UFC Fight Night Results: ‘Munoz vs. Mousasi’ Play-by-Play & Updates

Ruslan Magomedov vs. Viktor Pesta

Round 1

Pesta throws a one-two and eats a hard right counter from Magomedov. Pesta returns fire with a one-two and reaches Magomedov with sneaky punches as the Dagestani pulls away. Magomedov dings his opponent as Pesta loads up on a wild right hook, sending him slipping to the canvas briefly. Pesta lunges with three more wild strikes, trying to clinch Magomedov, who dodges the bull charge. Pesta can't close the distance effectively on Magomedov, who continues to duck his punches and counter him. Pesta charges again recklessly and this time, he eats a heavy right hook, then a left head kick that rocks the Czech. A left hook staggers Pesta. Pesta is on the ropes, but when Magomedov presses him, he lets off a series of knee that drop Magomedov flat on his back. Pesta dives on top with accurate, powerful ground-and-pound, bashing the Dagestani fighter with rights and lefts through a loose guard. Pesta passes to half guard. His pace slows as Magomedov ties him up, but Pesta still lands short punches and elbows over the last 30 seconds.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Pesta
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Pesta
Greg Savage scores the round 10-9 Pesta

Round 2

Both fighters continue lobbing heavy punch combinations, though Magomedov sprinkles in some leg kicks from the outside. Magomedov throws a lead-leg roundhouse kick that snaps Pesta's head back but he can't follow up. Pesta takes his time, inching forward before powering through a blast double-leg takedown and putting Magomedov on the canvas with authority. He can't keep the Fight Nights team rep down, who uses the cage to walk back to his feet and separate. Magomedov lands a right cross. Magomedov cautiously treads foward, feinting, hoping to set Pesta up for a counter. When Pesta finally lets off another wild overhand, Magomedov rings him up with the right. Another head kick attempt from Magomedov glances, so Pesta looks to shoot. It's blocked and both guys smack each other on the exit. Magomedov continues to press and lands a clean right cross before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Magomedov
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Magomedov
Greg Savage scores the round 10-9 Magomedov

Round 3

Magomedov is falling back to begin the third round, using kicks to keep Pesta away. Pesta loads up with four punches, but Magomedov blocks them and glances him on the counter. Pesta charges in and eats a hard right uppercut, but it doesn't break his stride. The Czech fighter gets to Magomedov's legs, but “Leopard” rips him off and touches him with a one-two-head kick. Pesta dives onto a single-leg, but Magomedov shows great balance, bouncing on his foot and limp-legging free. Wild left hook-overhand right combo from Magomedov misses its target. Pesta keeps looking for chances to catch Magomedov off guard with the takedown but his foe remains patient. Magomedov catches Pesta's rear hand and dings him with a right lead uppercut. Another hard head kick from Magomedov. Pesta tries to throw in the dying moments of the fight, but can't land clean on Magomedov, who continues to chip away with kicks and right-handed counters until the final horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Magomedov (29-28 Magomedov)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Magomedov (29-28 Magomedov)
Greg Savage scores the round 10-9 Magomedov (29-28 Magomedov)

The Official Result

Ruslan Magomedov def. Viktor Pesta via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Maximo Blanco vs. Andy Ogle

Round 1

Maximo Blanco comes screaming out of the gate with a flying Liu Kang-inspired teep that drops Ogle on his back. The Brit is trying to hang on, but Blanco is all over him punches. Ogle gets to the turtle position, but he's getting smashed. Improbably, the TUF alum, mouth full of blood, avoids getting stopped by the onslaught, only to get hip tossed on his head and pounded again as soon as he stands. Blanco nearly takes his back, instantly looking for the rear-naked choke before securing position. Blanco gives up a takedown to Ogle, who has recovered his wits. Ogle jumps on his back as “Maxi” tries to explode up, sinking in both of his hooks. Blanco takes a breather for a moment before exploding out of back mount and back to his feet. Left hook-right hook-low kick lands for Blanco. The Venezuelan native lands kicks to the body over the last minute while Ogle tries to reach him with body punches. Ogle lands a clean overhand right off of a Blanco low kick.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Blanco
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Blanco
Greg Savage scores the round 10-9 Blanco

Round 2

Blanco comes out headhunting with a big kick again, then segues into a powerful double-leg. Ogle pops right back up and looks for one of his one. Blanco tries to sitout with the help of the fence, but ends up getting his back taken once more. Ogle has his hooks in deep and is patiently controlling Blanco, wearing him out and making him play defense. Blanco keeps trying to roll and escape, but Ogle is all over his back still, threatening the choke. With 30 seconds left, Blanco finally powers through to top position, but Ogle ties him up in rubber guard to avoid any damage in the round's dying moments.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Ogle
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Ogle
Greg Savage scores the round 10-9 Ogle

Round 3

Blanco uses his jab to start the third, popping Ogle with his left hand from the center of the cage. Hard right from Ogle lands clean, but Blanco digs in with two punches of his own, then a right hand after. Ogle reaches with a one-two and eats a right hook. “Maxi” wings at Ogle, who changes levels for a single. Blanco shrugs him off and goes back to bobbing and weaving on the feet. Ogle continues to reach with his punches, leaving himself exposed for Blanco's counters. Hard right uppercut from Blanco, then a low kick turns Ogle around. Ogle continues to swing and miss as Blanco stalks forward, slipping punches and countering with short punches. Ogle goes low with his kicks, but Blanco lands his right hand off of it. Spinning wheel kick from Blanco dings Ogle, who eats it and trudges on with his eye busted up. Another right hand lands for Blanco before the fight expires.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Blanco (29-28 Blanco)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Blanco (29-28 Blanco)
Greg Savage scores the round 10-9 Blanco (29-28 Blanco)

The Official Result

Maximo Blanco def. Andy Ogle via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Pawel Pawlak vs. Peter Sobotta

Round 1

Sobotta opens with a smacking kick to the ribs, then goes back to it immediately to the approval of the partisan crowd. Low kick by Sobotta, then a body kick that Pawlak ducks into, taking it on the forehead. The kicking offense of the German-based Pole is too much for Pawlak so far. Sobotta continues to mix up his kicking offense and throws in left crosses behind them. It's all Sobotta for four minutes until Pawlak finally puts a good left hook on Sobotta. He returns with a reaching right hand that pushes Sobotta back to the cage. The exchanges liven up in the last 30 seconds, but Sobotta lands another head kick upstairs to stop Pawlak's surge.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sobotta
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Sobotta
Greg Savage scores the round 10-9 Sobotta

Round 2

Sobotta works patient body and leg kicks again for 30 seconds, then cleverly changes levels and plants Pawlak with a clean double. The Gracie Barra Lodz fighter ties up Sobotta effectively on bottom, landing short elbows from the bottom of guard, but Sobotta constantly pressures and looks to pass guard on both sides. Pawlak uses half butterfly guard and continues to elbow away from his back, though he is warned by Leon Roberts regarding their legality. Pawlak's nose is busted up from Sobotta's short punches while threatening to pass. Sobotta looks for another pass and elbows the ribs, almost allowing his man back to his feet. It's more of the same, with Sobotta punching and Pawlak elbowing. Sobotta drives his head into the body of Pawlak, prompting a brief pow-wow with referee Leon Roberts, who warns him about headbutting.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sobotta
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Sobotta
Greg Savage scores the round 10-9 Sobotta

Round 3

More kicks for Sobotta land and when Pawlak tries to get inside, Sobotta clinches and lands knees. Pawlak knows he's behind, so he presses now, but walks right into another brilliantly-timed double-leg takedown from Sobotta. Pawlak scoots back to the cage and works his way up the fence to stand, but Sobotta bodylocks him and runs him into the ground again. It's the same as the second round, as Sobotta looks to pass guard to both sides while idly punching, but Pawlak demonstrates the defensive guard to regain position. Sobotta punches and elbows to the ribs on the far side, trying to open up a pass through Pawlak's half guard. Referee Leon Roberts stands them up for no particular reason with 20 seconds left. The remainder of the fight is desperate, wild flailing from both fighters, none of it landing meaningfully.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sobotta (30-27 Sobotta)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Sobotta (30-27 Sobotta)
Greg Savage scores the round 10-9 Sobotta (30-27 Sobotta)

The Official Result

Peter Sobotta def. Pawel Pawlak via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Iuri Alcantara vs. Vaughan Lee

Round 1

Lee, with his hands low, confidently strides forward at his fellow southpaw. It proves to be a dramatic mistake quite quickly: he rushes in a with a switch-step head kick and runs into an overhand left. He goes down supine and eats four quick coffin nail shots before referee Grant Waterman can rescue the destroyed Brit. Powerful performance from Iuri Alcantara.

The Official Result

Iuri Alcantara def. Vaughan Lee via KO (Punches) R1 0:25

Magnus Cedenblad vs. Krzysztof Jotko

Round 1

The southpaw Jotko closes the distance immediately on Cedenblad, bombing with both hands as the Swede tries to head kick to ward off his advancing opponent. Cedenblad presses Jotko into the fence, but gets peppered with short shots and reversed. Jotko turns him around, pressing him into the fence with over-unders. Cedenblad tries for a trip coming off the fence, but Jotko uses his overhook to defend. Cedenblad keeps pushing and winds up on top. “Jycken” threatens the pass to side mount, pounding and looking for a brabo choke. Jotko regains guard, but just tries to tie Cedenblad up and look for a standup. Cedenblad looks for punches and elbows, but when he really opens up, Jotko pushes him away and stands. Cedenblad stays married to the takedown, running into the clinch, grabbing Jotko and holding him down until the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cedenblad
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Cedenblad
Greg Savage scores the round 10-9 Cedenblad

Round 2

Jotko loads up on hooks with both hands while Cedenblad continues to kick. Cedenblad has a takedown stuffed and in the ensuing exchange, loses his mouthguard. Referee Wolf Menninger quickly replaces it, and they resume clinching along the fence. Jotko drives for a single, then releases it and dings Cedenblad with a one-two. Cedenblad clinches and gets another takedown into half guard. He straightens Jotko's arm out, and as the Pole looks to defend, passes right up the middle into full mount. Cedenblad can't capitalize on his dominant position, as Jotko bridges, rolls and takes top for himself. Cedenblad tries to jump to his feet and gets his back taken, but Jotko is shaken off before he can tighten up the rear-naked choke. Cedenblad stacks Jotko against the fence and tries to pound. Jotko pushes away and tries to stand, but runs right into Cedenblad's guillotine. The Swede jumps guard, and nearly simultaneously with the second-round horn, Jotko taps out in heartbreaking fashion.

The Official Result

Magnus Cedenblad def. Krzysztof Jotko via Submission (Guillotine Choke) R2 4:59

Drew Dober vs. Nick Hein

Round 1

Hein takes the control on the feet from the outset, landing left hands liberally on Dober who is a step behind on the feet. Hein's southpaw left hands and combination punching have Dober's right eye bloody quickly. Hein trips Dober from the clinch and goes to work on top, punching away until Dober kicks him away and stands. As soon as they go back to the feet, it's more of the same, as Hein's boxing is too good for Dober. Dober runs him into the fence, but is taken down with a short inner reap from the judoka. Dober ties up Hein who punches away for the duration.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Hein
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Hein
Greg Savage scores the round 10-9 Hein

Round 2

Dober swings at Hein, prompting a left-hand counter and another clinch. Hein gets double underhooks, muscling the American into the cage. Dober gets free, lands a leg kick, then goes upstairs, but Hein blocks it. Dober is coming forward, kicking the body and pressuring Hein now, but the German continues to land lefts when Dober lets his hands go. Hein shoots a double, running Dober back to the fence then switching to a standing waistlock to dump Dober momentarily. He tries again, but not keeping him down securely, jumps on Dober's back and sinks his hooks standing. Dober explosively rolls forward and shakes Hein off of his back with 90 seconds to go in the round. Dober grinds from half guard with short punches and elbows.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Hein
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Dober
Greg Savage scores the round 10-9 Hein

