UFC 254 Khabib vs Gaethje: Preliminary Results

We are inching closer and closer to Khabib vs Gaethje. But, first things first! We had the prelims which kicked things off. Here are the results from the prelims!

Lightweight : Joel Alvarez vs. Alexander Yakovlev

Joel Alvarez def. Alexander Yakovlev via submission (armbar). The first fight of the UFC 254 : Early Prelim card ended pretty quickly. Joel Alvarez, the Spaniard faced Russian, Alexander Yakovlev, in a lightweight bout. The Spaniard emerged victorious via. a first round submission over Yakovlev. The result marked the Spaniard’s 18th win in his professional MMA career.

Round 1

Alvarez began the bout with a leg kick. Yakovlev then attempted a takedown while Alvarez went for a guillotine. Alvarez strengthened his hold, but Yakovlev somehow managed to pull his head out. Alvarez went for an armbar with a good grip. Yakovlev began fading out. Alvarez, still had him locked and got Yakovlev to tap.

Winner – Joel Alvarez def. Alexander Yakovlev via submission (armbar) : Round 1 (03:00)

Women’s Flyweight : Liana Jojua vs. Miranda Maverick

Miranda Maverick def. Liana Jojua via TKO (doctor stoppage). The second fight was a women’s flyweight bout between Georgia’s Liana Jojua and American Miranda Maverick. Liana who found form in her last fight was looking to continue the same against Miranda. But, she was stopped by the dominant and marauding American, Miranda who was on her UFC debut. Miranda came up trumps via TKO (doctor stoppage) after round 1.

Round 1

The powerful Georgian, Jojua began with a big right hand and a combo. And, it landed! Maverick tried to keep Jojua at bay with her stepping sidekicks. Maverick landed a leg kick while Jojua executed another combo. A powerful left hand from Maverick, caused Jojua to bleed. Maverick found her rhythm and came in with a flying kick after landing a combination. Jojua then landed a punch in reply. Maverick went for a body kick followed by a leg kick. Jojua went for a punch and connected it. Maverick then landed two elbows and connected both , the second elbow cut Jojua in her nose and caused Jojua to bleed. The round ended with the doctor coming to have a check. And, he called for an end to the fight. Miranda Maverick shined on her UFC debut.

Winner – Miranda Maverick def. Liana Jojua via TKO (doctor stoppage) : Round 1 (05:00)

Light Heavyweight : Jung Da Un vs. Sam Alvey

Sam Alvey vs. Da Un Jung ends in split draw. Sam Alvey, the American looked to put his four losses on the trot against South Korean, Jung Da Un who was on a 12 match win streak! The hotly contested fight finally ended in an incredible split draw!

Round 1

Jung was the aggressor and he showed so much intent right from the beginning. He landed a kick. And Sam landed one, which was followed by two strong kicks from Jung. Jung executed a combo. They traded punches which failed to land. Sam Alvey landed a kick and a hard left-hand. Sam Alvey held his eye, but the play went on and Alvey began bleeding, but still landed a leg kick. Sam Alvey continued his dominance, landed a leg kick and a jab. The round ended 10-9 Sam Alvey.

Round 2

Jung once again was the aggressor. Jung executed a combo, Sam threw one of his own. Then, Jung landed a leg kick. While Sam Alvey was on a counter-punch spree, Jung landed a big left hook. Alvey than landed a leg kick and executed a quick combo, all while being busted open from the nose. Then Alvey caught Jung with an uppercut, before finishing the round with another combination. 10-9 Alvey

Round 3

Jung began strongly again. He downed Sam Alvey with an elbow. Jung followed it up with punches when Sam tried to get back on his feet. They moved to the fence. Alvey broke free and landed an uppercut. Alvey then landed a brilliant combination, but Jung retaliated as well. Jung connected with a hard elbow, making Alvey wobbly. Towards the end Jung landed another powerful elbow, leaving Alvey in trouble. But the American stayed on his feet and the round ended. 10-8 Jung Da Un

Winner – Sam Alvey vs. Da Un Jung ends in split draw  (28-29, 29-28, 28-28)

Welterweight : Alex Oliveira vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov

Shavkat Rakhmonov def. Alex Oliveira via submission (guillotine choke). Alex “the Cowboy” Oliveira who was on a 2 match win streak, had plans of defeating Kazakh debutant Shavkat Rakhmonov and move higher up in the welterweight division rankings. But, he was stopped by the impressive Kazakh, who ended the fight in the very first round via. a guillotine choke.

Round 1

The tall Kazakh, Shavkat began with a huge punch, but Oliveira evaded it. They traded kicks. Shavkat landed a big right hand. He followed it up with a knee, shuddering Oliveira. The Kazakh, then landed a series of punches. Oliveira tried to come into the contest and landed a knee. The strong and experienced Oliveira had Shavkat by the fence. Oliveira tried to take him down, but unfortunately got caught in Shavkat’s guillotine. With 30 seconds left, Shavkat strengthened his hold and a struggling Oliveira tapped! A stunning debut from the Kazakh!

Winner – Shavkat Rakhmonov def. Alex Oliveira via submission (guillotine choke) : Round 1 (04:40)

Catchweight : Nathaniel Wood vs. Casey Kenney

 Casey Kenney def. Nathaniel Wood via unanimous decision. The American, Casey Kenney who had fought just three weeks ago, took on Englishman Nathaniel Wood. Wood on the other hand recently found form after defeating his previous opponent John Castaneda. But, it was the American who emerged victorious via unanimous decision.

Round 1

Wood landed a kick first followed by a combo. Kenney drew himself in and was met with another right hand. Both the fighters exchanged kicks. While Kenney landed a combo, Wood hit back with an inside leg kick twice. Kenney responded with two kicks. Wood had taken some serious damage already. Kenny tried to land a punch and connected, and he also followed it up with a counter. Kenney kept landing punches. Kenny landed several kicks, before the round ended with Wood landing a punch. 10-9 Kenney

Round 2

Wood began with an inside kick, but Kenney caught him with a big right hand. Wood kicked and connected, while also avoiding a Kenney takedown. Wood connected with a jab. Kenny landed a left hand and then they traded kicks. Wood connected with a left hand of his own. Kenny executed a combo and followed it up with a kick. Wood then took stronghold, before ending the round with several kicks. 10-9 Wood

Round 3

Going into the final round, Kenney landed a punch after both the fighters missed several. Wood landed a left hand. They moved to the fence. Kenney landed a knee to the gut of Wood. Wood attempted a guillotine, fired a combo and tried for a takedown. But, Kenney defended it. Wood again landed a combo. Kenney fired up, landed a straight left. Wood responded with a left hand. The round ended with Kenney attempting a takedown. 10-9 Kenney

Winner – Casey Kenney def. Nathaniel Wood via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Heavyweight : Stefan Struve vs Tai Tuivasa

Tai Tuivasa def. Stefan Struve via TKO (punches) . The tallest fighter in the history of the UFC, Stefan Struve looked to get back on winning track after suffering a loss last year. While, his opponent from Australia also was stuck in a rut. Ultimately, it was the Australian, Tuivasa who got the better of Stefan Struve.

Round 1

Tuivasa began the round with a wild heave and missed. He attempted a takedown at Struve and moved him to the fence. Tuivasa then landed a series of short punches to the head and the body. Struve tried to retaliate with a guillotine but Tuivasa evaded it. Struve landed a kick and a punch. Tuivasa responded with a big right hand. Struve landed a high kick. Tuivasa pushed Struve to the fence again and with ten seconds left Tuivasa landed a barrrage of punches on Struve’ head. Struve, now groggy tried to get back on to his feet and was met with another series of punches and was out. Tuivasa won by TKO!

Winner – Tai Tuivasa def. Stefan Struve via TKO (punches) : Round 1 (04:59)

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