UFC Vegas 106 ‘Burns vs. Morales’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Tecia Pennington (114.5) vs. Luana Pinheiro (115.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pennington (-455), Pinheiro (+350)

Round 1

After posting up in a few arenas around North America, it was time for the UFC to hibernate back in the Apex for a card that will likely see pink slips fly in preparation for the upcoming season of Dana White’s Contender Series. Nine athletes across this 12-fight lineup hold UFC records of .500 or lower—although a couple are due to UFC debutants—with just four fighters ranked by the promotion on the billing. Interestingly enough, those with numbers next to their name come in the main event and this curtain jerker. Two ladies in the top 15 of the strawweight division kick things off today, as Pennington (14-7, 10-7 UFC) looks to put a win streak together for the first time in years at the expense of skidding Brazilian Pinheiro (11-4, 3-3 UFC). Referee Chris Tognoni will draw the first assignment of the day, one that begins as the ladies clap hands. It’s on with the show. Pennington takes to the center of the cage, peeking out behind her jab with a low kick. Always moving, the shorter woman pecks at the front leg of the Brazilian with a couple more kicks. Pennington shocks her opponent by firing off a low kick and then nailing Pinheiro in the face with her shin, and Pinheiro has to take a second to blink it out but is otherwise uncompromised. Pennington recoils her leg, and Pinheiro turns her hips into her own leg kick. The two strawweights work on one another with chopping kicks, with Pinheiro’s heavier but Pennington tossing out more. The latter fakes one kick to work her way in with a punch flurry, and Pinheiro backs her off with a pair of winding hooks. Pennington times a kick to a right hand, stunning her foe for a second, and backing off to avoid the counter. Pennington sticks and moves, only absorbing a front kick but scoring her own series of quick punches on the chin. Pennington turns to stomp on the knee with a kick, and both women connect with fists while Pennington hits hard at the end of a right hand. Pinheiro bites down on her mouthpiece to sling back an overhand right, and it is one-and-done before “The Tiny Tornado” zips back. Pennington dings her opponent with a burst of punches, and Pinheiro throws caution to the wind by swinging heavier back. The Brazilian shoots in for a takedown, and Pennington shuts it down before it can materialize although she takes a knee on the chin on the way out. Pinheiro gets the better of her adversary with a right hand that sets Pennington on her seat with seconds to spare in the round, and she leaps on top to deliver ground-and-pound. As Pinheiro swings with Pennington on her back, the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Pennington reintroduces herself to start the right with a front kick on the Brazilian’s chin, with no interest in touching gloves first. Pinheiro reaches her at the end of a right hand, but Pennington is no worse for wear as they back apart to return to kickboxing range. Both women are inaccurate with their kicks up high, with Pennington whiffing on a hook kick and then a head kick. Pinheiro slaps her foe’s lead leg once, and she pounds one on the inside that lands with a thud. The two crash into one another with swarming fists, but the close proximity to one another leads to few actually landing. Pinheiro peppers the front leg with a kick and dances away from the counters, while finding her home with a hard right hand. The Brazilian allows the flurries from the “Tiny Tornado” to buzz past her or come up short, and she times a straight right hand that stings Pennington. Pennington steels herself and lets go with her own right hand that shakes up Pinheiro and makes her smile. Pennington presses forward, forcing Pinheiro to fight off her back foot and looking for a left to the body and right to the head. Pennington stomps at the knee again effectively, only for Pinheiro to immediately answer with two leg kicks. Pennington swings past her adversary and gets clipped on the way with a check left hook, but it does not stop her from her forward movement. Pinheiro rings her bell with a one-two, forcing a spin kick that is nowhere close to the mark. Pennington moves in close to wrap her hands around the waist and wrench Pinheiro down, but the Brazilian keeps her balance with the fence and knees Pennington a couple times until the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

They high-five after 10 minutes of fairly solid kickboxing, and Pinheiro leads off first with punches that set up a leg kick. Pennington jabs her back, hopping away from a low kick and whipping a hook kick that slaps into the face and a side kick that pounds into the torso. The second kick drives Pinheiro back a few steps, only for Pennington to get up close to her and plant a knee on her stomach. Pennington reaches with her kicks, aimed at the body and lead leg, and she maintains these strikes to keep Pinheiro at bay. Pennington dodges a head kick and lands her own side kick, and she slides just out of range of a leaping left hook. Pennington axe kicks, hook kicks, spins with a back fist that nails Pinheiro and then skirts away to not get countered. As Pinheiro comes towards her, Pennington unleashes a hard side kick that pushes straight into Pinheiro’s chest. When Pennington sets up her hook kick to spinning back fist series again, Pinheiro ducks it and hits a takedown to put “The Tiny Tornado” on her seat. Pennington works immediately back to her feet and turns the Brazilian around, only for Pinheiro to hit a judo throw and put Pennington back down. Pennington’s get-up game allows her to work her way up even though Pinheiro has her arms wrapped around her, and Pinheiro succeeds in mat returning her for a second. When Pennington stands, Pinheiro hip tosses her to the ground, and she tries to get going in the guard while Pennington sets up a triangle choke off her back. Pinheiro slams her way out of it, and she stands up and gets popped with a couple stiff upkicks. Pennington follows her up, and she looks to tackle Pinheiro to the ground but is countered and placed on her back as time expires. It could be anyone’s game depending on how the first round—and really, that potential knockdown—was scored.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Tecia Pennington def. Luana Pinheiro via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Hyun Sung Park (125.5) vs. Carlos Hernandez (126)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Park (-148), Hernandez (+124)

Round 1

The second bout of the evening comes at the flyweight division, as unbeaten “Peace of Mind” Park (9-0, 2-0 UFC) searches for some peace of mind in the Octagon when he battles Hernandez (10-4, 3-3 UFC). The finish rates between the two could scarcely be more different with Park finishing eight of nine foes inside the distance while Hernandez has yet to notch a knockout with the majority of his appearances hearing the final bell. The third man in the cage will be referee Kerry Hatley, who is ready to keep up as the speedy 125ers collide. There is a touch of gloves first, and Park shifts to the middle of the cage to establish himself, tossing out a low kick to get started. Hernandez breaks a lull of about 30 seconds with a darting one-two, skipping back before Park can pay him back. When Hernandez comes in swinging again, Park is ready to throw back, and both men connect cleanly on the other. Park kicks low, Hernandez has a high kick slap off the guard and recoils his limb to fire it off to the calf. Park jabs him to the body, keeping his gloves high after it to defend against a head kick he knows is coming. The two trade short but fierce punch exchanges, and Park is fearless and connects hard on his opponent. The punches from Park bend over Hernandez, and he quickly drives two knees to the midsection effectively. Sensing his momentum, the South Korean lifts Hernandez in the air and slams him down, where he quickly takes back control. Park softens his man up with punches on either side of the head, which open up a rear-naked choke. Park does not secure the grip completely, utilizing more of brute force squeeze than the standard lock, but it is enough. He still has full power in his arms, crushing the windpipe with all his might. Hernandez thinks about going out on his shield, but before he goes out, he elects to tap out. Hatley is right on top of the action, separating the two as the finish materializes, and Park bounds away to leap in the arms of his corner while a few famous South Koreans in the audience hoot and holler for their countryman. Flyweight has another contender on its hands with the still-undefeated Park.

The Official Result

Hyun Sung Park def. Carlos Hernandez R1 2:26 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Elise Reed (115) vs. Denise Gomes (115)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gomes (-575), Reed (+425)

Round 1

Another pair of strawweights takes center stage in the Octagon when Reed (8-4, 4-4 UFC) comes to blows with Gomes (10-3, 4-2 UFC). Over the last few years, the Brazilian has held a pattern of winning two while dropping the third, and she has a chance to break that if she gets her hand raised. Meanwhile, a victory for Reed would put an end to a nine-fight stretch of alternating wins and losses. No matter how it shakes out, referee Jason Herzog will be there for it every step of the way. Eager to get slugging, the women do not tap gloves together. Gomes instead starts with a looping right hand that slams square into Reed’s cheek. Reed shakes it off, and Gomes looks for another. Reed walks her opponent down, scoring her own strikes, but Gomes’ power is far more significant as she backs Reed off with a vicious straight right hand. Reed’s eyes go wide as she absorbs the impact of that thudding blow, and she backs off in a hurry. Seeing that Reed’s cheek is swelling up in a hurry, Gomes opens up with a few more booming right hands that hurt her opponent badly. Reed hangs on tight, and Gomes lashes out with an elbow that may have broken her orbital due to the immediate, massive swelling beneath her eye. Gomes mixes things up by wrapping her arms around the American, and she tosses Reed to her knees. A second effort from Gomes puts Reed flat on her back, where Gomes resides in half guard working the body. Reed clings to her opponent to disallow her from winding up on anything substantial, but this lets Gomes remain flat on top of her exuding heavy chest pressure. Gomes maintains top position and tries to isolate Reed’s right arm so she can attack with her free hand, but only a few shots get off. Gomes presses her full body weight down and considers an arm-triangle choke, but there is not enough time to get anything from it as the horn blares.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Trying to keep her distance early on, Reed stays far away, pitching kicks to multiple targets from both legs. Gomes walks through them and uses a low kick to open up a monstrous right hand over the top. She blasts Reed in the face with her sledgehammer, dropping Reed to her knees immediately. Reed somehow works her way to the wall to try to get up, but the Brazilian is not about to let her off the hook and drills her with two left hooks that put Reed down again. Gomes sits on top of her downed opponent, laying into her with right hand after right hand as blood streams from Reed’s nose. As the punches continue to mount with no escape in sight for Reed, Herzog waves the fight off, with Reed very possibly knocked out and back into consciousness during the final bombardment. Reed sits up on one knee, dazed but aware, and she knows her day is over. Gomes is all smiles, as she registers a big win and establishes herself as a potential contender in her weight class. Meanwhile, her win two, lose one stretch is over.

The Official Result

Denise Gomes def. Elise Reed R2 0:30 via TKO (Punches)

Luana Santos (136) vs. Tainara Lisboa (135.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Santos (-130), Lisboa (+110)

Round 1

The final match among women comes at the 135-pound division, as Santos (8-2, 3-1 UFC) moves up in weight to challenge “Thai Panther” Lisboa (7-2, 2-0 UFC). The former saw her solid win streak come to a halt last August because of Casey O’Neill, but she can play spoiler to Lisboa and her own five-fight victorious stretch. Referee Herb Dean will be on call for this bantamweight battle, and the countrywomen touch ‘em up before getting down to business. Lisboa measures with her jab right off the bat, pressuring her opponent and throwing a kick at the same time Santos does. They jab at one another; Lisboa catches a kick to counter over the top. Santos sneaks in a left hand, swaying and moving as Lisboa tries to counter. Santos sticks out a front kick too long, but this is intentional as it distracts Lisboa enough and makes her try to throw back. She uses this to set up a takedown, where she bowls Lisboa over and climbs into side control. Santos uses a scarf hold to look to pass to mount, and instead gladly assumes north-south position. Lisboa tries to crawl out the back by throwing her legs up and around the back, but Santos calmly works out of it and puts herself flat in half guard. Lisboa pushes off the cage to try to get to a better position, and Santos is simultaneously looking to step into mount. This results in a stalemate, with little offense coming as Santos would rather take a dominant position. She rolls Lisboa over to try to take her back, but Lisboa calmly works to her knees. When Lisboa reaches her feet, the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

While they do touch gloves, Lisboa is rushing forward to get going and try to make up lost ground. She backs Santos off with her jab, and she fakes a knee and scores a body kick with her other leg. Santos times a one-two down the pipe, and she scoots away. When Lisboa sets her feet down to engage, Santos counters her over the top. As Lisboa commits to strikes, a half-hearted front kick from her leaves her wide open to the takedown. Santos gladly accepts this and puts Lisboa on her back, where she is immediately in high side control as she wraps her arms around her foe’s head with a scarf hold. Lisboa tries again to wrap her legs up and around to get the back, but she does not have the same flexibility and energy as she did the last round to get anywhere. Santos holds her down in the scarf hold position, not using it for submission purposes but instead grinding it and just making Lisboa’s life generally miserable. All of Lisboa’s flailing leg movements do nothing to improve her position, as Santos is so high up on her body flattening her out. Every so often, Santos thumps her foe with short right hands, but no blow has any significant impact. Santos considers isolating Lisboa’s right arm, but this allows Lisboa to turn her body. As Lisboa keeps turning, she inadvertently gives up her back, and Santos wraps her legs around the waist and has both hooks in. Santos climbs to maintain partial back control that she uses to slip into full mount, and she drops down a punch or two before suffocating Lisboa further. Santos uses heavy chest pressure to keep Lisboa pinned, but she is not willing to take the risk of posturing up far. With seconds left on the clock, Santos does not ride it out and instead latches on to a keylock and/or Americana. Lisboa clings to her left arm, which is starting to torque badly as one can imagine tendons and ligaments screaming out from the unusual tension. Santos cranks with all she has, and Lisboa taps out of the sight of Dean and then speaks out. Dean confirms with her that it was a surrender and separates the two, with Santos notching the buzzer-beating submission that has become a rarity inside the Octagon and even more infrequent among women—remarkably, the first for a female UFC fighter.

The Official Result

Luana Santos def. Tainara Lisboa R2 4:59 via Submission (Keylock)

Yadier Del Valle (145.5) vs. Connor Matthews (145)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Del Valle (-430), Matthews (+300)

Round 1

This featherweight contest is a battle of momentum, with one undefeated fighter against a submission artist that has had his chin checked a few times so far. Del Valle (8-0, 0-0 UFC) will be making his debut, and his goal is to continue the losing streak—and knockout streak—of New England native Matthews (7-3, 0-2 UFC). It is a Shillan and Duffy Show special with Del Valle fighting out Houston compared to Matthews from the northeast, and the betting lines have the unbeaten man heavily favored. In MMA, anything can happen, and referee Chris Tognoni is ready in the event something unexpected goes down. Before they try to knock one another’s head around, the respect is shared in the form of a sporting glove touch. Matthews keeps his left arm outstretched to gauge his distance, opening him up to a slapping leg kick. Del Valle pitches another that lands with a thud, walking through a responsive kick so he can open up with a left hand. Del Valle hammers the body and front leg with his shin, the impacts echoing across the arena. When Matthews throws his own back, it is not nearly as audible but still lands cleanly. Del Valle’s kicks force a stance switch, and he skips away before Matthews can counter him. Matthews is warned for outstretched fingers, and he fires off a kick that is caught, allowing Del Valle to toss the limb aside and put him down on the mat. Del Valle climbs on top to drop down several slashing elbows, and he laces his legs around his opponent’s. Matthews defends on his seat with a guillotine choke, but Del Valle wriggles his neck out of it and starts clubbing “Bad News” with left hands. As Matthews scrambles, he gives up his back, and Del Valle welcomes this by hammering him with more big left hands. The punches give way to a more artful approach, as he slides his forearm beneath the chin and locks down a rear-naked choke in the blink of an eye. The Massachusetts native taps out frantically as the unbeaten fighter crushes his larynx, and Tognoni intervenes and has the victor dismount his fallen foe. Del Valle bellows in celebration, keeping his perfect record intact while scoring a speedy finish in his promotional debut.

The Official Result

Yadier Del Valle def. Connor Matthews R1 2:54 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Jared Gordon (156) vs. Thiago Moises (155.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gordon (-110), Moises (-110)

Round 1

Lightweight veterans with technically equal records in the UFC—although one has a no contest—come to blows, with plans of remaining highly regarded in the talent-rich division. Gordon (20-7, 1 NC; 8-6, 1 NC UFC) is the one who also has the grey mark on his pace thanks to a clash of heads with Bobby Green, and has otherwise alternated wins and losses for a few years. The same can be said for Brazil’s Moises (19-8, 8-6 UFC), who is ready to continue the rivalry of his team of American Top Team against regional adversarial team Kill Cliff FC and its rep of Gordon. Referee Kerry Hatley will keep things on the up-and-up, but they are fine with one another and clap hands. The first strike thrown is a Moises body kick, which Gordon uses to easily sling his opponent to his back. Gordon practically walks into top control, and Moises wraps up his arms in an unorthodox armlock attack. Moises lets go of the lockup and lashes out with a short elbow off his back that opens a tiny cut on the top of Gordon’s forehead. Gordon responds with ample ground-and-pound of his own, smearing his blood all over the Brazilian’s head and chest. Moises works his way back up to his feet, ignoring the strikes lobbed at him so he can fight his way back up and away. They proceed to smack one another with low kicks, and Gordon darts in with a pair of punches that bounce off the guard. Leg kicks continue to fly, and they tag one another with single strikes. When Gordon ducks in to throw, Moises counters with a clean right hand over the top. “Flash” does not bat an eye, and instead lets Moises pitch a left hand at him. This is exactly what he wants, as Gordon times a picture-perfect right hand that smashes into the American Top Team fighter’s chin and puts him down for the count. Moises’ head clatters off the mat when he collapses to the ground like a bird that’s had its wings clipped, and Gordon hammers the nail with a leaping right hand that gives commentator Michael Bisping flashbacks of when he took on Dan Henderson, cleanly separating Moises from his consciousness. Before Hatley can get to them, Gordon gets one or two off that wake Moises back up, but they are merely academic as Gordon has dropped the hammer. Blood streaming down his face, Gordon stands up and shrugs, as if he knew he was going to do this all along. When Moises comes to, the two hug it out, but it is unclear if Moises knows the license plate number of the bus that just ran him over.

The Official Result

Jared Gordon def. Thiago Moises R1 3:37 via KO (Punches)

Gabriel Green (154.5) vs. Matheus Camilo (155)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Camilo (-186), Green (+144)

Round 1

The final pairing on the prelims comes at 155 pounds, with California native Green (11-5, 2-3 UFC) looking to break a losing streak and even his UFC record to .500. To do so, he will have to spoil the party of the debuting “Jaguar” Camilo (9-2, 0-0 UFC), who comes into the UFC the winner of his last six including four particularly violent finishes. Referee Jason Herzog will be responsible for the particulars for this potential thriller, one that kicks off with a glove touch. Green circles away before engaging, bouncing back and forth while Camilo commits to taking the center of the cage and cutting him off. Green’s team advises him to calm down, as his movement is jittery and his offense largely muted, and he aims one light low kick just to do something in the first minute. Camilo winds up with a much heavier one 60 seconds in, and Green swaps stances back and forth not to leave him open. Camilo sits down on two massive punches that knock Green’s head around, but Green’s beard holds up just fine. Camilo reaches his target with a stabbing front kick, and he ignores a low kick while coiling back his right hand for something. He unloads that right square into the jaw, and Green tanks it and marches forward, backing Camilo to the fence. He slips a punch and keeps going forward behind a low kick, but Camilo is there with a left to the body and a right to the head. Camilo changes it up with a right to the midsection and a left up high, and he is swinging with bad intentions as he wings two massive hooks that buzz the tower but do not land cleanly. Green’s only weapon is his low kick, and he tries to mix things up with an axe kick. Camilo stumbles on his way in to attack when walking into a stern right hook, and Green sets up a guillotine choke to trap him. The Brazilian easily snakes his neck out of it, and they proceed to tie up and turn one another around in dance. Camilo elevates his foe with a minute to go in the round and slams him on his back, where he starts softening the body up with short shots to open up elbows up top. Green hangs on tight to prevent the worst of the damage from coming, but Camilo still slashes with an elbow that grows an immediate mouse on Green’s temple. The horn blares, and the fighters separate.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The fighters touch ‘em up to get going again, and Green is just as hyperactive on the feet as the last round. Camilo sits down on a low kick, and Green pops him three times with right hands before kneeing the Brazilian in the face. Green further spurs into action, letting loose with a head kick and leaping at his man with a jump knee the moment his foot hits the floor. Camilo shrugs it all off and wraps “Gifted” up, where he lowers him to the ground and takes half guard, all while setting up an arm-triangle choke. Camilo slugs the bearded Green in the face with a few right hands while Green is scrambling, and he postures up to take a very high mount that he uses to set up a triangle choke. Green rolls him over, but this is a terrible idea as Camilo wraps up the triangle and also grips hold of an armbar with it. Green lifts his man up and slams him down to try to break out of the submission, but Camilo is unwavering and cinches his legs around the head as Green’s veins swell and grow from the tight grip. Green stays calm, letting Camilo burn his legs out, and he breaks out of the submission and squirms around to take Camilo’s back. Green fastens the body triangle around his foe’s waist in a major reversal of fortunes, where he begins to smack Camilo upside the head on either side. Green gift-wraps a rear-naked choke around the chin, and Camilo is surprised and still recovering from trying to secure the finish. Green crushes his vice-like squeeze that is still on top of the chin and not depriving Camilo from blood and oxygen, but the pain is immense. While Green slithers the arm under the jaw, Camilo taps out, without even allowing the rear-naked choke to be completely locked down. Green survived a great deal of adversity to pick up a massive win—a face crank, not an RNC—at a new weight class, putting a losing streak in the past while landing his first sub since 2018.

The Official Result

Gabriel Green def. Matheus Camilo R2 3:43 via Submission (Face Crank)

Julian Erosa (145) vs. Melquizael Costa (145)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Costa (-192), Erosa (+160)

Round 1

Although much can be said about the state of UFC matchmaking as of late, the promotion knew exactly what it was doing when it matched Erosa (31-11, 9-7 UFC) against Costa (23-7, 4-2 UFC). It chose violence. The featherweights will go for broke under the watchful eye of referee Herb Dean, and they get right to it after embracing the formality of bumping fists. Costa prods with the ball of his foot, looking for low kicks as Erosa walks him down. Costa keeps working on the front leg as Erosa gives him one back, and Erosa grabs his foe’s foot and lifts it up. Costa bounces off the fence to get his limb back, and he whiffs on two hooks. Costa scores a body kick as he stays on the outside, and after pitching a leg kick, he trips on the edge of the cage but does not fall over. Erosa lets him get up and continues to trade kicks with him, and Costa mixes things up with a surprise Superman punch. Costa follows it with a booming head kick that rocks “Juicy J,” who backs off to the fence but is still dangerous as a coiled snake. Costa walks forward to throw bombs, and Erosa snipes him with a mean right hand that makes him think twice. Erosa gets his legs back beneath him and blocks a head kick, walking Costa down but taking three punches on the chin to do so. Erosa fakes a spin and lunges forward with an elbow, slipping and falling over. Costa lets him up so he can leap at him with a knee, and he chains punches into a body kick as Erosa is now the one retreating. Costa parries a few punches and lets fly a left hand, and his second effort reaches his man. Costa wraps a head kick around the guard and Erosa shrugs it off, nailing Costa with a right hand over the top. Erosa jumps at his foe to attack, and Costa times a spinning back kick that pounds into the cup. Erosa grumbles and adjusts his groin supporter before waving Dean off. Costa lets his foe’s fists and feet whiz past him so he can deliver a hard body kick, and Erosa fakes his way in to take the fight down. Erosa whips Costa all the way around to take him down, and he slashes down with an elbow as soon as he gets to side control. Costa is warned for having his toes in the cage, and Erosa drops down a few punches and leans back to watch an upkick buzz past him at the bell.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Costa’s left foot is leaking blood as the second round begins, but he shrugs it off and touches gloves with his opponent. Erosa gets right into attack mode, firing off a head kick and a right hand but getting countered with a left and a body kick. Costa belts “Juicy J” with a left hand, and Erosa bites down on his mouthpiece to unload a power punch. Costa shakes Erosa up with a one-two, and Erosa again has to recover before coming forward. The punches of Costa make Erosa pursue a takedown, and Costa defends with a guillotine choke and stands back up to re-secure it. Erosa holds on and leverages Costa back down, but he in submission danger again. Costa lets go before burning his arms out, and he stands up. Erosa leans on from behind, his left eye swelling up fast. Costa defends a takedown effort and keeps his balance, stomping Erosa’s foot and receiving an elbow in the face for his effort. As Erosa is leaning heavily on his man, Costa sweeps his leg and puts him down for a second. Erosa climbs back up and walks through a one-two. Costa reaches the Washington native at the end of a left hand, and Erosa fires back with a vengeance. They reach one another with long punches, and instead of clinching, Erosa pushes off and shrugs at him. Costa lines up a solid crescent kick that hits the target, and Erosa goes for broke with punches and kicks to any target he can find. Erosa pokes Costa in the eye, and Costa tells them he is fine and keeps going. Erosa thanks him by drilling a spinning back kick in his ribs, and Costa laughs it off and throws hammers. Erosa staggers Costa with a pair of hooks, and a grinning Costa swings back with bad intentions and rocks Erosa. Erosa spins through to hit Costa in the face with his foot, and he knocks Costa across the cage with a left hand right before the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

While Erosa does touch gloves, he is a man on a mission. Walking Costa down immediately, he swings his way into a clinch. Erosa leans on the Brazilian to slow him down, getting off the occasional knee until Costa trips him and sets him down. Erosa responds by nailing Costa with an upkick and working his way to his feet, where he backs “Melk” off and dislodges his mouthpiece with a right hand. He follows with another right hand to lead into a clinch, and Costa backs off with a left hook. The two clash heads after Erosa lands an uppercut, and “Juicy J” pours it on while swinging wildly. Costa’s head movement keeps him relatively safe, and he blasts Erosa in the jaw with four punches in a combination. Erosa’s movement leads him to banging into the fence, but he is quick to shake it off and uppercut Costa in the chops. Erosa continues staying in Costa’s face, with punches that lead to an elbow as Costa is backing off but smiling. Erosa lines up punches in bunches, and his elbows are not accurate. They proceed to brawl it out with little regard to defense or cardio, and even though Costa is fatigued, he is still loading up with everything he has. Thankfully for those watching this carnage, Erosa is doing just the same, as they proceed to hammer one another in the jaw again and again. Costa trips Erosa up to get a second to breathe, and he backs off to avoid an upkick and let Erosa stand. Erosa marches ever forward, swinging recklessly while Costa is giving it back when he can. Costa takes several punches square on the jaw and offers up a knee, and Erosa spins with a back fist. A second and third back fist from Erosa do manage to rail into the Brazilian, who is as tough as nails and never falters. The action-packed “Fight of the Night” candidate goes the distance, and both exhausted men raise their arms. The second round may be where the victor emerges.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Melquizael Costa def. Julian Erosa via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Dustin Stoltzfus (185.5) vs. Nursulton Ruziboev (185.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ruziboev (-298), Stoltzfus (+240)

Round 1

From one action fight to another we go, this time in the middleweight division. Stoltzfus (16-6, 3-5 UFC) has only gone the distance twice in his eight UFC outings, while all three wins inside the Octagon for Ruziboev (35-9-2, 2 NC; 3-1 UFC) have come by knockout. Referee Chris Tognoni knows he very well might be needed before the final horn. There is a no glove touch, as Stoltzfus declines to do so. Ruziboev accepts this and lets go with an early leg kick. Stoltzfus pulls back on a body kick, but Ruziboev does not do that as his lands flush. The Uzbekistani fighter scores a calf kick, and Stoltzfus does the same. The calf is the target for Ruziboev, until he swings his way in with two booming punches. Stoltzfus tries to grab hold of the taller man, but Ruziboev tosses him aside and lines up a straight right hand. The two clash heads together, and Stoltzfus manages to land the cleaner of the two and knocks “Black” to his seat. Stoltzfus rushes forward and jumps guard with a guillotine choke, and he steps into full mount and wraps the submission up and under the chin. Ruziboev pats Stoltzfus’ backside but it is not registered as a tap, and Stoltzfus imposes his weight to complete the maneuver. Ruziboev thinks about giving up but explodes to flip Stoltzfus over, and he gets into the guard and just hangs out there to get his wits back about him. Ruziboev postures up to drop down a punch and an elbow, and Stoltzfus works his way up and ignores a guillotine setup from his opponent. Stoltzfus times a spinning back elbow to break, and the two split up. Ruziboev opens up with a left hand and a spinning back kick, and his second spin kick misses as Stoltzfus cracks him with a counter. Ruziboev bounces around to shake it out, leaping forward to deliver single punches that connect each and every time. Stoltzfus is tough as can be, but Ruziboev slugs him in the chops until he wraps his arm around the Pennsylvanian and wrangles him to the mat. The bell sounds, to the surprise of many.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The second round opens with a head kick from Ruziboev after a bit of measuring. After some more timing, Ruziboev lets loose a spinning wheel kick that bangs square into Stoltzfus’ head. Stoltzfus swings his way forward, catching Ruziboev and putting him on his heels. Stoltzfus pursues a takedown, and Ruziboev defends with a kimura. Stoltzfus fights it off and lowers Ruziboev to his back, his nose pouring blood from a particularly nasty uppercut. Stoltzfus gets in half guard and pursues an arm-triangle choke, letting it go to bash Ruziboev with punches and short elbows. Stoltzfus sets up another guillotine choke and leans to the side, and Ruziboev turns to defend it. This allows Stoltzfus to briefly pursue a brabo choke, only to let it go when he does not have the right leverage. Ruziboev powers back to his feet and finds himself in guillotine danger once more, but the blood covering Ruziboev’s melon plus the fatigue setting in allows him to slip out. Ruziboev counters with a knee to the body, and he smacks Stoltzfus with a hammerfist and inadvertently headbutts him. Ruziboev keeps slugging away, and Stoltzfus snatches up a leg and turns into it to drag Ruziboev down to a knee. Ruziboev pulls on the fence to defend it, as Tognoni shouts at him to knock it off. The damage is done from the foul, as Ruziboev escapes and lowers himself down to start pounding on the bloodied Stoltzfus again. Stoltzfus sways to avoid the worst of the ground-and-pound, and he lands his own sneaky shots off his back right before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

