JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 8 event.
The event takes place at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.
In the main event, Alistair Overeem (45-18 MMA, 10-7 UFC) takes on Walt Harris (13-7 MMA, 6-6 UFC) in a heavyweight fight. In the co-feature, former women’s strawweight title challenger Claudia Gadelha (17-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) meets Angela Hill (12-7 MMA, 7-7 UFC).
Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results.
To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFC on ESPN 8 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporter John Morgan (@MMAjunkieJohn) on Twitter.
Enjoy the fights, everyone.
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Current fight
Round 1 –
Result:
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Eryk Anders (13-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC), Krzysztof Jotko (21-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee:
Judging:
Results
Round 1 – Alright, folks. The third of three events in eight days for the UFC is underway. The big boys come out kicking. Both fighters are peppering the legs early. Nascimento ties up Mayes against the fence. Mayes reverses position and lands a knee to the inside thigh. The two fighters separate. Nascimento lands a combination and Mayes fires back with a leg kick. Nascimento checks a Mayes kick. Mayes rips a body kick and Nascimento comes back firing with a combination. Tying Mayes up against the fence again, Nascimento gets a takedown. In Mayes’ guard, Nascimento eats a few elbows from his downed opponent. Nascimento stands up and Mayes flies to his feet. Nascimento tries to catch an opening, but Mayes slips and counters with a nice punch. Moments later, the round ends. 10-9 Nascimento.
Round 2 – Resorting back to the leg kicks to start, Nascimento switches things up and goes high with a kick. The kick lands and Nascimento moves in. Mayes ducks out of danger and lands a combination. Nascimento lands a combination and ties Mayes up against the fence again. Mayes reverses position. Despite having his back against the fence, Nascimento sweeps the leg and lands on top. Quickly, he pounces to the back. He’s seeking a rear-naked choke. That looks tight. Mayes flattens out – and there’s the tap! A nice UFC debut for Nascimento.
Result: Rodrigo Nascimento def. Don’Tale Mayes via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:05
Recap:
Photos: Rodrigo Nascimento def. Don’Tale Mayes
Records: Don’Tale Mayes (7-4 MMA, 0-2 UFC), Rodrigo Nascimento (8-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Round 1 – A quick touch of gloves and we’re off. Casey is the first to land – a leg kick to the outside lead leg of Borella. Again, Casey lands a leg kick – this time it’s to the inside of the leg. Borella grabs hold of Casey and pushes her against the fence, landing knees to the thigh. An attempt by Casey to spin out of Borella’s grip backfires. Borella uses the momentum of the spin against Casey and drags her to the ground. Borella is in Casey’s guard. After Casey briefly attempted an armbar, Borella passes to side control, but Casey works back to half guard. Now Borella is back in full guard. Casey is creeping her legs back up for another armbar. This one looks tighter. Borella is grimacing. Casey adjusts and Borella screams. There’s the tap. That’s it. Casey picks up her first finish since 2016.
Result: Cortney Casey def. Mara Romero Borella via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 3:36
Recap: Cortney Casey elicits screaming submission from Mara Romero Borella at UFC on ESPN 8
Photos: Cortney Casey def. Mara Romero Borella
Records: Mara Romero Borella (12-8 MMA, 2-4 UFC), Cortney Casey (9-7 MMA, 5-6 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Michael Cardoso
Round 1 – The two fighters touch gloves. Landwehr comes out aggressive. Elkins is circling around the cage as Landwehr pressures him. Elkins having some success with his jabs early. A solid left hand lands for Elkins. Referee Herb Dean warns Landwehr about his fingers. Elkins gets Landwehr to the mat. Fighting for a choke, Elkins rolls Landwehr, who eventually rolls on top. Elkins holds the choke and Landwehr gets to his feet. Landwehr separates and the fight returns to the center. Landwehr lands a one-two combination that cuts Elkins. Touching his forehead, Elkins has definitely recognized that he’s sliced. Showboating and wooing, Landwehr walks at Elkins with his hands down. Moments later, Elkins shoots for a takedown attempt. It’s unsuccessful. The two fighters exchange – and both land. The calf of Elkins has become a target for Landwehr, who keeps revisiting a kick. Landwehr throws an uppercut. Elkins dodges and counters. In the final seconds, Elkins slips trying to throw a high kick. Upon trying to regain his footing, Elkins is met by a big punch from Landwehr. The round ends. 10-9 Elkins.
Round 2 – A replay shows it was actually a headbutt that caused the gash near Elkins’ eye. Landwehr is looking comfortable out there. Dare I say, too comfortable? Landwehr is back showboating – but this time he’s back it up. Landwehr lands a hard combination on Elkins. Moments later, a straight right bashes Elkins in the head. Countering Landwehr’s jab, Elkins lands a pair of hooks. Landwehr answers with a clean shot of his own – and screams after. Elkins grabs hold of Landwehr, who adjusts his clinch position and lands a big knee. Elkins drops, but only briefly. They tie up again and then separate. A clean right hand lands for Landwehr. With one minute left in the round, Elkins’ face is a bloody mess. He’s gushing. Elkins lands a slicing elbow. Elkins is leaking even more now. Referee Herb Dean calls timeout to have the doctor take a look at Elkins’ gash. Landwehr screams “9-0” and talks to Dana White on the break. The doctor says Elkins is good to go. The fight resumes – and so does Landwehr’s trash talk. The round ends. 19-19.
Round 3 – Before the round begins, the doctor takes another look at Elkins’ cut. The doctor gives approval. The round starts with more aggression from Landwehr. After ending up on the short end in a few exchanges, Elkins shoots for a takedown. Landwehr denies him. Back in the center, In the pocket, both fighters wing punches. Despite taking a lot of damage, Elkins is still in this fight. Elkins dives in and gets nothing but mat. Landwehr was too quick. Elkins ties Landwehr up again, but gives up quickly on a takedown. Upon breaking, Elkins lands a hard one-two combination. Landwehr is soaked in blood – and it’s not his own. Once again, Elkins tries for a takedown. The two fighters Dosey Doe for position, but eventually break again. Elkins gets smacked with another Landwehr combination. This is gory. Elkins is totally red. A stiff jab connects for Landwehr. Elkins counters with a punch of his own. A combination lands for Elkins – and another. jumping in, Landwehr lands a vicious uppercut. With two seconds left, Landwehr appears to stun Elkins. The round ends and the two embrace in a bloody embrace. 29-28 Landwehr.
Result: Nate Landwehr def. Darren Elkins via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Recap: Nate Landwehr slices open Darren Elkins, wins bloodbath
Photos: Nate Landwehr def. Darren Elkins
Records: Darren Elkins (24-9 MMA, 14-8 UFC), Nate Landwehr (14-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging: Christopher Lee, Salvatore D’Amato (30-27); David Tirelli (29-28 scoring Round 1 for Elkins)
Round 1 – Both fighters come out and the size differential is glaring. Rivera is tiny relative to Chikadze. What he lacks in height, Rivera is making up for in heart. He’s flying at Chikadze. At one point, Rivera hops over a Chikadze leg kick attempt and lands a combination. Chikadze is staying composed, doing a good job of not getting sucked into a brawl. Running in, Rivera is sidestepped in matador-esque fashion by Chikadze. Rivera has slowed down a little, though when he does attack, it’s the same approach: in and out. Chikadze cracks Rivera with a kick. Rivera answers with a “Come on” hand wag. Chikadze is staying very still in a taekwondo stance. It almost looks like that stance could be for show. The fighters exchange and the round comes to an end. 10-9 Chikadze.
Round 2 – At the start of the round, Rivera glances a punch off Chikadze’s head. Chikadze stumbles to the mat, but I think it was more of a trip. Now things are getting crazy. They’re biting on their mouthpieces and trading. Chikadze lands a good combination. Moments later, Chikadze lands a knee and an uppercut. Rivera has gotten a little less defensive and Chikadze is making him pay. A left cross from Chikadze cracks Rivera, whos bleeding from his nose and/or mouth. Chikadze, who is usually pretty reserved, taunts Rivera by putting his hands behind his head. Perhaps he was watching Nate Landwehr’s fight from the locker room and got inspired. The knee is becoming a big weapon for Chikadze. Every time Rivera dives in, Chikadze whips a knee toward the sky. A side kick to the stomach knocks Rivera to his knees for a moment. Chikadze is flowing. A pair of axe kicks miss for Chikadze, right before the round ends. 20-18 Chikadze.
Round 3 – In the opening seconds, Chikadze’s knee finally lands clean and drops Rivera. Hanging tough, Rivera tries to pop to his feet, but eats a few shots. Eventually, Rivera gets up. Chikadze continues his offensive success. Rivera doesn’t seem to care because he’s still swinging for the fences. A head kick lands for Rivera. Another axe kick attempt fails for Chikadze. Taking this fight on 48 hours, Rivera’s cardio is holding up decently all things considered. Rivera connects with a leg kick. Chikadze slaps his own leg, mocking the kick. Chikadze pulls a Nate Diaz, slapping Rivera with an open palm. Rivera explodes forward. Chikadze tries a rolling thunder. Rivera pounces on his downed opponent and grabs a leg in a submission attempt. However, it’s too little, too late. The bell sounds. 30-27 Chikadze.
Result: Giga Chikadze def. Irwin Rivera via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Recap:
Photos: Giga Chikadze def. Irwin Rivera
Records: Giga Chikadze (10-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC), Irwin Rivera (9-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson
Judging: Derek Cleary, David Tirelli (30-27); Troy Wincapaw (30-26, giving a 10-8 in Round 3)
Round 1 – No glove touch, but Holland touches his glove to Hernandez’s face right off the bat. That was a good one. Holland lands a push kick to the body. The two fighters engage in the clinch and Holland lands an elbow. A knee to the body drops Hernandez. He’s covering up on all fours. Holland is pounding him. That’s it. That was quick! What a performance by Kevin Holland.
Result: Kevin Holland def. Anthony Hernandez via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 0:39
Recap: Kevin Holland spoils chance to talk trash with quick finish
Photos: Kevin Holland def. Anthony Hernandez
Records: Anthony Hernandez (7-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC), Kevin Holland (17-5 MMA, 4-2 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Michael Cardoso
Round 1 – The fighters meet in the middle. Calculated bordering on tentative, they exchange. Baeza begins beating down the lead leg of Brown. He’s landed a few early and they’re starting to get a reaction out of Brown. Charging in, Brown is looking to kill. He lands a good combination on Baeza. They return to the center and Brown blitzes him again. Brown connects with a series of punches and Baeza is hurt. His mouthpiece launched out of his mouth on impact. Somehow, Baeza grabs ahold of Brown. They separate, but Brown is still on the attack. Baeza is trying to regain himself. A timeout is called and Baeza reinserts his mouthpiece. Baeza lands back-to-back one-twos. Brown responds by rocking Baeza again. Baeza is on his back foot and he floors Brown. Holy moly. What a momentum swing. Brown looked really hurt there. Baeza is on top of Brown, who seems to slowly be recovering. Baeza working for the crucifix, but Brown scoots back to the fence. Brown gets back to his feet and the fighters separate. A small cut is visible on the bridge of Brown’s nose. Brown goes body-head with a combination. The round ends. What a first five minutes! That’s tough to score. 10-9 Baeza.
Round 2 – Baeza resorts back to his leg kick – and he catches Brown with a punch. Brown is floored. Baeza pounces. One follow-up shot is all that was needed. Referee Jason Herzog dives in and stops the fight. That fight was bonkers for as long as it lasted. Miguel Baeza picks up his second UFC victory in as many tries.
Result: Miguel Baeza def. Matt Brown via knockout (strikes) – Round 2, 0:18
Recap: Miguel Baeza survives early scare, stops Matt Brown in the second
Photos: Miguel Baeza def. Matt Brown
Records: Miguel Baeza (9-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Matt Brown (22-17 MMA, 15-11 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Round 1 – No touch of gloves. Vera comes out with a pair of leg kicks. Yadong answers with a leg kick of his own. Going high, Vera tries a head kick, which is blocked. Simultaneous kicks miss the mark. Yadong is starting to dictate the pace here, backing Vera up. A combination lands for Yadong. In the next sequence, Yadong fakes a punch and Vera covers up. That was strange. I’m not sure what was going on there. Vera goes back to the leg kick. Yadong lands to the body. Both fighters exchange punches. Vera tries to tie up the body of Yadong, who shoves him off. Yadong ties up Vera against the fence. Vera reverses position and lands a series of elbows and knees. 10-9 Yadong.
Round 2 – Yadong misses on a leg kick. Vera lands a punch to the body, then an outside leg kick. Yadong missing on his punches to the head, but lands to the body. Vera catches a lazy body kick from Yadong and lands a combination. Vera ties Yadong up against the fence. They separate. Vera rips the body with a kick. Yadong digs the body of Vera – then connects with a punch to the face. Yadong is swinging powerfully with each strike. Jabs land simultaneously for each fighter. Vera gets aggressive, but Yadong avoids danger and forces the clinch against the fence. Vera reverses position. Yadong is bleeding from the nose. Both fighters are exchanging elbows and punches, standing right in the pocket. That was a fun exchange. Back toward the center, Yadong connects on a solid combination. Vera cranks Yadong in the midsection, which sends the Chinese fighter backward. That one hurt. The round ends. That was a closer round. 20-18 Yadong.
Round 3 – Vera comes flying across the cage, but Yadong grabs double underhooks. Vera reverses position and pushes Yadong against the fence. Vera dumps Yadong to the canvas and briefly lands in mount. Yadong gets Vera out of mount. Now, Vera is in Yadong’s guard. Briefly, Yadong pushes Vera off him, but Vera dives back in. Yadong sits up against the cage and eventually stands up. Vera lands a jab. Yadong connects with a combination. They’re trading. Yadong lands a combination which snaps Vera’s head back. Yadong finds success on an uppercut. Vera connects with a kick. A crisp one-two combination connects for Vera. Punches land for Yadong. A knee lands for Vera, who then gets double underhooks on Yadong against the fence. Vera drags Yadong to the canvas. Vera is in Yadong’s guard, but Yadong scrambles to his feet. Simultaneous elbows land. Yadong shoots for a takedown, but Vera stuffs. Vera briefly gets the back, but Yadong flips over and gets up. Vera tries a cartwheel kick as time expires. MMA Junkie scores it 29-28 Yadong.
Result: Song Yadong def. Marlon Vera via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Recap: Song Yadong snaps Marlon Vera’s streak in close decision
Photos:
Records: Marlon Vera (17-6-1 MMA, 9-5 UFC), Song Yadong (16-4-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee:
Judging:
Round 1 –
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Records: Edson Barboza (20-8 MMA, 14-8 UFC), Dan Ige (13-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee:
Judging:
Round 1 –
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Records: Claudia Gadelha (17-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC), Angela Hill (12-7 MMA, 7-7 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee:
Judging:
Round 1 –
Result:
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Alistair Overeem (45-18 MMA, 10-7 UFC), Walt Harris (13-7 MMA, 6-6 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee:
Judging: