UFC Fight Night 249 takes place Saturday, and you can join us for live round-by-round coverage and official results beginning at 4 p.m. ET (1 p.m. PT). UFC Fight Night 249 (ESPN+) takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Women’s strawweight contenders Mackenzie Dern (15-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) and Amanda Ribas (12-6 MMA, 7-5 UFC) meet in the main event rematch. In the co-feature, Carlston Harris (19-6 MMA, 4-2 UFC) takes on Santiago Ponzinibbio (29-8 MMA, 11-7 UFC) at welterweight.
Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 4 p.m. ET for the prelims on ESPN+ and 7 p.m. ET for the main card on ESPN+.
Enjoy the fights, everyone.
Chris Curtis vs. Roman Kopylov
Round 1 –
Result:
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Curtis (31-11 MMA, 5-3 UFC), Kopylov (13-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee:
Judging:
UFC Fight Night 249 main event expert prediction
UFC Fight Night 249 lineup
MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)
- Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas
- Carlston Harris vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio
- Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. Cesar Almeida
- Chris Curtis vs. Roman Kopylov
- Christian Rodriguez def. Austin Bashi via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Punahele Soriano def. Uros Medic via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:31
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 4 p.m. ET)
- Felipe Bunes def. Jose Johnson via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 2:04
- Marco Tulio def. Ihor Potieria via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:04
- Thiago Moises def. Trey Ogden via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Jacobe Smith def. Preston Parsons via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 1:13
- Ernesta Kareckaite def. Nicolle Caliari via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
- Bruno Lopes def. Magomed Gadzhiyasulov via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Fatima Kline def. Viktoriia Dudakova via TKO (elbows) – Round 2, 4:27
- Nurullo Aliev def. Joe Solecki via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Austin Bashi vs. Christian Rodriguez
Round 1 – Rodriguez comes out of the gate fast with pressure, connecting with a knee. Bashi changes levels hunting for a takedown, creating a wrestling battle along the fence. Rodriguez finds a guillotine opening and cranks on it! Bashi puts his feet on the fence to help relieve the pressure. Rodriguez is still on it but Bashi stays calm and gets out. Rodriguez resets in the center and stomps the canvas a couple of times, attempting to bait a reaction from Bashi. A moment later, Rodriguez closes in, but Bashi scrambles to a standing back take. Rodriguez stays calm here and eventually shakes Bashi off. Rodriguez lets a few strikes fly before Bashi changes levels for a nice takedown. Rodriguez rolls nicely to reverse the position. Staying clinched, they return to the feet and exchange on the exit.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Rodriguez.
Round 2 – They quickly find their way into a clinch, with Bashi looking for the takedown. Bashi lifts, carries, and dumps Rodriguez in the center of the cage. As Rodriguez gets to his feet, Bashi jumps on his back. Rodriguez calmly peels him off, and returns to striking range. Rodriguez fires a couple of punches, but Bashi shoots in to complete another takedown. Rodriguez works his way back to a standing position, but Bashi stays attached until the round concludes.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Bashi.
Round 3 – Rodriguez comes forward cautiously, expecting the takedown attempt. Bashi gives him what he was looking for and takes the fight to the mat, but Rodriguez gets the reversal to take top position. Bashi quickly grabs a kimura attempt to keep Rodriguez locked up. Nothing comes of it, and they return to the feet. Rodriguez puts together a combo of punches before Bashi hunts for another single leg. Rodriguez gets away. Bashi offers a few flashy strikes that catch air. Rodriguez connects with his offerings before Bashi grabs a hold again. Rodriguez separates and works behind a left jab. Bashi doesn’t give him much time to work before grabbing another single leg. The resulting clinch doesn’t last long. Rodriguez lands a couple of punches in the final seconds, goes for a flashy kick, but ends up on the ground before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Rodriguez, giving him the fight 29-28.
Result: Christian Rodriguez def. Austin Bashi via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Recap:
Photos: UFC Fight Night 249: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Bashi (13-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Rodriguez (12-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Judging:
Uros Medic vs. Punahele Soriano
Round 1 – A touch of gloves, and the first main card bout of 2025 is underway. Soriano comes forward with a big punch, but Medic circles away. They return to the center. Medic punches to the body, and in response, Soriano charges forward with upstairs, flooring Medic with a hard right hand! Medic timbers to the canvas! Soriano rushes in to follow up but the referee is quick to stop it. Incredible finish for Soriano!
Result: Punahele Soriano def. Uros Medic via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:31
Recap: UFC Fight Night 249 video: Puna Soriano flattens Uros Medic with brutal 31-second knockout
Photos: UFC Fight Night 249: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Medic (10-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC), Soriano (11-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mike Beltran
Felipe Bunes vs. Jose Johnson
Round 1 – A touch of gloves to start, and the first action is a hard leg kick from Johnson. They tie up, and Johnson tosses Bunes to the ground, but doesn’t follow up. After another exchange, Johnson gets Bunes to the mat. Bunes throws up an armbar attempt, but Johnson escapes. A couple of seconds later, Bunes goes for another armbar. This one is tight. Johnson scrambles quickly! He’s in real trouble. He wall walks, flips, rolls over, but Bunes stays with it! What a crazy scramble here. Johnson taps! Woah!
Result: Felipe Bunes def. Jose Johnson via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 2:04
Recap: UFC Fight Night 249 video: Felipe Bunes’ relentless armbar taps Jose Johnson
Photos: UFC Fight Night 249: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Bunes (14-7 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Johnson (16-10 MMA, 1-3 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Kerry Hatley
Ihor Potieria vs. Marco Tulio
Round 1 – They touch gloves, and Tulio fires off a leg kick. A heavy punch is not too far behind it. A moment later, Tulio lands another right hand, but this time Potieria lands a right of his own. As the action heats up, an accidental clash of heads briefly pauses the action. They get right back into it as Tulio connects with a 1-2. A moment later, Tulio looks for a knee to the body, but that knee landed straight to the family jewels. The fight pauses again as Potieria writhes in pain on the canvas. After a near three-minute break, the fight resumes. Tulio picks up where he left off with the forward pressure. Bang! A huge punch floors Potieria! Tulio is swarming! Potieria is busted open but he’s trying to stay in it. Tulio keeps mauling him on the ground and that’s it! What a finish for Tulio!
Result: Marco Tulio def. Ihor Potieria via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:04
Recap: UFC Vegas 101 video: Marco Tulio brutalizes bloody Ihor Potieria for first-round stoppage
Photos: UFC Fight Night 249: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Potieria (20-8 MMA, 2-6 UFC), Tulio (14-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Thiago Moises vs. Trey Ogden
Round 1 – A tentative start to this one as both fighters feel out the range with single strike offerings. Moises kicks to the legs as Ogden searches for openings with punches upstairs. Midway through the round, and not much of significance has landed for either fighter, but action is starting to ramp up with Ogden turning up the volume a little bit. Punches and kicks from Ogden as he comes forward. A big swing and a miss from Moises. Less than a minute to go now. Ogden remains the busier fighter with strikes until the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Ogden.
Round 2 – Moises keeps with the same leg kick approach early, and actually takes Ogden off balance. Ogden resets and gets back to mixing up his strikes. Moises stays on the leg kick attack and they appear to be adding up. Another hard outside kick connects and Ogden buckles to the ground. Moises rushes in and takes top position on the mat. After securing the position, Moises starts to unload heavy ground and pound. Ogden covers up well, but can’t improve his position.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Moises.
Round 3 – Ogden comes out aggressively looking to turn the tide of the fight and shoots in for a takedown. He gets Moises down, but can’t secure the position. Moises reverses and takes top position in full guard. Once again Moises proves to be a problem to deal with on top. Moises stays heavy on top, avoids escape attempts from Ogden, and adds heavy punches from the top when the openings are there. Ogden finally pushes Moises away, but there’s only a couple of seconds left.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Moises, giving him the fight 29-28.
Result: Thiago Moises def. Trey Ogden via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: UFC Fight Night 249: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Moises (19-8 MMA, 8-6 UFC), Ogden (18-7 MMA, 3-3 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Judging: Mike Bell, Sal D’Amato, Ron McCarthy
Preston Parsons vs. Jacobe Smith
Round 1 – They touch gloves and start feeling each other out. Smith fires off a combination and lightning-fast leg kicks. Smith then darts forward with strikes as they clash in the center. They tie up for a moment, but quickly separate. Smith stays with the forward pressure, and BANG! A left hand sleeps Parsons! WOW!
Result: Jacobe Smith def. Preston Parsons via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 1:13
Recap: UFC Fight Night 249 video: Jacobe Smith KOs Preston Parsons in short-notice debut
Photos: UFC Fight Night 249: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Parsons (11-6 MMA, 2-4 UFC), Smith (10-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mike Beltran
Nicolle Caliari vs. Ernesta Kareckaite
Round 1 – Caliari starts the action with a couple of leg kicks as Kareckaite stalks forward. Kareckaite initiates a clinch, but abandons it pretty quickly. Caliari stings with a stiff right hand as she circles. Caliari looks for a takedown, but Kareckaite’s height makes it easy to defend. Kareckaite gets away and starts marching forward with punches. She’s putting together solid combinations, but Caliari is able to get a hold of her and look for another takedown. They return to the center, and Caliari shoots in again. She gets Kareckaite in the air, but can’t get her down. She keeps with it though, and trips out the leg to get Kareckaite down. Caliari can’t keep her down, but sticks with the body lock. Kareckaite gets away with 30 seconds to go. They’re trading punches now, both landing nicely. Kareckaite gets the better of the final exchange before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Caliari.
Round 2 – Kareckaite comes out pressing forward with straight punches. Caliari fires back with hooks. Caliari looks to change levels but gets reversed. Kareckaite takes top position in guard. Caliari looks to attack submissions, but Kareckaite decides to avoid the danger by returning to her feet. Kareckaite gets back to her forward-marching attack with punches. Caliari is game to exchange, but that doesn’t stop Kareckaite from applying pressure. Kareckaite continues to throw first as they trade punches to close out the round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Kareckaite.
Round 3 – Caliari looks to set the tone early in Round 3 by coming forward first. Kareckaite circles away to reclaim the center and fires off sharp two-punch combinations. Caliari finds an opening to look for a takedown, goes after it aggressively, but is unsuccessful. Kareckaite resumes her 1-2 game, but Caliari lands punches as well. Kareckaite adds a kick to the body as she stays busy upstairs with combinations. Caliari shoots in and completes a takedown in the center of the cage with less than a minute remaining. Both just decide to trade strikes on the ground until the final horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Kareckaite, giving her the fight 29-28.
Result: Ernesta Kareckaite def. Nicolle Caliari via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: UFC Fight Night 249: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Caliari (8-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Kareckaite (6-1-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyeight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Kerry Hatley
Judging: Mike Bell (28-29), Sal D’Amato (29-28), Ron McCarthy (29-28)
Magomed Gadzhiyasulov vs. Bruno Lopes
Round 1 – They touch gloves, and Gadzhiyasulov opens the action with a couple of leg kicks. Lopes gets into the action with punches upstairs, prompting a few exchanges. Lopes eats a punch and then closes in to clinch along the fence. They work through the position, and Gadzhiyasulov eventually pushes him off. Lopes comes right back in to initiate the same position. Lopes looks to wrap up the leg for a trip, but it’s not there. A big level change now, and Lopes lifts Gadzhiyasulov for the slam just before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Lopes.
Round 2 – Gadzhiyasulov looks for a wheel kick in the opening exchange, but Lopes ducks out of danger. Lopes sees his chance to look for another takedown, resulting in a clinch along the fence. Lopes gets the single leg and and takes the fight to the mat. He lands a couple of strikes on the ground, but Gadzhiyasulov quickly scrambles up. Lopes doesn’t give him any room, and rushes back in to clinch. Gadzhiyasulov gets free this time and lands a right hand as Lopes closes in for the body lock. Gadzhiyasulov shakes free again and lands a side kick to the body. Lopes grabs a Thai clinch and gets a nice knee up the middle. Gadzhiyasulov looks for the takedown now, but Lopes reverses the clinch. Gadzhiyasulov gets free again and swings a big hook. Lopes is right back in on a single. He gives up on it and they both miss with wild strike attempts before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Lopes.
Round 3 – Gadzhiyasulov offers a few kicks to start, but doesn’t connect. Lopes closes in for the single leg, but Gadzhiyasulov gets away. Gadzhiyasulov kicks to the body, and then goes high but misses. Gadzhiyasulov looks for a spinning elbow, but Lopes reads it, then changes levels for the clinch. Gadzhiyasulov gets away again and lands a nice uppercut. Lopes shoots in again, gets Gadzhiyasulov to a knee, but can’t keep him down. Lopes keeps his hands clasped on the hips, though, and maintains control against the cage. Gadzhiyasulov finds an exit again, but only momentarily. Lopes shoots in and gets him down, but once again, Gadzhiyasulov pops up with a minute remaining. Lopes adds a knee as he works the clinch long the fence. An elbow and a couple of knees from Lopes now. He dumps Gadzhiyasulov one last time before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Lopes, giving him the fight 30-27.
Result: Bruno Lopes def. Magomed Gadzhiyasulov via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: UFC Fight Night 249: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Gadzhiyasulov (9-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Lopes (14-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Junichiro Kamijo, David Lethaby, Bryan Miner
Viktoriia Dudakova vs. Fatima Kline
Round 1 – They touch gloves and Kline gets to work first by firing a few quick strikes. Dudakova shoots in for a single leg, but the attempt is defended well. Kline even adds a few elbow on the exit. Dudakova resets, and shoots in again. This time she gets the fight to the ground, but ends up in an awkward position as Kline scrambles. An armbard was there momentarily for Dudakova, but Kline continued to scramble out of danger. Kline ends up in full guard, and somehow in that mix, Dudakova’s nose was busted open. Dudakova avoids ground and pound by looking for a kimura, but Kline gets free, scrambling to full mount. A couple of punches are added before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Kline.
Round 2 – Dudakova wastes no time shooting in for a single leg. Kline stays upright, grabs a leg herself, and trips out the plant leg to get a takedown. Dudakova attempts to explode to her feet, but Kline floats well and keeps top position on the ground. Back to full mount for Kline with over three minutes to work. Dudakova throws up her legs and is able to create space. She scrambles to her feet, and gets right back on Kline’s hips. The takedown is reversed and Kline ends up on top again. Kline secures the position this time and begins raining down hard strikes. A cut is opened up from an elbow. Dudakova is hurt! Kline pours on the elbows and gets the TKO stoppage for the first finish of 2025!
Result: Fatima Kline def. Viktoriia Dudakova via TKO (elbows) – Round 2, 4:27
Recap: UFC Fight Night 249 video: Fatima Kline pulverizes Victoria Dudakova with hellacious elbows
Photos: UFC Fight Night 249: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Dudakova (8-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC), Kline (7-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Nurullo Aliev vs. Joe Solecki
Round 1 – The first UFC fight of 2025 is underway in front of a raucous Apex crowd. The feel-out process begins, and Aliev makes the first big action by shooting and completing a takedown. While securing top position close to the fence, Aliev finds himself defending a triangle attempt from Solecki. Aliev patiently works his way out of the submission, and maintains top position in guard. Solecki does well to prevent the pass to half guard. Now Aliev starts to add ground and pound, mixing up punches to the body and head. The round ends in the same position.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Aliev.
Round 2 – Striking exchanges here to start Round 2. Solecki leads the way initially, but Aliev turns up the pressure and swings big hooks. He then sees an opening, and gets the fight back to the ground. Solecki throws up another triangle, and transitions to an armbar, but neither are there. Aliev scrambles to maintain top control and adds a few hard hammerfists and punches as Solecki works his way up. Solecki powers to a standing position to escape, but gets blasted with a hard right hand that sits him back down! Solecki covers up to defend the swarm of follow-up punches as Aliev tries to close the show. The finish isn’t there, but Aliev takes top position in guard and maintains it until the end of the round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Aliev.
Round 3 – The final round begins and both fighters appear somewhat fatigued as they exchange punches on the feet. Solecki controls the center for a moment, but Aliev starts to sit on his punches more. The difference in power is apparent when Aliev lands, but Solecki is able to avoid big damage. Midway through the round now and they’re still trading strikes at a decent pace as they move about the cage. Aliev darts in with a combination, ripping to the body and head. He goes for it again, but this time Solecki changes levels and gets a takedown with about 40 seconds to go. He quickly takes full mount, postures up and rains down punches until the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Solecki, but the fight goes to Aliev 29-28.
Result: Nurullo Aliev def. Joe Solecki via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: UFC Fight Night 249: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Aliev (10-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Solecki (13-5 MMA, 5-4 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Kerry Hatley
Judging: Mike Bell (29-28), Sal D’Amato (29-28), David Lethaby (30-27)
UFC Fight Night 249 main card betting odds
MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)
- Mackenzie Dern +160 vs. Amanda Ribas -190
- Carlston Harris +115 vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio -135
- Abdul Razak Alhassan +215 vs. Cesar Almeida -265
- Chris Curtis +185 vs. Roman Kopylov -225
- Austin Bashi -265 vs. Christian Rodriguez +215
- Uros Medic -205 vs. Punahele Soriano +170
UFC Fight Night 249 prelim betting odds
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 4 p.m. ET)
- Felipe Bunes +140 vs. Jose Johnson -165
- Ihor Potieria +380 vs. Marco Tulio -500
- Thiago Moises -160 vs. Trey Ogden +135
- Preston Parsons +455 vs. Jacobe Smith -625
- Nicolle Caliari +220 vs. Ernesta Kareckaite -270
- Magomed Gadzhiyasulov -270 vs. Bruno Lopes +220
- Viktoriia Dudakova +575 vs. Fatima Kline -850
- Nurullo Aliev -750 vs. Joe Solecki +525
