UFC Fight Night 222 ‘Pavlovich vs. Blaydes’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Batgerel Danaa (136) vs. Brady Hiestand (136)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Danaa (-140), Hiestand (+120)

Round 1

This is the UFC. There are no breaks. We keep going until the bitter end, 42 shows per year no matter what. This next offering is one posting up in the UFC Apex, with just two fighters ranked in the divisions in which they are competing – not counting the bantamweights who are meeting at 145 pounds. We kick things off in the bantamweight division, as “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 29 finalist Hiestand (6-2, 1-1 UFC) looks to start a win streak at the expense of heavy-handed Mongolian Danaa (12-4, 3-3 UFC). The two men will collide under the oversight of referee Jerin Valel, and they get things started after touching gloves. Danaa moves to the center of the cage as he reaches out with his left hand to find his range. Hiestand checks a kick early and flicks his foot up top that smacks Danaa upside the head for a rude awakening. Danaa shakes it off and moves forward, but Hiestand is waiting for him to nail him with another lead leg head kick. Danaa blocks the worst of it and keeps pressuring, and Hiestand pushes off his opponent’s face to stop him moving in on him. Hiestand scores a check left hook as Danaa moves in, and he sits on another counter while Danaa’s offense is largely stifled. Danaa tries to give chase, but the strafing Hiestand is shifting erratically to not give up a pattern. When Danaa commits to a body kick, Hiestand snatches up his leg and goes after a single-leg takedown. Danaa stands him up as he gets pushed to the wall, and Hiestand gets tossed to the floor after begin warned for fence grabs. Hiestand springs back up and retreats, and Danaa jabs him in the midsection and blocks a kick targeting his chest. Hiestand whiffs on a sweeping low kick as he circles along the outside, keeping that left hook in play to make Danaa honest. Hiestand tosses another head kick up, and it pops off the side of the head to little effect, but it does at least find its target. Hiestand shoots in for a double-leg entry, and Danaa sprawls effectively and clips him with a left hook. Danaa pushes away another takedown try to score a pair of punches coming forward. Hiestand lets a body kick out a little too long, and Danaa drills him with a few more punches. A wild slugfest ensues, and both men sting one another right before the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Danaa
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Danaa
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Danaa

Round 2

The bantamweights meet in the middle, and Danaa connects with a huge left hand that sends Hiestand crumbling to the mat. Hiestand tries to attack a desperation takedown to clear his wits, but Danaa staves him off. Hiestand pushes him to the wall, and Danaa elbows him repeatedly with damaging blows to the side of the head. Hiestand drops to a knee as these elbows hurt, and he manages to wrestle Danaa to the floor. The Mongolian fighter climbs back up, but Hiestand is on him, attempting a mat return in rapid succession. Danaa gets off a few more elbows, and this time he draws a warning for hitting the back of the head. Hiestand clasps his hands and wrenches Danaa to the floor, and he turns the corner to sneak around and take the back. Danaa looks to slide his man out the back door, so Hiestand answers with a potential Suloev stretch modified kneebar. Danaa fights it off, and Hiestand recovers to get both hooks in and secure the back. “Bam Bam” starts fishing for a rear-naked choke, with his bloody nose leaking on his opponent from behind. Danaa fights the grip and allows the crimson fluid to help slide out of submission danger. Hiestand looks to fasten the body triangle, and Danaa stands up at the right time and turns Hiestand to his side as he nearly has him off. In a fairly advantageous position, Danaa now begins clubbing Hiestand with elbows until he turns Hiestand to his back, and he begins lighting Hiestand up with ground-and-pound. Hiestand’s mouth is wide open as blood covers his face, and Danaa works him over with punishing elbows and solid punches. Hiestand maintains the open guard as Danaa beats on him, and he grits his teeth and explodes back to his feet as a cut rips open on the side of his right eye. Hiestand gets on his bike and might be still trying to recover his balance after the methodical bludgeoning, and Danaa counters him a few times with sharper looping strikes. The round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Danaa
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Hiestand
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Danaa

Round 3

The fighters greet in the center of the cage, and Hiestand is light on his feet as he tosses out a low kick or two. Danaa responds with one that slides up the thigh and clicks into the cup, but Hiestand waves it off instead of getting a pause. Hiestand catches Danaa coming in with a body kick, and Danaa plants his feet and counters with a left hook. Hiestand chops at the calf and pushes out a front kick, and he beats Danaa to the punch with his jab. Hiestand steps in with a head kick, and the instep of his foot slaps Danaa in the face. Danaa sticks out a jab to meet an incoming body kick, and he eats a swarming right hook on the temple like a platter of khuushuurs. They trade alternating hooks, and Dana loads up on a left and connects with a clean sweeping low kick. Danaa just misses the mark with a front kick, and he gets popped with a fast left hand and cannot make Hiestand pay for that blow. Hiestand swings with a right hand into a takedown effort, and he plants the Mongolian fighter on his seat with 80 seconds to spare. Hiestand moves right to half guard and starts dropping hands, and Danaa turns to the cage and keeps getting clubbed in the head. Hiestand does not let him off the hook, spamming short left hands as Danaa cannot stand back up. Danaa does not block a single one of these punches, and they are not individually damaging, but they add up as Hiestand does not stop swinging them. Getting Valel’s attention with a non-stop barrage of these left hands, eventually, Valel has seen enough as Danaa is not defending himself at all. This is a big comeback for Hiestand, who turned things around when Danaa appeared to run out of steam.

The Official Result

Brady Hiestand def. Batgerel Danaa R3 4:21 via TKO (Punches)

William Gomis (146) vs. Francis Marshall (146)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Marshall (-205), Gomis (+175)

Round 1

Styles clash in this 145-pound affair, when the rear-naked choke minded Marshall (7-0, 1-0 UFC) attempts to keep his flawless record intact when he meets diverse striker Gomis (11-2, 1-0 UFC), out of the MMA Factory in Paris. Referee Keith Peterson is on his best nonsense-slaying behavior, ready to intervene at a moment’s notice. The two fighters bump fists in the center of the cage, and Marshall is very active with his jab right out of the gate. Marshall follows a few jabs with range-fighting straight right hands, and Gomis darts out of the way and sticks him with a straight left. Gomis slaps a kick to his foe’s midsection as they stand in alternating stances, and he fires off another as Marshall fires off an overhand right that dings the Frenchman. Marshall presses forward, and he swings all his might into another right, and this results in a clinch and not a successful strike. Marshall pushes off and circles away, and he just avoids a front kick aimed at his jaw. They both land with long punches at the same time, and neither show any ill effect. When Gomis throws a high kick, he loses his balance, but Marshall allows him to stand so that he can keep jabbing at him. The jabs from Marshall are not actually landing, but they are reaching towards his foe, while Gomis occasionally responds with power kicks from his left leg. The kick draws immediate swelling on Marshall’s right cheek, which is lumped up in a hurry. Marshall times a right hand as Gomis goes after another kick, and he swats with a left hook as Gomis escapes. Gomis whips another kick to the midsection, and he attempts to connect with an uppercut as Marshall crashes towards him in pursuit of a takedown. Gomis defends with his back against the wall, and Marshall settles down and presses on him as he knees the thigh and stomps the toes. The round ends in this tie-up.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gomis
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gomis
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gomis

Round 2

The featherweights clap hands in the middle of the Octagon, and Marshall darts at him with swatting left hooks to begin. Gomis chambers his left hand and fires once in response, as he has that hand cocked back regularly waiting for a chance to unload. Gomis tosses out a low kick from either leg, and he sticks his foe with a jab. Marshall leans forward to throw, and Gomis is elusive and dodges the successive strikes while planting the ball of his foot on Marshall’s chest. Gomis ties his foe up, and Marshall is quick to turn him around. Instead of stalling, Marshall shoves off and gets back to boxing range. Gomis thanks him for this with a straight right hand down the pipe, and Marshall blinks it out and misses with a counter. Gomis slips and moves, getting off a jab or two but little else for offense. The French fighter chips at the lead leg with a kick, and Marshall is struggling to find his target regularly. Gomis stays on the outer edge and paws out a front kick, and Marshall times a right hand over the top but is one-and-done with it as Gomis slides away. Gomis punches into a high kick, and the guard is high enough to defend it. They swing at one another and largely do not connect, with Gomis’ elusiveness and range keeping him out of action both offensively and defensively. Gomis reaches Marshall with a few punches, and he counters a left hook with a front kick that jams into the cup. Peterson calls it and lets Marshall recover, and Marshall needs only a few seconds before he is good to go. When clocked back in, Marshall swings at air, and Gomis pecks and pokes at him with a few punches and a leg kick to end the tepid round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gomis
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gomis
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gomis

Round 3

The hands are clapped to start off the round, and Marshall pushes the pace but still cannot lock Gomis down. Gomis slips strikes, occasionally counters, and flusters the undefeated fighter as seconds slowly fall off the clock. Marshall sits down on a right hand, and Gomis rolls with it and ducks away. Gomis gets off a stomping front kick on the knee when Marshall bears down on him, and he suddenly fires off a jumping switch kick that nearly catches Marshall on the chin. Marshall gets pushed away with the kicks of the Frenchman, but Gomis’ blows are not particularly damaging either. Gomis slides out of the pocket until Marshall bull-rushes him, and he manages to lift Gomis in the air and throw him to the floor. Marshall gets a hook in when Gomis returns to a knee, and Gomis leans to put both hands on the floor to protect his face from getting kneed. Marshall mat returns him partially, and Gomis leans up against the fence to stay upright. Marshall hangs onto his opponent, seemingly taking full advantage of the fact that he can put his hands on his foe, and he jumps straight into back control. Marshall snatches up a rear-naked choke and wraps his arm on the chin, and he crushes with all his remaining energy reserves. Gomis fights off the first attempt, and the second to follow, and he turns to his back as Marshall hammers him with an elbow. Marshall jumps to mount and sets up an arm-triangle choke, and the French fighter answers this by leaning to his side and breaking up the submission. Gomis turns to his knees, and Marshall pounds on him and stops Gomis from scrambling until the horn blares. It likely will be too little, too late for the currently and soon-to-be no longer undefeated man from New Jersey.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (29-28 Gomis)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (29-28 Gomis)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (29-28 Gomis)

The Official Result

William Gomis def. Francis Marshall via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Junior Tafa (252) vs. Mohammed Usman (239.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Tafa (-115), Usman (-105)

Round 1

Up now, heavyweights take center stage, when two brothers of more established UFC competitors come to blows. Tachi Palace Fights vet Usman (8-2, 1-0 UFC) aims to go 2-0 in the promotion, while “The Juggernaut” Tafa (4-0, 0-0 UFC) would like nothing more than to keep his 100% knockout rate intact. It’s high alert for referee Mark Smith, as the likelihood that this reaches the scorecards is low. Fists are tapped, and Usman moves to lead the dance immediately. Tafa is comfortable putting his back against the wall, but they are extremely respectful of the other’s power as they do not trade a strike in the first 35 seconds. Tafa finally reaches Usman with a left hand, and he tosses out a front kick to draw an exaggerated, energetic charging double-leg takedown attempt. Tafa gets pushed back to the wire, and he looks to fight out of this position by framing his elbow on Usman’s face. “The Motor” stalls as he pushes the Kiwi out of Australia up against the fencing, holding him there without bothering to swing a single strike. Smith asks Usman to work as they pummel for underhooks, and Usman gets a knee off to the body while searching for a better posture. Tafa briefly turns him out, and they spin one another around. Tafa releases a high knee that glances off the side of the head, and Usman drops to a knee and tries for another takedown. Tafa grabs the top of the cage to stay afloat, and Usman squeezes him tightly like he is trying to make play-do shapes out of his back. Tafa gets just enough space to unload a combination of punches, and Usman gets staggered and wobbles back. Tafa swings everything he has into his punches, and Usman is on ice skates as he backs off. Tafa misses with some massive hooks, lands with others, and reaches Usman with a head kick. The round ends before Tafa can completely hammer the nail.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Tafa
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Tafa
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Tafa

Round 2

The heavyweights have reached Round 2, and Usman is light on his feet as he tries to get them completely beneath him. Tafa slowly walks him down instead of swinging for the bleachers, and he aims an uppercut to just miss the mark of a shooting Usman. Tafa drops his hands and starts throwing bungalows, and Usman takes several on the chin and wobbles back, stung again from the blows. Usman tries to connect with a short right hook, and settles for a single-leg entry. The Kiwi considers elbowing Usman on the side of the head like Travis Brown to Josh Barnett, but he stops throwing them to keep his balance. Usman gains the upper hand, and he elevates Tafa and dumps him to the floor. Usman smothers his man in half guard when he jumps on top, much more interested than position than a dropping a few feeble hammerfists. Tafa lays flat on his back, seemingly disappointed and totally unable to buck off or move to get “The Motor” off of him. Usman slowly scoots his way to a better offensive posture while still in half guard, but his strikes have practically nothing on them as he seems to be heavily fatigued. Usman sits up and drives a few punches to the body to better effect, as he remains chest-to-chest to keep Tafa down. The round ends with Usman throwing a few labored punches.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Usman

Round 3

The heavyweights come out lumbering from their corners, and Tafa is the aggressor to start with a few winging punches. Usman jams him up with an attempted tackle, and he smushes Tafa into the chain-link fence. Using the remaining energy he has, Usman lifts Tafa up in the air and deposits him gingerly to the floor, where he steps over to half guard. Tafa leans up against the fence to try to wall-walk or at least be in a less disadvantageous position, but Usman is fully equipped to ruin the rest of his day with his wrestling. Usman holds on from above with his chest pinning Tafa to the mat, and Tafa starts talking to him to try to inspire some different approach. “The Motor” ignores him, hanging on from above in grueling, exhausting fashion, and he decides against taking mount so that he can keep Tafa pinned. With the last vestiges of his gas, Tafa bursts to his knees with 45 seconds to spare, and he walks up the wall. Usman doggedly pursues a single to put him back down, and time is Tafa’s greatest enemy right now as Usman controls him. Tafa elbows his man on the side of the head, and he pushes Usman back to belt him with a few punches. “The Juggernaut” charges at the spent Usman, unleashing everything he has left, but it is not enough before time expires to conclude the heavyweight slog.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Usman (29-28 Usman)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Usman (29-28 Usman)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Usman (29-28 Usman)

The Official Result

Mohammad Usman def. Junior Tafa via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Norma Dumont (145) vs. Karol Rosa (144.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Dumont (-115), Rosa (-105)

Round 1

An all-Brazil battle at the rare women’s featherweight category is about to play out, with the victor here between Rosa (16-4, 5-1 UFC) and Dumont (8-2, 4-2 UFC) very possibly a win away from a crack at the belt in that division – should the champ wish to defend. Unlike the previous matchup that expected a knockout that did not get delivered, these ladies have gone the distance a combined 19 times in their 30 pro outings, while accounting for all nine of their UFC wins. Referee Chris Tognoni might be in this one for the long haul, and it opens up with a touch of gloves. The featherweights are tentative to engage, with Rosa reaching out with a low kick and a front kick from out of range to account for the first minute. They spring into action, throwing alternating hooks, and they catch one another as Rosa gets the worst of it and blinks it out. Dumont moves to the center of the Octagon and throws the low kick, and she swats out with a left to follow. A person from the crowd shows “let’s go” to spur the ladies into action, as they stand in front of one another doing nothing. Tognoni asks them to fight, and they do, briefly, with looping hooks aimed at one another. After the exchange, they get back to a lull of inactivity, with Rosa landing a single leg kick. Dumont answers with one, and Tognoni implores them to do something. Dumont crashes the pocket and ties Rosa up, and she is warned for hooking her fingers in the fence to keep Rosa stuck against it. Rosa punches her opponent on the posterior as Dumont gloms onto her, and Dumont pays it no mind as she presses on the Parana Vale Tudo fighter. Tognoni tells Dumont to stay busy, and Rosa punches her in the backside a few more times before Dumont knees her in the belly. Tognoni breaks the two up after nothing happens in the clinch, and they start slinging leather in short bursts. Dumont calms down and lands a leg kick, one that Rosa meets immediately after. Dumont springs forward with two punches that split the guard, and she takes punches and a pair of knees in response before the slow round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dumont
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Dumont
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Dumont

Round 2

The second round kicks off as the two ladies high-five, and Dumont gets her engine roaring as she throws down. Fists fly, and Rosa takes a few on the chin that knock her back to the wall. Dumont tags her a few more times, until the featherweights clinch up, and Dumont immediately grabs it and is warned. The punches from “The Immortal” cause some serious damage on Rosa’s eye, as a cut appears to have formed on or around the eyelid to make Rosa look as if she were weeping blood a la Le Chiffre. It is not a derangement of the tear duct, and instead a result of Dumont’s effective left hand, but they slow down in the clinch. Tognoni considers breaking them, until Rosa sets up a Thai clinch and knees the body a few times. Dumont squeezes her against the wall even tighter, and is once more warned for hooking her fingers in the chain links. Rosa is able to escape the clinch and still seems to be able to see, as she swings her way into a combination that ends up with another tie-up. Rosa pursues a body lock takedown, and Dumont stays upright as Tognoni watches on to make sure no funny business happens. Dumont tries to counter throw her opponent, and Rosa stops it from succeeding and knees her on the chin. Dumont gives her a knee back to the body, and Rosa is content to jam Dumont up in this position. Try as she might, Dumont cannot escape, and Rosa belts her in the face with a cheeky elbow. The round concludes as Rosa breaks off to throw hands, with Dumont replying with a knee to the body.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dumont
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Dumont
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Dumont

Round 3

A glove touch starts off the last round at range, and Dumont opens up with two leg kicks and one to the midsection. Rosa throws one back, prompting Dumont to retaliate with a one-two down the middle. Rosa is caught when throwing by Dumont’s oncoming clinch attempt, but they do not tie one another up and instead return to kickboxing range. Dumont sticks out a jab on that damaged eye and scores a low kick, and it is partially checked as she hops on it when recoiling. Dumont jabs the body as Rosa kicks her in the body, and Rosa gets off a quick right hand over the top. Rosa charges her way into a clinch, landing a few shots before closing the distance, and Dumont turns her around with ease. Dumont hangs on with this position, slowing down any offense from either fighter to practically nothing, as Rosa wriggles her arms while Dumont holds both underhooks. Rosa gains space by a matter of inches to use her elbow to frame off and push away, and Dumont counters with a throw that dumps the PRVT fighter to her back. Rosa jumps right back up instead of settling on her back, and she whips a one-two at her opponent. Rosa loads up on a right hand, and Dumont drops to a knee and shakes her head out. Rosa crashes towards her, and she ends up clinching instead of throwing more strikes. Rosa gets off a couple short elbows and a right hand from up close, and Dumont recovers by holding on and turning her about in the tie-up. Rosa gets some space with 30 seconds to spare, and Rosa walks her down and slugs her in the face with her right hand. Dumont backs off, and she seeks a clinch to slow things down. Rosa throws her foe down on her face, and when they stand up, Rosa spins with a back elbow that drills into the face of “The Immortal.” Dumont is stunned but still with it, and the horn blows to end this drudge of a potential eliminator.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rosa (29-28 Dumont)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Rosa (29-28 Dumont)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rosa (29-28 Dumont)

The Official Result

Norma Dumont def. Karol Rosa via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Montel Jackson (136) vs. Rani Yahya (136)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jackson (-560), Yahya (+430)

Round 1

The quintessential “striker vs. grappler” contest rears its head between these two bantamweights, one that also has a storyline of a young, hungry up-and-comer against an aging, storied vet. Owner of 21 submissions without a single knockout to his credit, Yahya (28-10-1, 1 NC; 13-4-1, 1 NC UFC) will attempt to run his win streak to three in this matchup. He will face “Quik” Jackson (12-2, 6-2 UFC), who will be much larger, longer and younger. The third man in the Octagon for this match will be referee Keith Peterson, who clocks the fighters in ahead of their sporting and nonsense-free glove touch. Yahya strikes first with a pair of punches and a low kick, and he spins around before Jackson can reach him. The Brazilian lands with another low kick, and he stays out of range for the lanky Jackson to get to him. Yahya tosses forth one more leg kick for good measure, and he scoots forward to stomp at it from another angle. The strategy is clear for Yahya, who is continuously targeting the lead wheel. Jackson throws a few punches that bounce off the guard and knock his man into the wall, not from damage but rather the force of the strikes. Jackson catches him with a one-two, and Yahya dives forward into a single. Jackson hops back against the fence and elbows Yahya in the side of the dome before getting lifted off the ground. Yahya ends up falling to his back to make sure the fighters hit the ground, and he closes his guard momentarily before fishing for a sweep. Yahya isolates Jackson’s right arm beneath his own armpit and throws a leg up for a potential armlock, and Jackson sits up to get most of the leverage out of the position. Yahya gets popped in the chops to break up the submission, and he pulls on the glove to keep Jackson down but is warned for it. Jackson jumps back up to his feet and rips the body with a kick. Yahya misses with a stomp kick but does reach a right hand over the top, and Jackson does not even register its landing. Jackson hand-fights and throws a high kick that wraps over the guard. Yahya darts in lunging with his arms outstretched, and “Quik” perfectly counters with a clean left hand over the top that smashes into the veteran’s chin. Yahya falls to his back, in immediate danger, and Jackson senses this and deftly moves over to finish the job with some long, straight punches as he lords over the doomed grappler. As Jackson pounds on his fallen foe, Yahya’s lights go out briefly, and Peterson waves the fight off. This is a big win for Jackson, who becomes the first fighter to stop Yahya since the Brazilian faced Joseph Benavidez at WEC 45 in 2009 – over seven years before Jackson turned pro.

The Official Result

Montel Jackson def. Rani Yahya R1 3:42 via KO (Punches)

Christos Giagos (155.5) vs. Ricky Glenn (155.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Glenn (-165), Giagos (+140)

Round 1

Wrapping up the prelims, lightweights throw down as Team Alpha Male’s Glenn (22-6-2, 4-3-1 UFC) attempts to earn his first UFC win since 2021. The same can be said for Giagos (19-10, 5-6 UFC), who wishes to lift his record in the promotion to .500 in his second stint. Something’s gotta give, and referee Jacob Montalvo will be here for it wherever it ends up. The fighters have no plan to touch gloves, as Giagos looks to put power on his opponent early and often. A leg kick and a right hand come from “The Spartan,” who tests the chin of “The Gladiator” right off. Glenn calms down and lets fly his own low kick, and he keeps his right hand out to put in the advancing Giagos’ face. Glenn ducks a looping punch and dodges a few additional blows to kick the ribcage, and he takes a solid body shot in response. Giagos slams his shin into the inside of Glenn’s knee, and it lands with an audible pow. When Glenn bears down on him, Giagos whiffs with an uppercut and unleashes a bomb of a left hand that blows up on Glenn’s temple. Glenn falls forward, down to his elbows, and his face bounces off the mat, firmly defeated. Montalvo intervenes before Giagos can batter his beaten foe with additional ground strikes, and that is a wrap. This is a massive victory for Giagos, who springs the betting upset violently to get his hand raised for the first time in nearly two years. “The Spartan” officially becomes the first fighter to ever stop the ultra-durable Glenn with strikes.

The Official Result

Christos Giagos def. Ricky Glenn R1 1:35 via KO (Punch)

Matthew Semelsberger (171) vs. Jeremiah Wells (171)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Wells (-110), Semelsberger (-110)

Round 1

The UFC chose violence for this event’s main card opener, as when Wells (11-2-1, 3-0 UFC) and Semelsberger (11-4, 5-2 UFC) get down to business, all hell might break loose. Needing no more introduction as there is about to be some exciting action, referee Marc Goddard takes charge. There is no touch of gloves as Wells practically sprints into action, and Semelsberger catches him with a stiff right hand and stuns him. Wells backs off, gathers his thoughts and charges recklessly again. Semelsberger counters him cleanly and downs his man, and Wells scrambles when he hits the mat instead of getting pounded out by the forceful strikes of “Semi the Jedi.” Wells moves when he needs to, and he stands up to pursue a takedown. Semelsberger stuffs him and jams him against the wall, and the pace slows down from the veritable car crash of offense from before. Wells spins himself deftly to throw Semelsberger down to the floor, and he ends up in the closed guard of his opponent trying to rain down right hands. Semelsberger leans his upper back against the wall to partially sit up, and Wells continues to remains on top pounding on Semelsberger. On his back, Semelsberger tries to hook his toes in the cage to pull off of it, and he is warned for it as Wells smacks Semelsberger with ground strikes. Semelsberger pushes his man off of him, but Wells leaps back on top of him. Semelsberger stands and nearly gives up his back, only for him to wriggle it free and get shoved against the wire. Wells looks for another change in leverage to secure a throw, and he lets go to throw hands. When Semelsberger defends from the oncoming fire, Wells changes levels and successfully hits a double. Wells postures up in the guard to hammer with punches from on high, and the round ends in this position.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Semelsberger
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Semelsberger

Round 2

The round begins far less wild than the first, as Semelsberger instead meanders forward to claim the center of the cage with Wells eventually leaping in and out with two punches. They collide with fists at the same time, and a monster left hook from “Semi the Jedi” and a right hand smash into Wells dome and send him wobbling back until he falls over. Semelsberger does not finish the job, instead patiently landing a few shots, before backing off to reset. Wells swings for the bleachers when upright again, and Semelsberger tags him with a sharp right hand to stun him once more. Wells tries to grab his foe and throw him down, but there is nothing to it, so he gets back to striking range to lob bombs. Wells ducks a looping punch and pursues a single this time, and he elevates Semelsberger and drops him hard to the mat. Wells settles for the closed guard to pummel Semelsberger with ground-and-pound, forcing Semelsberger to open up his guard for some better position on his back. Wells calmly sits up and lands a few strikes, with an elbow that he drops down with his full body weight behind. Elbows from Wells continue to land on the forehead, and he hammers the body a few times when Goddard tells him to keep working. Semelsberger looks to set up a high guard, and Wells leaps over it and briefly gets to half guard before being pulled back to the guard again. Wells slashes down with additional elbows, working Semelsberger over effectively until the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Wells

Round 3

The last round has surprisingly been reached, and unsurprisingly, both men load up on their punches right out of the gate and nail each other. Wells leaps forward with a flying knee that skims off the side of the head, and Semelsberger sneaks through a body shot when his man lands. Wells rushes forward in pursuit of a double, and he scoops Semelsberger up like Matt Hughes and loudly deposits him to the floor. When Semelsberger climbs back upright, Wells quickly slams him back down for an exclamation point. Wells manages to work his way into the half guard as he presses down to keep the moving Semelsberger from standing. Semelsberger turns just enough to isolate a leg to go after a leglock, and Wells is wise to it and circles all the way around to tug his limb free and lower himself into half guard on the other side. Semelsberger sweeps from this position and fights his way upright, but Wells is relentless at trying to bring him right back to the floor. Semelsberger fights off one try, and Wells clasps his hands and lowers Semelsberger to the floor. Semelsberger defends with a kimura, isolating Wells’ left arm with a two-on-one wrist lock, and Wells wrenches it out to wind up on top in half guard again. Semelsberger pulls his opponent back to the guard for a bit of a moral victory, and he tries to set up a triangle choke and pulls his toes on the fence to get them over Wells’ shoulders. Wells shucks it off and moves to the side, and he drives elbows down on Semelsberger’s unguarded face. Semelsberger bursts back to his feet, and Wells slings him back down in a final effort. The horn sounds, and the scorecards could be all over the map depending on how the judges value the power Semelsberger displayed in the opening spurts of the first two rounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Wells (29-28 Wells)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Wells (30-27 Wells)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Wells (29-28 Wells)

The Official Result

Jeremiah Wells def. Matthew Semelsberger via Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)

Iasmin Lucindo (126) vs. Brogan Walker (126)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Lucindo (-330), Walker (+275)

Round 1

Moving right along, two ladies in search of their first win in the UFC get after it momentarily. The 21-year-old Lucindo (13-5, 0-1 UFC) sports a high finish rate of 77%, while Walker (7-3, 0-1 UFC), 13 years her senior, has performed just one stoppage across her seven pro wins. Whether they need 15 seconds or 15 minutes, referee Chris Tognoni is fully charged and ready to oversee the flyweight contest. They gladly touch gloves, and Walker backs off to circle all the way around to find an angle. Lucindo steps forward with a right hand to knock the TUF veteran Walker back, and Walker blinks it out. Lucindo aims another right hand down the middle, and Walker responds with a few inaccurate kick attempts. Lucindo walks her down, utilizing her right hand to the fullest, and she snaps Walker’s head to the side with a solid blow. The kicks from Walker allow Lucindo to counter her, or block them and respond. Walker tosses out a head kick, and Lucindo blitzes her with a swarm of punches. The Guam native keeps reaching with kicks, and Lucindo is on her with a heat-seeking missile that is her right hook. Lucindo kick the body and wings a right hand over the top that drills square into Walker’s chin, and to add to it, she spins with a kick that lands on the midsection. Lucindo calmly walks forward, dodges a haymaker soaring at her, and spins with another back kick to the body. Walker is not willing to commit to much, having tasted the flush power of her opponent time and time again, so Lucindo at her leisure closes the distance and roughs her up with her fists. Walker escapes out the side, but she is largely circling to the left, into the power right hand. Lucindo jumps forward to strike, and she lands to get off a straight right that marks up Walker’s face. Lucindo spins with a back fist that misses by a matter of inches, and she swings with reckless abandon with a few more punches until the round wraps.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lucindo
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Lucindo
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Lucindo

Round 2

The ladies touch gloves to start off the second frame, and Lucindo is confident as ever as she lashes out initially with a jumping spinning back kick. Walker pushes her back with a low kick, but Lucindo is right there back in her face with two looping hooks. Walker reaches out with a slapping high kick, and a few pawing punches from Lucindo knock her back to the wall. “The Bear” recovers, though relatively tame as she cannot find a way in. Walker gets in a body kick and a glancing right over the top, and she escapes before Lucindo runs at her. They clash again, and Walker nods at her opponent after taking a punch. Lucindo spins again with a kick, and Walker grits her teeth and ties the Brazilian up to push her to the wall. The younger fighter tries to get out of the grasp, and she thwarts a takedown effort from Walker. Lucindo hits a trip to dump Walker on her face so they land at the same time, and this forces Walker to let her go to allow them to both stand. Lucindo times a left hand when Walker advances, and she pops her with another right. Lucindo ignores a Walker punch to grab hold of her opponent and tackle her to the floor, where she briefly lands on top. When Walker stands back up, Lucindo dumps her back down and moves to mount. Walker links her toes in the fence to tug on it and improve her position, all while Lucindo lands a few sporadic strikes from on top. The round ends with Lucindo in a dominant spot.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lucindo
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Lucindo
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Lucindo

Round 3

There is a double clap of hands to begin the last round, and some serious swelling has developed above the bridge of Walker’s nose to slightly transform her appearance. Lucindo times a perfect spinning back kick while Walker is aiming one to the body to knock Walker clean off her feet. When Walker stands back up, Lucindo is there to greet her with a right hand. Walker tries to start setting up her jab, and Lucindo walks through it to lob punches and spin for another kick to the ribcage. Lucindo strings together a combination of punches to the head and body, and Walker reels but still remains on her feet as she is more of a heavy bag right now. Lucindo connects with another spinning back kick to prove a point, and she strings a few punches together after it as Walker attempts to kick her. Lucindo digs a left to the body and a right to the head, and she follows Walker down and tags her hard. Walker’s durability is on full display as the Brazilian is pounding her, and she absorbs a flush kick to the liver when retreating. Walker takes a few punches on the brow and feebly retaliates with a low kick, and Lucindo works her with four more punches and a spinning back fist try. When Walker tries to engage, Lucindo beats her to the punch and hits harder as well. A salvo of punches busts a cut open on the corner of Walker’s left eye, and she forces a clinch when she gets cracked. Lucindo fights her off and connects with a few more right hands that make the cut worse, as it bleeds down into the eye of the Guam native. Lucindo checks a low kick to add insult to injury, and she catches a body kick and tosses Walker to the floor. Walker stands up as Lucindo does not follow her, and instead Lucindo unloads with a few more punches. Walker tries for a flying knee from up close, and Lucindo’s sheer momentum takes Walker off her feet. When the dominating Lucindo lands in full mount, the one-sided pairing comes to a merciful conclusion.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lucindo (30-27 Lucindo)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Lucindo (30-27 Lucindo)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Lucindo (30-27 Lucindo)

The Official Result

Iasmin Lucindo def. Brogan Walker via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Jared Gordon (155.5) vs. Bobby Green (156)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Green (-250), Gordon (+210)

Round 1

Fun fact about “King” Green (29-14-1, 10-9-1 UFC): He remains one of two competitors that fought at an Affliction event and is still on the UFC roster today. Who is the second? The answer will come at the end of this fight. Green, who plans on changing his real name to his nickname going forward, will be met by a fellow striker in the form of Gordon (19-6, 7-5 UFC). “Flash” would be on a two-fight win streak, but for a trio of errant judges that handed in a “Robbery of the Year” candidate in favor of his opponent, Paddy Pimblett. While “The Baddy” will be out for quite some time, Gordon is eager to put the past behind him, and fists are sure to fly here. Referee Keith Peterson will need to be on his top no-nonsense game to keep up with these two lightweights, and they do not bother touching gloves and would rather get straight to business. With his hands at his waist, Green walks forward fearlessly. Gordon kicks at his lead leg, and he is jabbed in response. Green slips a punch and looks to get his jab going, and he puts two punches on the raised guard of his opponent. Green stomps at his opponent with a few kicks, and his punches back Gordon up fast. Gordon circles away, and his nose is already lumped up from the power punches. Green loops a few punches at his opponent and blocks a body kick, and he catches a high kick. Gordon somersaults to escape the grasp, and Green lets him stand so that they can trade leather. Green lands at the end of a combination, and Gordon blinks it out to reset. Green lunges forward with a left to the body and one to the head, and in a flash, “Flash” replies with a fastball that shakes Green up. Gordon looks to grab hold of a single to mix things up, and when that fails, they throw down. Green jumps into a side kick after swinging his fists, and Gordon catches him with a kick on the groin at the same time inadvertently. Green takes a couple seconds to recover, and Gordon darts at him on the restart with a looping right hand. Green motions to his shoulder to signal he rolls it, and he nearly times a jump knee as Gordon comes at him. Green swats with a right hand as Gordon tries to reach him, and he puts three punches and a front kick on his opponent. Gordon catches Green on the cheek, and Green showboats and pays him back with a few speedy punches. Green crashes forward and smashes his forehead into Gordon’s temple, and Gordon crumples down to his knee and falls to his back. Peterson is paying close attention but may not have seen the headbutt given that Green was throwing the left hand at the time, and Gordon is in dire trouble. Green continues pounding on Gordon, and “Flash” goes out as Peterson waves the fight off. When Peterson intervenes, he signals to the replay officials to review the strike and determine the next course of action. Announcer Joe Martinez is about to call the win by TKO for Green, but the commission squashes it as the UFC cuts the mic. Green believes that he landed an elbow and not a headbutt, and he is surprised when is informed that he will not win this fight by knockout. The result will be a no contest due to the accidental headbutt that led to the stoppage. There is no bad blood due to the accidental foul, and if there is no serious damage from it, one can hope the promotion runs this back in short order. Finally, the answer to the question above: Andrei Arlovski is the other fighter who competed at an Affliction event and still remains on the UFC roster.

The Official Result

Bobby Green vs. Jared Gordon is Ruled a No Contest (Accidental Clash of Heads) R1 4:35

Bruno Silva (186) vs. Brad Tavares (185)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Tavares (-155), Silva (+135)

Round 1

A banger at 185 pounds is on deck for the co-headliner of this Fight Night, as Tavares (19-7, 14-7 UFC) looks to hold the middleweight line against the lead-fisted Silva (22-8, 3-2 UFC). One of these two fighters will get back in the win column here and potentially push their way back into the top 15, and they will have 15 minutes at max to do so. Referee Mark Smith has donned his hard hat, and the two fighters bump fists in front of his eyes. Tavares doubles up on the jab after the bump, and Silva springs out of the way. Silva walks forward and ducks a big punch, and he misses the mark with his own heavy left hook. Silva lets go with a leg kick, and Tavares intercepts him with a powerful body kick. Tavares times a right and a left, with the left landing behind the ear and getting Silva’s attention. Tavares boots Silva upside the head, and Silva blocks most of it and throws back with a vengeance. A long jab from Tavares makes Silva stumble, but Silva gathers his bearings and knocks Tavares back with a right hand. The Hawaiian releases a kick to the ribs, a one-two and a front kick in rapid succession, and Silva attempts to tie him up and knee him in the face. The two middleweights throw from their hips, and they reset to exchange from a distance. Silva leans down to guard a body kick, and he counters a reaching Tavares with an uppercut. They trade single, long punches, and Tavares lets fly a high kick. Silva sneaks a right hand over the top to rock Tavares, and the Hawaiian wobbles back but is still very much in the fight. Silva trades back when Tavares engages with him, and Silva stings Tavares with a short combination. “Blindado” uncoils a powerful knee and a blindingly fast right hand that gets around the guard, and Tavares collapses to his back. Smith halts the fight when Tavares goes down, and Tavares immediately complains that he was not knocked out and was still in the fight. Regardless of the feelings of the stoppage, the result is what it is, and Silva has turned things around to record a very important knockout. Silva reminds the division of the power in his fists with this victory, and he may have claimed a spot in the top 15 at the expense of ranked Chris Curtis.

The Official Result

Bruno Silva def. Brad Tavares R1 3:35 via TKO (Knee and Punch)

Sergei Pavlovich (260.5) vs. Curtis Blaydes (262.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Blaydes (-170), Pavlovich (+145)

Round 1

The main event is upon us, and it is a heavyweight clash that should not last too terribly long. In the one corner, Russian knockout artist Pavlovich (17-1, 5-1 UFC) plies his trade in search of his sixth straight stoppage victory due to strikes. In the other, Blaydes (17-3, 1 NC; 12-3, 1 NC UFC) seeks his long-awaited championship opportunity, and he answers with 71% of his own wins coming by some variation of knockout. In their combined 34 pro wins, neither man has performed a submission, and it is unlikely to come in this five-rounder. Before trying to knock the other’s melon into the third row, they respectfully touch ‘em up and exchange a stoic nod. Referee Marc Goddard is ready for what comes next…or so he hopes. Blaydes sticks out a jab and a sweeping leg kick in the opening seconds, and Pavlovich is out of the way from that and a subsequent right hand. Pavlovich fires off a right hand, and even hitting the guard, it gets Blaydes’ attention. Pavlovich comes out swinging, and Blaydes counters with a solid check right hook. Blaydes lands two more when Pavlovich is throwing recklessly, making the Russian start to brawl. Pavlovich drills Blaydes with a left, and Blaydes gives it right back without batting an eye. The chins are tested and both make it through the first surges. Blaydes fires off a leg kick after a jab, and it makes Pavlovich drag it out of the way to take some of the sting out of it. Blaydes kicks on the outside to stop this, and Pavlovich winds up with a bomb of a right hand that glances off the side of the head. Blaydes hits the deck, but he pushes up and springs to his feet, seemingly flash knocked down and not hurt. Blaydes attacks the leg, and Pavlovich rocks him with a jab. Pavlovich lets go with a long series of punches, and Blaydes takes several of them flush, gives a few back, and shoots for a takedown. The Russian shuts him down and knocks him back to the wall, where he gets off right hands but his jab might be the one affecting Blaydes more. Blaydes backpedals, and Pavlovich splits the guard with a shovel uppercut of a right hand. As Pavlovich continues throwing caution to the wind and hurting Blaydes again and again with his fists, a sharp right hand drops Blaydes to the floor. Knowing the finish is right around the corner, Pavlovich punches Blaydes out with four more punishing left hands, and Goddard has seen enough. This is a major statement for Pavlovich, who has now racked up six straight first-round knockouts – a UFC record at least in the modern era when fights lasted more than one round. Pavlovich very confidently asks where his belt is, and challenges Jon Jones and any other top heavyweight to take him down. If he gets the next crack at the heavyweight crown, we will absolutely be here for it. We hope you are too.

The Official Result

Sergei Pavlovich def. Curtis Blaydes R1 3:08 via TKO (Punches)