UFC on FOX 22 live results: Paige VanZant vs. Michelle Waterson

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC On FOX 22: VanZant vs. Waterson, eminating from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.

The event is headlined by a five-round bout in the women’s strawweight division as rising contender Paige VanZant looks to score another win inside the Octagon as she takes on Michelle Waterson. VanZant is looking to score her second straight win and continue the rise in her growing popularity. Waterson fights for the first time since July 2015, and she has won seven of her last eight fights.

The co-main event sees a pair of welterweights looking to continue their breakout careers in 2016 as Sage Northcutt takes on Mickey Gall. Gall is coming off a big win over C.M. Punk in Punk’s MMA debut in September, and he called out Northcutt for this fight. Northcutt has become one of the most popular fighters in the UFC since his debut just over a year ago.

This event will also mark the final fight in the illustrious career of Urijah Faber, as he fights one last time in his hometown. Faber is a former WEC Featherweight Champion, but he was never able to capture gold in the UFC. Despite that, he remains one of the more popular fighters in the sport, and brings his potential hall of fame career to an end in his 45th career fight. He will be taking on Brad Pickett on the main card.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 3:30 PM eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.

Some additional coverage:
– UFC On FOX 22 Observer Panel Predictions
– UFC On FOX 22 Betting & Fantasy Playbook

UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 3:30 PM ET/12:30 PM PT

> Bojan Velickovic (14-3-1, 1-0-1 UFC) vs. Sultan Aliev (13-2, 0-1 UFC)
Welterweights

The first round was standing early with Velickovic having an edge before Aliev decided to take the fight to the mat. Both men did solid work on the mat before getting to the feet with seconds remaining. It was close but I had Aliev winning the first round, 10-9.

Velickovic was winning the standing in the second round, but Aliev scored two takedowns and did some good work from the top position. He had nothing for Velickovic standing. Aliev’s round in the second, 10-9, and up 20-18.

Aliev got another takedown in the third. Velickovic worked for submissions but Aliev just grinded from the top. He didn’t do a whole lot in the fight whether standing or on top as Velickovic was more active all around. However, I think the judges will see him as the winner. I do as I had round three also 10-9 for Aliev, and him winning 30-27.

Aliev took the decision but only got the fight on two scorecards. Both of those scorecards were 30-27 for him. The third judge had it 29-28 for Velickovic, and I really don’t know how. I could see the first going to him, but neither the second or third. This was a very boring fight.

Official Result: Sultan Aliev def. Bojan Velickovic by split decision (28-29, 30-27, 30-27)

> Hector Sandoval (12-3, 0-1 UFC) vs. Fredy Serrano (3-1, 2-1 UFC)
Flyweights

Sandoval was the pressure fighter in the first and landed more strikes and a takedown. Serrano couldn’t adjust during the round. Round one was 10-9 for Sandoval.

Sandoval dropped Serrano and almost finished him with a choke early in the second. Serrano was having trouble landing his strikes and Sandoval was picking him apart on the feet. It was another 10-9 round for Sandoval, and him up 20-18.

Sandoval got another takedown in the third and was winning the fight on the feet, tagging Serrano with a lot of punches. He was the better fighter in this one. I had round three 10-9 for Sandoval, and him winning the fight 30-27.

All three judges had it for Sandoval, with him winning all three rounds on two cards and 29-28 on the third. I’m not sure Serrano won a round there but at least it didn’t end up mattering. This was a solid fight.

Official Result: Hector Sandoval def. Fredy Serrano by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

> Eddie Wineland (#13, 22-11-1, 4-5 UFC) vs. Takeya Mizugaki (#14, 21-10-2, 8-5 UFC)
Bantamweights

They were trading punches back-and-forth. Mizugaki was getting the better of it Wineland then dropped Mizugaki with one punch, Mizugaki got up and then got dropped again and finished off by Wineland. Big knockout win by Wineland in the opening round. Mizugaki’s chin just can’t handle much of a punch anymore. Wineland dedicated the win to his kids and mentioned how he fights without handwraps on his hands.

Official Result: Eddie Wineland def. Takeya Mizugaki by TKO (punches) at 3:04 of Round 1

FOX SPORTS 1 PRELIMS | 5 PM ET/2 PM PT

> Leslie Smith (8-7-1, 2-3 UFC) vs. Irene Aldana (7-2, 0-0 UFC)
Women’s Bantamweights

Smith was tagging Aldana early and dropped her and nearly finished the fight. Aldana was able to survive the swarm and they were trading back and forth as a great opening round ended. Smith took the first 10-9.

Smith was really pressuring Aldana in the second and was landing some very good combinations, but Aldana was landing as well and was brutalizing the leg of Smith with kicks. Aldana then tagged Smith and had her rocked late in the round. It’ll be interesting to see how the judges scored this one as Aldana was backing up as Smith was pressuring, but Aldana landed the harder punches. I had it 10-9 for Aldana, and it tied up 19-19 after two. There is lots of action in this fight.

Smith was really pressuring Aldana and pushing her against the fence and landing more in the third. Aldana would circle away every time she was in trouble but was only really striking when it was returning. Smith landed more punches but Aldana’s seemed to have more power behind them. Aldana got a late takedown in looking to steal the fight but Smith charged with strikes late. A close third round that I had 10-9 for Smith, and I had her winning 29-28 overall.

Smith won on all three scorecards, two 29-28s and one 30-27. This is an early contender for fight of the night. Smith looked the best she has in the UFC so far.

Official Result: Leslie Smith def. Irene Aldana by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

> Josh Emmett (10-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Scott Holtzman (9-1, 2-1 UFC)
Lightweights

This was a good first round with both men landing solid strikes, and Emmett changed things up with two takedowns. Holtzman was able to get up both times and ended up scoring a takedown of his own late in the round. Holtzman was landing from the top late and was landing late and I think he stole the round at the end. I had it 10-9 for Holtzman.

Emmett landed a huge flurry in the opening minute and had Holtzman in a lot of trouble. Emmett tried to finish the fight but it looked to gas him out as Holtzman scored an easy takedown. Emmett reversed it though but Holtzman reversed that. Holtzman was landing knees and punches late as Emmett was breating heavy. Emmett rocked Holtzman late with a flying knee. A close round but I had it 10-9 for Emmett and it tied up 19-19 after two.

They were trading and then Emmett dropped Holtzman and swarmed on looking to take advantage. Both men were very tired. Holtzman was able to take the fight down despite a blatant fence grab by Emmett. It was really a grappling battle as each man was trying to do something to ensure they won the last round in a close fight. They traded shots late with both trying to close the fight strong. I had the last round 10-9 for Emmett and him winning 29-28. This is going to be close on the scorecards.

All three judges had it 29-28 for Emmett. He got a big reaction. This was a great fight and also in contention for fight of the night. Emmett thought he broke his hand.

Official Result: Josh Emmett def. Scott Holtzman by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> James Moontasri (9-4, 2-3 UFC) vs. Alex Morono (12-3, 1-0 UFC)
Welterweights

They spent the first round on the feet. Moontasri hurt Morono with a left hand at one point and was trying all sorts of spin kicks throughout the round. He was showing good hand speed and good movement on the feet and Morono wasn’t able to do much outside of landing a couple of leg kicks. It was good action but far from the best round tonight. I had it 10-9 Moontasri.

They were trading on the feet in the second round. Moontasri was continuing with spinning stuff but was landing more. Morono was showing it on his body with it changing colors. Morono finally started timing the kicks and adjusted well and was landing some punches late. Morono cut Moontasri open with an elbow. Each man landed a spinning attack at the end. Another good action round between the two. I had it 10-9 for Morono and it tied 19-19.

Morono rocked Moontasri with a big right hand and was going for the finish with lots of big punches. Morono was tagging Moontasri at will as Moontasri had his hands low. Both men were breathing heavy but it was the pressure and punches of Morono that was making the difference. Both men were able to make it to the end, which was surprising. The third round was the most clear round as I had it 10-9 Morono. I had Morono winning 29-28 but the scores for the first two could go either way.

All three judges had it 29-28 for Morono. No post-fight interview for him. Solid fight but both men were very tired in the last round.

Official Result: Alex Morono def. James Moontasri by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Bryan Barberena (12-3, 3-1 UFC) vs. Colby Covington (10-1, 5-1 UFC)
Welterweights

Covington got a couple of takedowns but wasn’t able to do much with them. Barberena was stronger on the feet but Covington was landing some good counters. Covington was relying primarily on his takedowns though. It likely got him the round, and I had it 10-9 for him.

Barberena was getting the better of Covington on the feet, so Covington decided to go back to the takedown game, punching his way there. He was having a much easier time taking Barberena down in the second, not that it was that difficult for him in the first. Barberena landed solid punches on the feet but this was Covington’s round again, 10-9, and I had him up 20-18. Covington has scored eight takedowns through two rounds.

It was more of the same in the third round. Barberena was slightly better on the feet but Covington was countering well and would switch everything up into takedowns. Barberena had no takedown defense in this fight. Covington ended the fight on top. Covington got three more takedowns in the third, making it eleven in all. Dominating performance for him. 10-9 Covington in the third, 30-27 overall for him. The crowd booed this fight.

All three judges had it 30-27 for Covington. No post-fight interview but a strong performance by Covington in this fight.

Official Result: Colby Covington def. Bryan Barberena by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Cole Miller (21-10 1 NC, 10-8 1 NC UFC) vs. Mizuto Hirota (17-7-2, 0-2-1 UFC)
Featherweights

Miller hurt Hirota early with a punch and went for a choke but couldn’t get it. Hirota ended up getting two takedowns and was controlling Miller from the top. Hirota ended the round on top with landing punches, but otherwise not a lot of action. Miller came out strong but Hirota came on as the round went on. A 10-9 round for Hirota.

Miller got taken down but grabbed a foot and used it to reverse. He wasn’t doing much on the feet despite being the taller fighter. That’s pretty much the story of every Cole Miller fight. Hirota reversed positions and was working on the top. There is not a lot going on in this fight. Hirota landed on top to end the round, a very boring round. 10-9 for Hirota in the second, with him up 20-18.

Miller looked absolutely awful in the last round. He was throwing slow punches and just gave up an easy takedown to Hirota, and then wasn’t doing anything on the bottom. It was almost like he just quit on the fight. Hirota was staying busy so he could keep this fight on the mat. This was one bad fight. An easy 10-9 round for Hirota, and I had him winning 30-27.

All three judges had all three rounds for Hirota, and he got one 10-8 round on one scorecard. There was really no other score. This fight was bad.

Official Result: Mizuto Hirota def. Cole Miller by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

> Henrique da Silva (12-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Paul Craig (8-0, 0-0 UFC)
Light Heavyweights

Craig bloodied da Silva up before taking him down and working from the top. da Silva got up but Craig had a guillotine in but it wasn’t tight as he was in bad position against the fence on the bottom. da Silva got out and is gushing blood. They got to their feet and da Silva tried a lazy takedown and, well, it didn’t work out for him. 10-9 Craig in the first round.

da Silva didn’t look good in the opening moments of the second round but Craig looked just as tired. Craig pulled guard and was working for an armbar, got it, and da Silva tapped instantly. It was like da Silva just decided to give up and found the spot to tap out. A pretty bad showing for da Silva and Craig remains undefeated.

Official Result: Paul Craig def. Henrique da Silva by submission (armbar) at 1:59 of Round 2

FOX MAIN CARD | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Alan Jouban (14-4, 5-2 UFC) vs. Mike Perry (9-0, 2-0 UFC)
Welterweights

Jouban rocked Perry early but Perry was coming on strong with his kicks. Jouban got a takedown against the fence and Perry was looking uncomfortable on the ground but able to get up. Jouban landed a left hand but ate a head kick that rocked him. Perry was keeping his hands low and was eating some punches from Jouban. Good opening round but I have it 10-9 for Jouban.

Perry was starting to open up more but Jouban was landing more when he struck. Jouban rocked Perry with a left hand and a head kick. Jouban was landing body kicks and Perry was keeping his hands low. Perry would try and attack but he wasn’t landing on a lot of his attacks, and his head movement was pretty much non-existant. Jouban rocked and dropped Perry late with a left hand and that likely got him the round. It did in my eyes. 10-9 for Jouban, 20-18 Jouban after two.

Jouban was really aggressive in this round. He would fake a body kick and Perry would flinch like he was afraid to take it. It allowed Jouban to attack the legs of Perry with kicks. Perry was really slow this round and was just looking for the one punch. Jouban was teeing off on Perry. Perry was keeping his hands low, had no head movement and wasn’t working his feints or fakes in the third, and he looked tired. A real strong third round for Jouban as I had it 10-9 for him. I have the fight 30-27 for Jouban.

Jouban got the decision on all the scorecards. It was a really smart and disciplined fight from Jouban, and it exposed that Perry isn’t ready for that level of competition just yet.

Official Result: Alan Jouban def. Mike Perry by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

> Urijah Faber (#7, 33-10, 9-6 UFC) vs. Brad Pickett (25-12, 5-7 UFC)
Bantamweights

Faber was getting in-and-out of the pocket early and landed a big right hand on Pickett. They went to grapple and Pickett got a takedown. They got to their feet and Faber dropped Pickett with a big left hand and the crowd came unglued. Faber was landing punches and took the back and was landing punch after punch and this fight could’ve been stopped. Faber went for a rear-naked choke but switched to mount and was landing elbows. He went back to the back and Pickett is cut open pretty big. Pickett somehow survived the round but a huge 10-8 round for Faber.

Huge chants for Faber from the crowd. They were trading on the feet and Faber scored a takedown. Faber was working for the top and went for a guillotine choke but Pickett escaped to his feet. Faber got a late takedown. Another good round showing from Faber. 10-9 Faber in the second and him up 20-17.

Faber got an early takedown and was working in the guard of Pickett. They got to their feet and Faber scored another takedown. Faber went for another guillotine but Pickett blocked it and Faber ended in side control. They got to their feet and Pickett dropped Faber with a punch but Faber got right back up. It was actually a punch to the shoulder. Faber landed a knee to the body of Pickett. The crowd got loud for the last twenty seconds and exploded at the end of the fight. A great showing from Faber in his last fight. 10-9 Faber in the third, 30-26 Faber overall.

All three judges had it the same for Faber. He gave a speech and thanked everyone for supporting him on his amazing career and said he was ready to move forward.

Official Result: Urijah Faber def. Brad Pickett by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)

> Sage Northcutt (8-1, 3-1 UFC) vs. Mickey Gall (3-0, 2-0 UFC)
Welterweights

Gall got an early takedown. Neither was doing much on the ground and Northcutt tried to explode out from the bottom but Gall had a guillotine locked in. Northcutt was able to escape and had the top position. Northcutt landed a big hammerfist and they started talking trash to each other as Gall wanted him on the ground and Northcutt wanted him standing. Gall got another takedown. Northcutt is a really bad MMA wrestler. Gall’s takedowns got him the round 10-9.

Northcutt knocked Gall down with a left hand in the opening moments of round two. Gall is bleeding but he dropped Northcutt with a big right hand. Gall took the back and was looking for the choke. He got it locked in and Northcutt tapped out! Gall wins by submission with a rear-naked choke and improves to 4-0 in his career.

Gall said post-fight that he is dropping to 155 pounds and called out Dan Hardy for a fight if Hardy decides to return to fighting.

Official Result: Mickey Gall def. Sage Northcutt by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:40 of Round 2

> Paige VanZant (#7, 7-2, 4-1 UFC) vs. Michelle Waterson (#11, 13-4, 1-0 UFC)
Women’s Strawweights

They were each landing side kicks and some winging punches before going to a clinch. Waterson got a head-and-arm throw takedown and took the back of VanZant. Waterson has a rear-naked choke locked in and is looking to finish. VanZant is fighting it very hard but it is in very deep. VanZant goes out! Waterson submits VanZant in the opening round, VanZant went out cold and didn’t tap out.

Official Result: Michelle Waterson def. Paige VanZant by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:21 of Round 1