UFC on ESPN 21 play-by-play and live results

Round 1 – Early Silva low kick lands clean to the cup, and we take a break just seconds into the contest. Buys shakes it off, and we continue, and they engage with quick strikes. Punches and kicks traded. Referee Mark Smith warns Silva about his fingers, and his thumb catches the eye immediately after. Another timeout, but we do fight on. Both men land up the middle before Buys tries a leaping kick and is pushed down to the floor. He rolls underneath in an attempt to escape, but he’s pushed back down and is able to settle to guard. Silva trying to advance, but Buys keeping his defense tight. Buys scrambles to his feet, and they battle in the clinch. Buys circles off and delivers a few shoulder strikes. With about a minute left, Silva is able to pull away and move to the center. He lands a crisp uppercut and slips away. Good pace late in the first. Silva moves forward and pushes the action to the fence again. He pulls free from the clinch in the final seconds and lands another big right hand. MMA Junkie gives the first to Silva, 10-9.

Round 2 – Silva warned again before the start of the round, but he’s out quickly and looking to engage. Buys again slips on a strike and falls to his back. Silva settles on top, but he can’t advance. He lets Buys turn to his knees and then feet. Buys has to block a high kick as they stand, and we reset. Buys pushing with strikes not. Silva attacking the low kicks, but it’s Buys with hands and aggression. Elbow scores. Silva still landing as well. Nice exchanges, and Silva lands a huge shot. Buys falls to the canvas but rolls and turns to stay alive. Silva swarms with punches, but Buys doesn’t want to give up. He battles back to his feet, but he’s not clear yet. Corner calls for him to circle, but Silva lands another huge right to the temple that sends him to the canvas, and this fight is over.

BetMGM Odds: Buys -150, Silva +125
Result: Bruno Silva def. JP Buys via TKO (punch) – Round 2, 2:56
Recap: Bruno Silva TKOs JP Buys in opening bout of card
Photos: UFC on ESPN 21: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: JP Buys (9-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Bruno Silva (11-5-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN2
Referee: Mark Smith

Round 1 – Early low kick from Strader. He moves left and hits it again. Jackson still patient right now, stoic in the center, but Strader having some success as he moves and kicks. That changes quickly. Big right hand lands for Jackson. Strader hits the deck, and Jackson tries to attack the neck, but Strader pulls free and is able to scramble back to his feet. He’s not fully recovered. Jackson sees it and pressures, landing clean again with a two-punch combination and sending his opponent to the floor. A few more punches on the ground, and this is over.

BetMGM Odds: Jackson -700, Strader +500
Result: Montel Jackson def. Jesse Strader via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:58
Recap: Montel Jackson lives up to odds, TKOs Jesse Strader early
Photos: UFC on ESPN 21: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Montel Jackson (10-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC), Jesse Strader (5-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN2
Referee: Keith Peterson

Round 1 – Dolidze takes the center and keeps his hands high as Giles sets up to strike. Giles keeping his distance early, looking for opportunities to stick and move. Dolidze trying to wave him into grappling range. Dolidze warned for his fingers extending, and we fight on. Dolidze firing out kicks that are largely blocked but keeping Giles from just letting go with his hands. Dolidze going to the legs often. He lands with a backfist after w ild kick misses. Dolidze finally inside on a takedown with a little under two minutes. He gets the fight to the floor with relative ease. Giles does turns and work to his feet, but Dolidze is still tight to him on the clinch. Dolidze has the hands clasped around the body. Giles trying to dig unders and stay upright. Knees traded inside until the bell. Round ends there, and MMA Junkie gives it to Dolidze, 10-9.

Round 2 – Dolidze with a quick knee to open, but Giles lands a right hand over the top. Giles seems to want to be a little more aggressive here. Dolidze smiles at him and switches stances in front of him. Dolidze wants the knee again, but he gets his head snapped back with the right again. Might not want to go back to that. Dolidze with a kick to the body that’s blocked. He goes to the legs and then back to the body again. Giles is being patient, but when he does fire, he lands. Punches exchanged from both in a spirited scramble, and Dolidze moves to attack the leg as he changes levels. Giles defends well and lands a few punches. Dolidze not giving up on the leg. Giles seems comfortable as he spins and twists to keep his leg free. Giles landing a few hammerfists, as well, while he defends from a seated position. Dolidze finally bails on the leg, and Giles crawls back to his feet. Dolidze controls for a bit from the clinch, but Giles pulls free and lands a nice left hand. Dolidze grabs him again. Short knees from Dolidze. Round ends there, and MMA Junkie gives it to Giles, 10-9.

Round 3 – Dolidze again in the center and flashing out a few kicks to start. Giles blocks it and picks his moment to rush in with punches. They trade and reset. Dolidze thinks takedown, but he can’t get inside. Both men smiling as they trade in the pocket. Little talking going on, as well. Straight right from Giles drops Dolidze to a knee. He tries to shake it off, but Giles moves in and controls the head. Dolidze patiently keeps the neck safe and works back to the feet. His face shows some damage. Dolidze on the leg again. Not there, but Dolidze uses it to work to top and secure side control. Dolidze’s corner calling for action. He’s clearly tired. Giles turns to his knees and then stands. Dolidze can’t get keep control, and Giles breaks free with a little more than a minute left. Dolidze’s left eye is badly damaged. He needs to go, but he seems exhausted. Giles tags him with a few punches. They’re clinched, and Dolidze drags it to the floor and falls into mount. Giles won’t stay there, getting back to his feet. One more late takedown from Dolidze, and the bell sounds. Both men exhausted. MMA Junkie gives the final round to Giles, 10-9, and awards him the fight 29-28.

BetMGM Odds: Dolidze -135, Giles +110
Result: Trevin Giles def. Roman Dolidze via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 21: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Roman Dolidze (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), Trevin Giles (14-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN2
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging: Eric Colon (29-28, giving Giles rounds 2 and 3), Bryan Miner (29-28, giving Giles rounds 2 and 3), Adalaide Byrd (29-28, giving Giles rounds 2 and 3)

Round 1 – Santos with an early inside low kick. Dawson with a high kick that’s blocked. He shoots from range, but Dawson stuffs it. Dawson to the leg again. Dawson fakes a shot and punches up top. He does look for the takedown, but it’s stuffed again. Dawson busy and really mixing up the takedown with the fake into the strike. Santos sneaks in a nice right hand. Dawson answers and lands clean and then shoots, getting in tight on the hips. He briefly gets Santos to the canvas, thought the Brazilian stands right back up. Santos with a few short punches inside as he defends against the cage. They battle for position, and it’s Santos who gets the takedown with the outside trip and is able to land in side control. Dawson turns to guard quickly and is up on his feet soon after. He spins Santos to the cage once again. Santos with shot punches and slaps as he defense against the fence. Dawson with a little damage around the right eye, and they end in the clinch. Close round, but MMA Junkie leans toward Dawson, 10-9.

Round 2 – Dawson pressing early and lands a right hand. Santos on the outside and switches stances. Dawson finding some success with his hands, and his corner yells for him to not worry about kicks and just stick to boxing. Santos returns fire with a low kick that lands to the cup. Dawson takes a quick seat before we carry on. Low kicks traded again to start, and James Krause is pleading for Dawson to just throw the right hand. He is still having some success with low kicks, though. Dawson drives forward and presses the action to the fence. His hands are clasped, and he’s trying to kick the legs out, but Santos staying upright. Short punches in spots for Santos, but he has to focus on keeping his balance. It’s a bit of a stalemate, so we get a restart with about 50 seconds left. Santos aggressive when we do, and he’s able to get Dawson off-balance and to the floor.He spins quickly to the back but can’t quite control the position, and Dawson gets to this feet. Tense moment there, but Santos couldn’t really capitalize. Capoeira kick from Dawson to close. MMA Junkie gives it again to Dawson, 10-9.

Round 3 – Santos busy to start. Dawson scores with a lead hook. He kicks the legs again. Dawson continues to find a home for the overhand right. He kicks hard to the body and thens hoots inside. Santos goes to a knee as he defends. He stands against the cage. Dawson continues to look for the takedown. Santos grabs the cage briefly as he’s nearly pulled off-balance. Dawson adjusts and lifts him in the air before slamming him to the floor. Big takedown there. Dawson settles into top position. Santos tries to kick off the cage, but Dawson is too heavy on his base. Santos turning and trying to get free, but Dawson preventing that. Dawson lands enough short punches to keep the position. It’s not massive work, but it’s steady. Santos too experienced to give up any real submission opportunities, but Dawson just grinding away and refusing to give up the position. Santos turns to the leg in the closing seconds. Dawson stands and starts firing punches. Vicious at the buzzer, and Santos is out cold. A few more shots land before Chris Tognoni stops in to pull him off. Absolutely stunning finish.

