It’s time for another early UFC card for the North American audience as UFC Singapore kicks off at a start time of 5:00am ET for the prelims, and 8:00am ET for the main card. Join us this morning on Bloody Elbow for results, discussion and play-by-play for the main card portion of the event.
The card will be capped off with a clash of world class grapplers when Jiu-Jitsu ace Demian Maia tussles with wrestling phenom Ben Askren. Maia is currently rocking a two-fight wining streak and is hoping to make it three in a row. As for Askren, well… this is his first fight back since suffering that devastating five-second knockout loss at the hands of BMF contender Jorge Masvidal.
On deck in the co-main event, the ever dangerous Michael Johnson will mix it up with the scrappy Scot Stevie Ray. Both men suffered tough knockout losses in their last outings, so expect both fighters to come out with something to prove. Also on the main card, the crafty veteran Beneil Dariush is scheduled to compete against the heavy handed Frank Camacho. Dariush is out to make it three straight victories for himself, while Camacho is hunting for back to back wins.
Main card: (8AM EDT, ESPN+)
Demian Maia vs. Ben Askren: Welterweight
Rd.1-
Maia starts off with a cross that connects. Askren lands a light inside leg kick. Askren reaches for a takedown but fails, and then tries again. He lands a hook and clinches up. A double cross lands for Maia. Ben returns to the inside leg kick and then throws an uppercut. Maia works his jab. He sticks a cross as Askren looks to close the distance. Askren grabs a front head lock and lands a knee. A right cross gets through for Ben followed by a brief tie up. A three piece lands for Maia before Askren clinches up. Maia escapes but eats an uppercut. A big body kick registers for Maia. Askren keeps trying to tie up. He finally gets a body lock takedown. Maia works a straight arm lock but bails on it. Askren lands short shots to the body as time expires.
10-9 Askren
Rd.2-
Maia lands a jab followed by a stiff cross as Askren reaches for the clinch. They clinch up and Maia lands a knee to the belly. They separate and Askren hits a clean uppercut. Maia misses with a cross and they briefly tie up. A hook to cross hits for Maia, and then a right hook. Askren doubles up on his jab and Maia starts to bleed from the cheek. Askren lands another uppercut. A jab jab cross lands for Askren, but he then eats a hard cross. A cross to jab lands for Maia and Askren returns with an uppercut. Askren changes levels and gets the takedown. Maia threatens with a triangle and uses an oomaplata to sweep into top position. They’re grappling! Maia moves to full mount but Askren scrambles and takes top position.
10-9 Askren?
Rd.3-
Askren closes the distance hunting for the takedown but Maia escapes into open space. A big bodylock takedown is achieved by Askren, who takes side control. Maia works his way back to his feet. A body kick lands for Askren and then he misses by a mile with a spinning backfist. A big body knee hits for Maia as Ben closes the distance. A stinging cross gets through for Maia and Askren grabs a single leg. Maia uses a leg lock attempt to sweep. He takes full mount, and then the back. He works for a RNC. Ben tries to fight it but it’s tight. ASKREN GOES TO SLEEP!!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!! YESSSSSS!
Demian Maia def. Ben Askren by technical submission (RNC) at 3:54 of round 3: Welterweight
Michael Johnson vs. Stevie Ray: Lightweight
Rd.1-
Ray starts the fight with a leg kick. Johnson cracks with a stiff jab. Ray shoots in but Johnson sprawls. Another leg kick scores for Ray. A jab to left cross hits the mark for Johnson. Ray connects with a clean left hand and Johnson double jabs to the body. A lead hook sneaks in for Johnson behind a cross. A 1-2 misses for Ray but then the same combo lands. Johnson blocks a head kick and pumps his jab. they both enter the pocket but it’s the lead hook of Johnson that scores. A set of jabs land and then a cross tests the chin of Ray. Johnson launches a cross to the body and goes upstairs with the hook. A leg kick form Ray hits home but he eats a cross.
10-9 Johnson
Rd.2-
The fighters exchange jabs to kick off the round. Johnson double pumps the jab and then takes it to the body. He sticks with the jab and then goes to the inside leg with a kick. Ray throws the jab but Johnson throws two of them. Ray gets a head kick blocked and the whiffs on a hook. A stiff cross registers for Ray and then Johnson returns the favor. A hard leg kick lands to the thigh of Johnson and then Ray hits with a cross. Ray shoots in but Johnson was easily sprawls. A hook misses but the cross snaps back the head of Ray. Another left gets through for Johnson and blood from the nose of Ray starts to leak. Johnson throws a flurry, only connecting with a hook. Johnson attacks the inside and outside leg and then goes upstairs with a cross to jab combo. Another stiff cross cracks Ray in the face.
10-9 Johnson
Rd.3-
Ray opens the third round with a leg kick but eats a jab. Johnson connects with a 1-2 and then a cross by itself. Ray throws his own 1-2 but it’s blocked. Another left hand smashes the face of Ray. Another takedown attempt is easily avoided by Johnson. A hard leg kick lands clean for Ray, but Johnson responds with a two piece. Ray goes for another takedown attempt and gets it. He lands a couple of ground strikes before trying to advance his position. Ray starts to pour on some more strikes before taking the back. He locks up the body triangle. Johnson is doing a sound job of protecting his neck. Ray rolls Johnson to his belly and begins to drop punishment. Johnson manages to flop to his back, but Ray is in full mount. Johnson manages to hold on to exit the round.
10-9 Ray
Stevie Ray def. Michael Johnson by majority decision (29-28 x2, 28-28): Lightweight
Beneil Dariush vs. Frank Camacho: Lightweight
Rd.1-
Dariush looks for a knee to the body to start things off. Camacho presses forward pumping his jab. A series of left hands hit the mark for Dariush. In the clinch, Dariush rips to the body and finishes with a body kick. Camacho gives up the takedown and Dariush spins right to the back. He quickly attacks an RNC with a body triangle locked in. CAMACHO TAPS!!!!!! WOW WHAT A COMPLETE STYLING BY DARIUSH!!!
Beneil Dariush def. Frank Camacho by submission (RNC) at 2:02 of round 1: Lightweight
Ciryl Gane vs. Dontale Mayes: Heavyweight
Rd.1-
Mayes opens up with a teep to the midsection and then whiffs a spinning backfist. An outside leg kick taps the target for Mayes. Gane comes in hard with a two pice and the goes high with a head kick. Gane kicks to the body and Mayes counters with a left hook. Gane goes back high with a kick. A body kick to left hook scores for Gane. A thudding body kick scores again for Gane followed by a teep tot he face. Another body kick hits and then a left hand. Mayes lands a leg kick to respond. A jab lands for Mayes but Gane responds with a clean two piece. A set of body kicks register for Gane. Mayes gets hit in the eye and starts to back up. A series of elbows come dropping down. Gane lands a flush flying knee and then knocks down Mayes with body punches. He follows up with hard ground strikes as the bell sounds.
10-9 Gane
Rd.2-
Mayes starts out with a grazing overhand right. Gane fires back with a two piece but Mayes does a solid job of moving out of the way. An inside leg kick lands to the cup of Mayes, pausing the fight. The fight restarts and Mayes lands a body shot of his own. A teep to the leg trips up Mayes but he stands back up. A body kick hits for Gane and a spinning backfist scores for Mayes. A hard outside leg kick cracks for Gane and then Mayes returns the act just as hard. The fighters go shin to shin as they both look to kick. A strong teep to the gut gets through for Gane. A wide hook from Mayes leads to a level change from Gane. From the full guard, Gane passes all the way to north/south. Mayes rolls to his knees and uses two on one to get back to his feet. Gane drags Mayes to the floor as the bell sounds.
