Saturday’s UFC card will see the appearance of Paul Felder in the main event, as he takes a short-notice five-round fight against Rafael dos Anjos.
Follow along throughout the evening for live updates on the UFC “Fight Night” which is happening at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
Quick Results:
Preliminary Card (5:00PM EST / 2:00PM PST) (ESPN+ / TSN 5)
Bout 1: Don’Tale Mayes def. Roque Martinez via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 2: Alex Morono def. Rhys McKee via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 3: Tony Gravely def. Geraldo de Freitas via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 4: Kanako Murata def. Randa Markos via Decision, Unanimous
Main Card (7:00PM EST / 4:00PM PST) (ESPN+ / TSN 5)
Bout 5: Cory McKenna def. Kay Hansen via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 6: Sean Strickland def. Brendan Allen via TKO, Strikes (RD 2, 1:32)
Bout 7: Ashley Yoder def. Miranda Granger via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 8: Khaos Williams def. Abdul Razak Alhassan via TKO, Strikes (RD 1, 0:30)
Bout 9: Rafael dos Anjos def. Paul Felder via Decision, Split
Live Coverage:
Bout 9: Paul Felder (17-5) vs. Rafael dos Anjos (29-13) (Lightweight)
Dos Anjos Wins In Return To Lightweight Division, Defeating Felder
Rafael dos Anjos was successful in his return to lightweight on Saturday, defeating Paul Felder via decision after five rounds of action. Felder put on a long fight against dos Anjos despite taking the fight earlier in the week, replacing Islam Makhachev on only a few days notice.
While there was close striking on the feet throughout, dos Anjos had the edge through most rounds by landing takedowns and keeping Felder against the cage in a clinch.
The fight was the move back down to lightweight for dos Anjos, a former champion in the division. Dos Anjos had lost his two previous fights, which were in the welterweight division.
Dos Anjos was scheduled to compete on an October card, although he had to pull from the booking after testing positive for COVID-19.
Despite saying earlier in the week that he was “50-50” on possibly retiring, Felder assured fans afterwards that he will continue to fight.
“I can tell you guys with certainty I’m not going anywhere right now,” said Felder in his post-fight interview.
Felder had previously competed in February, losing a split decision to Dan Hooker. Saturday’s fight was an emotional one for him, as he dedicated it to his father, who passed away a few years ago due to pancreatic cancer.
Dos Anjos versus Felder play-by-play.
Bout 8: Abdul Razak Alhassan (10-2) vs. Khaos Williams (10-1) (Welterweight)
Williams Earns Second Explosive Knockout Victory
Khaos Williams had an explosive return to the cage in the co-main event, dropping Abdul Razak Alhassan with a right cross in the first minute of action, knocking him out and ending the fight.
“People keep sleeping on me and the doctor wakes them up,” said Williams in his post-fight interview.
The right hand from Williams had clearly hurt Alhassan immediately, leaving him lying stiff afterwards. Alhassan was still on the ground after the official decision was read. He left the cage under his own power minutes after.
The win was the second for Williams in the UFC. His promotional debut was just as quick and loud, defeating Alex Morono in only 27 seconds in February.
Alhassan’s previous fight was his return to action, dropping a decision to Mounir Lazzez.
Williams versus Alhassan play-by-play.
Bout 7: Ashley Yoder (7-6) vs. Miranda Granger (7-1) (Strawweight)
Yoder Ends Losing Streak With Win Over Granger
Ashley Yoder won a fight on the main card, defeating Miranda Granger via decision. She was given the scorecard win after controlling the slow-paced fight on the ground throughout.
Yoder had a strong finish to the third round, putting in a rear naked choke after throwing a series of punches from the back. Granger was saved from the choke as the round ran out of time.
Yoder believed the choke could have ended the fight.
“I do believe if we had at least five more seconds [it would have worked],” said Yoder in her post-fight interview.
Yoder bounced back from a two-fight skid that had losses over Randa Markos and Livinha Souza.
Granger has now lost her past two fights.
Yoder versus Granger play-by-play.
Bout 6: Brendan Allen (15-3) vs. Sean Strickland (21-3) (Catchweight 195 lbs)
Strickland Picks Up Second-Straight Win, Stops Momentum of Allen
Sean Strickland stopped the win streak of Brendan Allen on the main card, catching him in the second round with strikes to end the fight. After Strickland dropped Allen to his knees with a two-punch combo, follow-up shots dropped Allen again, causing referee Herb Dean to call the fight in the second round.
The fight was at a catchweight of 195-pounds as opposed to the usual 185-pound limit for both fighters at middleweight.
The win was Strickland’s second within a month. Strickland’s previous fight was only two weeks ago, defeating Jack Marshman via decision.
Allen’s previous year of action was his rookie year in the UFC, where he picked up three-straight wins. His previous fight was in June, defeating Kyle Daukaus.
Strickland versus Allen play-by-play.
Bout 5: Kay Hansen (7-3) vs. Cory McKenna (5-1) (Strawweight)
McKenna Wins UFC Debut, Defeating Hansen Via Decision
Cory McKenna won her UFC debut to start the main card, defeating Kay Hansen via unanimous decision. The close battle saw the fighters have close striking battles and back-and-forth exchanges on the ground.
“I expected the best version of her [Hansen] coming into it and I got it,” said McKenna in her post-fight interview.
While Hansen had more total control on the ground in the fight, McKenna would stay active from the bottom with strikes.
Hansen won her UFC debut in June, defeating former Invicta FC Atomweight Champion Jinh Yu Frey in the third round via triangle-armbar.
McKenna earned a UFC contract in the summer after defeating LFA Strawweight Champion Vanessa Demopoulos on TV show “Dana White’s Contender Series.”
The fight highlighted two young stars in the UFC, as Hansen and McKenna were both 21-years-old at the time of the fight.
McKenna versus Hansen play-by-play.
Bout 4: Randa Markos (10-9-1) vs. Kanako Murata (11-1) (Strawweight)
Murata Sweeps Scorecards In UFC Debut Over Markos
Kanako Murata had a controlling UFC debut to finish the prelims, defeating Randa Markos via unanimous decision, cleaning the scorecards. Murata landed was able to control Markos on the ground throughout the fight.
Markos took the fight on short-notice, replacing Livinha Souza. Markos is now on a three-fight losing streak, with 2020 losses to Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas.
Murata won the Invicta FC Strawweight Championship in her previous fight, defeating Emily Ducote via split decision. Wins earlier in her career came in Japanese MMA promotions like RIZIN and Pancrase.
Murata versus Markos play-by-play.
Bout 3: Tony Gravely (19-6) vs. Geraldo de Freitas (12-5) (Bantamweight)
Takedowns Allow Gravely To Defeat de Freitas
Constant takedowns won Tony Gravely a fight via split decision over Geraldo de Freitas on the prelims. Gravely’s ability to land takedowns throughout the three rounds allowed him to win the rounds on two scorecards.
De Freitas had a moment to steal the fight in the third round, putting together punches that were clearly hurting Gravely. Gravely was able to save himself in the moment by constantly shooting for takedowns.
Gravely wasn’t successful in his UFC debut in January, losing to Brett Johns.
De Freitas’ previous fight was in August of 2019, losing a split decision to Chris Gutierrez.
Gravely versus de Freitas play-by-play.
Bout 2: Alex Morono (17-6) vs. Rhys McKee (10-3-1) (Welterweight)
Morono Bounces Back From Loss, Defeats McKee
Alex Morono returned to the win column on the prelims, defeating Rhys McKee via decision after three rounds of action. Morono connected with a high volume of strikes to win the fight, although McKee was able to compete and endure throughout.
McKee showed his toughness in the fight, eating lots of strikes without showing the damage from them throughout. He was also able to throw his own high pace of strikes, albeit a pace which couldn’t match Morono’s.
McKee lost his UFC debut in the summer, dropping a bout to Khamzat Chimaev.
Morono had a three-fight skid stopped in his previous fight, being stopped in 27 seconds by Khaos Williams.
Morono versus McKee play-by-play.
Bout 1: Don’Tale Mayes (7-4) vs. Roque Martinez (15-6-2) (Heavyweight)
Mayes Earns First UFC Win
Don’Tale Mayes won his first UFC fight to kick off the prelims, defeating Roque Martinez via decision. Mayes’ win came from a strong two rounds which saw him win clinch exchanges and have the better strikes.
Martinez’s best round was the third, being able to attempt a guillotine choke for a moment. Mayes was able to connect with flying knees throughout the fight.
Mayes was critical of his performance afterwards.
“I felt I could’ve done better. I’m always looking for a finish,” said Mayes in his post-fight interview.
Mayes lost his two previous fights, losing to Ciryl Gane and Rodrigo Nascimento.
Martinez made his UFC debut in the summer, losing a bout to undefeated fighter Alexander Romanov.
Mayes versus Martinez play-by-play.
Smolka vs. Quinonez Off of Card
A bantamweight fight between Louis Smolka and Jose Alberto Quinonez has been removed from the lineup, per a report from John Morgan of MMA Junkie. It is not known why the fight was removed currently.
The fight is the fourth to be taken off the card this week, leaving the show with nine fights in total.
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