“The Lioness,” became the first UFC fighter to successfully defend both of her titles simultaneously by defeating Canadian Felicia Spencer (8-2-0) by unanimous decision in the main event.
Both fighters were patient in the first two rounds, trying to find their openings. But it was Nunes who landed most of space offence in those rounds, with Spencer regulated to the outside. Nunes slowly started ramping up the pressure in the third and almost finished Spencer in the fourth round, bloodying her landing a rear-naked choke near the horn.
The fifth round was more of the same, with Spencer trying to get the fight to the ground and Nunes reversing or shutting down any attempts. Spencer continued to bleed and with 54 seconds left, referee Herb Dean stopped the fight to have Spencer checked.
Spencer did go the distance, but it also seemed that the champion wanted to go the distance, methodically stalking her and carefully picking her overhand rights and uppercuts. She caught Spencer coming in several times and even took her down several times, displaying an all-around dominance.
The judges scored it 50-44, 50-44, 50-45.
Cody Garbrandt, Aljamain Sterling, Alex Perez, and Sean O’Malley all earned performances of the night and a USD $50,000 bonus apiece.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the card.
UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS
EVAN DUNHAM VS. HERBERT BURNS
WINNER: HERBERT BURNS VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R1 1:54
ANDREWS PREDICTION: Evan Dunham VIA TKO
Andrews: That was impressive. I thought Dunham’s experience would help him, but Burns shot put that away quick.
ALONZO MENIFIELD VS. DEVIN CLARK
WINNER: DEVIN CLARK VIA UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ALONZO MENIFIELD VIA TKO
Andrews: Menifield came close, but couldn’t land enough big strikes and as a result, Clark eked out the win. Clark could have done more though.
#4 JUSSIER FORMAGA VS. #9 ALEX PEREZ
WINNER: ALEX PEREX VIA TKO (LEG KICKS) R1 4:06
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JUSSIER FORMAGA VIA SD
Andrews: The young bucks are taking no prisoners tonight. Another experienced warrior in Formaga just chopped down. Message?
PRELIMS
CHARLES BYRD VS. MAKI PITOLO
WINNER: MAKI PITOLO VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R2 1:10
ANDREWS PREDICTION: CHARLES BYRD VIA TKO
Andrews: Byrd went out on his shields. Pitolo took advantage of that, landing those body shots. Good win.
#12 CODY STAMMAN VS. BRIAN KELLEHER
WINNER: CODY STAMMAN VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: CODY STAMMAN VIA UD
Andrews: Good win for Stamman, who dedicated the victory to his 18-year old brother, who passed last week.
#13 IAN HEINISCH VS. GERALD MEERSCHAERT
WINNER: IAN HEINISCH VIA TKO (STRIKES) R1 1:14
ANDREWS PREDICTION: GERALD MEERSCHAERT VIA UD
Andrews: Again, the veteran gets taken out quick by the upstart. Great shot.
ALEX CACERES VS. CHASE HOOPER
WINNER: ALEX CACERES VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: CHASE HOOPER VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: Wow! That was not Alex Caceres in there, that was Bruce Leeroy, a guy I thought would ever see again.
MAIN CARD
EDDIE WINELAND VS. SEAN O’MALLEY
WINNER: SEAN O’MALLEY VIA TKO (STRIKES) R1 1:54
ANDREWS PREDICTION: SEAN O’MALLEY VIA TKO
Andrews: O’Malley came in there with another brilliant finish. The best striker in the division? Quite possibly.
NEIL MAGNY VS. ANTHONY ROCCO MARTIN
WINNER: NEIL MAGNY VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: NEIL MAGNY VIA UD
Andrews: Magny did as Magny does. Another solid decision win.
#2 ALJAMAIN STERLING VS. #4 CORY SANDHAGEN
WINNER: ALJAMAIN STERLING VIA SUBMISSION (RNC) R1 1:28
ANDREWS PREDICTION: COREY SANDHAGEN VIA UD
Andrews: I thought Corey could grind it out and avoid the ground, but give credit to Sterling, who did a great job of securing the choke. He deserves the title shot.
#5 RAPHAEL ASSUNCAO VS. #9 CODY GARBRANDT
WINNER: CODY GARBRANDT VIA TKO (STRIKES) R2 4:59
ANDREWS PREDICTION: CODY GARBRANDT VIA TKO
Andrews: He did it. And in spectacular fashion. Now, he needs to follow it up.
AMANDA NUNES VS. FELICIA SPENCER
WINNER: AMANDA NUNES VIA UD (50-44, 50-44, 50-45)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: AMANDA NUNES VIA TKO
Andrews: Spencer could not threaten Nunes with her striking and was left to target and ground game practice for Nunes. Being tough is not enough to win the title.
@kenaiandrews
