UFC Fight Night 124 ‘Stephens vs. Choi’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round-by-Round Scoring

Mads Burnell vs. Mike Santiago

Round 1

Burnell quickly closes the distance on Santiago, catches a kick and slams the American to the floor with a double-leg takedown. Straight to side control goes Burnell, peppering Santiago with short punches as he works to secure the position. Santiago scoots backward to the fence and then gets back to his feet, disrupting a brabo choke setup from Burnell. Now it's Santiago driving Burnell to the ground, but Burnell is quick to work back to his feet. Santiago tries a high-elbow guillotine, can't get the tap, and now Burnell pulls his head free of danger. Santiago hits a takedown at the fence with just over 90 seconds remaining in the round. Burnell climbs back to his feet, where he's forced to defend against another Santiago guillotine. Burnell drops to the ground to escape the choke, now rolls for a leg and works for a kneebar that doesn't materialize.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Santiago
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Santiago
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Santiago

Round 2

Santiago scores an early takedown, planting Burnell on the floor about a foot away from the fence. The Illinois native works from Burnell's deep half guard, hunting for a choke or an opportunity to advance to mount. Burnell keeps Santiago in half guard through the second minute of the round but still can't find any space to work or escape from the bottom. Burnell finally rolls for a leg but releases when Santiago socks him in the face. The fighters scramble back to their feet, now with Burnell looking for a takedown. Santiago gives him a knee to the face, but Burnell keeps working and puts Santiago on the mat with under two minutes remaining in the round. Santiago rolls to his stomach, giving up his back, and Burnell quickly postures up in back-mount to drop punches on the flattened American. Santiago rolls over again, leaving Burnell in full mount. Santiago gets a headlock but can't hold on, and now Burnell starts landing some hard shots from mount. Santiago gives up his back again, and Burnell nearly secures a rear-naked choke just as time runs out.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Burnell
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Burnell
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Burnell

Round 3

Burnell comes out for the final round looking to get hold of Santiago and wrestle him to the floor, instead winding up clinching and grappling with the American up against the wall. In the second minute, Burnell drags Santiago to the floor and briefly hunts for a choke, then postures up in half guard and feeds Santiago a few left hands instead. A hard elbow from Burnell staples the head of Santiago into the canvas. With 90 seconds remaining, Burnell passes to side control and resumes his left-handed attack. Santiago rolls to his knees, allowing Burnell to take his back, but "Santi" is nonetheless able to work back to his feet. Inside the final minute, Burnell continues to pressure Santiago against the wall. Burnell works for a single-leg, switches to a double, all the while with Santiago landing elbows, looking for a last-ditch knockout. Time runs out with the featherweights fighting on the fence.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Burnell (29-27 Burnell)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Burnell (29-28 Burnell)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Burnell (29-28 Burnell)

The Official Result

Mads Burnell def. Mike Santiago via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

J.J. Aldrich vs. Danielle Taylor

Round 1

Taylor slips the first punch from Aldrich and kicks the back leg out from under her, though Aldrich is able to jump back to her feet without incurring any damage. Aldrich uses her reach advantage to touch the shorter Taylor with a straight left. Taylor comes back with a body shot, now feeds the southpaw Aldrich a left hook. Aldrich waits for Taylor to step inside again and pops her with another straight left. Inside the final two minutes of the opening round, Aldrich shoots for a takedown, drives Taylor against the wall and then trips her to the floor. Taylor locks down Aldrich in half guard and wraps up tight from the bottom, slowing the pace of the fight in the final minute. Aldrich postures up in the closing seconds of the round to place a pair of left hands on Taylor's face.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Aldrich
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Aldrich
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Aldrich

Round 2

Taylor tries to get inside on Aldrich, who once again uses long punches to keep the 5-foot-0 Taylor out of the pocket. Leg kicks are landing sporadically for Taylor, but Aldrich's left hand has been the most effective weapon for either fighter so far. Taylor leaps into range with a body shot, then pulls back as Aldrich tries to grab hold of her for a clinch. Aldrich double-pumps her jab in Taylor's face as they enter the final two minutes of the round; Taylor cracks back with a looping right hand, but Aldrich eats it and fires back. Aldrich lands a heavy body kick, follows up with a right hook, then finishes the round with a plunging straight left.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Aldrich
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Aldrich
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Aldrich

Round 3

Aldrich tags Taylor with her first left hand of the round. Taylor retreats and circles backward around the outside, but Aldrich refuses to give chase, instead standing in the center of the cage and welcoming "Dynamite" to engage. Aldrich catches Taylor with a spinning backfist, and suddenly Taylor's left eye is looked banged up. Taylor still has energy, bouncing on her toes in front of Aldrich, but she's just not engaging. Aldrich is left to come forward on the attack, and her strikes appear to be landing almost at will now, using a variety of punches and some spinning attacks to pick at her opponent. Taylor ducks inside to score with a right hand, but Aldrich strikes back with yet another hard left hand. Inside the final minute, Taylor looks to be waiting for an opportunity to unleash one big punch, but Aldrich isn't giving her the opportunity. Instead, Aldrich drops low and tries for a last-second takedown just before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Aldrich (30-27 Aldrich)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Aldrich (30-27 Aldrich)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Aldrich (30-27 Aldrich)

The Official Result

J.J. Aldrich def. Danielle Taylor via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Jessica Eye vs. Kalindra Faria

Round 1

Eye connects with an early right hand over the top, but Faria comes right back to knee the American in the gut. Another right hand connects for Eye, and this time Faria goes upstairs with a clean left high kick. Eye is wobbled but keeping her footing -- that is, until Faria grabs hold and throws her to the ground. Faria follows her down, taking full mount, but Eye escapes the dangerous position by dropping for a heel hook. Now the flyweights are in a leglock battle, both working to secure heel hooks, neither gaining an advantage. Faria releases and postures up to punch Eye in the face, but Eye will not let go of the Brazilian's leg. Eye finally releases the hold with under two minutes remaining in the round, and now it's Faria's turn to try one of her own. Eye goes back to the leg until the 60-second mark, when she releases to grab Faria's right arm instead. Faria remains in top position through all this, and she goes for a kneebar to counter Eye's heel hook in the last 20 seconds.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Faria
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Faria
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Faria

Round 2

Eye moves straight across the cage, gets hold of Faria with double underhooks and works for a takedown up against the fence. Eye transitions to the back, sits out and pulls Faria to the floor along with her. Eye is on the back with both hooks in, working to secure a choke as Faria plays defense with both hands. Two minutes in, Eye remains locked on to Faria's back, now with a body triangle securing the position. Faria tries to roll over and take top position, but the triangle is locked on too tight, and Eye is still threatening with rear-naked choke attempts. Faria continues to try and escape down the stretch, but Eye remains locked on, making things uncomfortable from the back.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Eye
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-8 Eye
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Eye

Round 3

Eye stays on the outside, jabbing at Faria, while the Brazilian is looking increasingly aggressive here in the final frame. A jumping knee from Faria lands to the body of Eye, then a front kick smashes into the American's face. Eye swings back with a right hand, but Faria is already out of range. Eye presses forward and walks into a loud right hand. Seconds later, however, it's Eye changing levels and driving Faria to the floor with a quick takedown. Faria puts up a high guard, but Eye passes to half as the flyweights enter the final two minutes of the bout. Eye opts to allow Faria back to her feet with 1:35 on the clock. Faria succumbs to another takedown, or possibly jumps guard, as the Brazilian begins attacking from her back immediately, looking to throw up a triangle or armbar. Eye gets heavy on top, giving Faria no space to work as the final minute ticks away. Eye looks to be framing up an arm-triangle choke, then an armbar, but neither one comes to fruition. Faria gets the last word with a few elbow strikes from the bottom.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Eye (29-27 Eye)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Faria (28-28 Draw)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Faria (28-28 Draw)

The Official Result

Jessica Eye def. Kalindra Faria via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Guido Cannetti vs. Kyung Ho Kang

Round 1

Kang marches forward on Cannetti, who keeps the taller man out of striking range with spinning attacks as he circles with his back near the fence. Kang keeps coming forward and walks into a clipping left hook, followed by a harder left from Cannetti. The second punch is followed by a takedown from the Argentinian, but Kang is back on his feet before the midway point of the round. Cannetti tries to fend off Kang's advances with some inside leg kicks. Cannetti feeds Kang some more nice left hands as they fight and clinch on the fence. Kang keeps chasing, finally gets hold of Cannetti and tosses him to the floor. The rangy South Korean steps straight into full mount, now postures up and narrowly misses with a big elbow. Cannetti rolls to his stomach, now onto his back again, and Kang is waiting on top to set up a mounted triangle. Kang rolls to his back, tries to cinch the choke, but Cannetti stands up with Kang hanging off of him. It looks like Cannetti will slam Kang to the floor; instead, Cannetti stays standing with his opponent jammed against the wall. After a few seconds, the fighters drop back to the floor, where Kang adjusts the triangle one last time and forces Cannetti to tap.

The Official Result

Kyung Ho Kang def. Guido Cannetti via Submission (Triangle Choke) R1 4:53

Irene Aldana vs. Talita Bernardo

Round 1

The opening minutes of the bout feature sparse action but plenty of pressure from Aldana, who begins to find her range with some heavy left hands after 90 seconds or so. Upping her output, Aldana keeps the backpedaling Bernardo on her bicycle with more combinations, including one with a right hand that sends the Brazilian to the floor. The bloody-nosed Bernardo works her way back to her feet, only to be rocked again by Aldana's heavy hands. Bernardo drops and grabs hold of Aldana's right leg, clinging to a single-leg takedown attempt while Aldana continues to try and punch her head off. Bernardo finally abandons the shot and stands up to the whizzer, trying to pin Aldana to the fence. Aldana works her way free with 45 seconds left and tries to march on Bernardo, who fails badly on a takedown attempt and then pulls guard. Aldana stays standing, kicking at Bernardo's legs and delivering a few right hands to the midsection.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Aldana
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-8 Aldana
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Aldana

Round 2

Aldana continues her assault on Bernardo early in round two, walking down the Brazilian with jabs, uppercuts and overhand punches. Bernardo just keeps backpedaling until about 80 seconds in, when she reverses directions and changes levels to try a takedown. Aldana defends at first, backing up against the wall, but Bernardo is tenacious and completes the shot. Aldana tries to kick off the fence but can't escape, and instead she begins working for a triangle. Bernardo disrupts the submission attempt but remains in Aldana's closed guard. Aldana nearly escapes to her feet with 90 seconds left; Bernardo wraps up her legs and drags her back to the ground before she can stand. Bernardo stands up to try and advance position, and instead receives an upkick to the face. Aldana gets back to her feet in the final 30 seconds but remains pinned to the wall by Bernardo.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Aldana
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Bernardo
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Bernardo

Round 3

Aldana fends off early takedown attempts from Bernardo and continues to keep the Brazilian on the end of her strikes, though the volume from Aldana has dropped off since round one. Aldana sticks a few jabs up top, one to the body; Bernardo answers with a leg kick before she's forced back with another Aldana combination. A heavy left hand from Aldana snaps back the head of Bernardo, who cracks back with a one-two of her own. Aldana eats Bernardo's best shots of the fight and keeps coming forward. Stuffing a takedown attempt, Aldana stuffs Bernardo to the ground but can't keep her there. Bernardo works back up and secures her own takedown, but now Aldana posts and sweeps, putting Bernardo on her back. Aldana allows Bernardo to stand with 20 seconds left, then shuts down Bernardo's final takedown attempt.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Aldana (30-26 Aldana)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Aldana (29-27 Aldana)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Aldana (29-27 Aldana)

The Official Result

Irene Aldana def. Talita Bernardo via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Matt Frevola vs. Marco Polo Reyes

Round 1

Frevola sends his first left high kick off Reyes' right arm, then keeps coming forward, backing up "El Toro" with combinations. Frevola eats a heavy left hook, knocking his mouthpiece to the floor, followed by another right hand that sends him to the canvas. Frevola avoids a rear-naked choke attempt and gets up, eats another blasting right hand but somehow keeps his footing. Referee Dan Miragliotta pauses the action to replace Frevola's mouthpiece. As soon as action resumes, Reyes is pressuring Frevola with more hellacious punches, hunting for the early knockout. Frevola gets popped with a double jab and winds up to throw a right hand, but before he can unleash the punch, Reyes knocks him cold with a perfectly placed right hand to the jaw. Referee Miragliotta rushes in for the stoppage as Frevola crumbles to the ground in a heap.

The Official Result

Marco Polo Reyes def. Matt Frevola via KO (Punches) R1 1:00

James Krause vs. Alex White

Round 1

The southpaw White throws some long left hands in the direction of Krause, who's looking to counter early. A few hard lefts from White find the chin of Krause, but the 6-foot-2 lightweight stays standing and shoots for a takedown at the fence. Krause tries to wrestle White to the floor with a bodylock but can't trip up his fellow Missourian. Two minutes in, Krause finally completes the takedown, putting White on his seat at the base of the fence. White rolls onto his side, trapping his own right arm underneath him, and Krause takes the opportunity to land three or four quick shots to White's unprotected face. Krause pulls White away from the fence to flatten him out, now passes to side control with 1:45 on the clock. Leaning left to right across White's body, Krause first looks to consider a kimura, then defends a reverse triangle attempt from the man on bottom. White loses the triangle but lands a couple nice elbows from his back, then tries to walk off the fence and escape. Krause remains heavy on top, dropping a hard left hand on White's face and finishing the round in side control.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Krause
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Krause
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Krause

Round 2

White charges across the cage and tags Krause with a right hand to the jaw. Krause bounces off the fence and dashes to the other side of the cage, where he counters White's next attack with a nifty uppercut. White comes over the top with another left hand, eats a right hand counter from Krause, and now the lightweights are going back and forth with heavy blows. Ninety seconds in, Krause dives for another takedown, first pinning White to the fence and then planting him on the mat. The top of White's head is pressed against the fence as he's stacked up by Krause, leaving White little room to work for the armbar he's looking to throw up. Krause passes to side control, turning White's right side against the wall. Now it's Krause in north-south position with 90 seconds on the clock. White rolls to his knees, punches the now-standing Krause in the face from his knees, then hits the switch and winds up in top position. Krause doesn't stay on the bottom long, and the fighters are only on their feet for a few seconds before Krause has secured another takedown.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Krause
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Krause
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Krause

Round 3

Once again, White moves straight across the cage to attack Krause with heavy punches. Krause ducks low to his left and tries to dash away, but White catches him leaning and connects with a right hand to the temple. Krause's legs give way momentarily, but he's able to recover and get hold of White, jamming him up against the fence to slow "The Spartan." Krause gets White's left leg between his knees and tries to trip him to the ground, but White keeps his balance with his back on the wall. White spins Krause around and releases to throw some hooks; Krause just dodges the punches and waits to grab hold of White again. White breaks loose and knocks Krause backward with a right hand, now a left hook, another right. Krause's head is being knocked around by the punches, but if the shots are hurting him, Krause isn't showing it. With two minutes left, Krause attacks White with a flying armbar. White steps over the top as they hit the ground, freeing his arm from Krause's grip. White throws up a triangle from his back, and Krause sits out to pull his head free right away. With one minute left, it's Krause on top, still chipping away at White with punches and elbows. White tries a last-ditch armbar and gets shaken off by Krause, who finishes the fight with a few thumping hammerfists for White's face.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Krause (30-27 Krause)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 White (29-28 Krause)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 White (29-28 Krause)

The Official Result

James Krause def. Alex White via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Darren Elkins vs. Michael Johnson

Round 1

The southpaw Johnson opens up with a body kick, then pushes Elkins away as "The Damage" tries to change levels for an early takedown. A left hand from Johnson catches Elkins coming forward, knocking Elkins to his knees, and Johnson nearly takes off the Indiana native's head with an uppercut as he stands. Elkins is bloody-nosed just one minute in, wobbling a bit as he tries to circle away from Johnson, who continues to bring pressure with combinations. A blasting left hook from Johnson puts Elkins on rollerskates, but again he's able to stay standing. Elkins looks to have recovered as he catches the incoming Johnson with a nice left hand to the jaw. Two minutes left in the opening round, Johnson pushing forward on Elkins. Elkins throws a kick to the body, tries to counter a Johnson low kick with a right hand but can't find the mark. Johnson is still landing clean, hard shots but just can't find the button to put Elkins down. Johnson slips a front kick and goes body-head with a nasty pair of punches, then finishes the round with a head kick.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Johnson
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-8 Johnson
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Johnson

Round 2

Elkins eats a couple more punches from Johnson, then an accidental kick to the cup. However, "The Damage" doesn't complain as he catches the offending kick and converts it to a takedown, planting Johnson on the canvas in the center of the cage. Working from half guard on Johnson's left side, Elkins postures up to land a dozen or more peppering right hands to the face of "The Menace." With 3:10 on the clock, Elkins advances to the crucifix and opens up with more punches. Johnson explodes out of the bad position, but Elkins scrambles with him and takes his back. Elkins immediately applies a body triangle, then gets to work on a rear-naked choke. Within 20 seconds, he's under Johnson's chin and cinching with choke palm-to-palm. Johnson resists for a moment, but he's forced to tap out.

The Official Result

Darren Elkins def. Michael Johnson via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 2:22

Emil Meek vs. Kamaru Usman

Round 1

Usman comes out of his corner crouching and has to dodge an uppercut from Meek, as the "viking brawler" rushes across the cage to meet him. Usman hits a quick takedown, landing in Meek's guard, and Meek catches the "Nigerian Nightmare" in a guillotine on the way down. Meek tries to adjust the choke, loses it, and now Usman postures up in guard, looking for an arm-triangle choke. Usman gives up on the choke in favor of some body shots, and now Meek is able to get to his feet. Usman stays glued on, holding Meek in a rear bodylock. Meek tries to break up the position with a kimura attempt, but Usman seems unfazed. With two minutes left, Usman is still looking for another takedown, and now he slams Meek to the floor with authority. Meek is on his back with the cage on his left side, Usman on his right, but somehow he finds space to post and stand. Usman drags him back to the mat, tries a rear-naked choke but can't get the angle, as he's hanging off Meek's side now. Usman drops a couple heavy right hands on Meek's face, then goes to the body, while Meek lands a slicing elbow from the bottom just before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Usman
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Usman
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Usman

Round 2

Usman tries to close in and get hold of Meek in the opening minute, but "Valhalla" whips around in the pocket and stings the wrestler with a spinning elbow to the left eye. Usman looks to be cut from this elbow strike -- in addition to one from the end of the first frame -- as he shoots and wraps up Meek in another bodylock. Usman drags Meek to the floor and tries to take his back again; Meek kneels against the fence until he's able to stand, but he still can't break Usman's grip on the bodylock. Usman scores another takedown but can't advance position, as Meek is working a kimura from the bottom. Meek releases the arm and resumes his elbowing from the bottom. Usman doesn't like the strikes and retaliates with some short, stapling elbows of his own. Meek is cut on his forehead as the 170-pounders continue to grind on the ground in the final 30 seconds. Usman gets in a couple hard left hands before the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Usman
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Usman
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Usman

Round 3

Meek opens with an outside leg kick, narrowly misses with a right hand over the top, then lands an accidental kick to Usman's groin. Referee Keith Peterson pauses the fight, Usman takes a minute to recover, and action resumes with Meek looking for a homerun punch. Usman walks through the strikes to shoot and completes another takedown. Meek kicks him away and scrambles back to his feet with 3:30 on the clock, but Usman comes straight back for another takedown. Meek is a bloody mess after being cut open by Usman's elbows, and with half a round remaining, it looks like the Norwegian is running out of options. Usman is heavy in top position, grinding away with short punches and he prevents Meek from standing up. Meek can only shake his head as he stands and is taken back down immediately. Meek tries to crawl away and gets tossed to his back, flattened out and elbowed in the face. With 45 seconds left, Usman seems to be looking for an arm-triangle choke, but Meek bucks him off. Meek goes to stand, gets wrapped up and hurled back to the floor by Usman, who finishes the round on top.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Usman (30-27 Usman)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Usman (30-27 Usman)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Usman (30-27 Usman)

The Official Result

Kamaru Usman def. Emil Meek via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Jessica-Rose Clark vs. Paige VanZant

Round 1

VanZant lands a switch kick to the body of Clark, eats a right hook counter, then punches back at the Australian. The next switch kick from VanZant lands with a thud to Clark's midsection. Clark ties up with VanZant and tries to trip her to the floor; instead, it's "12 Gauge" stuffing the shot and trying a trip of her own. Clark ultimately comes down in top position but can't keep VanZant on the floor. As she stands, VanZant gets caught in an arm-triangle choke, forcing her to drop back to the ground in an effort to escape. Clark loses the choke on the floor, but "Jessy Jess" remains on top with more than half the round remaining. Clark is still hunting for the arm-triangle, but she's stuck on the wrong side in VanZant's half guard. Clark leans left to right across VanZant's body, elbowing the American in the ribs as the final minute of round one ticks down. VanZant takes a couple elbows to the face as she tries to create space underneath at the end of the frame.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Clark
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Clark
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Clark

Round 2

VanZant throws a kick to open round two and gets countered by Clark with a left, then it's Clark throwing a kick and eating a right-handed counter from "12 Gauge." VanZant partially connects with a spinning backfist and rushes in behind the strike to clinch Clark against the fence. VanZant hits a trip takedown and postures up high in Clark's closed guard. Clark attacks a leg, forcing VanZant to stand and defend the heel hook. Clark uses the opening to sit up and drive forward, putting VanZant on the floor with a quick double-leg takedown. Clark is looking for the arm-triangle setup again, giving VanZant little room to work on the bottom. Halfway through the round, referee Yamasaki warns Clark that she must keep working or risk losing the position. VanZant gives up her back in order to sweep to top position, but as Clark hits her back, the Australian is waiting with a triangle choke attempt. The choke is tight almost instantly, though VanZant is using angles to create enough space to breathe. Clark keeps adjusting the choke, trying to force a tap or put VanZant to sleep, but VanZant is surviving. Twenty seconds left as Clark continues to squeeze, now elbowing VanZant in the face from underneath.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Clark
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Clark
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Clark

Round 3

VanZant is looking for a big strike early, firing switch kicks and jump knees at Clark in the opening minute of the final stanza. Clark keeps coming forward, not offering much in the way of offense, but keeping pressure on VanZant as she moves the American around the cage. Meanwhile, VanZant's offense in this round has consisted only of kicks, knees and jabs, having apparently injured her right arm in the second frame. Clark takes a body shot, sidesteps into the pocket and hits a step-in knee to VanZant's midsection. VanZant remains busy with kicks down the stretch, and this one will be decided by the judges.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Clark (30-27 Clark)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 VanZant (29-28 Clark)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 VanZant (29-28 Clark)

The Official Result

Jessica-Rose Clark def. Paige VanZant via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Jeremy Stephens vs. Doo Ho Choi

Round 1

Referee Keith Peterson is the third man in the cage for tonight's 145-pound main event, scheduled for five rounds. Stephens whiffs on his opening leg kick and takes one in return from Choi, who backs up when the veteran threatens to charge forward. Stephens is swinging some heavy punches in the opening minute, but Choi is able to dodge or deflect most of them. The lightweights exchange low kicks before Choi grabs Stephens in the Thai clinch to deliver a knee. Stephens checks a leg kick but eats a straight right hand down the center. Choi rips into Stephens' lead leg with another chop; this time, "Lil Heathen" is waiting with a right-handed counter. Choi backs up Stephens to the fence, feints an uppercut but doesn't unleash the punch. Now it's Stephens driving forward, getting too aggressive and being spun against the fence. Stephens breaks free from the clinch with an elbow, but now it's Choi with a clean right uppercut-left hook. Thirty seconds left in round one as the fighters trade jabs, then Choi tacks on another heavy leg kick. Stephens answers with a loud kick to the body, then counters Choi's final kick with a straight right.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Stephens
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Choi
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Choi

Round 2

Stephens dodges one front kick from Choi, but the second lands right on the jaw, snapping back the head of the veteran. Stephens wakes up and tries to take off Choi's head with a knee, then lands a blistering right hand. Choi grimaces but stays right in the pocket, now seemingly measuring Stephens, waiting for a chance to counter and reclaim some ground. Stephens gives Choi some of his own medicine with a few hard leg kicks. Stephens counters Choi's low kick with another massive right hand that knocks the "Korean Superboy" backward a few steps. Choi goes to the body with a left, sucks in a deep breath and backs up as Stephens continues to march forward. Stephens jabs his way into range and then floors Choi with a massive right hand to the temple. Stephens comes crashing down on top of Choi with a heavy elbow, then stands and continues to pour on the punishment with punches. Referee Peterson is taking a close look; Choi is covering up, rolling onto his side, and the ref decides he's seen enough. Jeremy Stephens scores a minor upset with a hard-hitting second-round stoppage of Doo Ho Choi.

The Official Result

Jeremy Stephens def. Doo Ho Choi via TKO (Punches) R2 2:36