UFC 266 LIVE: Volkanovski vs Ortega latest updates and result tonight
Re-live all the action from Las Vegas
Alexander Volkanovski retained his featherweight title against Brian Ortega in the main event of UFC 266 on Satuurday Night, as the pair produced arguably the greatest championship bout in the history of the division.
After 25 engrossing minutes of mixed martial arts, Australian Volkanovski (23-1) defeated American Ortega (15-2, 1 no contest) via unanimous decision, with the judges in Las Vegas revealing 49-46, 40-45 and 45-44 scorecards in the champion’s favour.
Over the course of five rounds, Volkanovski got the better of his challenger in the majority of the striking exchanges, but the champion was forced to escape four submission attempts that all seemed certain to spell the end of the 32-year-old’s title reign. Three of those holds were applied in a stunning third round. Ultimately, Volkanovski fought free and re-established his superiority to win over the judges and keep his belt.
In the co-main event of UFC 266, Valentina Shevchenko (22-3) made a sixth successful defence of her flyweight title by stopping Lauren Murphy (15-5) with ground and pound in the fourth round. Prior to that, MMA icon Nick Diaz – older brother of Nate – had made his return to the sport after six years away. seventeen years after his welterweight bout against Robbie Lawler, Diaz took on his fellow Californian in a middleweight rematch. Lawler, 39, the fight via third-round TKO, with the 38-year-old Diaz deciding against continuing after he was floored by a right hook.
Re-live updates from UFC 266 below.
UFC 266: Dvalishvili def. Moraes
That’s seven wins in a row for Dvalishvili!
Up next, the main card...
UFC 266: Dvalishvili def. Moraes
Finally, the fight is stopped!
Moraes simply wasn’t fighting back, but rather turtling up as Dvalishvili relentlessly struck him from above.
That fight sums up how unique this sport is: Moraes could easily have been awarded a first-round TKO victory, but the referee let the bout continue and Dvalishvili found a way back into the contest – and, eventually, a way to win.
Merab Dvalishvili def. Marlon Moraes via second-round TKO (ground strikes, 4:25).
UFC 266: Moraes vs Dvalishvili
Dvalishvili stuns Moraes early in this second round, and the Brazilian hits the canvas!
Dvalishvili dominating from above now, throwing plenty more hammer fists and slicing forearms.
This fight could easily have been stopped in the first round, with Moraes hurting Dvalishvili so badly.
But referee Keith Peterson let the bout continue, and Dvalishvili has been utterly dominant. Unreal.
UFC 266: Moraes vs Dvalishvili
A fun start! Moraes and Dvalishvili exchange rapid combos, but Moraes throws one kick too many and is taken down... Great work to climb back to his feet, though.
Ohh! Moraes drops Dvalishvili with a left hook, then stuns him with an uppercut as soon as the Georgian pops back up!
Moraes chases his opponent to the fence and is *pouring* it on! Left hooks, uppercuts – he’s doing so much damage, but somehow Dvalishvili is still standing!
He runs away to create space, and Moraes chases him again.
WOW! Dvalishvili clinches against the fence, then produces a takedown out of nowhere! He rains down hammer fists and nearly finishes Moraes, but the Brazilian survives to the bell!
What is happening?! Round of the year?
UFC 266: Moraes vs Dvalishvili
Former bantamweight title contender Marlon Moraes is in action next against Merab Dvalishvili.
UFC 266: Hooker def. Haqparast
Hooker calls out his haters – “Don’t hunt what you can’t kill, baby!” and No3 lightweight Beneil Dariush – “You’re a coward if you duck me!”
Hooker making the most of his time on the mic.
UFC 266: Hooker def. Haqparast
Hooker immediately pays respect to Haqparast and his opponent’s family, following the recent death of the German’s mother.
“It’s incredible that he showed up. Credit to him, he’s got a massive future.”
UFC 266: Hooker def. Haqparast
Dan Hooker def. Nasrat Haqparast via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
UFC 266: Hooker vs Haqparast
Perfect timing on a double-leg takedown by Hooker, and he’s straight into side control.
He controls Haqparast for a while, until the German manages to find a way to his feet.
Haqparast shoots for his own takedown, but Hooker slips to the side and grabs his opponent’s back – lovely stuff.
He takes the German down again and ends the fight in side control, firing off punches.
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