UFC 253 live results: Adesanya vs. Costa, Reyes vs. Blachowicz

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 253: Adesanya vs. Costa, emanating from the Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

The Octagon returns to UFC Fight Island, kicking off five straight Saturday’s of UFC events from Abu Dhabi, and kicking it off is one of the biggest fights of the year and one of the biggest fights in middleweight division history.

UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya makes his second title defense when he defends against long-time rival Paulo Costa in the main event. The fight has been years in the making, and both men are undefeated, so when they finally clash, someone will be tasting defeat for the first time. Adesanya is looking to make a statement after winning a disappointing decision over Yoel Romero in March, while Costa returns to action for the first time in 13 months.

In the co-main event, the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship is on the line as Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz square off to determine a new man to beat at the top of the 205-pound division. Reyes is looking to get the gold around his waist after a narrow decision loss to Jon Jones in February. Jones later vacated the title during the year after expressing his desire to move to the heavyweight division. Blachowicz gets his opportunity on the heels of three straight wins, the last of which was a knockout win over Corey Anderson in February.

Also on the main card is a flyweight banger between Kai Kara-France and Brandon Royval, a women’s bantamweight fight that sees Ketlen Vieira look to rebound from her first career loss against short-notice replacement Sijara Eubanks, and a featherweight fight that has fireworks written all over it between Hakeem Dawodu and Zubaira Tukhugov kicks off 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 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.

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> Khadis Ibragimov (8-3, 0-3 UFC) vs. Danilo Marques (9-2, 0-0 UFC)
Light Heavyweights

Marques is making his UFC debut. Marques is going for the takedown right away. Ibragimov was grabbing the fence to block the takedown, and that is twice now. They scramble to the mat and Marques is looking to take the back standing but they separate. Marques with a heavy leg kick. Ibragimov lands a combo finishing with an uppercut and then follows it with a right hand. Marques grabs the single leg. Marques finishes the takedown and Ibragimov tried to grab the fence a third time. Marques gets the back and almost had a choke locked in but time ran out. 10-9 Marques.

Ibragimov throws a big right hand but misses and he is shaking his arm like he hurt himself. Marques with a heavy leg kick. Marques grabs the single leg and gets a takedown and grabs the back as Ibragimov tries to stand. Marques working for the choke as he has it on the chin. Marques still has the back and is doing nothing, and Ibragimov is doing nothing to work his way up. This fight isn’t pretty. 10-9 Marques, 20-18 Marques.

Marques looks for a takedown and Ibragimov again grabs the fence to block it and they stay standing. Ibragimov lands a combo and then a hard right hand and Marques tries for a takedown against the fence. Ibragimov has the neck and looks for a guillotine but Marques spins out and Ibragimov grabs the fence standing again. Marques then gets a takedown and moves into the mount. Ibragimov spins out and gets to the top and is in the guard of Marques. Marques takes the back at the end as the fight ends. Boring fight. 10-9 Marques, 30-27 Marques.

Official Result- Danilo Marques def. Khadis Ibragimov by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

> Juan Espino (9-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Jeff Hughes (10-3 1 NC, 0-2 1 NC UFC)
Heavyweights

Espino is fighting for the first time since winning TUF in November 2018. Espino lands a left hand after looking for a takedown. Espino gets a brief takedown and then finishes it and gets to side control. They get to their feet but Espino pulls him from the fence and gets another takedown but they get back up and to the fence. Espino trying to get Hughes completely down as he has the back. Espino landing as he keeps pressure on Hughes to get down on the ground. Espino gets a big takedown and works for an arm triangle but Hughes escapes. Espino then moves to side control and locks in a scarf hold and squeezes tight and Hughes taps. Great submission by Espino.

Official Result- Juan Espino def. Jeff Hughes by submission (scarf hold) at 3:48 of Round 1

> William Knight (8-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Aleksa Camur (6-0, 1-0 UFC)
Light Heavyweights

Knight is making his UFC debut. Camur lands the jab. Knight with a leg kick that trips Camur up and they scramble against the fence standing. They battle for underhooks against the fence as they trade position. They continue to battle in the clinch against the fence. They are finally separated by the referee. Knight misses a leg kick and then blocks a high kick from Camur. Knight with a calf kick. Knight with a switch kick and then a quick combo at the end of the round. 10-9 Knight.

They trade kicks to start the second. Camur lands the jab as he presses forward and they clinch against the fence. Knight with a trip but Camur has the back and is working for a choke but Knight reverses out and is in Camur’s guard. They get to their feet and are clinched against the fence. Camur with some shoulder strikes. Knight gets a takedown and Camur is trying to use the fence to scramble up. Knight landing some big punches from the top and looks for the back as they stand. Knight gets a takedown into side control. Knight lands some big punches from the top. Knight takes the back and flattens Camur out. Camur spins back out and regains the half-guard. Knight moves to the mount late and ends the round with a nasty kimura locked in as time runs out. 10-9 Knight, 20-18 Knight.

Knight with a body kick and then a leg kick. They clinch and Knight lands an uppercut as Camur pushes him against the fence. Camur gets a takedown and moves to the top and then they scramble up. Knight now working for a takedown and gets it and moves to the half-guard. Knight lands from the top and is in complete control as the fight ends. 10-9 Knight, 30-27 Knight.

Official Result- William Knight def. Aleksa Camur by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

> Shane Young (12-4, 2-1 UFC) vs. Ludovit Klein (16-2, 0-0 UFC)
Featherweights* (Klein missed weight by 4 pounds)

Klein is making his UFC debut but did miss weight by four pounds. They were looking for openings early and traded kicks. Klein then landed a head kick and started throwing punches that dropped Young and he quickly finished it. That was an impressive knockout by Klein.

Official Result- Ludovit Klein def. Shane Young by knockout (head kick & punches) at 1:16 of Round 1

> Diego Sanchez (30-12, 19-12 UFC) vs. Jake Matthews (15-4, 9-4 UFC)
Welterweights

Sanchez rushes forward and Matthews lands a right hand to stop him. Matthews with more right hands and lands an uppercut. Matthews with a straight right hand and is moving away from return shots from Sanchez. Matthews lands another right hand. Matthews with another. Sanchez lands a combo as Matthews rushed in. Sanchez rushes in and Matthews lands a left hand as he circles away. Matthews with a combo. Matthews gets a takedown and lands some big punches. Matthews ends the round on top as he lands a couple of big punches before the horn. 10-9 Matthews.

Sanchez coming straight forward throwing punches but nothing landing. Sanchez with a leg kick. Matthews lands a hard right hand as Sanchez was rushing forward. Sanchez with a kick then eats a combo from Matthews. Matthews lands a short uppercut and then both land in close range. Sanchez firing more but Matthews landing more. Matthews rocks Sanchez for a second with a left hook. Matthews with a combo. Matthews with a combo. 10-9 Matthews, 20-18 Matthews.

They were trading and Matthews knocked Sanchez down with a right hand and then gets on top looking to finish. Sanchez is bleeding a ton from his right eye. Matthews in the full guard of Sanchez. Matthews stands and then gets back into the guard of Sanchez. Matthews with a right hand from the top. Matthews with some big hammerfists from the top as Sanchez was trying to get out from the bottom. Sanchez looking for an armbar but Matthews defending. Matthews landing body punches from the top and more big punches from the top as the fight ends. 10-8 Matthews, 30-26 Matthews.

Official Result- Jake Matthews def. Diego Sanchez by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)

> Brad Riddell (8-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Alex da Silva (21-2, 1-1 UFC)
Lightweights

Da Silva with a combo and clips Riddell with a left hook. Riddell lands his own left hook. Riddell with a calf kick. Da Silva with a takedown. Da Silva controlling from the top but not doing much. They get to their feet and Da Silva has back control. Da Silva gets another brief takedown but they get up. Da Silva with some knees to the legs. They break to the center of the Octagon. They trade and Riddell goes for a takedown and Da Silva grabs the neck and locks in a guillotine choke and is looking to improve his position but Riddell defends. 10-9 Da Silva.

Da Silva going for the takedown to start the second and has Riddell pinned against the fence. They break and both are landing. Da Silva with a high kick but Riddell is firing back with punches, landing jabs and an uppercut. Da Silva with a couple of leg kicks. Riddell looks for a takedown but Da Silva defends. Riddell lands a right hand. Riddell with a combo. They trade and Da Silva tries a flying knee but Riddell grabs him and gets a brief takedown. They break and both land body kicks. Da Silva with an uppercut and goes for a takedown but Riddell sprawls out. Riddell with a leg kick and they trade late. 10-9 Riddell, 19-19.

They trade kicks to start the third and Riddell is coming forward more and landing combos. They continue to trade and Riddell landing some left hands. Riddell landing with more volume. They trade and Riddell lands a left hand and Da Silva complains about an eye poke, but a replay shows it was a punch and a knuckle that landed in the eye. Da Silva tries a takedown but Riddell reverses and is on top. They get up and Riddell lands a combo and a body kick. Riddell with a flurry against the fence as he lands punches and a knee to the body. Riddell with a right hand. Riddell looking for a takedown and gets it but Da Silva reverses and ends up having Riddell’s back as the fight ends. 10-9 Riddell, 29-28 Riddell.

Official Result- Brad Riddell def. Alex da Silva by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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> Hakeem Dawodu (11-1-1, 4-1 UFC) vs. Zubaira Tukhugov (19-4-1, 4-1-1 UFC)
Featherweights* (Tukhugov missed weight by 4 pounds)

Tukhugov missed weight by four pounds. They’re feeling each other out in the first minute. Dawodu lands a punch. Tukhugov lands a left hook. Dawodu with a leg kick. Dawodu with a leg kick as Tukhugov lands a left hand. They’re both throwing but barely missing. Tukhugov starting to throw more but Dawodu lands to the body. Tukhugov is landing and getting out of the way from the counters. Dawodu with a body kick and lands a right hand. Very tactical first round. 10-9 Dawodu.

Dawodu with a switch kick. Dawodu with a spin kick and then a leg kick. They trade right hands. Tukhugov with a left hand and then lands a right hand and Dawodu returns a right hand. They are trading in close range and Dawodu lands some body punches. Tukhugov gets a takedown. Tukhugov is on top and landing some punches to the body. Tukhugov gets the back as they stand. 10-9 Tukhugov, 19-19.

Dawodu with an inside leg kick. Both looking to land and Dawodu lands a leg kick. Dawodu lands a left hand and Tukhugov shoots for a takedown. They scramble as Tukhugov looks for a takedown but Dawodu escapes and they break to the center. Dawodu applying pressure as he lands a couple of leg kicks. Dawodu lands a body punch. They are trading and Dawodu lands a big right hand. Tukhugov circling away. Dawdou applying pressure and lands a switch kick. Close fight. 10-9 Dawodu, 29-28 Dawodu.

Official Result- Hakeem Dawodu def. Zubaira Tukhugov by split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)

> Ketlen Vieira (#7, 10-1, 4-1 UFC) vs. Sijara Eubanks (#13, 6-4, 4-2 UFC)
Women’s Bantamweights

Vieira immediately closes the distance and they clinch against the fence. They break. Vieira lands a jab and Eubanks counters with a leg kick. Eubanks with another leg kick. Vieira lands a right hand. They trade right hands. They clinch again. Vieira tries a takedown but Eubanks defends and lands an uppercut as they break. Vieira lands some hard punches. They trade right hands. Vieira with a right hand. Eubanks lands the jab. Vieira goes for a takedown but Eubanks defends. They trade some hard punches. Eubanks lands some punches and Vieira gets a late takedown. Close round. 10-9 Vieira.

Vieira with a body kick and they trade and Vieira gets a takedown. Vieira pushes Eubanks up against the fence and lands some body punches. They aren’t doing much and then are stood up back in the center. They trade punches. They trade and Vieira lands a nice counter right hand. Eubanks with a side kick. Vieira lands a right hand. They trade in close range. Eubanks with a body kick. Vieira with a right hand. 10-9 Vieira, 20-18 Vieira.

Eubanks landing the jab early in the third. Vieira with a right hand and Eubanks counters with a right hand. They clinch and Eubanks tries a trip but Vieira squirms away. Vieira with a right hand. Eubanks lands a hard left hook and then lands a right hand. Eubanks with a leg kick. Vieira lands a combo but Eubanks with some head movement. Eubanks with a body kick. They trade in close range. Eubanks with a right hand. Eubanks with a left hand to the body. Vieira with a right hand. They trade and scramble and Eubanks has Vieira’s back standing. They go to the mat late. Close fight. 10-9 Eubanks, 29-28 Vieira.

Official Result- Ketlen Vieira def. Sijara Eubanks by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Kai Kara-France (#7, 21-8 1 NC, 4-1 UFC) vs. Brandon Royval (#9, 11-4, 1-0 UFC)
Flyweights

There were trading. Kara-France dropped Royval with a right hand and then Royval dropped Kara-France with a spinning elbow and then looked to land an illegal knee. They stayed on the mat and both were working for submissions and scrambling. They scramble to their feet. Royval lands a spinning back fist. Royval with pressure and clips Kara-France with a knee. Kara-France landing some right hands. Royval rocks Kara-France with a knee and Kara-France goesdown and Royval grabs the neck and looks for a guillotine. They get to their feet. They trade in close range and Royval with a left hand. Royval with some combos as he pressures against the fence. Crazy, great round. 10-9 Royval.

Royval with some pressure early on as he lands some leg kicks. Royval then grabs the neck and jumps up for a guillotine choke. They go to the mat and Royval has it in deep and Kara-France taps! What a huge upset win by Royval.

Official Result- Brandon Royval def. Kai Kara-France by submission (guillotine choke) at :48 of Round 2

> Dominick Reyes (#1, 12-1, 6-1 UFC) vs. Jan Blachowicz (#3, 26-8, 9-5 UFC)
UFC Light Heavyweight Championship

They were feeling out each other to start the fight and landing leg kicks. Reyes lands a left hand. Blachowicz with a hard body kick. Reyes with a leg kick. Reyes with a body kick. Reyes with a body kick. Blachowicz with a combo and lands a hard body kick at the end. They are both being patient at the end of the first. 10-9 Blachowicz.

Reyes comes out more aggressive in the second. Blachowicz rushes forward with a combo but Reyes blocking all of them. Blachowicz with a right hand. Reyes with a high kick that just barely connects. Blachowicz lands a right hand. Reyes with an inside leg kick. Blachowicz with a hard leg kick. Blachowicz lands a combo. Reyes with a body kick and then a leg kick. Blachowicz with another body kick. Reyes lands a left hand. Blachowicz with a combo. Reyes with a left hand. Blachowicz rushes in with some punches and lands some good shots. Reyes with a body kick but eats some punches from Blachowicz. Blachowicz with a flurry and he knocks Reyes down and then finishes him off with some punches while standing. Blachowicz is the new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.

Official Result- Jan Blachowicz def. Dominick Reyes by TKO (punches) at 4:36 of Round 2 to win the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship

> Israel Adesanya (C, 19-0, 8-0 UFC) vs. Paulo Costa (#2, 13-0, 5-0 UFC)
UFC Middleweight Championship

Adesanya with a leg kick to start. He lands another. He lands another. Costa with a leg kick. Costa with a body kick. Costa with a body kick again. Adesanya with a leg kick. He lands another. Costa with a body kick and Adesanya lands a counter body punch. Adesanya with another leg kick. Adesanya keeps attacking with leg kicks. Costa put his hands behind his back at one point. Adesanya continues to attack the lead leg of Costa. Adesanya with some body kicks. Adesanya with a hard body kick. Costa rushes forward but Adesanya lands a couple of punches. 10-9 Adesanya.

Adesanya with a hard leg kick. He lands another. Adesanya with an inside leg kick. Costa misses a head kick. Costa with a leg kick and then another. Adesanya with another hard leg kick. Adesanya with a left hand and just barely lands a head kick. Adesanya with a snapping jab. Adesanya with a body kick and then a left hand. Adesanya lands a head kick and Costa starts to back up and Adesanya lands a hard leg kick. Adesanya with another inside leg kick. Costa misses some punches. Costa with a body kick and Adesanya grabs the leg and lands a combo. Adesanya then lands some more punches and drops Costa and gets on top and finishes it off. Complete domination by Adesanya as he retains the title.

Official Result- Israel Adesanya def. Paulo Costa by TKO (punches) at 3:59 of Round 2 to retain the UFC Middleweight Championship