UFC 277 live results: Julianna Pena vs. Amanda Nunes 2

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 277: Pena vs. Nunes 2, emanating from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

The Octagon is back in Dallas for the first time in nearly four years with two title fights including one of the biggest rematches in women’s MMA history as the greatest female fighter of all-time looks to avenge a historic loss.

UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna Pena makes her first title defense against the woman she defeated for the title, former champion Amanda Nunes, in the main event. Pena scored the massive upset at UFC 269 in December, submitting Nunes in the second round. The two coached the most recent edition of The Ultimate Fighter to lead to the rematch as Nunes looks to regain the title and once again become a two-division champion.

In the co-main event, an Interim UFC Flyweight Championship will be on the line as former UFC Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno takes on Kai Kara-France. This is also a rematch as Moreno scored a decision win over Kara-France at UFC 245 in December 2019. The interim title came about after Deiveson Figueiredo claimed he was injured and unable to fight on this card while also saying he didn’t want to defend against Moreno, who is the top contender.

The rest of the main card sees a heavyweight bout between Derrick Lewis and Sergei Pavlovich, a flyweight bout pitting Alexandre Pantoja against Alex Perez, and the main card kicks off with a light heavyweight opener as Magomed Ankalaev takes on Anthony Smith. The featured prelims return to ABC with four fights, capped off with a welterweight bout pitting Alex Morono against Matthew Semelsberger.

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.

ESPN PRELIMS | 6 PM ET/3 PM PT

> Welterweights*- Orion Cosce (7-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. Blood Diamond (3-1, 0-1 UFC)

*Cosce missed weight by 1.5 pounds

They trade kicks to start. Diamond with a combo ending with a head kick. Cosce with a right hand as Diamond lands a body kick. They trade in close range and Cosce shoots for the takedown. They remain tied up against the fence and Diamond landing some knees. They reverse positions but not a whole lot going on. Cosce gets the takedown and is in side control. They get to their feet and Cosce still has the back. Cosce gets it back down for a moment but they get up and are clinched against the fence. They separate. Diamond with a late right hand and head kick. 10-9 Cosce.

They trade to start the second round. They clinch and Cosce lands some knees but not a whole lot is going on. Cosce trying hard for the takedown but Diamond is doing well to keep it on the feet as he lands a couple of side elbows. They break. Diamond with a leg kick. He lands a body kick. Diamond landing some punches and knees and has Cosce hurt. Cosce slips back and Diamond is swarming with some shots and some knees and Cosce grabs him for the clinch to recover. They break and Diamond landing some knees and big punches looking for the finish. Diamond with some side elbows. Diamond with a knee and he slips to the mat and Cosce lands some right hands. 10-9 Diamond, 19-19.

Cosce with a body kick to start the third. They trade kicks. Diamond lands a knee as Cosce initiates a tie up. Cosce gets a takedown. They try to work to their feet and do as Cosce has the back and pushes it back down. Cosce has the hooks in and is working for a choke. Cosce with some right hands. Cosce gets the mount. Cosce is working for an arm-triangle choke. He lets go to land some elbows. Diamond gives up his back. He ends the fight landing from the top. 10-9 Cosce, 29-28 Cosce.

Official Result- Orion Cosce def. Blood Diamond by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Light Heavyweights- Nicolae Negumereanu (12-1, 3-1 UFC) vs. Ihor Potieria (20-2, 0-0 UFC)

Negumereanu lands in close range. Potieira with some leg kicks. They trade in close range. Negumereanu shoots for the takedown. They clinch against the fence and not much is going on. Negumereanu gets the takedown and is in the half-guard working from there. They scramble up to their feet and Negumereanu retains the body lock and pressure. Negumereanu gets the takedown and is trying to get in the guard but Potieira pushing him off with kicks. Negumereanu with some leg kicks and Potieira is ordered to his feet. Negumereanu with a right hand. 10-9 Negumereanu.

Potieira lands a combo and they trade leg kicks. Negumereanu with a right hand. Potieira with a right hook. Potieira connects with a left hand. They trade in close range. Negumereanu lands a right hand that rocks Potieira after an exchange and they clinch against the fence. They break and trade leg kicks. They clinch and Negumereanu lands a few good knees. Negumereanu looking for a finish as he attacks with a flurry. Negumereanu with big punches and knees and they’re swinging against the fence. Negumereanu with more punches and knees. Two big knees and it is stopped. What a flurry to finish by Negumereanu.

Official Result- Nicolae Negumereanu def. Ihor Potieira by TKO (knees) at 3:33 of Round 2

> Women’s Bantamweights*- Joselyne Edwards (11-4, 2-2 UFC) vs. Ji Yeon Kim (9-5-2, 3-5 UFC)

*Edwards missed weight by 1.5 pounds

Kim with a leg kick then they both throw in close range and land. Kim with a leg kick. Edwards with a quick combo and a leg kick. Not a lot going as Edwards is throwing kicks but Kim is backing up from them. Kim with a right hand. Kim lands a jab as Edwards lands a couple of body kicks. Neither really doing a ton in this round. Edwards lands in close range and now they start to trade some shots. They clinch late. 10-9 Edwards.

Edwards pressing forward to start the second and they both land a punch. They trade punches in close rage. Edwards lands a nice combination. Kim now lands a combination. Edwards with a body kick. Kim with the double jab ending with a leg kick. They trade and Kim lands a big right hand that snaps Edwards’ head back. They trade kicks and Edwards lands a side kick. They clinch and trade knees late. 10-9 Kim, 19-19.

Kim lands a right hand. They trade in close range and both land some shots. Kim with a leg kick and lands a right hand. Edwards grabs the body lock and pushes it against the fence searching for the takedown. Edwards is able to get the takedown and is in side control. Edwards with some left hands as she looks to get the arm. Kim escapes to her feet. They tie up against the fence. They break as Edwards lands a shot. Edwards with a body kick. Kim lands a leg kick. Edwards with a leg kick. They both land inside the pocket and are teeing off on each other late. Nice flurry from both to end. 10-9 Edwards, 29-28 Edwards.

Official Result- Joselyne Edwards def. Ji Yeon Kim by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)

> Welterweights- Michael Morales (13-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Adam Fugitt (8-2, 0-0 UFC)

Fugitt with a body kick. He lands another. Morales with a jab. Morales lands a right hand. They trade in close range. Morales with a nice right hand. They tie up and Fugitt scores the takedown. Fugitt working from the top and trying to improve his position as Morales is fighting him off. They scramble. Fugitt lands a nice left hand then Morales lands some solid shots. They trade some punches inside the pocket. 10-9 Fugitt.

Fugitt with a body kick. Morales with a right hand. Fugitt tries to land a side kick but Morales grabs it and takes the back but lets go. Morales lands a combo. Both are landing in close and Morales lands a knee. Morales with a nice combo and Fugitt is having trouble on his feet but eating the shots. Morales with the jab. Morales lands some hard shots that stunned Fugitt. Fugitt tries for the takedown but Morales lands a right hand to break it up. Morales with a right hand. 10-9 Morales, 19-19.

They trade to start the third and Fugitt shoots for the takedown but Morales defends and they both land as they break. Morales drops Fugitt with a right hand and starts teeing off and Fugitt gets to his feet. Morales drops him again with a right hand and Herb Dean rushes in to stop it. Great finish by Morales.

Official Result- Michael Morales def. Adam Fugitt by TKO (punches) at 1:09 of Round 3

ABC PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Lightweights- Drakkar Klose (12-2-1, 6-2 UFC) vs. Rafa Garcia (14-2, 2-2 UFC)

Klose with a body kick. He lands another. Garcia tries a takedown and Klose slips to the mat but gets up. They clinch and both land body shots. Klose with a leg kick. Garcia lands a left hook. Garcia with a leg kick. They clinch and Klose with a knee as Garcia lands some body punches and lands an overhand right on the break. Klose grabs the back against the fence and looks for the takedown. He gets it down and has back pressure. They get up and Klose still has control. Klose drags it down and lands some left hands. Garcia goes for the leg late but eats left hands from Klose. 10-9 Klose.

Klose with a right hand and he shoots for the takedown against the fence. They break. Klose with a body kick. Garcia with a leg kick. Garcia gets a takedown. There really isn’t a whole lot going on down on the mat as Garcia is keeping Klose pinned down but not doing much. They are finally stood up. Klose with a leg kick and Garcia grabs the neck. Klose lands a flurry as Garcia retreats and looks for the takedown. They clinch against the fence and Garcia with a takedown and lands punches from the back to end the second. 10-9 Garcia, 19-19.

