UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Chikadze Results

The UFC APEX was the host on Saturday night as Edson Barboza went up against Giga Chikadze in the featherweight main event. A new Ultimate Fighter was also crowned in both the middleweight and in the bantamweight divisions. Check out the official result and highlights from the UFC Vegas 35 card in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Mana Martinez and Guido Cannetti went to war over three rounds in the opening bout of the evening. Martinez picked up his first UFC win in the bantamweight division, The American won a split decision on the judges scorecards.

Former Cage Fury featherweight champion Pat Sabatini moved to 2-0 inside the octagon when he snatched a heel-hook on Jamall Emmers in the very first round.

JJ Aldrich dominated UFC newcomer Vanessa Demopoulos over three rounds to take home a unanimous decision in the flyweight division. Alrich moves to 10-2 and has won in her last two trips to the octagon.

UK based middleweight Darren Stewart is without a win in his last four outings. Dustin Jacoby piled on the pressure in round one and forced the ref to step in and call a halt to the action in round one.

Abdul Razak Alhassan blasted Alessio Di Chirico with a head kick and took home the win in just 17 seconds. The Ghanaian snapped a three fight losing streak and moves to 11-4 and uo the ladder in the middleweight division.

Makhmud Muradov started brilliantly and won the first round but Gerald Meerschaert battled back in round two when he locked in a rear-naked choke and forced the tap. The veteran middleweight was under fire for most of round one, GM3 showed his grit to pick up his second win on the bounce. He called for a top-15 opponant in his post fight interview.

Daniel Rodriguez was just the bigger, stronger fighter when he stepped in at short notice against Kevin Lee. Rodriguez wobbled Lee towards the end round two and the former lightweight had to shot for a takedown to survive his welterweight debut. Lee did hang on but he didn’t do enough to secure the win on the judges’ scorecards.

Ricky Turcios took out Brady Hiestand to become the new Ultimate Fighter in the bantamweight division. Both fighters put on a hell of a show but and the kisses needed the scorecards to settle both athletes. Two out of three scored it for Turcios who won a razor close decision.

Bryan Battle was picked last on the show and he completed a fantastic journey when he choke out Gilbert Urbana to win. TUF’s middleweight crown. In what was a really close, gritty contest, Battle sunk in a choke midway through round two and forced the tap from Urbina.

Edson Barboza and Giga Chikadze put on a striking masterclass in their featherweight main event. Chikadze started very well and had Barboza struggling to deal with the quickness of his strikes. The Brazilian fought back in round too puttting his Georgian counterpart on the back foot. A seemingly tired Chikadze turned back on the style in round three by moving forward and landing big shots. Barboza was out on his feet after being rocked with a punch and Giga jumped in the opportunity to finish the fight. Fantastic fight overall.

Main card

Featherweight: Giga Chikadze def. Edson Barboza via TKO (punches) at 1:44 of Round 3

Middleweight TUF Finale: Bryan Battle def. Gilbert Urbina via submission (RNC) at 2:15 of Round 2

Bantamweight TUF Finale: Ricky Turcios def. Brady Hiestand via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)

Welterweight: Daniel Rodriguez def. Kevin Lee via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Middleweight: Andre Petroski def. Micheal Gillmore via TKO (punches) at 3:12 of round three

Middleweight: Gerald Meerschaert def. Makhmud Muradov via sub (RNC) (R2, 1:49)

Preliminary card

Middleweight: Abdul Razak Alhassan def. Alessio Di Chirico via first-round KO (0:17)

Middleweight: Wellington Turman def. Sam Alvey via split decision (27-28, 28-27 x2)

Light Heavyweight: Dustin Jacoby def. Darren Stewart via first-round TKO (punches) at 3:04 of Round 1

Women’s Flyweight: JJ Aldrich def. Vanessa Demopoulos via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

Featherweight: Pat Sabatini def. Jamall Emmers via sub (heel hook) at 1:53 of Round 1

Bantamweight: Mana Martinez def. Guido Cannetti via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)