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MELBOURNE, Australia – MMAjunkie is on scene and reporting live from today’s UFC 234 event, and you can join us for live play-by-play and official results beginning at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT).

The event takes place at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and UFC Fight Pass.

In the middleweight main event, which is expected to produce the next title challenger, unbeaten Israel Adesanya (15-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) is more than a 6-1 favorite against former longtime champ Anderson Silva (34-8 MMA, 17-4 UFC).

The main event was supposed to be a middleweight title fight between champion Robert Whittaker (20-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) and challenger Kelvin Gastelum (15-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC). But just hours before the event, Whittaker was pulled from the fight with a hernia.

Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 7 p.m. ET for the UFC Fight Pass prelims, 8 p.m. ET for the prelims on ESPN, and 10 p.m. ET for the main card on pay-per-view.

To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFC 234 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporter John Morgan (@MMAjunkieJohn) on Twitter.

Enjoy the fights, everyone.

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Results

Israel Adesanya vs. Anderson Silva

Round 1 – Adesanya aproaches with a sideways stance, moving in fits and starts. He pops the leg and paws a jab. Silva has yet to strike. Hard leg kick to the outside from Adesanya. Feints, and then Adesanya fires a jab. A couple of leg kicks miss, and Silva vogues with his guard. First leg kick for Silva, who gets slapped with a high kick. Adesanya leaves his jab out there, daring Silva to counter. He fakes into a right hand. His hands are at his sides. A straight right from Adesanya misses, and Silva blocks a jab. Silva comes out swinging after a feint, and a right hand cracks Silva’s chin. Adesanya comes out swinging and an elbow lands. Silva smiles. Adesanya charges into guard and they fights hands in the clinch. Silva swings out in the open. He catches Adesanya and lands a counter in pursuit. Dean stops the fight to check for a mouthpiece with Silva. Adesanya comes in with a punch, and Silva counters. One-two from Adesanya, and Silva shrugs it off. He spins with a kick, but doesn’t fire. Feints from both, and Adesanya pops the leg. Side kick to leg from Silva. Adesanya inches in and lands a right. Head kick misses. Hard inside leg kick and straight left, and Silva chases after, spinning with his own kick. They’re getting loose in there. Straight lefts land for Adesanya, but head kick whiffs. Adesanya waves him in like “The Matrix,” and the round ends. MMAjunkie scores the frame 10-9 for Adesanya.

Round 2 – They’re close in early, and Silva leaps with hook kick. It’s slightly off, and they continue to play. Silva with a right hook. Pawing with the lead hand, and Adesanya goes question mark with kick. Feints, and Silva kicks high. Silva waiting and jabs the body. Adesanya lands a one-two, and Silva takes it and shakes his head. Adesanya follows with a low kick, then another, and continues to feint. Silva comes forward with a spin kick, and Adesanya dodges it. Lead left for Adesanya, who misses with a head kick. They trade clean punches, and Silva side kicks. Silva charges forward and tags Adesanya in the clinch. Adesanya resets and fires back, and Silva vogues again. Midway through the frame and both fighters have landed. Another straight one-two dodged by Silva, but leg kick is good. Adesanya trying to lock up clinch, and Silva pops him with a jab. Silva now voguing as he’s pressuring forward. They clinch up against the fence, and Adesanya wrenches free. Adesanya kicks the legs and alternates a jab. Silva whiffs with a hook, and they trade leg kicks. Hard counter for Silva, but it’s mostly blocked. Silva covering his body with his left arm, waiting for Adesanya to come in. Front kicks from the younger fighter break the staring match. More feints, and Silva charges again. Adesanya catches him in the clinch, but Silva isn’t going away. Body kick for Adesanya, and Silva whiffs on a spinning kick. MMAjunkie scores the frame 10-9 for Silva, and it’s even at 19-19.

Round 3 – More feints from both. Silva with his hands, and Adesanya with his legs. Silva complains of a poke from a punch, and they go back to pawing with hands. Adesanya pops the leg, and Silva drops briefly. Adesanya attacks the body, and Silva leaps with a knee, landing to the cage. Adesanya fires a head kick against fence, and Adesanya has his moment to do his thing. Silva daring him to come in, but Adesanya doesn’t want to. Finally, Silva gets agitated and Adesanya obliges. Again, he waves in Adesanya, who’s still as a pond. Finally, he backs up, and Silva obliges. Silva’s left eye is swollen. Adesanya pops the leg again and again, drawing Silva’s ire. A question mark kick is blocked, and Silva pops the leg. Adesanya sneaks in a body shot and a leg kick. Both fighters with hands at their sides, and Silva pops a front kick. Adesanya presses in and slams the leg. A straight left is good, and Silva replies, not quite with the same force. Silva comes out swinging, and Adesanya catches him coming in. Reset, and Silva glances with a right hook. Adesanya circling around, looking for a way in. Straight to the body and left for Adesanya. Then another trio. Silva eats them and smiles and returns with a kick. Right hand catches Adesanya unaware, but he’s still there. Short time. Adesanya and Silva both spin with kicks. Adesanya spins with a backfist and stops right in his tracks as time comes to an end. MMAjunkie scores the frame 10-9 for Adesanya, and he gets the 29-28 decision.

Result: Israel Adesanya def. Anderson Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Recap: Israel Adesanya stays unbeaten, outpoints game Anderson Silva
Photos: Israel Adesanya vs. Anderson Silva
Records: Israel Adesanya (16-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC), Anderson Silva (34-9 MMA, 17-5 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Rankings: Adesanya No. 8, Silva No. 10
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging:

Lando Vannata vs. Marcos Mariano

Round 1 – Mariano lets kicks go early, giving Vannata something to block. Vannata replies with a calf kick and backs up his foe. Feints set up right hand that’s short, and more kicks come his way. Vannata taps the calf again, and Marino replies with same. Vannata feints and then presses into the clinch, quickly converting to a high-amplitude takedown. In half-guard, Vannata appears to have time to work, as Mariano isn’t doing much to reverse. And elbow from the top, and then Vannata tries to pass. He gets wrapped up by Mariano’s legs briefly, then settles into closed guard. So far, Vannata’s ground and pound has been hindered by the long legs of his opponent, though he’s scoring here and there with punches. Mariano working to control posture and the hands. Vannata getting through here and there, but Mariano doing a good job of rolling with the shots. Vannata posts up briefly, then returns to his knees and goes back to work. A slicing elbow appears to hurt Mariano, and he tries to tie up the arms. Vannata continues to tenderize the body and head, and they end up in north south. Mariano offers up an arm, and Vannata takes it quickly for a kimura. There’s a crank, and a tap. Over and out.

Result: Lando Vannata def. Marcos Mariano via submission (kimura) – Round 1, 4:55
Recap: Lando Vannata steamrolls Marcos Mariano for first-round submission
Photos: Lando Vannata vs. Marcos Mariano
Records: Marcos Mariano (6-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Lando Vannata (10-3-2 MMA, 2-3-2 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Steve Perceval

Rani Yahya vs. Ricky Simon

Round 1 – Simon bouncing in with a low stance, pushing Yahya back. He catches a high kick and gets caught with an uppercut. Simon aggressive early, and a kick draws a heavy right. Yahya kicking high and then shooting. Simon sees it and backs off. They trade big shots in close, and Simon backs off. Yahya working his hands early and catches Simon coming in. His jab is on point. Simon still cracks him with an uppercut. Digging body shot against kick, and Yahya shoots in the open. No way. So the sub artist comes out charging, and Simon drops him with a counter. Yahya wants to grapple, and Simon says no way. A big left hook cracks Yahya and drops him, and Simon backs off. Flying knee. Simon getting hyped. Yahya wings a kick and spins with a backfist, then inviting Simon in. No dice. Digging body shots from Simon, who takes a right hand and continues to press. Another scooping uppercut meets Yahya’s telegraphed shot. He pushes Yahya back and keeps the pressure high. Another digging uppercut to the body. Yahya shoots again and gets blocked. His subsequent punches don’t have the same sting. Simon being patient. Takedown whiffs for Yahya. Simon times a counter and ducks in for a double leg. Yahya invites him to the guard and instead gets kicked in the legs. Simon wants him up and presses in again, chasing with a head kick. Yahya closes with a few kicks and Simon dodges a right. MMAjunkie scores the frame 10-9 for Simon.

Round 2 – Yahya striking early, including a calf kick. Simon presses and trades hard punches, slipping in a straight right. They trade again, and Simon lunges with a left hook. Yahya wants to slug, perhaps to open a takedown. Simon ducks under a punch and dumps Yahya with a double. Yahya on his back, taking kicks to the legs. He gets up, and Simon presses in. Another quick duck under, but no takedown. Simon’s right eye is cut from a glancing punch. He puts a right hand on Yahya, who fires back with a body kick. Another charge from the submission expert, and a takedown that’s way off mark. Simon chasing again, setting up exchanges. Yahya lands a glancing right. He goes on the offensive, and again gets dumped. Simon digs the body. They trade right hands and stand in the pocket. Yahya tags Simon with a right hand, and all of a sudden, Simon is in trouble. He’s trying to move and get away with Yahya all over him, and he just misses with an elbow. Simon lands a shoulder as Yahya charges in, and we’re back to a familiar position. Simon drops to a knee and hints at a grappling exchange. But no, no thank you. He digs the body and fires a right before slipping Yahya’s counter. Another charge, and he dumps Yahya. This time, he goes to the mat and plays at distance. Yahya kicks illegaly, and Simon closes in to guard to land a few shots before the frame ends. MMAjunkie scores the frame 10-9 for Simon, and he’s up 20-18.

Round 3 – They face off, and Simon digs to the body. Yahya pulls guard off a head kick, and he hikes up his legs for a triangle. Simon pulls out and raises his arms. He takes a knee and then lets up Yahya. Another duck and counter from Simon. Yahya goes back to kicks. Cat and mouse, and both trade rights. Yahya charges and misses. Another clash as Yahya attempts to convert to a takedown. Simon won’t let it happen as Yahya flops to his back. Every time Yahya gets close to his legs, he sprawls and pulls out. Yahya gets up and is cut. He’s still swinging with that right. Simon back with a straight right, and Yahya again dives. Sprawl keeps Simon on top, and Yahya pulls back. Head kick from Yahya fails and he spills briefly to the mat. Simon pressure relentless, and it looks as though Yahya is fading. Simon is popping the jab and backing him up, and his charges are easily picked off. Another one, and again he hits his back. Simon punches him to repay, and Yahya pulls him into guard. Time to do something fast for Yahya. Simon elbowing and punching the body and head. He’s going to survive this one and lands a flurry of ground and pound as the fight ends. A barbaric scream as time expires. MMAjunkie scores the frame 10-9 for Simon, who gets the 30-27 shutout.

Result: Ricky Simon def. Rani Yahya via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-25)
Recap: Ricky Simon stays sharp, ends Rani Yahya’s streak
Photos: Ricky Simon vs. Rani Yahya
Records: Ricky Simon (15-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC), Rani Yahya (26-10 MMA, 11-4 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Steve Perceval
Judging:

Montana De La Rosa vs. Nadia Kassem

Round 1 – Kassem circles in and gets caught with a heavy right off the bat. De La Rosa uses it to push for the takedown, and Kassem goes paralell to the mat against the cage for a second before spilling to the mat. There she hangs on as De La Rosa pounds away in half guard. Kassem working to improve her position and take off the pressure. She sits up and takes a hard left to the face. De La Rosa working to pass, but against the cage, there’s not much space to work. So instead, she traps an arm and uses her right to punch. Kassem recovers full guard, and De La Rosa pulls out before a sub can be set up. Kassem goes with a high guard as De La Rosa continues to punch from up top. Pass to half-guard, and De La Rosa continues to score in a one-sided round. Kassem locks up guard, and De La Rosa almost steps over into half. The punches keep coming. Less than one minute to go. De La Rosa pauses for a second; she’s been working pretty hard. Sweep attempt fails for Kassem, but she manages to reverse to north south. De La Rosa replies by trapping an arm and cranks a kimura as time runs out. MMAjunkie scores the frame 10-8 for De La Rosa.

Round 2 – Kassem forward again and kicks, opening another charge from De La Rosa. It’s not long before Kassem is right where she was before. This time, she tries to lock up mission control. But the position isn’t there, and she’s back in half-guard eating punches. De La Rosa traps an arm and fires elbows. Kassem trying to power up, but her trapped arm is keeping her in place. De La Rosa goes knee on belly and then steps into mount. She secures a mounted triangle and then segues to an armbar as Kassem rolls. Kassem won’t tap, even as De La Rosa goes belly down. De La Rosa still has the triangle and again she mounts. Elbows from top. Kassem just getting mauled. Now De La Rosa goes back to the armbar, and she goes belly down. There’s no visual tap, but referee Hickmott steps in on an apparent verbal submission. Dominant win for De La Rosa.

Result: Montana De La Rosa def. Nadia Kassem via submission (armbar) – Round 2, 2:37
Recap: Montana De La Rosa dominates, submits Nadia Kassem
Photos: Montana De La Rosa vs. Nadia Kassem
Records: Montana De La Rosa (10-4 MMA, 3-0 UFC), Nadia Kassem (5-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Rankings: De La Rosa honorable mention
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Peter Hickmott

Jim Crute vs. Sam Alvey

Round 1 – Crute tests out his front kick and inches forward with more kicks. Alvey misses on his counter punch, but briefly pushes his opponent back. Crute plants and the explodes with a jab. Alvey waiting his turn. He wants that counter right hook coming in, but Crute is popping him with kicks and quick shots before he can reply. Heavy body kick from Crute. Alvey just short on the next exchange with a counter. The leg kick is catching him as he punches. A nice jab deflates a head kick, and Crute pops him with a right hook and drops him. Crute closes in and then walks off, thinking he’s got the walkoff knockout. Goddard isn’t ready to make that call, and Crute goes back to work. A head kick from Crute is caught, and they spill to the mat. Crute winds up at Alvey’s back and is pounding away, and Goddard steps in to stop it. Alvey immediately pops up and protests the stoppage. He’s apopletic; there’s no smile in sight. Replay shows he was loading up with a punch when the fight-altering right landed.

Result: Jim Crute def. Sam Alvey via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:49
Recap: Jim Crute TKOs Sam Alvey, who protests stoppage
Photos: Jim Crute vs. Sam Alvey
Records: Sam Alvey (33-12 MMA, 10-7 UFC), Jim Crute (10-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Marc Goddard

Devonte Smith vs. “Maestro” Dong Hyun Kim

Round 1 – Smith in pursuit early. Respect from both as they measure each other up. Kim circling and gets popped with a leg kick. Smith pawing with a jab and tries a right straight. Kim takes another leg kick and switches stance. Smith goes high with a kick and it’s blocked. He sits down on a two-piece and is short. So far, neither guy has really let it go. Smith goes to the body and his shot upstairs is blocked. Another calf kick for Smith, who’s still searching for that straight right. Kim takes a fast jab. He wants to come back with something, but he’s hesitating. Smith tags the calf again and then tries to go high. Ninety seconds left, and nothing of consequence has happened. Kim’s lead leg has caught it. Then Kim’s chin catches a one-two, and he’s instantly wobbled. Another right uppercut tags him, and a left hook, and a right. Kim pitches forward to the mat, and Smith closes the show with hammerfists from hell. Another first-round finish for Smith.

Result: Devonte Smith def. “Maestro” Dong Hyun Kim via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:53
Recap: Devonte Smith stings Dong Hyun Ma early, finishes with flurry
Photos: Devonte Smith vs. “Maestro” Dong Hyun Kim
Records: “Maestro” Dong Hyun Kim (16-9-3 MMA, 3-3 UFC), Devonte Smith (9-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Herb Dean

Shane Young vs. Austin Arnett

Round 1 – Young pressures Arnett early, working jabs low and high before popping the straight right. Arnett circles off and pops his own jab. Young appears to have a slight speed advantage, but Arnett’s height makes him tough to catch. Young still pressures inside and lands right hands to the head and body. Arnett replies with a straight left that’s clean. He starts to work his jab as Young goes low with kicks. Arnett appears to have found his range, but Young’s pressure is paying dividends. Young cliches up briefly, and Arnett pops his jab and resets on the next approach. Arnett starting to touch up Young with hook counters. Young is aggressive, but he’s stiff. Arnett’s loose and popping him regularly at punching distance. Young keeps moving forward hoping to land something big. Instead, it’s an inside kick that prompts Arnett to audibly say, ‘Ow.’ Then, Arnett gets loose with more jabs and straights that find their target. Arnett styling in his rhythm now, backing off as Young approaches and then popping him with a jab. Young’s aggressive finally pays off, and he lands four straight hooks that open up a single leg attempt. It’s a good end to the first frame, but MMAjunkie scores it 10-9 for Arnett.

Round 2 – Young goes low with kicks early and resumes his pressure-based attack. Nice body kick for Young. Arnett goes back to his jab, and Young finds an overhand right. Volume early is in Young’s corner. A head kick slams into Young’s guard, and a jab snaps his head. Arnett takes a hard body shot and then repays with a pair of jabs. Young cornering him now. But Arnett circles and lands a pair of nice jabs. Young still chases in return and gets it back. Arnett adjusting now and having more success with that straight left. Young walks right into a straight right. Again, Young appears to be slowing down as Arnett works the counter game. Nice body kick, though, from Young. More jabs from Arnett, and the head kick is almost good. Young playing the bull, and Arnett circles off and pops that jab. Again, Young finds the right hand and then attacks the body. Arnett can see the attacks coming, and they still land. Young cracks him with a right and goes berserker with more heavy hooks. Arnett gets tagged over and over. Young almost gets caught in a guillotine, and Arnett comes back swinging. They’re tradeing heavy shots in close, and Arnett is screaming at Young as he’s getting tagged and firing back. It looks dramatic, but he wore the majority of the damage, so MMAjunkie gives it to Young 10-9 for the 19-19 tie.

Round 3 – Young back on the offensive, pawing inside with hooks. Arnett meets him with a straight right, then pops a triple jab. Nice right straight off kick for Arnett, and Young comes back firing. The left straight is just off for Arnett so far, and Young is tagging the body regularly. He’s chipping away at the American, who wants that big straight right. Jab is still there all night for Arnett. Young just keeps coming and makes things happen. Even if he misses, he keeps firing and scores points. Arnett overcommits and misses an overhand right. He goes back to the jab, and Young chases him back. Nice headmovement from Young, one of the first times he’s done taht in the pocket. Ninety seconds to go, and Young’s right is met with a trio of jabs. Arnett almost lands that high kick, and Young chases him and lands another flurry of shots. Arnett losing the volume game again. His right is short, and Young charges with another combo. Arnett starts to find the counter, and they trade in close. Both landing big shots. Young gets dropped to a knee with a right hand. But time runs out before Young can put it away, and we go to the scorecards. Clear 10-9 for Young, who gets the 29-28.

Result: Shane Young def. Austin Arnett via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Austin Arnett (16-6 MMA, 1-3 UFC), Shane Young (13-4 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Greg Kleynjans
Judging:

Kai Kara-France vs. Raulian Paiva

Round 1 – Paiva looking for kicks to counter Kara-France’s. Circling from Kara-France, who lands a hard right hand, but Paiva bounces right back and they reset. Another overhand right for Kara-France, and Paiva tries unsuccessfully to shoot. A lot of lateral movement from Kara-France, who takes a few light leg kicks moving in. Paiva answers an approach with a flurry of punches and then charges for a takedown. Single against the fence fails, and Paiva backs off. They trade jabs. Kara-France nearly gets caught with a jumping switch kick, and Paiva takes a few hard punches in transition. Paiva’s got a chin, though, and he holds the center of the cage as Kara-France circles and looks for a way in. Paiva backs off on the next approach, but the next one nets another hard right for Kara-France, who’s definitely the more effective fighter early on. Paiva runs for a takedown and can’t get control of Kara-France’s hips, so he’s forced to retake center cage. Another charge draws Kara-France’s guard, and Kara-France attacks the body with a jab. Paiva in with a head kick and a leaping knee, and time runs out. MMAjunkie scores the frame 10-9 for Kara-France.

Round 2 – Paiva more active early on, mixing kicks and punches as he backs up Kara-France, who shoots in response. Sprawl from Paiva, and he takes top position and pass to side control. Punches from Paiva, and Kara-France explodes to his feet. He scrambles and connects with a pair of punches, and they’re back to slugging it out – until Kara-France shoots again. Paiva stuffs it and controls against the fence. Knees follow. Kara-France peels off with a hook, and Paiva covers up. Paiva picking off Kara-France’s punches better this round; his timing is there this round. Kara-France’s leg kick gets intercepted, and he’s forced to reset when counters come fast and hard. Knee meets Kara-France, who’s bowled over to the canvas. Standing overhead, Paiva is landing punches from up top. Kara-France bicyles his legs and lands a glancing shot before jumping back to his feet. Kara-France with a great straight right, and Paiva just blinks and fires back in the next exchange. Kicks push Kara-France back. Paiva’s left brow is cut. He counters Kara-France’s next exchange with bruising shots that force a retreat. Another hard leg kick for Paiva, who’s still controlling the center of the cage. He’s getting caught with that right, but he lands back with his own right and wins on volume. They trade in close before Kara-France grabs a leg and nearly pays for a defensive lapse with a guillotine choke that Paiva has dead to rights. MMAjunkie scores the frame 10-9 for Paiva, and we’re even at 19-19.

Round 3 – Anyone’s fight right now, and Kara-France comes out swinging. He backs off when Paiva counters and resets. Nice right from Paiva, who follows with kicks. Nice combo in close lands for Paiva, who’s winning on the inside. Nice inside leg kick. Volume again on Paiva’s side. When Kara-France comes in with one shot, he gets six in response. Kara-France finds the right hand again and almost gets tripped. Paiva comes charging after a caught kick and nails Kara-France right to the gonads. We pause. Goddard gives a hard warning, and we restart. They’re trading right away, and Pavia is the more accurate fighter in close. Kara-France rips the calf and comes in hot. Paiva dodges and pushes back with a kick. He’s working the uppercut inside in hopes of catching Kara-France coming in. Kara-France is getting lit up in counter, and he goes for the takedown. Paiva threatens the guillotine to get back to his feet quickly. Kara-France catches a kick and glances with a few shots. Less than two minutes to go. Kara-France still moving laterally and Paiva fighting tall. Kara-France lands a right hand when Paiva gets a little too eager, but he gets tagged inside on the next exchange. Kara-France isn’t adjusting well to the volume, but his right hand is still good. Paiva nails him with a left on the next exchange, and they both raise their hands. Kara-France goes for one last shot and dumps Paiva briefly to end the fight. Very close round, but MMAjunkie scores it 10-9 for Paiva for the 29-28 score. Given the location, a 29-28 the other way is fully expected.

Result: Kai Kara-France def. Raulian Paiva via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Kai Kara-France (19-7 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Raulian Paiva (18-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Marc Goddard
Judging:

Teruto Ishihara vs. Kyung Ho Kang

Round 1 – Ishihara rips the legs early as Kang presses in. They trade more kicks to the body, and Ishihara looks for a right hook over the top. Kang catches him with a straight right as he circles. They pop each other with leg kicks, and a check right hook from Ishihara lands. Kang wants to engage, and Kang gets cracked with a right hand. He lolls to the mat and invites a grappling exchange. Ishihara wants to stand, and Kang gets back to his feet and nails him with a shot. Ishihara repays with his own punch, and they trade again before catching their breath. Kang charges in again and cracks Ishihara with a knee in the clinch. Ishihara drops to the mat, he’s in deep trouble against the fence. They’re both swinging for against the cage. Technique out the window as both wing bolos. Ishihara fading and getting caught with knees. Finally, Kang drops for a takedown to give his lungs a rest, and he dumps Ishihara before taking the back. Too high, he’s getting shucked off. He manages to hang on and gets to back control. Ishihara grabs the fence, but it does him no good. Kang has the choke, and Ishihara goes to sleep. A check from Dean confirms it, and the fight is over. Heck of a first round and heck of a fight.

Result: Kyung Ho Kang def. Teruto Ishihara via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:59
Recap: Kyung Ho Kang chokes out Teruto Ishihara after slugfest
Photos: Kyung Ho Kang vs. Teruto Ishihara
Records: Teruto Ishihara (10-7-2 MMA, 3-5-1 UFC), Kyung Ho Kang (15-8 MMA, 4-2 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Herb Dean

Callan Potter vs. Jalin Turner

Round 1 – Potter aggressive early with punches and a takedown charge. Turner reverses on the way down and stands up as Potter tries to secure a limb, first and arm and then leg. Turner out, and they’re back up. Straight punches from Turner, who cracks Potter with a right hook, then follows with a combination of punches – right hook, body kick, right hook – that send the UFC newcomer to the mat. With more left hands, Potter is clearly out, and the referee steps in to save him.

Result: Jalin Turner def. Callan Potter via KO (punches) – Round 1, 0:53
Recap: Jalin Turner makes quick work of Callan Potter with 53-second KO
Photos: Jalin Turner vs. Callan Potter
Records: Callan Potter (17-8 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Jalin Turner (8-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Peter Hickmott

Wuliji Buren vs. Jonathan Martinez

Round 1 – Martinez gets started early with his kicking game. Attacking the lead leg, he draws counter kicks from Buren, comes in hot with a right hand before pressing for the takedown. He gets it shortly after hitting the fence, and punches down as Martinez closes guard. Pass attempt meets resistance, but he wraps the head and almost gets to mount before Martinez scrambles and presses for his own takedown. Guillotine counter from Buren, who’s hanging on as Martinez works to pass the legs. Now, Buren is just holding on as Martinez works a bit from side control. Buren rolls to his knees, and Martinez puts in a hook. Punches to soften up Buren, who rolls to keep Martinez from getting square to his back. Martinez still has a body lock and is riding Buren as he moves to the fence, but Buren turns and faces his foe as he stands against the fence. Martinez peels off and slips on a high kick. Buren now punching down and looking to keep top position as Martinez kicks. He lands in guard with short time and avoids an armbar to punch from the top. Martinez reverses and gets his head wrapped for a choke as time runs out. MMAjunkie scores the frame 10-9 for Buren.

Round 2 – They trade kicks early with Martinez’s pace higher aearly on. Buren leaps in with a knee and follows with a body kick. Martinez counters with a nice right on Buren’s next approach, and they reset. Buren wants to trade hands, but Martinez is giving him plenty to think about in close. On the breaks, Martinez attacks the lead leg with an oblique kick. Martinez on point with a counter combo as Buren gets close. Buren ducks under for a takedown and fights through a guillotine to get to half-guard. Pass attempt, and Martinez scrambles to recover. Martinez sweeps and lands in guard with half the round left to work. Buren pulls off his own sweep and uses an underhook to stay on top in half-guard. Martinez scrambles and Buren takes the back, but he can’t keep it and winds up with Martinez at his back. An attempted slam is no good, but Martinez hangs on his opponent against the cage and punches away. Buren trying to stand, and punches and Martinez’s forearm on the neck is keeping him honest. Martinez knees the legs as Buren stands, and the bell sounds. MMAjunkie scores the second frame 10-9 for Martinez, and we’re tied up at 19 all.

Round 3 – Martinez firing back as Buren closes in. Another shot, and Martinez can’t stop it. Buren in mount with Martinez sitting against the cage. Buren turns them toward the mat, and Martinez cage walks to get out. Instead, he walks right into an armbar. It looks back, but he steps over and gets to the back. Punches fly, and Buren crouches from hands and knees as he traps an arm and attempts to stop the back-take. Martinez still gets in hooks as Buren tries to scramble, and when Buren turns, he gets mount. Buren won’t accept it and gives up his back again. Mount again as Buren fails to scramble out. Now in back mount, Martinez pounding away. Buren scrambles to a slightly better position and then manages to turn into guard. Martinez looking for a submission, but Buren stands out and punches down. He goes to side control and then tries a guillotine as Martinez scrambles. Anaconda setup, and Martinez scrambles and sprawls against the fence. Buren gives up the shot and goes to his back, where Martinez pounds away with short time. Big punches from Martinez as Buren rolls to his hands and knees. Time’s up, and MMAjunkie scores it 10-9 for Martinez.

Result: Jonathan Martinez def. Wuliji Buren (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Recap: Jonathan Martinez outworks Wuliji Buren for unanimous decision
Photos: Jonathan Martinez vs. Wuliji Buren
Records: Wuliji Buren (11-7 MMA, 0-3 UFC), Jonathan Martinez (10-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Greg Kleynjans
Judging: