UFC Fight Night 237 ‘Moreno vs. Royval 2’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Muhammadjon Naimov (146) vs. Erik Silva (146)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Naimov (-360), Silva (+285)

Round 1

For much of the lineup in Mexico City—the UFC’s first trip to the capital city of Mexico with an elevation of roughly 7,350 feet since 2019—the theme will be Mexican competitors against the world. There will be no bouts that contain two Mexican competitors, to allow for fans to get behind their own each and every time. This first fight on the billing bucks that trend, instead treating the audience to a classic matchup of Venezuela vs. Tajikistan. Silva (9-2, 0-1 UFC), repping the former, will be hunting for his first win in the Octagon, while Naimov (10-2, 2-0 UFC) aims to make it three straight as a UFC featherweight. The third man in the cage for this first match will be referee Fernando Salas, and he checks in the fighters as they touch gloves. Silva introduces himself with a fierce but inaccurate low kick that spins him all the way around, and Naimov answers with a wheel kick that bounces Silva off the fence awkwardly. Silva appears shaken up as he sits down, and when tries to get up, Naimov races at him and pursues a level change. Naimov secures a body lock takedown, and as soon as Silva hits the ground, he screams out and grabs his leg while Naimov rains down punches. Salas immediately calls the fight off and hurries in the doctor, with Silva in serious pain from the injury he sustained. Naimov walks off to celebrate, and Silva eventually works his way to his feet but cannot stand on his left leg, and needs to be helped out of the cage. Nevertheless, this goes in as a technical knockout victory for Tajikistan's Naimov, who jubilantly shouts “Viva Mexico” in his post-fight interview.

The Official Result

Muhammadjon Naimov def. Erik Silva R1 0:44 via TKO (Leg Injury)

Victor Altamirano (125) vs. Felipe dos Santos (124)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: dos Santos (-298), Altamirano (+240)

Round 1

If it was not already clear, this 13-fight showcase will not feature a single bout above 155 pounds, while a whopping five flyweight battles will take the stage by night’s end. The first at 125 pounds comes between Mexico City-born Altamirano (12-3, 2-2 UFC) and Chute Boxe Diego Lima trainee dos Santos (7-1, 1 NC; 0-1 UFC), and 10 years separate the two. They will be joined by referee Bladimir Puga, and they share a quick tap of fists to start off. Altamirano is revved up and ready to throw, sprinting towards into an exchange. After getting backed off, Altamirano spins with a back kick to the midsection. He then aims a wheel kick that misses the mark, and he lunges forward to get countered with a right hand from the Brazilian. Altamirano lets go with a head kick that is blocked, and he fakes the spin and pushes out a side kick. Dos Santos snatches up the neck while standing, and as they scramble, dos Santos’ seat hits the mat as he hunts for a power guillotine choke. Altamirano explodes his way out of the submission and upright, only to get followed by a hard leg kick on the way out. Altamirano responds with a spin kick to the ribs, and he chains a punch and a high kick after it that come up short. Both men throw at the same time, and the resulting collision that might include a clash of heads backs dos Santos off and puts him off-balance so that Altamirano can take him down with a double leg takedown. Dos Santos fights his way back up, and he defends a mat return with a guillotine choke. When the submission is not tight, he lets one arm go to pull himself towards the wall. Dos Santos wall-walks to get back to his feet, and after a brief lull, Altamirano steps in with a body kick that makes his foe topple over. The Brazilian springs back up, and Altamirano meets him with a charging double that sends dos Santos right back down to his seat. When Altamirano cannot land any offense from on top, dos Santos works his way back upright. The round ends with the two flyweights in kickboxing range.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The second round begins with the flyweights meeting in the middle, and Altamirano keeps his guard high to defend against multiple kicks. A side kick from Altamirano knocks dos Santos off his feet when he times it right, and dos Santos scoots right back up. Altamirano changes stances and offers a kick, and he ducks when dos Santos charges at him until the two clinch up. Dos Santos looks for a big right hand on the break, but the Mexican-born competitor is out of the way. Altamirano leaves his leg out too long when throwing a naked leg kick, and dos Santos pops him with a right hand to reply. Dos Santos whiffs on a high kick, and he aims an oblique kick at the knee after it. Dos Santos crashes the pocket with his hands flying, and Altamirano blocks them and pushes off when dos Santos then tries to clinch. “El Magnifico” paws out a low kick and leans back from a swiping head kick, and dos Santos ties him up and hacks at him on the forehead with a tomahawk elbow. Dos Santos, with space, fires off two high kicks, and Altamirano prevents a third by shooting in to tackle “Lipe Detona” to the mat. Altamirano blasts down one ferocious elbow, leading dos Santos to throw his legs up for a triangle choke or high guard setup. Altamirano backs out of the top position so he does not get snared, and dos Santos times this to work his way back up. Dos Santos counters a low kick with a huge right hand, staggering Altamirano for a moment. The Brazilian does not give chase even seeing Altamirano is hurt, and after taking some breaths, Altamirano shoots and secures a double. Dos Santos stays busy off his back with elbows until the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

The two rush at one another to start off the final frame, and Altamirano is backed off with a sudden, painful head kick that knocks him back a step. As they both swing hard for one another, dos Santos suddenly dips down and turns the corner to grab hold of Altamirano and take him down from behind. The Brazilian snakes his legs around the waist and sets up a body triangle while fishing for a rear-naked choke, and his forearm quickly slides beneath the chin. Altamirano stays patient and fights off the choke, and he scrambles madly to turn around and kick dos Santos off of him as the crowd goes wild in approval for their fighter. Altamirano lets go with an overhand left as dos Santos kicks at him, and dos Santos times a right hand when Altamirano lazily leaves his leg kick out again. Altamirano scores a side kick and shoots in for a single-leg entry, and he succeeds in backing dos Santos up against the wall before bouncing him on to sling him to the mat. Altamirano climbs to side control as he rains down offense, and dos Santos threatens with an arm-triangle choke off his back until Altamirano abandons ship and stands up. When dos Santos climbs back to his feet, Altamirano is still on him from the side, with one hook between his foe’s legs to keep him controlled. Dos Santos turns and works his way out, only to be greeted by a vicious knee to the liver. Dos Santos loads up on a right hand, stinging Altamirano but not following it as he takes a deep breath first. Altamirano kicks him in the ribs and aims a second as dos Santos is sucking wind, and he springs away off the cage when dos Santos lumbers towards him. Altamirano turns his man against the corner and knees him in the gut before backing off, and dos Santos gives chase throwing caution to the wind. Dos Santos chases after his opponent, throwing telegraphed haymakers, and the knees he mixes in are more effective than the punches. Altamirano skirts away on the outside to escape, and the fight ends before dos Santos can catch him.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Felipe dos Santos def. Victor Altamirano via Split Decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)

Denys Bondar (126) vs. Ronaldo Rodriguez (126)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Rodriguez (-115), Bondar (-105)

