FB TW IG YT VK TH
Search
MORE FROM OUR CHANNELS

Wrestlezone
FB TW IG YT VK TH

UFC 230 ‘Cormier vs. Lewis’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round-by-Round Scoring

UFC 230 is now available on Amazon Prime.

Sherdog's live UFC 230 coverage kicks off Saturday at 6:15 p.m. ET.

Advertisement
Check out the MMA Forums to discuss the card or enter your comments and predictions below.

Adam Wieczorek vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima

Round 1

Wieczorek cuts angles around the outside and throws low kicks at the more flat-footed de Lima, who stalks the taller man from the center. After about 45 seconds, Wieczorek changes levels and easily takes down de Lima about three feet out from the fence. As Wieczorek attempts to pass de Lima’s half guard, the Brazilian sits up and hits a deft sweep to land in Wieczorek’s deep half guard. “Pezao” lands short left hands as he threatens to set up an arm-triangle choke near the midway point of the round. Wieczorek keeps busy on the bottom, trying to escape, but de Lima is all over him in top position. Referee Dan Miragliotta tells de Lima to stay busy, so the Brazilian gets busy with his left hand as he jams Wieczorek’s head up against the wall. De Lima lands his hardest punches of the round in the final 20 seconds, forcing Wieczorek to wrap up in defensive mode just before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 de Lima
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 de Lima
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 de Lima

Round 2

De Lima goes straight after Wieczorek at the start of round two, hitting the 6-foot-5 heavyweight with a few hard leg kicks before lighting him up with a combination. Despite tagging Wieczorek from range, de Lima opts to tie up and clinch on the fence for 20 seconds. De Lima is back to stalking Wieczorek around the outside, chopping him down with nasty outside low kicks. Two minutes in, Wieczorek slows things down with a body lock, holding de Lima against the fence with his head buried under the chin of “Pezao.” De Lima reverses, then releases and attacks Wieczorek with another heavy leg kick, then a big right hand. Another clinch from de Lima gives Wieczorek time to shake the cobwebs. Referee Dan Miragliotta separates the fighters with 70 seconds on the clock. Wieczorek is trying to put something together, flailing at de Lima with tired punches, now shoving him against the fence. De Lima threatens with a front headlock, so Wieczorek goes to double underhooks. De Lima breaks loose just before the horn and hits Wieczorek with one last combo.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 de Lima
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 de Lima
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 de Lima

Round 3

The first low kick from de Lima leaves Wieczorek hobbling, then reaching for a clinch. De Lima spins Wieczorek over to the fence and hugs him against a cage post for 30 seconds while “Siwy” tries to wriggle free. De Lima hits a trip takedown and passes to side control on Wieczorek’s right. Two minutes in, de Lima passes to mount, but Wieczorek goes belly-down and then escapes out the back door. Back on the feet, de Lima trips an exhausted Wieczorek and lands in the Polish fighter’s open guard. Wieczorek looks for an omoplata, but there’s little else happening on the ground, so referee Miragliotta orders the fighters to stand with 90 seconds left. Wieczorek scores with a knee to the body but gets cracked with a Lima right hand in return. De Lima seems uninterested in striking, waits for Wieczorek to rush inside, then body-locks and trips him back to the mat. “Pezao” will just grind this one out, hanging on to Wieczorek’s waist for the better part of a minute before the final horn.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 de Lima (30-27 de Lima)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 de Lima (30-27 de Lima)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 de Lima (30-27 de Lima)

The Official Result

Marcos Rogerio de Lima def. Adam Wieczorek via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Shane Burgos vs. Kurt Holobaugh

Round 1

Holobaugh comes out with heavy leg kicks for Burgos, who strikes back with powerful lead jabs that redden Holobaugh’s face inside the opening minute. Both featherweights are landing hard punches now as they stand in the pocket and slug it out. Burgos slows things down with a few push kicks, but Holobaugh floors him with a short left hook to the jaw. Holobaugh pounces on Burgos, who recovers quickly and has the wherewithal to catch the ground-and-pounding Holobaugh’s right arm. Burgos has a vice grip on the arm, straightening it out as Holobaugh tries to stand and stack him. Holobaugh falls to the ground and has no choice but to submit as Burgos hyperextends the arm. Shane Burgos comes out on top in a possible contender for “Round of the Year,” despite lasting just over two minutes.

The Official Result

Shane Burgos def. Kurt Holobaugh via Submission (Armbar) R1 2:11

Matt Frevola vs. Lando Vannata

Round 1

Frevola throws leg kicks as Vannata creeps forward in his trademark wide stance. “The Steamrolla” goes upstairs with a head kick that appears to land clean, but Vannata shakes it off and keeps coming forward. Vannata closes in on Frevola near the fence, goes from a clinch to a single-leg, then releases and blasts Frevola with a right high kick. Frevola’s legs go out from under him, but he springs back to his feet and somehow stays up as Vannata tries to pound him out. Two minutes in, Vannata continues to inch forward, while Frevola looks to have recovered and is swinging heavy punches at “Groovy Lando.” Vannata catches Frevola getting wild and lands a clean right-handed counter. This slows down Frevola momentarily, though he’s soon back to clip Vannata with a spinning heel kick. Suddenly, it’s Frevola putting Vannata on the canvas; Vannata recovers quickly and grabs for a single-leg, but he can’t replicate his earlier head kick on the break. Frevola dodges a kick, springs back up and rocks Vannata with an elbow and a knee in the final 30 seconds. Vannata tries a takedown and gets snared in a guillotine; Frevola releases the choke as he rolls on top and finishes the round mounting Vannata.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 Frevola
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Frevola
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Frevola

Round 2

Frevola’s first strikes of round two are spinning kicks, both dodged by Vannata, who responds by landing a kick to the midsection of his fellow New Yorker. Vannata closes in on Frevola near the fence, pushes his face back with a front kick, then lands one to the body. A pair of right hands send Frevola to the floor, but he somehow powers back to his feet, even as Vannata tries to pound him out. Frevola staggers backward, gets slammed with a one-two, but Vannata is staying measured as he stalks his wounded opponent. Frevola tries a desperation double-leg and winds up on his knees, getting elbowed in the side of the head. Vannata limp-legs away and re-establishes his range; Frevola circles away on unsteady legs. Vannata starts working the body of Frevola, who looks to be barely staying vertical at times, propping himself up with the help of the wall. Improbably, Frevola seems to have recovered and is even slowing down Vannata’s attack with some hard leg kicks. Frevola goes to the body with a kick as the enter the final minute of the round. Vannata has slowed down his offense but remains in control of the action as he moves Frevola backward around the cage. Frevola finishes the round with a takedown and winds up caught in a guillotine-turned-headlock from Vannata.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 Vannata
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-8 Vannata
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Vannata

Round 3

After a relatively measured opening minute to the round, Frevola catches Vannata with a right high kick. Vannata gets hold of the leg, but Frevola makes him pay for the ensuing takedown with three short right hands. Frevola gets back on the offensive and hits Vannata with another heavy leg kick. With three minutes remaining, Frevola looks to be the fresher fighter, and he’s certainly been the more active and accurate here in round three. A right hand backs up Vannata, but the follow-up high kick only hits his chest. Frevola hits a takedown with 70 seconds left, but Vannata is back on his feet 10 seconds later. Both guys are swinging and missing with big shots, narrowly missing one another with spinning kicks. Frevola gets the last word with a pair of punches, and both featherweights raise their arms at the final horn.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 Vannata (29-28 Vannata)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Frevola (28-28 Draw)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Frevola (28-28 Draw)

The Official Result

Matt Frevola vs. Lando Vannata is ruled a Majority Draw (28-28, 28-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Ben Saunders vs. Lyman Good

Round 1

Good whiffs on a speedy right high kick, then takes a body kick in return from the rangy southpaw Saunders. Good counters the next kick from Saunders with a short right hand, but Saunders gets the attention of the “Cyborg” with a left hook. Good tries to close the distance and gets caught in the Thai clinch, with Saunders firing knees up the middle. Saunders eats a few uppercuts in order to continue throwing knees, but “Killa B” takes one punch too many and his legs give out after an uppercut to the jaw. Good pounces on his downed opponent and knocks him out cold with three quick hammerfists to the chin, as refereee Herb Dean rushes in for the stoppage.

The Official Result

Lyman Good def. Ben Saunders via KO (Punches) R1 1:32

Julio Arce vs. Sheymon Moraes

Round 1

Arce comes out looking to land a long left hand, then bounces a four-punch combination off the guard of Moraes. The Brazilian smiles as he steps forward on Arce and floors him with a blistering counter right hook. Arce throws up a high guard to slow Moraes’ ground-and-pound, but Moraes is nonetheless landing some hard shots. Arce nearly catches Moraes in a triangle, can’t finish the submission, but it does allow the New Yorker to scramble back to his feet. The featherweights spin around in the clinch, Arce looking for a takedown but unable to trip up the well-balanced Brazilian. Arce jumps on Moraes’ back, wraps his right arm around his chin but can’t secure the rear-naked choke. Moraes is hunched over, wearing Arce like a backpack as they lean up against the fence with 90 seconds on the clock. Arce is still digging for the RNC, attacking with both arms as Moraes defends desperately. Moraes does well to stay alive with two-on-one hand defense in the final minute.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 Arce
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Moraes
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Arce

Round 2

Moraes catches Arce with another hard right hand in the opening 30 seconds. This time, when Moraes tries to rush in and finish with a head kick, Arce ducks underneath and scores a quick takedown. Moraes stands up as Arce tries to take his back, then slices open the New Yorker with an elbow to the forehead. Arce is gushing blood as he tries to corral Moraes on the wall. Moraes breaks loose and resumes swinging at Arce, who seems unconcerned with the blood. Moraes comes away from an exchange pointing at his left eye, and Arce seems to agree that there was some foul, but referee Yves Lavigne doesn’t take action. Moraes floors Arce with another right hand inside the final minute; again, Arce is able to use a high guard to keep Moraes out of punching range on the floor.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 Moraes
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Moraes
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Moraes

Round 3

Moraes touches Arce with a short hook and a standing elbow strike in an otherwise slow-moving opening minute. Arce is trying to come forward and get something going, but he’s having no success getting inside on the fresher fighter. Moraes continues to land short punches and elbows on the counter but seems content to absorb pressure from Arce here in the final frame. Arce lands a one-two, then puts Moraes in reverse with a right hand. They’re inside the final minute now, Arce still on the advance, Moraes still looking prepared to send this to the judges.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 Arce (29-28 Arce)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Arce (29-28 Moraes)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Arce (29-28 Arce)

The Official Result

Sheymon Moraes def. Julio Arce via Split Decision (30-26, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Sijara Eubanks vs. Roxanne Modafferi

Round 1

Modafferi looks to keep Eubanks on the end of her jab in the early going, while the more compact and powerful “Sarj” swings big punches at her former “TUF” castmate. Eubanks hits a single-leg and puts Modafferi on her back near the fence. Modafferi switches from butterfly to closed guard, where she looks to control Eubanks’ posture and lock down an arm. Eubanks stands and tries to navigate down into Modafferi’s guard, but as soon as she kneels down, Modafferi is looking to catch a submission. Eubanks stands again, briefly allows Modafferi to stand, then trips her back to the floor with 70 seconds left in round one. Modafferi tries the armbar again and winds up eating a few hammerfists. Eubanks tries to get busy in the final 20 seconds, catching Modafferi on her knees to land a series of clean punches to the side of the head.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 Eubanks
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Eubanks
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Eubanks

Round 2

Modafferi moves in and out in the opening minute of the round, catching Eubanks with more than one clean right hand. Eubanks doesn’t respond to the shots at all, throwing to the body and head of Modafferi with little regard for the return fire. A head kick rocks Modafferi, who hits the deck but fends off Eubanks’ follow-up attack with an armbar attempt. Eubanks wants Modafferi back on her feet, but after being allowed to stand, Modafferi charges “Sarj” and connects with a few punches before shoving Eubanks against the fence. Modafferi looks for a high single-leg but can’t get anywhere with the takedown attempt. Instead, “The Happy Warrior” tosses Eubanks over her hip and lands in her half guard. With 90 seconds left, Modafferi has turned the tides in this fight on a suddenly tired Eubanks. Modafferi’s right leg is trapped in Eubanks’ half guard, slowing things down inside the final minute. Eubanks rolls inside to try a kimura, nearly uses it to sweep but gets stuffed back underneath, and Modafferi finishes the round on top.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 Eubanks
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Eubanks
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Eubanks

Round 3

Eubanks comes out aggressive at the start of the final frame, looking much fresher as she throws hard hooks to the body and head of her opponent. Modafferi lands a right hand of her own, but Eubanks’ volume is overwhelming her through the first minute. Modafferi lands a few right hands, though they don’t look to have much behind them. Both flyweights connect with straight right hands in the middle of the round, with Eubanks landing the harder strike. Eubanks hits a bodylock takedown with 2:20 left to fight, landing in Modafferi’s half guard and immediately dropping short elbows. Modafferi shifts and shrimps underneath, trying to isolate an arm to hit a submission or sweep, but Eubanks remains heavy on top with 60 seconds remaining. Modafferi tries to scramble up, manages to climb back to her feet but can’t make anything happen before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 Eubanks (30-27 Eubanks)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Eubanks (30-27 Eubanks)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Eubanks (30-27 Eubanks)

The Official Result

Sijara Eubanks def. Roxanne Modafferi via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Jason Knight vs. Jordan Rinaldi

Round 1

Knight fires a heavy combination over the top and finishes with a chopping leg kick. Rinaldi tries to tie up and gets shoved away, then socked with another right hand. Rinaldi catches Knight with a short left, but Knight continues to come forward here in the opening minute. Rinaldi changes levels for a double-leg takedown, quickly passes to side control, but Knight pivots to reclaim full guard. Knight looks to elevate with a butterfly sweep, then tries an armbar, but Rinaldi stays clear of danger. Knight climbs back to his feet, though only momentarily, as Rinaldi quickly dumps him back to the canvas. Knight uses rubber guard to control Rinaldi’s posture, looks to switch to an omoplata and loses the position. Knight throws elbows off his back as he tries to sweep Rinaldi with a body triangle. Rinaldi passes to half guard with 60 seconds on the clock and makes things uncomfortable for Knight with some short, grinding elbows and forearms to the face. Rinaldi gets in a few hard punches as the final 30 seconds tick down, and he mounts Knight just as time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 Rinaldi
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Rinaldi
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Rinaldi

Round 2

Knight catches Rinaldi leaning in and pops him with an uppercut, but the Mississippi native misses as he fires a right hand over the top. Rinaldi shoots and completes another takedown, again inside the opening minute. Straight to side control goes Rinaldi, then straddling Knight’s head to try and set up a kimura. Knight gives up his back to escape the mount, and Rinaldi attaches himself immediately, securing the position with a body triangle. Knight tries to punch over his shoulder and nearly leaves his neck exposed, but he’s able to fight off Rinaldi’s first choke attempt. Rinaldi switches to hooks, now back to the body triangle as he continues to hunt for the RNC with half the round remaining. Knight does well to lock down Rinaldi’s left arm, keeping himself out of danger even as Rinaldi lands punches with his free right hand. Rinaldi nearly gets his arm under Knight’s chin, but Knight offers up a finger wag as he peels the choke from around his neck.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 Rinaldi
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Rinaldi
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Rinaldi

Round 3

Knight whiffs on a spinning kick as he tries to walk down Rinaldi in the opening minute. Rinaldi shoots and gets caught in a front headlock, but Knight can’t land anything on the release. Knight attaches himself to Rinaldi’s back on the feet and stays there as they somersault to the ground. Before Knight can secure the position, however, Rinaldi uses a kimura to sweep into top position. Knight defends the choke but again surrenders his back, which Rinaldi once again secures with a body triangle. Rinaldi is back in his dominant position from round two, now with three minutes left to produce a finish. Knight continues to fight off Rinaldi’s RNC attempts, now rolls to his knees, stands up and tries to spike Rinaldi’s head as they crash back to the ground. Rinaldi maintains the position, however, and it’s looking like a lost cause for Jason Knight with 45 seconds on the clock. Knight tries to punch over his shoulder and produce a miracle finish, but this one will be decided by the judges.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 Rinaldi (30-27 Rinaldi)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Rinaldi (30-27 Rinaldi)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Rinaldi (30-27 Rinaldi)

The Official Result

Jordan Rinaldi def. Jason Knight via Unanimous Decision (30-25, 30-26, 30-27) R3 5:00

Derek Brunson vs. Israel Adesanya

Round 1

Adesanya starts on his front foot, pushing the southpaw Brunson backward with flicking jabs and leg kicks. Brunson takes about 20 seconds before rushing inside to shove Adesanya against the fence with double underhooks. Brunson tries a single-leg, but as he’s working for the takedown, referee Herb Dean pauses the action. An angry Adesanya accuses Brunson of grabbing his shorts, and the ref agrees. The middleweights are restarted in a neutral position; this time, when Brunson shoots low, Adesanya limp-legs away from the takedown attempt, nearly taking Brunson’s back in the scramble. Brunson keeps the pressure on Adesanya, tagging the striker with a left hand in the clinch. Adesanya escapes at the midway point of the round, then snaps back Brunson’s head with a stiff jab. Adesanya isn’t letting Brunson anywhere near his legs now, but Brunson keeps trying and eventually manages to hug Adesanya against the fence. Adesanya sprawls out of the clinch and leaves Brunson stumbling after him. Adesanya rocks Brunson with a knee, then drops him with a trio of punches. Brunson gets back to his feet, only to be met with another knee, a right hand. Brunson is going up and down, up and down, with Adesanya keeping his composure and measuring up the wobbly American for each shot. With under 10 seconds on the clock, Brunson hits the deck for the last time. After giving Brunson numerous chances to recover, referee Dean steps in and rescues him from further punishment.

The Official Result

Israel Adesanya def. Derek Brunson via TKO (Knees and Punches) R1 4:51

Karl Roberson vs. Jack Marshman

Round 1

Roberson backs up Marshman with a left high kick that the Welshman takes on the arm. Marshman tries to step out to the center and gets clocked with a straight left from the southpaw “Baby K.” Roberson hustles Marshman against the fence with double underhooks, and the fighters separate to resume striking about 90 seconds into the round. Roberson is tagging Marshman with some thunderous shots now, snapping back the head of “The Hammer” with piston-like punches. Marshman is eating everything that comes his way, however, and he continues to press forward. Roberson ducks and weaves to evade a three-punch combo from Marshman, whose greatest success so far is coming via leg kick. Marshman puts a clean right hand on Roberson’s chin, but this only seems to enrage Roberson, who explodes forward with a flurry of fists. The pace slows down in the last 90 seconds, giving Marshman a chance to reclaim a tiny bit of ground with forward pressure and counters.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 Roberson
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Roberson
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Roberson

Round 2

Marshman absorbs a body kick but manages to put Roberson on his back foot with a six- or seven-punch combination in the ensuing exchange. Roberson gets his jab going in the second minute, rocking Marshman’s head as they circle the cage. Marshman clips Roberson with a left-right in the middle of the round, only for Roberson to crack back with a left hook and follow up with a takedown. Roberson lands in side control as he flattens out Marshman on the ground in the center of the cage. Heavy top pressure keeps Roberson on top into the final minute of the frame, as he looks to isolate the right arm of Marshman for a mounted crucifix. Marshman isn’t absorbing a ton of punishment, but he looks stranded as Roberson keeps him pinned until the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 Roberson
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Roberson
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Roberson

Round 3

Marshman lunges at Roberson with a wind-up right and gets cut off by the American’s quicker counter. Roberson finds the mark with a few more thumping left hands, one of which dislodges Marshman’s mouthpiece. Each time Marshman comes at Roberson with a reaching combination, “Baby K” is catching him with a damaging counter. Roberson hits a takedown at the halfway point of the final round. Marshman tries to wall-walk and sweep, but Roberson stays heavy on top. Roberson reaches across to Marshman’s right arm and looks for a kimura or keylock, so Marshman retracts the arm and then clasps his hands around the American’s back. Roberson breaks the body lock and steps over to full mount, now with under one minute left to fight. Marshman eats a few more shots but largely manages to tie up and maintain Roberson in the dangerous position.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 Roberson (30-27 Roberson)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Roberson (30-27 Roberson)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Roberson (30-27 Roberson)

The Official Result

Karl Roberson def. Jack Marshman via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27) R3 5:00

David Branch vs. Jared Cannonier

Round 1

Cannonier lands his opening leg kick but misses as he fires a front kick up the center. Branch takes less than 30 seconds to shoot in and complete a takedown. Cannonier manages to climb back to his feet, nearly having his back taken in the process. Branch has to settle for a clinch, but the New Yorker quickly bails out of the position as Cannonier fires hard knees from the Thai plum. The middleweights trade jabs as they circle in the second minute. Branch hits another takedown, looks to transition onto Cannonier’s back, but has his progress halted by the fence. Cannonier is complaining of something to referee Keith Peterson, but it’s unclear exactly what is the alleged infraction. Cannonier gets back to his feet and separates from Branch with 2:15 on the clock. Branch tries to get inside and tie up, looks to change levels, but he’s struggling to get a grip on Cannonier here in the latter half of the round. Cannonier is taken down but hits the switch to get back up, and he’s able to rock Branch with a pair of punches in the final 20 seconds. Branch goes shooting for a late takedown and gets an elbow to the side of the head for his trouble.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 Branch
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Branch
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Branch

Round 2

Cannonier comes out aggressive, lobbing big right hands in Branch’s direction. Branch tries a single-leg, ditches it to land a short punch, then seems to lose focus for a moment and gets blasted with a Cannonier right hand. Branch hits the deck near the fence, kneeling as Cannonier blasts away with thunderous right hands. Branch looks to be out of this fight, just covering up as Cannonier pours on the punishment, and referee Keith Peterson has seen enough.

The Official Result

Jared Cannonier def. David Branch via TKO (Punches) R2 0:29

Chris Weidman vs. Ronaldo Souza

Round 1

Souza takes the center of the cage and creeps forward in a low stance; Weidman circles away from the Brazilian’s right hand and touches “Jacare” with a few jabs. Souza winds up and misses with a pair of big right hands in the opening minute. Weidman continues to work his jab, shoulder-rolling to deflect Souza’s sporadic power punches. A right hand on the end of a one-two puts Souza on unsteady legs, but Weidman shows restraint in not pouncing. This looks to be a good choice, as Souza has recovered quickly from the quick scare and comes back to hit the “All-American” with some hard leg kicks. Souza is still advancing, trying to pressure Weidman, but the former champ is keeping things at his preferred range. Souza does some good work in the final minute, digging into Weidman’s body with a few heavy right hands, though Weidman’s punches have bloodied the jiu-jitsu ace’s nose by the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 Weidman
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Weidman
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Weidman

Round 2

Weidman keeps his jab in Souza’s face early in the round, but “Jacare” is cracking back with some heavy leg kicks. Weidman starts to double-, triple-pump his jab in the face of an increasingly frustrated Souza, who’s now biting down on his mouthpiece and firing murderous right hands over the top. Souza is on the march now, hitting Weidman with a left hand to the body, now a right hand over the top. The middleweights wind up in the Thai clinch, exchanging ineffective knees. When they separate, it’s Weidman coming forward, putting Souza on the run with a short-range right hand. “Jacare” backs up for a moment, then plants his feet and goes back to the body of Weidman with another rib-roaster. When a left hand appears to force Weidman to cover up, Souza tries to capitalize with a collar tie and four big uppercuts. Weidman seems to have recovered from the shots with 1:40 remaining in the round. Now it’s Souza’s turn to backpedal for a moment, though the Brazilian is soon advancing again. Weidman blocks a right high kick and knocks Souza to the ground; “Jacare” stands up immediately and is pressed against the fence with 45 seconds remaining. Weidman appears to grab the fence to keep Souza in place, but the infraction goes unnoticed by referee Dan Miragliotta.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 Weidman
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Souza
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Souza

Round 3

Weidman opens with a jab and gets countered with a hard kick to the knee. Weidman comes over the top with a big right hand, takes one in return from Souza, who’s suddenly stringing together some hard combinations, putting Weidman in reverse. Weidman gets behind his jab again, slowing down the Brazilian’s offense. Starting to mix it up, Weidman paws with the jab before following through with a big right, then a leaping knee. Three minutes remain in a fight which feels like it could still go either man’s way. Souza puts Weidman in danger with an uppercut, then one to the body, then a right hand over the top. A right hand to the temple sends Weidman crashing to the canvas on his back, clearly unable to continue fighting. Weidman limply grasps at the ankle of Souza, who tries to get referee Miragliotta to stop the fight. Miragliotta tells Souza to fight on, so “Jacare” lands two or three unnecessary blows to the dazed Weidman, and now the ref has seen enough. Souza is furious after the stoppage, barking at Miragliotta, who absolutely should have stopped the fight when Weidman hit the ground.

The Official Result

Ronaldo Souza def. Chris Weidman via KO (Punches) R3 2:46

Daniel Cormier vs. Derrick Lewis

Round 1

Referee Herb Dean is the third man in the cage for tonight’s heavyweight main event, with judges Douglas Crosby, Sal D’Amato and Chris Lee scoring the bout should it complete the scheduled five rounds. Lewis strikes first with a switch kick to the body, then goes to the lead leg of Cormier. The champion answers with a low kick of his own as he closes in on Lewis, changes levels and double-legs him to the floor. Cormier sits up in his challenger’s half guard, but Lewis quickly grabs hold to try and minimize the space Cormier has in which to strike. Cormier is still managing to land some hard, grinding elbows as they hit the halfway point of round one. Lewis rolls to his knees, then stands up as Cormier tries to hold him in the wrestling ride. “DC” spins Lewis to the ground with a single-leg and gets back to elbowing, now landing short right hands from Lewis’ half guard. Lewis rolls to his knees, eats a few left hands and nearly has his back taken. Instead, Cormier shoves the kneeling “Beast” against the fence and holds him there, looking for an opportunity to knee which does not materialize.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 Cormier
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-8 Cormier
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Cormier

Round 2

Cormier lands a body kick and narrowly avoids a combination from Lewis, who’s headhunting early here in round two. Lewis whiffs on a few big right hands, overcommits to a knee and gets taken down again. Lewis posts and stands, Cormier still holding him in a front headlock. Cormier lands a knee, drops levels and ankle-picks the challenger to the floor. Lewis gives up his back, and this time Cormier isn’t squandering the opportunity: within seconds, the champ has an arm wrapped around Lewis’ throat, and the “Black Beast” is forced to tap out. Daniel Cormier successfully defends his UFC heavyweight title for the first time with a second-round rear-naked choke submission of Derrick Lewis.

The Official Result

Daniel Cormier def. Derrick Lewis via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 2:14


We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Related Articles

Subscribe to our Newsletter

* indicates required
Latest News

POLL

Will Conor McGregor fight in 2024?

FIGHT FINDER


FIGHTER OF THE WEEK

Ben Tynan

TOP TRENDING FIGHTERS


+ FIND MORE