UFC on ESPN 23 play-by-play and live results

Round 1 – Colares gets to the center, as Sanders sets up on the outside. Colares with a few kicks from range as they feel it out. Big left hand from Sanders sends Colares to the floor. Sanders moves in, but Colares recovers. Sanders keeping the pressure high. Colares trying to stand, but Sanders pushing back down. Sanders with a knee in a scramble. Looked close to being illegal, but we carry on. Colares battles back to his feet, but Sanders tags him with another left hand. Uppercut scores. Colares is showing his toughness, but Sanders is scoring big on the feet. Colares gets to the clinch and is looking for a trip. Sanders works a little bit there before backing away to reset. Colares is swinging back, but his face is busted up. Sanders probably can’t believe he’s still standing. Colares lands a right hand, and Sanders stumbles a little. May have been more off-balance. Into the final minute. Colares lands two big kicks to the body. Another scores. Sanders answers back with a big kick. Good finish from Colares after a one-sided start. MMA Junkie gives it to Sanders, 10-9.

Round 2 – Colares kicks the lead leg. He looks surprisingly fresh at the moment. Sanders on the outside and looking to pick his shots. He moves forward and tries to slip to the back in the clinch. Colares the one moving forward, but Sanders is engaging him. Big punches traded. Sanders ducks under a punch and drives the action to the canvas, Great timing there, but Colares powers his way back to the feet. As they break, Sanders still hunting the takedown. Perfect counters from Colares keep him on the feet. Sanders has to back away and reset. Colares digs to the body. Sanders answers back. Colares wraps the body, lifts Sanders in the air and walks over to his own corner before slamming his opponent to the canvas. One minute left. Colares slips around to the back. He wants the choke. Sanders battling the hands, so Colares pulls away and starts punching. Colares looking at referee Chris Tognoni, who tells Sanders to fight back. He tries to move, but he’s trapped. He moves just enough to stay alive as the clock winds down. Wow. What a change of momentum. MMA Junkie gives it to Colares, 10-9.

Round 3 – Big kick to the body for Colares to start. Sanders looks exhausted, but he musters the energy to fire a few big punches. Kicks to the body traded. Colares high kick just misses the chin. Colares shoots, but big sprawl from Sanders keeps him upright. Colares kicks the body. Sanders with a crisp uppercut and a big right hand. His punches have lost some steam, but he’s scoring. Sanders sprawls perfectly on another shot. Punches traded. Colares still wants the takedown, but it’s not there. Both men are exhausted with this relentless pace. Colares with another sneaky high kick. Colares the one walking forward. He lands a spinning backfist, and Sanders just walks through it. Sanders lands a front kick to the cup, we carry on after Colares says he’s OK. Ninety seconds left. Sanders with volume punching. Big Colares kick to the body. Sanders catches it and trips him but can’t keep the fight down. Less than a minute. Sanders thinks takedown, but Colares counters and scores the toss to the floor. Sanders scrambles, but Colares moves to the back. He thinks choke, then punches, but Sanders crawls to his feet at the close. What a damn fight. Good finish from Colares, and MMA Junkie leans his way, 10-9, giving him the fight 29-28. Could really go either way. Cut them a bonus check now.

BetMGM Odds: Sanders -140, Colares +115
Result: Felipe Colares def. Luke Sanders via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Recap: Felipe Colares rallies from beating, edges Luke Sanders
Photos: UFC on ESPN 23: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Felipe Colares (10-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC), Luke Sanders (13-5 MMA, 3-5 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Judging: Mike Bell (29-28, giving Colares rounds 2 and 3), Adalaide Byrd (29-28, giving Colares rounds 2 and 3), Junichiro Kamijo (29-28, giving Colares rounds 2 and 3)

Round 1 – Bhullar on the outside and circling left. Michailidis patient in the center and tracking. He kicks the lead leg a bit, but he’s not overcommitting early. That changes when he unleashes a flurry of four heavy punches, and Bhullar circles away. Michailidis resets and then starts driving forward with punches again. Big shots here. Bhullar able to avoid most of them, but he gets clipped a bit. Brief clinch against the cage before they reset. Kicks traded to the body. Bhullar leading with kicks in most exchanges, and Michailidis able to avoid. Michailidis throws a high kick that partially lands and then starts wailing away with punches again. Bhullar covers. Michailidis grabs him and brings him to the floor. Bhullar to his knees, and Michailidis trying to take the back. He gets hooks in and trolls things over. Bhullar rolls as Michailidis is looking for either the rear-naked or the arm-triangle depending on the position. Bhullar able to stay safe until the bell. MMA Junkie gives it to Michailidis, 10-9.

Round 2 – Bhullar again to the center. Low kicks coming, though he is mixing in some punches, as well. Michailidis with heavy punches again, but Bhullar fires a low kick that catches the cup. Michailidis takes a break. Referee Mark Smith offers a warning to Bhullar, and we reset. Bhullar attacking the legs on the restart. Michailidis answers with two heavy punches over the top and a high kick. Bhullar avoiding well, but there’s certainly danger in those shots. Two massive haymakers from Michailidis miss, and he takes a deep breath. Bhullar catches the groin again, thought not hard, and Michailidis chastises him for the shot. Everything heavy from Michailidis. He lands a right hand. Bhullar having success chopping at the legs, but he’s not able to add much behind it. Michailidis with a knee to the body and a big right behind it. Michailidis with a late clinch but can’t do much with it. They end in the center, and MMA Junkie gives it to Michailidis, 10-9.

Round 3 – Bhullar seems the fresher fighter, with Michailidis throwing everything at full energy, but he’s struggling to really get any meaningful offense going. Meanwhile, Michailidis is throwing very hard but can’t quite land clean. Bhullar keeps chopping at the legs, adding front kicks, as well, but he can’t really sit down on anything because of the power coming in reply. Michailidis walking forward and scores with a big kick to the body. Michailidis still pushing late, and he lands a right to the body. Bhullar stays with the kicks, and he lands again to the groin. Michailidis grunts a bit and takes a knee. Bhullar apologizes on the restart. He misses an ax kick. Bhullar is composed in the face of the aggression, but he’s just not really connecting. Spinning kick from Michailidis partially lands late. Round ends, and MMA Junkie gives it to Michailidis, 10-9, awarding him the fight 30-27.

BetMGM Odds: Michailidis -225, Bhullar +190
Result: Andreas Michailidis def. KB Bhullar via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 23: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: KB Bhullar (8-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC), Andreas Michailidis (13-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Rick Winter (30-27), Tony Weeks (30-27), Eric Colon (29-28, giving Michailidis rounds 1 and 2)

Round 1 – Hughes with plenty of lateral movement early. Lookboonmee flashes out a high kick and tries to clinch but can’t grab hold. She kicks low. Lookboonmee faking with the hips. She delivers a front kick to the body. Hughes rushes forward and wants the takedown, but Lookboonmee defends well, lands a few knees in the clinch and then scores a perfect trip. Lookboonmee in side control. Hughes has her feet on the cage and is trying to kick off and roll. Lookboonmee stays heavy but eventually decides to move back to the feet. Hughes aggressive on the restart, looking to keep things tight in the clinch. She’s working hard for the takedown, but Lookboonmee is able to reverse the effort and wind up on top. Lookboonmee works in the guard a little but again decides to back away. Lookboonmee with a front kick and then slips a low kick from her opponent. Low kicks traded. Hughes punches her way into a clinch once again, but Lookboonmee defends well against the cage. Foot stomps from Hughes. They hit the floor, but once again it’s Lookboonmee who ends up on top at the bell. MMA Junkie gives it to Lookboonmee, 10-9.

Round 2 – Quick start from both. Lookboonmee continues to work the clinch perfectly and scores another takedown. In the ensuing scramble, she thinks about the choke but lets go of the neck. She’s against the fence and on her knees and is trying not to give up her back. She wants to use the fence to assist in that. She stands and spins and is able to get away. Hughes with a jab on the restart. Lookboonmee using the front kick from range. She misses on a Superman punch. Hughes moving forward and clinches again, driving the action to the fence. Lookboonmee again works well from there. She sneaks a knee inside and stays on her feet. Hughes trying to muscle her around, but Lookboonmee’s control in the clinch is fantastic. Her balance is sound, and she lands short strikes when they’re available. Hughes eventually backs away. Lookboonmee with her hands down, walking forward. Quick punches from Lookboonmee and a high kick, and she adds a late takedown from the clinch. MMA Junkie gives it again to Lookboonmee, 10-9.

Round 3 – Hughes aggressive on the start and walking forward. Lookboonmee retreating well and using kicks from range. Crisp jab from Hughes, though Lookboonmee lands to the leg. Hughes again with a sharp jab. They trade right hands. Lookboonmee with the Thai clinch from the center. She tries to trip the action to the canvas, but Hughes stays upright and drives the action to the canvas. Lookboonmee’s corner asking for her to get off the fence. She finally does push it away. Punches traded there. Hughes having some success in boxing range, but the clinch is more problematic. They do get tight, and they trade knees inside. Hughes strength showing here. They break, and Hughes scores with the left again. The right come behind it. Hughes is gaining momentum late. They finish in the clinch. Great late work from Hughes. MMA Junkie gives the final round to Hughes, 10-9, but awards the fight to Lookboonmee, 29-28.

BetMGM Odds: Lookboonmee -375, Hughes +300
Result: Loma Lookboonmee def. Sam Hughes via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Recap:
Photos: UFC on ESPN 23: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Sam Hughes (5-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC), Loma Lookboonmee (6-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Judging:

Round 1 – Botelho working from the center. She misses on a kick from range. Kick to the body lands. Carolina pawing a jab on the outside. Right hand for Botelho just misses. She’s landing with kicks from range. Carolina trying to answer back, but Botelho setting the tone early. Botelho firing huge right hands, as well. She punches her way into a clinch and scores a takedown with relative ease. Carolina holding tight underneath. Botelho pressing down with solid shoulder pressure as she looks to pass the guard. Slick work to get both legs over and into mount. Carolina tries to buck, but Botelho stays tight. Finals seconds, and Botelho rolls out for the guard but doesn’t get it. She lands a big shot to the body at the bell. MMA Junkie gives it to Botelho, 10-9.

Round 2 – Botelho moves forward to the clinch immediately and begins looking for the takedown. Carolina overhooks and is able to stay upright, but she’s immediately on the defensive. it’s a battle in the clinch, and referee Herb Dean let them work. Eventually, Carolina is able to score the trip, just muscling her way into position. Botelho turns to her knees and battles her way back to the feet. She quickly turns to the outside as they continue to work in the clinch. Just grinding work inside. Carolina using her power to wear on Botelho, who is breathing very heavy. Carolina able to spin to the outside. They finally break apart with less than a minute. Botelho has some blood trickling down the right side of her face. Carolina wants to strike, but Botelho clinches. She can’t get the takedown. Round ends there, and MMA Junkie gives it to Carolina, 10-9.

Round 3 – Carolina out quickly and fires a big right. Botelho going to need to dig deep here. She does fire a few big shots to the body that miss. Carolina with a few solid kicks to the body. Botelho lands a crisp right and moves to the clinch. She scores a trip, but Carolina alertly rolls through and to the top. Botelho grabs guard and is controlling the wrists from her back. Botelho trying to work her legs up the back. She’s doing a great job of controlling the wrists. Referee Herb Dean calls for action. Carolina looks to advance, but Botelho turns and controls the right arm. Carolina spins through it perfectly and is able to take the dominant position. She slips to the back. Botelho posts and is trying to shake Carolina off. She’s leaned far to the right, but Botelho can’t shake her off. Botelho tries to turn inside and to the top, but Carolina able to adjust and drag the action over. Carolina firm on the back now. She hunts the choke in the final seconds but can’t get it. Still, MMA Junkie gives Carolina the final round, 10-9, awarding her the fight 29-28.

BetMGM Odds: Botelho -275, Carolina +210
Result: Luana Carolina def. Poliana Botelho via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Recap:
Photos: UFC on ESPN 23: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Poliana Botelho (8-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC), Luana Carolina (7-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging:

Round 1 – Brown with volume early, pumping out the jab and throwing a low kick. Kamaka counters with big punches from the center. Brown switching stances and circling left on the outside. He’s the busier fighter, but Kamaka doing well to slip and return fire. Brown working the jab and digs to the body with a big left. Kamaka closing the distance, but Brown tags him with a big uppercut. Brown slips on a kick. Kamaka wants to attack, but Brown entangles the leg to keep him honest. Kamaka spins out of that and presses down. Quick butterfly guard from Brown is able to push his opponent away and create space to rise. Both men having their moments on the feet. Brown is the one going first, but Kamaka answering well. Brown with the volume, and he lands another nice left to the body. Fun round. MMA Junkie leans slightly toward Kamaka, 10-9.

Round 2 – They waste little time engaging here. Both men with volume and speed. Brown lands a right, and Kamaka is hurt. Brown sees it. Right lands again. Kamaka stumbles, but he’s keeping his guard high. Front kick from Kamaka sees Brown stumble to the canvas, but he pops back up. Punches traded, and Brown is clipped again. He falls slowly to the floor. Kamaka jumps on top, and he’s trying to seal the deal. Brown in guard and holding tight as he clears his head. Brown against the fence. He turns out and isolates the left arm. He’s looking for the kimura. Tense moments, but Kamaka pulls it back. Still, that lets Brown scramble, and we’re back on the feet. Brown swinging on the feet, but he’s lost some zip. Kamaka with a big left to the body. Absolute battle on the feet. Kamaka starting to answer with more punches than are coming his way. Brown changes levels and drives forward. Kamaka tries to grab the guillotine as he falls. Not there. Brown ends the round on top, but MMA Junkie gives it to Kamaka, 10-9.

Round 3 – Quick exchange to start before Brown changes levels and tries to hit the outside trip. Kamaka sprawl perfectly and presses and is able to settle into top position. Big moment there. Brown scrambling and trying to work to his feet. Kamaka can’t hold him down. They’re back in the center and trading. Absolute battle continues. Punches traded, and Kamaka able to knock Brown off-balance and to the canvas. Another big moment. Brown works quickly to a seated position. To his knees and then stands. Little more than a minute, and both men swinging. Kamaka lands the groin, but Brown doesn’t want to stop. Brown right knocks Kamaka back to the canvas. Brown follows. Kamaka scrambles up quickly. Brown again tries to grab the arm, but it’s not there. Kamaka pulls it free. He finishes on top and scores an elbow at the bell. Another great round. MMA Junkie leans slightly toward Kamaka, 10-9, giving him the fight 30-27. Rounds 1 and 3 were close though.

BetMGM Odds: Kamaka -150, Brown +125
Result: TJ Brown def. Kai Kamaka via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
Recap:
Photos: UFC on ESPN 23: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: TJ Brown (15-8 MMA, 1-2 UFC), Kai Kamaka (8-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Judging: Adelaide Byrd (27-30), Mike Bell (29-28, giving Brown rounds 1 and 3), Sal D’Amato (29-28, giving Brown rounds 1 and 3)

Round 1 – Brief feeling out process. Markos charges with punches, but Pinheiro able to grab her and score a quick toss to the floor. Pinheiro sets up on top, but Markos scrambles up. Pinheiro immediately scores a huge hip toss to the canvas. Markos again scrambles back up to her feet. Pinheiro very relaxed. They look to strike, and Markos winces after catching a poke in the eye. Referee Mark Smith brings in the doctor. Markos takes a moment, but she’c leared to continue. She rushes out immediately on the restart and start winging punches. Pinheiro digs in and answers back. Punches flying, and Pinheiro gets the best of it. She throws Markos to the canvas again but can’t get top position. Markos remains aggressive on the feet, but Pinheiro dealing with it well. Pinheiro with a gorgeous throw to the floor, and she’s on top and striking. Markos active from her back, and she lands a big upkick. Pinheiro falls back to the canvas. She looks hurt. Doctor comes in, as does her corner, and after a brief discussion, this fight is waved off. Markos immediately has to hold back tears at the call. Unfortunate ending to what was lining up as a wild fight.

BetMGM Odds: Pinheiro -175, Markos +145
Result:
Recap:
Photos: UFC on ESPN 23: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Randa Markos (10-10-1 MMA, 6-9-1 UFC), Luana Pinheiro (8-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging:

Round 1 –

BetMGM Odds: Dvalishvili -250, Stamann +200
Result:
Recap:
Photos: UFC on ESPN 23: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Merab Dvalishvili (12-4 MMA, 5-2 UFC), Cody Stamann (19-3-1 MMA, 5-2-1 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee:
Judging:

Round 1 –

BetMGM Odds: Strickland -275, Jotko +225
Result:
Recap:
Photos: UFC on ESPN 23: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Krzysztof Jotko (22-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC), Sean Strickland (22-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee:
Judging:

Round 1 –

BetMGM Odds: Cutelaba -120, Jacoby +100
Result:
Recap:
Photos: UFC on ESPN 23: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Ion Cutelaba (15-6 MMA, 4-5 UFC), Dustin Jacoby (14-5 MMA, 2-2 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee:
Judging:

Round 1 –

BetMGM Odds: Chikadze -175, Swanson +140
Result:
Recap:
Photos: UFC on ESPN 23: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Giga Chikadze (12-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC), Cub Swanson (27-11 MMA, 12-7 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee:
Judging:

Round 1 –

BetMGM Odds: Prochazka -135, Reyes +110
Result:
Recap:
Photos: UFC on ESPN 23: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Dominick Reyes (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC), Jiri Prochazka (27-3-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee:
Judging: