Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Cody Garbrandt

Round 1 – Here we go, it’s Figgy’s second fight at 135 pounds. Not gonna lie, it’s pretty crazy that we have two former champions in a early prelims opener. … They’ve come out tentative through 90 seconds, just a couple quick in-and-outs. OK, wow, they both throw kicks at the same time, Garbrandt a wheel kick and Figgy a high kick. Interesting moment there, but no big deal ultimately. A lack of action mostly through three minutes, let’s see if it picks up in the final two. Garbrandt dropped Figgy with a left hook, although it might’ve been voluntary for Figgy, who tried to pull guard immediately. Now they’re back up, and Garbrandt lands another nice left. Figgy lands a left of his own, maybe his best shot of the round. A takedown attempt by Figgy in the final 20 seconds leads to nothing. … That round goes to Garbrandt 10-9 on account of solid leg kicks and few damaging punches.

Round 2 – Figgy immediately takes the center of the cage in a southpaw stance, and they throw at each other before Figgy hits a level change for a nice takedown. Now it looks like he’s trying to isolate the right arm. Oh boy, Figgy has Garbrandt’s back now and flattens him out. Garbrandt had wrist control for a moment, but he lost it and eats a couple of punches. Now he’s on his back, and Figgy has the arm-triangle choke in. He’s working this submission attempt methodically, but Garbrandt also isn’t panicking. Figgy went back to mount instead of working from the side. Now Garbrandt is out of the choke. He tries to explode up from the bottom, but he can’t, and Figgy still has him mounted with two minutes left. He’s smashing his shoulder into Garbrandt but stops after a few. Cody again tries to explode up but gives up his back, and Figgy has the body triangle. Rear-naked is locked in tight, and boom it’s over! Figueiredo looked excellent on the mat to get that finish. Big win for the former champ in this division.

Result: Deiveson Figueiredo def. Cody Garbrandt via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:02
Recap: UFC 300 results: Deiveson Figueiredo submits Cody Garbrandt, calls for title shot
Photos: Deiveson Figueiredo def. Cody Garbrandt at UFC 300: Best photos
Records: Figueiredo (23-3-1 MMA, 12-3-1 UFC), Garbrandt (14-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith

Bobby Green vs. Jim Miller

Round 1 – Dang it, no “Jim F*cking Miller” intro from Bruce Buffer. Oh well. Let’s see how this one goes! … Green is already talking trash, hands are low, and he just ate a hard straight left that dropped him and had him retreating. Miller strikes first! Green is still talking, though, and the hands stay down. All of this is taking place in the middle of the cage. He just landed and told Miller, “I figured you out.” He’s pegging Miller now, but Miller is throwing back. Miller is cut on the bridge of his nose. Hard left hand stops Miller in his tracks. Green throws a wild spinning wheel kick and misses. Green has gotten very comfortable since the early knockout. He looks quicker than Miller, and now he’s in a zone with one minute left. On second look, Miller is NOT cut on the bridge of his nose, but his face is pretty red. Miller lands another hard left that stuns Green, and Miller closes in but takes a couple shots on the way in. Jumping knee from Green to close out. This could end in Round 2. For this round, we go Green 10-9. Landed many more damaging shots, but Miller landed the best two.

Round 2 – Already Green throws another back kick in the first 20 seconds. It’s Green in the center of the cage with Miller on the outside. Oh man, Miller just missed an uppercut. Now Miller is throwing as Green eggs him on to throw even more. They settle down as a chant of “Miller” rings through the arena. Man, he lands a nice shot, too. Great one-two combo from Green. Miller is now bleeding from under his right eye. Green is now feinting and has Miller reacting, and then he lands a nice right hand. He’s taking over the fight now with 90 seconds left. Oh man, Miller is a BLOODY mess on his face from this volume of punches Green is bashing him with. Sheesh, this fight got out of hand in this round. 10-9 Green.

Round 3 – Miller looks like sh*t, and his right eye is jacked, but here we go. Things starting out the same with Green pelting Miller. Green just teed off and snapped back Miller’s head twice. Green is putting it on Miller again. Green’s face looks without damage compared to Miller’s. He is an absolutely bloody mess. Green walking around like he’s a Diaz brother in the cage. Miller might’ve hurt Green with a hard right hand that has Green clinching. They separate with 90 seconds left, and this is Green’s round (and fight) to lose. Good Lord, this is it. Green just dropped him with 45 seconds left. SO MUCH BLOOD. Just raining punches on Miller, who somehow survives until the end. That was a 10-8 round for Green. He gets it 30-26 on my card. Credit to Miller for being tough as nails, but that was dominant from Green.

Result: Bobby Green def. Jim Miller via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-25, 29-26)
Recap: UFC 300 results: Bobby Green batters Jim Miller in thrilling (and bloody) slugfest, calls out ‘snake’ Paddy Pimblett
Photos: Bobby Green def. Jim Miller at UFC 300: Best photos
Records: Green (32-15-1 MMA, 13-10-1 UFC), Miller (37-18 MMA, 26-17 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Marc Goddard
Judging: UFC 300: Official scorecards from Las Vegas

Jessica Andrade vs. Marina Rodriguez

Round 1 – Slow start for both ladies, but Rodriguez gets things going and lands a nice right. Andrade so far is throwing leg kicks mosttly. Ohh, Rodriguez with the first nice combo. If Rodriguez stays at distance, watch out. And just as I type that, Rodriguez throw a front kick that gets caught, and she falls to the ground with Andrade on top. She’s in side control and throwing punches, then gets caught in guard and pops  out. We’ve reached a stalemate of sorts, but Andrade finds her way back in and is now in half guard. She throws a few hammer fists and moves into side control now. Looks like she’s going for an arm triangle, but Rodriguez clasps her hands in defense. Now Rodriguez with a D’Arce, but no real danger since she’s on bottom, and Andrade breaks out quickly. We finish with Andrade on top, and she was active with the position, so that slip-up costs Rodriguez. Round goes to Andrade 10-9.

Round 2 – Rodriguez establishing range early, landing from distance with that clear height and reach advantage. Andrade’s answer is leg kicks. It’s tough for her to land punches. Rodriguez is not having to much trouble two minutes in. She’s landing shots, and it shows in the color red around Andrade’s nose. Rodriguez continues to look comfortable with her punches. It’s been all hands, no kicks with 90 seconds left. Andrade is now bleeding from her nose. The outside work from Rodriguez is so nice. But watch out now, a Andrade stunned her with a right hand, and now she’s boxing dirty. Rodriguez is wobbly with 15 seconds left. Oh boy, that got interesting in the final minute of a round that was vastly dominated by Rodriguez. Don’t think it was quite enough to steal the round. 10-9 Rodriguez.

Round 3 – Big spinning backfist from Rodriguez to start this round. A nice right hand to follow up. And now a nice left hook. Rodriguez with a nice combination now. Good start to the round for her. … Well, not now as Rodriguez gets a little sloppy and gets shucked to the ground. But she’s back up quickly with 2:30 left. Immediately a big right hand from Rodriguez, but Andrade ate it well. Oh Rodriguez has a standing choke in now, which was created by Andrade closing distance. Interesting moment there, but they separate and continue standing and trading. Uh oh, a leg kick makes Rodriguez fall to the mat. But she’s back up in the final seconds, and they throw to end the round, nothing doing. That was definitely a Rodriguez round 10-9. I’ve got her winning a narrow 29-28 decision.

Result: Jessica Andrade def. Marina Rodriguez via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Recap: UFC 300 results: Jessica Andrade edges out Marina Rodriguez in striking battle
Photos:
Records: Andrade (26-12 MMA, 17-10 UFC), Rodriguez (17-4-2 MMA, 7-4-2 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Judging: UFC 300: Official scorecards from Las Vegas

Jalin Turner vs. Renato Moicano

Round 1 – They trade kicks right away, and Moicano looks hurt by a body kick. He clinches and is trying to get this fight to the mat, and he does by circling for the takedown. Nice job by him. Now he’s in half guard. He doesn’t appear to be in a rush to try and finish. Moicano is being calculated. He’s in control, and Turner can’t find his way up to his feet. Now some hammerfists from Moicano. Two minuest left, and this has been all Moicano so far. He’s not done terrible damage, but he’s been active. Now Turner finally escapes using the cage with 90 seconds left. Round could be stolen if Turner lands something significant. Turner drops Moicano with a HUGE left hand and then walks off like it’s over, but it wasn’t. Moicano got back up. Big mistake by Turner, who could’ve finished! Still, I think that one knockdown was enough to steal the round 10-9.

Round 2 – Turner clips Moicano on the chin in the opening moments. Moicano shoots in deep and gets the takedown with 3:40 left. Nice job dragging him away from the cage, too, and now he’s in mount. What a turn of events here. And now Moicano is raining down punches. Turner is scooting toward the cage as he’s likely gonna try to stand up, but Moicano doesn’t let it happen. Turns him the other way from the top, and now Moicano is mounted again. He us pummeling Turner, who isn’t even trying to fight back and is just turtled up. And there’s the finish, wow. Turner damn near finished the fight in the final 20 seconds of the first and then gets finished with ground-and-pound/

Result: Renato Moicano def. Jalin Turner via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:11
Recap: UFC 300 results: Renato Moicano TKOs Jalin Turner after getting badly dropped
Photos: Renato Moicano def. Jalin Turner at UFC 300: Best photos
Records: Moicano (19-5-1 MMA, 11-5 UFC), Turner (14-8 MMA, 7-5 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean

Sodiq Yusuff vs. Diego Lopes

Round 1 – This fight starts out with them trading leg kicks, and then BOOM, they both close distance, and Lopes lands a tight uppercut that drops Yusuff. He survives initially, but then AGAIN he drops Yusuff with an uppercut, pounces with the ground-and-pound from the back, and that is it. What a freaking furious finish from MMA Junkie’s 2023 Newcomer of the Year!

Result: Diego Lopes def. Sodiq Yusuff via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:29
Recap: UFC 300 results: Diego Lopes pummels Sodiq Yusuff for 89-second TKO
Photos: Diego Lopes def. Sodiq Yusuff at UFC 300: Best photos
Records: Lopes (24-6 MMA, 3-1 UFC), Yusuff (13-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith

Holly Holm vs. Kayla Harrison

Round 1 – Kayla’s big moment is finally here. Let’s see how this goes. … OK, well, it’s HOLLY HOLM who clinches after she partially blocks a high kick. Holly gets thrown but uses the momentum to end up on top. Now Kayla is back up, and they’re still clinched. For some weird reason, Holly didn’t bother to try and separate. What a weird strategy. So now Kayla was given the gift of being in top position, and here comes the ground-and-pound. This is very bad for Holly with 2:20 left. Kayla is dropping elbow, and some of them are definitely landing flush. She’s now standing and has Holly on the mat near the cage. It’s a ground-and-pound clinic so far with 90 seconds left. More punches, more elbows. If Holly survives this round, she better rethink her approach. Holly eats some more punches. Well, that was a great start for Kayla. Not quite a 10-8, but it was a dominant 10-9 from me.

Round 2 – Holly’s punches might not have much pop from all the grappling in Round 1. Nice head kick almost lands flush, then it’s a nice double leg that transitions to a guillotine attempt. Nice movement from Kayla, now in the clinch, and she hip-tosses Holly again. She has her back, and this is a bad spot for Holly again. And there’s the rear-naked choke for the finish. That was way too easy. And Holly made it that much easier with her weird strategy.

Result: Kayla Harrison def. Holly Holm via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:47
Recap: UFC 300 results: Kayla Harrison dominates Holly Holm for second-round submission
Photos: Kayla Harrison def. Holly Holm at UFC 300: Best photos
Records: Harrison (17-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Holm (15-7 MMA, 8-7 UFC)
Division: Women’s bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Marc Goddard

Calvin Kattar vs. Aljamain Sterling

Round 1 – How will Sterling do at 145 pounds? Here we go. … Sterling strikes first with a nice overhand right about 45 seconds in, but Kattar eats it well. Kattar responds with a nice job, then throws a high kick that’s blocked. We’re about two minutes in, and it’s been Kattar in the center with Sterling circling on the outside. Now comes a big moment with Sterling shooting in on a single-leg takedown. After some initial defense, Sterling secures it, and now they’re near the cage with Kattar on one knee. Sterling is latched around his waste, though, and is committed to this. Sterling might be able to take his back, but Kattar is staying calm and stands up, but Sterling remains gripped around his waste and trips him back down. Ultimately, Kattar limits the damage there and escapes with a minute left. Nice kick by Aljo immediately. Another nice entry with 15 seconds left gets Sterling another solid takedown. He gets this round 10-9.

Round 2 – Here we go with another takedown by Sterling right off the bat, but he’s not done much with it after a minute of the round goes by. Another minutes goes by, and Sterling can’t quite do anything. Kattar is also stuck. Feels like they’re both unsure of the next move and content with this clinch as they stand. They’re basically hugging and shifting, which is incurring boos in the arena. Finally they separate with two minutes left, and Sterling lands a nice combination. Not too hard, but the punches landed nicely. Now with about 1:20 left, Sterling shoots in for a double leg and gets it easy. But here they are again just laying on the mat with Sterling in side control. Boy, this has been a snoozefest, but it belongs to Sterling so far as he takes Round 2 with a 10-9 score.

Round 3 – Already, distance closed, and Sterling has Kattar’s back standing. This looks like a wrestling match after one minute … after two minutes now. Has a punch even been thrown this round? Two minutes left, still a wrestling match. Hard to believe Sterling is doing himself any favors with the featherweight matchmakers. … Well, damn, just as I type that, Sterling legit power-bombed Kattar. A fleeting moment of action then instantly back to boring. Welp, it’s a win for Sterling. It’s even a convincing win for Sterling. Just boring as hell. 30-27.

Result: Aljamain Sterling def. Calvin Kattar via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Recap: UFC 300 results: Aljamain Sterling outgrapples Calvin Kattar, wins featherweight debut
Photos: Aljamain Sterling def. Calvin Kattar at UFC 300: Best photos
Records: Kattar (23-8 MMA, 7-6 UFC), Sterling (24-4 MMA, 16-4 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Judging: UFC 300: Official scorecards from Las Vegas

Jiri Prochazka vs. Aleksandar Rakic

Round 1 – Rakic looks noticeably bigger. One minute in, Rakic having success with calf kicks while Prochazka bounces around. No big moments two minutes in. But now Rakic follows up with a couple more calf kicks. Prochazka’s mobility is gonna be compromised if he doesn’t figure this out. Prochazka has a small cut near his right eye, not sure which strike caused it. Best punch with 1:35 left, nice right hand by Rakic. Now another one shortly after. It’s been all Rakic with a minute left. Prochazka and Rakic both land hard punches. And oh boy, Prochazka lands a big rihght hand that stuns Rakic. He misses with a flying knee. Little bit of a moment there for Prochazka near the end, but that round belongs to Rakic 10-9.

Round 2 – Straight right lands early for Rakic. Another one seconds later. Proachazka seems to not care about getting hit, or at least he’s making it seem that way. Dude just keeps bouncing like a ping-pong ball, even with his legs beat up by kicks. And now we have a wild exchange by Prochazka, but Rakic counters nicely. Prochazka lands a head kick followed by a hard punch, he just doesn’t care. It’s reckless abandon from Prochazka. Hurt him now with a right hand. Oh man, Rakic is in trouble! Rakic is down, completely wobbled, and Prochazka is pouring it on for the finish. It’s close, and boom! TKO for Prochazka with a flurry of punches on the mat. Sheesh, Prochazka fought like a MAD MAN, and it worked!

Result: Jiri Prochazka def. Aleksandar Rakic via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:17
Recap: UFC 300 results: Jiri Prochazka goes full samurai, finishes Aleksandar Rakic with relentless ‘storm’
Photos: Jiri Prochazka def. Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 300: Best photos
Records: Prochazka (30-4-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC), Rakic (14-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean

Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage

Round 1 – OK, Brundage comes out with a flying knee and comes at Nickal. Nickal clips a left hook off the top of his head, and then Nickal a bit of a wild exchange, and Nickal decides to shoot for a takedown. Interesting start. Now they’re clinched after about a minute. Nickal gets a brief takedown, but Brundage is right back up against the cage, although he’s given up his back. Nickal isn’t doing much with the position, though, and here come the boos. Just as that happens, Nickal tries for a rear-naked choke, but it’s nothing (yet). Brundage turns onto his back to escape the choke danger, but now it’s a full mount for Nickal. Here come the elbows with about 90 seconds left, already this is the longest fight of Nickal’s career. Nickal gets Brundage’s back again, but he’s isolated his right hand. No threat here for Brundage. Smart play as he makes it through the first round. Nickal takes it 10-9 convincingly, but here comes the first Round 2 of his career.

Round 2 – Nickal lands a body kick early, and Brundage responds with a punch. The just as Brundage throws a kick, Nickal shoots into it, which he didn’t like. He resets and shoots for a takedown, and we’re back to the mat after about 45 seconds. Nickal mount Brundage again, and he’s setting up an arm-triangle. Now Nickal releases it and is throwing some punches. Brundage tries to escape, but he gives up his back, and Nickal is working for a rear-naked choke. He’s got the body lock in, too. And that’s it. Brundage taps out pretty quickly. Nickal immediately stands up and gives himself the thumbs down. Didn’t like his performance apparently. But, hey, he remains unbeaten. A win is a win.

Result: Bo Nickal def. Cody Brundage via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 3:38
Recap: UFC 300 results: Bo Nickal sees second round for first time, but submits Cody Brundage
Photos: Bo Nickal def. Cody Brundage at UFC 300: Best photos
Records: Brundage (10-6 MMA, 4-5 UFC), Nickal (6-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Chris Tognoni

Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan

Round 1 – First big moment 30 seconds in: Tsarukyan goes high kick just as Oliveira goes calf kick, and that drops Tsarukyan to the mat. And Oliveira is in MAJOR trouble now! Tight guillotine choke! But Tsarukyan somehow escapes it, only now he’s trapped in Oliveira’s mount. Things have calmed down with three minutes left, but what a sequence. That was dangerous, and it’s not over. Oliveira still in mount, but whoa, Tsarukyan manages to turn him over. He’s in Oliveira’s guard with 2:30 left. An elbow lands, but now Oliveira has overhooked Tsarukyan’s left arm to mitigate ground-and-pound. With 1:10 left, he let go of the overhooks. Uh oh, as Oliveira goes to push off to escape, he accidentally kicks Tsarukyan in the face while he was still grounded. The kick actually hit his chest first, but it’s still illegal. Tsarukyan being examined by the cageside doctor. It results in just a warning, and they restart in position with Tsarukyan still on top and in guard less than a minute left. Oliveira gets back to his feet and lands a nice knee to the body and an elbow over the top to close out the round. That round goes to Oliveira 10-9 on the basis of the near finish and controlling the entire first half of the round.

Round 2 – Nice right hand by Oliveira to start, but Tsarukyan ate it well. Whoa, an axe kick from Tsarukyan lands. Okaaaay. He’s on the outside and decides to level change, gets Oliveira down briefly, but they’re back on the feet clinched near the fence. Tsarukyan finishes the takedown with three minutes left. He’s in the guard. Let’s see how much damage he can inflict, but Oliveira is sharp with overhooking the arm. He breaks free, though, and Oliveira doing what he can to attack from bottom with elbows. Tsarukyan just misses with some punches, and now they’re chest to chest again. Those overhooks from Oliveira are really mitigating the damage, just one minute left. A couple of elbows get through from Tsarukyan, and now Oliveira is cut and bleeding badly with 20 seconds left. Oliveira locks in a triangle choke, but the horn sounds. This ends up being Tsarukyan’s round 10-9. Anyone’s fight heading into the final frame,

Round 3 – This round starts with some exchanges, then they close distance, but nothing doing form the clinch, so they separate after a minute. It’s anyone’s round with three minutes left. Both guys are being a bit cautious now. Nice body kick from Oliveira. Tsarukyan responds with a high kick that’s blocked and the shoots for a takedown, and he gets it. Not a good position for the former champ to be in, unless he can find a submission. We know he’s capable! Oliveira has a hold of Tsarukyan’s neck, but he had to let it go once knees were hitting his body. Now Tsarukyan has Oliveira’s back, this is tricky with 1:20 left. Not much with the position, but Tsarukyan still has his back with under a minute left. Oliveira escapes, and now he’s working a D’Arce choke! He has it tight. Wow, Tsarukyan survives, and maybe the choke wasn’t that bad since he popped up right at the horn. But that was locked in for a long time and looked dangerous. Hard to score, but I’m going 10-9 Oliveira in that round, and he escapes with a win on my card 29-28.

Result: Arman Tsarukyan def. Charles Oliveira via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Recap: UFC 300 results: Arman Tsarukyan survives Charles Oliveira’s submissions, wins split decision
Photos: Arman Tsarukyan def. Charles Oliveira at UFC 300: Best photos
Records: Oliveira (34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC), Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: UFC 300: Official scorecards from Las Vegas

Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway

Round 1 – Holloway evades the first big right hand thrown by Gaethje. The first strike is a stiff left by Holloway, and Gaethje responds with a calf kick that puts Holloway on the mat for a second. Another left hand lands for Holloway, and Gaethje responds immediately with a overhand right. Holloway left hook stuns Gaethje, but Max doesn’t go in for a finish. It was a nice punch, though. For a five-round fight, no need to blitz. Max staying patient, and he lands a good two-punch combo. Weird moment as Gaethje slips on the canvas while closing distance. The fight ends with a REALLY nice spinning kick from Holloway just as Gaethje closed in at the horn. That was a Holloway round 10-9. It’s possible Gaethje has a broken nose.

Round 2 – That nose has to be broken. Gaethje is a bloody mess. Good round going until Max pokes his eye with 3:30 left, and it was bad. … Gaethje is all good, and we’re back, although Gaethje might have trouble seeing. He’s also probably struggling to breathe, with his nose all bloodied up. Max is one-touching Gaethje, popping in and out. Oh no, ANOTHER eye poke from Max. Damn. Bad thumb in the other eye! But again, Gaethje is back after a very short delay. They restart with about 1:20 left. Max sticking with his plan, but Gaethje lands a nice leg kick that stumbles him briefly. Good response from Holloway with a right hand to the face. Two nice strikes land to end the round for Holloway, who should get that one 10-9.

Round 3 – They exchange kicks to the body in the first minute. Gaethje’s nose doesn’t look so bad. Gaethje lands a nice right, but Holloway responds with a solid left hook. It’s been a pretty crisp Holloway performance so far in this fight with three minutes remaining. Oh boy, a nice right hand from Holloway that stuns Gaethje. Then he follows up with a one-two that staggers Gaethje, who throws hard back but doesn’t land flush. Gaethje does land a leg kick again, and there’s another spinning back kick from Holloway. This round has been a pretty action round. Gaethje is definitely breathing out of his mouth, and it’s because his nose is busted up. Less than a minute left, and Gaethje is wearing the damage on his face while Max still looks pretty clean. Another round to Holloway easy 10-9, and he’s up 30-27.

Round 4 – Struggling to call these “championship rounds” now for the fake BMF title, but that’s where we are now. … Gaethje comes out a little more aggressively to start while Max works the body. Gaethje land a nice right and then throws a big winging one that whiffs. Holloway hurts Gaethje with a stiff right of his, but he again stays patient, no big rush in. Another right hand hits the nose, this has to be tough for Gaethje to breathe. Nice jab by Gaethje that snaps Max’s head back, and now a little bit of redness is on his face. Gaethje misses with an overhand right, and Holloway responds with a nice uppercut. Uh oh, there’s a knockdown for Gaethje! Hard right hand hurts Max, but he covers up and recovers with under a minute left. Max doesn’t necessarily look like he’s fading, but this final round isn’t gonna be easy. Gaethje takes this one 10-9 from me.

Round 5 – Can Max get through these final five minutes without taking the big shot from Gaethje? That’s the question. … First minute is a nice start for Holloway, and then he lands ANOTHER spinning back kick. Nice high-low combo from Holloway, and now a HUGE right hand staggers Gaethje bad. Max keeps throwing and landing near the fence, but my goodness Gaethje handles it and we’re calm again. Holloway definitely tried to finish there but couldn’t get it. We’re at 2:30 left now. Another right hand for Holloway lands nicely. Gaethje is trying to stay close in this final minute. He JUST MISSES with an overhand right as Max kicks to the body. A couple of low kicks from Gaethje in the final 14 seconds, and now Max calls for them to meet in the middle as the wood cracks for the last 10 seconds. Crazy trading! OH MY GOD HOLLOWAY KNOCKED HIM OUT COLD WITH ONE SECOND LEFT!!!!!!!!!!!

Result: Max Holloway def. Justin Gaethje by knockout (punch) – Round 5, 4:59
Recap: UFC 300 results: Max Holloway faceplants Justin Gaethje at final buzzer for all-time violent knockout
Photos: Max Holloway def. Justin Gaethje for BMF title at UFC 300: Best photos
Records: Gaethje (25-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC), Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Marc Goddard
Judging: UFC 300: Official scorecards from Las Vegas

Zhang Weili vs. Yan Xiaonan

Round 1 – Ooh, Yan lands the first nice punch in the early going but then Zhang hits a hard leg kick that stumbles Yan. Now they clinch near the fence, an aggressive start for both women. Back to standing, and Yan is swinging hard as she rushes in. Whoa, nice counter left by Zhang, but Yan takes her down immediately with a trip. Interesting sequence there. Yan decides to stand again. Yan drops Zhang with a stiff right that may have landed on the chest. Zhang pops up, but that was a knockout. With 90 seconds left, Yan looks good. Zhang just tipped the nose on a spinning backfist. That could’ve been brutal. She closes distance, lands a right and then throws Yan to the mat. She’s in side control. Now Zhang has her back, and the rear-naked choke is locked in TIGHT with 10 seconds left. OH MY GOD, she made it back to her feet, SO WOBBLY, and she’s still in this fight. That could’ve been the end of the fight, but she answered. Whoa! Crazy end to the round. 10-9 Zhang with that.

Round 2 – Yan recovered, and so here we go with Round 2. Weili immediately ducks under a hook and takes her back standing and gets Yan to the mat. Yan was about to stand up, but Zhang did an excellent job to use an underhook to get her on her back. Now she’s got side control and probably looking to choke again, but we’ll see. Zhang’s grappling is so good. She has a clear advantage so far. Yan gives up her back and Zhang flattens her out. Now she’s raining down punches. This is getting bad. Wow, Yan somehow survives that onslaught with 1:30 left roughly. Yan is getting beat down badly. Uh oh, now an arm-triangle choke is locked in tight, and Yan is in trouble, but she SOMEHOW escapes and reverses the position. Back to their feet with 30 seconds left. Yan is tough as nails, but that was a 10-8 for Zhang, who is up 20-17.

Round 3 – Nice side kick from Yan puts Zhang down on the mat. She AGAIN knocks down Zhang with a stiff right hand. Zhang isn’t trying to stand up, and Yan is content to keep kicking her legs on the mat. They stalemate after about 20 seconds, and Herzog stands them up. Hard body kick from Zhang, her best moment of this round. But then they both land a nice right hand as they close in. Seems Zhang took the worst of it, and Yan takes her down to the mat out of the clinch. Zhang throws a kick that gets caught, and Yan sweeps the leg. They’re back standing quickly, and Yan is winning with the striking now. Great rebound for her. 10-9 Yan. WE HAVE A FIGHT.

Round 4 – Nice right hand to start the round for Yan, and then ANOTHER one on a counter that drops Zhang briefly. Zhang gets the fight down to the mat now with 3:30 left as she closes distance. She has the back near the cage, too. Could be dangerous. Zhang is being patient, throwing punches from behind, but she seems comfortable to just be in control and not do too much to lose the position. Zhang has control of Yan’s wrist and is just mixing in some soft punches that certainly count, even though they aren’t damaging to the side of the head. Now she has Yan flattened out again. Yan is able to scoot and turn to her back briefly, but the punches make her turn back. Excellent round for Zhang, who takes it 10-9. I have her up 39-36 going into the final frame.

Round 5 – Zhang starts with a head kick that lands, but Yan eats it well. Oh boy, and now Zhang closes in and takes her down. This isn’t where Yan wants to be. SHE NEEDS A FINISH. Now she’s back to her feet with four minutes remaining. Another nice high kick lands, and Zhang follows it up with a takedown. She’s got this under control. Not the most exciting way to end the fight with Zhang just riding her out for three-plus minutes, but she seals the victory with this 10-9. I have it 49-45 in her favor.

Result: Zhang Weili def. Yan Xiaonan via unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-45) – to defend strawweight title
Recap: UFC 300 results: Zhang Weili defends strawweight title in decision win over Yan Xiaonan
Photos:
Records: Weili (25-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC), Xiaonan (17-4 MMA, 8-3 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Jason Herzog
Judging: UFC 300: Official scorecards from Las Vegas

Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill

Round 1 – Leg kicks right away from both men. No real punches in the first minute. Nice body kick from Pereira, but Hill immediately counters with an short right hand. Hill goes high, but Pereira saw it coming and blocked it. Hill landed a kick to the cup of Pereira, and just when Herb Dean was about to intervene for timeout, Pereira pushed him aside and THEN BOOM LEFT HOOK, OVER. What a boss finish from “Poatan.”

Result: Alex Pereira def. Jamahal Hill via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 3:17 – to defend light heavyweight title
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Pereira (10-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC), Hill (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Herb Dean