UFC 294 ‘Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Bruno Silva (186) vs. Sharabutdin Magomedov (186)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Magomedov (-250), Silva (+205)

Round 1

It is time for the UFC’s annual show in Abu Dhabi, and it begins early for stateside audiences. Morning mayhem is on the menu for fight fans in the Western Hemisphere, and the UFC has done its darnedest to build a card that can excite from fight no. 1 to 13. The action begins in the middleweight division between two men that crave knockouts. Making his debut with the promotion against a tough test, Magomedov (11-0, 0-0 UFC) will be taking a serious step up in competition when he battles “Blindado” Silva (23-9, 4-3 UFC). Before the fists and feet fly, referee Jason Herzog checks them in. The gloves are touched, and Magomedov swats away a few flies before engaging. Magomedov takes the center of the cage and whips a kick out low to test the waters, and Silva no-sells it and slowly walks him down. Magomedov lands another from range, but Silva is slowly backing him towards the fencing despite getting off kicks. Silva ignores a few more as he closes distance, and he paws out his foot to the waist in a single response. Silva leans over with a left hand and turns awkwardly with a heel kick to the side, but when he recovers, he cracks the Russian with two heavy punches. Silva chains a punch into a whipping low kick, and Magomedov whiffs on the leg kick reply. Magomedov nails his man with a leg kick, and Silva crowds him but gets knocked back with a few fists. Magomedov fires off a head kick out of nowhere to shock Silva, and a jump knee from “Bullet” follows to further get his attention. Silva wobbles back to the fencing, and he gathers his thoughts and bounces off it to re-engage. Silva lunges forward with punches, and he pops Magomedov at the end of them. The unbeaten fighter parries a few strikes and signals to his foe that Silva’s fingers were extended, so Silva apologizes with a glove touch offer. Magomedov nails his man with another solid kick, and when he turns around lazily, Silva sprints towards him with winging punches. As Silva turns about during an exchange, Magomedov boots “Blindado” in the groin with full force and then brings up a head kick as Silva is stung from the foul. Herzog calls the illegal blow and gives Silva time to get his thoughts, and the two get back to it. The Russian hammers Silva’s lead leg with a vicious kick that makes Silva change stances, and when Silva returns to southpaw, he attacks it again on the inside. Silva snipes Magomedov with a left hook, and Magomedov shakes it off and pins a kick to the ribcage. Magomedov stays on his bike with kicks, and Silva sits down on punches to hurt Magomedov badly. This draws a fiery brawl, and Silva lays into the heavy favorite with a flurry while Magomedov attempts to return fire with kicks. As Silva hurts Magomedov, the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov

Round 2

The middleweights touch gloves to initiate the round, and Silva is quick to pick up where he left off. Magomedov tries to keep away and uses his legs as his best weapons, with a few low kicks that set up body kicks and even a hook kick up high. Silva hammers him back with nasty punches, but the damage is starting to mount from Magomedov’s leg kicks. Magomedov lets fly a head kick that glances off the guard, and Silva keeps his wits about him and looks to line up a long right hand as Magomedov pecks and picks at him with his effective kicking game. Magomedov chains together multiple punches into a knee up the middle, and he continues bombarding Silva with kicks that land with thuds rather than slaps. Silva lunges with strikes, but he cannot quite catch Magomedov as the Russian has his preferred range. Silva checks a kick after eating a few more, and “Shara Bullet” goes up high with a hook kick. Silva times a diving takedown to take Magomedov off his feet, and he succeeds in planting his adversary on his back. Magomedov defends himself off his back by hacking with elbows, and he cuts Silva on the top of his head with them. Magomedov remains fully active from on his back, and Silva tries to get off shots but is taking damage despite being in top position. Magomedov is happy to get into a slugfest from his back, and he gets some space and smacks Silva with an upkick. Silva manages to connect with some heavy ground-and-pound as well to rip open a cut on Magomedov’s eyebrow, but Magomedov is not at all concerned by it. Silva maintains heavy top pressure and picks his moments to strike so that Magomedov cannot get to him with sneaky elbows. Silva drives home a few more punches until he gets kicked off, and Magomedov turns and whips Silva in the face with a shocker of a kick off his back. Silva blinks it out and dives back down to strike until the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov

Round 3

Having reached the final round, the two men are ready for five more minutes of carnage. Magomedov reintroduces himself with a number of leg kicks, and one foot thumps into Silva’s cup. Silva tanks it so that he can charge forward, and he manages to hit a double-leg takedown in the middle of the cage to ground the Russian. Magomedov immediately spurs into action with slicing elbows, all while pushing off Silva’s chest with his feet when he can get any space. Silva lowers himself into the guard to slug Magomedov in the face with powerful, gravity-empowered punches, and he passes to half guard briefly. Magomedov keeps busy from his back, and he scoots himself to the wall in hopes of standing up. Silva cannot keep him down, and Magomedov celebrates by kneeing Silva in the face. Silva bull-rushes with a double to take the fight down, and Magomedov stuffs it and elbows Silva in the face. Silva takes every strike on the chin so that he can secure a double, and “Shara Bullet” slams the back of his head on the mat in pain. Magomedov appears stunned, and he does not attack from his back after this takedown. Herzog asks Silva to do more, as Silva is slowing down, and Silva tries to respond with some slugs on the chin. Magomedov delivers several blows despite in the disadvantageous position, and Silva shifts over to side control with 30 seconds to spare. Magomedov kicks him off, and Silva threatens one more takedown that is stuffed. Magomedov drives home one more knee up the middle, and the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Silva (29-28 Magomedov)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Silva (29-28 Magomedov)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov (30-27 Magomedov)

The Official Result

Sharabutdin Magomedov def. Bruno Silva via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Jinh Yu Frey (116) vs. Victoria Dudakova (116.6: Missed Weight)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Dudakova (-500), Frey (+380)

Round 1

One woman’s bout will play out in front of the crowd in the United Arab Emirates, and it comes in a match that was scheduled at strawweight until Friday morning. Undefeated Russian Dudakova (7-0, 1-0 UFC) could not hit her proper marks, so she has surrendered an undeclared percentage of her purse to former Invicta FC champ Frey (11-9, 2-5 UFC). The two will receive oversight by referee Dan Movahedi, and Dudakova offers an apologetic glove touch to kick things off that Frey accepts. Dudakova moves to the center of the cage to engage, but Frey is the one to try to strike first. Dudakova slips it and counters, and Frey goes back at her with a fist to the ribs. Dudakova comes in swinging, and Frey ducks only to be met with a clinch. Frey stuffs the takedown effort and pushes off, and she paws out a leg kick to follow. Frey ducks a few swings so that she can rip the body, and she takes a right hand over the top in response. Frey reaches out with a straight left hand, and she is met with a charging single-leg takedown attempt that comes up short. The Russian presses her foe against the fencing for a few seconds before Frey frees herself, and Frey reaches out with three punches. Frey picks her shots from afar, doubling up on a right hand and drawing a reaction out of her adversary. Dudakova crashes the pocket and headbutts Frey square on the forehead, and Frey winces in pain as Movahedi calls the foul and pauses the action. After a minute or two, Frey is good to go, and she immediately is prepared to stifle Dudakova’s takedown attempt. When this falls short, she drills Frey in the chest with a number of knees. Dudakova swats out with a few strikes, and Frey intercepts her with her own offense. Dudakova pushes in for a takedown, only to be shut down once again and popped with a left hand. Dudakova stays on the outside and pecks at Frey with a few rang shots. Frey misses the mark with a front kick, and she gets tagged with three punches. Dudakova drills her opponent with a left hook, and Frey goes flying. When Frey bangs into the fence, the bell rings.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dudakova
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Dudakova
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Dudakova

Round 2

As soon as the round begins, the former Invicta queen has a new plan. Racing towards her opponent, Frey dips under a looping strike to scoop Dudakova off her feet, and she plants the Russian square on her back. Landing in half guard, Frey maintains heavy top pressure and shuts down any get-up attempts from her foe. Instead of getting off a great deal of offense, Frey prefers to smother, and she slithers her way over to side control as Movahedi inexplicably asks for more action. Frey considers moving over to a north-south position, but she gets dragged back to half guard. Dudakova recovers to full guard and sets up an armbar off her back, and Frey blasts her in the face with multiple hammerfists to shut that all the way down. Dudakova pushes off the chest with upkicks, and Frey stands up and dives back down to smack the Russian with a solid right hand. Dudakova slowly works her legs up high to trap an arm, and she sets up another armbar that is not particularly close. Dudakova is warned for grabbing the gloves as she punts Frey illegally in the face three times, but Movahedi misses these blatant strikes with Frey’s knee down. Dudakova explodes her way to her feet, and she strings punches together to try to get back on the scoreboard. Frey lands a body kick, Dudakova does the same, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Frey
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Frey
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Frey

Round 3

Dudakova slowly walks out of her corner and holds her hand high to signal a glove touch, and Frey is glad to meet it. The two ladies get down to business shortly thereafter, and Dudakova chains punches together while not allowing Frey to take her down again. Frey telegraphs a level change, and Dudakova makes her pay for her effort with punches and a high kick that is blocked. Dudakova gets off four punches while Frey looks to tie her up, and when Frey backs off, she has her guard up in time to defend against another head kick. Frey sits down on a counter right hook, and Dudakova shakes it off and winds up an uppercut to reply. Frey gets the Russian’s attention with a short combination, but she does not follow it up. Dudakova sticks and moves, beating Frey to the punch repeatedly. Frey walks face-first into a right hand, and she does not acknowledge it and instead tries to keep throwing shots from the outside. Both women do not change their approaches, with a low work rate and volume akin to a sparring match. Frey presses forward into a clinch, and Dudakova stuffs a potential takedown but is dragged to one knee on her second attempt. The undefeated fighter powers back up with ease despite her back against the wall, and she pushes away with seconds to spare. Both women let their hands go to the final horn, one that awkwardly blares and makes the commentary booth collectively giggle.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dudakova (29-28 Dudakova)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Dudakova (29-28 Dudakova)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Dudakova (29-28 Dudakova)

The Official Result

Victoria Dudakova def. Jinh Yu Frey via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Nathaniel Wood (146) vs. Muhammadjon Naimov (145.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Wood (-340), Naimov (+270)

Round 1

One win shy of 20 professional victories, the label of “The Prospect” for Wood (19-5, 7-2 UFC) may be wearing out. At the age of 30, the Englishman is surging into his encounter against Tajikistan native Naimov (9-2, 1-0 UFC) in a classic matchup of those two nations at 145 pounds. The third man in the Octagon will be referee Lukasz Bosacki, who stands back as the combatants bump fists. Both in orthodox stances, the two mirror one another while standing before the other right in the center of the cage. Wood makes Naimov blink first with a thudding calf kick, and Naimov replies in kind. Naimov times a perfect right hook while Wood is advancing to nearly take the Brit off his feet, and Wood recovers by clinching up. Naimov uses his foe’s momentum against him to hit a trip with his body lock to put Wood on the canvas. Naimov stacks Wood up against the corner between the floor and the cage to start dropping down ground-and-pound, and Wood appears to have gotten through the worst of that nasty right hook from before. Naimov tries to put some more damage on him, as he opens up with numerous right hands and hammerfists. Wood sits up, putting his back to the cage, and he starts talking to his corner that is seated directly behind him. Naimov chips away with fists until Wood bursts to his knees and up to his feet. Naimov pressures tightly until he is spun around, and he smashes Wood in the cup with a knee. Before Wood collapses to the ground, Naimov gets off a knee to the sternum as well, and Bosacki gets between them to allow Wood to get his wind back. Bosacki issues Naimov a stern warning, and after about 90 seconds, the two get back to it. Wood doubles up on leg kicks as he marches forward, and a piston-like straight right hand staggers Naimov in an instant. Naimov gathers his thoughts as he ricochets off the wall, and Wood uses the moment to drive Naimov to the canvas. Wood latches onto a kimura and falls off the back, allowing a now-recovered Naimov to start bombarding him with ground-and-pound. Naimov allows Wood to sit up so he can hang on with a potential guillotine choke, and Wood fights it off to stand up, only to meet an elbow. The horn cries oddly again, and the promotion needs to work on it as it appears to be malfunctioning.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Naimov
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Naimov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Naimov

Round 2

Fists are bumped, and the first strike of the round is a front kick that bounces into Wood’s cup. Wood cries out in pain and shouts to Bosacki to do something, and he drops to his knees against the fence. Wood paces back and forth and shouts out to get his bearings, and Bosacki issues Naimov a hard warning without taking a point. When Wood is ready to go, Naimov instantly advances to change levels and take the fight down. Naimov puts a knee to the chest, and Wood turns the corner and trips him out to put him on the mat. Naimov jumps back up despite Wood clinging to his back, and he grabs the fence to stop a takedown as if he were a lifelong practitioner of Dundasso. Bosacki warns him for the clear tug on the links without doing anything else, and Naimov manages to stay on his feet. Wood presses his shoulder on Naimov, but Naimov is able to turn him around, drive knees to the chest, and trip Wood up. Wood falls to his back, with Naimov following him, and Naimov moves right into half guard. When Naimov looks to advance position, Wood pulls him back to the guard, and he slows down the strikes that come from “Hillman.” Naimov postures up and lands a punch and an elbow, and Wood uses his foot to push on Naimov’s face to get enough space to turn. Wood methodically stands back up with the fence behind him, and Naimov drops down for a double. Wood defends with a kimura, and he loses it when put on his back. “The Prospect” moves to his knees in an effort to regain his footing, and he stands back up as the horn toots comically.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Naimov
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Naimov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Naimov

Round 3

Despite the foul-filled performance from Naimov thus far, there is no bad blood between the two, as they touch gloves entering into Round 3. The two fighters trade strikes, and Naimov kicks him in the groin. Wood rushes forward, ignoring it as it goes uncalled, to pin Naimov against the wire. Naimov shoves off of it to reset, and he pushes the ball of his foot into Wood’s midsection. Wood sits down on a left hand and crowds his man, but he backs off before further engaging. Wood stalks his foe down, and Naimov reaches him with a left hand and a leg kick. Naimov settles for a head kick, and with one leg in the air, he gets kicked hard on his plant leg to nearly buckle his knee. Naimov drops down suddenly for a double, and he succeeds in putting the Brit down to his seat. Wood powers back up, but Naimov wrangles him against the wall and drags him to a knee in a mat return effort. Wood takes several knees to the thigh and midsection as time is his worst enemy at the moment, and Naimov knees him in the groin and gets away with it again. Wood shakes his head angrily, and he lets loose with his hands in a furious exchange. Tagging Naimov, Wood connects with heavy hooks and rocks “Hillman” with his offense. Naimov tries to tie him up or stifle him with a jab or two, and Wood continues pushing the pace and stinging Naimov with his strikes. Naimov goes up high with a kick, and Wood takes him off his feet and starts drilling him with ground-and-pound. In survival mode, Naimov illegally grabs the inside of Wood’s gloves to stop the shots from hitting him, and Wood wriggles his hands out and keeps slugging Naimov in the chops until the strange fight ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Wood (29-28 Naimov)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Wood (29-28 Naimov)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Wood (29-28 Naimov)

The Official Result

Muhammadjon Naimov def. Nathaniel Wood via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Mike Breeden (159.5: Missed Weight) vs. Anshul Jubli (155.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jubli (-305), Breeden (+245)

Round 1

Clocking in nearly four pounds over the lightweight cap, “Money” Breeden (10-6, 0-3 UFC) will be sacrificing a hefty portion of his nicknamesake by blowing weight against Jubli (7-0, 1-0 UFC). The undefeated combatant from India will be aiming for a pink slip-worthy performance – for his opponent, to be clear – and he will need to do so under the oversight of referee Marc Goddard. The two have no interest in touching them up first, and instead they get right down to it. Jubli prepares for a charging Breeden by sitting down on a right hand, and his leg kick that follows lands flush. Jubli stuns Breeden with a combination, and he pulls up short instead of continuing it. Jubli pulls his punches and kicks when feinting, and Breeden is able to see the stutter and catch him. Jubli snipes Breeden with a left hand and follows it with a body kick, and he leans back to dodge the counter. Breeden puts a three-punch combination together, and Jubli drives him back with a front kick. Jubli clips his foe in the midst of a combo, and he lands another right hand after it along with part of a head kick. Breeden recovers and is buzzed by a step-in knee, and he wipes his hair as a cut has opened on the top of his head. Breeden shoots for a takedown that gets shut down easily, and Jubli makes him pay with a digging right to the body. The Indian combatant strings a knee into a series of punches, and Breeden takes them flush and nods at him. Jubli stabs his toes to the body, and Breeden has to take a moment to take a breath. Loosing a head kick that misses, Breeden leaves himself exposed and gets kneed on the chin. Both men throw fire in a sudden flurry, and Breeden dings his undefeated foe with a right hand. Breeden kicks low, and Jubli backs him off with a jab. Jubli intercepts an advancing Breeden with a knee and splits the guard with a right hand, and Breeden shakes it off and comes out swinging. One last knee from Jubli dislodges the gumshield of his opponent before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jubli
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Jubli
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jubli

Round 2

The second round begins furiously, as Breeden kicks the body and Jubli lines up a bunch of punches while Breeden’s leg is in the air. “King of Lions” unloads with a vicious right hand that staggers the American, and Breeden attempts to fire back but continues to get clubbed with oncoming fire. The strikes from Jubli have shredded open a cut above Breeden’s eye, and it is gaping but not bleeding. Breeden welcomes a brawl as he lets his hands go, and he even catches Jubli in an exchange. Jubli works him over right back, and Breeden raises his finger and wags it. “Money” gets off a money right hand that shakes up the undefeated man, but Jubli is able to get his bearings and smashes Breeden in the jaw with a knee. Jubli times a clean right hand over the top, and Breeden, of the “let me bang, bro” mentality, bites down on his mouthpiece and throws haymakers. Jubli eats a few and counters back with sharper strikes, but Breeden is not budging an inch. Breeden gains a head of steam and backs off Jubli, and he starts shouting and flexing while swinging for the bleachers. Jubli remains composed and more accurate, but Breeden is in his face ready for anything that comes at him. Jubli chains punches into kicks, and Breeden points at his own leg to check a kick. Breeden is having a blast as he trades wildly with his opponent, despite a flap of his own eyebrow hanging down to partially obscure his vision. The round ends, and Goddard takes a very close look at the damage on Breeden’s bloodless face.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jubli
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Breeden
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jubli

Round 3

Breeden is cleared for the last round, and Jubli makes sure to immediately target it with a kick. Breeden explodes into action, running his hands down while flailing punches. Jubli eats powerful punches, and Breeden starts barking at him. Jubli is staggered and shocked from the onslaught of strikes, and Breeden busts him in the face with his right hand. Jubli feebly shoots down for a takedown, and Breeden laughs it off and gets in Jubli’s face. Breeden winds up with a right hand and points at him as if he were a member of the Diaz clan. Jubli again tries for a takedown, and Breeden shuts him down, busts him in the chops and starts shouting “USA.” The madness of Breeden has completely taken Jubli out of his game, and Breeden is practically the only one with any offense. Jubli gets off one single punch, and Breeden yells at him and hits him back with two more. Jubli tries to stay away with a few body kicks and a leg kick, and Breeden winds up with a huge left hand. Jubli does not know what to do and is falling apart at Breeden’s relentless pressure and trash talk. With a thunderous surge of punches, Breeden connects with one final right hand to send Jubli crashing to the canvas on his face. While Jubli bounces back up to his hands, Goddard waves the fight off due to the face-planting nature of the barrage. This is an incredible comeback for the Marathon MMA fighter, who seems to have authored a terrific finish through sheer force of will. Breeden shouts to anyone that will listen, “don’t sleep on me,” and he has successfully removed India’s Jubli from the ranks of the unbeaten in a big way.

The Official Result

Mike Breeden def. Anshul Jubli R3 3:00 via KO (Punches)

Abu Azaitar (186) vs. Sedriques Dumas (186)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Dumas (-205), Azaitar (+170)

Round 1

Despite both middleweight hailed as knockout artists, Azaitar (14-3-1, 1-1 UFC) and Dumas (8-1, 1-1 UFC) both sport knockout rates of exactly 50%. It will be well over two years since the Moroccan Azaitar has competed in the cage, while Dumas has fought eight times in the meantime. The referee assignment of the matchup goes to Jason Herzog, who clocks the fighters in as they decide against tapping their hands together. Dumas advances as chants for “Abu” rain down from the crowd, and the first strike is a low kick from the Floridian. When Dumas attempts another kick, Azaitar is able to time a right hand and send Dumas flying. Dumas recovers, largely pushed over for momentum and not due to the damage of the strike. When Dumas stands, he surprises Azaitar by locking his hands together and taking Azaitar for a ride. Dumas lands on top position in half guard, and he opens up with short strikes to the body and grinding elbows on the chin. Staying close to not let Azaitar get any space to push off, Dumas makes his foe’s life miserable with his smothering top control. Dumas winds up with a knee to the body, and he postures up to bust Azaitar in the face. Azaitar tugs on Dumas’ hair to sit him up and punch him, and he strikes Dumas in the back of the head repeatedly despite Herzog’s warnings to knock it off. Dumas isolates an arm but does not appear to have the chops to go for a straight armbar or an armlock like a kimura or keylock. “The Reaper” hangs on in this risk-averse position until the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dumas
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Dumas
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Dumas

Round 2

The middleweights kick off Round 2 with kicks, as Dumas goes high with a front kick while Azaitar goes low with his own shin. Dumas attacks the lead leg of his foe as well, and Azaitar replies with the same kick. Azaitar bull-rushes forward to stun Dumas with a combination, and Dumas hops back and shakes out any cobwebs. Azaitar swings leather, and Dumas ducks, circles away and kicks his calf hard. When chants for “Abu” drown out any other sound in the arena, Azaitar does not acknowledge them, instead waiting for Dumas to come his way. Dumas looks for a takedown from range, and he abandons it when noticing that Azaitar is winding up with nasty counters. Azaitar has a kick checked that produces a noise like a tree limb snapping, and he takes a jab in the nose for good measure. Dumas uses his longer range to snipe from afar, and Azaitar grabs one of Dumas’ outstretched legs and dings him with two punches. The Floridian goes to the body, and he feints and fakes to draw reactions out of “Captain Morocco.” Azaitar gets off a clean body kick, and the two trade punches in a rapid exchange. Dumas sneaks in a leg kick, and Azaitar replies with an overhand right on the cheek. When Dumas kicks the side, Azaitar takes him off his feet and lays into him with right hands behind the ear and on the back of the head. Dumas scrambles back to his feet, and Azaitar meets him with a knee to the body and a low kick. The horn briefly honks, and then squeaks.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Azaitar
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Azaitar
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Azaitar

Round 3

The two men meet in the middle of the cage, and Dumas sees a head kick coming from a mile away and smoothly dodges it. Dumas settles down with a chopping leg kick, and he tries to double up on it only to come up short. Neither fighter commits to much, as they are largely relegated to single strikes like a front kick from Azaitar or a jab from Dumas. The Florida native kicks low and then turns his hips to put a side kick on the body of his foe. Spinning with a back kick, Dumas mixes things up, but it is again one-and-done. Azaitar kicks the lead leg, and then after a few seconds, decides to do that again. This spurs Dumas into a punch to the thigh. As they clash together, Dumas skirts away, and Azaitar pulls his hair and yanks the tie out of Dumas’ hair. Hair pulling is a serious foul, one that commentator Daniel Cormier "jokes" about not knowing, but Azaitar is only warned for it. Dumas, when he puts it back, proceeds to walk Azaitar down and stings him with a jab. Azaitar wobbles and he recovers, walking right into another jab from Dumas. The best strikes from Dumas are his jab, although his volume is paltry. Azaitar is not much better, with his kicks likely accounting for most of his strikes in the frame. Dumas tries to add to his tally with two front kicks, but they slide off the block. Azaitar digs a right to the body, and Dumas responds with a right over the top and a body kick that is caught. Both middleweights paw at one another without landing anything, although Azaitar gets off two that glance at the end of his glove. Dumas chips away with a kick, and Azaitar charges at him with a takedown that fails. Dumas punts him in the nose with a head kick, breaking it and splitting open a cut on the bridge of it, and the lackluster match comes to a conclusion.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dumas (29-28 Dumas)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Dumas (29-28 Dumas)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Dumas (29-28 Dumas)

The Official Result

Sedriques Dumas def. Abu Azaitar via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Javid Basharat (136) vs. Victor Henry (136)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Basharat (-535), Henry (+400)

Round 1

Referee Lukasz Bosacki will need to go into overdrive if he hopes to keep up with this next bout in the bantamweight division. With 14 wins opposite zero defeats, Basharat (14-0, 3-0 UFC) rockets his way into his pairing with proud UWF USA rep Henry (23-6, 2-1 UFC). Whether the victor needs 15 seconds or 15 minutes to get things done, one man may put himself in prime position at the talent-rich 135-pound category by prevailing. There is no glove touch to get this one started. Basharat walks through a leg kick and parries two jabs to get his own range. Henry kicks the leg, sweeping it out, and Basharat falls to the ground and climbs back up while wagging his finger. Both men trade leg kicks, and Henry breaks it up with a front kick. Basharat digs another kick on the calf, and Henry greets him with one back while ducking two looping punches. Basharat connects with another front kick, and he checks a kick. Henry swats out with multiple low kicks while Basharat crowds him, and when Basharat backs off, he plants a side kick on Henry’s waist. Basharat sneaks in a jab and follows it with an inside low kick, and Henry defends against a head kick while kicking low. Basharat gets off a left hand, and when he kicks the body, Henry catches it. Henry releases it after landing a few punches, and his own kick gets caught. This forces a scramble that results in both fighters hitting the mat, but the two are active enough to spring back up while still tied up. Basharat attempts a single, and he abandons it to go up high with a left hand on the break. Basharat chops with a kick and lands two punches, but it is his spinning back kick that finds its target with emphasis. Basharat scores kicks, and Henry does the same while getting one more checked. Henry doubles up on a kick from each leg, and he pecks away while Basharat slowly meanders towards him. Henry kicks the waist and closes in to hunt for an inside trip. The round ends with the two trading knees from up close.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Basharat
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Basharat
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Basharat

Round 2

The 135ers meet one another in the middle of the cage, Basharat kicks his opponent square in the groin to start off the round. Henry falls straight on his face and rolls around, moaning in agony. Basharat tries to apologize, and Bosacki tells him to stay in the neutral corner. Henry shows no sign of improvement after 90 seconds, still on the ground in pain. There is a brief bit of discussion as to whether the strike landed on his groin, and Henry yells that it was all his genitals. After over three minutes, Henry is helped to his feet, but he is still totally compromised. Five full minutes elapse, and Bosacki waves the fight off, much to the displeasure of the crowd. The doctor incredulously tries to tell Henry that the strike should not have hurt him like it did, or that it was not a direct shot on his groin, but Henry is no actor and his reaction is quite legitimate. Henry’s corner, the legendary Josh Barnett, carries Henry out of the cage, as Henry is struggling to stay on his feet. As the foul was accidental and the time was early into Round 2, it should be declared a no contest.

The Official Result

Victor Henry vs. Javid Basharat is Ruled a No Contest (Accidental Groin Kick) R2 0:15

Mohammad Yahya (156) vs. Trevor Peek (155.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Peek (-135), Yahya (+114)

Round 1

The UFC made sure when putting this fight together that the judges may be able to take it off. At 155 pounds, Yahya (12-3, 0-0 UFC) will make history as the first fighter born in the Emirates to compete in the Octagon. He comes to blows with all-action striker Peek (8-1, 1 NC; 1-1 UFC), who sports a 100% knockout rate. Referee Dan Movahedi may be needed even if the judges can likely go on break, and the fighters do not bump their fists together. Peek is the immediate aggressor, whipping low kicks and pressing forward. Yahya backs him off with a half-charge, and he does not throw anything. Peek rushes forward with two punches, and the right hand sends Yahya down to the canvas. Yahya springs back up, and Peek surprises him with a body lock and a trip takedown. Yahya turns to his knee and stands, defiant of the right hands busting him in the chops. Peek stays tight against his foe and looks for another trip on the other side, sneaking his leg around Yahya’s to fluster him. Yahya considers a standing guillotine choke, but there is no leverage for it. Peek drills the inner thigh with knees, and he gets one on the inside before splitting off and winging a right hand. Yahya dodges and kicks the body as he escapes. Yahya leaps forward with a left hand to surprise Peek, and Peek shakes his head and is good to go. Peek winds up with a full-blast leg kick, and Yahya drops to his knee but is quick to get footing. Peek looks for a right hand as Yahya backpedals, and he misses the mark with a head kick. Peek gives chase with kicks, working at Yahya’s lead wheel, and he runs towards his man with his fists flying. Peek punches into a takedown, dropping down for a single that he turns to a double. Yahya defends with a guillotine choke, and he rolls through it to lock down a brabo choke. Peek survives the submission, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Peek
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Peek
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Peek

Round 2

Peek, leading the dance right out of the gate, starts off with a front kick and a lot of forward momentum. Yahya gives back a few body kicks, and he allows Peek to throw himself off-balance with a huge right hand. Peek blitzes his foe with a haymakers, and Yahya bounces off the fence and strafes to the side. Peek unloads a leg kick that stumbles Yahya, and he lets his opponent recover so that he can gauge how compromised the leg may be. Peek kicks it again, and he backs away to dodge a front kick. Peek walks through a right hand to swing for the fences, and Yahya evades them but cannot escape a flailing left hand that belts him on the chin. Yahya responds with pressure and a kick to the ribs, and Peek turns around and resets. Yahya catches Peek with a head kick that barely gets through, and Peek smacks him with a back fist. Peek kicks the rear leg of his adversary, and he shoots for a double that is stuffed when Yahya grips a guillotine. Peek takes a step back and come back swinging, only for Yahya to be out of the way in time. The American lands a leg kick, and he blazes Yahya with a few punches and a standing hammerfist before Yahya gets away. Yahya goes high with a kick and sticks out a left, causing Peek to crowd him with looping punches. Yahya is no worse the wear after the strikes, and the horn sounds with a little more gravitas.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Peek
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Peek
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Peek

Round 3

Once more, Peek is loaded for bear to start off the round, and he unleashes a furious frenzy of fists. The punches partially get through, and Peek’s sheer momentum allows him to bowl Yahya over and walk right into full mount. Peek lays into him with punches until Yahya fights to his feet. Yahya tries to turn the tables on him and goes for a takedown, only for Peek to trip him up and sit him on his seat. Yahya turns to a knee while leaned against the cage, and he slides off the back when opening up with punches. Yahya drives two body kicks to slow Peek down, and Peek wears them well and finds himself facing a few jabs. Peek nails his opponent with a right hand, and he tries for a hammerfist as well as Yahya shells up. Peek fearlessly pursues “The UAE Warrior,” crowding him and bullying him to the wire. Peek cannot hold him there, and when Yahya backs off, they both land flush strikes on the cheek. A cut opens on the side of Peek’s left eye, and Yahya targets it with a knee. Peek defends a takedown shot from the UAE native and turns him around, where he stomps on Yahya’s toes while grinding on him. Peek lands a right hand, and when Yahya tries a knee, he connects with another on the inside. Peek hits a trip with 30 seconds to spare, and he lands in half guard and moves to mount. Yahya kicks him off, and the fight surprisingly goes to the judges.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Peek (30-27 Peek)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Peek (30-27 Peek)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Peek (30-27 Peek)

The Official Result

Trevor Peek def. Mohammad Yahya via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Tim Elliott (126) vs. Muhammad Mokaev (126)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Mokaev (-485), Elliott (+370)

Round 1

Generations will clash in the preliminary headliner, when old guard representative Elliott (19-12-1, 8-10 UFC) tries to teach 23-year-old up-and-comer Mokaev (10-0, 1 NC; 4-0 UFC) a thing or two. Before a torch is or is not passed at 125 pounds, referee Jason Herzog lights it. The gloves are touched, and Elliott hops forward with his leg up and gets swatted back. Mokaev tags his opponent, but Elliott powers through it to hit a takedown and put the youngster on his back early. Mokaev looks to hook an elbow from off his back and stifle anything coming down on him, but Elliott elects to simply smack “The Punisher” in the jaw with that wing. Elliott drops down a couple elbows until Mokaev scrambles back up to his feet, and Elliott is quick to stuff a takedown that comes at him. Elliott skims the Dagestan-born fighter’s forehead with an elbow, and he chases after Mokaev with his hands down. Mokaev attempts another takedown, and he is stopped in his tracks. Mokaev puts his hands on the mat, and Elliot knees him twice with questionable strikes – largely depending on the amount of weight Mokaev had on his hands. Mokaev is fine, and the fight resumes. Elliott spins with a back kick, and his awkward kicks are frustrating the younger fighter. Mokaev lunges with a right hand, and he trips up the veteran and takes him down. Elliott snatches up a guillotine choke and torques with all his might, and Mokaev appears unconcerned at the submission and allows Elliott to gas his arms out. Elliott goes after the submission again when fully hitting his back, and that second attempt also falls short. Elliott hacks with elbows off his back, and Mokaev tries to get busy with short body shots. Elliott defends himself from anything of merit, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Mokaev
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Mokaev

Round 2

When the second round opens, Mokaev shoots directly into a double. Elliott sees this coming and clamps down a guillotine choke. Mokaev, patient and calm, does not struggle or do much to put himself in harm’s way. Instead, he does the right things to step to the side and wriggle his neck out, and he moves to top position as Elliott elbows him illegally behind the head several times. Elliott is the active striker of the two despite Mokaev on top of him, although few strikes of merit connect on either side. Mokaev clings to the former title challenger while looking to pass, but Elliott’s guard keeps him at bay. Mokaev sits up, and he falls right into a triangle choke trap. Elliott grips hold of an armbar to make things worse, and “The Punisher” uses all of his might to lift Elliott in the air and slam him down to break up the submission. Both fighters flail their fists while in the horizontal position, and Elliott hooks his leg around Mokaev’s arm to stifle him. Mokaev settles to grind out the remainder of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Mokaev
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Mokaev
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Mokaev

Round 3

The awkward stylings of Elliott allow him to close the distance without absorbing anything but a front kick, and he walks forward until Mokaev attempts a takedown. Elliott elbows his man in the top of the head, and after two close ones, Mokaev puts his hands on the mat and is struck with the third that is called a foul. Herzog calls time and gives Mokaev moments to recover, and Mokaev walks around getting the crowd excited. The replay shows the strikes were legal, and Herzog resets them in the same position. Mokaev uses this moment of confusion when they resume to snatch up Elliott’s ankle and flip him over in a slick maneuver. Mokaev does little with the position when he claims it, holding Elliott down and disallowing him from getting up. Elliott grabs hold of a guillotine choke, and this lets Mokaev counter him with a Von Preux setup of the shoulder over his foe’s neck. Elliott releases the grip, but “The Punisher” punishes him for making this mistake by locking down the arm-triangle choke. Mokaev, who slithers into mount, steps partially to the side and presses his full body weight down to complete the submission. Elliott does not need long before tapping out, and Mokaev has recorded the biggest win of his career impressively.

The Official Result

Muhammad Mokaev def. Tim Elliott R3 3:03 via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)

Said Nurmagomedov (136) vs. Muin Gafurov (135.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Nurmagomedov (-225), Gafurov (+185)

Round 1

The main card kicks off with what should be a high-paced, high-intensity scrap when Nurmagomedov (17-3, 6-2 UFC) – no relation – stands in the way of Gafurov (18-5, 0-1 UFC). The latter, representing Tajikistan, hopes to make competitors from his nation run the table tonight with a victory in the next 15 minutes. Before they get things started, referee Marc Goddard checks in the bantamweights. They opt to touch gloves, and Gafurov moves to the middle of the Octagon and plods forward. Nurmagomedov jabs with his front kick, and he stretches out a leg kick as well as one high to find his immediate distance. Gafurov gives him one low kick back, only to get shoved away with the ball of the Russian’s foot. Nurmagomedov whips a kick high, and Gafurov charges recklessly into action. When Gafurov swings his fists, Nurmagomedov circles on the outside and matches Gafurov’s momentum by slapping on a 10-finger guillotine choke. The submission is instantly and completely tight, with Nurmagomedov’s arm wrapped all the way around to crush the windpipe and cut off the blood flow. With Goddard watching closely, Gafurov taps out on the other side, outside of Goddard’s field of vision. Ever the sportsman, Nurmagomedov releases the choke right as Gafurov is about to lose consciousness. Goddard tends to Gafurov after waving off the fight, and Gafurov is beside himself at the speedy, deflating loss. Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov is over the moon after winning in such a fashion.

The Official Result

Said Nurmagomedov def. Muin Gafurov R1 1:13 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)

Ikram Aliskerov (186) vs. Warlley Alves (185.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Aliskerov (-535), Alves (+410)

Round 1

Getting a new opponent on short notice, surging Dagestan native Aliskerov (14-1, 1-0 UFC) closes as the heaviest betting favorite on the card around -650 as he takes on company staple Alves (14-6, 8-6 UFC). Winner of the third season of “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil,” Alves moves back up that weight class of middleweight for this late test, and he does not mind the odds. Thankful to remain on this card, Aliskerov offers a glove touch to his new foe, and it is accepted. Referee Lukasz Bosacki is ready for what comes next. Aliskerov coolly walks forward, with a front kick to keep Alves from coming up on him. Alves slams a few kicks on the inside of the Russian’s lead leg, and Aliskerov tries to check one and gets knocked back with a pair of punches. Aliskerov swings back and misses, and Alves is on him and delivers one more hefty kick on the same spot of the leg. Both men throw hard punches, and Aliskerov checks another kick. Alves swarms forward but is out of arm’s reach, and Aliskerov reaches him with a right hand and staggers him with a jab. Aliskerov confidently leaps forward with a knee up the middle, and he knows Alves is in big trouble. Aliskerov unloads a flurry of fists into the chin, and Alves gets rocked and rocked again as he is barely able to stay on his feet. One particularly nasty uppercut separates Alves from his senses, and he collapses to the mat, totally defeated. Aliskerov continues punching right until Bosacki pulls him off, and he walks off to celebrate his handiwork.

The Official Result

Ikram Aliskerov def. Warlley Alves R1 2:07 via TKO (Punches)

Magomed Ankalaev (206) vs. Johnny Walker (205)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ankalaev (-355), Walker (+280)

Round 1

Major stakes at light heavyweight loom for the man that gets his hand raised in the encounter between Ankalaev (17-1-1, 9-1-1 UFC) and Walker (21-7, 7-4 UFC). Both at the tender age of 31, Ankalaev last saw his dreams of UFC gold get put on ice thanks to an odd draw, while Walker tied his own UFC high by winning three in a row. Two men – plus referee Dan Movahedi – enter, and only one will leave a top 205-pound contender. The gloves are sternly touched, and Walker lashes out first with a slapping leg kick. Ankalaev looks for a way to decipher the awkwardly long reach of his opponent, and he does so by smacking Walker in the face with his shin. Walker shakes it off and starts chewing up the lead leg of his adversary. Ankalaev preemptively raises his leg to check kicks, and he gets one and follows it with a right hand that makes Walker spin around. Walker paws out with his jab, which keeps Ankalaev from reaching him with much besides a left to the body. Walker reels, bent over from the damaging blow, only to shock Ankalaev by jumping at him with a flying knee as he was faking it. Ankalaev somehow pushes through it, allowing him to bowl Walker down to the ground, where he starts fishing for a side choke. Walker defends the submission and looks for short punches, and Ankalaev drives his knee straight into Walker’s chin while Walker’s knee was down. Movahedi calls the foul – this night has not been good for the rules of engagement – and Walker is stunned but smiling. Movahedi calls in the doctor to check on Walker’s condition, and Walker tries to clear his head and wipes away a little bit of blood that trickled into his eye. In a bizarre result, the physician tells Movahedi that Walker cannot continue – the same one that told Henry earlier tonight that he was not struck in the groin earlier. Walker does not understand what is happening and loses his cool, shoving Movahedi and screaming that he wants to keep fighting. Many bodies rush into the cage, keeping the two from engaging further, and both announcer Bruce Buffer and UFC head Dana White come in to make sure nothing else arises from the potential fracas. Walker and Ankalaev are wanting to keep fighting, but they cannot. The ruling is that the illegal knee was unintentional, and therefore the result would be a no contest. No one is happy about this, and White tells them that they will take care of things soon. Sometimes these things happen in MMA.

The Official Result

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker is Ruled a No Contest (Illegal Knee) R1 3:13

Kamaru Usman (184.5) vs. Khamzat Chimaev (185.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Chimaev (-285), Usman (+230)

Round 1

Unexpectedly preserving this fight, former welterweight kingpin Usman (20-3, 15-2 UFC) will be stepping up to 185 pounds for the first time in his career in the highly anticipated co-headliner. With just 12 days to prepare, he will collide with Chimaev (12-0, 6-0 UFC), who has been out of the Octagon for over a year while at middleweight for the first time since 2020. Many questions may be answered about both men when the dust settles, and referee Jason Herzog will take the helm for the second-to-last bout of the day. Chimaev has a wild look in his eye, and even though he offers a clap of hands, Usman is having none of it. The two look for their ranges, and Chimaev races forward and looks to take the former champ down. Usman defends it by dropping to a knee, and he springs back up. Chimaev grabs him from behind and looks for a mat return, while imposing his body weight on Usman. Chimaev presses Usman down and gets both hooks in, and he starts hammering Chimaev with hammerfists. Herzog asks Usman to work, and Usman sits up but still has “Borz” on his back. Chimaev fishes for a choke and mixes in punches, and he grabs the cage a few times to maintain position. Usman stays on his hands and knees, not allowing himself to get flattened out but completely nullified from an offensive perspective. Usman looks to shimmy Chimaev off his back, although this does not work. Chimaev looks for a potential choke and busts Usman in the face with a few punches and an elbow. Usman stands up, and Chimaev completes the body triangle and starts wrapping up a rear-naked choke. Usman fights the hands to defend against the choke, and he slams Chimaev right on his head to stop the submission. Chimaev flattens Usman out momentarily, but Usman sits up and leans himself against the fencing. Chimaev wraps his arms around Usman’s head, but the choke is not there. Chimaev works with strikes from around the sides of the head, and he drags Usman to his seat when Usman looks to recover. “Borz” sits up to land a few strikes, and the dominant round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Chimaev
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Chimaev
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Chimaev

Round 2

The second round begins, and both men are tentative to exchange in the early going. No strikes land for the first 45 seconds, when Usman jabs the body and kicks the calf. Chimaev changes stances after the kick, and he flicks out a jab. Usman fakes for a takedown, and Chimaev partially bites but does not sell out to defend an attempt that does not come. Usman puts the ball of his foot on Chimaev’s midsection, and he blocks a high body kick that soars back his way. Usman scores another front kick, and he gets pushed back when Chimaev kicks at his knee. The crowd grows restless at the inactivity from the two middleweights, and Usman goes down a little harder for a faked takedown. Usman lands a straight right hand and pump-fakes for another takedown, and he blocks a head kick. Chimaev gets off a leg kick, and he is jabbed to the body. Usman misses on a big right hand, and he leans back as Chimaev swats at him. Another head kick is guarded from the former champ, who looks for a level change and stings Chimaev with a one-two and follows with a calf kick. Usman reaches out with a left hand, and Chimaev shoots in deep for a double that puts Usman on his back with relative ease. Usman defends by tying up the arms and neck, stopping Chimaev from advancing or doing anything. Chimaev pops his head out in the last seconds, lands one punch, and the horn tweets.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Chimaev

Round 3

The last round opens up, and Chimaev dives face-first for a takedown that Usman comfortably stops and scoots away. Usman picks and pokes with jabs and leg kicks, and he reaches out with a right that brushes off the beard. Usman leans down and grabs Chimaev’s leg, but he lets it go to keep Chimaev thinking about the wrestling. Chimaev lands a body kick and gets knocked back with two fists, and this leads to “Borz” racing forward with a takedown. Chimaev stands up, and Usman rifles out several jabs to the head and body. Chimaev gets stung in an exchange, and Usman tags him with more jabs and shoots for his own takedown. Chimaev appears fatigued, with his winging strikes labored, and Usman can reach him when he tries. Chimaev drops down for an ankle, and he successfully scoops Usman up and sets him down courtesy of a single. Chimaev moves into half guard, and he grinds the former champion down. Usman looks to buck and prevent Chimaev from advancing, but time is not on his side. Chimaev does little more than control, but he is heavy and keeps Usman flat until Usman furiously escapes. With 20 seconds to go, Usman is on his feet, and he misses with a one-two. Usman lands a few punches, ducks the counters, and the two let their hands go right to the bitter end. Scorecards may be all over the place, regarding the potential score of the first round and the value of striking against grappling in this round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Usman (29-28 Usman)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Chimaev (29-28 Chimaev)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Chimaev (30-27 Chimaev)

The Official Result

Khamzat Chimaev def. Kamaru Usman via Majority Decision (29-27, 29-27, 28-28)

UFC Lightweight Title Fight:
Islam Makhachev (155) vs. Alexander Volkanovski (154.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Makhachev (-245), Volkanovski (+200)

Round 1

As far as short-notice opponent changes go, the promotion could hardly find a better, more enticing option for a pay-per-view by swapping out Charles Oliveira for a sitting champion. Running back a thriller that went down in February, lightweight chieftain Makhachev (24-1, 13-1 UFC) wants to slam the door on his Australian counterpart’s two-division ambitions. With plenty to lose, even going up in weight again, Volkanovski (26-2, 13-1 UFC) is ready and rearing to go for the unplanned opportunity. The fighters are ready, the fans are ready, and referee Marc Goddard will make some noise since he is ready. Ahead of the mighty rematch, the champions gladly touch gloves. Makhachev starts the fight with a leg kick, and he aims a kick to the body shortly thereafter. Makhachev digs another kick to the midsection, and Volkanovski replies with an inside leg kick. Volkanovski gets off another low kick, and Makhachev smacks him upside the head with a kick. Makhachev looks to follow his success by attempting a takedown, and Volkanovski stuffs it and tells him “uh-uh.” Volkanovski turns him around and knees him in the belly, and he looks for his own trip. Makhachev gets a little space and connects with a knee to the dome, and he lands a second as the two jockey for position. Volkanovski elects to bail on the clinch, and he takes a kick to the ribcage on the way out. Makhachev reaches with a left hook, and Volkanovski shakes it off. Volkanovski ducks down and gets railed with a kick on the dome, and he is shocked and hurt badly. The featherweight king drops to his side, and Makhachev sprints towards him to seal the deal. The Russian clobbers Volkanovski with a lightning-fast salvo of left hands, knocking Volkanovski’s head around and punishing him for ever considering a challenge of the 155-pound throne. Goddard rushes in to get between them and wave off the main event, and Makhachev has done it! Incredible! Huge cuts on Volkanovski’s eyebrows leak blood down his face as he quizzically asks Goddard why he stopped the fight, perhaps flash knocked out from the big kick and follow-up punches. A new pound-for-pound king may be crowned by that tremendous performance. On his post-fight interview, Makhachev calls for peace in the Middle East, while telling the UFC that it is not his job to make fights and that the next bout for him will be up to them. Meanwhile, Volkanovski states he wants to stay busy, and that as long as he gets his cuts healed in time, he will be ready to defend his featherweight strap in January against Ilia Topuria. If and when that takes place, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.

The Official Result

Islam Makhachev def. Alexander Volkanovski R1 3:06 via KO (Head Kick and Punches)