UFC returned for the first time this year at its APEX facility in Las Vegas for UFC Vegas 84, headlined by a light heavyweight fight between Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker.
Below are the live results from each bout.
Main Card
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker: Ankalaev def. Walker by KO at 2:42 of Round 2
In the main event, Ankalaev settled some unfinished business with Walker after their first fight back in October ended as a no-contest.
Ankalaev challenged Walker especially in the second round as he had him on his back foot. Ankalaev connected with a big right hook that landed flush on the jaw of Walker.
As Walker hit the canvas, Ankalaev followed up with a brutal uppercut that smashed his nose and forced referee Marc Goddard to quickly stop the fight.
Andrei Arlovski vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta: Cortes-Acosta def. Arlovski by unanimous decision
In a low-paced fight, the Dominican prevailed over the veteran Arlovski thanks to his striking ability. Acosta showed patience early on while Arlovski targeted his legs.
In the final round, Acosta landed some big shots including a right hand at around the midway mark that appeared to stun the former champion. Arlovski complained of an eye poke that was missed by the referee with about 90 seconds left in the fight.
It was a testy ending to the fight as Acosta continued to showboat then Arlovski landed a spinning back kick to the midsection with 10 seconds remaining. Acosta and Arlovski exchanged some words after the final horn.
Phil Hawes vs. Brunno Ferreira: Ferreira def. Hawes by KO at 4:55 of Round 1
Both middleweights were showing their power early on with Ferreira showing off some great combinations and as the round went on, the Brazilian found the opening he needed.
Ferreira executed a perfectly timed flying knee that clipped Hawes and clearly left him dazed. Ferreira seized on the opening by aggressively going forward connecting with a left hand that bounced off Hawes’ temple to send him crashing to the ground.
With Hawes on the ground, Ferreira connected with three more on the ground which forced the referee to call for the bell.
Ricky Simon vs. Mario Bautista: Bautista def. Simon by unanimous decision
Bautista earned his sixth win in a row as he used his quick striking ability and takedown defence to earn the edge in the back-and-forth affair.
With Bautista’s striking ability too much to handle, Simon tried to get in tight and use his wrestling to try and get the fight to the ground.
Bautista was looking to get into the top 15 with the victory and has his sights set on the top 10.
Jim Miller vs. Gabriel Benítez: Miller def. Benitez by submission at 3:25 of Round 3
Miller was on the attack early with using crisp combinations and leg kicks to set the tone and had an answer for any Benitez strike. A pair of brief clinch battles were won by Miller, connecting with nice knees to the body.
It was a bruising battle with both fighters showing bruising and swelling with some big punches and kicks thrown in the first part of the final round.
Miller forced Benitez to tap out with a face crank submission with less than two minutes left in the lightweight co-main event.
With the win, Miller has won two straight, and five of six as he eyes his opportunity to compete at UFC 300 in April. He called out Paul Felder back to MMA and even said he would move up to the welterweight division to take on Matt Brown.
Preliminary Card
Felipe Bunes vs. Joshua Van: Van def. Bunes by TKO at 4:31 of Round 2
Bunes took round one after utilizing his long-range attack keeping Van at a distance and scoring a takedown at the end of the round.
In the second round, Van would turn up the intensity with a combination of body shots and knees against the fence followed by an overhand.
Bunes would eventually fall down to the mat as Van would get some ground strikes in, forcing referee Mark Smith to step in and call the fight.
This was Van’s third victory in the UFC in as many fights and he is looking like the real deal in the UFC’s flyweight division.
Tom Nolan vs. Nikolas Motta: Motta def. Nolan by TKO at 1:03 of Round 1
It was a major upset early into the fight with Motta proving to have Nolan’s number with a perfectly timed counter that dropped him to the canvas.
With Nolan on the ground, Motta would continue to hammer away forcing the stoppage at just 63 seconds.
Westin Wilson vs. Jean Silva: Silva def. Wilson by TKO at 4:12 of Round One
It was debut to remember for Silva who recorded the third-straight TKO of the night. He didn’t waste much time establishing his dominance landing heavy shots despite Wilson having the reach advantage.
Silva got inside leverage and eventually trapped Wilson along the fence. The Brazilian landed two tough right hands that dropped Wilson and forced the referee to stop the fight.
Farid Basharat vs. Taylor Lapilus: Basharat def. Lapilus by unanimous decision
Basharat maintained his perfect record in the UFC against Lapilus, who had won his last six fights.
Basharat had to work hard to get Lapilus to the ground but he was able to secure a few takedowns. Basharat’s coaches believed he was ahead after two rounds but wanted him to secure the win as he secured another takedown to end the fight.
Marcus McGhee vs. Gaston Bolanos: McGhee def. Bolanos by TKO at 3:29 of Round 1
McGhee put pressure on Bolanos early, landing some big shots and forced a stoppage after rocking his opponent with a devastating sequence of punches and kicks.
After the fight, McGhee credited his opponent for a tough bout and shared his desire to reach the top of the 135-pound division.
Preston Parsons vs. Matthew Semelsberger: Parsons def. Semelsberger by unanimous decision
Parsons used his wrestling background to pick up a crucial win over Semelsberger, establishing the pace with his grappling ability.
After a close first round, Parsons would take over in the second and third rounds.
Late in the third round, Parsons secured a Kimura submission that appeared to pop out Semelsberger’s shoulder but he was able to remain calm and escape. Parsons was able to mount Semelsberger after he broke the submission and closed the fight with a strong arm triangle attempt and powerful ground strikes.
Parsons credited Semelsberger’s toughness, saying he heard his opponent’s shoulder pop during his submission attempts.
