In a rare Wednesday show, UFC presents a fight night from the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, USA. Headlining the card is ranked light heavyweights, Anthony Smith and Glover Teixeira. Follow along throughout the evening for updates on the show.
A preview of the entire card can be read here.
Quick Results – Click to skip to a fight:
Prelims (6:00PM EDT) (ESPN+ / First hour on UFC Fight Pass in Canada before switching to TSN 1, 3 & 4 at 7PM EDT)
Bout 1: Chase Sherman def. Ike Villanueva via TKO, Strikes (RD 2, 0:42)
Bout 2: Brian Kelleher def. Hunter Azure via KO, Left Hook (RD 2, 3:40)
Bout 3: Omar Morales def. Gabriel Benitez via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 4: Sijara Eubanks def. Sarah Moras via Decision, Unanimous
Main Card (9:00PM EDT) (ESPN+ / TSN 1,3 & 4)
Bout 5: Thiago Moises def. Michael Johnson via Submission, Heel Hook (RD 2, 0:25)
Bout 6: Andrei Arlovski def. Philipe Lins via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 7: Ricky Simon def. Ray Borg via Decision, Split
Bout 8: Drew Dober def. Alexander Hernandez via TKO, Punches (RD 2, 4:25)
Bout 9: Ben Rothwell def. Ovince St. Preux via Decision, Split
Bout 10: Glover Teixeira def. Anthony Smith via TKO, Strikes (RD 5, 1:04)
NOTE: Bout between Marvin Vettori and Karl Roberson was taken off the card on Friday, with Roberson citing “medical issues.”
Live Coverage – Most recent at the top:
Teixeira Provides Beating
Glover Teixeira weathered a fast and strong first round Anthony Smith, giving him a brutal beating before the fight was stopped in the fifth round.
“My teeth are falling out,” said Smith to his corner in-between rounds at one point.
Smith was dropped numerous times in the fight and was getting hit with one-sided ground and pound numerous times.
With the win, Teixeira got his fourth win in a row, a streak that dates back to early 2019.
Play-by-play of Teixeira versus Smith.
‘Big Ben’ Gets Close Win
While Ben Rothwell was hit hard through three rounds, his unrelenting pressure and will to push forward gave him a split decision win against Ovince Saint Preux.
The fight was the heavyweight debut for Saint Preux, who fought at light heavyweight in his previous appearances.
“In all due respect, Mr. [Alexei] Oleinik … I know you asked for a big fight, well I’m ‘Big Ben’ so,” said Rothwell after the fight, calling out who he wants to face next.
Play-by-play of Rothwell versus Saint Preux.
Dober Stops Hernandez In The Second
Drew Dober defeated ranked lightweight Alexander Hernandez on the main card, finishing him in the second round with punches. Hernandez was able to endure striking earlier with takedowns, however eventually the punches caught up to Hernandez.
“I wasn’t trying to hit hard, I was trying to hit often,” said Dober, talking about the finish.
Walking out of the empty VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Dober thanked the empty seats, saying “thank you! Appreciate it.”
With this win, Dober moves to three wins in a row and a record of 23-9.
Play-by-play of Dober versus Hernandez.
Back To The Win Column For Simon
Snapping a two-fight losing steak, Ricky Simon went to a split decision against Ray Borg. He had the edge in a close striking battle by landing takedowns throughout.
“That’s always what I’m thinking about and that’s always what I’m gonna set up,” said Simon, talking about prioritizing takedowns.
Play-by-play of Simon versus Borg.
Arlovski Gets Scorecard Nod
Bouncing back from a loss in the fall, Andrei Arlovski out-striked 2018 PFL Heavyweight Champion Philipe Lins.
“Right now I feel that I’m on a new page … I wanna keep growing,” said Arlovski, who made his UFC debut in 2000.
Play-by-play of Arlovski versus Lins.
Heel Hook Gives Moises Comeback Victory
After losing the first round to Michael Johnson due to dominant striking, Thiago Moises slipped in a second-round heel hook to get the win. He failed to get the fight to the ground in the first round, with Johnson stuffing numerous attempts.
“I just proved tonight that I belong to the UFC and belong to the top of the division,” said Moises after the fight, also mentioning Johnson has impressive previous wins.
After the fight, he called out Anthony Pettis, saying “I would like to welcome him back” to the lightweight division.
Play-by-play of Moises versus Johnson.
Eubanks Dominates Moras For Three Rounds
Sijara Eubanks won a one-sided striking affair against Sarah Moras to end the preliminary card. When going to the scorecards, they read 30-27, 30-27 and 30-26 all favouring the now 5-4 fighter.
“I’m still young in my career, I want lots of fights,” said Eubanks after the fight.
Eubanks mentioned how she was able to hear and even talk to her corner throughout, saying “it was beautiful to be able to hear what they said.”
Play-by-play of Eubanks versus Moras
Omar Morales Remains Undefeated
Omar Morales remained undefeated after a close battle against Gabriel Benitez. The kickboxing battle went to scorecards, giving Morales a unanimous decision win.
“That’s exactly what I was expecting. He’s a Mexican fighter, tough fighter,” said the translator for Morales after the fight.
Morales moves to double digits with the win, now holding a professional career of 10-0.
Play-by-play of Morales versus Benitez.
Brian Kelleher Proves “Boom” Nickname Relevant
Brian “Boom” Kelleher put an end to the undefeated record of Hunter Azure, knocking him out in the second round with a left hook. The battle was fast-paced striking throughout from both fighters, fighting at a far distance when not dipping in for combinations.
“Once I find my range and confidence it’s a whole ‘nother fight,” said Kelleher in his post-fight interview.
After the fight, he called out “Sugar” Sean O’Malley, who holds an undefeated 11-0 record.
Play-by-play of Kelleher versus Azure.
Chase Sherman Has Successful Re-Debut
Opening up the preliminary card, Chase Sherman stopped Ike Villanueva with punches in the second round. The kickboxing matchup had both competitors throwing impactful strikes throughout. Sherman hurt Villanueva early in the second round, ending after a combo of strikes.
“He did a good job at being patient, but I think he was a little trigger shy,” said Sherman, describing Villanueva after the fight.
The fight was Sherman’s return to the UFC, as his previous promotional stint ended in 2018. After regional wins, he got promoted back to the UFC with this show.
Sherman was happy about his return, saying “It feels amazing.”
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