Live Now! UFC Vegas 99 ‘Hernandez vs. Pereira’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Anthony Hernandez (185.5) vs. Michel Pereira (185.5)
Rob Font (135.5) vs. Kyler Phillips (135.5)
Live NOW! Charles Johnson (126) vs. Su Mudaerji (126)
Jake Hadley (135.5) vs. Cameron Smotherman (135.5)
Darren Elkins (144.5) vs. Daniel Pineda (145.5)
Asu Almabaev (125.5) vs. Matheus Nicolau (125.5)
Brad Katona (135.5) vs. Jean Matsumoto (135.5)
Joselyne Edwards (139)* vs. Tamires Vidal (135.5)
Jessica Penne (115.5) vs. Elise Reed (115)
Alice Ardelean (115) vs. Melissa Martinez (115.5)
Robelis Despaigne (264) vs. Austen Lane (251)

The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to its home base of Las Vegas Saturday at 4 p.m. ET with UFC Vegas 99. The event is also known as UFC Fight Night 245.

Robelis Despaigne (264) vs. Austen Lane (251)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Despaigne (-440), Lane (+340)

Round 1

While the Professional Fighters League vies for a share of the attention of fight fans today, the UFC counterprograms its main card with prelims of very little rankings significance. It remains to be seen who will win the battle of the eyeballs, but the UFC’s show starts off where PFL’s will end: with heavyweights. Big men combining for over 515 pounds of meat—not counting referee Mark Smith—will grace the cage to open the day. With 16 knockouts in their 17 combined wins, Lane (12-5, 1 NC; 0-2, 1 NC UFC) will go on a collision course with Despaigne (5-1, 1-1 UFC), and smelling salts may be needed in the near future. The power sluggers do not bump their mighty fists together, and it’s time for some combat. Despaigne comes out of his corner slowly but deliberately, hands by his waist, and he creeps towards Lane. Lane tries to sweep the leg from afar, but Despaigne is out of range. Despaigne kicks at the same time as his opponent, and Lane tackles him over to the mat and lands in half guard. Despaigne is already flat on his back like a tortoise, his belly baking under the hot lights of the Apex, beating his legs trying to turn himself over, but he can’t. Not without Smith or Lane’s help, but they’re not helping. Despaigne holds on to Lane’s right arm to stop Lane from landing on him, and he is dragged to full guard and decides to smother rather than attack. Despaigne works to his fence and gets to a knee, and he works himself up to his feet. Lane is immediately attacking for a single, and Despaigne leans his back on the wire while sprawling his hips to keep his balance. Despaigne wraps his left arm beneath Lane’s neck but there is no submission whatsoever, as Lane squeezes the Cuban against the wall. Lane dives back down for a single-leg takedown entry, and Despaigne gets pushed from one side of the cage to the other, and he grabs the fence to stay upright. Smith warns him loudly for the infraction, and Lane scoops “The Bad Boy” off his feet and dumps him to the mat. Lane lowers himself down in half guard while fastening an arm-triangle choke from above, and he uses it to try to pass to full mount. Despaigne wriggles his neck out but is otherwise stuck, landing one single elbow to the back of the head to elicit another warning. Lane grinds out the rest of the round, which surprisingly has reached the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lane
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Lane
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Lane

Round 2

The second round opens with Despaigne a bit more aggressive than before, as he attempts to strike early. Lane responds with a few looping hooks, and a particularly solid right hand makes Despaigne wipe his eye out of concern of some damage. The fighters are warned for outstretched fingers, and Lane lets fly a low kick and is countered over the top with a right. Despaigne chops down the front leg twice with nasty kicks, and a high kick is soon to follow and is blocked in time. Lane scoops a left hook around the top, and he aims a follow-up right to the midsection. Despaigne plods forward slowly, hands still by his waist, but his volume is practically nonexistent. Smith calls for the heavyweights to fight, as they are staring at one another with little else. Lane flicks out a few jabs, and Despaigne’s counter is out of range. Despaigne wings a right hand over the top, and Lane shakes his head and blitzes forward to disguise a single. Despaigne staves off the attempt with the wall at his back, and he breaks free to get into his preferred range. Both men snap the other’s head back with a jab, and Lane resets first to fire one to the ribs. They trade low kicks, and Lane tries to throw another naked leg kick and gets nailed with an overhand right. Lane smiles, knowing he was just tagged cleanly, and he skirts away on the outside. Despaigne gets off a low kick, and Lane darts under a right hand to change levels. Lane lifts Despaigne up with a single, and he throws the Cuban to the floor like a sack of cane sugar and lands firmly in full mount. Lane gets off some short ground-and-pound before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Despaigne
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Despaigne
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Despaigne

