Welcome fight fans to Inside Fights’ live coverage of UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Manuwa from The O2 Arena in London, England. The event is headlined by a five-round light heavyweight bout as Alexander Gustafsson looks to secure another title shot, but standing in his way is undefeated Jimi Manuwa. . I’m Ryan Frederick and I’ll be handling the coverage of the event, which will see the entire fight card airing on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 12:55 PM eastern time.
Check me out on Twitter for more coverage of the event, so strap yourselves in, and as always, enjoy the fights.
NOTE: A scheduled bantamweight bout between Davey Grant and Roland Delorme was scratched following the weigh-ins. It was reported by MMAFighting.com that Grant had recently suffered a knee injury, and when the MRI results came in on Friday, it was determined he suffered a torn meniscus and was too injured to fight, and the fight was cancelled. Both men were paid their show money, and the card continues with nine bouts.
Phil Harris vs. Louis Gaudinot
Referee: Grant Waterman
ROUND 1- Both men are looking to rebound from losses in their previous fights as the opener gets underway in London. Gaudinot is the slight favorite in this fight. Grant Waterman is the referee. They come out with a quick exchange and Gaudinot fires off a kick to the body. Harris goes for a takedown but Gaudinot shows good takedown defense as the fight gets pushed against the cage. Gaudinot grabs the neck and looks for a guillotine choke as Harris drops down for the takedown. Gaudinot with some elbows to the head of Harris. Harris is still trying to get this fight down and Gaudinot has a standing guillotine choke locked in tight. It goes to the ground and the choke is in tighter and Harris taps out! Big submission win for Gaudinot to kick things off.
Official Result: Louis Gaudinot def. Phil Harris by submission (guillotine choke) at 1:13 of Round 1
Igor Araujo vs. Danny Mitchell
Referee: Leon Roberts
ROUND 1- Araujo is looking for his second UFC win as Mitchell makes his UFC debut. Mitchell has a funny nickname- he is known as “The Cheesecake Assassin”. Araujo is the betting favorite in this fight. Leon Roberts is the referee. Araujo goes for a head kick right off the bat and misses a spinning kick. Araujo goes for a takedown quickly and they go to the ground. Mitchell gets top position. Both men looking to create a scramble as Araujo controls a wrist and has butterfly guard. Mitchell passes to half-guard but it allows Araujo to reverse into top position. Punches from the top by Araujo. Araujo looks to pass guard. Araujo with some short punches from inside the half-guard. Araujo passes into mount for a moment as Mitchell looks to scramble from the bottom. Mitchell grabs a leg as Araujo postures up. Mitchell looking for a heel hook and Araujo falls to the ground. Mitchell is trying to get a toe hold in but Araujo punches away from the top. Araujo paces himself and is looking for an ankle lock of his own. Araujo scrambles back to top control and is landing big elbows and punches to the body of Mitchell. Araujo with a few punches that may have been to the back of the head. Mitchell with some elbows from the bottom as Araujo starts firing away from the top. Mitchell is active from the bottom as he goes to rubber guard. Araujo stands up but eats an upkick. Araujo with some big punches standing as the round ends. 10-9 Araujo.
ROUND 2- Araujo misses a front kick to start the second round. Mitchell with a front kick and then one to the body to back Araujo up. Araujo fakes going high and drops down for a takedown. Mitchell has an underhook and they battle for ground position. Araujo ends up on top and is landing punches. Araujo is in the half-guard and lands some punches to the body. Araujo switches up and throws some elbows to the head. More punches from the top from Araujo. Araujo is looking to pass into mount but still has a solid half-guard being displayed as he throws more punches. Araujo looks to be setting up a D’Arce Choke but can’t find the neck fully. Mitchell gets Araujo in his full guard and looks to work from rubber guard. Araujo gets to his feet and Mitchell looks for the upkick and lands one to the body. Araujo drops back into top control and works to side control. Araujo with some hammerfists from the top as Mitchell moves to give up his back. They scramble back to their feet and Mitchell has Araujo’s back against the fence. Both men are battling for underhooks in this tie-up. They are both looking like they’re starting to tire. Mitchell goes for a flying armbar but ends up on bottom with Araujo in his guard. Nowhere close to getting that and Mitchell pays as Araujo lands punches from top to end the round. 10-9 Araujo, 20-18 Araujo.
ROUND 3- Mitchell likely needs a finish and he pushes forward to start the final round. Mitchell can’t land his punches or kicks though as Araujo circles away. Araujo lands a body kick. Mitchell goes for a single-leg takedown but Araujo defends it and they get pushed against the fence with Araujo in control. Araujo drops down for a takedown but it is defended. Araujo pulls guard and looks for a triangle choke. He has Mitchell tied up and Araujo is keeping it locked in. Both get warned about fence grabbing. Araujo with some elbows from the bottom as he is trying to get the choke locked in. Mitchell signals that he is okay and lands some punches as he tries to hold on. More big elbows from Araujo on the bottom. Mitchell escapes and Araujo looks for an omaplata. Mitchell slides his knee across and looks out. Mitchell spins out and grabs a leg and lands some punches from the top. Araujo looks for a reversal as both men look for leg locks. Mitchell with some punches from the ground. Mitchell is landing nicely but he is not in a controlling position. Araujo lands some punches as we have less than a minute to go. Mitchell goes back for another foot lock but he hasn’t been close at all. They are both throwing big punches and we have a wild ground exchange of hammerfists. This is quite a fun finish to the fight. They both land tons of punches and Araujo continues with more punches to end the fight. 10-9 Araujo, 30-27 Araujo.
Official Result: Igor Araujo def. Danny Mitchell by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Brad Scott vs. Claudio Henrique da Silva
Referee: Neil Hall
ROUND 1- We continue with a middleweight bout. Scott looks for his second straight win. Silva makes his UFC debut riding a solid win streak. Scott is the favorite in this fight. Neil Hall is the referee. Silva comes out quickly firing away. Silva goes for a takedown but eats some punches. Silva with some leg kicks and goes for a quick takedown to no avail. Scott is keeping the distance but eats a body kick. Scott with a leg kick. Silva misses a head kick. Silva goes for a takedown and gets it and is in the half-guard of Scott. Silva with a knee to the body and then another. Scott looks to hold onto an arm. Silva tries to transition into mount and does and is looking to ground-and-pound Scott. Scott moves but eats some punches but is able to move back to half-guard. Scott manages to get up but Silva still has a leg. Silva tries to take this down but Scott lands some punches. They break on the feet. Silva already looks tired. Scott lands an uppercut after missing a right hand. Silva lands a big left hand and a leg kick. Scott with a good sprawl on a takedown. Another takedown stuffed by Scott. Silva misses a big left hand. Scott lands a nice combo but gets poked in the eye and we have a break. Silva misses a Superman punch but lands a big head kick. Silva goes back for a takedown and finishes it up and passes into half-guard. Silva with some punches from the half-guard. Silva with some elbows to the legs and rides out the round in the half-guard. 10-9 Silva.
ROUND 2- Silva comes out with a quick combination and misses a big spinning kick. Silva lands a big left hand and goes for a takedown but Scott is able to stay on his feet. Silva with a leg kick. Scott misses a combo. Silva with a left hand but Scott lands a right hand in counter. They press the action and Scott lands a kick but Silva ties up. They break quickly. Silva with a leg kick. Scott lands a big right hand and an uppercut to the body. Scott with a body kick and it may have landed low but no timeout is called. Scott shows good sportsmanship and doesn’t attack. They both open up and land punches. Silva misses a spinning back fist. Scott lands a big body punch and they tie up. Scott is landing big combos and Silva tries to pull guard but can’t. Scott is close to finishing this at this rate. Silva lands a big knee to the body after eating some punches from Scott. Scott lands another solid combination. Silva goes for a takedown but Scott sprawls. Silva is still trying to get this fight down. Silva spins out to his feet. Scott with another combination. Silva just misses a spinning wheel kick. Silva comes inside but Scott lands an uppercut. Scott lands a big combo and leg kick to finish the round. 10-9 Scott, 19-19.
ROUND 3- This fight comes down to this. Scott lands a big lead left hand. Silva with a high kick and then a combo. Silva goes for a takedown but Scott is defending well. Silva has the leg but lets go and they break away. Silva with a leg kick. Scott lands a big straight right hand that pushes Silva back. Scott with a left hand but gets poked in the eye and we have a timeout. We get back to action and Silva goes for a takedown. They go to the ground and Silva takes the back and has back control as they stand. Silva has solid back control but is slipping and does and Scott ends up on top. Scott lands a punch as Silva looks to transition to a kneebar. Scott is defending it and Silva is on top and lands some punches from the top. Scott gets out and gives up position and Silva is in the half-guard. Silva with some punches from the half-guard. Silva looks to set up an arm-triangle by landing continuous punches. A minute left in the fight. Silva looks to transition to mount but Scott is holding him in position. Silva with more punches from the top but Scott is able to get to his feet. Silva has the leg and drops down for a leg lock but Scott defends with a punch. They will finish the fight out on the ground as Silva finishes strong. 10-9 Silva, 29-28 Silva.
Official Result: Claudio Silva def. Brad Scott by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Luke Barnatt vs. Mats Nilsson
Referee: Marc Goddard
ROUND 1- Barnatt looks for his third win inside the Octagon as he comes in undefeated in his career. Nilsson is making his UFC debut having won seven of his last eight fights. Barnatt is a big favorite with the betting odds. Marc Goddard is the third man inside the Octagon. Barnatt has a big size advantage. Nilsson comes forward quickly and looks to land the right hand. Barnatt with a standing knee. They trade leg kicks. Barnatt with a solid combo. They trade and Barnatt gets a clinch but they break cleanly. Barnatt with a leg kick. Barnatt with a leg kick. Barnatt lands a left hook but eats a combo from Nilsson. Nilsson is firing away and has Barnatt in trouble. Barnatt gets a clinch and breaks away. Barnatt with a front kick to the body. Barnatt with a right hand and lands a knee to the body. Nilsson with a right hand and they tie up for a moment. Barnatt with a combo. Barnatt lands a jab and they trade punches. Barnatt with the jab and lands a combo. Barnatt with a right hand to the body. Nilsson with a leg kick. Nilsson lands a big right hand. Barnatt with a combo and then lands a knee to the body. Nilsson is showing signs of damage over his right eye. Barnatt with a head kick. Barnatt fakes and then lands a nice combo. Barnatt with a left hand. Barnatt with a front kick and rocks Nilsson with a head kick. Nilsson is hurt and Barnatt tees off. Nilsson is covering up. Barnatt drops Nilsson with a big knee to the body and this fight is over! Big TKO win for Barnatt!
Official Result: Luke Barnatt def. Mats Nilsson by TKO (strikes) at 4:24 of Round 1
Cyrille Diabate vs. Ilir Latifi
Referee: Leon Roberts
ROUND 1- This is the last of our “preliminary” bouts. This will be the final fight in the career of Diabate. Latifi makes his second appearance after getting in a full training camp. Latifi is a slight betting favorite. Leon Roberts is the referee. They touch gloves to start. Both men fight as southpaws. Diabate has a big height and reach advantage. They feel each other out for the first minute. Latifi shoots in and scores a takedown as Diabate was trying to measure him up on the feet. Latifi looks for the D’Arce choke but lets it go as he is in the half-guard. Latifi lands a right hand from the top. Diabate with an elbow from the bottom. Latifi looks for another choke and has it in tight. Neck crank from Latifi and Diabate taps out. Big submission win for Latifi! Diabate ends his career with a submission loss.
Official Result: Ilir Latifi def. Cyrille Diabate by submission (neck crank) at 3:02 of Round 1
Gunnar Nelson vs. Omari Akhmedov
Referee: Grant Waterman
ROUND 1- We kick off the main card with a welterweight bout between prospects. Nelson has a lot of hype and is undefeated but hasn’t fought in over a year. Akhmedov has an eleven-fight win streak. Nelson is the betting favorite. Grant Waterman is the referee. Akhmedov starts off with some body and leg kicks. Akhmedov with a combo. They trade punches. Akhmedov with a leg kick. Nelson with a big left hands that sends Akhmedov down and Nelson quickly takes mount on the ground. Nelson with some punches from the top. Nelson is keeping Akhmedov firmly planted on his back. Nelson with a big elbow and Akhmedov is already bleeding. Nelson with more punches from the top and he may be looking to set up a choke. More elbows from the top by Nelson. Akhmedov tries to create a scramble but Nelson has a tight mount and lands more elbows. Nelson with more punches from the top. Nelson may look to transition to an armbar but lands some more big elbows. Nelson is isolating an arm. More big elbows from Nelson. Nelson postures up and transitions into a guillotine choke and Akhmedov taps out! Submission win for Nelson and he remains undefeated.
Official Result: Gunnar Nelson def. Omari Akhmedov by submission (guillotine choke) at 4:36 of Round 1
Brad Pickett vs. Neil Seery
Referee: Neil Hall
ROUND 1- Pickett is making his flyweight debut after being at 135 pounds for his Zuffa career. Seery makes his UFC debut as an injury replacement for Ian McCall. Pickett is a huge favorite with the bettors. Neil Hall is the referee. Pickett with the jab to start out the fight. Pickett with a leg kick. They trade on an exchange. Pickett lands a big left hook. Seery lands a solid combo and ducks under a right hand. They trade big right hands. Seery rocks Pickett with a left hand. Pickett lands a big right hand. Pickett with a leg kick and a left hand. Seery with an eye poke and we have a quick break. Seery lands a quick combo as we get back to action. Pickett goes down for the takedown and gets the big slam and has Seery on his back. Seery locks down the arms of Pickett and Pickett tries to slam himself out of the lock. Pickett with some punches from the top as he passes to half-guard. Seery is keeping Pickett in his half-guard as Pickett looks for a transition. Pickett setting up an arm-triangle but Seery escapes. Pickett grabs a neck for a moment as Seery tried to create a scramble but Pickett goes back into half-guard. They get to their feet and Pickett lands a knee before they break. Seery with a left hook and rocks Pickett with a combo as the round ends. 10-9 Pickett.
ROUND 2- Pickett with the left jab to start the round. Pickett then lands a left hook and they rock each other with a combo. Seery lands a big right hand. Both men land big punches and Pickett drops in for a takedown. Pickett with some short inside knees but Seery forces a break. Pickett with a big right hand. Both men have solid chins. Seery counters with a left hook. They trade punches in close range. Seery is working to the body. Pickett with a head kick. Pickett changes levels and looks for a single-leg takedown against the fence. They break as Pickett lands an elbow. Pickett with a straight right hand. Pickett rushes in for a takedown but they clinch against the fence. Pickett with some inside knees. Pickett drops down and lifts Seery up and takes him down to the mat. Pickett is holding Seery down well as Seery tries to force a scramble. They are warned to get busy as not a lot of action is happening. Pickett with some big elbows from the top. Pickett rides the round out on top. 10-9 Pickett, 20-18 Pickett.
ROUND 3- Seery likely needs a finish in the final round. Pickett lands a right hand and Seery counters with a left hook. Seery lands a combo as Pickett misses a big right hand. Seery lands a right hand and then a combo. Seery lands a solid combo as Pickett looks for a head kick. Seery with a solid combination that hurts Pickett. Both men with nice exchanges and Seery pokes Pickett in the eye and we have another timeout. They come back throwing big punches and we have a wild exchange happening. Both men are landing solid punches and rocking each other. Pickett pushes Seery against the fence and scores the takedown and immediately looks to pass guard. Pickett with some right hands from the top. Pickett still trying to pass guard but can’t. Pickett with some punches and elbows to the body. They get to their feet and Pickett lands a knee before they break. They both start throwing punches right out of the break. Pickett with a right hand. Seery lands a solid combination. They trade punches again. Pickett shoots in for a takedown against the fence and takes Seery for a ride down to the ground. Pickett moves to half-guard and starts landing punches and elbows. Pickett is going to ride the fight oit here as he finishes with some ground-and-pound. 10-9 Pickett, 30-27 Pickett.
Official Result: Brad Pickett def. Neil Seery by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Michael Johnson vs. Melvin Guillard
Referee: Leon Roberts
ROUND 1- Time for the co-main event. These two used to train together and have had issues. Johnson is on a two-fight win streak while Guillard has struggled in recent years. Johnson took this fight as an injury replacement for Ross Pearson. Leon Roberts is the referee. Johnson comes quickly to the center of the Octagon. Both men are looking to land the big punch. Guillard lands a big step-in knee to the body. Johnson with a leg kick. Both with low kicks and Guillard catches one in the groin and we have a break in the action for him to recover. We get back to action. Johnson with a leg kick. Johnson with a combo and Guillard backs away. They trade leg kicks. Johnson with a left hand to the body. Guillard is holding his lands low. Guillard with a body kick. Guillard with a right hand and Johnson lands a left hand. Johnson initiates a clinch but they break quickly. Johnson with a leg kick and then a kick to the body. Johnson with a body kick and then a leg kick. They trade punches. Johnson starts talking trash and Guillard rocks Johnson. Johnson shoots in for a takedown but Guillard hip tosses him and lands a knee on the break. Guillard with a front kick and Johnson misses a head kick. Johnson lands a left hand as the round ends. Close round. 10-9 Guillard.
ROUND 2- They trade punches to start the second round. Guillard with a front kick and then a leg kick. Johnson just misses a straight left hand. Johnson with a leg kick. Johnson with a leg kick. They trade and Johnson lands a leg kick. They trade punches. Both men are really feeling each other out. Guillard rushes in and backs Johnson up. Johnson with a combo to the body. They trade leg kicks. Guillard with a leg kick that trips Johnson as he looked to land a combo. Johnson with a body kick and then lands a straight left hand. Johnson with a body kick. Johnson with a leg kick. They trade punches and kicks. Not much action going on. Johnson with a body punch followed by a leg kick. Guillard misses a right hand. Johnson goes for a takedown but Guillard saw it coming a mile away. Johnson with a body kick. Johnson with some left hands and then a knee to the body and he drops Guillard with that flurry. He backs off and Guillard recovers. Round ends. 10-9 Johnson, 19-19.
ROUND 3- This fight could still go either way. They throw an exchange and Johnson transitions to a takedown. Johnson tries to land punches on the ground but Guillard is able to get this fight back to the feet. Johnson misses a body kick. Guillard misses a spin kick. Johnson with a leg kick and then a kick to the body. Guillard backs Johnson up with a right hand. Johnson rocks Guillard with a right hand as Guillard rushed in. Johnson misses a left hand as Guillard uses solid movement out of the way. Johnson with a head kick and the crowd is booing. Johnson with a head kick that rocks Guillard and they clinch against the fence. Both land in the clinch and Johnson drops down looking for a takedown. They both land and Guillard lands a big right hand on the break. Johnson rocks Guillard again with a combo as Guillard pressed forward. Johnson rocks Guillard again with a combo and lands a knee. Guillard complains of an eye poke and Johnson capitalizes with a combo and they clinch. Johnson with a combo to the body and lands an uppercut on the break. Johnson with a high kick. Johnson with a head kick to end the fight. 10-9 Johnson, 29-28 Johnson.
Official Result: Michael Johnson def. Melvin Guillard by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Alexander Gustafsson vs. Jimi Manuwa
Referee: Marc Goddard
ROUND 1- Time for the main event. Gustafsson looks to get another title shot while Manuwa looks to remain undefeated and pull off the big upset. Gustafsson is a heavy betting favorite in this fight. Marc Goddard is the referee for this five-round bout. Manuwa with a left hand right to start. Gustafsson with a body kick. Gustafsson changes levels and gets a big takedown and is in half-guard. Gustafsson is looking for the arm early. Gustafsson looks to break himself out of half-guard. Gustafsson is still looking to isolate the arm. Gustafsson with an elbow to the body. Gustafsson now looking to potentially set up an arm-triangle choke. Gustafsson with some shoulder bumps. Gustafsson with a short punch. Manuwa gets Gustafsson into his guard. Gustafsson with some punches from the top. Manuwa pushes him off and they get to their feet. They scramble and back fully to their feet. Gustafsson goes for a takedown and eats a knee from Manuwa. Gustafsson with a leg kick. Manuwa with a low kick and Gustafsson lands a knee. Manuwa with a left hand. Gustafsson lands a combo. We go to the second. 10-9 Gustafsson.
ROUND 2- Manuwa with a leg kick. Gustafsson with a left hand followed by a body kick. Gustafsson lands an uppercut. Manuwa with a left hand. Manuwa gets poked in the eye and we have a timeout. Back to action. Gustafsson looks to land the double jab. Manuwa just misses a big overhand right. Manuwa with a right hand to the body. Gustafsson with a knee to the body and Manuwa is hurt. Gustafsson with an uppercut and down goes Manuwa. More punches on the ground and Marc Goddard steps in and stops the fight! Big finish by Gustafsson. He may have a title shot secured now.
Official Result: Alexander Gustafsson def. Jimi Manuwa by TKO (knee, punches) at 1:18 of Round 2
