UFC 257 Results & Highlights: McGregor vs. Poirier live fight coverage

UFC 257 Results: McGregor vs. Poirier full fight card play-by-play

ByJake Nichols Updated on
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UFC 257 happens tonight and The Body Lock is here to bring you live results, highlights, and coverage of every fight as it happens at the new Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

In the main event, Conor McGregor will face Dustin Poirier in a fantastic lightweight matchup that will likely determine who moves forward to challenge for the UFC Lightweight Championship next.

And in the co-main event, Michael Chandler crosses over from Bellator to make his UFC debut against tough lightweight Dan Hooker in what should be a great chance at claiming “Fight of the Night” honors.

UFC 257 is a pay-per-view event and that means the fights can only be watched live on the ESPN+ streaming service.

UFC 257 Post-Fight Show

Join us on our live UFC 257 post-fight show!

UFC 257 Fight Results

Saturday, January 23 – Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

Main Card

Prelims

  • Arman Tsarukyan def. Matt Frevola via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Brad Tavares def. Antonio Carlos Junior (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
  • Julianna Pena def. Sara McMann via submission (rear-naked choke) – R3, 3:39
  • Marcin Prachnio def. Khalil Rountree Jr via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Early Prelims

  • Movsar Evloev def. Nik Lentz via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
  • Amir Albazi def. Zhalgas Zhumagulov by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

UFC 257 Play-by-Play Live Updates

Amir Albazi vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov play-by-play

Round One

Zhumagulov rushes toward Albazi and tries to force him outside the black lines. Albazi works forward slowly behind his jab and takes control of the center. It’s a battle for middle-position now and Zhumagulov lands a left hook to the head. Albazi feinting his jab and trying to set up his right hand. Zhumagulov throwing heavy hands. Big right hand lands for Zhumagulov. That crashes into the chin of Albazi and looked powerful. Zhumagulov rushing forward with powerful combinations but not landing. Albazi landing his shots. Patiently finding openings. Zhumagulov throwing with maximum power every time — he’s at risk of using too much energy here in the first.

Great takedown from Albazi but he struggles to control Zhumagulov against the cage. Zhumagulov pivots out and takes control of the center. Albazi now stalking Zhumagulov and lands a nice right hand to the body. Flying knee attempt misses for Albazi. Albazi lands a calf kick but Zhumagulov shoots and secures a great takedown. Only 20 seconds remaining but he is in Albazi’s full guard. Some elbows from top position and that’s the end of the round.

Albazi 10-9

Round Two

Leg kicks are landing for Albazi early in this round. He’s now pressuring Zhumagulov and staying on him. Zhumagulov misses with a powerful left hook. He comes forward again with a left hook to the body. A nice right hand lands for Zhumagulov but Albazi lands a jab in return. Zhumagulov is still packing so much power in his punches but Albazi just isn’t there when they’re coming. Double jab lands for Zhumagulov. Albazi looks in control of the fight but isn’t throwing enough to “dominate” at this stage. Another heavy leg kick lands for Albazi, that has been his best strike so far in this fight. Zhumagulov left hand lands. He’ll succeed in this fight if Albazi starts brawling with him. Albazi fighting smart, though, and being cautious. Another nice jab for Albazi. Zhumagulov takedown attempt but walks into an Albazi uppercut. That’s one of the best strikes of the fight so far.

Albazi 10-9 (20-18)

Round Three

Zhumagulov missing and missing. He’s throwing wild hooks and they’re not close to landing. Albazi stalking him and lands an intercepting knee. Albazi marches forward and Zhumagulov attempts a spinning backfist that misses. Albazi takedown and now in Zhumagulov’s full guard. Albazi body strikes from top position.

Albazi passes to side control. Then takes the back. He’s got a body triangle now all while working his arm under the chin. Zhumagulov fighting to defend the position but struggling because Albazi has two hooks now. Albazi has been controlling Zhumagulov for a while now.

Zhumagulov finally recovers from the position and is now standing. He’s rushing forward again. He’s hunting for the finish and throwing big punches but Albazi defending well and moving. Zhumagulov looks very sloppy here but is doing everything someone needs to do to try and secure a late finish — it’s just not there. This one’s over.

Albazi 10-9 (30-27)

Amir Albazi def. Zhalgas Zhumagulov by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Movsar Evloev vs. Nik Lentz play-by-play

Round One

Lentz opens with a leg kick that lands. Moves in and lands a right hook too. Attempts a left high kick. Slow, patient start by Evloev. Lentz now engages with Evloev against the cage. Nice trip attempt but Evloev reverses and lands on top. Lentz goes for the guillotine from full guard. It’s starting to get tighter and Evloev is trapped. Evloev rolls and Lentz follows and keeps the guillotine from full mount. Evloev survives. Front headlock position now on his way up. Lentz staying heavy.

Evloev reversal and on top again. Heavy shots but stuck in Lentz’s butterfly guard. Lentz goes for the guillotine again. Evloev again trapped in top position. Evlove now stands and tries to stack Lentz. Falls and tries to pass into side control. Evloev finishes strong but a good round for Lentz overall.

Lentz 10-9.

Round two

Evloev marching forward to start round two. Lentz looking great, though, and lands a hook to stop Evloev’s forward momentum. Big right hand lands for Evloev. His best strike of the night. Can see that Evloev is now trying to find ways to close the distance safely and land his shots. Lentz lands on the guillotine yet again. Evloev rolls out and escapes. Attempts another takedown and Lentz dives on the guillotine again. That’s his fourth guillotine attempt. But Evloev now escaping faster every time. Evloev launches a slow 1-2 and Lentz tries to counter but looks like he’s too fatigued to land counter strikes with any real speed.

Evloev uppercut sneaks through Lentz’s guard. Lentz now falling forward into a takedown attempt and his eye is busted up. Lentz’s face is covered in blood. Evloev now having success with his jab. Another guillotine attempt from Lentz. He’s squeezing but Evloev escapes again and separates. Lentz going to leg kicks but Evloev landing the heavier strikes to the head and that makes all the difference.

Evloev 10-9

Round three

Evloev now managing the distance well. But Lentz claims an eyepoke. No referee stoppage, though, just a quick check. Evloev attempts a kimura. Lentz in a lot of trouble now. Evloev controlling this round with ease. Long straight punches are landing. Lentz is way too tired to react and he’s now running out options. Evloev moves into full sparring mode now and just working his boxing against Lentz who resembles more of a boxing bag than a moving target.

Not much to say about this round. Evloev just picked up the pace against a tired opponent.

Evloev 10-9

Movsar Evloev def. Nik Lentz via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)

Prelims

Khalil Rountree Jr vs. Marcin Prachnio play-by-play

Round one

Prachnio takes the center of the cage and pushes Rountree back. Rountree light on his feet and moving his head – looks like he’s attempting to create openings but they’re not there for him at the moment. Leg kick works for Rountree. Rountree slings a right hand but it misses. Prachnio looks strong – he pushes Rountree back again. Leg kicks are there for Prachnio and he has landed two or three now. Another one lands to the inside of Rountree’s thigh. Now he goes to the outside of the lead leg. Rountree finally gets into this fight with a nice roundhouse kick to the stomach. Both guys now just throwing heavy hands and missing. Another body kick for Rountree. Prachnio attempts the lead left hook and it comes off the gloves of Rountree. Rountree just throwing his left hand wildly. Misses again. Push body kick from Prachnio connects. Rountree comes in but then Prachnio smashes the body with hooks. Leg kicks are still working for Prachnio. Rountree struggling to find his way in this fight.

Prachnio 10-9

Round two

Rountree more aggressive to start round two. Rushes Prachnio and lands. A body kick connects for Rountree. Prachnio again looking strong. He goes back to the lead leg of Rountree. Rountree finally lands that left hand but eats another leg kick in the process. Both guys are throwing heavy hands right now. Rountree finally landing his left hand. It’s connected again. Prachnio tries to return fire but misses. Rountree hangs around a little too long in the pocket and eats a wild right hand. Didn’t land that heavy but could have fight-ending potential if that one comes through again. Prachnio right hand to the body. And then Rountree lands a fast body kick.

Rountree 10-9 (19-19)

Round three

Prachnio active to start this round. Throwing heavy hands and kicks. He now shoots in for a takedown but doesn’t get deep enough. Rountree pivots and shrugs him off. Rountree’s chance to walk Prachnio down now. Exciting fight and both guys are still throwing heavy hands – it’s more of a brawl than a technical fight. Prachnio lands when he comes forward but Rountree repsonds with punches of his own. Nothing landing cleanly, though, and Prachnio attempts another takedown. Rountree defending those attempts well. They’re back in the center of the Octagon. Both guys starting to get tired but Prachnio is the more active of the two fighters right now. Although tired, Rountree still packs plenty of power in his punches and connects with a looping hook. Prachnio is far more active. He’s walking forward and mixing his strikes between kicks and punches. Rountree on the back foot – he’s not responding with his own strikes. Rountree is just defending. It looks like he wants to throw but he either doesn’t have the energy or he can’t find his momentum against Prachnio because Prachnio doesn’t allow him to settle. Short left hook lands for Rountree. Rountree might need a finish here with 30 seconds remaining.

Prachnio 10-9 (29-28)

Official Decision: Marcin Prachnio def. Khalil Rountree Jr via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Julianna Pena vs. Sara McMann play-by-play

Round One

McMann slinging straight punches early. Pena blocks, defends. Leg kick for McMann. Pena lands two punches to the head. McMann now blitzing forward with punches. McMann deep single-leg takedown. Brilliant takedown and gets side control. Pena gives up her back and Pena leaps over. No hooks yet. Pena gets back to her feet slowly. McMann all over her though and clinching against the fence. Pena goes for the neck and McMann falls to attempt to pass guard. McMann sitting in side control and Pena still has the neck. Pena attempting to recover guard but isn’t able to. McMann sitting on top in Pena’s full guard.

McMann 10-9

Round two

Pena advancing. Nice right hand lands for her and she dives on a guillotine attempt as McMann level changes. McMann uses the cage to change position. She’s now in Pena’s full guard and Pena’s landing some strikes from the bottom. McMann lands a nice elbow from the top. McMann takes the back now and then she hunts for the rear-naked choke but Pena escapes. McMann pushing Pena against the cage. Working strikes from the clinch. Controlling Pena well but then Pena breaks from the clinch and lands two hard punches.

Pena 10-9 (19-19)

Round three

Pena moving forward. McMann feints a level change but Pena shows an uppercut. Pena lands some heavy strikes and now secures a takedown. Pena on top in side control. She’s taking her time in top position. Lands some heavy hammer strikes to the head. Just resting on top of McMann now. Pena now has McMann’s back and she’s going for the rear-naked choke. McMann trying to survive by hand fighting. But she taps! That’s it! Pena wins by submission.

Julianna Pena def. Sara McMann via submission (rear-naked choke) – R3, 3:39

Brad Tavares vs. Antonio Carlos Junior play-by-play

Round One

“Shoeface” working behind his jab to start. He comes forward with two jabs and a right hand after it. Doesn’t land but makes Tavares back up and respect the forward blitz. Tavares leg kicks are there so far.

Left, right, and a right body kick for “Shoeface” as he moves forward. He’s now got a single-leg as Tavares rests against the cage and pushes down on the head to maintain his balance. Tavares avoids being taken down and launches another leg kick. Both guys throwing but it just allows “Shoeface” to shoot in. Tavares with insane takedown defense and he keeps standing against the cage. Tavares stays upright again. Carlos Junior with the leg kick. Tavares falls short with a 1-2 but then lands two heavy leg kicks. Carlos Junior checks a leg kick and they start throwing.

Another takedown attempt now from Carlos Junior. But mostly just resting against Tavares on the cage now as he can’t drag him to the mat.

Nutshot! Now a break for Tavares who desperately needs that after being kicked in the groin.

Carlos Junior 10-9

Round two

Big start for Tavares. He lands two big punches before “Shoeface” tries another takedown. But how is Tavares back to his feet already? It’s amazing takedown defense from Tavares in this fight. Tavares’ leg kicks are having a big impact — Carlos Junior’s leg is starting to show signs of redness. Tavares’ strikes mostly falling short. Carlos Junior managing the distance very well so far. Right hand for Tavares. Tavares lands big with a right hand and Carlos Junior falls. But Tavares strikes Carlos Junior in the groin and “Shoeface” gets a break and time to recover.

They restart with about 20 seconds remaining. Tavares coming after “Shoeface” to end the round.

Tavares 10-9 (19-19)

Round three

Tavares coming after “Shoeface” again. Carlos Junior on the back foot. Tavares lands a jab. Both guys exchange jabs that barely miss. Carlos Junior now shooting on Tavares. Great double-leg takedown attempt but Tavares looks incredibly strong and maintains great posture to defend the takedown attempt. Referee Marc Goddard breaks up the clinch but he really didn’t need to. They’ve separated now. “Shoeface” comes forward again and attempts another takedown. Tavares just won’t go down.

Tavares 10-9 (29-28)

Official Decision: Brad Tavares def. Antonio Carlos Junior (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Arman Tsarukyan vs. Matt Frevola play-by-play

Round One

Frevola starts with some head kicks and misses with a looping right hand. Very aggressive start from Frevola. Quick takedown from Tsarukyan but Frevola scrambles and maintains front headlock before standing. Tsarukyan reverses and pushes Frevola against the cage now. They separate and now they’re standing across from each other. Tsarukyan’s jab looks fast. His lead hand is landing. Advancing now and Frevola on the back foot. Great fight so far and both fighters scrambling and keeping a high pace. Nothing of major significance landing but Tsarukyan controlling the fight so far. Strong right hand lands for Tsarukyan and that crashes into Frevola’s chin. Frevola trying to close the distance with a Tyson-style duck and weave. He wants the fight. He needs to get Tsarukyan to start brawling with him because, right now, Tsarukyan is just landing his shots with ease. Frevola doing well now, he advances and lands a big right hand near the end of the round.

Tsarukyan 10-9

Round two

Tsarukyan starting strong in round one. Dives on a single-leg and he has it wrapped up. Frevola elbows to the head as Tsarukyan tries to finish the attempt. He modifies the takedown and lands in side control. Frevola wraps up full guard now.  Tsarukyan gets out of full guard but is still trying to advance. Frevola stands, but Tsarukyan is locked on and trying to land in a dominant position. He’s now in side control but Frevola is tough and has managed to avoid major damage from here. Frevola twisting to get out of side control but Tsarukyan staying heavy on top. Some good strikes landing for Tsarukyan now and he’s hunting for the arm-triangle choke. Can’t lock it in but overwhelming him from top position to end the round.

Tsarukyan 10-9 (20-18)

Round three

Tsarukyan takedown but Frevola scrambles and gets back up. A left hand lands for Tsarukyan and now he jabs the body. Frevola circling. Slow round three but it would appear Frevola badly needs to step up and go for a finish. Tsarukyan just stalking Frevola now and trying to work behind his jab. Another takedown for Tsarukyan and Frevola tries a guillotine in full guard. Tsarukyan pops his head up and now has Frevola locked down on the mat. He’s in full guard but postures up enough to throw some hands. Tsarukyan rolls for an anaconda choke but Frevola escapes. Back to standing. Great takedown by Tsarukyan and he’s got two hooks now and has the back of Frevola. But Frevola scrambles again and escapes the position. He’s in turtle now and Tsarukyan landing shots from the top. Tsarukyan in side control, then north south, and back to side control, just floating on top of Frevola right now. Some hard strikes from the top. That’s it! A decisive victory for Tsarukyan.

Tsarukyan 10-9 (30-27)

Official Decision: Arman Tsarukyan def. Matt Frevola via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

Main Card

Covering MMA and combat sports since 2015. Formerly the lead MMA Editor at RealSport.

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