BetMGM Odds: Dawson -200, Santos +165
Result: Grant Dawson def. Leonardo Santos via knockout (punches) – Round 3, 4:59
Recap: Grant Dawson KOs Leonardo Santos with 1 second left at UFC on ESPN 21
Photos: UFC on ESPN 21: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Grant Dawson (17-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC), Leonardo Santos (18-4-1 MMA, 7-2 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN2
Referee: Chris Tognoni

Round 1 – Reneau in the center, with Chiasson moving right. Chiasson with a high kick that’s blocked. Reneau with a front kick, but Chiasson with a right hand over the top of that. Outside leg kick for Reneau, but Chiasson again able to punches as it lands. Reneau throws two punches and digs in hard with a low kick. Chiasson the longer fighter, but Chiasson starting to move in and out well. She is landing with the low kicks, but she gets tagged when she doesn’t set it up with punches. Crisp combination from Reneau lands clean, and she slips the reply. Reneau blocks a high kick. Chiasson has range and power, but she’s not pressuring with it right now. She does land a nice left hand before kicks are traded. Reneau pushes forward into a clinch. She slips to the back and lands a few punches there. Chiasson spins inside at the bell. MMA Junkie gives the first to Reneau, 10-9.

Round 2 – Chiasson mores aggressive to start, and she comes out swinging. Straight punches lands and staggers Reneau. Nose is busted up. Chiasson comes forward swinging and they wind up in the clinch as Reneau looks to recover. Chiasson able to move out to the center but she can’t quite pull away. Knees traded inside as they jockey for position and space in the cage. They’re against the fence right now, with Chiasson on the outside. Chiasson lands a nice elbow, but her corner wants her to pull away to reset. they continue to battle there. When Reneau does pull away, Chiasson kicks hard to the body. Reneau’s face covered in blood as she tries to reset. She does land a big right hand, but Chiasson just walks through it. Chiasson picking her shots well, but Reneau slips under and scores a well-timed takedown with less than a minute. Chiasson grabs a leg and uses it as a sweep to get to top, where she finishes the round. MMA Junkie gives it to Chiasson, 10-9.

Round 3 – Both women come out swinging. Chiasson falls back after kicks are traded, but she pops quickly back to her feet. Chiasson sitting down on her strikes, and Reneau is forced to leap from range to score. Big low kick from Reneau, but Chiasson punches over the top. Reneau changes levels and slips to the back but can’t drag the action down. Chiasson defends well in a big moment. Chiasson back to work with her long strikes. Reneau shoots inside again, but Chiasson continues to pummel and turn stay upright. She lands a few punches inside. Reneau continues to stay on it and gets the takedown. Chiasson briefly sets up in guard but breaks it and stands. Corner wants separation. She can’t get free but does scores a well-timed outside trip that nets her top position. Reneau trying to get the legs up and threaten with anything from her back, but Chiasson blocks it all and lands a few punches before the round ends. MMA Junkie gives the final round to Chiasson, 10-9, and awards her the fight 29-28.

BetMGM Odds: Chiasson -225, Reneau +175
Result: Macy Chiasson def. Marion Reneau via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 21: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Macy Chiasson (7-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC), Marion Reneau (9-7-1 MMA, 5-6-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN2
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Mike Bell (29-28, giving Chiasson rounds 2 and 3), Sal D’Amato (29-28, giving Chiasson rounds 2 and 3), Rick Winter (29-28, giving Chiasson rounds 2 and 3)

Round 1 – Hunsucker paws his jab from range. Low kicks traded. Hunsucker leaps with a huge left that misses. Big low kick from Tuivasa. Right hand lands. Hunsucker is hurt. Tuivasa swings again, and Hunsucker hits the floor. Tuivasa jumps on top with a few big hammerfists, but Hunsucker is trying to cover and survive. Tuivasa stands and adjusts his angle and starts raining down big shots. Hunsucker trying to cover, but Tuivasa dropping bombs, and this fight is waved off in quick order.

BetMGM Odds: Tuivasa -400, Hunsucker +310
Result: Tai Tuivasa def. Harry Hunsucker via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:49
Recap: Video: Tai Tuivasa runs through Harry Hunsucker with 49-second TKO at UFC on ESPN 21
Photos: UFC on ESPN 21: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Harry Hunsucker (7-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Tai Tuivasa (12-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Herb Dean

Round 1 – Both men moving well, studying and looking for angles. Yanez a little more heavy on his feet, looking to strike. Lopez with a lot of lateral movement and changing levels. Yanez scores to the leg. Lopez answers. Lopez charges forward but is tagged by a right hand. He resets and lands a nice lead hook. Yanez pretty much stationary in the center. Lopez moving on the outside but not really committing to too much just yet. He’s giving a lot of different looks. He does charge in from range, but Yanez able to strike and push him away once again. Yanez patient but seems to be gaining some confidence. Lopez with a nice left hands, but Yanez answers back with a crisp combination. Another right hand scores. Yanez getting his best work late, and they end on the feet. MMA Junkie gives it to Yanez, 10-9.

Round 2 – Yanez again in the center and stalking. Lopez with constant movement and stance changes. He does land a nice shot up the middle, and Yanez acknowledges it. Yanez really firing in combinations now. A right hand lands clean, and Lopez hits the deck. He tries to shoot inside, but Yanez pushes him away. Yanez fires a flying knee that’s blocked. He’s pressing but not getting careless. Lopez seems to have recovered well. Two minutes left. Yanez still controlling the center and looking for his spots. His strikes are quick and precise. Lopez with a thudding low kick. He’s still switching stances and changing levels, making it a tough read. Lopez kicks to the body, but Yanez catches it and delivers a right hand in return. Lopez presses a bit at the bell but catches a backfist for his troubles. MMA Junkie gives it again to Yanez, 10-9.

Round 3 – Lopez looks like he wants to be a little more aggressive to start the third, but he walks into a right hand. Lopez spins and falls to his knees. Yanez doesn’t follow. Stylish walk-off.

BetMGM Odds: Yanez -225, Lopez +185
Result: Adrian Yanez def. Gustavo Lopez via knockout (punch) – Round 3, 0:27
Recap: Adrian Yanez picks apart Gustavo Lopez for slick walk-off KO
Photos: UFC on ESPN 21: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Gustavo Lopez (12-6 MMA, 1-2 UFC), Adrian Yanez (13-3 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Chris Tognoni

Round 1 – Ruiz rushes forward with short hooks, and Buys answers and tries to slide away. Ruiz rushes forward and engaged in the clinch. She grabs the head and wants the throw. She can’t get the toss, but she does drag the action to the canvas while maintaining control on the head. Buys on her right hip and trying to slips out the back. She posts to her knees. Ruiz lands a few punches to the face with her free arm. Buys can’t clear the position. She tries to flip over and slip out the back, but just as she nearly gets it, Ruiz settles her back down. Ruiz just has an incredibly tight squeeze on the head and won’t let her opponent free. Ruiz working hard to get free without exposing any more submission opportunities, but she can’t scramble until the very end. Round ends there. MMA Junkie gives it to Ruiz, 10-9.

Round 2 – Buys with a quick combination to start and then slips away. Ruiz tries to drive forward aggressively, but Buys is able to move. Ruiz again moves forward and into the clinch, and she tries to grab the head. Buys initially counters in the clinch, but Ruiz stays tight on the clinch and is able to hold the head and muscle her to the floor once again. Right back in the same position. Buys trying to turn and post to her knees and push free, but the hold is too tight. Ruiz briefly gets the arm lock added to the scarf hold, but Buys pulls the limb free and rolls her legs into position to push back and create a scramble. It works, and she’s back to her feet, but Ruiz is immediately back on the head-and-arm and brings it to the floor. Buys again stuck until the very end, when she’s able to work to top position and land a few strikes at the end, but it’s too little, too late. MMA Junkie gives it to Ruiz again, 10-9.

Round 3 – Buys keeping her distance, desperate to stay on her feet. Ruiz clinches, but Buys able to duck under and pull away. They trade punches in the pocket. Buys has the rage, but Ruiz has no trouble moving forward and trading shots to try and get in close. Buys lands a nice kick to the body. Three minutes left. Ruiz to the clinch, but Buys with a knee and pulls away. Buys doing much better staying upright, but she’s going to need to strike more to get a stoppage. Right hand scores. Ruiz clinches again. Buys able to pull away. Ruiz relentless and gets inside. She grabs the head-and-arm and again muscles it to the canvas. Buys finally able to roll here and slip to the back. Ruiz turns again though and is able to muscle her way to top position. She lands one elbow but seems content to ride out the position. They trade punches until the end, Buys from her back and Ruiz on top. The bell sounds, and the action does not. Buys is upset ad takes some exception and pushes away. Ruiz stands and yells back, and offer a middle finger, as well, before officials step in between them. MMA Junkie gives the final round to Buys, 10-9, but awards the fight to Ruiz, 29-28.

BetMGM Odds: Buys -350, Ruiz +280
Result: Montserrat Ruiz def. Cheyanne Buys via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
Recap:
Photos: UFC on ESPN 21: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Cheyanne Buys (5-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Montserrat Ruiz (10-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Mike Bell (29-28, giving Ruiz rounds 1 and 2), Junichiro Kamijo (29-28, giving Ruiz rounds 1 and 2), Bryan Miner (29-28, giving Ruiz rounds 1 and 2, with a 10-8 in round 1)

Round 1 –

BetMGM Odds: Griffin -200, Kenan +165
Result:
Recap:
Photos: UFC on ESPN 21: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Max Griffin (16-8 MMA, 4-6 UFC), Song Kenan (16-5 MMA, 4-1 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Keith Peterson
Judging:

Round 1 –

BetMGM Odds: Holland -175, Brunson +145
Result:
Recap:
Photos: UFC on ESPN 21: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Derek Brunson (21-7 MMA, 12-5 UFC), Kevin Holland (21-5 MMA, 8-2 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging: