UFC women’s bantamweight title: Amanda Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko live round-by-round coverage
Amanda Nunes won the UFC women’s bantamweight title in a first round destruction of Miesha Tate that concluded with a rear naked choke submission. She followed that with a 48 second TKO of Ronda Rousey. Now she meets a face from her past. Valentina Shevchenko lost via decision to Nunes in March of 2016 but she was getting the better of the action against Nunes late in the fight. Nunes has a reputation for coming out strong but then fading. With five rounds scheduled, this will be a test of Nunes’ cardio development. Nunes and Shevchenko were supposed to fight for the title in July but Nunes had to pull out the day of the fight after being hospitalized.
Round 1. The fighters primarily trade low kicks early. Nunes begins opening up more, throwing power punches and a high kick that breezes by Shevchenko’s head. Neither fighter is doing much but Shevchenko in particular is quite inactive beyond her low kicks. Nunes lands a hard straight right hand late. 10-9 Nunes.
Round 2. Shevchenko catches Nunes with a straight left hand and a superman punch early. Shevchenko moves in with a couple punches after that. Shevchenko is becoming more active than she was in the first. Nunes wasn’t terribly active in her own right in the first and she has been even less so in the second. They trade punches late. 10-9 Shevchenko.
Round 3. Shevchenko lands a nice right hand early. Nunes connects with a jab and then a straight power punch. Nunes is opening up more than she did in the second. Shevchenko uses a solid two punch combination. Close round. 10-9 Shevchenko.
Round 4. They trade low kicks at the start of the fourth. Shevchenko moves in with a punch attempt and gets countered with a strong punch from Nunes. Shevchenko connects with a solid combination. Shevchenko lunges in with a punch and then ducks out before Nunes can land a counter. The crowd boos loudly at the end of the round. Another close one. 10-9 Shevchenko.
Round 5. Nunes comes in with a strong right hand. Shevchenko answers back with a heavy combination of her own. Shevchenko leaps in with a punch. The displeased Edmonton crowd begins chanting “let’s go Oilers.” Nunes looks for a takedown at the midpoint of the round. Shevchenko defends well and Nunes backs away. In a scramble, they go to the ground where Nunes takes the back. Shevchenko gets right back up but does eat a knee at the end. Nunes then takes Shevchenko back down. Shevchenko lands some punches and elbows from the bottom. 10-9 Nunes, 48-47 Shevchenko.
Winner: Amanda Nunes, split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47).
That fight had a lot of close rounds where neither fighter took all that many risks, so it’s hard for either to complain at the result. Still, Shevchenko landed more shots over the course of the fight and this scorecard was closer to going 49-46 for Shevchenko than 48-47 for Nunes. The crowd booed the decision as well.
Slide show: Photos from UFC 215
Rafael Dos Anjos vs. Neil Magny live round-by-round coverage
Rafael Dos Anjos is the former UFC lightweight champion who has moved up to 170 pounds. He got off to a good start with a win over Tarec Saffiedine and now he takes on another tough welterweight opponent. Neil Magny has won 11 out of his last 13 fights in the UFC including over Johny Hendricks, Hector Lombard and Kelvin Gastelum.
Round 1. Dos Anjos knocks Magny down with a leg kick. Dos Anjos quickly secures side control. Dos Anjos looks to set up a choke but then gives it up. Dos Anjos drops down a few elbows to the head. Dos Anjos continues landing elbows and adds in some punches. Dos Anjos passes from half guard into side control. Dos Anjos then moves into full mount. Dos Anjos grabs an arm triangle choke and gets the submission.
Winner: Rafael Dos Anjos, submission, round 1.
Rafael Dos Anjos’ move to welterweight continues to go well. Neil Magny had a marked height and reach advantage but Dos Anjos ran right through him. Dos Anjos looks like he could create problems for some of the best fighters in his new division.
Henry Cejudo vs. Wilson Reis live round-by-round coverage
Henry Cejudo is an Olympic gold medalist in wrestling who has accumulated a 10-2 record in MMA. His two losses were in his most recent two fights to Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez (Benavidez via controversial split decision). He looks to reestablish his elite status here. Wilson Reis challenged Johnson for the flyweight title in his last fight and lost via armbar. This is thus an opportunity for redemption for both men.
Round 1. Cejudo opens with a strong right hand. Cejudo follows with a couple of impressive combinations. Reis slips in a right hook in an exchange. Cejudo answers with a flying knee. Reis goes for a takedown but Cejudo blocks that and takes control of Reis’ back. Reis gets out and returns to his feet. Cejudo takes Reis down late. 10-8 Cejudo.
Round 2. Cejudo drops Reis with a punch and follows with more punches on the ground until the fight is stopped.
Winner: Henry Cejudo, TKO, round 2.
Following his loss to Demetrious Johnson, Henry Cejudo has really stepped up his game. Against Joseph Benavidez and now Wilson Reis, Cejudo has exhibited greatly improved striking. Cejudo has great natural athleticism and he is transitioning from a wrestler to true mixed martial artist.
Ilir Latifi vs. Tyson Pedro live round-by-round coverage
Ilir Latifi has become a contender in the thin light heavyweight division thanks to five wins in his last seven fights. Three of those wins came in the first half of the first round. Tyson Pedro is an undefeated Australian with finishes in all of his fights. He is 2-0 thus far in the UFC.
Round 1. Pedro lands a few leg kicks early. Latifi catches one and gets the takedown. Latifi lands in side control and then moves into North-South position. Pedro scrambles back up to his feet. Pedro connects with a kick to the body. Pedro goes for another kick and gets taken down in the process. Latifi passed into side control. Pedro gets out and returns to his feet. 10-9 Latifi.
Round 2. Both fighters are cautious, clearly showing respect for the other man. Pedro lands a few nice kicks to the body. Latifi charges in with a few looping power punches and goes for a takedown. Latifi slams Pedro right on his head. Pedro works his way back up, eating a few punches in the process. 10-9 Latifi.
Round 3. Pedro starts with another nice low kick. Those kicks have been his best weapon. Latifi hits Pedro with a quality combination punctuated by a strong uppercut. Latifi lands a straight right hand and takes Pedro down again. Latifi works from the top with punches until the round comes to a close. 10-9 Latifi, 30-27 Latifi.
Winner: Ilir Latifi, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27).
It wasn’t spectacular but Latifi put together a solid all around performance to get by a skilled young opponent. The big difference was his takedowns which Pedro had trouble defending. It’s a nice win for Latifi as he looks to secure high profile fights in his division.
Gilbert Melendez vs. Jeremy Stephens live round-by-round coverage
Gilbert Melendez has accomplished a tremendous amount throughout his MMA career, winning WEC and Strikeforce titles while defeating the likes of Shinya Aoki, Josh Thomson, Tatsuya Kawajiri and Clay Guida. Now 35 and coming off three straight losses, he is fighting to prove he can still compete at the highest level. Jeremy Stephens is a respected veteran with solid power and impressive wins of his own including Rafael Dos Anjos, Dennis Bermudez and Renan Barao. Stephens has lost two straight and also needs to look strong here.
Round 1. Stephens connects with the best early combination of the fight as both men attack at range. Stephens appears to have more pop in his punches and he is also attacking Melendez’s lead leg with kicks. Melendez connects with a solid left hook of his own. Stephens nails Melendez with a hard leg kick and Melendez winces in pain. Melendez falls down and then manages to stand back up. Stephens makes him pay for it with some hard punches. Melendez goes down from another leg kick. Melendez’s leg is in terrible shape. Stephens fires some more punches on a grounded Melendez as the round concludes. 10-8 Stephens.
Round 2. Melendez is struggling to stand on that leg but he comes out swinging trying to get a finish. Melendez does land some punches in spite of the leg injury. Stephens catches Melendez with one leg kick and Melendez goes down. Melendez is able to stand up and they continue. Stephens catches Melendez with a hard uppercut. Stephens catches another kick and Melendez again goes down. 10-9 Stephens.
Round 3. Melendez continues to have difficulty moving. He’s continuing to push forward but his punches don’t have a lot of power given the situation. Stephens loads up power punches and then mixes in his low kicks to the damaged legs of his opponent. Melendez goes down from another leg kick and Stephens congratulates him when he stands back up. Stephens connects with a couple knees and punches to the body. Melendez goes down from another leg kick. He gets up and is knocked down from another leg kick. 10-8 Stephens.
Winner: Jeremy Stephens, unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-25).
That was a sad spectacle. Gilbert Melendez was injured and could barely stand and yet was allowed to continue ten minutes risking additional injury. Someone, whether the referee, doctor or Melendez’s corner, should have looked out for Melendez. Melendez’s toughness was to his own detriment on the evening. Stephens did his job and took care of business.
Sara McMann vs. Ketlen Vieira live round-by-round coverage
Sara McMann is an Olympic silver medalist and former bantamweight title challenger. She is looking to earn another title shot here as she enters with a three fight winning streak. In her way is the unbeaten Ketlen Vieira, who is 2-0 thus far in the UFC.
Round 1. McMann clinches and looks for a takedown. She secures that takedown a minute in. McMann begins dropping elbows from the top. McMann works her way into full mount and opens up with punches there looking to get a finish. Vieira pushes McMann out with her legs and then attacks McMann’s leg. McMann gets out of danger as the round concludes. 10-8 McMann.
Round 2. They exchange jabs on the feet. McMann looks for a takedown a minute in. Vieira lands some elbows in the process and prevents the takedown. They continue working in the clinch and Vieira gets the takedown three minutes into the round. Vieira looks for an arm triangle choke from the top and gets the submission.
Winner: Ketlen Vieira, submission, round 2.
That’s easily the biggest win of Vieira’s career. She stopped the momentum of McMann and put herself in the top mix of the women’s bantamweight division. For McMann, it’s another loss in a fight that she seemed to be in control of.
Sarah Moras vs. Ashlee Evans-Smith live round-by-round coverage
Sarah Moras returns to action after not having competed in two years. She has key wins over Julianna Pena and Tara LaRosa but dropped her last fight to Jessica Andrade. Ashlee Evans-Smith is 2-2 in the UFC and is looking to rebound from a decision loss to Ketlen Vieira.
Round 1. Evans-Smith gets an early takedown. She quickly secures side control but Moras recovers and gets Evans-Smith in her full guard. Evans-Smith drops down a punch while Moras looks for an armbar from the bottom. Moras locks in the armbar and gets the submission.
Winner: Sarah Moras, submission, round 1.
Sarah Moras executed a beautiful armbar and picked up a nice victory in her return to the Octagon.
Gavin Tucker vs. Rick Glenn live round-by-round coverage
Gavin Tucker is an undefeated Canadian who won his UFC debut in February and now looks to improve to 11-0 professionally. His opponent Rick Glenn is a former WSOF champion and won his last UFC fight via split decision over Phillipe Nover.
Round 1. Tucker looks to figure out range early against Glenn, who is the much taller and longer fighter. Tucker lands some solid kicks from distance. Tucker grabs a body lock and looks for a takedown. Glenn prevents that and Tucker backs off. Tucker lands a really nice elbow from close range. Glenn drops Tucker with a left hand. Glenn follows with additional shots as Tucker appears a little stunned. Glenn uses an elbow from close range reminiscent of the one Tucker threw earlier. Glenn lands a few additional punches late. 10-9 Glenn.
Round 2. Tucker comes out firing, throwing massive power punches. He connects with some big shots but then appears to tire. Glenn gets a takedown. Tucker looks for a heel hook but eats some punches in the process and has to give it up. They return to the feet where Glenn lands some knees. Glenn gets a takedown and lands some punches as Tucker tries to stand up. Tucker looks for a heel hook but again can’t get it. Tucker returns to his feet but Glenn takes him back down. Glenn really took over the fight that round. 10-8 Glenn.
Round 3. Tucker throws a spinning backfist early but Glenn presses through and clinches. Glenn lands some knees from the clinch. Glenn follows with a couple of combinations. Tucker goes for a takedown of his own but it is blocked and Glenn takes top position. Glenn goes to work with punches and elbows. Tucker has to turn his back and cover up while Glenn keeps landing punches. This is a wipeout. The referee really should step in. The beating goes on and on. There’s no call for this continuing. 10-7 Glenn, 30-24 Glenn.
Winner: Rick Glenn, unanimous decision (30-25, 30-24, 29-27).
Rick Glenn turned in a heck of a performance tonight. He was able to weather Gavin Tucker’s early offense and then meticulously poured it on as the fight progressed. He was dominant in all aspects of the game.
It’s worth noting that was among the worst performances by a referee there has ever been in the UFC. Referee Kyle Cardinal allowed the fight to continue for minutes on end when it should have been stopped and his indifference to Tucker’s physical well being ought to be disqualifying as far as Cardinal being licensed as an official in the future.
Mitch Clarke vs. Alex White live round-by-round coverage
Mitch Clarke is a submission specialist with a key win over Al Iaquinta. He has lost two straight in the UFC and thus needs a win here at home in Canada. The American Alex White has lost three of his last four but has more power than Clarke and is the betting favorite.
Round 1. Clarke clinches and they trade knees to the body. Clarke lands a strong straight punch as they break. Clarke lands a right head kick. White delivers a strong three punch combination as Clarke moves in to clinch. Clarke connects with a right hook. Clarke looks for a takedown late but doesn’t come close. 10-9 Clarke.
Round 2. White blocks a Clarke takedown attempt and lands a looping counterpunch. Clarke clinches and White hammers him with a series of heavy punches from close range. It’s rare you see such power generated from that position. White then drops Clarke with a knee to the body. White lets Clarke stand back up. White follows with huge punches to a now bloodied Clarke. Clarke is forced to simply back up. White drops Clarke with a punch and has Clarke stand up. Clarke grabs a single leg but eats further punches and elbows in the attempt. White drops Clarke again late and finally the fight is called off.
Winner: Alex White, TKO, round 2.
That was an impressive performance by White. He took over the fight in a big way in the second round and continued landing measured offense until finally the referee had to step in. Really, the fight went on too long. Clarke showed plenty of toughness in defeat but he has never been able to put together the type of power that White demonstrated.
After the fight, Clarke announced his retirement in an emotional moment. He turned in a final performance he can be proud of in terms of guts and determination.
Luis Henrique vs. Arjan Bhullar live round-by-round coverage
Luis Henrique has accumulated plenty of experience at just 24-years-old. He is 10-3 (1 NC) in MMA with a 2-2 record thus far in the UFC. The massive Brazilian heavyweight will take on undefeated Canadian Arjan Bhullar in Bhullar’s UFC debut. Bhullar was an Olympic wrestler before beginning his MMA career.
Round 1. The fighters exchange big punches about a minute in. Neither lands a telling blow. Bhullar gets caught with a solid uppercut moving in. Bhullar finally looks for a takedown three minutes in but it is defended well by Henrique. Bhular lands a nice right hand and looks for a takedown late. Close round. 10-9 Henrique.
Round 2. Both men are throwing primarily one punch at a time. Henrique throws a couple of combinations but nothing of note lands. Bhullar drops Henrique with a right hand. As Henrique gets up, Bhullar clinches. Bhullar lifts Henrique up and plants him down on the mat. Bhullar lands some punches and elbows from the top in half guard position. Henrique is just holding on while Bhullar controls the action on the ground. After a close first, that was a dominant second. 10-9 Bhullar.
Round 3. Henrique comes out more confidently in the third, pressing forward and looking to land punches. Henrique lands some nice uppercuts from close range. Bhullar looks for a takedown at the midpoint of the round but Henrique prevents it. They exchange punches from close range. 10-9 Henrique, 29-28 Henrique. That’s a tough scorecard for Bhullar given he won the second handily while the first was very narrow based on the power of Henrique’s biggest shots.
Winner: Arjan Bhullar, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
Arjan Bhullar had a lot of support live, with Indian flags in the crowd and big reactions from his fellow Canadians. It wasn’t a showcase performance by Bhullar but he picked up the win in his debut, an experience that will help him as he moves on to tougher competition.
Adriano Martins vs. Kajan Johnson live round-by-round coverage
Adriano Martins has been challenged throughout his UFC career, defeating tough outs Rustam Khabilov and Islam Makhachev while falling short in his last fight via split decision to Leonardo Santos. Kajan Johnson returns to the Octagon here after a nearly two year absence. He won his last two fights, albeit against easier competition than Martins has faced.
Round 1. Martins walks down Johnson to start the fight, backing him down and looking to land a big shot. The fighters exchange low kicks. Johnson circles around against the cage, looking to prevent Martins from trapping him. Johnson is throwing a lot of kicks while Martins isn’t throwing much of anything despite moving forward. Martins does land a nice left hand. Martins drops Johnson with an overhand left and looks for a guillotine choke as the round comes to an end. 10-9 Martins.
Round 2. The second round settles into a similar pattern as the first: Martins pressing forward while Johnson looks to land kicks circling on the outside. Johnson misses a head kick and Martins counters with a right hand. Neither Johnson nor Martins is landing much. It’s hard to side with Johnson when he is pretty much always backing away, but Martins landed so little that round. 10-9 Johnson.
Round 3. Johnson catches Martins with a punch as Martins is coming in. Martins goes down face first and Johnson lands additional punches on the ground before it is stopped.
Winner: Kajan Johnson, TKO, round 3.
Kajan Johnson’s fighting style in that contest isn’t likely to win a lot of fans, but he stopped a very dangerous opponent after a long layoff. That it came in his home country of Canada had to have made it even more satisfying for Johnson.