UFC 217 was headlined by three big title fights, but the event's undercard also delivered big toward the company's future.
Two-time UFC Welterweight Title challenger #2 Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson defeated #4 Jorge Masvidal by keeping his distance and picking apart Masvidal. You can see an excerpt from our Fightful.com live coverage below.
Round Three: The round begins with Masvidal hunting for the takedown against Thompson, Thompson pops Masvidal with a two punch combo after eating some leg kicks. Thompson continues attacking Masvidal with punching combinations, Thompson then catches Masvidal with a side kick to the midsection. Masvidal then cracks Thompson in the shoulder with an overhand right, Thompson comes forward and he swings away at Masvidal. Masvidal also continues coming forward while attacking Thompson with strikes, Thompson catches an incoming Masvidal with a kick to the midsection. The competitors exchange a series of strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Thompson (Final Score: 30-27 for Thompson)
Official Result: #2 Stephen Thompson def. #4 Jorge Masvidal by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
"Wonderboy" hasn't lost a non-title fight since 2012, and moves to 8-1-1 in his last ten fights. Thompson stated that he thinks that he injured his thumb during the bout.
Former UFC Welterweight Champion Johny Hendricks saw his downfall continue, while Paulo "Borrachinha" Costa gain the biggest win of his UFC career.
Round Two: The round begins with Hendricks attacking Costa with a left followed by leg kicks, Costa accidentally pokes Hendricks in the eye and the fight is halted. The fight resumes with Costa nailing Hendricks with a few rights, Costa charges at Hendricks while just swinging away at him. Costa also attacks Hendricks with a series of high kicks that get blocked, Costa destroys Hendricks with an uppercut and the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Paulo Costa def. Johny Hendricks by TKO via strikes (1:23, R2)
The fight served as Hendricks' last on his UFC contract as he heads into free agency.
#6 Ovince Saint Preux continued to prove he's never out of a fight, as he battled back and knocked #7 Corey Anderson out cold with a sick head kick.
Round Three: The round begins with St. Preux popping Anderson with a straight left, Anderson nails St. Preux with a left of his own after a failed takedown attempt. St. Preux pops a swinging Anderson with a low left, St. Preux clobbers Anderson with a head kick and Anderson is out cold.
Official Result: #6 Ovince St. Preux def. #7 Corey Anderson by KO via head kick (1:25, R3)
Following the bout, Ovince Saint Preux signaled to UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier that he wanted a fight.
James Vick continued his tear on the UFC Lightweight division with a TKO victory over Joe Duffy with one second left in the second round.
Round Two: The round begins with Vick attacking Duffy with some leg kicks, Vick uses the jab against Duffy to keep him at bay. Vick charges forward to crack Duffy with a right, Vick just continues coming forward and he swings away at Duffy. Vick continues picking apart Duffy with his boxing game, Duffy continues swinging at Vick and little lands. Vick cracks Duffy with a head kick, Vick drops Duffy with a right uppercut and he pounces on him with strikes until the referee jumps in.
Official Result: James Vick def. Joe Duffy by TKO via strikes (4:59, R2)
Vick has now won 8 of his last nine fights, and moves to 11-2 in the UFC if you include his TUF exhibition fights.
Elsewhere on the show, CM Punk nemesis Mickey Gall was beaten by Randy Brown (not of the Chicago Bulls).
Round Three: The round begins with Brown dropping Gall with a wild uppercut, Brown then pounces on a downed Gall while gaining top position. Brown starts attacking Gall with some ground and pound, Gall does his best to lock in a submission while on his back. Gall goes for a guillotine choke and Brown escapes to maintain top position, Brown gets up and he allows Gall to stand as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Brown (Final Score: 29-28 for Brown)
Official Result: Randy Brown def. Mickey Gall by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
The loss was the first in Gall's career, after going 3-0 to start his run in the UFC.
You can see our Fightful.com UFC 217 post-show podcast at this link.
