LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Saturday’s UFC 248 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 T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.

In the main event, middleweight champion Israel Adesanya (18-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) puts his title on the line for the first time against challenger Yoel Romero (13-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC). In the co-feature, women’s strawweight champ Zhang Weili (20-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) defends her title against former champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk (16-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC).

Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 6:30 p.m. ET for the UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+ 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 248 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporters John Morgan (@MMAjunkieJohn), Mike Bohn (@mikebohnmma), Nolan King (@mma_kings) and Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) on Twitter.

Enjoy the fights, everyone.

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Current Fight

Max Griffin vs. Alex Oliveira

Round 1 –

Result:
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Max Griffin (15-7 MMA, 3-5 UFC), Alex Oliveira (20-8-1 MMA, 9-6 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Chris Lee, Sal D’Amato, Dave Hagen

Results

Danaa Batgerel vs. Guido Cannetti

Round 1 – Cannetti knocks Batgerel off balance with a leg kick, but the Chinese fighter scrambles back up. Cannetti throws a high kick, which is blocked. The two fighters bash their shins together in a leg kick exchange. Batgerel lands a hard punch on Cannetti. These bantamweights are really opening up. Batgerel lands another hard combination. Batgerel rushes in – in a takedown-punch hybrid attempt. He doesn’t land either. Batgerel is putting the pressure on his 10-year-elder opponent. Cannetti throws a leg kick, but Batgerel makes him pay with a straight punch. Batgerel lands a huge counter left punch, which floors Cannetti. The Argentinian tumbles over backward. He’s really hurt. Batgerel lands a couple of follow up punches, before the referee steps in and stops the fight.

Result: Danaa Batgerel def. Guido Cannetti via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 3:01
Photos: Danaa Batgerel def. Guido Cannetti
Records: Danaa Batgerel (7-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC), Guido Cannetti (8-5 MMA, 3-3 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Chris Tognoni

Jamall Emmers vs. Giga Chikadze

Round 1 – Chikadze tries a spin kick right off the bat. It whiffs. Chikadze tries a high kick, which is blocked. Both men are deep in the feeling out process. Chikadze clips Emmers with a punch coming in. Emmers briefly wobbles, but escapes any further danger. A body kick lands for Chikadze. Emmers is using a lot of feints, but hasn’t been able to muster up much offense. Chikadze lands another body kick. After much missing by both men, Chikadze stands in the center and raises his arms – likely in an attempt to goad Emmers. Chikadze lands a body kick, followed by a left hand. Emmers lands a straight righthand. Chikadze attempts a jumping spin kick. It’s blocked, but gets some oohs and aahs out of the crowd. Chikadze lands an overhand right, then a body kick. Chikadze lands a thudding leg kick. With 10 seconds left, things get wild. Chikaze comes in gesticulating with his hands. While Chikadze throws a rolling thunder, Emmers tries a spinning backfist. The round ends with each fighter mouthing off. 10-9 Chikadze.

Round 2 – Emmers tries a jumping knee, but misses. Emmers lands a body kick and then a right hand. His timing is looking much better here in Round 2. Emmers throws a high kick, which is blocked. Emmers blocks a Chikadze body kick and fires back with a punch. Emmers lands a jab, while Chikadze lands a punch-punch-kick combination. In a change of pace, Emmers decisively shoots in for a double leg, elevates Chikadze, and slams him down. Emmers is in half guard and tries to advance to mount. However in doing so, Emmers gives up position. Chikadze is in Emmers’ guard. Chikadze stands up and welcomes Emmers to the feet. Upon the scramble up, Chikadze’s finger goes in Emmers eye. A timeout is called. Emmers gives the thumbs up and the action resume. Emmers comes out of the timeout aggressive. Soon after, Chikadze makes him pay when he connects with a clipping punch. Emmers wobbles, smiles, and shoots for a takedown. Emmers ties Chikadze against the cage momentarily, but Chikadze eventually circles out. Emmers soots for another takedown, but Chikadze stuffs. Emmers lands a right hand. Chikadze looking tired here late. Chikadze tries to clinch Emmers, but the American body blocks him with his shoulder. The round ends. Closer round, but 20-18 Chikadze.

Round 3 – Chikadze’s corner forgets to give him his mouth piece, so referee Mark Smith has to go get it. Emmers corner isn’t thrilled. Emmers looks like the fresher man here early. Emmers lands a one-two. On the next exchange. Emmers lands a jab. Chikadze misses on a looping hook. Emmers lands a combination. Chikadze, for as tired as he is, is winging combination. Emmers is ducking them with his hands low. The two engage an exchange, but head movement prevails over punches. No shots were landed. Emmers’ jab has been his best weapon. It’s finding a lot of success in Round 3. Emmers cracks Chikadze with a left. Emmers is being really aggressive here. Emmers lands a right, then gets a takedown. Chikadze is in Emmers’ guard. Both fighters throw punches – Emmers from the top, Chikadze from the bottom. Emmers lands some ground-and-pound before the round ends. It’s going to likely come down to Round 2. MMA Junkie scores the fight 29-28 Chikadze.

Result: Giga Chikadze def. Jamall Emmers via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: Giga Chikadze def. Jamall Emmers
Records: Jamall Emmers (17-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Giga Chikadze (9-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Eric Colon, Junichiro Kamijo (29-28 Chikadze, giving Emmers Round 3); Tony Weeks (29-28, giving Chikadze Round 1)

Gerald Meerschaert vs. Deron Winn

Round 1 – No touch of gloves and we’re off. Within seconds, Meerschaert lands a direct kick to the cup of Winn. Timeout is called, while Winn regains himself and fixes his cup. The fight resumes. Winn lands a punch in a heavy exchange. Meerschaert pushes him backward. The two resume squaring off. They clinch. Winn judo throws Meerschaert to the mat. The fight quickly gets back to the feet. Winn’s cup is still bothering him and he’s trying to adjust on the fly. Winn lands a punch in another heavy exchange – and then tees off on Meerschaert, but only for a moment. Meerschaert is sporting some swelling under his right eye, but lands a stepping knee which connects flush to the head of Winn. Bother men land a punch. Winn lands a combination. Twenty seconds left in the round, Winn tries a feint into a high kick. It whiffs. The round ends. 10-9 Winn.

Round 2 – Both fighters miss early. Meerschaert’s right eye coming out the gate is redder and puffier than when he exited Round 1. Winn lands an inside leg kick and an overhand punch. Winn rushes in with a combination, but misses. Meerschaert lands a body kick. Winn is bouncing around. He’s still light on his feet. Meerschaert is starting to look tired. Winn lands a punch – and Meerschaert answers. Despite being the shorter fighter, Winn is doing a great job with his range. Winn dives in for a takedown, but only gets Meerschaert to his knees. Meerschaert gets to his feet, just in time to avoid a high kick from Winn. As they circle the center, Meerschaert lands a body kick. Win lands a short right and Meerschaert answers with a brutal body punch. Meerschaert lands another one – and another. Winn isn’t liking these body shots, but Meerschaert feeds him a couple more. Winn lands a hard overhand, but it only hinders Meerschaert’s attack momentarily. The bell sounds – and Meerschaert likely stole it. It’s tied 19-19.

Round 3 – Winn lands a left, which Meerschaert answers. Winn whips an overhand right that connects. As Meerschaert backs up, Winn throws another right hand – which lands even harder and louder on the face of Meerschaert. That definitely hurt him, but Meerschaert fell into Winn and kept him up. Meeraschaert scrambles out. Moments later, Meerschaert lands a hard combination of his own. Winn is wobbled. Meerschaert chases him down and lands another combination. Winn tumbles to the mat, but tries to get back up. Meerschaert catches Winn halfway up, going for a front choke. Quickly Meerschaert switches to the back, gets the hooks in and begins working on a rear-naked choke. It looks tight. Winn taps. That’s a wrap. A very gutsy performance by Gerald Meerschaert.

Result: Gerald Meerschaert def. Deron Winn via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 2:13
Photos:
Recap: Gerald Meerschaert rocks, then submits Deron Winn at UFC 248
Records: Gerald Meerschaert (31-12 MMA, 6-4 UFC), Deron Winn (6-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Keith Peterson

Saparbek Safarov vs. Rodolfo Vieira

Round 1 – The fight kicks off with about 40 seconds of bouncing around, before Safarov lands a low kick. Safarov lands a nice punch, which catches Vieira’s attention. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu standout shoots, but Safarov stuffs. Immediately after, Vieira tries shooting again. This time, Vieira gets the body lock and slams Safarov down. Vieira has Safarov pinned against the cage. As Safarov tries to elevate out, Vieira scrambles to the back – and pulls him to the mat. Vieira rotates to full mount and lands a forearm. Vieira is seeking an arm triangle choke. Within moments, he gets it. Safarov taps. In case you’re unaware, Vieira’s jiu-jitsu is really good, folks. He’s lucky he got the submission when he did. His eye is totally swollen shut as the decision is read.

Result: Rodolfo Vieira def. Saparbek Safarov via submission (arm triangle choke) – Round 1, 2:58
Recap: Rodolfo Vieira avoided almost certain defeat at UFC 248 by choking out Saparbeg Safarov
Photos: Rodolfo Vieira def. Saparbek Safarov
Records: Saparbek Safarov (9-3 MMA, 1-3 UFC), Rodolfo Vieira (7-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Jason Herzog

Austin Hubbard vs. Mark Madsen

Round 1 – Hubbard lands a hard leg kick that spins Madsen around. Madsen returns with a stiff jab. It only took 30 seconds and Madsen already has a hold of Hubbard. Moments later, Madsen suplexes Hubbard over backward. Hubbard gets up, but Madsen muscles him to the ground again. Hubbard gets up a second time and is muscles down again. Hubbard gets up and eventually, breaks Madsen’s grip. The fight returns to the center. Madsen grabs hold of Hubbard again and trips him to the canvas against the cage. Madsen is in side control. Madsen grabs a hold of Hubbard’s neck and flips him toward the center. Madsen is working for a japanese necktie. Hubbard breaks out and Madsen is now in his guard. Hubbard works his way to the feet against the cage and breaks free – but only momentarily. Madsen grabs a hold against the cage. Hubbard separates one more time before the round ends. 10-9 Madsen.

Round 2 – Hubbard lands a stepping knee to Madsen’s head. About 35 seconds into the round, the two fighters clinch. On the break, Madsen lands a right hook, charges Hubbard, and gets another takedown. It doesn’t look easy, but Hubbard manages to maneuver his way back to the feet. The fight doesn’t remain on the feet for long. Madsen takes down Hubbard again. Hubbard turns over, grabbing a leg of Madsen. The Olympic medalist makes him pay with some short elbows. As Hubbard tries to use the cage to get up, Madsen grabs his neck and rips him to the mat. Eventually, Hubbard escapes again. Hubbard lands a pair of short leg kicks. Madsen definitely looks like the fresher fighter, circling around Hubbard. The American tries a high kick, but it’s blocked. The round ends after a blocked Hubbard knee attempt. 20-18 Madsen.

Round 3 – Both men come out chucking. Hubbard lands a pair of punches in the exchange. Madsen takes him down, but Hubbard gets up. Moments later, Hubbard lands a hard shot to Madsen’s face. The crowd, and Hubbard’s corner exploded in excitement. Madsen briefly ties up Hubbard, though the two separate moments later. Hubbard lands another hard punch. It took him 12 minutes, but he’s finding some success here. Madsen looks to be slowing a little – at least in his volume and takedown attempts. Madsen tries a takedown and gets it. Hubbard is slowly getting to his feet with Madsen still hanging on him. On the break, Hubbard lands a back elbow. “Light him up,” Hubbard’s lead cornerman Cody Donovan yells. They want urgency from their fighter. As Hubbard attempts a stepping knee, Madsen lands a punch. Hubbard lands a punch of his own, which Madsen doesn’t like. Hubbard is going for it, but he’s going to run out of time. The round ends. 29-28 Madsen.

Result: Mark Madsen def. Austin Hubbard via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos:
Records: Austin Hubbard (11-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC), Mark Madsen (10-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Judging: Eric Colon, Dave Hagen, Ron McCarthy

Sean O’Malley vs. Jose Quinonez

Round 1 – In the opening moments, O’Malley knocks Quinonez to his butt with a push kick to the chest. O’Malley lands a kick to the stomach and dips away of a Quinonez exchange. O’Malley lands a quick spin kick to the chest of Quinonez. Then crowd likes that one. Quinonez lands a leg kick and almost eats a massive overhand from O’Malley. There was some zip on that one, but Quinonez avoided. O’Malley throws Quinonez aside and lands a perfectly-timed head kick, which knocks Quinonez down. From there he follows up with an uppercut as Quinonez tried to get to his feet. Quinonez flips over and covers up. O’Malley lands a sequence of hammerfists and the fight is stopped. It’s been two years, but the “Suga Show” is back, ladies and gents.

Result: Sean O’Malley def. Jose Quinonez via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:02
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Sean O’Malley (11-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC), Jose Quinonez (8-4 MMA, 5-3 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Judging: Tony Weeks, Mike Bell, Derek Cleary

Li Jingliang vs. Neil Magny

Round 1 –

Result:
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Li Jingliang (17-5 MMA, 9-3 UFC), Neil Magny (21-7 MMA, 14-6 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Rankings: Jingliang honorable mention
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Keith Peterson
Judging: Derek Cleary, Eric Colon, Junichiro Kamijo

Beneil Dariush vs. Drakkar Klose

Round 1 –

Result:
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Beneil Dariush (17-4-1 MMA, 11-4-1 UFC), Drakkar Klose (11-1-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Jason Herzog
Judging: Sal D’Amato, Dave Hagen, Chris Lee

Zhang Weili vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk

Round 1 –

Result:
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Zhang Weili (20-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC), Joanna Jedrzejczyk (16-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Rankings: Weili No. 1, No. 4 pound-for-pound; Jedrzejczyk No. 5, No. 9 pound-for-pound
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Keith Peterson
Judging: Mike Bell, Derek Cleary, Eric Colon

Israel Adesanya vs. Yoel Romero

Round 1 –

Result:
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Israel Adesanya (18-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC), Yoel Romero (13-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Rankings: Adesanya No. 1, No. 8 pound-for-pound; Romero No. 4
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Judging: Sal D’Amato, Chris Lee, Ron McCarthy