The last round kicks off with both men taking a moment to analyze the other. Ruziboev darts in with a jab and a body kick, and Tognoni warns that the kick went south of the border. Stoltzfus is no worse for wear, and he lets the fight continue. Clubbing Ruziboev’s lead leg with his shin, he knocks the taller man to his seat and times a right hand to drive into his jaw. Ruziboev twists around to stand back up, and he parries a front kick aimed at his chest. Stoltzfus rushes at him, ducking a punch to tie his man up, and Ruziboev darts away in time. Ruziboev reaches his target with a left hook, and Stoltzfus kicks him in the front leg. Ruziboev times a right hand over the top, and he spins and drills Stoltzfus in the face with a wheel kick. Stoltzfus takes it on the chin and lashes out with a right hand, and he gets knocked back with an overhand right counter that bangs into his gloves. Stoltzfus lets fly his own spinning wheel kick, and it clatters off the guard. Ruziboev does the same. They crack one another with single right hands, and then connect with hard lefts. As Ruziboev swings for the fences, Stoltzfus tackles him to the ground and lands in half guard. Stoltzfus imposes his weight while not getting much offense off, looking instead to advance position. Tognoni asks Stoltzfus for more activity, as Stoltzfus is solely covering his foe’s mouth but not offering any strikes. Stoltzfus climbs into mount with 50 seconds to go, and Ruziboev scrambles like a madman to get to his knees. Stoltzfus wraps up the beginning of a brabo choke, and when Ruziboev fights through it, he transitions to a guillotine. Ruziboev pulls out of it, and he delivers a spin kick to the ribs. Ruziboev nails the American with a right hand, and they proceed to miss with spinning strikes before time expires. They raise their fists in the air after 15 minutes of bloody combat.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Nursultan Ruziboev def. Dustin Stoltzfus via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Sodiq Yusuff (155.5) vs. Mairon Santos (155.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Santos (-135), Yusuff (+114)

Round 1

Up at lightweight, Yusuff (13-4, 6-3 UFC) searches for a new lease on life without having to cut so much weight. He will try to put his first losing streak behind him when he battles “The Legend” Santos (15-1, 2-0 UFC), who also wants to relieve the bad taste of his previous outing—even though he won. Because of bad news for the Craig vs. Bellato fight, this is the co-main event now. Fists are sure to fly, and they do not want to touch gloves while referee Kerry Hatley watches on. Santos is in the middle of the cage, advancing behind his jab, while Yusuff circles all the way around him. Santos pushes out a front kick, and a second before Yusuff spurs into action with a slapping calf kick. They clash their legs together, and Santos continues front kicking until jumping with a switch kick that clatters off the raised gloves. Yusuff winds up with an inside low kick that grazes the cup, and Santos frowns but does not ask for a timeout. Santos delivers a quick high kick up to the guard, and Yusuff responds with a one-two and a calf kick. Santos reach out with a right hand, and Yusuff tries and fails to check the subsequent low kick offering. Santos checks a calf kick and pitches an inside kick to the lead leg, ducking away from a pair of punches and putting his fist on the shoulder of his foe. Santos checks another kick, and he scoots back to dodge a jab to the midsection and comes up top with a head kick that is blocked. Yusuff stands in the pocket and nails Santos with a left and a right, and he plants his shin on the inside of the Brazilian’s thigh. Yusuff ducks under a right hand and considers a takedown, but Santos pushes him away before it can materialize. Santos splits the guard with a jab, ignoring the feints and fakes and sticking out another that throws Yusuff off-balance. Yusuff shoots for a takedown, absorbs a flush spinning back kick to the ribs, and jumps back to his feet faster to go after a single-leg entry. Santos hacks at him with elbows to the side of the dome, thwarting the takedown but not getting off the fence. Yusuff knees him sternly in the sternum, and he lets the Brazilian jump at him at the bell.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The second round begins with head kicks from both men. Santos’ lands cleanly, cutting open the corner of the eye of his adversary, and he beats Yusuff to the punch with a jab and a one-two up top. Yusuff jabs but does not commit to it, as Santos springs back and forth and does not stay settled for long. Yusuff winds up on a long right hand, and when that misses, he boots the Brazilian in the body. Yusuff chambers and fires a heavy low kick, and he is jabbed back. Santos connects with a right and a left, and his one-two rings Yusuff’s bell. Santos’ leg kick knocks Yusuff off his feet, and Yusuff climbs back upright and walks into a front kick. “Super Sodiq” shoots for a double-leg takedown, and Santos turns him around with ease, his strikes further shredded open a cut on Yusuff’s eyebrow while also bloodying his nose. Santos turns Yusuff around, bopping him with shoulder strikes when there is nothing else to offer. Santos gets in a knee or two, and he is smacked in the back of the head a few times. Hatley warns Yusuff, and they continue to jockey for position in the tie-up. Hatley asks Santos to do more, and he answers by slashing out with an elbow to break free. Yusuff takes it flush and circles away, probing with a front kick while trying to manage his range. Santos times a spin to deliver a punch that inadvertently lands in the back of the head, and they both plant their feet and bust one another in the chops with fierce right hands. Yusuff recovers first and slaps his foe’s front leg with a kick, but it is one-and-done as he backpedals. Santos jumps to no avail, but he spins with a wheel kick that bangs into the side of the head as the horn blows.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Yusuff flashes his jab to start the final frame, and Santos greets him with a chopping kick. Yusuff follows his man around, although little comes from it other than walking through a couple jabs and getting a low kick checked. Santos stutter-steps in with a right hand that drills Yusuff on the chin, and Yusuff is rough and tumble and keeps powering forward. Yusuff jabs out with a front kick, and he tries to lash out with an elbow but Santos is out of the way. Yusuff lands a pair of low kicks that make the Brazilian preemptively lift his leg up, and he throws two more to the same spot as a slight limp develops. Yusuff spins himself all the way around when missing with another kick, but he lands and score one more. Santos shrugs them all off and cracks Yusuff with a right hand, but the leg kicks continue to mount. Yusuff fakes one low to go high, but the Brazilian sees them coming and wraps a kick up high. Yusuff darts forward with a left hand that collides with the raised guard, and he shoots for a takedown that he nearly completes. As if he had springs on his shorts, Santos bounces off the floor and back to his feet. Yusuff backs him to the fence while still looking for a single, and Santos slaps him hard in the back. The sound of these slaps echo in the Apex, as he continues slapping the aggressor anywhere he can land them. Santos slaps Yusuff in the side of the head and turns Yusuff around, and he breaks off with an uppercut. Santos jabs with his foot, and Yusuff comes up short with a head kick. Santos chains a low kick into two body kicks, the second leaping, and the third round comes to a close. Santos shouts loudly to let out anything he has left, likely confident that he did enough to get the job done.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Mairon Santos def. Sodiq Yusuff via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Paul Craig (205) vs. Rodolfo Bellato (205.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Bellato (-500), Craig (+380)

