UFC 245 live results: Three title fights

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 245: Usman vs. Covington, emanating from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Octagon heads back home to Las Vegas for the final pay-per-view event of 2019 with what may be the deepest main card of the year featuring three title fights.

In the main event, UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman makes his first title defense against challenger and top contender Colby Covington. Usman has won 14 straight fights capped off by defeating Tyron Woodley to become the champion at UFC 235 in March. Covington has won seven straight including a brief stint as an interim welterweight champion.

In the co-main event, UFC Featherweight Champion Max Holloway makes his fourth title defense when he takes on the challenge of Alexander Volkanovski, winner of 17 straight fights. Holloway defeated Frankie Edgar in his last title defense in July while Volkanovski comes in on the heels of a win streak that has spanned six years.

In the third title fight on the card, the proclaimed greatest female fighter of all-time, UFC Women’s Bantamweight and Featherweight Champion Amanda Nunes, makes her next title defense of the 135-pound title against Germaine de Randamie. Nunes was last in action in July in a first-round knockout win over Holly Holm, while de Randamie comes in riding a five-fight win streak after defeating Aspen Ladd in July.

Also on the main card is a pair of bantamweight fights featuring legends of the sport as Marlon Moraes welcomes former UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo to the 135-pound division, while Petr Yan takes on UFC Hall Of Famer Urijah Faber. Both of those fights could play a big role in determining the next challenger for UFC Bantamweight Champion Henry Cejudo. A solid preliminary card is capped off by a potential slugfest at 170 pounds as Geoff Neal takes on Mike Perry.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:15 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.

We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

ESPN+/UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 6:15 PM ET/3:15 PM PT

> Punahele Soriano (6-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Oskar Piechota (11-2-1, 2-2 UFC)
Middleweights

They trade early. Soriano landed a couple of left hands and dropped Piechota with an uppercut. Soriano gets on top and is landing hammerfists. Soriano gets the back of Piechota against the fence and working for a choke. Piechota escapes and gets on top and has a standing kimura. They scramble back to the mat and he rolls for a guillotine but they stand. Piechota with a knee to the head. They scramble and Soriano escapes. They go back to the mat and Soriano is on top. They stand. Soriano then knocks Piechota out standing with a left hand. Vicious knockout by Soriano in his UFC debut.

Official Result- Punahele Soriano def. Oskar Piechota by knockout (punch) at 3:17 of Round 1

> Jessica Eye (#2, 14-7 1 NC, 4-6 1 NC UFC) vs. Viviane Araujo (#5, 8-1, 2-0 UFC)
Women’s Flyweights* (Eye missed weight by 5 pounds)

Both missing early. Araujo lands a left hook. They trade right hands. Eye with a spinning back fist. They trade. Both land a jab. Araujo with a left hook. Both land some punches. Eye with a high kick and Araujo catches it and takes her down. Araujo with short elbows from the top. They scramble up. Eye with some kicks and they trade. They clinch for a second and Eye with an uppercut and then lands a body kick. Eye goes for a takedown but Araujo defends. Eye lands a knee to the body as they get up. They trade kicks late. 10-9 Araujo.

They trade to start the second. Eye lands a right hand. Eye lands another right hand. Araujo with the jab and Eye counters with an inside kick and a right hand to the body. Eye with a right hand and then a leg kick and another. Araujo lands two right hands. Eye with a high kick and Araujo catches it but the fence blocks the takedown attempt. Eye lands a right hand as they separate. Eye with more leg kicks. Araujo gets a takedown. They scramble up. Eye with a right hand and follows with an inside kick. Eye with another. Eye tries a takedown but Araujo defends and Eye with a knee to the body. 10-9 Eye, 19-19.

Araujo with the jab. Araujo with a right hand. Eye with some short punches. Eye with some more leg kicks and goes with the jab to the body. They trade in close range. Eye with a combo ending with a flush right hand. Eye lands a knee as Araujo shoots it and Eye defends the takedown attempt. Araujo lands a right hand. There may have been an eye poke from Eye but it isn’t called. Eye with a right hand. Eye getting the better of the exchanges late here. Eye with a leg kick. Araujo with the jab and Eye counters with a right hand to the body. Eye with another right hand over the top. Eye with a combo to the body and head. Eye with a leg kick. Araujo tries a late takedown but it is stuffed. 10-9 Eye, 29-28 Eye.

Official Result- Jessica Eye def. Viviane Araujo by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Brandon Moreno (#5, 15-5-1, 3-2-1 UFC) vs. Kai Kara-France (#6, 20-7 1 NC, 3-0 UFC)
Flyweights

Moreno with some quick left hooks. Kara-France with a high kick and then a left hand. They trade punches. Kara-France with a right hand. He lands another. Moreno with a combo. Moreno with another combo. They both land left hands and Moreno with a high kick. Kara-France rocks Moreno with a right hand. They trade and Kara-France lands a nice right hand. Moreno with a leg kick. Moreno with a left hand. Moreno with a high kick and Kara-France counters with a right hand. Moreno with a high kick. Fun round. 10-9 Kara-France.

Kara-France with a right hand to the body. Moreno with a leg kick. They trade and Moreno tries a high kick but Kara-France blocks it. They are trading and Moreno with a body kick. They trade and Moreno with a high kick.They trade and Moreno with a left hook followed by a head kick. They trade inside the pocket. Moreno with a combo and Kara-France lands a right hand. Moreno landing the jab and is tagging Kara-France. Moreno with a late combo. 10-9 Moreno, 19-19.

They trade high kicks. Both men throwing big punches. Moreno with a left hand and then a high kick. Kara-France with a leg kick and then a high kick. Moreno with a head kick and Kara-France blocks it with his arm. Moreno with more high kicks and one goes to the body. Kara-France with a punch and Moreno slips to the mat but gets up. They trade kicks. Kara-France with a flurry of punches in close. Moreno is showboating and Kara-France is landing punches. They trade in close range and now Moreno is landing more. Kara-France lands a nice right hand. Moreno coming on strong. Moreno with a combo. Kara-France is busted up and walking on hurt legs. Kara-France with a left hook. Moreno with a late combo. This was a fun fight and really close. 10-9 Moreno, 29-28 Moreno.

Official Result- Brandon Moreno def. Kai Kara-France by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

> Chase Hooper (8-0-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Daniel Teymur (7-3, 1-3 UFC)
Featherweights

Teymur gets a deep guillotine locked in early and Hooper trying to defend. Hooper is able to get out. Teymur gets him down and is landing from the top. Hooper trying for an armbar. They stand and Teymur lands a right hand. Hooper pulls guard but they get up. Hooper gets the back standing. Hooper drags Teymur down and gets full back control. Hooper with punches from the back as he tries to find a choke. Hooper gets it locked in under the neck. Teymur refusing to tap. He is able to escape but Hooper moves to the mount. Hooper with elbows from the top and takes the back again. Hooper with a mounted triangle and is landing brutal elbows and punches. It is stopped and Hooper wins! Impressive finish by Hooper in his UFC debut.

Official Result- Chase Hooper def. Daniel Teymur by TKO (strikes) at 4:34 of Round 1

ESPN2 PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Matt Brown (21-16, 14-10 UFC) vs. Ben Saunders (22-12-2, 9-9 UFC)
Welterweights

Both feeling each other out and Saunders with a body kick. Brown gets a trip takedown and Saunders going to work from his guard. Saunders looking for a triangle and he has one locked in. Brown looking to escape as he is in trouble. Saunders with some elbows. Saunders adjusts to get it locked in better. Saunders tried to adjust again and lost the choke. Brown landing punches from the top. Brown staying patient from the top as Saunders loses the position. Brown ends the round on top. 10-9 Saunders.

Brown landing punches and rocking Saunders. Saunders is cut open and Brown lands a head kick. Saunders pulls guard and is looking for a triangle. Brown landing from the top as Saunders is trying to wrap up the triangle. Brown landing some punches from the top and Saunders is doing well defending from the bottom. They are stood up by Keith Peterson. Saunders with a kick and Brown counters with a right hand. Brown gets Saunders to the mat and starts landing huge strikes and the fight is stopped. What a win from Brown after two years away.

Official Result- Matt Brown def. Ben Saunders by knockout (strikes) at 4:55 of Round 2

> Ian Heinisch (#10, 13-2, 2-1 UFC) vs. Omari Akhmedov (#14, 19-4-1, 7-3-1 UFC)
Middleweights

They trade low kicks early. Akhmedov landing some punches against the fence. Heinisch lands a right hand. Akhmedov with a leg kick. Akhmedov lands a right hand. Heinisch unable to put any weight on his lead leg. Heinisch with a body kick. Akhmedov with a right hand and gets a big slam takedown. Akhemdov on top but Heinisch is able to get to his feet and escapes. Akhemdov with a left hand. 10-9 Akhmedov.

Heinisch with a low kick. Akhmedov with a right hand. They trade in close range and Akhmedov with a short uppercut. Akhmedov with a right hand and then a left hook to the body. Heinisch lands a right hand and eats a counter right from Akhmedov. Heinisch with a body kick. Akhmedov gets the back and they scramble and Heinisch escapes. Akhmedov with a right hand. Heinisch with a knee to the body and now he looks for a takedown against the fence. Heinisch working hard for a single leg but Akhmedov defends well and lands some punches and elbows. Heinisch gets a late takedown. 10-9 Akhmedov, 20-18 Akhmedov.

Heinisch with a body kick. Akhmedov tags Heinisch with a left hook. Akhmedov with a left hook to the body. Akhmedov with a knee and then rocks Heinisch with a right hand. Heinisch recovers and they scramble on the mat and Heinisch gets the body lock against the fence. They break. Akhmedov with a deep breath but lands a left hook. Heinisch with a left hand and then lands a combo. Heinisch drops for a takedown and completes it. Heinisch lands some punches and gets the back. They get to their feet. Akhmedov grabs the leg and tries a takedown but they break. Akhmedov lands a left hand. They trade punches and both are rocked. Heinisch lands a late flying knee. 10-9 Heinisch, 29-28 Akhmedov.

Official Result- Omari Akhmedov def. Ian Heinisch by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Ketlen Vieira (#2, 10-0, 4-0 UFC) vs. Irene Aldana (#10, 11-5, 4-3 UFC)
Women’s Bantamweights

This is Vieira’s first fight since March 2018. Aldana has fought four times in that span. They are trading early and Vieira being aggressive. Aldana with a right hand. Vieira with a combo. Aldana with a right hand to the body. They trade punches. Vieira with a right hand. They trade and both land. Vieira rocks Aldana with a right hand and Aldana retreats a little. Aldana with an inside leg kick. Aldana with the jab. They trade left hooks and Vieira lands a right hand. Aldana rips a left hook to the body. Vieira with a right hand and then rocks Aldana. Aldana then knocks Vieira out with a left hand! A big punch right to the jaw sent Vieira down. Aldana landed a few follow-up punches before it was stopped but the fight was well over by then. Huge win for Aldana.

Official Result- Irene Aldana def. Ketlen Vieira by knockout (punches) at 4:51 of Round 1

> Geoff Neal (#14, 12-2, 4-0 UFC) vs. Mike Perry (13-5, 6-5 UFC)
Welterweights

Neal with a left hand. Perry with a body kick. Neal with a big body kick. They each kicked the other in the cup but both fought on. Neal with a left hand and then rocks Perry with a head kick. Neal teeing off on Perry against the fence and he drops Perry with a left hand! Neal with punches from the top and this fight is stopped. Neal with a statement win and he is the real deal.

Official Result- Geoff Neal def. Mike Perry by TKO (punches) at 1:30 of Round 1

ESPN+ PPV MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

> Petr Yan (#4, 13-1, 5-0 UFC) vs. Urijah Faber (#12, 35-10, 11-6 UFC)
Bantamweights

Faber with a body kick. Faber with a step-in knee to the body. Faber just misses a head kick. Yan with a left hand. Yan with a leg kick. Yan with a high kick but just misses a right hand. Faber misses a high kick. Faber with a right hand. Yan with a left hand. Yan tries a body kick but Faber catches it and they clinch for a moment before breaking. They clinch again and Yan connects as they break. Yan lands two right hands. Yan with a combo and Faber lands a left hook. They clinch and Yan connects again as they break. Faber with an inside leg kick. Yan with a knee. 10-9 Yan.

Yan landing some punches. Faber trying to find openings and Yan is connecting with punches. Faber gets double underhooks against the fence. They break and both land after they break. Yan with a body kick. Faber tries a takedown as he grabs a single leg but Yan escapes. Yan drops Faber with a punch and gets the back and is landing punches looking to finish. They get up and Yan lands a knee to the body. They break. Faber with a big left hand rocks Yan. Yan drops Faber again with an elbow and has the back and is landing. They get up and Yan drags Faber to the ground and is working in the guard. Faber has a huge cut open and they call a timeout to check the cut. Faber’s face is a mess. Faber is allowed to continue and they get restarted on the ground. Faber going for legs as they scramble up. They trade punches. Yan with a late takedown. 10-8 Yan, 20-17 Yan.

Yan comes out firing and lands a high kick. They clinch and Yan lands a head kick as they break as Faber goes down and the fight is stopped. Incredible finish by Yan as he gets a huge win.

Official Result- Petr Yan def. Urijah Faber by knockout (head kick) at :43 of Round 3

> Marlon Moraes (#1, 22-6-1, 4-2 UFC) vs. Jose Aldo (#3 FW, 28-5, 10-4 UFC)
Bantamweights

Moraes with a head kick right away and Aldo barely blocks it. Aldo lands a right hand. Moraes lands a left hand. They are feeling each other out but this is tense. They trade kicks. Moraes lands a right hand. They both land a punch. Moraes with a right hand. Moraes with an inside leg kick followed by a left hand. Aldo fighting very tentatively. Aldo lands a right hand. He is pressuring but not being overly active. Now he is and he stuns Moraes with a right hand. They trade in the pocket. Aldo with a right hand. They tie up and Moraes with a big throw into the half-guard. 10-9 Moraes.

Aldo with a low kick. Moraes is circling away and not throwing much of anything. They trade and Moraes with the jab. Aldo coming forward with constant pressure. Aldo blocks a high kick attempt from Moraes. Aldo with a combo and then lands a left hook to the body. They trade punches. Aldo lands a hard right hand. They both land big punches. Aldo with a right hand to the body. Aldo landing more as the round wears on. Aldo just misses a flying knee. Moraes is on his back pedal. Aldo with a big uppercut. Aldo with more pressure and they trade in close range. 10-9 Aldo, 19-19.

Aldo with a right hand and Moraes lands a counter left. Moraes with a nice double jab. Aldo with more pressure as he is stalking Moraes around the Octagon and is cutting him off. Moraes with two right hands. They trade in close range. They trade and Aldo just misses a flying knee. Moraes with a right hand. Aldo still coming forward. Aldo blocks a high kick attempt from Moraes. Moraes with a leg kick and then a left hand. Moraes with a left hand and Aldo lands a right hand. They trade late. This is a close round and it is going to be interesting on the scorecards. 10-9 Aldo, 29-28 Aldo.

Official Result- Marlon Moraes def. Jose Aldo by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Amanda Nunes (C, 18-4, 11-1 UFC) vs. Germaine de Randamie (#1, 10-3, 6-1 UFC)
UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship

Nunes with a leg kick followed by a right hand. de Randamie with an inside kick. She goes for another kick but Nunes catches the leg and lands a right hand. Nunes with a right hand and then gets a takedown into the guard of de Randamie. Nunes stands and lands a right hand and then locks in a gullotine but de Randamie escapes to her feet and Nunes stands and they clinch. Nunes gets de Randamie down again and lands some punches from the top. Nunes with more ground-and-pound. Nunes avoids an upkick and goes back into the guard and is landing big punches going for the finish. Big punches from Nunes. Nunes now looks for an arm-triangle choke. de Randamie is able to escape but starts eating elbows from Nunes. Nunes with complete domination here in the first. de Randamie survives the round but a huge round for Nunes. 10-8 Nunes.

de Randamie lands a body kick. Nunes with a low kick. de Randamie lands an uppercut. Nunes with a body kick. de Randamie lands a right hand. They trade punches. Nunes ducks under a right hand and gets a double-leg takedown. They are stood up fast. de Randamie with a head kick. de Randamie lands a knee and then some more in the clinch and they hurt Nunes. de Randamie with a big knee to the head of Nunes. de Randamie has Nunes pinned against the fence. Nunes gets another takedown. Nunes with body punches from the top and now goes to the elbows. de Randamie tries a triangle but Nunes escapes to her feet and goes back into the guard late. Nunes looking tired. 10-9 de Randamie, 19-18 Nunes.

They both land on the feet and Nunes then gets another takedown. Nunes looking to get into the crucifix position. Nunes lands from the top but not a lot is going on. Nunes with body punches from the top. Nunes with heavy ground-and-pound. Not a lot going on still but Nunes is doing enough to keep it from being stood up. Nunes now lands some solid elbows. de Randamie lands an upkick that stuns Nunes as Nunes stands. Nunes gets to side control. de Randamie able to scramble up and they go back to the mat. 10-9 Nunes, 29-27 Nunes.

They trade leg kicks. Nunes with a leg kick. Nunes gets a takedown. Nunes with some punches from the top in the half-guard. Nunes with elbows. de Randamie then locks in a triangle choke and an armbar. This is deep. Nunes escapes! Wow what an escape. They get up and Nunes gets another takedown. Nunes taking deep breaths. Nunes with a big elbow. Nunes with some punches and elbows from the top. Nunes is gassed. 10-9 Nunes, 39-36 Nunes.

Nunes with an immediate takedown. Nunes in the guard, not doing much, but staying active enough for it to not be stood up. Nunes with some short right hands. Nunes with big left hands to the body. This hasn’t been your typical Nunes performance of late, but she is showing great fight IQ in this one. Nunes staying active and de Randamie has no answer from her back. Nunes still doing just enough to avoid a stand-up from the referee. Nunes stands but gets back on top as the fight ends. 10-9 Nunes, 49-45 Nunes.

Official Result- Amanda Nunes def. Germaine de Randamie by unanimous decision (49-44, 49-46, 49-45), Nunes retains the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship

> Max Holloway (C, 21-4, 17-4 UFC) vs. Alexander Volkanovski (#1, 20-1, 7-0 UFC)
UFC Featherweight Championship

Volkanovski with a leg kick. Holloway with some jabs. Volkanovski with a leg kick. Volkanovski with some leg kicks and lands a combo. Volkanovski with a left hook. They trade punches. Volkanovski with a leg kick. Holloway lands a right hand. Volkanovski with a couple of leg kicks. They trade punches. Volkanovski with more leg kicks. Volkanovski lands a right hand. They trade punches. Volkanovski goes for a takedown against the fence but Holloway defends and they break. Volkanovski with another leg kick. 10-9 Volkanovski.

Volkanovski starts with a leg kick and Holloway lands a right hand to the body. Holloway with a right hand. Volkanovski with an inside leg kick. Holloway’s lead leg is really red from the leg kicks. Holloway with a leg kick. Volkanovski with a combo ending with an inside leg kick. Volkanovski with a hard leg kick. Volkanovski with another. Holloway lands a combo and switches stances. Holloway lands a left hand. He lands another. Volkanovski lands a right hand. Volkanovski with more leg kicks. Holloway with a quick combo. Holloway lands a flush right hand. Holloway with a spin kick. They trade late. 10-9 Holloway, 19-19.

Volkanovski with a right hand. Volkanovski with a leg kick. Holloway lands a left hand. Volkanovski with a body kick. Volkanovski with a combo. Volkanovski lands a right hand. Holloway with a leg kick. They trade and Volkanovski lands some good shots. Volkanovski with a leg kick and then another. They trade in close range. They trade again and Volkanovski lands some good shots. Holloway with a body kick. 10-9 Volkanovski, 29-28 Volkanovski.

They trade to start the fourth. Volkanovski with a good combo and lands a nice right hand. Volkanovski lands some good punches. Volkanovski goes for a takedown but Holloway defends. Holloway with a combo. Holloway lands a nice right hand. Volkanovski with a leg kick. They trade punches. Holloway lands a good uppercut. They trade punches. Holloway with a right hand to the body. Volkanovski with a hard jab. Holloway applying pressure. They trade punches. Holloway tags Volkanovski with a left hand. They trade late. 10-9 Volkanovski, 39-37 Volkanovski.

Holloway with a side kick. Holloway lands a combo. Volkanovski with a body kick. Holloway with a right hand to the body. They trade right hands. Holloway working the body here in the fifth. Holloway with a combo and a body kick. Holloway applying pressure. Volkanovski with a combo. Holloway lands to the body. They tie up and Volkanovski pushes Holloway against the fence. Volkanovski with an elbow followed by a right hand. They trade punches. Holloway encouraging Volkanovski to throw down. Holloway defends a takedown and lands an elbow. Holloway with a body kick. They trade shots. Holloway with a late flurry. Really good fight here. We may have a new champion. 10-9 Holloway, 48-47 Volkanovski.

Official Result- Alexander Volkanovski def. Max Holloway by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 50-45), Volkanovski wins the UFC Featherweight Championship

> Kamaru Usman (C, 15-1, 10-0 UFC) vs. Colby Covington (#2, 15-1, 10-1 UFC)
UFC Welterweight Championship

Usman with a high kick and slips. Covington with a body kick. Covington with a left hand. Usman lands a right hand followed by a jab. Usman with another right hand. They trade punches and Usman with another right hand. Covington with a left hand followed by a body kick. Usman with a right hand. Covington lands a left hand. They trade in close. Covington with a knee and Usman lands a knee. They trade punches. They trade kicks. They trade punches. Usman with a body punch that hurt Covington. Usman with an uppercut. Covington with a left hand. 10-9 Covington.

Usman with a combo. Usman lands some left hands. Covington with a left hand. Usman with another right hand. Covington lands two left hands and a flurry. Usman with a jab. They trade and both land solid punches. They trade and Usman with a body shot. Covington lands a low blow and we have a timeout. We get back to action and they trade jabs. Covington is firing jabs but none are landing. Covington lands a right hand. Usman with a big right hand that backs Covington up. Usman with a body punch. Close round. 10-9 Covington, 20-18 Covington.

Usman with a body kick. Usman with a knee to the body and he lands the jab. Covington slowing his pace down. Usman with a big right hand. Usman with a big right hand to the body. Those are hurting Covington. Usman with a body kick. The pace has slowed in this round. Usman with a right hand. Usman with an uppercut to the body. Usman with a left hand. Covington with a head kick. Covington gets poked in the eye and we have another timeout. We get back to action and not much happened other than an Usman front kick and a big right hand late. 10-9 Usman, 29-28 Covington.

Covington told his corner he thinks he broke his jaw. Covington with a body kick. They trade punches and Covington with a left hand. Usman lands a flurry. Covington lands a left hand. Usman with a right hand. Covington with a right hand. Usman lands one. Covington with a big uppercut. They trade punches. Usman lands a flurry. Usman with a body kick. Usman with a right hand to the body and then a straight right hand. Usman with a front kick. Covington with a combo. Usman with a right hand and then a body kick. Covington with a leg kick. Covington complains of an eye poke and the referee warns both of them. Usman lands better late. 10-9 Usman, 38-38.

Usman with a body kick. Covington with a combo. Usman with a front kick. Covington with a big left hand. They both land punches. Covington with a combo. Usman with a right hand to the body. Usman lands some big punches and Covington is reeling a little bit. That was a big flurry by Usman. Usman with more right hands as he is turning it on. Usman drops Covington with a right hand. Usman pouring it on. Covington gets up and Usman drops him again. Usman with a flurry and it is stopped! Usman gets the late finish and he retains the championship in dramatic fashion.

Official Result- Kamaru Usman def. Colby Covington by TKO (punches) at 4:10 of Round 5