Rewatch all the action on UFC FIGHT PASS
Who were the winners at UFC Fight Night: Dos Anjos vs Alvarez? Click below to get the results for all the fights at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Thursday, July 7, 2016.
Dos Anjos vs Alvarez | Nelson vs Lewis | Jouban vs Muhammad | Duffy vs Clarke | Pyle vs Mina | Makdessi vs Baghdad | Birchak vs Lopes | Doane vs Munhoz | Arantes vs Sanders | Burns vs Sajewski | Beltran vs Vieira | Luque vs Herrera
UFC Fight Night: Dos Anjos vs Alvarez main card
Main event UFC lightweight title fight: Eddie Alvarez defeats Rafael Dos Anjos
Eddie Alvarez landed an overhand right as Rafael Dos Anjos plodded forward in what has become his signature style. And just like that the Brazilian knees buckled and the “Underground King” realized his dream of becoming the new UFC champion after unloading a barrage of punches, forcing Herb Dean to step in and stop the fight to award Alvarez the victory by TKO at 3:49 of the first round.
More from Fight Night Dos Anjos vs Alvarez: Results | Alvarez rocks RDA to win title | Lewis, Jouban, Duffy take different paths to victory | Mina KO win caps submission-filled prelims | Backstage interviews: Derrick Lewis | Octagon interviews: Eddie Alvarez, Derrick Lewis | Re-live all the fights on-demand
Co-main: Derrick Lewis defeats Roy Nelson
Derrick “The Black Beast” Lewis came out swinging heavy lumber and hit Roy Nelson with the tree stumps he calls legs, leaving “Big Country” battered and bruised. Nelson landed seven takedowns on the fight but Lewis’ volume on the feet won him the split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
Alan Jouban defeats Belal Muhammad
Alan Jouban showed off his explosive style, bringing the fight to Belal Muhammad en route to a unanimous decision victory (28-27, 29-27, 29-28). Jouban landed 96 significant strikes to just 65 from Muhammad, who showed his heart in the third round after getting outclassed in the first two rounds.
They said it:
Alan Jouban: "What can I say, he’s a really tough guy and it was tough fight. He came out in the third round strong and showed he was undefeated for a reason. I didn’t underestimate his abilities coming into this fight — I knew what to expect. He hasn’t been finished in his career and I gave him all I could. I’d love to fight in New York in November and I’m ready to take on someone in the top 15."
Joe Duffy defeats Mitch Clarke
Joe Duffy exploded out of the gates, landing an overhand right to Clarke to drop him in the opening seconds of the fight. Duffy jumped on a rocked Clarke and was able to take his back and finish by rear naked choke just 25 seconds into the first round.
They said it:
Joseph Duffy: "It’s never easy fighting in the Octagon, even if it’s only 25 seconds. I’ve been working my butt off in the gym since my last fight and a lot of hard work has paid off. A lot of effort goes into those 25 seconds. I was coming off a loss and that motivated me to come in 100% today and take away the win. I envisaged this fight a few different ways, but didn’t see it going the way it actually happened. You prepare for the worst and hope for the best. I want to thank my team, who all got me ready for this fight. It’s always tough coming back from a loss."
UFC Fight Night: Dos Anjos vs Alvarez FIGHT PASS prelims
Alberto Mina defeats Mike Pyle
Alberto Mina landed a flying knee right on target to the face of Mike Pyle, dropping the 40-year-old to earn the TKO win at 1:17 of the second round. Mina improves to 13-0 and a perfect 3-0 in the UFC.
They said it:
Alberto Mina: "This victory is the tipping point of my career. I have been under the radar and now this puts me back out there where I want to be. I am very excited and looking forward to what comes next in my career."
John Makdessi defeats Mehdi Baghdad
Makdessi wins by split decision
They said it:
John Makdessi: "The goal is to always be victorious in the fight game. I’m fighting the top guys in the best competition — this is world class. My goal is to build a legacy and be proud of my career. When this fight went to a decision and the results were being announced, of course I was nervous. Losses are always in the back of my mind, but I trust my instincts, my training and preparation. I train with the best — all smart fighters I can learn from. The key for me in this fight was to stay calm under pressure. My opponent switched things up and became more patient. I went into survival mode, but knew I could win trusting my training and the decisions I would make under pressure."
Mehdi Baghdad: “John is a really tough guy. For the decision, I have to go watch the fight. I thought I was winning the first and second rounds and came close to knocking him out. For sure he hit me in the third round, but he was just touching me. I didn’t feel like I was going to get knocked out, but I came close to knocking him out. I don’t know for sure, but I think I won the fight. I have to watch it again. It’s hard to say right now."
Anthony Birchak defeats Dileno Lopes
Anthony Birchak wasn’t able to finish Dileno Lopes in the two’s slugfest. But Birchak was able to earn the decision victory by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 27-30) and improve to 2-2 in the UFC.
They said it:
Anthony Birchak: "I remember thinking throughout the fight that if I could keep up the pressure, direct him close up against the outer Octagon and keep him running, I’m winning. So that was the plan. I felt I was landing some good shots – some stiff straights and really had my jab going well. I remember two solid body shots that I feel took a lot out juice out of him. But the defining moment for me was the knock down – that gave me a moment to regather myself and realize I could get the finish. He did well to hang in there and take it to a decision."
Pedro Munhoz defeats Russell Doane
Pedro Munhoz didn’t waste any time adding to the amazing submission run at the start of the event by locking up a guillotine choke to submit Russell Doane at 2:08 of the first round. Doane was getting the better of the exchanges on the feet but Munhoz landed just one takedown and the rest was history..
They said it:
Pedro Munhoz: "I saw the neck right there. First we were throwing good punches, he got me with some good kicks to the body and I kicked back. But when I saw the opportunity for the neck, that was an opportunity I couldn’t lose. I put all my effort into that choke - I strained and pushed hard for it and I got it. I train with a lot of good people, so I came into this fight confident. They push me a lot. I want to thank all of them – my partners and coaches. I was ready for the win. Yes, he got me with some good shots, but you’re not going to see me walking backwards. I’m always going forward."
LOSING FIGHTER: “He was a tough opponent from the start. I knew he was going to be and that’s how I prepared for this fight. I knew he’d be tough so I came out hard, but I got a little over-aggressive. I got caught."
Felipe Arantes defeats Jerrod Sanders
Felipe Arantes defeated Jerrod Sanders by submission due to an armbar at 1:39 of the second round. That’s four straight submissions to open the card at Fight Night Las Vegas.
They said it:
Felipe Arantes: "I was hoping to win via first round KO in this fight, but my opponent was very strong on his feet. His strength was surprising, so I had to adapt. I stay calmed and found ways to fight and be competitive, which was to use my BJJ off my back. Even though I didn’t get the first round KO like I had wanted, I’m still very happy with the win."
Jerrod Sanders: “I’m kind of disappointed in myself right now. I don’t know what to say. I got caught. Obviously I’ve got some work to do."
Gilbert Burns defeats Lukasz Sajewski
Gilbert Burns tied former UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey for second place in UFC history with three armbar finishes when he submitted Lukasz Sajewski at 4:57 of Round 1. Only legend Royce Gracie has more armbar finishes with four.
They said it:
Gilbert Burns: "I felt my opponent was aggressive. He was coming at me, but wasn’t able to get me – just some low kicks and punches. Nothing special that worried me. I could sense he was nervous and that made me relax. This isn’t the first time I’ve gone for the finish. I’m always looking to finish fights. I wanted to put on a dominant performance. I came to dominate. I don’t like to watch boring fights, I like to watch exciting fights and so that’s what I do – put on exciting fights and always look for the finish. I want to fight again soon. I’m healthy and in shape. I want to have that Cowboy Cerrone style – stay ready all the time and be ready to fill in for someone. I’ll fight on Saturday given the opportunity."
Marco Beltran defeats Reginaldo Vieira
Marco Beltran landed a pair of devastating upkicks and capitalized by taking Reginaldo Vieira’s back and submitting him with a rear naked choke at 3:04 of Round 2. Vieira landed three takedowns in the fight but was out-struck and ultimately finished.
They said it:
Marco Beltran: "I would like to thank all my fans in Mexico and my family for all their support. They love me unconditionally and have been there for me from the very beginning. I love them very much. I would love to fight soon again, I know the Mexico card will be in November and would love to fight there. I am so excited this means so much to me."
Reginaldo Vieira: “He surprised me with that upkick. I gave it my best, but he won tonight. I’m just going to shake this loss off and get ready for the next fight."
Vicente Luque defeats Alvaro Herrera
It was a wrestling clinic put on by Vicente Luque against Alvaro Herrera in the opening fight of International Fight Week. The Brazilian landed four takedowns and doubled Herrera up in significant strikes (25-12) before sinking in a D’Arce choke to submit Herrera at 3:52 of the second round. Luque has now won two in a row.
They said it:
Vicente Luque: "I knew I was going in there against a tough opponent tonight. He’s a strong boxer and I’m a boxer and kickboxer, so it was a fight I saw staying on the feet. He was tougher than expected in the stand up - I wanted to keep standing, but had to change things up and get the takedown and submission. The submission was my plan B, actually plan C. I think I could have still won the fight standing, but I’m excited about another submission win. This is my fifth win by either D’arce or anaconda choke. If I see it, I’m going to take it. I’m going to enjoy the win and hope to fight in my hometown next."
Alvaro Herrera: "This is a tough moment for me. He fought very well and took control of the situation. I promise I will come back stronger."
