UFC 312 ‘Du Plessis vs. Strickland 2’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Anshul Jubli (155.5) vs. Quillan Salkilld (156)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Salkilld (-575), Jubli (+425)

Round 1

As it loves to do, the UFC has stacked the deck for local audiences, putting on eight different matchups on this pay-per-view pitting an Australian against a foreign foe. UFC 312 might not end with anyone from the area in the cage, but it starts off with a matchup that could send a loud message. Unbeaten newcomer Salkilld (7-1, 0-0 UFC) out of Perth will try to stave off once-beaten Indian Jubli (7-1, 1-1 UFC), with international bragging rights up for grabs in this lightweight card opener. Referee Jim Perdios will take charge of the Octagon in the first matchup, and it kicks off with no glove touch. Salkilld introduces himself with a quick low kick, and Jubli counters him with a right hand to the body. Salkilld laughs that strike off and retaliates by loading up and hammering the Indian fighter with a massive right hook flush on the ear. Jubli hits the deck on his side, and he leans up and searches for a leg but is clearly still frazzled by the huge blow. Seeing something the screens may not have caught, Perdios leaps on to wave the fight off and pull Jubli off of the celebrating Aussie. Jubli clings to the victor’s leg, either still out on his seat or seriously pursuing a single-leg takedown, but it does not matter. When Perdios drags him away, Jubli loudly complains, but they fall on deaf ears. It is a sweet sub-20-second knockout to start off the card, with Australia up one to zip early.

The Official Result

Quillan Salkilld def. Anshul Jubli R1 0:19 via TKO (Punch)

Kevin Jousset (171) vs. Jonathan Micallef (170)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jousset (-258), Micallef (+210)

Round 1

Moving right along, Australia hopes to keep its momentum going against a regional rival in New Zealand. Micallef (7-1, 0-0 UFC) springboarded into the organization thanks to a stellar showing on the Contender Series, while Jousset (10-3, 2-1 UFC) made his way here by winning on the same fight card—Hex Fight Series 26 in 2023—as his opponent did. Having swam in the same circles early on, they will come to blows in the former’s promotional debut. For the second fight of the night, referee Rich Mitchell draws the charge, clocking the welterweights in as they bump fists. The fighters immediately start out whipping kicks at one another, with Micallef starting first and eating one right back. Micallef steps in with a left hand, and he follows it by bashing Jousset in the ribs with his shin. Micallef circles and goes high with a kick, stumbling and drawing back to his feet before Jousset can get to him. Jousset picks his shots with kicks to varied targets, while Micallef is chambering and launching heavier blows. Jousset digs a kick under the guard, and he backs off but still eats a leg kick before getting away. Jousset jabs a kick forward, absorbs a body kick and follows with an overhand right. Micallef sneaks a leg over the top and connects to the body again with a kick, and he briefly thinks about clinching but backs off to reset instead. Micallef walks into a sharp jab, and a few more from the City Kickboxing fighter produce some swelling under Micallef’s right eye. They go after one another to the ribs with additional kicks, putting a lot into them as they smack into one another with heavy impact. Micallef gets one in low and it slides up to bump the cup, but Jousset waves him off to keep kicking. Jousset chips away from his preferred distance, and Micallef bears down on him to get tied up in a clinch. A few sharp uppercuts and an elbow force the break for “Air Jousset,” who then backs away to measure his target with accurate kicks. Micallef kicks low and then whips one up high that beans Jousset in the temple. Jousset goes down in a heap, but he is still with it and shakes out the cobwebs before Micallef can finish the job. Jousset climbs up to dodge another sweeping head kick, motioning that the blow was extremely close to landing. Jousset walks through a few more body kicks, but they are having an impact as he follows Micallef around. Both men score right hands, and they wrap their shins beneath one another’s guard. The ribcage of Jousset is looked especially marked up as the round closes.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The fighters bump fists before picking up right where they left off. Micallef leads the dance with a left hand, and Jousset pays him back almost immediately in kind. Micallef slides on the outside to evade Jousset’s kicks while responding with some, but a quick head kick from Jousset gets blocked in the nick of time. They both fade back to sway and dodge punches, and their kicks have a much higher accuracy rate. Micallef kicks so hard, the impact on the rib echoes through the arena as fans go “ooh.” Jousset chips back with kicks, but power is not on his side as Micallef is turning his hips into these audible blows. Micallef strafes back and forth to disrupt Jousset’s movement, keeping his guard up to defend the high kick that inevitably comes. Micallef goes up high again, and Jousset breathes a sigh of relief that he could guard against it. Micallef swipes left hands over the top, chaining punches into kicks while staying wise to potential counters. Jousset manages to catch him with a left hand every so often, but the volume and damage are both tilted to the unbeaten fighter’s side. Jousset slams a kick into the raised guard, chasing Micallef around and pawing at him with jabs. When Jousset tries a head kick, Micallef protects himself and retaliates appropriately. Micallef sneaks a kick above the guard again, and Jousset’s eyes go wide as the crowd grows in support of their Aussie. They batter the body once more in rapid succession, with pops so loud that Mitchell smiles when hearing a heavy impact. The two trade punches and kicks while standing directly in front of one another, with Micallef beating Jousset to the punch just enough to matter. Another big head kick from Micallef dings Jousset at the bell.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

A final glove touch gets things going after 10 minutes of kickfighting, and they decide to do more of that. They take turns kicking at one another, with the fighters seemingly trying to outdo the other they slug it out. Micallef strafes from one side to the other to deliver a payload of a booming kick to the liver. Micallef keeps chewing up the body with successful kicks, not letting Jousset get his tempo for much more than a counter or a long pair of punches. Micallef shrugs off jabs so he can continue welting up Jousset’s sides with kicks, and he even lets Jousset kick him to open up responses. Jousset gets irritated by an exchange and walks forward with dangerous intent, tagging Micallef with lunging punches and cutting Micallef off when trying to escape. Jousset stands in the pocket too long, eating a trio of punches before Micallef can back off to reset. Micallef strides forward, kicking, punching and kicking again, and Jousset keeps his feet planted when not hurling kicks right back. Micallef doubles up on a jab to loose a head kick, and it skims the side of the dome but does not shake “Air Jousset” up. Jousset instead bites down on his gumshield and slings vicious leather, opening up a cut on the bridge of Micallef’s nose while swinging with bad intentions. Micallef circles to his right, away from the power, but not far enough away to avoid big kicks. Fans appreciate the hard work these two have put in so far, rewarding the fighters with big cheers, and the competitors show their gratitude by banging it out. Micallef kicks Jousset square in the noggin, and the City Kickboxing fighter does not bat an eye and instead is right there to throw back harder. They display inaccurate head kicks until reaching the final horn, leaving most of it in the cage after three violent rounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Jonathan Micallef def. Kevin Jousset via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Kody Steele (156) vs. Zhu Rong (156)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Steele (-218), Rong (+180)

Round 1

Concluding the early prelims, Rong (25-6, 1-3 UFC) made his way back to the UFC after one fight outside of the league and Road to UFC tourney. While his first match on his second stint did not go his way, he has another bite at the apple in the form of undefeated Steele (7-0, 0-0 UFC). The lightweights are amped up to get after one another, and they bump fists first as referee Steve Perceval watches on. Rong rolls up his shorts and strides forward, taking the center of the cage while stretching out his jabbing arm. Rong pushes out a front kick, and his hand-fighting is otherwise disrupting Steele from coming at him. Steele sits down on a heavy leg kick after Rong lands one, and Steele goes up top with a trio of punches before checking a low kick. Steele jabs the body as the crowd abandons them for the lack of activity, and this spurs Steele into a tackling takedown. Rong rolls all the way through the attempt to wind up on top, scoring an elbow or two before Steele scrambles to escape and get back to his feet. Rong marches forward to wing short, compact hooks, and Steele backs off and keeps his leg guard prepared to check additional kicks. Steele reaches out with a right hand, and he gets clipped on the way out with a massive left hook from the Chinese competitor. Steele whiffs on a big right, and he slips but regains his footing. Rong overslugs on big punches, and the tag one another in a fierce exchange. Rong sways and dodges the worst coming his way, strafing to the side and still ready to stuff a takedown. Steele tries to initiate another brawl, and he gets Rong’s attention and tries to do more damage with step-in knees. Rong gathers a full head of steam and smashes the newcomer in the face with an explosive right hand, and now it is Steele who is on rubber legs. Rong walks him down hoping to finish the job, and these fighters decide to swing bombs at one another with little interest in defense. Steele walks through a solid combination to ding Rong with an uppercut, but Rong blasts him back with a lengthy flurry. The two trade it out right to the horn, and the crowd goes wild.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The second round begins with both fighters excited to keep slugging, but they decide not to get right to it. Instead, Rong picks his shots to enter the melee, and a leg kick opens up a jab over the top. Steele hits the ground from the direct shot to the face, and when he hits the mat, he starts attacking a leglock from his back. Rong pushes off the ankle as he scrambles forward, only for Steele to cling to his limb. As Rong keeps wriggling, he escapes the submission attempt and Steele jumps back to his feet. Rong keeps his jab active to disrupt the oncoming fire, and Steele is not nearly as relentlessly aggressive as he reacts when taking heavy strikes. One particularly fierce left hand from Rong shakes Steele up again, and it is all Steele can do to defend against the rest of the salvo. Steele walks forward to fire off a body shot, and Rong retaliates with a clean right hand that sends Steele staggering back. Steele keeps himself squarely in front of Rong, not moving too much in terms of footwork and the head movement allows him to get his bell rung time and again. Rong swings hard, and the end of a left hand clips the newcomer. Steele prods out jabs, prompting Rong to start jawing at him. They swing it out again, with Rong clipping Steele with a short left hand and swarming the unbeaten fighter with a number of extra looping shots. Rong sits down on two particularly dangerous punches, testing Steele’s chin to the very limit. The Syndicate MMA fighter keeps his wits about him despite the power differential, but he finds himself following Rong rather than leading until the round wraps.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

The lightweights hug it out to kick off the final frame, and they talk to one another as well. Steele positions himself right in the pocket with Rong, and he takes shots when trading it out. Rong lands cleaner and more often when they stand and bang, and the reactions of Steele are more noteworthy than when Steele connects with his own offense. Rong mixes in his jab with big hooks to chew up Steele’s nose, opening a tiny cut on the bridge of the nose. Rong aims at it several more times, feeding a steady diet of jabs to his overswinging opponent. Steele absorbs a low kick right when committing to an overhand right, and Rong keeps his guard up and shakes his head at his opponent. Steele digs a pair of punches to the body, and Rong kicks him on the front leg on the break. Rong flicks out numerous jabs, watching Steele telegraph his blows so he can mark him up and bloody the nose. As Steele sits down on a power punch, Rong squares him up and pecks at him with straight, accurate strikes. He mixes in low kicks to further shake Steele up, and after one hard leg kick, he dings Steele with a pair of nasty hooks. Two more come flying, and Rong points to his corner and then smacks Steele again. Steele snaps the head back with a jab, but it is one-and-done as Rong splits the guard with a few more. The low kicks from Rong make Steele take funny steps when recovering, and Rong showboats with a bit of an Ali shuffle before getting right back in the pocket to trade leather. The fighters raise their arms up to call a start to one final titanic brawl, and with 15 seconds left, these two whirling dervishes empty their tanks with enormous hooks. Both men survive the onslaught and reach the conclusion of the match, putting a bloody ribbon on what had already been an exciting brawl.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Zhu Rong def. Kody Steele via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Colby Thicknesse (135.5) vs. Aleksandre Topuria (135.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Topuria (-410), Thicknesse (+320)

Round 1

A surprising rivalry has developed from this preliminary pairing completely consisting of men making their promotional debuts. Representing Australia, Thicknesse (7-0, 0-0 UFC) will receive cornering from ex-champ Alexander Volkanovski. He will be facing off against Topuria (5-1, 0-0 UFC), younger brother of Ilia Topuria who is also in his corner. This proxy battle at 135 pounds takes place under the watchful eye of referee Jim Perdios, and it starts with the fighters tapping their fists together. Topuria is the initial aggressor, pawing away a front kick to crowd Thicknesse towards the cage. Thicknesse swings hard and shoots for a faked takedown attempt, and he surprises Topuria with a jump knee. Topuria keeps his guard up to block a high kick, and he stalks Thicknesse down looking to unload with something. Thicknesse jabs out with a front kick, and Topuria marches ever forward to release a right hand. Thicknesse looks for another takedown entry, and Topuria ignores it and keeps stalking forward. Thicknesse tries to back him off with a head kick and some jabs, and a body kick finds its home under the guard. Topuria follows a jab with a right hand, and he takes a pair of body kicks flush for his efforts. Thicknesse chips away from his preferred range with kicks, hopping away from jabs and nearly catching Topuria with a head kick. Topuria tries to tie him up, but Thicknesse is away with his guard up to not get cracked. Topuria rushes him, looking for a clinch and absorbing a pair of knees before Thicknesse shoves him away. Topuria gives chase, staying smart enough to not walk into a big strike. Thicknesse jumps forward with a knee and follows with a head kick, but “El Conquistador” is not amused. Topuria slings a single right hand that smashes into the side of the jaw, sending Thicknesse squirrely but not putting him on the canvas. Thicknesse smartly fights out of the danger rather than getting desperate, and Topuria is not selling out for anything. A step-in knee gets through for Thicknesse, who darts in and out before a counter reaches him. Topuria walks him down and digs a few body shots before wrenching Thicknesse down to a knee. Topuria suddenly hits a mighty belly-to-back suplex, dropping Thicknesse on his head before the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The fighters clap hands before engaging, and Topuria is once more the one putting the pressure on early. Thicknesse scoots to the side, only to absorb a thumping leg kick and a left hook. Thicknesse hops to the side and does work on either side of Topuria’s lead wheel. Thicknesse pecks with jabs and low kicks, and one hits the cup to force a momentary stoppage. Topuria appears no worse for wear and gets back to it, firing off a flashy wheel kick that skims the side of the head. Topuria’s head movement is slick as he dodges a flurry of punches, where only Thicknesse’s body kick getting off. Thicknesse whips a kick off the raised guard, and when he plants his leg down, Topuria slams his shin into it. Thicknesse tries to hand-fight his way forward, only to get beaned with a right hand over the top. Thicknesse is warned for outstretched fingers a few times, and he absorbs a pair of low kicks without responding. Thicknesse shoots for a double, pushing Topuria against the cage but only landing a knee before the break. Topuria smiles at him, shrugging off two kicks so he can let fly a jab. Thicknesse turns his leg out in time to check a kick, and he leans back to narrowly evade a haymaker. Thicknesse tries his own home run punch, but it is the sharper, straighter attack that tends to connect. Topuria walks into a right hook after a few jabs, and he parries a front kick and smashes a right hand on the solar plexus. Thicknesse no-sells the strike and resets to jump in with a knee and a right hand. Thicknesse ducks a huge right hand to go for a takedown, with the defense from the Georgian holding up well. Thicknesse climbs back upright, and Topuria walks him down with a big right hand that pops into the guard. They peck at one another with jabs until the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

The last round kicks off with Thicknesse loading up with a body kick. When he tries for a takedown, Topuria easily slides around to the side and then gets hold of him from behind. Thicknesse scoots his way to the fence despite Topuria’s hands clasped around his waist, thwarting Topuria’s subsequent efforts to wrestle or throw him. Thicknesse breaks out of the tie-up and spears Topuria with jabs and follow-up right hands. Topuria shakes it off and stuffs a double-leg entry, and he again gets hold of Thicknesse from the back during a scramble. Thicknesse defends with a kimura to sweep, and Topuria steps over it to establish top position in side control. Thicknesse uses a rubber guard to wrap his left leg up for a setup, but Topuria is wise to it and flattens the American out. Thicknesse gets Topuria back to his guard, and he hooks his arm and leg around Topuria’s neck with an unorthodox submission grip that could be considered a modified arm-triangle choke from his back. Topuria shakes it out and steps into half guard, and he stays heavy with a potential arm-triangle of his own as fans lambaste him for the grappling. Thicknesse twists and works to his knees, wall-walking before suddenly rolling over to escape. Topuria shuts it down by not stopping the somersault, but by being exactly where he should be to establish top position. Thicknesse throws his legs up wildly for one last desperate submission, but Topuria grinds him out with a bit of ground-and-pound until the match comes to an end.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Aleksandre Topuria def. Colby Thicknesse via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Bruna Brasil (125.5) vs. Cong Wang (125)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Wang (-455), Brasil (+350)

Round 1

A few months removed from a spirited upset loss to Gabriella Fernandes, Wang (6-1, 1-1 UFC) gets back in the cage as once again a massive favorite. Standing in her way up the slow-moving women’s flyweight ladder will be another talented Brazilian in Brasil (10-4-1, 2-2 UFC), who is now part of the vaunted Fighting Nerds camp and has the spectacles to prove it. The ladies touch ‘em up with referee Mike Beltran sitting back to observe the action. Wang moves directly to the center of the cage and strikes with a low kick. Brasil gives her one back to think about, and she recoils her leg when struck again. Brasil once more lashes out with a leg kick, and she checks a follow-up and narrowly misses an overhand right when Wang meanders forward. Wang leads off with two punches and ends the combo with a leg kick, and does this three-strike blitz a second time. Brasil is content to hammer the front leg with loud kicks, and her checks are working so far. Wang steps in with a one-two and scores the leg kick, and they tag one another with simultaneous right hands. They do the same only with their left fist, springing forward and then back. They clash together, with Brasil turning Wang’s front leg to hamburger less than three minutes in. Wang flicks out her own kicks on the inside, welting up Brasil’s thigh, and she goes high with a kick that is seen coming. Wang reaches out with punches that miss the mark, but Brasil is unable to pay her back. Wang picks up her leg to protect it from the kick, and her rear leg gets nailed with a shin. Wang hits nothing but air with big right hands, as Brasil slides in and out of the pocket to stay safe. They trade low kicks, and Brasil times a jump knee when Wang is coming at her to connect square in the chest. Brasil changes stances a few times and twirls around, but does not sell out on a strike. Instead, Wang reaches her with a right hand, but she gets slapped with a kick on the way out. With seconds to spare, Brasil spins for a wheel kick, and Wang catches her and hurls her to the mat like a sack of potatoes. After getting off a few standing-to-ground punches, the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The ladies clap hands to start off the round, and they resume their leg kicking operation. Brasil uses a standing knee shield to block Wang from getting her hands on her, but Wang still powers through it with a big one-two down the pipe. The ladies pitch kicks at one another, with Brasil standing firm looking for counters. While she stands tall, Wang rips a right to the body and a left up top. Brasil sits down on a hard leg kick, and Wang’s counter knocks her foe back a few steps. Wang sticks out a few jabs, swaying back to dodge anything coming back her direction. Wang puts her hands on Brasil with two punches, and she wades forward only to eat one back. Wang has Brasil trapped with indecisiveness, as the Brazilian is not pulling the trigger on much while waiting for Wang to come at her. This allows Wang to chew her up at range, with leg kicks including one on the inside that hobbles Brasil momentarily. Wang just misses with a head kick and a booming right hand, and she takes a few steps back to parry the big right throw her way. They connect with body kicks at the same time, and it is Wang who does more after landing it by kicking the other side of the body. Wang loops a right hand around the guard and side kicks “The Special One” to ricochet off the wall. Brasil blocks a punch and turns to the side to run and reset. Wang stalks her down and works her over with a body and head combination. Brasil turns to her side when taking another body shot, allowing Wang to hack at her lead leg to further hamper her balance. The round ends.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

There is a final glove touch as the last five-minute stretch commences. Brasil feints and fakes her way forward, pushing a front kick out of the way and leaning back to defend a side kick aimed at her face. Brasil preemptively lifts her leg to block a kick, and she counters with an overhand right. Wang stays right in her grill with punches and kicks, as she does not appear concerned with much that comes at her. Brasil tosses out a few low kicks, and Wang loads up on two punches. Two more knock Brasil back, whose body language is signaling she is losing confidence fast. Brasil sits down and kicks the body, ducking to the side and running away. Wang cuts her off in part, kicking her and taking a surprise right hand on the chin. It does not bother her, as she continues peppering Brasil with effective strikes. Wang goes up with a kick, and she tries it again as Brasil’s arm blocks it twice. Brasil closes in, hooks her arm around Wang’s and gets punched hard enough to have to back off. The volume of Brasil drops off a cliff, while Wang’s remains steady with two punches and a kick here or there. This is enough to completely defuse Brasil, as she chases the Brazilian around with no fear of a counter. Upper body kicks come from both sides, and Brasil ducks a big punch with a takedown that goes nowhere. Wang sequences a few punches to the body with one up top, and Brasil bites down on her mouthpiece and hurls a right hand. Wang does not like this particular attack, as she backs away and sticks her tongue out when a spin kick goes wide. Wang runs at her opponent, throwing Brasil to the floor from behind, and the match ends as the ladies embrace.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Cong Wang def. Bruna Brasil via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Viacheslav Borshchev (156) vs. Tom Nolan (155.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Borshchev (-135), Nolan (+114)

Round 1

It’s knock out or get knocked out in this lightweight pairing, as the two men involved in the collision celebrate all of their respective stoppage wins via strikes. Chins will be tested as “Big Train” Nolan (8-1, 2-1 UFC) crashes into Team Alpha Male’s Borshchev (8-4-1, 3-3-1 UFC), and sparks will fly before the very eyes of referee Marc Goddard. Before trying to lop one another’s head off, the two men bump fists. Nolan pushes off a front kick, and when Borshchev grabs it, the Aussie twirls around and takes a flush body shot. Borshchev gets right in front of Nolan, tossing a leg kick and leaning back to dodge a head kick. Nolan chips at the front leg and winds up with a kick to the body, setting up a takedown effort. Borshchev breaks free, but not before taking a few knees off the face. Nolan kicks his foe up high, and he ducks a punch in hopes of trying to use a body lock to take “Slava” down. Borshchev bounces back upright, and he takes a knee on the face while bent over. Nolan leaps on the back while Borshchev is standing and starts hunting for rear-naked chokes, and Borshchev leans over to try to buck him off. Instead of getting through that, Nolan whips Borshchev to the back, and he snatches up a brabo choke to the surprise of the Team Alpha Male fighter. Nolan wraps the choke up on the other side, and Borshchev turns on his back to keep himself in the fight. Nolan rings his foe’s bell with a 12-6 elbow, but Borshchev still has the wherewithal to explode to his feet and dodge a spinning wheel kick. When Nolan peppers with jabs, Borshchev goes to the lead leg with a few kicks. Nolan lifts a high kick up that connects into the beard, and he rings a few punches together to redden the nose of “Slava Claus.” Nolan times a turning Borshchev to kick him in the ribs, and he gets off a second kick there before tossing two low. Borshchev bears down on him angrily, drilling him in the face with punches until he has to duck a spinning back fist. Borshchev puts his hands on Nolan, leading a right hand to a head kick before shooting. Borshchev keeps the takedown at bay and also protects from a wheel kick, and he ducks into a knee. Nolan chips at the front leg and is pushed back to the fence with a kick. Nolan sees a spinning strike coming, whiffs on a head kick and the two hear the bell.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The fighters tap hands together, and it is Nolan who prods out a kick first. Nolan uses that push kick to set up two more and a back fist, and Borshchev remains composed without absorbing any of them flush. Nolan spins with a back fist and torques the other direction to reenact the strikes that Sharabutdin Magomedov pulled off last year, but Borshchev’s chin is granite and he does not budge. Nolan spins with an elbow and sells out for them, and Borshchev allows him to do this so he can punch his way into a combo. Nolan comes back at him with a head kick, and “Slava Claus” dodges and weaves the remainder of the fists that fly. Borshchev digs a kick to the breadbasket and then aims another kick to the same spot, and his stomping oblique kicks further frustrate the taller man. Nolan jams a front kick to the gut, and the two mix up their kicks until Borshchev breaks that successive series of kicks with an overhand right. Nolan kicks low again, and they stun one another with single power punches. Nolan leaps in the air with a knee that buzzes Borshchev’s face, and he spins with a back fist at the right time. Borshchev tanks it and drills him with a right hand, and his takedown defense holds up to keep his back to the wall. On Nolan’s second effort, Borshchev hits the deck, and Nolan snatches up a brabo choke as soon as Borshchev is on the mat. Borshchev turns to break out of the submission, fight his way up and start brawling. Nolan does not want to get into this reckless exchange, so he moves to the side to reset. Both men square up and tag one another, and Nolan’s step-in knee is a cherry on top. Borshchev wraps a left hand around the guard, and Nolan counters him with a sharp left. Borshchev tries to toss out three spinning wheel kicks, making Nolan smile before the round wraps up.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

The lightweights hug, and the last round is here. Borshchev is the more aggressive of the two, hurling kicks and big punches. A sharp Nolan clips Borshchev coming towards him a few times, but it does not enough to shake Borshchev up or mess with his takedown defense, as Borshchev is a short wall of stone. Borshchev bowls Nolan over to his back, and Nolan nails him with two upkicks. As Borshchev is peppering the legs a few times, Nolan turns to his side and blasts Borshchev in the face with the ball of his foot. Nolan is allowed to stand, and he thanks Goddard and Borshchev for this by spinning for a back fist. Nolan doubles up on the spin, and his head kick that follows lumps “Slava Claus” up. As Nolan is feeling himself, he pitches a kick that bangs square into Borshchev’s cup, forcing a stoppage of 30 seconds before Borshchev is good to go. Borshchev starts back up with a brawl, and he swings himself off-balance and wide open for a knee that pounds into the side of his head. Nolan rolls to his back, and Borshchev whips kicks down low at him. Nolan gets away with an illegal upkick as Borshchev on his knees, and he follows Nolan rolling over so he can start up some ground offense. Nolan remains busier from his back, hacking with elbow and swinging with wide-arcing hammerfists to not let Borshchev lay into him. Borshchev’s raining strikes fall short, bouncing into the chest. Nolan flails his legs up again, slashing open a cut on the top of Borshchev’s melon with a surprisingly effective upkick. Borshchev lowers himself into the guard, and he sways back and forth and starts motioning that Nolan’s offense is not doing anything. Nolan ignores his signals and swinging with elbows and punches from his back, while Borshchev is laying into him with open left hands. The wild strikes from Nolan shred Borshchev’s face up, and Borshchev falls to his back and latches on with a leglock. The Aussie laughs at him, and the fight ends.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Tom Nolan def. Viacheslav Borshchev via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Jack Jenkins (146) vs. Gabriel Santos (145.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Santos (-238), Jenkins (+195)

Round 1

The prelims conclude with what should be an action-packed featherweight affair. Jenkins (13-3, 3-1 UFC) may be an unfortunate injury away from a spotless 4-0 record in the UFC thus far, but Chute Boxe Diego Lima product Santos (11-2, 1-2 UFC) may have something to say about that. Still fairly far down the 145-pound pecking order, a win will carry the victor far as they try to break out of the pack. The fighters get together before referee Rich Mitchell and tap gloves, and Santos rushes past his opponent clearly very revved up. Jenkins is calm and composed on the other side, and he ignores a leg kick so he can fire off a body kick. Both men toss out low kicks, and Santos has a left hook collide into the guard. The two get tangled up as they kick at one another, but they both regain their balances and get back to their kickboxing affair. Jenkins lands first with a left and eats a left of his own on the way out. Santos whips kicks at his opponent, and “Phar” laughs them off to launch one that smashes square into the Brazilian’s head. Santos crumples to his back, and Jenkins pounds in hopes of finishing the job with ground-and-pound. Jenkins gets reckless as he slams his fists into the sides of his foe’s head, and Santos throws his legs up to snatch hold of a triangle choke. Jenkins stays flat on top of his adversary, not allowing the triangle to get enough space to fully snare him. Santos keeps the armbar in play, and yet Jenkins explodes to thwart the triangle choke as well as the possible armbar. Tightly pressed to his foe, Jenkins lands a few body shots, but they are not enough to slow Santos. The Brazilian wall-walks back to his feet, absorbing a few knees to the gut on the way up. Jenkins tries for a trip, and when that fails, he slugs Santos in the chops with a few fierce punches. Santos looks to brawl, only to level change and deposit Jenkins on his back with 45 seconds left in the stanza. Santos sits down in half guard, and after some adjusting, he drives down an elbow or two before the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The round kicks off with both men lobbing high-amplitude kicks at one another. Santos surprises his man with a head kick and then changes levels for a takedown effort, but it falls short when Jenkins stands firm in the pocket and busts him in the chops. Jenkins splits the guard with a front kick, and he keeps Santos at bay until Santos shoots in on his hips. Santos abandons the takedown when he gets Jenkins against the fence, and he plants a few knees on the chest before dragging the Aussie to the floor. Santos keeps Jenkins flattened out, slowly working his way through half guard in hopes of locking down an arm-triangle choke. Jenkins keeps himself safe from any sub and wraps his guard up around the waist, but he is still on his back giving up control time and taking shots. Santos frames off the face with his elbow, jamming it down into the mug of “Phar.” Santos drills down a few more elbows and stays busy with offense, trying to spur off calls to action from Mitchell. As Mitchell keeps asking for more activity, Santos is comfortable in his position, even driving down one last big left hand before the round concludes.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

With the threat of the takedown immediately showing in the favor of Santos, he is able to lead off the round with three high kicks. The third, a front kick that punches through the guard, smashes into Jenkins’ face and hurts him badly. Jenkins manages to keep his balance at least in part due to the wall behind him, and this allows Santos to leap on his back and serve as a malicious backpack. Jenkins drops himself down to the floor so as to not have to carry the weight standing, and Santos continues to work on him with the body lock fastened around the waist. Santos is warned for elbowing the back of the head, and Jenkins is stuck having to keep defending the side of his dome. This frees “Mosquitinho” to slither his forearm beneath the chin. Jenkins sits up, and he knows he is in big trouble immediately. Santos wraps up the rear-naked choke and leans back, pulling Jenkins back and cutting off the blood flow and oxygen to the brain. Before Jenkins hits his back, he surrenders, and the air of the building is sucked out instantly. Commentator Daniel Cormier is impressed, letting out a “Holy s---” exclamation before realizing they are still on cable. This is a statement performance for the Brazilian, taking out a highly regarded up-and-comer impressively.

The Official Result

Gabriel Santos def. Jack Jenkins R3 2:06 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Jake Matthews (170.5) vs. Francisco Prado (170.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Matthews (-225), Prado (+185)

Round 1

It may be shocking to some that Matthews (20-7, 13-7 UFC) is 30 years of age, but he will be entering into his 21st UFC outing as the main card opens up. “The Celtic Kid” will have to tangle with Argentinian gunslinger Prado (12-2, 1-2 UFC), who has 12 career wins with six by submission and the other six via knockout. The welterweights will be overseen by referee Mike Beltran, who plans on keeping things on the up-and-up following the glove touch. Matthews jabs his way forward, skirting away from a low kick early. Matthews follows a jab with a right hand, and he dips to dodge a looping hook. Matthews steps in to mark up Prado with a sharp right hand, and Prado kicks and flips himself over to get back to his feet. Both men meet in the middle and throw massive leather, and Prado gets stunned momentarily but is ready and willing to keep brawling if the mood fits them. Matthews peels back, instead measuring with long, straight punches. Prado lunges at him and tries to spin with a back fist, but the strike goes wide. Prado gets in a low kick but rips the body with a right hand, and the two clash into a clinch that allows Matthews to bust Prado in the chops with uppercuts. Matthews pushes off and takes a body shot on the way out. Matthews strikes first and last in a combination, and he lets Prado escape out the side so he can time a body kick. They proceed to pop one another with simultaneous hooks, and Prado keeps sitting down on sheer power. The leg kicks are effective for the Argentinian, who escapes danger by a matter of millimeters as the two swing bad intentions at one another’s skull. Matthews finds his target with a piercing right hand again and again, damaging Prado’s face but not drawing blood. Prado rushes forward to get hold of a body lock, and he lowers the Aussie to his back with a falling slam. Matthews absorbs an elbow to prompt him to stand up quickly, and he engages in a short but fierce slugfest where he does cut open Prado’s right eyebrow. As the punches continue to come from Matthews, he chases his foe down until the bell sounds.

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 2

The fighters clap hands to get going, and it is Matthews who cuts the cage off right off the bat. Prado is lured into a high-amplitude swing fest, with Matthews the faster, more accurate of the two. Prado uses a standing elbow to frame off, only for Matthews to pounce and split a cut open on the bridge of the nose. Prado keeps Matthews honest with his haymakers, but Matthews is defter and able to keep Prado on his back foot. Prado’s left hook still gets in, and his takedown shot is shoved aside. Prado drives a knee on the jaw, and he gets driven back by a fierce left hand. Prado slings a hard leg kick, but it is one-and-done as Matthews has him backing away. Prado rips a left to the liver and fakes a spin so he can shoot for a takedown, but Matthews is wise to it and punches him in the face in response. Matthews intercepts Prado coming in with an uppercut, and he has his takedown defense ready to shut down an entry. Prado succeeds in planting Matthews back against the fence, grinding on the veteran and working on him with knees and short shots. Matthews wraps up a possible submission setup, and he pushes Prado away to his preferred range. Matthews snaps the head back with a litany of uppercuts, and he parries a front kick when backing away. Matthews’ hands are sharp and active, putting several together every time Prado hurls one big one. Another exchange leads to a cut on the top of Prado’s hairline on the left side, and blood streams immediately into his eye. The horn blares.

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

There is a clap of hands to open the final frame, and Matthews fights behind a jab to get inside. This leads to huge punches from both sides, and Matthews’ land first and cleaner. Prado goes to the body with a kick as he backs away, and he loops a right hand that Matthews is able to dodge. Matthews’ volume punching is forcing Prado to fight conservatively, and it allows Matthews to pick up on the timing when Prado loads up at him. Matthews strings two or three together as Prado snaps one punch off, and he slaps Prado in the face with the instep of his foot. The Argentinian shoots for a takedown in the open cage, and his effort is tossed aside without much wasted movement. Matthews sits down on two heavy left hands, blasting Prado in the jaw and stunning him two times in a row. Prado closes in to clinch and get his head back, only to lean too far down to absorb a knee on the chin. Matthews gets a little space and starts rattling off short combinations, while Prado is relegated to single power swings. Matthews dips and pops Prado with two right hands after evading a massive blow, and he lets Prado overswing so he can further touch him. Matthews leans far enough down to avoid two punches, and he opens up with a right hand that snaps the head back before clinching Prado. Prado backs away out of it and shoots for a takedown, and the two clash heads. Matthews grinds on his man against the fencing as seconds tick off the clock, hanging on with knees to the body and thigh until the match concludes.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Jake Matthews def. Francisco Prado via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Rodolfo Bellato (205) vs. Jimmy Crute (206)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Bellato (-162), Crute (+136)

Round 1

After a few losses and a short-lived retirement announcement, Australia’s own Crute (12-4-1, 4-4-1 UFC) is back and ready to lift his promotional record above .500. He draws a tough rising test as he tries to get his hand raised for the first time since 2020, with the surging Bellato (12-2, 1-0 UFC) ready for action. The light heavyweights will be joined in the Octagon by referee Marc Goddard, who minds the particulars for as long as this match lasts. Gloves are touched, and Bellato takes the center of the cage. Crute tosses out a few half-hearted low kicks and takes a punch square in the chest while setting up. A heavier low kick is countered by a Bellato scooping left hook, and Crute gives him something to think about with a spin kick to the ribs. Bellato wraps up his opponent and wrangles him to the mat, only to fall on his back in a failed sacrifice throw. Crute fights off the scramble and find himself in half guard, and he shifts to side control. Bellato turns to his stomach in an effort to escape, and Crute wraps up a brabo choke to twist Bellato to his back again. Crute jams down heavy punches, and Bellato throws his legs up for any submission or trap he can find. Crute pushes through an upkick to drive down more punishment, and two big elbows from the Aussie get the attention of “Trator.” Crute stays a step ahead of the Brazilian, landing big ground-and-pound when not staying tightly pressed on his opponent to keep him trapped. Bellato turns and sweeps his man, but Crute is right there in front of him ready to bust him in the face. Bellato shakes it off, but Crute is a man on a mission and slugs the Brazilian in the face with a nasty right hand. Bellato falls over, and Crute pounces in hopes of drumming him out. The finish does not materialize, and Bellato survives to the second round with a bit of blood drawn.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Crute
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-8 Crute
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-8 Crute

Round 2

The fighters high-five to get going in the second round, and Crute feels the momentum behind him and puts it on Bellato. Crute walks Bellato down, smashing him in the face and drawing some swelling beneath his left eye. Bellato’s counters are effective but his hands are lower, his pace waning and his power sapping. The Brazilian kicks the front leg a few times, and Crute splits the guard with a one-two. Crute shoots for a takedown, Bellato gets out of it, and “The Brute” tries a second time to no effect. When he cannot get the fight down, Crute elects to spin kick Bellato in the ribs. Both men stand in the pocket and trade, not the best strategy for light heavyweights that can crack, but Bellato is getting his chances to land. Bellato drives three punches through the raised guard, and he bounces back from a long strike to blast Crute in the face with a short but powerful right hook. Crute is showing signs of fatigue as well, but he surges into action shortly thereafter to drill Bellato with several uppercuts from close range. Bellato backs him off with an overhand right, and he no-sells a body shot so he can bash “The Brute” in the face with his fists. Crute fires off one-twos that bloody up Bellato’s nose, and both men might show fatigue but are still eager and willing to trade. Crute takes two leg kicks, the second nearly stripping him of his balance. Rather than attack the leg, Bellato spins with a failed wheel kick. Crute answers him with a wheel kick that also does not land, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

After 10 minutes of combat, both men are bloodied and bruised, figuratively and literally. Bellato swings for the bleachers, and he clips Crute with every third or four strike he manages to get off. Bellato chews up the front leg with kicks, and Crute limps around gingerly. A takedown shot from Crute strips Bellato off his feet, only for Bellato to climb back up undeterred. Bellato slaps at the calf again, takes a one-two on the chin and just misses a whizzing back fist. Crute tries to check a low kick, and the two get in a short but torrid brawl. Crute lunges his way into attack, and Bellato backs him away with counters. A right hand from Crute stings his man for the umpteenth time, and Bellato’s chin is made of sterner stuff as he ducks another big strike to hit a clean takedown. Crute gets to his hands and feet when he turns over, and Bellato wrenches him back down. Crute slowly crawls in hopes of standing, and Bellato lets him back up so they can bang it out with about a minute and 45 seconds to go. Crute sneaks a head kick behind a left hand, and Bellato has his guard up in time for both strikes. The Brazilian chops at the front calf, and Crute keeps a stiff upper lip and steps in to knee Bellato in the face. A right-to-head-kick combo from Crute ricochets off the guard again, but a one-two after it lands flush. Bellato keeps working the front leg over with kicks any time he can find an opening, and he keeps Crute honest by swinging with everything he has left. Crute tanks the heavy stuff, absorbs a flush knee and sticks his tongue out. Crute slaps Bellato in the face with an open palm, and the back-and-forth scrap comes to an end. It could go either way, and a draw could be in play.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bellato (29-28 Bellato)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Bellato (28-28)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Bellato (29-27 Crute)

The Official Result

Jimmy Crute vs. Rodolfo Bellato is Ruled a Majority Draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)

Justin Tafa (266) vs. Tallison Teixeira (263)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Teixeira (-135), Tafa (+114)

Round 1

Way high up on the pay-per-view main card, two heavyweights extremely low on the totem pole get this preferred status, likely because someone’s block is about to get knocked off. A combined 100% finish rate, with most of the stoppages from these big men coming in Round 1, means that referee Rich Mitchell should be ready to step in as soon as the opening horn cries. Tafa (7-4, 1 NC; 4-4, 1 NC UFC) recently suffered his first loss in years, while the taller Teixeira (7-0, 0-0 UFC) has never fought beyond 4:40 of a pro fight. The large fists are bopped together before slugging, and Teixeira immediately flashes signs of him kicking. Tafa keeps his guard up to block a powerful head kick that still knocks him back a step, and he adjusts his shorts. Teixeira sets up a right hand to shoot in for a takedown, and he pushes Tafa against the wall in search of the level change. Standing Tafa up, the Brazilian rips a knee to the body and up top with an elbow square on the nose. Tafa collapses like a house of cards, and Teixeira drums his man out with four ferocious punches to the side of the head. Mitchell gets between the two heavyweights to step in, and Teixeira walks off and lets off a booming shout. Tafa looks to Mitchell confusedly, and he complains that he did not even have a moment to defend himself before the fight was called. Just like that, the UFC has another massive heavyweight to contend with, one that still has a 100% stoppage rate with all eight wins in the first round.

The Official Result

Tallison Teixeira def. Justin Tafa R1 0:35 via TKO (Knee to the Body and Elbow)

UFC Strawweight Title Fight:
Weili Zhang (115) vs. Tatiana Suarez (114.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Suarez (-120), Zhang (+100)

Round 1

Of the 24 fighters on the billing, only four are ranked. These four ranked competitors serve in the co-main and main events, involving championships. Zhang (25-3, 9-2 UFC) is putting her 115-pound belt on the line against long-awaited challenger Suarez (10-0, 3-0 UFC), with the latter appearing healthy and ready to start her reign. Despite being on the shelf for the last 18 months, Suarez will be coming in as the slight betting favorite. Referee Mike Beltran does not need to be told the odds to do what he does best, bringing the ladies together to officially tap their gloves and seal the cage around them. Zhang gets moving right away, strafing from side to side and not staying in one area to leave herself open. Suarez keeps to a safe range, absorbing a body kick and pushing through a few punches to get hold of the champion. Suarez ushers Zhang to the mat fairly easily, landing in side control and taking the fans out of the equation. Zhang recovers to half guard and then guard briefly, with Suarez content to stay put so she can keep “Magnum” pinned to the floor. Zhang looks for sweeps using her butterfly hooks, but nothing gets the wrestler out of place. Suarez is more interested in control than doing damage, as she gets pulled and shifts back and forth between the guard and half guard. A few short strikes do land from Suarez, but nothing of note gets the champion’s attention. Suarez bucks to get to the side, and she knees Zhang in the side while getting elbowed in the back of the head. Zhang hits the sweep she was looking for, and Suarez jumps guard for a guillotine choke. Zhang easily escapes the submission, popping her neck out of it and establishing top control. The challenger clings to a guillotine choke, but Zhang is wise to it and works her way nearly to mount before being rebuffed. The champ remains in this position until the horn blares.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Zhang is so ready to get going again, Beltran has to get her to back off to her corner until he calls time. When they get back to it, Zhang is quick to land a low kick, and she reaches out with swatting lefts and another kick. Zhang flicks a kick up that Suarez is able to block, and she misses a stomping kick and lets Suarez tackle her. Zhang defends with a knee on the chin, and Suarez eats it like a sandwich and continues shooting for a double. Zhang turns the tables on the challenger, landing in full mount and settling to fall off the side so she can smack Suarez in the face with her fists. Suarez keeps turning and bucking, and Zhang allows her to do this so she can pummel Suarez with punches and elbows. Suarez still works to her feet, and Zhang throws up a guillotine to deter the takedown shot. Suarez still clasps her hands around the thighs and is about to elevate Zhang, only for Zhang to retain her balance and blast Suarez in the chest with a knee. Zhang wriggles free and drills Suarez in the chin with a clean one-two. Zhang overthrows a right hand to set up a head kick, and Suarez runs at her before dropping to her knees for a double. Zhang stands her up and knees her in the gut, and she twists Suarez to her back on the ground. “Magnum” keeps her hands busy when she finds openings, scoring short ground strikes from above. When Suarez sits up for some kind of sweep or submission setup, Zhang bowls her to her back. Zhang rains down punches and elbows with her free right hand, and she lowers herself into the guard and does a bit more work before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

The ladies meet in the middle to start off Round 3, with Zhang quick to set up her jab. Suarez closes the distance with a low kick, and she is backed away in a hurry with a head kick. Zhang sweeps the leg with an effective kick, and she pushes as front kick through the lower guard. Zhang pins two punches on the jaw of the challenger, springing forward to disrupt Suarez further with a monster right hand. Suarez’ balance is shot but she still shoots for a desperate takedown, one that Zhang shucks aside and lets her up. Zhang goes to the body when Suarez cruises to her, and she stifles another takedown shot by controlling Suarez at the back of the neck to push her down to the floor. Suarez sits up and pursues a double, and Zhang lifts her up and knees her in the belly. Suarez fails on another takedown, only to eat an uppercut and a left hook on the break. Suarez paws out with low kicks before shooting from a long way out, and Zhang easily shuts it down and backs off. Zhang narrowly misses a high kick, and she has her leg kicked out briefly. Zhang jumps back up and rifles a right hand down the pipe. A huge right hand buzzes the challenger’s temple, and Zhang turns and whips a kick up high to keep Suarez paying attention. The champ tosses aside a takedown shot to plant her fists on the face, and Suarez is taking punishment without able to offer much effective offense back. Zhang puts a lot of steam behind her punches, while Suarez’ are barely setup strikes to close distance. Zhang laughs off a takedown entry so she can knee Suarez in the stomach, and she elbows Suarez twice and follows the second with a right hand. Suarez looks to come over the top, and the kick misses the mark by a wide berth. Zhang attacks with looping right hand, and even though she is off-balance, she still keeps herself on her feet as the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 4

The strawweights reach the championship rounds, new territory for the challenger but old hat for Zhang. They clap hands, and Zhang slides back and forth to stay a moving target. Suarez gets off an inside leg kick, and Zhang lands one back. Zhang connects with a clean one-two right down Broadway, and she turns a full-throated takedown effort into a reversal where she takes down the wrestler. The strikes of the champion open a cut on her foe’s forehead, with a thin trickle of blood dripping down her face. Zhang lowers herself down calmly and completely, and she sets up an arm-triangle choke and steps to the side while still in half guard. Zhang puts all of her weight down on the submission without even being in side control, and Suarez defends well enough by answering the telephone. While in her foe’s guard, Zhang expertly batters Suarez with punches and elbows, not worried about referee intervention or Suarez’ attempts to scramble. Suarez turns to her side and throws up a head lock from her back before getting to a better position, and when the choke setup fails, Zhang is easily able to put her back flat. Zhang continues to smother the challenger with control and enough offense to keep Mitchell from uttering a peep. The round ends as Zhang cuts Suarez’ right eye.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 5

After 20 minutes of combat, Zhang is pumped up, and she motions to the crowd to give it up to them. They start off the final round with jabs from a long distance away. Suarez strikes first with a right hand and then an overhand right, and her leg kick nearly knocks Suarez off her feet. Suarez tries her own leg kick and slips when planting. Zhang swings her way through a failed takedown at her, able to somehow gather herself and shut down a takedown. Suarez chains the double to a single, lifting Zhang’s leg up in the air but not able to set her down. Zhang pulls her leg free and lays into Suarez with punches until Suarez stands back up. Zhang slips a kick under the guard to land with a thunk sound, and she puts hands on face as Suarez bears down on her for a takedown of some kind. Suarez hits the ground and flips Zhang to her side, but she falls over as Zhang assumes top control while clinging to a possible choke. The champ releases the grip so she can climb into top position, and she lets Suarez scramble so she can take her back and get a hook in. Suarez turns to her back on a side, with Zhang pounding on her with her free right hand. Suarez’ escape attempts all come up short, allowing Zhang to tee off on her with anything she can throw. Zhang beats on Suarez on both sides of the dome, making the challenger’s life miserable and further bloodying her up. Zhang rides the bucking Suarez to deliver some damaging blows, and she motions for Suarez to stand up as the fight comes to an end. While the victor may be in little doubt, the question as to her historical greatness will be one debated tonight and the coming day.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Weili Zhang def. Tatiana Suarez via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-45)

UFC Middleweight Title Fight:
Dricus Du Plessis (185) vs. Sean Strickland (185)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Du Plessis (-198), Strickland (+164)

Round 1

The UFC is running a number of middleweight headliners before and after this show, clearly focusing on the top of the division and trying to establish contenders. Instead of a fresh face for Du Plessis (22-2, 8-0 UFC), however, the organization is rebooking the fight where “DDP” claimed the throne. Former beltholder Strickland (29-6, 16-6 UFC) gets another crack at the belt, and at least he won a fight beforehand. Making things official for this 185-pound title tilt will be referee Marc Goddard, issuing his final instructions and getting the combatants to touch ‘em up. It’s on with the show. Strickland keeps his guard up and paws out jabs almost immediately. Strickland stays busy behind his lead left hand, and he blocks a high kick and lets Du Plessis kick him in the sternum. Du Plessis chips at the front leg with kicks, hand-fighting the jabs and wrapping a kick up around the guard. Strickland wears it well and checks a calf kick so he can get in with a jab and a follow-up two. Du Plessis sells out with a hard calf kick that gets checked, so he quickly slaps the other side. Strickland’s jabs are getting through the guard, and Du Plessis answers with a few of his own jabs. Du Plessis goes after another kick, and when it is blocked, he spins and has his heel glance off the challenger’s side. Strickland does not vary his tactic of sticking directly behind his jab, no matter the oncoming fire like a speedy head kick. Strickland stays cool as a cucumber with a front kick of two, scooting out of the way Du Plessis loads up. Strickland jabs the body and is backed off with a spinning back kick that does push him away, and he uses his head movement to avoid the worst of a looping left. Du Plessis his toes slap Strickland on the cheek, with Strickland moving just enough just in time. A Strickland jab flusters “DDP,” who surges into action with power punches and a spin. Du Plessis parries a jab and throws back a left, and he wraps a right around the guard and a head kick inches away from where he was reaching. Du Plessis doubles up on a body kick and scores a right hand, and they both land body shots. Du Plessis rushes forward, gets parried, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The middleweights clap hands to get going, and game plans do not shift out of the gate. A lot of pump-faking and feints lead to single strikes from both sides, and Du Plessis tries to string a few kicks together on either side. Strickland pushes a front kick through the guard, and they both get off low kicks. A body kick from Du Plessis slips under the guard, and he slips and has a left hand glance off the chin. Strickland turns to block another body kick, but the varied attack is hard to predict. Strickland lands a solid right hand, but it is one-and-done as Du Plessis pays him back. Du Plessis springs forward with a left, and he comes up short on a high kick but not on the leg kick. They both land punches at the same time, with the South African’s left busting open Strickland’s nose. Strickland flashes his jab and follows up with a few additional strikes, getting Du Plessis’ attention but not for long as Du Plessis remains in his face striking. The jabs of Strickland tear open a cut on the bridge of the champ’s nose, and he leans back just barely in time to not get clocked with a high kick and a left hand. Strickland’s parrying guard allows him to sway and move and block, but Du Plessis’s reaching attacks are long enough to land at the end of them. Du Plessis spins with a back fist, gets blocked and spins the other direction with a kick. Strickland stands firm, but has to defend himself as Du Plessis bears down on him. Strickland checks a kick and pecks with his jab, while Du Plessis pops in and out and scores a head kick. Du Plessis lets fly a body kick as he leans back and evades the straight punches aimed at him, contorting his body in a way to protect himself. The round ends with Du Plessis trying to reach from afar, only to get met with jabs to the body.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

The fighters motion to the crowd to get them into it, and they bump fists when the round kicks off. Du Plessis, appropriately, kicks. Lobbing strikes from both sides, he still cannot back Strickland off even if he lands cleanly enough to not absorb counters. Strickland uses a standing knee shield to block some kicks, and this lets “DDP” slug him in the face with a short but dangerous combination. Strickland’s chin holds stern, and he remains right in the face of the champ, where he scores a right to the body and a left to the head. Du Plessis lunges back at him with two looping hooks, and two more come along with a leg kick. Du Plessis drills the body with a kick, and a side kick bounces off the cup as Strickland signals he is not compromised from the foul. Du Plessis wraps a kick under the elbow and they continue striking, this time with an accidental foul on the side of Strickland with a reaching arm that pokes “DDP” in the eye. Du Plessis waves it off and keeps swinging with bad intentions, and he clips the challenger with a spinning back fist at the top of the melon. Du Plessis kicks with either leg and stutter-steps to come in with a left, but it is his body kick that lands cleanly more than once. Du Plessis shoves Strickland away, taking a jab off the chest so he can hurl a left hand. Strickland splits the guard with a jab and follows with two solid punches, and Du Plessis walks him down and bashes him upside the head with a spinning elbow. The two go wild for a moment with looping punches, and Strickland appears to finally get the attention of the champion. Strickland paws out his front foot, and Du Plessis hammers the body with a right hand. Strickland wraps two right hands up top, and Du Plessis pays him back with a left. When Strickland finds success on the feet, Du Plessis shoots in for a takedown and puts Strickland on his seat. Strickland climbs to his feet and connect with a right hand before the round closes.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 4

The two reach the championship rounds, and Strickland is urged by his corner to attack but he does not come out in the round doing anything differently. The jabs do find their home, and Strickland prods out his front kick, but Du Plessis is able to blast past his defenses to at least partially connect with big strikes. Du Plessis jams his foot to the body and rushes forward throwing hammers, and a right hand at the end of a flurry staggers the former champ and shatters his nose. Strickland retreats, blood pouring out of his beak as he backpedals to stay in the fight. Like a dog with a bone, Du Plessis races after Strickland hoping to use the marked-up face like a bullseye. Du Plessis does not headhunt entirely, still working the body as he works his way in. Strickland ties him up, and Du Plessis elbows him back. Du Plessis reaches him at the end of a left hand, and they clash with right hands. Strickland starts throwing again, only to eat a punch on the nose that makes him have to pause. Du Plessis slowly works his way forward, ducking into a shot and drawing a serious reaction out of his opponent. “Tarzan” looks at the clock that reads 1:40, and Du Plessis finds an opening with a big right hand that the challenger does not love. Strickland starts lowing up on power, and a one-two surprises Du Plessis, who spins at him with a back fist and swarms him with punches. Du Plessis stays right in front of his fellow striker, not getting too reckless to fall into a counter. A one-two from “DDP” plants on the cheek, and he drills Strickland with another as Strickland’s jaw is made of sterner stuff. Du Plessis lumbers forward with looping strikes, letting Strickland’s jabs largely patter of the guard as he targets the body. The horn sounds as Du Plessis gets off a knee to the abdomen.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 5

Between rounds, the eternally tough Strickland asks for someone to help with his nose. When no one able to help him, he does it himself, snapping his nose back into alignment and slowing some of the immediate bleeding. Strickland stays in first gear, for the most part, jabbing his way into a few punches, but Du Plessis’ diversity of striking and willingness to target anywhere is giving him a major advantage compare to the boxing-heavy challenger. Du Plessis lunges to reach the target with an elbow, and blood flows again. Strickland jabs and dodges a spin, and when Du Plessis resets, he spins the other way and knocks Strickland back a few steps with the kick. Strickland puts a one-two down the pipe, prompting Du Plessis to respond in kind. Strickland finds his home with another pair of punches, and Du Plessis belts him in the belly to make him think twice. After Du Plessis scores a few punches, Strickland gives him a single one back. A spinning wheel kick brushes past the nose, and Du Plessis nearly falls over and is pushed away, gathering his thoughts before Strickland can get his hands on him. Du Plessis swarms his way forward, blitzing the challenger and letting jabs get through so he can hit harder. A few leaping right hands further bust the nose open of Strickland, and he leans down and gets kicked in the face. Du Plessis hand-fights to block punches and throw some back in rapid succession, and even the jabs and leg kicks have an impact. Strickland’s visage turns into a crimson mass, and a head kick does not make the visuals look better. Strickland jabs the body with kicks, and he gets kicked in the side for his attempt. Du Plessis reaches, scores and leans back, not letting the long Strickland get to him. Du Plessis tries for a punctuating takedown, and he gets clipped with a right hand after stuffing it. The two wing a few reckless punches, and another 25 minutes are in the books for these middleweights. The rivalry should be in the books and now part of history, as Strickland raises the arm of who should be the rightful victor: Du Plessis. The next challenger should be right around the corner, and the UFC has options in Nassourdine Imavov or Khamzat Chimaev. When “DDP” gets his next challenge, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Dricus Du Plessis def. Sean Strickland via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)