UFC Fight Night 219 ‘Andrade vs. Blanchfield’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Clayton Carpenter (125) vs. Juancamilo Ronderos (125)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Carpenter (-280), Ronderos (+235)

Round 1

Much has been said about the quality or lack thereof regarding this Fight Night card, but no matter what people think, it will roll on at the UFC Apex with hopes of defying expectations and putting on a show. This relatively low-stakes evening of combat – where only four of the 22 competitors have numbers next to their names – will commence in the flyweight division. Making his debut after getting picked up on the 2022 season of Dana White’s Contender Series, Carpenter (6-0, 0-0 UFC) will put his spotless record on the line against Ronderos (4-1, 0-1 UFC). The Colombian will be making his return after nearly 21 months away, due in part to a positive post-fight test for cocaine, and the jokes practically write themselves. The first assignment of the evening will go to referee Chris Tognoni, who clocks in the event as the two competitors touch gloves. Ronderos advances immediately, but he eats a left hand on the way in. Ronderos fires back, and Carpenter boots him upside the head. Ronderos crashes forward swinging, and he bowls Carpenter over and falls right into a guillotine choke. Ronderos calmly lifts his neck out of danger and fights off a subsequent kimura. As Ronderos tries to open up with punches to the side and occasionally the head, the unbeaten fighter sits back to attempt an armbar. Ronderos shucks it off and continues to pelt Carpenter with fists. Carpenter slaps his legs up in a hurry as Ronderos sits up, and Ronderos is in a bad spot with a triangle choke and an armbar along the way. “100” keeps it 100 by staying calm in the line of fire, and he rolls through the whole submission to wrest his neck and then arm free from harm. Ronderos manages to escape both subs, but Carpenter is a man possessed and turns the corner to wind up on top. After sitting on bottom for a bit, Ronderos looks to spin out and ends up giving his back up. Carpenter slips both hooks in with ease, and he sets up a rear-naked choke and tries to sneak the forearm under his foe’s chin. Ronderos deftly fights off the hands, making Carpenter readjust the grip as Carpenter also cinches up a body triangle. Ronderos makes the decision to elbow the thigh to break up the leg grip around his waist instead of fighting the hands, and Carpenter welcomes this and wraps up the rear-naked choke. At this point, it is academic, as Ronderos wriggles but ultimately taps out before he is put to sleep. This is a solid way to start the card, as Carpenter remains undefeated while notching a slick submission after several legitimate attempts.

The Official Result

Clayton Carpenter def. Juancamilo Ronderos R1 3:13 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

A.J. Fletcher (171) vs. Themba Gorimbo (171)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Fletcher (-255), Gorimbo (+215)

Round 1

Moving right along, another newcomer will battle it out against a competitor yet to earn a win in the Octagon. Fresh off a victory in the Fury FC circuit, Gorimbo (10-3, 0-0 UFC) will be welcomed to the world-famous cage by 2021 Contender Series pickup Fletcher (9-2, 0-2 UFC). The welterweights will be joined by referee Jacob Montalvo, and they touch ‘em up to begin. Gorimbo uses his range early, slapping high kicks up off the guard. Fletcher responds with a low kick, and protects his head as Gorimbo tries to chip at him. As Fletcher looks to unload a strike, Gorimbo surprises him with a double-leg takedown, and he plants the American on his back in a hurry. Fletcher scrambles to get to his side, but Gorimbo quickly turns the corner to take his back and get one hook in. Fletcher defends to not allow the other hook lock in, and he crawls his way to the wall. Gorimbo holds on until suddenly flipped over by “The Ghost,” who winds up on top in half guard. Fletcher stays heavy to flatten a bucking Gorimbo down, and he considers an arm-triangle choke and uses it to pass to full mount. Gorimbo absorbs one flush elbow and considers turning around to surrender his back, but Fletcher greets him with another pounding elbow on the chin. Gorimbo kicks off the wall in an effort to escape, and Fletcher keeps him grounded and postures up to drop down some fists. Fletcher hacks with elbows from above, and Gorimbo attempts to tie him up and stop the ground-and-pound. Fletcher swings so hard with an elbow that Gorimbo times his movement and pushes off the hips in search of an ankle lock or heel hook. Gorimbo allows Fletcher to stand up while his foe’s leg is still trapped under his armpit, and Gorimbo slaps him in the face with an upkick before the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Fletcher
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Fletcher
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Fletcher

Round 2

The rounds wildly, as the two men clash together and ultimately hit the mat within seconds. Gorimbo winds up in top position, and Fletcher snatches up a low-percentage guillotine choke. Gorimbo shrugs it off and moves to take the back, as Fletcher is seated against the wall. Gorimbo looks for a rear-naked choke, and Fletcher fights it off and just opts to stand back up. “The Ghost” measures one single ferocious elbow that slams on the temple, and Gorimbo’s legs give way beneath him. In a desperate effort, Gorimbo dives into a double, and Fletcher locks down a guillotine. Gorimbo is instantly in big trouble, and he turns and rolls to his back in hopes of escaping. Fletcher, with his grip vice-tight, hangs on to it and moves to mount position. As Gorimbo falls to his back, he partially taps, and then a few seconds later, he taps again to surrender. The third time is indeed the charm for Fletcher, who picks up his first UFC victory in his third attempt. Overcome with emotions by getting this win on his birthday, he lets everything out triumphantly.

