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The UFC entourage stopped over in Auckland, New Zealand for a fight card that appealed to every fight purist.
Paul Felder and Dan Hooker squared off against each other in an explosive Lightweight main event. The co-main event of the show saw Jimmy Crute and Michal Oleksiejczuk locked inside the Octagon for an important Light Heavyweight clash
Highly-rated Chinese prospect Yan Xiaonan faced former Strawweight title contender Karolina Kowalkiewicz in the third fight of the main card.
Ben Sosoli and Marcos Rogerio de Lima were involved in an exciting heavyweight scrap while the main card kicked off with a Lightweight contest between Brad Riddell and Magomed Mustafaev.
The card featured a healthy balance of finishes and entertaining decisions and on that note, here are the results and highlights of the show.
UFC Fight Night 168 Results - Prelims
Zubaira Tukhugov def. Kevin Aguilar via TKO (punches) (3:21, Round 1)
Jalin Turner def. Josh Culibao via TKO (punches and elbows) (3:01, Round 2)
Jake Matthews def. Emil Meek via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Song Kenan def. Callan Potter via KO (punches) (2:20, Round 1)
Kai Kara-France def. Tyson Nam via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angela Hill def. Loma Lookboonmee via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Priscila Cachoeira def. Shana Dobson via KO (punch) (0:40, Round 1)
UFC Fight Night 168 Results - Main Card
#1. Brad Riddell vs. Magomed Mustafaev (Lightweight)
New Zealander Brad Riddell was coming off a UFC debut win against Jamie Mullarkey and he intended to build upon the good start here tonight his first fight of 2020.
Magomed had lost just one of his last fourteen fights, a loss that came against Kevin Lee back in November 2016. The Russian fighter last fought in April last year and he conveniently dispatched off Rafael Fiziev via TKO in the first round.
Both Riddell and Magomed began the fight in tentative fashion as they tried to get the range in place in the early stages of the fight.
Riddell tasted success in the first round as he knocked Magomed down with a big right. Mustafaev steadied himself and gradually fought his way back in the first round as he tried to assert his grappling dominance.
The second round was evenly matched as Riddell got in his kicks and strikes but fell victim to a takedown in the latter half of the round.
The third and final round began with Riddell as the aggressor and he hurt Mustafaev with a big right after avoiding a few incoming strikes. Mustafa looked to take the fight to the ground in the dying moments of the fight but Riddell defended well and looked threatening as he attempted a Kimura as well. The strong finish for Riddell gave him an advantage in the eyes of the judges.
It was a close fight but 'Quake' managed to edge Mustafeav on the scorecards with a split decision win.
Result: Brad Riddell def. Magomed Mustafaev via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
#2. Ben Sosoli vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima (Heavyweight)
Ben 'Combat Wombat' Sosoli came into this heavyweight showdown against Brazilian veteran Marcos Rogerio de Lima as the betting odds favourite. However, we were in for an upset as 'Pezao' pulled off a quintessential first-round knockout finish against his Australian opponent.
The two towering heavyweights didn't waste any time as de Lima came in swinging from the opening bell. Sosoli responded to de Lima's jabs with 1-2s and counter strikes, however, the Brazilian was aggressively pushing for an early finish and he cracked Sosoli with a host of brutal hooks.
One of the hooks - a well-placed right - landed to the back of Sosoli's ear and the impact forced him to go down on his knees
The Brazilian applied the finishing touch with a massive punch, leaving the referee with no option but to stop the fight. This was a heavyweight clash at its finest. Both men came in with the intention to knock each other out early and de Lima had the last laugh in the end, and he needed just 88 seconds to get the job done.
Result: Marcos Rogerio de Lima def. Ben Sosoli via TKO (punches) (1:28, Round 1)
#3. Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Xiaonan Yan (Women's Strawweight)
Former Women's Strawweight title contender Karolina Kowalkiewicz's career was on a downward spiral as she hadn't won a fight since 2018, having been on a three-fight losing streak heading into her latest challenge.
Xiaonan Yan, who holds the distinction of being the first fighter from Chine to be signed by UFC, hadn't been defeated since 2010. Karolina had a big task ahead of her but she couldn't overcome the relentlessness of the Chinese prospect.
The Polish fighter just couldn't deal with the pace and constant pressure of Yan and she was convincingly beaten on the scorecards,
Yan was given a 30-26 from all the three judges as she steamrolled past her opponent with ease and dominance.
It took time but once Yan found her range, it was her fight all the way as she peppered Karolina with a diverse range of attacks all throughout the three-round contest.
Result: Xiaonan Yan def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
#4. Jimmy Crute vs. Michał Oleksiejczuk (Light Heavyweight)
Hyped as the next big thing in the Light Heavyweight division, Jimmy Crute was coming off a crushing loss against Misha Cirkunov, which was also his first pro MMA loss. Oleksiejczuk was also coming off a defeat at the hands of Ovince Saint Preux.
Crute wasted no time in taking the fight to the ground as he avoided an incoming left-hand strike, changed levels and dumped Michal down to the mat. Oleksiejczuk worked his way up to his feet and fought out of a clinch, only to be taken back to the ground in half guard by Crute.
The Brute first worked towards an arm triangle, however, he abandoned it for a Kimura. He got into side control, cranked Michael's arm and forced a tap. It was a clinical as they come.
Result: Jimmy Crute def. Michal Oleksiejczuk via submission (Kimura) (3:29, Round 1)
#5. Paul Felder vs. Dan Hooker (Lightweight)
No glove touch and that was enough to blow the roof off the place as if it wasn't already electric enough inside the arena.
Felder stalked Hooker in the early stages of the fight but it was the New Zealander who drew first blood with a snappy overhead right. Felder maintained Octagon control as he pressed his opponent and looked for an opening to exploit. Felder was doing a good job of controlling the centre but he was having a tough time closing the distance as Hooker was light on his feet. Hooker tried to wear Felder down with the leg kicks as he managed his range really well in the first round and targetted Felder's lead leg.
The second round began in a similar fashion as Felder pushed forward but Hooker's range management was on point again. The leg kicks continued to land for Hooker and he threw in the occasional jabs in as well to good effect. Felder overcommitted to a combination and gave up his back in the standing position. Hooker tried to get the under hooks from the back but Felder stayed patient as he worked on the wrists.
Felder pushed Hooker back against the cage and they were back circling the Octagon again. Felder picked up the pace as he looked to close the distance again but he walked into a knee. Both men ended the round with a wild exchange as Felder stared his opponent down after the hooter. We had a proper fight on our hands!
Hooker was getting the better of the stand-up exchanges in the third round. It was interesting to note that there was not a single takedown attempt as both men were content with a striking battle. The leg kicks were taking a toll on Felder as he was less mobile as the round went on. They exchanged strikes in the clinch to see off the round. Felder ate a few shots in the round but he also landed quite a few.
Hooker seemed to have been hurt by a strike from Felder, however, the American didn't follow up quickly enough for a potential finish. Hooker changed levels and got hold of Felder's back again in the standing position. They broke up and exchanged a few hard shots. They clinched and Felder landed a few solid elbows from the inside.
Felder brought the fight to Hooker in the final round as he landed with a lot of combinations and strikes. However, Hooker landed a solid takedown and the fans loved it. An epic scramble ensued with the fans up on their feet as the amazing back-and-forth contest came to an end.
Result: Dan Hooker def. Paul Felder via split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47)
As advertised, this ended up being an epic fight. It was close but that takedown at the end may have done it for Hooker.
In his post-fight interview, an emotional Felder revealed that this could be the last MMA fight and that just makes use incredibly sad.
