There was plenty more to chew on Saturday night besides UFC 249's main event title fights. The undercard was loaded with former champions and challengers.
#7 Jeremy Stephens was hoping to get back in the mix, taking on the surging #9 Calvin Kattar. That didn't happen, as Calvin Kattar picked up the pace as the fight went on until Kattar cracked, dropped and obliterated the veteran Stephens with an elbow that led to the win.
-- Kattar lands a HUGE right as these two waste no time!@CalvinKattar #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/KFtpgh8zRk
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2020
#6 Lightweight and #15 Anthony "Showtime" Pettis aren't exactly in their primes anymore, but they headlined the prelim portion of UFC 249. With both longtime contenders at lightweight (including Pettis as a former 155 pound champ), they instead fought at 170 pounds. The two slugged it out in a fantastic war, with Pettis ultimately taking home the decision win in what would be Cerrone's fourth straight loss.
Two gunslingers swinging it out! --@ShowtimePettis and @CowboyCerrone giving us a show! #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/viibyoxGFg
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2020
Fabricio Werdum is far removed from his UFC Heavyweight Championship days, and it took him a while to get his feet underneath him against #12 Aleksei Olenik. He was clubbed early, but mounted a comeback after sustaining a beating. After threatening with several submissions, he ultimately dropped a split decision to Oleinik. It was Werdum's first fight in 24 months after serving suspensions related to drug tests.
Not just a submission artist...@OleynikUFC is throwing BOMBS! --#UFC249 pic.twitter.com/YUzMxQ12wt
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2020
Former UFC Strawweight Champion, and #7 Carla Esparza took on #8 Michelle Waterson, which expectedly went to the scorecards. The close fight was scored as divisively as possible, with each woman scoring 30-27 rounds, but Esparza earning the win with the deciding 29-28 card.
Full 15 in the books!@CarlaEsparza1 and @KarateHottieMMA go the distance – how's your scorecard looking? #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/Y5BcGZEKuc
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2020
Vicente Luque came in at #13, taking on the dangerous but unranked Niko Price. The battle was a war for the ages, and an early contender for fight of the night. Ultimately in round three, the doctor called a stop to the fight when Price could no longer see.
DROPPED! --@VicenteLuqueMMA putting Price down in the third! #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/lTPVOJjIEW
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2020
Elsewhere on the show, both Bryce Mitchell and Ryan Spann continued their winning streaks, defeating Charles Rosa and Sam Alvey, respectively. Greg Hardy also had a comeback decision win over Yorgan De Castro.
You can see our full, live coverage of UFC 249 at this link, and see our podcast recap and main event watch along at this link.
