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LAS VEGAS – MMAjunkie is on scene and reporting live from today’s TUF 27 Finale 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 Pearl Theater at The Palms in Las Vegas. The event airs on FS1 following early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.

In the main event, Brad Tavares (17-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) meets unbeaten up-and-comer Israel Adesanya (12-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) in a middleweight bout. Also on the card, the Season 27 tournament finals in two divisions from “The Ultimate Fighter” go down as Joe Giannetti (6-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) takes on Mike Trizano (6-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) in the lightweight final and Jay Cucciniello (8-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) meets Brad Katona (6-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) at featherweight.

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 FS1, and 10 p.m. ET for the main card on FS1.

To discuss the show, be sure to check out our TUF 27 Finale discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporters Mike Bohn (@mikebohnmma), John Morgan (@MMAjunkieJohn) and Ken Hathaway (@kenshathaway) on Twitter.

Enjoy the fights, everyone.

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Current fight

Roxanne Modafferi vs. Barb Honchak

Round 1 – The two women exchange jabs in the center to start. Honchak adds in a right hand behind a combination. Honchak in the center and sitting down on her punches early. Modafferi is moving well on the outside but is definitely showing some damage early. Honchak confident in her boxing early, landing a nice uppercut and she looks to counter her opponent’s work. Modafferi not backing down, landing her share of punches but ultimately electing to change levels and driving the action quickly to the canvas. Modafferi able to pass the guard on one side and tries to free the other, as well. Honchak trying to keep the leg pinched and maintain half, so Modafferi elects to posture and drive in a few elbows from the top. Honchak scrambling underneath but still on her back. Modafferi stays there until the end and takes the round on the MMAjunkie card, 10-9.

Round 2 – Honchak again gets to the center and looks to box. Modafferi standing firm in the pocket and answers back. Honchak movesinside and hits the outside trip, but Modafferi with an incredible sweep as they fall and lands directly in mount. Big elbows from the top from Modafferi. Honchak trying to hold tight from underneath andn slow things down. She has half-guard but can’t get free. Modafferi isolates the right arm. Honchak trying to shrimp out, but Modafferi heavy on top and is able to adjust and step back into mount. Honchak trying to buck and roll, but Modafferi punishing her with elbows from the top. Honchak covering well, but Modafferi is relentless in her attack. The elbows just won’t stop, and referee Marc Goddard has to step in and call it.

Result: Roxanne Modafferi def. Barb Honchak via TKO (elbows) – Round 2, 3:32
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Roxanne Modafferi (22-14 MMA, 1-2 UFC), Barb Honchak (10-4 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: FS1
Referee: Marc Goddard

Past/upcoming fights

Gerald Meerschaert vs. Oskar Piechota

Round 1 – The two feel each other out early. Then Piechota trips Meerschaert a minute into the first round and quickly finds himself in full mount. But strangely, he jumped out of it and over to half guard. He may have been concerned about Meerschaert bucking him off. He stays busy and works for a D’Arce choke, then jumps back to mount two minutes into the round and works for a choke again. But Meerschaert bucks him off perfectly and makes Piechota go back to work. They scrambled again with two minutes left, and Meerschaert settles for half-guard in his defensive position on his back. Piechota ties him up, but with 90 seconds left, referee Chris Tognoni stands them up. Back on the feet, he lands a right hand, then a kick to the body. And a few seconds later, Piechota lands another right to the chin and knocks Meerschaert to the canvas. Piechota goes down to full mount, then in a scramble takes Meerschaert’s back with a rear-naked choke. Somehow, Meerschaert defends it and slips out – and even gets to the top for some knees to the body in the final 15 seconds. But it’s a clear 10-9 first round for Piechota.

