UFC 302 ‘Makhachev vs. Poirier’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Andre Lima (130: Missed Weight) vs. Mitch Raposo (125)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Lima (-218), Raposo (+180)

Round 1

Just a little over a year ago, the promotion turned to an old favorite city it used to frequent back in the mid-2010s, putting on an interesting title fight with a non-title five-rounder in the co-headliner spot. The UFC swings back again in relative short order, deciding to post up outside of New York City while still drawing plenty of eyeballs. As a note, this will be the first event to feature the newly designed gloves, ones that were touted to reduce eye pokes. A dozen bouts with plenty of ranking’s significance from women’s 135 pounds all the way up to pound-for-pound consideration will play out, but the first of 12 has zero relevance in that metric because it comes at an unplanned catchweight. Raposo (9-1, 0-0 UFC) and his shiny new contract will contend with the heavy Lima (8-0, 1-0 UFC), who appears to still be reeling from his “Charlie Bit Me” incident against Igor da Silva in March. Referee Herb Dean will make sure no chomping happens this time around, and the fight begins with a glove touch. Lima moves to the center of the cage, walking Raposo down, and he sits down on a heavy calf kick that immediately forces a stance switch. Raposo finds a way in and dives forward with two punches, and Lima bats them away and chops at the calf hard while chants of “USA” rain down against him. Lima goes for another kick low down to the calf, and each time he has struck it, Raposo has changed stances. Raposo replies with a rapid-fire combination to keep Lima honest, but Lima does not pay it much mind as he attacks the front leg once more. Raposo lashes out with a pair of punches, and Lima’s composure never wavers and instead pounds the front leg twice after a stance switch from the Massachusetts native. Raposo strides forward to throw hands, and Lima intercepts him with a crisp knee up the middle. When Raposo settles down, Lima blasts his front leg, and Raposo shakes his leg out in response. Lima keeps battering either lead leg that is presented to him, and Raposo tries to check one by turning his shin in, and the sound of the shins clacking together echoes in the cage. Raposo circles his way into punch strings, but his general lack of offense prompts a clapping of Dean to fight more. Lima nails the lead when once more, prompting Raposo to let go with hands to the body. Lima turns his hips into a particularly harsh leg kick, and Raposo spins all the way around to get his bearings. Lima pushes off with his fingers outstretched, grazing Raposo’s eye, and Raposo waves Dean off and unloads a right hand that catches the Brazilian standing still. Lima lets loose with two high kicks that bounce off the guard, and he is warned for his fingers pointed towards his foe’s face. Lima keeps working on the front legs of his opponent, allowing Raposo to change his stance so he can smack the other. This continues until the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lima
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Lima
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Lima

Round 2

The fighters clap hands to lead off the second round, and Raposo is much more active to get going. A few series of punches come from the American, with quick hands largely targeting the body. Lima no-sells the punches and continues stalking Raposo down, where he chambers and releases a head kick that slams into the guard. Lima attempts another step-in knee, and he parries the oncoming punches when Raposo tries to close the distance. Lima drills the front calf with a kick, and Raposo backpedals and considers a stance switch but would rather present his left leg. Raposo comes up short on a haymaker, and Lima allows him to fall off-balance so he can work the leg again. Raposo targets the body with punches, and Lima switches up to attack the inside of his adversary’s legs with ruthless kicks. Lima cuts Raposo off, and Raposo tries to drive him back with a trio of punches that all get blocked. Lima slams his shin into Raposo’s calf, and he pushes out his finger and swipes Raposo in the eye. Dean calls time and issues Lima a hard warning, and Lima gives an apology. They restart, and Raposo reaches him with a left hand. Lima comes back at him with low kicks, and Dean once more admonishes the Brazilian for his fingers pointed out. Lima fakes a kick, and Raposo jumps away with a major reaction. Lima pokes his man in the eye, and Raposo steps back and wipes his eye. A confused moment for both fighters results in Dean telling Lima to be careful, and they restart again. Raposo shoots for a takedown and hits it, and Lima blatantly grabs the cage to pull himself back up to his feet. Lima chases Raposo down and kicks him a few more times before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lima
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Lima
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Lima

Round 3

The fighters tap hands together to get going, and Raposo gives chase early to throw hands. Raposo swipes out with overhand rights, and Lima calmly backs him off with a straight right hand in response. Lima gets off a low kick, and he fires a second one off to the ribs. Lima reaches out with a right hand and a front kick to the solar plexus, and he springs away from a double jab. The Brazilian fearlessly stalks forward, setting up a heavy body kick and seemingly unconcerned about anything Raposo gives back. The two men trade body shots, and Lima follows one with a kick down at the base of the calf. Lima plants a second kick down low, and Raposo’s punch salvo ricochets off the raised guard. Lima splits the guard with a left hand, and Raposo walks through it and gives one single blow back. Lima slaps the front leg with yet another kick, and a second is checked. Raposo slips in a left hand, but it is one-and-done before he backpedals. Lima measures a straight left hand, and Raposo stands him up with an uppercut and a left hand. Raposo ducks and connects with a left hand, and Lima frazzles him with two leg kicks that briefly put him down. Raposo bounces up and away from a sweeping body kick, and Lima manages to find him with a sharp jab. Raposo tries to attempt a takedown, only for Lima to toss him aside and push him to the wall. Lima gets off one knee before they split up, and he chases after Raposo until the fight wraps.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lima (30-27 Lima)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Lima (30-27 Lima)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Lima (30-27 Lima)

The Official Result

Andre Lima def. Mitch Raposo via Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)

Joselyne Edwards (136) vs. Ailin Perez (135)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Perez (-198), Edwards (+164)

Round 1

One lone women’s bout will play out on the billing tonight, and it comes now at the 135-pound division between two women that will not likely go out for a beer after. In the last few years, Argentina’s Perez (9-2, 2-1 UFC) has built a pattern of winning two and losing the third, and she currently rides a two-fight win streak. Looking to keep that pattern going will be Edwards (13-5, 4-3 UFC), who has heard the final bell in all seven of her previous outings in the Octagon. Referee Gasper Oliver may be in it for the long haul, and he clocks the grudge match in as they have no interest in touching gloves first—although Perez does offer. Perez backs off and reaches out low kicks, and Edwards checks one and throws a front kick back. Perez punches, and she moves in to grab hold of Edwards and drags her back to the cage by putting her own back to the wall. This is all part of the plan, even as she eats a solid knee to the body, as she slings Edwards down to the floor. “La Pantera” fights her way back up with the fence behind her, so Perez mat returns her back down with a throw that plants her on her back in the middle of the cage. Perez lands a few punches from on top, and she is warned for punches to the back of the head. Edwards sweeps her when Perez tries to pass guard, and a wild scramble results in multiple reversals and changes in position. Edwards finds her way on top, and Perez flips her back over, only to get put on her back as Edwards times Perez advancing again. Edwards scoots her way to the cage wall, and as soon as she stands back up, Perez tosses her back down. “Fiona” settles down and hacks down with elbows, remaining more composed and less reckless so she can rack up control time without getting swept. Edwards hangs on with an arm-triangle off her back, and Perez completely ignores it as she resides in half guard, grinding out the round and dropping occasional elbows. Perez tries to move to mount, and Edwards remarkably flips her over once more. The amusing round ends with Edwards on top.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Perez

Round 2

Edwards comes out of her corner and takes the center of the cage, only to get driven back by two punches and an attempted high kick. Edwards replies with a single body kick, and she blocks a head kick aimed her direction. Perez defends from a high kick and a haymaker by swiping out with a left hook that stuns Perez momentarily. Perez shoots recklessly for a takedown, and Edwards snatches up a guillotine that is tight in a hurry. The Panamanian uses the submission to push Perez on her back, and she lands in half guard. Edwards postures up to land strikes occasionally, and as she lowers herself down, she smashes Perez in the face with her forehead with what appears to be an intentional headbutt. Perez clutches her cheek after the illegal blow, and Oliver calls time. Perez appears compromised from the blow, and Oliver simply asks Edwards to watch her head without issuing a hard warning or taking a point. Oliver clocks them back in, and Perez is still holding onto her cheek. When they do continue, Perez totally shocks her foe with a spinning back fist, knocking Edwards clean off her feet. Edwards appears stunned, and she somehow comes to her senses as Perez does not give chase. Instead, the two appear confused, and Perez decides to tackle Edwards to the mat. Perez falls off the side, and she pursues an armbar, only for Edwards to flip her over. Edwards holds top position to the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Perez

Round 3

Once more, Edwards is the aggressor to lead off the round, but Perez takes advantage of that by kicking her hard in the ribs. Edwards overswings, and Perez attempts to take her down. Edwards stonewalls her, and Perez tries again to no avail. On this second effort, Edwards shuts her down and pushes her towards the fence. Perez kicks off the fence to change her position, and she hunts for a hip toss but cannot get it this time. Edwards stays tightly pressed in the clinch, and the two tie their legs up until Perez chucks her to the mat. Edwards stands back up, and Perez backs off and pulls on the fence to stand back up. Edwards backs her off with a front kick, and she chases after a retreating Perez and kicks her in the front leg as well. A second low kick from Edwards forces a brief change in stances, and the pace wanes significantly. Perez comes up short on a big left hand, and Edwards spins with a back fist but is blocked. Perez tosses out a half-hearted high kick that easily gets redirected, and her leg kick comes up short. Edwards goes after her with reaching punches, and she misses the mark. Edwards plants a kick on the chest, and they trade leg kicks until Edwards catches her with a few punches. Perez spins with a back fist, and they both smile and touch gloves in a potential sign that the bad blood is dissipating. They keep slamming one another in the front leg with kicks, and Perez turns her hips to her side to deliver a solid side kick to the body. Edwards throws a few punches, and Perez rushes forward to take her down and lands it with seconds to spare. As Edwards stands, the fight ends, and the two women hug it out and appear to apologize to one another for everything that transpired between them. The teams also shake hands with one another, and the bantamweight share a finalizing embrace.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Edwards (29-28 Perez)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Perez (30-27 Perez)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Perez (30-27 Perez)

The Official Result

Ailin Perez def. Joselyne Edwards via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Bassil Hafez (170) vs. Mickey Gall (170)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Hafez (-325), Gall (+260)

Round 1

After over two years away, UFC 203 project Gall (7-5, 6-5 UFC) makes his return to the cage trying to shed the weight of a two-fight skid. Hafez (8-4-1, 0-1 UFC), a Pennsylvanian who made waves in a nailbiter loss to Jack Della Maddalena last July, will step up to the challenge in a vastly different level of competition. Fists are sure to fly, but before they do, referee Jason Herzog checks in the New Jersey vs. PA matchup as the welterweights do not plan on touching gloves. Instead, Hafez practically sprints at him, and he pulls back before reaching the grappler. Gall circles away, pawing out his jab, and Hafez reaches him with an overhand right. Hafez hand-fights and looks to work his way in, but the longer Gall is still keeping him at bay. Hafez slams a low kick home and lands a right hand, and he grins at Gall as if he knows something Gall does not. Hafez jabs the body and wings an overhand right that gets Gall’s attention, and he walks him down and marks his nose up with a follow-up left. Gall bounces off the fence to recover, and Hafez clubs him with a right hand and a left hook. Hafez connects with ah overhand right, splitting open a cut on the bridge of Gall’s nose, and his high kick that flies shortly thereafter barely misses. Without fear, Hafez stalks Gall down, unloading strikes and shrugging off anything that comes back his way. Hafez falls over after throwing a head kick, and Gall does not chase him to the mat and instead legs him back up. Hafez beats him to the punch with a jab and a right hand, and he snaps the head back with a particularly solid left hook. Gall prods out with a front kick and takes a look at the clock, and Hafez winds up with power shots that bounce off the shoulder. Hafez takes a clean right hand and rushes forward, and he turns his hips into a low kick. Hafez leaps forward with a jump knee, and whiffs on a heavy right hand. Gall sneaks in a right over the top, and he engages in a wild slugfest that results in Hafez getting tagged at the end of an exchange. Hafez wears it well and takes a heavy right hand on the side of the head, and he sticks his tongue out. Gall lets his hands go, clipping Hafez with a combination, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hafez
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Hafez
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Hafez

Round 2

Like the last round, Hafez is the immediate aggressor, and he threatens with early jabs. Gall prepares intercepting blows, seeing the telegraphed shots aimed at his head, and he catches Hafez leaping forward. Hafez still manages to hit him hard, and a left hand flusters Gall’s right eye. The two end up clashing together, and their heads clack together. Hafez pays it no mind and winds up with power strikes, and he busts Gall’s nose open. Gall strafes to the side, and Hafez measures him with a clean left hand that staggers Gall. Hafez keeps walking him down, and he walks through a right hand so he can unload with heavy blows. Gall spits blood out and keeps moving, and he puts everything into a pair of punches while Hafez does the same. They both sit down on big right hands, and neither man flinches. Gall digs a left to the body, and Hafez points at his body to bring it on. This results in a brief flurry of fists on both sides, and Hafez connects with a pair of clean hooks. Gall shoots in for a takedown, and Hafez lands on his side and springs back to his feet, where he lines up two punches on his way up. Gall loads up and manages to reach his man, and a short elbow gets Hafez’ attention. Gall doubles up on a jab and rails Hafez with a right hand, and Hafez slams his face and asks for more. When Gall tries for more, Hafez shoots in for a double-leg takedown, and Gall defends with a guillotine choke but loses it when he hits his back. Hafez stands back up and kicks Gall’s legs, and Gall blows a kiss at him. When Gall stands up, the round ends, and both men signal to the crowd.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gall
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gall
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Hafez

Round 3

For the third time in three rounds, Hafez runs to the middle of the cage, and this time, he plants his feet and swings for the fences. Gall is out of the way before getting caught, and he backs away from a left and takes a glancing right on the side of the head. Hafez throws everything he has into a few strikes, and a right hand opens a cut on the corner of Gall’s left eye. Gall does not mind the blood and loads up on a mighty right hand that stings Hafez. Hafez willingly engages in a slugfest, and Gall times him with a right hand but eats one back. Gall trades with him, and he gets rocked with an uppercut. As Hafez runs at him, Gall plans a perfect right hand on the chin that knocks Hafez to his seat. Hafez laughs and jumps back up, and Gall shoots for a takedown and completes it for a second. Hafez climbs right back up, and the two trade leather violently. Hafez sells out for a takedown, and Gall smartly defends with a guillotine and has it tight. Hafez wriggles his neck out of danger, and he moves into half guard. Gall works his way upright with the wall behind him, and the crowd gives it up for him. They separate and get back to striking range, and a Gall right hand busts Hafez’s cheek up and draws swelling. They both unleash power shots, and Hafez gets his bell rung but he throws back with bad intentions. Hafez steels himself, takes a deep breath and releases a head kick. Hafez then shoots in for a takedown, and Gall stops it in its tracks and knees Hafez in the face. Hafez tries for another takedown, his hands slowing, and Gall appears to be fresher and more defensively sound. Gall lines up two right hands, and Hafez licks his chops and asks for more. Hafez ducks under an elbow and secures a takedown, placing himself in half guard and flattening Gall out. Rather than grinding the rest of the round out, Hafez backs off and asks Gall to trade with him. Gall happily obliges him, and they swing it out until Hafez attacks with one final flying knee. Gall pushes him aside, and the entertaining 15-minute affair comes to a close, with the judges undoubtedly having their hands full here.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gall (29-28 Gall)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gall (29-28 Gall)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Gall (29-28 Hafez)

The Official Result

Bassil Hafez def. Mickey Gall via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Jake Matthews (170) vs. Philip Rowe (171)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Matthews (-162), Rowe (+136)

Round 1

Keeping on with welterweight action, hyper-aggressive New Yorker Rowe (10-4, 3-2 UFC) will try to win one for local fans as he takes on Australia’s Matthews (19-7, 12-7 UFC). In all 10 of Rowe’s pro victories, he has prevailed by stoppage. His foe Matthews is no stranger to finishes, with all of his wins dating back to 2022 coming inside the distance. The fighters will collide under the supervision of referee Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro, and they do not touch gloves when he says it’s time to fight. Rowe shifts immediately to the middle of the Octagon, and he measures out his range with a low kick to either side of Matthews’ lead leg. Matthews jabs out, aiming one to the body as he finds his distance, and he evades a sweeping kick so he can give one back. Rowe sets up a high kick as Matthews, and commentator Daniel Cormier gushes on Rowe’s basketball prowess. As Cormier is talking about a pickup basketball game, Rowe absorbs a few low kicks, and Matthews then punches his way inside and even threatens with a trip. Matthews keeps jabbing the body, and Rowe stands firm and plants two heavy right hands on the temple. Matthews backs him off with body shots, and Rowe poses and flexes like Super Macho Man. Matthews takes a punch combo and digs a left to the body and right up top, and Rowe acknowledges the land with a nod. Rowe connects with a crisp right hand, smashing up Matthews’ nose, but Matthews is ready to bang and he throws back recklessly. Rowe wades in, and the two welterweights swing for the bleachers. A thudding right hand from Matthews finds its home on Rowe’s cheek, and swelling immediately develops. Rowe has a front kick split the guard, and he parries an overhand right. Matthews tries to come out firing with three punches, and when Rowe blocks it, the New Yorker dances. Rowe intensely strides forward, sticking out a sharp jab and keeping his guard tight. Rowe jumps forward with a knee, and Matthews lowers his left hand down and smacks the top of Rowe’s cup in an awkward situation. Rowe drops to his knees, and Ribeiro calls time. “The Fresh Prince” freshens himself up after a minute to recover, and they get going with a vengeance. Matthews races at him throwing hands, and Rowe retaliates and drives several knees to the dome. Rowe wings a head kick and falls to his back, and Matthews leaps after him and holds him down until the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rowe
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Rowe
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Matthews

Round 2

Despite taking some facial damage in the last round, Matthews appears the more confident of the two, and he surges forward to attack. Matthews swings a left and a right, and he jumps forward to plant an uppercut on the chin. Rowe keeps his guard up to defend the follow-up blows, only for Matthews to wrap three punches around his shell to ring his bell. Rowe wobbles back, knees weak, arms heavy, but there is nothing on his sweater already. Rowe chambers and fires a right hand, getting Matthews’ attention, but Matthews quickly gathers himself and stings him with a short right from up close. Rowe pushes out a jab to calm things down and reassume his range, and Matthews pushes through it to aim two punches to the body and a right over the top that does not get through. Rowe gets off a leg kick, and he blocks a check left hook. When Rowe crashes the pocket, his guard is able to protect him from the swarming punches aimed at his head. Rowe lands another solid low kick, and he slides back to let an overhand right glance off his shoulder. Rowe intercepts a punch combination with a knee up the middle, and Matthews jabs the body in response. Matthews tries and fails to let loose with three hooks, only for Rowe to guard each one. Rowe checks a kick, and he gets driven back by a double jab. Matthews throws out another double jab to follow a right up top, and he does a similar combination that is met with a mighty Rowe right hook. Rowe connects with a clean right hand, and Matthews slings a right hook back that bounces off the dome. One last left from Matthews ends the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Matthews

Round 3

The fighters bump fists before engaging, and engage they do immediately. Rowe springs into action, throwing power shots, and Matthews replies in kind. Rowe tries to push forward and take the Aussie down, and Matthews reverses him and plants him on his back. Rowe does not quit moving, sweeping “The Celtic Kid” and put himself in half guard. Rowe clings from on top, preferring to maintain position rather than open himself up with strikes. Matthews sits up and pulls Rowe back into his full guard, and he turns his back and gives it up to escape. Rowe slides off the back, and Matthews shifts on top with Rowe on his side. Matthews tries to break up the leglock around his own leg so he can pass, and the scramble results in an odd pretzel situation as Rowe uses his arm to turn Matthews over. Matthews reasserts his position while Rowe stays turned on his side, and he slithers his leg out so he can shift to three-quarter mount. Matthews pursues an arm-triangle choke, and Rowe turns the proper direction to break it up but remains stuck on his back. Matthews lines up a one-arm guillotine choke, using the grip perhaps for position rather than submission. Rowe explodes in an effort to get up, but Matthews thwarts him one last time before the fight concludes.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Matthews (29-28 Matthews)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Matthews (29-28 Matthews)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Matthews (29-28 Matthews)

The Official Result

Jake Matthews def. Philip Rowe via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Grant Dawson (155) vs. Joe Solecki (155)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Dawson (-410), Solecki (+320)

Round 1

The prelims roll on with an interesting stylistic clash of grapplers in the lightweight category. Coming off his first loss since 2016, it will be interesting to see how Dawson (20-2-1, 8-1-1 UFC) rebounds—he smoked Christian Camp in his bounce-back effort after dropping his first fight. Hailing from about 90 minutes southwest of the Prudential Center, Solecki (13-4, 5-2 UFC) will be his adversary, and the crowd roars in approval of their home state fighter. Referee Jason Herzog can scarcely hear himself think, but he starts the fight anyway. Taking a page out of the playbook of Jorge Masvidal, Dawson sprints at Solecki and leaps at him with a flying knee. Solecki plays the matador to let him slide past him, and he drags Dawson down from behind and threatens with a guillotine choke. Dawson resets to break out of the submission setup and takes top position, and Solecki readjusts to lock the choke down and gets a hook around the side. Solecki briefly claims mount with the choke set, and Dawson continues to shift and move until he breaks out of the choke. Dawson keeps tight chest pressure when he resides on top, and Solecki hacks at him from off his back with elbows. Dawson postures up, and he lowers himself down to soften the body up. Solecki defends from anything of merit landing from above, and he carves Dawson open with an elbow. Dawson may hold top position, but he is not winning in practically any of the exchanges. Dawson bleeds down on Solecki and tries to open up on ground-and-pound, and he manages to get off a few elbows of his own. Dawson lands a few more hammerfists and punches, and when the horn sounds, he helps Solecki up.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Solecki
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Solecki
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Solecki

Round 2

Dawson starts off the round aggressively, punching his way into closing the distance. Solecki flails back, but he gets pushed back towards the wall and is forced to defend a takedown. “KGD” easily grounds Solecki, where he lands in the guard and starts to rack up more top control time. Dawson grinds his elbow on the forehead, and as he holds Solecki down, the crowd boos his lackluster approach. Dawson winds up with a powerful elbow, slashing down at Solecki, and he sporadically works with strikes. Dawson finds an opening to land three right hands after a Solecki fails, and he smacks Solecki around from any angle he can find. Solecki is unable to offer any offense of his own, and a submission is nowhere to be found. Dawson cannot pass guard, but he keeps Solecki down and stays just active enough to stave off a Herzog standup. Dawson stands up to drop down a few standing-to-ground punches, and the momentum drives him back into the tie-up. Dawson makes life miserable for the remainder of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dawson
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Dawson
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Dawson

Round 3

The lightweights clap hands to open up the final round, and Solecki runs at him and shoots for a single-leg takedown. As Dawson staves it off, Solecki whips a body kick at him, but it is too low and smashes straight into Dawson’s cup. Dawson groans and drops to a knee, and Herzog calls time. Dawson does not take long before he is ready to go again, and he proceeds to drive Solecki to the wall upon restart. Solecki swings, and Dawson ducks and secures a takedown like a hot knife through butter. Dawson does not care to shift to half guard, and he ignores a guillotine setup so he can line up ground strikes. Solecki is stuck with no options, kept with his upper back pressed on the wall and trapped in a position that allows him no offense or escape. Dawson completely nullifies him, but he cannot get any further than the full guard of his foe. Solecki uses a butterfly guard to prevent Dawson from advancing beyond that posture, but he eats three elbows during one exchange. Dawson stands up in an effort to push through the guard, and he rains down punches from on high until leaps into the guard again. “KGD” answers Herzog’s call for action by elbowing and punching Solecki a few times, and the grind has been firmly embraced. Solecki kicks off and gets to his knees with seconds to go, and Dawson nearly knees him illegally in this position. The lackluster fight ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dawson (29-28 Dawson)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Dawson (29-28 Dawson)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Dawson (29-28 Dawson)

The Official Result

Grant Dawson def. Joe Solecki via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Jailton Almeida (241) vs. Alexander Romanov (265)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Almeida (-278), Romanov (+225)

Round 1

Two hefty grapplers will look to ply their trades against one another, as wily BJJ player Almeida (20-3, 6-1 UFC) battles massive Moldovan wrestler Romanov (17-2, 6-2 UFC). With 34 finishes in their 37 combined fights, referee Vitor Ribeiro may be needed at a moment’s notice while the judges can probably sit this one out. The heavyweights touch ‘em up before engaging. Romanov tries to hand-fight, and Almeida stabs out with two front kicks. Almeida shoots in for a takedown, and Romanov holds him off in the first attempt. A second try, a body lock from the Brazilian, results in Almeida landing flat on top of Romanov. The crowd is not thrilled, given previous matches tonight. Romanov holds on with underhooks on both of Almeida’s arms, keeping Almeida from attacking with anything. Almeida slithers a hand out, and Romanov turns to his side and gives his back up to escape. Almeida times this and wraps a rear-naked choke grip around Romanov’s head, but it is on the jaw, and Romanov does not even fight it. Almeida lets it go rather than burn his arms out attempting a submission that is not there. Instead, Almeida slithers his arm beneath the chin, pursuing a rear-naked choke instead of a face crank. Romanov stands up, but the choke is crushingly tight and he is in big trouble. Leaning up against the fence, Romanov taps out frantically. Almeida lets go when Ribeiro steps in, and he lets out a scream and falls to his back for an outpouring of emotion. This is a big win for Almeida, who bounces back from his first loss in the Octagon with a quick submission over a powerful wrestler than had never been submitted. It is also the first stoppage of the night, and the crowd goes wild.

The Official Result

Jailton Almeida def. Alexander Romanov R1 2:27 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Cesar Almeida (185) vs. Roman Kopylov (185)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Almeida (-112), Kopylov (-108)

Round 1

A pair of knockout artists grace the cage for the preliminary headliner, with Almeida (5-0, 1-0 UFC) and Kopylov (12-3, 4-3 UFC) tallying 15 knockouts opposite zero submissions on their respective ledgers. Referee Herb Dean steels himself for what’s about to come next. Before going all-out, the two middleweight strikers bump fists. Kopylov lands one kick, and Almeida answers with five of his own. Almeida goes after a head kick, and Kopylov lines up a right to the body and left to the head. Almeida pays it no mind and looks to set up a step-in knee when Kopylov comes after him. Almeida slams his shin on the inside and outside of Kopylov’s front leg, and he slips away from a jab. Almeida lands a low kick, and Kopylov catches the kick and trips the Brazilian up to put him down on the ground. Kopylov backs off instead of climbing into top position, and he retreats when a few big kicks fly at him. The threat of the takedown opens up a massive left hand for the Russian, who hurts Almeida badly but does not take advantage of it. Almeida resets, and the two proceed to fire off heavy blows. Almeida scores a body kick, and Kopylov shoots in for a takedown and plants the kickboxer on his back. Almeida wall-walks his way up, and Kopylov measures him to blast him with two right hands before Almeida stands back up. Almeida goes to the body, and he wipes his eye after taking a straight left hand. Kopylov takes advantage of body kick by busting Almeida in the chops with a straight left, sending Almeida crashing to the canvas. Kopylov backs away to let his man up, and he skirts away from two kicks and shoots for a takedown to take Almeida off his feet. Kopylov lands the double and puts himself in side control, keeping tight chest pressure to pin “Cesinha” down. Almeida gets the guard back and is warned for punches to the back of the head. Kopylov rides out the rest of the round on top.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kopylov
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Kopylov
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Kopylov

Round 2

The middleweights double bump fists, and Almeida reintroduces himself with two body kicks. The second lands, and he leans back to let a head kick buzz past him. Almeida digs the body with two push kicks, and he turns his hips into a body kick. Almeida walks Kopylov down and kicks his lead leg, only to get countered with a powerful right hook. Almeida ducks a punch to jab the body, and his subsequent head kick glances off the shoulder. Almeida loops a left hand around the guard, and two more punches land before Kopylov shoots in for a takedown. Almeida stifles him and digs a left to the liver, and he connects with a few more punches and retreats when Kopylov measures him with a one-two. Kopylov rushes forward to take the fight down, and Almeida leans his back against the wall and slides his arm beneath the chin with a guillotine choke. From this position, the Brazilian knees Kopylov in the chest a few times. Almeida escapes, and they jab at one another. Fists fly, and Kopylov catches his man with a right hand. Almeida fires off a head kick, and he lands a body shot and chains it into a knee from up close before pushing Kopylov away. Almeida kicks the ribs, and Kopylov sweeps him off his feet and dumps him on the mat. Kopylov retains top control in half guard, keeping Almeida stuck on his back and pushing him over when Almeida sits up. Almeida kicks the side with his heel from off his back, and Dean asks for Kopylov to do more as Kopylov is just grinding. Kopylov stays tightly pressed on his foe’s chest, and the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Almeida
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Almeida
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Almeida

Round 3

The fighters shake hands and bow to one another before engaging in the final frame. Almeida strikes first, with a front kick and a body kick. Kopylov doubles up a jab and lets go with a head kick, but Almeida pushes through it swinging his mighty fists. Kopylov ducks into a right hand and he wobbles back, and Almeida takes advantage of it by planting a knee on the forehead and a right hand on the way out. Almeida lines up another right hand, and as he rushes forward to throw more, Kopylov tackles him to the floor. Kopylov climbs into the open guard of his foe, and it only takes a few seconds of inaction for Dean to clap for more activity. Dean asks a second time, and Kopylov does not oblige him. Almeida closes his guard around the waist, and Dean calls for action a third time. Kopylov gets off a left hand over the top, and there have now been four claps from Dean to improve his position or do some damage. Almeida hangs on tight, and Kopylov lands two punches after Dean claps a fifth time while saying “work.” Kopylov does just enough to keep going, and chants boom in the area to “stand them up.” Commentator Joe Rogan joins them momentarily in those calls. Kopylov stays doing nothing, and Dean finally stands them up with 90 seconds to spare as the crowd is thrilled by him. Almeida thanks him with a blitz of fists, and he cracks the Russian with a combination. To take all the wind out of his sails, Kopylov rushes ahead and take Almeida down to the ground easy as can be. Almeida kicks him off, forcing Kopylov upright again, and Dean tells Kopylov to do something rather than lord over him slapping with occasional kicks. Kopylov drops down into side control, and he clings to the Brazilian until the prolonged endeavor draws to a close.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kopylov (29-28 Kopylov)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Kopylov (29-28 Kopylov)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Kopylov (29-28 Kopylov)

The Official Result

Roman Kopylov def. Cesar Almeida via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

Randy Brown (170) vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (170)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Brown (-175), Zaleski dos Santos (+145)

Round 1

Before the main card commences, former president Trump enters the building accompanied by UFC chief Dana White and receives his own Metallica-themed walkout. A potentially exciting and flashy welterweight contest will kick off the main card, as “Rude Boy” Brown (18-5, 12-5 UFC) plies his trade against wheel kick aficionado Zaleski dos Santos (24-7-1, 10-3-1 UFC). The third man in the cage will be referee Gasper Oliver, and the fight commences with the Brazilian offering a glove touch that ends up tapping into Brown’s elbow. Brown wants to fight, and he does just that, swinging his fists widely. Zaleski dos Santos strafes away and kicks at the long legs of his foe, and Brown reaches him with a few punches. Zaleski dos Santos looks to punch his way in, and Brown’s range gives him early issues. Zaleski dos Santos skims a low kick and then lands a second after Brown pushes off with a front kick. A rude political chant swells throughout the New Jersey crowd, and the fighters ignore it and keep pitter-patter strikes off one another. Zaleski dos Santos scores a body kick, and he leans back away from a double jab. Zaleski dos Santos connects with a front kick, and Brown pushes him away and jabs a finger in the eye. Oliver does not see it, and although he calls time, he tells Zaleski dos Santos to tell them to resume in a mistake of officiating—either he calls time and allows Zaleski dos Santos to recover, or he says it did not happen. Brown pokes him in the eye again, and Zaleski dos Santos motions to Oliver, but Oliver shrugs him off and tells him to keep fighting. Zaleski dos Santos’ eye is compromised, and Brown takes advantage of this by connecting with a heavy combination of punches. Zaleski dos Santos surges into action, throwing punches into a kick, and he falls over and pulls himself back up to his feet with the fence. Oliver warns the Brazilian for this foul, and then tells Brown to watch his fingers. Brown peppers his foe with kicks and jabs, and the leg kicks from Zaleski dos Santos are about the only strikes he lands cleanly. Brown snaps out a jab, and Zaleski dos Santos races after him and spins with a wheel kick that goes wide. Brown, backing away, keeps backing off and drives a knee straight into Zaleski dos Santos’ chin. The round ends with Zaleski dos Santos still upset about the pokes, but not rocked from the clean knee.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brown
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Brown
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Brown

Round 2

Between rounds, referee Jason Herzog speak to Oliver, informing him of the mistakes he made. The second round opens with the fighters touching gloves, and Zaleski dos Santos is mad. Zaleski dos Santos attacks with a fire and a fury, smashing Brown in the face with a right hand in the midst of a ferocious combination. Zaleski dos Santos aims for a high kick, and he closes in when planting his leg down again and grabs Brown from behind. Zaleski dos Santos drags Brown to the ground, and Brown quickly fights back to his feet and staves off a submission setup. Zaleski dos Santos manages to drag Brown down to his knees while up against the wall, and Brown stands and leans over to put his hand on the mat so he does not get kneed in the face. Zaleski dos Santos wrenches “Rude Boy” to the floor, and he gets a hook in and searches for a rear-naked choke. Zaleski dos Santos secures the body lock, and he wraps a rear-naked choke grip on top of the jaw in a nasty face crank. Brown falls to his back and grits out the choke, and Zaleski dos Santos changes his grip and then lets it go. Zaleski dos Santos maintains the body triangle as he fishes for a choke again, and he softens Brown up with body shots and a few punches to the head. Zaleski dos Santos keeps punching and slides an arm on top of the jaw, and Brown is hand-fighting to prevent the crank from locking down. Brown frees his neck and explodes at the right moment to spin around, and as he surprises Zaleski dos Santos, he takes the Brazilian’s back. Brown snatches up his own rear-naked choke in a sudden change of momentum, and he squeezes tight on what ends up being a face crank as well. Brown lets it go and settles for elbows to the cheek, cutting Zaleski dos Santos before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zaleski dos Santos
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Zaleski dos Santos
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Zaleski dos Santos

Round 3

There is a double glove touch to begin the last round, and Brown kicks it off with a number of jabs. Zaleski dos Santos scurries into action with a low kick and a right hand, and Brown checks a second leg kick that comes shortly after. Brown pushes his hand off the face, and Oliver calls an eye poke and allows Zaleski dos Santos a few seconds to recover before the Brazilian says go. Brown gets back to jabbing, allowing him to disrupt a hard-charging Zaleski dos Santos. Zaleski dos Santos races after him, and Brown slides out of the way and narrowly dodges a front kick aimed at his face. The Brazilian kicks at the front leg twice and spins with a wheel kick that bangs into the side of Brown's noggin, and Brown tells him to bring it on. Brown keeps his lead hand low, allowing him to flick it up with jabs and not let Zaleski dos Santos pick up on their timing. Zaleski dos Santos rushes after a single-leg takedown, and Brown hops out of the way and dodges an overhand right. Brown measures a knee that drills right into the temple, causing blood to flow from a cut above the ear almost immediately. Zaleski dos Santos answers with a level change, pursuing a double and changing it into a single. Brown defends both, and he keeps his back stuck against the cage. Brown manages to get some space with 40 seconds to go, and he feints and fakes his way forward. Zaleski dos Santos lands a low kick, and Brown responds with a body shot. Zaleski dos Santos muscles Brown down to the floor, and he takes the Jamaican’s back and gets one hook in while isolating the neck. Brown punches him several times from behind his own head, and the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brown (29-28 Brown)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Brown (29-28 Brown)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Brown (29-28 Brown)

The Official Result

Randy Brown def. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Alex Morono (170) vs. Niko Price (170)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Morono (-238), Price (+195)

Round 1

In 2017, Price (15-7, 2 NC; 7-7, 2 NC UFC) and Morono (24-9, 1 NC; 13-6, 1 NC UFC) faced off at UFC Fight Night 104, and Price landed a buzzer-beating right hook that shut Morono’s lights out. Unfortunately for Price, his marijuana metabolite levels were too high for the state of Texas, and his crushing victory transformed into a no contest. With this rematch over seven years in the making, the two action welterweights have no ill will towards one another but will likely be swinging for the fences. Referee Keith Peterson draws the charge for this rematch and makes sure there will be no nonsense this time around. The bout kicks off as the combatants share a glove touch, and Morono leads off with a few jabs and a low kick. Price lunges with his own leg kick that comes up short, and he has a jab parried. The two men throw hands, and Morono avoids a left hand and misses with a right. Price darts in, swinging a punch and getting tagged by a shifting Morono. The Texan lands a body kick and a right hand, and he escapes before Price can counter. Morono goes after a leg kick, and Price knocks him off his feet with a right hand that may have been more off-balance than a knockdown. Price drops down into the guard, and “The Great White” latches on a shoulder lock that turns into an omoplata. Price turns all the way around, and Morono comes close to hitting an omoplata rear-naked choke, but for Price’s defense. As they scramble, Morono secures the body triangle around the waist, and Price muscles his way through to move to top position while Morono is also looking for mount. Morono turns around to get up, and he shrugs off a brabo choke and backs away. Price clips him on the way out, and Morono shakes out the cobwebs and looses a right hand as his coach admonishes him for getting reckless. Price drives a knee up the middle, and Morono spins with a wheel kick and clanks him in the side of the head. Price’s chin holds up, and he has a head kick blocked. Morono flicks out several jabs and chains a head kick into it, and Price kicks him in the ribs as Morono backs away. Morono slides back, and Price reaches him with a salvo of punches. Price swings back, and he eats a right hand from up close. Morono spins with an elbow, and Price sits down on a few punches. Morono lashes out with a pair of long punches, and his front kick does find the mark. Morono spins with a back fist that misses, and he doubles up on punches and spins with another that also hits air right before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Morono
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Morono
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Morono

Round 2

The welterweights touch ‘em up to begin the second round, and they pick up where they left off with striking exchanges from both sides. Morono tosses out a high kick, and he backpedals and lands two punches. Morono reaches the target with a long right hand, and he jabs the body with the ball of his foot. Price lands two low kicks, and Morono checks a third. Morono takes a right hand on the temple and drops to his hands, and he leans back up and signals a thumbs-up that it just hit him at an angle to bend him over and not because he was knocked down. Price sneaks a right hand around the guard, and Morono dips a jab to give him one back. Morono allows Price to close in so he can smack him with two uppercuts, and Price whiffs on a huge right hand. Morono gets off a body kick, lands a right hand and his head movement keeps him from getting caught on the way back. Price loads up on pure power, and he staggers the Texan. As Morono tries to counter, Price hits a clean double and puts “The Great White” on his back. Morono considers a guillotine choke, and then an armbar and potentially a triangle choke, and Price punches his way through them all. Morono stands back up, only for Price to scoop him up and dump him down. Morono threatens with a guillotine choke from an awkward position, and Price postures up when they hit the ground to break it up. “The Hybrid” drops down heavy hammerfists, and Morono rolls for a possible armbar and keeps going to stand back up. Morono slithers around to grab Price from behind, where he takes Price’s back and eats an elbow on the dome for his handiwork. Morono is unable to get Price down, and Price turns him about and knees him in the side. Morono sets up for a guillotine choke when Price sits him down with a takedown, and Price easily slides out of it. Price lifts and slams Morono down to break up his grip, and he drops down three elbows in rapid succession followed by a few more elbows and punches to punctuate the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Price
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Price
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Price

Round 3

Price starts off the last round with a jab, and he reaches with a huge overhand right that hurts Morono. Morono takes a body kick and fires back his own right hook, and he lumbers forward swinging big shots. Price loops a few punches at him, and Morono bends over to dodge one and takes a right when leaning up again. They trade low kicks, and Price clacks an uppercut off the side of his head. Price wings a right and gets countered, and he steps through to land a body kick. Morono eats a power punch and gets whacked with a hammerfist, and Morono’s punches have wide arc and are generally seen from a wide berth. Morono shrugs off a body kick and ambles forward, pushing off a front kick and walking square into an uppercut. Price shoots in for a double, and Morono falls to his back, possibly due to total fatigue. Price looks to land strikes from above, and Morono sits up and attacks a single. Price shucks him out of the way and shoves him back to the wall. Morono accidentally lands an eye poke, and Price waves Peterson off so they can keep going. Energy levels are practically zero, but the two welterweights keep swinging wildly. Morono shakes himself out, and he steps forward with a right hand and gets tagged on the way out. Price sits on another body kick, and he connects with a right hand. Morono spins with an elbow that glances off the forehead, and he backs off when a head kick buzzes his hair. Price sits down on an elbow that is just out of range, and he blasts the Texan with a powerful uppercut. Morono gives everything he has with another spinning strike, and Price starts shouting at him and celebrating the sloppy slugfest. The two empty their already zeroed gas tanks with bungalows until the horn sounds, and Price screams right in Morono’s face—not angrily, but because he feels he did enough and that they threw down for 15 minutes.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Price (29-28 Price)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Price (29-28 Price)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Price (29-28 Price)

The Official Result

Niko Price def. Alex Morono via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Kevin Holland (185) vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (185)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Holland (-265), Oleksiejczuk (+215)

Round 1

After a while at welterweight, the ultra-active Holland (25-11, 1 NC; 12-8, 1 NC UFC) is bouncing back to 185 pounds for a relatively short-notice affair. He takes on powerful Polish slugger Oleksiejczuk (19-7, 1 NC; 7-5, 1 NC UFC) in a fight between two men with finish rates around 80%. Referee Herb Dean has donned his hard hat for what’s about to come, as it could end quickly and violently. The fighters share a swift fist bump ahead of the melee, and Holland is backed off in a hurry from a heavy right hand from the Polish man. Holland slides away from another, and Oleksiejczuk is headhunting and loaded for bear. Holland stays on his bike, keeping just out of reach, and he sits down on a kick and pushes Oleksiejczuk away. At the same time, Oleksiejczuk unleashes a left hand, and he knocks Holland to his seat. Holland falls to his back, getting pounded on from hammerfists, and he clears his head and snatches up an armbar in the blink of an eye. Oleksiejczuk tries to step over, and in the process, Holland rolls his foe over, wrenching on it with all his might. Oleksiejczuk tries to sit up, and Holland tells Dean that he broke Oleksiejczuk’s arm. Dean looks down at the damaged limb, and he has immediate flashbacks of Tim Sylvia against Frank Mir and waves the fight off when seeing the elbow is backwards and something appears to be protruding that should not be doing that. Oleksiejczuk protests, but he cannot raise his arm and it is clearly in dire straits. An elated “Trailblazer” climbs up and jumps out of the cage to share words with Trump, White, Hunter Campbell and matchmakers Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard. Holland proudly declares himself the ultimate gatekeeper—his words, not ours—and he says he will fight anyone at 170, 185 or higher.

The Official Result

Kevin Holland def. Michal Oleksiejczuk R1 1:34 via Technical Submission (Armbar)

Paulo Costa (185) vs. Sean Strickland (185)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Strickland (-245), Costa (+205)

Round 1

Fresh off a close decision loss to surrender his title, Strickland (28-6, 15-6 UFC) is back in for another five-round contest. With no belt or main event between them, the UFC still decided to schedule this matchup for 25 minutes. He stands across the cage from Brazilian marauder Costa (14-3, 6-3 UFC), who celebrates about 80% of his wins via knockout even as he has not landed one since 2018. Referee Jason Herzog will take control of the cage for this co-main attraction, and possibly due to their back-and-forth on fight week, they do not touch gloves. Costa rushes out of his corner to strike first, where he lands two hearty leg kicks early. Strickland jabs him back, and Costa chops at him with another kick. Strickland raises his leg preemptively to protect against a few others, with damage showing on it less than one minute in. Strickland walks forward despite the kicks, and he prods out a front kick of his own a few times. Costa catches Strickland walking in with a check left hook, and he swats away subsequent front kicks so he can jab the midsection of his foe. Costa pushes off the chest with a much heavier push kick, and Strickland relies on his own front kick again and again. Even if it does not land, he is making Costa think about it. Costa comes up short on an overhand right, but he does connect with a calf kick that is partially checked. They trade jabs, and the Brazilian aims a one-two to the body. Costa clacks a kick off the calf, and Strickland raises his leg up and keeps walking forward tossing out constant front kicks. Costa circles away and fakes a high kick to draw a reaction, and he kicks low to follow. A jab from “The Eraser” reddens the former champ’s nose, and he kicks Strickland in the side and jabs him in the chest. Practically every other step, Strickland is pushing out with the ball of his foot at Costa’s chest and body. Strickland catches a kick and knocks Costa down with a right hand, but Costa hops back upright without batting an eye. Costa spins with a back kick, and Strickland continues pressuring him with these continuous front kicks. The round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Strickland
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Strickland
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Strickland

Round 2

Strickland does not sit between rounds, instead standing up and watching Costa while receiving advance. He wants to keep fighting, even if he has to take a break. As soon as they resume, Strickland goes right back to his kick spam, as if he were a young child playing a fighting game hitting the same button for one specific strike a hundred times. Costa loads up on power shots to back him off momentarily, and he sits down on a loud low kick that makes Strickland pause. A second kick hurts Strickland’s front leg further, and Strickland’s kick-heavy approach wanes momentarily. Costa attacks that lead leg once more, and he lands a left hand but starts to back off from Strickland’s pressure. Strickland starts prodding his front kicks once more, and Costa stands firm and takes a one-two across the forward bow. Strickland closes distance with this front kick when he is not throwing it directly, and it keeps Costa busy thinking about it enough to stifle most of his own offense. Strickland’s nullifying approach makes the crowd restless, and Costa skips away and hacks down with a low kick that is checked hard. Strickland pokes with kicks to the body, and he snaps the head back with a jab while checking a calf kick. A front kick leads to two punches from the ex-champ, and Costa explodes at him pursuing a takedown, but Strickland tosses him aside. Costa delivers two solid low kicks, and Strickland lifts his leg to shake it out and keeps a poker face. Costa spins with a wheel kick that bounces off the guard, and he backs away as Strickland jabs him again and again. Strickland connects with a stiff jab, and he drops Costa to a knee as the pressure appears to be wilting the Brazilian. Costa stands and sticks his tongue out, and Strickland does not falter in his gameplan of front kicks, jabs and the occasional right hand. This plays out to the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Strickland
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Strickland
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Strickland

Round 3

It takes all of a few seconds for Strickland to turn the game plan back on of front kick after stifling front kick. Even if every other kick actually lands, they add up, and Costa’s midsection is marking up fast. Costa digs a pair of left hands to the body, and he pounds his own kick to the ribs and then goes low. Strickland checks the latter, and he leans back to avoid a left hook. Strickland powers forward, loading up on a combination until Costa bounces off the cage wall and sticks his tongue out. Costa whips a high kick up and it is blocked, and he strikes low and has his kick checked hard. Costa limps away, and Strickland walks him down while touching up him with jabs. Strickland jabs and jabs again, and he pushes Costa away when Costa rushes at him for a level change. Costa thinks about spinning with a strike, but he just twirls around without throwing anything. Strickland chips away at him with jabs and front kicks, and he evades a spinning wheel kick that zips past his nose. Costa lands a pair of low kicks, and the second makes him hobble away. Costa jabs to the body, and he gets his guts kicked a few more times. Strickland comes up short on two hooks, but the straight strikes land regularly. Two jabs, a front kick and two more come from the former champ, who is cruising while Costa is fading. Costa puts all his power into an overhand right, and Strickland dodges as it glances past him. Strickland strings three heavier punches together, and Costa skirts away and tosses a half-hearted right hand that surprises Strickland. The former champion rips an uppercut as Costa ducks, and the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Strickland
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Strickland
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Strickland

Round 4

The middleweights tap gloves as they enter the championship rounds, and Strickland does not need much time before revving up his engines to steadily work Costa over. Costa flails with heavy strikes, and he gets a right hand in, but Strickland lands three of his own, a body kick and a few more jabs. The Brazilian gets off a low kick, and he reaches Strickland with a number of jabs. Costa swipes out with a left hook, and when he has a leg kick checked, he almost falls over from the impact. Costa sells out for a head kick on the other side, and Strickland keeps walking him down and protecting himself from the telegraphed heavy blows. Strickland presses ever forward, jabbing the body and head with punches and front kicks. The approach has been steady and effective, if not overly entertaining. The crowd expresses its restlessness as Costa swings for the fences but hits air, and Strickland does not load up on much while simply outworking his opponent. Costa’s head kicks are blocked, his hooks go wide and his leg kicks are largely checked. Costa gets off a front kick to the body that has much more impact than Strickland’s, and he scores a calf kick that is not checked. He turns and fakes one type of kick so that he can set up a side kick that lands flush on the midsection. Strickland pushes him back with jabs and twos, and Costa slams his left hand on the liver and dings the front leg with another powerful kick. Costa’s kicks are not being checked like before, and Strickland frowns when absorbing them. Costa lands a punch to the body, and he absorbs four punches from up close before backing away. Strickland wings a right hand that bounces into the ear, and Costa stumbles away as the horn blares.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Strickland

Round 5

The fifth round has been reached by the middleweights, and they touch gloves presumably one last time. Costa tosses out two punches and a low kick, and Strickland lifts his leg up to defend it. Costa kicks it again, and Strickland meanders forward with a front kick from either leg. Costa plants his shin on the front leg of his opponent again as Strickland is coming at him, and Strickland rolls to avoid a right hand and checks a low kick to follow. Costa winds up on power punches, and one more leg kick gets checked. Strickland catches a body kick and makes Costa pay for it with a pair of straight left hands before releasing the leg, and the two throw hands at the same time. A body kick from “The Eraser” backs Strickland off for a moment, but Strickland gets back into his rhythm of jab to front kick territory. Strickland has his own body struck from kicks and punches, and Costa doubles down on body shots. Costa kicks the body on the other side, and Strickland jabs him and pushes him away with a teep kick. Strickland’s jab is on point, disrupting Costa’s sweeping strikes. Costa goes to the body with a stern left hand, and Strickland no-sells it and works the body with front kick after front kick. Costa just misses on a one-two, and he barrels forward and pushes Strickland back but does not change levels. Strickland misses the mark on a pair of punches, and Costa snaps his head back with a power jab and sits down on a low kick. Costa reaches his man with a left hook, and he is driven away with a handful of jabs. Costa thinks about pursuing a single, but he gives it up and spins with a back fist as he eats a jab. Costa sits down on a few punches, and Strickland pours it on with a barrage of punches. As Costa bounces off the fence, Strickland boots him in the raised guard with a head kick with enough impact to still put Costa on his seat. Costa springs back up, and Strickland runs at him with a jumping front kick as the long engagement comes to a close.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Strickland (49-46 Strickland)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Strickland (49-46 Strickland)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Strickland (50-45 Strickland)

The Official Result

Sean Strickland def. Paulo Costa via Split Decision (46-49, 50-45, 49-46)

UFC Lightweight Title Fight:
Islam Makhachev (155) vs. Dustin Poirier (155)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Makhachev (-650), Poirier (+470)

Round 1

At long last, it is time for the main event. Pound-for-pound king Makhachev (25-1, 14-1 UFC) is searching to tie a longstanding UFC record, as he looks for the third defense of his lightweight title. He will also be putting his 13-fight win streak on the line against former interim beltholder Poirier (30-8, 1 NC; 22-7, 1 NC UFC), who earned a title shot thanks to a come-from-behind victory over Benoit St. Denis and some fortuitous timing. While this is scheduled for five rounds, most expect that it will not last that long. Ahead of the final battle of the evening, nonsense has been evicted from the cage courtesy of referee Keith Peterson. A misunderstanding of profanity behind them, the 155ers do not touch gloves after hearing their final instructions. It’s on with the show. Poirier begins the championship bout with a calf kick, and he pops out a jab as cheers for “USA” boom in the building. Makhachev marches forward throwing hands, and he stings Poirier. Poirier steels himself and throws back with bad intentions, landing a right hand that opens a cut on the corner of Makhachev’s eye. Makhachev instinctively shoots in for a single, where he elevates Poirier and deposits him gingerly to his back. Makhachev lands in half guard comfortably, where he keeps tight pressure and drives his shoulder into Poirier’s face repeatedly. Makhachev isolates Poirier’s right arm and grips hold of a kimura, and Poirier rolls all the way through it but gives up his back in the process. Makhachev latches on the body triangle in a hurry, and he hunts for a choke. Poirier punches him from behind, and he eats a solid right hand on the side of the head in response. Makhachev grabs Poirier’s face and inadvertently gouges Poirier’s eyes, otherwise covering Poirier’s mouth and frustrating him all the while. Makhachev slips an arm around the chin but Poirier hand-fights properly, and Makhachev considers twisting to pursue an armbar. Poirier turns at the right moment to stop it from materializing. Poirier sits up and turns to his side, and Makhachev torques his arm back behind his head uncomfortably. Poirier lands a couple punches from behind, and the first round closes.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Makhachev
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Makhachev
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Makhachev

Round 2

Poirier moves right to the center of the cage, ready to engage. It does not take more than a few seconds, and Makhachev shoots in for a takedown. Poirier manages to wriggle out of harm’s way, where he returns to his feet. When Poirier is upright, Makhachev scores a solid knee up the middle. Makhachev rushes forward, grabbing hold of a leg and dragging Poirier to a knee, and “The Diamond” staves off the attempt and resets. Makhachev connects with a solid one-two, and he slashes with an elbow. Poirier sticks out a jab, and Makhachev responds with a right hand. Makhachev chains a few punches together that bounce off the guard, and they trade jabs. Makhachev lines up a few punches, and he hops away from a jab to the body. Makhachev punches his way into a single, and Poirier backs his way to the fence to stay upright and split his hips. Poirier stifles this attempt and turns Makhachev around, landing a few body shots in the process. Poirier sneaks in an uppercut, and Makhachev does the same from up close. Makhachev hunts for a trip, and he gets caught with a sharp jab as they split off. Poirier slips a punch and counters with a right hook, and he doubles up on a jab and lands a left. Poirier comes up short with a left hand, and Makhachev pulls him into a Thai clinch. Poirier digs the body and comes up to with a right hand, and he ignores a right hand and tags Makhachev. Makhachev hits him back, and Poirier is right in his face throwing hands. Makhachev presses him to the wall and trips him up with a single to put Poirier down with seconds to spare. Makhachev rides out the round on top.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Makhachev
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Makhachev
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Makhachev

Round 3

The lightweights meet in the middle, and as they measure one another, they open with a stalemate. Poirier lands first with a single jab about 20 seconds in, and he darts forward and gets caught with a flush knee to the cheek. Makhachev chains together a jab into a knee, and he shoves the former interim titleholder to the wall and trips him down to one knee. Makhachev hops on to take Poirier’s back from behind, and Poirier shakes his head in frustration. The man from Dagestan fastens the body triangle and sits down to torque Poirier’s torso. Poirier turns, his nose bloodied from the last exchange on the feet, and he snorts to clear his airwaves. Makhachev follows him and starts fishing for a choke, maintaining uncontested back control. Makhachev turns over to assume full mount, and he postures up and tries to roll over for an armbar. Poirier turns through the submission, and he stands up. Makhachev chases him with a single, and Poirier bucks and gets back to his feet and splits up. Poirier walks him down, nodding at a jab he eats, and he fires one back. Makhachev puts three punches on the chin compared to one straight right hand from Poirier, and Makhachev dips a jab to land two more back. Poirier kicks high as it bounces off the guard, and he chips at the calf. Makhachev lands three punches as Poirier shakes his head, and Poirier begins to talk to his Russian foe. Poirier wipes his left eye out after getting punched, and he leaps forward with a left that is blocked. Poirier keeps rubbing his eye, but he manages to blink it out and stick out a jab. Poirier wings a left hand, and he gets stood up with two punches. Poirier fires back, and the round ends with the two forehead to forehead.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Makhachev
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Makhachev
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Makhachev

Round 4

Poirier remarks between rounds that his nose is broken, perhaps from an inadvertent clash of heads in the last round. The champ’s corner spills ice on the ground, and they take a bit of time to clean up after it. Commentator Joe Rogan notices the spill, but he does not cry foul about it. When the fighters are clocked in, Poirier darts forward behind his jab. Makhachev gets stuck with a solid jab, and he tosses out a right hand in response but is off balance. Makhachev rips a right hand to the body , and Poirier connects with a few punches and his own right hand. Makhachev tries for a takedown, and Poirier stands him up with a right hand. They both score jabs, and Poirier reaches at the end of a one-two. Poirier springs away from a similar combination, and Makhachev shoots in for a deep double but is stuffed as Poirier shakes his head at him defiantly. Both fighters largely throw jabs, and Makhachev dips and wings two right hooks that get Poirier’s attention. Makhachev loads up on a left hand, staggering Poirier, and he dives forward for a double. Poirier defends the first try, and he backs his way to the fence as Makhachev transitions to a single. Makhachev lifts the leg up but is unable to plant Poirier on his back in this attempt, and he scoops Poirier up again and wrenches him down. Poirier calls to his corner that he hurt his leg, and Makhachev holds on from behind with Poirier on one knee, keeping his body weight pressed heavily. Poirier gets back to his feet and leans forward with his hands on the mat, and Makhachev hangs on from behind while trying to trip him out. Poirier trips him out and spins him around, and he unloads with a ruthless combination of punches to the body. Makhachev backs him away with a knee, and they resume on the feet with blood pouring out of a cut on the champ’s forehead. Poirier is excited about this, and he loads up with power shots. Makhachev tags him with a right hand, and Poirier pounds him in the body a few times. Makhachev shoots, and Poirier defends and talks to the commentary team while keeping himself on his feet. Poirier shrugs his shoulders, and he sets up a last-second front choke that he holds before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Poirier
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Poirier
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Poirier

Round 5

To the surprise of most, the lightweights reach the fifth and final round. The giant cut on Makhachev’s forehead has not stopped bleeding between rounds, and Poirier targets it immediately. Poirier jabs and follows with a left hand, and Makhachev bites down on his mouthpiece and slugs him back. Poirier connects with a hefty calf kick, and he lets Makhachev jab at him but is ready to defend a takedown. Poirier pushes the effort aside and counters, and Makhachev walks forward and elbows him from up close. Poirier talks to Makhachev and keeps striking the body, and he pushes away from clinch attempts and tells Makhachev to stop grabbing his glove. Peterson tells Makhachev to knock it off as well. Poirier jabs, and Makhachev chains three punches into a knee. Poirier rings the champ’s bell with a left hand, and he looks for another as Makhachev sells out for a single. Poirier hits the mat but bounces up, and Makhachev grabs him by the ankle and swings him down creatively. Makhachev drops down for a guillotine choke, and he lets it go to transition into a brabo choke. Poirier turns to his side, but it is tighter than before. The face of “The Diamond” starts to change color due to the crushing choke, and he has no choice but to surrender. Poirier falls to his back when he comes to, and Makhachev’s corner rushes in to celebrate with him. Khabib Nurmagomedov goes to congratulate Poirier for the hard-fought battle, and Poirier admits to Makhachev that the submission put him unconscious right after he let it go. There is no bad blood between anyone, and hugs and handshakes are for everyone in the cage. With the victory, Makhachev ties the UFC record for the most consecutive title defenses at lightweight with three. In his post-fight interview, the victorious Makhachev declares that his dream is to fight for the 170-pound title. If he does, he will have to wait for the result of Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 2 in a few months. On the other side of the equation, Poirier says this might be the end for him, and he dedicates his fight and career to the women in his life, thanking them all for their love and support. If he does compete again, you better believe we will be here for it. We hope you are too.

The Official Result

Islam Makhachev def. Dustin Poirier R5 2:42 via Submission (Brabo Choke)