Overview
- Evan Elder defeated Samuel Sanches by unanimous decision on Saturday, November 14, with all three judges scoring the fight 30–26.
- Referee enforcement shaped the outcome when Sanches was docked a point for repeatedly grabbing the cage to stand, a penalty that reduced his final score.
- The bout featured heavy exchanges and knockdowns for both fighters, with Elder wobbling Sanches early and Sanches flooring Elder in round two before Elder recovered.
- Elder secured six takedowns from ten attempts and logged roughly six minutes of top control while landing a higher volume of total and significant strikes.
- The win extends Elder’s UFC winning run and underlines his three-round wrestling and cardio, while Sanches’ UFC debut as a 23-year-old prospect highlights areas for him to correct going forward.