UFC 207 live: Ronda Rousey knocked out in 48 seconds by Amanda Nunes after Cody Garbrandt beats Dominick Cruz
Follow the latest from UFC 207 in the final event of 2016
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Ronda Rousey's long-awaited return to the UFC ended in just 48 seconds as she was brutally knocked out by reigning women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes. Cody Garbrandt added to the night of surprises as he delivered a Las Vegas masterclass to beat UFC icon Dominick Cruz and win the men's bantamweight title. Re-live the action here.
- Amanda Nunes knocks Ronda Rousey out in 48 seconds to retain the women's bantamweight title
- Rousey's return ends in disaster as retirement looms
- Cody Garbrandt wins the men’s bantamweight title by defeating Dominick Cruz by unanimous decision
- TJ Dillashaw beats John Lineker by unanimous decision
- Dong Hyun Kim beats Tarec Saffiedine by split decision, 27-30, 29-28, 29-28
- Ray Borg beats Louis Smolka by unanimous decision, 30-27, 30-26, 30-26
Follow the live action below...
Please allow a moment for the blog to load...
Everything you need to know
Ronda Rousey makes her long-awaited return to the UFC this week to take on reigning women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 in her quest to get back the title she lost over a year ago in her only defeat in her career.
Rousey was brutally knocked out at UFC 193 in November 2015 by Holly Holm, having previously won all 12 of her MMA bouts by stoppage, and lost her undefeated streak in the process.
The devastating stand-up display from Holm exposed weaknesses in Rousey’s defence that had not been witnessed before, and ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ was able to utilise this to deliver a stunning knockout, with Rousey wearing a number of punches and kicks that ended with a roundhouse kick to the neck.
Rousey has taken time out of the sport since the lost, starring in Hollywood films and working on her technique, while the bantamweight championship has failed to find a new home. Since Rousey lost the belt, Holm failed to defend it when she was choked unconscious by Miesha Tate at UFC 196, at Tate in turn tapped out to current champion Nunes at UFC 200.
Here’s everything you need to know about UFC 207, including the rest of the fight card, start times and full television information.
When is UFC 207?
UFC 207 takes place on Friday 30 December at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
What time does it start?
UFC 207 begins at 00:30 GMT [16:30 PT] with the early prelims, with the prelims getting underway from 01:00 GMT [17:00 PT] and the main card starting at 03:00 GMT [19:00 PT].
Where can I watch it?
Both the prelims and the main card for UFC 207 will be shown live on BT Sport 3 from 01:00 Saturday morning. The early prelims and prelims can also be watched on UFC Fight Pass around the country.
Why isn’t Cain Velasquez fighting Fabricio Verdum?
The rematch was supposed to go ahead at UFC 207, until former heavyweight champion Velasquez was pulled out of the fight by the Nevada State Athletic Commission [NSAC] without his knowledge. The decision was taken due to Velasquez being deemed in a condition that was unfit to fight, with his own admission that he plans to undergo surgery on a sciatic nerve injury five days after UFC 207raising alarm bells.
The pain was bad enough that Velasquez was seen using CBD oil to help ahead of the fight, and the UFC released a short statement to confirm the news: "Saturday afternoon, UFC was informed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission that Cain Velasquez is unfit to fight. As a result, the former two-time heavyweight champion has been removed from his Dec. 30 bout against Fabricio Werdum at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.”
Full fight card...
Main card:
Amanda Nunes vs Ronda Rousey (women’s bantamweight championship)
Dominick Cruz vs Cody Garbrandt (bantamweight championship)
TJ Dillashaw vs John Lineker (bantamweight)
Dong Hyun Kim vs Tarec Saffiedine (welterweight)
Louis Smolka vs Ray Borg (flyweight)
Prelims:
Johny Hendricks vs Neil Magny (welterweight)
Antonio Carlos Junior vs Marvin Vettori (middleweight)
Mike Pyle vs Alex Garcia (welterweight)
Brandon Thatch vs Niko Price (welterweight)
Early prelims:
Alex Oliveira vs Tim Means (welterweight)
Odds...
Amanda Nunes to win: 6/5
Ronda Rousey to win: 4/6
Dominick Cruz to win: 4/9
Cody Garbrandt to win: 7/4
John Lineker to win: 2/1
TJ Dillashaw to win: 2/5
Dominick Cruz vs Cody Garbrandt
The cut above Cruz's eye is huge! It's a proper gash, and you wouldn't be surprised if this one gets halted inthe next two rounds due to the cut. We go on though, round four!
Dominick Cruz vs Cody Garbrandt
Round four: Cruz starts with a good leg kick, but Garbrandt sends Cruz to the canvas again with another right hand! Cruz is hurt, but instead of go in for the kill, Garbrandt points at him as if the fight is over. Cruz recovers incredibly quickly and gets up before No Love can swoop in, and the fight goes on. Incredible stuff.
Dominick Cruz vs Cody Garbrandt
Round four: Into the second half of the round, and Garbrandt catches Cruz again. Cruz is getting so frustrated as Garbrandt is dodging everything he can throw at him. The fight slows down for the first time, then suddenly Garbrandt knocks Cruz down three times in a row with punches, and he keeps getting up!
A 10-8 round for Garbrandt, no doubt about it!
Dominick Cruz vs Cody Garbrandt
Round five: We go into the last round, and I've got Garbrandt 39-36 ahead. But the scores may not matter, as Garbrandt could get Cruz out of here in the next five minutes.
Dominick Cruz vs Cody Garbrandt
Round five: The first minute passes by with little of note as Cruz seeks an opportunity, and he knows he's got to finish Cody to keep hold of his title. Cruz lands a clean right-left combination, and he attempts a flying knee only for Garbrandt to catch him. He gets away with it, and to taunt Cruz some more Cody drops to the floor and picks himself back up again before Cruz can do anything. Morethan four minutes gone in the fifth and they clinch for the first time out of sheer exhaustion, and this one is going to the judges.
There's only one winner for my money though, and they end the fight shaking hands and smiling with each other.
Dominick Cruz vs Cody Garbrandt
CODY GARBRANDT BEATS DOMINICK CRUZ BY UNANIMOUS DECISION TO WIN THE BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP!
Amanda Nunes vs Ronda Rousey
We're not wasting any time here, because RONDA IS BACK! Rousey paces her way to the ring and looks as mean as ever. We await the champion...
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments