MMA Fighting has Joshua vs. Ngannou results live for the Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou fight card, live blogs for all the title fights, and more from the Freedom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Friday afternoon.
When the main event begins around 6:30 p.m. ET, check out our Joshua vs. Ngannou live round-by-round updates for our live blog of the main event. Anthony Joshua will try to silence the hype train around Francis Ngannou, who will be competing in his second pro fight.
Check out the Joshua vs. Ngannou results below:
Main event:
Anthony Joshua def. Francis Ngannou via TKO (R2, 2:38) (live blog) | Highlights | Reax
Undercard results:
Joseph Parker def. Zhilei Zhang via majority decision (113-113, 114-112, 115-111)
Rey Vargas vs. Nick Ball ruled split draw (114-112 Vargas, 116-110 Ball, 113-113)
Israil Madrimov def. Magomed Kurbanov via fifth-round TKO (2:25)
Mark Chamberlain def. Gavin Gwynne via fourth-round TKO
Justis Huni def. Kevin Lerena via unanimous decision (96-94 x2, 98-92)
Louis Greene def. Jack McGann via first-round TKO (1:29) | Watch finish
Roman Fury def. Martin Svarc via unanimous decision (39-37)
Ziyad Almaayouf def. Christian Lopez Flores via unanimous decision (60-54)
Andrii Novytski def. Juan Torres via third-round TKO (2:43)
Title fights
Israil Madrimov vs. Magomed Kurbanov
Alrighty! It’s been slow going for this even thus far but we’re finally into the top of the card. We get a rendition of the Saudi Arabian national anthem before the walkouts. Two undefeated fighters getting after it. Hopefully it’s fun. Let’s go!
Round 1: Both men out in orthodox. Madrimov takes the center and starts pushing Kurbanov back immediately. Both men with low front hands, and exchanging jabs as Madrimov moves Kurbanov around the ring. Madrimov showing consistent offense right away, lead hands to the head and body. Kurbanov is coiled up for a counter shot but has yet to pull the trigger. Kurbanov lands a left to the body. Then a right hand lead. Madrimov steps in but Kurbanov shells up. Very tactical on both sides. Madrimov still getting his lead hand home and follows with a pair of good right hands. He’s settling in and getting his right hand over Kurbanov’s lead.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Madrimov.
Round 2: Round starts the same with Madrimov getting Kurbanov backed up right from the get go. Kurbanov has attempted a few lead hooks but he keeps whiffing. Kurbanov does start snapping the jab out but Madrimov fires a right over it. He’s found his range very nicely and lands a good combination that gets Kurbanov’s attention. Kurbanov’s lead hand is not finding any landing spot and Madrimov is starting to get his right involved too. He’s faster and brimming with confidence right now. Madrimov lands another left hook. He’s mixing things well right now. Snapping 1-2 lands just before the bell.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Madrimov, 20-18 Madrimov overall.
Round 3: Right back to work to start the third. Madrimov is starting to land these super long jabs to the body. Kurbanov’s offense is slowing and there are no places out there he can feel at ease. He looks a little puzzled as Madrimov combos off again. Oof! Madrimov rips a pair of nasty inside shovel hooks that land flush. Kurbanov eats them but he’s in a pretzel out there, just waiting while Madrimov starts to really tee off. He’s sitting down on these punches and they are ripping now. Kurbanov can’t even land his counters when he does fire back. He needs something new. He’s not even getting cornered as much anymore, but Madrimov is still just taking him to school in there with shot selection.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Madrimov, 30-27 Madrimov overall.
Round 4: The crowd starts clapping as the round starts, but maybe it’s just a famous person? Nothing different is happening. Madrimov is still leading the dance with his jab and following in combination, to the head and body. Kurbanov is throwing single shot returns, when he returns fire at all.
Oh, the commentators inform us that the clapping was for Jose Mourinho. Makes sense.
Kurbanov finally upping his output though. He’s jabbing to the body now instead of exclusively countering. Still not enough combinations but it’s getting him something to build off. He lands a good right hand inside as Kurbanov now is setting his feet and willing to exchange. He’s eating some as a result but he’s landing back now. Easily his best round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Kurbanov, 39-37 Madrimov overall.
Round 5: Kurbanov certainly showing more life here. He’s coming forward some now and he’s committing to exchanges. But he gets tagged with a nice right hand as Madrimov starts forcing him back again. Madrimov doing a bit of dancing now, with a lot of motion. But he steps in and CRACKS Kurbanov with a left hook that gets a reaction. Kurbanov is hurt here and Madrimov steps in to add more but Kurbanov moves, covers and resets. He’s shaking it out but Madrimov smells blood now.
He’s got Kurbanov in the corner and Madrimov starts teeing off. Excellent shot selection in here and Kurbanov tries to get out but Madrimov puts him right back there and OH! Huge overhand right hurts Kurbanov! He’s covering up and Madrimov pouring it on and there’s the stoppage! Brilliant performance from Madrimov!
Official Decision: Israil Madrimov def. Magomed Kurbanov via TKO — 2:25, Round 5.
Rey Vargas vs. Nick Ball
Round 1: Vargas is about eight feet taller than Ball. This looks like a cartoon. Both men out in orthodox and it’ll be interesting to see how Ball navigates the size. Vargas using it early to stick long jabs on the outside. Ball has a plan to beat that and it appears to be not caring. He’s marching forward, leaping into range and past the jab when he wants to initiate offense. Vargas snapping that jab out there though and digs a few to the body as well. He’s getting off well, but Ball smothers the shot and leaps into a hook. Ball having trouble gauging that distance early, but he’ll get there. In the meantime, Vargas is tagging him up with jabs and follow-ups. And he keeps digging to the body nicely.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Vargas.
Round 2: Early clinch leads to a shove down from Ball. Ref waives it off as such and we get right back to the jab of Vargas. Ball starting to up his pressure. He’s getting closer and closer, but Vargas is staying patient himself and getting that jab in the way. Clinch and Vargas lands some rib roasters, while Ball gets a dirty boxing uppercut in.
Vargas starting to land counter right hands as Ball jumps at him. That range is so helpful. But Ball gets inside and lands a good left hand as they clinch up. Ball is showing minimal respect for Vargas’ power and getting inside to roughhouse. Vargas rips a five punch combo that catches hands and Ball is moving him around more now. Good body shot from Vargas. Ball returns fire but he’s coming up just short. Ball is only landing when he’s getting things mucked up inside.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Vargas, 20-18 Vargas overall.
Round 3: With Ball leaping in, Vargas has decided to counter that by stepping in and throwing hard right back. It’s leading to some more clinches and WHOA! They get in a clinch and Ball legitimately hip-tosses Vargas! The referee stops the action to give Ball a warning but that should be a point. This ain’t MMA my guy.
Ball seems a little frustrated in there and Vargas has come alive after that. He’s stepping in and really sitting on his shots. This might be good for Ball long term as Vargas is standing and trading more now. But for a moment he’s eating leather. Vargas keeps working the body too. Another clinch and Vargas trips to the canvas, but it’s not a knockdown. Ball still really struggling to get a rhythm going and Vargas is seeing all of it right now. Good combo from Ball though as Vargas gets lazy. He responds. These two are trading a lot now as Vargas rips a nasty combo just before the end of the round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Vargas, 30-27 Vargas overall.
Round 4: Round 4 starts with Ball chasing Vargas around the ring and missing a bunch. He has no rhythm and clearly frustrated. He’s just charging in here now though. Upping the aggression as a ton and nearly falls through the ropes as Vargas slides off. And then when they get settled, Vargas starts tagging him. It’s a crisp jab and follow up shots from Vargas every time. Mixing in hooks and uppercuts, working the body. It’s beautiful boxing from Vargas who is flowing in there.
Ball is landing even less here as Vargas is seeing the attacks and after the initial charge, Ball slowed. Ball almost shoots a takedown on Vargas and then comes up with a combo but the ref jumps in. Not sure that was legal? It was certainly a creative way to get inside but not a lot is landing.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Vargas, 40-36 Vargas overall.
Round 5: Ball has gotta calm down and do something else. Vargas can do this forever. He’s settled into his range, landing the jab at will and clean counters. He’s also throwing in combination. Ball is jumping and complaining to the ref a fair amount now. Oof. Vargas lands a nifty check hook cleanly as Ball keeps running in.
Ball keeps clinching and trying to land off that but he’s landing one and then it’s broken up. And Vargas can land at will in space. Vargas keeps ripping the body but he eats a left hook as he sat down in the pocket. That gets Vargas moving again and he’s doing quite well with it. Ball is landing but nothing consistent.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Vargas, 50-45 Vargas overall.
Round 6: Hard to write anything new. This fight is on repeat every round. Ball is jumping in, sometimes he hits, sometimes they clinch, often he gets nothing and gets hit. Vargas gets shoved to the canvas again. Then he lands a shot low that gets a break in the action. But Ball restarts and he’s mad! He puts Vargas against the ropes and starts wailing on him. Vargas waving him in. Things getting chippy in there but the fight remains the same, Vargas is landing more, landing cleanly, and in all phases. Vargas is now really chatting in there and when Ball does step in, Vargas takes a knee again. Vargas not doing a lot to keep his feet and he might get warned in there. Ball forcing the issue at the end of the round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Ball, 59-55 Vargas overall.
Round 7: I’m giving that last round to Ball if for no other reason than because Vargas kept taking knees and landed low. And Ball starts this round with a lot of aggression. Vargas on his bike and Ball eats a mean counter that snaps his head. Ball is simply not putting enough offense out there. Clash of heads during a collision and we get a break. But then back to it and Ball lands a right hand. Ball turning it up here and he’s got Vargas in the corner. But he stops throwing and Vargas works his way out.
Vargas very busy in space but not landing cleanly. Now he does, to the body. Except Ball lands! Vargas threw and a NASTY right hand from Ball has Vargas on wobbly legs! Vargas moving away and Ball is charging. Vargas lands a good check hook but Ball keeps coming! Another right hand tags Vargas! He’s on shaky legs and Ball coming at him. Vargas standing his ground now though! He’s firing back and Ball smells his chance. Swinging from both sides and they get really ugly in there before the ref finally separates. Ball lands a hook at the end of the round! He and Vargas goes nose to nose and have to be broken up, but when they are, Vargas is walking on stilts out there.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Ball, 68-65 Vargas overall.
Round 8: Vargas gets his feet underneath him during the break and he comes out throwing straights to the body early. Ball walking forward but not a lot of offense. He finally corners Vargas and then swings hard. Ball is finding a way in behind a high guard and power punches when they get close. Vargas trying to keep him off with the jab and rear hand but Ball finding paths now. Lead left hook lands from Ball and there’s a clinch that again puts Vargas on the mat. Vargas is really milking this with how often he’s knees are on the ground.
Ball feeling himself now and he’s charging in more measured. Vargas moving well and sticking the jab in there. Vargas falls over again but it’s ruled a shove. Vargas is incapable of spending three minutes on his feet. Another clinch and Ball shoves him away, Vargas tries to fall over for a push down but Ball lands a good left hook as he does! Vargas is up but that’s a knockdown just before the bell! Vargas is livid and spits out his mouth guard, swatting it into the crowd. The momentum is completely shifted!
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-8 Ball, 76-75 Vargas overall.
Round 9: Replay shows the knockdown clearly. Ball spins him off him, Vargas holds on, and then Ball lands a hook as Vargas flops. He got burned doing his nonsense.
Less nonsense this round though. Both men biting down and chewing each other up. Ball is pressuring constantly now. But Vargas lands a mean right hand that gets a reaction from Ball. Vargas trying to reestablish the range and lands a nice right as Ball steps in. Ball is relentless though. He’s wading into the danger zone and firing until Vargas moves. And he lands a good left before the round that sends a jolt through Vargas and steals the round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Ball, 85-85 overall.
Round 10: Vargas getting away from his jab now. He’s trying but his pace has slowed. And Ball lands a looping left hook that gets Vargas’ attention again. OH! Huge body shot from Vargas that forces Ball to step back and reset. That one thudded. But Ball gets right back in there. Vargas going back to clinching a bunch now as Ball gets inside. Vargas’s body language is not ideal. Ball just running at him, roughhousing, resetting. Vargas can’t keep him off and Ball is now even getting his jab in there. Vargas slowing some and it’s really getting Ball in a rhythm. Big hooks from Ball. He is pressuring and Vargas’s hands are dropping a bit as he fades.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Ball, 95-94 Ball overall.
Round 11: Ball has stolen all of the momentum and he picks up where he left off. He is pressuring relentlessly now. And he lands a MONSTER right hand as Vargas tries to back him off. Vargas is now getting dragged into a brawl and that’s not great for him. Ball’s gas tank is impressive, especially considering all the body shots he’s taken. Vargas trying to fend him off but Ball just eating space and swinging for the fences.
Vargas starting to get off in this round though. Ball has been charging but Vargas is moving off on angles and landing. NEVERMIND! Ball charges in and a right hook into a right hook puts Vargas on the mat! No question about that knockdown. Vargas is up and he’s frustrated. Vargas lands a hook as Ball keeps pressing but this fight has gotten away from him.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-8 Ball, 105-102 Ball overall.
Round 12: A couple of close rounds in there, but it seems like that Ball has taken over. And he’s coming out with that same pressure but Vargas knows it’s the final round and he’s dumping the tank. A ton of motion and combos from Vargas. Ball coming in and launching when he’s in punching range. Vargas is now avoiding contact as much as he can. The jab has returned but Ball’s pressure is eating the space up. Ball jabbing and punching. He’s trying to press the issue with a minute left. Vargas combo and move, combo and move. Ball is legitimately sprinting at Vargas at points in there. Vargas lead hand to the body but it’s just not doing anything. Vargas worked the body over early and Ball simply won’t be denied. Bully punches from Ball just at the end of the fight and there should be a new champion.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Ball, 115-111 overall.
Official Decision: Rey Vargas and Nick Ball fight to a split draw (114-112, 116-110, 113-113).
Zhilei Zhang vs. Joseph Parker
Co-main event time and this should be fun for as long as it lasts.
Round 1: Zhang out in southpaw to Parker’s orthodox and he looks enormous in there. Zhang takes the center and pawing the lead over Parker’s left. Both men gauging the range, because it only takes one. Not a ton of action in the early going. Parker lands a tentative right to the body, and Zhang responds with a salty left up top that gets Parker to reset. Parker lands his own right and Zhang returns to the body with a left. One a time both ways and very few jabs happening.
Zhang testing the waters with his lead now as Parker circles away. Parker goes to the body. Both men being extremely patient. That makes this tough to score as the round ends without much else happening.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Zhang.
Round 2: Hopefully there’s a knockout because if the whole fight is rounds like that, it’s going to be impossible to score. This round starts the same, with Zhang advancing cautiously, and Parker trying to stick some rear single right hands through the guard. Right to the chest from Parker. Zhang is not throwing much at all this round. Both men are feinting and shifting and waiting.
Parker steps in and Zhang lands a stinging right hand on the inside that may have hurt Parker. He moved away and then looked for a clinch. Hard to see if it was a punch or something else. Zhang crowding Parker now but still holding off on the punches. When he finally fires, Parker ducks under and grabs a clinch. Both men still giving each other a ton of respect as another round ends.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Zhang, 20-18 Zhang overall.
Round 3: Hopefully things will pick up because this has been less than exciting. Zhang takes the center again, but he’s reluctant to let the hands go. Parker slightly more active but not committed. He does dig a good hook to the body. And another. Now a 1-2. but he gets lazy inside and Zhang cracks him with a short hook that gets Parker backing up. Parker jabs to the body. Still very slow paced from both men here.
OH! Zhang catches Parker inbetween with a salty right hand right to the chin and Parker takes a seat! Zhang timed that beautifully and Parker looks stunned. He’s okay, but he did not know that was coming. He beats the count and Zhang now trying to press the issue. Parker has his feet and is moving fine but Zhang lands another right before the bell ends the round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-8 Zhang, 30-26 Zhang overall.
Round 4: Parker seems to be in okay shape, but looks a little rattled mentally. That’s a big man who now knows he can hurt him. And Zhang feeling himself comes out and starts hot this round. Zhang has woken up and he’s starting to jab. And a crisp left hand snaps Parker’s head back. Parker decides to sit down on his own shots to get respect and he does for a moment, but Zhang has confidence in the power and he’s lining that left hand up.
Parker bleeding I think from the nose but he lands a good right hook. Zhang staying on him but Parker is firing back with pep. One strays low though and he gets warned. Zhang waiting a little in here and Parker lands a salty right hand that off-balances Zhang. He seems fine but he got moved. Might have just angered Zhang though pressures in. Annnnd another low blow from Parker. This time he knows it and there’s another warning but we resume for a moment before the round. Good bounce back from Parker.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Parker, 39-36 Zhang overall.
Round 5: Zhang leads off with a good right hook. Parker finds a left to the body. Parker getting a bit predictable with his movements and Zhang finds a short left hook inside. Zhang smothering the lead jab but his offense has really slowed. Parker jabbing a lot more now to the body because the jab up top is getting pawed. Parker with clean work here, staying busy. But he hangs around too long and Zhang lands a right. Zhang is barely throwing any punches now. Can’t win a fight like this. Parker is methodical and that’s allowing him to steal rounds.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Parker, 48-46 Zhang overall.
Round 6: Zhang needs to actually try to punch this round. Will he? Who can say.
Seems like this is not the round. He’s pawing the lead and moving around, and staring. No clue what he’s doing but it can only loosely be called boxing. Oh, he finally threw a left but Parker saw it. Because if you throw three punches a round, it’s not that hard to defend. Parker isn’t doing a ton, mind you, but he’s staying busy enough. Stick to the body, one combo, move. Parker is taking over by virtue of Zhang doing nothing. Finally throws and lands a good left hook, but Parker is okay. And Parker lands a rear right hand. More nothing happens.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Parker, 57-56 Zhang overall.
