The Ultimate Fighting Championship returned to Kansas City, Missouri on April 26, 2025, bringing UFC on ESPN 66: Machado Garry vs Prates to the T-Mobile Center. The event marked the promotion's third visit to Kansas City and first since UFC on ESPN: Holloway vs Allen in April 2023. The night was part of the "TKO Takeover" - a unique series of three consecutive events held by TKO Group Holdings' main divisions (Professional Bull Riders, UFC, and WWE) on April 24, 26, and 28.
The 14-fight card delivered dramatic finishes, including an emotional retirement fight that ended in devastating fashion, a main event that settled a welterweight contender debate, and spectacular knockout performances that earned bonus money. Irish welterweight Ian Machado Garry rebounded from his first career loss with a calculated unanimous decision over surging Brazilian Carlos Prates in the main event, surviving a dangerous fifth-round rally.
The co-main event provided heartbreak as Chinese prospect Zhang Mingyang destroyed retiring UFC veteran Anthony Smith with brutal elbows in the first round, denying "Lionheart" a storybook ending to his 60-fight professional career. Multiple spectacular finishes punctuated the card, including Malcolm Wellmaker's airborne knockout in his UFC debut and Randy Brown's stunning knockout of Nicolas Dalby.
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UFC on ESPN 66: Machado Garry vs Prates Main Card Results
Ian Machado Garry vs Carlos Prates - Main Event (Welterweight)
Ian Machado Garry (Ireland) def. Carlos Prates (Brazil) via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
In a tactical main event that separated contenders from pretenders, Irish welterweight Ian "The Future" Machado Garry outclassed surging Brazilian knockout artist Carlos "The Nightmare" Prates across five rounds, surviving a dangerous late rally to secure a unanimous decision victory. The calculated performance positioned Machado Garry for bigger opportunities while ending Prates's 11-fight winning streak dating back to 2019.
Machado Garry entered ranked No. 7 at welterweight with a 15-1 record (8-1 UFC), seeking to bounce back from his first professional loss - a decision defeat to Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 in December on 21 days' notice. The 27-year-old Irish striker weighed exactly 171 pounds and accepted this bout with just 25 days' preparation. His outspoken personality and championship ambitions made the fight crucial for his trajectory.
Prates, ranked No. 13, entered with a 21-6 record (4-0 UFC) riding a spectacular four-fight UFC winning streak, all finishes, none lasting beyond the second round. The 31-year-old Brazilian weighed exactly 171 pounds and brought devastating knockout power that made him one of welterweight's most feared finishers. His 11-fight overall winning streak and perfect UFC record created significant momentum.
From the opening bell, both fighters established their stances - Prates in southpaw, Machado Garry in orthodox. They tested range with hand-fighting for approximately 30 seconds before Prates punctuated the inactivity with a low kick. Machado Garry responded with a body kick.
Round 1 saw Machado Garry methodically establish his striking. He mixed high kicks, body kicks, and combinations while keeping Prates at distance. The Brazilian came forward steadily but with very low offensive output, quickly getting his guard up when Machado Garry offered strikes. In the closing seconds, Machado Garry tripped Prates and landed significant ground-and-pound while standing over him. Clear round for Machado Garry 10-9.
Round 2 continued Machado Garry's tactical dominance. He landed a jab followed by a body kick and attempted a takedown that Prates defended. More leg kicks from Prates met head kicks from Machado Garry. Both fighters remained patient, but Machado Garry's activity level exceeded Prates's conservative approach. He landed a solid right hand that snapped Prates's head back and narrowly missed a spin kick in close range. Another clear round for Machado Garry 10-9.
Round 3 proved pivotal. Machado Garry continued landing hard, precise strikes. Midway through, he connected with a beautiful combination punctuated by an uppercut that sent Prates backward. Moments later, Prates hit the canvas for the first time in his UFC career when Machado Garry took him down. Prates exploded back to his feet quickly, but found himself taken down again in the closing moments. Decisive round for Machado Garry 10-9.
Round 4 saw Machado Garry bring the fight to the ground early. Prates got back to his feet without major issues and turned up his forward pressure dramatically. His punches and kicks began finding their home, sending Machado Garry backward with small cuts appearing. The momentum shifted noticeably, though Machado Garry's earlier work likely secured the round. Competitive round 10-9 either fighter.
Before Round 5 began, the pair hugged in mutual respect. Despite the friendly gesture, Prates became meaner than ever with his offense, hunting Machado Garry aggressively. The Irishman stayed light on his feet, circling on the outside and slowing things with takedown and clinch attempts.
In the final 60 seconds, Prates landed hard ground strikes that had Machado Garry scrambling desperately for survival. The Brazilian rained down powerful shots from top position, coming closest to finishing the fight. Referee Dan Miragliotta watched closely but never warranted a stoppage. Machado Garry survived to hear the final horn.
Post-fight, Machado Garry addressed the late danger: "I was not hurt enough to not know where I was. I was completely in control. I just wanted to be smart and safe and not stupid. The game plan was to outclass him and I think I did that."
The scorecards read 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46 - all for Machado Garry. Two judges gave three rounds to two for the Irishman, while the third scored it four rounds to one.
The victory improved Machado Garry to 16-1 (9-1 UFC), making him nine wins in 10 UFC fights. Analyst Paul Felder remarked, "Perhaps he is as good as he says he is." Post-fight, Machado Garry called to serve as backup for welterweight title fights and expressed interest in fighting "the best."
For Prates, the loss dropped him to 21-7 (4-1 UFC), snapping both his four-fight UFC winning streak and 11-fight overall run dating to June 2019. The decision marked his first time making it beyond Round 2 in the UFC and his first decision loss since 2019. Despite the setback, his knockout power kept him relevant in the division.
Zhang Mingyang vs Anthony Smith - Co-Main Event (Light Heavyweight)
Zhang Mingyang (China) def. Anthony Smith (United States) via TKO (elbows) at 4:03 of Round 1
In the ending nobody wanted, Chinese light heavyweight Zhang Mingyang destroyed retiring UFC veteran Anthony "Lionheart" Smith with brutal elbows, handing him a devastating first-round TKO in his final professional bout. The emotional farewell fight became a nightmare for the beloved veteran.
Smith entered with a 38-21 record (13-11 UFC) for his 60th professional fight and announced retirement bout. The 36-year-old former title challenger weighed 206 pounds and sought a storybook ending to his legendary career. His last victory came 11 months prior when he submitted Vitor Petrino at UFC 301 in Brazil. He entered on a two-fight losing streak.
Zhang, riding massive momentum, brought an 18-6 record (2-0 UFC) and weighed 206 pounds. The Chinese striker had won 11 consecutive bouts by first-round stoppage - an extraordinary streak that made him a prohibitive betting favorite (-500). The 29-year-old sought to extend that remarkable run against a respected veteran.
Referee Jason Herzog oversaw the bout. The emotional Smith did not touch gloves before engaging, and tension filled the arena.
Zhang struck first with a high kick that Smith blocked, followed by low kicks that found their mark. Zhang kicked Smith's lead leg repeatedly, and a third forced Smith to engage prematurely. The low kicks had already accumulated damage as Smith preemptively lifted his leg to defend.
Zhang landed punches that pounded into Smith's guard, then Smith tied him up. Zhang scored short knees on the inside as Smith leaned his weight and framed for an elbow that never came. Zhang escaped, Smith followed, walking through more low kicks and elbows.
Zhang wrapped a stern right hand around the guard. His leg kicks continued scoring relentlessly. Smith landed an elbow through the guard but was quickly answered by another low kick. Smith jammed another elbow on the dome, and Zhang gave one back - slashing open a nasty cut on the top of Smith's head.
Blood flowed fast down Smith's head. He shook it to clear his eyes. Smith wiped his eyes as Zhang kept striking, and the devastating elbows from Zhang found their home on Smith's cheek again and again.
The accumulation proved overwhelming. The elbows bloodied Smith badly, and with the cut bleeding into his eyes, he could no longer defend effectively. Herzog stopped the fight at 4:03 of Round 1, giving Zhang another first-round knockout.
Post-fight, Smith addressed the finish: "Once I got clipped with that elbow it was bleeding into my eyes. Five years ago that's a beatable guy. I'm not 31 anymore."
Instead of riding into retirement on a stirring victory, Smith found himself bloodied and battered in a first-round loss. His UFC career concluded at 13-12, including a title fight loss to Jon Jones at UFC 235 in 2019. The heartbreaking ending couldn't diminish his legacy as a fan favorite and warrior.
Zhang improved to 19-6 (3-0 UFC) with his 12th consecutive first-round stoppage. The performance earned him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus and positioned him as a rising threat at light heavyweight.
David Onama vs Giga Chikadze - Featherweight (Catchweight)
David Onama (Uganda/Canada) def. Giga Chikadze (Georgia) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Ugandan-Canadian featherweight David Onama earned a hard-fought unanimous decision over Georgian striker Giga Chikadze in a catchweight bout after Chikadze's weight miss. The victory demonstrated Onama's ability to defeat ranked opposition.
The bout proceeded at catchweight after Chikadze weighed 147 pounds at the official weigh-ins - one pound over the featherweight non-title limit of 146. He was fined 20 percent of his purse, which went to Onama. The bout was originally scheduled for UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs Murphy but was moved to this event.
Chikadze, ranked No. 12 at featherweight, brought his elite kickboxing background and technical striking. The weight miss raised questions about his professionalism and potentially affected his performance.
Onama, unranked but dangerous, brought finishing power and well-rounded skills. His victory over Roberto Romero in his UFC debut showcased his potential.
The bout delivered three competitive rounds of striking exchanges. Onama's pressure and output matched Chikadze's technical striking, creating closely-contested frames.
All three judges scored it identically 29-28 for Onama. The razor-thin margins reflected how competitive Chikadze remained despite the weight miss and likely dehydration effects.
The victory improved Onama's UFC record and positioned him for ranked featherweight matchups. Chikadze's loss, combined with the unprofessional weight miss, represented a setback for his divisional standing.
Abus Magomedov vs Michel Pereira - Middleweight
Abus Magomedov (Russia) def. Michel Pereira (Brazil) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Russian middleweight Abus Magomedov delivered a shutout unanimous decision over Brazilian showman Michel Pereira, handing "Demolidor" his second consecutive loss after an eight-fight winning streak. The comprehensive victory demonstrated Magomedov's well-rounded skills.
Magomedov entered with solid credentials and weighed 185.5 pounds. His pressure fighting and tactical approach made him a tough matchup for Pereira's unorthodox style.
Pereira brought an 18-5 record and weighed 186 pounds, seeking to bounce back from a decision loss to Anthony Hernandez that snapped his eight-fight winning streak. The Brazilian's acrobatic striking and showmanship typically entertained crowds, but this fight proved tactical.
Magomedov controlled all three rounds with superior striking volume, takedowns, and positional dominance. Round 1 saw him land kicks, a right hand, and a head kick before scoring a takedown and taking Pereira's back while standing. Though Pereira spun out, Magomedov's control was clear.
Round 2 and 3 continued the pattern. Magomedov pressed forward with jabs, body kicks, and head kicks while Pereira remained stuck in neutral, unable to implement his creative offense.
All three judges scored it 30-27 - a complete shutout for Magomedov. The unanimous verdict reflected his comprehensive dominance.
The victory improved Magomedov's record significantly. For Pereira, the loss dropped him to 18-6 with back-to-back defeats, raising questions about his path forward at middleweight.
Randy Brown vs Nicolas Dalby - Welterweight
Randy Brown (United States - Jamaica/New York) def. Nicolas Dalby (Denmark) via KO (punch) at 1:39 of Round 2
New York-based Jamaican welterweight Randy Brown delivered one of the night's most spectacular finishes, flattening Danish veteran Nicolas Dalby with a devastating overhand right that sent him face-first to the canvas. The knockout earned a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus (shared with Dalby) and marked the first time Dalby was finished in 30 professional fights.
Both fighters weighed exactly 171 pounds. Brown entered seeking to regain momentum in the division, while Dalby hoped to snap his own skid.
The pair exchanged words before and during the fight, adding intensity to their welterweight clash. Round 1 delivered competitive action as both landed significant strikes. Dalby's leg kicks scored consistently, Brown worked his jab and landed right hands. Brown landed a solid right hand that put Dalby's nose in bad shape.
The momentum swung when Dalby landed a right hand that put Brown down on the mat late in Round 1. Dalby got on top and worked ground-and-pound, landing punches before the round ended. Dalby won Round 1 clearly, 10-9.
Round 2 saw Dalby come out throwing kicks while Brown landed a right hand. Brown worked his jab and landed a front kick, then a body kick and right hand. The New Yorker found his rhythm, landing jabs and right hands consistently.
Dalby landed a left hand and right hand in response. Brown connected with a knee that hurt Dalby, then hurt him again with punches. Dalby was compromised but swinging back gamely. They traded shots in a wild exchange.
Then Brown landed the game-changing blow. A massive overhand right caught Dalby flush amid the exchange. The Danish veteran went face-first to the mat, unconscious before hitting the canvas. Brown strutted past his fallen opponent, gestured toward him, and climbed the fence to celebrate.
The spectacular finish came at 1:39 of Round 2. It marked the first time Dalby was finished in his 30-fight professional career - a testament to both his durability and Brown's power.
Post-fight, Brown celebrated emphatically: "It feels good knowing that I could take on such a veteran and show what I'm about. I'm too fast, too big, too slick, too good. I'm gonna be a problem for all these mother f**kers."
He went further by calling out the main event winner: "For me, it's whatever. Anybody can get it."
The knockout improved Brown's record significantly and earned him half of the $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus. Dalby dropped to 24-5-1 with his first stoppage loss ever.
Ikram Aliskerov vs André Muniz - Middleweight (Main Card Opener)
Ikram Aliskerov (Russia) def. André Muniz (Brazil) via TKO (punches) at 4:54 of Round 1
Russian middleweight Ikram Aliskerov delivered a delayed knockout of Brazilian submission specialist André Muniz with a left hook that initially seemed harmless but ultimately crumpled the Brazilian to the canvas for a late first-round TKO finish.
Both fighters weighed in at 185.5 and 185 pounds respectively. The bout finally took place after multiple reschedules - originally booked for UFC on ESPN: Perez vs Taira in June 2024 (Muniz withdrew with foot fracture), then rescheduled for UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs Imavov in February (cancelled due to Muniz's visa issues).
The action unfolded with Muniz backed up to the fence when Aliskerov clipped him with a left hook. The immediate reaction suggested it wasn't a decisive shot. However, within moments, the delayed effects became apparent.
Muniz's legs began to betray him. His knees slowly buckled as he folded to the mat, ending up in a vulnerable position. Aliskerov pounced immediately, landing a long series of ground strikes from top position.
Referee Jason Herzog watched carefully as the accumulating ground-and-pound forced his intervention at 4:54 of Round 1, giving Aliskerov the TKO victory.
The finish improved Aliskerov's record significantly. For Muniz, the knockout loss represented a devastating setback after the lengthy delays in getting the fight completed.
UFC on ESPN 66: Machado Garry vs Prates Preliminary Card Results
Matt Schnell vs Jimmy Flick - Flyweight (Featured Prelim)
Matt Schnell (United States) def. Jimmy Flick (United States) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
American flyweight veteran Matt Schnell edged fellow American Jimmy Flick via close unanimous decision in a tactical flyweight battle. The victory demonstrated Schnell's experience against a dangerous submission specialist.
Both fighters weighed exactly 126 pounds for their preliminary bout. Schnell sought to rebuild momentum while Flick hoped to get back in the win column.
The bout delivered three competitive rounds of grappling exchanges and striking. Schnell's veteran savvy and technical approach earned slight advantages across the rounds.
All three judges scored it identically 29-28 for Schnell. The razor-thin margins reflected how competitive Flick remained throughout the fifteen minutes.
The victory improved Schnell's UFC record. Flick suffered a setback but remained dangerous in the flyweight division.
Evan Elder vs Gauge Young - Lightweight
Evan Elder (United States) def. Gauge Young (United States - promotional newcomer) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
American lightweight Evan Elder dominated promotional newcomer Gauge Young with a shutout unanimous decision. The comprehensive victory demonstrated Elder's experience advantage.
Elder entered as a late replacement after Ahmad Sohail Hassanzada was removed from the event following his arrest on sexual assault charges. Mitch Ramirez had originally been scheduled but withdrew due to injury. The multiple replacements created chaos in matchmaking.
Both fighters weighed exactly 156 pounds. Young stepped in as a promotional newcomer replacing Hassanzada, making his task even more difficult.
Elder controlled all three rounds with superior striking and grappling. His experience overwhelmed Young's promotional debut efforts.
All three judges scored it 30-27 - a complete shutout for Elder. The unanimous verdict reflected his comprehensive dominance across fifteen minutes.
The victory improved Elder's record. Young dropped to 0-1 in his disappointing UFC debut.
Chris Gutierrez vs John Castañeda - Bantamweight
Chris Gutierrez (United States) def. John Castañeda (United States) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
American bantamweight Chris Gutierrez earned a narrow split decision over fellow American John Castañeda in a closely-contested battle finally brought to fruition after previous cancellation.
Both fighters weighed exactly 146 pounds for their bantamweight clash. The bout was originally scheduled as a short-notice contest at UFC 313 in March but was scrapped hours before taking place when Castañeda suffered an undisclosed illness.
The competitive nature carried across three rounds with both fighters having success. Gutierrez's technical approach matched Castañeda's aggressive style in closely-scored frames.
The scorecards reflected the competitive battle: one judge favored Castañeda 28-29 while two scored it 29-28 for Gutierrez, giving him the split decision victory.
The victory improved Gutierrez's UFC record. Castañeda suffered a narrow defeat after the lengthy delay in getting the fight completed.
Da'Mon Blackshear vs Alatengheili - Bantamweight
Da'Mon Blackshear (United States) def. Alatengheili (China) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
American bantamweight Da'Mon Blackshear dominated Chinese fighter Alatengheili (also known as Heili Alateng) with a near-shutout unanimous decision. The striking clinic demonstrated Blackshear's technical superiority.
Blackshear weighed 135.5 pounds while Alatengheili weighed 136 pounds for their preliminary bout. Blackshear sought to extend his winning ways while Alatengheili hoped to bounce back.
Round 1 saw Blackshear narrowly miss a flying knee to start but land numerous kicks. He worked his jab effectively, landed right hands, body kicks, and a big calf kick. Head kicks and leg kicks scored consistently. Alatengheili landed a counter right hand but was clearly outworked.
The pattern continued across Rounds 2 and 3 with Blackshear's superior striking volume overwhelming the Chinese fighter.
Two judges scored it 30-27 while one saw it 29-28 - all for Blackshear. The near-shutout scorecards reflected his comprehensive dominance.
The victory improved Blackshear's record significantly. Alatengheili dropped to a disappointing record with the lopsided loss.
UFC on ESPN 66: Machado Garry vs Prates Early Preliminary Card Results
Malcolm Wellmaker vs Cameron Saaiman - Bantamweight
Malcolm Wellmaker (United States) def. Cameron Saaiman (South Africa) via KO (punch) at 1:59 of Round 1
Undefeated American bantamweight Malcolm Wellmaker announced his UFC arrival with a spectacular knockout of South African Cameron Saaiman, landing a vicious counter left hook that sent Saaiman airborne before crashing to the canvas. The highlight-reel finish earned Wellmaker a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus in his promotional debut.
Both fighters weighed exactly 135 pounds. Wellmaker entered 8-0 after earning his contract through Dana White's Contender Series, while Saaiman brought a 9-2 record (3-2 UFC) on a two-fight losing streak after over a year away from competition.
Wellmaker held a two-inch height advantage and four-and-a-half inches of reach advantage. Saaiman adopted a southpaw stance.
After some hand-fighting and range-finding, both fighters traded body kicks and leg kicks. Wellmaker landed a leg kick, Saaiman landed a left hand, and Wellmaker returned a leg kick.
Then Wellmaker changed everything. As they exchanged, he landed a perfectly-timed counter left hook that caught Saaiman flush. The South African literally went airborne from the impact, his body lifted off the canvas before crashing down unconscious.
The brutal knockout came at 1:59 of Round 1, giving Wellmaker a spectacular debut victory.
Post-fight, an ecstatic Wellmaker celebrated: "My life is better than I ever thought it could be - this is incredible. We knew that was going to happen, we knew that was going to be the shot. I didn't think it was going to come this soon, but he gave me what I wanted and I gave you what you all wanted."
He set his sights on competing at UFC Fight Night 257 on June 14 in Atlanta, showing ambition for quick turnarounds.
The knockout improved Wellmaker to 9-0 (1-0 UFC) and earned him his $50,000 bonus. Saaiman dropped to 9-3 (3-3 UFC) with his third consecutive loss via brutal knockout.
Jaqueline Amorim vs Polyana Viana - Women's Strawweight
Jaqueline Amorim (Brazil) def. Polyana Viana (Brazil) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:49 of Round 2
Brazilian strawweight Jaqueline Amorim extended her finishing streak to four consecutive with a dominant submission victory over compatriot Polyana Viana. The rear-naked choke finish showcased Amorim's elite grappling prowess.
Amorim weighed 116 pounds while Viana weighed 115.5 pounds for their all-Brazilian strawweight clash. Amorim sought to continue her impressive run while Viana hoped to halt the momentum.
Amorim immediately got a takedown to start Round 1. Despite Viana working from the bottom and looking for a reverse triangle choke, Amorim advanced to side control and hunted for a kimura. She released it but achieved mount position.
From mount, Amorim landed punches and a big elbow, then more punches and elbows. Viana tried scrambling but Amorim took the back and locked in a body triangle. Clear round for Amorim 10-9.
Round 2 saw them trade before Amorim secured another takedown. Viana gave up her back as Amorim controlled from behind with the body triangle locked in.
Amorim locked in the rear-naked choke. Viana tried desperately to fight it off but ultimately tapped at 1:49 of Round 2.
The dominant submission victory improved Amorim's record and extended her finishing streak to four consecutive. Viana dropped to 11-6 with the submission loss.
Timmy Cuamba vs Roberto Romero - Featherweight
Timmy Cuamba (United States) def. Roberto Romero (Mexico) via TKO (strikes - jumping knee) at 3:55 of Round 2
American featherweight Timmy Cuamba finally earned his first UFC victory with a spectacular jumping knee knockout of Mexican Roberto Romero. The finish proved cathartic for the struggling prospect.
Cuamba held a one-inch height and reach advantage. Both fighters weighed 146 and 145 pounds respectively. Cuamba entered 0-2 in the UFC despite winning on Dana White's Contender Series, desperately needing a victory after ten months away. Romero was also 0-1 in the UFC after dropping his debut to David Onama.
Round 1 delivered competitive featherweight action. Romero mixed kicks to body and legs effectively. During a clinch exchange, simultaneous low knees caused a timeout. After resuming, Cuamba landed combinations and a right hand. The round ended competitively, likely 10-9 for Romero.
Round 2 saw them trade leg kicks before Cuamba landed combinations to the body. After clinch work against the fence, they separated.
Then Cuamba delivered the spectacular finish. He launched a devastating jumping knee that connected perfectly on Romero's chin. The Mexican crumpled to the canvas in a stricken heap, completely unconscious.
The knockout came at 3:55 of Round 2, giving Cuamba his first UFC victory in dramatic fashion.
Post-fight, an emotional Cuamba explained: "Going into that second round I told myself it's time to be great. So that's what I did. My run starts now."
The victory improved Cuamba to 9-3 (1-2 UFC). Romero dropped to 8-5-1 (0-2 UFC) with the brutal knockout loss.
Joselyne Edwards vs Chelsea Chandler - Women's Bantamweight (Card Opener)
Joselyne Edwards (Panama) def. Chelsea Chandler (United States) via TKO (punches) at 2:31 of Round 1
Panamanian bantamweight Joselyne "La Pantera" Edwards opened UFC on ESPN 66 with a spectacular first-round knockout of American Chelsea Chandler. The finish demonstrated Edwards's power and announced her presence in the division.
Edwards weighed 136 pounds while Chandler weighed 134 pounds for the women's bantamweight opener. Chandler, ranked No. 14, sought to defend her position while Edwards aimed to break into rankings.
The action started competitively before Edwards changed everything. She landed counter punches, then dropped Chandler against the fence with a devastating left hook.
As Chandler crumpled, Edwards pounced with finishing punches on the ground. Referee intervention came at 2:31 of Round 1, giving Edwards a spectacular first-round TKO.
Post-fight with translator assistance, Edwards credited her training camp and coaches. As the first and currently only Panamanian fighter in the UFC, she advocated for the promotion to hold an event in Panama.
The knockout improved Edwards's record significantly. Chandler dropped to a setback with the brutal first-round finish.
Notable UFC on ESPN 66: Machado Garry vs Prates Information
Performance Bonuses
UFC on ESPN 66 awarded three $50,000 bonuses (one Fight of the Night, two Performance of the Night):
Fight of the Night: Randy Brown and Nicolas Dalby earned the honor for their entertaining welterweight battle that ended with Brown's spectacular knockout.
Performance of the Night: Zhang Mingyang earned his bonus for the devastating elbow TKO of Anthony Smith in Smith's retirement fight.
Performance of the Night: Malcolm Wellmaker earned his bonus for the spectacular airborne knockout of Cameron Saaiman in his UFC debut.
Weight Issues
Only one fighter missed weight at the official weigh-ins:
Giga Chikadze weighed 147 pounds, one pound over the featherweight non-title limit of 146 pounds. He was fined 20 percent of his purse, which went to opponent David Onama. The bout proceeded at catchweight.
The weight miss raised questions about Chikadze's professionalism and potentially affected his performance in the decision loss.
Anthony Smith's Retirement
The co-main event provided an emotional but heartbreaking farewell for UFC veteran Anthony Smith. The 36-year-old fought his 60th professional bout and announced retirement fight, seeking a storybook ending to his legendary career.
Instead, he suffered a devastating first-round TKO loss to Zhang Mingyang via brutal elbows that cut him badly and bled into his eyes. His UFC career concluded at 13-12, including a title fight loss to Jon Jones.
Despite the disappointing ending, Smith remained a beloved fan favorite and warrior whose legacy transcends the final result. Post-fight, he revealed he flipped off a fan during his farewell, suggesting not everyone in attendance was there to pay tribute.
Controversial Replacements
The lightweight bout between Evan Elder and Gauge Young came together under controversial circumstances. Originally scheduled was Mitch Ramirez vs Ahmad Sohail Hassanzada. Ramirez withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Elder.
Then Hassanzada was arrested on charges of alleged sexual assault approximately one week before his UFC debut. He was removed from the event and replaced by promotional newcomer Gauge Young, creating a completely different matchup than originally planned.
TKO Takeover Event Series
UFC on ESPN 66 was part of the unique "TKO Takeover" - a series of three consecutive events held by TKO Group Holdings' main divisions in Kansas City:
- April 24: Professional Bull Riders (PBR) event
- April 26: UFC on ESPN 66
- April 28: WWE Raw taping
The cross-promotional synergy demonstrated TKO Group Holdings' ability to leverage multiple properties in the same market.
Callouts and Future Matchmaking
Ian Machado Garry called to serve as backup for welterweight title fights and expressed interest in fighting "the best" in the division. His calculated victory positioned him for bigger opportunities despite the late scare.
Randy Brown called out the main event winner post-fight, declaring "Anybody can get it" and positioning himself as a problem for all welterweights.
Malcolm Wellmaker set his sights on competing at UFC Fight Night 257 on June 14 in Atlanta, showing ambition for quick turnarounds after his spectacular debut.
Fight Booking History
Several bouts faced lengthy delays before finally taking place:
- Ikram Aliskerov vs André Muniz was originally scheduled for UFC on ESPN: Perez vs Taira in June 2024, rescheduled for UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs Imavov in February, before finally occurring here
- Chris Gutierrez vs John Castañeda was scheduled for UFC 313 in March but scrapped hours before taking place due to Castañeda's illness
- Giga Chikadze vs David Onama was moved from UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs Murphy to this event
Conclusion
UFC on ESPN 66: Machado Garry vs Prates delivered a memorable night of action in Kansas City, featuring emotional farewells, spectacular finishes, and a main event that settled welterweight contender debates. Ian Machado Garry's calculated unanimous decision over Carlos Prates demonstrated his elite skills while surviving a dangerous fifth-round rally, positioning him for bigger opportunities after rebounding from his first career loss.
The co-main event provided heartbreak as Zhang Mingyang destroyed retiring legend Anthony Smith with brutal elbows in the first round, denying "Lionheart" a storybook ending while extending his own spectacular first-round knockout streak to 12 consecutive. The devastating finish earned Zhang a $50,000 bonus and announced him as a rising light heavyweight threat.
Randy Brown's spectacular knockout of Nicolas Dalby - marking the first time the Danish veteran was finished in 30 professional fights - created one of the card's most memorable moments and earned Fight of the Night honors. Malcolm Wellmaker's airborne knockout in his UFC debut earned another Performance bonus and announced a new bantamweight prospect.
With Giga Chikadze's weight miss the only professionalism issue, and multiple spectacular finishes throughout the 14-fight card, UFC on ESPN 66 successfully returned to Kansas City as part of the unique TKO Takeover event series. As Machado Garry targets title opportunities and Zhang Mingyang continues his devastating run, the event reshaped both welterweight and light heavyweight divisions while providing unforgettable moments for Kansas City fight fans.
Other UFC Events:
- UFC on ESPN 67 Sandhagen vs Figueiredo
- UFC 314 Volkanovski vs Lopes
- UFC on ESPN 65 Emmett vs Murphy
- Upcoming UFC Events Schedule