UFC 242 took place Saturday, September 7, 2019 in Abu Dhabi. The card was headlined by undefeated lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov taking on challenger Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier.
Closing odds are courtesy of Several Bookmakers. Here’s a quick recap of each of those fights.
Favorites that Won
Khabib Nurmagomedov continued his dominant reign atop the lightweight division as he controlled this fight with his grappling and eventually forced Dustin Poirier to submit in the third round. Nurmagomedov closed -400 with the return on Poirier +325
Islam Makhachev faced limited competition from Davi Ramos as he won each round of the fight to win by decision. Makhachev closed -400 while Ramos closed +295
Curtis Blaydes ran away with his bout against Shamil Abdurakhimov earning a third round stoppage via ground and pound. Blaydes closed -550 with the return on Adurakhimov +375
Ottman Azaitar landed a huge right hand that sent Teemu Packalen head first to the canvas towards the end of the first round for a knockout victory. Azaitar closed -204. Packalen closed +168
Belal Muhammad took the back of Takanori Sato in the third round and was quickly able to secure a rear naked choked to earn a submission victory. Muhammad closed -400 with the return on Sato +309
Omari Akhmedov secured takedowns in all three rounds to walk away with a unanimous decision victory over Zak Cummings. Akhmedov closed-119. Cummings closed +100
Don Madge was able to secure takedowns in rounds two and three to win a decision over Fares Ziam. Madge closed -175 while Ziam closed +155
Underdogs that Won
In a tough, physical battle Paul Felder edged out a split decision over Edson Barboza. Felder closed +100. Barboza closed -120
Carlos Diego Ferreira continues to impress earning perhaps the best win of his career with a decision victory over Mairbek Taisumov. Ferreira closed +205 while Taisumov closed -245
In a very close fight, where neither fighter could land anything fight changing, Joanne Calderwood won a split decision over Andrea Lee. Calderwood closed +211 with the return on Lee -263
Sarah Moras secured a third-round takedown and pummeled Liana Jojua on the mat forcing the referee to step in and stop the fight. Moras closed +127 while Jojua closed -154
Muslim Salikhov landed a clean right hand that sent Nordine Taleb crumbling to the canvas for a first-round knockout win. Salikhov closed +116 while Taleb closed -135
Draws
Zubaira Tukhugov bullied Lerone Murphy securing six takedowns, but the judges saw it as a draw with one judge seeing for Tukhugov, one judge having it for Murphy, while the third judge scored the bout a 28-28 draw.
