A key middleweight bout featuring former division champion Chris Weidman taking on former Strikeforce title holder Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza served as the co-headliner of tonight’s UFC 230 event in New York.

Chris Weidman (14-3 MMA) was last seen in action at UFC on FOX 25 in July of 2017, where he scored a third-round submission victory over soon-to-be title challenger Kelvin Gastelum.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza will be looking to rebound at tonight’s UFC 230 event, this after suffering a split-decision loss to the aforementioned Kelvin Gastelum in his most recent performance at UFC 224.

Round one of tonight’s UFC 230 co-main event commences and immediately the chants of “USA” fall from the New York faithful. Souza moves forward as Weidman circles along the fence. “Jacare” with a nice low kick. Weidman replies with a jab. Souza is pressing the pace early. He comes forward with a right hand. Weidman avoids and circles out. Chris comes forward with a left hand and then lands a knee from the clinch. Souza breaks free and takes the center of the octagon. Weidman with a jab to the body. Souza responds with a low kick. He leaps in with a right hand that misses. Weidman with a right hand over the top that stuns Souza. “Jacare” fires off a low kick but he was clearly stunned. Ronaldo comes forward now. He lands a body kick but Chris counters beautifully with a left hook. Weidman just misses with a straight right up the middle. “Jacare” with a low kick. Weidman lands a pair of jabs and then just misses with a right hand. He continues to work his jab nicely keeping “Jacare” at bay in the process. Chris Weidman lands another nice right hand. Souza is bleeding now. The Brazilian fires off a heavy low kick. He lands a big shot to the liver of “The All American”. Weidman circles off the fence and takes the center of the cage. He throws a hook that lands and then misses with a follow up right hand. The horns sounds to end the opening round.

Round two of tonight’s UFC 230 co-headliner begins and Souza lands a hard low kick to get things started. Weidman responds with one of his own. He lands a crisp jab as “Jacare” was attempting a hook. Another good jab from Weidman who is bouncing around now. Souza comes forward now. Weidman lands a left hook, “Jacare” replies with a big right. These guys are brawling now. Souza with another big right hand. He lands a left hook to the body and then one to the head. Weidman might be in trouble here. He gets off the fence and paws with his jab. Weidman with a big right hand now. Souza is hurt and in retreat mode. Weidman chases after him in hopes of putting an end to this UFC 230 contest. “Jacare” bites down on his mouth piece and leaps in with a combination. He lands a pair of nice uppercuts from the clinch. Weidman appears to have slowed down a bit. Two minutes remain in round two. Chris comes forward and lands a right hook. He misses with a follow up left. “Jacare” side steps and then lands a big kick to the body of the American. Weidman with a jab, he catches a Souza kick and scores a trip takedown. Souza pops right back up to his feet but Weidman has him pressed against the cage. Chris drags Souza to the floor but the crafty Brazilian immediately scrambles free. The horn sounds to end round two.

Round three begins and this UFC 230 fight could very well be tied up after ten minutes. “Jacare” comes forward with some early pressure. He lands a nice kick and then a hook to the body. Weidman replies with a crisp jab and then an uppercut. He follows that up with a right hand and Souza is stunned. Weidman with a left hand and then a flying knee that misses. “Jacare” replies with a right hand and then a kick to the body. Once again the chants of “USA” fill the arena. Both men exchange shots in the pocket. Souza with a right hand and then another. Weidman is on the retreat. Another massive right hand from “Jacare” and Weidman crashes to the floor. This one is all over. WOW!

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Official UFC 230 Result: Ronaldo Souza def. Chris Weidman via KO in Round 3