The UFC Apex in Las Vegas was the scene of an explosive UFC Fight Night on March 16, 2024, featuring a heavyweight showdown between Marcin Tybura and Tai Tuivasa as the main event. The evening was packed with action, submissions, and a few surprises that kept MMA fans on the edge of their seats.
Tybura Subdues Tuivasa in First-Round Finish
The main event saw Marcin Tybura secure a victory over Tai Tuivasa with a rear-naked choke submission at 4:08 in the first round. Tybura's strategy and ground game proved too much for Tuivasa, showcasing Tybura's submission skills and earning him a swift win in this heavyweight clash.
No Contest in the Co-Main Event
In a turn of events, the welterweight co-main event between Bryan Battle and Ange Loosa ended in a no contest. The bout was highly anticipated, but an unforeseen circumstance led to the inconclusive finish, leaving fans wondering what could have been.
Split Decisions and Submissions Highlight the Main Card
The main card featured a mix of split decisions and submissions. Ovince St. Preux edged out a victory over Kennedy Nzechukwu via split decision in a light heavyweight bout, demonstrating the depth of talent in the 205-pound division. Featherweights Christian Rodriguez and Isaac Dulgarian went the distance, with Rodriguez claiming a split decision win in a closely contested fight.
Macy Chiasson made a statement with her rear-naked choke submission win over Pannie Kianzad in their bantamweight rematch, finishing the fight at 3:54 of the first round. Meanwhile, Gerald
Meerschaert returned to his winning ways with a rear-naked choke submission against Bryan Barberena in a middleweight contest, proving his grappling prowess once again.
Preliminary Highlights
The preliminary card was not short on action, featuring a series of submissions and decisions that set the tone for the night. Mike Davis showcased his submission skills with an arm-triangle choke against Natan Levy. Jafel Filho and Cory McKenna each secured submission victories in their respective bouts, while Thiago Moisés delivered a knockout via leg kicks against Mitch Ramirez, highlighting the diversity and skill level across the UFC roster.
Here are the complete results of UFC Vegas 88:
MAIN EVENT | HEAVYWEIGHT · 265 LBS | PRO MMA
Tai Tuivasa vs. Marcin Tybura
Tybura defeats Tuivasa via RnC Submission at 4:08 Round 1 of 5
CO-MAIN EVENT | WELTERWEIGHT · 170 LBS | PRO MMA
Bryan Battle vs. Ange Loosa
Bryan Battle vs. Ange Loosa ends in No Contest
MAIN CARD | LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT · 205 LBS | PRO MMA
Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Ovince St. Preux
St. Preux defeats Nzechukwu via split decision
MAIN CARD | FEATHERWEIGHT · 145 LBS | PRO MMA
Christian Rodriguez vs. Isaac Dulgarian
Rodriguez defeats Dulgarian via Split Decision
MAIN CARD | BANTAMWEIGHT · 135 LBS | PRO MMA
Pannie Kianzad vs. Macy Chiasson II
Chiasson defeats Kianzad via RnC Submission at 3:54 Round 1 of 3
MAIN CARD | MIDDLEWEIGHT · 185 LBS | PRO MMA
Gerald Meerschaert vs. Bryan Barberena
Meerschaert defeats Barberena via RnC Submission at 4:23 Round 2 of 3, 9:23 Total
PRELIMINARY CARD | LIGHTWEIGHT · 155 LBS | PRO MMA
Mike Davis vs. Natan Levy
Davis defeats Levy via Submission, Arm Triangle Choke at 1:43 Round 2 of 3, 6:43 Total
PRELIMINARY CARD | BANTAMWEIGHT · 135 LBS | PRO MMA
Josiane Nunes vs. Chelsea Chandler
Chandler defeats Nunes via unanimous decision
PRELIMINARY CARD | FLYWEIGHT · 125 LBS | PRO MMA
Ode Osbourne vs. Jafel Filho
Filho defeats Osbourne via Submission, Rear Naked Choke at 4:27 Round 1 of 3
PRELIMINARY CARD | FEATHERWEIGHT · 145 LBS | PRO MMA
Josh Culibao vs. Danny Silva
Silva defeats Culibao via Split Decision
PRELIMINARY CARD | STRAWWEIGHT · 115 LBS | PRO MMA
Cory McKenna vs. Jaqueline Amorim
Amorim defeats McKenna via Submission, Armbar at 1:38 Round 1 of 3
PRELIMINARY CARD | LIGHTWEIGHT · 155 LBS | PRO MMA
Thiago Moisés vs. Mitch Ramirez
Moisés defeats Ramirez via KO/TKO, Leg Kicks at 0:15 Round 3 of 3, 10:15 Total
PRELIMINARY CARD | BANTAMWEIGHT · 135 LBS | PRO MMA
Chad Anheliger vs. Charalampos Grigoriou
Anheliger defeats Grigoriou via unanimous decision