UFC Vegas 116 ‘Sterling vs. Zalal’ play-by-play, results & round scoring

Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef
Zalal Norma Dumont vs.
Joselyne Edwards Rafa Garcia vs. Alexander
Hernandez Adrian
Luna Martinetti vs. Davey Grant Montel Jackson vs. Raoni
Barcelos Marcus Almeida
vs. Ryan Spann Live
NOW! Rodolfo Vieira vs. Eric McConico Sedriques Dumas vs. Jackson
McVey Mayra
Bueno Silva vs. Michelle Montague Cody Durden vs. Jafel Filho Francis Marshall vs. Lucas
Brennan Max Griffin
vs. Victor Valenzuela Talita Alencar vs. Julia
Polastri Sherdog’s live
UFC Vegas 116 coverage will begin Saturday at 5 p.m. ET. The
event is also known as
UFC Fight Night 274.

Talita
Alencar vs. Julia
Polastri

BETTING
PREVIEW | SCOUTING
REPORT | ODDS: Polastri (-225); Alencar (+190)

Round 1

This nondescript Apex card at the end of April has all the makings
of Spring Cleaning, with seven of the 26 combatants tonight
sporting UFC records below .500 and several more hovering very
close to or right at that midpoint. The latter is the case for this
card opener at 115 pounds, as while Alencar (7-1-1, 3-1 UFC) has
only lost after four walks to the Octagon, countrywoman Polastri
(14-5, 2-2 UFC) sees an even record with the promotion thus far.
The two strawweights will tangle as referee Jason Herzog watches
on, all smiles with one another as they do not even offer a glove
touch.

Polastri moves straight to the center of the cage and plays it
cool, letting the jittery Alencar fly past her with a spinning back
fist. Polastri easily swats away a few punches that fly her
direction, hoisting a substantial reach advantage. Alencar reaches
her with a single jab, and her follow-ups including a kick or two
largely fall short. Polastri smacks her back with a low kick.
Polastri catches a kick and lets fly a loud response to the
midsection. Alencar tries to pitch an off-angled head kick, and
Polastri sways to dodge it and blocks one more orthodox kick coming
at her. Alencar sits down on a body kick to seemingly target the
raised arms of her foe, and she takes a step back when Polastri
counters.

Polastri is able to time Alencar coming in and strike back, but she
is not landing much on her own right. Alencar sinks in a thumping
low kick and watches Polastri dance away from the action,
frustrating her to the point of committing to a few power punches.
Polastri is a ways away from the danger, picking her shots and
probing with her jab. Polastri drives a kick to the body, safe from
anything returning, and she nods at Alencar as Alencar bears down
on her. “Problem Child” scores a solid right hand, ignoring the
comeback to put her hands on the longer woman. Polastri escapes,
and she pitches a body kick that is caught and allows Alencar to
deposit her to the canvas. Polastri defends when she hits her back
with effective upkicks, pushing her fellow Brazilian back away from
her numerous times to not allow Alencar get on top. Polastri times
an escape, and Alencar spears her to tackle her back down to the
mat. Alencar looks to isolate Polastri’s left arm for a potential
kimura, and she drops down a few punches as the round elapses.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Polastri
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Polastri
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Polastri

Round 2

Polastri once more moves directly to the center of the cage as the
round opens, and she starts out more actively with a few jabs.
Alencar thinks about kicking her back, but she is beaten to the
punch—foot, actually—when Polastri’s kicks fly faster. Polastri is
quick to evade and dodge most of the attacks, with her guard up
high to protect against the rest. Polastri jabs Alencar up and
forces her to shoot in on her hips, and she laughs it off and is
nowhere to be found. Polastri pays her foe back with snappy jabs
and calf kicks on the inside and outside of the front leg. Polastri
sneaks a kick up high, and she is two feet away from a front kick
that Alencar fires back. Alencar commits to another hefty kick, and
she hits nothing but air. Polastri scores a solid calf kick, with
Alencar reaching down in hopes of catching it. She abandons that
effort and strings a few punches together.

