Farid Basharat vs. Chris Gutierrez
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Basharat (-440), Gutierrez (+340)

Round 1
Two bantamweights on the way up will meet in a bout shifted down to the early prelims for some reason, even though the victor may have a number next to their name on Monday. Gutierrez (22-6-2, 10-3-1 UFC) will likely be fighting behind his many kicks, while “Ferocious” Basharat (13-0, 4-0 UFC) has yet to taste defeat in the cage. Referee Herb Dean will take care of business, and the fighters gladly bump fists before engaging.
What results early on is a whole lot of shadowboxing, feinting and faking to find their respective range. The first strike committed to is a spinning back kick from Basharat about 90 seconds in, and Gutierrez pays it no mind and keeps raising his leg up to serve as a shield. Basharat kicks his way into a takedown shot, and his double-leg entry succeeds in bringing Gutierrez to the floor.
Basharat gets busier than the few athletes from earlier tonight that have taken the fight down, but it does not take long for Gutierrez to shut him down from much more. Basharat postures up and drives down a right hand, and it is one-and-done as he gets swallowed up in the guard. Gutierrez maintains a high guard, it seemingly active enough to stave off much offense. Basharat scores another ground strike or two, but he is much more interested getting to half guard. The upkicks from Gutierrez allow him to push Basharat off of him, only for the man born in Afghanistan to climb back on top and ride out the slow round.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Basharat
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Basharat
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Basharat

Round 2
Basharat runs out of his corner but stops right in the center of the cage, not willing to go much further ahead. This allows Gutierrez to lobby kicks at him, although Basharat’s punches that he sits down on are much more effective. Gutierrez fakes spins to draw Basharat off-guard, and he punches through the raised hands to scores a straight left. Gutierrez chips at the lead leg from his preferred range of distance kickboxing, and Basharat meets him with one or two back before swinging with a big left and a high kick on the other side to get the American’s attention. Gutierrez blocks a wide overhand right and kicks the lead wheel again, with Basharat offering back a hefty body kick.
Basharat splits the guard with a huge one-two that staggers Gutierrez, and he backs off to celebrate his success. Basharat hurls looping strikes, and a front kick surprises the kickfighter. Gutierrez replies with a spin kick to the ribs, and Basharat gathers his thoughts and sits down on a power right hand. Basharat ties them up against the fencing, and Gutierrez separates without much issue. Gutierrez fakes to spin a few times, and Basharat leaps at him with a jump knee that does not find the mark. A Rolling Thunder kick from Basharat punctuates the round.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Basharat
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Basharat
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Basharat

Round 3
The bantamweights meet in the middle, and Basharat strikes first with a calf kick. Gutierrez hammers him back with a low kick and a combo of punches, and he gets Basharat’s attention. The pressure from the American has surprised Basharat, who is on his heels and on the verge of being taken down. Gutierrez wrenches his man down to the floor, and holds him down from behind without tossing much. Basharat powers back to his feet and throws everything he has into a monster left and right, and Gutierrez dances out of the way without absorbing anything. Basharat pitches a left hand around the guard, and he just misses a spin kick. Basharat’s one-two skims off his intended target, and his spin without a kick just makes him twirl around aimlessly. Gutierrez scoops in a heavy left hook, but it is a single strike and what follows are feints.
Basharat drops to his knees and commits to a picture-perfect explosive double, scooping Gutierrez up and slamming him down to his back. Gutierrez gives his back up standing, and he shimmies Basharat off of him to put the Brit on his back now. Basharat scrambles to his knees and dives for a single-leg takedown, and Gutierrez lets him up and pushes off to fake spin weakly with a back fist. Basharat tries to keep him at bay with a push kick, and he takes a left hand and fires off a body kick that glances the cup. Gutierrez adjusts his athletic supporter and just manages to block a spinning wheel kick, and he crashes the pocket for two punches. Gutierrez reaches his foe with a spinning back fist, and his front kick after it appears much more effective. They both swing for big hooks and crash into one another, and a Gutierrez spin goes wide. Gutierrez knocks Basharat off his feet with a shovel right hand as seconds remain on the clock, and time expires before he can do anything with his opponent on his back.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gutierrez (29-28 Basharat)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Gutierrez (29-28 Basharat)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Gutierrez (29-28 Basharat)

The Official Result
Farid Basharat def. Chris Gutierrez via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

John Castaneda vs. Chris Gutierrez
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gutierrez (-130), Castaneda (+110)

Round 1
Both fighters normally bantamweights, the short-notice nature of this rescheduled tilt shifted it up 10 pounds to featherweight. It was originally scheduled for UFC 313, only to fall through on Fight Night when Castaneda (21-7, 4-3 UFC) suffered a fight-scratching illness. Ready to finally get in there, Gutierrez (21-6-2, 9-3-1 UFC) as his shins sharpened and ready for combat. Joining the two fighters in the cage will be referee Keith Peterson, who reaches the cage after bouncing nonsense from the premises. They clap hands, and Gutierrez comes out throwing kicks from both legs. Castaneda backs off all the way to the fence, moving side to side to not present a stationary target. Castaneda attempts his own low kick, aiming a second on the inside when the first succeeds. Gutierrez rips the inner thigh back with a kick, and Castaneda switches stances briefly. Gutierrez slips a punch and works the front calf, and he parries three of four punches but gets caught with the fourth on the nose. Gutierrez’ kicks keep Castaneda moving, who is constantly trying not to get nailed with a head kick, a spin kick or something else fired his way. Gutierrez steps in, tosses a kick to the ribs and trips. Castaneda’s eyes light up, as he jumps down to claim top position uncontested. Castanada steps into half guard, flattening Gutierrez out while exerting his body weight down. The audience does not love the relative inaction with the wrestling, audibly letting the fighters know of this. Gutierrez gets some space using butterfly hooks to push off the hips, and he grabs one of Castaneda’s ankles while searching for upkicks. Gutierrez decides to just stand up, and Castaneda seemingly lets him back up without issue. Gutierrez thanks him for this with a straight right hand down the pipe, sending “Sexi Mexi” to the ground in a heap. As Castaneda lays on his side defending himself, time expires before Gutierrez can get the finish he was seeking.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gutierrez
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gutierrez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gutierrez

Round 2
The fighters clap hands to re-engage, and Castaneda swings with everything he has into a reintroductory right hand. Gutierrez needs a moment to recover, and he gathers his thoughts and lets loose with a spinning wheel kick that misses the mark. Gutierrez kicks his foe so hard in the front leg, he puts Castaneda on his seat. Castaneda climbs back up, directly into a crippling low kick that makes him limp almost immediately. Gutierrez sells out for a big punch, and Castaneda meets him with his own at the same time. Castaneda strikes the body and head, circling away before Gutierrez can get to him. Castaneda goes wide with a wheel kick, and when he lands, he reaches out with a long left hand. Castaneda chips at the front leg with a kick, and Gutierrez actually shoves him away rather than striking him. Gutierrez pump-fakes a spin, and he checks a kick and has his guard up to prevent Castaneda from getting off on him. Gutierrez sneaks out a left hand, and he again fakes a spin. Castaneda does not bite and instead loads up on a right hand, and Gutierrez frowns at him. Castaneda gives chase, walking through kicks to his lead leg and a few punches. The two proceed to trade it out from close range, and Gutierrez slams his shin on the inside of his foe’s lead leg to give him brief pause. Gutierrez kicks the outside of the leg, and Castaneda responds in kind. Gutierrez probes out with a jab and a step-in knee, and Castaneda has to shake out the cobwebs but is forced to deal with jabs and leg kicks when doing so. They both land straight punches at the same time, and Gutierrez shoots for a single-leg takedown suddenly. Castaneda grins at him and hammers him with two heavy hooks, and Gutierrez is quick to abandon the shot. Castaneda goes high with two kicks that are blocked, and Gutierrez bloodies his nose up with a right hand at the bell.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gutierrez
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gutierrez

Round 3
The fighters are so amped up to get going again, Peterson has to tell them to back off before he says go. When he does, they do not hang back, and instead engage with one another in close range. Both men land cleanly on one another, and Gutierrez has to back off and disengage rather than keep letting hands fly. Castaneda’s wheel kick effort bounces harmless off the guard, but when he plants his leg, he is able to score three low kicks in rapid succession. Gutierrez flicks out a few jabs, and Castaneda kicks him once more. Gutierrez punches his way into a clinch, and he abandons the level change when the leverage is not right. Castaneda slings a kick to the body, and Gutierrez comes out swinging and misses the mark. This allows Castaneda to grip hold of his foe and push him against the fencing, all while looking for a trip. Castaneda elects to lift Gutierrez all the way in the air, slamming him down on his back hard. Castaneda smothers his foe on top, moving to side control to not let Gutierrez go anywhere. Gutierrez tries to scramble, and Castaneda responds with a guillotine choke with one arm while using his body weight to press on him. Castaneda lets it go and lands a few punches, and Gutierrez drags him back to the closed guard. As Gutierrez fights off the grappling and pushes off, Castaneda kicks him in the legs a few times when his foe stands. The horn sounds, and the fight is over.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda (29-28 Gutierrez)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda (29-28 Castaneda)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda (29-28 Gutierrez)

The Official Result
Chris Gutierrez def. John Castaneda via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Yadong Song vs. Chris Gutierrez
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Song (-380), Gutierrez (+300)

Round 1
All hands are on deck for what should be action-packed headliner at 135 pounds. The winner should position himself closer to the top of the landscape at bantamweight, although a logjam of title suitors still sits in front of them. Whether they need one more win or five to get to the top of the mountain, Song (20-7-1, 1 NC; 9-2-1 UFC) and Gutierrez (20-5-2, 8-2-1 UFC) are ready to take that next step by going through the other. Striking totals and the power behind them will likely be high, so referee Herb Dean is on high alert for the next 25 minutes or less. When they are brought together, they touch gloves to signal there is no ill will for one another. Gutierrez paws out low kicks more as range-finders than as actual scoring strikes, and Song lunges at him and nods when a fist glances off the side of Gutierrez’ head. Gutierrez suddenly spins with a kick, and Song is well out of harm’s way. Gutierrez flicks a head kick at his foe, and Song is able to block it without concern and sweep the leg in response. Gutierrez prods out with low kicks on both sides of the leg of his opponent, and Song prepares a counter but does not release it when seeing Gutierrez is not committing to the strikes. Gutierrez dips out of the way of a spinning back fist that whizzes past him, and they trade low kicks. Gutierrez uses his kicks as distance-keeping weapons, not putting much into some of them and simply tossing them out to keep Song from closing in recklessly. Song peppers Gutierrez with leg kicks, and Gutierrez lands a few stomp kicks on the knee back. Gutierrez fakes a spin, and then sells out and spins with a fist that rebounds off the gloves. Song slams his shin on the lead leg of “El Guapo,” and he leaps forward with two hooks. The leg kicks prompt a stance switch, and when Gutierrez scores a left hand, Song smiles at him and shrugs. Song then lunges ahead, missing with a punch, but they both drive leg kicks home. Gutierrez kicks the body, and Song waves him on, asking for more. “Kung Fu Kid” races ahead, but he misses with strikes as the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Song
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Song
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Song

Round 2
When the second round begins, the two kick and kick and kick. They trade kicks to the lead leg, Song goes high, and Gutierrez emulates him with one of his own. Gutierrez plants the ball of his foot on Song’s face, and Song grins and laughs it off. Song lashes out, and when he misses, Gutierrez spins with a back fist and partially catches him with it. Gutierrez looks for a second front kick, and Song picks up on it but only partially. Gutierrez chips away with low kicks, and he checks one that comes back at him. Song reaches him with three punches, getting off at the end of one, and Gutierrez bounces away and picks and pokes with low kicks. Song looks to split the guard with a right hand, and Gutierrez kicks his leg out and sends him careening off-balance when Song spins. Gutierrez kicks the lead leg and backs away from a counter, and he pokes out with a front kick. Song tries to crowd him, and Gutierrez parries and evades the blows. Song connects with a few low kicks, and Gutierrez pushes off his face and pokes Song in both eyes. Dean calls time and tells Gutierrez to stop leading with his fingers, and he allows Song to recover. Song tries to hurry back, and Dean gives him more time, but Song wants to fight so they resume after about 45 seconds off. Gutierrez starts up again with his front leg raised, and he chambers and fires it at his foe. Gutierrez circles away from the oncoming offense, avoiding any of the power punches and getting off his own strikes. Song rushes forward, practically tackling Gutierrez to the ground. Gutierrez sets up butterfly hooks to try to sweep his foe from China, and he kicks off Song’s hips but cannot lift him off. Song slowly works with occasional strikes, and Gutierrez looks to throw his legs up with a high guard or something more. Song keeps Gutierrez pressed against the fence, until Dean calls time and issues a hard warning to Gutierrez for grabbing Song’s gloves. Dean resets them in position, and Song rides out the round on top landing right hands.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gutierrez
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Song
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Song

Round 3
The two bantamweights touch ‘em up before opening the third round, and kicks are the first item on the menu. Song fires off a high kick, and he shoots in for a takedown. Gutierrez defends it, but he gets popped on the way out with a right hook. Gutierrez lands a front kick, and Song outstretches his hand and a finger jams deep into Gutierrez’ eye socket. Dean pauses the fight and allows Gutierrez to recover. Gutierrez takes 90 seconds and a hand wipe before he is good to go, and they resume. Gutierrez pushes out several front kicks with both legs, interrupting Song’s movement and combinations. Song reaches him with a left hand, and ducks back as Gutierrez spins with a wheel kick. The leg kicks land one after the other for both men, and Gutierrez raises his guard at the right moment to block a left hook that blazes at him. Song sticks out a jab, and Gutierrez answers him with a right hook. Gutierrez kicks the knee and fakes with spins, and the two crash together without landing of note. Gutierrez snaps up a question mark kick that Song mostly defends, and Song tries to make him pay but Gutierrez is well out of the way. Song delivers a stern leg kick that lands with an audible thud, and he tosses up his other leg to Gutierrez’ face—Gutierrez protects himself from it. Gutierrez drops low to change levels, drawing a huge reaction out of Song. Gutierrez fakes another takedown to again make Song think about defending, and he goes up high with a right hand. Gutierrez jabs the lead leg with his own leg, and he gets cornered by the Chinese fighter and skirts away after eating a three-punch serving. Song reaches Gutierrez with a left, and he clubs him with a right before Gutierrez escapes. Song takes a knee up the middle while throwing hands, and he takes a straight right hand after landing a few strikes. Gutierrez slides to the side to let a spinning wheel kick land on his shoulder, and he throws a high kick in response. Song catches it and dumps him to the mat with seconds to go, and Song does not do anything with it as the bell rings.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Song
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Song
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Song

Round 4
The bantamweights reach the championship rounds, and feet are in play before fists. Gutierrez blocks a head kick and takes two low kicks, and he connects with a clean front kick up the middle. Song tries to chase him down and corner him, but it ends with him falling over. Gutierrez spins with a back fist, and when that misses, Song belts him with a huge right hand that shocks him and sends him crashing down to the floor. Song jumps on top, but Gutierrez closes his guard and stifles any further offense from getting through. Gutierrez recovers, as Song resides on top of him without worry. Gutierrez slaps Song on the side of the head as he stays stuck on his back, and Song occasionally gets in a few strikes to keep Dean from standing them up. Song stacks Gutierrez up any time Gutierrez tries to do some finagling of his guard, and Gutierrez claims several strikes land to the back of his head. The strikes from Song, methodical and effective, open up a cut on Gutierrez’ left eyebrow. Song grinds the remainder of the round out, and Gutierrez is extremely frustrated.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Song
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Song
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Song

Round 5
Reaching the last rounds, the two men come together but do not engage quite as quickly as they did before. Gutierrez keeps his range, until out of nowhere he attempts an Imanari roll for a leglock. This is a poor decision, as Song completely bowls him over and gets right back to the position where he ended the last frame. Song has no qualms about smacking Gutierrez around with short punches and a few elbows, all while precious time ticks off the clock for the underdog Gutierrez. Song postures up every so often to hammer down an elbow, and Gutierrez scoots himself back to the wall to try to lean off of it and get up. Song drags him back down and drives home a number of elbows, until Gutierrez desperately turns and pushes his legs off the fencing. Dean warns him for hooking his toes in the fence, and Song celebrates this moment of confusing by punching Gutierrez in the face. With 30 seconds left in the fight, Song opens up with a stream of left hands and hammerfists as he holds Gutierrez in an awkward position. Gutierrez looks for a low-percentage leglock that allows him to get bludgeoned a few more times, and the long five-round engagement comes to a close. There is just one more UFC event in 2023, and it may be one to remember with two title fights and plenty of action fights booked. We will be here for it, and we hope you are too.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Song (49-46 Song)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Song (50-45 Song)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Song (50-45 Song)

The Official Result
Yadong Song def. Chris Gutierrez via Unanimous Decision (50-44, 50-45, 50-45)