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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

Steve Erceg scored his first finish in the octagon in emphatic fashion with a stunning walkoff knockout over Matt Schnell at UFC Vegas 87.

After a back-and-forth brawl in the opening round, Erceg figured out Schnell’s timing and distance as the second round got underway. Erceg went to the body with a right hand and then came back up top with a vicious left hook that snapped Scnhell’s head around and sent him crashing to the canvas in a heap.

The referee rushed in to stop the contest immediately with the end coming at just 26 seconds into the second round.

“It’s amazing,” Erceg said about the knockout. “He’s coming pretty hard, his hands do come down a lot when he’s swinging. I just felt there was a home where he was striking me.”

Erceg found success with his hands early in the fight as well but he also endured some wild exchanges with Schnell as the flyweights were both looking for the finish. Schnell was definitely wearing more damage on his face with a cut that had blood leaking down around his eye but that only got him more active when he was trading shots with Erceg on the feet.

There were a couple of moments where it looked like Erceg was taking over but then Schnell would back him off with a stiff shot that connected clean.

As the second round got started, Schnell stepped right back into the pocket again but this time Erceg was ready for him. He stepped into the final combination with the perfectly timed right hand to the body and then the left hook to the head at the same time that Schnell released the same punch — except his came up short.

It was an impressive finish for Erceg as he moves to 3-0 in the UFC and he’s gunning for a former champion in his next fight.

“There’s a guy coming off two losses. Brandon Moreno, I’m coming to look for that top five,” Erceg shouted. “Let’s just make it happen.”

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Live Results
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UFC

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to its APEX facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, for the UFC Vegas 87 mixed martial arts (MMA) event TODAY (Sat., March 2, 2024), streaming LIVE on ESPN+. UFC Vegas 87 will be topped by the 265-pound showdown pitting long-time heavyweight contender, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, against fast-rising undefeated division prospect, Shamil Gaziev, a five-round showdown with a spot in the division Top 15 hanging in the balance. Before that headlining clash of styles gets underway, rough-and-tumble light heavyweight hurter, Tyson Pedro, collides with action-first Brazilian bruiser, Vitor Petrino, in UFC Vegas 87’s co-main event, scheduled for 15 minutes of slam-bang violence.

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Vegas 87 fight card below, starting with the ESPN+ “Prelims” undercard bouts at 1:30 p.m. ET, followed by the ESPN+ main card start time at 4 p.m. ET. Bet on all the UFC Vegas 87 action with our friends at DraftKings Sportsbook right here.

Keep in mind that we will also be the spot for the latest news, recaps, and post-fight analysis following “Rozenstruik vs. Gaziev.” Without further delay, see below for the updated UFC Vegas 87 results. (Note: This will go from the bottom up; therefore, scroll toward the bottom for the latest detailed round-by-round action).

UFC VEGAS 87 QUICK RESULTS:

Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Shamil Gaziev
Tyson Pedro vs. Vitor Petrino
Muhammad Mokaev vs. Alex Perez
Eryk Anders vs. Jamie Pickett
Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Bekzat Almakhan
Stephen Erceg vs. Matt Schnell
Vinicius Oliveira vs. Bernardo Sopai
Javid Basharat vs. Aiemann Zahabi
Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Claudio Ribeiro — Duncan def. Ribeiro by TKO (punches) at 1:57 of Round Two
Ludovit Klein vs. A.J. Cunningham — Klein def. Cunningham by TKO (body kick and punches) at 4:36 of Round One — HIGHLIGHTS!
Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady vs. Loik Radzhabov — Radzhabov def. Al-Selwady by KO (punches) at 0:49 of Round Three — HIGHLIGHTS!

UFC VEGAS 87 PLAY-BY-PLAY:

265 lbs.: Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Shamil Gaziev

Round 1:

Round 2:

Round 3:

Round 4:

Round 5:

Final result:

205 lbs.: Tyson Pedro vs. Vitor Petrino

Round 1:

Round 2:

Round 3:

Final result:

125 lbs.: Muhammad Mokaev vs. Alex Perez

Round 1:

Round 2:

Round 3:

Final result:

185 lbs.: Eryk Anders vs. Jamie Pickett

Round 1:

Round 2:

Round 3:

Final result:

135 lbs.: Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Bekzat Almakhan

Round 1:

Round 2:

Round 3:

Final result:

125 lbs.: Stephen Erceg vs. Matt Schnell

Round 1:

Round 2:

Round 3:

Final result:

135 lbs.: Vinicius Oliveira vs. Bernardo Sopai

Round 1:

Round 2:

Round 3:

Final result:

135 lbs.: Javid Basharat vs. Aiemann Zahabi

Round 1: Basharat patiently advancing as Zahabi circles. Solid check from Basharat and he comes back with kicks of his own. 1-2 from Zahabi, who eats a body kick as he disengages and checks a low kick behind it. Basharat tries a side kick. Still at sparring pace so far, more feints than strikes on both sides. Two minutes in. Basharat backs away from a flurry and tries a head kick. Zahabi now trying to press the action as Basharat flashes counters. Clash of heads. Basharat feints a spin, walks into a jab. Solid low kick by Zahabi, Basharat back on the front foot. Nice body kick with two minutes to go.

Zahabi lands a long 1-2, just avoids a heel kick. Sneaky back kick to the body by Basharat as he retreats. Basharat whiffs on a flying knee, then knocks Zahabi over with another back kick. One minute to go. Sharp 1-2. Low kick from Zahabi in return. Basharat looking a bit more aggressive with his kicks. Zahabi doubles up the right kick. 10-9 Basharat.

Round 2: Some heavier exchanges to start the round, both men connecting. Counter rights by Zahabi, jab by Basharat. One minute in. Heavy flurry from Zahabi catches Basharat leaning. Basharat potshotting with straight punches. Zahabi waiting to counter as Basharat bounces shots off his guard. Head kick attempt. Two minutes in. Intercepting knee, then a slick uppercut that lands flash. Zahabi sits down on some heavy swings of his own. Basharat in the flow, avoiding most of what Zahabi sends his way. Nice exchanges. Two minutes to go.

Zahabi body shot. He’s trying to pressure at this point. He denies a shot, avoids an elbow, lands a 1-2. Lead left by Basharat. More trades in the center. One minute to go. Zahabi denies a shot and briefly threatens from the front headlock before they return to their feet. More good takedown defense by Zahabi, who eats a straight left. Counter two-piece by Zahabi. Left hook, then a counter right that briefly drops Basharat. Basharat pursues and tries to get it back before the bell. 10-9 Zahabi.

Round 3:

Final result:

185 lbs.: Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Claudio Ribeiro

Round 1: Duncan sharpshooting early with punches and kicks. Spinning elbow blocked. Ribeiro looks a step behind in the first minute, keeping a high guard but little else. Spinning back kick from Duncan. He’s enjoying target practice at the moment, trying to snipe his way through Ribeiro’s guard. Ribeiro eats an elbow and tries to chase without success two minutes in. Duncan backs him to the fence and cracks him with a series of heavy elbows while manipulating his guard. Ribeiro sprints after him, eating a nasty right hand in the process. More sharpshooting with two minutes to go.

RIbeiro catches a front kick and nearly eats a Joaquin Buckley-style spinning kick for it before putting Duncan on the fence. RIbeiro tries a spinning elbow, gives up double underhooks. One minute to go. Knees to the thigh from Duncan. Ribeiro reverses. They end the round there. 10-9 Duncan.

Round 2: Ribeiro tries to charge after him with haymakers before tying up against the fence. Duncan separates and tries a flying knee before tying up himself. Good level change a minute in and he slams Ribeiro into side control. Quick move to mount and here come the punches and elbows. Duncan hammers until Ribeiro gives up his back, then continues dropping punches until the ref steps in.

Final result: Duncan def. Ribeiro by TKO (punches)

155 lbs.: Ludovit Klein vs. A.J. Cunningham

Round 1: Klein catches a body kick and takes Cunningham down into guard. Good left hand on the way up, nasty body shot, body kick. His next takedown gets Cunningham to a knee against the fence a minute in. Knee on the way up, then more body shots. Trading in the center. Klein straight left, Cunningham body and low kicks. Klein tries a head kick two minutes in. Inside low kicks landing for Cunningham. Klein answers with a nasty combo, capped by a head kick. Hard exchange in the center. Klein landing the better shots but Cunningham’s finding the mark at times. Vicious 1-2 from Klein, counter two-piece from Cunningham. Two minutes to go.

Both men throwing heat. 1-2-3 by Klein. Inside low kick exchange, straight left by Klein. Cunningham to the body. One minute to go. Hard body shots from Klein in return. More body shots, then a 1-2 and elbow against the fence. Klein putting on a clinic. 1-2-3-head kick, body shots, then a snap kick to the body finally sends Cunningham to his knees.

Final result: Klein def. Cunningham by TKO (body kick and punches) — WATCH HIGHLIGHTS!

155 lbs.: Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady vs. Loik Radzhabov

Round 1: Al-Selwady immediately gets to circling and firing leg kicks. Radzhabov tries a flying kick. Slick movement from Al-Selwady, who follows a spinning back kick with a leg kick. One minute in. Leg kick to overhand right, Radzhabov doesn’t manage to tie up. Body shots form Al-Selwady, who eats a short uppercut but gets double underhooks when Radzhabov ties up. Grinding against the fence. Two minutes in. Radzhabov peels away the body lock and separates. Solid combo by Radzhabov against the fence. HE catches Al-Selwady on one leg and drops him with a right hand, following him down and swarming with punches. Body lock with two minutes to go.

Radzhabov looking for the back, hitting mat returns and landing punches. One minute to go. Al-Selwady escapes the front headlock and the ref pauses the action to warn them both for grabbing the fence. Another nice counter right by Radzhabov, then some heavy knees from the front headlock. Al-Selwady blasts him with an overhand right in return, then tries a spinning back kick. One more overhand right. Fun round. 10-9 Radzhabov.

Round 2: More pressure from Radzhabov, who fights off a takedown after Al-Selwady catches a knee. They separate soon after. Hard low kick from Al-Selwady, then another. One minute in. Counter overhand by Al-Selwady, playing matador. Heavy leg kick. Radzhabov tries a flying knee and Al-Selwady swats him out of the air with an overhand right. Al-Selwady building steam. Two minutes in. Switching stance, circling, solid overhand right. Radzhabov wading after him and firing front kicks. He’s still trying to time Al-Selwady’s kicks with counter rights. Al-Selwady shoots, settles for the front headlock with two minutes to go.

Radzhabov pops his head out and walks into an overhand right. Al-Selwady ducks a right hand, looks for a single-leg, cracks him with another overhand right. Perfectly timed double-leg puts him on top in half guard. Brief move to side control, back to half guard Radzhabov scrambles up, tries a knee, and walks into another counter. 10-9 Al-Selwady.

Round 3: Al-Selwady limp-legs out of a single-leg, then hits a double-legs of his own and lands right hands on the way up. Spinning back kick whiffs, counter left hook doesn’t. Out of nowhere, though, Radzhabov uncorks an overhand right htat lands right on the temple. Al-Selwady’s out after the first couple follow-ups, but the ref lets Radzhabov hammer his unconscious body for a good five seconds before stepping in.

Final result: Radzhabov def. Al-Selwady by KO (punches) — WATCH HIGHLIGHTS!

To check out the latest and greatest UFC Vegas 87: “Rozenstruik vs. Gaziev” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.

MMAmania.com – All Posts

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

As he prepares to share a card with Amanda Serrano and Jake Paul, 17-year-old Javon “Wanna” Walton knows there will be a brighter spotlight on his professional boxing debut than almost anyone else in the sport.

Walton is best known for his portrayal as Ashtray on the award-winning HBO series Euphoria, as well as roles in shows like The Umbrella Academy, but long before he stood in front of the camera, he was already learning how to throw punches. It’s an important distinction that he wants to make ahead of his pro debut, because as much as he appreciates the support and attention he’s received from fans who have seen him on TV, Walton promises that he was always a boxer first who then took up acting second.

“I’ve been working on boxing my whole life,” Walton told MMA Fighting. “People see it, but they only want to talk about the acting side. They don’t see the work I’ve been putting in the gym. I’ve got something to prove March 2, and I can’t wait to show the world what I’m going to do.

“I think that’s what makes me different from everybody else as well,” he added, “is that I’ve got two things going for me. I’m going to hold onto the acting world for sure, but my priority is boxing now and I’m going to get in as many fights as I can. There’s a lot to prove. This is just a stepping stone in the boxing career. I’m looking forward to a very, very long career in the boxing world. I really can’t wait to do my thing in the ring and show people that I’m really about this and I’ve been working for this my whole life.”

Walton has said that he’s putting acting on hold right now as he turns his full focus to boxing, but he’s not shutting the door on that career.

In fact, he draws parallels between the lessons he learned on-set while acting opposite Emmy winners like Zendaya and the preparation he needs in the boxing ring.

“The work ethic and the mental [preparation] for sure [are the same],” Walton said. “When you’re acting, you’ve got only so many takes where you can get it right. In boxing, you mess up one round in a four-round fight, it can go either way. In both areas, you have to be very sharp at all times.”

Fame affects everyone differently, but there are limitless examples of children who grew up in front of the camera and then suffered through any number of struggles later in life. Over the years, it’s effectively become a cautionary tale for stardom in Hollywood.

Walton understands the pressure that comes along with that level of attention at such a young age, but it’s something he’s addressed by surrounding himself with the right people.

His father serves as his head trainer, and Walton has another guardian angel looking over him at all times with Paul serving as his promoter.

As a former Disney star turned social influencer, Paul grew up under the spotlight, and things have only gotten brighter since he decided that boxing would be his future. Now Paul is making an investment in Walton as one of the rising stars under his Most Valuable Promotions banner.

Between Paul, his dad, and a familiar team that always surrounds him, Walton exudes confidence that he’ll make the right decisions regarding his career and his future in combat sports.

“Honestly, I’ve been just staying super focused my whole life and I have a great support system around me,” Walton said. “I couldn’t ask for a better team. It’s people that have been around me my whole life and they’re looking out for my best interests.

“A lot of these guys, they get these people that don’t really care about their best interests around them as they get older. I’ve been around my team my whole life. I think that really helps me, for sure.”

Walton also knows that his boxing career will be a marathon rather than a sprint, which is why he’s not making any outrageous claims about his plans beyond the debut fight on March 2. He has championship aspirations, but because Walton is having his first professional fight while he’s still a teenager, there’s no need to run before he can walk.

“I want to take my time with it,” Walton said. “I’m only 17 years old. I have a lot of room to grow in the boxing world. I won’t hit my prime for the next couple of years. I’ve got so much time ahead of me and I think that’s what’s so great about starting the pro game so early. I can take my time, choose when I want to fight, and really be selective about it in the beginning.

“Then, in the next five years, I would love to be fighting for a world title. If I can end this year with three to four fights under my belt, I would feel great about that.”

Boxing takes up all his time these days, but Waltons says his former co-stars haven’t forgotten about him. In fact, he knows everyone he’s worked with over the years will be in his corner, even if they’re not sitting ringside for his debut.

“When you work on a series for so long and you’re with those people for such long hours, you kind of become a little family over that amount of time,” Walton said. “I definitely stay in touch with a lot of those people and I talk to them about the boxing world.

“I’m blessed to have such amazing people around me that are supporting me and really ready to see what I’m going to do on March 2.”

MMA Fighting – All Posts

Khabib Nurmagomedov was gifted a signed jersey from NBA icon Steph Curry.

The former UFC lightweight world champion was courtside at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto as Curry and the Golden State Warriors secured a 120-105 win over the Raptors. During the game, ‘The Eagle’ couldn’t help, but marvel at seeing the four-time NBA champion in action.

“It’s different experience to watch live one of the best NBA player in the world,” Nurmagomedov wrote on X along with a photo of Curry on the court.

Following the game, the two engaged in a brief conversation before Curry handed his game-worn jersey to ‘The Eagle’ with his autograph and a message. “To Khabib, all love champ,” the two-time MVP wrote.

Curry tallied a team-leading 25 points, six rebounds, and six assists to lead Golden State to victory. Though the team had a rough start to the 2023/2024 season, the Warriors have now won 11 of their last 13 games. They’ll be back on the court on Saturday, March 2 for a meeting with the Eastern Conference’s top dogs, the Boston Celtics.

Khabib Nurmagomedov Plans to remain happily retired

Khabib Nurmagomedov is considered to be one of the greatest mixed martial artists in the history of the sport. Going 29-0 in his career, ‘The Eagle’ captured the UFC lightweight title, defending it three times against Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje before laying down his gloves and riding off into retirement in 2020.

Despite repeated efforts by the UFC to draw him back in with fat stacks of cash, ‘The Eagle’ has remained adamant that he is retired and will be staying that way.

LowKickMMA.com

A pair of heavyweights headline Saturday’s UFC Vegas 87 fight card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.  The live results begin at 1:30 p.m. ET with preliminary card action. 

In the main event, Jairzinho Rozenstruik faces the undefeated Shamil Gaziev.  While Gaziev looks to keep his unbeaten streak alive, Rozenstruik plans to rebound from a submission loss in his last outing.  

Start Times:

• Preliminary Card begins at 1:30 p.m. ET

• Main Card begins at 4 p.m. ET

UFC Vegas 87 Official Results

MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 4 p.m. ET)

• Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Shamil Gaziev
• Tyson Pedro vs. Vitor Petrino
• Muhammad Mokaev vs. Alex Perez
• Bekzat Almakhan vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
• Stephen Erceg vs. Matt Schnell

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 12:30 p.m. ET)

• Eryk Anders vs. Jamie Pickett
• Vinicius Oliveira vs. Bernardo Sopai
• Javid Basharat vs. Aiemann Zahabi
• Christian Duncan vs. Claudio Ribeiro
• A.J. Cunningham vs. Ludovit Klein
• Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady vs. Loik Radzhabov

MMAWeekly.com | UFC and MMA News, Results, Rumors, and Videos