LAS VEGAS – UFC Fight Night 240 took place Saturday, and MMA Junkie provided live play-by-play throughout the event. UFC Fight Night 240 (ESPN+) took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
In the main event, Brendan Allen (24-5 MMA, 12-2 UFC) took on Chris Curtis (31-11 MMA, 5-3 UFC) at middleweight. In the co-feature, Alexander Hernandez (14-8 MMA, 6-7 UFC) met Damon Jackson (23-6-1 MMA, 6-4-1 UFC) at featherweight.
You also can get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporter Ken Hathaway (@1khathaway ) on Twitter.
Enjoy the fights, everyone.
Nora Cornolle vs. Melissa Mullins
Round 1 – They waste no time getting into it, exchanging punches upstairs. Mullins stings with a nice combination, giving Cornolle pause. They reset to the center. Now Cornolle fires a series of punches, landing nicely. Mullins closes in for the clinch and nearly gets the takedown. Mullins keeps the clinch game going against the cage, and gets Cornolle to the ground. We’re midway through the round now, and Mullins is working to advance. Cornolle hits a reversal and they’re back to the feet. A couple of punches are traded, and then Mullins is back in on another clinch. Short strikes from both connect as the round comes to an end.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Mullins.
Round 2 – A quick touch of gloves, and a hard punching exchange follows. Mullins is back to the clinch work against the cage. A few knees to the thighs while looking for leverage, but Cornolle’s takedown defense is solid. Now Cornolle gets in a few knees to the body. They separate, and Cornolle fires off a series of side kicks to the legs. A knee to the body from Cornolle lands flush. Oh, wow! Mullins folds over and she’s retreating! Cornolle chases with a pair of head kicks and punches as Mullins goes to the ground. The referee stops it! Nice finish for Cornolle.
Result: Nora Cornolle def. Melissa Mullins via TKO (knee and punches) – Round 2, 3:06
Recap: Nora Cornolle shuts down Melissa Mullins with knee, head kicks at UFC Fight Night 240
Photos:
Records: Cornolle (8-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Mullins (6-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Cesar Almeida vs. Dylan Budka
Round 1 – Budka starts off by circling on the outside. He then offers head kick before changing levels for a nice takedown. Almeida gets his back to the fence, but Budka does a good job of keeping him on the ground. Almeida gets back to his feet with 3 minutes remaining, but Budka stays stuck to him, looking for a double leg. After a few seconds, Budka lifts and dumps Almeida back to the ground. Almeida returns to his feet quicker this time, but the clinch never breaks. The referee calls for action as the position stalls, and Budka starts to change angles on another takedown, while Almeida offers a few short punches to the head.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Budka.
Round 2 – Almeida comes out pressing forward with strikes. Budka returns with a kick, followed by a takedown. Almeida gets back to his feet quickly, but the clinch battle continues with Budka looking for a single leg. Almeida starts unloading short strikes, landing a few flush. Budka’s grip is loosening. Almeida takes the back. Almeida separates and continues to unload strikes. Budka looks for the clinch again, but Almeida keeps striking, connecting with hard downward elbows! Budka drops to the canvas! Almeida keeps punching and the referee calls it!
Result: Cesar Almeida def. Dylan Budka via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:13
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Almeida (5-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Budka (7-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Dan Argueta vs. Jean Matsumoto
Round 1 – A good bit of sizing up going on early before Argueta gets things going with a punch, immediately followed by a takedown. Matsumoto takes a few punches to the face as he works his way back up. Argueta keeps the aggression high, returning Matsumoto back to the ground, and landing a few more punches to the head. Argueta takes full mount, but Matsumoto finds space to escape. Scrambling to the feet, Matsumoto finds Argueta’s back, and now he’s leading the wrestling. Argueta sprawls nicely in the scrambles, and finds a kimura threat momentarily. They return to the feet, and Argueta is marching forward, right into another takedown. They get back up quickly, and now Argueta lands a clean punch. Matsumoto responds with a head kick before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Argueta.
Round 2 – Argueta immediately closes distance with punches and gets another takedown right away. Matsumoto gets up, but is returned to the mat. Matsumoto gets up again, but Argueta stays attached to the hips, and they’re back on the ground. Argueta has the back, loses it as Matsumoto gets up, but adjusts to bring him down again. Matsumoto is back up quickly, this time getting the separation he needs. In space, Matsumoto lands flush, appearing to hurt Argueta. Now they’re trading, but not for long. Argueta gets another double leg. Matsumoto works up, reverses, and gets a takedown of his own. Argueta is quick to get up now, and takes charge of the clinch. They separate, and exchange punches before Argueta clinches. Matsumoto breaks free and lands a nice short elbow. Argueta keeps moving forward, but appears more labored. Another takedown attempt from Argueta, but Matsumoto has a guillotine counter! It’s tight, and he’s going hard for it on short time. Argueta taps with one second left in the round! Wow!
Result: Jean Matsumoto def. Dan Argueta via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 4:59
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Argueta (9-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC), Matsumoto (15-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Pedro Falcao vs. Victor Hugo
Round 1 – Falcao doesn’t waste much time getting in on the clinch, hunting for a takedown. After a minute of working for it, Falcao gets the fight to the ground, and finds the back. Hugo gets back to full guard quickly, though. Falcao punches to the body. Hugo sets up a gogoplata, but Falcao isn’t having it. They return to the feet, but the clinch continues. Hugo finally gets separation with under two minutes to go and lands a leg kick. Falcao hunts for another takedown, but this one is denied. Hugo unloads kicks to the legs and the body. A nice uppercut follows. Hugo is on the hunt now, but a kick goes low, pausing the fight. After a minute recovery, Hugo gets right back on the attack, landing a few more strikes before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Hugo.
Round 2 – Intense striking exchanges start this round. Falcao attempts to slow things down with a takedown, but Hugo denies him. Back in the center, Falcao presses forward with a combo into a takedown attempt. Hugo defends and circles away, and they’re back to trading punches and kicks. Falcao goes for another single leg, but can’t get it. Hugo lands a nice left hand, but a spinning elbow misses, and Falcao clinches. Hugo gets free and looks for a leg kick. A teep to the body follows. Falcao can’t get another takedown. Hugo attempts a wheel kick, but Falcao dips under, leading to a body lock for Hugo. They separate, and Hugo stays on the attack with kicks, and lands a left hand at the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Hugo.
Round 3 – Right out of the gate, Hugo drops Falcao with a clean left hook. He doesn’t follow to the ground though. Falcao gets up, and presses forward, with Hugo looking to land counters. Hugo lands a spinning back kick that may have been low, but the fight continues on. Falcao looks for another takedown, but can’t get it again. Hugo cracks with a nice left hook, but Falcao responds with a series of punches before clinching. They separate, and get back to trading. Falcao clinches again. Hugo gets him off again. Hugo goes wild with a showtime kick in the final seconds before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Hugo, giving him the fight 30-27.
Result: Victor Hugo def. Pedro Falcao via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos:
Records: Falcao (16-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Hugo (25-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Judging: Adalaide Byrd (29-28), Chris Leben (30-27), Bryan Miner (29-28)
Germaine de Randamie vs. Norma Dumont
Round 1 – They touch gloves and begin sizing up. GDR offers a front kick to the body, followed by a leg kick. A moment later, she digs in with a very hard leg kick. GDR attempts another, but Dumont catches it and takes the fight to the mat. Dumont looks for an arm triangle, but can’t get it from full guard. Dumont fires off a few punches to the body. Less than a minute to go, Dumont postures up and rains down a few punches before falling back into guard. GDR threatens a guillotine to get back to her feet. Dumont reverses the a takedown attempt right at the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Dumont.
Round 2 – GDR gets right back to the forward pressure. Dumont swings with a big right hand, but misses. A takedown shot follows, but is denied. GDR looks for a big punch, but Dumont dips and clinches. GDR reverses the position to control the clinch, and knees to the body. GDR finds space for a couple of hard punches to the head. Another solid knee to the body for GDR after Dumont gets in a couple of short punches. GDR gets a Thai clinch and lands a knee to the head. Dumont gets out, but eats a head kick a moment later. They exchange punches, and then Dumont gets a takedown with just over a minute to go. Dumont looks for elbows from the top, but GDR does a solid job of wrapping up and punching from her back. GDR slaps on an armbar right before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for GDR.
Round 3 – They hug it out before starting the final round. GDR gets back on the hunt, landing a nice punch. Dumont resets and then shoots for a takedown. GDR gets up, and nearly away, but Dumont returns her to the ground. Dumont stays heavy in side control, doing just enough to keep the referee away. GDR turns and gives up her back with 90 seconds to go. Dumont holds on to the position, but GDR gets up with about 30 seconds to go. However, Dumont sweeps her back down and holds her until the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Dumont, giving her the fight 29-28.
Result: Norma Dumont def. Germaine de Randamie via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos:
Records: De Randamie (10-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC), Dumont (11-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC)
Division: Women’s bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson
Judging: Mike Bell (29-28), Derek Clery (29-28), Chris Flores (29-28)
Lukasz Brzeski vs. Valter Walker
Round 1 – Brzeski presses forward immediately, looking for leg kicks, and lands four or five in a row. Walker eats another, and then shoots in for the takedown and completes it. Walker has Brzeski’s leg trapped underneath him, but doesn’t transition. A few short punches from Brzeski, but not much else from Walker prompts the referee to call for action. Walker adjusts and gets to the other side of Brzeski, and unloads a quick series of punches. Brzeski gets back to his feet in the clinch. Referee calls for action again and they separate. Brzeski kicks and offers an uppercut. Walker covers up as Brzeski continues to offer strikes. Just when Walker appears hurt, he changes levels for a nice takedown before the end of the round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Brzeski.
Round 2 – Brzeski continues the forward pressure, leading the dance with strikes. Walker covers up along the fence and circles away. Brzeski continues to patiently stalk forward, but Walker charges forward for a powerful takedown. Walker holds on to the body lock, but can’t prevent Brzeski from getting back to his feet. Walker gets a guillotine, but lets it go. Brzeski is back on the attack with a combination of punches. Walker is clearly fatigued, and doesn’t have much behind his punches. A spinning backfist from Walker is blocked. Brzeski stings with a sharp uppercut. Staying on the hunt, Brzeski continues to pick his punches well. Walker starts to move forward, but gets countered nicely by Brzeski.
Round 2 – MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Brzeski.
Round 3 – Brzeski opens with punches and a leg kick. Walker responds with punches and a kick to the body. Staying on the forward charge, Brzeski connects with punches to the body and head. Walker times a nice takedown and transitions to full mount. Brzeski gets his back to the cage, turns, and Walker takes the back. A rear-naked choke attempt is there, but Walker isn’t going too hard for it yet. Brzeski slips out, but Walker transitions to a solid full mount. Brzeski pushes off the fence, giving up his back, but Walker gets too high and Brzeski slips out, and into full guard on top. He quickly passes to the side and unloads punches. Now Walker slips out the side and takes the back, but can’t mount anymore offense before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Brzeski, giving him the fight 30-27.
Result: Lukasz Brzeski def. Valter Walker via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos:
Records: Brzeski (9-4-1 MMA, 1-3 UFC), Walker (11-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Eric Colon (29-28), Junichiro Kamijo (29-28), Rick Winter (29-28)
Court McGee vs. Alex Morono
Round 1 – McGee opens with a kick to the body and a leg kick. Morono works behind a left jab as he finds the range. Bang! Morono cracks McGee with a hard right hand. McGee is rocked, but he’s still there, and Morono doesn’t follow up. Morono stays patient. A kick to the body scores. McGee circles on the outside, and lands a leg kick. Morono shuffles his feet before firing a right hand. A spinning backfist is offered, but misses. Morono lands another right hand. McGee eats that one. Morono throws a right to the body this time. McGee punches to the body, then upstairs, and looks for a leg kick. Morono spins with a kick, but doesn’t get it. Another right hand lands for Morono, but the following wheel kick missed.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Morono.
Round 2 – McGee catches a kick from Morono and looks for the takedown, but Morono jumps on a guillotine! They’re down on the mat and Morono keeps the squeeze going. McGee stays calm and eventually gets out. Now on top in full guard, McGee controls the position while adding short punches to the body. Morono eventually finds his way to another guillotine attempt, but it’s not there. McGee turns up the striking pressure, but Morono is able to slip out and get back to his feet with 90 seconds to go. McGee slaps with a couple of leg kicks before Morono lands a hard right hand. McGee charges for the takedown, but doesn’t get it. They both look for big swining hooks, but neither connect.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for McGee.
Round 3 – McGee opens with a nice combination and grabs a single leg. Morono gets his limb back and they return to the center. A nice leg kick for McGee and a punch to the body. Morono cracks with a big right hand. They continue exchanging single strikes in the center of the cage. Morono puts together a nice combination with a right hand and a kick. McGee shoots but is easily stuffed. They continue with the striking offerings as they circle and cover every inch of the cage. McGee turns up the forward pressure, but Morono looks for the home run right hand. McGee gets a takedown before the final horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Morono, giving him the fight 29-28.
Result: Alex Morono def. Court McGee via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Recap:
Photos:
Records: McGee (21-13 MMA, 10-12 UFC), Morono (24-9 MMA, 13-6 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Judging: Mike Bell (29-28), Adalaide Byrd (29-28), Derek Cleary (29-28)
Charlie Campbell vs. Trevor Peek
Round 1 – They quickly touch ’em up and get to exchanging leg kicks. Campbell puts more power into a low kick, then goes high with a couple. Campbell continues his kick game and circles away from the stalking Peek, who fires off a couple of punches. Peek rushes in to close distance, getting the clinch against the cage. Peek eventually drags Campbell to the ground, and gets in a couple of knees to the body before Campbell gets up and returns to the center. After Campbell offers a few strikes, Peek blitzes across the cage with punches. Campbell resets and charges forward, connecting with nice right hands as he mixes up his strikes. Campbell gets a trip takedown just seconds before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Campbell.
Round 2 – The wild striking exchanges pick up right where they left off late in Round 1. Peek gets control of the body for a clinch, but Campbell separates and unloads a series of hard leg kicks. Peek’s legs are really wearing the damage now, but that doesn’t stop him from getting another clinch. Campbell does well to keep the fight standing, but when he gets free, Peek chases him across the cage with standing hammerfists. Campbell evades damage and gets a takedown of his own, eventually finding the back. Peek stands up though, and they’re back to trading punches. Peek connects with a flush punch and Campbell appears in trouble. Things are getting a little sloppy here as they both swing wildly. Peek gets a takedown and punches the head. Campbell back to his feet now, nice shots in the clinch. Peek gets free but eats a few hard punches.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Campbell.
Round 3 – The chaos continues in the opening exchange. Peek clips Campbell with a left, and they go to the ground for a few seconds. Back on the feet in the clinch, Peek hits a foot stomp. Campbell separates, but is once again chased down by a punching Peek. Campbell changes levels and gets control on the ground. Campbell takes the back. Three minutes remain. The body triangle is locked in and Campbell hunts for the rear-naked choke. Peek turns to his side, and Campbell transitions to an arm triangle. Peek turns out, but gives up his back. Another rear-naked attempt. Peek escapes it and is all the way up to his feet. Campbell sticks with the clinch. Peek gets free and runs to reset. Campbell chases this time, and gets another takedown. Less than a minute to go and the fatigue has set in. Campbell keeps the top control as the final seconds tick away.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Campbell, giving him the fight 30-27.
Result: Charlie Campbell def. Trevor Peek via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos:
Records: Campbell (9-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Peek (9-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson
Judging: Chris Flores (30-27), Chris Leben (30-27), Bryan Miner (30-27)
Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Christos Giagos
Round 1 – They touch ’em up and Bahamondes takes control of the center. The size difference between the two is wild. Bahamondes connects with kicks, but Giagos closes in with a few nice punches to cause early redness on the nose of Bahamondes. A takedown attempt from Giagos results in clinch against the cage. Bahamondes shakes him off and gets back to striking with punches and kicks. A spinning kick lands flush! Giagos is wobbled! Bahamondes is pouring it on with strikes now. Giagos gets a hold of him to stop the storm. Midway through the round now, and Giagos is firing back with nice punches. Bahamondes kicks nicely to the body, and then returns to working behind the jab. BANG! Out of nowhere, a one-hitter left head kick floors Giagos! He’s not completely out, but no follow-ups are allowed as the referee rushes in. What a finish!
Result: Ignacio Bahamondes def. Christos Giagos via TKO (head kick) – Round 1, 3:34
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Bahamondes (15-5 MMA, 4-2 UFC), Giagos (20-12 MMA, 6-8 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Morgan Charriere vs. Chepe Mariscal
Round 1 – No glove touch here. Mariscal opens with a hard leg kick. Charriere fires back a few punches before being forced to defend a takedown. Charriere counters with a guillotine, and then an anaconda as Mariscal attempts to scramble. Back to the feet now, Mariscal clinches Charriere into the fence. Charriere eventually gets free and they return to the center. Mariscal swings big overhand punches. Charriere sneaks in an uppercut. Mariscal darts in for another takedown attempt, but it’s defended well. Mariscal offers a couple of short punches before re-adjusting. Charriere scrambles well and they return to the center. Charriere fires off a fast combo and a kick to the body. Charriere clips with a hook in the closing seconds.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Charriere.
Round 2 – Mariscal connects with a hard leg kick. Charriere responds with a kick to the body, followed by a laser right hand. Mariscal lands a nice right hand. The pace slows a little as fatigue from the high-paced first round sets in. Mariscal is cut over the right eye now. They continue to exchange punches, both landing well as Charriere moves forward. Charriere lands a nice combo causing Mariscal to back away and reset. Charriere kicks to the body. Mariscal answers with a short left hook. The exchanges continue, and Charriere knocks Mariscal off balance with a well-timed inside leg kick. A takedown from Charriere soon followed. Mariscal scrambles back to his feet, and hits a solid kick to the head, but it’s caught and used for a takedown right at the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Charriere.
Round 3 – Mariscal looks for a question mark kick, but can’t connect. Charriere presses forward wit ha high kick of his own. Mariscal starts putting his punches together and lands a very nice flurry of punches. Charriere backs into the fence and eats a couple more before changing levels for a takedown to stop the momentum. On top in half guard, Charriere punches to the body. Mariscal turns to create a scramble back to the feet. Charriere jumps on an anaconda choke, bringing the fight back to the ground. Mariscal escaped and scrambled to the top, landing nice punches. The scramble continued into awkward positions, but the fight ends with Mariscal punching on top.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Mariscal, but the fight goes to Charriere, 29-28.
Result: Chepe Mariscal def. Morgan Charriere via (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
Photos:
Records: Charriere (19-10-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Mariscal (16-6 MMA, 3-0 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson
Judging: Mike Bell (29-28), Adalaide Byrd (27-30), Eric Colon (29-28)
Alexander Hernandez vs. Damon Jackson
Round 1 – No glove touch, despite the offer from Hernandez. They circle around the cage, each offering single darting strikes to begin. Hernandez lands a nice leg kick. Jackson responds with a kick to the body. A hard leg kick from Jackson follows, and another a moment later. Jackson catches a Hernandez kick, and takes the back while standing. Hernandez gets free, but Jackson finds another clinch a moment later, and knees to the thighs. One minute to go now, and Jackson is still working for the single leg. Hernandez opts for a couple of short punches to the head, but then gets dumped to the canvas.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Jackson.
Round 2 – The opening exchanges see both fighters land their share of single strikes. Hernandez charges forward with a combination, and Jackson responds with a kick as he starts to press forward. Another nice calf kick from Jackson. They trade punches and both connect well. Blood is starting to pour from Hernandez’s nose. A nice right hand lands for Jackson. Keeping Hernandez on the back foot, Jackson keeps moving forward with punches. Hernandez answers with a nice left hand, and now Jackson is bleeding on the nose. Jackson shoots in for a double leg, and the scramble leads to a standing back take with 30 seconds to go. Jackson threatens a rear-naked choke, but opt to just unload heavy right hands until the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Jackson.
Round 3 – They trade heavy punches in the opening sequence. Woah! Hernandez drops Jackson! The follow-up storm is on. Jackson stays in it, but Hernandez is on top in full mount. Jackson tries to keep him locked down, but turns to give up his back, and scrambles to his feet. Hernandez follows for punches, but gets taken down. Jackson is hunting for a rear-naked choke now. Ground and pound from the back for Jackson now. Hernandez stands and shakes Jackson off. Hernandez can’t keep the back though, and Jackson is back in on another single leg. Hernandez defends it well. The fatigue is heavy and the referee calls for action in the clinch. They exchange punches in the final five seconds.
MMA Junkie scores the final round 10-9 for Hernandez, but the fight foes to Jackson, 29-28.
Result: Damon Jackson def. Alexander Hernandez via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos:
Records: Hernandez (14-8 MMA, 6-7 UFC), Jackson (23-6-1 MMA, 6-4-1 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Judging: Derek Cleary (29-28), Junichiro Kamijo (29-28), Bryan Miner (27-30)
Brendan Allen vs. Chris Curtis
Round 1 – Allen opens with a hard kick to the body. Curtis looks to respond with a punch. Allen puts together a fast combo. Allen avoids a combo from Curtis, and after responding with punches of his own, goes in for the takedown, taking the back. Curtis slips away and they return to the feet. Allen kicks to the inside leg. Curtis times a nice counter punching combo. Another inside leg kick from Allen, then a body kick. Curtis lands a 1-2 with a minute to go. Punches and kicks continue to be exchanged in even fashion until the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Allen.
Round 2 – Curtis gets back to controlling from the center, looking for openings to land punches. He gets what he was looking for, connecting with a nice right hand. Another solid combo followed. Allen gets away from the cage, and fires a few left jabs. Allen telegraphs a takedown shot, and Curtis easily steps away. Curtis closes back in and fires a series of punches. Allen answers, clipping Curtis with a nice one of his own. The intensity is high now. Allen gets a Thai clinch, but Curtis shakes free. Curtis takes charge now and lands a right hand, adding a hard leg kick. Back in the center now, they’re just trading single punches. Curtis goes to the body to switch it up. A solid left hand ends a combination a second later.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Curtis.
Round 3 – Allen opens with a quick two-strike combo. Curtis responds with punches of his own as he keeps his boxing tight from the center of the cage. Allen starts to fire off a combination but gets poked in the eye. Curtis folds over in pain and the fight is paused. Allen apologizes and they quickly embrace before the fight resumes. Curtis regains control of the center and just misses with a head kick. A second later though, Curtis clips Allen with a left, and he’s hurt! Curtis is swarming, but Allen lands a counter and changes levels for the takedown. Curtis gets up, but Allen jumps the back and gets the standing body triangle against the cage. Allen threatens the rear-naked choke, but can’t get it. Allen eventually gives up on it with 10 seconds to go, and they look to exchange in the final seconds.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Curtis.
Round 4 – Allen kicks to the body as he circles on the outside. Curtis lands a stiff jab, followed by a right hand to the body, which looks like it hurt Allen. Allen waved Curtis in, and they exchange. A punch connects, but Allen says he’s poked in the eye. The fight is paused and a quick review shows it was a punch. The referee immediately called for the fight to resume and they get back to the striking exchanges. Midway through the round now, and Allen times a beautiful takedown in the middle of the cage. He quickly takes the back, but Curtis explodes up to his feet. Curtis rips punches to the body. Allen lands a nice counter right elbow. Curtis presses ahead with punches. Allen answers again, and then gets a takedown. One minute to go. Curtis is up on his feet, but Allen sweeps the leg out from behind. Allen ends up in top position after Curtis tried to scramble free.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Allen.
Round 5 – Curtis controls from the center. Allen shoot for a takedown, but gets denied. He tries for a second, but gets caught with a knee on the way win. Allen sticks with it though, and takes the back. Allen goes for a kneebar,, but Curtis shakes out. Back on the feet now, they’re trading more punches. Allen looks for another takedown but is denied. Midway through now. Allen drops in for another takedown, but Curtis sprawls. Curtis lands a couple of short punches before letting Allen back up. They’re trading again, and Allen shoots for a big takedown. Allen on the back again, but can’t do much with it before Curtis scrambles free. Allen right back in on a takedown. Curtis gets up again and backs away. Allen flies in with a knee and hurts Curtis! Allen pouring it on before the horn! What closing sequence.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Allen, giving him the fight 48-47.
Result: Brendan Allen def. Chris Curtis via split decision (47-48, 48-47, 49-46)
Recap: UFC Fight Night 240 results: Brendan Allen ekes out win vs. Chris Curtis in momentum-shifting affair
Photos:
Records: Allen (24-5 MMA, 12-2 UFC), Curtis (31-11 MMA, 5-3 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Mike Bell (47-48), Derek Cleary (48-47), Eric Colon (49-46)
