UFC Vegas 6 is in the books and it saw a series of incredible finishes and victories. With only two decisions on the night, the global MMA leader put on another fantastic card.
We return next week for UFC 252 - the trilogy ends as Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier battle it out to determine who the greatest heavyweight is. Before that, let's jump into tonight's results from the UFC Apex!
#5. Beneil Dariush vs Scott Holtzman opens UFC Vegas in a big way
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Round 1: Not even 60 seconds into the fight, Beneil Dariush and Scott Holtzman suffered an eye poke each. Dariush, a bit emotional, went right for the takedown. Holtzman ate a knee and started getting teed off on but managed to survive for the time being. Dariush changed his position and went for multiple submission attempts. Weathering the storm, Holtzman survived but soon enough continued to take shots. A spinning back forearm. knocked Holtzman down and the referee saw enough. Another emphatic finish for Beneil Dariush!
Beneil Dariush def. Scott Holtzman by TKO (Rd 1, 4:38)
#4. Yana Kunitskaya vs Julija Stoliarenko
Round 1: Julija Stoliarenko started on the aggressive while former UFC title challenger Yana Kunitskaya went for the clinch. Kunitskaya had underhooks and pressed Stoliarenko against the fence. Stoliarenko tried to jump on Kunitskaya hunting for a guillotine. The positions were soon reversed and then back to Kunitskaya against the fence.
Round 2: Kunitskaya started strong in round two and once again pressed Stoliarenko against the fence. Kuntiskaya started to get busier and Stoliarenko felt the knee to the body. She tried stalling tactics but with two minutes left in the round, Kunitskaya was out striking her 60-1. Stoliarenko once again tried to jump and lock the legs again but Kunitskaya slammed her and landed an elbow. Stoliarenko nearly got the armbar but time was on Kuntiskaya's side.
Round 3: Yana Kunitskaya took it to the ground within a minute of the final round. The referee didn't see enough activity, so he brought it back to the feet. It went down to the met and Kuntiskaya tried to get some punches on the ground. A front kick from Kunitskaya to close the fight.
Yana Kunitskaya def. Julija Stoliarenko by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
#3. Darren Stewart vs Maki Pitolo
Round 1: UFC Middleweight Darren Stewart started to let his hands go right off the bat. Darren Stewart was pushing forward but Pitolo had answers as well, being the first one to wobble the other in the fight. Pitolo landed a combination focused on the body and Darren Stewart was quick to break the momentum with some punches. Pitolo went for the takedown and landed it, only for his head to slide into guillotine position. Stewart adjusted the position and that was the end of it.
Darren Stewart def. Maki Pitolo by submission (guillotine) (Rd 1, 3:31)
Even Maki Pitolo didn't seem too disappointed about it, immediately acknowledging the excellence of his guillotine. It was the quick adjustment that made the difference.
After the fight, Darren Stewart took out a shirt and dedicated the fight to his teammate Jahreau Shepherd who tragically passed away last month after getting stabbed. He stated that he wanted to stay in Las Vegas for another possible fight in the coming month or so. An emphatic win for the UFC Middleweight.
#2. Chris Weidman vs Omari Akhmedov - did the former UFC Champion finally get a big win?
Round 1: Former UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman shot for the single leg right away. He evaded Omari Akhmedov's strikes and pressed him against the fence but the Dagestani pushed him away. Weidman grabbed another single leg. Weidman went for a one-two and ate a shot from Akhmedov, who went for a takedown. Weidman tried to get into D'arce position but Akhmedov did well to separate the two. Weidman got Akhmedov down and wrapped his legs, but the Russian had hooks in. Weidman was in a half-guard in the final 30 seconds. Chris Weidman won the round with his control time.
Round 2: UFC #11 ranked Middleweight Akhmedov started on the aggressive and started round two with a takedown. Weidman got back to his feet and ate a couple of shots in the process. Akhmedov tried a single leg but Weidman got the better of it. This time, it was Weidman who went for the takedown and a scramble from Akhmedov allowed him to escape. The former UFC Middleweight Champion went for another takedown but couldn't get it. Akhmedov was finding it easier to defend the takedowns and Weidman started to wear down. Akhmedov shot and got a quick takedown. Akhmedov began to outstrike Weidman slightly and got a takedown but there wasn't much that he did with it. The referee brought the fight back up with ten seconds left and Akhmedov seemingly secured round two.
Round 3: UFC veteran Chris Weidman went all out for a takedown but was unsuccessful. He landed his second attempt, but Akhmedov got back up, only to eat a knee. Weidman tripped Akhmedov and tried to get his back but went into a different position. Akhmaedov struggled to get the space while Weidman was choking him but got it momentarily. Weidman was staying busy on the top with elbows and strikes. Akhmedov gave up his back momentarily but he switched back. Weidman continued to attempt the submission and was close to getting the arm triangle but it seemed to be slipping in. He slowly riggled his way in and threw a few body shots and elbows to the head to close the round and win it.
Chris Weidman def. Omari Akhmedov by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-28)
After the fight, Chris Weidman announced that he was back in UFC's Middleweight division. Although he's not ranked now, we imagine UFC will change that after this fight.
#1. Derrick Lewis vs Aleksei Oleinik
Round 1: It was a clash of the UFC Heavyweights. Derrick Lewis wasted no time to go for the knockout but Aleksei Oleinik and Lewis just spun him down to the ground. Oleinik clinched and soon enough, there was a reversal in position. Lewis was back on top and landed a few shots, one of which was to the back of Oleinik's head. The position switched again and Oleinik was in a bulldog choke position, squeezing Lewis with no success. Oleinik got Lewis' arm but there were seconds in the round left and he couldn't get it.
Round 2: Derrick Lewis knocked Oleinik's down within ten seconds of the second round and the ground-and-pound was too much for the Russian to handle. Another emphatic knockout for The Black Beast Derrick Lewis, who now has the most knockouts in UFC Heavyweight history.
Derrick Lewis def. Aleksei Oleinik by TKO (Rd. 2, 0:20)
Derrick Lewis stated that he's not going to be taking any fights until he gets his weight down to 245-250 pounds - which he anticipates should be by December. It marked three in a row for the UFC veteran, who is now one win away from tying the legendary Vitor Belfort for most knockouts in UFC history.