UFC on ESPN 62 ‘Cannonier vs. Borralho’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Cong Wang (125) vs. Victoria Leonardo (125)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Wang (-1000), Leonardo (+650)

Round 1

The UFC ends a stretch of seven consecutive weekends with its events not by going big but by cutting costs and hunkering down in the Apex. End-of-summer roster cleaning may be coming courtesy of this fight card, with only nine of the 24 competitors on the billing sporting UFC records above .500. Eight others are making their promotional debut due in part to the conclusion of Season 32 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” an outdated show with ratings so low that it might not be worth producing any longer. Even the most hardcore of MMA fans might be new to some of these competitors, like the up-and-coming Chinese kickboxer Wang (5-0, 0-0 UFC), who may be most famous for beating Valentina Shevchenko in 2015 kickboxing match. The newcomer Wang takes on Leonardo (9-5, 1-3 UFC), an Invicta FC standout who has struggled in the Octagon thus far. The two flyweights will meet in the cage under the oversight of referee Chris Tognoni, and they touch gloves to get things going. Leonardo is the initial aggressor, walking Wang down and striking with her. Wang slides out the side and potshots with a long left hand, and she mixes in a few low kicks. Leonardo kicks back at the knee and jabs her way forward, parrying a one-two and catching Wang with a left. Wang sits down on a low kick, and she comes up short with a high kick. “The Joker” jabs with the ball of her foot, sticking it out to pushing Leonardo and set something up. Leonardo advances, hands down, chin up, and Wang feasts. A jab leads to a fierce right hand from the woman from China that smashes square into the jaw of the rushing fighter, whose lights go out as her right arm is frozen in time. Leonardo collapses to the mat lifelessly as her head clatters off the mat, and Tognoni wastes no time to run in to make sure Wang does not do any further damage. Wang walks off and raises her arms in the air, knowing that her work here is done. She is now the victor in her UFC debut in a big way, scoring one of the fastest knockouts in UFC women’s flyweight history.

The Official Result

Cong Wang def. Victoria Leonardo R1 1:02 via KO (Punches)

Zygimantas Ramaska (146) vs. Nathan Fletcher (145.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ramaska (+135), Fletcher (-155)

Round 1

The fight was canceled on Saturday afternoon, with Fletcher forced out of the match due to an undisclosed medical issue. News of the bout’s cancelation was first reported on the broadcast.

Jacqueline Cavalcanti (135) vs. Josiane Nunes (136)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Cavalcanti (-192), Nunes (+160)

Round 1

Two Brazilian strikers with deceptively high knockout rates meet in the center of the cage in this next endeavor. Much taller and longer, Cavalcanti (6-1, 1-0 UFC), who now fights out of Portugal but was born on Sao Paulo, will maintain ample natural advantages against the diminutive brawler Nunes (10-2, 3-1 UFC). Even though she measures around 5-foot-2 and short arms to match, it is “Josi” who comes into this fight having knocked out foe in seven of 10 wins, much like a Mark Hunt-esque women’s bantamweight. The countrywomen tap their gloves together to start the fight, with referee Mark Smith watching on with bated breath. Cavalcanti paws out her jab repeatedly right out of the gate, and she sticks out a few low kicks until Nunes counters her over the top. Nunes swarms forward but is out of range, and Cavalcanti peppers her with distant strikes. They trade low kicks, and Nunes just misses with a reaching left hand. Cavalcanti boots her in the head with a kick, and she slides away from the swarming Nunes. Cavalcanti keeps her foe at arm’s reach, not allowing Nunes to get inside to bop her in the chops with any number of winging strike. Cavalcanti jabs and keeps lateral footwork to avoid danger, and she sticks out a one-two to get Nunes’ attention. As Nunes races forward, she does manage to connect with a few punches, and she bites down on her mouthpiece and knows she has to eat a few shots to get inside. She does just that, shrugging off a straight right hand so she can blast Cavalcanti in the side of the head. Nunes keeps slugging, and a particularly effective right hand draws some swelling on Cavalcanti’s temple. Cavalcanti slows things down with a few front kicks to stay at her preferred range, and she sticks a body kick under the guard while moving. Cavalcanti reaches with a jab and a right, and she hops away from a few looping shots that miss the mark. Cavalcanti scores a low kick and slides away when Nunes grabs her leg, and she intercepts Nunes with a stern right hand. Nunes keeps plowing forward, and she runs at Cavalcanti throwing hands until the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Nunes
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti

Round 2

Gloves get touched, and Cavalcanti pokes and prods from her safe distance early. A few twos from Cavalcanti have reddened up Nunes’ left eye, and she uses her jab to set that strike up time and again. Nunes chambers and partially fires her huge left hook to no avail, and she even jumps forward winging one but hits nothing but air. Cavalcanti drives home a one-two on the cheek as Nunes rushes after her, hand-fighting and keeping Nunes from hitting her. Nunes finds her range with a big left hand, bouncing Cavalcanti off the wall, and she connects with another after a serious wind-up. Nunes paws out a right hook that wobbles Cavalcanti, and she blocks a body kick instead of pouncing. Cavalcanti shakes it off and flicks a low kick and a right hand, and she gets back to a jab with a solid two behind it. Cavalcanti’s low kick is caught, and she just gets away when Nunes loads up on pure power. Cavalcanti watches Nunes run at her to crack her with a preemptive right hand, and Nunes tries to pay her back but is just taking damage. Cavalcanti picks her shots and uses her serious reach advantage to disallow Nunes from denting her forehead with huge power strikes. Cavalcanti nails her foe with a right hand, and she gets punched back and claims it was an eye poke. Smith calls time and allows Cavalcanti to recover, but it appears to be a fist that irritated her and not outstretched fingers. When they resume after about 25 seconds, Cavalcanti is on her bike with Nunes fired up, and her long punches open a cut on the cheek of her adversary. Nunes tries to cut Cavalcanti off but is following her around, allowing Cavalcanti to piece her up. Nunes gets off two left hands before Cavalcanti can skirt away, and Cavalcanti looks for a step-in knee when they get up close. Nunes scores with another hook, and a front kick from Cavalcanti makes her think twice about swinging recklessly before the bell rings.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti

Round 3

There is one final fist bump to get going, and Nunes charges forward like before. Nunes has a big left hand soar past her opponent, with Cavalcanti deftly avoiding the worst of almost every blow. Nunes briefly draws her foe into a slugfest, and Cavalcanti takes a few and makes the decision to not give Nunes the only chance to put her down. Cavalcanti digs a body shot amidst several jabs, circling away from the power and letting a left brush past her. Nunes walks into several fists, and she grits it out to launch her left twice. Nunes gets into range, but Cavalcanti exits and dodges a haymaker on the way out. Nunes tries to feint and fake her way in, but Cavalcanti is not biting, rather jabbing her in the face. When Nunes bull-rushes her, Cavalcanti clips her with an uppercut, causing Nunes to crash into the wall. Nunes gathers a full head of steam and keeps her guard up, blocking a head kick that makes Cavalcanti topple to the mat. Nunes tries to pounce, but Cavalcanti pushes her off and climbs back to her feet. Cavalcanti gets on her bike, seemingly cruising with jabs and the occasional front kick while Nunes is walking straight into everything. Cavalcanti smacks her in the side of the head with a lead hook, swelling up Nunes’ right eye a bit. Nunes ignores any damage she has sustained and is loaded for bear, but Cavalcanti is faster and longer. Nunes throws caution to the wind, with a few lefts getting in before Cavalcanti evades the rest of the blitz. Cavalcanti jabs with a front kick to the knee, allowing her to take some of the sting out of Nunes’ lunging hook. Cavalcanti slaps the instep of her foot on the midsection of the shorter woman, and she bounces away from further danger. Nunes walks her down, tagging her with two left hands but not flustering Cavalcanti one bit. Cavalcanti picks out a few jabs and right hands, and Nunes no-sells every blow so she can try for one final power strike. That blow does not come because Cavalcanti kicks her in the belly, and the bantamweight bout draws to a close. It could go either way, depending on how judges value Nunes power strikes vs. her foe’s accuracy and activity.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti (30-27 Cavalcanti)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti (29-28 Cavalcanti)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti (30-27 Cavalcanti)

The Official Result

Jacqueline Cavalcanti def. Josiane Nunes via Split Decision (27-30, 29-28, 30-27)

Viacheslav Borshchev (155.5) vs. James Llontop (154.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Borshchev (-238), Llontop (+195)

Round 1

When Borshchev (7-4-1, 2-3-1 UFC) was just a little boy, he didn’t invite “Goku” Llontop (14-3, 0-1 UFC) to his birthday party. The cake was delicious. Since then, “Goku” has grown up, and he’s stronger than an ant, if an ant was this big. Referee Chris Tognoni is really in for it now. Wanting to prove who is the real super sand, the lightweights do not touch gloves. I hope they don’t hit each other too hard. Borshchev introduces himself with a few low kicks, and Llontop is warned for outstretched fingers before slinging his own leg kick. Borshchev attacks the body with a kick, spinning around when it gets caught to reset. Borshchev whiffs on a head kick, but he aims a jab to the head and then one to the body. When they die up, Borshchev goes for a knee to the side, and they break apart. “Goku” blasts the body with a left, and he jabs Borshchev after eating a low kick. Borshchev triples up on his jab, and he cannot get out of the way of a lunging right to his ribs. Llontop slaps the body with a kick, and he gets pushed away with a front kick to his sternum. Borshchev jabs and ducks a few punches to get a clinch, but he releases it when there is nothing to gain from holding. Borshchev winds up on a massive right hand, stinging the Peruvian, and he slaps his man upside the head with a kick. Llontop bounces off the cage wall, seemingly no worse for wear, and he tries for his own head kick. Llontop sinks in a heavy low kick that lands with an audible thud, and he slides to the side to take the oomph out of a body kick. Llontop trips up Borshchev with a low kick after absorbing one, and he gets caught with two right hands when dipping down. Borshchev blasts the body with his shin, and he kicks the liver with another powerful blow. Borshchev dips and nails Llontop on the chin, but “Goku” is tough as nails and does not flinch. Borshchev goes to the body again with a right hand, and he knees the chest and is pushed away. Llontop absorbs a kick and jams an eye in the socket by accident when pushing away, and Borshchev grabs his eye and stumbles back. Tognoni yells stop, but Llontop does not do so, instead clubbing Borshchev with follow-up strikes until Tognoni gets between them. Borshchev falls to his back, clutching his eye, and Tognoni issues a hard warning. Borshchev stands up, and the doctor comes in to check on his condition and allows him to wipe the eye out. Tognoni gives Borshchev all the time he needs to recover, urging “Slava” not to hurry back, so two minutes elapse before they go again. Borshchev leads off with a high kick, and he kicks Llontop in the side when Llontop wings a right hand. Llontop goes for another home run right hand, and he comes up short before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Borshchev
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Borshchev
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Borshchev

Round 2

The lightweights paw at one another to begin, and Borshchev appears to get the better of an early exchange and drops Llontop to a knee. Llontop jumps back to his feet, seemingly not compromised, and he is a willing participant in the brawl until he backs off to reset. Borshchev walks him down, sticking him with jabs and right hands while avoiding the counters that loop over the top. Llontop telegraphs his power strikes, and Borshchev is able to see the majority of them coming to lean back and allow him to nail “Goku” with retaliatory blows. Borshchev strings three punches together and Llontop ducks, just missing with a head kick. They fire off power jabs that make each man take a step back, and Llontop loads up on a leg kick that gets Borshchev’s attention. Borshchev works the body with a left and right over the top, and Llontop is stuck hitting air when the elusive “Slava” dodges. Llontop is warned for his fingers outstretched as Borshchev scores a right hand, and he finishes a combo with a heavy low kick. Borshchev stuns his man with a left hand and buzzes the hair with a high kick, and another liver shot from Borshchev makes Llontop shed his poker face. Llontop shoots for an ill-advised takedown, and Borshchev shoves him away while loading his big left hand to the liver again. Llontop takes it and slips away from a huge right hand, but the step-in knee from Borshchev gets in on him. Leg kicks land flush from one another, and one well-timed kick when Llontop is walking forward trips him up momentarily. Borshchev goes high with a kick that is barely blocked, and Llontop tries to tie him up but releases the grip and slides back from a left hook. Borshchev spins with a wheel kick that rebounds off the shoulder, and Llontop meets him with a right hand on the forehead. Borshchev jumps and spins with a kick that makes him hit the canvas, but he gets to his feet before Llontop reaches him. “Goku” powers up, unleashing a combination of punches that open a cut on the corner of Borshchev’s eye. They trade right to the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Borshchev
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Borshchev
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Borshchev

Round 3

Between rounds, a replay shows that the cut was actually a head clash during an exchange and not a blow from Llontop. They get back to it right out of the gate, with Llontop charging in without fear. Llontop lands cleanly, and Borshchev backs him off with a series of jabs and a right hand. Llontop goes to the body with a right and then a knee, and he digs a left to the liver and keeps rolling with fists flying. They loose body kicks at the same time, and Llontop recoils first and clips Borshchev with a left hand. “Slava” wobbles but does not go down, and low kicks fly and sting one another. Llontop draws blood again with his right hand, and he steps in with an elbow and is jabbed away. Borshchev spins with a back fist that rebounds off the guard, and he parries a few kicks but cannot block a straight right to the ribs. Borshchev lands a left hand about as cleanly as one can, and “Goku” takes it on the chin without budging an inch. Llontop tenderizes the body with a few kicks, and Borshchev is right there to deliver punishment back. One lands a leg kick, the other answers with one. Llontop goes for an overhand right, Borshchev responds with a big left hook. Borshchev spins with a back fist that is blocked, and he kicks behind the knee to buckle it just for a moment. Llontop is not compromised and instead ready to go, throwing hands and getting tagged on the way in. Borshchev dips and uppercuts him, scoring a left hand that cuts the side of the eye and swinging a high kick at him. Llontop stands and bangs, not registering the blood flowing and throwing with everything he has. Borshchev ducks and dings him with a left hand, and he scores a right over the top and dodges two punches coming his direction. Llontop prods him with a few jabs, and Borshchev shoots for a takedown and is rebuffed. Borshchev lines up a Thai clinch and gest cracked with a short left hand to break them apart. Llontop marches his man down throwing punches and kicks, and Borshchev stands firm and responds in kind. Borshchev tries for a rolling thunder kick that misses by a mile, and he stands back up at the sound of the final horn. Either man could become super sand legend after 15 minutes of fists flying.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Llontop (29-28 Borshchev)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Llontop (29-28 Borshchev)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Llontop (29-28 Borshchev)

The Official Result

Viacheslav Borshchev def. James Llontop via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)

Jose Medina (186) vs. Zachary Reese (184.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Reese (-500), Medina (+380)

Round 1

Seeing who is about to take the stage next, judges take a sigh of relief while referee Dan Miragliotta sharply inhales. Texas-based chaos agent Reese (7-1, 1-1 UFC) is about to sling leather with ultraviolent Bolivian Medina (11-3, 0-0 UFC) in a middleweight crash-em-up derby. Between the two, they celebrate one win on the scorecards. Before mayhem ensues, there is a brief shared glove touch. Medina wants to get to business, and immediately jabs to say hello. Reese doubles up on body kicks and clubs Medina with a left hand, backing the Bolivian to the wall. Reese dings him with a few punches and backs off rather than staying in firing range, instead coming forward when he finds the angle he seeks. Reese cracks his foe with a right hand, and he ducks down and secures a clean double-leg takedown to put “Chicho” on his back. Reese does not even get in the guard before pounding down with left hands, and he opens up with ground-and-pound that shreds Medina’s forehead open. Medina turns his back to get to his knees and wall-walk, and Reese clings to him from behind and lifts Medina in the air with a single-leg takedown. Medina again gets up, this time with less effort, and Reese attempts a mat return. Medina turns around and Reese lets him have it with three fiery punches. Medina backs off and absorbs a ferocious body kick that nearly doubles him over, and he keeps a stiff upper lip and guards against a head kick. Medina paws his way in with right hooks that miss the mark, and Reese kicks him in the side and then blasts him with a liver kick. Medina retreats to the cage wall, and Reese charges after him, unloading with fists of fury. Medina ducks underneath the power strikes, grabs the Texan from the side and slings him to the canvas. Medina lowers himself into the guard, and Reese sits up and starts to set up a guillotine choke. Reese rolls his man over with the choke, and he uses the painful submission to flip Medina over and nearly secure mount. Medina wriggles out of the submission and gets some space, and Reese stands up and allows Medina to stand. Medina slowly gets up as Miragliotta tells him to hurry, and he is quick to eat two punches and a liver kick. Medina shakes his hand and points at the ground to initiate a brawl, and he runs forward throwing hands. Reese backpedals and gets off a few punches, and he spins with a back fist and jumps with a knee as the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Reese
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Reese
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Reese

Round 2

Reese rushes out of his corner ready to attack, and he starts with a lunging right hand and a leg kick. This marks the longest fight of his young career, and he is not totally spent, as he lashes out with a jump knee and kicks Medina in the liver. Medina groans and drops his hands, and Reese goes after him with another jumping knee that misses. Reese hammers the side with a stern kick, and he checks a leg kick. Reese reaches the target with a long left hand and another vicious body kick, and he connects with two left hands as Medina wags his finger at him. Reese does not slow down when Medina plays, punching him in the face a few more times. Medina throws back a single low kick, and Reese boots him twice to the body. Medina offers a single jab and a leg kick, and Reese loops a right hand around the guard. Medina circles away and gets booted in the face, and he smiles and returns fire with a body shot. Medina rushes forward and Reese slips away, and Reese is slowing to throw one power strike rather than setting them up. He gets in another body kick, and then one more thuds to the side, but Medina is right in front of him throwing back. Medina shrugs at him when Reese lands a strike, and Reese comes over the top with a question-mark kick. Medina is as durable as they come, as he walks through a spinning kick to the body so he can wind up with a right hand and a left hook. Reese backs him away with a jab and step-in left hook, and his leg kick makes Medina point at the ground again. Reese kicks the same lead leg two more times as Medina does not like this strike, but Medina steels himself and releases a few punches. Reese counters and beats up the front leg, and Medina shrugs again, wings a right hand and shoots in for a double. Medina pushes Reese against the cage wall, and Reese separates with a second to spare and whiffs on an elbow.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Reese
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Reese
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Reese

Round 3

Medina raises both arms up to signal that he wants a hug, and Reese reluctantly accepts it. They start fighting, and Reese kicks him in the liver and pursues a takedown. Medina stops it and pushes him away, but Reese meets him with another body kick. When a knee from Reese nearly tags the Bolivian, “Chicho” motions to Reese and shares a laugh with Miragliotta that he managed to avoid it. Reese sprints forward and tackles Medina to the canvas, finding a few spots to land power punches before Medina kicks him off. Reese backs off and pushes forward to land another takedown, but Medina is once more able to push Reese off of him. Medina stands up without issue, and he gets belted in the face with a left hand and walks Reese down to land three punches including a liver shot. Medina connects with a left hand that hurts Reese, and Reese retaliates with a slamming takedown that bums Medina out and bloodies up his ear. Reese moves to half guard, and after taking a few seconds to catch his breath, he opens up with right hands. The Texan climbs to half guard on the other side to land strikes, and Medina answers him with hacking elbows off his back. Medina sits up, and Reese snatches up his neck and hunts for a one-arm submission that nearly transitions into a brabo choke. Reese holds on with a potential arm-triangle, and Medina complains that his glove is getting grabbed. Reese slugs away from on top, and Medina sits up to give his back up. Reese steps around to capitalize, but Medina gets to his feet by crawling to the fence. Reese pursues a single, and he deposits the Bolivian to the mat for a second. Medina is not about to go out like this, standing up once more, and he fights off a final takedown and slugs away until the fight concludes. Medina might have lost clearly, but he had a blast every step of the way.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Reese (30-27 Reese)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Reese (30-27 Reese)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Reese (30-27 Reese)

The Official Result

Zachary Reese def. Jose Medina via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Dennis Buzukja (155.5) vs. Francis Marshall (156)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Buzukja (+116), Marshall (-136)

Round 1

Originally expecting to throw down with Danny Silva, Buzukja (12-4, 1-2 UFC) instead whips out his fire extinguisher to try to quell the flames of “Fire” Marshall (7-2, 1-2 UFC). With both men typically competing at featherweight, this shift to lightweight allowed them a chance to cut less weight, and it remains to be seen who that will benefit more. Referee Keith Peterson is ready to follow the competitors every step of the way, while putting up with no nonsense. The match opens with a fist bump. Marshall practically sprints forward, swinging his way to a takedown effort. Buzukja tries to counter him on the way in, but Marshall ducks and clasps his hands. Buzukja turns to the side to keep himself upright, sprawling his hips and hand-fighting to not let Marshall leverage him down. Marshall hangs on and laces his leg around Buzukja’s in an effort to trip him up, and Buzukja keeps his balance and kicks his leg free. Marshall lowers his man to a knee for a moment while staying on his back, and he forces Buzukja down again while imposing his weight as much as he can. Buzukja smacks him once as he posts off the floor, but Marshall clubs him with a few more powerful right hands from around the back. Marshall succeeds in tripping Buzukja up again, and his control time is high while his offense is largely limited. Buzukja spins out with about a minute left in the round, and he lands a low kick and a body kick while getting jabbed away. Marshall sticks him with a jab and a right hand, intercepting a kicking Buzukja. Buzukja does go for a calf kick, and they give off alternating jabs. Marshall flicks out a left, a right, and he pushes Buzukja to the fence once more. Buzukja spins out and is knocked to his seat with a right hand, and he climbs back up to absorb a one-two on the chin before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marshall

Round 2

Gloves are clapped together before they are traded, with Marshall leading off the round with swinging fists. Marshall decides against going for a takedown, instead loading up on shots concluding with a booming right that knocks Buzukja off his feet. Marshall climbs into top position, hooking his legs around Buzukja until Buzukja explodes to his feet. Marshall backs off, and he measures his way in and has his lead leg kicked. Marshall swings for the bleachers and misses the mark, and he counters a right hand to knock Buzukja down when Buzukja kicks. Marshall finds the home of his right hand again, stinging Buzukja, and he uses the moment to shove Buzukja to the fencing. Before they split, Marshall sneaks in a knee. Buzukja jabs the body with a push kick, and they trade punches. Marshall reaches the mark with a right and a scooping left, and he gets countered with a left up top and right to the body. Marshall is drawn into a slugfest, and a few Buzukja strikes get Marshall’s attention but he gets tagged with a power right hand. Marshall shoots for a takedown that is rebuffed, and Buzukja resets and kicks the front leg hard. Marshall darts forward with a heavy right hand, and Buzukja knocks him back with a power hook that busts open Marshall’s nose. Buzukja connects and gets countered with a right hand, allowing Marshall to tie him up and bully him to the wall. The right hand rips open a cut on the eyebrow of Buzukja, but he is able to muscle his way out of the clinch. Marshall lands a right and ducks away from a zooming lead left hook, and Buzukja fires a bazooka of a right hand back his way. Marshall takes three clean punches on the chin, and the round ends with his head getting snapped back courtesy of a mean left from Buzukja.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marshall

Round 3

The two lightweights clap hands together before engaging. Buzukja moves to the center of the cage, and he strikes out with a left hook. Marshall answers him with a flailing left and a big right, and Buzukja sees a subsequent punch and connects cleanly with a right hand. Buzukja lands a low kick to chain a left behind it, and Marshall pops him in the chops with a short but effective left hook. They clash together with simultaneous strikes, and Buzukja rings his bell with two punches. Marshall gives him right back with a power hook, and both men are busted up again and leaking. Marshall slams a shin on the front leg of his opponent, and they stand in the pocket and slug it out. Buzukja gets the better of one exchange, and Marshall meets him in the middle to make sure he gives it right back. They both nail one another with all power, and Buzukja’s lunging left leads to a takedown shot. Marshall turns him around and gets off a single knee before splitting. Buzukja walks forward behind his jab, and he ducks a right hand and wipes his eye. Buzukja scores a one-two and a follow-up left to snap the head back, and he counters a lunging strike with a right hand around the guard. Buzukja times a right hand as Marshall advances, and he loads up with big, winging punches that Marshall dodges. Marshall steps in with a right hand, and he dances away from the counters. Three punches from Marshall find the target, and they both clip one another with power. Buzukja goes to the liver and Marshall makes him pay with a right hand, and the latter shoots for a single and lifts Buzukja in the air while taking him from one side of the cage to the other. Marshall drags a leg out but does not ground him, hanging on until the bloody battle concludes.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Buzukja (29-28 Marshall)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27 Marshall)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27 Marshall)

The Official Result

Francis Marshall def. Dennis Buzukja via Split Decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)

Gerald Meerschaert (185) vs. Edmen Shahbazyan (184.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Shahbazyan (-310), Meerschaert (+250)

Round 1

If Reese vs. Medina was the appetizer for middleweight finishers—although it did not go down the way matchmakers likely intended—this pairing between aggressive youngster Shahbazyan (13-4, 6-4 UFC) and crafty opportunist Meerschaert (36-17, 11-9 UFC) is the main course. Together, they sport three wins by decision across their combined 49 victories. Referee Mark Smith needs to be on his A-game for this one, although he is well-prepared for the bout that commences with a touch of gloves. Meerschaert introduces himself with a well-placed body kick, and Shahbazyan frowns and responds with a right straight to the ribs. Meerschaert scores another thudding body kick, and Shahbazyan measures his left hand and walks “GM3” down. A third body kick from Meerschaert connects cleanly, and he scores a one-two and is countered. Shahbazyan absorbs an inside leg kick and a jab, and he fights off a takedown but gets uppercutted twice in the exchange. Meerschaert lands a right hand and eats a right to the body and a left to the head. Shahbazyan rushes in, and he slashes out with an elbow to break. “GM3” sneaks in a left hand, and Shahbazyan boots him in the ribcage. Meerschaert does the same with his kick, and Shahbazyan targets his midsection in response. Doubling up on a jab, Shahbazyan punches his way in and follows a right hand with a head kick. Meerschaert blocks the second kick and loops a left hand in, and they get up close and personal to trade fierce punches. “GM3” further attacks the body, and a left hand that follows reddens up the nose of “The Golden Boy.” Shahbazyan splits the guard with a right cross, and he has a leg kick checked. Meerschaert kicks the inner thigh, and it slides up and slaps into the cup. Shahbazyan grimaces in pain, and Smith calls time. Shahbazyan clutches his groin and paces around to get his wind back, and he takes 75 seconds before resuming. Smith tells Meerschaert to “stay away from that area,” and he nods. On the restart, Meerschaert loops a right around the jab, and he parries a high body kick. Shahbazyan sticks him with a left and comes up short on a big left hand, and they clash with kicks at the same time. Shahbazyan walks through a punch to get Meerschaert’s attention with a right hook, and a body kick from “The Golden Boy” ends the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Shahbazyan
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Shahbazyan
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Shahbazyan

Round 2

The middleweight clap hands to start the round, and Meerschaert is on the attack immediately. Jabbing his way into a takedown effort, he fails on it and pulls back to try a second time. Meerschaert kicks the body of his foe, and he trips to his back and climbs back up. Shahbazyan defends from another takedown, and he clips “GM3” with a short right hook to the body and a pounding knee that puts Meerschaert down. Shahbazyan opens up with ground-and-pound, spamming punches and hammerfists as Smith tells him to fight back. Meerschaert stays busy enough to survive, slowing things down by tying up Shahbazyan’s hand. Shahbazyan tries his hardest to finish the fight, but Meerschaert is savvy enough to block most of them. When Shahbazyan takes mount, “GM3” times an explosion to buck Shahbazyan off of him. Meerschaert threatens with a guillotine off his back, and he reassumes the guard and looks to tie Shahbazyan up with a kimura. Shahbazyan stands up and tells Meerschaert to stand back up. Meerschaert immediately shoots for a takedown and is met with a knee, and he looks for a standing guillotine when Shahbazyan bullies him to the fence. Meerschaert does not have the sub, so he lets it go and blasts Shahbazyan with three ferocious punches. Shahbazyan gives him back two knees to the body and a right hand to back him away. Shahbazyan times a jump knee as Meerschaert tackles him to the mat, and with one minute to go, Meerschaert assumes to position. In the blink of an eye, Meerschaert latches onto the arm-triangle choke, and he lowers himself down when sensing the resistance of “The Golden Boy” is not what it was before. “GM3” completes the submission without even stepping over to the side, instead hanging on in half guard, and that is all he needs. Shahbazyan surrenders to a sub for the first time in his career, and Meerschaert has pulled off the upset and the comeback. In doing so, Meerschaert becomes the UFC’s all-time finish leader at middleweight, breaking his tie with Anderson Silva for sole possession of the record.

The Official Result

Gerald Meerschaert def. Edmen Shahbazyan R2 4:12 via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)

Neil Magny (170) vs. Michael Morales (171)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Morales (-800), Magny (+550)

Round 1

At 37 years of age, durable veteran Magny (29-11, 22-10 UFC) has settled firmly into his role of gatekeeper to the top 10 at 170 pounds—and that is of no disrespect to “The Haitian Sensation,” who delights in batting back surging contenders to the midst of the overcrowded division. The winningest welterweight in company history will be tasked in serving as the litmus test for unbeaten Ecuadorian Morales (16-0, 4-0 UFC), and he will surprisingly come in as a monumental underdog around +600 or so. Whether the bettors are out of their collective minds or right on the money, the two competitors have the next 15 minutes or less to decide. Referee Dan Miragliotta joins the fighters in keeping everything on the up-and-up, and he witnesses no fist bump as he clocks the two in. Magny takes the middle of the Octagon as they share leg kicks with one another, and Magny doubles up the kicks in the form of one to the chest. Morales checks a subsequent kick from Magny, and he makes Magny spin around with a power calf kick. Morales chews up the front leg with a chopping kick, and Magny hobbles and works his way in to punch but eats another that forces him to shoot for a takedown. Morales turns around and gives his back up, and Magny attacks a double while Morales is warned for grabbing the fence. Magny hangs on tight from behind, taking the wind out of Morales’ sails even as Morales tugs on the fencing once more. Miragliotta warns the youngster for the fouls, and Magny stays pinned to his man from the side, kneeing him in the back of the thigh. Magny tries to muscle his foe down, and Morales is having none of it as he continues to pull on the chain links. Morales hand-fights to break the grip around him, and he spins around with a picture-perfect elbow that knocks Magny to the ground. Morales follows him down with a huge right hand, and he climbs into the half guard and looks for open spots for ground-and-pound. After taking a few hammerfists, Magny kicks off and throws an upkick back at him. Morales pounces, drilling the veteran with a fierce right hand and climbing into full mount. Morales drives down right hands as Magny tries to kick off the fence, but this only results in Magny flattening himself out. Morales unloads with seemingly unending punches to the side of the dome, and he postures up to blast Magny with devastating right hands that are doing serious damage. Morales keeps pounding until Miragliotta has seen enough, and he has successfully passed the Magny test with flying colors. A perfect 17-0 after earning the biggest win of his career, Morales lets go to stand back up, and he climbs on the cage wall and hangs on it like Spider-Man to celebrate his handiwork. Magny stays on the ground for a while, possibly upset with himself or potentially hurt badly, and eventually he gets his bearings and is met with an embrace from the youngster that just vaulted into the rankings.

The Official Result

Michael Morales def. Neil Magny R1 4:39 via TKO (Punches)

Kaan Ofli (145) vs. Mairon Santos (146)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ofli (+164), Santos (-205)

Round 1

Team Grasso placed not one but two competitors in the finals of the 145-pound tournament on this season of the reality show. Ofli (11-2-1, 0-0 UFC) qualified for the six-figure match by throttling Roedie Roets with a guillotine, while Santos (13-1, 0-0 UFC) surpassed replacement Guillermo Torres in a close three-round encounter to reach it himself. There is nothing left but the particulars issued by referee Chris Tognoni, and the cage door locks behind them. The former teammates touch ‘em up, and Ofli wades forward into combat only to get popped with a greeting card of a right hand from Santos. Ofli responds with a jump knee and grabs hold of the Brazilian’s leg to take him down, and Santos splits away from that attempt without concern. Santos clips his foe on the way in with a right hand, and he lifts up a knee to catch Ofli on the side of the head. Ofli walks him down fearlessly, and he goes to a knee in pursuit of a takedown. Ofli is stood up, so he lands a few knees on the inside. Ofli grinds, and Santos does not appear concerned as his back is squeezed against the wire. Santos ignores a few knees to nail Ofli on the cheek with an elbow, forcing an immediate separation. Santos jabs with a front kick, and he doubles up on his jab to follow. Santos splits the guard with a jab, and he blasts the front leg with a kick that nearly takes Ofli off his feet. Ofli responds with a right hand over the top, and he is met with a right-hand counter. Santos pushes out his front kick again to great effect, and a slow but methodical one-two finds its home. A power calf kick from the Brazilian succeeds in taking Ofli off his feet, and he stands back to let Ofli get back up. Ofli absorbs another low kick that he does not like, and he runs forward and is met with a knee that glances off his chin. Ofli dodges a right hook by a whisker, and he scores a trio of punches to back Santos off momentarily. Santos prods out with two straight right hands, and he jumps at his foe with a switch knee. Ofli lets him land and knocks him away with a counter right. The round ends with Santos scoring a head kick.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Santos
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Santos
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Santos

Round 2

The pace picks up where it left off, with Santos the aggressor firing off kicks and punches that Ofli cannot defend. Ofli fires back his own leg kick, and he is caught on the way in with a left but still manages to jam Santos against the fence for a second. Santos circles away and returns to the middle of the cage, and he walks through a body kick and attacks with a jump switch kick. The front kick from Santos is money in the bank, and he strings a Superman punch behind it to further fluster Ofli. Santos jabs and connects with a cross, and Ofli marches forward loaded for bear. When he sees Ofli loading up, “The Legend” lashes out with a looping right that skims the target and follows with a tremendous left hand that separates Ofli from his senses. The lights go out for Ofli, who drops to his knees totally unconscious. Before he falls face-first to the canvas, Santos is on him with two painful yet academic right hands to seal the deal. Tognoni wrenches Santos off the unconscious Ofli when he sees that Ofli is in dreamland, and Ofli faceplants having lost control of his faculties. While history’s Genghis Khan likely died due to an illness, “Genghis Kaan” was slain—figuratively speaking, of course—by a vicious left hook from a former teammate. That is a way to make a statement to the company, with Santos announcing himself to everyone that will be a factor moving forward. He is the latest featherweight victor of “The Ultimate Fighter,” and ring girl Brookilyn Wren is the one to hand him his trophy with UFC chief Dana White nowhere in sight. The triumphant Santos declares that he is the new Alex Pereira, while saying he plans on becoming a champion like interviewer Michael Bisping.

The Official Result

Mairon Santos def. Kaan Ofli R2 1:30 via KO (Punch)

Ryan Loder (186) vs. Robert Valentin (185)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Loder (+165), Valentin (-190)

Round 1

Only one competitor reps Team Shevchenko in the two finals matches, and Loder (6-1, 0-0 UFC) has the weight of his team on his shoulders. While Loder outworked Omran Chaaban in the semis, Valentin (10-3, 1 NC; 0-0 UFC) blew through the opposition with two first-round stoppages to come in as the odds-on favorite. Things will get underway under the watchful eye of referee Mark Smith, and he watches the middleweights slowly work towards one another without touching gloves to get started. Loder moves forward, and he lifts Valentin up and deposits him to the mat. Valentin threatens with a triangle choke off his back, allowing him to flip over and get to his hands and knees. Loder holds on from the side, and Valentin rolls over and ends up falling to his back. Loder attacks with a scarf hold and an armlock, and Valentin rolls all the way through the submission to miraculously take Loder’s back. Valentin gets his hooks in, and Loder scrambles madly to work his way to his knees. Valentin slides another hook in, and he flattens Loder out while sneaking a rear-naked choke under the chin. Loder ignores the choke and punches his opponent in the side of the head, and he stops punching and hand-fights. Loder sits up as the choke falls off, and he is dragged to his back as Valentin looks for another rear-naked choke. Through sheer force of will, Loder turns himself around in the body lock, and he winds up in top position. Loder slowly does work on top, opening up with the occasional elbow while Valentin keeps his guard closed. Loder opens the guard up with ground strikes, and Valentin responds with elbows off his back. Loder grinds the remainder of the round out.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Loder
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Loder
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Loder

Round 2

Loder reintroduces himself to start the round with a winging right hand, using it as a way to close the distance. Valentin knows what is coming, but he cannot stop it. A takedown from Loder dumps him on the ground, and he claims side control and starts to set up the crucifix position. With Valentin’s right arm between his legs and the left arm stuck on the other side, Loder is able to hammer Valentin with elbows. Valentin bucks and kicks, trying to push off the fencing and move any way he can, but Loder is flat on top of him battering him with elbows. Smith keeps a close eye on the action, and the elbows start to mark Valentin’s face up and rip open a tiny cut on the cheek. Valentin defends his face but is taking damage, and that is all he is able to do. Loder does not let him off the hook, elbowing him with impunity until Smith has to call a halt to the match. Just like that, “The Man of Steel” notches the slight upset and crowns himself the winner of TUF’s Season 32 at 185 pounds. In the cage, he is greeted with his trophy held by ring girl Red Dela Cruz, and not even coach Valentina Shevchenko appears to be in the building to celebrate her fighter pulling off the win.

The Official Result

Ryan Loder def. Robert Valentin R2 1:49 via TKO (Elbows)

Angela Hill (115.5) vs. Tabatha Ricci (115)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ricci (-112), Hill (-108)

Round 1

While Magny-Morales was one “passing of the torch” match, this co-main event is set up to be one as well. At the tender age of 39, Hill (17-13, 12-13 UFC) has won four of five and is trying to make one final push to get into top contention at 115 pounds. Ricci (10-2, 5-2 UFC) saw her own momentum fall away after a close loss last year, but a razor-close victory in May got her back in the win column. While the two are on the outer edge of the top 10, it is a must-win encounter for either woman. Referee Keith Peterson serves as the official for the nonsense-free strawweight tilt, and the ladies have no interest in touching gloves. Ricci marches forward and gets caught with a right hand early, and she pushes in to tie Hill up against the fence. Hill uses her elbow to try to frame off, and Ricci gets her underhooks in pursuit of a body lock takedown. Hill uses knees to fight her way out, and she eats a right hand on the outside. Ricci blasts forward to attack, landing a few shots, and Hill lands one back before they clinch up again. Ricci tries for another takedown, but Hill stands her up as they trade knees. The two break, and Hill pushes off a front kick when she gets space. Ricci connects at the end of a right hand, and she lands a second and ducks under a Hill counter to change levels. Hill defends it and breaks free, but not before absorbing a flush knee to the breadbasket. Both ladies land one big right hand, and Ricci resets and races at her, attacking with a tornado of offense. Hill responds and pushes her away, and she ducks down to smack “Baby Shark” with an overhand right. Ricci blitzes once more, and Hill is out of harm’s way in time. Ricci lands a low kick and punches her way in, although Hill strafes to the side to disrupt the forward momentum. Ricci nonetheless runs straight at her to the her up, ignoring a knee up the middle to try for something. Hill stops a takedown before it materializes and separates. Hill sneaks a right hand around a jab, and she spins with an elbow but Ricci is out of range. Hill targets the body with three punches, and Ricci walks her down and tries to slug it out. Hill hits her back and decides to initiate the clinch, and they jockey for position while Hill tries for her own trip takedown. Ricci stifles it and gets kneed in the belly, and Hill targets the same spot with another as they split apart. They let frantic hands fly right to the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ricci
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ricci
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ricci

Round 2

Ricci pushes the pace right out of her corner, not slowing down even when Hill punches her in the face. Ricci uses her momentum to sling Hill to the mat, and she drops down fierce hammerfists and is drilled with an upkick. Ricci lowers herself down, and Hill sets up a triangle choke to keep her honest. When Ricci backs off, Hill powers her way back to her feet, and Ricci is quick to jam her up against the fencing. Hill turns her about and breaks free, tossing out a head kick that is nowhere near the target. Ricci gathers a head of steam and rushes forward, and Hill backs her off with a short combination ending with a body kick. Ricci lands two punches, Hill scores back, and Ricci is right there to keep the pressure on. Ricci looks for an up-elbow as she throws everything at her opponent, and Hill catches her with a right hand and ducks down to grab hold of her lead leg to take her off-balance. Hill catches a kick to drag Ricci to the wall, but she cannot hold it. Hill targets the body with a knee, and when Ricci backs off, Hill kicks her in the ribs. Ricci sprints into clinch range, and Hill lines up a Thai clinch to knee her in the midsection. Hill breaks off with a body kick, and she jabs and leans to avoid a knee flying at her melon. Ricci scores a one-two, and Hill responds with a push kick. A leaping elbow strike from Ricci brushes off the guard, and the two are mixing it up and not letting either get an upper hand. Hill drops down and comes up with a right hand, and Ricci stands right in front of her and bops her with an uppercut. Hill sits down on a hard right hand, and Ricci answers her back immediately. Hill connects with another clean right, and Ricci wants to slug it out until she shoots in for a single and hits it. Hill ties her up with a one-armed guillotine until Ricci is able to wrench her neck out. Ricci sits up, and Hill hacks with elbows. Ricci gets pushed off with upkicks, and the two meet in the clinch and start blasting one another like Frye vs. Takayama until the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hill
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ricci
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Hill

Round 3

The two women come out firing immediately, with Ricci running into the melee. Hill drills her with a spinning elbow, forcing Ricci to take a back step. Ricci takes a quick count of her teeth and throws back, with Hill answering and reddening her nose up with more powerful strikes. Ricci targets the body with a kick, and Hill comes over the top with a right hand and tries for an up-elbow. Hill shoots for a takedown, and Ricci turns her around and puts Hill on her seat. Hill kicks off Ricci’s chest to send Ricci flying, and they both get back up. Ricci plods forward, and Hill stands right in the pocket and trades until Ricci’s forward movement results in a clinch. Ricci slows things down as she stomps Hill’s toes and offers the occasional knee, and Hill knees her back until they split up. Ricci beats Hill to the punch in an exchange, and Hill appears to be slowing while Ricci is just as amped up as ever. Hill buzzes the hair with a spinning elbow, and she drives a right hand on the chin and a front kick. Ricci crashes forward to strike, and Hill intercepts her with an uppercut and backs off to take a breath. Hill eats a left hand and counters, and she kicks Ricci in the ribs. Ricci lands a head shot and then one to the body, and Hill kicks her in the guts. Ricci shoots for a low double, and Hill defends and latches onto Ricci’s neck. Ricci pulls her head out of danger, and Hill kicks her in the ribs. Even with Hill appearing winded, she still outlands Ricci and draws some blood with her fists. Hill kicks the body and then spins with an elbow that grazes the cheek. Ricci scores a single leg kick, and she follows it with a one-two. Hill throws back, knocking Ricci back with a hard right hand and uppercuts Ricci in the chin for good measure. Hill jumps forward with a knee, and as Ricci rushes at her, Hill knees her twice more. Ricci backs off, and Hill kicks her a few more times until this wild and crazy strawweight scrap comes to a close. It’s anyone’s guess who will get their hand raised after that frenetic 15-minute fracas.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hill (29-28 Hill)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Hill (29-28 Ricci)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Hill (29-28 Hill)

The Official Result

Tabatha Ricci def. Angela Hill via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Jared Cannonier (184) vs. Caio Borralho (186)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Borralho (-218), Cannonier (+180)

Round 1

Concluding the evening is yet another pairing between an old lion and a young thundercat, this time in the middleweight division. At 40, even in a higher weight class, Cannonier (17-7, 10-7 UFC) must know he is in borrowed time in the top five. To stay in the top echelon of the 185-pound bracket, he has to throw water on the blazing-hot prospect Borralho (16-1, 1 NC; 6-0 UFC), who has not lost in 16 straight fights. Referee Dan Miragliotta will know who pulls it off first, and he brings the two men to the center of the Octagon to bump their fists together. It’s on with the show. The two measure one another in the early going, and the first strike comes in the form of an especially stiff jab from the Brazilian. Cannonier tries to work his way forward, and he lands a hard leg kick on the inside. Borralho responds with one on the inner calf, and Cannonier hits him with another to think about. Cannonier looks to work his way in, missing with a sweeping kick, and Borralho pushes off with his fingers outstretched and jams Cannonier in the eye socket with his thumb. Miragliotta calls time, gives Borralho a hard warning, and allows Cannonier time to blink and rub his eye. After 45 seconds, Cannonier is good to go, and Borralho is apologetic and offers a glove touch that is accepted. Cannonier walks through a jab to land a right hand over the top, and he aims a right to the body that brushes past it. Borralho slams a low kick home, and he pushes out with a front kick. Another chopping leg kick from the Brazilian sends Cannonier down to a knee, and Cannonier stands back up and kicks Borralho back after switching stances. Borralho smacks his high kick off the raised guard, and Cannonier strafes to the side to avoid a high front kick. Cannonier swings wide with a massive hook, and Borralho’s piston-like jab makes a statement. Miragliotta tells the fighters to close their fists, and Borralho does for a second until Cannonier comes at him. Cannonier zips a right hand that just misses the mark, and he chips at the inside calf. Borralho connects with a one-two and steps in with a knee, and he retreats and has his lead leg kicked. Borralho opts to elbow when Cannonier bears down on him, and Cannonier lines up three power hooks to knock Borralho’s head around. Borralho circles away and flicks out a jab, and he kicks the guts and slips away from a kick. They trade low calf kicks, and Cannonier is forced to change stances again. Cannonier walks his man down, trying to cut the cage off and line up an overhand right, and he succeeds in catching Borralho with two punches. The bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Borralho
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Borralho
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Borralho

Round 2

Gloves are touched to start the round, and Cannonier pushes the pace and skims a leg kick off his intended target. Borralho tries to back him off, and Cannonier chases him with a low kick and a pair of power punches. Borralho rides through them, and the fighters are warned for their fingers sticking towards the other again. Cannonier reaches his man with a right and then a left, and he is out of the way when Borralho tries to knee him in the sternum. Borralho sinks in a calf kick on the other leg of his foe, and Cannonier retaliates with a thudding kick of his own. Borralho wraps a head kick around the guard, and Cannonier ignores it to punch his way in and mark Borralho’s cheek up. They trade jabs, with Borralho’s much stronger. Cannonier sees a jump knee coming, and he reaches out with a right hook. Cannonier blasts his opponents with two hooks, and Borralho’s head movement saves him. As Cannonier lands again, Borralho wobbles and wipes his feet to play possum. Cannonier does not chase him down, instead measuring his next blitz. Borralho sits down on a right hand and a few jabs, and Cannonier walks him down and has him biting on feints and fakes. Borralho ducks down, and they appear to clack heads, with him signaling to Miragliotta of the accidental clash. Miragliotta tells them to keep fighting, and Cannonier marches Borralho down and kicks him on his way in to land punches. Cannonier ducks a lead right hook and gets jabbed, and he has a body kick slip under his guard. Cannonier reaches out with two big punches, and he lands a right behind the ear when Borralho is ducking. Cannonier lunges forward with two inaccurate lead hooks, and they nail one another with low kicks. Cannonier lets fly two hooks from his right hand, and Borralho slides away from the second as well as a leg kick. Cannonier sneaks in a right and two lefts as he advances, and he lets Borralho have it with a short combination ending with a body kick. Borralho clips the former title challenger with a right hook, and he chases Cannonier before the round concludes.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cannonier
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Cannonier
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cannonier

Round 3

There is a double touch of gloves to get things started, and Cannonier leads off with a jab and blasts Borralho in the face with a right hand. Borralho backs him off with a check right hook, and Cannonier blinks it out and hand-fights as Borralho reaches towards him. They both land strikes, and the Brazilian knocks Cannonier’s mouthpiece out. Borralho protests the stoppage, not knowing what happened but claiming he did not clash heads or poke the eye. Miragliotta cools him down as Cannonier replaces his gumshield, and they get right back to throwing leather. Cannonier lands at the end of a right hook, and he eats a short right when advancing. Borralho times a knee when Cannonier comes at him, and he pushes the side of Cannonier’s head when Cannonier blitzes. Borralho lands a right hook, and the two pop one another with jabs. Cannonier just misses on a left hand when Borralho kicks at his front leg, and he pushes through to not let a body kick find its home. Cannonier goes to the body with a right and clubs Borralho with a right hand, only for Borralho to pay him back with a right hand and a body kick. Cannonier skims the side of the head with a power strike, and Borralho chops down his foe’s front leg with another kick. Cannonier loads up on right hooks, and Borralho blasts him in the face with a doubled jab. Cannonier reaches his man with a right and a left, and Borralho gives him a pair of punches back. Borralho beats his opponent to the punch, chaining it with a knee and a few subsequent punches. Cannonier nails him with a right hand, and Borralho responds with a one-two that shakes the Alaskan to his core. Cannonier tries to circle away on the outer edge of the cage, and he lands with a few punches but does not have his balance as he slides to the side. His foot gives out, and he fights his way back to his feet while Borralho is on top of him. They proceed to hammer one another with power punches, and Miragliotta bumps Borralho out of the way when the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Borralho
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Borralho
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Borralho

Round 4

The middleweights reach the championship rounds, and Borralho leads the dance with a few precise jabs. Cannonier sits down on a shovel hook, and he jabs the body. Borralho kicks him in the ribs and counters with a right, and he spins with a kick that lands flush to the midsection. Borralho batters the front leg with a kick, and Cannonier limps towards him unable to post off it well. When Borralho chambers a kick, Cannonier gathers himself and pops him with a right hand. This happens a second time, and Borralho changes his approach. Cannonier walks him down and unloads another right hand on the chin. Borralho tries to parry and dodge, but Cannonier is on top of him with his hands in his face. Borralho plants two low kicks before coming up top with a right, and Cannonier drives him away with a straight fight to the body. Cannonier scores a punch when Borralho tries to knee him, and he races at his opponent only to find that Borralho is not there anymore. Borralho strafes to the side and presses out jabs, and he blocks a high kick. Cannonier lands at the end of a left hand that loops around the guard, and Borralho splits his guard with a one-two. Cannonier immediately counters with three punches that split open a mighty cut beneath Borralho’s right eye. Cannonier crowds him with another trio of punches, and Borralho steels himself and throws back. Cannonier kicks the front leg, and he slips and hits his seat. Borralho lets him stand up so they can keep throwing hands, and they do just that. Borralho walks him down and attempts to plant a knee on the chest, but Cannonier parries it and stalks him down. Borralho circles away into the power right hand of his opponent, and he pays it no mind and tries to reach out with a body kick. They jab at one another, and Cannonier scores and is popped with a right hand. Cannonier gets tagged with a right hand that knocks his mouthpiece out again, and he catches it and replaces it. The round ends with a Borralho missed head kick.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cannonier
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Borralho
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cannonier

Round 5

The two strikers embrace and then touch gloves to begin the last stanza, and Cannonier is quick to target the cut. Borralho shoots for a telegraphed takedown, and Cannonier pushes him away and belts him with a left hook. Borralho chases him down and wings a looping right hand, and he ducks when Cannonier zings a left hand past him. Alternating jabs score for the fighters, and Borralho slips a little on the canvas but does not lose his footing. Cannonier scores, Borralho counters, and Cannonier is in his face with more offense. The Brazilian lands a kick, and he reaches Cannonier with an overhand right. Borralho goes to the body with a kick, and he pokes Cannonier in the eye. Miragliotta does not call time as Cannonier waves him off, and they keep on fighting. Cannonier comes up short on two hooks, allowing Borralho to catch him with a clean right hook. Cannonier scores and is knocked off-balance with the counter, and he recovers to push out a jab. Cannonier loads up on two hooks, and Borralho hits him back hard enough to knock his mouthpiece out again. Cannonier gets it back in, and he marches Borralho down and lands hard. Borralho stays calm and rifles a one-two through the guard, and he follows it with another and briefly short-circuits “The Killa Gorilla.” In slow-motion, the Alaskan crumbles to the mat, and Borralho pounces. The Brazilian proceeds to deliver a bombardment of elbows and punches in hopes of finishing the fight. Borralho decides to stop slugging and wraps hold of an arm-triangle choke. Borralho opts not to step over to the other side, and Miragliotta checks Cannonier’s arm which still has resistance. Cannonier signals a thumbs-up, gritting out a gnarly choke with a shoulder jammed right on his windpipe. Cannonier fights out of the submission and sits up against the fencing, and he gets to a knee and watches Borralho setting up a knee. Cannonier breaks free without getting tagged, and he lets fly one final right hook that whizzes past the target. Barring some unusual scorecards, Borralho has just notched the biggest win of his career, and he shouts to the commentary booth that he is not just a grappler. Donning his signature glasses from the breakout Fighting Nerds team while giving commentator Michael Bisping a pair to sport as well, he proudly announces that he is “top-five level.” There is only one name on the tip of Borralho’s tongue when asked for his callout: champion Dricus Du Plessis. If that fight happens next, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Borralho (48-47 Borralho)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Borralho (49-45 Borralho)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Borralho (48-47 Borralho)

The Official Result

Caio Borralho def. Jared Cannonier via Unanimous Decision (49-45, 49-45, 48-46)