Welcome to Fightful.com's live coverage & discussion for UFC 243. We'll be bringing you full, fight by fight coverage of every bout on the card. You can also send in your feedback on our Disqus boards below!
Main Card (10pm EST., ESPN+)
UFC Middleweight Championship Unification
Israel Adesanya def. Robert Whittaker by KO via strikes (3:33, R2) to become the undisputed UFC Middleweight Champion
#15 Dan Hooker def. #6 Al Iaquinta by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Serghei Spivac def. #14 Tai Tuivasa by submission via arm triangle choke (3:14, R2)
Dhiego Lima def. Luke Jumeau by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Yorgan De Castro def. Justin Tafa by KO via punch (2:10, R1)
Preliminary Card (8pm EST., ESPN 2)
Jake Matthews def. Rostam Akman by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Callan Potter def. Maki Pitolo by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Brad Riddell def. Jamie Mullarkey by unanimous decision (29-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Megan Anderson def. Zarah Fairn by submission via triangle choke (3:57, R1)
Preliminary Card (6:45pm EST., ESPN+)
Ji Yeon Kim def. Nadia Kassem by TKO via strikes (4:59, R2)
Khalid Taha def. Bruno Silva by submission via arm triangle choke (3:00, R3)
Khalid Taha vs. Bruno Silva
Round One: The round begins with Silva attacking Taha with some leg kicks, Taha drops a swinging Silva with a counter left. Silva gets up and he gets Taha against the cage wall, the fighters exchange strikes while in the clinch. The fighters separate and Taha attempts a high kick against Silva, Silva and Taha crack each other with rights. Silva goes for a front kick to the face of Taha, Silva follows that by exchanging body kicks with Taha. Taha stuns Silva with a right hook to the chin, Silva accidentally kicks Taha low and the fight is halted. The fight resumes with Silva going for a roundhouse kick against Taha, Silva grabs Taha and gets him against the cage wall. Silva accidentally nails Taha low again and the fight is halted, the fight resumes with Taha charging forward and swinging away at Silva. Silva gets Taha against the cage wall as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Taha
Round Two: The round begins with Silva attacking Taha with a body kick, Taha drops Silva with a combination. Silva gets up as Taha swings away at him, Silva recovers and he kicks Taha in the midsection. Silva scores a takedown on Taha after eating a few rights, Silva attacks Taha with some ground and pound. Silva postures up and Taha nails him with an up kick, Silva gains the side control position against Taha. Silva then moves into the half guard against Taha, Taha eats more strikes while getting Silva in his full guard. Silva postures up to land strikes and Taha nails him with another up kick, Silva keeps Taha down as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Silva (Overall Score: 19-19 for Draw)
Round Three: The round begins with Silva going for a spinning high kick against Taha, Silva scores a takedown on Taha and he gets the open guard. Taha scrambles to his feet and Silva gets him against the cage wall, Taha attacks Silva with knee strikes and elbow strikes to avoid a takedown. The fighters separate and exchange some kicks, Silva looks for a takedown and Taha stuffs it while landing elbow strikes. Taha gets back control on Silva while landing more strikes, Taha gets full mount on a scrambling Silva and he locks in an arm triangle choke to force a tap out.
Official Result: Khalid Taha def. Bruno Silva by submission via arm triangle choke (3:00, R3)
Nadia Kassem vs. Ji Yeon Kim
Round One: The round begins with Kim dropping a swinging Kassem with a counter left, Kassem gets up and the fighters swing away at each other. Kassem attacks Kim with a bunch of kicks to the midsection, Kassem grabs Kim and gets her against the cage wall. Kassem scores a takedown on Kim and she gets the open guard, Kassem postures up and Kim gets up after creating some space. Kassem grabs Kim and gets her against the cage wall again, the fighters separate and swing away at each other. Kim charges at Kassem while swinging away at her, Kassem then cracks Kim with a superman punch. Kim continues coming forward and swinging away at Kassem, Kassem cracks Kim with some side kicks to the midsection. The fighters briefly clinch and exchange some strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Kassem
Round Two: The round begins with Kim nailing a kicking Kassem with a counter right, Kassem attacks Kim with kicks and jabs. Kim nails Kassem with a combination after eating a right, Kassem uses front kicks to keep Kim at a distance. Kim and Kassem clinch as Kim lands a bunch of rights, Kim clobbers Kassem with a multiple punch combination as Kassem’s mouth piece falls out to halt the fight. The action resumes with Kassem and Kim having a wild striking exchange, Kim backs Kassem into the cage wall while swinging away at her. Kim rocks Kassem with a multiple punch combination, Kim drops Kassem with a pair of body shots and the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Ji Yeon Kim def. Nadia Kassem by TKO via strikes (4:59, R2)
Megan Anderson vs. Zarah Fairn
Round One: The round begins with Fairn charging at Anderson while swinging away at her, Anderson grabs Fairn and gets her against the cage wall. Anderson looks for the takedown while Fairn attacks her with short rights, Anderson scores a takedown on Fairn and she gets the half guard. Anderson gains the full mount against Fairn, Anderson attacks Fairn with some ground and pound. Fairn sweeps Anderson to get top control on the ground, Anderson catches Fairn in a triangle choke and a tap out follows.
Official Result: Megan Anderson def. Zarah Fairn by submission via triangle choke (3:57, R1)
Brad Riddell vs. Jamie Mullarkey
Round One: The round begins with Mullarkey attacking Riddell with some leg kicks, Riddell nails a kicking Mullarkey with a counter right. The fighters start exchanging some combinations, Riddell nails a swinging Mullarkey with a short counter right. Riddell then hits Mullarkey with a step in left hook, Riddell comes forward and he nails Mullarkey with an overhand right. Mullarkey looks for a takedown and Riddell stuffs it. Mullarkey still manages to get Riddell up against the cage wall, the fighters separate and exchange some leg kicks. Riddell then nails Mullarkey with a left to the midsection, Riddell backs up Mullarkey after landing a two punch combination. The fighters take a few swings at each other as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Riddell
Round Two: The round begins with Mullarkey and Riddell exchanging some jabs, Mullarkey looks for a takedown before getting Riddell against the cage wall, Mullarkey scores a takedown on Riddell and Riddell gets right back up. The fighters separate and Riddell nails Mullarkey with a short right, Mullarkey scores another takedown on Riddell and he gets the open guard. Riddell sweeps Mullarkey and he gets top control, Mullarkey scrambles to his feet and he gets Riddell against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Riddell attacks Mullarkey with leg kicks, Riddell rocks Mullarkey with a three punch combination. Mullarkey looks for a takedown and Riddell stuffs it, Mullarkey goes for another takedown and Riddell gets full mount when they hit the ground. Riddell quickly attacks Mullarkey with ground and pound, Riddell advances to back control against Mullarkey. Mullarkey shakes Riddell off of him and he gets top control again as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Riddell (Overall Score: 20-18 for Riddell)
Round Three: The round begins with Riddell attacks Mullarkey with a combination, Riddell follows that up with a knee strike against Mullarkey. Riddell scores a takedown on a swinging Mullarkey and he gets the open guard, Mullarkey scrambles to his feet while Riddell swings away at him. Riddell stuns Mullarkey with a bunch of combinations, Riddell cracks Mullarkey with an elbow strike to the head. Mullarkey rocks a swinging Riddell with a counter left hook, Mullarkey scores a takedown on Riddell and he gets back control. Riddell gets up and he shakes Mullarkey off of him, Riddell rocks Mullarkey again with a three punch combination. Riddell scores a takedown on Mullarkey and he attacks he with a plethora of strikes, Mullarkey scrambles to huis feet and Riddell nails him with another combination. Riddell gets Mullarkey back to the ground while landing more strikes, Riddell gets up and he makes Mullarkey stand as well. Mullarkey and Riddell get into a wild striking exchange in the center of the Octagon, Riddell destroys Mullarkey with another combination. Mullarkey goes for a takedown and Riddell gets top control on the ground, Riddell attacks Mullarkey with more strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-8 for Riddell (Final Score: 30-26 for Riddell)
Official Result: Brad Riddell def. Jamie Mullarkey by unanimous decision (29-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Maki Pitolo vs. Callan Potter
Round One: The round begins with Pitolo nailing a swinging Potter with a counter left, Pitolo starts attacking Potter with some leg kicks. Potter stuns Pitolo after landing a left cross, Pitolo comes forward and he attacks Potter with combinations. Pitolo and Potter get into a wild striking exchange, Potter rocks a swinging Pitolo with a pair of counter lefts. Pitolo scores a takedown on Potter and he gets the open guard, Pitolo transitions to back control on Potter. Pitolo goes for a rear naked choke and Potter escapes the submission attempt to get top control, Pitolo scrambles to his feet and he attempts a guillotine choke on Potter. Potter escapes the choke by taking Pitolo down, both fighters get up and swing wildly at each other. Potter charges at Pitolo and both continue swinging away at each other, Potter gets Pitolo against the cage wall as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Pitolo
Round Two: The round begins with Pitolo attacking Potter with combinations, Potter comes forward and he nails Pitolo with a few strikes. Pitolo nails Potter with a kick to the midsection, Potter starts going after Pitolo by landing leg kicks. Potter backs up Pitolo after landing a knee strike to the midsection, Pitolo cracks Potter with a front kick to the midsection. Pitolo grabs Ptter and gets him against the cage wall, Potter spins Pitolo into the cage wall as they exchange some strikes. The referee separates the fighters for inactivity, the action resumes with the fighters having another wild striking exchange. Potter grabs Pitolo and gets him back against the cage wall, the fighters separate and swing away at each other as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Potter (Overall Score: 19-19 for Draw)
Round Three: The round begins with Potter scoring a takedown on Pitolo and he gets the open guard, Potter looks for back control and Pitolo gets top position on the ground after a scramble. Potter gets up and Pitolo gets him against the cage wall before separating, Pitolo cracks Potter with an uppercut. Potter scores another takedown on Pitolo after eating a punching combination, Potter attacks Pitolo with some ground and pound. Potter keeps top position while landing strikes and the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Potter (Final Score: 29-28 for Potter)
Official Result: Callan Potter def. Maki Pitolo by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Jake Matthews vs. Rostam Akman
Round One: The round begins with Matthews attacking Akman with some leg kicks, Matthews then cracks Akman with a left uppercut. Matthews goes for a high kick and Akman blocks it, Matthews nails Akman with a kick to the midsection while avoiding a left. Matthews comes forward and he attacks Akman with a few rights, Matthews then clips Akman with a pair of lefts. Matthews also catches Akman with a left hook to the midsection, Akman responds by attacking Matthews with a combination. The fighters take a few more swings at each other as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Matthews
Round Two: The round begins with Matthews stunning Akman with a straight right, Akman nails a swinging Matthews with a counter right. Akman and Matthews exchange a few punching combinations, Akman cracks a swinging Matthews with a knee strike. Matthews continues coming forward and attacking Akman with combinations, Matthews nails a swinging Akman with a counter right. Matthews starts going after Akman with leg kicks as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Matthews (Overall Score: 20-18 for Matthews)
Round Three: The round begins with Akman and Matthews taking a few swings at each other, Matthews attacks Akman with a few rights. Matthews starts going after Akman with some leg kicks, Akman eventually nails Matthews with a knee strike. Matthews grabs Akman and gets him against the cage wall, the fighters separate and Matthews exchanges a few strikes with Akman. Matthews cracks a swinging Akman with a counter right hook, the fighters clinch and exchange strikes. Akman drops for a guillotine choke as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Matthews (Final Score: 30-27 for Matthews)
Official Result: Jake Matthews def. Rostam Akman by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Yorgan De Castro vs. Justin Tafa
Round One: The round begins with Tafa cracking a swinging De Castro with a counter left, the fighters quickly get into a wild striking exchange. De Castro then kicks Tafa in the midsection before clinching, Tafa attacks De Castro with a few short rights to the midsection. The fighters separate and De Castro again kicks Tafa in the midsection, Tafa then cracks De Castro with an uppercut. De Castro levels a swinging Tafa with a counter overhand right and Tafa goes out cold.
Official Result: Yorgan De Castro def. Justin Tafa by KO via punch (2:10, R1)
Luke Jumeau vs. Dhiego Lima
Round One: The round begins with Lima attacking Jumeau with a few jabs, Jumeau attacks Lima with some leg kicks. Lima responds by attacking Jumeau with some leg kicks of his own, Jumeau accidentally pokes Lima in the eye and the fight is halted. The fight resumes with the fighters taking a few swings at each other, Jumeau and Lima exchange more leg kicks. Jumeau comes forward and takes a few swings at Lima, Jumeau throws a right as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Lima
Round Two: The round begins with Lima dropping Jumeau with a leg kick, Jumeau gets up and Lima gets him back to the ground a short time later. Jumeau scrambles to get the fight standing again, Lima trips up Jumeau again and he gets him against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Lima attacks Jumeau with more leg kicks, Jumeau stuns Lima with a right and a brief striking exchange breaks out. Lima scores a takedown on Jumeau and he gets the open guard, Lima lands a few strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Lima (Overall Score: 20-18 for Lima)
Round Three: The round begins with Lima attacking Jumeau with a combination, Lima goes back to attacking Jumeau with leg kicks. Lima also uses the jab to keep Jumeau at a distance, Lima then cracks Jumeau with a straight right. Jumeau comes forward and he takes a few swings against Lima, Lima grabs Jumeau and he gets him against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Lima cracks a swinging Jumeau with a counter left, Jumeau comes forward and takes a few swings at Lima. Lima grabs Jumeau and he gets him against the cage wall, the fighters separate and Jumeau throws some leg kicks. The fighters take a few swings at each other as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Lima (Final Score: 30-27 for Lima)
Official Result: Dhiego Lima def. Luke Jumeau by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
#14 Tai Tuivasa vs. Serghei Spivac
Round One: The round begins with Tuivasa dropping Spivac with a leg kick before landing a right, Spivac gets up and he takes a few swings at Tuivasa. Tuivasa backs up Spivac with a multiple punch combination, Spivac scores a takedown on Tuivasa and Tuivasa gets up a short time later. Tuivasa goes back to attacking Spivac with some leg kicks, Tuivasa hits Spivac with a right followed by an elbow strike. Spivac drags Tuivasa to the ground and Tuivasa gets right back up, Spivac scores another takedown on Tuivasa and he gets the half guard. Spivac moves to the side control position on Tuivasa, Tuivasa scrambles to his feet to get the fight standing again. Spivac uses a judo throw takedown to get Tuivasa back to the ground, Tuivasa scrambles to his feet after eating a few strikes. Spivac gets another takedown on Tuivasa and he gets the half guard, Spivac nails Tuivasa with a few strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Spivac
Round Two: The round begins with Spivac attacks Tuivasa with an overhand right, Spivac also attacks Tuivasa with jabs. Spivac scores a takedown on Tuivasa and he gets the half guard, Tuivasa gets up and he cracks Spivac with an elbow strike. Tuivasa starts attacking Spivac with some more leg kicks, Tuivasa and Spivac exchange some rights. Spivac grabs Tuivasa and he gets him against the cage wall, the fighters separate and Spivac lands a short right uppercut. Spivac scores another takedown on Tuivasa and he gets the side control position, Spivac gains the full mount against Tuivasa. Spivac attacks Tuivasa with ground and pound, Spivac gets Tuivasa in the arm triangle choke and Tuivasa goes out cold.
Official Result: Serghei Spivac def. #14 Tai Tuivasa by submission via arm triangle choke (3:14, R2)
#6 Al Iaquinta vs. #15 Dan Hooker
Round One: The round begins with the fighters taking a few swings at each other, Hooker starts attacking Iaquinta with some leg kicks. Iaquinta nails a swinging Hooker with a counter left hook, Iaquinta also nails Hooker with a counter right. Hooker starts landing some combinations against Iaquinta, Hooker briefly drops Iaquinta with a leg kick. Iaquinta looks for a takedown and Hooker mauls him with a ton of elbow strikes, Hooker goes for a guillotine choke and Iaquinta escapes. Hooker winds up getting the full mount on Iaquinta and then back control, Iaquinta scrambles to his feet to get the fight standing again. Hooker briefly drops Iaquinta again with another leg kick, Hooker goes for a high kick as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Hooker
Round Two: The round begins with Hooker peppering Iaquinta with some jabs, Iaquinta comes forward and takes some swings at Hooker. Iaquinta starts attacking Hooker with some leg kicks, Hooker drops a charging Iaquinta with a leg kick and he lets him up afterwards. Iaquinta backs up Hooker after landing a pair of rights, Hooker nails Iaquinta with a kick to the midsection. Hooker follows that up with a left hook against Iaquinta, Iaquinta goes for a takedown and Hooker defends before both get back up. Hooker grabs Iaquinta and gets him up against the cage wall, the fighters separate and Hooker drops Iaquinta with a right. Hooker pounces on a downed Iaquinta with some strikes, Iaquinta rolls for an ankle lock as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Hooker (Overall Score: 20-18 for Hooker)
Round Three: The round begins with Hooker coming forward and taking a few swings at Iaquinta, Hooker goes back to attacking Iaquinta with some leg kicks. Hooker goes for a high kick and Iaquinta blocks it, Iaquinta charges at Hooker while swinging away at him. Hooker nails a swinging Iaquinta with an elbow strike, Iaquinta starts hunting for takedowns against Hooker. Iaquinta comes forward and he cracks Hooker with a short right, Iaquinta then hits a swinging Hooker with a counter left. The fighters swing away at each other as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Hooker (Final Score: 30-27 for Hooker)
Official Result: #15 Dan Hooker def. #6 Al Iaquinta by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
UFC Middleweight Championship Unification
Robert Whittaker (UFC Middleweight Champion) vs. Israel Adesanya (UFC Interim Middleweight Champion)
Round One: The round begins with Whittaker charging at Adesanya and throwing a few lefts, Whittaker comes forward and he swings away at Adesanya. Whittaker briefly stuns Adesanya by landing a short left, Adesanya starts attacking Whittaker with some jabs. Whittaker nails a jabbing Adesanya with an overhand right, Whittaker goes for a high kick and Adesanya avoids it. Whittaker continuously attacks Adesanya with lefts, Whittaker cracks a swinging Adesanya with a counter right. Adesanya starts coming at Whittaker while throwing kicks, Whittaker lands a left after a missed high kick attempt. Whittaker starts landing some leg kicks against Adesanya, Adesanya continues throwing some combos of his own at Whittaker. Adesanya drops a swinging Whittaker with a counter strike as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Adesanya
Round Two: The round begins with Whittaker charging at Adesanya while swinging away at him, Adesanya goes after Whittaker with some leg kicks. Adesanya backs up Whittaker with a kick to the midsection, Adesanya and Whittaker also exchange some jabs. Adesanya rocks Whittaker with a counter right hook, Adesanya attacks Whittaker with a high kick followed by a combination. Whittaker comes forward and he nails Adesanya with a left hook, Whittaker also attempts a few high kicks against Adesanya. Adesanya responds by nailing Whittaker with a short right, Adesanya drops Whittaker with a counter left hook during a striking exchange. Adesanya pounces on a downed Whittaker until the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Israel Adesanya def. Robert Whittaker by KO via strikes (3:33, R2) to become the undisputed UFC Middleweight Champion
