LAS VEGAS – UFC on ESPN 53 took place Saturday, and MMA Junkie provided live play-by-play and official results. UFC on ESPN 53 (ESPN/ESPN+) took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
In the main event, Amanda Ribas (12-5 MMA, 7-4 UFC) lost to former women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas (12-6 MMA, 10-5 UFC). Justin Tafa (7-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC) lost a decison to Karl Williams (10-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) in the heavyweight co-feature.
Below, you can see the play-by-play and results for UFC on ESPN 53.
Mick Parkin vs. Mohammed Usman
Round 1 – Right hand connects for Parkin. Big leg kick by Parkin. Usman is pumping the jab, but he’s not really connecting. More leg kicks by Parkin, this time he buckles Usman. Huge right from Usman stuns! Usman is all over him! He backs up and stops the forward attack. Big leg kick by Parkin. Another one. More leg kicks from Parkin. Two minutes left. Oh! Huge right from Usman snaps back the head of Parkin. Good counter by Usman. Parkin is bleeding from his left eyebrow, he has a cut. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Usman.
Round 2 – Parkin is walking down Usman. Oh! Big shot from Parkin. It looks like Usman ate it well. Leg kick by Parkin. Big counter right hook connects for Parkin. It looks like he’s found his timing. Big leg kick by Parkin. Good jabs by Parkin. More leg kicks by Parkin. Two minutes left. Usman with a big jab. Leg kick from Parkin buckles Usman. The fight pace has slowed down considerably. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Parkin.
Round 3 – Usman is looking to land that big right hand. Good jab by Parkin. It looks like he’s really got the range and timing down, Usman is having a tough time connecting. Big one, two for Parkin. Leg kick lands for Parkin. Two minutes left. Nasty leg kick by Parkin. Usman lands a big right. More leg kicks by Parkin. A counter right lands for Parkin. Parkin buckles Usman with a leg kick. Parkin has now landed 30 leg kicks in the fight so far. Usman gets agressive at the end, but Parkin counters him with a knee and then a right hand. The bell rings shortly after.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Parkin. Overall 29-28, Parkin.
Result: Mick Parkin def. Mohammed Usman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 53: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Parkin (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC), Usman (10-3 MMA, 3-1 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Mike Bell, Adalaide Byrd, Sal D’Amato 29-28.
Andre Lima vs. Igor Severino
Round 1 – Oh, these two are going at it right off the bat. Big leg kick by Lima. Severino closes the distance and gets a hold of Lima. He’s looking for the takedown, and he gets it. Lima scrambles and gets back up while also pressing Severino against the cage. Lima jumps for the guillotine! Severino gets out, but Lima now attacking with the omoplata. Severino gets out after a few scary moments. They’re back to striking. Big leg kick from Severino. Two minutes left. Let fhook connects for Severino. Oh! Standing elbow from Lima rocks Severino. Lima now pressing him, but Severino firing back as well. Leg kick by Severino. Jabs by Lima. More leg kicks from Severino. Crazy pace here. Severino gets a takedown in the final seconds. Close round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Lima.
Round 2 – Severino immediately pressing the action. Big left by Severino. Big leg kick from Severino. Body shots by Severino. Lima with a leg kick. Oh! Huge knee to the head by Severino. Lima seems unaffected. Body shots by Severino. Lima with a good combo. Severino shoots and takes down Lima. Lima is setting up a kimura. Gorund-and-pound by Severino. Lima gets back to his feet, but he’s being presses against the cage by Severino. The fight is paused by the referee. Lima is claiming that Severino bit him. The officials have looked at the footage and disqualified Severino. Lima has a clear bite mark.
Result: Andre Lima def. Igor Severino via DQ (biting) – Round 2, 2:52
Recap: Igor Severino disqualified for biting Andre Lima’s bicep
Photos: UFC on ESPN 53: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Lima (8-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Severino (8-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Montserrat Rendon vs. Darya Zheleznyakova
Round 1 – A couple of big right hands connect early for Zheleznyakova. Rendon getting walked down right now. Rendon shoots and gets te takedown. Zheleznyakova makes her way to the fence and uses it to get back up, but she’s being presses against the cage by Rendon. Zheleznyakova breaks free. Two minutes left. Another right hand connects for Zheleznyakova. Rendon chasing down Zheleznyakova, as she looks to cut the distance. Rendon closes the distance and presses Zheleznyakova against the cage. Rendon gets the takedown. Rendon maintains top position until the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Rendon.
Round 2 – Zheleznyakova is walking down Rendon here and conneting with right hands. Very little output from Rendon. Rendon eats more rights from Zheleznyakova. Three minutes left. Rendon closes the distance and presses Zheleznyakova against the cage. Zheleznyakova breaks free shortly after. Rendon with a right hand. Zheleznyakova is bleeding from the bridge of he nose. Jabs from Zheleznyakova. One minute left. The output from both is very low here. Rendon shoots and presses Zheleznyakova against the cage She controls for a good 30 seconds until the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Zheleznyakova.
Round 3 – Good jabs by Zheleznyakova. She’s pressing Rendon, who looks very tired, but is still swinging. Body shot by Zheleznyakova. Jabs by Zheleznyakova. Rendon chases Zheleznyakova, clinches with her and presses her against the cage. Rendon working for the takedown, but Zheleznyakova with good defense. Good control by Rendon. Zheleznyakova breaks free in the final 30 seconds. Spining attacks from Zheleznyakova. One spinning back fist lands for Zheleznyakova. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Zheleznyakova. Overall 29-28, Zheleznyakova.
Result: Dariya Zheleznyakova def. Montserrat Rendon via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 53: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Zheleznyakova (9-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Rendon (6-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Judging: Mike Bell, Sal D’Amato, Junichiro Kamijo 29-28.
Jarno Errens vs. Steven Nguyen
Round 1 – Big leg kicks from Nguyen to get things started. Oh! Huge right hand by Errens connects clean. Nguyen is backing up now. Big leg kicks by Nguyen. Nasty calf kick by Errens. And another one! Uppercut by Errens then Nguyen connects with a jab. More leg kicks by Errens. Man, more nasty leg kicks by Errens. He’s putting a lot behind them. Good combo by Nguyen. Errens is now bleeding from his nose. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Errens.
Round 2 – A pair of jabs land for Nguyen. Errens is bleeding from his nose. Nasty leg kick by Errens, but Nguyen answers back with a counter. Errens is upping the pressure here. One, two connects for Errens. Jab to the body by Errens and then he goes upstairs with a jab. Right hand connects for Nguyen. More leg kicks from Errens. It seems Nguyen is starting to have issues moving. Final minute. Nguyen is walking down Errens here, looking to make a big attack in the final seconds. Oh! Huge right hand from Errens drops Nguyen! Nguyen immediately back up and Errens is all over him. The bell rings shortly after.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Errens.
Round 3 – Errens back at attacking the legs. Body shot by Errens. Looks like Errens got dropped by Nguyen. Nguyen on top. Oh! Nasty elbow by Nguyen. Errens gets back up and appears fine. Oh! Errens lands a left and drops Nguyen! Nguyen gets back up. Three minutes left. Nguyen’s mobility is compromised due to the leg kicks. Uppercut by Errens. What a chin on Nguyen, who’s constantly moving forward. Jabs by Errens. More calf kicks by Nguyen. Huge uppercut and then a left by Errens. Nguyen eats it well. Nguyen moving forward, trying to get a finish, but Errens is sticking and moving. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Errens. Overall 30-27, Errens.
Result: Jarno Errens def. Steven Nguyen via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 53: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Errens (14-5-1 MMA, 1-2 UFC), Nguyen (9-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Mike Bell, Chris Flores, Jacob Montalvo 30-27.
Cody Gibson vs. Miles Johns
Round 1 – Good pressure here by Gibson. Johns with a solid body shot. Gibson dictating the action here and walking down Johns. Gibson presses Johns against the cage. He controls, but Johns ends up breaking free shortly after. And Johns with a takedown! Two minutes left. Johns working and controlling from guard. Good elbow by Johns. Gibson gets back up, but he’s being controlled against the cage by Johns. Nice knee from Gibson. Gibson breaks free. Oh! Johns connects and drops Gibson as he attempts a flying knee to close out the round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Johns.
Round 2 – Gibson closes the distance early here and presses Johns against the cage. Johns breaks free shortly after. Good uppercut by Johns. Gibson shoots and gets the takedown. He takes the back for Johns and locks the body triangle. Three minutes left. Gibson looking for the rear-naked choke, but Johns defending well. Johns reverses the position and now has top control on Gibson. Good shots from top by Johns. Two minutes left. Good control by Johns. Gibson is able to get back to his feet, but being controlled against the cage. The bell rings. Close round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Johns.
Round 3 – Johns looks for the takedown early here and presses Gibson against the cage. Gibson fights him off, and is now putting on non-stop pressure in the striking attack. Johns with good defense. Johns presses Gibson against the cage. Good combo by Johns, as Gibson exits out of the clinch. Two minutes left. Good right by Johns. Gibson with a body kick. Johns closes the distance again and presses Gibson against the cage. Short elbows by Gibson. He’s out. Leg kick by Gibson. Johns shoots, fails on a takedown, but presses Gibson against the cage. And Johns gets the takedown. Gibson gets back up and is looking for a haymaker. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Johns. Overall 30-27, Johns.
Result: Miles Johns def. Cody Gibson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 53: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Johns (14-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC), Gibson (19-10 MMA, 1-5 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging: Sal D’Amato, Chris Flores, Chris Leben 30-27.
Julian Erosa vs. Ricardo Ramos
Round 1 -Huge one, two for Ramos! Erosa answers back. Again, Ramos with a big combo drops Erosa! Ramos close the distance, picks up Erosa and slams him on the canvas. Ramos working from guard. Good ground-and-pound by Ramos. Erosa kicks him off! Spinning back fist by Ramos! Ramos shoots for a takedown, but gets caught in a guillotine choke. It looks tight! There’s the tap. Solid comeback win by Erosa.
Result: Julian Erosa def. Ricardo Ramos via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 2:15
Recap: Julian Erosa rallies to submit Ricardo Ramos with slick choke
Photos: UFC on ESPN 53: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Erosa (29-11 MMA, 7-7 UFC), Ramos (16-6 MMA, 7-5 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Kurt Holobaugh vs. Trey Ogden
Round 1 – Holobaugh with pressure here. Hard leg kick by Holobaugh. And a solid combo by Holobaugh, too! He over extends and gets taken down by Ogden. Nice elbows from bottom by Holobaugh. Ogden passes from guard to half guard. Three minutes left. Good control here and short shots by Ogden. Not much damage being done here by Ogden, just control. Ogden with a couple of short shots. Ogden maintains top position until the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Ogden.
Round 2 – Holobaugh, again, comes out pressuring Ogden. Good shots from Holobaugh. He’s clearly getting the better of the striking. Ogden comes up short on a takedown attempt. Oh! Big right hand connects for Holobaugh. Ogden shoots and takes down Holobaugh. He advances to half guard. Shorts shots being landed by Ogden. Two minutes left. Good control here by Ogden.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Ogden.
Round 3 – Again, Holobaugh pressing Ogden. Ogden sticking and moving, looking to avoid that big right hand from Holobaugh. Leg kick by Ogden. Holobaugh with a right hook, partially connects. Holobaugh is head-hunting here. Ogden shoots and gets the takedown. Not much damage is being done. Three minutes left. Not a ton going on. Ogden works his way up to mount. Pure control by Ogden, but not much damage being done.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Ogden. Overall 30-27, Ogden.
Result: Trey Ogden def. Kurt Holobaugh via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 53: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Ogden (17-6 MMA, 2-2 UFC), Holobaugh (20-8 MMA, 1-5 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Sal D’Amato, Chris Leben, Jacob Montalvo 30-27.
Fernando Padilla vs. Luis Pajuelo
Round 1 – Big leg kick by Padilla. He’s pressing Pajuelo. Another leg kick by Padilla. Front kick to the face partially connects for Padilla. Nasty standing elbow by Padilla. He’s having his way so far. Pajuelo with a right hand. Good body kick by Padilla. Oh! A left hand from Padilla drops Pajuelo. Padilla jumps on him. Nice ground-and-pound by Padilla. He’s all over Pajuelo. Pajuelo stands up, but Padilla sinks in a D’arce choke. And he gets the tap!
Result: Fernando Padilla def. Luis Pajuelo via submission (D’Arce choke) – Round 1, 2:45
Recap: Fernando Padilla dubs himself ‘Mexican Jon Jones’ after submission of Luis Pajuelo
Photos: UFC on ESPN 53: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Padilla (16-5 MMA, 2-1 UFC), Pajuelo (8-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Jason Herzog
Billy Quarantillo vs. Youssef Zalal
Round 1 – Leg kick by Zalal. Quarantillo throws one of his own. Now Zalal with a leg kick. More kicks by Zalal. Great movement by Zalal, who’s sticking and moving. More kicks by Zalal. Quarantillo briefly presses Zalal against the cage, but he finds a way out. Oh! Solid shots by Zalal. Quarantillo looks wobbled. Zalal with a very nice trip, takes down Quarantillo. Zalal now in Quarantillo’s guard, working ground-and-pound. One minute left. They scramble and Zalal takes the back of Quarantillo. He sinks in a rear-naked choke! Quarantillo gets out in the final seconds.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Zalal.
Round 2 – Leg kick by Zalal. Good left from Zalal. He’s picking apart Quarantillo. Zalal goes for a takedown and gets it. Good elbows from top by Zalal. Zalal works his way to the back of Quarantillo. Zalal goes for the rear-naked choke again and quickly gets the tap! Solid win by Zalal.
Result: Youssef Zalal def. Billy Quarantillo via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:50
Recap: Youssef Zalal thrives in octagon return, becomes first to tap Billy Quarantillo
Photos: UFC on ESPN 53: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Zalal (14-5-1 MMA, 4-3-1 UFC), Quarantillo (18-6 MMA, 6-4 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Herb Dean
Cameron Saaiman vs. Payton Talbott
Round 1 – Talbott is setting the tempo here, as he walks down Saaiman. Good shot selection by Talbott. Oh! Giant knee to the head connects for Talbott! He’s going in for the kill now. ANother knee to the head! Now Talbott connects with a knee to the body that hurts Saaiman. Man, what a chin on Saaiman. Saaiman backing up in survival mode. Head kick by Talbott. Body kick now by Talbott. Saaiman is getting picked apart here. Spinning back kick by Saaiman. A clear low kick from Saaiman halts the action, but the fights resumes shortly after. Good combo by Talbott. Body kick by Talbott. Saaiman is hurting. A left connects for Saaiman. Talbott gets a sweep right on the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-8, Talbott.
Round 2 – Oh! Saaiman gets immediately dropped by Talbott. Talbott is all over him with ground-and-pound. It’s over! Wow.
Result: Payton Talbott def. Cameron Saaiman via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 0:21
Recap: Payton Talbott throttles Cameron Saaiman with strikes for TKO
Photos: UFC on ESPN 53: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Talbott (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Saaiman (9-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Chris Tognoni
AJ Dobson vs. Edmen Shahbazyan
Round 1 – Good striking exchanges here between the two. Leg kick by Shahbazyan. Dobson answers back with one of his own. Oh! Dobson rocks Shahbazyan bad. Shahbazyan survives, shoots for the takedown and gets it. Dobson scrambles and reverses the position. He’s now on top, working from guard. Good control here by Dobson with some shots here and there. Shahbazyan works his way to his feet and then reverses the clinch. He now presses Dobson against the cage. They’re back to striking. Oh! Shahbazyan drops Dobson. He’s all over him. Ground-and-pound and it’s over! What a win for Shahbazyan.
Result: Edmen Shahbazyan def. AJ Dobson via KO (punches) – Round 1, 4:33
Recap: Edmen Shahbazyan KOs AJ Dobson to cap huge comeback
Photos: UFC on ESPN 53: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Shahbazyan (13-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC), Dobson (7-3 MMA, 1-3 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Mark Smith
Justin Tafa vs. Karl Williams
Round 1 – These two are swinging hard right of the bat. Oh! Huge tight hook from Tafa wobbles Williams. Tafa goes for the kill, but Williams counters and takes Tafa down. Williams working from half guard. Big elbow by Williams. Tafa complains it was on the back of the head. Tafa gets up, but quickly taken down again by Williams. Good shots from Williams. Two minutes left. Tafa gets up, but still being controlled against the cage. Good knees by Williams. Williams drags Tafa back down, and Tafa gets up. Williams working hard for the takedown, as he controls Tafa against the cage. There’s a takedown. One minute left. Williams working from guard. Good shots by Williams. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Williams.
Round 2 – Big body kick by Tafa. Williams with a front kick to the body. One, two by Williams. A hard right connects for Williams. A one, two for Williams. Tafa stuffs a single leg attempt from Williams. Good left hook by Tafa. Williams catches a kick from Tafa and takes the fight to the ground. Williams working from half guard. Good hammer fists by Williams. Williams briefly threatened with an arm triangle, but Tafa defended well. Good short shots by Williams. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Williams.
Round 3 – Oh, big right hand by Williams. Tafa counters with a massive shot that wobbles Williams. Williams in survival mode looking for the takedown. He doesn’t get it, but he presses Tafa against the cage. Williams gets the takedown. He’s controlling Tafa Khabib-style by the cage. Three minutes left. Not much damage here, just control by Tafa. Some shots here and there by Williams. Two minutes left. Knees to the legs by Williams. Tafa gets up, but being controlled against the cage. Tafa breaks free. One minute left. Williams shoots and Tafa defends the takedown. Williams shoots a second time and gets it. Williams controls and stays on top until the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Williams. Overall 30-27, Williams.
Result: Karl Williams def. Justin Tafa via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 53: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Williams (10-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC), Tafa (7-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging: Mike Bell, Chris Flores 29-28. Jacob Montalvo 30-27.
Amanda Ribas vs. Rose Namajunas
Round 1 – Good jab by Namajunas. Then a right hand. Another one by Namajunas. Ribas with a left hook and then a leg kick. Jabs by Namajunas. Spining body kick by Ribas and then she gets a takedown shortly after. Namajunas immediately gets up, but is now being presses against the cage. Namajunas reverses the position. Good knees by Namajunas. Back to striking. Oh! A clean left from Namajunas stuns Ribas. Ribas gets a head-and-arm throw, but gets reversed with Namajunas on top. Namajunas with some shots from top. Namajunas ends the round on top. Fun round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Namajunas.
Round 2 – Right-hand lands for Namajunas. Another one. A left lands cleanly for Namajunas. She’s having her way right now. Spinning back kick to the body lands for Ribas. Jab by Namajunas. Namajunas briefly takes down Ribas, but Ribas gets up right away. Ribas goes for a knee bar, but Namajunas escapes. Namajunas now takes top position. Two minutes left. Good control here by Namajunas. One minute left. Short shots land for Namajunas. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Namajunas.
Round 3 – Big leg kick by Namajunas. A right connects for Namajunas. Body kick lands for Namajunas. Oh! Big combo conencts for Namajunas. She’s looking very dominant. They clinch and Namajunas connects a few knees. They break away. Jab by Namajunas. Good combo connects for Ribas. Two minutes left. Ribas shoots for a takedown and gets it. They scramble and Namajunas ends up controlling and pressing Ribas against the cage. Ribas gets a judo throw on Namajunas. Ribas controlling from half guard. Good elbows from top by Ribas. More shots by Ribas. Ribas now takes the back of Namajunas. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Ribas.
Round 4 – Left connects for Namajunas. Another one. Quick little combo lands for Ribas. Leg kick by Ribas. Big leg kick by Ribas. It seems Namajunas’ output has dropped. Good jab by Namajunas. More leg kicks by Ribas. Namajunas shoots and gets the takedown on Ribas. She’s working from top guard. Two minutes left. Ribas working the high guard, looking to set up submissions. Shots to the body from Namajunas. Not much going on here. Namajunas controls from guard and lands some short shots here and there. One minute left. Namajunas control the action until the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Namajunas.
Round 5 – Big leg kick by Ribas. Another one. Namajunas with a clean right hand to counter a kick. Jabs by Namajunas. A right hand connects for Namajunas. Ribas is having a tough time connecting. Three minutes left. Ribas chasing Namajunas, but not connecting with much. Jab by Namajunas. Ribas with a series of spinning kicks to the head, but neither lands. They clinch and Namajunas connects with a good knee to the body. One minute left. Big right lands for Namajunas. Another right from Namajunas. Leg kick by Namajunas. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9. Overall 49-46, Namajunas.
Result: Rose Namajunas def. Amanda Ribas via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
Recap: Rose Namajunas returns to win column with decision over Amanda Ribas
Photos: UFC on ESPN 53: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Namajunas (12-6 MMA, 10-5 UFC), Ribas (12-5 MMA, 7-4 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Jason Herzog
Judging: Mike Bell, Junichiro Kamijo 49-46. Sal D’Amato 48-47.
