ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – UFC on ESPN 54 occurred on Saturday, with MMA Junkie providing live play-by-play and official results. UFC on ESPN 54 (ESPN/ESPN+) was held at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.
In the headline bout, Erin Blanchfield (12-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) faced off against Manon Fiorot (12-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) in a probable women’s flyweight title eliminator. Joaquin Buckley (18-6 MMA, 8-4 UFC) battled Vicente Luque (22-10-1 MMA, 15-6 UFC) in the welterweight co-main event, and former middleweight champion Chris Weidman (16-7 MMA, 11-7 UFC) made his comeback against Bruno Silva (23-11 MMA, 4-5 UFC).
Below, you can view the results and play-by-play from UFC on ESPN 54.
Caolan Loughran vs. Angel Pacheco
Round 1 – Pacheco displays effective jab work, but Loughran responds with a right hand counter. Pacheco maintains distance, attempting to utilize his range against Loughran. Loughran lands a significant right hand after a prolonged period of limited action. Pacheco follows with leg kicks and more jabs. Another powerful right connects for Loughran. Loughran exhibits a clear power advantage thus far. Pacheco responds with a leg kick and effective body work. Loughran wobbles Pacheco with a right hand. Pacheco retreats. Another right hand from Loughran! Pacheco counters effectively! With one minute remaining, Pacheco lands solid jabs. Loughran shows signs of a nosebleed. Leg kick from Loughran. Both fighters land strikes towards the end. A closely contested round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 in favor of Loughran.
Round 2 – Loughran lands a hard combination right at the beginning. Despite being at a power disadvantage, Pacheco fights back aggressively. Pacheco connects with a clean right hand. Loughran attempts a takedown and succeeds, taking Pacheco’s back. Loughran searches for the rear-naked choke, but Pacheco defends well. Loughran delivers significant strikes from the top position. With three minutes left, Loughran eases off the attack. He re-adjusts and begins landing shots again. More strikes from Loughran. Loughran secures mount. Pacheco recovers half guard. Pacheco works his way back up, and they resume striking. Pacheco presses Loughran against the cage. The round concludes with the bell ringing.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 in favor of Loughran.
Round 3 – Loughran starts with a big combination. He injures Pacheco’s leg with a kick. Pacheco struggles to stand. Loughran continues targeting the injured leg. A solid combination connects for Loughran. He shoots and presses Pacheco against the cage. Pacheco lands a few elbows and then breaks free. They return to striking. Loughran lands a big right hand followed by a leg kick. Loughran maintains constant pressure. He shoots and takes down Pacheco. With two minutes left, Pacheco gets up but eats a big elbow. Loughran delivers a nasty leg kick. Pacheco’s output decreases significantly. Pacheco lands a good left hand. Loughran secures another takedown. Loughran lets Pacheco stand as the bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 in favor of Loughran. Overall 30-27 in favor of Loughran.
Result: Caolan Loughran defeats Angel Pacheco via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Photos: Caolan Loughran defeats Angel Pacheco at UFC on ESPN 54: Best photos
Records: Loughran (9-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Pacheco (7-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Vitor Ribeiro
Judges: Adrian Castro, Eric Colon score it 30-27; David Tirelli scores it 30-26.
Jacob Malkoun vs. Andre Petroski
Round 1 – Both fighters start cautiously. Malkoun lands a right hand and then wobbles Petroski with a double jab! Malkoun continues to press Petroski. Petroski appears to recover quickly. More stiff jabs from Malkoun. Body shot from Petroski. Petroski stuns Malkoun with a right hand. Malkoun closes the distance and pushes Petroski against the cage. Petroski manages to break free. Leg kick by Petroski. One minute remaining. Petroski attempts a takedown and successfully gets it with 20 seconds left. Malkoun scrambles and quickly gets back to his feet. The round ends with a close exchange.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 in favor of Malkoun.
Round 2 – Malkoun continues to press forward. Petroski gets rocked and drops to the ground. Malkoun lands a kick to Petroski’s liver while he’s down, and the fight is stopped! Petroski appears to have knocked himself out against Malkoun’s hip during the takedown attempt.
Result: Jacob Malkoun defeats Andre Petroski via TKO – Round 2, 0:39
Recap: Jacob Malkoun secures TKO victory after Andre Petroski stuns himself with takedown attempt
Photos: Jacob Malkoun emerges victorious against Andre Petroski at UFC on ESPN 54: Best photos
Records: Malkoun (8-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC), Petroski (10-4 MMA, 5-2 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Gary Copeland
Viktoriia Dudakova vs. Melissa Gatto – CANCELED
The UFC on ESPN 54 bout between Viktoriia Dudakova and Melissa Gatto has been canceled moments before it was set to occur.
Ibo Aslan vs. Anton Turkalj
Round 1 – Both fighters exchange leg kicks. Aslans catches a kick and lands a right hand. Aslan unleashes a couple of flurries that push Turkalj back. Turkalj responds with a good jab. Aslan delivers hard leg kicks. Turkalj rushes in with a combo but gets clipped by Aslan. Aslan lands a good left hook. Turkalj attempts a wild kick and falls to his back. Aslan lands a couple of shots before the round ends.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 in favor of Aslan.
Round 2 – Both fighters trade punches aggressively. Aslan’s left eye swells up. Turkalj accidentally lands a low blow, leading to a pause in the fight. After a brief break, the fight resumes. Aslan and Turkalj engage in a wild exchange. Aslan lands a big hook and Turkalj presses him against the cage. Aslan breaks free and lands good jabs. Aslan continues with leg kicks and finds his range effectively. Turkalj moves forward but eats significant shots.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 in favor of Aslan.
Round 3 – Both fighters start with big shots. Aslan lands a huge shot that drops Turkalj. The referee steps in and stops the fight before further damage can be done.
Result: Ibo Aslan defeats Anton Turkalj via TKO (right hand) – Round 3, 1:32
Recap: Ibo Aslan avenges loss to Anton Turkalj with third-round TKO
Photos: Ibo Aslan defeats Anton Turkalj at UFC on ESPN 54: Best photos
Records: Aslan (13-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Turkalj (8-4 MMA, 0-4 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Gary Copeland
Dennis Buzukja vs. Connor Matthews
Round 1 – Matthews applies pressure on Buzukja. Matthews manages distance well and begins to find his timing. Buzukja lands a knee to the head in the clinch and follows with a big hook. More leg kicks from Buzukja. Matthews also lands leg kicks. Buzukja stuns Matthews with a solid combo. A low blow from Matthews pauses the action briefly. After a short break, the fight resumes.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 in favor of Buzukja.
Round 2 – Buzukja lands a huge right hand. Matthews continues to move forward but eats big shots from Buzukja. Matthews lands a significant shot. Buzukja starts to press forward more. Another left connects for Buzukja. Matthews takes Buzukja down against the cage but fails to secure his back. They return to striking. Good body work from Buzukja. Matthews lands a right hand.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 in favor of Buzukja.
Round 3 – Buzukja lands a massive left hook at the end of a combination, dropping Matthews. Buzukja follows up with more shots, prompting the referee to stop the fight.
Result: Dennis Buzukja defeats Connor Matthews via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 0:22
Recap: Dennis Buzukja floors Connor Matthews with vicious left hook for TKO
Photos: Dennis Buzukja defeats Connor Matthews at UFC on ESPN 54: Best photos
Records: Buzukja (12-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC), Matthews (7-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson
