UFC 209 live results: Woodley vs. Thompson 2

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 209: Woodley vs. Thompson 2, emanating from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The event is headlined by a rematch for the UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley defends the championship for the second time against challenger Stephen Thompson.

The two met in one of the best fights of 2016 at UFC 205 in November, and after five back-and-forth rounds and some moments that saw the fight close to being over, the men saw it end in a majority draw with Woodley retaining. They run it back for rounds six through ten as both look to leave Sin City with gold around their waist.

The co-main event was scheduled to be a battle for the Interim Lightweight Championship between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson. On Friday, prior to the weigh-ins, Nurmagomedov was taken to the hospital due to complications surrounding his weight cut. He wasn’t cleared to fight, and the bout was canceled, leaving a huge hole in the card.

Also on the main card is the middleweight debut of former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans as he takes on Daniel Kelly, winner of three straight. Lightweight prospect Lando Vannata returns from his highlight-reel knockout win when he takes on David Teymur, and heavyweight sluggers Alistair Overeem and Mark Hunt meet in the opener of the main card.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 7 p.m. eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.

We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s show, so send a thumbs up, thumbs in the middle, or a thumbs down along with a best fight and worst fight to Dave here,

UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 7 PM ET/4 PM PT

> Albert Morales (6-1-1, 0-1-1 UFC) vs. Andre Soukhamthath (11-3, 0-0 UFC)
Bantamweights

The first round was on the feet. Morales was more aggressive and landing more, and was mixing his strikes more by landing the jab, straight right hands, left hooks and leg kicks. Soukhamthath was primarily in punch mode and looked tentative on the feet, though he started to open up more in the latter stages of the round, even landing a big uppercut. Morales had great timing and was getting the better of the range. Soukhamthath landed better at the end, but Morales was the higher-volume striker. 10-9 opening round for Morales.

Soukhamthath was landing better in the opening stages of the second round but Morales still had good volume. Morales then decided to change it up and went to the grappling and took Soukhamthath down but was reversed. Soukhamthath landed some punches from the back before getting into the guard of Morales, but he wasn’t doing much from the top. Soukhamthath was able to get out from the guard and landed some punches at the end before they got to their feet at the end. A closer round, and I had it 10-9 for Soukhamthath, and it 19-19 after two.

Soukhamthath was landing much better punches at the beginning of the third round. The left hook was his punch of choice but he was mixing it all well. They were swinging away and Soukhamthath took the back of Morales. They broke and were trading and showing signs of being tired. Soukhamthath went for a takedown but let Morales take his back and Morales was landing punches from the back and looking for the choke. He looked to have it in for a moment but let up as both men were clearly gassed. They rode the round out in that position with neither doing much until late. Soukhamthath gave that round away by looking for the takedown as he was winning on the feet. 10-9 Morales in the third, and 29-28 Morales overall.

The judges had it 29-28 twice for Morales and 29-28 once for Soukhamthath. No bad scores in that one.

Official Result- Albert Morales def. Andre Soukhamthath by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Tyson Pedro (5-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Paul Craig (9-0, 1-0 UFC)
Light Heavyweights

Craig was landing the switch head kick early before Pedro landed a big knee that slowed Craig down. Craig got a brief takedown before they split and Pedro dropped Craig with a straight right hand. Craig got up but ate another right hand and then a big knee from Pedro. Pedro got to side control and was landing big ground-and-pound elbows and Marc Goddard stepped in and stopped the fight. Big finish by Pedro in the first round! Pedro has a lot of promise at 205 pounds.

Official Result- Tyson Pedro def. Paul Craig by TKO (elbows) at 4:10 of Round 1

FOX SPORTS 1 PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Mark Godbeer (11-3, 0-1 UFC) vs. Daniel Spitz (5-0, 0-0 UFC)
Heavyweights

They were trading early and Godbeer was landing with good kicks and right hands. Godbeer was telegraphing his strikes but was still landing them as he was landing the leg kicks, and even dropped Spitz for a moment with a leg kick. Spitz wasn’t doing much to check the kicks and wasn’t showing much defense. Spitz was landing the jab but Godbeer was attacking in return and landed a big left hook at the end of the round. 10-9 round for Godbeer.

They were trading again with Godbeer landing with more volume. Spitz scored a takedown but that was the most of his offense. They got up but Godbeer was teeing off on Spitz with uppercuts and Spitz looked exhausted. Godbeer was landing body shots but Spitz survived the round, though it was a clear 10-9 for Godbeer. I had it 20-18 Godbeer after two.

Both men were tired but Godbeer had a little more in his gas tank. He was landing more but neither man had the other in trouble at any point. Godbeer was landing and Spitz wasn’t doing much in return. It was only one punch at a time. Godbeer was urging Spitz to fight but it wasn’t like Godbeer was doing much to engage though he was landing more. Godbeer then landed a big right hand and had Spitz in a whole ton of trouble. Spitz was able to make it to the end. This was a very sloppy fight. 10-9 Godbeer in the third, 30-27 Godbeer overall.

All three judges had it 30-27 for Godbeer, which was the clear score. No post-fight interview for him, not surprising.

Official Result- Mark Godbeer def. Daniel Spitz by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Iuri Alcantara (#15, 34-7 1 NC, 8-4 1 NC UFC) vs. Luke Sanders (11-0, 1-0 UFC)
Bantamweights

WWE’s Becky Lynch was shown in attendance as Sanders is her boyfriend. Alcantara immediately scrambled to the ground looking to get it down but Sanders avoided it. They both landed left hands. Sanders caught an Alcantara kick and took him down and Sanders was teeing off on Alcantara with punches from the back. Sanders was landing a lot of shots and Alcantara wasn’t doing anything to defend it. This could be stopped. Sanders then kneed Alcantara illegally just when it looked like a finish, and he got a point taken away from him and the fight back to standing, and they went to the end of the round. It would’ve been a 10-8 round for Sanders, but a rare 9-8 round on my card now.

Sanders was getting the better of the striking at the start of the second round. Alcantara tried to start a grappling battle but Sanders blocked it. Sanders dropped Alcantara with a knee and was looking for the finish but Alcantara was able to survive. Sanders was landing punches from the back but Alcantara grabbed a leg and rolled for a kneebar. Alcantara had it locked in and Sanders tapped out! Wow, what a comeback from Alcantara! He was close to being finished several times but pulled the submission out of nowhere.

Official Result- Iuri Alcantara def. Luke Sanders by submission (kneebar) at 3:13 of Round 2

> Mirsad Bektic (#13, 11-0, 4-0 UFC) vs. Darren Elkins (#14, 21-5, 11-4 UFC)
Featherweights

Elkins has the worst tattoo in the history of the sport on his chest, and that is saying a lot. Bektic landed a right hand at the start and quickly took the fight down. He opened a huge cut over the eye of Elkins. Bektic had the crucifix position and was landing lots of punches and elbows on Elkins. Elkins is an absolute bloody mess and this is getting close to being stopped. Bektic just relentless with his ground-and-pound and Elkins is holding on to Bektic. Elkins survived but a huge round for Bektic. 10-8 round.

Bektic scored an easy takedown at the start of the second. Bektic was landing some punches but Elkins was looking for a guillotine. Bektic defended and they were scrambling on the mat and Bektic ended up back on top. It was all Bektic from the top in this round as he had Elkins in trouble but didn’t appear close to finishing it, or as close as he did in the first. 10-9 Bektic in the second, 20-17 after two for Bektic.

Elkins landed a low kick and we had a quick break. Bektic got the fight to the mat and was controlling from the ground. Elkins went for a heel hook but didn’t have it in all the way and Bektic escaped. They scrambled to the feet and Elkins had the back and was landing punches and knees to the body. WOW! Elkins landed a head kick that knocked Bektic out on the scramble. An amazing comeback! It was actually a punch that got Bektic but an amazing comeback from Elkins as he hands Bektic his first career loss.

Official Result- Darren Elkins def. Mirsad Bektic by TKO (strikes) at 3:19 of Round 3

BREAKING FIGHT NEWS: UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson will defend against Wilson Reis in the main event of UFC On FOX 24 on April 15 in Kansas City, the UFC’s debut in the city. Also on the card will be a middleweight bout between Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza and Robert Whittaker.

> Marcin Tybura (14-2, 1-1 UFC) vs. Luis Henrique (10-2 1 NC, 2-1 UFC)
Heavyweights

They clinched early and were up against the fence but not a lot of action so they were separated. Tybura landed a kick but Henrique got the back against the fence. Tybura got a takedown and was in side control against the fence. They got to their feet and Henrique scored a takedown. Nothing happened and they got to their feet. Not much of a round. 10-9 Tybura due to doing more with his takedown.

Henrique got a takedown but they got up and were clinched against the fence. They were broken up but immediately clinched back up. This is real boring. They kept getting clinched back up every time they were separated by Herb Dean. The crowd booing loudly. They traded weak punches and back to the clinch. A really boring round. 10-9 Henrique, 19-19 after two.

Tybura landed a quick right hand and they decided to clinch against the fence again. This is repetitive and awful. Tybura started landing punches as they scrambled to the mat and Tybura was in full mount and landing. Tybura landing tons of punches and Henrique is cut open and hurting and Herb Dean stopped the fight. Boring fight but Tybura got the finish with a big flurry in the third.

Official Result- Marcin Tybura def. Luis Henrique by TKO (punches) at 3:46 of Round 3

PPV MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

They announced a return to New Zealand for an event on June 10 at the opening of the card.

> Alistair Overeem (#3, 41-15 1 NC, 6-4 UFC) vs. Mark Hunt (#8, 12-10-1 1 NC, 7-4-1 1 NC UFC)
Heavyweights

They traded kicks. Overeem landed a leg kick and Hunt started gushing blookd from his leg. Hunt landed a big body kick on Overeem. Hunt landed another big leg kick and then Overeem got off balance from a leg kick. Hunt landed another body kick and he’s looking like he’s loading up the right hand. Overeem landed a knee in the clinch. Overeem started running away as Hunt was getting close to landing some right hands. 10-9 close opening round for Hunt, could be either way really.

Overeem with a spin kick but Hunt fired back with a body kick. Hunt is bleeding from his nose now. Overeem hurt Hunt with a couple of knees. Overeem with a steady diet of knees and kicks to the body. Hunt then had Overeem hurt with some punches and elbows and he was looking to swarm for a finish. Overeem was able to get the underhooks and clinched Hunt against the fence. Hunt hurt Overeem again with an elbow but Overeem landed a knee to stop the momentum. Close round again but I had it 10-9 for Overeem and 19-19 after two.

They were clinched up and Hunt was about to land some punches but Overeem ducked and ran away and the crowd booed him big time for that. In the clinch Overeem landed an elbow that opened Hunt up for a big knee from Overeem. Another knee from Overeem and Hunt is out cold and face plants to the mat. Huge knockout win from Overeem!

Official Result- Alistair Overeem def. Mark Hunt by knockout (elbows & knees) at 1:44 of Round 3

> Amanda Cooper (2-2, 1-1 UFC) vs. Cynthia Calvillo (3-0, 0-0 UFC)
Women’s Strawweights

They were trading early. Cooper threw a kick and Calvillo reversed it into a takedown. They had a wild scramble with Calvillo grabbing the neck, but she lost position, and they scrambled again and Calvillo took the back of Cooper. Calvillo had the rear-naked choke locked in deep and Cooper taps! Big submission win for Calvillo in her UFC debut.

Official Result- Cynthia Calvillo def. Amanda Cooper by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:19 of Round 1

> Rashad Evans (19-5-1, 14-5-1 UFC) vs. Daniel Kelly (12-1, 5-1 UFC)
Middleweights

Evans looks real lean making his middleweight debut. They were trading and Kelly landed a nice left hand. Kelly landed two more nice left hands that stunned Evans. Evans landed a right hand and transitioned to a takedown but it was defended. Evans landed an uppercut. Kelly is landing the left hand and Evans isn’t doing much to defend it. Evans landed a big body kick with a lot of power. Close round, but Evans landed the bigger strike. 10-9 Evans.

Kelly is landing with some close short punches in close range. Kelly landed a left hand. Evans goes for a takedown but it is defended. Kelly went to the mat for a moment but got up and ate a big knee from Evans. Finger poke from Evans and we have a break. They get back to action and Evans lands another big body kick. Kelly is landing the left hand but not with a lot of power right now. Evans scores a takedown and has the back as Kelly gets to his feet. Evans went for a head kick but Kelly grabbed the leg, let go and they traded punches. Evans with another body kick towards the end of the round. 10-9 round for Kelly, but close. I have it 19-19.

This fight could be a mess to score. Evans landed a couple of right hands. Evans landing cleaner now but Kelly tripped Evans for a second. Evans with a body kick. Kelly is a tough dude. Evans is finding his range but Kelly keeps moving forward. Kelly landed a short uppercut and was landing some dirty boxing. Evans with an inside leg kick. Evans landed another uppercut. He doesn’t seem to have the same kind of pop he had in the past. They traded in the clinch. Evans got warned for grabbing the shorts inside a clinch. They threw lots of punches at the end. Close fight. I have round three 10-9 for Evans, and Evans winning 29-28.

The judges had it 29-28 Kelly, 28-29 Evans and 29-28 Kelly. Evans looked dejected but his best days are behind him. Kelly with the biggest win of his career.

Official Result- Daniel Kelly def. Rashad Evans by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Lando Vannata (9-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. David Teymur (5-1, 2-0 UFC)
Lightweights

Vannata has star potential. Vannata was closing the distance early and landing some good kicks. They traded in close range. Vannata went for a cartwheel kick and it landed! Vannata then tagged Teymur with some punches but Teymur fired back with some punches. Teymur tagged Vannata and Vannata lost his mouthpiece. Vannata missed a spinning head kick. Teymur with a big body kick. Vannata got a big takedown but they scrambled to their feet. Teymur landed a good combination inside. Vannata missed another cartwheel kick. Close round. 10-9 Teymur.

They traded body kicks. They traded punches and Vannata missed a spin kick. Teymur landed a series of knees to the body. Vannata landed a spin kick to the upper body. Both men landed punches. Teymur landed a Superman punch. Teymur scored a brief takedown. They traded and Teymur landed a left hand, then some knees to the body and a flush left hand. Another fun round. 10-9 Teymur, 20-18 Teymur after two.

These two are hitting each other very hard. Teymur is going after the legs with kicks. Teymur with more knees to the body. Teymur with another brief takedown. Teymur got another one. Both men are landing on the feet. Vannata landed a big right hand. Teymur with knees to the body in the clinch. Teymur landed a nice combination and then another takedown. Vannata trying to set something up late but Teymur almost got another takedown. They beat the hell out of each other. 10-9 Teymur in the third, 30-27 Teymur overall.

All three judges had it 30-27 for Teymur.

Official Result- David Teymur def. Lando Vannata by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Tyron Woodley (C, 16-3-1, 6-2-1 UFC) vs. Stephen Thompson (#1, 13-1-1, 8-1-1 UFC)
UFC Welterweight Championship

Thompson with a side kick and then another to start off the fight. Thompson with a head kick. Woodley hasn’t done anything two minutes into the fight. Woodley misses a right hand. Thompson lands a combination. Not a lot of action and the crowd is letting them know it. Woodley has done virtually nothing. Thompson with a leg kick. 10-9 opening round for Thompson.

Thompson threw a combination. Woodley misses a right hand. Woodley landed a right hand. The crowd is booing the lack of action loudly. Thompson is just using feints looking to counter but landed a roundhouse kick. Thompson with a body kick. Not much happened again. 10-9 Thompson, 20-18 Thompson.

Woodley went right after a takedown at the start of the third and got it. He was landing some ground and pound but Thompson was able to get to his feet. Woodley landed a big right hand late but didn’t do much afterwards. 10-9 Woodley, 29-28 Thompson.

Another round of not much happening. Thompson is landing a couple of left hands and landed a high kick. Woodley is doing nothing. This is one of the worst title fights in company history. Another round of just nothing happening. 10-9 Thompson, 39-37 Thompson.

They were staying at far range. Woodley partially landed a right hand. This is a struggle to get through. Woodley dropped Thompson late with less than thirty seconds to go. He was working for the finish but Thompson got back to his feet and survived the end. A strong finish to a very boring fight. 10-9 Woodley, 48-47 Thompson.

The judges had it 48-47, 47-47 and 48-47, with the two winning cards both for Woodley. It was a close and boring fight and either guy really could have won.

Official Result- Tyron Woodley def. Stephen Thompson by majority decision (48-47, 47-47, 48-47), Woodley remains UFC Welterweight Champion