A key heavyweight scrap between former UFC champion Junior Dos Santos and promotional newcomer Blagoy Ivanov served as the headliner of tonight’s UFC Boise event.

The former World Series of Fighting heavyweight champion, Blagoy Ivanov (16-1 MMA), entered tonight’s main event fight on a five fight win streak.

Meanwhile, former UFC heavyweight title holder Junior dos Santos (18-5 MMA) has traded wins and losses over his past eight fights going 4-4 in that time.

Round one begins and the fighters touch gloves. Dos Santos moves forward and backs Blagoy up against the cage. Ivanov attempts to circle but JDS cuts him off and lands a right hand. Junior with a right hand to the body. He delivers one to the head now that partially connects. Ivanov needs to get off the fence. He fires off a right hand. JDS with a low kick. He goes high shortly after but Blagoy blocks it. The referee steps in and warns Dos Santos to watch his fingers. We restart and Junior pushes forward. Ivanov catches him with a counter right hand coming in. Dos Santos backs off and then resets. JDS has a cut over his left eye. It doesn’t appear to be bother him yet. He lands a low kick. Both men throw right hands that miss the mark. JDS lands a jab to the body of Ivanov. He presses forward and throws a left hook followed by a kick to the body. The horn sounds to end round one of the UFC Boise main event.

Round two begins and Junior dos Santos throws a front kick to the body of Ivanov. He just misses with a follow up head kick. The former UFC heavyweight champion appears to be getting loose now. He lands another jab to the body. Ivanov steps in with a combination. Junior replies with another jab to the body. He leaps in with a crisp combination. Blagoy with a left hook that misses the mark. Dos Santos circles out and then steps in with a straight right hand. We are now midway through the second round of this the UFC Boise main event. Dos Santos with a nice front kick to the body of Ivanov. He lands a jab while Blagoy falls short with one of his own. Ninety seconds remain in round two. Blagoy comes forward now. He eats a big inside low kick from Junior. Under one minutes to go in round two and JDS lands a right hand. He goes to the body of Ivanov with a jab. Dos Santos keeps Blagoy at bay with a front kick. Round two comes to an end.

Solid combo from the former champ! #UFCBoise pic.twitter.com/2K6avbOwMm

— UFC (@ufc) July 15, 2018

Round three begins and it is pretty obvious that Dos Santos should hold a 2-0 lead on the judges scorecards here. Ivanov’s corner told him to press forward this round and he does. Blagoy with a pair of left hands. Junior circles off the fence. He resets and lands a straight right hand from the pocket. JDS just misses with a left hook attempt. Both men connect with short punches now. JDS goes to the body of Ivanov with a jab. Junior with a nice right hand. That appears to stun Ivanov who backs up. Junior comes forward but Blagoy fires off a flurry. Nothing really landed there but it kept Dos Santos from charging in. Junior with a front kick to the body now. Both men connect with left hands. Another big left hand scores for Ivanov. That snapped Junior’s head back. More pressure from the Bulgarian now. He hits Dos Santos with another heavy punch. The tide is turning here. The referee once again warns Junior about his fingers. We restart and Junior fires off a right hand. The horn sounds to end round three.

BIG SHOT by Ivanov! #UFCBoise pic.twitter.com/W8oSRAGRP1

— UFC (@ufc) July 15, 2018

Round four begins and Junior lands a left jab to start. Blagoy comes forward with a shot to the body of the former UFC champion. Dos Santos winds up with a right hand that lands. Ivanov is tough as nails. He just eats these bombs and keeps on trucking. Ivanov leaps in with a combination and then just misses with a left hook. Junior attempts to go high with a kick but it is blocked. JDS with some snapping jabs to the body. Ivanov presses forward and lands a left hand over the top. He tries to do the same with a right hand but Junior is wise to it and avoids contact. Both men connect with punches up the middle. Junior goes to the body with a jab. He swings a misses with a wild left hook. That punch had bad intentions. Ivanov charges forward now. Both men want to win this UFC Boise main event. Ninety seconds remain in round four. Ivanov leaps in with a left hook. Junior counters nicely with a right hand. Ivanov is bleeding now. He looks tired but continued to bite down on his mouthpiece and come forward. Dos Santos circles to his right. He steps in to the pocket and throws a left hand. Round four comes to an end.

https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1018359762495213568

Round five begins and Ivanov’s corner told him he needs the knockout if he wants to win this UFC Boise main event. The fighters touch gloves and both men connect with right hands shortly thereafter. Ivanov throws a pair of right hands that miss the mark. He charges in with a left hook but once again JDS avoids. Junior with a hard kick to the body now. He misses with a left hook. Both men are busted up and bleeding now. An accidental eye poke from Dos Santos forces a brief break. We restart and Dos Santos lands a big right hand. Ivanov charges forward with a flurry. JDS replies with a nice combination of his own. Both men land left hands. JDS lands another heavy kick to the body of Ivanov. Blagoy responds with a low kick. The Bulgarian is pushing the pace now but he knows he is behind and likely needs a finish here. Ivanov with a nice combination up against the cage. Junior circles off the fence and then lands a right hand. Both men connect with hooks. Ivanov continues to press the action but he needs something big and soon. Dos Santos continues to hop around and throws a jab to the body. Ivanov with a big punch and the horn sounds to end the fifth and final round of the UFC Boise main event.

Junior dos Santos wins via unanimous decision (50-45 x3)

Thank you, Boise! #UFCBoise pic.twitter.com/VwdxX2IR1x

— UFC (@ufc) July 15, 2018