MMANews.com is your source for UFC 207 Results and live coverage this evening. UFC 207: Nunes vs. Rousey takes place live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, with what will be UFC’s final PPV offering for 2016.
This evening, we will be providing the absolute best live results coverage of the highly anticipated pay-per-view featuring a solid lineup, including two UFC World Title fights and an undercard containing a title eliminator bout and more.
Tonight’s show includes UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunes putting her 135-pound title on the line against former champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey, who is making her long-awaited Octagon return in this evening’s main event.
The co-main event of tonight’s UFC 207: Nunes vs. Rousey PPV features the UFC Men’s Bantamweight Championship on the line as reigning champion Dominick Cruz defends against undefeated Team Alpha Male knockout artist Cody “No Love” Garbrandt. In the fight positioned third-from-the-top on the PPV card this evening, UFC Bantamweight number one contender and former champion T.J. Dillashaw meets KO artist and number two contender John Lineker.
UFC 207 kicks off live tonight with a single-fight preliminary card on UFC Fight Pass starting at 7:30pm ET. / 4:30pm PT., as Tim Means battles Alex Oliveira, as well as a four-fight preliminary card headlined by Johny Hendricks vs. Neil Magny on FOX Sports 1 starting at 8pm ET. / 5pm PT. After the FS1 prelims, starting at 10pm ET. / 7pm PT., it will be time for the UFC 207 pay-per-view headlined by Amanda Nunes vs. Ronda Rousey.
MMANews.com will be providing live, quick-match UFC 207 results coverage of the two preliminary cards this evening, and the fastest, most detailed round-by-round results coverage of every fight on the pay-per-view portion of the show from start-to-finish. We welcome fans to test our updates against the competition this evening, as it will not take long for you to figure out where you want to be when the big fights get started.
The following is the official lineup for tonight’s UFC 207: Nunes vs. Rousey event:
UFC 207 Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass at 7:30 p.m. ET.)
* Tim Means and Alex Oliveira fought to a No Contest.
Note: This fight saw Oliveira drop Means early in the first with a spin-kick. Means recovered, however, and went on to blast Oliveira with knees that devastated Oliveira, resulting in him being taken out of the Octagon via a stretcher. Replays show Oliveira had a knee down on the mat when Means landed his two knees that finished the fight. Means complained afterwards and seemed to be in denial about the blows being illegal. The fight was ruled a No Contest.
UFC 207 Preliminary Card (FOX Sports 1 at 8 p.m. ET.)
* Niko Price def. Brandon Thatch via Submission (arm triangle) at 4:30 of Round 1
* Alex Garcia def. Mike Pyle via KO (punch) at 3:34 of Round 1
* Antonio Carlos Junior def. Marvin Vettori via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
* Neil Magny def. Johny Hendricks via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
UFC 207 Main Card (Pay-Per-View at 10 p.m. ET.)
Ray Borg vs. Louis Smolka
Round 1: Borg and Smolka are both in the Octagon and Bruce Buffer is doing his thing now. Our first PPV fight of the evening is now officially underway. Dan Mirgliotta is our referee for this Flyweight contest. Smolka comes out pawing with the jab. He’s doubling and tripling up on it now trying to dictate the range and distance of the standup exchanges. Borg staying relaxed, trying to slowly work his way to the inside on Smolka. Both guys clinch briefly but quickly work their way out and return to a standup fight. Borg finally gets Smolka down to the mat and immediately establishes top control in side mount. Borg locks in a D’Arce Choke on Smolka. He uses it to take Smolka’s back. Borg looking to get his hooks in, but Smolka avoids it and keeps Borg off of full back control. Smolka with a schoolyard headlock on Borg. The two scramble and now Borg is taking Smolka’s back again. Borg settles into side mount again and again looks to take the back of Smolka, who continues to defend. The two scramble back to their feet briefly but Borg bullies Smolka back down to the mat. Two minutes remain in the round. Borg working from full mount in top position on the ground. Something opened Smolka up, as the blood is flowing from his face now. Borg looks to get an Oma Plata on Smolka in a scramble. Smolka is defending the submission attempt. The two scramble a bit some more and when the dust settles, Borg is on top hammering away with punches. Smolka covers up and Borg looks to again try and take the back of Smolka. Nice elbow from the top by Borg. The final seconds of the opening frame tick away now. MMANews.com scores the round 10-9 for Ray Borg.
Round 2: We see between rounds that it was an elbow by Borg that opened up the cut on Smolka’s face. Feeling out process on the feet here in the early goings of the second round. Borg is pressing the action with Smolka looking to counter-strike. Borg throws bombs to get inside. While nothing of significance landed, it did get him close enough to tie up Smolka and force him to the mat for the first time in the second round. Borg settles into side control on top and is working to create some offensive openings for himself. Borg advances to full mount. Smolka tries a leg lock from the bottom. Borg drops a bomb from his hips onto the grounded Smolka. The big punch allows Borg to settle back into side control on top. Just over two minutes remains in the second round. Smolka gets half guard from the bottom and is trying to better his situation. Borg still pressing foward from the top. Borg looking for an arm triangle submission from the top but Smolka is defending well thus far. Borg pounds away to try and create some space to secure the submission but instead the two scramble back to their feet. Once against the cage, Borg bullies Smolka back down to the ground. Smolka thinks about a guillotine attempt from the bottom but opts not to gas out his arms, and lets it go. Borg settles in on top and continues to do what he has been doing throughout the majority of this round, which is controlling Smolka on the mat. Smolka throws his legs up, looking to lock up an arm or a choke, but Borg defends and maintains top position. The buzzer sounds to end another round for Borg. MMANews.com scores the round 10-9 for Ray Borg.
Round 3: Smolka will need a big round here if he wants any chance of winning this one on the judges cards. Obviously a finish here in the third would be his best bet, if possible. Between rounds, Borg talks to his corner and appears to mention his belief that he has a broken ankle. Joe Rogan points this out in between rounds on commentary. Rogan trying to analyze Borg’s foot movement now to find out which ankle is hurt, but says Borg isn’t showing any signs of either ankle bothering him. Rogan speculates that it’s Borg’s right ankle. The two tie up in an upper body clinch to start the third round. Rogan questions if Borg’s ankle will affect his ability to get Smolka to the mat in this round. Borg changes levels and goes after the legs of Smolka, looking to take the lanky fighter to the mat. He does. Borg working from Smolka’s half guard now with plenty of time remaining here in the third. Smolka keeping his legs busy from the bottom, looking to create any openings he can find, but thus far Borg seems content to maintain position first and look to do damage when he’s in comfortable control on top. Borg not taking too many chances, compared to Smolka’s movement on the bottom in this round. Borg looking for an arm triangle again from top position. Borg switches to the proper side and is sinching up on the submission now. This looks dangerous with plenty of time still left. The referee is taking a closer look at things. Borg is being cautious not to blow his wad on this attempt. He lets go of the submission and moves to full mount. Borg working from mount now on top with Smolka looking to secure half guard. Borg moves to side mount. Borg controlling the position game as he has throughout the fight, but not much action to speak of. The two scramble back to their feet and are now clinched up against the fence. Just over 90 seconds remains in the fight. They end up on the mat again but one again scramble back up to their feet. They are fighting at distance for the first time in a while now with 30 seconds left. Smolka with a decent standing elbow that finds the mark. Borg with a spinning elbow. The buzzer sounds to end the round and the fight as Smolka was finally putting together some offense. MMANews.com scores the round 10-9 for Ray Borg.
Ray Borg def. Louis Smolka via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Dong Hyun Kim vs. Tarec Saffiedine
Round 1: The Korean Stun Gun returns against the last-ever Strikeforce Welterweight Champion in our second pay-per-view fight of the evening, which is up next. Saffiedine makes his way to the Octagon. Dong Hyun Kim is coming out now. Bruce Buffer is doing the final introductions for this, our second PPV bout of the evening. “Big” John McCarthy is our referee for this fight. Kim comes out pressing the action on the feet right out of the gate. Kim clinches with Saffiedine and presses Saffiedine’s back against the cage. Saffiedine circles out and trips Kim down to the mat, quickly transitioning to Kim’s back. The two are standing now with Saffiedine wrestling away at Kim from behind. We get a wild judo throw before the two return to their feet with Kim pressing Saffiedine’s back against the cage again. Saffiedine circles out and breaks free. The two are fighting a striking match at distance again here in the first. Kim lands a nice kick that has Saffiedine backing up. Kim over-extends on a punch and eats a good right hand counter shot over the top from Saffiedine. Saffiedine tries following up but it’s not long before Kim is pressing forward again and being the clear-cut aggressor between the two. Kim and Saffiedine are tied up against the cage again here in the first. The two separate and return to action, with Kim again looking like the aggressor and Saffiedine the counter-striker. A big looping right hand from Saffiedine misses the mark. A right hand moments later from Saffiedine does find the mark. Kim continues to press forward and take chances. 90 seconds remains as Kim ties up Saffiedine against the fence again. He’s looking for a single leg takedown but Saffiedine is defending well. Saffiedine takes a look at the clock and sees there’s just over one minute remaining as the two separate and return to a striking battle. Saffiedine catches Kim coming in with a nice punch. Kim ties up with Saffiedine and walks him into the cage. Kim working from inside the clinch against the cage now but the two break and return to a striking match. Kim misses big with some wild looping punches. Saffiedine gets the Thai clinch and lands some good knees from the inside. Saffiedine trips Kim down to the mat. Kim gets back up and now Saffiedine has Kim back-first against the cage in a clinch. The round ends there. MMANews.com scores the round 10-9 for Tarec Saffiedine.
Round 2: Kim was busier and was the aggressor, but Saffiedine landed the cleaner shots. Many wll probably lean towards Kim in the first, but Saffiedine also had a pair of takedowns in there. Kim had the wild Judo throw but Saffiedine was immediately back to his feet. Kim comes out pressure fighting on the feet again. Kim misses with a wild kick attempt. Saffiedine stays poised and is countering well thus far. Saffiedine with a nice lead elbow standing, followed up by a knee to the body of Kim. The two clinch against the cage briefly but quickly separate. Just over three minutes left here in the second round. Kim with a nice elbow attempt and another follow-up elbow that partially lands. Kim with some nice body work while clinched with Saffiedine briefly against the cage. Kim continuing to keep the pressure on the technical striker. Kim comes in at Saffiedine with his hands down, so Saffiedine tries a Silva-Belfort front kick to the face. No dice. Two minutes and change remains on the clock. Fight stats show Saffiedine is landing more often than Kim by a decent amount, but you don’t get that impression while watching the fight play out live due to the smothering, relentless, forward-moving style of the Stun Gun. Saffiedine is quietly putting together some good work here in the second, but one wonders if the judges are taking notice. Based on how this fight is going, we’ll find out in about six or seven minutes. Crowd is boo’ing loudly now as the second round comes to an end. Another tough round for the judges to sort out depending on what they’re looking for and what emphasis they place on certain aspects of the game when scoring. MMANews.com scores the round 10-9 for Dong Hyun Kim.
Round 3: Again, first and second could go either way on the judges cards. Fought urge to give Saffiedine the second round, but it was a similar round to the first and he could be up 2-0. Then again, due to aggression and forward motion, Kim could be up 2-0 as well right now. We’ve got it 1-1 heading into the this, the third and final round of our second PPV fight of the evening. The two open up with a wild striking exchange early into the final frame, but quickly revert back to the style of the first two rounds. Kim is still clearly the guy trying to press the action while Saffiedine is trying to play Matador to the Korean Bull that is relentessly coming after him. Kim gets Saffiedine down to the mat but Saffiedine works his way back up. Kim again works Saffiedine down as the round ends. Those takedowns could win Kim this round and this fight, again, depending on how the judges see this fight — which will be interesting to find out here during the official decision. MMANews.com scores the round 10-9 for Dong Hyun Kim.
Dong Hyun Kim def. Tarec Saffiedine via Split Decision (30-27 Saffiedine, 29-28 Kim, 29-28 Kim)
T.J. Dillashaw vs. John Lineker
Round 1: A battle of the number one and two ranked UFC 135-pound contenders is up next, as former UFC Bantamweight Champion T.J. Dillashaw looks to secure another title shot as he meets heavy-hitting knockout artist John Lineker. The video package and Octagon walks for Dillashaw and Lineker are going down now. The Brazilian knockout artist makes his way out to the cage first. The former champ now making his way out. Bruce Buffer is doing his thing. Round one is now underway. Herb Dean will be our referee for this one. Dillashaw comes out looking a bit cocky, moving forward while swinging his arms around. He stays loose but wings a head kick at Lineker out of the blue. It misses. Dillashaw and Lineker restart and Dillashaw is pressing the action, moving forward and chopping at Lineker with leg kicks. Dillashaw goes off balance on a strike attempt and Lineker jumps on him. Dillashaw quickly gets back up to his feet. Dillashaw is kick-heavy with his standup attack thus far. A head kick by Dillashaw partially lands, but Lineker also caught the leg and took Dillashaw down with his own momentum. Dillashaw quickly pops back to his feet after an upkick causes Lineker to complain. Dillashaw laughs at Lineker after a kick misses the mark for the Brazilian contender. Dillashaw looking incredibly comfortable and relaxed here in the first round. Dillashaw wings another big head kick at Lineker that again partially lands. Lineker with a nice body shot to the former champion. Dillashaw charges at Lineker, changes levels and dumps Lineker down to the mat with ease. Dillashaw settles into Lineker’s half guard on top. Three minutes left in the round. Dillashaw thinks about a D’Arce Choke but opts instead to maintain position and try and free his leg from Lineker’s half-guard. Lineker has half-butterfly guard now. Dillashaw switches from punches to elbows, to a mixture of both from the top now. Lineker scoots his hips back and is trying to get back to his feet. Dillashaw is having none of that thus far. The former UFC champ is controlling the Brazilian slugger from top position on the ground, mixing in some ground and pound when openings present themselves. The action returns to the feet with 90 seconds left in the opening frame. Lineker now moving forward with Dillashaw on his bicycle. Dillashaw with another kick attempt. Clearly the kicks are a big part of Dillashaw’s gameplan for this one. Nice exchange by both guys, each of whom find the mark with some of their shots. Lineker with a head kick attempt that was light years away from Dillashaw. Dillashaw is working some kicks of his own now. His are landing — with a vengeance. Dillashaw switches to a right head kick attempt that Lineker avoids. Lineker catches Dillashaw with two good punches while Dillashaw was backing up. Lineker knows he lands as he plays to the crowd. Are those shots enough to win him the round? They shouldn’t be, but they’re definitely the first sense of hope Lineker fans have had thus far. Round one comes to an end. MMANews.com scores the round 10-9 for T.J. Dillashaw.
Round 2: Second round opens up with the two touching gloves and starting their movement. Lineker presses first with a body shot. Dillashaw backs and circles and counters when Lineker steps into range. Same scenario plays out, only this time Dillashaw switches levels and dumps Lineker to the mat with an easy takedown. Dillashaw goes for Lineker’s back on the mat, which creates an opening and the two scramble back to their feet. Dillashaw is definitely willing to take chances against a dangerous opponent and thus far, it hasn’t cost him. It always could though with Lineker being a one-punch KO artist and landing those two nice shots at the end of the first, he could always light up Dillashaw with a bomb late in the fight. Thus far it’s not happening, as Dillashaw is controlling the striking action and taking Lineker down at will when he tries. Joe Rogan reminds fans that it will only take Lineker one shot to change this fight. Dillashaw lighting up Lineker’s legs and body with kicks. Dillashaw getting Lineker to think low to open up the head kick most likely. Dillashaw switches levels again and follows through for another easy takedown of Lineker. Three minutes and change remains in the second round. Dillashaw working from Lineker’s half-guard on top position on the mat. Dillashaw landing nice elbows from top position now. Joe Rogan points out that Dillashaw and Lineker are currently talking trash while Dillashaw pounds away at him on the ground. Dillshaw stacks up for some heavier ground and pound, which leads to the fight returning to the feet. The two are engaging in a standup battle again, with Dillashaw technically superior to Lineker but Lineker knowing he’s got the power to turn the former champion’s lights out with one shot. Dillashaw times a Lineker punch attempt and immediately ducks under it, taking Lineker to the mat with ease again. Dillashaw working elbows from top position on the ground again. MMANews.com scores the round 10-9 for T.J. Dillashaw.
Round 3: illashaw is taking Lineker’s back now here in the third, as the Brazilian turtles up in reaction to Dillashaw’s hammer fists and elbows. Lineker stands up, Dillashaw stays on him from behind. Dillashaw kneeing the back of Lineker’s legs before dragging him back down to the mat. Lineker rolls but turtles back up. Dillashaw rides him out and stays on him. Dillashaw rolls through for a calf-crank out of the blue. The two are locked up at the legs now with Dillashaw looking to crank away at the foot/ankle of the Brazilian. Lineker gets his leg free and the two quickly scramble back to their feet. The striking battle continues with 40 seconds left in the round. Lineker stuffs a takedown attempt by Dillashaw. Lineker lands a nice power shot to the body of Dillashaw, just missing on a big head-strike follow-up. Lineker senses something now, as he rushes at Dillashaw with power shots. Dillashaw with a ninja-like jumping knee attempt to Lineker that misses the mark. MMANews.com scores the round 10-9 for T.J. Dillashaw.
T.J. Dillashaw def. John Lineker via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
UFC Bantamweight Championship
Dominick Cruz (c) vs. Cody “No Love” Garbrandt
Round 1: Our first of two five-round title fights is up next. With all three opening PPV fights going the distance, this show badly needs a finish or a close back-and-forth battle of the ages, ala Dooho Choi vs. Cub Swanson, to save this show. This either could be the exact fight to do just that, or the worst possible fight to rely on for excitement. We’ll find out soon enough! The challenger, Team Alpha Male’s undefeated knockout artist Cody “No Love” Garbrandt makes his way to the cage to the tune of “We Will Rock You” by Queen. UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz makes his way through the tunnel and out to the Octagon now to some rap / techno music. Cruz with a big time scowl on his face, looking all business here in Vegas tonight. Both guys are locked in the eight-sided cage now as Bruce Buffer does the final formal fight introductions for this, our first of two five-round title fight main events. “Big” John McCarthy is our referee for this one. Both guys talk trash and don’t touch gloves during the final faceoff in the center of the Octagon. Round one now underway. Cruz immediately on his bicycle, peppering Garbrandt with punches. Garbrandt taking his time. Garbrandt with a wild head kick attempt. Garbrandt chopping at the legs of the champion now. Cruz touches up Garbrandt, who show-boats in response. Now Cruz is showboating and trying to clown Garbrandt. This is as much of a mental battle right now as it is physical. Both guys trying to get the other out of their gameplan and fighting off emotion. Neither guy is taking the bait thus far. Garbrandt charges at Cruz, missing with two big punch attempts. Garbrandt catches Cruz coming out with the end of one of his punches. Garbrandt chops Cruz with a leg kick but the champ is nowhere to be found for the big follow-up with the hands. Garbrandt appears to be finding some success against the champion now. Garbrandt bull-rushes at Cruz with winging power punches that Cruz easily avoids. Garbrandt clowning Cruz again now in mid-action, taunting and mocking the champion while continuing to look for a big shot to land. Cruz with some leg kicks. Cruz takes Garbrandt down, but Garbrandt actually reverses on the way down and sprawls out. They return to a striking battle at distance. 90 seconds remains. Garbrandt gets Cruz with a takedown. MMANews.com scores the round 10-9 Cody Garbrandt.
Round 2: Both guys a bit cautious here in the early goings of the second round. Cruz chases at Garbrandt, landing some nice punches in the process. Cruz back to bouncing around now and using superior footwork to avoid Garbrandt’s onslaught. Garbrandt lands a nice shot in a punch combination. Cruz clips Garbrandt on the comeback. Joe Rogan says Cruz may have hurt Garbrandt with that one. Cruz’s confidence appears to be building now as he starts getting busier, all-the-while staying on his bicycle and being nowhere to be found when Garbrandt tries to counter or engage in any way. Definitely settling into a Cruz-style fight here in the second. Garbrandt lands a big hook and then dares Cruz to meet him in the middle of the cage. Cruz too smart for that. 90 seconds left in the second round. Garbrandt lands a nice shot. Cruz with some leg kicks late in the round. The fans chant “Cody! Cody!” as Garbrandt lands a body kick to the champ. Cruz with a takedown attempt and a punch flurry to end the round. MMANews.com scores the round 10-9 for Dominick Cruz.
Round 3: Second round could go either way. One of those rounds. Cruz seemed to be doing better in the first-half of the round and again right at the end of the round, but Garbrandt still had some moments in between. Third round up next. Garbrandt lands big on some punches and kicks very early into the third. Cruz is cut and bleeding. Garbrandt trying to stay controlled but senses opportunity. Joe Rogan informs the viewers that a headbutt is what caused the cut on Cruz. Garbrandt tags Cruz with a right hand. Garbrandt mocks Cruz and again challenges him to stand and trade. Garbrandt puts his hands behind his back and taunts Cruz now. Garbrandt rushes in with some more power punch attempts but this time Cruz avoids them. Garbrandt catches Cruz on the end of another decent punch. All Garbrandt here in the third. Garbrandt rushes in and lands another good punch during an exchange. Garbrandt again points to where he wants Cruz to stop, stand and trade with him. Again, Cruz obviously does none of the above. Definitely Garbrandt’s round — and big — thus far with two minutes left on the clock here in the third. Garbrandt drops Cruz with a big punch. Cruz pops right up and comes forward, “like a zombie,” as Joe Rogan points out on commentary. Cruz quickly recovering now but was definitely tagged with that shot. Cruz lands a nice left. Garbrandt uses head movement to avoid some wild follow-up attempts by the champion. The blood is flowing nicely over the left eye of Cruz from the aforementioned headbutt that we’ll see replays of in between rounds. One minute left in the round. Cruz with some leg kicks at the ten second ticker hits to signal the end of the round. The buzzer sounds to end a big round for the challenger. MMANews.com scores the round 10-8 for Cody Garbrandt.
Round 4: In between rounds we see that once Cruz’s bloody face is cleaned up, that it’s coming from a giant gash over his right eye. Right on the eyebrow. Very, very nasty cut. Crowd “ooh’s” and “ahh’s” when close-ups are shown. We see replays of the headbutt that caused the cut now. The first of two championship rounds is now underway. Round four kicks off with both guys still verbally sparring with each other as much as they have been physically throughout this fight. Both guys taking their time here in the fourth. Garbrandt drops Cruz badly with a huge bomb after a Cruz flurry. Cruz was hurt bad. Garbrandt pointed to him instead of following up, enjoying his handy-work instead of finishing the job. That one moment might cost him, as Cruz is now recovering. We’ll see. Garbrandt still looks confident as he presses forward. Cruz lands a right hand. Cruz misses with a wild, sweeping leg kick attempt from way outside. Cruz walking Garbrandt down now. Garbrandt lands another decent punch. “Dominick Cruz is now in desparation mode. He’s got to know he’s losing this fight now,” says Joe Rogan on commentary. Cruz and Garbrandt trash-talk each other a bit as the crowd lights up with another big roar. Two minutes left in what has been a very eventful fourth round thus far. Another “Cody! Cody!” chant breaks out now as Cruz lands a leg kick and walks down the challenger. Cruz asks Garbrandt where he’s at, extending his arms out to the sides like, “Where you at?!” Garbrandt misses with a big swing. Cruz dancing around a bit more. Garbrandt floors Cruz badly again for the second time in the round. And again for the second time, Garbrandt enjoys his work before it’s over. Garbrandt follows-up once Cruz gets back to his feet and again he rocks Cruz. Very, very big round for the challenger. Round ends on that note. MMANews.com scores the round 10-8 for Cody Garbrandt.
Round 5: Well, I’m regretting that 10-8 score in the third after that crazy fourth round. Didn’t feel it was a 10-7 round, but it very easily could be scored as such by any one, or all, of the three men officially scoring this fight at cageside. Cruz was badly hurt twice in that round and rocked a few additional times with big shots. Fifth and final round is now underway as Garbrandt plays to the crowd. Five minutes stand between Cody Garbrandt and the UFC Bantamweight Title. The fans chant “Cody! Cody!” as Garbrandt lands a nice kick. Cruz is definitely fighting like he’s got to win this one, as opposed to not lose it (big difference, especially in the fifth round of a fight you’re likely behind on the cards on). Garbrandt staying patient as Cruz tries to press the action — with caution. Cruz tags Garbrandt with a nice right hand. Garbrandt eats it and moves forward. Cruz bouncing around now and starting to look like trademark Dominick Cruz. Flying knee attempt nearly lands for Cruz. Garbrandt hesitates on a big punch that looked good from here. Garbrandt sprawls down to the mat while way away from Cruz, mocking him and pointing out that he’s got plenty of wind left for this, his first time past the third round of a pro MMA fight against arguably the best, or second best, current UFC World Champion. Cruz wings another big right hand at “No Love,” but misses the mark. Garbrandt thinks about a spinning strike but doesn’t fully commit. 90 seconds remains. We might very well be soon crowning a brand new UFC Bantamweight Champion and an extremely interesting matchup between current and former Team Alpha Male 135ers in T.J. Dillashaw and Cody Garbrandt. Cruz trying to press the action but Garbrandt avoids his attacks. Garbrandt holds Cruz against the cage now with 30 seconds left in the fight. The crowd lightly boo’ing now, thinking this is how the fight will end. The two separate instead with 15 seconds left. Cruz stalks Garbrandt who raises his hands in victory before the bell sounds. There’s the buzzer. Garbrandt and Cruz hug. We should have a new UFC Champion announced here in a moment. We’ll find out soon enough! MMANews.com scores the round 10-9 for Dominick Cruz.
Cody Garbrandt def. Dominick Cruz via Unanimous Decision (48-46, 48-47, 48-46) to become the new UFC Bantamweight Champion.
UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship
Amanda Nunes (c) vs. Ronda Rousey
Round 1: Our five-round main event for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship is all that remains. We have yet to have a single fight with a finish here on the PPV card. The Nunes-Rousey style matchup definitely lends itself to one or the other getting an early finish. We’ll find out soon enough! The challenger, Ronda Rousey makes her way out first after a goosebump-provoking video package for our UFC 207 main event. Her entrance was the most exciting thing on the show thus far, outside of Cruz-Garbrandt and moments in Dillashaw-Lineker. The champion, Amanda Nunes, now making her way to the Octagon. We’ll just say her Octagon entrance didn’t exactly evoke goosebumps like Rousey’s did. Whether or not that matters is another story altogether! In any matter, Bruce Buffer is doing the final introductions for this, our main event of the evening. She’s back …and ready for this UFC Women’s Bantamweight Title tilt. Our referee for tonight’s main event will be Herb Dean. The two touch gloves in the center of the cage. “I’m nervous,” says Joe Rogan. “Me too,” says Mike Goldberg in agreement. Round one is now underway. Well, that didn’t last long — at all. Nunes stuns Rousey with the first jab she threw — and she knew it, too. Sensing blood in the water, “The Lioness” put together a fight-ending punch combination that forced referee Herb Dean to run in and save “Rowdy” Ronda from further punishment. Very legitimate stoppage. The reign of “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey could very well have come to a very quick, painful end on Friday night. That’s a wrap, folks!
Amanda Nunes def. Ronda Rousey via KO (punches) at 0:48 of Round 1 to retain the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship.
NOTE: For video highlights of Amanda Nunes impressive 48-second KO victory over Ronda Rousey at UFC 207 on Friday night, click here. You can also watch the complete UFC 207 Post-Fight Press Conference.
