(Image via Twitter.com/DanaWhite)
For the first time in UFC history, two Olympic medalist clashed in the Octagon earlier today with women’s UFC bantamweight title holder successfully defending her title against previously undefeated Sara McMann.
The two fighters clashed in the main event of UFC 170 held earlier today at the Mandalay Bay Events Centre in Las Vegas, USA and shown live in Australia on Mainevent Pay-per-view.
McMann attacked early and landed the first punch of the fight before Rousey shoved the challenger against the cage. Rousey landed a knee to the mid-section that dropped McMann and some follow-up punches had referee Herb Dean jumping in to save McMann. The end came only 66-seconds into the fight.
Late replacement Patrick Cummins proved no match for Daniel Cormier with the American Kickboxing Academy fighter moving his professional record to 14-0 with a first round stoppage. Cummins attempted and early takedown but was shoved away by Cormier. An uppercut from Cormier rocked Cummins and as he looked to pounce, another uppercut dropped Cummins. Cormier unleashed some ground-and-pound that forced referee Mario Yamasaki to stop the contest, only 1:19 into the fight. Impressive performance from Cormier who was making his light-heavyweight debut. Cummins drops his first fight to go 4-1.
Under pressure to win and get back in the hunt, 24 year-old Rory MacDonald lost the opening round to Demian Maia, but came back to win the next two rounds to take the unanimous decision. Maia dominated the first round, spending the majority of it working from the top position on the ground which included moments in mount. MacDonald though was able to defend the takedown attempts and landing pin-point strikes as Maia struggled to find the target. In the end, all three judged awarded the Canadian fighter the win 29-28.
Earlier on the main-card, Mike Pyle scored his fifth win in six fights when he stopped T.J. Waldburger with elbows and punches in the third round, while Australian fighter Robert Whittaker went down to Stephen Thompson.
Main Card (Mainevent PPV):
- Ronda Rousey def Sara McMann via TKO (Knee To Body), Rd 1, 1:06
- Daniel Cormier def Patrick Cummins via TKO (Punches), Rd 1, 1:19
- Rory MacDonald def Demian Maia via Decision (Unanimous)
- Mike Pyle def TJ Waldburger via TKO (Elbows and Punches), Rd 3, 4:03
- Stephen Thompson def Robert Whittaker via TKO (Punches), Rd 1, 3:43
Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass):
- Alexis Davis def Jessica Eye via Decision (Split)
- Raphael Assuncao def Pedro Munhoz via Decision (Unanimous)
- Aljamain Sterling def Cody Gibson via Decision (Unanimous)
- Zach Makovsky def Joshua Sampo via Decision (Unanimous)
Preliminary Card (Fuel TV):
- Erik Koch def Rafaello Oliveira via TKO (Punches), Rd 1, 1:24
- Ernest Chavez def Yosdenis Cedeno via Decision (Split)
