UFC is scheduled to present a 12-fight card on Saturday night from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Headlining the card is ranked strawweights Michelle Waterson and Angela Hill. Follow along throughout the evening for live updates.
A full preview of the show can be read here.
Quick Results:
Preliminary Card (5:00PM EDT / 2:00PM PDT) (ESPN+ / TSN 5)
Bout 1: Sabina Mazo def. Justine Kish via Submission, Rear Naked Choke (RD 3, 3:57)
Bout 2: Bryan Barberena def. Anthony Ivy via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 3: Jalin Turner def. Brok Weaver via Submission, Rear Naked Choke (RD 2, 4:20)
Bout 4: Alexander Romanov def. Roque Martinez via Submission, Arm Triangle Choke (RD 2, 4:22)
Bout 5: Kevin Croom def. Roosevelt Roberts via Submission, Guillotine Choke (RD 1, 0:31)
Bout 6: Sijara Eubanks def. Julia Avila via Decision, Unanimous
Main Card (8:00PM EDT / 5:00PM PDT) (ESPN+ / TSN 5)
Bout 7: Billy Quarantillo def. Kyle Nelson via TKO, Strikes (RD 3, 0:07)
Bout 8: Bobby Green def. Alan Patrick via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 9: Ed Herman def. Mike Rodriguez via Submission, Kimura (RD 3, 4:01)
Bout 10: Roxanne Modafferi def. Andrea Lee via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 11: Ottman Azaitar def. Khama Worthy via TKO, Punches (RD 1, 1:33)
Bout 12: Michelle Waterson def. Angela Hill via Decision, Split
Live Coverage:
Bout 12: Michelle Waterson (17-8) vs. Angela Hill (12-8) (Strawweight)
Waterson Wins Close Split Decision Against Hill
A five-round main event battle saw Michelle Waterson pick up a split decision victory over Angela Hill. The close bout mostly remained on the feet, where both fighters threw and connected with a quick tempo of strikes.
Hill had a sharper start in the fight, out-striking Waterson in the first two rounds. Waterson out-landed Hill with strikes later in the fight as her pace sped up and overtook Hill.
“You never want to leave it down to judges … It doesn’t leave a good feeling in your stomach,” said Waterson in her post-fight interview.
Hill blocked numerous takedowns in the fight, although Waterson was able to land one in the third round of the fight.
“I wanted to submit her,” admitted Waterson afterwards.
Despite the loss, Hill put her name in the history books on Saturday, becoming the first Black woman to main event a UFC show.
Waterson was awarded a brown belt by her coach after the win.
Waterson versus Hill play-by-play.
Bout 11: Khama Worthy (16-6) vs. Ottman Azaitar (12-0) (Lightweight)
Azaitar Remains Undefeated With Quick Win Over Worthy
Remaining undefeated, Ottman Azaitar landed dozens of punches to finish Khama Worthy early in the first round.
Azaitar’s finish started with a two-punch combination that hurt Worthy. The combination allowed Azaitar to come forward with many more punches that connected and caused Worthy to back up.
The strikes eventually dropped Worthy, causing the fight to be stopped after some ground and pound from Azaitar.
“The gameplan was to go for three rounds. To not think about [a] knockout,” said Azaitar in his post-fight interview.
The fight was Azaitar’s second appearance in the UFC. His previous win was just over a year ago, defeating Teemu Packalen at UFC 242.
Worthy’s seven-fight streak of wins including a victory over Luis Pena was snapped with the fight.
Azaitar versus Worthy play-by-play.
Bout 10: Andrea Lee (11-4) vs. Roxanne Modafferi (24-17) (Flyweight)
Modafferi Wins Rematch Against Lee
Getting back in the win column, Roxanne Modafferi defeated Andrea Lee on the main card. The decision victory saw Modafferi have her better moments with grappling.
Modafferi’s best work in the fight came from takedowns, being able to have more control on the ground than Lee.
“I’m the winner so I got the win,” said an elated Modafferi in her post-fight interview.
Lee was the better striker throughout the fight. Her strikes put Modafferi in trouble in the second round, as a spinning back fist rocked her.
Lee and Modafferi have faced off before, as Modafferi took a split decision victory when they first met in 2014 on an Invicta FC card.
“We both changed a lot … My striking [has] improved,” said Modafferi, comparing their previous matchup to the most recent one.
Lee is now on a three-fight losing streak with previous losses coming to Lauren Murphy and Joanne Calderwood
Modafferi versus Lee play-by-play.
Bout 9: Ed Herman (24-14) vs. Mike Rodriguez (11-4) (Light Heavyweight)
Herman Earns Controversial Win Over Rodriguez
Coming back from a near defeat, Ed Herman stopped Mike Rodriguez in the third round via kimura. The kimura came after Rodriguez had landed numerous punches on the ground and in the clinch.
The strikes from the clinch dropped Herman, causing Rodriguez to look for a finish on the ground.
Herman seemingly got saved in the second round after the referee mistook a knee to the body as a groin shot. The shot from Rodriguez dropped Herman, although the replay showed it was to the body of Herman. Because of the pause, Herman was given time to rest before the fight resumed.
“I don’t know if it was a groin or a body [shot] … All I know is I went down,” said Herman, addressing the pause in his post-fight interview.
The fight saw Herman pick up his third-straight UFC win, continuing a streak that had its first two wins in 2019.
Herman versus Rodriguez play-by-play.
Bout 8: Alan Patrick (15-2) vs. Bobby Green (26-10-1) (Lightweight)
Green Earns Third 2020 Win
Picking up his third win in 2020, Bobby Green won a unanimous decision against Alan Patrick. The fight saw Green successful with takedowns and sharper striking.
“I just felt off,” said Green in his post-fight interview, critical of his performance.
Green cut his post-fight interview short because he felt was upset about the news of Iran executing wrestler Navid Afkari.
Green’s previous 2020 wins came against Lando Vannata and Clay Guida.
The fight was Patrick’s return to action after having been inactive since 2018. His last fight was a loss to Scott Holtzman at UFC 229.
Green versus Patrick play-by-play.
Bout 7: Billy Quarantillo (14-2) vs. Kyle Nelson (13-3) (Featherweight)
Quarantillo Floors Nelson With Punches To Win
Capping off his strong performance in the two previous rounds, Billy Quarantillo dropped Kyle Nelson at the start of the third round with a two-punch combination to win. The finish came after two rounds that saw Quarantillo dish out damage with strikes.
While Quarantillo had the better performance before the finish, Nelson was coming forward and connecting with his own shots as well
“We knew he was gonna come out super aggressive,” said Quarantillo in his post-fight interview.
The win extended Quarantillo’s winning streak, extending it to eight fights. He won his third UFC fight, including a May victory over Spike Carlyle.
The fight was Nelson’s return to the octagon after a year-long layoff from action. His previous fight was a victory over Polo Reyes.
Quarantillo versus Nelson play-by-play.
Bout 6: Julia Avila (8-1) vs. Sijara Eubanks (5-4) (Bantamweight)
Eubanks Wins Decision Over Avila
Finishing off the prelims, Sijara Eubanks put on a strong performance over Julia Avila. The win saw Eubanks use her takedowns and ground skill to control Avila throughout.
Eubanks nearly closed the fight in the second round, putting an arm triangle choke on Avila.
“I’m confident in Jiu-Jitsu no matter who I’m down there with, said Eubanks in her post-fight interview.
All the rounds had a chaotic start that had both fighters swing a wild flurry of punches.
“She came out swinging, we knew she would,” said Eubanks in retrospect.
Eubanks also mentioned she hopes to fight one more time before the year ends.
The win was the second consecutive win for Eubanks in the UFC. Her previous fight was a decision win last May over Sarah Moras.
Eubanks versus Avila play-by-play.
Bout 5: Roosevelt Roberts (10-2) vs. Kevin Croom (21-12) (Lightweight)
Croom Wins UFC Debut In 31 Seconds
It took only seconds for Kevin Croom to win his UFC debut, defeating Roosevelt Roberts in the first minute with a guillotine choke. The finish came moments after he dropped Roberts with an overhand left.
The fight saw Croom as a short-notice fighter, replacing Matt Frevola, who pulled out of the fight due to an injury.
“Waited 13 years to be here. I’m elated,” said Croom, who was clearly happy about his win in his post-fight interview.
Croom had a three-fight winning streak prior to his debut, with one of those wins being in Bellator.
The fight was the second consecutive loss for Roberts, who lost via armbar too Jim Miller last June.
Croom versus Roberts play-by-play.
Bout 4: Alexander Romanov (11-0) vs. Roque Martinez (15-5-2) (Heavyweight)
Romanov Remains Undefeated In UFC Debut
After handing out dozens of hammerfist punches earlier in the fight, undefeated Alexander Romanov stopped fellow debuting fighter Roque Martinez in the second round with an arm triangle choke.
Romanov’s performance saw his ability to control Martinez on the ground, transitioning frequently and scoring with numerous strikes.
“King Kong is here and Vegas and I’m very hungry,” said Romanov in his post-fight interview.
Romanov was undefeated through 11 fights prior to his UFC debut.
Martinez had a career in Japan before the fight, being a DEEP Openweight Champion and a RIZIN alum. His most notable opponent in the past was a fight to Mirko Cro Cop, where Martinez lost due to a doctor’s stoppage.
Romanov versus Martinez play-by-play.
Bout 3: Brok Weaver (15-5) vs. Jalin Turner (9-5) (Catchweight 165 lbs)
Short-Notice Opponent Turner Stops Weaver
A dominating performance for Jalin Turner closed out in the second round, where he stopped Brok Weaver with a rear naked choke.
Shortly before Turner caught Weaver with a rear naked choke, he dropped Weaver with a counter right. Turner allowed Weaver to stand back up before he secured a takedown and pursued a choke.
“I thought he was out … I was like no need to punch him,” said Turner in his post-fight interview, mentioning what he thought when he dropped Weaver in the second round.
Turner was successful in the first round as well, dropping Weaver in two different instances with punches.
Turner was a short notice opponent for Weaver. He replaced Frank Camacho, who was pulled from the card following a positive COVID-19 test. The fight, which was originally scheduled for lightweight, was moved to a catchweight of 165-pounds when Turner joined the mix.
Turner called for a “Fight Island” bout after his win.
The fight is the second-straight loss for Weaver since his February debut.
Turner picked up his second consecutive win, with the win before dating back to a win over Joshua Culibao last February.
Turner versus Weaver play-by-play.
Bout 2: Bryan Barberena (14-7) vs. Anthony Ivy (8-3) (Welterweight)
Barberena Wins In Return
Coming back from over a year of absence from competition, Bryan Barberena picked up a decision victory over Anthony Ivy. The tiring performance saw Barberena have success by stopping takedowns and connecting with punches on the feet.
Ivy constantly attempted takedowns throughout the fight, although Barberena was able to stop the majority of his attempts.
“It was a tough fight. I knew he wasn’t gonna let me have it,” said Barberena in his post-fight interview.
The fight was Barberena’s return to the octagon following over a year of absence. His previous fight was a loss to Randy Brown in June of 2019.
Ivy made his UFC debut in his previous appearance, losing a bout to Christian Aguilera in under a minute.
Barberena versus Ivy play-by-play.
Bout 1: Sabina Mazo (8-1) vs. Justine Kish (7-2) (Flyweight)
Mazo Earns First Finish UFC Victory
A close striking battle concluded in the third round, where Sabina Mazo dropped Justine Kish with a head kick, allowing her to put in a rear naked choke on the ground for the win.
The finish came after two previous rounds where both Mazo and Kish were connecting with a high output of strikes. The head kick, the strike that dropped Kish shortly before the finish, was scored by Mazo many times in the fight.
“From the beginning of the fight I wanted to kick her,” said Mazo in her post-fight interview.
The first two rounds saw both fighters have their moments. Kish was often pressing the pace of the fight on the feet, being able to catch and counter kicks that Mazo threw.
The win is Mazo’s third-straight in the UFC through four fights. Out of those four appearances, Saturday’s was Mazo’s first finish victory.
Kish has lost three of her past five UFC fights.
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