On Saturday night, UFC CEO Dana White humorously remarked that remarkable prelims often lead to a less thrilling main card. However, this proved untrue at the UFC APEX during the UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Dolidze 2 event. With five out of seven preliminary card bouts ending in finishes, the excitement carried over seamlessly into the main card, which featured finishes in the first three fights, delivering fast-paced and entertaining action throughout the night.
The main card kicked off with Kevin Vallejos, an Argentinian rookie, who showcased his potential with a first-round stoppage victory over SeungWoo Choi. Vallejos, who made his promotional debut, demonstrated impressive striking skills, culminating in a TKO at 3:09 of Round 1.
Following Vallejos, Brendson Ribeiro and Da’Mon Blackshear each scored submission victories via kimura, tapping out Diyar Nurgozhay and Cody Gibson respectively in the second round. Ribeiro’s win was particularly notable as it marked his first UFC finish after an impressive debut on Dana White’s Contender Series.
In a highly competitive lightweight bout, Alexander Hernandez faced off against Kurt Holobaugh, ultimately winning by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28). Both fighters had their moments, but Hernandez’s ability to adapt and control the fight earned him the victory.
Lastly, Chidi Njokuani continued his strong run in the welterweight division, defeating Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos by TKO at 2:19 of Round 2. After a competitive first round, Njokuani landed a perfectly timed knee, sending dos Santos crashing to the canvas and securing the finish.
The main event featured a rematch between Roman Dolidze and Marvin Vettori, nearly two years after their first encounter. This bout was a tactical and competitive affair, with both fighters showcasing their skills over five rounds. Each round featured moments of success for both athletes, but Dolidze ultimately outpaced Vettori in the final stretch, earning a unanimous decision victory (49-46, 49-46, 49-46).
Dolidze’s victory marked his third consecutive win and provided him with a sense of revenge after losing their initial matchup. Vettori, returning after a lengthy absence, displayed resilience and skill throughout the fight, making it a compelling close to the night’s action.
The full fight card details for UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Dolidze 2 are as follows:
Roman Dolidze defeats Marvin Vettori by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) Chidi Njokuani defeats Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos by TKO (knee and punches) at 2:19 of Round 2 Alexander Hernandez defeats Kurt Holobaugh by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) Da’Mon Blackshear defeats Cody Gibson by submission (kimura) at 4:09 of Round 2 Brendson Ribeiro defeats Diyar Nurgozhay by submission (kimura) at 1:28 of Round 2 Kevin Vallejos defeats SeungWoo Choi by TKO (strikes) at 3:09 of Round 1 Waldo Cortes-Acosta defeats Ryan Spann by TKO (strikes) at 4:48 of Round 2 SuYoung You defeats AJ Cunningham by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Carlos Vera defeats Josias Musasa by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:16 of Round 1 Sam Hughes defeats Stephanie Luciano by split decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-28) Andre Lima defeats Daniel Barez by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:05 of Round 3 Priscila Cachoeira defeats Josiane Nunes by KO (right hand) at 2:46 of Round 1 Carli Judice defeats Yuneisy Duben by TKO (head kick) at 1:40 of Round 1This event, which aired live on ESPN+, provided fans with an exhilarating night of fights, showcasing the talent and determination of the fighters within the UFC. For more detailed fight coverage and insights, stay tuned to our updates.