Round 7: Is this the round Zhang starts to fight again? His corner did tell him to start working this round. But only the stars and the Gods can see the future.
Parker in there moving a lot but Zhang is punching now! That’s fun! Lands a left, then a short combo. He’s starting to get in close to Parker and opening up a bit. Parker still snapping the jab and a salty 1-2. Zhang lands a nasty shovel hook! Parker tried to step out and Zhang found the chin! Parker got a jolt put in him with that one. Parker slowing some and he’s getting cornered more. Parker tries big shots to back him off but instead Zhang lands and Parker clenches. Parker does not want the smoke. Good counter left hook from Zhang as Parker 1-2s before the end of the round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Zhang, 67-65 Zhang overall.
Round 8: Is this something Zhang builds on? Well, Parker decided to wake up and landed a monstrous right hand that got Zhang’s attention. He’s coming forward but Parker is managing the gap and clinching when he nears. Another good hook from Parker as Zhang stepped in. Zhang might be getting a bit frustrated in there. Parker much busier this round.
Wow! Zhang lands a chopping lead right hook and Parker takes a knee! Looked like he barely hit him but Parker felt it. He’s up and Zhang collapsing the ring on him. Zhang might be gassing a bit though because he’s not pressing the issue. He does land a few jabs but Parker is sticking and clearing the head. Parker lands a pair of major shots to the body. Zhang getting a little chippy in there.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-8 Zhang, 77-73 Zhang overall.
Round 9: Oh the replay of that knockdown is nasty. Zhang tags Parker behind the ear when he was ducking. Well timed, and it’s got Zhang in control of this fight now.
Slow rate from both men to start this one. Parker probably needs to be the one forcing the issue now. Zhang pawing a jab and that’s it. Parker peppering and feinting. Lands to crisp right hands. But Zhang lands a left hook to the head that moves Parker’s legs. Parker keeps ducking down and Zhang is now trying to time uppercuts as he steps in. Zhang to the body but Parker returns with a good two piece. And another right. Parker is landing some good shots in there but he can’t seem to hurt Zhang. Zhang taking big breaths in there now.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Parker, 86-83 Zhang overall.
Round 10: Zhang needs at least one more round here to feel somewhat comfortable. And he’s a little more active at the start of this round. Sticking the jab, but Parker throwing in combination well now and working the body. More activity from Parker as Zhang idles for the middle portion of the round. I would love to see the compubox stats. Zhang is doing nothing for huge stretches again. Parker minimizing risk and scoring points, winning rounds. He may need more though to win this fight. But this has been a good round for Parker as he’s getting Zhang backing up now, which hasn’t happened this fight.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Parker, 95-93 Zhang overall.
Round 11: Parker’s corner tells him that Zhang is only dangerous at the start of the round, then he’s too gassed. They may be right. He’s breathing heavy and not working all that hard.
Parker getting the activity and now Zhang is trying to pump himself up. He’s smashing his hands together but he’s not throwing much. And Parker is boxing well now, moving, sticking, finding the windows and exiting. And the feints have Zhang in a pretzel. He’s not throwing anything again. Parker isn’t landing clean, but he’s working and his speed has not fallen off at all. Zhang does land a good left but Parker comes with a big combination. Parker staying busy. Zhang landing minimally and his mouth is wide open, sucking down air. He could be losing this one.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Parker, 104-103 Zhang overall.
Round 12: Zhang’s corner with a lot of urgency in there, telling Zhang he needs to pursue the knockout because they don’t trust the judges. They are begging Zhang to put it all out there for three minutes.
Parker looks crisp to start the round. He’s moving and snapping the jab. He doesn’t want to let Zhang corner him with the fight possibly on the line. Parker is staying far on the outside and Zhang is not fighting with the urgency his corner asked for. And Parker lands a good right hand. Both corners yelling for activity. This fight could very well be up for grabs in this round and they all know. Except Zhang, who is still not doing too much.
Parker staying busy and Zhang is simply not doing anything. Pawing a jab, no snap, no power punches. If he loses, he has no one to blame but himself. Parker backing Zhang up now and staying active. Zhang has no urgency. This is astonishing. He may have heaved this one away.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Parker, 113-113 draw overall.
Official Decision: Joseph Parker def. Zhilei Zhang via majority decision (114-112, 115-111, 113-113)
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