Demetrious Johnson ties UFC record with tenth straight title defense
Flyweight overlord Demetrious Johnson tied Anderson Silva's standing record for most successful title defenses in a row. His submission win over Wilson Reis was typical of his flyweight reign and sets him up for the chance to not just match the record, but beat it. Rose Namajunas defeated Michelle Waterson in the co-main event, setting up a submission wn with a highlight reel headkick, positioning her one step closer to the title.
- April 16, 2017
UFC on Fox 24 Quick Results
UFC on Fox 24 Main Card
Demetrious Johnson def. Wilson Reis, submission (Round 3, 4:49) Rose Namajunas def. Michelle Waterson, submission (Round 2, 2:47) Robert Whittaker def. Ronaldo Souza, TKO (Round 2, 3:28) Renato Moicano def. Jeremy Stephens, split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Prelims on Fox Sports 1
Alexander Volkov def. Roy Nelson, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Tom Duquesnoy def. Patrick Williams, TKO (Round 2, 0:28) Rashid Magomedov def. Bobby Green, split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Tim Elliott def. Louis Smolka, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Prelims on UFC Fight Pass
Aljamain Sterling def. Augusto Mendes, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Devin Clark def. Jake Collier, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26) Anthony Smith def. Andrew Sanchez, knockout (Round 3, 3:52) Zak Cummings def. Nathan Coy, submission (Round 1, 4:21) Ketlen Vieira def. Ashlee Evans-Smith, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Invalid Date
- April 16, 2017
Demetrious Johnson Def. Wilson Reis, Submission (Round 3, 4:49)
Demetrious Johnson vs. Wilson Reis: Round 3
A takedown attempt from Reis is shut down decisively as Johnson continues to work on closing up Reis' right eye with his jab. Reis again shoots, but still nothing doing, and Johnson makes him pay with a vicious bodykick. Johnson completes a takedown and advances to side-control. He begins working on a choke, but Reis defends so Johnson starts with some elbows and punches. Reis regain guard, but Johnson continues to do damage from there, opening a cut on Reis' face. Johnson mount and begins hammering away. When Reis covers up, Johnson hops off and grabs an arm. Reis quickly taps, succumbing to the armbar.
Demetrious Johnson vs. Wilson Reis: Round 2
The men tie up, Johnson looking for a trip. Reis avoids the attempt and separates. Johnson again looks for a takedown, but Reis is stalwart with his defense. Johnson is having more success with his striking, however, landing consistently, though not with anything severely damaging. Reis lands a solid punch of his own, snapping Johnson's head back. He lands another before eating a jab and bodykick from the champ. Johnson puts in another combination, this one going from legs to head. He then trips Reis up and wails on him for the final 10 seconds of the round.
Bleacher Report scores Round 2: 10-9 Johnson
Demetrious Johnson vs. Wilson Reis: Round 1
Johnson scores the first significant strike of the bout, hitting with a slapping inside leg-kick. He adds a right hand in the next exchange then a bodykick in the next. He gets Reis with another leg-kick, but Reis catches it and takes Johnson down. The champion bounds up immediately and resettles into a nice rhythm, circling around and touching Reis up with leg-kicks. Reis chases, looking for a takedown, but Johnson defends. A nice left hand from Johnson finds the mark, then a right hook.
Bleacher Report scores Round 1: 10-9 Johnson
Demetrious Johnson vs. Wilson Reis
And Here's the Kick
Namajunas Grabs a Highlight Finish
The choke was set up by another highlight, which was a the headkick that spelled the beginning of the end for Waterson.
Rose Namajunas Def. Michelle Waterson, Submission (Round 2, 2:47)
Rose Namajunas vs. Michelle Waterson: Round 2
The women trade push-kicks in the early going. Namajunas adds a kick to the leg, then a right hand, which she follows with a head-kick that sends Waterson plummet toward the canvas. Namajunas gets on top and starts thrashing Waterson with punches. Waterson defends and manages to stand, but as she does, Namajunas hops on her back and sinks in a choke. Waterson flails desperately, but hopeless, eventually capitulating by tapping the mat.
Rose Namajunas vs. Michelle Waterson: Round 1
Waterson lands a stepping left hand and a kick to the face. She then trips Namajunas, but is immediately in danger of having her back taken. Namajunas does indeed get her back, but Waterson recovers full-guard. The action stalls out there until Namajunas drops a few elbows. Waterson considers an armbar, but Namajunas defends, so Waterson stands instead. Waterson throws a series of push-kicks to Namajunas' legs, and Namajunas gets her back with a right hand, then a takedown near the end of Round 1.
Bleacher Report scores Round 1: 10-9 Namajunas
Rose Namajunas vs. Michelle Waterson
Whittaker Emerges as a Title Contender
He has been flawless since jumping to middleweight and looks to be firmly in the (convoluted) title picture.
Robert Whittaker Def. Ronaldo Souza, TKO (Round 2, 3:28)
Ronaldo Souza vs. Robert Whittaker: Round 2
A big right hand from Whittaker collapses Souza, and the Aussie looks for the finish on the ground. When he perceives Souza has recovered he backs away, allowing his opponent to stand. Whittaker then cracks Souza with a right hand and a headkick. Whittaker continues to pour it on, adding a couple more connections to his swelling tally. Whittaker follows a left with a right and puts Souza back on the mat. As Souza rolls to get up the referee intervenes, declaring a TKO win for Whittaker.
Ronaldo Souza vs. Robert Whittaker: Round 1
Souza establishes himself in the center of the Octago and lands a right hand. He dives in for a takedown, but Whittaker is nowhere to be found. Souza closes the distance, but hedges his bets this time by tying up in the clinch. From there he is able to roll Whittaker to the mat, but he slips off the back when trying to establish position. Whittaker scores with a left before Souza connects with a couple of right hands. Whittaker goes to the body with a punch and kick, then clips Souza with a left hook.
Bleacher Report scores Round 1: 10-9 Whittaker
Ronaldo Souza vs. Robert Whittaker
A Dubious Honor
But one that speaks more to a consistently high level of competition than a dearth of talent.
Renato Moicano Def. Jeremy Stephens, Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Jeremy Stephens vs. Renato Moicano: Round 3
Moicano appears more inclined to trade now in the Third, meeting Stephens initial salvo with heavy counter fire. He then attacks with a takedown, tripping Stephens to the mat and landing in guard. Stephens manages to get up, but eats a right hand in the process. The fury that characterized the opening of the final round has burnt out and the men settle back into a more measured pace. Moicano hits with a couple leg-kicks as he back-tracks away from the power-puncher. The Brazilian slips a punch and fires off a pair of counters, growing his lead in strikes landed. Stephens remains aggressive and slips in some leg-kicks, but Moicano continues to counter with crisp punches.
Bleacher Report scores Round 3: 10-9 Moicano Bleacher Report the fight: 29-28 Moicano
Jeremy Stephens vs. Renato Moicano: Round 2
Stephens looks to return the favor from last round with an early takedown, but Moicano fends it off and escapes into space. A couple of leg-kicks from Stephens begin to show on Moicano's thigh. The Brazilian comes back with a hard kick to the midsection. The crowd sounds its displeasure with the action tapering off, so Stephens tries to down them out by landing a slapping leg-kick. The action sputters again, the next exchange only coming as time ticks down to zero.
Bleacher Report scores Round 2: 10-9 Stephens
Jeremy Stephens vs. Renato Moicano: Round 1
Stephens fires a leg-kick before Moicano replicates the strike, adding a jab behind his. Moicano continues to utilize the leg-kick early on, touching up his opponent's lead support early and often. Stephens continues to stalk forward and he finds a home for the right hand. Micano changes levels for a takedown and establishes himself in the guard. Stephens works some ineffectual punches from the bottom, allowing Moicano to advance to half-guard. Time expires there, Moicano not getting in much damage after the takedown.
Bleacher Report scores Round 1: 10-9 Moicano
- April 15, 2017
Jeremy Stephens vs. Renato Moicano
UFC on Fox 24 Fight Card
Nine down, four remaining. We're on to the main card next.
There Was No Conciliatory Post-fight Speech, However
Also, Drago won.
Alexander Volkov Def. Roy Nelson, Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Alexander Volkov vs. Roy Nelson: Round 3
Nelson looks for the takedown early on, but he's unable to grab hold of his opponent. Volkov circles back and resumes his methodical and cautious dissection of the much shorter and stockier opponent. Nelson wants to close the distance, but he is visibly fatigued. He makes an earnest effort for a takedown, but he's sent packing with a knee to the face. He makes no second effort for a takedown, instead spending the final 90 seconds of the round walking into Volkov's bodykicks and jabs.
Bleacher Report scores Round 3: 10-9 Volkov Bleacher Report scores the fight: 30-27 Volkov
Alexander Volkov vs. Roy Nelson: Round 2
Volkov looks to pick up where he left off, but Nelson takes him back to the fence, putting his weight onto his opponent. Volkov breaks free and lands a pair of bodykicks. He then settles in, pumping his jab to prevent Nelson from closing the distance. Nelson is able to land an overhand right, but Volkov resettles into jabbing rhythm. Nelson tries to get another right hand past the guard, but Volkov sees it coming.
Bleacher Report scores Round 2: 10-9 Volkov
Alexander Volkov vs. Roy Nelson: Round 1
Volkov pushes Nelson to the fence, but Nelson pushes off. Nelson shoots for a double-leg, but it stalls out against the cage, where a battle for position ensues. Nelson eventually wins, tripping Volkov to the ground. Nelson spends his time in an effort to consolidate position rather than do damage. He moves to half-guard before Volkov recovers the full. Calls for action from the referee fall on deaf ears and the men are reset. Volkov takes advantage by attacking Nelson with a vicious barrage over the last 15 seconds of the round.
Bleacher Report scores Round 1: 10-9 Volkov
Alexander Volkov vs. Roy Nelson
Duquensnoy Wins in His Debut
As one of the most hyped prospects to enter the UFC in years, he has worked to do, but was impressive in his inaugural bout.
The First Knockdown
Williams was saved by the bell.
Tom Duquesnoy Def. Patrick Williams, TKO (Round 2, 0:28)
Patrick Williams vs. Tom Duquesnoy: Round 2
Williams, clearly exhausted, rushes out clumsily, throwing wild punches until Duquesnoy smashes him with a couple of punches that send him collapsing back to the mat. The referee dives in quickly to save Williams.
Patrick Williams vs. Tom Duquesnoy: Round 1
Williams sets a hard pace early on, capping off his initial assault with a takedown. Duquesnoy is able to stand, but Williams keeps up the pressure, landing a few punches before his opponent can scramble back into space. Duquesnoy scores with a leg-kick, but Williams catches it and takes him down for a second time. Duquesnoy is able to pop up immediately this time, but he's cracked with a straight punch that drops him to one knee. Duquesnoy recovers and hammers Williams with an uppercut and knee. Williams takes a breather by putting his hands on his knees in between attacks. Duquesnoy closes and finishes the round with a flurry that floors Williams.
Bleacher Report scores Round 1: 10-9 Duquesnoy
Patrick Williams vs. Tom Duquesnoy
Green's Momentum...
Has swung like a pendulum.
The Decision Announcement
Green was probably fortunate to get one in his favor...
Rashid Magomedov Def. Bobby Green, Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Bobby Green vs. Rashid Magomedov: Round 3
Good work on the inside from Magomedov early in the final round. Green catches a kick, but can't trip his opponent up. Green is able to string together a kick and a knee before the bout devolves into a staring contest for 30 seconds or so. Magomedov rallies off five or six unanswered strikes in a lengthy combination. Magomedov continues to work well, slipping an attack and reeling off another combo before Green hits him with a kick and ushers him over to the fence. Magomedov breaks free and lands a superman punch before time expires.
Bleacher Report scores Round 3: 10-9 Magomedov Bleacher Report the fight: 30-27 Magomedov
Bobby Green vs. Rashid Magomedov: Round 2
Magomedov pumps his jab and cross early on. Green continues to make heavy use of leg-kicks. Magomedov comes back with a couple of connections to the midsection, adding a right hand to the face. Time is called when Green complains about being poked in the eye, though the replay shows it was a punch. A pretty two-punch combo scores for Magomedov before Green rushes him over to the fence. Magomedov escapes and looks for a takedown. The fighters scramble back to their feet, allowing Magomedov to land a right hand.
Bleacher Report scores Round 2: 10-9 Magomedov
Bobby Green vs. Rashid Magomedov: Round 1
Magomedov slips a punch and hits with a sly counter. He replicates the sequences only a few seconds later so Green opts to change tactics and forces a clinch. A lowblow from Magomedov draws a pause in the action. Magomedov hits with a bodykick and a punch, then puts Green on his backside with a punch, the knockout being a result of Green being off balance rather than damaged. Green gets in a couple of leg-kicks before clinching up and looking for a takedown. Both guys land short shots from in tight. Green works for a takedown, but he isn't able to complete the maneuver.
Bleacher Report scores Round 1: Magomedov
Bobby Green vs. Rashid Magomedov
Will Be Hard to Top as FOTN
Incredible Grappling Action in That One
Both guys had their moments, but Elliott's unending string of takedowns was the difference.
Tim Elliott Def. Louis Smolka, Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Louis Smolka vs. Tim Elliott: Round 3
Smolka flurries early on, but after landing a couple of shots Elliott plants him back on the floor. Smolka looks for a guillotine after Elliott secure another takedown, but he loses it and is forced to work to his feet. Elliott takes him back down and mounts and uses a body-triangle to hold his position. Somehow though, Smolka frees himself and looks to set up a d'arce choke. Elliott survives and stands up, but Smolka tosses him straight back down. Elliott reverses, but he cannot keep Smolka down. He is, of course, able to take him right back down. He adds yet another before the horn. The fight ends with Smolka working on a north-south choke.
Bleacher Report scores Round 3: 10-9 Smolka Bleacher Report scores the fight: 29-28 Elliott
Louis Smolka vs. Tim Elliott: Round 2
Smolka looks for a guillotine, ripping Elliott to the mat out of the clinch. Elliott defends, stand and takes Smolka down. After securing yet another takedown, Elliott takes the back and looks for a choke. Smolka escapes and searches for a leg-lock. Elliott escapes and we get some rare striking in this grappling battle before Elliott dumps Smolka back to the mat. Elliott advances to side-control, then jumps to mount, tying up a guillotine. Smolka looks panicked for a moment, but wriggles for some air and escapes before the horn.
Bleacher Report scores Round 2: 10-9 Elliott
Louis Smolka vs. Tim Elliott: Round 1
Elliott immediately takes Smolka to the mat and begins looking for a guillotine from the half-guard. Smolka is able to scramble up, but he eats a series of knees as he does. Smolka executes a throw, but Elliott scrambles and both men stand up. Elliott then takes his turn scoring a takedown with a trip near the fence. Smolka is up quick, but Elliott puts him right back down. Smolka reverses, but Elliott stands quickly and takes Smolka down once again. Elliott notches another takedown, then another, drawing blood with an elbow from side-control. Smolka then takes his back and lands some nice left hands. Elliott is able to stand before the horn.
Bleacher Report scores Round 1: 10-9 Elliott
Louis Smolka vs. Tim Elliott
Four Fights on the Dockett
Then we'll finish up on Fox for the four-fight main card.
Aljamain Sterling Def. Augusto Mendes, Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Aljamain Sterling vs. Augusto Mendes: Round 3
Sterling connects with a bodykick and left hook. Mnedes answers with a left, but is quickly countered. Sterling feints for a takedown and Mendes grabs his neck yanking him to his knees in pursuit of a guillotine. Sterling fights out and walks Mendes over to the chain-links. Sterling works some knees, but mostly controls position. Mendes reverses position, but the competitors are then separated. Mendes clinches up again and the battle for position picks up where it left off. The fighters separate with 40 seconds to go, Sterling landing a pair of punches at the horn.
Bleacher Report scores Round 3: 10-9 Sterling Bleacher Report scores the fight: 30-27 Sterling
Aljamain Sterling vs. Augusto Mendes: Round 2
Sterling pesters Mendes with jabs and leg-kicks early in the Second. He then takes Mendes over to the fence and applies pressure, mixing in some knees. Mendes flips positions and works for a takedown, but Sterling defends. Mendes continues to work for the takedown, but Sterling shows some impressive balance to remain upright. Sterling finally breaks the bodylock he'd been stuck in and he pursues Mendes across the Octagon. He scores a trip with 40 seconds left on the clock, and pounds on Mendes with heavy hammerfists.
Bleacher Report scores Round 2: 10-9 Sterling
Aljamain Sterling vs. Augusto Mendes: Round 1
Mendes opens the match with a few kicks. Sterling rips to the body with a right hand before completing a takedown. Mendes grabs for a leg-lock, but Sterling escapes and he kicks the legs until the referee stands them up. Mendes lands a right hand that stuns Sterling. He looks to lock on a guillotine when Sterling shoots for a desperation takedown, but slips off. Mendes quickly reverses and stands, but Sterling takes him right back down. Sterling maintains position and lands some light punches until the horn.
Bleacher Report scores Round 1: 10-9 Sterling
Aljamain Sterling vs. Augusto Mendes
Johnson Ties Silva
He has now defended his title 10 times in a row.