UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs Borralho Delivers Exciting Bouts in Las Vegas

The UFC returned to the APEX in Las Vegas on August 24, 2024, featuring a highly anticipated middleweight matchup between No. 5 ranked contender and No. 12.

In addition to the headline bout, veteran welterweight No. 12 faced off against undefeated fighters, showcasing the competitive spirit of the event. The prelims began at 7pm ET/4pm PT, followed by the main card at 10pm ET/7pm PT, broadcasted on ESPN and ESPN+.

In a remarkable performance, Gerald Meerschaert exhibited resilience in his fight. After enduring a powerful uppercut early in the second round, Meerschaert managed to stave off Shahbazyan’s attacks, gradually positioning himself back into the contest.

Meerschaert then executed a precise level change, successfully taking Shahbazyan down. Subsequently, he transitioned to an arm-triangle choke, ultimately forcing his opponent to tap out. This significant win allowed Meerschaert to surpass Anderson Silva, achieving the most stoppage victories in UFC middleweight history.

Michael Morales also made headlines by achieving a first-round stoppage victory against seasoned fighter Neil Magny. The decisive moment occurred when Morales landed a stunning spinning back elbow, prompting a swift follow-up on the ground that led to the referee’s intervention.

At just 25 years of age, Morales improved his record to 5-0 in the UFC, positioning himself for a potential ranking in the welterweight division following this impressive performance.

The event also crowned Mairon Santos as the TUF 32 featherweight tournament winner. Santos secured a second-round knockout against Kaan Ofli with a powerful left hook, marking a significant milestone in his career.

The 24-year-old fighter, representing Xtreme Couture, celebrated his victory, becoming the third featherweight tournament winner in the Ultimate Fighter’s main season history and only the second Brazilian to achieve this honor.