UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs Borralho Prelim Results

A general view of the Octagon prior to the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on October 14, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

See The Fight Results, Watch Post-Fight Interviews With The Prelim Winners And More From UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs Borralho, Live From UFC APEX In Las Vegas, Nevada

By E. Spencer Kyte, on X @SpencerKyte • Aug. 24, 2024

Saturday’s preliminary card slate at the UFC APEX lost a fight right before the broadcast began, but began with a bang thanks to a promising newcomer from China, as Wang Cong needed just 62 seconds to register her first victory inside the Octagon.

From there, a series of competitive, back-and-forth contests set the table for a showcase effort from Dana White’s Contender Series grad Zachary Reese, before the “New York versus New Jersey” matchup between Dennis Buzukja and Francis Marshall closed out the slate.

Here’s a detailed look at how things played out inside the Octagon as we make our way to the main card.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT: CANNONIER vs BORRALHO takes place Saturday, August 24 in Las Vegas and will be available on ESPN+ (English and Spanish), ESPN and ESPN Deportes. The prelims will air exclusively on ESPN+ at 7pm ET/4pm PT, followed by the main card at 10pm ET/7pm PT on ESPN and ESPN+.

Official Scorecards | Main Card Results | Watch on ESPN+

Main event scheduled for five rounds. All other bouts scheduled for three rounds.

UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs Borralho Results

Caio Borralho defeats Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 48-46)
Tabatha Ricci defeats Angela Hill by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Ryan Loder defeats Robert Valentin by TKO (elbows) at 1:49 of Round 2 in the TUF 32 Middleweight Finale
Mairon Santos defeats Kaan Ofli by knockout (left hook) at 1:30 of Round 2 in the TUF 32 Featherweight Finale
Michael Morales defeats Neil Magny by TKO (strikes) at 4:39 of Round 1
Gerald Meerschaert defeats Edmen Shahbazyan by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 4:12 of Round 2
Francis Marshall (30-27, 29-28) defeats Dennis Buzukja by split decision (29-28)
Zachary Reese defeats Jose Daniel Medina by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Viacheslav Borshchev (30-27, 29-28) defeats James Llontop by split decision (29-28)
Jacqueline Cavalcanti (30-27, 29-28) defeats Josiane Nunes (30-27) by split decision
Wang Cong defeats Victoria Leonardo by knockout (right hand) at 1:02 of Round 1

Wang Cong defeats Victoria Leonardo by knockout (right hand) at 1:02 of Round 1

Walk it off, Wang Cong!

Just a minute into her UFC debut, Wang rifled a right hand down the pipe that caught Victoria Leonardo on the chin and sent her falling to the canvas.

Wang Cong Secures First Round Knockout | UFC Fight Night Cannonier vs Borralho

This was a perfect one-two that caught the American southpaw flush and closed out the fight in a flash. “The Joker” looked like one to watch in her Road to UFC showcase back in May and built on that effort here.

Wang Cong Octagon Interview | UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs Borralho

Now 6-0 as a professional with three of those wins coming this year, including a victory over UFC vet Wu Yanan, Wang is one to keep close tabs on going forward in the flyweight division. | Main Card Results | Official Scorecards

Jacqueline Cavalcanti (30-27, 29-28) defeats Josiane Nunes (30-27) by split decision

The bantamweight clash between Jacqueline Cavalcanti and Josiane Nunes played out as a striking battle pitting a technician against a brawler, with the women going the distance in an entertaining affair.

From the outset and throughout the fight, this was a tale of two styles, with Cavalcanti using good footwork and straight punches to pop Nunes as the diminutive Brazilian deployed her signature pressuring style and signature hooks. Each woman had moments where they landed good shots, and neither grabbed control to the point where the outcome felt assured, resulting in an entertaining 15-minute follow-up to Wang’s blistering start to the night.

Jacqueline Cavalcanti Post-Fight Interview | UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs Borralho

When the tens and nines were added up, it was Cavalcanti that came out on the happy side of the split decision verdict, earning 29-28 scores from two officials to register her second UFC victory in as many starts and fifth straight victory overall. Set to turn 27 next week, this was a nice early birthday present to herself for Cavalcanti, who continues to show she has an abundance of upside in the 135-pound weight class. | Main Card Results | Official Scorecards

Viacheslav Borshchev (29-28, 30-27) defeats James Llontop by split decision (29-28)

Viacheslav Borshchev and James Llontop teamed up for a 15-minute lightweight punch-up midway through Saturday’s preliminary card.

In all three rounds, the Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) grads remained upright and active, trading blows at range and in close, delivering a highly entertaining kickboxing match.

Viacheslav Borschev Post-Fight Interview | UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs Borralho

Just when one man looked to start pulling ahead, the other would answer back in kind, bringing things back to level and making it anyone’s guess how the judges would score the fight.

For the second consecutive fight, the judges were tasked with determining the victor, and as with the previous contest, they were split in how they saw things. When the scores were read, it was “Slava Claus” that emerged with the win, collecting his first victory in three fights to draw level at 3-3-1 through seven UFC appearances. | Official Scorecards | Main Card Results

Zachary Reese defeats Jose Daniel Medina by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Zachary Reese had to venture beyond the first round for the first time in his career, but the 30-year-old “Savage” dominated throughout, taking the fight to Jose Daniel Medina for 15 minutes to collect his second consecutive UFC win.

The tall, rangy Texan was all over his fellow DWCS grad from the outset, dominating Medina over the opening five minutes and hurting him several times, especially with kicks to the body. Medina offered little offense in return, and while Reese slowed as the fight wore on, it was a one-sided effort and a strong developmental effort for the emerging middleweight.

Zachary Reese Post-Fight Interview | UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs Borralho

All three judges scored the fight 30-27 for Reese, marking the first time in his career that he hasn’t earned a stoppage. After losing his debut last December in his home state of Texas, Reese has bounced back nicely in 2024 with a pair of quality efforts. | Official Scorecards | Main Card Results

Francis Marshall (30-27, 29-28) defeats Dennis Buzukja by split decision (29-28)

After a year away from the Octagon, Francis Marshall stepped up on short notice and got himself back in the win column, registering a split decision win over fellow DWCS grad Dennis Buzukja.

This played out as a tale of two halves, with Marshall controlling the first with his grappling and landing the better shots before dropping Buzukja early in the second.

Francis Marshall Post-Fight Interview | UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs Borralho

But from that point forward, the LAW MMA representative started working his way back into the contest, busting up Marshall as the late replacement’s gas tank started to run dry.

When the final horn sounded, both men were battered and bloodied, leaving the decision in the hands of the judges. Two of the three officials saw the fight in favor of Marshall, who now trains at American Top Team and looked sharp with limited prep time. | Official Scorecards | Main Card Results

UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs Borralho took place live from UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 24, 2024. See the final Prelim & Main Card Results, Official Scorecards and Who Won Bonuses - and relive the action on UFC FIGHT PASS!

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