Welcome to Fightful.com's results, live coverage, and discussion for UFC Vegas 66: Cannonier vs. Strickland.
We will bring you live play-by-play for UFC Vegas 66's main card and full results for the rest of tonight's card. Scroll down to the Disqus boards below and chat with fellow MMA fans during the event.
Results
Main Card (ESPN+, 7:00 p.m. EDT/4:00 p.m. PDT)
- (#3) Jared Cannonier def. (#7) Sean Strickland via split-decision (49-46, 46-49, 49-46)
- (#9) Arman Tsarukyan def. (#12) Damir Ismagulov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- (#8) Amir Albazi def. Alessandro Costa via KO (uppercut) (2:13, R3)
- Alex Caceres def. Julian Erosa via TKO (strikes) (3:04, R1)
- Drew Dober def. Bobby Green via KO (punch) (2:45, R2)
Prelims (ESPN+, 4:00 p.m. EDT/1:00 p.m. PDT)
- Michel Oleksiejczuk def. Cody Brundage via TKO (strikes) (3:16, R1)
- Cory McKenna def. Cheyanne Vlismas via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Matthew Semelsberger def. Jake Matthews via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- (#15) Said Nurmagomedov def. Saidyokub Kakhramonov via submission (guillotine choke) (3:50, R2)
- Rafa Garcia def. Maheshate via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Rinat Fakhretdinov def. Bryan Battle via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-27)
- (#12) Manel Kape def. (#9) David Dvorak via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Sergey Morozov def. Journey Newson via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Play-by-Play
(#3) Jared Cannonier vs. (#7) Sean Strickland
Round One - A slow and steady pace starts this one off. Cannonier with a pair of low kicks opens the action. Cannonier lands a straight right then another low kick. Strickland pops the jab then lands a straight left. Cannonier rips a hook to the body but slips and Strickland rushes down but Cannonier scrambles to his feet but Strickland stays attached and clinches Cannonier against the fence. Cannonier forces the break and lands a thunderous kick to Strickland's lead leg that gets an audible gasp from the crowd inside the UFC Apex. Cannonier lands yet another leg kick, then ANOTHER and they're starting to pile up for the former title challenger as Strickland is switching up his stances quite a bit now. Cannonier lands a straight left to the body and the horn sounds to send this one to round number two.
Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Cannonier.
Round Two - Another slow start to the round as Cannonier goes right back to the well with another leg kick, which is his 10th per the UFC on ESPN+ broadcast. Cannonier quicky lands his 11th leg kick before landing a nice straight right to the body. Cannonier partially lands a right hook that followed yet another lead leg kick for the Alaska-native. Strickland lands a left hook, which is his clear best shot of the bout, thus far. Strickland lets off a flurry and connects with a straight right, which gets Cannonier backing up. Strickland pops the jab but eats a big overhand right from Cannonier at the buzzer and this one is headed to round number three.
Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Cannonier. 20-18, Cannonier, after two rounds.
Round Three - Cannonier opens the action with a straight right to the body but nearly falls down after a leg kick attempt is checked by Strickland. Cannonier lands a 1-2, then a straight right and 'The Killa Gorrilla' is seemingly starting to find his range. Another 1-2 lands for Cannonier, then a straight right to the body, followed by a right hook back up top and the pieces are starting to be put together for Cannonier. Strickland lands a 1-2, then whiffs on a front kick at the horn and this one is headed to main event rounds.
Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Cannonier. 30-27, Cannonier, after three rounds.
Round Four - A 1-2 lands for Strickland to start round number four. Strickland lands a left hook, which gets Cannonier to retreat for just a moment before coming back with a pair of lead leg kicks. Cannonier lands a straight left to the body and Strickland lands a counter right hook. Another heavy low kick lands for Cannonier, as does an overhand left and a side kick to the body as Cannonier is really mixing things up nicely as this fight progresses. Strickland lands a side kick to the body, then a front kick to the body as well. Strickland lands a 1-2, Cannonier comes back with a left hook that lands and Strickland clinches but Cannonier shoves Strickland back. Cannonier lands a straight right, then a left hook and a jab. Cannonier lands a straight left to the body and Strickland lands a counter right hook at the buzzer and this one is headed to the fifth and final round.
Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Cannonier. 40-36, Cannonier, after four rounds.
Round Five - Strickland's corner was extremely vocal to him ahead of the final round as it appears as if Strickland may need a fifth round stoppage to steal a victory in this one. Strickland comes out the aggressor and drills Cannonier with a right hook, then a 1-2. Cannonier jabs, Strickland sticks Cannonier with a straight left but Cannonier wallops Strickland with a right hook. Strickland comes back with a 1-2, Cannonier lands a low kick and a follow up 1-2 that stuns Strickland. Cannonier jabs and cracks Strickland with a right hook and Strickland's nose begins to leak with about two minutes remaining in the bout. Cannonier lands a straight left to the body, then jabs and Strickland's nose is busted open pretty badly now. Cannonier ducks under an overhand right from Strickland and throws a wild spinning backfist but can't connect as the final minute of the bout approaches. Strickland lands a 1-2, Cannonier partially lands an overhand right, Strickland throws a hail mary head kick, then another, but neither land, and another head kick at the horn for Strickland can't find a home and the horn sounds to send this one to the judge's scorecards.
Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Cannonier. 50-45, Cannonier total.
Result: (#3) Jared Cannonier def. (#7) Sean Strickland via split-decision (49-46, 46-49, 49-46)
(#9) Arman Tsarukyan vs. (#12) Damir Ismagulov
Round One - Perhaps the most anticipated bout of the evening is officially underway. Ismagulov opens the action with a low kick and Tsarukyan lands one of his own, then another. Tsarukyan with a side kick to the body, Ismagulov lands another kick to the lead leg of Tsarukyan but Tsarukyan drags Ismagulov down to the mat with a perfectly timed takedown. Ismagulov works his way back to his feet, Tsarukyan stays latched on and goes for a suplex but Ismagulov holds his balance. Tsarukyan refuses to break the hold and trips Ismagulov to the mat but the latter pops right back up to his feet as Tsarukyan reapplies the clinch and now has Ismagulov pressed against the cage. Tsarukyan tries to slam Ismagulov but Ismagulov slides to the side and ends up with top control. Tsarukyan explodes back to his feet and clinches Ismagulov yet again with about a minute left in the round. Ismagulov is able to break the clinch and circles back to the center of the octagon but the horn sounds to end the opening frame.
Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Tsarukyan.
Round Two - Tsarukyan opens round number two with a side kick to the body. Ismagulov lands a body kick of his own as Tsarukyan whiffs on a head kick attempt. Tsarukyan clinches yet again and this time, he's able to trip Ismagulov to the mat, where he (Tsaruykan) immediately takes back control. Ismagulov shoves Tsarukyan off of his back and scrambles back to his feet but Tsarukyan goes right back to the well and trips Ismagulov right back down to the mat. Tsarukyan looks for the back, Ismagulov gets back to his feet but Tsarukyan stays clinched along the fence but Ismagulov is able to explode off the cage and circle back to the center of the octagon. Tsarukyan clinches one more time but the horn quickly sounds that'll send this one to the third and final round.
Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Tsarukyan, 20-18 to Tsarukyan after two rounds.
Round Three - The third and final round opens with a Tsarukyan body kick that went a bit too low and referee, Mark Smith calls for a brief pause in the action as Ismagulov recovers. Ismagulov gives the OK and this one is back underway. Tsarukyan clinches right away and has Ismagulov pressed against the fence. Tsarukyan lands a knee to the body but Ismagulov breaks free, but only for a moment as Tsarukyan trips him to the mat and immediately latches onto the back with about a minute remaining in the bout. Ismagulov defends well but he appears to need a miracle in the final 30-seconds to steal a victory here. Tsarukyan rides the back for the final few ticks until the horn sounds and this one is headed to the judge's scorecards.
Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Tsarukyan, 30-27 to Tsarukyan overall.
Result: (#9) Arman Tsarukyan def. (#12) Damir Ismagulov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
(#8) Amir Albazi vs. Alessandro Costa
Round One - Costa opens up with a 1-2. Albazi goes right in with a level change and has Costa clinched against the cage. Costa spins and breaks free from Albazi's clutches and circles back to the center of the octagon. Costa whiffs on an overhand right an Albazi fakes a takedown but Costa is alert and scoots out of danger for the time being. Costa lands a 1-2, Albazi pops the jab, Costa comes back with a right hook and the Brazilian just misses a step-in knee at the horn, which ends a relatively uneventful opening frame.
Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Costa.
Round Two - Albazi jabs, then cracks Costa with a 1-2 and the latter is down and Albazi jumps on top and settles in on top with over four minutes remaining in the round. Albazi mixes up the shots to both the body and the head but doesn't attempt to get a better position just yet. Albazi creates a bit of separation and unloads a couple of heavy shots from the top then stands up and continues the barrage as he's piled up 30 ground strikes thus far in the round. Costa lands a few decent shots from the bottom but the horn sounds to send this one to round number three.
Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Albazi, 19-19 after two rounds.
Round Three - Albazi opens the final frame with a straight left to the body. Albazi drills Costa with a front kick to the body followed by a low kick and a perfectly timed level change and Costa is now on his back with nearly four minutes remaining in the bout for Albazi to go to work. Costa scrambles and does a great job of getting back to his feet and the UFC newcomer circles back to the center of the octagon, with about three minutes left to try for the upset. Albazi is having none of the upset talk, however, as he drills Costa with an uppercut, Costa is down and Albazi reigns down the ground and pound until referee, Keith Peterson has seen enough and waves this one off! Amir Albazi remains undefeated in the octagon!
Result: (#8) Amir Albazi def. Alessandro Costa via KO (uppercut) (2:13, R3)
Alex Caceres vs. Julian Erosa
Round One - Caceres opens the action with a side kick to the body. Not much going on as both competitors look to find their range. Erosa with a low kick, Caceres misses a left hook but lands a perfectly timed head kick and Erosa is down! Caceres rushes in and lands a few shots of ground and pound and referee, Herb Dean waves this one off! What a performance from 'Bruce Leeroy'!
Result: Alex Caceres def. Julian Erosa via TKO (strikes) (3:04, R1)
Drew Dober vs. Bobby Green
Round One - Dober clinches right off the bat but Green spins and ends up on top. Both men scramble and end back up on the feet, where Dober lets off a 1-2 then a low kick. Dober looks like he's smiling as Green is talking to him then drills Dober with a straight left. Green wobbles Dober with a left hook but Dober counters with a hard 1-2 that lands as his (Dober's) nose is busted up already. Dober lands a straight left but whiffs on a spinning back kick attempt. Green cracks Dober with a check right hook then a 1-2 and Green is bouncing around in there, looking real comfortable with his hands down around his waist. Dober lands a left hook and Green's now laughing as he lands a low kick. Dober fakes a takedown then just misses a left hook as Green clinches then breaks and lands a right hook. Green's now landed 44 significant strikes to Dober's 21 per the UFC on ESPN+ broadcast. Dober's face is an absolute mess but he's still pushing forward and eats a front kick to the body from Green. Dober misses a last-second spinning back kick and a high five is exchanged after the horn sounds to end a wildly entertaining opening frame.
Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Green.
Round Two - Dober lands a 1-2 to start round number two. Dober lands a spinning backfist but Green eats it and presses forward and lands a 1-2 then a right hook. Dober clinches and has Green pressed against the fence but Dober backs off and throws another spinning backfist on the break but misses. Green lands a front kick to the body, Dober starts throwing fire and lets off a flurry and drops Green with a massive left hook and referee, Keith Peterson steps in and immediately waves this one off! What a comeback by Drew Dober!
Result: Drew Dober def. Bobby Green via KO (punch) (2:45, R2)
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