UFC 239 results: Amanda Nunes finishes Holly Holm in first round
The UFC returned to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night for UFC 239, bringing two world title fights with them. Kicking off the world championship doubleheader was Amanda Nunes, who is also the women’s 145-pound champion, defending the women’s bantamweight title against former champion Holly Holm.
Nunes, who has not lost in nearly five years, brought an impressive eight-fight winning streak into the bout. “The Lioness” captured the women’s 135-pound title at UFC 200 in July 2016 when she finished Miesha Tate in the first round. Since then, Nunes has defended the title against Ronda Rousey, Valentina Shevchenko and Raquel Pennington before knocking out Cris Cyborg in the first round at UFC 232 to capture her second world title belt. The 31-year-old looked to solidify her position as the greatest women’s MMA fighter of all-time.
Holm looked to add a new chapter, perhaps write a brand new story altogether, in regards to her legacy on Saturday night. “The Preacher’s Daughter” captured the UFC women’s bantamweight title when she infamously knocked out Rousey in November 2015 at UFC 193. Since then, Holm has lost four out of her last six fights, including losing the bantamweight title to Tate at UFC 196 in March 2016, and two unsuccessful bids to become the women’s featherweight title. With a new lease life and a more free-spirited approach, Holm was looking to prove that she still has what it takes to be a world champion.
Here is how the championship co-main event went down between Amanda Nunes and Holly Holm at UFC 239, including round-by-round scoring.
TONIGHT IS UNREAL!@Amanda_Leoa KOs Holm in round 1! #UFC239 pic.twitter.com/UtOTcb8g0Y
— UFC (@ufc) July 7, 2019
For full results of UFC 239, check them out right here.
ROUND 1
It’s hard to focus after what we just saw from Jorge Masvidal, but the first of two title fights of the night is officially underway. They touch gloves and meet in the middle. A feeling out process begins for the first 45 seconds or so as Nunes lands a body kick. Holm lands a nice right hand as Nunes went for a leg kick. Nunes comes in hard with a right hand, but Holm gets out of the way. Left jab comes up short from Nunes, who follows with an inside leg kick that lands. High kick from Nunes blocked by the challenger. Sidekick to the leg from Holm. Nunes tries to come over the top but comes up short. They tie up briefly in the center before they separate. They tie up again and Nunes lands some knees to the body. Nunes takes Holm to the mat, but the former champion is back to her feet quickly. Leg kick from Nunes as the “Holly” chants begin. Another side kick to the leg from Holm and a front kick counter from Nunes. Right hand lands flush by Nunes and a left jab behind it. Body kick and a right hand from Nunes. Huge head kick from the champion and Holm is down! Marc Goddard stops it quickly and it’s over!
Official result: Amanda Nues def. Holly Holm via TKO – Round 1, 4:10
