UFC on ESPN 51: Vicente Luque outworks Rafael dos Anjos to earn big win

Welterweights Vicente Luque and Rafael dos Anjos clashed in the main event at UFC on ESPN 51 tonight at the UFC Apex Center – here are all the results!

Luque entered the bout on the heels of a two fight losing streak, most recently getting finished by Geoff Neal. Dos Anjos bounced back from a loss to Rafael Riziez with a submission victory over Bryan Barberena before returning to the UFC Apex Center.

It would end up being a grappling heavy affair in which Luque took somewhat of a safe route to earn a win. While dos Anjos did have some moments of success, Luque proved to be too strong in the clinch for the most part. There were some solid exchanges on the feet, but in the end Luque would earn a clear-cut decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47).

In the co-main event saw veteran and fan favourite Cub Swanson win a closely contested decision win, while light heavyweights Khalil Rountree Jr. made short work of Chris Daukaus.

Read more: Sadibou Sy nominated for 3 (!) awards at World MMA Awards 2023

UFC on ESPN 51: Luque vs dos Anjos – Full results

Main card

• Vicente Luque def. Rafael dos Anjos via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)
• Hakeem Dawodu def. Cub Swanson via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Khalil Rountree def. Chris Daukaus via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:40
• Iasmin Lucindo def. Polyana Viana via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 2, 3:42
• AJ Dobson def. Tafon Nchukwi via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Josh Fremd def. Jamie Pickett via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Preliminary card

• Marcus McGhee def. JP Buys via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 2:19
• Terrence McKinney def. Mike Breeden via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:25
• Isaac Dulgarian def. Francis Marshall via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:48
• Martin Buday def. Josh Parisian via submission (kimura) – Round 1, 4:11
• Jaqueline Amorim def. Montserrat Conejo via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 3:41
• Da’Mon Blackshear def. Jose Johnson via submission (twister) – Round 1, 3:47
• Luana Santos def. Juliana Miller via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:41

UFC on ESPN 51: Bonuses

• Performance of the Night: Khalil Rountree Jr., Iasmin Lucindo, Marcus McGhee, and Da’Mon Blackshear*

*NO ”Fight of the Night” bonus awarded

Read more: Ranking the top 10 most iconic Nate Diaz performances

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