LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 212 event, and you can join us for live play-by-play and official results.
UFC Fight Night 212 takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+.
In the women’s flyweight main event, Alexa Grasso (14-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) takes on Viviane Araujo (11-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC). In the co-feature, Cub Swanson (28-12 MMA, 13-8 UFC) drops to bantamweight for the first time in his lengthy UFC/WEC tenure to take on Jonathan Martinez (16-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC).
Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 4 p.m. ET for the prelims on ESPN+ and 7 p.m. ET for the main card on ESPN+.
To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFC Fight Night 212 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporter Ken Hathaway (@kenshathaway ) on Twitter.
Enjoy the fights, everyone.
Mike Jackson vs. Pete Rodriguez
Round 1 – Rodriguez getting things started with hard leg kicks on Jakcosn. And a body shot from Rodriguez sits down Jackson. Jackson scrambles and finds his way back up. Rodriguez is all over him with relentless pressure. And a big left connects for Rodriguez. Jackson is hurt. Oh! A huge knee puts out cold. Nasty KO by Rodriguez.
Result: Pete Rodriguez def. Mike Jackson via knockout (knee, punch) – Round 1, 1:33
Recap: Pete Rodriguez lights up Mike Jackson for brutal KO
Photos: UFC Fight Night 212: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Pete Rodriguez (5-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Mike Jackson (1-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Tatsuro Taira vs. CJ Vergara
Round 1 – Here we go with the second bout of the night. Vergara with immediate pressure on Taira. And Taira lands clean with a two-punch combo. He then shoots for a takedown, spins and gets the back, and takes down Vergara. Taira now in side control. Taira doing a good job at staying heavy. Three minutes left. Not much ground-and-pound here, just pure grappling from Taira. And Vergara scrambles to his feet with two minutes left. Taira closes the distance almost imediately and takes down Vergara again. Taira now on half-guard. One minute left. Oh! Vergara scrambles and reverses position and sinks in an arm triangle. Taira escapes and gets back to his feet. Taira lands a combo ended by a knee to the head as the bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Taira.
Round 2 – Same dynamic here. Taira closes the distance and gets the fight to the ground. He now gets the back. Taira is fishing for the rear-naked choke now. A few attempts have come close, but Vergara is doing a good job at defending. With a minute left, Taira transitions to an arm bar from the back. It’s tight! And there’s the tap! Clean showing by Taira.
Result: Tatsuro Taira def. CJ Vergara via submission (armbar) – Round 2, 4:19
Recap: Tatsuro Taira remains undefeated by tapping CJ Vergara with slick armbar
Photos: UFC Fight Night 212: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Tatsuro Taira (12-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC), CJ Vergara (10-4-1 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
Division: 129-pound catchweight (Vergara missed weight)
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Kerry Hatley
Sam Hughes vs. Piera Rodriguez
Round 1 – Good leg kick by Rodriguez. Both fighters battling for the center of the cage. Nothing landing flush so far, as both are still testing range and timing. Three minutes left. Good double jab by Hughes. Solid left lands by Rodriguez. And Rodriguez closes the distance and clinches with Hughes. A couple of good knees land for Rodriguez. Rodriguez shoots for a takedown and gets it. Hughes gets backs to her feet fairly quick. Rodriguez with another takedown attempt, but this time fails. One minute left. Hughes putting the pressure on Rodriguez. Nothing lands flush. Competitive start.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Hughes.
Round 2 – And Rodriguez with an earl takedown here. Hughes gets back up but she’s now being pressed against the cage. Hughes scrambles out and the fight resumes on the feet. Hughes bleeding from the bridge of her nose. Good leg kick by Rodriguez. Rodriguez now presses Hughes against the cage. She gets a takedown, but Hughes gets immediately back up. Rodriguez now lading shots as she presses Hughes against the cage. Hughes escapes. Two minutes left. Clean left hook lands by Rodriguez followed by a takedown. Hughes back up but gets pressed against the cage. Once again, she escapes. One minute left. Hughes pressuring Rodriguez now. Nasty knee lands from Rodriguez in clinch. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Rodriguez.
Round 3 – Rodriguez puts Hughes in the clinch and lands multiple knees to the body and head. Hughes escapes and lands a solid right. Now Hughes is the one that closes the distance and presses Rodriguez against the cage. Rodriguez escapes and the fight resumes on the feet. Rodriguez gets a takedown, she controls briefly, and Hughes gets back up. Rodriguez really having trouble controlling Hughes once the fight gets to the ground. Hughes pressing Rodriguez, but she’s unable to tag clean the Venezuelan. Two minutes left. Rodriguez with a good left. Rodriguez looks tired now. Oh! Big left hook from Rodriguez. Hughes connecting more here in the end. Good leg kick by Rodriguez. Hughes closes the distance and presses Rodriguez against the cage as the bell rings. Very close fight.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Rodriguez. Overall 29-28, Rodriguez.
Result: Piera Rodriguez def. Sam Hughes via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: UFC Fight Night 212: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Piera Rodriguez (9-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Sam Hughes (7-5 MMA, 2-4 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jared Valel
Judging: Mike Bell, Adalaide Byrd, Sal S’Amato 29-28.
Lucas Alexander vs. Joanderson Brito
Round 1 – And big slam by Brito to get things started. Alexander gets back up just to get slammed again. Once again, Alexander gets back up, but Brito jumps on his back and sinks in the hooks. Fom back mount while Alexander is standing, Brito is attacking with the rear-naked choke. And there is the tap. Easy work for Brito, who’s now doing a happy dance.
Result: Joanderson Brito def. Lucas Alexander via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:02
Recap: Joanderson Brito gets quick submission win, calls out Dan Ige
Photos: UFC Fight Night 212: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Joanderson Brito (14-3-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), Lucas Alexander (7-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Jacob Malkoun vs. Nick Maximov
Round 1 – Good jabs by Maximov. Oh and a left hook drops Malkoun. Maximov all over him now. He follows him to the ground but Malkoun quicly gets back to his feet. Malkoun appears to have recovered, and Maximov lets his foot off the gas. Malkoun with a good right hook. And Malkoun takes down Maximov. Maximov gets back up but Malkoun still has his hands tied around Maximov and is controling him well against the cage. And Maximov escapes. Two minutes left. Big shots by Malkoun, who’s pressing Maximov. Good hook by Malkoun followed by a single leg takedown. Maximov back up. Malkoun all over him, dropping big shots, chasing him down. Malkoun keeps wincing in pain, but it’s unsure what’s hurting. And the bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Malkoun.
Round 2 – It seems it’s Maximov’s right knee that’s hurting. Malkoun gets a takedown in the first seconds of the round. He’s now working from guard, landing ground and looking to pass. Three minutes left. Malkoun moves to half guard. And Maximov escapes and gets back to his feet with two minutes left. Malkoun is chasing him down, landing cleanly. Big right hand by Malkoun. Man, Malkoun is picking apart Maximov on the feet. This is all Malkoun right now. And the bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Malkoun.
Round 3 – Maximov looks extremely compromised with that injured leg. He gets easily taken down by Malkoun to start the round. Malkoun staying busy with shots, but nothing landing with a ton of power. Maximov gets back up. Again, Malkoun walks down Maximov while connecting with combinations. We’re halfway through the round. Another takedown by Malkoun. Malkoun staying busy on top with very little resistance from Maximov. Maximov gets back to his feet. And Maximov connects with a left. Malkoun gets the fight back to the ground. Malkoun maintains control until the final bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Malkoun. Overall 30-27, Malkoun.
Result: Jacob Malkoun def. Nick Maximov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: UFC Fight Night 212: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Jacob Malkoun (7-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC), Nick Maximov (8-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Mike Bell, Sal D’Amato, Chris Lee 30-27.
Brandon Davis vs. Mana Martinez
Round 1 – Groin shot to kick off the bout. Martinez is taking his time after getting hit clean. And the fight resumes. A lot of kicks thrown by both fighters. Hrad leg kick by Martinez. Davis charges forward and connects with a few punches. Three minutes in. Both guys going back and forth here, but nothing big landing. And an eye poke from Martinez stops the fight. Davis takes almost a minute to recover and the bout resumes. Good leg kicks by Martinez followed by a left hook. Oh! Martinez stuns Davis with a left hook. Davis is now backing up while Martinez ups the pressure. Davis back on the attack, he appears to have recovered. Davis attempts a takedown in the final seconds but doesn’t get it.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Martinez.
Round 2 – Left hook lands from Martinez. He now pressures Davis and lands a few shots against the cage. Davis shoots for a takedown, fails, but ties up Martinez. Martinez hand fights and is able to escape seconds after. The fight resumes on the feet. Both fighters going back and forth in the pressure and moving forward. Good leg kick by Davis. Another one. Martinez with another left hook. Davis with a leg kick. Davis with a nice one, two combo. The tide has turned in terms of pressure, as Davis is the one moving forward. Both guys trading pretty evenly here. Oh! A combo lands flush for Martinez. Davis rocked. Martinez all over him. Davis drops to the canvas. And saved by the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Martinez.
Round 3 – Let’s see how Davis recovered, if he did at all. Davis appears to be fine. He pressures Martinez, as he did towards the end of Round 2. A good right hand connects for Davis. Nice jab by Davis. He’s really turning up the pressure on Martinez. Martinez is bleeding from his nose. Martinez goes for a takedown and presses Davis against the cage. He gets the takedown, but Davis gets right back up. Davis escapes the clinch and puts the pressure back on Martinez. Martinez seems to be fading. Nice combo by Davis. Solid right hand connects for Martinez. Fun fight we got here. One minute left. Davis shoots for a takedown and gets it. He’s landing solid shots from top. Davis ends the round on top.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Davis. Overall 29-28, Martinez.
Result: Mana Martinez def. Brandon Davis via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: UFC Fight Night 212: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Mana Martinez (10-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC), Brandon Davis (14-10 MMA, 2-7 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging: Mike Bell, Tony Weeks 29-28. Junichiro Kamijo 28-29.
Misha Cirkunov vs. Alonzo Menifield
Round 1 – Menifield rushes forward, but Cirkunov gets out of the way. Menifield leaving himself very open with his attacks. Nice jab by Cirkunov. Cirkunov is now bleeding from his right eyebrow after taking a left hook. And Menifield tags Cirkunovwith a left hook. Cirkunov drops to the ground, and Menifield puts him out cold with ground-adn-pound. Ruthless finish by Menifield.
Result: Alonzo Menifield def. Misha Cirkunov via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:28
Recap: Alonzo Menifield knocks Misha Cirkunov out cold in first
Photos: UFC Fight Night 212: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Alonzo Menifield (13-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC), Misha Cirkunov (15-9 MMA, 6-7 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Raphael Assuncao vs. Victor Henry
Round 1 – Here we go. Very important fight for Assuncao’s career. Big body kick by Henry, but gets caught by Assuncao, who lands a few punches while holding Henry’s foot. Henry pressuring Assuncao here and Brazilian happy with staying in the outside and countering. Another body kick by Henry. Three minutes left. Assuncao shoots for a single, fails, but ends the sequence by landing a one, two combination. Good right hook by Assuncao. Both guys being very tentative. Assuncao shoots again and unable to get a takedown. They trade shots until the bell, but nothing lands with power. Close round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Assuncao.
Round 2 – Once again, Henry pressures while Assuncao stays on the outside looking to counter. Both guys being very patient here. A minute goes by. Henry goes for a spinning wheel kick, misses, slips and ends on bottom. Assuncao gets top position from guard and looks to do damage. Henry is able to get back to his feet, seconds after. Good left hook by Assuncao. Assuncao connects with three big rights in a row and then gets a takedown. So far, solid performance by the veteran. Assuncao working from guard, landing ground-and-pound. Henry is bleeding from his right bone cheek. Thirty seconds left. Assuncao keeps top control until the last five seconds, as Henry is able to get back up. Solid round by the Brazilian.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Assuncao.
Round 3 – likely two rounds down, Henry comes out a bit more aggressive. He’s putting on the pressure here on Assuncao. Solid combo by Henry. Assuncao gets a single leg takedown, but is only able to maintain top control for a few seconds as Henry gets back up. Henry pressuring Assuncao, but unable to land clean. Assuncao doing a great job with his defense. Two minutes left. Big left lands for Assuncao. Assuncao shoots for a takedown, fails, but ends up pressing Henry against the cage. One minute left. Assuncao keeps fighting for the single leg, but doesn’t get it in the end. Henry gets loose in the final seconds, but unable to score with anything before the bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Assuncao. Overall 30-27, Assuncao.
Result: Raphael Assuncao def. Victor Henry via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: UFC Fight Night 212: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Raphael Assuncao (28-9 MMA, 12-6 UFC), Victor Henry (22-6 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Kerry Hatley
Judging: Mike Bell, Sal D’Amato, Bryan Miner 30-27.
Dusko Todorovic vs. Jordan Wright
Round 1 – Wright throw a big right hand in the first exchange, Todorovic ducks under, and presses him against the cage. Todorovic now gets reversed, and it’s Wright now looking for the takedown against the cage. And Wright gets it. Wright working from side control. Three minutes left. Todorovic attemps a heel hook. Non-stop leg attack by Todorovic. Wright gets out and lands big shots from top. Wright now pressing Todorovic against the cage and landing solid shots. Wrights gets Todorovic back to the ground. Wright in full mount. Another leg lock attempt by Todorovic, but Wright escapes. Now, Wright presses Todorovic against the cage. Another takedown by Wright. Dominant stuff.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Wright.
Round 2 – Good right hand by Todorovic to start the round. And a solid knee. Oh! Todorovic bringing the heat. Wright appears rocked. He’s definitely wobbled. Todorovic is all over him. Wright goes for a takedown but fails. Todorovic all over him. Wright with another takedown attempt presses Todorovic against the cage. Todorovic escapes and resumes the onslaught. Man, what a chin on Wright. He’s getting tagged time and time again and still standing. Three minutes left. Wright closes the distance and presses Todorovic against the cage. Wright collapses and now Todorovic takes the mount. He’s landing big shots. The referee is watching closely. And it’s over. The referee has seen enough. What a finish by Todorovic.
Result: Dusko Todorovic def. Jordan Wright via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:12
Recap: Dusko Todorovic TKOs bloodied, exhausted Jordan Wright
Photos: UFC Fight Night 212: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Dusko Todorovic (12-3 MMA, 3-3 UFC), Jordan Wright (12-4 MMA, 2-4 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Jonathan Martinez vs. Cub Swanson
Round 1 – Cub Swanson’s bantamweight debut is up now. And no touch of gloves here. Swanson staying light and on the outside of the cage. Martinez throws a kick, slips, and Swanson rushes in and in the process gets pressed against the cage. Swanson escapes. Now striking, Swanson lands a few good leg kicks. Solid body kicks by Martinez. Swanson shoots a double and lands it. He’s now in side control. Swanson gets reversed, but shortly after gets out. Back on the feet. Good kicks by Martinez to the body and head. Good right hand by Swanson. One minute left. Good body shot by Swanson. Nasty combination lands for Martinez. And a huge left knee to the head drops Swanson. He gets back up, but now eats a knee to the body. He’s hurt. Swanson is covering up as Martinez lands heavy shots. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-8, Martinez.
Round 2 – Swanson hasn’t fully recovered. Martinez takes the fight to the ground by the cage. He’s landing big shots. Swanson looks to be in survival mode. Martinez moves to mount. Swanson gets back to his feet, but is pressed against the cage. Two minutes left. The fight resumes on the feet. Swanson looks mad and is swinging for the fences. Martinez defending the shots well. Heavy leg kick chops Swanson down to the ground. Again. Martinez delivering damage. And another chopping leg kick drops Swanson. He’s in pain. Martinez rushes in and lands one shot to get the referee to stop the fight. Brutal finish.
Result: Jonathan Martinez def. Cub Swanson via TKO (leg kicks) – Round 2, 4:19
Recap: Jonathan Martinez TKOs Cub Swanson with kicks, calls out Dominick Cruz
Photos: UFC Fight Night 212: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Jonathan Martinez (17-4 MMA, 8-3 UFC), Cub Swanson (28-13 MMA, 13-9 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Alexa Grasso vs. Viviane Araujo
Round 1 – Here we go. Main event time. Right off the bat, Grasso landing a solid and explosive combo. Heavy exchanges from both fighters. Good jab by Grasso. Surprisingly, Araujo is standing with Grasso, and she’s holding her own. Araujo doing most of the walking foward, as Grasso looks to stay in the outside and use angles on a pressing Araujo. Two clean jabs connect for Grasso. Araujo shoots for a takedown, but Grasso defends well. Now the Brazilian presses Grasso against the cage with 10 seconds left. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Grasso.
Round 2 – Man, Grasso coming out firing. She connects with a solid combination on Araujo. Nasty one, two by Grasso. Araujo is fighting on Grasso’s terms and is paying for it. Grasso is much quicker with her shots. And Araujo lands a takedown and moves to side control immediately. Three minutes left. Solid control by Araujo. Now Araujo gets the mount. Two minutes left. Grasso recovers half guard. She scrambles and gets back to her feet. Solid shots by Grasso. She’s landing clean on Araujo. Oh! A nasty one, two stuns Araujo. Araujo gets a takedown as the bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Grasso.
Round 3 – The two ladies battling it out on the feet. Araujo pressing Grasso, but unable to land anything clean. Grasso’s output has slowed down a bit, but she’s clearly landing the better shots. Three minutes left. Grasso’s jab keeps connecting. Brilliant boxing. Another jab by Grasso. And a good leg kick by Grasso. And Araujo connects with a good jab. Thirty seconds left. Good right hook lands for Grasso. Araujo with a good combo. The bell rings. Fun round.
MMA Junie scores the round 10-9, Grasso.
Round 4 – Here we go. Main event rounds. Grasso carring momentum in this round. She connects with a good left. Double jab by Grasso And Araujo fires a straight right. Both ladies trading punches. This is primarily a boxing match. And Grasso cracks Araujo with a right hand. Two minutes left. Right hand snaps Araujo’s head back. Both fighters mainly just firing single shots. One minute left. Araujo shoots for a takedown and presses Grasso against the cage. Grasso defending well so far but still pinned. Grasso escapes just as the bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Grasso.
Round 5 – Final round. Both fighters come out with high energy. Good right hand for Grasso. Neither fighter landing much here. Spinning attack misses for Grasso. Araujo shoots and once again pins Grasso against the cage. Three minutes left. Grasso escapes and the fight resumes on its feet. Both fighters trading evenly here. Good leg kick by Araujo. Right hand lands for Grasso. Double jab by Grasso. Araujo shoots for a takedown, but gets stuffed. Another takedown fails for Araujo. A straight right seems to stun Araujo. Araujo closes the distance and presses Grasso for a couple of seconds before the bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Grasso. Overall 50-45, Grasso.
Result: Alexa Grasso def. Viviane Araujo via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
Recap: Alexa Grasso earns unanimous nod over Viviane Araujo behind crisp striking
Photos: UFC Fight Night 212: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Alexa Grasso (15-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC), Viviane Araujo (11-4 MMA, 5-3 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Mike Bell 50-45, Sal D’Amato, Junichiro Kamijo 49-46.
