UFC 196: McGregor vs. Diaz takes place this evening (Saturday, March 5) from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Featherweight champ Conor McGregor moves up to 170-pounds to face Nate Diaz on short notice in the main event. UFC women’s bantamweight champ Holly Holm defends her title against Miesha Tate in the co-headliner.
ProMMAnow.com (www.prommanow.com) will provide live results and round-by-round play-by-play commentary for UFC 196 starting with the early Fight Pass prelims at 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT), moving to the FOX Sports 1 prelims at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) and the PPV main card at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT).
Online viewing information for the UFC 196 PPV live stream is available here.
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UFC 196 quick results:
Main Card (Pay-Per-View)
- Welterweight: Nate Diaz def. Conor McGregor via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:12
- Women’s Bantamweight Championship: Miesha Tate def. Holly Holm via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 5, 3:30
- Light Heavyweight: Ilir Latifi def. Gian Villante via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Light Heavyweight: Corey Anderson def. Tom Lawlor via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Women’s Bantamweight: Amanda Nunes def. Valentina Shevchenko via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)
Preliminary Card (Fox Sports 1)
- Welterweight: Siyar Bahadurzada def. Brandon Thatch via submission (arm triangle choke) – Round 3, 4:11
- Welterweight: Nordine Taleb def. Erick Silva via KO (punches) – Round 2, 1:34
- Middleweight: Vitor Miranda def. Marcelo Guimaraes via TKO (head kick and punches) – Round 2, 1:09
- Featherweight: Darren Elkins def. Chas Skelly via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-27, 29-26)
Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
- Lightweight: Diego Sanchez def. Jim Miller via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Lightweight: Jason Saggo def. Justin Salas via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:31
- Featherweight: Teruto Ishihara def. Julian Erosa via KO (punches) – Round 2, 0:34
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UFC 196 play-by-play:
Julian Erosa vs. Teruto Ishihara
Round 1 – They trade kicks early. Ishihara looking loose and aggressive. Erosa goes to the ground briefly. Ishihara getting the better of the striking to start. Hard inside leg kicks. Erosa with a high kick. Right hook from Erosa but he pays for it. Erosa catches a kick and lands a right counter. Clinched up against the cage, Erosa’s thigh discolored from the leg kicks. Ishihara getting off with punches but Erosa catches a kick and takes him down in the final 30 seconds. Erosa ends the round on top. 10-9 Ishihara.
Round 2 – During an exchange and while backing up, Ishihara lands a counter left hook that drops Erosa. He follows up with more punches until he goes out and the fight is stopped.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Teruto Ishihara def. Julian Erosa via KO (punches) – Round 2, 0:34
Justin Salas vs. Jason Saggo
Round 1 – Saggo with some hard kicks early. Saggo seems a bit tentative after experiencing those kicks. Left to the body from Salas. Saggo just misses a hook kick, but Salas ducks it and takes him down. Saggo gets mission control then uses an omoplata for a reversal. Now Saggo in side mount on top and controlling. Salas gives up his back and Saggo takes advantage and gets both hooks in, flattens him out and lays into him with punches until the canvas gets painted and the ref stops it.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Jason Saggo def. Justin Salas via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:31
Diego Sanchez vs. Jim Miller
Round 1 – Diego runs to the center goes for a takedown but is denied. Miller landing some nice punches. Diego still hasn’t found his range. Counter right hook from Miller. Diego with a takedown. He works the ground and pound from inside guard, postures up and moves to half guard and lands elbows before the bell. Diego maintained control on the ground for about a minute at least. 10-9 Sanchez
Round 2 – Inside leg kick from Miller buckles Diego’s leg. More leg kicks inside and outside from Miller. Miller with a right hook. Another. Knee from Diego to the body. Check right from Miller. Right to the body from Miller. Then a hard body kick. But it sets up a takedown from Diego with 3 minutes left in the round. Diego in half guard. Couple elbows to the side of the head of Diego as Miller gets to his feet. Leg kick from Miller. Head kick from Miller behind a punch. They tie up in the clinch after a solid exchange. Miller breaks free. Diego goes for a takedown but gets caught in a front choke, knees to the head from Miller but Diego just eats them, then goes for a takedown at the bell. 10-9 Miller
Round 3 – Left hook from Miller as Diego goes for a knee strike. Diego goes for a takedown but Miller shakes him off. Right from Diego. Another right. Step in left from Miller. Right from Miller. Right hook from Diego. 2 minutes to go. Miller starting to fade. Jab from Diego. Low kick from Diego. Right hook but he doesn’t follow up. Miller shoots but can’t get a real takedown. Diego being unusually conservative. 30 seconds to go. Diego with a quick takedown. With 10 seconds left they slug it out. 10-10 as I see this round. Good case for a draw.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Diego Sanchez def. Jim Miller via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Darren Elkins vs. Chas Skelly
Round 1 – Skelly getting off with some punches until Elkins pushes him to the cage. Skelly lands some more punches before they tie up again. Elkins gets him for a trip takedown. Skelly goes for a leg, gets a trip and goes for the heel hook, they roll, but Elkins gets out. Skelly goes for the other heel now, rolls with it but Elkins is aware and escapes. Elkins pushes him to the cage with a front headlock and lands knees to the body. Elkins lands punches inside the clinch. Skelly pushes him to the cage as they exchange knees and punches to the body. Skelly 10-9
Round 2 – Right hook from Skelly but Elkins puts him on his back with a takedown. They scramble and Elkins ends up on top inside full guard. Elkins gets to side control where he lands several punches. There’s another scramble and Elkins is able to maintain top position and continue with the ground and pound. 10-9 Elkins
Round 3 – Elkins with a couple punches and a hard body kick. He gets a body lock and drags Skelly to the ground. Skelly hits a switch and is back to his feet. Elkins pushing him to the cage, then gets another trip takedown where he continues the assault. He goes for a RNC but Skelly is able to escape to his feet. 2:30 left to go. Elkins lands a couple shots then dumps Skelly. Elkins jumps on his back, softens him up with shots, but Skelly gets to his feet and he’s looking for the takedown. Elkins defends. Skelly pressing the action with half a minute to go, he’s looking for a takedown but Elkins shoves him off. Elkins connects with a counter combo. 10-9 Elkins
OFFICIAL RESULT: Darren Elkins def. Chas Skelly via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-27, 29-26)
Vitor Miranda vs. Marcelo Guimaraes
Round 1 – High kick from Miranda. They tie up against the cage, Guimaraes controlling, drops levels looking for the takedown. There’s a scramble and Guimaraes ends up on top briefly before Miranda gets to his feet. Ref separates them from the clinch. Miranda popping a jab. Hard body kick from Miranda. Guimaraes comes in winging punches and backs Miranda to the cage. Guimaraes looking for the takedown but eats several elbows and stands for the clinch. He continues to look for the takedown but the ref separates them. Miranda getting off with some punches now. They trade kicks. 10-9 Miranda
Round 2 – Guimaraes with leg kicks. He pushes Miranda to the cage and uses knees to the body, drops levels for a takedown but takes several elbows to the side of the head that rock him. Miranda knows he’s hurt and tees off with a head kick and punches until he staggers across the cage and the referee steps in even before he falls to the ground. Excellenet performance from Miranda.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Vitor Miranda def. Marcelo Guimaraes via TKO (head kick and punches) – Round 2, 1:09
Erick Silva vs. Nordine Taleb
Round 1 – After some exchanges, Taleb looks to twist his ankle and Silva tries to capitalize. He seems okay now. Taleb catches a kick and sweeps Silva to the ground. He’s back up, Silva acts like he wants to touch gloves then throws a left hook. Silva shoots but is pushed aside. 10-9 Taleb
Round 2 – They trade body kicks but Taleb catches Silva’s next kick and delivers a right cross that knocks Silva down and out face first. Taleb lands one more for good measure. He’s helped to a stool to recover.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Nordine Taleb def. Erick Silva via KO (punches) – Round 2, 1:34
Brandon Thatch vs. Siyar Bahadurzada
Round 1 – Low kicks from Thatch to start. Siyar throwing some heavy punches now that That really needs to avoid. They tie up against the cage. Elbow on the break from Thatch. Front kick. Leg kick. Nice left to the body from Siyar. Big exchange in the clinch. Spinning elbow from Thatch. Thai clinch and knee and a takedown from Thatch. Siyar in side mount. Thatch looks for a triangle briefly. Siyar now in full guard, and then to half guard where he traps Thatch to the cage. Thatch gets up before the bell but Siyar stays locked on him. 10-9 Siyar Bahadurzada
Round 2 – Thatch hurts him early with a head kick and punches but Siyar scores a takedown and works the ground and pound from inside guard. Back to the feet. Low kick from Thatch. Right hand. Knees in the clinch from Siyar, then a takedown with 2 minutes to go. Siyar landing some hard shots from top. 10-9 Siyar
Round 3 – Thatch pressing but eats a hard left hand. He goes down and Siyar goes for the finish with big punches but Thatch is able to tie him up at least for the moment. Siyar postures up and working the ground and pound, still looking for that big shot. 3 minutes to go. Big John stands them up. Thatch walks into a couple punches then Siyar takes him back down with little effort. Siyar locks up an arm triangle and gets the submission.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Siyar Bahadurzada def. Brandon Thatch via submission (arm triangle choke) – Round 3, 4:11
Amanda Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko
Round 1 – Missed first half of round due to technical issues. Body kick from Nunes and then a takedown. Nunes on top inside full closed guard. Nunes postures up with a punch or two but gets tripped before the bell. 10-9 Nunes
Round 2 – Nunes with a takedown where she works the ground and pound. Shevchenko is busted up and bleeding around her eyes. She almost gets to her feet but Nunes drags her right back down where she goes back to doing damage. Nunes takes her back during a scramble and is looking for the choke. Nunes tries to readjust a couple times and Shevchenko survives, then spins and ends up in top position before the bell. 10-9 Nunes
Round 3 – Shevchneko with a takedown and lands in side mount and starts doing some damage with elbows. Nunes withstands the initial assault and is back to her feet before the 3 minute mark. Nunes eats a couple knees in the clinch. Nunes is fading as Shevchenko scores with more strikes. Under a minute to go. Superman punch to the body from Shevchenko and she lays into Nunes good before the bell, slamming her to the ground and landing punches. 10-9 Shevchenko
OFFICIAL RESULT: Amanda Nunes def. Valentina Shevchenko via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)
Corey Anderson vs. Tom Lawlor
Round 1 – Anderson lands the first punch but Lawlor tunes him up good. Anderson survives and trades in the pocket. Anderson with a couple nice leg kicks. Nice right from Anderson. Overhand left from Lawlor. He presses for most of the round. 10-9 Lawlor
Round 2 – Lawlor catches a kick and dumps him but he’s right back up. Low kick from Anderson. Both guys looking for the chin. Lawlor catches a leg kick, lets it go. Inside leg kick from Anderson. Nice straight left from Lawlor. Under 1 minute to go. Anderson ducks into a knee but just eats it. Lawlor backs Anderson to the cage with punches but gets tagged in the firefight and instinctively shoots in and they end in the clinch. 10-9 Lawlor
Round 3 – Inside leg kick from Anderson. Lead right hand from Lawlor lands on the jaw. Anderson with a takedown and lands in side mount, then half guard where he postures up with punches. Ref stands them up after a stalemate. Leg kick from Anderson. They play it safe for the rest of the round. 10-9 Anderson
OFFICIAL RESULT: Corey Anderson def. Tom Lawlor via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Gian Villante vs. Ilir Latifi
Round 1 – Latifi looks for a takedown after taking a few kicks. Villante defends it though. Hard left hand from Latifi stuns Villante. Latifi goes back to looking for the takedown but Villante gets free with a couple punches. Repeat. Hard body kick from Villante. 10-9 Villante
Round 2 – Low kick from Latifi. Then a left hand. Latifi with a suplex and looking for Villante’s back but he gets free and to his feet. He’s pursuing Latifi but gets pushed to the cage. Villante defends the takedown. Overhand right from Villante but doesn’t follow up. Low kick from Villante. Latifi with a couple spin kicks. Takedown from Latifi late in the round and Villante is up before the bell. 10-9 Latifi
Round 3 – Body shot and takedown attempt from Latifi but can’t keep him there. Pressing Villante to the cage but they separate back to center. Villante’s corner wants him to push the pace. Left hook from Latifi stuns Villante but he does not follow up. Another takedown from Latifi in the final minute. Villante gets a reversal before the bell. 10-9 Latifi
OFFICIAL RESULT: Ilir Latifi def. Gian Villante via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Holly Holm (c) vs. Miesha Tate – for women’s bantamweight title
Round 1 – Miesha taking her time. Holly also waiting. Side kick from Holly after a one punch exchange. Miesha caught a kick and countered with a left hook. Left from Holly. Holly connects and pushes Miesha back afterward. Straight left from Holly. Holly looking for more of those. Holly connects with a punch and side kick. Miesha’s face marking up. Left counter from Tate. High kick from Holly partially blocked. Side kick from Holly. Close round.
Round 2 – Solid takedown from Miesha and she has Holly’s neck. Miesha in half guard working some ground and pound. Hard elbows to the body from Tate. Hammerfists and elbows to the face. Still in half guard and controlling Holly. She looks kinda lost on her back to be honest. Holly gives up her back but Miesha is going for the choke and it’s under the chin. Holly wrist fighting and is able to survive. Wow. 10-8 Tate!
Round 3 – Miesha looking relaxed now. Lots of feeling out. High kick from Holly. Right hand from Holly snaps Tate’s head back. Holly stuffs a takedown attempt. Tate blocks a head kick. Jab from Holly. Then an oblique kick. Miesha shoots in but is shoved aside. High kick from Holly but blocked mostly. 10-9 Holly
Round 4 – Side kick from Holly. They tie up against the cage and exchange knees. Holly throws her off and it’s back to striking. Miesha shoots in but Holly sprawls deep and lands several punches. Back to the feet. Front kick and a couple punches from Holly. Side kick from Holly. 10-9 Holly
Round 5 – Front kick from Holly. Straight left. Body kick from Miesha. Nice side kick from Holly knocks Miesha to the cage. Miesha shoots but is shoved aside. Side kick from Holly. Straight left from Holly and Miesha ties her up briefly. Holly was about to go for a head kick but Miesha kicks her leg. Meisha shoots in and gets tuned up. Miesha is able to get a bodylock takedown and get Holly’s back with under 2 minutes to go. Holly stands up but Miesha is still on her locking on the choke, Holly tries to flip her over but she doesn’t let go, Miesha readjusts the choke under the chin and Holly tries to tap but goes out. We have a new champion and things just got a whole lot more interesting in the 135-pound women’s division. With under 2 minutes to go!
OFFICIAL RESULT: Miesha Tate def. Holly Holm via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 5, 3:30
Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz
Round 1 – Already jawing at the staredown. Here we go. Conor switching stances and goes off balance with an overhand left. Lands the next one. They tie up, Nate presses him to the cage. Conor breaks free and Conor scores. Nate lands a right hook. Left overhand from Conor. Conor goes for another big overhand left. Body jab from Diaz. Right check hook from Nate. Low kick from Nate. Nate tags him with a couple punches. Conor smiles. Conor scores with a couple. Nice left from Conor. Body kick from Conor. Conor ducks a combo. He’s talking at Nate. Nate bleeding over he right eye. Conor backs him up with a couple big lefts. Nate fires back. Body shot. Nate with a takedown with under a minute. Conor sweeps him. Nate doesn’t have much time but Conor stacks him as he goes for a leg. 10-9 McGregor
Round 2 – Spin kick to the body from Conor. Hard left to the body from Conor. Hard left on the chin from Conor. Another let from Conor and Nate bleeding pretty good. Nate ties him up against the cage. Conor backs out and tunes Nate up with some shots. Nate lands a right jab. Eats an overhand left. Conor’s busting him up but Nate tells him to bring it on, the right side of his face a bloody wreck. Uppercut from Conor snaps Nate’s head back. Conor with body shots. Nate wobbles him with a big left. Big left from Conor. Nate has him hurt. Nate backs him to the cage and lands several short lefts. 90 seconds to go. Conor goes for a takedown and gets caught in a guillotine, now full mount. Nate gets his back and chokes him until Conor McGregor taps. Holly Holm didn’t tap.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Nate Diaz def. Conor McGregor via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:12
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