UGP 79: SUPA vs CALLAHAN II LIVE!

The first fight of the evening carries a little extra local flavor. Two San Diego natives, two kickboxers, and two men with something to prove arrive at the Intuit Dome with Los Angeles ready to welcome them both. But when Carter Hayes makes his walk, the reception rises another notch. The undefeated prospect has the kind of promise that gets people out of their seats before the first punch is thrown. Across from him stands Kaprice Gamble, an experienced, battle tested striker who has competed under the Union GP banner before and now represents Everest MMA. Gamble has the toughness to make a young prospect uncomfortable, and his southpaw stance presents an awkward puzzle for the orthodox Hayes. The referee calls out the final instructions. A touch of gloves. Hayes bounces lightly on the balls of his feet, Gamble rolls his shoulders and settles into a wider stance. The opening prelim of UGP 79 is underway.

ROUND ONE: Gamble opens in his southpaw stance, probing with the right jab and threatening the straight left, while Hayes takes the center and begins circling toward his own right, looking to create an outside angle for his power hand. The crowd responds to every clean connection, but the louder cheers follow Hayes as his quick feet keep him just beyond Gamble’s return fire. Gamble finds an early opening with a left kick to the body, then steps forward behind a sharp left hand. Hayes pulls his head off the center line and answers with a jab-right cross combination, the second punch snapping Gamble’s head back. The veteran remains composed enough to fire back, but his defensive reactions are a fraction behind Hayes’s speed. At close range, Hayes lands a compact hook before pivoting out, refusing to let Gamble establish a rhythm. Gamble presses harder, attempting to corner the undefeated prospect, and briefly catches him with a straight left. The arena roars. For a moment, the veteran looks capable of turning this into a fight. That moment doesn’t last long, though. Gamble loads up on another left hand, his weight shifting forward. Hayes reads it, slips outside the punch, and fires a perfectly timed right cross down the middle. The impact lands flush on the chin. Gamble’s legs betray him, and he crashes to the canvas. Hayes surges forward with a short follow-up left hook as Gamble falls, but the referee is already diving between them. Gamble lies momentarily stunned, while Hayes backs away with his arms raised, confidence oozing through his pores.

The Intuit Dome erupts. Hayes remains undefeated, opening UGP 79 with precisely the kind of emphatic finish that makes a prospect impossible to ignore. Gamble, a tough and experienced opponent, is helped upright and given time to recover. He showed enough early offense to make the matchup competitive, but Hayes’s speed, distance management, and composure under pressure proved decisive. For the opening bout, it is an ideal spark. A hometown prospect delivers a highlight reel finish, and the Los Angeles crowd has its first reason to believe this could be a special night.

Winner: Carter Hayes by KO (Punches) at 2:41 Round 1

Statistics: Kaprice Gamble
Punches 11/25 (44%)
Kicks 4/9 (44%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 0/0 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 0 s

Statistics: Carter Hayes
Punches 20/33 (61%)
Kicks 2/4 (50%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 0/0 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 0 s

BODIE SULLIVAN: “Welcome back to UGP 79, live from the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California! We are just getting started, and what a way to open the night. The undefeated welterweight prospect Carter Hayes, fighting out of San Diego, wasted little time making his presence felt, putting away Kaprice Gamble in the first round to kick off the night.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “That’s the kind of start every prospect wants. Hayes came into this one with a lot to prove, and he made an immediate statement. You can’t ask for a much better way to introduce yourself to a Union GP audience in your home state than getting your hand raised before the opening round is even over.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “The action continues here in Los Angeles, but first, let’s look ahead to what’s coming up from our Big 4 Mid-Major Alliance partners. Everest MMA brings us Everest 28 // Hollywood, November 1st at the Hollywood Palladium, right here in LA. The championship grand prix tournaments continue across all five divisions, with the semifinals set to determine who advances to the finals. One matchup to watch, the bantamweight main event between Rowen Kincaid and Camila Reyes.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “This is where the tournament pressure really starts to build. You’re one win away from the finals, and there’s no room to coast. Kincaid and Reyes have a championship opportunity in front of them, but they’ve got to get through each other first. It’s a big night for Everest, and another reminder of how much talent this alliance is bringing together.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “Now, our cameras are catching the who’s who of West Coast MMA, and we’ve found someone who has been synonymous with this region for years. Cass Madrigal, Union GP’s Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and a member of the ICSC governing body. A legend of the sport and a member of the inaugural Union GP Hall of Fame class in 2021, Cass was born right here in Los Angeles and is taking in tonight’s action live.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “Cass has seen just about every side of this sport, from inside the cage to helping shape what happens outside of it. Having someone with that kind of experience involved in the promotion is invaluable. And tonight, she gets to enjoy the fights from a fan’s perspective.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “Let’s bring it back to the octagon, because we’ve got a bantamweight matchup coming up with two very different paths converging. Ammar Elamin makes his 12th walk to the Union GP cage, a veteran who’s shared the stage with Hall of Famers like Lauren Moore and Dallas Meechan. Across from him is Sacramento’s Sera Steiner, an undefeated rookie and a two-time DIII college wrestling national champion. Both fighters are looking to make a case for a shot at a ranked opponent.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “This is a fascinating test for Steiner. She’s got the wrestling credentials, but Elamin brings the kind of experience you can’t really replicate in a gym. He’s been around long enough to understand what opponents are trying to do, and he knows how to make a prospect work for every inch. For Steiner, the challenge is turning that wrestling pedigree into effective offense against a seasoned veteran. For Elamin, it’s about showing that experience still counts when a new name comes calling.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “A veteran looking to hold his ground, an undefeated prospect looking to take the next step, and an opportunity to move closer to the rankings. That’s what’s at stake in this one. Ammar Elamin versus Sera Steiner is next!”

The first knockout of the evening has barely settled into the memories of the crowd when the bantamweights make their way toward the cage. The arena remains lively, buoyed by Carter Hayes’s spectacular opening performance, but this matchup offers a different kind of intrigue. The patient, elusive judo stylist Ammar Elamin against the undefeated wrestling prodigy Sera Steiner. Elamin carries himself with the calm of a veteran. A southpaw with quick feet and a knack for changing angles, he is comfortable making opponents miss before exploiting their mistakes. Steiner, meanwhile, has built her reputation around physical strength, relentless takedowns, and suffocating ground control. Her striking is not her preferred territory, but she is willing to enter exchanges if they create an opportunity to close distance. The question is whether Elamin can keep the fight at kicking range, or whether Steiner can force him into the kind of physical contest she knows how to win.

ROUND ONE: Elamin opens from his southpaw stance, circling laterally and flicking out low kicks to discourage Steiner from marching forward. Steiner advances behind a cautious orthodox guard, occasionally showing the jab before dipping toward the hips. She wants contact. Elamin wants space. For the first minute, the veteran’s footwork makes that distinction matter, as he slips outside a right hand and answers with a kick to the body. The crowd rumbles as Steiner finally commits. She feints high, shoots a double leg, and drives through Elamin’s hips. Elamin sprawls late, attempting to frame against her shoulders, but Steiner keeps her head tight to his torso and runs him toward the fence. She transitions to a body lock, then turns the corner and dumps him onto the canvas. Steiner lands inside Elamin’s half guard. The undefeated wrestler settles her weight across his torso, using a crossface to flatten him while punching the body and head. Elamin tries to recover full guard, but Steiner pries his knee aside and begins landing short ground and pound. The audience responds to each clean shot, sensing the momentum shift. Elamin attempts to scramble toward the fence. Steiner follows, maintaining chest-to-chest pressure, then briefly postures to land a heavier right hand. Elamin blocks the first attempt, but the second clips him around the guard. Steiner stands over him as he turns onto his side, trying to build a base. When Elamin rises to one knee, Steiner allows him just enough room to expose himself. She steps back, and Elamin stands, visibly irritated by the damage but still alert. He tries to reclaim distance with a left kick. Steiner answers with a right hand over the top and it lands cleanly. Elamin’s head snaps sideways, and his legs stiffen. Steiner immediately follows with a left hook that catches him before he can retreat. The veteran stumbles backward, his guard breaking apart, and Steiner storms forward with another right hand. Elamin collapses near the fence. Steiner throws one final punch as Elamin covers up, and the referee rushes in to stop the contest. Steiner turns away, breathing hard, her expression shifting from fierce concentration to exhilaration as the crowd erupts.

The second preliminary bout ends in another first round finish, and UGP 79 is developing a distinctly violent early rhythm. Steiner’s wrestling created the opening. She forced Elamin to defend takedowns, made him work from underneath, and brought the veteran’s hands into a defensive posture before finding the decisive punches. For Steiner, the result is a statement. She has shown that her wrestling can dictate the terms of a fight and that she can punish an opponent who becomes too comfortable anticipating the takedown. Elamin, meanwhile, leaves disappointed after his movement initially frustrated the undefeated prospect, only for the pressure to catch up with him. As Steiner celebrates, the arena’s energy rises to another level. Two fights, two finishes, and the prelims are firing on all cylinders.

Winner: Sera Steiner by TKO (Punches) at 3:18 Round 1

Statistics: Ammar Elamin
Punches 3/8 (38%)
Kicks 3/6 (50%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 0/0 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/1 (0%)
Time on the ground 78 s

Statistics: Sera Steiner
Punches 9/16 (56%)
Kicks 0/0 (0%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 1/2 (50%)
GnP strikes 5/8 (63%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 1/1 (100%)
Time on the ground 78 s

BODIE SULLIVAN: “Back with you live at UGP 79 from Los Angeles, California. The atmosphere inside the Intuit Dome continues to build as we get set for another pivotal matchup tonight. We’re working our way through the prelim card, and we’ve already seen another prospect make a statement. Sacramento’s Sera Steiner remains undefeated after scoring a first round finish over Union GP veteran Ammar Elamin. That’s a significant result for a young fighter looking to establish herself in a division full of experienced talent.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “And you have to appreciate the opportunity Steiner just took advantage of. Elamin has shared the cage with some of the best bantamweights in Union GP history, including Hall of Famers Lauren Moore and Dallas Meechan. That’s valuable experience to have across from you, and Steiner came away with a finish. For an undefeated rookie, that’s the kind of performance that gets people paying attention.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “The action here in LA continues, but let’s turn our attention overseas. On November 6, Ryūjin FC brings us RFC 8 from the Arena Tachikawa Tachihi in Tokyo, Japan. All five divisions continue their championship Grand Prix tournaments, with the semifinals determining who moves on to the finals. The main event for that evening features the bantamweight division, where Xiong Yan takes on Tahlia Morgan with a place in the final on the line.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “This is where the tournament gets down and dirty. You’re no longer just trying to make an impression, you’re trying to put yourself one win away from a championship. Ryūjin has been building toward these moments across every division, and November 6 is another important step in that process.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “Let’s check in with our crowd cam now, which has found Union GP lightweight contender Kimberly Barclay here tonight. Barclay currently sits at #7 in the lightweight rankings, and there are already rumors circulating about a potential matchup against another ranked opponent. She’s here to take in the action, with particular interest in tonight’s co-main event being the lightweight championship rematch between reigning champion Marcela Vargas and former champ 2Face Rodríguez.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “That’s a pretty interesting fight to have a close eye on when you’re trying to climb the same division. Vargas and Rodríguez have history, and watching two elite competitors work through a championship rematch can be a valuable experience for anyone hoping to get their own opportunity. Of course, if those rumors about Barclay’s next opponent turn into something official, she’ll have her own business to take care of soon enough.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “Now, back to the octagon, where we’ve got a compelling featherweight matchup on deck. Lucija Dragicevic, a former title challenger, returns for her second appearance of 2026 looking to get back on track after coming up short against champion Victoria Marshall at UGP 73. Standing across from her is Los Angeles native Mariposa Velasquez, who suffered the first loss of her professional career against Tristano D’Amico, a fighter who went on to compete for the title. Three rounds are scheduled, and both contenders have plenty of motivation to make this one count.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “There’s a lot to unpack here. Dragicevic knows what it’s like to compete at the championship level, but now she needs to show she can turn that experience into forward momentum. Velasquez, meanwhile, has a chance to respond to that first professional setback in front of her hometown crowd. We don’t have to assume either fighter is going to change everything after one loss. The real question is who can settle into their game first and make the other fighter react.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “A former title challenger looking to reinstate herself, a hometown contender determined to get back in the win column, and valuable ground to gain in the featherweight division. Lucija Dragicevic versus Mariposa Velasquez is coming up next!”

The first two fights of the prelims have ended in knockouts, and the crowd inside the Intuit Dome is beginning to settle into the kind of rhythm every promoter hopes for. Every exchange draws a reaction, every finish feels possible, and nobody wants to miss a second. The featured prelim brings a different sort of danger. Lucija Dragicevic, the #4-ranked featherweight and a former title challenger, has built her reputation on a suffocating sambo game. At featherweight, she carries the size and strength of a woman who once competed against much bigger opponents. Across the cage, the Los Angeles native and #9-ranked Mariposa Velasquez, possesses the striking arsenal to threaten anyone who gives her room. The problem for Velasquez is that Dragicevic rarely intends to give anyone room.

ROUND ONE: Velasquez opens with a sharp left kick toward the body, looking to establish her range before Dragicevic can close the distance. She follows with a right hook and starts circling, hoping her speed and varied kicking game will force the Croatian to reset, but Dragicevic barely gives her time to build a combination. The veteran steps through a probing punch, changes levels, and locks both arms around Velasquez’s hips. Velasquez tries to widen her base and dig for an underhook, but Dragicevic’s strength overwhelms the defense. She lifts the LA fighter clean off her feet and drives her onto the canvas with a thunderous mat return. The impact draws a collective gasp from the crowd. Dragicevic immediately establishes top position, sliding into half guard before freeing her knee. Velasquez throws her forearms across her face and attempts to shrimp toward the fence, but the Croatian follows every movement. Short elbows and heavy right hands begin landing around the guard. Velasquez bucks her hips, trying to create enough separation to stand, only to be flattened again beneath Dragicevic’s weight. The atmosphere changes. The crowd’s initial excitement gives way to nervous shouts as Velasquez absorbs the punishment. She manages to turn onto her side and briefly frames against Dragicevic’s neck, but the former title challenger recognizes the opening and threads her right arm beneath Velasquez’s neck. Dragicevic circles toward the head, connecting her arms in a D’Arce choke as Velasquez attempts to scramble onto her knees. The position is devastating. The Croatian traps the head and nearside arm, then angles her body to tighten the pressure. Velasquez fights the hands, trying to turn into her opponent and relieve the squeeze. Her legs kick against the canvas. Dragicevic readjusts her grip, walks her hips around, and squeezes again. The crowd rises as Velasquez’s resistance fades. She tries one final turn, but there is nowhere to go. With the choke locked in and the pressure mounting, Velasquez taps.

Dragicevic releases immediately and rises to her feet, her expression almost businesslike. The entire sequence has lasted only a few minutes, yet the gulf between the two fighters’ preferred fighting environments has been unmistakable. The Croatian’s victory sends a clear message to the featherweight division. Velasquez never had the opportunity to establish her striking, and once the fight hit the ground, Dragicevic dictated every meaningful exchange. The takedown was explosive, the ground and pound forced defensive reactions, and the submission came as Velasquez desperately tried to escape. For Dragicevic, this is the kind of authoritative performance that keeps her firmly in the championship conversation. Three prelim bouts have now produced three finishes. The crowd is fully engaged, the fighters backstage have been put on notice, and UGP 79 is gathering momentum at a frightening pace heading into the main card.

Winner: Lucija Dragicevic by Submission (D’Arce Choke) 2:59 Round 1

Statistics: Lucija Dragicevic
Punches 2/4 (50%)
Kicks 0/0 (0%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 1/1 (100%)
GnP strikes 14/22 (64%)
Submissions 1/1 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 1/1 (100%)
Time on the ground 136 s

Statistics: Mariposa Velasquez
Punches 0/1 (0%)
Kicks 1/2 (50%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 0/0 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/1 (0%)
Time on the ground 136 s

Tonight, the fight game comes to the city where dreams are produced, fortunes are made, and reputations are put to the ultimate test. For generations, the world has looked toward Los Angeles in search of one thing. A moment that belongs to them forever.

A single bassline buzzes as the screen fades from black, and suddenly Los Angeles is alive beneath us. The drone camera soars above a sprawling metropolis, where endless highways carve through a landscape of striking contrasts. Towering skyscrapers piercing the skyline up high as rows of palm trees sway along the endless California beaches down low. The lights of Downtown Los Angeles burn against the night. The Hollywood Sign stands above the hills, an enduring symbol of ambition and the pursuit of greatness. From the sweeping views of Griffith Observatory to the towering skyscrapers that define the city’s skyline, every corner tells a story of those who came here chasing something bigger than themselves.

This is the City of Angels.

The home of stars, dreamers, risk takers, and above all else, fighters. A place where the line between triumph and failure can be razor thin. Where the world comes to be seen, but only the best can make themselves unforgettable. Tonight, that pursuit leads to a new stage for combat sports.

The Intuit Dome.

The camera sweeps across Southern California, tracing the illuminated highways toward Inglewood, where the next chapter of Union Grand Prix history is about to unfold. The unmistakable silhouette of SoFi Stadium rises from the surrounding district. Beyond it, the Intuit Dome commands the landscape, its distinctive exterior marking the destination for one of the biggest nights on the Union GP calendar. Thousands of fans are already converging on the arena from every direction. Traffic builds along Century Boulevard. Headlights stream through the streets. Crowds gather outside the entrances, all moving toward the same destination.

Some carry signs, others wear the BST Fightwear threads of their favorite fighters. Los Angeles stands shoulder to shoulder with fans who have traveled across the country and around the world. Different backgrounds. Different loyalties. One common purpose.

The Intuit Dome isn’t just another stop on the MMA map. Tonight, it becomes the stage for unfinished business.

Inside these walls, the newest generation of sports entertainment meets the oldest test in competition. A place built to amplify every reaction, every roar, every moment when thousands of voices become one. That energy will be directed toward two championship rematches with everything on the line. 

The drone camera dives lower. The heartbeat of the crowd grows stronger with every passing second. Outside, SoCal continues to move. Engines roar along the freeways. Airplanes pass through the skies near LAX. The sprawling city pulses around the arena, but inside these walls, everything has narrowed to one thing.

Los Angeles has always understood the power of a spectacle. You either rise to the occasion, or you don’t.

The camera drone slips through the entrance and into the arena itself, and suddenly the scale of it all becomes impossible to ignore. Thousands of fans rise around the cage. Lights sweep across the crowd. Massive LED displays illuminate the arena, turning every reaction into part of the spectacle. The cage stands at the center of the building, an island of steel beneath a canopy of light. Towering screens flash with images of triumph and devastation. Knockouts. Submissions. Championships changing hands. Rivalries reignited.

Tonight, the Intuit Dome waits to discover who can withstand that pressure when the stakes are highest. The music swells. Pyro ignites. Columns of fire explode toward the rafters. The crowd erupts.

For a moment, the noise becomes almost indescribable. Thousands of voices crash together, filling the arena with a sound that seems to shake the building itself. 

Then, as quickly as the chaos arrived, everything slows. The lights dim. One spotlight finds the cage. Then another. And another.

The stage is set.

The camera pulls away from the spectacle and settles at the cageside area. There stand Bodie Sullivan and Kayla Chapman. Composed and prepared as always. The mics are live. The fighters are ready. The Intuit Dome is ready. Los Angeles is ready. The sequels are about to begin.

BODIE SULLIVAN: “Ladies and gentlemen, fight fans watching around the world, we are LIVE, exclusively on the Battleground Network, from a sold out Intuit Done in the City of Angels, Los Angeles, California — home of Union GP tonight — and the octagon is officially open for business for UGP 79: SUPA vs CALLAHAN II! The preliminary fights have brought this building to life, the Halo Board is illuminating the arena floor, and now we turn our attention to a main card loaded with ranked contenders, championship implications, and two rematches with gold on the line. Hello, everybody. I’m Bodie Sullivan, alongside Kayla Chapman, and KC, there are few places in the world that know how to put on a show quite like Los Angeles.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “That’s right, Bodie. They don’t call it the entertainment capital of the world for nothing. This is a city built around performance, but once those cage doors close, the script goes out the window. You can have all the lights, all the cameras, all the spectacle in the world, but none of it helps you when somebody is standing across from you trying to take your head off. And with two championships at stake later tonight, these fighters have a lot more than just the audience’s attention to think about.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “Before we dive into the main card, let’s take a moment to look back at what was a fast-paced prelim slate. Three first round knockouts gave us an early dose of the kind of action Union GP fans have come to expect. San Diego’s own Carter Hayes took on fellow San Diego native Kaprice Gamble to kickoff the night and set the tone. Hayes continues to make the most of every opportunity. When you’re an undefeated fighter, every performance brings another level of expectation, and the challenge is to keep delivering without allowing that pressure to change the way you fight. Tonight, he got the result he wanted, and he leaves LA with that unblemished record still intact.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “And that wasn’t the only California product having something to celebrate in the prelims. Sacramento’s Sera Steiner also kept her perfect record intact, defeating Ammar Elamin in another first round finish. That’s an important part of a young fighter’s development. You want to see them capitalize on an opportunity, but you also want to see them handle the pressure that comes with being undefeated. Steiner did her job tonight. We’ll see how the next step in her career unfolds, but that’s a strong result to take home.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “And in our featured prelim bout, former featherweight title challenger Lucija Dragicevic went up against LA native Mariposa Velasquez. Dragicevic came away with the victory, completing a prelim card that gave the crowd three finishes inside one round and plenty of reason to stay in their seats. For Dragicevic, a win over a local highly touted prospect in a featured spot is a meaningful way to rebound back in the win column. She has already experienced the level of competition that comes with a championship challenge. Those experiences matter, and a performance like this keeps the focus on what she can do next.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “Three finishes, three fighters making a statement, and now the stakes really start to climb. We’ve got five main card fights ahead, including two championship rematches that could shake up the landscape of their divisions. The question now is who’s ready to take that next step, and who’s going to find out they’ve got a whole lot more work to do.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “Let’s get things underway. We begin in the lightweight division, where the #4-ranked Johnny Laws meets the #9-ranked Trevor Martin. Laws enters tonight at 9-2 overall, with a 6-1 record inside the Union GP octagon. Martin brings a record of 12-5-1, with 6 victories in the promotion, and he’s a fighter who’s made a career out of accepting challenges wherever they happen to come.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “Johnny Laws is dangerous because he doesn’t need much to turn things into a firefight. He’s an explosive athlete with real punching power, and he likes to put opponents under pressure before they can settle into their game. If you aren’t ready to deal with that aggression from the jump, things can get uncomfortable very quickly. Trevor Martin has a different kind of challenge to offer. He’s fought at featherweight, lightweight, welterweight, and catchweight, so he’s accustomed to making adjustments against different kinds of opponents. He’s well rounded, he’s durable mentally, and his conditioning allows him to keep working when a fight gets difficult.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “Laws knows what it takes to compete at the championship level. He challenged Sadie Williams for the lightweight title at UGP 74, ultimately losing by submission. He rebounded with a victory over Shane Rudd at UGP 75, and now he’s looking to put together consecutive wins and keep himself in the conversation near the top of this division. Martin, meanwhile, is coming off a loss to Benji Meyers at UGP 77. He’s looking to make the most of another opportunity against a top five opponent, and he has a reputation for taking on anybody, regardless of the weight class.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “The key question for Martin is whether he can keep Laws from dictating the pace. You don’t want to stand directly in front of an explosive puncher and give him the kind of exchanges he’s looking for. Distance management, angles, and intelligent defense become critical. But Laws has to be careful, too. Martin’s experience across multiple divisions speaks to his adaptability, and he’s not a fighter you can count out just because he isn’t the one throwing the bigger shots early. If he can get Laws to overextend or force him to work through extended exchanges, that well rounded game and conditioning could become major factors.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “A former title challenger looking to build momentum against a veteran who welcomes any challenge. We start this main card with a compelling lightweight matchup, and both men have plenty of reasons to make this opportunity count. Next up, we move to 185 pounds. The #6-ranked KJ Lindsay puts his undefeated record on the line against the veteran and#7-ranked Deebo Briggs. Lindsay is 8-0, a big middleweight with exceptional power and the kind of fight IQ that allows him to adjust when his original plan isn’t producing the results he wants. Briggs, at 25-13-1, is approaching his 40th professional fight. This is a man who has been around the block, has faced a wide range of competition, and knows what it means to survive a difficult night in the cage.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “Lindsay is particularly interesting because of his ability to make adjustments. A lot of fighters can look dangerous when their preferred approach is working, but the real test comes when the opponent takes something away. Lindsay has shown that he can read what’s happening and change the approach rather than stubbornly forcing the same strategy, and at middleweight, that power gives him a serious weapon. He doesn’t necessarily have to land a perfect combination to make an impression.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “But Briggs is no stranger to adversity. He’s a solid boxer, he’s slick on the Brazilian jiu-jitsu side of the game, and he’s collected 6 nightly bonuses in his career, including 4 Fight of the Night awards and 2 Performance of the Night honors. After going through a three-fight skid, Briggs has been working to turn things around. Tonight, he’s looking to build on that effort against one of the division’s most promising prospects.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “For Deebo, experience is useful only if you can apply it. He needs to make Lindsay think, show him different looks, and avoid giving him predictable exchanges where that power can take over. His boxing can create opportunities, while his jiu-jitsu gives him another path if the fight changes levels. For Lindsay, this is about demonstrating that his adaptability works against a veteran who has seen nearly everything a professional fight can throw at him. Being undefeated is an achievement, but facing a seasoned opponent who knows how to make things difficult is another kind of test.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “An undefeated prospect on one side, a seasoned veteran on the other, and a middleweight matchup where the complexion of this fight could change in an instant. And we stay at 185 pounds for our Featured Undercard bout, as the #2-ranked Nyles Stephens meets the #9-ranked Venus Sagapolutele. Two former title challengers, both looking to work their way back into the championship conversation. Stephens comes in at 13-2-2, looking to rebound from his title fight loss to Sasha Volkov at UGP 75. He remains among the elite at middleweight, and a strong performance here would go a long way toward putting that setback behind him. But Sagapolutele, at 20-9, brings a wealth of experience against top level competition and an opportunity she cannot afford to overlook. She’s looking to snap a two-fight skid, and against an opponent ranked seven spots above her, a win tonight could dramatically change the conversation around her place in this division. A lot on the line for both of these former title challengers, and we are looking forward to seeing how it unfolds.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “This is a fascinating striking matchup. Stephens is an excellent boxer, he’s agile, and he has demonstrated the durability to stay composed when the pressure is on. He can make opponents work to find him, and his movement gives him options both offensively and defensively. Sagapolutele brings a very different kind of threat. Her kickboxing is devastating, and that means Stephens can’t simply focus on what is coming back down the middle. He’s got to be aware of the full arsenal of weapons she can bring into an exchange. The range battle is the first thing I’m watching. Stephens needs to use his footwork and boxing to control where these exchanges happen. If he can move efficiently, stay balanced, and avoid getting trapped in range for those kicks, he can make this fight look very different from the one Sagapolutele wants. But Venus is experienced enough to understand that one clean shot can change the momentum. She’ll want to establish her kicking game, make Stephens respect her reach, and find moments when his movement puts him in position to be countered. The other important factor is composure. Both of these fighters have been around the championship level, and neither needs to panic if the opening minutes don’t go exactly as planned. The ability to make adjustments could be just as important as the striking itself.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “A former title challenger looking to get back on track against a former title challenger looking for a fresh start. At this level, opportunities to move toward the front of the line are never guaranteed, and both of these middleweights have plenty at stake tonight. Now we arrive at the championship block of the card, starting with our co-main event and the first of our two championship rematches. The Union GP lightweight championship is on the line as reigning champion Marcela Vargas defends her title against the former champion, 2Face Rodríguez. For Vargas, this is another chance to reinforce her position at the top of the division. For Rodríguez, it’s an opportunity to reclaim the championship in the same city where he first became a Union GP titleholder.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “And the history between these two makes this matchup especially interesting. They met at Boss Fight 58 in Brazil back in November 2025, in Marcela’s home country. Vargas won that three round contest by unanimous decision. Now Rodríguez gets the rematch on home soil, with the championship at stake and championship rounds available. That changes the tactical picture. It’s one thing to win a three round fight. It’s another thing to prepare for a championship contest in which you may have to make adjustments over a much longer stretch.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “Vargas avenged her loss to Sadie Williams to capture the lightweight championship at UGP 76, and now she’s looking to make her second title defense since winning the belt. She’s an aggressive fighter with raw punching power and refined Muay Thai skills, a combination that can make her difficult to deal with when she finds her rhythm. But Rodríguez has plenty of reasons to believe he can turn the rematch in his favor. He is a former lightweight champion who defeated Paige Holloway for the title at UGP 42 in March 2023, right here in Los Angeles. He knows what it means to reach the top of this division, and tonight he’s back in familiar territory with the opportunity to do it again.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “This matchup could get very interesting in the clinch. Vargas brings that Muay Thai foundation and an aggressive approach, and she’s comfortable bringing powerful punches into her combinations. Rodríguez also has dangerous knockout power and thrives when opponents are willing to engage. Neither fighter needs much encouragement to make an exchange happen, so the question becomes who can make those exchanges work to their advantage. Vargas will want to make her aggression purposeful. Pressure is valuable when it closes off space, creates openings, and forces an opponent to react. But if Rodríguez can time his counters or establish control in the clinch, he has the tools to make her pay for coming forward. And for Rodríguez, the challenge is finding the right balance between taking initiative and avoiding unnecessary risks. He’s fighting for another championship reign, not just trying to win a moment. With five rounds available to settle this, patience and decision making will matter.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “These two have shared the cage before, and Marcela Vargas is currently one-up in that series. But tonight, the circumstances are different. The stage is bigger, the stakes are higher, and the Union GP lightweight championship is on the line. For Vargas, it’s an opportunity to continue her reign and further establish herself as the standard bearer at 155 pounds. For 2Face Rodríguez, it’s a chance to reclaim the gold in his hometown of Los Angeles, in front of a crowd that knows exactly what he can accomplish when the championship is within reach. And that brings us to our main event of the evening, the fight in which this entire card has been built around. The Union GP bantamweight championship is on the line as reigning two-time champion CC Flynn defends her title against former title challenger and #2-ranked contender Ciaran Callahan. Here in a sold out Intuit Dome, a rivalry that dates back to the early chapters of both fighters’ careers now gets its championship rematch on the biggest stage in the sport. Supa is a two-time Union GP bantamweight champion, a former Everest MMA featherweight champion, a former Ryūjin FC champion, and a former Scarlet FC openweight champion. She has tested herself against some of the biggest names in mixed martial arts history, and over the course of that remarkable career, she’s established herself as one of the most popular, and certainly one of the most notorious, fighters in Union GP history. Tonight, she returns to the octagon with championship gold on her waist and unfinished business across the cage.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “And what makes Supa so difficult to prepare for is that you can’t look at just one part of her game. Her boxing is built around volume. She can make an opponent deal with a steady stream of punches, repeatedly forcing reactions and creating openings as a fight goes on. It’s that kind of approach people sometimes describe as death by a thousand paper cuts. But the volume isn’t effective simply because she’s throwing a lot of punches. She has the conditioning to sustain that pace, and she’s shown improvements in her grappling as well. You can’t assume that shutting down one part of her game means you’ve solved the whole problem anymore.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “The résumé speaks for itself. Flynn was named the ICSC Fighter of the Year in 2023, earned Fight of the Year honors that same year, and has won 8 Fight of the Night bonuses and 2 Performance of the Night bonuses. But she’s not here tonight to celebrate past accomplishments. She’s here to defend the bantamweight championship in the second reign of her Union GP career, and the man standing opposite her presents a challenge she has been waiting to face again.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “And that’s what makes this matchup so interesting, because Ciaran Callahan isn’t just another challenger stepping into the cage with CC Flynn. He’s a guy who’s already beaten her once. Their first meeting came during their days in Everest MMA, and Callahan walked away with the win. That result clearly stayed with Supa, and after defeating her longtime rival Marissa Kane for the strap, she wasted no time calling for this rematch. Now she gets that opportunity, with the bantamweight championship on the line. But stylistically, Callahan presents some very real challenges. His boxing comes from that bare-knuckle background, and you can see how that experience translates into a physical, pressure heavy approach. He’s also a punishing grappler. He wants to get his hands on you, make you carry his weight, and force you to work through every position. Those little battles along the fence, those scrambles on the mat, they can take a lot out of you over five rounds. And against a fighter like Supa, who thrives on volume and maintaining a relentless pace, that’s a really important dynamic. If Callahan can make this a physically exhausting fight, he could disrupt the rhythm that makes Flynn so dangerous. The question is whether he can impose that style again, or whether Flynn has made the adjustments necessary to turn the tables this time.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “Callahan has also taken a long road to get to this position. He’s a former Union GP bantamweight title challenger, having lost to Hall of Famer Marissa Kane in a controversial split decision. He’s a 6-time Performance of the Night bonus winner, and he now finds himself in a position to do something that would dramatically change his career. Beat CC Flynn for a second time and win the Union GP bantamweight championship.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “The tactical questions here are enormous. How does Flynn maintain her volume if Callahan is able to close the distance and get his hands on her? Can she keep the fight at a range where her boxing and combinations can take over, or will Callahan make her work in the clinch and on the mat? For Callahan, I think the entries are going to be critical. He can’t simply march forward and assume the grappling exchanges will be there for him. Flynn’s output can punish a predictable approach. He needs to find a way to get inside without giving her too many clean opportunities to score. Once he closes that distance, though, his grappling could become a major factor. If he can establish control, make Flynn defend takedowns, and force her to spend energy fighting for position, that could affect the pace she is able to maintain later in the contest. And on the other side, Supa has to make him pay for every entry. She needs to be intelligent with her movement, work her combinations, and recognize when to disengage rather than allowing herself to get tied up against the fence. Her conditioning is a real asset, but the key is making Callahan work just as hard as he wants to make her work.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “That’s what makes this such a compelling championship fight. You have a champion who has established herself across multiple promotions and divisions, and a challenger who knows he can beat her because he’s already done it. Flynn wants to settle the score. Callahan wants to prove that their first meeting was no accident and that he can take the title from one of the most accomplished fighters in the sport. And there’s another layer to CC Flynn’s place in this division. She has made it clear that she’s interested in settling rivalries, and she’s even been baiting Victoria Marshall, although Marshall’s move up to featherweight makes that a less likely immediate confrontation. But first, Supa has a championship to defend, and Callahan is standing directly in her way.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “What I like about this matchup is that neither fighter can afford to focus exclusively on the history. That history explains why the fight matters, but the technical details will determine how it unfolds. Both have evolved dramatically since their first meeting, both have meaningful weapons, and both have questions to answer. The first few exchanges may tell us something about their plans, but the real test will be how they adapt once those plans collide.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “Los Angeles is a city that knows how to make stars. The Intuit Dome is a building designed to put the spotlight on its performers. But tonight, the spotlight comes with championships, rivalries, and the opportunity to change the course of history. Los Angeles, the wait is over. The prelims are in the books. The lights are on, the cage is ready, and the next chapter of Union Grand Prix begins right now. We’ll be with you every step of the way, breaking down the action and providing you with the best coverage from start to finish. So, without further ado, let’s toss it over to our very own hype man, the mouthpiece of MMA, Mike Dempsey, who’s standing by, ready to get things started. Ladies and gentlemen…”

“IT’S BOUT TIME!”

The lights dim across the Intuit Dome, the opening package fades, and the atmosphere changes. After three prelim finishes, the main card begins with a matchup that promises a different kind of violence. A former title challenger with a reputation for explosive aggression against a versatile opponent capable of dragging a fight into deep water. Johnny Laws, Philadelphia’s hard nosed southpaw, enters as the #4-ranked contender in the lightweight division. Trevor Martin, the #9-ranked contender from Boulder, Colorado, walks into a difficult assignment. Martin has the conditioning and grappling to make this competitive over fifteen minutes, but his tendency to start slowly could prove costly against a fighter who wastes little time getting after his opponents. When the introductions finish, Laws is already bouncing on his toes, shoulders loose, eyes fixed on Martin. Martin looks composed, but he knows the danger waiting across the cage. The crowd rises as the main card is underway.

ROUND ONE: Laws takes the center behind his southpaw stance and starts throwing with bad intentions. A right jab occupies Martin’s guard before a straight left splits it, forcing the Colorado fighter to retreat toward the fence. Martin attempts to establish his kicking game, but Laws steps inside a body kick and answers with a heavy left hook that catches him behind the ear. The crowd explodes. Martin tries to settle into his rhythm with lateral movement, but Laws cuts him off rather than chasing. A right hook to the body opens another lane upstairs, and a straight left sends Martin stumbling backward. Laws swarms with a flurry of punches, forcing Martin to cover up and clinch. Martin reaches for an underhook, hoping to slow the assault, but Laws digs short uppercuts into the body before separating. Midway through the round, Martin attempts a reactive double leg. Laws initially sprawls, then uses an overhook to stay upright and punishes the entry with a knee to the body. Martin abandons the shot, visibly frustrated. Every time he tries to create space, Laws crashes forward behind another combination. The most damaging sequence arrives late in the round. Laws lands a left hook-right hand combination, then follows with a straight left that drops Martin to a knee. The arena is deafening. Martin scrambles upright, refusing to give the referee a reason to intervene, but Laws is waiting with another barrage. Martin survives by tying up and forcing a brief clinch. When they separate, Laws lands one final clean left hand before the horn. Martin returns to his corner breathing hard, his face already marked by the opening onslaught. Laws walks back with a confident swagger, convinced he has made his statement.

ROUND TWO: Martin comes out with a different look. Rather than standing directly in front of Laws, he circles away from the southpaw’s power hand and begins attacking the lead leg with low kicks. It’s a sensible adjustment to make Laws reset, disrupt his base, and stop allowing the Philadelphia fighter to plant his feet for combinations. For the first time, Martin starts putting together offense of his own. A right kick to the body lands cleanly, followed by a jab and a straight right that catches Laws entering. The crowd responds with a roar as Martin finally makes the former title challenger respect his offense. Laws remains dangerous, though, and his power continues to shape the round. He slips a right hand and answers with a left hook, then pressures Martin into a short exchange along the fence. Martin tries to turn the corner into a clinch, briefly securing a body lock, but Laws fights for underhooks and breaks free with a hard uppercut on the separation. Midway through, Martin shoots another takedown, this time connecting his hands around the hips. Laws widens his base and fights the grip, eventually peeling Martin’s hands apart. The crowd applauds the defensive effort, and Laws responds with a sharp left hand as they disengage. Martin’s composure is improving. He’s no longer rushing into the pocket, and his kicks are beginning to accumulate, but Laws still lands the cleaner, heavier punches whenever they trade. A late combination forces Martin to retreat, and Laws finishes the round advancing behind a stiff right jab and a thunderous straight left. Martin has recovered some ground, but Laws’ aggression and heavier connections potentially give him another round. The former title challenger returns to his stool likely ahead on the scorecards, while Martin’s corner urges him to keep building on the adjustments that finally started working.

ROUND THREE: The final round begins with Martin looking like a fighter who has finally solved part of the puzzle. His footwork is sharper, his breathing remains controlled, and he is no longer giving Laws the stationary target that made the opening round so punishing. Martin starts with a low kick, steps outside the straight left, and lands a right cross to the body. Laws answers with a hook, but Martin slips away and fires a counter combination before circling out. The crowd is fully invested now, reacting to every shift in momentum. Laws continues pressing forward, but the explosive bursts are coming with longer pauses between them. Martin uses that hesitation to attack the body and legs, then threatens a level change whenever Laws plants his feet. A well timed double leg finally puts Laws down near the fence. Martin establishes top position and lands short punches while Laws works to recover guard. Laws scrambles back to his feet, using the fence and an underhook to stand. Martin stays attached long enough to land a knee before they separate. The exchange gives Martin a surge of confidence, and he starts taking more initiative in the striking. With ninety seconds remaining, Martin lands a right hand that snaps Laws’ head back. Laws responds with a heavy left hook, reminding everyone that the danger remains, but Martin absorbs it and fires back with a combination to the head and body. The arena rises as both men trade in the pocket. Laws lands the more dramatic single punch in the closing seconds, but Martin strings together the more consistent sequence, finishing with a body kick and a right cross before the final horn.

Martin raises his arms, knowing he has finished strongly. Laws nods toward him and heads to his corner, bruised but composed. The late surge belongs to Martin, but the damage Laws inflicted earlier has left a substantial mountain to climb. The fighters stand together in the center of the cage, both wearing the signs of fifteen minutes of punishing action. Martin has his hand on his hips, breathing steadily. Laws bounces lightly, trying to project confidence while awaiting the verdict. The announcer reads the scorecards and Laws gets his hand raised. The crowd rewards both fighters with a sustained ovation. He dominated the opening round, did enough to edge the second, and weathered Martin’s late momentum to secure the decision. Martin deserves credit for the adjustments and his third round response, but the early damage proved decisive. For Laws, this is a valuable win over a dangerous opponent and a reminder that his power can dictate a fight even when his technique isn’t always polished. For Martin, the comeback in the final round offers something to build on, even if the slow start ultimately cost him. After three first round finishes in the prelims, the main card opener delivers a different kind of spectacle. Fifteen minutes of momentum swings, hard exchanges, and a veteran contender doing just enough to keep his place among the division’s top tier names.

Winner: Johnny Laws by Unanimous Decision

Statistics: Johnny Laws
Punches 58/112 (52%)
Kicks 7/15 (47%)
Clinch strikes 5/9 (56%)
Takedowns 0/1 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 3/5 (60%)
Time on the ground 42 s

Statistics: Trevor Martin
Punches 34/79 (43%)
Kicks 14/27 (52%)
Clinch strikes 3/7 (43%)
Takedowns 1/5 (20%)
GnP strikes 6/11 (55%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 5/7 (71%)
Time on the ground 42 s

BODIE SULLIVAN: “Welcome back, folks. UGP 79 rolls on from the beautiful Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, where the fans have been treated to an outstanding night of action thus far. The opening bout of the main card delivered a competitive start to this next chapter of the evening. Johnny Laws gets his hand raised over Trevor Martin, taking home a unanimous decision victory.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “A fight that goes the distance like that is a good reminder that not every fight has to end with a dramatic finish to matter. Laws got the job done, and now the focus shifts to a main card that’s going to give us plenty more to dig into as the night unfolds.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “And while the action continues here in California, the Big 4 is preparing for another championship night south of the border. In November, Campeonato de Lucha Azteca brings us CLA Noche de Combates 16, live from the Royal Center in Bogotá, Colombia. The bantamweight championship headlines the event as newly crowned champion Magdalena Moruga prepares for her first title defense against fellow former Union GP fighter, Tatiana Ruiz.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “That’s an interesting first defense for Moruga. Winning the championship is one thing, now she has to show she can hold on to it against someone who’s familiar with the Union GP level of competition. Ruiz has an opportunity to make an immediate statement of her own, and that makes this a meaningful matchup for both women.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “Now let’s take a look around the Intuit Dome, where our crowd camera has picked out a familiar face in the Union GP welterweight division, Robin Kelson! The former welterweight title challenger is currently ranked #2 in the division, and just recently broke through as the #10-ranked middleweight after his win over Reggie James. He’s the first fighter in Union GP history to hold rankings in two divisions simultaneously.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “That’s a pretty unique distinction, and it tells you something about the range of competition Kelson has taken on. He’s a member of 2025 Gym of the Year Holmes MMA and Wrestling Academy, and tonight he’s simply here as a fan to enjoy the fights. Although, when you’re ranked that highly, I imagine it’s difficult not to watch a matchup and start thinking about where you might fit into the picture.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “Perhaps he has his eye on one of the two middleweight tilts we have coming your way right now. So with that, let’s direct ourselves back to the octagon, where an undefeated prospect looks to take another step toward title contention against a seasoned veteran who’s still chasing that elusive championship opportunity. KJ Lindsay comes in at a perfect 8-0, armed with a powerful kickboxing arsenal. Standing opposite him, Deebo Briggs, a longtime veteran of this division, looking to put a serious dent in that unblemished record and keep his own title aspirations alive.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “This is a classic test of a prospect’s progress. Lindsay has yet to taste defeat, and his kickboxing gives him a clear weapon to build around, but Briggs has been around long enough to understand what it takes to make a promising fighter uncomfortable. The question is whether Lindsay can impose his striking game against that experience, or whether Briggs can disrupt his rhythm and turn this into the kind of fight that favors a veteran.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “Both men have something to prove as the middleweight division continues to take shape. Lindsay versus Briggs is next!”

The opening main card bout delivered fifteen minutes of hard nosed action, but the second matchup promises something far more unpredictable. Undefeated Australian prospect KJ Lindsay has arrived in Los Angeles with a reputation for devastating striking and the ambition to climb the middleweight rankings. Standing across from him is Deebo Briggs, the seasoned Memphis veteran whose boxing, composure, and jiu-jitsu make him a dangerous opponent for anyone. The crowd welcomes Lindsay with the excitement reserved for an emerging star, but Briggs receives a respectable response of his own. There is a quiet confidence in the veteran’s walk, a man who has seen enough young prospects come charging through the door to understand that potential means very little once the cage closes. Lindsay bounces on his toes, throwing loose practice combinations as he approaches the center. Briggs watches carefully from his southpaw stance, hands low, ready to punish any mistake. The middleweights touch gloves and the chaos begins.

ROUND ONE: Lindsay starts aggressively, stepping forward behind a right hand and immediately looking to unleash his power. But his punches are arriving without much disguise, and Briggs sees them coming. The veteran slips outside a looping right, counters with a straight left, and follows with a right hook that catches Lindsay before he can reset. The crowd reacts sharply as Briggs demonstrates the difference between throwing hard and creating openings. Lindsay continues to press, but his head remains almost stationary as he advances. Briggs exploits that vulnerability with straight punches down the middle, pivoting away before the Australian can answer. A left cross snaps Lindsay’s head back, and Briggs adds a hook to the body before escaping another wild exchange. The veteran is beginning to look comfortable. Lindsay’s frustration becomes visible in his increasingly hurried attacks, while Briggs grows more confident slipping punches and returning fire. A particularly clean counter left draws a roar from the crowd, and Lindsay responds by charging forward with a combination that mostly catches air. Then, with less than a minute remaining, Lindsay finally changes the equation. He begins the sequence with a right hand, forcing Briggs to raise his guard. As Briggs braces for the follow up punches, Lindsay shifts his weight and whips his left leg high toward the head. The kick arrives around the guard and crashes into Briggs’s temple. The impact is immediate and frightening. Briggs staggers sideways, his legs momentarily betraying him. The crowd erupts as Lindsay surges forward, throwing a right hand and a left hook in an attempt to finish the fight. Briggs stumbles toward the fence, desperately covering up, but his experience saves him. He clinches briefly, turns away from the incoming fire, and buys himself enough time to recover. The horn sounds with Briggs still upright, though visibly shaken. Lindsay returns to his corner with renewed confidence, having nearly erased several minutes of difficult striking exchanges with one perfectly timed kick. Briggs had been controlling much of the round, but that final sequence changes the conversation. The veteran has landed the more consistent boxing, yet Lindsay has delivered the most damaging moment of the round.

ROUND TWO: Lindsay emerges for the second round with a noticeably different approach. Rather than rushing into range, he begins using feints and measured steps to draw reactions from Briggs. He threatens the right hand, shifts his weight, and follows with a low kick that lands cleanly against the lead leg. The adjustment is subtle but important. Lindsay is finally making Briggs defend multiple possibilities instead of simply reacting to incoming power. Briggs remains dangerous, though. He slips a straight right and answers with a sharp left cross, then adds a hook to the body as Lindsay tries to retreat. The veteran’s boxing remains precise, and every time Lindsay becomes careless, Briggs finds a way to make him pay. Despite that, the Aussie is now setting the pace. A right hand to the body opens the guard, allowing Lindsay to connect with a left hook upstairs. Briggs absorbs the shot and fires back, producing a lively exchange that brings the crowd to its feet. Neither man gives ground willingly. Midway through the round, Lindsay lands a right cross followed by a left hook, then finishes with a low kick as Briggs circles away. The veteran attempts to counter with a straight left, but Lindsay slips just enough to avoid the cleanest part of the blow and answers with another combination. Briggs tries to slow things down by stepping into a clinch, but Lindsay works short punches inside before separating. The exchange costs both men energy, and the pace begins to ebb slightly as the round progresses. In the closing minute, Briggs lands a clean left hand that reminds Lindsay the danger has not disappeared. Lindsay responds with a sharp combination to the head and body, then drives Briggs backward with a right hand. The veteran stays composed, but Lindsay finishes the round looking like the man dictating the terms. The horn brings a loud reaction from the crowd. Lindsay has made the necessary adjustments, mixing his attacks and showing more patience. Briggs remains competitive, but the momentum appears to have shifted toward the undefeated prospect.

ROUND THREE: The final round opens with Lindsay carrying that momentum forward. His footwork is more deliberate now, and he is choosing his moments instead of throwing himself into every exchange. Briggs circles cautiously, looking for the counter left that served him so well early in the fight, but Lindsay is no longer offering the same stationary target. Lindsay feints with his lead hand, draws Briggs’s attention high, and suddenly unleashes a heavy overhand right. The punch lands flush, and Briggs drops to the canvas. The arena explodes. Lindsay moves forward to capitalize, but Briggs reacts instinctively. Still visibly hurt, he dives at the hips in a desperate takedown attempt. Lindsay sprawls hard, initially stuffing the shot, yet Briggs refuses to disengage. The veteran keeps driving, changes direction, and scrambles around the legs until he manages to pull Lindsay down with him. The momentum swing is startling. One moment, Lindsay appears close to a stoppage. The next, Briggs is working from a dominant top position. Briggs settles into half guard, using his weight to limit Lindsay’s movement. The Aussie attempts to frame against the neck and recover guard, but Briggs gradually advances, landing short punches while searching for a tighter position. The crowd’s roar becomes a tense, sustained rumble as Lindsay finds himself defending rather than attacking. Late in the round, Briggs isolates Lindsay’s head and nearside arm, sliding into an arm triangle choke. He angles his body, squeezes his shoulder into Lindsay’s neck, and works to cut off the blood supply. Lindsay immediately recognizes the danger and fights to create space, trying to turn onto his side and relieve the pressure. Briggs tightens the choke. Lindsay’s face reddens as he struggles to keep his posture, and the crowd rises with every passing second. The veteran’s expression is grimly determined, he can feel the opportunity to turn a close fight into a spectacular submission victory. Lindsay refuses to give in. He fights the position, shifts his hips, and keeps working to survive, even as the choke grows tighter. The final seconds seem to stretch forever. Then the horn sounds. Briggs releases the hold, and Lindsay rolls onto his side, taking deep breaths as the referee checks on him. Briggs rises slowly, exhausted but visibly frustrated that he ran out of time. Lindsay has survived, but the veteran has made the final round a nightmare.

