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Who were the winners at UFC Fight Night: Namajunas vs. VanZant? Click below to get the results for all the fights at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015.
Namajunas vs. VanZant | Miller vs. Chiesa | Northcutt vs. Pfister | Theodorou vs. Santos | Means vs. Howard | Akhmedov vs. Moraes | Carlos Junior vs. Casey | Sterling vs. Eduardo | Ponzinibbio vs. Stahl | Roberts vs. Coy | Tukhugov vs. Nover | Curran vs. Kagan
UFC Fight Night: Namajunas vs. VanZant main card
Rose Namajunas defeats Paige VanZant
It’s all over! Rose Namajunas gets the submission win by rear naked choke at 2:25 in the 5th Round – dominating the fight from the outset. But what heart from Paige VanZant – she survived eight takedowns and five submission attempts, including several armbars that saw her arm twist and turn in several directions – but did not quit until late in the final round.
They said it:
Rose Namajunas: “Coming in I knew I had to control my emotions. I couldn’t get overly excited so I stayed calm and remained in the moment. I thought I had the submission several times but I guess it just needed a little bit more. I listened to my corner the whole way through and took my time. I felt amazing in there and it was a big confidence booster to come out on top tonight. I want to take some time off and not rush anything. I want that title but I want to know I’m ready for it when it comes.”
Prefight reading/viewing
- Fighting, not hairstyles, the priority for Namajunas
- VanZant embracing spotlight, but focused on Namajunas
- Sneak peek: The Exchange – Paige VanZant interview
- Watch: Joe Rogan previews Namajunas vs. VanZant
- Free fight: Paige VanZant vs. Alex Chambers
- Free fight: Namajunas vs. Kathina Catron
Michael Chiesa defeats Jim Miller
What a win by Michael Chiesa! Jim Miller came out strong, winning the 1st Round on all the judges’ scorecards, and looked to be just as good in the 2nd but Chiesa turned it around and got Miller in position for a rear naked choke to win the fight at 2:57 of the second stanza. It is the Colorado native’s fourth win in his last five fights.
They said it:
Michael Chiesa: “Right before I was walking out for the fight I had to check myself and I just thought about ‘The Ultimate Fighter.’ When I was on the show I would just think ‘One more win…’ That’s the mindset for me now. Every win gets me one step higher in the rankings and closer to that title shot. I’m gunning for the title and I’m ready for anyone. Jim doesn’t get finished often and I was able to do it tonight. I’m not the prettiest and I sure fight dirty but I get the job done.”
Jim Miller: “Tough loss. I had him hurt pretty badly in the first round and I was very close with the leg lock. It seemed like a repeat in the second too. I hurt him again and almost sunk in the leg lock but he was able to just barely wiggle out and hit me with some good shots.”
Prefight reading/viewing
- Submission of the week: Jim Miller vs. Yancy Medeiros
- Jim Miller: A fighter’s fighter
- Chiesa thinks it’s time to pass the torch
Sage Northcutt defeats Cody Pfister
Super Sage does it again! The heralded 19-year-old got a 2nd Round submission win by guillotine choke to improve to 7-0 (2-0 in the UFC). It was a back-and-forth first round with Pfister strong to start the fight before Northcutt took over the second-half of the first five minutes. Northcutt took control from the start of the second and got in position for the win less than a minute into the round.
They said it:
Sage Northcutt: “The Octagon was smaller than I expected, so it took some time for me to get used to it and find my spacing. I tried to be patient and wait for the submission to come to me. I never really have a game plan other than to finish my opponent as quickly as possible. Tonight it came in the second round and I’m very happy to come out on top. Training at Tri-Star was great. I will definitely go up there again. I’m looking forward to my next fight. I hope it comes in the next couple of months.”
Prefight reading/viewing
- Watch: Northcutt excited for his next fight
- Watch: Joe Rogan previews Northcutt vs. Pfister
- Watch: Northcutt talks training with GSP, haters
- Watch: Northcutt’s debut
- Watch: Get to know Cody Pfister
Thiago Santos defeats Elias Theodorou 
This battle goes the distance! A very close fight that saw Theodorou get bloodied up in the third and final round after an elbow followed by a set of knees from Santos. The judges scored the fight in favor of Santos by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27), giving Theodorou his first defeat.
They said it:
Thiago Santos: “I thought it was an awesome fight tonight and Elias is a very difficult opponent. He was undefeated for a reason. When I opened up the cut I started to focus my strikes on the head instead of the body. I honestly thought the fight was going to be stopped both times the referee broke us up. I saw him slowing way down and I tried to throw everything at him to get the finish. I’m still very happy with the win and ready for whatever is next.”
Elias Theodorou: “It was a tough fight. I knew it was close going into the third round but when that cut opened up and the blood started flowing down it made it very difficult to maintain my depth perception.”
Prefight reading/viewing
UFC Fight Night: Namajunas vs. VanZant prelims
Tim Means defeats John Howard
As Jon Anik said on the broadcast: “Tim Means business!” Just seconds into the 2nd Round, Means exploded with a powerful left hook that sent Howard straight to the deck and caused an almost immediate stoppage by the referee for the KO victory.
They said it:
Tim Means: “I went with what we worked on in practice. I didn’t want to get into too many scrambles because he is a very physically strong opponent. I hit him very clean with the first punch I threw and he kept coming. Very tough guy. At the end, I heard him snoring before he hit the ground, so I knew I had him. I’m working hard every day to fill each hole that I find in my game. The division is full of sharks so I’ll wait to see what Joe Silva and Sean Shelby cook up next for me.”
Prefight reading/viewing
Sergio Moraes defeats Omari Akhmedov
WOW! Moraes looked to be down entering the final round, but he caught Akhmedov with a perfectly placed right that stunned his rival and then pounced before the referee jumped in to stop the fight for the TKO victory at 2:18.
They said it:
Sergio Moraes: “You learn that you can never give up in a fight because anything can happen until the final bell. I knew I was down on the cards and I needed to make something happen. I wanted a bonus tonight and I tried to throw everything I had to earn it. I shine under pressure. At some point in the fight I dislocated my thumb but I don’t know exactly when. It didn’t affect my performance much but at the final round break I definitely felt that something was wrong with it. I look forward to healing up and coming back better than ever.”
Omari Akhmedov: “I’m very disappointed. I know what I can do and I made a few small mistakes that led to a big shot. I should have thrown full combinations and I started to throw single shots. It’s difficult to let down my team but I’ll be back better because of this.”
Prefight reading/viewing
No contest ruled in the Antonio Carlos Junior vs. Kevin Casey fight
An accidental eye poke 11 seconds in by Carlos Junior on Casey turns this fight into a no contest. The referee gave Casey the time he needed, but he could not see and the doctor recommended the fight not continue.
They said it:
Antonio Carlos Junior: “I’m very sad right now. You never want to see anything like that happen in a fight. I’m hoping that Kevin makes a full and speedy recovery. I would love to get back into the Octagon as quickly as possible. If Kevin is ready to go I’m happy to finish what we started tonight.”
Prefight reading/viewing
Aljamain Sterling defeats Johnny Eduardo
What a finish by Sterling! The Funk Master got a guillotine choke late to submit Eduardo at 4:18 in the second round.
They said it:
Aljamain Sterling: “I had more nerves tonight then I’ve had in my entire career. Coming in I studied a lot of tape on this guy. I watched his fights over and over and I have to be honest… I thought he could be the one to do it. Those doubts creep into your mind every time but you have to do your best to silence them and trust your abilities. I just told myself that 11 have tried and 11 have failed. This one turned out to be no different than the ones before. I’m so happy with the win and I’m ready to climb the ladder. That belt is the goal and I’ll keep fighting to get there every time I step into the Octagon or onto the training mat.”
Prefight reading/viewing
- Sterling: The nickname king has arrived
- Watch: Aljamain Sterling young and hungry
- Johnny Eduardo fighter profile
Santiago Ponzinibbio defeats Andreas Stahl
Ponzinibbio brought a ton of volume and power to this one, and ends it late in the first round with a knockout at 4:25. It was a huge overhand right that put Stahl down, and the Argentinian followed up with a big uppercut to the downed opponent to finish him off.
They said it:
Santiago Ponzinibbio: “I didn’t study him much coming into this fight. I wanted to come into this fight without any influences. I wanted to put on a lot of pressure and I was able to do it successfully. Tonight I raise two flags. One to my native country and one to Brazil. I love Brazil and I hope my fans there enjoyed the performance too. I am very happy at American Top Team but I know I have a lot of room left to grow and learn in this sport. I’m thankful that I have such great coaches supporting me I couldn’t do this without them.”
Andreas Stahl: “Poor showing. Not much else to say.”
Prefight reading/viewing
Danny Roberts defeats Nathan Coy
That was quick! Coy got on top and looked to ground-and-pound, but Roberts was able to get the triangle choke for the technical submission at 2:46 of the opening stanza for the victory in his UFC debut.
They said it:
Danny Roberts: “We’ve been working very hard on our stand ups from the ground and our scrambles. We’ve perfected a system that really helps in those situations. I saw him stacking his hips and his arm was vulnerable so I went for the sub. Submissions are very new to me but I have really strong hips and quick movement so I’m sure that as a develop that aspect of my game I’ll be very dangerous to whoever I face in the Octagon. I’m very happy with the win and I’m ready to go back to work with my tremendous team en route to the next challenge.”
Prefight reading/viewing
Zubaira Tukhugov defeats Phillipe Nover
The second fight of the night goes the distance. The judges scored the contest in favor of Tukhugov by split decision (30-27, 30-27, 28-29). Both fighters had their moments throughout the 15 minute clash, but the Russian looked stronger overall.
They said it:
Zubaira Tukhugov: “I thought it was a great fight and the fans enjoyed it. He landed some really good body shots that slowed me down a bit but I definitely got the better of the standup and the scrambles overall. I’m happy with the win and ready to get back in the gym.”
Phillipe Nover: “He was strong and aggressive. Exactly what I studied. He brought it. It was a close one. I couldn’t get him down, I couldn’t get my hips around him. He was definitely a tough opponent, a step upin competition from what I was facing before. I thought it could have gone either way. You win some you learn some. I’ll go back to the drawing board and fix some mistakes.”
Prefight reading/viewing
Kailin Curran defeats Emily Kagan
What a strong fight from Curran! The Hawaiian was strong in the 1st Round, winning on two of the three judges’ scorecards, and after a surge from Kagan was able to get the submission victory by rear naked choke at 4:13 of the 2nd Round. The win is the fourth of her MMA career and first in the UFC.
They said it:
Kailin Curran: “It was an honor to be in the first fight of this historic three fight weekend. I visualized this fight going several ways and one of them was via rear naked choke but I didn’t think I’d get it. It took me a round but I was able to eventually capitalize on certain positions and find my range. I’m so excited to get this win and I’m ready for whatever the UFC has next for me.”
Emily Kagan: “It just wasn’t my night. I landed some solid shots but I didn’t perform the way I should.”
Prefight reading/viewing
