UFC Fight Night 218 ‘Lewis vs. Spivak’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Jesus Santos Aguilar (125) vs. Tatsuro Taira (125.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Taira (-1200), Aguilar (+800)

Round 1

Taira and Aguilar kick off the evening, with veteran referee Chris Tognoni assigned to keep things clean. Both men set up in orthodox stance, and Aguilar wastes no time in throwing a low kick that nearly takes Taira off his feet. Aguilar swarms and, in the ensuing collision, grabs a guillotine and falls to his back. Taira is in Aguilar’s half guard, on the far side. The angle isn’t great for the submission, but the choke is well under the chin and Aguilar is going for it. Taira remains calm, inching his way to the side. A minute and a half in, they’re still in the same position against the fence. Taira works on the hands, and halfway through the round he pops his head out and goes to work. Taira works to isolate the far arm while trying to pass guard. With 90 seconds left, Taira advances to full mount, trapping Aguilar’s left arm behind his neck briefly. Aguilar bucks to escape, and Taira lets him roll right to top position, cinching up a triangle choke as he does so. Aguilar fights the hold, but Taira switches to a triangle armbar and goes belly down, and the tap comes seconds later. Ice-cold ground work from the undefeated Okinawan.

The Official Result

Tatsuro Taira def. Jesus Santos Aguilar R1 4:20 via Submission (Triangle Armbar)

Jun Yong Park (185.5) vs. Denis Tiuliulin (186)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Park (-270), Tiuliulin (+210)

Round 1

Park and Tiuliulin face off, with Mark Smith the third man in the cage. They touch gloves before the first exchange. Both men orthodox. Park throws a couple of low kicks early, and Tiuliulin is quick to counter with his jab and right cross. Tiuliulin throws a right to the body. Just over a minute in, Park changes levels and runs Tiuliulin to the cage with a slow double-leg. Once they hit the cage, however, Park is able to lift and dump the Russian, and lands in full mount. Park grabs a loose guillotine, punching to the body with his free hand. Tiuliulin squirms and survives but isn’t offering much else. With two minutes left in the round, Park is still in complete control, dropping punches and elbows. One of the elbow strikes opens up a big cut on Tiuliulin’s face. Tiuliulin’s composure begins to flag, and under the assault, he gives up his back. Park takes the position, sinks a rear-naked choke and puts Tiuliulin to sleep almost instantaneously, before he can even tap.

The Official Result

Jun Yong Park def. Denis Tiuliulin R1 4:05 via Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Mandy Bohm (125.5) vs. Ji Yeon Kim (125.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Kim (-255), Bohm (+215)

The Bohm vs. Kim bout was cancelled Saturday afternoon, reportedly due to Bohm falling ill.

Seung Guk Choi (125.5) vs. Hyun Sung Park (124.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Park (-190), Choi (+160)

Round 1

The first of tonight’s four “Road to UFC” finals is an all-Korean affair, and either Choi or Park will be the first from their country in the UFC men’s flyweight division. Referee Marc Goddard draws the assignment of dwarfing these two Octagon hopefuls. They’re in matching orthodox stances early on, feinting heavily as Choi comes forward and Park slides around the outer edges of the cage. Nothing of consequence lands in the first minute, as both men are ultra-tentative. Park lands an inside leg kick on Choi’s left leg. He lands another, and Choi counters with a right hand that pushes, more than knocks Park to the canvas. Park lands a grazing upkick, but Choi is undeterred, kicking and Park and looking for chances to shuck his legs aside. Choi lets Park up. Two minutes to go in the round and Park connects with a couple more leg kicks. Choi comes back with a kick to the body but eats a right hand for his efforts. Park comes forward and Choi hits him with a pair of hooks. Park lands another low kick and takes another right-hand counter right before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Choi

Round 2

The flyweights are active and heavy on the feints once again to open Round 2. It’s Park coming forward in the early going, throwing low kicks and being countered up top. Park blasts Choi with a straight right, the best strike by either man thus far. Choi remains composed, and a moment later he catches a kick and puts Park down with a right hand of his own. Choi is in Park’s guard, but Park is very active on the bottom, using butterfly hooks to try and push his man off. Park springs back up. Park seems to be gaining in confidence, landing several sharp left jabs in addition to the steady stream of leg kicks. Choi rushes in and clinches, driving Park into the fence. Park reverses position, and a moment later they separate and return to the center of the cage. Park lands another hard job in the closing seconds.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Park
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Park
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Park

