Main card
Welterweight Championship: Tyron Woodley def. Darren Till via submission (d’arce choke) 4:19, R2 to retain the UFC Welterweight Championship
Women’s Strawweight: Jessica Andrade def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz via knockout (punch) 1:58, R1
Featherweight: Zabit Magomedsharipov def. Brandon Davis via submission (knee bar) 3:46, R2
Bantamweight: Jimmie Rivera def. John Dodson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Welterweight: Abdul Razak Alhassan def. Niko Price via knockout (punches) 0:43, R1
Prelims
Women’s Strawweight: Tatiana Suarez def. Carla Esparza via TKO (elbows) 4:33, R3
Bantamweight: Aljamain Sterling def. Cody Stamann via submission (knee bar) 3:42, R2
Welterweight: Geoff Neal def. Frank Camacho via knockout (head kick) 1:23, R2
Middleweight: Darren Stewart def. Charles Byrd via TKO (punches & elbows) 2:17, R2
Early prelims
Welterweight: Diego Sanchez def. Craig White via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Lightweight: Jim Miller def. Alex White via submission (rear-naked choke) 1:29, R1
Women’s Bantamweight: Irene Aldana def. Lucie Pudilova via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Flyweight: Jarred Brooks def. Roberto Sanchez via spilt decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Welterweight champion Tyron Woodley faces English prodigy Darren Till at UFC 228. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 12pm AEST.
Welterweight champion Tyron Woodley is looking for his third title defence, coming off wins over Demain Maia and Stephen Thompson.
Woodley’s rise to the top was spectacular, with knockout wins over Dong Hyun Kim and Robbie Lawler, but since winning the title he’s failed to impress.
That doesn’t mean he hasn’t been impressive. A more cautious style has seen him dominate opponents, but he hasn’t showcased the power that made him famous.
Undefeated Darren Till is picked to be the UFC’s next big thing, and he enters the cage with a significant size advantage over Woodley.
He earned a title shot with a close decision win over former number one contender Stephen Thompson, but it was his stunning knockout win over Donald Cerrone that made people take notice.
He enters the octagon as a slight favourite, somewhat surprisingly.
Prediction
Woodley has been fighting safe as of late but has proved he is dangerous when being forced into a firefight. If Till tries to get him to open up, he might find himself on the end of a haymaker.
Tyron Woodley to defeat Darren Till via knockout in round three.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the event, starting from 12pm AEST.
When: 12pm AEST
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas
TV: Live, Pay-Per-View
Betting: Woodley $2.08, Till $1.75; Montano $6.50, Shevchenko $1.08
Scheduled bouts
(3x 5 minute rounds, title fights 5x 5 minute rounds)
Welterweight Championship: (C) Tyron ‘The Chosen One’ Woodley (18-3-1) vs #2 Darren ‘The Gorilla’ Till (17-0-1)
Featherweight: #15 Zabit Magomedsharipov (15-1) vs Brandon ‘Killer B’ Davis (9-4)
Women’s Strawweight: #2 Jessica ‘Bate Estaca’ Andrade (18-6) vs #4 Karolina Kowalkiewicz (12-2)
Welterweight: Abdul Razak Alhassan (9-1) vs Niko ‘The Hybrid’ Price (12-2, 1NC)
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Thank you to everyone who joined The Roar for this live blog, we look forward to seeing you all again soon!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
What a win by Tyron Woodley. He takes Darren Till's undefeated streak away. Till is a tough guy but he took some damage and that fight should have been stopped earlier.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
THE OFFICIAL DECISION: Tyron Woodley def. Darren Till via submission (d'arce choke) 4:19, R2 to retain the UFC Welterweight Championship
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Tyron Woodley has just been handed his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
(C) Tyron Woodley vs #2 Darren Till - ROUND 1/5: Second round is underway. Woodley lands a quick counter and Till goes down! Woodley gets on top of him and lands some massive shots. He is landing big elbows and punches on top. Till is cut. Woodley has landed some massive shots and the referee has not stopped the fight yet. He really needs to step in. Till is moving and aware, but he is taking some really bad damage. Woodley starts to bide his time a bit more and starts picking his shots. Woodley is in Till's guard but steps over into half guard. He's still beating him up and Till's cut is getting worse. Woodley has full mount and Till tries to roll him. Woodley is deep half guard now and is still landing elbows on top. Woodley is landing elbow after elbow. Till is a tough guy but he is taking really bad damage. I'm surprised the fight is still going. Woodley lands more punches. Woodley lands another elbow. Woodley is looking for the d'arce choke and it looks deep. Till taps out! TYRON WOODLEY RETAINS THE WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
(C) Tyron Woodley vs #2 Darren Till - ROUND 1/5: Round one of this title fight is underway. Till takes centre cage as Woodley looks to circle. Woodley connects early and lands a knee. Woodley has come out very aggressive. Woodley looks for the takedown and is looking to take Till down. Till is so much bigger than him. Woodley is trying to take him down but Till is defending well. Still, Woodley has him on the fence. The referee breaks them after no time to work. That is awful refereeing. They reset and both men are fainting. Woodley catches Till with a left hand which forces him back. Till is looking to use his reach and push Woodley back with jabs. Till hasn't landed a strike yet. Woodley lands to the body and misses a kick. Till is being very patient but Woodley is clearly winning this round. Woodley shoots for the takedown and can't get it, but he grapples him and has Till controlled on the fence. Woodley lands some knees. Till still has his back on the fence. Till turns him around. The referee separates them again. I have no idea what his issue is, he must give them more time, it's just ridiculous. Till has a high kick blocked. Time. Clearly Woodley's round. 10-9 Woodley (10-9 Woodley).
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Undefeated Darren Till is picked to be the UFC’s next big thing, and he enters the cage with a significant size advantage over Woodley. He earned a title shot with a close decision win over former number one contender Stephen Thompson, but it was his stunning knockout win over Donald Cerrone that made people take notice. He enters the octagon as a slight favourite, somewhat surprisingly.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Welterweight champion Tyron Woodley is looking for his third title defence, coming off wins over Demain Maia and Stephen Thompson. Woodley’s rise to the top was spectacular, with knockout wins over Dong Hyun Kim and Robbie Lawler, but since winning the title he’s failed to impress. That doesn’t mean he hasn’t been impressive. A more cautious style has seen him dominate opponents, but he hasn’t showcased the power that made him famous.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Five rounds for the Welterweight Championship!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
It’s time for the main event!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
THE OFFICIAL DECISION: Jessica Andrade def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz via knockout (punch) 1:58, R1
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
#2 Jessica Andrade vs #4 Karolina Kowalkiewicz - ROUND 1/3: Round one of the co-main event is underway. They touch gloves. Andrade comes outs swinging and hurts Kowalkiewicz. Kowalkiewicz is retreating and trying to hang in there, but Andrade keeps landing. Kowalkiewicz lands one of her own and now she is finding success. Andrade is still pushing forward and fighting with reckless abandon. Kowalkiewicz is hurt but she is standing in there and fighting. Andrade is landing some hard shots. Kowalkiewicz is moving around trying not get cornered. Andrade lands a hard shot and Kowalkiewicz goes down and is out cold! Wow, what a finish!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
A Women’s Strawweight bout between #2 Jessica Andrade and #4 Karolina Kowalkiewicz.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
It’s time for the co-main event!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
THE OFFICIAL DECISION: Zabit Magomedsharipov def. Brandon Davis via submission (knee bar) 3:46, R2
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
#15 Zabit Magomedsharipov vs Brandon Davis - ROUND 1/3: Second round s underway. Davis comes out quickly and lands some leg kicks but Magomedsharipov gets a hold of him and tries to climb his back. He doesn't get it but he still has Davis' back and eventually takes him down. Magomedsharipov is in half guard and Davis is against the fence. Davis is scrambling and trying to get up to his feet. He does but Magomedsharipov just drags him back down. Davis is back up again but Magomedsharipov has him up against the fence. Magomedsharipov lands some good shots but he hasn't done too much damage. Magomedsharipov takes him down again and lands some shots. Magomedsharipov puts one hook in but Davis gets back up to his feet. Magomedsharipov lands some shots and Davis spins and separates. Magomedsharipov trips Davis and gets his back. They aren't near the cage anymore and Magomedsharipov gets both hooks in on a turtled up Davis. Magomedsharipov is attacking the neck and looking for the rear-naked choke. Davis looks to shake him off but from riding his back, Magomedsharipov gets an amazing knee bar. Davis taps. What a submission. Sterling did it earlier for the first time ever in the UFC, and now Magomedsharipov gets it as well! Incredible submission!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
#15 Zabit Magomedsharipov vs Brandon Davis - ROUND 1/3: Round one is underway. Magomedsharipov takes centre cage. Davis looks for leg kicks early. Inside leg kick lands for Magomedsharipov. Magomedsharipov lands a jab. Davis misses with a kick but lands a leg kick. Davis misses with some shots. Davis lands a body kick. Davis is staying active. Magomedsharipov is waiting right now, we know he can be wild. Magomedsharipov lands a good jab. Davis lands a hard leg kick. Davis misses a right hand. Spinning back fist is blocked by Davis. Davis lands a body kick. Magomedsharipov catches a kick and lands a good shot. Magomedsharipov looks for a trip but Davis sees it coming. Davis is forcing Magomedsharipov back but Magomedsharipov lands a left hook and a left hand. Magomedsharipov moves from the cage. Davis is being very active and throwing a lot of shots. Davis lands an uppercut, Magomedsharipov lands an inside leg kick. Jump switch kick lands for Magomedsharipov. Magomedsharipov gets his hands on Davis and puts him against the cage. Davis is trying to not get taken down but Magomedsharipov picks him up and throws him. Davis gets back up to his feet and separates. Magomedsharipov misses a spinning kick and lands a left hook to the body to end the round. 10-9 Magomedsharipov (10-9 Magomedsharipov)
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Up next we have a Featherweight fight, as #15 Zabit Magomedsharipov takes on Brandon Davis.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
THE OFFICIAL DECISION: Jimmie Rivera def. John Dodson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
#5 Jimmie Rivera vs #7 John Dodson - ROUND 3/3: Third and final round is underway. Dodson takes the middle of the cage. Dodson lands an inside leg kick and Rivera lands a good counter. Dodson lands but Rivera's counter stuns him. Dodson is opening up now. Rivera lands a good combination. Both men leg kick each others kicking legs. Both men miss in an exchange. Rivera lands a right hand to the body. Not much has really happened now. Dodson needs to do something and fast, Rivera is clearly the one moving forward. A minute a half left in the fight. Dodson lands a front kick and Rivera responds with an inside leg kick. Dodson lands a shot and Rivera slips. Rivera bounces right back up. Rivera backs up Dodson some more but neither man is really landing much. 20 seconds to go. Ten seconds to go. Nothing has really happened this round. This time I can understand the boos. They swing to the finish but it's nothing exciting. 10-9 Rivera (29-28 Rivera)