Round 2 – Meerschaert kicks high early in the second, then backs Piechota up with a right hand. The two trade punches 25 seconds in, and Piechota lands a big right hand. Piechota lands a nice leg kick that puts Meerschaert on one knee for a moment. Piechota swings and misses, and Meerschaert goes for a takedown and gets it. But Piechota gets a choke on. Meerschaert has to fight the guillotine for a moment, but finally pops out. He takes PIechota’s back, then gets a guillotine choke on. It looks like Piechota is out of gas and in trouble. But he slips out, then starts to rain down bombs on Piechota. Piechota gives his back and eats some knees back on the feet. Meerschaert keeps pounding, then ducks away from a pair of big left hands. Meerschaert lands huge knees, then several big elbows. Somehow, Piechota still is on his feet. Tognoni looks in closely. Meerschaert is just delivering an onslaught. With a minute left, he goes for a takedown, then keeps throwing punches. Now big elbows after he throws him to the ground. With 20 seconds, he gets a rear-naked choke on. Tognoni checks it once and he’s good. But the second time, he’s out. It’s an amazing comeback for Meerschaert to get a technical submission win.

Result: Gerald Meerschaert def. Oskar Piechota via technical submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:55
Recap: Gerald Meerschaert’s comeback puts Oskar Piechota to sleep
Photos: Gerald Meerschaert vs. Oskar Piechota
Records: Gerald Meerschaert (28-9 MMA, 4-1 UFC), Oskar Piechota (11-1-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Chris Tognoni

Matt Bessette vs. Steven Peterson

Round 1 – Peterson and Bessette get into a quick brawl early, but Peterson jumps guard and goes after a guillotine choke. It’s tight, but Bessette tells ref Mark Smith he’s OK. He works his way back to the feet and the two bully each other on the fence and trade position. After a few stalemates, Smith tells the fighters to get going and Bessette just misses an uppercut. He lands a partial head kick in the final minute, then a few nice punches. He slips Peterson’s punches and counters, then lands a big head kick with 35 seconds left. Both fighters are a little bloody. But it’s a 10-9 first round for Bessette.

Round 2 – The two start slugging early in the second, just like the first. They tie up along the fence, and Peterson tries to get a takedown. They go back to the center a minute in. Bessette again lands a big head kick, but Peterson stays on his feet. Bessette lands a left hand, but Peterson keeps coming forward midway through the frame. With 90 seconds left, Peterson keeps rallying and gets Bessette to the canvas. He takes his back and looks for a choke while dropping punches down. Bessette tries to scramble out, but can’t escape. Peterson lands big elbows and punches late. MMAjunkie will give it to Peterson for the rally, 10-9.

Round 3 – Both fighters appear a little gassed in the third. They scramble on the feet and tie up on the fence. But 90 seconds in, after a warning from Smith to get busy, Peterson gets a trip takedown. But Bessette quickly scrambles out and gets the better position. It doesn’t take long for Bessette, though, to get control back and take Bessette’s back. He ties up a body triangle and starts working for what he no doubt hopes will be a finish. With 90 seconds left, he finally gets a decent choke attempt, but Bessette peels it off. Bessette is purely defensive. Peterson keeps punching from behind while Bessette tries to control Peterson’s hands. It’s an easy 10-9 round for Peterson, and he should have the fight 29-28. But it should be noted that if Nevada used the new unified rules, Peterson would’ve had a 10-8 in the last, and Bessette might have had one in the first.

Result: Steven Peterson def. Matt Bessette via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Recap: Steven Peterson wins split decision from Matt Bessette with tenacity
Photos: Steven Peterson vs. Matt Bessette
Records: Steven Peterson (17-7 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Matt Bessette (22-9 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: FS1
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging:

Tyler Diamond vs. Bryce Mitchell

Round 1 – Mitchell stabs Diamond with a left hand 20 seconds in, then tries a kick to the leg. Mitchell goes way high with a kick that looks good, but doesn’t land. Diamond tries his own kick, then gets inside to clinch up on the fence. Diamond gets a takedown 90 seconds in, then gets to half-guard. Mitchell tries to get a leg up, but Diamond postures up and lands a punch. Mitchell nicely sweeps through and gets back to his feet, but Diamond gets a guillotine choke on. Mitchell counters it with a slam, but Diamond manages to get his way back on top. Mitchell escapes and gets back to his feet with two minutes left. Mitchell lands a low kick with 75 seconds left in the round and Diamond gets a few moments to recover. They start slinging with a minute left and Mitchell drops low for a perfect takedown. Diamond works for a choke, but can’t get it. He does work back to his feet, though. It’s a close first round, but MMAjunkie will give it to Diamond by a hair.

