One FC 23 Results: ‘Warrior's Way’ Play-by-Play & Updates

Jujeath Nagaowa vs. Tharoth Sam

Round 1

The diminutive Nagaowa trots forward off of her lead foot, quickly clinching Sam and trying to grab a single. Sam stuffs her, controls her grip from the clinch and lands sharp knees to the body. Nagaowa gets inside leg position and drags Sam down to the mat, but Sam headlocks her and continues to stand, muscling her smaller foe inside. Nagaowa breaks her grip and lands a pair of hooks inside that force Sam to shoot for a takedown of her own. Nagaowa tries to take her back off of the shot attempt while digging for a rear-naked choke, but can't sink her hooks in past Sam's turtle guard. “Bad Girl” keeps working her left arm under the chin of Sam while riding her left leg in a bit of grappling that's going nowhere fast. Perhaps sensing her lack of fight-ending position, Nagaowa lands some short hammerfists while eventually settling into Sam's guard for the last 30 seconds of the round.

Round 2

Sam takes the outside of the cage again, throwing body kicks and teeps to keep Nagaowa off of her. When the Filipina fighter does get close to her, she grabs her neck and unloads with some quick knees before Nagaowa can get in on another single-leg attempt. Nagaowa swarms with hooks to close the distance again, but can't get a takedown. Yet, just like round one, her flurry inspires Sam to shoot in, allowing “Bad Girl” to threaten her back. Nagaowa gets her left arm in for a rear-naked choke but can't quite get back mount, so she winds up using the maneuver to simply pass to full mount with just over two minutes to go in the round. Short left hands from Nagaowa on top land before she sits up and starts delivering more substantial punches and hammerfists. Nagaowa flurries away on the inexperienced Sam until referee Joey Lepiten is forced to rescue her.

The Official Result

Jujeath Nagaowa def. Tharoth Sam via TKO (Punches) R2 3:34

Ana Julaton vs. Walaa Abbas Mohamed Kamaly

Round 1

Abbas punches her way into a quick clinch with Julaton, who backs her up to the cage while absorbing knees to the ribs. Abbas turns her around and rips her with more body knees. Julaton is desperately yanking on a single-leg attempt while Abbas bounces around on one foot, controlling her with a front headlock. Abbas tries for a standing guillotine, then bangs her foe to the ribcage again. Julaton gets over-unders again but can't buy a takedown as Abbas keeps her balance and uses her physical strength to pry the Filipina off of her legs. Abbas wrenches a standing guillotine that is going nowhere before thinking better of it and letting go. Both women struggle landing at distance, but Julaton punches into the clinch again where Abbas invites her to jockey for position. This time, Julaton sucks Abbas to the mat quickly and nearly gets her back. Abbas defends, but “The Hurricane” flurries with hammerfists and elbows to the temple. Referee Joey Lepiten warns both women repeatedly for grabbing the fence as they pummel for position over the last 30 seconds, with Julaton working on a standing guillotine.

Round 2

Julaton cautiously walks Abbas down, clinches her along the cage and punches to the body. The Egyptian takes three hard rights to the ribs, then basically runs away from Julaton, who keeps the pressure on and cracks her foe with another right hand. Abbas has noticeably slowed and is throwing particularly slow, telegraphed strikes. Julaton isn't doing much, but she's flicking out her jab and making consistent contact with Abbas' face. Abbas lands a pair of low leg kicks as she continues circling the outside. Julaton walks into a big right from “Katyusha” and in trying to exhaustedly push her away, rips part of her rash guard. This fight has taken a turn for the monotonous. Julaton walks into a jab and two hooks from Abbas, then gets pushed into the fence before the round expires.

Round 3

Julaton bulls her way to a clinch once more, punching Abbas in the ribs and doing little to actually secure a takedown. “The Hurricane” knees the body briefly, but Abbas gets free and goes back to winging tired punches from distance. Julaton, desperate to clinch, walks back to her with arms wide open, praying for a takedown. Abbas casually swings on her, then grabs another standing guillotine. With two minutes to fight, Joey Lepiten urges the fighters to get going. Julaton gets a front headlock along the fence and lands some tepid knees, but Abbas gets free and boxes her ears. Both women winging punches in the last minute, but neither landing clean. Julaton runs Abbas into the cage again but can't wrestle her down from the waistlock. Sherdog.com scores the bout in its entirety for Walaa Abbas Mohamed Kamaly.

The Official Result

Ana Julaton def. Walaa Abbas Mohamed Kamaly via Decision (Unanimous) R3 5:00

Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke vs. Rene Catalan

Round 1

Catalan breaks the tension of the first 30 seconds with a right roundhouse kick that gets his Thai foe inspired, so Sor Amnuaysirichoke unloads one of his one. As he does, Catalan wisely dives on a low single and tackles him right into side control. As Catalan tries to pass to side, Sor Amnuaysirichoke scrambles up the fence and regains his feet, breaking free from the clinch. A short left lands for the Thai as Catalan runs into the clinch again, punctuated by two hard knees to the body. Sor Amnuaysirichoke turns him around while controlling his right wrist and lands a picture-perfect knee to the body. The Filipino fighter folds in half, clutching his ribcage and instantly forcing referee Joey Lepiten into action. Fantastic body shot knockout by the former Lumpinee Boxing Stadium champion.

The Official Result

Dejdamrong sor Amnuaysirichoke def. Rene Catalan via KO (Knee to the Body) R1 2:30

Sylvain Potard vs. Jake Butler

Round 1

Butler cautiously tests his striking against Potard, waiting for a Superman punch from his foe to duck under and take him to the mat. The American wrestler moves quickly into side control, landing short knees to the head. Potard is able to turn and scramble to his feet, slowly extricating himself from the front headlock Butler tries to control him with. Potard can't fully escape Butler's clutches, however, as he's pinned to the fence from the over-under position. Referee Yuji Shimada breaks the pair up with 45 seconds to go in the opening frame. Butler sneaks a right hand in before grabbing a waistlock on Potard that persist until the bell.

Round 2

Butler shoots a long-distance single-leg takedown but manages to yank Potard to the mat along the fence, swiftly moving into full mount. Butler senses his opportunity immediately, posturing up with heavy punches with both hands. Potard rolls and scrambles free from full mount, but Butler maintains side control and continues pressuring to pass back to full mount. The American gets it quickly, forcing the Frenchman to give up his back. Big left hands from Butler rain down as Potard thrashes around trying to escape. He nearly bucks Butler, but the Evolve MMA fighter stays heavy on top and keeps mashing him with the left hand. Referee Yuji Shimada warns him to defend and he does, but he's still up against the fence getting pounded on. Potard is tired and trapped along the cage, with Butler just peppering him with left hands. Butler gift wraps Potard's own right arm across his face and punches away. Potard finally gets back to his feet with just over a minute to fight. Butler shoots another single and Potard defends, pulling the American off of his legs and grabbing a breather on the fence until Shimada breaks them apart once more. The light heavyweights stare and size each other up until the end of the round.

Round 3

As soon as Potard rushes in to strike, Butler changes levels, grabs a leg and runs the French fighter into the cage. They separate and it's more of the same, with Butler shooting in and clinching on Potard's first approach. The tired Butler lands soft knees to the body while pinning his foe to the fence, but naturally, Yuji Shimada has grander designs on this fight and splits the pair up once more. Potard jabs, Butler shoots and this time, Potard is able to sprawl, keep the headlock and attack with knees to the head. Butler keeps pushing for the single, but can't get it in his fatigued state. Potard holds him there until Shimada breaks them again. It's more of the same from there: Potard strikes, Butler shoots and Potard sprawls. Potard gets double underhooks this time while defending and with 45 seconds to go, throws himself to the canvas while looking for a lateral drop. Butler clings to his waist and rides out the clock. Sherdog.com scores the contest for Jake Butler.

The Official Result

Jake Butler def. Sylvain Potard via Decision (Unanimous) R3 5:00

Honorio Banario vs. Herbert Burns

Banario opens up with kicking offense, but makes the mistake of rushing in and dipping his head. Burns instantly grabs his neck and rolls through with a guillotine, going straight to full mount. Banario defends the guillotine and escapes full mount, but gives us his back. Burns almost sinks the rear-naked choke immediately, but “The Rock” breaks his grip. Nonetheless, the Brazilian sinks the body triangle and goes to work with hammerfists to the temple. At the halfway mark of the round, Burns locks on a decent rear-naked choke attempt; he's still partially on the jaw, but has a solid squeeze. Banario powers through and escapes, but Burns is relentless and there is still two minutes to go. “The Blaze” keeps the pressure on, punching and digging for another choke. Just before the four-minute mark, Burns sinks another choke attempt and this one is much deeper. The Filipino fighter is trapped this time and he knows it as the dominant Burns forces the tap.

The Official Result

Herbert Burns def. Honorio Banario via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 3:59

Kevin Belingon vs. Koetsu Okazaki

Round 1

The for the first two minutes, Okazaki and Belingon feint and size one another up, pumping jabs and throwing leg kicks to gauge the distance, but neither man landing much. At the two-minute mark precisely, referee Yuji Shimada warns both men for passivity. Belingon tries to open up with some more kicks, but throws an inside low kick that catches Okazaki right on the cup and prompts a brief halt in the action. Upon the restart, it's the same sort of tense battle, with neither man being able to get out of first gear. Okazaki comes inside to the clinch and eats a pair of right hooks that wobble him. Belingon senses an opportunity and rushes the former Shooto champion, rushing him with punches while Okazaki tries to sweep from deep half guard. Shimada warns Belingon about hitting the back of the head and Okazaki spins for a heel hook at the round's conclusion.

Round 2

The second round is not a barnburner either, but Belingon is getting more active with inside and outside leg kicks. Okazaki continues to jab, feint and look for counterpunching opportunities, but Belingon's solid guard up top is allowing him to land a respectable amount of kicking offense now. Perhaps getting desperate with Belingon's kicking output increasing, Okazaki takes a run inside and just as at the end of the first round, he gets whacked with a counter hook and takes a brief tumble. Okazaki regains his feet quickly, but is ginger on his lead left leg now. With 20 seconds left, the Filipino fighter uncorks a pretty spinning back kick that plows into Okazaki's elbow and chest and sends him reeling into the cage. Belingon tries to follow up but can't land clean before the round expires.

Round 3

The clearly comfortable Belingon opens up with more kicks, as the Lakay MMA product moves a desperate Okazaki around the cage. Belingon rushes Okazaki and knocks him off balance. As the Japanese fighter hits the mat, Belingon pounces. Okazaki nearly manages to take Belingon down in the scramble, but “The Silencer” keeps scrambling and pushes through to top position. Belingon grinds with his right elbow, landing short punches to stay active and not incur the wrath of Yuji Shimada. Belingon starts to pound Okazaki to the ribs, hoping to open up a passing opportunity. Okazaki's left knee bandage has now ripped loose and he's got a gash over his kneecap. Belingon keeps his left hand and elbow busy and socks Okazaki up until the final bell.

The Official Result

Kevin Belingon def. Koetsu Okazaki via Decision (Unanimous) R3 5:00

James McSweeney vs. Roger Gracie

Round 1

Gracie patiently, cautiously inches toward McSweeney in hopes of setting up a takedown. “Sledgehammer” strikes first with a left body kick, but Gracie tags him with a clinch knee immediately after. Gracie can't hold onto the clinch, so McSweeney slips away and starts working leg kicks, trying to set up a high roundhouse kick on the tall Gracie. Gracie begins working his jab and manages to land another single, hard clinch knee. McSweeney keeps going back to the well with the right head kick and eventually lands one that goes right over Gracie's guard, hits him on the jaw and discombobulates him momentarily. The Brit tries to flurry on Gracie and tosses him to the ground, but can't follow up before the BJJ legend gets his wits back.

Round 2

McSweeney continues to bide his time on the outside, hoping to catch Gracie running in for a takedown. He times a good right hand that wobbles Gracie for a moment, but it goes nowhere. McSweeney tries for another one-two-right head kick. The grappler keeps sticking his jab out and popping McSweeney, but he can't set up a takedown behind it or land any other power strikes. After landing a few more jabs, the Brazilian barrels in for a takedown but again, McSweeney sprawls. Gracie leads with a left hook and lands a wide-but-effective right hook behind it. “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 10 veteran is bleeding from above his right eye now. McSweeney lands a body kick and Gracie dings him with two more left hands right on the bloodied eye. McSweeney throws a left head kick which is blocked, but chops a good one down low. Coming off of the kick, McSweeney steps awkwardly on his foot and looks like he might've rolled his ankle. Gracie, sensing he's getting into a groove, keeps attacking McSweeney's right eye with the jab and left hook for the last minute of the round.

Round 3

McSweeney shows a more aggressive posture after retreating for the latter stages of the second round, throwing his kicks more actively again. He changes stances a few times before settling back in orthodox, perhaps trying to disrupt Gracie's frequent jabbing. Two more jabs land for Gracie. McSweeney can't land his one-two, but lands a stiff left kick to the ribs afterward. The fight has turned into McSweeney throwing a kick for every two or three of the Brazilian's jabs. Gracie keeps pressuring McSweeney, who is starting to look wobbly on his ankle again. Gracie suddenly lands a front kick right up the center, straight to the guts, that doubles McSweeney over. The Brit tries to escape the rushing Gracie, but is hobbled on his bad foot. The grappling superstar clocks him with a nifty right uppercut and puts him on the canvas clean, then follows up with ground-and-pound. McSweeney tries to grab a hold of Gracie's leg, but keeps getting punched and so referee Olivier Coste steps in for the stoppage.

The Official Result

Roger Gracie def. James McSweeney via TKO (Front Kick to the Body and Punches) R3 3:15

Eduard Folayang vs. Timofey Nastyukhin

Round 1

Nastyukhin looks potent from the outset, loading up on fast, powerful hooks on an approaching Folayang. Folayang tries to display some of his kicking offense, but Nastyukhin is all over him with heavy left hooks in the exchanges. “Landslide” whiffs on a spinning back fist, so Nastyukhin cracks him with an overhand right. Another overhand from the Russian lands, then he puts another left hook behind it. Nastyukhin steps to Folayang and nearly puts him down with an inside trip, but the Filipino fighter shows great balance and stays on his feet. Still, Nastyukhin clips him with another left hand on the exit. The Russian pursues his target, then unloads an explosive, switch-step flying knee, a la Jose Aldo. The move completely catches Folayang offguard, Nastyukhin's knee driving straight into his chin. The local fighter goes down hard and the Russian is on him in a flash, removing him from any semblance of consciousness with a sharp soccer kick. A brutal offensive display by Timofey Nastyukhin.

The Official Result

Timofey Nastyukhin def. Eduard Folayang via KO (Flying Knee and Soccer Kick) R1 3:11

Brandon Vera vs. Igor Subora

Round 1

“The Truth” starts his Filipino homecoming with a left hook that backs Subora up. Vera throws again and is surprised when he stumbles his foe. He follows him back to the cage, grabs the collar tie and hits him with four knees. Subora gets free, but Vera knows that he's got an easy target in front of him and whips a salvo of body kicks at the Ukrainian's ribcage. Vera hits him with outside low kicks, then begins working his jab. Subora, despite eating almost everything Vera throws, steps through a jab and tags the UFC veteran with a left hook. Vera starts working the Jon Jones-style kick to the obliques, but leaves himself open for another pair of lefts from Subora. Subora throws a jab, which Vera easily dodges before returning with a laser-guided left-handed counter. The left cross puts Subora on his back and Vera promptly puts a bow on the fight with three stern soccer kicks, which is more than enough for referee Olivier Coste to intervene.

The Official Result

Brandon Vera def. Igor Subora via TKO (Punch and Soccer Kicks) R1 3:54

One FC Bantamweight Championship
Bibiano Fernandes vs. Dae Hwan Kim

Round 1

Fernandes charges at his challenger, gets to a single-leg, then switches his grip, locks his hands and dumps Kim on the mat. Kim tries to stay aggresisve from his back, attacking Fernandes with elbows, but he is warned for fouling Fernandes to the back of the head by referee Yuji Shimada, prompting a brief pause. Shimada restarts the action, but Kim scrambles his way to top position. Unfortunately for him, he's ensnared in an immediate armbar. He escaped, but Fernandes switches to another triangle, then another armbar attempt. Kim escapes and flurries on Fernandes, but “The Flash” breaks free and they reset standing. Kim keeps walking Fernandes down, but walks into a hard knee, then a takedown. Kim pops right back up against the fence, but the Brazilian clocks him with two good hooks as he stands, making the South Korean grin. Kim throws back-to-back spinning back kicks, the second one catching the champion with some oomph. With 20 seconds left in the round, Fernandes dumps Kim with another double-leg takedown and chips away in guard until the period ends.

Round 2

Fernandes looks for another hasty takedown, but Kim is ready for his single-leg and shuts it down. Another spinning back kick for Kim lands right to the bread basket. Fernandes doesn't like it, so he looks to close the distance and get a takedown again. He shoots a double and as Kim tries to push him away, Fernandes leaps on him in the blink of an eye and executes a spectacular take of the back. He sinks both of his hooks on Kim while the South Korean is still standing, wondering what happened. They're on the floor in a hurry and “The Flash” sinks in a rear-naked choke. Kim is forced to tap, giving Fernandes another successful One FC bantamweight title defense.

The Official Result

Bibiano Fernandes def. Dae Hwan Kim via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 1:16