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UFC returned to Las Vegas to air a fairly decent UFC on ESPN 9 card from inside UFC Apex. It may not have had the big-name fights but the match-ups on this lineup had all the potential to be show-stealers. Tyron Woodley made his Octagon return for the first time since losing the Welterweight strap to take on Gilbert Burns in the main event of UFC on ESPN 9.
Blagoy Ivanov and Augusto Sakai locked horns in a heavyweight co-main event clash while Roosevelt Roberts and Brok Weaver faced each other in a Lightweight bout at UFC on ESPN 9.
Billy Quarantillo and Spike Carlyle faced each other in a catchweight bout (150 pounds) and the weight was agreed upon by both fighters before the contract was signed for the UFC on ESPN 9 contest.
Rising Women's Strawweights Mackenzie Dern and Hannah Cifers rounded up the main card.
Here are the results and highlights of UFC on ESPN 9:
UFC on ESPN 9 Results - Prelims
Katlyn Chookagian def. Antonina Shevchenko via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-25)
Daniel Rodriguez def. Gabriel Green via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Jamahal Hill def. Klidson Abreu via TKO (knee and punches) (1:51, Round One)
Brandon Royval def. Tim Elliott via submission (arm triangle choke) (3:18, Round Two)
Casey Kenney def. Louis Smolka via submission (guillotine choke) (3:03, Round One)
Chris Gutierrez def. Vince Morales via TKO (leg kicks) (4:27, Round Two)
UFC on ESPN 9 Results - Main Card
#5. Mackenzie Dern vs. Hannah Cifers (Strawweight)
Mackenzie Dern came into the fight looking for a third UFC win against Hannah Cifers. Both unranked women looked to get a big win which would get them closer to the ranked spots in the division.
Round 1: They circled the Octagon for a few seconds before the clinch came into play. Dern and Cifers attempted to wrestle each other down and the Brazilian tried to use her strength but Cifers held her own. Cifers even cracked Dern with a big knee against the cage.
The broke up the clinch and Dern landed a good uppercut on the subsequent entry. Cifers landed a good outside leg kick. Cifers moved around a lot while also constantly shifting stances. Cifers caught a body kick and the fight went to the mat. Cifers saw an opening and unleashed a few hammer fists, however, she got a little sloppy.
Dern caught hold of Cifers' leg while on her back. She turned over and locked in the kneebar. Cifers was in a world of trouble and she was left with no option but to tap. That was crafty from the BJJ virtuoso. Mackenzie's elite ground game came to the fore here.
Result: Mackenzie Dern def. Hannah Cifers via submission (kneebar) (2:36, Round One)
Mackenzie created history by becoming the first woman to have a leglock submission in women's UFC history. Quite a feat there!
#4. Roosevelt Roberts vs. Brok Weaver (Lightweight)
The heavily-hyped Brok Weaver was on an 8-fight win streak and he, unfortunately, missed weight in the lead up to the fight. He won on his UFC debut via a DQ win against Roberto Vargas and his second Octagon outing was considered to be his redemption fight.
Roosevelt Roberts, a product of Dana White's Contenders' series, had lost just once in his career and he was naturally unhappy with Weaver missing weight. There was legitimate animosity between both fighters in this one.
Round 1: Roberts didn't waste time as he connected with an inside leg kick. Weaver pushed forward and forced the clinch. They broke up but Weaver kept pressing forward.
Brok entered with a combo and engaged in another clinch. He pushed Roberts against the fence and they talked trash while tussling for dominance in the clinch. Back at the centre, Roberts landed a combo and finished it up with a nice uppercut.
He dipped and threw a looping shot to the body. Weaver put together a three-piece before getting into another clinch. They split and Roberts threw a quick right followed by a 1-2.
Roberts got in a kick through Weaver's guard. Another clinch ensued and Roosevelt tried to get in the under hooks. Weaver got his knees up but Roosevelt escaped the clinch. Roosevelt faked a left hook and went for a heavy-handed right.
Weaver softened him up to the face and forced another clinch. Weaver wanted to keep things close but Roosevelt reversed positions and caught Brok in a standing guillotine.
Weaver spun and escaped the hold. The round came to an end just when Roberts attempted to attack a grounded Weaver.
10-9 Roberts
Round 2: Roosevelt wobbled Weaver with a strike in the early stages of round 2. Weaver got back to his gameplan and engaged in a clinch, which didn't last for long. Weaver rushed in again with a few hooks and clinched against the cage. Roosevelt flipped positions and both men exchanged knees.
Roberts connected with a right, level changed and landed a takedown with three minutes to go. He flattened Weaver out and was almost in half guard. Roberts looked for the D'Arce choke but transitioned to full mount. That was slick! Weaver flipped over and Roberts got Brok's back. He got the under hooks for the Rear Naked choke but Weaver may have used the cage to get out of it.
Roberts, however, landed some big shots yet again and sunk in the RNC. It was deep this time and Weaver had no way out of it. The tap came and Herb Dean stopped the fight.
Result: Roosevelt Roberts def. Brok Weaver via submission (Rear Naked choke) (3:26, Round two)
Roosevelt 'The Predator' Roberts is the real deal and let no one tell you otherwise. As for Brok, that was a crushing loss and 'Chata Tuska' would need a big win to bounce back from it in his next fight.
#3. Billy Quarantillo vs. Spike Carlyle (Catchweight - 150 lbs)
Billy Quarantillo was on a 6-fight win streak coming into this catchweight showdown. Spike 'Alpha Ginger' Carlyle was on a 5-fight win streak himself and the dynamics of the fight had all the makings of being a slobber knocker.
Billy Quarantillo edges past Spike Carlyle at UFC on ESPN 9
Round 1: Spike came in like a man possessed with a high kick straight to Billy's face. Alpha Ginger was not messing around! He rocked Quarantillo and went off with a barrage of strikes. Billy was down on the mat and Spike unleashed big shots from the top.
Quarantillo managed to survive and he even threatened Spike with an armbar. Carlyle got his arm out and swiftly flipped over and got Billy's back for the RNC. Quarantillo tried to wear him down and get in the choke.
Quarantillo tipped the scales and got in the full mount position. These men were scrambling and it was wild! Quarantillo used the Baseball grip, scrambled and landed in full guard. Alpha ginger connected with a few big shots from the top. They got back up with Carlyle on Billy's back. Quarantillo looked to turn over into a kneebar but Billy stayed firm.
Spike postured up and landed big shots from the top with 15 seconds to go. Spike got up to his feet and began casually walking towards the fence but the buzzer hadn't gone off and he got rocked by a shot from the back by Billy. The round finally came to an end. What.A.Round! Woo!
10-9 Carlyle
Round 2: Was Alpha Ginger just a first-round fighter as stated by Billy's camp? Let's find out!
Quarantillo rocked Billy with a running elbow and he swarmed in for the finish. Quarantillo held on to the Baseball grip and scrambled. It was insane all-action madness on display!
They exchanged and transitioned to various positions before Quarantillo was on his back and he connected with elbows. Spike got a few strikes though the guard before getting Billy's back.
Qurantillo tried to get him up and slither out but spike's position was strong. Back on the feet, Billy cracked Spike with a big knee to the body before landing a takedown.
Carlyle scrambled back to his feet while Billy went for the double leg takedown. They broke up, got back to the centre, and Spike changed levels. He was spent but somehow executed the takedown.
Billy caught Spike in a head and arm triangle but Alpha Ginger survived and the round came to an end. What a freaking fight!
10-9 Quarantillo
Round 3: Spike caught Quarantillo's back from the get-go and he tried to yank him down to the mat.
Billy defended it well and worked himself into full guard. Spike was so physically strong that he scrambled and got up. Billy scrambled to full guard again and unloaded with some good old ground and pound.
He locked in an RNC from the side but Spike turned over. He got the angle all wrong. Spike scrambled again and got in Billy'sguard. Carlyle kept Billy down and tried to hold on until the end.
Billy used the cage and got up to his feet. Carlyle looked for the body lock and the takedown. Billy stayed firm and landed a few knees. Billy got Spike down and rested on his back.
He cracked the face to force Spike to allow him to get in the RNC under hooks. Billy flattened Spike out and got in many shots from the back with 30 seconds to go. They both got up and Billy followed Spike.
They exchanged bombs in the pocket in the final twenty seconds. Billy rocked Spike with hooks but he stood like a deadman. They swung right till the end! And the insanity sadly came to an end! That was a war!
Result : Billy Quarantillo def. Spike Carlyle via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
We needed to more rounds here! That was incredible and the easy pick to take the fight of the night honors.
The decision is certainly debatable as Alpha Ginger also made a strong case for himself to take the W. What do you think? Was the decision justified?
#2. Blagoy Ivanov vs. Augusto Sakai (Heavyweight)
It was time for the big boys to play in the penultimate fight of the evening!
Augusto Sakai picks up a controversial win against Blagoy Ivanov at UFC on ESPN 9
Round 1: Ivanov began in southpaw as Sakai took the orthodox position. Sakai loosened up his feet as he landed with kicks to the legs and body.
Blagoy looked for the opening and he was patient enough for the left-hand haymaker. Sakai peppered Ivanoc's feet with outside leg kicks. Ivanov got into the pocket and went for the straight left hand. He followed it with a quick three-piece combo. The straight lefts were a big weapon in his arsenal.
Sakai kept landing the heavy kicks to the outside. Ivanov cut the cage off and then looked to go to work. He engaged in a scrap but settled for the clinch. Sakai pushed Ivanov against the cage.
Blagoy escaped and landed a left on the exit. They got in the Thai clinch and Ivanov landed a few shots before the broke up. Ivanov buckled up a bit as a result of an outside leg kick. Sakai cracked Ivanov with a body kick. They clinched and broke away as the round came to a close. That was a close round but Sakai's kicks and a slight edge in the clinch work may have done it for him.
10-9 Sakai
Round 2: Blagoy started with a massive left. He began to find the target and connected with two big lefts. Sakai responded with a counter right.
Ivanov attempted a takedown but Sakai stuffed it with ease. Blagoy entered for a wild exchange but Sakai swung his hands too. Sakai pushed Blagoy against the fence. They broke up after a few seconds and circled the cage.
Sakai was the one who cut the cage off and he was landing some really good shots. He connected a massive body kick but ate a left from Ivanov, which had some good pop on it.
They clinched and Sakai connected with knees to the body. He connected with a backhand on the break. The outside leg kicks kept landing unchecked on Blagoy. Ivanov's lead leg had been clobbered with kicks and his mobility had taken a hit.
Ivanov caught a front kick and executed a takedown. He took side control with 30 seconds on the clock.
10-9 Sakai
Round 3: Blagoy landed a left but Sakai was the more diverse and technical striker as his counter strikes were combinations. Sakai landed a front kick and a big jab. He followed it with a flying knee, and another body kick. Sakai was busy and looked the fresher fighter in the final round.
They got in the body lock and went to the fence. Sakai showcased some fine dirty boxing along the fence. Blagoy almost landed a takedown but Sakai used the fence to avoid going down. That was clearly illegal and Daniel Cormier was shocked. A warning was issued and the fight resumed without any interruptions.
Ivanov showed some urgency as he avoided many shots with some smooth head movement before cracking Sakai with a left to the jaw. They ended the fight in the clinch along the fence. The controversial fence-grab was the biggest talking point right after the final buzzer. A point deduction was what DC felt was the right thing to do.
Result: Augusto Sakai def. Blagoy Ivanov via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
Augusto Sakai should count himself lucky that the judges didn't deduct a point for the fence grab as the fight could have easily ended in a draw.
The Brazilian, however, continues to be undefeated in the UFC heavyweight division.
#1. Tyron Woodley vs. Gilbert Burns (Welterweight)
Tyron Woodley's mission was simple - chart his way back towards reclaiming the Welterweight Championship. His first fight since he lost the title in March 2019 to Kamaru Usman was against the multi-dimensional Gilbert Burns. 'Durinho' claimed it was his time now and T-Wood was the old guard that needed to be taken down. Burns was on a 5-fight win streak and he looked to get the biggest win of his career against T-Wood in the main event of the evening.
Gilbert Burns bags the biggest win of his career at UFC on ESPN 9
Round 1: Both men began cautiously as they scouted each other's movements. Burns fired off a couple of heavy leg kicks.
Burns hurt Woodley with a hard right. T-Wood was rocked and he wobbled down to the mat as a result of the follow-up uppercut in the pocket. Durinho mounted Woodley and punished the former champ with hammer fists.
Burns worked on Woodley and tried the one-arm guillotine. There was some blood spilling out of Woodley's head as Burns mounted all the heavy ground pressure. Gilbert had top control and he looked for the triangle. Woodley scrambled and used his power to get back on his feet. Gilbert went for a big kick but Woodley moved out. Woodley skated by the cage for the counter punch. Burns landed a hard low kick. He connected with a body kick followed by a left hook.
Woodley had a nasty gash over his left eye as the round ended. The cutman had his worked cut out for him.
10-9 Burns
Round 2: Woodley exploded with a combination. He reset the scales and looked good in the early phase. Burns landed a low kick as he controlled the centre of the cage. Burns went for the high kick but Woodley's guard absorbed it.
The Chosen One began to feint much better that kept Burns guessing. Gilbert was also quite elusive with his movements before he went hard for the right.
Gilbert changed levels and landed a clean takedown. Gilbert took top position and was in Woodley's guard. Woodley got to one knee. He used the fence to slowly get back to his base. Tyron looked to pummel the left arm in as Burns kept pushing him to the fence. Burns landed two heavy shots as Woodley was on both his feet.
Burns dictated the fight along the fence. Props to the cutman as Woodley was hardly bleeding despite having a bad cut above his left eye.
Woodley turned over and they clinched until the end of the round.
10-9 Burns
Round 3: Woodley had to push the pace as Gilbert was comfortably getting the better of the exchanges.
Woodley landed a good right as Gilbert was coming in. Gilbert landed a 1-2 that wobbled Woodley. T-Wood fought back with a hard right. Burns landed a body kick followed by a big right. He went low to the body with a punch. He landed a leg-kick combination before going up top with a jab.
Burns lost balance and invited Woodley down but the former Champion declined the offer. Burns touched him with a left before going for a big overhead right. Burns went for the sidekicks to the head.
Burns kept landing the leg and calf kicks. Woodley wasn't making Burns pay for his misses and that could have cost him at the end. Burns stared Woodley down after the round. He was oozing with confidence as we approached the final two rounds.
10-9 Burns
Round 4: Woodley needed the finish as he was three rounds down. Burns ducked under a big left and went for the double leg takedown.
Woodley defended it well and they clinched against the cage. T-Wood pushed Burns, who connected with the knees to the body before reversing positions. Burns looked sensational as he sent in a series of snappy jabs. He picked up the pace and piled on the pressure.
Durinho cut the cage off and stalked Woodley. He jumped in and connected with a hard right followed by a precise combination that dropped Woodley. T-Wood desperately went for the body lock to avoid taking more damage,
Burns landed the second takedown of the fight as Woodley's back was against the cage. Burns kept Woodley down in half guard. He wrapped his arms around Woodley's neck but he ran out of time. The mental warfare from Burns continued as he stared T-Wood down.
10-9 Burns
Round 5: Burns forced the clinch against the fence and he just needed to see stay there and he had the W in the bag.
Woodley needed the finish as Durinho was 4-0 up and in complete control. The referee broke up the clinch and Burns kept up the pressure.
Woodley swung for a hail mary hard right that didn't land. It could have been the finisher had it landed. Both men engaged in a body lock for a few seconds. Woodley let him got to create space for a knockout. Burns fired off kicks to either leg. He wasn't playing it safe as he took the fight to Tyron.
The fight came to a close and so did Durinho's masterclass! That was a star-making performance of the highest order. Phenomenal!
Result: Gilbert Burns def. Tyron Woodley via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-44, 50-44)
Gilbert Burns just dominated one of the greatest Welterweights of all time who was motivated to get back to the top. A new title contender has risen in one of the most stacked divisions of the UFC. If you hadn't taken notice of the Brazilian, you sure have now!
