Before the promotion begins their second stint at “Fight Island,” the UFC is scheduled to hold a 14-bout “Fight Night” on Saturday night from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Headlining the card is a five-round fight between high-ranked welterweights Tyron Woodley and Colby Covington.
Follow along throughout the evening for live updates.
A full preview of the card can be read here.
Quick Results:
Preliminary Card (5:00PM EDT / 2:00PM PDT) (ESPN+ / TSN 5)
Bout 1: Tyson Nam def. Jerome Rivera via TKO, Punches (RD 2, 0:34)
Bout 2: Andre Ewell def. Irwin Rivera via Decision, Split
Bout 3: Randy Costa def. Journey Newson via TKO, Strikes (RD 1, 0:41)
Bout 4: Darrick Minner def. TJ Laramie via Submission, Guillotine Choke (RD 1, 0:52)
Bout 5: Jessica-Rose Clark def. Sarah Alpar via TKO, Knees (RD 3, 4:21)
Bout 6: Mayra Bueno Silva def. Mara Romero Borella via Submission, Armbar (RD 1, 2:29)
Bout 7: Damon Jackson def. Mirsad Bektic via Submission, Guillotine Choke (RD 3, 1:21)
Bout 8: David Dvorak def. Jordan Espinosa via Decision, Unanimous
Main Card (8:00PM EDT / 5:00PM PDT) (ESPN+ / TSN 5)
Bout 9: Kevin Holland def. Darren Stewart via Decision, Split
Bout 10: Mackenzie Dern def. Randa Markos via Submission, Armbar (RD 1, 3:44)
Bout 11: Johnny Walker def. Ryan Spann via TKO, Strikes (RD 1, 2:43)
Bout 12: Khamzat Chimaev def. Gerald Meerschaert via KO, Right Cross (RD 1, 0:17)
Bout 13: Donald Cerrone vs. Niko Price via Decision, Draw
Bout 14: Colby Covington def. Tyron Woodley via TKO, Injury (RD 5, 1:19)
Live Coverage:
Bout 14: Colby Covington (15-2) vs. Tyron Woodley (19-5-1) (Welterweight)
Injury Takes Woodley Out of Fight Against Covington In The Fifth
A dominating performance from Colby Covington came to an abrupt end in the fifth round, as an injury to Tyron Woodley stopped the fight. Woodley scream from bottom position while holding a guillotine choke, saying shortly after that he hurt his rib.
The four previous rounds saw Covington in control, whether it was in a clinch, on the ground or even striking. Woodley was cut in the fourth round due to strikes from Covington on the ground.
Immediately after his win, Covington called out current welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.
In his post-fight interview, Covington equated his victory to how he expects Donald Trump to win the 2020 United States Presidential Election.
“That’s gonna be a landslide,” said Covington in his post-fight interview when talking about the election, referring to Democratic candidate Joe Biden as “Sleepy Joe,” a nickname Trump has used for Biden in the past.
Like he’s been known to do, Covington flaunted his political beliefs heavily throughout the evening. Footage on the UFC broadcast showed him wearing a “Keep America Great” hat when entering the venue earlier in the day.
Covington called out “woke athletes” in his post-fight interview as well, naming Lebron James, a player for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Covington bounced back from a loss last December, being stopped late by Kamaru Usman in a welterweight championship unification bout.
Woodley has yet to won since he dropped his belt to Usmand in 2019. His other 2020 loss came against Gilbert Burns last May, being swept on scorecards after five rounds.
Covington versus Woodley play-by-play.
Bout 13: Donald Cerrone (36-15) vs. Niko Price (14-4) (Welterweight)
Price Takes Veteran Cerrone To His First Draw
A tough striking battle between Donald Cerrone and Niko Price was ruled a draw after three rounds.
Price had Cerrone in trouble early with punches, although his success was somewhat subtracted due to eye pokes making him lose a point in the first round. Like Cerrone is known for, his momentum heated up as the fight continued on.
Cerrone, a veteran, experienced a draw for the first time in his career with the fight. While it wasn’t a win, the draw ended a four-fight skid that came against big names in the UFC.
Price’s previous fight was a loss, with a eye injury taking him out of his fight last May against Vicente Luque.
Cerrone versus Price play-by-play.
Bout 12: Khamzat Chimaev (8-0) vs. Gerald Meerschaert (31-13) (Middleweight)
Chimaev Ends Meerschaert With One Punch
A powerful right hand earned Khamzhat Chimaev his third UFC win in three months, stopping Gerald Meerschaert in just short of 20 seconds. The fight saw Chimaev walk down Meerschaert, dropping him with a right hand that ended the fight.
The win was the third for Chimaev since his UFC debut in the summer. He is an undefeated pro through nine bouts.
“I’m ready for everybody,” said a soft-spoken Chimaev in his post-fight interview.
Chimaev made his UFC debut last July, putting on a dominating performance against John Phillips. Only 10 days later, Chimaev got another win, defeating Rhys McKee.
Chimaev versus Meerschaert play-by-play.
Bout 11: Johnny Walker (17-5) vs. Ryan Spann (18-5) (Light Heavyweight)
Walker Evades Trouble, Finishes Spann In The First
The short time that Johnny Walker spent in the octagon saw him nearly touch defeat but also make a comeback and defeat Ryan Spann in the third minute.
Only a minute after being dropped twice by punches, Walker landed a series of punches and elbows to Spann while defending a takedown. The punches eventually hurt Spann, who was holding the legs of Walker. The referee intervened to end the fight after dozens of strikes connected.
Spann’s corner got mad after the fight concluded, although it was hard to tell what exactly was being protested since the situation was not shown on TV.
The fight was Walker’s third in the UFC, snapping a two-fight losing streak that happened in late 2019 and early 2020.
The loss concluded an eight-fight streak of wins from Spann that dated back to his LFA career in 2017.
Walker versus Span play-by-play.
Bout 10: Mackenzie Dern (8-1) vs. Randa Markos (10-8-1) (Strawweight)
Dern Submits Markos In The First Round
Showcasing her grappling ability yet again, Mackenzie Dern submitted Randa Markos in the first round via armbar.
The fight went to the ground by accident, Dern slipped after missing a kick. Markos took top position on the ground after, which Dern was able to take back a minute later.
“Throwing my kick I fell on the floor. You know, that’s an embarrassed fighter thing,” said Dern in her post-fight interview.
The fight was Dern’s second win in 2020, as she defeated Hannah Cifers last May via kneebar as well.
The loss put Markos on a two-fight skid, as she dropped a decision to Amanda Ribas last March as well.
Dern versus Markos play-by-play.
Bout 9: Kevin Holland (18-5) vs. Darren Stewart (12-5) (Middleweight)
Holland Wins Split Decision Against Stewart
Extending his streak of wins to three, Kevin Holland picked up a split decision victory over Darren Stewart. The first two rounds of the fight saw Holland control the fight on the feet and in the clinch, allowing him to win on scorecards.
Stewarts best round was his last, scoring a trio of takedowns against Holland in the five-minute stanza. The round concluded with Stewart landing dozens of punches and elbows to Holland on the ground while talking to him.
“I feel like the last one [round] was a 10-8,” said Holland in his post-fight interview, later mentioning he expected the judges would score the fight as a draw.
The win was Holland’s third this year, as he has picked up wins over Anthony Hernandez and Joaquin Buckley as well.
Holland versus Stewart play-by-play.
Bout 8: Jordan Espinosa (15-7) vs. David Dvorak (18-3) (Flyweight)
Leg Kicks Lead Dvorak To Win Against Espinosa
The final preliminary fight saw David Dvorak pick up a unanimous decision victory over Jordan Espinosa. The strongest part of Dvorak’s gameplan was leg kicks, which landed frequently and visibly hurt Espinosa as the fight continued on.
Dvorak made his UFC debut last March, picking up a decision win over Bruno Silva.
Espinosa’s previous fight was a win over Mark De La Rosa last June. The victory snapped a two-fight skid he had before.
Dvorak versus Espinosa play-by-play.
Bout 7: Mirsad Bektic (13-3) vs. Damon Jackson (17-3-1) (Featherweight)
Short-Notice Opponent Jackson Upsets Bektic Late
Damon Jackson pulled off an upset on the prelims, catching Mirsad Bektic in the third round with a guillotine choke. Jackson was a short-notice replacement for Eduardo Garagorri, the original opponent for Bektic.
The finish came shortly after Bektic scored a takedown. Jackson intensified his choke by flipping into full mount, causing Bektic to tap out.
“I think that my cardio was good,” said Jackson, who mentioned he was training for a fight before taking the booking against Bektic.
Bektic controlled the first two rounds mostly, maneuvering around on the ground and scoring numerous takedowns. Jackson had attempted a guillotine choke a few times prior to the finish.
Bektic took his third loss-in-a-row with the fight, having previously lost to Josh Emmett and Dan Ige.
Jackson had fought in the UFC before, fighting three times from 2014 to 2016. His last bout before his return on Saturday was a victory over Mauro Chaulet on an LFA card last March.
Jackson versus Bektic play-by-play.
Bout 6: Mayra Bueno Silva (6-1) vs. Mara Romero Borella (12-8) (Flyweight)
Bueno Silva Returns With Armbar Victory Over Borella
Winning off of her back, Mayra Bueno Silva put in an armbar that caused Mara Romero Borella to tap out in the first round. The fight was a bounce-back for Bueno Silva, who took her first loss as a pro earlier in the year.
Bueno Silva’s previous fight was her sole loss as a pro, not being favoured in a decision against Maryna Moroz last March.
The fight was Borella’s fourth-straight loss in the UFC.
Bueno Silva versus Borella play-by-play.
Bout 5: Sarah Alpar (9-4) vs. Jessica-Rose Clark (9-6) (Bantamweight)
Clark Defeats Alpar In Dominating Third Round
Jessica-Rose Clark got out of a two-fight skid on the prelims, defeating Sarah Alpar, who was making her UFC debut. The fight became one-sided in the third round, as striking on the ground allowed Clark to completely take over.
A moment of confusion came during the third round, where a pause came due to a knee from Clark possibly being illegal.
Once it was ruled a legal shot, the fight resumed, however, the knee came as part of a combination that dropped Alpar and could have potentially ended fight.
Clark’s controlling striking on the ground bloodied Alpar. The fight concluded after Clark landed two more knees to Alpar.
Alpar appeared on the 2019 season of “Dana White’s Contender Series,” being offered a UFC contract after defeating Shanna Young.
The fight ended Clark’s two-fight losing streak. The previous losses came to Pannie Kianzad and Jessica Eye (Rose fought Eye at flyweight).
Clark versus Alpar play-by-play.
Bout 4: Darrick Minner (24-11) vs. TJ Laramie (12-3) (Featherweight)
Minner Upsets Laramie’s UFC Debut
Upsetting the UFC debut of TJ Laramie, Darrick Minner slipped in a guillotine choke early for a submission win. While it wasn’t his debut, the fight was Minner’s first win in the UFC.
Minner put in the guillotine choke on the feet, pulling guard to bring the fight to the ground.
“I’m here to stay and I’m here to make an impact,” said Minner in his post-fight interview, riding high off of his win.
Laramie earned his UFC contract through TV series “Dana White’s Contender Series.” He competed on the show last August, getting a win after his opponent, Daniel Swain, was taken out in-between rounds due to a rib injury.
Minner’s previous fight, his UFC debut, was a loss to Grant Dawson.
Minner versus Laramie play-by-play.
Bout 3: Randy Costa (5-1) vs. Journey Newson (9-2) (Bantamweight)
Head Kick Earns Costa Win
Winning his fight in under a minute, Randy Costa connected with a perfectly timed head kick to drop Journey Newson, ending the fight. The finish continued the career-long pattern of Costa having first-round wins.
“I knew someone was going to have to go to sleep, me or Journey [Newson],” said Costa in his post-fight interview.
Costa carried a photo of Devin Carrier before and after his fight, an MMA fighter who passed away in 2016.
“If it wasn’t for him, man, I wouldn’t be here,” said Costa.
Costa earned his first UFC victory last October, defeating Boston Salmon in the first round.
Newson won a fight last February over Domingo Pilarte, his first in his UFC run, although it was later overturned due to a drug test detecting marijuana.
Costa versus Newson play-by-play.
Bout 2: Andre Ewell (16-6) vs. Irwin Rivera (10-5) (Bantamweight)
Ewell Wins Split Decision Over Rivera
A close striking battle earned Andre Ewell a split decision victory over Irwin Rivera on the prelims. Ewell was able to utilize his large reach advantage, out-striking Rivera while maintaining a distance throughout.
Ewell was able to stop numerous takedowns in the fight, although Rivera secured one in the closing moments of the third round. Rivera’s best moments were when he was able to explode with combinations, getting into a close range with Ewell.
Rivera entered the UFC last May, taking a short-notice fight against Giga Chikadze. Rivera lost the bout via decision. His first promotional win came in August, picking up a split decision victory over Ali Alqaisi.
The fight was Ewell’s first since UFC has started doing crowd-less events. He won in his previous outing, defeating Jonathan Martinez last February via split decision.
Ewell versus Rivera play-by-play.
Bout 1: Tyson Nam (19-11-1) vs. Jerome Rivera (10-2) (Bantamweight)
Nam Finishes Rivera Early In The Second Round
Showing his punching power, Tyson Nam stopped Jerome Rivera early in the second round, dropping him with a right hook. Nam threw ground and pound until the referee stepped in.
The punch was a counter to a leg kick that Rivera threw. Leg kicks from Rivera connected frequently in the round before.
“I really want to fight Joseph Benavidez,” said Nam in his post-fight interview.
The fight is Nam’s second straight stoppage victory in 2020.
Nam earned his first UFC win last June, stopping Zarrukh Adashev in the first minute with strikes. Prior to the win, Nam had decision losses in the UFC to Sergio Pettis and Kai Kara-France.
Rivera took the fight on short notice, replacing Matt Schnell. Due to the new opponent, Nam moved up from his natural weight class of flyweight up to bantamweight.
Rivera competed on this summer’s season of “Dana White’s Contender Series.” While Rivera won his fight on the show, he was not offered a contract.
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