UFC on ESPN 59 live results: Rose Namajunas vs. Tracy Cortez

After a week off following UFC 303, action inside the Octagon is back as the UFC returns to the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, for the first time since 2018 for tonight’s UFC on ESPN 59.

Headlining the card is a five-round bout in the women’s flyweight division as former UFC women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas takes on Tracy Cortez. Cortez, who will be in her first UFC main event, is taking this fight on short notice as a replacement for Maycee Barber.

Namajunas is looking for her second consecutive win and hoping to earn a title shot with a victory. Meanwhile, Cortez has yet to lose during her UFC career with five straight UFC wins and 11 straight wins overall.

Also on the main card is a welterweight bout between Santiago Ponzinibbio and Muslim Salikhov; a lightweight bout pitting Drew Dober against Jean Silva; a featherweight bout between Julian Erosa and Christian Rodriguez; and middleweights Abdul Razak Alhassan and Cody Brundage in the main card opener.

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> Welterweights- Evan Elder (8-2, 1-2 UFC) vs. Darrius Flowers (12-7-1, 0-2 UFC)

Elder with a body kick and they trade punches. Flowers with some kicks and lands a knee to the body in a brief clinch. Elder with a combination. Flowers lands a right hand. Elder with a body kick and lands an overhand right. Elder with another right hand. Flowers lands a right hand. Elder lands a high kick then a right hand and another high kick. Flowers tries a takedown but Elder reverses and they get to their feet. Elder lands a leg kick and Flowers falls down as he stumbles back. Elder jumps on top as he lands. Flowers sweeps and has the back but slips off and Elder ends up back on top. Elder with some punches and lands a knee as they work to the feet. Flowers tries a takedown but it is easily stuffed by Elder, who ends up on top. Both already looking tired at altitude. Flowers lands an upkick. 10-9 Elder.

We have an immediate timeout for a groin strike on Flowers. They get back to action. Elder lands a right hand but Flowers is able to score a takedown. Elder is able to cause a scramble and gets on top and lands to the body. Elder is able to get the mount. Elder looking for an arm-triangle choke and he has it locked in and Flowers taps! Big submission win for Elder.

Official Result- Evan Elder def. Darrius Flowers by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 1:46 of Round 2

> Middleweights- Josh Fremd (11-5, 2-3 UFC) vs. Andre Petroski (10-3, 5-2 UFC)

Fremd lands a jab. Petroski with a left hand and Fremd goes to his butt for a moment. Petroski gets a single leg and scores a takedown and is in side control. Petroski landing as he is holding onto position and looking to set something up with an arm. Fremd trying to find a way up as they are warned by the referee to stay busy. Petroski gets to the mount. Petroski lands an elbow. Petroski goes back to the mount and lands an elbow before getting the back late. 10-9 Petroski.

Fremd lands a kick and Petroski scores a takedown and looks for the mount. Petroski looking for a guillotine choke. Fremd has an arm in and Petroski lets go and takes the back. Petroski with a right hand from the back. Petroski looking for an arm-triangle choke. He almost has it in but Fremd is trying to fight it off. Fremd is out of it as Petroski pushes it to the fence. Petroski gets back to the mount. 10-9 Petroski, 20-18 Petroski.

Fremd coming out and landing on Petroski as he pushes it to the fence and lands a knee. They separate. Petroski gets a takedown. Petroski gets to the mount. Fremd gives up his back but rolls to his side and Petroski remains in the mount. Petroski moves to side control and is landing, doing enough to keep it from being stood up. Petroski gets the back of Fremd. Petroski keeps the back of Fremd as it ends. 10-9 Petroski, 30-27 Petroski.

Official Result- Andre Petroski def. Josh Fremd by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Women’s Flyweights- Luana Santos (7-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Mariya Agapova (10-4, 2-3 UFC)

Both looking for openings early as Agapova lands some leg kicks. Santos drops Agapova with a right hand and they scramble up. Santos gets a big takedown and is in side control. Santos goes to the mount and looks for an arm-triangle choke. Santos lets go and lands some body punches. Santos gets the back and locks in a rear-naked choke. Agapova is trying to fight it off but she ends up tapping! Santos with a dominant first-round finish.

Official Result- Luana Santos def. Mariya Agapova by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:27 of Round 1

> Bantamweights- Montel Jackson (13-2, 7-2 UFC) vs. Da’Mon Blackshear (14-6-1, 2-2 UFC)

Jackson lands a jab to the chest and a left hand drops Blackshear and it is immediately all over in seconds. What a knockout by Jackson!

Official Result- Montel Jackson def. Da’Mon Blackshear by knockout (punch) at :18 of Round 1

> Women’s Flyweights- #15 Jasmine Jasudavicius (10-3, 4-2 UFC) vs. Fatima Kline (6-0, 0-0 UFC)

They trade leg kicks. Kline with a left hand as Jasudavicius lands a right hand. They trade and Kline gets a takedown. They scramble up and both land as Jasudavicius gets a takedown and has the back and lands. Jasudavicius continues to land from the back and now gets into side control. She gets the mount and lands a pair of elbows. Jasudavicius with more left hands to end the round. 10-9 Jasudavicius.

They trade and Jasudavicius lands slightly more. Kline with a leg kick. Jasudavicius lands a right hand. Kline lands a combination. Jasudavicius with a left hook. They clinch against the fence and Kline tries to take the back but Jasudavicius lands some knees to the body as she has the edge. Jasudavicius drags Kline down to the ground. Jasudavicius has the side mount and lands some punches and elbows. She ends the round landing from the top. 10-9 Jasudavicius, 20-18 Jasudavicius.

Kline lands a big right hand and follows it with a flurry that has Jasudavicius in trouble. Kline continues to land and Jasudavicius starts landing as well. Kline lands a right hand. Kline with the jab and they tie up and Kline lands while they’re tied up. They both land inside the pocket. They clinch and Jasudavicius with some dirty boxing. Jasudavicius gets the back and they get to the fence. Jasudavicius gets a takedown and starts landing from the top. They scramble to their feet but Jasudavicius gets it right back down. Jasudavicius landing from the top and attempts a choke late but time runs out. 10-9 Jasudavicius, 30-27 Jasudavicius.

Official Result- Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Fatima Kline by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Flyweights- Joshua Van (10-1, 3-0 UFC) vs. Charles Johnson (15-6, 4-4 UFC)

Johnson with a high kick then some leg kicks. Johnson lands a combination then lands some leg and body kicks. Johnson with more kicks as Van is looking for an opening. Johnson continuing to land kicks and shoots for a takedown, but Van defends. Van now landing the jab and lands a big right hand. Johnson lands a counter punch. Van with a jab and lands a right hand. Van trips Johnson up with a leg kick and gets on top. Johnson is able to get it up and shoots for a takedown, but Van defends and lands a knee. Johnson with a right hand. Van with a combination to the body. Close round. 10-9 Johnson.

They’re trading kicks. Van lands a combination. Van with a leg kick. Johnson with a jab and Van lands a pair of right hands. They trade in close range and Van is landing more punches. Johnson with some short leg kicks. Johnson with a left hand. Van with a jab and a right hand. They continue to trade inside the pocket and Van lands a combination. Johnson with a body kick and Van lands a right hand. Another close round. 10-9 Van, 19-19.

They’re trading big punches in close range. Johnson lands a right hand and then an uppercut that drops Van and it is all over! Wow, what a finish from Johnson!

Official Result- Charles Johnson def. Joshua Van by knockout (punch) at :20 of Round 3

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> Middleweights- Abdul Razak Alhassan (12-6, 6-6 UFC) vs. Cody Brundage (10-6, 4-5 UFC)

Brundage tries for the takedown right away but Alhassan is pounding away and has Brundage in trouble. Alhassan landing a ton and this could be stopped but Brundage is still trying to get it down. Alhassan is now landing elbows and lands some to the back of the head and timeout is called. Brundage is being checked by the doctors and they say he can’t continue, and, since the elbows were accidental, it’s going to be a no contest.

Official Result- Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. Cody Brundage ends in a no contest (accidental foul) at :37 of Round 1

> Featherweights- Julian Erosa (29-11, 7-7 UFC) vs. Christian Rodriguez (11-1, 4-1 UFC)

Rodriguez with some early jabs as they trade leg kicks. Erosa lands some punches and Rodriguez lands some right hands then a head kick. Rodriguez’ mouth piece was knocked out. Rodriguez with some big punches and Erosa lands inside the pocket. Erosa lands a right hand. Rodriguez with a combo. Rodriguez with a right hand then a head kick. Rodriguez with another right hand. Erosa lands a teet kick. They trade in close range. Erosa gets a takedown and they are both landing on the mat. Rodriguez is inside the guard of Erosa and landing. Erosa suddenly locks in a guillotine choke and it’s in tight and Rodriguez taps! What a finish out of nowhere for Erosa to pick up the win.

Official Result- Julian Erosa def. Christian Rodriguez by submission (guillotine choke) at 4:49 of Round 1

> Welterweights- Gabriel Bonfim (15-1, 2-1 UFC) vs. Ange Loosa (10-3 1 NC, 2-1 1 NC UFC)

They clinch up almost immediately as both are looking to get it down. They switch positions and Bonfim lands several knees to the body. Loosa backs up and Bonfim lands a right hand then several more knees before Loosa scores a takedown. They get to their feet and Loosa gets it back down and lands several punches. They get to their feet and separate. They trade jabs. Bonfim with a pair of knees. Loosa looks for a takedown but Bonfim defends and lands a knee on the break. They trade jabs and Loosa gets a brief takedown, but they get right back up. Bonfim with a big combination. 10-9 Bonfim.

Bonfim with some teet kicks. Loosa scores a takedown but they get right back up. Bonfim lands a knee and Loosa lands a jab. Bonfim with a combination. They trade leg kicks. They trade inside the pocket before Bonfim lands a knee. They trade punches. Bonfim with a left hand. Bonfim lands a body kick. Bonfim with an uppercut. Loosa lands a right hand. Bonfim lands a big uppercut. Bonfim well ahead on volume as he lands an uppercut to the body followed by a knee. Loosa with a leg kick. Bonfim with a big right hand. Bonfim gets a late takedown. 10-9 Bonfim, 20-18 Bonfim.

Bonfim pressing forward and landing several combinations to start the third. They trade jabs. Bonfim with a series of jabs. Bonfim with a right hand and then tees up a few more. Bonfim landing with more volume as the pace is slowing down. Bonfim with a jab. Bonfim with a head kick. Bonfim with a right hand then a big knee to the body. Bonfim lands a right hand then a front kick. Bonfim with a hard right hand and Loosa clinches up and pushes it to the fence. They separate. Bonfim with a straight right hand. Loosa tries a late takedown. 10-9 Bonfim, 30-27 Bonfim.

Official Result- Gabriel Bonfim def. Ange Loosa by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Lightweights- Drew Dober (27-13 1 NC, 13-9 1 NC UFC) vs. Jean Silva (13-2, 2-0 UFC)

Dober with a leg kick. Dober with a body kick. Dober lands an inside leg kick. Silva lands a right hand and circles away. Silva with a high kick and a right hand. Silva lands a flying knee. Silva with a jab. Silva with a high kick and Dober with a leg kick. Dober lands a combination. Dober is cut around his eye. Dober lands a left hand to the body. Silva lands a right hand. Dober with a body kick as Silva lands a left hook. Silva with a left hook and body kick. 10-9 Silva.

Dober with an inside leg kick. Dober looks for a takedown and lands a knee on the break. Silva looks away and Dober lands a big left hand. Silva with a knee. Dober with a series of left hands as he lands in the clinch. Silva returns fire and Dober lands a body kick. Dober with a leg kick then a series of body shots. Silva with a right hand. Dober lands a Superman punch that hurts Silva. Dober with a left hand. Silva scores with an uppercut. Dober’s right eye is still badly bleeding. Dober lands a left hand. Silva with an elbow and a combination. Silva rocks Dober late with some hard punches and the bell might have saved Dober. 10-9 Silva, 20-18 Silva.

They trade kicks. They trade punches. Dober shoots for a takedown and Silva looks for a guillotine choke but Dober pops out and they’re back on the feet. Silva lands a spinning elbow. Dober’s face is an absolute mess and timeout is called to check the cut. That cut is massive and this fight has been stopped. What an incredible fight with an unfortunate end as Silva is going to pick up the win.

Official Result- Jean Silva def. Drew Dober by TKO (cut) at 1:28 of Round 3

> Welterweights- Santiago Ponzinibbio (29-7, 11-6 UFC) vs. Muslim Salikhov (19-5, 6-4 UFC)

Salikhov with a body kick. He lands a left hook. He lands a spin kick. Salikhov with a right hand followed by a body kick. Ponzinibbio pressing forward and lands a right hand. Ponzinibbio with a leg kick. Salikhov lands a spinning back fist and Ponzinibbio was knocked off balance. Salikhov with two left hooks. Ponzinibbio lands a right hand. Ponzinibbio with a combo to the body. Ponzinibbio with a right hand and lands a combo then Salikhov lands an uppercut. Ponzinibbio lands a combination. Salikhov with a right hand. Close round. 10-9 Salikhov.

Salikhov lands a right hand. Salikhov with a left hook and a spin kick. They trade and Salikhov lands a left hook. Salikhov with a spin kick that connects and knocks Ponzinibbio off balance for a moment. Salikhov with a leg kick. Salikhov with some solid punches and a body kick. Ponzinibbio throws but nothing lands then he connects with a right hand. Salikhov gets a brief takedown but they are right back up. Salikhov lands a solid combination. Ponzinibbio gets a late takedown and does nothing with it. 10-9 Salikhov, 20-18 Salikhov.

Ponzinibbio lands a right hand then a leg kick. They’re trading in close range. Salikhov just misses a spin kick. They clinch against the fence and Ponzinibbio has the edge but they separate. Ponzinibbio lands a right hand. Ponzinibbio looks for a takedown as he pushes it against the fence. Ponzinibbio drags it down and has the back as they almost stand. Salikhov is breathing heavily. They get to their feet as Ponzinibbio is still pressuring and Salikhov lands short punches. 10-9 Ponzinibbio, 29-28 Salikhov.

Official Result- Muslim Salikhov def. Santiago Ponzinibbio by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Women’s Flyweights- #6 Rose Namajunas (12-6, 10-5 UFC) vs. #11 Tracy Cortez (11-1, 5-0 UFC)

Namajunas with a leg kick. Namajunas lands a right hand. She lands a combo that backs Cortez up. Namajunas with a jab as Cortez lands a leg kick. Namajunas drops Cortez with a jab and Namajunas gets inside of the guard of Cortez. They get to their feet after Namajunas lands from the top. Namajunas lands a right hand. Cortez with a combo. Namajunas lands a right hand. They trade in close range. Cortez lands a right hand. They trade leg kicks. 10-9 Namajunas.

Namajunas with a jab and Cortez lands a right hand. Cortez lands a combo. They’re trading evenly but not a ton is landing. Namajunas with a leg kick. Namajunas lands a stiff right hand. Cortez briefly gets it down and is on the back as they stand. Cortez has the neck against the fence but Namajunas slips out. Namajunas lands a right hand. Cortez with a leg kick. Namajunas lands as she comes forward. Namajunas gets a takedown and ends the round on top. 10-9 Namajunas, 20-18 Namajunas.

Cortez rushes forward and lands. Namajunas with a front kick and then scores a takedown and goes right into the full mount. Namajunas landing from the top as they get to the fence. Cortez kicks off the fence to escape and they get to their feet. Namajunas gets it back to the ground. She gets back into the mount. Cortez tries to kick off the fence but Namajunas gets the back and lands as she looks for a choke. They get to their feet. Namajunas with a leg kick. 10-9 Namajunas, 30-27 Namajunas.

Cortez lands a kick and they clinch against the fence but quickly separate. They trade and Namajunas gets another takedown. They get up and Namajunas is controlling against the fence. They break apart. Both miss punch attempts. Cortez lands a right hand. Namajunas with a left hand. Namajunas lands a jab. Cortez gets a takedown but they quickly get up. Cortez with a knee and one more before the end. 10-9 Namajunas, 40-36 Namajunas.

Namajunas with a leg kick. Cortez with a pair of kicks. Both are throwing before Cortez initiates a tie-up against the fence. Namajunas reverses. They separate. Namajunas with a right hand. They clinch and Cortez lands a knee. They separate. Namajunas gets a takedown and has the leg as they stand and go to the fence. Cortez lands a knee. They separate. They trade combinations. Namajunas with a front kick. Cortez with a right hand and lands two more. Cortez with another right hand. Cortez with an uppercut and Namajunas lands a left hook. They tie up late. 10-9 Cortez, 49-46 Namajunas.

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