News Ticker

UFC 225 Live Report

Cole Henry, MMATorch Contributor

June 9, 2018

Mike Santiago vs. Dan Ige (Featherweight/145)

Round 1: Dan Ige gets an early takedown and Santiago is in trouble! Dan Ige is landing some big shots from the back and this could be stopped! Its over! Wow that was quite a performance by a guy that showed very little in his debut! Great performance!

Result: Dan Ige def. Mike Santiago via TKO (Punches) Round 1, 0:50

Charles Oliveira vs. Clay Guida (Lightweight/155)

Side note: This will be the 26th appearance for Clay Guida in the UFC. The record is 29 and is held by Jim Miller and Michael Bisping.

Round 1: Oliveira strikes early with a nice leg kick. His path to victory could be on the feet or on the ground here tonight. Guida has been submitted often before and Oliveira is a wizard on the ground. Lots of aggression by Guida early on, he’s landing here and there but nothing notable. Oliveira lands a nice right hand and Guida changes levels for a takedown. Oliveira has the neck and he’s looking for a guillotine and Guida taps! Good performance by Oliveira.

Result: Charles Olivera def. Clay Guida via Submission (Guillotine) Round 1, 2:18

(5)Sergio Pettis vs. (1)Joseph Benavidez (125/Flyweight)

Round 1: Benavidez is having success with the leg kick early. Pettis lands a big shot and Benavidez is wobbled! He’s looking for a leg, but Pettis is landing shots. Benavidez grabs a leg and Pettis is down. He was in trouble there for a minute but nice recovery there by Benavidez. Back on the feet and Benavidez lands a nice hook to the body. Benavidez seems a bit quick for Pettis right now. He forces Pettis against the fence and is looking for a takedown but can’t get it. 10-9 Pettis: Benavidez did more but the big shots that Pettis landed early in the round should give it to him.

Round 2: We see a back and forth exchange to start the round. Benavidez is using lots of head movement, but Pettis is still managing to land. Benavidez looking for a takedown, but Pettis uses the fence to stay up. Benavidez forces the fight against the fence and controls from there for a moment before Pettis creates a separation and escapes. Benavidez is using single shots to close the distance and its making it hard for Pettis to land anything major. 10-9 Benavidez

Round 3: Spinning back fist landed by Benavidez and he uses the moment to close the distance. They are fighting against the cage and Pettis escapes to the center. Benavidez is bleeding from his right foot possibly from checking a kick. Benavidez scores another takedown with 30 seconds left. 10-9 Benavidez (29-28 Benavidez)

Result: Sergio Pettis def. Joseph Benavidez via Split Decision

Anthony Smith vs. Rashad Evans (Light heavyweight/205)

Round 1: Big leg kick by Anthony Smith starts the fight. Evans closes the distance with an overhand and grabs a pair of under hooks. He forces the fight against the fence and is looking for a takedown. Smiths forces the head of Evans down and lands a big knee! Evans is down and out! Great performance by Smith. Evans should have seen that knee coming and this fight just didn’t make a ton of sense for him. Smith was too big, and the finishing sequence was violent.

Result: Anthony Smith def. Rashad Evans via KO (Knee) Round 1, 0:53

Rashad Coulter vs. Chris De La Rocha (Heavyweight/265)

Round 1: De La Rocha closes the distance early and forces the fight against the fence. Coulter creates separation and is throwing some big shots, but De La Rocha gets a takedown. They are up and swinging and Coulter is landing some big shots. Coulter is fading, and De La Rocha is attacking! De La Rocha scores a takedown with 20 seconds left! 10-9 De La Rocha incredible round and great performance by both guys.

Round 2: Coulter scores with a big right hand and a takedown. He gets to the mount and Coulter isn’t offering much. He seems tired and De La Rocha is applying heavy pressure from the mount. Its over. The second round was certainly slower than the first but still good stuff.

Result: Chris De La Rocha def. Rashad Coulter via TKO (Punches) Round 2, 3:28

(7)Ricardo Lamas vs. (11)Mirsad Bektic (Featherweight/170)

Round 1: Good back and forth round with Bektic controlling with his striking and with a takedown. 10-9 Bektic

Round 2: Bektic sprawls a takedown attempt from Lamas. They clinch in the center and Bektic forces the fight against the fence. Lamas is busted open and leaking from his nose. 10-9 Bektic

Round 3: Bektic gets a takedown early and is looking for a head and arm triangle choke. Lamas counters with a sweep and is looking for a guillotine and it could be tight. Lamas can’t hold the guard though and Bektic escapes. Lamas is again looking for the guillotine but Bektic escapes and is now in top position. He is landing some punches with 10 seconds left. 10-9 Bektic (30-27 Bektic)

Result: Mirsad Bektic def. Ricardo Lamas via Split Decision

(6)Carla Esparza vs. (3)Claudia Gadelha (Strawweight/125)

Round 1: They are trading takedown attempts early. Esparza lands a big shot and Gadelha is hurt! Esparza attacks with punches and Gadelha is down! She is landing some short shots but nothing major. They separate, and Gadelha is up. Gadelha scores a takedown and Esparza is on her back. She is landing some shots and she attacks with a guillotine! Esparza is saved by the bell. 10-9 Esparza That knock down should do it for her.

Round 2: Gadelha controlled the round with a body lock and several takedowns. 10-9 Gadelha

Round 3: Gadelha lands a shot and scores a takedown early. Esparza gets a reversal and is now in top position. She is landing some shots, but Gadelha is punching from her back. Draw (Draw) Hard fight to score and if I had to pick I’d say Gadelha but I think a draw would be appropriate.

Result: Claudia Gadelha def. Carla Esparza via Split Decision

(2)Alistair Overeem vs. (4)Curtis Blaydes (Heavyweight/265)

Round 1: Overeem is being very evasive early in the round. He is playing all defense so far. Blaydes scores a takedown at the midway point of the round but doesn’t do much with it. 10-9 Blaydes

Round 2: Overeem lands a big knee to start the round! He lands another and an uppercut! He grabs Blaydes neck and attempts a guillotine. Blaydes escapes but Overeem attempts a heel hook! Blaydes escapes and has the back with no hooks in. They stand up and Blaydes lands a right hand as they separate. Overeem throws a knee but Blaydes catches it and Overeem is on his back. Blaydes is in half guard with a tight headlock on Overeem, they are chest to chest and Overeem isn’t doing anything to get up. 10-9 Blaydes

Round 3: Blaydes opens early on Overeem and backs him against the fence. Overeem just basically fell to his back and Blaydes followed him. Blaydes is on top and landing some hard elbows on Overeem and its over! Overeem is busted open badly! Curtis Blaydes is a true contender in this division.

Result: Curtis Blaydes def. Alistair Overeem via TKO (Punches and Elbows) Round 3, 2:56

UFC 225: Chicago (Main Card)

CM Punk vs. Mike Jackson (Welterweight/170)

Round 1: Punk lands a right hand that backs Jackson against the fence. Punk is landing some leg kicks and again forces the fight against the fence. Punk is getting tired, but he scores a takedown! Jackson gets up and lands a few shots including a hard elbow as the round ends. 10-9 Jackson

Round 2: Jackson lands a big shot and punk. Jackson gets a takedown and Punk is on his back. Punk is looking for a triangle, but he is mostly just getting his ass kicked. This is unfortunate for him. 10-8 Jackson

Round 3: Punk is getting beat up. Jackson is landing shots whenever he wants. This is way worse than I thought it would be and I wasn’t expecting much. Punk is making Jackson look like a contender…10-9 Jackson (30-26 Jackson)

Result: Mike Jackson def. CM Punk via Unanimous Decision

Side Note: The UFC has announced that Ronda Rousey will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame

(8)Andrei Arlovski vs. (12)Tai Tuivasa

Round 1: Arlovski breaks the ice with a big right hand that briefly staggers Tuivasa. Arlovski attempts to pull guard I think but he pull’s mount and Tuivasa is on top. Weird exchange there. Arlovski escapes the mount, he pretty much just powered out of it. Tuivasa lands a big shot and Arlovski is down. Back on the feet and Arlovski seems a bit more cautious than before. Tuivasa lands a knee and a couple punches. 10-9 Tuivasa

Round 2: First time seeing the second round for Tuivasa. They are trading lots of shots early. Arlovski lands a nice backfist in a close exchange. Tuivasa grabs a leg and forces Arlovski against the fence. They separate and Arlovski just misses with a head kick. Big shots being thrown by both guys. Tuivasa is busted up, his nose could be broken. Arlovski secures a body lock and drags Tuivasa down. He allows him up though and Tuivasa pokes Arlovski in the eye. Brief stoppage here and the doctor is in the cage. Back to the action 10-9 Arlovski

Round 3: Lots of back and forth exchanges. Arlovski is taking some big shots here. 10-9 Tuivasa (29-28 Tuivasa)

Result: Tai Tuivasa def. Andrei Arlovski via Unanimous Decision

Holly Holm vs. Megan Anderson (Featherweight/145)

Round 1: Anderson is attacking early. She’s very aggressive and landing knees and punches. Holm closes the distance and forces the fight against the cage. She is maintaining control from there. Anderson creates separation and they are back to the center of the cage. Holm lands a front kick to the face and grabs a single leg. She completes it, but Anderson half way sweeps her, but Holm still winds up on top in side control. Close round but Holm controlled most of it despite the early trouble. 10-9 Holm

Round 2: Holm quickly closes the distance on Anderson and forces the fight against the cage. Holm gets a takedown and is looking for the mount on Anderson. She takes side control instead and Anderson doesn’t seem like she has much to offer from her back. Holm transitions to the mount and is landing the occasional punch. Anderson is offering up no defense. Holm is landing some hard elbows as the round ends. 10-9 Holm

Round 3: Holms gets another takedown. This has been a dominant performance by her and not in the way that one would expect. Holm lets Anderson up and after a brief exchange Holm scores another takedown with a body lock. Holm has a guillotine and it could have been serious, but the round ended. Great performance by the former Bantamweight Champion. 10-9 Holm (30-27 Holm)

Result: Holly Holm def. Megan Anderson via Unanimous Decision

(1)Rafael Dos Anjos vs. (4)Colby Covington for UFC Interim Welterweight Championship

Round 1: Quick takedown by Covington and he is working to take the back. RDA gets up briefly, but Covington slams him. RDA is up again and seems to be bleeding from a busted cauliflower ear. Lots of pressure here by Covington. He is dipping his head with each strike he throws, and RDA is starting to time it with an uppercut. RDA lands a nice body kick and follows it up with a leg kick. Covington needs to stop those leg kicks before they become a serious problem. 10-9 Covington

Round 2: They trade shots early and Covington scores a takedown against the fence. RDA gets to his feet, but Covington is controlling the action and making RDA work just to breath. Nice hook to the body lands for RDA. Covington is keeping a heavy pace in the early round and then is seems he eases up a bit towards the end. That’s been the case so far. Covington is keeping the fight against the fence. They separate, and RDA lands a leg kick, but Covington quickly takes him down again. He has the back with one hook on and 30 seconds remaining. 10-8 Covington

Round 3: Covington waste no time in closing the distance and forcing the fight against the cage. Covington lands a nice kick to the mid-section. Back against the fence and Covington takes him down again. Back on the feet and we get a brief pause due to a groin strike by Covington. Back to the action and we see more pressure by Covington. He forces RDA against the fence again for a moment before the separate. RDA lands a leg kick, but Covington follows him and forces the fight against the fence. Just great work tonight by Covington. He is relentless with his pressure and he’s absolutely backing up all the trash talk. 10-9 Covington

Round 4: Covington runs to the center and RDA lands a hard shot. Covington recovers but he got tagged there. Covington is throwing some lazy punches but scores a takedown as soon as RDA throws back one of his own. RDA gets a sweep and he is on top in the front choke position with nearly four minutes left in the round. Covington works out of it and RDA is back against the cage. They separate, and RDA scores a takedown of his own. Covington looks a bit fatigued. RDA is landing some knees to the thigh and is controlling the action with a body lock. Covington works his way up though and they separate. Covington stuffs a takedown attempt from RDA and he is pressing him against the fence. Covington scores a takedown and RDA is on his back with ten seconds left in the round. 10-9 Covington

Round 5: Another takedown by Covington and RDA doesn’t stay down long but this has been the entire fight in a nut shell. Constant pressure by Covington. 10-9 Covington (50-44 Covington)

Result: Colby Covington def. Rafael Dos Anjos via Unanimous Decision

Yoel Romero vs. Robert Whitaker (Middleweight/185)

*This fight was originally for the UFC Middleweight Championship but Yoel Romero missed weight. The fight will still be a fight round bout, but the title is not on the line.

Round 1: Whitaker is using a front leg low kick early on. Yoel seems a bit tentative early. You have to wonder what his state of mind is after missing weight. Not much action so far. 10-9 Whitaker

Round 2: Romero is using a very strange game plan. He’s using a very slow pace and allowing Whitaker to land pretty much at will. Yoel Romero’s right eye is badly swollen. He just doesn’t seem like he’s left 1st gear so far. 10-9 Whitaker

Round 3: Romero rocks Whitaker early! He lands a big shot and Whitaker is in trouble! He seems to have recovered a bit, but Romero is attacking him. Big elbow by Whitaker! Whitaker was in total control until that last exchange. Yoel came to life from out of nowhere. Whitaker lands a spinning back fist!  Both guys look exhausted, both guys are busted open. Romero lands a hard jab and he is opening up against the fence. Whitaker is badly hurt here! Oh, shit head kick by Whitaker!!! This is crazy. Romero has a body lock with 30 seconds left. Whitaker reverses the position. Wow that was a crazy round. 10-9 Romero

Round 4: Whitaker lands a head kick on Romero and then another. Romero looks exhausted here, but he could be playing a game of opossum. Groin strike by Whitaker and we see a break here for Romero to recover. Back to the action and Romero lands a big combination. Romero just avoids a straight right from Whitaker. Whitaker really likes the left high kick tonight. Romero lands another big shot as the round ends. 10-9 Whitaker

Round 5: Whitaker is landing leg kicks and they seem to be keeping Romero from finding any sort of rhythm. Romero lands a big shot and Whitaker is down! He is looking to recover and has a single leg which he is using to avoid punches. Whitaker is working to his feet, but Romero isn’t making it easy. Whitaker is up but he is still in trouble here and Romero has him down. Whitaker does not look right. Romero is controlling with a body lock from the back. Whitaker isn’t offering up much resistance. He briefly gets up, but Romero drags him right back down. The ref stands them up with 30 seconds left. Romero rushes in but doesn’t land anything meaningful. Whitaker lands and Romero is briefly before the round ends. 10-9 Romero (47-46 Whitaker)

Result: Robert Whitaker def. Yoel Romero via Split Decision

Related Articles

3 Comments on UFC 225 Live Report

  2. The coach who told cm punk he belongs anywhere near the octagon should be banned from the sport for life. Brutal.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*


All content copyright © TDH Communications Inc. 2020