LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Saturday’s UFC 252 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 the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and streams on ESPN+.

In the main event, heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic (19-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) and former heavyweight and light heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier (22-2 MMA, 11-2 UFC), who meet in a trilogy rematch in the main event. In addition, Sean O’Malley (12-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) takes on Marlon Vera (17-6-1 MMA, 9-5 UFC) in a key bantamweight bout, and former heavyweight champ Junior Dos Santos (21-7 MMA, 15-6 UFC) returns against Jairzinho Rozenstruik (10-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC).

Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 7 p.m. ET for the ESPN/ESPN+ prelims and 10 p.m. ET for the main card on pay-per-view.

To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFC 252 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporter John Morgan (@MMAjunkieJohn) and Ken Hathaway (@kenshathaway) on Twitter.

Enjoy the fights, everyone.

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Current fight

Herbert Burns vs. Daniel Pineda

Round 1 – They waste little time engaging and trading punches. Burns shoots forward and is tagged with a right hand. H goes forward again shortly after and does get Pineda to the floor but can’t keep him there. Pineda scrambles and reverses, though he finds himself in Burns’ closed guard. Burns’s head against the cage, and Pineda with a few short punches from the top. He postures and lands a few bigger punches before passing to half-guard. Pineda finally postures and looks to pass, standing and then diving back in with a punch. Burns rolls his hops and tries to get into an armbar position. It’s not there, and Pineda comfortable on top, delivering punches from a dominant position. Burns stuck in the position, and his corner calls for a sweep. Pineda stands and then drives with a punch once again. He’s having real success on top. Burns trying to get his legs in position for a submission, but Pineda pushing them aside with ease. We end there, and MMA Junkie gives it to Pineda, 10-9.

Round 2 –

Result:
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Herbert Burns (11-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Daniel Pineda (26-13 MMA, 3-4 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging:

Results

Kai Kamaka III vs. Tony Kelley

Round 1 – Touch of gloves to start the night, and the two go straight to work after. Punches traded in rapid fashion to open. Kelley adding in some kicks, as well, but Kamaka answering over the top. Quick pace in the early going. They finally settle a bit after the opening minute. Kamaka with a quick clinch, but he separates quickly. Kamaka getting the best of the exchanges right now, and he mixes in a knee. He scores with a stiff jab. Kelley on the back foot right now. Kamaka lands a right up top and then fires another to the body. Kelley rushes forward, but Kamaka moves away with solid footwork. Kamaka shoots inside. They fo to the floor, but Kelley controls the neck. Kamaka backs up to the feet and continues teeing off. Kelley engaging, but Kamaka has the volume. Another takedown from Kamaka. Kelley stands up but takes some punches to the body before the end of the round. MMA Junkie gives it to Kamaka, 10-9.

Round 2 – Kamaka gets to the center right away and resumes his attack. Kelley on the outside and throwing when he can, but the volume remains on the other side. Kamaka with another rip to the body and then a few punches up top right behind. Kelley with a brief slip, but he pops back up. Kamaka continues to stick the body, and it’s clearly having an effect. Kelley lands one punch but eats three. Still, he’s not going away. Kelley’s nose bloodied, but he’s still pressing. Kamaka changes levels and drags him to the floor. Kelley gets to a seated position against the fence. He works up to a kneeling position as Kamaka tries to control. Kelley stands, but Kamaka staying in tight right now. Kamaka changes levels and drags his opponent down once again. Kelley stands though and gets off the fence. They’re trading in the final minute. Kelley gets a Thai clinch and scores with a few knees. Kamaka may be fading a bit. Still, MMA Junkie gives him the round, 10-9.

Round 3 – Kelley pushing like a man behind on the cards. He’s striking and having some success. Kelley tries to grab a guillotine and drop to guard. He misses it, and his corner immediately yells for him to get up. Kamaka working inside his opponent’s guard and happy to be there. He punches from the top. Kelley scoots his way to the fence and gets his back against it in a seated position. Kamaka pulls him away, so Kelley turns and stands. They’re back in the center and teeing off on each other. Kamaka continues to go to the body with success, but Kelley is definitely landing. Kamaka tries again to change levels, but Kelley sprawls against the fence and stays upright. He pushes away and creates space, and they go back to trading. Kelley lands a knee to the groin, and we get a stop. Could be valuable rest for Kamaka, but the shot certainly did land clean to the cup. About 90 seconds left on the restart. Kelley doesn’t immediately press. They trade punches, and Kelley lands a knee inside, as well. Now he turns up the volume. Hell of a start to the night. Both men busting each other up. Kamaka continues to beat up the body. They end on the feet. MMA Junkie gives the final round to Kelley, 10-9, but gives the fight to Kamaka, 29-28.

Result: Kai Kamaka III def. Tony Kelley via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Records: Kai Kamaka III (8-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Tony Kelley (5-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Judging: Mike Bell (29-28, giving Kamaka III rounds 1 and 3), Derek Cleary (29-28, giving Kamaka III rounds 1 and 2), Tony Weeks (29-28, giving Kamaka III rounds 1 and 3)

Chris Daukaus vs. Parker Porter

Round 1 – Porter with an early low kick to start. Daukaus tries for a brief clinch but can’t get hold. Porter holding the center, and Daukaus moving laterally. He moves in for a collar tie, and they trade punches inside. Daukaus pushes the action to the cage. Porter defends well, so Daukaus throws a few punches and resets in the center. Daukaus with a crisp combination that scores clean. Porter shakes it off. They’re trading stiff shots in the center. Daukaus getting the best of it for now, but Porter handling it all well and seems to be moving well. Porter slips a combination and throws back a right hand. He flashes out a front kick. Daukaus with a big shot that sees Porter wobble to the floor. Referee Herb Dean lets him fight out of it, and he gets back to the feet. Porter with a spinning backfist. He seems to be recovered. Daukaus patient and finds the mark with a series of straight punches. Porter hurt. Daukaus with a knee that scores as he’s falling. Porter to the ground. Daukaus with another punch, and this is over.

Result: Chris Daukaus def. Parker Porter via TKO (punches, knee) – Round 1, 4:28
Records: Chris Daukaus (9-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Parker Porter (10-6 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean

Livinha Souza vs. Ashley Yoder

Round 1 – Souza takes the center, and she strikes a low stance. Yoder with a low kick and then tries to jump the back in a scramble. Souza shakes her off and is able to settle into her guard. Big elbow from Souza as she works from the dominant spot. Gamble from Yoder early backfired, and now she’s got some work to do. Yoder tries to work her legs high. Souza stands and moves past the legs and delivers a huge right hand, but Yoder scrambles after and gets back to her feet. Souza just misses a big right hand on the restart. Yoder does land a front kick to the body, but she’s having some trouble really getting going. Yoder’s corner calling for volume. Souza presses into a clinch. Yoder stuffs it and controls the neck. Yoder pulls herself free from any choke attempt. Yoder controlling in the clinch, but she can’t really attack. Souza with a big right hand and then a takedown in the closing seconds. Yoder stuffs it and spins to the back, but there’s no time to capitalize. MMA Junkie gives the first to Souza, 10-9.

Round 2 – Yoder holds the center and is looking to be busier, but Souza’s big right hand certainly has her respect. Yoder kicks to the body, and Souza answers to the leg. Low kick from Yoder, but Souza counters over the top with the right that lands clean. Yoder moves quickly into the clinch. Yoder with a few short punches and a knee inside. Souza staying upright, but Yoder keeping her pinned to the cage. Finally, Souza able to push off and create space. Back in the center, Souza lands with another big right. Yoder shakes it off and lands a front kick to the body before punching her way into a clinch once again. Yoder trying to change levels as time winds down, but Souza staying upright. Souza pulls way with a little more than a minute left and moves to the center. Kicks traded. Souza misses a big right, and Yoder clinches and again tries to dive to the back. It’s not there, and she slips off. Yoder tries to grab the arm, but Souza pulls free. She pops up and controls the head and snaps Souza to the floor. She controls from the front until the end. MMA Junkie gives the second to Yoder, 10-9.

