UFC 178 Results: Winners and Scorecards from Johnson vs. Cariaso Fight Card

The UFC's most recent shows have been somewhat lacking, but with UFC 178, Dana White has once again put together a stacked card. 

In the five pay-per-view fights, there are nine Top 10 fighters, with the only exclusion being Eddie Alvarez, who is making his debut with the company. The most recent loss of the 10 featured fighters belongs to Donald Cerrone, but that came more than a year ago (August 2013), and he has since turned in four scintillating performances. 

Every fight features compelling competitors who enter with at least two wins in a row. Every fight has important implications on the division's title picture. And every fight has the possibility for fireworks. 

Oh, and it's taking place in the fight capital of the world, Las Vegas. Let's take a look at how the results play out from the MGM Grand Garden Arena. 

Preliminary Card

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Fox Sports 1 Prelims

• Dominick Cruz def. Takeya Mizugaki, TKO (Round 1, 1:01)
• Jorge Masvidal def. James Krause, unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
• Stephen Thompson def. Patrick Cote, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Brian Ebersole def. John Howard, split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

UFC Fight Pass Prelims

• Kevin Lee def. Jon Tuck, unanimous decision (30-26,30-26, 30-26)
• Manny Gamburyan def. Cody Gibson, submission (Round 2, 4:56)

Women’s Bantamweight: Cat Zingano vs. Amanda Nunes

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In a critical match to help shape the women’s bantamweight title picture, Cat Zingano has likely earned a shot at Ronda Rousey with an impressive victory over Amanda Nunes.

Coming out as the clear underdog in the bout, Nunes took early control by getting Zingano to the ground. Rather than work back to the feet, Zingano was content to attempt submissions. It was a strategy that allowed Nunes to accumulate plenty of damage from the top early on.

The tide turned when a failed leglock attempt from Nunes allowed Zingano to get the fight back to the feet, where she threw Nunes to the mat and ended the round in top control.

That would set the tone, as Zingano went on to own the second round thanks to her impressive wrestling.

Going into the third round, it was clear that Zingano’s strength and cardio were simply too much for Nunes. After yet another excellent throw, Zingano was able to get the third-round finish thanks to some nasty elbows from the mount.

It’s been a long road for Zingano. After defeating Miesha Tate in just the second women’s UFC fight in history, she was in line for a bout with Rousey, but knee surgery quickly changed those plans. Now, more than a year later, she is clearly ready for her title opportunity.

Rousey has steamrolled most of the upper portion of the division, so it’s good to see “Alpha” back healthy, presenting herself as a compelling challenger.

Middleweight: Tim Kennedy vs. Yoel Romero

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Two of the middleweight division’s most red-hot fighters met in an intriguing showdown, as Yoel Romero kept his momentum with a crucial victory over Tim Kennedy.

What looked like a one-sided affair turned out to be a test of Romero’s heart as he had to dig deep in the third round to earn the TKO victory. After dominating the first round-and-a-half, Kennedy landed a barrage of strikes to close out the second round that nearly finished Romero.

However, the former Olympian was able to rebound in the opening minute of the third frame as a clearly winded Romero was able to put away Kennedy with strikes.

Soldier of God is now 5-0 since his move to the UFC. Although he’s 37 years old, he clearly remains an athletic specimen with the ability to put on a spectacular show. With this win over Kennedy—the only others to beat Kennedy in the last five years are ranked second (Ronaldo Souza) and fifth (Luke Rockhold) in the division—he immediately enters the title picture.

As for Kennedy, this is just his first UFC defeat (3-1), but at 35, he may not get a chance at the title.

Featherweight: Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor

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Conor McGregor continued his meteoric rise in the featherweight division, earning a first-round knockoutvictory over Dustin Poirier.

McGregor took a measured approach in the opening minute of the round, taking his time to find his distance and feeling out his experienced opponent. However, it didn’t take long for McGregor to find the side of Poirier’s head with a looping left hook that sent him to the canvas and finished the fight quickly with strikes on the ground, forcing the stoppage.

“The King of Dublin” set the UFC world on fire with thrilling victories over Marcus Brimage (Knockout of the Night), Max Holloway and Diego Brandao (Performance of the Night) in the last 18 months. He has quickly emerged as one of the most captivating fighters in the sport, and he now has a win over a top-five fighter to add to the list.

A fan favorite and extremely talented brawler, he’ll be in the conversation after Jose Aldo puts his title on the line against Chad Mendes, which is scheduled for UFC 179.

Lightweight: Donald Cerrone vs. Eddie Alvarez

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Donald Cerrone spoiled the UFC debut of Eddie Alvarez, defeating “The Silent Assassin” via unanimous decision.

“Cowboy” once again got off to a slow start as Alvarez threatened to end the fight early with a dirty boxing combination that rocked the UFC vet. However, from the second round on it was Cerrone who was in control of the bout.

The former WEC star utilized leg kicks to bludgeon Alvarez lead left leg and break down the UFC debutant over the course of the final two rounds.

Ever since a loss to Rafael dos Anjos in August 2013, Cerrone has been a man on a mission. Submission of the Night against Evan Dunham. Knockout of the Night against Adriano Martins. Performance of the Night bonuses against both Edson Barboza and Jim Miller.

A victory over Alvarez, who entered with plenty of hype after becoming the Bellator lightweight champ, continues that hot streak. Now, he needs to prove himself against a top-ranked fighter, as his last two losses have come against No. 3 contender dos Anjos and champion Anthony Pettis.

Flyweight: Demetrious Johnson vs. Chris Cariaso

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Demetrious Johnson continued to prove himself as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the business, as he defended his flyweight title for the fifth-straight time with a second-round submission victory over Chris Cariaso.

After proving that he was superior in every facet of the fight game in the first round, the champion went to work on finishing the fight in the second. An early takedown led to some vicious ground and pound, including some from the crucifix position.

From there, Mighty Mouse was able to isolate Cariaso’s arm and sink in the Kimura to defend his belt yet again.

Since winning the title against Joseph Benavidez in September 2012, “Mighty Mouse” has really yet to be challenged. Jussier Formiga and John Lineker are now the only fighters ranked in the top eight who he has yet to defeat. This is a thoroughly impressive run from the 28-year-old.