UFC 203 ‘Miocic vs. Overeem’ Results: Play-by-Play & Updates

Yancy Medeiros vs. Sean Spencer

Round 1

Medeiros extends a long lead hand and pushes forward on Spencer with his left hand cocked, but Spencer circles out to the center after nearly backing into the fence. It’s a slow start from the welterweights as they paw with punches; Spencer commits to a few combinations but has trouble finding the mark against his southpaw opponent. Medeiros whiffs on a spinning backfist, connects with a body kick soon afterward. Medeiros continues to come forward and gets slowed down with a few hard leg kicks. Spencer appears to be stung by a high kick and then misses badly on a shot, but he scrambles up before Medeiros can capitalize on the error. Spencer closes the round with some of his best strikes, a series of punches that backs up Medeiros to the fence in the final moments.

Sherdog Scores

TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Spencer
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Spencer
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Medeiros

Round 2

Medeiros catches Spencer with another left high kick, this one much cleaner than the partially landed shot in the opening round. The Hawaiian watches his opponent tilt to the ground and tries to finish him off with a guillotine, but Spencer fends it off. Medeiros is all over Spencer, transitioning straight onto his back and wrapping up a tight rear-naked choke to force the tap.

The Official Result

Yancy Medeiros def. Sean Spencer via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 0:49

Drew Dober vs. Jason Gonzalez

Round 1

Dober fires off a few overhand lefts, trying to close the gap on the taller Gonzalez before shooting for a double-leg against the fence. Gonzalez fights off the takedown and steps forward on his fellow southpaw, while Dober hops backward. An inside thigh kick from Dober lands to the cup of Gonzalez, prompting referee Jerry Poe to pause the action. Gonzalez recovers after a minute or so and resumes the fight with increased aggression, firing violent jabs and kicks in Dober’s direction. A powerful overhand right from Dober backs up Gonzalez to the fence, where Dober crushes him with another right hand and five or six follow-up punches. The last sequence knocks out Gonzalez’s mouthpiece and sends him slumping to the canvas, unconscious.

The Official Result

Drew Dober def. Jason Gonzalez via KO (Punches) R1 1:45

Nik Lentz vs. Michael McBride

Round 1

Lentz connects with a cracking overhand right that puts McBride on wobbly legs, but Lentz doesn’t seem to recognize the trouble in which he’s put his opponent. A few seconds later, McBride takes another sweeping right hand across the face, but he fights off Lentz’s ensuing takedown attempt. Lentz comes back to clinch up with McBride again, and this time the wrestler hurls his man to the floor. McBride stands up at the fence, only to be ragdolled back to the canvas by Lentz, who is glued on with a rear bodylock. McBride rolls underneath and tries to fit a heel hook, but Lentz stands up, extracts the leg and repositions himself. Now it’s Lentz on top with more than half the round remaining, looping his left arm around McBride’s head as he tries to sit up. McBride drops back to his knees and clings to Lentz’s legs, while Lentz tries to take off his head with wild hammerfists. Lentz gets a little more precise with his punches now, looping one underneath McBride’s armpit and slamming another into the left side of his head. McBride is just stuck on his knees, burying his head, trying to ride out this assault while hanging on to Lentz’s legs. McBride finally rolls onto his back with 40 seconds remaining, and Lentz goes straight to full mount. McBride turns over, giving up his back, but Lentz can’t do anything with the dominant position before time runs out.

Sherdog Scores

TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Lentz
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Lentz
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Lentz

Round 2

McBride tries to fend off Lentz’s early advance with long punches, but McBride is looking exhausted and the punches are slow. Lentz marches forward with impunity, connects with an overhand right, but gets clipped with a right hook that loops around to the back of his head. Lentz drops to his knees and McBride tries to jump on his back, but Lentz slips loose and scrambles to come out on top. Suddenly, it’s McBride having to defend his back from Lentz, who’s threatening with one hook in and more than three minutes on the clock. Lentz moves to the front and briefly considers an arm-triangle choke, but McBride rolls to his knees again. McBride struggles back to his feet and immediately dragged to the ground at the base of the fence. He kicks off the fence but Lentz rolls right with him, never losing top position even when McBride creates space with his long legs. With 70 seconds left, Lentz gets on McBride’s back again and begins unloading with punches. Referee Gary Copeland is having a close look now, and with McBride not offering anything in return, the ref steps in to halt the bout.

The Official Result

Nik Lentz def. Michael McBride via TKO (Punches) R2 4:17

Caio Magalhaes vs. Brad Tavares

Round 1

Tavares lands a few hard leg kicks inside during an opening minute without much action. In the second minute, Tavares sneaks through a three-piece combination, but he’s forced on the defensive when Magalhaes shoots deep on a single-leg takedown attempt. The Brazilian pushes Tavares against the fence, still working for the takedown, but he gives it up at the halfway mark in favor of a clinch. Tavares breaks loose and steps back to the center, where the middleweights resume their circling. Magalhaes gets another clinch and shoves Tavares to the outside, but this time Tavares is able to reverse with an underhook. Magalhaes uses over-unders to reclaim the outside position, but there’s little happening in the clinch aside from a few low knees. Tavares pushes off the fence, still tangled with Magalhaes, who scores a hard knee to the gut and puts Tavares’ back to the wall one more time before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-10
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Magalhaes
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-10

Round 2

It’s another slow start as the first minute of round two ticks by with little in the way of effective striking. The middleweights tie up and grapple on the fence, Tavares taking the outside position, but again there’s not much to see here. Magalhaes breaks off midway through the round and absorbs a few leg kicks from Tavares as they circle. Magalhaes strikes back with a hard low kick of his own but swings and misses with a heavy punching combination. The Brazilian shoots low and has his head snared by Tavares’ left arm as he pushes against the fence. Magalhaes extracts his head and completes the takedown, but Tavares is back on his feet seconds later, holding Magalhaes against the cage to end the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Tavares
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Tavares
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Tavares

Round 3

Tavares brings the fight to the fence early in the final round, hugging Magalhaes against the wall with an underhook. When Tavares drops to try a takedown, Magalhaes snares him in a guillotine and drops to guard. Tavares looks to be in danger for a moment, but he slips his head loose and both men climb back to their feet with just under three minutes remaining. Tavares lands a looping left hand, a straight right, and now Magalhaes shoots for a takedown. Tavares brushes him off and lands another right, now a chopping leg kick. Inside the final two minutes now, Magalhaes is getting a bit reckless with his punches, leaving himself exposed to Tavares’ counter right hands. Tavares blocks a long, diving shot and closes out the fight with a jumping knee to Magalhaes’ body, then a pair of punches..

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Tavares (30-28 Tavares)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Tavares (29-28 Tavares)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Tavares (30-28 Tavares)

The Official Result

Brad Tavares def. Caio Magalhaes via Split Decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Jessica Eye vs. Bethe Correia

Round 1

Correia has her head snapped back with Eye’s first right hand of the bout; the Brazilian twitches reflexively as she registers the strike and backs up. Eye pushes forward but doesn’t swarm her opponent, who recovers quickly and hops in angles around the outside. Correia connects with a right straight of her own, but Eye eats it and continues pressing forward with jabs and leg kicks. Correia skitters away from an exchange, throws a leg kick and gets tripped to the ground, but she’s right back on her feet seconds later. Eye continues to weave her way forward, staying measured in her approach with crisp jabs and not many wasted strikes. Correia is struggling to get into striking range; when she pushes off the cage, Eye slides backward and waits to counter. Correia jams Eye against the fence with a tight clinch, just pinning the American to the wall in the final 20 seconds.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Eye
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Eye
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Eye

Round 2

Correia takes the center of the cage and tries to up her aggression in the opening minute of the second round, but she’s still having difficulty closing the distance and finding Eye with her strikes. Worse, Eye continues to connect with solid counters and stiff jabs, marking up the Brazilian’s face. Two minutes in, Correia is starting to score with jabs of her own, but she turns away from an exchang, apparently complaining of an eye poke. Referee Marc Goddard tells the pair to fight on, and Eye gets back to work straight away with her jabs and counters. Correia is landing here and there, but Eye’s volume and variety of strikes look to keep her in the driver’s seat. Correia connects with a right hand that snaps back Eye’s head, but Eye blocks the takedown attempt behind it, then stuffs another shot a few seconds later. Correia is trying again to clinch up toward the end of the round, but Eye isn’t having it.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Eye
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Eye
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Eye

Round 3

The bantamweights clash low kicks at the start of the round before settling into their familiar pattern: Correia following Eye around the cage, Eye flicking out long jabs to keep Correia out of range. Correia lands a long left hand over the top and slips off center to avoid Eye’s counter fire. It’s slow going through the middle of the frame, with neither woman landing much offense of note. Correia comes over the top with another solid right hand, and again Eye eats it and circles away. Eye isn’t looking to engage here, and she appears content in allowing Correia to chase her around the cage, countering when the opportunity arises. Inside the final minute, Correia wraps up Eye in a bodylock and shoves her against the cage. Both women throw short punches, neither doing much damage, and they separate just before the final horn. Both fighters raise their arms at the end, both clearly thinking they’ve done enough to take the decision on the judges’ scorecards.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Correia (29-28 Eye)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Correia (29-28 Eye)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Correia (29-28 Eye)

The Official Result

Bethe Correia def. Jessica Eye via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Joanne Calderwood vs. Jessica Andrade

Round 1

Calderwood throws long kicks at the legs and body of the shorter Andrade, looking to keep her on the outside. Andrade lobs a few punches over the top and steps forward to clinch, backing up “Jojo” to the fence. Andrade hoists Calderwood into the air with a powerful single-leg and then dumps her to the ground. Calderwood climbs back to her feet and is quickly hurled to the canvas again. This time, the fighters land away from the fence, where Andrade has room to stack up Calderwood and pass to side control. Calderwood grabs for a leglock from the bottom, can’t get it, but does succeed in putting Andrade in guard. “Bate Estaca” lifts and slams Calderwood back to the base of the fence, now midway through the opening round. Calderwood opens her guard, fishing for a triangle or armbar with her long legs, but Andrade denies any potential submission and passes back to side control. Calderwood gets a deep half guard by trapping Andrade’s right leg, but Andrade simply postures up and slams the Scottish fighter with hammerfists. Andrade stands briefly to pass and gets clipped with an upkick. She drops back down to hit Calderwood with a few punches. Calderwood tries to stand and drives her head straight into a guillotine by Andrade, who jumps guard and squeezes to finish the choke. Calderwood resists for a moment but is forced to submit with only seconds left in the round.

The Official Result

Jessica Andrade def. Joanne Calderwood via Submission (Guillotine Choke) R1 4:38

Urijah Faber vs. Jimmie Rivera

Round 1

Rivera catches an early kick from Faber but can’t do anything with it; Faber returns the favor by shooting for a takedown, but Rivera shuts down the attempt. Rivera catches Faber leaning in again and zaps him with a right hook. Faber inches forward again, alternating between orthodox and southpaw stance. Rivera looks to grab a collar tie and fire off an uppercut, but Faber hops away from the exchange. Faber is shaking out his right hand midway through the opening round, now holding the hand open and only jabbing with his left. Down to the final minute of the opening round, Rivera begins chopping at Faber’s lead leg with low kicks. Faber continues to come forward until the horn, but he’s still only jabbing with his left hand.

Sherdog Scores

TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Rivera
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Rivera
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Rivera

Round 2

Rivera takes a kick to the groin in the first 30 seconds of the round, but after a brief pause from referee Gary Copeland, the bantamweights get back to business. Rivera controls the center of the cage, while Faber inches around the outside with herky-jerky steps. A steady stream of low kicks from Rivera looks to be taking a toll on Faber, who is briefly knocked to the ground after one hard chop to the legs. The kicks continue to be Rivera’s most effective weapon down the stretch, as Faber is staying outside the Tiger Schulmann student’s punching range. When Faber tries to get inside near the end of the round, howevr, Rivera makes him pay with an uppercut-left hook combo.

Sherdog Scores

TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Rivera
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Rivera
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Rivera

Round 3

Faber comes out swinging wild punches and takes aim at Rivera’s head with a stomping front kick, but the “California Kid” can’t connect with any of his significant strike attempts here. Rivera fends off a single-leg attempt and leans in to clip Faber with a right hook in the next exchange. Faber gets caught leaning in again and has the lead leg kicked out from under him, but the Team Alpha Male fighter is right back on his feet seconds later. Faber wades into an exchange with both hands wide open and pokes Rivera in the right eye. Referee Copeland calls for the doctor to check on Rivera, who is cleared to continue after a quick vision test. The fight resumes with just over three minutes on the clock, and Rivera resumes his leg-kicking. Faber hops into the pocket and takes a right hand to the body, then one upstairs. More leg kicks score for Rivera, while Faber stays on the outside, seemingly waiting for something. Faber tries to catch the next kick, can’t keep hold of Rivera’s foot. Inside the final minute, Rivera touches Faber’s face with an overhand right and follows with a left to the body. Faber marches forward in the last half minute but doesn’t mount much in the way of a final attack, and this one will go to the judges.

Sherdog Scores

TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Rivera (30-27 Rivera)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Rivera (30-27 Rivera)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Rivera (30-27 Rivera)

The Official Result

Jimmie Rivera def. Urijah Faber via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

CM Punk vs. Mickey Gall

Round 1

“Punk” walks straight across the cage at Gall, who shoots low and drives the pro-wrestler to the ground in an instant. Gall passes to side control and slams the MMA newcomer with punches before leaning across Punk’s body to work for a crucifix. Punk tries to post and stand, giving up his back in the process. Gall jumps on and flattens out Punk, belly-down at the base of the fence. Punk sits up and Gall sits up with him, then pulls him backward to work for a choke. Punk rolls to his knees and covers up as Gall slams away with heavy left hands. Referee Keith Peterson is on his knees right in front of the fighters, taking a close look as Gall reddens Punk’s face with more punches. Punk leaves his neck exposed and Gall slaps on a tight rear-naked choke, forcing the former WWE star to tap out.

The Official Result

Mickey Gall def. CM Punk via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 2:14

Fabricio Werdum vs. Travis Browne

Round 1

Werdum comes flying across the cage and leaps at Browne with a kick but doesn’t connect. The Brazilian’s first takedown attempt is a shot from a mile away, easily stuffed by Browne. Werdum tries a wild somersault kick, lands on his back and grabs for Browne’s legs, but “Hapa” isn’t having it. Browne comes away from the next exchange pointing at his right glove, but referee Gary Copeland doesn’t get between the fighters quickly enough and Werdum charges in to land a punch. The doctor comes in to check on Browne and what looks to be a hand injury; after a brief consultation, referee Copeland allows the fight to continue. Werdum cracks Browne with a right hand on the jaw and clinches up behind it, jamming the taller man against the cage to land some short punches. Browne breaks loose and denies Werdum again as the BJJ black belt grabs for his legs. Browne comes over the top with a left hand as they enter the final two minutes of round one. Werdum is leaving his kicks out there for Browne to grab, perhaps trying to bait the American down to the ground. Instead, it’s a straight right hand that turns Browne’s head and sends him to the canvas. Werdum pounces and tries to pound out his wounded opponent as the final minute ticks down. Werdum hops on the kneeling Browne’s back and gets his left arm across the face. Browne fights off the face crack/rear-naked choke attempt, so Werdum spends the final moments of the round dropping punches instead.

Sherdog Scores

TJ De Santis scores the round 10-8 Werdum
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-8 Werdum
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Werdum

Round 2

Werdum tries to lure Browne to the ground with some more wild kicks, falling to the mat after each attempt but never convincing “Hapa” to join him. Back on the feet, Browne is throwing only with his left hand, having apparently injured his right during round one. Werdum stays on his back foot, waiting for Browne to throw, which leads to a stalemate at the midway point of the round. Werdum gets through with a few solid kicks to the body, while Browne continues to search for a home for his punches against his evasive opponent. Werdum is pawing at his eye in the final minute, having apparently taken a poke, but nothing comes of it.

Sherdog Scores

TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Werdum
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Werdum
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-10

Round 3

After a slow opening minute, Werdum gets to work with three or four solid kicks to the inside and outside of Browne’s lead leg. Browne continues to flick out his left-handed jab, keeping his right hand cocked but rarely letting it fly. Werdum grabs for a single-leg and is shoved away by “Hapa.” The Brazilian keeps Browne at bay with push kicks to the chest and stomach, though it hardly seems to matter as Browne isn’t letting go with much offense at this point. Browne narrowly misses on a high kick, denies a Thai clinch attempt from Werdum and pumps his jab again. Browne finally connects with a right hand to the body and takes a deep breath. Werdum lunges at Browne with a scissor takedown attempt but can’t get him to the ground. Browne comes forward swinging in the final 20 seconds, but Werdum just lands a body kick and then backs out of harm’s way again.

Sherdog Scores

TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Werdum (30-26 Werdum)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Werdum (30-26 Werdum)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Werdum (30-27 Werdum)

The Official Result

Fabricio Werdum def. Travis Browne via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-27, 29-28) R3 5:00

UFC Heavyweight Title Fight:
Stipe Miocic vs. Alistair Overeem

Round 1

English referee Marc Goddard is the third man in the cage for tonight’s heavyweight main event, scheduled for five rounds. Miocic pushes the pace in the opening minute, walking forward on Overeem with punches and kicks. The Dutchman dashes around the perimeter befor reversing momentum and decking the champion with a left hand on the jaw. Miocic hits the floor in the center of the cage, dazed from the flash knockdown, but he fights his way out of Overeem’s guillotine attempt and rises back to his feet. Another hard left hand slows down Miocic momentarily, but he’s soon on the march again, pressing forward to tag Overeem with a right straight. Overeem backs up to the fence, bobbing and weaving to avoid Miocic’s follow-up attack. Overeem connects with a kick to the body, another left hook, now an uppercut, but Miocic stays standing. Overeem is showing some funky angles, crouching low as Miocic approaches and then springing up to swat at the American with left hands. Miocic catches an awkward kick and runs Overeem to the ground with 45 seconds left in the opening round. The champion stacks up his challenger and stands to drop right hands on Overeem’s jaw. The first punch doesn’t seem to have any effect; the second knocks Overeem out cold, and the third and fourth bounce his unconscious head off the canvas before referee Goddard can run in for the stoppage. The Cleveland crowd goes wild as hometown favorite Stipe Miocic defends his UFC heavyweight belt with a first-round knockout.

The Official Result

Stipe Miocic def. Alistair Overeem via KO (Punches) R1 4:27