UFC 238: Results and highlights from Henry Cejudo vs. Marlon Moraes

Steven Muehlhausen

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UFC 238: Results and highlights from Henry Cejudo vs. Marlon Moraes image

The card features two championship fights with the main event featuring flyweight champion Henry Cejudo battling Marlon Moraes for the vacant bantamweight championship.

In the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko puts her women's flyweight title on the line against Jessica Eye. Also in a pivotal lightweight bout, former interim lightweight titleholder Tony Ferguson takes on one of the sport's biggest stars in Donald Cerrone.

Cejudo and Moraes are fighting for the vacant 135-pound title because it was revealed that T.J. Dillashaw failed a drug test and was suspended for two years. Due to the failure, Dillashaw was stripped of the belt.

Cejudo (14-2) will ride a four-fight winning streak into the bout. In his last outing, he knocked out Dillashaw in 32 seconds at January's UFC Brooklyn event to retain the 125-pound title. Before that, the 2008 Olympic gold medalist in wrestling upset reigning champion Demetrious Johnson by split decision at UFC 227 last August to capture the gold.

Moraes (22-5-1), a former World Series of Fighting bantamweight champion, is one of the hottest fighters in the UFC. He has won four consecutive bouts, beating John Dodson, Aljamain Sterling, Jimmie Rivera, and Raphael Assuncao. The 30-year-old finished off Sterling, Rivera, and Assuncao inside the first round.

Stay locked in as Sporting News will have coverage of UFC 238.

 

UFC 238; Live updates, results

Henry Cejudo pounds out Marlon Moraes to become two-division champion

3:05pm Cejudo def. Moraes by TKO at 4:51 of the third round to win the bantamweight champion. Cejudo continued the momentum from the second and poured it on in the third round. He was controlling the action on the feet when the 2008 Olympic gold medalist in wrestling took it down to the mat and took control from there. Cejudo stayed composed in looking for a dominant position until he got out of Moraes' guard and unleashed a flurry of punches. It appeared he wouldn't have enough time to finish Moraes off, but Cejudo kept going and referee Marc Goddard stopped the fight to become the fourth fighter in UFC history to hold two belts at the same time.

Round 2: What a round! Moraes appeared to have the second round well in control. He had continued to batter Cejudo's legs. Somehow Cejudo roared back and found a home with the right hand that hurt Moraes on more than occasion. Cejudo uncorked a barrage of knees that Moraes showed a granite chin and withstood the onslaught. We have a fight for the gold in Chicago. (10-9 Cejudo, 19-19)

Round 1: Moraes couldn't have asked for a better start. He connected on a series of lightening quick combinations mixed in with vicious leg kicks which have taken their effect on Cejudo, whose right leg is always showing discolorment. (10-9, Moraes)

2:37pm It is now time for the main event of UFC 238 as flyweight champion Henry Cejudo and Marlon Moraes clash for the vacant bantamweight championship.

Cejudo (14-2) will ride a four-fight winning streak into the bout. In his last outing, he knocked out Dillashaw in 32 seconds at January's UFC Brooklyn event to retain the 125-pound title. Before that, the 2008 Olympic gold medalist in wrestling upset reigning champion Demetrious Johnson by split decision at UFC 227 last August to capture the gold.

Moraes (22-5-1), a former World Series of Fighting bantamweight champion, is one of the hottest fighters in the UFC. He has won four consecutive bouts, beating John Dodson, Aljamain Sterling, Jimmie Rivera, and Raphael Assuncao. The 30-year-old finished off Sterling, Rivera, and Assuncao inside the first round.

Buckle up ladies and gentleman, if you like, speed, precision and power, this is for you.

Valentina Shevchenko scores knockout of the year over Jessica Eye to retain title

2:24pm Shevchenko def. Eye by knockout at 0:26 of the second round. After Shevchenko and Eye circled each other to begin the second round, Shevchenko nailed a picture perfect left high kick to knock out Eye on the point of impact in one of the most vicious finishes in UFC history. Eye laid motionless on the canvas for a couple of minutes. Thankfully, she made it back up to her feet.

If there was any question who the second best women's fighter on the planet is behind bantamweight and featherweight champion, you can toss away any theory.

Round 1: A dominant round from Shevchenko. Instead of trading shots, she took Eye down twice and grinded her down. Eye has something to hang her hat on to begin the second as she escaped a kimura attempt and ended on top. (10-9, Shevchenko)

2pm It is time for the co-main event of UFC 238, as Valentina Shevchenko defends her women's flyweight title for the first time against No. 1-ranked Jessica Eye.

Shevchenko (16-3), regarded as the best 125-pound women's fighter in the world, won the vacant title, dominated Joanna Jędrzejczyk throughout to win by unanimous decision at UFC 231. The 31-year-old is 5-2 inside the Octagon with her sole defeats were by razor-thin decisions to current bantamweight and featherweight champion Amanda Nunes.

Eye (14-6, one no-contest) was on the verge of getting cut from the UFC after losing five of her six fights at 135 pounds. She turned her career around after dropping down to flyweight. Eye's won three in a row to earn a title shot, beating Kalindra Faria, Jessica-Rose Clark and Katlyn Chookagian.

Shevchenko should run through Eye but that's why they do the fight.

Tony Ferguson wins in controversial fashion over Donald Cerrone

1:55 pm Ferguson def. Cerrone by TKO at 5:00 of the second round. Sporting News had it scored even heading into the third round. Cerrone's nose was broken and his eye was swelling rapidly after the second round -- which was exasperated by a late punch by Ferguson after the bell. Cerrone decided to blow his nose in between rounds -- a terrible idea -- and his eye swelled up to the point that he couldn't see out of it. The referee and the ringside doctor from the Illinois State Athletic Commission consulted and decided Cerrone could no longer continue, much to the dismay of the crowd, who let the commission know how they felt about it.

That's not how Ferguson wanted to win and he said as such. Hopefully, the UFC runs it back because it's a fight people want to see and it could have gone either way.

Round 2: Ferguson came out a man on a mission. He unloaded the heavy artillery particularly the straight right hand down the middle to bust up and bloddy Cerrone's nose. Ferguson landed a straight right hand well after the bell much to the dismay of the crowd. Comes down to the third and final round as it should. (10-9 Ferguson, 19-19).

Round 1: Well that lived up to the billing and it's only been five minutes. Ferguson controlled the opening half with his variety of strikes but Cerrone came on strong in the latter half and landed the heavier shots. Cerrone slapped Ferguson's hand, as the latter looked befuddled. Watch for a cut that developed on the edge of Ferguson's right eye. (10-9 Cerrone)

1:35 pm Cerrone and Ferguson are in the Octagon. Let's do this.

1:28 pm.The United Center just shook as Cerrone walks to the Octagon.

1:24 pm Coming up at UFC 238, No. 2-ranked Tony Ferguson battles No. 4-ranked Donald Cerrone in lightweight action. Ferguson (24-3) is on an absolute tear, as "El Cucuy" is on an 11-fight winning streak and during one point was the interim 155-pound champion. He's coming off an eight-month layoff but went through some personal matters with his wife earlier this year which ended up in a temporary restraining order that has since been lifted. Since returning to lightweight, Cerrone's (36-11) also been on a very good run by winning three consecutive bouts with two via stoppage.

This has been viewed by many people as the people's main event as Ferguson and Cerrone are two of the most exciting fighters of the sport. If they are on top of their game, we will be in for a classic.

Petr Yan remains undefeated in the UFC to beat Jimmie Rivera

1:18 pm Yan def. Rivera by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28). A great win for Yan. He connected on the harder shots and threw everything and anything at Rivera. Yan is the total package. He possesses fantastic striking and better than average takedown defense. The 26-year-old called out the winner of the main event. He's 5-0 in the UFC and has an eight-fight winning streak. If he doesn't get a title shot next, a top contender's fight is on deck.

1:05 pm If I'm Jimmie Rivera's corner here between rounds two and three, I'd seriously consider throwing in the towel. He's getting rocked and dropped by nearly everything Yan is throwing. Yet, here comes Rivera for the round. This isn't going to end well.

1:00 pm In what looked to be a solid first round and one to Rivera, Yan dropped Rivera near the end of the round with a looping overhand left followed a series of short punches. Rivera needs to tuck his chin in or Yan will find it again.

12:47 pm Up next at UFC 238 is No. 7-ranked Jimmie Rivera taking on No. 9-ranked Petr Yan. Rivera (22-3) is in desperate need of a win, having lost two of his last three. Yan (12-1) is a rising star in the division has won seven consecutive fights including four in the UFC and all of those were in dominant fashion. Rivera is the test Yan needs to see if he really belongs in the elite at 135 pounds.

Blagoy Ivanov outslugs Tui Tuivasa to win unanimous decision


12:43 pm Ivanov def. Tuivasa by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28). Not the contest many were expecting as Ivanov and Tuivasa threw it down for 15 minutes with the former surprisingly having the edge. He outgunned the striker for three rounds and got the better of the exchanges. Ivanov is coming into his own and should be in the top ten in the new UFC rankings. If Ivanov continues to improve his striking combined with his above average ground game, there could be a new player in the heavyweight division.

12:30 pm If you had Tuivasa and Ivanov lasting midway through the second round, you are one of the rare few who did.

12:28 pm Something to watch out for as the second roun begins as Tuivasa's breathing very heavy to begin the stanza.

12:24 pm Ivanov dropped Tuivasa with a short shot, but Tuivasa gathered his bearings and landed a couple punches of his own. Surprised to see that from Ivanov.

12:14 pm Kicking off the main card of UFC 238 is No.11-ranked Tai Tuivasa facing off with No. 13-ranked Blagoy Ivanov in heavyweight action. Tuivasa (8-1) is one of the most exciting guys in the heavyweight action. He's coming off a second-round TKO loss to former champion Junior dos Santos in December. The Australian had dos Santos rattled early on before getting finished off. Ivanov (17-2) is the former World Series of Fighting champion. After losing his UFC debut to dos Santos, Ivanov earned his first UFC victory in March, beating Ben Rothwell by unanimous decision.


Hard to see this one being a boring affair. Tuivasa is never in a boring fight and shouldn't expect one here.

12:01pm Suarez def. Ansaroff by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). Great performance from Suarez. The name of the game for her was the wrestling. For the first two rounds, Suarez took Ansaroff down whenever she wanted. It wasn't just Suarez taking her down and laying and praying. She was throwing shots and constantly trying to improve her position. The only drawback was the fact Suarez showed some vulnerability when she couldn't get a takedown, as Ansaroff had the better of the exchanges on the feet.

Suarez is now 9-0 and like she said during her post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, she should be the person who faces champion Jessica Andrade later on this year.

11:49am Halfway through the fight and Suarez is well in control. Her wrestling and active ground work is proving to be too much for Ansaroff thus far. She needs to find a solution in a hurry.

11:45am Up next is the featured preliminary bout of UFC 238 between No. 2-ranked Tatiana Suarez and No. 3-ranked Nina Ansaroff in women's strawweight action. Suarez (7-0) has taken the division and the sport by storm by winning all four of her fights inside the Octagon, winning three via stoppage. Ansaroff (10-5) is on a great run of her own, winning four in a row. This should be a lot of fun.

11:30am: Welcome to Sporting News' live coverage of UFC 238. We are inside the United Center and it's already been an exciting night of fights. Grab the refreshments and follow along in what could be a memorable card.

UFC 238 undercard results

- Aljamain Sterling def. Pedro Munhoz by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27); Bantamweight

- Alexa Grasso def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27); Women's Strawweight

- Calvin Kattar def. Ricardo Lamas by knockout at 4:06 of the first round; Featherweight

- Xiaonan Yan def. Angela Hill via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28); Women's Strawweight

- Darren Stewart def. Bevon Lewis by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28); Middleweight

- Eddie Wineland def. Grigorii Popov via knockout at 4:47 of the second round; Bantamweight

- Katlyn Chookagian def. Joanne Calderwood by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28); Women's Flyweight

UFC 238 fight card

Main card

Henry Cejudo vs. Marlon Moraes for the vacant Bantamweight title
Valentina Shevchenko (c) vs. Jessica Eye for Shevchenko's Women's Flyweight title
Tony Ferguson vs. Donald Cerrone; Lightweight
Jimmie Rivera vs. Petr Yan; Bantamweight
Tai Tuivasa vs. Blagoy Ivanov; Heavyweight

Preliminary card

Tatiana Suarez vs. Nina Ansaroff; Women's Strawweight
Aljamain Sterling vs. Pedro Munhoz; Bantamweight
Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Alexa Grasso; Women's Strawweight
Ricardo Lamas vs. Calvin Kattar; Featherweight
Xiaonan Yan vs. Angela Hill; Women's Strawweight
Bevon Lewis vs. Darren Stewart; Middleweight
Katlyn Chookagian vs. Joanne Calderwood; Women's Flyweight

UFC 238 latest news

The manager of Khabib Nurmagomedov says his fighter is the "highest-paid athlete in the UFC" after he agreed a new contract and a unification clash with Dustin Poirier.

UFC 238 main card fighter - and notorious rascal - Tai Tuivasa reveals how he bounced back from his loss to Junior dos Santos.

Still on Tuivasa, despite traveling to all corners of the world and gaining thousands of fans wherever he goes, the 26-year-old staunchly represents Western Sydney.

No matter what happens, Bam Bam is From The Area.

Steven Muehlhausen

Steven Muehlhausen Photo

Steven Muehlhausen is a contributing writer for DAZN News. He writes features and news stories, and provides analysis relating to the world of boxing. Over the past five years, he has interviewed some of the biggest names in combat sports, including Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Terence Crawford, Vasiliy Lomachenko and Bill Goldberg.