The UFC on ESPN 59 main card opener between Abdul Razak Alhassan and Cody Brundage ended quickly, but not in the manner anyone anticipated.
On paper, the middleweight bout promised to produce an explosive result as the dangerous striker Alhassan (12-6 MMA, 6-6 UFC) clashed styles with the aggressive wrestling of Brundage (10-6 MMA, 4-5 UFC). Indeed, the fight ended just 37 seconds into the fight, but as a no contest due to accidental illegal elbows.
After referee Dan Miragliotta signalled for the fight to begin, the fighters touched gloves, and Brundage immediately shot in for a takedown. Alhassan countered with hard punches and elbows, rocking Brundage early. Brundage held on to the single leg as he scrambled to complete the takedown, trying to avoid damaging blows.
A few of Alhassan’s strikes went to the back of the head, for which he received warnings from Miragliotta. After another illegal shot landed in the heat of the intense moment, the referee paused the fight. Brundage was given time to recover, but could not continue.
An unfortunate end to Alahassan vs Brundage:
The fight has been ruled a no contest due to accidental blows to the head. #UFCDenver pic.twitter.com/wVY7XE5NZN
— UFC (@ufc) July 14, 2024
Alhassan’s elbows were deemed accidental, likely because he was moving and actively defending a takedown while landing, and therefore the fight was declared a no contest.
Both fighters entered the contest seeking to avenge losses in their previous bouts.
Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 59 results include:
- Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. Cody Brundage ends in a no contest (accidental illegal elbows) – Round 1, 0:37
- Charles Johnson def. Joshua Van via knockout (punches) – Round 3, 0:20
- Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Fatima Kline via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Montel Jackson def. Da’Mon Blackshear via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 0:18
- Luana Santos def. Mariya Agapova via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:27
- Andre Petroski def. Josh Fremd via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Evan Elder def. Darrius Flowers via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 2, 1:46
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 59.
