BOSTON – UFC 292 took place at TD Garden. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.
In the main event, bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling (23-4 MMA, 15-4 UFC) took on challenger Sean O’Malley (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC). Sterling holds the UFC record for most consecutive title defenses at 135 pounds. In the co-feature, women’s strawweight champ Zhang Weili (24-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) met challenger Amanda Lemos (13-3-1 MMA, 7-3 UFC) in the first test of her second reign as titleholder.
In addition, former middleweight champ Chris Weidman (15-7 MMA, 11-7 UFC) returned from more than two years out after a severe broken leg in 2021. He took on Brad Tavares (20-9 MMA, 15-8 UFC) in a featured bout on the prelims. Plus, two new “Ultimate Fighter” winners will be crowned on the prelims.
Maryna Moroz vs. Karine Silva
Round 1 – Here we go. The TD Garden is already filling up nicely and a punch hasn’t even been thrown yet. This is the first event here since 2019, so the fans are thirsty for some fights. Moroz and Silva both come out with some kicks to the legs. Moroz jabs the body. The ole, ole, ole chants ring throughout TD Garden – and we’re not even into the Irish portion of the evening. As the singing fades out, Silva lands a combination and Moroz hits the deck. Silva swarms as Moroz gets back to her feet. Moroz grabs hold of Silva but she ate another hard punch right before she weathered the storm. Silva reverses against the cage and gets nasty with some dirty boxing. Moroz is stunned again. They’re swinging. Moroz lands a nice combination. Silva cracks her with a head kick, then shoots for a takedown. What a beautiful double leg takedown. Moroz is threatening an armbar from the bottom, though. Moroz then tries a triangle. Silva avoids and tries to pull for a guillotine choke. Moroz gets on top. Silva readjusts her grip – and it appears Moroz is in trouble. The clock is winding down from 10 seconds… 9…. 8… Moroz is struggling. 7….6….5…. Moroz’s arm is up. 4…3…2…there’s the tap! With one second left. Wow!! Silva by submission.
Result: Karine Silva def. Maryna Moroz via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 4:59
Recap: Karine Silva avenges loss to Maryna Moroz with buzzer-beater submission
Photos: Karine Silva def. Maryna Moroz
Records: Maryna Moroz (11-5 MMA, 6-5 UFC), Karine Silva (17-4 MMA, 3-0 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: John English
Andrea Lee vs. Natalia Silva
Round 1 – “Hut, hut, hut,” goes Silva as she fires a combination. Silva stands in the pocket and lands some bombs. Lee is a bit wobbly, as Silva drills her again. Lee retreats as Silva fires off a series of kicks. Lee is bleeding from her nose. She looks very uncomfortable thus far and the breathing seems to be only adding to that. Lee lands and Silva counters. A slick three-strike combination is topped off with a high kick by Silva. Lee counters with a nice straight punch. Silva looks so incredibly comfortable in there. She’s so composed. Lee is covered in red. Silva lands a jumping spinning back kick to the head. Wow, she’s flowing right now. Silva rips the body with a hard kick right before the horn sounds. 10-9 Silva.
Round 2 – Silva continues to be the aggressor. Lee isn’t wasting much movement. The left upper thigh of Lee has a big foot welt on it. Lee lands a slick front kick to the face of Silva. Moments later, Silva lands a hard punch. Lee and Silva kick and Silva comes away limping. She switches stances, almost trying to test out how stable it was. It seems to be an issue, though she just ripped a kick with it, so we’ll see. They trade. Silva continues to get the best of these exchanges. She is so slick and has been in complete control of this fight from start to finish. 10-9 Silva.
Round 3 – Silva shook out her leg in between rounds. She seems to be a bit more comfortable on it now. Meanwhile, Lee’s corner and boyfriend, former UFC fighter Tony Kelly, had expletive-filled sentences for his girlfriend. It seems they are aware they are down. Silva knocks Lee down with a push kick to the midsection. Lee is back up on her feet. Silva continues to jab and kick Lee, who appears to have a little more urgency. Lee’s cardio and speed does not appear to be there, though. Lee’s nose is even more exploded now, but she continues to fight on. They both land jabs. Silva is utilizing fantastic footwork to stay out of the reach of Lee. Silva tries a jumping switch kick. The round ends and Silva crumples to her knees. She knows she’s done enough. 30-27 Silva.