Round 3

Hein appears fatigued, but Dober is struggling to capitalize, as he continues eating left hands when he wades forward to close the distance. Dober throws a big left and Hein sucks under it and escapes off the fence. Dober with a deep shot, Hein with a powerful sprawl to defend. Dober's right eye is dripping blood in the clinch, all over Hein's body, dripping down onto his feet, as the Nebraskan drives for a takedown. When they separate, referee Marc Goddard calls for a break in the action to have the ringside physician examine Dober's cut. After the quick consult and clean-up, the fight is back on. Dober continues to chase Hein with three minutes to go, but just can't avoid his fellow southpaw's long left crosses. Dober gets dinged with three counters while charging in wide with both hands punching and Hein circles out again. Dober is dauntless in coming forward -- punching, kicking, shooting takedowns -- he just can't get a hold of Hein or avoid the left hands. Nothing disrupts that pattern before the bout's conclusion.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Hein (30-27 Hein)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Hein (29-28 Hein)
Greg Savage scores the round 10-9 Hein (30-27 Hein)

The Official Result

Nick Hein def. Drew Dober via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Niklas Backstrom vs. Tom Niinimaki

Round 1

Niinimaki powers his way to a quick takedown but can't hold down the active Backstrom. Backstrom gets back to his feet and they two jockey up against the cage for position. Niinimaki gets another short-lived takedown from the clinch but can't hold Backstrom down. It's a rugged wrestling match inside as Backstrom tries to pull the head down and look for a guillotine. After much back-and-forth pummeling and defending another Niinimaki takedown, Backstrom jumps a deeper guillotine and squeezes. Niinimaki takes his time and peels out of it, getting back to his feet. Backstrom crushes Niinimaki with a flying knee, prompting the Finn to grab a desperate single-leg. Backstrom snatches a straight bulldog choke at first, and it's tight. “Stoneface” tries to spin out, but winds up ensnared tighter in a no-hooks rear-naked choke and taps out. Incredible finishing sequence by the debuting Nicklas Backstrom.

The Official Result

Nicklas Backstrom def. Tom Niinimaki via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 4:15

Luke Barnatt vs. Sean Strickland

Round 1

Barnatt takes the center of the cage and pumps his jab while periodically throwing low kicks and body kicks. Nothing substantial lands for the first two minutes as Strickland dances on the outside, checking his kicks. Strickland parries a jab and lands a hard outside low kick. A very cautious pace from the tall middleweights. Strickland is working his jab now but can't actually hit Barnatt, while Barnatt can't actually hit Strickland with his kicks. It's the definition of a “feeling out round.” Lukewarm leg kicks from Strickland touch the thigh of Barnatt. Strickland finallys touches Barnatt with two right hands and Barnatt lands one of his own.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-10
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Barnatt
Greg Savage scores the round 10-9 Barnatt

Round 2

Barnatt is more aggressive to begin the second, closing the distance, sitting down on his jab. He lands a one-two behind his jab, but Strickland clinches and trips him to the mat. Strickland punches right through Barnatt's massive legs upkicking at him. However, Barnatt's freakish leg length comes into play moments later, as he leg presses Strickland off of him and pushes him nearly four feet away, easily giving him time to get back to his feet. Barnatt still not landing hard kicks, but he is more active now, and throwing hands. Strickland's hand-parrying techniques are tying Barnatt up, but Strickland can't land shots of his own. With two minutes to go, the Californian brings his jab out again and pops “Bigslow” a few times. The Brit responds in kind with a right cross. Barnatt feints and sets Strickland up for another overhand right which lands firm. Strickland shoots for a takedown but is denied. Another right for Barnatt on the perpetually-circling Strickland.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Barnatt
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Barnatt
Greg Savage scores the round 10-9 Barnatt

Round 3

Barnatt is in command now, jabbing diligently while Strickland circles away without flashing much offense beyond perfunctory jabs. Barnatt circles and can't quite cut Strickland off, so the dance of death goes on for three minutes. Finally, Barnatt cuts Strickland off with a right hand and is able to land some knees in the clinch. Strickland looks for a takedown and nearly ends up taking the back. He slips down, but winds up latching onto one of Barnatt's spindly legs in pursuit of a leglock. Barnatt frees himself and slides up the fence with a minute to go in the fight. Another Barnatt right lands on a retreating Sean Strickland, who continues to move away, jabbing and pecking at the Brit.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Barnatt (30-28 Barnatt)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Barnatt (30-27 Barnatt)
Greg Savage scores the round 10-9 Barnatt (30-27 Barnatt)

The Official Result

Sean Strickland def. Luke Barnatt via Split Decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Francis Carmont vs. C.B. Dollaway

Round 1

Dollaway is active with his jab from the outset, while Carmont responds with kicks to the body. Right hook-left kick to the body registers for Carmont. Dollaway throws a low kick and is tagged with a right hook from the Frenchman. Attempted axe kick by Carmont doesn't find its target, but he lands a lead left hook seconds later. A spinning back kick lands for Carmont, who looks increasingly comfortable at the halfway point of the first round. Carmont switches stances and rips Dollaway with a kick to the body, but when he tries to follow up, Dollaway clobbers him with a left-handed counter, dropping him to the mat. Carmont gets in on a single-leg takedown in desperation as Dollaway fires away on his head, but “Relentless” lives up to his nickname and pushes through, getting back to his feet and taunting Dollaway. Carmont plows into Dollaway with a double-leg and gets him down against the fence, trying to step over into mount while punching away. Dollaway hooks the leg and rolls through to top with 15 seconds to go but can't advance position.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Dollaway
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Dollaway
Greg Savage scores the round 10-9 Dollaway

Round 2

Carmont opens up with an array of kicks, tagging Dollaway to the body, then cracking him with a left roundhouse upstairs. Dollaway rushes inside, gets double underhooks and tackles the Frenchman to the mat. Carmont threatens with a kimura while Dollaway continues to try to take his back. Eventually, Dollaway settles for top position, freeing himself from the kimura and then sitting in half guard. He scoops Carmont's legs out and passes to side, while Carmont rolls, shows his back and looks for the kimura again. Carmont gets to his feet, but Dollaway jumps on his back and rides him with one hook in.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Dollaway
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Dollaway
Greg Savage scores the round 10-9 Dollaway

Round 3

Carmont relies on his body kicks again, keeping his workrate high and forcing Dollaway to stay on defense. Carmont goes for a single-leg, but Dollaway shuts it down and winds up on top. Carmont exposes his back trying to scramble up and “The Doberman” sinks a hook in and rides h is back again. Carmont controls the wrist while belly-down to prevent Dolalway from attacking but at the halfway point of the round, the bloody-faced Dollaway gets his back. Carmont sits up against the cage and turns into Dollaway, scrambling back to his feet. Dollaway gets in on anoter single-leg takedown, which is initially shut down, but Dollaway runs the pipe, then yanks Dollaway to the mat. The former Arizona State Sun Devil moves right into mount briefly, landing punches until Carmont shows his back, when he resinks his hooks. Carmont escapes, but Dollaway plays top until the final horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Dollaway (30-27 Dollaway)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Dollaway (30-27 Dollaway)
Greg Savage scores the round 10-9 Dollaway (30-27 Dollaway)

The Official Result

C.B. Dollaway def. Francis Carmont via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) R3 5:00

Gegard Mousasi vs. Mark Munoz

Round 1

Munoz is immediately in pursuit of a single- or double-leg takedown, but Mousasi is having none of it. When he sprawls on the second shot attempt, Munoz locks his hands and brings him from his knees up, elevating him and slamming him with impressive strength. However, Mousasi casually regains his feet and begins stalking forward in the crouch, feinting and jabbing. Munoz wings with a pair of powerful hooks and tries to come inside, but Mousasi circles out. Munoz keeps pressing and eats more punches for his trouble. He shoots again and winds up getting tossed to the mat with Mousasi on top in side control. Mousasi nearly locks up a guillotine with a figure-four grip but Munoz gets free. The Armenian-born fighter is relentless on top. He attacks Munoz with vicious elbows before trying to simply pressure his way into mount. He non-chalantly grabs a neck crank and tries to separate Munoz's face from his body while riding the back. Munoz powers through to his feet and gets a takedown, yet Mousasi lands on his knees and steps over Munoz, rolling right onto his back with one hook in. Munoz goes belly down and Mousasi sinks the choke immediately, prompting the tap. Incredible offensive display from “The Dreamcatcher.”

The Official Result

Gegard Mousasi def. Mark Munoz via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 3:57