UFC on ESPN 53 live results: Amanda Ribas vs. Rose Namajunas

The Octagon returns to the UFC Apex in Las Vegas for the UFC’s first ESPN main card of the year: UFC on ESPN 53.

The main event is a five-round battle in the women’s flyweight division as Amanda Ribas competes in her first main event against former two-time UFC women’s strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas. Ribas is looking to score her second straight win while Namajunas looks to end a two-fight losing skid.

In the co-main event, it will be a battle of heavyweights as Karl Williams battles Justin Tafa. 

Also on the main card is a middleweight bout between Edmen Shahbazyan and AJ Dobson; a battle of bantamweight prospects as Payton Talbott squares off against Cameron Saaiman; and a featherweight fight pitting Billy Quarantillo against Youssef Zalal.

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> Heavyweights- Mohammad Usman (10-2, 3-0 UFC) vs. Mick Parkin (8-0, 2-0 UFC)

Parkin with some leg kicks as he lands the jab while Usman lands some right hands to the body. Parkin lands a right hand. Parkin with a nice calf kick. Usman lands a right hand and is teeing off on Parkin against the fence. Parkin is able to circle away. Parkin lands a calf kick. He lands another. Parkin with an inside leg kick. Usman lands a right hand. Parkin with a pair of leg kicks. Usman lands a big right hand. Parkin comes forward but eats some right hands from Usman. Parkin lands a right hand. 10-9 Usman.

Usman working the jab to start the second. Parkin lands a jab then a leg kick. Usman lands a calf kick. Parkin lands a solid left hand. Usman lands a right hand. Parkin landing leg kicks to keep Usman from landing. Usman lands a right hand to the body. Both land right hands and Parkin lands a leg kick. They both land right hands again. Usman with a stiff jab. Parkin with a body kick. Usman lands a right hook. Parkin with a calf kick. Usman with a right hand that Parkin partially blocks. 10-9 Parkin, 19-19.

They trade right hands. Parkin lands a right hand. Usman with a jab to the body. Parkin lands a combo. Parkin with a leg kick. Usman misses a right hand. He misses again as Parkin circles away, but then lands a jab. Parkin with an inside leg kick. Parkin with a hard leg kick. Parkin lands a jab. They trade right hands. Parkin with a leg kick. Usman with a right hand. Parkin with an inside leg kick. Parkin hurts Usman with a leg kick, but Usman fires back with some hard right hands. Parkin lands a right hand. Usman lands a combo. Usman lands another combo. Parkin with a leg kick as they trade late. Close fight. 10-9 Parkin, 29-28 Parkin.

Official Result- Mick Parkin def. Mohammed Usman by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Flyweights- Igor Severino (8-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Andre Lima (7-0, 0-0 UFC)

Lima with a leg kick. Lima with a combo ending with a leg kick. Severino lands a knee to the body. He grabs the leg of Lima and scores a takedown. They get to their feet right away as Severino tries to get the back. Severino gets it down and looks for the neck. Lima gets out and to his feet. Lima lands a knee against the fence. Lima grabs the neck and locks in a guillotine choke as they go to the mat, but Severino slips his head out. Lima looking to sweep with an omaplata. Lima grabbed the fence. Severino gets out and they get to the feet. Severino lands a knee as they break. They trade jabs. Severino with a hard leg kick. Lima lands a big step-in elbow. Lima throwing hard. Severino lands a right hand. Lima lands a pair of left hands then a right hand to the body. Severino with a pair of hard leg kicks. Both land an elbow. Lima slips and they scramble to their feet. Severino gets a late takedown. 10-9 Severino.

Lima lands a right hand. Severino with a hard leg kick and Lima lands a right hand. Severino with a leg kick. Severino lands a right hand. Lima with a right hand. Severino with a big knee. Lima lands a jab and an elbow. Severino gets a takedown and worked from the top. They scramble up and Lima grabs the fence and a timeout is called. Lima claims he got bit by Severino and they’re reviewing it. The fight is stopped after the review and we are going to have a disqualification.

Official Result- Andre Lima def. Igor Severino by disqualification (biting) at 2:52 of Round 2

> Women’s Bantamweights- Montserrat Rendon (6-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Dariya Zheleznyakova (8-1, 0-0 UFC)

Zheleznyakova lands a right hand. They trade and Rendon grabs the body and scores a takedown. They get to their feet and remain clinched before breaking. They trade jabs. Rendon grabs the clinch and pushes it against the fence. Rendon trips it to the mat. 10-9 Rendon.

They’re trading to start the second. They clinch against the fence before breaking. Rendon lands a combo as Zheleznyakova is working the jab and left hand. Zheleznyakova lands a right hand. Rendon lands a right hand and then another. Rendon pushes it against the fence trying for the takedown but Zheleznyakova grabs the fence to block it. Rendon gets it down for a moment but they get up. 10-9 Rendon, 20-18 Rendon.

Zheleznyakova lands a jab. They trade punches before Rendon initiates the clinch against the fence. Rendon is trying to get it down as she’s pressuring. Rendon still landing in the clinch and lands as they break. Zheleznyakova with a left hand and then lands another. Rendon lands a spinning back fist. 10-9 Rendon, 30-27 Rendon.

Official Result- Dariya Zheleznyakova def. Montserrat Rendon by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Featherweights- Jarno Errens (13-5-1, 0-2 UFC) vs. Steven Nguyen (9-1, 0-0 UFC)

Nguyen lands some calf kicks then a teet kick. They trade hard kicks. They trade jabs. Errens tries a high kick but Nguyen grabs the leg and gets it down and lands from the top. They get to their feet. Errens lands a right hand to the body then the chin of Nguyen. Errens with a right hand to the body then lands an uppercut. Errens lands a right hand as Nguyen landed a left hand. Errens with a leg kick. Errens lands an uppercut then a right hand. Errens with a leg kick. Errens with a right hand to the body then an uppercut. Errens lands a combo and a right hand to the body followed by a leg kick. Nguyen lands a leg kick. 10-9 Errens.

They trade combinations to start the second. Nguyen lands some hard punches and Errens is bleeding. Errens lands a leg kick as Nguyen lands a left hand. Errens lands a side kick to the upper body of Nguyen. Errens with a leg kick. Errens with a big combination. They continue to trade evenly. Errens knocks Nguyen down with a right hand and starts teeing off as Nguyen stands and they make it to the end of the round. 10-9 Errens, 20-18 Errens.

Nguyen lands a right hand then a jab. Errens lands a right hand. He lands another. Nguyen lands a right hand and Errens goes to the mat. Nguyen gets on top and lands but Errens is able to grab him and force them up. Nguyen lands a left hand. Errens with a leg kick. Nguyen lands a leg kick. Errens lands a left hand and Nguyen goes to his knees for a moment but gets up. They tie up and go to the mat for a second but get up and separate. They trade hard punches. Errens lands an uppercut then a jab. Both men are bleeding everywhere. Fun fight. 10-9 Errens, 30-27 Errens.

Official Result- Jarno Errens def. Steven Nguyen by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Bantamweights- Miles Johns (13-2 1 NC, 4-2 UFC 1 NC) vs. Cody Gibson (19-9, 1-4 UFC)

Johns lands a leg kick. Gibson lands a jab. Gibson lands a right hand. Gibson with an inside leg kick. Gibson grabs a leg but lets go. Johns lands a combination. Gibson grabs the clinch and lands a knee but they separate. They go to the ground and Johns is inside the guard of Gibson. Johns is landing to the body from the top and lands an elbow as Gibson is trying to throw his legs up. Gibson gives up his back as they stand. Johns gets it down and lands a left hand. Johns with some right hands against the fence. Gibson tries to throw a knee but Johns lands a left hand and Gibson falls down for a moment. 10-9 Johns.

Gibson lands a body kick. Gibson grabs a leg and Johns is landing right hands to defend. Gibson gets it down for a moment and has the back as they stand. Gibson with some knees to the body. They separate. Johns lands a right hand. Gibson looks for a takedown as he has a leg and Johns is landing right hands to defend. Gibson gets it down and has the back and gets the hooks in. Gibson is looking to lock in a choke. Johns is able to spin to the top. They get to their feet and Johns pushes it against the fence. Johns lands as they break. Johns lands two big right hands. Johns gets Gibson down to the mat. Johns lands some punches as he gets to the feet. 10-9 Johns, 20-18 Johns.

Johns lands a jab. Johns with a right hand then a jab. Johns looking for a takedown as they’re against the fence. They separate. Johns lands a combo. Gibson misses a right hand as Johns ducks under and looks for a takedown against the fence. Gibson is landing elbows to defend. Johns lands a combo as they separate. They trade jabs. Gibson lands a knee then a body kick. Gibson with a leg kick. Johns grabs the leg and is able to score a takedown. They trade late. 10-9 Johns, 30-27 Johns.

Official Result- Miles Johns def. Cody Gibson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Featherweights- Ricardo Ramos (16-5, 7-4 UFC) vs. Julian Erosa (28-11, 6-7 UFC)

Ramos lands a body kick then a leg kick. Erosa with a push kick. Ramos lands a jab then a right hand. Ramos hurts Erosa with a right hand then lands a flying knee followed by some punches. They clinch and Ramos gets a big takedown. He lands from the top inside the guard of Erosa. Ramos lands and Erosa pushes him off as they get to their feet. Erosa lands a spinning elbow and Ramos gets a takedown. Erosa grabs the neck and locks in a guillotine choke and Ramos taps! What a finish by Erosa after getting hurt.

Official Result- Julian Erosa def. Ricardo Ramos by submission (guillotine choke) at 2:15 of Round 1

> Lightweights- Kurt Holobaugh (20-7 1 NC, 1-4 UFC) vs. Trey Ogden (16-6 1 NC, 1-2 1 NC UFC)

Ogden lands a left hook as Holobaugh lands a leg kick. Ogden with a jab. Holobaugh lands a right hand to the body. Holobaugh with a combo but Ogden is able to score a takedown. Ogden working from inside the full guard of Holobaugh as he lands some right hands. Ogden continuing to land from the top as he has Holobaugh pinned to the mat. Ogden still landing from the top as Holobaugh lands some from the bottom. 10-9 Ogden.

They trade leg kicks. Ogden lands a question mark kick to the body. Holobaugh with a body kick then a combination. Ogden with some leg kicks as he lands some jabs. Holobaugh with a leg kick. Holobaugh lands a combo. Ogden with a body kick. They trade jabs. Ogden with a left hook. Holobaugh lands a right hand. Holobaugh with a leg kick. Ogden lands a leg kick. Holobaugh with a combo. Ogden sweeps the leg to get the takedown. Ogden working from the half-guard. Ogden with some shoulder strikes. Ogden with right hands from the top. Holobaugh is covering up. Ogden with more pressure and landing from the top. 10-9 Ogden, 20-18 Ogden.

They trade leg kicks. Ogden gets a takedown and starts landing from the half-guard. Ogden mixing punches to the body and head on the mat. Ogden pressuring from the top. He lands more short punches to the body. Ogden in the full mount as he continues to land. Holobaugh landing to the body from the bottom. Ogden trying to find a choke from the top. 10-9 Ogden, 30-27 Ogden.

Official Result- Trey Ogden def. Kurt Holobaugh by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

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> Featherweights- Fernando Padilla (15-5, 1-1 UFC) vs. Luis Pajuelo (8-1, 0-0 UFC)

Pajuelo with a quick leg kick. Padilla lands a leg kick. He lands another. Padilla with a combo ending with a front kick. Pajuelo lands a right hand to the body. Padilla with a leg kick. Padilla lands a body kick. Padilla lands a body kick. Pajuelo with a hard leg kick then a right hand. Padilla drops Pajuelo with a left hand and starts landing from the top. He lands and they scramble up. Padilla has the neck with a standing D’Arce choke locked in tight and Pajuelo taps! What a finish from Padilla.

Official Result- Fernando Padilla def. Luis Pajuelo by submission (D’Arce choke) at 2:45 of Round 1

> Featherweights- Billy Quarantillo (18-5, 6-3 UFC) vs. Youssef Zalal (13-5-1, 3-3-1 UFC)

Quarantillo lands a leg kick. Zalal with a leg kick. Zalal lands a leg kick. Zalal lands a series of kicks. Quarantillo with a leg kick and they trade punches. Zalal with the jab. They trade leg kicks and jabs. Zalal with a step in knee to the body. Zalal lands a leg kick. Zalal with a combination and lands a right hand. Zalal snapping the jab twice. They clinch against the fence. They separate and Quarantillo with a leg kick. Zalal with a body kick that hurts Quarantillo. Zalal lands a right hand and then a knee. Zalal gets a takedown and is working in the guard of Quarantillo. Zalal with a right hand from the top. He gets the back of Quarantillo and has the body triangle locked in. He locks in a rear-naked choke and it is around the chin. Quarantillo gets free and survives the round. 10-9 Zalal.

Zalal with a leg kick as Quarantillo lands a left hand. Quarantillo lands a right hand. Zalal with a sweep takedown. He lands from the top. Zalal has the back as they stand but they go right back down and Zalal keeps back control. Zalal looking for a choke and has it in and Quarantillo taps! What a showing from Zalal!

Official Result- Youssef Zalal def. Billy Quarantillo by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:50 of Round 2

> Bantamweights- Payton Talbott (7-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Cameron Saaiman (9-1, 3-1 UFC)

Saaiman with a leg kick. Saaiman with a high kick that Talbott blocks but he lands a leg kick. They trade body kicks and Saaiman lands a leg kick. Saaiman with a combo and Talbott lands a big combination. Talbott lands a punch that wobbles Saaiman. Talbott lands a step-in knee that puts Saaiman down and he lands punches. Saaiman stands and Talbott is landing lots of hard punches. Talbott still has Saaiman hurt. Saaiman tries a takedown but Talbott defends. Talbott lands a head kick. Talbott with a body kick. They trade stiff jabs. Talbott with a body kick. Talbott with a high kick and Saaiman lands a spin kick to the body. We have a timeout for a groin strike. They get back to action and both land. Talbott with a combo. Saaiman with a body kick as Talbott lands a knee and right hand. 10-9 Talbott.

Talbott drops Saaiman right away with a right hand and starts teeing off from the top. Talbott landing lots of punches and he gets the stoppage. What a showing from Talbott!

Official Result- Payton Talbott def. Cameron Saaiman by TKO (punches) at :21 of Round 2

> Middleweights- Edmen Shahbazyan (12-4, 5-4 UFC) vs. AJ Dobson (7-2 1 NC, 1-2 UFC)

Shahbazyan with a leg kick and Dobson snaps off a pair of fast combinations. Shahbazyan attacks the legs as Dobson continues to throw fast hands. They trade leg kicks. Shahbazyan with some left hands as Dobson counters with a right. They exchange short leg kicks. Shahbazyan with a jab and Dobson hurts him with a right hand and some follow-up shots. Shahbazyan looks for a takedown but Dobson defends and lands a knee. They trade hard shots and Shahbazyan gets a takedown. Dobson explodes up and Shahbazyan has the back and they scramble with Dobson ending up on top on the mat. Shahbazyan with an elbow from the bottom. Dobson with left hands from the top. Shahbazyan with more elbows from his back. They stand and are clinched against the fence. Shahbazyan reverses position. They separate. They trade and Shahbazyan hurts Dobson with a left hand. Dobson slips to the mat and Shahbazyan starts landing punches and elbows from the top. Lots of shots from Shahbazyan and it is stopped! What a finish from Shahbazyan!

Official Result- Edmen Shahbazyan def. AJ Dobson by knockout (strikes) at 4:33 of Round 1

> Heavyweights- Karl Williams (9-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Justin Tafa (7-3 1 NC, 4-3 1 NC UFC)

Williams lands a right hand. Tafa lands a hard body kick. Williams with a right hand. They land hard punches in the pocket and Tafa has Williams hurt. Tafa rushes in and lands a knee but it allows Williams to score a takedown. Williams with a big elbow from the top and lands a couple more. Tafa gets to his feet and Williams still has him pushed against the fence. Williams gets it back down and lands a big hammerfist. Williams has the back. They get to their feet. Williams with some knees. Williams gets it back down for a moment and still has the back as they stand back up. Williams drags it back down with a single leg. Williams with shots from the top and Tafa lands an illegal upkick that Herb Dean only gives a warning about. Williams with left hands from the top. 10-9 Williams.

Tafa misses a body kick as Williams lands a right hand. Williams lands a jab. Williams with a body kick. Tafa with a hard body kick. Williams lands a combo. He lands another. Williams with a combination. Tafa lands a left hand. Williams looks for a takedown but Tafa defends and lands a left hand. Tafa with another left hand. Tafa gets off balance with a head kick attempt and Williams scores a takedown. Williams with some big left hands from the top. Williams with more punches from the top. 10-9 Williams, 20-18 Williams.

Williams lands a right hand and Tafa cracks him with a left hand. Williams tries a takedown but Tafa defends and lands. Williams is able to get a takedown. They’re just laying there as Williams is trying to improve and Tafa is just doing nothing. They get to their feet as Williams still has the back. Williams lands a knee as they break. Williams gets it back to the mat and lands from the top as the fight ends. 10-9 Williams, 30-27 Williams.

Official Result- Karl Williams def. Justin Tafa by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

> Women’s Flyweights- #8 Amanda Ribas (12-4, 7-3 UFC) vs. Rose Namajunas (11-6, 9-5 UFC)

Namajunas lands a right hand. Ribas with an inside leg kick. Namajunas with a left hand. Ribas with a spin kick to the body. Ribas lands a right hand after they break a brief clinch attempt. Namajunas with a pair of left hands. She lands another. Ribas with a body kick. Ribas lands an overhand right. Namajunas with a right hand then a jab. Ribas with another spin kick. Ribas gets a takedown but they get right back up. Namajunas with some knees as they’re tied up. They separate. Both land big punches as Ribas lands a right and Namajunas lands a left. Ribas gets a takedown but Namajunas rolls through and is in side control. Both landing on the mat. Namajunas ends the round on top. 10-9 Namajunas.

Ribas with a body kick. Namajunas lands a left hand. Namajunas lands a right hand. Ribas lands a left hand followed by a leg kick. Namajunas with a left hand. She lands another. Namajunas lands a right hand. Namajunas gets a brief takedown. Ribas looks for a kneebar as they scramble to the mat but Namajunas escapes. They scramble and Namajunas ends up on top. Namajunas working inside the guard of Ribas. Namajunas ends the round on top. 10-9 Namajunas, 20-18 Namajunas.

They trade leg kicks. Ribas with a high kick. Namajunas lands a leg kick then a right hand. Namajunas with a body kick and they trade punches. Namajunas lands a right hand. Ribas with a leg kick. They clinch and Namajunas with a pair of knees before they break. They trade right hands. Namajunas with a left hand. Namajunas with a pair of right hands. Ribas misses some spin attacks but lands a right hand. Ribas scores a takedown. Namajunas gets right up and they scramble back down but right back up. Namajunas pushes it against the fence. Ribas gets a takedown as she sweeps the leg and lands some right hands. Ribas ends up in the half-guard of Namajunas. Ribas with some elbows from the top. Ribas takes the back at the end. 10-9 Ribas, 29-28 Namajunas.

Ribas with a leg kick as Namajunas lands a left hand. Namajunas with a combo. Ribas with a leg kick. Namajunas lands a right hand and Ribas lands a combo. They trade inside the pocket. Ribas with a leg kick. Namajunas lands a left hand. Namajunas with a right hand. Namajunas tries a takedown and Ribas rolls for a leg but it allows Namajunas to get on top. Namajunas with some body punches from inside the guard of Ribas. Namajunas still on top and staying active. Ribas is looking for a potential triangle choke and lands a pair of elbows. Namajunas continues to land from the top. 10-9 Namajunas, 39-37 Namajunas.

Ribas with some leg kicks and Namajunas lands a left hand. Ribas lands a right hand and Namajunas lands a left hand. Namajunas with a counter right hand. They’re trading punches in close range. Namajunas with a spin kick then a leg kick. Namajunas with a left hand. Ribas landing more here in the fifth. Ribas with a spin kick. Ribas with another spin kick to the body. They trade body kicks. They trade jabs. Ribas with a leg kick as Namajunas lands a right hand. Namajunas lands a right hand. Ribas lands a right hand. 10-9 Ribas, 48-47 Namajunas.

Official Result- Rose Namajunas def. Amanda Ribas by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)