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It was time for the UFC to end the year on a high and so they did. The fighters brought in the goods and overshadowed the negativity that shrouded the build-up to the event.
It was a historic night. So, let's not waste any more time and get right into the results.
Early Prelims on Fight Pass Results
Bantamweight (135 lbs): Brian Jackson def. Montel Kelleher via submission (D'arce Choke, 1:40 of round 1)
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Welterweight (170 lbs): Curtis Millender def. Siyar Bahadurzada via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Middleweight (185 lbs): Uriah Hall def. Bevon Lewis via KO (Punch) (1:32 of Round 3)
Bantamweight (135 lbs): Nathaniel Wood def. Andre Ewell via submission (Rear Naked Choke, Round 3)
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Prelims on Fox Sports 1 Results
Lightweight (145 lbs): Ryan Hall def. BJ Penn via submission (Heel Hook, 2:46 of round 1) (First submission loss in Penn's MMA career)
Bantamweight (135 lbs): Petr Yann def. Douglas Silva de Andrade via TKO (Corner Stoppage, 5:00 of round 2)
Women's Featherweight (145 lbs): Megan Anderson def. Cat Zingano via TKO (Head Kick, 1:01 of round 1)
Heavyweight (265 lbs): Walt Harris def. Andrei Arlovski via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
Main Card Results
#1 Featherweight (145 lbs): Chad Mendes vs. Alexander Volkonovski
Both men made their way out to the Octagon and the fight got underway after Bruce Buffer completed the customary introductions.
Round 1: Mendes and Volkonovski got going with the regular posturing before Money got connected with the body kicks. Mendes did well with his combos, shifting between strikes to the body and head.
Volkonovski's stand-up background experience was on full display as he incorporated countless feints to put Mendes off his game. Volkonovski used the jab to good effect to the head and body of Mendes. Mendes pushed through and scored a successful takedown but his Australian compatriot got right back up.
Mendes connected with a right hook but Volkonovski returned with a hook himself followed by a knee in the clinch and a body kick as the round came to a close. It was a close one but Mendes edged this one owing to the takedown.
10-9 Mendes
Round 2: The fight progressed in momentum as Volkonovski came in hot with an inside leg kick and a combo to drop Mendes. Volkonovski teed off on Mendes with a combination of lefts, rights and body kick as Money missed a flying knee.
Volkonovski kept up the pressure with a jab, right and followed it up with an uppercut. He got a good solid knee to Mendes' body but got taken down and found himself in the guard. Mendes, however, was unable to keep Volkonovski down for long as the Australian got back up and connected with a few jabs and shifted to southpaw.
The two men went all out in the final moments of the round as Mendes landed a double blast but Volkonovski stepped back and got in a body kick. He got his nasty combinations going as he pinned Mendes onto the cage. Elbows, knees, strong right hooks and Mendes looked to be in deep trouble.
Volkovski ended the fight with an emphatic left body hook followed by an overhand right as the referee stepped in and ended the contest.
Result: Volkovski def. Mendes via TKO (Strikes, 4:14 of round 2)
That was an epic second round and a strong statement from Volkonovski, who is now a certified Featherweight title contender.
#2 Light Heavyweight (205 lbs): Corey Anderson vs. Ilir Latifi
Round 1: Both men began by bouncing around as Anderson went for an overhead kick. The cautious start didn't last long as Latifi missed a wild combo. Latifi kept chipping away with repeated calf kicks, one of which almost put Anderson off balance and onto the mat. Anderson deployed a kick-heavy game plan too as he connected with a host of body kicks.
He went for a flying knee but Latifi moved away and both men sprawled for a bit before getting back to their feet. Anderson was the aggressor throughout the round as he pushed for a single leg takedown. Latifi briefly stunned Anderson with the left.
Anderson wobbled for a second before countering with a left hook. Latifi landed another low kick on Anderson but got a right hand in response. The two traded shots on the fence and got into the clinch before the round came to a close.
10-9 Latifi
Round 2: Anderson came in hard with a body kick and short left to which Latifi responded with a low kick. Both men tried to take each other down but were unsuccessful in doing so. Latifi connected with a solid left that forced Anderson back as he composed himself and got in the leg kicks. Anderson looked smooth and had a greater volume of strikes.
Over a minute to go and Latifi seemed to have gotten Anderson where he wanted with a combo. Anderson came back with a combo of his own. Anderson was more technical in his striking as he baited Latifi with his fakes and landed the jabs and strong left and right hooks.
10-9 Anderson
Round 3: Anderson came out to continue the dominance he imposed in round 2 with the a head kick attempt followed by a kick to the body. Anderson kept pressing forward but ate a few shots on the break while his hands were down.
Anderson went for a jumping knee and got in a right cross as Latifi attempted a wheel kick.
Anderson didn't replicate volume in the first few minutes of the third but exerted his technical superiority as he continuously landed the straights and the jabs. Anderson went for the head kick but it was blocked by Latifi. It should be noted that Anderson has shown tremendous improvement in the durability of his chin.
The round ended with Anderson connecting with a 3-2 and a combo to Latifi's body strike attempt.
10-9 Anderson
Final Result: Anderson def. Latifi via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
An impressive win for 'Overtime' who is now on a three-fight win streak and on course for a future Light Heavyweight title shot. Anderson counteracted the explosiveness of Latifi really well and fought a smart fight to eke out a decision win. A good solid performance overall.
#3 Welterweight (170 lbs): Michael Chiesa vs. Carlos Condit
Round 1: Condit began in familiar fashion as he looked to string together one of his intricate combinations. Chiesa avoided and both men entered the clinch.
Chiesa tripped Condit with an inside leg trip and took him to the ground. Chiesa's ground game is strong and Condit would want to get back up on his feet as he has the advantage standing up.
Chiesa almost got Condit's back but the Natural Born Killer turned and pushed up to the fence and back to his feet. Chiesa didn't let go and both men continued to be in the clinch on the fence. Chiesa got another takedown.and what followed was some high level grappling. Condit almost got Chiesa in an armbar but he escaped. They got back up to their feet before Chiesa exploited Condit's wrestling weaknesses by taking him down yet again.
Chiesa assumed side control but Condit rolled and landed a few elbows from the bottom. Condit trapped Chiesa's leg for a minute and but couldn't lock in the heel hook. Both men rolled and scrambled before Condit looked for a reverse triangle before the round came to a close.
10-9 Chiesa
Round 2: Chiesa moved forward and got the better of the early exchanges of the round. Chiesa connected with a front kick and took Condit down again with ease and looked to set up a kimura.
He caught Condit in a one-handed kimura and there was no way out for Condit. Chiesa pulled Condit's arm back and pressed him down with his other arm to avoid Condit from breaking through. The Natural Born Killer had no option but to tap out.
Final Result: Chiesa def. Condit via submission (Kimura, 0:56 of round 2)
What a way to kick off the Welterweight debut for The Maverick, who seemed to cherish the opportunity to impose himself in a larger weight class. It could be the end of Condit's UFC career though, as it was his fifth straight loss.
#4 Women's Featherweight Title Fight: Cris Cyborg vs. Amanda Nunes
It was finally time for the Champion vs. Champion women's super fight and boy oh boy, it lived up to all the hype and more!
Round 1: Cyborg came in hot with a couple of big shots but she sure in hell wasn't prepared for what was about to follow.
Nunes cracked Cyborg in a wild exchange. Cyborg was stunned as she went down on one knee. Nunes unleashed hell on the most feared woman in MMA, swinging lefts and rights as she envisioned being on the cusp of greatness.
A hefty right and Cyborg's body shut down! Holy S***! and just like that, The Lioness pulled off the biggest upset of the year!
Final Result: Nunes def. Cyborg via KO (Strikes, Round 1)
The Forum erupted and rose for the first woman to win titles in two weight classes simultaneously. The adrenaline was palpable as Nunes cried emphatically, soaking in the incredibly stimulating atmosphere as she was surrounded by her coaches and family members. She lied down in the centre of the Octagon as Justino came over and picked her up, giving her conquerer the deserved props for being the better fighter tonight.
What a fight! Bow down to the GOAT of the women's MMA fighting! The women didn't disappoint. Absolute goosebump-inducing stuff!
#5 Light Heavyweight Title (205 lbs): Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson
While it was difficult to compose ourselves after the monumental co-main event, as Bruce Buffer famously says, the main event was what we'd all been waiting for.
Round 1: And we got underway. Jones shot for takedowns in the early goings of the fight but got stuffed by Gustafsson. Both men looked to get their range in place as Jones landed a knee to the groin that caused a momentary break.
Jones got his usual game going as he peppered Gustafsson with the oblique kicks, straight kicks to the body and occasional knees. Gustafsson though kept pressing forward as Jones continued to create the space with front kicks.
Jones went for the clinch a couple of times and shot for a single leg but it was a lazy effort that was countered with ease. Gustafsson and Jones traded a few shots in the clinch before created distance again. Gus went for the superman punch while Jones attempted an overhead kick.
It was a cautious round as both men focussed on reading each other's range. The round came to an end with Jones probably getting a slight edge on the scorecard. 10-9 Jones
Round 2: Jones connected with a nice body kick followed by an inside leg kick. He swung wildly as Gus ducked but Jones connected with another solid body kick.
At this point, he was outstriking Gus by a 2:1 margin. Jones went for another takedown but Gus stuffed it yet again. Bones kept up with his left body kicks as Gus looked to get into range to bang.
The doctor was called in after Gus poked Jones in the eye. The alleged eye-poker got a taste of his own medicine. Gus received a warning and the fight continued. Gus finally found his rhythm as his combos got smoother but he still found it tough to reach Jones.
Gus kept up with the pressure as he shifted between straight lefts to the body and jabs to the face. Jones answered with kicks to the body as well as low and oblique kicks.
Jones got an elbow, an uppercut followed by a missed left cross. Jones continued to wear down Gus' left leg, which seems to be hurt due to the volume of kicks. Jones ended the round with a kick to the body. The fight hadn't been as explosive as their first outing but we were just two rounds in, so it would hopefully get better.
10-9 Jones
Round 3: Gus' left shin was significantly swollen heading into the third round as Jones landed a solid left to begin. He shot for the takedown and got it this time. Jones connected with some vicious elbows from the top.
Jones masterfully controlled the proceedings on the ground. He moved from half guard to side control and then to a half nelson to pin Gus down. He looked to be setting up a rare-naked choke but rose and unleashed some nasty ground and pound. Referee Mike Beltran stepped in and stopped the contest.
And new!
Final Result: Jones def. Gustafsson via TKO (2:02 of round 3)
Jones came in with a great strategy as he wore down Gustafsson's left leg for the first two rounds. He attacked Gus' left leg and got the takedown and once the fight was on the ground, it was all Jones' fight to finish.
The polarizing star has reclaimed the belt he never lost and while many may still criticize him for being a cheat and an all-out sociopath, it's inarguable that the 30-year-old is one of the most gifted fighters of all time.
In the post-fight interview, Jones called out the Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier, telling him to come back down to Light Heavyweight and reclaim his title to prove that he was the "Champ champ".
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