The Official Result

A.J. Fletcher def. Themba Gorimbo R2 1:37 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)

Philipe Lins (203.5) vs. Ovince St. Preux (206)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Lins (-225), St. Preux (+190)

Round 1

Up next at light heavyweight, two grizzled veterans come to blows in a fight that has been on the books as far back as November 2021. Finally settling their business, former title challenger St. Preux (26-16, 14-11 UFC) will meet Lins (15-5, 1-2 UFC) in a matchup that could very well be decided before the final bell. The two men totaling 76 years of age bump fists ahead of their rescheduled melee, with referee Mark Smith is ready for what comes next. St. Preux claims the center of the cage, and the two feint and fake strikes at one another. St. Preux strikes first with one to the calf, and Lins blitzes him with a barrage of punches. Lins stings St. Preux with a straight left hand, and he charges maniacally to try to finish the job early. Lins batters St. Preux around the cage, hurting him repeatedly and forcing St. Preux to retreat and backpedal. “Monstro” does not slow down, with monstrous power and mighty pace, splitting his guard with uppercuts and not allowing St. Preux to strike back. As “OSP” backs off to try to get his bearings, Lins unloads one final uppercut that knocks St. Preux clean off his feet, and Smith dives in having seen enough. That one-way destruction took less than a minute, and Lins officially evens his UFC record to .500 with one heck of a beatdown.

The Official Result

Philipe Lins def. Ovince St. Preux R1 0:49 via KO (Punches)

Khusein Askhabov (146) vs. Jamall Emmers (145)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Askhabov (-125), Emmers (+105)

Round 1

Keeping things pushing, Emmers (18-6, 1-2 UFC) will earn the honor of attempting to hand Askhabov (23-0, 0-0 UFC) his first career defeat in the latter’s first appearance in a major promotion. Neither man has competed recently, with “Prettyboy” last setting foot in a cage in August 2021, while the Russian has that beat with a nearly three-year layoff. The two featherweights hope to dust themselves off in a hurry, and referee Chris Tognoni will try not to get flakes of rust knocked on to him as the two battle it out. There is a sporting glove touch, and Askhabov is the immediate aggressor, backing Emmers to the cage. Emmers gains some space with lunging punches, and he hops back from a leg kick that flies his way. Emmers scores a low kick of his own and pushes out a one-two. When Askhabov marches him down, Emmers stomps the knee and stands tall prepared for a takedown entry. Askhabov pushes his foe to the wall and grabs the fence to disallow Emmers to circle out, and he lifts his knee to drill it square in the cup. Tognoni notices it and pauses the action, while letting Emmers know he should take as much time as he needs. After less than a minute off, they resume, and Askhabov to attack with a kick to the side. They trade heavy leg kicks, and Emmers slips out of the way of a big overhand ride. The Russian slams a leg kick home and darts forward with a reckless left hand, and Emmers springs away and scores two low kicks. The second forces Askhabov to turn about, so Emmers aims one more to the same target. Askhabov flinches, tries to check it and changes stances. Emmers ducks down from a winging punch to tie up, but there is no takedown or inside striking to be had, so he releases him. Askhabov spin kicks the body, and he chops at the lead calf twice. Both men throw heavy leather for a moment, before slowing down to batter the other’s front leg with hacking kicks. Emmers springs forward with a right hand, and he escapes and scores a low kick on the way out. Askhabov fires off a leg kick, and Emmers partially checks it and turns his hips into a more powerful one in response. Emmers draws Askhabov in and attempts to counter straight down the middle, with Askhabov swinging everything he has in all of his punches. Emmers slides to the side when Askhabov unloads a haymaker, and he keeps a high block up for a head kick. The American ducks a spinning wheel kick, and they topple to the mat momentarily before climbing back up. Emmers sits down on a leg kick, is answered with one, and he dips down when Askhabov swings for the bleachers with an overhand right. They tie up, and on the break, Askhabov scores a solid right hand. Emmers sticks him with a straight down the middle, and the tense round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Emmers
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Emmers
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Emmers

Round 2

The second round kicks off with a missed front kick to the knee from Emmers, and he rushes forward to partially land with a combination. Askhabov loads up on punches in hopes of catching Emmers on the inside, but only a few land before he level changes for a double. Emmers pushes him away like a matador to a bull, and he rips a pair of uppercuts to the body up close. Askhabov tries to fire off a head kick up close, but Emmers leans back and then forward to stick him with a few punches. Emmers connects with a hard shot to the body, and Askhabov hits the deck and slaps Emmers in the face with an upkick. Askhabov climbs back up, and he ails Emmers upside the head with an overhand right. Emmers wears it well and walks into a clinch to deliver more uppercuts to the midsection. Emmers gets in a straight right, slips the counter and stabs forward with a left. Askhabov loads up on power punches, missing by a matter of inches, and Emmers shifts out of the way and kicks at the lead leg in the inside and out. Emmers jabs the body and is out of the way before a counter reaches him, but the Russian manages to connect a kick to the body. Askhabov misses with a spin, and Emmers maneuvers brilliantly to drive a right hand straight on the side of the dome to send Askhabov crashing to the mat. Askhabov puts his arms behind his head, and Emmers lords over him and lands standing-to-ground punches to the body. Askhabov looks for upkicks, but Emmers sees them coming and twists his hips into a loud low kick. Emmers grabs hold of Askhabov’s ankle to throw it out of the way and kick the thigh, and Askhabov quickly stands up and tries to throw hands. Emmers catches him and staggers him with a right hand, and Askhabov is all gas with no brakes. Askhabov’s punches begin to slow as Emmers is faster and sharper, and he reels from a painful body kick that echoes around the Apex. The round ends, and Askhabov puts his hands on his hips.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Emmers
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Emmers
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Emmers

Round 3

The featherweights bump fists to start the final frame, and Emmers uses his reach immediately to keep Askhabov at bay. Jabs and low kicks, along with quick elusive movement, allow him to stifle a takedown entry with ease and make him pay on the way up. They clinch up, and Emmers works the body a few times before hitting a trip to throw the Russian to the floor. Askhabov climbs to his knees, and Emmers jumps on top of his man and belts him with elbows. Emmers climbs straight into mount, and with all of his might, Askhabov lifts Emmers up and reverses position. The two fighters stand up, with Emmers working his way up from his back up the wall. Emmers throws Askhabov back down to the ground, and he lands in half guard before comfortably sliding into side control. Emmers traps Askhabov’s right leg under his own shin, but before he can land any strikes, Askhabov scrambles. Emmers follows him every step of the way to shift to side control on the other side, and he walks right into mount again and takes the back when Askhabov turns around. “Prettyboy” gest both hooks in, and Askhabov turns to his back again in hopes of surviving the danger. Emmers rides a little too high, and Askhabov flips him over. Emmers powers right back up without settling for being on his back, and they clinch up standing. Emmers eats a knee and connects with a solid right hand that makes Askhabov stumble. Askhabov is not entirely with it on his feet, and he shoots for a desperate double. Emmers pushes him down, sits on his foe’s head and latches on to two-on-one wrist control for a potential kimura. Emmers bails on it to hunt for a possible front choke, and then moves to the side so that he can claim mount. Askhabov turns quickly to give up his back, but Emmers starts to fish for a choke and get the hooks in. Askhabov moves to lay flat on his back, and Emmers postures up and lays into him with a few punches. Askhabov turns to his knees, and Emmers locks onto a kimura. With seconds remaining, Emmers torques the arm with his remaining energy reserves, but he cannot elicit the tap or snap a limb before time expires. The fighters have gone the distance for the first time tonight, but the victor should not be in question barring an unfathomable miscarriage of justice.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Emmers (30-27 Emmers)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Emmers (30-27 Emmers)
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Emmers (30-27 Emmers)

The Official Result

Jamall Emmers def. Khusein Askhabov via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Mayra Bueno Silva (136) vs. Lina Lansberg (135.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Silva (-435), Lansberg (+350)

Round 1

The only fighters tonight holding a ranked spot on the roster are the four women competing. Before the big-time main event, two bantamweights on the outer edge of the top 15 will look to maintain or improve that number. Lansberg (10-7, 4-6 UFC), at the age of 40 and on a three-fight skid dating back to 2020, has her back against the wall. Meanwhile, Silva (9-2-1, 4-2-1 UFC) has gotten her hand raised both times in 2022 with plenty of momentum on her side, and a potential passing of the torch moment might be coming soon. The ladies will be joined by referee Jacob Montalvo, who clocks them in right before they bump fists. Lansberg reaches her hands out to hand-fight, and Silva leads off with a low kick. Lansberg, with her fingers outstretched, jab straight into the Brazilian’s right eye, and we have a pause about 15 seconds into the match. Silva blinks it out and is good to go before long, and they resume. Lansberg scores a jab, and Silva flails back with punches and spins with a back kick to the liver. Lansberg wears it well but is backed against the cage, and Silva is on top of her landing strikes to the head and body before disengaging. They go back to hand-fighting before Silva plods forward with two body kicks. Lansberg looks to get off a standing elbow up close, but Silva stops it and kicks her in the calf and then ribs. A punch from Silva forces Lansberg to ricochet off the fencing, and they clinch up to allow Lansberg to rip an elbow over the top. Silva breaks off and lets fly with a barrage of leg kicks and follow-up shins to the liver area. Silva stabs her toes to the body with a subsequent kick, and Lansberg takes it flush and walks her down to clinch up and strike up close. Silva is the one that gets off elbows on the inside, and not “Elbow Queen,” as she mixes in knees before they separate. Lansberg looks to search for the clinch again, and she scores a few knees and uppercuts before Silva unloads with a knee to the body to get her to break up. Silva spins with another back kick to the body, and Lansberg ties her up and knees the ribs. Silva spins her around up against the wire, and they trade knees one after the other. Silva changes levels in search of a single-leg takedown, and the Swede sprawls and gets her legs tripped up briefly. Silva muscles Lansberg down to the mat, dropping the 40-year-old right on her face. Silva moves to half guard as Lansberg winds up on her back, and she slashes down with a quick elbow. Silva fights off a sweep attempt and hacks down with another elbow before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Silva

Round 2

The second round begins with a sharp striking exchange, with Lansberg pushing the pace early and winging elbows when clinching up. Silva pushes her away and pounds the calf with kicks, marking up an already welted lead wheel for the Swede. As Lansberg recklessly pushes forward to initiate some sort of offense, Silva uses her foe’s momentum against her and trips her to the ground. The Brazilian hits the mat in half guard from above, and she uses her shoulder to press down on Lansberg’s chin. Silva slowly works her way to attempt a guard pass, preferring position over submission or damage. Lansberg protects her mug from any ground strikes, but she is being wholly controlled on bottom. Silva shifts to three-quarter mount and happily takes the back when Lansberg scrambles, sliding both hooks in instinctively. Lansberg hand-fights to protect her neck from a submission, and Silva drops down a pair of elbows to the side of the head. Silva softens Lansberg up with strikes, and she pulls back to resume the back control with her hooks in. The Brazilian cinches up a body triangle, and Lansberg keeps a tight grip on Silva’s left arm beneath her armpit. Silva elbows her foe repeatedly until she forces a scramble, and Lansberg scrambles to get out of an armbar setup that develops in a hurry. Lansberg keeps moving and stands up, but instead of forcing Silva to stand back up, she decides to dive back in the fire and claim top position. “Sheetara” welcomes this, as she finds that Lansberg landed on the mat in such a position that she can grab hold of the foot and torque it to straight the leg out. Silva locks up a kneebar, and before it hyperextends and the tendons shred like a chuck roast in a crock pot, Lansberg taps out on her opponent’s hip. In the blink of an eye, Silva now finds herself on a three-fight win streak with two submissions in that run, and she calls for a top contender like Raquel Pennington, Miesha Tate or Julianna Pena next to get a crack at gold.

The Official Result

Mayra Bueno Silva def. Lina Lansberg R2 4:45 via Submission (Kneebar)

Evan Elder (155.5) vs. Nazim Sadykhov (155.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Sadykhov (-170), Elder (+145)

Round 1

The two lightweights about to take the stage share a fair amount of similarities. Well-schooled Americans with equal records and fairly close knockout and finish rates toe the line as Longo and Weidman product Sadykhov (7-1, 0-0 UFC) squares off with Nick Diaz Academy pupil Elder (7-1, 0-1 UFC). Something’s got to give in this matchup, and referee Mark Smith will know first what that could be. The youthful athletes with plenty to prove touch ‘em up and come out frenetically. Sadykhov slaps a kick low on the calf to introduce himself, and Elder responds with a booming kick to the ribs. They trade body kicks, and Elder goes up high with the instep of his foot to just get blocked. He backs off and reaches with a straight right hand, and Sadykhov walks him down and scores a few punches and a kick. Elder backs him off with his own kicking arsenal, with a front kick to the solar plexus driving Sadykhov back momentarily. Elder swings hard, and Sadykhov catches him with a right hand and drops Elder to his knees. Elder springs back up and a high kick zooms across his dome, and he escapes no worse for wear. Sadykhov gives chase and has his lead leg kicked, but this does not slow him down into a combination of punches to the face. Sadykhov eats a clean kick to the body so that he can bully Elder around, ignoring the kicks and throwing heavy punches in response. Elder shoots in suddenly for a takedown, and the maneuver is stuffed in a hurry. As Sadykhov pops back up, Elder drills him with a right hand that sends Sadykhov flying to the mat. Somehow, Sadykhov springs right back up, with blood streaming from his mouth, and he begins to strike back. The two swing on one another with bad intentions, and both land flush with Elder taking the worse of it as he escapes. Elder plants a left hand on the temple, and he dips away with an elbow to the sternum as he escapes the counters. Sadykhov kicks low and high in rapid succession, and he continues to walk Elder down. Elder sticks him with a left hand, and he rips a kick to the other side. Sadykhov meets him with a left on the chin, and Elder slips away and lands one of his own. Sadykhov knees his man in the chin, and Elder backs off and chains a few punches together. As he pushes off, his finger swipes into Sadykhov’s right eye, and Smith calls time. Sadykhov needs less than 30 seconds to recover before getting right back to business, and he stalks Elder down like a Terminator. Sadykhov scores, Elder fires back, and the two throw down right to the bell to end a terrific round that may be a real handful to score.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Elder
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Elder
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Elder

Round 2

The lightweights rush out of their corners, eager to pick up right where they left off. They re-engage with punches and kicks in rapid succession, with targets to the head and body indiscriminate. Elder loads up on a hefty right hand that knocks Sadykhov back, and Sadykhov eats it like a plate of plov and wades back in the fire to throw haymakers. Elder punches into a takedown, and he successfully trips the fighter from Azerbaijan down to the mat to land in his foe’s guard. Sadykhov scrambles and scoots his way back to the wall, and he posts off his right arm to fight his way back up despite getting kneed in the ribs on the way. Elder squeezes his man on the wire, slowing the fight down and softening the ribs up with knees. Sadykhov explodes out of the clinch and throws back, and the two move together and clack heads to open a cut on corner of his eye. Sadykhov paws at it and gets shoved back, but the two are far from done throwing caution to the wind. Elder strings a few punches together to stun Sadykhov, and Sadykhov swings back and tackles Elder to the mat. Elder climbs back to the wire and stands up, with Sadykhov landing a single left hand before disengaging. Elder walks him down, and the two trade knees and uppercuts on the inside. Sadykhov boots Elder upside the head with his shin, and Elder absorbs it without batting an eye before pushing Sadykhov back to the fencing. Elder scores a few knees before the horn blares, and once the round was ultra-close.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Elder
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Elder
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Elder

Round 3

There is a final clap of hands to start off the last round, but it is contentious and they go right to hand-fighting before pulling their extended limbs back. They immediately trade leather, and they go all-out throwing punches and kicks in an early exchange. Sadykhov whips a kick up high, and they get up close and knee one another. During the firefight, a Sadykhov knee slams into Elder’s eyebrow and splits it open from one end to the other. Before Smith can see the wound, Sadykhov strikes a few more times, and Smith pauses the fight and calls in the doctor. As soon as the medical professional observes the gash, he tells Smith that it is way too severe to keep going, and the fight is waved off. Elder protests the ruling, but the damage has been done and he can live to fight another day. What a fight for as long as it lasts, and in a few years, it might be worthwhile to see these up-and-comers share the cage again.

The Official Result

Nazim Sadykhov def. Evan Elder R3 0:38 via TKO (Doctor Stoppage)

Alexander Hernandez (156) vs. Jim Miller (155.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Hernandez (-230), Miller (+195)

Round 1

The main card kicks off with what should be an action-packed 155-pound tilt for as long as it lasts. On a hot streak with three finishes in a row, Miller (35-16, 1 NC; 24-15, 1 NC UFC) is determined to rattle off several more wins and potentially call it quits at UFC 300 next year. Standing in his way is late replacement Hernandez (13-6, 5-5 UFC), who returns to his weight class after an ill-fated trip to featherweight two months ago. Referee Herb Dean watches on as the two men decide not to touch gloves. Instead, Hernandez moves to the center of the cage and looses a head kick, and Miller takes it and fires back with a left hand down the pipe. Miller kicks the lead leg, counters a jab with a left hand and absorbs a calf kick coming back his way. Miller darts forward with a one-two, and Hernandez pushes off to slide a finger in Miller’s right eye. Miller does not acknowledge it, and Dean calls it for him and lets him recover anyway. Miller is good to go after about 15 seconds, and he reintroduces himself with a gnarly leg kick that makes Hernandez pick it up and lift it far back. Miller rushes forward with a few punches, and he rips a head kick that collides with the dome of his foe. Miller rings his bell a few more times with punches, and Hernandez separates and gathers his thoughts. The veteran keeps working on the lead leg, and Hernandez responds in kind. Hernandez catches Miller coming forward with one to the low calf, and Miller stumbles and blitzes with a four-punch salvo that drives Hernandez to the wall. Hernandez keeps his wits about him, circles away and pushes out a front kick that connects with the jaw. They fire off head kicks at the same time, and Miller knocks his foe back with a right hand. Hernandez gets off two punches before Miller can catch him, and he kicks Miller on the way back. A Hernandez jab leads to Miller racing forward with a one-two, and Hernandez slides out of harm’s way and plants the ball of his foot on the chest. Miller swings wildly with hooks, and Hernandez evades them all and continues feeding Miller a steady diet of kicks. Miller snaps the head back with a left hand, and he gives chase as Hernandez backpedals. Miller plods straight forward, throwing haymakers, while Hernandez strafes away. Miller swings a high kick that is barely blocked in time, and Hernandez works the lead leg in response. As Hernandez comes in throwing a punch, Miller attempts to kick the body, but it comes up short and clacks off the cup. Hernandez needs about 20 seconds to gather his wind, and they get back to exchanging. The round ends as Miller’s nose starts to bleed.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Miller
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Miller
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Miller

Round 2

The lightweights meet in the middle, and the first strike lands in the form of a Miller kick to the thigh. Hernandez backs off to crack Miller with a short left hook, and he scores a high kick that is barely blocked. Miller runs straight forward to attack, and Hernandez snipes him with a left hook again before stopping the takedown. Hernandez steps in with a knee to the body, and he jabs to the same spot and retreats. Miller gets stung with a right hand over the top, and Miller bounces off the fence and throws back with a vengeance. Miller takes a body kick and a right hand, and Hernandez is starting to bust Miller’s face up and cause some serious swelling. Miller scores a solid left hand but it is one-and-done before Hernandez can move away and counter. Hernandez ignores a low kick to split the guard with a straight right hand, and he rips a standing elbow right on the forehead. Miller goes up high with a kick, and it is easily blocked. Miller scores at the end of a two-punch salvo, but not before absorbing a kick to the ribs. Miller takes one on the chin and fires back, but Hernandez appears the faster fighter and the more elusive of the two. Hernandez splits the guard with a few strikes, beating Miller to the punch and slowing him down. “The Great Ape” blasts the midsection with a knee, and he jabs a few more times before having to block a head kick. Hernandez steps in to elbow and then knee Miller, and Miller can only take them without being able to land back with much. Miller stings his foe with a left hand, and he rushes after him with a few blows but is stunned from an elbow. Hernandez looks for elbows as he backs Miller up to the wall, and Miller wings a right hand that Hernandez practically ignores. Miller backs Hernandez up with a few more strikes, and he blocks a knee up the middle with kicks the liver. Hernandez digs a kick to the body and comfortably lands a jab as he backs off, and the round comes to a close.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez

Round 3

Fists fly immediately to start off the last round, and Miller pushes the pace and knocks Hernandez back a few times. Hernandez strikes back, ripping opening a cut under Miller’s eye. Miller replies with a sweeping low kick, and he kicks the same spot when Hernandez recovers. Miller fights through a few jabs to charge with a barrage of punches, and he rocks Hernandez with a left hand over the top. Hernandez ties him up against the wall, and Miller knees the body and defends against a single-leg takedown. Hernandez goes low, and Miller grabs his neck with a guillotine choke. Hernandez stands up, backs off an elbow Miller on the dome. Miller lands a powerful low kick as he eats a right hand, and he fires a kick to the opposite leg as Hernandez’ balance is shaken up from these kicks. Miller takes a few right hands cleanly and a knee on the belly, but he keeps pushing forward throwing bombs. Miller checks a body kick and cracks Hernandez with a left hand, and Hernandez shakes it off and starts to get his jab going. Miller leads the dance with a few haymakers, and Hernandez is light on his feet with quick, straight punches. Miller blocks kicks on both sides, and he takes a one-two and whiffs on a huge left hand. Hernandez pushes forward and bullies the veteran to the wall, but Miller grits his teeth and throws bombs. Hernandez blocks a kick and sticks out a jab, and he is met with a step-in vertical elbow. Miller reaches with a right hand, and he walks face-first into an elbow. Miller lands, Hernandez responds, and Miller lashes out again. Hernandez plants the ball of his foot on Miller’s chin, but Miller does not flinch. Hernandez gets Miller’s attention in an exchange, and Miller shakes him up. Hernandez throws hands, and Miller kicks low and sweeps Hernandez to the mat. Miller works his way to take the back, and he locks down a rear-naked choke that is tight but on the chin. Miller squeezes with everything he has left, and Hernandez grits it out and survives it to turn Miller around and stand up. “The Great Ape” rains down punches right to the bitter end, and this absolute thriller is now left in the hands of the judges.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Miller (29-28 Miller)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Miller (29-28 Miller)
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez (29-28 Hernandez)

The Official Result

Alexander Hernandez def. Jim Miller via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

William Knight (206) vs. Marcin Prachnio (205)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Knight (-115), Prachnio (-105)

Round 1

Some on the MMA community are surprised that this fight held together, as the positively massive Knight (11-4, 3-3 UFC) made it back down to 206 pounds after blowing up over 250 pounds at heavyweight. While not quite carved out of stone like his opponent, Prachnio (15-6, 2-4 UFC) will be taller and might hit just as hard. With 20 knockouts across their 26 pro wins, referee Chris Tognoni could have his hands full. Before the haymakers fly, there is a respectful bumping of fists. Prachnio steps in with a light low kick, and the two clash kicks to follow. Prachnio stays light on his feet to throw out kicks to the head, body and thigh, and Knight dodges or blocks most of them. Knight does not check a leg kick, and Prachnio takes advantage of this by attacking the same upper part of the calf a few times on the inside and outside. Prachnio’s low kick is practically the only strike landed for the first 100 seconds, until Knight responds with a hard kick to the ribs. Prachnio continues to work the lead leg with kicks, and he wings a high kick that skims off the face of “Knightmare.” Prachnio is comfortable at long kickboxing range, kicking indiscriminately, and Knight appears irritated and points to parts of his body to kick next. Knight intercepts an advancing Prachnio with a front kick, but it is one-and-done as Prachnio is constantly moving. Knight misses a right hand by a matter of inches, and the Polish fighter slams his shin on the thigh and calf as Knight takes a funny step. Prachnio whips a kick up to slap into the shoulder, and he spins with a wheel kick that misses by a wide berth. The kicks from Prachnio are having an appreciable effect, as Knight gingerly steps on his lead leg and switches stances a few times. Prachnio backs his foe up to the wall and kicks him in the leg, and does not get in close enough to get countered. Prachnio’s high kick lands beneath the armpit, and Knight hops to the side and tries to kick back. As Knight throws a big left hand, Prachnio times a low kick to stumble Knight. Knight pre-emptively tries to lift his leg to anticipate kicks, and the tepid round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Prachnio
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Prachnio
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Prachnio

Round 2

The fighters touch gloves to start off and hopefully pick up the pace, and Prachnio lets go with a high body kick. Prachnio follows it with one to the knee, and Knight winces. Prachnio fakes on one and spins with a back kick, and he plants and kicks the knee and severely compromises the muscular Knight. The American can barely put weight on it, as he leans on the fence, and Prachnio lets him come off and chops at it a few more times. Prachnio allows him to come back to meet him in the middle of the cage, and he fires off a head kick that is blocked with one arm. Prachnio then goes low with another kick, and he chooses to kick the other leg when Knight changes stances. Knight winds up with one fierce low kick and spins Prachnio all the way around, and Prachnio gives him two back as Knight grimaces. The Polish fighter nails Knight with a head kick, backs off, darts in with a jab and then retreats again before any counter can find him. Prachnio kicks the lead leg when Knight lifts it a few times, causing more damage, and he continues to batter it as Knight tries to grab the foot. Even when Knight lifts his leg up and hops away, Prachnio winds up and slams his shin into it. Knight is completely nullified, as his counters are booming but inaccurate. Prachnio jabs into a leg kick, and Knight limps towards him and kicks back slowly. When Knight plants back down, Prachnio meets him with a nasty kick on the other leg. Prachnio kicks with a vengeance, and Knight grabs his limb and pushes forward to do something with it. Prachnio wriggles his leg free and continues to rip at the lead leg, doing enough to make Knight lean with one arm on the fence to keep himself upright. Knight dodges a few zooming head kicks that could knock a tree down, and he keeps his back close to the wall and absorbs a kick on the other leg. Prachnio nails the leg and then smacks Knight upside the face to conclude the same kind of round as the first.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Prachnio
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Prachnio
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Prachnio

Round 3

There is a final bump of gloves to start off the round, and predictably, Prachnio strikes first immediately to the calf. The Polish fighter then threatens with a jumping switch kick, and Knight retaliates with his own calf kick. Prachnio ignores it to walk Knight down and target the same spot, forcing Knight to rebound off the fence. Prachnio drills the lead leg and wobbles Knight, and he connects cleanly with a head kick that has Knight shake a finger at him. Prachnio does the same exchange of kicking the calf and then the face, and Knight turns away and is backed up against the fencing. They both kick at the same time, and Prachnio follows with another as Knight reaches down for it. Prachnio spins with a wheel kick that glances off the hair, and he finds himself walking Knight to the wall and hammering him with calf kicks again. Knight responds with one, and he marches forward but does not throw anything. Knight dodges a spin kick and grabs a subsequent kick, but Prachnio springs away without going down. Prachnio resets, and he pushes out a front kick that Knight grabs. Knight throws his man to the mat, but there is nothing he can do with it before Prachnio climbs away. Prachnio resets and clobbers the thigh, ripping it a few times as Knight limps significantly. Knight is barely upright and offering nothing back, and Prachnio kicks him upside the head. Prachnio does not change his plan of blasting the leg, and Knight lifts it up and holds it there to try to protect it. Knight keeps his leg up and it gets chopped at a few more times, and Prachnio brings his foot over the shoulder to the face. A pair of spinning kicks bounce off the guard, and this dreadful 15-minute affair mercifully comes to a conclusion. May we never speak of it again.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Prachnio (30-27 Prachnio)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Prachnio (30-27 Prachnio)
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Prachnio (30-27 Prachnio)

The Official Result

Marcin Prachnio def. William Knight via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Josh Parisian (266) vs. Jamal Pogues (249.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pogues (-240), Parisian (+200)

Round 1

It wouldn’t be a UFC Fight Night event lately without an unranked heavyweight clash plunked high on the main card above ranked competitors. This one comes between the powerful Parisian (15-5, 2-2 UFC) and 2022 DWCS signee Pogues (9-3, 0-0 UFC). Whether this battle of big men ends in Round 1 or goes the full 15, referee Jacob Montalvo will be here for its entirety. The fists are lightly touched, and both plan to throw back much heavier in a moment. Parisian sticks out a jab early, as he moves the middle of the cage and backs Pogues up. Parisian jabs into a low kick, and he ducks a huge right hook that clips him on the side of the head. Parisian lifts up a high kick, and he splits the guard with a jab when the kick is blocked. Pogues has a low kick checked, and he absorbs two punches around his raised arms. Parisian overswings to allow Pogues to time a level change, and he takes Parisian off his feet and trips him to the mat. Pogues lands in side control, and he bops Parisian with a few hammerfists until Parisian scrambles to sit up against the fence. Pogues shoulder-strikes Parisian once and wraps his left arm under Parisian’s neck, and suddenly a guillotine choke is in play. Pogues releases it as Parisian posts off his right arm to get to his knees, and Parisian smartly keeps one arm down to prevent knees front getting after him. Parisian separates and blasts his foe in the face with a front kick, and Pogues eats it and lumbers forward. Parisian stings him with an elbow up close before marching him down, and Pogues counters with two quick hooks. Parisian pushes forward into the clinch, and Pogues turns him around and gets kneed in the cup. Parisian apologizes repeatedly, and Pogues is not bothered and he staves Montalvo off. Parisian pushes off and strikes, and Pogues responds by tackling him down to the canvas. Pogues rides out from half guard landing a couple punches until the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Parisian
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Pogues
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Pogues

Round 2

Between rounds, Parisian remarks to his team that he broke his toes throwing the front kick, but he is fully capable to continue. Parisian starts off the second round throwing the same foot and having it slap off Pogues’ chest, and he pushes forward throwing hands. Pogues ducks a punch to tie him up in the clinch, and Parisian breaks off and stands in front of his man to strike. Pogues again pushes forward, lifting the 266-pounder clean off the ground and throwing him to the mat. Parisian uses a kimura to sweep well enough to work his way back up, and Pogues bull-rushes him on the way up to bring him back to the mat. Once more, Parisian wall-walks to fight his way back up without absorbing much damage, and he breaks away to get into striking range. Parisian kicks the body a couple times, and Pogues plods forward on the way in to grab him. There is no takedown to be found as Parisian crashes the pocket to throw hands, and Pogues gets off an elbow before separating. Parisian jabs the body and kicks the calf, and he eats a sharp jab in response. Parisian plods forward into the clinch, kneeing the thigh and releasing his man when there is nothing to gain from this position. They trade low kicks, and Parisian marches forward as they clash together. Pogues lands a few punches from up close, and Parisian cracks him with an elbow on the break. Parisian rocks his head back with an uppercut and a few punches, and he drives Pogues back and bites on a faked takedown. Parisian blasts a slowing Pogues with a left hand, and he elbows him for good measure. They fire off punches at the same time, and Parisian spins with a back fist that collides square on the jaw. Parisian looks for a level change as the round ends, and it was a close one.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Parisian
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Parisian
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Parisian

Round 3

The heavyweights have reached the last round, and Parisian offers a gloves touch and pushes the pace again to back Pogues up early. Pogues fires off a big overhand right to knock Parisian back, and Parisian throws back with a combination. Pogues reaches out with a left hand, and Parisian pushes out a front kick that glances off the cup. Montalvo is quick to spot the foul and give Pogues to recover, and Pogues is wearing it but able to continue after about 75 seconds. Parisian offers an apologetic glove touch, and gets right back into a punching range. Parisian fires off a short salvo, and Pogues counters him hard. Parisian connects with two punches over the top, and Pogues replies in kind and runs forward to land a double and move right into full mount. Parisian turns to his side to return his foe back to his half guard, and he works his way to the fencing. Pogues holds on while keeping his full body weight pressed on his opponent, but try as he might, he cannot keep Parisian from working his way back up. Pogues meets him with a fierce knee when upright, and Parisian fights for underhooks and looks to circle out. Pogues sees this maneuver and whips an elbow over the top, and Parisian shakes his head and clinches back up. Pogues drives knees to the body, and Parisian times a spinning back fist on the separation. Parisian wobbles forward and they clash heads, and Pogues sticks him with a jab. A Pogues takedown effort fails, and Parisian nails the UFC newcomer with an uppercut. Parisian continues walking forward, and he swings into a potential takedown try. Pogues pushes him away and changes levels, and Parisian stops this and cracks him with a few big right hands. Parisian whiffs on an overhand left and kicks the body, and he grabs hold of a single and dumps Pogues to his knees. Parisian sneaks a hook in with Pogues on his knees and considers fishing for a choke, and he holds him on the fence until the final bell, putting this slow, plodding heavyweight contest in the books.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Parisian (30-27 Parisian)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Parisian (29-28 Parisian)
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Parisian (29-28 Parisian)

The Official Result

Jamal Pogues def. Josh Parisian via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Zac Pauga (205.5) vs. Jordan Wright (204)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pauga (-275), Wright (+230)

Round 1

With four defeats in their combined previous four appearances, Wright (12-4, 1 NC; 2-4 UFC) and Pauga (5-1, 0-1 UFC) will slug it out in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 69. “The Beverly Hills Ninja” has dropped three straight and moves back up to 205 pounds here, while the finalist of “The Ultimate Fighter: Season 30” saw his undefeated record disintegrate in August 2022 at heavyweight. The light heavyweights clap hands under the watchful eye of referee Mark Smith, and Pauga is the one to push the action right out of the gate. Pauga presses forward, dodges a front kick and practically sprints at Wright to pin him against the fence. Pauga works an elbow and a knee on the inside as Wright looks to push him off, and he continues to squeeze “The Beverly Hills Ninja” frustratingly. Pauga gets off a sharp elbow on the face, and Wright complains that they clashed heads or he had an eye poked in an exchange. Pauga holds Wright tightly in the clinch, and Wright looks frustrated that he cannot get anything going. “Zac the Ripper” slashes with elbows but is more content to hang on in the clinch, and he looks to trip Wright out but does not isolate the leg. They trade knees up the middle, and Wright grins and looks at the video screen. They alternate with knee strikes, and one goes low from Pauga to the cup. Wright grimaces in pain, and Smith spots it and halts the action. After 45 seconds of recovery time, Smith resets them in the same clinch position because the foul occurred when they lifted knees at the same time. This leads to more of the same, short knees from both fighters and an occasional grinding elbow from Pauga. “Zac the Ripper” lives up to his nickname with a vicious elbow over the top, ripping open a cut on Wright’s forehead above his right eye. The blood starts to flow immediately, and Pauga targets it with a few more strikes before Wright attempts to break off. Pauga keeps him squeezed against the wire as Wright grins with a bloody visage. They split right before the break, putting an end to five minutes of grind.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pauga
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Pauga
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Pauga

Round 2

The cut is sealed well enough between rounds, but blood still leaks down Wright’s face right when the round begins. Pauga leads off with a jab to the cut, and he follows it with a big right hand. Pauga throws a second overhand right, and he puts Wright up against the wall to pick up where he left off for most of the opening stanza. Wright looks to escape and circle away, and he even hunts for a trip takedown, which ends up freeing him from the grip. Wright pushes out a front kick that misses the mark, and Pauga slings a head kick back at him. The smile never leaves Wright’s face, even as blood trickles down again, and Pauga punches his way into a double-leg entry. That fails, but Pauga is more than happy to clinch. Pauga isolates a leg for a trip, leading to nowhere, and he hacks with a short elbow while he is there. Pauga frames off and rips several fierce elbows that bounce Wright’s head off the wall even while blocked, and then he settles down to hold on again. Pauga ducks a spinning back elbow when Wright gets a modicum of space, and he remains squeezed tightly to his foe. Smith asks them to keep working, and Wright attempts again to break the grip and is met with a double. Wright swings elbows at the side of the head to halt the takedown from succeeding, and he turns his man around. Wright breaks away with 30 seconds in the round, and he plants his foot on Pauga’s midsection with a side kick. This prompts Pauga to crash the pocket again and push him to the wall, and Pauga unloads with elbows until the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pauga
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Pauga
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Pauga

Round 3

Wright has reached the third round for the first time in his career, and he is grinning like a banshee despite being down on the scorecards and bleeding from his face. Wright circles on the outside when Pauga bears down on him, landing a one-two to back him off for a second. Wright whips high kicks up with both legs, and his distance strikes and feints keep Pauga from blitzing him. Pauga lets go with a body kick, and Wright retaliates with one to the side. Wright sticks out a jab, and Pauga replies in kind. They trade single straight shots, and Pauga fires off a right hand that clubs Wright down to the mat. “The Beverly Hills Ninja” explodes back to his feet with a smile from ear to ear, and he times a counter when Pauga rushes forward. Wright throws a high kick, a jab and a front kick, and Pauga swats them all away. Pauga manages to work his way through the oncoming strikes to glom against Wright and mash him to the wall, and Pauga holds him there. Pauga absorbs a few knees, and Wright is able to push off and gain space with a little over 90 seconds to spare. They jump at one another at the same time, hurling right hands, and Pauga lands faster and flusher. Pauga times another big right hand, and Wright’s defense is now zero as he strives to initiate a brawl and get Pauga to land one to throw one. Pauga blocks a high kick and two body kicks, and Wright unloads with a right hand as a foot whizzes past him. Wright tosses out a high kick, and Pauga catches it and dumps him to the mat. Wright climbs back up, and the two go the distance in a strange one.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pauga (30-27 Pauga)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Pauga (30-27 Pauga)
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Pauga (30-27 Pauga)

The Official Result

Zac Pauga def. Jordan Wright via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Jessica Andrade (124) vs. Erin Blanchfield (125.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Andrade (-165), Blanchfield (+140)

Round 1

A little over a week ago, Blanchfield (10-1, 4-0 UFC) was planning on throwing down with former title challenger and almost-champion Taila Santos. Due to visa issues for Santos and her team, she has stepped out, and former 115-pound queen Andrade (24-9, 15-7 UFC) was ready for the challenge. Andrade competed in Brazil in June, battering Lauren Murphy across three rounds to put her win streak to three, while Blanchfield has prevailed in her last seven appearances. This high-stakes flyweight affair, possibly even more so with the short-notice switcheroo, will be covered by referee Herb Dean. The ladies opt to bump fists before getting down to business, and Andrade attacks the legs early. Blanchfield responds with a few punches up top, but this only leads to Andrade wading into a brawl. Blanchfield lands flush with a few punches as Andrade’s chin is high in the air, and Andrade throws back heavily. Blanchfield charges forward in pursuit of a takedown, pressing the Brazilian into the wall but unable to get anywhere before Andrade breaks the grip. Blanchfield gets off a low kick, Andrade does the same, and the two ladies trade leather without flinching. Andrade’s nose gets marked up from a few punches from the youngster, and Blanchfield shoots low for a double that falls short. Andrade gets countered up top when kicking the lead calf, and Blanchfield is timing punches when Andrade goes for kicks. Blanchfield backs her foe up with a jab, and she narrowly evades a huge haymaker. Blanchfield nails Andrade with a right hand, and she stings the former champ with a few more shots. Andrade laces together a combination that starts and ends with kicks, and Blanchfield winds up with a right hand that wobbles Andrade. This lights a fire under Andrade, who races ahead to unload a barrage of punches that largely collide off the guard. Andrade lands at the end of a one-two, and they throw hands simultaneously as Blanchfield ducks into an uppercut. Andrade connects with a left hand that backs up the 23-year-old, and a few punches bust Blanchfield’s nose open. Andrade cracks her foe with a ferocious right hook, doing some damage with her punches as Blanchfield gets countered and knocked back. Andrade cracks Blanchfield again with a blistering right hook, and Blanchfield takes it on the chin and pushes out a straight right hand. Blanchfield pushes in to grapple, and she sells out for a body lock but nearly gets thrown in response. Andrade works her way to the fence, and she frames off with an elbow. Blanchfield scores a right hook right before the bell, putting an end to a frenetic first round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Andrade
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Blanchfield
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Blanchfield

Round 2

The flyweights march out to greet one another with their fists, and Blanchfield tries to mix things up with a head kick that is easily blocked. Blanchfield strings a few punches together before Andrade can respond, and the Brazilian scores on a low kick and ducks away from a short combination. Andrade walks her foe down, preparing a right-hand counter and following a high-volume Blanchfield. Andrade cracks her with a right hand, and she slugs with a pair of sharp left hooks that make Blanchfield’s eyes go wide. Blanchfield dives forward in pursuit of an inside trip takedown, and she tosses the former champ to the mat. The 23-year-old easily slices over to side control, and she prepares to posture up and look for strikes. Andrade turns to her side and scoots her way to the wall, and Blanchfield follows her and circles around to take her back. In an instant, the youngster gets a hook in around the side and hunts for a rear-naked choke. Without even getting the other hook in, Blanchfield has that choke locked down, and the Brazilian is in dire trouble. Andrade tries to power out of this horrible situation, but Blanchfield slides the other hook in to make this just a matter of time. With nowhere to go, Andrade taps out, and “Cold Blooded” has now stamped herself an immediate contender in the flyweight division. This was a statement performance for the fast-rising star, who went toe-to-toe with a feared striker and took advantage of one single ground exchange to win the fight. A confident Blanchfield has only one goal next: the winner of Valentina Shevchenko vs. Alexa Grasso in early March, and she claims that she will become the next flyweight champion as a result. If and when she fights for 125-pound gold, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.

The Official Result

Erin Blanchfield def. Jessica Andrade R2 1:37 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)