UFC Vegas 105 ‘Emmett vs. Murphy’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Talita Alencar (115) vs. Vanessa Demopoulos (116)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Alencar (-112), Demopoulos (-108)

Round 1

This 11-week marathon of consecutive UFC cards soldiers on with the penultimate show on the stretch. We scoot back to the confines of the UFC Apex for better EBITDA margins, in a building that was supposed to starting renovations or construction soon. For now, it plays host to 12 fights ranging from 115 pounds to 266, but few matches on the lineup have any rankings relevance while there is likely to be ample pink slip fodder. The ladies in this curtain jerker might be safe if they lose this one, but with the promotion preparing for the summer season of Contender Series, few on the roster are safe. The two that kick this event off might be similar in age but they are a chasm apart in terms of experience. Demopoulos (11-6, 5-3 UFC) celebrates almost three times the appearances of Alencar (5-1-1, 1-1 UFC) despite the Brazilian just two years younger. Referee Chris Tognoni takes charge for the opening bout, and it kicks off without a glove touch. Demopoulos says hello with two punches across the forward bow, and she snaps out another such combo and reaches Alencar with one more left hand before the Brazilian can get to her. Alencar ties her foe up against the cage, and she drops down and wraps up a head lock to force “Lil Monster” to her knees. Alencar uses her left arm to pressure behind Demopoulos’s neck, and she is warned for grabbing the fence when imposing her weight on her opponent. Demopoulos uses her toes to try to pull her out of danger, which too is a foul. Alencar keeps to this position, content to control rather than actually committing to the unorthodox submission. Alencar releases the grip around the neck and pushes Demopoulos’ legs out of the way to establish a more traditional top position. Demopoulos uses her legs to threaten and otherwise keep Alencar honest, allowing Alencar to punch her in the face repeatedly. Demopoulos hunts for a sweep and only bails on it when absorbing a particularly effective elbow. Alencar keeps her full weight down, jumping from one side to the other and winding up in a sudden armbar. The Brazilian punches out of it from above, and she grabs the foot of Demopoulos for a possible foot or ankle lock. Alencar sits on Demopoulos’ face as she hangs on, staying heavy until the round wraps.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Alencar
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Alencar
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Alencar

Round 2

Demopoulos starts the round as aggressive as the first, firing off two one-two salvos and a right hand before she is met by her opponent. Alencar gets up close and personal, changing levels for a possible takedown, but abandons it and lets her hands go to smack Demopoulos upside the head. Demopoulos comes up short on a winging overhand right, and she wades back to let Alencar do something similar. Alencar tosses out naked leg kicks to keep Demopoulos away, and she sits down on a clean right hand but does not budge Demopoulos one inch. The moment “Lil Monster” drives through a one-two, Alencar counters her momentum to hit a double-leg takedown and plop her on her back. Alencar lands in half guard, using her shoulder pressure to flatten out Demopoulos as soon as they get horizontal. Alencar is quick to engage her smothering best, stifling Demopoulos and getting warned for striking the spine when she does attack again. “Problem Child” gives Demopoulos another problem by stepping to the other side so she can set up an arm-triangle choke. Demopoulos bucks and kicks enough to gain the space she needs to not get choked out, and this only results in her getting struck with more ground-and-pound. Alencar finds a brief opening and hammers down four right hands, and she sits back on Demopoulos’ face in a relatively unusual position. Demopoulos sells out for a leglock in hopes of reversing the position, and Alencar gets out of it by repeatedly grabbing the fence. Tognoni slaps her hand several times, and Alencar still is able to yank on it to get her leg out of the sub. Rules mean nothing with no consequences, and multiple fence grabs keeping her out of a submission go generally uncalled other than a “knock it off” from Tognoni. Alencar rides out the position on top until time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Alencar
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Alencar
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Alencar

Round 3

Demopoulos marches out of her corner a woman possessed, and she lashes out with multiple one-twos down the pipe. Alencar rushes towards her as well, perhaps for a takedown, and she clashes heads before changing levels. Tognoni checks to make sure neither woman sustained damage, and on the restart, Alencar tackles Demopoulos to the mat and the collective air out of the Apex as well. Alencar hangs out in guard, unafraid of anything the Factory X fighter will do to her, and she pops Demopoulos with some short, scoring strikes. Demopoulos hunts for a triangle choke, armbar or even possibly a desperate leglock, and the Brazilian laughs them all off and steps the proper direction to avoid them completely while remaining in top. Alencar shifts to half guard from the opposite side as she wants to set up an armbar, and she drops down ground-and-pound when not isolating the neck. When the sub is not there, Alencar sits up into three-quarter mount, and she attacks with strikes from above. With nothing left to lose, Demopoulos explodes to sit up and even stand. Unfortunately for her, the “Problem Child” is a problem for her, as she executes a near-immediate mat return to sling Demopoulos to her back. Alencar lords over her, dropping down standing-to-ground punches while avoiding upkicks. Alencar picks up the pace with more punches than before, and she climbs into half guard and elbows until the fight ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Alencar (30-27 Alencar)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-8 Alencar (30-26 Alencar)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Alencar (30-27 Alencar)

The Official Result

Talita Alencar def. Vanessa Demopoulos via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

Martin Buday (266) vs. Uran Satybaldiev (222.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Buday (-166), Satybaldiev (+140)

Round 1

Fight no. 2 commences at the heavyweight division, between two combatants at least 43 pounds apart on fight night if not more. Former LFA light heavyweight champ Satybaldiev (8-0, 0-0 UFC) is stepping up on ultra-short notice to take on Buday (14-2, 5-1 UFC), and he will give up plenty of size as he weighed right around 223 pounds. Of note, the Kyrgyzstan-based fighter is listed as 8-0 on Fight Finder and not 9-0 due to one completely untraceable win from a notorious organization that sold roster slots on events without the fighters actually competing. The big men will throw down while referee Mike Beltran watches on, and glad to be fighting this weekend, the two touch ‘em up loudly. The larger Buday gets right to walking down the newcomer, swaying back to avoid punch combinations but unable to get out of the way of a stomping kick to his knee. Satybaldiev strikes the lead leg again, and Buday gives him one back to think about. Satybaldiev fires a one-two down the middle, and Buday rebounds off the fencing and comes back throwing with a left hook around the guard. “Badys” kicks his way into a clinch, pressing all of his weight on the smaller man and driving a knee to this sternum. Satybaldiev breaks free and rushes to Buday, stringing a long combination of punches together until Buday sits down to counter. Satybaldiev backs off to not get caught, and then finds another way in and connects several times before Buday can reach him. Buday scores an audible, thudding low kick, and he lumbers forward square into a one-two. Buday leans back to avoid a looping right hand, and they go kick-for-kick with one another. Buday backs his foe off with a four-punch flurry, getting back in the clinch and leaning hard. Satybaldiev frees himself once more and flicks out a jab, pulling back with his right but not loosing it. Buday lands a pair of solid leg kicks, having figured out his range and guarding himself from oncoming fire. Satybaldiev gets in a knee to the body before Buday shoves him to the fencing, and Buday softens his midsection up until the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Buday
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Buday
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Buday

Round 2

Gloves are touched to start the round, and Satybaldiev starts off strong with a long one-two and a few more straight, lunging punches behind them. Buday drives home a hefty kick to the thigh, and Satybaldiev reaches up top but is out of range this time. Another Buday low kick lands, and Satybaldiev tries to check it. Buday wraps a left around the guard, ducks into an uppercut and then drops down for a takedown effort that fails. Buday settles for jamming Satybaldiev up against the chain links, kneeing him in the thigh and squeezing. Satybaldiev uses one sudden burst to escape, and he wraps a big right hand around the top. Buday chips at the front leg and jabs after it, and Satybaldiev smiles and points at him before engaging. Buday drives him back with a jab, and Satybaldiev eventually gets into gear with a couple two-punch waves. They keep taking turns throwing punches, with Satybaldiev stealing strikes faster than Buday can get back to him. The right hands from Buday bust open Satybaldiev’s nose, which start leaking on him. “Badys” lands a kick and a punch to get in the clinch, and he attempts a body lock takedown but cannot wrangle Satybaldiev to the floor. Buday pounds on his foe’s body and chin until the round comes to a close.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Buday
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Buday
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Buday

Round 3

Gloves are touched before they are traded, and Satybaldiev rushes out of his corner hellbent for leather. Three salvos are launched from the man from Kyrgyzstan, and Buday does not like it, so he meanders forward and throw wide punches to back Satybaldiev off. Buday clinches up, and he stomps on Satybaldiev’s toes several times. Satybaldiev rushes out of the clinch and circles around to strike back, only for Buday to keep him guessing with a long right hand. Satybaldiev swings with a one-two and a left hook, and it is his right that gets in. Satybaldiev slings another of the same right hand, and he rocks Buday all the way down to his core. Incredibly, Buday stays on his feet as he has Bambi on any icy pond legs, and he wobbles back to put the fence behind him and gather himself. Satybaldiev races after him, and Buday grabs hold of him and turns the corner to push him against the wire and catch his breath. Satybaldiev drops all the way down to his knees in pursuit of a double, and Buday wraps his arms beneath his neck to stop the entry. To get a little back, Buday smashes his knee on the chin of the newcomer, who tanks it and backpedals. Buday ambles towards him and ties him up once more, using every pound of that significant—likely 60-plus pounds—weight advantage to make Satybaldiev’s life miserable. Beltran gets tired of the lack of action in the tie-up, and he breaks them and forces a restart. This fires up Satybaldiev, who launches a slew of overhand rights that Buday tanks or evades. “Badys” gains one final head of steam and launches a final assault, driving Satybaldiev back as the grueling heavyweight encounter finally ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Satybaldiev (29-28 Buday)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Satybaldiev (29-28 Buday)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Satybaldiev (29-28 Buday)

The Official Result

Martin Buday def. Uran Satybaldiev via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Pedro Falcao (136) vs. Victor Henry (135.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Henry (-218), Falcao (+180)

Round 1

It’s all speed and action for this next bantamweight contest, as Henry (24-7, 1 NC; 3-2, 1 NC UFC) constantly defies his age—currently 37—every time he hits the cage. His Nova Uniao-trained foe Falcao (16-4, 0-1 UFC) will come in five years the younger, but not nearly as much combat experience on his ledger. Referee Keith Peterson drew nonsense-free straws and was picked for this matchup, one that kicks off with a fist bump before they are released into the wild. Falcao gets right in Henry’s face with a jab early, peppering him with mixed-in low kicks. Henry fires back with his own leg kick, and he sees a takedown coming and turns the corner to lean himself against the fencing. Falcao hangs on from behind, where he turns Falcao’s aggression against him and hits a trip to put the Brazilian on his back. Henry smacks up Falcao’s leg and posterior with deceptively heavy kicks, talking to him all the while. Falcao decides he should stop eating kicks and should stand up, and he does that without any resistance. Falcao gets back behind the driver’s seat and surges forward behind his right hand, and his follow-up left reddens Henry’s temple. “La Mangosta” unleashes a bomb of a right hand that detonates on the chin of the Brazilian, who falls to his back as Henry gives chase with a barrage of hammerfists. Falcao keeps himself safe enough to force Henry back to standing, and he again hangs out too long on his back while Henry chops at his legs. They may not be as effective as Donald Cerrone’s mean-spirited kicks on Myles Jury, but they add up fast until again Falcao decides to just get back up. Henry allows him to do this so he can punch his man in the liver. Falcao stays pressing forward, Henry slipping his left hook a few times but getting caught with a third. Falcao punches his way into a single-leg takedown, and the catchwrestler trained by Josh Barnett does not budge and regains his footing. They separate, and Henry parries a few jabbing kicks to get into his preferred throwing range. Falcao dips in and out with a combination, and he has a kick checked and eats a few punches at the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Henry
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Henry
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Henry

Round 2

Henry comes out of his corner loaded for bear, and after he gets off a few punches, Falcao hammers his front leg and trips him up. Henry awkwardly climbs back up, fighting to wake his leg back up, and Falcao slams his front leg with another. Henry lands two back, and Falcao’s to the calf is more effective and accurate. Falcao misses with a pair of haymakers, and he scores a left but is driven back by a pair of punches. Henry jumps in the air with a knee, and Falcao catches his leg and looks for a takedown. When Henry hops out of it, Falcao follows him and completes a high-amplitude takedown. Falcao advances to half guard, pressing his chest down until Henry explodes to his feet. Falcao follows him, slams him down from behind, and cannot quite keep a tight grip on his man. Henry rolls all the way through it, and Falcao hits his back and latches onto an armbar. Henry elbows his way out of it, and he drills Falcao with a few kicks before Falcao stands back up and tries to grapple. They sit down on single hooks, and Henry’s lands cleaner and forces Falcao to reset. The Brazilian works his way forward, walking through a body shot so he can give Henry one back to ponder. Falcao drops down to a knee and hits another takedown to dump Henry on his back. Henry turns to his knees and gives up his back, and he somersaults through a scramble to wrap up a scarf hold position on the Brazilian. Falcao scrambles with this furiously, and the two work their way back to their feet. Falcao lands first in an exchange, and Henry scores last. Henry walks Falcao down and slugs him in the face and midsection, and the round concludes.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Falcao
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Falcao
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Falcao

Round 3

A clap of hands leads to a huge, which leads to a takedown try from Falcao. Henry scrambles to flip him over, only to find himself having to keep moving as Falcao has suddenly taken his back. Henry turns to his side and a knee, hoping to go all the way over. He succeeds, fighting off an armbar while putting Falcao on his back. Henry jams down short strikes until he gets a little space when Falcao kicks him off. Falcao shoots naked for a takedown, and “La Mangosta” shuts him down and knees him in the jaw. Falcao fails on another shot, and he bails on it to reset. Two jabs from Falcao are answered with a clean right hand, and Henry stands in front of him and kicks him in the lower body. Three overhand rights get over the guard, and Henry manages to score a fourth before Falcao fires back. Henry nods at him, and the two trade hands and feet. Falcao shoots for a takedown, and Henry tackles him over to the mat. Falcao starts fishing for a leglock before Henry can escape the grappling, and Falcao rolls over and hooks his knees around Henry’s foot. Henry continues to twist until his leg is free, and Falcao presses him tightly against the wall, both men upright again. Henry pushes off and drills Falcao with a right hand, and his left hand wobbles the Brazilian. A desperate takedown from Falcao is met with a sprawl and several annoying left hands. Henry loads up with an uppercut, and he catches “Pedrinho” at the end of a hooking right. Falcao cannot buy a takedown at this stage in the fight, and Henry walks off and starts doing the Running Man. Falcao shrugs at him, takes a few kicks to the gut, and the horn sounds. The Brazilian practically falls over to his seat from exhaustion, while Henry appears to still be able to go two more rounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Henry (29-28 Henry)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Henry (29-28 Henry)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Henry (29-28 Henry)

The Official Result

Victor Henry def. Pedro Falcao via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Loma Lookboonmee (115) vs. Istela Nunes (115)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Lookboonmee (-590), Nunes (+390)

Round 1

One more matchup on the card will play out in the 115-pound category, and it comes between Thai striker Suphisara (9-3, 6-2 UFC)—who will be referred to as “Loma Lookboonmee,” or just Lookboonmee, going forward—and Brazilian Nunes (6-5, 1 NC; 0-4 UFC), a muay thai aficionado in her own right. Referee Chris Tognoni signals the start of the match, and the women answer his call by touching gloves first. Lookboonmee leads off with a kick that slaps under the armpit, and when Nunes returns fire, Lookboonmee is ready to chuck one more kick at her. Lookboonmee chips at the lead leg, staying able to bounce back and forth to slide in and out of range. Nunes kicks at her, and Lookboonmee jams her in the gut with a kick. Lookboonmee pushes off the chest with the ball of her foot, and continues to probe with kicks until she wraps one up around the neck. Nunes comes back firing, but the Thai is able to out-speed her 90 seconds into the match. While Nunes is keeping it honest and trying to mirror Lookboonmee’s activity, she looks for power as she sits down on a right hand that the Thai just dodges. Lookboonmee pushes off, and her finger may or may not have scraped the eye. The replay called by Tognoni is not clear, so they get back to fighting. They proceed to trade kicks one after the other, strike totals fairly close with Lookboonmee likely having the edge. She scores kicks from both legs, and her strikes are taking Nunes’ fists almost entirely out of the equation. The Brazilian whiffs on a big right hand, and they crash together in an exchange. Nunes kicks low and Lookboonmee belts the body a few times with her shin to audible effective. A third is even lower, and she puts out a one-two to further stick it to her opponent. Lookboonmee catches a kick and looks for a takedown, and Nunes easily pushes her over and climbs into top position. The Thai looks for a sweep when stuck on her back, as Nunes is more interested in controlling for the moment. Lookboonmee is warning for striking the back of the head, and she pushes the Brazilian off of her. Judges might have their hands full with that round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lookboonmee
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Lookboonmee
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Lookboonmee

Round 2

The strawweights clap hands to re-engage, and they stand right in kickboxing range and let their hands and feet go. Lookboonmee strikes first, last and heavier, but Nunes gets off her own shots. The second and third of a trio of front kicks from Nunes push Lookboonmee away each time Lookboonmee advances. The Thai hammers a low kick and ducks down when Nunes swings at her, standing up as the top of her head bangs into Nunes’ chin with no warning or protest. Nunes tries to wrap her opponent up and leverage her down, and the result is a prolonged clinch. Nunes grabs the cage wall several times, and Tognoni reaches around repeatedly to slap Nunes’ hand. If you ain’t cheatin’, you ain’t tryin. The successful Dundasso allows Nunes to suddenly surprise her adversary by dropping for a heel hook. Lookboonmee busts her in the chops with one right hand to get out of the submission, and Nunes adjusts and shifts the limb to the other side for an inverted heel hook setup. Lookboonmee stays calm as a cucumber while in this ankle lock-type position, as Nunes does not have the right angle or leverage to complete it. Nunes squeezes hard on the foot, and Lookboonmee stacks her up and places herself in the lion’s mouth as Nunes sits up to hunt for a kneebar. Nunes chains the kneebar to a heel hook, and the Thai sits up and stands. Nunes keeps a grip on the ankle, and Lookboonmee punches her a few times before the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lookboonmee
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Lookboonmee
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Lookboonmee

Round 3

The ladies bump fists to get going, and they get back to action with striking. It does not take Nunes long to try to take the fight down, and eventually in search of what would be her first career submission. The Thai looks to counter Nunes, and she hits a trip to put Nunes on her back. The action largely stalls out when the two women go horizontal, as it is not where they normally compete. Nunes keeps tightly wrapped around Lookboonmee’s shoulder, and Tognoni asks for more activity. When inaction persists, Tognoni stands them up. They proceed to rush at one another and get up close with knees until Lookboonmee completes a throw to dump the Brazilian to her back again. Lookboonmee steps over to hold on from half guard and flatten Nunes on her side. Nunes hooks her toes in the fence to try to improve her position, and Tognoni slaps her toes. Lookboonmee, meanwhile, jams down a number of left hands and elbows to stay busier than the last time she was on top. With 10 seconds to spare, Nunes explodes to her feet, and she hunts for a takedown that is not completed before the conclusion of the match.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lookboonmee (30-27 Lookboonmee)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Lookboonmee (30-27 Lookboonmee)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Lookboonmee (30-27 Lookboonmee)

The Official Result

Loma Lookboonmee def. Istela Nunes via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Daniel Frunza (170.5) vs. Rhys McKee (171)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Frunza (-166), McKee (+140)

Round 1

In the previous match, Nunes came in 0-4 in the Octagon, and things did not fare well for her. Now, it is McKee (13-6-1, 0-4 UFC) whose record in the UFC sits at 0-4, and he will have to tangle with newcomer “Tigano” Frunza (9-2, 0-0 UFC) to avoid a similar five-defeat fate. Referee Jason Herzog may need to get involved while the judges can probably take this one off, as the former has seen all of his victories end by stoppage while Frunza posts eight of nine wins via strikes. The glove touch is a formality not shared by the fighters, as they want to bang. Bang they do, right out of the gate. McKee gets right in his foe’s face, landing straight punches and wrapping shots around the guard. Frunza’s right eye starts swelling in a hurry, and the two keep trading leather. Frunza connects with a combination, and “Skeletor” sends him flying with a powerful left hand. McKee gives chase and keeps pounding on the newcomer, and when Frunza resets, McKee drops him again. McKee does not burn out his gas tank pursuing the finish, and he lets Frunza steel himself and crash towards him. A long jab from McKee drops Frunza a third time, and the bloodied, battered Frunza wills himself back into the fight and swings with bad intentions. McKee loads up on a few power shots, stinging Frunza yet again and sending him careening back against the wall. Frunza keeps his balance with the fence behind him, and he spits out some blood and attacks. McKee is the longer, more accurate of the two, and he does not stand in the pocket for too long to get countered. McKee gets in and out, cracking “Tigano” with a left hand before engaging in a clinch. McKee breaks out of it and walks face-first into an uppercut, with Frunza firing back and getting his hands on his opponent. McKee lands as well, and Frunza walks through body shots to land a big right hand a left. The Romanian sneaks up a head kick, and McKee crashes the pocket and swings elbows. Frunza responds with a few short elbows when clinched, and McKee knees him square in the face. Listening to his team, McKee abandons the clinch to get back to slugging, and he knocks Frunza’s head around slipping and flowing from punches. Frunza is still somehow in the fight, no matter the damage he absorbs, and he swings for the bleachers. It is Frunza who is actually leading the chase right as the round ends, and he will have to pass a medical exam for his swollen eye if he hopes to continue beyond the five-minute mark.

The cutman checks and tightly keeps a cold compress on the swollen eye, but that wound is not the only one compromising the fight. A massive tear on Frunza’s lip is also being checked by the physician. Seeing that the damage could become permanent if it shreds open any further, the doctor has no choice but to save Frunza from his own toughness and tells Herzog it should not continue. Herzog waves it off. Frunza is understandably upset, while McKee celebrates his first win in the UFC in his fifth try.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 McKee
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-8 McKee
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 McKee

The Official Result

Rhys McKee def. Daniel Frunza R1 5:00 via TKO (Doctor Stoppage)

Dione Barbosa (126) vs. Diana Belbita (125.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Barbosa (-500), Belbita (+340)

Round 1

Of all the fights tonight, this one will see the widest betting line between favorite and underdog. Having won just twice in seven UFC offerings, it makes some sense that Belbita (15-9, 2-5 UFC) should serve with plus money, but +625 is where she stands. About to close as one of the most heavily favored UFC fighters this year, Barbosa (7-3, 1-1 UFC) is expected to power through while accompanied by -1000 odds. Never tell “Warrior Princess” the odds. Referee Keith Peterson will be the overseer for this flyweight contest, one that opens up with a respectful clap of hands and no nonsense in sight. They both lob low kicks at one another and pull them back. Barbosa strikes first with a jab, and she skirts away from the counter. The Brazilian scores an overhand right, and Belbita is there to pay her back this time with a long left and a ripping left to the body. She goes for the body shot a few more times, ignoring what Barbosa puts on her to connect cleanly. The face of “Warrior Princess” ducks into punches and throws back in hopes of clipping Barbosa with a counter. Barbosa parries a head kick, and she races back to avoid several punches chained into a head kick. Barbosa flashes her jab, and she stays in the pocket too long and gets popped with an overhand right. Belbita attacks the body again, making sure to fighting in flurries, and she times another big right hand up top. Belbita ends a combo with a low kick, and she absorbs anything the Brazilian hurls at her without batting an eye. Belbita goes to the body, opening up an overhand right to the head. She jams the ball of her foot on Barbosa’s stomach, and dings her with a few right hands. Barbosa pressures her against the fencing and spins with an elbow that clips her. When Belbita leans over to try to shake it off, Barbosa hits the level change she suddenly wants and lands practically in full mount. Barbosa leans her weight down, and she locks up an arm-triangle choke before long. Belbita pumps her hips back and forth, but she cannot buck the Brazilian off of her. As Barbosa presses down with all she has, Belbita has no choice but to surrender. Just like that, Barbosa lifts her submission rate as a pro to 50%, while landing the first arm-triangle of her career.

The Official Result

Dione Barbosa def. Diana Belbita R1 4:13 via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)

Torrez Finney (186) vs. Robert Valentin (185.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Finney (-238), Valentin (+195)

Round 1

The third time proved to be the charm for short, squat middleweight Finney (10-0, 0-0 UFC), who measures around 5-foot-7 while likely cutting weight to reach 186 pounds. After three wins on Dana White’s Contender Series, “The Punisher” is getting a shot in the Las Vegas-based league. He draws Swiss grappler Valentin (10-4, 1 NC; 0-1 UFC), who has completed nine of his 10 wins inside the distance. The third man in the Octagon will be referee Mike Beltran, who steps back as the athletes of drastically different sizes decide not to touch ‘em up. Finney puts on pressure early, only to duck away from a right hand. Finney crashes forward, lifting the Swiss man over his shoulder and slamming him down elsewhere in the cage like a middleweight Matt Hughes. Valentin climbs back up with the wall behind him, and he elbows the shorter man on the side of the dome. In the meantime, “The Punisher” punishes his foe with a high-amplitude slam that puts Valentin on his seat against the wall. Valentin turns to the side in hopes of standing, and he gives up his back in the process. Finney partially completes a mat return, and Valentin gets back up easier this time and twists out of the back take. Instead, Finney puts him back down on his back, and he hangs on tight. Valentin uses a two-in-one wrist lock to hunt for a sweep, but the burly Finney stifles it completely. When Valentin stands up, Finney elevates him and pick him all the way up, but he is unable to hurl Valentin on the first effort and has to expend additional energy to sling him down again. Valentin calmly wall-walks with his back to the cage, and Finney sells all the way out to the ankle and hits a takedown on his second try. Finney hangs on from above as the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Finney
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Finney
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Finney

Round 2

Finney rushes out of his round and then pulls back before getting to the center of the cage. This allows Valentin to peck at him with a few reaching kicks, which prompts Finney to re-engage his grappling. The shorter man lifts Valentin up in the air and drops him down to the mat, and Valentin isolates the kimura grip for a sweep that he cannot get. Valentin settles for an elbow to the side of the melon, and Finney settles himself down to establish top control in the guard. Valentin throws his legs up in pursuit of a triangle choke, and Finney stacks him up and pushes out thanks in part to Valentin grabbing the cage with his toes. Finney returns to the guard, smothering and occasionally reaching with one or two strikes. Valentin sets up an armbar, and Finney lifts him up the air and tries to drive him all the way through the cage floor. The Swiss man hits the ground with a thump, and his submission grip is gone. Finney takes his back when Valentin urges to get to a single knee, and after two punches, he climbs up high on the back and slides out the back door. Valentin returns to his knees, grabbing the fence clearly to stand up and getting shouted at. With rules like these, who needs referees? Valentin is able to regain his balance thanks to the foul, and Finney doggedly pursues the double and tries to lift Valentin again. The tepid round closes.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Finney
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Finney
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Finney

Round 3

Valentin marches out of his corner on a mission, and he quickly puts hands on the burly wrestler. Finney responds, expectedly, with a double-leg entry. The try pushes Valentin from one side of the cage to the other, and the second effort from Finney ushers Valentin to his seat. Valentin calmly works his way to his side, and Beltran stands them up after a lull in any activity. Finney rushes at his opponent, pursuing yet another takedown, and he wrenches Valentin to a knee but no further. Valentin hacks at him with elbows, and he forces a stalemate to bring in Beltran again. Seeing that Finney is bearing down on him after the reset, Valentin lashes out with an elbow, and Finney easily ducks under him and completes the takedown. Valentin drops to both knees and tries to punch under and around the guard to put any number on the board he can. The fans are not amused by Finney’s performance, nor is Beltran, who breaks up another shot and restarts them. Finney charges like a bull straight into another takedown shot, and Valentin’s defense against the wall plus a few elbows are more effective than anything Finney has offered this round. Time expires, and this exhausting, horrible middleweight contest is now part of MMA history. May we never speak of it again.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Valentin (29-28 Finney)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Finney (30-27 Finney)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Finney (30-27 Finney)

The Official Result

Torrez Finney def. Robert Valentin via Split Decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)

Luis Gurule (125) vs. Ode Osbourne (125.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gurule (-218), Osbourne (+180)

Round 1

His back likely against the wall in this flyweight pairing, Osbourne (12-8, 1 NC; 4-6 UFC) will try to put his three-fight skid in the past. He welcomes Factory X product Gurule (10-0, 0-0 UFC) to the promotion, with the latter working his way up the Fury FC circuit to reach the Contender Series last year. The 125ers will have referee Jason Herzog watching over the action to make sure nothing goes awry, and they elect to touch gloves first. Gurule leads off with a kid to the side, and Osbourne pays him back immediately with one. Gurule kicks low, and he darts away to the side and offers another. Osbourne kicks him in the side twice, and Gurule answers with a left hand and a high kick—both are blocked, but the sheer momentum budges him a bit. Osbourne walks Gurule down and punches him square in the face, and Gurule has to rebound off the fence to blink it out. “The Jamaican Sensation” goes after his foe with his rangy strikes, and he catches a body kick to come up with his other leg and boot Gurule in the face. They trade kicks on the outside, and Gurule ducks a punch and flips Osbourne all the way over to slam him down on his back. Gurule lands directly in side control and uses his shoulder to press down on Osbourne’s face and keep him flat on the canvas. Gurule looks for full mount, and he is bounced out of it while slashing down with an elbow. Osbourne pulls him back to half guard, and Gurule accepts this so he can elbow the Wisconsin native further. Gurule drops down some ground-and-pound, spurring Osbourne into desperately returning to his feet with 20 seconds left. Gurule drops for a single, and he lets it go to wing a left hand over the top. Gurule has a head kick bounce off the guard, and they clash with kicks at the same time to conclude the frame.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gurule
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Gurule
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gurule

Round 2

A fist bump leads into the action, where Gurule lets loose three kicks in rapid succession. Gurule ducks a strike to come up with a left hand, and he dances away from a one-two but is still in range for a front kick. Osbourne catches his man at the end of a right, and he times a ducking Gurule with an uppercut. The strike stops Gurule from completing the takedown, as Osbourne breaks free and jabs out a few times. Both men sting one another with long, straight punches, and Osbourne blocks a kick to drive a one-two down the pipe. When Gurule offers out a kick, Osbourne snipes him from his distance. This happens a second time, a naked kick from the unbeaten fighter is met with a concussive left hand that sends him to the floor in a heap. Osbourne is surprised at the success of his blow, and he has to commit to finishing the fight rather than walking off. He leaps on the side of his opponent and hammers him with a number of unanswered right hands. As the punches continue to mount, Herzog says enough is enough and calls a halt to the match. Just like that, the upset has been completed, while Gurule has been firmly ejected from the ranks of the unbeaten. Meanwhile, Osbourne can rest a little easier with that win on his belt, having put Gurule down with what he called a “Dewey Cooper special.”

The Official Result

Ode Osbourne def. Luis Gurule R2 1:54 via TKO (Punches)

Gerald Meerschaert (185) vs. Brad Tavares (185.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Tavares (-258), Meerschaert (+210)

Round 1

As the main card carries on, the few hundred fans in the building will be treated to a fascinating clash of styles pitting the UFC middleweight decision leader against the division’s all-time top finisher. Tavares (20-10, 15-10 UFC) prefers to stand, while Meerschaert (37-18, 12-10 UFC) is hunting for his 30th submission—and Tavares has never before been submitted. Something might have to give before all is said and done here. Referee Mike Beltran draws the assignment, ready to step in at a moment’s notice. The grizzled veterans show respect for one another with a glove touch, and Tavares pops out his jab. Meerschaert surges forward, pulling back before letting go with anything. Tavares prepares for a counter when Meerschaert comes at him, dinging the grappler with a hard left hand. Meerschaert zooms forward, looking for a double and ending up pushing the Hawaiian against the fencing. When Tavares breaks free, Meerschaert goes after him and plants a left hand on the chin. He ducks down to try this strike again, and this time it lands cleaner. Tavares backs him off with a crisp boxing combo, and Meerschaert shoots in for a double but is totally shut down. Tavares misses a right hand by a matter of inches, but the body kick that follows does land. Tavares puts his fist on Meerschaert’s chin, and he dips in with a shovel uppercut that brushes past the jaw. The two crash together, and Tavares rings his foe’s bell with an elbow, giving chase with a left hand and a body kick. Meerschaert fakes a level change to buzz by his foe, and he pitches out a couple calf kicks. Tavares advances, is intercepted and still snaps out a jab. Meerschaert kicks him in the lead leg again, and he leans back and gets drilled with a long two-punch string right down the middle. Tavares clips Meerschaert a second time with a right hand, and “GM3” catches a kick and zips a kick back at his adversary’s head. Tavares comes up short with a spinning back fist, and the horn blares.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Tavares
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Tavares
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Tavares

Round 2

Fists are bumped to start off the second round, and Tavares gets right behind a double jab. Tavares plunks Meerschaert with a right hand and has a high kick buzz past his hair. Tavares plants a heavy leg kick that strips the legs out beneath the grappler, and Beltran allows him to stand up as Tavares does not want to hit the ground with him. Meerschaert blitzes forward, landing at the end of a pair of combinations and backing off from front kicks. He then charges again, scoring twice with a solid lefts before mashing Tavares against the cage. “GM3” slashes with an elbow on the break, and he sneaks in a left hand as Tavares clutches his jaw awkwardly. Tavares overswings, and Meerschaert ducks down to level change. Tavares stonewalls him, boots him in the face and then slams a leg kick home. Two heavy punches from the Hawaiian get through, and Meerschaert answers him with two doubled lefts. He tries this double-left attack two more times, and Tavares sees it coming and circles off. Meerschaert connects with a powerful uppercut to push Tavares back, and he hammers Tavares with a body kick after they split up. Meerschaert sells out for a single that comes up way short of succeeding, and Tavares backs him away with a front kick and a blistering uppercut. Meerschaert shells up to defend a body kick, and the front kick that follows gets through. Tavares skirts away from looping punches, and they clash legs when kicking at the same moment. Tavares slips in a one-two, gets his head snapped back and still lands. Meerschaert throws back harder, and he gets Tavares’ attention just a moment. Body kicks fly from both men, and Tavares winds up with a right hand that staggers the grappler. “GM3” shakes out the cobwebs and scores as left hand down the middle. The bell rings.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Tavares
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Tavares
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Tavares

Round 3

Fists are bumped, and fighters engage right after it with clubbing punches. Meerschaert darts in for a takedown, and he runs directly into a body kick. Tavares hops back and in with a jab, and he runs forward and is tripped. Meerschaert lets him back up so he can target the body a few times, and Tavares kicks him in the guts and has to defend a takedown. Meerschaert nearly gets him down, Tavares pulls a finger off the wall and bounces off well enough to stay upright. Meerschaert clings to his side, fishing his legs in for a trip. Beltran asks for more activity as “GM3” hangs on from partial back control standing, and he kicks out Tavares’ other foot for a second of instability. He kicks the same foot again, and Tavares has to rejigger himself to not get tripped up. Meerschaert keeps attacking the feet when not trying to use his body weight to wrench Tavares down, and the Hawaiian is able to defend well enough as precious seconds tick off the clock. Beltran needs something more from the fighters, and Meerschaert exerts himself but is not able to get it down. Tavares puts his back to the fence, and his takedown defense is enough to stifle the Kill Cliff FC fighter’s every effort. Beltran breaks them apart with 70 seconds left, and Meerschaert practically runs towards his opponent flailing his fists, Tavares is more composed with straight strikes, and he has his kick parried and he rolls with a punch. Meerschaert lunges at him with two left hands to then go after a single, and Tavares breaks free with 15 seconds to go. Meerschaert runs forward, lets fly a body kick, and he slings three unsuccessful head kicks to conclude the lackluster pairing.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Meerschaert (29-28 Tavares)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Meerschaert (29-28 Tavares)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Meerschaert (29-28 Tavares)

The Official Result

Brad Tavares def. Gerald Meerschaert via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Chang Ho Lee (136) vs. Cortavious Romious (139.5: Missed Weight)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Lee (-166), Romious (+140)

Round 1

This next match may not have any immediate stakes from a rankings or championship perspective, but it means the world to Romious (9-3, 0-1 UFC). The Missouri native already has his back against the wall in his sophomore appearance, having lost his debut in November and blowing weight by nearly five pounds in this one. Lee (10-1, 1-0 UFC) will accept 20% of his purse as he attempts to push his win streak to five. Referee Chris Tognoni receives the charge for this “featured fight of the night” matchup, one that will be contested at 140 pounds. Romious offers an apologetic glove touch with a nod, and Lee takes it with the spirit in which it was given. It takes mere seconds for the two to suddenly catch fire and start swinging everything at one another. The two buzz one another like spinning Beyblades, zooming wild offense at one another until Lee eats something he doesn’t like and shoots for a double. Romious backs himself to the wall to keep himself upright, and Lee sweeps him off his feet and lands directly in mount. Romious scrambles furiously to stand up and get hold of a 50-50 position, ultimately driving through the hips to dump Lee on his back. Romious keeps the half guard for no more than a second until Lee turns to his knees. Romious tries to jump on his back, and he slides out the back door as Lee takes his back and wraps the body triangle around the waist. Lee’s strikes have opened a cut on the forehead of Romious, softening him up with the punches on either side of the head to wrap up a rear-naked choke. Romious turns to try to explode out of the position, twisting from one side to the other but not splitting the legs wrapped around his midsection. Lee fastens the rear-naked choke on the jaw, and when Romious scrambles and turns over, Lee wraps the choke up right beneath the chin. Blood sprays from the cut on his forehead, and he uses complete force of will to twist around and turn Lee to his back. Lee turns the corner to put Romious on his back as the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lee
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Lee
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Lee

Round 2

The fighters high-five to get going again, and Romious lets loose with a stiff low kick. Lee jumps at him, and his knee loudly bangs into the cup. As soon as Lee lands, Tognoni calls time to give Romious all the time he needs to recover. Lee sits down to recover his wind, and Tognoni brings in the interpreter to issue a warning for the foul. In the meantime, Romious stands up, and he tells Tognoni, “Let’s Get It” as he asks for the restart after 90 seconds. Both men blast each other with looping strikes, with Romious getting the best of an exchange courtesy of a powerful head kick. Lee shoots for a takedown, and Romious shifts around to take the back and pursues an armbar. Lee lets him slide off so he can relocate himself into half guard, slugging his opponent with his free right hand and elbow. Romious pulls his toes in the chain links to reposition himself, prompting Tognoni to tell him that he can’t do that. Lee smothers his man and unloads with a few punches that further bloody Romious up, and Romious decides now is as good of a time as any to stand up and does just that. Lee tries to drag him back down, and Romious follows him on the way down to grip hold at the tail end of an armbar. Romious grips the wrists to try to lock down the maneuver, but he cannot place it between his knees for leverage so he bails on it and rolls over. Lee promptly takes his back, where he flattens out the Missouri native and batters him with left hands and elbows. Romious shells up, taking shots from both sides, and chants for Lee boom every time he lands a strike. Lee pours it on, smashing Romious with relentless ground-and-pound and causing more blood to flow. As Lee lays a beating on Romious, Tognoni gets between them to save Romious from any further punishment. This is a statement win for the South Korean, who is now on the board in the Octagon with a win in a non-Road to UFC bout.

The Official Result

Chang Ho Lee def. Cortavious Romious R2 3:48 via TKO (Punches and Elbows)

Joanderson Brito (146) vs. Pat Sabatini (145.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Brito (-205), Sabatini (+170)

Round 1

It is a grappler against a wild man in the co-main event, one where the winner might potentially have a number next to their name on Monday. Philly-based grappler Sabatini (19-5, 6-2 UFC) will present danger for as long as the bout is on the mat, but every fight starts on the feet. Brito (17-4-1, 5-2 UFC) is no slouch when grappling, so fun exchanges could come early and often. Referee Keith Peterson will have his hands full with these featherweights, although he is able to take a breath as the fighters look to collide with no nonsense in the building. Fists are bumped before they are traded, and Brito gest right to walking the American down. Sabatini springs from side to side, tossing out one kick and having Brito respond with a kick. Sabatini follows the Brazilian’s kick with a single, which he uses to deposit Brito on the canvas easily. Brito defends with the guillotine off his back, opening himself up to Von Preux choke danger as Sabatini traps him with an arm-triangle at the same time. Brito scoots his way to the wall to take a bit of pressure off of him, and he follows the moving legs of his opponent to maintain half guard or guard. Sabatini tries again for the Von Flue, and he pulls his own head out of Brito’s sub. Sabatini stays flat on his man, squeezing down with an arm-triangle setup while Brito smacks him with short but frustrating strikes off his back. Sabatini gets off the heavier of the blows while above, but Brito still manages to put his back on the wire. Sabatini pulls him away from the fence, and Brito sits to stand while Sabatini threatening with a guillotine choke. Sabatini lands a single knee before letting go of the choke, and he lifts Brito in the air and slams him down to the floor. With Brito hanging on with the guillotine, the Von Preux counter is troubling him as Sabatini clings to his neck with his left arm. Sabatini uses his weight to push Brito against the wall and hope for the leverage to be right for a submission. Brito stays calm and wriggles his neck out of danger, and Sabatini climbs into half guard and assaults him with punches and elbows. Brito attacks off his back, and again Sabatini’s are far more effective. The one-sided round ends with both men flailing at one another.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Sabatini
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini

Round 2

Sabatini motions awkwardly to his opponent, offering the glove touch while also wanting to stay far away from the grappler. Brito kicks, and Sabatini sells out for a takedown. Brito hits his seat searching for a front choke, and Sabatini laughs it off and pushes Brito to his back. Sabatini establishes himself on top in half guard, smothering Brito and preventing the expected explosions thanks in part to heavy chest pressure. Sabatini looks to hook up a crucifix with his knee, and he opens things up to try to pass guard, only for Brito to drag him back. Sabatini strikes when he finds openings, irritating the dangerous “Tubarao” while energy is drained from his tank. Brito uses butterfly hooks to push off, and Sabatini is so singularly focused on the top control that he is not budging. Sabatini scores several left hands on the chin, and he times Brito sitting up to flatten him back out in an instant. The Brazilian is out of ideas, with Sabatini two steps ahead of him at every turn. Sabatini renders his foe fairly powerless until the round concludes.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini

Round 3

Brito jogs out of his corner to touch gloves, and he dodges a spin strike to come up top with a huge right hand. Sabatini rolls with the punch and switches stances to work his way forward. Brito absorbs a spinning back fist to swing back a right hand, and he jumps guard with a guillotine choke when Sabatini shoots in for a single. Sabatini issues the thumbs-up a few times as the submission is not under his chin, and he threatens with another Von Preux until Brito releases the grip. Sabatini resides in the half guard, where he has spent most of this fight, and he bludgeons Brito every so often. When Brito goes for broke swinging with his back stuck on the floor, Sabatini postures up to drill him with some ground-and-pound. The smothering continues for the Renzo Gracie Philly fighter, displaying that there are levels to this grappling thing. Brito, a savvy submission artist in his own right, has been blanked tonight, with a ceiling that is very clear above him. Sabatini circles around to take Brito’s back, getting his hooks in, and he starts hunting for a kneebar. When Brito turns over, he gives up mount, and Sabatini starts whaling on him. Brito gets to a knee despite taking strikes on the sides of the head, and Sabatini takes any remaining hope and deposits it in the local trash can with dominant control and grappling wizardry. It might not have been the most scintillating to watch, but Sabatini sends a message that the fearsome marauder Brito has met his match.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Sabatini (30-25 Sabatini)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-8 Sabatini (30-26 Sabatini)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Sabatini (30-26 Sabatini)

The Official Result

Pat Sabatini def. Joanderson Brito via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)

Josh Emmett (146) vs. Lerone Murphy (145.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Murphy (-325), Emmett (+260)

Round 1

A championship opportunity could avail itself to the victorious man in the next 25 minutes or less. At the age of 40, Emmett (19-4, 10-4 UFC) is likely on his last path towards gold, and the younger Murphy (15-0-1, 7-0-1 UFC) knows this and has several intangibles and advantages on his side. He just has to make sure not to get his jaw jacked. The main event will be officiated by referee Jason Herzog, who brings the two featherweight contenders to the middle of the Octagon to issue final instructions. The fists are bumped, and with all systems go, it’s on with the show. They bob in and out towards and away from one another, not committing to much for the first 30 seconds. Emmett walks down the unbeaten man and looses a right hand, but it is out of range so he tries again. A second scores, and a third reaches the body. Murphy sticks him and moves, staying constantly shifting and not stopping until he gets cut off. Emmett lets his hands go, and Murphy slashes back with an elbow that opens a cut on the top of Emmett’s dome. Murphy backs off to measure a head kick, and Emmett shrugs at him and watches a right hand zoom past him. Blood leaks from the cut on the top of his head into his eye, an inopportune position, but he does not appear compromised with it yet. Murphy pitches a front kick at him, and he sways back as Emmett nearly reaches him with his big right. Emmett swarms forward and is out of range, and Murphy sits down and kicks his front leg. Emmett darts in and out, the punches bouncing off the guard without doing much. “The Iceman” is cold and calculating, not opening him up to a precarious predicament or leaving something out too long to get popped. Emmett walks him down and kicks him in the front leg, and when he absorbs a punch response, he again shrugs to Murphy. Emmett chains four punches together when Murphy stands still, and he takes a calf kick on his already welted leg. Murphy’s body kick gets caught, and Emmett chases him down and bowls him over. Murphy reverse-somersaults his way back upright, and the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Murphy
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Murphy
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Murphy

Round 2

The fighters are so excited to get back to fighting, Herzog has to make them back off before saying go. Emmett comes shot out of his corner and punches Murphy square in the face, and he keeps his momentum pushing by lifting the Brit all the way in the air and tossing him instead of slamming him. Murphy lands confusedly on his back, giving Emmett just enough time to pounce. Murphy sits up and wraps his arm around Emmett’s throat, and the choke attempt gives him just enough space to fight out of the position and work his way to his feet. Both men slug it out in the pocket before Murphy backs away to find another way in. Brawling would be his worst course of action, while measuring a spinning back kick to the ribs was the right one. He succeeds on the kick, forcing Emmett to shoot in on his hips. Murphy frames off to turn his man around, and he lifts Emmett up with a knee. Emmett goes for broke looking for a single, bailing on it to loose an overhand right that Murphy rolls with. Murphy stomps on his foe’s knee a few times, and he jabs the body when working at his preferred range. Murphy delivers a hefty calf kick that really gets Emmett’s attention, but it is one-and-done as he circles away to flick out jabs. Emmett walks him down, ducking a punch and not countering. Emmett lands a low kick, and Murphy spins acrobatically to kick him in the ribcage. Murphy jams Emmett up with a front kick, and he frames off to block the worst of what the Team Alpha Male fighter has to offer until the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Murphy
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Murphy
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Murphy

Round 3

Emmett works his way forward to start the round, and Murphy meets him with a step-in elbow. Emmett goes for broke on some fireballs, and Murphy takes them cleanly and swings back with bad intentions. Murphy’s front kick splits the guard brilliantly, and he stabs out with a couple side kicks to the knee that hyperextend it more than once. Emmett frowns and comes out swinging, eating a right hand so he can load up on his home run right. Emmett keeps plodding forward with his right chambered back, and Murphy peppers and prods him with accurate strikes that might not have the kitchen sink behind them. Murphy just misses a whipping head kick, and Emmett surges into action with a right hand that stings the Brit. Murphy drops to his knees, and Emmett takes advantage of the moment with a takedown shot. Emmett holds onto the single until about a dozen of Murphy’s fists find his face, and he uses his knee to frame off and hunts for an elbow that Murphy catches him with first. Emmett tosses aside a high kick to sling an overhand right, and he sticks out a long jab in hopes of clubbing “The Iceman” with his mighty paw. Murphy's low kicks irritate Emmett, and he pushes off and jams his fingers into Murphy’s eye sockets. Herzog issues a hard warning for the foul, and Emmett takes 30 seconds to clear his vision. Emmett gets back to stalking the favorite down, swinging vicious punches that largely collide into the guard. Murphy sinks in a nasty body kick, and Emmett is tough as a two-dollar steak and keeps searching for his right hand. Murphy kicks high, and Emmett tosses one leg aside and forces Murphy to fall over. Emmett climbs into the guard and shucks aside a triangle choke effort, but he cannot keep Murphy grounded. Murphy gets off first with a right, and then he ducks away and spins with a back kick. Emmett offers a low kick, and Murphy answers with a jabbing push kick at the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Emmett
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Murphy
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Murphy

Round 4

Murphy begins the round with a slick kick that allows him to get in and out without reprisal, and he slides past the home run punches to engage. Emmett tracks Murphy down without going at him too aggressively, but he cannot get past the jabs that keep bugging him. Murphy slings a kick to the liver, and Emmett can do little more than grunt, duck and wing a right hand over the top. Murphy appears surprised by the powerful blow, backing off as fast as he can. Emmett sees this and times his right hand two more times, letting Murphy circle into one. Murphy gathers his thought and beats on Emmett’s front leg with another kick. Murphy keeps his guard up to parry the overhand right he knows is coming, and he stabs twice more at the front leg of his foe. Emmett rolls his eyes and stomps out to land one of his own. Emmett goes to the body as he backs Murphy to the wall, and he sways back when Murphy returns fire. Emmett loads up on a vicious uppercut, snapping Murphy's head back and coming out swinging for more. Murphy tanks them well enough, but the power differential is startling. Murphy pushes out his front kick, and Emmett ducks a strike to go for a double. The Californian clasps his hands together and looks to lift Murphy off the ground, and Murphy elbows him on the crown of the head—an illegal strike, to be clear—and it starts bleeding instantly. Nothing is called, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Emmett
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Emmett
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Murphy

Round 5

Emmett is informed he might be down on the scorecards, and he rushes forward to engage. Murphy keeps him at bay with jabs and a head kick. Emmett lands a right hand, and he watches Murphy set up a leg kick and comes over the top with another. Murphy shakes his head and backpedals, measuring out a head kick that harmlessly bounces off the guard. Murphy uses his side kick as a range-keeper, and Emmett slips a punch and goes to the body. Murphy stands firm and plants his foot straight down the middle through the guard. Emmett leaps ahead, getting jabbed while mid-air and landing to check a low kick. Emmett punches his way into a takedown shot, and Murphy no-sells it and escapes. Murphy pushes out with his kick, strafing away when the fastball comes his way. A second right hand from Emmett catches him on the temple, and he backs up in a hurry. Emmett leans into a jab so he can wind up twice with his big punch, and Murphy’s chin holds up well across the board. Murphy continues to slide back and forth to the sides, and he stands firm and checks Emmett’s chin with a stern right hand. Emmett gathers his bearings and walks into a leg kick, and he points to the ground to lure Murphy into a brawl. Murphy does not bite, instead staying on his bike with jabs and longer strikes. Emmett fakes miming that Murphy is running away from him, and he marches forward to block a spin kick. Emmett whiffs on one final right hand and a front kick, and the disappointing match atop a disappointing evening of contact finally comes to a close. The audience does not particularly approve of the performance or the winner, heartily booing the decision and the post-fight interview. No matter what they think, one fighter came out with the win, and he has earned a place in the lower part of the top 10. If no title comes to him next, Murphy is willing to face someone in the top five, suggesting that he would be willing to compete as soon as July. If that happens, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Murphy (48-47 Murphy)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Murphy (49-46 Murphy)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Murphy (50-45 Murphy)

The Official Result

Lerone Murphy def. Josh Emmett via Unanimous Decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)