Michael Chiesa defeated Diego Sanchez via Unanimous Decision
In the opening bout of the UFC 239 main card, the long time veteran Diego Sanchez; with more than 30 fights in the UFC took on Michael Chiesa who’s foray into the welterweight division saw him take out former interim champion Carlos Condit in Dec 2018. Chiesa believed he took take out another legend of the sport and make a mark for himself in his new found division. The fight ended up being a one sided affair from the moment Sanchez shot in right away for a take down in the first round. Chiesa was quick to scramble and from there on established a dominant position. Grappling exchanges ensued but Chiesa was able to top all of them giving no room for Sanchez have his way. Surprisingly Sanchez was not able to land any significant strikes in the stand up while Chiesa landed some nasty knees and punches in the clinch.
Heavy grappling exchanges in round 1! #UFC239 pic.twitter.com/W5Ldp2dhQn
— UFC (@ufc) July 7, 2019
Heavy shots landed by Chiesa in round 2! #UFC239
🇺🇸 https://t.co/dpllHMlMq8
🇬🇧 https://t.co/HxbMrGlCmP pic.twitter.com/2aG2U0zz68— UFC (@ufc) July 7, 2019
30-26 x3 for @MikeMav22! #UFC239 pic.twitter.com/VjxYvgYgz0
— UFC (@ufc) July 7, 2019
Jan Blachowicz defeated Luke Rockhold via KO in Round 2
Former middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold moved up to the light heavyweight division going against the #6 ranked Jan Blachowicz in his debut fight. The additional weight Luke had to put on seemed to have got him in the first round. Luke appeared to be moving and reacting slow. Once both the fghters tied up in clinch against the cage, Jan landed elbows that got Lukes attention. As the fight progressed to the final seconds, Jan landed a head kick and wobbled him, which seriously affected Luke as he came into the second round. Luke continued his game plan to take Jan down but the Polish fighter was quick to defend. Just as they separated, the Polish Power struck Luke leaving him out cold at 1:39 secs of the second round. Jan is now back in the win column with this massive win.
Rockhold wobbled at the end of round 1! #UFC239 pic.twitter.com/7W48D8Df0X
— UFC (@ufc) July 7, 2019
JAN BLACHOWICZ!!!! #UFC239 pic.twitter.com/d6Rx1KpsGT
— UFC (@ufc) July 7, 2019
Jorge Masvidal Defeated Ben Askren via KO in Round 1
#4 ranked welterweight Jorge Masvidal shocked the world and set a new UFC record for the fastest knockout ever when he knocked out #5 ranked Ben Askren with a flying knee in just five seconds. Jorge wasted no time and just went in for the flying knee and as expected Ben ducked under to grab his leg. But the knee was so accurate it instantly shut the lights off ending Ben limp on the canvas. This has to be the ‘Knocjout of the Year’ and a record that seems cannot be broken for a long time.
OH MY GOD MASVIDAL STARCHES ASKREN IN 5 SECONDS!!!#UFC239 pic.twitter.com/8oWeqSIBhW
— UFC (@ufc) July 7, 2019
Amanda Nunes defeated Holly Holm via TKO in Round 1
The co-main event 5 round title fight ended to be a champion’s night as Nunes stopped Holly Holm with a first round head kick to retain the belt.
Holm began using her kicks to keep Nunes at bay, but Nunes was successful in getting a takedown, which Holm quickly got back from. Holly continued to use the trademark jackson wink tiger kick but as Nunes pointed out the holes in her game, she kept dropping her hand to expose her head. Nunes landed a big punch. Holly went for another tiger kick to the knee, but this time Nunes counters it with her own head kick dropping her to the canvas. Holm was dazed and Nunes continued to follow up with her punches until the referee stepped in to stop the fight.
Takedown defense on point early for Holm! #UFC239 pic.twitter.com/I7zlESnzVb
— UFC (@ufc) July 7, 2019
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1147713180283461632
TONIGHT IS UNREAL!@Amanda_Leoa KOs Holm in round 1! #UFC239 pic.twitter.com/gTGe1OmnAR
— UFC (@ufc) July 7, 2019
Jon Jones defeated Thiago Santos via Split Decision
For lightweight champion Jon Jones, solving the puzzle that was Thiago Santos led him to deep waters but he emerged victorious after five rounds of mostly kickboxing. Thiago opened the first round with pressure but injured his left knee early and wasn’t the same the entire fight. Thiago landed some heavy blows which Jones absorbed and still came forward hunting his opponent. With a injured knee, Thiago did all he could but the reach wasn’t enough to land any serious shots. Jones was surprisingly low on his volume of punches and displayed holes in his game as he ate lot of inside leg kicks. With this loss, Thiago’s four fight win streak comes to an end while Jones continues his 18 fight win streak and ties to GSP with 13 title defenses.
After a flurry from Marreta, Jones drops Santos with an elbow! #UFC239 pic.twitter.com/Vc5lL55Yh1
— UFC (@ufc) July 7, 2019
Jones opening up more now and landing hard shots! #UFC239 pic.twitter.com/1N83g5wtTO
— UFC (@ufc) July 7, 2019
The step-in elbow that dropped Santos 💪 #UFC239 pic.twitter.com/zDlpciWdZT
— UFC (@ufc) July 7, 2019
5️⃣ minutes to go!
How's your scorecard looking heading into the final round? #UFC239 pic.twitter.com/0vaIoVAEBr
— UFC (@ufc) July 7, 2019
And New or And Still? #UFC239 pic.twitter.com/hq46wuffuC
— UFC (@ufc) July 7, 2019
#AndStill the undisputed UFC LHW champion of the world! #UFC239 @JonnyBones || B2YB Nemiroff pic.twitter.com/8UWc70Iqse
— UFC (@ufc) July 7, 2019