UFC on ESPN+ 36 results: Donald Cerrone and Niko Price go back-and-forth to a majority draw

The second series of UFC Apex events comes to an end with UFC on ESPN+ 36 tonight, Saturday, Sept. 19.

Headlining the event is a welterweight grudge match between Colby Covington and former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. Welterweights Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and Niko Price will throw down in the co-main event.

Cerrone and Price return to the octagon for the first time since UFC 249 on May 9. Cerrone will look to re-enter the win column after dropping four-straight losses.

Cerrone most recently lost via unanimous decision to former champion Anthony Pettis this past May. He previously lost three-straight fights via TKO to Conor McGregor, Justin Gaethje and Tony Ferguson.

The 37-year-old will look to earn his 24th-career octagon victory.

Price has struggled to string wins together since July 2018. In his most recent outing, Price lost via third-round TKO to Vincent Luque in May.

He previously earned a first-round knockout against James Vick at UFC Fight Night 161 this past October. Price holds octagon victories over Tim Means, Randy Brown, George Sullivan, Alan Jouban and Brandon Thatch. 

Here is how the welterweight bout between Donald Cerrone and Niko Price went down at UFC on ESPN+ 36, including round-by-round scoring. For full results of the event, check them out right here.

ROUND 1

They tap gloves. Cerrone is on the outside. Price pops the jab. Cerrone lands a leg kick, but Price counters with a right hand. Price is all over Cerrone, putting Cerrone to the outside. Price mixing up with his hands and knees. Cerrone is taking some damage. Price is landing elbows in high volume early. The two clinch. Both men trade knees to the body. Price has Cerrone against the cage. Cerrone with a knee to the body. They break and a head kick is blocked by Price. Cerrone takes an accidental eye poke. Price apologizes immediately. Both men trading. Cerrone is bleeding under his right eye. Price lands a right hand. Cerrone clinches, pushes Price and throws a head kick. Price lands a jab, Cerrone counters with a head kick, Price blocks it. Cerrone takes another accidental eye poke as Cerrone comes in. Referee Jason Jerzog takes a point. Cerrone comes out firing. Round ends with both men on their feet.

MyMMANews.com scores it 9-9.

ROUND 2

Price lands a leg kick. He lands another leg kick early here. Cerrone lands the jab and the cross. Price goes high with kick, blocked by Cerrone. Price lands a kick to the body. Cerrone with a straight-left hand. Price is staying in the center. Cerrone with another jab. Herzog is warning Price about his fingers. Price lands a jab and counter, Cerrone counters with hook to the body. Both men trading, Cerrone lands a right to the body. Cerrone finding a home for the jab in the second. Price lands a front kick and backs up Cerrone. Cerrone jabs, Price counters with the right cross. Price puts together a smooth combination up top. Price eats another jab. Cerrone lands a lead elbow and price is swelling around his right eye. Price with a inside leg kick. Cerrone with a spinning back kick to the body. Price lands kick to the body, Cerrone catches and lands a left hand. The round closes seconds after. 

MyMMANews.com scores it 19-18 for Price

ROUND 3

Price works the leg kicks early in round three. Price lands a front kick. Cerrone attacks the leg for a takedown. Price defends and they are back on their feet. Both men throwing, Price with a left, Cerrone counters with kick to the body. Cerrone lands a jab. Cerrone with another leg kick. Price lands an outside leg kick. Both men poke each other in the eye. They tap gloves and get back to it. Price countering nicely. Cerrone shoots for a takedown. Price gives up his back. Cerrone gets his hooks in. Price is on his feet, but trying to arch down to shake off Cerrone. Cerrone holding on. Cerrone is shaken off. Cerrone gets to his feet after Price tells him to stand. Price with a jab. Cerrone lands another jab. Cerrone lands a jab and a cross. Price comes forward and looks to clinch. Cerrone breaks him off and lands a head kick. Cerrone with the jab. Cerrone peppering Price with the jab. Both men finishing strong. Round ends with both men throwing.

MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Cerrone, 28-28 draw

Official result: Donald Cerrone and Niko Price is ruled a majority draw [29-27, 28-28, 28-28]. One judge scored it 29-27 for Cerrone.

Connor Northrup

Connor Northrup once covered municipal meetings and promised himself never again. He is now combining his passion for Mixed Martial Arts and reporting all into one.

See Full Bio