Result: Natalia Silva def. Andrea Lee via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: Natalia Silva def. Andrea Lee
Records: Andrea Lee (13-8 MMA, 5-6 UFC), Natalia Silva (16-5-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Kevin MacDonald
Judging: Ben Cartlidge, David Ginsberg, Nick Mahmood
Gerald Meerschaert vs. Andre Petroski
Round 1 – Great walkout songs from both men. Meerschaert out to “99 Luftballons” by Nena, then Petroski gets a big pop as the opening beats of “Still D.R.E.” by Dr. Dre plays. Anyway, now they’re fighting. Both men come out timid. Petroski is the first to land. Meerschaert retreats, but never was in any real trouble. They trade some more. Meerschaert is off to a much slower start than Petroski, who is at least letting his lands go. Petroski tags Meerschaert against the fence and tries a big knee. Meerschaert took some damage, but resets. Meerschaert throws a slow, looping combination. Petroski whiffs on a punch as Meerschaert and signals he was poked in the eye. Referee Herb Dean calls timeout. After a brief break, Petroski gives the high-sign that he’s good to go. The action resumes. Petroski shoots for a takedown. Meerschaert shoots up a reverse triangle. They’re in a weird pretzel position as the clock winds down and the crowd boos. 10-9 Petroski.
Round 2 – Both men are opening up more here in Round 2, but the vast majority of combinations have been slow solo-strikes. Meerschaert connects on a slick lefthand as Petroski throws. Petroski throws a kick. Meerschaert catches it and lands a punch. Petroski nearly falls over but bounces off the cage and circles away. Meerschaert has his timing down all of a sudden. Petroski rips the body with a punch. Meerschaert lands to the head. Meerschaert lands a combination. Petroski comes back with a big left hand – and another. Petroski’s punches are now slower than Meerschaert’s, but you can tell there is massive power behind them. Petroski shoots for a single-leg. Meerschaert defends and lands a body punch against the cage. Petroski drops Meerschaert with a big punch. Petroski jumps on top and lands some elbows. Meerschaert is still with it. He has a hold of Petroski’s leg and sneaks out the back door. Wow. What a tough dude you are, Gerald Meerschaert. For understandable reasons, Meerschaert shoots. Petroski easily stuffs it. He switches to the back of Meerschaert, stands up, and throws a bomb downward. Meerschaert absorbs it and rolls for a leg. The round ends and some life has been breathed back into TD Garden. 20-18 Petroski.
Round 3 – Meerschaert catches a Petroski kick and takes the fight to the canvas. Petroski shoots for a triangle off his back, but he doesn’t have the position. Meerschaert is riding out the fight in Petroski’s guard and the crowd does not like it. Herb Dean warns Meerschaert that he needs to see more offense. Meerschaert tries some ground-and-pound. Petroski shoots for an armbar but gives up position. Petroski grabs hold of a leg and uses it to stand up. Meerschaert charges forward and hurts Petroski, who fires back. They both land. Meerschaert lands a combination. Petroski misses on a big combination and Meerschaert drills him again. Huffing and puffing from his mouth, Petroski shoots. Meerschaert rolls with him and tries a guillotine choke. Petroski escapes and moves to half guard, then side control. Meerschaert tries to sit up an Petroski grabs his neck. He uses a guillotine choke to briefly move to mount, but Meerschaert just stands right up. Meerschaert drills Petroski. There’s about 30 seconds left and these two are trading. Oh my goodness. They are going blow for blow. This is shades of Max Holloway vs. Ricardo Lamas. The roof is about to blow off this place. Meerschaert hurts Petroski, but he’s still firing. The horn sounds and a big ovation rains down. MMA Junkie scores the bout 29-28 Petroski but what a fight.
Result: Andre Petroski def. Gerald Meerschaert via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: Andre Petroski def. Gerald Meerschaert
Records: Gerald Meerschaert (35-17 MMA, 10-9 UFC), Andre Petroski (10-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging: Steve Rita, Marcel Varela (29-28 Petroski, scoring Round 3 for Meerschaert); Sal D’Amato (29-28 Meerschaert, scoring Round 2 for Petroski)
Cody Gibson vs. Brad Katona
Round 1 – All right, here’s the first of two “TUF 31” finals. Rivals Katona and Gibson will settle the score here. After a “Let’s go Bruins,” chant un-related to the fight, a “U-S-A” chant backs Gibson. For those who missed it, during the series Gibson tore an MCL. That was only months ago and here he is fighting again. He told us before the fight that it’s fine, but was that just a pokerfaced fib? Katona is landing a sneaky little hook as Gibson comes in. Gibson is getting a little wild with his footwork funky. Gibson lands a nice uppercut and Katona swings wildly. Gibson is walking down Katona now. The size difference here is crazy. Gibson looks a weight class bigger. Gibson ducks under the jabs of Katona and lands a leg kick. Gibson lands a straight left. Katona shoves a Gibson clinch away. Both fighters exchange as the bell sounds. Close, but 10-9 Gibson.
Round 2 – Gibson has some nasty swelling under his right eye. Katona shoots for a takedown and Gibson stuffs. Gibson lands a punch. His uppercut has been money. Gibson clinches Katona against the fence. Katona shoves him away. Katona lands a sneaky left that pops Gibson’s mouthpiece halfway out. Gibson catches it and resets it back where it should be. Katona shoots but pulls up. Gibson goes head-body. They dirty box and Katona tries a knee, but the height difference causes him to come up short. Gibson is just picking apart Katona. After a few more good combinations from Gibson, Katona finally lands one of his own. Both guys are definitely tired but not giving up. They clinch and trade on the break. Gibson comes in and Katona clips him. On the reset, Gibson does the chicken dance. Wow, a delayed reaction! Katona swarms and drills Gibson with a punch. Katona again can’t reach Gibson’s head with the knee. Katona pops Gibson with a straight right. This is getting fun. 19-19.
Round 3 – Katona pumps the crowd up as the third round begins. This is probably the most exciting fight I’ve ever seen him in. Gibson lands a hard two-punch combination that snaps Katona’s head back. Katona’s left eye is swollen. Both guys are throwing. Lots of misses, but they’re trying. Katona rips a loud two-punch combination to Gibson’s body. Katona kicks Gibson in the body. Gibson fires back with a hard right hand. Katona pops Gibson with a double jab. Katona has more volume going here in Round 3. I wonder if Gibson burnt himself out. Gibson cracks Katona with another right hand. Gibson lands two punches. They clinch. Katona rips the body. They break and Katona hits Gibson in the face again. In the clinch, Katona hits Gibson with an uppercut. Gibson looks spent. Katona hurts Gibson, who holds his face. It seems like something may have broken orbital-wise there. Katona swarming but Gibson cranks him. They’re trading. This is fantastic. Katona lands three or four uppercuts in a row that snap Gibson’s head back. Gibson shoots a single leg. Katona prevents it but they’re clinching. The two trade briefly before the bell – and another eruption from the crowd. MMA Junkie scores the fight 29-28 Katona.
Result: Brad Katona def. Cody Gibson via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Recap: Brad Katona outworks Cody Gibson in classic, makes history as two-time ‘TUF’ winner
Photos: Brad Katona def. Cody Gibson
Records: Cody Gibson (19-9 MMA, 1-4 UFC), Brad Katona (13-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Marc Goddard
Judging: David Ginsberg, Nick Mahmood (29-28, scoring Round 1); Chris Lee (30-27)
Kurt Holobaugh vs. Austin Hubbard
Round 1 – Both guys come out tremendously aggressive. Hubbard swings. Holobaugh does, too. Holobaugh connects but Hubbard drags him down with ease. Hubbard landing some hard elbows from the top. Holobough tries to sneak out but Hubbard maintains him. Hubbard grabs hold of Holobaugh’s neck. Holobaugh drops to his back to avoid the choke. Holobaugh rolls and gets up but Hubbard still has his neck against the cage. Holobaugh works away and toward the center. Hubbard lands a hard punch on Holobaugh, who whiffs. Holobaugh lands a hard combination, his best offense of the fight, but Hubbard circles away. Holobaugh jabs. Hubbard takes him down again and lands rabbit punches. Holobaugh wall-walks back up. Someone is bleeding. I think Holobaugh’s cauliflower ear sprung a leak. Hubbard tries to take Holobaugh down again but is denied. Holobaugh lands a punch and the round ends. 10-9 Hubbard.
Round 2 – Hubbard lands a leg kick as Holobaugh comes over the top. Hubbard tries a single leg but slides right off Holobaugh’s leg all the way down to the canvas. Holobaugh lands a combination after Hubbard gets up. Holobaugh cracks Hubbard again. Hubbard shoots and Holobaugh denies with a big punch. They’re swinging now – and Holobaugh drops Hubbard. Holobaugh has a front head lock. He moves to the back of Hubbard. He’s working for a rear-naked choke but it appears to be more over the jaw. Holobaugh moves into mount and lands some ground-and-pound. Hubbard pushes off the fence and Holobaugh has him in an armbar! Holobaugh switches to the triangle and squeezes. Hubbard is in trouble. There’s the tap! In his third UFC stint and fifth overall UFC fight, Holobaugh finally gets his first UFC win. What a stage to do it on.
Result: Kurt Holobaugh def. Austin Hubbard via submission (triangle choke) – Round 2, 2:39
Recap: Kurt Holobaugh taps Austin Hubbard with slick jiu-jitsu to win ‘TUF 31’ lightweight season
Photos: Kurt Holobaugh def. Austin Hubbard
Records: Kurt Holobaugh (20-7 MMA, 1-4 UFC), Austin Hubbard (15-7 MMA, 3-5 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: John English
Gregory Rodrigues vs. Denis Tiuliulin
Round 1 – A big pop for Rodrigues. Boos for Tiuliulin. Both men come out tentative. Tiuliulin fires a combination that misses. Rodrigues grabs hold of the body and dumps Tiuliulin. After a few seconds, Rodrigues moves to mount. Two elbows later and Tiuliulin is out! Wow. That was quick.
Result: Gregory Rodrigues def. Denis Tiuliulin via knockout (ground-and-pound) – Round 1, 1:43
Recap: Gregory Rodrigues smashes Denis Tiuliulin with elbows for first-round knockout
Photos: Gregory Rodrigues def. Denis Tiuliulin
Records: Gregory Rodrigues (14-5 MMA, 5-2 UFC), Denis Tiuliulin (11-8 MMA, 1-3 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Bryan Miner
Brad Tavares vs. Chris Weidman
Round 1 – Here we go. Weidman’s first fight since his broken leg in April 2021. He got a huge ovation upon entry. Tavares lands a punch. Weidman is pushing the action. He shoots for a takedown and Tavares stuffs it. Tavares runs in and lands a hard right that sends Weidman backward. Tavares kicks Weidman’s leg. Weidman still hasn’t thrown a kick of his own. Weidman shoots again. He’s pushing Tavares against the fence. Tavares easily defends. They trade kicks and Tavares drills Weidman in the groin. That was a football punt right between the uprights. After a brief pause, the action resumes. Weidman lands a punch. Tavares returns. Tavares kicks the lead leg of Weidman again. Tavares snaps a jab, then another leg kick. Weidman lands a left. Weidman tries a quick single leg but Tavares sneaks his leg away. They trade kicks. 10-9 Tavares
Round 2 – Tavares goes high with a kick, then goes low. That kick hurt Weidman. Oh no. He’s limping around on his injured leg. Tavares tells referee Keith Peterson he should step in. Peterson doesn’t and Tavares presses forward. But Weidman is fired up. He lands a combination on Tavares. What a turn of events. Weidman moving forward aggressively. He push kicks Tavares in the midsection, but Tavares signals it went low. Weidman takes him down and Peterson intervenes due to what he calls a low blow – the replay says otherwise. Nonetheless, Tavares is given his time to recover. The action resumes and Weidman continues to move forward. He throws a kick with his injured leg. Sheesh. Weidman drops Tavares. Man, he is on a mission. Tavares gets up and Weidman pursues him. Weidman lands another combination and pushes Tavares against the cage. They trade head kicks, but both are blocked. Weidman lands a punch and clinches Tavares. The round ends. Jeez, what drama! 20-18, because damage wins fights – and that leg is certainly damaged.
Round 3 – Tavares lands a leg kick, then kicks Weidman in the groin again. This fight has not been kind to the legs or testicles of Weidman. Tavares kicks Weidman’s leg again. Weidman hobbles and swears. Tavares goes in for the kill and boots Weidman’s leg over and over. Weidman shoots for a takedown and Tavares stuffs. Tavares kicks Weidman’s leg again. Weidman lands a combination and Tavares stumbles near the cage, but I think it was a trip. Weidman tries to clinch Tavares against the fence, but Tavares spins way. Tavares lands another leg kick. Tavares throws a lazy kick and Weidman cracks him. Tavares moves on his bicycle, then lands a combination. Weidman has some serious heart, man. Weidman moves in for a clinch and again Tavares shoves him. Tavares lands two more kicks. Weidman limps. Twice more Tavares lands a kick – then another. Weidman connects with a punch, but Tavares continues to backpedal. The round ends. MMA Junkie scores it 30-27 Tavares.
Result: Brad Tavares def. Chris Weidman via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Recap: Brad Tavares targets legs, spoils Chris Weidman’s return from injury by decision
Photos: Brad Tavares def. Chris Weidman
Records: Brad Tavares (20-9 MMA, 15-8 UFC), Chris Weidman (15-7 MMA, 11-7 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson
Judging: Ben Cartlidge, Sal D’Amato, Nick Mahmood
Pedro Munhoz vs. Marlon Vera
Round 1 – The main card kicks off with Boston sports icons of past and present, including Johnny Damon, Joe Mazzulla and Jonathan Papelbon, watching on. Vera knocks Munhoz down in the opening seconds, though I think he lost his footing. Munhoz hammers the lead leg of Vera over and over. Perhaps he was inspired by Brad Tavares. Vera and Munhoz both land. Munhoz is doubling up on his punches now. Vera lands a nice jab that has Munhoz blinking. Vera goes body head. Munhoz wiffs on a combination, then Vera tries a stepping knee. Vera lands a punch right before the round ends. 10-9 Munhoz, but Vera is known as a slow starter.
Round 2 – This is essentially turning into a kickboxing match. Both guys are standing within arms reach, landing single or two-strike combination. The crowd is not particularly loving this one, but it’s super technical. Vera lands a left hand. Munhoz returns with two hard rights and then misses on a spin kick to the body. Munhoz lands a leg kick, then another. Vera jabs. Munhoz goes to the leg kick again. Vera tries to explode for a combination topped off by a high kick, but Munhoz evades. Munhoz lands a beautifully set up left hand, followed by another leg kick. Vera is struggling to break Munhoz’s rhythm. Munhoz keeps touching his face. I’m not sure if it’s just a nervous habit or if something is bothering him. Perhaps his eye? Anyway, his output has not been effected. They trade leg kicks, then wing in the pocket. Yeesh. If someone landed on those punches, lights would be out. Munhoz is like an inch or two out of the combinations of Vera. His footwork is something to behold. Munhoz stumbles off balance while throwing a leg kick. The two fighters clinch briefly and separate before the horn sounds. 20-18 Munhoz.
Round 3 – Munhoz takes a hand to the face and signals Vera had his fingers open, but they fight on. Verea lands a good punch as Munhoz gets aggressive. Munhoz lands a leg kick. Vera teeps Munhoz’s knee in return. Vera lands a nice combination. Vera tags Munhoz, who begins to fire off in defense. Munhoz lands two punches on Vera and seems to have regained himself after a minor equilibrium fault. Vera lands a hard overhand right from an unusual angle. They clinch and Vera rips a hard body shot on the break. The two fighters wing. Munhoz absorbs the worst of it. Vera is coming alive here, but you have to wonder if it’s too little, too late. The slow starter curse harms you a hell of a lot more when you have three rounds instead of five. After a brief period of relative inactivity, Vera and Munhoz exchange again. Munhoz is bloodied and swollen. This round has taken its toll. The final horn sounds. MMA Junkie scores it 29-28 Munhoz.
Result: Marlon Vera def. Pedro Munhoz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Recap: Marlon Vera outpoints Pedro Munhoz in all-striking affair for unanimous nod
Photos: Marlon Vera def. Pedro Munhoz
Records: Pedro Munhoz (20-8 MMA, 10-8 UFC), Marlon Vera (21-8-1 MMA, 15-7 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging: Nick Mahmood, Marcel Varela (30-27); Ben Cartlidge (29-28, scoring Round 2 for Munhoz)
Mario Bautista vs. Da'Mon Blackshear
Round 1 – A touch of gloves and we’re off. Remember: if Blackshear wins this, he will be the first non-tournament fighter in UFC history to win two fights in eight days. Blackshear lands a leg kick and Bautista returns. They trade. Blackshear connects. Blackshear rips the body with a kick, then tries a takedown. Bautista defends as he is driven into the cage to clinch. Blackshear drags Bautista to the canvas. Bautista threatens a leg submission, but Blackshear evades and grabs a neck. Bautista tries to stand up and Blackshear knees him in the midsection. They separate. They clinch in the center of the cage, grinding their heads against one another. Blackshear kicks Bautista’s body and Bautista cracks him in the face. Blackshear drove through the punch for a takedown, which he gets. Blackshear quickly shifts to the back but before he can get his hooks in, Bautista stands up. Bautista pulls fora. guillotine choke and this looks tight. Blackshear pops his head out, though. Bautista shoves him off with his feet. They’re back standing and Blackshear jump-kicks Bautista in the face. That was pretty. The round ends. 10-9 Blackshear.
Round 2 – Blackshear lands another body kick. They simultaneously trade. Bautista shoots for a double leg. Blackshear walks him back toward the center and they throw elbows on the break. Bautista lands a leg kick. Bautista moves in and Blackshear grabs double underhooks. Blackshear shoves Bautista into the fence. They separate. Blackshear lands a series of leg kicks. Bautista shoots again. They separate and Bautista shoots again. Blackshear shoves him aside. Blackshear tries for a takedown on Bautista. They hit the mat but Blackshear can’t quite keep hold of Bautista, who rises up. Back in the center, Blackshear connects on a right hand. They dirty box with Blackshear firing overhands as Bautista tries a knee. Bautista clinches Blackshear against the fence. They break and the round ends. 20-18 Blackshear, I think. Both rounds have been close.
Round 3 – They trade some more. This fight has been on spin cycle – it’s the same thing over and over again. Bautista shoots. Blackshear walks him to the center and Bautista lands some knees.. They break. Bautista shoots and gets a takedown. He has Blackshear’s back with one hook in. Blackshear tries to sit up and Bautista drags him back to the canvas. Blackshear denies the second hook but eats some punches. Blackshear stands up using the cage and they separate. Blackshear catches Bautista’s kick and punches him. The combination of the two actions causes Bautista to sit on the seat of his pants. Bautista scrambles, however, and takes Blackshear down before the round ends. MMA Junkie scores it 29-28 Blackshear… but it’s anyone’s fight because of those first two rounds.
Result: Mario Bautista def. Da’Mon Blackshear via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Recap: Mario Bautista spoils Da’Mon Blackshear’s bid at history with decision
Photos: Mario Bautista def. Da’Mon Blackshear
Records: Mario Bautista (13-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC), Da’Mon Blackshear (14-6-1 MMA, 2-2-1 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Bryan Miner
Judging: Sal D’Amato, Chris Lee (29-28, scoring 1 for Blackshear); Steve Rita (30-27)
Ian Machado Garry vs. Neil Magny
Round 1 – The night of the leg kick continues. Garry knocks Magny down with a leg kick. Magny gets up but here come the “ole, ole, ole” chants. Again, Garry knocks Magny down with a leg kick. Garry lands a hard jab, then comes over the top with a right hand. Garry lands a leg kick. Magny tries to tie Garry up in the clinch. There’s an extended struggle of jostling for position but eventually Garry separates. Magny is reacting to a lot of Garry’s feints. Magny lands a leg kick. Garry lands another leg kick and Magny switches stances. Garry smushes Magny into the fence. Peterson warns Garry about putting his arm outside the cage. Garry shows his hand is upward. Garry takes Magny down. Magny shoves Garry off and Garry lets him stand back up. For a third time, Garry knocks Magny down with a leg kick. Magny butt-scoots across the cage toward the standing Garry before getting up. That’ll be a GIF or a meme or something. Garry goes with a high kick that connects but Magny catches it. Garry falls off balance and runs across the cage. Magny chases him but doesn’t land anything. Garry grabs hold of Magny, who turns him around into the cage. The horn sounds. 10-9 Garry.
Round 2 – Garry tries a high kick but Magny blocks. Garry punches Magny in the body. Garry tries another high kick, which whiffs. Magny kicks the lead leg. Garry lands a leg kick that has Magny limping. Magny backpedals away and his footing seemingly improves. Garry cracks two more leg kicks, though. These are becoming very problematic for Garry. Magny lands a leg kick, then grabs Garry and turns him into the fence. Magny is shoving Garry into the chainlink. Garry turns Magny around. Back in the center now, Garry lands a leg kick. He hits Magny in the face and Magny’s mouth guard goes flying. Peterson calls timeout and Magny puts it back in. Garry hurts Magny with another kick. This looks like it might be the beginning of the end. Magny is really hobbling. The tire might be blown. Magny is pogoing on one leg, leaning against the fence. Garry continues to throw combinations on him. Another leg kick has Magny hopping again. Garry lands a combination and Magny creates separation. Magny tries a leaping knee and Garry nearly knocks his block off. That could’ve been Fedor vs. Arlovski-esque had that landed. The round ends and Garry gives Magny the finger. 20-17 Garry.
Round 3 – Magny throws a leg kick and falls over. He gets ip. Garry goes low-high with kicks, then knocks Magny down with another leg kick and proceeds to batter Magny’s leg with more kicks while he’s on the ground. Magny does the butt-scoot again and Garry signals for him to get up. Garry connects on another leg kick. Garry lands a LOUD body kick. Magny tries to grab hold of Garry, but he can’t get the grip. Garry lands a hard overhand right. He’s just stalking Magny around the cage, hands down, full of confidence. Magny grabs hold of Garry to slow the onslaught of leg kicks, but it’s only temporary as Garry resets. Garry lands a two-punch combination and Magny looks at the clock. Another leg kick knocks Magny down. Garry has Magny stand up again. Once Magny is up, Garry rocks him and proceeds to swarm. Magny didn’t go down but Garry has him against the fence and is unloading on him. Garry takes Magny to the canvas and is in half guard, now side control. The round ends and the two fighters shove each other. MMA Junkie scores it 30-25 Garry.
Result: Ian Machado Garry def. Neil Magny via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-24)
Recap: Ian Machado Garry destroys Neil Magny’s leg, calls out ‘Wonderboy’
Photos: Ian Machado Garry def. Neil Magny
Records: Ian Machado Garry (13-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC), Neil Magny (28-11 MMA, 21-10 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Keith Peterson
Judging: Ben Cartlidge, Marcel Varela (30-26, scoring Round 3 a 10-8); David Ginsberg (30-24, scoring all three rounds 10-8s)
Zhang Weili vs. Amanda Lemos
Round 1 – Weili cracks Lemos in the opening seconds and knocks her down. Weili is in side control. Lemos is preventing Weili’s pass into full mount but she is being straight outmuscled right now. Weili is landing some punches. Weili now in half guard. Lemos sits up against the fence and Weili punches her a half-dozen times. Lemos moves and grabs a hold of Weili’s neck. This is essentially a D’Arce choke from the bottom. This should not work but Weili does not seem to like it. This is tight. Wow. Weili is being squeezed but I wonder if Lemos’ arms are being gassed, too. Weili is out and she back-mounts Lemos, who is covering up. Referee Kevin MacDonald is taking a close look but Lemos is showing him just enough it seems. Lemos escapes the position, only to be body-slammed by Weili right before the end of the round. 10-9 Weili.
Round 2 – Weili lands a hard punch. Lemos catches a kick and lets go before Weili hits her again. Lemos answers and tries to tie up Weili. That backfired, as Weili just planted her on the canvas. Weili hops into half guard. Not much going on here. Weili tries to slip her leg out to go to mount but Lemos rolls her. Weili counters the sweep attempt by taking Lemos’ back. Weili has both hooks in. Lemos escapes and rolls Weili up to the feet. Lemos tries for a takedown of her own but Weili proves to be too strong. Weili lands on top in Lemos’ guard. The round ends. 20-18 Weili.
Round 3 – The crowd starts a slow clap, hoping to get these two going again. Weili gets Lemos down and then dives in for a punch. Weili gets Lemos’ back again and flattens her out. Lemos tries to roll but Weili maintains the back. Weili has the body lock. Weili moves to side control. Lemos gets up against the fence and eats a few more Weili shots. Weili is shoving her into the fence. Weili breaks and lands a combination topped off by a push-kick to the midsection. Weili lands a crips boxing combination and misses on a high kick. Weili tries a hellacious standing elbow (which are always appreciated around these parts), but it misses. The round ends. 30-27 Weili.
Round 4 – Lemos tries to find some kind of opening to start the fourth. She hasn’t had much of an opportunity to throw many strikes after 15 minutes. But through two minutes, she’s thrown few punches considering she’s down three rounds. But at least on the feet, she has a shot – and she lands a solid right. When Lemos has landed, that’s what it’s been. And at the midway point, Lemos lands and Weili slips and hits the canvas. She pops back up, and 30 seconds later plants Lemos on the canvas for the fifth time. Lemos has a nice push-out to get back to her feet. With a minute left, Weili looks like she’s slowing down a little. They trade punches down the stretch. It’s Lemos’ best round of the fight, but it’s still a 10-9 frame for Weili on the unofficial Junkie card. That means 40-36 Weili.
Round 5 – Weili opens the round with a push kick to the knee. Weili drills Lemos with a big right hand. Lemos falls backward to the canvas as Weili rains down power shots. Lemos is showing heart, though. She grabs hold of Weili and avoids the finish – at least for the immediate. Lemos tries to get up but Weili has her arm tied up and is landing punches. Lemos finally slithers up the cage and is drilled by a Weili knee. Weili clinches Lemos against the fence and drags the fight back to the canvas. Weili moves to side control and lands some shots. Lemos sweeps her and tries for a guillotine. They separate. Lemos is tough. The fight ends with Lemos pushing Weili into the fence. MMA Junkie scores the bout 50-45 Weili.
Result: Zhang Weili def. Amanda Lemos via unanimous decision (50-43, 50-44, 49-45)
Recap: Zhang Weili shuts out Amanda Lemos in dominant title defense
Photos: Zhang Weili def. Amanda Lemos
Records: Zhang Weili (24-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC), Amanda Lemos (13-3-1 MMA, 7-3 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Kevin MacDonald
Judging: Sal D’Amato (50-43, scoring 10-8s in Round 1 and 5); Nick Mahmood (49-45, scoring Round 4 for Lemos and a 10-8 in Round 5) Chris Lee (50-44, scoring a 10-8 for Round 1)
Aljamain Sterling vs. Sean O'Malley
Round 1 – Sterling kicks things off literally with a kick. O’Malley is using a ton of movement, shifting side to side, deking Sterling, who tries a side kick. Sterling tries a front kick. So far, everything has missed. Here come the “ole” chants again. “F*ck you, Aljo,” chants now. The Boston vs. New York rivalry never dies. “Suga” chants. Sterling continues his kick-heavy attack. O’Malley hasn’t really landed anything of significance to this point. O’Malley tries a left hand. That’s blocked. O’Malley keeps switching stances as Sterling circles around him. Both fighters come up unsuccessful in spinning back kick attempts. Sterling shoots for a single leg and drives O’Malley into the fence. Sterling throws short rabbit punches as the round ends. 10-9 Sterling.
Round 2 – Sterling comes out more aggressive this round with a kick. O’Malley throws a kick of his own and falls off balance. Sterling pounces for a takedown. O’Malley defends the single leg attempt but eats a punch on the break. O’Malley drills Sterling with a right hand and Sterling faceplates. Sterling lands on his back and Sterling tries to survive but O’Malley is brutalizing him. Oh my goodness. Sterling is battered. Marc Goddard is giving him every opportunity to survive. Sterling gives up his back and that’s it. WELCOME TO THE SUGA SHOW. Round 2 knockout by Sean O’Malley. The UFC has who seems like a true superstar.
Result: Sean O’Malley def. Aljamain Sterling via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 0:51
Recap: Sean O’Malley drops, finishes Aljamain Sterling in Round 2 to win bantamweight title
Photos: Sean O’Malley def. Aljamain Sterling
Records: Aljamain Sterling (23-4 MMA, 15-4 UFC), Sean O’Malley (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Marc Goddard