Round 1

We stay at flyweight for this next matchup, as 2020 Dana White’s Contender Series competitor Rodriguez (15-2, 0-0 UFC) lost his audition there and went on to rattle off five straight victories to get signed. He faces struggling Ukrainian Bondar (14-4, 0-2 UFC), whose search for his first win since 2020 continues. Referee Mike Beltran will keep track of the particulars, including the fighters touching ‘em up to engage. Rodriguez claims the center of the cage and shakes his head when Bondar kicks him in the shin and jabs him in the belly. Rodriguez ignores it and lets a spinning kick whiz past him so he can sit down on two heavy punches. Bondar picks and pokes from kicking range, and he swings for the bleaches and uses his momentum to bowl the Mexican fighter over. Rodriguez is quick to turn to his knees in an effort to stand, and Bondar seizes on this moment by taking his back and dragging him down. Rodriguez reverses him and takes a series of elbows to the head before working his way back to his feet. Bondar once again chambers and fires a huge overhand right, and he tackles Rodriguez to the canvas. Rodriguez looks to set up a guillotine choke, and when this fails, he absorbs some ground-and-pound before setting up a triangle choke. Bondar stands up to get out of any bad leverage, and Rodriguez snatches up his arm and upkicks Bondar in the face a few times. Rodriguez gets back up and absorbs kicks to the body and leg, and he wades forward no-selling the strikes that the Ukrainian land on him. Rodriguez continues to press forward, popping Bondar with two shots, and he walks right into a spinning back elbow. Rodriguez does not bat an eye as he continues to stalk his foe, and he lands a few punches and crowds him to stop a spinning elbow from succeeding. Rodriguez jabs the chest and then rips a left to the body, and he snaps the head back with a quick left hook. Rodriguez scores a heavy low kick, and Bondar shakes his head at him with frustration before shooting for a takedown. Rodriguez worms his way up and turns the corner to put Bondar on his seat, and he crowds Bondar with dirty boxing until the round ends with a single big punch from either man.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Rodriguez rushes out of his corner right into two leg kicks, and he blocks a subsequent head kick while looping a pair of punches at his adversary. Bondar slides to the side just enough and wings a right hand, and he is countered by two punches. Bondar spins with a picture-perfect elbow that smashes into the Mexican’s jaw, and Rodriguez eats it like a tamale and pushes forward to pursue a takedown. During an exchange, Bondar rolls for an armbar, and Rodriguez stacks him up and frees his arm from any immediate danger. Both men fight back to their feet, and Bondar is warned for grabbing the fence while hanging on in the clinch. Rodriguez knees the body while Bondar keeps tugging on the cage, until Bondar belts him with an elbow on the break. Rodriguez gives chase, swatting away a leg kick and turning his hips into a thudding leg kick. Rodriguez fakes with a spin, and he succumbs to a distant double-leg entry and attempts hook up a guillotine choke. Rodriguez bails on the submission and turns his man around to take Bondar’s back, and he gets hooks in before completing the body triangle. Bondar hand-fights to defend against any choke attempts, and Rodriguez softens him up with strikes while changing the body lock from side to side to stop Bondar from escaping. Rodriguez peppers his man with left hands, and Bondar takes a deep breath and turns himself all the way around to wind up on top. Rodriguez threatens with a triangle, and Bondar responds with a heel hook that puts him in danger of eating shots. Rodriguez punches his way out of the submission with left hand after unanswered left hand, and Bondar turns over to surrender his back once more. Rodriguez welcomes this and snatches up the rear-naked choke, and he locks it up without even bothering to get a hook in. Instead, Rodriguez flattens the Ukrainian out and cinches up the choke with everything he has. With seconds left in the round, Bondar taps out, and the crowd goes electric for the first Mexican fighter to win tonight.

The Official Result

Ronaldo Rodriguez def. Denys Bondar R2 4:59 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Claudio Puelles (156) vs. Fares Ziam (156)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ziam (-218), Puelles (+180)

Round 1

Former training partners will put any friendship they formed aside from their time under the Kill Cliff FC roof, as grappler Puelles (12-3, 5-2 UFC) reps Peru against French striker Ziam (14-4, 4-2 UFC). The former holds the record for the most kneebars performed in UFC history, while the latter’s primary method of defeat is via submission, but anything is possible in the fight game. The gloves are touched in front of referee Herb Dean, and Ziam leads off with a stern low kick. Puelles shoots in for a single-leg takedown, and although Ziam defends the first attempt, a second effort for “Prince of Peru” gingerly sets Ziam down on his back. Ziam scrambles with all his muster, ultimately getting Puelles back to his butterfly guard. Ziam continues to buck and moves, and he works his way back up as Puelles follows him and nearly takes his back. Puelles forces a mat return, where he lands hard in half guard while hanging on with heavy chest pressure. Ziam nearly kicks him off, and Puelles hooks his foe’s legs beneath his own to keep him stuck. The Frenchman moves to his knees and wall-walks his way back up, and Puelles drags him right back down with his arm interlocked around Ziam’s. Ziam explodes back upright, and Puelles stays tightly pressed to him like a cheap suit until Ziam turns the corner and throws him aside. Puelles whiffs on a pair of chasing punches, and Ziam crowds him with a right up top and a left to the body. Puelles fakes for a takedown and lands a left hand, and as he throws a high kick, Ziam jacks him in the jaw with a jab that sends Puelles down like a sack of potatoes. Ziam rains down ground-and-pound until Puelles recovers enough to start scrambling, and Ziam backs off. Puelles gives chase and shoots for a desperate single, and Ziam stuffs it and walks away. Puelles keeps going after him, and he scoops “Smile Killer” up and makes him frown by slamming him to the mat with a high-amplitude double. Puelles jumps over the top to hunt for a kimura, isolating Ziam’s left arm while sitting on Ziam’s head. Ziam sees it coming and defends it, and Puelles steps all the way over and fishes for a leg lock that does not come before time expires.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The fighters bump fists before getting to it, and Ziam leads the dance early with jabs while not letting Puelles get close. Ziam succeeds in fighting off takedown setups, until Puelles desperately pursues one that ultimately ends up with him landing on his back thanks to a Ziam sweep at the last second. Puelles turns over to his back and leans back to set up a leglock, and Ziam abandons ship before anything is remotely close to coming together. Both men stand up, and Puelles fires off a head kick that bounces off the raised guard. Ziam paws out a low kick, and he steps in with a knee and follows it with a second on the dome. Puelles shoots from afar, and Ziam stops the first effort and fails to halt the second. Puelles slings his man to the mat, and he sits on top in an odd position with Ziam turned partially to his side. This allows Puelles to easily moves into full mount, and Ziam bucks him back to half guard. Puelles frames off to smack Ziam with an elbow, and he smothers from on top to disallow Ziam from escaping. As Ziam turns to his side, Puelles lets him do this so he can jump on Ziam’s back like a malicious backpack. Puelles wraps up a rear-naked choke, and Ziam falls to the ground and turns over to break up the choke. Ziam slows down and tags Puelles with an elbow, and he jumps to the other side to stop Puelles from setting up some maneuver. Ziam briefly unloads with ground-and-pound, mixing in elbows and posturing up at the right moments to not expose him to submission danger. The big punches keep coming until the horn blares.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

There is a final glove touch before engagement, and Ziam is quick to flick out his jab to get his range again. Puelles tries to punch his way into a single, and Ziam stops him in his tracks and stands him up. Puelles pushes him back to the wall and knees him in the chest, and Ziam spins around to drive in some knees of his own. Puelles shoots in low for a double, and Ziam keeps his arms locked beneath Puelles groin before snatching up a guillotine choke to threaten with his own offense. Puelles does not seem remotely flustered, turning his neck to the right way before sliding himself out and getting upright again. Puelles shoots and secures a takedown, landing in full guard and otherwise stalling out. When Puelles does try for some offense, Ziam stifles it. The crowd grows restless at Puelles’ damage-free approach, and Ziam sits up and goes for another guillotine. Puelles shakes it off and continues his smothering top control. An awkward scramble results in Puelles sitting on Ziam’s face for a moment, and Ziam keeps moving and pushes “Prince of Peru” to his back. Puelles ties up his guard, and Ziam elbows him in the ribs. Puelles sits up and attempts a reversal, and Ziam nullifies it and postures up to rain down punishment. Ziam delivers some hammering punches and elbows, and Puelles gets to his knees right before time expires. The crowd showers the fighters with boos when it is all over.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Fares Ziam def. Claudio Puelles via Split Decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)

Edgar Chairez (131: Missed Weight) vs. Daniel da Silva (127: Missed Weight)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Chairez (-355), da Silva (+280)

Round 1

Running back a meeting from September that went awry due to an early stoppage from Chris Tognoni, overturning the fight to a no contest, Chairez (10-5, 1 NC; 0-1, 1 NC UFC) and da Silva (11-5, 1 NC; 0-4, 1 NC UFC) will settle their business in the second go-round. Chairez had snared his foe in a standing guillotine choke that mistakenly was identified at one that rendered da Silva unconscious, so da Silva will need to protect his neck this time around. Both fighters ended up missing weight for what was supposed to be a catchweight contest, as the Brazilian came in a pound heavy while Chairez whiffed by five pounds. The referee for the rematch will be Marc Goddard, and the fighters decide to touch gloves despite their history. Chairez reintroduces himself with a faked high kick, and da Silva sits down on offense to counter. Both men fire off kicks at the same time, and Chairez’ slides up and might have bumped the cup but there is no pause. They aim kicks at one another from a distance, taking turns and loading up on one after the other. Chairez spins with a wheel kick that slides off the shoulder, and he recovers and pushes out a front kick. The Brazilian responds with two kicks to the body, and Chairez drives him back with a thudding one-two. Chairez gives chase, and da Silva takes his momentum and repurposes it to tackle Chairez to the ground. Chairez starts talking to the man on top of him, and da Silva answers by elbowing him in the face repeatedly. Chairez kicks off to get some space, and he wraps up a high guard and sets up a triangle choke. Chairez switches his leg grip to an omoplata, and then goes back to a triangle choke. “Puro Chicali” fastens his legs tight and uses his arms to pull da Silva’s head down to complete the submission. It only takes seconds for da Silva to realize he is beaten, and he taps out on the hip. Chairez immediately releases, and both men hug it out and express great respect for one another by bowing. The rivalry is complete with no early stoppage this time, and da Silva is now winless in six walks to the Octagon. In victory, the Mexican fighter's coach wraps a purple belt around Chairez' waist, who maintains his 100% finish rate while landing his seventh career submission.

The Official Result

Edgar Chairez def. Daniel da Silva R1 2:17 via Submission (Triangle Choke)

Jesus Santos Aguilar (126) vs. Mateus Mendonca (126)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Mendonca (-162), Aguilar (+136)

Round 1

The prelims roll on with the flyweights again, with Tachi Palace Fights vet Aguilar (9-2, 1-1 UFC) aiming to make it two in a row at the expense of the skidding Mendonca (10-2, 0-2 UFC). The Chute Boxe Diego Lima product made it to the UFC courtesy of 10 straight wins, only to run into brick walls of Javid Basharat and Nathan Maness to hand him a pair of losses. The two men with finish rates of 70% or above come together and touch gloves as referee Fernando Salas watches on, and they introduce themselves to one another with kicks. Aguilar kicks low, Mendonca kicks the body and presses all the way forward to scoop Aguilar off his feet. Aguilar fights back to his feet, and he resists a throw and pushes his foe against the fence to knee the thigh a few times. The pace slows to a crawl as Mendonca eventually tries to toss Aguilar to the mat, but he cannot keep him there for more than a second. Aguilar keeps grinding, and Mendonca sells out for a body lock takedown and an outside trip that succeeds in putting Aguilar down. Mendonca shifts quickly to side control, where he resides on top until Aguilar reverses him successful and starts bashing on top. Mendonca briefly threatens with a high guard, and Aguilar shakes out of it and scores some ground strikes while stacking Mendonca up. Mendonca hunts for a triangle choke, and Aguilar slams his way out of it at the bell.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The second round opens tentatively, with both men pawing at one another from a safe range. Mendonca suddenly crashes the pocket and pursues a takedown, where he leverages Aguilar down to the mat. After some control time, Mendonca loses top position and Aguilar slings him down. The two scramble wildly, and Mendonca manages to take the back and start hunting for the neck. Aguilar turns to put his back against the fence, and Mendonca clings to him and bowls Aguilar over to move to half guard. The Brazilian practically jumps into full mount, and he unleashes a fury of right hands as Salas watches closely. Aguilar turns to his side and nearly gets pounded out, but he ends up surviving the assault and defend himself intelligently enough all while the crowd implores him to keep fighting. Aguilar jumps back to his feet with sheer force of will, and Mendonca tries to snatch up a guillotine choke. Aguilar pulls out of it, and he starts slugging. Aguilar hurts Mendonca in an exchange, and he shoots for a takedown instead of taking advantage of the damage. Aguilar relocates himself into full mount, and he starts slashing down with elbows. Aguilar postures up and smacks Mendonca around with strikes, and lowers himself down so as to not create openings to escape. Aguilar looks for more offense, and Mendonca use the moment to fight his way back to his feet. Mendonca shoots in from too far away, and Aguilar shoves him over and starts landing punches all while Mendonca elevates him. The frantic round ends with Aguilar in the air getting flipped over by his opponent.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Aguilar swings for the bleachers to start off the round, and as Mendonca counters with a kick, Aguilar sprints towards him and knocks him over. On the way down, the Mexican snatches up a guillotine choke, and he tries to lock it down with full mount. By the skin of his teeth, Mendonca survives the submission and pushes Aguilar over, and he slides on top to move to half guard. Mendonca smothers from top control, opening up every so often to land a short right hand. Aguilar looks to hip escape or at least scoot himself to the fence, and Mendonca stifles him until Salas stands them up. Aguilar thanks the referee by going right to offense, swinging hard and stinging Mendonca. Mendonca throws back, and Aguilar answers with a level change. Mendonca uses the body lock to turn Aguilar around and chuck him to the mat like a basket of dirty laundry. A wild scramble ensues, and both men briefly take top position, until Mendonca winds up getting back control. Aguilar has one arm held tightly by his opponent, allowing Mendonca to drill him with punches from the free hand on the other side. Mendonca wraps up the body triangle and aims for the neck with a choke, and Aguilar hand-fights to stop the choke attempt. Mendonca allows Aguilar to turn so he can shift to full mount, but before he can rain down shots, Aguilar turns over. Mendonca locks down an unorthodox triangle choke as Aguilar does this, but time expires before anything comes of it. Based on previous tallies so far tonight, scorecards could be all over the map here.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Jesus Aguilar def. Mateus Mendonca via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Raoni Barcelos (135) vs. Cristian Quinonez (135)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Barcelos (-175), Quinonez (+145)

