MELBOURNE, Australia – MMAjunkie is on scene and reporting live from today’s UFC 234 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 Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and UFC Fight Pass.

In the middleweight main event, which is expected to produce the next title challenger, unbeaten Israel Adesanya (15-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) is more than a 6-1 favorite against former longtime champ Anderson Silva (34-8 MMA, 17-4 UFC).

The main event was supposed to be a middleweight title fight between champion Robert Whittaker (20-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) and challenger Kelvin Gastelum (15-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC). But just hours before the event, Whittaker was pulled from the fight with a hernia.

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 ESPN, and 10 p.m. ET for the main card on pay-per-view.

To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFC 234 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

Jim Crute vs. Sam Alvey

Round 1 –

Result:
Recap:
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Records: Sam Alvey (33-11 MMA, 10-6 UFC), Jim Crute (9-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee:
Judging:

Results

Devonte Smith vs. “Maestro” Dong Hyun Kim

Round 1 – Smith in pursuit early. Respect from both as they measure each other up. Kim circling and gets popped with a leg kick. Smith pawing with a jab and tries a right straight. Kim takes another leg kick and switches stance. Smith goes high with a kick and it’s blocked. He sits down on a two-piece and is short. So far, neither guy has really let it go. Smith goes to the body and his shot upstairs is blocked. Another calf kick for Smith, who’s still searching for that straight right. Kim takes a fast jab. He wants to come back with something, but he’s hesitating. Smith tags the calf again and then tries to go high. Ninety seconds left, and nothing of consequence has happened. Kim’s lead leg has caught it. Then Kim’s chin catches a one-two, and he’s instantly wobbled. Another right uppercut tags him, and a left hook, and a right. Kim pitches forward to the mat, and Smith closes the show with hammerfists from hell. Another first-round finish for Smith.

Result: Devonte Smith def. “Maestro” Dong Hyun Kim via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:53
Recap:
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Records: “Maestro” Dong Hyun Kim (16-9-3 MMA, 3-3 UFC), Devonte Smith (9-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Herb Dean

Shane Young vs. Austin Arnett

Round 1 – Young pressures Arnett early, working jabs low and high before popping the straight right. Arnett circles off and pops his own jab. Young appears to have a slight speed advantage, but Arnett’s height makes him tough to catch. Young still pressures inside and lands right hands to the head and body. Arnett replies with a straight left that’s clean. He starts to work his jab as Young goes low with kicks. Arnett appears to have found his range, but Young’s pressure is paying dividends. Young cliches up briefly, and Arnett pops his jab and resets on the next approach. Arnett starting to touch up Young with hook counters. Young is aggressive, but he’s stiff. Arnett’s loose and popping him regularly at punching distance. Young keeps moving forward hoping to land something big. Instead, it’s an inside kick that prompts Arnett to audibly say, ‘Ow.’ Then, Arnett gets loose with more jabs and straights that find their target. Arnett styling in his rhythm now, backing off as Young approaches and then popping him with a jab. Young’s aggressive finally pays off, and he lands four straight hooks that open up a single leg attempt. It’s a good end to the first frame, but MMAjunkie scores it 10-9 for Arnett.

Round 2 – Young goes low with kicks early and resumes his pressure-based attack. Nice body kick for Young. Arnett goes back to his jab, and Young finds an overhand right. Volume early is in Young’s corner. A head kick slams into Young’s guard, and a jab snaps his head. Arnett takes a hard body shot and then repays with a pair of jabs. Young cornering him now. But Arnett circles and lands a pair of nice jabs. Young still chases in return and gets it back. Arnett adjusting now and having more success with that straight left. Young walks right into a straight right. Again, Young appears to be slowing down as Arnett works the counter game. Nice body kick, though, from Young. More jabs from Arnett, and the head kick is almost good. Young playing the bull, and Arnett circles off and pops that jab. Again, Young finds the right hand and then attacks the body. Arnett can see the attacks coming, and they still land. Young cracks him with a right and goes berserker with more heavy hooks. Arnett gets tagged over and over. Young almost gets caught in a guillotine, and Arnett comes back swinging. They’re tradeing heavy shots in close, and Arnett is screaming at Young as he’s getting tagged and firing back. It looks dramatic, but he wore the majority of the damage, so MMAjunkie gives it to Young 10-9 for the 19-19 tie.

