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Action starts at 10 pm ET

Action starts at 8 pm ET

As Octagon debuts go, Alexander Hernandez couldn’t have wished for anything better. Needing only a swift left hand to sleep Dariush, his power and timing made it an early night for both fighters. #UFC222 Official Result: Alexander Hernandez def @BeneilDariush by KO, first round, :42.

Pedro Munhoz seemed to figure out John Dodson as the fight went along but it wasn’t enough as Dodson was able to secure a split decision win, 28-29, 30-27, 29-28. Dodson’s speed and evasiveness was on full display in this fight. But Munhoz stayed patient and started to connect more frequently as the fight progressed. Dodson ended up out-striking Munhoz, 80-64 (unofficially) and was the more active on the feet. Dodson has gone win-lose in his last four and asked for the fight that gets him closest to the title next. #UFC222 Official Result: @JohnDodsonMMA (30-27, 29-28) def @PedroMunhozMMA (29-28) by split decision

Mike Pyle’s final walk to the Octagon did not go as he had hoped, getting rocked to the mat early by Ottow’s right hand, and was unable to escape the ground and pound that followed. Pyle retires with the fifth most finishes in UFC welterweight history with seven. #UFC222 Official Result: @TheBarbarianMMA def @Mike_Pyle by TKO, first round, 2:34.

THEY SAID IT:
Zak Ottow: “The fight didn’t go as expected but the result certainly did. I really thought I would come out and use my jab more to set up my offense but everything went pretty fast out there so I adapted and got the finish. Going into this fight, it was really important to get back to my finishing ways. I just signed my second contract with the UFC and I wanted to prove myself with this fight. Mike is an absolute legend. He’s a pioneer in our division and in MMA in general so it was an honor to me to be able to be his last fight. This is the biggest win of my career so far so I’m not too concerned about rankings or anything like that yet. I just want to put on great performances and show what I can do here. I felt like I did that tonight and I can’t wait to get back out there and do it again. I also want to put it out there that I want another UFC card in Milwaukee and I want to be a part of it. There is a great MMA community in Milwaukee and it would be amazing to fight in front of my hometown!”

Early momentum seemed to favor Caraway in the second bout of the night, and although Stamann did well defending, he found himself in a dangerous inverted triangle, narrowly escaping the first round. Stamann’s punches in the second seemed to sap Caraway who continually sought the takedown. The takedown never came, but Caraway ended up getting the edge in striking by the start of the third. The battle stayed standing with both fighters landing and eating their share of jabs until Caraway got come control in the clinch late in the round and attempted a submission as time expired. A third round surge and some excellent defense throughout ultimately gave the edge to Stamann who walks away with the second split decision of the evening. #UFC222 Official Result: @CodyStamann (29-28, 29-28) def @BryanCaraway (29-28) by split decision.

THEY SAID IT:
Cody Stamann : “Caraway is a tough guy, for sure. I knew I lost the first round so I had to outwork him in the second and third and that was my goal. You never know what the judges see and so I was nervous hearing the split decision come down from Bruce Buffer but I felt like I had won both of those rounds so I’m happy to have this win. I want to keep getting better. I will most likely be in the Top 10 after this weekend is over and I want to get another contender ranked above me so I can keep working towards the title. That’s my goal. That’s why I’m here. That’s what I want.”

Jordan Johnson vs Adam Milstead
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 03: (R-L) Jordan Johnson punches Adam Milstead in their light heavyweight bout during the UFC 222 event inside T-Mobile Arena on March 3, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) In a largely even standup battle, Johnson seized control in the first round, pinning Milstead against the fence and doing some body work. Johnson stuck to this plan throughout the second to avoid Milstead’s heavier hands. Johnson easily won the strike differential, albeit with smaller leg punches. Milstead landed some strong overhand combinations in the third, but Johnson returned fire, opening a cut on Milstead’s eye and eventually scoring a takedown and going back into control mode. Johnson didn’t escape unscathed, eating a late-round flurry by Milstead, but his ability to limit his opponent’s attack throughout the bout was good enough for the win. #UFC222 Official Result: @DoubleJMMA (29-28, 29-28) def @AdamMilstead (30-27) by Split Decision.

THEY SAID IT:
Jordan Johnson: “It wasn’t the performance I was hoping for but it definitely wasn’t a split decision. I came in to the fight saying that I wanted to knock him out and that was the game plan but he’s a tough guy. I don’t think he did near the level of damage that I did though and that was visible on his face after the fight. I landed takedowns, I landed way more strikes than he did and I controlled his positions, whether we were against the cage or on the mat. I just don’t understand how the judges didn’t see that. Right now, I’m going to go home and be a dad. My child was born on Tuesday so I can’t wait to get home and be a dad. Then, keep an eye on my social media and I’ll let you know who I want next.”

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