UFC 292 live results: Aljamain Sterling vs. Sean O’Malley

The UFC returns to pay-per-view this weekend with a big event as the Octagon returns to the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts for UFC 292: Sterling vs. O’Malley, headlined by a pair of title fights.

In the main event, UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling defends against challenger Sean O’Malley in what has become a heated main event. Sterling is on a nine-fight win streak, last defeating Henry Cejudo in May, and this could be his final title defense as he’s talked of moving to 145 pounds win-or-lose. O’Malley fights for the first time since a win over Petr Yan in October, and is one of the most popular fighters in the sport.

In the co-main event, UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Zhang Weili defends against Amanda Lemos in an exciting match-up. Weili re-gained the title with a submission win over Carla Esparza in November, and she looks to start her second title reign on the right note. Lemos gets a title shot on the heels of wins in seven of her last eight fights.

The rest of the main card is deep despite taking a few injury hits. Undefeated welterweight Ian Garry faces his biggest test to date in Neil Magny, while a pair of bantamweight bouts take place featuring Da’Mon Blackshear, in his second fight in a week, taking on Mario Bautista, and Marlon Vera battling Pedro Munhoz.

The preliminary card is highlighted by the return of former UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman, who returns from a gruesome leg break suffered in April 2021, as he’ll take on Brad Tavares. The finals of this season of The Ultimate Fighter also take place, with Austin Hubbard taking on Kurt Holobaugh in the lightweight finals, and Brad Katona taking on Cody Gibson in the bantamweight finals.

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> Women’s Flyweights- Karine Silva (16-4, 2-0 UFC) vs. Maryna Moroz (11-4, 6-4 UFC)

Silva landing some leg kicks early. They trade leg kicks and Silva lands a left hand. Silva lands a couple more leg kicks. Moroz missing her punches. Silva drops Moroz with a left hand but she quickly gets up. They clinch and Moroz pushes it against the fence. Silva reverses and Moroz lands an elbow and they’re trading inside the pocket before they separate. Silva lands a right hand. Silva scores a takedown. Moroz reverses position and Silva tries for a guillotine choke and Moroz taps with a second to go in the round! What a finish from Silva!

Official Result- Karine Silva def. Maryna Moroz by submission (guillotine choke) at 4:59 of Round 1

> Women’s Flyweights- #13 Andrea Lee (13-7, 5-5 UFC) vs. Natalia Silva (15-5-1, 3-0 UFC)

Silva throwing kicks early on. Lee lands a couple of leg kicks as Silva lands a punch combo. Silva lands a jab. Silva lands a body kick then a combination. Silva rocks Lee with a left hand. They trade punches. Silva lands a leg kick. They trade late and Silva lands a combo and body kick. 10-9 Silva.

Silva lands some high kicks to start the second. They trade body kicks. Silva lands a body kick. Lee lands a front kick that connects to the chin. Silva lands a combo ending with a body kick. Silva lands a front kick to the body. They trade body kicks. Silva lands a spin kick. 10-9 Silva, 20-18 Silva.

Silva landing some kicks and circling around early in the third. Lee lands a leg kick and Silva lands a right hand. Silva lands a combo as Lee lands a body kick. Silva lands a high kick. Lee lands a leg kick. They trade high kicks. Silva lands a nice combo. Silva lands a body kick and Lee is continuing to back up. Silva lands a jab then a high kick. 10-9 Silva, 30-27 Silva.

Official Result- Natalia Silva def. Andrea Lee by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Middleweights- Andre Petroski (9-1, 4-0 UFC) vs. Gerald Meerschaert (35-16, 10-8 UFC)

Petroski lands a left hand and a leg kick. Petroski lands a right hook. They’re both mostly missing the punches they’re throwing. Meerschaert lands a jab. They trade punches. We have a timeout for an eye poke on Petroski. They get back to action and Petroski lands a jab then gets a takedown. Meerschaert looks for a triangle choke but time runs out. 10-9 Petroski.

They both land soft punches to start the second. Meerschaert lands a body kick. Petroski lands a left hand and a leg kick. They trade punches. Meerschaert lands a combo that stumbles Petroski back. Meerschaert lands a combo as Petroski lands a right hand and circles away. Petroski lands a left hand then a nice right hand. Meerschaert lands a left hand then a high kick and a left hand. Petroski lands a left hand to the body. Petroski drops Meerschaert with a left hand and starts landing from the top. He’s dropping elbows down. Meerschaert grabs a leg and is able to get up. Petroski lands a right hand. Meerschaert tries a takedown and Petroski grabs the back and finishes the round on top. 10-9 Petroski, 20-18 Petroski.

They trade left hands. Petroski lands a body kick but Meerschaert grabs the leg and gets the takedown. Meerschaert inside the guard landing some punches. Petroski trying to scramble from the bottom and Meerschaert sprawls, but they get up. Petroski is cut open under the eye. Meerschaert lands a nice combo. Petroski gets it down and Meerschaert has the neck looking for a choke but Petroski pops out. Petroski attacking the neck and looking for a guillotine choke. Meerschaert scrambles out and has the body lock as they stand. They trade and Meerschaert lands a left hand. Petroski lands an elbow. They’re trading wild punches in close range. Meerschaert lands a flurry as the fight ends. Wild final round. 10-9 Meerschaert, 29-28 Petroski.

Official Result- Andre Petroski def. Gerald Meerschaert by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

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> TUF 31 Bantamweight Finals- Brad Katona (12-2, 2-2 UFC) vs. Cody Gibson (19-8, 1-3 UFC)

Both are throwing early but not landing before they clinch up. They quickly break. Gibson lands a right hand. Katona lands a high kick. Katona lands a jab. Katona lands a leg kick. They trade and Gibson lands a body kick and Katona counters with a leg kick. Gibson lands a combo then an uppercut in a brief clinch. Gibson lands a big right hand. Katona lands a leg kick then a left hand. Gibson lands a right hand as Katona lands a left hand. Katona lands a right hand. Gibson lands an uppercut. They trade inside the pocket. They continue to both land at high volumes. Katona lands a right hand. 10-9 Gibson.

Katona lands a left hand. He lands a right hand and Gibson fires back with some uppercuts. Gibson lands a right hand. Katona lands a nice jab. Katona lands a right hand after scoring a leg kick. Katona lands a jab as they trade inside the pocket. Gibson lands to the body. Katona lands a left hand. Gibson lands a combo. They tie up and both land some clinch shots. Gibson lands a combo and Katona counters with a right hand. They trade some more. Gibson landing with more volume as the round goes on. He lands a jab then an uppercut. They trading and Katona hurts Gibson with a right hand. Katona lands a jab and Gibson lands a left hand. Katona lands a right hand. He lands another. 10-9 Gibson, 20-18 Gibson.

They’re trading in the center to start the third and Gibson lands a right hand. Katona lands to the body. Gibson lands a right hand. He lands another. They clinch for a moment and Katona lands as they break. Katona lands a pair of high kicks. Gibson lands a big right hand. Gibson lands another big right hand. They trade in a brief tie up. Katona lands a right hand. Katona lands an uppercut. Gibson’s eye is hurt and Katona is landing a flurry against the fence. Gibson lands an uppercut. They trade in close range. They trade jabs. Katona with some uppercuts. Katona lands a left hand. They clinch as both are tired. They trade short shots. Great fight. 10-9 Katona, 29-28 Gibson.

Official Result- Brad Katona def. Cody Gibson by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

> TUF 31 Lightweight Finals- Kurt Holobaugh (19-7 1 NC, 0-4 UFC) vs. Austin Hubbard (15-6, 3-4 UFC)

Hubbard lands a leg kick and then scores a takedown. He lands an elbow from inside the guard. Hubbard throwing elbows from the top. Hubbard looks for the neck but it allows Holobaugh to scramble to his feet. They trade knees against the fence. They separate and Hubbard lands to the body. He lands a big right hand. Hubbard lands a knee to the body. They trade punches. Holobaugh lands a right hand. Hubbard gets a takedown. He’s landing from the top. Hubbard looking for a choke. He lets go. 10-9 Hubbard.

Both looking for the jab early. Hubbard tried a takedown but Holobaugh defended. Holobaugh lands a big right hand. He lands another. He lands it again. They trade and Holobaugh lands slightly more. Holobaugh sprawls a takedown attempt and has the neck. Holobaugh gets the back. Holobaugh looking for a choke. He has his forearm around Hubbard’s chin and lets go. Holobaugh in the full mount. Hubbard tries to escape and Holobaugh has the armbar but transitions to the triangle choke. Hubbard taps! Holobaugh gets the win, his first UFC win in his third stint.

Official Result- Kurt Holobaugh def. Austin Hubbard by submission (triangle choke) at 2:39 of Round 2

> Middleweights- Gregory Rodrigues (13-5, 4-2 UFC) vs. Denis Tiuliulin (11-7, 1-2 UFC)

Rodrigues lands a jab. Rodrigues gets the big takedown. Rodrigues gets to side control. He moves to the mount and Tiuliulin gives up his back. Rodrigues is landing big punches and elbows from the back and one knocks Tiuliulin out cold. Wow!

Official Result- Gregory Rodrigues def. Denis Tiuliulin by knockout (elbows) at 1:43 of Round 1

> Middleweights- Chris Weidman (15-6, 11-6 UFC) vs. Brad Tavares (19-8, 14-8 UFC)

Tavares lands a right hand. Weidman shoots for a takedown but Tavares defends. Tavares lands a nice right hand. Weidman lands a jab to the body. Weidman goes for a takedown against the fence but abandons it. We have a timeout for a groin strike and they get back to action. Weidman lands a right hand. Tavares lands a jab. Tavares lands a leg kick. He lands another. Tavares lands a jab. Weidman lands a right hand then a body kick. Weidman lands some body kicks. Tavares lands an uppercut. 10-9 Tavares.

Both throwing to start the second but not much landing. Tavares lands a leg kick. Both land jabs. Tavares lands a leg kick then another. Weidman’s left leg is hurt. Tavares with a high kick that Weidman blocks. Tavares lands a combo ending with a leg kick. Tavares lands a pair of leg kicks. Weidman with a high kick. Weidman rocks Tavares with a punch but Tavares gets away. Weidman pressing forward as Tavares is attacking the leg. We have another groin strike and a timeout. They get back to action and Weidman lands. Weidman lands a body kick then a combo. Weidman tries for a takedown. Tavares defends and gets away. Tavares lands a body kick. Weidman lands a head kick then a right hand. Weidman tries for another takedown but Tavares defends. Weidman lands a high kick. 10-9 Tavares, 20-18 Tavares.

Tavares lands a heavy leg kick. We have a third groin strike of the fight and another timeout. They get back to action and Tavares is hurting Weidman with some punches. Tavares lands another leg kick. Weidman lands some right hands and goes for a takedown but Tavares defends. Weidman lands a left hand. Tavares lands a leg kick. Weidman lands a right hand. He lands a left hand. 10-9 Tavares, 30-27 Tavares.

Official Result- Brad Tavares def. Chris Weidman by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

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> Bantamweights- #6 Marlon Vera (22-8-1, 14-7 UFC) vs. #10 Pedro Munhoz (20-7 2 NC, 10-7 2 NC)

Munhoz landing a lot of leg kicks early on and Vera lands a high kick. Vera lands a jab. They’re trading kicks. Munhoz still landing lots of leg kicks. Vera scoring with the jab. Vera lands a leg kick. Munhoz shoots for a takedown but Vera keeps it standing. Vera lands a combo and Munhoz rushes in landing a combo. Vera lands a combination. They trade punches. Vera lands a combo. Vera lands a left hand. Close round. 10-9 Munhoz.

Munhoz lands a body kick. They trade leg kicks. They trade solid punches. Munhoz lands a combo. Munhoz back to the leg kick. Vera lands a leg kick and Munhoz lands some in return. Munhoz lands a right hand. They trade kicks. Munhoz lands a left hand. Vera lands a leg kick and Munhoz returns with one. They trade in close range. Munhoz lands a nice combination. Munhoz lands a leg kick but eats a left hand from Vera. 10-9 Munhoz, 20-18 Munhoz.

Munhoz lands a leg kick. Munhoz lands a leg kick after they trade punches. Vera lands a nice jab then a few more. Vera lands a nice combo and had Munhoz hurt for a moment. Munhoz back attacking the leg kick. Vera lands a combo and then a nice right hand. Vera lands a jab and Munhoz lands a right hand, but Vera lands a hard body shot. Vera lands some nice left hands. Vera picking up the volume in a big way right now. Munhoz lands some nice body kicks. Vera lands a nice combo. Close fight. 10-9 Vera, 29-28 Munhoz.

Official Result- Marlon Vera def. Pedro Munhoz by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Bantamweights- Da’Mon Blackshear (14-5-1, 2-1-1 UFC) vs. Mario Bautista (12-2, 6-2 UFC)

Bautista lands a right hand. Blackshear grabs the body and looks for a takedown but Bautista defends. Blackshear gets a takedown. They get to their feet and Blackshear still has a leg and lands a knee to the body. Blackshear lands a leg kick. Blackshear gets it back down but Bautista has the neck with a choke locked in but Blackshear escapes. They get to their feet. 10-9 Blackshear.

Blackshear lands some leg kicks to start the second. Bautista goes for a takedown against the fence but Blackshear defends. Bautista lands a right hand and shoots for a takedown but Blackshear defends against the fence and reverses position. Blackshear lands a short elbow as they break. Blackshear gets a takedown but Bautista pops right back up. Blackshear lands an elbow. Bautista lands a right hand. Blackshear lands a right hand. Bautista lands late. 10-9 Blackshear, 20-18 Blackshear.

Bautista lands a right hand. Blackshear lands a leg kick. Bautista lands a combo. Bautista lands a right hand. Bautista pressuring and looks for a takedown. They’re tied up and Bautista with a knee to the body. Blackshear lands an elbow and Bautista with a knee before they break. Bautista gets a takedown. He gets the back. They try to scramble up but Bautista drags it down and lands a knee to the body. Bautista still has the back and lands a knee as they break. Blackshear rocks Bautista with a right hand. They scramble to the mat. Bautista lands elbows from the top to end. 10-9 Bautista, 29-28 Blackshear.

Official Result- Mario Bautista def. Da’Mon Blackshear by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

> Welterweights- #11 Neil Magny (28-10, 21-9 UFC) vs. #13 Ian Garry (12-0, 5-0 UFC)

Garry lands some hard leg kicks early and Magny is already having trouble staying on his feet. Garry lands a body kick. Garry lands a jab. Garry lands a leg kick. Magny lands a right hand. They clinch against the fence. Magny lands to the body. Garry gets it down and backs away as Magny is forced to stand. Garry lands another hard leg kick and Magny falls to his butt but is forced up. Garry lands a high kick then another leg kick. They clinch at the end. 10-9 Garry.

Magny lands a double jab. Garry lands a combo. Garry lands another hard leg kick and Magny is limping. Garry lands more kicks. Magny grabs a leg and tries for a takedown but Garry defends against the fence. They break. Garry lands a head kick. Garry lands a leg kick and Magny is having trouble standing. Garry lands some punches and a flying knee to the body. Garry lands a jab then another leg kick. Garry with a leg kick then a combo. 10-9 Garry, 20-18 Garry.

Garry lands a leg kick. Magny lands a body kick but falls to the ground as he couldn’t plant on his damaged leg. Garry with a high kick then a leg kick. Garry lands a flurry against the fence and drops Magny with a leg kick. Magny gets to his feet and eats an immediate leg kick from Garry. Garry lands some leg kicks then a high kick. Garry landing more kicks. Magny lands a body kick but eats a combo from Garry. Garry lands another hard leg kick and Magny goes down but Garry wants him back up. Garry lands a big flurry with punches and high kicks and Magny is covering up. They go to the mat and Garry is in side control. Garry ends the fight on top. 10-8 Garry, 30-26 Garry.

Official Result- Ian Garry def. Neil Magny by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-24)

> UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship- C Zhang Weili (23-3, 7-2 UFC) vs. #5 Amanda Lemos (13-2-1, 7-2 UFC)

Weili lands a leg kick and uses it for a takedown. Weili passes into side control. Weili lands some elbows from the side. Weili with some left hands from the top. Weili now landing to the body in the half-guard. Weili with more big left hands from the top. Weili keeps it down. Lemos locks in a D’Arce choke from the bottom but Weili is fighting it. Lemos is squeezing but Weili lands some knees to the body and she gets out and takes the back. Weili landing big punches from the back and looking to finish. Lemos spins and Weili is back in the half-guard. They stand and Weili gets a big late takedown. 10-9 Weili.

Weili landing to start the second and Lemos lands a hard right hand. Weili gets a big takedown. Weili landing from the top. Lemos tries to scramble out but Weili stays on top and gets the back. They get to their feet and Weili lands some knees to the body and gets another takedown. Weili has the back and lands. 10-9 Weili, 20-18 Weili.

They trade punches and Weili lands a side kick. Weili pushes it against the fence. Weili gets it back to the mat. Weili works to the back and lands some left hands. Weili moves to side control and has a knee on the belly and lands before they stand. Weili with a knee and elbow. They separate and Weili lands a combo. 10-9 Weili, 30-27 Weili.

Weili landing some kicks and punches to start off the fourth. Weili with a side kick. Lemos lands a punch and Weili slips to the mat. She gets back up and they’re trading before Weili gets a takedown. She lands from the top before they stand. Both throwing and both land before they tie up and break. Weili lands a body kick. 10-9 Weili, 40-36 Weili.

Weili lands a body kick then drops Lemos with a right hand. She gets on top and is landing punches and an elbow. Weili with some more shots from the top and Lemos attacks the leg. Weili landing hammerfists trying to finish. Weili landing a lot of punches as Lemos is trapped. Weili has the crucifix and continues to land. Weili with tons of punches as Lemos is still trapped. Lemos gets free as they stand. Weili with a knee. Weili gets a takedown. She’s in side control and pressuring while landing knees. Weili with body shots from the top. They get up and Lemos attacks the neck as they break. Weili with a side kick. Dominant performance from Weili. 10-8 Weili, 50-44 Weili.

Official Result- Zhang Weili def. Amanda Lemos by unanimous decision (50-43, 50-44, 49-45) to retain the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship

> UFC Bantamweight Championship- C Aljamain Sterling (23-3, 15-3 UFC) vs. #2 Sean O’Malley (16-1 1 NC, 8-1 1 NC UFC)

Sterling lands a leg kick. He lands another. O’Malley lands a body kick then Sterling lands a leg kick. O’Malley lands a left hand. Sterling lands a body kick. Sterling lands a leg kick. He lands another. He lands some more kicks. O’Malley barely lands a spin kick. Sterling shoots for a takedown and lands some punches against the fence in the clinch. 10-9 Sterling.

Sterling lands a body kick. Sterling looks for a takedown against the fence. Sterling lands two left hands. O’Malley drops Sterling with a right hand as he was coming in. O’Malley lading from the top looking for the finish and lands some big punches and he ends it! O’Malley gets the finish and becomes the new champion!

Official Result- Sean O’Malley def. Aljamain Sterling by TKO (punches) at :51 of Round 2 to win the UFC Bantamweight Championship