LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie is on the scene for Saturday’s UFC 269 event.
UFC 269 takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN/ESPN+ and early prelims on ESPN+.
In the main event, Charles Oliveira will look to record his first lightweight title defense against former interim champion Dustin Poirier. In the co-feature, two-division champion Amanda Nunes will put her women’s bantamweight title on the line against Julianna Pena. Also, former bantamweight champion Cody Garbradnt drops down to flyweight for the first time where he will meet Kai Kara-France. The eccentric Sean O’Malley takes on Raulian Paiva to kick things off the pay-per-view main card.
To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFC 269 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporters John Morgan (@MMAjunkieJohn) and Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) on Twitter.
Enjoy the fights, everyone.
Priscila Cachoeira vs. Gillian Robertson
Round 1 – Quick punches exchanged before Robertson shoots from range but comes up short. Cachoeira trying to stay busy with her hands, but Robertson drops levels again and moves inside. Cachoeira defends and spins to the outside before they disengage. Cachoeira landing with the right hand, and Cachoeira already has some damage on the face. Cachoeira changes levels again but can’t get inside. Low kick from Robertson countered over the top. Cachoeira getting the best of the early exchanges. Two minutes gone, and Robertson finally able to duck under a punch and drive the action to the canvas. Robertson slips the left leg past the guard. She drives punches to the body and looks to advance position. She wants the arm and winds up slipping to the back. Cachoeira defends there, and Robertson is able to transition again and move to mount. High mount, but the base is firm. Robertson with punches and elbows from the top. Cachoeira trying to buck, but Robertson is in solid top control. Cachoeira scrambles and gets back to the feet, but Robertson grabs her neck and drives her back to the floor. She has the neck as time winds down. She’s squeezing but running out of clock. She keeps it in and adjusts, and Cachoeira taps just before the bell.
Result: Gillian Robertson def. Priscila Cachoeira via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:59
Recap: Gillian Robertson chokes out Priscila Cachoeira despite eye gouges
Photos: Gillian Robertson def. Priscila Cachoeira at UFC 269: Best photos
Records: Priscila Cachoeira (10-4 MMA, 2-4 UFC) vs. Gillian Robertson (10-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC)
Division: Women’s Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
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Randy Costa vs. Tony Kelley
Round 1 – Kelley is quickly forward and looking to pressure. Costa moves laterally to avoid. Quick punches exchanged, and Kelley adds in a kick, as well. Kelley looking to pressure. he misses a spinning kick. Costa retreating and looking to counter. He just misses with a big uppercut and then drives the action to the cage. They’re working for position there and trade a few knees before Costa pulls back and resets. Costa scores with a jab before Kelley closes the distance. Costa spins him off the cage. Kelley reverses again. They’re grinding in the clinch, but neither can really gain control. They finally break away, and it’s Kelley who maintains the pressure with punches and kicks. Costa trying to counter, but he gets very little space to work. They move back to the clinch, where they continue to jockey for position. Kelley on the outside, and they finish there. MMA Junkie gives the first to Kelley, 10-9.
Round 2 – Kelley again driving forward with strikes, firing several kicks, as well. Costa trying to swing back, but Kelley is just non-stop with his forward movement and moves into the clinch. Still noting really working there, so they move back to the center. Costa lands with a jab. Right hand comes behind it. He’s starting to get his hands going. Kelley with a few high kicks that are blocked. Costa takes a deep breath. They move back to the clinch again. Costa backs away and lands a clean jab. Right hand again. High kick, and he moves forward. Kelley grabs a Thai clinch with his back against the cage. Knees scores inside. Costa drops to a knee. Kelley wants the neck, but it’s not there. He pushes down and settles on top. Half-guard underneath, and Kelley is firing away with punches and forearms. Costa covering up, but he’s not stopping them. Kelley just keeps banging away, and Mark Smith steps in to call it off.
Result: Tony Kelley def. Randy Costa via TKO (elbows) – Round 2, 4:15
Photos: Tony Kelley def. Randy Costa at UFC 269: Best photos
Records: Randy Costa (6-3 MMA, 2-3 UFC) vs. Tony Kelley (8-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
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Ryan Hall vs. Darrick Minner
Round 1 – Minor delay to start as an issue with the cage door is addressed, but it’s quickly fixed and we begin. Minner with lots of lateral movement. He misses a low kick. Hall a little more flat-footed as he seeks his entry. Low kick from Minner checked, and a right hand is blocked. Minner catches a kick but lets it go. Minner with a right hand, and Hall drops and inverts to attack the leg. Minner sits back and looks to pull it free. Hall spins and gives it another go. Not there again, but Hall controls the head as he moves to the front. Minner able to slip free and move back to the feet. He lands a few solid punches, and Hall tries to drop again. Minner pushes him away and starts punching before driving rough with a takedown. Hall tries to attack the arm. Minner backs away and then dives down again. Hall able to attack the heel. Not there, but it allows Hall to roll back to the top. Minner holding down on the head to keep Hall from advancing. Hall with a few punches from the top as time winds down. Close round, but MMA Junkie leans toward Hall, 10-9.
Round 2 – Minner comes out boxing and lands a few punches from range. Hall retreats and bounces off the cage before changing levels and attacking the legs. Minner able to pull free and then settle in his opponent’s guard. Minner works from there before Hall gets the legs up and looks for the arm. Minner lifts him and slams out of the hold and stays on top, grinding away with short strikes. Hall able to cut an angle underneath and gets the legs up on the shoulder. Head trapped, and Hall strikes him with several elbows. Hall tightens up the triangle. Left arm is isolated, and Hall is trying to attack it, but he’s landing elbows, as well. Hall moves out to the side and wants to attack the omo plata. Not there, and Minner looks up at Jason Herzog to complain that there’s no action. Hall keeps punching away until the bell. MMA Junkie gives it again to Hall, 10-9.
Round 3 – Hall with a spinning kick that’s blocked. Minner rushes with punches, and Hall drops and instantly is back in the triangle position. What a slick move. Minner trying to attack from the guard, but Hall turns to the leg. Minner spins through it and looks for his own attack on the legs, but it’s not there. Hall clears and settles on top. Shoulder pressure, and Hall steps over to mount. Minner trying to frame and create some space, but Hall is heavy on top and controlling. Hall with a few short punches but maintaining complete control of the positioning. Minner trying to buck free, but Hall slips over and sets up the arm-triangle. Slick move there. He stay in mount and tries to tighten it up. Hall pounding away at the ribs with his right hand. Minner just can’t get free. Hall abandons the choke in the final moments and strikes until the end. MMA Junkie gives the final round to Hall, 10-9, and awards him the fight 30-27.
Result: Ryan Hall def. Darrick Minner via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-27)
Photos: Ryan Hall def. Darrick Minner at UFC 269: Best photos
Records: Ryan Hall (9-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) vs. Darrick Minner (26-13 MMA, 2-3 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Judging: Mike Bell (30-27), Junichiro Kamijo (30-27), Eric Colon (29-27, giving Hall rounds 2 and 3, with a 10-8 in round 3)
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Erin Blanchfield vs. Miranda Maverick
Round 1 – Maverick out quick with punches and kicks to all levels, while Blanchfield evades and counters while staying in tight. Maverick trying to pressure with punches but winds up exposing her back, and Blanchfield hops on it as they move to the floor. Maverick defends well and moves back to her feet, but she can’t break the grip, and Blanchfield stays on the back. Maverick works to her feet again, but Blanchfield drives her to the canvas quickly. Maverick is able to turn inside as they fall, so she’s at least facing her opponent now. Full guard for Maverick. Blanchfield steps over with the left leg. Maverick battling to regain guard, but eh’s not able to work free. Finally she pushes back to her feet, but she still can’t create any space. Blanchfield quickly trips her to the floor again. Half-guard for Maverick, and she just really hasn’t been able to get anything going. She works to her feet in the final seconds but can’t do much there. MMA Junkie gives the first to Maverick, 10-9.
Round 2 – Maverick out quickly and looking to strike.She kicks the leg, and they trade big punches before Blanchfield clinches and scores with a slick trip. Maverick tries to get to her hips, and she moves to a kneeling position, but Blanchfield tags her with an elbow. Maverick stands, but Blanchfield immediately drives through with a takedown and is in top position again. Blanchfield advances to a crucifix and starts dropping in elbows. Maverick bucking underneath and scrambling. Blanchfield tries to isolate the left arm. Maverick spins underneath but just can’t get free. Maverick tries to lock up an inverted triangle, but it’s not there. Blanchfield isolates the right arm. Maverick showing strength to keep it tucked. Blanchfield tries to turn for the armbar. Maverick again keeps it tucked and tries to counter with a scissor choke but can’t get it tight around the neck. Round ends there. MMA Junkie gives it to Blanchfield, 10-9. Wouldn’t shock to see a 10-8.
Round 3 – Maverick trying to be aggressive on the feet. She lands with a few bog punches. Kicks scoring, as well. Blanchfield walking forward and looking to get inside. Maverick with an uppercut that scores. Maverick briefly thinks takedown, but it’s not there. Blanchfield turns inside and then wraps the body and lands a trip. Great reversal, and Blanchfield is on top once again. Maverick trying to move, but Blanchfield slips around to the back. One hook is in. Maverick wisely spins inside, but Blanchfield is controlling from the top. Blanchfield again working on the right arm. She in side control and looking for the crucifix again. Maverick defending well, but Blanchfield adjusts and steps to mount. Maverick rolls and gives up her back. Hooks in, and Blanchfield finishes there. Thorough domination. MMA Junkie gives the final round to Blanchfield, 10-9, and awards here the fight 30-27.
Result: Erin Blanchfield def. Miranda Maverick via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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Records: Erin Blanchfield (8-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) vs. Miranda Maverick (9-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Judging:
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Eryk Anders vs. Andre Muniz
Round 1 – Anders with a wide stance to start. They trade a few punches. Muniz with a low kick that scores. More punches traded before Muniz changes levels and drives Anders to the canvas. Half-guard for Anders, but Muniz controls the head and then slides out to side control. Anders wisely scrambles up to his feet, but Muniz stays tight and grapevines a leg as they jockey against the cage. Muniz eventually slips to the back and then just sits down, dragging the action to the canvas. Hooks are in. Anders postures, but Muniz slips off to the side and wants the arm. Belly down, and Anders is trapped. He tries to fight out, but Muniz adjusts and torques, and Anders has to tap.
Result: Andre Muniz def. Eryk Anders via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 3:13
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Records: Eryk Anders (14-6 MMA, 6-6 UFC) vs. Andre Muniz (22-4 MMA, 4-0 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Marc Goddard
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Bruno Silva vs. Jordan Wright
Round 1 –
Result:
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Records: Bruno Silva (21-6 MMA, 2-0 UFC) vs. Jordan Wright (12-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging:
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Augusto Sakai vs. Tai Tuivasa
Round 1 –
Result:
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Records: Augusto Sakai (15-3-1 MMA, 4-2 UFC) vs. Tai Tuivasa (13-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging:
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Dominick Cruz vs. Pedro Munhoz
Round 1 –
Result:
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Records: Dominick Cruz (23-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC) vs. Pedro Munhoz (19-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Marc Goddard
Judging:
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Josh Emmett vs. Dan Ige
Round 1 –
Result:
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Records: Josh Emmett (16-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) vs. Dan Ige (15-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Judging:
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Sean O’Malley vs. Raulian Paiva
Round 1 –
Result:
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Records: Sean O’Malley (14-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) vs. Raulian Paiva (21-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+ pay-per-view
Referee: Jason Herzog
Judging:
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Cody Garbrandt vs. Kai Kara-France
Round 1 –
Result:
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Records: Cody Garbrandt (12-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) vs. Kai Kara-France (22-9 MMA, 5-2 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+ pay-per-view
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging:
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Geoff Neal vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio
Round 1 –
Result:
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Records: Geoff Neal (13-4 MMA, 5-2 UFC) vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio (28-4 MMA, 10-3 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+ pay-per-view
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging:
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Amanda Nunes vs. Julianna Pena
Round 1 –
Result:
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Records: Amanda Nunes (21-4 MMA, 14-1 UFC) vs. Julianna Pena (10-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC)
Division: Women’s Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+ pay-per-view
Referee: Marc Goddard
Judging:
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Charles Oliveira vs. Dustin Poirier
Round 1 –
Result:
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Records: Charles Oliveira (31-8 MMA, 19-8 UFC) vs. Dustin Poirier (28-6 MMA, 20-5 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+ pay-per-view
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging:
