UFC 239
July 6, 2019
T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas NV
ESPN+, ESPN, Pay-per-view
EARLY PRELIMS (ESPN+, UFC Fight Pass)
Julia Avila (5-1) vs. Pannie Kianzad (11-4) – Bantamweight 135 lbs.
Round 1
Low kicks by Avila are countered with punches by Kianzad. They clinch against the cage. Avila lands knees from the standing clinch. Avila now lands elbows from the clinch. Avila with a body punch the breaks the clinch. Rights by Kianzad. They clinch at the cage. This time Kianzad punches out. Kianzand lands punching combos. Avila rushes Kianzad with punches against the cage. They end up in another standing clinch. Avila with knee and elbow out of the clinch. Quick right by Kianzad to end the round.
Round 2
Avila rushes into the clinch. After a right elbow by Avila the clinch in broken. Avila lands a body kick but Kianzad catches the kick, lands a takedown, but they stand quickly. They trade punching combos. Avila lands a stiff combo against the cage, before Kianzad wraps her up. They break with a punching combo by Kianzad, Avila is bleeding on her right eye. Avila rushes with a fury of punches, as they get to the cage, Avila now wraps up Kianzad. They trade combos as they break. Avila gets a takedown , nearly gets her back but the round ends.
Round 3
Both women start the round with punching combos. Avila lands a standing knee. Avila once again punches Kianzad to the cage, but Kianzad wraps her up. They break. After a punch combo, Avila drops Kianzad with a left, gets on top, Kianzad tries to fight out, Avila gets her back, but Kianzad remains active, Avila goes for a rear choke, but Kianzad keeps moving. Kianzad tries to stand, but Avila pulls her back down. the round ends.
Result: Avila via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26 2x)
Analysis: Fun fight to start the night off. Avila dominated throughout, but could not grab a finish. If this was Tuesday night, Dana White would not award her a contract.
Ismail Naurdiev (18-2) vs. Chance Rencountre (13-3) – Welterweight 170 lbs.
Round 1
Naurdiev throws a body kick is is grabbed COMPUTER HAD TO BE REBOOTED WILL UPDATE THIS ROUND LATER.
Round 2
Rencountre comes out aggressive and catches a kick, lands a takedown, Naurdiev back is exposed, Recountre is laying strikes from behind. Naurdiev now on his back but unable to mount offense, or get into a full guard. Rencountre landing strikes from the top. Round ends with Rencountre looking for a submission but unable to find one.
Round 3
Rencountre shoots for a takedown but is stuffed. Naurdiev goes for a knee, but they end up sprawling without grappling. Naurdiev attempts a flying knee, but does not land. As they sprawl more, Rencountre gets Naurdiev’s back, lands strikes, Naurdiev rolls into a half guard. Naurdiev is able to sit up, but cannot shake Rencountre. They stand, but remain locked. Ref breaks them up. Naurdiev lands a takedown before the round ends.
Result: Chance Rencountre def. Ismail Naurdiev via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-27)
Analysis: Very impressive by Rencountre. Naurdiev has some scary power, but Rencountre found the advantage every time they had a meaningful exchange. Not bad for such a steep underdog.
Edmen Shahbazyan (9-0) vs. Jack Marshman (23-8) – Middleweight 185 lbs.
Round 1
Leg kick by Shahbazyan. Punch combo exchanges. Shahbazyan gets a single-leg takedown, from a standing position,Shahbazyan lands massive right hands. Shahbazyan into side-control, he takes Marshman’s back, locks in a rear-naked choke, Marshman taps!
Result:Edmen Shahbazyan def. Jack Marshman via submission at 1:12 of round 1
Analysis: Not much to say here, other than Marshman is really tough, and Shahbazyan fights do not last long.
PRELIMS (ESPN)
Alejandro Perez (21-7-1) vs. Song Yadong (13-3, 2 NC) – Bantamweight 135
lbs.
Round 1
Yadong getting the better of the early punching exchanges. Big right by Yadong wipes out Perez, its over!
Result: Song Yadong def. Alejandro Perez via KO at 2:04 of Round 1
Analysis: Wow what a brutal punch by the very young Song Yadong. This kid has a really bright future!
Claudia Gadelha (16-4) vs. Randa Markos (9-6-1) – Strawweight 115 lbs.
Round 1
Overhand right by Gadelha. Markos gets the better of an exchange. Gadelha lands a right hand. Markos lands a leg kick, but Gadelha counters with the hands. low kick by Gadelha. They pick up the speed with a punching exchange. Gadelha with another right. Round ends.
Analysis: Very uneventful round.
Round 2
Markos is aggressive with punches, but gets wrapped up and they break. Gadelha with a hard punching combo against the cage. Jab by Markos. Gadelha misses with a low kick, but Markos unable to take advantage. They briefly lock up, Markos lands a high knee before they break. Markos lands a spinning back-fist. Gadelha shoots for a double leg but it is stuffed, round is over.
Round 3
Inside leg-kick by Gadelha. Left hand of Gadelha lands. Quick punching exchange. This happens several times. Gadelha counters a leg-kick with a punching combo. Big right by Gadelha. Fight ends
Result:Claudia Gadelha def. Randa Markos via unanimous decision (30-27 3x)
Analysis: Well that one was a bore. Not only was the fight uneventful, it also felt very repetitive.
Marlon Vera (13-5-1) vs. Nohelin Hernandez (9-2) – Bantamweight 135 lbs.
Round 1
Body punch attempt by Hernandez. Leg-kick by Vera. Vera grabs a body kick, and takes the back of Hernandez. Vera locks in a body-triangle. Vera swings his legs for an armbar. Hernandez stays active, and ends up on top. Hernandez lands shots from the top. Vera pulls Hernandez in close, the round ends.
Round 2
Body kick by Vera. Punch combo by Hernandez. Head kick by Hernandez. Hernandez lands a takedown. Hernandez unable to ground n pound. Elbows from the top be Hernandez. Hernandez stands, Vera stands. Vera with a stiff knee into a takedown, into a mount, Vera gets his back, locks in a rear-naked choke, Hernandez taps.
Result:Marlon Vera def. Nohelin Hernandez via submission at 3:25 of round 2
Analysis: Very fun fight. Despite being an unknown, Hernandez had several moments where he could have found the upset. However, once Vera landed that knee, it was all over!
Gilbert Melendez (22-7) vs. Arnold Allen (14-1) – Featherweight 145 lbs.
Round 1
Both men swing wildly, but nothing lands. Melendez lands a hard right. Allen slips but recovers. Melendez lands a series of hard rights. Allen sweeps Melendez, but nothing comes from it. Stiff body shots by Allen. Melendez shoots but Allen sprawls out. Hard left by Allen. Melendez with an elbow in close range. Allen lands a reverse side-kick.
Round 2
Allen goes for a pair of high kicks. Busy punching combo by Allen. Big body punch by Allen. Melendez extends on a punch combo and eats shots to the head. Left body kicks by Allen. Both men land a punching combo, but Allen gets the better of the exchange. Round ends.
Round 3
Allen goes for a body kick, Melendez grabs the leg, but unable to get the takedown. Allens lands a takedown, but they stand quickly. Melendez with a punch combo. Standing elbow landed by Melendez. Leg kicks by Allen. Hard body kick by Allen. Allen lands more left body kicks, lands a switch kick. They engage in a rapid punching exchange right before the fight ends.
Result: Arnold Allen def. Gilbert Melendez via unanimous decision (30-27 3x)
Analysis: This one was simple, Melendez looks very old, Allen looks like he has a ton of upside.
Main Card (ESPN+ pay-per-view)
Diego Sanchez (29-11) vs. Michael Chiesa (15-4) – Welterweight 170 lbs.
Round 1
Sanchez with an immediate takedown. Chiesa rolls into a triangle attempt. They stand, Sanchez lands another takedown. They stand quickly, Chiesa lands punches at the cage . They get locked in a clinch. Chiesa sweeps into a takedown. Chiesa gets Sanchez’s back. Chiesa with a body triangle. Chiesa goes for a rear-naked, but lets go, to elbow Sanchez in the ear, Sanchez stays active. Chiesa lands up in a top position. The round ends with Chiesa lands a knee in the standing clinch.
Round 2
Chiesa starts the round with a takedown. Chiesa gets his back, and ands strikes. As they stand Chiesa lands elbows and punches before landing another takedown, to gain top position. Chiesa lands elbows and punches from the top. Sanchez briefly grabs Chiesa’s let, but Chiesa transitions into a body triangle. Chiesa gets the back of Sanchez and lands more strikes, Chiesa goes for a rear-naked choke, but Sanchez fights out. They briefly stand before Chiesa lands another takedown into a kimura attempt. the round ends
Round 3
Chiesa immediately grabs a leg and lands a takedown. Chiesa grabs an arm, but they stand. Chiesa lands another takedown. Sanchez remains slippery. They briefly stand, but they go back to the ground with Chiesa firmly behind Sanchez. Against the cage, Chiesa goes for a rear choke, but the fight ends.
Result: Michael Chiesa def. Diego Sanchez via unanimous decision (30-26 3x)
Analysis: Chiesa looked great, but that was hard to watch. Sanchez is way past it, and the UFC looks foolish for continuing to book him at this point. Sanchez’s thin corner apparently made no difference.
Luke Rockhold vs. Jan Blachowicz (Light-heavyweight)
Round 1: Rockhold shoots right away, but Blachowicz is defending. Rockhold is trying to get this fight down but he just can’t find anything right now. Blachowicz connects with a solid elbow in the clinch, and then a left hook! Jan connects with a right hook! Rockhold is wide open and Jan drops him with a high kick right as the bell sounds! Wow! Rockhold was hurt by that strike! (10-9 Blachowicz)
Round 2: They exchange in the initial seconds of the round, Blachowicz appeared to get the better of Rockhold. Rockhold closes the distance with a lead left hook, and then shoots but can’t find the takedown. They separate and Blachowicz connects with a left hook! Rockhold is down and out!
Result: Jan Blachowicz def. Luke Rockhold via KO (Punch) Round 2, 1:39
Analysis: Blachowicz looked great, but Rockhold just never seemed to get going. I think the ship has sailed for Rockhold, but he will likely retain a bit of a draw despite this loss.
Ben Askren vs. Jorge Masvidal (Welterweight)
Round 1: They move towards the center and Askren shoots! Masvidal leaps into the air with a flying knee and it connects! This fight is over! Wow! Fastest KO in UFC history!
Result: Jorge Masvidal def. Ben Askren via KO (Flying Knee) Round 1, 0:05
Analysis: Well that was the fastest KO in UFC history… Masvidal sprinted across the cage, but Askren shot anyway and the knee landed flush. He was out the second it connected. Masvidal has almost assuredly earned himself a World Title shot with this win. As for Askren, he will have to go back to the drawing board if he plans to continue fighting. Remember, he ended his retirement for this UFC run.
© Amanda Nunes vs. Holly Holm for UFC Bantamweight Championship
Round 1: Holm connects with a jab to get things going. Nunes rushes in to return fire but Holm is evasive. Nunes connects with a high kick, Holm blocked it a bit, but it still landed. Nunes scores with a trip takedown, but Holm pops right back up. Nunes connects with a right hook! Nunes lands a high kick and Holm is down! Nunes moves in and lands several shots on the ground. This fight is all over!
Result: Amanda Nunes def. Holly Holm via TKO (Head Kick and Punches) Round 1, 4:10
Analysis: Amanda Nunes has now defeated every former UFC Bantamweight and Featherweight Champion… her resume is unmatched. The question is who is next?
© Jon Jones vs. Thiago Santos for UFC Light-heavyweight Championship
Round 1: They’re circling early, Santos is throwing low kicks anytime that he can find the opening. Santos is very composed in the early going, he continues to target the leg and Jones is doing nothing to counter them. Very interesting round. Not a whole lot happened but Santos took advantage of every opportunity thrown his way. (10-9 Santos)
Round 2: Santos appeared to hurt himself early on with a low kick… Jones rushes in but backs out as Santos unleashes a flurry. Santos scores with a kick to the body. Jones connects with a kick to the midsection and Santos goes down. Weird fall there… not a kick that would normally knock somebody down. Santos scores with a punch to the midsection. Jones is showing some nice head movement. Santos unleashes a ferocious leg kick! Wow! This is a good fight! (10-9 Jones)
Round 3: Santos scores with a kick to the midsection. Santos closes the distance and scores with several shots! Jones returns a straight that puts Santos down! Jones jumps for a knee but Santos avoids it. Santos is stumbling, his knee is absolutely damaged. Santos lands an inside low kick that knocks Jones off balance a bit. (10-9 Jones)
Round 4: Santos opens up with a kick to the midsection and he follows it up with a right hand! Jones escapes the line but Santos follows! Jones evades a flurry and escapes off the cage and back into the center. Jones isn’t targeting the injured leg as much as you would expect, but I guess targeting the leg would lead him exposed. Santos connects with a low kick and then stumbles after he replants the leg. (10-9 Jones)
Round 5: Santos lands some big shots early on! Jones has a chin, Wow! Jones lands a shot to the leg, but Santos seems determined to keep moving forward. Sidekick to the body connects for Jones. Santos is starting to stumble all over the cage… his knees are in bad shape here, or his calf or something. Santos is rushing in with a flurry but Jones is just too evasive. Santos throws a low kick but slips to the mat before it lands. This is so strange… Jones hasn’t tried to capitalize on this at all. (10-9 Santos) (48-47 Jones)
Result: Jon Jones def. Thiago Santos via Split Decision
Analysis: Well… I honestly would not have been surprised to see Santos take that decision. It was very competitive, and Jones seemed a bit off. Jones is making a weird argument in the post-fight about… well just listen to it. He’s going on about outstriking Santos who has a black belt in Muay Thai… I’m left feeling like he had a very poor performance overall.
More from MMATorch:
- VS Common Opponents: Amanda Nunes vs. Holly Holm
- UFC 239 Embedded EP 6
- ROUNDTABLE: Who wins between Jorge Masvidal and Ben Askren?
- UFC 239 PREVIEW & PREDICTIONS 7/06: Grocke’s updated odds & predictions for every fight
- ROUNDTABLE: Who wins between Jan Błachowicz and Luke Rockhold?
- ROUNDTABLE: Who wins between Amanda Nunes and Holly Holm?
- ROUNDTABLE: Who wins between Jon Jones and Thiago Santos
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