The UFC kicked off a doubleheader Saturday with UFC Fight Night 53 from Stockholm, Sweden on Fight Pass. The main event featured a welterweight battle between Gunnar Nelson and Rick Story, which “The Horror” came out on top in.
Story, who previously bested current UFC champion Johny Hendricks, earned a split decision. He was given the fight on two scorecards, 50-44 and 49-48, while Nelson was awarded one, 48-47. It was the first pro loss for Nelson.
In the co-main event, Max Holloway picked up his fourth consecutive finish since a loss to Conor McGregor, ending the night of Akira Corassani early in the first round. Three of the four main card bouts featured Swedish-born fighters, and all three were stopped.
Holloway and Mike Wilkinson each picked up $50,000 for “Performance of the Night” honors, while Dennis Siver and Charles Rosa were the “Fight of the Night.” They also earned $50,000.
Check out the complete results below:
Rick Story def. Gunnar Nelson via split decision (47-48, 49-46, 50-44)
Max Holloway def. Akira Corassani via TKO (strikes) at 3:11 of Round 1
Jan Blachowicz def. Ilir Latifi via TKO (strikes) at 1:58 of Round 1
Mike Wilkinson def. Niklas Backstrom via KO (strike) at 1:19 of Round 1
Magnus Cedenblad def. Scott Askham via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Nico Musoke def. Alexander Yakovlev via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Dennis Siver def. Charles Rosa via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Cathal Pendred def. Gasan Umalatov via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Krzystof Jotko def. Tor Troeng via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-27)
Mairbek Taisumov def. Marcin Bandel via TKO (strikes) at 1:01 of Round 1
Zubaira Tukhugov def. Ernest Chavez via TKO (strikes) at 4:21 of Round 1