UFC 254 Results: An Undisputed UFC Lightweight Champion Is Crowned
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Main Card (2pm EST., ESPN+ Pay-Per-View)
Undisputed UFC Lightweight Championship
Khabib Nurmagomedov def. Justin Gaethje by submission via triangle choke (1:34, R2) to become the undisputed UFC Lightweight Champion
#1 Robert Whittaker def. #2 Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
#7 Alexander Volkov def. #10 Walt Harris by TKO via strikes (1:15, R2)
Phil Hawes def. Jacob Malkoun by KO via strikes (0:18, R1)
#5 Lauren Murphy def. Liliya Shakirova by submission via rear naked choke (3:31, R2)
#11 Magomed Ankalaev def. Ion Cutelaba by KO via strikes (4:19, R1)
Preliminary Card (12pm EST., ESPN 2)
Tai Tuivasa def. Stefan Struve by KO via strikes (4:59, R1)
Casey Kenney def. Nathaniel Wood by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Shavkat Rakhmonov def. Alex Oliveira by submission via guillotine choke (4:40, R1)
Sam Alvey fights Da Un Jung to a split draw (29-28, 28-29, 28-28)
Early Preliminary Card (11am EST., ESPN+)
Miranda Maverick def. Liana Jojua by TKO via doctor stoppage (5:00, R1)
Joel Alvarez def. Alexander Yakovlev by submission via arm bar (3:00, R1)
Undisputed UFC Lightweight Championship
Khabib Nurmagomedov (UFC Lightweight Champion) vs. Justin Gaethje (UFC Interim Lightweight Champion)
Round One: The round begins with Gaethje attacking Nurmagomedov with leg kicks, Gaethje nails a swinging Nurmagomedov with a counter right hook. Nurmagomedov comes forward and he takes a few swings at Gaethje, Nurmagomedov starts looking for the takedown while Gaethje swings away at him. Nurmagomedov lands a body kick and jabs on Gaethje, Nurmagomedov pops Gaethje with another body kick. Nurmagomedov goes for a jump knee strike against Gaethje, Gaethje goes for a head kick and Nurmagomedov blocks it. Nurmagomedov nails Gaethje with a right followed by a body kick, Nurmagomedov continues coming forward and swinging away at Gaethje, Gaethje nails an incoming Nurmagomedov with a two punch combination, Nurmagomedov scores a takedown on Gaethje and he gets him in a seated position. Nurmagomedov transitions to the full mount on Gaethje. Nurmagomedov rolls for an arm bar as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Nurmagomedov
Round Two: The round begins with Nurmagomedov taking some swings at Gaethje, Nurmagomedov starts landing leg kicks on Gaethje. Gaethje looks for counter left hooks on a swinging Nurmagomedov, Gaethje goes back to attacking Nurmagomedov with some leg kicks. Nurmagomedov scores a takedown on Gaethje and he gets the full mount. Nurmagomedov rolls for a triangle choke and Gaethje goes out cold.
Official Result: Khabib Nurmagomedov def. Justin Gaethje by submission via triangle choke (1:34, R2) to become the undisputed UFC Lightweight Champion
#1 Robert Whittaker vs. #2 Jared Cannonier
Round One: The round begins with Cannonier attacking Whittaker with leg kicks, Whittaker attacks Cannonier with a few jabs and leg kicks. Cannonier drops Whittaker with a leg kick before slipping on a high kick attempt, Whittaker then hits Cannonier with a body kick. Whittaker continuously looks for the high kick against Cannonier, Whittaker eats a body kick while nailing Cannonier with a counter left. Whittaker stuns a swinging Cannonier by landing a counter right, Whittaker goes back to attacking Cannonier with jabs. Cannonier cracks an incoming Whittaker with a short right hook, Cannonier eats a front kick while nailing Whittaker with a right. Whittaker partially lands a head kick against Cannonier, Cannonier cracks Whittaker with a body kick as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Whittaker
Round Two: The round begins with Whittaker swinging away at Cannonier, Cannonier goes back to attacking Whittaker with leg kicks. Whittaker starts peppering Cannonier with a variety of jabs, Cannonier hits Whittaker with a kick to the midsection. Whittaker throws a few counter uppercuts on a swinging Cannonier, Cannonier lands a counter right on a swinging Whittaker. Cannonier lands a right on Whittaker during a striking exchange, Cannonier backs up Whittaker while throwing a two punch combination. Whittaker continues landing jabs while Cannonier continues landing leg kicks, Whittaker gets Cannonier against the cage wall for a short time while looking for a takedown. Whittaker backs up Cannonier after landing a two punch combination, Whittaker pops Cannonier with another combo as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Whittaker (Overall Score: 20-18 for Whittaker)
Round Three: The round begins with Whittaker attacking Cannonier with jabs, Whittaker rocks Cannonier with a head kick. Whittaker drops Cannonier with a follow up combo and he pounces on him with more strikes while getting top control on the ground, Whittaker gains the half guard against Cannonier. Whittaker attacks Cannonier with some ground and pound, Whittaker advances to the full mount position on Cannonier. Whittaker transitions to back control on a scrambling Cannonier, Cannonier scrambles to his feet and he gets Whittaker against the cage wall. Cannonier lands a few strikes on Whittaker while in the clinch, the fighters separate and Cannonier throws a head kick against Whittaker. Whittaker goes right back to attacking Cannonier with jabs, Cannonier cracks Whittaker with a kick to the midsection. Cannonier rocks Whittaker with a combination and he swings wildly at him afterwards, the fighters clinch with each other as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Whittaker (Final Score: 30-27 for Whittaker)
Official Result: #1 Robert Whittaker def. #2 Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
#7 Alexander Volkov vs. #10 Walt Harris
Round One: The round begins with the fighters swinging away at each other, Volkov cracks a swinging Harris with a multiple strike combination. Volkov cracks a moving Harris with a two punch combination, Harris starts attacking Volkov with some leg kicks. Volkov pops a kicking Harris with a counter left followed by another left, Volkov starts landing leg kicks of his own against Harris. Harris lands his own counter strike combo on a swinging Volkov, Volkov continues coming forward and swinging away at Harris. Volkov rocks Harris with a two punch combo to the head, Harris eats a follow up combination before swinging back at Volkov. Volkov swings away at Harris as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Volkov
Round Two: The round begins with Harris swinging away at a charging Volkov, Harris starts hunting for takedowns against Volkov. Volkov backs up Harris while taking a few swings at him, Volkov rocks Harris with a kick to the midsection. Volkov drops Harris with a follow up combination and the referee jumps in.
Official Result: #7 Alexander Volkov def. #10 Walt Harris by TKO via strikes (1:15, R2)
Phil Hawes vs. Jacob Malkoun
Round One: The round begins with Hawes rocking a swinging Malkoun with a counter right hook, Hawes lands a follow up combination and Malkoun goes out cold.
Official Result: Phil Hawes def. Jacob Malkoun by KO via strikes (0:18, R1)
#5 Lauren Murphy vs. Liliya Shakirova
Round One: The round begins with Shakirova attacking Murphy with a high kick, the fighters take some swings at each other. Murphy pops a ducking Shakirova with a short right uppercut, Shakirova starts landing some leg kicks against Murphy. Shakirova goes for a spinning back fist against Murphy, Shakirova gets Murphy against the cage wall for a short time while looking for a takedown. Murphy backs up Shakirova while swinging away at her, Murphy lands a two punch combo on a swinging Shakirova. Murphy continuously attacks Shakirova with punching combinations, Shakirova looks for some spinning attacks against Murphy. Shakirova goes for another takedown and she gets Murphy against the cage wall, Murphy defends while attacking Shakirova with elbow strikes. The fighters separate and Shakirova lands a few body kicks as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Murphy
Round Two: The round begins with Murphy taking some swings at Shakirova, Murphy backs up Shakirova while landing a front kick. Murphy backs Shakirova into the cage wall while throwing combinations, Shakirova fires back with a few strikes of her own. Murphy scores a takedown on Shakirova after landing a knee strike, Murphy starts attacking Shakirova with some ground and pound. Murphy transitions to back control on Shakirova, Murphy locks in a rear naked choke and a tap out follows.
Official Result: #5 Lauren Murphy def. Liliya Shakirova by submission via rear naked choke (3:31, R2)
#11 Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba
Round One: The round begins with Ankalaev attacking Cutelaba with some leg kicks, Ankalaev hits Cutelaba with a front kick followed by a right. Cutelaba cracks a kicking Ankalaev with a counter right hook, Cutelaba comes forward and he nails Ankalaev with another right. Ankalaev fires back as Cutelaba starts landing leg kicks on him, Ankalaev hits Cutelaba with a kick to the midsection. Ankalaev then pops a swinging Cutelaba with a two punch combination, Ankalaev hits a swinging Cutelaba with a knee strike. Ankalaev backs up while popping Cutelaba with straight lefts, Ankalaev drops Cutelaba with a left and Cutelaba gets right back up. Ankalaev drops Cutelaba with a two punch combination, Ankalaev pounces on a downed Cutelaba until he goes out cold.
Official Result: #11 Magomed Ankalaev def. Ion Cutelaba by KO via strikes (4:19, R1)
Stefan Struve vs. Tai Tuivasa
Round One: The round begins with Struve attacking Tuivasa with a front kick to the midsection, Tuivasa charges at Struve while swinging wildly at him. Tuivasa starts attacking Struve with some leg kicks, Tuivasa gets Struve against the cage wall while swinging away at him. The fighters exchange some strikes while in the clinch, the fighters separate and exchange a few strikes. Struve starts landing some leg kicks against Tuivasa, Tuivasa again gets Struve against the cage wall while swinging away at him. Tuivasa swings again at Struve as they separate, Tuivasa also starts nailing Struve with some leg kicks of his own. Struve goes back to kicking Tuivasa in the midsection, Tuivasa gets Struve against the cage wall while swinging wildly at him. Tuivasa drops Struve with an uppercut and the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Tai Tuivasa def. Stefan Struve by KO via strikes (4:59, R1)
Casey Kenney vs. Nathaniel Wood
Round One: The round begins with the fighters exchanging some leg kicks, Kenney starts landing kicks to the midsection of Wood. Kenney slips on a head kick attempt and Wood swings away at him, Kenney cracks a swinging Wood with a counter right. The fighters trade a multitude of kicks in the center of the Octagon, Kenney comes forward and he cracks Wood with a left. Kenney barely misses a spinning back elbow strike on Wood, Kenney then hits Wood with a two punch combination. Wood fires back and Kenney nails him with a few counter strikes, Wood cracks Kenney with a front kick to the midsection before eating another left. Kenney lights up a kicking Wood with a counter left hook, Kenney backs up Wood after landing a spinning back kick to the midsection. Kenney keeps Wood near the cage wall as they swing away at each other until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Kenney
Round Two: The round begins with Wood landing a combination on Kenney, Kenney goes back to attacking Wood with spinning attacks. Kenney and Wood go back to exchanging leg kicks, Kenney and Wood get into multiple wild striking exchanges. Wood blocks a few kicks before nailing Kenney with a right, Kenney also lands more kicks to the midsection of Wood. Kenney pops a swinging Wood with a counter right hook, Kenney comes forward and he hits Wood with a few left hooks. Kenney grabs Wood and he briefly gets him against the cage wall, Kenney nails a swinging Wood with a three punch combination. Wood nails a swinging Kenney with his own counter strike combination, the fighters trade leg kicks as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Kenney (Overall Score: 20-18 for Kenney)
Round Three: The round begins with the fighters trading some leg kicks, the fighters exchange some combinations. Kenney cracks a kicking Wood with a counter left hook, Kenney looks for the takedown and he gets him up against the cage wall. Wood keeps defending against the takedown while Kenney lands a few strikes on him, the fighters separate and swing away at each other. Kenney and Wood get into some striking exchanges, Kenney and Wood look for the takedown against each other. Kenney backs up Wood after landing a two punch combination, Wood responds by popping Kenney with a left hook. Kenney comes forward and he kicks Wood in the midsection, Kenney grabs Wood and he gets him against the cage wall for a short time as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Kenney (Final Score: 30-27 for Kenney)
Official Result: Casey Kenney def. Nathaniel Wood by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Alex Oliveira
Round One: The round begins with Oliveira cracking Rakhmonov with a right, Rakhmonov and Oliveira exchange some leg kicks. Oliveira starts swinging wildly against Rakhmonov while eating more leg kicks, Rakhmonov cracks a swinging Oliveira with a counter knee strike before landing a follow up combination. Rakhmonov lands more knee strikes on Oliveira as they clinch, Oliveira spins Rakhmonov into the cage wall as they exchange strikes while in the clinch. Rakhmonov drops for a guillotine choke on Oliveira and a tap out follows.
Official Result: Shavkat Rakhmonov def. Alex Oliveira by submission via guillotine choke (4:40, R1)
Sam Alvey vs. Da Un Jung
Round One: The round begins with Jung taking a few swings at Alvey, the fighters start trading some leg kicks. Jung continues attacking Alvey with a variety of kicks, Alvey comes forward and he cracks Jung with a left. Jung and Alvey get into a brief striking exchange, Jung keeps Alvey up against the cage wall while swinging away at him. Alvey stuns a swinging Jung with a counter left hook, Alvey lands a bunch of strikes on Jung as they clinch. The fighters separate and Alvey throws a two punch combination, Jung fires back and he lands a few shots on Alvey. Alvey lands a counter strike combination on a swinging Jung, Alvey also nails a swinging Jung with a counter right. The fighters swing away at each other as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Alvey
Round Two: The round begins with Alvey cracking a swinging Jung with a counter left, Jung responds by popping Alvey with a right. Alvey starts landing some leg kicks against Jung, Alvey continues landing counter rights against Jung. Alvey stays near the cage wall while the fighters swing away at each other, Alvey comes forward and he hits Jung with a right uppercut. Alvey follows up by nailing Jung with a two punch combination, Jung starts attacking Alvey with some leg kicks of his own. Jung comes forward and he nails Alvey with a two punch combination, Alvey steps forward and he nails Jung with another uppercut. Alvey swings away at Jung as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Alvey (Overall Score: 20-18 for Alvey)
Round Three: The round begins with Alvey attacking Jung with some leg kicks, Alvey also attacks Jung with some combinations. Jung drops Alvey with an elbow strike and he pounces on him with more strikes, Alvey scrambles to his feet and Alvey gets him against the cage wall. Jung attacks Alvey with a plethora of rights, the fighters separate and take some swings at each other. Alvey comes forward and he lands a multiple punch combination against Jung, Alvey cracks a swinging Jung with a counter right hook, Jung rocks Alvey after landing a short right elbow strike. Jung grabs Alvey and he gets him against the cage wall while looking for a takedown, Jung separates from Alvey while landing an elbow strike to the side of his head. Alvey throws a high kick as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Jung (Final Score: 29-28 for Alvey)
Official Result: Sam Alvey fights Da Un Jung to a split draw (29-28, 28-29, 28-28)
Liana Jojua vs. Miranda Maverick
Round One: The round begins with Jojua nailing a kicking Maverick with a counter right, Maverick attacks Jojua with some leg kicks. Jojua continues landing rights on a swinging Maverick, Maverick comes forward and she pops Jojua with a short left. Maverick lands a multiple strike combination against Jojua, Jojua cracks a kicking Maverick with a counter left. Maverick charges at Jojua while swinging away at her, Maverick also starts throwing some kicks against Jojua. Maverick throws another high kick before landing a left on Jojua, Jojua and Maverick get into a few striking exchanges. Maverick goes for a knee strike and Jojua hits her with a counter right, Maverick cracks Jojua with an elbow strike to the head. Jojua lands a right to the midsection of Maverick, Maverick cracks a swinging Jojua with a counter elbow strike. Maverick throws a few high kicks as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Maverick
After the round ended, the doctor says Liana Jojua cannot continue due to the cut and injury to her nose.
Official Result: Miranda Maverick def. Liana Jojua by TKO via doctor stoppage (5:00, R1)
Joel Alvarez vs. Alexander Yakovlev
Round One: The round begins with Yakovlev attacking Alvarez with some leg kicks, Alvarez responds with some leg kicks of his own. Yakovlev scores a takedown on Alvarez and Alvarez catches him in a guillotine choke, Yakovlev escapes and he gets top control on the ground. Yakovlev starts attacking Alvarez with some ground and pound, Alvarez rolls for an arm bar on Yakovlev and a tap out follows.
Official Result: Joel Alvarez def. Alexander Yakovlev by submission via arm bar (3:00, R1)
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