Round 3 – Young back on the offensive, pawing inside with hooks. Arnett meets him with a straight right, then pops a triple jab. Nice right straight off kick for Arnett, and Young comes back firing. The left straight is just off for Arnett so far, and Young is tagging the body regularly. He’s chipping away at the American, who wants that big straight right. Jab is still there all night for Arnett. Young just keeps coming and makes things happen. Even if he misses, he keeps firing and scores points. Arnett overcommits and misses an overhand right. He goes back to the jab, and Young chases him back. Nice headmovement from Young, one of the first times he’s done taht in the pocket. Ninety seconds to go, and Young’s right is met with a trio of jabs. Arnett almost lands that high kick, and Young chases him and lands another flurry of shots. Arnett losing the volume game again. His right is short, and Young charges with another combo. Arnett starts to find the counter, and they trade in close. Both landing big shots. Young gets dropped to a knee with a right hand. But time runs out before Young can put it away, and we go to the scorecards. Clear 10-9 for Young, who gets the 29-28.

Result: Shane Young def. Austin Arnett via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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Records: Austin Arnett (16-6 MMA, 1-3 UFC), Shane Young (13-4 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Greg Kleynjans
Judging:

Kai Kara-France vs. Raulian Paiva

Round 1 – Paiva looking for kicks to counter Kara-France’s. Circling from Kara-France, who lands a hard right hand, but Paiva bounces right back and they reset. Another overhand right for Kara-France, and Paiva tries unsuccessfully to shoot. A lot of lateral movement from Kara-France, who takes a few light leg kicks moving in. Paiva answers an approach with a flurry of punches and then charges for a takedown. Single against the fence fails, and Paiva backs off. They trade jabs. Kara-France nearly gets caught with a jumping switch kick, and Paiva takes a few hard punches in transition. Paiva’s got a chin, though, and he holds the center of the cage as Kara-France circles and looks for a way in. Paiva backs off on the next approach, but the next one nets another hard right for Kara-France, who’s definitely the more effective fighter early on. Paiva runs for a takedown and can’t get control of Kara-France’s hips, so he’s forced to retake center cage. Another charge draws Kara-France’s guard, and Kara-France attacks the body with a jab. Paiva in with a head kick and a leaping knee, and time runs out. MMAjunkie scores the frame 10-9 for Kara-France.

Round 2 – Paiva more active early on, mixing kicks and punches as he backs up Kara-France, who shoots in response. Sprawl from Paiva, and he takes top position and pass to side control. Punches from Paiva, and Kara-France explodes to his feet. He scrambles and connects with a pair of punches, and they’re back to slugging it out – until Kara-France shoots again. Paiva stuffs it and controls against the fence. Knees follow. Kara-France peels off with a hook, and Paiva covers up. Paiva picking off Kara-France’s punches better this round; his timing is there this round. Kara-France’s leg kick gets intercepted, and he’s forced to reset when counters come fast and hard. Knee meets Kara-France, who’s bowled over to the canvas. Standing overhead, Paiva is landing punches from up top. Kara-France bicyles his legs and lands a glancing shot before jumping back to his feet. Kara-France with a great straight right, and Paiva just blinks and fires back in the next exchange. Kicks push Kara-France back. Paiva’s left brow is cut. He counters Kara-France’s next exchange with bruising shots that force a retreat. Another hard leg kick for Paiva, who’s still controlling the center of the cage. He’s getting caught with that right, but he lands back with his own right and wins on volume. They trade in close before Kara-France grabs a leg and nearly pays for a defensive lapse with a guillotine choke that Paiva has dead to rights. MMAjunkie scores the frame 10-9 for Paiva, and we’re even at 19-19.

Round 3 – Anyone’s fight right now, and Kara-France comes out swinging. He backs off when Paiva counters and resets. Nice right from Paiva, who follows with kicks. Nice combo in close lands for Paiva, who’s winning on the inside. Nice inside leg kick. Volume again on Paiva’s side. When Kara-France comes in with one shot, he gets six in response. Kara-France finds the right hand again and almost gets tripped. Paiva comes charging after a caught kick and nails Kara-France right to the gonads. We pause. Goddard gives a hard warning, and we restart. They’re trading right away, and Pavia is the more accurate fighter in close. Kara-France rips the calf and comes in hot. Paiva dodges and pushes back with a kick. He’s working the uppercut inside in hopes of catching Kara-France coming in. Kara-France is getting lit up in counter, and he goes for the takedown. Paiva threatens the guillotine to get back to his feet quickly. Kara-France catches a kick and glances with a few shots. Less than two minutes to go. Kara-France still moving laterally and Paiva fighting tall. Kara-France lands a right hand when Paiva gets a little too eager, but he gets tagged inside on the next exchange. Kara-France isn’t adjusting well to the volume, but his right hand is still good. Paiva nails him with a left on the next exchange, and they both raise their hands. Kara-France goes for one last shot and dumps Paiva briefly to end the fight. Very close round, but MMAjunkie scores it 10-9 for Paiva for the 29-28 score. Given the location, a 29-28 the other way is fully expected.

Result: Kai Kara-France def. Raulian Paiva via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Recap:
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Records: Kai Kara-France (19-7 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Raulian Paiva (18-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Marc Goddard
Judging:

Teruto Ishihara vs. Kyung Ho Kang

Round 1 – Ishihara rips the legs early as Kang presses in. They trade more kicks to the body, and Ishihara looks for a right hook over the top. Kang catches him with a straight right as he circles. They pop each other with leg kicks, and a check right hook from Ishihara lands. Kang wants to engage, and Kang gets cracked with a right hand. He lolls to the mat and invites a grappling exchange. Ishihara wants to stand, and Kang gets back to his feet and nails him with a shot. Ishihara repays with his own punch, and they trade again before catching their breath. Kang charges in again and cracks Ishihara with a knee in the clinch. Ishihara drops to the mat, he’s in deep trouble against the fence. They’re both swinging for against the cage. Technique out the window as both wing bolos. Ishihara fading and getting caught with knees. Finally, Kang drops for a takedown to give his lungs a rest, and he dumps Ishihara before taking the back. Too high, he’s getting shucked off. He manages to hang on and gets to back control. Ishihara grabs the fence, but it does him no good. Kang has the choke, and Ishihara goes to sleep. A check from Dean confirms it, and the fight is over. Heck of a first round and heck of a fight.

Result: Kyung Ho Kang def. Teruto Ishihara via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:59
Recap: Kyung Ho Kang chokes out Teruto Ishihara after slugfest
Photos: Kyung Ho Kang vs. Teruto Ishihara
Records: Teruto Ishihara (10-7-2 MMA, 3-5-1 UFC), Kyung Ho Kang (15-8 MMA, 4-2 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Herb Dean

Callan Potter vs. Jalin Turner

Round 1 – Potter aggressive early with punches and a takedown charge. Turner reverses on the way down and stands up as Potter tries to secure a limb, first and arm and then leg. Turner out, and they’re back up. Straight punches from Turner, who cracks Potter with a right hook, then follows with a combination of punches – right hook, body kick, right hook – that send the UFC newcomer to the mat. With more left hands, Potter is clearly out, and the referee steps in to save him.

Result: Jalin Turner def. Callan Potter via KO (punches) – Round 1, 0:53
Recap: Jalin Turner makes quick work of Callan Potter with 53-second KO
Photos: Jalin Turner vs. Callan Potter
Records: Callan Potter (17-8 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Jalin Turner (8-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Peter Hickmott

Wuliji Buren vs. Jonathan Martinez

Round 1 – Martinez gets started early with his kicking game. Attacking the lead leg, he draws counter kicks from Buren, comes in hot with a right hand before pressing for the takedown. He gets it shortly after hitting the fence, and punches down as Martinez closes guard. Pass attempt meets resistance, but he wraps the head and almost gets to mount before Martinez scrambles and presses for his own takedown. Guillotine counter from Buren, who’s hanging on as Martinez works to pass the legs. Now, Buren is just holding on as Martinez works a bit from side control. Buren rolls to his knees, and Martinez puts in a hook. Punches to soften up Buren, who rolls to keep Martinez from getting square to his back. Martinez still has a body lock and is riding Buren as he moves to the fence, but Buren turns and faces his foe as he stands against the fence. Martinez peels off and slips on a high kick. Buren now punching down and looking to keep top position as Martinez kicks. He lands in guard with short time and avoids an armbar to punch from the top. Martinez reverses and gets his head wrapped for a choke as time runs out. MMAjunkie scores the frame 10-9 for Buren.

Round 2 – They trade kicks early with Martinez’s pace higher aearly on. Buren leaps in with a knee and follows with a body kick. Martinez counters with a nice right on Buren’s next approach, and they reset. Buren wants to trade hands, but Martinez is giving him plenty to think about in close. On the breaks, Martinez attacks the lead leg with an oblique kick. Martinez on point with a counter combo as Buren gets close. Buren ducks under for a takedown and fights through a guillotine to get to half-guard. Pass attempt, and Martinez scrambles to recover. Martinez sweeps and lands in guard with half the round left to work. Buren pulls off his own sweep and uses an underhook to stay on top in half-guard. Martinez scrambles and Buren takes the back, but he can’t keep it and winds up with Martinez at his back. An attempted slam is no good, but Martinez hangs on his opponent against the cage and punches away. Buren trying to stand, and punches and Martinez’s forearm on the neck is keeping him honest. Martinez knees the legs as Buren stands, and the bell sounds. MMAjunkie scores the second frame 10-9 for Martinez, and we’re tied up at 19 all.

Round 3 – Martinez firing back as Buren closes in. Another shot, and Martinez can’t stop it. Buren in mount with Martinez sitting against the cage. Buren turns them toward the mat, and Martinez cage walks to get out. Instead, he walks right into an armbar. It looks back, but he steps over and gets to the back. Punches fly, and Buren crouches from hands and knees as he traps an arm and attempts to stop the back-take. Martinez still gets in hooks as Buren tries to scramble, and when Buren turns, he gets mount. Buren won’t accept it and gives up his back again. Mount again as Buren fails to scramble out. Now in back mount, Martinez pounding away. Buren scrambles to a slightly better position and then manages to turn into guard. Martinez looking for a submission, but Buren stands out and punches down. He goes to side control and then tries a guillotine as Martinez scrambles. Anaconda setup, and Martinez scrambles and sprawls against the fence. Buren gives up the shot and goes to his back, where Martinez pounds away with short time. Big punches from Martinez as Buren rolls to his hands and knees. Time’s up, and MMAjunkie scores it 10-9 for Martinez.

Result: Jonathan Martinez def. Wuliji Buren (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Recap: Jonathan Martinez outworks Wuliji Buren for unanimous decision
Photos: Jonathan Martinez vs. Wuliji Buren
Records: Wuliji Buren (11-7 MMA, 0-3 UFC), Jonathan Martinez (10-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Greg Kleynjans
Judging:

Montana De La Rosa vs. Nadia Kassem

Round 1 –

Result:
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Records: Montana De La Rosa (9-4 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Nadia Kassem (5-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Rankings: De La Rosa honorable mention
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee:
Judging:

Rani Yahya vs. Ricky Simon

Round 1 –

Result:
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Records: Ricky Simon (14-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Rani Yahya (26-9 MMA, 11-3 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee:
Judging:

Lando Vannata vs. Marcos Mariano

Round 1 –

Result:
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Records: Marcos Mariano (6-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC), Lando Vannata (9-3-2 MMA, 1-3-2 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee:
Judging:

Israel Adesanya vs. Anderson Silva

Round 1 –

Result:
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Records: Israel Adesanya (15-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC), Anderson Silva (34-8 MMA, 17-4 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Rankings: Adesanya No. 8, Silva No. 10
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee:
Judging: