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UFC 303: Start time, round-by-round updates and undercard results and Alex Pereira defends title in rematch against Jiri Prochazka after Ian Garry defeats Michael ‘Venom’ Page

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29-28 to Lopes on all cards

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 29: (L-R) Dan Ige battles with Diego Lopes of Brazil in a 165-pound catchweight fight during the UFC 303 event at T-Mobile Arena on June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Ige dominates third!

Ige follows up on the instructions from his coaches and empties the tank, landing some really heavy shots and pushing the pace on a Lopes who looks fatigued. He ends the round on top landing ground and pound but can’t find a finish and it should be relatively easy to score two rounds to one in the Brazilian’s favour.

Another in the books for Lopes

Ige lands a head kick but is off balance and ends up being taken down and put in a body lock. Ige knows exactly what to do in defence but that’s about it, he lands some nice hands from bottom but is unable to change position and the Brazilian dominated the majority. Ige needs a finish and his coaches tell him to take chances.

Great first round!

Lopes is like a mad dog in there, swings wild and then follows up his flurrys with a knee up the middle. Ige takes a bit of getting used to it and then is almost choked out with a d’arce towards the eend of the round, but he’s a black belt in jiu-jitsu and just about defends it adequately. A frantic first five minutes.

We’ll get a show tonight

These two love a busy fight and put themselves in harm’s way to try and get the job done in thrilling style.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 29: Dan Ige takes a moment prior to his fight during the UFC 303 event at T-Mobile Arena on June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 29: Diego Lopes of Brazil warms up prior to his fight during the UFC 303 event at T-Mobile Arena on June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Next up: Dan Ige vs Diego Lopes

Ige has everything to gain and nothing to lose. He’s saved the co-main event by heroically stepping up because Ortega has a fever and had to pull out at the 11th hour. The Hawaiian is a top operator too so this will be no gimme for Lopes. The Brazilian is one of the rising stars of the sport and one of the most exciting too. No 14-ranked at featherweight and he deserves praise for accepting all the madness coming his way this week.

30-27, 29-28, 29-28

Dolidze takes the win and says: ‘You guys boo me but I’m top 10 in two weight classes, I will make sure you remember me in future. I don’t want to blame anything, new weight class for me. I will continue to compete at light-heavyweight and will be a champion. I will learn about this class, I am ready for both. I want to fight Khamzat in middleweight.’

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 29: Anthony Smith is punched by Roman Dolidze of Georgia in a light heavyweight fight during the UFC 303 event at T-Mobile Arena on June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 29: Roman Dolidze of Georgia kicks Anthony Smith in a light heavyweight fight during the UFC 303 event at T-Mobile Arena on June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

One. Way. Traffic.

Dolidze somehow looked the fresher man despite taking it on late notice. He’s not a natural light-heavyweight and should move back down but tonight he’s surely done enough. They’ve trained together before so there was plenty of mutual respect. The Georgian was slightly more dynamic and had the speed advantage to stay out of trouble.

Huge left hand from Dolidze!

The Georgian spends most of the round on top and towards the end lands the shot of the fight, a left hook that stuns Smith and has the American temporarily rocked on his feet and looking at the clock, Dolidze doesn’t rush to follow it up but now heading into the third Smith needs a finish.

Absolutely no interest in defence

Boos from the crowd but that’s ridiculous. Smith and Dolidze are both swinging hard, landing plenty of leg kicks and are only one shot away from ending this in a flash. Smith is putting the pressure on but Dolidze had the better work in the opener with slightly more dynamism.

Chandler among the spectators tonight

Next up – Anthony Smith vs Roman Dolidze

It’s been a stellar week for Georgian sports fans after that historic win over Portugal at the Euros and Roman Dolidze could continue that momentum tonight against the wily old veteran Anthony Smith at light-heavyweight. Dolidze has been waiting by the phone for a long time and to Smith’s credit, he is not one to turn a fight now. A really nice spotlight on these two tonight especially with their peers fighting for the belt later.

WARNING – GRAPHIC CONTENT

Stitches needed ASAP

Chiasson takes the win and says: ‘I was hoping we could keep going, she’s one of the best in the world. We didn’t want to stay in guard with her but I’ve been training consistently, I live for this, I dedicate my entire life to this.’

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 29: Mayra Bueno Silva of Brazil looks on after the fight was ended due to injury in a bantamweight fight against Macy Chiasson during the UFC 303 event at T-Mobile Arena on June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

FIGHT OVER – Horrific cut

Silva takes a nasty elbow on the ground and the cut above her eye is horrible, a really deep wound that the referee stops the fight for to seek medical advice. There’s blood everywhere and it’s too deep to continue. Savage.

Lively opening

Silva packs a punch and lands plenty of power shots but isn’t particularly elusive going the other way, meaning Chiasson is right in the fight and uses her height advantage well with knees in the clinch. The Brazilian did the better work in the first five minutes.

Next up: Bueno Silva vs Chiasson

Brazil vs USA now in a women’s bantamweight clash. Former Ultimate Fighter winner Chiasson submitted Pannie Kianzad back in March, while Silva is coming off a defeat in an attempt to win the vacant title.

I’d be all for this

Surely Garry is only one more big win away from a title shot. Shavkat probably deserves one next after Belal Muhammad but perhaps he could be persuaded to take on the Irish surging star first.

29-28 all round

Garry does indeed sneak it on that third round.

He tells Joe Rogan: ‘Nothing surprised me, I knew how sharp he was, patience was the key to victory today. He defended the rear naked choke well. I want to let everyone know I’m coming for the belt, it’s the future, it’s inevitable. You have to plan for every scenario but I am out here representing Brazil and Ireland and having f***ing fun.’

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 29: Ian Machado Garry of Ireland is declared victorious in a welterweight fight against Michael Page of England during the UFC 303 event at T-Mobile Arena on June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 29: Michael Page of England faces off with Ian Machado Garry of Ireland in a welterweight fight during the UFC 303 event at T-Mobile Arena on June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 29: Ian Machado Garry of Ireland grapples with Michael Page of England in a welterweight fight during the UFC 303 event at T-Mobile Arena on June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

We go to the scorecards

Tough one to score. MVP stuffs a takedown and ends up on top but then they get back to the feet and the second half of the round ends up with Garry threatening, on MVP’s back but still on the feet. A really competitive fight and a shame the striking exchanges didn’t go on for longer. I reckon Garry might have edged it.

1-1

MVP has a far better round keeping it standing. He has the speed advantage and lands a few heavy shots, causing Garry to smile which is always a giveaway that something landed well. Garry will surely be looking for a takedown in the third. It’s so finely balanced.

MVP survives!

MVP starts by bouncing on his toes as usual but his second kick is caught by Garry and the Englishman is taken down. He finds the back but somehow MVP escapes a choke and spends the rest of the round resisting a submission on his back, fascinating opening and big one for the Irish fighter.

This was a wild accusation

We’ll see if Garry reveals those receipts he claims to have about this – but it certainly adds some extra spice tonight. Did MVP and his team really try and prise info out of the Irishman’s camp?

Not a care in the world

How can you look so relaxed ahead of a cage fight? Complete confidence and mastery of craft + the ability and love of being a showman. Both of these men have similar mentality, so will youth or experiance triumph?

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 29: Michael Page of England gets his hand wrapped during the UFC 303 event at T-Mobile Arena on June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 29: Ian Machado Garry of Ireland gets his hand wrapped during the UFC 303 event at T-Mobile Arena on June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Exclusive:How MVP sees it

We spoke to MVP this week ahead of his second fight in the UFC… and he had some words of advice for the England team too.

First up – Ian Garry vs Michael ‘Venom’ Page

What a curtain-raiser we have tonight. Many were surprised Garry took the fight with MVP but such is the 26-year-old’s supreme confidence in his ability that he thinks he’ll make a statement and put himself within one of those long arm’s reach of a title shot. Two brilliant strikers, so will they cancel each other out or put on a classic?

MAIN CARD TIME

Two of the UFC’s craziest fighters top the bill in a rematch that is simply not to be missed. Read our full preview here – the build-up to it has been suitably bonkers with accusations of black magic and even three days in a sensory deprivation room.

Woooow crazy finish for Pyfer!

Pyfer calls out Paul Craig after this very short night of work and wants the Scot in autumn.

Breaking:MADNESS – IGE VS LOPES IS ON

So it’s been confirmed. Dan Ige is stepping in on the latest of late notice to replace sick Ortega to fight Lopes. They both weighed in at 165 and the co-main event is saved. Ige says he is in top shape already and has been waiting his whole life for an opportunity like this. Crazy!

Couple of legends swinging away

Cub Swanson and Andre Fili just put on a really fun three rounds. Swanson was the man pushing for the finish it seemed but Fili managed to clinch well and shoot for takedowns when his opponent over extended – in the end it’s a bit of a controversial decision with Fili given the nod by split 29-28, 28-29, 29-28.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 29: Andre Fili is punched by Cub Swanson in a featherweight fight during the UFC 303 event at T-Mobile Arena on June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

A nightmare for Ortega

Missing weight and then missing the fight? That’s a horrendous 24 hours for Ortega if indeed the reports are correct. A real shame too, because T-City against Lopes was a brilliant co-main event. Let’s hope something can be salvaged as that seems to be the name of the game for UFC 303.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 28: (L-R) Opponents Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes of Brazil face off during the UFC 303 ceremonial weigh-in at T-Mobile Arena on June 28, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Breaking:Late replacement in co-main event?

Some huge breaking news is that Brian Ortega, who missed weight and rearranged to fight Diego Lopes tonight at 155-pounds, could be out due to illness as per Ariel Helwani – how badass would it be for Ige to just jump in with about five minutes notice!

Two finishes from two on pre-lims!

Jourdain had never been stopped – until tonight. A really impressive win for Jean Silva makes it two finishes out of two on the pre-lims after a decision fest on the early pre-lims, this is much more like it!

Is this one to watch?

Interesting tease from Dan Ige tonight, could we be getting some big news tonight? One we’ll keep an eye on for you.

Where’s your money?

Pereira is the favourite to dispatch his challenger again but there could be value in tipping him for an early KO.

Four decisions and then this!

Wow! Payton Talbott is a name you should mark down for the future and the present. The 25-year-old just took 19 seconds to win by TKO with his first meaningful punch down the pipe against Yannis Ghemmouri.

EARLY PRE-LIM RESULTS

Four straight decisions on the early pre-lims:

Vinicius Oliveira def. Ricky Simon

Rei Tsuruya def. Carlos Hernandez

Martin Buday def. Andrei Arlovski

Gillian Robertson def. Michelle Waterson

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Ricky Simon (red gloves) fights Vinicius Oliveira (blue gloves) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 29: Gillian Robertson of Canada speaks with UFC commentator Joe Rogan after her victory against Michelle Waterson-Gomez in a strawweight fight during the UFC 303 event at T-Mobile Arena on June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Andrei Arlovski (red gloves) fights Martin Buday (blue gloves) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

What’s up fight fans!

UFC 303 is here and yes, it looks a bit different to what we expected… there’s no big McGregor comeback tonight but the situation has been pretty well salvaged with Pereira vs Prochazka II taking the headline spot. Michael Chandler might find it a tough watch tonight but red panty night will have to be worth waiting a bit longer for, won’t it?

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