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
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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...
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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
Louis Smolka vs Ray Borg
Round one: Both men try to figure each other out, that is until Smolka slips with a kick and Borg pounces. He's on top, but not for long as Smolka spins around. Borg takes Smolka's back, and when they stand it up Borg slams Smolka to the mat to take it back down to the ground. Smolka gives up his arm and is trapped, but he's able to roll is way out of it and just about survives. Borg lands a big hammer fist to the side of Smolka's head, and Smolka gets up with his face a complete mess.
That's a big round for Borg, and may even be a 10-8.
Louis Smolka vs Ray Borg
Round two: Borg again goes on the offensive, and when Smolka tries to take Borg down he's able to spin around in another attempt to take his back. Smolka was given strict instructions to not give up his back, and this time he flattens out to avoid it. Smolka attacks Borg's leg, but he responds with a big punch as he drops onto his head. Smolka's in a tricky position here, with Borg looking for an arm triangle, but not for the first time Smolka explodes out of it. The round ends with Smolka crumpled over as the two trade punches.
Another round to Borg.
Wut.... broken ankle? I wouldn't be cageside typing let alone in there fighting! That's just nuts #UFC207
Louis Smolka vs Ray Borg
Round three: In the corner, Borg tells his corner that he thinks he's broken his ankle. Saying that, he's smiling and not even limping, and if that's true that's a remarkable show of resilience.
Louis Smolka vs Ray Borg
Round three: Borg still gets the takedown within the first minute and manages to take the back once again. Smolka looks exhausted, and that's just from the efforts he's having to exert in defence on the floor. Borg goes another arm choke, but Smolka rides it out and Borg decides against sticking with it. Smolka flips over his head and gets to his feet, but he's got nothing left in the tank once he's there. The fight comes to a close with the two throwing punches on their feet, but this is Borg's, no doubt about it.
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