UFC On ESPN 9: Woodley Vs. Burns Live Coverage, Results

Welcome back to live MMA with UFC on ESPN 9: Woodley vs. Burns.

This marks the first event since UFC 248 way back in March to go down from Las Vegas due to the coronavirus pandemic that has swept the nation and world.

After holding three events in Jacksonville, Florida, the Octagon returns to Nevada and the UFC Apex. The facility has hosted Dana White’s Contender Series in the past.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission approved the event, along with next Saturday’s UFC 250 card, to go down from the site.

All of the action from both the main card and prelims will air on both ESPN+ and ESPN starting at 6 p.m. ET.

In the main event, former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley returns to take on top contender Gilbert Burns.

The 38-year-old Woodley dropped the title to Kamaru Usman at UFC 235 last March via decision. He had defended the belt three times and also retained with a draw vs. Stephen Thompson back in 2016.

Burns stopped Demian Maia in March for his fifth consecutive win, improving to 18-3 overall with 14 wins via finish.

Also, Blagoy Ivanov meets Augusto Sakai in a heavyweight co-main event with other main card bouts including Billy Quarantillo vs. Spike Carlyle, Roosevelt Roberts vs. Brok Weaver and Mackenzie Dern vs. Hannah Cifers.

On the prelims, Katlyn Chookagian faces Antonina Shevchenko. The 31-year-old Chookagian challenged Valentina Shevchenko for the flyweight title in February, and now, she faces her sister, Antonina.

Other prelim fights include Gabriel Green vs. Daniel Rodriguez, Jamahal Hill vs. Klidson Abreu, Tim Elliott vs. Brandon Royval, Louis Smolka vs. Casey Kenney and Chris Gutierrez vs. Vince Morales.

UFC On ESPN 9: Woodley Vs. Burns Quick Results

Gilbert Burns def. Tyron Woodley via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-44, 50-44)

Augusto Sakai def. Blagoy Ivanov via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)

Billy Quarantillo def. Spike Carlyle via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Roosevelt Roberts def. Brok Weaver via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:26 of Round 2

Mackenzie Dern def. Hannah Cifers via submission (kneebar) at 2:36 of Round 1

Katlyn Chookagian def. Antonina Shevchenko via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-25)

Daniel Rodriguez def. Gabriel Green via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Jamahal Hill def. Klidson Abreu via TKO (strikes) at 1:51 of Round 1

Brandon Royval def. Tim Elliott via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:18 of Round 2

Casey Kenney def. Louis Smolka via submission (guillotine choke) at 3:03 of Round 1

Chris Gutierrez def. Vince Morales via TKO (leg kicks) at 4:27 of Round 2

Our live coverage will begin on the next page.

Chris Gutierrez Vs. Vince Morales

Vince Morales has finished seven of his nine wins including five knockouts and four first round finishes. Chris Gutierrez has scored two UFC wins in three appearances, including back-to-back decisions. 

Gutierrez catches Morales early with a perfect left right to the chin. He’s really looking good coming off the wins and knee surgery, just missing on a spinning kick. Heavy kicks landing by Gutierrez, switching stances and landing everything. 

Completely dominant and strong round by Gutierrez as he nearly finished Morales a number of times. However, the battered Morales survives for now. 

Between rounds, the doctor came in and checked on the eye of Morales, as he claimed to have received a poke that was making him see double. Everything checked out and the action continues. 

Gutierrez is picking Morales apart. He knocked out one leg, which is all purple and swelling, and now he is going after the second leg, kicking it out from under him. He’s cracking smiles and cracking punches. Incredible amount of toughness by Morales but he is fighting on one leg. 

This one is stopped by the referee after Gutierrez knocks Morales down again with leg kicks. The 10th leg kick TKO in UFC history.

Chris Gutierrez def. Vince Morales via TKO (leg kicks) at 4:27 of Round 2

Louis Smolka Vs. Casey Kenney

Despite being just 28 years old, Louis Smolka will fight for the 23rd time in his career as he searches for his 17th career win. Casey Kenney looks to rebound from a tough decision setback to Merab Dvalishvili. 

These two have come to fight, trading blows right from the start. Kenney sweeps Smolka off his feet, but Smolka quickly back up and striking. Big exchange and Kenney sees an opening, locking in the choke and earning a quick submission victory.

Casey Kenney def. Louis Smolka via submission (guillotine choke) at 3:03 of Round 1

Tim Elliott Vs. Brandon Royval

The only flyweight bout of the night from the men’s division pits former title contender Tim Elliott against Brandon Royval. Elliott challenged Demetrious Johnson for the belt back in 2016, and has gone 2-3 since, while Royval makes his Octagon debut.

Kick from Royval and Elliott immediately gets the takedown. On the ground is where Elliott wants this one as he rolls into a submission attempt. On the break, Elliott with a knee and follows up with a second quick takedown.

After fighting off an armbar attempt, Elliott with another successful takedown. Nice leg kick by Royval and this time, he fights off the takedown. 

Royval gets the takedown in the second early, controlling the fight and forcing Elliott to carry his weight. However, the veteran reverses and brings this one back to the feet where they are trading heavy blows. Another takedown by Elliott is successful and he works for a choke off his back. 

Royval slips in an arm-triangle choke and he forces Elliott to tap. 

Brandon Royval def. Tim Elliott via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:18 of Round 2

Action continues on the next page!

Jamahal Hill Vs. Klidson Abreu

The unbeaten Jamahal Hill seeks a second victory inside the Octagon when he faces Klidson Abreu. Hill is a perfect 7-0 including a win over Darko Stosic in January. Abreu makes his fourth UFC appearance with a 15-4 record.

Hill doesn’t need to get in close as he holds a huge reach advantage, and he catches Abreu with it. Abreu recovers, though, after almost going down. Again, Hill catches him and this one is all over.

Some incredible and sharp striking by the still unbeaten Hill as he makes a huge statement.

Jamahal Hill def. Klidson Abreu via TKO (strikes) at 1:51 of Round 1

Daniel Rodriguez Vs. Gabriel Green

On just a few days notice, Gabriel Green steps in to face Daniel Rodriguez as a replacement fighter for Kevin Holland. Green has won six fights in a row since back-to-back losses in 2016. Rodriguez has won 11 of 12 including his Octagon debut in February over Tim Means via submission.

Good little exchanges in the early going as these two are feeling each other out. Green with a left high kick that is a glancing blow. Another really good exchange and Rodriguez catches him on the back end. 

Rodriguez comes out strong here in the second, peppering Green with lefts and rights as he picks up the pace. Rodriguez finding a home for his power left, and here he comes answering. 

For the first time tonight, we’ve reached the third round. Green, who took this fight on Tuesday, is coming right out after Rodriguez. He’s applying pressure and seeking a finish. Rodriguez now picking his spots, landing at will while Green just is throwing everything he has left in the tank. 

Daniel Rodriguez def. Gabriel Green via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Katlyn Chookagian Vs. Antonina Shevchenko

We conclude the prelims as recent flyweight title contender Katlyn Chookagian takes on the sister of the champion, Antonina Shevchenko. Chookagian made it to the third against Valentina Shevchenko this past February before falling, while Antonina Shevchenko has won eight of nine overall.

Lots of kicking from both fighters here in the early stages. Chookagian catches a kick and scores a takedown, negating the reach and immediately going for a submission. She’s looking for a choke, breaking Shevchenko down to the ground. She goes back to it and locks up the body this time with plenty of time to work. 

Great defense by Shevchenko as she avoids the submission but is eating a lot of punches to the face. Chookagian going crazy looking for the finish with 90 seconds left. Completely dominate round for Chookagian, but Shevchenko survived.

According to the stats, Chookagian out-landed Shevchenko 68-4 in the first round. And she starts the second in the same position with another takedown into the mount. Chookagian landing punches in bunches on a grounded Shevchenko. 

Completely dominate performance through two rounds for Chookagian as Shevchenko will need to pull off something crazy here. Shevchenko with an ax-kick attempt that misses, but shows she is still in this one. 

Katlyn Chookagian def. Antonina Shevchenko via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-25)

Check out coverage of the main card beginning on the next page!

Mackenzie Dern Vs. Hannah Cifers

Mom Mackenzie Dern returns to action against Hannah Cifers to begin the main card. Dern suffered her first loss this past October, falling via decision to Amanda Ribas. Cifers fell in January to Angela Hill.

Completely dominating performance for the mom, as Dern locks in a submissions and this one is all over.

Mackenzie Dern def. Hannah Cifers via submission (kneebar) at 2:36 of Round 1

Roosevelt Roberts Vs. Brok Weaver

Despite Brok Weaver missing weight, Roosevelt Roberts accepted the catchweight bout. The two alums of Dana White’s Contender Series had plenty of words to say to one another during the last face-offs and this one should be a barnburner.

Roberts immediately pushes him against the cage and these two are still talking to one another. Not a lot of action between these two, as they are jockeying for position and looking for an opening to strike. Roberts misses on a huge hook but shoots for a takedown, and is also denied. 

Weaver goes for a takedown, Roberts grabs the neck and Weaver rolls out free as the round comes to an end.

Roberts get a nice takedown off a big right hand, using his long limbs to lock up the body of Weaver with three minutes to work. Great defense by Weaver to survive the submission, but Roberts just goes to work with punches to the face. Again with the choke and Roberts get the tap.

Roosevelt Roberts def. Brok Weaver via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:26 of Round 2

Billy Quarantillo Vs. Spike Carlyle

Originally, Billy Quarantillo was scheduled to meet Gavin Tucker in a featherweight contest last month. Instead, the 13-2 Quarantillo gets Spike Carlyle, who has won nine of 10, at a catchweight.

Carlyle comes flying out with a knee and nearly lands, jumping all over Quarantillo. Michael Bisping was excited and now we are all seeing why. “The Alpha Ginger” is all over Quarantillo. Having moved off one submission, Carlyle now looking for an arm after landing several big shots. 

However, Quarantillo gets into the guard after a crazy two minutes of action. Caryle reverses and maintains control through a couple of rolls. Huge shots reigning down from Carlyle as the round ends. 

Well that’s something you don’t see often. Caryle got up as if the round was over, started walking to his corner and ate a huge shot from behind by Quarantillo as there was still time left. 

Again to start the round, Carlyle comes off like a lunatic all over Quarantillo. This guy just loves to fight, unless it is in the final few seconds of a round. Carlyle is trying with all his power to keep Quarantillo on the canvas. Quarantillo throws up a triangle in the final moments of the round. 

Quarantillo really all over Carlyle here in the third and he locks up a submission that is very tight. He survives and is just holding on. It’s likely Carlyle is winning the fight but you never know. Quarantillo again working for a choke but he only has one hand to do so with as Carlyle is holding the other. These two go toe-to-toe until the very end in a barnburner.

Billy Quarantillo def. Spike Carlyle via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Check out coverage of the co-main and main events on the next page!

Blagoy Ivanov Vs. Augusto Sakai

The big boys of the heavyweight division occupy the co-main event with Blagoy Ivanov meeting Augusto Sakai. Ivanov, a former World Series of Fighting champion, is 2-2 over his four-fight UFC career. Sakai enters having won five in a row including a victory over Andrei Arlovski last year.

Both men are taking their time, knowing each has the power to end this fight with one punch. Pretty event and balanced round with both men landing about half their strikes in all. Could go either way on the scorecards if we get to that point.

Round two has been all about the leg kicks. These two are standing and trading, and Sakai is getting the better of the exchanges so far. Huge right gets through from Ivanov as we head under a minute to go. First takedown scored by Ivanov which could steal him the round.

Ivanov with a takedown but Sakai quickly gets back up. It appeared as if he used the fence to stand, as Daniel Cormier noted during the broadcast. It will be interesting to see if that holds anything over the final outcome of this one. 

Augusto Sakai def. Blagoy Ivanov via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)

Tyron Woodley Vs. Gilbert Burns

Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley looks to remain a top contender while fending off one himself when he faces Gilbert Burns in the main event.

Woodley, who won the title back in 2016 with a first round knockout of Robbie Lawler, made four successful defenses before falling to Kamaru Usman last March. Burns positioned himself for this fight with a finish of Demian Maia, who went 25 minutes vs. Woodley in 2017.

It’s been a while since Woodley last fought so will be interesting to see how he comes out. So far, very well prepared as expected. They clinch and Burns drops him before pouncing and landing a flurry. Herb Dean doing a great job of checking on Woodley and allowing this one to continue. 

Woodley has a cut on his forehead from the onslaught by Burns who continues to pressure him on the canvas. With just under two minutes to go, Woodley gets out and up. Definitely the round to Burns, but this is a five-rounder, and Woodley has been through several of them. 

As expected, Woodley is being very patient with Burns. However, Burns uses his power and drives him to the canvas. Not many people have been able to overpower Woodley like this during his career. Another good round for Burns. 

Best round to date for Woodley has been the third, as he’s been able to get his striking going a bit more. Still seems hesitant to attempt a takedown after being driven to the canvas by Burns. After the bell sounded, Burns appeared to almost be stalking Woodley as he went to his corner. 

This marks the first time in 22 career fights Burns has competed in the fourth round of a bout. He’s gone to the scorecards just six times in all. Woodley has the advantage in terms of experience, but can he solve him at this point? Burns controlling the center and finds a home with his right. Woodley sprawls to survive the attack. 

Burns is in the driver’s seat entering the fifth, having completely controlled the former champion through four rounds. Woodley will need a finish to escape with the win at this point. Burns has definitely solidified himself as a future contender to the belt, which is currently held by his teammate, Usman. 

Gilbert Burns def. Tyron Woodley via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-44, 50-44)