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MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)
#6 Brendan Allen (186 lbs.) vs. #14 Chris Curtis (186 lbs.)
Alexander Hernandez (147.5 lbs.)* vs. Damon Jackson (146 lbs.)
Morgan Charriere (145 lbs.) vs. Chepe Mariscal (145.5 lbs.)
Ignacio Bahamondes (156 lbs.) vs. Christos Giagos (156 lbs.)
Charlie Campbell (155 lbs.) vs. Trevor Peek (155.5 lbs.)
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 3 p.m. ET)
Court McGee (170.5 lbs.) vs. Alex Morono (171 lbs.)
Lukasz Brzeski (236 lbs.) vs. Valter Walker (264 lbs.)
Germaine de Randamie (135 lbs.) vs. #11 Norma Dumont (136 lbs.)
Pedro Falcao (136 lbs.) vs. Victor Hugo (135.5 lbs.)Cynthia Calvillo (119 lbs.)* vs. Piera Rodriguez (116 lbs.)
Dan Argueta (136 lbs.) vs. Jean Matsumoto (136 lbs.)
Cesar Almeida (185.5 lbs.) vs. Dylan Budka (185.5 lbs.)
Nora Cornolle (138.5 lbs.)* vs. Melissa Mullins (138 lbs.)*
Hello everyone and welcome to 411mania’s LIVE coverage of UFC on ESPN+ 98, I’m Robert Winfree and I’ll be your host for the evening. We’re almost out of the trough, the horrible chasm between UFC 299 and UFC 300. With both of those PPV cards being stacked the weekly shows have been pretty ho hum to facilitate those bigger events being as stacked as is reasonably possible, and this event is about as unremarkable as any in recent memory. The main event was supposed to be Brendan Allen vs. Marvin Vettori but Vettori suffered an injury and in steps Chris Curtis, these two actually fought back in 2021 with Curtis scoring the win but Allen hasn’t lost since. We also lost a fight between Cynthia Calvillo and Piera Rodriguez after Calvillo, on a five fight losing streak, weighed in at 119 pounds for a strawweight fight and the whole thing was called off, oh and to further prove how little anyone cares about this three other fighters missed weight as well. Honestly Curtis vs. Allen isn’t the worst Fight Night main event, but that’s a bar that’s been lowered consistently for a while now. The rest of the card is trying to find hidden gems, especially since half of your co-main event missed weight. But to that end Morgan Carriere and Chepe Mariscal might be fun, Trevor Peek has been at least been a funny and mostly entertaining kind of fighter, and hey former champion Germaine de Randamie returns after a few years off due to injury and pregnancy. I’m still not sure if de Randamie or Nicco Montano is the most forgotten UFC champion of the last decade. I know most people are watching night 1 of WrestleMania, but let’s hope for good action here at least.
UFC on ESPN+ 98 comes to the world from the UFC warehouse that is the Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. We’ve got John Gooden, Michael Bisping, and Paul Felder calling the action for us. Because we’re in Nevada we’ll have instant replay available, and because we’re in the warehouse we’re in the smaller 25 foot cage so keep both of those things in mind.
Melissa Mullins is undefeated including a solid UFC debut last year, but she missed weight here and is hoping a win will help smooth that over. Nora Cornolle is on a seven fight winning streak including her UFC debut last year, but she also missed weight here and is trying to get a win to try and make up for that gaff. The odds are solidly with Mullins at -335 to a +280 comeback on Cornolle.
Women’s Bantamweight Bout: Nora Cornolle (7-1, 138.5 lbs.)* vs. #15 Melissa Mullins (6-0, 138 lbs.)*
ROUND ONE: These two are the same height while Mullins has an inch of reach advantage, and of course both women missed weight, though apparently because they both missed there will be no fines. Odd ruling there but OK. Cornolle works some leg kicks and long range punches early. Double jab from Cornolle. Mullins pushes into a clinch and forces things to the fence. Cornolle is able to avoid a takedown but can’t quite get off the fence yet. Some knees from Cornolle. Eventually Mullins is able to get a takedown. Leg drag for Mullins now and she tries to mount but Cornolle catches half guard. Sweep from Cornolle and she’s on top now then moves towards the back but Mullins stands and they separate. Some kicks from Cornolle now. Mullins pushes into another clinch on the fence. Cornolle with some knees to the body while looking to separate, a few of those go to the kidney and that’s just mean. Mullins with a knee of her own then an elbow but Cornolle lands a right hand as they break just before the round ends.
SCORECARD: 10-9 Cornolle
ROUND TWO: Quick clinch from Mullins, she’s trying to keep the pace and physicality high. They jockey for position on the fence, Cornolle landing a few more knees to the body during that time. A few knees go back and forth while they jockey for position. In general Cornolle is getting more dirty boxing and knees off, then they break and Cornolle lands a bit of a head kick. Some distance kicks from Cornolle then they trade jabs. A knee to the body from Cornolle then a couple of head kicks drop Mullins and that’ll prompt the stoppage.
OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Nora Cornolle via TKO, knee to the body and head kicks, at 3:06 of Round 2
Solid performance from Cornolle and she gets an interview. She feels great to get the finish and puts over Mullins as a tough opponent who gave her a dog fight. She talks us through the finish and about all the work her team has put in. Some French for her supporters back home and she dedicates the win to her father. To close she thanks her teammates and everyone who helped her.
The value of body work is how it wears down your opponent, it’s rarely one and done at the professional level. Cornolle had been working the body with knees all fight and this one finally brings it all crashing down for Mullins. Love the head kicks to follow up as well.
Nora Cornolle beats Melissa Mullins with a huge finish in round 2 👏 #UFCVegas90 pic.twitter.com/kkCilBu894
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) April 6, 2024
Dylan Budka brings a two fight winning streak into his UFC debut and he’s hoping to make the most of his only chance for a good first impression. Cesar Almeida is undefeated in MMA coming into his UFC debut and he’s also trying to make a good first impression on the UFC audience. Closer one here but the odds tilt towards Budka at -135 against Almeida’s +115.
Middleweight Bout: Cesar Almeida (4-0, 185.5 lbs.) vs. Dylan Budka (7-2, 185.5 lbs.)
ROUND ONE: Almeida is an inch taller while Budka has an inch of reach advantage and is 12 years younger. Circling to start, Almeida is doing a little bit of stance switching now as well. Body kick from Budka then a double leg into half guard. Almeida scoots to the fence and looks to wall walks but winds up sitting on the fence. Budka mounts the legs and works to keep Almeida from posting with his hands. A few short punches from Budka land to the head. Eventually Almeida is able to get up but eats a knee and is still clinched. Budka is still working for a double leg and hits it then again mounts the legs. Almeida wall walks again but can’t get free. A few short knees to the leg from Budka as he’s after a takedown but nothing serious yet. Budka is after another takedown but can’t find it before the round ends.
SCORECARD: 10-9 Budka
ROUND TWO: Quick takedown from Budka but once again Almeida wall walks very quickly into a clinch. Some elbows from Almeida, he’s trying to find damage while fighting off the takedowns. Almeida slips to the back and lands punches then breaks. Front kick and a left to the body from Almeida. Budka is tired and looks not great. Budka tries a double leg but Almeida defends, though Budka does get him on the fence. Elbows from Almeida, Budka is hurt and Almeida gets on top and punches things out.
OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Cesar Almeida via TKO, elbows, at 2:13 of Round 2
Mic time for Almeida and the translator, he actually starts with English and says he’s been working hard on his MMA game and is ready for this spot. He talks us through the finish and knew what Budka’s strategy would be then reiterates he’s ready. Asked about the future he wants to fight with Chris Weidman.
Dan Argueta has had a couple of No Contest results his last two times out but his overall UFC record is 1-1 with 2 No Contests, now he’s hoping to get back on the winning side of things while pulling his UFC record above the .500 mark. Jean Matsumoto is undefeated coming into his UFC debut and he’s hoping to keep that perfect record in tact with a memorable first UFC outing. The odds are with Matsumoto at -165 to a +140 payout on Argueta.
Bantamweight Bout: Dan Argueta (9-1 2 NC, 136 lbs.) vs. Jean Matsumoto (14-0, 136 lbs.)
ROUND ONE: Argueta is an inch taller while Matsumoto has half an inch of reach advantage. Both men doing a little feinting, Matsumoto mostly with his lead hand as he switches stance. Argueta lands a left to the body then tries a takedown against the fence and he’s able to finish it. Matsumoto works to wall walk but Argueta lands punches and starts working to return him to the mat against the fence. Some knees then an outside trip from Argueta and he’s moved into full mount. Matsumoto with a modified sweep and he comes up in the clinch on the back of Argueta. A few knees to the leg from Matsumoto but he can’t quite find a mat return. Trip from Matsumoto but Argueta quickly scrambles up into a front body lock, Matsumoto comes up on a single leg again and they hit the fence. Kimura roll from Argueta but Matsumoto rolls through and they wind up fighting free and on the feet. Argueta just bulls forward and tries another takedown on the fence, Matsumoto gets taken down to his seat on the fence. Matsumoto slips free and resets then lands a calf kick. Argueta swings a few punches then Matsumoto lands a head kick. They trade briefly just before the round ends.
SCORECARD: 10-9 Argueta
ROUND TWO: Predictably Argueta bulls forward, he barely smothers a knee but does get the takedown on the fence. Matsumoto wall walks then tries a ninja choke but Argueta escapes that and tries another takedown. Argueta slips to the back in a clinch then looks for the back but can’t quite find his hooks. Matsumoto fights up, misses a left hook and Argueta gets another brief takedown. Another stand from Matsumoto and this time he gets Argueta on the fence and lands a knee to the body before they break. Left hook from Matsumoto stuns Argueta for a second. Calf kick from Matsumoto. They trade punches then Matsumoto lands a calf kick. Argueta doesn’t like that and tries another double leg on the fence, he’s able to finish it but Matsumoto is able to fight back up to his feet. Double leg from Matsumoto now on the fence and he gets the back but can’t keep it. Argueta shoots again but can’t finish it. Matsumoto slips out of the clinch and they reset. Right hand from Matsumoto. Argueta tries a takedown again, and settles for a clinch. They break without incident. Matsumoto pushes forward now and lands a couple of punches then an inside leg kick. Left hook then a right hand from Matsumoto. Argueta tries another takedown, that stalls on the fence and Matsumoto grabs a guillotine, rolls to a hip with it and Argueta taps just before going out.
OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Jean Matsumoto via Submission, guillotine choke, at 4:59 of Round 2
Mic time for Matsumoto and the translator, he says he trained very hard for this fight and puts over his team. He talks us through the finish and notes he’s been doing guillotines forever then thanks his coaches for all of their work again.
Pedro Falcao took this fight the week of the event, but he brings a five fight winning streak into his UFC debut and he’s hoping to extend that streak here. Victor Hugo has a very long 13 fight winning streak going right now and he’s looking to extend that with a win in his UFC debut. Hugo closed at -140 to +120 for Falcao.
Bantamweight Bout: Pedro Falcao (16-3, 136 lbs.) vs. Victor Hugo (24-4, 135.5 lbs.)
ROUND ONE: Hugo is an inch taller with five and a half inches of reach advantage. Hugo opens with a body kick. Falcao pushes into a clinch and looks for a single leg on the fence, Hugo defends and they clinch. Knee from Hugo, Falcao with some lefts to the head. Hugo with an elbow in close. Outside trip from Falcao and he jumps for the back, he gets both hooks in but Hugo breaks them and Falcao winds up scrambling around to get on top in full guard. Hugo goes to a rubber guard, he’s after a gogoplata but Falcao blocks it and they scramble back up. Knee from Falcao as he’s got Hugo on the cage. Hugo with some body shots then pushes away from the clinch. Left hand from Hugo. Falcao pushes into a clinch again. They break without incident. Calf kick from Hugo. Falcao keeps pushing forward, he tries another takedown on the fence but Hugo defends and sneaks in a few shots. They break then Hugo fires a head kick. Bit of a body kick from Hugo then a low kick. Falcao blocks a high kick then avoids a spinning kick. Uppercut from Hugo, he’s starting to come on now. Left hook from Hugo, he fires a body kick but Falcao tries to cross check with a leg and winds up taking a shot to the groin so we’ve got a time out. Replay confirms the low blow. That is one of the dangers of blocking that kick with the lead leg from open stance, especially when you don’t have a read on the distance. Falcao takes a minute then we’re back to fighting. Hugo right back on pressure and lands a body kick then a left hook to close the round.
SCORECARD: 10-9 Hugo but could have gone the other way
ROUND TWO: Falcao comes out pushing forward but walks into a left hook Hugo with a spinning back kick. Falcao tries another takedown on the fence, Hugo defends and spins free. A couple of punches from Hugo then a front kick. Left hand from Hugo then a left to the body. Falcao is fading but is still throwing punches. Calf kicks from Hugo. Falcao stalks forward, he tries another takedown but Hugo again defends on the fence then they break. Leg kick from Hugo. Falcao walks into a front kick but he’s still coming forward. Hugo with some elbows while defending a single leg on the cage then he limp legs away from it. A couple of body shots from Hugo. Falcao tries another takedown but again gets stalled out in the clinch. They break free. Calf kick from Hugo. Hugo with an uppercut in close then Falcao lands a bit of a left hand. Another front kick from Hugo. Falcao tries a takedown but it hits the fence again. Once again Hugo breaks free, he fires a wheel kick that doesn’t land but he does get around to the back of Falcao in a clinch. They break without incident. Bit of a high kick from Hugo. Body kick from Hugo then a calf kick. Falcao blocks a kick and they both miss punches to close the round.
SCORECARD: 10-9 Hugo but again fairly close, 20-18 Hugo overall
ROUND THREE: Left hook from Hugo and Falcao drops for a moment but he’s up quickly. Falcao pushes forward again. Hugo with a head kick then a front kick. They punch into a clinch and Hugo has Falcao on the cage. Some clinch work from both men as they fight for position, knee from Hugo then a spinning back kick. Falcao complains about the kick but the ref says it was legal. Hugo comes forward with punches then lands a calf kick. Falcao punches and tries another takedown that, say it with me, once again stalls on the fence. A replay seems to indicate that back kick hit the groin. Hugo with a knee and he’s able to get out of the clinch. More body kicks from Hugo. Left hook from Hugo then he avoids a single leg. Falcao lands an elbow then tries again for a takedown but again that isn’t working. Both men with some small shots then Hugo spins free. Hugo with a few lefts. Falcao eats a calf kick and looks to punch forward. Short left hook from Hugo. Falcao swings punches but doesn’t really land then he grabs at a clinch. They break free without incident. Right hand and a calf kick from Hugo. Falcao misses a left hand but tries a takedown, then slips to the back in the clinch. Hugo breaks his grip and they’re clinched again. Knees from Hugo and they break. Both men miss punches, Falcao tries yet another takedown that doesn’t work. Hugo with a bit of a high kick to close out the fight.
SCORECARD: 10-9 Hugo, 30-27 Hugo overall
OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Victor Hugo via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
No interview for Hugo as the blue corner has gone 4-0 thus far.
Norma Dumont is on a three fight winning streak and she’s hoping to score her first win over a former UFC champion here. Germaine de Randamie was last seen choking out Julianna Pena in October of 2020, now three and a half years later she’s back after injury and pregnancy and hoping to prove that despite turning 40 before the end of the month she’s still a capable fighter. Given that layoff it’s not a surprise to see Dumont as the -120 favorite but an even +100 on de Randamie might be a decent little bet.
Women’s Bantamweight Bout: Germaine de Randamie (10-4, 135 lbs.) vs. #11 Norma Dumont (10-2, 136 lbs.)
ROUND ONE: De Randamie is two inches taller with four inches of reach advantage. They touch gloves to get us going. Some front kicks from de Randamie. A lot of feints from de Randamie then she lands a calf kick. Dumont lands a right hand to counter a leg kick and drops de Randamie. Dumont gets on top and moves to half guard. Some decent pressure from Dumont but de Randamie him escapes to full guard. There’s a bit of an arm triangle attack from Dumont, it’s possible to get that from the guard but it’s very difficult. A few body shots from Dumont. Dumont postures up and lands a few punches. De Randamie fights up but eats punches as they clinch. Dumont with a quick takedown from the clinch just before the round ends.