Round 1

The fight was canceled on Saturday evening due to a medical issue for Bellato. The news first broke on the main card of the broadcast, which stated that it will be rebooked within a few weeks.

Gilbert Burns (170) vs. Michael Morales (170.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Morales (-850), Burns (+575)

Round 1

In keeping with the theme of fights that promise action and intensity, the main event should be just what the doctor ordered. Former title challenger Burns (22-8, 15-8 UFC) may have his best days behind him, but “Durinho” is still as dangerous at it comes at 170 pounds. To keep himself in top contention, he will need to deflate the momentum of Morales (17-0, 5-0 UFC), who would like nothing more than to have a breakout performance at the expense of the vaunted grappler. Referee Herb Dean brings these two to the center of the cage to issue final instructions, and they stoically bump fists to seal the cage and make things official. It’s time for some action. It is Morales who claims the center of the Monster Logo on the floor, while Burns circles around him. Burns circles away from the power side of the Ecuadorian, and he lets loose a low kick that slaps loudly. When Morales retaliates with a calf kick, it is a thudding sound. Burns leaps forward to strike, and Morales dances out of the way and punches him around the back of the ear. Burns launches a kick up high, and Morales parries and lobs a jab back. Burns throws a fastball of a right hand that is well off the mark, but his check left hook does catch the chin. Morales lines up a heavy right hand that back off Burns, and he gets clipped by the older man. Burns marches him down looping hooks, and Morales rolls with the punches and jabs his way forward. Burns counters and takes a few more jabs on the nose, and he absorbs a thumping kick on his calf. Morales connects with a crisp uppercut, shaking up the grappler and forcing him to shoot for a takedown. Morales is dragged to his seat for a moment, and Burns wraps his arms around him as Morales stands. Burns leans in close and tight, but Morales pushes him back and unloads with power punches. Morales knocks Burns back to the wall courtesy of a clubbing right hand, and his onslaught slowly breaks Burns down and puts him on the ground. Dean calls for Burns to fight back, and Burns answers by ducking under and grabbing his foe's legs awkwardly for some kind of desperation takedown. Morales steps over it, allows Burns to stand and lays into him with a blistering salvo of bombarding fists that puts “Durinho” down for the count again. This time, as Dean observes that Burns’ face is bleeding and he is in a bad way, he waves the fight off. Burns sits up, but he does not protest, knowing that the day is not his. Morales has just passed the biggest test of his career with flying colors, destroying a durable top talent in the first round and not looking back. When Burns gets back to his feet, he needs a minute to recover, but he embraces the man who ran through him like no one has at 170 pounds. The 25-year-old handles the huge moment with poise, dedicating the victory to his mother and thanking her for her advice while declaring that he is ready for the next challenge, whatever that may be. Morales says he is healthy and ready to go, so with any luck, he will be back in the cage at least one more time this year. When he fights next, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.

The Official Result

Michael Morales def. Gilbert Burns R1 3:39 via TKO (Punches)