Early Prelims

Philipe Lins vs. Maxim Grishin

Result: Philipe Lins def. Maxim Grishin by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27.)

Division: Light Heavyweight

Referee: Dan Mirgliotta

These two men engage in a clinch-heavy fight. Lins landed the bigger shots at a higher rate and controlled most of the grappling. I had Lins winning 30-27, and the ringside judges also had it unanimous for Lins with two 29-28s and a 30-27. Lins increases his win streak and could be a problem at Light Heavyweight moving forward.

Luan Lacerda vs. Da'Mon Blackshear

Result: Da'Mon Blackshear def. Luan Lacerda by TKO at 3:52 of round 2.

Division: Bantamweight

Referee: Chris Tognoni

After the first round, Lacerda is already looking sloppy and slow. After some wrestling and submission attempts take place in round 2, Blackshear finds himself on top with Lacerda attacking a leg; as Lacerda's arms are unable to protect himself, Blackshear rains down the ground and pound for the TKO stoppage at 3:52 of round 2.

Elise Reed vs. Jinh Yu Frey

Result: Elise Reed def. Jinh Yu Frey by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28.)

Division: Women's Strawweight

Referee: Mark Smith

This fight is very close; either woman could be up on the scorecards. I have Reed up 2-1. We go the distance after 3 hard-fought rounds, and all 3 judges agree on a 29-28 unanimous decision to Elise Reed.

Jamie Mullarkey vs. Muhammad Naimov

Result: Muhammad Naimov def. Jamie Mullarkey by knockout at 2:59 of round 2.

Division: Lightweight

Referee: Herb Dean

WHAT A COMEBACK! WHAT AN UPSET! The biggest underdog on the card cashes with a big knockout in the second round. Tajikistan is going crazy right now. After a big first round from Mullarkey, Naimov lands a huge counter shot while moving backward at 2:59 of round 2 in his short-notice debut.

John Castaneda vs. Muin Gafurov

Result: John Castaneda def. Muin Gafurov by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27.)

Division: Bantamweight

Referee: Chris Tognoni

Castaneda dropped Gafurov in the first and was close to a finish. Gafurov spent most of the fight throwing technique out the window and focusing on huge shots instead. This fight has been an all-out war. Gafurov loses a point for leading with his head and causing a clash. I scored the fight 2-1 Castaneda, and the round Gafurov won was a 9-9 with the point deduction. All 3 judges agree for a unanimous decision to Castaneda. Despite the loss, Gafurov showed promise and proved he belongs in the UFC.

Andrei Arlovski vs. Don'Tale Mayes

Result: Don'Tale Mayes def. Andrei Arlovski by knockout at 3:17 of round 2.

Division: Heavyweight

Referee: Mark Smith

Arlovski picks Mayes apart for most of the fight, with illusive movement, and it's clear Mayes is struggling to get in. Until halfway through round 2, Mayes rocks and drops the 44-year-old veteran and follows up with ground and pound, ultimately finishing the fight. Mayes gets the biggest win of his career, and Arlovski enters a list of only 2 people who have crossed over 40 UFC fights, the other being Jim Miller.

Daniel Santos vs. Johnny Muñoz

Result: Daniel Santos def. Johnny Munoz via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27.)

Division: Bantamweight

Referee: Herb Dean

The featured bout of the evening for the Prelim portion of the card begins here—a fun fight from both men, with great striking, submission attempts, and a frantic pace. Daniel Santos is deducted a point, nearly losing him this fight, but ultimately the judges give him the unanimous decision, 3 rounds to none.

Main Card

Abubakar Nurmagomedov vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos

Result: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos def. Abubakar Nurmagomedov by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28.)

Division: Welterweight

Referee: Dan Mirgliotta

Dos Santos shows some impressive defense in the clinch to nullify the wrestling approach from Nurmagomedov. Most of the fight is contested on the feet, and dos Santos showcases incredible leg kicks. Dos Santos has his best round in the third and final round, landing brutal knees and punches. Dos Santos gets the nod via split decision, and I agree. I had him 2-1, landing the more significant damage.

Karine Silva vs. Ketlen Souza

Result: Karine Silva def. Ketlen Souza by submission at 1:45 of round 1.

Division: Women's Flyweight

Referee: Mark Smith

A freaky fast finish here! Silva gets the tap on her first submission attempt of the fight and continues her record of all finishes (16 of 16). Karine Silva will be a massive problem for the Women's Flyweights. Silva gets the leg lock submission at 1:45 of round 1. This submission is the fifth leg lock submission in Women's UFC history.

Tim Elliott vs. Victor Altamirano

Result: Tim Elliott def. Victor Altamirano by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28.)

Division: Flyweight

Referee: Mark Smith

Elliott maintains the heavy wrestling over 3 rounds to steal the unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 29-28.) Elliott racks up over 10 minutes of top control time in one of his most dominant wins.

Jim Miller vs. Jesse Butler

Result: Jim Miller def. Jesse Butler by knockout at 0:23 of round 1.

Division: Lightweight

Referee: Dan Mirgliotta

Jim Miller wastes no time with a quick, brutal knockout that leaves Butler unconscious scarily long. The 2 men begin brawling; however, Miller gets the better of the exchange and lands a monstrous hook that sends Butler astro traveling. As a result, Jim Miller extends his record for most fights in UFC history (42) and takes the top spot for most wins (25). This finish is the fastest of Jim Miller's career.

Alex Caceres vs. Daniel Pineda

Result: Alex Caceres def. Daniel Pineda via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28.)

Division: Featherweight

Referee: Mark Smith

An easy Fight of the Night here; these men are throwing down. Pineda is beginning to look tired and desperate the later the fight goes. Ultimately, Caceres wins the unanimous decision.

Kai Kara-France vs. Amir Albazi

Result: Amir Albazi def. Kai Kara-France by split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47.)

Division: Flyweight

Referee: Herb Dean

This fight is a chess match of striking between these 2 men. Kara-France is waiting to counter, and Albazi is waiting to back him to the cage to land a big shot. Thus far, the combinations from Kara-France are winning him the fight. Albazi took the back during round 3 and nearly secured the rear naked choke submission, but Kara-France fought it off and ended up on top, landing big elbows to close out the round. After a hard-fought battle from both men, Kara-France is clearly up on the strikes and damage; however, the judges somehow award the split decision to Amir Albazi. Albazi had 6 minutes of control time and next to no damage. The VerdictMMA community scored the fight 48.26-46.83 Kai Kara-France. Regardless of how we scored it, Albazi belongs at the top of the Flyweights.