LAS VEGAS – UFC on ESPN 51 took place Saturday, and MMA Junkie provided live play-by-play and official results.
UFC on ESPN 51 took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card aired on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.
In the main event, Vicente Luque (22-9-1 MMA, 15-5 UFC) took on former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos (32-15 MMA, 21-13 UFC) at welterweight. In the featherweight co-feature, Hakeem Dawodu (13-4-1 MMA, 6-4 UFC) went after what arguably would have been the biggest win of his career against Cub Swanson (29-13 MMA, 14-9 UFC).
Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results below. You also can get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporter Ken Hathaway (@kenshathaway) on Twitter.
Enjoy the fights, everyone.
Juliana Miller vs. Luana Santos
Round 1 – Miller puts on the pressure on Santos and begins to swing big. Miller presses Santos against the cage. Santos breaks free. Miller with relentless pressure here. Good jab by Miller. Big right hook by Santos! It looks like it stunned Miller. Santos putting the pressure on Miller. Miller is hurt. She’s very wobbly. Good uppercut by Santos. Santos stuffs a takedown attempt and presses Miller against the cage. Now back to striking range. Two minutes left. Big right-hand wobbles Miller! Santos all over her. It’s over! Standing TKO win!
Result: Luana Santos def. Juliana Miller via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:41
Recap: Luana Santos scores standing TKO of sloppy Juliana Miller in debut
Photos: UFC on ESPN 51: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Luana Santos (6-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Juliana Miller (3-3 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Da'Mon Blackshear vs. Jose Johnson
Round 1 – Blackshear opens things up with a body kick. These two are aggressive. Blackshear with a couple of good hooks, but Johnson counters. Blackshear shoots for a takedown, struggles a bit, but gets it. Johnson briefly gets up, but takedn down again. Decent ground-and-pound by Blackshear. Three minutes left. Blackshear takes the back. It looks like Blackshear is setting up a twister. It looks tight. And there’s the tap!
Result: Da’Mon Blackshear def. Jose Johnson via submission (twister) – Round 1, 3:40
Recap: Da’Mon Blackshear pulls off third twister submission in promotion history
Photos: UFC on ESPN 51: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Da’Mon Blackshear (14-5-1 MMA, 2-1-1 UFC), Jose Johnson (15-8 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Jaqueline Amorim vs. Montserrat Conejo
Round 1 – Amorim immediately closes the distance and takes down Conejo. Amorim moves to half guard. Amorim just focused on passing, no ground-and-pound. Amorim advances to mount. Amorim lands a few shots on Conejo, but mainly focused on setting up a submission. Three minutes left. Good control here by Amorim. More shots from Amorim. Oh! Amorim goes for the armbar. It looks tight! Conejo is scrambling. And she gets out! Amorim gets top position again and lands ground-and-pound until the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-8, Amorim.
Round 2 – The fight developing on the feet here. Oh! Huge head kick by Amorim. Conejo eats it well and takes down Amorim. Conejo gets reversed and is now mounted. Amorim takes the back now. Good control here by Amorim. Conejo unable to get out. Amorim gets the mount again. Amorim going for the arm triangle! And Conejo gets out. Good ground-and-pound from Amorim. One minute left. More shots from Amorim. Another armbar attempt by Amorim. Conejo is tough, she’s defending well. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-8, Amorim.
Round 3 – Good right hand by Conejo. She’s pressing Amorim. Conejo closes the distance and Amorim pulls guard. Amorim working from bottom. Some shots from top by Conejo. Amorim puts Conejo in a kimura and reverses the position. She begins to drop ground-and-pound! It’s over. Dominant win by Amorim.
Result: Jaqueline Amorim def. Montserrat Conejo via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 3:41
Photos: UFC on ESPN 51: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Jaqueline Amorim (7-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Montserrat Conejo (10-3 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Martin Buday vs. Josh Parisian
Round 1 – Hard jabs by Buday. These two are swinging big early! Oh! Big shot by Buday! Parisian seems hurt. Buday landing shots by the cage. And a knee by Buday! Parisian is hanging in there, though. Buday with continuous pressure. He now presses Parisian against the cage. Parisian is bleeding from his forehead. Three minutes left. Uppercut by Parisian. They break free and back to striking. Both men looking tired, but Parisian seems to be slowing down more. Failed takedown attempt by Parisian. Buday gets on top, locks a kimura and there’s the tap!
Result: Martin Buday def. Josh Parisian via submission (kimura) – Round 1, 4:11
Recap: Martin Buday extends streak with first-round kimura of Josh Parisian
Photos: UFC on ESPN 51: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Martin Buday (13-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC), Josh Parisian (15-7 MMA, 2-4 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Isaac Dulgarian vs. Francis Marshall
Round 1 – Dulgarian shoots for a takedown early here and gets Marshall down to the canvas. Good control here by Dulgarian. Good ground-and-pound by Dulgarian. Marshall unable to get out. Dulgarian moves to half guard. Marshall hits a scramble, but Dulgarian on top. Oh! Nasty elbow by Dulgarian! It cuts open, Marshall. Dulgarian gets the mount and begins to unload heavy shots! It’s over! It’s over.
Result: Isaac Dulgarian def. Francis Marshall via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:48
Photos: UFC on ESPN 51: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Isaac Dulgarian (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Francis Marshall (7-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Mike Breeden vs. Terrence McKinney
Round 1 – McKinney immediately pressing. He attempts a single, but fails. Continuous pressure by McKinney. McKinney throws a coupe of head kicks. Body kick by Breeden. Body shot by McKinney. Breeden seems hurt. McKinney putting on the pressure. A couple of hard left hooks by McKinney. Breeden shells up, while McKinney landing shots. It’s over. Solid win by McKinney.
Result: Terrance McKinney def. Mike Breeden via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:25
Recap: Terrance McKinney throttles Mike Breeden in 85 seconds
Photos: UFC on ESPN 51: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Terrence McKinney (14-6 MMA, 4-3 UFC), Mike Breeden (10-6 MMA, 0-3 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
JP Buys vs. Marcus McGhee
Round 1 – Both fighters come out very tentative. Hard leg kick by McGhee. Buys with a nice left hook. Jab, right hand by McGhee. Oh! Buys goes down! Nasty right hand by McGhee. Its over.
Result: Marcus McGhee def. JP Buys via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 2:19
Recap: Marcus McGhee folds JP Buys for first-round walkoff knockout
Photos: UFC on ESPN 51: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Marcus McGhee (8-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC), JP Buys (9-6 MMA, 0-4 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Josh Fremd vs. Jamie Pickett
Round 1 – Fremd comes out looking to control the center behind some range-finding kicks. Pickett slaps with a kick of his own. Fremd goes to the body with a kick, and they exchange more single low strikes. Pickett looks for the left hand but doesn’t fully commit, and Fremd closes the distance for the clinch. They fight for position against the cage, and Pickett eventually finds a way to escape. Short time here, and they trade punches and kicks with nothing of real significance before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Fremd.
Round 2 – Action heated up quickly in Round 2 as Fremd pressed forward. Hard striking exchanges with both fighters land and Fremd looks for the takedown. Pickett keeps things standing and they return to the center. Pickett charges forward with a punching combination, but Fremd darts backward to evade. Fremd paws out a left jab and clinches a moment later. Three minutes to go, and they’re fighting for position against the fence. Fremd finds space to sneak in a nice short elbow. Pickett surprises with a level change but gets stuck in the guillotine. Fremd starts to really squeeze on it, but Pickett slips out. Fremd works his way back up and finds another guillotine attempt. Once again, Pickett gets out, but now Fremd is on top in guard. Just 30 seconds left, and Fremd gets in a couple of nice ground and pound punches before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Fremd.
Round 3 – Big strikes to start here, including a flying knee from Fremd as Pickett closed in. Pickett changes levels and gets the takedown, but Fremd nearly hits a sweep on the way down. Pickett keeps top position, though. Fremd gets to his knees as Pickett stays on his back. Fremd keeps moving and Pickett slips off the top, now Fremd is in half guard on top. They get back to the feet in the clinch, and Fremd looks for the trip takedown. Pickett keeps it standing but they keep wrestling against the fence. Less than a minute to go now, and the ref separates them. Both miss with punches and they clinch again. Fremd gets a nice knee in on the break, but that’s about it before the final horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Fremd, giving him the fight 30-27.
Result: Josh Fremd def. Jamie Pickett via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 51: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Josh Fremd (11-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC), Jamie Pickett (13-10 MMA, 2-6 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Adalaide Byrd (30-27), Sal D’Amato (30-27), Ron McCarthy (30-27)
AJ Dobson vs. Tafon Nchukwi
Round 1 – Nchukwi gets the action started by stepping in with big strikes. He backs away and offers a hard leg kick. Dobson returns one of his own. Nchukwi punches with the left, then goes back to the right leg kick. To the body this time goes Nchukwi with a hard kick. They continue to trade kicks, with Nchukwi letting out loud grunts with each offering. Dobson steps in for a quick two-punch combo. Back to the leg kicks for both. Dobson goes high with a kick, but Nchukwi blocks it and threatens a trip. The action stays on the feet and they continue to go kick for kick. Dobson catches a kick and gets a trip takedown in the closing seconds. A couple of short punches land before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Dobson.
Round 2 – They get right back to trading kicks. Mixing things up, punches upstairs come from Nchukwi. Dobson evades well. Nchukwi punches again with the left. The exchanges start to ramp up with both fighters landing. Dobson begins landing clean, putting together solid combinations as he moves forward. Nchukwi looks for the counter, but Dobson clinches and they wrestle for position against the cage. It doesn’t last long, though. They’re back in the center trading kicks. Kick for kick, but Dobson charges forward with a blitz of punches. Back in the center, kicks to the legs and body are exchanged. Dobson catches another kick with short time remaining, but this time they clinch against the fence at the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Dobson.
Round 3 – Unsurprisingly, they open the round trading kicks to the legs. An overhand right from Nchukwi misses the mark. Nchukwi looks for a leg kick again but Dobson catches it and gets the takedown. With 3:30 on the clock, Dobson works from half guard. Nchukwi tries to work his way closer to the cage as Dobson focuses on maintaining top control. With just over 90 seconds to go, Dobson gets in a couple of punches to the body. The referee warns for action as not much is happening. Time is ticking away and Dobson is just keeping control in guard. Another warning from the referee and Nchukwi pushes Dobson off. They scramble to the feet, but Dobson gets right back in on the clinch before the horn sounds.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Dobson, giving him the fight 30-27.
Result: AJ Dobson def. Tafon Nchukwi via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 51: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: AJ Dobson (7-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC), Tafon Nchukwi (6-4 MMA, 2-4 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Iasmin Lucindo vs. Polyana Viana
Round 1 – Lucindo cracks Viana early with a nice counter left. Soon after, a heated exchange followed with Viana landing a kick to the body followed by punches upstairs. Lucindo tried to answer, but Viana changed levels and completed a nice takedown. Viana is now on top in the center of the cage, but Lucindo just has her wrapped up preventing any offense. With just over 2 minutes to go, the referee stands the fighters up. Lucindo charges forward with a spinning backfist and a kick to the body. Viana catches the kick and clinches, but it’s Lucindo that gets the trip takedown. A minute to go and Lucindo is on top. But much like before, this time it’s Viana keeping Lucindo wrapped up to prevent offense. The referee calls for action and they get a little busier on the ground with a couple of short punches. Lucindo postures up with a few seconds remaining and lands a few big hammerfists.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Lucindo.
Round 2 – Lucindo gets the round started with a side kick. A big shot rocks Viana momentarily, but Lucindo doesn’t follow up. Viana appears to have recovered quickly and circles on the outside. Lucindo goes for a left high kick followed by one to the body. Viana closes in and Lucindo lands a right hand. Viana moves in again, another right hand from Luncido and a trip takedown. Lucindo holds top position, but it’s all control with not much action. The referee warns, and Lucindo looks to pass to mount. She steps off to the side with an arm triangle locked in and the tap quickly comes. Very nice finish!
Result: Iasmin Lucindo def. Polyana Viana via submission (arm triangle) – Round 2, 3:42
Recap: UFC on ESPN 51 video: 21-year-old Iasmin Lucindo taps out Polyana Viana
Photos: UFC on ESPN 51: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Iasmin Lucindo (15-5 MMA, 2-1 UFC), Polyana Viana (13-6 MMA, 4-5 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Chris Daukaus vs. Khalil Rountree
Round 1 – Rountree starts off in an aggressive muay Thai stance, hammerfisting the lead hand of Daukaus as he pawed out the jab. Rountree adds in a leg kick. Daukaus darts forward and eats a hard counter right hook from Rountree. A straight left down the pipe lands for Rountree, and a counter right a moment later to knock Daukaus off balance. Daukaus moves ahead with punches and looks for the takedown. Rountree keeps it standing in the clinch, pressing Daukaus against the cage. They separate and Daukaus looks for punches. Rountree hammerfists the lead hand again as action slows for a moment. Daukaus looks for a combo but eats a counter. A huge straight left from Rountree floors Daukaus! The swarm is on and there’s the stoppage! What a finish by Rountree. Woah.
Result: Khalil Rountree def. Chris Daukaus via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:40
Recap: UFC on ESPN 51 video: Khalil Rountree’s big power sends Chris Daukaus to fourth straight loss
Photos: UFC on ESPN 51: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Chris Daukaus (12-7 MMA, 4-4 UFC), Khalil Rountree (12-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Hakeem Dawodu vs. Cub Swanson
Round 1 – They meet in the middle and Dawodu opens with a jumping switch kick that Swanson evades. They’re feeling out the range and exchange single leg kicks. Swanson paws out the double jab and then puts a hard right hand behind it to send Dawodo backward. A nice two-punch combo from Swanson followed soon after, punctuated with a solid right hand. Dawodu puts together a nice combo of his own ending with a leg kick. Working in the center of the cage, the striking exchanges continue, but both remain calculated with each movement. Dawodu lands a nice right hand. Swanson looks for a punch but eats a leg kick counter. A furious exchange of punches breaks out for a moment. Swanson looks for a left as Dawodu kicks to the body. Swanson goes high with a kick and Dawodu answers. Blood trickles from Swanson’s nose before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Dawodu.
Round 2 – Dawodu gets it started with a spinning back kick to the body. They trade punches upstairs with both landing nice shots. Dawodu clinches and pushes Swanson into the cage. Dawodu gets space to fire off a few knees to the body before they return to the center. Swanson looks for a big left hook but Dawodu counters well. Swanson’s hooks are a little wide, which prompts his corner to tell him to reset and be smart. Dawodu stays sharp and looks for the clinch a moment later. Against the fence, Dawodu knees to the thighs, as does Swanson. Dawodu controls well here and lands a nice elbow on the exit. Swanson unloads with a nice flurry of strikes before the horn to get Dawodu’s attention.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Dawodu.
Round 3 – Swanson gets the action going at a fast clip with punches and a big kick upstairs. Dawodu stays defensively sounds to avoid damage, though. Swanson feels loose now as he tries a few taunting feints to get a reaction. Dawodu gets a hold of a leg and they clinch against the cage. A knee from Dawodu goes low which pauses the action for a few seconds. They get back to it from the center and Dawodu goes right back in for the clinch. Another knee goes low from Dawodu, this time much clearer. Another warning from the referee before they resume. A left hand followed by a head kick from Dawodu just barely gets blocked. Swanson keeps moving ahead and lands a nice step-in punch to the body. They’re trading punches frequently now with Swanson gaining confidence. Dawodu doesn’t back down, but Swanson dips low and gets the takedown easily. A minute to go and Swanson controls from top half guard. Dawodu gets a leg inside and pushes Swanson off, but he rushes back in to take the back. Swanson looks for a rear-naked choke, but it’s not there before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Swanson, but the fight goes to Dawodu, 29-28.
Result: Cub Swanson def. Hakeem Dawodu via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Recap: UFC on ESPN 51 results: Cub Swanson wins stunning decision over Hakeem Dawodu, thought he lost
Photos: UFC on ESPN 51: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Hakeem Dawodu (13-4-1 MMA, 6-4 UFC), Cub Swanson (29-13 MMA, 14-9 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Judging: Sal D’Amato (29-28), Ron McCarthy (29-28), Jacob Montalvo (29-28)
Vicente Luque vs. Rafael dos Anjos
Round 1 – Both paw out their lead hands to find the range. Luque opens with a kick to the body, and RDA responds with one of his own. A high kick from Luque is blocked. RDA looks for a combination, but Luque circles. RDA stays in close range and lands a nice right hand, and a clinch follows soon after. Luque does well to keep the fight standing, as they wrestle for position. RDA gets in a knee to the body. A moment later, RDA unloads a few strikes as he exits the clinch. Back in the center now, RDA goes first with punches, landing a nice left hand. Luque answers with a nice combination, adding punches to the body in the mix. They continue to trade punches before a takedown attempt from RDA. Luque reverses the position and gets the takedown himself, but RDA is on a guillotine. He’s really going for it, but Luque gets free and scrambles to take the back. Luque lands a few solid punches land before the round ends.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for RDA.
Round 2 – They get right back into the thick of it, trading punches and kicks as they circle around the cage. RDA clinches, but once again the takedown defense of Luque shines. The clinch stalls and they return to the center. A head kick from Luque is blocked. RDA presses forward behind his right hand, and catches a nice right counter from Luque. RDA changes levels again and this time gets the takedown. However, Luque is quick to get back to his feet. The fight stays in the clinch, and Luque reverses position. He takes the legs out from RDA for a brief takedown of his own. Back on the feet a second later, they stay clinched. A couple of short strikes from both are offered before Luque goes for the takedown again. RDA gets down to one knee, but they’re back up again. A standing arm triangle is there momentarily, but RDA gets out easily. Luque kicks to the body before RDA shoots in just ahead of the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Luque.
Round 3 – Blood is now on the face of RDA to start the third. They begin trading punches in the center, but RDA thinks takedown a moment later. They clinch against the fence and wrestle for positioning. Luque drops down and gets RDA down to a knee by grabbing his far ankle. RDA is quickly back up again, though. Luque stays with a single leg, but RDA keeps it standing and separates. A moment later, RDA connects with a nice left hand. Luque presses ahead and eats a counter. RDA goes to the body with a nice kick, and Luque answers with a left hand. RDA keeps the pressure high with strikes and looks for a takedown. Luque counters with a D’Arce attempt, but RDA rolls out. They scramble, resulting in a clinch against the cage. The round ends with Luque looking for a takedown.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Luque.
Round 4 – Luque pressures early now. A head kick is blocked, but the impact was there. He follows up with a takedown attempt, but RDA defends well. Clinched against the cage again, they work in short punches and knees. Luque gets RDA to the mat, but nothing comes of it as RDA returns to his feet a few seconds later. They separate briefly, but it’s only a few seconds before they clinch again. Luque looks for the takedown again with RDA’s back against the cage. More clinch wrestling, a brief separation, followed by a takedown shot from RDA. Luque keeps it standing and puts RDA’s back against the fence again. He gets RDA down and takes the back. The rear-naked choke attempt is in, but there’s the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Luque.
Round 5 – Luque works behind the left jab to start. He jumps in with a knee, but RDA defends. A moment later, RDA charges in for the clinch. Luque gets an underhook and reverses position, now he’s hunting for the takedown again. The clinch begins to stall and the referee calls for action. Luque gets RDA down for a split second, but he’s up quickly and they separate. RDA presses forward now, leading with a kick to the body. Luque clinches and is back to working on getting the fight to the ground. Back and forth along the fence they go, trading positions. With about 45 seconds remaining, RDA breaks free and starts letting big strikes fly. He just misses with a head kick. Luque changes levels for a takedown, but RDA reverses and ends up on top. A big elbow from RDA lands, but Luque holds on till the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the final round 10-9 for RDA, but the fight goes to Luque, 48-47.
Result: Vicente Luque def. Rafael dos Anjos via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)
Recap: UFC on ESPN 51 results: Takedown, control-happy Vicente Luque outworks Rafael dos Anjos
Photos: UFC on ESPN 51: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Vicente Luque (22-9-1 MMA, 15-5 UFC), Rafael dos Anjos (32-15 MMA, 21-13 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Sal D’Amato (48-47), Junichiro Kamijo (48-47), Ron McCarthy (49-46)
