UFC Atlanta ‘Usman vs. Buckley’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Vanessa Demopoulos (126) vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth (126)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Horth (-520), Demopoulos (+390)

Round 1

Atlanta! The capital of Georgia! The City in a Forest, The A, The Gate City, Hollywood of the South, ATL, Hotlanta, A City Among the Hills, Dogwood City…and many other names. The UFC has arrived to the city that holds over six million people in its metropolitan area, returning for the first time since Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier threw down for the second time all the way back in 2019. While no all-time banger is slated for this event’s lineup, with 13 bouts of varied significance, something is bound to bring the goods. UFC on ESPN 69 kicks off with a women’s flyweight contest pitting a Canadian in Horth (7-2, 2-2 UFC) struggling to find her way against a former strawweight in Demopoulos (11-7, 5-4 UFC) also trying to figure things out. Even with Horth sporting massive odds in her favor around -600, she is not even in top three heaviest betting favorites tonight. Here be squash matches. Referee Nate Mann takes the wheel for the first fight of the night, and the ladies touch gloves before his eyes to get started. Demopoulos, the shorter and smaller woman of the two by a wide margin, tries to get her offense going but is well out of range. Horth, meanwhile, easily slaps her opponent in the face with the first strike she throws: a front kick. Horth flicks out a low kick and avoids the return fire, with the former strawweight too distant. Horth goes to the well with another kick, and Demopoulos’s calf is already welting and reddening. Demopoulos lunges forward a few times, to no avail. Horth nearly wraps her head kick around the guard, forcing Demopoulos to mind her P’s and Q’s. Horth pitches a high kick to the other side, and the impact alone makes Demopoulos have to take a step back. Horth uses her long legs to do work, and she pins a body kick and follows it with a front kick to the midsection. Demopoulos’s responses rebound off the guard or come up short, so she engages in a clinch. The two jockey for position as soon as they find their way tied up, turning one another about, and Horth clocks Demopoulos with a right hand. Horth walks her foe down, landing with impunity, and turning the older woman’s face a brilliant shade of red. Horth picks away with jabs, stepping in with a kick to the body and giving Demopoulos all she can handle. Horth splits the guard with a one-two, and she again finds her target with a front kick. A trickle of blood appears on the side of Demopoulos’ nose, and Horth sees it and kicks at it. The front kick is one of the Canadian’s best weapons, freezing Demopoulos with one and then stinging her with a one-two. Demopoulos whiffs when trying to pay her back, and she looks for a takedown or something to get hold of her steamrolling opponent. Horth shucks it off and starts blasting the former dancer, allowing Demopoulos to try to get hold of her so she can toss Demopoulos to the mat. Horth lands in an awkward position as Demopoulos tries to reverse somersault, and the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Horth
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Horth
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Horth

Round 2

The ladies touch ‘em up to get going in the second round, and Demopoulos tries to take advantage of the close proximity but ends up missing on a few punches. Horth steps back and pops her with a right hook. Demopoulos chambers and fires a single kick, only to get her jaw jacked with a hook combination. Horth pounds the midsection with a liver kick, and she chains a front kick and two right hooks behind it. When the Canadian attacks another kick, Demopoulos grabs her and tries to tie her up. Demopoulos’ cheek starts leaking crimson fluid, with Horth’s strikes having a visible effect while Demopoulos might not have connected with 10 significant strikes over six and a half minutes in. On the break, Horth drills her opponent with a left hand that spins Demopoulos all the way around. Demopoulos recovers and loops a right hand back at her, but her six-plus inch reach deficiency is her worst enemy. Horth watches Demopoulos soar past her with strikes, chipping at her with jabs and punishing her with a right hand when Demopoulos charges her. Demopoulos gets off first and shoots for a double-leg takedown, but the taller woman turns her about and drills her in the jaw with a knee. The size discrepancy is jarring, as Horth can reach her at will with kicks while even Demopoulos’ kicks do not always get there. An axe kick from Demopoulos is nowhere near the mark, but she gets aggravated and wings a right hand that surprises Horth. The Canadian has to shake it off, and she marches forward and drives a kick to the ribcage. Demopoulos is tough as nails, but Horth is connecting constantly and effectively. When they clinch, Horth breaks it out of thanks to a few knees. A home run right hand from Demopoulos misses by a mile, and she takes a punch to give one back but is seemingly out-powered as well. Horth chains a kick into two punches, and she ducks the right hook at the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Horth
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Horth
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Horth

Round 3

Horth springs out of her corner behind her jab, allowing Demopoulos to come at her so she can do work. Demopoulos’ charges put her at risk to getting kicked in the stomach, and Horth does this twice—the second sends Demopoulos flying. Demopoulos stands up and nods that she got hit with a good one, and she tries to grab hold of Horth. The Canadian allows Demopoulos to sell out for a takedown so she can wind up on top, and she hops away and trips. Demopoulos gives chase, but Horth is upright before she gets grounded for real. The Factory X fighter sells out for a takedown, even giving up dominant position in hopes of taking the back, but Horth turns her about and reams her with an elbow. Horth sits comfortably in the full guard of her foe, listening to her corner’s instructions while pummeling “Lil Monster” with ground-and-pound. Any time Demopoulos tosses her legs up for a submission of some kind, Horth busts her in the chops. Horth elects to stand back up, and she sways back to partially dodge a one-two. Chants for “USA” in support of Demopoulos rain down, and she salutes the crowd and takes a knee square on the jaw when not paying attention. Horth potshots her from a safe distance, her body kick about as clutch at it can be. Demopoulos walks through a head kick to wind a big right hand, and her power strikes are one-and-done while Horth is much busier, accurate and stronger. Demopoulos sprints towards her foe for a level change, and she tries to pull guard but Horth walks away. Demopoulos comes out firing with a one-two when getting back to her feet, and she snaps Horth’s head to the side with a solid jab. The prodding jabs from Horth keep her safe from the worst of it, and Demopoulos tries to catch a body kick but ends up eating four punches instead. Horth’s body kick leads to a shot up top, and she springs away to avoid a looping punch. Demopoulos fakes a takedown to throw hands, and she even attempts an Imanari roll to get hold of the Canadian. They trade hands, with Horth landing the flusher of the two, until the final bell rings.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Horth (30-27 Horth)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Horth (30-27 Horth)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Horth (30-27 Horth)

The Official Result

Jamey-Lyn Horth def. Vanessa Demopoulos via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Ange Loosa (171) vs. Philip Rowe (171)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Loosa (-135), Rowe (+114)

Round 1

Up next is a welterweight contest pitting a tried-and-true finisher in Rowe (10-5, 3-3 UFC) against a slick Congolese striker in Loosa (10-4, 1 NC; 2-2, 1 NC UFC) who has never been put away. Something might have to give as these two forces crash into one another. Referee Brent McKeehan is on the call for this potential gunslinging preliminary contest, and he stands back as the fighters touch ‘em up. Loosa springs back to fire off a low kick, before lunging in to land two punches only to hop back for a leg kick. Another low kick from Loosa finds its home until the taller Rowe hits him back. Rowe sticks out a jab, with range on his side, but Loosa checks a kick and drills “The Fresh Prince” with a left hand. Rowe chambers and fires a right hand on the dome, forcing Loosa to take a quick count of his teeth and shoot for a double-leg takedown. Loosa lifts his man off the ground and slams him to his back, where Rowe is quick to wall-walk with his feet. As Loosa resides in top position, the crowd quickly turns against him. Rowe hangs on tight, avoiding most of the offense while shutting down Loosa’s attempts at advancing. He still remains on his back, as McKeehan asks the Congolese fighter for more activity. Loosa continues to grind, as Rowe tosses his legs up for something that does not materialize. When Rowe goes for broke with his legs, Loosa busts him in the chops with a few fierce punches. Rowe, unable to implement butterfly hooks or even get some leverage off the corner of the wall, is subject to more ground-and-pound as he remains flat on his back. When Rowe turns to his side to sit, Loosa controls him and bowls him back over. Seeing he won’t be getting back up this round, Rowe elects to hack with elbows. Loosa does the same, landing one after the bell but quickly apologizing for it.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Loosa
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Loosa
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Loosa

Round 2

Rowe sprints out of his corner to take the center of the cage, switching stances a few times and driving a knee to the body when Loosa advances towards him. Loosa swings for the fences, and Rowe slips them and counters with a right over the top and a step-in knee. Rowe kicks low and misses with a head kick, allowing Loosa to respond with a body shot and a leg kick. Loosa attacks the body and lead leg several times, using those strikes to open up his occasional big right hand. Loosa drops down to his knees in pursuit of a takedown, and Rowe hops around to keep himself on his feet. “The Last Ninja” grinds his man against the wire while looking for a body lock takedown, until Rowe pushes him away. Right at the break, Loosa lets go with a big one-two, and Rowe eats them like sliders. Rowe beats Loosa to the punch with a jab, but a second prodding jab is met with an overhand right. Loosa connects at the end of a right again, and he slips a Rowe combo to pop him with his right. Rowe snaps the head back with a jab and lands a thumping low kick, and he remains in the pocket willing to trade. Loosa shoots for a double, tackling the taller man to the ground, but Rowe turns to his knees and explodes back to his feet. Loosa knees him a few times on the way up, but he cannot hold Rowe there. Rowe strings his fists together, clipping Loosa and making him thin twice about just throwing down. Rowe walks his foe back, connecting with check left hooks and prepping knees in case Loosa charges. One stern knee to the sternum gets Loosa’s attention, and Rowe starts to get in his rhythm and hurts Loosa. Rowe connects with power punches and a knee, and from out of nowhere, Loosa whips a right hand at him and rings Rowe’s bell. Rowe is shaken up, and he gets knocked back with subsequent strikes until Loosa drops him with a heavy right hand. Loosa climbs into top position and rides it out until the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Loosa
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Loosa
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Loosa

Round 3

The two welterweights are much slower to meet in the middle, where Loosa starts things off with a leg kick and two punches. Rowe replies with jabs, walking through low kicks but not putting anything else behind them. Loosa bobs and weaves, keeping his pattern uneven enough to allow him to get in on his foe with a right hand. Rowe tags him back when Loosa is standing still, and he pounds the lead leg with a kick. “The Last Ninja” crashes towards him, dragging Rowe to a knee but not grounding him. On a second effort, Loosa uses his full body weight to wrench “The Fresh Prince” to the mat, and boo birds start crying out immediately. Loosa sits in half guard, entirely content to grind out the round and the remainder of the match, using his elbow to frame off Rowe’s face. Rowe, however, does not want this to happen, and he explodes to force his way back to his feet. From there, Rowe probes with a jab and follows with a right hand, and his second such combination dislodges Loosa’s mouthpiece. Rowe stalks Loosa down, putting hands on him when he can, but Loosa is still evasive even when backed to the cage wall. Rowe stuns him with a knee, and he is laying into Loosa who does not have a gumshield. Rowe chains punches into knees, and a pair of one-twos rock Loosa badly. Loosa bounces off the fence to keep himself on his feet, and he tries desperately to clinch up the surging Rowe. Rowe takes advantage of this grip by shellacking Loosa with uppercut after uppercut, ripping Loosa’s eyebrow open as blood sprays from the wound. As Rowe lays into his opponent, Loosa’s legs wobble and start to crumble. Rowe scores one last right hand, and Loosa’s knees are gone. Loosa collapses to his knees, done like dinner, as Rowe walks off while McKeehan gets between them. Just like that, Rowe springs the comeback after likely being down on the scorecards, and it is an emotional win for him. “The Fresh Prince” still maintains a 100% finish rate, and it’s any guess as to the damage that Loosa sustained after his mouthguard came out.

The Official Result

Philip Rowe def. Ange Loosa R3 4:03 via TKO (Punches)

Ricky Simon (136) vs. Cameron Smotherman (136)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Simon (-440), Smotherman (+340)

Round 1

On short notice, Simon (21-6, 9-5 UFC) now stands across the cage from high-flying Fury FC product Smotherman (12-5, 1-1 UFC). Simon was initially expected to battle Charles Jourdain, but it is what it is now. The bantamweights will be joined in the cage by referee Blake Grice, who claps them in as they choose to tap their gloves together. Smotherman jabs and low kicks, and Simon does the same. Simon turns his hips into one thudding kick, and he suddenly goes high with a kick that Smotherman barely blocks in time. Both swipe at the other with hooks, and Simon drops levels, stutter-steps and shoots for a single-leg takedown. Simon lifts Smotherman all the way in the air and chucks him to the mat, where Smotherman is quick to sit up against the wire. Simon hooks one leg in and starts peppering Smotherman with free left hands, and Smotherman is stuck unable to get back up. When Smotherman attempts to stand, Simon wrenches him back down again. Simon isolates Smotherman’s left arm in pursuit of a kimura, and Smotherman gives up position to defend against it. Simon takes advantage of this to step into full mount, and he allows Smotherman to turn over so he can start fishing for a rear-naked choke. Simon cannot get his hooks in, so Smotherman is able to fight back to his feet with about 30 seconds left in the round. Simon leans on him against the wire, kneeing him in the side of the head while trying to drag Smotherman back down. Simon rides out the round squeezing.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Simon

Round 2

Smotherman takes the center of the cage and marches forward to start off the second round, looking for a hook that he cannot find yet. Simon loops a right hand around the guard and plunks the front leg with a kick, and he dodges the counter to weave a right hand up top. Simon kicks the front leg and keeps his guard up to block the right hand aimed down the pipe, and he walks into a pair of punches but does not budge. Instead, Simon leaps in the air with a knee, and he lands and grabs hold of a double. Simon tackles Smotherman to his back, placing himself in half guard while exerting heavy shoulder pressure. Simon flattens his man out when Smotherman tries to buck and twist to get out, and he slashes down with a pair of elbows. Simon leans back a slight amount to wrap his arm around Smotherman’s neck, either for a guillotine setup or to push Smotherman down. Simon spins around to grab his foe from behind, and Smotherman stands back up in the process. Simon leans on Smotherman from the back while jamming Smotherman against the wall, and Smotherman starts chattering towards the grapple-heavy adversary. Simon ignores it and continues to embrace the grind, transitioning a single to a double and back to a single. Smotherman looks for a standing ninja choke, but Simon wriggles his neck out without concern. “The Baby-Faced Killer” drives a knee down the middle, and when it succeeds, he goes for another. Simon shrugs them off and loops a right hand up top and a left to the liver. Simon narrowly avoids a looping right hand as he scores a low kick, and Smotherman’s final strike of the round is a front kick to the chest. Grice has to get between the two when the horn sounds, ushering them back to their corners. Smotherman does not appear to be a happy man right now.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Simon

Round 3

Smotherman is fired up between rounds, and he starts throwing hands and grins when Simon obliges him. Simon takes a jab on the forehead and showboats while dodging the two follow-ups, looking away from the swinging Texan. Simon clips Smotherman with a right hand on the temple, and he grabs hold of Smotherman in a body lock and throws him to his knees. Smotherman powers back up to his feet, but Simon is a dog with a bone as he tries to go from a double to a single to a body lock. Simon pursues a double again when the other efforts fail, and Smotherman’s defense holds up even as he is stuck against the wire. Smotherman pushes off a knee, forcing Simon to wing two punches and shoot in for a double that finally succeeds. Smotherman is placed on his seat, and Simon holds him down and keeps his arms wrapped around a single to keep him in place. Smotherman still gets back to his feet, and he shakes Simon up with an elbow. Smotherman walks him down, firing a left to the body and a right to the head. When Simon counters, Smotherman hits him with a step-in knee. Simon eats a left hook to fire one back, and his right hand gets Smotherman’s attention and tells him it will not be as easy as walking through him with heavy fists. Simon shoots hard for a single, and Smotherman responds with a ninja choke and backs himself to the fencing. Simon is completely unfazed by the submission attempt, not budging and instead pressing on Smotherman until Smotherman bails on it. Smotherman breaks out of the takedown attempt and clinch to drive a pair of lefts to the liver and temple. Simon jabs to beat him to the punch a few times, and Smotherman is winding up with everything he has with his right hand. Simon is able to intercept him when he launches those missiles, slipping the most dangerous of the punches and hitting Smotherman back. Smotherman jabs to the body with the ball of his foot, winging a left to the same spot and a right up top. Simon shrugs at him, but he got stung with the power strikes. Smotherman unloads with pure power, tagging Simon a few times and eating some responsive blows until time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Simon (30-27 Simon)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Smotherman (29-28 Simon)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Smotherman (29-28 Simon)

The Official Result

Ricky Simon def. Cameron Smotherman via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Cody Durden (126) vs. Jose Ochoa (125)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ochoa (-180), Durden (+150)

Round 1

Trying to break out of a bit of a rough patch, having lost three of four, Durden (17-7-1, 6-5-1 UFC) needs a win bad and wants it even more because this match takes place at home. A product of American Top Team Atlanta, he will welcome wild-swinging Ochoa (7-1, 1 NC; 0-1 UFC) to the ATL. When the dust settles between these two flyweights, one will return to the win column—barring something unexpected. Referee Kevin MacDonald will be on top of the action. The two combatants bump fists, and Ochoa comes out erratically with bouncing, jittery movement and kicks. Ochoa stabs the body with his toes extended, and he does this two more times before Durden comes back at him with a left hand. Ochoa continues working the body with the same move, and he spins with an elbow on the counter try from Durden. Durden shakes it off and is ready to trade, but it is Ochoa who lands in bunches. Ochoa’s movement allows him to avoid the worst that Durden tosses at him, while keeping a solid range with his legs outstretched constantly. Durden latches onto Ochoa’s right leg in pursuit of a single, wrangling the younger man to the mat and lacing his hooks around them for a moment. Durden slithers to the side in an attempt to take the back, but Ochoa knows this is coming and turns himself around while standing up. Durden knees his way out of the clinch, and Ochoa thanks him for this by kicking him in the fast-reddening lead leg. Ochoa slips a punch to connect with three, with Durden’s chin holding up but taking damage early. Ochoa tags the Georgian with a fast combination, and he grabs hold of a guillotine when Durden shoots and knees him to break up the shot. Ochoa goes to the body with a left, and he spams two head kick from the same leg and chains punches and another kick behind it. Durden tries to bully him back, only to absorbs an elbow and a mean left hand. Ochoa is a meat grinder, marching Durden down and putting him through his paces. Durden takes several more blows on the chin, and in response he unloads a right hand from the depths that stuns Ochoa to his core. This allows Durden to easily change levels and take Ochoa down, but Ochoa hits his back and starts firing off upkicks aplenty. Durden lowers himself down through the flailing legs, dropping down a few standing-and-ground punches. As soon as Ochoa locks up a triangle choke, the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ochoa
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Ochoa
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ochoa

Round 2

The second round kicks off with Durden grinning like a banshee. As he moves to the center of the cage, Ochoa meets him there. Durden reaches out with a right hand to initiate an exchange, and the younger fighter dips back and clubs him with an uppercut that shakes the Covington, Georgia, native up badly. As Durden wobbles back to put the fence behind him, Ochoa just misses with a flying switch kick aimed at his mug. The moment he plants his feet, Ochoa dodges a left hook and unloads a blistering short left hand that jacks Durden in the jaw and sends him careening to the floor. While MacDonald is sprinting to the fighters to wave things off, Ochoa hammers the local with two or three more fierce right hands. MacDonald gets in to stop the fight, and Durden’s eyes are wide and rolling around in his noggin. Ochoa walks off and celebrates, while Durden looks around confusedly and briefly protests but needs to be helped back to his feet, further justifying the stoppage. Ochoa earns his first UFC victory in big way, putting down a gritty grappler like Durden in the latter’s home territory.

The Official Result

Jose Ochoa def. Cody Durden R2 0:11 via KO (Punches)

Kris Moutinho (136) vs. Malcolm Wellmaker (136)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Wellmaker (-1450), Moutinho (+850)

Round 1

In what may serve as the widest betting discrepancy of any UFC match this year, the unbeaten flamethrower Wellmaker (9-0, 1-0 UFC) clocks in with prohibitive odds somewhere around -2000 depending on one’s book of choice. Late replacement Moutinho (14-6, 0-2 UFC), with the comeback around +950, knows what it is like to face tough opposition in the Octagon, and he is back after stringing together a slew of wins on the regional scene. Whether he has picked up any new tricks since being away, referee Brent McKeehan will see them first. What bettors consider a complete squash match begins without glove touch, and what happens next is anyone’s guess. This sport does not always play out relative to expectations or betting lines. Wellmaker jabs the body with a kick, and Moutinho ignores it and meanders forward. Wellmaker chips at his front leg twice, turning his foe around the second time. A third one, Moutinho tries to catch it but ends up eating a left hook for his trouble. Wellmaker chips at him with kicks to the body and lead leg, and he jabs to the midsection as well. Wellmaker dings Moutinho with a vicious right hand, and he backs Moutinho off with a swarm of punches. Moutinho bounces off the fencing and tries to tie up the hard-swinging undefeated fighter, and Wellmaker breaks free and scores a leg kick. Moutinho clips Wellmaker with a right hand, and Wellmaker responds with a vicious left that snaps the head back. Moutinho considers a level change, kneeing his man in the body but taking an elbow before Wellmaker backs off. Moutinho pushes forward, tripping himself up while throwing and falling to the ground. Wellmaker lets him back up, and he cracks his opponent with a body shot and a right hand up top. Wellmaker digs a kick to the body, setting up a short but destructive right hand that cleans Moutinho’s clock. The wrecked Massachusetts native falls flat on his face, and Wellmaker walks away, nothing more left to do today but party. Wellmaker drops to his knees while waiting for medical professionals to tend to Moutinho, who comes to and is able to stand back up. Wellmaker jumps to the top of the cage to drink in the love and admiration of his home state fans, and the place is as loud as can be after that mighty knockout.

The Official Result

Malcolm Wellmaker def. Kris Moutinho R1 2:37 via KO (Punch)

Michael Chiesa (171) vs. Court McGee (170)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Chiesa (-360), McGee (+285)

Round 1

The de facto senior circuit of the UFC welterweight division gets a match between two grizzled vets trying to pull something off in one final run. At the tender age of 37, Chiesa (18-7, 13-7 UFC) has won two in a row by stoppage. On the other side, McGee (22-13, 11-12 UFC), 40, also prevailed in his last time out. It might be a bummer for longtime faithful fans to see one of these two lose, but such is the sport. Referee Mike Beltran takes charge of the cage, although he will not likely need to keep things on the up-and-up between these two respectful athletes. Despite the respect, they do not bump fists ahead of their scheduled melee. Chiesa keeps his distance early, staying well away from strikes coming his way. When McGee charges him, Chiesa parries the punches. McGee scores a pair of punches, and they return to a distance outside of kickboxing range. Chiesa prods out with a long jab, and he swipes a right hand but it just grazes the beard. Chiesa splits the guard with a left hand, cutting open McGee’s right eyebrow. McGee ducks a pair of punches to shoot for a takedown, and the taller Chiesa frames off but misses with an elbow over the top. Chiesa walks the older fighter down and pops him in the chops with a right hand, and McGee’s chin holds up well enough to the point that he rushes after Chiesa swinging a head kick at him. When that comes up short, he tries a right hand, and that too is out of range. Chiesa flails his hands out to try to score something, and this allows McGee to touch him with a punch or two. McGee lands a low kick, and Chiesa shrugs at him. The Chiesa jab is longer than McGee’s, allowing him to poke and prod but not satisfy the bloodlust of the crowd, which starts to boo the welterweights. Chiesa pitches a head kick, and McGee grabs it but cannot take advantage so he sets it down. The two trade low kicks, and McGee chases after him with a pair of body shots. Accuracy is extremely low between the aged competitors, although they do manage to connect once or twice during exchanges. McGee lands a body kick, Chiesa pins a left hand on the chin, and the round ends with the fighters showered in boos.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Chiesa
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 McGee
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Chiesa

Round 2

McGee races out of his corner to engage, coming up short with a right hand but getting in Chiesa’s face for a moment. Chiesa backs him off with jabs, and McGee lets rip a body kick that is too low. The instep of “The Crusher” crushes Chiesa’s groin, who falls to the ground in agony. Beltran calls time and suggests that Chiesa walk it off and not rush it. Chiesa takes about a minute to get his wind back, and McGee apologizes. The two touch gloves to get back to it, and McGee follows that with a one-two. Chiesa gives him a right back to think about. McGee shoots for a single, but Chiesa’s long limbs allow him to step out of it before it is set. Chiesa crashes forward with three punches, glancing a left off the forehead and getting backed up with a right hook. Chiesa sits down on a punch only to get popped with a combo from the Utahan. McGee chips at the lead leg, and Chiesa’s combination opens the cut up on the corner of McGee’s eye once more. They trade short but effective combos, as if they were taking turns to engage. One throws, the second responds, the first swing back and the other retaliates. As McGee shoots, the two clack heads, and Beltran tells them to watch out. Chiesa probes with his jab, digging a kick to the liver and pushing McGee to the wall. Chiesa knees the body once before McGee tosses him to the side and breaks out. Both fighters tag one another in an exchange, but neither is able to follow it up with anything of note. McGee ducks a lunging right hook but fails on his takedown, and they clash heads once more. Chiesa swarms forward with a pair of punches, and McGee hurls a right hand back. The fans are not thrilled by the low-intensity kickboxing match, with neither fighter seemingly willing to fully commit to a big strike. The pitter-patter exchanges continue, and Chiesa chambers and fires off a body kick that is harder than most of what he has put out thus far. Chiesa evades what comes his way as the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Chiesa
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Chiesa
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Chiesa

Round 3

The TUF winners tap gloves together to get going, and it is McGee who is again the initial aggressor. Chiesa sticks out his jab in front of him any time he can, hoping to break up the forward movement of his foe while setting up other attacks. Chiesa prods out a jab and takes a few body shots on the way out. Chiesa stings his foe with a head kick, and when McGee lowers himself down for a level change, Chiesa has a knee ready for him. McGee still tries for the takedown, only to be thwarted and turned to the wall. Chiesa brings up another quick knee, and he thumps the cup with one more but is not called on it. Chiesa spams knees to the body, and he tries for a body lock but is spun to his knees. “The Maverick” stands back up and gets back to delivering knees to the sternum. Beltran calls for more action, and McGee answers it by lifting Chiesa up with a double. Chiesa drops to his hands, turns things around with a single and comes up high with a right hand to break away. McGee gets back to chasing him around the cage, ignoring the Chiesa jab and whiffing on a head kick. Chiesa puts a one-two on the target, and he swipes out a right hand when McGee opens himself up. Chiesa circles to the left and right, swaying around a kick but getting caught with a right to the head and one to the body. Chiesa tags the Utah native with a combination, but McGee hits him harder and makes Chiesa scoott away. Chiesa slams his shin to the body, and McGee ties him up until the final bell. Scores might be all over the place after this close, less-than-thrilling welterweight affair comes to a close, with tallies that could reasonably range all the way from 30-27 one direction to perhaps even 29-28 the other.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Chiesa (30-27 Chiesa)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Chiesa (29-28 Chiesa)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Chiesa (30-27 Chiesa)

The Official Result

Michael Chiesa def. Court McGee via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Rodolfo Bellato (205.5) vs. Paul Craig (206)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Bellato (-375), Craig (+295)

Round 1

What was previously booked a few weeks ago fell apart due to a sudden outbreak of cold sores for the favored man. The UFC puts it back together, knowing that if light heavyweight co-headliner goes all 15 minutes, something may have gone horribly wrong between these two ludicrously aggressive fighters. In their combined 29 wins, they have just one decision between them. Craig (17-9-1, 9-9-1 UFC) still celebrates his gaudy 100% finish rate, while Bellato (12-2-1, 1-0-1 UFC) went the distance for the LFA title that springboarded him to DWCS. Referee Kevin MacDonald dons his proverbial hard hat for this explosive contest, and the fighters decide to bump their large fists together before going for broke. Bellato resides in the center of the age, pump-faking and feinting but not throwing anything. Instead, Craig lands first, in the form of a hefty body kick. Bellato swings and misses with huge hooks that might have dome some serious damage, and he is not messing around early. Bellato chips at the lead leg and jabs the midsection, getting met with a body kick on the way out. Bellato’s leg kick finds its home again, and his right hand is wound up ready to strike. Instead, the Brazilian clinches, and he bounces out and rocks Craig with a right hand. Craig responds with a spinning back kick to the breadbasket, and he takes some of the sting off a front kick aimed at his chest. Craig spins with another back kick that lands flush, and he jabs and shoots for a takedown that does not come. Bellato stays focused on welting up the Scot’s front leg, and he ignores a left hand so he can prepare for a takedown that comes. Bellato stuffs it and wings a right hand, and the looping hook buzzes past Craig’s beard. Bellato takes two more body kicks, nods and stalks “Bearjew” down. Craig rips another kick to the ribs, and he spins with a back kick and drops down for a single. Bellato frames off and keeps his balance, forcing Craig to sell out and drop down for it while pushing the heavy betting favorite against the wall. Craig trips Bellato up, and as if he had springs in his shorts, Bellato bounces off the mat to get back to his feet. Craig ducks a huge punch and goes after a takedown, but Bellato bowls him over and lands heavily in half guard. Bellato flirts with an arm-triangle setup, retaining heavy chest pressure to not allow Craig to do something off his back. Bellato postures up and stands up with 10 seconds to go, smacking Craig with a low kick and diving down. Craig pushes off of him and belts Bellato with a brutal upkick while Bellato’s right knee is down. The stunner of an upkick knocks Bellato clean out, who collapses to his back. After a few seconds he snaps back to consciousness and looks terrified, eyes wide as dinner plates, and he scurries towards the wall to defend himself from an unknown threat. Still not knowing where he is, Bellato seats himself against the fence, and when MacDonald approaches him, Bellato tries to grapple him and even attempts a leglock. MacDonald calmly, professionally informs Bellato that he got knocked out, and calls for a replay to determine the legality of the blow. It is clear the fight is over and that Bellato will not be able to continue, so the only question is whether MacDonald will declare this fight result a disqualification or a no contest. Meanwhile, virtual judge Devin Tejada specifically requested that his round score of a 10-6 in favor of Craig be declared here even though the round did not end. This is a rough situation, one that merits this match be booked one more time in a few months.

The Official Result

Paul Craig vs. Rodolfo Bellato is Ruled a No Contest (Illegal Upkick) R1 4:59

Alonzo Menifield (206) vs. Oumar Sy (206)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Sy (-700), Menifield (+500)

Round 1

The main card opens up with a match that could end anywhere at any time. Light heavyweight bombardier Menifield (16-5-1, 9-5-1 UFC) practically only knows one speed, sometimes to his detriment. He will try to ply his explosive trade against Sy (11-0, 2-0 UFC) and look to hand the undefeated Frenchman his first loss. Referee Blake Grice knows he might be needed at a moment’s notice, so he is not far away when the two tap their hands together to signal they are ready to engage. Sy takes the center of the Octagon and pushes out a front kick to get started, and Sy pushes off and grazes the eye as Menifield swats at his hand. Sy meanders towards the UFC vet but does not throw anything, instead chasing him and whiffing badly with a spinning back fist. Menifield responds with a lunging right hand, and he steps to the side as a front kick misses him. Menifield times a right hand over the top when Sy commits to a kick, and Sy barely rolls with it in time. Sy has a head kick blocked, and he splits the guard with a jab. Menifield’s head movement keeps him out of danger, and he unloads a massive right hand that skims the jaw. Sy breathes a sigh of relief but the big swings are getting closer. The Frenchman tries to keep the heavy swinger at bay with a front kick, and he stays in place a little too long and gets caught with a right. Sy pitches out a head kick, and Menifield charges at him with four or five flurrying fists. Menifield tracks Sy down and wings a left hand at him, and Sy showboats and pokes Menifield in the eye. Menifield protests, and Grice calls time. Menifield jokingly says he sees two of Grice, and Grice chides him for saying something like that or else he will have to take action. They resume, and Menifield gets back to chasing after the French fighter. Sy stays at the end of his jab to keep Menifield from reaching him, and the telegraphed right hand is still out of flush range. Sy slaps the front leg with a few kicks, and Menifield responds with one that is much heavier. Sy goes to the body with a kick, and Menifield stumbles him with a left. Menifield smells blood and swings with everything he has, clipping Sy with a right hand at the end but not hurting him. The round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Menifield
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Menifield
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Menifield

Round 2

The fighters tap gloves to get going in the second stanza, and Sy reintroduces himself with a pair of front kicks. Menifield offers a low kick back, and he is off-balance when he looks to unload his right. Sy jabs and kicks, and he leans back as a right hand buzzes his chin. Sy closes in to tie up the Texan, driving him to the wall and searching for a single. The Frenchman transitions to a double, and Menifield wraps around him on the other side around his back. Menifield sprawls to defend, and he wraps his arms around Sy’s neck to hold him from getting anywhere. Menifield latches onto a guillotine choke, switching grip from one arm to the other but nearly losing balance. Sy stays attacking a single or a double, going from attempt to attempt as Menifield defends each one. Sy sells out for a double, dropping down to his knees, and that too does not work. Menifield’s strength stops Sy from getting him down, and his guillotine choke makes Sy not go all-out for the takedown. Menifield elbows him in the side of the head, and Sy stays pressed looking for that takedown. As Grice asks for more action, Sy completes it and dumps the Texan on the mat. Menifield gets to his knees, and Sy tries to grab him from behind. Menifield turns and stands, defending another try to ground him as Grice claps for them to fight. Menifield does not get taken down again as the horn sounds, and the audience is not impressed.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sy
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Sy
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sy

Round 3

There is a final glove touch, and Menifield leads off with a body kick. Sy bounces a few punches off the guard and pushes off with a front kick. Menifield sinks in a heavy low kick, swiping out with a left and a right as Sy closes in. “Atomic Alonzo” ducks his way in, allowing Sy to windmill a right hand past him as he regains ground. A right hand from Menifield sneaks over the top, and he pierces the guard with a left. Menifield counters a kick with a right hand and lets go with two chopping kicks. Sy’s one-two down the pipe partially lands, and his jab snaps the head back. Menifield evades a front kick and pushes off from a Sy takedown effort, and fans in the building take their phones out and light up their screens, waving them around in protest of the lackluster fight. The fighters trade single punches one after the other, and with Menifield raising his hand once to signal he scored it the way he wanted to. Menifield punts the front leg and scores with a right and a left, and he wraps a right hand around the guard but off the shoulder. Menifield sticks out a number of jabs, and he checks a low kick aimed at him. Menifield has a few fists rebound off the guard and dodges a front kick. The booing gets louder as the light heavyweights do not turn it up, until Menifield surges into action with a winging right. He misses with that but cracks Sy with a left. Swarming forward, Menifield knocks air around but misses the mark with much more. Two more right hands from Menifield connect, and the dreadful match ends. It is not been the best night for action thus far, and the crowd is reacting to that. It could be anyone’s fight, but at least it is over.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Menifield (29-28 Menifield)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Menifield (29-28 Menifield)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Menifield (29-28 Menifield)

The Official Result

Alonzo Menifield def. Oumar Sy via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Mansur Abdul-Malik (186) vs. Cody Brundage (186)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Abdul-Malik (-800), Brundage (+500)

Round 1

The line on this middleweight pairing may not be quite as ludicrous as Wellmaker vs. Moutinho, but Abdul-Malik (8-0, 2-0 UFC) is coming in as a favorite anywhere from -950 to -1200, give or take. With eight finishes across his eight victories, prognosticators believe that his battle with Brundage (11-6, 1 NC; 5-5, 1 NC UFC) may not last long, win or lose. Referee Brent McKeehan is distinctly aware of the possibility, and is on his A-game right out of the gate. Fists are bumped before they are traded, and Brundage fires off some early warning kicks to demonstrate he is not going to be such an easy out. He lands a low kick as Abdul-Malik comes towards him, and he connects with a clean right hand. Brundage’s front kick pushes off the chest, and Abdul-Malik’s is much heavier in response. Brundage stands firm and delivers a kick to the body and one to the lead leg, and Abdul-Malik is unable to find his way in. The middleweights trade punches, and Abdul-Malik drives a front kick through the guard that surprises Brundage. Abdul-Malik walks him down but lets him entirely off the hook. Brundage strikes the front leg and fires a front kick down the middle, before lunging with an overhand right. Abdul-Malik swings a body kick and leaps at his foe with a jump knee, and Brundage steels himself and wings a pair of body shots back at him. The cautious round ends, and again fans drown the competitors out with boos.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Abdul-Malik
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Abdul-Malik
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Abdul-Malik

Round 2

After a quick fist bump, the two meet in the middle of the cage without trading. Abdul-Malik tests the waters with a low kick, and he chambers a head kick and is met on the way down with an inside leg kick. Neither fighter is willing to commit to anything, resulting in a lull in action. Abdul-Malik decides to start fighting suddenly, running at Brundage and catching him with a right hand. Brundage retaliates with a flying knee, and Abdul-Malik tags him with another right on the ear as he plants his feet. The blow cuts Brundage behind his ear, which starts bleeding heavily down his neck. He paws at it and pays it little mind, instead winging a right hand at the overwhelming favorite. Abdul-Malik walks into a left hand as he tries to attack with a knee, and then they back off and measure one another for a while. Abdul-Malik eventually pushes out a front kick, and Brundage finds a way in and connects with two punches. Brundage’s overhand right just misses as the crowd gasps, seemingly desperate for a clean, solid strike to land. Brundage crashes the pocket but backs off when taking a low kick. Abdul-Malik spins with a back kick, and Brundage retaliates with an overhand right. The horn sounds to wrap the disappointing round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brundage
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Brundage
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Brundage

Round 3

Abdul-Malik runs at his opponent as soon as the round begins, railing Brundage with a flying knee. This immediately devolves in a ludicrous brawl, where both fighters wing hooks with everything they have. Abdul-Malik hurts Brundage, Brundage returns fire, and they proceed to bang it out. Brundage closes in and drives in a knee, and Abdul-Malik turns the corner and rails his opponent with a flush knee to the sternum and a direct head clash. Brundage goes down in a heap, shelling up as Abdul-Malik unloads on him with fiery fists. Abdul-Malik swings with bad intentions, and McKeehan gives Brundage every opportunity to recover before waving the fight off. Brundage immediately protests that he went down because of the clash of heads and not the knee, and the replay official is called upon to show the clear clash of heads. One of the unluckiest fighters in the sport has yet another bizarre ending in his strange tenure with the UFC, and it is up to McKeehan and the officials to send this one to the scorecards for a technical decision due to the fight-ending headbutt and the bout reaching the third round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Abdul-Malik (29-28 Abdul-Malik)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Abdul-Malik (29-28 Abdul-Malik)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Abdul-Malik (29-28 Abdul-Malik)

The Official Result

Mansur Abdul-Malik def. Cody Brundage via Technical Decision (Unanimous) R3 0:36

Raoni Barcelos (136) vs. Cody Garbrandt (136)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Barcelos (-180), Garbrandt (+150)

Round 1

Of the three Codys competing tonight, Garbrandt (14-6, 9-6 UFC) is the last one to try to get on the board for his namesake. The former champ, who celebrates about 80% of his wins by knockout, takes on a man five years his elder but no less dangerous than ever in Barcelos (19-5, 8-4 UFC). Most notably, the Brazilian derailed the hype train of Payton Talbott in January, firmly ruling out that he was washed up and ready to get tucked into bed. Referee Mike Beltran draws the assignment to watch over the bantamweights, watching them bump fists together to start the match. Garbrandt starts fast, rushing forward with four punches and a head kick. Barcelos bounces off the fence, and Garbrandt surges towards him with a trio of flying fists. Another combo comes from the former champ, and Barcelos ducks it and tries to take him down. Garbrandt hops away and resets, already wary of the possible takedown in play. Garbrandt measures with a single body kick, and he rails Barcelos with three speedy punches. Barcelos drops to a knee, and Garbrandt points at him. As Barcelos stands, he goes after a takedown. Garbrandt ducks away from it, dodges an overhand right and falls to 50/50 when Barcelos looks for a takedown. When the takedown does not materialize, Barcelos leaps at him and splits open Garbrandt’s eyebrow with his knee. Garbrandt backs away, avoiding a flying switch kick as chants for “Let’s go, Cody” echo in the building. Barcelos lands first after they stop calling for the former champ, working the body with a left. Barcelos has a head kick slap off the raised guard, and he rolls with a right hand over the top. Garbrandt swings and misses with a pair of punches, and his second effort to the body gets in. “No Love” shows Barcelos no love by tossing him out of the way, although the Brazilian recovers and fires off an uppercut that gets through. Garbrandt knees up the middle and tags Barcelos with two fast punches, and Barcelos gets his attention with a strong overhand right. Garbrandt thinks about showboating or dancing but evaluates that the strike did some damage and plays it cool. Barcelos attacks a single, and Garbrandt pops out of it and partially checks a calf kick flying at him. Garbrandt has three or four punches land, and he does a little dance. Barcelos takes him down, and Garbrandt gets away with an illegal upkick while scrambling. Barcelos climbs into top position, lands a few hammerfists, and the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Garbrandt
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Garbrandt

Round 2

The fighters high-five before getting after it, and Barcelos is quick to engage his wrestling. Garbrandt’s overhand right goes wide, and he plants his feet to defend the takedown effort. Another try also comes up short, and Garbrandt pushes off and loads up on quick punches. Barcelos chases Garbrandt around the outer edge of the cage, chambering and firing a right hand but missing with the follow-up. Barcelos chops down the front leg, and he ducks down and eats a right hand while looking for a single. When the takedown is not successful, Barcelos clips him with two right hands. Garbrandt defends a double, but a knee up the middle from the Brazilian tags him cleanly. Garbrandt puts out two punches that further develop some swelling on Barcelos’ right cheek, but Barcelos ignores it and shoots for a single. Garbrandt stuffs it, turns his man to the side and elbows him cleanly for it. Barcelos keeps the pressure up, walking through a low kick and a body shot to catch “No Love” with his overhand right. Barcelos times a crisp uppercut and drops down for a single, lifting Garbrandt’s leg way up in the air. Garbrandt still stays upright, takes a right hand and puts his leg down. Barcelos connects with another big right, and he reaches out with one to the midsection. Barcelos jabs his way forward, scooting back to avoid all but a left hand in a combination. Garbrandt rolls with a right hand on the way out, but the jab from the Brazilian is finding its home repeatedly. Barcelos loads up on a right hand and ducks down, before unleashing another right hand that nearly puts the champ down. The round ends with Garbrandt shooting for a desperation takedown.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos

Round 3

There is a final glove touch, and Barcelos gets right back to pressuring. Garbrandt keeps him at bay for less than a second with a body kick, as Barcelos walks him down behind his overhand right. Garbrandt shoots for a single, and Barcelos laughs it off. A second takedown from Garbrandt is nowhere near being successful, and Barcelos pays him back with a calf kick that turns Garbrandt’s knee. Garbrandt gives him back two low kicks to think about, and he absorbs a flush right hand when circling away. Barcelos kicks at his front leg again, setting up his jab and right hand. Garbrandt rushes forward but is out of range for his combo, and he gets sat down with a leg kick. The former champ shoots for a takedown and finds his way into a guillotine choke setup, but he breaks out of is as he leans against Barcelos. The Brazilian breaks free, and Garbrandt connects at the end of a right and a left. Barcelos clubs him with a one-two that forces the striker to shoot in on his hips, and he holds Garbrandt down and circles around to the side in hopes of taking the back. Barcelos manages to take the back after softening Garbrandt up, and he sneaks a hook in. “No Love” lands some no-look punches, but Barcelos is singularly focused on shutting down any hopes of escape. Garbrandt pushes his feet on the wall to turn himself around, where he drops down two punches before Barcelos explodes. The two fighters burst back to their feet and start slugging it out, with Garbrandt landing flush and Barcelos doing the same. Garbrandt waves him on, and Barcelos instead backs off. Garbrandt scores a right hand and is chucked out of the way like a child’s plaything when attempting a single. Garbrandt points to the ground to initiate a brawl, but Barcelos goes the opposite direction and evades him until the fight wraps. Barring something unexpected, all three Codys struck out tonight.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (29-28 Barcelos)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (30-27 Barcelos)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (29-28 Barcelos)

The Official Result

Raoni Barcelos def. Cody Garbrandt via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Andre Petroski (186) vs. Edmen Shahbazyan (185)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Shahbazyan (-185), Petroski (+154)

Round 1

As aggressive as ever, middleweight wunderkind Shahbazyan (14-5, 7-5 UFC) knows it only takes one for him to put an opponent away. He draws bearded grappler Petroski (13-3, 8-2 UFC), who has had his chin checked in the past but can also grind his way to victory if need be. This two-outcome match draws officiating from referee Kevin MacDonald, who bears witness to the fitness of the modern warrior. Before BOOM, another hit is landed, they bump fists. You’re gonna feel it. This is the ultimate. Both men start fast, trading hands in the center of the cage. Petroski lets go with a low kick and a level change, the latter likely to make Shahbazyan think about the possibility. When Shahbazyan advances, Petroski clips him with a short right hand that makes Shahbazyan check his nose. The two get stuck in neutral for a time when presenting in boxing range, and Shahbazyan breaks up the lull in action with a body kick. As Petroski bounces in, Shahbazyan measures him with a sharp right hand. Shahbazyan pecks out with a jab, but Petroski lands heavy on the calf with a kick. The boos begin to grow louder as the two do not engage with much, and Petroski tries to engage his grappling and is turned away for his efforts. Shahbazyan gets behind his jab, pecking it out to fluster Petroski. A jab and a left hook stings the Renzo Gracie Philly product, and Petroski tries and fails to take the fight down again. A quick left from Shahbazyan hurts Petroski, who bounces off the fence to gather himself. Shahbazyan wraps a right hand around the guard, and he deposits his shin on the midsection as the sound of it echoes through the building. Shahbazyan chases around his opponent with a few punches until the tepid round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Shahbazyan
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Shahbazyan
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Shahbazyan

Round 2

As the second round begins, Petroski still cannot find his way in to attack. This allows Shahbazyan to peck and poke at him with jabs, front kicks and anything else to maintain his distance. Shahbazyan pushes off and a finger slides into his eye socket, and MacDonald calls time and tells Petroski to take all the time he needs. With fighters too often hurrying back before they are fully recovered, MacDonald’s request is a solid one. Nevertheless, Petroski waves things back in after 45 seconds, in which he immediately reintroduces himself with a blistering right hand over the top. Shahbazyan does not let him land a second time, instead disrupting his attacks with his flustering jab. Petroski manages to get his hands on the younger fighter, but cannot ground him and settles for a body kick on the way out. Petroski strings together three punches, the third that really gets Shahbazyan’s attention. Shahbazyan loads up with an overhand right, and Petroski’s response of a one-two is effective. Shahbazyan eventually boots his foe in the belly after some time of inaction, and he doubles up on it as Petroski frowns. Shahbazyan skims the top of the head with his foot, and he digs a right to the midsection while Petroski backpedals. They meet in the middle and trade power punches, with Shahbazyan goes to the body and shaking up Petroski to the head. Petroski circles to either direction to try to get his wits about him, remaining safe until the round ends. Once again, the crowd expresses itself about the lackluster match.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Shahbazyan
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Shahbazyan
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Shahbazyan

Round 3

The middleweights reach Round 3 and tap hands together, and both punch one another square in the face. As they come together, they clack heads, and Shahbazyan shrugs and signals to MacDonald, who is already calling time. They resume after a few seconds, where Petroski thumps the front leg with a kick and has his beard tested with a right hand. Petroski dives after a single, putting “The Golden Boy” on his seat. Shahbazyan climbs right back to his feet and wipes his feet on the mat, before tossing his cleaned ball of his foot towards his adversary. Shahbazyan rattles off two punches down the middle, swaying and dodging the inevitable counter. Petroski moves from side to side as the audience turns on them once again, even as Shahbazyan slaps the raised guard with a head kick. Petroski pounds the chest of his opponent with his shin, and he gets driven back by a right hand. Shahbazyan unloads with a mighty body kick, slamming it on Petroski’s left arm, and Petroski clutches it. Shahbazyan aims another one to the same spot, his arm possibly damaged, and he goes down from the kick. After dropping down a few punches, Shahbazyan elects to let Petroski back up. “The Golden Boy” goes high with a kick to the same potentially hurt limb, and he moves away from a head kick aimed at him. Petroski chains a single into a step-in knee, and Shahbazyan pushes him back with a right hand. Shahbazyan flicks out his jab to solid effect, skirting away from a low kick and aiming two kicks back. Shahbazyan works over the front leg with another kick, and he connects with a one-two. Petroski marches his man down despite a head kick aimed at him, swinging once and missing wide. Once more, the fighters go the distance tonight, and fans do not love what they witnessed for the last 15 minutes.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Shahbazyan (30-27 Shahbazyan)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Shahbazyan (30-27 Shahbazyan)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Shahbazyan (30-27 Shahbazyan)

The Official Result

Edmen Shahbazyan def. Andre Petroski via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Miranda Maverick (126) vs. Rose Namajunas (126)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Namajunas (-258), Maverick (+210)

Round 1

While the top echelon of the flyweight division can spur her away, former two-time strawweight queen Namajunas (13-7, 11-6 UFC) can hang with anyone at the weight class. After losses to top contenders Erin Blanchfield and Manon Fiorot—bookending victories over Amanda Ribas and Tracy Cortez—“Thug Rose” takes a small but meaningful step down in competition as she battles former training partner Maverick (15-5, 8-3 UFC). The co-main event receives oversight from referee Blake Grice, who is ready for the women to get down to business. There is no glove touch, as instead Namajunas takes to the center of the cage with her left hook already loaded for bear. Maverick sits down on a leg kick, and both ladies try to find their way in on one another. They go leg kick for leg kick until Namajunas pierces the guard with two straight right hands. Maverick counters her and marks up the nose of “Thug Rose” during an exchange. Namajunas crashes the pocket, but neither woman score with anything of merit. Namajunas dodges a head kick and rifles a right hand down the pipe. Maverick catches the former champ with two swiping left hooks, the second dropping Namajunas down to her knees. Namajunas bounces back up and chases after her opponent, dodging a looping left hook and swatting out with her own left. Namajunas rushes forward to break up a spinning strike, clipping Maverick with a left but eating a shot on the way out. Maverick steels herself to let go with two left hooks, and again she tries to spin as Namajunas ducks it and grabs hold of her. Namajunas lifts up a single leg but cannot get Maverick down, as Maverick pushes off without hitting the canvas. Maverick goes high with a kick, and Namajunas whiffs on a right hand. As Maverick stutter-steps forward, Namajunas times a left hand but it is one-and-done. Maverick approaches and times strikes on the nose, turning the cheek of “Thug Rose” red. Namajunas gives chase with a front kick and a head kick, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Maverick
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Maverick

Round 2

Maverick has no interest in touching gloves to begin the second round, racing forward to engage immediately. This allows Namajunas to string together three quick punches, but Maverick rolls with them and uses her movement to dodges several more. Maverick lands a left and kicks the body, and she chains another kick on the other side. Namajunas scores, Maverick fires back. Namajunas pushes past a step-in knee to trip Maverick up and deposit her not-so-gingerly on the mat. Namajunas positions herself in the guard, hacking down with an elbow or two but primarily focused on control. Maverick turns over, but gives her back up in the process. Namajunas nearly falls off the back, but she uses her weight to drag down “Fear the Maverick” from behind. Maverick turns over, but Namajunas follows her every step of the way and gets a hook in. Namajunas cinches up a rear-naked choke, but Maverick fights the hands and prevents it from getting under her chin. Maverick explodes out of it and nearly takes Namajunas’ back, but instead lands in arm-triangle choke position and puts her weight down on it. Maverick steps to the side with the arm-triangle in place, and Namajunas shifts and bucks with all her might. The twisting from “Thug Rose” saves her from getting choked out, and she allows Maverick to punch her on the sides of the head because it is better than betting submitted. The horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Maverick
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Maverick
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Maverick

Round 3

The last round kicks off with Maverick looking to implement her grappling some more. Maverick pushes “Thug Rose” across the cage courtesy of a single, bullying the former champ against the wall when not getting her down. Namajunas breaks free and is quick to walk Maverick down and pin a one-two on her face. Namajunas slips and scores a quick left hand on the temple that shocks Maverick, who suddenly finds herself on the ground as her legs give way beneath her. Namajunas leaps into half guard to try to finish the job, elbowing Maverick in the jaw with short, grinding blows. Namajunas works her way over to set up an arm-triangle, but is on the wrong side to lock it down so she elects to sit up and land some ground-and-pound. Maverick uses sheer horsepower to explode back to her knees, and Namajunas flips her back over during a wild scramble. Maverick considers using a guillotine choke, but finds herself in Von Preux choke danger if she keeps her arm around Namajunas’ neck. Namajunas frees herself from any submission setup and drops down a few more strikes. “Thug Rose” flails with a few hammerfists until time expires, and when it does, Namajunas has to help Maverick up as Maverick is dealing with some kind of knee injury. Maverick is tough as nails, standing up mostly under her own power and walking away with her arm raised in the air. It could be anyone’s fight based on how the first round was scored.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas (29-28 Maverick)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas (29-28 Namajunas)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas (29-28 Maverick)

The Official Result

Rose Namajunas def. Miranda Maverick via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Kamaru Usman (171) vs. Joaquin Buckley (171)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Buckley (-258), Usman (+210)

Round 1

The proverbial torch is lit and in the hand of former champ Usman (20-4, 15-3 UFC), whose only losses in the UFC are to Leon Edwards twice and against Khamzat Chimaev in a middleweight match that may have been a draw. After plenty of time off to get his head right, “The Nigerian Nightmare” hoists the flame and will do his darnedest to stave off the hard-charging kickfighter Buckley (21-6, 11-4 UFC). Something dramatic might happen in the next 25 minutes, and if it does, referee Mike Beltran will be on top of it. The welterweights are not brought to the center of the cage to receive instructions, and instead do it of their own accord, going forehead to forehead. They opt not to bump fists to seal the cage. It’s on with the show. Buckley practically sprints out of his corner to get after it, fishing with jabs to set up a left. They clash heads on the way in, and Buckley hops back uncomfortably. Usman no-sells it and plods forward, looping a single right hand and shooting for a double when Buckley fails on his counter. Buckley hits his seat, and he posts off an arm to try to recover position. Usman drags him away from the fencing so he can establish himself in half guard, and he presses down with his body weight to keep the striker flat. Usman postures up to hack down with an elbow, and after striking, he immediately returns to imposing every pound of his imposing frame. Usman finds a right hand around the guard as he smothers “New Mansa,” and when Buckley sits up, he connects with another solid right. Usman drags him back down the moment Buckley is about to escape, where he makes Buckley pay for his effort with some more ground-and-pound. Usman grinds effectively with powerful punches from above, and he stacks Buckley up to gain a little more distance and increase the potency on his attacks. Usman returns to half guard, shredding Buckley’s right eyebrow open with his elbows. Usman bombards Buckley with elbows and furious punches until time expires. Buckley stands up, blood streaming down his face, and he smiles.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Usman

Round 2

Buckley is just as eager to get going despite around five minutes of that, as he races at Usman letting punches go. Usman keeps his guard up to parry or deflect most flying at his face. Usman kicks the body and stays out of range of the counter left, and he ducks down directly into an uppercut. The 38-year-old’s beard holds up fine, and he measures a left hand and fakes for a takedown that draws an exaggerated reaction from his opponent. Buckley plants a side kick on the midsection that makes Usman take a funny step, and he surges at the former champ to put fists on him. Usman responds with one high and one to the body, and he defends the head kick that soars his direction. Usman uses a one-two to shoot in for a speedy single, and he strips Buckley’s footing out and sets him down at the three-minute mark. Usman climbs his way to establish mount, hopping to the side to control in half guard rather than giving Buckley a chance to get out. Usman keeps at least one arm under Buckley’s leg to keep him grounded, and he pummels “New Mansa” with short but damaging strikes with any free hand or wing. Usman hacks with another elbow to open the cut back up on Buckley’s eyebrow or eyelid, and he frames off to keep pounding on the kickboxer. Usman works Buckley over from above, hopping to half guard on the other side so he can beat down Buckley with right hands and elbows. Usman further works on Buckley, causing more blood to flow until the round ends. As Buckley stands up, Usman falls off of him, but it is not from ill intent and instead a strange position that befell the two.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Usman

Round 3

To change things up, Buckley comes out of his corner with his hands down, positioning himself in a more karate stance. He lands a single side kick, and he charges forward with a flurry of punches but ends up bouncing his head into the former champ’s. Usman shrugs it off and pitches a head kick at him, and he slides to the side and eats a left hand. Buckley connects twice before getting on his bike, not wishing to stand still so he is vulnerable to a takedown entry. Usman level changes to draw a reaction out of him, ducking a right hand over the top. Buckley loads up with left hands, throwing Usman off-balance but not dropping him. Usman’s jab re-opens the wound on Buckley’s face once more, and he jabs a front kick to the body. Buckley stays behind a power jab, and he dodges an Usman hook to catch him with two. Usman drops down, and he takes Buckley off his feet and assumes top position. Usman is quick to rev up his ground-and-pound engine again, where he further bloodies up “New Mansa” with his ultra-effective ground strikes. Buckley surges to a knee, and Usman leans on him and knees him in the posterior a few times to discourage him from standing without protecting his face. Usman tugs him back down, and he looks irritated that he has been taken down and controlled like this. Buckley posts off his arm and is wrenched down immediately, as Usman mounts him and bombards him with punches and nasty elbows. As the elbows continue to connect, the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Usman

Round 4

The fighters get right back to it, with a fire lit under Buckley’s belly. He swings a head kick and several punches behind them, but Usman’s head movement and footwork is making a huge difference even at the age of 38. Buckley tries to work behind his jab, switching stances so eh can chain strikes together, and he pops Usman twice as he retreats. Buckley scores an uppercut, stuffs a takedown and eats a right on the way out. Buckley keeps his hands low as he starts talking to the former champ, goading him into reckless exchanges. One such exchange immediately presents itself, and it ends in a bump of heads. Usman does not register as if anything happened at all, and he snipes the kickboxer with a jab. Buckley tells him it was a good strike, and Usman answers with a power double. Buckley sprawls about as deep as someone can against the wall, and he smiles that he might be able to defend this deep effort. The smile turns to a grimace as Usman lifts him up and down to the ground, where he once more establishes himself in smothering yet dangerous top control. Buckley starts booing from off his back, as Usman controls him, with “The Nigerian Nightmare” shifting from one side to the other. Buckley motions to Beltran as if he will be stood up, but Usman is plenty active and has not drawn so much as a single warning for a lack of action. Buckley sits to a knee, and Usman pounds on him with a free right hand and a few elbows. Usman winds up with a power punch, and his slashing elbow concludes the fourth frame.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Buckley

Round 5

As if he wants to channel his inner Leon Edwards, Buckley starts the fifth round off with a mighty head kick. Usman tanks it, unlike his fateful title loss, and he keeps marching forward. Beltran asks for the fighters to close their hands, and they proceed to jab it out. Usman goes down low for a single and then a double, and Buckley manages to break off and defend from the effort. Usman tries to change levels again, and Buckley once more stops it in its tracks. This time, Buckley strings together a few punches on the inside on the break. Usman pierces the guard with a sharp jab and fakes a single, and Buckley ignores it and gives back two power jabs of his own. “The Nigerian Nightmare” tries again for a takedown, and a third effort fails. A fourth does as well, and Buckley lets his hands fly and knocks Usman back a step. Usman whiffs with a left hand, and he dodges a big hook that comes back his way. Buckley wraps a left around the guard as he approaches awkwardly, and the two crash into one another as Buckley anticipates an Usman takedown. Usman bullies him to the wall, but he cannot keep him there. Buckley explodes out of control and starts slugging away, catching Usman with short, compact swings. Buckley releases a big left hand and plants a side kick on Usman’s chest, and scoops an uppercut that buzzes the former champ’s chin. Buckley scores with a jab and an uppercut, stinging Usman and forcing him to backpedal as he appears to be hurt. Buckley rushes at him, looping an uppercut his direction but not landing it. Buckley swings with everything he has, smacking Usman and getting tagged on the way back. The two hear the final horn blare, and immediately disengage the offense and congratulate one another for five fairly entertaining rounds likely deserving of “Fight of the Night” given the lack of competition earlier tonight.

On the post-fight interview, the victorious former champ is nearly overcome with emotion, taking a moment to gather his thoughts as he expresses gratitude towards his opponent. Usman says that he feels great and that people should “shut the front door”—paraphrased to remove profanity—about his bad his knees are. While he does not have a name on his tongue, he does state that he should be one win away from a title shot at worst. No matter who the self-proclaimed “f---ing boogeyman” fights next, we will be there for it. We hope you are too.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Buckley (49-46 Usman)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Buckley (48-47 Buckley)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Buckley (48-47 Usman)

The Official Result

Kamaru Usman def. Joaquin Buckley via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)