Vicente Luque Vs. Niko Price
Back in 2017, Luque earned a submission victory over Price when the two met in Brazil, securing a D’arce choke in the second round. He would go on to win five in a row before falling via decision to Stephen Thompson late last year.
Price is 4-2 since that loss, with all four victories coming by either knockout or submission. And both losses also being finishes.
These two are letting it fly and Price with a big takedown late in the opening round. Price was looking for a D’arce for a brief moment, searching for a submission late.
For just the second time – and first inside the Octagon – Price is seeing the third round. Luque was the stronger fighter in the second, and Price needs to come back here in the third.
This was definitely the early favorite for “Fight of the Night,” as Price and Luque stood and banged for nearly 15 minutes. Luque floors Price and cuts him up big time, but even on his back, Price searches for a submission.
With the right eye of Price deemed swollen shut, the ringside doctor has stopped this bout.
Vicente Luque def. Niko Price via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) at 3:37 of Round 3
Carla Esparza Vs. Michelle Waterson
Nice little Invicta FC moment here with these two former champions of the all-female promotion doing battle inside the Octagon. Esparza, of course, is also a former UFC strawweight champion.
Lots of feeling out early from these two fighters as they are working to figure the other out on the fly here. Esparza steals the round with a late takedown.
The striking advantage definitely belongs to Waterson in this one, as she’s switching stances, using her leg kicks and mixing strikes. Lots of variety from “The Karate Hottie” on Esparza.
Best round of the bout for Esparza as she uses the threat of wrestling to gain the advantage on Waterson. Not much action until the final minute but these two finally let it all go to the bell.
Carla Esparza def. Michelle Waterson via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 27-30)
Aleksei Oleinik Vs. Fabricio Werdum
Of note, Oleinik is the only MMA fighter in history to earn a win in four different decades, having done so in the 1990s, 2000s, 2010s and 2020s. Werdum, of course, is a former UFC heavyweight champion who owns wins over some of the best of the division ever.
This is the first time Werdum has fought in over 700 days after receiving a suspension for taking a banned substance. He appears a step slower, eating some early punches from Oleinik.
Huge power shots are finding a home by Oleinik as he continues to pepper him with strikes. Despite being on the receiving end of all these shots, Werdum is capable of locking up a submission at a moment’s notice.
Oleinik showing some serious signs of fatigue after a strong first, eating shots and finding himself on his back with Werdum in top control. This is not where he wants to be and the Brazilian has two minutes to work. Oleinik found a second wind late in the round, landing some heavy strikes.
Seconds into the start of the third, Werdum with a takedown and into his submission game. Oleinik’s corner shouting instructions on which limb to protect, but Werdum is so dangerous here. Werdum had a nasty armbar, but Oleinik survived.
Aleksei Oleinik def. Fabricio Werdum via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Anthony Pettis Vs. Donald Cerrone
Our second rematch of the night as Pettis seeks a second win over Cerrone. Back in 2013, he scored a first round knockout after landing a body kick to “Cowboy.”
Cerrone has claims willing to remain in Jacksonville and compete twice more of the next week on the two planned upcoming UFC cards. To do that, he’ll need to take care of Pettis here in this one first.
Pettis with a quick kick but “Cowboy” catches it and scores a takedown. He’s in side control and in a dominant position to work with a minute to go. Really nice exchanges in the second with “Showtime” flexing his strengths.
Very close fight between these two former WEC legends and friends. The striking has been back-and-forth, with Cerrone winning the grappling exchanges with his wrestling. That friendship was put to the test as they exchanged with thunderous velocity for a short time.
Anthony Pettis def. Donald Cerrone via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Coverage of the main card follows on the next page.