UFC 220 ‘Miocic vs. Ngannou’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round-by-Round Scoring

Islam Makhachev vs. Gleison Tibau

Round 1

Makhachev narrowly misses with a front kick up the middle, then takes a leg kick from Tibau as the lightweight southpaws move around the cage and test the range in the opening minute. Makhachev circles backward toward then fence, then steps out toward the center with a jab-overhand left that lands clean on Tibau's chin. Tibau goes stiff and falls to his back, and referee Dan Miragliotta dives in to rescue the dazed Brazilian from any further damage.

The Official Result

Islam Makhachev def. Gleison Tibau via KO (Punch) R1 0:57

Enrique Barzola vs. Matt Bessette

Round 1

Barzola backs up and holds his hands low, waiting for Bessette to initiate an exchange. Neither man really opens up during the first minute, though both connect with low kicks. Bessette ducks under a big overhand right, lands a jab and misses with a nasty uppercut. Barzola gets back up to the fence and grabs the cage, drawing a rebuke from referee Steve Rita. Bessette is looking for a high kick but hasn't been able to find the mark with any of the shots yet. Bessette lands a right hand, but Barzola circles off the fence and cracks "The Mangler" back with a right of his own. With two minutes left, Bessette barely misses connecting with a big left high kick, instead slapping Barzola's shoulder with his foot. Barzola changes levels and wraps up Bessette's legs, then lifts and slams the American to the floor. Bessette grabs for a leg, but Barzola sees the heel hook coming and stands up to avoid danger. Still on his back, Bessette eats a hard punch before scrambling back to his feet with 30 seconds left. Barzola drives Bessette against the fence but can't find a late takedown.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Barzola
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Barzola
Josh Stillman scores the round 10-9 Barzola

Round 2

Bessette backs up Barzola with another head kick attempt; the Peruvian comes off the fence and scores with a body kick. Bessette goes to the body himself, ripping a pair of hooks into the midsection of "El Fuerte." The featherweights trade low kicks, then Barzola lands another that chpos the leg out from underneath Bessette. The Connecticut native jumps back to his feet and continues chasing Barzola around the cage. Bessette slips a punch from Barzola and lands a counter uppercut, but he's quickly hustled against the fence. Barzola can't do anything with the position, and the fighters move back to the center with half the round remaining. Bessette loads up on a few big punches but can't find the mark. Barzola drops for another double, and again is able to lift and slam Bessette to the floor. Barzola stands over his prone opponent, dodges a half-hearted leglock attempt and then staples Bessette's head to the floor with a big right hand. Bessette scrambles back up and is immediately trapped against the fence, defending another Barzola double-leg. Barzola's second effort yields a takedown, and again he's able to zap Bessette with another cracking right hand. Bessette stands with 20 seconds left, only to be slammed back to the mat again just before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Barzola
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Barzola
Josh Stillman scores the round 10-9 Barzola

Round 3

Barzola opens the final round with a hard low kick, then backpedals away as Bessette drives forward, slinging heavy punches. Bessette lands a jab, a body kick, then slips away from Barzola as the Peruvian tries to clinch. Barzola lands another low kick, this time checked by Bessette, who switches stances shortly afterward. Bessette lands a jab-uppercut; Barzola shakes it off. Bessette is the busier fighter here in the final frame, while Barzola can't seem to string together much offense. Two minutes left, and now Barzola stands to press forward. Bessette tries to clinch up and gets shoved away. Now it's Barzola changing levels and pinning Bessette to the wall with a double-leg attempt. Barzola switches to a single, then stands up and holds Bessette in place with double underhooks. Barzola lifts and slams Bessette one more time in the center of the cage, now with 60 seconds on the clock. Barzola lands a few quick left hands on the floor, then stands up and hits the grounded Bessette with harder punches. Bessette stands up and comes forward, and both men finish the fight swinging.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Barzola (30-27 Barzola)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Bessette (29-28 Barzola)
Josh Stillman scores the round 10-9 Barzola (30-27 Barzola)

The Official Result

Enrique Barzola def. Matt Bessette via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Julio Arce vs. Dan Ige

