UFC Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale Results: Brad Tavares & Israel Adesanya Headline, While Two TUF Champions Are Crowned
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Main Card (10pm EST., Fox Sports 1)
Israel Adesanya def. #8 Brad Tavares by unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45)
TUF 27 Lightweight Finals
Mike Trizano def. Joe Giannetti by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
TUF 27 Featherweight Finals
Brad Katona def. Jay Cucciniello by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Alex Caceres def. Martin Bravo by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
#8 Roxanne Modafferi def. #7 Barb Honchak by TKO via elbow strikes (3:32, R2)
Alessio Di Chirico def. Julian Marquez by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 28-29)
Preliminary Card (8pm EST., Fox Sports 1)
Montana De La Rosa def. Rachael Ostovich by submission via rear naked choke (4:21, R3)
Luis Pena def. Richie Smullen by submission via guillotine choke (3:32, R1)
Jonathan Gunther def. Allan Zuniga by majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
Bryce Mitchell def. Tyler Diamond by majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
Preliminary Card (7pm EST., UFC Fight Pass)
Steven Peterson def. Matt Bessette by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Gerald Meerschaert def. Oskar Piechota by submission via rear naked choke (4:55, R2)
Oskar Piechota vs. Gerald Meerschaert
Round One: The round begins with Piechota nailing Meerschaert with a right to the midsection, Meerschaert nails Piechota with a kick to the midsection. Meerschaert grabs Piechota and he gets him against the cage wall, Piechota scores a takedown on Meerschaert and he gets the half guard. Piechota gains side control against Meerschaert, Meerschaert scrambles and Piechota gets back control before getting full mount on him. Meerschaert scrambles and Piechota gets head control on the ground, Piechota advances to the half guard against Meerschaert. Meerschaert eventually traps Piechota in his full guard, the referee stands up the fighters for inactivity. The action resumes with Piechota rocks a swinging Meerschaert with a counter right, Piechota drops Meerschaert with a right and he gets full mount on the ground. Piechota gains back control while landing ground and pound, Piechota goes for the rear naked choke and Meerschaert scrambles to get free. Meerschaert gets back control on Piechota as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Piechota
Round Two: The round begins with Meerschaert coming forward and swinging away at Piechota, the fighters take turns swinging away at each other. Piechota starts attacking Meerschaert with some leg kicks, Piechota looks to nail Meerschaert with counter strikes. Meerschaert scores a takedown and he gets the half guard, Piechota looks for a guillotine choke and Meerschaert escapes to catch him in a d’arce choke. Piechota escapes and Meerschaert attacks him with a plethora of strikes, Piechota gets to his feet while eating a plethora of strikes from Meerschaert. Meerschaert assaults Piechota with knee strikes and elbow strikes, Meerschaert drags Piechota to the ground while landing more strikes. Meerschaert locks in the rear naked choke and Piechota goes out cold.
Official Result: Gerald Meerschaert def. Oskar Piechota by submission via rear naked choke (4:55, R2)
Matt Bessette vs. Steven Peterson
Round One: The round begins with Peterson attempting a jumping kick against Bessette, Bessette gets Peterson up against the cage wall. Peterson goes for a guillotine choke and Bessette escapes after a long struggle, Bessette gets up and gets Peterson against the cage wall. The fighters clinch and exchange some strikes, the fighters separate and Peterson swings away at Bessette. Bessette nails an incoming Peterson with a counter strike combination, Peterson briefly drops Bessette with a leg kick. Bessette goes for a high kick and Peterson blocks it, Bessette follows that up by nailing Peterson with a right and an uppercut. Bessette catches Peterson with a second head kick attempt, Bessette lands another high kick and a right as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Bessette
Round Two: The round begins with the fighters just swinging away at each other, Peterson grabs Bessette and gets him against the cage wall. The fighters exchange strikes while in the clinch, the fighters separate and Peterson swings away at Bessette. Bessette catches Peterson with uppercuts and a high kick, Bessette crushes a swinging Peterson with another head kick. Bessette nails Peterson with leg kicks followed by a left, Bessette continues attacking Peterson with more high kicks. Peterson avoids a takedown before attacking Bessette with a knee strike, Peterson gets a swinging Bessette against the cage wall. Peterson scores a takedown on Bessette and he gets back control, Peterson attacks Bessette with ground and pound as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Peterson (Overall Score: 19-19 for Draw)
Round Three: The round begins with the two fighters engaging in a wild striking exchange, Peterson gets Bessette against the cage wall before separating. Peterson exchanges blows with Bessette before getting him against the cage wall again, Peterson scores a takedown on Bessette and Bessette scrambles to get back control on Peterson. Peterson shakes Bessette off of him to regain top control, Peterson transitions to back control against Bessette. Peterson starts attacking Bessette with some ground and pound, Peterson maintains back control and lands more strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Peterson (Final Score: 29-28 for Peterson)
Official Result: Steven Peterson def. Matt Bessette by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Tyler Diamond vs. Bryce Mitchell
Round One: The round begins with the fighters kicking away at each other, Mitchell pops a swinging Diamond with a counter left. Diamond attacks Mitchell with a head kick that gets partially blocked, Mitchell gets a swinging Diamond against the cage wall. Diamond scores a takedown on Mitchell and he gets him in the seated position, Diamond transitiosn to the half guard against Mitchell. Mitchell sweeps Diamond and he gets the fight standing again, Diamond looks for a standing guillotine choke and Mitchell scores a takedown. The fighters get back up and swing away at each other, Diamond starts attacking Mitchell with some leg kicks. Mitchell accidentally nails Diamond low and the fight is halted, the fight resumes with Mitchell attacking Diamond with a head kick before scoring a takedown. Diamond briefly looks for a guillotine choke against Mitchell, Diamond gets up and Mitchell drags him back down. Diamond gets up again and Mitchell scores another takedown on him as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Mitchell
Round Two: The round begins with Diamond nailing Mitchell with kicks to the midsection, Mitchell scores a takedown on Diamond and Diamond gets right back up. Mitchell gets Diamond up against the cage wall while looking for another takedown, Mitchell gets another takedown and Diamond gets right back up. Diamond scores a takedown and Mitchell catches him in a triangle choke, Diamond escapes after a long struggle. Diamond gets top position and he attacks Mitchell with some strikes, Diamond transitions to back control against Mitchell. Diamond attacks Mitchell with ground and pound until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Mitchell (Overall Score: 20-18 for Mitchell)
Round Three: The round begins with Diamond attempting a head kick against Mitchell, Diamond and Mitchell exchange some rights. Mitchell scores a takedown on Diamond and Diamond gets right back up, Diamond then cracks Mitchell with an uppercut. Diamond scores a takedown on Mitchell and he gets the open guard, Diamond advances to the half guard position against Mitchell. Diamond gains back control against a scrambling Mitchell, Mitchell gets up and Diamond gets him back to the ground. Diamond gains the side control position against Mitchell, Diamond then moves to the half guard of a scrambling Mitchell. Diamond returns to back control on Mitchell while landing a few strikes, Diamond nails Mitchell with some more strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Diamond (Final Score: 29-28 for Mitchell)
Official Result: Bryce Mitchell def. Tyler Diamond by majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
Jonathan Gunther vs. Allan Zuniga
Round One: The round begins with Zuniga popping Gunther with an uppercut, Gunther quickly gets Zuniga against the cage wall. Gunther scores a takedown on Zuniga and he gets the half guard, Zuniga gets up and Gunther drags him back to the ground. Zuniga gets up again and Gunther gets him back down again, Zuniga gets up again and Gunther gets him against the cage wall. Gunther gains another takedown on Zuniga and he traps his legs, Gunther attacks Zuniga with a few strikes as Zuniga scrambles to his feet. Gunther scores yet another takedown and Zuniga gets right back up. Gunther scores another takedown on Zuniga and Zuniga eventually gets back up again, Gunther nails Zuniga with a spinning back elbow strike as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Gunther
Round Two: The round begins with Zuniga attacking Gunther with some leg kicks, Gunther nails Zuniga with a right before scoring a takedown. Gunther quickly gains back control against Zuniga, Zuniga gets up and Gunther gets him against the cage wall. Gunther scores another takedown and Zuniga gets right back up, the referee separates the fighters for inactivity. The action resumes with the fighters swinging away ta each other, Gunther gets Zuniga against the cage wall after landing a few rights. Gunther scores another takedown on Zuniga and he gets him in the seated position, Zuniga gets up and Gunther drags him back down. Zuniga gets up again and Gunther gets another takedown on him as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Gunther (Overall Score: 20-18 for Gunther)
Round Three: The round begins with the fighters swinging away at each other, Zuniga nails Gunther with a three punch combination. Gunther eventually gets Zuniga up against the cage wall, Gunther scores a takedown on Zuniga and he gets the half guard. Zuniga scrambles to his feet and Gunther gets him against the cage wall, the referee separates the fighters for inactivity. The action resumes with Zuniga attempting a head kick against Gunther, Gunther quickly gets Zuniga up against the cage wall. The fighters separate and swing away at each other, Gunther eventually gets Zuniga against the cage wall again. The fighters separate and Zuniga attacks Gunther with a multiple punch combination, Zuniga clocks Gunther with a pair of head kicks as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Gunther (Final Score: 30-27 for Gunther)
Official Result: Jonathan Gunther def. Allan Zuniga by majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
Luis Pena vs. Richie Smullen
Round One: The round begins with Smullen attacking Pena with some leg kicks, Pena nails Smullen with a knee strike before getting taken down. Smullen gets side control while landing a few strikes, Pena eventually gets Smullen in his full guard. Pena scrambles to his feet before scoring a takedown on Smullen, Pena gets up and he allows Smullen to stand as well. Pena rocks Smullen with a two punch combination, Pena drops Smullen with another punching combination. Pena goes for a guillotine choke and Smullen taps after a long struggle.
Official Result: Luis Pena def. Richie Smullen by submission via guillotine choke (3:32, R1)
Montana De La Rosa vs. Rachael Ostovich
Round One: The round begins with De La Rosa attacking Ostovich with some jabs, De La Rosa nails Ostovich with some leg kicks. Ostovich comes forward to nail De La Rosa with an overhand right, Ostovich then cracks De La Rosa with a right to the midsection. Ostovich follows that up by cracking De La Rosa with a counter left hook, De La Rosa causes Ostovich to stumble with a multiple punch combination. De La Rosa charges forward and he shits Ostovich with a left, De La Rosa continues attacking Ostovich with punching combinations. De La Rosa pops a kicking Ostovich with a counter right as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for De La Rosa
Round Two: The round begins with Ostovich attacking De La Rosa with some leg kicks, Ostovich cracks a swinging De La Rosa with a counter right. Ostovich looks to attack De La Rosa with counter strikes, Ostovich charges forward and swings away at De La Rosa. De La Rosa scores a takedown on Ostovich and Ostovich gets right back up, De La Rosa gets Ostovich against the cage wall. The fighters separate and De La Rosa jabs away at Ostovich, Ostovich attacks De La Rosa with a multiple punch combination. De La Rosa gets Ostovich against the cage wall after eating a knee strike, the fighters separate and De La Rosa kicks Ostovich in the midsection. Ostovich comes forward and she cracks De La Rosa with a short right, De La Rosa nails Ostovich with a left. Ostovich goes for a spinning attack as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Ostovich (Overall Score: 19-19 for Draw)
Round Three: The round begins with Ostovich charging at De La Rosa while throwing strikes, De La Rosa goes back to attacking Ostovich with jabs. Ostovich looks to nail a swinging De La Rosa with counter strikes, De La Rosa gets Ostovich against the cage wall after eating a front kick. Ostovich drags De La Rosa to the ground after a wild scramble, Ostovich goes for the arm bar and De La Rosa escapes to get top position. De La Rosa gains side control against Ostovich while landing some strikes, De La Rosa transitions to back control against Ostovich. De La Rosa attacks Ostovich with ground and pound. De La Rosa locks in a rear naked choke and a tap out follows.
