LAS VEGAS – UFC Fight Night 235 took place Saturday, and you can check out the play-by-play and official results below. UFC Fight Night 235 (ESPN+) took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
In the main event, Roman Dolidze (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) took on Nassourdine Imavov (13-4 MMA, 5-2 UFC) at middleweight. In the co-feature, Drew Dober (27-13 MMA, 13-9 UFC) met Renato Moicano (18-5-1 MMA, 10-5 UFC) at lightweight.
You can get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporter Ken Hathaway (@1khathaway) on X.
Thomas Petersen vs. Jamal Pogues
Round 1 – They touch gloves and begin sizing each other up. Pogues fires off a kick to the body, followed by an outside leg kick. Petersen closes the distance to clinch against the fence. Pogues shakes free and they return to the middle of the cage. They trade punches, with Pogues getting the better of it. Petersen continues to stalk forward, but eats another clean punch. A takedown attempt is stuffed by Pogues, who then fires another clean punching combo. Petersen keeps moving forward though, and clinches again, but it’s short-lived. Two minutes to go now, and Pogues connects with more punches. Petersen looks for the clinch again and gets it, but his knee strike goes south, pausing the fight. After about 45 seconds, the fight resumes. Petersen gets a single leg takedown and works his ground and pound from back mount. A few short punches are landed here, but Petersen didn’t put much steam on them.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Pogues.
Round 2 – Pogues lands a right hand to start, which prompts Petersen to go for a clinch. They separate and return to the middle momentarily, but Petersen gets right back in on the clinch against the cage. They return to the middle again. Pogues lands a right as Petersen’s nose begins to bleed. Petersen gets a single leg and lifts the leg to Pogues’ head, but still can’t get the takedown. They trade short punches with Pogues adding in a nice short elbow. Petersen pops Pogues’ head back with a left. Pogues teeps to the body. With a minute to go, they clinch in the middle, and Pogues lands a right on the exit. Another short clinch sequence against the fence follows. Petersen lands a nice right before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Pogues.
Round 3 – Fatigue is a factor to start the final round. Pogues teeps to the body, keeping the distance. Petersen punches to the body. A fast 1-2 combo from Pogues lands. Petersen looks to close the distance, but gets countered with clean punches as Pogues circles away. Midway through the round, Pogues continues to dictate the pace by keeping Petersen just out of range. A clinch attempt is brushed away by Pogues. Right at a minute to go, Petersen charges in for a takedown, but creates a nasty eye poke and Pogues drops to the canvas in agony. During the timeout, the camera shows the redness on Pogues’ eye. After 2 minutes, the fight resumed for the final 50 seconds. Petersen charges forward with punches, and connects as Pogues circles as he attempts to evade danger.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Petersen, but the fight goes to Pogues, 29-28.
Result: Jamal Pogues def. Thomas Petersen via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Photos: UFC Fight Night 235: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Petersen (8-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Pogues (11-4 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Eric McMahon
Judging: Mike Bell (29-28), Chris Lee (30-27), Anthony Maness (29-28)
Marquel Mederos vs. Landon Quinones
Round 1 – They quickly meet in the middle and exchange low leg kicks. Quinones lands a combo upstairs, rocking Mederos early. Mederos recovers and darts forward. Quinones evades, and a moment later looks for a jumping knee. The action remains fast in exchanges. Mederos lands a short hook, but Quinones gets in on the hips for a takedown attempt. The result is a clinch against the fence, wrestling for position. Quinones hits a shoulder strike on the exit. Back in space, they continue to trade punches. Mederos goes for a single leg now, and they’re back to wrestling along the fence. Quinones gets Mederos to the mat, but they instantly get back to their feet. With a minute to go, the clinch battle continues with position changes until the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Quinones.
Round 2 – Quinones kick to the body is caught, and Mederos charges forward with punches to set up the clinch. Against the cage, Mederos knees to the thighs while looking for the angle for a takedown. Quinones eventually reverses position and separates. A low kick from Mederos takes Quinones off his feet. Quinones pops back up and kicks to the body a moment later. Mederos pressures, but Quinones fires off a nice combination to push him back. Mederos gets right back in striking range to trade. Both land in the exchanges, but it seems Quinones’ strikes have more power on them.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Quinones.
Round 3 – The action is fast to start the final frame. Mederos keeps the pressure high as he begins to control the cage. He then closes in and looks for a single leg takedown, but Quinones defends. Mederos controls the back for a moment in the clinch, but lets it go, and they go back to the center. A low kick from Mederos pauses the fight, but it resumes in less than 30 seconds. Fast exchanges follow. Both fighters connect well. Quinones is knocked off balance, but gets it back on Mederos a few seconds later. Mederos clinches again, and the jockeying for position is on again. A short knee from Mederos goes south, prompting a second pause in the action for another half-minute. Mederos fires off kicks, followed by short elbows. Quinones looks to answer and eats a left. Quinones looks for a head kick. A heated exchange sees both fighters land flush moments before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Mederos, but the fight goes to Quinones, 29-28.
Result: Marquel Mederos def. Landon Quinones via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: UFC Fight Night 235: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Mederos (9-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Quinones (7-3-1 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Kerry Hatley
Judging: Adalaide Byrd (29-28), Junichiro Kamijo (29-28), Ron McCarthy (29-28)
Luana Carolina vs. Julija Stoliarenko
Round 1 – They touch gloves and Stoliarenko fires off a leg kick followed by a punch. A moment later a nice right connects and Stoliarenko initiates a clinch. Carolina does well to keep the fight standing as they battle for position against the fence. Carolina reverses position and they return to the center. A 1-2 lands for Carolina, and she puts a head kick not far behind it. Stoliarenko lands a right as Carolina looks for another high kick. Carolina looks for a spinning backfist, but Stoliarenko is ready and uses the moment to get a takedown. Carolina gets up quickly, but they remain clinched. Stoliarenko misses with a spinning elbow on the exit. Less than a minute to go, and Stoliarenko counters a kick with a takedown attempt, but Carolina ends up on top. Stoliarenko throws up an armbar and rolls Carolina over, but the fence and short time saves her.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Stoliarenko.
Round 2 – Both look for head kicks early, but Carolina makes contact while Stoliarenko misses. Stoliarenko lands a nice short right hand. Carolina lands a hard knee to the body. Single strike offerings follow from both fighters. Carolina mixes in punches and kicks, while Stoliarenko keeps to punches. Stoliarenko lands a nice short left and initiates a clinch along the fence. Carolina defends well, and they begin trading knees to the body. Carolina gets the better of it, but Stoliarenko pulls guard. Hammerfists from Carolina follow. Stoliarenko isolated an arm for a moment, but Carolina ended the round raining down punches.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Carolina.
Round 3 – After trading a few initial punches, Stoliarenko counters a kick to the body with a clinch. Carolina gets a Thai clinch and drills a couple of knees to the body. Stoliarenko adjusts for a single leg, but Carolina reverses position. A few more knees to the body and thighs land for Carolina. Stoliarenko jumps guard again, looking for an armbar. Stoliarenko switches to a triangle and locks it in. Carolina defends, but the armbar is there again. Back to the triangle now. Eventually Carolina escapes and they get back to their feet. Carolina lands a hard right that staggers Stoliarenko. Carolina then hits a hip toss and begins raining down punches from side control. Stoliarenko is stuck and can’t escape. The ref steps in for the TKO stoppage! What a sequence for Carolina!
Result: Luana Carolina def. Julija Stoliarenko via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 4:52
Recap: UFC Fight Night 235 video: Luana Carolina survives submissions, pounds out Julija Stoliarenko
Photos: UFC Fight Night 235: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Carolina (10-4 MMA, 5-3 UFC), Stoliarenko (11-8-1 MMA, 2-6 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Eric McMahon
Blake Bilder vs. Jung Gyeong Lee
Round 1 – They quickly touch gloves and begin the feel-out process with Lee controlling the middle. A short left from Bilder connects, followed by an inside leg kick. Lee rips a hard left to the body. A few moments later, another, and again with the right hand. Bilder darts in for a takedown, resulting in a cage clinch. Bilder works hard in the clinch but Lee doesn’t give an inch. Lee finds an opportunity for space and drills Bilder with a knee to the head that hurts him badly. Lee unleashes a furious combination, hunting for the finish. Bilder covers up to survive the moment. He gets back to the middle before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Lee.
Round 2 – Single strikes are exchanged early in the second. Lee seems to be having fun in there as he cracks a smile as they exchange and move about the cage. Bilder gets in on the hips, but Lee defends well and eventually reverses the position to get a takedown. He threatens an arm triangle immediately, but Bilder is wise to it. Bilder gets his back to the fence and seems ready to stand up, but Lee unleashes a flurry of punches, causing Bilder to go back to the canvas. Bilder weathers it for a moment, and gets back to his feet. Bilder looks for a head kick. Lee ends the round with a body-head combo.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Lee.
Round 3 – Lee is full of confidence as he controls the cage and looks to land strikes. Bilder once again tries to get the fight to the ground, but after the action stalls against the fence, Lee eventually ends up on top on the ground. Lee makes sure to maintain top control, and lands a nice left elbow. A few more short strikes from Lee on top as the time ticks away. Bilder tries to create space and connect with an upkick, but Lee evades as he closes back in with more punches.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Lee, giving him the fight 30-27.
Result: Jeong Yeong Lee def. Blake Bilder via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: UFC Fight Night 235: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Bilder (8-1-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Lee (10-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Mike Bell (30-27), Adalaide Byrd (30-27), Chris Lee (30-27)
Themba Gorimbo vs. Pete Rodriguez
Round 1 – Gorimbo controls the center early as they don’t waste time getting into striking exchanges. Gorimbo fires off a quick combination. Rodriguez attempts to return fire, but Gorimbo blasts him with a hard right! Rodriguez is down and Gorimbo is right there on top of him pouring on the follow-up punches. Herb Dean stops it! What a finish for Gorimbo in less than a minute!
Result: Themba Gorimbo def. Pete Rodriguez via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:32
Recap:
Photos: UFC Fight Night 235: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Gorimbo (12-4 MMA, 2-1 UFC), Rodriguez (5-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Charles Johnson vs. Azat Maksum
Round 1 – They touch gloves and get right to it. Maksum looks for a short left. Johnson darts in for a takedown but gets denied. Johnson fires off a combo, but Maksum cracks with a hard counter punch that floors Johnson. Maksum follows him down and locks in an anaconda choke. Johnson’s in trouble and scrambles to prevent a finish. Maksum keeps it locked in and Johnson eventually finds a space to remain calm and eventually escape. Back on the feet, Maksum keeps the forward pressure high. Maksum cracks Johnson with a left. A hard knee follows. Another punch from Maksum hurts Johnson. And again! Johnson resets and gathers himself, with his guard high now. Maksum looks for a takedown but Johnson defends, and sends a knee up the middle. Johnson slaps with an outside leg kick. Maksum gets a takedown right at the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Maksum.
Round 2 – They touch gloves again to start, and Johnson goes to work with leg kicks. Maksum returns with punches upstairs, causing Johnson to circle. Maksum fires off a 1-2. Johnson returns with a hook and a body shot. A few moments later, Johnson times a nice left and smoothly shoots in for a takedown. Johnson scrambles to Maksum’s back, but gets too high and loses the position. Back on the feet now, Maksum fires another 1-2. Johnson goes for a head kick but slips off his feet. Maksum keeps the forward pressure up, and steps in with a knee. Johnson counters with a couple of punches. With short time Johnson dives in for a takedown, but doesn’t get it before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Johnson.
Round 3 – One last glove touch. Makum fires a left that misses. Johnson just misses a front kick to the face. Maksum darts in with a combo. Johnson connects with an overhand right. Maksum looks for a single leg, eats a counter, but doesn’t give up on the takedown, and gets Johnson down momentarily. Back on the feet, Maksum peppers out a few punches. Johnson responds with low kicks. Maksum connects with a right hand. Two minutes left here. Johnson lands a left, Maksum responds. A combo from Johnson follows. Maksum kicks to the inside leg. Johnson fires back again. Maksum looks for the takedown, but Johnson slaps on a ninja choke. It looks deep, but Johnson releases. Maksum wobbles a bit on the exit. Johnson’s confidence seems to be growing as the action heats up in the final seconds. Johnson gets a nice double leg in the center of the cage and lands ground and pound until the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Johnson, giving him the fight 29-28.
Result: Charles Johnson def. Azat Maksum via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: UFC Fight Night 235: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Johnson (14-6 MMA, 3-4 UFC), Maksum (17-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Eric McMahon
Judging: Derek Cleary (29-28), Sal D’Amato (29-28), Chris Lee (29-28)
Diana Belbita vs. Molly McCann
Round 1 – They touch ’em up and McCann immediately fires off punches with steam. McCann continues to lead the action in the early punching exchanges. Belbita is content with playing her counters while McCann leads. Now Belbita goes first. McCann defends well and gets back on the gas. McCann times and completes a very nice double leg takedown in the center of the cage. Belbita scrambles back up quickly, however. They trade a few more punches before a clinch against the fence. McCann connects with a spinning elbow that may have hurt Belbita. The striking exchanges continue at a steady pace, with both connecting, but McCann’s offerings have more power. McCann lifts and dumps Belbita to the canvas and takes full mount. Hard elbows from the top pour in. Just a few seconds left and McCann transitions to an armbar. It’s deep! Belbita taps right before the horn! The replay shows the arm popping. Wow. What a finish for McCann in her strawweight debut.
Result: Molly McCann def. Diana Belbita via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 4:59
Recap:
Photos: UFC Fight Night 235: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Belbita (15-9 MMA, 2-5 UFC), McCann (14-6 MMA, 7-5 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Kerry Hatley
Charlie Radtke vs. Gilbert Urbina
Round 1 – Urbina gets things started with a hard outside leg kick. Radtke offers a pair of punches and Urbina goes back to the leg kick and one to the body. Radtke continues to study the range and snaps off a nice punch to get Urbina’s attention. Another jab not far behind it. Urbina darts in for the clinch, but Radtke breaks away. Radtke pressures from the middle now, connecting with a nice 1-2 as Urbina circles on the outside. Urbina kicks low, and Radtke counters with a right hand. An inside leg kick from Radtke goes low and the fight is paused for a few seconds. Radtke gets right back to the forward pressure. A Superman punch lands. Radtke continues to stalk and drops Urbina with a hard hooking left. Urbina gets up, but is clearly hurt. Radtke doesn’t rush things, but keeps the pressure high, and bang! Another punch floors Urbina again. This time Mark Smith rushes in as Radtke lands follow-up punches. Very impressive work by Radtke!
Result: Charlie Radtke def. Gilbert Urbina via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:47
Recap:
Photos: UFC Fight Night 235: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Radtke (9-3 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Urbina (7-3 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Aliaskhab Khizriev vs. Makhmud Muradov
Round 1 – They touch gloves and Khizriev presses forward with hard punches right off the bat. But Khizriev extends his fingers with his lead hand causing a nasty eye poke. The fight is paused and the doctor comes in to check on Muradov, but he’s struggling to open his eye and says he can’t see. After a couple of minutes, referee Herb Dean waves the fight off. That’s a super unfortunate outcome after just a few seconds of action.
Result: Aliaskhab Khizriev vs. Makhmud Muradov ends in a no contest (accidental eye poke) – Round 1, 0:11
Recap:
Photos: UFC Fight Night 235: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Khizriev (14-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Muradov (26-8 MMA, 4-2 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Viviane Araujo vs. Natalia Silva
Round 1 – Silva opens up with a leg kick and Araujo responds with a left. Silva circles on the outside, picking her spots for quick single strikes. Araujo remains calm and keeps the distance close. Silva goes high with a kick, but Araujo catches it and goes in for the takedown. Araujo keeps a tight waistlock as Silva defends to prevent the fight from going to the mat. The referee warns for action, and Araujo knees to the thigh. Eventually with just seconds to go, Silva finally breaks free and unleashes a furious flurry of strikes before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Araujo.
Round 2 – Silva gets back to firing quick strikes as Araujo stalks forward. A nice head kick from Silva lands. Araujo closes the distance, but eats a fast counter combination from Silva. Araujo backs away to reset and appears hurt. She takes a second, but goes back to her forward pressure as Silva continues to circle and stick on the outside. Silva’s jab is snappy and finds the target. Araujo digs in a nice leg kick. Silva misses a head kick in return, and Araujo initiates a clinch to slow the action. The referee separates them with less than a minute to go. Silva offers a jumping switch kick. Araujo lands an overhand right before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Silva.
Round 3 – Silva comes out firing kicks to the legs. She feints and goes for a head kick. A fast 1-2 lands just as Araujo was attempting to strike. Silva rips a nice punch to the body, followed by a side kick to the same target. Araujo keeps stalking ahead, and connects with a couple of nice punches before getting in on a single leg attempt. The clinch begins to stall again, and this time the referee is quick to call for action. Araujo adjusts to a double leg, but can’t get that either. Silva breaks free and fires off a jab. A pair of kicks follow. The speed difference is really apparent as Silva darts in and out, left and right. Araujo times a right, but doesn’t stop Silva’s movements. A spinning back kick just misses the target. Silva jabs again. Araujo kicks high and clinches, getting a takedown right at the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Silva, giving her the fight 29-28.
Result: Natalia Silva def. Viviane Araujo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: UFC Fight Night 235: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Araujo (12-6 MMA, 6-5 UFC), Silva (17-5-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Mike Bell (29-28), Derek Cleary (29-28), Sal D’Amato (29-28)
Randy Brown vs. Muslim Salikhov
Round 1 – No glove touch here. Brown starts things off with a front kick. Salikhov responds with a low kick of his own. Brown front kicks to the body again. Salikhov goes for a wheel kick. Brown darts in with a jab as Salikhov kicks to the legs. And another a moment later. Brown jabs, and again Salikhov digs in a kick to the calf. Brown doubles up the jab as he charges forward, but gets a finger in the eye, pausing the fight. The action resumes and Brown gets back to working from distance. A spinning back kick to the body from Salikhov misses. Brown offers a left, and puts a laser of a right hand behind it! Salikhov crashes to the canvas! One more punch seals it as the referee stops the action. Whoa.
Result: Randy Brown def. Muslim Salikhov via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:17
Recap: UFC Fight Night 235 video: Randy Brown drops Muslim Salikhov in Round 1, calls for UFC 300 slot
Photos: UFC Fight Night 235: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Brown (18-5 MMA, 12-5 UFC), Salikhov (19-5 MMA, 6-4 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Kerry Hatley
Drew Dober vs. Renato Moicano
Round 1 – They touch gloves and Moicano opens up with a left hook. Dober quickly fires back, creating an intense early exchange. A few seconds later, Dober fires off a combination. Moicano lands a right, but Dober’s counter lands with more power, appearing to slightly rock Moicano. As a result, Moicano looks for the takedown and ends up on top in the center of the cage. Working from half guard, Moicano lands a few short punches to the body and the head. Dober gets back to full guard. Dober gets both feet on the hips to kick Moicano off, but before he can get up to his feet, Moicano rushes back in to regain top control. Moicano maintains the position and adds a few more short strikes until the horn sounds.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Moicano.
Round 2 – Dober looks for a combination, but Moicano evades and re-enters for a nice takedown. This time Dober is able to get back to his feet, but Moicano sticks with him and doesn’t give up the clinch. A few seconds later, Moicano gets Dober back to the mat and works from the top. Dober locks down Moicano’s leg to prevent transitions, but eventually releases to scramble up to his feet. They don’t remain on the feet for long, though, as this time Dober gets a nice takedown. A big cut is opened up on Moicano from a clash of heads on the way down, and blood begins to cover both fighters. Dober rains in some hard elbows from the top.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Dober.
Round 3 – Both come out firing punches to set the tone for the final round. Dober goes for a high kick but can’t connect. A combination from Dober finds its mark, catching Moicano clean. A few moments later, Dober clips Moicano nicely again, but in the same sequence, Moicano gets a takedown. This time Moicano lands heavier punches from the top as the blood from the gash over his eye sprinkles the canvas. Dober tries to keep Moicano locked down, which prompts the referee to call for action. Moicano gets enough space to land a couple more punches. He gets side control, but opts to go back to half guard. Moicano stays heavy, and punches to the body and head until the clock runs out.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Moicano, giving him the fight 29-28.
Result: Renato Moicano def. Drew Dober via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Recap:
Photos: UFC Fight Night 235: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Dober (27-13 MMA, 13-9 UFC), Moicano (18-5-1 MMA, 10-5 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Mike Bell (29-28), Junichiro Kamijo (29-28), Chris Lee (29-28)
Roman Dolidze vs. Nassourdine Imavov
Round 1 – A quick touch of gloves starts the main event. Dolidze kicks to the legs, Imavov responds with a left down the pipe, followed by a couple of kicks to the body. Dolidze steps in to clinch, but eats a punch on the way in. Still, the clinch is there and Dolidze pushes Imavov to the fence. Imavov sneaks in a solid short elbow while trying to escape, but Dolidze adjusts and yells out to the referee that Imavov is holding his glove. The ref checks, but doesn’t see it. They separate, and Imavov lands a nice punch on the exit. Solid leg kicks are exchanged before Dolidze rushes forward with punches. Imavov lands a well-placed right hand. Dolidze looks for an opening, but Imavov blasts him with a hard right! Dolidze is rocked and goes down! Imavov swarms him with punches. Dolidze covers up on the canvas, trying to get a hold of Imavov to stay in the fight. Imavov pours on the damage and decides to go for an armbar right before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-8 for Imavov.
Round 2 – Imavov lands a nice jumping left hand to star the round. Dolidze eats it and returns fire. Imavov controls from the center, but isn’t rushing his offense. Dolidze gets a hold of him and takes the clinch to the fence. Dolidze foot stomps and goes high with a knee. They separate and return to the center and begin wildly swinging punches for a moment. After both reset, Dolidze clinches again, taking the fight to the fence. The ref calls for action, as the intermittent short strikes isn’t enough for his liking, and eventually separates the fighters. Dolidze lands a left, but Imavov cracks back with a cleaner punch.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Imavov.
Round 3 – After an initial exchange, Dolidze goes for the clinch. Imavov gets a reversal and lands nicely in close. Back in the center now, they trade punches with Imavov connecting cleaner. Dolidze goes for the clinch and eats a counter on the way in. Imavov breaks free and returns to the middle. A hard right hand soon finds the home for Imavov, which prompts Dolidze to clinch again. The ref calls for action again, but the fighters work through it this time before separating. Imavov blasts Dolidze again with a hard right and now he’s looking for the clinch. Dolidze reverses it to put Imavov’s back on the cage. The ref quickly calls for action as he doesn’t want to see any more stalled clinches. He separates them. Imavov goes high with a kick. Dolidze lands a spinning kick to the body before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Imavov.
Round 4 – Imavov comes out with a kick to the body and Dolidze looks to counter with a big looping punch. Imavov evades it and Dolidze clinches again. Quick on the trigger again, the ref calls for action. The clinch battle continues and Imavov gets a reversal to the back side. Dolidze puts a hand on the canvas. Imavov fires a kick to his head anyway, prompting the referee to pause the fight. Dolidze took a moment to recover and told the referee he was good to continue. After taking a point from Imavov, the fight resumed. Dolidze gets a takedown and began working from the top, but Imavov kept working himself to get back up. The clinch separates and the striking exchanges heat up. Both offer punches that land. A couple of spinning attacks from Dolidze miss the mark, giving Imavov an opening to clinch in the closing seconds.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Imavov, but with the point deduction, it becomes a 9-9.
Round 5 – Dolidze kicks to the legs to start, but Imavov charges forward with punches. Dolidze slips to the ground, but Imavov wants him back up. They get back into the clinch. Dolidze looks for a spinning back elbow again, but Imavov slips out of the way to clinch. Dolidze gets free to look for more strikes, but another opportunity to clinch is there for Imavov. Dolidze attempts to counter with a kimura grip as they go to the canvas, and is able to use that to help get back to his feet in the clinch. The referee sends them back to the center. Dolidze swings with big punches, but Imavov evades, leading to another clinch. A minute to go, and Dolidze threatens a takedown that is easily sprawled. An anaconda choke is there, but Imavov doesn’t go for it. Imavov lands punches as Dolidze attempts to get up. They trade once again before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Imavov, giving him the fight 49-44.
Result: Nassourdine Imavov def. Roman Dolidze via majority decision (49-44, 47-47, 48-46)
Recap:
Photos: UFC Fight Night 235: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Dolidze (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC), Imavov (13-4 MMA, 5-2 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging: Derek Cleary (49-44), Sal D’Amato (48-46), Ron McCarthy (47-47)
