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UFC on ESPN+ 26 play-by-play and live results

UFC on ESPN+ 26 takes place Saturday (Sunday locally), and you can join us for live play-by-play and official results.

The event takes place at Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand. The event streams on ESPN+.

In the main event, Paul Felder (17-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC) takes on Dan Hooker (19-8 MMA, 9-4 UFC) in a lightweight bout in front of Hooker’s home fans.

Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 4 p.m. ET for the ESPN+ prelims and 7 p.m. ET for the main card on ESPN+.

To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFC on ESPN+ 26 discussion thread.

Enjoy the fights, everyone.

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Current Fight

Paul Felder vs. Dan Hooker

Round 1 – There’s not touch of gloves in the staredown, so there’s not even an attempt at the start of the round. Hooker opens up the fight with a pair of calf kicks. Felder tries a spinning backfist, but falls over when he misses. BAck to his feet, Felder lands a right hand – as does Hooker. Right now, Felder is pressuring Hooker. The Australian is utilizing his length and lapping the outside of the cage. Felder is trying to land leg kicks, but is missing. Hooker lands a front kick to the stomach. Felder lands a leg kick. A thudding leg kick from Hooker lands. Hooker tries one of his vintage stepping knees (like the one he knocked out Ross Pearson with), but it misses. Felder cracks Hooker with a body kick. Felder lands the best punch of the fight three minutes in. A stiff left hook catches Hooker. An inside Felder leg kick knocks Hooker of balance. Felder pounces, but Hooker gets double underhooks in the scramble. Hooker is fence-riding Felder. Eventually, the two separate. Hooker lands a leg kick, then a punch. The round ends after some fancy, but failed, spinning attacks. 10-9 Hooker.

Round 2 – Felder’s eye is not in good shape entering the second. It’s severely swollen, but the fight will continue. Both men come out with a leg kick-heavy offense in Round 2, picking up right where they left off. The crowd voices the one of the largest “(Expletive) him up chant in UFC history.” Felder lands a kick in return. Felder misses on a left hook and gives up his back to Hooker. Standing in the cage on one leg, Hooker has his second leg hooked in on Felder’s back. Felder lands a back elbow and hobbles to the fence. Hooker releases his grip and lands a leg kick. Felder lands a leg kick of his own. Felder misses on a one-two. A Felder kick slaps the inside leg of Hooker. Felder spins and hits Hooker with a spinning back kick to the body. Hooker misses a knee and Felder punches him in the body. Both fighters are opening up. Felder is getting particularly aggressive and eats a jab. Felder misses on a spinning back elbow. 20-18 Hooker.

Round 3 – Hooker returns to utilizing a lot of movement. Felder catches him with a nice jab, though. Hooker lands a leg kick – and then a hard straight righthand. Felder returns with a stiff jab and a hard leg kick of his own. Felder whiffs on a powerful two-punch combination. The lightweights exchange leg kicks. Felder is relentless with his leg kicks. Hooker lands two punches on Felder, who eats them both. Noticeable damage is beginning to compile on Hooker’s face. Felder lands a thudding spinning back kick to the liver. Hooker tries a high kick, but it’s caught and released. Felder half-heartedly shoots for a takedown, but Hooker grabs double underhooks. “The Hangman” rotates Felder to the cage and presses him against the fence. The round ends. Close, but Felder may have stolen it. 29-28 Hooker.

Round 4 – Felder comes out like a man on a mission in Round 4. He’s chucking everything he has into these punches. Many shots are missing, but if one lands, Hooker might be in trouble. Felder lands a one-two, followed by a stiff jab. Hooker seems to be slowing, whereas Felder has found his second wind. Felder wobbles Hooker with an overhand right. Hooker circles out and appears to have recovered. Breathing out of his mouth, Hooker shoots for a takedown. Felder prevents it, but now Hooker has him against the cage. They separate, but clinch again moments later. Hooker swings around to Felder’s back in the standing position. Once again, they separate and Felder lands another hard punch. Hooker shoots and they’re against the cage again. Felder lands a short elbow, which connects. Both guys are banged up, understatedly speaking. The round ends against the fence. That was a good round for Felder. 38-38 even entering Round 5.

Round 5 – Felder lands an inside leg kick. Hooker moving better in Round 5, we’ll see how long that lasts. Hooker lands an outside leg kick. Felder whacks Hooker with a righthand. Hooker lands a right and Felder lands another. Felder misses on a combination. Hooker lands a calf kick. Once again, Felder resorts to the overhand right. That strike has been money for him all night. Felder’s footwork and angles are at large. Hooker stumbles over the cage behind him, when trying to circle away from Felder’s pressure. Hooker changes levels and grabs Felder. Back against the fence, Felder escapes Hooker’s grip. Standing in the pocket, the two fighters exchange. Hooker’s jaw/cheek is swollen. Hooker lands a quick jab. Felder misses on a punch and Hooker stumbles out of danger. Felder snaps Hooker’s head back with a jab. As the clock approaches the four-minute mark of the round, Felder lands a hard punch. Hooker scrambles away, but turns and grabs hold of Felder. To the delight of the crowd, Hooker finally gets the takedown he’s been searching for. Hooker is in Felder’s guard with 40 seconds left. Felder tries to scramble to his feet against the fence. Hooker hops on Felder’s back briefly, but Felder rolls out. The fight ends with Hooker leaning on Felder against the cage. The horn sounds. Both raise their hands. What an absolute battle. That lived up to the hype and then some. MMA Junkie scores it 48-47 Hooker.

Result: Dan Hooker def. Paul Felder via split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47)
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Paul Felder (17-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC), Dan Hooker (20-8 MMA, 10-4 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Rankings: Felder No. 10, Hooker No. 15
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Marc Goddard
Judging:

Results

Priscila Cachoeira vs. Shana Dobson

Round 1 – Both fighters come out chucking knuckles and we’re off. Cachoeira comes out swinging. Cachoeira is the aggressor, but Dobson is standing her ground. Cachoeira throws a hard right uppercut and Dobson is floored. She’s covering up. That’s it. Cachoeira by knockout.What a quick start to the card.

Result: Priscila Cachoeira def. Shana Dobson via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:40
Photos: Priscila Cachoeira def. Shana Dobson
Records: Priscila Cachoeira (9-3 MMA, 1-3 UFC), Shana Dobson (3-4 MMA, 1-3 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Neil Swailes

Angela Hill vs. Loma Lookboonmee

Round 1 – Lookboonmee misses with a leg kick. Both fighters land left hooks. Lookboonmee is targeting the outside of the lead left thigh of Hill headliner. Hill lands a stiff punch – she’s finding a home for the counter right. Both fighters land. Hill misses on a combination. Lookboonmee throws a kick which Hill catches. Lookboomee stumbles backward, but catches himself. The two fighters clinch and Hill pushes Lookboonmee against the fence. Hill trips Lookboonmee down and lands in side control. As the clock winds down, Hill attempts some ground and pound. Nothin substantial lands. 10-9 Hill.

Round 2 – The two fighters exchange jabs. The tie up briefly – and again. Hill has one underhook in and is pushing Lookboonmee against the fence. The two fighters break and move back to the center. Hill whiffs on an overhand. Hill grabs a hold of Lookboonmee in the clinch. Lookboonmee reverses and trips Hill down. Within milliseconds, Hill shoots up for an armbar. Now Hill switches to a triangle – she’s trying to tighten it up. Hill landing elbows from the bottom and grabbing hold of Lookboonmee’s leg. Lookboonmee breaks free. The two scramble to the feet and Hill is pushing Lookboonmee against the cage again. They separate and Lookboonmee lands a hard teep kick to the stomach. Hill goes flying backward as she tries not to fall off balance. Hill doesn’t fall over and the two meet back in the center. The two tie up right before the round ends. 20-18 Hill.

Round 3 – The fighters waste no time and exchange in the opening seconds. Hill lands a straight right. Lookboonmee answers with an outside leg kick. Hill lands a two-punch combination. Lookboonmee hits Hill with a front kick to the face. Hill is unfazed and nails Lookboonmee with a leg kick. Hill blocks a kick and lands a straight punch. Lookboonmee rushes in and Hill grabs hold in the clinch. It’s deja vu all over again, with Hill squishing Lookboonmee against the fence. Lookboonmee eventually spins out of Hill’s grasp. Moments later, Hill clinches again – but only briefly. A two-one lands for Lookboonmee. Hill resorts back to the clinch against the fence and grabs hold of a single leg. No dice. Upon the break, both fighters land hard elbows. Thirty seconds are left in the round – and in the fight. Hill seemingly picking up her energy level. She grabs hold of Lookboonmee again. The two break, but the horn sounds. That’s it. MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 Lookboonmee, but the fight 29-28 Hill.

Result: Angela Hill def. Loma Lookboonmee via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Recap: Angela Hill caps record-breaking stretch, beats Lora Lookboonmee
Photos: Angela Hill def. Loma Lookboonmee
Records: Angela Hill (12-7 MMA, 7-7 UFC), Loma Lookboonmee (4-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: John Sharp
Judging: Howie Booth (29-28, giving Lookboonmee Round 3); Mark Rogers (29-28, giving Lookboonmee Round 2); David Lethaby (30-27)

Kai Kara-France vs. Tyson Nam

Round 1 – A touch of gloves and we’re off. The crowd is much more energetic in this fight, letting itself be heard. Nam tries a double jab, but Kara-France lands a leg kick. The two fighters exchange. Nam lands an uppercut. Nam is getting more and more aggressive as the round progresses. He’s not letting Kara-France reset. Kara-France throws a combination, but it’s blocked. Nam answers with a right hand. Nam’s head snaps back – the result of a stiff Kara-France jab. Nam clocks Kara-France with a hard left counter. His nose is swelling. Nam rushes Kara-France, gets the back clinch, and sweeps the leg. Kara-France pops back up. Both fighters throws powerful shots as the round ends. 10-9 Nam.

Round 2 – The flyweight come out flying. After a few brief exchanges, Kara-France shoots for a takedown. Nam threatens a ninja choke and the two separate. Kara-France lands a hard low kick, followed by a multi-punch combo. He’s really looking comfortable out there. Nam doesn’t let him stay comfortable, as he lands a hard left hand that sends Nam backwards. Both fighters swing, miss, stumble, and regain their balance. Name rushes in and eats a hard counter that disrupts any semblance of a takedown attempt. Kara-France lands a punch. The horn sounds. 19-19.

Round 3 – Nam lands a leg kick, but swings and misses on a punch. Nam is stalking Kara-France, who tries to halt Nam’s momentum with a takedown attempt. No dice. Kara-France lands a punch which appears to hurt Nam. His rhythm changed noticeably, but he didn’t go down or stumble. Kara-France continuing to whack the inside leg of Nam, who appears to be tiring. Nam has regained control of his dictating footwork and lands a combination. Nam throws a slow, strained combination that misses. Kara-France grabs a leg and tosses Nam, who catches himself and returns to his stance. Nam grabs a hold of Kara-France and drags him to the ground. Kara-France gets back up and breaks the grip. Nam goes for another takedown and gets it, but only briefly again. Nam throws a head kick, but it’s blocked. Showboating ensures and the fight ends. The flyweights deliver again. That was a fun, technical battle. MMA Junkie scores it 29-28 Kara-France.

Result: Kai Kara-France def. Tyson Nam via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: Kai Kara-France def. Tyson Nam
Records: Kai Kara-France (21-8 MMA, 4-1 UFC), Tyson Nam (18-11-1 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Rankings: Kara-France honorable mention
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Marc Goddard
Judging: Barry Foley, Richie Gerrard, Lereapii Taia

Song Kenan vs. Callan Potter

Round 1 – The two welterweights square off and Potter throws a charging left hook. Following up his punch with a takedown attempt, Potter is stuffed by Kenan. The fight returns to the center and Kenan grabs the clinch, but lets go. Potter lands a two-punch combination, to which Kenan answers by grabbing hold of the body. In a maneuver his coach Dan Kelly would be proud of, Potter judo throws Kenan to the ground. Potter tries to enter mount, but Kenan gets up. In the clinch, Kenan tries a Conor McGregor-esque shoulder strike. They separate and Kenan lands a vicious four-plus-punch combination which floors Potte and is in all sorts of trouble. The referee has seen enough – and rightfully so. Kenan picks up another first-round stoppage victory due to strikes.

Result: Song Kenan def. Callan Potter via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:20)
Photos: Kenan Song def. Callan Potter
Records: Song Kenan (16-5 MMA, 4-1 UFC), Callan Potter (18-9 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Neil Swailes

Jake Matthews vs. Emil Meek

Round 1 – Meek makes his presence known early, landing a massive outside leg kick, which knocks Matthews back. Matthews tries to answer with a leg kick of his own, but he misses. Meek rushes in and Matthews successfully double-legs him. Matthews is in half guard. Scoot, scoot, scoot – Meek moves his way across the canvas toward the cage. With his back against the cage, Meek rises to his feet. Meek is back on the attack. Matthews throws a left uppercut which lands big. By big, I mean he lifted Meek off his feet with the blow. Meek recovered quick, though. Matthews is back in half guard. Meek works his way to full guard with butterfly hooks. Meek lands a few elbows from his back. Those can’t feel good. Utilizing the scoot method once again, Meek is slowly creeping to the cage. However, he isn’t able to get up before the horn sounds. 10-9 Matthews.

Round 2 – Round 2 starts off, like Round 1, with a hard leg kick from Meek. Matthews answers with an uppercut – and then a hard counter knee to the head. Moments later, Matthews shoots for a takedown. He’s successful, yet again. Matthews is in Meeks’ guard. Meek tries to power his way to his feet, but Matthews slips to the back. Matthews has both hooks in. However, the fighters are against the cage, so Matthews doesn’t have much room to maneuver. Meek’s forehead is scraped up. The two exchange punches from their respective submission offensive and defensive positions. Meek scrambles to the feet and lands two hard knees on Matthews. Those hurt. Meek tries a series of Travis Browne elbows – some land, some don’t. Matthews breaks away, but Meek charges. They both get their licks in, before Meek whiffs badly on a tired spinning backfist. Matthews gets the takedown again, but Meek works back to the feet. In the final 10 seconds, Meek lands a knee to the body. Matthews looks exhausted. Both fighters jump for possible flying attacks, but Matthews wipes out. The round ends with Matthews on his back and Meek standing above him. 20-18 Matthews.

Round 3 – Matthews misses on a one-two. Meek is stalking Matthews here in Round 3. Matthews has his back up agains the cage, circling. Meek tries a high kick, which is blocked. Matthews lands a straight punch. Both fighters miss. Meek tries another high kick, but Matthews catches it. Matthews shoots for a takedown, but Meek denies. Back in the center, Matthews whiffs on a one-two. Meek looks 10-fold fresher than Matthews, despite likely being down two-zip. Matthews tries another takedown. It’s denied again. Meek charges Matthews somewhat recklessly. Matthews shoots for a takedown agains the fence. Meek tries more Travis Browne elbows. Matthews is really straining for this one, but he doesn’t get it. Meek is swinging, but missing. Matthews lands two punches. The two fighters tie up in the clinch, then separate. Meek lands some short uppercuts. Meek tries a flying knee at the end of the fight, but Matthews catches it and takes him down. The final horn sounds. MMA Junkie scores it 29-28 Matthews.

Result: Jake Matthews def. Emil Meek via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: Jake Matthews def. Emil Meek
Records: Jake Matthews (16-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC), Emil Meek (9-5 MMA, 1-3 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Josh Sharp
Judging: Howie Booth, Barry Foley, Mark Rogers (29-28, giving Meek Round 3)

Josh Culibao vs. Jalin Turner

Round 1 – The size difference is evident early on. Culibao looks like he’s carry a lot of extra weight, but his speed is still there. He lands a straight punch and tries to take Turner down. However, Turner stuffs the attempt. There was a big strength difference in that sequence. Turner is landing some punches as Culibao lets go of his attempt. Turner elects to stand up. The two reset and Turner engages Culibao in the clinch. Turner lands a sequence of knees and pushes Culibao against the fence. Turner lands a knee to stomach as Turner attempts a takedown. Turner threatens a guillotine choke and Culibao pulls guard. That didn’t seem smart. Now, Culibao is on the bottom in mount, as Turner works for a one-armed guillotine. After about a minute of full survival mode, Culibao breaks free. The fighters roll and get up to their feet. Culibao tries another takedown. It has the same result. It’s stuffed. The two separate and the round ends. 10-9 Turner.

Round 2 – Culibao comes out and is quickly on the retreat. He’s struggling to feel comfortable in there it seems – switching stances, resetting constantly. Turner lands an overhand right and tries a knee. Culibao lands a push kick to the stomach. When circling near the cage, Culibao tweaks his leg by accidentally stepping on the cage (a later replay shows it was his ankle). He’s hurt, pogo-sticking around the cage. Turner senses a wounded animal and lands a barrage of strikes. Culibao tries to shoot for a takedown, but Turner grabs hold of a guillotine choke. The two fighters hit the mat and roll. Turner lands on top with back mount. Culibao is flattened out. Turner lands a strike after strike. Culibao gives a good effort to survive, but the punishment becomes insurmountable. The referee waives off the fight. That’s it. Turner by second-round TKO.

Result: Jalin Turner def. Josh Culibao via TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 2, 3:01
Photos: Jalin Turner def. Josh Culibao
Records: Josh Culibao (8-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Jalin Turner (9-5 MMA, 2-2 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Craig

Kevin Aguilar vs. Zubaira Tukhugov

Round 1 – After the touch of gloves, a staring contest ensues well into the second minute of the fight. Neither fighter has landed much of anything through two minutes and the crowd is getting slightly restless. Aguilar seems a little more willing to engage – moving forward, throwing punches. Tukhugov is being a little more elusive – escaping just out of the reach of Aguilar’s combinations. Halfway through the round, Tukhugov throws an absolute heater of a right hand. It misses. Aguilar tries a combination, which misses. Seemingly out of nowhere, Tukhugov drops Aguilar with a left hand. Aguilar gets up, but he’s clearly hurt. Tukhugov knows it and opens up. Tukhugov is firing punches and lands a right uppercut. Then, a left hand drops Aguilar again. The Russian is unloading on the American. Aguilar is covering up, but referee Marc Goddard is giving his warnings. Aguilar can’t escape and is getting whacked over and over. Goddard steps in. Rightfully so. Tukhugov picks up another TKO win.

Result: Zubaira Tukhugov def. Kevin Aguilar via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:21
Photos:
Records: Kevin Aguilar (17-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC), Zubaira Tukhugov (19-4-1 MMA, 4-1-1 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Marc Goddard

Magomed Mustafaev vs. Brad Riddell

Round 1 – The crowd is loud for this one. In just his second UFC appearance, Riddell already has a massive domestic following. Riddell lands a good kick. Mustafaev tries on of his own, but it’s blocked. A short righthand lands for Riddell and it drops Mustafaev. Riddell pounces. Mustafaev threatens a leg lock and uses it to get up. Mustafaev is pushing Riddell against the fence. Mustafaev dumps Riddell to the mat. Riddell gets up – and goes back down. Riddell is back up, but Mustafaev still has control. Mustafaev lands some knees to Riddell’s thigh. Riddell is back on his knees, with Mustafaev standing above him. Mustafaev lands hard punches to the head of Riddell. Eventually, Riddell works his way off the cage – but there’s only 10 seconds left. The round ends. 10-9 Mustafaev.

Round 2 – Riddell comes out aggressive in Round 2. To the delight of the home crowd, Riddell lands another righthand. Riddell’s kicks follow. Riddell rushes in an Mustafaev lands a nice counter. Riddell lands a counter, but Mustafaev answers with a huge overhand right. Riddell shakes it off. Mustafaev lands a leg kick, which briefly knocks Mustafaev off balance. After a spinning punch attempt, Mustafaev wrestles Riddell to the mat. Riddell uses the cage to rise back to his feet. Mustafaev muscles him back down. Riddell’s secondary takedown defense is good, but he struggles to get Mustafaev away from him in the initial attempt. That’s been the major theme of this fight. Riddell gets up, but the horn sounds. Round 2 is over. 20-18 Mustafaev.

Round 3 – Mustafaev tries a wheel kick attempt, but Charlie Browns and wipes himself out. Mustafaev hurries back to his feet. Mustafaev lands a jumping knee, but Riddell walks right through it. Riddell lands a combination of his own. One of the shots may have knocked Mustafaev off balance as he was going for a takedown attempt. Briefly the two are against the cage, but Riddell spins out of Mustafaev’s clutches. Mustafaev tries a spinning back elbow right as Riddell was going for a takedown. Riddell lands in Mustafaev’s guard. For a brief second, Riddell stands to his feet and waves Mustafaev up. As Mustafaev gingerly begins his progression to his feet, Riddell changes his mind and pounces. Riddell lands a few punches, but somehow he ends up as the one who’s bleeding. The announce team says it was the spinning attempt prior to the takedown which clipped Riddell and caused the bleeding. Riddell is in guard. Mustafaev gets up. They separate and Riddell rips a hard body kick. Mustafaev tries another takedown against the cage. No dice. Mustafaev shoots again. Riddell stuffs and lands a series of punches. Mustafaev won’t give up the attempt. He almost gets it, but Riddell threatens with a kimura to get up. Riddell rolls on top and lands a series of punches. The fight ends and the crowd roars. A clear round for Riddell. The first two rounds were razor thin, so this is anyone’s fight – but MMA Junkie scores the fight 29-28 Mustafaev.

Result: Brad Riddell def. Magomed Mustafaev via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Photos:
Records: Magomed Mustafaev (14-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC), Brad Riddell (8-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: John Sharp
Judging:

Marcos Rogerio de Lima vs. Ben Sosoli

Round 1 – The big boys come out swinging. There isn’t much offense here early. Sosoli is just biting down on the mouth piece and chucking. De Lima is trying to be a little more technical, but is being sucked into these exchanges. De Lima lands a half-dozen-or-so-strike combination. Sosoli eats it. Moments later, de Lima lands a right hook. Sosoli is stunned and crashes to to the mat on all fours. The referee steps in and stops Sosoli from taking any more punishment.

Result: Marcos Rogerio de Lima def. Ben Sosoli via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:28
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Marcos Rogerio de Lima (17-6-1 MMA, 6-4 UFC), Ben Sosoli (7-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee:

Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Yan Xiaonan

Round 1 – The fighters touch gloves and exchange. Xiaonan lands a nice body kick. Kowalkiewicz lands a right hand, but Xiaonan lands a combination. Both fighters are really opening up here early. They briefly enter the clinch, each land a knee, and exit. Kowalkiewicz lands a spinning backfist. More exchanges follow. Kowalkiewicz and Xiaonan tie up. Xiaonan takes Kowalkiewicz down and is in guard. Kowalkiewicz gets up and they separate. Kowalkiewicz keeps wiping her right eye. Something is wrong. She has solid swelling bellow her left eye, too. The fighters lock up and once again it’s Xiaonan who wrestles her opponent to the mat. Xiaonan exits the guard and lets Kowalkiewicz up. A few strikes later, the Round 1 horn sounds. 10-9 Xiaonan.

Round 2 – Prior to the referee starting the round, he calls in the doctor to examine Kowalkiewicz’s eye. The doctor deems her fit to compete and the round commences. Kowalkiewicz tries a spinning back kick, then a spinning backfist. Both miss. Xiaonan is opening up here. She lands multiple punches to the face – and then a kick to the body. Xiaonan is adding more hematomas to Kowalkiewicz’s collection. Xiaonan lands a combination and backs Kowalkiewicz up against the cage. Kowalkiewicz shoots for a takedown against the fence. Xiaonan reverses position. Kowalkiewicz briefly rolls to the mat, but Xiaonan stands up. The referee stands Kowalkiewicz up. Kowalkiewicz tries a spinning attack, but is taken down again. The fighters eventually scramble to their feet. Kowalkiewicz is exhausted. Xiaonan is throwing three combinations to Kowalkiewicz’s one. Kowalkiewicz’s eye is still bothering her. Xiaonan lands a one-two. The horn sounds. 20-18 Xiaonan.

Round 3 – Xiaonan still looks like the fresher fighter in the final round. Xiaonan lands a body shot which puts Kowalkiewicz on her back foot. That hurt. Xiaonan follows up with a series of punches. Kowalkiewicz covers up, then circles away from the fence. Kowalkiewicz tries another spinning punch – and per usual, pays for it. Xiaonan blasts her with a counter and subsequent punches. The two fighters hit the mat in a 50-50 position. Kowalkiewicz is working for a heel hook. This could very well be her final chance to win this thing. Eventually, Xiaonan works her way out of any potential trouble and ends up on top – where she remains for quite some time. With 20 seconds left, Kowalkiewicz uses a leg lock attempt to reverse Xiaonan. The final horn sounds, closing out a dominant, one-sided performance. MMA Junkie scores the fight 30-27 Xiaonan.

Result: Yan Xiaonan def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Karolina Kowalkiewicz (12-5 MMA, 5-5 UFC), Yan Xiaonan (11-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Rankings: Xiaonan honorable mention
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee:
Judging:

Jimmy Crute vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk

Round 1 – The first round begins with Crute sporting a brace on his right knee. Oleksiejczuk whiffs on an overhand as Crute shoots for a takedown, which he gets. Oleksiejczuk gets back up – and is sent back down. They’re against the cage now. Crute drags Oleksiejczuk to the middle of the mat. However, the Polish fighter sneaks back to the cage and stands up. Oleksiejczuk fighting hard to prevent being taken down again. His effort pays off, as he escapes Crute’s clutches. They return to center canvas and exchange, before Crute takes Oleksiejczuk down again. Before long, Crute is in mount. He threatens an arm triangle, but moves to side control. Crute is threatening an kimura. He’s cranking on it and might have it – he does. There’s the tap. Crute submits Oleksiejczuk in Round 1.

Result: Jimmy Crute def. Michal Oleksiejczuk via submission (kimura) – Round 1, 3:29
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Jimmy Crute (11-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC), Michal Oleksiejczuk (14-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: John Sharp

 

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