Round 1

Wrapping up the preliminaries with a bantamweight clash, 27-year-old Mexico native Quinonez (18-4, 1-1 UFC) wants to usher in a new generation of fighters and boot out aging competitors like Barcelos (17-5, 6-4 UFC), age 36. To keep things on the up-and-up, referee Bladimir Puga will take charge in the cage. There is a quick glove touch to precede the action, and Quinonez reaches out with multiple jabs only to get pushed back by a front kick. Barcelos chops down the lead leg with a kick, and he shoots in for a single that gets stuffed. Quinonez reaches him with a long right hand, and he flicks out a jab and a right to follow. Barcelos lands a low kick and drills the Mexican in the side of the head with a right hand, and Quinonez reels and backs himself to the cage. Barcelos attempts a takedown, and Quinonez stops it and turns him around against the wall. Quinonez drives a knee to the solar plexus, and he hangs on Barcelos to take some of the sting out of his shots. Barcelos tries for a throw, and both men climb back up. Barcelos tags his man with a right hand, and Quinonez reels and retaliates with a quick left hook. Barcelos swings with bad intentions, and Quinonez smoothly dodges the offense and prepares his counters. When Barcelos lands a single low kick, Quinonez greets him with four punches to the body and head. Barcelos continues moving forward, landing a double and dragging Quinonez to the floor. Quinonez pops back up, and he succeeds in wrenching Barcelos to the mat briefly in response. Quinonez looks for a body lock takedown, and Barcelos grabs the fence to prevent himself getting taken down as Puga slaps his hand. Barcelos again tugs on the cage to stop a takedown, and Puga once more warns him loudly while slapping his hand. Barcelos takes a few knees to the head, and Barcelos gets pulled away from the cage briefly. Barcelos gets away with another fence grab, and he spins with an elbow that grazes off the head. Quinonez wrestles his man to the mat in a scramble, and Puga shouts to Barcelos to not grab the cage. Quinonez sits on top of his opponent in partial side control, and he rains down right hands and an elbow to conclude the round.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The bantamweights touch gloves to get started in the second round, and Barcelos hops out with a leg kick. Quinonez flicks out a high kick and aims one low, and he pushes out a jab before Barcelos can meet him with a response. Barcelos charges with two right hands, and Quinonez shoulder rolls and keeps flowing to not eat any further strikes from the Brazilian. Quinonez kicks low and high, with the second shot blocked. Quinonez parries a strike coming his way, and he absorbs a low kick after missing a right hand. Barcelos lands a leg kick, and he backs his man off with two lunging punches. Quinonez resets and wings a right, and he prods the Brazilian’s nose with a few jabs. Barcelos comes up short on a shovel uppercut, and Quinonez keeps his range with jabs. Barcelos sits down on a leg kick, and he shrugs off a right hand so he can land two of his own. They both jab at the same time, and Barcelos reaches out to connect with a heavy right hand. Quinonez retaliates with a blistering right hand, and as he staggers the Brazilian, he finds himself getting taken down. Quinonez stands back up, and he gets rocked with a right hand coming his way. Quinonez drops to a knee, and Barcelos blasts him in the chest with a knee. Quinonez protests, and Puga says it was legal, so Barcelos sprints at him and hurts him with a combination. As Quinonez is in sudden danger, Barcelos grips hold of a standing guillotine choke to boot. Barcelos cannot complete the submission, and he backs off to take a breath. Both men start trading shots, and as Barcelos starts to fade, Quinonez stays in his face and tags Barcelos with a straight right hand. Barcelos goes for a single, and Quinonez springs to the side to stay on his feet. Both men land with right hands, and Barcelos gives chase to toss out two more. Quinonez dings his foe with a leg kick and two punches, and Barcelos walks him down and lands one punch behind the ear. The two crash together right before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

The last round opens with Quinonez trying to keep his distance, popping an oncoming Barcelos with chipping kicks and jabs. Barcelos gives chase all the while, landing occasionally, but Quinonez connects more actively. Barcelos telegraphs with big right hands, and Quinonez sees them coming and sways just enough to avoid them. Barcelos kicks him in the ribs twice, and when Quinonez responds with his own body kick, Barcelos grabs the leg and tosses Quinonez down to the canvas. Barcelos shifts to get into half guard, and he ultimately takes Quinonez’ back in a scramble. Barcelos fastens a rear-naked choke in the blink of an eye, and it is now academic at this point. Barcelos squeezes and exerts every remaining bit of his energy to complete the submission, and Quinonez has no choice but to surrender in a fight he had done well to that point. This a crucial win for the 36-year-old, whose place on the UFC roster may have been at risk with a loss. As Barcelos celebrates his win, he also expresses a great deal of pain and hangs his left hand low, indicating that he may have sustained a shoulder injury early in the match.

The Official Result

Raoni Barcelos def. Cristian Quinonez R3 2:04 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Chris Duncan (156) vs. Manuel Torres (155)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Torres (-162), Duncan (+136)

Round 1

To kick off the main card, the promotion booked a lightweight affair with fighters that seem allergic to the final bell. The ultra-aggressive Torres (14-2, 2-0 UFC) has only gone the distance once in 16 pro outings, while Scotland’s Duncan (11-1, 2-0 UFC) has needed the involve the judges on three occasions thus far in his tenure. While the scorecards may not be required, referee Mike Beltran is ready to step in at a moment’s notice. A sign of respect in the form of a clap of hands starts things off, and Torres moves right to the middle of the cage. When Torres throws a punch, Duncan counters with a clean right hand that nearly knocks the Mexican off his feet. Torres partially recovers, and Duncan charges at him. Torres tosses Duncan to the side and whips a high kick at him, and Duncan wears it on the chin and starts going after a takedown. As the two jockey for position, they result in a scramble, and Duncan takes Torres down. Torres fights his way around and takes the back, and he looks for chokes but cannot find one. As Torres wrenches Duncan to the canvas, this time he has the advantageous position to keep shifting and secure the back take to get his hooks in. Torres immediately grips a rear-naked choke on top of the chin, and he calmly slides it under the chin and puts Duncan in grave danger. “The Problem” tries to solve his problem by hand-fighting and hoping to break the choke grasp, but there is nothing he can do as they are fresh and dry. Duncan considers briefly going out on his shield, but he ultimately taps out instead. The lightweight from Mexico kicks his finish rate up a notch while landing an equal number of submission to knockouts in his career. A whole 14 of his 15 pro wins for "El Loco" have come in the first round.

The Official Result

Manuel Torres def. Chris Duncan R1 1:46 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Sam Hughes (115) vs. Yazmin Jauregui (115)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jauregui (-535), Hughes (+400)

Round 1

The lone women’s bout of the evening takes place at 115 pounds, as proud Mexican Jauregui (10-1, 2-1 UFC) collides with “Sampage” Hughes (8-5, 3-4 UFC). Seven years the junior, Jauregui sports a knockout rate of 70%, and her opponent has never been finished via strikes as a pro. Ready to go 15 seconds or 15 minutes, referee Herb Dean is in it for the potential long haul. The ladies touch ‘em up first, and Jauregui moves right to the middle of the Octagon and staves off Hughes with punches and a kick. Hughes replies with a chopping leg kick, and she bats away a kick aimed at her midsection. The two stick out jabs at one another, and Hughes mixes up this back-and-forth with a leg kick. Jauregui sits down on a short right hand to start off a combination, and she intercepts a Hughes leg kick with a straight right hand. Jauregui dings Hughes with two quick punches, and she fights off a Hughes takedown attempt by stonewalling her and returning to her preferred range. Jauregui snaps out jabs, and a front kick to the gut forces Hughes to shoot. Jauregui stops it again and keeps her guard high to blow two punches up top that follow. Jauregui counters a right with her own, and she absorbs a double jab that reddens her nose. Jauregui turns her hips into a leg kick, and she gets popped shuffling her way forward with a Hughes right hook. Hughes jabs and slides to the side, and she walks straight into a head kick. Hughes attempts to turn this misfortune into a takedown, and Jauregui tosses her out of the way and lays into her with a flurry of fists. Hughes retreats and resets, and Jauregui allows her to do this and then tags her with two one-twos when Hughes closes the distance. Hughes plants the ball of her foot on Jauregui’s sternum, and they clinch up until Jauregui has had enough of the exchange and pushes her off. Jauregui gets off a low kick, and a body kick partially gets through. Hughes retorts with a body kick, and Jauregui stays in her face with punches flowing. Jauregui sticks out a left and whips a head kick up to smack “Sampage” upside the head, and Hughes takes it flush and does not falter. Hughes kicks low and looks for a right over the top, and Jauregui gives her back a few punches and a kick under the armpit. The two ladies briefly hug when the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Gloves are touched to get things started again, and they pick up where they left off with high-speed exchanges. Jauregui works Hughes with a series of punches, and Hughes moves into range and knees her foe in the chest and lands a few punches of her own. Hughes comes up short on the subsequent takedown, and she skips back to dodges a slow wheel kick that loops her way. Jauregui walks her foe down with several fists and a body kick, and Hughes returns fire as the two brawl it out. Noses start turning red on both sides from the absorbed damage, and Hughes’ has hers split open on the bridge as a trickle of blood leaks out the side. Jauregui targets it with jabs and follow-up right hands, forming short, impromptu combinations when she finds openings. Hughes swings back with less volume, although some of her strikes are heavier like a step-in knee and a head kick that comes up short. Jauregui continues flowing, preferring to touch than put any additional mustard on any particular shot, and she catches Hughes standing still with a high kick. Hughes replies with a right hand counter, and when she draws out a big right hand from the woman from Mexico, she shoots for a takedown. Jauregui stuffs it and gets backed up against the fencing, and they both nail one another with simultaneous elbows on the break. Jauregui chains a left hand into a head kick, and the impact through the guard slightly rattles her opponent. Jauregui actively kicks low and high, and her punch combinations follow her feet in high number. Hughes skirts out of the way dodge some kicks, and she keeps her guard high to defend against the most powerful punches and feet up top. Jauregui prods out with jabs, and she connects cleanly with a left hook when Hughes tries to crowd her. Jauregui flicks out a front kick and jumps forward to stomp at the knee, and she thwarts a Hughes takedown and evades the big overhand on the break from “Sampage” as well. Hughes tries a low kick and a spin, and Jauregui sees the latter coming and sits down on a heavy leg kick right before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

There is a clap of hands to open up the final frame, and Jauregui immediately sticks her foot in Hughes’ face to say hello. Jauregui keeps her jab busy as Hughes tries to close the distance, and she mixes in a left to the body and a leg kick in an effective combination. Jauregui sticks out a front kick, and Hughes retaliates with a low kick and her own teep kick. Jauregui snaps out a right and a left while Hughes meanders towards her, and she strings several punches together in rapid succession and spins for a wheel kick. Hughes is too close to get struck, and she looks to initiate a brawl. When Hughes kicks, Jauregui kicks her other leg out and makes her fall to her seat. Hughes jumps back up, and Jauregui greets her with two front kicks up the middle and a leg kick. Hughes can barely get one kick of her own off before Jauregui is right there in front of her with short punch salvos. Jauregui delivers a kick to the ribs that lands with a “pow” sound, and Hughes no-sells it and tries to throw back with bad intentions. Jauregui beats her to the punch, slides to the side and out-volumes her with combinations. As Jauregui shifts to the side to evade strikes, she reaches out with a cheeky elbow to bop the American on the chops. Jauregui pushes out with a pair of front kicks, keeping Hughes at bay while she does work. Hughes comes up short with a jumping switch kick, and she hopes to take advantage of a Jauregui kick by taking the fight down, but she fails. Jauregui recoils her leg and snaps it out to the lead leg, and she puts three punches behind it. Jauregui splits the guard with jabs and punches, and Hughes’ chin is made of tougher stuff. Hughes loads up on power shots, and Jauregui can block the heaviest blows and put three back on her in the blink of an eye. Jauregui kicks the side, and Hughes spins with an elbow that is partially disrupted. Jauregui answers that spin with a spin kick, and it glances off the side as this high-paced striking affair comes to a conclusion at the sound of the horn.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Yazmin Jauregui def. Sam Hughes via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Raul Rosas Jr. (136) vs. Ricky Turcios (136)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Rosas (-265), Turcios (+215)

Round 1

The match was canceled on Saturday night during the main card, due to an illness suffered by Rosas Jr. This news was first announced on the UFC broadcast.

Francisco Prado (156) vs. Daniel Zellhuber (156)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Zellhuber (-278), Prado (+225)

Round 1

Because of fairly recent decision losses, the undefeated shine of these two lightweights in the “featured fight of the night” slot may be gone, but the pressure of maintaining that spotless record goes with it as well. Zellhuber (14-1, 2-1 UFC) is now free to represent his home country of Mexico without that weight on his shoulders, and he will almost certainly slug it out with 21-year-old finisher Prado (12-1, 1-1 UFC). Even though the fight is contested at 155 pounds, referee Mike Beltran has donned his proverbial hard hat and is ready to avoid any errant power blows from these two. Before they sling their fists, they tap them together. It takes no more than a second for them to engage, as they both toss head kicks and punches at one another in rapid succession. Zellhuber reaches his foe with a high kick, and Prado comes charging at him fearlessly loading up on a right hand. Zellhuber keeps range with a head kick that acts almost like a jab, and Prado is looking for a way in as the far shorter man. Prado manages to get his leg high enough to wrap his foot around the side of the neck, and he gives chase and cracks Zellhuber with an overhand right to follow. Zellhuber circles to the side, and Prado answers with another big right hand. Prado finds his range as he backs Zellhuber up against the wall, and he ignores the kicks so he can crowd him and shut others down. Zellhuber gets some space and prods out with a front kick, toes extended. Zellhuber then looses a head kick, and it bounces off the raised guard. Prado goes high with a right and follows with a big left hook, and he elbows Zellhuber from close range and backs off to slug away. Prado swipes up a left hook that gets Zellhuber’s attention, and Zellhuber shakes his head and tries to get a modicum of distance with his teep kick. Zellhuber uses a jab to keep Prado off of him, and he misses the mark with a swiping body kick. Prado lumbers forward swinging fists, and he bounces them off the sides of Zellhuber’s head and body. Prado ties his foe up and pushes him to the wire, and Zellhuber breaks away after a lull to return to kicking range. Prado connects with a heavy low kick, and he spins but misses with a back fist as he is out of range. Prado works the calf and swings his overhand right, and Zellhuber kicks his opponent in the side right before the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The lightweights quickly tap their hands together before slinging fists, and that is exactly what they do, only with their legs as well. Zellhuber connects with a body kick and a left hand, opening a cut on the corner of Prado’s eyebrow. Prado throws back, but Zellhuber finds his range with a sharp jab. The jab and follow-up punches from the Mexican rip open the cut, and bust Prado’s nose up. Prado, bloodied and swelling fast, continues to lob haymakers, but Zellhuber beats him to the punch and causes blood to spray. Prado spins with a strike, and Zellhuber dodges it as crimson fluid goes flying. Zellhuber drills Prado in the chin with a step-in knee, and this only angers the Argentinian, who starts brawling. Zellhuber keeps his range with jabs to prevent Prado from closing in, and he knees Prado on the nose again to excellent effect. Prado walks into jabs, and they are stunning or shaking him when landing cleanly. Zellhuber goes up high with a shin, and it glances off the shoulder. Both fighters catch one another with heavy hooks, but Prado’s are slowing. Zellhuber jabs disrupts the big shots, and he chains several punches after the jabs. Prado wings punches that Zellhuber sees coming from a wide berth, and they ultimately come up short. Zellhuber rings up Prado with long punches, and front kick to give problems as well. Prado sits down on a few calf kicks, which have swelled Zellhuber’s lead leg in response. Zellhuber sticks out sharp jabs when Prado leaps forward, cutting him off and taking any sting out of the damaging strikes. Prado’s face shows serious damage, and he continues to take shots, but he swings harder and harder each time he gets tagged. Zellhuber snipes him with short hooks, letting Prado spin past him so he can pop Prado on the reset. Zellhuber jabs and front kicks his way to the bell, and the doctors are going to take a close eye on the cut across Prado’s right eyebrow.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Prado is cleared to continue, although the physician tells Beltran to watch the cut and not let it get too bad. The fighters are glad to get five more minutes to bang it out, and they touch gloves. A grateful Zellhuber jabs and kicks the damaged Prado, and he gets a few front kicks on the chin that Prado eats like a heaping plate of Asado. Zellhuber has full control of his range, and he intercepts Prado and beats him to several punches. Prado flails forward, and every so often a strike might land, but Zellhuber is able to block or dodge the majority of them. Zellhuber reopens the cut on Prado’s eyebrow, and blood pours down Prado’s swollen mug. Zellhuber uses the swelling as a bullseye, and he swings and cracks Prado with powerful left hands. Prado recklessly charges, not concerned about his own well-being, and he spins at the end of a flurry of strikes that all go wide. Zellhuber digs several body kicks, and Prado times a solid overhand right. Zellhuber backs off and drives four punches to the head and body. Prado can only swing one back, and he goes for the body with a kick. Zellhuber dances out of the way from the looping Prado offense, and he fights behind his jab and check hook without putting himself on the gunnery range. Prado tries to swooping left shovel hooks, and Zellhuber evades them just in time. Prado snaps the head back with a left hand, and Zellhuber answers him every step of the way and then some. Prado chambers and fires a kick to the ribs, and he gets shaken up by a counter left hand down the pipe. Zellhuber brings the right side of his foot on the left side of Prado’s head, and Prado tanks it without flinching and charges to land a left to the body and a right to the head. Prado takes a few heavy body shots and throws back with a vengeance, and he spins with a wheel kick that makes him topple over. Zellhuber raises his hands in the air at the sound of the 10-second clapper, and the two lightweights bang it out right to the final horn to cement the likely “Fight of the Night” frontrunner.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Daniel Zellhuber def. Francisco Prado via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Brian Ortega (146) vs. Yair Rodriguez (146)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Rodriguez (-166), Ortega (+140)

Round 1

In the main event of UFC on ABC 3 in July 2022, Rodriguez (19-4, 1 NC; 10-3, 1 NC UFC) and Ortega (15-3, 1 NC; 7-3, 1 NC UFC) collided for a featherweight title shot and bragging rights. While Ortega did control on the ground for part of the first round, he suffered a shoulder injury and has not competed since. Rodriguez, on the other hand, claimed the interim strap and unsuccessfully vied for the unified 145-pound throne. The rematch, while not the main attraction on this card, has been scheduled for five rounds like their first encounter. Overseeing the action will be referee Marc Goddard, who hopes like everyone else that this will go down without issue. Despite the bad blood brewing over the last 19 months, the two men do touch gloves. As Ortega is hyping himself up, he jumps up and down and tweaks his right ankle. He is still good to go, but this bears watching. Ortega does not let this impact him early, as he goes right at Rodriguez throwing hands. Rodriguez counters, but Ortega bears down on him swinging hard. Ortega crowds his foe, and he stumbles after taking a kick to that right leg. Rodriguez stomps down on the knee with two kicks, and he rocks Ortega with a solid right hand. Ortega drops to his seat, and as Ortega tries to fight himself out of danger, he goes for a takedown. Rodriguez hip tosses him and lays a beating with hammerfists, but Ortega toughs it out and gets back to his feet. Ortega tries to close in, and Rodriguez works the body and busts up Ortega’s nose with fast hands. Rodriguez rips the body with a left, and Ortega nearly crumbles as he backs up to the fence. Rodriguez stifles a takedown attempt, and he circles away to potshot his bloodied foe. Ortega comes out swinging with an overhand right, and Rodriguez chips at the leg and lands two punches. Rodriguez kicks Ortega’s leg out twice, and on the second shot, Ortega eats a right hand as well and hits his seat. Rodriguez jumps down to beat his foe down, laying into him with hammerfists and punches. Rodriguez sits up, and Ortega throws his legs up for a potential triangle choke. Rodriguez shucks it off and slashes down with an elbow. Ortega’s high guard threatens with anything he can muster, and Rodriguez stops those attempts and busts Ortega up with punches. Ortega sits up and looks to take the back, and Rodriguez responds by isolating the leg and hunting for an unorthodox calf slicer. Ortega ignores it, stands back up and drags Rodriguez to the mat from behind. Ortega, with 15 seconds left in the round, moves right to full mount. Rodriguez lands short strikes, and Ortega gives back one elbow before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Rodriguez
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez

Round 2

Ortega, other than some swelling on his face, appears no worse for wear and is energized to start the second round after that one-sided beating. Ortega pressures forward, and Rodriguez rifles back counters and rocks Ortega with a right hand. Ortega continues to plod ahead, and Rodriguez uses his long arms to keep Ortega from getting a clean hold of him. Ortega darts down for a single, and Rodriguez stumbles and gets back up to defend the takedown. Ortega scoops him up, and Rodriguez latches onto a guillotine choke. Ortega appears totally unconcerned as he sits up and slowly pulls his neck free, and he resides on top in half guard with over three minutes left on the clock. Ortega drives down punches, and he lowers himself for a potential arm-triangle setup but lets it go when he does not find the right leverage. Ortega hacks down with elbows, and when he tries to jump over into mount, Rodriguez pulls him back to the closed guard. Ortega takes several clubbing hammerfists on the jaw when he has some distance while still on top, and this forces Ortega to lower himself back down tight. Ortega connects with a number of elbows, splitting open a cut beneath his eye as he methodically works on the favored Mexican. Ortega stacks Rodriguez up to prevent any submission setup or escape opportunity, and he pummels “El Pantera” with punches and elbows. The round ends with one last right hand from Ortega.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Ortega motions to fire up the crowd to get started, and after they touch gloves, they trade leather. Ortega walks through the strikes he takes on the cheek so that he can tie Rodriguez up with a body lock. “T-City” easily lowers Rodriguez down to the mat, and he lands in full mount and starts hacking with elbows. Ortega climbs to the side, and he locks down an arm-triangle choke. Rodriguez turns to his side to alleviate the pressure, and Ortega maintains his full body weight pressed down to complete the maneuver. Rodriguez’ eyes go wide as he realizes he has no way out, and he surrenders. Ortega does not immediately release the grip despite Goddard’s intervention, prompting Goddard to Hulk out and push Ortega off of the defeated fighter and sternly admonish him. Ortega raises his arms up in apology, and he leaps out of the cage to go to his family in the stands, and tries to bring them back with him. When he returns to the Octagon, Ortega goes over to apologize to Rodriguez and then Goddard for hanging onto the choke too long. Ortega tells Goddard to not raise his arm for the victory, as a sign of penance for the end of the submission. In his post-fight interview, the bilingual “T-City” tells the crowd that he did indeed roll his ankle during the introduction, but he had faith that he could fight through it. Instead of calling out his next name, Ortega states that he will speak to the UFC brass to set up his next test.

The Official Result

Brian Ortega def. Yair Rodriguez R3 0:58 via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)

Brandon Moreno (126) vs. Brandon Royval (126)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Moreno (-270), Royval (+220)

Round 1

In 2020, a victory over Royval (15-7, 5-3 UFC) catapulted “The Assassin Baby” Moreno (21-7-2, 9-4-2 UFC) into his championship run, when he stopped “Raw Dawg” late in the first round potentially due to a shoulder injury. This rematch was not originally the plan for the UFC, but with Amir Albazi’s withdrawal, Royval was glad to step in even if he thought it was going to be a vacation. Referee Herb Dean will be serving umbrella drinks through the course of their 25-minute flyweight encounter. The two Brandons come together and bump gloves, intense and fired up to tangle again. Royval wanders forward, dropping his hands on the way in, but he picks them back up when he gets into striking range. Royval partially lands a high body kick to lead off after nearly 30 seconds of inactivity, and he throws another kick that makes Moreno stumble and awkwardly bounce off the fencing. Moreno gathers himself and sweeps low with a kick. Royval lands a jab and a body kick, and Moreno times an inside leg kick while Royval’s other leg is in the air. Royval chases Moreno down, with Moreno circling from side to side, and Dean tells them to engage twice. Moreno catches a body kick and whips a left hook over the top, and Royval smoothly dodges it. Royval whips a kick that misses, and he falls to his backside and scrambles back up. Royval stumbles while springing forward, and Moreno kicks at his lead leg. Royval lets go with a kick to the chest, as he shakes his legs out. Moreno swings wide as Royval backs off, and Moreno goes back with another kick to the lead leg. Moreno attempts another windmilling right hand, and Royval parries it. Royval stalks Moreno down, pawing out jabs and a partial front kick. Royval lands a front-side body kick, and Moreno rings his bell with two hooks in a counter. Royval connects with a solid right hand, and Moreno stumbles strangely and looks to the fence behind him to make sure of where he is in the cage. Moreno intercepts his foe with a big right hook, and Royval shakes it off and keeps coming after his opponent. Royval surges ahead with six kicks, and he backs off and checks a leg kick square on his shin. The two clash together and appear to bang heads together, and Royval drops to a knee and climbs back up to throw hands. Moreno looses two punches to make Royval think twice of engaging recklessly, and Royval walks towards him and kicks him in the ribs. Royval lands another body kick and takes a left hand behind the ear, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Royval leads off the round by throwing a body kick from his left leg, which may have taken some damage in the last round. He shows no ill effect, and he chops down Moreno’s calf with that same leg. Moreno winds up a huge right hand and beans Royval, but Royval takes it flush and keeps on coming. Moreno connects with a sharp jab, and he catches a body kick and drills Royval with a left hook. Royval swipes out with two big punches, and he scores one more kick to the side. Royval continues to target the body, and he leans back from the swinging fists zooming at him from the former champ. Moreno whips two more big punches, and Royval jabs him while Moreno is looping the shots. Royval blitzes, hands down, and he gets popped by Moreno with a right hand and still manages to get his own strikes off. Moreno throws his two hook combo, and Royval times it and lines up three punches short before Moreno can reach him or make him pay. Royval sticks out a jab, and he drives a knee in the chin much to Moreno’s displeasure. Royval resets and kicks the body and lead leg, and he continues to fish for a jab. Moreno bites down on his mouthpiece and slugs it out, and Royval’s head gets knocked around but he slugs right back. A mouse forms on the side of Royval’s eye as Moreno’s left hands hard, and Royval chains retaliatory punches to the head and body. Moreno telegraphs a punch and lands a low kick to follow, and he eats a sharp jab and takes a body kick flush on the belly. Royval connects with a knee to the body, and he finds his range when Moreno throws heavy at him. Moreno shoots in for a single, and he succeeds in driving Royval to the ground. Royval scrambles like a madman, flipping himself all the way over as he searches for a triangle choke, then an armbar, and then an omoplata to a Gogoplata. Moreno stands up to get away from the danger, and he whiffs on a huge right hand as Royval follows him. The horn sounds, and Royval grimaces while lifting up his left leg.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

The flyweights clap hands to get started, and Royval follows Moreno around like before while flicking out jabs. Royval goes low with two kicks, and Moreno looks down to the ground to make sure he is not running into the cage again. Moreno gives one low kick back, and he throws one up high only to be blocked. Royval crowds Moreno with pressure but cannot corner him, and he feints and fakes to try to get Moreno to bite on something. Royval lands a body kick while Moreno circles to his right, and he strings four punches together that pound off the guard. Royval lands another body kick, and Moreno replies by taking him down. Royval scrambles to work his way up, and Moreno follows him upright to take the back. Royval sprints away from the grip around his waist, and he absorbs a leg kick on the way out. “Raw Dawg” adjusts his shorts and fires a body kick that bounces off the side of Moreno’s cup. Dean acknowledges the foul and allows Moreno to recover, and the former champ takes 40 seconds to get his wind back before he is good to go. Royval starts off on the restart with four punches and a kick, and Moreno kicks him upside the head. Royval staggers and shakes his head as if to say he was not impacted, and he lands heavy shots from afar on Moreno’s head, body and lead leg. Moreno eats a few calf kick and body shots, and he comes up short on a big overhand right counter and a swatting left. Royval jabs through the guard, and he gets clubbed with a forearm that puts him on the floor for a second. Royval springs back up, ties Moreno up and lands a handful of strikes on the break. Royval scores a body kick, and Moreno catches it but releases it when he can do nothing with it. Royval lands body shots into head shots, and Moreno shells up from all of them but the finalizing leg kick. Moreno misses the mark on a big right hand, and his leg kick connects cleanly. Royval shoots in to catch Moreno off-guard, and Moreno stuffs it and kicks the lead leg. Royval puts a few punches together to end the round.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 4

Royval’s left foot has swelled up like a small balloon, but he pays it no mind when the fight resumes, as he throws it with impunity. Royval begins even more aggressively than usually, flailing his hands up and down before connecting with a long combination of speedy fists. Moreno chambers and releases a leg kick several times, and Royval tanks it and crowds the former champ to throw punches. Moreno tries to take the fight down, and Royval pushes him over to land on top before they both pop back up. Royval beats Moreno to the punch, and he leans back to avoid the counter only to get tagged by another heavy leg kick. Moreno has a clubbing right go behind the head, and Royval takes another fierce kick to his thigh before throwing seven punches in a short chain. Moreno kicks the thigh of his opponent, and Royval winces but fires back straight punches and uppercuts. Royval sticks and leans back, and Moreno reaches him with an overhand right. Royval responds in kind, and he blasts Moreno in the belly with a knee before ducking down to hit a double. Moreno resists the first attempt, but Royval sucks his hips out and puts him down for a few seconds. Moreno climbs back up with the wall behind him, and he takes a number of short but effective left hands from Royval. Moreno pushes him away and throws a leg kick that spins Royval all the way around. Royval dodges the kick that had landed so frequently, and he dips out of the way of the overhand right. Royval stands firm and jabs several times, splitting Moreno’s guard and landing a couple shots to the body. Moreno responds with body shots on his own side, and Royval is right in front of him to scores back. Moreno walks into a left hand while charging, and he ducks down and connects cleanly to the body. Moreno follows the body shots with the leg kick, and Royval chases him so fast that Dean has to sprint out of the way so Moreno does not trip over him. Royval stays active, throwing punches right to the bell.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 5

This could be anyone’s fight going into the final frame, and the flyweights offer one final glove touch before engaging. Royval prods out jab after jab, pinning his fists on Moreno’s cheek and landing with quick but effective strikes. Moreno pops him with a big overhand right, and he rushes forward to tie Royval up. The heavy right hand from the former champ draws some swelling on the left eye of his opponent, and Dean asks for Moreno to work when Moreno presses on Royval in the clinch. Royval tries tot urn him around, but Moreno wants to grind things out in the body lock. Dean asks them to keep working until he splits them up. Royval immediately gets right to it, with jabs and straight punches. Moreno stands him up with an overhand right, and Royval stands right in front of Moreno and knees him in the chest. Royval kicks the ribs, and he eats a solid right hand. Royval flicks out jab after jab, and he dodges the big shots from Moreno coming his way. Royval sneaks in a knee and snaps the head back with two punches, and he continues to pour it on with stellar volume. Moreno loads up on two hefty punches, and the durability of “Raw Dawg” is on full display. Moreno chases into landing a leg kick and a huge overhand right, and Royval attempts to retaliate only for Moreno to charge him and grip him from behind with a body lock. Dean immediately tells Moreno to do something, and Moreno tries to drag the other Brandon down but cannot do so before separating. Moreno chains a few punches off the body, and Royval stings him with an elbow up close. Moreno throws caution to the wind, with Royval dinging him with punches and a knee to the breadbasket. Moreno ties him up to slow down the onslaught, and he attempts to take Royval down from behind but settles to hold him there. Moreno wings a punch, and Royval throws everything he has left. The two empty their gas tanks with punches, knees, kicks and the kitchen sink, and the horn sounds to end this thrilling flyweight rematch. The Brandons laugh and smile after 25 minutes of la violencia wraps, and they embrace after a hard-fought battle that could go either way. When the result is read, Mexican fighters officially win six of the 10 fights against the world, for a fair showing. After getting his hand raised, Royval has just one name in mind on the microphone: Alexandre Pantoja, to run back a great fight from December. If the UFC decides to make that third fight—not a foregone conclusion, as Royval already has two losses to the champion—we will be there for it. We hope you are too.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Brandon Royval def. Brandon Moreno via Split Decision (48-47, 46-49, 48-47)