UFC Fight Night 215 ‘Lewis vs. Spivak’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Tereza Bleda (125.5) vs. Natalia Silva (125)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Silva (-165), Bleda (+140)

Round 1

A week removed from a dynamite pay-per-view offering of UFC 281, the UFC takes refuge back in its headquarters of the Apex for a dozen-fight show. While 281 saw a litany of ranked competitors, and around six or seven bouts that could headline any given Fight Night, this UFC Fight Night 215 is far less stacked and only sees two top-10 competitors and four in the top 15 of their respective divisions – and those are contained in just two fights. Many of these athletes competing today actually lost on their appearance of Dana White’s Contender Series, only to later make it to the roster anyway. We begin in the women’s flyweight division, when Brazil’s Silva (13-5-1, 1-0 UFC) meets unbeaten Czech DWCS pickup Bleda (6-0, 0-0 UFC). Of note, Bleda is now one of the youngest fighters to compete in the Octagon, as she will turn 21 in less than two weeks. The two women do not touch gloves in front of referee Chris Tognoni, and away we go. Silva pecks early with a few low kicks, and she swings with several heavy hooks to get Bleda’s attention in an instant. Bleda crashes the pocket as Silva spins with a back kick, and the Brazilian finds herself grabbed and shoved back to the wall. The youngster keeps Silva tightly pressed to the wire, spamming short knees to the body and she hunts for trips and power moves, but Silva is the one to toss her to the mat. Bleda walks right back up, and Silva again attempts to hit a throw. Bleda keeps her balance as the ladies jockey for position against the wall, and Silva hits a head-and-arm toss to put Bleda down. As they continue to roll when hitting the mat, Bleda winds up on top, and she shifts right to half guard to keep the Brazilian pinned to her back. Silva’s explosions fall short as she thwarts her own efforts to get up by hanging on to Bleda, which allows Bleda’s shoulder pressure to maintain this position. Silva continues to move, and she sweeps Bleda over and moves to half guard. Bleda, on her back, swings her legs up and sets up a triangle choke. Bleda locks her left angle under her right knee, and she tightens up the choke as Silva bucks and moves with all her might. Bleda snatches on to an armbar as she still has the triangle locked up, and Silva rolls to her side to keep the triangle from choking the life out of her. Silva, in an awkward position, rides out the submission danger to the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bleda
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Bleda
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Bleda

Round 2

The flyweights meet in the middle, and Bleda leads the dance with a solid calf kick. Silva replies with a clean one-two, and she snaps the head back with a follow-up left hand. Bleda shakes it off and sells out for a diving double-leg takedown, but this time, the Brazilian muscles her back to her feet. Bleda settles for clinch position with knees up the middle, and she changes levels only to be spun around. Bleda’s strength is the difference-maker as she bullies her opponent in these exchanges, but Silva manages to break free and stings her opponent with a fast right hand. Bleda’s face is marked up from these powerful blows, and she fakes a takedown try to keep Silva from busting her up further. The Czech fighter chases a double, and Silva sprawls effectively even as Bleda isolates her left leg and lifts it briefly. Bleda elects to use her strength in one mighty burst, lifting the Brazilian off her feet and dumping her to the mat. Silva moves to her seat and climbs back up with the fence at her back, all while Bleda continues to hunt for takedowns. Silva frees herself from the grip and prepares to let her hands go, and Bleda is wearing it and appears a little worse for wear from the grappling. Silva spins with a back kick that plants on the liver, and every punch she connects with knocks Bleda’s head around. Bleda’s physical reactions from the strikes are telling, and her own offense is extremely limited while Silva is fresh as a daisy. Bleda walks into a left hand, and she absorbs two more punches on the chin until lumbering forward in pursuit of a single. The Brazilian hangs on while still on her feet until the bell rings.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Silva

Round 3

An excited Silva rushes out of her corner, clearly with momentum in her favor as Bleda is fading. She leaps forward to strike, and this causes a caught kick that leads to an odd exchange where both ladies tumble to the floor. Silva explodes back up before Bleda can grab her and pin her to the floor, and she allows Bleda to stand back up. A body kick and two punches from Silva get Bleda’s attention, and she makes Bleda nearly spin around with a fastball right hand. Likely out of options as Silva lays into her, Bleda reaches forward and leans down for a low takedown. The Brazilian hatches a plan as this happens, turning a full rotation with a picture-perfect spinning back kick. The heel collides square into Bleda’s jaw, and the lights are on but no one’s home. Bleda crumbles to her knees, not likely with it but still somehow reaching for legs on instinct, and Silva pounds on her with wild, swinging punches until Tognoni stops the fight. In an instant, Silva produces one for the highlight reels, as she has just scored the first knockout from a spinning kick in UFC women’s divisional history. What a way to start the day!

The Official Result

Natalia Silva def. Tereza Bleda R3 1:27 via TKO (Spinning Back Kick and Punches)

Fernando Garcia (136) vs. Brady Hiestand (135)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Hiestand (-165), Garcia (+140)

Round 1

Pushing right along, bantamweights take center stage as one man will earn their first UFC victory here soon, barring something unusual. “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 29 finalist Hiestand (5-2, 0-1 UFC) returns nearly 15 months after his unsuccessful attempt to claim the crystal trophy of that season, and he faces Fortis MMA product Garcia (10-2, 0-1 UFC). The 135ers bump fists as referee Jacob Montalvo watches on, and Garcia claims the center of the cage and swats away a kick. Garcia fires a low kick, and he drills Hiestand with a devastating right hand that sets “Bam Bam” to his set. Garcia pounces in hopes of finishing the job, and Hiestand digs deep as Garcia locks down a side choke in a strange position. Hiestand grits out the choke, even if he might not have his wits about him, and manages to flip Garcia over to his back and find side control. Hiestand slows things down and shakes out the cobwebs and fish for a choke, but before anything can materialize, Garcia pops out of the position and forces a scramble. Garcia fishes for a one-arm choke around the back, but this is more for holding position than pulling off a submission. Hiestand pushes through and turns Garcia around, leading to a wild series of exchanges where one man takes the back, the other flips around and gains the dominant position briefly. The two fight the way back to the feet, and Hiestand takes the back standing and threatens with a rear-naked choke to force Garcia down to the floor. Hiestand gets his hooks in as they hit the ground, and Garcia fights off the grip with solid two-on-one wrist control. Hiestand switches to a short choke and several different rear choke configurations while Garcia keeps breaking out of them, and he hops over to secure mount. Garcia kicks off and returns to guard, and he snatches up a guillotine and throws his opponent over his head in a move one would likely see in a pro wrestling show. The two scamper back to their feet, and they catch their breath as the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Garcia
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Garcia
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Garcia

Round 2

Ready to get back to it, the bantamweights meet in the middle and engage on the feet. Garcia reaches out with a left hand, as Hiestand keeps his distance with kicks to the leg and body. When Garcia advances, Hiestand leans back and smacks him up the head with his shin. “Fernie” walks through it without batting an eye, and he marches the TUF veteran down and absorbs another clean kick to the dome. The second kick slows Garcia’s advancement a bit, and he shoot for a double that gets blocked. Garcia reaches out with his fingers outstretched, and he ignores a body kick to plant a one-two on the chin. Hiestand ducks down for a single, and he drags Garcia down by snatching up the other ankle and pulling them out beneath him. Hiestand moves swiftly to half guard and then to side control, and Garcia scrambles only to find himself in disadvantageous north-south position. “Bam Bam” continues to slide around and looks to lock down an arm or the neck, and as he hunts for something, Garcia turns with a well-timed scramble to escape and get back up. Garcia plods forward and gets blasted in the body with a kick, and he shrugs it off to wing an overhand right. Hiestand knees the body on the way in, and Garcia considers a double of his own. Hiestand stuffs it and knees him on the chin, and Garcia is completely unfaced as he leaps forward for a double. Hiestand deftly shuts it down and looks to grab hold of a choke, but this just leads to more furious grappling exchanges until the bell splits them up.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hiestand
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Hiestand
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Hiestand

Round 3

A quick fist bump reintroduces the men to one another, and Garcia is the aggressor while Hiestand peppers him with kicks. Garcia slams a kick to the calf, and Hiestand rushes through it to snag an ankle pick. Garcia turns to his knees as he attempts to escape and stand, but this allows the TUF veteran to take his back and slide a hook in around the side. Hiestand softens his man up with a handful of short right hands, and he intentionally keeps his right leg on the outside instead of as the second hook to fluster Garcia with leg-fighting. When Garcia turns the right way, Hiestand slaps on a quick body triangle, and he crushes the midsection with his squeeze. Garcia smartly keeps hold of one of Hiestand’s wrists to prevent him from any kind of submission setup, and he opts for punching Hiestand behind his own head to little effect. Garcia turns to the side and breaks the body triangle momentarily, but Hiestand adjusts by setting it up on the other side. Garcia follows his corner’s advice to a T to protect himself from harm, and Hiestand settles for a brute force rear-naked choke slash neck crank when he cannot get the forearm under the chin. “Fernie” guts it out and smacks Hiestand with no-look punches, and they begin to redden Hiestand’s face up. Hiestand returns fire with some punches to the side of Garcia’s head, and this low-damage slugfest continues right until time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hiestand (29-28 Hiestand)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Hiestand (29-28 Hiestand)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Hiestand (29-28 Hiestand)

The Official Result

Brady Hiestand def. Fernando Garcia via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Vanessa Demopoulos (116) vs. Maria Oliveira (115.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Oliveira (-115), Demopoulos (-105)

Round 1

In a couple hours, one of the largest men in the company competes on the main card. Now, two of the smallest fighters in the lightest division do battle. Demopoulos (8-4, 2-1 UFC) aims to continue her brief win streak, and she will have to do so at the expense of Parana Vale Tudo upstart Oliveira (13-5, 1-1 UFC). There is a no interest of a glove touch from the 115-pounders, but there is not nonsense either as referee Keith Peterson is on the call. The strawweights come out cautiously, not willing to engage with anything of significance as a minute elapses beyond a right hand or two from the Brazilian. Demopoulos sits down on a leg kick, and Oliveira responds in kind. Oliveira anticipates a takedown entry by lifting up a check knee, but Demopoulos does not take it on the chin. Oliveira connects with a right, and Demopoulos quickly replies with a left hand. Demopoulos ducks a punch and snatches up her opponent’s legs to lift her off the ground and slam her to the ground. “Lil Monster” lands in side control, but she elects to slide back to half guard for control purposes. Demopoulos clings to her opponent from above, covering Oliveira’s mouth with her hand but doing little else offensively. Demopoulos grinds her elbow and bumps it on the face of “Spider-Girl” a few times with no effect, and she postures up and slashes down on the side of the head with several more elbows. The American considers a guillotine choke in order to take mount, but she bails on it when Oliveira sits up and nearly escapes from her back. Demopoulos slides through to full mount, and she rains down elbows that slam into Oliveira’s cheek repeatedly. Oliveira bucks but cannot get out, and Demopoulos blasts her with punches and several elbows until the horn splits them up.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Demopoulos
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Demopoulos
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Demopoulos

Round 2

Oliveira claims the center of the cage, and she plods forward and leans back when Demopoulos swings at her. Oliveira pushes out the ball of her foot on the solar plexus, and she sticks out several jabs to stop Demopoulos from coming at her. The Brazilian strings a few punches together, and she leaps with a flying kick that partially grazes the size. Demopoulos winds up on a windmilling right hand, and the breeze blows the tied-up hair back but does not connect. Demopoulos aims for a takedown, but the strength of “Spider-Girl” allows her to stop the try. Oliveira sets her opponent down with a right hand, but this lights a fire in the American. Demopoulos climbs back to her feet and charges at her opponent, and she rails into Oliveira with a few overhand rights that stagger and drop Oliveira. Demopoulos bowls her over without needing a takedown to claim top position, and she puts a beating on Oliveira with ruthless ground-and-pound. The onslaught slows from “Lil Monster,” as she aims to claim mount and do some damage from a more advantageous position. Demopoulos postures up to smack Oliveira around, but a finish does not appear to be around the corner as time ticks down. The 10-second clapper spurs Demopoulos into unleashing a salvo of elbows, and once more, the bell is what stops the bludgeoning.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Demopoulos
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Demopoulos
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Demopoulos

Round 3

The Brazilian does not march out so much as she sprints from her corner into action, knowing she is probably well behind on the scorecards. Demopoulos stays on her bike early, circling on the outside and not allowing Oliveira to connect with anything of note. Oliveira tosses out a front kick and corners Demopoulos briefly, allowing her to tag Demopoulos with a clean right hand. Several heavy fists from “Spider-Girl” blast Demopoulos in the face, and Demopoulos is wobbled and in trouble as she is backed against the wall. When Oliveira lets up briefly, Demopoulos surges forward in pursuit of a takedown. Oliveira times this so that she can try to flip the former LFA champ off of her, but Demopoulos is a woman possessed and she finds her way on top again. Demopoulos maintains half guard, keeping a flagging Oliveira flat on her back and shutting down any further offense from the Brazilian. Demopoulos pushes to three-quarter mount and elbows her foe in the face until she can slide her knee over to the mount position. Oliveira bucks hard to stop the dominant position and quell the drubbing, and she spends every last bit of energy in her supply to get out and up. With 75 seconds to spare, Oliveira steels herself and charges towards her backpedaling opponent. Oliveira loads up on everything she throws, and the straight punches from Demopoulos hit her in the face but do not dissuade her from the attempted comeback. Oliveira turns it up with a long series of punches and a knee, and Demopoulos is on the ropes and still swings back with a vengeance. The Brazilian looses all the arrows in her quiver but it is not enough to merit a stoppage, and we go to the judges.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira (29-27 Demopoulos)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-10 (30-27 Demopoulos)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira (29-27 Demopoulos)

The Official Result

Vanessa Demopoulos def. Maria Oliveira via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Kevin Natividad (135.5) vs. Ricky Turcios (136)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Turcios (-155), Natividad (+135)

Round 1

Bantamweights grace the cage once more, in a division some argue is currently the most talent-rich in the company today. The winner of Season 29 of TUF, Turcios (11-3, 1-1 UFC), is ready to bounce back from his first UFC defeat. In his way will be Natividad (9-3, 0-2 UFC), who is searching for his first victory in the Octagon in his third try. The high-pace 135-pound collision will draw officiating from referee Mark Smith, and they do not bother with a touch of gloves as Turcios races out of his corner to attack. Turcios scores with a quick right hand, and Natividad turns the tables on him with a clean takedown. They both club one another with hammerfists, and Turcios effectively connects off his back well enough to allow him to turn the tables and hunt for a takedown that sets Natividad on his seat. Natividad gets to a knee as he attempts to work his way up the wall, and Turcios is heavy on him as he isolates a leg and looks for a back take. Natividad explodes out and wings a left hand on the break, and this surprises Turcios. Natividad crashes forward to grab a single, and Turcios defends with elbows on the side of the head even as Natividad grounds him. “Quicksand” traps Turcios with one hook around the side as he toes to take the back, and Turcios threatens with a leglock that trips Natividad out. The scrambles and odd submission attacks from Turcios allow him to dump Natividad to his back, but only for a moment as Natividad climbs to his knees and upright again. Natividad drills Turcios with several punches, and one short right hand stuns Turcios. “Pretty Ricky” retorts with a takedown that drags Natividad to his knees, and Natividad fights off a quick choke attempt as they keep moving and gets back up. The grappling exchanges are wild and wacky, with Turcios’ unorthodox approach to grappling allowing him to get the upper hand in many of these tests. Natividad rings Turcios’ bell again and finds himself getting thrown to the ground when overswinging a right hand, but Turcios cannot keep him down. The round ends right after Natividad breaks the grip and gains some space.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Natividad
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Turcios
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Natividad

Round 2

Turcios starts the second round offensively, hurling kicks and right hands. Natividad stays composed and kicks the body with each leg, and the second kick allows Turcios to grab it and pursue a takedown. The strength of Natividad pushes Turcios to his back, and he nails his opponent with punches and elbows. Turcios stands and breaks the grip of a possible guillotine choke setup, and he sticks out a jab that makes Natividad rub his nose. A low kick from Turcios is followed by a powerful tackling takedown from Natividad, and he moves smoothly into half guard and the side until Turcios wriggles out. Turcios is warned for grabbing his foe’s glove, and Natividad wrenches him down to the floor again. Natividad pounds on Turcios with steady left hands, and Turcios remains busy throwing punches off his back as well. Turcios explodes effortlessly to not only stand, but hunt for a single. Natividad pushes him back and lays into him with a left hook, and Turcios’ circuits are scrambled as he wobbles back to the fence. Natividad looks to take him down instead of punching him out against the fence, and this lets Turcios get back into the game from a stability perspective. Natividad releases the grip and pounds “Pretty Ricky” in the face with another few punches, prompting Turcios to engage in a mighty brawl that knocks Natividad back to the wall. Natividad, possibly staggered from the sudden onslaught, ducks down and secures a takedown. A savvy Turcios scrambles well enough to sneak around and take the back, but Natividad slithers out and bull-rushes Turcios to take him down again. Turcios defends with elbows to the side of the head, a guillotine choke and a clear fence grab to stop a takedown. Natividad, frustrated by this, lets his hands go, and they brawl it out to the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Natividad
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Natividad
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Natividad

Round 3

The gloves are touched to begin the last round, and Turcios stands firm and throws hands. Natividad is happy to engage him in a reckless melee, believing his power to be superior. As he connects with a few punches, Natividad changes things up with a takedown, and he puts Turcios down. When Turcios inevitably scrambles to work his way back up, “Quicksand” snares him with a guillotine choke to place him to the mat again. Turcios nevertheless still bursts his way back up, and he doggedly rushes forward for his own takedown. Natividad times a perfect flying knee that connects to the side of the head, and Turcios drops face-first to the ground but is not out. The toughness from Turcios is off the charts, as he bites down on his mouthpiece and swings heavy leather. Natividad punts him in the face with the ball of his feet, and Turcios still will not flinch and instead knees his opponent in the body repeatedly. Natividad takes the strikes and rips Turcios’ legs out beneath him, but he is not on top for more than a couple seconds until Turcios hits a reversal and makes them both get up. Turcios sells out for a single, and Natividad stops this in its tracks and gets shoved back to the wall. Natividad works his way out and takes a right hand on the break, and he dives in for a single that does not succeed. “Quicksand” drags Turcios to the floor on his second attempt, and Turcios is quick on the reversal again after pummeling Natividad with repeated elbows. Turcios’ escape lets him swirl around to the back, and he flattens Natividad out and starts battering him with unanswered punches. As Natividad sits up, Turcios latches on with a rear-naked choke. Even when Turcios has one arm grasped by his opponent, he maintains the other under the chin and squeezes for all he is worth. Natividad gives a thumbs-up, and Turcios bails on the choke and pushes Natividad over to beat on him. The ground strikes continue until time elapses, and this wild battle has come to a conclusion. It could be anyone’s game here.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Turcios (29-28 Natividad)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Turcios (29-28 Turcios)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Turcios (29-28 Natividad)

The Official Result

Ricky Turcios def. Kevin Natividad via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Miles Johns (136) vs. Vince Morales (136)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Johns (-165), Morales (+140)

Round 1

The bantamweight ride continues with two more heavy-handed and fast-paced competitors, as Morales (11-6, 3-4 UFC) throws down with recent Glory MMA trainee Johns (12-2, 3-2 UFC). Referee Chris Tognoni steels himself for the action, whether it lasts 15 seconds or 15 minutes, and the two would rather battle it out than touch gloves – the bad blood appears to be high, as the commission had to separate them ahead of the introductions. Now that the fight is on, the two 135ers do not engage, with over 30 seconds elapsing before either man throws a single strike. Johns reaches out with a straight left hand and a leg kick, and Morales responds with a left hab. Johns pushes him back with a jab of his own, and he doubles up on it while Morales is measuring his range. The two collide with heavy blows at the same time, but neither man budges an inch. The inactivity continues as they are not willing to commit on their strikes, and any power punches go well away from their intended targets. Johns steps in with a quick calf kick, and Morales takes a funny step back after absorbing it. A quick jab from “Chapo” makes Morales backpedal, but it is one-and-done until Morales gets his gumption to toss out a single low kick. Johns loads up on a right hand, but Morales ducks it in the nick of time. Johns pokes out with a jab, and he slides back as Morales whips a left hook towards him. Morales attempts to get his own jab doing, snapping it out a few times and ducking when Johns throws a right hand that would have knocked down a building. Johns crashes forward suddenly to snag a single, and Morales hops back and yanks his leg out. Johns loads up on another massive overhand right, and he does not find the target with that but gets off a clean left hook. The activity spikes, relative to the other action, when Johns scores a few left hands before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Johns
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Johns
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Johns

Round 2

Johns lords over the center of the cage when the round begins, and neither man is willing to throw anything effective. The two jab at one another, and Johns’ mouth begins to bleed. Johns thumps the lead calf with his shin, and he pushes out a jab that makes Morales blink a few times. As Morales marches forward, he throws hard, and Johns dips down and grabs hold of a single. “Vandetta” wriggles the leg out and races away, resetting in the middle of the Octagon and preparing to throw. As Morales comes forward, he walks into one of Johns’ outstretched fingers, and Tognoni recognizes this and pauses the bout. To give Morales additional time to recover, Tognoni calls in the doctor to check on the condition of Morales’ eye, and Morales explains that he is good to go and holds no ill will towards his opponent. After about 90 seconds, the two get back to business, the jabs come from the fighters at the restart. Johns walks his man down and swats out several jabs, and he releases several booming hooks that all miss one after the other. Morales circles out and into a low kick, but he shows no concern and reaches out with a front kick to the sternum. Morales catches a low kick and swipes out with a right hand, but Johns replies with a swiping right hand on the way out. Johns blocks a high kick and eats a jab, and he charges with a small barrage that bounce off the guard. Johns glances a right hand over the top, and he finds himself eating a kick to the belly for his work. “Chapo” loads up on another right hand, following it with a high crotch single-leg but not succeeding with it. Morales defends with elbows to the side of the head, and this distracts him enough for Johns to elevate him and slam him down one second before time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Johns
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Johns
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Morales

Round 3

Jabs are exchanged to start off the final round of what has been a tepid and tentative affair. The striking accuracy totals of both bantamweights are likely extremely low, especially in the significant strike category. Johns ducks in for a single without setting it up, and he lifts Morales’ left leg up in the air and chases him from one side of the cage to the other. Morales trips to the floor, and he bounces right back up without a care in the world. On the reset, Morales picks and pokes with a jab, and Johns sits down with a calf kick that lands with an audible thud. Morales replies with a slapping body kick, but the bantamweights are largely targeting one another with single strikes. Johns misses with a right hand, Morales is similarly inaccurate, and they return to their jab-centric approach. Morales chains a jab into a right hand, and Johns gives chase and swarms him with winging but missing punches. “Chapo” attempts another single, and this is nowhere near secure as Morales springs away. Morales makes him pay for this attempt with another body kick, and Johns blitzes him with a single-leg takedown effort. “Vandetta” keeps himself from hitting the mat once more, and he plants a front kick on the torso while Johns swings at air. They alternate with jabs, and the follow-up strikes from both fighters miss the mark again and again. Johns fires off huge overhand rights, but the evasiveness of Morales keeps him safe from harm. Johns attacks with one final takedown, and he bullies Morales to the wall and holds him there until the fight comes to a merciful end. The judges will have their hands full evaluating this lackluster contest.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Morales (29-28 Johns)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Morales (29-28 Johns)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Morales (29-28 Morales)

The Official Result

Miles Johns def. Vince Morales via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Jennifer Maia (125) vs. Maryna Moroz (124.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Moroz (-190), Maia (+160)

Round 1

Suddenly elevated to the featured preliminary contest due to the main event of Derrick Lewis vs. Sergey Spivak getting scratched, flyweights take the stage in hopes of remaining in or entering top-10 contention. Former title challenger Maia (19-9-1, 4-5 UFC) will hope to stave off a younger, surging foe in Moroz (11-3, 6-3 UFC), and she will do so in the presence of referee Jacob Montalvo. The ladies meet in the middle without considering a touch of gloves, and Moroz begins her offense with a line of piercing jabs. Maia initiates a response with a crisp right hand on the jaw, and she strings several more punches together as Moroz meets her in the middle to trade. Maia drives Moroz back with her heavier fists, as she puts more arc on her shots while Moroz is straight and direct. The Brazilian ducks a punch, kicks the body, takes one on the chin and knocks Moroz back with an overhand right. Moroz maintains high volume, but she does not land with all of her strikes, while Maia reaches her with powerful rights time and again. Moroz rolls with one right hook, and she dodges another that whirls at her, but she cannot get out of the way of the third. The power of Maia slows the momentum and combinations of her opponent, and the simple one-two of the former title challenger is disrupting the Ukrainian. Maia staggers her foe with two powerful right hands, and Moroz remains active but her strikes have little effect on her opponent. A right hand from “The Iron Lady” makes Maia slip, but it is one-and-done as she catches a kick that Maia responds with. Maia bullies forward to push Moroz to the wall, and she considers a body lock takedown. Moroz keeps her balance by posting off the ground with one arm, and Maia lifts it up and nails her opponent in the face. The round ends with the two clinched up.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Maia
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Maia
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Maia

Round 2

The ladies meet in the middle and throw hands, just like they started the first round. Maia slips a few punches and drills Moroz with her thudding right hand, with this punch her proverbial “money” punch that she seemingly cannot miss with. Moroz strings a few punches together, but Maia ignores them completely to smack Moroz in the chops with far heavier strikes. Moroz wades forward, with long straight punches, and Maia is able to get around them and belt Moroz frequently. Moroz spins after missing, but her back fist collides off the glove of the Brazilian with no issue. Moroz fakes another spin again, and Maia stays in her element and smashes Moroz in the face with relentless right hands. When Maia stuns Moroz with a right, she can sneak in a left to follow, and Moroz can only take it on the chin and keep moving. The ex-title challenger rings Moroz’ bell with several two-punch combinations, and her one-two is super effective. Moroz is landing consistently, but the impact of the blows is drastically different compared to the ones that come at her. Moroz sits down on an overhand right, and she connects with a solid combo that makes Maia reel back. Maia walks through fists that fly at her so that she can ding Moroz, and Moroz gives a good account of herself as she throws back with a vengeance. Maia shakes up Moroz with a few punches, and she plants the ball of her foot on Moroz’ face. The horn sounds to conclude after this fistically furious frame.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Maia
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Maia
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Maia

Round 3

Moroz appears urgent as she comes out of her corner, bouncing back and forth but missing with a front kick and a looping punch. Maia answers with a knee on the jaw, and she dips back as Moroz looks for counters. The Ukrainian just misses with a high kick, and she absorbs a responsive body kick and catches the leg. When she cannot do anything with it, she releases it and subsequently releases a few punches. Predominantly a boxing match with a few kicks mixed in, and little in the way of an interest in grappling, the story is all about Maia’s power vs. Moroz’ volume. A straight right hand from Moroz sends Maia off-balance, and Maia staggers back but gathers her thoughts to come back swinging. Moroz intercepts her with a right hook, and this blunts of the offense of the Brazilian temporarily. Moroz opens up with a few punches, but the action wanes as both ladies need a minute to recover from the damage they have sustained. Maia loads up on another overhand right, but the combination that typically follows it is silent. Moroz continues her high work rate, rarely throwing one shot at a time, and Maia chomps down on her gumshield and fires off a huge right hand. Moroz tanks it and swings back with reckless abandon, and she takes a few heavy rights flush on the side of the head without flinching. Moroz lines several punches up as Maia is relegated to one or two punches at a time, and she flirts with a body kick that Maia catches and lets go. Moroz leaps forward with a few punches, and walks straight into a left hook that knocks her chin up in the air. Maia cracks her with another heavy right hand, and she presses Moroz to the wire in the waning seconds. Maia lets go of the clinch to lob four punches, and one final front kick ends the match. The bell sounds, and Moroz is not done, as she throws three punches after the fight is over. Maia looks at her quizzically, and Moroz promptly apologizes for the post-fight activity. This high-intensity boxing match remains in the hands of the judges.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Moroz (29-28 Maia)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Maia (30-27 Maia)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Moroz (29-28 Maia)

The Official Result

Jennifer Maia def. Maryna Moroz via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Charles Johnson (125.5) vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov (126)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Johnson (-155), Zhumagulov (+135)

Round 1

This flyweight affair unexpectedly shifts from the prelims to the main card, in the form of a must-win between former LFA champ Johnson (11-3, 0-1 UFC) and ex-Fight Nights Global titleholder Zhumagulov (14-7, 1-4 UFC). The third man in the cage will be referee Keith Peterson, and this means the nonsense has left the building. Zhumagulov offers a glove touch, but Johnson passes on it. Zhumagulov introduces himself with several quick, resounding leg kicks, and he swipes out with a right hand to follow. Johnson keeps a high guard to blow the strikes that are aimed at his head, but one looping shot finds its way around the guard. Johnson pushes off with his left hand, and his hand or thumb scrapes the eye. Peterson calls in the translator and doctor immediately, and the replay shows that it was at best the tape of the glove or the palm that connected with the eyeball – thus being a legal blow. Zhumagulov is asked if he can continue, and after 80 seconds, the fighters get back to it. Johnson opens up after the break with leg kicks from both sides, and Zhumagulov walks him down and throws hammers. Zhumagulov blasts the lead leg with a kick that forces Johnson to switch stances, and he throws ferocious right hooks to close the distance as Johnson maintains reach. The aggression makes Johnson slip, and Zhumagulov allows him back up so that he can belt his man with a couple more overhand rights. One staggers “InnerG,” and he fights off a level change and gets his wits about him at the same time. Zhumagulov continues his reliance on his heavy right hand, and a thudding shot hurts Johnson again. Johnson fights through it and jabs, and Zhumagulov races forward and works the body. Zhumagulov ducks and swings heavy blows, but Johnson sees them coming and tags the Kazakhstani fighters with a short combination. Johnson lets loose a front kick that slams square into the cup, and Zhumagulov holds his arm out in hopes of Peterson seeing the foul and pausing the action. Zhumagulov collapses to the ground after the foul, and he coughs and sputters in major pain. Johnson walks to a neutral corner and sits down. Zhumagulov takes all the time he needs and gets back to it, and when he resumes the melee, he is energized and swings at “InnerG” with all of his muster. Zhumagulov pursues a takedown, and Johnson springs back up and initiates a brawl. Both men deliver power punches and kicks, with neither man bowing from the intensity, and Johnson throws with all his might and takes an awkward step as he turns himself over. Johnson spins with a back kick, whips a high kick up and gets his bell rung with a right hand. Johnson hoots at his man after taking the shot, and Zhumagulov chases him down. The round ends before they can continue battling.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zhumagulov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Zhumagulov
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Zhumagulov

Round 2

The flyweights meet right in the middle and proceed to engage with attacks to the head, body and legs indiscriminately. Zhumagulov’s leg kicks hamper his foe’s movement, and seemingly every time he gets off a kick to the inner thigh, Johnson changes stances. Johnson releases a kick to the body, and Zhumagulov answers with one to the inside of his foe’s knee. Zhumagulov whips a left hand that makes Johnson bounce off the wall, and both men have the power to get the other’s attention but not decimate them. Zhumagulov loads up on a few body shots, and Johnson times them and cracks Zhumagulov with a fast response. Zhumagulov walks his adversary down and keeps chopping down either leg, and Johnson pushes him away as Zhumagulov complains about another eye poke. Peterson does not buy it, and he tells them to keep fighting. Zhumagulov chases his man down and clinches up with him, and a dangerous knee blasts Johnson in the cup. Johnson falls to the ground and rolls around, marching around the cage and stomping out the pain. Despite several fouls, there is no ill will towards one another, and they resume after 45 seconds. Zhumagulov, hellbent for leather, releases several powerful swinging blows that careen off Johnson’s head. “InnerG” sticks and moves with them, absorbing them but not appearing concerned. Johnson lets go with several body kicks, and he punches the body to bend Zhumagulov over. Johnson, feeling himself, marches straight into a few punches, and Zhumagulov trips Johnson down to the floor in a wild exchange. Johnson fights his way up and uses the fence to drag Zhumagulov off of his back. Johnson turns him around and knees Zhumagulov up high a few times, and he fights off a trip and starts trading short uppercuts. Both fighters rip the body with ferocious punches until the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zhumagulov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Zhumagulov
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Zhumagulov

Round 3

Johnson’s corner does not mince words to their fighter between rounds, and Johnson is ready for action with five minutes to go. The two slap hands, and then immediately start swinging. Johnson attempts to kick the body, but the ball of his foot bounces into the cup and forces another stoppage. Peterson rules the blow as accidental and implores Johnson to be careful, as this foul-filled contest continues after about 1:45 of recovery. Zhumagulov shakes his head several times and appears to want Peterson to do something, but there is nothing to be done as they get back to it. Zhumagulov hurts Johnson badly with a leg kick on the right leg, and Johnson is extremely compromised and stomps his leg several times to get feeling in it again. Zhumagulov tries to lay into him with one final assault, but it is not enough to put Johnson away. Johnson starts jumping and running in place as he rewires his leg, and he manages to tag Zhumagulov with a right hand on the inside. When Johnson resets to put that damaged leg forward, Zhumagulov is quick to kick it. They trade powerful punches without much in the way of defense or head movement, and Zhumagulov appears to be fading as they approach the midpoint of the final round. Johnson is fired up, and he nails Zhumagulov with several punches. As he grows in confidence, “InnerG” is energized and actively landing, bloodying up the face of his presumably fading opponent. Zhumagulov scores with counters, and he continues to batter the leg. Johnson’s poker face is immeasurable as he walks Zhumagulov down and looks to hit him with everything and the kitchen sink. Zhumagulov barely dodges a high kick, but the uppercut that follows clacks square into his jaw. Johnson initiates a wrestling exchange, but he uses it to close the distance and belt Zhumagulov with a right hand. Zhumagulov fights back with the last of his energy reserves, knocking his man back with a right hook but not keeping him away for long. Johnson blitzes forward and stops a takedown effort from succeeding, and he lines up several uppercuts from up close. Johnson pushes off and looks up at the clock, and he unloads with one final surge of strikes. As the waning seconds remain, Johnson pulls back on the offense, and he goes to hug Zhumagulov before time expires. What a wild fight, one that defied the nickname of referee “No Nonsense” Keith Peterson.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Johnson (29-28 Zhumagulov)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Johnson (29-28 Zhumagulov)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Johnson (29-28 Zhumagulov)

The Official Result

Charles Johnson def. Zhalgas Zhumagulov via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Jack Della Maddalena (170) vs. Danny Roberts (170)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Della Maddalena (-490), Roberts (+330)

Round 1

The fists are sure to fly in this welterweight affair. Winner of 12 straight fights, with 11 going down inside the distance, Maddalena (12-2, 2-0 UFC) is keen on rising up the rankings fast. His next test comes in the form of British brawler Roberts (18-6, 7-5 UFC), who will almost certainly meet him in the middle. For as long as this match lasts, referee Mart Smith will be here for it. Like most of the fights thus far, there is no glove touch to initiate the proceedings. Maddalena measures himself, and he works his way in to close the distance and smack Roberts in the face with a right hand. Roberts tries to back him off with kicks, but Maddalena is on him with a fire and a fury. Maddalena rips the body in the midst of a lengthy combination, but Roberts has the wherewithal to dodge a high kick. As he dips down, he eats a knee on the chin, and his knees wobble but he keeps his bearings. As Roberts escapes, Maddalena gives chase and slams his fists into the face of his adversary. The Brit topples to the mat in big trouble, and Maddalena climbs down in hopes of finishing the job. Roberts protects himself from further harm and fights back to his feet. Maddalena is there to meet him with punches and a high kick, but the latter gets blocked. The Aussie lines up a knee and a right hook, and Roberts is taking a pounding but still in the fight. Roberts swings with a few looping shots before charging in from across the cage for a double, and Maddalena defends it with the wall to his back. Roberts checks a kick, and he unloads a combination of brutalizing blows. Roberts backs up to the wall, and Maddalena swarms him with a long salvo that breaks Roberts with a left to the liver. Roberts’ legs give way beneath him, and Maddalena only needs a few pulverizing punches until Smith has seen enough and calls it. This stellar performance for the man that has now won 13 fights in a row makes him absolutely one to watch in the welterweight division, and he calls for a fight at UFC 284 against anyone who will take it in his home city of Perth, Australia, in February.

The Official Result

Jack Della Maddalena def. Danny Roberts R1 3:24 via TKO (Punches)

Andre Fialho (170.5) vs. Muslim Salikhov (170)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Fialho (-110), Salikhov (-110)

Round 1

Striker faces striker in what has slotted itself in the “featured fight of the night” spot, although their approaches could scarcely be more different even if the end result is the same. The heavy-handed Portugal native Fialho (16-5, 1 NC; 2-2 UFC) will throw down with a spinning specialist nicknamed “King of Kung Fu” in Salikhov (18-3, 5-2 UFC), and referee Chris Tognoni will have his hands full here. The respect is ample with a clap of hands to begin the scheduled melee, and Salikhov strikes first with a calf kick. Fialho responds with two. A front kick from the Dagestan native pushes Fialho back as Fialho delivers a third kick to the lead leg. Fialho gets his balance and leaps forward with a left hook, but it hits the guard of his opponent. Fialho looks to sweep the leg, and Salikhov responds with his own low kick. A left hand from Salikhov splits the guard, and he sits down on a loud low kick to follow. The tense striking match largely consists of single-shot offerings, and Salikhov spins with a wheel kick but misses the mark. Fialho slips a winging right hand and drives Salikhov back with a straight left hand, and he finds the mark with an uppercut shortly thereafter. Salikhov absorbs a right hand and spins with a back kick, and he surprisingly grabs hold of Fialho’s leg and drags him down to the floor. Salikhov wades into the closed guard of his opponent, and Fialho defends with hacking elbows off his back. The fighter from Portugal defends himself from danger as he swats at Salikhov while on his back, and he jumps up and absorbs a spinning back kick right to the midsection. Fialho drives a right hand into the eye socket, and Salikhov blinks it out and swelling develops quickly. Fialho blasts him with an uppercut, with Salikhov grabbing hold of his foe and ramming a few knees to the midsection to slow Fialho down. Fialho settles for a clinch as he gets his back turned to the wall, and he frees himself right as the horn blares.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Fialho
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Salikhov
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Fialho

Round 2

The gloves are touched to start off the second round, and within seconds, Salikhov bull-rushes forward to get a body lock and attempt a takedown. Fialho turns around and protects against a subsequent single, and this too fails from the Russian. Fialho lands a right hand on the break, but Salikhov replies with a kick to the liver. A left hand wraps around the guard of the Portugal native, and Salikhov gets on his bike and takes potshots of front kicks and reaching punches. Fialho prepares himself to take a flush spinning back kick as he plods forward, with his offense falling off a cliff while Salikhov is still swinging for the fences. Salikhov jabs the body and stays light on his feet, and Fialho returns fire with a jab and a low kick. “King of Kung Fu” spins with a back fist that pounds into the side of the head, and Fialho wobbles and takes a clean spinning wheel kick on the neck as well. Fialho bites down on his mouthpiece and throws hammers, leading to Salikhov clinching him up and pursuing some form of takedown. Fialho takes several punches on the chin as he slowly walks forward, still offensively muted as Salikhov picks and rips with single effective strikes. Salikhov is able to put a front kick on the body and a superman punch on the side of the head, and Fialho’s balance is shot as he swings so hard that he falls down to the ground. The Russian looks to finish the job by raining down a long series of powerful hammerfists, and Tognoni implores Fialho to fight back or show some signs of life. Salikhov slows down and makes sure not to fully gas himself out, and the damage on Fialho's face shows his nose is busted up and leaking crimson fluid on the mat. The ground strikes continue until the bell rings.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Salikhov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Salikhov
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Salikhov

Round 3

The final round begins with an aggressive Fialho, who leaps forward to swing his fists at his opponent. Salikhov hops and springs away from the brunt of the damaging strikes, and he chambers and fires a high kick. Salikhov spins with a perfect spinning back kick to the body, and Fialho falls back against the wall but does not go down. He leans back and allows Salikhov to advance, and he might be playing possum as he suddenly springs to action with huge punches in response. “King of Kung Fu” showcases his skills to the finest with a magnificent spinning wheel kick that smashes into the side of Fialho’s head, and Fialho clutches his head and is in a bad way. Tognoni thinks about intervening, but allows Salikhov to bludgeon Fialho with a couple more punches before stepping in for the standing TKO. Fialho immediately protests the stoppage, but his body language before the finish was anything but positive as he was getting destroyed by the flashier striker. For the fifth time in his career, Salikhov has pulled off a finish with a spinning kick, with this one bigger than any he had registered in the past.

The Official Result

Muslim Salikhov def. Andre Fialho R3 1:03 via TKO (Spinning Wheel Kick and Punches)

Waldo Cortes-Acosta (259) vs. Chase Sherman (256)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Cortes-Acosta (-210), Sherman (+180)

Round 1

The year is 2022, and because of unfortunate circumstances, Sherman (16-10, 4-9 UFC), who has won four times in 13 walks to the Octagon thus far, is serving in a UFC card’s co-main event. He is on a one-fight win streak, as he put Jared Vanderaa away in July to break a four-fight skid. “The Vanilla Gorilla” will square off against an unbeaten former baseball player in Cortes-Acosta (8-0, 1-0 UFC), who also beat Vanderaa a few weeks ago. Referee Jacob Montalvo draws the charge for a fight that could end in an instant, but he does appreciate that the two are in good spirits as they touch ‘em up before colliding. The big men aim jabs and single punches at one another to measure their range. Sherman strikes first with a powerful strike, sinking in a calf kick on the inside of the leg and the another on the outside. Cortes-Acosta snaps the head back with a jab, and Sherman smashes his shin on the calf as “Salsa Boy” does a little impromptu dance to recover. Sherman puts his jab in his foe’s face, and Cortes-Acosta responds in kind. Sherman mixes things up with his low kicks, and he plants his leg on the midsection as well. Cortes-Acosta charges with a flurry, and Sherman slides out of the way of the worst of it and sinks in another low kick. Cortes-Acosta rifles a few jabs and a right hand down the pipe, and Sherman takes it on the chin. The big men kick at the same time, and they both take an odd step back before coming back to trade hands. Sherman sticks and moves as Cortes-Acosta rushes forward in a straight line, but he does not avoid the chopping kick at the end of the salvo. Sherman backs the undefeated fighter up, but he does not walk face-first into a big overhand right. Cortes-Acosta loads up on power punches, and Sherman keeps his composure and trashes the lead leg of his opponent with a brutal kick. Cortes-Acosta reaches down and grabs it, where he uses it to bully Sherman into the wall in hopes of dragging him down. Sherman escapes and turns the tables to clinch up, and Cortes-Acosta plays the proverbial game of putting one hand down on the mat to prevent knee strikes to the head. Cortes-Acosta explodes out with a jab and an uppercut, but Sherman takes the wind out of his sails by throwing him down on the floor and landing in side control. Before anything can come of it, the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sherman
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sherman
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sherman

Round 2

The second round opens with several stiff jabs from the ex-baseball player, and he walks through a low kick to continue jabbing Sherman up. Sherman’s face begins to turn red as he absorbs repeated jabs, and he backs off when Cortes-Acosta turns up the offense and attacks. “Salsa Boy” blitzes Sherman with a long series of punches, knocking Sherman’s head around and hurting him badly. Sherman survives by clinching up and hanging on to clear his head, doing so long enough to shake it out before Cortes-Acosta pushes him away. When separated, Cortes-Acosta unloads again with a string of punches, and Sherman takes them all and fires back to rock Cortes-Acosta. The undefeated fighter bounces off the wall and connects with a right hand that stuns Sherman, but Sherman’s chin holds together after the ferocious blow. Cortes-Acosta rails Sherman with heavy punches, and he shrugs off a leg kick and stops a takedown that is aimed at him. Cortes-Acosta pops out several jabs to fluster Sherman, and he checks a low kick and does a showboating dance. Cortes-Acosta surges into action, battering Sherman with several fierce punches. Cortes-Acosta catches a low kick and responds with a body kick, but Sherman protests the foot hit him in the groin. Montalvo tell them to play on, and Cortes-Acosta obliges by swarming his man with punches. Cortes-Acosta unleashes a hellacious salvo of uppercuts, standing hammerfists, flailing fists and other ridiculous punches in hopes of getting Sherman out of there, but Sherman makes it through them all. Cortes-Acosta appears to have completely spent his gas tank searching for that finish, as he practically puts his hands on his hips from fatigue. The round concludes with the two clinched up.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Cortes-Acosta
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Cortes-Acosta
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Cortes-Acosta

Round 3

The heavyweights reach the last round, and both men are feeling it. Sherman appears the fresher man of the two, as Cortes-Acosta is slowed and keeps his hands low. The volume of the two fighters has diminished greatly, relegated to bursts of one man and then the other. Cortes-Acosta checks a low kick and takes a front kick to the body, and Sherman kicks him in the side. This third kick prompts Cortes-Acosta into action, as he races forward with a booming right hand. Sherman is barely on his feet, and Cortes-Acosta pummels him with a few more fastballs that Sherman incredibly takes. The two are sucking wind, and Sherman gathers himself and walks Cortes-Acosta down and connects with a few punches and a knee up the middle. They trade punches, with defense an afterthought as exhaustion overcomes both men. Cortes-Acosta works the body and head, and starts playing around with his hands as he does not appear concerned with Sherman’s power. Sherman answers this with a few quick punches and a low kick, and a second makes Cortes-Acosta wag his finger at him. Cortes-Acosta ducks down with a right hand up top, and he is so spent that he can barely make a fist. As a result, Cortes-Acosta slaps Sherman a few times with an open hand, and Sherman jumps forward with heavy punches. Cortes-Acosta flails and swings with little mustard on his shots, and he still catches Sherman coming at him with a short right hand. Try as he might, the unbeaten fighter cannot put Sherman out of there, but he backs away and keeps throwing punches and kicks right to the final horn. Sherman is tough, doing the same, and walking through anything coming his way, and this heavyweight slobberknocker has surprisingly gone the distance.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cortes-Acosta (29-27 Cortes-Acosta)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Cortes-Acosta (29-27 Cortes-Acosta)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cortes-Acosta (29-27 Cortes-Acosta)

The Official Result

Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Chase Sherman via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Ion Cutelaba (206) vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu (205)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Nzechukwu (-175), Cutelaba (+150)

Round 1

Do not adjust your set, we have reached the main event of the evening. This three-round light heavyweight affair is the new marquee matchup, if you have not been following the news today thus far. With knockout rates of 70% or higher, they very well might not need those 15 minutes, and referee Keith Peterson is on high alert and prepared to dispose of any nonsense that rears its ugly head. Nzechukwu (10-3, 4-3 UFC) looks to put two wins together after his demolition of Karl Roberson in July, while Cutelaba (16-8-1, 1 NC; 5-7-1 UFC) is gunning to get back in the win column. This almost certainly ultraviolent affair begins with a touch of gloves as these two are thrilled to be here, and it’s on with the makeshift headliner. Nzechukwu begins with a jab and a one-two, and he trips up Cutelaba in an odd exchange. Cutelaba unloads with three punches that appear to hurt Nzechukwu, and he suddenly grabs a takedown even though his right hand stung the Fortis MMA fighter. Cutelaba elevates and drops Nzechukwu to his knees, and Nzechukwu climbs back up to absorb several crisp uppercuts. Nzechukwu breaks the grip around his waist and blocks a high knee just in the nick of time. Cutelaba secures a trip, and Nzechukwu nearly grabs the top of the cage to stop it from succeeding. “The Hulk” falls straight into full mount, and he drops down a few punches until Nzechukwu drags him back to half guard. The defensive grappling of Nzechukwu allows him to bring Cutelaba back to the guard, and he kicks off and fights to his feet. Cutelaba grabs him from behind and considers lifting and slamming Nzechukwu again, but that does not succeed on a second attempt. Cutelaba hits a throw and lands in scarf hold position, and he isolates Nzechukwu’s arm while slamming his left hand into Nzechukwu’s face. Cutelaba cannot get the armlock, and Nzechukwu does enough to fight out of the position and stand back up. Cutelaba defends with a standing kimura effort, in which he plans on taking the fight back down to the mat again. Cutelaba stomps the toes several times with his heel, doing so until the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cutelaba
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Cutelaba
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cutelaba

Round 2

Fists are bumped to commence Round 2, and the strikes come fast and furious from both fighters. Nzechukwu reaches with a left hand, and Cutelaba loads up on power punches. Cutelaba rushes forward for a takedown, and Nzechukwu times a perfect knee that busts into Cutelaba’s chin. Cutelaba eats it like a platter of friptura and somehow is not completely out from the devastating blow. Nzechukwu looks hammer the nail, but Cutelaba works his way back up to his feet and swings for the fences. As they wildly continue striking, a foot from Cutelaba comes up and smacks into the cup. Nzechukwu bellows but takes a couple seconds before Peterson can even pause the fight to wave him off and say he wants to continue fighting. Cutelaba strikes, and Nzechukwu lashes back with a flying knee that cracks the Moldovan’s chin. When Nzechukwu plants both feet on the ground, he shoves Cutelaba back, and Cutelaba is in big trouble as his legs go splayed like a baby deer on a frozen pond. Nzechukwu loads up and smashes “The Hulk” with several punches, punctuated by a ruthless uppercut that practically separates Cutelaba from his senses. While Nzechukwu beats on him, Cutelaba reaches one knee while leaned up against the fence, but the assault is not slowing. “African Savage” swings his fists like wrecking balls, and the damage is insurmountable as Peterson intervenes to rescue Cutelaba from any further harm. That is one more comeback victory for Nzechukwu, who woke up this morning and chose violence, earning what should register as the biggest win of his career. The man who can unleash great vengeance and furious anger is soft-spoken on the microphone, giving his love to his mother suffering from illness and praising his training partners and team for the end result. That’s it. There are no more fights tonight after this one. With luck, Derrick Lewis will recover from his illness soon and get back to action. The UFC takes next week off for Thanksgiving, and it will return in Orlando in December. We will be here for it, and we hope you are too.

The Official Result

Kennedy Nzechukwu def. Ion Cutelaba R2 1:02 via TKO (Flying Knee and Punches)

Derrick Lewis (263) vs. Sergey Spivak (254)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Spivak (-195), Lewis (+165)

Round 1

The UFC revealed during the broadcast that the main event between Lewis and Spivak had been canceled due to a medical issue unrelated to COVID-19 suffered by Lewis.