UFC 283 main card results, highlights: Burns subs Magny, Walker TKOs Craig

Stay up to date with what’s happening today with the UFC 283 main card, which is going down from the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

This article will focus on the first-three fights on the main card, which will begin with the UFC’s #9 ranked Light Heavyweight, Paul Craig, taking on the #12 ranked, Johnny Walker. You can expect to see some wacky things going on in this one, and there’s a really good chance of it ending suddenly.

Following that, a possible flyweight title eliminator between the UFC’s #4 ranked, Lauren Murphy, and the promotion’s former strawweight champion, Jéssica Andrade. Murphy has won six of her last seven, and hoping that a victory over another former champ will put her right back in the hunt for a shot at Valentina Shevchenko’s belt. Standing in her way is Andrade, who is a downright force in any division. Her last five wins came by way of finish, and at strawweight and flyweight she has only lost to champions.

Last up we have a top welterweights going at it when the #5 ranked, Gilbert Burns, tussles with the #12 ranked, Neil Magny. Burns is a beast and looking to bounce back from his war with Khamzat Chimaev on home soil. Magny has won three of his last four, but he’s going to have his hands full here.

The early prelims begin at 5:30pm ET/1:00pm, PT, immediately followed by the regular preliminary card. Both broadcasts can be streamed on ESPN+. The PPV main card is slated for 10:00pm ET/7:00pm PT, and can be purchased on ESPN+.

About the author: Eddie Mercado has covered combat sports since 2015. He covers everything from betting odds to live events and fighter interviews. He holds a 1-0 record in pro MMA and holds a purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu. (full bio)

Main card:

Gilbert Burns def. Neil Magny by submission (arm triangle) at 4:15 of round 1: Welterweight

We got some feeling out going on to kick this one off. Both fighters at just outside of range as they made their reads. Magny was the one throwing more volume out there, even if it wasn’t landing. Burns then landed the first takedown attempt that he tried, and then started to work hard to pass the guard. Once in side control, Burns applied some serious shoulder pressure as he waited for him opportunity to take the mount. It wasn’t long before an arm triangle was slapped on, and Magny was tapping out.

Jéssica Andrade def. Lauren Murphy by unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-26): (W) Flyweight

Andrade was working her leg kicks right out of the gate, with very few of them missing. Murphy was pawing with her jab, but the hooks of Andrade were getting through. A short-lived takedown was scored by Murphy, but Andrade wasted no time in returning to open space. Andrade went back to bombing away, with hooks and leg kicks alike, but credit to Murphy for hanging tough.

Murphy went back to pumping her jab to begin the second round, but was still having issues with crisp boxing of Andrade. It was like Andrade could do no wrong out there. Murphy tried to come forward with her own offense, but Andrade was outclassing her. Murphy shot in for the takedown, but Andrade sprawled beautifully to avoid it. The round ended with an explosive flurry from Andrade that caused some serious swelling above the right eye of Murphy.

Murphy again tried to get the fight to the ground in the final round, but the takedown defense of Andrade was on point. The jabs were still flying for Murphy, but they weren’t really doing much damage, especially when compared to the impact that Andrade’s strikes had. With about three-minutes left in the round, Andrade landed a takedown of her own. Murphy threatened with a Kimura, and used the space it created to get up. The rest of the round was pretty much just Andrade battering Murphy without much resistance at all, but somehow this contest went the distance.

Johnny Walker def. Paul Craig by TKO at 2:16 of round 1: Light Heavyweight

Walker opened the bout with a thudding leg kick, followed by both men finding their thing from range. Walker kept chewing up the lead leg of Craig. Then as Craig grabbed a leg, Walker hurt him with a stiff right hand. Craig dove on a single leg, but Walker went into kill-mode with his hammerfists. The beating was only going to get worse from there, so the referee moved in and rescued Craig.