Wednesday’s action kicked off in the flyweight division, as Contender Series graduate Victoria Leonardo made her first trip into the Octagon against fellow newcomer, France’s Manon Fiorot.

The French newcomer got things started in a hurry, opening with a series of kicks, including one upstairs that caught Leonardo cleanly. Throughout the opening frame, Fiorot continued utilizing kicks to keep Leonardo at range, mixing in solid knees to the body whenever they clinched along the fence.

With 90 seconds remaining in the round, Fiorot connected flush with clean one-two down the pipe that wobbled Leonardo, following it up with additional powerful strikes to close out a dominant opening five minutes inside the Octagon.

The pace slowed a little in the second, but the newcomer from Nice continued to control the action, sniping at Leonardo whenever they were in space and mixing things up with a takedown along the cage at the two-minute mark. Though Leonardo got back to her feet quickly, Fiorot remained in control, connecting with a sharp check hook before dazing Leonardo with a right high kick and finishing with a flurry of punches.

It was a dominant and impressive effort from start to finish for Fiorot, who instantly established herself as one to watch in the flyweight division with a stoppage victory in her promotional debut.

Official Result: Manon Fiorot def. Victoria Leonardo by TKO (strikes) at 4:08 of Round 2

New arrivals to the bantamweight division originally slated to clash in the fall finally squared off on Wednesday as Umar Nurmagomedov and Sergey Morozov locked horns in the second bout of the day.

It was a chess match at range to start this one, as Nurmagomedov looked to land kicks and Morozov aimed to counter with right hand lasers, with neither man finding much success. Nurmagomedov changed things up midway through the round, dropping for a takedown and hustling around to Morozov’s back, but Morozov defended well and scurried back to his feet.

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Late in the opening round, Nurmagomedov showed excellent timing, changing levels to again drag Morozov to the canvas, taking his back immediately right before the horn.

Straight out of the gate to start the second, “Cousin Umar” connected with a clean kick to the dome that put Morozov on shaky legs, but he rushed in too quickly hunting for the finish, and Morozov was able to defend and shake out the cobwebs. Two minutes into the round, Nurmagomedov returned to his wrestling, dipping under a telegraphed punch from Morozov to again position himself on his opponent’s back.

After patiently working to get his hooks in and steady himself in position, Nurmagomedov fished his forearm under Morozov’s neck, tightening the squeeze and putting his opponent to sleep along the fence.

It was an impressive all-around effort from the unbeaten Nurmagomedov, who moved to 13-0 with the victory.

Official Result: Umar Nurmagomedov def. Sergey Morozov by technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:39 of Round 2

Standout lightweight prospects Mike Davis and Mason Jones locked up in a highly anticipated clash early on Wednesday’s fight card.

These two didn’t waste any time getting after it, as Jones denied the touch of gloves and connected with a spinning back kick and straight right hand right out of the chute. Not to be outdone, Davis responded by getting loose with his hands, popping Jones with quick, clean punches.

Two minutes into the round, Davis timed a takedown and put Jones on the canvas momentarily, but the Welsh newcomer quickly worked back to his feet. Despite being viewed as the superior boxer, Davis continued to turn to his wrestling, seeking to take Jones to the canvas between increasingly brief stretches of slugging it out with he undefeated former Cage Warriors champion.

Just before the horn, Davis elevated in place and planted his knee on Jones’ chin, but “The Dragon” ate it like a bowl of cereal, making it a fitting finish to an exciting first round.

Jones came out quickly to start the second, crowding Davis, but it was “Beast Boy” that landed the best early exchange, taking the UFC rookie off his feet with a clean low kick. As he’d done throughout the fight, Jones got back to his feet and returned to the offensive, bringing the battle to Davis, who was clearly starting to slow down and reach on his punches.

While Davis continued to land occasional crisp shots and chopping leg kicks, the iron-jawed Jones would not back down, pressing forward relentlessly, attacking with combinations.

With 30 seconds left in the frame, Davis sent Jones’ mouthpiece flying, but the newcomer from Wales wasn’t bothered, driving through a scramble to land up on tap as the buzzer sounded.

Davis showed more quickness and sharpness to start the third, picking his shots and busting up Jones’ mug. But as he’d done throughout, the 25-year-old from Wales refused to take a backwards step, staying in Davis’ face and continuing to sling strikes at the American Top Team product.

Down the stretch, Davis picked his shots, connecting with clean, individual punches, low kicks, and a punishing knee to the midsection, while Jones simply refused to waver, the exhausted duo throwing through to the final horn.

This was an outstanding, close, back-and-forth fight from two exciting lightweight prospects.

Official Result: Mike Davis def. Mason Jones by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

The younger brother of reigning flyweight champion and 2020 Fighter of the Year Deiveson Figueiredo, Francisco Figueiredo began his own UFC adventure on Wednesday, facing off with Contender Series alum Jerome Rivera.

After spending the first half of the round feeling each other out, taking range-finders in space and battling in the clinch, Figueiredo took the fight to the canvas, putting Rivera on the deck with a cheeky foot sweep in the center of the Octagon. Figueiredo tried to do work from top position, but Rivera did a nice job controlling his posture, prompting the Brazilian to stand and back out, bringing the fight back to the feet, where the duo remained through the end of the round.

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Early in the second, Figueiredo used Rivera’s forward momentum to complete a body lock takedown, popping the New Mexico native with elbows from top position upon arrival. While Rivera stayed active, shifting his hips and throwing strikes of his own off his back, the Brazilian newcomer did a better job of controlling the position and keeping Rivera on the canvas.

Unable to pass Rivera’s long legs, Figueiredo opted to let “The Renegade” back to his feet, promptly securing the clinch again as Rivera came forward. This time, however, Rivera took control of the position and attacked with knees, resulting in Figueiredo separating into space, where the tandem continued to trade sporadic shots until the round came to a close.

Rivera came out more active to start the final round, listening to the direction of his corner, but Figueiredo again used his forward momentum to initiate the clinch and take the fight to the ground. Rivera got back to his feet with ease and went on the offensive, landing with long punches as Figueiredo backed up, but once more, the Brazilian clinched up, controlling the fight along the fence, minimizing Rivera’s offence and running time off the clock.

With 90 seconds left in the round, Rivera cranked up the urgency and started having success on the feet, landing with long, looping punches that clearly had Figueiredo retreating, but it may have been too little, too late for the Contender Series alum from Sante Fe.

After 15 minutes, it came down to the tens and nines on the scorecards, with the judges rightfully awarding the decision to Figueiredo.

Official Result: Francisco Figueiredo def. Jerome Rivera by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

After making his first two UFC appearances at light heavyweight, Dalcha Lungiambula began his 2021 campaign in the middleweight division on Wednesday, where he was greeted by dangerous, aggressive Brazilian Markus Perez.

While they started by feeling each other out in space, business picked up a minute into the fight, as Lungiambula crashed forward, scooped Perez into the air and deposited him on the canvas. The Brazilian attacked with a guillotine choke, but Lungiambula patiently worked his way free, settling into top position, attacking with isolated power shots while “Maluko” searched for submission attempts and opportunities to get back to his feet.

With a minute remaining in the round, Perez returned to the upright position, threatening with a D’Arce choke along the fence and controlling Lungiambula along the cage before the two exchanged blows right before the buzzer.

Following a strong final minute in the first, Perez came out confident to start the second, attacking with body shots and trying to take the fight to Lungiambula. But “Champion” fired back with his patented power, putting Perez on the deck, where the Brazilian attacked with a triangle choke.

As they worked back to their feet, Perez attacked a kimura, but Lungiambula defended well, landing short shots to the body as the Brazilian held on to the shoulder lock. Climbing into Perez’ guard, Lungiambula continued to pepper Perez with compact, heavy strikes, one of which opened up Perez, who spat out his mouthpiece and hung on to Lungiambula’s leg, trying to avoid more punishment down the stretch.

Perez closed the distance to start the third, but Lungiambula met him with thunderous punches as he came forward, prompting the Brazilian to initiate the clinch, where the former light heavyweight was happy to hang on and land occasional inside shots. Back in the clinch after a brief respite, Perez looked for openings and searched for a takedown, but Lungiambula was having no part of it, widening his stance and riding out the position along the fence.

Referee Herb Dean separated them off the cage, but Perez worked right back into the same position, with Lungiambula happy to hang on. An errant knee brought the fight to a momentary halt and the reset gave Perez a chance to connect with a spinning attack in the final seconds, but Lungiambula wore it well and the final horn sounded, bringing the fight to a close.

For the third straight fight, it was off to the scorecards, and once again the judges were unanimous in their verdict, awarding Lungiambula the victory.

Official Result: Dalcha Lungiambula def. Markus Perez by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

After closing out 2020 with a blistering first-round stoppage victory, Sumudaerji looked to carry that success over into 2021 as he squared off against UFC sophomore Zarrukh Adashev on Wednesday.

Adashev landed the first big strike of the fight, connecting with a left hand over the top as he rushed forward that got Sumudaerji’s attention. The young Chinese fighter adapted well, attacking with sharp inside leg kicks and quick punches while sliding out of range as Adashev tried to counter and close the distance. The “push-pull” between the two continued throughout the remainder of the round, with Sumudaerji connecting from range and trying to counter as Adashev came forward, with the UFC sophomore from Uzbekistan throwing the heavier shots and landing with less frequency.

Once again, Adashev had success right out of the corner, connecting with another clean left hand in the initial exchange. While Sumudaerji responded, Adashev’s confidence was clearly growing, as he peppered “The Tibetan Eagle” with a series of left hands when the two briefly clinched, and he found a home for more clean shots as Sumudaerji came forward.

But with 90 seconds remaining in the round, the 25-year-old upstart from China connected flush with the check hook he’d been throwing all fight, staggering Adashev and shifting the momentum of the contest back into his favor heading into the third and final round.

Though Adashev appeared to shake off the effects of the blow that wobbled him late in the second at the outset of the third, Sumudaerji continued to control the distance at get the better of the exchanges to begin the final five minutes, picking at Adashev at range. Each time Adashev tried to get inside, Sumudaerji would slip out of range or snap out a quick kick that intercepted his movement, giving Adashev little opportunity to connect with anything of substance.

The tactical “cat and mouse” game went to the final horn, and when the totals were tallied, Sumudaerji scored his third consecutive victory with a clean sweep of the scorecards.

Official Result: Sumudaerji def. Zarrukh Adashev by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28 30-27)

In the penultimate preliminary card matchup of the day, Ricky Simon welcomed Belgium’s Gaetano Pirrello to the Octagon for the first time.

The divisional stalwart Simon wasted little time closing the distance and putting the pressure on the newcomer Pirrello, slinging overhand rights as he feinted level changes to get Pirrello thinking. Seconds later, Simon drove forward and completed his first takedown, staying sticky with “El Tigre” as he worked his way back to his feet along the cage.

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Just when Pirrello tried to separate, Simon picked him up, spun him around and thumped him down to the canvas, continuing to force the Octagon rookie to carry his weight as they battled along the fence. It was a suffocating, frustrating first round for Pirrello and everything Simon wanted out of the opening stanza.

Pirrello pressed forward to start the second, looking to lead the dance rather than allow Simon to control the terms of engagement, but even after landing a good knee up the middle, the Contender Series alum was able to drag the fight to the floor. Much like in the first, Simon kept his chest glued to Pirrello, popping home short shots on the ground and returning him to the canvas every time they got back to standing.

With just over a minute remaining the round, Simon swiftly floated into mount following another takedown and clamped down on an arm-triangle choke and secured the tap.

This was an impressive, dominant effort from the Pacific Northwest native.

Official Result: Ricky Simon def. Gaetano Pirrello by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 4:00 of Round 2

Middleweights looking to make a push towards the Top 15, durable veteran Omari Akhmedov squared off with promising Brit Tom Breese in the main card opener.

Akhmedov and Breese started slinging hands right from the jump, taking aim at one another with heavy shots before Akhmedov changed levels took the fight to the floor. Breese attacked a guillotine choke, but the Russian veteran worked free, punishing the Brit with heavy shots from top position. “The Wolverine” postured up and threw bombs, looking to get Breese out of there early as the Englishman tried to attack submissions off his back and avoid the incoming punishment.

Late in the frame, Breese used a heel hook attempt to drag Akhmedov to the canvas and quickly scrambled around to the veteran’s back, locking up a body triangle as he looked too sink in a choke, finishing the round in dominant position after weathering a hailstorm of punishment early.

Akhmedov immediately looked to bring the fight to the ground to start the second, with Breese attempting to connect on a calf slicer amidst the transition. When he couldn’t secure the hold, Akhmedov landed in top position and quickly locked up an arm-triangle choke, patiently drawing the tap from the Briton.

After having his lengthy unbeaten run halted late in 2020, Akhmedov put himself right back in the win column with an impressive showing to start 2021.

Official Result: Omari Akhmedov def. Tom Breese by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 1:41 of Round 2

Lerone Murphy made his third straight trip to Abu Dhabi for a showdown with Brazilian veteran Douglas Silva de Andrade in an under the radar featherweight scrap on Fight island.

Murphy came out and took control of the center of the Octagon to start, with the bricked-up Silva de Andrade throwing low kicks and single shots, trying to find a home, but failing to land anything with much force. Happy to work from range and pick his spots, Murphy mixed up his strikes and stung Silva de Andrade with a right hand as he tried to come inside.

The chess match continued throughout the remainder of the round, with Murphy continuing to land the better strikes and the Brazilian attempting to close the distance and do some damage of his own.

After a stern talking to in his corner, Silva de Andrade came out with more aggression, closing the distance and scrambling to Murphy’s back in the center of the Octagon, but he wasn’t able to maintain the position. As they stood, the British featherweight continued chopping at Silva de Andrade’s lead leg, forcing him to switch stances.

Pressed against the fence, Murphy crashed home an elbow in close, but made a mistake by attacking a takedown, giving Silva de Andrade the opportunity to land in top position and climb into mount. Inexplicably, the Brazilian allowed Murphy to get back to his feet, where he instantly went back to work, ripping shots to the body and targeting the lead leg.

A body shot from Silva de Andrade cracked home and prompted Murphy to switch stances momentarily, and he looked to land a counter elbow as the Manchester resident looked to come forward as the tempo and tension between these two continued to escalate heading into the final five minutes.

Silva de Andrade came out fighting southpaw to start the third, a sign that Murphy’s continued low kicks had done damage, altering the Brazilian’s approach, but never dampening his spirit. “D’Silva” cracked home a right hand that forced Murphy into the fence and to search for a takedown, and an errant kick prompted a pause in the action two minutes in. When they re-started, Silva de Andrade continued to press forward aggressively, flinging heavy hands at the Briton’s head, chasing the finish his corner told him he needed between frames.

Murphy settled back in and responded, connecting with a slick combination of his own before driving in on a takedown with a minute left in the round, eventually landing in top position as they tumbled to the canvas, riding out the round by firing off ground-and-pound as the horn sounded.

It was another spirited affair from start to finish that landed in the hands of the judges, with all three officials seeing the contest the same way, awarding Murphy his second straight triumph on Fight Island.

Official Result: Lerone Murphy def. Douglas Silva de Andrade by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Ranked flyweights and proven finishers Matt Schnell and Tyson Nam went head-to-head in Wednesday’s second main card pairing, and the all-action duo delivered, as expected.

Schnell patiently picked at Nam from the outside to start, carefully offering inside low kicks and sporadic punches, wary of his opponent’s well-established power. While Nam started to press forward, Schnell used his footwork and speed advantage to stay on the outside and connect, eating the one clean right hand the Hawaiian connected with over the opening five minutes.

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Schnell got right back to work to begin the second, pumping out the volume as Nam continued looking to land that single, fight-altering blow. After Schnell blooded up his nose, Nam countered with a right hand that popped his opponent’s mouthpiece out of his mouth and gave him a little success that got him moving forward with a little more urgency.

But as Nam came forward, Schnell welcomed him in, remaining technical and quick, sniping home shots that left the veteran bloodied and extended his lead on the scorecards. In the final seconds of the round, Nam tried to turn up the intensity, throwing more combinations and chasing Schnell down, but couldn’t connect clean with anything heavy.

It was more of the same in the third, with Schnell continuing to look sharp and technical as Nam got more and more urgent, looking to find a home for his right hand. Every time they got close, Schnell popped Nam with two, three, or four shots, turning in the most impressive striking performance of his UFC career, leaving the knockout artist with blood spilling from his nose and a mouse under his eye.

This was an excellent, technical effort by Schnell, who got himself back into the win column to kick off what he hopes will be a productive year inside the Octagon.

Official Result: Matt Schnell def. Tyson Nam by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Top 10 staples in the flyweight division, Roxanne Modafferi and Viviane Araujo clashed in this battle of title hopefuls eager to turn a victory in their last appearances into a two-fight winning streak to begin 2021.

Right out of the chute, Araujo’s speed and fluidity in the striking department was a clear difference-maker, as the Brazilian bounced on her feet and pieced up “The Happy Warrior” in the center of the cage. Halfway through the frame, Araujo stepped off line and snapped home a right hook that wobbled Modafferi, who continued to struggle with the Brazilian’s range control and quickness.

Each time Modafferi tried to come forward and get close, Araujo slipped off center and cracked  home a hook, and when the veteran finally did initiate the clinch, she was reversed and thrown to the ground, with Araujo threatening with a choke as the round came to a close.

It was more of the same to begin the second, with Araujo continuing to snipe home strikes and avoid the return fire, forcing Modafferi to reach to a takedown that was easily stuffed and reversed, with Araujo circling around to the back before releasing and returning to space. The game veteran continued trying to press forward and find a home, clipping Araujo with a clean right hand as the Brazilian’s output slowed, but she wasn’t able to follow up.

Late in the round, Araujo changed things up, timing a beautiful level change and depositing Modafferi on her back in the center of the cage, climbing to side control and attacking a cut that had been opened up over the American’s right eye.

Modafferi again tried to force the action to start the third, but Araujo continued to make her miss and counter well. That prompted the veteran to search for a takedown, and once more, the Brazilian was able to counter, work back to the clinch, and break free into space. Back in the middle, the swelling on Modafferi’s face continued to grow, but it didn’t dampen her spirit, as she chased down Araujo, landing her best string of strikes of the bout.

Clearly tiring, it was Araujo who initiated the clinch, eager to tie up Modafferi and escape the pressure, taking her to the ground on the Monster Energy decal in the center of the cage with a minute to go in the contest, working her way to side control to finish out the best overall performance of her career.

It was the competitive, entertaining scrap everyone expected and the judges were in lockstep on the scorecards, handing Araujo a unanimous decision victory to kick off her 2021 campaign in the Octagon.

Official Result: Viviane Araujo def. Roxanne Modafferi by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

Twin light heavyweights still searching for their first taste of success inside the Octagon, Ike Villanueva and Vinicius Moreira squared off in the middle of the main card on Wednesday.

Villanueva closed the distance immediately, offering combinations as Moreira covered up, offering the occasional kick in return. The flow continued the same throughout the majority of the round, with Villanueva mixing in digs to the body and Moreira increasing his volume the more the round progressed, connecting at a higher percentage than the more aggressive, more voluminous American.

Moments into the second, Moreira pressed forward and “Hurricane Ike” made him pay, blasting him with a clean right hand that spun the Brazilian around and prompted referee Jason Herzog to instantly wave off the action.

Just an absolute scorcher of a finish for Ike Villanueva!

Official Result: Isaac Villanueva def. Vinicius Moreira by KO (right hand) at 0:39 of Round 2

Former TUF: Brazil winner Warlley Alves took on highly touted UFC sophomore Mounir Lazzez in the co-main event of the evening.

Alves didn’t waste any time getting after it, chopping at Lazzez’ lead leg with a low kick, following it up with a series of punches, and pressing forward into the clinch, and framing up elbows as the two locked up along the fence. Coming off the cage, Alves stepped through on a takedown, swinging Lazzez to the canvas, though “The Sniper” managed to work his way back to his feet without taking much damage.

Halfway through the round, Alves blasted Lazzez with a series of massive kicks to the midsection that dropped the Tunisian, who immediately covered up, prompting referee Herb Dean to step in and stop the contest.

What an absolutely blistering effort from a highly motivated Warlley Alves!

Official Result: Warlley Alves de. Mounir Lazzez by TKO (kicks to the body) at 2:35 of Round 1

Michael Chiesa and Neil Magny went head-to-head as the veteran competitors and Top 10 staples looked to continue their climb up the welterweight rankings with a victory in the second main event of 2021.

The opening stages of the fight were a feeling out process, with Chiesa looking to find a way inside Magny’s range and Magny happy to press forward, peppering with the jab and controlling the distance. Just before the two-minute mark, Chiesa closed the distance and hit a beautiful body-lock takedown, putting Magny on the canvas in the center of the cage, initially looking to pass, then attacking a kimura.

Though he was unsuccessful with each, Chiesa maintained the position, forcing Magny to defend off his back and bolstering his confidence.

Magny looked to be a little more aggressive out of the corner to start the second, but Chiesa immediately clasped his hands together on a body lock. The two battled for control along the fence, fighting hands, before Chiesa circled Magny off the fence, rotating him to the ground. Magny quickly got back to his feet and went jaunting for his own takedown, only to have Chiesa shift his balance and land on top, popping Magny with an elbow that presented an opportunity for him to advance the position.

Though Magny kept him from climbing through into mount, Chiesa was happy to keep grinding away from the top, dropping home occasional elbows and driving his shoulder into Magny’s chin as he looked for openings on the canvas through to the horn.

Magny was the aggressor to start the third, punching his way into the clinch and putting Chiesa’s back on the cage. After some hand fighting, Magny dumped Chiesa to the canvas and climbed around to his back, sinking in the near-side hook. Chiesa piled off the leg and worked back to his feet, but Magny kept him pressed into the cage.

When they broke into space, Chiesa landed a straight left hand and closed the distance, only to have Magny control the clinch along the fence and continue wearing on Chiesa. The pair engaged in a cat-and-mouse on the fence, with Magny attacking a kimura and Chiesa elevating him, scrambling to top position and climbing into mount.

Magny escaped, but Chiesa stayed tight, once again finishing the frame in top position.

The championship rounds began the same as the previous two — with Magny moving forward, looking to cut off the cage, and stay building some momentum. But it was Chiesa who took control, blasting Magny with a clean right hand and driving through a takedown right away, ending up inside Magny’s guard.

Just ahead of the midway point, Chiesa climbed through to half guard and briefly looked for a kimura, luring Magny into attempting to stand, where he pounced and took his back. They scrambled through a series of positions, with Chiesa getting the better of the grappling exchanges.

Just when Magny looked to find a little offence of his own, Chiesa clinched up again only to have Magny attempt to cinch up an inverted triangle choke. As soon as Chiesa broke free, he climbed back into side control to end the round on top once more.

Chiesa began the final stanza moving side-to-side on the outside of the cage with Magny looking to hem him in, only to have Chiesa be first with his hands, landing a couple clean shots. When Magny did close the distance, Chiesa ducked up and clinched around his waist, slipping to his back. Magny broke the hands and reversed the position, dragging Chiesa to the ground, only to end up on bottom once more.

Floating between three-quarter guard and half, threatening to pass all the while, Chiesa maintained shoulder pressure, giving Magny no room to operate, happy to grind time off the clock, salting away the biggest victory of his career.

This was an excellent performance against a divisional stalwart for Chiesa, who moves to 4-0 since moving to welterweight with the first main event victory of his UFC career.

Official Result: Michael Chiesa def. Neil Magny by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)

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