Round 1

Ige presses forward on Arce, catches the southpaw's first kick and drives him to the mat. Arce posts and stands right away, then resumes backing up as Ige is once again the aggressor. Ige dives on a shot from way out, picks the ankle and briefly takes down Arce, but the featherweights are soon back on their feet. Arce ducks under a right hook and tries to clinch Ige against the fence. Ige reverses immediately and Arce bails, back to the center of the cage with two minutes on the clock. Arce catches Ige throwing a lazy right hand and stings him with a blistering counter right. Ige looks dazed as he dives for a takedown, this time shut down by Arce. Wobbling backward to the fence, Ige is under fire, trying to keep his guard up as Arce picks at him with combinations. Ige starts throwing punches in return, but he still looks wobbly, and now Arce cracks him with a heavy left hook. Arce stuffs one last takedown try from Ige just before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Arce
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Arce
Josh Stillman scores the round 10-9 Arce

Round 2

Arce gets a quicker start in round two, probing with jabs and then following through with big right hands. Ige throws a few punches in return, but it's clear that Arce has the speed advantage here. Arce stomps forward and pops Ige with a piston-like jab, and now Ige's face is starting to show the damage he's been taking for the better part of four minutes. Ige throws a slow leg kick and gets lit up by a five- or six-punch combination from the swarming New Yorker. Ige shoots a desperation shot, can't get anything going, and he's forced to backpedal some more as Arce keeps applying pressure. Ige takes a turn coming forward, swipes a right hand across Arce's face, and shoots another single-leg from way out. Arce backs up to the wall -- grabbing the fence in the process -- and keeps his base wide to defend the takedown. Ige keeps working but the takedown doesn't materialize. One more shot from Ige at the end of the round leaves him stuffed to his back with Arce standing over him as the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Arce
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Arce
Josh Stillman scores the round 10-9 Arce

Round 3

Ige fires off a few single punches in the opening minute, but each time he does, he's forced to cover up as Arce swarms him with multi-punch counters. Arce tries to get to the body of Ige, who's backing up against the fence with his gloves glued to his face, trying to avoid Arce's hands. Arce clinches up and hurts Ige with a pair of left hands to the body. Ige hits the ground, perhaps trying to pull guard, but Arce wants him back on his feet. Ige lands a body shot of his own, then shoots a sloppy shot that Arce avoids with ease. Ige is bleeding from a cut on the bridge of his nose, sporting a mouse under his right, and Arce doesn't help the situation as he lands a lead left uppercut. Ige, still looking for a home run, pops the incoming Arce with a counter uppercut; Arce just shakes it off and continues marching forward. Both fighters are still swinging at the final horn.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Arce (30-27 Arce)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Arce (30-27 Arce)
Josh Stillman scores the round 10-9 Arce (30-27 Arce)

The Official Result

Julio Arce def. Dan Ige via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) R3 5:00

Dustin Ortiz vs. Alexandre Pantoja

Round 1

Both flyweights come out swinging big punches, but they soon clinch up and hit the ground. Ortiz tries to take the Brazilian's back, but he's not tight enough and Pantoja is able to twist around and take top position. Ortiz climbs back to his feet as Pantoja tries to take his back. Pantoja keeps Ortiz up against the fence until the BJJ black belt is able to establish one hook, a second hook and then ride Ortiz to the floor. Pantoja switches to a body triangle and starts popping Ortiz with left hands from the rear, trying to soften up the American for a rear-naked choke. Pantoja has three minutes left to work as he maintains the dominant position, even as Ortiz tries to spin and take top position. Pantoja is relentless from the back, switching between choke attempts and peppering body shots, all the while keeping Ortiz locked in the body triangle. Pantoja still can't get the RNC, so he tries to coax a tap from Ortiz with a nasty looking neck crank. Ortiz won't give up, and after he escapes, he peels away Pantoja's hooks and climbs back to his feet. Pantoja is leaning over with both hands on the mat, but Ortiz lands a knee to the head. Referee Dan Miragliotta sees nothing wrong, and Ortiz finishes the round trying to take Pantoja's back.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Pantoja
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Pantoja
Josh Stillman scores the round 10-9 Pantoja

Round 2

Ortiz flashes a jab in Pantoja's face, follows up with a right hook and chases the backpedaling Brazilian around the outside. Ortiz drops to his knees, tries an ankle pick, but Pantoja limp-legs away. Body kick lands from Ortiz, who slips his head off-center and dodges Pantoja's counter. Ortiz looks to be the much fresher fighter, bouncing on his toes in front of a plodding Pantoja. The flyweights clash at the fence, Ortiz using a double-leg to bring Pantoja to his knees. Ortiz tries to pull Pantoja away from the fence and gets just enough room to loop an arm around his back. Ortiz drives knees into the kneeling Pantoja's legs, making the position uncomfortable. Pantoja stands up and turns Ortiz around with underhooks, and now the 125ers break with 70 seconds on the clock. Both fighters connect with hard right hands, rocking one another's heads around. Ortiz changes levels and completes a quick takedown. Pantoja tries to hit the switch but Ortiz keeps him controlled against the wall until round's end.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Ortiz
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Ortiz
Josh Stillman scores the round 10-9 Ortiz

Round 3

Pantoja shoots for an early takedown; Ortiz tries to use the whizzer to escape, loses it and winds up on his seat. Pantoja stays clung to his opponent's waist, trying to establish a dominant top position, while Ortiz throws punches to the Brazilian's body. Ortiz rolls to his knees and nearly has his back taken, though Pantoja is only able to establish one hook. Ortiz is back on his feet with three minutes left, then immediately tripped back to the ground. Pantoja secures back-control with a body triangle this time, and now Ortiz is trapped in the same position where he spent much of round one. Ortiz throws a few punches over his shoulder as Pantoja tries to snake an arm around the American's neck. Ortiz rolls to his knees, then postures up and tries to escape out the back door. Pantoja is riding high, looks like he may try an armbar as he falls off, but he winds up on his back. The flyweights scramble back to their feet with 80 seconds left. Ortiz tries a single-leg at the fence, then an ankle pick, but Pantoja puts both hands on the ground to keep his balance. Pantoja is looking at the ref, maybe trying to get a restart, but Ortiz is keeping busy with knees to the body in the final 30 seconds.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Pantoja (29-28 Pantoja)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Ortiz (29-28 Ortiz)
Josh Stillman scores the round 10-9 Ortiz (29-28 Ortiz)

The Official Result

Dustin Ortiz def. Alexandre Pantoja via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. Sabah Homasi

Round 1

Alhassan hits the incoming Homasi with a hard chop to the lead leg, and Homasi comes back with a kick to the body. Another thwacking kick connects to Homasi's left calf, but as Alhassan tries to step inside, Homasi gives him a hard knee to the gut. Alhassan tries to chase down Homasi with a string of punches, but only a right hand sneaks through. Alhassan catches Homasi jumping in and pops him with a counter, sending Homasi shooting for a takedown. Alhassan stuffs it, Homasi stands up, and now both welterweights connect with flush punches. Homasi shoots again and puts Alhassan on his seat with 2:30 on the clock. Homasi tries to flatten out Alhassan, who is waiting to post and stand as soon as the "Sleek Sheik" gives him enough space. Referee Steve Rita orders the fighters back to their feet, despite Homasi essentially being in side control. On the feet, Alhassan starts to connect with some heavy shots, putting Homasi on his back foot. Alhassan gives chase, loads up on his right hand and absolutely lays waste to Homasi with a clean right uppercut. Homasi drops to his back, out cold, and Alhassan has to be pushed away by the referee after his emphatic finish.

The Official Result

Abdul Razak Alhassan def. Sabah Homasi via KO (Punch) R1 3:47

Kyle Bochniak vs. Brandon Davis

Round 1

Local favorite Bochniak hops around the outside in the opening minute, hands low, while Davis presses out from the center, testing the range with jabs and kicks. Just as the crowd starts to boo after 90 seconds of circling, Bochniak steps in with a one-two. Bochniak catches Davis coming forward and lands a left-handed counter before circling away. Bochniak catches a kick and drives Davis against the fence, switching to a double-leg, then back to a single to complete the takedown. Davis gets an underhook and stands right back up, but Bochniak keeps him pressed against the wall. Bochniak scores another takedown in the final minute of the round, but again is unable to keep Davis on the floor. Bochniak tries to slam Davis in the closing seconds, but the taller fighter keeps his footing this time.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Davis
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Bochniak
Josh Stillman scores the round 10-9 Bochniak

Round 2

Davis lands a leg kick, then another, tries to go back for a third and gets zapped by Bochniak with a right hand over the top. Bochniak lands another right hand, scores with a knee in a brief clinch and then clips Davis with another right to the jaw. Davis responds with a hard leg kick that instantly reddens Bochniak's left knee. Bochniak clinches again, drops to try a takedown and gets pushed away. Davis eats another right hand, tries to high-five Bochniak and gets left hanging. Bochniak ducks under a spinning backfist, grabs Davis around the waist and pushes him against the wall. Davis digs an underhook and uses it to escape back to the center of the cage.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Bochniak
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Bochniak
Josh Stillman scores the round 10-9 Bochniak

Round 3

Davis lands a slapping body kick, then gives the Bostonian a goofy look, seemingly frustrated by the evasive Bochniak's backpedaling. Bochniak shoots in behind a pair of punches, tries to take down Davis with a single-leg at the fence, but Davis keeps his balance. Bochniak eventually secures the takedown, but Davis is back on his feet within seconds. Halfway through the final round, it's Davis plodding forward, hands by his waist. Davis narrowly misses with a step-in knee, then holds up his fingers to tell Bochniak the strike was "this close." Davis times a Bochniak explosion well, wrapping up the wrestler and tripping him to the ground. Bochniak springs back to his feet and resumes his backward circling. Davis snuffs out another shot, but he's tripped up as he circles away, allowing Bochniak to trap him on the fence. Bochniak drops to try a single, gets underhooked and pushed away. Davis lands a couple punches but finishes the fight being pushed against the cage by Bochniak one last time.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Bochniak (29-28 Bochniak)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Davis (29-28 Bochniak)
Josh Stillman scores the round 10-9 Davis (29-28 Bochniak)

The Official Result

Kyle Bochniak def. Brandon Davis via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Thomas Almeida vs. Rob Font

Round 1

Font comes out slinging big right hands over the top, but Almeida is ready and slides backward to avoid the strikes. Almeida lands a low kick, then gets backed up to the fence as Font threatens with a shot. Font clinches briefly and pops Almeida with a right hand on his way out. Almeida lands another leg kick, but again he's hit with a right hand and muscled against the wall. The Brazilian escapes to the center, where Font doubles up on his jab to keep Almeida on the outside. Font ducks inside and gets caught with a left hand; Almeida tacks on a low kick behind it. Font has blocked a few right high kicks now, as Almeida continues to switch up his striking. Two minutes left in the opening round as Font steps into the pocket to land a standing elbow. Almeida keeps chopping at the Bostonian's legs, now knocks Font backward a few steps with a hook. Font tries a left high kick in the closing seconds, but it's countered perfectly by Almeida with a stinging left straight.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Font
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Almeida
Josh Stillman scores the round 10-9 Almeida

Round 2

Font lands a one-two, waits for Almeida to come forward and zaps him with a left hand on the temple. Almeida tumbles to the ground and barely avoids a coffin-nail punch as Font dives after him. Almeida blocks a back-take from Font and climbs back to his feet, still looking a little wobbly. Font jams him against the fence, backs up a step and lands an uppercut. Body shots from Font now, trying to take out the wounded Almeida. Font scores a trip takedown, but Almeida is back up immediately, and now "Thominhas" seems to have recovered from the knockdown. Halfway through the round, Font continues to press forward, moving Almeida backward toward the fence. Font steps into the pocket, slips an Almeida left hand and wheels up with a beautiful right head kick. Almeida is dazed but still on his feet; Font helps him to the ground with a rapid-fire series of uppercuts. Almeida is hurt bad, and a couple hammerfists from Font are all referee Herb Dean needs to see before stopping the fight.

The Official Result

Rob Font def. Thomas Almeida via TKO (Head Kick and Punches) R2 2:24

Francimar Barroso vs. Gian Villante

Round 1

Villante pushes Barroso to the outside in the first 30 seconds, then narrowly misses with a big right hand over the top. Barroso is biting on Villante's early feints, now eats a right hand from the American. Villante keeps applying pressure, stings Barroso with an uppercut, but the Brazilian fires back with a hard leg kick. Halfway through the round, Barroso continues to circle to his left with his back a few inches from the fence. Villante keeps swinging big power punches, one shot at a time, and now Barroso is doing a better job of getting out of the way. Barroso connects with a body shot, gets clipped with an overhand right and hits Villante with another hard leg kick. The 205ers exchange low kicks in the final 30 seconds, and Barroso steps backward to avoid a few telegraphed Villante right hands.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Villante
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Villante
Josh Stillman scores the round 10-9 Villante

Round 2

Barroso gets backed up to the fence early on, but he's firing back at Villante in the pocket. Villante looks to be landing the better punches, stuffing hard jabs in Barroso's face. Barroso lands a left hook but takes an inside leg kick on the cup; he only needs a few seconds to recover from the accidental foul. Villante times a low kick and counters with a straight right hand that turns Barroso's head. Now it's Villante landing a leg kick and getting hit with a counter over the top. Halfway through the round and the fight, Villante continues to press forward, as he has for nearly the entire bout. Villante is still hunting for the knockout, throwing two or three punches at most, but usually just trying to decapitate Barroso with one shot. Barroso is getting stumbly as the round goes on, tripping over his feet as he circles left around the edge of the cage.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Villante
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Villante
Josh Stillman scores the round 10-9 Villante

Round 3

Villante lands a straight right hand down the center, goes to the body of Barroso with a kick, then gets backed up by the Brazilian's right hand. Barroso follows with a low kick but has to dash away when Villante opens up with a combination. Barroso goes to the body with a kick-knee, lands a left hand, but it's Villante putting "Bodao" on rollerskates with a counter left of his own. Barroso goes back to circling away, drawing a frustrated arm raise from Villante, who apparently wants the Brazilian to stick around and engage in more striking exchanges. Inside the final two minutes, it's still Villante coming forward, still Barroso backing up, still both men throwing power punches. Barroso turns Villante's head with a right hand, then steps inside to deliver an elbow strike. The light heavyweights continue their dance around the outside until the final horn, and this one will be decided by the judges.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Villante (30-27 Villante)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Villante (30-27 Villante)
Josh Stillman scores the round 10-9 Villante (30-27 Villante)

The Official Result

Gian Villante def. Francimar Barroso via Split Decision (30-27, 30-27, 28-29) R3 5:00

Shane Burgos vs. Calvin Kattar

Round 1

Burgos strikes first with a speedy right hand over the top, then flicks a long jab in Burgos' face. A glancing left hook scores for Burgos, now another stiff jab. Suddenly, Kattar finds his range, twice snapping back Burgos' head with a pair of straight right hands. Kattar keeps his jab pumping, quickly reddening the face of Burgos. Two minutes in, Kattar gets Burgos moving his head with a jab, then zaps him with a straight left to the side of the head. Burgos is controlling the center of the cage, moving Kattar around the outside, and now the New Yorker hits Kattar with a thudding body shot. Kattar counters a low kick with a right hand over the top; Burgos lands a two-piece, follows with a low kick as he continues to walk Kattar backward around the outside. Kattar sticks a nice jab on Burgos' grill, then goes to the breadbasket with a left.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Kattar
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Kattar
Josh Stillman scores the round 10-9 Kattar

Round 2

Burgos resumes his forward motion at the start of the second stanza, but Kattar continues to get the better of the striking exchanges while fighting off his back foot. Burgos is eating some hard jabs as he plods forward, and now Kattar forces him to fight off a takedown attempt against the fence. The featherweights circle back to the center, where Kattar pops Burgos with a couple more jabs. Burgos rips into the body of Kattar with a big left hand, and suddenly Kattar's offense drops off. Perhaps smelling blood, Burgos starts to get busy with combinations, going body-head with his punches and to the legs with kicks. Kattar gets pushed against the fence, where Burgos slugs him with a right hook, then uses the same hand to hit Kattar's ribs. Kattar paws at his face, spreading the blood from a cut on the bridge of his nose. Inside the final minute of round two, the featherweights go toe-to-toe in the center, where Kattar connects with an uppercut, an inside leg kick. Burgos lands a pair of body shots to Kattar's already reddened midsection.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Burgos
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Burgos
Josh Stillman scores the round 10-9 Burgos

Round 3

Burgos opens with an inside leg kick, gets clipped with a right hand over the top. Burgos is holding his hands low as he stands in the pocket, and Kattar makes him pay with a clean, straight right hand. As Burgos stumbles foward, trying to keep his footing, Kattar blasts him with an uppercut. Burgos somehow keeps his footing, but when Kattar chases him down to land another uppercut, the New Yorker hits the deck. Kattar pounces on his downed opponent, landing left hands as Burgos tries to crawl away. Just as Burgos is climbing back to his feet, referee Dan Miragliotta decides that he's seen enough and steps in to halt the bout. Burgos doesn't appear to be disputing the stoppage, and the Boston crowd goes wild as Kattar jumps atop the cage.

The Official Result

Calvin Kattar def. Shane Burgos via TKO (Punches) R3 0:32

UFC Light Heavyweight Championship:
Daniel Cormier vs. Volkan Oezdemir

Round 1

Referee Kevin MacDonald is the third man in the cage for the first half of tonight's championship doubleheader, scheduled for five rounds at 205 pounds. Oezdemir comes out swinging but can't put his big right hand on the ducking and weaving champion. Cormier does duck into a left hook but eats it well, and now tries to clinch and grapple with the challenger. Oezdemir shoves him away and lands the left hand again, then presses forward, backing up "DC" to the fence. Cormier tries twice more to grab hold of Oezdemir, but "No Time" breaks away in a hurry on both occasions. Cormier fakes a shot and tries to duck under, but Oezdemir dashes away. Cormier sticks Oezdemir with a jab, now lands a leg kick as the pace slows a bit in the middle of the round. Cormier dodges a big right hand, takes a jab to the midsection. Oezdemir is just starting to get busy again when "DC" begins pressing forward. A big right hand from the champ appears to hurt Oezdemir, and Cormier follows up with a pair of quick uppercuts. Oezdemir is wiping at his right eye, which is starting to swell up inside the final minute. Cormier drops for a single and spins Oezdemir to the ground in the center of the cage. Oezdemir tries to crawl away, giving up his back, and Cormier locks on a rear-naked choke just as time runs out.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Cormier
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cormier
Josh Stillman scores the round 10-9 Cormier

Round 2

Cormier only waits about 20 seconds before shooting the single-leg, then quickly puts Oezdemir on the ground near the middle of the cage. Oezdemir tries to roll to his side and gets caught in a mounted crucifix, leaving his face wide open for Cormier's right hands. Cormier mixes in a few elbows as he continues to pin Oezdemir to the canvas. Cormier isn't landing big shots, but with Oezdemir completely trapped and eating strike after unanswered strike, referee MacDonald opts to wave off the contest. Daniel Cormier retains his UFC light heavyweight championship with a second-round stoppage of Volkan Oezdemir.

The Official Result

Daniel Cormier def. Volkan Oezdemir via TKO (Punches) R2 2:00

UFC Heavyweight Championship:
Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou

Round 1

Veteran official Herb Dean is the referee for tonight's main event, five rounds for the UFC heavyweight title. Ngannou strikes first with a left high kick that Miocic takes on the arm. Miocic quickly drops levels and tries to double-leg the Frenchman to the ground. Ngannou springs back up before he's fully taken down, then swats Miocic away with a left hand. Miocic comes back to try the single again, but Ngannou isn't having it. Here comes Ngannou again, backing up Miocic to the fence. Miocic ducks under and out to the center, but Ngannou soon has him backed up again. Ngannou is swinging for the fences with overhands and uppercuts; Miocic is staying out of danger with good head movement, only barely dodging the strikes. Miocic slows things down in the middle of the round with a clinch on the fence; Ngannou breaks out after a few seconds and walks down the champion with more punches. Miocic ducks under again, sprints away to reset and then pops the incoming challenger with a stiff jab. Ngannou jabs him back, then eats an overhand right that gets his attention. Miocic changes levels again and this time drives Ngannou to the canvas in the center of the cage. Miocic works from side control, pressing his forearm across Ngannou's throat, maybe even trying to get a tap. Ngannou is flat on his back as Miocic leans across to his left side, framing up an armlock. Miocic gives up on the arm and drops a few hammerfists, but when he tries to lock up a guillotine, Ngannou finds the room to get back to his feet. With 30 seconds left, Ngannou creeps forward, loading up on more heavy punches. Miocic gets grazed by an uppercut, pops up and counters the flailing Ngannou with a straight right. As he backpedals, Ngannou rattles Miocic's brain with a big right hook. Miocic shoots a desperation shot and takes down Ngannou once more at the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Miocic
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Miocic
Josh Stillman scores the round 10-9 Miocic

Round 2

Miocic comes out for round two sporting some significant swelling underneath his left eye. Nonetheless, it's the champion doing the better work in the standup department as the heavyweights go toe-to-toe in the center of the cage. Ngannou, meanwhile, has slowed down significantly, his punches pulling up well short as the fresher Miocic dips out of the way. Midway through round two, Ngannou looks absolutely exhausted, inching toward Miocic with his hands held low. Miocic ducks into an uppercut and then drives forward for a takedown that plants Ngannou on his knees at the base of the fence. Miocic leans his weight on the kneeling challenger, peppering with short left hands. When Miocic stops throwing strikes, referee Dean calls for action. Ngannou looks trapped with nowhere to go, stuck kneeling against the fence while Miocic abuses him with left hands and knees to the body. Miocic tries to apply a rear-naked choke but can't get it sunk before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Miocic
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Miocic
Josh Stillman scores the round 10-9 Miocic

Round 3

Miocic waits about 25 seconds before shooting on Ngannou's legs and driving the Frenchman backward to the fence. Ngannou resists the takedown at first, but Miocic's second effort eventually yields the takedown. The heavyweights are back in the same position from round one, with Ngannou kneeling at the base of the wall, albeit with his left side to the fence this time instead of his right. Ngannou powers back to his feet two minutes into the round, and Miocic makes sure that he remains pinned against the fence. Ngannou finally shoves him away, and the big men meet back in the center at the halfway point of the round and the fight. Suddenly, Ngannou uncorks a heavy right hook that rocks Miocic's head and forces the champion to circle away. Miocic reverses directions and changes levels, then drives Ngannou to the ground, immediately neutralizing any advantage the challenger just gained. Miocic postures up in Ngannou's half guard and drops heavy right hands on his face. Ngannou looks on the verge of being stopped when he tangles up Miocic's arms and slows the assault. Referee Dean calls for work in the final 20 seconds, and Miocic obliges with a couple late punches and grinding elbows.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Miocic
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Miocic
Josh Stillman scores the round 10-9 Miocic

Round 4

Ngannou plods forward, backing up Miocic to the fence -- but just as his back nears the wall, the champion explodes forward and plows Ngannou to the ground with yet another double-leg takedown. Ngannou holds Miocic in half guard, then grabs for a heel hook, prompting Miocic to stand up and extract his leg. Ngannou is so tired that he has no chance of standing up before Miocic dives back to the ground, and the champion actually improves on his previous position by coming down to side control. Ngannou gets to his knees and leans against the fence, but Miocic isn't letting him go anywhere, laying all of his weight on top of the exhausted challenger. Miocic holds Ngannou in a front headlock as referee Dean claps his hands, calling for more action. The champ hears the ref and turns up the volume on his left hands, socking Ngannou in the side of the head. Ngannou slumps forward briefly but comes back up to avoid a stoppage. With 65 seconds left in the fourth round, Ngannou looks absolutely finished, kneeling against the fence with his head down as Miocic tees off with punches and elbows. Miocic lands about a dozen right hands to the body in the last 10 seconds, and Ngannou never looks close to getting up.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-8 Miocic
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-7 Miocic
Josh Stillman scores the round 10-8 Miocic

Round 5

Miocic gets double underhooks and traps Ngannou against a cage post. There's nothing happening in the clinch, causing referee Dean to call for work after a few seconds of leaning on the fence. Miocic drops levels for a shot and gets caught in a front headlock, with Ngannou looking to cinch up a guillotine. The choke never appears to put Miocic in danger, and he soon pulls his head free to resume shooting. Ngannou stands him up, and finally referee Dean breaks up the clinch. The big men meet back in the middle with just over two minutes on the clock. Ngannou is still swinging big right hands, and Miocic wants nothing to do with them at this late stage, opting to stay on the outside as the last 90 seconds tick down. Ngannou tries to close the distance, but each time he gets near, Miocic darts away. Ngannou leaps at Miocic with a flying knee, but the Ohioan catches it and shoves Ngannou against the wall for the final 20 seconds. Stipe Miocic raises his arm even before the horn has sounded, knowing that the scorecards are academic and he has surely retained his UFC heavyweight belt.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Miocic (50-44 Miocic)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Miocic (50-42 Miocic)
Josh Stillman scores the round 10-9 Miocic (50-44 Miocic)

The Official Result

Stipe Miocic def. Francis Ngannou via Unanimous Decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-44) R5 5:00