UFC 266 live results: Two title fights, Nick Diaz returns

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 266: Volkanovski vs. Ortega, emanating from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

It’s 2021 International Fight Week in Las Vegas, a week filled with various activities culminating in one of the biggest fight cards of the year, as UFC 266 takes place in front of a sold-out crowd with two title fights and the return of one of the most polarizing fighters in the sport.

In the main event, UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski defends the title for the second time, as top contender Brian Ortega looks to capture UFC gold in his second attempt. These two served as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter after their scheduled bout in March was delayed due to Volkanovski suffering from a severe case of COVID, and both are coming in off long layoffs.

In the co-main event, one of the most dominant fighters in the world is in action as UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko defends against the next in line, Lauren Murphy, who comes in riding a five-fight win streak.

In a featured five-round main card bout, long-time fan favorite Nick Diaz returns for the first time since January 2015 as he takes on Robbie Lawler. It is a rematch of a classic fight that took place way back at UFC 47 in April 2004, so this rematch has been 17 years in the making.

Also on the main card is a heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes and Jairzinho Rozenstruik, and a women’s flyweight bout between Jessica Andrade and Cynthia Calvillo. The stacked prelim card is capped off by a bantamweight bout between Marlon Moraes and Merab Dvalishvili, and also features a lightweight fight pitting Dan Hooker against Nasrat Haqparast.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6 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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> Jonathan Pearce (10-4, 1-1 UFC) vs. Omar Morales (11-1, 3-1 UFC)
Featherweights

Pearce throwing first but not connecting. Morales misses a head kick attempt. Morales clips Pearce as he was coming in. Morales with a leg kick. He lands another but Pearce checked it. Morales lands some left hands. Morales lands a stiff jab. Pearce pressues in and they clinch and Morales lands but Pearce drags it to the mat. They get to their feet and Pearce landing some knees in the clinch. Pearce briefly gets Morales back down to his knees and then gets a big takedown and is in the half-guard. Morales is able to sweep to the top and has the back and lands some punches as they stand but Pearce gets another takedown. Pearce has control as they try and work to the feet and lands a knee. They stand and Pearce working for a takedown but eating elbows from Morales. Pearce gets the takedown. They get up. They remain tied up to end the round. 10-9 Pearce.

Both swinging as Pearce pressures Morales to the fence and drops down for a takedown attempt against the fence. They battle for position against the fence. Pearce lands and then gets Morales down. Morales throws an upkick but Pearce avoids and has the back but was too high and Morales escaped. Morales then went for a D’Arce choke but Pearce escaped and has the back as they stand and Pearce gets it to their knees. Pearce trying to jump on the back for a choke. He has the hooks locked in. Morales defending. Pearce lands some left hands. Pearce landing more punches. Pearce now moves to looking for an arm-triangle choke but Morales escapes and Pearce grabs the back again as they stand. Pearce now has a standing rear-naked choke locked in deep. They go to the mat and Morales taps! What a dominant showing by Pearce.

Official Result- Jonathan Pearce def. Omar Morales by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:31 of Round 2

> Matthew Semelsberger (8-3, 2-1 UFC) vs. Martin Sano (4-2-1, 0-0 UFC)
Welterweights

Sano is the main training partner of Nick Diaz and is making his UFC debut, but hasn’t fought since February 2017. Semelsberger drops Sano with the first right hand he throws and then a hammerfist officially finishes it off. That was super quick.

Official Result- Matthew Semelsberger def. Martin Sano by knockout (punch) at :15 of Round 1

> Cody Brundage (6-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Nick Maximov (6-0, 0-0 UFC)
Middleweights

Both men are making their UFC debut. Brundage took this fight on Wednesday. Brundage tries a flying knee and lands a right hand. Maximov tries a takedown but Brundage defends. They trade right hands. Maximov lands a left hand. Brundage with a leg kick. He lands another and Maximov lands a right hand. Brundage with a combo. Maximov with a body kick and then goes for a takedown against the fence. Maximov has the back and lands some knees. Maximov with more knees as he tries hard to get the fight down. Brundage looks for a kimura but Maximov escapes and they get to their feet. Brundage with a knee to the body then a right hand. Maximov lands a left hand and tries for a takedown and gets it. Brundage going for the arm but Maximov steps over. Maximov lands some punches from the top. Maximov with some body shots as Brundage grabs his body. Maximov with some hard shots as they stand. Brundage has the neck late. 10-9 Maximov.

Brundage tries for a takedown but Maximov defends and has the back and is landing lots of punches. Maximov trying to get the hooks in and has the body triangle. Maximov landing punches as Brundage defending. Maximov still has back control. Maximov landing punches from the back and they work to their feet. Brundage with a couple of back elbows. Maximov lands some knees. Maximov lands some knees and then gets it down and Brundage went for a guillotine. Maximov gets out and is in the guard of Brundage. Maximov landing as he gets the back of Brundage. Maximov trying to get the arm under the neck but Brundage escapes. Maximov stays on the back with the hooks in. He ends the round in that position.10-8 Maximov, 20-17 Maximov.

Brundage throws a right hand but it might not have connected. Maximov with a high kick. Brundage lands a left hand. Maximov shoots for the takedown but Brundage defends. Maximov trying hard to get it down but Brundage landing punches to defend. Brundage lands a hard elbow but Maximov gets him down for a moment. They go to the mat and Brundage lands some big punches and Maximov is cut open. Brundage landing good shots on the ground. Maximov gets the back and starts to land. They get to their feet. Brundage lands some punches as Maximov has the leg. Maximov gets on top and has a late flurry. 10-9 Brundage, 29-27 Maximov.

Official Result- Nick Maximov def. Cody Brundage by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Uros Medic (7-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Jalin Turner (10-5, 3-2 UFC)
Lightweights

They both swing hard but neither really land. Medic with a leg kick. Medic throws a head kick and Turner grabs the leg and gets a takedown. Turner in side control. Turner tried to move to mount but Medic defended but Turner stays on top and is in the guard. Turner with some body punches. Medic tried to scramble up but Turner kept it down but they end up standing. Medic lands a left hand. They trade kicks. Turner with a left hand and then lands to the body. Turner wobbles Medic with a left hand. Turner landing to the body and then starts teeing off and Medic is covering up as they go to the mat. Turner landing lots of shots and has the back and locks in the rear-naked choke and Medic taps! Huge submission win for Turner.

Official Result- Jalin Turner def. Uros Medic by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:01 of Round 1

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> Roxanne Modafferi (#9, 25-18, 4-6 UFC) vs. Taila Santos (#12, 17-1, 2-1 UFC)
Women’s Flyweights

Both throwing early and Santos with some good punches. Modafferi lands a leg kick. Santos rushes in with some punches and gets a takedown and is in the half-guard. Santos landing lots of shots from the top as she keeps Modafferi on the mat. Modafferi lands some shots from the bottom. They scramble up and Modafferi has the clinch against the fence. Santos gets another takedown and was working from the top but they get back to their feet. Modafferi has the clinch control and is trying for a takedown but Santos landing punches as she defends. Santos with a knee to the body then another. She lands another. 10-9 Santos.

Santos landing to start the second, mixing her punches and kicks. Modafferi grabs the leg and tries for a takedown but Santos defends. Modafferi pushes the fight against the fence and is trying to wear Santos down. They break and Santos lands a big right hand that rocks Modafferi. Modafferi is cut open. Santos gets a big takedown against the fence and works in the guard. Santos landing from the top and then grabs the back but Modafferi able to get it to the feet. Santos still has the body lock against the fence. Santos gets the fight back down and is in the guard against the fence and finishes the round on top. 10-9 Santos, 20-18 Santos.

Santos with a leg kick. Modafferi lands a combo. Santos with a hard leg kick. Santos knocks Modafferi down with a hard punch and gets in the guard against the fence. Santos landing from the top and gets the back and almost locks in a choke but lets go and Santos stands and lets Modafferi up. Modafferi with a leg kick. Both throwing on the feet but neither landing much. They trade left hands. Modafferi tries for a takedown against the fence as she has the body lock. Santos gets a takedown and is in the half-guard and moves to the guard as the fight ends. 10-9 Santos, 30-27 Santos.

Official Result- Taila Santos def. Roxanne Modafferi by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Shamil Abdurakhimov (#7, 20-5, 5-3 UFC) vs. Chris Daukaus (#10, 11-3, 3-0 UFC)
Heavyweights

Daukaus swinging early but misses an uppercut. They trade in close range. Abdurakhimov tries a spin kick as Daukaus lands a right hand. They trade in close range. Daukaus pressing forward as he lands. Abdurakhimov landing more as the round wears on. Abdurakhimov with a right hand. Abdurakhimov with a left hand. They trade in close range. Daukaus lands a leg kick as Abdurakhimov spins and Abdurakhimov goes to the mat for a moment but gets back up. They clinch for a moment but break. Daukaus coming forward but eats a left hook from Abdurakhimov. Daukaus drops Abdurakhimov with a left hand and gets in the mount and lands some big punches. Daukaus looking for the finish as he is pouring it on. Daukaus with a couple of big elbows but Abdurakhimov is able to survive. 10-9 Daukaus.

Daukaus looking to land to start the second. Abdurakhimov lands a left hand. Daukaus drops Abdurakhimov again with a massive right hand and is on top and landing and it is stopped! What a finish by Daukaus.

Official Result- Chris Daukaus def. Shamil Abdurakhimov by TKO (punches) at 1:23 of Round 2

> Dan Hooker (#8, 20-10, 10-6 UFC) vs. Nasrat Haqparast (13-3, 5-2 UFC)
Lightweights

Hooker pressing forward and lands a leg kick. Hooker with some more leg kicks as Haqparast is working against the fence. Hooker with a high kick. Haqparast lands a right hand. Haqparast with a left hand. Hooker with a leg kick. Hooker with a right hand. Hooker with an axe kick. Haqparast lands a nice right hand. Hooker with a body kick. They continue to look for openings. Haqparast lands and Hooker fell to a knee for a second. Hooker still pressuring. Hooker drops down for a single-leg against the fence and lands some knees. Hooker with a right hand to the body then a knee as they break. 10-9 Hooker.

Hooker comes forward and lands a body kick. Hooker with a high kick and then a right hand. Hooker drops down for a takedown against the fence but Haqparast defends. Hooker with a knee to the body and some dirty boxing. Hooker with some knees and they break. Hooker with a teet kick and Haqparast lands a left hand. Hooker with some knees to the body and Haqparast circles out. Haqparast with a body shot. Hooker with a right hand and a knee to the body. Hooker with some body shots as they break. Hooker with another body shot. Haqparast lands some with his back against the fence. Hooker gets a takedown and is looking for the mount. Hooker gets to side control. Hooker with knees to the body from side control as the round ends. 10-9 Hooker, 20-18 Hooker.

They trade to start the third. Haqparast lands a body kick. We then have a groin strike and a timeout. Hooker with a leg kick and then a body kick. They trade body kicks. They trade body kicks. Hooker shoots for a takedown and completes it. Hooker in side control and landing. Hooker gets the back of Haqparast and is still landing punches. They get up and Hooker almost had a choke but Haqparast escaped. Haqparast throws a left but it misses and Hooker gets a takedown. Hooker with big punches from the top as the fight ends. A great showing by Hooker. 10-9 Hooker, 30-27 Hooker.

Official Result- Dan Hooker def. Nasrat Haqparast by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

> Marlon Moraes (#6, 23-8-1, 5-4 UFC) vs. Merab Dvalishvili (#11, 13-4, 6-2 UFC)
Bantamweights

Both feeling each other out in the first minute. Moraes with a leg kick. They trade punches in close range. Moraes with a leg kick and Dvalishvili gets a takedown. They get to their feet. Dvalishvili with a right hand. Dvalishvili lands another right hand. Moraes with a left hook. Moraes rocks Dvalishvili with a left hand and Dvalishvili is in trouble. Moraes landing and drops Dvalishvili with another left hand and is pouring it on. Dvalishvili gets to his feetand Moraes lands and Dvalishvili runs off. Moraes landing big flurries and Dvalishvili is able to survive but he is out on his feet. Dvalishvili is able to clinch against the fence. Dvalishvili gets a takedown and is in the half-guard. Dvalishvili landing to the body and now lands to the head. Dvalishvili with some big ground-and-pound and he has Moraes in trouble. Dvalishvili with big left hands and right hands from the top and Moraes is in a lot of trouble. This was an absolute wild round. 10-9 Moraes.

Dvalishvili lands a right hand and gets a takedown and he had Moraes hurt. Dvalishvili with some body punches. Dvalishvili with some more body punches as he is firmly on top. Dvalishvili with some big elbows from the top. Dvalishvili with more big shots from the top. Dvalishvili with more punishing shots from the top. Dvalishvili with more hard shots from the top. Moraes is able to scramble up and is looking for a takedown. Dvalishvili landing punches to defend. Dvalishvili with more punches. Dvalishvili with more shots and Moraes isn’t defending. It is finally stopped. What a win for Dvalishvili in a crazy fight.

Official Result- Merab Dvalishvili def. Marlon Moraes by TKO (punches) at 4:25 of Round 2

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> Jessica Andrade (#1, 21-9, 12-7 UFC) vs. Cynthia Calvillo (#5, 9-2-1, 6-2-1 UFC)
Women’s Flyweights

Andrade with a leg kick. Calvillo lands some punches and Andrade with a hard counter punch. They trade leg kicks. Andrade with a leg kick. Andrade lands a big right hand as Calvillo lands a jab. Andrade with a leg kick and Calvillo lands a leg kick. They trade in close range. Calvillo with the jab. They trade and Andrade lands a flurry. Andrade with a leg kick. Calvillo lands then Andrade counters with a flurry. Andrade lands a flurry and has Calvillo hurt. Andrade with some big right hands and it is stopped before the end of the round! What a finish by Andrade.

Official Result- Jessica Andrade def. Cynthia Calvillo by TKO (punches) at 4:54 of Round 1

> Curtis Blaydes (#4, 14-3 1 NC, 9-3 1 NC UFC) vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (#6, 12-2, 6-2 UFC)
Heavyweights

Blaydes with a left hand and a leg kick. Rozenstruik backs him up by throwing a jab. Blaydes lands the jab. Blaydes gets a takedown against the fence. Blaydes with some knees to the body from side control. Blaydes with some left hands and elbows. Blaydes with right hands as Rozenstruik is trying to work to his feet. Blaydes with more right hands. They stand and separate. Blaydes with a left hand and a leg kick. Blaydes with a leg kick. Blaydes with the jab. 10-9 Blaydes.

They trade to start the second and Blaydes is trying hard to avoid the punches of Rozenstruik. Blaydes with a leg kick. Both men looking for openings but not engaging. Blaydes tries for a takedown but Rozenstruik defends with some punches. Blaydes lands the left hand. There isn’t much going on here. Rozenstruik lands a big knee. Blaydes gets a takedown as he was in trouble. Blaydes in the guard of Rozenstruik. Blaydes gets into the half-guard and lands at the end. 10-9 Blaydes, 20-18 Blaydes.

Both throwing but neither landing to start the third. Blaydes with a leg kick. Blaydes with a leg kick and then gets a takedown and ends up in the guard of Rozenstruik. Blaydes landing a little from the top as Rozenstruik is doing nothing from the bottom. Blaydes with some short punches from the top to the head and body. Blaydes with an elbow and he’s staying active and Rozenstruik is doing nothing. 10-9 Blaydes, 30-27 Blaydes.

Official Result- Curtis Blaydes def. Jairzinho Rozenstruik by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Nick Diaz (26-9 2 NC, 7-6 1 NC) vs. Robbie Lawler (28-15 1 NC, 13-9 UFC)
Middleweights

Diaz tried a jumping spin kick and Lawler lands some big punches. Lawler going after Diaz and landing some big punches. Lawler with a body shot. Diaz with a body kick. Lawler with a combo. Diaz with a body shot then a combo. Diaz with a body kick. Diaz with a hook to the body. They trade in close range. Diaz with a combo. They both land left hands. They trade in close. Diaz with a combo. Diaz with a combo and Lawler lands a left hand. Diaz landing hard to the body. They’re trading against the fence. Lawler landing against the fence and then Diaz lands a combo. They trade against the fence. Diaz with a combo. They trade against the fence. Both land late. 10-9 Diaz.

Diaz with a combo to start the second. Lawler with a combo to the body and then to the head and lands a knee. Diaz with a flurry of shots. Diaz circles away after a body kick from Lawler. Diaz with a combo. Diaz still landing as Lawler pressing forward. Lawler lands some good left hands. Diaz constantly throwing. Diaz peppering Lawler with punches. Both landing in close. Lawler lands some good shots in close. Diaz with a body kick. They both land good shots in close. Lawler with a good flurry against the fence and Diaz has to circle away. 10-9 Lawler, 19-19.

Diaz starts round three with a combo. Lawler lands a combo. Diaz with a combo to the body. Lawler lands and Diaz goes to the mat. Diaz stays on the mat and says he doesn’t want to fight anymore and the fight is stopped. What an anti-climatic finish. Diaz did grab his leg when he went to the mat.

Official Result- Robbie Lawler def. Nick Diaz by TKO (retirement) at :44 of Round 3

> Valentina Shevchenko (C, 21-3, 10-2 UFC) vs. Lauren Murphy (#3, 15-4, 7-4 UFC)
UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship

Shevchenko with a leg kick. Shevchenko lands a right hand. Shevchenko with a body kick. Shevchenko with a body kick and Murphy grabs the leg, and Shevchenko lands a right hand and Murphy lets go. Shevchenko with a left hand. Shevchenko with a left hand then a leg kick. She lands another leg kick. Shevchenko with a combo ending with a leg kick. Shevchenko with a left hand. Shevchenko with a right hook. Shevchenko with a spinning elbow and then a head kick and a leg kick. Shevchenko gets a takedown and is in the half-guard. She ends the round on top. 10-9 Shevchenko.

Shevchenko lands and tries for a takedown but Murphy defends against the fence. Murphy has Shevchenko pressed against the fence but Shevchenko escapes. Shevchenko with a combo. Shevchenko with a body kick and a counter right hook.Shevchenko with a body kick then a spin kick to the body. Shevchenko gets a takedown. Shevchenko working in the half-guard. Shevchenko ends the round on top with some elbows. 10-9 Shevchenko, 20-18 Shevchenko.

Shevchenko with a leg kick and then firing left hands. Shevchenko with a high kick. Shevchenko with a left hand. Shevchenko with a body kick. Shevchenko with another body kick. Shevchenko with more left hands and leg kicks. Murphy with a leg kick. Shevchenko with a combo. Shevchenko with a left hand. Shevchenko with a combo ending with a leg kick. Shevchenko with a body kick. Murphy with a right hand. Shevchenko with a body kick. She lands another one. Shevchenko gets the body lock at the end. 10-9 Shevchenko, 30-27 Shevchenko.

Shevchenko with a body kick. Murphy with a body kick. Shevchenko with a leg kick. Murphy misses a punch and Shevchenko slips and many thought it landed. Shevchenko with a hard body kick. Shevchenko with more kicks. Shevchenko with more body kicks. Shevchenko with a combo and Murphy is in trouble and Shevchenko takes Murphy down. Shevchenko with big shots from the top. Shevchenko lands to the body as she’s trying to set up a choke. Shevchenko with some elbows from the top. Shevchenko with more shots and this is stopped. Dominant performance from Shevchenko with no mistakes as she keeps the title.

