
LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 24 event, and you can join us for live play-by-play and official results beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT).
UFC on ESPN 24 takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.
In the main event, Marina Rodriguez (13-1-2 MMA, 3-1-2 UFC) meets Michelle Waterson (18-8 MMA, 6-4 UFC) in a women’s flyweight bout. In the co-feature, Donald Cerrone (36-15-1 MMA, 29-15-1 UFC) takes on short-notice welterweight replacement Alex Morono (18-7 MMA, 7-4 UFC).
Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 6:30 p.m. ET for the prelims on ESPN+ and 8 p.m. ET for the main card on ESPN.
To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFC on ESPN 24 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporters John Morgan (@MMAjunkieJohn) and Ken Hathaway (@kenshathaway) on Twitter.
Enjoy the fights, everyone.
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Christian Aguilera vs. Carlston Harris
Round 1 – Aguilera with his hands low to open, and Harris wastes no time changing levels and driving to the legs, then slipping around to the back when he meets some resistance. Aguilera able to battle the hands and turn to face his opponent before pulling away and resetting. Aguilera advances with his hands low, and Harris uses kicks from range to try and keep some space. Aguilera slips on a kick, and Harris able to move to the clinch briefly, but it’s another stalemate. They break apart and reset and trade a few big punches in the pocket. Harris seems to land cleanest. Aguilera shoots from range, but Harris feels it, stuffs it, and snatches the neck as he falls. Anaconda choke is in, and he rolls Aguilera over to get more power on the squeeze. He moves his body tight, and Aguilera goes out. Referee Marc Goddard seems a little slow to acknowledge it, making sure not to step in too early, but he eventually pulls Harris off for the debut win.
BetMGM Odds: Harris -160, Aguilera +135
Result: Carlston Harris def. Christian Aguilera via technical submission (anaconda choke) – Round 1, 2:52
Recap: Carlston Harris puts Christian Aguilera to sleep with anaconda choke, makes history
Photos: UFC on ESPN 24: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Christian Aguilera (14-8 MMA, 1-2 UFC), Carlston Harris (16-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Marc Goddard
Tafon Nchukwi vs. Jun Yong Park
Round 1 – Nchukwi with an early low kick from a rather stationary stance. Park answers back with several straight punches that are blocked. Nchukwi digs to the body. He throws up top. Every strike being verbally punctuated right now for Nchukwi. Park able to work inside to the clinch, but Nchukwi lands several punches to the body, and they split. Nchukwi working the legs and the body. Park landing punches up top, as well. Park’s jab really finding a home. Nchukwi scores one of his own, and Park motions him to come forward with more. Park’s jab really effective early, but Nchukwi just walking through it to deliver return fire. Park kicks the lead leg. He goes back to the jab, which is landing almost every time he throws it. Nchukwi lands a low kick directly to the groin, and Park falls and takes a break. Apology on the restart. Jabs traded. More cautious approach in the final minutes. Kicks traded at the bell. Close round, but MMA Junkie leans slightly toward Park, 10-9.
Round 2 – Nchukwi not quite as aggressive as he was early, being a little more patient but still throwing at full power. Quick exchanges from both men. Nchukwi with a big kick, and Park catches it and trips him to the canvas but can’t keep him there. They work from the clinch, and Park is controlling the head. Knee from Nchukwi lands again to the groin, and Park yells out as he drops to the canvas. Nchukwi loses a point for the infraction, but we do carry on. Park back to the jab on the restart. Nchukwi with his hands high and trying to match it. Nchukwi with a few big hooks behind it, as well. He pushes forward, but Park slips well and delivers a straight . Park wipes at his eye on an exchange, but they fight on. Park tries to shoot, but Nchukwi able to press him down and set up heavy. Whizzer holding things down, but Park won’t get stuck there. He battles to the feet after only taking a little damage on the floor. They trade punches in the final minute. Nchukwi drops for the single, but Park defends and grabs his neck. Nchukwi tries to slam him, but Park able to snatch the neck and squeeze. Guillotine in, but Nchukwi saved by the bell. With the deduction, MMA Junkie gives it to Park, 10-8.
Round 3 – Nchukwi walking forward with big punches, but they’ve lost some zip, and Park avoiding them with relative ease. Still, he’s showing them respect. Jab for Park still scoring and he lands a lead hook, as well. Nchukwi with a low kick, but Park grabs it and drives him to the canvas. Nchukwi working hard to rise. He gets up, but Park is there and drives him back to the canvas and to the floor. He’s heavy on top, and Nchukwi tries to roll. Park wants the back, and he looks for the choke. Not quite there, so Park lets go and fires punches. Another look at the choke after a move, but it’s not there. Nchukwi turns again, but now Park has a more dominant position and is landing punches. Nchukwi bucks and rolls and creates space, but he can’t quite get to his feet. Vicious shots coming, and Nchukwi is opened up. Blood streaming from his face, and Park seals the win with more punches at the bell. MMA Junkie gives the final round to Park, 10-8, awarding him the fight 30-25.
BetMGM Odds: Nchukwi -145, Park +120
Result: Jun Yong Park def. Tafon Nchukwi via majority decision (30-25, 29-26, 28-28)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 24: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Tafon Nchukwi (5-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Jun Yong Park (13-4 MMA, 3-1 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Judging: Ron McCarthy (30-25, giving a 10-8 in round 2 with the Nchukwi deduction and a 10-8 in round 3), Sal D’Amato (29-26, giving Park rounds 1 and 3, with a 10-8 in round 3, as well as a 9-9 in round 2 with the Nchukwi deduction), Tony Weeks (28-28, giving Nchukwi round 1, Park round 3, and a 9-9 in round 2 with the Nchukwi deduction)
Ludovit Klein vs. Mike Trizano
Round 1 – Trizano gets to the center early, and Klein moves side to side. Klein patient early but showing off quick hands as he moves about. Trizano with a nice right that finds the mark. Klein still circling and lands a nice jab, but Trizano able to scores a stiff left that catches his attention. Klein moving very well, but Trizano is cutting off his path and keeping his guard high before unloading accurate, clean shots. Klein adding in a few kicks to the body. He flashes one up top that’s blocked. Low kicks traded. Trizano remains the one walking forward. Little more than a minute, and Klein changes levels and drives through and takes the fight to the floor. Trizano quickly to a seated position and uses the cage to stand. He struggles to work free, but he’s keeping Trizano tied up. Finally, he turns and pulls free. They trade punches at the end. MMA Junkie gives it to Trizano, 10-9.
Round 2 – Jabs traded, and Klein goes to the body with a kick. Trizano back on the lead foot. He’s pressing the action and pulling the trigger first. Trizano showing great accuracy and speed. Klein changes levels and shoots again, but Trizano stands him up and lands a few knees inside before pulling away. They reset in the center. Punches traded again. Klein finding the mark a little more frequently now. He kicks the lead leg. Spinning backfist from Klein. Trizano’s jab working well. Low kicks traded. Trizano setting the tone and finding a home for the jab. Right comes behind it. Klein high kick blocked. Klein shoots again and does get the fight to a seated position, but Trizano pushes down on the head from there and lands a few short punches with Klein attached to his waist. Close round, and MMA Junkie gives it to Klein, 10-9.
Round 3 – Klein seems the fresher man and is moving well. Trizano still the one walking forward and looking to use that jab. Big shot from Klein lands early. Trizano shakes it off and gives chase. Klein loading up on the left hand and finding a home for an overhand. Trizano with the jab but can’t get a lot behind it. He catches a few Klein kicks but can’t capitalize. Trizano still walking forward with Klein circling left. They’re trading shots. Takedown from Klein with 90 seconds left. Trizano desperate to stay upright and scramble, but Klein able to adjust and set up on top. Trizano seated against the cage, and he works up relatively quickly. They reset on the feet.Klein shoots from range. He slips but dives back forward, hoping to get the takedown anyway. Trizano capitalizes with a guillotine in the final seconds. He falls and squeezes. It looks tight, and Klein fights the hands until the end but lasts until the bell. MMA Junkie gives the final round to Trizano, 10-9, and awards him the fight, 29-28.
BetMGM Odds: Klein -250, Trizano +200
Result: Mike Trizano def. Ludovit Klein via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 24: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Ludovit Klein (17-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Mike Trizano (9-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging: Derek Cleary (29-28, giving Trizano rounds 1 and 3), Adelaide Byrd (29-28, giving Trizano rounds 2 and 3), Junichiro Kamijo (30-27)
Kyle Daukaus vs. Phil Hawes
Round 1 – Hawes out quickly and looking to strike. Daukaus fighting with his back to the cage. Hawes gets close, and Daukaus tries to grab the neck, but he can’t keep control. Daukaus with quick hands and a few kicks, as well. He changes levels and drives forward and slams the action to the canvas. Daukaus grabs the neck as he falls, but he gets trapped in a Von Flue. He has to battle out of that and then is able to sweep in the ensuing scrambles. He’s attacking from the top, but Hawes able to resist and stand. Daukaus immediately back inside on the takedown and presses the action to the cage. Hawes defending well and driving in a few elbows. Daukaus maintaining control of the body. Daukaus thinks level change, but it’s not there. He punches the body a bit. Short strikes traded inside. Hawes with solid knees in there. Wide sprawl from Hawes against the fence from Hawes keeping him upright. They break in the end. Close round, and MMA Junkie leans toward Daukaus, 10-9.
Round 2 – Hawes takes the center, and Daukaus again on the outside. Hawes tries to grab a leg, but it’s not there. Daukaus with a high kick over the top. It misses, but spinning backfist follows and scores. Hawes is hurt. Daukaus sees it and tags him a bit, but Hawes recovers enough to wrap things up and try to slow it down. Daukaus eventually spins and backs away. On the feet, Daukaus continues to lands a few punches from range. Hawes still a little staggered, but he’s also throwing back and has power. Daukaus able to ties things up again and drive to the fence. Short punches as they work from the clinch. Hawes lands inside as the disengage and reset. Little more than a minute, and Hawes is on the attack. He works the body and then lands a knee to the groin. Quick break before we restart. Hawes has his power back, and he digs to the body. Hawes looking very dangerous late, and Daukaus covers. MMA Junkie gives the second to Hawes, 10-9.
Round 3 – Hawes aggressive again to start the final round. He drives in for a single and pushes the action to the canvas. Daukaus grabs the neck but can’t hold it. With Hawes on top, Daukaus works an active guard. He looks for the arm, but it’s not there. He tries to sit up and control the neck, but Hawes punches to the body and changes that. Daukaus active and looking for options, but Hawes is heavy on top, landing short, powerful strikes when he can and keeping himself safe from submission attempts. A few of Hawes’ punches starting to get through. He’s landing clean. Daukaus covering and moving but is taking some damage. Less than two minutes. Hawes’ recovery and gas tank have impressed. He continues to punch away at the head and the body. One minute left. Daukaus turns to his hips and looks for anything he can from the back, but there’s just nothing available to him. Hawes is compact and attacks until the end. MMA Junkie gives the final round to Hawes, 10-8, and awards him the fight, 29-27.
BetMGM Odds: Daukaus -130, Hawes +110
Result: Phil Hawes def. Kyle Daukaus via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-27)
Recap:
Photos: UFC on ESPN 24: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Kyle Daukaus (10-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC), Phil Hawes (11-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging:
Diego Ferreira vs. Gregor Gillespie
Round 1 – Gillespie works to the center and looks like he wants to press the pace. Ferreira working lateral on the outside. Sharp low kick from Gillespie. He goes low again. Ferreira counters over the top. Gillespie changes levels and gets a nice takedown. Ferreira grabs the leg and wants the knee. Not there. They scramble up. Ferreira lands a clean straight. Gillespie is hurt. Another combination from Gillespie. Ferreira defends well as Gillespie shoots. Gillespie inside but is getting pushed down on the sprawl. Ferreira with big punches and hammerfists. He rolls fro a guillotine. Mistake there. He tries to transition to an omo plata. Not there. He wants the sweep, but Gillespie moves to the top. Whizzer from Ferreira allows him to sweep again. Neutral position on the knees, and they move to the feet. Gillespie shoots again. he gets the action to the floor, but he’s not really controlling. Ferreira scrambles, and Gillespie to the back. He falls off the top. Ferreira to the back but can’t get the choke. He doesn’t stop hunting. Time winding down, and he switches to strikes at the bell. MMA Junkie gives it to Ferreira, 10-9.
Round 2 – Ferreira boxing to start. Gillespie tries to change levels but eats a knee. Gillespie goes inside again for the takedown, but it’s not there. Ferreira sprawls and pushes him away. Gillespie now absolutely relentless on the takedown. He gets it on a fantastic effort, but Ferreira scrambles. It’s non-stop transitions, and Ferreira nearly gets the back but slips off. Ferreira turns to his hops. He wants to isolate the arm. Not there. Ferreira’s corner wants him to stand, but he’s looking for options from his back. He finally does scramble and get to his feet. Gillespie locks the body. Ferreira tries to roll forward to shake him free. Doesn’t work. Gillespie on the back. Ferreira defending the choke. Gillespie locks in the body triangle. He drives in punches. Ferreira trying to scramble free, and Gillespie is landing punches then they’re available. Time winding down. Ferreira needs to get free but can’t. Gillespie heavy on the back and banging away. Second left, but Ferreira is stuck, and this fight is over. Hell of a fight.
BetMGM Odds: Gillespie -165, Ferreira +135
Result:
Recap:
Photos: UFC on ESPN 24: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Diego Ferreira (17-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC), Gregor Gillespie (13-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Judging:
Maurice Greene vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima
Round 1 –
BetMGM Odds: De Lima -200, Greene +165
Result:
Recap:
Photos: UFC on ESPN 24: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Maurice Greene (9-5 MMA, 4-3 UFC), Marcos Rogerio de Lima (17-7-1 MMA, 6-5 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee:
Judging:
Donald Cerrone vs. Alex Morono
Round 1 –
BetMGM Odds: Cerrone -190, Morono +160
Result:
Recap:
Photos: UFC on ESPN 24: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Donald Cerrone (36-15-1 MMA, 29-15-1 UFC), Alex Morono (18-7 MMA, 7-4 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee:
Judging:
Marina Rodriguez vs. Michelle Waterson
Round 1 –
BetMGM Odds: Rodriguez -225, Waterson +175
Result:
Recap:
Photos: UFC on ESPN 24: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Marina Rodriguez (13-1-2 MMA, 3-1-2 UFC), Michelle Waterson (18-8 MMA, 6-4 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee:
Judging: