UFC on ESPN 48 live results: Sean Strickland vs. Abus Magomedov

In the headliner of tonight’s UFC on ESPN 48 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Sean Strickland looks to score his second straight win when he welcomes the challenge of Abus Magomedov. Strickland is looking to score his second straight win while Magomedov, only in his second UFC fight, is in search of his 26th professional win and fourth straight overall.

The co-main event sees a battle of ranked lightweights as Damir Ismagulov takes on Grant Dawson. Also on the main card is a welterweight clash between Max Griffin and undefeated Michael Morales and a women’s flyweight bout between Ariane Lipski and Melissa Gatto. Capping off the prelims is the UFC return of former title challenger Kevin Lee.

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> Heavyweights- #14 Alexandr Romanov (16-2, 5-2 UFC) vs. #15 Blagoy Ivanov (19-5 1 NC, 3-4 UFC)

They’re circling around for the first minute with neither throwing. Romanov lands a left hand. Ivanov lands a right hand to the body and Romanov counters with a body kick. They both land in close range as Ivanov lands a solid combo. Romanov lands a leg kick. Romanov lands a knee to the body. He lands another as Ivanov lands a counter combo. Romanov lands a combo. They clinch as the round ends. 10-9 Romanov.

Ivanov lands a right hook. They trade jabs as Ivanov lands a clean one. Romanov scores with a leg kick. Romanov landing with more volume inside the first two minutes of the round here. Romanov lands a leg kick. They trade punches and Romanov lands a left as they clinch and lands a knee on the break. They clinch back up against the fence. Romanov gets the takedown and is in the half-guard. Romanov with big shots to end the round. 10-9 Romanov, 20-18 Romanov.

They’re trading to start the third and both are landing. Romanov lands a straight left hand. They clinch and Romanov pushes it against the fence. They separate and Romanov lands some leg kicks then a combo. Romanov lands a knee to the body. Romanov lands a big left hand as Ivanov fires back. They clinch and Romanov gets a big takedown late and ends the fight landing from the top. 10-9 Romanov, 30-27 Romanov.

Official Result- Alexandr Romanov def. Blagoy Ivanov by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Women’s Flyweights- Ivana Petrovic (6-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Luana Carolina (8-4, 3-3 UFC)

They trade kicks to start. Petrovic lands some punches. They clinch against the fence as Petrovic went for a takedown but Carolina defended. Carolina was landing more in the clinch before they went to the ground. Petrovic looks for the leg and is in search of a kneebar. Carolina was defending at the end as Petrovic was on the attack. Close round. 10-9 Carolina.

Carolina lands a jab. They trade and Carolina pushes it against the fence and they’re battling against the fence. Carolina lands a lot of knees. They trade as they break. Carolina lands a high kick. She lands a combo then a head kick. Petrovic lands a couple of big left hands. They clinch back up and Carolina lands some knees against the fence. Petrovic gets a late takedown. 10-9 Carolina, 20-18 Carolina.

Carolina lands some knees in an early clinch before they break. Carolina lands a combo. Petrovic looks for a takedown as she pushes it against the fence. Petrovic tried the takedown but Carolina reversed and gets top position. Carolina lands several punches from the top before they scramble up. They go back to the mat and Petrovic is on top and landing from inside of Carolina’s guard. Petrovic looks for the leg and is trying for a heel hook. Carolina escapes and lands some punches and they trade as they get to their feet late. 10-9 Petrovic, 29-28 Carolina.

Official Result- Luana Carolina def. Ivana Petrovic by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Lightweights- Guram Kutateladze (12-3, 1-1 UFC) vs. Elves Brener (14-3, 1-0 UFC)

Kutateladze lands a body kick then a left hand to the body. Brener lands a leg kick. Brener scores a takedown and is in the guard of Kutateladze. Kutateladze tries to throw up his legs for a triangle choke but Brener defended. They get to their feet and separate. Kutateladze lands a leg kick as Brener lands a combination. Kutateladze lands a right hand. Kutateladze lands a front kick. Brener slips but Kutateladze lets him back up and Brener scores a takedown. They get to their feet and Kutateladze pushes it against the fence and hurts Brener with some elbows and punches and swarms on him late but Brener makes it to the end. 10-9 Kutateladze.

Kutateladze lands a leg kick then a big knee. Brener tries for a takedown but Kutateladze ends up defending and lands big elbows from the top. Brener has a cut opened up. They get to their feet. Kutateladze lands a big left hook. Brener lands a nice combo. Kutateladze shoots for a takedown but Brener defends. Kutateladze lands a combo. Brener is bleeding heavily. They trade before clinching. Kutateladze lands as they break and he throws Brener to the mat. Kutateladze gets on top and is working inside the guard and both are landing. Kutateladze stands late. 10-9 Kutateladze, 20-18 Kutateladze.

Brener lands a combo to the body. Brener lands a big combination that backs Kutateladze up. They tie up against the fence. They break and Brener is landing big flurries as Kutateladze is backing up. Brener appears to be the fresher fighter despite bleeding all over. Kutateladze lands a combo. Brener lands and they tie up. Kutateladze tried a takedown but Brener kept it on the feet. They separate and Brener rocks Kutateladze and Kutateladze ends up going to his knees and Brener finishes it off with some follow-up punches. Huge win and comeback from Brener!

Official Result- Elves Brener def. Guram Kutateladze by TKO (punches) at 3:17 of Round 3

> Women’s Featherweights- #6 Yana Santos (14-7 1 NC, 4-4 UFC) vs. #9 Karol Rosa (16-5, 5-2 UFC)

They’re trading to start and clinch. Rosa lands some knees and Santos lands some elbows as they break. They clinch back up and Rosa lands more knees but eats an elbow from Santos as she lets go. They clinch against the fence as Santos is landing knees to the thighs of Rosa. They remain clinched up and both are landing. Rosa lands an elbow and reverses position. They separate and Santos lands a leg kick. Santos with a body kick. Santos lands a combo before they clinch. They separate. Rosa lands a right hand. They trade late. 10-9 Santos.

Rosa lands a combo then to the body and they tie up against the fence. They break. Santos has the advantage. They trade knees against the fence before they separate. They both land combos inside the pocket. Santos lands an axe kick. Santos lands a jab as Rosa lands a right hand. They continue to trade with Santos landing with more volume as she’s landing front kicks. Rosa lands a right hand as they clinch. Close round. 10-9 Rosa, 19-19.

Santos lands a leg kick then Rosa lands a combo and pushes it against the fence. They circle away. Rosa lands a body kick. Santos lands a leg kick. Santos lands a body kick and Rosa lands a right hand. Rosa lands a jab and some leg kicks. Rosa lands a right hand. Santos lands a leg kick. Rosa lands a combo. Santos lands a leg kick. Rosa lands a combo and they trade kicks. Rosa lands a right hand. They trade leg kicks. They clinch and Santos lands a left hand as they break. They trade kicks. Rosa lands a combination and scores a takedown. Rosa lands a couple of elbows from the top and lands to end the fight. 10-9 Rosa, 29-28 Rosa.

Official Result- Karol Rosa def. Yana Santos by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Featherweights- Joanderson Brito (14-3-1, 2-1 UFC) vs. Westin Wilson (16-7, 0-0 UFC)

Wilson lands a body kick. Brito lands a right hand. Wilson lands a body kick but eats a big combo from Brito that hurt him. They clinch and Wilson recovers but Brito is pressuring. Brito lands a knee to the body and scores a takedown. Brito lands an elbow and is in side control. They get to their feet and Wilson is attacking the leg as Brito is grabbing the fence and gets warned. Brito lands some punches from the top but Wilson is still looking for the kneebar. Brito lands some big punches from the top and is teeing off and it is stopped. Big finish from Brito!

Official Result- Joanderson Brito def. Westin Wilson by knockout (punches) at 2:54 of Round 1

> Welterweights- Kevin Lee (19-7, 11-7 UFC) vs. Rinat Fakhretdinov (21-2, 2-0 UFC)

Fakhretdinov lands a body kick then a jab. Fakhretdinov lands a right hand. Fakhretdinov lands a snap jab. Fakhretdinov drops Lee with a right hand and attacks the neck. He has a guillotine choke locked in and Lee goes out cold! What a finish from Fakhretdinov.

Official Result- Rinat Fakhretdinov def. Kevin Lee by submission (guillotine choke) at :55 of Round 1

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> Middleweights- Brunno Ferreira (10-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Nursulton Ruziboev (34-8-2, 0-0 UFC)

They trade leg kicks inside the first minute. Ruziboev lands a combo. Ferreira lands a leg kick and Ruziboev drops him with a right hand and lands some follow-up shots to end it. What a debut and finish from Ruziboev!

Official Result- Nursulton Ruziboev def. Brunno Ferreira by knockout (punches) at 1:17 of Round 1

> Lightweights- Ismael Bonfim (19-3, 1-0 UFC) vs. Benoit Saint-Denis (10-1 1 NC, 2-1 UFC)

Saint-Denis lands a body kick but Bonfim counters with a right hand. They’re both landing now as Saint-Denis is landing kicks. Saint-Denis with more body kicks. He lands more. Saint-Denis gets a takedown and gets right into the mount and is landing punches from the top. Bonfim reverses and they stand. Saint-Denis lands a body kick. Bonfim lands a leg kick then a left hand. Bonfim lands a combo with a knee and Saint-Denis looks for a takedown. Bonfim defends by landing some elbows. They break and Saint-Denis lands another body kick. Saint-Denis has the body lock and is looking for a takedown. It goes to the mat and Saint-Denis is looking for the back as he lands right hands. He gets the back and is looking for a choke. He has it across the chin and is squeezing and Bonfim taps! Big submission win from Saint-Denis!

Official Result- Benoit Saint-Denis def. Ismael Bonfim by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:48 of Round 1

> Women’s Flyweights- Ariane Lipski (15-8, 4-5 UFC) vs. Melissa Gatto (8-1-2, 2-1 UFC)

They’re circling around for the first few moments. Lipski lands a jab. Lipski lands a body kick. They trade leg kicks. Gatto lands to the body. They trade kicks. Gatto lands a right hand as Lipski lands a low kick. Lipski lands a leg kick then a right hand. Both connect in close range. Lipski lands a leg kick and Gatto grabs the body lock and pushes it against the fence. 10-9 Gatto.

Gatto lands some kicks to start the second then a knee to the body. Gatto lands a right hand. Lipski lands a leg kick. She lands another. She lands a body kick but Gatto catches it and pushes Lipski against the fence. Gatto lands some knees in the clinch. Lipski gets a takedown but they get right up. They remain tied up against the fence and Gatto lands a knee. Lipski now controlling as they trade knees. They separate and Gatto lands a combo. Lipski lands a combo. Lipski lands a leg kick then an uppercut. Gatto lands a right hand. They trade punches. They clinch late. 10-9 Gatto, 20-18 Gatto.

They trade kicks to start the third. Gatto lands a right hand. Lipski lands a big combination and Gatto tries for a takedown but Lipski defends. They exchange jabs. Lipski lands a body kick. Gatto lands a double jab but eats a counter combo from Lipski. Gatto lands a nice right hand but Lipski counters back with a combo. Gatto tries for a takedown and has the back against the fence. They go to the mat and Lipski is inside the guard of Gatto. They get to their feet and both land. Lipski lands a body kick. Lipski with a body kick. 10-9 Lipski, 29-28 Gatto.

Official Result- Ariane Lipski def. Melissa Gatto by split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)

> Welterweights- Max Griffin (19-9, 7-7 UFC) vs. Michael Morales (14-0, 2-0 UFC)

They’re trading right away and Morales lands a leg kick. Morales lands a hard jab. Morales with an inside leg kick. Griffin scores with a leg kick. Morales lands a jumping knee. Griffin lands a right hand and pushes it against the fence looking for a takedown. They’re battling in the clinch and Morales lands a knee. They separate. Morales lands a right hand. 10-9 Griffin.

Morales lands a double jab then a hard right hand. He lands another big right hand and Griffin is running away. Griffin lands a right hand. They trade punches. Morales lands a jab. Griffin lands a body kick as Morales lands a right hand. Griffin lands a leg kick. Morales lands and Griffin ducks under looking for a takedown but Morales defends. Griffin lands a jab. Griffin lands a right hand. Morales lands a combo. Morales lands a couple of big right hands and we have a timeout for a groin strike. They get back to action. Morales lands a jab then a high body kick. They swing late. 10-9 Morales, 19-19.

Griffin lands a left hook. They trade big punches. Morales lands a jab. Griffin shoots for a takedown but Morales defends and then Morales lands some big punches against the fence. Griffin grabs the body and has the back as he pushes Morales against the fence. Morales is able to switch and he has the back of Griffin. They separate. Morales lands a jab. They go against the fence but break and Morales lands a right hand. Morales lands a big knee. Morales lands a leg kick and Griffin falls down but stands up. Griffin coming forward and trying to land and Morales gets a late takedown and ends the fight on top. 10-9 Morales, 29-28 Morales.

Official Result- Michael Morales def. Max Griffin by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Lightweights- #12 Damir Ismagulov (24-2, 5-1 UFC) vs. #15 Grant Dawson (19-1-1, 7-0-1 UFC)

Dawson lands a leg kick. Ismagulov lands a right hand. Dawson tries a takedown and grabs the single leg and is able to get Ismagulov to the mat. Dawson gets the back and is working for a choke. Dawson is landing punches from the back as he has the body triangle locked in. Dawson is still working for the neck as he has complete back control. He now lands some punches and is pounding away. Dawson with more right hands and hammerfists. 10-8 Dawson.

They trade punches to start the second. Ismagulov lands a left hand then a right hand. Ismagulov lands a nice left hand. Dawson ducks under an Ismagulov punch and scores a takedown. Dawson gets the back and is working to get the body triangle locked in. He has it locked in and is landing punches from the back. Dawson looking for a choke as he is over the chin. He lets go and has control as the round ends. 10-9 Dawson, 20-17 Dawson.

Dawson gets a takedown early in the third and has the back with the body triangle locked in. Dawson is in complete control from the back. He looked for a full nelson but decided to just land punches. Dawson is looking for a choke but quickly let go. Dawson just keeps holding on and there isn’t a ton of action going on. They have a ground flurry as the fight ends. 10-9 Dawson, 30-26 Dawson.

Official Result- Grant Dawson def. Damir Ismagulov by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

> Middleweights- #7 Sean Strickland (26-5, 13-5 UFC) vs. Abus Magomedov (25-4-1, 1-0 UFC)

Magomedov landing some low kicks early. Magomedov lands a left hand then a body kick. We have a timeout for an eye poke. They get back to action and Magomedov lands some kicks. Strickland lands a jab as Magomedov lands a leg kick. He lands another. Magomedov landing more as Strickland isn’t doing a lot of offense. Magomedov lands two left hands and a body kick. Strickland lands a jab. Magomedov lands a leg kick. He lands another heavy one. Magomedov lands to the body. Magomedov lands a couple of body kicks then a head kick. Magomedov looks for a takedown and gets it. Magomedov quickly jumps on the back. They scramble up. They separate and Strickland lands a right hand. Strickland lands another right hand. 10-9 Magomedov.

Magomedov lands a leg kick. Strickland lands a jab. He lands a right hand. Magomedov is backing up and Strickland lands a flurry. Strickland lands a combo. They trade punches. Strickland lands a combo and Magomedov is circling away. Strickland lands a combo. He lands another pair of combinations. Magomedov is firing back but Strickland is eating him up with punches. Magomedov is fading badly here. Strickland with a big combination. Strickland with a huge flurry of punches and Magomedov lands a left hook and to the body. Strickland with another flurry and Magomedov is covering up. Strickland is landing and Magomedov is gassed out. Strickland drops Magomedov with some punches and gets on top. He’s landing big right hands and it is finally stopped by Mark Smith. What a finish from Strickland!

Official Result- Sean Strickland def. Abus Magomedov by TKO (punches) at 4:20 of Round 2