Polastri promptly drives her back with a head kick, and she slips
punches and drills Alencar with an overhand right. Polastri’s hands
are low as she keeps them by her side, offering up shovel uppercuts
from her lead hand to mark up Alencar’s nose. Alencar cannot find
her range, while Polastri lands any time she tries. “Psycho” goes
to the body, and Alencar catches it and trips her up to take the
fight horizontal. This time, the upkicks from Polastri do not keep
Alencar at bay, as Alencar pounces to assume top position with
about a minute to go. Polastri turns to her side, and Alencar
elbows her twice in the back of the head as Herzog tells her to not
do that. Alencar smothers down in the half guard, with Polastri
hanging on tight to ride out the rest of the round. Alencar frames
off the face with an elbow, grinding one down on the face and the
other on the ribs. Polastri pushes her off with seconds to spare,
using her upkicks to end the round.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Alencar
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Alencar
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Alencar

Round 3

The countrywomen decide to touch gloves as the last round opens.
Polastri’s strategy to assume the middle of the Octagon is ironclad
as Alencar allows her to do so every time. Alencar looks for a
spinning back fist as she tries to navigate longer jabs, with the
jab from the taller, longer woman causing her plenty of issues.
Alencar swings wide, and Polastri is practically in another county
by the time the punch extends. She does get off a sneaky side kick
to the stomach, and Polastri stomps her foot to feint and fake but
ends up taking two more punches on the jaw. Alencar considers a
level change, but Polastri shoves her back. Polastri fires off a
head kick, and as it grazes off the forehead, Alencar flashes a
grin from ear to ear.

Polastri makes Alencar adjust her nose when plunking her with a
solid one-two, and Alencar feels that it is not broken and fakes a
takedown shot. Polastri circles away to avoid any concern, prodding
with her jab and walking through a one-two to throw back a kick.
Alencar offers up a front kick and then one to the chest, but it is
her left hand that gets through. Polastri is able to lean back at
times as kicks zoom past her face, moving just enough to not get
struck while still remaining in range to counter. She counters.
Alencar tries to catch a kick, and Polastri belts her in the face
with her fists to force her to drop it. Alencar spins with a big
kick, but nothing doing. Her body kick, however, does score.
Polastri draws a bit more blood on the beak with a solid punch, and
Alencar hears the 10-second clapper and starts brawling. Polastri
engages in a brief brawl before time expires.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Polastri (29-28
Polastri)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Alencar (29-28 Alencar)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Alencar (29-28 Alencar)

The Official Result

Talita Alencar def. Julia Polastri via Unanimous Decision (29-28,
29-28, 29-28)

Max
Griffin vs. Victor
Valenzuela

BETTING
PREVIEW | SCOUTING
REPORT | ODDS: Valenzuela (-140); Griffin (+115)

Round 1

Back against the wall having lost three of four, 40-year-old
Griffin (20-12, 8-10 UFC) would like to demonstrate he has more
left to offer and plans on inflicting “Pain” on his debuting
opponent. Hardly a spring chicken at the age of 32, this Chilean
welterweight Valenzuela (13-4, 0-0 UFC) was signed to the promotion
despite suffering a knockout loss on last year’s Contender Series.
Only one man will move on with a win tonight, barring something
unusual, and referee Chris Tognoni will be standing by. The
fighters do not touch gloves before handling their business.

Griffin walks the newcomer down right out of the gate, no-selling a
high kick as he tries to get in range. Valenzuela is keeping to a
wide kickboxing distance, breaking it only to try to crash in with
punches. Griffin dodges them and watches a few more fly past him,
with a lot of swinging and missing early on. Valenzuela rushes
forward to throw hands, but all he connects with is a body kick.
Griffin marches him down and busts him in the face with a right
hand, only to get staggered back with a counter right when hanging
around a little too long in the pocket. Both men offer out jabs,
and Griffin just misses a short left hook when Valenzuela ducks
forward.

It is a stalemate for a time, until Valenzuela dives after a
double-leg takedown entry. Griffin whiffs on an uppercut but tosses
the newcomer to the side. Valenzuela cannot find his target with a
spin kick, taking a jab off the forehead and evading the subsequent
effort. Griffin sneaks in a right hand around Valenzuela’s jab, and
he skirts away when Valenzuela advances. Valenzuela kicks the
inside thigh, and Griffin jabs him back. Valenzuela puts two
punches on the jaw and lands a body kick, and his right hook backs
Griffin off. Griffin takes a few heavy blows and shoots for a
counter takedown, scoring it for a moment. Valenzuela wall-walks to
get back upright, with Griffin kneeing him once in the clinch
before they split. The slow round ends.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Valenzuela
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Valenzuela
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Valenzuela

Round 2

Valenzuela wades out of his corner looking for kicks, reaching the
midsection a few times with them. Griffin dances away from the
worst of what comes his way, but it means that Valenzuela is
landing and he is not. Griffin tries to sweep the leg with a kick
all the way down at the ankle, and Valenzuela stops and frowns at
him. “Pain” looks for a right hand when Valenzuela comes after him,
missing and nearly falling over. Griffin opens up with a huge right
hand, knocking Valenzuela to the floor where he can loop around on
the mat to hunt for a choke. Valenzuela simply sits up to break out
of it.

Little happens after that exciting moment for at least a minute,
with tit-for-tat engagement until Valenzuela open up with a wheel
kick. Griffin licks his chops and takes Valenzuela down easily,
landing a few strikes when landing on top. Valenzuela explodes to
get out of the precarious position, turning the tables on the UFC
veteran by shooting in for a double. Griffin turns to his side, and
the fighters are warned for fence grabs. Valenzuela pulls back
rather than trying to keep after the takedown, and he jacks Griffin
in the jaw with a few punches. Griffin fires back, but Valenzuela
is beating him largely to the punch. Griffin connects with a heavy
right at the bell.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Griffin
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Griffin
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Griffin

Round 3

Valenzuela strikes first with a left hook, and he staggers Griffin
with a right hand to follow. Backing Griffin to the fence, he opens
up with a few more punches until Griffin decides he will channel
his inner football player by straight-up tackling Valenzuela to the
floor. Valenzuela is quick to turn to his knees to stand, and
Griffin grabs hold of the back of his head and knees him in the
dome. When upright again, Valenzuela dings Griffin with an overhand
right. Griffin swings back with a vengeance, opening a cut on the
bridge of the newcomer’s nose. He catches Valenzuela standing still
with a left hook, and slides away when two huge hooks are aimed his
way. Griffin engages, gets caught with a right hand and tries to
grapple. Valenzuela tosses him aside, but when he lands his right
hand flush, he seems to hurt Griffin every time. Griffin pushes out
a vertical elbow as he tries to get Valenzuela off of him, lobbing
a body kick as well when circling out. Valenzuela stays after him,
whether with jabs or power punches, and he rips open a cut on the
inner left eyebrow of a very angry-looking Griffin.

Griffin loads up and smashes his fist into Valenzuela’s mouth,
causing blood to flow as the two men clearly want to record a big
knockout. Griffin tries to tackle again, but he settles for shoving
Valenzuela back. Valenzuela races after him, keeping “Pain” on the
back foot and causing him pain with his heavy swings. Griffin is
flagging but still very much in the fight, his fists careening off
the raised guard of his adversary. Valenzuela bullies him and rips
a right hand upstairs and a left kick to the body, forcing another
grimace from the visage of his opponent. Griffin ducks under a left
hand to shoot in for a double, and Valenzuela puts his hand on
Griffin’s throat and turns him around in a sheer power move, blood
trickling down the newcomer’s face. Valenzuela has taken big shots
and is leaking from multiple wounds around his face, his complexion
quickly transforming to that of his red shorts, and he wants to
stand and bang. He motions to Griffin that it is time to duke it
out, and Griffin leaps at him with a right hand. Valenzuela has to
play the matador rather than the slugger in the final exchanges,
with the horn punctuating a close, bloody battle.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Valenzuela (29-28
Valenzuela)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Valenzuela (29-28
Valenzuela)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Valenzuela (29-28
Valenzuela)

The Official Result

Victor Valenzuela def. Max Griffin via Unanimous Decision (29-28,
29-28, 29-28)

Francis
Marshall vs. Lucas
Brennan

BETTING
PREVIEW | SCOUTING
REPORT | ODDS: Marshall (-600); Brennan (+450)

Round 1

With decent enough name-related nicknames, “Fire” Marshall (9-3,
3-3 UFC) and “Luke Skywalker” Brennan (11-2, 0-0 UFC) will toe the
line as the prelims roll on. With the latter’s appearance, he joins
a very small father-son tandem of UFC veterans, with dad Chris
Brennan a three-time competitor in the Octagon—twice in 1998 as
part of the UFC 16 tourney, and then four years later against Gil
Castillo at UFC 35. Name only goes so far in the sport, and it’s
all to these two lightweights to shine. Referee Kerry Hatley is on
call if needed, with the fighters touching gloves in front of
him.

Marshall introduces himself with a calf kick, quick to put the pace
on the newcomer to put him off-balance. Brennan throws back, but it
is the kick from Marshall that is getting his attention. Marshall
connects with an overhand right, and he clubs Brennan again with
the same blow. He scores it again, and Brennan fires back with a
low kick to trip Marshall up. When Marshall blitzes him, Brennan
wraps him up in search of a takedown. Marshall turns it against him
by scooping up Brennan’s knee and depositing him gingerly to the
mat. Marshall initiates the horizontal grappling by maintaining
partial side control, thwarting any early submission traps quickly.
Brennan hooks his leg around Marshall’s head, as if he wants to
squeeze Marshall’s head like a grape. Marshall shucks it off and
lowers himself down flat to grind with elbows.

Brennan kicks off and rolls in hopes of sweeping or escaping, but
“Fire” Marshall is torching him with grappling exchanges and
thudding elbows. Brennan turns to his side, and Marshall keeps his
hands on his foe’s face to force him flat. Marshall big-brothers
Brennan on top, moving into half guard to further control the
action. Brennan looks for a sweep with his legs, and he transition
suddenly into a leglock. Marshall turns all the way through to
survive the heel look, and he shakes his head when Brennan
transitions into a foot lock that is nowhere close to being secure.
Marshall keeps twisting to moves back into top position, where he
nails Brennan with a sharp elbow. Brennan maintains butterfly
hooks, and he uses them to gain enough space to wall-walk and get
upright at the bell.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marshall

Round 2

The two high-five to get going, with the confident Marshall wade
first into action and popping Brennan in the chops with an overhand
right. Brennan leans into another overhand right, switching stances
back and forth to push out a front kick. Marshall whiffs on his big
right hand, but when he fires it again, it scores. He shakes the
newcomer up with another, and one more forces “Lucas Skywalker” to
shoot in on a single-leg entry. Marshall sprawls and turns to the
side to shut down Brennan’s effort, bullying him back to the wall
so he can score short but effective clinch strikes. Brennan turns
him around, while Marshall checks his oil keeping his hand between
Brennan’s legs.

Marshall’s hand position allows him to take Brennan off his feet,
as he moves right to side control away from most of Brennan’s
submission setups. Marshall smothers when on top, not giving
Brennan much space to buck or move. As he goes chest-to-chest in
half guard, he pins Brennan and stops him from doing anything.
Marshall steps over to the side again, and he elbows the body with
his right arm and drops down punches with his left. Brennan offers
up knees to the side when flat on his back, with his escapes
otherwise nullified. Marshall clubs him a few times before the horn
sounds.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marshall

Round 3

There is a clap of hands to initiate the opening of the final
frame, and it takes mere seconds for Marshall to wing his favored
right hand. He offers a high kick on the other side behind it, with
Brennan able to defend it. Marshall splits the guard with a
straight right, and he skims the cheek when loading up on a right
hook. Brennan whips a kick to the side, and Marshall catches it and
chucks Brennan to the floor like a side of beef. Marshall stands
firm and allows Brennan to stand. Brennan tries to charge, but his
own takedown meets a stone wall. Marshall keeps him at bay by
chambering his right hand, occasionally launching it as Brennan is
stuck looking for answers.

Marshall comes up short with a high kick, freely engaging when he
sees fit as Brennan has not put him in danger thus far. Marshall’s
feint and fakes draw reactions, allowing him to stutter-step his
way into a power overhand. Brennan slides back, and this puts him
on a silver platter for Marshall to connect with a few more punches
before peeling away. Marshall’s ducks, dips and dives all force
large movements from his opponent. Brennan tosses out a handful of
low kicks, although while scoring, do not have the kind of impact
to turn the tide in his favor. Marshall’s overhand right may not
land every time, but it gets Brennan’s attention each and every
swing. The round ends with Marshall firmly in the driver’s
seat.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27
Marshall)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27 Marshall)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27 Marshall)

The Official Result

Francis Marshall def. Lucas Brennan via Unanimous Decision (30-27,
30-27, 30-27)

Cody Durden
vs. Jafel
Filho

BETTING
PREVIEW | SCOUTING
REPORT | ODDS: Filho (-600); Durden (+450)

Round 1

A late replacement up a weight class, Durden (17-10-1, 6-8-1 UFC)
hopes that he can snap a four-fight skid and exorcise his demons
against “Pastor” Filho (17-4, 3-2 UFC). The Brazilian celebrates
all but one of his pro wins by stoppage, so the Georgia native will
need to be on his best behavior for the next 15 minutes or less.
Referee Jason Herzog will keep things official as the two men up at
bantamweight throw down. They elect to bump clap hands first.

Despite their seemingly intense beginning, no one throws a strike
anywhere close to their intended target for nearly 30 seconds.
Filho lazily pushes out a front kick, allowing Durden to respond
with an overhand right. Durden rushes forward to tackle Filho to
the mat, surprising the Brazilian and forcing him to respond with
submission attempts. Durden defends the setups, but in the process,
he is turned around with Filho pursuing his own level change. Both
men get in a 50-50 position with their arms hooked, but it is Filho
who is the quicker man as he stands up and wraps his right arm
around Durden’s chest like a malicious seat belt.

Filho also slips his legs around Durden’s to try to disrupt his
base, and like a python slowly swallowing a goat, he inch-by-inch
separates Durden from his balance to put him down. Filho tries to
set something up on top, but the frantic Durden bursts out of the
position to get back upright. Filho is quick to chase after him
with punch combinations, his front kick at the end of one scoring
well. Filho changes stances to time a check of a kick he sees
coming, and Durden marches him down and slings him to the mat with
a trip. When Durden sits up to drop down strikes, Filho off his
back looks for a kneebar. Durden turns out of it to take Filho’s
back when they stand, and the horn blares.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Durden
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Durden
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Durden

Round 2

Durden races out of his corner swinging, hurling big punches while
Filho makes a funny face and slides to the side. Durden walks
through a thudding calf kick to further crowd the Brazilian, and
his subsequent kick is caught. Filho does not take advantage of
this, instead lobbing a right left hand upstairs. Durden fires back
with his own hook, and his low kick makes Filho recoil it to the
side to take some of the sting out of it. Durden keeps pressuring
his foe, and his inside leg kick scores a few more times. Filho
tries for a step-in knee, and he gets his jaw jacked with a right
hand. Durden catches him with a right hand and trips Filho up.
Filho hits his back and offers up an upkick, using the moment of
impact to explode back to his feet. Durden nonetheless tackles him
to the ground, pulling Filho away from the cage as Filho grabs it,
and he backs off to find another angle in.

Durden winds up an axe kick, smashing his heel directly into
Filho’s cup. He tries to keep attacking, but Herzog remarks that he
just kicked him square in the groin and that he needs to back off.
After a short recovery time, Filho is good to go, and he starts to
apply pressure. He dings Durden with a right hand as he crowds him
to initiate in a clinch and possible body lock to throw, but Durden
sees it coming and pushes him back. Filho parries a big right hand,
but the second from Durden gets through. Filho plods forward,
chasing after the American throwing big hands. Durden is elusive
enough to evade the worst of what comes his way, only for Filho to
grab hold of him and throw him down like too many bags of
groceries, because who needs three trips to the car when you can
bring them all in with one overloaded trip, as cans and bottles
fall out of the bags while one rips, and you bang into furniture
and hope you brought it all inside. Check the eggs before putting
them in the fridge first. Filho attacks mightily on top, forcing
Durden to turn over so he can hunt for a choke. Before he gets it,
the bell rings.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Filho
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Filho
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Filho

Round 3

There is a half-hearted hug between the two athletes, and Filho is
energized coming out of his corner but does not go wild. Instead,
Durden methodically works his way in, using his overhand right to
close the distance. Filho ducks in to tie the Georgia native up,
and after he tries to manipulate the action, he slashes out with an
elbow and a heavy right. Durden breaks off and hunts for a front
choke, letting it go to pursue a takedown, ultimate tripping Filho
but not getting him down. Both men pop back up, some damage showing
under Filho’s right eye, and Durden completes a trip and throw to
put the Brazilian on the mat.

Durden looks for an off-angle choke in hopes of otherwise
controlling Filho, and the Brazilian’s first roll to escape fails.
Filho escapes the grappling exchange but appears totally wiped,
slowly trying to stand up. Durden targets a soccer kick square in
the ribs, and “Pastor” topples to his back. Durden leaps down to
half guard, where he changing his position to take the back. With a
single hook in, Durden grabs hold of a neck crank and turns Filho’s
head to the left. Filho grits it out but is stuck, with Durden
screaming at him or anyone listening while he clubs Filho on the
sides of the head. The odd match ends with Durden pumped up and
yelling. It may all come down to the first round.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Durden (29-28
Durden)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Durden (29-28 Durden)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Durden (29-28 Durden)

The Official Result

Cody Durden def. Jafel Filho via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27,
29-28)

Mayra
Bueno Silva vs. Michelle
Montague

BETTING
PREVIEW | SCOUTING
REPORT | ODDS: Montague (-375); Bueno Silva (+300)

Round 1

It’s moving night in the rankings at 135 pounds for women, with
three of the four repping that weight class currently sporting a
number next to their name. Silva (10-6-1, 1 NC; 5-6-1, 1 NC UFC) is
one of those three despite not recording a win since February 2023,
and there is no truth to the rumor that her mother’s maiden name is
Capulet. PFL expat Montague (7-0, 1-0 UFC) is looking to get there,
and a victory tonight will almost certainly grant her a numerical
designation. Before they throw hands, the ladies touch gloves, and
referee Herb Dean will handle anything after that.

There is one strategy for Montague in this match, and she
implements it immediately. Walking the former title challenger and
putting three fists in her face, she closes the distance and hits a
body lock takedown to put the Brazilian on her back. Silva defends
off her back by isolating one wrist with both hands, and the Kiwi
shakes out of it and smacks Silva with several powerful
hammerfists. The punches are so mighty that Silva decides she
should probably protect her mug and abandon the escape effort. When
she does this, Montague elbows her a few times to force Silva
turning. Montague hangs on with her right arm posted off Silva’s
face, and she rolls Silva back over when Silva tries to buck out of
the precarious position. Montague establishes herself in half
guard, again fighting off the baseball grip on her left wrist so
she can further beat down on “Sheetara.”

Montague floats when Silva tries to buck her off, staying heavy
with the need arises and dropping down power strikes when they are
open. The size difference is significant, as Silva keeps twisting
and turning but is stuck on her knees until she voluntarily rolls
to the side so she can sneakily search for a leglock off her back.
Montague stacks her up and uses a can opener with her hands
clutched behind Silva’s neck, and Silva responds with another leg
submission attempt until Montague just steps over her. Montague
hammers Silva with a free hand, dominating the former title
challenger right to the end of the round. The only question is
whether that performance merits a 10-8 in her favor, while Silva
struggles to get back to her feet and manages to make her way back
to her corner.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Montague
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Montague
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-8 Montague

Round 2

Montague practically runs at Silva as the round kicks off, punching
her way into range. Silva times a charge and throws Montague to the
side, drilling her with a heavy right hand. Montague breaks off and
circles away, shooting for a takedown when Silva lashes out with a
low kick. Montague chambers and looses one to the ribs, and then
kicks high while Montague walks her down without fear. Montague
snaps the head back with a jab and shoots from a long way away,
allowing Silva to wrap her arms around her neck. Silva latches onto
a front choke, and this sudden ninja choke is tight as Montague
lowers herself down to relieve the pressure. The Kiwi hits the deck
in order to snap out of it, with Silva not quick enough to follow
her while maintaining her grip strength. Montague sticks out a
right hand and jabs with the ball of her foot, and Silva steels
herself and nails Montague with a combination. Montague backs
herself to the wall, and she gets stung a few more times and shoots
for a desperate takedown.

Silva briefly stops it, but considers taking her back in the
process and is tripped up to put herself on her back. Silva hangs
on with a kimura sweep, until the bigger, stronger woman muscles
her way out of it and shifts to climb into side control on the
opposite side. Montague hunts for a crucifix setup, only for Silva
to twist and turn to at least prevent the dominant position from
locking down. Montague moves to Silva’s open guard, with Silva
using butterfly hooks to sweep her. Silva kicks off, with Montague
on one knee, and her heel bangs square into Montague’s jaw. Dean
immediately calls time, while someone from the audience shouts that
he should take a point. Dean asks her if Montague is ok after the
blow, and they resume 45 seconds later with Montague smiling and
ready to continue. Montague is quick to shoot for a takedown, and
she pushes Silva to the wire. Silva frames off with short,
effective punches, until the round concludes.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Silva

Round 3

Montague engages again early, but this time, Silva is ready for it.
Silva punches back to keep Montague honest, but she is unable to
stop the double-leg takedown that sweeps Silva clean off her feet.
Montague lands in side control, fighting off any early effort for
Silva to sweep or get out. When Silva turns to her knees, Montague
punches her in the face repeatedly. Slick as a whistle, “Sheetara”
slips around to the side to take Montague’s back.

Montague twists and keeps moving while Silva looks for any exposed
limb. As Montague continues shifting and fighting, she flips Silva
over to position herself in side control. When she gets it, “The
Wild One” pounds on her with any free fist or elbow she can find.
Silva contorts herself to get away, but the heavier Montague clubs
and smothers her seemingly without end. The only thing that ends
this is the bell.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Montague (29-27
Montague)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Montague (29-27 Montague)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Montague (29-27 Montague)

The Official Result

Michelle Montague def. Mayra Bueno Silva via Unanimous Decision
(30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Sedriques
Dumas vs. Jackson
McVey

BETTING
PREVIEW | SCOUTING
REPORT | ODDS: McVey (-190); Dumas (+160)

Round 1

A potential pink-slip derby comes as the prelims carry on, with
struggling middleweights Dumas (10-4, 1 NC; 3-4, 1 NC UFC) and
McVey (6-2, 0-2 UFC) coming to blows with one hoping of righting
the ship to a degree. At 30 and 27, respectively, a prospective
roster cut would not necessarily be the end of their career, with
top contenders in the division hanging around 10 years their elder.
For now, referee Chris Tognoni stands guard ready to intervene at a
moment’s notice. There is a touch of gloves.

McVey practically sprints at his opponent, bull-rushing “The
Reaper” and forcing him on his back foot immediately. McVey looks
for a level change, and when he cannot readjust them to a different
position, he sticks around in the clinch flustering Dumas with
knees and short punches. Dumas brings up a knee that bangs into the
cup, and when Tognoni calls time, both fighters look confusedly at
him and say they’re fine and continue fighting. They manage to
separate, and McVey marches his foe down with a purpose. As he
closes in, he jacks Dumas up with an uppercut, and Dumas crashes to
the floor. McVey looks to finish the job with a bombardment of
punches, but Dumas is intelligently defending himself. McVey
decides to stop striking and hook his arm around the neck, locking
up a brabo choke in a hurry.
The submission is tight with its application cinched at McVey’s
armpit, and he turns to the side to complete it. Dumas has nothing
left to offer at this point of the match, and he surrenders. We
have our first finish of the night, while Dumas clutches the left
side of his face that absorbed the crushing uppercut.

The Official Result

Jackson McVey def. Sedriques Dumas R1 2:14 via Submission (Brabo
Choke)

Rodolfo
Vieira vs. Eric
McConico

BETTING
PREVIEW | SCOUTING
REPORT | ODDS: Vieira (-225); McConico (+180)

Round 1

It’s grappler vs. not-so-grappler as the middleweights remain in
center stage. “The Black Belt Hunter” Vieira (11-4, 6-4 UFC) is
coming off his first knockout loss, a head kick to Bo Nickal last
November. Earlier in that same night, McConico (10-4-1, 1-2 UFC)
had his block knocked off by Baisangur Susurkaev. Someone will
shake off the sting of their past crushing defeat, and they have
three rounds or fewer to get that done. Referee Kerry Hatley will
keep tabs on the middleweights. The fighters decide to touch gloves
before testing their mettle.

BETTING
PREVIEW | SCOUTING
REPORT | ODDS: Zalal (-160); Sterling (+135)