MAIN CARD HIGHLIGHTS

Anthony Smith def. Jimmy Crute in Round 1 via TKO (Doctor / Referee stoppage)

• Round 1 – Smith heads in low as the fight kicks off. Crute remains stoic in the centre. Both trade kicks to the body. Crute fires off a low kick. Both men then trade straight on jabs. Crute fires off yet another low kick, connecting with Smith’s leg. Both fighters are giving each other an opening, with Crute keeping a high guard on. Smith lands some solid jabs with Crute showcasing some damage under his right eye. Smith sticks to what works for him — the jabs. Crute fires off his successful attacks — low kick to the leg. Both men swap jabs again, but Smith fires off a hard kick to the leg, forcing Crute’s leg to wince from the hit. Suddenly, Crute attempts to walk but falls over immediately. Smith rushes forward, trying to end the fight there and then, but Crute counters by scooping up Smith and nails a takedown. Smith eventually gets to a standing base, but Crute executes and nails yet another takedown. As the bell sounds for the end of Round 1, Crute struggles to walk to his corner.

Before the bell can be called for Round 2, Referee checks that Crute can stand and walk. Crute is fired up, attempts to move forward and stumbles. Referee waves his hands and the fight is called off.

Uriah Hall def. Chris Weidman via Round 1 TKO (Broken Leg)

• Round 1 – Weidman launches a low kick to start the round, before instantly falling to the ground, howling in pain. Commentators state his leg is broken, and the slow-mo replay confirms the gruesome injury. Hall kneels in the middle of the octagon, rattled by the terrible turn of events. Medical officers strap up Weidman’s leg, stretching him off to safety.

UFC FLYWEIGHT TITLE – Valentina Shevchenko (c) def. Jessica Andrade via Round 2 TKO (elbow strikes), to retain the UFC Flyweight Championship

• Round 1 – Shevchenko starts the fight by throwing a kick, but the challenger is quick to block it. Andrade unloads a flurry of punches but the champ evades, then lands a straight strike of her own. Shevchenko with a high guard defence as she successfully lands another two more punches. Low kick return from Andrade but Shevchenko catches it and trips up the challenger, sending her to the canvas. Andrade quickly regains her composure and returns to a standing base, but Shevchenko trips her up again. But, once again, Andrade quickly returns to her feet. The Champ stays on her like glue, once again dropping her opponent back onto the canvas for a third time. When Andrade stands again, Shevchenko surprisingly allows her to regain and backs away. But the peace is over, as Shevchenko fires off some rapid strikes. Andrade goes for the savior clinch, and nails a few strikes to the champ’s body inside the grapple, but Shevchenko returns to the greatest hits — tripping up Andrade again! Andrade tries to scramble, but Shevchenko latches on and locks in a choke. Andrade waits through it, staying calm as Shevchenko attempts to adjust her grip and choke again, but Andrade manages to stand. Shevchenko lands some knees as she nearly has a head-and-arm in place, but Andrade stays calm and wriggles out of the grip. Shevchenko wraps the body and again takes her to the floor, regaining control. Round ends as Andrade is saved by the bell.
• Round 2 – Challenger Andrade is fired up and launches out of the gate to start the round, but Shevchenko grapples and slams Andrade to the canvas and locks in a half-guard. Shevchenko keeps on the pressure and advantage, keeping control and the occasional knee strike. Andrade is eventually able to turn and stand, with a clinch grapple. Despite the attempted offense, Shevchenko lands a few big knee strikes and then, for the return of the greatest hits, slams Andrade to the canvas one more time. Shevchenko reaches and attempts the crucifix. She locks it in and unloads a brutality of strikes, elbows and hammer strikes and the referee signals the end of the fight.

UFC STRAWWEIGHT TITLE – Rose Namajunas def. Zhang Weili (c) via Round 1 knockout (high kick, punches) to become the NEW UFC STRAWWEIGHT CHAMPION

• Round 1 – Weili attacks first, landing a low kick. Namajunas pumps out a jab, keeping light and sporadic on her feet. Weili lands another successful kick as Namajuna unloads a huge high left kick that lands clean to Weili’s chin, sending her straight down to the canvas, showing signs of an instant K.O. Namajunas quickly jumps on the downed champ, launching in a few hammerfists before the referee jumps in and signals it to end right there and then!

UFC WELTERWEIGHT TITLE – Kamaru Usman def. Jorge Masvidal via Round 2 knockout (punches), to retain the UFC Welterweight Championship

• Round 1 – Challenger Masvidal pretends to launch a flying knee but decides against it, unloading a low kick instead. Usman returns the pretending, contemplating a takedown but cancels it. Masvidal lands a nice two kick combo, Usman fires back with a jab and teases a takedown once again. Low kick receipt from Masvidal, with a straight right strike from Usman. Usman lands a variety of successful strikes on Masvidal, eventually countered by a body kick from Masvidal. Sensing an opening, Masvidal fires off a knee, but Usman counters it, slamming Masvidal down him to the canvas. Brave open guard by Masvidal, countering via left foot on Usman’s hip. Masvidal attempts to remove Usman from his guard, but is countered and beaten down each time. Eventually, Masvidal stands, and creates some space. Fight resets as both trade strikes. Usman offense becomes unstead, as the champ misses a few big strikes via over-shooting his target. Masvidal notices the swings, but decides to work the base, returning to kicking the leg. Usman with a jab as the bell ends the round, but both men are in each other’s face, yelling verbal jabs at one another.
• Round 2 – Usman circles Masvidal, taking a few low kicks for his trouble. Big right hands are exchanged from both men. Masvidal starts to get cocky, as Usman throws again. Usman’s strike doesn’t overshoot this time, landing right on Masvidal’s chin, sending him crashing to the floor. Usman follows with big hammerfists and Masvidal is knocked out cold!

Written by: Brutaleo