UFC Fight Night 220 ‘Krylov vs. Spann’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Nurullo Aliev (155) vs. Rafael Alves (155)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Aliev (-180), Alves (+155)

Round 1

For the last time in a while, the UFC posts up inside of its headquarters of the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. While this show saw a few changes on fight week, it will wheel into the station with 11 matches and a main card full of intrigue. The action begins in the lightweight division between the offense-first Brazilian Alves (20-11, 1-2 UFC) and newcomer Aliev (8-0, 0-0 UFC), with the latter making history as the first Tajikistan-born competitor to set foot inside the Octagon. There is a sporting touch of gloves ahead of this low-key historic match, and referee Mark Smith is geared up for what’s to follow. Alves walks his foe down early, leaping forward with a left hand that sneaks through the guard. Aliev reels and retreats, and the Brazilian gives chase and chops low with a kick. When Alves tries to target the same spot again, Aliev snatches up the leg and drives through to put Alves on his back. “The Turn” hits the ground and hunts for a guillotine choke, keeping Aliev honest but unable to secure anything with it while the youngster from Tajikistan holds on. Aliev is more content to maintain position over attempting submission or getting an offense off, grinding tightly on his man and shutting down any explosive escapes from Alves. The Brazilian twists and turns and tries to buck or at least sit up against the wire, but Aliev calmly keeps him pinned down and starts lightly rapping him in the ribs with his free hand. Alves looks to scramble and escape, and he shouts out and points to his finger as Smith looks at it. Alves yells that Aliev bit him, and Smith halts the action angrily and stands the two men up. Smith looks at the finger and notices the teeth marks to inform the officials out of the cage that he can indeed see the marks. Smith brings in the commission officials and determines that because of the bite, he will deduct one point while admonishing Aliev about biting. They resume with 90 seconds to go, and Alves strikes first with a looping uppercut. Aliev shoots in for a telegraphed takedown, and Alves shoves it aside. When the Brazilian fires off a kick to the body, Aliev attempts another diving takedown effort, and once more he is stuffed with ease. Aliev keeps a wide berth and hops away from a low kick, and suddenly crashes the pocket in pursuit of a double-leg entry. Alves backs up to the wall and keeps himself upright, leading Aliev to change it up for a single. Alves stops them from succeeding, and Aliev is warned for grabbing the cage right before the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Aliev leads off the round with an inaccurate low kick, as there is no glove touch this time around. Aliev whiffs with an overhand right, and he dips back when Alves fires off an uppercut. Alves gets a high kick up, and Aliev drops down and hunts for a takedown. The Brazilian sees it coming and jumps guard for the guillotine choke, and he squeezes with all his might as Aliev tries to push down one leg and prohibit Alves from locking him up. “The Turn” crushes down with his grip, and Aliev stays patient but ends up getting turned over. With both men on their sides, Aliev wriggles back on top and wrests his neck free from the choke. On top, Aliev clings to his opponent, and he starts to get off some left hands before lowering himself down to jump to half guard and pursue an arm-triangle choke. Alves sees this coming and turns the right way to break it up, so Aliev decides to start pounding on him with fists and elbows. Alves takes a bit of punishment and hooks his arm around the back of his foe’s neck to pull him close, so that he can stop the brief burst of offense. Aliev softens the body up while largely nullified on top, and Smith motions for the lightweights to work. The Brazilian recovers to his full guard, but he cannot get the newcomer off of him. Aliev strikes with his right hand to the head and body, and using top position to ride out the round.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

The final frame begins with a clap of hands, as tensions appear to have cooled a bit since the first-round chomping. Meeting in the middle, Aliev holds the center of the Octagon and slowly cuts his man off. Aliev jumps in with a punch, and Alves meets him right on the chin with a knee. Aliev is stung, and possibly out of desperation, he shoots in for a takedown. Before he can land it, the Brazilian once more snags hold of a guillotine choke, and he is quick to turn the tables and move to full mount with the choke still in play. Alves releases the choke to take a smothering mount position, and he sits up to get off some punches. Aliev punches his opponent in the back of the head several times, prompting Smith to grab his hand and yell at him. During this confusion, Alves gloms on with an arm-triangle choke. The Tajikistan-based fighter times this perfectly to flip Alves around and gain top position, and Alves shows visible frustration and exhales sharply. Alves throws his legs up for a possible triangle setup, but Aliev throws them aside without batting an eye and pulls Alves away from sitting up against the fencing. Aliev shifts into half guard and slams his fists into the forearms of his opponent, hoping to put things together to force a stoppage, to no avail. Alves bucks and kicks, but his explosions have little boom and Aliev is a wet blanket. Smith asks for Aliev to keep working, and the unbeaten fighter replies with a few right hands to Alves’ unguarded face. Alves considers a two-on-one wrist lock for a submission or sweep, and he lets it go and shells up while whipping the occasional elbow to Aliev’s face. Alves turns to his knees with seconds to go, and he kicks off his man at the bell.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Nurullo Aliev def. Rafael Alves via Majority Decision (29-27, 29-27, 28-28)

Carl Deaton (156) vs. Joe Solecki (155.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Solecki (-520), Deaton (+410)

Round 1

Moving right along but keeping to the 155-pound category, a relative vet in Solecki (12-3, 4-1 UFC) will be meeting a UFC debutant in Deaton (17-5, 2 NC; 0-0 UFC) on short notice. The Gym-O fighter will be closing as the highest betting favorite for a male fighter tonight by a wide margin, but this is MMA and anything can happen. The two men do not touch ‘em up with referee Jason Herzog watching on, as they would very much like to get things started. They both advance towards one another in a hurry, and pull back right before exchanging. Deaton wades in to strikes, getting in an overhand right, and Solecki counters with a clean left hand. From there, Solecki dives down low in pursuit of a single-leg takedown, and Deaton stays mobile and escapes from the first attempt and its second push. When Solecki adjusts to go for a double-leg, he gets it, and puts Deaton on his seat for a moment. Deaton posts off and climbs up, but in the process, he surrenders his back. Solecki hops on like a malevolent backpack and hooks a body triangle around the waist. When he cinches his legs up, Solecki begins to set up a standing rear-naked choke, and has solid leverage as Deaton leans them against the cage wall. Solecki locks his forearm in on top of the chin and squeezes for something more of a face crank, and he crushes full-strength and nearly gets Deaton to call it. Solecki turns the grip into a neck crank, and very nearly slips the arm under the chin to lock it down, but Deaton deftly fights the hands just in time. Solecki switches his grip constantly, and he has to let go of the body triangle because he is gassing his own legs. Solecki grips the forearm across the jaw and squeezes, hoping that the pain enough will bring out a tap. Deaton toughs it out and forces Solecki to set a leg down on the mat, and he continues to fight the hands to escape. Solecki hooks his own leg between Deaton’s to try to drag him down, and he turns his man around and leans on him until the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The lightweights cautiously work their way towards one another to start off the second round, and Deaton springs forward to let off one right hand and hops back before he can get countered. Deaton jumps in with a one-two, and Solecki ducks them both and drives through the hips to put the newcomer on his back. Deaton grabs hold of Solecki’s right hand and isolates the arm for a potential kimura sweep, and Solecki remains tightly pressed to his man until Deaton lets it go. Solecki shifts right into half guard, and he starts landing a few punches. Deaton goes out of the box by punching with both hands at the same time, and an ensuing scramble allows Solecki to take the back with ease. Solecki locks down the body triangle and starts working the side with punches to open up the neck. Deaton fights off the body lock, and Solecki switches his legs at the right time to keep him trapped. Deaton grabs the foot instead of focusing on Solecki’s choke arms, and he successfully gest the body triangle off of him and returns to hand-fight before getting throttled. Solecki pounds on the ribs before hooking up the body triangle once more, following his scrambling opponent every step of the way. Solecki gets off a few punches to the side of the head, and frustrates his opponent with threats of submission and resetting the body lock from side to side. Deaton attempts to spin out, and this puts him in grave danger as Solecki slips his arm under the chin once and for all. This time, there is no getting out, and Solecki’s iron grip is going nowhere. “The Anishinaabe Kid” tries with all his might to slip his neck out, but with Solecki going palm-to-palm with the rear-naked choke, he ends up going out on his shield. Herzog quickly recognizes that Deaton is off to dreamland, and he intervenes to halt the contest. This was one-way traffic for Solecki, who earns the first finish over Deaton since 2014.

The Official Result

Joe Solecki def. Carl Deaton R2 4:55 via Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Charles Johnson (130) vs. Ode Osbourne (130)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Johnson (-170), Osbourne (+145)

Round 1

Jumping up on late notice to compete on the card, Osbourne (11-5, 1 NC; 3-3 UFC) will look to lift his UFC record above .500 when he faces Johnson (13-3, 2-1 UFC). Due to this coming together within a few weeks of the event, what was once a flyweight affair between Johnson and Denys Bondar will now take place at 130 pounds. This catchweight contest will receive oversight by referee Kerry Hatley, and despite being happy to be fighting after all, they elect not to touch gloves. They two meet in the middle but are fairly cautious to engage, with a few kicks thrown by either man in the first 30-second stretch. Osbourne works on Johnson’s lead wheel with a few calf kicks, and he steps forward with a one-two to knock “InnerG” back. Johnson tries to grab the low leg when Osbourne whips it at his lead leg, but this fails and he eats a few powerful leg kicks. Johnson switches stances to take some of the burden off the kicking damage, and he flicks a front kick at his man that gets him thrown to the floor. Osbourne chops at his foe a few more times, and he gest one off on the inside that draws a physical reaction out of Johnson. Johnson paws out a few jabs, and he has a head kick blocked. Osbourne turns his hips into an inside low kick, and Johnson changes stances after absorbing that flush. Osbourne looks to let his hands go, and Johnson weaves out of the way. The two hand-fight in front of one another, and Osbourne manages to get off a jab and check a kick. When Johnson throws one, Osbourne throws two or three back. Osbourne is making Johnson flinch every time, and Johnson starts talking to him as he switches stances taking these unblocked kicks. Osbourne catches a dipping Johnson with an uppercut, and he leans back when getting countered. Johnson bears down on his opponent with a few punches, and Osbourne catches his leg and pushes him back. Johnson leaps in the air and ends up landing a right hand instead of the flying knee while midair, and when he lands, he grabs “The Jamaican Sensation” and throws him down to the canvas with emphasis. Osbourne works his way back up quickly against the fence, and Johnson knees him several times on the way up before Osbourne breaks the grip and escapes. Osbourne scores a one-two, Johnson uses head movement to dodge the worst of the blows, and he has a low kick caught when responding. Both men land shots at the bell, and they hug it out when landing shots after it concludes.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The two measure one another in the early going of Round 2, pawing at one another with little on their strikes. Johnson powers forward in an attempt for a possible takedown, only to get thwarted. When he backs off, Johnson pushes off with a front kick that slams square into the cup. Osbourne goes down in a heap, writhing in pain as Hatley stops the clock to give him five minutes to recover – and Osbourne might need it. Johnson goes to his corner to have a seat, having apologized for the foul. Hatley informs him to be careful, and Johnson is not defiant and knows what happened. Osbourne crawls towards the commentary team and tells color commentator Michael Bisping that this was one of the worst groin shots he’s ever taken. Osbourne pulls himself up to his feet after 4:15 of recovery time, and he bounces and tries to get his wind back as he is still compromised. Osbourne signals that he is good to go with just 15 seconds left of the five-minute window, and they get right back to fighting. Osbourne gets back to kicking at the lead leg, and he turns to plant a side kick on the knee to hyperextend it. Johnson grimaces, and Osbourne attacks the same knee with the same kick to great success. Johnson looks to step in with an elbow, and he pushes off the chest with a side kick. Johnson dips forward to strike, and Osbourne intercepts him with two punches and catches a high kick that flies at him. Osbourne lets it go and releases a heavy body kick, and he strafes on the outside. Johnson gets up close and ties up his man, belting him with a clean elbow on the inside before pushing him up to the wall. Johnson considers a trip or level change, and Osbourne turns him around and drops down for a single of his own. Johnson stands him up and knees him a few times, as they jockey for position on the cage. Osbourne redoubles his effort for a single, and when he leans low, Johnson swirls around and takes his back standing up. Johnson slides down to the ground and ends up on his back, with his legs up high fishing for a triangle choke or some submission from that angle. A wild scramble leads to Osbourne tripping his foe back to the mat, and they both jump back up and resume striking. An elbow or two from Johnson up close opened up a cut on Osbourne’s face, and he pays it no mind. They throw caution to the wind in the waning seconds of the round, throwing punches and high kicks before Osbourne shoots for a takedown at the horn.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Before the last round begins, the two fighters touch gloves. When they begin, it is Johnson pushing the accelerator with several kicks low and high. Osbourne catches one such front kick and is unsuccessful to throw Johnson to the floor. Johnson pulls it back and fires off a high kick, slipping and landing on the canvas. Osbourne dives on top, but cannot gain dominant position before Johnson climbs back to his feet. The two clinch up as Johnson targets knees to the body, and Osbourne drops down for a level change but opts for a possible body lock to trip. “InnerG” protects himself and pushes them out to the middle of the cage, and he works on Osbourne’s lead leg. Johnson continues to land knees until a responsive knee from Osbourne breaks them apart. Johnson steps forward with a straight left hand, and he ducks to his side. Osbourne times a head kick that very nearly takes him out, but Johnson moves just enough to take the full sting out of it. Johnson jabs his way in, frustrating Osbourne until Osbourne shoots for a naked takedown. Johnson snatches up a guillotine choke on the way down, and he lets it go so that he can muscle his way back to his feet. Osbourne gets one leg around the side to try to take the back standing, but there is nothing to it as Johnson pushes off with 90 seconds to spare. A spent Johnson meanders forward, hands down, taking punches until Osbourne grabs him and puts him on the mat. Johnson’s guillotine defensive reaction is less strong this time, and he lets it go so that he can wall-walk rather than spend time on his seat. Osbourne steps back to knee the body and comes up short with a left hand, and he ducks a punch to pursue a takedown. Johnson sprawls and jumps around to take the back, but Osbourne just stands back up. They both stand up, and decide it’s time to empty their gas tanks with one final slugfest. They both smack one another around, but ultimately reach the final bell. Judges could have their hands full with this one, depending on how the last two close rounds were scored.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Ode Osbourne def. Charles Johnson via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Jordan Leavitt (155.5) vs. Victor Martinez (154.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Martinez (-115), Leavitt (-105)

Round 1

Styles make fights, and this one is about as different as they could get. At lightweight, submission aficionado Leavitt (10-2, 3-2 UFC) comes to blows with UFC neophyte Martinez (13-4, 0-0 UFC). In their respective careers, “The Monkey King” has only landed one knockout in the form of a slam, while Martinez has never before forced an opponent to tap. Skills will be tested right after referee Jason Herzog checks the two lightweights in, and they introduce themselves to one another with a clap of hands. Leavitt strides forward, closing distance with multiple front kicks. Martinez looks for a left-hand counter, but Leavitt is out of harm’s way from most of the strikes that come back. Leavitt continues to work the sternum with teep kicks, and he bats away a Martinez right hand to dive forward for a single. Martinez sprawls against the fencing to keep his balance, and he smacks Leavitt upside the head with an elbow to make him think twice. Leavitt stays glued to his man despite no takedown in sight, until Martinez follows his coach’s instructions and gets off the fence and gets some space. They trade front kicks at range, and Martinez chops at the lead leg once before Levitt advances throwing punches. Leavitt counters a Martinez left hook with a kick that splits the uprights and forces a pause in the action. Martinez takes about 20 seconds before getting back to it, and Leavitt is not discouraged to kick. Leavitt keeps working the midsection with front kicks before pushing forward into the clinch to smash his fading foe with knees up the middle. Blasting the body and crashing into the jaw, Leavitt’s knees do noticeable damage one after the other until Martinez’ knees crumble. Herzog is watching on but not stepping in, so “The Monkey King” makes sure to finish the job with a swarm of punches until Herzog has seen enough. Leavitt strides off and releases an outpouring of emotions to get his first stoppage win due to strikes in his career. In his post-fight interview, Leavitt comically remarks, “I’ve never rocked anyone before!”

The Official Result

Jordan Leavitt def. Victor Martinez R1 2:33 via TKO (Knees and Punches)

Gabriella Fernandes Hermogenes (126) vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius (125.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Hermogenes (-125), Jasudavicius (+105)

Round 1

Keeping the prelims pushing forward, two flyweights will enter the cage as Jasudavicius (7-2, 1-1 UFC) collides with Fernandes (8-1, 0-0 UFC). Neither woman has ever been finished, so referee Chris Tognoni is in this for the potential long haul. Although the Brazilian fighter offers a clap of hands, Jasudavicius has no interest in meeting it. The newcomer comes out throwing feet, reaching Jasudavicius a few times with head kicks that collide off the guard but still have an impact. Fernandes scores a solid one-two that shakes up Jasudavicius, but the Canadian gathers her thoughts and plods forward. Jasudavicius scores a single right hand, only to be met with a speedy high kick. Circling on the outside, Fernandes picks at her foe with kicks and reaching punches, all while staying out of the way from most of the offense coming back her way. Fernandes dings the Canadian with a left hand, and she sinks another one in before Jasudavicius rushes forward in pursuit of a clinch. Jasudavicius secures a body lock and looks to take Fernandes for a ride, but the Brazilian fighter keeps her balance and muscles her way to remain standing. While Jasudavicius cannot ground her opponent on the first or second attempt, she doggedly continues to push for it until she drags Fernandes to the mat. Jasudavicius climbs into an awkward half-guard position to keep Fernandes pinned down, and she drops down short left hands to stave off any referee intervention. Fernandes scoots all the way to put her seat against the fence and push off the wall, and Jasudavicius steps over to get to the side and drop down strikes. Before she can unload, Fernandes ties her down with a reverse triangle, keeping her there until the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Jasudavicius looks to push the pace to begin the round, only to get stood straight up when absorbing a fierce barrage of punches and high kicks to drive her back and loosen her top. Jasudavicius resets it against the fence, and she times a clean right hand down the pipe to rock Fernandes. The Brazilian woman blinks the stars out and powers Jasudavicius around in the clinch, but she gets bullied back to the wall before long. Like the last round, Jasudavicius calmly works until securing the takedown, and she lands in half guard to flatten Fernandes out. Jasudavicius covers her foe’s mouth and uses shoulder pressure to fluster Fernandes, all while staving off guard recovery attempts from the Brazilian. Jasudavicius slides into side control and grinds her elbow or palm on the face and staying heavy as possible. Fernandes bucks and kicks, but Jasudavicius manages to work a knee up to isolate Fernandes’ right arm and set up a crucifix. Jasudavicius unleashes a storm of short but pummeling elbows on Fernandes’ forehead, doing so until Fernandes partially recovers position. Jasudavicius gets the crucifix again and fastens her legs around Fernandes’ left arm to lock it down further, where she can open up with more elbows on the dome. Each elbow is not individually damaging, but they add up fast and force Tognoni to take a very close look at the action. Fernandes explodes frantically, forcing Jasudavicius to stand up right as the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jasudavicius
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Jasudavicius
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-8 Jasudavicius

Round 3

The ladies start off the final frame swinging ferociously. Fernandes lands with heavy power, getting Jasudavicius’ respect early, but not slowing her down. Jasudavicius plows forward to try to trip Fernandes down, but Fernandes circles on the outside and pops her with a right hand. The Canadian is a woman possessed when going for a takedown, and she scoops Fernandes up with a single and gingerly deposits her on the floor. Fernandes defends with an arm under the neck but no serious guillotine choke, and she sits up against the fence to try to stand up. The Brazilian leans back to try to cinch up the guillotine, and Jasudavicius stays completely calm and punches the side a few times without too much concern for the choke. Jasudavicius moves to side control on the opposite side while Fernandes hangs on, and the Canadian has a possible Von Preux choke should she wish to secure it. Fernandes lets the grip go, and Jasudavicius slides right to half guard to keep the Brazilian flat on her back. This positional control, with light ground-and-pound with a left hand every so often, allows Jasudavicius to peel precious seconds off the clock and virtually guarantee herself a victorious evening. Fernandes defends from most of the ground strikes, keeping her face from eating unnecessary strikes, and she bucks her hips and pushes her feet off the chest to push Jasudavicius back to her feet. Jasudavicius turns the corner and drops down with a surge of powerful hammerfists, and she sways past an upkick and lands hammerfists right to the bell. When time expires, Jasudavicius graciously lifts her former opponent back to her feet, and she runs off triumphantly with her hands in the air.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jasudavicius (29-28 Jasudavicius)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Jasudavicius (30-27 Jasudavicius)
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Jasudavicius (30-26 Jasudavicius)

The Official Result

Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Gabriella Fernandes via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)

Erick Gonzalez (156) vs. Trevor Peek (155.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Peek (-190), Gonzalez (+160)

Round 1

Capping off the preliminary portion of the event is a lightweight fight that will likely need referee Kerry Hatley’s intervention before the final bell. Trying to make good on his third attempt, Gonzalez (14-7, 0-2 UFC) aims for UFC win no. 1, but so does the debuting Peek (7-0, 1 NC; 0-0 UFC). Someone’s 0 may go when the dust settles, and Peek considers a glove touch but his opponent has no interest in it so he lands a calf kick. Peek throws a hammer immediately, with a huge right hand that Gonzalez barely evades. “The Ghost Pepper” looks to strike back, but he is out of range. Peek knocks his man back with a leg kick and a right hand, and the fist landing on the guard pushes him back even without getting through. Peek is throwing everything he has into his strikes, and Gonzalez is walking him down and checking kicks. Peek wades forward and busts Gonzalez in the chops, with a heavy right hand shaking out the cobwebs. Gonzalez catches an overeager Peek coming at him and lifts him off the ground to dump him on the mat. In an effort of pure explosion, Peek bursts back to his feet. Although Gonzalez succeeds with a mat return, once more, Peek powers his way back up. When upright, it is all home run punches from Peek, who rocks Gonzalez but gets caught up and tangled in the clinch. Gonzalez wrangles the newcomer down to the canvas, and Peek power upright again. Gonzalez goes for a high-amplitude slam, dropping Peek right on his head, and Peek is not going to sit around and waste time on his back. Peek powers back up, and Gonzalez ragdolls him but cannot keep Peek down. Peek shoves off to gain some space, and he smashes Gonzalez in the face and rings his bell repeatedly. Peek gets thrown down, and he decides to turn the tables and roll for an armbar when hitting the ground. A shocked Gonzalez stands all the way up to free himself, and this allows Peek to get up as well. Peek turns and runs to escape before he gets clinched, and Gonzalez marches him down and locks his hands around his foe’s waist. Peek does not let this happen for long, and he pushes off and lays into “The Ghost Pepper” to blaze him with a fiery blitz of fists. Gonzalez hits the mat and stands back up, clearly wobbled, and Peek strikes viciously and relentlessly with wide-arcing fists. Throwing punches like he has a weapon in his hand, he blasts Gonzalez in the face with a right hand to set Gonzalez down. Barely still conscious and crouched down leaned against the wall, Gonzalez is seeing stars. Peek unloads with a bungalow of a left hook while Gonzalez is down, and he pounds on Gonzalez until Tognoni steps in to rescue Gonzalez from any further harm right before the buzzer sounds. An elated Peek goes over to Bruce Buffer to hug it out and get a celebratory picture after the fight, and he is on Cloud 9 having made his way to the UFC to earn a big knockout to put himself on the map.

The Official Result

Trevor Peek def. Erick Gonzalez R1 4:59 via KO (Punches)

Yohan Lainesse (171) vs. Mike Malott (171)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Malott (-215), Lainesse (+185)

Round 1

The main card commences with all-Canadian violence, which might sound oxymoronic but comes in the form of a welterweight clash pitting Malott (8-1-1, 1-0 UFC) against Lainesse (9-1, 1-1 UFC). Combined, the two have 14 stoppages across their 17 wins, so referee Mark Smith’s services might be required sooner than later. The countrymen will save admiration and respect for later and do not opt to touch gloves. Lainesse lands the first blow in the form of an inside low kick, and Malott dances on the outside and brings a kick up high that glances off the guard. “Proper Mike” turns to plant a side kick on Lainesse’s belly, and he has another high kick blocked. Lainesse retreats and absorbs a booming body kick, and Malott lets him off the hook to recover. Lainesse lines up a body kick and a high kick, with the former getting through, and Lainesse does not attempt to counter or even throw a strike in response. Lainesse tosses out a half-hearted strike in the open space, and Malott is feet away. In response, Malott darts forward with a stomping kick to the knee. Lainesse comes up short with a head kick, and Malott whips a kick that pounds into the forearm. Malott gets off a side kick into a leaping right hand, and Lainesse suddenly surges into action with a looping left hand. Malott catches the advancing man and uses his momentum against him to hit an inside trip and dump him on the mat, where he lands in half guard. Lainesse clings tightly to his man on top to disallow him from opening up with strikes, and this nullifies Malott for a time. Malott steps through again to return to half guard again, and he locks down an arm-triangle choke and crushes his shoulder on Lainesse’s windpipe. Before even moving to mount, Malott has Lainesse in danger. Malott does move to full mount to secure the choke, but it does not take more than a couple seconds for Lainesse to surrender. That marks nine finishes in nine wins for the rising Malott, who has still never needed more than five minutes to record a victory.

The Official Result

Mike Malott def. Yohan Lainesse R1 4:15 via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)

Montana De La Rosa (125.5) vs. Tatiana Suarez (125)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Suarez (-750), De La Rosa (+550)

Round 1

At long last, unbeaten powerhouse Suarez (8-0, 5-0 UFC) will be gracing the cage again, making her first walk since June 2019. Up a weight class from her usual stomping ground of strawweight, she still closes as the biggest betting favorite of the evening against De La Rosa (12-7-1, 5-3-1 UFC), up at 125 pounds. Referee Chris Tognoni draws the charge for this important women’s flyweight pairing that could turn into an exceptionally fun grappling affair, and the ladies high-five to get things started. De La Rosa starts off with reaching strikes, using them to find her range more than doing any damage. Suarez comes forward to tie her up, and she looks for a hip toss but cannot ground De La Rosa in her first try. De La Rosa works her way back to the wall, and she finds herself defending against a single. De La Rosa defends with a guillotine choke against the wire, only to let it go when Suarez adjusts. Suarez wrenches the leg out to set De La Rosa down, and she pops her head out of a quick guillotine choke to posture up in her foe’s guard. Suarez stays tightly pressed to her opponent’s chest, and De La Rosa scoots her way to put her head against the wall. De La Rosa sits up against it, and she posts off her right arm to get up, only for Suarez to keep her on her seat. They trade short punches in this position, and Suarez steps over to half guard until De La Rosa turns to her knees. Suarez welcomes this so that she can take her back, and she takes a high back control when De La Rosa stands all the way up. Suarez muscles De La Rosa down to that she does not slide out the back door, and Suarez pursues a single when De La Rosa stands up. De La Rosa elbows her opponent in the side of the head, and she keeps her balance when Suarez tries to land a single. They trade knees on the inside, with Suarez pushing tightly like she wants to squeeze De La Rosa through the links like Play-do. Suarez cannot hit the takedown she seeks, and she shrugs off a knee to the gut as the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Suarez rushes out of her corner to attack, and she has a kick get caught and is dumped to the floor. When she stands up, De La Rosa greets her with a head kick that collides with her shoulder. Suarez clinches up with De La Rosa in the middle of the Octagon, and they trade shots on the inside. Suarez lands a head-and-arm throw to put De La Rosa on her back, and she lands in scarf hold position. De La Rosa uses her legs to drag Suarez back down a bit, but Suarez still resides in side control where she grinds an elbow on her opponent’s face. Suarez looks to isolate the right arm. De La Rosa scrambles to get to her knees, and Suarez follows her to take her back briefly. De La Rosa explodes to turn about and stand back up, and she bullies Suarez up against the cage wall. Suarez uses her own power to push her foe out to the center of the Octagon, and she suddenly jumps guard in search of a guillotine choke. De La Rosa pushes off the side of the arm and motions a thumbs-up to Tognoni, and Suarez adjusts and squeezes with every bit of her energy reserves. De La Rosa sits up but her neck is still ensnared in the submission, strangling her fellow grappler with the guillotine until De La Rosa has no force but to tap or go out. This was an essential victory for Suarez, who comes back after a lengthy layoff up a weight class and puts away a tough out with style. Still undefeated, Suarez can call her shots at either 115 or 125 pounds, and she claims in her post-fight interview that she will drop back down in weight and is coming for that title.

The Official Result

Tatiana Suarez def. Montana De La Rosa R2 2:51 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)

Don'Tale Mayes (261.5) vs. Augusto Sakai (265)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Sakai (-135), Mayes (+115)

Round 1

In what has become a staple on UFC events as of late, heavyweights without numbers next to their names serve high up on the main card. This obligatory slobberknocker now elevated to the co-headliner takes place between the streaky Sakai (15-5-1, 4-4 UFC) and “Lord Kong” Mayes (9-4, 1 NC; 2-2, 1 NC UFC), with the latter coming off a no contest after opponent Hamdy Abdelwahab tested positive for an anabolic steroid. Referee Kerry Hatley will keep things clean in the cage, and it will be up to the fighters to do so after that. A quick fist bump gets things started, and Sakai lands a hard low kick to start things off. Mayes targets the body with a few punches, and Sakai bears down on him with a low kick and an overhand right. The Brazilian loads up on another hard low kick that turns Mayes around, and Sakai charges forward to clinch up. Mayes turns him around against the wire, and he takes a knee to the belly and gives one right back. Mayes shoves his man away, and he slowly lobs a right hand over the top that collides with the shoulder. Sakai beats him to the punch with a low kick, and he sprawls quickly to shut down an oncoming takedown attempt. Mayes pushes his man to the wall and tries to frame off with his left elbow, and he gets bent over as they turn with Sakai blasting him in the face with knees. Mayes stays low, and Sakai hooks his left arm under the chin with a threat of a guillotine choke standing. Sakai uses the position to batter Mayes with unblocked knees, until Mayes stands straight up with his back to the cage. Mayes escapes without absorbing an elbow, and Sakai is quick to kick his leg out and send Mayes toppling to the mat. Sakai jumps on to his back, and when he scores a few punches on the side of the head, he lets Mayes scramble so he can follow him and smack him a few times. Mayes explodes to get back to his feet, but Sakai follows him and pushes him up to the fence. They trade knees and uppercuts to the bell.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Sakai offers an outstretched hand to greet Mayes, but Mayes ignores it. Sakai takes this as a sign of disrespect and charges forward, swinging with four punches until he bowls Mayes into the wall. Mayes breaks free, and Sakai protests a possible foul like a glove grab, but it is not called and they fight on. Sakai lumbers from one side of the cage to the other, pushing Mayes from end to end, so that he can keep the clinch position and wear on the taller, longer man. Sakai is warned for grabbing the fence when he has Mayes pushed up against it, and he manages to keep Mayes stuck there with little offense coming from either side. Mayes uses his power to turn them around, and Sakai allows this to knee the body. This time, Mayes is warned for fence grabbing, and he drives Sakai across the cage in the grueling clinch position. Mayes gets pushed back, and Sakai lifts up a few knees and they trade uppercuts. Mayes lands two knees to the body, and they split apart. Sakai surges ahead to push “Lord Kong” back to the chain links, forcing Mayes to carry his weight while putting this fight in the mud. Sakai works the body with a few shots as he maintains a consistent squeeze, and he pressures a slowing Mayes in this position until the horn blares.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

This final round, Mayes offers a glove touch, and Sakai is glad to take it. Sakai still bull-rushes forward to throw hands, doing so until pushing Mayes back into the fence. The Brazilian holds on, keeping his head tightly pressed to Mayes’ chest until Mayes attempts to explode. Mayes manages to gain some space with a long, outstretched arm, and he pushes Sakai’s head back. Sakai throws two punches to close back in, and Mayes answers him with a few short shots but cannot back him off. Sakai returns to his favored clinch position, and he needs the breadbasket and forces a break. Mayes gets off a pair of left hands and a front kick, and he stays lighter on his feet to stay away from the possible Sakai tie-up. The Brazilian allows him to close in with strikes, so that he can wrap his arm around the neck and bend Mayes over. Sakai knees Mayes in the face repeatedly, pounding on the ribcage before dragging Mayes down to the floor as the American appears totally spent. Mayes lands on his knees, and Sakai smacks him with a few lefts before Mayes grabs hold of his wrist. Sakai protests that his foe is grabbing his glove again, and Hatley pays close attention and admonishes Mayes. Mayes slowly works his way to his feet, and he even turns the corner to push Sakai against the fence. Mayes slowly turns with an elbow that collides with the dome, and Sakai pushes him away and walks forward to score punches to the body. “Lord Kong” leans forward to his detriment, as Sakai grabs the neck and lowers him down to the ground. Sakai gets off a few more punches, and Mayes grabs the fence to stand up right before the bell. This 15-minute slog is now in the books, having not ended in explosive violence like the UFC might have hoped.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Augusto Sakai def. Don'Tale Mayes via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Brendan Allen (186) vs. Andre Muniz (186)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Muniz (-205), Allen (+175)

Round 1

A place among the top 10 at middleweight may loom for the victor of this match now serving as the main event. Muniz (23-4, 5-0 UFC) has yet to taste defeat since making his UFC debut in 2019, and he is fast approaching the company’s armbar record. Against him will be fellow willing grappler Allen (20-5, 8-2 UFC), and thrilling ground exchanges may ensue should this one hit the mat – although sometimes, the ground games cancel out and the two get things done with kickboxing instead. No matter where the fight ends up, referee Jason Herzog will be right there on top of the action. All class, the two 185ers touch gloves ahead of their scheduled melee. The two fighters in opposing stances gauge the range without throwing much of merit, other than a single leg kick on either side. Allen offers another low kick, and Muniz picks his leg up to give a partial check in time. Allen walks into a body kick as he chambers a right hand, and he shrugs it off and fires off another right over the top. Muniz front kicks the knee, and he backs off from a hook kick that whizzes past his face. Allen connects with a one-two that knocks the Brazilian back to the wall, shaking Muniz up briefly. Muniz fires back with a vengeance, swinging hard enough to make Allen think twice about coming in with an exchange. Muniz has two hooks bounce off the guard, and Allen catches him with a straight left and smiles. Allen absorbs a spinning kick to the midsection and bounces back, with Muniz’ corner loudly cheering from the audible impact. Allen recovers and strides forward to back Muniz up to the wall, where he lets go with a left hand and a body kick. Muniz replies with a trio of punches, driving Allen back briefly before Allen steps forward with a low kick and a pair of strikes up top. Muniz lines up a right hand that cracks Allen right on the temple, and Allen wears it well and looks for counters. When Allen scores a kick to the body, he ducks a huge right hand coming back from the Brazilian. Muniz pushes forward, ducking a punch, and he pursues a single and lifts Allen’s leg up to drag him away from the wall. Allen hops away and sprints to the fence to get his balance, and he keeps things upright. Allen overextends on a punch, and he just barely dodges oncoming fire aimed at his head. Muniz releases a body kick, and he pushes his hands out and his fingers scrape on Allen’s right eye. Herzog recognizes the accidental foul immediately, and Allen takes 30 seconds to blink it out before he is good to go. Allen strikes first with a fierce right hand, and he throws two more and has one of those blocked off the guard. Allen spins with a back kick to the body, Muniz answers with a flying knee, and Allen gathers his thoughts and strikes back with a superman punch before the bell sounds to end the close round.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The middleweights greet in the middle with a quick tap of fingers, and Allen reaches out with a right hand to start only to get countered with a body kick. The two trade shins to the midsection, and Muniz goes high with a pair of kicks. Allen rolls with both of them, and he steps through with a one-two down the pipe. The Brazilian measures another body kick, and he lunges with a subsequent right straight to surprise Allen. Allen steps through to spin with a back fist, grazing off the top of Muniz’ head, and Muniz answers with a few punches to the head in response. Allen steps in with a stomp kick to the knee, and Muniz lets three fists fly. Allen backs Muniz up to the wire to engage in a slugfest, and he pops Muniz and mixes in a knee for good measure. Muniz gathers his bearings and sneaks a right hand over the top, and they trade heavy strikes down the middle until “Sergipano” changes levels to take the fight down. When they hit the ground, Allen continues moving, and he manages to sweep Muniz over and put him on his back. Allen postures up to land an elbow, and Muniz wraps him up to prevent any additional blows. Allen pops up again to get off another cheeky elbow, picking his spots and damaging the bridge of Muniz’ nose a little to draw a thin trickle of blood. Allen continues to sneak in elbows as Muniz defends from the rest of the offense, and he uses them to step over into side control. Allen calmly uses presses his elbow on Muniz’ throat to hold him down, frustrating the Brazilian and landing a few punches before the horn blares.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

There is a respectful bow and an embrace between the two sudden headliners, who are ready for one final round. Muniz spins with a back kick, and when it grazes off Allen’s forearm, Allen motions to it to poke fun at him. Muniz lets his hands go, drilling Allen in the head with a right hook. Allen takes it flush and fires back, and Muniz keeps throwing and marking Allen’s face up. The Brazilian backs off to measure his range, and he scores with a one-two and a body kick in rapid succession. Muniz kicks low and swings a left hand with a wide arc when Allen advances, and he knocks Allen off-balance in a combination. Allen gains his footing and shakes his finger at him. Muniz strings together a few punches, and Allen lands one square on the button. Muniz does not budge and instead throws back with a vengeance until Allen disengages. Muniz throws a kick, and Allen snatches it out of the air, scoops him up and throws him to the mat. The American lands in side control, and he quickly moves to full mount and pursues an arm-triangle choke. Muniz rolls to give up his back, and Allen changes to get both hooks in and pursue a rear-naked choke. Muniz hand-fights to keep himself safe from choke danger, and Allen switches his grip and goes for a rear-naked choke on the other side. Incredibly, the forearm of “All In” slides all under the chin, and Muniz is in serious jeopardy. Allen squeezes with all his might with both hooks in, and Muniz realizes his goose is cooked. For the first time in his professional career, the Brazilian taps out, surrendering to the choke with less than a minute to go in the fight. What a spectacular win for Allen, who catapults himself up the middleweight rankings by doing what very few expected. In his victorious post-fight interview, Allen calls for the UFC to travel to Louisiana, and he is ready for the final question by calling for fights against Sean Strickland, Chris Curtis, Jack Hermansson or Dricus Du Plessis. Whether any of those matches materialize, we will be there for them. Next week, however, we have a massive pay-per-view UFC event in Las Vegas, featuring the return of Jon Jones against Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight strap. We will undoubtedly be here for UFC 285, and we hope you are too.

The Official Result

Brendan Allen def. Andre Muniz R3 4:25 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Nikita Krylov (206) vs. Ryan Spann (205)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Krylov (-170), Spann (+145)

Round 1

The match was canceled on Saturday, after Krylov suffered an illness and was not medically cleared to compete. The news was first reported during the UFC Fight Night 220 broadcast at the start of the main card.