UFC Fight Night 37 play-by-play and live results

LONDON – MMAjunkie is on scene and reporting live from Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 37 event.

The card, which features a light heavyweight main event between Alexander Gustafsson and Jimi Manuwa, takes place at O2 Arena in London. Both the main card and prelims stream on UFC Fight Pass.

Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 12:55 p.m. ET (9:55 a.m. PT) for the preliminary card and 3 p.m. ET for the main card.

To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFC Fight Night 37 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporter Matt Erickson (@MMAjunkieMatt) on Twitter.

Enjoy the fights, everyone.

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LOUIS GAUDINOT (7-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC) VS. PHIL HARRIS (22-12 MMA, 1-3 UFC)

Round 1 – Grant Waterman will get us started for tonight’s first fight with a pair of flyweights. Harris works on the outside, and the two land  punches inside 15 seconds in. Harris drops down for a single, but he can’t complete it. He drives Gaudinot to the fence, where the American looks for a guillotine choke while Harris stays intent on landing the single. Gaudinot lets off the choke and lands a few elbows, but then jumps guard, wraps his legs around Harris, and cinches up the choke. Harris tries to roll forward to the ground to get out of it, but Gaudinot expertly keeps it on. Harris rolls, but Gaudinot rolls with him and has the choke on in mount. Seconds later, Harris has to tap in front of his home England crowd. Brilliant finish by Gaudinot.

Result: Louis Gaudinot def. Phil Harris via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 1:13
Recap: Louis Gaudinot makes quick work of Phil Harris
Division: Flyweight
Rankings: Gaudinot Honorable Mention
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Grant Waterman

IGOR ARAUJO (25-6 MMA, 2-0 UFC) VS. DANNY MITCHELL (14-5-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)

Round 1 – Second fight here, and Leon Roberts oversees the work. Araujo kicks high early, then tries a spinning kick that draws some oohs and ahhs. Araujo drops down to try for a takedown, but it’s not there and Mitchell has top position. Araujo controls his wrist while Mitchell looks to pass. But Araujo nicely turns things around and reverses to the top. Araujo now tries to pass, but Mitchell scrambles nicely in defensive mode. Araujo nearly gets to mount, but Mitchell recovers. It’s a crazy ground scramble before Araujo stands up and will look to land from his feet while Mitchell grabs his ankle and starts to crank. The pro-Brit crowd cheers, thinking he has it in deep enough. But Araujo shakes his head to indicate he’s OK. Mitchell staying patient on this ankle with nearly two minutes left in the round. With 80 seconds left, Araujo finally shakes the hold, and he’ll try to land some punches on top, then elbows to the ribs. The two trade strikes on the ground with Mitchell in full guard. Mitchell gets to his feet with a second left in the frame. It’s a reasonably close round because of Mitchell’s submission attempts, but MMAjunkie will give the frame to Araujo, 10-9.

Round 2 – Araujo tries to get a high kick through right away, but Mitchell fires away with a front kick seconds later that backs Araujo up, and then he lands one to the body. Araujo responds by trying to drag Mitchell to the canvas again. And just like the first, Araujo is on his back and he’ll have to again work from there. Araujo chips away on the ground, and Mitchell tries to find his way out of there. He gets back to guard, his back near the cage. With two minutes left, Araujo goes back to the feet and Mitchell thinks about an upkick, then wants the ankle again. But with 80 seconds left, he scrambles around and gets back to his feet. He works a few knees to Araujo’s left leg as Araujo ties him up. He jumps guard and wants an armbar, but he can’t quite get it and Araujo winds up on top, which is how we end the round. It’s another 10-9 round for Araujo on the MMAjunkie card.

Round 3 – The two fighters chest-bump to open the third with a half hug. But soon after, Araujo nearly lands a beautiful head kick Mitchell shoots 30 seconds in for a takedown, but no dice, and Araujo pushes him against the fence. Araujo tries to tie him up on teh fence, but when they move to the ground, it’s Araujo who gets a triangle choke on. Mitchell looks like he’s in all sorts of trouble as Araujo lands punches. But Mitchell somehow is surviving, and he lands a few punches. He finally breaks out of there as Roberts warns Araujo repeatedly for grabbing the fence with his toes. Mitchell is mounting a rally on top, looking for a toe hold. Araujo tries to roll through it. He’s got an ankle, but again Araujo signals thumbs up to everyone that he’s fine. Mitchell eats some punches on the ground. With a minute left, Mitchell’s only way to win is by getting a tap, and he’ll continue after it. But soon the two are trading absolutely wild rock ‘em-sock ‘em punches from their backs. It’s a crazed scene on the canvas, and the crowd erupts. That’s how they’ll finish things in a really entertaining fight. MMAjunkie will give the third to Araujo and sees him winning 30-27.

Result: Igor Araujo def. Danny Mitchell via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Recap: Igor Araujo rolls on, tops Danny Mitchell
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Leon Roberts
Judging: Mark Collett, Howard Hughes, Chris Watts

BRAD SCOTT (9-3 MMA, 1-2 UFC) VS. CLAUDIO HENRIQUE DA SILVA (10-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)

Round 1 – Neil Hall gets his first work of the evening as the third man in the cage. Silva comes forward quickly. He’s Brazilian, but living in London for years. So while Scott is the fan favorite as the Brit, Silva has some fans here, too. He lands a few kicks, to the legs and up high. Then he drops low for a single and completes it about a minute in. Scott tries to work from his back but after a couple scrambles, Silva pops up to mount. He lands some big punches from there, but Scott gets back to half-guard. Then he gets back to his feet, but Silva stays on his leg to try to work him back to the ground. Scott nicely stays upright, though, and breaks free midway through the frame. Scott tries to push his way forward, but there’s not much there. As Silva ducks away from a punch, he accidentally scrapes the right eye of Scott, and he’ll get a short break. They start back up with a minute left, and Silva throws a Superman punch, then lands a nice head kick. He drops down for a single, eventually gets the takedown, and he goes to work from half-guard. He lands a few punches on top, and he’ll finish the round there. It’s a 10-9 first round for Silva on the MMAjunkie card.

Round 2 – Beautiful capoeira kick from Silva, but it doesn’t land. Scott tries to fire back with some kicks of his own, and he lands a a nice punch that has Silva retreating. Silva’s right eye has a mouse under it, and they’ll battle on the feet. Scott lands a kick to the midsection that Silva says is low. But Hall isn’t stopping things. Scott hesitates, wondering if there’s going to be a stop. But there’s not, even though Silva is kind of trying to call his own timeout. He’s not getting one, and Scott may have missed an opportunity. But soon after, he really starts lighting Silva up. He has him in trouble. He slams him to the canvas, then tells him to get back up. Silva lands a knee not long after, but right now, it’s all Hall. He’s really beating Silva up on the feet. Silva wants it on the floor, but he’ll only spend a few seconds there before Scott gets back up. On the feet, it’s again all Scott. Silva looks very tired, and Scott will try to take advantage. Silva has had a layoff since October 2012. They tie up on the fence for the final 30 seconds. But MMAjunkie gives the second to Scott in what has turned into a fun fight.

Round 3 – Silva will go after a single right away in the third, but he can’t get it. Seconds later, Scott lands a perfect straight left hand that pops Silva’s head back. But right after that, a roaming finger from Silva finds its way to Scott’s eye – the other one, this time. He’ll have it looked at after Hall calls a pause. Hall will warn Silva for the pokes. Silva gets Scott to the cage, and then takes his back standing. He’s looking for a rear-naked choke, of course, but Scott defends for now. Things stall, and Scott shakes him off and now will be on top. But Silva is going to go after a leg. Then he gets on top and lands punches, and Scott gives up and falls into guard. Silva lands short punches to the side of the head. They’re not terribly damaging, but probably just enough to keep Hall from ordering a standup. Silva wants to get to full mount, but Scott defends. Scott gets back to his feet with 30 seconds left, but Silva goes after one finally leg submission. It’ll be a 10-9 round for Silva, and he should get a 29-28 win after surviving a rough second.

Result: Claudio Henrique da Silva def. Brad Scott via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Recap: Claudio Henrique da Silva capitalizes on late restart to best Brad Scott
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Neil Hall

LUKE BARNATT (8-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) VS. MATS NILSSON (11-3-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)

Round 1 – Nilsson comes out firing against the taller Barnatt, and the crowd is raucous in its support of Barnatt, who is from Cambridge, 50 miles up the road. The two tie up 45 seconds in, but Nilsson gets out of there. He stays on the outside and bounces around. Barnatt kicks to the inside, then just misses a right uppercut with a left hook behind it. The two trade, but it’s Nilsson getting off some brilliant punches. Barnatt backs out of there, and Nilsson will slow play this one and see where it goes rather than risking much more. The two keep trading, and when Nilsson gets inside, he’s really landing nicely. The crowd again starts a “Barnatt” soccer chant. Nilsson has a really deep-looking cut under his right eye, and he eats a few from Barnatt. Barnatt staying relaxed and still landing, and he drills a head kick and follows it with a 1-2. Superman punch from Barnatt lands, and he hurts Nilsson with a big head kick. Nilsson covers up, and Barnatt starts rocking him with punches to the body. As Nilsson starts to crumble, Barnatt drills him with a big-time knee, and that’s going to be all she wrote.

Result: Luke Barnatt def. Mats Nilsson via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:24
Recap: Luke Barnatt batters Mats Nilsson in TKO win
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Marc Goddard

CYRILLE DIABATE (19-10-1 MMA, 4-4 UFC) VS. ILIR LATIFI (8-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC)

Round 1 – Leon Roberts will look in on this one with Diabate likely in his retirement fight. He has eight inches of height advantage and a big reach advantage, as well. The two look for an opening for the first minute with not much action but waiting for the first strike. Seventy seconds in, Latifi shoots in and he gets the fight to the ground. Diabate works from the bottom, but Latifi looks after a side choke. He’ll abandon it after a moment, but he’s on top and will look for ground-and-pound from here. He’ll go after the guillotine choke again, and he’s got it. Diabate tries to counter with a single leg. But he’s in deep, deep trouble. His face shows it. IT’s hard to tell if the choke is in full, or if it’s turning into a neck crank. But Diabate has no choice. He has to tap.

Result: Ilir Latifi def. Cyrille Diabate via submission – Round 1, 3:02
Recap: Ilir Latifi scores emotional submission win over Cyrille Diabate
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Leon Roberts

OMARI AKHMEDOV (12-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) VS. GUNNAR NELSON (12-0-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC)

Round 1 – Main card underway with Grant Waterman supervising. Nelson takes the center and eats a couple early kicks from Akhmedov. Then a third. ut Nelson presses forward and changes his stance up a little. Akhmedov lands a nice punch that is partially blocked. Nelson nearly catches a kick. He continues to press, and he catches Akhmedov with a left hand and wobbles him. He takes advantage immediately and pushes him to the ground and jumps to mount. Akhmedov recovers to half guard, but Nelson will go to work on top. And very quickly, Nelson jumps back to a tight mount once again. He looks for elbows and punches to the side of the head right in front of his corner. He’s got lots of time to work, and he lands some more elbows. The elbows are solid. Akhmedov tries to roll out, but Nelson is owning him right now and Akhmedov is opened up. More big elbows bounce Akhmedov’s head off the canvas with 45 seconds left. But just expertly, Nelson jumps out of mount, takes side control, grabs the neck, turns the choke over, and bam. That’s it. Akhmedov quickly has to tap to the guillotine. Just a brilliant display from start to finish for Nelson.

Result: Gunnar Nelson def. Omari Akhmedov via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 4:36
Recap: Gunnar Nelson steamrolls Omari Akhmedov
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Grant Waterman

BRAD PICKETT (23-8 MMA, 3-3 UFC) VS. NEIL SEERY (13-9 MMA, 0-0 UFC)

Round 1 – Neil Hall looks in on the flyweights. Seery’s in his UFC debut, and Pickett is at 125 pounds for the first time. Seery takes the center, but they swing and change positions. Big left hook for Pickett lands, but the two slug it out briefly before going back to the center. Seery standing right in the pocket, and he lands and pushes Pickett backward as the crowd starts a chant for its home favorite. Seery just not afraid at all to stand in and swing, and they each duck under one. Pickett takes an accidental eye poke, though, and we’ll have a very brief pause to have it looked at. They touch gloves on teh restart, and Seery lands with a pair of lefts. Pickett drops down and goes after a double, and he lands it in a big way. Seery ties up Pickett to keep him from posturing up for the time being. But Pickett lifts him up and slams him back trying to get his arm out. He finally does and looks to pass guard. Pickett does some good work, but the fighters are warned about inactivity. Seery nearly gets out, but Pickett recovers to stay on top as the round winds down. Seery gets back up with 20 seconds left and comes out swinging. He lands some big punches toward the end. Fun first round, and it’ll go 10-9 to Pickett on the MMAjunkie scorecard.

Round 2 – Pickett, as always, is swinging for the fences. But Seery is right there with him firing right back. Pickett pushes Seery to the fence, but after 10 seconds the Irishman pushes him off. When they break, it’s more swinging away. Mostly, Pickett is moving just out of the way of Seery’s best punches. Two minutes in, Pickett is just short of a single. They tie up on the fence, and Pickett lands some short knees there. But he drops down for a level change and gets another takedown. Seery ties up his left arm again, but when Pickett gets it loose, he starts landing some ground and pound that lasts the rest of the way. Pickett takes the second, as well, 10-9 on the unofficial Junkie card.

Round 3 – Both fighters gesture at each other that they want to throw, and they do. Seery has a takedown attempt shrugged off. They step inside and wing at each other, and each lands – perhaps Seery’s a little bigger. There’s another accidental poke from Seery, and his teammate Conor McGregor is cageside in his seat screaming for Seery. After the short break, they both come out trying to finish right away. Seery lands a few. But Pickett stays in there and then lands another big slam with three minutes to work. Pickett works from half-guard, and not long after Seery recovered to full, Pickett passed again. He’s warned to increase his work load, and he nearly has Seery’s neck. But they go back to their feet and swing big with 90 seconds left. Both want the knockout. But with 40 seconds left, Pickett shoots in for another takedown, and that should just about seal things up. MMAjunkie scores the third 10-9 for Pickett, and he should have the fight 30-27.

Result: Brad Pickett def. Neil Seery via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Recap: Takedowns prove the difference as Brad Pickett decisions Neil Seery
Division: Flyweight
Rankings: Pickett No. 6 (bantamweight)
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Neil Hall
Judging: Ben Cartlidge, Tom Harris, Andy Roberts. (Cartlidge had R1-2 for Pickett, R3 for Seery.)

MELVIN GUILLARD (31-12-2 MMA, 12-8 UFC) VS. MICHAEL JOHNSON (14-8 MMA, 6-4 UFC)

Round 1 – Co-main event lightweight action, and Leon Roberts will officiate. Johnson comes forward early and kicks, but misses. Guillard on the outside and lands a big knee as Johnson tries to come forward – perfectly timed by Guillard. Johnson kicks low, then to the body. Johnson tries to kick to the inside leg again, but it’s just a bit too low and smacks off the cup. It’s definitely low, but Roberts lets Guillard stay down in front of his own corner, and when Roberts turns to Johnson, Guillard gets a little extra coaching. After the restart, Johnson lands nicely before Guillard scrambles out. High kick from Guillard is blocked. He tries to get inside with a right hand a moment later, but Johnson slides away and tries to tie him up. Johnson kicks to the body, then lands a left. Guillard bounces around, and Johnson gets frustrated. And not long after he does, Johnson comes forward and eats a right hand. He tries for a takedown after it, but Guillard defends for the moment before they both tumble to the canvas briefly. It’s a tight first round, and MMAjunkie will go with Guillard, 10-9.

Round 2 – Guillard kicks high, but it’s not on the mark. Things are a bit more cautious this round, but about two minutes in there’s a flurry of misses, but all of which had bad intentions by both fighters. Guillard kicks Johnson’s legs out briefly. Seconds later, Johnson lands a nice counter left. The crowd grows impatient at the 1:45 mark as the action mostly is stalled. Johnson lands a few kicks to the legs, then wants a takedown around the minute mark, but Guillard shrugs it off. Another body kick is good from Johnson. Johnson lands big inside and staggers Guillard. He pours it on and keeps the pressure and puts Guillard on his backside with 20 seconds left. He can’t get the finish, though, and Guillard gets to his feet to close the round. Johnson takes the second, 10-9.

Round 3 – Guillard comes forward quickly and lands nicely, and that forces Johnson to go after a takedown. He gets it, but Guillard is back up pretty quickly. Johnson trying to be the leader with the strikes, and Guillard is backing up. Guillard suddenly gets inside and lands one, but Johnson lands a couple counters. The crowd again impatient halfway through, but then cheers as Johnson lands a big punch, then an elbow inside . He drops for a takedown, but Guillard defends. Each fighter lands a right on the break, and with 90 seconds left, Johnson again lands a left hand. Then he stuns Guillard inside. Guillard says he’s been poked in the eye, but Roberts isn’t in there to say it happened. Johnson takes advantage with some solid punches and a knee – but he appeared to even take it easy on Guillard compared to what he could do. MMAjunkie gives the third to Johnson, and he should take the fight 29-28. A 30-27 would not be surprising.

Result: Michael Johnson def. Melvin Guillard via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Recap: Disappointed Michael Johnson tops Melvin Guillard
Division: Lightweight
Rankings: Johnson No. 15
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Leon Roberts
Judging: Ben Cartlidge, Tom Harris, Chris Watts. (Cartlidge, Watts scored it 30-27; Harris had R1 for Guillard, R2-3 for Johnson.)

ALEXANDER GUSTAFSSON (15-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) VS. JIMI MANUWA (14-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC)

Round 1 – Main event time. Kicks early from Manuwa. Then a big one from Gustafsson. Seconds later, he shoots in and bullies Manuwa right down to the ground. He’s on top in half guard, and he’ll look to move around and see what he can do. He’s got Manuwa’s left arm, then lets it off. Gustafsson tries a couple elbows to the side of the head, then goes back after the left arm. Manuwa elbows the thigh, but that’s about the best offense he can get off from this position. He’s keeping Gustafsson tied up in half guard for now, even as Gustafsson works to try to pop out. Gustafsson throws his shoulder into Manuwa a couple times. Manuwa finally recovers to full guard, but Gustafsson drops a couple solid hands on him. With a little more than a minute left, Manuwa finally scrambles out to his feet, to the crowd’s delight. they trade a couple punches, and Manuwa lands a good one that has Gustafsson retreating. It’ll be a 10-9 round for Gustafsson, but Manuwa made an impact late.

Round 2 – Manuwa kicks inside the leg to open the second. Gustafsson tries to land an uppercut. There’s an eye poke – again; our fourth tonight – and though Roberts was out of position, he sees the grimace on Manuwa’s face and he grants the time. The doctor comes in and says hes OK, and we’ll start things back up. Manuwa lands a right hand, then a kick. He swings over the top and lands another right, but Gustafsson gets inside and lands a massive knee. He follows it up with some giant punches. Manuwa crumples. He’s on the canvas. Gustafsson lands some more big bombs and bounces Manuwa’s head off the canvas. Roberts jumps inside to stop it. It’s a huge win for Gustafsson, all starting with the big knee.

Result: Alexander Gustafsson def. Jimi Manuwa via TKO (knee, punches) – Round 2, 1:18
Recap:
Division: Light heavyweight
Rankings: Gustafsson No. 4, Manuwa Honorable Mention
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Marc Goddard
Judging: Mark Collett, Howard Hughes, Andy Roberts