UFC on ESPN+ 61 live results: Thiago Santos vs. Magomed Ankalaev

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC on ESPN+ 61: Santos vs. Ankalaev, emanating from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Octagon is back at the UFC APEX this weekend with a light heavyweight main event that will have an effect on the title picture at 205 pounds.

Former title challenger Thiago Santos looks to score his second straight win as he takes on Magomed Ankalaev, winner of seven straight fights. Santos is coming into this off a win over Johnny Walker in October, while Ankalaev was also last in action in October, scoring a decision over Volkan Oezdemir. The winner will be in the mix for a possible title shot for their next fight.

Among the rest of the main card fights include a bantamweight bout between former title challenger Marlon Moraes and Song Yadong in the co-main event, a featherweight bout pitting Sodiq Yusuff against Alex Caceres, a lightweight bout between Drew Dober and short-notice replacement Terrance McKinney, and a middleweight slugfest as Alex Pereira takes on Bruno Silva.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 4 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.

ESPN+ PRELIMS | 4 PM ET/1 PM PT

> Light Heavyweights- Tafon Nchukwi (6-1, 2-1 UFC) vs. Azamat Murzakanov (10-0, 0-0 UFC)

There’s not much happening in the first minute until Murzakanov lands a left hand. He lands another. Murzakanov lands a left to the body as he eats a knee. Murzakanov lands a left hand. Nchukwi with a leg kick. Murzakanov lands a left hand. Murzakanov lands a right hook. Nchukwi lands a combo and Murzakanov goes for a takedown but Nchukwi defends as they break. Nchukwi starting to pressure more and he lands a knee to the body and one to the legs as they clinch. Murzakanov with a combo after they break. Nchukwi with a head kick and they clinch against the fence and Murzakanov reverses position. Nchukwi reverses and lands some body shots. Nchukwi with a knee. 10-9 Nchukwi.

They trade to start the second as Nchukwi was coming forward. Nchukwi with a leg kick and Murzakanov with an overhand left. Murzakanov got a brief takedown but Nchukwi was able to scramble up quickly. Nchukwi starting to land more as Murzakanov is slowing down and he lands some knees to the body. Murzakanov goes for a takedown against the fence but Nchukwi defending. Murzakanov lands a knee as they break and then a left hand. Murzakanov with a short uppercut and then lands a counter combination. Nchukwi lands to the body then a high kick. Nchukwi with a big leg kick. 10-9 Nchukwi, 20-18 Nchukwi.

Nchukwi throwing punches and lands a leg kick to start the third. Nchukwi lands a left hand. Murzakanov then lands a flying knee that knocks Nchukwi out! Wow, that finish came out of nowhere.

Official Result- Azamat Murzakanov def. Tafon Nchukwi by TKO (knee) at :44 of Round 3

> Bantamweights- Kris Moutinho (9-5, 0-1 UFC) vs. Guido Cannetti (8-6, 2-5 UFC)

Cannetti throwing punches early on. Cannetti with a kick and Moutinho catches it and lands a left hand. Cannetti with a leg kick. Cannetti with some leg kicks. Moutinho comes forward and lands a combo against the fence. Cannetti with a body kick and spinning back fist. Cannetti lands a big left hand then some knees to the body then starts teeing off and Moutinho is in trouble and Cannetti lands some more and Chris Tognoni stops it standing. Moutinho was looking out on his feet so the stoppage was good. Big win for Cannetti at 42 years of age.

Official Result- Guido Cannetti def. Kris Moutinho by TKO (punches) at 2:07 of Round 1

> Middleweights- Dalcha Lungiambula (11-3, 2-2 UFC) vs. Cody Brundage (6-2, 0-1 UFC)

Brundage lands a leg kick and some punches to start. Brundage tries a takedown but Lungiambula defends. Lungiambula lands some right hands as Brundage is still trying for the takedown. They get to their feet as Lungiambula is still landing punches. Lungiambula drags it down and continues to land. Lungiambula with more right hands as they stand. Lungiambula with some left hands and lands some knees and now uppercuts. Brundage is trying to survive. Lungiambula with big right hands. Brundage lands a spinning back fist. Lungiambula is landing knees and some uppercuts and more knees and punches. Brundage goes for a guillotine and Lungiambula taps! Wow, what a comeback from Brundage after nearly getting stopped.

Official Result- Cody Brundage def. Dalcha Lungiambula by submission (guillotine choke) at 3:41 of Round 1

> Women’s Flyweights- Sabina Mazo (9-3, 3-3 UFC) vs. Miranda Maverick (9-4, 2-2 UFC)

Maverick with some early leg kicks. Mazo lands a jab. Maverick scores a takedown. Maverick working from the top and Mazo goes for an armbar but Maverick gets out of it. They get to their feet and Maverick lands some knees as they clinch. Maverick gets a takedown and is in side control. Maverick with some left hands and Mazo works her way back up and they clinch. Maverick gets it back down and is in the half-guard. Maverick with some punches from the top. Maverick ends the round on top. 10-9 Maverick.

Maverick with a high kick to start the second and then lands a combination. Mazo with the quick double jab. Maverick with a left hand and leg kick. They trade on the feet as Mazo is pressuring and Maverick is circling. Maverick with a combination and then scores a takedown. Maverick gets the back and locks in a rear-naked choke and Mazo taps. What a performance from Maverick as she gets the dominant win.

Official Result- Miranda Maverick def. Sabina Mazo by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:15 of Round 2

> Featherweights- Damon Jackson (19-4-1 1 NC, 2-2-1 1 NC UFC) vs. Kamuela Kirk (11-4, 1-0 UFC)

Jackson throwing more early on. Kirk lands a left hook to the body. Kirk with a leg kick. Jackson with a combo and Kirk lands a big knee. Jackson continuing to land more in close range and lands a leg kick. Kirk with a high kick. Jackson with some close range punches and rocks Kirk with an uppercut but Kirk recovers. Kirk lands a right hand. Kirk with a leg kick. Jackson with some right hands and a knee to the body. Jackson gets a takedown. He gets the mount and lands some punches and then moves to the half-guard and continues to land. 10-9 Jackson.

Jackson going for the takedown to start the second and gets it. He has the mount against the fence. Jackson transitioning on the mat and is now in the full guard of Kirk as he keeps the pressure on. Jackson in the half-guard and lands some left hands and elbows from the top. Jackson still pressuring and is looking for an arm choke but lets go as Kirk lands to the body from the bottom. Kirk tried for an armbar but Jackson got out. Jackson looking for the arm-triangle choke and has it locked in and Kirk taps. A dominant showing from Jackson throughout.

Official Result- Damon Jackson def. Kamuela Kirk by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 4:42 of Round 2

> Bantamweights- Trevin Jones (13-7 1 NC, 1-1 1 NC UFC) vs. Javid Basharat (11-0, 0-0 UFC)

Basharat with a leg kick. Jones lands some body punches as Basharat lands some leg kicks. Jones lands some nice punches. Basharat pressing forward and lands a high kick. Jones lands a left hand. Basharat with a right hand. Basharat with another right hand. Jones goes for a takedown and eats a knee from Basharat. Basharat lands another knee and is landing in close range as he lands an elbow and uppercut. Basharat with two right hands. Basharat with a spin kick and Jones with a left hand. They trade body punches. 10-9 Basharat.

Basharat landing leg kicks as Jones lands a left hand. Jones with a nice left hand. Basharat with a leg kick. Basharat with a leg kick. Basharat with a nice leg kick and both are landing punches. Jones goes for a takedown but Basharat defends and lands on the break. They circle around. Basharat lands some hard punches. Basharat with a right hand. Basharat with a head kick and Jones covered it up well. Basharat with a right hand and lands a step-in knee. Jones with a left hand. Basharat with a leg kick. 10-9 Basharat, 20-18 Basharat.

Jones landing some leg kicks to start the third and Basharat lands some in return. Jones swinging for the fences and Basharat lands some counter punches. Basharat with a right hand. Jones misses a big right hand. Jones with a leg kick. Basharat with a right hand to the body and then a head kick. Basharat landing the jab. They trade punches. Basharat with a spin kick to the side of the head and then lands some punches. Jones lands some left hands. They trade in close range and Jones lands some solid punches. Jones misses some left hands. Close round. 10-9 Jones, 29-28 Basharat.

Official Result- Javid Basharat def. Trevin Jones by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Women’s Flyweights- JJ Aldrich (10-4, 6-3 UFC) vs. Gillian Robertson (10-6, 7-4 UFC)

Aldrich landing the jab early on. Robertson landing some kicks as Aldrich is still looking for an opening. Robertson shoots for the takedown but was a little too far away and Aldrich defends. Aldrich with a left hand. We have a timeout for an eye poke but they get back going. Aldrich lands a combination. She lands the jab. They trade in close range and Aldrich stumbles and Robertson lands a head kick. Robertson tries for a takedown but Aldrich defends and lands a jab. Robertson with a body kick. Aldrich with the jab. Robertson with an inside leg kick. They trade and Aldrich with a late takedown. 10-9 Aldrich.

They’re trading to start the second and Robertson lands a nice right hand. Robertson lands a knee. They’re both landing and Robertson gets a takedown and has the back. She was looking to set something up but Aldrich spins into her guard. Robertson pushes Aldrich off and they get back to their feet. Aldrich with a left hand and lands the jab. Robertson shoots for the takedown but Aldrich sprawls. They trade at the end as Robertson went for a takedown and grabbed a leg and Aldrich was throwing punches. 10-9 Aldrich, 20-18 Aldrich.

Both landing to start the third. Aldrich landing slightly more. Robertson goes for a takedown but Aldrich defends and they tie up against the fence. They break. Aldrich with a combo. Aldrich putting on the pressure as she lands. Aldrich with a left hand. Robertson tries a takedown but ends up pulling guard but Aldrich is suffocating with pressure from the top. Aldrich with an elbow from the top. 10-9 Aldrich, 30-27 Aldrich.

Official Result- JJ Aldrich def. Gillian Robertson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Welterweights- Matthew Semelsberger (9-3, 3-1 UFC) vs. AJ Fletcher (9-0, 0-0 UFC)

They trade leg kicks and Fletcher gets a takedown. Fletcher gets to the mount but Semelsberger gets out. Fletcher grabs the neck and looks for the guillotine but Semelsberger escapes. Fletcher remains in the half-guard of Semelsberger. Fletcher with an elbow as he moves back to Semelsberger’s guard. Fletcher looking for an arm-triangle but Semelsberger gets out of it. Fletcher still in control from the top. Fletcher grabs the guillotine choke but didn’t have it locked in. Fletcher in the mount and lands some elbows. Semelsberger survives the round. 10-9 Fletcher.

Fletcher lands a spinning back fist. Semelsberger lands a leg kick. Fletcher lands the jab. Semelsberger lands a jab. Fletcher gets a takedown but they quickly get to their feet. They separate and Fletcher lands a head kick. Fletcher with a combination. Semelsberger lands a jab. Semelsberger tries a takedown but Fletcher gets the back and has the hooks in. They get back to the mat and Semelsberger in the guard of Fletcher and lands an elbow. They roll on the mat and Semelsberger remains in Fletcher’s guard. Semelsberger with a big elbow. He lands another and more at the end of the round. 10-9 Semelsberger, 19-19.

They trade to start the third. Semelsberger lands a nice right hand and Fletcher with a leg kick. Fletcher gets a takedown. They get to their feet. Semelsberger gets a big takedown and is in side control. Semelsberger with a left hand from the top. Semelsberger with some more shots from the top. Semelsberger with a right hand from the top. Fletcher with an elbow from the bottom. Semelsberger with some punches from the top. Semelsberger with an elbow and Fletcher is cut open. Fletcher scrambles and ends up back on top. Fletcher with some punches from the top and they scramble up. Fletcher with a big right hand and Semelsberger with a big knee. Fun fight. 10-9 Semelsberger, 29-28 Semelsberger.

Official Result- Matthew Semelsberger def. AJ Fletcher by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

ESPN+ MAIN CARD | 7 PM ET/4 PM PT

> Middleweights- Alex Pereira (4-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Bruno Silva (22-6, 3-0 UFC)

Pereira with a body kick to start. They trade leg kicks. Silva rushes in but misses his punches. Pereira with a leg kick. Pereira with a right hand. They trade solid punches. Silva with an overhand right. Pereira with some leg kicks. Pereira with a body kick. They both land hard punches. Pereira with a leg kick. They clinch and both land knees before they break. Pereira with some leg kicks and Silva lands a left hand. Silva with a right hand and a leg kick. Silva gets a takedown. Pereira has the neck. Silva lands a knee. They get to their feet and break. They trade punches. Pereira with a big combination and a knee and Silva was hurt but time ran out. 10-9 Pereira.

Pereira lands a leg kick. Silva with a body kick. They trade in close range. Pereira with a body punch and lands a body kick. Pereira with a right hand. Silva with a leg kick. Silva gets a takedown but they get up and Silva has the back standing. Pereira reverses and they’re clinched against the fence. Pereira with some right hands. Pereira with right hands as Silva tried a spinning attack. They break and Silva with a combo. They trade knees to the body as they clinch. They break. Pereira with a nice left hook. Pereira just misses a flying knee and Silva lands a combo. They trade late and Silva falls to the mat after missing a punch. 10-9 Pereira, 20-18 Pereira.

Silva shoots for a takedown but Pereira defends and they break. They clinch and trade knees. Pereira continuing to land more but Silva is doing a good job. Pereira lands some big punches and Silva is wobbled. Silva tries for a takedown but Pereira defends and they’re clinched against the fence. Pereira lands an elbow on the break and lands to the body and lands some big punches. They tie up against the fence and Silva tries a takedown. They break and Pereira with some big punches as he lands to the head and body and Silva is hurt but they go the distance. 10-9 Pereira, 30-27 Pereira.

Official Result- Alex Pereira def. Bruno Silva by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Lightweights- Drew Dober (23-11 1 NC, 9-7 1 NC UFC) vs. Terrance McKinney (12-3, 2-0 UFC)

McKinney lands some big punches and drops Dober early and is landing punches but Dober survives. McKinney rocks Dober and lands a big knee and has Dober hurt again. McKinney gets a takedown after an exchange. They get back to their feet and Dober is landing in close range and lands a knee and McKinney goes down and Dober gets on top and lands some punches and it is stopped! What a comeback from Dober as he finishes McKinney.

Official Result- Drew Dober def. Terrance McKinney by TKO (punches) at 3:17 of Round 1

> Light Heavyweights- Khalil Rountree (9-5 1 NC, 5-5 1 NC UFC) vs. Karl Roberson (9-4, 4-4 UFC)

Rountree with a leg kick. Roberson lands a leg kick and Rountree with some heavy left hands. He lands another. They clinch and Rountree with some lefts as Roberson lands a knee. They break and Rountree with more left hands. Roberson with a leg kick. Roberson with a leg kick and eats a counter left from Rountree. They trade leg kicks. Roberson with a body kick and Rountree catches the leg and lands some punches. Roberson with a leg kick and Rountree with a counter left hand and Roberson with a jab. 10-9 Rountree.

Rountree drops Roberson to open the second round but Roberson gets up. Rountree swarming and Rountree lands a body kick then Roberson gets up and Rountree finishes him with some big shots. What a finish by Rountree!

Official Result- Khalil Rountree def. Karl Roberson by TKO (strikes) at :25 of Round 2

> Featherweights- #12 Sodiq Yusuff (11-2, 4-1 UFC) vs. #15 Alex Caceres (19-12 1 NC, 14-10 1 NC UFC)

They land kicks at the same time. Caceres with the jab. They clinch and Caceres gets a takedown and jumps on the back of Yusuff but they scramble up and break. Caceres with a body kick and Yusuff catches it and gets Caceres down. They get to their feet. Yusuff with a body kick. He lands another. They both throw and most of the punches miss. Yusuff pressures against the fence as he looks for the takedown. Yusuff has the back standing. They break. Yusuff with a leg kick. Yusuff goes for a takedown and has the back against the fence. They battle in the clinch at the end of the first. Close round. 10-9 Yusuff.

Caceres with a side kick to the body. Yusuff lands a right hand and Caceres get off balance. Caceres lands a right hook as Yusuff was rushing in. Yusuff with a right hand. Yusuff with a leg kick. He lands another. Caceres with a leg kick then a left hand then a body kick. Caceres with a combination. Yusuff with a leg kick. Yusuff lands another one. Caceres with a left hand. Yusuff with a leg kick. He lands another and Caceres tried to land a kick and slipped to the mat. Yusuff with more leg kicks. Caceres with a left hand and Yusuff with a leg kick at the end. 10-9 Yusuff, 20-18 Yusuff.

Caceres throwing high and side kicks to start the third but not landing. Yusuff with a leg kick. Caceres with a combo and Yusuff lands a leg kick. Caceres tries for a takedown but Yusuff defends. There isn’t much going on here. Yusuff with a high kick. Yusuff lands a nice right hand and then a head kick. Yusuff with a leg kick and Caceres lands an uppercut. Yusuff with a leg kick and Caceres slips up again. Yusuff with a leg kick. Caceres with a left hand. 10-9 Yusuff, 30-27 Yusuff.

Official Result- Sodiq Yusuff def. Alex Caceres by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Bantamweights- #10 Marlon Moraes (23-9-1, 5-5 UFC) vs. #14 Song Yadong (18-5-1 1 NC, 7-1-1 UFC)

Yadong throwing punches right away. Yadong with a high kick but Moraes blocks it. Yadong lands a big right hand and Moraes fires back with a head kick. They both throw big punches in close but miss. Moraes lands a stiff jab. Yadong with some body shots. Moraes lands a right hand. Yadong lands an uppercut that sends Moraes to the mat and it is over. What a finish by Yadong!

Official Result- Song Yadong def. Marlon Moraes by knockout (punch) at 2:06 of Round 1

> Light Heavyweights- #5 Thiago Santos (22-9, 14-8 UFC) vs. #6 Magomed Ankalaev (16-1, 7-1 UFC)

Ankalaev lands a right hand and then a body kick. Santos with some leg kicks and one to the body. They trade in close range and Ankalaev lands a left hand. Santos with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. They trade kicks. Not a lot happened in that round and it was close. 10-9 Ankalaev.

They trade leg kicks. They’re still feeling each other out. Ankalaev with a left hand but it barely connects. Santos with a leg kick and Ankalaev counters with a leg kick and a left hand to the body. Ankalaev lands a right hand and then a body kick. They’re trading. Ankalaev lands a knee and then Santos drops Ankalaev with a left hand and gets on top and lands an elbow. That swung the momentum. 10-9 Santos, 19-19.

Ankalaev with a high kick. Ankalaev with a quick jab. Santos with a leg kick. Ankalaev lands a left hand and Santos looked wobbled for a brief moment. Ankalaev with a body kick. Santos with a leg kick. Ankalaev with a leg kick. Santos with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks and then punches and Santos landed with a nice punch. Ankalaev lands a left hand that backs Santos up. Ankalaev with a body kick. They trade leg kicks. Ankalaev with a right hook. Ankalaev with a right hand and body kick. 10-9 Ankalaev, 29-28 Ankalaev.

Ankalaev with a right hand and body kick. Santos with a big punch. Santos with a flying knee and lands some punches after. Santos with a leg kick. Ankalaev with a right hand to the body. Ankalaev with a left hand and Santos lands a counter punch. Ankalaev with a left hand. Santos with a right hand. Ankalaev with a high kick. Ankalaev with a left hand. Ankalaev with another left hand. Ankalaev with a body kick. They trade in close range. Ankalaev with a nice left hand. They clinch and Ankalaev has the body lock against the fence. Ankalaev with knees to the legs and gets a takedown. Ankalaev ends the round on top. 10-9 Ankalaev, 39-37 Ankalaev.

Santos with a combo and a leg kick. They trade in close range but neither man going for much. Ankalaev with a right hand then a left hand. Ankalaev has the body lock and pressure against the fence. They don’t do much at the end. Uneventful final round and kind of a dull fight. 10-9 Ankalaev, 49-46 Ankalaev.

Official Result- Magomed Ankalaev def. Thiago Santos by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)