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May 15, 2021 | Posted by Robert Winfree
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MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)
#3 Charles Oliveira (155 lbs.) vs. #4 Michael Chandler (155 lbs.) – for vacant lightweight title
#9 Beneil Dariush (156 lbs.) vs. #5 Tony Ferguson (156 lbs.)
Rogerio Bontorin (137 lbs.)* vs. Matt Schnell (136 lbs.)
#7 Viviane Araujo (126 lbs.) vs. #2 Katlyn Chookagian (126 lbs.)
#13 Edson Barboza (146 lbs.) vs. #9 Shane Burgos (146 lbs.)

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET)
Andre Muniz (186 lbs.) vs. Ronaldo Souza (186 lbs.)
Mike Grundy (146 lbs.) vs. Lando Vannata (146 lbs.)
Jamie Pickett (186 lbs.) vs. Jordan Wright (185 lbs.)
#11 Andrea Lee (126 lbs.) vs. #12 Antonina Shevchenko (125 lbs.)

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 6:30 p.m. ET)
Priscila Cachoeira (126 lbs.) vs. Gina Mazany (126 lbs.)
Kevin Aguilar (145 lbs.) vs. Tucker Lutz (146 lbs.)
Christos Giagos (156 lbs.) vs. Sean Soriano (156 lbs.)


Hello everyone and welcome to 411mania’s LIVE coverage of UFC 262, I’m Robert Winfree and I’ll be your host for the evening. Tonight the UFC will crown a new lightweight champion after finally vacating the title in the wake of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement. Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler will battle the surging veteran Charles Oliveira, both men getting their first title shots in the UFC tonight. Now there’s a real chance that whoever wins this is just keeping the belt warm for Dustin Poirier, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Elsewhere on this card we’ve got a surefire banger between Tony Ferguson and Beneil Dariush as they battle for position in the title picture, and another bit of guaranteed chaos when Shane Burgos meets Edson Barboza. That really should be enough to sell on the violence potential this card has.

UFC 262 comes to the world from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, USA. On commentary we have Jon Anik, Joe Rogan, and Daniel Cormier. As for the rules, we are not under the new rules so anything but the soles of your feet on the mat means you’re downed, the scoring criteria is the older and worse one, and there’s no instant replay in effect. Come on Texas, get with the times. Also we’re back in the 30 foot cage so keep that in mind.

Christos Giagos has gone 3-2 in his second UFC stint and is coming off of a win. Giagos is looking for his second UFC winning streak and trying to make headway in the deepest division the UFC has to offer. Sean Soriano went 0-3 in the UFC back in 2014-15 and was cut, now he’s returning on the back of a three fight winning streak and is trying to get his first UFC win. Giagos is the favorite at -200 to a +170 comeback on Soriano.

Lightweight Bout: Christos Giagos (18-8, 156 lbs.) vs. Sean Soriano (14-6, 156 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Giagos is an inch taller and has an inch and a half of reach advantage. Some early stance switching from Giagos, and god dammit the “woo’s” start right away. Giagos lands a right that stumbles Soriano. Soriano lands a hard calf kick. Giagos tires a single leg against the fence, nearly gets it but Soriano back up and slips free. Bit of a right from Giagos again. They trade hooks in close, Soriano then lands a right that stuns Giagos. A left from Soriano and Giagos is really wobbly on his feet. We get an eye poke to Soriano and we’ve got time out. Replay confirms the poke, Soriano took about 30 seconds then we’re back to fighting. Counter right from Soriano stuns Giagos then a calf kick. Giagos lands a leg kick. Body kick from Soriano, he’s the superior technician thus far. Both men land left hooks in close, but Soriano is the one who follows up. Another leg kick and right hand for Soriano, he’s finding openings with some regularity. Left hook from Soriano in close then a knee but he slips trying a head kick, fortunately he’s back up quickly. Body kick from Giagos then a double leg against the fence and the round ends on the mat.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Soriano

ROUND TWO: Giagos lands a right at distance. Both men land hooks, then Soriano lands a calf kick. Giagos gets a takedown, they scramble briefly then Giagos winds up in side control. Soriano to his knees, Giagos wraps up a d’arce choke and puts Soriano to sleep with it.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Christos Giagos via Technical Submission, D’arce choke, at :59 of Round 2

Mic time for Giagos, he brings up the improved 75 thousand dollar bonus for this event and felt motivated. He puts over his coaches, then talks us through the finish noting he uses a lot of chokes from the front headlock. He says if Donald Cerrone is looking for his retirement fight Giagos has been a big fan of his for a long time and would love to meet him in the cage.

Giagos uses a bit of a deep half nelson position to break the grip Soriano has on a single leg, that’s not showed as much in this clip, then transitions to the d’arce when Soriano doesn’t address the hand position. Smooth and lovely work from Giagos.

Kevin Aguilar had a good winning streak going up until 2019, but now he’s on a three fight losing streak and pretty badly needs to turn things around tonight. Tucker Lutz brings an 11 fight winning streak into his UFC debut, and if he can take out a respected fighter like Aguilar he’ll be making a significant statement about his intentions in the promotion. The odds are close but lean towards Lutz at -120 to -105 on Aguilar.

Featherweight Bout: Kevin Aguilar (17-4, 145 lbs.) vs. Tucker Lutz (11-1, 146 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Lutz is an inch taller while Aguilar has an inch of reach advantage. They touch gloves to get us going. Lutz showing kicks early, Aguilar with a bit of a right. Some stance switching from Lutz now, Aguilar is fighting in blitzes thus far. They clinch up and trade knees before breaking. Aguilar lands a left. A few longer lefts from Aguilar land, then a left hook to counter a body shot. Lutz with a bit of a body kick. They trade left hooks, Lutz landed better of the two. Leg kick from Lutz, but he eats a couple of jabs in response. Both men land in close. Lutz lands a right uppercut. That left from Lutz is dialed in at this point, and he uses it to set up a double leg and lands in the guard of Aguilar. They get to the fence, Lutz with ground and pound while Aguilar just kind of holds on throwing punches from his back. Aguilar starts his wall walk as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Lutz

ROUND TWO: Aguilar comes in for a blitz, and eats a left hook. Both men firing kicks, they get close and trade punches again. Both men land left hooks in close, Aguilar follows up with a right. Blitz from Lutz almost all lands, then Aguilar lands on the back end of the combination. Hard left hook from Lutz, he almost can’t miss with it. They clinch up, Aguilar drives things to the fence and starts looking for a takedown. Lutz defends and spins Aguilar to the fence before they break. Leg kick from Lutz, Aguilar responds with a right. Aguilar lands a body shot in close, but eats a counter knee. Lutz with a right after taking a left, then gets a slightly modified knee tap takedown into full guard. Aguilar pushes Lutz off and is able to regain his feet. Some leg kicks from Lutz, then a left hand. They clinch up, hit the fence, and end the round right after they break.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Lutz, 20-18 Lutz overall

ROUND THREE: Aguilar lands a left hook to start the round, he knows he needs a finish. Lutz lands a combination of punches. Both men land lefts but Aguilar is finally making this ugly. Uppercut from Lutz and we get some RoadHouse style brawling from both men. Aguilar lands another right and avoids a clinch. Lutz lands a left but takes another right hand. Lutz avoids a right and gets a double leg into full guard. It takes a bit but Aguilar is able to wall walk and separate. Lutz lands a right to the body. Aguilar defends a takedown attempt. Double leg from Aguilar hits the fence and they clinch up. They break free without much incident. Lutz with a few long distance punches then a calf kick. Hard left from Lutz lands, Aguilar returns it this time. Another left from Aguilar, he’s running out of time though. A final blitz from Aguilar partially lands but he wont find the finish he needed.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Lutz but the closest of the fight, 30-27 Lutz overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Tucker Lutz via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

Mic time for Lutz after the win, he says losing rounds makes him mad even when he wins and puts over Aguilar as a monster. He thanks his team for all their work, his pregnant wife who he calls the real winner, and plans to keep working.

Gina Mazany has gone 3-4 in the UFC, she’s coming off of a win though and is trying to get her first UFC winning streak and elevate her UFC record to the .500 mark. Priscila Cachoeira broke a three fight losing streak in her last fight, now she’s trying to get her first UFC winning streak up and running. Mazany is your favorite at -210 to a +175 comeback on Cachoeira.

Women’s Flyweight Bout: Priscila Cachoeira (9-3, 126 lbs.) vs. Gina Mazany (7-4, 126 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Mazany is an inch taller but has three and a half inches of reach advantage. Southpaw for Mazany. Cachoeira stalking forward, Mazany circling and showing the jab. Both women punch in close then separate. Left from Mazany, she pushes Cachoeira to the fence and they clinch up. Nice little trip from Mazany and she lands in side control against the fence. Mazany puts herself in half guard to prevent a wall walk and starts stripping the posting limbs. Cachoeira eventually wall walks, with a fence grab, but Mazany trips her back down again into half guard. A few short elbows from Mazany land. Some punches from Mazany but she’s not finding a ton of damage thus far. Cachoeira is trying to set up a wall walk but Mazany forces he back down into leg drag position. Some rights from Mazany as Cachoeira tries another wall walk. Cachoeira is up but can’t get free. They trade knees and punches then break. Cachoeira clinches again, Mazany lands some knees to the body, eats a few punches, then Mazany gets a takedown into half guard. Elbows from Mazany but again, she’s not exactly an offensive machine on top. The round ends in that spot.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Mazany

ROUND TWO: Front kick to the body from Mazany, I’m surprised she hasn’t done more of that. Takedown from Mazany into half guard in open space. Rights from Mazany. Cachoeira to her knees, but Mazany jumps to her back and has both hooks in, Cachoeira explodes into her and winds up on bottom again in full guard. Mazany postures up, lands an elbow. A bit more ground and pound from Mazany, but there’s not a lot going on and the ref stands them up. Mazany lands a body kick. Bad takedown attempt from Mazany is defended. Mazany lands another body kick, and eats a counter right. That same sequence again, and Cachoeira defends a few takedown attempts. Mazany looks dead tired, she’s got no drive on her takedowns. Cachoeira lands a right, and takes a body kick. They get close and swing wild punches, then clinch up again. They break without much incident. Cachoeira lands a couple of rights. More rights from Cachoeira, she unloads on the fence until the ref stops things.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Priscilla Cachoeira via TKO, punches, at 4:51 of Round 2

Mic time for Cachoeira after the win, she feels safe and confident in Gods hands. She knew Mazany would grapple her but once she started defending and landing offense she knew Mazany would fade and melt. To close she dedicates the win to all of her family members and fighting team.

Mazany is just dead tired here, and taking punches without the ability to fight back. Good stoppage all things considered.

That does it for early prelims, we’re on ESPN and ESPN+ for the rest of the prelims.

Andrea Lee has gone 3-3 in the UFC but is currently on a three fight losing streak, that’s somewhat mitigated by two of those being close split decisions but it does put her in kind of a must win scenario here. Antonina Shevchenko has traded wins and losses while going 3-2 in the UFC, she’s coming off of a win though and is hoping to break that pattern by getting her first UFC winning streak tonight. Shevchenko is your favorite at -120 to +100 on Lee.

Women’s Flyweight Bout: #11 Andrea Lee (11-5, 126 lbs.) vs. #12 Antonina Shevchenko (9-2, 125 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Shevchenko is two inches taller while Lee has two and a half inches of reach advantage. Southpaw for Shevchenko. Lee comes out kicking. Bit of a body kick from Lee. Lee lands a right. Another right from Lee in close, she’s got a decent angle on that punch. Lee avoids a spinning back fist and clinches Shevchenko into the fence. Knees from Lee then a bit of an elbow as they break. A couple of lefts from Lee land. They punch into another clinch and trade in there with knees and short punches. Some solid knees to the body from Shevchenko as they hit the fence then break. Shevchenko lands a one two. A few rights from Lee then a body kick. Lee lands a couple of high kicks that rock Shevchenko, they clinch up though and hit the fence. Inside trip from Lee and she lands in full guard. Bit of an elbow from Lee as she works to posture up. They’ll end the round in that position with an elbow from Lee.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Lee

ROUND TWO: Bit of a right from Lee, then a spinning back fist, Shevchenko nearly gets the back but there’s an arm throw from Lee another scramble then another judo throw from Lee to land in side control. Elbows from Lee as she moves to the mounted crucifix. Shevchenko gets her arm back but gives up a mounted triangle, Lee rolls to lock up the triangle choke then lays in elbows to the head while trying to fully compress the choke. Shevchenko keeps trying to fight for every bit of space she can get, Lee isn’t really working to finish properly just yet. Lee with some elbows to the head, she finally gets the proper angle, switches to an armbar then back to the triangle. Lee tries pulling the head but again the angle isn’t great. More elbows from Lee but she’s really not putting the choke on properly. Lee attacks the arm, tucks it behind her hip and finally gets the tap just before the end of the round.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Andrea Lee via Submission, triangle armbar, at 4:52 of Round 2

Mic time for Lee, she notes she lost her last time in Texas and it feels good to win then hopes she gets a post fight bonus. She talks us through the finish, noting how defensive Shevchenko was about the choke but when she heard the 10 second warning she figured she’d go for something and found the arm.

Here’s the finish. There’s a lot of things Lee doesn’t quite do right to lock up the choke, but she hits an angle here then isolates the arm of Shevchenko, tucks it behind her arm and pops the hips to force the tap.

Jordan Wright has gone 1-1 in the UFC but is coming off of a loss to Joaquin Buckley, he’s trying to avoid his first ever losing streak and get his UFC record above the .500 mark. Jamie Pickett dropped his UFC debut in his prior fight, he’s looking to bounce back from that loss and get that all important first UFC win. The odds closed at a -110 pick ’em.

Middleweight Bout: Jamie Pickett (11-5, 186 lbs.) vs. Jordan Wright (11-1 1 NC, 185 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: These two are the same height while Pickett has three inches of reach advantage. Pickett fighting southpaw. Both men land right hands. Both men land body kicks then they clinch up. Wright with a knee to the body then starts working elbows while Pickett is after a takedown, those hurt Pickett and Wright unloads as Pickett stands. A wild flurry from Wright, he lands a knee from a Thai clinch that floors Pickett and he unloads from side control on the mat until the ref steps in. A slightly late stoppage from where I sit.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Jordan Wright via TKO, hammer fists and punches, at 1:04 of Round 1

The First Round Finish Club thanks Mr. Wright for his work this evening. Wright on the mic now, he notes this is his first UFC fight in front of a crowd and thanks them. He talks us through the finish, reminds us all that he’s won every fight by finish, then thanks God and his parents as well as his team.

Wright just does not give Pickett space to breathe, hurts him with elbows in the clinch then relentlessly pursues him until he pounds him out on the mat.

Lando Vannata has the incredibly odd UFC record of 3-5-2, he’s coming off of a loss but has never lost two in a row before and is hoping to get back on the winning side of things when he makes his featherweight debut tonight. Mike Grundy has gone 1-1 in the UFC and is coming off of a loss to rising prospect Movsar Evloev, he’s trying to avoid his first ever losing streak as well. The odds are close but favor Grundy at -120 to an even +100 for Vannata.

Featherweight Bout: Mike Grundy (12-2, 146 lbs.) vs. Lando Vannata (11-5-2, 146 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Vannata is two inches taller while Grundy has an inch of reach. Grundy opens southpaw. Bit of a right from Vannata. Some stance switching from Grundy, both men still just getting a feel for the fight, and both men showing different stances. Grundy tries a takedown, they clinch up on the fence and both throw knees but Vannata takes one to the groin so we’ve got a timeout. Vannata takes about 40 seconds then we’re back to fighting. Bit of a right then a high kick from Vannata. Grundy avoids some offense, then tries a takedown after getting kicked in the groin but gets it. They scramble on the mat, Vannata with a Granby roll but Grundy stays with him. Single leg attempt from Grundy but Vannata limp legs free and separates. Knee to the body from Vannata then a right hook. Grundy ducks a kick and gets a takedown, Vannata wall walks and lands elbows while Grundy is looking for a single leg. Grundy has slipped around to the back standing, Vannata breaks the grip and spins free. Vannata lands a right then a front kick to the body. Grundy avoids a wheel kick. Grundy avoids a high kick, tries a double leg but has to settle for the clinch for a moment before Vannata breaks free. Some excellent defense and separation skills from Vannata. A fight has apparently broken out in the stands. Vannata lands a right hook as Grundy tries a takedown and they hit the fence again. Again Vannata is able to get free. Front kick from Vannata closes the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Vannata

ROUND TWO: Vannata comes out punching and feinting. Grundy wants a single leg, gets the back standing but can’t quite finish the takedown yet. Knee from Grundy lands as they break. Vannata lands a combination of punches. Jabs now from Vannata. Vannata lands a front kick to the body and avoids a takedown attempt. Both men land rights. Grundy is running out of ideas, he does finally land a right hand flush. Vannata defends a single leg and lands a knee to the body. A couple of lefts from Vannata, then a counter right hook. Bit of a combination from Vannata. They trade rights again, then Vannata avoids a takedown attempt. Combination from Vannata ends with a head kick that partially lands. Vannata is really flowing well at this point. Grundy lands another right but he’s not putting punches together. Another head kick from Vannata then a front kick to the body. They just kind of stare away the final seconds.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Vannata, 20-18 Vannata overall

ROUND THREE: Grundy immediately tries a takedown after taking a calf kick, Vananta defends and separates. Right from Grundy lands. Vannata with an uppercut in close. Stepping knee from Vannata, Grundy gets a double leg against the fence but Vannata bounces up, Grundy switches to a front headlock and snaps Vannata down. Vannata looks to stand, Grundy is kind of working on an anaconda choke but his body is all wrong and Vannata slams him from a body lock into guard. Grundy wall walks and they separate. Vannata with a front kick to the body. Another body kick from Vannata, Grundy snipes him with a right. Knee to the head from Vannata and he avoids a takedown attempt. Bit of a right from Vannata, Grundy returns it. Grundy blocks a high kick. Both men miss punches and then reposition. Vannata lands another front kick to the body. Grundy with a bit of a left but he’s getting chewed up at range. Body kick from Grundy, he tries a low single leg but Vannata defends. One two then a body kick land for Vannata. They trade in close as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Vannata, 30-27 Vannata overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Lando Vannata via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 30-27)

There’s no way to give Grundy all three rounds, that’s just craziness. Mic time for Vannata, he plays with the crowd then says the scorecards had him second guessing his whole life before saying he likes how he feels featherweight and plans to stay here. He calls this the easiest weight cut of his UFC career and can’t wait to get back in here.

Ronaldo Souza was one of the best middleweight’s in the world for several years, but now as he’s over 40 he’s lost his last three fights and was stopped in his most recent one. Souza could very well be fighting for his job in this fight as a four fight skid at his age probably means his walking papers. Andre Muniz is on a six fight winning streak including two wins in the UFC, Souza represents the biggest name he’s ever faced but a win would likewise be the biggest of his career. We’ve got a close one here but Souza is slightly favored at -125 to +105 for Muniz.

Middleweight Bout: Andre Muniz (20-4, 186 lbs.) vs. Ronaldo Souza (26-9 1 NC, 186 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: These two are the same height, Muniz has six inches of reach advantage and Muniz is 10 years younger. Southpaw for Muniz, and they touch gloves to get us going. A lot of hand fighting from both men. Souza lands a body kick. Muniz lands an inside leg kick, but eats a body kick and then Souza shoots a double leg into the fence. Souza gets a takedown, looks to mount the legs and lands some lefts to the head while standing. Hammer fist from Souza, he’s laying in damage from top position before Muniz kicks him off and regains his feet. Double leg from Muniz and he lands in Souza’s guard. Souza to his knees and stands while Muniz gets the back standing. They get chest to chest then break. Souza blocks a high kick. Muniz with another double leg, Souza quickly kicks him off and stands but they remain clinched. Muniz jumps for the back, but he’s too high, nearly falling off but he grabs the arm as he’s going and breaks the arm of Souza to force a stoppage.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Andre Muniz via Technical Submission, armbar, at 3:59 of Round 1

The First Round Finish Club thanks Mr. Muniz for his work this evening. Technical because Souza didn’t tap, the ref saw the break and stopped it. Mic time for Muniz, he thanks the fans for coming out and puts over Souza as one of his idols but he’s here to stay and wants a top 15 opponent next. He says he heard the snap and let go out of respect, and knowing that he could have caused even more damage. Muniz watches the finish and talks us through it, then to close he dedicates the win to the people of his home town.

Here’s the finish. The break is audible if you’re curious to hear it. Souza just gets a little lax with his right arm trying to toss Muniz over the top and Muniz snatches it up.

That’s it for preliminary action, on to PPV for the main card.

Shane Burgos has been out of action for a little under a year, his last time out he had a great fight in a losing effort against Josh Emmett to snap a three fight winning streak. Burgos is looking to rebound from that loss and get arguably the biggest win of his career when he battles one of MMA’s human highlight reels. Edson Barboza just broke a three fight losing streak when he bested Makwan Amirkhani, but the man has his finishes all over the UFC’s sizzle reel. Barboza is hoping to move into the top ten rankings if he can get by the very tough Burgos tonight. The odds are with Burgos at -150 to +125 on Barboza.

Featherweight Bout: #13 Edson Barboza (21-9, 146 lbs.) vs. #9 Shane Burgos (13-2, 146 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: These two are the same height while Burgos has half an inch of reach over Barboza. Barboza opens with a couple of calf kicks. Burgos coming forward and rips a few hard body shots then eats a right. Barboza lands a leg kick. Burgos with a combination, Barboza lands a leg kick. Burgos is still coming forward, the jabs he’s landed have some swelling around the eyes of Barboza. Body shot from Burgos. Barboza lands another calf kick. Burgos is landing his jab, Barboza with a spinning back kick to the body. Barboza lands a body kick, and takes a counter right. Burgos is good about finding body shots when they exit a pocket exchange. More body shots from Burgos and he’s pressing the action. They trade left hooks, then Barboza lands another leg kick. Barboza back to the body with a combination. Stiff jab from Burgos. Wheel kick from Barboza lands, Burgos just smiles at him. They trade rights, then a jab from Barboza stumbles Burgos for a second. Burgos lands a leg kick. Barboza finds a right hand counter. More leg kicks from Barboza. Left hook from Burgos then a front kick to the body will close out the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Barboza

ROUND TWO: Burgos back to forward pressure as the round starts. Hard right from Burgos. Barboza lands a leg kick. Front kick to the body from Burgos. Barboza with a spinning back kick to the body. A couple of body shots from Burgos. Barboza’s right shin is bleeding, not sure what cut it but you can see it. Bit of a right from Burgos. They trade in close, then Barboza lands a left hook. Burgos lands a front kick to the body. That front kick from Burgos is troubling Barboza a bit, he doesn’t like it. Burgos lands a left to the body. Left hook from Burgos then he lands a calf kick. Inside leg kick from Burgos. Burgos lands a right then a left to the body. Barboza again with the spinning back kick to the body. Barboza lands a calf kick but eats a body shot and right hand. Burgos with a calf kick. They split a few jabs, then Burgos lands another leg kick. Barboza lands a left to the body then a right. Burgos lands a jab. Another series of body shots from Burgos, those are adding up. Burgos avoids a wheel kick, then lands a calf kick as the last blow of the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Burgos, 19-19 overall

ROUND THREE: They both come out kicking to start the last round. Leg kick from Burgos. Bit of an uppercut from Barboza but the pressure from Burgos is getting to him. Burgos lands a left hook then an inside leg kick. Barboza lands a jab, then takes a calf kick. Burgos lands a front kick to the body then a right. One two from Barboza hurts Burgos, he staggers backwards and was pretty much out on his feet then falls against the fence for the finish.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Edson Barboza via TKO, punches, at 1:16 of Round 3

The Final Round Finish Club thanks Mr. Barboza for his work this evening. Mic time for Barboza, he’s happy to have won and points out how beat up he is then lobbies for a Fight of the Night bonus. Barboza calls himself 3-0 at featherweight, that’s not accurate as he lost his debut fight, but he says he’s coming for everyone in the division.

Here’s the finish. It’s rare you see a delayed reaction to this degree on a head shot, but Barboza times a right over the jab of Burgos. Burgos tries to keep it going but his legs give out and Barboza isn’t about to let him off the hook.

Katlyn Chookagian has had a mostly successful UFC tenure, but lately that’s been marred by going just 2-2 in her last four. That record is somewhat tempered by those losses coming to Valentina Shevchenko in a title fight and former champion Jessica Andrade, but neither of those fights were really competitive and if Chookagian wants to get another crack at the gold she’ll need not just a win but a statement kind of performance. Viviane Araujo has gone 4-1 in the UFC, she’s on a two fight winning streak and given the incredibly shallow list of contenders at flyweight if she can get by Chookagian she could well find herself getting a title shot. Chookagian is the favorite at -140 to +115 on Araujo.

Women’s Flyweight Bout: #7 Viviane Araujo (10-2, 126 lbs.) vs. #2 Katlyn Chookagian (15-4, 126 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Chookagian is five inches taller but the reach is identical. Araujo lands a right to the body. Bit of a jab from Araujo. Chookagian is falling short with most of her offense so far, but that’s kind of par for the course. Araujo lands to the body then a left hook to the head. Araujo avoids some offense then lands a left. Another left hook from Araujo. One two from Araujo, she’s landing consistently. Right from Araujo lands. Chookagian lands a front kick to the body. Araujo digs the body again a few times. Bit of a high kick from Chookagian. Araujo gets a bit of a left. Right to the body from Araujo. Araujo lands a left to the body. A few front kicks from Chookagian. Araujo to the body again, then forces a clinch on the fence. Some punches from Araujo, Chookagian lands a few knees. The round ends with them trading in the clinch.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Araujo

ROUND TWO: Araujo lands a left. They trade lefts again. Chookagian lands a front kick. Araujo with a counter left. Chookagian avoids some wide hooks. Araujo lands to the body. Body kick from Chookagian is caught, Araujo gets a takedown into side control. Chookagian gets half guard but Araujo is after a front choke. Araujo moves towards the mount holding a one arm guillotine, she’s pounding the body trying to set up the pass. Full mount for Araujo but she loses the choke grip. Chookagian is holding the upper body trying to control posture, Araujo gives her the foot so she can get 2/4 mount. Araujo is after an arm triangle choke, she wont get it and Chookagian is able to scramble up and lands a knee. Araujo lands a left hook. Chookagian lands a right hand, Araujo might be gassed. They trade some lefts. Araujo lands a left hook but she’s still stuck in the mud. A Chookagian front kick to the body closes the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Araujo, 20-18 Araujo overall

ROUND THREE: They touch gloves for the final round. Araujo seems to have found her energy again. Chookagian with a bit of a left. Body shot from Araujo. Chookagian misses some jabs. Bit of a left hook from Araujo. Chookagian keeps missing her jab but she’s keeping Araujo at bay with it. Araujo lands a right to the body, Chookagian lands a right hook. They trade some lefts. Chookagian lands some jabs while backing away. Bit of a combination from Chookagian. Araujo lands a right. Another right from Araujo lands. Bit of a left high kick from Chookagian. Araujo tries a double leg, can’t get it and eats a knee on the break. Chookagian lands a right hand. They trade lefts. Chookagian throws a lot, if she could land more often she’d be a problem but her accuracy is still poor. Araujo lands a solid right hand. A Chookagian jab closes the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Chookagian, 29-28 Araujov overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Katlyn Chookagian via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

30-27? That’s just wrong on so many levels. Mic time for Chookagian, she thought she deserved to win the decision and the takedown in the second annoyed her and she really turned it up after that.

Matt Schnell has gone 5-1 in his last six fights, he’s coming off of a win as well and if he can get another win tonight he could be in line for a step up in competition for his next fight. Rogerion Bontorin missed weight for this fight and is on a two fight losing streak, he could be fighting for his job here and at a bare minimum needs a win to help smooth over the weight gaff. Schnell is your favorite at -165 to +135 for Bontorin.

Bantamweight Bout: Rogerio Bontorin (16-3 1 NC, 137 lbs.) vs. Matt Schnell (15-5, 136 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Schnell has three inches of height and reach over Bontorin. Schnell looking to jab as the round gets going, Bontorin circling. Both men feinting, Schnell lands a bit of a one two. Bontorin checks a leg kick. Calf kick from Schnell. Combination from Schnell in close. Bontorin lands a leg kick. Some lefts go back and forth. Schnell lands a body kick. Bontorin lands a couple of solid punches. Schnell lands a left hook. Hard calf kick from Bontorin. Another calf kick from Bontorin, those are adding up quickly. Left hook from Schnell stuns Bontorin for a moment. Combination from Schnell in close. Bontorin lands a calf kick, that lead leg of Schnell is in trouble. Schnell lands a body kick, Bontorin has gone southpaw for some reason. Schnell avoids a left hand as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Bontorin

ROUND TWO: Schnell lands a bit of a head kick. Right from Schnell lands. Calf kicks are traded. A few Schnell kicks fall short. Schnell lands a left, as does Bontorin. Bontorin lands a calf kick. Schnell with a left hook in close, his combination work is quite good. Left from Schnell lands. Bontorin eats a left hook. They trade left hooks. Schnell lands a right in close. Combination from Schnell then some jabs. Schnell lands a right. Another right from Schnell in close then a body kick. Bontorin lands a right of his own. Bit of a left from Bontorin. Bontorin lands a combination that seems to stagger Schnell for a second. Schnell digs the body several times in close and Bontorin misses a knee as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Schnell but a close one, 19-19 overall

ROUND THREE: Bontorin lands a leg kick. Schnell with a few lefts then a combination. Left from Schnell, Bontorin lands a calf kick. A couple of rights from Schnell in close. Bit of a right from Bontorin. Bontorin lands a calf kick. Schnell lands a right, then a combination in close. Bit of a combination from Schnell. Combination from Bontorin backs Schnell into the fence, he lands a flying knee then gets a takedown into full guard. Bit of an elbow from Bontorin. Bontorin passes on a triangle attempt into side control. Schnell gets to his knees, Bontorin lands blows from the ride position. Granby roll from Schnell, Bontorin still on top as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Bontorin, 29-28 Bontorin overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Rogerio Bontorin via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27 x2)

Bontorin gets an interview, he says he planned for more grappling but couldn’t find it early. Asked about the weight miss he says he’s never missed weight before and apologizes for it.

Tony Ferguson was one of the best lightweights in the world for several years, but last year he went 0-2 and neither fight was necessarily competitive with Justin Gaethje stopping him in the fifth round and Charles Oliveira dominating all three rounds as well as nearly breaking his arm in the first. Ferguson still has title aspirations, and if he wants to make good on those he cannot afford a third loss in a row. Beneil Dariush has a six fight winning streak going that has seen him climb the rankings at lightweight, but if he can get a win over Ferguson tonight it would be the biggest of his career and should see him get into the title picture. With both streaks being taken into consideration Dariush is a slight favorite at -160 while the +130 comeback on Ferguson is a tempting value bet.

Lightweight Bout: #9 Beneil Dariush (20-4-1, 156 lbs.) vs. #5 Tony Ferguson (25-5, 156 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Ferguson is an inch taller and has four and a half inches of reach advantage. Dariush fights southpaw, Ferguson will do a lot of stance switching. Dariush lands a left early. Ferguson trying to find a way in with movement. Leg kick from Dariush then a left hand. Ferguson avoids a couple of lefts. Hard left from Dariush, he’s pressing forward relentlessly. Dariush lands a leg kick, he’s aiming at the back leg not the front one. They trade punches in close, Dariush goes for a double leg and gets it into half guard. Illegal up kick from Ferguson, Dariush just eats it and keeps going. Ferguson is working rubber guard but Dariush is pressuring to the weak side of it. Some elbows from Ferguson. Ferguson gets full guard, Dariush unloads with punches and elbows while looking to pass. Dariush moves to half guard and lands some lefts. Ferguson looks to invert, Dariush reads it and lands punches while retaining top position. Dariush moves to half guard, lands a few lefts. They’ll end the round in that spot.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Dariush

ROUND TWO: Ferguson feinting again as the round starts. Dariush lands a leg kick. Left from Dariush, then he punches into a clinch and gets a takedown. Ferguson is after a d’arce choke but the arm of Dariush is kind of safe and the fence is limiting the motion options. Ferguson is looking for an angle on the choke but the body lock Dariush has is going to stop that. Dariush gets his head free and lands punches from full guard. A few punches from Dariush sneak through the defense of Ferguson. Dariush passes to half guard and starts looking for another pass. Ferguson sweeps but can’t get free, nearly gives up his back and they wind up in 50-50 guard fishing for leg locks. Dariush gets an inside heel hook and cranks, Ferguson is visibly in pain but wont tap and Dariush bails to get on top. That inside heel hook almost certainly cause damage as FErguson gets full guard. Dariush with some punches and looking to pass. Ferguson gets full guard but Dariush passes again immediately. Full mount for Dariush, then side control as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Dariush, 20-18 Dariush overall

ROUND THREE: Ferguson’s left leg is seriously compromised by that heel hook. Dariush punches into a takedown attempt, Ferguson is after a guillotine but loses the position on the takedown and Dariush is on top in north-south. Things are stalling in the position, Dariush lands some body shots. Dariush moves towards side control, the crowd chants for a stand up demonstrating their ignorance. Some punches from Dariush and he moves to side control. Dariush back to north-south, then side control on the other side. Ferguson tries a d’arce from the bottom but there’s nothing there for him. Dariush is setting up a north-south choke, stiches towards mount but loses it against the fence and settles into full guard. Side control again for Dariush, he’s passing all over Ferguson at this point. Some lefts from Dariush as Ferguson fights to re-guard. A final flurry from Dariush closes the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Dariush, 30-27 Dariush overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Beneil Dariush via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

Hard to over state that win for Dariush, he completely shut Ferguson down and probably tore his knee to pieces. Mic time for Dariush, he’s very happy and thanks God first and foremost then dedicates the fight to everyone hurt by Marxists ideologies, he knows millions have been hurt by it and he loves them and understands their pain. Next he calls out Elon Musk, he’s got a kid due in a month now and wants a car. Going through the heel hook he say she heard a big pop but Ferguson no sold it and is basically a zombie. Asked who he’d like next he says he’s finally in the conversation after 20 fights in the UFC, he’d love to fight in a title eliminator soon but notes the forthcoming birth of his daughter is going to mess with his timing.

Here’s the heel hook from the second round. Ferguson’s knee is damaged in some way after that, it just has to be.

Charles Oliveira is on an eight fight winning streak and coming off of the aforementioned win over Tony Ferguson. Oliveira has been with the UFC since 2010 but is currently showing his best form coming into his first title shot. Michael Chandler is on a three fight winning streak and is 6-1 in his last seven fights, he scored a memorable knockout win in his UFC debut earlier this year and now finds himself contending for the vacant lightweight title. The odds are close but lean towards Oliveira at -135 to +110 on Chandler.

Lightweight Title Bout: #3 Charles Oliveira (30-8 1 NC, 155 lbs.) vs. #4 Michael Chandler (22-5, 155 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Oliveira is two inches taller and has two and a half inches of reach over Chandler. They touch gloves, Oliveira then lands a couple of calf kicks but takes a few body shots. Chandler looking to jab his way in close. Oliveira avoids a few power punches. Chandler lands a left hook, Oliveira tries a double leg but Chandler grabs a tight guillotine. Oliveira takes a second but does get his head free. Chandler looks to stand, Oliveira gets his back with both hooks in. Chandler up and slams backwards, which just lets Oliveira get a body triangle. Oliveira is cut on the right eyebrow, he lands an elbow and is trying to open up the choke. Chandler explodes into Oliveira then pulls free and stands over Oliveira. Some body shots from Chandler as he stands, then a leg kick. Oliveira back up and eats a right. Chandler with a left hook, then a right, another and he’s got Oliveira down. Oliveira to his back, Chandler punches him and goes into his guard. More punches from Chandler and an elbow. Another elbow from Chandler lands. Chandler lands a right, he passes to side control but Oliveira quickly hip escapes to full guard. Chandler stands over Oliveira, lands another punch as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Chandler

ROUND TWO: Bit of a jab from Chandler, Oliveira the drops him with a left hook. Oliveira with another left along the fence, he drops Chandler and pounds him out with lefts along the fence.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER and NEW UFC Lightweight Champion – Charles Oliveira via TKO, punches, at :19 of Round 2

This sport is so wild, Oliviera has now the longest time in the UFC to win a UFC title surpassing Michael Bisping, and Oliveira has also surpassed Donald Cerrone in terms of all time finishes in the UFC with that one. Oliveira is in tears as he’s got the belt, he can barely be corralled for his interview. He wanted to show he’s the best in the weight class, and says he predicted the knockout win. He feels he’s the man at lightweight, puts over Chandler as a great champion but this was his night. Asked how badly he was hurt in the first he says it can rain stones but the stones are going to come back. He notes he took all the pressure Chandler could apply and still won, then dedicates the win to God, and thanks Houston and Brazil.

Chandler gets an interview, he says Oliveira came back from serious adversity and is the real deal, but he’ll be back and will wear that belt within 12 months. He puts over Oliveira’s consistency, but he plans on running it back eventually.

Well on that somewhat wild note UFC 261 comes to a close. We’ll unpack all the action from this event tomorrow on the 411 Ground and Pound Podcast, plus look ahead to next week when Rob Font clashes with former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt. I’ll be back next week for that event, and I hope you will be as well. Until nex time everyone stay safe out there, and keep checking 411mania for all of your pop culture needs.

article topics :

UFC 262, Robert Winfree