UFC on ESPN 55 live results: Matheus Nicolau vs. Alex Perez

After a week off following the historic UFC 300, action inside the Octagon is back with UFC on ESPN 55 from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Headlining is a five-round battle between top ten flyweights as Matheus Nicolau and Alex Perez both look to get back into the win column. Nicolau is in his first UFC main event while Perez takes this fight on short notice as an injury replacement for Manel Kape. Perez is looking to end his three-fight losing skid.

Also on the main card is a light heavyweight battle between Ryan Spann and Bogdan Guskov; a women’s flyweight fight with win streaks on the line between Ariane Lipski and Karine Silva; a heavyweight bout pitting Austen Lane against the debuting Jhonata Diniz; and a featherweight bout between Jonathan Pearce and David Onama.

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> Lightweights- Gabriel Benitez (23-11, 7-7 UFC) vs. Maheshate (9-3, 1-2 UFC)

Benitez with a leg kick then another. He lands a body kick. Maheshate with a front kick then a high kick. They trade punches and Maheshate lands a high kick. Maheshate lands a left hand then a counter right hand. Benitez lands a left hand. Benitez with a high kick. He lands a hard leg kick. Maheshate with a right hand to the body. Benitez lands a left hand. He lands a left hand then a body kick, then Maheshate lands a body kick. Benitez with a hard leg kick. Benitez with a left hand. Maheshate lands a combo and Benitez tags him with a left hand. Maheshate lands a right hand. They trade kicks. Close round. 10-9 Benitez.

They trade body kicks. Benitez lands a left hand. Benitez with two inside leg kicks. They trade punches and Benitez lands a left hand. Benitez with a pair of left hands followed by a leg kick. Maheshate lands a body kick. They trade combos. Benitez lands in a brief clinch as Maheshate misses a knee, but Maheshate lands a body kick. Benitez with a leg kick and Maheshate lands a right hand. Maheshate with another pair of right hands. Benitez lands some more leg kicks and Maheshate lands a counter combination. Benitez with a hard leg kick. They trade in close range and Benitez lands a high kick. Maheshate landing with slightly more volume in this round. Maheshate with a leg kick and Benitez lands a nice left hand. Maheshate with a combo and lands late. Maheshate with a jumping knee. Another close round. 10-9 Maheshate, 19-19.

They trade punches and Maheshate with a body kick. Maheshate lands a knee to the body. Benitez lands a combo. They trade leg kicks. Benitez lands a left hand. He lads another. Maheshate with a right hand and Benitez lands a knee. Maheshate with a body kick. Benitez lands a pair of left hands. Maheshate lands a combo. Benitez with a hard leg kick and Maheshate lands a right hand. They trade body kicks. Benitez landing with more volume as the round goes on as he lands a leg kick. Benitez lands a pair of jabs. They trade kicks. They trade punches. Maheshate lands a right hand. Benitez lands a combo and a flying knee. Close fight. 10-9 Maheshate, 29-28 Maheshate.

Official Result- Maheshate def. Gabriel Benitez by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Women’s Flyweights- Ivana Petrovic (6-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. Liang Na (19-7, 0-3 UFC)

They trade leg kicks before clinching. Na has control time and lands in the clinch and gets a brief takedown before they stand and separate. Petrovic lands a high kick then a right hand. Na lands and pushes Petrovic against the fence. Na landing with more volume as they tie back up and Petrovic gets a takedown. Na is scrambling and trying to get the back but Petrovic is able to remain on top. Petrovic looks for an armbar. Petrovic with body shots as she is trying to get control of the arm. Na survives the round. 10-9 Petrovic.

They both throw punches that miss. Petrovic lands a left hand. Na presses forward throwing before they clinch against the fence. They trade knees as both battle for underhooks but they separate. Na with a pair of right hands. Petrovic lands a left hand. Petrovic grabs the body and has the back as she drags it down. Petrovic with a pair of knees to the body. Petrovic lands some elbows from the top. Petrovic stands and looks to posture up and Na looks to attack an armbar. Petrovic is on top and lands some more elbows. Petrovic with some punches from the top. Petrovic gets the mount and lands lots of right hands. Na gives up her back and Petrovic continues to land punches. Petrovic with some elbows at the end of the round. 10-8 Petrovic, 20-17 Petrovic.

Petrovic gets an early takedown and is working inside the guard of Na. Petrovic locks in an arm-triangle choke and it is in tight and Na taps. Dominant win for Petrovic.

Official Result- Ivana Petrovic def. Liang Na by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 1:27 of Round 3

> Lightweights*- James Llontop (14-2, 0-0 UFC) vs. Chris Padilla (13-6, 0-0 UFC)

*Llontop missed weight by a half-pound

Llontop lands a leg kick. Padilla with a leg kick. Padilla with two more leg kicks. Llontop with an inside leg kick then lands another kick. Padilla gets a brief takedown and lands a knee as they stand. Llontop lands a right hand. He lands a leg kick. Padilla with a right hand. They trade and Padilla gets a takedown. They get up to their feet quickly. Llontop lands a leg kick. Llontop with a jab. They trade leg kicks. Llontop lands a body kick then a leg kick. Padilla gets a takedown and grabs the back and locks in a rear-naked choke and Llontop taps! A finish out of nowhere from Padilla on short notice.

Official Result- Chris Padilla def. James Llontop by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:33 of Round 1

> Women’s Strawweights- Marnic Mann (6-2, 0-1 UFC) vs. Ketlen Souza (13-4, 0-1 UFC)

Mann with some leg kicks. Mann lands a high kick. Souza with a teet kick. Souza with a leg kick. Mann lands an inside leg kick. Souza with a combo then lands a spin kick and a body kick. Mann quickly grabs the body lock. Mann lands a knee. Souza with a knee. They separate. Souza with a body kick then a right hand. Mann lands a leg kick. Souza lands a heavy right hand. They clinch and Souza gets a takedown. Souza with a knee to the body and passes guard. They get to their feet. Souza with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks and Souza lands an overhand right before Mann gets a late throw takedown. 10-9 Souza.

Mann misses an axe kick and they clinch against the fence. Souza lands a knee to the body and they separate. Souza with a right hand. Mann lands a leg kick. They clinch back up but Souza lands a right hand on the break. They trade kicks. Mann with a pair of body kicks. Souza with a big flurry against the fence. Souza with a big right hand. Mann lands a leg kick. Souza with a right hand to the body then to the head. Souza lands a right hand. Mann with an inside leg kick. They clinch and Mann looks for a takedown but Souza ends up on top inside of Mann’s guard. Souza finishes the round top. 10-9 Souza, 20-18 Souza.

Mann lands a leg kick. Mann throwing leg kicks. Souza throws a kick and Mann grabs the leg. They separate. Souza lands a combination. Souza with big punches and Mann is getting hurt but surviving. Souza with punches to the head and body. They clinch against the fence. Mann gets the takedown and lands from the top and they get to their feet. Mann gets another takedown but Souza reverses to the top late. 10-9 Souza, 30-27 Souza.

Official Result- Ketlen Souza def. Marnic Mann by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Heavyweights- Don’Tale Mayes (10-6 1 NC, 3-4 1 NC UFC) vs. Caio Machado (8-2-1, 0-1 UFC)

Mayes with a high kick and both are throwing early. They trade leg kicks. Mayes lands a left hand. Machado lands a left hand and Mayes stumbles back. Machado lands a combination. Mayes lands a right hand. Machado with a body kick. Mayes lands a body kick. Machado with a left hand. Machado with a leg kick. Mayes with a combo. Mayes drops Machado with a right hand and gets inside the guard. Mayes stands and lands a leg kick. 10-9 Mayes.

They trade punches to start the second. Machado with a combo. Mayes lands a combination. Machado with a leg kick. They are trading punches in flurries throughout the round. Machado with a big combination against the fence and Mayes lands late. Close round. 10-9 Mayes, 20-18 Mayes.

Mayes with a leg kick. Machado with a high kick. Mayes with a body kick. Machado with a leg kick as both circle around. Both swing and miss. Machado with a combination. Machado with a high kick. Mayes with a left hand as Machado lands a body kick. Mayes with a right hand. Machado lands to the body. Machado lands a left hand. Machado lands to the body. Machado with a combination and lands late. 10-9 Machado, 29-28 Mayes.

Official Result- Don’Tale Mayes def. Caio Machado by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Lightweights- Austin Hubbard (15-7, 3-5 UFC) vs. Michal Figlak (8-1, 0-1 UFC)

Hubbard with a leg kick then a high kick. Figlak with a jab. Figlak lands a right hand. Hubbard with a body kick. Figlak lands a leg kick. Figlak trips Hubbard up with a kick. Hubbard lands a leg kick. Hubbard looks for a takedown but Figlak defends. Figlak with a jab. Figlak lands and Hubbard is able to score a takedown. They scramble to their feet. Figlak lands a right hand. Hubbard with a grazing leg kick. Figlak lands a left hand. Hubbard with a right hand then a body kick. Figlak with a right hand then a body kick. 10-9 Figlak.

They trade punches and leg kicks to start the second before Figlak lands a pair of right hands. Figlak with a leg kick. Hubbard fakes looking for a takedown and Figlak sniffed it out. Hubbard lands a right hand. Figlak lands a right hand and makes Hubbard stumble with a punch. Hubbard with a body kick. Hubbard grabs a leg and looks for a takedown but Figlak sprawls to defend. They get to their feet. Figlak lands a right hand. Hubbard with a leg kick. Hubbard with some right hands to the body and head. Figlak lands a jab. Figlak lands a left hand. Hubbard with a body kick. 10-9 Hubbard, 19-19.

Hubbard landing the jab early in the third as Figlak lands a right hand. Figlak with a body kick. Figlak grabs the back and looks for a takedown but Hubbard keeping it on the feet. They separate and trade leg kicks. Figlak’s face is showing some damage. Figlak gets the back of Hubbard against the fence. They break apart. Figlak with a pair of jabs. Figlak lands a combination. Figlak landing and Hubbard gets a takedown, but they work their way to the feet against the fence. Hubbard drags it back down but they stand. Hubbard lands a knee. They break and Figlak lands a right hand. Hubbard shoots for a takedown but Figlak sprawls and defends. Close fight. 10-9 Figlak, 29-28 Figlak.

Official Result- Austin Hubbard def. Michal Figlak by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Bantamweights- Rani Yahya (28-11-1 1 NC, 13-5-1 1 NC UFC) vs. Victor Henry (23-6 1 NC, 2-1 1 NC UFC)

Yahya with some early leg and body kicks. Henry lands a left hand. Yahya shoots for a takedown as it gets to the fence. They break apart. Henry with a leg kick after both miss punches. Yahya shoots for a takedown as he has a single leg against the fence. Yahya briefly gets it down but they scramble right up. They tie up against the fence. They trade knees before separating. Yahya lands a leg kick. Yahya landing push kicks to the legs. Henry lands a combo and Yahya lands a late combo. 10-9 Yahya.

Yahya lands a right hand. Henry with a leg kick. Yahya shoots for a takedown but Henry defends. They trade jabs and body kicks. Yahya shoots again but Henry still defends. Yahya with a right hand. They trade in close range and Yahya with a right hand. Yahya tries for a takedown but they scramble. Henry lands an elbow and a left hand. Henry flowing with his strikes. Yahya lands a right hand. Henry lands a body kick then a high kick. Henry picking Yahya apart on the feet now. Yahya lands a right hand. Henry lands a right hand. Henry drops Yahya with a right hand and gets on top and starts landing from the top as the round ends. 10-9 Henry, 19-19.

Henry landing to start the third and Yahya shoots for a takedown but ends up on his back. Henry gets on top and starts landing. They get to their feet. Henry lands a right hand and Yahya goes back down. Henry gets on top and starts landing from the top. Henry stands and Yahya is ordered up. Henry with a big flurry with a head kick and punches and Jason Herzog steps in and stops it. Big finish from Henry to get the win!

Official Result- Victor Henry def. Rani Yahya by TKO (strikes) at 2:36 of Round 3

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> Welterweights- Tim Means (33-15-1 1 NC, 15-12 1 NC UFC) vs. Uros Medic (9-2, 3-2 UFC)

They trade leg kicks. Means gets the body lock and is pressuring against the fence. Means with a knee against the fence. Means with some body shots. Medic lands an elbow as they break and follows with a body kick. Means with a combo then he shoots for a takedown against the fence. They separate. Medic drops Means with an uppercut and a follow-up left hand on the mat ends it. Big knockout finish from Medic!

Official Result- Uros Medic def. Tim Means by TKO (punches) at 2:09 of Round 1

> Featherweights*- Jonathan Pearce (14-5, 5-2 UFC) vs. David Onama (11-2, 3-2 UFC)

*Onama missed weight by 2.5 pounds

Pearce lands a right hand. Pearce lands a combination. Pearce lands a right hand then a high kick. Pearce with a front kick. Onama lands a combo. Onama lands a leg kick then a right hand. Pearce with a body kick. Pearce lands an overhand right. Pearce grabs a single leg and works for a takedown but Onama defends and lands as they break. Pearce lands a pair of body kicks but eats a left hand from Onama. Onama with a stiff jab. Pearce lands a right hand and scores a takedown. Pearce gets the back and has the body triangle in and lands punches. Onama is able to spin into the guard of Pearce. They get to their feet. Pearce tries another takedown but Onama ends up on top as the round ends. Close round. 10-9 Onama.

They trade and Pearce looks for a takedown. Onama grabs the guillotine choke and almost had it in but Pearce escapes and gets the back of Onama. Pearce is working for a choke and was squeezing a neck crank but Onama escapes and spins into Pearce’s guard. Pearce scrambles up and dumps Onama back to the mat and gets the back again. Pearce with some elbows. They get to their feet. They go back to the mat with Pearce having the back, but Onama reverses to the top again. Pearce scrambles to his feet then takes the back of Onama on the mat. They scramble up and Pearce gets it back down. Pearce lands some punches from the top and has the back once again. Pearce works back into the Onama’s guard as he blocks a reversal attempt. They stand and Pearce with a high kick. Pearce with a pair of leg kicks as Onama lands a snapping jab. 10-9 Pearce, 19-19.

Pearce with a high kick. Onama lands a left hand. Onama lands another. Pearce with a left hook. They trade punches. Onama lands a right hand after defending a Pearce takedown attempt. Onama lands a pair of big punches and Pearce looks for a takedown but Onama shakes it off. Pearce grabs a single leg and starts looking for a takedown. Onama has the body and they scramble apart. Pearce with some right hands to the head and body. Pearce gets it down and has the back but Onama reverses and spins into Pearce’s guard. Pearce looking for an arm and they scramble up. Pearce with a body kick then a leg kick. Onama lands a right hand. Onama with a left hook. Pearce lands a knee. They trade lots of big punches inside the pocket at the end. Fun fight and a close fight. 10-9 Onama, 29-28 Onama.

Official Result- David Onama def. Jonathan Pearce by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Heavyweights- Austen Lane (12-4 1 NC, 0-1 1 NC UFC) vs. Jhonata Diniz (6-0, 0-0 UFC)

Lane lands some body kicks as Diniz lands a leg kick. Lane scores a takedown. Lane landing punches from inside the guard of Diniz. Lane maintaining top control and still landing punches and mixing in a few elbows. Lane with more punches from the top. Lots of left hands from Lane on top as Diniz is stuck on the bottom. Lane has the mount and lands a big flurry as the round ends. 10-9 Lane.

Lane lands a jab and shoots for a takedown but Diniz defends. Diniz lands a left hook. Lane pushes it against the fence looking to get it down. Lane with a double jab and Diniz lands a right hand. Diniz lands some punches as they break the clinch. Lane shoots for a takedown but Diniz defends and Lane is on his back while Diniz lands leg kicks on his feet. Lane stands as Diniz lands a right hand. They both land punches. Diniz with a combo. Lane lands a right hand and Diniz lands a counter combo then lands a left hook that knocks Lane out cold. What a finish from Diniz!

Official Result- Jhonata Diniz def. Austen Lane by knockout (punch) at 2:12 of Round 2

> Women’s Flyweights- #12 Ariane da Silva (17-8, 6-5 UFC) vs. #13 Karine Silva (17-4, 3-0 UFC)

da Silva with a leg kick and Silva lands a body kick. Silva lands a right hand then scores a big takedown. Silva stands and lands some leg kicks as da Silva is throwing upkicks. Silva gets back to side control and then the north-south position. Silva steps over to mount then the half-guard. Silva has neck control. da Silva pushes Silva off with a kick and da Silva gets to her feet and lands leg kicks. da Silva gets on top and lands a couple of hammerfists. da Silva inside the full guard of Silva and ends the round on top. 10-9 da Silva.

They trade and da Silva lands a right hand. da Silva with a head kick. Silva lands a high kick. da Silva lands a kick and Silva grabs the leg but da Silva starts landing punches. Silva gets the back and scores a takedown. Silva with neck control. She’s working from side control as da Silva lands from the bottom. da Silva looks for a leg lock. Silva escapes to her feet and lands some leg kicks. Silva gets the back on the mat. Silva with a few right hands from the back. 10-9 Silva, 19-19.

They trade inside the pocket and in a brief clinch. Silva with a jumping kick to the body. da Silva with a leg kick. Silva lands a leg kick. da Silva lands a body kick. da Silva with a body kick that Silva catches and pushes it to the fence. da Silva was landing while defending. They separate. Silva lands a right hand. da Silva with a right hand and body kick. da Silva with a combo and Silva gets the clinch. Silva gets a trip takedown. Silva lands and takes the back and lands at the end. 10-9 Silva, 29-28 Silva.

Official Result- Karine Silva def. Ariane da Silva by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

> Light Heavyweights- #11 Ryan Spann (21-9, 7-4 UFC) vs. Bogdan Guskov (15-3, 1-1 UFC)

Guskov lands a jab. Guskov with a combo as Spann lands a leg kick. Spann shoots for a takedown and pushes Guskov against the fence. Spann lands a pair of groin strikes and we have two timeouts. Spann gets a warning from Herb Dean and loses the position. Spann lands a right hand. Spann with a high kick. Spann scores a takedown. Spann working from the top. Guskov looked for a triangle choke but Spann slips out and gets to the mount. Guskov stands and has Spann on his back. Spann is looking for a choke from the back. Spann lands from the back. 10-9 Spann.

Spann lands a leg kick. Both looking to find an opening as not much action is happening. Guskov lands a right hand. Spann lands a right hand then Guskov lands a big combination. Spann tries a takedown but Guskov defends, then Spann lands a combo. Spann with a straight right hand. Spann with another right hand. Guskov lands a big right hand and Spann is wobbly on the feet. Spann goes to the mat and Guskov starts landing big punches from the top and gets the stoppage. What a finish from Guskov!

Official Result- Bogdan Guskov def. Ryan Spann by TKO (punches) at 3:16 of Round 2

> Flyweights- #5 Matheus Nicolau (19-3-1, 7-2 UFC) vs. #8 Alex Perez (24-8, 6-4 UFC)

Perez with a teet kick. Perez with an inside leg kick. Nicolau hasn’t landed a single strike in the first two minutes. Perez lands a combination to the body. Nicolau with a leg kick and Perez returns fire with a combo. Nicolau lands a right hand. He lands another. They trade in close range. Perez with two left hands to the body followed by an uppercut. Nicolau with a leg kick. Perez lands a leg kick but eats a big counter left hook from Nicolau. Perez with a quick flurry but only lands a left hook. Perez with a leg kick. Nicolau lands a leg kick. Close round. 10-9 Nicolau.

Nicolau lands a leg kick. Perez with a pair of leg kicks. Perez lands a combo to the body. Both men throwing and landing combos. Nicolau with a leg kick. Perez rocks Nicolau with a left hand but Nicolau seems to have recovered quickly. Perez then drops Nicolau with a big punch and it is all over! Perez with the big finish to score the upset.

Official Result- Alex Perez def. Matheus Nicolau by knockout (punch) at 2:16 of Round 2