UFC Vegas 116 features Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal, along with several other matchups. The event begins at 5 p.m. ET and includes fighters with varying UFC records.
Key points
UFC Vegas 116 features Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal
This nondescript Apex card at the end of April has all the makings of Spring Cleaning, with seven of the 26 combatants tonight sporting UFC records below .500 and several more hovering very close to or right at that midpoint. The latter is the case for this card opener at 115 pounds, as while Alencar (7-1-1, 3-1 UFC) has only lost after four walks to the Octagon, countrywoman Polastri (14-5, 2-2 UFC) sees an even record with the promotion thus far. The two strawweights will tangle as referee Jason Herzog watches on, all smiles with one another as they do not even offer a glove touch.
Q&A
What time does UFC Vegas 116 start?
UFC Vegas 116 begins at 5 p.m. ET.
Who are the main fighters in UFC Vegas 116?
The main fight features Aljamain Sterling against Youssef Zalal.
What is the fight record of Talita Alencar in the UFC?
Talita Alencar has a UFC record of 3 wins and 1 loss.
How many fighters on the UFC Vegas 116 card have records below .500?
Seven of the 26 combatants on the card have UFC records below .500.
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Polastri moves straight to the center of the cage and plays it cool, letting the jittery Alencar fly past her with a spinning back fist. Polastri easily swats away a few punches that fly her direction, hoisting a substantial reach advantage. Alencar reaches her with a single jab, and her follow-ups including a kick or two largely fall short. Polastri smacks her back with a low kick. Polastri catches a kick and lets fly a loud response to the midsection. Alencar tries to pitch an off-angled head kick, and Polastri sways to dodge it and blocks one more orthodox kick coming at her. Alencar sits down on a body kick to seemingly target the raised arms of her foe, and she takes a step back when Polastri counters.
Polastri is able to time Alencar coming in and strike back, but she is not landing much on her own right. Alencar sinks in a thumping low kick and watches Polastri dance away from the action, frustrating her to the point of committing to a few power punches. Polastri is a ways away from the danger, picking her shots and probing with her jab. Polastri drives a kick to the body, safe from anything returning, and she nods at Alencar as Alencar bears down on her. âProblem Childâ scores a solid right hand, ignoring the comeback to put her hands on the longer woman. Polastri escapes, and she pitches a body kick that is caught and allows Alencar to deposit her to the canvas. Polastri defends when she hits her back with effective upkicks, pushing her fellow Brazilian back away from her numerous times to not allow Alencar get on top. Polastri times an escape, and Alencar spears her to tackle her back down to the mat. Alencar looks to isolate Polastriâs left arm for a potential kimura, and she drops down a few punches as the round elapses.
Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Polastri
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Polastri
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Polastri
Round 2
Polastri once more moves directly to the center of the cage as the round opens, and she starts out more actively with a few jabs. Alencar thinks about kicking her back, but she is beaten to the punchâfoot, actuallyâwhen Polastriâs kicks fly faster. Polastri is quick to evade and dodge most of the attacks, with her guard up high to protect against the rest. Polastri jabs Alencar up and forces her to shoot in on her hips, and she laughs it off and is nowhere to be found. Polastri pays her foe back with snappy jabs and calf kicks on the inside and outside of the front leg. Polastri sneaks a kick up high, and she is two feet away from a front kick that Alencar fires back. Alencar commits to another hefty kick, and she hits nothing but air. Polastri scores a solid calf kick, with Alencar reaching down in hopes of catching it. She abandons that effort and strings a few punches together.
Polastri promptly drives her back with a head kick, and she slips punches and drills Alencar with an overhand right. Polastriâs hands are low as she keeps them by her side, offering up shovel uppercuts from her lead hand to mark up Alencarâs nose. Alencar cannot find her range, while Polastri lands any time she tries. âPsychoâ goes to the body, and Alencar catches it and trips her up to take the fight horizontal. This time, the upkicks from Polastri do not keep Alencar at bay, as Alencar pounces to assume top position with about a minute to go. Polastri turns to her side, and Alencar elbows her twice in the back of the head as Herzog tells her to not do that. Alencar smothers down in the half guard, with Polastri hanging on tight to ride out the rest of the round. Alencar frames off the face with an elbow, grinding one down on the face and the other on the ribs. Polastri pushes her off with seconds to spare, using her upkicks to end the round.
Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Alencar
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Alencar
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Alencar
Round 3
The countrywomen decide to touch gloves as the last round opens. Polastriâs strategy to assume the middle of the Octagon is ironclad as Alencar allows her to do so every time. Alencar looks for a spinning back fist as she tries to navigate longer jabs, with the jab from the taller, longer woman causing her plenty of issues. Alencar swings wide, and Polastri is practically in another county by the time the punch extends. She does get off a sneaky side kick to the stomach, and Polastri stomps her foot to feint and fake but ends up taking two more punches on the jaw. Alencar considers a level change, but Polastri shoves her back. Polastri fires off a head kick, and as it grazes off the forehead, Alencar flashes a grin from ear to ear.
Polastri makes Alencar adjust her nose when plunking her with a solid one-two, and Alencar feels that it is not broken and fakes a takedown shot. Polastri circles away to avoid any concern, prodding with her jab and walking through a one-two to throw back a kick. Alencar offers up a front kick and then one to the chest, but it is her left hand that gets through. Polastri is able to lean back at times as kicks zoom past her face, moving just enough to not get struck while still remaining in range to counter. She counters. Alencar tries to catch a kick, and Polastri belts her in the face with her fists to force her to drop it. Alencar spins with a big kick, but nothing doing. Her body kick, however, does score. Polastri draws a bit more blood on the beak with a solid punch, and Alencar hears the 10-second clapper and starts brawling. Polastri engages in a brief brawl before time expires.
Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Polastri (29-28 Polastri)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Alencar (29-28 Alencar)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Alencar (29-28 Alencar)
The Official Result
Talita Alencar def. Julia Polastri via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Back against the wall having lost three of four, 40-year-old Griffin (20-12, 8-10 UFC) would like to demonstrate he has more left to offer and plans on inflicting âPainâ on his debuting opponent. Hardly a spring chicken at the age of 32, this Chilean welterweight Valenzuela (13-4, 0-0 UFC) was signed to the promotion despite suffering a knockout loss on last yearâs Contender Series. Only one man will move on with a win tonight, barring something unusual, and referee Chris Tognoni will be standing by. The fighters do not touch gloves before handling their business.
Griffin walks the newcomer down right out of the gate, no-selling a high kick as he tries to get in range. Valenzuela is keeping to a wide kickboxing distance, breaking it only to try to crash in with punches. Griffin dodges them and watches a few more fly past him, with a lot of swinging and missing early on. Valenzuela rushes forward to throw hands, but all he connects with is a body kick. Griffin marches him down and busts him in the face with a right hand, only to get staggered back with a counter right when hanging around a little too long in the pocket. Both men offer out jabs, and Griffin just misses a short left hook when Valenzuela ducks forward.
It is a stalemate for a time, until Valenzuela dives after a double-leg takedown entry. Griffin whiffs on an uppercut but tosses the newcomer to the side. Valenzuela cannot find his target with a spin kick, taking a jab off the forehead and evading the subsequent effort. Griffin sneaks in a right hand around Valenzuelaâs jab, and he skirts away when Valenzuela advances. Valenzuela kicks the inside thigh, and Griffin jabs him back. Valenzuela puts two punches on the jaw and lands a body kick, and his right hook backs Griffin off. Griffin takes a few heavy blows and shoots for a counter takedown, scoring it for a moment. Valenzuela wall-walks to get back upright, with Griffin kneeing him once in the clinch before they split. The slow round ends.
Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Valenzuela
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Valenzuela
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Valenzuela
Round 2
Valenzuela wades out of his corner looking for kicks, reaching the midsection a few times with them. Griffin dances away from the worst of what comes his way, but it means that Valenzuela is landing and he is not. Griffin tries to sweep the leg with a kick all the way down at the ankle, and Valenzuela stops and frowns at him. âPainâ looks for a right hand when Valenzuela comes after him, missing and nearly falling over. Griffin opens up with a huge right hand, knocking Valenzuela to the floor where he can loop around on the mat to hunt for a choke. Valenzuela simply sits up to break out of it.
Little happens after that exciting moment for at least a minute, with tit-for-tat engagement until Valenzuela open up with a wheel kick. Griffin licks his chops and takes Valenzuela down easily, landing a few strikes when landing on top. Valenzuela explodes to get out of the precarious position, turning the tables on the UFC veteran by shooting in for a double. Griffin turns to his side, and the fighters are warned for fence grabs. Valenzuela pulls back rather than trying to keep after the takedown, and he jacks Griffin in the jaw with a few punches. Griffin fires back, but Valenzuela is beating him largely to the punch. Griffin connects with a heavy right at the bell.
Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Griffin
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Griffin
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Griffin
Round 3
Valenzuela strikes first with a left hook, and he staggers Griffin with a right hand to follow. Backing Griffin to the fence, he opens up with a few more punches until Griffin decides he will channel his inner football player by straight-up tackling Valenzuela to the floor. Valenzuela is quick to turn to his knees to stand, and Griffin grabs hold of the back of his head and knees him in the dome. When upright again, Valenzuela dings Griffin with an overhand right. Griffin swings back with a vengeance, opening a cut on the bridge of the newcomerâs nose. He catches Valenzuela standing still with a left hook, and slides away when two huge hooks are aimed his way. Griffin engages, gets caught with a right hand and tries to grapple. Valenzuela tosses him aside, but when he lands his right hand flush, he seems to hurt Griffin every time. Griffin pushes out a vertical elbow as he tries to get Valenzuela off of him, lobbing a body kick as well when circling out. Valenzuela stays after him, whether with jabs or power punches, and he rips open a cut on the inner left eyebrow of a very angry-looking Griffin.
Griffin loads up and smashes his fist into Valenzuelaâs mouth, causing blood to flow as the two men clearly want to record a big knockout. Griffin tries to tackle again, but he settles for shoving Valenzuela back. Valenzuela races after him, keeping âPainâ on the back foot and causing him pain with his heavy swings. Griffin is flagging but still very much in the fight, his fists careening off the raised guard of his adversary. Valenzuela bullies him and rips a right hand upstairs and a left kick to the body, forcing another grimace from the visage of his opponent. Griffin ducks under a left hand to shoot in for a double, and Valenzuela puts his hand on Griffinâs throat and turns him around in a sheer power move, blood trickling down the newcomerâs face. Valenzuela has taken big shots and is leaking from multiple wounds around his face, his complexion quickly transforming to that of his red shorts, and he wants to stand and bang. He motions to Griffin that it is time to duke it out, and Griffin leaps at him with a right hand. Valenzuela has to play the matador rather than the slugger in the final exchanges, with the horn punctuating a close, bloody battle.
Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Valenzuela (29-28 Valenzuela)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Valenzuela (29-28 Valenzuela)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Valenzuela (29-28 Valenzuela)
The Official Result
Victor Valenzuela def. Max Griffin via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
With decent enough name-related nicknames, âFireâ Marshall (9-3, 3-3 UFC) and âLuke Skywalkerâ Brennan (11-2, 0-0 UFC) will toe the line as the prelims roll on. With the latterâs appearance, he joins a very small father-son tandem of UFC veterans, with dad Chris Brennan a three-time competitor in the Octagonâtwice in 1998 as part of the UFC 16 tourney, and then four years later against Gil Castillo at UFC 35. Name only goes so far in the sport, and itâs all to these two lightweights to shine. Referee Kerry Hatley is on call if needed, with the fighters touching gloves in front of him.
Marshall introduces himself with a calf kick, quick to put the pace on the newcomer to put him off-balance. Brennan throws back, but it is the kick from Marshall that is getting his attention. Marshall connects with an overhand right, and he clubs Brennan again with the same blow. He scores it again, and Brennan fires back with a low kick to trip Marshall up. When Marshall blitzes him, Brennan wraps him up in search of a takedown. Marshall turns it against him by scooping up Brennanâs knee and depositing him gingerly to the mat. Marshall initiates the horizontal grappling by maintaining partial side control, thwarting any early submission traps quickly. Brennan hooks his leg around Marshallâs head, as if he wants to squeeze Marshallâs head like a grape. Marshall shucks it off and lowers himself down flat to grind with elbows.
Brennan kicks off and rolls in hopes of sweeping or escaping, but âFireâ Marshall is torching him with grappling exchanges and thudding elbows. Brennan turns to his side, and Marshall keeps his hands on his foeâs face to force him flat. Marshall big-brothers Brennan on top, moving into half guard to further control the action. Brennan looks for a sweep with his legs, and he transition suddenly into a leglock. Marshall turns all the way through to survive the heel look, and he shakes his head when Brennan transitions into a foot lock that is nowhere close to being secure. Marshall keeps twisting to moves back into top position, where he nails Brennan with a sharp elbow. Brennan maintains butterfly hooks, and he uses them to gain enough space to wall-walk and get upright at the bell.
Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Round 2
The two high-five to get going, with the confident Marshall wade first into action and popping Brennan in the chops with an overhand right. Brennan leans into another overhand right, switching stances back and forth to push out a front kick. Marshall whiffs on his big right hand, but when he fires it again, it scores. He shakes the newcomer up with another, and one more forces âLucas Skywalkerâ to shoot in on a single-leg entry. Marshall sprawls and turns to the side to shut down Brennanâs effort, bullying him back to the wall so he can score short but effective clinch strikes. Brennan turns him around, while Marshall checks his oil keeping his hand between Brennanâs legs.
Marshallâs hand position allows him to take Brennan off his feet, as he moves right to side control away from most of Brennanâs submission setups. Marshall smothers when on top, not giving Brennan much space to buck or move. As he goes chest-to-chest in half guard, he pins Brennan and stops him from doing anything. Marshall steps over to the side again, and he elbows the body with his right arm and drops down punches with his left. Brennan offers up knees to the side when flat on his back, with his escapes otherwise nullified. Marshall clubs him a few times before the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Round 3
There is a clap of hands to initiate the opening of the final frame, and it takes mere seconds for Marshall to wing his favored right hand. He offers a high kick on the other side behind it, with Brennan able to defend it. Marshall splits the guard with a straight right, and he skims the cheek when loading up on a right hook. Brennan whips a kick to the side, and Marshall catches it and chucks Brennan to the floor like a side of beef. Marshall stands firm and allows Brennan to stand. Brennan tries to charge, but his own takedown meets a stone wall. Marshall keeps him at bay by chambering his right hand, occasionally launching it as Brennan is stuck looking for answers.
Marshall comes up short with a high kick, freely engaging when he sees fit as Brennan has not put him in danger thus far. Marshallâs feint and fakes draw reactions, allowing him to stutter-step his way into a power overhand. Brennan slides back, and this puts him on a silver platter for Marshall to connect with a few more punches before peeling away. Marshallâs ducks, dips and dives all force large movements from his opponent. Brennan tosses out a handful of low kicks, although while scoring, do not have the kind of impact to turn the tide in his favor. Marshallâs overhand right may not land every time, but it gets Brennanâs attention each and every swing. The round ends with Marshall firmly in the driverâs seat.
Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27 Marshall)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27 Marshall)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27 Marshall)
The Official Result
Francis Marshall def. Lucas Brennan via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
A late replacement up a weight class, Durden (17-10-1, 6-8-1 UFC) hopes that he can snap a four-fight skid and exorcise his demons against âPastorâ Filho (17-4, 3-2 UFC). The Brazilian celebrates all but one of his pro wins by stoppage, so the Georgia native will need to be on his best behavior for the next 15 minutes or less. Referee Jason Herzog will keep things official as the two men up at bantamweight throw down. They elect to bump clap hands first.
Despite their seemingly intense beginning, no one throws a strike anywhere close to their intended target for nearly 30 seconds. Filho lazily pushes out a front kick, allowing Durden to respond with an overhand right. Durden rushes forward to tackle Filho to the mat, surprising the Brazilian and forcing him to respond with submission attempts. Durden defends the setups, but in the process, he is turned around with Filho pursuing his own level change. Both men get in a 50-50 position with their arms hooked, but it is Filho who is the quicker man as he stands up and wraps his right arm around Durdenâs chest like a malicious seat belt.
Filho also slips his legs around Durdenâs to try to disrupt his base, and like a python slowly swallowing a goat, he inch-by-inch separates Durden from his balance to put him down. Filho tries to set something up on top, but the frantic Durden bursts out of the position to get back upright. Filho is quick to chase after him with punch combinations, his front kick at the end of one scoring well. Filho changes stances to time a check of a kick he sees coming, and Durden marches him down and slings him to the mat with a trip. When Durden sits up to drop down strikes, Filho off his back looks for a kneebar. Durden turns out of it to take Filhoâs back when they stand, and the horn blares.
Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Durden
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Durden
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Durden
Round 2
Durden races out of his corner swinging, hurling big punches while Filho makes a funny face and slides to the side. Durden walks through a thudding calf kick to further crowd the Brazilian, and his subsequent kick is caught. Filho does not take advantage of this, instead lobbing a right left hand upstairs. Durden fires back with his own hook, and his low kick makes Filho recoil it to the side to take some of the sting out of it. Durden keeps pressuring his foe, and his inside leg kick scores a few more times. Filho tries for a step-in knee, and he gets his jaw jacked with a right hand. Durden catches him with a right hand and trips Filho up. Filho hits his back and offers up an upkick, using the moment of impact to explode back to his feet. Durden nonetheless tackles him to the ground, pulling Filho away from the cage as Filho grabs it, and he backs off to find another angle in.
Durden winds up an axe kick, smashing his heel directly into Filhoâs cup. He tries to keep attacking, but Herzog remarks that he just kicked him square in the groin and that he needs to back off. After a short recovery time, Filho is good to go, and he starts to apply pressure. He dings Durden with a right hand as he crowds him to initiate in a clinch and possible body lock to throw, but Durden sees it coming and pushes him back. Filho parries a big right hand, but the second from Durden gets through. Filho plods forward, chasing after the American throwing big hands. Durden is elusive enough to evade the worst of what comes his way, only for Filho to grab hold of him and throw him down like too many bags of groceries, because who needs three trips to the car when you can bring them all in with one overloaded trip, as cans and bottles fall out of the bags while one rips, and you bang into furniture and hope you brought it all inside. Check the eggs before putting them in the fridge first. Filho attacks mightily on top, forcing Durden to turn over so he can hunt for a choke. Before he gets it, the bell rings.
Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Filho
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Filho
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Filho
Round 3
There is a half-hearted hug between the two athletes, and Filho is energized coming out of his corner but does not go wild. Instead, Durden methodically works his way in, using his overhand right to close the distance. Filho ducks in to tie the Georgia native up, and after he tries to manipulate the action, he slashes out with an elbow and a heavy right. Durden breaks off and hunts for a front choke, letting it go to pursue a takedown, ultimate tripping Filho but not getting him down. Both men pop back up, some damage showing under Filhoâs right eye, and Durden completes a trip and throw to put the Brazilian on the mat.
Durden looks for an off-angle choke in hopes of otherwise controlling Filho, and the Brazilianâs first roll to escape fails. Filho escapes the grappling exchange but appears totally wiped, slowly trying to stand up. Durden targets a soccer kick square in the ribs, and âPastorâ topples to his back. Durden leaps down to half guard, where he changing his position to take the back. With a single hook in, Durden grabs hold of a neck crank and turns Filhoâs head to the left. Filho grits it out but is stuck, with Durden screaming at him or anyone listening while he clubs Filho on the sides of the head. The odd match ends with Durden pumped up and yelling. It may all come down to the first round.
Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Durden (29-28 Durden)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Durden (29-28 Durden)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Durden (29-28 Durden)
The Official Result
Cody Durden def. Jafel Filho via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Itâs moving night in the rankings at 135 pounds for women, with three of the four repping that weight class currently sporting a number next to their name. Silva (10-6-1, 1 NC; 5-6-1, 1 NC UFC) is one of those three despite not recording a win since February 2023, and there is no truth to the rumor that her motherâs maiden name is Capulet. PFL expat Montague (7-0, 1-0 UFC) is looking to get there, and a victory tonight will almost certainly grant her a numerical designation. Before they throw hands, the ladies touch gloves, and referee Herb Dean will handle anything after that.
There is one strategy for Montague in this match, and she implements it immediately. Walking the former title challenger and putting three fists in her face, she closes the distance and hits a body lock takedown to put the Brazilian on her back. Silva defends off her back by isolating one wrist with both hands, and the Kiwi shakes out of it and smacks Silva with several powerful hammerfists. The punches are so mighty that Silva decides she should probably protect her mug and abandon the escape effort. When she does this, Montague elbows her a few times to force Silva turning. Montague hangs on with her right arm posted off Silvaâs face, and she rolls Silva back over when Silva tries to buck out of the precarious position. Montague establishes herself in half guard, again fighting off the baseball grip on her left wrist so she can further beat down on âSheetara.â
Montague floats when Silva tries to buck her off, staying heavy with the need arises and dropping down power strikes when they are open. The size difference is significant, as Silva keeps twisting and turning but is stuck on her knees until she voluntarily rolls to the side so she can sneakily search for a leglock off her back. Montague stacks her up and uses a can opener with her hands clutched behind Silvaâs neck, and Silva responds with another leg submission attempt until Montague just steps over her. Montague hammers Silva with a free hand, dominating the former title challenger right to the end of the round. The only question is whether that performance merits a 10-8 in her favor, while Silva struggles to get back to her feet and manages to make her way back to her corner.
Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Montague
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Montague
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-8 Montague
Round 2
Montague practically runs at Silva as the round kicks off, punching her way into range. Silva times a charge and throws Montague to the side, drilling her with a heavy right hand. Montague breaks off and circles away, shooting for a takedown when Silva lashes out with a low kick. Montague chambers and looses one to the ribs, and then kicks high while Montague walks her down without fear. Montague snaps the head back with a jab and shoots from a long way away, allowing Silva to wrap her arms around her neck. Silva latches onto a front choke, and this sudden ninja choke is tight as Montague lowers herself down to relieve the pressure. The Kiwi hits the deck in order to snap out of it, with Silva not quick enough to follow her while maintaining her grip strength. Montague sticks out a right hand and jabs with the ball of her foot, and Silva steels herself and nails Montague with a combination. Montague backs herself to the wall, and she gets stung a few more times and shoots for a desperate takedown.
Silva briefly stops it, but considers taking her back in the process and is tripped up to put herself on her back. Silva hangs on with a kimura sweep, until the bigger, stronger woman muscles her way out of it and shifts to climb into side control on the opposite side. Montague hunts for a crucifix setup, only for Silva to twist and turn to at least prevent the dominant position from locking down. Montague moves to Silvaâs open guard, with Silva using butterfly hooks to sweep her. Silva kicks off, with Montague on one knee, and her heel bangs square into Montagueâs jaw. Dean immediately calls time, while someone from the audience shouts that he should take a point. Dean asks her if Montague is ok after the blow, and they resume 45 seconds later with Montague smiling and ready to continue. Montague is quick to shoot for a takedown, and she pushes Silva to the wire. Silva frames off with short, effective punches, until the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Round 3
Montague engages again early, but this time, Silva is ready for it. Silva punches back to keep Montague honest, but she is unable to stop the double-leg takedown that sweeps Silva clean off her feet. Montague lands in side control, fighting off any early effort for Silva to sweep or get out. When Silva turns to her knees, Montague punches her in the face repeatedly. Slick as a whistle, âSheetaraâ slips around to the side to take Montagueâs back.
Montague twists and keeps moving while Silva looks for any exposed limb. As Montague continues shifting and fighting, she flips Silva over to position herself in side control. When she gets it, âThe Wild Oneâ pounds on her with any free fist or elbow she can find. Silva contorts herself to get away, but the heavier Montague clubs and smothers her seemingly without end. The only thing that ends this is the bell.
Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Montague (29-27 Montague)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Montague (29-27 Montague)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Montague (29-27 Montague)
A potential pink-slip derby comes as the prelims carry on, with struggling middleweights Dumas (10-4, 1 NC; 3-4, 1 NC UFC) and McVey (6-2, 0-2 UFC) coming to blows with one hoping of righting the ship to a degree. At 30 and 27, respectively, a prospective roster cut would not necessarily be the end of their career, with top contenders in the division hanging around 10 years their elder. For now, referee Chris Tognoni stands guard ready to intervene at a momentâs notice. There is a touch of gloves.
McVey practically sprints at his opponent, bull-rushing âThe Reaperâ and forcing him on his back foot immediately. McVey looks for a level change, and when he cannot readjust them to a different position, he sticks around in the clinch flustering Dumas with knees and short punches. Dumas brings up a knee that bangs into the cup, and when Tognoni calls time, both fighters look confusedly at him and say theyâre fine and continue fighting. They manage to separate, and McVey marches his foe down with a purpose. As he closes in, he jacks Dumas up with an uppercut, and Dumas crashes to the floor. McVey looks to finish the job with a bombardment of punches, but Dumas is intelligently defending himself. McVey decides to stop striking and hook his arm around the neck, locking up a brabo choke in a hurry. The submission is tight with its application cinched at McVeyâs armpit, and he turns to the side to complete it. Dumas has nothing left to offer at this point of the match, and he surrenders. We have our first finish of the night, while Dumas clutches the left side of his face that absorbed the crushing uppercut.
The Official Result
Jackson McVey def. Sedriques Dumas R1 2:14 via Submission (Brabo Choke)
Itâs grappler vs. not-so-grappler as the middleweights remain in center stage. âThe Black Belt Hunterâ Vieira (11-4, 6-4 UFC) is coming off his first knockout loss, a head kick to Bo Nickal last November. Earlier in that same night, McConico (10-4-1, 1-2 UFC) had his block knocked off by Baisangur Susurkaev. Someone will shake off the sting of their past crushing defeat, and they have three rounds or fewer to get that done. Referee Kerry Hatley will keep tabs on the middleweights. The fighters decide to touch gloves before testing their mettle.
McConico dips and ducks his way into attack, and when he tosses out a body kick, Vieira slings back a right hand behind the ear that hurts him badly and sets him down. Vieira dives after him and takes hold of a choke attempt, but the slippery McConico is able to get out of the first attempt. Vieira looks to take the back standing, and he is turned around and slides off. When he hits his seat, âThe Black Belt Hunterâ grabs hold of an armbar. McConico wall-walks with his toes all the way around to contort his arm in a funny direction, but his joints hold up as he takes the pressure off his elbow and gets out of the dangerous predicament. McConico totally escapes, and Vieira follows right after him to complete a double. McConico sits up and uses the fence as his ally to stand back up again, all while keeping the wire as a way to take any submission leverage off of him. Vieira stays tightly pressed against McConico, constantly threatening with something.
Vieira considers dropping to his knees to hit another takedown, and he transitions from a double to a single and lifts McConicoâs right leg up between his own legs. McConico stays balanced while hopping around the cage, but the relentless Brazilian drags him to the floor with one hook around the left side. McConico stands up with Vieira clinging to him, and he scrapes the ADCC gold medalist off of him. When separated, McConico offers up a jab, a head kick and a front kick that makes him stumble back. Vieira walks him down without concern, and with his hands down, he takes two big punches on the sides of the face. Vieira tanks them and goes to the body, with McConico throwing back distance-keeping kicks. Vieira shoots when seeing a kick is coming, pressing McConico to the wall and scooping him up to set him down gingerly. âThe Black Belt Hunterâ rides out the round on top.
Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Vieira
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Vieira
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Vieira
Round 2
Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:
Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tyler Treese scores the round:
Round 3
Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:
Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tyler Treese scores the round:
