UFC Fight Night 259 live updates: Results, round-by-round coverage of every fight
UFC Fight Night 259 live updates: Results, round-by-round coverage of every fight Featherweights headline UFC's annual celebration of Mexican Heritage Month in San Antonio
UFC Fight Night 259 takes place Saturday, and you can join us for live round-by-round coverage and official results beginning at 3 p.m. ET (noon PT).
UFC Fight Night 259 takes place at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
In the headliner, Diego Lopes (26-7 MMA, 5-2 UFC) takes on rising Fighting Nerds star Jean Silva (16-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC) at featherweight. In the co-feature, Rob Font (22-8 MMA, 12-7 UFC) meets short-notice replacement opponent David Martinez (12-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) at bantamweight.
Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 3 p.m. ET for the prelims and 6 p.m. ET for the main card. The entire event streams on ESPN+.
Enjoy the fights, everyone.
Jose Medina vs. Dusko Todorovic
Round 1 - This card needs a spark. Let's see if the middleweights can ignite it. Todorovic pushes Medina into the fence and lands a big shot. Todorovic driving Medina and softening him up in the clinch. He lands another hard shot. Medina is bleeding from the right side of his forehead. Todorovic drags Medina down and gets his arm under the chin immediately. The rear-naked choke is locked in – and there's the tap!
Result : Dusko Todorovic def. Jose Medina via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:21
: Dusko Todorovic def. Jose Medina via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:21 Recap :
: Photos:
Records: Medina (11-6 MMA, 0-3 UFC), Todorovic (13-6 MMA, 4-6 UFC)
Medina (11-6 MMA, 0-3 UFC), Todorovic (13-6 MMA, 4-6 UFC) Division: Middleweight
Middleweight Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Claudio Puelles vs. Joaquim Silva
Round 1 - Two guys who have been around the block are up next. Puelles shoots for a takedown early and gets it. He's in half guard. Not much going on. Puelles controlling him, landing an occasional shot. Puelles tries to up the aggression but Silva scrambles to the fence. Puelles is leaning on his side, with one hook in. He drops the hook and Silva gets up. Puelles re-latches the leg. The round ends. 10-9 Puelles.
Round 2 - Puelles gets a takedown early. Deja vu. Silva works his way back to his feet. They're in the center of the cage. Puelles throws a high kick, which is blocked. Silva needs to do something. He tries a head kick but it's blocked. Silva drills Puelles with a teep kick. Oh! Puelles is hurt. He dives for a leg. Silva shoves him down and stands up. Puelles gingerly rises up and shoots again. Silva struggles to escape Puelles grasp but eventually does. Puelles grabs hold again and Silva pulls for a guillotine. Puelles is still standing with Silva hanging off him. The horn sounds. 19-19.
Round 3 - Puelles grabs hold of Silva and shoves him into the fence. Puelles tries to drag Silva down but is unable. They separate. Silva misses on a flying knee. Puelles lands a clean left hand that puts Silva on his backfoot. Puelles falls off balance on a Silva kick attempt. Puelles dives for a double-leg. Silva stuffs him but Puelles pushes him into the fence. Silva threatens a guillotine choke again. They separate. Silva lands a good combination. The clock is winding down. Silva drops Puelles! Silva ends up on top and lands some ground-and-pound. The horn sounds. I think Silva stole the round and the fight. Wow. MMA Junkie scores it 29-28 Silva.
Result : Joaquim Silva def. Claudio Puelles via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
: Joaquim Silva def. Claudio Puelles via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Photos:
Records: Puelles (12-5 MMA, 5-3 UFC), Silva (14-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC
Puelles (12-5 MMA, 5-3 UFC), Silva (14-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC Division: Lightweight
Lightweight Referee: Kerry Hatley
Kerry Hatley Judges:
Tatiana Suarez vs. Amanda Lemos
Round 1 - One of the more important fights rankings-wise is up next. There's a little bit of a feeling-out process here early. Not much of anything. Suarez shoots and drives Lemos into the cage. Suarez knees Lemos low. Timeout. Lemos appears to be in pain. Action resume and Suarez shoots again. Back to driving into the fence. Suarez gets her down and holds her down until the end of the round. 10-9 Suarez.
Round 2 - We're back to feeling out. Suarez shoots for a takedown and is back to driving Lemos into the cage. Suarez gets her down and is working for a choke. Lemos works her way back up but Suarez is still stuck to her like glue. Lemos jumps up for a d'arce choke. It's almost like the backpack position, but from the front... a frontback? Bad jokes aside, time expires. 20-18 Suarez.
Round 3 - They trade leg kicks. Suarez shoots for a single leg. Lemos threatens a guillotine choke. They scramble up. Suarez drives Lemos into the fence. Suarez straining for a takedown. After an elongated attempt, Suarez elevates Lemos and plants her to the canvas. But Lemos reverses her immediately and gets up. Here we are again. Suarez is driving Lemos into the fence. Lemos connects on a big elbow to Suarez's head. That hurt. They're back in the center. Suarez seems a little drained. Lemos lands a huge punching combination. Suarez desperately shoots but Lemos shoves her down. Lemos dives on top of her and lands big ground-and-pound, as the horn sounds. That was a dominant Lemos round, but will it be enough? MMA Junkie scores it 29-28 Suarez.
Result : Tatiana Suarez def. Amanda Lemos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
: Tatiana Suarez def. Amanda Lemos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Photos:
Records: Suarez (11-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC), Lemos (15-5-1 MMA, 9-5 UFC)
Suarez (11-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC), Lemos (15-5-1 MMA, 9-5 UFC) Division: Women's strawweight
Women's strawweight Referee: Jeff Rexroad
Jeff Rexroad Judges:
Jesus Aguilar vs. Luis Gurule
Round 1 – Aguilar is aggressive early. He clinches Gurule and lands a good combination that draws oohs and ahhs out of the crowd. Aguilar rushes in with another combination. Gurule lands a couple of short kicks and then a lengthy punching combination. Just when it seemed he was getting some momentum, Aguilar takes him down. Gurule quickly works his way back up, though, nd they separate. Aguilar goes to the body. Both guys put their heads down and start flinging punches. They clinch and strike. Horn sounds. 10-9 Aguilar.
Round 2 – This is a pretty evenly matched fight. Both men are getting their licks in, and seem to want to keep this standing. Aguilar is mixing his kicks in better than Gurule, who is relying mostly on his boxing. Gurule seems to be just getting the better of Aguilar in these exchanges. 19-19.
Round 3 - Aguilar tags Gurule. He didn't like that. Aguilar knocks Gurule backward and to the canvas. Aguilar pounces and jumps the guillotine. Gurule pops out and lands ground-and-pound. Back up, Gurule lands a hard right hand. Neither man has slowed. Flyweights remain awesome. Gurule is finding his rhythm now. His timing is on point as he tags Aguilar. At the 10-second clacker, Aguilar shoots for a takedown but Gurule stuffs him. Man, that's a close round to score. MMA Junkie scores the fight 29-28 Aguilar.
Result : Jesus Aguilar def. Luis Gurule via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
: Jesus Aguilar def. Luis Gurule via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) Photos:
Records: Aguilar (12-3 MMA, 4-2 UFC), Gurule (10-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
Aguilar (12-3 MMA, 4-2 UFC), Gurule (10-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC) Division: Flyweight
Flyweight Referee: Jacob Montalvo
Jacob Montalvo Judges:
Sedriques Dumas vs. Zachary Reese
Round 1 – All right, we have the controversial Sedriques Dumas up first. They're feeling each other out. Dumas is throwing. Reese kicks him in the groin. Timeout. Dumas is struggling. He looks to be in severe pain. Here comes the doctor. Dumas just said, "I can't feel my right ball.' That sounds bad. He says he can't stand up. This is gonna be called off. And it is. Wow. 51 seconds and we have a no contest.
Result : Sedriques Dumas vs. Zachary Reese ends in no contest (groin strike) – Round 1 0:51
: Sedriques Dumas vs. Zachary Reese ends in no contest (groin strike) – Round 1 0:51 Recap:
Photos:
Records: Dumas (10-3 MMA, 3-3 UFC), Reese (9-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC)
Dumas (10-3 MMA, 3-3 UFC), Reese (9-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) Division: Middleweight
Middleweight Referee: Mike Beltran
Alden Coria vs. Alessandro Costa
Round 1 – The UFC debut for Alden Coria, as he battles Diego Lopes training partner Alessandro Costa. Coria looks confident and comfortable right off the bat. He's utilizing his point-fighting. His kickboxing is looking crisp thus far. They trade head kicks. Both are blocked. Costa's striking has looked decent too. The horn sounds. 10-9 Coria.
Round 2 – Coria gets the early takedown, but he's kind of entering Costa's world. He's slick on the ground. Coria is in Costa's guard. Costa tries to snatch hold of a leg. They scramble upward. Coria grabs Costa and shoves him into the fence. Costa reverses Coria and dumps him to the canvas. Costa immediately shifts toward the back and gets the body triangle. Coria is hand-fighting to survive. There's a long time left in this round, though. Two minutes left on the clock. Costa is cranking his neck. This looks really uncomfortable. Costa lets go. Coria turns into Costa and ends up on top in Costa's guard. Coria lands some ground-and-pound. The horn sounds and Costa seems to be having an issue with his leg. It appears compromised. Let's see what happens in Round 3. 20-18 Coria.
Round 3 – Costa is moving gingerly. Coria hits him and Costa moves backward. It appears he may have hurt his other leg, too. Costa covering up. Coria pounding away. That's it! Big Dan Miragliotta steps in. What a debut for Alden Coria.
Result : Alden Coria def. Alessandro Costa via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 0:47
: Alden Coria def. Alessandro Costa via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 0:47 Recap:
Photos:
Records: Coria (11-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Costa (14-5 MMA, 2-3 UFC)
Coria (11-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Costa (14-5 MMA, 2-3 UFC) Division: Flyweight
Flyweight Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Alice Pereira vs. Montserrat Rendon
Round 1 – The UFC has a new youngest female on the roster and her name is Alice Pereira. The 19-year-old has a lot of hype. Let's see. Rendon doesn't seem to care. She's being the more aggressive of the two early. Pereira is reserved, looking to be the sniper. Rendon tries to tie up Pereira but they break. Pereira looks a little overwhelmed. Rendon tries to clinch again. No luck. Both fighters land. Rendon shoves Pereira into the fence. 10-9 Pereira on damage. But a fairly uneventful round.
Round 2 – Pereira remains on her bike. She doesn't look totally out of place but definitely might have some jitters. Rendon is moving forward constantly, so I wouldn't even be surprised if the judges gave her Round 1. Rendon with a nice flurry. Pereira stumbles and eventually circles away. Rendon lands again – and again. Pereira is backpedaling. She looked stunned, maybe. Pereira panic wrestles. That's not good. Rendon stuffs her with relative ease. Rendon has her back with the body triangle. Pereira is fighting off a rear-naked choke. She survives until the end of the round. 19-19.
Round 3 – Rendon tags Pereira with an overhand right, then follows it up with a one-two. Pereira returns and shoot for a takedown. Rendon muscles her away. Rendon moves forward. They tie up and separate. This is anyone's fight with less than two minutes left. Rendon pushed forward. Pereira lets her hand goe. Rendon lands a big combination that knocks Pereira's mouthpiece into the crowd. Pereira doesn't skip a beat, though. She lands a flying knee. Both fighters wing punches until the final horn. MMA Junkie scores it 29-28 Rendon.
Result: Montserrat Rendon def. Alice Pereira via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
Montserrat Rendon def. Alice Pereira via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28) Photos:
Records: Pereira (5-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Rendon (7-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
Pereira (5-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Rendon (7-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) Division: Women’s bantamweight
Women’s bantamweight Referee:
Judging:
Daniil Donchenko vs. Rodrigo Sezinando
Round 1: The delayed TUF welterweight final is now. Sezinando lands early, but Donchenko fires back. They trade, and Sezinando lands again. They briefly hit the canvas, but are back up. Donchenko lands a sickening elbow about 90 seconds in, then another right behind it. And Sezinando has a giant cut above his right eye. Ref Kerry Hatley stops things for a moment to have it looked at by the doc, but we restart. Now Sezinando knows Donchenko is going to be hunting with those elbows. Sezinando lands a nice punch while Donchenko keeps with the elbows. Donchenko is now telegraphing the elbows. Everyone knows they're coming. But with a little more than two minutes left, Donchenko takes the fight down. On the way back up, he lands a knee, but misses the head and hits the body for a legal shot. The damage on Sezinando's face is really nasty. With a minute left, they trade knees – but Donchecnko lands low and there's a short break. On the restart, Sezinando looks for a takedown, but Donchenko stuffs it and starts teeing off. Big time. Over and over. Sezinando hits the canvas. Donchenko pounces, and Hatley steps in. It's done with about 30 seconds to go. Daniil Donchecnko is an "Ultimate Fighter" winner.
The delayed TUF welterweight final is now. Sezinando lands early, but Donchenko fires back. They trade, and Sezinando lands again. They briefly hit the canvas, but are back up. Donchenko lands a sickening elbow about 90 seconds in, then another right behind it. And Sezinando has a giant cut above his right eye. Ref Kerry Hatley stops things for a moment to have it looked at by the doc, but we restart. Now Sezinando knows Donchenko is going to be hunting with those elbows. Sezinando lands a nice punch while Donchenko keeps with the elbows. Donchenko is now telegraphing the elbows. Everyone knows they're coming. But with a little more than two minutes left, Donchenko takes the fight down. On the way back up, he lands a knee, but misses the head and hits the body for a legal shot. The damage on Sezinando's face is really nasty. With a minute left, they trade knees – but Donchecnko lands low and there's a short break. On the restart, Sezinando looks for a takedown, but Donchenko stuffs it and starts teeing off. Big time. Over and over. Sezinando hits the canvas. Donchenko pounces, and Hatley steps in. It's done with about 30 seconds to go. Daniil Donchecnko is an "Ultimate Fighter" winner. Result: Daniil Donchenko def. Rodrigo Sezinando via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:27
Daniil Donchenko def. Rodrigo Sezinando via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:27 Recap:
Photos:
Records: Donchenko (12-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Sezinando (8-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Donchenko (12-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Sezinando (8-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) Division: Welterweight
Welterweight Referee: Kerry Hatley
Noche UFC lineup
MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)
Diego Lopes vs. Jean Silva
Rob Font vs. David Martinez
Rafa Garcia vs. Jared Gordon
Kelvin Gastelum vs. Dustin Stoltzfus
Diego Ferreira vs. Alexander Hernandez
Quang Le vs. Santiago Luna
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 3 p.m. ET)