UFC on ESPN+ 97 live results: Tai Tuivasa vs. Marcin Tybura

The Octagon is back inside the Fight Capital of the World this weekend as UFC on ESPN+ 97: Tuivasa vs. Tybura takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

The main event is a five-round heavyweight bout pitting knockout artist and fan favorite Tai Tuivasa against long-time veteran Marcin Tybura. Both are looking to get back into the win column as Tuivasa is on a three-fight losing skid, while Tybura is trying to rebound from a loss to Tom Aspinall.

In the co-main event, former TUF winner Bryan Battle and Ange Loosa square off in a welterweight fight with both looking for their third straight win. Also on the main card is a light heavyweight bout between Ovince Saint Preux and Kennedy Nzechukwu; a battle of top-ten women’s bantamweights as Pannie Kianzad takes on Macy Chiasson; and a middleweight fight between veterans Gerald Meerschaert and Bryan Barberena.

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> Bantamweights- Charalampos Grigoriou (8-3, 0-0 UFC) vs. Chad Anheliger (12-7, 1-2 UFC)

Grigoriou with a leg kick and Anheliger lands one. Grigoriou with a body kick then another calf kick. They trade in close range and Anheliger lands a leg kick. He lands another then a right hand then. They trade calf kicks. Grigoriou lands a right hand. Grigoriou with a left hook. Anheliger with a leg kick. Grigoriou misses a spinning back fist and Anheliger gets the back. Anheliger with some knees. Grigoriou reverses and gets Anheliger down to the mat. Grigoriou in the full guard but nothing happening. 10-9 Anheliger.

They trade and Grigoriou gets a takedown. They get to their feet and Anheliger landing some elbows. Grigoriou gets it back down but they get back up as Anheliger is still landing elbows. Grigoriou continues to pressure against the fence. They are separated by the referee. Anheliger lands a right hand. Anheliger with a hard leg kick. Anheliger lands as Grigoriou shoots for a takedown. Anheliger defending with elbows. 10-9 Anheliger, 20-18 Anheliger.

Anheliger landing to start the third. He lands two right hands to the body. Grigoriou with a left hook. Anheliger lands a right hand. Anheliger with a combination against the fence. We have a timeout for a clash of heads. They get back to action and Anheliger lands a left hook and leg kick. He lands to the body. Grigoriou misses a left hook. Anheliger lands a combination and a high kick. Anheliger with a combo. He lands a right hand. They trade against the fence. Anheliger with a leg kick. Anheliger with the jab. Anheliger landing with more volume. Anheliger lands a pair of jabs. Anheliger with a combination. Grigoriou lands a left hook and Anheliger lands a big right hand. 10-9 Anheliger, 30-27 Anheliger.

Official Result- Chad Anheliger def. Charalampos Grigoriou by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

> Lightweights- Thiago Moises (17-7, 6-5 UFC) vs. Mitch Ramirez (8-1, 0-0 UFC)

They trade leg kicks. They trade them again. They trade kicks again and Moises scores a takedown. Moises working from the top and landing short punches. Ramirez tries to scramble up and Moises takes his back. Moises gets back into the half-guard. Moises gets the back and locks in a rear-naked choke. Ramirez defends and is able to escape but Moises is landing punches from the back. Moises ends the round with full back control. 10-9 Moises.

Ramirez pushes Moises against the fence as they clinch up. Moises reverses position. They separate. Moises with a leg kick. Moises just clips Ramirez with a big right hand. Moises gets Ramirez briefly down and has body control as they’re on the feet. They separate and Ramirez lands a combo. Moises with a calf kick then a body kick. They clinch against the fence. They break apart. Moises lands a right hand. He lands a leg kick then a body kick. Moises with a left hook then a big calf kick. 10-9 Moises, 20-18 Moises.

Moises lands a big leg kick and Ramirez is clearly hurt and falls down. Moises keeps kicking the legs of Ramirez and it is stopped. Big finish from Moises early in the third.

Official Result- Thiago Moises def. Mitch Ramirez by TKO (leg kicks) at :15 of Round 3

> Women’s Strawweights- Jaqueline Amorim (7-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Cory McKenna (8-2, 3-1 UFC)

McKenna with a short leg kick and they trade jabs. McKenna lands some more leg kicks. They clinch and Amorim pulls guard to get McKenna to the mat. Amorim looking for a triangle choke and locks in an armbar. The referee says to stop then says to continue right away. Amorim gets the armbar locked back in and McKenna tries to fight it off but she ends up tapping. Great finish from Amorim.

Official Result- Jaqueline Amorim def. Cory McKenna by submission (armbar) at 1:38 of Round 1

> Featherweights*- Josh Culibao (11-2-1, 3-2-1 UFC) vs. Danny Silva (8-1, 0-0 UFC)

*Silva missed weight by 2.5 pounds

Culibao with a series of jabs. Silva hurts Culibao with a big flurry. Silva grabs the neck and locks in a guillotine choke. Culibao gives a thumbs up. Silva lets go but is now in the guard of Culibao. They get to their feet. Silva lands a big right hand. Silva lands a body kick then an uppercut. Culibao lands a combo. They trade combinations. Culibao with a leg kick. Culibao with a combination. Culibao lands a combo. Silva gets the back and gets a late takedown. Close round. 10-9 Silva.

Culibao lands a leg kick. He lands another then a right hand to the body. Silva lands a left hand. They exchange in close range. Culibao lands a right hand. Silva lands a combination. Silva with a left hand. Culibao looks for a takedown but Silva defends and Culibao lands a body kick. Silva with a combo and takes the back of Culibao. They separate for a moment but Silva gets the back once again. They separate. Silva lands and gets the back again. They separate and trade. 10-9 Silva, 20-18 Silva.

They trade and Silva grabs the back against the fence but lets go. Culibao lands a leg kick. They trade and Silva lands a leg kick. Silva lands a knee then a right hand. Silva lands a right hand and gets a takedown. They get to their feet and Silva lands as they break. They scramble around while trying to break the clinch. Silva lands an elbow as they break. Silva with a leg kick. Culibao with a leg and body kick. Culibao with a body kick. Silva lands a calf kick that hurts Culibao. Silva with a left hand and takes the back standing. They separate and Silva is pressing forward and landing. Culibao shoots for a takedown but Silva defends and has the back. They get to their feet and trade. 10-9 Silva, 30-27 Silva.

Official Result- Danny Silva def. Josh Culibao by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Flyweights- Jafel Filho (15-3, 1-1 UFC) vs. Ode Osbourne (12-6, 4-4 UFC)

Filho lands some early leg kicks. Filho gets a takedown. Filho has the top and is landing right hands. Filho landing left hands as he’s trying to get the back. Filho has the back and was looking for a choke but Osbourne defends and spins to his back, which lets Filho get the mount. Filho with a flurry of punches from the top and gets the back once again. He locks in a rear-naked choke and Osbourne taps! What a showing from Filho!

Official Result- Jafel Filho def. Ode Osbourne by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:27 of Round 1

> Women’s Bantamweights*- #13 Josiane Nunes (10-1, 3-0 UFC) vs. #14 Chelsea Chandler (5-2, 1-1 UFC)

*Chandler missed weight by one pound

Nunes landing some left hands to the head and body to start. Chandler with a body kick. Nunes with a left hand to the body and they clinch up. Nunes reverses position. Nunes with a knee and they break. Nunes with a flurry. Nunes lands a right hand and they clinch. Chandler gets a takedown and is in the half-guard. She gets into the full guard of Nunes and lands an elbow. Nunes looks for an armbar but Chandler slams her way out and lands some big left hands. Chandler lands a body kick as Nunes stands. Nunes with a flurry on the feet. 10-9 Chandler.

Nunes lands a left hand and follows it with a flurry. They trade punches and Chandler lands some big punches. They clinch and Chandler gets a takedown. Nunes trying to grab an arm as Chandler gets to the mount. Chandler working for a choke and lands some big punches from the top. Chandler working inside the guard of Nunes and continuing to land to the body. Chandler gets to her feet. 10-9 Chandler, 20-18 Chandler.

Chandler with a body kick. Nunes lands a left hand. Nunes with two left hands. Chandler with a leg kick and Nunes lands a big left hand. Nunes with another left hand. Chandler lands a left hand. They both throw then clinch up. They separate. Nunes lands a left hand. Nunes lands another left hand. Nunes lands late. 10-9 Nunes, 29-28 Chandler.

Official Result- Chelsea Chandler def. Josiane Nunes by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Lightweights*- Natan Levy (8-1, 2-1 UFC) vs. Mike Davis (10-2, 3-1 UFC)

*Levy missed weight by a half-pound

Levy lands a high kick and Davis drops Levy with a right hand. Davis gets the back and has the hooks locked in. Davis has full back control and Levy is landing back punches. Davis still with full back control and trying to find an opening for a choke. Levy tries to escape and they get to their feet. Levy has the back and lands a knee. He lands a couple more knees. Levy rolls for a leg lock and they trade kicks. 10-9 Davis.

Levy lands a hard body kick. Davis is able to get Levy down and they’re in a scramble. Davis gets the back and has the hooks locked back in. Davis gets the mount and is looking to set up an arm-triangle choke. He has it locked in and Levy taps! Big finish from Davis in his long-awaited return to action.

Official Result- Mike Davis def. Natan Levy by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 1:43 of Round 2

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> Middleweights- Gerald Meerschaert (35-17, 10-9 UFC) vs. Bryan Barberena (18-11, 9-9 UFC)

Meerschaert with a leg kick. Barberena with a leg kick. Barberena with an inside leg kick. Meerschaert lands a left hand then a leg kick. Meerschaert gets a takedown and almost has the back of Barberena. They get to their feet and separate. Barberena lands a combo. Meerschaert goes to the mat for a moment and Barberena lands a leg kick before Meerschaert stands. Meerschaert gets a takedown and is in the half-guard of Barberena. Meerschaert gets side control and is looking for the arm. Meerschaert lets go and grabs the neck. He lets go and lands some punches. They trade late. 10-9 Meerschaert.

Meerschaert shoots for a takedown against the fence. Barberena defends and they separate. Meerschaert shoots for the takedown but Barberena slips away. Meerschaert with a jab. Barberena lands a left hand and Meerschaert is able to secure a takedown. He gets the back of Barberena and is threatening with a choke. Barberena stands and Meerschaert is on his back and looking for the choke as they go back to the mat. Meerschaert locks it in around the chin. Barberena goes out cold! Wow, what a finish from Meerschaert!

Official Result- Gerald Meerschaert def. Bryan Barberena by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:23 of Round 2

> Women’s Bantamweights- #6 Pannie Kianzad (16-7, 5-4 UFC) vs. #10 Macy Chiasson (8-3, 6-3 UFC)

They trade left hands. Chiasson with a high kick. They clinch against the fence. Chiasson gets a takedown. Kianzad landing punches from the bottom and now looks for an armbar. Chiasson looking for a reverse triangle choke. Kianzad escapes and they stand. They remain tied up against the fence. Kianzad lands a knee then a right hand to the body before getting a takedown. She lands to the body and they stand. Chiasson has the back and lands a knee. Chiasson gets it down and has the back and is working for the choke. She has it locked in around the chin and gets it under the chin and Kianzad taps! Chiasson with a big submission win.

Official Result- Macy Chiasson def. Pannie Kianzad by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:54 of Round 1

> Featherweights- Christian Rodriguez (10-1, 3-1 UFC) vs. Isaac Dulgarian (6-0, 1-0 UFC)

Dulgarian with a leg kick and gets an early takedown. Dulgarian with some right hands from the top. They scramble and Dulgarian almost had a Peruvian necktie locked in but ends up taking the back of Rodriguez. Rodriguez rolls and is flattened out as Dulgarian is landing to the body. Dulgarian landing as Rodriguez gives up his back. Rodriguez is able to scramble but Dulgarian gets the back and drags it back down. Dulgarian gets on top and looks for an arm-triangle choke. He has it locked in but Rodriguez is fighting it off. He lets go and gets the back. They stand and Dulgarian still has back control and drags it back down. They get up and Dulgarian with some knees. 10-8 Dulgarian.

Rodriguez lands a knee and Dulgarian gets it down as Rodriguez has the neck looking for a choke. Dulgarian escapes and has the back and drags it down. Rodriguez is able to scramble up but Dulgarian pushes it to the fence and scores another takedown. Dulgarian still pressuring against the fence and Rodriguez lands a knee. Dulgarian gets a big takedown and has the back. They get to their feet and separate. Rodriguez lands a jab. Dulgarian with a leg kick. They both land inside a clinch. Dulgarian with a combo as he looks for a takedown. They tie up against the fence. 10-9 Dulgarian, 20-17 Dulgarian.

Rodriguez lands to start as Dulgarian is looking for a takedown, but Rodriguez defends. Dulgarian pushing it to the fence and trying hard for the takedown. Rodriguez lands a big body kick as Dulgarian is on the mat. Rodriguez has the back and is landing punches. He flattens Dulgarian out and is landing punches. Rodriguez has the mount as Dulgarian spins. Dulgarian gives up his back as Rodriguez is landing punches. Rodriguez with lots of punches from the back as he has full back control. They get to their feet. Rodriguez lands a right hand. He lands a leg kick then a right hand. Rodriguez with another straight right hand. Dulgarian is gassed out. Rodriguez with a pair of jabs. Dulgarian tries for a takedown but Rodriguez defends. Rodriguez with punches as he defends a takedown. 10-8 Rodriguez, 28-27 Dulgarian.

Official Result- Christian Rodriguez def. Isaac Dulgarian by split decision (28-27, 27-28, 28-27)

> Light Heavyweights- Ovince Saint Preux (26-17, 14-12 UFC) vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu (12-4, 6-4 UFC)

They’re pawing at each other. They trade front body kicks. Nzechukwu lands a right hand. Saint Preux lands a left hand. Nzechukwu lands a right hand. They trade in close range as both land. Saint Preux lands a jab. Both are landing equally. Nzechukwu lands a right hand. Saint Preux with a leg kick. He lands a jab then a body kick. Nzechukwu lands a right hand and Saint Preux counters with a jab and two leg kicks. Nzechukwu lands a combo. Saint Preux with a jab. Close round. 10-9 Nzechukwu.

Nzechukwu with a body kick and Saint Preux lands a body kick. They trade jabs. Saint Preux with a leg kick. Saint Preux with a leg kick and then another. Nzechukwu lands some jabs and a body kick. Saint Preux with a front kick to the chin. Saint Preux lands a combo to the body. Nzechukwu grabs a leg and pushes it against the fence but lets go. Saint Preux lands a combo then a jab. They both land inside the pocket. Saint Preux lands a flurry. Saint Preux with a body kick. Saint Preux with a nice left hand. 10-9 Saint Preux, 19-19.

Saint Preux lands a left hand that puts Nzechukwu down but he gets right up. Saint Preux pushes it against the fence and lands but they separate after a failed takedown attempt. Saint Preux with a combination. Saint Preux lands the jab. He lands a left hand. Nzechukwu lands some short punches. They trade inside the pocket. Saint Preux with some body shots. Nzechukwu lands a big left hand. He lands a knee to the body of Saint Preux. Saint Preux lands an elbow. Nzechukwu lands a knee. They trade big shots inside the pocket. Nzechukwu lands a big left hand. Nzechukwu lands a massive right hook. Saint Preux lands an uppercut. Nzechukwu lands a knee. Saint Preux lands a left hand. Saint Preux with a big flurry. Fun fight. 10-9 Saint Preux, 29-28 Saint Preux.

Official Result- Ovince Saint Preux def. Kennedy Nzechukwu by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Welterweights- Bryan Battle (10-2, 5-1 UFC) vs. Ange Loosa (10-3, 2-1 UFC)

Battle with a body kick. He lands a knee and has Loosa in trouble early. Both are swinging and Battle gets the clinch and lands a knee. Battle gets a takedown. He has the mount but Loosa reverses and gets to his feet. Loosa lands a knee as they’re tied up against the fence. Battle lands a knee. Battle lands a knee before they break. Loosa with a pair of leg kicks. Battle with a teet kick. Battle pressing forward and lands body kicks. Loosa with a leg kick. Battle lands a right hand. Battle lands a knee then a combo ending with a body kick. Battle with a head kick. Battle with a high kick. They trade late. 10-9 Battle.

Battle lands a right hook then a high kick. Battle with the jab. Loosa lands a leg kick. We have a timeout for an eye poke. The fight is stopped as Loosa says he can’t see.

Official Result- Bryan Battle vs. Ange Loosa ruled a no contest (accidental eye poke) at 1:00 of Round 2

> Heavyweights- #9 Tai Tuivasa (15-6, 8-6 UFC) vs. #10 Marcin Tybura (24-8, 11-7 UFC)

Tuivasa lands a leg kick as Tybura attacks the body. Tuivasa lands an elbow and they trade in a flurry in close range. Tybura is cut open. Tuivasa lands a right hand. Tuivasa with a leg kick. Tybura with a head kick. Tybura lands a big left hand. Tybura trying for a takedown as Tuivasa lands punches to defend. Tybura completes the takedown. Tuivasa gives up his back. Tybura with big punches from the back. Tybura with lots of punches. He continues to land and locks in a rear-naked choke. Tuivasa is fighting it. Tuivasa goes out and it is stopped! Tybura with the big submission win.

Official Result- Marcin Tybura def. Tai Tuivasa by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:08 of Round 1