Welcome to our coverage of UFC 250 from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas featuring Amanda Nunes vs. Felicia Spencer for the women’s featherweight title.
We will have a LIVE stream of our UFC 250 POST Show hosted by Phil Chertok and myself beginning approximately 15 minutes after the pay-per-view ends. We will be streaming live at YouTube.com/POSTwrestling:
RESULTS
*Herbert Burns def. Evan Dunham by rear-naked choke at 1:20 of Round 1
*Devin Clark def. Alonzo Menifield by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
*Alex Perez def. Jussier Formiga by TKO at 4:06 of Round 1
*Maki Pitolo def. Charles Byrd by TKO at 1:10 of Round 2
*Cody Stamann def. Brian Kelleher by unanimous decision (30-27 all)
*Ian Heinisch def. Gerald Meerschaert by TKO at 1:14 of Round 1
*Alex Caceres def. Chase Hooper by unanimous decision (30-27 all)
*Sean O’Malley def. Eddie Wineland by KO at 1:54 of Round 1
*Neil Magny def. Anthony Rocco Martin by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
*Aljamain Sterling def. Cory Sandhagen by rear-naked choke at 1:28 of Round 1
*Cody Garbrandt def. Raphael Assuncao by KO at 4:59 of Round 2
*Amanda Nunes def. Felicia Spencer by unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-45)
Evan Dunham (18-8-1, 149.5) vs. Herbert Burns (10-2, 149.5) – 150 pound catchweight fight
Burns withstood the early strikes of Dunham before taking him to the mat and controlling the back. Burns had a beautiful rotation, locking the choke in and submitting Dunham.
Winner: Herbert Burns by rear-naked choke at 1:20 of Round 1
Burns is a natural featherweight and will continue fighting at that division. He is the younger brother of Gilbert Burns, who was in his corner. Dunham landed a few strikes before Burns took the fight to the mat and his rotation was exceptional. Dunham was coming out of retirement for this fight after walking away in September 2018. Burns is 2-0 in the UFC and has won five in a row.
Devin Clark (11-4, 205.5) vs. Alonzo Menifield (9-0, 205) – Light Heavyweight
R1: Clark immediately shot for the takedown and used an overtook to subdue Menifield. When Menifield broke free he hit a right uppercut that blasted Clark in the eye and was the most significant strike of the round. He followed with more strikes but Clark regained his bearings. In the final minute, Clark landed a combination and was his best sequence of the round. 10-9 Menifield
R2: Clark rebounded in the second with a significantly larger strike total. Menifield landed a right uppercut and right hand over the top. But, it was Clark working from the Thai clinch with knees to the body and a huge flurry in the closing seconds. 10-9 Clark
R3: Clark continued to control the fight with the reduced output from Menifield. After failing on his eighth takedown attempt of the fight, Clark finally took Menifield down and had his back. Clark gave up the position and tried unsuccessfully for a guillotine choke. They ended the round striking and it was an easy round for Clark. 29-28 Clark
WINNER: Devin Clark by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
This was a classic example of a fighter with an impressive record on paper with fast wins and was pushed to the limit by Clark. Clark withstood a tough opening round and was better conditioned for the three rounds by winning the final two. Menifield is a great prospect and this fight will do him a lot of good to look back on and have the experience of a three-round fight under his belt. This was Clark’s tenth fight in the UFC and the first time since 2017 that he’s won two straight while Menifield suffers the first loss of his career.
Jussier Formiga (23-7, 126) vs. Alex Perez (23-5, 126) – Flyweight
Perez came out of the gate so much quicker than Formiga connecting with a left hook early. He chopped away at Formiga’s lead left leg and it was giving the veteran significant issues. As Perez, landed a big right shot, he returned to the kicks causing Formiga to go down. He got to his feet, absorbed one more kick and the fight was waved off from the damage.
WINNER: Alex Perez by TKO at 4:06 of Round 1
Perez is the real-deal at flyweight and is 6-1 in the division and winner of 11 of his last 12 fights. The lone loss is to Joseph Benavidez, which tells you everything about the level he capable of competing at. He looked brilliant for the time this fight lasted and it was all Perez up to and including the finish. This was Formiga’s third straight loss and at 35, was much slower and unable to compete with Perez’s numerous weapons. At 28, there is enormous potential for Perez and will be leaping in placement in the rankings after this one.
