Welcome to FightLine’s live coverage of UFC on FOX 17.
Tonight’s card comes to us from the Amway Center in Orlando, with bouts airing on FOX, FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.
In the main event, Donald Cerrone challenges Rafael dos Anjos for the lightweight title.
Dos Anjos (24-7) won the belt last March with a decision victory over Anthony Pettis and has won four in a row overall. He is 9-1 in his last 10, including a 2013 decision vs. Cerrone.
Cerrone (28-6) has not tasted defeat since that dos Anjos bout, reeling off eight in a row, including wins over Benson Henderson, Myles Jury, Eddie Alvarez and Jim Miller.
Also, heavyweight contenders Junior dos Santos and Alistair Overeem collide, along with lightweights Nate Diaz and Michael Johnson as part of the FOX main card that begins at 8 p.m. ET with Randa Markos vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz.
The televised prelims, which start at 5 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1, include Charles Oliveira vs. Jury, C.B. Dollaway vs. Nate Marquardt, Sarah Kaufman vs. Valentina Shevchenko, Josh Samman vs. Tamdan McCrory, Nik Lentz vs. Danny Castillo and Cole Miller vs. Jim Alers.
Early UFC Fight Pass prelims feature Leon Edwards-Kamaru Usman, Hayder Hassan-Vicente Luque and Luiz Henrique-Francis Ngannou.
PRELIMINARY CARD
Francis Ngannou def. Luis Henrique via KO (strike) at 2:53 of Round 2
Vicente Luque def. Hayder Hassan via submission (anaconda choke) at 2:13 of Round 1
Kamaru Usman def. Leon Edwards via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
Cole Miller vs. Jim Alers ruled a no-contest (accidental eye poke) at 1:34 of Round 2
Nik Lentz vs. Danny Castillo
We’ll head to the lightweight division for our next contest, as Nik Lentz (25-7) takes on Danny Castillo (17-9).
Round 1: Castillo trying to keep Lentz off balance by switching stances and moving constantly. Both fighters are good wrestlers with college backgrounds, so this might be a kickboxing affair. Castillo lands with a solid kick to the body, as he is really using that weapon. Lentz grabs hold of him and scores with a takedown, moving directly to side control and searching for a mounted crucifix or a potential choke. Lentz grabs hold of a guillotine standing and has Castillo locked up tight. He has great leverage and is trying to drag him down to the canvas. Castillo remains patient and escapes, moving now to the top position. Lentz again grabs the guillotine, but he’s unable to get it this time and they are back on the feet.
FightLine scores the round 10-9 for Lentz
Round 2: Castillo showing power with his striking, really landing with everything he is throwing here in the early stages. Lentz, though, continues to pepper him with kicks that are keeping him at a distance. Body kick followed by a second successful takedown for Lentz with two-plus minutes to go. Lentz remains the fresher fighter, fending off attacks by Castillo and hammering him with kicks.
FightLine scores the round 10-9 for Lentz
Round 3: Lentz fires out and lands with another takedown, but Castillo immediately gets back to his feet. Castillo letting his fingers get close to the eye of Lentz and he acknowledges it. A brief stoppage, but Lentz wants to continue. Lentz grabs for the neck and Castillo scores with a double-leg, but Lentz is right back up again. Not much left in the tank of either fighter as the final bell sounds.
FightLine scores the round 10-9 for Lentz
Nik Lentz def. Danny Castillo via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
Tamdan McCrory vs. Josh Samman
We’ll bounce up to the middleweight ranks, as Tamdan McCrory (13-3) goes one-on-one with Josh Samman (12-2).
Round 1: McCrory tries to counter a kick with a huge right hand, losing his balance. However, he regains composure and has Samman against the fence. He lands with a knee to the body and just misses on a huge knee to the face. Samman reverses and is now on top, but in the guard of a strong jiu-jitsu fighter. McCrory tries for an armbar, switches to a triangle, but Samman survives both and winds up on top after a scramble.
FightLine scores the round 10-9 for McCrory
Round 2: Samman with a huge takedown, but McCrory is able to get full guard right away and avoid any damage. Excellent sweep from McCrory and he winds up on Samman’s back. He immediately gets a hook in, but loses it and is now pounding away with elbows from the top. Potential kimura for McCrory, but the round comes to a close.
FightLine scores the round 10-9 for McCrory
Round 3: Samman comes right out after McCrory, but he gets tripped and taken down once again. Big shots lead to full mount for McCrory with four minutes to work. McCrory all over him, unloading with strikes before jumping back into the guard. He’s working for a potential head-and-arm choke while also transitioning to the back. More strikes getting through the defense of Samman, who is denied standing up. Deep triangle in for McCrory, who is also attacking with sharp elbows as there is just a minute left.
Tamdan McCrory def. Josh Samman via submission (triangle choke) at 4:10 of Round 3
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