UFC Fight Night 135 ‘Gaethje vs. Vick’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round-by-Round Scoring

Luke Sanders vs. Rani Yahya

Round 1

Yahya rocks Sanders with a right hand to the face, then drags him to the canvas. The Brazilian gets hold of a textbook heel hook and extends the leglock, forcing Sanders to tap out in just 91 seconds.

The Official Result

Rani Yahya def. Luke Sanders via Submission (Heel Hook) R1 1:31

Drew Dober vs. Jon Tuck

Round 1

Both lightweights come out swinging hands, Dober landing a few left hooks while Tuck mixes in some kicks to the legs and body. After a few minutes of circling, Tuck shoots in for a takedown and gets stuffed. Dober jams the “Super Saiyan” against the wall. Dober holds him in place with an underhook, then releases and steps back to land a left hand. The pace slows down in the latter half of the round, with Dober pressing the action from the center of the cage while Tuck circles the outside, looking to counter. Dober sends a pair of left hands across Tuck’s chin in the final 30 seconds, and Tuck fires back with a few hard body shots.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Dober
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Dober
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Dober

Round 2

Dober brings the action to Tuck early in round two, again working from the middle and pressuring Tuck around the outside. Dober shoots for a takedown and gets caught in a tight guillotine, but the Nebraskan gets out of danger by moving to side control. Tuck reclaims full guard, but Dober moves back to half, then begins dropping left hands on the grounded Guamanian. The final 90 seconds of the round are all Dober, as his heavy top control and ground-and-pound send Tuck back to his corner with a bloody nose.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Dober
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Dober
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Dober

Round 3

Dober sparks Tuck with a left hand in the first 20 seconds of the round, and before the opening 60 are through, Dober has secured another takedown. Tuck tries another guillotine as he goes to his back, but Dober breaks out of this one easily. Dober flattens out his opponent from half guard, leaning right to left across Tuck's body. Tuck tries a sweep with two minutes remaining, but Dober keeps him grounded, feeding the "Super Saiyan" short left hands until the final bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-8 Dober (30-26 Dober)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Dober (30-26 Dober)
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-8 Dober (30-26 Dober)

The Official Result

Drew Dober def. Jon Tuck via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27) R3 5:00

Joanne Calderwood vs. Kalindra Faria

Round 1

Faria shoots and secures an early takedown, planting Calderwood on her back at the foot of the fence. Calderwood tries to kick her away, but Faria scrambles back to maintain top position. Calderwood shifts between full and half guard, though she can never escape from underneath the Brazilian. Faria keeps a grinding pace until the final minute, when Calderwood catches her in a triangle choke. The kickboxer tries to squeeze on the choke but doesn't seem to have the right angle to force a tap. Instead, "Jojo" looks to soften up Faria with some punches and elbows while holding her in the choke. Faria tries to stand and gets rolled over, forcing her to tap just a moment before Calderwood secures a fully mounted triangle.

The Official Result

Joanne Calderwood def. Kalindra Faria via Submission (Triangle Choke) R1 4:57

Mickey Gall vs. George Sullivan

Round 1

Gall brings Sullivan to the ground in a hurry and attaches himself to the back of "The Silencer" with both hooks in. Before the opening minute is over, Gall has a rear-naked choke locked on, and with a bit of adjusting, the once-beaten welterweight has Sullivan tapping out.

The Official Result

Mickey Gall def. George Sullivan via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 1:09

Markus Perez vs. Andrew Sanchez

Round 1

The southpaw Perez works off his back foot in the opening moments, firing body kicks and counter lefts at the oncoming Sanchez, whose ribs redden quickly. Sanchez eventually works his way inside and jams Perez against a cage post, but Perez denies his takedown attempt. Sanchez works some dirty boxing in the clinch, tries again but cannot secure a takedown. Perez escapes momentarily but soon finds himself pressed against the wall again, this time nearly until the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Sanchez
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Sanchez
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Sanchez

Round 2

Perez takes a turn on the front foot as round two begins, backing up Sanchez with a left hand which the wrestler takes in stride. Perez mixes in a few spinning kicks before he's backed up to the wall again. Sanchez once again takes control in the clinch, but this time, Perez is able to box his way off the fence. Sanchez pushes him straight back to the wall and plants a pair of punches on the Brazilian's face.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Sanchez
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Sanchez
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Sanchez

Round 3

Perez tries to up his aggression and turn things into a firefight in the opening minutes of the final frame, but Sanchez won't be baited and slows things down with another clinch on the fence. Perez pushes away, fakes a takedown attempt and pays with a counter from Sanchez, who soon reestablishes his outside clinch position. Referee Dave Jobeun splits up the fighters, and Sanchez starts to press forward with some strikes of his own. Perez looks for a finish with some punches and body kicks in the closing moments, but this one will go to the judges.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Sanchez (30-27 Sanchez)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Sanchez (30-27 Sanchez)
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Sanchez (30-27 Sanchez)

The Official Result

Andrew Sanchez def. Markus Perez via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Iuri Alcantara vs. Cory Sandhagen

Round 1

Alcantara blitzes Sandhagen and catches the American with a pair of punches near the fence, then drags him to the ground and into an armbar setup. Alcantara has Sandhagen's left arm trapped, with a triangle around his left shoulder and head. Sandhagen escapes the dangerous position, but not before being bloodied by the Brazilian. Two minutes in, after pulling his arm free, Sandhagen stands over the prone Alcantara and drops punches, while Alcantara looks to trap a leg for another submission attempt. Sandhagen starts landing some heavy left hands, then switches to elbows, and suddenly it's Alcantara in trouble. Sandhagen comes down to Alcantara's half guard and smashes away with vicious left hands, dislodging Alcantara's mouthguard. It's not enough to force a stoppage from referee Brandon Pfannenstiel. Alcantara survives the onslaught but finishes the round on his knees, eating even more punches.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Sandhagen
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Sandhagen
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Sandhagen

Round 2

Sandhagen picks up right where he left off, and within 20 seconds, he's smashing a kneeling Alcantara with punches. Alcantara is offering nothing in return, just burying his head into the canvas and covering the back of his head, and now referee Pfannenstiel has seen enough.

The Official Result

Cory Sandhagen def. Iuri Alcantara via TKO (Punches) R2 1:01

Warlley Alves vs. James Krause

Round 1

Alves stuffs an early takedown attempt from Krause and pushes the American against the fence. Krause reverses and holds the outside position until the second minute, when the welterweights disengage. Krause switches between stances as he uses his lengthy reach to jab his way forward. Alves slows his momentum with a kick to the body and another clinch on the fence, which Krause quickly reverses and ends. Krause is coming on strong toward the end of the round, putting the shorter Alves on his back foot.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Krause
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Krause
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Krause

Round 2

Alves puts Krause on the retreat with some ill-intentioned punches just moments into the second stanza, but Krause is able to gum up the Brazilian's works with another slow-moving clinch. Krause releases and backs up to follow Alves around the outside, firing jabs and crosses before tripping Alves to the mat. Alves comes back up but is met almost immediately with a vicious jump knee. Alves wobbles backward, trying to stay vertical against the cage, but when Krause tees off with both hands and Alves can't defend himself, referee Kevin MacDonald calls a stop to the bout.

The Official Result

James Krause def. Warlley Alves via TKO (Knee and Punches) R2

Eryk Anders vs. Tim Williams

Former Alabama Crimson Tide footballer Eryk Anders (11-1) struggled mightily to get into a rhythm against massive underdog Tim Williams, but all he needed was one strike. Late in the third of what was a largely lethargic performance, “Ya Boy” clobbered Williams (15-5) with a perfectly-timed kick to the face as Williams was trying to stand up. The kick was legal and it flattened “The South Jersey Strangler,” officially ending the middleweight contest at 4:42 of the third.

It's better late than never for Eryk Anders. Following a lethargic start, "Ya Boi" (11-1) pulls a Misaki-Akiyama, clanging Tim Williams with a head kick as his quarry stands up! The former Alabama linebacker has stopped eight of 11 wins, seven by knockout. #UFCLincoln pic.twitter.com/1Sh05fyozv

— Tanuki Usman (@Hamderlei) August 26, 2018

The Official Result

Eryk Anders def. Tim Williams via KO (Head Kick) R3, 4:42

Deiveson Figueiredo vs. John Moraga

Flyweight contender Deiveson Figueiredo continued to impress on Saturday night by mauling John Moraga on the ground before finishing him on the feet. “Daico” scored a powerful takedown early in the second and once he was on top, he pounded away at the Phoenix-based fighter with punches and elbows. Moraga was rocked by an elbow to the head but was able to scramble up to his feet, but his safety was never ensured. Once up, Figueiredo landed another elbow to the head and then slammed a crushing left uppercut to the solar plexus, causing Moraga (19-7) to crumble in a heap. Referee Dave Jobeun immediately waived it off, saving a bloodied Moraga from further punishment. The end officially came at 3:08 of the second, allowing Figueiredo to ascend to 15-0.

Welcome to the top ten, Deiveson Figueiredo! The savage "Deus da Guerra" (15-0) becomes the first to stop John Moraga with strikes, opening up a crimson mask before nailing the coffin in the second. Figueiredo has finished 13 of 15 wins, eight by knockout. #UFCLincoln pic.twitter.com/sDSR278IXv

— Tanuki Usman (@Hamderlei) August 26, 2018

The Official Result

Deiveson Figueiredo def. John Moraga via TKO (Punches and Elbows) R2, 3:08

Bryan Barberena vs. Jake Ellenberger

Round 1

The welterweights touch gloves and circle each other, pawing with jabs. After a few moderate leg kicks, the men tie each other up briefly but nothing ensures before separating. Barberena swings and misses with a wild punch and falls to one knee, but “The Juggernaut” is too far away to capitalize. Ellenberger is cautious as slaps with a few low kicks, backing away in the process. Barberena tags his foe with a pair of right crosses, dropping Ellenberger against the cage. Barberena is all over him, landing punches in bunches. Ellenberger is in serious peril and can’t escape. Finally, referee Bryan Miner intervenes, ending the assault.

The Official Result

Bryan Barberena def. Jake Ellenberger via TKO (Strikes) R1, 2:26

Cortney Casey-Sanchez vs. Angela Hill

Round 1

The strawweights come to the center of the cage, ready to go. Hill is moving quite a bit early, giving Casey plenty of angles. “Overkill” peppers the taller fighter with a quick combo upstairs, but there’s not behind it. During an exchange, Casey stumbles back and sits down; Hill lets her up. Hill goes with a slick left hook to the face, followed by a right low kick. Hill walks into a straight left, but she counters that with a left low kick. A hard right leg kick by “Overkill” follows but Casey storms back with a left and a right to the face. The two begin opening up much more and tag each other with punches to the head. Casey eats a few more punches and then opts for a takedown. Casey ties Hill up against the cage and drags her foe to the canvas. Hill wastes no time and latches on an armbar, but the Phoenix-based fighter stacks her nicely to fend it off. Casey perfectly executes the armbar escapes, but she is immediately attacked by Hill, who shoots in for a double. Back on their feet late in the round, the ladies trade solid punches. Hill tags Casey with a pair of rights to the face to seal the round in her favor. 10-9 Hill.

Round 2

The women pick up where they left off from the end of the first and trade hard punches to the head. Hill gets the better of the initial exchange, forcing Casey to shoot in for a takedown. Hill stuffs her long enough to separate and regroups to the center of the Octagon. Hill slams a left hook and right leg kick onto the taller fighter, but the Casey counters with a straight right to the jaw that snaps Hill’s head back. “Overkill” settles down and pops her foe’s head back with a series of jabs, but the Phoenix-based fighter answers with a slurry to the head and body. Casey ducks under a left hook and shoots in for a double-leg takedown. “Overkill” does a splendid job defending it and eventually separates back to the center of the cage. Hill is bleeding from the nose, but she connects with a left hook to the jaw that briefly rocks Casey. “Cast Iron” backs off but Hill chases after her. Hill lands a straight left up top and narrowly avoids a knee to the face in return. Hill lands an overhand elbow to the head during an exchange just before the horn, capturing another round. 10-9 Hill.

Round 3

Casey, likely sensing she desperately needs this round, comes out aggressively. Hill sees it and tags her with a sweeping left hook to the jab. “Cast Iron” shakes it off and goes low with a kick before coming back upstairs with a right-left that is blocked. “Overkill” clips her foe with a right behind the ear, but it doesn’t seem to faze Casey that much. Hill has some swelling around her left eye as she digs a flurry to the body. Casey, in return, fires off a pair of rights to the head. At the midway point, Hill is moving around the cage nicely; Casey seems to be growing frustrated. A stiff left jab from “Overkill” backs off the charging Casey, who then has to swallow a right cross. Hill delivers a shot to the gut just as Casey tries closing the gap. With a minute left, Casey needs to go for broke her, but “Overkill” is playing it smart by staying just out of range. Hill tags her opponent with three left jabs, a right cross and then a left to the body. Casey tries to fire back, but Hill is nowhere to be found. They trade punches for the final few moments of the fight, but nothing is too severe. 10-9 Hill (30-27 Hill).

The Official Result

Cortney Casey-Sanchez def. Angela Hill via Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)

Michael Johnson vs. Andre Fili

Round 1

Fili doesn’t touch gloves and storms out of his corner, right after Johnson. Fili misses a head kick, but follows that up with a solid shin to the ribs. Johnson is poked in the eye and referee Grice halts the action. “The Menace” is okay and the fight continues. Johnson continually backs away, looking to counter the ultra-aggressive Fili. “Touchy” connects a right cross to the jaw, but the St. louis native shakes it off. Johnson slams a shin into Fili’s guts, but has to fend off the ensuing head kick in return. Fili lands a nice left-right to the head, but Johnson comes right back with a left to the face of his own. The block each other’s head kicks and begin talking trash. “The Menace” slips in a sneaky straight left through the guard, but Fili shrugs it off. Fili with the ol’ one-two combo, but Johnson quickly counters with a low kick. Johnson misses a high kick at the horn. 10-9 Fili.

Round 2

They trade low kicks early and often, but one of Johnson's kicks goes smack dab onto Fili’s groin. Fili is given some time to recover. The fight resumes and “The Menace” lands a nice left hand to the head. Another. Fili counters with a right high kick, but he misses wildly and stumbles backward. Fili ducks under a left hook and scores a powerful takedown. Fili takes Johnson’s back as the St. Louis native stands up. Johnson is up against the cage, patiently fending off Fili’s attacks from behind. Fili finally sinks in the rear-naked choke and takes the fight down to the canvas. Fili is squeezing hard, but Johnson pops his head out. Fili doesn’t lose his position, but he regroups, looking to set up another attack from behind. “The Menace” explodes out and winds up on top, in Fili’s guard. Johnson lands a few punches and elbows, but Fili blocks most of the assault. Fili latches on a triangle choke from his back, but Johnson powers out of it right as the round ends. 10-9 Fili.

Round 3

Fili is moving back and forth, trying to offset Johnson’s timing early in the third. Johnson misses a left hook, which allows Fili to shoot in and take his while dragging him to the canvas. “Touchy” has his foe pressed up against the cage and take fully take his back before Johnson explodes back to his feet. Fili has a right high blocked. Another. He’s telegraphing the kicks without setting them up, allowing his nemesis to easily block them. Johnson isn’t doing much in return with two minutes left. Fili isn’t as aggressive as he was, possibly believing he has the fight in the bag. “The Menace” lands a few lefts upstairs but there’s not much on either of them. Fili again goes with the right head, but it’s blocked. Another. Johnson tags his foe with a pair of lefts before shooting in. Fili stuffs him, but “The Menace” presses him into the cage. Fili sprawls and explodes back to his feet, only to miss a head kick at the horn. Very close round. 10-9 Johnson (29-28 Fili).

The Official Result

Michael Johnson def. Andre Fili via Split Decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28) R3, 5:00

Justin Gaethje vs. James Vick

Round 1

Vick comes out with a flying knee but misses by several feet. Vick is staying away, using his long spider legs to keep Gaethje at bay. Gaethje delivers a left to the stomach, but has to block a kick to the ribs for his effort. Gaethje closes the gap and clinches, but Vick lands a knee to the body. They split up and Vick backs into the cage. “The Highlight” unloads a massive right hook to the jaw and Vick’s lights are turned out. The Texan crumbles in a heap, completely out while Gaethje tries landing more shots.

The Official Result

Justin Gaethje def. James Vick via KO (Punches) R1, 1:27