Round 2 – Mitchell takes advantage of a Diamond miss in the second to go after a takedown, but it’s short-lived. Ninety seconds in, Mitchell gets a nice triangle choke attempt on his back. Mitchell starts landing big elbows, and even though Diamond appears that he’s surviving the choke, Goddard tells him to protect himself from the elbows or he’ll stop the fight. With a little less than two minutes left, Diamond escapes and now he’ll go to work on top. Diamond lands good ground-and-pound and tries to close the round strong. MMAjunkie gives the second to Mitchell in a close one, 10-9.

Round 3 – Diamond gets Mitchell to the canvas in the first minute of the third and keeps the pressure on. Mitchell looks like he’s the more exhausted of the two. Diamond isn’t getting a ton of work done from on top, but he’s not allowing Mitchell anything, either. The top control is stifling. Diamond works in short punches and elbows and a few knees to the body for good measure. Mitchell has no answer while Diamond rides things out and outwrestles him. Diamond lands a few big right hands down the stretch. It’s an easy 10-9 round for Diamond, and MMAjunkie gives him the fight 29-28.

Result: Bryce Mitchell def. Tyler Diamond via majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
Recap: Bryce Mitchell squeaks past Tyler Diamond in back-and-forth battle
Photos: Bryce Mitchell vs. Tyler Diamond photos
Records: Bryce Mitchell (10-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Tyler Diamond (9-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Marc Goddard
Judging:

John Gunther vs. Allan Zuniga

Round 1 – Gunther goes to the center, then looks for a takedown inside the first 30 seconds. Zuniga stays upright with his back against the fence. A minute into the frame, Gunther finally gets him down. He goes to work on top in half-guard, but Zuniga scrambles back to his feet. It’s short-lived, though – Gunther again drags him down briefly, and then again when Zuniga scrambles up. The scene repeats – Zuniga is back up, but is stuck with his back on the fence with Gunther wrestling him back down. Zuniga seems to have no real answers for Gunther’s wrestling. Gunther’s doing no real damage to speak of, but he’s in complete control. With 45 seconds left, he again drags Zuniga down and lands a few punches. When Zuniga gets back up, Gunter stifles him yet again on the fence. Gunther lands a spinning back elbow late, and they trade a couple kicks before the horn. But it’s an easy 10-9 first round for Gunther on the MMAjunkie card.

Round 2 – Zuniga with a few snapping leg kicks to open, but Gunther walks through them and lands a big right hand before driving inside for the takedown. The action moves to the cage, where Zuniga is forced to defend the takedown. Gunther relentless with the effort and is eventually able to drag the action down, moving quickly to the back in a scramble. Zuniga careful to defend his neck and is able to move to his feet. Gunther quickly back inside for the takedown but has to abandon the effort when Zuniga is nearly able to reverse and land on top. Clinch battle for a bit before referee Chris Tognoni restarts the action in the center. Zuniga happy to trade hands, but Gunther holds his own returning fire and then drives inside again. Zuniga defends for a bit but is brought back to the canvas, and Gunther is able to step over the legs and trap his opponent on the canvas. To his credit, Zuniga is constantly scrambling and looking to escape, but Gunther’s aggression gettin the job done. Zuniga tries to lock in a kimura grip n the takedown, but he’s unable to capitalize before the bell. MMAjunkie gives it again to Gunther, 10-9.

Round 3 – Zuniga having some success on the feet right away, but Gunther just walks through punches, taking some damage, and gets inside for the takedown. Zuniga scrambles to his knees, and Gunther tries to control from north-south, but they get back to the feet and work in the clinch. Zuniga tries to secure the neck, but Gunther pulls free. Punches traded inside, but the referee again calls for the restart. Spirited striking exchanges on the restart. Both men showing some grit. Zuniga flashing out the high kick. He’s got pop on his strikes, but Gunther seems somehow immune as he drives forward and into the takedown attempt. Zuniga defending better this time around, and he’s teeing off on the feet. Big shots landing. Gunther is busted up but surviving. Time winding down. Rush from Zuniga, but he runs out of time. MMAjunkie gives the final round to Zuniga< 10-9, but awards the fight to Gunther, 29-28.

Result: John Gunther def. Allan Zuniga via majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
Recap: John Gunther staves off late attack from Allan Zuniga
Photos: John Gunther vs. Allan Zuniga photos
Records: John Gunther (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Allan Zuniga (13-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: FS1
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Judging: Sal D’Amato (29-28, giving Gunther rounds 1 and 2), Adalaide Byrd (29-28, giving Gunther rounds 1 and 2), Dave Hagen (28-28, giving Gunther rounds 1 and 2 but Zuniga a 10-8 in round 3)

Luis Pena vs. Richie Smullen

Round 1 – Pena out quickly but met with a Smullen low kick. Both men want to be busy early Pena misses a spinning strike, and Smullen able to close the distance and trip him to the floor, moving immediately into side control. Pena able to scramble to guard. Pena tries to turn for an armbar, but it’s not there. He rolls through and tries to move to his feet, but Smullen grabs the neck and falls to guard. Pena has to battle his way free and is able to get out of the choke and move back to the feet. Pen left hand staggers Smullen. Another lands clean. Right hand drops him. Smullen tries to grab the leg os his standing opponent. Pena pulls free and pushes down, grabbing the neck. It’s a guillotine for Pena. Smullen doing his best to battle through it, but he’s in a bad spot. Pena gets to mount and continues to squeeze. Smullen showing incredible heart because this looks very tight. Pena doesn’t let go, and he eventually gets the tap.

Result: Luis Pena def. Richie Smullen via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 3:32
Recap: Luis Pena drops Richie Smullen, then submits him
Photos: Luis Pena vs. Richie Smullen photos
Records: Luis Pena (5-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Richie Smullen (3-1-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: FS1
Referee: Herb Dean

Montana De La Rosa vs. Rachael Ostovich

Round 1 – De La Rosa looking to use a long jab to start. Ostovich circling and looking for an opportunity to move past the range of her opponent. Ostovich lands a left to the body and then scores a right hand up top. She’s changing levels, perhaps looking for an opportunity to get inside. Ostovich sneaks a nice left hook up top. She’s finding her range, but De La Rosa clips her with a right that sees Ostovich stagger a bit. Quick recovery for Ostovich. De La Rosa with a few punches that miss but a left that ends the combination and lands stiff. Ostovich loading up on her punches now, while De La Rosa is trying to keep working from range. Time winding down, and they finish on the feet. MMAjunkie gives it to De La Rosa, 10-9.

Round 2 – De La Rosa continues to use her range to her advantage. Ostovich realizing the need to push inside. She’s getting aggressive. Ostovich kicks is caught, and De La Rosa works to get to the floor. Ostovich scrambles well to get to the fence, where she’s able to defend and eventually push her opponent away, resetting in the center. Stiff jabs traded. Ostovich lands a crisp two-punch combination. They scramble and push into the clinch again. Underhooks for De La Rosa, and she controls from the outside. Ostovich battles off the fence and eats a few knees but is able to pull away. High kick for De La Rosa. Her volume has slowed a little bit. Ostovich with a side kick to the body. She follows with a big right that lands. Ostovich really having some success in the closing seconds. MMAjunkie gives her the round, 10-9.

Round 3 – Ostovich is out quickly and throws a right hand that gets her into the clinch. De La Rosa looks for a toss, and Ostovich pulls away to reset. De La Rosa trying to use her length, but Ostovich is moving inside and landing the big hook. De La Rosa pushes forward and moves to the clinch, again moving the action to the fence. De La Rosa looking for the trip, but Ostovich with an absolutely gorgeous roll through that sees her able to move to the dominant spot and look for the armbar. Perfect sweep, but De La Rosa waits through the hold and pulls her limb free, taking top position. De La Rosa quickly out to side control. She looks to step over to mount. Ostovich rolls and exposes her back. De La Rosa happy to take the position. She can’t work in the choke, but she just starts wailing away with big elbows to the back. She sees the opening for the choke and attacks. Ostovich defending well, but she’s in a bad spot. De La Rosa eventually gets the arm under the neck and gets the squeeze. Ostovich tough, but she’s forced to tap.

Result: Montana De La Rosa def. Rachael Ostovich via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 4:21
Recap: Montana De La Rosa turns tables on Rachael Ostovich for submission win
Photos: Montana De La Rosa vs. Rachael Ostovich photos
Records: Montana De La Rosa (9-4 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Rachael Ostovich (4-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: FS1
Referee: Mark Smith

Alessio Di Chirico vs. Julian Marquez

Round 1 – The two meet in the center and set up at range. Di Chirico with his hands high. Marquez hangs his a little lower to start, and they look for angles to open. Di Chirico laces out a few left hands that partially land. Marquez answers soon after with a clean right. Marquez has the center, and he’s looking to land big. Di Chirico lands a big left kick to the body. A high kick soon after is blocked. Right hand for Di Chirico stuns Marquez a bit. Tim Elliott yelling from the crowd for Marquez do move forward, and he does with some success. Di Chirico against the fence, and Marquez lands a big left. Another left scores, and Marquez is finding his range. Di Chirico moving laterally on the outside. He’s trying to stick and move. One minute left, and Marquez snatches the neck ins transition and looks for the guillotine. He only gets to half guard, and Di Chirico is able to survive and scramble back to the feet. Big shots from both to close. MMAjunkie gives it to Marquez, 10-9.

Round 2 – Marquez again takes the center. He looks the more powerful man, and he’s trying to impost his will. Two punches land, and a spinning kick just misses the chin. Di Chirico throwing back, but Marquez landing the bigger shots. Di Chirico able to slip inside and move around to the back. Marquez turns inside and grabs the neck, looking for a standing guillotine. Di Chirico wisely scrambles free after a great effort and battles in the clinch. Nothing there, but he lands an elbow and backs away. Di Chirico shoots inside just as Marquez kicks, and he’s able to push forward for the takedown. Marquez able to spin and post and get back to his feet. Big right hand lands for Marquez. Di Chirico again changes levels and gets the takedown. Marquez counters with a slick little roll that sees him grab the arm and look for a submission that isn’t there. Di Chirico pulls free and is now on the back. Round ends there, but MMAjunkie gives it to Marquez, 10-9.

Round 3 – Di Chirico with another nice kick to the body. He lands a big left hook, as well. Marquez looks to be a bit winded. Di Chirico not exactly fresh but a little more lively. He’s looking to stick and move. He times Marquez’s advances and lands a few big left hands. Marquez still holding the center and looking to attack. He kicks the body again. Marquez with a right hand that lands clean. Marquez spinning backfist is blocked. He does land a high kick, but Di Chirico counters with a right hand and then brings the action to the floor with a well-timed takedown. Marquez turns quickly to his knees and works back to his feet. They scramble and roll back to the feet, and Marquez lands a nice knee from the Thai clinch. Final minute. Di Chirico with the trip takedown, but he can’t keep it there. Back on the feet, and Marquez charging, but he walks into an elbow. Gutsy stuff from both guys. Marquez’s nose bloodied. They swing until the end. MMAjunkie gives the final round to Di Chirico, 10-9, but awards the fight it Di Chirico. Going to be close.

Result: Alessio Di Chirico def. Julian Marquez via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Alessio Di Chirico (12-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC), Julian Marquez (7-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: FS1
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Judging:

Alex Caceres vs. Martin Bravo

Round 1 –

Result:
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Alex Caceres (13-11 MMA, 8-9 UFC), Martin Bravo (11-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: FS1
Referee:
Judging:

Jay Cucciniello vs. Brad Katona

Round 1 –

Result:
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Jay Cucciniello (8-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC), Brad Katona (6-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Division: Featherweight (“TUF 27” tournament final)
Broadcast: FS1
Referee:
Judging:

Joe Giannetti vs. Mike Trizano

Round 1 –

Result:
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Joe Giannetti (6-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC), Mike Trizano (6-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Division: Lightweight (“TUF 27” tournament final)
Broadcast: FS1
Referee:
Judging:

Brad Tavares vs. Israel Adesanya

Round 1 –

Result:
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Brad Tavares (17-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC), Israel Adesanya (12-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Rankings: Tavares No. 13
Broadcast: FS1
Referee:
Judging: