MAIN CARD HIGHLIGHTS

Jamie Mullarkey def. Khama Worthy via Round 1 knockout

• Round 1 – Both fighters are intense straight out of the gate, with Mullarkey setting the tone of the fight with a quick opening strike combination. Worthy moving rapidly, firing off a few jabs back at Mullarkey. Mullarkey manages to score a rapid left strike to the jaw, stunning Worthy so badly that he stumbles and faceplants! Mullarkey follows with a hammer fist but the ref jumps in quick to stop the match!

Miranda Maverick def. Gillian Robertson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

• Round 1 – Both women move quickly around the octagon, Maverick unloading with jabs, landing uppers and downers. Robertson duck, waves and gets in close but gets pushed away quickly. Maverick again unleashes some punches, successfully landing a big left, as Robertson fires out a high kick that is, unfortunately, blocked. After some back and forth strikes and kicks from both, Maverick works up and lands another combination to the body and head. Similar offence throughout the remaining time limit sees them work their way to the end of round 1.
• Round 2 – Maverick rushes quickly, looking to strike, but this time Robertson’s inside game is on point and manages to grapple and take Maverick down to the mat. Maverick is pinned down with a half-guard, but Robertson is adjusting well and maintains control for quick some time, despite Maverick’s squirming. Maverick finally is able to stand and gets to a standing base, but Robertson counters and drops her down again. With 30 seconds left to the round, Maverick finally manages to stand and slip out of the grip, landing a few more strikes as a receipt for the long grapple holds.
• Round 3 – Maverick is out for revenge for Robertson’s grapple last round, and launches out with some strikes, backing Robertson up to the cage. Robertson tries to counter with a leg grab, attempting a takedown, but it’s denied. They reset, and Robertson tries to lead some offence but is countered by Maverick, who successfully locks in her own grapple, taking Roberston to the mat. Despite the grapple and onslaught from Maverick, Robertson manages to move into an armbar position, but Maverick wriggles free. They reset the fight again, and after some flurries from both, the round shortly ends thereafter, forcing the fight to go to a points decision win.

Sean O’Malley def. Thomas Almeida via Round 3 knockout

• Round 1 – O’Malley starts off the round with some quick strikes, landing some jobs and a quick low kick followed by a strong front kick to the body. Almeida stands strong, showing no sign of impact and returns the offensive suit with a few punches that sadly come up short. Spinning back kick receipt from O’Malley gains a solid strike to the Almeida’s body. Almeida still stands strong, despite O’Malley launching another kick to the body, followed by another that finally rocks Almeida. Quickly, O’Malley lands a strike with Almeida using the cage for support. The referee tells Almeida to get up and fight, as he finally gets to a standing base. O’Malley now the strong standing one, sticking and moving where necessary. Almeida tries to fight off O’Malley, but the round quickly ends before the build-up can continue.
• Round 2 – O’Malley starts the round out with a kick to the body. Almeida gets his guard up, managing to duck and weave his way into close guard range, but it’s met with a heavy low kick from O’Malley. Almeida goes to return with a high kick, but O’Malley quickly blocks. Almeida fires back with low kicks which trips up O’Malley, sending him crashing to the floor. O’Malley quickly recovers and stomps down hard on Almeida’s legs, followed up with some strikes, eventually connecting hard with a straight left strike. Almeida attempts to come back with more leg based attacks, but O’Malley quickly fires back with a two punch combo and yet another front kick to the body. O’Malley’s momentum gets the better of him, as he decides to taunt Almeida. Almeida tries again to get in range, but can’t find an opening. O’Malley steps up the offence, but trips over on his own knee attack, Almeida stands over his opponent just as the buzzer sounds — literally saved by the bell!
• Round 3 – O’Malley leads the majority of the opening offence for round 3, landing various successful combinations landing, slipping in some clean uppercuts. Almeida keeps trying to get in range, but still can’t find an opening. Eventually, a massive left-hand strike sends Almeida down to the floor. He’s looking super hurt, and O’Malley shows hesitation. The Ref tells him to continue, so he follows up with a fight-stopping right hand that KO’s Almeida.

Vicente Luque def. Tyron Woodley via Round 1 submission (D’Arce choke)

• Round 1 – Woodley looks to gain the advantage early, dashing in with a right hand and a grapple attempt. The takedown attempt is blocked, as Luque counters with an underhook grapple and sends Woodley crashing into the octagon cage fence. Some scrappy pot shots back and forth before Woodley counters the guard, only for Luque to quickly escape. Woodley fires off on his offence, rocking Luque. Seeing his damage ensued, Woodley drops his attack to the midriff, but Luque manages to recover in time, driving the fight towards the cage fence. Woodley keeps an active battle awareness, as the fight resets to the ring centre. Woodley snaps a big right upon restart, with Luque sending a hard left as a counter, hurting Woodley! Luque smells blood, launching another hard strike. Woodley stumbles back and grabs the cage for support. Woodley tries to fight back, but a swing and a miss sends him to the floor. Luque latches on to his fallen foe with a D’Arce choke. Woodley attempts wildly to break free, but to no avail and Woodley has to tap.

UFC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: Francis Ngannou def. Stipe Miocic via Round 2 knockout (punches) – NEW CHAMPION CROWNED

• Round 1 – They respectfully touch gloves to start the championship fight, and Ngannou starts the round with some jabs and low kick offence. Miocic on the outside, launching some long-range hits to the body and some leg kicks. Ngannou answers back with a leg kick of his own and an overhand right. Ngannou decides to fall back to the center, before rushing in for a takedown. Miocic actively moving around, managing to get up and break free. Ngannou fires out a high kick that’s blocked but hastily follows up with a right hand. A low kick return is sent from Miocic, but it’s met with a huge right punch and low kick combo from Ngannou at the bell.
• Round 2 – Ngannou launches into striking again to start the round, but it misses! He pauses for a moment, before hitting a low kick. Miocic attempts to get in close, but a forceful crushing left punch from Ngannou scores, immediately hurting Miocic. Another huge left lands and Miocic crashes to the floor. A follow-up hammer fist ends the fight, as. Ngannou is declared the new heavyweight champion!

Written by: Brutaleo