UFC 258 ‘Usman vs. Burns’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Miranda Maverick (125.5) vs. Gillian Robertson (125.5)

Round 1

The bout was canceled Saturday evening after Robertson fell ill with a non-COVID-related ailment. The news was first reported by ESPN.

Gabriel Green (169.5) vs. Philip Rowe (171)

Round 1

The UFC is back on pay-per-view again, with a now 10-fight card that has a little bit for everybody – except any matchup above 185 pounds. We kick things off with one lone ESPN+ preliminary match at welterweight, between two men who post 100 percent finish rates in Green (9-3, 0-1 UFC) and Rowe (7-2, 0-0 UFC). Referee Mark Smith will need to keep his head on a swivel when these two welterweights go at it, but they respectfully touch gloves before trying to figuratively knock the other’s head off. Rowe starts off with a quick leg kick, and a snappy jab as he keeps Green at bay. Rowe stays on the end of a sharp jab, and follows it with a left-right combination that gets Green’s attention. Green responds with a slick leg kick, but Rowe is ready with a thudding combination on the chin. Green is not concerned by these strikes, and he works the lead leg again with a heavy kick. Rowe circles along the outside, and Green targets the low leg again. As Rowe escapes, Green lands another leg kick, and the two have a wild and dangerous exchange where they both land flush. Neither take a step back, and Rowe fires off a leg kick and a head kick as he strafes to the side. Green crashes forward to clinch up, avoiding any shots on the way in but ultimately getting turned against the fence for a moment. “Gifted” Green drags Rowe down, where he is already in half guard while Rowe tries to scramble and stand up. Green is having none of that, as he successfully hits a mat return, but gets swept when taking mount as he fishes for an arm-triangle choke. Rowe sits in mount comfortably, and rides a bucking Green and keeping Green stuck on the canvas. Green pursues a leglock to try to get up, but Rowe ignores it, steps over and climbs into mount. A slick Rowe lines up an armbar from an unusual angle, and he transitions into a triangle choke but he cannot cinch it up. The two stand up together, and Green ties up a standing arm-triangle choke, where he uses the position to put Rowe on his back and it is tight. Rowe walks off the cage to survive the choke attempt, and powers through a potential head lock to get back to his feet once more. As the two jockey for position in the clinch, the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rowe
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rowe
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rowe

Round 2

The welterweights clap hands again to begin the round, and Green sneaks low and hits a quick takedown right out of the gate. Rowe blasts his way back up, but Green is on him landing bombs. Rowe shells up against the fence, allowing Green to work the body and force Rowe to retreat. Green lets loose a few kicks, and one collides directly with the cup to force a stoppage. Rowe takes less than 90 seconds to clock back in, and they touch gloves again. Green walks forward and fires off a missile of a right hand, and the shot rocks Rowe. Green charges in, sensing his man is in danger, and he starts loading up on power strikes while Rowe is in big trouble. Green starts flailing strikes, and in the midst of his flurry, a right hand pounds into Rowe’s cup to draw another pause. There is no point deduction, and Rowe is ready to go in just about one minute. Green hammers a leg kick home, and he is out firing with heavy punches that sting Rowe again. Rowe backs up, and he latches on to a standing guillotine choke, but Green does not appear concerned as he pulls his head out. Both welterweights twist back and forth in the clinch against the fence, but neither can get any strikes of note off or gain leverage for a takedown in the process. They get off short knees here and there, until Green decides to break and he pushes off Rowe’s face. “Gifted” presents a gift of his fists to Rowe’s head, but Rowe walks back to the center of the cage, winds up and nails Green on the chin. Green eats it like a steak and walks forward to throw, and the two start trading wildly. Green scores a left hand, Rowe throws back a few back at him, and Green lands once more. Rowe backs off to get back to his distance striking game of jabs and long push kicks. Green marches forward to slam his shin into Rowe’s thigh, and he lets loose with a few strikes. Rowe tries to respond, but he gets his leg kicked out from beneath him. Green dives on top, where he drops down a few heavy punches and threatens with a guillotine choke before bailing on it. Rowe reverses the position in a scramble, and he ends the round on top.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Green
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Green
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Green

Round 3

One last touch of gloves checks in the round, and the two measure one another with jabs. Green does not bite on a feinted takedown, and Rowe walks forward to stick him with a few jabs. Rowe lands a right hand, and Green blasts his foe with a calf kick that has Rowe limping around the cage. Green does not attack it again, and instead targets the body only to get taken down. “Gifted” defends off his back with punches to the body and utilizes butterfly hooks, but Rowe stays heavy to keep Green trapped on his back. Rowe steps over into a dominant position, only to get bucked off when Green pulls for a heel hook. Green stands up, and before he can get his feet beneath him, Rowe bowls him over and takes full mount. Rowe sits up with a nasty elbow, and he hunts for an armbar while shifting to north-south position. Green twists his body to try to take Rowe’s back in an odd way, but Rowe keeps him grounded and fights off upkicks to keep Green there. Rowe drops down again to pursue an arm-triangle choke, but this allows Green to sit up and scoot his way towards the fence. In mount, Rowe is content to rack up control time and throw sporadic strikes, while keeping Green from wall-walking to escape. The two scramble furiously, and Green springs to his feet and wings a big elbow. Green lets loose with his fists, and Rowe backs away to avoid a leg kick that could put him down. When Rowe throws a right hand, as soon as he plants on his left leg, Green nails it and puts Rowe down. “The Fresh Prince” powers back to his feet somehow, but he is struggling to even stay standing as Green targets it once more but gets checked. Rowe shoots in on a takedown in the final seconds of the round, and Green sprawls until the fight concludes.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rowe (29-28 Rowe)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Green (29-28 Green)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Green (29-28 Green)

The Official Result

Gabriel Green def. Phil Rowe via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Andre Ewell (138.5) vs. Chris Gutierrez (140)

Round 1

The four-fight ESPN preliminary card opens at a catchweight, when two well-traveled opponents come to blows as Ewell (17-6, 4-2 UFC) takes on “El Guapo” Gutierrez (15-4-2, 3-1-1 UFC). The third man in the cage for this 140-pound contest is referee Chris Tognoni, and the two fighters are elated to be competing this weekend and show it by touching gloves. Ewell scores a kick first before Gutierrez can begin with his leg kick game, and “El Guapo” is ready to start throwing them low. Ewell keeps a long distance to avoid these strikes, and he leaps through the air with a superman punch that whiffs past his opponent’s face. Gutierrez scores a body kick on the way out, and Ewell walks in with a left hand but gets drilled with a knee. As Ewell responds with a body shot, Gutierrez scores one of his much-maligned leg kicks. Gutierrez slings a foot up high, and Ewell just ducks out of the way and misses with a counter right hand. Ewell pushes off with a front kick, and he clips his opponent with a long left hand. Ewell steps in to the body, and Gutierrez responds with a kick that makes him topple over. Ewell does not want to sacrifice his reach advantage by following him to the ground, so he allows his opponent to get up and springs forward with a left hand. The two have a bit of a striking stalemate as they try to find their range. Ewell rushes in with strikes, and Gutierrez stands back and works the body with a kick. With his hands down, Ewell darts in and out with a few punches, landing to the head and body as Gutierrez watches him. Ewell sticks out his foot again in a bit of a probing front kick, keeping Gutierrez away from him for the moment. “El Guapo” grows tired of waiting on strikes, and he sprints forward to strike and then clinch up, before hunting for a trip takedown. Ewell stays upright, but he eats a knee and a cut forms on the corner of his right eye. Ewell gathers himself with two punches to the body, and he gives Gutierrez a quick leg kick. Gutierrez nails Ewell with a head kick, dropping Ewell to a knee. Gutierrez tries to finish the job, unloading with strikes, but the round ends before he can stop his opponent.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gutierrez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gutierrez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gutierrez

Round 2

Gutierrez is ready to pick up where he left off, stalking Ewell down and chopping at the lead leg early. “El Guapo” lets loose a hook kick that slaps off Ewell’s face, and Ewell is still looking to find his footing. Ewell scores a leg kick, and he tries to follow it with a head kick but it merely bounces off Gutierrez’s guard. Gutierrez responds with a nasty leg kick, and Ewell visibly reacts to the strike but fires back with his own low kick. Ewell changes stances briefly, so Gutierrez targets the other leg. Ewell swipes with a right hand from afar, but Gutierrez is out of harm’s way and is primarily hunting for those kicks. Ewell stomps the knee a few times as Gutierrez rushes in on him, but he does take a kick off his knee. “Mr. Highlight” keeps a safe distance to allow him to get in and out without taking strikes, and when Gutierrez tries to kick him in the head, Ewell is a foot away at least. Ewell eats another leg kick but is still light on his feet, with his hands by his waist looking to pop Gutierrez with single punches. Gutierrez has a head kick blocked, but a leg kick makes Ewell briefly stumble. Ewell blitzes forward with a barrage of punches, and Gutierrez blocks most of them and chops down the leg again. Gutierrez gives him one more, and Ewell is wearing it but still throwing back with that damaged leg. Ewell plants his shin on Gutierrez’s torso, and he scores a left hand that bloodies the nose. Gutierrez kicks at his foe from afar, and Ewell slaps the leg away repeatedly. Ewell maintains a traditional martial art stance and he keeps a wide berth, but he does manage to crack Gutierrez with a left hand. Gutierrez tries to respond with a head kick, but Ewell grabs it and flips the leg in the air to toss Gutierrez to the ground. Although Ewell climbs on top, he elects for submission over position as he dives in a heel hook with seconds to spare. Gutierrez twists his leg out far enough to be safe, and he rides out the round in this position.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ewell
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ewell
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ewell

Round 3

There is one last glove touch to clock in the final round, which leads to Ewell pawing at his adversary with long right hands. Ewell follows it with a left to the body, and a kick of his may have bounced off Gutierrez’ cup. Ewell backs away but takes another leg kick, and he nods at his opponent to acknowledge that the strike hurt. Ewell throws back with a few kicks from that partially compromised leg, and Gutierrez gathers himself and gets off a spinning back kick right to Ewell’s midsection. Gutierrez spins through and clips Ewell with a spinning wheel kick, and when Gutierrez sees Ewell turn away, he lands a big leg kick. As Ewell keeps retreating, Gutierrez follows him and drills him with a few more devastating leg kicks. Gutierrez sits down on a right hand and rings Ewell’s bell, and “Mr. Highlight” is forced to run away against the fence. Ewell nails Gutierrez with a left hand and he points at his man, but Gutierrez comes right back at him with a leg kick that makes Ewell wince. Gutierrez continues to pour it on, landing punches and leg kicks before tying up Ewell on the cage. Ewell manages to free himself, and he wings a left hand. Gutierrez swings and misses with a wheel kick, and Ewell takes low kick after low kick while barely being able to stand. Ewell has to use the fence to stay upright, and Ewell starts going for high-risk strikes like spinning back fists in close range. Gutierrez blocks and responds primarily with these low kicks, but Ewell is still somehow light on his feet even though he is struggling to walk. Gutierrez scores a few punches and comes up short with a spin, and the two get off front kicks at the same time. A trio of leg kicks make Ewell run away against the fence, and Gutierrez leaps at him with a superman punch, and midair fires off a flying kick as well. Gutierrez’ forward momentum pushes Ewell over, and he throws strikes from above while trying to cinch up a triangle choke. He cannot get either before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Gutierrez (29-27 Gutierrez)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gutierrez (29-28 Gutierrez)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-8 Gutierrez (29-27 Gutierrez)

The Official Result

Chris Gutierrez def. Andre Ewell via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-27)

Polyana Viana (116) vs. Mallory Martin (115.5)

Round 1

Up next is a women’s strawweight bout as finish-minded Brazilian Viana (11-4, 2-3 UFC) looks to even her UFC record to .500 at the expense of Invicta FC vet Martin (7-3, 1-1 UFC). Drawing the assignment for this interesting style matchup is referee Mark Smith, and the two ladies touch ‘em up before getting down to business. Martin immediately throws a pair of punches to the body, and she gets countered but walks forward to plant her fists on Viana’s midsection again. Martin walks forward with a similar salvo, but this time, Viana is ready for her. Viana has a one-two blocked, but she lands a body kick and falls to her back pulling guard. Martin obliges by wading into the Brazilian’s guard, where she stays tight and does not expose her limbs or put herself in unnecessary danger. Viana starts throwing strikes off her back, with punches landing on the ear and elbows hacking on the scalp. Martin postures up, and she falls into a triangle choke that is instantly locked up. Martin rolls with the position but does not break it, and Viana pursues an armbar before bailing it to slash at Martin’s forehead with elbows. Martin loosens the grip to breathe a little as she gets to a crouching position, but she slams Viana down and puts herself in even worse position. “Dama de Ferro” tightens her legs and Martin is still fighting through the very bad spot, taking elbows all the while. Viana wrenches on to a keylock while Martin is trapped tightly, and Martin rolls to her back but falls victim to an armbar attempt. Viana wrenches on the arm with everything she has, and Martin can gut through it no more, tapping out lest her arm get snapped. With her submission victory, Viana maintains her perfect finish rate through 12 career wins.

The Official Result

Polyana Viana def. Mallory Martin R1 3:18 via Submission (Armbar)

Belal Muhammad (169.5) vs. Dhiego Lima (171)

Round 1

Moving on to the welterweight division, perpetually tough out Muhammad (17-3, 8-3 UFC) looks to halt the momentum of two-time “The Ultimate Fighter” competitor Lima (15-7, 4-5 UFC). Our Octagon ranger for what could be a fun one is referee Herb Dean, and there is no glove touch to precede the action. Lima paws out with a jab as Muhammad presses the pace on him, and Muhammad crashes forward with a few punches until shooting in for a double leg takedown. The Brazilian thwarts the early takedown to break free from the position and a clinch. Muhammad allows him to circle away so that he can fling a head kick at him, and Lima is barely able to block it in time. Muhammad lands a solid left hand, and Lima pushes off with his left hand to jab the eye. There is a minor question of whether Muhammad is wearing contact lenses, and the fight resumes as Muhammad blinks it out. “Remember the Name” makes Lima remember his fists by landing several punches across the forward bow. Muhammad tattoos the body with several punches, and one of his right hands has started some swelling on Lima’s forehead. Muhammad bears down on Lima with strikes, pressuring the Brazilian and never letting Lima breathe. Muhammad wings a big right hand that collides with Lima’s temple, and he presses forward to consider a takedown but just swings a right hook instead. Lima delivers two big leg kicks to draw reactions out of Muhammad, but Muhammad is unconcerned as he pushes the pace again and rips the body with a right hand. Muhammad walks through a leg kick and plods forward to throw bombs, catching Lima on the chin repeatedly. Muhammad bobs and weaves a few punches to throw big shots, and Lima absorbs a heavy right hand. Lima is able to disrupt Muhammad’s movement for a moment with a leg kick that he and his sibling, Bellator champ Douglas Lima, are famous for. Muhammad hunts for a takedown, and he gets rebuffed and walks face-first into a huge right hand. Muhammad stumbles back, takes a quick count of his teeth, and wades back into the fray. Lima works the calf with more kicks, and Muhammad throws huge shots to make Lima bounce off the cage. Muhammad has a spinning back fist clack into Lima’s guard, and a few punches from the Roufusport export end the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad

Round 2

The two are amped up and ready to resume, so much so that Dean has to ask them back to away before engaging again. Muhammad starts up where he left off, pushing the pace aggressively to make Lima fight off his back foot. Muhammad sticks him with a jab and dips a big right hook to walk forward to fire off a single right hook. Muhammad digs the body with a kick, and he plants his gloves on Lima’s chin repeatedly. Lima wears it well, and he gives some strikes back to Muhammad, but Muhammad keeps at him with body shots. Muhammad slaps away a few punches before stepping in with a knee, and he uses the forward momentum to attack a double leg takedown. Once more, Lima defends the takedown flawlessly and backs away to gain separation. Muhammad is quick to pursue him with powerful strikes, and Lima ricochets off the fencing to land a calf kick that stuns Muhammad. Lima hits the same spot with the kick again, and Muhammad fearlessly pushes forward to throw punches in bunches. Lima continues to attack the calf, and Muhammad’s leg is marked up badly and he is struggling to put his full weight on it. Muhammad continues to throw punches in number, but they may not be quite as powerful as before with a wounded leg. Lima uses head movement to evade strikes and counter, and the two stand before one another landing at a high pace. Muhammad tries to lift his leg up to avoid a kick, but Lima still scores it. Like a zombie, Muhammad is back in Lima’s face putting shots on him to the head and body. Lima replies with punches and low kicks of his own, but Muhammad’s pressure appears to be fatiguing Lima. Muhammad shoots in low for a takedown, and he nearly takes Lima’s back standing up, but Lima manages to stay upright again. Muhammad throws a high kick but his calf gets plugged two more times, and Muhammad’s leg is nearly falling away beneath him. Muhammad takes the kicks flush, and he presses heavy on Lima into a clinch to ride out the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad

Round 3

Lima starts the round not with a leg kick, but one over the top, and Muhammad takes it well without flinching. Lima then targets the lead leg, and Muhammad marches in to throw looping shots. He clips Lima with a right hand, and Lima pushes off with his fingers outstretch, with a one finger jamming directly into Muhammad’s eye. Muhammad does not want Lima to take any time to recharge his batteries, so he tells Dean he is fine to resume. When clocked back in, Muhammad advances to throw strikes into a clinch, where once more he aims for a takedown attempt. Like every time before in this match, Lima stops the takedown from succeeding. Lima defends another that follows immediately after, and Muhammad winds up with a huge right hand that stings Lima. Muhammad gets off a solid one-two that shakes up Lima, and he rolls with punches while putting a pace on his foe. Lima lands a heavy uppercut to the chest, and Muhammad attacks with a takedown but is stuffed. Lima backs up and takes a deep breath, but Muhammad is on him throwing high volume as Lima struggles and his arms slow when throwing back. Muhammad fires to the head and body indiscriminately, with punches that have marked up Lima’s nose. Muhammad tags Lima with a one-two that forces Lima to shoot for a takedown, but Muhammad easily pulls his leg away and keeps up his brutal pressure. Muhammad lands punches over the top, and he changes levels low for a double, but Lima shoves him off. Lima lands a body kick, but in the process, Muhammad grabs hold of him and finally lands the takedown he has been pursuing for the last 14 minutes. Lima stands up, and Muhammad climbs on to his back like a backpack, securing a body triangle as the Brazilian stands up. Muhammad lands punches to the side of Lima’s head, and Lima tries to wiggle his man off of him. Muhammad does not fall away, and he maintains this position until the final horn blares.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad (30-27 Muhammad)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad (30-27 Muhammad)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad (30-27 Muhammad)

The Official Result

Belal Muhammad def. Dhiego Lima via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Rodolfo Vieira (186) vs. Anthony Hernandez (186)

Round 1

It’s grappler vs. grappler in the preliminary headliner as multiple-time world BJJ gold medalist and undefeated Vieira (7-0, 2-0 UFC) takes on talented choke artist “Fluffy” Hernandez (7-2, 1 NC; 1-2 UFC). Watching how this all plays out will be referee Keith Peterson, who is tamping down any nonsense, who sees no touch of gloves. Vieira walks forward, lifts “Fluffy” into the air, and slams him down hard. The Brazilian immediately hunts for an arm-triangle choke, which is the weapon he put away his first two UFC foes already. Hernandez turns but gives up his back, and Vieira’s eyes practically light up as he takes back control to fish for a rear-naked choke. Hernandez manages to survive this choke attempt but, in the process, surrenders full mount. Vieira looks for an arm-triangle choke from on top, and he bails on it to reposition and throw a few ground strikes. Vieira re-considers the arm-triangle choke, and as Hernandez sits up, he hunts for an armbar. Hernandez rolls through the submission danger and gets to his feet, but “The Black Belt Hunter” promptly puts his foe on the canvas again. Hernandez walks up the fence and takes several punches in the process, and this time, he stops Vieira from a takedown attempt. Hernandez hops to the side to try to sneak out of the clinch, but Vieira changes levels on him to try to take the fight down. Hernandez once more stays upright, and the two trade strikes. Hernandez loads up on big punches, and Vieira is taking a step back. Hernandez clips the massive favorite with a huge right hand, and he ties up a choke attempt with his back in the fence. Vieira rolls through the position, and staves off an anaconda choke to get up. Hernandez lands a big right hand, and Vieira shoots for a desperation takedown with no hope of success. Hernandez lets him back up and lands bombs, and Vieira is completely gassed out. Hernandez aims for another anaconda choke, and Vieira is shockingly trapped in this position. The Brazilian manages to get himself out, and both stand up. Hernandez lands some huge bombs and Vieira is in firmly in the danger zone. Hernandez throws a little too hard, allowing Vieira to scoop him up and set him down. “Fluffy” grabs on to a triangle choke while Vieira is shooting on him, and they ride out the round in this unexpected position. When the horn sounds, Vieira cannot even stand up from exhaustion.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez

Round 2

The second round begins, and Hernandez lands a strike or two, but Vieira latches on to him after avoiding a flying knee to put “Fluffy” down on his back. Hernandez scoots out of the position, and although he gives up his back, he shakes Vieira off of him and takes top position. Hernandez stands back up, and he circles around while Vieira is on his knees. He lands a few punches, and he lets the BJJ master get back up so that he can blast Vieira in the head with a kick. Hernandez stays composed, and he fires off several elbows in a clinch after thwarting a takedown to slash open Vieira’s face. The Brazilian shoots in for a low takedown, and Hernandez hops around to nearly take his back. “Fluffy” jumps for a guillotine choke, and it is shockingly tight. After a few seconds, Vieira is forced to tap out so that he does not pass out. Unbelievable! Hernandez has just pulled off a monumental upset, all while handing “The Black Belt Hunter” his first career defeat and doing it by submission! The betting odds on Hernandez by submission closed around +3000, and what a crazy turn of events!

The Official Result

Anthony Hernandez def. Rodolfo Vieira R2 1:53 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)

Jim Miller (155.5) vs. Bobby Green (156)

Round 1

The bout was canceled Friday evening after Green collapsed backstage following weigh-ins.

Julian Marquez (185) vs. Maki Pitolo (185)

Round 1

There may be no better way to open up a pay-per-view main card with a scrap that is practically guaranteed to bring fireworks, as excellently nicknamed “The Cuban Missile Crisis” Marquez (7-2, 1-1 UFC) makes his return after a lengthy layoff against “Coconut Bombz” Pitolo (13-7, 1-3 UFC). This potential brawl will take place under the watchful eye of referee Chris Tognoni, and these two sluggers touch gloves before coming out fighting. Pitolo lands a leg kick and a head kick. The Hawaiian comes out swinging wildly, throwing more head kicks and some coconut bombs as Marquez tries to defend himself. The two go down to the canvas for a moment, but Pitolo allows him to stand up and press him into the fence. Pitolo wings a big left hand, and he changes levels to hit a quick takedown. The Hawaiian sits in half guard, and he looks to set up strikes with Marquez’ neck pinned up against the corner between the fence and the floor. Pitolo starts raining left hands down as he keeps heavy hip pressure to push Marquez flat on the canvas. “The Cuban Missile Crisis” twists to get up, but Pitolo wrenches his forearm under the chin to hold his foe put. Marquez wriggles free but he takes more punishment from below, and he walks to his knees only to surrender his back. Pitolo is on him like a cheap suit, and he grinds Marquez into the chain-link fence but is not able to keep Marquez down for long. Marquez stands against the fence, and Pitolo drags him down for a moment before Marquez springs back up. Pitolo presses hard against his foe, as if he were trying to mash Marquez completely through the wire. Pitolo ties up a leg to hunt for a trip, but Marquez reverses him and tosses him over. Marquez snatches hold of a standing guillotine choke, and Pitolo is in trouble as he tries to circle around and break free. The Hawaiian stays calm enough to yank his neck free, and he resumes his heavy grind on the returning Marquez. When Marquez gains separation, he stings Pitolo with a few punches, but time expires before he can capitalize on the damage he may have inflicted.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pitolo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Pitolo
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Pitolo

Round 2

Pitolo sprints out of his corner to start trading, and the two both land shots one after the other. Pitolo scores a left hand, Marquez fires back with a booming hook, and Pitolo is barely able to avoid it. Pitolo steps back and chops at the leg, and Marquez wades forward after him to throw looping punches. Pitolo mixes up his striking with shots to the body, and he gets off a head kick that Marquez can only partially block. In a flurry, Marquez throws a body kick that skims off the top of the cup, and the action halts for a bit over 30 seconds. When the fight resumes, Marquez charges recklessly like a bull into a combination. He throws so hard that he falls over, and Pitolo manages to snag him and push him over. When Marquez gathers himself, Pitolo redoubles his effort and plants Marquez on the canvas. “The Cuban Missile Crisis” works his way back up, only to fall victim to a mat return. Marquez springs up and he stuffs a takedown, where he grabs hold of an unorthodox guillotine choke. Pitolo survives it, and Marquez fishes for another, and it is tight. Pitolo manages to get out by turning to his knees, and Marquez lords over him slamming him on the side of the head with strikes. Tognoni asks Marquez to stop striking the back of the head, and Marquez obliges, only to sit up so high that he falls over. Pitolo reverses the position to wind up on top, and he climbs over into mount with ease. The Hawaiian quickly switches for an arm-triangle choke, and Marquez turns into the choke to break it up. Marquez return Pitolo back to half guard, but this allows Pitolo to maintain heavy shoulder pressure to keep Marquez flat on his back. “Coconut Bombz” drops down punches to the side, all while keeping Marquez flattened out. Marquez turns to his side to try to stand up, but the round ends before he can get there.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pitolo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Pitolo
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Pitolo

Round 3

Pitolo offers a glove touch, and Marquez shakes his hand to open the final round. Marquez comes out firing, with wild punches that clip Pitolo but do not hurt him. Marquez welcomes the brawl, winding up on big strikes and allowing Pitolo to throw back at him. When Marquez wings a massive right hand, Pitolo kicks the inner crook of his knee and makes Marquez go down for a moment. When “The Cuban Missile Crisis” springs back up, he goes right on the offensive, blasting Pitolo with power hooks. Pitolo is the more measured fighter, and he is content to land straight strikes instead of throw with everything. Marquez advances, and a kick may have struck the cup, but there is no pause. As Pitolo leans over, Marquez snatches hold of a guillotine choke, but Marquez abandons it to deliver one solid knee to the chin. Pitolo might be hurt, as he falls back on the fence, but he rushes forward to hit a takedown and change levels while Marquez is swinging. Marquez rolls to his knees, and from the side, Pitolo reaches over and ties up a side-naked choke. Marquez is able to keep his wits about him and twist out of danger, and he starts pounding on Pitolo while the Hawaiian is on his knees. When they stand up, Marquez stuffs a takedown, and the two men are completely spent. Marquez jumps at his foe with a flying knee, but his knee does not lift up enough to strike. Marquez stops another takedown attempt, and he smashes Pitolo repeatedly with bombs. The Hawaiian is hurt badly, and Marquez keeps ripping into him with strikes. After taking a massive knee, a desperate Pitolo pushes into a takedown. Marquez pushes his man to his knees, and he dives into a guillotine choke. As Pitolo turns to power through the choke, Marquez transitions into an anaconda choke, and this time, there is no way out. Pitolo thinks about gritting it out, but he is completely wiped, and he starts tapping anything that his hand touches. As Tognoni recognizes that Pitolo is tapping Marquez’ calf, he stops the fight. What a phenomenal comeback at the end of a wild and crazy fight!

The Official Result

Julian Marquez def. Maki Pitolo R3 4:17 via Submission (Anaconda Choke)

Ricky Simon (145.5) vs. Brian Kelleher (145.5)

Round 1

In a matchup considered by many to be an early frontrunner for “Fight of the Night,” Simon (17-3, 5-2 UFC) and Kelleher (22-11, 6-4 UFC) finally cross swords. The two will be competing at featherweight due to the short-notice nature of their meeting, but both publicly expressed relief about not having to cut weight. The official inside the Octagon to make this bout official is nonsense-averse referee Keith Peterson, and the match officially commences with no touch of gloves. Kelleher begins with a leg kick, and the two start landing quick left hands. Simon drops down with a takedown, and Kelleher cannot set up a guillotine choke in time before ending on his back. Kelleher rushes through to stand up, and a few punches and elbows from Simon slash open a cut above the bridge of Kelleher’s nose. Simon grinds Kelleher into the fence when Kelleher pops back up, and the blood is leaking in Kelleher’s eye to cause some issues. “Boom” threatens with a guillotine choke as Simon looks to take the fight down, but once more he cannot secure it as Simon steps into half guard. Simon hunts for an arm-triangle choke, and Kelleher stays patient to get his neck free. The Gracie Barra Portland fighter does not pursue another choke, and instead lets Kelleher get to his knees so he can threaten with a head lock. Kelleher wrenches himself free and backs off, where he touches the bad cut on his face to survey the damage. Simon stalks him down to throw strikes, but he uses his forward momentum to take the fight down again. Kelleher again grabs on to a guillotine choke, and lets go before Simon can cinch up a Von Preux choke. Simon advances and puts on another arm-triangle choke, and Kelleher grits it out and powers back to his feet. The blood is going straight into Kelleher’s eye, and he defends a potential attempted takedown with one more guillotine that is not there. Kelleher kicks Simon away with a few front kicks, and he spins through with a back fist but it just glances off the target. Simon steps forward with a leg kick, and the two clash shins in a follow-up strike. Kelleher leaps at him, and narrowly avoids getting countered in the air. When Kelleher lands, the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Simon

Round 2

Simon strides forward with a kick and a punch to the liver, and Kelleher eats it without concern. “Boom” walks forward and blasts Simon in the face with a front kick, but Simon is not fazed and continues to target the body. Simon winds up on a thudding right hand that clacks off the guard, and Kelleher sticks him with a short left hook. The bleeding has started up again for Kelleher, and he fires off a head kick that just misses the mark. Simon tries to punch his way into a takedown, and Kelleher clocks him in the face with another front kick that would make Vitor Belfort blush. Simon hits a quick takedown, but Kelleher pops back up this time to not stay down for long. As Simon presses the pace, he wings a spinning back fist that gets blocked, and Kelleher is back on him with an overhand right. Simon scores a single right hook, only to get doubled up with the jab and a low kick. Simon responds with a leg kick, and Kelleher checks one that comes after. Simon chains a punch into a takedown, and Kelleher protects himself with a guillotine choke as he falls to his back. Like the rest, “Boom” cannot tie it up, as Simon slides his neck free before Kelleher rises to a knee. Kelleher nearly gives up his back to stand, and Simon winds up on several big knees to the thigh, but they cannot keep Kelleher on the canvas. Kelleher is trapped against the fence while Simon grinds him out, and he scores a right hand as he pushes off for a separation. Simon is right back to striking with a right hand, and he slips an uppercut to crack Kelleher. Simon hops forward with a left hand, and he slaps away a front kick that does not split his guard this time around. Simon pushes out a few jabs, and a flying knee falls short of the mark. Kelleher fires off a front kick, and it might have popped the cup right before the horn. Kelleher apologizes, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Simon

Round 3

Kelleher offers a glove touch, and Simon accepts it right before jabbing several times. Kelleher jabs back, and he takes an audible leg kick. Kelleher swings and misses with a head kick, only for Simon to dart towards him with a few punches and a leg kick to end the combination. Kelleher winds up with power punches, only to miss. Simon steps in with an up-elbow in the vein of Anderson Silva against Tony Fryklund, and Kelleher reels from the strike for a moment. Simon uses this opportunity to charge into a clinch, where he lands short, quick punches to the body, head and thigh. Peterson implores the fighters to work as Simon is embracing the grind at this point. Simon shoots in low for a double, and Kelleher pulls guard into a guillotine choke. Simon easily gets out of danger, and when he climbs on to top position, Kelleher threatens with a kimura. Simon reverses the submission to attack one of his own, and Kelleher is worse off for it. “Boom” explodes out of the precarious position and pops up, only for Simon to look to drag him back down. Kelleher lifts up a single knee, and Simon does not notice as he pushes his man over. Kelleher fights off attempt after attempt, but time is his enemy as Simon pushes the pace and keeps chaining takedowns together. Simon spins on a break to clack a back fist off Kelleher’s head, and Kelleher tries to reply in kind but hits nothing but air. Kelleher nails Simon with the front kick he showed success with earlier, and he tries to land a few more strikes but time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Simon (30-27 Simon)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Simon (30-27 Simon)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Simon (30-27 Simon)

The Official Result

Ricky Simon def. Brian Kelleher via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Kelvin Gastelum (186) vs. Ian Heinisch (185.5)

Round 1

A significant middleweight matchup is up now, as Gastelum (15-6, 1 NC; 10-6, 1 NC UFC) tries to stay ahead of the pack against “The Hurricane” Heinisch (14-3, 3-2 UFC). This tilt between two men that have never been knocked out draws the assignment of referee Mark Smith, and there is no interest in touching gloves. Heinisch begins with a leg kick and a fast takedown, where he lifts Gastelum up and puts him down. Gastelum stands up, rolls through it, and turns it around on Heinisch. Gastelum falls into a kimura as he lands the takedown, and the arm torques as Heinisch wrenches on it. Heinisch is not quite able to turn him over with the two-on-one wrist control, as the TUF winner gets his arm out and circles around to take Heinisch’s back. Heinisch stands up, but he is in a body lock position as he gets lifted in the air and put down. Heinisch for a kimura again, and Gastelum is in mount with his arm in trouble. Gastelum straightens his arm out, and in mount, he immediately goes after an arm-triangle choke. Heinisch powers out and shucks off an armbar to stand back up, where he lets loose a head kick that just misses. Gastelum slams his shin into Heinisch’s inner thigh, and Heinisch replies with a head kick that gets blocked. Gastelum wades forward with a combination that ends with a kick, and a Heinisch response comes with a high kick. Gastelum presses him into the cage wall, and when Heinisch tries to set up a Thai clinch, Gastelum hits a fast takedown. When Heinisch gets up, Gastelum slams him back down loudly. “The Hurricane” blasts back to his feet without issue, and Gastelum has his hands locked around Heinisch’s waist. Both men wing strikes, and Gastelum scores a high inside leg kick that makes Heinisch slap his own body. The two trade single strikes, and both land on the chin. Both middleweights miss with subsequent head kicks, and Heinisch falls over as the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gastelum
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gastelum
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gastelum

Round 2

An energized Heinisch comes out of his corner swinging a big overhand right, and Gastelum ducks out of the way and attacks the leg repeatedly. Heinisch sits down on a massive right hand, and Gastelum chomps down on it like a burger. The TUF winner backs off to score several effective leg kicks, and Heinisch fails on a takedown attempt but does not get reversed. Gastelum walks into a left hand, and Heinisch leaps in the air with a knee that kisses Gastelum on the chops. Gastelum practically completely ignores it, grabbing Heinisch in the air and putting him down. Gastelum climbs down into top position, and he secures mount for a moment before Heinisch muscles his way back to his feet. Gastelum contains a body lock around the back of Heinisch’s waist to keep him against the fence, until Heinisch struggles and gets out. Heinisch lets loose a body kick and a low kick, allowing Gastelum to respond with a leg kick before advancing into a clinch. Gastelum fails on a takedown attempt, which allows Heinisch to separate and take the center of the cage and fling a head kick. Heinisch ducks down to let loose a right hand, and Gastelum is ready for him with a takedown attempt. Gastelum cannot get him down this time, and he takes a knee to the body before lifting Heinisch off his feet. “The Hurricane” keeps his balance and pushes off, where he blocks a head kick and rushes in with punches. The end of a one-two gets Heinisch’s attention, and Heinisch takes a leg kick on the way out. Heinisch scores a body kick, but a jab greets him up to shortly after it lands. Heinisch digs in the body with another kick, and he hacks at Gastelum’s lead leg. Gastelum closes the distance to clinch, where he does not get put down but is held on the fence to the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gastelum
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gastelum
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gastelum

Round 3

There is a light glove touch to commence the final frame, and Gastelum steps forward to deliver a heavy leg kick low. Heinisch gets in an elbow over the top, and he backs off before Gastelum can try to take him down. Heinisch scores another emphatic elbow, and he pushes in to hit a takedown. Gastelum is not on the ground for more than one second, before he springs back up. Gastelum wraps up Heinisch’s waist and takes Heinisch’s back standing up, and Heinisch looks irritated as he tries to throw elbows from behind his back. Gastelum cannot ground him at the moment, and he looks for a right hand as they separate. When Gastelum changes levels in the open, Heinisch tries to time a knee up the middle, but it does not have its full power behind it to hurt Gastelum. The TUF winner lands punches and a head kick, and chains together a few combinations to back Heinisch off. Heinisch steps back and smacks Gastelum with a flying knee, but like before, Gastelum grabs him and tosses him to the ground. In a wild scramble, Heinisch takes Gastelum’s back and gets his hooks in. Heinisch quickly attacks a rear-naked choke, but Gastelum fights the hands off and is not in submission danger. Heinisch slips over into mount, and he drops a pair of punches before sliding off the back as Gastelum rolls him over. Heinisch works up to his knees, and when Gastelum tries to take him down, Heinisch dramatically rolls through it. When Gastelum closes in on him, Heinisch lands a few punches on the inside. Gastelum sticks him with a right hand, and Heinisch shoots in for a low takedown. When Heinisch works his way to the fence, they start trading punches. Heinisch shoots in low for a takedown, and he secures it to put Gastelum on his back. After Gastelum lands a few punches, Gastelum not only gets up but pushes through to get off his own takedown. Gastelum sits up, slams down a few heavy strikes, and the fight is over.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Heinisch (29-28 Gastelum)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Heinisch (29-28 Gastelum)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Heinisch (29-28 Gastelum)

The Official Result

Kelvin Gastelum def. Ian Heinisch via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Maycee Barber (126) vs. Alexa Grasso (125.5)

Round 1

The co-main event comes at flyweight, when Barber (8-1, 3-1 UFC) tries to bounce back from her first career setback and a long time away due to injury with a tough test in Grasso (12-3, 4-3 UFC). These two young women who combine for just 49 years of age see referee Keith Peterson remove any nonsense from the cage, and there is no touch of gloves to start things off. Barber scores a few leg kicks from the outside, and she dances her way into the clinch. They turn one another about against the fence, and Grasso considers a trip on the outside, but Barber does not fall for it. “The Future” plows ahead and out of the clinch to fire off a few punches, and Grasso darts away from the oncoming strikes. Grasso surprises Barber with a sharp boxing combination, leading Barber to rush forward and clinch up. Grasso defends with a bevy of short hammerfists, before pushing Barber against the cage wall. The Mexican lands a few knees and rips an elbow over the top, but when she does this, Barber reverses her. Both trade knees, and they keep changing position on the fence. Barber breaks free with a big elbow, and a few follow-up shots are disrupted by a counter left hook from Grasso. Grasso scores a body kick, ducking a right hand but getting tagged by a couple punches. Grasso fires back, and the two absorb heavy shots before clinching up again. The round ends with Grasso sneaking in several knees on the inside.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Grasso
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Grasso
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Grasso

Round 2

Barber jabs from far away, feet away from her intended target, so Grasso steps forward and kicks her leg a few times. Barber’s punches are nowhere close to her opponent, and Grasso can ignore them while walking forward to land strikes. A one-two from Grasso hurts Barber for a moment, but “The Future” gathers herself and throws a high kick. Grasso sits down on a left to the body and a monster right hand to the head, and Barber is hurt even though she landed with her own punches. Grasso keeps at her with a few more punches, until Barber ties her up and pins her to the fence. Barber wings an elbow on the break, but Grasso puts three punches together as Barber resets. Barber takes one more as she wades back into the clinch, and Grasso complains of some perceived foul about Barber grabbing the fence or a glove. The two women separate when Barber lands a body shot, and Barber lands a stern left hand. “The Future” keeps on coming forward with a right hand and then left that follows, and Grasso takes them on the chin and turns away briefly. The Mexican gathers her thoughts but Barber scores a solid body kick to push Grasso over. As Barber climbs over, Grasso tees off on her with upkicks until Barber settles down on top. As soon as Barber sits down, Grasso ties up an armbar and uses the submission to roll Barber over. Grasso aims from this submission attempt to an arm-triangle as she takes top position, and when Barber rolls through, Grasso follows her perfectly. The Mexican takes Barber’s back, and she gets her hooks in to vie for a rear-naked choke. Although she cannot secure the choke, she concludes the second stanza in back control.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Grasso
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Grasso
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Grasso

Round 3

The two flyweights finally touch gloves to begin a round, and Barber comes out firing. “The Future” lets loose a spinning wheel kick, and Grasso sees it coming a mile away and evades it. Barber again jabs from several feet away, and she steps forward but nearly gets clocked with a shovel uppercut from Grasso. The Mexican calmly watches Barber throw from afar, and she lands a leg kick when Barber tries to close in on her. The two land big shots in close range, but this leads to Barber crashing into a clinch only to get spun around. Grasso peppers Barber with repeated short knees, and Barber tries to push her away but Grasso this time holds on tight to keep working. Barber turns this clinch into an inside trip, and she bowls Grasso over to put the Mexican on her back. Barber dives down with an elbow, and Grasso threatens off her back to stand back up. Barber is a woman possessed, as she charges at Grasso with a fury of punches, kicks, knees and elbows. Grasso takes some of them flush but defends herself from the brunt of the attack, forcing a clinch tie-up. As they break apart, Barber clips her with a right hand and shoots into a double leg takedown. Grasso stuffs it and turns her about on the cage wall, so Barber ties up a leg to try to trip her back down again. Barber gets off knees and elbows from a very close range, which makes Grasso latch on to her in a clinch to run out the clock. Barber manages to break free and fires off a right hand. She slings another, and nearly falls over while throwing it. Grasso circles away to tag Barber with a few punches. When Barber swings and misses with a spinning wheel kick, she turns it into a takedown attempt, and she hits it with seconds to go. As Grasso stands up, this grueling co-main event comes to a close.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barber (29-28 Grasso)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Barber (29-28 Grasso)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barber (29-28 Grasso)

The Official Result

Alexa Grasso def. Maycee Barber via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

UFC Welterweight Title Fight:
Kamaru Usman (170) vs. Gilbert Burns (170)

Round 1

The welterweight championship will go to the winner of the UFC 258 headliner, as “The Nigerian Nightmare” Usman (17-1, 12-0 UFC) tries to make it 13 wins in 13 appearances against the exceptionally dangerous “Durinho” Burns (19-3, 12-3 UFC). This rare high-stakes tilt between teammates will draw oversight from referee Herb Dean, and surprisingly, there is no glove touch between the two as they share a very intense stare down. Burns rushes in with a home run right hand, and Usman sees it coming and bats it away. Burns loads up on a few leg kicks, and lets go with a heavy body kick. Burns nails Usman with a huge right hand, and Usman drops to a knee. Usman recovers, get stung with an overhand right again, and he is still hurt. Usman fires back, and he clips Burns, but the Brazilian is ready to keep throwing. Burns lets loose a head kick that Usman eats flush, and he falls to his back. Usman does not oblige him by jumping into the submission magician’s guard, and instead stands above and kicks at Burns’ thigh. Burns threatens with upkicks and straight kicks to the knee, and the two are stalled out in this kicking situation. Usman picks up Burns’ leg and scores a series of thudding kicks to the thigh. Usman dives down to land a flush right hand, and Burns’ confident face shifts to one of concern. When Burns springs up, he greets Usman with a knee on the chin. Usman reaches out with a jab, and he lands two more while Burns comes up short with a few of his own. Burns stings the champ with a left hand, and Usman reacts every time he takes one. Usman hacks at the leg with a kick, and Burns gives him one back. Usman drops in a body kick and a low kick, and the two trade these low strikes. Burns gets off a right hand over the top, and Usman takes it flush and lands a few stern jabs. The Brazilian lets fly a head kick, and shoots in for a takedown after his leg lands. Usman pushes him away and blocks a subsequent head kick. Burns connects with a right hand, and a few strikes follow suit in a strong combination from Burns. Usman fires back, and when the horn sounds, the two welterweights smile at one another before bumping fists.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Burns
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Burns
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Burns

Round 2

Burns marches out of his corner to throw bombs, and Usman absorbs a few punches and stumbles as he walks back. Usman tries to recover some ground with several jabs, and he steps out of the way of a leg kick. A piston-like jab finds its home on Burns’ jaw, and the Brazilian retaliates with a head kick. Usman keeps sticking out the jab, allowing Burns to kick his lead leg out. Usman keeps focused landing the jab practically at will, and Burns diversifies his striking game with body kicks, leg kicks, long punches and other strikes that reach the target. Usman stays composed with repeated jabs, and Burns hurts him with an overhand right. Usman fires back with a right hand that is not quite as substantial. Burns rushes forward with a triple jab, and he gets jabbed a few times to break up a heavy combination. Usman winds up with a monster right hand, and Burns drops to a knee. “Durinho” is hurt badly, and Usman drills him with a few more punches as Burns falls against the fence. Usman stuffs a takedown to jab up Burns’ face, and he follows the jabs with several overhand rights that do more damage. Burns’ nose is marked up, and he is resorting to throwing haymakers while Usman marches him down and touches him with the jab. Burns swings with a big right hand, and Usman blocks it only to return fire with a leg kick. Burns successfully lands a pair of punches, and a retaliatory jab from Usman drops Burns to the canvas. Usman tells Burns to stand up, and Dean allows him to do so. Burns, light on his feet, kicks the leg as he circles on the outside. Usman keeps landing jabs, and he eats a pair of big punches to roll with them and land his own strikes. Usman slaps a loud leg kick home, and Burns ducks a jab to attempt a takedown. As Usman lands a few more jabs, the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Usman

Round 3

Burns takes the center of the cage to begin the round, reaching out with long punches and a leg kick. Usman fires off a straight jab from the southpaw stance, and Burns crashes down to the ground hard. Dean rushes in to nearly stop the fight, and the champ leaps down to deliver some nasty ground-and-pound to try to finish the job. Burns rolls through it as he keeps taking punishment, but Usman does not let up. As Burns falls to his back, he is hurt and in a bad way, and “The Nigerian Nightmare” keeps pouring it on. Punch after devastating punch crashes into Burns’ face, and Dean has seen enough as Burns is no longer intelligently defending himself. Usman confidently strides in front of the camera and asks, “Who is taking what from who?” The champ is now a perfect 13-0 inside the Octagon, tying the active UFC win streak record with current lightweight king Khabib Nurmagomedov. What a performance for the champion, who overcame perhaps the stiffest adversity of his UFC career to record an incredibly impressive victory. After the official decision, the two friends and training partners share a long embrace, as Burns lets loose all of his emotions inside the cage. With UFC 258 in the books, the UFC will carry on next week with a Fight Night card in a long string of events until the end of March.

The Official Result

Kamaru Usman def. Gilbert Burns R3 0:34 via TKO (Punches)