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April 22, 2023 | Posted by Robert Winfree
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MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)
#3 Sergei Pavlovich (260.5 lbs.) vs. #4 Curtis Blaydes (262.5 lbs.)
Bruno Silva (186 lbs.) vs. Brad Tavares (185 lbs.)
Jared Gordon (155.5 lbs.) vs. Bobby Green (156 lbs.)
Iasmin Lucindo (126 lbs.) vs. Brogan Walker (126 lbs.)
Matthew Semelsberger (171 lbs.) vs. Jeremiah Wells (171 lbs.)

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 4:30 p.m. ET)
Christos Giagos (155.5 lbs.) vs. Ricky Glenn (155.5 lbs.)
Montel Jackson (136 lbs.) vs. Rani Yahya (136 lbs.)
Norma Dumont (145 lbs.) vs. Karol Rosa (144.5 lbs.)
Junior Tafa (252 lbs.) vs. Mohammed Usman (239.5 lbs.)
William Gomis (147 lbs.)* vs. Francis Marshall (146 lbs.)
Danaa Batgerel (136 lbs.) vs. Brady Hiestand (136 lbs.)

Hello everyone, and welcome to 411mania’s LIVE coverage of UFC on ESPN+ 80. I’m Robert Winfree, and if you’re reading this live and the first few results are missing that’s because we had to put down our family dog of 11 years today, she turned 15 earlier this year, and the appointment was pretty much when this was scheduled to start. I ask your indulgence and promise that I’ll fill in what’s missing before the full report is posted. Now that I’ve suitably brought down the mood, let’s get to the preview. This isn’t the best Fight Night card in the world but there are some things to look at, firstly the main event between two top heavyweight contenders isn’t a bad fight. Sergei Pavlovich and Curtis Blaydes are both near the title scene, and while there’s still a little ambiguity around the title and the plans for it the winner here could make a very convincing case to fight for the title next. Elsewhere we need a slightly more discerning eye, but Jared Gordon vs. Bobby Green has some serious potential, and Jeremiah Wells vs. Matthew Semelsberger is a couple of trucks running into each other. On the prelims MMA iron man Rani Yahya is in action against Montel Jackson, and we kick everything off with a decent bantamweight fight between Danaa Batgerel and Brady Hiestand. We did lose a fight between Priscilla Cachoeira and Karine Silva after known dirty fighter Cachoeira missed weight by 5 pounds.

UFC on ESPN+ 80 comes to the world from the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. John Gooden, Dominick Cruz, and Paul Felder are on commentary and they’ve proven to be an effective trio in the past. We’re in Nevada so we do have instant replay, which is about the only procedure/rule that varies these days, and we’re in the smaller 25 foot diameter Octagon.

Brady Hiestand has gone 1-1 in the UFC dropping his debut in 2021 but returning a little over a year later to score his first promotional win, now Hiestand is looking to build his first UFC winning streak. Batgerel Danaa has gone 3-3 in the UFC but he’s on a two fight losing streak and needs a win pretty badly if he wants to make any headway in the stacked bantamweight division.

Bantamweight Bout: Danaa Batgerel (12-4, 136 lbs.) vs. Brady Hiestand (6-2, 136 lbs.)

ROUND ONE:

SCORECARD:

ROUND TWO:

SCORECARD:

ROUND THREE:

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Brady Hiestand via TKO, punches, at 4:21 of Round 3

The Final Round Finish Club thanks Mr. Hiestand for his work this afternoon.

Here’s a look at the finish, looks like Danaa was just exhausted by this point.

Francis Marshal is undefeated including a win in his UFC debut late last year, now he’s trying to remain perfect in the cage and prove himself a prospect of note. William Gomis missed weight for this fight, never a good thing, but he hasn’t lost since 2016 including a win in his UFC debut. Gomis would like a win to smooth over the weight gaff plus begin proving himself a notable talent in the division.

Featherweight Bout: William Gomis (11-2, 147 lbs.) vs. Francis Marshall (7-0, 146 lbs.)

ROUND ONE:

SCORECARD:

ROUND TWO:

SCORECARD:

ROUND THREE: Joined near the very end with Marshall on top, landing elbows. He’s in full mount, Gomis is trying to move but he gives up an arm triangle attack. It’s pretty close but there’s short time and Marshall bails to land some more elbows as the clock runs down.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Marshall based on what I saw

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – William Gomis via split decision (28-29, 29-28 x2)

No ability to comment on that one, and no interview for the winner.

Mohammed Usman scored a win in his UFC debut last year and now looks to build his first UFC winning streak in a division that feels perpetually in need of new talent. Junior Tafa is undefeated coming into his UFC debut and has a chance to make a good first impression if he can take out the relatively touted Usman. The odds are with Tafa at a slight -120 to the even +100 for Usman.

Heavyweight Bout: Junior Tafa (4-0, 252 lbs.) vs. Mohammed Usman (8-2, 239.5 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Tafa is an inch taller but Usman has four inches of reach advantage, Tafa is also 8 years younger. They touch gloves to get us going. A bit of feinting from both men, just sizing each other up. Usman tries a takedown against the fence, he has to settle for a clinch. Tafa is trying to use a crossface to keep Usman from making progress, Usman isn’t really addressing it. Some more positional jockeying then Tafa fires a knee as Usman tries a takedown and it partially lands but Usman just retains the clinch and keeps Tafa on the fence. Usman’s striking in the clinch leaves a lot to be desired at the moment. Tafa clobbers Usman with a left hook as they break and Usman is hurt. Tafa swings punches, most of them ugly, going after Usman but can’t close the show yet. Both men miss rights. Elbow from Tafa badly hurts Usman, Usman forces a clinch to stall the momentum of Tafa. Uppercut from Usman as they break then Tafa lands a couple more lefts before the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Tafa

ROUND TWO: Tafa, now fighting southpaw, gets to forward pressure as he stance switches. They trade lefts. Usman’s balance still looks off as Tafa lands a couple of punches. Left hook from Tafa lands then Usman tries a single leg against the fence. Tafa is defending thus far, sneaking in a few punches, but Usman is finally able to switch and run the pipe to finish the takedown into half guard. Usman lands a couple of anemic hammer fists, both men look pretty dead tired. Bit of an elbow from Usman. Not a whole lot happening here. They’ll just waste the last bit of time.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Usman but there’s an argument the other way based on actual impact/damage, 19-19 overall

ROUND THREE: Both men look dead tired. Tafa plods forward, then avoids a double leg attempt. Usman tries another takedown, has to settle for a clinch on the fence. High crotch lift from Usman and he gets Tafa down sitting against the fence. Tafa doesn’t seem to know what he’s doing down here because Usman pretty easily pulls him flat on the mat and resumes controlling. A few short blows from Usman but he’s content to control and ride this out. Tafa hits a weird sweep and looks to stand but Usman is laying on his back in the ride. Tafa is up and chest to chest again but he’s got to get out of the clinch. A few short elbows from Tafa land as he’s defending a single leg. Uppercut from Tafa rocks Usman, then a right hand but he can’t secure a knockdown.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Tafa because he was the only one actually doing damage but could go to Usman, 29-28 Tafa overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Mohammed Usman via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

No issues with Usman getting the decision. No interview for the winner, looks like we’re a little pressed for time I guess.

Karol Rosa has gone 5-1 in the UFC and given that featherweight doesn’t even have rankings on the women’s side of things one has to imagine a win might set her up in the title discussion, assuming the featherweight title even continues to exist that much longer. Norma Dumont has gone 4-2 in the UFC but she could likewise make a case for a shot at getting in the cage with Amanda Nunes if she can win here. This one is another close fight, but the odds are with Dumont at -115 against -105 on Rosa.

Women’s Featherweight Bout: Norma Dumont (8-2, 145 lbs.) vs. Karol Rosa (16-4, 144.5 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Dumont is two inches taller while Rosa has half an inch of reach advantage. They touch gloves to get us going. A little feinting from both women. Not a whole lot going on here as Dumont starts switching her stance. They both miss punches, clinch, then Dumont lands a knee before they break. Bit of an inside leg kick from Dumont. Not a whole lot happening and the small crowd at the Apex is getting restless. Bit of a left from Rosa, Dumont with a left hand counter. Calf kick from Dumont. Dumont lands another calf kick. They clinch and hit the fence where Dumont looks for head position and fires a few knees. A few more knees from Dumont, Rosa seems kind of stuck at the moment. The ref breaks them up because things had stalled out. Both women swing punches in close. Dumont lands a left hook. They punch then tie up and trade knees as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Dumont

ROUND TWO: Dumont looks to jab as they get started. Rosa throws the same combination every time, let’s see if Dumont can pick up on it. They trade punches in close, Dumont seems to have more firepower and lands a couple more punches then forces a clinch on the fence. There’s a cut around the left eye of Rosa, it looks like that cut is under the eyebrow, might actually be near the eyelid which is very dangerous. Some knees go back and forth. Short elbow from Dumont. More knees from Dumont then a left hand as they break. Counter one two from Dumont lands after Rosa fell short, then Rosa clinches up on the fence. Rosa is looking for foot sweeps or trips but hasn’t found one yet. They fight for position for a bit, with a few knees going back and forth but nothing much is happening. They break and swing but tie up again as the round ends.

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

ROUND THREE: Dumont lands an inside leg kick, then a calf kick. Rosa blocks a head kick. Bit of a knee from Rosa. Dumont lands a leg kick. Both women miss rights. Dumont jabs the body. Rosa lands a right hand to counter a leg kick. Right from Dumont then they tie up, and Dumont pushes Rosa into the fence. Some knees from Dumont but again things are stalling. Rosa is able to spin Dumont into the fence. Headlock throw from Dumont then she stands free and they reset. They trade rights. One two from Rosa drops Dumont bounces up and into a clinch. Rosa lands an elbow in the clinch. They start trading some knees then Dumont lands an elbow as she spins Rosa into the fence. They break with a right from Dumont. Bit of a right from Rosa. They clinch again, Rosa hits a hip toss but Dumont wall walks and they end the round with a spinning elbow from Rosa.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Rosa, 29-28 Dumont overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Norma Dumont via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Pity that Rosa didn’t start doing stuff until the last round, but if you win two of the three rounds you win the fight and Dumont won the first couple of rounds. Again a decision, so no interview.

Rani Yahya has been fighting since way back in 2002, he’s 5-1-1 in his last seven fights and is on a three fight unbeaten streak but he’s been out of action since November of 2021. As retirement has to be looming for Yahya he’s on the lookout for a few more feel good moments before hanging up the gloves. Montel Jackson has gone 6-2 in the UFC and is on his second three fight winning streak during that time, a win here would be one of the higher profile of his career given Yahya’s respected status and might signify Jackson is ready to take a step up in class next time. Jackson is a very big favorite at -600 against +450 for Yahya.

Bantamweight Bout: Montel Jackson (12-2, 136 lbs.) vs. Rani Yahya (28-10-1 1 NC, 136 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Jackson is four inches taller, has eight and a half inches of reach advantage, and is 8 years younger. Southpaw for Jackson and they trade some leg kicks while circling. Yahya doing a bit of stance switching. Bit of a left from Jackson who has started pressing forward. Single leg from Yahya, it takes a bit but he does get things to the fence. Yahya winds up pulling a version of half guard then moves to full guard. Jackson is looking to free his right arm and get out of the guard but Yahya has his arm very tied up. Jackson does get the arm free and lands a right hand then is able to pull free and reset on the feet. Bit of a body kick from Jackson. Yahya lands a glancing right hook. More kicks from Jackson, then he catches Yahya coming in with a combination of punches, Yahya drops and Jackson gets on top to land enough punches to put him out.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Montel Jackson via KO, punches, at 3:42 of Round 1

The First Round Finish Club thanks Mr. Jackson for his work this evening. Mic time for Jackson, he was ready for the lunging from Yahya and prepared to counter. He says the fights are easy compared to training and fighting on the streets, so everything in here carries less stakes. Asked about the future he just says be on the lookout for him in the future.

This is a really nice slide backward then counter cross from Jackson. Yahya reaches too far trying to close distance with his right hand, and doing that against the opposite stance fighter can leave you very open for just this counter. It’s especially bad when facing opposite stance because it’s the power hand lining up instead of the lead.

Ricky Glenn has gone 1-1-1 in his last three fights and he’s coming off of a draw, Glenn has also been out of action since October of 2021 and is looking to get back on the winning side of things as he gets back to action. Christos Giagos has gone 2-3 in his last five fights and is on a two fight losing streak, he needs a win pretty badly if he wants to maintain his roster spot. The odds are with Glenn at -155 to +135 on Giagos.

Lightweight Bout: Christos Giagos (19-10, 155.5 lbs.) vs. Ricky Glenn (22-6-2, 155.5 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Glenn is two inches taller while Giagos has an inch of reach advantage. Southpaw for Glenn. Giagos comes out looking to kick and lands a couple of solid ones. Right to the body from Giagos. Glenn is coming forward but he’s not cutting the cage off very well. A left hook from Giagos locks up Glenn and Glenn falls over face forward then Giagos jumps on him as the ref jumps in to stop things.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Christos Giagos via KO, punches, at 1:35 of Round 1

The First Round Finish Club thanks Mr. Giagos for his work this evening. Mic time for Giagos who is quite excited, he jokes about wanting to wrestle but not getting around to it because his hands are powerful. He knows he was coming off of two losses but he also never turns down fights, he’ll fight whoever is next and puts over his new team before giving love to his wife and kid back home.

Here’s the finish. Giagos lands this left hook right on the temple of Glenn and Glenn locks up before falling forward, I know Glenn wasn’t thrilled with the stoppage but when you fall like that it usually prompts the stoppage.

Jeremiah Wells has gone 3-0 in the UFC and is on a five fight winning streak, if he can extend that success here he might prove himself ready for a step up going forward. Matthew Semelsberger has gone 6-2 in the UFC and he’s coming off of a pretty big win over Jake Matthews, if he can get another winning streak going here it might well be Semelsberger who takes another step up in class. This one closed at a -110 pick ’em.

Welterweight Bout: Matthew Semelsberger (11-4, 171 lbs.) vs. Jeremiah Wells (11-2-1, 171 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Semelsberger is four inches taller but has just one inch of reach advantage. Semelsberger hits a right hand to get things started. Both men land rights in close but Semelsberger drops Wells and unloads with punches as Wells fights up to his feet. Wells is still hurt but keeps moving and trying to tie up, he winds up looking for a single leg against the fence. Semelsberger lands an elbow to the head that seems to hurt Wells again but Wells is able to grab the clinch and stall things out. Foot sweep from Wells and he gets on top in full guard. Semelsberger closes his guard and starts looking to set up a wall walk but Wells is able to keep good position. Some punches from Wells land, Semelsberger off of his back isn’t looking too compelling. Semelsberger tries to kick Wells off, he gets up and is able to fight into a clinch. They break briefly then Wells drops to hit a double leg and gets it back into full guard. Some punches from Wells now as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Semelsberger but you could easily go the other way

ROUND TWO: Semelsberger stalks forward as the round begins. A couple of hooks from Semelsberger drop Wells again, he gets on top this time into full guard. Some punches from Semelsberger as Wells wall walks then they separate. Both men miss rights. They tie up, then Semelsberger tosses Wells off and they get back to distance. Wells lands a right hand. Right from Semelsberger seems to wobble Wells but Wells hits a double leg and gets on top in full guard. Short elbow from Semelsberger off of his back. Wells lands a couple of short punches. Elbow from Wells, then a couple more to follow. Semelsberger rolls but Wells pretty easily moves with him and gets back on top in full guard. Wells with another couple of elbows to end the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Semelsberger but again could go either way, 20-18 Semelsberger overall

ROUND THREE: Semelsberger presses forward again and lands a right hand. Wells tries a flying knee that partially lands. Wells forces a clinch that hits the fence. Semelsberger reaches for a switch as Wells tries a double leg, Wells is able to lift and slam Semelsberger down into full guard. Semelsberger kicks Wells off but gets tackled back down right away. Wells passes to half guard. Semelsberger bucks and goes for a leg lock, it forces a scramble but Wells is able to get back on top in half guard. Semelsberger sweeps again and this time he’s able to get up, though Wells is still attached to him and forces things to the fence. Wells is doggedly going for a double leg, Semelsberger grabs at a kimura to threaten as they sink to the mat. Semelsberger loses his grip on the kimura and Wells lands a few punches then passes to half guard. Semelsberger is fighting to get a triangle choke now, it’s pretty close in position but the fence is complicating things and Wells is able to get his head free and move to side control. Wells lands a punch but Semelsberger stands in the clinch. Another takedown from Wells back into full guard and that’s where the round will end.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Wells, 29-28 Semelsberger overall but it probably hinges on the second round

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Jeremiah Wells via split decision (28-29, 30-27 x2)

I don’t hate Wells winning, I don’t agree with 30-27 though as Semelsberger should have taken the first. Mic time for Wells who says he wasn’t that hurt, it was like a hard day of sparring and he kept his composure and got the win. Asked what he wants next he’d like a top 15 opponent.

Iasmin Lucindo had a seven fight winning streak snapped in her UFC debut, now she’s back and trying to get that all important first UFC win under her belt. Brogan Walker lost her UFC debut back in August of 2022, she’s trying to bounce back here and get that first taste of UFC success. The odds are pretty solidly with Lucindo at -360 to a +295 comeback for Walker.

Women’s Flyweight Bout: Iasmin Lucindo (13-5, 126 lbs.) vs. Brogan Walker (7-3, 126 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Walker has an inch of height and reach, she’s also 13 years older. They touch gloves, Walker fighting southpaw. Lucindo lands a right hand. Some stance switching from Walker now as they move. A body kick from Luncido lands, Walker didn’t like that one. Bit of a head kick from Walker but Lucindo fires back with a combination of punches. Lucindo stalks forward and lands a right hand. A body kick then a right hand from Lucindo staggers Walker. Both women miss punches, then Walker misses a spinning kick. Walker lands a left but again it’s one and done allowing Lucindo to land a bevy of counters. Lucindo misses a spinning back fist. Bit of a combination from Lucindo then they’ll stare away the final seconds.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Lucindo

ROUND TWO: Both women come out looking to kick again. Walker lands a front kick then a leg kick. Lucindo misses a spinning back fist. Both women miss punches in close. Both women land rights. Lucindo misses a right then lands a spinning back kick. Walker avoids a spinning back fist and grabs a clinch then forces Lucindo to the fence. Some knees from Walker. Knees go back and forth now then they break apart. Lucindo lands a right hand. Another right from Lucindo, she’s starting to land a bit more often now. They tie up again and Lucindo hits a trip to land on top. Quick wall walk from Walker but Lucindo tosses her back down and gets on top in full mount. Lucindo with a few punches from mount to close the round.

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

ROUND THREE: Both women miss some kicks. Spinning back kick from Lucindo lands. Lucindo lands a one two. Both women land punches. Lucindo is doing a lot of spinning attacks, Walker just can’t find counters. Combination from Lucindo then a spinning back fist. A right from Lucindo lands. Lucindo lands a body kick. Walker tries to tie up but can’t maintain the clinch. They trade power hand punches then Lucindo lands a few follow ups while Walker is still just one and done. There’s a cut around the left eyebrow of Walker, not a bad one but it’s there. Lucindo swings a couple of hooks, then eats a knee before pulling away from a clinch. Lucindo catches a kick and trips Walker, but Walker lands an up kick then regains her feet. They get close and trade, then Lucindo hits a takedown into full mount as the round ends.

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

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

Mic time for Lucindo and the translator, she gives glory to God but that’s apparently all the time they have for her.

Bobby Green has gone 2-4 in his last six fights and is currently on a two fight losing streak, the fan friendly veteran needs a win here as with over 40 fights and on the wrong end of the 35 year old mark talk of retirement has to be in his near future. Jared Gordon has gone 4-2 in his last six fights, most recently he lost a decision to Paddy Pimblett that was a pretty terrible decision if we’re being honest. Gordon is trying to avoid his first losing streak since 2018 by taking out Green here. The odds are with Green at -260 while the +220 payout on Gordon might be a tempting value bet.

Lightweight Bout: Jared Gordon (19-6, 155.5 lbs.) vs. Bobby Green (29-14-1, 156 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Green is an inch taller with three inches of reach advantage. Green starts pushing forward right away. Gordon lands a leg kick. Green jabs the body. A lot of stance switching already from Green. Gordon keeps chopping with leg kicks as he circles. Left then a right from Green. Gordon lands a left of his own. Green lands a jab. Both men land in close, then Green lands a front kick. A right from Gordon lands. Green lands a left to the body then they trade hooks. They both land in close again. We get a clash of kicks and Green took one low but doesn’t want time so they’re back to fighting very quickly. Green lands a right hand. Front kick from Green, then a couple of jabs. Gordon lands a left hand. One two from Green connects. They clash and Gordon drops, that might have been a clash of heads or a right hand from Green and I’m not sure which, but Green gets on top and unloads with rights to put Gordon out.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – No Contest, clash of heads, at 4:35 of Round 1

We’re waiting to see if the clash of heads played into things and how they might rule. The refs and commission officials are getting their heads together to figure this out, they’ve decided that the clash of heads pretty much caused the ending so we’ve got a No Contest. No one is happy about this, but Green and Gordon don’t seem upset at each other.

Here’s the clash of heads, Green is looking for a lead elbow but open stances lead to heads banging pretty often.

Brad Tavares has gone 2-3 in his last five fights which has seen him fall out of the top 15 rankings for the first time in several years, now Tavares is trying to avoid another losing streak while proving he’s still a viable top middleweight. Bruno Silva has gone 3-2 in the UFC but he’s on a two fight losing streak and if he drops three in a row here it might be a pretty bad indicator of his ceiling in the sport and promotion. Tavares is your -165 favorite to +140 for Silva.

Middleweight Bout: Bruno Silva (22-8, 186 lbs.) vs. Brad Tavares (19-7, 185 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Tavares is an inch taller but the reach is identical. Southpaw for Silva, and they touch gloves to get us going. Bit of a left from Silva in close. Silva is stalking forward, he lands a leg kick. Tavares lands a body kick. Bit of a left hook from Tavares in close. Silva is starting to show some stance switches. Both men miss punches in close. Silva lands a body kick. One two from Silva. Tavares lands a body kick. Both men land power hand punches. Tavares is pushing forward at the moment and he’s starting to find the openings in Silva’s defense. Another body kick from Tavares. Silva lands a right hand. A right hand from Silva staggers Tavares, he’s after him but Tavares is able to fight back. Silva with another right then a knee before he drops Silva with a right hand. Silva gets on top and swings but the ref is in stopping this. Tavares is not happy with that stoppage.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Bruno Silva via TKO, punches, at 3:35 of Round 1

The First Round Finish Club thanks Mr. Silva for his work this evening. Mic time for Silva and the translator, he plays with the crowd a bit in English and says he’s happy before switching to Portuguese to put over Tavares and notes this was the 20th knockout of his career. He says getting hit that hard wasn’t part of the plan but he was well prepared for Tavares. To close he gives love to his family and says he wants a post fight bonus.

Here’s the finish. Silva had been showing southpaw most of the fight, so he takes the chance after landing a right knee to land back in orthodox which opens up a nice punching lane for his right hand that Tavares doesn’t seem to be expecting. Tavares wasn’t thrilled with the stoppage, and I can see why, but I can also live with this stoppage personally.

Sergei Pavlovich has gone 5-1 in the UFC and is on a five fight winning streak, his only loss ever as a professional was his UFC debut when he fought Alistair Overeem. Pavlovich is creeping up on a title shot and if he’s able to get a win tonight he’d be the de facto next title challenger. Curtis Blaydes has only ever lost to Francis Ngannou and Derrick Lewis, he’s been near the title a few times before but has stumbled in some way or another but a win here would all but secure his title shot next. Blaydes closed as the -155 favorite to +135 on Pavlovich.

Heavyweight Bout: #3 Sergei Pavlovich (17-1, 260.5 lbs.) vs. #4 Curtis Blaydes (17-3 1 NC, 262.5 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Blaydes is an inch taller while Pavlovich has four inches of reach advantage. They touch gloves to get things going. Both men with some hand feinting as they move around. A little bit of stance switching from Blaydes. Glancing uppercut from Pavlovich, Blaydes responds with a right. Both men land jabs then they trade rights. Pavlovich lands a right hand. Blaydes is poking at Pavlovich with his right hand. Inside leg kick from Blaydes. Calf kick from Blaydes. A right from Pavlovich drops Blaydes briefly but he bounces back up. They keep splitting jabs while circling. A jab from Pavlovich wobbles Blaydes, he backs him to the fence and looks to unload but Blaydes isn’t that hurt yet. Blaydes tries a double leg but Pavlovich sprawls easily. Pavlovich lands another stiff jab, Blaydes is starting to shut down in there. Pavlovich with a right hand that puts Blaydes out on his feet, Blaydes half reaches for a takedown but Pavlovich keeps punching and the ref jumps in to stop things.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Sergei Pavlovich via KO, punches, at 3:08 of Round 1

The First Round Finish Club thanks Mr. Pavlovich for his work this evening. Mic time for Pavlovich after his sixth knockout in a row, and the translator is here as well. Pavlovich thanks everyone for their support and says he hopes for a bonus then wants a shot at the title. Asked to expound on the title picture he puts over Blaydes and says he stopped the takedowns here from Blaydes. He again makes a case for a bonus then talks us through the finish noting he was prepared for the improved striking of Blaydes but that also meant Blaydes was a little less likely to shoot on him.

Well on that note, UFC on ESPN+ 80 comes to a close. Thank you for reading, be that live or after the fact, and we’ll unpack all of the results from this tomorrow on the 411 Ground and Pound MMA Podcast. The UFC will be back in action next week with a card headlined by a pretty good bantamweight fight between Song Yadong and Ricky Simon, and that means you’ll be able to find me here as well. Until then thank you again, stay safe out there, and keep checking 411mania for all of your pop culture needs.

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