Returning to Salt Lake City for the first time since Leon Edwards defeated Kamaru Usman to become the welterweight champion, we are treated to another much-anticipated rematch with Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje in the main event for the BMF title.
Michael Chiesa vs. Kevin Holland
Round 1
Holland lands a big uppercut early on, but Chiesa weathers the storm.
Fantastic takedown defense by Holland as Chiesa tries to take him down without success. A clear improvement in this department from Trailblazer.
A knee to the head sends Chiesa to the canvas! A
D’arce choke is secured by Holland, and it’s in tight. Chiesa taps.
Kevin Holland wins via submission.
Tony Ferguson vs. Bobby Green
El Cucuy, the former interim lightweight champion, previously went on a twelve-fight win streak in the division.
Green has six first-round finishes and the most significant strikes in UFC Lightweight history.
Round 1
Bobby Green defends an early takedown attempt.
Ferguson, with a big right hand, drops Green for a brief moment, but he gets up quickly.
An eye poke from Green results in a break in the action. The doctor gives Ferguson the all-clear.
Slick one-two from Green, he is beginning to land more as he finds his range.
Round 2
Ferguson tries to secure a triangle from his back but eats numerous heavy punches in the process.
Big hammer fists land from Green, and the plan to spend most of the round going for a submission has backfired for El Cucuy.
Round 3
A variety of shots land at range from Green; he has put in a great performance so far. Ferguson continues to press forward; he’s in great shape and isn’t throwing in the towel.
Ferguson takes the fight to the ground but puts himself in a compromising position. Green capitalizes and submits Ferguson with a head and arm choke.
Bobby Green wins via submission.
Derrick Lewis vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima
Following the cancellation of Stephen Thompson’s fight with Michel Pereira, this fight has been bumped up the card. De Lima has won four of his last five. Lewis has the second most knockouts in UFC history with thirteen.
Round 1
In an inadvertent tribute to Jorge Masvidal on a night when the BMF title is on the line, Lewis lands a flying knee from the opening bell! A flurry of punches follows, and the fight is over before it’s really begun.
Derrick Lewis wins via TKO.
Jan Blachowicz vs. Alex Pereira
With the fourth most significant strikes in light heavyweight history, the former champion takes on Alex Pereira in the Brazilian’s first UFC fight at this weight.
Round 1
Blachowicz goes for the takedown immediately. Pereira secures a standing guillotine, but it’s not tight enough to cause major concern.
Blachowicz gets him down, and the rest of the round is Pereira doing a great job of defending submission attempts.
Round 2
Blachowicz catches Pereira with a straight left and right hook combo. He secures another takedown, but Poatan gets back to his feet.
The wrestling seems to have taken a toll on Blachowicz, who looks labored and begins to take deep breaths as Pereira begins to land more strikes.
Round 3
Great combo from Blachowicz, who ends the flurry of strikes with a leg kick; he throws from the same leg which has visible swelling. He continues to breathe heavily but is doing well, considering how tired he looks.
Pereira lands a nice left hook and succeeds with the body shot. His corner call for more combinations as the fight is still in the balance. Blachowicz lands a takedown; this could be crucial.
Alex Pereria wins vua split decision – 29-28 x2, 28-29
Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje
No introduction is required.
Round 1
Both men are throwing kick after kick; Gaethje lands a nice right hand, and his boxing is on point so far – he is clearly an improved fighter since the last time they fought.
Poirier stuns Gaethje with a right hand shortly after he caused some problems to his opponent’s left eye a litter earlier with a straight left. Blood pours from the said eye of Gaethje.
First round. As advertised.
Round 2
A head kick from Gaethje knocks out Dustin Poirier. Wow! We have a new BMF
Justin Gaethje wins via knockout.
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