UFC Fight Night Phoenix Results: Francis Ngannou vs. Cain Velasquez Headlines, Plus Kron Gracie Debuts
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Main Card (9pm EST., ESPN)
#3 Francis Ngannou def. Cain Velasquez by KO via strikes (0:26, R1)
Paul Felder def. #10 James Vick by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
#12 Cynthia Calvillo def. #11 Cortney Casey by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Kron Gracie def. Alex Caceres by submission via rear naked choke (2:06, R1)
Vicente Luque def. Bryan Barberena by TKO via strikes (4:54, R3)
Andre Fili def. Myles Jury by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Preliminary Card (7pm EST., ESPN)
#7 Aljamain Sterling def. #5 Jimmie Rivera by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Manny Bermudez def. Benito Lopez by submission via d’arce choke (3:09, R1)
#13 Andrea Lee def. #11 Ashlee Evans-Smith by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Nik Lentz def. Scott Holtzman by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Preliminary Card (6pm EST., ESPN+)
Luke Sanders def. Renan Barao by TKO via strikes (1:01, R2)
Emily Whitmire def. Alexandra Albu by submission via rear naked choke (1:01, R1)
Aleksandra Albu vs. Emily Whitmire
Round One: The round begins with the fighters swinging away at each other, Whitmire scores a takedown on Albu and she gets the half guard. Albu eats a few strikes while getting Whitmire in her full guard, Whitmire transitions to back control on a scrambling Albu. Whitmire locks in a rear naked choke and a tap out follows.
Official Result: Emily Whitmire def. Alexandra Albu by submission via rear naked choke (1:01, R1)
Renan Barao vs. Luke Sanders
Round One: The round begins with Barao attacking Sanders with a few front kicks, Barao also starts attacking Sanders with leg kicks. Sanders comes forward to hit a swinging Barao with a counter left, Sanders then kicks Barao in the midsection. Barao goes for a head kick and Sanders blocks it, Barao nails Sanders with body kicks and a right to the face. Barao continues attacking Sanders with a plethora of kicks to the midsection, Sanders gets Barao against the cage wall while eating knee strikes. The fighters separate and Sanders pops a swinging Barao with another counter left hook, Sanders and Barao exchange some high kick attempts. Barao rocks Sanders with a short right hook to the head, Barao nails a clinching Sanders with a knee strike to the midsection. Barao nails Sanders with a body kick and knee strike as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Barao
Round Two: The round begins with Sanders attacks a swinging Barao with a counter strike combination, Barao goes back to kicking Sanders in the midsection. Sanders cracks a kicking Barao with a counter left hook, Sanders drops Barao with a two punch combination and he pounces on him with more strikes until the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Luke Sanders def. Renan Barao by TKO via strikes (1:01, R2)
Scott Holtzman vs. Nik Lentz
Round One: The round begins with Lentz charging at Holtzman while swinging away at him, Holtzman starts attacking Lentz with some leg kicks. Lentz responds by nailing Holtzman with leg kicks of his own, Holtzman goes for a high kick and Lentz blocks it. Lentz hits Holtzman with a right hook followed by a knee strike, Holtzman hits an incoming Lentz with a pair of rights. The fighters clinch and exchange a few strikes, Lentz grabs Holtzman and gets him against the cage wall. Lentz gets Holtzman to the ground a few times and Holtzman gets right back up each time, Lentz keeps Holtzman against the cage wall until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Lentz
Round Two: The round begins with Lentz attacking Holtzman with a few kicks, Holtzman briefly drops Lentz with a leg kick. Lentz backs up Holtzman with a few high kick attempts, Lentz eats a left uppercut before kicking Holtzman in the midsection. Holtzman then stuns Lentz by landing a straight right, Holtzman comes forward and he attacks Lentz with some rights. Holtzman and Lentz exchange some kicks to the midsection, Lentz grabs Holtzman and he gets him against the cage wall. Lentz drags Holtzman to the ground while applying a guillotine choke, Holtzman escapes and Lentz gets him against the cage wall. Lentz drags Holtzman back to the ground as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Lentz (Overall Score: 20-18 for Lentz)
Round Three: The round begins with Holtzman attacking Lentz with a high kick, Holtzman comes forward and he attacks Lentz with some rights. Lentz hits a swinging Holtzman with a counter left hook, Lentz nails Holtzman with a multiple strike combination. Holtzman nails an incoming Lentz with a kick to the midsection, Lentz goes for back control on a standing Holtzman and Holtzman shakes him off. Lentz scores a takedown on Holtzman and he gets back control, Lentz gets Holtzman against the cage wall while eating elbow strikes. The fighters separate and swing away at each other, Holtzman nails Lentz with a flying knee strike. Lentz gets Holtzman against the cage wall until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Holtzman (Final Score: 29-28 for Holtzman)
Official Result: Nik Lentz def. Scott Holtzman by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
#11 Ashlee Evans-Smith vs. #13 Andrea Lee
Round One: The round begins with the fighters taking a few swings at each other, Lee starts attacking Evans-Smith with some leg kicks. Evans-Smith comes forward and she swings away against Lee, Lee hits Evans-Smith with a kick to the midsection. Lee then hits Evans-Smith with a three punch combination, Evans-Smith goes for a high kick and Lee blocks it. Evans-Smith goes for a high kick and Lee counters with a right, Evans-Smith and Lee exchange some kicks to the midsection. Evans-Smith nails Lee with some leg kicks of her own, Lee gets Evans-Smith against the cage wall as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Lee
Round Two: The round begins with Lee nailing Evans-Smith with a right to the midsection, Lee backs up Evans-Smith with a multiple punch combination. Evans-Smith starts attacking Lee with some leg kicks, Lee backs up Evans-Smith again with another combination. Lee keeps Evans-Smith against the cage wall while landing more strikes, Evans-Smith scores a takedown on Lee and she gets side control. Lee scrambles to her feet and the fighters are standing again, Evans-Smith starts hunting for more takedowns against Lee. Lee hits a swinging Evans-Smith with a counter left hook, Evans-Smith lands a kick to the midsection of Lee. Lee and Evans-Smith clinch while exchanging strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Lee (Overall Score: 20-18 for Lee)
Round Three: The round begins with Lee attacking Evans-Smith with some leg kicks, Evans-Smith attempts a high kick against Lee. Evans-Smith starts hunting for takedowns against Lee, Lee nails a swinging Evans-Smith with a counter strike combination. Lee nails Evans-Smith with a kick to the midsection, Evans-Smith comes forward and she attacks Lee with combinations. Lee backs up Evans-Smith while landing a three punch combination, Lee gets Evans-Smith against the cage wall while looking for a takedown. The fighters separate and Evans-Smith goes for a takedown, Evans-Smith scores a takedown on Lee as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Lee (Final Score: 30-27 for Lee)
Official Result: #13 Andrea Lee def. #11 Ashlee Evans-Smith by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Manny Bermudez vs. Benito Lopez
Round One: The round begins with Lopez attacking Bermudez with some leg kicks, Lopez follows that up by hitting Bermudez with a right. Bermudez scores a takedown on Lopez and he gets back control, Lopez scrambles and he gets Bermudez in his full guard. Lopez scrambles to his feet and Bermudez gets him against the cage wall, Lopez spins Bermudez into the cage wall while landing a few knee strikes. Bermudez drags Lopez to the ground while attempting a guillotine choke, Lopez escapes the first attempt and Bermudez catches him in a d’arce choke to force a tap out.
Official Result: Manny Bermudez def. Benito Lopez by submission via d’arce choke (3:09, R1)
#5 Jimmie Rivera vs. #7 Aljamain Sterling
Round One: The round begins with Sterling attacking Rivera with a front kick before getting him against the cage wall, the fighters separate and take a few swings at each other. Sterling comes forward and he attacks Rivera with a variety of kicks, Sterling grabs Rivera and gets him against the cage wall again. Sterling nails Rivera with a few strikes while in the clinch, the referee separate sthe fighters for inactivity. The action resumes with Rivera attacking Sterling with leg kicks, Sterling attempts a few high kicks against Rivera. Rivera grabs Sterling and gets him against the cage wall until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Sterling
Round Two: The round begins with Rivera scoring a takedown on a kicking Sterling, Sterling scrambles to get the fight standing again. Sterling grabs Rivera and gets him against the cage wall, Sterling attacks Rivera with a few knee strikes while in the clinch. The fighters separate and Sterling goes for a high kick against Rivera, Sterling rocks Rivera with a spinning back fist followed by an overhand right. Sterling backs Rivera into the cage wall while swinging away at him, Sterling then attacks Rivera with a few side kicks. Sterling goes for a takedown and Rivera stuffs it while controlling his head, the fighters stand back up and separate. Sterling attacks Rivera with a high kick followed by a right, Sterling nails Rivera with a spinning strike as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Sterling (Overall Score: 20-18 for Sterling)
Round Three: The round begins with Rivera tripping up Sterling, Sterling gets back up as Rivera takes a few swings at him. Rivera and Sterling have a few striking exchanges, Sterling starts attacking Rivera with some leg kicks. Rivera attacks Sterling with a few rights after eating some body kicks, Rivers trips up a kicking Sterling and he gets side control on the ground. Rivera gets up and Sterling follows suit a few moments later, Sterling and Rivera exchange some jabs. Sterling nails Rivera with a side kick to the head, Rivera drags Sterling to the ground as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Sterling (Final Score: 30-27 for Sterling)
Official Result: #7 Aljamain Sterling def. #5 Jimmie Rivera by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Andre Fili vs. Myles Jury
Round One: The round begins with Fili attacking Jury with some leg kicks, Fili attacks Jury with jabs to keep him at a distance. Jury nails Fili with a kick to the midsection, Jury hits an incoming Fili with a right hook to the side of the head. Fili stays at a distance while peppering Jury with a series of strikes, Jury cracks Fili with a kick to the midsection. Jury rocks Fili with a spinning back fist followed by a left, Fili cracks a swinging Jury with a counter right as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Fili
Round Two: The round begins with Jury and Fili exchanging a few kicks, Fili goes back to attacking Jury with leg kicks. Fili then cracks a swinging Jury with a counter straight right, Jury starts nailing Fili with some leg kicks of his own. Jury then nails Fili with an overhand right, the fighters stay at a distance while attacking each other with jabs. Jury drops Fili with a spinning back fist and he pounces on him with more strikes, Jury gets full mount against Fili on the ground. Fili gets a swingingJury in his full guard as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Jury (Overall Score: 19-19 for Draw)
Round Three: The round begins with Jury attacking Fili with some leg kicks, Fili goes back to attacking Jury with some jabs. Jury nails a swinging Fili with a few counter left hooks, Jury stuns a swinging Fili with a counter right. Fili keeps Jury at a distance by attacking him with a plethora of jabs, Fili goes for a high kick and Jury blocks it. Jury attacks Fili with a combination as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Fili (Final Score: 29-28 for Fili)
Official Result: Andre Fili def. Myles Jury by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Vicente Luque vs. Bryan Barberena
Round One: The round begins with Luque charging at Barberena while having a striking exchange, Luque starts attacking Barberena with some leg kicks. Luque hits Barberena with a front kick to the midsection. Barberena nails Luque with a right before eating a combination, Luque keeps Barberena against the cage wall while landing more strikes. Luque nails Barberena with a leaping kick to the upper body, the fighters clinch and exchange some strikes. The fighters separate and Luque nails a swinging Barberena with a counter right hook, Barberena drops Luque with a left and he engages him on the ground. Luque scrambles and he gets back control on Barberena, Luque rolls for a rear naked choke and Barberena escapes. Luque rolls for a d’arce choke next and Barberena escapes to get top position, Barberena nails Luque with elbow strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Barberena
Round Two: The round begins with Barberena charging at Luque while swinging away at him, Luque nails a swinging Barberena with a counter left hook. Barberena backs Luque into the cage wall while landing a combination, Barberena also attacks Luque with a series of elbow strikes to the head. Luque swings at Barberena while Barberena lands shots to his midsection, Barberena follows a backing Luque while the fighters exchange strikes. Barberena nails Luque with a three punch combination, Luque nails an incoming Barberena with a left hook. Luque starts attacking Barberena with some leg kicks, Barberena and Luque exchange three punch combinations. Luque cracks a swinging Barberena with a counter left hook, Luque drops Barberena with a knee strike and he pounces on him with more strikes until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Luque (Overall Score: 19-19 for Draw)
Round Three: The round begins with Barberena attacking Luque with some leg kicks, Luque responds by landing leg kicks of his own. Luque nails a swinging Barberena with a counter left, Barberena nails Luque with a knee strike to the midsection. Barberena charges at Luque while the fighters trade more strikes, Barberena backs up Luque while landing some elbow strikes. Barberena grabs Luque before nailing him with a knee strike, Luque and Barberena exchange some elbow strikes. Barberena and Luque continue having striking exchanges, Barberena hits Luque with a front kick to the face. Luque and Barberena have a wild striking exchange, Luque drops Barberena with a series of knee strikes and he pounces on him with more strikes until the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Vicente Luque def. Bryan Barberena by TKO via strikes (4:54, R3)
Kron Gracie vs. Alex Caceres
Round One: The round begins with Caceres attacking Gracie with some leg kicks, Caceres takes a few swings at Gracie while staying on the outside. Gracie grabs Caceres and he gets him against the cage wall, Gracie drags Caceres to the ground while gaining back control. Gracie locks in the rear naked choke and a tap out follows.
Official Result: Kron Gracie def. Alex Caceres by submission via rear naked choke (2:06, R1)
#11 Cortney Casey vs. #12 Cynthia Calvillo
Round One: The round begins with Calvillo attacking Casey with some leg kicks, Casey comes forward and takes a few swings at Calvillo. Calvillo responds by landing a knee strike followed by a right, Calvillo goes for a high kick against Casey. Casey backs Calvillo into the cage wall while attacking her with a combination, Casey continuously attacks Calvillo with combinations. Calvillo and Casey have a few striking exchanges, Calvillo scores a trip takedown on Casey and she lets her stand back up, Casey attacks a swinging Calvillo with counter strike combinations. Calvillo then cracks Casey with an overhand right, Casey swings at Calvillo as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Casey
Round Two: The round begins with Calvillo attempting a few kicks against Casey, Casey starts attacking Calvillo with some leg kicks. Calvillo pops an incoming Casey with a short right hook, Calvillo continues catching Casey with some in and out punching combinations. Calvillo grabs Casey and she gets her against the cage wall, Casey gets free and she separates from Calvillo. Calvillo catches a swinging Casey with a counter left hook, Casey looks to hit a swinging Calvillo with counter strikes. Calvillo charges at Casey and attacks her with a combination as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Calvillo (Overall Score: 19-19 for Draw)
Round Three: The round begins with Casey going for a high kick against Calvillo, Casey comes forward and swings away at Calvillo. Casey starts nailing Calvillo with some leg kicks, Calvillo grabs Casey and gets her up against the cage wall. The fighters separate and they exchange some more leg kicks, Calvillo goes for a superman punch against Casey. Casey continuously attacks Calvillo with counter strike combinations, Calvillo pops a swinging Casey with a counter right. The fighters have a wild striking exchange as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Casey (Fnal Score: 29-28 for Casey)
Official Result: #12 Cynthia Calvillo def. #11 Cortney Casey by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
#10 James Vick vs. Paul Felder
Round One: The round begins with the fighters taking a few swings at each other, Felder nails a kicking Vick with a counter right. Vick starts attacking Felder with a variety of kicks, Vick pops a swinging Felder with a counter right. Felder goes for a spinning elbow strike against an incoming Vick, Felder starts attacking Vick with some leg kicks. Vick then cracks Felder with a straight right, Felder charges at a backing Vick while swinging away at him. Vick attempts a few high kicks and Felder blocks them all, Felder grabs Vick and gets him against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Felder rocks Vick with a spinning back fist, Felder follows up by landing a combination as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Felder
Round Two: The round begins with the fighters exchanging a few kicks, Vick goes for a flying knee strike against Felder. Vick grabs Felder and he gets him against the cage wall, Vick nails Felder with an elbow strike as they separate. Felder cracks a swinging Vick with a counter left hook, Felder goes back to attacking Vick with leg kicks. Felder then cracks a backing Vick with an overhand right, Felder again cracks a swinging Vick with a counter right. Felder then nails Vick with a spinning elbow strike, Vick grabs Felder and gets him against the cage wall again. The fighters separate and Vick attacks Felder with a flying knee strike, Felder lands a few more on Vick as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Felder (Overall Score: 20-18 for Felder)
Round Three: The round begins with Vick going for a few kicks against Felder, Felder nails Vick with a spinning back kick to the midsection. Felder also attacks Vick with more leg kicks and a left hook, Felder grabs Vick and gets him against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Felder goes back to attacking Vick with leg kicks, Felder rocks a swinging Vick with a counter left hook. Vick comes forward and he attacks Felder with a punching combination, Vick grabs Felder and gets him against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Felder nails Vick with a spinning elbow strike, Vick then nails Felder with a kick to the midsection. Felder grabs Vick and gets him against the cage wall as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Felder (Final Score: 30-27 for Felder)
Official Result: Paul Felder def. #10 James Vick by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
#3 Francis Ngannou vs. Cain Velasquez
Round One: The round begins with Velasquez kicking Ngannou in the midsection, Ngannou levels Velasquez with a combination and he pounces on him with more strikes until the referee jumps in.
Official Result: #3 Francis Ngannou def. Cain Velasquez by KO via strikes (0:26, R1)