10-9 Gane
Rd.3-
A leg kick from Mayes scores clean to open the round. Gane responds with a head kick that’s mostly blocked. A strong teep to the midsection backs up Mayes. Gane swings wide hooks as Mayes looks to clinch up. they remain in open space and Mayes lands a left hook. AN overhand right tests the chin of Mayes and then Gane launches a stiff body kick. A slap to uppercut scores for Gane, followed by a cross to the body. Another body kick hits the belly of Mayes. Mayes spins with a backfist but eats a counter punch for his troubles. A body cross to left hook crack. A body kick visibly hurts Mayes and Gane goes in for the kill. Mayes keeps one hand on the mat to avoid a knee to the face. Gane opts to secure the takedown and drops back for a heel hook. OMG HE GETS IT!!!! MAYES TAPS!!
Ciryl Gane def. Dontale Mayes by submission (heel hook) at 4:46 of round 3: Heavyweight
Muslim Salikhov vs. Laureano Staropoli: Welterweight
Rd.1-
Salikhov presses forward and wings a right hand. He scores with an inside leg kick. Staropoli wings a right hand as Salikhov launches a spinning back kick. A body kick hit the mark for Salikhov. A body cross misses for Salikhov and then his head kick is blocked. A jab lands for Staropoli and Salikhov spins to the body. A head kick for Staropoli glances of the face of Muslim. A stinging right hand scores for Salikhov. A spinning elbow nearly lands for Staropoli. Another spinning hook kick misses for Salikhov and then one misses for Staropoli. A spinning back kick to the body lands for Salikhov just before the bell.
10-9 Salikhov
Rd.2-
Staropoli opens the round with a head kick that’s blocked. Salikhov returns the favor and that too is blocked. A leap in left hook just misses for Staropoli and Salikhov lands a body jab. Staropoli uses his footwork to evade an overhand right. Staropoli goes high with a kick but Salikhov wears it well. Salikhov catches a kick and pushes his foe to the floor. Staropoli stands back up and wings a right-left punching combo. A stiff overhand right connects for Staropoli. Salikhov floors his opponent with a right hand to counter a low kick, but Staropoli quickly stands up. A back kick lands to the body and Staropoli misses a spinning elbow. Salikhov rocks his opponent as he ducks and wings a right hand, and then gets aggressive. He’s unloading a flurry of punches but Staropoli recovers. Off of a takedown attempt from Staropoli, Salikhov cracks with a stinging right hand.
10-9 Salikhov
Rd.3-
Staropoli comes out aggressive, winging his overhand right. Salikhov clinches up to slow down the aggression. Back in open space Staropoli goes back to his overhand right, but misses. He then shoots in but Salikhov is hip to it and stays vertical. A lead right hand gets through for Salikhov and then he springs out of the pocket. A spinning backfist lands flush for Staropoli but Salikhov eats it without issue. Salikhov scores a takedown but it doesn’t last for very long. A pair of body hooks connect clean for Staropoli. Salikhov throws a body kick but eats another hook to the body. A spinning back kick to the body hits home for Salikhov. A wheel kick misses by a mile for Staropoli. A left hook counter lands for Salikhov as Staropoli launches an overhand right.
10-9 Salikhov
Muslim Salikhov def. Laureano Staropoli by unanimous decision (30-26 x2, 29-28): Welterweight
Prelims: (5AM EDT, ESPN+)
- Randa Markos def. Ashley Yoder by split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29): Strawweight
- Rafael Fiziev def. Alex White by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28): Lightweight
- Movsar Evloev def. Enrique Barzola by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2): Featherweight
- Sergey Pavlovich def. Maurice Greene by TKO at 2:11 of round 1: Heavyweight
- Loma Lookboonmee def. Aleksandra Albu by split decision (30-27 x2,28-29): Strawweight
- Raphael Pessoa Nunes def. Jeff Hughes by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
About the author
