UFC 217: Live Updates, Highlights, and Reaction
Georges St-Pierre's triumphant return to the Octagon highlighted a memorable night of UFC action in New York City on Saturday night. The all-time great penned another chapter in his storied career by submitting Michael Bisping in the third round of their main event showdown, capping a trio of title fights. Just prior to St-Pierre's victory, TJ Dillashaw won a back-and-forth battle against Cody Garbrandt to recapture his lost bantamweight strap, and Rose Namajunas pulled of the upset over Joanna Jedrzejczyk, knocking her out in the first round to become strawweight queen. Scroll down for Bleacher Report's live play-by-play coverage of the entire night's action.
- November 5, 2017
Here's Something That's Never Happened Before
St-Pierre Gets His Second UFC Strap
- Invalid Date
- November 5, 2017
St-Pierre Explains His Winning Philosophy Post-fight
Bisping Expresses His Plan to Make Another Run
Here's How St-Pierre Set Up the Finish
Georges St-Pierre Def. Michael Bisping, Submission (Round 3, 4:23)
Michael Bisping vs. Georges St-Pierre: Round 3
St-Pierre immediately looks for a takedown, and once again succeeds. The fighters trade pitter-patter shots on the ground, Bisping opening a cut on St-Pierre's face with a slicing elbow. Bisping opens a second cut before pushing off with his feet and springing back to his feet. St-Pierre's face is leaking crimson. He wipes the blood away and lands a push-kick. When Bisping steps back in, St-Pierre blasts him with a malevolent right hook, flooring the champion. He jumps into top-position and hammers away, looking for the finish. Bisping defends, rolling, but that allows St-Pierre to sink in a choke. He squeezes until Bisping goes out.
Michael Bisping vs. Georges St-Pierre: Round 2
A hard jab from St-Pierre splits the defense of Bisping. The champion is having difficulty putting together combinations, finding himself consistently on the end of his opponent's jab. When Bisping manages to slip the jab he takes advantage with a hard right hand. St-Pierre grabs the momentum back with a takedown in the center of the cage, establishing himself in half-guard, but only briefly. Bisping pops back up and hits St-Pierre with another right hand. He then looks to follow up, but can't add more damage in the final 30 seconds.
Bleacher Report scores Round 2: 10-9 Bisping
Michael Bisping vs. Georges St-Pierre: Round 1
Some early leg-kicks land for St-Pierre, who adds a crisp right hand about a minute into the fight. A counter left comes back from Bisping, but the Canadians gets back on track with a jab and leg-kick. Another right hand from St-Pierre precedes another jab - both techniques have worked for him early in the match. The challenger grabs for a single-leg and twists the champ to the mat. Bisping slides to the fence, sits up and works to his feet. St-Pierre welcomes him with a left hand that shakes Bisping up, but the Brit avoids further damage and makes it to the end of the round.
Bleacher Report scores Round 1: 10-9 St-Pierre
Michael Bisping vs. Georges St-Pierre
Still One More to Go
Dillashaw Calls Out Demetrious Johnson After the Fight
Dillashaw Recaptures the Title
What a Back-and-forth Battle
TJ Dillashaw Def. Cody Garbrandt, Knockout (Round 2, 2:41)
Cody Garbrandt vs. TJ Dillashaw: Round 2
Dillshaw comes out aggressively, looking to even the score. Garbrandt ducks a headkick and takes a bow. Dillashaw continues to press, and he finds a home for the same kick a minute later knocking Garbrandt down. The champion pops back up and scrambles to safety. His salvation is temporary, however; a right hook from Dillashaw sends Garbrandt down for a second time, spelling the end for the now former champion.
Cody Garbrandt vs. TJ Dillashaw: Round 1
Dillashaw hits with a couple early leg-kicks before Garbrandt answers with a right hand. The pace slows until Garbrandt bullrushes Dillashaw, winging murderous punches that put his opponent off balance. Dillashaw regains his composure and fires back, forcing Garbrandt to yield. Garbrandt fires off a pair of bodyshots with 30 seconds left, then cracks Dillashaw with a right hand to the face that sends him down to the mat. Dillashaw scrambles desperately, making it back to his feet at the horn.
Bleacher Report scores Round 1: 10-9 Garbrandt
Cody Garbrandt vs. TJ Dillashaw
The New Champ Celebrates Her Achievement
After Bludgeoning the Former Champion into a Void, Namajunas Has a Message of Peace
Here's the First Knockdown from the New Champion
Rose Namajunas Def. Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Knockout (Round 3, 3:03)
Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Rose Namajunas: Round 1
Namajunas lands a leg-kick and a left hand early on. Jedrzejczyk offers back a combination, but nothing lands clean. Namajunas comes back with a right hand that sends the champion spilling to the canvas. Namajunas pursues her, but Jedrzejczyk works up quickly and resettles into striking distance, where she eats a right hook. Namajunas lands again, and the champion collapses for a second time. This time Namajunas pounces in time to add damage on the ground, thrashing away until the stoppage is called.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Rose Namajunas
Thompson Gets His Hand Raised
Stephen Thompson Def. Jorge Masvidal, Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Stephen Thompson vs. Jorge Masvidal: Round 3
Masivdal opens aggressively, but a barrage of punches forces him to withdraw. He takes another angle, shooting for a takedown, but it leads to a no more successful outcome. Thompson pops off a one-two that draws an enthusiastic cheer from the crowd, then looks to take Masvidal's head off with a spinning kick, but Masvidal covers up just in time. Masvidal is forced to cover up several more times throughout the final two minutes of the match, Thompson continuing to dart in and out.
Bleacher Report scores Round 3: 10-9 Thompson Bleacher Report scores the fight: 30-27 Thompson
Stephen Thompson vs. Jorge Masvidal: Round 2
Masvidal uses the threat of a takedown to force a close quarters exchange in which Thompson covers up and escapes. Once he gets back into space, Wonderboy lets his hands goes culminating in a knockdown. Rather than pursuing the finish on the mat, he calls Masvidal back to his feet and greets him with another punch. Thompson continues to frustrate Masvidal by retreating and ambushing him with straight punches whenever he pursues. Masvidal finally manages to catch him with a right hand.
Bleacher Report scores Round 2: 10-9 Thompson
Stephen Thompson vs. Jorge Masvidal: Round 1
Thompson tests the waters with some kicks through the opening minute, but Masvidal checks them. Masvidal kicks back, but his efforts produce a similarly middling effect. A stepping left hand from Thompson snaps Masvidal's head back, but he eats a couple of kicks right back. Thompson pops his right hand, then knocks Masvidal off balance with a push-kick. He adds a left hand after Masvidal comes back with a couple more leg-kicks.
Bleacher Report scores Round 1: 10-9 Thompson
Stephen Thompson vs. Jorge Masvidal
Seven Fights Down, Four to Go...
The Brazilian Prospect Looked Scary There
His shots were visibly powerful and he stayed within himself throughout the bout.
Hendricks Has Fallen Far Since Capturing the Wleterweight Title
Paulo Henrique Borrachinha Def. Johny Hendricks, TKO (Round 2, 1:23)
Johny Hendricks vs. Paulo Henrique Borrachinha: Round 2
A quick eye-poke from Borrachinha causes a pause in the action, but Hendricks quickly waves off the referee. Borrachinha makes him pay with a right hand, then a flurry that puts Hendricks on queer street. Borrachinha continues to fire off strikes, thrashing Hendricks until the referee intervenes.
Johny Hendricks vs. Paulo Henrique Borrachinha: Round 1
Borrachinha opens the bout with a trio of kicks, opening to the leg then hitting to the body. Hendricks avoids a couple of flurries before ducking under a punch in search of a takedown. Borrachinha defends easily and quickly goes back on offense, mixing his attacks high and low. Hendricks uncorks a combination of his own, showing signs of life after a subdued opening to the match. He builds on that momentum with another combination. Borrachinha retaliates with a late flurry of his own.
Bleacher Report scores Round 1: 10-9 Borrachinha
Johny Hendricks vs. Paulo Henrique Borrachinha
On to One of the Best PPV Main Cards in the Past Few Years
The Buzzer Beater by Vick
Vick Moves to 8-1 with the W
James Vick Def. Joseph Duffy, TKO (Round 2, 4:59)
James Vick vs. Joseph Duffy: Round 2
A hard bodykick from Duffy opens the middle round. Vick sticks his jab and gets Duffy moving backward. Both fights land leg-kicks, Vick's coming in harder. Duffy is finding it hard to settle in and turn on the offense while Vick is picking him off with jabs and leg-kicks. A big left hand from Vick puts Duffy down. The American pounces, trying to beat the buzzer for the finish and manages to do enough damage to earn the TKO just before the horn.
James Vick vs. Joseph Duffy: Round 1
Duffy puts pressure on Vick early, taking the center of the cage and moving forward. He pumps a jab before the combatants bandy leg-kicks. Vick puts a straight right punch into Duffy's face, then adds an uppercut before Duffy strikes back with a hook. The Irishman opts to target the midsection of his opponent with a series of punches after finding an opening by catching a kick. A takedown from Duffy leads to a guillotine attempt from Vick, but he lets it go when Duffy starts squirming free. Vick stands and ends the round on his feet.
Bleacher Report scores Round 1: 10-9 Duffy
James Vick vs. Joseph Duffy
That Was a VERY Late Shot from Harris
The referee was left with few options beyond disqualifying Harris.
Mark Godbeer Def. Walt Harris, Disqualification (Round 1, 4:29)
Walt Harris vs. Mark Godbeer: Round 1
Both guys come out throwing hard through the first minute, but neither land anything of substance. Harris completes a takedown, the crawls into mount. Godbeer recovers guard and ties up. Harris is able to land a few punches despite losing his dominant position. Harris moves to half-guard and lands a few more shots before Godbeer climbs back to his feet. Time is called when Harris lands a lowblow, then lands a blatantly illegal head-kick several seconds after the referee calls timeout. Godbeer is unable to continue, so we're going to another premature conclusion.
Walt Harris vs. Mark Godbeer
OSP Calls Out Ilir Latifi
Vicious Finish from Saint Preux
Ovince Saint Preux Def. Corey Anderson, Knockout (Round 3, 1:25)
Corey Anderson vs. Ovince Saint Preux: Round 3
Both fighters are cautious early in the round, but the tempo picks up about a minute in. Saint Preux lands a vicious head-kick that leaves Anderson supine, and not at all aware of his surroundings.
Corey Anderson vs. Ovince Saint Preux: Round 2
Saint Preux lands a head-kick early in the round, putting Anderson right back into trouble. Anderson benefits when time is called after his mouthpiece falls out, and uses the break to recover. He is finally able to work Saint Preux down to the canvas, where he lands a series of short right hands. Saint Preux works to his knees, then eventually his feet. Anderson keeps him pressed to the cage for the remainder of the frame.
Bleacher Report scores Round 2: 10-9 Anderson
Corey Anderson vs. Ovince Saint Preux: Round 1
Saint Preux claims the center of the Octagon and snaps Anderson's head back with a couple punches. Anderson absorbs the shots and takes Saint Preux to the mat emphatically. Saint Preux works up against the fence, but remains penned in. Anderson is committed to the takedown, but Saint Pruex defends stubbornly. Anderson wacks him with a spinning elbow before recommitting to the takedown, but he remains unable to complete the maneuver. Saint Preux pushes off and flurries at the end of the round, staggering Anderson before the horn.
Bleacher Report scores Round 1: Saint Preux
Corey Anderson vs. Ovince Saint Preux
That Was Quite a Night