Round 3

It’s anyone’s fight, on our scorecards at least, as Choi and Park come out swinging. Choi grabs a snatch single-leg and pushes Park towards the fence, but Park extricates his leg with ease. Choi lands a nice jab, then tries for another single. Park pulls him up with underhooks, then takes his back standing and tries to pick him up for a big takedown. Choi lowers his hips and turns into him. Park works for the back once again and gets it, hopping on and sinking a figure-four with his legs. Park gets a rear-naked choke as they tumble to the canvas. He adjusts his grip, squeezes, and Choi taps a second later. Nice work in all phases of MMA by Hyun Sung Park.

The Official Result

Hyun Sung Park def. Seung Guk Choi R3 3:11 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Toshiomi Kazama (136) vs. Rinya Nakamura (135)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Nakamura (-500), Kazama (+350)

Round 1

In keeping with the intranational theme, it’s Japan vs. Japan in the “Road to UFC” bantamweight final as massive underdog Kazama looks to spoil the undefeated record of decorated wrestler Nakamura. Keith Peterson will be in charge of preventing any and all nonsense. Nakamura is our first southpaw of the night, and he lands the first telling blow of the bout, blasting Kazama with a left hook in the opening seconds, followed by two high kicks that are blocked. Nakamura sits Kazama down with a right hand. Kazama springs up and is game. The two men swing wildly. Nakamura catches the incoming Kazama with another massive left hand and it’s all over. Kazama crumples to the canvas and Nakamura dives in for a single, perfunctory follow-up blow before Peterson can interpose himself. Crushing knockout by Rinya Nakamura.

The Official Result

Rinya Nakamura def. Toshiomi Kazama R1 0:33 via Knockout (Punches)

Jeong Yeong Lee (145) vs. Zha Yi (145.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Lee (-250), Yi (+210)

Round 1

Lee and Yi square off in the “Road to UFC” featherweight final, with Mark Smith on referee duty. Lee, who arrived at the final on the back of a couple of sub-minute finishes, tries to keep the streak going, catching Yi with a hard right hand in the opening seconds, Yi weathers it, clinches and slows things down, working for a takedown against the fence. Yi tries to take the back and Lee uses a kimura to defend. Yi lifts and dumps Lee to the ground. He ends up in top position, with a double-leg on the seated Lee. He is unable to assume a truly dominant position, though, and Lee gets back up. Yi takes a rear waistlock and tries to hoist Lee, but Lee turns in towards him and Yi switches to a single-leg. He can’t finish the takedown, and shoves Lee back to the fence. A minute left, and it has been a grueling couple of minutes of wrestling and clinch work. Yi drops all the way to a knee, looking for a takedown. Lee shucks him off and Yi comes back with an elbow strike over the top. With 15 seconds to go, they separate and Yi catches Lee with a nice uppercut right before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Yi
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Yi
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Yi

Round 2

Lee is aggressive to open the second round, coming forward and walking Yi towards the fence. Yi changes levels and tries for a double-leg takedown. He gets it, dumping Lee against the cage. Lee bounces back up and Yi takes his back as he stands. Lee spins around and Yi drives him to the fence once more. Yi goes right back to work, standing Lee up with head position, looking for the takedown and throwing sporadic but effective elbow strikes. They separate and Lee stings Yi with a couple of jabs. Lee catches the incoming Yi with a left uppercut. Yi drops for a takedown but it goes nowhere, as he ends up on his knees and elbows in front of Lee. Lee lets him back up. Yi drops for another takedown and gets it, this time in the middle of the cage. In the ensuing exchange, Lee lands an upkick to the head of the kneeling Yi. Smith stops the action immediately. Yi claims he’s fine, Smith warns Lee, and they go back to work. Strangely, they start standing. It's unclear whether Yi was given the option to return to the ground for the restart. Thirty seconds left and Yi is jabbing, trying to keep distance from the wrestling-minded Yi. The round expires.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Lee
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Lee
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Lee

Round 3

Lee comes out with some urgency, stinging Yi with a couple of jabs in the first 15 seconds. Yi tries to walk Lee into the fence, possibly in search of another takedown. Lee throws a glancing head kick. Yi drives Lee into the fence and attempts a single-leg takedown. He can’t finish and they separate again. Yi shoots again and ends up going over the top. Lee comes out with an armbar attempt, but Yi locks his hands and Lee can’t break the grip. Yi takes Lee’s back as they stand, and when Lee turns in towards him, Yi runs him to the ground at the base of the fence. Yi has a double-leg on the seated Lee but can’t pull him away from the fence. Lee stands up and they have 30 seconds to do something. Yi shoots another double-leg and drives Lee to his seat against the cage again. Lee springs up and Yi hauls him back one last time as the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Lee (29-28 Lee)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Lee (29-28 Lee)
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Lee (29-28 Lee)

The Official Result

Yeung Jeong Lee def. Zha Yi by Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 27-30)

Anshul Jubli (155.5) vs. Jeka Asparido Saragih (155)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jubli (-110), Saragih (-110)

Round 1

The “Road to UFC” lightweight final features India’s Jubli and Indonesia’s Saragih, under the watchful eye of Marc Goddard. The massive reach advantage of Jubli is apparent in the first few exchanges, and Saragih comes up badly short on several punches and even a spinning back kick as Jubli calmly jabs. Saragih bounces into range and Jubli meets him, forcing the clinch. Saragih grabs a guillotine and Jubli takes him down. Jubli pops his head out and goes to work from Saragih’s full guard. Jubli’s posture is low, nearly chest to chest, as Saragih throws short punches and elbows from below. Jubli postures up and drops a big elbow. Saragih closes his guard and throws a couple of elbows from the bottom. Jubli stands up in Saragih’s guard and dives back in with a punch. Jubli passes to mount and frames up an arm-triangle choke. It looks tight for a few seconds, but Saragih squirms out and stands back up. Both men land in the last few seconds, with Saragih getting the last word with a body kick.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Jubli
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Jubli
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Jubli

Round 2

Saragih comes out with a high kick that lands, but Jubli walks through it, gets a body lock and dumps him to the canvas. Saragih is seated by the fence as Jubli works for a rear waistlock and a single hook on the outside leg. Jubli throws punches and tries to peel Saragih off of the fence. He succeeds, sinks his other hook and flattens Saragih out completely. Jubli throws punches from back mount as referee Goddard looks on closely. Jubli gift-wraps one of Saragih’s arms, making his position even worse, but Saragih survives, going to his back in the process. Jubli is now seated in full mount, throwing punches. Saragih gives up his back again, then turns to his side. Jubli sits on him and drops elbows until Goddard is left no choice but to intervene, stopping the mauling. Dominant work by Anshul Jubli.

The Official Result

Anshul Jubli def. Jeka Asparido Saragih R2 3:44 via TKO (Elbows)

Adam Fugitt (170.5) vs. Yusaku Kinoshita (170.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Kinoshita (-300), Fugitt (+250)

Round 1

The main card kicks off with Fugitt and the debuting Kinoshita, setting up in matching southpaw stances with referee Keith Peterson looking on. Kinoshita lands a head kick early on, but Fugitt weathers it well. There are several awkward exchanges as the two throw single strikes. Kinoshita connects with another head kick, but Fugitt catches it and takes him down. Kinoshita returns to his feet, but Fugitt is stuck to him against the fence. Fugitt gets a resounding mat return, slamming Kinoshita back down. Kinoshita gets back up again. Fugitt sticks Kinoshita with a left hand that stumbles him, and he gives chase. Fugitt throws another flurry of punches, then takes Kinoshita to the mat with over a minute left to go. Fugitt spins to the back, following as Kinoshita squirms, and lands in mount. Kinoshita turns to his side and Fugitt rains down elbows. Kinoshita is doing nothing but take punishment, Peterson jumps in for the stoppage, and Adam Fugitt has a well-deserved first UFC win.

The Official Result

Adam Fugitt def. Yusaku Kinoshita R1 4:36 via TKO (Elbows)

Doo Ho Choi (145.5) vs. Kyle Nelson (145.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Choi (-190), Nelson (+160)

Round 1

“The Korean Superboy” will look to come back from a three-year hiatus and a three-fight losing streak against Canada’s Nelson, with Chris Tognoni set to officiate. Both men are in orthodox stance as they feel out the distance in the opening moments. Choi lands a hard low kick. Nelson rushes in, hoists Choi by the hips and slams him down, despite a fence grab by the Korean. Nelson wraps up the legs of the seated Choi at the base of the fence. Choi posts his right arm and braces against the cage to try and stand, but Nelson is persistent. Nelson hops onto Choi’s back as Choi stands, sinking a hook as he does. Choi spins and explodes up, but Nelson is right with him. Choi explodes up again, and sweeps to top position, trapping Nelson’s right arm in a crucifix. Nelson frees the arm, but Choi looks for an arm-triangle choke, and is close to moving to side control. Choi gets it and swings out to the side, looking to pin an arm once again. Nelson stuffs Choi back to half-guard. Nelson locks his arms and gets a half-guard lockdown to control Choi’s posture in the final seconds. The round expires.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Choi

Round 2

Choi lands a hard low kick, which Nelson answers with a kick to the body. Nelson rocks Choi with a big right hand, then chases down the reeling Choi with a flying knee against the cage. Choi comes forward with a takedown attempt from way outside, then lands a sharp one-two. Nelson shoots a takedown from a mile away and Choi sprawls easily. Choi spins to the back, then disengages and lets Nelson up. They clinch against the fence for a moment as the action slows. Choi lands another chopping low kick, then another. Nelson comes forward with a left kick to the body. Choi goes to the leg again, then sticks Nelson with a right hand up top. Under 90 seconds left and Choi’s low kicks are taking their toll. Choi lands a left to the body. Nelson lends a sweeping, glancing right hook. Nelson comes back with a leg kick of his own. Nelson whiffs on a big right hand as the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Choi

Round 3

Nelson comes in for a takedown and Choi meets him with a nasty uppercut to the body. Nelson drags Choi down momentarily, but Choi springs right back up. Nelson drives Choi into the fence, trying to lift him at the waist. Choi posts with his right arm once again, foiling the takedown. Choi stands back up and Nelson stays right on him. Nelson tries for a rear waistlock and as Choi spins, Nelson elevates and slams him down. Nelson is wrapped around Choi’s legs at the base of the cage. Ref Tognoni immediately exhorts them to work. Choi manages to stand back up and Nelson turns to a single-leg. Choi pulls his leg out and drives Nelson onto his back. Tognoni jumps in and calls time, saying that there was a headbutt, and replay bears him out on the fact if not the intention of the collision. Tognoni deducts a point from Choi and restarts them with a minute and a half to go. They resume action on the feet after a touch of gloves, and Nelson shoots again within seconds. Nelson has a loose single-leg, but Choi spreads his stance, lowers his center of gravity and throws a series of nasty punches and elbows to the ribs as Nelson clings. The final horn sounds with them still in that position.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 9-9 (29-27 Choi)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 9-9 (29-27 Choi)
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 9-9 (29-27 Choi)

The Official Result

The judges rule Doo Ho Choi vs. Kyle Nelson a Majority Draw (29-27 Choi, 28-28, 28-28)

Blagoy Ivanov (256.5) vs. Marcin Tybura (253.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Tybura (-145), Ivanov (+125)

Round 1

Five hundred-plus pounds of former Soviet Bloc protein test the Octagon’s structural integrity as Mark Smith looks on. Tybura switches stances a couple of times as Ivanov comes forward in southpaw stance. Tybura sticks out the jab, taking advantage of his significant edge in height and reach. Tybura lands a crisp right hand, then throws a front kick up the middle. Ivanov is not coming back with much at all. Nearly halfway through the round, Ivanov finally springs forward and lands a nice flurry of punches. Tybura still using the jab and long push kicks, controlling the range, continuing to switch stances. No hint of a takedown or clinch attempt by Ivanov thus far. With 30 seconds left, Ivanov comes forward with another quick punch combo. The round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Tybura
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Tybura
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Tybura

Round 2

Tybura marches forward, switching stances and throwing his jab. Ivanov stands his ground and returns fire with a one-two. Tybura throws a double jab, with both landing. Tybura throws jabs from both stances. Ivanov catches him with a straight left. Tybura throws a body kick that strays low and referee Smith calls time to allow him to recover. They return to action and Ivanov rushes forward with hooks from both hands, backing Tybura almost all the way to the cage. Tybura lands a body kick and Ivanov counters with two punches. Tybura stings Ivanov with a big uppercut, but the Bulgarian is barely fazed. Ivanov throws a two-three to the body, then another, just seconds before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Tybura
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Tybura
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Ivanov

Round 3

Tybura comes forward looking for a takedown right out of the gate. He drives Ivanov to the fence and gets him down, jumping on his back and sinking a hook. Ivanov tries to counter with a single-leg, but Tybura powers out and flattens him. Ivanov tries to scramble up and Tybura takes the back again. Tybura throws punches to the head against the fence, standing over Ivanov, then lacing one leg with his own. Two minutes down and Tybura is still on top, working for wrist control. Tybura sneaks in a couple of hard left hands. Ivanov tries to get his base under him but Tybura is all over him, taking the back once again. Tybura pulls the posting arm out from under Ivanov, throws a couple of punches, and gets both hooks in. Ivanov tries to slide out, but Tybura is still in control. Ivanov gets to his feet at the 10-second clapper. The horn, mercifully, sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Tybura (30-27 Tybura)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Tybura (30-27 Tybura)
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Tybura (29-28 Tybura)

Marcin Tybura def. Blagoy Ivanov via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Devin Clark (204.5) vs. Da Un Jung (205)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jung (-230), Clark (+195)

Round 1

Clark wastes no time in charging forward in search of a takedown. They clinch against the fence, exchanging short knees as they jockey for head position. Jung reverses position, hauls Clark down and hops on his back as Clark stands. Jung keeps the rear waistlock and tries to trip Clark. Clark fights the hands and keeps his base low. Halfway through the around and they’re at a near stalemate. Jung drags Clark down to his knees, but Clark springs right back up again. Clark spins and throws uppercuts, which Jung answers with elbow strikes. They separate, and one of the elbows appears to have opened a cut on Clark’s forehead. Clark explodes forward for a double-leg takedown and gets it, but Jung stands back up immediately. They separate and Jung just grazes with a huge elbow. Clark tries another takedown, but Jung stands him up. Jung tries a judo throw but ends up on the bottom. Clark lands a series of hard punches from top position before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Clark
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Clark
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Clark

Round 2

Clark comes forward and drives right through a Jung flying knee to lift and slam him. Jung hits an inside switch, stands up and takes Clark’s back. Jung is draped all over Clark against the fence, trying to trip him. Clark grabs a wrist and drags Jung over and past him, then turns and presses him into the fence. Jung reverses him, then separates. Clark throws a high kick that glances off Jung’s chest, then a haymaker that is partially blocked. Clark tries another high kick. Clark drops levels and runs Jung to the fence. Clark is on the outside with overhooks, and Jung spins him around, pushing him into the cage and landing a nice inside knee. The cage wrestling slows to a grinding pace as the round expires.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Clark
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Clark
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Clark

Round 3

Clark shoots a double-leg, but Jung intercepts him and stands him up with underhooks. Jung shows the intercepting knee on Clark’s next level change. Clark drops and shoots again, and Jung once again stops the takedown, then immediately trips Clark to the ground. Jung is on top, threatening with an arm-triangle. Jung overextends and Clark sweeps to top. Clark throws a couple of punches as Jung stands and separates. Jung shoves Clark to the cage, where Clark throws shoulder strikes at the taller man. Jung hits Clark with a big knee up the middle as they disengage. Jung throws a spinning elbow, but Clark steps in behind it and drives him to the cage again. They separate and flurry at the 10-second clapper, and Clark scoops and slams Jung at the final horn.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Clark (30-27 Clark)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Clark (30-27 Clark)
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Clark (30-27 Clark)

The Official Result

Devin Clark def. Da Woon Jung via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Derrick Lewis (265) vs. Sergey Spivak (255.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Spivak (-230), Lewis (+195)

Round 1

The heavyweight main event is set to go, with Marc Goddard drawing the final referee assignment of the evening. Both big men are in orthodox stance. Spivak inches forward with feints, and when Lewis steps in to throw, Spivak uses a beautiful scarf throw to put him down. Spivak is in side control, looking for a choke, then moves to the back and throws heavy punches. Goddard looks on, giving Lewis time to work, and Lewis stands back up, only to be hurled down again. Lewis gets back to his feet and Spivak throws him again, with Lewis landing right on his head. Lewis gets back up and Spivak repeats the cycle yet once more. This time, Spivak tries for an arm-triangle and gets it with minimal resistance. He squeezes and Lewis taps. Complete domination on the ground by Sergey Spivak.

The Official Result

Sergey Spivak def. Derrick Lewis R1 3:05 via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)