UFC 281 ‘Adesanya vs. Pereira’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring (2024)

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NicolaeNegumereanu (206) vs. CarlosUlberg (205.2)

BETTINGPREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ulberg (-120), Negumereanu(+100)

Round 1

Kevin MacDonald will referee this light heavyweight matchup as weget started with no delay at UFC 281. Both men use front kicks asrange finders at the start. Ulberg lands a leg kick. It’s ameasured beginning with both Ulberg and Negumereanu looking foropenings. Ulberg whips out another hard leg kick to his foe’s leadleg. Negumereanu urges his man forward and Ulberg lands a frontkick to the gut. Ulberg connects with a couple straight punchesthrough Negumereanu’s guard. Ulberg is already racking up damage onNegumereanu's lead leg as he lands another low kick. Negumereanurushes in and whiffs on a punch, stumbling in the process. Ulberglands an inside leg kick. Negumereanu is still stalking but isn’tthrowing much. Ulberg sticks a pair of jabs and just misses a lefthook. Negumereanu’s movement seems to be compromised, and he’shaving trouble tracking Ulberg down. Suddenly, Ulberg drops Negumereanu with a jab-lead hookcombination. As Negumereanu attempts to stand, Ulberg dives in andputs him to sleep with a pair of heavy follow-upblows. A bloodied Negumereanu needs to be helped tohis stool after the carnage unleashed by the Kiwi.

The Official Result

Carlos Ulberg def. Nicolae Negumereanu via KO (Punches) R13:44

JulioArce (135.8) vs. MontelJackson (135.8)

BETTINGPREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jackson (-200), Arce(+170)

Round 1

Arce was victorious in his first appearance of 2022, while Jackson,who has won five of six UFC outings, will return to the Octagon forthe first time in 14 months. Marc Goddard will be the third man inthe cage. They touch gloves and we’re underway. Jackson changeslevels within the first 30 seconds and shoves Arce into the fence.Jackson lands some knees to the body, but one lands on the cup,which prompts a warning from Goddard but no reset. Jackson thinksabout a single-leg but Arce defends, and Jackson lands a shortpunch to the head instead. The crowd is already getting restless asJackson continues to grind away against the fence. Goddard urgesthe combatants to stay busy. Arce can’t get his back off the fenceand we’re halfway through the round when Goddard orders a restartin the center of the cage. Arce has a kick to the body partiallyblocked. He’s cautious, perhaps due to the threat of the Jacksontakedown. Arce fires a straight to the body followed by a leg kick.Arce pressures and both men exchange jabs. Arce picks up the paceand fires off an overhand left. Jackson moves in with a right hook.Arce pressures as time winds down, and Jackson defends a takedownin the final 10 seconds. Arce muscles his opponent to the mat justbefore the horn, however.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Arce
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Arce
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Arce

Round 2

Arce again takes the center of the cage, and he lands a left handas he backs Jackson up. An inside leg kick connects for Arce. Anoutside leg kick lands for Jackson. Arce continues to lead thedance and he moves in behind a right hook, but Jackson lands acounter in response. A right hook connects for Jackson. Anothercounter right lands for Jackson, who is having more success butisn’t landing in great volume. Jackson connects with a solid right.Arce throws a right hook and Jackson angles out. Jackson issticking his right hand with some consistency now as Arcepressures. Jackson shoots for a takedown against the fence. Hesteps around and gets the back of his opponent. Jackson continuesto grind away until the horn, mixing in a knee with some dirtyboxing.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Jackson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jackson
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jackson

Round 3

Arce comes out throwing combinations, but it’s Jackson who lands aright hand during an initial exchange. Moments later, Jackson putsArce on his back with a stiff jab. Jackson assumes top position andworks to land punches from inside Arce’s guard. Arce seems to haverecovered, and he’s very active with his guard. Jackson isstruggling to control the hips, and Arce nearly frames a triangle.Jackson works to stack Arce, but he is unable to pass at the 2:30mark of the round. Arce sits up and then stands. Arce has someswelling under his left eye. Arce is not finding the range on hispunches. Jackson finds an opening a tags Arce with a right hand.Arce pressures forward and whiffs on some looping punches. Arcemoves in with punches and Jackson ties him up, shoving his foe intothe fence. Jackson lands a short right on the break. Jackson with astraight left in the waning seconds, and he dodges a final Arceoffering before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Jackson (29-28Jackson)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jackson (29-28 Jackson)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jackson (29-28 Jackson)

The Official Result

Montel Jackson def. Julia Arce via Unanimous Decision (30-27,30-27, 29-28) R3 5:00

Seung WooChoi (145.6) vs. MichaelTrizano (147.6: Missed Weight)

BETTINGPREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Choi (-165), Trizano(+140)

Round 1

South Korea’s Choi is mired in the second two-fight losing streakof his promotional tenure. Trizano, meanwhile, will attempt to halthis own two-fight skid after missing weight by 1.6 pounds onFriday. Kevin MacDonald will oversee the action. They meet in thecenter and it’s the rare double knockdown right off the bat, asboth men land hooks simultaneously. Choi rocks Trizano with a lefthook when they return to their feet, but the New Yorker remainsupright. Choi with a leg kick and another left hook. Choi getscaught going to the well with the left hook and Trizano floors himagain using a counter right. Trizano follows him to the floor andpounds away with hammerfists. Choi is able to scramble back to hisfeet. Triazno walks forward and lands a straight right. Choiattacks the lead leg and lands the left hook again. Trizano blocksa high kick. Choi feints a right and connects with the left hookagain. Choi attacks and stings Trizano with a right. Trizano landsa solid right in an exchange and Choi is bleeding from his nose.Trizano snaps Choi’s head back with a jab. Choi wobbles Triano witha left hook, and he starts swinging wildly with looping punches.Trizano maintains his composure and he defends the ensuing takedownfrom his opponent. Choi lands a short elbow on the break. Choiloads up and partially lands a big left hook. A hard one-two findsthe mark for Trizano, who is more technical than Choi.Choi moves in and Trizano gives him a taste of his own medicine,dropping him with a clean counter left hook. From there, the “TUF27” winner follows his adversary to the mat and seals his victorywith a barrage of ground-and-pound. Unfortunately forTrizano, his weight miss renders him ineligible for a post-fightbonus.

The Official Result

Michael Trizano def. Seung Woo Choi via KO (Punches) R1 4:51

SilvanaGomez Juarez (115.6) vs. KarolinaKowalkiewicz (115.6)

BETTINGPREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Kowalkiewicz (-120), Juarez(+100)

Round 1

Poland’s Kowalkiewicz, a former 115-pound title challenger, snappeda five-bout losing streak with a second-round submission of FeliceHerrig in her last outing on June 4. Argentina’s Juarez, meanwhile,is coming off a first-round KO of Na Liang at UFC 275. Marc Goddardgets the assignment for the strawweight bout. Juarez is flickingout her jab repeatedly, then misses an overhand right. Kowalkiewiczcatches a kick and immediately turns it into a takedown, and sheimmediately takes the back of her opponent. Kowalkiewicz secures abody triangle as she gets to work near the fence. Kowalkiewiczgives up the body triangle and the Pole retakes the back as Juarezattempts to escape. Juarez is up to a knee, and Kowalkiewicz ishunting for a rear-naked choke. Kowalkiewicz lands some right handsto the side of the head. Juarez is on her feet briefly, but shesits on the mat, with Kowalkiewicz attached to her back against thefence. Kowalkiewicz continues to throw short shots in hopes ofcreating an opening for a submission. Juarez is on a knee again asKowalkiewicz maintains a rear body lock. Juarez finally is able tostand and break her opopnent’s grip with 20 seconds left.Kowalkiewicz lands a jab at range. Juarez pressures with acombination before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Kowalkiewicz
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Kowalkiewicz
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Kowalkiewicz

Round 2

Kowalkiewicz pressures forward, and Juarez is looking for thatoverhand right. So far it hasn’t found the mark. Kowalkiewicz landsa couple jabs in hopes of closing the distance, but Juarez circlesaway to avoid the level change. Kowalkiewicz again pressures behinda combination, but Juarez angles out. Juarez fires off the rightbut can’t find the range. A glancing overhand right finds the markfor Juarez, but Kowalkiewicz eats it without issue. A jab lands forJuarez. Both women land in an exchange. Kowalkiewicz lands a solidright hand, and Juarez answers with a short right of her own.Kowalkiewicz sticks a jab, and Juarez lands another right. Juarezlands a two-punch combination. She lands another right and stepsout of danger from Kowalkiewicz’s answer. Kowalkiewicz forces theclinch and lands a knee to the head before the strawweightsseparate. Juarez misses the mark on an overhand right before thehorn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Kowalkiewicz
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Kowalkiewicz
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Kowalkiewicz

Round 3

Kowalkiewicz lands a couple leg kicks. The Pole moves forward witha combination, and Juarez answers in turn. Juarez lands a left tothe body. Kowalkiewicz marches forward and both women are throwing. Kowalkiewicz is having success with her jab, but she’s eatingpunches when Juarez returns fire with combinations. A nice counterright finds the mark for Juarez in an exchange. A right forKowalkiewicz lands. Juarez sticks a jab and she puts Kowalkiewiczon her heels to connect with a straight right. Juarez seems to bein a rhythm now, but Kowalkiewicz looks to slow her with a legkick. Juarez back sher foe up with a two-punch combination. Juarezgoes body-head. Kowalkiewicz misses a spinning back kick and Juarezsmiles. Kowalkiewicz forces a tie up and lands a knee to the body.Kowalkiewicz pressures with punches and shoves Juarez to theground. Juarez is able to scramble up and put Kowalkiewicz’s backon the fence. They separate with about 30 seconds left in theround. Kowalkiewicz punctuates a combination with a series of kneesin the clinch before separating. Juarez ends the bout with apunching combination followed by a leg kick.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Kowalkiewicz (30-27Kowalkiewicz)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Kowalkiewicz (30-27Kowalkiewicz)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Kowalkiewicz (30-27Kowalkiewicz)

The Official Result

Karolina Kowalkiewicz def. Silvana Gomez Juarez via UnanimousDecision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

OttmanAzaitar (155.6) vs. MattFrevola (154.8)

BETTINGPREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Azaitar (-115), Frevola(-105)

Round 1

Azaitar returns to active competition for the first time sinceSeptember 2020, and he looks to extended his UFC winning streak tothree after back-to-back first-round finishes. Frevola, a New Yorknative and Dana White’s Contender Series alum, is coming off afirst-round TKO triumph himself. Dan Miragliotta will get his firstreffing assignment of the night for this lightweight affair.Frevola comes out with big movements, missing a high kick and aspinning kick. Azaitar circles on the outside and lands a jab.Frevola answers with a body kick. Frevola moves in and lands aone-two. Azaitar backs his foe up with a front kick. A right fromAzaitar backs up Frevola. He follows that with a nice front kickdown the middle. A counter right lands for Frevola in an exchange,but Azaitar makes Frevola stubmle with a short left hook. Frevolasnaps his foe’s head back with a jab. Azaitar looks to go on theattack as he backs Frevola into the fence with a punchingcombination. That proves to be a costly decision, as Frevola lands two shortrights in close quarters before putting out Azaitar’s lights with aclean left hook. Frevola lands a couplestanding-to-ground punches before Miragliotta dives in to save anunconscious Azaitar.

The Official Result

Matt Frevola def. Ottman Azaitar via KO (Punch) R1 2:30

AndrePetroski (185.8) vs. WellingtonTurman (185.2)

BETTINGPREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Petroski (-195), Turman(+165)

Round 1

New Jersey’s Petroski has finished his first three fights in UFCcompetition, while Turman is riding the momentum of back-to-backwins over Misha Cirkunov and Sam Alvey. Keith Peterson willofficiate the middleweight showdown. Turman lands a leg kick early.A straight right from Turman backs Petroski up. Petroski lands aleg kick of his own. Turman responds with a front kick to the body.Turman lands a glancing high kick, and Petroski answers with a lefthook and a right hand that might’ve hurt Turman a little. Petroskiis on the attack and he lands a jab. Turman lands a pair of solidkicks to the lead leg of his foe. A right hand over the top findsthe mark for Petroski. Petroski with a body kick. Petroski shootsfor a single leg and drives Turman to the fence, where he switchesto a double and gets the Brazilian down. Petroski takes the back asTurman stands. Turman works to break the grip of his opponent, andPetroski takes the opportunity to land a right to the head. Turmanturns and then escapes the position. Petroski blocks a high kickand the middleweights trade punches. Petroski backs up Turman witha right. Turman again goes with a high kick but it’s blocked.Turman jumps in with a knee. Turman is working the body know,blending in kicks and punches. Petroski shoots for a single leg,resets against the fence and gets Turman down before the horn.Turman lands some elbows to the head from his seat as time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Turman
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Turman
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Turman

