UFC Fight Night 158 ‘Cerrone vs Gaethje’ – Play by Play Updates & LIVE Results

Misha Cirkunov defeated Jim Crute via Submission in Round 1

Misha Cirkunov was involved in a much bigger fight outside the octagon, as he spent most of his time supporting his wife battle it out with cancer and emerge victorious. The lightweight’s ninth UFC appearance started off on a high note but half way through the first round, Misha was in deep waters as Crute was moments away from finishing the Canadian with his ground and pound. Misha managed to reverse the position with a sweep, secured a top position and wrapped up a guillotine choke that resulted into a Peruvian Necktie. Crute was caught in a bad way and he had no choice but to tap out at 3:38 secs of the first round. This was Misha’s fourth submission victory and he improved his UFC record to 6-3. Crute suffered his first UFC loss after picking up two wins against Sam Alvey and Paul Craig.

For Misha, it’s been a tough last two years as he struggled with three losses via TKO, all coming in the first round. But with this impressive win, the Latvian born fighter looks to be back on the track and carve a name for himself in the lightweight division.

Uriah Hall defeated Antonio Carlos Jr. via Split Decision

It was a tough and emotional night for Uriah Hall who had to slug it out with his former training partner and close pal Antonio Carlos Junior to win a split decision. Once touted as a prospect in the middleweight division, Uriah Hall suffered three consecutive defeats and his last three losses had come via TKO. But the former “Ultimate Fighter” finalist rebounded with a KO win last year and continued the momentum in this fight to earn his second win in a row.

It was a classic striker vs. grappler matchup with Antonio relying on his BJJ to put Uriah in scary moments on the ground. Uriah had to survive the submission attempts from Antonio, but once he broke free he used his boxing & kicks to smother up the Brazilian and in the process busted his nose. Back and forth action ensued in the second and third rounds with Uriah firing strikes that caught Anotnio off guard while the Brazilian went for takedowns once he got hold of Hall. But it was Hall’s striking that did most of the damage and made sure the judges scored a split decision in favour of Uriah Hall.

Tristan Connelly defeated Michel Pereira via Unanimous Decision

Everyone now knows who Tristan Connelly is.

The Canadian Connelly stepped up on five day’s notice to face Michel Pereira, went up a weight division, brought the fight to his opponent and picked up a wild unanimous decision win. Michel Pereira who didn’t care to cut weight came in much heavier and bigger than the underdog Connelly. It was as if David was facing off Goliath.

The moment fight started, an over confident Pereira resorted to antics and flashy moves in an attempt to get the momentum going. But the 33 year old Connely was unfazed. He brought his experience and hometown support to face the madman. Pereira could not land any significant strike in the first round as Connelly intelligently evaded most of the offense. After a series of backflip, flying knee, flying kick Pereira’s cardio began to fade and Connelly’s confidence building up. Connelly landed some big shots on Pereira who resorted to taking Connelly to the mat. But Connelly was not going away. He began to let lose his hands and kicks sending Pereira on backpedal. When time came, Connelly wrapped up a guillotine choke, transitioned into top control and unleashed strikes on the Brazilian as the final round ended. A BIG win for Connelly in his UFC debut and a BIG lesson for other fighters to never attempt such antics.

Todd Duffee vs. Jeff Hughes Ended in a No Contest (Accidental Eye Poke)

After a four year hiatus from the UFC, Todd Duffee was finally making his come back. But It didn’t end the way the heavyweight wanted it to be. An unexpected eye poke from Jeff Hughes left Duffee seeing double vision and forced the referee to stop the fight at 4:03 secs of the first round. Duffee was making progress in the first round with his aggressive output and dropped Hughes with a huge uppercut. But the tough as nails Hughes stood his ground and began trading heavy leather. Hughes got better of Duffee with a short punch and wobbled him. But just as they clinched, Hughes’ in an attempt to break away had his finger pushed against Duffee’s left eye. Duffee instantly asked for time and but he never fully recovered. The doctor’s final verdict had the fight to be stopped. With this unfortunate ending, Duffee will have to seek redemption in his next UFC appearance while Hughes is yet to make a successful UFC debut.

Glover Teixeira defeated Nikita Krylov via Split Decision

Glover Teixeira’s birthday present arrived early tonight. The Brazilian MMA veteran who will turn 40 in the next few days picked up his third straight win against a tough Nikita Krylov in the co-main event. Teixeira relied more on his ground game to put Krylov in tough spots and get ahead on the judges’ scorecard. Krylov who came out strong with his striking tried to engage Teixeira in the stand up but the later preferred to take the fight to the ground after catching a kick. From there on Teixeira looked for submissions from all angles but Krylov managed to escape and reversed the tables putting Teixeira in a choke.

The experienced Teixeira was patient and worked his way out to engage Krylov in a standup exchange. But soon the pace slowed down and Teixeira took the fight to the ground again until the finals seconds of the third round. With this win, Teixeira is now 4-1 in his last five fights.

Justin Gaethje defeated Donald Cerrone via TKO in Round 1

Justin Gaethje gets another highlight reel finish that’s true to his nick name.

The main event fight between the #5 ranked Gaethje and #4 Cerrone lasted well over four minutes and ended in a spectacular TKO finish. Gaethje as promised made sure to end the fight in the first round as he used leg kicks to keep Cerrone at bay. Gaethje was landing more over hands while Cerrone relied on his jabs. In a wild exchange, Gaethje dropped Cerrone with a solid right hand and just as he tried to get back up ate another one sending him down o his knees. Gaethje looked at the referee to stop the fight, but without any interference, he had to land a few more punches to finally get the stoppage.

Gaethje has completely turned around his fighting style, making more intelligent and well times strikes while making good use of head movements to avoid any serious damage. This new renewed strategy has led Gaethje to win three consecutive fights in the first rounds.

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