Official Result- Valentina Shevchenko def. Lauren Murphy by TKO (strikes) at 4:00 of Round 4 to retain the UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship

> Alexander Volkanovski (C, 22-1, 9-0 UFC) vs. Brian Ortega (#2, 15-1 1 NC, 7-1 1 NC UFC)
UFC Featherweight Championship

Volkanovski with a leg kick. Volkanovski with a body kick. Ortega with a high kick. Ortega rushes in with a jab. Volkanovski with the jab. Volkanovski with a right hand and Ortega with a quick counter punch. Ortgea with the jab. Volkanovski with a leg kick. Volkanovski with the jab. Volkanovski with a leg kick and lands a combo. Volkanovski with a leg kick and Ortega counters with a leg kick. Volkanovski with a leg kick. Volkanovski lands a combo. Ortega with a high kick. Volkanovski with a combo. They trade jabs. Volkanovski with a body kick and Ortega with a left hand. Close round. 10-9 Volkanovski.

Volkanovski with a leg kick. They trade punches in close. Volkanovski with a left hook. Volkanovski with a leg kick. They trade punches. Volkanovski with a right hand. Ortega lands a combo. Ortega with a high kick. Volkanovski with a leg kick. Volkanovski with a combo then lands a right hand that stuns Ortega. Ortega with a hard leg kick. They trade punches and Volkanovski with a good combo. Volkanovski with some solid leg kicks. Ortega with a leg kick. Volkanovski with a nice combo. 10-9 Volkanovski, 20-18 Volkanovski.

Ortega with a right hand. Volkanovski with a leg kick. They trade body kicks. Volkanovski with a leg kick. Volkanovski with a right hand. Volkanovski with a leg kick. Volkanovski lands the jab. Ortega lands to the body as they clinched. Ortega with a combo and Volkanovski lands a jab. Ortega with a kick followed by a right hand and Volkanovski counters with a combo. Volkanovski with a combo. They trade. Ortega drops Volkanovski with a left hand and goes for a guillotine from the mount. Volkanovski gets out. Volkanovski trying to scramble out and he switches to the top and is landing punches now. Volkanovski with some big ground-and-pound from inside the guard. Ortega going for a triangle choke. He has it in tight. It is in deep but Volkanovski escapes. Volkanovski gets on top and is landing. Big finish to the round by Volkanovski. Incredible round. 10-9 Volkanovski, 30-27 Volkanovski.

The doctor checks on Ortega before the fourth and lets the fight go on. Volkanovski with a leg kick. Volkanovski with another leg kick. Volkanovski with the jab. Volkanovski with a right hand. Volkanovski lands a left hook. Ortega gets a takedown. Ortega working for a choke. Volkanovski escapes. Volkanovski is on top now. Volkanovski with some punches and elbows. Volkanovski with more big punches from the top as he stands. Volkanovski with some hard punches. Volkanovski with more big punches from the top. They get up. Volkanovski with a right hand. 10-9 Volkanovski, 40-36 Volkanovski.

Volkanovski with a leg kick. Ortega with a high kick but Volkanovski blocks it. Ortega with a leg kick. Volkanovski with a hard elbow. Volkanovski with a leg kick. They trade in close range. Ortega with a nice combo. Volkanovski with a leg kick. Volkanovski with a right hand. Ortega with a right hand to the body. They trade punches. Ortega lands a right hand. He lands an uppercut. They trade in close. Ortega with a combo and lands to the body. Ortega lands a left hand. Volkanovski with the jab. Ortega with a jab and lands a right hand late. Ortega with a left at the end. 10-9 Ortega, 49-46 Volkanovski.

Official Result- Alexander Volkanovski def. Brian Ortega by unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-44) to retain the UFC Featherweight Championship