The crowd responds with a standing ovation for both men. Lindsay raises a weary arm, while Briggs shakes his head, knowing how close he came to stealing the fight. Both fighters stand in the center of the cage, battered and exhausted. Lindsay’s corner is animated, confident that the Australian’s striking work in the first two rounds has secured the victory. Briggs stands quietly, breathing heavily, his expression revealing the frustration of a late rally that nearly changed everything. The judges deliver their verdict and Lindsay remains undefeated, but he leaves the cage with a valuable lesson about the dangers of recklessness against a seasoned opponent. His striking power nearly ended the fight in both the first and third rounds, while his improved patience helped him take control during the second. Yet Briggs’s late arm triangle attempt exposed just how quickly a fight can turn when a dangerous grappler finds the right position. For Briggs, the defeat is heartbreaking. He boxed intelligently early, survived a devastating head kick, and nearly secured a dramatic submission in the final round. He may not have gotten his hand raised, but he has demonstrated that he remains a serious threat to the division’s rising contenders. For Lindsay, the split decision represents more than another victory. It is a test survived, a difficult opponent overcome, and an important step in the development of an undefeated prospect with the power to change a fight in an instant. The crowd applauds as both men embrace. Two main card bouts have delivered wildly different contests, and the atmosphere inside the Intuit Dome continues to intensify.

Winner: KJ Lindsay by Split Decision

Statistics: KJ Lindsay
Punches 48/96 (50%)
Kicks 11/22 (50%)
Clinch strikes 4/8 (50%)
Takedowns 0/1 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 2/4 (50%)
Time on the ground 62 s

Statistics: Deebo Briggs
Punches 42/87 (48%)
Kicks 2/5 (40%)
Clinch strikes 3/6 (50%)
Takedowns 1/4 (25%)
GnP strikes 8/13 (62%)
Submissions 1/2 (50%)
Clinch Attempts 3/5 (60%)
Time on the ground 62 s

BODIE SULLIVAN: “Back with you live from the Intuit Dome for UGP 79! LA has rolled out the red carpet for Union Grand Prix all week long, and tonight, the fans tonight are making their presence felt! If you’re just joining us, we most recently saw ranked middleweights go to the scorecards, with KJ Lindsay preserving his undefeated record by way of a hard fought split decision over the veteran Deebo Briggs in a contest that had the judges working right down to the wire.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “Those are the kinds of fights that can tell you a lot about a competitor. Lindsay came in undefeated, and now he’s got a win over a veteran who was looking to make his own push toward title contention. A split decision isn’t always the most definitive statement, but it’s another important result for Lindsay as he continues to build his résumé.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “And while the action continues to heat up here in LA, our Big 4 Mid-Major Alliance partners continue to deliver championship stakes across the pond. Coming up in November, Euro Fight Circuit presents Euro FC 24 from the Topsportcentrum in Almere, Netherlands. The lightweight championship headlines the card, as reigning champion Liam McCarthy puts his title on the line against former Union GP fighter Andrei Kozlov. McCarthy has become the face of Euro FC, and he’ll look to add another successful defense.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “McCarthy has become synonymous with Euro FC, and that’s a valuable position to be in. However, being the face of a promotion also means that everyone wants to be the one who takes you out. Kozlov has an opportunity to disrupt that momentum, and McCarthy has another chance to show why he’s the man to beat in that division.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “Now, let’s check in with our crowd cam, which has found a true pioneer of Union GP in the house tonight. That’s Lauren Moore, a member of the Union GP Hall of Fame Class of 2024, the inaugural bantamweight champion, and one of the original fighters signed when this promotion first got started. The Irvine, California native remains a fan favorite in this city, and tonight she’s here to enjoy the action from the other side of the cage.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “Lauren is one of those names that carries a lot of history around here. She was part of Union GP from the very beginning, and being the inaugural champion is something that never leaves your résumé. It’s great to see a fighter who’s given so much to the promotion come out and enjoy the fights as a fan.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “Now, back to the octagon, where we’ve got another middleweight matchup on deck, and this one features two former title challengers looking to work their way back into the championship conversation. Nyles Stephens brings an excellent boxing game, durability, and impressive agility into this contest. Across from him stands Venus Sagapolutele, a longtime veteran gatekeeper with world class kickboxing and the endurance to make opponents work from the opening bell through the final round.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “The striking contrast is really what stands out to me here. Stephens has the boxing and movement to create opportunities with his hands, but Sagapolutele’s kickboxing gives her more weapons to work with at range. And that endurance matters, especially if this turns into a prolonged striking battle. Stephens needs to find his openings and make his boxing count, while Sagapolutele will be looking to use that broader kicking game to control the distance and dictate the terms of the fight.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “Two former title challengers with two very different striking arsenals, in a middleweight division where every meaningful win can change the conversation. Nyles Stephens versus Venus Sagapolutele is coming up next!”

The atmosphere inside the Intuit Dome takes on a different edge as two former middleweight title challengers make their way toward the octagon, each carrying unfinished business in a division that has never been short on hungry contenders. But tonight, the reception could hardly be more different. Venus Sagapolutele is home. The Los Angeles native walks out to a deafening ovation, the crowd rising to its feet as she makes her way down the aisle. Every step brings another wave of cheers, another eruption from the fans who have followed her journey and believe she has what it takes to climb back into title contention. Then comes Nyles Stephens. The former title challenger receives a markedly different welcome. The boos begin almost immediately and follow him all the way to the cage, growing louder with every step. Stephens barely acknowledges the hostility. His expression remains cold, his eyes fixed on the octagon. One fighter has the city behind her. The other has to silence it. Both know how close they have come to the top, but with the middleweight title picture waiting to take shape, only one can leave Los Angeles with real momentum toward another shot. It’s time to find out who captures the moment.

ROUND ONE: Stephens came out in his orthodox stance with his hands high and his weight settled behind his lead foot, looking to turn the fight into a boxing match. Sagapolutele had other ideas. The Los Angeles native took the center of the cage, probing with her jab before whipping a right low kick into Stephens’ lead leg. The thud carried through the Intuit Dome, and she followed with a hard body kick that forced the former title challenger to tighten his elbows. Stephens tried to close the distance behind his jab, but Sagapolutele’s footwork kept her just beyond his best punching range. She slipped his first right hand and answered with a sharp left hook before digging another kick into his ribs. Stephens was absorbing damage, but his eyes remained fixed on her shoulders, searching for the tell that would let him time his way inside. At the halfway mark, he finally found an opening. A jab drew Sagapolutele’s guard high, and Stephens stepped through with a heavy right hand that snapped her head back. The crowd roared. He pressed forward with a left hook to the body and another right upstairs, forcing her to retreat toward the fence. Sagapolutele stayed composed, pivoting off the cage and punishing his lead leg whenever he reset. In the closing seconds, she landed a clean head kick that Stephens partially caught on his forearm, then escaped a brief pocket exchange before the horn. Venus had the cleaner variety, but Stephens had reminded everyone that one punch could change everything.

ROUND TWO: Stephens returned to his corner with a plan that looked less like a concession to Sagapolutele’s kicking game and more like a decision to take it away. He advanced behind a compact guard, feinting the jab to draw her counter and stepping inside before she could extend her hips. Sagapolutele opened with another low kick, but Stephens checked it and answered with a stiff jab-right hand combination. The second punch landed flush, and the crowd surged to its feet. Sagapolutele tried to reclaim distance with a front kick to the body, but Stephens swatted it aside and drove forward with a left hook to the ribs. He followed with a right hand over the top. Venus’ head snapped sideways, and she stumbled a step toward the fence. She was still dangerous, firing a sharp right kick as Stephens came forward, but he took it on the arm and refused to give her room to reset. Then Stephens found the sequence he had been hunting. He feinted low, brought Sagapolutele’s elbows down, and ripped a right hand upstairs. As she tried to circle away, he cut off the angle and landed a left hook followed by a crushing right cross. Sagapolutele’s legs dipped. She tried to answer with a wide counter, but Stephens slipped outside it and unloaded another combination, forcing her backward against the fence. Stephens stayed balanced rather than rushing recklessly, ripping the body before returning upstairs. Sagapolutele covered and attempted to clinch, but Stephens broke free with a short uppercut and a final barrage of punches. Sagapolutele could no longer intelligently defend herself, and the referee stepped between them.

The building nearly rioted as Stephens raised his arms, having turned a tactical adjustment into a decisive finish. Stephens stood breathing hard, his face marked by the kicks he had absorbed, but his expression was one of vindication. He had survived Sagapolutele’s best work, narrowed the range, and made his boxing count when the opening appeared. Sagapolutele was disappointed but upright, receiving respectful applause from her hometown crowd. For Stephens, a former title challenger ranked near the top of the division, the second round stoppage was the kind of emphatic statement that keeps a contender firmly in the championship conversation.

Winner: Nyles Stephens by TKO (Punches) at 4:06 Round 2

Statistics: Nyles Stephens
Punches 34/58 (59%)
Kicks 1/2 (50%)
Clinch strikes 2/3 (67%)
Takedowns 0/1 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 1/2 (50%)
Time on the ground 0 s

Statistics: Venus Sagapolutele
Punches 15/34 (44%)
Kicks 12/21 (57%)
Clinch strikes 0/1 (0%)
Takedowns 0/0 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/1 (0%)
Time on the ground 0 s

BODIE SULLIVAN: “Back with you live for UGP 79 from the entertainment capital of the world, Los Angeles, California! The atmosphere inside the Intuit Dome continues to build as we get set to enter the championship block of the night. Before the break, we watched Nyles Stephens get it done against Venus Sagapolutele in the second round. A strong result for Stephens as he looks to work his way back into the title conversation.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “Sagapolutele is a tough opponent to put away, so for Stephens to find that finish in the second round? That’s a confidence builder, especially against a seasoned veteran who’s seen it all in the cage.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “Looking ahead, Union GP takes another bitter rivalry to the international stage this November, as Boss Fight 65 lands at the O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic. At the center of it all, a bantamweight trilogy with no shortage of bad blood between Milana Radek and Sky Sakarya. Radek edged the first encounter by split decision, despite having points deducted. But the rematch ended in controversy, as Radek continued unloading ground and pound strikes after the referee intervened, resulting in a disqualification. Now, the rivalry comes full circle in Radek’s hometown. Three fights to settle the score, and with so much history between them, there’s no telling how this one ends.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “Radek absolutely has the tools to win this fight, but the question is whether she can keep her emotions from getting the best of her. We’ve seen how heated this rivalry can get, and that’s something she has to manage just as carefully as any part of her game plan. For Sakarya, the opportunity is right there, to walk into Radek’s hometown, silence that crowd, and prove she can get the better of her once and for all. You couldn’t ask for much more from a trilogy.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “As the action continues to unfold in the octagon, let’s not forget about the star studded spectators in the crowd tonight. As you can see, we’ve got the Union GP fan favorite Serenity Holmes in the building! A former bantamweight title challenger and the 2024 Prospect of the Year, Holmes is a member of Holmes MMA and Wrestling Academy and has undoubtedly become the unofficial face of the camp recognized as 2025’s Gym of the Year. The Houston native is here tonight to enjoy the action from the other side of the cage.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “Serenity’s been part of some pretty big moments in this promotion, so she knows exactly what these fighters are going through tonight. And now she gets to enjoy the fights without having to worry about making weight, which, let’s be honest, is a pretty nice change of pace. But I’m sure she’s got her eye on that main event. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s already thinking about what it might take to get another shot at CC Flynn down the road.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “No question about it, KC. But before we get to our main event, let’s turn our attention to the co-main event, five rounds scheduled for the Union GP lightweight championship. Reigning champion Marcela Vargas meets former champion 2Face Rodríguez in a highly anticipated rematch. Vargas took the first meeting in her home country Brazil, but the setting shifts to Los Angeles, where Rodríguez will have the benefit of fighting in front of his hometown crowd. It’s also the city where he captured the championship against Hall of Famer Paige Holloway back at UGP 42, and you can bet the house that this crowd will be firmly behind 2Face Rodríguez.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “I think this fight really comes down to range management. Vargas has that aggressive Muay Thai game and some serious power in her hands, but Rodríguez is so dangerous once he gets you into the clinch. He’s comfortable fighting in the phone booth, where you don’t have much room to work. So for Vargas, it’s about mixing things up, keeping him guessing, and making him work to close that distance. The challenge is doing that consistently over five rounds, because eventually, Rodríguez is going to find his opportunities.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “The championship is on the line, the rematch is here, and Los Angeles is ready to see how this rivalry unfolds. Marcela Vargas versus 2Face Rodríguez, five rounds for the lightweight title. Stay with us, because our co-main event is coming up next!”

The commotion inside the Intuit Dome takes on a different complexion when 2Face Rodríguez makes his way toward the cage. This is his city, the place where he captured the lightweight championship against Paige Holloway at UGP 42. The reception is deafening, a sea of supporters convinced that the former king is about to reclaim what once belonged to him. Next comes Marcela Vargas, the aggressive southpaw from São Paulo who already owns a unanimous decision victory over Rodríguez from their first meeting at Boss Fight 58 in her home country Brazil. Tonight, however, there is nowhere to hide behind hometown advantage or a three round scorecard. Five rounds are scheduled, and this time, the championship is on the line. Rodríguez has the speed, defensive instincts, and punishing clinch game to make this a difficult night for the champion. Vargas brings relentless pressure, sharp Muay Thai, and the willingness to walk through fire to finish a fight. Their first encounter went the distance. The question now is whether Rodríguez can make the adjustments necessary to reverse the result, or whether Vargas can weather his best weapons long enough to break him. The referee brings them together. Final instructions. A touch of gloves. Vargas settles into her southpaw stance, eyes fixed on Rodríguez. The former champion bounces lightly on the balls of his feet, loose and composed. The opening round is underway.

ROUND ONE: Rodríguez establishes the range early, fighting from his southpaw stance with a springy karate influence in his footwork. He circles away from Vargas’ left hand, drawing her forward before snapping out a straight left and whipping a right hook toward the body. The champion refuses to be discouraged. She advances behind a stiff jab, then fires her own left cross, forcing Rodríguez to evade rather than return fire. The first major exchange comes midway through the round. Vargas backs Rodríguez toward the fence with a combination to the head and body, but the former champion pivots off the cage and catches her charging with a clean left hand. The impact draws a roar from his hometown crowd. Vargas absorbs it and immediately marches forward again. They collide in the clinch, where Rodríguez’s strength becomes apparent. He controls an underhook, lands short knees to the thigh and body, and turns Vargas against the fence. She answers with a hard knee of her own before they separate. In the closing seconds, Vargas lands a chopping left hook, but Rodríguez slips the follow up and counters. It’s a competitive opening round, with the champion’s pressure meeting the challenger’s precision.

ROUND TWO: Vargas comes out determined to make Rodríguez work at a pace he cannot comfortably dictate. She cuts off the cage rather than following him, stepping across his escape routes and attacking with left straights to the head and right hooks to the ribs. Rodríguez remains elusive, rolling beneath the heavier punches and countering with crisp combinations whenever Vargas overcommits. A sharp exchange produces the round’s biggest moment. Rodríguez lands a clean left hand that snaps Vargas’ head backward, then follows with a right hook as she retreats. The LA crowd erupts, sensing a shift in the championship fight. Vargas steadies herself, fires back with a hard combination, and refuses to give him the satisfaction of seeing her retreat. The champion changes levels beneath Rodríguez’s next counter and drives through a double leg takedown. The former champ’s takedown defense fails him, and he lands on his back with Vargas settling into half guard. She delivers short punches to the body and head while Rodríguez frames against her neck, trying to create space. Vargas briefly threatens a head and arm choke, but Rodríguez scrambles to his knees and works back to standing. They finish trading left hands, both visibly energized by the exchange. Rodríguez has enjoyed the cleaner counters, but Vargas has demonstrated a route to exploiting his vulnerability on the ground.

ROUND THREE: The third begins with Rodríguez reclaiming the center of the cage, his movement still sharp despite the physical demands of the opening ten minutes. He feints the left hand, draws Vargas into a defensive shell, then attacks with a fast left straight followed by a right hook to the body. Vargas answers with a powerful left cross, but Rodríguez slips outside the punch and clips her with a counter that forces her to reset. The champ’s aggression begins to carry a cost. Her breathing is heavier, and her combinations are becoming wider. Rodríguez recognizes the opening and starts punishing her entries with short, compact strikes. When Vargas presses him against the fence, he welcomes the clinch, digging underhooks into her frame and unleashing brutal knees to the body. One lands cleanly beneath the ribs, bringing a wince from the champion and a thunderous response from the crowd, but Vargas has an answer. She frames against Rodríguez’s collarbone, creates just enough separation, and drives a left elbow across his guard. The LA product staggers half a step before recovering and firing back. The final minute becomes a tense exchange of power shots. Rodríguez’s counters are cleaner, but Vargas’ attacks are heavier. Neither gives ground willingly, and the horn arrives amid a roar that suggests the championship could be slipping either way.

ROUND FOUR: Vargas returns to her corner breathing hard, but there is no hesitation when the championship rounds begin. She knows Rodríguez has been winning stretches with his speed and counters, so she stops chasing his head and attacks the body. A right hook digs into the ribs, followed by a left straight upstairs. Rodríguez circles away, but his footwork is less crisp now, and the champion begins closing the exits. Rodríguez fires back with a sharp combination, catching Vargas with a left hand that briefly halts her advance. She absorbs the blow, answers with a punishing left cross, and follows with a right hook to the body. Rodríguez retreats toward the fence, where Vargas traps him with a knee in the clinch and a short elbow on the break. With the round winding down, the tide turns decisively. Vargas crowds Rodríguez with a relentless flurry, landing a left hook, a straight left, and another heavy shot to the body. Rodríguez attempts to counter, but his punches have lost their snap. Vargas connects with a clean left hand that buckles his legs and sends him stumbling toward the fence. The Intuit Dome explodes. Vargas pours forward, landing punches as Rodríguez tries desperately to cover up and circle away. She catches him with another left, forcing him down to his hands and knees. Vargas follows him to the canvas and unleashes a series of unanswered ground and pound punches. Rodríguez tries to turn onto his side and cover his head, but he cannot mount a meaningful defense. The referee dives between them and it’s over.

Vargas springs away from the fallen challenger, roaring as her corner rushes into the cage. The champion has survived Rodríguez’s speed, his counters, and his punishing clinch game, and then broke him with the very pressure that threatened to exhaust her. Rodríguez remains seated against the fence, while the hometown crowd is in an uproar. Marcela Vargas retained her lightweight championship by fourth round TKO, proving that her first victory over Rodríguez was no fluke. The former champion had his moments, but over a five round championship distance, Vargas’s pressure and finishing instincts ultimately made the difference. The co-main event delivers exactly what a championship rematch should. A former champion threatening to reclaim his throne, a reigning champion forced to overcome adversity, and a finish that changes the course of the division. However, Los Angeles still has one fight left. The bantamweight championship. Another rivalry reignited, a score to settle, and five rounds separating two fighters from their place in Union GP history.

Winner: Marcela Vargas by TKO (Punches) at 4:06 Round 4

Statistics: Marcela Vargas
Punches 63/118 (53%)
Kicks 11/24 (46%)
Clinch strikes 18/29 (62%)
Takedowns 1/3 (33%)
GnP strikes 14/20 (70%)
Submissions 0/1 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 8/13 (62%)
Time on the ground 76 s

Statistics: 2Face Rodríguez
Punches 48/96 (50%)
Kicks 9/20 (45%)
Clinch strikes 15/23 (65%)
Takedowns 0/1 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 6/11 (55%)
Time on the ground 76 s

BODIE SULLIVAN: “We are back from our final station identification break, and the highlights continue here at UGP 79. Before we stepped away, Marcela Vargas put her Union GP lightweight championship on the line against former champion 2Face Rodríguez, defending her title for the second time. And once again, Vargas got the job done, this time in emphatic fashion, finishing Rodríguez in the fourth round to retain the gold. A decisive result in a highly anticipated rematch, and perhaps the final chapter in this rivalry.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “That’s a statement win from Vargas. Rematches can be tricky because both fighters have a much better read of what the other wants to do, but she found a way to get the job done and close the book in the fourth. Rodríguez had his opportunity to change the outcome of their first meeting, but Vargas made sure the championship stayed right where it was.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “And there’s more championship action ahead, but first, let’s look down the road. Union GP returns in November for UGP 80, coming to you from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, with a welterweight championship rematch that brings two familiar names back together. Hall of Famer and reigning champion Byron McCall puts his title on the line against former three-time lightweight champion Jordan Parker.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “Their first meeting ended after three rounds, when McCall earned the victory by doctor stoppage. Now Parker gets another opportunity, and this time, he gets to do it in his hometown of Houston. That’s a meaningful setting for a fighter looking to even the score and take a championship away from one of the sport’s most accomplished names.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “Can’t wait to be there for that milestone event. Mark your calendars, folks! And before we send it back to the octagon for the final time tonight, we have to recognize a very special guest in attendance. Los Angeles native, former Union GP middleweight champion, former Ryūjin FC champion, and now a member of the Union GP Hall of Fame Class of 2026, “The Buzzsaw” Zion Momo’a! A true legend of this sport, enjoying the action tonight from the other side of the cage. Always great to see a Hall of Famer back in the building.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “He’s accomplished so much inside that cage, been a part of some of the biggest moments and rivalries in the history of the sport. A great champion, a deserved Hall of Famer, but tonight, he gets to sit back and enjoy the show as a fan like everybody else. Although, if you’ve competed at the highest level like he did for so many years, I imagine it’s pretty hard not to start analyzing every exchange you see. Great to have Zion with us here in his hometown Los Angeles tonight.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “Now, we shift our focus one last time back to the octagon, because we’re approaching our main event championship contest, and this one comes with a history that neither fighter has forgotten. CC Flynn puts the bantamweight championship on the line against Ciaran Callahan in a five round rematch. Their first meeting came under the Everest MMA banner, where Callahan got his hand raised. Now, with the undisputed title at stake, Flynn has the opportunity to rewrite that ending.”

KAYLA CHAPMAN: “And the stylistic contrast here is really interesting. Flynn wants to keep the work rate high. She’s a volume boxer who can wear opponents down with that constant output, making them defend, reset, and defend again. Her cardio allows her to maintain that pace, and we’ve also seen improvements in her grappling. But Callahan brings a different kind of problem. He’s got a solid boxing foundation from his bareknuckle boxing days, and when he gets his hands on you, he’s a mauling grappler who can make the fight physically exhausting in a hurry. Flynn can’t afford to let her volume become predictable, and Callahan has to be smart about how he enters. If he gets tied up chasing her pressure, he could spend a lot of time defending punches. But if he can get his hands on her consistently, that changes the entire fight.”

BODIE SULLIVAN: “Callahan got the job done the first time around, but tonight, for the sequel, the stakes are considerably higher. Five rounds for the Union GP bantamweight championship, as CC Flynn looks to avenge that loss against Ciaran Callahan early in their careers. One championship hanging in the balance. Live from Los Angeles, the rematch is coming up next!”

The arena is practically shaking before the introductions are even finished. Marcela Vargas retained her lightweight championship in a brutal fourth round stoppage, and now the Intuit Dome is preparing for the fight that has been hanging over this entire event. CC Flynn and Ciaran Callahan, finally meeting again, this time inside the star-spangled Union GP octagon with the undisputed bantamweight championship at stake. Supa enters as a two-time champion, having reclaimed the throne with a split-decision victory over Hall of Famer Marissa Kane. But her second reign has already been directed by unfinished business. Callahan beat her during their time together in Everest MMA, and that defeat has lingered. Flynn demanded this rematch. Tonight, she gets it. Callahan has traveled a long road to this moment. His controversial split decision loss to Kane in his first title fight left him needing another opportunity to prove he belongs among the division’s elite. Now he fights with a chance to defeat an all-time great twice while capturing championship gold in the same night. The tactical contrast is compelling. Flynn’s southpaw boxing, extraordinary defensive reactions, and counterpunching must contend with Callahan’s orthodox pressure, wrestling, and ability to turn a striking exchange into a grinding grappling battle. Mike Dempsey’s voice rolls through the arena. Callahan looks composed, bouncing lightly as the crowd roars. Flynn barely moves, her eyes locked on the man across the cage. The referee signals them forward. The main event is underway.

ROUND ONE: Flynn takes the center immediately, her southpaw stance giving Callahan a different set of angles to solve. She keeps her lead hand active, feinting the jab before firing a straight left down the middle. Callahan moves well, slipping outside and answering with a right hand, but Flynn’s defensive instincts are sharp. She rolls beneath his follow up and counters with a short left hook that lands cleanly. The champion refuses to waste energy chasing him. Instead, she makes Callahan lead, punishing his entries with compact combinations and pivoting away before he can establish a wrestling grip. A double leg attempt midway through the round produces the first real tactical test. Callahan drives forward, but Flynn widens her base, digs for an underhook, and circles off the fence. The crowd roars in response whenever Callahan lands, yet Flynn’s cleaner punching begins to quiet the exchanges. In the closing seconds, she lands a jab, straight left, and a right hook before slipping his desperate counter. Callahan returns to his corner knowing he must find another way inside.

ROUND TWO: Callahan adjusts by pressing forward behind his right hand, attempting to crowd Flynn before she can establish her preferred counterpunching rhythm. He feints high, changes levels, and drives into her hips. Flynn initially stuffs the entry, but Callahan chains into a second attempt, forcing her to fight for underhooks against the fence. The crowd rises as he briefly locks his hands around her waist. Flynn turns her hips and peels away from the grip before Callahan can finish the takedown. As they separate, she catches him with a crisp left cross, then doubles it up with a hook around his guard. Callahan’s head snaps sideways. He answers with a right hand to the body and another level change, but the champion sprawls hard and circles free. The exchanges become increasingly technical. Flynn’s straight punches find the target. Callahan’s power shots occasionally break through, but he struggles to string together clean combinations. Late in the round, Flynn slips a right hand and counters with two quick punches that bring the arena to its feet. Callahan remains dangerous at the end of the round, but Flynn’s precision is making the difference.

ROUND THREE: Callahan comes out with renewed focus, stepping closer behind his jab and looking to disguise the takedown behind his boxing. Flynn anticipates the first level change and sprawls, forcing him to abandon the attempt. She makes him pay with a straight left and a short right hook as he rises. The champion’s timing is excellent, and Callahan is beginning to show frustration at how often she escapes his preferred positions. Still, he finds success in brief bursts. A right hand clips Flynn near the temple, and he follows with a body shot before she can fully reset. She answers with a clean left cross that halts his advance. Neither fighter is dominating every exchange, but Flynn continues to land the sharper combinations. In the final minute, Callahan finally gets his hands locked around her hips. Flynn fights the grip, posts against his shoulder, and twists free before he can put her down. The escape draws a roar from the crowd, while Callahan grimaces and returns to striking. Flynn closes the round with a quick three-punch combination, then circles away from his last right hand. Three rounds are in the can. Flynn has outboxed Callahan and defended the wrestling well, but Callahan has spent the first fifteen minutes gathering data, and he is not finished.

ROUND FOUR: The change is immediate when the championship rounds begin. Callahan abandons the patient pursuit and begins forcing the action, stepping into range behind heavy right hands before dropping levels underneath Flynn’s counters. She catches him with a straight left, but he absorbs it, drives through her hips, and completes a double leg takedown near the fence. The Intuit Dome erupts as the champion hits the canvas for the first time in the fight. Flynn scrambles toward the cage, searching for an underhook, but Callahan keeps his chest heavy and his hips low. He slides into half guard, frees a knee, and begins landing short punches to the body. Flynn frames against his neck and tries to recover guard, but Callahan follows her movement and maintains top position. Every attempted escape costs her energy. She eventually works back to her knees, only for Callahan to drag her down again and land a right hand as she turns. The champion survives, but her corner is shouting urgently now. In the closing seconds, she manages to stand and escape the worst of the pressure. Callahan finishes the round advancing, his confidence surging. For the first time, the challenger has truly imposed his offense.

ROUND FIVE: The fifth and final round begins with Flynn knowing she needs to reclaim the initiative. The fight has been too close for comfort thus far. She opens aggressively, snapping a jab into Callahan’s face and landing a sharp left cross as he advances. For a moment, Supa looks capable of turning the tide, but Callahan walks through the combination and answers with a right hand that forces her backward. He immediately changes levels, wraps his arms around her legs, and drives her to the canvas. This time, Flynn cannot escape quickly. Callahan settles into half guard, works his shoulder across her jaw, and starts punching around her defensive frames. Flynn covers up, then turns toward the fence to build a base. Callahan follows, briefly threatens a choke as she rises, and abandons it when she defends correctly. He returns to body punches and short ground and pound, refusing to let Supa reset. With two minutes remaining, Flynn finally scrambles to her feet. The arena roars as she throws a desperate one-two combination, catching Callahan cleanly and forcing him to retreat half a step, but he immediately ties her up, presses her against the fence, and lands a knee before dragging her down once more. Flynn fights to the final horn, blocking punches and working her way upright in the closing seconds. Callahan is still pressing when the horn sounds. Callahan raises his arms, convinced his late surge has changed everything. Flynn stands exhausted, face marked, but unwavering. The judges will decide whether her early precision outweighs the challenger’s late dominance.

The fighters stand in the center of the cage as the scorecards are collected. Callahan’s supporters are on their feet, roaring for the man who rallied over the championship rounds. Flynn’s corner watches in silence. The champion’s face tells the story of a punishing final ten minutes, but she remains composed as the announcer prepares to read the verdict. The first scorecard is announced. Then the second. The third scorecard confirms it. Unanimous decision for CC Flynn. Supa has retained the bantamweight championship, surviving Callahan’s late wrestling surge to win the rematch and avenge her earlier defeat from her days in Everest MMA. Flynn exhales, closes her eyes for a moment, and raises both arms. Callahan looks stunned, then nods as the result sinks in. He had the stronger championship rounds, but Flynn’s cleaner boxing and defensive work across the first three rounds proved decisive. The Los Angeles crowd delivers a deafening roar, showing respect to the challenger who left it all out there, for the champion who weathered the storm, and appreciation for a five round fight that never truly settled until the final horn. Flynn leaves the Intuit Dome with the gold still around her waist. Callahan leaves without the championship, but carries a performance that demonstrated just how close he came to changing his career once again against another all-time great. The second chapter belongs to Supa, but with the series tied up, a new question is already beginning to emerge. Was this the end of the rivalry, or merely the beginning of one final showdown? The possibility of a trilogy is already looming on the horizon.

Winner: CC Flynn by Unanimous Decision

Statistics: CC Flynn
Punches 112/198 (57%)
Kicks 3/8 (38%)
Clinch strikes 9/17 (53%)
Takedowns 0/0 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 4/9 (44%)
Time on the ground 276 s

Statistics: Ciaran Callahan
Punches 87/179 (49%)
Kicks 2/6 (33%)
Clinch strikes 11/23 (48%)
Takedowns 3/8 (38%)
GnP strikes 28/45 (62%)
Submissions 0/1 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 10/17 (59%)
Time on the ground 276 s