LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 9 event, and you can join us for live play-by-play and official results beginning.
The event takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.
In the main event, former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley (19-4-1 MMA, 9-3-1 UFC) takes on Gilbert Burns (18-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC). In the heavyweight co-feature, Blagoy Ivanov (18-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC) meets Augusto Sakai (14-1-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC).
Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results for the ESPN/ESPN+ prelims and main card.
To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFC on ESPN 8 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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Current Fight
Round 1 –
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Records: Casey Kenney (13-2-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), Louis Smolka (16-6 MMA, 7-6 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Judging:
Results
Round 1 – Here we go. Right off the bat, Gutierrez bashes the lead leg of Morales. It’s clear leg kicks are his gameplan here early, as he peppers a few more low kicks. Gutierrez connects in a combination. Morales resets and blinks his eyes. That one hit clean. A spinning high kick lands for Gutierrez. He’s looking sharp here. Morales hasn’t thrown yet. He’s having trouble figuring Gutierrez out and looks somewhat overwhelmed. Another thudding leg kick lands for Gutierrez, who is switching stances. A body kick cranks Morales, which Gutierrez follows up with a sweeping leg kick. A three-punch combination lands for Gutierrez. Moments later, Gutierrez revisits the low kick. Morales switches stances. Those aren’t feeling good. Smartly, Gutierrez knew he had Morales thinking low kicks – so he landed back-to-back high kicks. Another low kick lands for Gutierrez. Morales is hobbling. The reaction on that last kick was extreme. Over and over again, Gutierrez is landing the kick. Rushing in Gutierrez is hit with the first significant punch from Morales. After a brief stumble backward, Gutierrez is back moving forward. Morales’ face is swelling. Morales lands a one-two combination. A flying knee from Gutierrez is blocked. Gutierrez knocks Morales down with – you guessed it – a leg kick. The round ends. There’s only domination, thus far. 10-8 Gutierrez.
Round 2 – The doctor examines Morales’ eye in between rounds, but gives his blessing. Gutierrez comes out pressuring Morales – right where he left off in Round 1. Leg kick. The volume has slowed for Gutierrez, but he’s still in control. A hard leg kick whacks Morales. He’s really, really hurt this time. Another one lands. Morales is having issues standing. Gutierrez tries a jumping switch kick. It misses, but Morales is largely a sitting duck. An overhand right connects for Gutierrez. Another leg kick lands – and another. Ouch. Morales’ left calf is all sorts of red, puffy, and nasty. Another leg kick knocks Morales to the mat. Gutierrez dives in, but Morales grabs a leg. Gutierrez lands some ground and pound. Morales gets up but eats two more kicks. This is brutal. Morales crouches after his leg is battered again. Gutierrez connects on a leg kick again and Morales is down. Referee Jason Herzog has seen enough. Death by a thousand papercuts. Impressive performance from Gutierrez – a clinic, really.
Result: Chris Gutierrez def. Vince Morales via TKO (leg kicks) – Round 2, 4:27
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Records: Chris Gutierrez (15-3-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC), Vince Morales (9-5 MMA, 1-3 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Round 1 –
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Records: Tim Elliott (15-10-1 MMA, 4-8 UFC), Brandon Royval (10-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
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Round 1 –
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Records: Klidson Abreu (15-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC), Jamahal Hill (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
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Round 1 –
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Records: Gabriel Green (9-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC), Daniel Rodriguez (11-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
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Round 1 –
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Records: Katlyn Chookagian (13-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC), Antonina Shevchenko (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
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Round 1 –
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Records: Hannah Cifers (10-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC), Mackenzie Dern (7-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
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Round 1 –
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Records: Roosevelt Roberts (9-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC), Brok Weaver (15-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
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Round 1 –
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Records: Spike Carlyle (9-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Billy Quarantillo (13-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: 150-pound catchweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
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Round 1 –
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Records: Blagoy Ivanov (18-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC), Augusto Sakai (14-1-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
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Round 1 –
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Records: Tyron Woodley (19-4-1 MMA, 9-3-1 UFC), Gilbert Burns (18-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging: