UFC 219 saw Cris Cyborg get one of her toughest challenges to date, as Holly Holm came dangerously close to dethroning the UFC Featherweight Queen.
On the other hand, Khabib Nurmagomedov mauled yet another elite Lightweight, scoring a shutout victory over Edson Barboza. Additionally, there were several other intriguing matchups that transpired on the card.
So, without further ado, here are the complete results for UFC 219—
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#Main Card (PPV)
#1 Cris Cyborg vs. Holly Holm
Holly Holm did great over the first couple of rounds and likely bagged them before Cris Cyborg started catching her clean in Rounds 3 & 4.
Most of this fight was contested on the feet, with Holm outclassing Cyborg in Rounds 1 & 2, and the latter using her size advantage to bully Holm in the clinch and then on the feet in Rounds 3 & 4. Nevertheless, Holm came back strong in Round 5 but to no avail as her Brazilian foe had impressed in the final frame barring a few good Holm flurries.
Intriguingly, Holm gave Cyborg her toughest fight apart from of course the latter’s MMA debut which she lost by submission, as well as Cyborg’s Muay Thai fight against Jorina Baars.
Result: Cris Cyborg def. Holly Holm via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)
#2 Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Edson Barboza
Khabib Nurmagomedov mauled Edson Barboza piece by piece; nullifying the latter’s striking game by taking the fight to the mat with relative ease.
Nurmagomedov showed excellent defensive striking over the course of the gruelling matchup; meanwhile, despite sustaining a beat-down at the hands of ‘Nurmy’, Barboza still tried his level best until the final bell. Regardless, the bout was a clear-cut decision victory for Khabib.
Nurmagomedov demanded a title shot at Interim UFC Lightweight Champion Tony Ferguson besides also asserting that he’d fight both Tony and Undisputed UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor at the same time if needed.
Result: Khabib Nurmagomedov def. Edson Barboza via Unanimous Decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-24)
#3 Dan Hooker vs. Mark Diakiese
Dan Hooker put on arguably the best performance of his career thus far. Hooker dominated Diakiese by controlling the rhythm of the matchup not only on the feet but also on the mat.
Intriguingly, Diakiese’s corner appeared to have instructed him to not go for the takedown in Round 3, as he was indeed leaving his neck open for the taking. Nevertheless, his reckless abandon proved to be his undoing in the end since Hooker caught him coming in with a beautiful Guillotine Choke.
Result: Dan Hooker def. Mark Diakiese via Submission (Guillotine Choke) (Round 3, 0:42)
#4 Carla Esparza vs. Cynthia Calvillo
Carla Esparza made a huge statement at UFC 219 by shutting down top prospect Cynthia Calvillo.
Calvillo entered this fight with a ton of hype. Being the dangerous grappler that she is, Calvillo was expected to not only dominate but finish former UFC Strawweight Champion Carla Esparza. Nevertheless, Esparza reminded the world of her own feared grappling prowess by executing her defensive game-plan to a T.
Although Esparza didn’t have Calvillo in any significant danger, the former did enough to warrant a clear-cut decision.
Result: Carla Esparza def. Cynthia Calvillo via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
#5 Neil Magny vs. Carlos Condit
Carlos Condit’s athleticism seems to have taken a huge hit after his war with Robbie Lawler.
Condit seemed a tad slower than he usually is, and although he had his moments throughout the fight, Magny was clearly the more active of the two.
In the end, the fight was a decent scrap, with Magny impressing the judges enough so as to win the decision.
Result: Neil Magny def. Carlos Condit via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
#Preliminary Card (FOX Sports 1)
#1 Michal Oleksiejczuk vs. Khalil Rountree
Michal and Khalil seemed to be really gun-shy throughout the fight.
Neither fighter chose to lead, which in turn made for a considerably ugly fight for the fans. Regardless, Michal was the more active of the duo, and let his hands go as opposed to Khalil.
The fight was strange since they had a few good moments of action between an odd clash of styles. In the end, Michal Oleksiejczuk ran away with the decision victory.
Result: Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Khalil Rountree via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
#2 Myles Jury vs. Rick Glenn
Myles Jury once again proved his athleticism and free-flowing striking style; besting Rick Glenn in this UFC 219 matchup.
Jury did have a few issues with his timing on the feet much like he mostly does but was the more technical striker nonetheless. With Jury dominating every aspect of this matchup—thoroughly out-classing Glenn—the judges awarded the former the win across the scorecards.
Result: Myles Jury def. Rick Glenn via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
#3 Marvin Vettori vs. Omari Akhmedov
Marvin Vettori seemed to be the better fighter in this matchup, by a clear mile.
Nevertheless, the judges seemed to disagree with what most felt was a clear-cut win for Vettori. The fight saw considerable back and forth action before Vettori looked to be cruising en route to a win.
Nevertheless, the decision was announced as a Majority Draw in the end.
Result: Marvin Vettori vs. Omari Akhmedov was declared a Majority Draw (28-28, 29-28, 28-28)
#4 Matheus Nicolau vs. Louis Smolka
Matheus Nicolau discombobulated Louis Smolka with his awkward striking style and constant change of rhythm.
Nicolau set the tempo and controlled the pace of this matchup throughout; leaving Smolka no choice but to follow the former’s lead. The fight was pretty one-sided, with Nicolau dinging Smolka at will, and earning the decision win.
Result: Matheus Nicolau def. Louis Smolka via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-25)
#Preliminary Card
#1 Tim Elliott vs. Mark De La Rosa
Tim Elliott showed off his overall MMA game in his UFC 219 fight against Mark De La Rosa.
Elliott seemed loose and composed inside the Octagon, but was laser-sharp as regards his focus and timing. Eventually, Elliott found a way to initiate a scramble amidst which he managed to sink in a beautiful Anaconda Choke on De La Rosa—earning the submission victory.
Result: Tim Elliott def. Mark De La Rosa via Submission (Anaconda Choke) (Round 2, 1:41)