At UFC 330, the main event challengers talked a big game but neither could get the job done.
In the co-main event, Gillian Robertson didn’t mount much of a challenge to Women’s Strawweight Champion Mackenzie Dern. Dern dominated their contest to the point that Gillian looked incredibly ineffective at mounting any damaging offense. Where Gillian did succeed was in blocking any of Dern’s submission. During her victory speech Dern did praise Gillian’s Jiu-jitsu skills. Dern won convincingly via judge’s unanimous decision with Gillian only taking one of the five rounds.
The men’s main event was the opposite with UFC Welterweight Champion Islam Makhachev defeating Ian Machado Garry but not in a very dominant fashion. Garry did push Islam to his limit but Islam’s undefeated record now stands at 17.
UFC 330 Main Card Results
Esteban Ribovics vs. Edson Barboza
Round One
Ribovics says he has watched Barboza since he was a kid. Barboza hugs his kids in the audience before the match He almost comes to tears. His walkout is very emotional. The men are ten years apart in age with Barboza being 40. This very well could be the last time we see Barboza fight.
Right away they start trading kicks back and forth. A backfist rocks Barboza driving him away. Another shot to the face bloodies Barboza even though he has landed a series of kicks. A shot by Barboza bloodies Ribovics. Barboza is getting hit too often. He looks bad earlier on. Barboza’s eye take another shot and is bleeding even more. Barboza is backed into the cage taking shot after shot. Barboza cannot land his spinning back kick. Barboza is very wobbly. Barboza is knocked to the canvass but the bell saves him.
Barboza’s shin is actually busted open and it is bleeding a lot. I am surprised he can even stand.
Round Two
Barboza still continues on. Crazy! It is jab after jab by Ribovics. An uppercut rocks Barboza as do some elbows. Barboza is beaten into the cage. The official stops the match.
As Ribovics has to sit on a stool due to his shin Ribovics kneels down and honours him.
Winner: Esteban Ribovics by TKO.
Interviewed afterwards, Ribovics said it was an honour to fight one of his idols growing up.
The crowd stands up and cheers Barboza. Ribovics waves for the crowd to cheer. Barboza thanks everyone for their support, he has given his all in every fight. He lays down his gloves in the center of the ring. His wife is shown crying in the audience. Barboza takes some photos with his team and his kids.
Mansur Abdul-Malik versus Dustin Stoltzfus
Mansur’s coach is hoping Dustin has evolved from his last fight. He thinks his suddeness will be his the difference. Dustin hasn’t fought for year and had to have surgery on his nose because he couldn’t breathe properly. If Dustin scores a win it will be considered an upset for sure. Mansur and Dustin have trained together in the past.
Round One
Feeling each other out they trade kicks. Mansur lands a combination. Dustin pushes him back with a combination of his own. Mansur rocks Dustin’s jaw with a jab and three or more to the face. Dustin takes Mansur down but he is quickly back up. Knees to the head, shoulder from Dustin. Dustin in the one with combos. He picks up Mansur and slams him to the mat! Shot after shot to the head. Dustin tries a stretch peppered with shots to the head. The bell rings.
Round Two
Mansur is using kicks to back Dustin off. Mansur lands knees and punches opening Dustin up. Dustin backs Mansur into the cage but Mansur forces Dustin into the cage. From the mount position, it is punch after punch to Dustin. A spinning elbow stuns Mansur. Dustin just hauls of and punches Mansur in the face. Dustin has Mansur in the guillotine with a knee to the throat. Elbows and punches to the head lead to a chokehold. Mansur taps out. Huge upset! Dustin has proven he is still in the game for sure. The biggest win of his career. What a comeback.
Winner: Dustin Stoltzfus via submission, rare naked choke.
It is announced that Gabriel Bonfim will take on Sean Brady in the main event at UFC Fight Night on November 7th.
Jalin Turner versus Kauê Fernandes
Kauê has been kicking boxing since he was five. He is on a three fight win streak. This is his first fight on American soil. Jalin says he doesn’t necessarily want to fight but he does so because of the Lord.
Round One
Kauê goes after Jalin’s legs with low kicks right out of the gate. Kauê misses a spinning back kick and Jalin just wallops on Kauê knocking him into the cage and KOs him in no time at all. The official calls the fight at 39 seconds.
Winner: Jalin Turner by KO.
Mackenzie Dern (c) versus Gillian Robertson – UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship
Gillian has the most submissions in UFC Women’s history. Dern has the most submissions in UFC women’s strawweight history with five.
Round One
Both women try to take each other down. Dern backs up Gillian into the cage. Gillian takes a shot after failing to take Dern down. Dern lands a left hook and a low kick. Gillian’s face is already swelling. Dern takes Gillian down. Dern rains down punches. They grapple on the mat. Dern has the rear naked choke but it isn’t in right. The bell saves Gillian.
Round Two
Gillian’s coach instructs her to get back into the fight. She isn’t moving her feet. She is just staring at her opponent. “Wake the f–k up!” he says.
Dern takes Gillian down again. They are on the mat for a long time again with Dern on top. Dern has her wrapped up. Gillian breaks out of a rear naked choke. Gillian rains down some shots. The women roll but Gillian is still on top. As Dern goes for another submission Gillian lands hammer fists.
The crowd starts booing as they are on the mat for so long.
Round Three
Dern is dominating this fight. Gillian cannot close the distance to land shot. Her offensive is not very effective. Gillian defends a takedown. They wrestle into the cage exchanging knees. Gillian finally lands a right. Gillian is bleeding from the nose. Dern seems to be slowing down. Her energy is waning. Dern takes down Gillian down but cannot lock in anything.
Round Four
Dern pushes Gillian into the cage taking her down. Gillian bridges into the cage. They are on the mat for a long time again. The crowd boos. They seem to be in a stalemate with Gillian defending against all of Dern’s attempts. Gillian rolls Dern into a corner but nothing is happening. Gillian finally starts punching and punching Dern.
Round Five
It looks like it is going to take something big for Gillian to win this fight. Gillian backs Dern into the fence. The crowd boos. Gillian takes Dern down. They trade some punches and elbows. Dern has been on her back for a very long time just eating shots but nothing from Gillian to finish the fight.
The whistle blows. The fans boo. A very disappointing outing for Gillian who didn’t ever appear to be a threat to Dern’s reign. They have went the full 25 minutes.
Winner: Mackenzie Dern by judge’s unanimous decision.
Islam Makhachev (c) versus Ian Machado Garry – UFC Welterweight Championship
Round One
Ian looks very, very calm. The crowd cheers for Islam. Islam hits a kick. He takes Ian down. A knee to the head by Islam. Islam backs Ian into the cage laying in some knees. They stay in the cage for some time. Ian gets back to his feet but is back down then up again. There is no damage done to Ian, really. Islam is just riding him. The crowd begins booing.
Round Two
Ian lands a head kick and a low kick. Islam misses a big uppercut. Ian kicks Islam in the ribs. They lock up. Ian backs Islam into the cage with some punches. As they break up, a kick to the head and a punch to the head stuns Ian. He stumbles to the mat. Islam takes Ian down. Ian holds Islam off though. Ian gets back to his feet.
Round Three
Ian kicks Islam’s leg again. No much feet work from Ian. Not sure why. He isn’t throwing much either. Ian lands some more kicks to the leg. Islam grabs the leg again. Ian ties up Islam and punches him in the face. Ian kicks Islam hard to the body twice trying to tire him out. A big kick to the face stuns Islam twice. Ian smiles as he pushes an Islam kick away. Ian lands another body kick. A spin kick just misses as the round ends.
Round Four
Ian kicks at the leg again and lands one to the body. Islam seems very hesitant. Ian whacks him with a right hand. Islam goes for a takedown. Ian is on top though. Ian backs up to the fence. Islam is riding Ian again. Ian points to the official that Islam is using the fence for grip. Ian starts punching and elbowing Islam’s ribs. They are locked in the fence again with 90 minutes left. Ian lands a ton of punches to the face. Islam forces Ian down again. Ian gets up again. Islam cannot hold him down. Islam’s is cut and bruised. He is bleeding.
Round Five
Another kick from Ian to the body. Ian stuns Islam with a punch to the face and a kick to the body. He hits him again in the face with a straight right and a kick to the body. Islam takes Ian down but he is back up immediately with only three minutes left. The crowd boos as they head into the cage and to the mat. With 30 seconds left they are on the mat punching at each other. They go the full 25 minutes.
Winner: By unanimous judge’s decision, Islam Makhachev.
