The UFC made a thrilling return to Vancouver for the highly anticipated UFC Fight Night event in partnership with Destination Vancouver, taking place at the iconic Rogers Arena on Saturday, October 18, 2023. This event showcased a series of exhilarating fights, attracting fans from all over and featuring up-and-coming talents alongside seasoned fighters.
One of the standout matchups of the evening was the clash between Djorden Santos and Danny Barlow, which was part of the preliminary card. The fighters engaged in a fiercely competitive bout, with Barlow showing early dominance thanks to his speed and striking precision. He successfully landed several impactful shots in the initial rounds, even coming close to finishing Santos.
However, as the fight progressed, the Brazilian fighter Santos found his rhythm and began to retaliate effectively as Barlow began to tire. The pivotal moment occurred when Santos capitalized on a slip from Barlow, controlling the ground game and clinch for the majority of the final round. When the judges tallied their scorecards, they awarded Santos the victory by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the fight 29-28 in his favor. This win marked Santos' resurgence after a loss in his promotional debut at UFC 313, solidifying his place as a promising member of Dana White’s Contender Series Class of '24.
In another thrilling contest, Stephanie Luciano faced off against Ravena Oliveira in an all-Brazilian matchup. Luciano, a graduate of Dana White’s Contender Series, showcased her grappling skills and resilience throughout the fight. After a competitive start, Luciano began to dominate, landing significant strikes and effectively utilizing her grappling techniques.
In the third round, Luciano found an opening to secure a rear-naked choke, leading to a submission victory at 2:50. This impressive performance improved her professional record to 2-1 in the UFC and 7-2-1 overall, marking a significant comeback after her previous split decision loss to Sam Hughes.
Another notable performance came from Yousri Belgaroui, who faced Azamat Bekoev. The former Glory Kickboxing standout made a remarkable debut in the UFC, demonstrating his technical prowess and striking efficiency. Belgaroui utilized his reach advantage effectively, landing powerful elbows that opened up cuts on Bekoev.
As the fight progressed into the third round, Belgaroui intensified his attack, leading to a TKO victory just 55 seconds into the round. This victory marked his fourth consecutive win and showcased his potential as a significant contender in the middleweight division.
Canadian fighter Melissa Croden kicked off the night with an impressive TKO victory over Tainara Lisboa. While the first round was closely contested, Croden found her footing and began to assert her dominance in the latter rounds. With a relentless approach, she wore down Lisboa, ultimately securing the finish at 4:32 of Round 3. This victory not only marked a successful debut for Croden but also highlighted her potential within the competitive 135-pound weight class, raising her professional record to 7-2.
Looking ahead, fans can expect more exciting matchups as the UFC Fight Night continues to deliver top-tier combat sports action. The main card features notable fighters such as Bruno Silva and HyunSung Park, alongside Cody Gibson and Aoriqileng, and Kyle Prepolec facing off against Drew Dober. Don't miss a moment of the action on October 18, 2025, with prelims starting at 4 PM ET/1 PM PT, followed by the main card at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT.
To catch all the action, fans are encouraged to subscribe to UFC Fight Pass, offering access to live fights, new shows, and a vast array of combat sports events from around the world. The platform serves as the ultimate destination for fight enthusiasts looking to stay updated and engaged with the latest in mixed martial arts.