Official Result: Montana De La Rosa def. Rachael Ostovich by submission via rear naked choke (4:21, R3)
Alessio Di Chirico vs. Julian Marquez
Round One: The round begins with Di Chirico attacking Marquez with a looping left, Di Chirico attacks Marquez with a two punch combination. Di Chirico continues attacking Marquez with a plethora of lefts, Marquez comes forward and he cracks Di Chirico with a right. Di Chirico nails Marquez with a kick to the midsection, Di Chirico stuns a swinging Marquez with a three punch combination. Marquez goes for a few high kicks while nailing Di Chirico with a pair of punches, Di Chirico again nails Marquez with some lefts. Marquez charges at Di Chirico while attacking him with combinations, Di Chirico goes after Marquez with some more lefts. Marquez comes forward and swings wildly at Di Chirico, Di Chirico scores a takedown on Marquez and he gets the half guard. Marquez scrambles to his feet to get the fight standing again, Marquez lands another strike on Di Chirico as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Di Chirico
Round Two: The round begins with Marquez coming forward and swinging away at Di Chirico, Marquez then pops Di Chirico with an uppercut. Marquez catches Di Chirico with a shot to the midsection, Di Chirico gets a swinging Marquez against the cage wall. Marquez goes for a standing guillotine choke and Di Chirico gets free to get him against the cage wall, the fighters separate and Marquez goes for a high kick. Marquez also starts nailing Di Chirico with some leg kicks, Di Chirico scores a takedown on Marquez and he gets him in the seated position. Marquez scrambles to his feet and he kicks away at Di Chirico, Marquez then hits Di Chirico with a punching combination. Di Chirico scores another takedown on Marquez and he gets the half guard, Marquez scrambles and gets back control on Di Chirico. Marquez rolls for an arm bar and Di Chirico escapes to get back control, Di Chirico nails Marquez with a few strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Di Chirico (Overall Score: 20-18 for Di Chirico)
Round Three: The round begins with Di Chirico attacking Marquez with some leg kicks, Di Chirico also kicks Marquez in the midsection. Marquez comes forward and he swings away at Di Chirico, Marquez nails a swinging Di Chirico with a kick to the midsection. Di Chirico catches Marquez with his own kick to the midsection, Marquez recovers and nails Di Chirico with a short right. Di Chirico backs up a swinging Marquez by landing a left, Marquez connects with a head kick against Di Chirico. Di Chirico scores a takedown on Marquez and he gets him in the seated position, Marquez scrambles to his feet while attacking Di Chirico with knee strikes. Di Chirico scores another takedown and Marquez gets right back up, Marquez charges forward and swings away at Di Chirico. Di Chirico catches an incoming Marquez with a kick to the midsection, Marquez swings at Di Chirico as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Di Chirico (Overall Score: 30-27 for Di Chirico)
Official Result: Alessio Di Chirico def. Julian Marquez by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 28-29)
#7 Barb Honchak vs. #8 Roxanne Modafferi
Round One: The round begins with the fighters taking a few swings at each other, Modafferi and Honchak exchange some rights. Honchak catches Modafferi with some punching combinations, Honchak nails an incoming Modafferi with a counter left. Honchak nails Modafferi with a three punch combination, Modafferi scores a takedown on Honchak and she gets the half guard. Modafferi starts attacking Honchak with some ground and pound, Honchak gets Modafferi back in her full guard while eating some strikes. Modafferi gains side control as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Modafferi
Round Two: The round begins with Modafferi attacking Honchak with some punching combinations, Honchak continues catching Modafferi with counter strikes. Honchak goes for the takedown and Modafferi gets top position, Modafferi gets full mount while landing ground and pound. Honchak gets Modafferi in the half guard while eating some strikes, Modafferi attacks Honchak with more ground and pound. Modafferi returns to the full mount before landing more ground and pound, Modafferi attacks Honchak with a ton of elbow strikes until the referee jumps in.
Official Result: #8 Roxanne Modafferi def. #7 Barb Honchak by TKO via elbow strikes (3:32, R2)
Alex Caceres vs. Martin Bravo
Round One: The round begins with the fighters attacking each other with leg kicks, Bravo nails Caceres with a right after eating a high kick. Caceres then hits Bravo with a side kick to the midsection, Caceres follows that up by nailing Bravo with a left. Bravo scores a takedown on Caceres after eating a few rights, Caceres scrambles to his feet after eating a few strikes. Caceres cracks a swinging Bravo with a counter left, Bravo scores another takedown on Caceres and he gets the open guard. Bravo attacks a downed Caceres with a few strikes, Caceres looks for a triangle choke and Bravo quickly escapes. Caceres scrambles to his feet to get the fight standing again, Caceres starts nailing Bravo with some punching combinations. Caceres and Bravo exchange high kicks as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Caceres
Round Two: The round begins with Bravo coming forward and taking a few swings at Caceres, Bravo backs up Caceres after landing a right. Caceres rocks Bravo with a straight left and Caceres drags him to the ground afterwards, Bravo scrambles to his feet to get the fight standing again. Caceres nails a swinging Bravo with a three punch combination, Caceres nails Bravo with a kick to the midsection. Caceres rocks Bravo again with another straight left, Bravo backs up Caceres with a few kick attempts that get blocked. Caceres goes for a roundhouse kick and Bravo blocks it, Caceres again nails Bravo with a left to the face. Caceres nails a swinging Bravo with a spinning back fist, Bravo scores a takedown on a kicking Caceres as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Caceres (Overall Score: 20-18 for Caceres)
Round Three: The round begins with Caceres catching Bravo with a spinning elbow strike, Bravo scores a takedown on Caceres and he gets the open guard. Caceres scrambles to his feet and Bravo swings away at him, Caceres and Bravo just swing away at each other. Caceres again catches an incoming Bravo with a straight left, Caceres looks for the takedown and Bravo controls his head on the ground. The fighters get up and Caceres pops Bravo with an uppercut, Caceres then kicks Bravo in the midsection. The fighters have a striking exchange near the cage wall, Bravo swings away at Caceres while getting him against the cage wall. Caceres catches an incoming Bravo with a two punch combination, Bravo responds by kicking Caceres in the midsection. Bravo nails a backing Caceres with a standing elbow strike, the fighters swing wildly at each other as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Bravo (Final Score: 29-28 for Caceres)
Official Result: Alex Caceres def. Martin Bravo by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
TUF 27 Featherweight Finals: Jay Cucciniello vs. Brad Katona
Round One: The round begins with Katona attacking Cucciniello with some leg kicks, Katona then kicks Cucciniello in the midsection. Katona eats a knee strike after nailing Cucciniello with a right, Katona continues attacking Cucciniello with a variety of kicks. Cucciniello catches Katona with a kick to the midsection, Cucciniello hits Katona with a punching combination. Katona then nails Cucciniello with a left to the midsection, Katona attacks Cucciniello with a head kick that gets blocks.Katona nails a swinging Cucciniello with a counter left hook as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Katona
Round Two: The round begins with Katona attacking Cucciniello with some leg kicks, Katona drops a swinging Cucciniello with a counter left hook. Cucciniello gets back up and swings away at Katona, Katona scores a takedown on Cucciniello and he gets the open guard. Katona gains the half guard against Cucciniello, Katona attacks Cucciniello with some ground and pound. Cucciniello gets Katona back in his full guard while eating some strikes, Katoan regains the half guard against Cucciniello. Cucciniello gets Katona in his full guard again as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Katona (Overall Score: 20-18 for Katona)
Round Three: The round begins with Katona nailing Cucciniello with some leg kicks, the fighters take a few swings at each other. Katona grabs Cucciniello and he gets him against the cage wall, Katoan scores a takedown on Cucciniello and he gets the half guard. Katona starts attacking Cucciniello with some ground and pound, Katoan gains back control against Cucciniello. Katona advances to the full mount while landing a plethora of strikes until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Katona (Final Score: 30-27 for Katona)
Official Result: Brad Katona def. Jay Cucciniello by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
TUF 27 Lightweight Finals: Joe Giannetti vs. Mike Trizano
Round One: The round begins with Trizano attacking Giannetti with some leg kicks, Giannetti responds by landing leg kicks of his own. Giannetti scores a takedown on Trizano and he gets right back up, Giannetti holds Trizano against the cage wall while landing a few strikes. Giannetti starts attacking Trizano with some knee strikes, Giannetti scores another takedown on Trizano and their legs become entangled. Giannetti eventually gains top position after landing a few strikes, Trizano catches Giannetti in a traingle choke as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Trizano
Round Two: The round begins with the fighters exchanging a plethora of kicks, Giannetti goes for a takedown and Trizano gets top position. Trizano advances to the side control position against Giannetti, Giannetti scrambles and hye looks for a toe hold against Trizano. Giannetti scrambles to get Trizano in a body scissors, the fighters exchange some strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Trizano (Overall Score: 20-18 for Trizano)
Round Three: The round begins with Trizano accidentally kicking Giannetti low and the fight is halted, the fight resumes with Giannetti attacking Trizano with some kick attempts. Trizano nails Giannetti with some leg kicks, Giannetti then nails Trizano with a kick to the midsection. Trizano catches Giannetti with a two punch combination, Giannetti continues kicking away at Trizano. Trizano comes forward and he takes a few swings at Giannetti, the fighters exchange a ton of leg kicks as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Trizano (Final Score: 30-27 for Trizano)
Official Result: Mike Trizano def. Joe Giannetti by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
#8 Brad Tavares vs. Israel Adesanya
Round One: The round begins with Tavares attacking Adesanya with a few jabs, Adesanya starts nailing Tavares with some leg kicks. Tavares cracks Adesanya with a few rights before getting him against the cage wall, Tavares nails Adesanya with another right as they separate. Tavares attacks Adesanya with a high kick that gets blocked, Adesanya catches Tavares with a kick to the midsection. Adesanya follows that up with a left and a knee strike against Tavares, Adesanya catches a swinging Tavares with a knee strike. Tavares starts attacking Adesanya with some punching combinations, Tavares hits Adesanya with another right. Adesanya goes for a heel hook and Tavares gets top position as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Tavares
Round Two: The round begins with Tavares taking a few swings at Adesanya, Adesanya nails Tavares with a kick to the midsection. Adesanya attacks Tavares with a high kick that gets blocked, Adesanya cracks Tavares with a left followed by a high kick. Tavares grabs Adesanya and he gets him against the cage wall, the fighters separate and Adesanya attacks Tavares with a knee strike. Adesanya comes forward and he attacks Tavares with a punching combination, Tavares then cracks Adesanya with a right. Adesanya scores a takedown on Tavares after landing a kick, Tavares gets up and separates from Adesanya as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Adesanya (Overall Score: 19-19 for Draw)
Round Three: The round begins with Tavares popping Adesanya with a left, Adesanya starts attacking Tavares with some leg kicks. The fighters start exchanging a plethora of jabs, Adesanya then cracks Tavares with a knee strike to the head. Adesanya trips up Tavares before allowing him to stand up, Adesanya nails Tavares with a kick to the midsection. Tavares catches an incoming Adesanya with a knee strike to the midsection, Tavares starts hunting for the takedowns against Adesanya. Adesanya comes forward and he attacks Tavares with some kicks, Tavares looks for a takedown as Adesanya lands an elbow strike. Adesanya cracks a kicking Tavares with a spinning elbow strike, Adesanya rocks Tavares with a knee strike and two punch combination, Adesanya swings away at Tavares as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Adesanya (Overall Score: 29-28 for Adesanya)
Round Four: The round begins with Adesanya nailing Tavares with a two punch combination, Tavares gets Adesanya against the cage wall while looking for a takedown. Tavares scores a takedown on Adesanya and he gets the open guard, Tavares scrambles to get back control on Adesanya. Adesanya scrambles to his feet and Tavares holds him against the cage wall, Adesanya scores a takedown on Tavares and he nails him with a bunch of rights. Tavares gets up and he separates from Adesanya, Adesanya then cracks Tavares with a standing elbow strike. The referee halts the fight so a doctor can check a cut on Tavares, the action resumes with Adesanya kicking away at Tavares. Adesanya comes forward and he attacks Tavares with punching combinations, Adesanya attacks Tavares with some leg kicks. Adesanya levels Tavares with a few knee strikes before eating a right and the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Adesanya (Overall Score: 39-37 for Adesanya)
Round Five: The round begins with Tavares looking for the takedown right away, Adesanya attacks Tavares with a front kick followed by a left. Adesanya goes back to attacking Tavares with some leg kicks, Adesanya scores a takedown on Tavares and he gets back control. Adesanya starts attacking Tavares with ground and pound, Adesanya gets up after Tavares rolls for a heel hook. Adesanya attacks Tavares with jabs and a high kick, Tavares goes for a takedown and Adesanya gets top position. Tavares gets up and Adesanya cracks him with a knee strike to the head, Adesanya then hits Tavares with a left to the midsection. Adesanya picks Tavares apart with strikes until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Adesanya (Final Score: 49-46 for Adesanya)
Official Result: Israel Adesanya def. #8 Brad Tavares by unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45)
