Song Yadong put forth a commanding performance in Saturday’s main event as he earned a solid decision win against Chris Gutiérrez.
Over five rounds, Yadong won all five rounds including dominating with top control over the final two rounds to earn the unanimous nod. One judge scored the fight 50-44 with the other two having it 50-45.
The win gives Yadong his second in a row and fifth over his last six fights after a blemish against Cory Sandhagen last year.
Yadong (21-7-1, 1 NC) stated he wants to fight former bantamweight champion Petr Yan in his next fight.
After his win over Chris Gutierrez tonight, @SongYadongLFG wants to see Petr Yan next 👀 #UFCVegas83 pic.twitter.com/INeDsP9n04
— UFC (@ufc) December 10, 2023
Heading into Saturday’s main event, Gutiérrez (20-6-2) has won five of his past six and entering his third fight of the year. The loss was his second in the UFC after previous defeats against Raoni Barcelos in 2018 and Pedro Munhoz this past April.
Khalil Rountree Jr. (13-5, 1 NC) extended his win streak to five with an impressive TKO against former title contender Anthony Smith.
After tonight's finish at #UFCVegas83, @KhalilRountree has a message for Alex Pereira 👀 pic.twitter.com/FNdlvUai2d
— UFC (@ufc) December 10, 2023
Smith was taking the fight on two weeks’ notice when Azamat Murzakanov came down with pneumonia.
Early in the third round, Rountree Jr. connected with a right uppercut and followed with a left hook that stunned Smith and knocked him off balance as he wobbled before dropping to the mat. Rountree Jr. held up his left hand but opted not to land the kill shot with the referee waving off the fight.
Smith (37-19) has lost three of his last four fights.
Nasrat Haqparast was victorious in his lightweight fight with Jamie Mullarkey with a TKO in the first round.
Haqparast (16-5) landed with a devastating left hand and proceeded to drill Mullarkey (17-7) with a barrage of unanswered strikes before the fight was finally called off and the 28-year-old old earned his third consecutive win.
In a bantamweight contest, Tim Elliott used his top position to subdue Su Mudaerji and take his time before applying an arm-triangle submission. It resulted in a technical submission as Mudaerji (16-6) went out cold.
Elliott (20-13-1) has won three of his last four fights and rebounded from a submission loss to Muhammad Mokaev in October at UFC 294.
ON SHORT NOTICE 🤯@TElliott125 gets a big win and ends it in the first round!#UFCVegas83 pic.twitter.com/QMgDS6iOUE
— UFC (@ufc) December 10, 2023
In the main card opener, André Muniz earned a split decision win against Jun Yong Park with a pair of 29-28 cards for Muniz (24-6) and one 29-28 for Park (17-6). The only consensus round for the three judges was scoring the second round for Muniz, who snaps a two-fight losing skid after losses to Brendan Allen and Paul Craig earlier this year.
RESULTS:
*Song Yadong def. Chris Gutiérrez by unanimous decision (50-44, 50-45, 50-45)
*Khalil Rountree Jr. def. Anthony Smith by TKO at 0:56 of Round 3
*Nasrat Haqparast def. Jamie Mullarkey by TKO at 1:44 of Round 1
*Tim Elliott def. Su Mudaerji by technical submission due to an arm triangle at 4:02 of Round 1
*André Muniz def. Jun Yong Park by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
*Kevin Jousset def. Song Kenan by unanimous decision (30-27 all)
*Park Hyun-sung def. Shannon Ross by TKO at 3:59 of Round 2
*Steve Garcia def. Melquizael Costa by KO at 1:01 of Round 2
*Luana Santos def. Stephanie Egger by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
*Tatsuro Taira def. Carlos Hernandez by TKO at 0:55 of Round 2
*Talita Alencar def. Rayanne dos Santos by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
