UFC 305 ‘Du Plessis vs. Adesanya’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Jesus Santos Aguilar (127.5: Missed Weight) vs. Stewart Nicoll (126)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Nicoll (-230), Aguilar (+190)

Round 1

In what might become a yearly stop for the UFC, the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, is playing host to the promotion today. Like UFC 284 last year, 2024’s UFC 305 package contains plenty of locals with favorable matchups that could result in some thrilling violence. Nine of the 12 fights tonight feature a competitor from or repping Australia or New Zealand, with one pitting an Aussie against a Kiwi, and the other two seeing a Chinese welterweight take center stage. We kick things off with a classic matchup of Australia vs. Mexico as Nicoll (8-0, 0-0 UFC) introduces himself to the organization with the crowd at his back. He battles the overweight Aguilar (10-2, 2-1 UFC), who hit the scales a pound and a half above the flyweight limit to surrender 20% of his purse to his opponent. The referee for the first fight of the night is Steve Perceval, and he kicks things off as the fighters touch gloves. Nicoll introduces himself with a leg kick effort, and his second is met with counters from the Mexican. Aguilar charges him, swinging fists and ultimately clinching up before suddenly grabbing the Aussie from behind. Nicoll responds with a kimura sweep that puts them both on the mat, and he flips around to take the back of his opponent and get hooks in. Nicoll opens up with powerful punches from both sides of the head, and he briefly flattens Aguilar out as he beats on him. Aguilar gets to his knees and spins himself around to put his back on the mat, and Nicoll does not mind this as he hacks down with elbows. Nicoll knees the belly when he sits postured up, and he lands a few punches but finds himself off-balance. Nicoll gets rolled upside-down, and he finds himself doing a handstand with Aguilar hanging on in an effort to throw him down. When Nicoll recovers, Aguilar jumps guard with a guillotine choke, and it is immediately tight. Aguilar fastens his legs around the waist of his opponent, and Nicoll tries to slither his neck out but he is bone dry and trapped in a precarious position. Aguilar alerts Perceval that Nicoll may be out, and Perceval tests the resistance of Nicoll’s right arm. It flops to the ground. Perceval lifts the lifeless limb again before he intervenes, and he and Aguilar roll Nicoll to his back to demonstrate that Nicoll is completely unconscious with his eyes eerily stuck open. Aguilar sits up and lifts the legs of his defeated opponent to flow the blood back to Nicoll’s cranium. Just like that, Nicoll has been ejected from the ranks of the unbeaten, and Aguilar has totally silenced the crowd. It may be disappointing to Aguilar that he has forfeited his opportunity to claim post-fight bonus money by missing weight, as that sleep-inducing submission might have been otherwise worthy of an extra check.

The Official Result

Jesus Santos Aguilar def. Stewart Nicoll R1 2:39 via Technical Submission (Guillotine Choke)

Ricky Glenn (171) vs. Kenan Song (171)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Song (-192), Glenn (+160)

Round 1

One of those two welterweight pairings featuring a man from China is up next, with Song (21-8, 5-4 UFC) representing the People’s Republic against Iowa native Glenn (22-8-2, 4-5-1 UFC). The latter is moving up to 170 pounds after a few tough showing the last few years, and hopes that the extra weight and water around his brain will protect him from lights-out blows. The fighters elect not to touch ‘em up in front of referee Jim Perdios, and instead Glenn wants to attack. Ducking and charging with fists flying, Glenn’s surge continues with a huge left hand that sets Song on his seat as he holds Song’s leg up. Song fights his way back up to his feet, and breaks out of the clinch without being worse for wear. Glenn ducks down to close the distance and wings a left hand that catches that man from China, and he presses into the clinch and eats a knee in the belly. Glenn leans heavily on his adversary, and he drops down in search for a single-leg takedown as the woo birds in the building start crooning. Glenn does not pay them any mind as he remains stuck to Song like a cheap suit, and Song muscles him down to his knees but bails on it to get a little space. “The Assassin” gets off a pair of punches, and he loops shots that are otherwise telegraphed and blocked. Song connects with a few, but his side kick to the chest is more effective. Song rifles a right hand down the middle, and Glenn ducks and tries to counter but gets caught in a stream of powerful fists. Glenn gets his bell rung, and he tries to take the fight down but is rebuffed. Song gets him backed off and takes enough space to connect with a salvo of heavy hands. Glenn ties his foe up to push him against the wire, stomping the toes and hitting a trip to put Song on the canvas. Song wall-walks to a knee and then back to his feet, and he elbows Glenn on the dome while Glenn knees him on the thigh from behind. They trade knees from up close, and Glenn pursues another trip but fails and is pushed away once more. Song jabs with a front kick and a left hook catches Glenn, and he lets “The Gladiator” have it with a barrage until the round ends. Glenn points to the ground to signal that he wants more of that, and Song may oblige him.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Song
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Song
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Song

Round 2

Perdios clocks the fighters in, realizes the timekeeper is not ready and backs them off to re-clap them in. Glenn is ready to continue brawling, but he does not wade recklessly into danger as Song measures him with kicks. A head kick from Song buzzes Glenn’s hair, and Glenn breathes a sigh of relief and kicks high to bounce his foot off the shoulder. They trade similar kicks up high, and Glenn changes it up with a looping overhand left. Song counters with a sharp one-two, bending Glenn over, and Glenn shoots for a desperate single. Song fights it off and blasts his opponent with an elbow, and he shreds open the side of Glenn’s left eye. Blood starts pouring from the wound, and Glenn paws at it. Glenn punches his way into a clinch, and Song escapes and pins hand down the middle to stun Glenn. Glenn tosses out a half-hearted calf kick that he uses to set up a takedown shot, and the Chinese 170er staves it off and elbows Glenn in the chops twice. Glenn backs off and meanders forward, only to get boxed up by the sharper, seemingly fresher man. Glenn pitches a lazy axe kick, and a massive mouse develops on his temple. Song rifles off a left hand to that spot, and Glenn is rocked and not a happy camper, but still in the fight as he swings back. The swelling on the right side of Glenn’s head has developed into a golf ball, and he shoots for a takedown but has nothing on them and is easily stonewalled. Song jabs with the ball of his foot outstretched, and they trade hands without fear of reprisal. Glenn lobs a high kick but he cannot raise his limp up to the head, and he leans back as Song whips a much quicker kick at the target. Glenn tries for one final takedown, and the horn sounds as the cutman rushes to him to try to reduce the monstrous swelling.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Song
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Song
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Song

Round 3

The giant lump is not going anywhere between rounds, and it is a bullseye for Song to fire at in the last five minutes. They raise their hands in the air to pump up the crowd, and signal that they want to touch gloves. Glenn starts the last round shooting in, and Song spins him around, elbows him and bends him over with a vicious knee to the guts. Song counters a trip by chucking “The Gladiator” to the mat like a side of beef, and he holds on to the flagging Glenn but is unable to keep him grounded. Glenn works his way up, and he shoots in for a double-leg takedown when they are both upright again. Song rings his man up with an elbow on the inside as Glenn separates, and Glenn blinks it out and slugs his way back into close proximity. Song shrugs off a left hand when leaving the clinch so that he can belt Glenn with four quick punches, and he plants a knee up the middle that makes Glenn practically dive after a single. Song snatches up a power guillotine with Glenn leaned over, and Glenn realizes he needs to protect his neck and bails on the shot. Song snaps the head back with a jab, intercepting a Glenn kick. They come in close range again, and Glenn fires off his own elbow and a knee that gets Song’s attention. Song reels and responds, with a right hand and a jump knee that makes Glenn shrug at him. Glenn kicks low and swings high, and Song’s hands are by his side as he appears spent but is still willing to throw hands. Song loops an elbow up top and slings a left hand that makes Glenn bounce into the wall, and Glenn recovers to plant a knee on the solar plexus. Glenn jabs twice to the body to open up a left hand, and Song beans him with a head kick. Glenn eats a knee, and Song pushes off as a finger slides into the eye of the Iowan, and follows the scrape with a left hand. Perdios calls time with about 30 seconds left in the round, bringing in the doctor to check Glenn’s condition as Glenn puts his hands on his knees to catch his breath. Glenn tells the doctor he is good to go after a minute, and Perdios tells Song to be careful. They get back to it with a little over 20 seconds left due to a minor timekeeping error, and Glenn rushes out to attack but only clinches. Song wants to throw, and he lets his hands go with punches that lead to elbows right to the final bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Song (30-27 Song)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Song (30-27 Song)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Song (30-27 Song)

The Official Result

Kenan Song def. Ricky Glenn via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-26, 29-28)

Tom Nolan (155.5) vs. Alex Reyes (156)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Nolan (-1350), Reyes (+800)

Round 1

The UFC knew exactly what it was doing when matching this next affair, and bettors have seen right through the charade. With odds as high as -1500, power-punching Aussie Nolan (7-1, 1-1 UFC) is largely expected to run over Reyes (13-4, 0-2 UFC) while living up to his nickname of “Big Train.” Reyes has not won a fight since 2017, although he took six years away from the sport due to an infection in his spine. This sport always surprises, and Reyes does sport a 100% finish rate on his own ledger. Before fists fly, the lightweights meet in the middle to tap them while referee Rich Mitchell watches on stoically, ready to step in at a moment’s notice. Nolan walks Reyes down right out of the gate, absorbing a body kick as he works his way forward. Reyes jabs out with his toe extended with a kick, and he chains together a few punches into another kick. Nolan backs him off with a head kick try, but Reyes comes at him with a low kick and punches. Nolan zings a spinning wheel kick on the side of the head, and Reyes frowns and kicks the body. Nolan kicks him back in the side, and he has a head kick bump off the guard. Nolan surges into attack, and Reyes times this blitz so he can take him down easily and take his back while Nolan stands. Reyes slides off the back but holds on from behind, and Nolan grabs the cage to not get pulled away from it. Nolan turns himself about in the clinch, and he gets off an elbow on the inside but is dragged to the mat. Reyes keeps one hook in, only to slide out the back door. Nolan bursts a kick out and pushes Reyes over, and he charges wildly with a knee and a few punches before the underdog ties him up again. Reyes rings him up with two punches, and Nolan gets space and sprints to jump at him with a knee. Nolan slashes out with an elbow, and the two kick at the same time. Reyes misses with a head kick, and he takes deep breaths. Nolan stomps with a kick aimed at the knee, and Reyes responds with a right hand to the body. Nolan spins but does not land anything, and the two start brawling. The overwhelming favorite gets his bell rung and he backs off, but he fires off a few strikes to keep Reyes honest. Reyes backs off and dodges a wheel kick, and he flicks out a front kick. Nolan kicks the body twice and whiffs on a spinning back fist, and he guards himself from a combination and stops a takedown with a knee up the middle. Reyes backs off to gather himself, and they kick at the same time and hit the ground. Nolan somersaults himself backwards, and when he is on his knees, Reyes drills him with a knee illegally. Mitchell sees the foul and calls time, issuing a hard warning without deducting a point. Nolan does not appear compromised, and when they get back to it, he lashes out with a jump knee as the bell rings.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nolan
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Reyes
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Nolan

Round 2

There is a touch of gloves from the lightweights to get the second stanza going, and they do not take long to start trading. Nolan lands a few punches and sticks out a few kicks, and he twirls around to smack Reyes in the face with a back fist. Reyes gets his hands on him and clinches, and they dirty box and bang heads together as Mitchell warns them. They split apart, and Reyes darts away to avoid a spin. Nolan keeps stalking forward, letting go with a wheel kick, and Reyes is able to block it. Nolan attacks with power strikes, and Reyes stands firm and elbows him in the dome. Simultaneous kicks land, and Nolan recovers faster and sticks Reyes with a left hand that sets Reyes on his seat. Reyes jumps back up, absorbs a flush jump knee and looks for an overhand right. Nolan jabs and follows with a cross, stinging Reyes again. Reyes recovers to counter, and he even tries a spinning back fist, but it lands on the trapezius muscles. Reyes aims a one-two and is countered with a right hand, and Nolan prepares check knees to stop Reyes from considering a level change. Nolan walks through a right hand as he keeps the pressure on the underdog, cutting Reyes off and checking a low kick. Reyes grabs him and turns him to the fencing, looking for a body lock takedown and settling for trip attempts while clasping his hands from behind. Nolan spins around to break up the grip, elbowing Reyes with short strikes that bust his nose open. Reyes splits off and absorbs a hard spinning kick to his ribs, and he blocks a head kick in the nick of time. Nolan counters a right hand with a step-in knee, and he parries a body kick but takes a right hand flush. Nolan chips at the lead leg, and he spins with a back fist and checks another kick. “Big Train” stands Reyes up with a one-two, and he puts punches together as Reyes tanks them but is bloodied up. The horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nolan
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Nolan
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Nolan

Round 3

A final glove touch opens up the last round, and Nolan is kicking early and often. Reyes throws one kick of his own before Nolan busts him in the nose with a short left. Reyes reaches his man with a looping right, but Nolan does not even register it and marches ever-forward to do damage. Nolan connects with a leg kick and blocks a high kick aimed at his direction, and he stops a takedown effort only for a body kick to land cleanly. Nolan punts Reyes in the guts, and Reyes keeps a stiff upper lip and retaliates with a big right hook. Reyes tries to slow down his man with a calf kick, only for Nolan to laugh it off and walk towards him. A short combo lands from Reyes, who blocks a body kick and eats a jump knee. Nolan lands a hard body kick, and Reyes does the same. When Nolan spins, Reyes times a takedown, and this results in Nolan setting up a brabo choke while standing. Nolan uses the submission to wrench Reyes to the floor, and lets it go when it is clear Reyes is not in imminent danger. Reyes works to his feet and pushes into a clinch, ducking under to grab Nolan from behind and lean Nolan against the fence. Nolan elbows him in the nose several times to cause blood to flow, and he turns himself around. They trade elbows from close, and their foreheads clack together. Reyes knees the body and is clipped by a spinning elbow, but he is tough as a two-dollar steak and remains in the fight. Elbows continue to land on one another until Reyes shoots, but Nolan is an Australian wall not going anywhere. With seconds to spare, Reyes lets his man have it, throwing caution to the wind with one final flurry. Nolan does the same, and they swing it out and surprisingly have fought a full 15 minutes.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nolan (30-27 Nolan)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Nolan (29-28 Nolan)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Nolan (30-27 Nolan)

The Official Result

Tom Nolan def. Alex Reyes via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Herbert Burns (146) vs. Jack Jenkins (145.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jenkins (-850), Burns (+575)

Round 1

While no fight on the billing will top the overwhelming favorite line from Nolan in the previous pairing, Australia’s Jenkins (12-3, 2-1 UFC) takes the no. 2 spot this evening favored around -700. He battles the struggling Burns (11-5, 2-3 UFC), who is in search of his first victory since 2020. Referee Marc Goddard draws the charge for what some have called a squash match at 145 pounds. The fighters touch gloves, and kicks are traded immediately. Both men land quick strikes, and Burns is preemptively lifting his leg up to check ones that come his way. Burns lands a few punches, reddening the nose of Jenkins early, and Jenkins knocks him back and does the same with a short barrage of blows. Jenkins parries a front kick and catches his man with a left hand, but not before Burns kicks his front calf. Jenkins clips his opponent with a left hand after one to the ribs, and they land alternating punches that knock both men back. Burns recovers faster and darts in with jabs, only to back away when Jenkins wings hooks. Jenkins strings a few punches together to get Burns’ attention, but none more than a left to the liver that changes his expression. Jenkins snaps out a jab to shut down an advancing Burns, and Burns body language has changed after absorbing the blow. Jenkins snipes out with a jab and a left from the same hand, and Burns blinks it out and has a kick land off the shoulder. Jenkins slams his left to the liver again, and Burns is not having a good time as he bounces off the fence. Jenkins sees that this getting to him, and he aims several to that same spot. Burns ends up shooting in and pulling guard, and Goddard tells him to stand up. Jenkins lines up a vicious left to the body, and Burns grimaces and eats a few more up top as Jenkins is flowing. Jenkins cracks Burns with punches, a step-in knee and a hard body shot. Burns doubles up on punches and flows through the hips to land a double, planting Jenkins on his back to possibly save himself. Burns slows things down as he grinds in half guard, shutting Jenkins down and landing short ground-and-pound to recover. The horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jenkins
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jenkins
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Jenkins

Round 2

The fighters touch gloves, and Jenkins wants to pick up where he left off. Burns wants nothing to do with that, shooting for a takedown and flopping to his back when he cannot get it. Jenkins laughs at him and forces him to stand. Jenkins doubles his jab into a left hook, and he is met with a left from Burns in response. Jenkins jabs his way into a low kick, and he gets taken down courtesy of a very low shot from the Brazilian. Burns moves into half guard with ease, excited at the prospect of upwards of four minutes of top control. Burns isolates the arm-triangle choke, but Jenkins fights it out and sits up. Burns jumps to his back to get hold of a low-percentage heel hook, and Jenkins wriggles his leg out and slaps Burns in the calf several times until Goddard stands the Brazilian up. Burns slowly gets up, and Jenkins walks him down and beans him with two punches. Burns shoots and pulls guard, fastening his legs around Jenkins’ waist to force the Aussie to play grappling. Jenkins stays busy without exposing himself to danger, landing short punches and elbows until Burns pushes off the chest with his feet. Burns gets up when Jenkins does not oblige in lowering himself down, and he eats two powerful lefts to the liver that double him over. Jenkins hammers him with a fierce right hand, sending Burns crashing to the ground. Burns rolls over when on his back, trying to entice Jenkins to get into the guard again. Goddard stands “The Blaze” up, and Jenkins blasts him with two calf kicks to set Burns down again. Burns flops over, and his lead leg is trashed. He does this again when forced to stand, and the crowd is not his best friend. Burns switches stances but has to come back to orthodox, and two more calf kicks further disable him and force a desperate shot. Burns flat on his back is where the round ends, and Burns struggles to get back to his feet.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jenkins
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jenkins
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Jenkins

Round 3

Burns makes it to the third round, and he starts the round with a failed takedown shot and a knee to Jenkins’ groin. Jenkins groans as Goddard calls time, and he does not take much time as he does not want Burns to further get wind back. Jenkins starts off with a left to the body, a right hand and a tripping low kick. Burns hits his back, and Jenkins batters him with hammerfists as Goddard tells the Brazilian to fight back. Jenkins backs off to force Burns back up, but “The Blaze” is cooked. He cannot stand as Goddard tells him to get up, and Goddard waves the fight off. This will go down as another technical knockout due to retirement because Burns cannot stand back up to continue the fight, the second in Burns’ UFC run. Burns lays on his back in agony and exhaustion, his team and the medical staff tending to him. After some time, the Brazilian is able to get back to his feet, and he appears crestfallen after suffering his fourth straight stoppage defeat.

The Official Result

Jack Jenkins def. Herbert Burns R3 0:48 via TKO (Retirement)

Casey O’Neill (125.5) vs. Luana Santos (126)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Santos (-162), O’Neill (+136)

Round 1

Once an uber-hot prospect at the women’s flyweight division, the excitement and momentum have cooled for O’Neill (9-2, 4-2 UFC), who comes into this fight as the crowd favorite despite her birth country being Scotland. While the Xtreme Couture product has lost her last two, Brazil’s Santos (8-1, 3-0 UFC) is flying high, winner of five straight including three in the Octagon. Taking charge of this bout will be referee Rich Mitchell, and he clocks the ladies in as they opt to touch gloves. O’Neill lashes out with an early low kick and punches her way into range, and she slips back to dodge counterpunches. O’Neill kicks the front leg again, only to be met with a left hook. Santos chips back at the front leg twice, with O’Neill trying to line up a right hand back her direction. Santos holds her arm out and swings with the other behind it, and she kicks and gets thrown to the floor. The two scramble right back to their feet, and Santos holds on with a standing guillotine choke to bully O’Neill to the fence. Santos presses hard against the cage wall, slipping around to take the back and attack a single from behind. O’Neill keeps her balance and knees her foe in the torso a few times, only to be lifted up with responsive knees. O’Neill pushes off of Santos’ face to separate, and she walks Santos down and connects with a trio of punches and a chopping calf kick. Santos clips her with a right hand over the top, and she lands flush with a few punches while O’Neill wants to slug it out with her. Santos kicks the body and scurries away to avoid any counters, and O’Neill marches her down and kicks her front leg. O’Neill wings a right hand, but a straight left is more accurate. O’Neill connects with three punches, forcing Santos to bounce off the wall. They both let their hands go, with O’Neill landing first and harder. O’Neill clubs her opponent with overhand rights as Santos tries to kick, and she gets knocked off-balance but throws back hard to make Santos bounce off the cage wall again. They land at the same time, and O’Neill tries to time one such meeting with a knee. Santos misses a jumping switch kick, and she has a spinning back fist blocked. O’Neill walks Santos down and punches her in the face a few more times until the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 O’Neill
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 O’Neill
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 O’Neill

Round 2

Gloves are briefly touched to begin Round 2, and O’Neill is the aggressor right from the start. She lands a right hand and a body kick, and Santos catches the latter and slings O’Neill to the mat. Santos grabs the glove to get up, and she is warned for the foul. O’Neill manages her way back to her feet, and Santos gloms onto her from behind looking to trip or suffocate her opponent. O’Neill twists and turns, but Santos will not give her an inch of space. O’Neill tries to turn the tables and elevate the Brazilian, and her power move results in Santos stumbling, allowing her to get away. O’Neill returns to her stalking pace, landing a right hand and blocking the responses. O’Neill plants three fists on the chin and a leg kick to follow, keeping Santos guessing by mixing up her offense just enough. Santos kicks her in the ribs and strafes to the side, and O’Neill meets her with an overhand right. Santos goes wide with a hook, allowing O’Neill to retaliate with a trio of speedy blows. O’Neill overswings her way into an accidental takedown setup, and she abandons it to knee Santos in the head repeatedly. Santos shells up and gets caught with punches that wrap around her raised guard before she scoots away. O’Neill times a right hand when Santos kicks her, and Santos is striking back but is beaten to the punch time and time again. Santos jabs and parries, trying for a looping right when O’Neill kicks at her but is out of range. Santos lands two punches, hops back and then puts two more punches on the Brazilian’s chin. A clinch results in O’Neill sneaking in a knee, and Santos breaks off before anything else can catch her. Santos lands once, and O’Neill hits her back three times right before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 O’Neill
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 O’Neill
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 O’Neill

Round 3

Fists are touched, and the fight resumes almost exactly where it ended in the last round. O’Neill clubs Santos with a short combination, and Santos tries and fails to get her back. Santos jabs out and is met with counters, and she leaps forward to get off a right hand. The Brazilian jabs the body, and O’Neill walks her down and busts her in the chops with a series of punches. O’Neill loads up on power punches that knock Santos around, but Santos is tough as can be and wears them well. Santos misses with a right hand, allowing O’Neill to counter her with a power right. O’Neill strings together a few punches and a knee, and Santos is the slower of the two and almost never strikes first. O’Neill jabs high, low and then wings a right hand that gets around the guard. O’Neill allows Santos to come to her so she can meet her with harder blows, with effective right hands that continue to find their home. Punches are traded, and Santos suddenly does not like what is happening and she tries to take the fight down with an ill-advised head lock. O’Neill spins her around and counters a twister setup, resulting in her taking the Brazilian’s back with a quick body triangle set up. Santos hand-fights to prevent any choke from coming anywhere close, but she gets softened up with strikes from both sides. Santos is warned for grabbing inside of the glove, and Mitchell pauses the fight to tell her what is not allowed even though fighters are given instructions before every fight. Santos looks upset that she was called on it, and O’Neill hangs on after the restart to continue working. O’Neill wraps a rear-naked choke grip on the jaw and ends up with a face crank, and she thwacks Santos on the kidney with heel kicks until time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 O’Neill (30-27 O’Neill)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 O’Neill (30-27 O’Neill)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 O’Neill (30-27 O’Neill)

The Official Result

Casey O’Neill def. Luana Santos via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

Joshua Culibao (146) vs. Ricardo Ramos (145.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Culibao (-148), Ramos (+124)

Round 1

A pair of featherweights each holding two straight losses will come to blows, with one of them ending the rough period and turning things around at least for now. Whether that is Culibao (11-3-1, 3-3-1 UFC), who saw his UFC record fall to .500 with his last defeat, or spinning-strike enthusiast Ramos (16-6, 7-5 UFC), they have the next 15 minutes to make a statement. Referee Matt Wynne will keep up with them every step of the way. There is a quick fist bump, and Ramos leads the dance with jabs and a high kick. Ramos spins all the way around with a tornado kick, blasting Culibao in the head with the flashy move and surprising him. Culibao keeps his guard up when Ramos walks him down, connecting with two hard calf kicks. Ramos whiffs with a spinning wheel kick, and Culibao dodges and slips forward to unload a left hand. Ramos parries two lunging punches, but the calf kick finds it home on him as they have already reddened him up a bit. Culibao reaches out with two punches, forcing Ramos to hop away and reset. Ramos catches a front kick and tries to step in with a faked kick, and Culibao flinches and darts away. Ramos opens up with a right hand, and Culibao clips him with a left hook. Culibao disables Ramos with a calf kick, drawing a stumble out of his opponent. Culibao is excited and tries to hurry things, jumping to attack and falling to his back. Ramos leaps at him, taking Culibao’s back in the blink of an eye and wrapping up both hooks. Ramos goes after a rear-naked choke, and Culibao hand-fights to stop it from going anywhere. Ramos keeps his arm on Culibao’s jaw, and he sneaks the grip around and fastens a rear-naked choke from the other side. Ramos wraps the choke in completely, and it should be academic at this point—but Culibao somehow wrenches the grip away to keep in the fight. Ramos locks it down again, and any other fighter would tap at this point, but not Culibao. Culibao’s eyes bulge and he flirts with the edge of consciousness, only to fight the submission enough to survive and reach the second round as the crowd goes wild.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ramos
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ramos
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ramos

Round 2

There is a speedy glove touch, and Culibao goes right after the lead calf with a kick. Ramos tries to pay him back for it, and he looks to tie Culibao up. Culibao’s lead leg is welted up from throwing his own kicks, and he limps back as he might be compromised from his own attacks. Culibao catches an advancing Ramos with a check left hook, and he feints and makes Ramos spring away. Culibao whips a kick low and jabs the midsection, and he whacks another kick at Ramos as Ramos is once more in trouble. Culibao open-handed slaps Ramos twice, and Ramos kicks him back in the front leg. Culibao blasts the front leg with a kick, and Ramos eats two more but is able to not only push through it but chase after Culibao with a combination. Culibao retaliates with a jab and a fierce right hand, rocking Ramos but not putting him down. Culibao calmly works with a calf kick and two punches up top, and he jackhammers the calf with a kick that knocks Ramos to his seat. Culibao slaps the same limb from above while Ramos is on his back, and he finds a way in and leaps down to hammerfist Ramos a few times. Ramos tries to trip Culibao up and get a leglock, and Culibao aims kicks anywhere he can find them. Culibao does not let Ramos up, instead nailing him with two drop-down hammerfists. Ramos gets hold of him for a moment in the guard, but Culibao punches his way out to stand back up. Culibao attacks in bursts, landing hammerfists until walking away. Wynne lets Ramos stand up, and Ramos is able to put weight on that limb again. Ramos tries to protect it with stance switches, and when he spins with a back fist, Culibao dodges and mimics him with a ballerina’s pirouette. Ramos pushes off his foe’s face with his fingers outstretched, and Wynne calls time for the eye poke. Culibao tries to hurry back into the game so that he can keep fighting, even while still blinking it out, and he takes about 15 seconds. Ramos tries a calf kick, and Culibao showboats until the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Culibao
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Culibao
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Culibao

Round 3

Fists are bumped, and Ramos opens up right after with two looping hooks. Ramos plods forward, with Culibao slugging right back and connecting with a front kick to the sternum. Ramos tries to tie him up with a standing clinch, but Culibao knocks him back with a short, mean right hand. Culibao parries a telegraphed left hook and dances away from a right and a leg kick, and he boots the front leg with a kick that makes Ramos limp immediately. Culibao jabs and reaches his target with an overhand right, following it with a double jab. Culibao times a sharp jab and just misses with a leg kick, and they both miss with power strikes. Ramos spins with an elbow that slams into the fencing, and he connects with three punches to get Culibao’s attention. Ramos tries to keep that momentum going with a takedown effort, but that fails as they trade knees on their respective melons. Culibao catches his opponent with a right hook, and Ramos ducks away to try to counter with a back fist. When that comes up short, Ramos is simpler by tossing out a left hook, and that lands cleanly. Culibao springs his way forward to close the distance, and away when Ramos fires back. Culibao intercepts his man with a solid right hand, and he wobbles Ramos briefly but does not take him out of the fight as Ramos swings back with a vengeance. Culibao kicks the front leg and spins him around, and he gets popped with a left hand that cuts him on the corner of the eye. As Culibao overswings, Ramos ties him up from behind and drags him to the mat. Ramos gets one hook in and then slips over the other, as blood trickles down Culibao’s face into both eyes. Ramos holds on and suddenly scrambles to sneak attack and take mount, but Culibao defends well enough with butterfly hooks at the last second to prevent that transition. Ramos lands short but not overly meaningful punches, and the fight ends. Ramos helps his opponent up to his feet, and they hug it out. It could be a close one, depending on how judges valued the last two minutes or so of this round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Culibao (29-28 Culibao)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Culibao (29-28 Culibao)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Culibao (29-28 Culibao)

The Official Result

Ricardo Ramos def. Joshua Culibao via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Junior Tafa (244) vs. Valter Walker (252)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Tafa (-130), Walker (+110)

Round 1

The prelims close with a heavyweight smash-‘em-up derby where one of these two heavy hitters will likely wind up face down before it is all over. All but one of Tafa’s (5-2, 1-2 UFC) pro outings have ended by knockout, while Walker (11-1, 0-1 UFC) is no stranger to bludgeoning another man unconscious. Keeping his head on a swivel will be referee Steve Perceval, as feet and fists are sure to soar in moments. Before that happens, there is a sporting glove touch from the competitors. They are uncharacteristically tentative to begin the fight, with only one leg kick landing for the first 30 seconds. Tafa walks through the kick and busts Walker in the face, stumbling Walker against the cage. Tafa continues throwing hands, stinging Walker again, and Walker tries to slow things down and pursue a takedown. On his second effort, Walker manages to wrench “The Juggernaut” to the canvas. Tafa scoots to the fence and wall-walks to stand up, and Tafa grabs the fence to fight off a mat return. Walker scoops his legs out beneath him and dumps Tafa to the floor, and Tafa again grabs the cage in hopes of standing. Perceval is on top of it, warning Tafa again. Walker gets in a single left hand while trying to keep Tafa on the mat, hoping to settle in half guard. Walker grinds from on top with occasional short punches, and the crowd tries to energize Tafa with a local chant. Tafa remains pinned to the floor with a heavy man above him, and Perceval asks for more activity. Tafa clings to the neck to keep Walker stuck, or perhaps force a standup, and Walker breaks out of it and jams down an elbow. Commentators Daniel Cormier and Dominick Cruz heavily criticize Tafa’s complete inability and seeming lack of knowledge to get back to his feet, and Walker changes things up by rolling for a sudden heel hook. Tafa flops to his back and screams, and as soon as he turns to his side, Perceval waves the fight off while shouting “Stop!” Tafa is enraged, going to slap Walker in the face after the fight concludes, claiming that he did not tap out. His shout out was considered a verbal submission by Perceval—the right call, with screams specifically considered verbal tapouts in the Unified Rules—and officials pull the upset Tafa away and force him back to his corner. Tafa is not about to drop it, continuing to shout at the victorious Walker and flip him the middle finger during the official announcement. No amount of protest from Tafa will change the result, which will stand as a submission.

The Official Result

Valter Walker def. Junior Tafa R1 4:56 via Verbal Submission (Heel Hook)

Jingliang Li (171) vs. Carlos Prates (170)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Prates (-340), Li (+270)

Round 1

Intending on getting another win for 170ers from China tonight will be company staple Li (19-8, 11-6 UFC), whose absence of nearly two years is a career-long layoff for the man who turned pro in 2007. He will look to play spoiler against hard-charging Brazilian marauder Prates (19-6, 2-0 UFC), who comes into this pairing having earned knockouts in his last eight straight outings. Referee Matt Wynne will hope to avoid any errant blows that whiz around the Octagon. The athletes touch ‘em up and come out of their corners. Feinting and faking at the same time towards one another, the two do not engage for the first 30 seconds, with no strike even landing until 45 seconds in. Li lands a body kick, and both fighters clack shins together with alternating kicks. Prates flicks out a jab, and Li responds with a body kick and one to the inside calf. They trade low kicks, and then connect with punches in short barrages. Li chips at the front leg and reaches out with a right hand, and he has his front leg kicked hard. Low kicks fly from both fighters, each trying to stifle the other while not committing to much else. Li plants a right hand on the chest, and he slips back before Prates lets anything fly. Prates lances his opponent with a left hand on the side of the melon, and Li drops to a knee but is able to pop back to his feet. Li comes out swinging, and Prates sways back and slaps him in the face with a head kick. Prates sways and dodges a kick as the two kick at the front leg of one another. Prates splits the guard with a left hand, and he lands a second before Li flings a right hook at him. Li gathers his thoughts and connects with a series of punches, and Prates parries and blocks the punches. Li telegraphs looping shots, and Prates slips to the side and snaps out a jab and a hook. A hard left hand nearly drops Li again, and he fires off a head kick that is barely blocked in time. Prates catches him with another left and bounces Li off the cage, and Li is hurt but a willing brawler. Li surges forward, bell firmly rung, and he catches Prates a few times. Li staggers his foe once more before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Prates
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Prates
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Prates

Round 2

Prates offers a glove touch that is accepted, and the round begins nearly as tentatively as the first. Both pitch low kicks at one another, and Prates suddenly goes over the top with a reverse crescent kick that slaps Li in the face. Li connects with a stern calf kick that makes Prates lift his leg up and hold it up. Prates parries a one-two and backs off, and he skirts away from a kick and drills Li on the side of the head with a kick. Li loads up on power shots, and he cannot reach Prates with more than one before Prates gives him strikes back. During the tit-for-tat exchanges, bizarre screams ring out from the crowd like the “screaming goat” meme. The fighters continue hurting one another with power strikes, neither going down but both landing cleanly. Prates snaps the head back with a left hand, and Li’s chin is tough but it is getting cracked repeatedly. Li bites down on his mouthguard to sling two huge hooks, and Prates fights behind his jab and steps in with a stern knee to the sternum. Li turns Prates against the fence when he clinches, only for Prates to fight himself free and nail Li with a Superman punch. Li lands with one punch, and Prates gives him three back. Prates stings Li with a left hand and a head kick, and the granite-jawed Li walks right towards him without batting an eye. Prates fades back and catches Li with a left hook, and he checks a kick and leans away from a spinning back fist. Prates waves his hands around and blasts Li with a left hand, and he sets Li down with a combination. Li climbs back up, and Prates is on him hammering him with right hands. Li bounces off the fence, barely in the fight, and Prates is a man possessed. Prates strings together a series of ferocious punches, and when Li staggers to the side, the Brazilian unloads with a booming left hand that puts Li on ice skates. Prates jabs and follows with a left, having bloodied Li’s nose up, and he whips a right around the guard and detonates a left hook that complete short-circuits “The Leech.” Li slumps to the mat and lands on his side. It is clear when he involuntarily rolls to his back that he is out cold, and Prates is the first fighter to knock out the incredibly durable veteran. It is a bit of a scary scene as the medical staff tend to the wrecked fighter, but he comes to and is able to not only sit up but stand. Earning the biggest win of his career by far, Prates is now on a 10-fight victorious streak and sets himself up for big fights in the future.

The Official Result

Carlos Prates def. Jingliang Li R2 4:02 via KO (Punches)

Jairzinho Rozenstruik (259) vs. Tai Tuivasa (265)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Rozenstruik (-225), Tuivasa (+185)

Round 1

The UFC has thrown the crowd some red meat on the main card in the form of a good old-fashioned heavyweight slobberknocker. While Rozenstruik (14-5, 8-5 UFC) may have the kickboxing background and is a more technical man compared to his opponent, he does not shy away from throwing bungalows when the mood strikes him. Tuivasa (14-7, 8-7 UFC) will feed him that mood as well as several punches, if he has anything to say about it. Referee Marc Goddard buckles up for what is about to come next. Happy as a clam to fight in front of a crowd that is drowning him with adoration, Tuivasa offers a fist bump that is gladly accepted. Rozenstruik moves to the center of the cage to start, and he stays away from a front kick lobbed at him. Rozenstruik snaps out a kick to the lead leg, and he lands one on the inside as well. Tuivasa gives him a kick back to think about, and Rozenstruik counters with a right over the top. Tuivasa kicks him again, and he leans back to dodge it. The Aussie absorbs another low kick and adjusts his shorts, and he sits down on a right hand when Rozenstruik inevitably chops at his front wheel again. Tuivasa uses several feints to draw out wide reactions, and he overkicks to turn himself around. Rozenstruik reaches him with a one-two, and he retreats before getting countered. Tuivasa sells out on another inaccurate kick, and Rozenstruik prods him with a jab. Rozenstruik gets in a left hook and a hard calf kick, and he absorbs a much heavier one coming back. They jab at the same time, and Rozenstruik paws out his left hook to measure. Tuivasa gets a front kick to land on the belly, and he winds up with a right hand and pulls it back as Rozenstruik flinches. Tuivasa chips with kicks on both sides, and he gets off a left hook and is met with a left to the chest. Tuivasa keeps his guard up to block a lead left hook, and he tries to jab his way in only to get met with quicker offense. Tuivasa misses with a low kick and dodges a looping strike in response, but Rozenstruik still gets him in the belly. Rozenstruik kicks his man in the side, and he gets clipped with two big hooks right before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik

Round 2

The big men touch ‘em up to begin Round 2, and Rozenstruik leads behind several jabs. When Tuivasa tries to do the same, Rozenstruik chews up his front leg. Rozenstruik loads up and smashes Tuivasa in the side of the head with a right hand, and he manages to escape danger by a matter of inches when Tuivasa tries to retaliate. Tuivasa goes after his opponent with a right hand, and Rozenstruik is just out of range. Tuivasa stands firm, cracking Rozenstruik with a right hand, and Tuivasa absorbs a flush knee to the body on the way out. Tuivasa slugs with a right hand, and Rozenstruik turns the corner and strings several punches together. Tuivasa rebounds off the fencing, and he walks face-first into a right hand and a knee. Tuivasa backs his adversary to the wall but is not able to catch him with anything clean, and he is slowly working his way forward. Tuivasa engages with a hard right hand, and he releases a low kick that slams his foot into Rozenstruik’s knee. Tuivasa limps back, and Rozenstruik charges at him and lays into him with a mighty blitz of punches. Tuivasa gets cut on the right side of his face, and he starts firing back, backing Rozenstruik away and hurting him as well. Tuivasa shakes his foot out and struggles to put weight on it. Rozenstruik lines a one-two down the pipe, and a head kick that follows is blocked. Tuivasa catches Rozenstruik ducking down, but it is one-and-done. Rozenstruik lands a few kicks, and the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik

Round 3

Gloves are touched to kick off the final round, much to the surprise of many that it got this far. Rozenstruik keeps behind his jab to stop Tuivasa from reaching him, and a leg kick after it is also effective. Tuivasa uses his own jab, but it is not able to reach the target. A right hand does, and Rozenstruik counters right back. Tuivasa is out of range of a front kick, and two jabs fall short as well. Rozenstruik snaps the head back with his own jab, and he kicks the body and escapes as Tuivasa lumbers towards him. Tuivasa finds his own with a left and then a right, and Rozenstruik scoots away from any further blows before stabbing out a jab. Tuivasa lands a stance-changing low kick, and he elbows Rozenstruik when Rozenstruik loads up on a left hand. Tuivasa walks through a jab to unload with a right, and Rozenstruik catches him with a right on the inside. Rozenstruik stays composed and watches massive right hands soar past him, and he pushes off with a front kick that adjusts Tuivasa’s cup. Tuivasa waves Goddard off, and he practically sprints at Rozenstruik with his right hand firing off. Rozenstruik’s head movement keeps him safe, and his jab peppers the Aussie again and again. Rozenstruik shields himself from the telegraphed bombs, and he gets up close and scores a short right hand. As Tuivasa goes wide, Rozenstruik pretends to smooth out his hair—he is bald, so it is a mocking gesture. Rozenstruik plods out with front kicks and jabs, keeping Tuivasa from getting his hands on him. Tuivasa sells out with big punches, and he points the ground to force a brawl. Rozenstruik does the same, and they blast one another with ferocious punches. This continues right to the final horn, and they have made it the distance.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik (30-27 Rozenstruik)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik (30-27 Rozenstruik)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik (30-27 Rozenstruik)

The Official Result

Jairzinho Rozenstruik def. Tai Tuivasa via Split Decision (29-28, 27-30, 30-27)

Mateusz Gamrot (156) vs. Dan Hooker (155.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gamrot (-325), Hooker (+260)

Round 1

An intriguing stylistic clash will take the “Featured Fight of the Night” slot on the pay-per-view billing, with an archetypical “striker vs. grappler” contest that is a little more than meets the eye. On paper, Gamrot (24-2, 1 NC; 7-2 UFC) may start off hot going after the takedown, but he also could engage in a striking battle with City Kickboxing’s Hooker (23-12, 13-8 UFC). Referee Jim Perdios will serve as the third man in the Octagon in what prognosticators have considered the sleeper best fight on the billing, and it kicks off with a respectful glove touch. Hooker introduces himself with a head kick that collides with the guard, and he switches stances to flick out a jab. Gamrot loops a right hand around another jab, and he parries a body kick as he marches forward. Gamrot lunges with another overhand right, and Hooker is able to block and give back a front kick to the body. Hooker kicks the ribs, and his footwork keeps him safe from everything save one reaching right hand. Gamrot clicks off another right hand, cutting the Kiwi and drawing some early swelling. Hooker rips a kick to the body, and Gamrot retaliates with one to the lead wheel. Gamrot catches a body kick and hits an easy takedown, but Hooker scoots all the way to the fence in an effort to get away. Gamrot follows him every scoot of the way until climbing on top of his opponent, keeping Hooker’s right leg stuck between his own. Hooker protects himself and manages to escape, but Gamrot is fired up and drags him down, clubbing Hooker with relentless ground-and-pound. Elbows and punches bounce off Hooker’s dome, and Hooker survives by turning to his side and working his way back to his feet. Hooker strings together a number of punches, and a left hook catches Gamrot and wobbles his legs. Gamrot strafes to the side to escape and keep himself in the fight, and he returns fire to get Hooker surprised. Hooker backs him to the wall and unloads, but Gamrot drops low as he can to get an ankle pick. Hooker hops away but is pulled to the mat, and Gamrot crawls beneath his legs and flips Hooker over him. Hooker gets up, Gamrot follows him, and the dramatic round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gamrot
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gamrot
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gamrot

Round 2

Hooker is beaming from ear-to-ear to begin the round, and they high-five before getting back to inflicting gleeful bodily harm on one another. Hooker picks at him with distant strikes, but Gamrot is able to close the distance on him. While his first attempt fails, he is able to wrangle “The Hangman” to the mat, where he easily passes to side control and drops down short elbows. Gamrot maintains control every time Hooker tries to buck and twist, smacking him with left hands and the occasional elbow along with underutilized knees to the side. Hooker sits up to hug Gamrot and stop him from getting smacked, and he suddenly scampers on his seat back to the fence. Gamrot sprints after him and tackles him back down, but Hooker is able to recover and stand. Gamrot meets him on the way up with a right hand, but Hooker fearlessly comes towards him and lands a left to the liver. Gamrot strings three punches together, and he eats a front kick while backing up. Hooker gives chase, connecting with a few shots before Gamrot slides away. Gamrot shoots for a single, and he scoops Hooker up and dumps him to the ground. Hooker defends with a power guillotine, forcing Gamrot to turn himself over to prevent the submission. Gamrot turns about once more and goes deep after a single, and Hooker sprawls and elbows his man on the side of the head. Hooker continues hammering with elbows until he sets another choke up, and Gamrot yanks his neck out and goes after a double. Hooker’s elbow finds the side of Gamrot’s head, and this forces Gamrot to release him. Hooker rushes after him, and he times a perfect body shot as Gamrot attacks a single, While Hooker is raining down elbows, the round ends, and Gamrot clutches the side of his head.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hooker
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Hooker
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gamrot

Round 3

Hooker laughs with his corner between rounds, bloodied and bruised but having the time of his life. Before the “seconds out” call, Hooker strides to the center of the cage and lathers up the crowd. The round begins, and Hooker is ready for an oncoming takedown that inevitably comes. Hooker defends with a guillotine, and Gamrot flips over and through it while still holding on to top position. Hooker grabs the fence to pull himself upright, and he manages to get some separation. “The Hangman” stalks Gamrot down, landing long punches that are giving Gamrot issues. Gamrot sinks in a right hand that stuns Hooker, but Hooker digs deep and blasts the body with two hard hooks and a front kick. Hooker pins two punches on the guard and leans away from a lunging punch, and they score simultaneous hooks. Hooker goes to the body, and Gamrot catches him cleanly with two big right hands. Hooker walks through a jab but gets popped with a short right hand, and he tries to respond with a front kick. One punches, the other lands, and the first retaliates. Hooker eats a right hand as he keeps moving forward, and Gamrot slips to the side to avoid the counter right hook. When Hooker changes stances, Gamrot snaps him with a jab, and Hooker looks at the clock that reads about 2:15. While distracted, Gamrot shoots for a takedown, and Hooker somehow defends it and makes Gamrot pay with a right hand. Gamrot beans the Kiwi with an uppercut, and Hooker is forced to fight off a takedown instead of throwing shots. A few solid right hands from Hooker have swelled up Gamrot’s eye, and Gamrot responds to one of them with a deep single. Hooker claims that his glove was grabbed, and he hops over Gamrot while keeping his leg in the air. Hooker sets up a power guillotine to stop the submission, and they break apart and start slugging away. Hooker walks Gamrot down and cracks him with a right hand, but “Gamer” is a gamer and nails him right back. These two are strike-for-strike at this point in an ultra-close fight, and Gamrot shoots low for a single and is met with elbows. Hooker pulls his leg out, and he points at the ground to brawl. Hooker smashes him in the face with a left hand, and Gamrot stumbles to the side and recovers to throw one last strike right at the bell. This wild-and-crazy battle concludes with a happy embrace, as the two gave it everything they had. It’s anyone’s guess how this will be scored.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gamrot (29-28 Gamrot)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Hooker (29-28 Hooker)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Hooker (29-28 Gamrot)

The Official Result

Dan Hooker def. Mateusz Gamrot via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Steve Erceg (125.5) vs. Kai Kara-France (125)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Erceg (-166), Kara-France (+140)

Round 1

The lone all-Oceania battle comes in the co-main event, with New Zealand’s Kara-France (24-11, 1 NC; 7-4 UFC) aiming to snap his first losing streak in nearly a decade at the expense of former undisputed title challenger and Western Australia native Erceg (12-2, 3-1 UFC). Even with both men coming up short in past championship opportunities, a win tonight and maybe one more may propel the victor into contention once more. Referee Rich Mitchell will be the first to know who that is, and he sits back as the fighters come together to clap hands. Erceg shifts directly to the center of the cage, and they both are prepared for the other’s leg kick as they anticipatorily lift their lead legs when squaring up. Kara-France lunges forward after 45 seconds elapse with three looping hooks, and Erceg dances away from them all and pokes out a jab. Erceg jabs again, prompting Kara-France to do the same to the midsection. Erceg ducks just in time to dodge a looping right hand, and Kara-France is out of the way before he can get countered. Erceg jabs his way forward, and Kara-France sticks him to the ribs. Kara-France kicks the front leg and attacks the body, and Erceg kicks him back. Erceg keeps Kara-France at the end his punches, and Kara-France still manages to reach him with winging strikes. Erceg rolls with them just in time, and his own jab reddens the nose of the City Kickboxing product. Erceg puts an uppercut on the guard, bouncing Kara-France back to the fence. Kara-France unleashes a big right hand, and Erceg fires back fearlessly. “Don’t Blink” thumps the front leg and aims a jab to the body, and he strafes to the side but is still met with a jab. Kara-France winds up with a massive left hand, sending Erceg flying. The back of Erceg’s head clatters off the mat, possibly reactivating him after a flash knockout. Kara-France aims and misses two standing-to-ground punches before Erceg dives after his leg, and Erceg uses the close range to explode back to his feet. Kara-France is on him loaded for bear, firing off a huge right hand that forces Erceg to retreat as fast as he can. Kara-France connects with a massive right hook on the temple, and Erceg shifts to the side to dodge. Unfortunately for “Astro Boy,” he circles right into the power right hand of the Kiwi. Kara-France detonates a bomb of a right hand on Erceg’s dome, sending him down in a heap. Two punctuating punches to the side finish the job as Mitchell races in to rescue Erceg from further harm. Kara-France has done it, springing the sizeable upset and becoming the first fighter to knock out the durable youngster. Erceg does not protest the stoppage when he gets back to his feet while in Mitchell’s protective embrace, instead showing disappointment in himself for getting caught like this. Meanwhile, Kara-France jumps to the top of the fence and celebrates his handiwork with the elated audience.

The Official Result

Kai Kara-France def. Steve Erceg R1 4:04 via TKO (Punches)

UFC Middleweight Title Fight:
Dricus Du Plessis (185) vs. Israel Adesanya (184)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Adesanya (-122), du Plessis (+102)

Round 1

A grudge match years in the making—albeit one that lost some steam due to the career trajectory of one—will finally be settled in the main event. The violence potential is off the charts in this middleweight championship scrap, with Du Plessis (21-2, 7-0 UFC) posting a 90% stoppage rate as a pro against Adesanya (24-3, 13-3 UFC)’s 66.6% knockout rate. Fans, pundits and bettors are all split on how this will go down, which makes the next 25 minutes that much more scintillating. Referee Marc Goddard will receive the honor of officiating this headliner, and he brings the men together to touch gloves—and they do! It’s on with the show. Adesanya measures his jab early, pawing with his left hand outstretched. Du Plessis strikes first in the form of a calf kick. He goes to the same spot again, and Adesanya pays it no mind. When Adesanya switches stance to engage, Du Plessis kicks him on the newly presented front leg. Kicking the same spot again, Du Plessis uses it as a springboard to lunge forward. Adesanya responds with a body kick, and he hops away as Du Plessis races at him throwing inaccurate punches. Adesanya jabs and feints a kick, and Du Plessis whips a left hand at him. Adesanya times a body kick, and Du Plessis responds with one under the elbow. The jabs from Adesanya have nicked the champion, who has a slight hole above his right eyebrow. Adesanya stays composed to let a high kick buzz past him so he can sink in two low kicks, and Du Plessis does get in two body kicks in succession. Du Plessis’ blitz comes up short, with Adesanya well out of the way before he is reached. Adesanya splits the guard with a jab, and he leans back as a head kick slaps him in the cheek. Du Plessis charges, considering a takedown, but the hips from Adesanya allow him to shrug it off completely. Adesanya rifles off a kick to the ribs, and he slides away to dodge one coming his direction. Du Plessis connects with an overhand right and a low kick, and he surprises the former champ with a head kick. Adesanya stands in the pocket to trade, and Du Plessis steps back to deliver a low kick on the right spot. Du Plessis bull-rushes his opponent, catching Adesanya with a right hand and making Adesanya shake his head. Du Plessis walks through a jab to toss out a high kick, and he gets met with a jab and another kick. Du Plessis’ subsequent kick up high is blocked, and he scores a right hand. Adesanya sneaks in a body kick and a right to the ribs, and he catches Du Plessis coming in with a right and a left. Du Plessis pounds a kick off the raised guard, and the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Adesanya
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Adesanya
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Adesanya

Round 2

Du Plessis offers a glove touch to begin the second round, but Adesanya doesn’t want to engage. Instead, he forces a low kick, and he makes Du Plessis change stances. This works to Du Plessis’ advantage, as he spins with a back kick. They trade heavier body kicks, and Adesanya whips a kick at the lead calf. When Adesanya explodes forward, Du Plessis scoops the former champ off his feet and deposits him gingerly to the canvas. Adesanya is quick to get back to his feet, only for Du Plessis to drag him back down. When Adesanya turns his back, Du Plessis hops on top of him from behind, keeping Adesanya down and blasting him with left hands. Du Plessis wrenches on a neck crank suddenly, and Adesanya fights off the first try, turns over and stands back up. Adesanya walks Du Plessis down and kicks him in the stomach, and Du Plessis complains it hit his cup but Goddard does not buy it. Adesanya does not back off or slow down, scoring an uppercut as he marches forward. Adesanya lands another uppercut, and he clips Du Plessis with a powerful punch at the exact moment that Du Plessis is tackling him for a takedown. Du Plessis practically lands on his face but still trips the former champ enough to get him down, and he hangs on from behind when Adesanya works his way to the wall. Adesanya stands up and turns himself around, and he defends against a single that is chained into a double. “Stillknocks” wrangles Adesanya to a knee, landing a few right hands before Adesanya pops upright. Du Plessis clasps his hands and drags Adesanya to his seat, who motions to his corner that he is fine. Adesanya stands, and Du Plessis doggedly pursues the mat return while not giving Adesanya an inch. Du Plessis scores a few left hands from over the shoulder, and he chains an attempt to a single that is stifled when Adesanya threatens with a kimura. Adesanya throws them both down to a knee, and Du Plessis follows after him in pursuit of a single. The round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Du Plessis
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Du Plessis
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Du Plessis

Round 3

Adesanya measures with multiple jabs from both sides as he keeps Du Plessis at bay, and he is met with a body shot but gives one back with the ball of his foot. Adesanya splits the guard with a left hand, and Du Plessis responds with a right and spins. Adesanya is out of the way before anything comes of it, so Du Plessis does not throw. Adesanya times a right to the body, and he has his guard up to block a counter head kick. Adesanya prods out jabs, and he smacks Du Plessis in the face with a high kick. Adesanya times a left hand counter for the advancing Du Plessis, who walks through his leg kick to swarm him with punches. Adesanya moves away and ignores a body kick so he can line up his own body shots. Du Plessis reaches the former champ with an overhand right, and Adesanya knows another is coming so he sways away from it predictively. Adesanya rails his opponent with a spinning back elbow, and Du Plessis’ chin is made of sterner stuff as he not only marches through it but manages to throw hard enough back to rock Adesanya. Du Plessis does not sell out, instead catching Adesanya in short bursts. One such big combo is dodged, so he shoots for a takedown. Adesanya stands him up and nails him with a right hand, and when he backs off, Du Plessis steps on his foot and trips him up to send Adesanya down to the mat. They stand in the center of the cage and blast each other on the chin, with Adesanya’s defense starting to falter while Du Plessis is a berserker like usual. Adesanya drills his man in the jaw with an uppercut, and Du Plessis knocks him back a few steps with a left hand. A few punches from Du Plessis miss, allowing Adesanya to counter him. Du Plessis swipes out with a left hand, shaking Adesanya up for a second before Adesanya pecks at him with jabs. Du Plessis jumps forward to attack, scoring at the end of a right and a chipping low kick. The third round ends with a left hand from the former kickboxer.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Adesanya
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Adesanya
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Adesanya

Round 4

The championship rounds have been reached, and Adesanya begins it first by pressing forward behind his jabs. Du Plessis keeps his guard stapled to his face and jabs back, and he guard against a high kick and slams a low kick on the calf. When Adesanya tees off on him, Du Plessis rushes at him for a double that puts Adesanya down for a second. Adesanya jumps back up and whips a soccer kick that might have been borderline, but Goddard is on top of things and would have called it if it were illegal. Du Plessis climbs back up, and Adesanya works his body with kicks and right hands. Adesanya gets a few punches through the guard, and Du Plessis’ lunges are telegraphed and slowing. Adesanya gets off a left but Du Plessis is there with a right hand to make him pay. Adesanya rolls away from a huge left hand that makes the Perth crowd gasp, and Adesanya lands a left only to get countered. Du Plessis is throwing everything he has into windmilling hooks and power kicks, including a body kick that lands with a thump. When Du Plessis misses with a right hand, Adesanya backs off and absorbs another thudding body kick. Adesanya pins a few punches on the chin, and his uppercut skims the chin. Adesanya connects with an uppercut and a couple of body shots while Du Plessis is shifting, but Du Plessis stuns Adesanya with a left hook. Adesanya runs to the side to square up, and he gets drilled on the side of the head with a left hand. Du Plessis catches him with another right hand while Adesanya is escaping, hurting him and dropping him to a knee. Du Plessis practically runs all the way past his opponent when lobbing bombs, and he still sneaks in a right hand as he buzzes by. Adesanya points to the floor, and he backpedals when Du Plessis obliges him. The South African charges, throwing three left hands and a right that busts Adesanya in the chin while his head is turned to the side. Du Plessis follows that concussive blow with two more, and he wraps his hands around Adesanya’s waist and drags him down to the canvas from behind. Adesanya climbs to the wall, but in doing so, he leaves his back open and allows Du Plessis to take his back and get a hook in. Without even getting both hooks in, Du Plessis grips hold of a rear-naked choke that is on top of the chin. Du Plessis rolls his foe over as he adjusts the grip on the other side but is still on the jaw. “Stillknocks” cranks the submission with everything he has, and it does not even need to slide under the chin to get Adesanya’s full and undivided attention. The pain maneuver is too much to bear, with the face crank crushing Adesanya’s jaw. Before it cracks like Rafael dos Anjos’ against Clay Guida, Adesanya surrenders. Goddard intervenes, and Du Plessis releases the submission immediately and bellows to celebrate his triumph. Goddard gets between them to make sure there is no bad blood, but Du Plessis is not about to start anything and instead takes several bows. Unbelievable. The fighters come together to embrace, squashing any beef they had. What a magnificent sport this is. Du Plessis has handed Adesanya his first career submission loss, and on the biggest possible stage. Even the hostile crowd cannot help but give it up for him after such a performance. The sky is the limit for Du Plessis, who may not have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat but pulled off a mighty comeback in a fight where some thought he was fading. With the state of the middleweight division, it is not clear who the next title challenger will be, but a few names may emerge in the near future. When he defends his belt next, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.

The Official Result

Dricus Du Plessis def. Israel Adesanya R4 3:38 via Submission (Face Crank)