Frankie Edgar enjoyed a triumphant welcome to the bantamweight with a narrow split-decision win over Pedro Munhoz in the main event of UFC on ESPN 15 Saturday night in Las Vegas.
Munhoz established octagon control early, coupled with legkicks that found a home often, but Edgar used combinations and takedowns in the first two rounds, then scored on the counterattack to earn the nod from the judges, who scored it 48-47, 46-49, and 48-47.
The card experienced a jolt when Ovince St. Preux tested positive for COVID-19 and was yanked hours before start time, along with opponent Alonzo Menifield.
No doubt. No question.@PedroMunhozMMA & @FrankieEdgar delivered for five rounds!
[ B2YB @ToyoTires ] #UFCVegas7 pic.twitter.com/TtITRcGH8n
— UFC (@ufc) August 23, 2020
Edgar and Munhoz earned Fight of the Night, while Trevin Jones and Shayna Dobson earned performance of the night. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus.
This one goes out to the underdogs 😤 #UFCVegas7 pic.twitter.com/u7bCdKCixL
— UFC (@ufc) August 23, 2020
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
In case you missed the prelims:
TREVIN JONES DEF. TIMUR VALIEV VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R1 1:59
MATTHEW SEMELSBERGER Â DEF. CARLTON MINUS VIA UD(30-26, 30-27, 29-28)
JORDAN WRIGHT DEF. IKE VILLANUEVA VIA TKO (DOCTOR’S STOPPAGE) R1 1:31
AMANDA LEMOS DEF. MIZUKI INOUE VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
MAIN CARDÂ
DANIEL RODRIGUEZ VS. DWIGHT GRANT
RALLY COMPLETE!
🗣 Daniel Rodriguez DROPS Grant to close RD 1.
The action keeps rolling on #ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/YbJkB30gNN
— UFC (@ufc) August 23, 2020
WINNER: DANIEL RODRIGUEZ VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R1 2:24
ANDREWS PREDICTION: DWIGHT GRANT VIA SD
Andrews: Wow! This reminded me of the Cheick Kongo vs. Pat Barry matchup from years ago. Tough luck for Grant.
MARIYA AGAPOVA VS. SHAYNA DOBSON
CASH THOSE BETS! 🤯 @Shana_Dobson with a SHOCKING upset!
📺 Watch the close of the card on @ESPN & ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/HcPG4F3DOk
— UFC (@ufc) August 23, 2020
WINNER: SHAYNA DOBSON VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R2 1:38
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MARIYA AGAPOVA VIA TKO
Andrews: Simply one of the biggest upsets of the year. Great win for Dobson.
MARCIN PRACHINO VS. MIKE RODRIGUEZÂ
Coming up LARGE! @MRodMMA with the biggest win of his UFC career.#UFCVegas7 finishes up on @ESPN & #ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/Xmg8TohAXH
— UFC (@ufc) August 23, 2020
WINNER: MIKE RODRIGUEZ VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R1 2:17
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MARCIN PRACHINO VIA TKO
Andrews:Â One good elbow is all it took for Rodriguez to secure the victory.
AUSTIN HUBBARDÂ VS. JOE SOLECKI
NASTY!@JoeSolecki gets the RNC from Hubbard's back.
📺 Main card continues – LIVE on @ESPN & E+ pic.twitter.com/cc8CspS12T
— UFC (@ufc) August 23, 2020
WINNER: JOE SOLECKI VIA SUBMISSION (RNC) R1 3:51
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JOE SOLECKI VIA TKO
Andrews:Â Tidy win for Joe Joe.
MAIN EVENT
#5 PEDRO MUNHOZ VS. FRANKIE EDGARÂ
These uppercuts from Frankie are INTENSE. #UFCVegas7 pic.twitter.com/EwvDubdBpQ
— UFC (@ufc) August 23, 2020
WINNER: FRANKIE EDGAR VIA SD (48-47, 46-49, 48-47)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: PEDRO MUNHOZ VIA UD
Andrews:Â I thought Munhoz would have enough to outlast Edgar, but even with the leg kicks, that wasn’t the case. You have to tip your hat to Frankie.
