UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Borralho, held at the UFC APEX, showcased an evening of spectacular MMA action, highlighted by significant upsets and record-breaking performances. The event, broadcast live in Asia, delivered a thrilling finale to The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 32 and saw impressive advancements in the UFC rankings.
Main Event: Caio Borralho vs. Jared Cannonier
The middleweight main event was a back-and-forth battle between #5 Jared Cannonier and #12 Caio Borralho. Over the course of five intense rounds, Borralho demonstrated remarkable endurance and tactical prowess. Despite a challenging fight, Borralho's relentless pressure in the final round secured him a unanimous decision victory. With scores of 49-45, 49-45, and 48-46, Borralho solidified his place as a top contender. Reflecting on his win, Borralho said:
“I had an amazing performance here today, but I've been in the UFC a long time. I knew it wouldn't be an easy road. All of my opponents were tough, they made me who I am today. They made me have this top five level! I'm the new face - even with some scratches. Everyone who sees these glasses must be afraid, we are coming to take over!”
Co-Main Event: Angela Hill vs. Tabatha Ricci
In the women’s strawweight co-main event, #9 Angela Hill faced off against #11 Tabatha Ricci in a highly competitive 15-minute contest. The fight saw momentum shift multiple times, ultimately leading to a unanimous decision win for Ricci. The judges scored the bout 29-28 across the board. Ricci commented:
“She’s a very tough fighter, and I thank her for taking the fight. Tonight, I fight for myself, I bet on myself, because I want to make sure I'm ready for the next level. I'm on my way.”
Record-Breaking Debut: Wang Cong
Making waves in the UFC, China’s Wang Cong, the first signee from Road To UFC Season 3, had an unforgettable debut. Wang Cong set a new record for the fastest KO by a debutant in the women’s flyweight division, finishing Victoria Leonardo with a powerful right hand just 1:02 into the first round. Wang Cong expressed her frustration at being placed on the early prelims:
“I’m not happy today. I don’t know why they put me as the first fight of the night. I need to be on the main card of UFC Macau! Next fight, Casey O'Neill, are you ready?!”
Performance Awards
- Fight of the Night: Caio Borralho vs. Jared Cannonier
- Performance of the Night: Michael Morales
- Performance of the Night: Gerald Meerschaert
Official Results
Main Event
- Caio Borralho defeated Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 48-46)
Co-Main Event
- Tabatha Ricci defeated Angela Hill by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Main Card
- Ryan Loder defeated Robert Valentin by TKO (elbows) at 1:49 of Round 2 in the TUF 32 Middleweight Finale
- Mairon Santos defeated Kaan Ofli by knockout (left hook) at 1:30 of Round 2 in the TUF 32 Featherweight Finale
- Michael Morales defeated Neil Magny by TKO (strikes) at 4:39 of Round 1
- Gerald Meerschaert defeated Edmen Shahbazyan by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 4:12 of Round 2
Prelims
- Francis Marshall (30-27, 29-28) defeated Dennis Buzukja by split decision (29-28)
- Zachary Reese defeated Jose Daniel Medina by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Viacheslav Borshchev (30-27, 29-28) defeated James Llontop by split decision (29-28)
- Jacqueline Cavalcanti (30-27, 29-28) defeated Josiane Nunes (30-27) by split decision
- Wang Cong defeated Victoria Leonardo by knockout (right hand) at 1:02 of Round 1
UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Borralho delivered a night of high stakes and dramatic performances, with Borralho and Wang Cong emerging as standout fighters.
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