Round 2

Petroski lands a kick to the body. He sticks a jab into the mug ofTurman. Turman with a right hand followed by a front kick to themidsection. Petroski lands a left to the body and shoots for atakedown behind it. He’s momentarily trapped in a guillotine but heescapes and winds up in side control. Turman regains half guard,then recovers full guard. Petroski jmps on Turman’s back as hisopponent crawls toward the fence. He squeezes a neck crank butrelinquishes the hold to return to top posiiton. Turman is able tostand and he goes back to working on Petroski’s body. That promptsPetroski to shoot. Turman can’t secure the guillotine but heassumes top position. Petroski explodes to his feet, but Turmanmaintains a rear body lock. Turman drags him down and Petroski popsup. Turman maintains the rear waist lock. He tries to lift Petroskiup , but his opponent defends and reverses position. Petroski getsa takedown while trapping Turman’s arm behind him. He lets it go totake mount, then moves into Turman’s half guard. Turman tries tostay active with short punches from his back but they’re not doingmuch. Petroski ends the round with several hard elbows from halfguard.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Petroski
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Petroski
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Petroski

Round 3

Petroski changes levels and briefly gets Turman down near thefence. He maintains a body lock and slams Turman back down.Petroski locks in a guillotine during a scramble and he applies thesqueeze while falling back. Petroski moves to full mount butrelents on the choke. He drops punches and elbows from above, thenfloats on top as Turman attempts to scramble. Petroski is still infull mount, looking to frame an arm triangle. Turman recovers hishalf guard. Petroski is still heavy on top, applying shoulderpressure to Turman. Turman has regained full guard now. Petroskicovers his foe’s mouth before dropping a right hand. More righthands for Petroski. Petroski takes the back as Turman attempts tostand. Turman is back to his feet, but Petroski picks him up anddumps him back on the mat. Petroski with some right hands under thearmpit as Turman stands again. Petroski still has the body lockagainst the fence, and he dumps Turman on the canvas once more.Turman looks to frame a leg lock in the last 20 seconds, butPetroski escapes without issue. Petroski ends the fight in mount,pounding away with left hands.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Petroski (29-28Petroski)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Petroski (29-28 Petroski)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Petroski (29-28 Petroski)

The Official Result

Andre Petroski def. Wellington Turman via Unanimous Decision(30-27, 30-27, 29-28) R3 5:00

ErinBlanchfield (125) vs. MollyMcCann (125.4)

BETTINGPREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Blanchfield (-390), McCann(+320)

Round 1

Blanchfield has the looks of a talent to watch in the flyweightdivision, as she enters UFC 281 on a five-fight professionalwinning streak that includes three victories in the Octagon. McCannhas emerged as a star after consecutive finishes in her nativeEngland, and she also has won three in a row in the UFC. KevinMacDonald will officiate the proceedings in the cage. Blanchfiledattacks with a low kick and follows up with a right hand. McCanncatches a kick and misses a big right. Blanchfield lands a bodykick and a punch before executing a takedown and landing in sidecontrol. Blanchfield is already heavy on top, and she secures amounted crucifix. Blanchfield takes advantage of the position andpeppers McCann with a barrage of short left hands. McCann is tryingto buck Blanchfield off of her, but it’s to no avail as Blanchfieldswitches to elbows. The strikes aren’t heavy enough to warrant afinish, but it’s one-way traffic so far. More short elbows raindown for Blanchfield, but she relents on the crucifix to focus on akimura. McCann’s arm is an awkward position behind her body, butthe Englishwoman amazingly doesn’t tap. Blanchfield goes back to the mounted crucifix briefly beforetransitioning to another kimura attempt. This time, Blanchfieldsteps over and cranks the maneuver, giving McCann no choice but totap. Absolute domination for Blanchfield, who wins herfourth straight UFC flyweight bout.

The Official Result

Erin Blanchfield def. Molly McCann via Submission (Kimura) R13:37

DominickReyes (205.4) vs. Ryan Spann(206.6: Missed Weight)

BETTINGPREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Reyes (-205), Spann (+175)

Round 1

It’s been a rough stretch for Reyes, who was finished by JiriProchazka and Jan Blachowicz in back-to-back fights after anear-victory against Jon Jones in February 2020. He’ll look toright the ship against Spann, who missed weight by half a pound buthas been victorious in six of eight promotional appearances. MarcGoddard gets the call to oversee the light heavyweight clash. Reyeswith a front kick down the middle, and Spann misses a high kick. Aright hand from Spann makes Reyes stumble, and Reyes answers. Reyesslips during an ensuing exchange and Spann latches onto aguillotine. He relents and they’re back at range. Spann counters akick with a 1-2 combination and Reyes attempts to answer.As he steps in, a short left hand from “Superman” — along with aglancing right — lays Reyes out stiff on the canvas. He dives inand lands one unnecessary blow before Goddard dives in to saveReyes. Spann has his second straight first-roundfinish in the Octagon. Reyes’ struggles continue, as he loses hisfourth straight.

The Official Result

Ryan Spann def. Dominick Reyes via KO (Punches) R1 1:20

RenatoCarneiro (155.8) vs. BradRiddell (155.6)

BETTINGPREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Carneiro (-120), Riddell(+100)

Round 1

After beginning his UFC tenure with four consecutive triumphs,Riddell has run into adversity with back-to-back losses at thehands of Rafael Fiziev and Jalin Turner. Carneiro will attempt torebound after taking a five-round defeat against Rafael dos Anjosin a 160-pound catchweight affair at UFC 272. Dan Miragliotta willref the evening’s featured prelim. Carneiro takes the center of thecage early and he lands a jab. Carneiro catches Riddell coming inwith a nice step in knee. Another jab from “Moicano” finds themark. Riddell throws a right to the body. Carneiro catches Riddellwith a glancing head kick and follows it up with a fluidcombination. Riddell might’ve been briefly stunned by a right afterthe head kick. Riddell is already bleeding under his right eye.Another jab lands for the Brazilian. Another jab lands for Carneiroand Riddell attempts to answer with a body kick. They trade jabs,but Carneiro’s appears to have more impact. Carneiro forces theclinch and gets a takedown. Carneiro jumps on Riddell’s back duringa scramble and he hunts for a rear-naked choke. His right arm isalready under the chin. Riddell isn’t fighting the hands of hisopponent at all, and that allows “Moicano” to sink the choke evendeeper. Riddell can only keep his chin tucked for so long, and heis forced to ask out of the fight. Impressive win for Carneiro, whocontrolled all aspects of the fight.

The Official Result

Renato Carneiro def. Brad Riddell via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)R1 3:20

DanHooker (155.8) vs. ClaudioPuelles (155.2)

BETTINGPREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Hooker (-145), Puelles(+125)

Round 1

It’s main card time at UFC 281. After a brief venture tofeatherweight, Dan Hooker returns to 155 pounds in hopes of endinga slump that has seen him lose four of five. Peru’s Puelles hasrattled off five straight wins in the promotion, includingback-to-back kneebar submission victories. Keith Peterson will bein charge of the action in the Octagon. Hooker takes the center ofthe cage. Hooker is testing the range with kicks, including severalleg kicks. Puelles misses the mark on a head kick. It’s a measuredbeginning ,with Puelles checking the majority of Hooker’s low kicksbut not really attacking. Puelles dives for a leg and rolls,hunting for a heel hook. Hooker drops to the canvas to defend. TheKiwi triangles his legs to defend himself, but now Puellesseparates the legs and extends the left. Puelles is rolling andcranking for a heel hook. Hooker sits up on his knees and remainscalm. He scoots his knee out and is in a better position. Hooker isin top position now and he stands, which prompts Peterson to ordera standup. Puelles goes to the ground again, looking to grabHooker’s leg. This time Hooker avoids danger. Hooker steps in andlands a straight right. Puelles drops to his back in the waningseconds, drawing boos from the crowd. Hooker doesn’t accept theinvitation to go to the ground, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Puelles
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Puelles
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Puelles

Round 2

Hooker begins the frame with a front kick down the middle. Puellesdives for a leg but Hooker evades him and then lands a body-headpunching combination. Hooker follows a left jab with a high kick. Astraight right prompts a desperation shot from Puelles. Hookerpressures and Puelles fails on a telegraphed takedown. Hooker isstarting to pick his foe apart at range, and Puelles has norecourse other than to dive for the legs. Puelles grabs the legagain. Hooker keeps his balance and forces Puelles to let go byapplying a guillotine. Another right lands for Hooker, and he freeshimself from an ensuing takedown try. Puelles looks overmatched onthe feet and he drops low for a single leg. Hooker defends andorders Puelles to the center of the cage. Hooker sprawls on asingle leg and lands some punches and elbows to the body beforebacking away. Puelles finally lands a left hook, and Hooker appearsto hurt the Peru native with a front kick to the body. Hooker is inpursuit and Puelles falls to the canvas. Peterson orders him tostand. A cartwheel kick from Puelles doesn’t threaten Hooker. “TheHangman” presses forward and digs another front kick to themidsection of Puelles. Puelles falls to the canvas while grimacingin pain, and this time Peterson steps in and waves off the bout.Puelles’ winning streak ends at five.

The Official Result

Dan Hooker def. Claudio Puelles via TKO (Body Kick) R2 4:06

FrankieEdgar (135.6) vs. ChrisGutierrez (136)

BETTINGPREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gutierrez (-215), Edgar(+185)

Round 1

It’s the swan song for Edgar, a former lightweight champion andfeatherweight title challenger. He’ll attempt to end his MMA careeron a high note against Gutierrez, a Factory X product with aseven-bout unbeaten streak in the promotion. Kevin MacDonald willofficiate Edgar’s farewell. Gutierrez, who appears considerablylarger than Edgar, comes out feinting and throwing kicks. Edgarmoves forward and Gutierrez follows two lefts with a nice spinningback fist. A trademark Gutierrez leg kick follows. Edgar eats aleft jab as he attempts to find the range. Edgar continues to pressthe action, looking to find an opening. Instead, it’s Gutierrez whosteps in with a massive knee to the chin that lands clean. Anunconscious Edgar falls to his back, his head bouncing off thecanvas. Gutierrez knows there’s no need to land any follow-upblows, and this one is over with a walk-off KO. Gutierrez and Edgarshare a moment in the Octagon after “The Answer” regainsconsciousness. Meanwhile, a “Frankie Edgar” chant goes up in theGarden.

The Official Result

Chris Gutierrez def. Frankie Edgar via KO (Knee) R1 2:01

MichaelChandler (155.8) vs. DustinPoirier (156)

BETTINGPREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Poirier (-210), Chandler(+180)

Round 1

Two of the lightweight division’s best action fighters are set tosquare off, and both Poirier and Chandler are hoping to get back inthe championship picture after recent losses in title bouts. DanMiragliotta is the third man in the cage. Chandler misses on a biglow kick. Poirier misses his first leg kick too, and Chandleranswers with a right hand. Chandler comes forward and lands a hardbody kick. Chandler shoots and Poirier shucks him off. Poirier jabsthe body. Chandler has a leg kick checked. Chandler pressures withpunches and front kicks, but Poirier defnds well. Moments later, aright lands clean for Chandler, and Poirier is on the defensive.Chandler lands some heavy shots with his foe’s back to the fence.Poirier gets off the fence and they’re back in the center of thecage. Chandler is swinging heavy leather as usual. A crisp rightconnects for Poirier. They collide heads and Chandler tees off withright hands. he backs Poirier into the fence and continues to landpower punches. Poirier looks hurt and Chandler takes him down nearthe fence. Chandler thinks about a kimura, but Poirier scoots tothe fence. Chandler almost jumps on the back as Poirier works hisway up. Chandler has a body lock and he gets Poirier down once,then follows with a suplex. Poirier is right back up, and he’smoving forward with punches now. They’re trading, and it’s Poirierwho buckles his man with a right. Poirer goes on the attack, andhe’s unloading on a reeling Chandler near the fence as time runsout. Chandler, whose face is battered and bloodied, may have beensaved by the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Poirier
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Poirier
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Poirier

Round 2

Poirier sticks a jab at the outset. Chandler presses forward with abody-head combo followed by a kick. That sets up a high amplitudetakedown, and now Chandler is in Poirier’s closed guard. Poirierlands elbows from his back. Chandler is leaking blood from hisnose, and it’s getting all over Poirier. Poirier is framing atriangle, but Chandler passes and takes the back. Chandler attemptsto get his left arm under the chin, but Poirier defends well.Chandler gets both hooks in and continues to hunt for the choke.Chandler is too high and the choke isn’t under the neck, but he iswinning the round at this point. Chandler continues to hold adominant position, but Poirier is able to turn and get his back tothe cage. Poirier has full guard and he frames a kimura. Chandlermakes him eat a big right and he gives up on that. Chandlerswitches to hammerfists and Miragliotta warns him for landing blowsto the back of the head. Chandler relents and he traps the wrist ofPoirier while landing solid right hands to the head. Chandler staysheavy on top as the round draws to a close, and he’ll end adominant frame in top position.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Chandler
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Chandler
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Chandler

Round 3

Poirier attacks the lead leg of Chandler. Poirier with a straightleft. Chandler blocks a head kick and then is denied on ahalf-hearted takedown. Chandler pressures behind a combination andchanges levels. He gets a high crotch and lifts Poirier for a slam,only to see Poirier scramble into top position on the deposit. Fromthere, Poirier transitions to the back of his opponent. Poirier hasa body triangle secured with Chandler still on his knees in thecenter of the Octagon. Poirier locks in a rear-naked choke andfalls back to the canvas, drapping his adversary with him.Poirier’s arm is under the chin and the squeeze is tight. Chandlerhas no choice but to tap in a matter of seconds.

The Official Result

Dustin Poirier def. Michael Chandler via Submission (Rear-NakedChoke) R3 2:00

CarlaEsparza (114.8) vs. Weili Zhang(114.8)

BETTINGPREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Zhang (-340), Esparza(+280)

Round 1

The strawweight title is on the line next, as Esparza hopes toimprove upon a lackluster victory over Rose Namajunas that gave herthe belt at UFC 274. Zhang, meanwhile, is looking to regain thestrap after ending her rivalry against Joanna Jedrzejczyk with aspinning back fist KO at UFC 275. Keith Peterson gets the nod toreferee the co-main event. Zhang lands a leg kick behind a jab.Esparza moves in a lands a right. Esparza counters Zhang with ajab. Zhang with a kick to the body. Zhang lands a low kick, thenhas a high kick blocked. Zhang with a straight right to the body.Zhang dodges an overhand and resets, throwing an inside leg kick.Esparza counters a leg kick with a right hand. Zhang lands a hardright and a high kick. Esparza catches a another kick and gets atakedown. A wild scramble ensues and it’s Zhang with back controland mount, where she unloads with punches before Esparza reversesinto top position. Esparza is inside her foe’s guard. Esparzastands and Zhang is able to hustle up, and she lands a right hand.Zhang denies a takedown, and Zhang lands a kick to the body.Esparza shoots for a single leg, but Zhang spins around andreverses. The Chinese fighter unloads with elbows and punches fromtop position. Esparza is active from her back and is able to get toher feet before the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Zhang
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Zhang
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Zhang

Round 2

Zhang takes the center of the cage early and lands an inside legkick. Esparza moves forward with punches and is stung by a Zhangright. Esparza shoots from range and Zhang defends well, workingher way to her opponent’s back on the sprawl. Zhang secures acrucifix from Esparza’s back, and she’s hunting for a rear-nakedchoke at the same time. Esparza defends it for a moment, as shecontrols Zhang’s other hand. Zhang eventually frees the hand, andconnects the choke. It’s academic at that point, and Esparza, withone arm trapped, is forced to tap for the first time in 12 years.Zhang will begin her second reign as UFC strawweight champion.

The Official Result

Weili Zhang def. Carla Esparza via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R21:05

IsraelAdesanya (185) vs. AlexPereira (184.6)

BETTINGPREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Adesanya (-205), Pereira(+175)

Round 1

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably aware bynow that Pereira has a 2-0 record against Adesanya in professionalkickboxing. While that helped fast track Pereira to a title shot,those results are meaningless once the Octagon door closes. MarcGoddard will preside over the evening’s middleweight championshipheadliner. Pereira begins with a jumping front kick that Adesanyaeasily avoids. Adesanya is chipping away at his foe’s legs early.Pereira answers with a couple leg kicks of his own. Themiddleweights trade leg kicks and then Pereira goes up high.Adesanya answers with a jab. A body kick lands for Adesanya.Pereira blocks a high kick. Another jab lands for Adesanya, and thechamp follows with a solid straight right. Adesanya’s feints aredrawing noticeable reactions from his opponent now. Pereira followsa low kick with his left hook but it misses. Adesanya kicks thebody and then the legs. Periera blocks a high kick. Pereira goeswith a high kick that glances off the head of his foe. Adesanyaanswers with a good low kick. Pereira kicks the body and the champresponds with an inside leg kick. Pereira moves forward and lands akick to the body. A leaping knee from the Brazilian is blocked.They tie up and Adesanya secures a body lock. Pereira lands somepunches to the body and a knee to the body. They separate late inthe round and Adesanya wobbles Pereira badly with a three-punchcombination before the horn. Pereira was definitely saved by thebell there.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Adesanya
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Adesanya
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Adesanya

Round 2

Adesanya has the momentum now, but Pereira seems to have recovered.Adesanya steps in with a knee and Pereira answers with a left tothe body. Adesanya lands a low kick and a right hand. Pereirapressures and Adesanya angles out of dagner. Adesanya lands a jab.Adesanya with an inside leg kick. A high kick is blocked but thechamp sticks a jab. A left jab lands clean for Pereira and hesticks another one before tying up. They both land shots in closequarters and Adesanya turns the challenger around into the fence.Adesanya drops for a takedown but the larger Pereira defends well.Adesanya with a nasty 1-2 on the break. Periera blocks a high kick.Pereira tries to bck his foe into the fence and he lands a solidleft hand. He lands another and Adesanya circles out. They tradeleg kicks and Pereira lands a knee before Adesanya forces theclinch. Adesanya maintains control, pressing Pereira into thefence, but he can’t get a takedown. They break and Pereira rocksAdesanya with a solid head kick. Adesanya shakes it off. Pereirashoots and gets a takedown just before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Pereira
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Pereira
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Pereira

Round 3

Pereira absorbs an inside leg kick and just misses on a head kick.Adesanya shakes his head. Adesanya lands a leg kick and followswith a nice punching combination. Pereira pressures again and landsa knee to the body and a kick to the body. Adesanya executes athrow and takes Pereira’s back. Adesanya drags him back down andlands some punches while controlling his foe’s wrist. Adesanya getsa hook in and peppers Pereira with lefts. Adesanya continues towork from this position, controlling the wrist and landing puncheswith Pereira on a knee. More punches land under Pereira’s armpit.Pereira stands and posts, then rolls for a leg lock before quicklygiving up on it. Now Adesanya is in his opponent’s full guard, andPereira looks tired. Still, the Brazilian fires off a solid elbowfrom the bottom. Pereira grabs the wrists to prevent Adesanya fromlanding ground-and-pound. Adesanya stands and lands an axe kick tothe body just before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Adesanya
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Adesanya
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Adesanya

Round 4

Adesanya jabs the head and body early. Adesanya has a high kickblocked. Pereira with a glancing left hook and the champ answerswith a leg kick. Adesanya sticks a jab, then a right hand landsclean. Pereira pressures Adesanya but gets backed up with a 1-2 anda body kick. Adesanya lands a body kick and follows up with a lefthook. Pereira’s output has gone down significantly this round.Adesanya lands a pair of straight rights. Adesanya fakes a levelchange and sucks Pereira into the clinch. Adesanya shoves his maninto the cage. Pereira tries to land some knees in the clinch, butAdesanya controls the position. They separate and Adesanya lands ahard right hand. Pereira pressures forward again and lands a leftjab and a leg kick. He throws heavy leather and Adesanya elects toclinch again. Pereira with a knee to the body. Adesanya shoves hisman into the fence and drops for a takedown. He gives it up butkeeps the Brazilian on the cage. They break and Adesanya justmisses an elbow. Pereira misses a left hook before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Adesanya
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Adesanya
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Adesanya

Round 5

Adesanya begins with a hard low kick. Pereira closes the distanceand lands a left to the body. Pereira with a leg kick and thenanother left to the body. The Brazilian lands a right as he backsAdesanya up. They clinch again, and Adesanya shoves his foe intothe cage. They separate quickly and Adesanya has a kick checked andthen loses his balance. Adesanya is on the defensive for a momentand they tie up and then separate. Pereira backs up Adesanya to thefence and is unloading with power punches on the champion. Severalheavy shots land clean -- including a big left hook -- and areeling Adesanya falls to the canvas for a moment and then is backup, albeit on shaky footing. Pereira smells blood in the water andcontinues to unload with punches near the fence. More shots land,though Adesanya avoids some of the punches as well. Still, refereeMarc Goddard determines that Adesanya isn’t intelligently defendinghimself anymore, and he steps in to stop the fight. What aremarkable turn of events in the final round. Adesanya protests thestoppage but Pereira is your new middleweight champion.

The Official Result

Alex Pereira def. Israel Adesanya via TKO (Punches) R5 2:01