LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 40 event, and you can join us for live play-by-play and official results beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT).
UFC on ESPN 40 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.
In the main event, former light heavyweight title challenger Thiago Santos (22-10 MMA, 14-9 UFC) takes on Jamahal Hill (10-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC). In the welterweight co-feature, Vicente Luque (21-8-1 MMA, 14-4 UFC) meets Geoff Neal (14-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC).
And in a pair of finals from Season 30 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” Zac Pauga (5-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) fights Mohammed Usman (7-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) for the heavyweight crown, and Juliana Miller (2-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) vs. Brogan Walker (7-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is set for the women’s flyweight tournament championship.
Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 7:30 p.m. ET for the prelims on ESPN/ESPN+ and 10 p.m. ET for the main card on ESPN/ESPN+.
To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFC on ESPN 40 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporter Ken Hathaway (@kenshathaway) on Twitter.
Enjoy the fights, everyone.
Stephanie Egger vs. Mayra Bueno Silva
Round 1 – Bueno Silva and Egger trade a couple of leg kicks here. Egger goes for a judo throw and gets it. She’s on top, landing ground-and-pound from top. And the Brazilian snatches an arm-bar. Egger tries to roll over, but the cage doesn’t let her. Bueno Silva stops fighting, and now there’s an awkward pause. Bueno Silva claims Egger tapped out, but Egger is not saying anything. The officials are looking at the replay. Hard to tell. A judge sitting cage side tells the referee they 100 percent saw Egger tap. The fight is over, but Egger is disputing the ruling. Weird start to UFC on ESPN 40.
Result: Mayra Bueno Silva def. Stephanie Egger via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 1:17
Recap: Mayra Bueno Silva wins by submission after referee polls judges to see if Stephanie Egger tapped
Photos: UFC on ESPN 40: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Mayra Bueno Silva (9-2-1 MMA, 4-2-1 UFC), Stephanie Egger (7-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC)
Division: Women’s bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Miranda Granger vs. Cory McKenna
Round 1 – And they touch gloves. McKenna immediately pressuring and looking to get in the inside. Meanwhile, Grander is staying long and sticking on the outside. McKenna closes the distance and looks to tie up Grander, but she eats a couple of hard knees in the process. McKenna is able to improve her position, press Grander against the cage, and get a takedown. We’re halfway through the round. McKenna with some decent shots from top control inside Granger’s guard. She advances to half-guard now. More short, clean shots by McKenna. Grander just defending and not looking to submit, sweep, or improve her position. One minute left. McKenna gets a tight arm triabgle on Grander. She comes close to getting the tap, but the bell saves Grander. Easy round for McKenna. MMA Junkie scores that 10-9, McKenna.
Round 2 – Grander comes out firing. She lands a few good shots, but she’s over aggressive and gets quickly taken down. McKenna wastes no time on the ground. She advances to side control while Granger holds on to a guillotine. She uses Granger’s lock to secure a Von Flue choke and gets the tap shortly after. Swift performance by McKenna.
Result: Cory McKenna def. Miranda Granger via submission (Von Flue choke) – Round 2, 1:03
Recap: Cory McKenna makes history, taps Miranda Granger with Von Flue choke
Photos: UFC on ESPN 40: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Cory McKenna (7-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC), Miranda Granger (7-3 MMA, 1-3 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson
Bryan Battle vs. Takashi Sato
Round 1 – And Bryan Battle’s UFC welterweight debut is here. Both fighters feeling each other’s timing. Right off the bat, Battle is using a kick heavy attack, micing things up well to the legs, body and head. Oh! Holy kick! Battle lands a brutal right head kick to Sato’s chin and he’s out cold. What a KO. Easily Battle’s best win in the UFC.
Result: Bryan Battle def. Takashi Sato via knockout (head kick) – Round 1, 0:44
Recap: Bryan Battle’s brutal head kick KOs Takashi Sato in 44 seconds
Photos: UFC on ESPN 40: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Bryan Battle (8-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC), Takashi Sato (16-6 MMA, 2-4 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Sam Alvey vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
Round 1 – No time wasted. Both Alvey and Oleksiejczuk are swinging hard. Alvey gets caught by a wild hook and seems wobbly. Oleksiejczuk pressuring him, not letting him off the hook. And a right hand from Oleksiejczuk sits Alvey. Oleksiejczuk immediately jumps on him and begins to land ground-and-pound. Alvey is doing a good job at surviving. He’s back on his feet, but he’s badly battered. Oleksiejczuk smells blood. And a straight right floors Alvey. Before Oleksiejczuk could land any further shots, the referee stops the action. The fight is over. Alvey is now winless in his past nine UFC fights.
Result: Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Sam Alvey via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:56
Recap: Michal Oleksiejczuk pushes Sam Alvey’s skid to nine fights with quick TKO
Photos: UFC on ESPN 40: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Michal Oleksiejczuk (17-5 MMA, 5-3 UFC), Sam Alvey (33-18-1 MMA, 10-13 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Erick Gonzalez vs. Terrance McKinney
Round 1 – McKinney coming out aggressive. He pressures Gonzalez and immediately begins to throw heavy combinations. Nice uppercut lands by McKinney. Gonzalez attempts a takedown but doesn’t come close. McKinney all over Gonzalez. And Gonzalez stuns McKinney! Not long after, McKinney gets a takedown and begins to throw ground-and-pound. in an attempt to get up, Gonzalez exposes his back. McKinney gets back mount while Gonzalez is standing. McKinney immediately attacking with the rear-naked choke. It’s getting tight. And there’s the tap! Another first round finish for prospect McKinney. Well done.
Result: Terrance McKinney def. Erick Gonzalez via submission (standing rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:17
Recap: Terrance McKinney makes quick work of Erick Gonzalez, calls out Paddy Pimblett
Photos: UFC on ESPN 40: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Terrance McKinney (13-4 MMA, 3-1 UFC), Erick Gonzalez (14-7 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Augusto Sakai vs. Serghei Spivac
Round 1 – And they touch gloves. Big leg kick by Sakai. Spivac immediately shoots for a takedown and gets it. The Brazilian gets back to his feet, but gets taken down once again. Spivac working from top, landing good shots. Spivac moves to side control. Sakai doing everything to get back to his feet, but Spivac is relentless with his control. We’re halfway through the round. Sakai finally gets back to his feet, but Spivac brings the fight back to the ground. Spivac completely overwhelming Sakai here. The Brazilian is able to get back to his feet with 40 seconds remaining. A big right hook lands for Spivac and he closes the distance to press Sakai against the cage. Spivac controls the action until the bell. MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Spivac.
Round 2 – Sakai comes out aggressive. Spivac attempts a takedown, but Sakai defends well. Good right hook by Sakai. Spivac closes the distance and scores a takedown. Sakai works his way back to his feet. This time, Sakai presses Spivac against the cage. Judo throw by Spivac lands perfectly. He’s now working from top, landing good shots. Sakai is bleeding from his nose. Sakai turtles up and Spivac continues with his attacks. Man, Spivac is just a complete nightmare with his grappling. Sakai looks exhausted. Spivac continues to rain shots down on a tired Sakai. The referee has seen enough and waves off the fight. Dominant showing by Spivac.
Result: Serghei Spivac def. Augusto Sakai via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:42
Photos: UFC on ESPN 40: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Serghei Spivac (15-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC), Augusto Sakai (15-5-1 MMA, 4-4 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Juliana Miller vs. Brogan Walker
Round 1 – And the first final of The Ultimate Fighter 30 is here. No touch of gloves between Walker and Miller. Oh, and Miller with a couple of clean, hard shots early. Miller now drags the fight to the ground and ends on half guard. Miller controlling well, but not landing anything big in terms of ground-and-pound. We’re two minutes in. Much of the same here a minute later: Miller controls and lands a shot here and there. Walker recovers full guard, but still getting controlled and hit from the top. One minute left. Miller in complete control here. Miller rides out the rest of the round on top. MMA Junkie scores it 10-9, Miller.
Round 2 – Walker has her left eye swollen. She exchanges shots with Miller. Both connect a few times. Walker closes the distance and engages in the grappling, but she is the one that ends up getting taken down. Miller now has the back of Walker and is working on a rear-naked choke. She doesn’t have it clean, but the squeeze looks tight. And Walker escapes and gets back on her feet. Walker closes the distance once again, but she ends up getting reversed in the clinch and presses against the cage. Miller controlling the clinch. And Miller gets the takedown. Thirty seconds left. Miller working from side mount. She’s sneaking in good ground-and-pound. The bell rings. MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Miller.
Round 3 – It’s pretty clear Walker needs a finish here. The two are trading shots on the feet. Although both are landing, Miller seems to be connecting more often and more cleanly. Walker’s face is pretty battered. Now Walker closes the distance and presses Miller against the cage. Miller reverses the position, as he did in previous rounds, and takes down Walker. Miller immediately moves to mount. Big elbows from raining down from Miller. Two minutes left. The elbows continue. Walker unable to escape. Walker is getting worked here. One minute left. The punishment continues. And as expected, the referee jumps in and stops the fight. Dominant showing by Miller. She’s now the TUF 30 women’s flyweight champion!
Result: Juliana Miller def. Brogan Walker via TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 3, 3:57 – to win “TUF 30” women’s flyweight title
Recap: Juliana Miller TKOs, taunts Brogan Walker to win ‘TUF 30’ crown
Photos: UFC on ESPN 40: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Juliana Miller (3-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Brogan Walker (7-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson
Zac Pauga vs. Mohammed Usman
Round 1 – Alright, Kamaru Usman’s brother, Mohammed, makes his UFC debut as he attempts to win the TUF 30 heavyweight crown. No touch of gloves here and Pauga comes off firing with a kick. He takes the center of the octagon and begins to work the jab. Pauga looks to be lighter, faster and more agile right off the bat. Usman remaining patient. Usman gets a brief takedown, but Pauga gets back up. Usman swinging way too out of range and misses big. Usman catches the attention of Pauga with a hook. We’re half ay through. Pauga now working the oblique kicks. Usman with a very low output attack wise. Big kook misses for Usman. One minute left. Nice leg kick followed by a jab from Pauga. Not much going on here. Good leg kick by Pauga. The bell rings. MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Pauga.
Round 2 – And the second round starts very similar to the first. Pauga staying light and attacking often, while Usman looking very tentative. Oh! What a KO. Pauga went in with a jab and Usman countered him with a short left hook that send him straight to the canvas. Pauga is out cold. Welcome to the UFC, Mohammed Usman!
Result: Mohammed Usman def. Zac Pauga via knockout (punch) – Round 2, 0:36– to win “TUF 30” heavyweight title
Recap: Mohammed Usman violently starches Zac Pauga to become ‘The Ultimate Fighter’
Photos: UFC on ESPN 40: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Mohammed Usman (8-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Zac Pauga (5-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Vicente Luque vs. Geoff Neal
Round 1 – This fight promises to be Fight of the Night. And here we go, no touch of gloves here. Luque opens the show with a hard leg kick. Neal fires back with a kick of his own plus a right hook. Both fighters already landing big just a minute in. Neal connects hard, but Luque eats it well. Hard leg kick by Luque. Oh and Neal stuns Luque with a clean one-two combo. Luque is now on the back foot. Neal putting the pressure here. Luque appears to have recovered, but he’s bleeding from his nose. Luque is now the one doing the pressuring, and he’s connecting well on Neal. And again, Neal stuns Luque. A minute left. A straight left drops Luque. It was a flash knockdown. Luque gets back up and appears fine. Stiff jabs by Neal. Another straight left wobbles Luque in the last 10 seconds. The bell rings. Solid work by Neal. MMA Junkie scores the round 10-8, Neal.
Round 2 – Tough round for Luque. Let’s see if he’s able to bounce back. So far, the Brazilian comes out pressuring. Neal really finding a home for the left. Good leg kick by Luque. These two keeping busy, but nothing landing super clean at the moment. Luque having good success with body kicks and jabs. Much better round for Luque. Neal catches a kick and kicks off Luque’s supporting leg. The Brazilian goes down, but gets back up quickly. Neal and Luque now fighting against the fence. Neal having good success in close quarters. Luque works his way back to the center ofthe octagon. He manages to get in a few kicks to the body and legs before the bell goes off. Close round. MMA Junkie scores it 10-9, Luque.
Round 3 – What a fight we got here. Shame it’s not five rounds. And the final five minutes begin. Neal goes for a takedown, but Luque stuffs it. Back to their feet. Luque in the center of the octagon, while Neal takes the outside. Luque seems to be the busier fighter. And a big left-hand stuns Luque. Again, Neal wobbles Luque with a big left hand. Neal is all over him against the cage. Luque is hurt bad. And he goes down. Amazing showing by Neal.
Result: Geoff Neal def. Vicente Luque via knockout (punches) – Round 3, 2:01
Recap: Geoff Neal becomes first to knock out Vicente Luque, calls out Gilbert Burns
Photos: UFC on ESPN 40: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Geoff Neal (15-4 MMA, 8-2 UFC), Vicente Luque (21-9-1 MMA, 14-5 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson
Thiago Santos vs. Jamahal Hill
Round 1 – It’s main event time. Intense staredown and then a touch of gloves between Santos and Hill. Leg kicks lands for Santos. Both men are battling for the center of the octagon. Another leg kick by Santos. Hill has yet to land on Santos. We’re a minute in. Hill now chasing Santos. Another leg kicks lands by Santos. Santos shoots for a takedown and pins Hill against the cage. He’s now working on getting Hill to the canvas. We’re halfway through the round. Santos goes for a single now, but Hill defended well. Santos still pressing Hill against the cage while using the clinch. A low blow lands on Santos’ groin and the referee halts the fight. The fight resumes. A minute left. Hill unable to get going. Santos with another leg kick. Hill chasing Santos. Oh! And a clean right-hand lands for Santos. The bell rings. Easy round to score. MMA Junkie gives it a 10-9 for Santos.
Round 2 – Hill now working the leg kicks. He lands four in a row. Good body kick by Santos and then follow it up with a double leg. Hill gets briefly taken down, but scrambles back to his feet. Santos now pressing Hill in the clinch up against the cage. Santos attempts another takedown, but fails. Both are now swinging wild. The fight resets on the feet. Hill starting to let his hands go. Big left for Santos. A head-kick barely misses for Hill. Nice jab by Hill. Hill is attacking more. He upped his output, but is unable to land clean on Santos. Good right hook by Hill. The bell goes off as the fight is heating up. Close round. MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Hill.
Round 3 – Santos goes for a quick takedown and gets it. Hill scrambles and gets back to his feet just to be hit with another takedown attempt by Santos. Santos relentless with his takedown attempts. He gets one after much struggle. Hill getting controlled against cage. He sits on his butt, as Santos has a grip around his waist. Hill gets back up, but pressed against the cage. They break off and they start swinging wild. The exchange last just a few seconds, as Santos closes the distance once again. One minute left. Santos controls Hill against the cage. He gets a takedown just as the bell rings. MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Santos.
Round 3 – Hill’s face has some visible damage as he enters the third. The pace has slowed considerably. Never mind. They’re swinging hard once again. Both fighters land good shots. A good one-two combo by Hill. Oh! Nasty left hook by Hill. Santos is rocked. He stumbles down to the canvas. Hill is now on top raining shots, but Santos is doing everything he can to survive. Santos shelling up now. It’s over. Hill stops Santos with heavy ground-and-pound. Crazy fight.
Result: Jamahal Hill def. Thiago Santos via TKO (punches) – Round 4, 2:31
Recap: Jamahal Hill TKOs Thiago Santos after wild exchange as event makes history
Photos: UFC on ESPN 40: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Jamahal Hill (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC), Thiago Santos (22-11 MMA, 14-10 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
