UFC Vegas 96 Results: Highlights and Bonus Winners

Caio Borralho is set to make his debut in the UFC middleweight top five next week after a significant victory over Jared Cannonier in the UFC Vegas 96 main event. The fight was intense, with both fighters showing their skills, but Borralho had the upper hand, especially in the fifth round. A powerful one-two combination from Borralho nearly ended the fight as Cannonier crashed to the canvas. Despite the heavy blow, veteran referee Dan Miragliota allowed the fight to continue, and Cannonier managed to survive the round through sheer determination.

In the end, Borralho’s performance was enough to secure a unanimous decision victory. Following the fight, Borralho was given the opportunity to make a call-out, and he set his sights on current champion Dricus Du Plessis. While not entirely outlandish, considering Sean Strickland has already been promised the next title shot, some believe Borralho might have been better off calling out former champion Israel Adesanya, who is ranked No. 3 despite losing his last two fights. A victory over Adesanya could have strengthened Borralho’s case for a title shot.

Regardless, Borralho’s performance earned him one of the event’s bonuses, with both he and Cannonier being awarded Fight of the Night for their thrilling battle.

UFC Vegas 96: Full Results and Highlights

• Caio Borralho defeated Jared Cannonier via unanimous decision (49-45 x2, 48-46)
• Tabatha Ricci defeated Angela Hill via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
• Ryan Loder defeated Robert Valentin via TKO at 1:49 of Round 2

Ryan Loder bounced back from a challenging first round to dominate the second. He secured a TKO victory by trapping Valentin in a crucifix position and raining down elbows, forcing the referee to stop the fight. Loder is now the middleweight champion of The Ultimate Fighter Season 32.

• Mairon Santos defeated Kaan Ofli via KO at 1:30 of Round 2

Santos put on an impressive performance, finishing the fight with a perfectly timed left hook, knocking Ofli out cold and claiming the TUF Season 32 featherweight title.

• Michael Morales defeated Neil Magny via TKO at 4:39 of Round 1

Morales showed why he’s a rising star at 170 pounds, overwhelming the tough welterweight Magny. Morales flattened Magny out and delivered a relentless barrage of punches, forcing the referee to step in.

• Gerald Meerschaert defeated Edmen Shahbazyan via submission at 4:12 of Round 2 (Arm triangle)

Meerschaert had to dig deep after a tough start but bounced back to secure a submission victory, adding another finish to his record as the fighter with the most finishes in UFC middleweight history.

• Francis Marshall defeated Dennis Buzukja via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
• Zachary Reese defeated Jose Daniel Medina via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
• Viacheslav Borshchev defeated James Llontop via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
• Jacqueline Cavalcanti defeated Josiane Nunes via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
• Wang Cong defeated Victoria Leonardo via KO at 1:02 of Round 1

Wang Cong made a memorable UFC debut with a spectacular one-punch knockout that left Leonardo out cold. Despite the incredible finish, Cong was not awarded a performance bonus.

UFC Vegas 96 Bonus Winners

• Fight of the Night (FOTN): Jared Cannonier vs. Caio Borralho
• Performance of the Night (POTN): Gerald Meerschaert and Michael Morales

These standout performances and thrilling finishes made UFC Vegas 96 an event to remember, with fighters like Caio Borralho and Michael Morales solidifying their places as top contenders in their respective divisions