UFC Fight Night 177 ‘Waterson vs. Hill’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Sabina Mazo (125.5) vs. Justine Kish (125.5)

Round 1

We’re back with another Fight Night card, and this one did not have fight day cancellations like several others in recent memory. We kick things off in the women’s flyweight division, as once-beaten Kings MMA prospect Mazo (8-1, 2-1 UFC) squares off with TUF 20 participant Kish (7-2, 3-2 UFC). The two women receive oversight from referee Marc Goddard, and with no touch of gloves, they get down to business. Mazo starts off with a head kick instead, and Kish walks through it and tries to lay some punches on her chin. Mazo lets off a few low kicks, and Kish responds with some of her own. Mazo slaps a low kick and gets countered with a right hand, and she ignores it to throw a high kick. Kish walks through another kick with a short stream of punches, and Mazo dances out of the way. Mazo winds up and cracks Kish with a head kick that turns her about, but the American gathers her bearings and gets punched in the face as she shakes the cobwebs out. As a thin trickle of blood trails from the left eye of Kish, she goes to work chipping at the lead leg of the Colombian. Kish stands her up when another low kick comes her way, using a long right hand to stun Mazo briefly. Kish keeps churning short leg kicks and they are adding up fast, but Mazo looks unconcerned as she slings back at her. Kish steps forward, throws leg kicks with both feet, and does this again as Mazo tries to time her over the top. This double kick on the inside and outside is repeated again, and Mazo cannot quite make her pay with much but does open up the cut by the eye a little more. When Kish tries to repeat this again, Mazo pushes her away with long, reaching punches. She steps down at the end of a combination to plant a right hand on the chin of Kish, and she freezes. The American shakes it off and goes back to hacking at the leg. Mazo flips up a head kick, and at the same time, Kish spins for a back fist. Neither land completely, so Mazo backs off and starts to flick out a jab. The two kick at one another’s legs, and an errant body kick allows Kish to catch it and hurl “Colombian Queen” to the canvas. In full guard, Kish tries to posture up and gets off a few punches, but Mazo kicks her off to end the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kish
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Kish
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Kish

Round 2

Mazo strides forward to initiate the offence in the round, and reaches out several times with a jab. Kish slings a few punches back at her to back off Mazo, and she uses a stream of punches to clinch up and attempt to set up a Thai clinch. Neither are able to get it set, so they push off to reset. When Mazo tries to kick her opponent’s leg, Kish meets it halfway out with her own faster kick. Mazo eats it and fires one back that is far louder. Kish fakes a right hand and scores a side kick, while turning away to avoid the counter. Mazo walks forward to reach her with a right hand and a body kick, and Kish catches it. This time, Kish does not take her down, and instead drops the leg and nails Mazo in the jaw with a head kick. Mazo nods to give her credit for landing the shot, and keeps right at it. Kish ducks down and smacks her in the chops with a back fist with no spin, and Mazo looks surprised. Kish uses the moment to spin around and nail her with a back fist again, and Mazo shrugs that one off and tries to paw at her adversary with kicks. Mazo interrupts a combination of punches with a body kick, and then halts the advancing Kish with a knee up the middle. Kish does not react, and kicks Mazo in the lead leg a few more times. The American catches another kick, and sets it down to try to spin for another back fist, but this one falls short. Kish attempts to pick up the leg and take the Colombian down, but Mazo stuffs it and pushes off. Another step-in back fist gets blocked, and Kish walks in to knee Mazo in the gut. Kish catches another kick and tosses it aside, ending the round with a head kick that falls shy of the target.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kish
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Kish
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Kish

Round 3

The round begins and the two women start swinging immediately, with kicks and punches like two 125-pound tornadoes. Both land successfully, and Kish tries to get off a back elbow but gets blocked. Mazo kicks her in the face, and then lands another. Mazo sees the opportunity and blasts Kish in the head with a third, and Kish is hurt but keeping a stiff upper lip. Some swelling has already started to form around the spot where Mazo booted her three times in a row, and Kish pays it no mind as she throws with reckless abandon. Mazo tries to kick her in the body, and Kish blocks it and spins into an elbow, but it only glances off the guard. Mazo stalks her down and lands some effective punches, and in the process she dodges a spinning attempt from her opponent. Mazo throws up another high kick but this one is blocked; a one-two that comes right from Kish is similarly guarded. Kish spins and misses once more, while Mazo jabs at her from a distance. Kish sells out with a few lunging punches, and she catches Mazo at the end of a right hand. She winds up and clips Mazo again, but the Colombian stands tall and sticks a jab square in her nose. The pace is high from these two women, who continue to land practically at will one after the other. Mazo tries to keep Kish backed up with a series of jabs, and she follows a right straight with a massive head kick that sends Kish crashing to the canvas. Mazo leaps over her downed foe to take her back, and she instantly sets up a rear-naked choke. Mazo gets the hooks in while she sinks her arm under the chin, and that’s all she wrote. Kish falls to her back and wriggles, but there is no way out, so she taps out. In the process, Mazo becomes the first fighter to ever finish the durable Kish, all while earning the first submission victory of her young career. What a comeback for “Colombian Queen!”

The Official Result

Sabina Mazo def. Justine Kish R3 3:57 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Bryan Barberena (170) vs. Anthony Ivy (169.5)

Round 1

At welterweight, “Bam Bam” Barberena (14-7, 5-5 UFC) will try to end the first losing skid of his career against Ivy (8-3, 0-1 UFC). Win or lose, Ivy has never gone the distance in his 11-fight career, and Barberena will try to keep it that way under the watchful eye of referee Chris Tognoni. They touch gloves, and Ivy backs off to circle around the cage. Barberena stays calm and slowly plods forward while keeping the center of the cage, and nothing of substance is thrown for the first 40 seconds. Ivy tries to go over the top with a left hand, but it gets blocked. Barberena kicks low, and Ivy shoots in low for a takedown from a great distance. He bullies “Bam Bam” against the cage all while Barberena is working on him with short punches and elbows to the side of the head. As soon as Barberena stands him up, Ivy transitions into a double. Barberena slaps at him with irritating punches as Ivy pulls him down, but Barberena walks his way back up the fence and elbows him in the face. Ivy tries to re-shoot and Barberena slams an elbow home, and then a few punches and a knee up the middle for good measure. Ivy goes after a head kick, and when it is blocked, he falls to his back. Barberena steps on top and starts landing a few punches, but opts to let his man stand up instead. Barberena cracks him to the body and up top, and Ivy turtles up against the fence possibly hurt. Barberena gets off a standing hammerfist in part of a combination that does some damage, but he ducks a looping right hand that whizzes past his head. They separate, and Barberena walks him down and gets off a few punches that make Ivy shoot in low for another double. Ivy turns it into a single, lifts up the leg and puts Barberena down on his back. “Bam Bam” gets to a knee but Ivy is relentless, dragging him back down as Barberena falls with his back to the cage. Ivy yanks the leg back out from beneath him, and finally gets the takedown he has been seeking. With only a few seconds left, Ivy tries to make it count with a couple punches and an elbow before the horn concludes the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barberena
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Barberena
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barberena

Round 2

The two touch gloves, and Barberena instantly puts on a pace with a chain of punches as Ivy backs off. Barberena lands a few of note, forcing Ivy to pursue a potential desperation takedown as a strike or two in the combination could have hurt him. Ivy presses him against the fence before dropping down for a double, and Barberena stuffs it and pushes him away. Ivy kicks him in the leg, and Barberena swings with one that is much harder and instantly draws a reaction out of “Aquaman.” Barberena walks him down and ducks out of the way from a blitzing Ivy, and a second attack from Ivy may have gotten away with an eye poke as Barberena turns away grasping his eye. “Bam Bam” blinks it out and gets back to the action, as he tries to unload an overhand right while Ivy mashes him back to the fence. Barberena tries to frame him off, but takes a huge elbow square on the jaw. Barberena lands hard back and puts Ivy on a knee, but Ivy tries to play it off as if he was going for a takedown and not hurt. Barberena sprawls to stuff it without issue, and after threatening a choke attempt, he lets Ivy get back up and punches his man in the face on the way up. The Texan could be slowing, and Barberena takes advantage of it with a big left hand and a knee to the breadbasket. Ivy gives him one right back, and then backs away to take a deep breath. Barberena sneaks in a jab to force Ivy to try to take him down, and Barberena shrugs it off and smacks Ivy in the side of the head. Ivy’s hands are by his waist in potential exhaustion, and Barberena walks forward like a mohawked Terminator to land strikes at will. Ivy ducks down to get off a single right hand, while Barberena chases after him with volume. Barberena swings so hard he nearly falls through his looping punch, and Ivy cannot make him pay although he tries. Barberena wades through a few strikes to get off some vicious elbows, and the two are both landing ferociously as the round comes to a close. Barberena considers a takedown but opts to squeeze his tired foe against the cage wall until the horn blares.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barberena
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Barberena
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barberena

Round 3

The glove touch clocks in the last round, and after a tentative few seconds, Ivy comes in low for a takedown but is deflected without much concern by Barberena. He stuffs another takedown, and Ivy ties him up to press Barberena to the fence and commit to a takedown. At long last, Ivy has secured the takedown again, putting Barberena on his backside for a brief moment. “Bam Bam” gets to a knee as he attempts to walk up the cage, and opts to slam a few punches in the side of Ivy’s ribs. The fighter out of MMA Lab muscles his way back up, and is able to separate and avoid an elbow from Ivy along the way. Ivy circles around the cage like the beginning of the fight, and Barberena stalks him down and unload heavy punches. Barberena shucks off a few takedowns, and after bailing on a back take attempt, he lets Ivy stand. Ivy attacks in the form of a few more labored takedowns, and Barberena defends one with an anaconda choke. Ivy rolls all the way through and winds up on his back, but powers back to his feet before allowing Barberena to do damage from on top. Barberena dings him with an elbow in the clinch, and they start to slug it out and both do some serious damage as they wobble around the cage. Barberena is the fresher man and appears less hurt, as he strides forward with standing hammerfists and heavy punches that give Ivy pause. Ivy’s single leg takedown attempt in response is thwarted, but Ivy re-commits to a double and wrenches his man down. Barberena defends well to get back standing again, and Ivy rips his legs out from beneath him. When Barberena falls to his back, he purses a kimura sweep as he traps Ivy's wrist. Ivy ignores it to elbow his opponent in the torso a few times, and time expires to end this grueling match.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barberena (30-27 Barberena)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Barberena (30-27 Barberena)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barberena (30-27 Barberena)

The Official Result

Bryan Barberena def. Anthony Ivy via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Jalin Turner (163.5) vs. Brok Weaver (164)

Round 1

In a bout that could have been simply scheduled at welterweight due to the short-noticed nature of the replacement, Weaver (15-5, 1-1 UFC) squares off with “The Tarantula” Turner (9-5, 2-2 UFC) in a 165-pound affair. The third man inside the Octagon is referee Herb Dean, and these two have no interest in touching gloves before getting down to it. Turner starts off aggressive, with punches and kicks that get Weaver’s attention fast. Weaver rushes in for a takedown, and Turner stuffs it and turns him about on the cage. Turner knees him up the middle and stuffs another takedown with a guillotine choke defense. Turner frames him off and takes a hard leg kick on the way out. Turner checks one on the inside, and a few punches from Turner have already busted up Weaver’s nose. Weaver tries to wade his way in and gets caught by a pair of hard right hands walking forward. He still pushes in for a takedown attempt, but Turner shoves him away and kicks him in the gut. He lands another, and Weaver returns fire with one that has a lot less steam on it. Turner clips him with a right hand and takes a leg kick in the process. They both land right hands at the same time, as Weaver chops at his leg while backing off. A pair of right hands fall short for Turner, and they clack legs as they kick low at the same time. Turner sneaks forward to duck down and try to hit a sweep/trip, and Weaver stumbles backwards but keeps his balance. Weaver gathers himself and hacks at the leg, but Turner returns fire with another kick right down the middle. Weaver tries to dance around the outside and land a few punches, but Turner plants his feet and wings back at him. Weaver keeps a high guard and blocks several strikes from his advancing opponent, and a one-two cracks Weaver and sends him flying. “Chata Tuska” attempts to lock down Turner from his guard, and Turner sits down and lands some heavy punches. Weaver turns for a heel hook and forces Turner to fall off, and the two stand up. Weaver grabs hold of his back and bullies him to the fence as the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Turner
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Turner
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Turner

Round 2

The two stand before one another in the center of the octagon and start trading to begin the round. Both land a few punches and Weaver staggers briefly, but he shakes it off and kicks Turner’s leg. Turner gets off a right hand that backs Weaver off, and “Chata Tuska” slings back a one-two that misses. Turner sticks out a jab, and kicks Weaver in the midsection. Weaver tries to push in for a takedown but is shoved aside with ease, and Turner makes him pay with a stiff right hand. Turner rips the body and forces Weaver to try to shoot in again, and defends this attempt with a high knee in the clinch. After the two jockey for position on the fence, a separation allows Weaver to swing hard and glance a right hand off his intended target. Turner paws out a few hooks, all while allowing Weaver to come back at him with more volume and intensity. Weaver knees him to the midsection and takes a right hand as he backs off. Weaver strides forward to get off another knee and a few punches, and Turner winds up with a huge right hand that sets Weaver down. Weaver falls to his back in a daze as Turner walks off, but Dean does not call the fight and Turner looks back to realize the fight is not over. Turner allows a damaged Weaver to get back up, and bullies him to the fence to start unloading some vicious punishment to make him topple over again. Turner elects to stop punching him, and instead takes Weaver’s back and gets one hook in as he sets up a rear-naked choke. Turner goes palm-to-palm and it is deep, and Weaver cannot grit it out any longer and surrenders. With his victory, “The Tarantula” maintains his perfect 100 percent finish rate while earning just the second tapout win of his career.

The Official Result

Jalin Turner def. Brok Weaver R2 4:20 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Alexander Romanov (261) vs. Roque Martinez (258.5)

Round 1

In the lone heavyweight match of the night, two burly bombers in unbeaten Romanov (11-0, 0-0 UFC) and Rizin vet Martinez (15-5-2, 0-0 UFC) slug it out in front of referee Mark Smith. The glove touch is the softest strike either man gets off, as they start out swinging for the bleachers. Martinez begins first with a low kick, and Romanov jumps in with a side kick to the torso. A pounding body kick from Romanov slams home, and he transitions into a takedown and rips the fighter out of Guam to the ground. Martinez rolls for a heel hook, and Romanov turns out of it and starts smashing Martinez in the face with punches. Romanov grabs hold of Martinez and hits a huge suplex to put Martinez on his back hard. In side control, Romanov fishes for a scarf hold headlock, but he is too high and Martinez squeezes out. The two stand back up, and Romanov leaps in the air with an acrobatic knee that ricochets off Martinez’s midsection. Romanov wrenches him back down and takes half guard, where instead of getting off strikes, he crushes his forearm down on Martinez’s throat to attempt to emulate a forearm choke victory he has notched in the past. “King Kong” takes full mount and starts ripping hammerfists and punches, including double hammerfists at the same time. Romanov keeps firing punches and transitions into elbows before stepping over to side control. Romanov goes after an arm-triangle choke and falls over, but keeps top position as he rains down punches. Martinez is defending himself but taking punches every so often, and in a three-quarter mount, Romanov starts to toy with him by mockingly winding up his right hand before slamming it down. Romanov steps over into mount and gets off a few more punches, and abandons the mount position to take side mount and line up a straight armlock. Romanov torques it with everything he has, but Martinez survives to the horn even though it appears he could have tapped in the process.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Romanov
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-8 Romanov
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-8 Romanov

Round 2

The second frame begins with Martinez winding up with a right hand as he walks towards Romanov. He kicks the leg and takes a powerful body kick as Romanov bullies him to the fence. Romanov bounces him off the fence, and the structure groans as the two massive men crash into it. Romanov lifts him up and plants him back down, where he advances to three-quarter mount again and put a few punches together. Although Romanov considers an unorthodox submission that looks like a modified guillotine, he thinks about the straight armlock again and bails on that as well. Romanov cuts through his opponent’s guard like a hot knife through butter and flirts with an arm-triangle choke before posturing up. Romanov sits on Martinez’ midsection like he is resting on a stool, and opts to take side control instead. Romanov steps back over when no submission is in play and he drops down some sloppy ground-and-pound that largely gets blocked. Romanov attempts to set up a crucifix, and he thwarts a fish-out-of-water Martinez from trying to roll over and get back up. Romanov considers allowing him back up, gets to a knee and spins around to hop on top and take side control from the other direction. “King Kong” presses his full body weight on his hapless adversary, and like a snake he slowly cinches up an arm-triangle choke. Martinez kicks his legs and tries to pull himself free from the dangerous position, but eventually he has to tap out. In victory, Romanov stays undefeated and keeps his perfect finish rate intact, all while celebrating by body slamming one of his coaches. What a performance for the newcomer, who made that look easy while establishing himself as a name to watch out for at heavyweight.

The Official Result

Alexander Romanov def. Roque Martinez R2 4:22 via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)

Roosevelt Roberts (155.5) vs. Kevin Croom (154.5)

Round 1

In another match altered by a short-notice replacement due an injury to former opponent Matt Frevola, “The Predator” Roberts (10-2, 4-2 UFC) now welcomes “The Hard-Hitting Hillbilly” Croom (21-12, 0-0 UFC) to the promotion at lightweight. Drawing the assignment for this match that might not last long is referee Chris Tognoni, and Roberts thanks Croom for stepping up to fight with a respectful glove touch. Croom opens up with a body kick, and Roberts steps forward with a low kick. “The Hard-Hitting Hillbilly” lets fly a low kick and follows it with a booming left hand that drills Roberts on the side of the head. Roberts falls to the ground and bounces back up, and Croom latches on with a guillotine choke. The submission is a modified guillotine that looks like a ninja choke, and Croom switches up the grip to lock it up. With the choke tight, Croom crushes the massive favorite to the fence and torques the neck with everything he has. Roberts twists and turns but he is trapped and taps out before passing out, forcing Tognoni to intervene. Croom took this fight on about two days’ notice, and he notched without a doubt the biggest win of his career in an incredible fashion. Wow!

The Official Result

Kevin Croom def. Roosevelt Roberts R1 0:31 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)

Julia Avila (135) vs. Sijara Eubanks (135)

Round 1

Headlining the preliminary portion of this all-ESPN+ event is a women’s bantamweight scrap between the surging “Raging Panda” Avila (8-1, 2-0 UFC) and ex-flyweight Eubanks (5-4, 3-2 UFC). Keeping tabs on this potentially high-paced matchup is referee Mark Smith, and with a touch of gloves, they are off to the races. Avila steps forward with a jab and a leg kick, and sticks out another jab all while avoiding the counter that comes zooming past her. Eubanks tries to land some punches, but Avila bull-rushes through them and the two women start trading insane leather. Both women land bombs, and Eubanks is hurt as she gets knocked back into the fence. Eubanks swings back with a pair of thudding hooks on the chin, but as she keeps eating shots, Eubanks ducks low, pushes Avila across the cage and lifts her to slam her down. Eubanks lands in side control, and she is more interested in advancing position than landing strikes from on top. When Eubanks turns, her head falls between Avila’s legs, so “Raging Panda” sets up an inverted triangle choke. After a few patient seconds, Eubanks pulls her head free, but Avila uses the opportunity to get back to her feet. Although Avila has her back to the fence, she powers Eubanks around and lifts up a high knee. Eubanks turns her about and the two shift back and forth with position. Avila hits a trip takedown to get Eubanks down, and the scramble leads to an odd position as both women are stuck and pretzeled up. Avila fights out of a potential kneebar to hop into side control, where she grinds her elbow on Eubanks’ face. Avila attempts to throw her leg over the head and set up an armbar, but abandons it to get off a few strikes. Eubanks turns at that moment and gives up her back, so Avila obliges by taking her back. Eubanks shucks her off and drops Avila on her head, and a wild scramble from the two ends the exciting round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Avila
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Avila
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Avila

Round 2

Avila starts with a few jabs, and Eubanks sends a left hand clattering off Avila’s head. Avila slaps the leg and chains it together with several punches that ends with a head kick, and Eubanks eats the strike without concern. She fires back to get Avila to back off, so Avila jabs her way in. Avila cracks her with a huge right hand and the two women throw with reckless abandon again. After a furious exchange seem in fights like Wanderlei Silva vs. Brian Stann, Eubanks takes the worst of the punches and is able to take Avila down. Avila defends with a kneebar from her back, and when Eubanks spins out, Avila traps her with a triangle choke. “SarJ” grits the choke out and advances to half guard, and it is Avila that is landing strikes off her back more than Eubanks is putting on her while on top. Eubanks hops over to side control and fishes for an arm-triangle choke, but decides instead that she will drop down several elbows. Eubanks sinks in an arm-triangle choke, and she puts her full body weight down before hopping over to the other side. Avila kicks her legs like a child pushing itself on a swing to gain momentum and uses it to buck Eubanks off. Avila turns to her stomach to get free of the choke, but she gives up a rear-naked choke position along the way. Avila fights through this as well, so Eubanks takes mount and locks in the arm-triangle choke again. With no interest in surrendering, Avila rides it out to let Eubanks possibly gas her arms, so Eubanks lets go and starts hammering her with punches. Another choke attempt is unsuccessful, and Eubanks concludes the second frame in mount with a barrage of punches.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Eubanks
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Eubanks
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Eubanks

Round 3

The glove touch clocks in the third, and Eubanks starts slinging heavy leather and cracks Avila repeatedly. In the chain of strikes, Eubanks changes levels to take the fight down, but Avila staves it off and keeps swinging. Eubanks gathers herself and rushes forward to try to hit a body lock takedown, and Avila stands her up and breaks free from the clinch. A few lefts and rights sneak in for Avila, and her jab finds its home as Eubanks takes deep breaths. Eubanks goes all-out for a single leg takedown, and although Avila keeps her balance, eventually Eubanks gets it. Avila scoots her way to the fence, and pushes her foot off it to nearly roll Eubanks over. “SarJ” keeps her position on top and gets off a few strikes on top, all while Avila tries to twist and spin to get back up. Eubanks has Avila’s right arm trapped under her knee, so she can get off some powerful strikes as Avila cannot defend herself. The left hands continue to mount for the former TUF finalist, until Avila yanks her arm free and locks Eubanks down. Eubanks does enough to keep the fight grounded, as she sporadically gets off punches. Avila tries and fails to kick off the fence, and instead sets up a high guard and sneaks it up into a triangle choke. Eubanks sits down to get out of the position, so Avila transitions to an armbar. Eubanks is wise to it, so Avila transitions into one on the other side before attacking a kneebar. Eubanks slams her in the face with ferocious right hands to defend against the submission, and her resounding strikes stop it from getting close and end the round in style.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Eubanks (29-27 Eubanks)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Eubanks (29-28 Eubanks)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Eubanks (29-28 Eubanks)

The Official Result

Sijara Eubanks def. Julia Avila via Unanimous Decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)

Billy Quarantillo (145.5) vs. Kyle Nelson (145.5)

Round 1

Opening up the main card of this fight night event is a featherweight tilt pitting Florida native Quarantillo (14-2, 2-0 UFC) against Canada’s Nelson (13-3, 1-2 UFC), all while referee Marc Goddard takes charge of the cage. The respect between the two is evident as they touch gloves, and Nelson rushes forward but gets kicked in the leg. Nelson whips a body kick and a left hand over the top, so Quarantillo gives a low kick back at him. Nelson strings together a few punches and takes another leg kick, so he backs off, and rushes in with a series of thudding punches to the body. Nelson clinches him up and the two trade short shots, but they separate before long. Quarantillo winds up with a huge left hook and glances off Nelson’s head, and these two are swinging for the fences here. Nelson winds up with a big shot of his own, and he ducks in and gets kneed square on the chin. The Canadian eats it and attempts to wrangle his man to the ground with a body lock takedown. Quarantillo gets a Thai clinch so Nelson twists his neck free and lifts Quarantillo in the air to try to slam him down. Quarantillo keeps his balance and takes a few blistering punches that wobble his legs, but he keeps his composure as they separate. Quarantillo lands a trio of punches ending with an uppercut, and a leg kick slaps hard on Nelson’s lead leg. Nelson comes right back at him, and the two both traded crazy strikes and land some of them. Quarantillo ducks down low with a few punches and slams a low kick that buckles Nelson’s leg. Nelson grits it out and slings a pair of hooks, so Quarantillo ducks them and rips Nelson’s legs out beneath him to get him down. Nelson gets back to on knee, and Quarantillo cautiously thinks about kneeing him in the head before realizing it would be a foul. Nelson stands up, and he takes a knee flush on the cup. Goddard recognizes the groin shot and halts the action, and a minute passes before Nelson is ready to resume. When they come back in, Quarantillo winds up on two punches that would have blown Nelson’s hair back if he had any, and Nelson fires back with a vengeance. Nelson lands a body kick, a left hand and a spinning back kick, and Quarantillo nods at him in appreciation before the horn sounds to end the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Quarantillo
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Quarantillo
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Quarantillo

Round 2

The two men come right out of their corners ready to resume the violence, and Quarantillo slugs him in the chin a few times. Nelson gets off a leg kick, and Quarantillo stings him with a left hook. Quarantillo digs to the body with a left hand, and Nelson replies in kind with a body kick. Quarantillo swings so hard while returning fire that he nearly falls over when he misses, and Nelson backs off to the cage and blocks the oncoming strikes. Quarantillo changes level to drag the fight down, but Nelson keeps it standing and takes a leg kick. Quarantillo redoubles his effort to take the fight down, dropping to his knees to get it, but the Canadian rebuffs his attempt. Quarantillo once more sells out for a double, and Nelson blocks it and the single that follows. Quarantillo cracks him with an elbow up close, so Nelson swings back just as hard with a left hook that the sheer impact sends Quarantillo hopping back a step. The American pursues the takedown once more and secures it this time, but only for a second as Nelson powers back up and elbows his opponent in the chin. Quarantillo gives him one back, and delivers another as they separate. Quarantillo keeps the pressure constant as he goes after a takedown that does not succeed. The Floridian knees him questionably, as it might have glanced off the cup, but Goddard tells them to continue fighting so Quarantillo obliges and elbows Nelson on the jaw. He lands another, and Nelson slings a hook back at him but is getting bullied. Nelson stings him with a one-two, but Quarantillo wades through it and lets fly a slapping leg kick as Nelson is bouncing back against the fence. Quarantillo stalks down the Canadian and is targeting him with powerful punches to force Nelson to go after a desperation takedown. Quarantillo bowls him over with seconds left on the clock, and he smashes Nelson in the face with a bruising elbow. Nelson’s head bounces off the canvas as his eyes roll around, but he snaps back to focus as Quarantillo hits him a few more times before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Quarantillo
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Quarantillo
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Quarantillo

Round 3

A man on a mission with a specific look in his eye a la vintage Chuck Liddell, Quarantillo strides forward to push the action right out of the gate. Nelson paws out a left hand, and Quarantillo jabs back at him. Quarantillo bites down on his mouthpiece, fires off a lethal one-two, and the right clubs Nelson on the cheek and sends the Canadian careening to the ground. Nelson is out as he hits the canvas, and Quarantillo recognizes there is nothing left for him to do tonight as Goddard dives in to conclude the fight in emphatic fashion, just seconds into the third round.

The Official Result

Billy Quarantillo def. Kyle Nelson R3 0:07 via KO (Punches)

Alan Patrick Silva Alves (156) vs. Bobby Green (156)

Round 1

At lightweight, Green (26-10-1, 7-5-1 UFC) makes a quick turnaround as he takes on Brazilian Patrick (15-2, 5-2 UFC) before referee Herb Dean. The glove touch a formality before the two start swinging, and Green walks forward but ends up having to duck a superman punch immediately. Patrick transitions instantly into a takedown attempt, and Green reverses him and plants the Brazilian on his back. Patrick scrambles and gets back to his feet, but Green lifts him up and slams him back down. Green drops down with a single elbow while he sits in side control, and although he cannot get to mount, he postures up a few times to smack Patrick with single punches. Patrick gets to a knee and stands up, but he eats a knee on the way up. Patrick goes all-in for a takedown, and Green stuffs him and knees him in the chin. Patrick falls forward, and Green lifts him up to knee him in the chest. Green drops down for his own takedown, and Patrick nearly reverses him but winds up on his back again. Patrick throws his legs up and sets up an armbar, and Green spins out as they are both face-down. Green guts out the submission attempt and springs back over to his opponent’s half guard. Green delivers a few elbows to the jaw, and sprinkles in a couple punches for good measure. A few more elbows from Green find their home on Patrick’s face, and the Brazilian attempts to kick him off but decides to get Green back to his full guard. When Patrick tries to pull off a triangle, Green stands up and jogs away. Patrick leaps to his feet, runs after Green and throws a right hand that sends him off-balance. The odd exchange concludes the first frame.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Green
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Green
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Green

Round 2

Patrick comes out swinging wildly just like he left off at the end of the last round, and he winds up in a clinch before Green shucks him off. Patrick dives forward to take Green down, but Green easily stands him up and uses the body lock position to slam Patrick down. Patrick keeps an open guard and flirts with a triangle choke, but Green shrugs it off and drills him with some punches and elbows. Patrick tries to kick off, but in the process, he actually gives up worse position as Green advances to half guard while dropping down left hands. Green works the body and head indiscriminately, leading Patrick to attack the leg for a heel hook. Green stands up before it is remotely close, and the two tie back up in the clinch. Green pushes away and takes front kick, and he ducks the oncoming hooks with ease as Patrick telegraphs them from afar. When he kicks Green in the torso again, Green shakes his head at him and backs away from a spinning kick without a concern in the world. Green’s hands are down as he lets Patrick kick and miss, as he evades the strikes before darting in with a few punches. Patrick chops at the lead leg before falling forward for a takedown, and Green uses one hand to stop it. Patrick wings a left hook and comes up short, allowing Green to counter him with a shorter left. This same exchange happens again, only this time Patrick gives him a pair of leg kicks at the end. The wild and sloppy striking lead both men to fall around the cage, and the accuracy is low as the two stare at one another before Green lands one last body kick before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Green
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Green
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Green

Round 3

A single front kick from Patrick opens the third round, and he uses the kick to attack with more strikes, but Green grabs hold of him. “King” elevates him and puts him down hard on the cage floor, where he is in side control in the blink of an eye. Green stays heavy to keep Patrick grounded, and in the process he has a right hand open to occasionally punch Patrick in the face. Patrick scoots his back to the fence, and Green slams a few left hands on the nose. The punches are not enough to keep Patrick down, as the Brazilian pops back up and jumps forward with a pair of punches that are nowhere near the mark. Green drops his hands once more as he taunts Patrick, with “Nuguette” missing on every wild, looping strike. Green fires back with a couple short shots, and the two clash together until Green circles around and takes Patrick from behind. Green uses the opportunity to push Patrick down, but the Brazilian spins about and takes Green’s back for a moment. Green bucks him off and the two return to standing position. Green stands before his man getting off a few strikes and dodging the counters, while feeling his flow state. Although Green is not landing much of note, he gets off two punches before Patrick boots him in the side of his head. Patrick uses the momentum to get Green down, but the fresher Green springs back up and marches forward. A few punches from Green wobble the legs, and Patrick is fatigued and falling all over the cage. Green snaps his head back with a few punches, and he clips his adversary with a right hand. Green ducks and dodges a few looping shots, and he walks forward to deliver some hooks right on the chin. Green’s hands are by his waist as he shrugs off a spinning kick, and stings Patrick with a few punches as the woozy Brazilian stumbles backwards. The round ends before Green can get the finish he was pursuing.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Green (30-27 Green)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Green (30-27 Green)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Green (30-27 Green)

The Official Result

Bobby Green def. Alan Patrick via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Ed Herman (205.5) vs. Mike Rodriguez (205.5)

Round 1

After five bout cancellations this year, “Short Fuse” Herman (25-14, 1 NC; 12-10, 1 NC UFC) finally draws an opponent on fight night, taking on “Slow” Rodriguez (11-4, 1 NC; 2-2, 1 NC UFC). Rodriguez set foot in the cage a few weeks prior, while Herman has been aching to compete throughout 2020. Referee Chris Tognoni will serve as the official in the cage, and Herman is glad to compete and offers a glove touch to get things started. Both men miss with leg kicks, and Rodriguez attacks the knee with a kick. Herman rushes forward to swing but he bails on that before he reaches his opponent. Herman’s next kick gets checked, and Rodriguez hammers the lead leg of the longtime vet. Herman throws a right hand but it gets blocked and Rodriguez counters with a left hook. A stiff jab from Rodriguez backs off Herman, and Herman comes back at him with a left hand. Rodriguez cracks him with a leg kick and falls over, but he springs back up before anything comes of it. Herman ties him up in the center of the cage and gets off a few strikes, but Rodriguez shoves him away and push kicks Herman back to the wall. He gives another front kick and a body kick as Herman plods forward to clinch him up again, so Rodriguez greets him with a cracking elbow. Herman presses his full body weight on his opponent and Rodriguez is trapped while trying to get in a few short punches. Herman starts to knee him a few times, but he takes an elbow on the chin forcing the TUF 3 vet to change levels for a takedown. Rodriguez pushes him away and kicks that lead leg. Herman tries to come in on him, and Rodriguez stops him in his tracks with a crushing elbow that makes Herman’s head wobble around like a character on “Punch-Out.” Rodriguez marches forward and knees him to the gut, and Herman ties him up to try to get his bearing back. Another knee from Rodriguez forces a separation, and Herman leaps forward with a left hand but gets countered with a left from Rodriguez. “Slow” clips Herman on the way in, but “Short Fuse” eats it and drills him with two left hands as he presses into the clinch once more. Rodriguez knees him once and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez

Round 2

This time they do not have any interest in touching gloves, as Herman swings for the fences with a looping left hook that is wide of the mark. Herman closes in and stings Rodriguez with a pair of elbows, before turning Rodriguez to the cage wall. Herman sneaks in another strike as he pushes off, and scores an elbow before Rodriguez gives him two short punches on the inside. Herman keeps tight control of the body lock but Rodriguez is able to turn him about, and they trade short knees to the body. Herman nearly succeeds with a trip, but Rodriguez keeps his balance and keeps Herman mashed in the fence. A knee and an elbow from Rodriguez land, and Herman absorbs them and turns him around, only to eat another as Rodriguez gets him back around. Herman finally gets the takedown he is seeking, but Rodriguez is on his knees and pops back up and avoids a knee that zooms by his nose. The heavy clinch fight continues for a moment before Rodriguez spins out and pushes off, where he uses his distance to kick Herman in the gut. Rodriguez slams his shin on Herman’s midsection hard, and Herman lets out a grunt from the impact alone. They come together and separate, and Herman attacks the body after walking through a leg kick. The clinch position allows Herman to elbow Rodriguez in the chin, and “Slow” lifts a knee that does not catch Herman on the groin. Rodriguez thinks he has Herman hurt and is about to finish the job, and he protests the referee intervention because he believes there was no groin shot. The replays confirm that the knee landed on the chest at least a foot away from the groin, and Herman clearly got away with one there. The recently excellent Tognoni makes an egregious error here and Rodriguez should be awarded the TKO win at about 4:05. Herman takes the full time, since there is no replay for the referee or fighters unless it is a fight-ending sequence, and the bout unfortunately resumes. They clap hands and Rodriguez smashes a body kick on Herman’s torso. He attacks the body again and gets clipped with an overhand left, but he ignores it as he gives it everything he has to break Herman’s body down. Herman crumples to the floor and Rodriguez lands a few hard shots on top, but allows Herman to kick him off. Rodriguez stands away and lets Herman stand as the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Rodriguez
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-8 Rodriguez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-8 Rodriguez

Round 3

Herman starts off the round he should no longer be fighting in by taking a few leg kicks, and he rushes in for a clinch. Herman manages to slam Rodriguez down, but “Slow” slowly, calmly gets to a knee and stands up. Rodriguez knees him in the body, and like the big one before, it is a legal knee. Herman drops down for a single leg takedown, and Rodriguez bashes him in the side of the head with a brutal series of elbows to the side of the head. Herman is hurt again, and Tognoni calls for Herman to keep fighting and defend himself. As Rodriguez lands strike after strike, Herman topples over and eats some more vicious elbows. Rodriguez leaves his arm exposed and Herman sets up a kimura attempt, and he twists Rodriguez’ arm behind his head and sweeps Rodriguez over. Herman torques the arm and keeps cranking with everything he has left in the tank. Rodriguez is in pain with his arm trapped behind his back, and Herman steps over and wrenches the arm way beyond where it should be. Rodriguez screams and taps out, and Herman has somehow come back to win this fight. Although an impressive comeback, it would not be surprising if this fight is challenged and overturned on appeal.

The Official Result

Ed Herman def. Mike Rodriguez R3 4:01 via Submission (Kimura)

Roxanne Modafferi (125) vs. Andrea Lee (125.5)

Round 1

In a rematch of their fun battle under the Invicta banner at Invicta FC 10 in 2014, Syndicate MMA staple Modafferi (24-17, 3-5 UFC) will try to go two up on “KGB” Lee (11-4, 3-2 UFC) at flyweight. Referee Mark Smith is on top of the action for this fight, as we try to forget what happened in the previous match. They touch gloves sportingly, and both start out with jabs. Lee kicks the leg and the two start swinging. Modafferi lands a hard right hand that knocks the mouthpiece out, and Lee ambles to go get it. She replaces it and kicks Modafferi, but the longtime vet catches it and takes her down. She quickly gets back up, and starts swinging to break away from the clinch. They both jab one another at the same time, and both women’s noses are marked up already. Lee chops at the lead leg, and Modafferi wades forward with a few punches. As Lee lands a left hand, Modafferi kicks her in the body. Modafferi tries to take the fight down, and Lee counters her quickly and throws her down. Lee keeps a tight grasp on Modafferi’s head as she pushes “The Happy Warrior” down, and she starts elbowing the spot she once held. Modafferi rolls to her knee and scrambles back up, where in the clinch she goes after her own trip takedown. She gets it and lands in side control, and Lee elbows her in the back of the head. Modafferi tries to step over but gets pulled back to half guard as Lee continues to elbow her in the back of the head. Lee keeps Modafferi’s right hand trapped as she attempts to stop some ground strikes, but Modafferi yanks it out and starts raining down punches and a few elbows. Lee gets to a knee but Modafferi is working her over with punches and elbows. Lee bucks like a bronco and cannot get Modafferi off of her in a difficult situation. Instead, Lee bullies her way into her own reversal as she gets control of Modafferi’s knee and stands back up. The two try to take one another down against the cage, and the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Modafferi
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Modafferi
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Modafferi

Round 2

The two women start the round slugging it out, and Modafferi charges forward with a barrage of punches but gets backed off with a head kick. Lee steps forward and lands a left hand followed by a low kick, and Modafferi tries to score a left straight. Lee jabs at her and backs her opponent to the wall, where she concludes her combination with a body kick. Modafferi tries to return in kind, but Lee lands the crisper strikes and another body kick. “KGB” kicks the leg as Modafferi paws out a left hand, and Lee catches Modafferi on the way in with a few sharp jabs. Modafferi scores a right hand, and Lee greets her with one of her own and a leg kick to follow suit. Lee catches Modafferi at the end of a right hand, and she gets off another but draws in an attacking Modafferi with a few punches. Lee scores a punch and then another hard leg kick that makes Modafferi pause. “The Happy Warrior” absorbs a few more punches as she backs off, and tries to counter a body kick with a right hand. Lee grabs hold of her in the clinch and sweeps Modafferi to the canvas, but the longtime vet pops back up without issue. Lee connects with a one-two while back on the feet, and the two clinch and lead to another throw. Lee once more puts Modafferi on her back, and although Modafferi can stand back up quickly, Lee knees her in the stomach. Lee winds up and blasts Modafferi with a spinning back elbow, and Modafferi is wobbled and hurt as she clutches her cheek. Lee marches through punches coming her way to land harder shots, as she does more damage but misses with another spinning strike. The two jab at each other at the same time, and Modafferi catches a body kick and pushes Lee down hard. Lee throws up her right leg with an offensive guard, and the two trade heavy shots while in this unusual position.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lee
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Lee
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Lee

Round 3

Lee takes the center of the cage early, as she throws two punches and a leg kick. Modafferi eats them and ambles forward with a style reminiscent of Keith Jardine as she uses unusual angles to get in. She lands an uppercut but Lee is firing back at her with a vengeance. Another two-punch combination ending with a kick comes from Lee, who has a pattern and lands it successfully repeatedly. Lee keeps her jab flowing to stave off her advancing rival, and Modafferi does the same. Lee dodges several jabs that whiz by her head and makes Modafferi pay with a leg kick. Modafferi sticks her with a jab, circles away, lands another, and avoids the counter once more. Her movement is flustering Lee at the moment, until Lee runs forward with several punches and starts to kiai. Two punches and a leg kick come again for Lee, and Modafferi rushes forward with a body lock takedown and scoops Lee off her feet and puts her on her back. In half guard, Modafferi keeps her full body weight pressed on her opponent as she lands a few short left hands. Lee gets to a knee and manages to stand back up, but Modafferi has her tied up and yanks her back down to the ground. Both women land light, short strikes, and Modafferi is more intent to maintain position and rack up ground control than amount some damage. Lee tries to defend with a kimura, so Modafferi pulls her arm out and punches Lee in the face a few times. Lee tries to kick Modafferi off of her, and she stands up and puts Modafferi on her back as soon as the horn blares through the arena. This should be a close one.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lee (29-28 Lee)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Modafferi (29-28 Modafferi)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Lee (29-28 Lee)

The Official Result

Roxanne Modafferi def. Andrea Lee via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Khama Worthy (155.5) vs. Ottman Azaitar (156)

Round 1

The co-main event takes the form of a potential lightweight slugfest as the undefeated finisher and appropriately nicknamed “Bulldozer” Azaitar (12-0, 1-0 UFC) finds his nickname one-upped by “The Deathstar” Worthy (16-6, 2-0 UFC). Both men sport nine knockout wins on their respective records, and together they have finished their last seven opponents. Holding on tight is referee Herb Dean, and the glove touch is the first of many strikes that will likely land soon. Both man feint and fake their way in but neither commit to anything of merit for the first minute. Azaitar swings and misses after he takes a jab on the chin. When Worthy leaves his hand outstretched, Azaitar unleashes a fury of punches that hurt Worthy badly. The lefts and rights ring Worthy’s bell, and Worthy continues to eat them on jaw again and again until he falls over. Azaitar continues his rampage of punches as Worthy is down on his knees turtled up until Dean has seen enough. When Dean calls the fight, Worthy springs up in an outrage to protest the stoppage, but he does not appear to have all of his faculties about him. The “Bulldozer” just bulldozed a tough, streaking opponent, getting the job done with style points.

The Official Result

Ottman Azaitar def. Khama Worthy R1 1:33 via TKO (Punches)

Michelle Waterson (115) vs. Angela Hill (115.5)

Round 1

On short notice, “The Karate Hottie” Waterson (17-8, 5-4 UFC) and “Overkill” Hill (12-8, 7-8 UFC) have elected to throw down for five full rounds at strawweight instead of the customary three for a short-notice headliner replacement bout. These two strikers both measuring at five-foot-three are ready for action, and referee Marc Goddard may have his hands full keeping up with this marquee matchup. They touch gloves, and Waterson backs off to open with a kick. It is well off the mark, as is the one that follows. Hill crowds her with a right hand that gets blocked, and she swings a few more but the strikes are ducked by Waterson. “The Karate Hottie” changes levels low for a takedown, and Hill stuffs it with relative ease. Hill clips her with a few punches, and she grabs a leg and thinks about tossing Waterson down but instead elects to crack Waterson on the jaw with an overhand right. Waterson kicks the lead leg and Hill comes back with a big left hand. Waterson clinches up to try to change levels, but opts for a body lock and bails on that too to elbow Hill on the chin. Hill comes out firing, and a few of her strikes bring out a smile from Waterson. Hill clicks a right hand off the dome, and her front kick pushes Waterson back from getting off a left hook. Another right finds its home on Waterson’s face, and she paws at the spot out of concern there was some early damage. There is some swelling on the right side of Waterson’s face already, and Hill continues to target that spot with left hands. Waterson circles out and lands on Hill, but Hill gives her one back. “The Karate Hottie” sells out for a takedown from a distance, but like before, Hill stands her up. Hill turns her against the fence, where she lands a few short punches before allowing a separation. A right hand from Hill has done additional damage to Waterson’s forehead, with a hematoma forming by Waterson’s temple. Waterson lands a hard kick, and she transitions into a takedown but is greeted with a knee up the middle. Hill stings her with a left hand to make Waterson bounce off the fence, and she presses in to grind Waterson on the cage wall. Hill knees her in the midsection a few times until they separate, and Hill lands a teep kick to the body. One last kick from Hill ends the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hill
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Hill
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Hill

Round 2

The second frame begins with Waterson using some of her karate, in the form of several kicks high and low followed by a right hand that gets Hill’s attention. Hill fires back, but she takes a body kick on the way in. Waterson keeps her backed off for a time with jabs, but Hill bites down on her mouthpiece and slings a right and left hook. Hill times a counter from kick, and she kicks the body two times to decent effect. Waterson tries to swing an overhand left, but Hill stops her in her tracks twice with stiff jabs. Waterson kicks up high to make an advancing Hill readjust, and Hill eats a right hand and misses on her own counter. A high kick and subsequent body kick from Hill get blocked, and the two land jabs at the same time. Waterson gets off a right hand, but Hill hurts her with a fierce right hand that buckles the knees for a moment. Hill does not attack in a blitz, and instead uses her power jab to snap Waterson’s head back. Waterson telegraphs a takedown but uses it to try to score a right hand, but Hill sees it coming and gets her guard up in time. Waterson throws a torrent of punches that each get blocked, but she gets off a leg kick that punctuates the combination. Waterson tries to grab her leg and take her down, but Hill stops it and turns her about before pushing away. Two hard punches from Waterson land, and Hill returns fire with a huge right hand. Waterson targets the body with a pair of kicks, and Hill cracks her with a left hook that backs Waterson away. “The Karate Hottie” blitzes forward with another stream of punches that do not succeed, and Hill stops the advancement with counters. Hill lets fly an elbow when they clinch up for a moment, and Hill tries to spin but Waterson pushes her away. An axe kick that misses from Waterson is the final strike throw in the second round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hill
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Hill
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Hill

Round 3

Patiently walking towards one another, they start off the round with jabs. Hill gets one in and dances out of the way when Waterson tries to respond in kind. Hill catches her on the way in, and she lands another strike that makes Waterson backpedal. Hill follows with a head kick, but Waterson blocks it without issue. Waterson flings up her own kick, but she cannot connect with it. A big jab from Hill has busted up Waterson’s nose, and she comes out swinging. Hill steps up with a big knee up the middle, and Waterson’s eyes light up as she grabs it and bullies Hill down to the ground. Hill looks disgusted with herself for giving it up, as Waterson is in half guard and gets off a few punches. Hill ties up the arm to keep Waterson from doing much, and the blood is starting to pool from Waterson’s nose on the canvas. Waterson is not concerned as she tries to advance position, all while Hill drags her way to the cage. “The Karate Hottie” has her leg trapped so she cannot pass guard, and she is unable to posture up as Hill has her locked down. This forces Goddard to ask the fighters to work, so Waterson tries to get up and pass, but this allows Hill to get back up. Waterson uses the opportunity to take Hill’s back, and after a wild scramble, Waterson returns back to being on top in half guard. “The Karate Hottie” does not land much in the way of strikes, and is racking up control time while Hill tries and fails to kick her off. Hill flails with her legs and connects on Waterson’s chin with an upkick while Waterson is on her knee, and Goddard intervenes to check on Waterson. The clock does not stop, and instead the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Waterson
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Waterson
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Waterson

Round 4

Hill begins with a leg kick, and she dodges a barrage of punches that speed past her head. When Hill over-extends with a few punches, Waterson tries to take the fight down. Hill lands a few punches, and Waterson throws right back at her before going after another takedown. Hill stuffs it and pushes “The Karate Hottie” back to the cage, where she lifts up a few knees before they separate. Hill ducks down with a left straight to the body, and she is out just out of range when Waterson throws a front kick to her midsection. They clash together and start swinging, and Hill’s punches appear to be coming at a slower velocity. Waterson kicks and counters the advancing Hill, and she connects with a left hand on the break. Waterson connects with an elbow on the inside as they crash together like waves in the ocean, and Hill rushes in to try to unload power punches but they do not find their mark. A big overhand right from Waterson collides with Hill’s cheek, and Hill tries to kick her away. Waterson kicks high and low, and when Hill counters, Waterson pursues a takedown. Hill stuffs it, so Waterson re-commits to it and cannot land this one either. Hill manages to keep her balance as she uses the fence to her advantage, although a knee on the break is too slow to reach the chin. Waterson jabs several times as Hill plods forward, and a solid side kick lands square on the midsection. Waterson flips up a head kick, and Hill eats it without giving anything back. Hill gets kicked on the chest by another side kick while coming forward, and as Waterson backs away, she surprises Hill with an axe kick. Hill continues to walk towards her opponent and presses her to the fence. Waterson manages to not only get a separation, but one last side kick finds its home as Hill charges at her when the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Waterson
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Waterson
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Waterson

Round 5

Waterson lets out a shriek of joy as she starts out the round fired up, and two jabs are followed by a head kick. Hill walks through them, and Waterson keeps kicking up top. Hill tries to advance but gets pushed away with a high kick, and she stuffs the takedown that comes right after. Waterson utilizes another side kick to the torso, and Hill cannot block it. Hill sticks out a jab and just moves her head out of the way from a front kick. Hill lets fly a high kick of her own to catch Waterson off-guard. “The Karate Hottie” is now in full karate mode, with a spinning kick coming up short and several that make Hill think twice about walking forward. Hill tries to give her one high kick back but it is also shy of the mark, and two strikes from Waterson similarly hit nothing but air. Hill rushes in and swings, but Waterson ducks down to avoid the brunt of the strikes as she kicks Hill to the body. Hill lands a right hand, and Waterson comes back with several more ending with a body kick. Hill tries to clinch her up and land an elbow, but it just bounces off Waterson’s hair. The two both exchange at the same time, and Hill walks forward with a big right hand only to find Waterson waiting there to take her down. Hill stuffs it so Waterson lands a side kick. They both land jabs at the same time, and Hill stabs her toes on Waterson’s body. Hill strings together a few punches, and when Waterson comes back, Hill clips her with a left hand. Hill walks in and gets side kicked away, but she clamps down on her gumshield and cracks Waterson with a right hand. The kiais from Waterson are loud as she swings with everything she has left, and the two kick high and low in a frenzy. They initiate a clinch, and Hill empties her gas tank with knees and elbows that sting Waterson. Waterson gives it right back, and the two trade right until the bell. What a fight! The scorecards could be close on this one, but it most certainly did not disappoint. With this thriller in the books, we will see you next week for a huge fight night card with 14 fights booked at the moment.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hill (48-47 Hill)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Waterson (48-47 Waterson)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Waterson (48-47 Waterson)

The Official Result

Michelle Waterson def. Angela Hill via Split Decision (47-48, 49-46, 48-47)