Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

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

Jack de Menezes
Tuesday 27 December 2016 11:50 GMT
Comments
Ronda Rousey appears dejected after her 48-second defeat at UFC 207 to Amanda Nunes
Ronda Rousey appears dejected after her 48-second defeat at UFC 207 to Amanda Nunes (Getty)

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].

Ronda Rousey fights for the first time since UFC 193 in November last year
Ronda Rousey fights for the first time since UFC 193 in November last year (Getty)

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.

Velasquez's rematch with Werdum has been called off
Velasquez's rematch with Werdum has been called off (Jeff Bottari/ Zuffa LLC)

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)

Cody 'No Love' Garbrandt takes on bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz
Cody 'No Love' Garbrandt takes on bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz (Getty)

TJ Dillashaw vs John Lineker (bantamweight)

Dong Hyun Kim vs Tarec Saffiedine (welterweight)

Louis Smolka vs Ray Borg (flyweight)

Johny Hendricks takes on Neil Magny in the main prelim fight
Johny Hendricks takes on Neil Magny in the main prelim fight (Getty)

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

Nunes: I think I'm going to get a lot of money ....I damn hope so

Jim Edwards31 December 2016 07:52

This Brazilian chap going into business for himself .... aweosme #UFC207

Jim Edwards31 December 2016 07:53

I'm told Rousey didn't suffer a serious injury in the fight. More hurt emotionally than physically, is how she was currently described.

Ariel Helwani31 December 2016 07:54
Jim Edwards31 December 2016 07:55

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in