UFC Vegas 66 Results: Cannonier gets split decision win in main event

UFC FIGHT NIGHT: CANNONIER vs. STRICKLAND aka UFC Vegas 66 aired live in Asia on Sunday, December 18 from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The final event of 2022 set up a whole new group of climbing rankers and future contenders for 2023 and beyond.

Jarred Cannonier gets split decision win

Three-time middleweight contender Jared Cannonier and seven-time contender Sean Strickland put on five rounds of masterful striking in defence and strategy. The year's last battle was a competitive matchup of fighting styles, and the judges gave Cannonier a split decision victory. He stated:

"I thought I had it 3-2. I thought I did more damage. I would definitely like another title shot, sooner rather than later... anybody above me that will get me to a title shot, or the title fight is what I'm shooting for."

Arman Tsarukyan moves towards his goal

Lightweight #9 Arman Tsarukyan ended #12 Damir Ismagulov's 19-fight winning run with a crushing unanimous decision victory, solidifying his position as one of the division's top up-and-coming fighters.

"Thank you to my coaches, since I was a kid, here, in Russia and Thailand, everybody helped me. My goal is to have a rematch with Islam Makhachev. I gave him the toughest fight in UFC. I know I need just one big fight, and I'll get a title shot. Hopefully 2023 is my year."

UFC Vegas 66 Results:

Fight Of The Night: Drew Dober vs Bobby Green
Performance Of The Night: Alex Caceres
Performance Of The Night: Michal Oleksiejczuk

MAIN EVENT

Jared Cannonier defeats Sean Strickland by split decision (49-46, 46-49, 49-46)

CO-MAIN EVENT

Arman Tsarukyan defeats Damir Ismagulov by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

MAIN CARD

Amir Albazi defeats Alessandro Costa by KO (uppercut) at 2:13 of Round 3
Alex Caceres defeats Julian Erosa by TKO (left high kick) at 3:04 of Round 1
Drew Dober defeats Bobby Green by KO (left hand) at 2:45 of Round 2
Michal Oleksiejczuk defeats Cody Brundage by TKO (strikes) at 3:16 of Round 1

PRELIMS

Cory McKenna defeats Cheyanne Vlismas by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Matthew Semelsberger defeats Jake Matthews by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Said Nurmagomedov defeats Saidyokub Kahkramonov by submission (modified guillotine choke) at 3:50 of Round 2
Rafa Garcia defeats Maheshate by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Rinat Fakhretdinov defeats Bryan Battle by unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-27)
Manel Kape defeats David Dvorak by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Sergey Morozov defeats Journey Newson by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)