UFC Fight Night 44 takes place this evening from the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, and is headlined with a featherweight showdown between Cub Swanson and Jeremy Stephens. Swanson has won his last five in a row, while Stephens has won his last three. Another impressive victory for Swanson here could put him right in the mix for a title shot.
The preliminary card action kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on UFC Fight Pass, then moves to the FOX Sports 1 prelims at 8 p.m. ET, with the main card starting at 10 p.m. ET, also on FOX Sports 1.
ProMMAnow.com will provide live results of all the action with real-time round-by-round updates of the main card.
NOTE: Immediately following tonight’s fights, watch the UFC Fight Night 44 post-fight press conference (and on-demand replay).
UFC Fight Night 44 quick results:
MAIN CARD (FOX Sports 1, 10 p.m. ET)
- Cub Swanson def. Jeremy Stephens by unanimous decision (49-46 x 2, 48-47)
- Kelvin Gastelum def. Nicholas Musoke by unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
- Cezar Ferreira def. Andrew Craig by unanimous decision (29-28 x 2, 30-27)
- Ricardo Lamas def. Hacran Dias by unanimous decision (30-27 x 2, 29-28)
- Clint Hester def. Antonio Braga Neto by split decision (29-28 x 2, 28-29)
- Joe Ellenberger def. James Moontasri by split decision (29-28 x 2, 28-29)
PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX Sports 1, 8 p.m. ET)
- Carlos Diego Ferreira def. Colton Smith by submission (rear-naked choke) Rd 1 (:38)
- Cody Gibson def. Johnny Bedford by TKO (strikes) Rd 1 (:38)
- Marcelo Guimaraes def. Andy Enz by split decision (29-28 x 2, 27-30)
- Ray Borg def. Shane Howell by submission (rear-naked choke) Rd 1 (2:17)
PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC Fight Pass, 7:30 p.m. ET)
- Oleksiy Oliynyk def. Anthony Hamilton by submission (neck crank) Rd 1 (2:18)
UFC Fight Night 44 round-by-round updates:
155 lbs: Joe Ellenberger vs. James Moontasri
Round 1 – Ellenberger looking for takedown straight away. Moontasri defends against it. Ellenberger shoots in again. Moontasri defends and lands a knee. Ellenberger grabs a front headlock and forces him to his knees. Ellenberger lets him up but then gets dropped with a huge uppercut. Moontasri trying to finish as Ellenberger covers up and looking for a leg. Ellenberger gets to his back as Moontasri attacks with ground and pound. Ref lets Ellenberger up but is clearly outmatched on his feet and gets tagged again. Ellenberger shoots in but eats several more punches as he tries to pull guard. Moontasri in side mount, looks for the full mount as Ellenberger defends against it. Up kick from Ellenberger scores. PMN sees it 10-8 for Moontasri
Round 2 – Doctor checked Ellenberger out between rounds. Ellenberger lands a left hook but Moontasri walks through it. Ellenberger is able to score a takedown and takes Moontasri’s back with one hook in. Now both hooks in. Ellenberger landing some nice punches from back control. Now in full mount as Moontasri spins around. Ellenberger landing some nice elbows, then looks for a D’arce but Moontasri escapes and now has the advantageous position. Ellenberger falls back to guard as Moontasri looks for the ground and pound. He decides to let Ellenberger to his feet. Ellenberger is able to set up a takedown and is looking for Moontasri’s back again, landing punches and Moontasri’s bleeding out his nose. By the way, Ellenberger’s nose got busted up in round one. PMN sees it 10-9 Ellenberger
Round 3 – They hug. Nice overhand right from Ellenberger, he shoots in against the cage. Bit of a stalemate as Ellenberger seeks the single. Ref separates them. They trade high kicks, then Ellenberger scores a takedown. Ref stands them up after a few moments. Nice left hook from Ellenberger. Jab from Moontasri. Ellenberger shoots, stuffed. Shoots again against the cage with 90 seconds left. Ellenberger gets him down but ends up on his back with Moontasri inside his guard. Moontasri lands a few light body shots as Ellenberger looks for a couple submissions. Moontasri stands and dives in with some kind of flying elbow or something before the bell. PMN sees the round 10-9 for Ellenberger, but the fight a DRAW.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Joe Ellenberger def. James Moontasri by split decision (29-28 x 2, 28-29)
185 lbs: Clint Hester vs. Antonio Braga Neto
Round 1 – Nice left body kick from Hester, then a leg kick. Neto looking to take it to the ground against the cage, and finally gets Hester on his back and is on top in half guard. Hester gets up for a split second but is right back down on his back. Neto in half guard working some mild ground and pound while holding one of Hester’s hands behind his back. Neto moves to full mount before the bell. PMN sees it 10-9 for Neto.
Round 2 – Hester with a left hook, right to the body. Nice body kick from Hester. Right to the body, overhand right. Neto seems to have slowed down. Hester still controlling the standup as the round hits the halfway mark. Left hook from Hester. Neto times a takedown attempt, but gets reversed and Hester ends up on top. Neto sweeps though and is now in full mount. Neto looks for a kimura before the bell but Hester defends. PMN sees the round 10-9 for Hester.
Round 3 – Hester comes out banging and landing shots but ends up slipping and Neto is able to take top control in half guard. Neto gets to full mount, but Hester sweeps him and is on top inside full guard. Hester lands a big elbow and is working the ground and pound as Neto is looking for any opening to set up a submission. Only one minute to go. Hester stands up and lets Neto up. Left hook from Hester to the head, then to the body. Right hook. Neto looks gassed, but he shoots for a double and gets Hester to his butt then back before the bell. Close round and close fight. PMN sees the round 10-9 for Hester and the fight 29-28 for Hester.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Clint Hester def. Antonio Braga Neto by split decision (29-28 x 2, 28-29)
145 lbs: Hacran Dias vs. Ricardo Lamas
Round 1 – Dias with a leg kick as they trade on the feet. Lamas lands a leg kick but Dias returns with same. Another. Lamas with a leg kick. Left hook from Dias. Big leg kick from Dias. Dias shoots in against the cage, looking for the takedown but Lamas defends and looks for his own. They go back to trading shots and Dias lands a big leg kick before the bell. PMN sees it 10-9 for Dias.
Round 2 – Clinch, knee from Lamas. He looks for the takedown with a body lock from the back. Dias successfully defends and they go back to the stand-up. Dias scores with a couple shots before Lamas shoots in again. Dias turns him to the cage but Lamas escapes to the center. Lamas getting off with the strikes now. Leg kick and left hook from Dias, followed by a nice overhand. Lamas shoots in and puts Dias on his butt. Dias back up, but Lamas pressing him to the cage. Dias defends and Lamas retreats to the center where they square back up. Dias shoots in now against the cage. Stuffed. They trade knees before squaring back up. Lamas being busier on the feet and probably took the round. PMN sees it 10-9 for Lamas.
Round 3 – Lamas takes Dias back while standing early, but Dias is able to pull him off and take top control on the ground. Lamas is able to get to his feet as Dias presses him against the cage, looking for the takedown, and gets Lamas to the ground but Lamas is able to get top control before they get back to the feet. Body kick from Lamas, then he clinches up with a body lock from behind, landing knees to the legs. Lamas now looking for a single. Crowd doesn’t like it as the fight ends in boos. PMN sees the round 10-9 for Lamas and the fight 29-28 for Lamas.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Ricardo Lamas def. Hacran Dias by unanimous decision (30-27 x 2, 29-28)
185 lbs: Andrew Craig vs. Cezar Ferreira
Round 1 – Craig gets dropped with a straight left after getting countered following a high kick. Ferreira briefly looks for a guillotine as Craig gets back to his feet. Body kick from Fereira. Another left kick from Ferreira. Again. Craig takes a poke in the eye. He’s bleeding from the top of his head. Right counter from Craig. Left hand from Ferreira. Vitor Belfort giving instruction to Ferreira. Right left from Ferreira. Craig throws a right but ends up on his back after a perfectly timed takedown. Craig right back up though. Ferreira pressing him to the cage, throws an elbow on the break. PMN sees it 10-9 Ferreira.
Round 2 – One two from Craig. Nice switch kick from Ferreira. Left kick to the body from Ferreira. Inside leg kick. Knee from Craig. Leg kick. High kick from Ferreira blocked. Leg kick from Ferreira, then he shoots in for a double, picks Craig up but is unable to get him down. Ferreira pressing him against the cage. He backs out. Craig shoots, stuffed. Spinning kick from Ferreira scores, then a leg kick. PMN sees it 10-9 Ferreira.
Round 3 – Ferreira lands a standing elbow that opens Craig up, he then picks him up for a big slam, looking much more aggressive this round. Ferreira takes his back with a body triangle locked on. Craig bleeding pretty good from his forehead. Two minutes to go. Ferreira looking for the choke. Craig is able to get to his feet and land a high kick, then a knee, Ferreira is wobbled. Craig is swinging for the fences and is looking for the finish. Only 10 seconds to go though and time is up. Good attempt to finish but PMN still sees it 10-9 for Ferreira and the fight 30-27 for Ferreira.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Cezar Ferreira def. Andrew Craig by unanimous decision (29-28 x 2, 30-27)
170 lbs: Kelvin Gastelum vs. Nicholas Musoke
Round 1 – The taller Musoke takes the center and is scoring against Gastelum with some nice striking. Gastelum clinches up and presses Musoke to the cage. Musoke turns him around. Remember, Gastelum had a lot of trouble making weight for this fight. Gastelum turns him around, and Musoke does the same, and ultimately gets Gastelum down. Gastelum sweeps, but it’s right back to the feet. Musoke ducks a one two punch and slams Gastelum with a huge takedown. Musoke takes his back with both hooks in. Musoke looking great against the TUF winner. 90 seconds to go. Gastelum spins over to top position before the bell, lands a couple punches. PMN sees it 10-9 for Musoke.
Round 2 – Gastelum comes out aggressive, looking to do better with the stand up this round. Gastelum connecting with punches now. Musoke backed to the cage. Nice body kick from Musoke and he’s back toward the center. Body kick Gastelum. Gastelum then backs him to the cage again with a couple punches. Lands a kick but eats a combo from Musoke. Body kick from Musoke but Gastelum backs him up with punches and a big knee to the body, then a body kick. Another one. Body kick from Musoke. Body kick from Gastelum. Jab from Musoke as Gastelum stalking. Huge body kick from Gastelum. Nice right. Body kick Musoke. PMN sees it 10-9 Gastelum.
Round 3 – Musoke gets a body lock from the back and looking to take Gastelum down. A cut has been opened up on Musoke’s head. Gastelum able to break the clinch and goes back to striking in the pocket where he had so much success last round. Huge leg kick from Gastelum that wobbles Musoke. Gastelum with an uppercut and putting together nice punch combos. Head kick from Gastelum. Musoke clinches up and presses Gastelum to the cage. Gastelum turns him around, they trade some dirty boxing, and Gastelum breaks with a nice right elbow. Big body kick. High kick from Musoke. Gastelum slips on a high kick, but Musoke can’t take advantage. Stiff jab and body kick from Gastelum. Another body kick. Nice body combo from Gastelum. Clinched against the cage, Gastelum breaks out. Gastelum cut over his right eye. Two big high kicks from the TUF winner. They slug it out the final seconds. PMN sees it 10-9 and 29-28 for Gastelum.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Kelvin Gastelum def. Nicholas Musoke by unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
145 lbs: Cub Swanson vs. Jeremy Stephens
Round 1 – Nice staredown. Leg kick from Cub. Leg kick from Stephens. Front kick to the face from Cub. Big body kick from Cub, then an inside leg kick. Nice footwork and movement from Swanson. Lands another leg kick. Right hand from Stephens. Cub with a nice punch combo then very speedy cartwheel kick. Right hand, leg kick from Stephens. Right from Cub, but Stephens lands a counter right that causes Cub to slip off balance. Leg kick from Cub. Nice right from Cub. Stephens catches a body kick and puts Cub on his back. Round ends with Stephens on top. PMN sees it 10-9 for Swanson.
Round 2 – Leg kick from Cub. Uppercut from Stephens. Right hand. Leg kick, inside this time. Cub looking a bit more tentative now. Big right from Stephens on the button. Inside leg kick from Stephens, big right hook to the body. Body kick Stephens. Overhand right from Stephens catches Cub behind the ear and it stumbles him. Right counter from Cub. Cartwheel kick from Cub. Big left body kick from Stephens. Right to the body. Stephens shoots in with a quick takedown, Cub right up. Stephens still looking to put him down against the cage, backs out before the bell. PMN sees it 10-9 for Stephens.
Round 3 – Overhand right from Stephens. Leg kick. Leg kick from Cub. Right hand follows. Inside leg kick Cub’s movement has slowed significantly but he hurts Stephens with a body kick. Swanson trying to finish as Stephens retreats. Swanson landing punches, Stephens goes for a single to slow the onslaught of Cub. They separate. High kick from Cub is blocked. Stephens shoots in against the cage. 90 seconds to go. Cub defends, they separate. Spinning head kick from Cub is blocked. Jab from Cub, stuffed against the cage by Stephens. PMN scores it 10-9 for Swanson.
Round 4 – One two Stephens, leg kick from Cub. High kick from Stephens blocked. Right from Swanson. Big inside leg kick from Cub. Stephens presses him to the cage with underhooks. Back to the center where Cub is able to score with a punch/kick combo. Not much significant in this round, could’ve gone either way. PMN sees it 10-9 for Cub.
Round 5 – Both guys trying to find their range and look for a mistake by the other. Stephens with a body shot. Huge body kick from Cub hurts Stephens. Cartwheel kick and a couple jabs score, staying on him but being careful. Stephens throwing the jab. Cub with a leg kick. Again. Left hook, right hand by Cub. They slug it out with both guys scoring. Cub looks at the clock with 45 seconds left. Big right from Stephens. Again. PMN sees the round 10-9 for Cub and the fight 4 rounds to 1 for Cub.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Cub Swanson def. Jeremy Stephens by unanimous decision (49-46 x 2, 48-47)
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