Tonight (Sat. February 9, 2019) UFC 234 went down live on pay-per-view (PPV) from the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia. In the main event of the evening, UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker was expected to defend his title against Kelvin Gastelum. However, a hernia issue forced him off the card this afternoon. Also, in the co-main event, former 185-pound king Anderson “The Spider” Silva returned to action. He faced rising middleweight contender Israel Adesanya, who edged out “The Spider” on the score cards.
Adesanya will likely be involved in a middleweight title bout next. Check out MMA News’ coverage of UFC 234 below:
Main Card:
Middleweight: (C) Robert Whittaker vs. Kelvin Gastelum- Middleweight: Israel Adesanya vs. Anderson Silva
Round 1:
Very much a feeling out process a minute and a half in. Silva rushes in and eats a few counter shots from Adesanya. Silva rushes in again and catches Adesanya with a hook followed by a body kick. Nice counter right-hand lands for Silva. Nice 1-2 lands for Adesanya and Silva taunts. Counter striking battle going on now with both men just missing. The round comes to an end with a taunting contest between the pair.
Round 2:
Counter right hook lands for Silva. Silva leaves his hands down and eats a 1-2 from Adesanya. Left-hand lands for Adesanya but Silva counters with a right hand. Some hooks landing for Silva now and he follows up with shots inside the clinch. Nice jabs for Silva and he clinches up with Adesanya. They separate and Adesanya works leg kicks. Silva blitzes in again and lands a body kick. The round comes to an end.
Round 3:
Silva catches a kick and attempts a flying knee, but Adesanya just moves out the way. Silva forcing Adesanya to meet him against the cage and they stare each other down for several seconds. Silva meets Adesanya in the middle of the cage again. Left-hand lands for Adesanya and Silva is simply trying to play the counter game. Body uppercut for Adesanya and he follows up with a few shots to Silva’s head. Silva returns with a body kick and uppercut. The round comes to an end.
Official Result: Israel Adesanya def. Anderson Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
- Lightweight: Lando Vannata def. Marcos Rosa Mariano via R1 submission (kimura, 4:55)
- Bantamweight: Ricky Simon def. Rani Yahya via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-25)
- Women’s flyweight: Montana De La Rosa def. Nadia Kassem via R2 submission (armbar, 2:37)
- Light heavyweight: Jim Crute def. Sam Alvey via R1 TKO (punches, 2:49)
Preliminary Card:
- Lightweight: Devonte Smith def. Dong Hyun Ma via R1 TKO (punches, 3:53)
- Featherweight: Shane Young def. Austin Arnett via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Flyweight: Kai Kara-France def. Raulian Paiva via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Bantamweight: Kyung Ho Kang def. Teruto Ishihara via R1 submission (rear-naked choke, 3:59)
UFC Fight Pass Exclusive Prelims:
- Lightweight: Jalin Turner def. Wuliji Buren via R1 KO (punches, 0:53)
- Bantamweight: Jonathan Martinez def.Wuliji Buren via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