Charles Byrd (10-6, 184.5) vs. Maki Pitolo (12-5, 185.5) – Middleweight
R1: It was a close round where Pitolo had top position and was reversed by Byrd. Each took turns slamming the other and having control on top. Byrd went from side control to several strikes edging it out. 10-9 Byrd
R2: Byrd came out throwing wild shots and opened himself to Pitolo’s counters. Pitolo started attacking the head and body with punches and landed two elbow strikes to the head. Pitolo swept Byrd and attacked with strikes on the ground for the impressive ending.
WINNER: Maki Pitolo by TKO at 1:10 of Round 2
Pitolo exercised patience at the start of the second round and then unloaded with precise strikes to the head and body that appeared to shut down Byrd. This was Pitolo’s first fight at middleweight coming up from welterweight and showed no issues with the larger weight division while earning his first UFC win. Byrd falls to 1-3 in the UFC and his third consecutive defeat.
Cody Stamann (18-2-1, 145.5) vs. Brian Kelleher (21-10, 146) – Featherweight
R1: Stamann was the aggressor throughout the round and landed with a head kick. Kelleher was finding his range and progressing as the round continued. Stamann never appeared in trouble and was behind his jab when Kelleher tried to get his offense going and out-landed Kelleher 29-14. 10-9 Stamann
R2: Stamann increased his pressure with his jabs before a single-leg takedown. Stamann worked inside Kelleher’s guard and scored with elbow strikes. Stamann is well-conditioned at the higher weight class and up by two rounds. 10-9 Stamann
R3: Stamann slowed down a bit in the third round as Kelleher had his best round. Kelleher was throwing everything with mixed results landing with some left hands and putting some combinations together in the final minute. When the fight ended, Stamann seemed emotionally spent from such a difficult week in his personal life. 29-28 Stamann
WINNER: Cody Stamann by unanimous decision (30-27 all)
Stamann’s younger brother Jacob died over the past week and was unimaginable what he was going through all week. Both typically fight at bantamweight but Kelleher was returning after just fighting on May 13th at 145 pounds and coming back quickly. Stamann fought a great fight and is now 5-1-1- in the UFC but first fight at featherweight. He looked healthier at this weight class as Stamann is a large bantamweight. It will be interesting to see if he pursues future fights at 145 pounds. He said he prefers featherweight because the weight cut is a lot but isn’t a big guy and bantamweight is his home indicating that’s where he will return.
Gerald Meerschaert (31-12, 185.5) vs. Ian Heinisch (13-3, 185.5) – Middleweight
Heinisch immediately attacked with leg kicks before dropping Meerschaert with an overhand right. It took a lot of strikes on the ground before referee Chris Tognoni finally stepped in and Heinisch for the first-round stoppage.
WINNER: Ian Heinisch by TKO at 1:14 of Round 1
The overhand right landed clean and was the turning point of the short fight. It was quick but Heinisch was composed with success through the leg kicks before dropping the taller fighter. Heinisch snapped a two-fight losing streak after losses to Derek Brunson and Omari Akhmedov. Meerschaert falls to 6-5 fighting in the UFC.
Alex Caceres (15-12 and 1 NC, 146) vs. Chase Hooper (9-0-1, 145.5) – Featherweight
R1: Caceres looked great throughout the first round as he read all of Hopper’s movements. Caceres rocked him with a right hand but failed to capitalize on it. Hooper just appeared out of his element on the feet with the more experienced opponent. Caceres went for a takedown near the end. 10-9 Caceres
R2: The second round continued Caceres’ one-sided striking. This fight can only be competitive if Hooper takes it to the ground and it seemed Caceres was willing to engage on the mat. This fight is an example of a fighter being sent into the deep end way too early in his career and Caceres is exploiting this matchmaking decision. 10-9 Caceres
R3: Caceres continued to dominate the stand-up portion of the fight, which is where 95% of the fight was contested. Caceres was teeing off and using both hands throughout the round. Caceres ended the round on top in his guard dropping strikes. 30-27 Caceres.
WINNER: Alex Caceres by unanimous decision (30-27 all)
The only debate was whether any 10-8 rounds were registered. I never felt Caceres did enough in any one round to cross the line from 10-9 to 10-8. This was a fight that was too much for this stage of Hooper’s career and it was one-sided for fifteen minutes. Hooper is a talented grappler and one day he may mature with his striking but that’s the takeaway from this fight, he isn’t there now. Caceres is now 11-10 with one no contest in the UFC.
Sean O’Malley (11-0, 136) vs. Eddie Wineland (24-13-1, 136) – Bantamweight
Wineland connected with a right hand but O’Malley was targeting the body. O’Malley used a right uppercut feint and blasted Wineland with a clean right hand causing Wineland to go out with one of the scariest knockouts you are going to see. O’Malley landed the punch and walked off knowing he was done. Wow.
WINNER: Sean O’Malley by KO at 1:54 of Round 1
Sean O’Malley’s stock is soaring in 2020 since his comeback after being off for two years. The knockout is going to be a contender for the best one of 2020 and is the biggest win of O’Malley’s career given the resume that Wineland holds. O’Malley told Joe Rogan he has the best striking in MMA. He is undefeated and has a massive ceiling as a breakout star for the promotion. His next fight should be a big one at bantamweight.
Neil Magny (22-7, 171) vs. Anthony Rocco Martin (17-5, 170.5) – Welterweight
R1: It wasn’t an eventful round with Martin clinching with Magny against the cage but failing to take the fight to the mat. Martin connected with a right hand with Magny landing some calf kicks near the end. 10-9 Martin
R2: Martin stunned him with a right hand to get the takedown and into Magny’s half-guard. Magny got to his feet and placed pressure on Martin but it was another round for Martin. 10-9 Martin
R3: Magny came alive and controlled the entirety of the third round. Martin was exhausted and connected with a right hand and followed with knees and lots of jabs. It was a really strong round for Magny. 29-28 Martin
WINNER: Neil Magny by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
This was a really close fight but there is no way Magny won all three rounds. I had it 29-28 but I did hear from an MMA judge who said the final round should be a 10-8 and therefore, that would have made it a draw on my card. Martin had nothing left in the third round and Magny would have won the fight under Pride rules in terms of the overall fight but I felt Martin won the first two. This was Magny’s 22nd fight in the UFC.
Aljamain Sterling (18-3, 136) vs. Cory Sandhagen (12-1, 135.5) – Bantamweight
Sterling got onto his back took Sandhagen to the mat with the body triangle locked tight. Sterling went for the choke but had it on the jaw, he released the choke and re-applied it tight and Sandhagen went out.
WINNER: Aljamain Sterling by rear-naked at 1:28 of Round 1
This was huge for Sterling’s career and should place him in line to fight for the title at 135 pounds. After his loss to Marlon Moraes in 2017, he has won five straight and submitting someone the level of Cory Sandhagen is a large a statement as Sterling could make. Sterling has entered the elite level discussion at the weight class.
Cody Garbrandt (11-3, 136) vs. Raphael Assuncao (27-7, 136) – Bantamweight
R1: Garbrandt seemed incredibly measured with a tight stance and lots of patience compared to past criticisms. Garbrandt was quicker while landing leg kicks repeatedly and also attacking the body. 10-9 Garbrandt
R2: Garbrandt was still attacking the leg and forcing Assuncao to switch stances. Assuncao started to get his timing and beginning to have the momentum in the round. Then, Garbrandt drilled him and Assuncao briefly went down and claimed it was a slip. In the closing second, Garbrandt knocked him out with a right hand from another universe. The fight was waved off with one second remaining and another unreal knockout on the main card.
WINNER: Cody Garbrandt by KO at 4:59 of Round 2
Between Garbrandt and Sean O’Malley, these were two of the best knockouts of the year. The bantamweight division has some incredible players coming out of this card with tons of possible directions. Garbrandt needed this one badly after three losses and secured his first since December 2016 when he won the title from Dominick Cruz. Assuncao has now lost three straight after prior losses to Marlon Moraes and Cory Sandhagen.
Amanda Nunes (19-4, 145) vs. Felicia Spencer (8-1, 144.5) for the UFC women’s featherweight title
R1: Nunes dominated the first round with a clean right hand that Spencer absorbed. Nunes threw her down to the mat and went to side control before attacking with elbows and cutting her. It was a one-sided round. 10-8 Nunes
R2: Nunes didn’t administer the damage she did in the first round but this was all Nunes again. She used a leg kick to set up the right hand. Spencer had a takedown blocked allowing Nunes to score her own takedown. 10-9 Nunes
R3: Nunes is running away with this fight and this was another 10-8 round. Nunes shrugs off the takedown attempts that have nothing behind them, Nunes just had her way with the striking including a right uppercut and picking her apart with nothing from Spencer. 10-8 Nunes
R4: Nunes unloaded at the end of the round and swarmed Spencer with strikes before taking the back and applying a choke before the horn sounded. 10-8 Nunes
R5: Nunes just continued to attack and this fight was over by this point but Spencer kept going. The doctor checked on her and allowed her to continue. This was all Nunes. 10-9 Nunes and 50-42 overall
WINNER: Amanda Nunes by unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-45)