Round 3

The final round commences with Despaigne coming out like the first two rounds, hands held by his waist as he inches his way forward. Despaigne fires off a body kick to reintroduce himself, and Lane responds by hacking at his front leg with a kick. Despaigne responds in kind, and then he bites on a feint and tosses out a high kick that does not land cleanly. Lane shoots his way in with a single, and Despaigne stonewalls him with the chain links at his back. Despaigne slams down elbows on the side of the head to make Lane think twice about the takedown, but instead of slowing down, Lane lifts his man up and deposits him gingerly to the mat. Despaigne looks to strike from his back, but the blows have little on them and Lane is about as active from on top. Despaigne’s ground game off his back is about as effective as Greg Hardy’s, and time peels off the clock as he shows no ability or apparent interest in standing up. Lane happily chews up time as he grounds and pounds his opponent, doing enough damage to bloody Despaigne’s mouth up. Lane is perfectly fine residing in the Cuban’s guard, but with 20 seconds to go, he turns it up a notch by relocating himself to mount. Lane sits up to land a few strikes, and Despaigne clings to him to try to pull him down or otherwise defend himself until time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lane (29-28 Lane)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Lane (29-28 Lane)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Lane (29-28 Lane)

The Official Result

Austen Lane def. Robelis Despaigne via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Alice Ardelean (115) vs. Melissa Martinez (115.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Martinez (-135), Ardelean (+114)

Round 1

From the heaviest weight class to the lightest we go, as two strawweights looking to make their most of their second chance at a first impression. Martinez (7-1, 0-1 UFC), out of Combate Americas-turned-Combate Global, will take on European Instagram influencer Ardelean (9-6, 0-1 UFC). The two with fairly high finish rates come together with referee Keith Peterson making sure there is no nonsense to deal with. There is no glove touch, with the two women instead ready to get down to business. Ardelean takes to the center of the cage and chases Martinez around, landing a low kick and avoiding a right hand. The Romanian walks into clean left, and she charges winging punches that largely miss the mark. Martinez slips a right over the top and dodges the counter, staying out the outside with her guard up. Ardelean absorbs a left hand as she keeps pacing forward, and her counter is not there. Leg kicks are traded, and Ardelean motions that she was poked in the eye but Peterson does not say anything. Martinez strafes from side to side, not allowing Ardelean to determine a pattern, which results in a lot of chasing and little action for lengthy stretches. Ardelean swarms her way forward with three right hands, and all three hit air. Martinez potshots her from afar, not letting Ardelean sit down on her punches or hit her flush. Ardelean pokes out a jab, and Martinez pushes her back with a front kick to the chest. Martinez puts two punches on the chin, drawing a grin from Ardelean. Martinez is constantly a moving target, dodging and weaving but not before she nails Ardelean with a left hook. Ardelean pays her back with a right hook, but it is not a full connect. They go after leg kicks, and Ardelean runs forward only to swing her way into nothing. Martinez clips Ardelean coming in, and Ardelean tries and fails to tie her up. Martinez strings a few punches together into a front kick, and she nicks an advancing Ardelean with a left at the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Martinez
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Martinez
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Martinez

Round 2

Ardelean is a bit more aggressive than the first round, swinging her way forward rather than leading with her face. Martinez counters her effectively, even getting off an axe kick when Ardelean stands in front of her. Ardelean looks to get up close and personal, only to get kicked in the face again. Ardelean tries to use the foot in her grill to push Martinez against the wire, but Martinez skirts away to get her footing. Ardelean is consistently chasing her but not cutting her off entirely, although she has landed more cleanly in this round than practically anything she connected with in the previous frame. Martinez throws low kicks from both sides, and Ardelean responds with one and smiles. The Romanian marches forward, with a right hand that smacks into Martinez’ cheek. Ardelean sits down on a punch, only to get met with a right hand on the button. Ardelean is still all smiles, even when Martinez tags her with another left and a right. Martinez whiffs on a one-two, and Ardelean rushes after her with fists flying and a low kick that connects. Martinez kicks her in the ribs, and she is out of the way before more than a quick right gets to her. Martinez winds up two left hands, and Ardelean is in her face with power punches back her direction. Martinez steps in with a solid left hand, and she dodges a spinning attempt from her opponent. Martinez connects with a left that makes Ardelean consider changing levels, and Martinez pushes her away and kicks her in the leg and body. Ardelean reaches out with a few punches, and a right does get off before Martinez slides away. As Ardelean comes after her, Martinez turns her back and runs to get a bit of space. Martinez smacks her in the face with a head kick, and as Ardelean charges, Martinez drills her with an axe kick, narrowly misses a second and pushes off with a high side kick. As Martinez is kicking away, the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Martinez
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Martinez
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean

Round 3

To start off the last round, Ardelean is amped up and ready to let her hands fly. Ardelean strings together multiple combinations, and Martinez breaks them up with counters or consistent footwork and movement. Martinez pushes out with a teep kick and then turns her kicks to throw one to the body, and Ardelean shrugs them all off to keep rushing forward. Ardelean connects with a low kick, only for Martinez to counter with a solid left hook. Ardelean keeps after her opponent, and Martinez dances out of harm’s way without absorbing anything harsher than a body shot. Ardelean uses the momentum to grab hold of Martinez, throwing punches on her way forward to wrap her arms around her adversary. When Ardelean pushes Martinez against the fence, Martinez slashes her with a few short elbows that open up Ardelean’s right eyebrow. Martinez breaks away in the clinch, and she kicks Ardelean in the ribs while taking a right hand over the top. Martinez slips to the side, stabs her toes out to the liver, and Ardelean bends over and is in big trouble. Martinez rushes after her to finish the job, and Peterson calls time to review the strike to determine if it was low. The replays show it was a clean blow, and Peterson starts them up against instead of waving the fight off—due to the rules, he could not call it a TKO as it was initially considered a foul, but it could have gone to a technical decision. Ardelean has gathered herself enough to continue, and they start spamming kicks. Martinez uses an axe kick and a few side kicks to keep Ardelean from getting to her, but Ardelean still wants to clinch up. Martinez keeps moving on the outside, whipping high-risk kicks at her opponent until the match concludes.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Martinez (30-27 Martinez)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Martinez (30-26 Martinez)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Martinez (29-28 Martinez)

The Official Result

Melissa Martinez def. Alice Ardelean via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Jessica Penne (115.5) vs. Elise Reed (115)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Reed (-175), Penne (+145)

Round 1

Strawweights remain in the cage for the next matchup, with longtime veteran and former Invicta atomweight champion Penne (14-7, 3-5 UFC) wanting to go out on a win. She comes to blows with fellow struggling fighter Reed (7-4, 3-4 UFC), with both women on the wrong side of a .500 UFC record. Referee Chris Tognoni draws the charge for this pairing, and the two rush towards one another without a plan of touching gloves. The former title challenger races out with long punches outstretched, and she reaches Reed early. Reed strafes away, but Penne chases after her with accurate combinations. Penne gets into a clinch, and when she is turned around, she scores a few knees before Reed bails out of the tie-up. Penne comes right after her, ignoring a low kick to strike her way into closer range. Reed looks for a counter left hook as Penne advances, and Penne chops a kick low and rushes in to grab hold of her opponent. Penne lifts Reed up momentarily, but Reed does not go down, and they dirty box until Penne sells out for the body lock takedown. Penne looks to take the back, gets shoved away, kicked, and tries to take the fight down again. This time, Reed is slung to the mat for a moment, but she springs back up with the wall behind her. Penne uses short knees to the thigh to stay busy while Reed boxes her ears and slaps her in the side of the head. Penne’s body lock and trip does not go anywhere, and she maintains control while her corner cheers like a muay thai match for every knee she lands. Tognoni asks for more activity, and Reed continues to fight off trip attempts while otherwise stuck on the wall. As they do little else, Tognoni breaks them up with 30 seconds left in the round. They both land reaching right hands, and Penne dips down to connect with a second. Penne kicks off as Reed advances, and she plants a kick on the ribs and dings the New Jersey native with a right hand at the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Penne
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Reed
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Penne

Round 2

Reed leads the dance early in the round, scoring an early combination before getting driven back with a kick and a few punches. Reed kicks twice from her rear leg, and Penne lunges at her and punches her in the face. Penne kicks low and gets countered up top, and Reed does the same and gets swarmed with a few punches. Reed snaps out a jab, and as she overswings, Penne clinches her up to pursue a takedown. Penne whips her opponent around, but the throw is not successful. Reed gets shoved back to the fencing, and they trade knees. Reed breaks out of the clinch and clips Penne with a left hand, dropping Penne to a knee as Penne bounces up and shakes her head. Reed backs off and slams a calf kick home, and Penne gets her foe’s attention with a one-two and a big right over the top. They trade low kicks, and Penne’s face is starting to turn red from absorbed blows. Penne lands with more of a thud than a slap with a kick, and Reed lets her hands go and strings three punches behind a sharp jab. Reed slides away to spin with a back kick, bouncing her foot off Penne’s raised guard. Reed checks a kick, ignores a front kick and slaps her foot upside Penne’s head. Penne crowds her but is rebuffed for her effort, and Reed returns to kickboxing range where she snaps out a few jabs. Reed splits the guard with a few jabs, and she lets Penne charge at her like a bull so she can slide to the side like a deft matador. When Reed pushes her opponent out of the way, she checks her chin with a right hand. Penne’s eyes go wide, and she sells out on a desperate takedown she does not land. Reed manages to break out of her grip, and she deposits multiple kicks on Penne’s front leg. Reed springs into action with seconds to spare, bloodying up Penne’s nose in a salvo of strikes and resulting in her chucking Penne to the floor like a sack of pasta. The horn sounds as Penne hits the deck.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Reed
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Reed
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Reed

Round 3

Reed claims the middle of the Octagon to commence the final frame, where she fights behind a jab and a front kick. The kick stuns Penne for a second, and Penne gathers her thoughts and darts forward. Reed meets her with a few strong right hands, and she slaps the front leg with a kick and rolled with a right hand. Reed frowns and draws a little blood from Penne’s nose with her increasingly effective jab, and her head movement and footwork allow her to make Penne look sloppy. Reed’s sharp strikes continue to mount, and when she takes a good right hand on the chin, it slows her briefly. Penne sees the success of the strike and goes after two more, and a wild third walks her into a counter. Penne changes levels for a takedown, and Reed easily stops it in its tracks and scores a few punches before breaking out of the clinch. Reed misses on a low kick and chambers to fire off a side kick in the belly. Penne takes it like a champ and meanders ever forward, eating the right hands from the Jersey-based fighter. Reed eats one to throw one back harder, and she pushes away from a takedown to lay into Penne’s defenseless mug. Reed sticks and moves, pecking at a slowing Penne who is growingly more reliant on low-percentage takedown shots. Reed pushes her to the wall to frame off and get out of a tie-up, and she flicks out several jabs and comes up short with a right to follow. Reed digs two side kicks to the liver in rapid succession, and when Penne tries to kick her back, Reed jabs her face off. Penne’s face begins to swell as it is taking damage, but she continues to push forward for takedowns. Reed marches her foe down, and at the 15-second mark, she decides to turn on the jets and let Penne have it. Penne fires back as best she can, but Reed’s volume and intensity bash Penne in the face time and time again until the fight comes to a close.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Reed (29-28 Reed)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Reed (30-27 Reed)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Reed (29-28 Reed)

The Official Result

Elise Reed def. Jessica Penna via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Joselyne Edwards (139: Missed Weight) vs. Tamires Vidal (135.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Edwards (-258), Vidal (+210)

Round 1

For the third time in her UFC career, Edwards (13-6, 4-4 UFC) comes into a matchup after missing weight. She surrenders a significant portion of her purse to Brazil’s Vidal (7-3, 1-2 UFC), who would like to make her pay even more for that perceived disrespect. Referee Herb Dean will be in there to keep things clean, and perhaps due to the weight miss—Edwards was three pounds heavy for their bantamweight tilt—there is no glove touch. Both women stand in the pocket and trade reaching strikes, with jabs that transition into leg kicks on both sides. Edwards whips a right hand over the top that misses, although her jab and front kick split the guard. Edwards works the body, and Vidal crashes the pocket, ignores a few strikes and pushes her foe to the wall. Edwards flips her over to deflate a takedown effort, and Vidal climbs back to her feet to push Edwards against the fence. Vidal goes low for an unorthodox single on the other side, and Edwards turns her around and tries to mash her up against the fencing. When they break free. Edwards kicks the body on one side and a low kick on the other. Edwards chops at the front leg and jabs, and Vidal is drawn out into spamming big overhand rights. Edwards points at the floor to initiate a brawl, and brawl they do. The ladies wind up on huge power shots, with Vidal getting off multiple overhand rights while Edwards smacks her upside the head with a spinning back fist. Edwards chops at the front leg a few times, spins with another back fist and is grabbed and forced into a clinch. Vidal knees her in the head repeatedly until Edwards can break free, and Edwards scores another back fist. Vidal’s low kick gets checked, and Edwards jabs her in the belly to respond. “La Pantera” tries one more spinning back fist, and Vidal sees it coming and swarms her opponent with punches. Edwards kicks her in the liver, and Vidal waves her on for more. Edwards takes a moment to gather her wind, and Vidal uses this moment to pounce. Vidal lands, Edwards fires back, and Vidal keeps on throwing. When Vidal overswings, Edwards grabs hold of her and throws her down to the floor with emphasis. As soon as Edwards takes her opponent’s back, the violent round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Edwards

Round 2

The kicks come early and often from the ladies, with Edwards throwing them high and low until Vidal closes in briefly. Edwards slides back and kicks Vidal in the gut, and she dances away from an overhand right to drill the Brazilian with a spinning back fist. Vidal’s chin is made of sterner stuff, and these women are throwing with everything they have. Vidal rushes forward to tie the longer woman up, getting hold of a body lock on the side while pushing Edwards to the wall. Vidal ducks under to take the Panamanian’s back standing, and she gets a hook in. Edwards hacks at the thigh with several elbows before whipping one behind her head, making Vidal blink it out. Vidal is warned for grabbing the inside of the gloves, and Edwards complains as Dean is on top of it. Vidal remains tight against her adversary, kneeing her in the back of the thigh like a mean-spirited body suit. Vidal breaks away to kick Edwards upside the head, and Edwards shakes it off, rushes after her and bowls Vidal over with a solid body lock takedown. Edwards lands in half guard and maintains top position, fighting off an effort for Vidal to scramble so she can stay in control. Edwards softens Vidal up with short ground-and-pound, more to stay busy than to inflict damage. Vidal hits a sweep with seconds to go, and Edwards tackles her back down to conclude the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Edwards

Round 3

Edwards comes out of her corner with purpose, walking Vidal down and jabbing her way into a number of front kicks. Vidal slips away, and she gets kicked in the ribs and swings her way into a clinch. They both knee one another before splitting, and Edwards tries for a back fist on the break and is blocked. Edwards jabs the body and has her front leg kicked hard twice. Edwards counters with an overhand right and pitches a front kick, and Vidal is after her loaded for bear. Edwards allows her to get up close and personal so she can deliver several solid uppercuts, and she frames off to nail Vidal with a back fist. When Vidal attempts her own spin, Edwards tackles her to the floor, and Vidal appears frustrated with herself as her opponent is in half guard. Edwards postures up and starts battering Vidal with elbows, and Vidal keeps her hands up and threatens with a leglock as Edwards attempts to advance position. This results in Edwards falling to her back, keeping her left leg safe from getting cranked or torqued the wrong direction. Vidal looks to her corner for ideas, and Edwards times this moment of awkwardness with an explosion and a number of fierce right hands. Vidal turns over, and Edwards happily takes her back to wrap up a rear-naked choke. The Brazilian turns her head to the side, and she hand-fights to try to get out of the move. Edwards has her forearm fastened on the jaw and not beneath it, and she squeezes with all her might. The crushing grip gives Vidal issues, who quickly realizes she is not in a good place and there is no more hand to fight. Even as it does not become a choke and remains a crank, it is more than enough to force Vidal to surrender. Arguably the best performance of Edwards’ career is marred by an egregious weight miss, but it might save her place on the roster.

The Official Result

Joselyne Edwards def. Tamires Vidal R3 4:33 via Submission (Face Crank)

Brad Katona (135.5) vs. Jean Matsumoto (135.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Matsumoto (-265), Katona (+215)

Round 1

Moving things along on the prelims, Katona (14-3, 4-3 UFC) has a new lease on life in his second stint with the organization. It will be up to him to try to defuse surging Brazilian Matsumoto (15-0, 1-0 UFC), who comes in with a full head of steam having throttled Dan Argueta a few months ago in his successful promotional debut. What could be a high-paced affair will be officiated by referee Mark Smith, who checks the bantamweights in as they opt not to share a glove touch. Katona wants to start out guns blazing, and he strings off several quick three-strike combinations to get going. Katona lunges in, lands two punches and a kick before darting away, and he gets out of the way of any notable counters. Matsumoto looks for a short left hook, but Katona slides to the side and dings him with an overhand right. Katona connects with two heavy punches and gets cracked with a right hand, and Matsumoto finds another right hand and staggers veteran of “The Ultimate Fighter.” Matsumoto’s right hand continues to connect when Katona throws low kicks, and he chases after the Canadian and clips him with a left hand. Katona ties him up and knees him once, and Matsumoto gets shoved to the wall. Katona grabs the fence to remain in place, receiving a warning, and he tries to change levels but is stonewalled. Katona strikes on the break, and Matsumoto walks him down fearlessly. Matsumoto flashes out two punches and a thumping leg kick, and he walks directly into a vicious standing elbow. Katona nails him with an overhand right, further doing some damage, and Matsumoto bites down on his mouthpiece and starts trading. They sit down on massive hooks, and Katona checks a kick that follows. Matsumoto slows things down on his own decision to clinch Katona, leaning all the way down to snatch the Canadian’s ankle. Katona defends with elbows to the side of the noggin, and he gets dragged to his knees. Matsumoto eats a few more elbows before standing, and he bangs the back of his head on Katona’s chin. Katona frowns, and the two fighters break apart with Matsumoto giving chase. Matsumoto strikes with a kick first and then a few punches, and he considers a takedown but is easily stuffed. Matsumoto tries to scoop Katona up, and the SBG Ireland fighter is well-schooled and stops the effort in its tracks. Katona stands Matsumoto up with a hacking elbow, and the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Matsumoto
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Matsumoto
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Matsumoto

Round 2

The fighters pick up where they left off, blasting one another with power strikes. Neither man is willing to take a backward step while they sling it out, and Matsumoto appears to land the cleaner of the two even as he has a slight cut on the right eyebrow developing. Matsumoto takes one punch to throw two back, and Katona gets his bell rung even when he fires heavy punches. Katona’s chin holds up well from the power strikes of the Brazilian, and he gets backed to the fence where he knees up the middle before getting pushed to the wire. Blood leaks from the cut on Matsumoto’s eye, and Katona targets it with two more elbows before breaking off. They meet in the middle of the cage and throw bombs, with the kind of sheer power and intensity not often seen at 135 pounds. Katona checks a few kicks when they trade leather, and Matsumoto lands as often as he gets hit. They throw caution to the wind slinging wild shots, and Matsumoto blocks a high kick to knock Katona back. Katona recovers and punches his way into a takedown effort, and the Brazilian turns him about and shoves him to the fence. As they continue battering one another, Katona’s eyebrow gets ripped open from oncoming fire. Matsumoto further bloodies his opponent up as both men are showing damage above their right eye, and it has not slowed the momentum or ferocity one iota. Matsumoto dives after an opportunistic takedown, and Katona manages to stuff it and strike back with a few knees. Katona groans as one might have landed on the groin, and Matsumoto jumps guard with a guillotine choke. The wild round ends before Katona can do anything with it.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Matsumoto
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Matsumoto
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Matsumoto

Round 3

It takes a matter of seconds for the bantamweights to stand and bang. Matsumoto absorbs a few kicks to split the guard with a right hand that sends Katona staggering back. Katona gathers a full head of steam, absorbs a few punches and kicks the side. Matsumoto sits down on a pounding body kick, and he walks Katona down and is met with a diving double. Matsumoto backs himself up against the wall to stay upright, and Katona transitions to a single that also comes up short. Matsumoto grabs the fence to stay on his feet, and his hand is slapped away but he otherwise gets away with it. Katona is wise to a guillotine choke setup and shifts to a body lock before the unbeaten fighter pushes him away. Katona races at him for a double, and Matsumoto advertises the price of admission by blasting a bloody Katona in the face with a number of punches. Katona slips away from a high kick and throws one to the body, and Matsumoto belts the legs with kicks and follows those kicks with straight, piston-like punches. Katona snaps the head back successfully during an exchange, but he eats shots right back as Matsumoto does not back down. Katona shoots, and Matsumoto bounces him off and lands cleanly until Katona pursues another level change. Matsumoto wrestles Katona to a knee as they trade short but clean strikes on the inside, and Matsumoto lifts up a knee and sells out for a single. Katona hits his seat for no more than a second before exploding up, and he succeeds in turning the corner to drag Matsumoto down. Matsumoto eats a few strikes before bursting up to his feet to attempt a final takedown, and the final bell rings to wrap up what is an easy “Fight of the Night” candidate. The scores could range anywhere from 3-0 Matsumoto to 2-1 Katona, so the judges will have their hands full.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Matsumoto (30-27 Matsumoto)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Katona (29-28 Matsumoto)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Katona (29-28 Matsumoto)

The Official Result

Jean Matsumoto def. Brad Katona via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Asu Almabaev (125.5) vs. Matheus Nicolau (125.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Almabaev (-175), Nicolau (+145)

Round 1

A ranked flyweight encounter will wrap up the prelims, as Nicolau (19-4-1, 7-3 UFC) wishes to save his place among the top 10 while on a skid. To do so, he will have to break the 16-fight win streak for the aggressive Kazakhstan native Almabaev (20-2, 3-0 UFC). Referee Keith Peterson will have hands full to keep up with these speedy competitors, although they show plenty of respect for another and not a lick of nonsense as they clap hands before engaging. Almabaev moves to the center of the cage, pawing out his jab, while Nicolau is more jittery on the outside feinting and faking. It takes 30 seconds for the first strike to land, a low kick from Almabaev. When Almabaev tries a second, Nicolau whizzes a right hand over the top just past Almabaev’s head. Almabaev kicks low and then chains another to the body, and Nicolau cannot make him pay for the blows. Almabaev darts in, missing the mark with a booming uppercut. Almabaev jabs the body, and Nicolau is singularly focused on counters. Almabaev spins with a wheel kick that buzzes the Brazilian’s noggin, and Nicolau is still stuck without any ideas. When Nicolau lashes out, Almabaev is there to catch him with a check left hook. Almabaev lands a spinning back kick to the ribs, and Nicolau backs off and eventually aims a left up top and a jab to the body. Almabaev lands another jab to the ribs and gets off a low kick before having to block a counter. Almabaev slams his shin in the midsection of his opponent, and he attempts a Superman punch that is just shy of the mark. Nicolau jabs out with a front kick, misses with a high kick and the tepid round draws to a close.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Almabaev
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Almabaev
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Almabaev

Round 2

There is a clap of hands to get things going, and Almabaev is quick to crowd his opponent with a right hook and a head kick on the other side. Nicolau delivers a clean calf kick, but it is one-and-done. Almabaev steps in with a knee to the body, and Nicolau catches it and thinks of taking the fight down. They land in 50-50 position and get out of it to reset, where Almabaev scores a spinning back kick to the sternum. Almabaev overswings and gets countered, and he prods out a front kick that brushes past the cheek of his adversary. They time short hooks at the same time, neither man willing to give much grown or commit to a great deal of offense. Nicolau watches an overhand right soar past him, pushing Almabaev away without landing his own. Almabaev shoots in for a single, and Nicolau hops back to the wall, grabs the fence and is dragged to a knee briefly. Nicolau pulls out of the attempt and catches Almabaev with a left hand, and when Almabaev dives after a single, Nicolau hammers him with elbows to the side of the head. Almabaev drags him down, and Nicolau pops up and threatens with a guillotine choke. Almabaev lifts his opponent’s leg up, and Nicolau snatches hold of a guillotine choke and has it locked down. Nicolau rolls to the side and nearly into mount, and Almabaev toughs it out and turns enough to survive. Nicolau gets to his feet, and Almabaev stands too, his shorts nearly down by his waist. Nicolau allows his opponent to pull his shorts back up before engaging, and he surges into action with a few lunging strikes. The round ends with Almabaev tossing out a left hand and a high kick.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nicolau
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Nicolau
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Nicolau

Round 3

The last round kicks off with a glove touch, and Almabaev wants to get things going by tossing out a number of low kicks. Nicolau hand-fights and parries punches from up top, and Almabaev sits down on an uppercut that splits the guard at the same time as Nicolau fires. Nicolau stumbles, and Almabaev tackles him over and claims full mount. Under fire, the Brazilian takes further punishment as Almabaev tries to drum him out, and Nicolau pushes his feet off the fence and grabs hold of a leglock. Almabaev turns through what becomes a heel hook to reestablish himself on top, and he sits down heavily in half guard. Nicolau attempts another leglock, and once more Almabaev easily spins through it to never find himself in danger. Nicolau scrambles, turning to his knees, and Almabaev bowls him over to his back again. Almabaev in half guard smothers the Brazilian, nullifying his offense other than the occasional submission setup. Nicolau uses butterfly hooks on the hips to push Almabaev off of him, and he hacks at the Kazakhstani fighter with elbows from his back but is taking heavier strikes from the man on top of him. Nicolau scoots his way towards the fence but Almabaev turns him the right direction to stifle him from wall-walking. Almabaev remains busy while on top, landing punches and elbows without fear of reprisal. Nicolau gets up with seconds to spare, frustrated at himself for being shut down and likely on the losing end of a decision. Time expires, and Nicolau punches the cage wall.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Almabaev (29-28 Almabaev)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Almabaev (29-28 Almabaev)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Almabaev (29-28 Almabaev)

The Official Result

Asu Almabaev def. Matheus Nicolau via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Darren Elkins (144.5) vs. Daniel Pineda (145.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pineda (-118), Elkins (-102)

Round 1

To open the main card, two grizzled featherweight veterans who have seen and been through it all lock horns with bragging rights on the line. “The Damage” Elkins (28-11, 18-10 UFC) has alternated wins and losses in his last five, while Pineda (28-16, 3 NC; 5-7, 1 NC UFC) still celebrates a 100% finish rate. Many expect mayhem in this matchup, and referee Herb Dean better be ready for it. Fists are bumped before they are traded, and it takes 10 seconds before a strike is thrown. Elkins whiffs on an overhand right, and he tries to establish a jab a few times only to get met with a back kick to the face when bent over. Elkins, who has assumed almost as much punishment as any fighter this side of Roy Nelson or Max Holloway in the cage, is not concerned. Elkins punches his way into takedown shot, and Pineda latches onto a guillotine choke and claims mount with it. While Elkins scrambles, Pineda follows him and holds onto the submission until Elkins explodes out of it. In the ensuing exchange, Elkins opens a cut on the corner of Pineda’s right eyebrow. Elkins rips punches up top, shredding Pineda’s left eye in the process. Pineda explodes his way to his feet and jumps after a guillotine choke again, and the Team Alpha Male product is wise to defend guillotines and survives the submission to wind up on his back. Elkins pushes off of his foe’s hips and forces him upright, and Pineda leaps back down to attack. Elkins threatens with a leglock, and turns the corner somehow to slide around and take Pineda’s back. Pineda stands and is wrenched to the ground, only to climb into mount position as they furiously grapple. Pineda hammers down elbows on the forehead of “The Damage,” slamming them down until time runs out.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pineda
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Pineda
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Pineda

Round 2

Between rounds, swelling develops around Pineda’s right eye. He pays it no mind as the second round commences, ready and willing to throw anything and everything he can muster. When overswinging on his fists, Pineda gathers himself and sweeps the leg to make Elkins hit the floor. Elkins picks his shots more carefully when standing, until walking into a right hand. This prompts Elkins to come in close while swinging hard, and Pineda busts him open in an exchange. Elkins connects with a clean left hook, and he loads up with a right hand and ducks a back fist to shoot in for a takedown. Pineda hits the mat and threatens with a guillotine choke, and Elkins allows him to do this so he can pass over to the other side and wriggle out of the sub. Pineda sits up while leaning on the cage, and Elkins tries to take his back but slides off as the two get back to their feet. Pineda stalks “The Damage” down swinging with everything he has, and a left to the sternum forces Elkins to groan involuntarily. They meet in the middle throwing hooks, and Elkins has a greater head of steam and shoots for a takedown. Pineda stifles the attempt and gets to a more advantageous position to jump guard for a guillotine, and Elkins yanks himself out of it and is forced immediately to defend a triangle choke and an omoplata setup. Elkins shrugs them all off to assert control in guard, and he begins to work Pineda over with punches and elbows from there. Elkins keeps Pineda flat on his back while blasting him with elbows, and blood flows heavily as the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Elkins
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Elkins
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Elkins

Round 3

Dean calls in the physician to review Pineda’s cuts and swelling between rounds, and he is cleared to continue without issue. After they measure one another, Elkins starts the round with a successful takedown shot. Pineda climbs to his feet and walks face-first into a one-two. Elkins charges in again for a takedown, forcing Pineda to a 50-50 position where he ends up sliding off and falling to his back. Pineda briefly slithers around to take the back, and Elkins fights it off and spins around to pursue his own single. They both work their way to their feet, and Elkins takes a kick and loads up with a right hand. Elkins goes all-in for a takedown, and Pineda stuffs it as the two clinch up. Elkins works Pineda to the body with power strikes before backing off, and Pineda marches him down and beans him in the face with a right hand. Elkins swings back wildly, and a kick from the Texan sweeps Elkins off his feet. Elkins climbs back up and works a right hand over the top, and he gives it all he has to grab hold of a single. Pineda thwarts the effort and is shoved back to the fence, absorbing knees to the body until he can turn Elkins around. Elkins gets out of the clinch when this happens, both men quite fatigued but more than willing to trade leather. Elkins lands, eats a right hand and responds with his own overhand right. Pineda hammers the front leg with a kick, knocking Elkins to his seat, and he knows Elkins is about to shoot in on his hips. Pineda defends the expected shot with a guillotine, and the well-trained Elkins lets him do this so he can slip out of the choke and wind up in top position. Pineda’s transforms to a crimson mask as Elkins beats on him, and he starts talking to Elkins while seated against the fencing. Elkins clings to the spent Pineda until its conclusion, and he walks off and has to lean against the cage out of exhaustion. Meanwhile, Pineda removes his gloves, signaling that he is planning on calling it a career.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Elkins (29-28 Elkins)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Elkins (29-28 Elkins)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Elkins (29-28 Elkins)

The Official Result

Darren Elkins def. Daniel Pineda via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Jake Hadley (135.5) vs. Cameron Smotherman (135.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Smotherman (+350), Hadley (-450)

Round 1

On short notice, Hadley (11-3, 3-3 UFC) goes from taking on Brady Hiestand to welcoming Fury FC staple Smotherman (11-4, 0-0 UFC) to the Octagon. When the dust settles, one of these two bantamweights will celebrate a record in the UFC above .500. The other will fall below the even line. Referee Chris Tognoni will be the third man in the cage for this one, and he observes a glove touch as they get started. Hadley strikes first with a low kick, using it to disrupt the forward movement of his opponent. Hadley lands it again as Smotherman comes towards him, and he keeps chipping away at a safe range. Smotherman lands a jab to the body and reaches with a right hand over the top, forcing Hadley to bounce off the fencing. Smotherman connects with a right to the body and checks a kick to unload a right hand around the guard. Hadley stays composed working on the front leg of his foe, and Smotherman is measuring his right hand for it. Smotherman digs a right to the solar plexus, and he walks Hadley down throwing hands. Hadley tries to catch him first, but Smotherman’s right hand is loaded for bear. Hadley lands a kick to the ribs, and Smotherman gives him a right hand to the side to think about. Smotherman keeps attacking the body, stalking Hadley down but not getting reckless, and he just misses with a massive left hand. Smotherman opens up head shots with rights to the midsection, and Hadley keeps moving so as to not get cornered. Smotherman is devoted to body shots, and he slips a left hand over the top. Smotherman kicks his way into a punch combo, and Hadley chomps down on his gumshield and lets go with a big left. Smotherman slips a few punches, mostly targeting the body with his responses, and he scores a solid body kick while Hadley escapes. Smotherman clips Hadley with one big right hand before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Smotherman
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Smotherman
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Smotherman

Round 2

The round begins with Hadley leading with a few punches, and he kicks low and bangs his instep into the newcomer’s cup. Tognoni calls time as Smotherman grimaces, and Hadley apologizes profusely for the inadvertent groin kick. Smotherman asks to get going after a little under a minute, and they resume fighting by trading jabs. The two box one another, setting their big punches up in combination. Smotherman lands, Hadley hits him back and Smotherman gives him one more to think about. Smotherman knocks his man back with a short left, and Hadley steps in to drill the debutant with a sharp left hook. Smotherman blinks it out, jabs the body and comes in with a short flurry. Hadley is away before most of the strikes find their target, constantly circling to his left which is in the direction of Smotherman’s power right hand. Jabs fly out from both sides, and Smotherman is the one to successfully chain one into four more punches including a pair of body shots. Smotherman digs two more under the guard, and he puts a right hand straight on the sternum. Hadley swings back with a right hand off the temple, and Smotherman is in front of him ready to pay him back with a hooking left. They trade body shots at the same time, a rare occurrence, and when trading hands, Hadley jams his fingers into both eye sockets like Moe from “The Three Stooges.” Smotherman turns away, not thrilled by the foul one bit, and Tognoni calls in the doctor to check on him before long. Smotherman informs the physician that some Vaseline slid into his eye, causing him issues seeing. Tognoni tells Smotherman he needs to take all the time he should to recover, and not hurry back. Smotherman wipes his eye a few times with a piece of gauze, before asking for a towel to help clear his vision better. Smotherman keeps checking to see how much time he has, and he is still having a hard time seeing even after a few minutes. Smotherman informs both Tognoni and the doctor that he is still fighting, and that he is good to go after four minutes. Tognoni takes one point for the eye poke, and Hadley protests but his complaint falls in deaf ears. When they resume, Smotherman is amped up, swinging wildly until Hadley threatens with a takedown. While Hadley gets him down, Smotherman climbs back to his feet before long. Hadley presses his man against the wire, and Smotherman gets free at the sound of the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Smotherman
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-8 Smotherman
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-8 Smotherman

Round 3

There is a double clap of hands to get started, and Smotherman is as aggressive as ever, swinging his way into close range. Hadley throws back but gets backed to the wall, and he is forced to shoot in for a double. Smotherman defends against it while being pinned to the fence, and Tognoni asks for more work as Hadley is largely stalling. Smotherman bursts out of the tie-up to walk Hadley down, eating a left hand so he can let his hands go. Hadley retreats and fails to counter effectively, with a leg kick his best weapon while Smotherman marches him down. Smotherman kicks him in the side, and he throws another kick to the same spot but absorbs a flush one-two in response. Smotherman digs a left to the liver and looks for a right to the head, and Hadley has a head kick waiting for him. Smotherman loads up a bit too much on his power strikes, and Hadley beats him to the punch when evading. Smotherman pounds on the ribs from both sides, landing cleanly and stepping in to knee “White Kong” in the guts. Smotherman goes body to head and then chains a knee after one, flowing with punches and knees while Hadley’s back is up against the fence. Hadley surprises the Texan with a left hand, and Smotherman’s legs wobble briefly as he gathers himself. Hadley measures out another big left, and Smotherman wears it well this time and lets off a front kick that bounces into Hadley’s cup. Tognoni is on top of it, giving Hadley time to recover as it is now Smotherman who has to apologize. Hadley is ready after about 40 seconds, and Smotherman walks him down as soon as they resume. Smotherman shoves an uppercut through the guard, and Hadley is warned for outstretched fingers as he tries to fence off. Smotherman strings several punches together, only for Hadley to blast him in the face with heavy blows and a head kick that further makes his knees quake. Hadley swings wildly, Smotherman defends from a body kick and gives his man one final overhand right to think about before the third round comes to a close.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hadley (29-27 Smotherman)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Hadley (29-27 Smotherman)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Smotherman (30-26 Smotherman)

The Official Result

Cameron Smotherman def. Jake Hadley via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)