Round 3 – Souza kicks the legs to start. Yoder trying to press, but Souza delivers the big right down the middle. Yoder pushes forward again, but that counter right keeps her honest. Yoder presses into the clinch, but Souza switches off the fence. Souza has the body wrapped, and she’s looking for the takedown. Yoder defends well, and she even tries to counter with a trip, but Souza pulls free and delivers the big right. On the reset, Yoder lands a nice kick to the body. Big strike for her. Souza lands to the groin, and we take a quick break. Yoder trying to be aggressive on the restart, but Souza is ready to counter with the one big shot each time. Yoder strings a few punches together. Her corner asking for more of the same. Souza answering well, but this is a good finish for Yoder. Final minute. They clinch in a key exchange. Souza wants the trip, while Yoder trying to slip to the back. She can’t quite turn the corner. That lets Souza set up in a bit of a scarf hold, and she finishes there. MMA Junkie gives the final round to Souza, 10-9, and awards her the fight 29-28.

Result: Livinha Souza def. Ashley Yoder via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Records: Livinha Souza (14-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC), Ashley Yoder (7-6 MMA, 2-5 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Mike Bell (29-28, giving Souza rounds 1 and 2), Junichiro Kamijo (29-28, giving Souza rounds 1 and 2), Dave Hagen (30-27)

TJ Brown vs. Danny Chavez

Round 1 – Chavez with a wide stance to start. Brown scores to the lead leg, and Chavez answers back. Chavez misses a spinning high kick and then goes back to the leg. Quick exchange of punches, and Chavez lands clean, but Brown scores with a reply, as well. Both men very quick when they attack. Chavez blocks a high kick as he controls from the center. Chavez tries to move forward but catches a few punches on the way in. Chavez still going aft the legs, and he nearly sweeps Chavez to the floor. Brown the one moving forward, but Chavez doing a great job of timing counters. Low kick from Chavez sends Brown to the canvas, though he’s up quickly. On the restart, Brown lands a nice left hand. He’s trying to press, but Chavez moving well and again attacks the leg. Brown holding the center and scores with a big left. He kicks hard to the body, as well. He’s having some moments. He wants a takedown, but Chavez pulls free in the final minute. They finish on the feet, and MMA Junkie gives it to Chavez, 10-9.

Round 2 – Chavez goes immediately to the leg again. Brown with his hands high and looking to press. He’s working from the center. Chavez patient early. He lands to the leg, and Brown hops a bit on one foot. Damage to the leg is adding up. Brown still moving forward, and he fires a leaping knee. Chavez clinches briefly before pulling away. Brown does land a clean left hand. Chavez kicks to the body, but the left scores again for Chavez. Chavez with a straight right, and Brown’s legs buckle. Chavez pounces with punches, and Brown hits the deck. Chavez on top, but Brown tries to roll for an arm, so Chavez has to pull free from that. He does, and he briefly enjoys top position. Brown scrambles back to his feet with a little more than a minute. Brown looks to have recovered, and he’s trying to attack. Corner wants him to rely on the boxing. Chavez answering back on every exchange. They clinch to close, and MMA Junkie gives it to Chavez, 10-9.

Round 3 – Brown again the man walking forward to start He punches into a clinch and wants a takedown. Not there, but he moves to the leg in a scramble. Chavez turns and pulls free, and we reset. Chavez with a nice right hand to the body. Both men look fresh enough here in the final round. Brown thinks takedown, but it’s not there. Brown continues pressing forward, and they just unleash crazy barrages of strikes in the pocket. It’s grueling stuff. Brown again thinks takedown, but it’s not there. As they move to the center, Brown lands a big right. He’s making this a fight to the end. They trade low kicks. Brown with the right hand again. He dives for the body and wants a takedown, but it’s not there. Brown turns it to a Thai clinch and lands a knee. Final two minutes, and pace starting to wear on them a bit. Brown not losing his aggression. Chavez seems to be fading a bit. Brown inside with short elbows that score. Chavez changes levels and drags the action down. Brown scrambles up, but Chavez stays tight to him and brings him back down. Brown stands and hits a toll to pull free, but Chavez drags him down. He rinses and repeats a few throws, though he never really gets the position. MMA Junkie gives the final round to Brown, 10-9, but gives the fight to Chavez, 29-28.

Result: Danny Chavez def. TJ Brown via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Records: TJ Brown (14-8 MMA, 1-2 UFC), Danny Chavez (11-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Judging: Eric Colon (29-28, giving Chavez rounds 1 and 2), Sal D’Amato (29-28, giving Chavez rounds 1 and 2), Junchiro Kamijo (29-28, giving Chavez rounds 1 and 2)

Felice Herrig vs. Virna Jandiroba

Round 1 – Herrig with an early low kick, but Jandiroba wastes no time in changing levels and driving immediately forward into a takedown. He steamrolls into Herrig’s half-guard. Herrig scrambles a bit when Jandiroba rises to pass, but she can’t get off the floor. Herrig trying to post and get to her feet. Jandiroba adjusts and keeps her on the floor. As Herrig tries to rise, Jandiroba slips across to mount. Herrig in a bad spot. Jandiroba switches to the armbar and turns out for the finish. She briefly loses it but adjusts her grip and attacks again, and this time time Herrig is forced to tap.

Result: Virna Jandiroba def. Felice Herrig via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 1:44
Recap: Virna Jandiroba spoils Felice Herrig’s return with quick submission
Records: Felice Herrig (14-9 MMA, 5-4 UFC), Virna Jandiroba (16-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Marc Goddard

Jim Miller vs. Vinc Pichel

Round 1 – Miller flicks out the jab a little bit as he looks to stay away from the range of his taller opponent. Miller able to grab the head quickly and deliver a knee. Pichel holding the center and looking to deliver big punches down the middle. Miller holding the center, and Pichel moving on the outside. Miller with a big kick across the legs, but Pichel winces a bit and indicates it landed low. We take a brief timeout. Pichel with a nice knee on the restart. He throws a few heavy punches, and Miller clinches and drives him to the fence. Pichel defending and stays upright. They trade a few knees before Pichel moves out to the center. Punches traded there. Miller staying busy with kicks to all levels. He lands a left hand and then is able to grab a Pichel kick and get him off balance and to the floor. Pichel tries to get back to his feet, and Miller is able to slip to the back. One minute left. Pichel tries to turn inside. Miller wants the neck, but it’s not really there. Pichel turns, and Miller looks for the guillotine, but it’s not really there. Miller attacks the legs in the closing seconds but can’t get the finish before the end. Still, MMA Junkie gives it to him, 10-9.

Round 2 – Pichel with an early high kick, but Miller closes the distance and gets him off-balance and to the floor. Miller settles into Pichel’s guard on a scramble. Elbows from the back for Pichel. Miller postures and passes a leg, but Pichel gets his legs in and kicks him away, creating space to stand. On the feet, Miller wants a guillotine, and he falls to guard. Pichel immediately passes a leg, but Miller lets go and works back to guard. Rubber guard follows, but Pichel is able to break it and moves past the legs and nearly to side control. Miller looking for options, and he turns to attack the left leg. Pichel spins through it and delivers a few punches and forearms from the top. Pichel enjoying top control. Elbows land from the top. He postures and punches. Miller active underneath, but he can’t get anything going. Pichel stays on top until the end and lands a few big punches at the bell. MMA Junkie gives it to Pichel, 10-9.

Round 3 – Pichel aggressive at the start, and he walks forward with strikes and moves into a takedown. Miller tries to defend, but Pichel reaches down and drags him to the floor. Miller trying to scramble, but Pichel able to slip out to side control. Miller spins his legs to the fence but can’t press free. He teases an attack on the legs, but it’s not there. Miller turns to his knees. Pichel moves to the back and gets his hooks in. Miller peels them away and stands. He lands a knee to the body then controls the head and tries to sneak to the back. Not there, but Miller looks for the guillotine. Pichel defends it perfectly, but Miller rolls with it and is abe to slip to the back. Pichel now defending. Miller tries to control and fall back, but Pichel spins on top. Miller immediately scrambles free, and they move up to the feet. Ninety seconds left. Right hand from Pichel. He ducks down again for the takedown. Miller defends it. Knees traded. Miller pushing in form the outside. Pichel spins. Miller grabs the neck and falls to his back in the final minute. He cranks on the guillotine. Pichel pulls free with 30 seconds left. Miller on his back and trying to to control the wrists. Pichel with a few punches to the end. MMA Junkie gives the very close final round to Pichel, 10-9, awarding him the fight 29-28.

Result: Vinc Pichel def. Jim Miller via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
Recap: Vinc Pichel outworks Jim Miller for unanimous decision
Records: Jim Miller (32-15 MMA, 21-14 UFC), Vinc Pichel (13-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging: Sal D’Amato (29-28, giving Pichel rounds 2 and 3), Dave Hagen (29-28, giving Pichel rounds 2 and 3), Eric Colon (29-28, giving Pichel rounds 2 and 3, with a 10-8 in round 2)

John Dodson vs. Merab Dvalishvili

Round 1 – Dodson gets the center, and Dvalishvili moves laterally on the outside. Lots of movement from both, but each patient to start. Couple of quick punches traded but end up short. Dvalishvili trying to cut things off, but Dodson moving very well and slipping back to the center. Dvalishvili punches his way into a takedown attempt. He gets Dodson to a knee. Dodson tries to move up and scramble, but Dvalishvili is able to clasp the body and hold him there. Dvalishvili with knees to the legs as he keeps hold of the body. Dvalishvili on the back, and he drives in knees to the thigh. He tries to sweep the leg, but Dodson is staying upright. Dvalishvili kicks the calf from the back, then back to the knees. Dvalishvili’s corner lets him know to be content right there, where h’s clearly in control. Dodson finally pulls away with a little less than a minute, eating a left hand as they break. Front kick from Dvalishvili, and he kicks the legs, as well. Dvalishvili slips a Dodson combo. They end on the feet, and MMA Junkie gives it to Dvalishvili, 10-9.

Round 2 – Both men light on their feet. Dodson goes with a left to the body. Dvalishvili punches his way into a takedown but pulls back and lands a slick little punch up top. Dvalishvili fakes another entry, but Dodson slips out to the side and back to the center. Dvalishvili lifts Dodson high in the air and drops him to the canvas but doesn’t go with him. He tries to grab hold of the back when Dodson pops up, but he can’t get him, so we reset. Punches traded on the feet. Dvalishvili inside for a takedown, but Dodson is able to bounce off the cage and push him away. Dvalishvili shoots again shortly after and pin Dodson to the cage. Short punches inside for Dvalishvili. He lifts Dodson and drops him to the canvas, but Dodson is immediately back to his feet and scampers away. Right hand lands for Dvalishvili. Dvalishvili misses on a few takedown entries, and Dodson slips back to the center. Into the final minute, Dodson moving well. Dvalishvili pressing but can’t cut the cage with Dodson’s quickness. Left hand for Dvalishvili. Dodson with a flurry, and then he defends the takedown. At the bell, Dvalishvili drives over a knee for the takedown. MMA Junkie gives it again to Dvalishvili, 10-9.

Round 3 – Quick show of respect from both men to start the third before they each yell at the top of their lungs. Dvalishvili with a big punch to open, but Dodson moving well and looking to counter. Dodson slips a clinch attempt and lands a combination. Dvalishvili drives in with a right but eats a left hand in reply. Dodson is dealing with the advances very well, but he’s forced to let Dvalishvili set the tone. Dvalishvili lands a right and then drives inside. He locks the legs and lifts Dodson high in the air. When he sets him down, Dodson pushes the head and turns and escapes beautifully. Dvalishvili the aggressor. He drives forward again, but Dodson stuffs him and slips away. Dodson just not getting many chances to really get something going. He does land a left hand, but he can’t really follow it up. Dvalishvili continues looking to punch his way into the takedown, but Dodson is up to the challenge. Dodson retreating and finding moments. Final minute, and Dvalishvili deep on a takedown. As soon as he scores it, Dodson is back on his feet. Dvalishvili stays right on the clinch and works the legs a little. Knees and foot stomps. Dodson breaks free at the end, and he tries to swing, but it’s not there. MMA Junkie gives the final round to Dvalishvili, 10-9, and awards him the fight 30-27.

Result: Merab Dvalishvili def. John Dodson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Recap:
Photos:
Records: John Dodson (21-12 MMA, 10-7 UFC), Merab Dvalishvili (12-4 MMA, 5-2 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Judging:

Junior Dos Santos vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik

Round 1 –

Result:
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Junior Dos Santos (21-7 MMA, 15-6 UFC), Jairzinho Rozenstruik (10-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Judging:

Sean O’Malley vs. Marlon Vera

Round 1 –

Result:
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Sean O’Malley (12-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC), Marlon Vera (17-6-1 MMA, 9-5 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging:

Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier

Round 1 –

Result:
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Stipe Miocic (19-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC), Daniel Cormier (22-2 MMA, 11-2 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Marc Goddard
Judging: