, and after they scramble around, Turner once more ends on top. The American lands some quick ground-and-pound, but backs away to allow Culibao back to his feet. Once standing, Turner unleashes a spinning back kick that glances off the target. Turner rushes in and throws a bevy of strikes including a few high knees, and bullies Culibao against the fence. Turner pursues a single leg takedown, but the Aussie sets his leg down to fight off the attempt. Turner lands a few heavy knees, and one in particular lands to the sternum and bends Culibao over. Culibao tries to spin around but in the process, falls to his back and Turner pulls for a guillotine choke. The unbeaten fighter struggles and winces in the choke, and manages to survive as Turner readjusts himself. In this unusual position where Turner is sitting in a high half guard, Turner stays heavy to use his body weight as a way to add to the power of the choke. Culibao times a moment perfectly to get back up, but Turner makes him pay with another strong knee and several punches. Turner lands a body kick, and then spins with a kick that makes Culibao bounce off the cage wall. Culibao whips a low kick, and the round ends with both fighters assessing the situation.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Turner
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Turner
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Culibao

Round 2

Culibao begins the round with a leg kick, and Turner does not reply and instead walks through it before lazily reaching out a front kick to find his range. Culibao tags him with a right as he ducks away, and Turner is more measured in his approach as he lands an overhand right and avoids a right hand counter coming his direction. Turner tries to land a knee, and Culibao catches him in the body with a front kick. Culibao circles out, and unexpectedly, he tweaks his ankle or otherwise hurts himself while moving away. Wincing in pain, he is in a bad way, and he goes low for a takedown but Turner easily reverses it into a guillotine choke attempt. Culibao turns a lovely shade of vermilion, but manages to pop his head out as Turner opts to unleash serious ground-and-pound. Turner drops down elbow after elbow, and Craig calls repeatedly for Culibao to improve his position or the fight will be over. Culibao twists and turns with all his might to survive, and Turner stays patient and continues the barrage of punches. As he rains down a stream of punches while Culibao is flattened out on his stomach, one final, punctuating elbow from Turner is all Craig needs to call the fight. With that win, Turner ejects the Aussie from the ranks of the unbeaten.

The Official Result

Jalin Turner def. Joshua Culibao R2 3:01 via TKO (Punches and Elbow)

Zubaira Tukhugov vs. Kevin Aguilar

Round 1

To wrap up the prelims, we are treated to potential featherweight thriller in Russia’s Tukhugov (18-4-1, 3-1-1 UFC) against longtime Legacy Fighting Championship and Legacy Fighting Alliance star Aguilar (17-2, 2-1 UFC). The third in the cage is referee Marc Goddard, and the two men touch gloves and are ready to get down to business. Aguilar opens up with a few jabs, and then chases after him with a few punches that fall short. Aguilar takes a front kick to the body, and fires a leg kick that lands with an audible thud. The kick immediately makes a red foot-shaped print form on the middle of the Russian’s thigh. Aguilar comes forward with punches that do not land, blocks a looping overhand right, and comes back at him with a small punch combination. Like before, Aguilar jumps into his combination, and the Russian dances out of the way before throwing a winging left that gets blocked. Tukhugov clubs him with a heavy right that still has a great deal of impact despite being defended, and Aguilar chases after him with punches that hit nothing but air. Tukhugov lands a straight punch and then a heavy uppercut, and Aguilar resets before whiffing on a huge right hook. The two trade, and Aguilar tags him with a right, forcing “Warrior” to back away. Aguilar slaps a high kick off the arms of his opponent, and chases him with punches that are blocked. A huge left hook from Tukhugov lands flush and sets Aguilar down, and although Aguilar landed as well, the strike gives commentator Dan Hardy flashbacks of his fight with Carlos Condit. The Texan immediately pops back up but is in the danger zone, as Tukhugov pours it on with some more huge punches. The power punches from Tukhugov mount, and several more score as Aguilar goes down once more. This time, Tukhugov pounces on top and rains down punches until Goddard has seen enough. This is a massive win for the Russian, who gets back on track by knockout over out a man who had only be stopped once in his 19-fight career.

The Official Result

Zubaira Tukhugov def. Kevin Aguilar R1 3:21 via TKO (Punches)

Magomed Mustafaev vs. Brad Riddell

Round 1

In the lightweight division, Russian striker Mustafaev (14-2, 3-1 UFC) will try to keep his 100 percent finish rate intact as he takes on the once-beaten Riddell (7-1, 1-0 UFC). For the first time of the night, we are treated to an AC/DC walkout as the crowd goes wild, as Riddell strides out to “Thunderstruck” -- clearly unaware that the track accompanies a low winning percentage of 36 percent throughout promotional history. Referee John Sharp oversees the action in this fight, and the two men nod and touch gloves to commence their fistfight. Both men fake with kicks to gauge their opponent’s reaction, and it is Mustafaev who lands the first in the form of a high kick. Riddell throws back and misses, so Mustafaev drills him to the midsection with a thumping kick. Riddell races forward and cracks Mustafaev with a right hand, and the Russian crashes down to the canvas. Riddell hops down into side guard to unleash ground-and-pound, and Mustafaev shakes out the cobwebs and pulls for a heel hook to defend himself. Riddell fights it off, and in the process Mustafaev gets back to his feet, if only for a moment. Mustafaev immediately decides that it is in his best interest to drag the fight down, only on his own terms, and he throws his adversary down. The Kiwi climbs back to his feet, and is yanked right back down again as Sharp warns him to not grab the fence. While “Quake” stands back up again, Mustafaev scoops him up and sets him down once more. Controlling Riddell’s back, Mustafaev starts to land some heavy knees to the thighs and one to the head that forces Riddell to turn about. Riddell spins around, so the Russian drops down for a single leg takedown, and gets Riddell to one knee. Riddell checks his forehead to make certain the knee did not open him up -- he is not bleeding or otherwise marked up -- and Mustafaev stays relentless to bring him back down. Similarly determined, Riddell springs back up, all while remaining with his back against the cage. Riddell explodes out of the position, spins around, and drops down for a double leg takedown before abandoning it. The round ends on the feet.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-10
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-10
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Riddell

Round 2

The two clap hands to start the second round, and Riddell winds up with a right hand and lands it flush on the jaw of Mustafaev. The Russian goes for a kick and falls to his back, but Riddell does not follow him down as he would vastly prefer standing. Riddell lands a leg kick, and then ducks a huge looping right hand before throwing a body kick. The two clash together, and Riddell ducks down to open up the right hand. Mustafaev blasts him with a right hand, and Riddell absorbs it square on the jaw with no ill effects. Riddell throws a wild kick and slips, but returns to his feet without being chased down. The two trade kicks, and as Riddell catches a kick, Mustafaev wings a spinning back fist that glances off his intended target. As Riddell presses forward, Mustafaev times a takedown and drags Riddell down to the canvas for a moment. The Kiwi, like the previous round, does not stay grounded for more than a second or two before getting back up. Although Mustafaev has back control briefly, Riddell turns out and keeps his back against the fence while Mustafaev changes levels to pursue a single leg takedown. The Russian lands it, but he cannot secure the position as Riddell returns to a knee. Mustafaev throws a few knees to the posterior, and as Riddell turns out Mustafaev again hits the single. Almost in a repeated effort, Mustafaev gets him down, and Riddell springs back up.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Mustafaev
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Mustafaev
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Mustafaev

Round 3

The last round begins with a touch of gloves, and it may be anyone’s fight coming into the third. Riddell fires a high kick up top, and it gets blocked without a counter. Mustafaev spins with a wheel kick and falls over as Riddell closes the distance, and Riddell allows him back up. Riddell reaches out to touch gloves with his opponent, and Mustafaev nails him with a right hand. Riddell is not amused, but they re-touch and then start swinging. As Riddell presses forward, Mustafaev jumps with a knee, eats several punches and stumbles down. The stumble may be part of his takedown approach, as Mustafaev pursues one, but he cannot land it as they return to the clinch, only for Riddell to push himself free. Riddell slaps a heavy leg kick, and manages to barely duck under a spinning back fist as he lands a takedown. Riddell starts to put together some ground-and-pound, and he backs off as to not stay in the position for long. Some blood has begun to form on the top of Riddell’s head, possibly from the elbow in the spinning strike, and Riddell checks it and starts striking. Mustafaev powers his way back to his feet and eats a strong body kick that hurts him. The Russian has a good poker face, as he pulled back a grimace but shot low for a takedown to shut down the powerful striker. Riddell stays with a knee against the fence to defend it, and starts throwing elbows to stave off the attempt. Riddell defends another attempt by lifting Mustafaev in the air and pushing him down. The Kiwi celebrates and gets the crowd to cheer for him, and then starts throwing some strikes while on top. Mustafaev doggedly pursues the takedown, and he cannot land it, so Riddell lifts his arm in the air to celebrate as he tosses Mustafaev down. With Mustafaev on his back and seconds to go, Riddell throws punches as the crowd is so loud that we cannot hear the final horn sound. The crowd goes crazy for the local fighter, who celebrates this battle and believes he has done enough to win in front of friends and family.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Riddell (29-29)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Riddell (29-29)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Riddell (29-28 Riddell)

The Official Result

Brad Riddell def. Magomed Mustafaev via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Ben Sosoli vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima

Round 1

In the lone heavyweight slugfest tonight, Sosoli (7-2, 2 NC; 0-0, 1 NC UFC) aims to win his first fight under the UFC banner against Rogerio de Lima (16-6-1, 5-4 UFC). Combined, the two have only won three bouts on the scorecards, so referee Neil Swailes may have to watch out here. The glove touch leads to a head kick from Rogerio de Lima, and these two are swinging wildly. Both men are landing heavy shots and looping punches, while Rogerio de Lima sprinkles in a few kicks and the Aussie is dead set on throwing bombs. Rogerio de Lima sneaks up a big high kick that hurts Sosoli even though he blocked it, but the “Combat Wombat” walks through it to throw some huge shots. This pace through the first minute is ferocious, and it soon slows down as Swailes implores the men to engage. As Sosoli wades forward, Rogerio de Lima unleashes a three-hook combination as seen before by Bobby Southworth against Lodune Sincaid, and clubs Sosoli with the final right hand. The Aussie crumples to the ground, and Rogerio de Lima looks to swarm him with follow-up punches but only gets one off as they are largely unnecessary. Swailes calls the fight, and Sosoli appears to not know what happened. The crowd is silent, and this is the first time that Sosoli had ever been finished.

The Official Result

Marcos Rogerio de Lima def. Ben Sosoli R1 1:28 via TKO (Punches)

Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Xiaonan Yan

Round 1

From the heaviest division to the lightest we go, as Kowalkiewicz (12-5, 5-5 UFC) attempts to end a career long losing streak against the surging Yan (11-1, 1 NC; 4-0 UFC). Drawing the assignment is referee Mark Craig. A touch of gloves leads to a series of kicks from both fighters. Yan lands a left off the forehead of her opponent, and then chains it with a few more punches over the top. Kowalkiewicz scores a right hand, but is met with a long combination that connect at least partially across the board. Yan has started to unload on hooks, and they clinch up where the Chinese fighter scores a knee for good measure. Yan rushes in, backs off, and then comes in where she scores with some heavy punches ending by an uppercut. “Fury” is utilizing just that, as Kowalkiewicz wipes her eyes while Yan tags her repeatedly. Kowalkiewicz manages to sneak in a spinning back fist, but Yan practically ignores it and walks forward with looping shots. The strikes force Kowalkiewicz to tie up, and Yan reverses her Polish opponent and trips her down to the canvas. Kowalkiewicz throws her legs up in a high guard, and Yan grinds her elbow on her adversary’s face. Yan allows Kowalkiewicz to get back to her feet, and times a side kick to the midsection as soon as Kowalkiewicz stands up, but she stumbles over. She regains her posture and presses Kowalkiewicz against the fence. They break free, and Kowalkiewicz wipes her right eye multiple times, and she is clearly bothered by it. Yan targets it with a few punches, and then switches it up with a body kick. Kowalkiewicz keeps her right hand high, almost touching her cheek to protect her compromised eye, and they come together and clinch. Like before, Yan hip tosses her down, and she starts to unload some punches from on top before backing off to land a nasty leg kick. Kowalkiewicz stays on her back while searching for upkicks and kicks to the knee, and when the 10-second clapper sounds, the former title challenger stands up. The round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Yan
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Yan
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Yan

Round 2

To begin the round, Craig calls in the doctor. He asks Yan to stand in a neutral corner several times before she understands his request, and the doctor checks that eye that is bothering Kowalkiewicz a great deal. She is cleared to continue, and wipes at the eye as the round kicks off. They touch gloves, and Yan fires at that eye immediately. Kowalkiewicz whiffs with a spinning back kick, and Yan is coming at her with punches. Kowalkiewicz is not afraid and throws right back, bloodying the nose of her Chinese foe. The strikes from Yan have opened a cut over the eye of Kowalkiewicz, and Yan walks through the punches coming her way to land more powerful shots. Kowalkiewicz absorbs a body kick and then a lengthy punch combination until they tie up against the fence. Kowalkiewicz manages to spin out and drops down to pursue a single leg takedown, but Yan stuffs it to remain standing. She opts to throw knees, and tosses Kowalkiewicz down to the canvas but allows her to stand immediately after. Kowalkiewicz again wings a spinning back kick that is nowhere near the mark, and Yan lifts her off the ground and slams her down. After a little ground-and-pound, Yan backs off to let them get to their feet. Yan lands a punch combination, ducks the counter, and then lands accurately with another. Kowalkiewicz tries to keep her at bay with a few kicks, and Yan ends the round with a few more punches and a solid right hand to conclude that combination.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Yan
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Yan
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Yan

Round 3

Yan begins the last round with a jab and then a high kick, as the two trade long punches. Kowalkiewicz kicks up high and gets counter with a big right hand, and stands back. Yan stings Kowalkiewicz to the body, and Yan goes after the body again as Kowalkiewicz wears it well but is hurt badly. Kowalkiewicz gets her back off the fence and they return to the center of the cage, while Kowalkiewicz tries to kick and keep distance. As she throws a spinning shot, she gets kicked in the face and wobbles back to the fence. Yan races in to take her down, and in the ensuing scramble, Kowalkiewicz pulls for a heel hook or ankle lock with everything she has left. She torques the leg as Yan punches her in the thigh and backside, and the two start swinging hammerfists at each other. Yan does not appear concerned in this position, and is throwing elbows that are barely 11-to-5 instead of violating the arbitrary 12-to-6 rule. Yan pulls her leg mostly free and stacks up Kowalkiewicz, but the Polish fighter still has the leg wrapped up to an extent. Yan keeps pounding from on top with punches and elbows, while Kowalkiewicz tries to survive and looks to be in pain. In a last ditch effort, Kowalkiewicz goes for one last heel hook, and Yan lands some illegal heel strikes to the head of a grounded Kowalkiewicz. The horn sounds, and this one-sided bout is now over.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Yan (30-27 Yan)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Yan (30-27 Yan)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Yan (30-27 Yan)

The Official Result

Xiaonan Yan def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)

Jim Crute vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk

Round 1

Our co-main event sees a light heavyweight battle as Crute (10-1, 2-1 UFC) tries to rebound from his first career defeat against Oleksiejczuk (14-3, 1 NC; 2-1, 1 NC UFC). Separating these two finishers (24 wins, 18 stoppages) for the time being is referee John Sharp. The two touch gloves, and Crute fakes a low kick. Oleksiejczuk goes high and Crute drops down to land a quick takedown. The Polish fighter works his way back up, but Crute drags him back down. “Lord” again gets to his feet, but is wrenched down, and this cycle repeats two more times. Less than 90 seconds in, Crute has landed six takedowns, and each time, Oleksiejczuk has popped back up. Crute tries to throw a knee, but instead decides to tie up and toss him to the canvas once more. Oleksiejczuk fights off the hands and grabs the fence a few times to stop the takedowns, and his elbows are bloodied from mat burn already. Oleksiejczuk finally breaks free, and Crute loads up on a left hand and then three more punches, before a high kick is blocked. Crute decides to stop wasting time on the feet, lifts up Oleksiejczuk and slams him down. Crute passes guard like butter, and easily advances to mount where he fishes for an arm-triangle choke. As Oleksiejczuk fights his way out, Crute hops over to side control and yanks on a kimura. The Aussie torques the arm with all his might, and as the elbow twists in the wrong direction, he gets the tap! This was a statement for Crute, who bulldozed his fellow light heavyweight with a dominant grappling performance. With this particular submission, he is the first fighter in the UFC to pull off this maneuver in over a year.

The Official Result

Jim Crute def. Michal Oleksiejczuk R1 3:29 via Submission (Kimura)

Paul Felder vs. Dan Hooker

Round 1

We have now reached our headliner, in the form of a scrap virtually guaranteed to earn post-fight bonus money, as “The Irish Dragon” Felder (17-4, 9-4 UFC) looks to spoil the perfect evening of City Kickboxing’s Hooker (19-8, 9-4 UFC). Both men will be looking to earn their 10th win inside the Octagon while looking to avoid their fifth UFC defeat, and our all-action marquee matchup draws the assignment of referee Marc Goddard. When Felder offers to touch gloves, Hooker shuts him down as the crowd goes “ooooh.” Hooker opens up with a low kick that is well shy of the mark, but he steps in and lands one that Felder tries to check. Hooker lands two more low leg kicks, and the calf of Felder has already started to change color. Felder wings a spinning strike and falls over, and Hooker circles away. The two men exchange, and Hooker lands with a solid right. Felder tries to step in with a left that is blocked, and gets kicked in the rear when throwing a spinning back kick. Felder walks down his opponent, takes a leg kick, and catches Hooker at the end of a right hand. Hooker circles around the cage out of harm’s way, and lands a low kick that gets checked. Felder throws one back, and then absorbs one and a jab. Felder goes to the body and misses wide up top, but he does check another kick. Felder steps in with an elbow that is short, and fakes a takedown to tag his opponent with a left hand. Felder digs to the body, and picks his leg up instinctively as the low kick is sure to come. He lands a body kick, and then snaps Hooker’s head back with a big left. Hooker bites down on his mouthpiece and slings leather, and the two trade and Felder’s face his starting to get marked up. Felder commits to a spinning back kick, and Hooker evades it and gets his leg kicked out from beneath him but scrambles to his feet. Felder clinches up, gets reversed against the fence, and Hooker separates before any impactful strikes land. Hooker goes after that lead leg again, and Felder launches a right hook that is way off target. Felder leaps forward with a left hook and a spinning back fist to follow, and the two trade until the bell and slightly after it.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hooker
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Hooker
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Hooker

Round 2

The second round begins and we can see some swelling around the right eye of Felder. Hooker kicks high and is blocked, and Felder stands in front of him and swings. Hooker uses head movement to evade the shots, backs away, lands a calf kick and snaps out a few jabs. The low kicks continues from Hooker, although Felder is throwing them back now to decent effect. Felder fires a body kick, and Hooker flicks out the jab a few more times to decent effect at that damaged eye. Hooker comes in with a combination and gets tagged with a few left hands before eating a heavy leg kick. As Felder presses forward to throw a big left hand, Hooker circles around him and takes his back. Hooker hunts for a choke and is acting as a seatbelt for the time being, while Felder tries control his opponent’s wrist and break the position. Felder walks them against the fence, and gets free by doing so. Felder checks a leg kick and fires back at him, and Hooker’s leg is showing signs of damage -- but not nearly as much as Felder. “The Irish Dragon” races in with a punch combination, and Hooker hops back and gets out of danger. Felder powers a body kick that nearly goes low, and then lands two solid leg kicks that Hooker tries to check. Felder quickly unloads a spinning back kick, and it catches Hooker square on the liver, but the Kiwi wears it well. Hooker tries to time a knee up the middle, but Felder pushes past it with a few punches. Felder tags him with a spinning back fist, and starts to throw heavy leather as he lands a few punches. Hooker fires right back at him, and the two again trade until the bell and slightly after.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Felder
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Felder
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Felder

Round 3

Hooker begins with a push kick that backs off Felder for a moment, but the American comes back at him with a few low kicks and looping punches. Felder checks a leg kick and fires ones back, and then digs to the body with a hard left. Felder snaps out a left jab, and Hooker is more patient and reticent to engage so far this round. Hooker throws another low kick that is relatively light, and Felder turns up the volume with a much heavier one. The two crack each other with left hands, although Hooker lands first to take some of the sting off Felder’s. Felder pushes through a kick to land a shovel uppercut left hand, and nearly kicks the lead leg out from beneath Hooker. The Kiwi evades a one-two and counters with a similar combination, and the two are standing and trading with jabs. Hooker’s nose is now starting to show some damage to match his opponent, although Felder is far more marked up. The two jab at each other, and Hooker follows one with a right. Felder throws one right back at him, and these two are going punch-for-punch and low kick for low kick. Felder scores a right hand, and Hooker retreats as he tries to let Felder swing himself out. Felder loads up on right hands, and Hooker is largely out of the way, while he jabs away. Felder connects solidly with a spinning back kick that bounces Hooker back, but he comes back with a two-punch salvo. Felder catches a kick, but he cannot pull off a strike like Anderson Silva over James Irvin, so he lets it go. Felder changes levels to go for a takedown, but Hooker stuffs it. The two exchange knees in the waning seconds, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hooker
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Hooker
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Hooker

Round 4

Felder kicks off the round with a nasty leg kick that makes Hooker reevaluate his stance. He lands one on the inside, and Felder is intent on slugging it out. The corner advice of coach Duke Roufus has fired him up, as he lands a series of one-twos that are giving Hooker pause. Hooker shoves him away as Felder presses forward, and backs him off with a jab. The two trade at the same time with big lefts, and Felder follows it with one that almost stuns hooker. Hooker lands a few low kicks, and Felder chases after him to blast him with a right hand. Hooker is hurt, but he recovers well as he circles away. When the American pursues him, Hooker shoots in for a takedown, and Felder stuffs it as they clinch up against the cage wall. Felder circles out to land an elbow on the break, and it is successful. Felder steps forward with another elbow, and Hooker hops around to take Felder’s back. Felder fights his way out of the bad position and the two separate without issue. Hooker throws out a jab, and Felder is prepared as he tags him with a one-two. Felder lands a solid right hand in an exchange, and Hooker eats it like a sandwich -- although his mouth is showing visible damage, which could be a broken jaw or just pain from eating all these shots for the last 19 minutes. Felder leaps forward with a left, and then hits him with a jab that makes Hooker shoot in for a double leg takedown. Felder lands an elbow on the way in, and stuffs it while landing another short elbow. Hooker holds on tight as the time ticks off the round, and Felder tries to break free but Hooker is on him like glue. The round ends with Hooker on Felder’s back.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Felder
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Felder
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Felder

Round 5

Felder comes out aggressively with jabs, and Hooker sticks him with one on the outside. Felder claps him with an inside thigh kick while Hooker circles away, and he tries to time Hooker with a one-two. Felder lands a right that wobbles Hooker, but the Kiwi's durability remains resolute. Hooker lands a leg kick, but absorbs two more overhand rights. Felder goes to the body, and Hooker stumbles a little against the fence. Felder ducks a jab to throw a big right, and Hooker continues to throw jabs before trying to take Felder down. The American fights it off and the two jockey for position against the fence. Hooker lands a few short knees on the inside leg of Felder, but the two break away. Hooker scores with a big right hand, and then lands another before taking one on the jaw. The two stand and swing ferocious right hands, and neither connect but blow the hair back of those sitting in the front row. Felder goes up top with a one-two, and backs away to avoid a jab coming his way. Hooker keeps the jab going to back Felder off of him, as the American is standing in the center of the cage and walking him down. The two jab away until Felder swings with a back fist that is short of the target. Felder tags Hooker with a right hand, and Hooker drops down for a desperation double leg takedown and lands it for the first time in the fight. Hooker holds on tight while on top, and he is not throwing much offense while Felder sneaks in a few elbows. Felder tries to buck him off but Hooker scrambles and stays on top. Felder fights with all his might to his feet, and Felder throws elbows and punches to the last second. What an amazing fight; this lived up to every expectation and will go right down to the wire. No one should be upset about how the fight is scored, as it delivered from start to finish.

With his jaw damage, Hooker is barely able to speak in the post-fight interview, but still calls out Justin Gaethje. Felder, however, thinks that this may be the end to his fighting career, as he takes his gloves off in the cage and wants to be there for his family.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Felder (48-47 Felder)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Felder (48-47 Felder)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Felder (48-47 Felder)

The Official Result

Dan Hooker def. Paul Felder via Split Decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47)