SCORECARD: 10-9 Dumont
ROUND TWO: Forward pressure from de Randamie. Dumont lands a couple of punches but can’t find a takedown. De Randamie pushes forward but misses a punch and gets clinched up. They fight for position in the clinch, a few knees go back and forth. Some rights from de Randamie and she slips to the back for a moment. Dumont gets chest to chest again. De Randamie with some knees still as she’s got Dumont on the fence. Dumont gets de Randamie on the fence, they trade again then separate. Some jabs go back and forth. Bit of a high kick from de Randamie. Right hand from Dumont in close. Dumont catches a kick and hits an inside trip to get on top in full guard. Not much going on here, then Dumont lands an elbow. De Randamie tries an armbar just before the round ends.
SCORECARD: 10-9 de Randamie, 19-19 overall
ROUND THREE: Both women with some jabs to start the round. Dumont eats a front kick then lands a right hand. Jab from de Randamie. Double leg from Dumont and she gets on top. De Randamie looks to wall walk quickly, she’s upright but Dumont is able to spin her back down and lands on top in leg drag. Dumont to side control now and she’s after an arm triangle but there’s some arm position from de Randamie that’s blocking her pass to maybe really threaten it. A lot of shoulder pressure from Dumont but de Randamie does get her arm out of danger. Dumont gets the back as de Randamie rolls, she gets both hooks in and pulls things back to the mat. De Randamie keeps trying to move, she gets to her knees and she tries to wall walk with Dumont on her hip. They’re upright but Dumont is able to trip her back down. Dumont will end the round on top as they trade some punches on the mat.
SCORECARD: 10-9 Dumont, 29-28 Dumont overall
OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Norma Dumont via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Solid win for Dumont who might get a bigger name next, but she wont get an interview.
Valter Walker is undefeated coming into his UFC debut and he’s hoping to enter himself into a division that seems perpetually in need of new talent. Lukasz Brzeski has gone 0-3 in the UFC and hasn’t won a fight since 2020, he could very well be fighting for his job here. Walker is a decent -230 favorite to a +190 comeback on Brzeski.
Heavyweight Bout: Lukasz Brzeski (8-4-1 1 NC, 236 lbs.) vs. Valter Walker (11-0, 264 lbs.)
ROUND ONE: Walker is two inches taller with half an inch of reach advantage, but he’s also 20 some odd pounds heavier. Brzeski comes out looking to pressure forward and lands a couple of calf kicks. Walker starts coming forward now and lands his own calf kick. Brzeski keeps working the calf kick. Walker with an overhand right then hits a double leg into half guard. Brzeski tries to stand from his knees but Walker is riding his leg and landing some punches to the head. Walker to the ride position fully now and lands another couple of lefts. Some more lefts from Walker, he’s good about sneaking those punches in but not really losing the control position. Walker pulls the legs away from Brzeski, Brzeski is able to start his wall walk though Walker rides him back to his knees. Some short rights from Walker as Brzeski stands into a clinch. Brzeski is able to spin free and reset. Front kick from Walker. Brzeski with an uppercut. Calf kick from Walker. Both men land punches in close. Brzeski with a combination, but Walker takes him down into side control. Walker moves to the ride and lands a couple of rights as the round ends.
SCORECARD: 10-9 Walker
ROUND TWO: Brzeski comes forward as the round starts and they trade calf kicks. Walker with a front kick. They trade in close. Brzeski is keeping up the pressure but he’s aware of the takedowns that might come back his way. Right uppercut in close from Brzeski. Walker with a double leg into half guard. Walker to the ride position but Brzeski is working to wall walk. They’re up but Walker is still on the back. Brzeski with a standing switch into the clinch, Walker lands a knee and shoves him off. Bit of a left from Walker. Brzeski lands in close, then eats a right hand. Both men land in close again but the hand speed and combinations of Brzeski is starting to work. Right hand from Brzeski. Walker has a spinning back fist blocked. Elbow from Walker but he eats an uppercut. They trade lefts. Brzeski lands a right hand. Both men land body shots. Bit of a right from Walker. Brzeski has a combination blocked. Clubbing right from Walker but they clinch up and the round ends.
SCORECARD: 10-9 Brzeski, 19-19 overall
ROUND THREE: Brzeski resumes walking forward. Front kick from Walker. Walker lands a left to the body. Brzeski lands a left to the body then they trade in close. Brzeski with a right to the body. Walker tries a takedown, he’s able to finish it against the fence. Walker moves towards full mount and lands right hands. Brzeski is trying to start a wall walk, he turns and stands but Walker has his back and pulls him back down then gets both hooks in. Walker starts fishing for a choke, Brzeski tries to spin around but gives up full mount. Walker with some short punches. Left elbow from Walker. Brzeski tries to bridge off the fence, he’s able to scramble around and get on top with 40 seconds left. Side control now for Brzeski. Walker to his knees and then slips to the back of Brzeski in the ride position. A few punches from Walker and he’ll end the round on the back of Brzeski.
SCORECARD: 10-9 Walker, 29-28 Walker overall
OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Lukasz Brzeski via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Huh, thought Walker had the third but I’m not mad about it. No interview again.
Court McGee has had a surprisingly long UFC career dating back to 2010 but he’s 2-5 in his last seven fights and has been knocked out in the first round both of his last fights, as the end of his career is probably closing in he’s looking for a few more good memories before hanging up the gloves. Alex Morono has gone 5-2 in his last seven fights, he is coming off of a loss though and is trying to avoid his first ever losing streak. It’s not surprising to see Morono as a -340 favorite to +270 on McGee.
Welterweight Bout: Court McGee (21-12, 170.5 lbs.) vs. Alex Morono (23-9 1 NC, 171 lbs.)
ROUND ONE: These two are the same height while McGee has three and a half inches of reach advantage. Morono deflects an early body kick. Right to the body from McGee. Clubbing right hand from Morono lands. A lot of pressure from Morono. Body kick from Morono. McGee lands a body kick of his own. That right hand from Morono keeps landing and it’s going to be a real problem. McGee lands a calf kick. Bit of a right from McGee. Morono with another right hand then a jab. Body kick from Morono. Both men are doing some decent body work here as well, they’re not just head hunting. Body kick then a left hook from Morono. McGee lands a right to the body. Morono lands a right hand but misses a wheel kick to close out the round.
SCORECARD: 10-9 Morono
ROUND TWO: McGee pushes forward quickly, he tries a double leg but Morono grabs a guillotine on the way down and jumps guard with it. Morono climbs up higher with his guard for more leverage on the choke, the angle is a little awkward though. McGee does get his head free and lands body shots. Armbar from Morono but McGee gets free and keeps on top. Morono seems a little stuck underneath here. McGee lands an elbow. Morono tries another guillotine but McGee gets his head free and lands a few more blows from on top. Eventually Morono scrambles up and free. Bit of a one two from McGee. Bit of a knee then a right hand from Morono. McGee bulls forward then lands a left hook. Inside leg kicks go back and forth. Both men miss punches. Morono lands a front kick. A couple of jabs go back and forth then Morono lands a one two to close the round.
SCORECARD: 10-9 Morono but might have gone the other way, 20-18 Morono overall
ROUND THREE: McGee bulls forward quickly and tries a single leg on the fence but bails and they trade punches. Bit of a right from Morono. Morono lands a solid right hand. McGee avoids a spinning back fist. Some jabs go back and forth. Morono with some front kicks. McGee jabs the body. Bit of a right from Morono. Morono blocks a double leg. They trade body kicks. McGee lands a right to the body. Both men miss punches. Both men wing punches, nothing quite lands. Morono lands another right hand, then misses a bunch of punches. McGee with a takedown into full guard as the round ends.
SCORECARD:10-9 Morono, 30-27 Morono overall
OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Alex Morono via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
No issues at all with McGee taking the second, but again we’ve got a decision that means there’s no interview.
Trevor Peek has gone 2-1 in the UFC but did get a win his last time out and now tries to build his first UFC winning streak. Charlie Campbell had a successful UFC debut last year and now looks for his first UFC winning streak as well. The odds like Campbell at -175 while Peek’s underdog status sits at +145.
Lightweight Bout: Charlie Campbell (8-2, 155 lbs.) vs. Trevor Peek (9-1, 155.5 lbs.)
ROUND ONE: