UFC 269 will be long remembered by fans as a card of upsets.
The co-main event alone is arguably the greatest upset in MMA, with Julianna Peña tapping Amanda Nunes to win the women’s bantamweight belt. “It’s up there with (Matt) Serra and GSP,” UFC president Dana White said after a few beats in the post-fight press conference.
The new champ @VenezuelanVixen talks to @JoeRogan after shocking the world 🌎 #UFC269 pic.twitter.com/R3EtnrFGpC
— UFC (@ufc) December 12, 2021
But lightweight champion Charles Oliveira overcame Dustin Poirier’s boxing-oriented attack in the first round round to soften up the challenger with some kick, knees, and strikes. Oliveira started the ground attack in the second round and then in the third round, locked in a rear-naked choke to spoil Poirier’s title hopes.
The win was Oliveira’s first title defence and 10th consecutive victory. Poirier, who ws gracious in defeat in the post-fight press conference had a three fight win streak snapped tonight.
As good as advertised 👏👏👏
💰 @PedroMunhozMMA & @DominickCruz earn your FOTN honors!
[ #UFC269 | B2YB @ToyoTires ] pic.twitter.com/kfAO96xzo9
— UFC (@ufc) December 12, 2021
Dominick Cruz and Pedro Munhoz earned Fight of the Night, while Oliveira, Pena, Sean O’Malley, Kai Kara-France, Bruno Silva, and Tai Tuivasa all earned performances bonuses. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
UFC 269 FIGHT PASS PRELIMS
GILLIAN ROBERTSON VS. PRISCILA CACHOEIRA
THE SAVAGE GETS THE TAP AT THE LAST SECOND 🤯
[ @Savage_UFC | #UFC269 ] pic.twitter.com/MXbU313xkO
— UFC (@ufc) December 11, 2021
WINNER: GILLIAN ROBERTSON VIA SUBMISSION (ARMBAR) R1 4:59
ANDREWS PREDICTION: PRISCILLA CACHOEIRA VIA TKO
Andrews: Robertson got it to the ground and did her thing. Those eye-gouge attempts by Cachoeira to break it should have been caught by the ref.
RANDY COSTA VS TONY KELLEY
Going OFF!!! @TonyKelleyMMA just came in to get it done 😤 #UFC269 pic.twitter.com/IzMfelFGVQ
— UFC (@ufc) December 11, 2021
WINNER: TONEY KELLY VIA TKO (ELBOWS) R2 4:15
ANDREWS PREDICTION: RANDY COSTA VIA TKO
Andrews: Another disappointing performance for Costa.
RYAN HALL VS. DARRICK MINER
Your winner by UD @RyanHall5050 🧙#UFC269 pic.twitter.com/1SBX37iOeV
— UFC (@ufc) December 12, 2021
WINNER: RYAN HALL VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: RYAN HALL VIA UD
Andrews: Good win for Ryan.
MIRANDA MAVERICK VS. ERIN BLANCHFIELD
A 𝘾𝙊𝙇𝘿 𝘽𝙇𝙊𝙊𝘿𝙀𝘿 clinic from @Blanchfield_MMA 🥶
[ #UFC269 | Early Prelims are LIVE on @UFCFightPass & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/LA2Dcfv53U
— UFC (@ufc) December 12, 2021
WINNER: ERIN BLANCHFIELD VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MIRANDA MAVERICK VIA UD
Andrews: I didn’t think Blanchfield could do that to someone like Miranda. Congrats.
ANDRE MUNIZ VS. ERYK ANDERS
This arm bar from @AndreMunizUFC looked familiar 👀 #UFC269 pic.twitter.com/w5KNkwf71a
— UFC (@ufc) December 12, 2021
WINNER: ANDRE MUNIZ VIA SUBMISSION (ARMBAR) R1 3:13
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ANDRE MUNIZ VIA UD
Andrews: Tough luck for Anders, but Muniz had a plane to catch or something.
UFC 269 PRELIMS
JORDAN WRIGHT VS. BRUNO SILVA
THERE IT IS, FOLKS!!!! 👏
🇧🇷 Bruno Silva just came with a STATEMENT! #UFC269 pic.twitter.com/IZ7nb3Zekr
— UFC (@ufc) December 12, 2021
WINNER: BRUNO SILVA VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R1 1:28
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JORDAN WRIGHT VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: Bruno got ’em before Wright could get started. Congrats.
AUGUSTO SAKAI VS. TAI TUIVASA
BAM BAM DOES IT AGAIN 💣
[ @BamBamTuivasa | #UFC269 ] pic.twitter.com/UdC0pgmVvZ
— UFC (@ufc) December 12, 2021
WINNER: TAI TUIVASA VIA KO (PUNCHES) R2 0:26
ANDREWS PREDICTION: TAI TUIVASA VIA TKO
Andrews: Tai got ’em. Just a matter of time.
#9 PEDRO MUNHOZ VS. #10 DOMINICK CRUZ
An absolute SLUGFEST 👊 #UFC269 pic.twitter.com/6ciWeN8ZgG
— UFC (@ufc) December 12, 2021
WINNER: DOMINICK CRUZ VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: DOMINICK CRUZ VIA UD
Andrews: Cruz was vintage and Munhoz could not get to him.
JOSH EMMETT VS. DAN IGE
Trading shots in the third 💥 #UFC269 pic.twitter.com/ymj31slPLA
— UFC (@ufc) December 12, 2021
WINNER: JOSH EMMETT VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JOSH EMMETT VIA UD
Andrews: Great striking by Emmett.
MAIN CARD
SEAN O’MALLEY VS. RAULIAN PAIVA
THE SUGA SHOW!!!!!!!!!!
[ @SugaSeanMMA | #UFC269 ] pic.twitter.com/bpQRnGBwf9
— UFC (@ufc) December 12, 2021
WINNER: SEAN O’MALLEY VIA TKO R1 4:42
ANDREWS PREDICTION: SEAN O’MALLEY VIA TKO
Andrews: Another impressive finish for O’Malley.
#6 KAI KARA FRANCE VS. #7 CODY GARBRANDT
Living up to the name Don't Blink 👁👄👁
[ @KaiKaraFrance | #UFC269 ] pic.twitter.com/tPUFhouB24
— UFC (@ufc) December 12, 2021
WINNER: KAI KARA-FRANCE VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R1 3:21
ANDREWS PREDICTION: KAI KARA-FRANCE VIA UD
Andrews: Wow! Is Cody finished?
#12 GEOFF NEAL VS. #14 SANTIAGO PONZINIBBIO
𝑯𝑨𝑵𝑫𝒁 𝑶𝑭 𝑺𝑻𝑬𝑬𝑳 notches the win via SD after a hard fought battle 👊
[ @HandzOfSteelMMA | #UFC269 | Tune in NOW on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/bN0K8ejl9g ] pic.twitter.com/ETDmACPceZ
— UFC (@ufc) December 12, 2021
WINNER: GEOFF NEAL VIA SD (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: SANTIAGO PONZINIBBIO VIA TKO
Andrews: Great performance from Neal to bounce back from his last fight.
(C) AMANDA NUNES VS. #14 JULIANNA PENA
JULIANNA PENA SHOCKS THE WORLD 🌎 #UFC269 pic.twitter.com/LNr4amWe94
— UFC (@ufc) December 12, 2021
WINNER: JULIANNA PENA VIA SUBMISSION (ARMBAR) R2 3:26
ANDREWS PREDICTION: AMANDA NUNES VIA TKO
Andrews: Easily the biggest MMA upset of all time. You have to wonder what happened to Nunes? She tapped fairly easily. Congratulations to Julianna Pena who wasn’t afraid.
MAIN EVENT
(C) CHARLES OLIVEIRA VS. #1 DUSTIN POIRIER
The Oliv-Era 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐄𝐒 👑 #UFC269 pic.twitter.com/WwD5vva6MG
— UFC (@ufc) December 12, 2021
WINNER: CHARLES OLIVEIRA VIA SUBMISSION (ARMBAR) R3 1:02
ANDREWS PREDICTION: DUSTIN POIRIER VIA UD
Andrews: Wow! UFC 269 will be remembered for the last two fights. Congrats to Charles and Julianna.
The next UFC event is UFC on ESPN+57, which is scheduled for Saturday Dec. 18. Heavyweights Derrick Lewis and Chris Daukaus battle in the main event.