Garcia looks for a takedown at the start of the third but Klose defends. Garcia spamming for takedowns and is able to get one but Klose has the neck. Garcia pops out and they get to their feet. The separate. Klose the one pressing forward. Klose with a right hand. They clinch and both land some uppercuts. They break and both land in close range. Klose with a leg kick. Klose continues to press forward and both land. They tie up late with both landing body shots. 10-9 Klose, 29-28 Klose.

Official Result- Drakkar Klose def. Rafa Garcia by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Heavyweights- Don’Tale Mayes (9-4, 2-2 UFC) vs. Hamdy Abdelwahab (3-0, 0-0 UFC)

Both looking to land early as Mayes lands a leg kick and eats a left from Abdelwahab. Abdelwahab lands a right hand that backs Mayes up. Mayes with a body kick. Mayes lands a left hand. Abdelwahab lands a flurry that has Mayes hurt as they go down and Abdelwahab is landing. They get up and Abdelwahab gets a takedown and lands some left hands before they stand. Abdelwahab has the body and lands some short knees. Not a lot of action going on here. They are separated by the referee. Mayes with a big right hand and tries a flying knee but eats a left from Abdelwahab. 10-9 Abdelwahab.

Abdelwahab lands a big left hand to start the second. Mayes lands a right hand. Mayes lands a nice left had. He looks to have hurt Abdelwahab and now Mayes swarms on him and starts landing big shots and Abdelwahab lands a couple. Abdelwahab is still hurt against the fence and Mayes lands some more. Mayes with a body kick. Mayes with another body kick as Abdelwahab lands a left hand. We have a time out for a groin strike but they get back to action. Abdelwahab lands a left hand. Mayes tries rushing in for something and slips to the mat and Abdelwahab gets on top. Abdelwahab with an elbow from the top at the end. 10-9 Mayes, 19-19.

Mayes with a body kick. Abdelwahab clinches against the fence and scores the takedown. Abdelwahab lands some right hands and they try to scramble up but Abdelwahab keeps it down. They’re just laying on the mat and absolutely nothing is happening. There is still nothing going on outside of Abdelwahab landing one elbow. They trade some body shots. They are finally stood up. Mayes with a high kick. Mayes with a left hand. They trade hard shots. Mayes with a big left hand. Mayes with a big combo at the end. Close fight. 10-9 Abdelwahab, 29-28 Abdelwahab.

Official Result- Hamdy Abdelwahab def. Don’Tale Mayes by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Lightweights- Drew Dober (24-11 1 NC, 10-7 1 NC UFC) vs. Rafael Alves (20-10, 1-1 UFC)

They don’t get going and Alves has to stop and check his toe but they get to going. Dober lands a flush head kick. Dober with a leg kick. They trade and Alves gets it to the mat. There isn’t a lot happening on the mat. Alves with some short punches. Alves lands some more and stands and lands some big leg kicks before Dober gets up. They trade punches and Alves just misses a knee. Dober lands a combo against the fence. They trade late. 10-9 Alves.

Dober lands a big body kick. Dober with a flurry against the fence. He lands a left hand as Alves circles away. Dober with a leg kick. They trade in close range. Alves with a step-in knee. Dober with a combo. Alves with a body kick. Dober with a combo against the fence. Alves with a hard body kick. They continue to trade and Dober is landing with more volume. Dober with a nice body kick. We have a time out for an eye poke. They get back to action and Alves with a body kick and they are both fighting crazy. They trade big blows against the fence. Dober with a head kick and Alves shows crazy head movement and starts to dance. Alves shoots for the takedown but Dober defends in a crazy end to the second. 10-9 Dober, 19-19.

They get right back to action and Alves throws a spin kick that misses. Alves goes for a takedown but Dober defends. Dober with a body combo. Alves lands a right hand. Dober with a left hand. Alves with a body kick. Dober drops Alves with a punch to the liver and looks to land but it is stopped. Fun fight and solid finish by Dober.

Official Result- Drew Dober def. Rafael Alves by knockout (punch) at 1:30 of Round 3

> Welterweights- Alex Morono (21-7 1 NC, 10-4 1 NC UFC) vs. Matthew Semelsberger (10-3, 4-1 UFC)

Semelsberger with a leg kick. Morono with a combo. They trade in close range. Morono with a right hand as Semelsberger lands a leg kick. Morono with a right hand. He lands another. Morono with a spin kick. Semelsberger with a leg kick. They trade in close range and Morono with a solid right hand. They’re both throwing but Morono with the slight edge on volume. Morono lands a solid right hand. Semelsberger with a body kick. We have a timeout for an eye poke. They quickly get back to work. They clinch and battle for position. They break and trade at the end. 10-9 Morono.

Morono lands a nice right hand. They both land in close range. Both still landing in range but there isn’t tons happening. Morono finding a home for the jab. Semelsberger with a leg kick and Morono lands a right hand. Semelsberger lands a right hand. They clinch against the fence and both are looking for underhooks. Semelsberger gets it to the mat. Morono looking for an armbar from the bottom but Semelsberger lands a flurry of punches. Semelsberger with some elbows from the top late. Semelsberger has a big cut opened up. 10-9 Morono, 20-18 Morono.

Semelsberger gets checked by the doctor because his eye looks bad and is basically closed but they let him go on. They both come out swinging and Semelsberger drops Morono with a flying knee and looks to finish. They scramble up but Semelsberger gets it back down. They get up and are tied up against the fence. Morono with some short punches. They break. Morono lands a right hand. Semelsberger with some body kicks but Morono landing some punches. They continue to trade right hands. They tie up as both look for a takedown. They break and both land before the end. 10-9 Semelsberger, 29-28 Morono.

Official Result- Alex Morono def. Matthew Semelsberger by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

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> Light Heavyweights- #4 Magomed Ankalaev (17-1, 8-1 UFC) vs. #5 Anthony Smith (35-16, 11-6 UFC)

Smith with a high kick as not much happens in the first minute. Ankalaev with a body kick. They trade leg kicks. They’re still mostly feeling each other out but exchange leg kicks. Ankalaev lands a combo ending with a head kick. Smith lands a right hand and Ankalaev counters with a left hand and a leg kick. Smith misses a right hand and stumbles to the mat trying to get his feet under him and Ankalaev lands some leg kicks and is letting him stay down. 10-9 Ankalaev.

They trading to start the second and trade leg kicks. Smith looks for the takedown against the fence. Ankalaev landing some body punches to defend as they fall to the mat with Smith holding onto the body. Ankalaev landing from the top and continues to land until the fight is stopped. Smith had looked like he hurt his ankle or leg earlier and Ankalaev just kept landing until it was over.

Official Result- Magomed Ankalaev def. Anthony Smith by TKO (punches) at 3:09 of Round 2

> Flyweights- #4 Alexandre Pantoja (24-5, 8-3 UFC) vs. #6 Alex Perez (24-6, 6-2 UFC)

They are swinging for the fences early and Perez goes for a takedown but Pantoja defends. They scramble and Pantoja gets the back and has the backpack on as they stand. Pantoja working for the choke from this position as Perez is fighting it. He has it in and Perez taps! What a finish by Pantoja!

Official Result- Alexandre Pantoja def. Alex Perez by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:31 of Round 1

> Heavyweights- #5 Derrick Lewis (26-9 1 NC, 17-7 UFC) vs. #11 Sergei Pavlovich (15-1, 3-1 UFC)

Lewis with a leg kick. Pavlovich lands the jab. They’re throwing bombs in close range and Pavlovich has Lewis rocked. Pavlovich drops Lewis to his knees and lands a few punches and Dan Miragliotta stops it and Lewis immediately gets up and protests. It was a flurry and Lewis was hurt but this looks like a questionable stoppage. Pavlovich gets the win regardless.

Official Result- Sergei Pavlovich def. Derrick Lewis by TKO (punches) at :55 of Round 1

> Interim UFC Flyweight Championship- #1 Brandon Moreno (19-6-2, 7-3-2 UFC) vs. #2 Kai Kara-France (24-9 1 NC, 7-2 UFC)

They’re feeling each other out a bit in the first minute then we have a groin strike. They get back to action and Moreno with a body kick. Kara-France with a leg kick. They’re both being patient half-way thru the first. Kara-France misses a big right hand and Moreno drops down for a single leg against the fence. He lets go and they go back to the center and Kara-France with a leg kick. Moreno with a body kick. Moreno presses forward at the end. 10-9 Moreno.

Kara-France throws a right but Moreno ducks under and looks for a takedown but they break. Moreno with a leg kick. Moreno with a body kick. They both look to land in close. Kara-France throws a high kick but Moreno ducks under and grabs the back against the fence. They break. Moreno with a right hand. Moreno almost got a takedown and almost head kicked Kara-France into oblivion. Moreno lands a right hand. They trade leg kicks. Kara-France lands a right hand and a leg kick. Moreno tries a head kick and Kara-France kicks his legs out from under him and almost lands a right hand as Moreno gets to his feet. Kara-France with a leg kick and Moreno lands a right hand. Moreno with a body kick. They trade lefts late. 10-9 Moreno, 20-18 Moreno.

The crowd is doing the wave. Moreno lands a leg kick and Kara-France sweeps him to the mat and is in the guard of Moreno. Moreno with an elbow from the bottom. Kara-France gets up and starts landing on Moreno as he was trying to get up and had him hurt for a moment. Moreno lands the jab as Kara-France lands a leg kick. Kara-France with a nice combo. Kara-France lands a right hand. Moreno lands a left hand and his face is showing some battle scars. Kara-France with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks and Kara-France stumbles a little. Moreno lands a left hook. Kara-France tries to grab a single leg but Moreno escapes and lands a spinning backfist. Moreno then drops Kara-France with a body kick and starts unloading with a huge flurry of punches and keeps them coming until Herb Dean steps in and stops it! What a finish by Moreno!

Official Result- Brandon Moreno def. Kai Kara-France by TKO (strikes) at 4:34 of Round 3 to win the Interim UFC Flyweight Championship

> UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship- C Julianna Pena (11-4, 7-2 UFC) vs. #1 Amanda Nunes (21-5, 14-2 UFC)

Nunes with a body kick. There’s not much happening in the first minute. Pena just misses a right hand. They each land a punch. Nunes lands a nice jab. They trade punches. Nunes lands a right hand right as Pena slipped to her knees on the mat, but she gets up. Nunes lands a right hand and Pena falls for a moment. Pena lands a right hand. They trade and Nunes with the jab. Pena lands a right hand. Nunes shoots for a takedown but Pena defends and Nunes lands some punches late. Nunes rocks Pena at the end. 10-9 Nunes.

Nunes drops Pena with a right hook and lands a shot as Pena is down but lets Pena up. Pena tries to rush in and land punches and Nunes drops her again with a right hand and lets her up. Nunes with a leg kick. Pena lands as she rushes in. They both land as Pena rushes in. Pena with a body kick. They both land right hands. Nunes with a right hand. She lands another. Nunes drops Pena again and lets her back up. They both land and Pena looked hurt from the Nunes right hand. They clinch at the end. 10-8 Nunes, 20-17 Nunes.

Nunes with a leg kick and just misses a spinning elbow. They clinch but quickly break. Pena rushes in and lands some. She tries again and lands but Nunes with a right hand. Pena lands a right hand and Nunes grabs the body lock and scores a takedown. Nunes with an elbow from the top. Pena trying to throw her legs up and Nunes lands from the top. Both are landing on the mat and Nunes gets a slicing elbow in. Pena looking for the arm but Nunes slips out and is in the half-guard. Nunes with big shots from the top at the end. Pena has a big cut open over her right eye. 10-9 Nunes, 30-26 Nunes.

Nunes gets an immediate takedown and is working in the guard. Pena tries to grab the arm again but Nunes gets back into her full guard. Pena tries for the arm again but Nunes slips out and lands a left hand. Pena has the arm and an armbar in but Nunes gets out. They get to their feet and Nunes pressing forward. Pena’s face is a mess. Nunes gets another takedown. Nunes stands and eventually Pena is ordered up. Pena lands a right hand and Nunes scores another takedown off a trip. She ends the round on top. Pena’s face is an absolute mess. 10-9 Nunes, 40-35 Nunes.

Nunes with a leg kick. Pena lands a combo and Nunes goes for the takedown and gets it. Pena tries to find the arm again but Nunes slips out and has the neck before they get up. Nunes gets another takedown and is in side control. Nunes trying to trap an arm. They try a scramble but Nunes keeps it down and is in the half-guard as Pena is gassed out. Nunes with some elbows from the top. Nunes stands and lands a big right hand as she goes back to side control. Nunes gets the back and is looking for the rear-naked choke. Pena kicks her legs off and Nunes gets back to the half-guard. They get up near the end. Dominant performance from Nunes. 10-9 Nunes, 50-44 Nunes.

Official Result- Amanda Nunes def. Julianna Pena by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-44, 50-43) to win the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship