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UFC 220: Bout-by-bout, round-by-round highlights

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Stipe Miocic became the first fighter to defend the UFC heavyweight title three times, dominating Francis Ngannou for five rounds in a unanimous-decision victory Saturday night at UFC 220.

In the co-main event, Daniel Cormier defended his light-heavyweight title with a dominating performance against Volkan Oezdemir.

UFC heavyweight title: Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou live round-by-round coverage

The UFC is in desperate search of new superstars and the hope is that Francis Ngannou is someone that can fill that role. Ngannou possesses some of the scariest knockout power the sport has ever seen and is coming off an all time highlight reel finish of Alistair Overeem. He will seek to take the title from Stipe Miocic, who has been extremely impressive in his own right with four straight first round knockouts of championship fighters.

Round 1. Ngannou throws a high kick early. Miocic goes for a takedown. He has Ngannou down briefly but Ngannou gets back up. Ngannou lands a couple punches but Miocic goes right back to the takedown attempt. Ngannou comes in with heavy punches. He connects with a hard looping punch and Miocic circles out. Ngannou throws a couple of those big uppercuts. Miocic looks for that takedown again and ends up back in the clinch. They break and Miocic lands a solid straight punch. Miocic lands another moments later. He then gets a takedown and ends up in side control. Miocic lands some punches from that position. Ngannou stands up. Miocic looks for a guillotine in the process but gives it up. Miocic lands a series of punches right to the chin and appears to have Ngannou in big trouble but Ngannou counters with a heavy punch of his own and Miocic ducks down for a takedown late. That was a wild, exciting round. 10-9 Miocic.

Round 2. Ngannou looks very tired. Miocic lands a couple leg kicks but Ngannou answers with a hard punch. Miocic continues to attack the leg. Miocic goes for a takedown but doesn’t get it. Miocic lands a few solid straight punches and gets a takedown. Ngannou stands up by the cage. Miocic controls him there and pulls him back down. Miocic looks for a rear naked choke late. 10-9 Miocic.

Round 3. Miocic lands a few leg kicks. Miocic goes for the single leg takedown but Ngannou defends well. Ngannou nails Miocic with a hard right hand but Miocic recovers and gets a takedown. Miocic is in half guard and lands some punches from there. Ngannou is just taking punch after punch and Miocic is mixing in a few elbows as well. 10-9 Miocic.

Round 4. Miocic gets a takedown early and is in side control. Ngannou gets half guard and has the opportunity to get up but he is too tired to do so and Miocic lands a quick series of punches. Ngannou struggles to get up and they end up tied up by the cage with Miocic holding Ngannou down. Miocic opens up with a series of punches looking to get the finish. Ngannou withstands. 10-8 Miocic.

Round 5. They clinch. Miocic looks for a takedown but Ngannou counters with a guillotine choke attempt. Miocic gets out and they return to the clinch. They are separated but neither has much energy to do all that much from there. They end up back in the clinch at the end. 10-9 Miocic, 50-44 Miocic.

Winner: Stipe Miocic, unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-44).

It wasn’t always pretty, particularly late in the fight, but Miocic showcased great skill, courage and toughness against a dangerous foe. Miocic doesn’t really get the credit he deserves but he has proved to be a heck of a fighter. Ngannou tired mightily by the end but there’s only so much that can be done when an athlete is that big and needs to expend such a high level of energy for an extended period of time.

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UFC light heavyweight title: Daniel Cormier vs. Volkan Oezdemir live round-by-round coverage

Daniel Cormier is in a unique position. He’s the defending UFC light heavyweight champion but he was knocked out in his last fight by Jon Jones and the title was only returned after Jones failed a drug test. Jones unfortunately lingers over Cormier’s career through no fault of Cormier’s. Volkan Oezdemir is a sizable underdog in this fight. He burst onto the scene in 2017 with three UFC wins including knockouts in under a minute of Misha Cirkunov and Jimi Manuwa to earn this title shot. The question marks are his wrestling and how he will last in a longer fight.

Round 1. Oezdemir comes out aggressively throwing big punches. Cormier looks to clinch but can’t get a hold of Oezdemir. Oezdemir lands a couple of big punches in the process. Oezdemir settles down after the blistering pace and looks to work his boxing. Cormier opens up with some punches of his own and looks to clinch. Oezdemir lands a quality counter left hand. Cormier answers with a solid hook of his own. Cormier has always been a thick athlete but he looks a little softer than he did against Jon Jones last time out. Cormier lands a big right hand and opens up even more after that with a punch that stuns Oezdemir. Cormier moves in but he gets caught with a counter and is more careful. Cormier catches a leg and looks for a takedown. He takes Oezdemir down and looks to sink in a rear naked choke at the close of the round. Oezdemir may have been saved by the bell. Oezdemir was in control early but Cormier came on strong late. It may be a tough time for Oezdemir in the second. 10-9 Cormier.

Round 2. Cormier gets a single leg early. He immediately looks to gain full mount. He can’t get that but he gets crucifix position and lands punches repeatedly until the fight is stopped.

Winner: Daniel Cormier, TKO, round 2.

That fight went the way a lot of people expected it to. Oezdemir was dangerous early but Cormier took over after Oezdemir’s initial charge. It’s another impressive win for a great fighter.

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Shane Burgos vs. Calvin Kattar live round-by-round coverage

Shane Burgos is undefeated in MMA competition and has three UFC wins already. Calvin Kattar is an impressive 17-2 in his own right and won his UFC debut on short notice.

Round 1. The fighters exchange jabs early. Both seem content to strike. Kattar is landing well as Burgos moves in. Burgos is relying more on individual punches while Kattar is connecting with combinations. Burgos attacks the body with punches. Kattar really uses his jab to keep Burgos at bay. 10-9 Kattar.

Round 2. Burgos opens with some kicks as he advances. Kattar continues to pepper Burgos with jabs and then will mix in power punches as well. Kattar clinches, lands an elbow, and backs away. Burgos attacks the body with a few strong punches. Burgos is having more success but Kattar is still landing plenty with his boxing. Burgos is really picking up the pace with body punches and kicks late. He narrowly took that round in the final couple minutes. 10-9 Burgos.

Round 3. Kattar rocks Burgos with a straight right hand to the head. A dazed Burgos sways forward trying to gain his balance and walks into a massive uppercut, which buckles his knees. Kattar knocks Burgos down with additional punches and continues to pour on the offense until the fight is stopped. Burgos was getting up when the fight was stopped but he was wobbly and it’s a perfectly justifiable stoppage.

Winner: Calvin Kattar, TKO, round 3.

Calvin Kattar has some impressive qualities as a fighter and he picked up an important win over a game, confident and undefeated opponent.

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Gian Villante vs. Francimar Barroso live round-by-round coverage

Gian Villante came from a football background before distinguishing himself as mixed martial artist in Strikeforce and UFC. He has had an up and down UFC career and needs a win here with 4 losses in his last 6. Francimar Barroso has quietly accumulated a 4-3 record (1 NC) in the UFC with most of his fights going to the decision.

Round 1. Villante moves forward from the beginning. He lands some big punches including a hard uppercut. He lands another significant punch moments later and appears to have Barroso in some jeopardy but Barroso is able to recover. Villante continues to press the action while Barroso looks to counter. Barroso lands some nice leg kicks but Villante is in general controlling the action. 10-9 Villante.

Round 2. Villante moves into range and they begin throwing heavy punches at each other. Both men connect with strong punches right on the chin and both men’s chins hold up. Barroso seems a little more affected by the biggest shots but both are handling the other’s offense well. Villante continues to advance, looking for the knockout punch. 10-9 Villante.

Round 3. Villante lands a nice two-punch combination early. Barroso’s corner implored him to advance and press the action more but the fight settles into the same pattern of the first two rounds with Villante constantly advancing. Barroso lands a hard kick to the body. Villante is eating more counters in the third than he did in the first two rounds, perhaps because he’s throwing less moving in and thus leaving Barroso openings. 10-9 Barroso, 29-28 Villante.

Winner: Gian Villante, split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27).

That was a nice win for Villante. He was aggressive throughout and looking to finish the fight against a cautious opponent.

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Thomas Almeida vs. Rob Font live round-by-round coverage

Thomas Almeida started out his MMA career a sterling 20-0 with all finishes but he has struggled recently, going 1-2 in his last 3 fights with the losses coming to elite competition. Rob Font is 14-3 in his own right with 4 UFC finishes so this has the makings of an exciting contest.

Round 1. Font clinches and lands a hard punch on the break. Font lands a hard straight right hand shortly thereafter and clinches. Font seems to want to keep the fight in close range. Font is relying heavily on his boxing while Almeida is mixing in more kicks. Almeida lands a few looping punches and appears to be getting more comfortable. Close round. Font controlled the action early but Almeida took over late. 10-9 Almeida.

Round 2. Font hurts Almeida badly with a punch and Almeida tumbles down. Almeida gets up and Font takes him back down. Almeida gets up and eats a few punches there. Almeida is able to recover over time but Font continues to attack the head. Font lands a beautiful combination of punches with a head kick mixed in and Almeida goes down again. Font lands additional punches on the ground and the fight is stopped.

Winner: Rob Font, TKO, round 2.

That was a great performance by Rob Font, who secured an impressive stoppage against a dangerous opponent. It should set him up for some significant fights in 2018. Almeida’s star, on the other hand, continues to fall.

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Brandon Davis vs. Kyle Bochniak live round-by-round coverage

Brandon Davis impressed on Dana White’s contender series and gets his UFC opportunity here. Kyle Bochniak is a Boston native who has the chance to compete at home after starting his UFC tenure 1-2.

Round 1. The fight starts out slow with neither man throwing much and the crowd starts to boo. Bochniak catches a kick and goes for a takedown. Bochniak gets Davis down but Davis works his way back up and they continue to work in the clinch. Bochniak gets Davis down a second time but again Davis quickly gets back up. Not much of a round. 10-9 Bochniak.

Round 2. Bochniak lunges in with a nice punch. Davis lands a few hard leg kicks. Bochniak is moving much more while Davis seems content to stand in the pocket and wait for Bochniak to come to him. Davis lands a few more leg kicks. Bochniak connects with a few punches and a knee in an exchange. Bochniak goes for a takedown late but cannot get it. 10-9 Davis.

Round 3. Bochniak continues his approach of moving a lot and then charging in while Davis waits for him on the inside. Bochniak goes for a takedown and they work in the clinch. Neither man is able to gain an advantage and they separate. Davis briefly gets a takedown but Bochniak gets up. Davis slips after a punch and Bochniak works for another takedown attempt late. 10-9 Bochniak, 29-28 Bochniak.

Winner: Kyle Bochniak, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27).

Kyle Bochniak picked up the decision but it wasn’t the sort of performance that’s likely to generate a lot of interest in his next fight.

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Sabah Homasi vs. Abdul Razak Alhassan live round-by-round coverage

This is a rematch of a controversial fight from last month where most felt the fight was prematurely stopped in Alhassan’s favor.

Round 1. Homasi opens with a kick to the body. Homasi goes for a takedown. It is blocked but Homasi lands a hard punch on the break. Alhassan fires back well but Homasi ducks down and gets a takedown. The referee returns them to their feet relatively quickly as they are working by the cage. Alhassan knocks Homasi out brutally with an uppercut.

Winner: Abdul Razak Alhassan, KO, round 1.

On the one hand, that settled things from the first fight as emphatically as possible as that was a vicious knockout that couldn’t have been any more clear. On the other hand, the knockout was set up by a dubious standup by the referee. Regardless, that will clearly end this issue and Alhassan can move on to new challenges.

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Dustin Ortiz vs. Alexandre Pantoja live round-by-round coverage

Dustin Ortiz has been a flyweight contender for years, going 6-5 in the UFC. Alexandre Pantoja is 2-0 thus far in the UFC and 18-2 overall.

Round 1. Ortiz goes for a takedown. In the process, Pantoja slickly takes his back. Pantoja looks to lock in a rear naked choke by the cage. Ortiz defends well but Pantoja controls him with a body triangle and continually looks to set up the finish. Pantoja twists Ortiz’s neck when he isn’t able to get under the chin. Ortiz finally gets out in the final seconds. Ortiz attacks Pantoja’s neck late. 10-8 Pantoja.

Round 2. Ortiz showcases some nice boxing early. Ortiz looks for a takedown but doesn’t get it. Ortiz looks like he has much more energy than Pantoja now. Ortiz goes for a takedown by the cage. Pantoja is forced simply to defend. Ortiz eventually gives it up. They trade hard punches late and Ortiz clinches again. Ortiz gets the takedown but Pantoja quickly stands up. 10-9 Ortiz.

Round 3. They scramble early with Pantoja securing top position. Ortiz works to stand back up and he returns to his feet. However, Pantoja quickly pulls Ortiz back down and secures a body triangle to control the back. Ortiz gets out and avoids a potential armbar in the process. Ortiz takes top position but Pantoja stands back up. Ortiz attacks with punches and aggressively goes for another takedown. Ortiz lands some knees and punches late. 10-9 Ortiz, 28-28.

Winner: Dustin Ortiz, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

Ortiz won that fight on hustle. Pantoja dominated in the first and for most of the third but Ortiz kept coming and his action in the second and the very end of the third made the difference for the judges.

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Dan Ige vs. Julio Arce live round-by-round coverage

Both Ige and Arce won fights on Dana White’s contender series and now get their opportunities in the UFC. Ige is 8-1 with his only loss coming via split decision in Japan while Arce is 13-2 with his only losses coming to UFC competitor Brian Kelleher.

Round 1. Ige catches a kick and looks for a takedown. Arce defends well so Ige lands an elbow and separates. Arce looks to strike while Ige continues to try to set up a takedown. Arce lands a nice hook and Ige dives in with a desperation takedown that fails. Arce drops Ige with a punch and looks to finish by the cage. Ige survives but Arce keeps landing shots. 10-9 Arce.

Round 2. Arce is content to strike on the outside and let Ige try to close distance. Ige isn’t having any success in his few attempts at a takedown and Arce is dominating him on the feet. Ige eats a knee to the head going for a takedown. 10-9 Arce.

Round 3. Arce opens up with some looping punches. He stuns Ige with a punch but Ige recovers well. Ige keeps trying but he is mostly swinging at air while Arce is landing at will and defending all takedowns. The fight has settled into a noncompetitive rhythm. 10-8 Arce, 30-26 Arce.

Winner: Julio Arce, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).

Dan Ige just didn’t look like a UFC caliber competitor, unfortunately. He showed plenty of heart, though. The 29-28 scorecard is baffling.

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Enrique Barzola vs. Matt Bessette live round-by-round coverage

Peruvian Enrique Barzola won the UFC’s Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 lightweight tournament. He is 3-1 in the UFC against low level opposition with all his fights ending via decision. Matt Bessette is making his UFC debut on short notice after fighting since 2007 on smaller shows. He got a shot on Dana White’s contender series recently but was knocked out in the first round in a decision that was later overturned because his opponent used an IV against the rules.

Round 1. Bessette feints a number of times early. Barzola lands a couple leg kicks that land well. Bessette connects with a nice body kick of his own. Bessette moves in with some nice punches but eats a strong counter hook in the process. Barzola slams Bessette with an impressive takedown late. He avoids an attempted leg lock and lands some punches from high up. Bessette gets up and lands a few nice shots late. Close round. 10-9 Bessette.

Round 2. Bessette attacks the body with some powerful punches. Barzola dives in with a flying knee attempt that doesn’t connect solidly. Barzola lands a hard leg kick. Barzola gets an impressive takedown at the midpoint of the round. Barzola lands some punches there before Bessette gets back to his feet. On the feet, Barzola takes Bessette right back down. He then opens up with some punches before letting Bessette up. Barzola goes back for the takedown attempt there. Barzola gets another takedown at the close. 10-9 Barzola.

Round 3. Bessette is the aggressor early in the third, pushing forward but not landing all that much. Barzola lands a few hard punches and Bessette answers with one of his own. Barzola attacks the leg with a few kicks and looks for a takedown late. Barzola gets another emphatic takedown in the final minute. Bessette gets up late and they trade punches at the close. 10-9 Barzola, 29-28 Barzola.

Winner: Enrique Barzola, unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).

Barzola’s wrestling was the difference.

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Islam Makhachev vs. Gleison Tibau live round-by-round coverage

UFC 220 kicks off in the lightweight division. Islam Makhachev sports an impressive 14-1 record with three UFC victories and comes from a sambo background. Gleison Tibau is a well traveled veteran who has fought in the UFC since 2006. He is returning after a two-year doping suspension.

Round 1. After both fighters trade kicks, Makhachev knocks Tibau unconscious with a left hook.

Winner: Islam Makhachev, KO, round 1.

Islam Makhachev has done very well thus far in the UFC but lacked something emphatic for the highlight reel. He succeeded in that regard tonight with an impressive win that should generate enhanced interest in his upcoming bouts. As for Tibau, it’s his third straight defeat and may signify that his long UFC run is approaching its end.

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