Welcome to FightLine’s live coverage of UFC 193.
Tonight’s card comes to us for the first time ever from Melbourne, Australia and Etihad Stadium, as Ronda Rousey returns to action.
Rousey puts her female bantamweight title on the line against fellow unbeaten, Holly Holm. The former world boxing champion is just another in a long line of challengers to Rousey’s reign atop the women’s 135-pound division.
In the co-main event the other UFC female title is up for grabs, as champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk seeks a second successful title defense against Valerie Letourneau.
The pay-per-view main card kicks off at 10 p.m. ET with heavyweights Stefan Struve and Jared Rosholt. Middleweights Uriah Hall – who just finished Gegard Mousasi – battles Robert Whittaker, while Mark Hunt and Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva rematch from their epic five-round battle a few years ago in Australia.
Four bouts are set for the FOX Sports 1 prelims at 8 p.m. ET, highlighted by a lightweight showdown featuring Jake Matthews and Akbarh Arreola. Kyle Noke meets Peter Sobotta at welterweight, light heavyweights Gian Villante and Anthony Perosh square off, and Richie Vaculik faces Danny Martinez.
Ryan Benoit-Ben Nguyen begin the card on UFC Fight Pass at 6:15 p.m., with Daniel Kelly-Ricardo Abreu and Brendan O’Reilly-James Moontasri joining that fight.
Now, on to the action! Remember to keep hitting “refresh” for the latest results:
PRELIMINARY CARD
Ryan Benoit vs. Ben Nguyen
We begin the night in the flyweight division with a battle between Ryan Benoit (8-3) and Ben Nguyen (14-5).
Round 1: Nguyen lands with a right, follows up with a knee and Benoit drops to the canvas. Nguyen is teeing off and gains the full-mount with plenty of time to work. He briefly takes the back before regaining the mount position. Again to the back, as Nguyen really hurt Benoit with his striking. Benoit’s flattened out and Nguyen has his hooks in, slipping an arm around the neck for a crank at this point. He’s working to slip it around the neck, but he’s unable to for the moment. He remains composed and has the choke locked up this time, earning a submission victory.
Ben Nguyen def. Ryan Benoit via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:35 of Round 1
James Moontasri vs. Anton Zafir
We head up to the welterweight ranks for our next fight, as James Moontasri (8-3) battles newcomer Anton Zafir (7-1).
Round 1: Moontasri showing off his taekwondo background, snapping off quick and powerful kicks to start. He is a two-time USA national champion in taekwondo. Zafir stepped in for Brendan O’Reilly, a training partner, going from spectator to fighter in a matter of moments. Zafir bullies him against the fence, looking to take this to the ground, which he does with a takedown. Minimal damage being done by Zafir, as Moontasri works to his feet. Moontasri landed with a spinning back-fist and Zafir dropped to the mat. He landed several other shots and this one is all over. Zafir is holding his side, saying he’s suffered a broken rib.
James Moontasri def. Anton Zafir via TKO (strikes) at 4:36 of Round 1
Steve Kennedy vs. Richard Walsh
Back to the welterweight ranks with Australian’s Steve Kennedy (22-7) and Richard Walsh (8-3) squaring off.
Round 1: Walsh tagging him early with leg kicks, allowing them to land with complete force. Kennedy appears to be looking for a huge counter shot, but he’s just taking punishment to his lead leg. He is hurt, almost stumbling against the fence. Walsh looking to put the nail in the coffin here. He’s got him against the fence yet again, hammering away with lefts and rights before breaking. Kennedy has no power ability after eating all of those leg kicks. Nice takedown for Kennedy, but Walsh works to his feet and gets dragged right back down. Kennedy has his hooks in and is working for a choke with seconds left. Walsh spins and now has Kennedy on top, hammering him with elbows.
FightLine scores the round 10-9 for Walsh
Round 2: Walsh right back to work on the lead leg. Kennedy tries for a takedown, but is denied. Walsh has a chance to go into his guard, but declines and makes him stand. Kennedy, though, almost secures a reverse triangle from his back. Walsh is giving Kennedy an opportunity to snap a submission on, getting in close. Kennedy locks up a takedown as we go under two minutes, but Walsh is able to get to full-guard.
FightLine scores the round 10-9 for Walsh
Round 3: Walsh throwing a lot at Kennedy, who is searching for a takedown off each exchange. Walsh goes to the canvas with him, but he has him placed solidly against the fence. He shifts to the back and is delivering knees to the body. With Kennedy on his back, taking kicks, the crowd is giving them several rounds of boos. The ref stands them up and they exchange high kicks.
FightLine scores the round 10-9 for Walsh
Richard Walsh def. Steve Kennedy via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
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