UFC 291 ‘Poirier vs. Gaethje 2’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring (2024)

PriscilaCachoeira (125) vs. MirandaMaverick (125.5)

BETTINGPREVIEW | SCOUTINGREPORT | ODDS: Maverick (-305), Cachoeira (+240)

Round 1

Every now and then, a fight card comes around that makes thecommunity pause for a second to admire its impressive stature. Theexcitement around the MMA sphere is refreshingly genuine,especially for an otherwise costly event that has no actual, realbelts on the line. When the lights go down in the Delta Center inSalt Lake City, the anticipation will build throughout the night toa crescendo. Even if the product does not deliver respective to howit looks on paper, the main attraction is one that will entice eventhe most jaded of fight fans. Before we get to that mega rematch,we start on the early preliminary card with six prelims asappetizers ahead of the hearty $80 meal. The first fight on thebilling also happens to be the lone women’s match of the evening,and it comes between late replacement Maverick (11-5, 4-3 UFC) andthe much-maligned Cachoeira (12-4, 4-4 UFC). This contest ofwrestler vs. striker will be officiated by referee Dave Seljestad.The flyweights start the show without a touch of gloves, and herewe go. Maverick bobs and shifts forward, and she reaches out with aleft hook and a pair of punches soon to follow. Cachoeira swatsback at her and comes up short, and Maverick gets to a safe rangeand lands a low kick. Maverick shoots in for a takedown from afar,and before she can get close, Cachoeira pushes her back and catchesher with an overhand right. Maverick fakes a level change, and shegoes up high with a kick that surprises the Brazilian. Cachoeirachops down at the inside leg, and Maverick responds and getscountered with a right hand. Maverick leaps forward with aSuperwoman punch, and she wraps her foot on the side of the head.When Cachoeira tries to take advantage of an off-balance Maverick,she closes the distance, and Maverick uses the momentum to spinCachoeira and drag her to her seat. Cachoeira leans against thefence in hopes of wall-walking, and Maverick isolates her foe’sright leg to keep Cachoeira grounded. Cachoeira posts off on herright arm while using her other to push Maverick’s head down, andthis stops Maverick from advancing to a top position. “Zombie Girl”musters her way to her knee and is briefly upright, but Maverickpulls her down and smacks her a few times with her left fist.Maverick imposes her weight on Cachoeira to keep her trapped inthis awkward position, and Cachoeira still muscles her way back up.The second she does, Maverick strips her legs back out and dumpsher to her back. This allows Maverick to move to side control, andshe drives a knee to the midsection before lowering herself down.Maverick scores short punches to fluster the Brazilian, sittingcomfortably in half guard, and Cachoeira is not making any overteffort to stand back up. Maverick traps Cachoeira’s right armbeneath her legs for a partial crucifix, and she hammers Cachoeirawith thudding elbows. Cachoeira tugs her toes on the fence to tryto escape, and Seljestad slaps them a few times to prevent thefence grabbing. Maverick rides out the remainder of the round,dropping down a few elbows and hammerfists.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The second round kicks off with an aggressive Maverick, who swarmswith a big left hook and a few follow-up punches. When Cachoeiramisses on the counter, Maverick reaches out and pops her with aleft hook. Maverick drops down for a single-leg takedown, andCachoeira shuts it down and misses with a short counter by a matterof inches. Cachoeira thwarts another takedown, although an uppercutfrom Maverick after it gets stifled busted her nose up. Maverickthwacks the inside leg of her opponent, and Cachoeira draws it backbriefly. Cachoeira commits to defending the oncoming takedown, andshe grips her left arm under the chin to potentially threaten witha guillotine choke. Cachoeira grabs the fence with her other handinstead of securing the submission, and Maverick doubles down onthe attempt. Maverick slides her neck out of the dangerous positionand slowly drags Cachoeira to the ground. Cachoeira has her handsslapped by Seljestad for grabbing the inside of Maverick’s glovesand then the cage, warned sternly for her fouls. Maverick securesthe takedown and sits down in half guard, smothering Cachoeira andfrustrating her with little left hands and elbows. Maverick smartlytraps Cachoeira between the corner of the fence and the floor todisallow Cachoeira from going anywhere, and she tries to jump tothe side and winds up falling into full mount. Maverick opens upwith ground-and-pound, and Cachoeira bucks with all her might toget out of the precarious position. Cachoeira pulls on the fencewith her fingers and toes, and the fouls allow her to turn all theway through and nearly get back up. Maverick, concerned only on hergameplan and not what the Brazilian is doing, wrenches Cachoeira toher back again. Maverick hacks down with a crisp elbow, and hergrinding attack allows her to conclude this frame in thisposition.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Knowing Cachoeira is likely to come out guns blazing, Maverickkeeps her distance early in the last round with multiple frontkicks. Cachoeira swings for the bleachers with right hooks, andMaverick times this inaccurate strike to shoot in for a takedown.When this fails, Maverick redoubles her effort, scoring a cleanright hand to set it up and perfectly deposit Cachoeira to thecanvas courtesy of a double-leg takedown. When they hit the ground,Cachoeira’s arm inadvertently slides beneath one of Maverick’sshoulder straps, and it forces a brief wardrobe malfunction thatSeljestad resets. Maverick, glad to be on top in side control,drops down a few strikes before shifting gears to north-south. Whenthere is no submission to come from it, Maverick keeps moving andjumps into full mount. As Cachoeira defends from any oncoming fire,she leaves her right arm out just a little too long.Maverick snatches it up and rolls to the side, setting the hook andwrenching down. Cachoeira taps out, and then taps a second time.Seljestad, watching very closely, does not intervene. Instead,Cachoeira taps out several more times, and he finally stepsin. Maverick could have cranked the elbow much harder,but out of sportsmanship decided not to destroy the arm of “ZombieGirl.” This one-side victory is an important one for Maverick, whor*minds the rest of the flyweight division she is still athreat.

The Official Result

Miranda Maverick def. Priscila Cachoeira R3 2:11 via Submission(Armbar)

UrosMedic (170.5) vs. MatthewSemelsberger (169.5)

BETTINGPREVIEW | SCOUTINGREPORT | ODDS: Semelsberger (-205), Medic (+175)

Round 1

Welterweights take center stage next, as two action fightersprepare to only leave one man standing. “Semi the Jedi”Semelsberger (11-5, 5-3 UFC) has his full array of Jedi mind tricksat his disposal, while “The Doctor” Medic (8-1, 2-1 UFC) wants toshow on short notice that mind tricks do not work on him – onlymoney, and punches. This potential thriller draws oversight fromreferee Tyler Tomlinson, and it kicks off as the two men bumpfists. Semelsberger is the initial aggressor, launching an earlyhead kick that bounces off the raised guard. Medic kicks, and thetwo clash together as Medic topples to the mat. In a furiousexchange, Medic gets off some upkicks, but Semelsberger circlesaround to take the back. Medic defends with a possible leglock asthey continue to roll, and this forces them to lean up against thecage and walk up it. Medic breaks off and scores a short righthand, and the two reset. Medic leaves a lazy right hook out toolong, and Semelsberger snaps the head back with a straight righthand. Semelsberger paws out a one-two, and Medic replies with asimilar pair of punches that split the guard. Medic kicks low, andSemelsberger slowly crowds him but does not let go. They both getoff single strikes, with Semelsberger’s right hand a big one. Medicwinds up with a heft left hook, causing the mullet of Semelsbergerto wave behind him. Medic backs up against the fence, bounces offit, and tosses a high kick that makes Semelsberger nod at him.Semelsberger counters a kick with an overhand left that landsloudly, and a straight right hand knocks Medic clean off his feet.Semelsberger lowers himself down into the guard, as his cornerdesperately cries for him to not play in the guard. Semelsbergerstands up, and Medic blasts him in the chops with an upkick. Medictrips Semelsberger up, and Semelsberger stumbles to his back. Medicjumps up and chases after him, and he drills Semelsberger with afew punches. Semelsberger comes back firing with a right hand,dropping Medic down to his face. Medic tries to recover with atakedown attempt, and Semelsberger swirls around to take his back.The two break up and take breaths after the ferocious exchange.Semelsberger plants two solid right hands on the chin, and hemeasures Medic and bobs up and down as he works his way in.Semelsberger sneaks up a high kick as Medic misses a hook, andSemelsberger busts open a cut on the bridge of the nose with aright hand. Medic strikes the body with a kick, and Semelsbergerwhiffs with a counter as the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The welterweights are fired up to get back after it, as they claptheir hands together. Medic leads off with a solid one-two, andSemelsberger responds with a missile of a right hand back at him.Medic kicks the body with body legs, and he disrupts an advancingSemelsberger with a few punches. They both fire off kicks to themidsection, and Semelsberger tries to follow one with an overhandright that misses the mark by a wide margin. Medic paws out with afew left hands, and Semelsberger crowds him with a trio of punches.Medic counters his man on the inside, and Semelsberger hammers hislead leg three times in a row. Medic follows a left hand with a lowkick, and Semelsberger is right in front of him to fire out aone-two. Semelsberger doubles up on a jab, and a left hand shakesMedic up. The Alaskan by way of Serbia grits his teeth and getsback into the pocket, only to dance out of the way whenSemelsberger is throwing hands. They trade right hands, butSemelsberger lands flusher. Medic delivers a kick to the body, andSemelsberger does the exact same thing and then kicks Medic’s leadwheel for good measure. Semelsberger rashes the pocket and tagsMedic a few times, only to get backed off when Medic tries toinitiate a brawl. Semelsberger hooks a right hand on the ear, andMedic backs off and aims a kick at the dome. Semelsberger mimicshim with his own high kick, after nodding at Medic for theeffective strike. Semelsberger keeps his guard up high as Medicstrings punches together, but a few manage to get through.Semelsberger eats a left hand on the end of an exchange, and thisresults in heavy counters from both men. Semelsberger use headmovement to evade a few strikes, and he takes a front kick to thechest. Semelsberger blocks a head kick, and he powers forward tomiss with a right hand. Semelsberger steps in with a knee thatmisses, and a right hand that does not. Medic scores a right handand follows with a blocked head kick, and the close round ends.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Semelsberger is the one fired up coming out of his corner, swingingwith big punches and kicks. Medic stands in the pocket to counter,and he eats a right hand as he powers forward. Medic rips a shin tothe liver, and Semelsberger might be compromised but he sticks histongue out to keep a poker face. Semelsberger pushes forward,blocking the punches that soar towards him so that he can clinchup. Semelsberger presses Medic against the wire, but Medic turnsthe corner and stuns him with a right hand on the break.Semelsberger digs a shin to the calf, and Medic swings right back.Semelsberger gets off a crisp right hand, and Medic has to hop backa few steps to get his balance. Medic targets the body, and heleans back from a big right hand and swings a high kick up.Semelsberger is able to block it, and he pushes out a one-two thatgets parried. Semelsberger lands a right, and Medic jabs him back.Semelsberger whiffs on a leg kick, and the two start trading withbad intentions. Semelsberger unloads with a right hand, and Medicreturns fire with a thudding right hand on the temple that rocks“Semi the Jedi.” Semelsberger laughs it off, but he is hurt badly.Medic tactically comes forward, spinning with a back fist that endsconnects with the forearm and sends Semelsberger careening to thecanvas. Medic stands over him and hammers the nail with severalstanding-to-ground punches, and Tomlinson steps in to wave thefight off. Semelsberger immediately protests, claiminghe was not out, but when he stands up, he is still very wobbly. Thevictorious Medic retains his 100% finish rate by informing fightfans that “The Doctor” is in.

The Official Result

Uros Medic def. Matthew Semelsberger R3 2:36 via TKO (Spinning BackFist and Punches)

DarriusFlowers (170.5) vs. JakeMatthews (170)

BETTINGPREVIEW | SCOUTINGREPORT | ODDS: Matthews (-260), Flowers (+220)

Round 1

Sticking around a little longer in the welterweight division, at29, the “The Celtic Kid” Matthews (18-6, 11-6 UFC) may not quite bea kid any longer. With visions of bouncing back into the win columnagain, he welcomes Flowers (12-5-1, 0-0 UFC) to the world-famousOctagon. The third man inside of that cage with them will bereferee Tyler Tomlinson, and he stands back as the two combatantstouch ‘em up. Flowers takes to the center of the cage immediately,while Matthews strafes around the side. Flowers gets off a sternleg kick, and he hops back to avoid a jab. The Aussie lands a righthand on the temple, and he absorbs a leg kick to launch a high kickthat careens off the guard. Flowers rests and takes a hard legkick, and he avoids a looping right hand by a matter of inches.Matthews checks a kick and gets backed up to the wall, with Flowerspouring it on with volume and intensity. The two throws bombs atone another, and Matthews gets the better of an exchange to knockFlowers back. Flowers reaches him with a right hook, and Matthewsslams a left hook to the liver to stun Flowers. After gathering histhoughts, Flowers charges, and Matthews and pushes him out of theway to work the body. They trade leg kicks, and Flowers shrugs athim. Flowers whiffs on a gnarly uppercut, and he again backsMatthews up and unloads on him. Matthews throws back accurately tokeep Flowers honest, and he drills an elbow on the back of the earto make Flowers take back off. Flowers then advances right into aliver shot, and this makes him reevaluate his position. Matthewsdigs a front kick to the body, and he stabs his toes to the sametarget with a second kick. Matthews has found his groove with thosefront kicks, and he mixes things up with a few stomp kicks to thethigh. Flowers plods forward, seemingly slowing down, whileMatthews is able to be light on his feet and keep moving to pick athim from range. Matthews rips a left to the body and a right to thehead, and Flowers staggers and takes a funny step back. Matthewscharges, and Flowers was playing possum, as he swings with a hugeright hand to surprise Matthews. The Australian fighter dodges itjust enough to not get hurt, and Flowers wags his finger at him. Asthey trade hands, Flowers changes levels suddenly and secures adouble-leg takedown to put Matthews on his back. Matthews defendswith a guillotine choke, and he sets it up even as Flowers moves tothe side. Matthews sits up, no choke locked up, and the excitinground ends.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Matthews offers a glove touch, but Flowers is taking deep breathsand backs off early. Matthews gives chase and reaches him with ahigh kick, and he steps forward with a front kick that slams in tothe liver. Based on Flowers’ reaction, it collided with his groin,as he falls to his knees and drops to his face. Tomlinson calls thefoul and allows Flowers to recover, and the replay shows that thestrike appeared legal although the heel subsequently may havebounced into the cup. The crowd is incensed, as they believe thisshould be a TKO victory for Matthews. Tomlinson is not affected bythe crowd and continues to allow Flowers to recover. Tomlinsoncalls in the doctor, and Flowers is still leaned over on his kneesin pain. When three minutes pass, Flowers is cleared to compete andthe fight resumes. Matthews kicks the same spot beneath the ribswhen they get back to it, and Flowers lets his hands go to back theAussie up. Matthews digs a few more kicks to the body, and he ringsFlowers’ bell with an overhand right. Flowers advances, dipping hishead back and forth, and he dodges the worst of the strikes.Flowers catches a front kick and tries to lift the leg up and dumpMatthews to the mat, but he lets it go to allow them to keeptrading. Matthews lands a right hand, stuffs a takedown and bowlsFlowers over. Matthews lands in half guard, and he quickly isolatesFlowers’ left arm to set up a two-on-one wrist lock. “The CelticKid” uses the kimura to advance to full mount, and he postures upto hammer Flowers with ground-and-pound. Flowers’ mouthpiece popsout, and Tomlinson allows him to reset it. Matthews works Flowersover with ground-and-pound, forcing Flowers to turn to his stomach.The 29-year-old flattens Flowers out, and he sets up the rear-nakedchoke in a hurry. Flowers knows he has been thoroughly plucked, ashe is wilting and cannot defend himself any longer. The very momentthat Matthews completes the rear-naked choke grip, Flowers isalready tapping. It was a valiant UFC debut forFlowers, who had the veteran in trouble a few times, but heultimately found himself outmatched in the end. Some may joke thatMatthews should have earned two victories tonight, one for thefront kick and another for the submission, but Matthews got the jobdone when it mattered most.

The Official Result

Jake Matthews def. Darrius Flowers R2 2:37 via Submission(Rear-Naked Choke)

RomanKopylov (185) vs. ClaudioRibeiro (185.5)

BETTINGPREVIEW | SCOUTINGREPORT | ODDS: Kopylov (-240), Ribeiro (+195)

Round 1

With 20 knockouts in their combined 21 victories, someone in thismiddleweight slugfest is almost certain going to hit the deckbefore it’s all over. The resurgent Russian Kopylov (10-2, 2-2 UFC)would like to make sure it is not him that suffers the firstknockout loss of his career, but Ribeiro (11-3, 1-1 UFC) is eagerto earn that distinction. Before the fists and feet fly, refereeMarc Goddard clocks them in as the middleweights’ gloves cometogether. Kopylov half-checks an oncoming leg kick, as the twoslowly measure up one another. Kopylov is the one moving forwardcalmly, and his straight left finds its mark on the nose. Kopylovreaches his man with another left, and Ribeiro comes up short on acounter. The Russian lands a leg kick, and the two paw at oneanother in their alternating stances. Ribeiro kicks at his foe’slead leg, and Kopylov gives him one right back as they areotherwise tentative to engage. Ribeiro wings a right hand thatmisses the mark by a safe distance, but his inside low kick landshard. Kopylov strings a left hand into a front kick to the body,and Ribeiro sits down on a responding body kick. Kopylov throwsthat same kick back at his foe, and he snipes Ribeiro with a righthook. Kopylov kicks high off to bounce his leg off the raisedguard, and he ignores a calf kick to walk Ribeiro down. Kopylovleaps forward with a knee and swipes out a pair of punches, andRibeiro shells up and ricochets off the fencing. Ribeiro springsinto action when he takes a left hand, and he lands a solid seriesof punches that only ends because Kopylov kicks him in the ribs.The Russian stabs his toes to the midsection and follows it with afew hooks, and he keeps on his bike and times a perfect left handthat stops Ribeiro in his tracks. Ribeiro reels and backs off tothe fence, and Kopylov marches him down and hammers him with bodyshots and then two over the top. The right hand from Kopylov opensa cut on the corner of the Brazilian’s eye, and he leans back tododge a strike and tag Ribeiro with a one-two. The Brazilian fliesinto a rage, charging recklessly and throwing caution to the windto land heavy shots. Kopylov is hurt and backs away, and he getsnailed with several more punches that put him on the proverbialropes. Instead of trying to finish the job, however, Ribeiro shootsfor a takedown, and Kopylov shuts it down until the hornsounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The second round kicks off as the middleweights meet in the middleof the cage, and they are again tentative to throw anything of notein the early going. Ribeiro lands a single low kick, and Kopylovcalms himself down and looks for the perfect time to strike.Like a coiled snake, the Russian fakes a jab and lashes out with aferocious head kick that smashes square into Ribeiro’s jaw. Ribeirocollapses to the ground, and although the back of his head does nothit the mat, he is seated awkwardly and staring into the void. Thevoid stares back at Ribeiro, and Kopylov does not know what heshould do next. With Goddard fast rushing between then, Kopylovfeels like dropping down one single hammerfist in case there needsto be punctuation to this spectacular performance.There is no need. Ribeiro is done. That marks 10 knockouts in his11 pro wins, but this one likely stands above the others.

The Official Result

Roman Kopylov def. Claudio Ribeiro R2 0:33 via KO (Head Kick)

ViniciusSalvador (128.5: Missed Weight) vs.C.J.Vergara (125.5)

BETTINGPREVIEW | SCOUTINGREPORT | ODDS: Vergara (-160), Salvador (+130)

Round 1

Scoring an extra 20% of his opponent’s purse, win or lose, Vergara(11-4-1, 2-2 UFC) is almost playing with house money as he engagesin this former flyweight affair. Now bumped to a de facto 129-poundcatchweight, due to the egregious 2.5-pound miss from Salvador(14-5, 0-1 UFC), the Brazilian will need to push it to the limit ifhe wants to get his hand raised tonight. That just so happens to beexactly what he does regularly, as all 14 of his pro victories havecome inside the distance. The predictably fast and furious fightreceives oversight from referee Dave Seljestad, and the competitorsare amped up and Vergara claps before touching gloves. Salvadorstrikes first in the form of a leg kick, and Vergara startschanging stances in a hurry. Salvador sneaks up a low body kick,and Vergara responds with a low kick of his own and dodges acounter right. Salvador strikes the lead leg and pushes out astraight right to the body, and the offense is largely mutedinitially. They both land jabs, and Salvador turns his hips into athudding leg kick. Salvador sneaks a right hand over the guard, andhe gets backed off from a front kick. Salvador drops his hands andsignals for Vergara to bring it on, and Vergara does not oblige himand instead chips at the lead calf on both sides. Vergara whiffs ona few hooks, and he absorbs a clean low kick. Vergara standsSalvador up with a left hook, and he strafes to the side and takesa straight right hand down the pipe. Vergara claims his eye waspoked, and Seljestad pauses the fight to allow him to recover.After a few seconds, and Vergara mentioning he is having troubleseeing, Seljestad calls in the doctor. Vergara is cleared to keepgoing after about 90 seconds, and on the reset, Salvador leads offwith multiple kicks. The Brazilian kicks behind his own leg as hestarts feeling himself, and Vergara swings for the fences with hugehooks that miss by a tiny amount. Salvador drives his man back witha left hand, and he digs the body with the ball of his foot.Vergara reaches his man with a left hook, and he paws out a jab tofollow and kicks the thigh to mix things up. Vergara gets in a lefthook and a front kick to follow, and Salvador makes him backpedalwith a jab. Vergara chops at him with another kick, and Salvadorpounds the inner thigh with his own shin. Vergara leans back toevade the worst of a few swinging punches, and he struggles toreach his rangy opponent. Salvador lets fly a high kick thatbounces off the shoulder after faking a level change, and the roundends.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The fighters slap hands, and Vergara marches forward out of hiscorner only to have to backpedal when Salvador is using his rangeas an effective weapon. Salvador keeps his guard up to block a highkick, and he cannot defend against several low kicks. They tradethis kind of kick, as the punches largely miss the mark on bothsides. Salvador just barely avoids a looping left hook, and Vergaraslams a shin to the breadbasket. Salvador goes wild with a capoeirakick, and he drills Vergara in the side of the head. Salvadorstrides away, confidently, and Vergara appears frustrated as hetells his opponent to start fighting. They both clash shins at thesame time, and Salvador is able to stay light on his feet to keepout of range. Salvador sits down on a body kick, and he takes apunch to the chest before closing distance and driving a knee tothe sternum. Salvador sticks and moves, his hands low as he swaysside to side. Vergara hits nothing but air, and Salvador isshowboating and mocking him. Vergara times a solid left hand whenhe gets his bearings, and Salvador responds with a sharp body kickthat makes Vergara pat his side. Vergara tags his foe twice withleft hands, and he starts feeling himself as well as he motions tohis opponent. Both fighters are goofing off and not throwingeverything into their strikes, and Salvador is reaching with theoccasional kick and several more pitter-patter shots. Salvador getsin a left to the body and chains a kick to the same spot, andVergara makes sure to throw back in the form of a calf kick. Thetwo clash shins together again, and Vergara punches his way in andmisses the mark. Vergara throws haymakers, and he clips Salvadorwith a left. Salvador bounces off the cage wall, and he sticks outa jab and catches a kick to load up with a left hand. With 15seconds left in the round, Salvador changes levels and pursues atakedown. Vergara stops it and rails Salvador with an elbow, andSalvador smiles at him. The two throw hands right to the bell, andthey raise their hands in the air even though there is one round togo.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

The flyweights come together and embrace, and the final roundcommences. Salvador uses his distance smartly, with jabs and bodykicks. Vergara has a left hand slide off the temple, and he stringsseveral additional punches together as Salvador tries to shake itoff. Vergara walks through a left kick to rip a left to the bodyand a right to the head. Salvador comes up just short with a lefthook, and he kicks the body and it gets caught. Vergara drops itand comes at him with everything he has, driving his fists into thechin again and again. Salvador plays it off as if he is not hurt,faking with wobbly legs, but he is getting hit and not giving itback enough. Salvador takes a left on the chin and wings a hookback, and Vergara eats it like a sandwich. Vergara kicks the bodyand steps in with a left hook, and Salvador leans forward with twowinging punches. Salvador backs his man off with body shots and ahigh kick that glances off the shoulder, and the two are tradingone after the other. Salvador gets off a front kick to the body,and Vergara goes at him with a kick and chops at his lead wheelthat is welted up badly. Another left to the body is followed by anoverhand right from the Texan, who is finding success and his rangewith these short bursts. Vergara whips up a head kick, and Salvadorblocks it and ambles towards him. Vergara slides out of the wayfrom a sweeping left, and he avoids another such telegraphed blow.Vergara swats away a front kick and catches Salvador with a righthand on the temple, and he goes body-head-body as Salvador standsright in front of him and tanks it all. Salvador reaches at thetail end of a left hand, but Vergara is more active and moreaccurate as he lands three strikes in a quick flurry. They tradejabs, and Salvador rushes in with a knee to the body. Vergaraslides to the back and snaps the head back with a left hand, andSalvador recovers and flicks out multiple jabs. The Brazilianlooses a left to the body, and Vergara tags him up top. Vergaralands two jabs and a right hook, and we have gone the distance forthe first time tonight.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

C.J. Vergara def. Vinicius Salvador via Unanimous Decision (29-28,29-28, 29-28)

GabrielBonfim (170) vs. TrevinGiles (170)

BETTINGPREVIEW | SCOUTINGREPORT | ODDS: Bonfim (-320), Giles (+265)

Round 1

Concluding the prelims is a 170-pound scrap between two promisingfighters age 30 or younger. With welterweight so logjammed, a wintonight for the undefeated Bonfim (14-0, 1-0 UFC) or resilientGiles (16-4, 7-4 UFC) may help raise them to greater heights in theweight class. Before said action, the two men touch ‘em up, andreferee Herb Dean is ready to take charge of what comes next.Bonfim walks forward fearlessly, and he blocks a head kick thatflies at him immediately. Bonfim comes forward, and he startsthrowing hands. Giles gets tagged, throws back with bad intentions,and makes Bonfim reevaluate his current position. Bonfim backs off,measures his way back in and clips Giles with a left hand. Giles,perhaps from the strike or because he is off-balance, gathershimself and moves to the outside. Giles comes at him, and Bonfimgrapples him, gets around to take his back, and lifts Giles off hisfeet and slams him down. Bonfim lands and considers a submissionfrom on top, but he decides to maintain position while Giles isbucking. Giles manages to kick Bonfim off of him, and he leansforward while on his knees. “Marretinha” welcomes this and licks his chops, as he snatches upand jumps guard with a guillotine choke. The submission is tight asa drum, and Giles sits up but is gurgling and the lights areflickering in his eyes. Giles surrenders, and he appears to go outright as Bonfim is releasing the grip due to Dean’sintervention. Giles comes to, and Bonfim celebratesthe victory that boosts him to 15-0 as a pro with 15 stoppages.Welterweight has one more threatening contender in the works, andBonfim confidently claims in his post-fight interview that he willbe the champion.

The Official Result

Gabriel Bonfim def. Trevin Giles R1 1:13 via Submission (GuillotineChoke)

MichaelChiesa (170) vs. KevinHolland (169.5)

BETTINGPREVIEW | SCOUTINGREPORT | ODDS: Holland (-145), Chiesa (+125)

Round 1

It has been over 22 months since “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 15victor Chiesa (16-6, 11-6 UFC) has graced the cage, due toinjuries. In the same span of time, his foe Holland (24-9, 1 NC;11-6, 1 NC UFC) has fought five times. Both 170ers celebrate 11 UFCwins, but Chiesa joined the UFC in 2012 while Holland picked up hisfirst victory with the promotion in late 2018. This quintessentialstriker vs. grappler affair will be overseen by referee MarcGoddard, and it opens up as the athletes touch gloves. Hollandtakes to the center of the cage immediately, and he keeps a lowstance perhaps to stave off an early takedown effort. Holland workshis way towards his opponent, using his long arm to reach out. Hecatches Chiesa early with multiple right hands and uppercuts, andChiesa bounces off the cage wall and defends himself. Hollandpresses forward, and they clash together chest to chest. Hollandhurls Chiesa to the mat on his back with emphasis, and he climbs ontop before realizing he would be better suited on the feet. Chiesatags him with a pair of uppercuts on the way up, and Holland walkshim down, unconcerned by the power coming back at him. Hollandsmiles as Chiesa tries to close the distance, and he fights off asingle-leg entry from “Maverick.” Holland defends it and puts hisleg down on the floor, and he turns Chiesa around on the fence andstarts talking to him. Holland miraculously defends from a bodylock takedown, backs off and drills Chiesa with a jump knee.Holland pushes Chiesa back and belts him with a knee and a righthand. Chiesa leans over, and he eats a solid knee right on thechin. Chiesa drops to his knees, and he shoots for a double.Holland sees this coming from a mile away, and he instantly slidesone arm beneath the armpit and another around the neck to secure abrabo choke. Holland uses the maneuver to turn Chiesa to his back,and the choke is still locked in tight. Chiesa tries to buck andshift his weight to get out of the submission, but “Trailblazer” ispressed tightly to him and not about to let go. With nowhere leftto go, Chiesa taps out, and has now been submitted by these typesof chokes three times in his UFC tenure. Holland leaps out of thecage and high-fives anyone that is willing to engage him, includingthe entire commentary booth as well as Chief Business OfficerHunter Campbell. Holland declares that he plans on relocating backto the middleweight division, but he looked sensational at 170pounds against a very tough opponent.

The Official Result

Kevin Holland def. Michael Chiesa R1 2:39 via Submission (BraboChoke)

TonyFerguson (155) vs. Bobby Green(155.5)

BETTINGPREVIEW | SCOUTINGREPORT | ODDS: Green (-410), Ferguson (+310)

Round 1

Storied veterans with over 30 pro fights apiece under their beltcome to blows as the main card pushes on, and only one of them willget back to their winning ways when the dust settles. Once theholder of one of the mightiest win streaks in company history,Ferguson (25-8, 15-6 UFC) has fallen on hard times, dropping fivestraight. Not to be outdone, Green (29-14-1, 1 NC; 10-9-1, 1 NCUFC) is one defeat away from finding himself with a .500 record inthe Octagon. Both getting up there in age, these lightweights wantto prove that there’s still life left in their veins. Joining thetwo entertaining competitors for this one will be referee DanMiragliotta, who will keep tabs on how it proceeds. With asurprising amount of intensity, the 155ers have no interest inbumping their fists together. Fergoson dances forward, and heslides back when Green charges at him with a few punches. Greenaims a right hand as Ferguson is weaving, and Ferguson is able toparry a subsequent jumping front kick. Ferguson just dodges a punchand misses on the counter, with the footwork of Green also on par.Ferguson shoots in for a sudden single, and he bullies Green to thewall and jumps on the back to get one hook in. Green is able toturn out and kick his foe in the body, and he resets. Ferguson digsa left to the body as he eats a left up top, and the two tradestrikes at the same time as chants for either fighter rain down.Ferguson steps in with a knee and a punch at the same time, andGreen is able to smoothly dodge it. Ferguson sticks Green with ashort left hand, and Green stumbles back but is not overlycompromised. Ferguson whiffs on a big left hook, and he catchesGreen with a right hand over the top. Green lands two punches onthe nose to open up Ferguson’s nose, and Ferguson lines up astraight right hand that sends Green crashing to the floor. “King”bounces back up without batting an eye, and Green pushes off and afinger jams into Ferguson’s eye socket. Ferguson clutches at it, asMiragliotta calls time to allow Ferguson to recover. Miragliottabrings in the doctor to check it out and make sure Ferguson’svision is clear, and also to allow Ferguson to wipe it out.Ferguson’s vision is not what it used to be, as he blinkssignificantly and still tries to clear things out. At 90 secondsinto the break, Ferguson tells Miragliotta he is good to go, andthe fighters bump fists. Ferguson steps in with two fake knees, andhe barely blocks a head kick at the nick of time. Fergusonside-steps a Green punch at a strange angle, and the two clashtogether with punches and kicks. Green plants a one-two on thechin, and Ferguson shakes his head vigorously to clear out thecobwebs. Ferguson misses with a right hook and lands a shorter one,and Green counters him quickly and manages to backpedal into aposition that lets him kick Ferguson in the body. Green potshotsFerguson from a distance, and Ferguson grabs hold of him and triesto get off clinch strikes. Green pushes him off and prods out frontkick, only to get knocked back with a straight right hand. Greendrills “El Cucuy” with a one-two, and he drops his hands and startstaunting his foe. Ferguson bites on it, and Green pops him with afew slick counters, chattering at Ferguson all the while until theround closes.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The lightweights meet in the middle of the cage, and Ferguson isquick to start moving in strange angles laterally. Green looks totime an axe kick as it brushes past his head, and the two come toblows like whirling dervishes. Green lands the cleaner of the two,but Ferguson is still able to touch him. Ferguson leaps forwardwith a left and a right, and Green sits down on a hard right handto back Ferguson off momentarily. Ferguson grits his teeth andmoves from side to side, and he somersaults his way forward toengage with Green. This forces Ferguson to his back, and Greenstacks him up and starts bashing him with hammerfists. Fergusoncatches him with one upkick as he is fishing for a triangle choke,and Green lowers himself down to pace himself. As Ferguson keepsshifting and scrambling, he manages to kick Green off of him, andGreen stands back but leans forward to belt Ferguson in the facewith a sweeping right hand. Ferguson rolls to his back again, andGreen follows him down to blast him in the face with unansweredright hands. Green shucks off a potential triangle choke or armbarsetup, and he postures up in the closed guard and starts tradingleather with Ferguson. Ferguson throws back from hisdisadvantageous position, but Green is hitting much harder andusing his weight to drop down fierce elbows. Green pummels his manwith several ferocious hammerfists, and they open up a huge cut onthe right side of Ferguson’s face. Ferguson does not mind, and heinstead hacks at Green from below with elbows, all while swayinghis legs around to catch something. Green backs off and motions forFerguson to stand up, both men are bleeding and ready to trade.Trade is exactly what they do, as Ferguson meanders forward andchains unorthodox combinations together. Green stays more composedwith his boxing, and he marks up Ferguson and staggers him with astraight right hand down the pipe. The jab from Green intercepts“El Cucuy” several times, and he puts two kicks to the body aswell. Green pierces the guard with several jabs, and Fergusonknocks him back with a clean right hand. Green gets him right backbefore the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Ferguson practically sprints out of his corner and does a wholerotation around Green, while Green just sits back and measures hisman with a right hand. Ferguson gets off a body kick, and Greencatches the kick and slings Ferguson to the floor. Ferguson eats abody kick and sinks his shin on Green’s calf. Green preparesseveral counters, and Ferguson is just able to avoid them. Greengoes left to the body and right to the head, and Ferguson shakeshis head as if to signal it did not land. Green responds with a“yeah” and smiles. Green opens up with body shots and subsequenthead shots, and Ferguson’s erratic movement is no longer befuddlinghim. Green scores an inside leg kick and a jab, and he standsFerguson up when Ferguson bears down on him. Green chains threepunches together, and Ferguson resets and shoulder-rolls anoverhand right. Ferguson smacks Green in the face with a righthand, but it is one-and-done. When he tries to add to it, Green isthere to strike back. This results in both men trading, and Green’spower is able to stifle Ferguson just enough to stop Ferguson fromgetting him back. Ferguson walks through several punches andpractically ignores the jabs, but the one-twos from Green are ableto reach him. Ferguson settles down to throw several low kicks, andhe mixes it up with one to the midsection and ducks a punch.Ferguson kicks high, and at the same time, Green comes over the topwith a left hand that sends Ferguson toppling to the mat. Greenlets him stand back up and deposits a one-two on the jaw. Fergusonmarches forward, despite the damage, and he stings Green with aone-two of his own. Green tries to motion that it did not botherhim, and Ferguson is a Terminator as he comes out firing andlanding. Green closes in on him, and Ferguson rolls to set up akneebar or leglock. Green stops it in its tracks and shovesFerguson to his back, where he proceeds to smash Ferguson in theface with a hammerfist. Green lowers himself down, and he sets upan arm-triangle choke from out of nowhere. Ferguson has Green stuckin half guard on top of him, so he is not overly concerned with thesubmission. When Green steps over to the side, he presses his fullbody weight down to crush with his shoulder and complete thesubmission. Ferguson flails with his arms, and even kicks with hislegs, possibly hoping on bucking his way out of the choke. There isno way out, and Ferguson’s wiggling turns to spasms as he goes outon his shield. This is a statement victory for Green, pulling offthe submission in the waning seconds of the fight over a grizzledvet that had only been submitted twice before. In victory, Green ishumble, and he thanks former mentor and even more-experiencedveteran Utah’s own Jeremy Horn for all he did to help Green becomethe fighter he is today.

The Official Result

Bobby Green def. Tony Ferguson R3 4:54 via Technical Submission(Arm-Triangle Choke)

DerrickLewis (263.5) vs. MarcosRogerio de Lima (262)

BETTINGPREVIEW | SCOUTINGREPORT | ODDS: Rogerio de Lima (-215), Lewis(+185)

Round 1

One day ago, this heavyweight slobberknocker that will almostcertainly end in either a violent knockout or some serious huffingand puffing – possibly both – is now sitting pretty as the“Featured Fight of the Night” due to the cancelation of the StephenThompson-Michel Pereira contest. Hunting for his first win since2021, Lewis (26-11, 1 NC; 17-9 UFC) still holds the UFC’s all-timeknockout record, although Matt Brown tied it with him. He drawsfellow knockout artist Rogerio de Lima (21-8-1, 10-6 UFC), and thestructural integrity of the cage will be tested when these big menget after it. They lumber towards one another, not offering a glovetouch, and referee Dan Miragliotta is ready to step in at amoment’s notice. Lewis shockingly leaps in the air, blastingRogerio de Lima in the chops with a flying knee. Rogerio de Limacollapses to the ground, and Lewis jumps on top and startshammering him with vicious ground-and-pound. Rogerio de Limaconsiders hunting for leglock while trying to survive, but he is ina bad, bad way. Lewis continues slugging him on the face and sideof the head, and Rogerio de Lima bails on any possible sub setupand just looks to keep it together. Rogerio de Lima turns to hisknees, and the writing may be on the wall here. “The Black Beast”continues swarming Rogerio de Lima with everything he has, andMiragliotta has no choice but to call the fight. Lewis unmounts hisdefeated opponent, takes his shorts off and starts gleefullyrunning around the cage. He proceeds, in just his underpants, totriumphantly motion the crotch chop several times. Lewis jumps onthe cage, happy as can be, celebrating in vintage Derrick Lewisfashion. The UFC’s knockout record now singularly sits in the lapof Lewis, who tells commentator Joe Rogan that his contract is nowup and that he hopes to be re-signed by the promotion. If not, ashe says, “it is what it is.” The rest of the top-notch post-fightremarks cannot be done justice by a simple play-by-play writeup,and must be heard.

The Official Result

Derrick Lewis def. Marcos Rogerio de Lima R1 0:33 via TKO(Punches)

JanBlachowicz (205) vs. AlexPereira (205.5)

BETTINGPREVIEW | SCOUTINGREPORT | ODDS: Blachowicz (-125), Pereira (+105)

Round 1

The year is 2023, and for the second time in the last severalmonths, there is no light heavyweight champion in the UFC. Once theglamour division, a litany of injuries and vacated belts left thethrone unclaimed. This 205-pound clash will not be for the vacantstrap, as some had expected, and instead will take place acrossthree rounds. The victor will be sitting pretty for that nextavailable opening, and former kingpin Blachowicz (29-9-1, 12-6-1UFC) and ex-middleweight champ Pereira (7-2, 4-1 UFC) arepositively salivating at the opportunity that awaits the triumphantman tonight. Referee Marc Goddard is on high alert for the next 15minutes or less, although it has no bad blood so he can breathe aslight sigh of relief. The hulking light heavyweights bump fists,and they swat at one another with quick punches. Blachowicz ducksdown in pursuit of a single, and he lifts Pereira’s leg up butcannot hold him down. Pereira keeps his back to the wall and wrapsan arm around the neck, and he cinches his other arm around andfastens the grip to make it excruciatingly tight early. The Polishfighter is not remotely concerned, and he re-adjusts himself todrop down low enough to thwart the choke. Blachowicz leans heavilyon his man while he doggedly pursues a single, and he uses heelstrikes to the back of Blachowicz’ thigh and calf. Blachowiczimposes his weight on his man, and he manages to drag Pereira tothe mat. Blachowicz snakes his legs around the waist to get hold ofthe body triangle, and he is quick to set up a rear-naked choke.The grip is on the chin and not beneath it, so Blachowicz changeshis hands to try to slide it in. Pereira hand-fights to stop thechoke, but Blachowicz is still on his back with his body locktight. Blachowicz tries to keep himself leaned against the fence tostop Pereira from sliding him out the back door, and he lands onesingle strike before looking to put his right arm around the head.The Brazilian keeps himself out of submission danger, and he lowershimself down to puts himself in a worse position than before.Blachowicz gets the choke again, and he nearly flattens Pereiraout. Pereira once more protects his neck, so Blachowicz decides tosmack him upside the head with any free hand. Blachowicz keeps thelock tight around the waist, even as he cannot get the choke, andhe elects to ride out the round in this dominant position.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The 205ers do not decide to touch gloves to engage this round, andBlachowicz is in the center of the cage immediately and he backsoff to dodge a jab and check a leg kick. Blachowicz jabs the bodyin response, and Pereira sits down on a low kick. Blachowiczresponds in kind, and Pereira gets off a solid body shot.Blachowicz intercepts the kickboxer with a short left hook, andBlachowicz flicks out several jabs. Blachowicz turns his shin toprevent a low kick from getting through, and Pereira marks the bodywith another straight punch. Blachowicz responds with his own bodyshot, and they both jab one another. Pereira sweeps the leg with ahard calf kick, and Blachowicz has to take a step to shake it out.Pereira lands another, and Blachowicz steps in with a hard lefthook. Blachowicz follows it with a right hand, and Pereira is ableto shake it out but overswings and opens himself up. This allowsthe Polish fighter to secure a double, where he plants Pereira onhis back. Blachowicz stays heavy on top and opens up with a fewstrikes, and “Poatan” responds with a sharp elbow that getsthrough. Pereira tries to scoot himself to the fence in order tofight his way back to his feet, and he succeeds in getting to aknee and then standing. Pereira sneaks in short knees as Blachowiczcontinues to press on him, and Blachowicz gives him a stern knee tothe solar plexus as he holds on. Pereira suddenly spins outquickly, and he appears the fresher fighter as he tosses out a headkick that Blachowicz barely blocks. Pereira comes at him with abody shot, and Blachowicz responds with a left over the top.Pereira stings Blachowicz with a left hook, and Blachowicz chargeswith a takedown that fails. Blachowicz backs off when he getspopped with a right, and the two tie up again with 40 secondsremaining. They both get in knees, and Pereira breaks off with twouppercuts and a body shot. Pereira corners his man and startsteeing off on him with short but dangerous shots, and Blachowiczleans back against the fence and is taking damage. Blachowiczresponds with one left hook, and he takes a very heavy breath.Pereira lands two right hands, and Blachowicz drops down to shootin but time expires.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

The body language could scarcely look more different between thetwo, as Blachowicz is clearly spent while Pereira is psyched up.Both fighters come together to engage in the last round, andBlachowicz lumbers forward kicking low. Blachowicz is just able toavoid a massive uppercut, and the two trade jabs. Pereira battershis foe’s lead calf, which is nastily welted. Blachowicz mustershis energy with a pair of punches and a body kick, and Pereirareplies with a stern calf kick to the same spot. Pereira jabs thebody, and he peppers the lead wheel. Blachowicz blitzes him with afew hooks, and Pereira shrugs at him. Pereira walks down his foeinstead of attacking recklessly, and he takes a solid low kick ashe come forward. Pereira gives him a jab to think about, and heparries a few punches that come his way. Blachowicz tries to checka kick, and he absorbs a flush right hand to the midsection.Blachowicz huffs and puffs and still reaches his foe with a leftover the top, and Pereira beats him to the punch with a few punchesright back at him. Blachowicz scores a clean left hand, and heshoots in for a takedown. Pereira stands him up but gets shovedback to the wall, although he is able to stave Blachowicz off.Blachowicz scores a left on the break, and he dings Pereira withanother left hand. Blachowicz snaps the head back with a jab, andhe charges forward but misses with two strikes. Blachowicz sitsdown on a leg kick, and the shins crack together. Both men landflush with blows, and Pereira hits the harder of the two and makesBlachowicz nod at him. Blachowicz walks through a left hook andeats a jab to the body, and he races forward swinging hands.Pereira stuffs a takedown, and the Brazilian makes him pay with afew punches. With 45 seconds left in the fight, Blachowicz is ableto grab Pereira’s leg and sling him to the mat. When he lands infull guard, Blachowicz sits on top and looks for any energy he hasto land strikes. Stacking Pereira up with seconds to spare,Blachowicz drops down hammerfists and concludes the fight on top.This one goes the distance, and it could be an extremely close onedepending on how the final round was scored.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Alex Pereira def. Jan Blachowicz via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29,29-28)

DustinPoirier (155) vs. JustinGaethje (156)

BETTINGPREVIEW | SCOUTINGREPORT | ODDS: Poirier (-150), Gaethje (+130)

Round 1

Back in 2018, future interim lightweight beltholders Poirier (29-7,1 NC; 21-6, 1 NC UFC) and Gaethje (24-4, 7-4 UFC) collided in anall-action showdown atop UFC on Fox 29. After 15 heart-poundingminutes of action, Poirier turned the tables early into the fourthframe to put Gaethje away. A bit over five years later, with evenmore at stake than their first meeting, it is time to run it back.There is nothing more that needs to be said, other than thatreferee Herb Dean receives the honor of officiating this rematch,and that the elite 155-pounders bump fists. It’s on. Both menmeasure one another with range-finding jabs, and Poirier landsfirst with a leg kick. Poirier gets off a body kick, and Gaethjecounters with a ferocious leg kick that makes Poirier made athimself for letting that happen. Gaethje lands another, and Poiriercomes at him crowding him. Gaethje springs off the cage wall,exploding into a combination of punches, and Poirier shells up andacknowledges him. Gaethje gets in a few more punches, and Poirierblocks them and swings at him with a body kick. Gaethje slamsanother low kick home, and he takes a clean jab that makes him takea funny step. They enter the proverbial phone booth and tradeleather, and Gaethje takes a few shots on the way out but does getoff another calf kick. Gaethje prods out with a front kick, andPoirier gives him one back. Gaethje continues his assault ofPoirier’s lead wheel, and he reaches out with two punches and has ahead kick slam off the raised guard. Poirier continues pressingforward, and he digs the body with a right but gets countered overthe top. Gaethje is sharp and accurate, and Poirier is unable to doanything about the low kicks. Poirier jams a knee to the body, andGaethje again ricochets off the fencing to spring into a barrage.The lightweights both trade punches at the same time, and Poirierstings his foe with a straight left hand. Poirier marches forwardand hurts Gaethje with another straight punch, and Gaethje bitesdown on his mouthpiece and slugs it out. A cut has opened on thecorner of Gaethje’s left eye from one of their ferocious exchanges,and Poirier strides forward and smashes Gaethje in the chin with anoverhand right. Gaethje makes additional investments with his legkicks, and he pops Poirier with a left hook. Poirier jabs his wayforward, ever pressing the action, and he just misses a head kickby a matter of inches as Gaethje ducks down. Gaethje hammers thecalf with a kick, and Poirier changes stances and rushes after himbut does not pull the trigger. Gaethje goes up with a kick thatcareens off the guard, and his leg kick continues to find its home.Poirier tags him, Gaethje slugs him back, and the thrilling roundends.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The lightweights meet in the middle, more than happy to continueslinging bombs at one another. Poirier makes Gaethje retreat with ashort combo, and Gaethje dips down and looks for an overhand rightover the guard. Gaethje goes to the body and then to the head, andPoirier keeps a tight guard and walks Gaethje down. Gaethje slips apunch, sticks his hand out, dips down low and launches apicture-perfect head kick. The shin wraps around the guard tocollide cleanly on the dome, and Poirier collapses to the canvas,his arms splayed out as he is out cold. Gaethje thinks aboutraining down one punctuating hammerfist, and Dean slide-tackles himout of the way to wave the fight off all while Poirier sits up totry to take him down, clearly running on autopilot. Gaethje leapsto the top of the cage to celebrate his handiwork, and he backflips off of it despite the cries of the commissioners telling himnot to hurt himself. Poirier regains his faculties quickly andhandles this knockout with the utmost of class, congratulating hisvictorious opponent for the spectacular win. Gaethje has almostcertainly recorded the biggest win of his career, and he setshimself up brilliantly a lightweight title fight in the nearfuture. Champion Islam Makhachev and ex-champ Charles Oliveira willrun things back in October, and Gaethje makes no bones aboutwanting the winner. Additionally, Gaethje and Poirier are now tiedat 1-1 with one another, so a rubber match somewhere down the lineis practically essential before they wrap up their careers. WhenGaethje challenges for the undisputed 155-pound strap, we willabsolutely be here for it. We hope you are too.

The Official Result

Justin Gaethje def. Dustin Poirier R2 1:00 via KO (Head Kick)