LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 12 event, and you can join us for live play-by-play and official results.
The event takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.
Former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier (25-6 MMA, 17-5 UFC) meets Dan Hooker (20-8 MMA, 10-4 UFC) in the main event. In the co-feature, Mickey Gall (6-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) takes on Mike Perry (13-6 MMA, 6-6 UFC) at welterweight.
To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFC 250 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.
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Current fight
Round 1 –
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Records: Jinh Yu Frey (9-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC), Kay Hansen (6-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson
Judging:
Results
Round 1 – A touch of gloves and we’re underway on this 10-fight journey through UFC on ESPN 12. Zalal targeting the leg with some kicks early. Griffin, who has made weight twice in two weeks leading up to this fight, is calm and collected. He dives for Zalal’s legs. Zalal defends the takedown and Griffin now has his back, standing against the cage. Eventually, they separate. Griffin finishes off a combination with a nice high kick. Zalal answers with a combination followed by a jumping knee. Now it’s Zalal pushing Griffin against the fence. Zalal is straining, but can’t get Griffin down. Griffin reverses and takes Zalal down. He briefly hops on Zalal’s back, but the horn sounds. 10-9 Griffin.
Round 2 – Early, Zalal is throwing the jumping knee over and over. He’s much more aggressive here in the second. He lands a body shot on Griffin, who is visibly hurt by the blow. Griffin shoots for a takedown, seemingly out of desperation. Zalal lands a series of hammer-fists to the side of Griffin’s head. Griffin keeps fighting for the takedown and completes it. Zalal scrambles up and Griffin hops onto his back – the backpack position. Zalal eventually works Griffin off his back, but Griffin gets him to the mat again. Zalal scrambles and reverses Griffin. The two fighters rise to their feet. Zalal is pushing Griffin against the fence, seeking a single-leg takedown. Griffin reverses and the round ends. 19-19.
Round 3 – Zalal lands a head kick followed by a punching combination – another strong start. A series of hard punches lands for Zalal. Griffin eats another jumping knee and a series of follow-up punches. Griffin is clearly tired and shoots for a takedown, which he gets. Griffin is in side control. Zalal is trying to push off the cage using his feet. The two fights strain to gain an advantageous position. Griffin is in Zalal’s guard. Both fighters get off the mat. Zalal backs Griffin up against the cage and lands another combination. Griffin answers. Griffin lands a head kick and shoots for a double leg. Griffin hasn’t gotten the takedown yet, despite having his hands locked. He’s pushing Zalal against the fence. Griffin can’t get Zalal down and the fight returns to the center. Zalal lands a hard knee to the chest of Griffin, who shoots again. Zalal reverses position and is pressing Griffin against the fence. Griffin pushes Zalal off and eats a knee and an elbow. 29-28 Zalal.
Result: Youssef Zalal def. Jordan Griffin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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Records: Jordan Griffin (18-8 MMA, 1-3 UFC), Youssef Zalal (9-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
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Records: Tanner Boser (17-6-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Philipe Lins (14-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
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Records: Luis Pena (8-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC), Khama Worthy (15-6 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
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Records: Julian Erosa (23-8 MMA, 1-4 UFC), Sean Woodson (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: 150-pound catchweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson
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Round 1 –
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Records: Takashi Sato (15-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Jason Witt (17-5 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
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Records: Brendan Allen (14-3 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Kyle Daukaus (9-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
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Records: Maurice Greene (8-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC), Gian Villante (17-11 MMA, 7-8 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
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Round 1 –
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Records: Mickey Gall (6-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC), Mike Perry (13-6 MMA, 6-6 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson
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Round 1 –
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Records: Dustin Poirier (25-6 MMA, 17-5 UFC), Dan Hooker (20-8 MMA, 10-4 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging: