Prelim Results | UFC 325: Volkanovski vs Lopes 2

The two men stayed on the feet throughout the first, with Tafa landing the better shots and flashing the menacing power than makes him a constant threat on the feet. But in the second, the light heavyweight sophomore stung Tafa with a crisp combination, quickly dragging him to the canvas soon after where he was able to work to the back, lace up the choke and secure the finish.

That’s three straight wins for Elekana and a second consecutive finish. Fighting on both the birthday of his late mother (January 31) and his son (February 1) depending on where you’re stationed, “Son of Susie” made both proud with another brilliant performance inside the Octagon. | Main Card Results | Scorecards

He took a few more shots than he did in his debut last September in Perth, but on the whole, Rowston looked sharp for a second consecutive night, using his range to land the better shots. Once he got Brundage to the canvas in the second, the City Kickboxing man really opened up, working the American veteran over with a steady barrage of unanswered blows until the referee called a halt to the action.

The 31-year-old Dana White’s Contender Series grad has now earned stoppages in each of his first two appearances, advancing to 14-3 overall. With tremendous size for the division and an outstanding team behind him, Rowston seems poised to make some noise in the 185-pound ranks going forward. | Main Card Results | Scorecards

It was more of the same in the second, with Malkoun continuing to pop Finney with jabs before a sharp right down the pipe put him on the deck, where he was able to rough him up more. Things slowed in the third, but Malkoun remained in charge, with Finney offering very little in return through to the final bell.

It was a clean sweep of the scorecards for the Sydneysider, who picked up his second straight win in his return to action. The 30-year-old believes he’s poised to make a run in the middleweight division, and this was certainly a step in the right direction. | Main Card Results | Scorecards

Elliott came out hot, taking the fight to Micallef, who seemed off rhythm for much of the contest, swinging wide and getting clipped by good shots throughout. But when Elliott closed the distance and clinched midway through the second, Micallef took full advantage, circling him to the canvas, taking the back and quickly sinking in the fight-ended choke.

This was an excellent finish from “The Captain,” who is now 2-0 in the UFC, with both of his victories coming in Sydney. A member of the Dana White’s Contender Series Class of ’24, the 26-year-old is definitely one to watch in the welterweight division. | Main Card Results | Scorecards

Yizha was the more successful of the two in the second before his pace fell off and Ofli was the more active and effective of the two over the final five minutes, sending things to the scorecards with the outcome uncertain.

The judges were once again tasked with determining the victor and when the tens and nines were added up, it was Ofli that came out ahead, with all three officials giving him the first and third. It’s a good win for the Ultimate Fighter Season 32 finalist, though a decision that felt a little puzzling, especially with the 28-28 draw. | Main Card Results | Scorecards

Mar Fan did well to chip away with little shots whenever Kim looked to grapple in both the first and second rounds, scoring with elbows in tight and long-range attacks when they were in space. They got a little feistier and looser with things in the third, with both men landing solid shots and showing a little more of their personality along the way.

All three judges scored the fight in favor of Mar Fan, who remained undefeated in bouts where he’s not facing Quillan Salkilld. The Team Compton representative now joins his teammate Tom Nolan in the UFC lightweight ranks. | Main Card Results | Scorecards

Szalay got out ahead of his Japanese counterpart over the first two round, using good movement and greater volume to keep Nakamura off balance and out of rhythm. But with Szalay tiring in the third, Nakamura started to have greater success and late in the final round, he drive a standing knee into the chin of his Australian foe, sending him crashing to the canvas in a heap.

Just an amazing moment for Nakamura, who was 72 seconds way from sure defeat. He won his opening round bout with a stepping knee and flashed that weapon again here to earn the biggest win of his career. | Main Card Results | Scorecards

In the third, the forward pressure and consistent attacks from Lui dictated the action, with Sulangranbo again landing good shots, but simply being limited in his overall output.

When the scorecards were collected and tallied, it was Lui that came out on the happy side of the split decision, punching his ticket to the UFC and giving City Kickboxing their first win on the evening. Now 8-1 as a professional, Lui feels primed to follow a similar trajectory as his teammate Navajo Stirling as he joins him on the UFC roster. | Main Card Results | Scorecards