Round 1 – Stoltzfus with a few probing kicks early. Daukaus moving laterally on the outside. They traded low kicks. Daukaus pushes his way into the clinch, walking through a punch to do it. Daukaus drives his opponent into the fence. Stoltzfus defending against the cage. Short punches and knees in a relative stalemate, but Daukaus continues to press forward. He wraps the body and tries to drag the action to the canvas. Stoltzfus able to defend and stay upright, and he switches off the fence. Stoltzfus now in deep on a single, but Daukaus able to get the leg back and then wrap the body once again and lift Stoltzfus in the air and slam him to the floor. Punches from the top. Elbow lands, too. Stoltzfus able to get to a seated position, but Daukaus drives him back down to his back. More punches from the top, and Stoltzfus rolls for an armbar. It briefly looks threatening. Daukaus spins free and takes the top again, but Stoltzfus turns to attack his left leg. Daukaus turns to relive the pressure and drives in a few hammerfists. Solid counter. Stoltzfus gets to the top at the bell, but MMA Junkie gives it to Daukaus, 10-9.
Round 2 – Stoltzfus with a few punches from range. Daukaus slips a few and returns fire. Good exchanges, but Daukaus lands low with a kick. We take a very quick break. Daukaus forward on the restart. They trade punches again before Stoltzfus clinches and moves to the fence. Daukaus turns off and takes the outside. Daukaus backs away and lands a few clean punches before he moves inside once again. Stoltzfus battles well there and spins off to the outside. Short knees traded. Daukaus spins off to the outside and looks for the trip, but it’s not there. They trade punches, and Daukaus tries to change levels. Stoltzfus stuffs it and briefly controls the neck, but Daukaus pulls it away. Continued battle in the clinch. He wants a takedown, but Stoltzfus counters with a whizzer, and they move back to the feet in a a stalemate. Punches traded a bit on the feet to close. MMA Junkie again leans Daukaus, 10-9.
Round 3 – Striking exchange to open, and Daukaus seems to get the best of it. Stoltzfus tries to change levels, but Daukaus able to stay upright, and he turns to the outside working in the clinch against the cage. He backs away and punches, slipping the counter. Stoltzfus again wants a takedown, and he gets in deep on the legs, but it’s not there. Daukaus turns off the fence. Short strikes traded inside. Grinding work in the clinch. Daukaus finds a spot to land a few punches. Stoltzfus turns and rolls for the leg. Not there. Daukaus spins free and strikes before moving to his feet. Stoltzfus tries to engage on the restart, but he’s just a step behind. Daukaus answers with a flurry. Back to the clinch, and Daukaus able to score the trip. He lands a few punches before Stoltzfus is able to move to his feet. Daukaus pulls away and starts teeing off with punches. Stoltzfus shoots, but Daukaus stuffs it and locks up a choke from the front. He can’t quite get the squeeze, so he turns Stoltzfus over and walks away. Stoltzfus is very slow to get up as referee Mark Smith tells him to continue. Bell sounds, and MMA Junkie gives it to Daukaus, 10-9, awarding him the fight 30-27.
Result: Kyle Daukaus def. Dustin Stoltzfus via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Photos: UFC 255: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Kyle Daukaus (10-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Dustin Stoltzfus (13-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging:
