Judice Kicks Off the Night with a Bang

The women’s flyweight division set the stage for a night of thrilling action as Carli Judice (3-2, 0-1 UFC) faced off against the undefeated Yuneisy Duben (6-0, 1 NC; 0-0 UFC). Duben, an unbeaten Venezuelan fighter, entered the Octagon with a gaudy record, but Judice, seeking to break her own losing streak, proved to be a formidable opponent. The fight, overseen by referee Mark Smith, started with a speedy fist bump.

Duben initiated the offense with several leg kicks, but judice quickly found her rhythm, landing a question mark kick that surprised Duben. The two fighters exchanged blows, with Judice displaying more technical striking while Duben relied on winging punches. The intensity of the fight was palpable as both athletes sought to gain an early advantage.

The turning point came when Judice landed a devastating head kick. Her shin smashes square into the chin, and Duben goes down on her side in a heap. A few follow-up punches sealed the deal, prompting Smith to stop the fight. The official result was a TKO victory for Carli Judice at 1:40 of the first round.

Carli Judice def. Yuneisy Duben R1 1:40 via TKO (Head Kick and Punches)

Cachoeira’s Uppercut Decimates Nunes

The women’s bantamweight division took center stage next, featuring a high-stakes match between Josiane Nunes (10-3, 3-2 UFC) and Priscila Cachoeira (12-6, 4-6 UFC). Both fighters were in dire need of a win, adding intensity to the contest. Referee Chris Tognoni officiated the bout, ensuring a fair and competitive match.

The fight instantly erupted into a wild exchange of power punches. Nunes and Cachoeira traded blows with reckless abandon, showing little regard for their own safety. Despite Nunes’ initial aggression,Cachoeira’s superior range allowed her to land more frequently and effectively. The crowd roared as the two fighters went toe-to-toe, each looking for the knockout blow.

The end came swiftly when cachoeira connected with a devastating uppercut. cachoeira dances out of the way, bounces off the fence and plants a one-two on the mug. Seeing that Nunes is stunned, “Zombie Girl” opens up with a monstrous uppercut that entirely separates Nunes from her senses. “Josi” hits the ground on her face like a sack of bricks, and Cachoeira knows her work her is done and strides away. The official result was a KO victory for Priscila cachoeira at 2:46 of the first round.

Priscila Cachoeira def. Josiane Nunes R1 2:46 via KO (Punch)

Lima Remains Undefeated, Submits Barez

The flyweight division showcased a compelling clash between Spain’s daniel Barez (17-6, 1-1 UFC) and Brazil’s Andre Lima (10-0, 3-0 UFC). Barez aimed to establish a winning streak, while Lima sought to maintain his undefeated record. Kerry Hatley served as the referee for this international showdown, ensuring a safe and regulated contest.

Lima immediately targeted Barez’s lead leg with a barrage of kicks, quickly reddening and swelling the limb. Barez attempted to counter with punches and a takedown, but Lima’s relentless pressure and accurate striking kept him on the defensive. In the first round, Lima’s thumb briefly jammed into Barez’ eye, causing a brief pause, but the action quickly resumed. The resilience of both fighters was evident as they battled for control.

In the second round, Lima continued his assault, mixing leg kicks with head and body shots. Barez absorbed significant damage, his nose bleeding profusely. Lima’s varied attack and relentless pressure proved too much for Barez. Despite Barez’s resilience,Lima secured a takedown and landed ground-and-pound. The momentum was clearly shifting in Lima’s favor as the fight progressed.

The fight concluded in the third round when Lima secured a rear-naked choke. Lima actively pursues and eventually finds a rear-naked choke. The submission is instantly tight and partly a neck crank,a bit high on lima’s right shoulder but gripped so tightly that Barez has no way out. Lima continues to crush on the windpipe until Barez says enough is enough and surrenders. the official result was a submission victory for Andre Lima at 3:05 of the third round, marking his first career submission and extending his undefeated streak to 11-0.

Andre Lima def. Daniel Barez R3 3:05 via submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Hughes vs. Luciano: A Three-Round War

The women’s bout between Sam “Sampage” Hughes and Stephanie “Rondinha” Luciano delivered a thrilling contest, characterized by intense striking exchanges and grappling scrambles. Hughes, known for her relentless pressure, consistently moved forward, initiating exchanges with punches and leg kicks. Luciano, aiming to maintain distance, responded with jabs and front kicks.

Round 1: Luciano’s Early success

Luciano started the fight strong, landing punches that visibly marked up Hughes’ face. Her effective use of jabs and low kicks appeared to give her an early advantage in the striking exchanges. Despite Hughes’ forward pressure and powerful punches, Luciano showcased her defensive skills and striking accuracy, managing to evade and counter effectively. Jay Pettry, Tristen Critchfield, and Tyler Treese all scored the round 10-9 in favor of Luciano, according to Sherdog’s scoring.

Round 2: Hughes Takes Control

Hughes came out with increased aggression in the second round, landing straight punches and hooks. A crucial moment came when she secured a double-leg takedown, transitioning to full mount and raining down elbows on Luciano. although Luciano managed to escape the mount and a subsequent rear-naked choke attempt, Hughes maintained control for the majority of the round, delivering elbows and punches from dominant positions. Jay Pettry, Tristen Critchfield, and Tyler Treese all scored the round 10-9 for Hughes.

Round 3: A Close Finish

the final round saw both fighters trading blows, with Hughes continuing to press forward and Luciano countering with strikes and takedown defense. Luciano landed a spinning back fist, but Hughes continued to walk her down, landing punches and kicks. The round concluded with both women exchanging strikes until the final bell, leaving the judges with a tough decision.Ultimately, Hughes’ aggression and control in the second round proved decisive, earning her the split decision victory.

the official result: Sam Hughes def.stephanie Luciano via split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-27).

Vera Stuns Musasa with first-Round Submission

In a significant upset,Carlos Vera defeated the previously undefeated Josias Musasa by rear-naked choke in the first round. musasa, a heavy betting favorite, was expected to dominate with his striking, but Vera showcased his grappling skills and resilience to secure the victory.

Round 1: Vera’s Calculated Attack

The fight began with both fighters exchanging kicks. Vera then attempted a takedown, signaling his grappling intentions early. Musasa initially walked away from Vera’s ground advances. Vera then landed a wheel kick that stunned Musasa, creating an opening for Vera to capitalize. Vera leaps down to immediately assume back control,were he wraps up the body triangle and instantly snatches up a rear-naked choke. Musasa initially defended the choke, but Vera adjusted his grip and secured the submission, forcing Musasa to tap out at 3:16 of the first round.

The official result: Carlos Vera def.Josias Musasa R1 3:16 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke).

Cunningham vs. You: Bantamweight Battle

A pair of well-rounded bantamweights kept the prelims moving forward. South Korea’s You (14-3, 2 NC; 1-0 UFC) made his way to the promotion with the third season of Road to UFC, while “The Savage” Cunningham (11-4, 0-1 UFC) failed to claim a roster spot in 2023 only to win on the regionals and get a callup one fight later.

Round 1

You, in the center of the cage, measures from a great distance, while Cunningham stretches out his arms and feet to see how far away they stand. Over 40 seconds of that plays out in the cage until someone throws a strike, in the form of a low kick from You.The South korean circles away, allowing Cunningham to slowly crowd him and toss out his own leg kick. You times a right hand over the top and follows with a left, leaning back to dodge the counter and sitting down on a subsequent body kick. Cunningham thumps the front leg with a kick, and he fires off another but gets caught with an overhand right that stumbles him. Cunningham blinks it out and remains chasing after his foe, kicking him in the ribs and chaining two punches together after it.You replies with a leg kick, and he chops the other side of the leg before shooting for a picture-perfect double. You elevates his opponent and deposits him ever-so-gingerly to the mat,where he lands in half guard while Cunningham actively scrambles. You pushes Cunningham flat to his back, and he assumes control in the guard. Cunningham tosses his legs up in pursuit of a possible triangle, and You tosses his legs aside and gets back on top. Cunningham wall-walks to get to his feet,and You throws him down with a single-leg takedown despite Cunningham grabbing the cage and earning a loud warning from Tognoni. Cunningham escapes from mount by bucking wildly, and You climbs back into half guard, where he prefers control over submission or offense. Cunningham sits up and gives his back up, and You holds on from behind and drags him to the floor again. Cunningham stands once more, leaning on the wire until time expires.

Round 2

The 135ers get back to it with a glove touch, and then more measuring. Just like the last round, Cunningham is looking for how to get in on his grappling-heavy opponent. He manages to touch you with a few rangy punches,and he wraps his foot up and around You’s shoulder. the two get up close and personal, and it is Cunningham who shoves them away. You tries to clinch again, and Cunningham once more pushes off. You kicks the body, and he loads up on a right hand that he uses to close the distance. Cunningham keeps his safe distance and walks straight into a blistering right hand that stands him up and flattens his nose. You does not capitalize on it, and instead cunningham is able to shake it out and spin with a wheel kick. Cunningham tries a head kick and falls over,and You cannot take advantage of the slip. Rather, it is indeed Cunningham again who advances and throws, and You counters with looping power shots. Cunningham sits down on a right hand and fights off a single until he is wrestled to his seat, only to burst his way back upright. The second attempt allows the South Korean to put Cunningham on his back,where he assumes half guard immediately. Cunningham maintains a butterfly guard to try to get back to a better position, and he even flirts with rubber guard while stuck pinned to the floor. From out of nowhere, Cunningham wraps up a triangle choke, and You leans and starts hammerfisting his opponent. Cunningham elbows You on the top of a head a few times, which actually squirts You’s head out of the legs locked. A second try from Cunningham does not result in anything other than getting punched in the face,and blood leaks from his visage. You rides the round out until the bell.

Round 3

The fighters touch gloves to initiate the final frame, and cunningham sticks out his jab while chasing You around the Octagon. Cunningham strikes first with a low kick, and they parry half-hearted punches until Cunningham tries to spin for a back kick that is shut down before the kick is thrown.Cunningham continues working his way forward, looking for a right hook over the top and ultimately clashing together as the two keep moving. Cunningham’s uppercut comes up short, and You’s own striking offense has fallen off a cliff. It does not matter,as his takedown is able to easily ground “The Savage” and take away his best weapons. You wraps up Cunningham’s legs between his own to further nullify Cunningham, until he steps over to half guard. You considers an arm-triangle choke from the wrong side, but he does not pursue it. Cunningham is able to get his guard back, and he tries to kick You off of him. You is wise to this,and he maintains his position until the final bell.

Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. ryan Spann: A Heavyweight Clash

The preliminaries concluded with a heavyweight showdown between Waldo Cortes-Acosta and ryan Spann. Cortes-Acosta, boasting a record of 12-1 with 5-1 in the UFC, faced Spann, who was making his debut in the heavyweight division after moving up from 205 pounds. Referee Mark Smith oversaw the action as the fighters engaged in a fierce battle.

Spann initiated the exchanges with a powerful leg kick. Cortes-Acosta responded with his own low kick, but Spann’s carried more force. The first round saw both fighters trading heavy blows. Cortes-Acosta landed a “blistering right hand” on Spann’s temple and used his weight to push Spann against the fence.Spann responded with an overhand right, but Cortes-Acosta’s uppercut shook him up again. The round ended with Cortes-Acosta securing a takedown.

the second round began with a glove touch. Cortes-Acosta landed a straight right hand, countered by a front kick to the belly from Spann. The round was marred by multiple low blows from Cortes-Acosta, resulting in pauses in the action. Despite the interruptions, Cortes-Acosta continued to press forward.

The fight reached its climax when cortes-Acosta connected with a “short left hook that levels Spann.” Referee Smith intervened, allowing Cortes-Acosta to land a few more punches before stopping the fight at 4:48 of the second round. Following his TKO victory,Cortes-acosta called for fights against either Tai Tuivasa or derrick Lewis.

Spann swings back, still in trouble, and Cortes-Acosta sticks him with a jab and follows with a short left hook that levels Spann. When “Superman” hits the ground, Smith is already racing in towards the fighters, only to allow a few more punctuating hammerfists and punches to briefly shut Spann’s lights out.

Official Result: Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Ryan Spann by TKO (punches) at 4:48 of Round 2.

Kevin Vallejos Debuts with First-Round TKO

Kevin Vallejos made a memorable UFC debut with a first-round TKO victory over Seung Woo Choi.The fight showcased Vallejos’ striking power and ability to capitalize on openings.

Stunning Finishes Highlight Early Card

The preliminary card set the tone for the evening with a series of extraordinary finishes, demonstrating the raw power and technical skill of the UFC’s rising stars.

Waldo Cortes-Acosta Triumphs over Ryan Spann

Waldo Cortes-Acosta faced Ryan Spann in a highly anticipated heavyweight clash. Cortes-Acosta secured the victory via TKO (Punches) at 4:48 of the second round, showcasing his striking prowess and resilience.

Kevin Vallejos’ Explosive UFC Debut

Kevin Vallejos, an Argentinian fighter with a record of 14-1, made a memorable UFC debut against South Korea’s Seung Woo Choi (11-7, 4-6 UFC). Vallejos had won his last five fights by stoppage, setting the stage for an exciting featherweight clash. Referee Kerry Hatley officiated the bout.

The fight began with a glove touch.Choi attempted to keep Vallejos at bay with leg kicks. Vallejos surged forward,throwing an overhand right,but Choi evaded it. The momentum shifted dramatically when Vallejos landed a monstrous right hand that sent Choi reeling. Vallejos followed up with a barrage of punches, prompting Hatley to stop the fight at 3:09 of the first round.

Vallejos celebrated his victory with a backflip and paraded an Argentinian flag around the cage. Though, officials later took the flag away, despite the UFC having reapproved the use of flags in the Octagon.

The timing is absolutely perfect, as Vallejos sends Choi flying with his monstrous right hand. Choi collapses on his side, and vallejos leaps on top of him to drum him out with a stream of punches. Hatley asks Choi to fight back, and when he sees the South Korean is no longer intelligently defending himself, he calls a halt to the contest.

Official Result: Kevin Vallejos def. Seung Woo Choi R1 3:09 via TKO (Punches)

Su Young You Victorious Over A.J. Cunningham

Su Young You faced A.J. Cunningham in another preliminary card matchup. You secured a unanimous decision victory,with all three judges scoring the fight 30-27 in his favor.

throughout the fight, You demonstrated superior grappling skills. He transitioned smoothly to mount, applying pressure and threatening submissions. Cunningham showed resilience, briefly securing an omoplata shoulder lock, but You quickly regained control.

Official Result: Su Young You def. A.J. Cunningham via Unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)