NORFOLK, Va. – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 27 event, and you can join us here for live play-by-play and official results.

The event takes place at Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Va. The card streams on ESPN+.

In the main event, two-time flyweight title challenger Joseph Benavidez (28-5 MMA, 15-3 UFC) has his third crack at a UFC belt when he takes on Deiveson Figueiredo (17-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) for the vacant 125-pound title. Only Benavidez can win the title since Figueiredo missed weight on Friday by 2.5 pounds. In the co-feature, former Invicta FC champion Felicia Spencer (7-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) is a big 8-1 favorite in a women’s featherweight bout against Zarah Fairn (6-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC).

To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFC on ESPN+ 27 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporter Mike Bohn (@mikebohnmma) on Twitter.

Enjoy the fights, everyone.

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Current Fight

Joseph Benavidez vs. Deiveson Figueiredo

Round 1 – We’re underway. It’s the third UFC title fight for Benavidez, while it’s the first for Figueiredo. There was a touch of gloves in the staredown – no touch at the start of the round. Benavidez explodes in and glances a left off the right side of Figueiredo’s head. Moments later, Figueiredo catches a Benavidez leg kick and gets a takedown. The two scramble and Figueiredo grabs hold of an armbar. Benavidez has his hands locked. They roll, and roll, and roll – with Benavidez trying his best to escape. Eventually, Benavidez scrambles out and the fight returns to the feet. Once up, Benavidez lands a combination. A Benavidez body kick is blocked, but a follow-up right-hand lands on Figueiredo’s chin. Benavidez rips a leg kick. Figueiredo is the aggressor in the footwork department, with Benavidez circling around the outside. Figueiredo lands a right. Benavidez shoots for a takedown, but Figueiredo denies him and lands a hard knee to the body. Figueiredo is looking a step ahead here early. Benavidez whiffs on an overhand, but follows it up with two more. Those two punches connect. Benavidez stumbles Figueiredo with a combination. Figueiredo lands to the head and then the body. A two-punch combination lands for Figueiredo. Benavidez is briefly knocked off balance in an exchange. It looked like a slip. The round ends. That was quite the fun round. Close, but 10-9 Figueiredo.

Result:
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Joseph Benavidez (28-5 MMA, 15-3 UFC), Deiveson Figueiredo (17-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Rankings: Benavidez No. 2, honorable mention pound-for-pound; Figueiredo No. 5
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Judging:

Results:

Sean Brady vs. Ismail Naurdiev

Round 1 – The bout is underway and so is the card. Brady throws a kick. Naurdiev aggressive early. After a feeling-out process, Naurdiev leaps in with a knee and briefly clinches before they separate. Brady shoots for a takedown, which is easily stuffed by Naurdiev. Brady lands a cracking two-punch combination – the best strikes of the fight thus far. Naurdiev throws a spin kick. Brady blocks it but is still knocked back into the cage. Naurdiev isn’t fazed by Brady’s successful blows and keeps walking forward. Moments later, Brady lands another clean combination. The fighters exchange as the clock ticks toward zero in Round 1. The buzzer sounds. 10-9 Naurdiev.

Round 2 – After a few brief exchanges, Brady resorts to his takedowns once again. Pinning Naurdiev against the cage, Brady gets Naurdiev down– but not fully. OK, now he’s dragged Naurdiev to the canvas. Brady is on Naurdiev’s back – but only one hook is in. Brady uses his strikes. Naurdiev rises up, but never fully regains standing position. Naurdiev rolls and is sitting against the fence. Brady is threatening a guillotine. Naurdiev breaks through and gets back to his feet. Brady is pushing Naurdiev against the cage. Naurdiev reverses and goes for a takedown of his own. No dice. Brady is back pushing Naurdiev against the fence, and he gets the takedown. Brady is in half guard, peppering Naurdiev’s body with punches. Welts are visible on Brady’s legs from kicks earlier in the fight. The round ends with Brady on top. It’s tied 19-19.

Round 3 – Naurdiev tries a flying knee, but Brady catches it and takes him down. Brady is back in the same position as he was in Round 2 – one hook in, against the cage. Brady looks to be vastly superior in the wrestling department. As soon as Naurdiev gets up, Brady sends him back down. Naurdiev gets halfway up. No surprise, Brady muscles him back down. Brady using his striking to land dozens of short shots. They aren’t fight-enders, but they’re annoying and probably don’t feel great. In the final 10 seconds, Naurdiev gives up his neck and Brady goes for a last-second guillotine submission. If there was more time on the clock, things may have been a different story, but Naurdiev is saved by the bell. MMA Junkie scores the fight 29-28 Brady.

Result: Sean Brady def. Ismail Naurdiev via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Photos: Sean Brady def. Ismail Naurdiev
Records: Sean Brady (12-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Ismail Naurdiev (19-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Scott Howard
Judging: Lisa Cuellar (30-27), Chris Lee (29-27, giving Brady 10-9 Round 2 and 10-8 Round 3), Brian Costello (giving Naurdiev Round 1)

Spike Carlyle vs. Aalon Cruz

Round 1 – Both fighters come out flying, as they sprint to the center. Cruz is pushing the action early. Carlyle lands a leg kick and sprints forward. Cruz circles away and tries to keep Carlyle at bay with a front kick. Carlyle lands a high kick which wobbles Cruz, who shoots for a takedown against the fence. Carlyle defends and lands a wicked elbow. Now Carlyle is pounding away. Cruz crumbles and Carlyle lands in mount. Carlyle is landing punch after punch, bashing Cruz with heavy-ground-and-pound. The referee steps in. That’s it. What a finish. What a debut.

Result: Spike Carlyle def. Aalon Cruz via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:25
Recap: Video: “Alpha Ginger” Spike Carlyle wins UFC debut with wild elbow combination
Photos: Spike Carlyle def. Aalon Cruz
Records: Spike Carlyle (9-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Aalon Cruz (8-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Scott Howard

TJ Brown vs. Jordan Griffin

Round 1 – Griffin eats a massive right hand right off the bat. That got the crowd oohing and aahing. Moments later, Griffin and Brown tangle up. Griffin tries a guillotine attempt, but Brown pops his head out. Griffin works back to his feet against the cage, but Brown dumps him to the canvas. Griffin is sitting against the fence, with Brown on top of him. Eventually, Griffin raises up. Once again, Brown drags him down moments later. Brown isn’t doing much with these takedowns, but he’s certainly doing more in this fight than Griffin. Brown halts another Griffin attempt to get up by taking the fight to the mat for the fourth time. Griffin stands up again and attempts a funky modified rear-naked choke attempt. It almost looks like a neck crack. Brown is struggling – but he pops out. The two exchange wildly and Brown shoots for a takedown. Griffin is going for a guillotine. Brown escapes again, just before the end of the round. Fun stuff in Round 1. 10-9 Brown.

Round 2 – Neither fighter wasting any time here. Griffin lands a high kick, then eats a hook. Brown shoots for a takedown and gets it. Brown is in Griffin’s guard, right on top of the monster logo. Brown is trying, but not succeeding, in trying to advance his position. Griffin lands a hard elbow from the bottom. The two scramble and get back to the feet. Brown is back to pushing Griffin against the fence. Griffin lands a knee to the head. Brown is relentless in the takedown attempt, but Griffin is defending well. Eventually, Brown gets Griffin down again. Once again, Griffin tries a guillotine – but he’s in side control. The referee asks Brown for a thumbs up. He doesn’t give it. The referee stops the fight. Brown is out cold. Wow – a guillotine finish by Griffin from side control. That’s not something you see every day. Great refereeing.

Result: Jordan Griffin def. TJ Brown via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 3:38
Photos: Jordan Griffin def. TJ Brown
Records: TJ Brown (14-7 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Jordan Griffin (18-7 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mike King

Steve Garcia vs. Luis Pena

Round 1 – Both fighters land leg kicks – then jabs. Garcia lands a combination. He’s coming out wild. Garcia charges in and grabs a hold of Pena, who tries to answer with a high knee. However, Garcia catches Pena’s leg and plants him. Pena quickly gets up and grabs control of Garcia. Pena gets Garcia down and has one hook in against the cage. Pena is landing some ground-and-pound. Garcia lands a back elbow. Pena grabs a half nelson in an attempt to grab a better hold of Garcia. Briefly, Pena attempts a rear-naked choke but lets it go. It’s back to ground-and-pound for Pena. There’s blood – it’s coming from the nose of Garia. Rolling Garcia, Pena eats a big back elbow. Instead of controlling the back from the top position, Pena is fighting for a rear-naked choke from the bottom. Garcia breaks free and rolls again. Pena is back to top position, on Garcia’s back. Once again, Pena puts his back flat on the mat and pulls Garcia down. The round ends with both fighters trading blows from their respective ground positions. 10-9 Pena.

Round 2 – Garcia comes out flying in Round 2. That was risky – and the risk did not pay off. Pena grabs a hold, drags him to the mat, and grabs the back again. The two fighters are right back in the position they finished Round 1 in. It’s deja vu all over again. Pena is working a choke, but he doesn’t get it. Pena is landing from the back – and Garcia is answering. Despite being in a disadvantageous position, Garcia is throwing blind punches behind his head. The five-day-notice, short-notice replacement Garcia is screaming “Let’s go.” The round ends. That was all Pena. 20-17 Pena.

Round 3 – This round, it’s Pena who comes out flying. He knocks Garcia over with a flying knee attempt, but I’m not sure it actually landed. Pena dives into Garcia’s guard and is now caught in a triangle choke attempt. This looks pretty tight. Pena stays calm and muscles his way out of it. Garcia rolls in an attempt to get up, but Pena hops right on his back – again. Pena is back to seeking a successful rear-naked choke, which has evaded him thus far. The body triangle is locked in, but he lets go of the choke. Garcia sits up and almost escapes, but the body triangle is too tight. The two fighters remain in the same position for the remainder of the round. MMA Junkie scores the fight 30-26 Pena.

Result: Luis Pena def. Steve Garcia via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: Luis Pena def. Steve Garcia
Records: Steve Garcia (11-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Luis Pena (8-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mike King
Judging: Chris Lee, Lisa Cuellar, Brian Costello (30-27)

Serghei Spivac vs. Marcin Tybura

Round 1 – Tybura opens up with a jab, which misses. Spivac returns with a blocked one-two. The two exchange and it’s Spivac who sends Tybura backward. Returning to the pocket, Tybura lands a combination. Tybura tries a body kick, then a two-punch combination. Both are blocked. Spivac lands a hard jab and a counter knee. Tybura attempts a takedown and gets it. Tybura is in Spivac’s guard, throwing elbows, punches, and hammer-fists. Some are landing. Some aren’t. As the clock ticks down, Tybura’s volume of strikes picks up. The round ends. 10-9 Tybura.

Round 2 – Spivac tries a one-two, but it’s blocked. Tybura tires a high kick. It’s also blocked. The two briefly tie up and then separate. Tybura charges in for a takedown but settles for pushing Spivac against the fence. Spivac tries to escape, but Tybura isn’t letting go. The referee separate the two fighters for lack of action. Spivac lands a combination. Trying to answer, Tybura misses on a head kick. Moments later, Tybura tries another takedown. Spivac botches a throw reversal attempt. Tybura lands on top. Working his way to the back, Tybura gets two hooks in. The round ends, just as Tybura tries a rear-naked choke. 20-18 Tybura.

Round 3 – Tybura tries a high kick, but it’s blocked. It doesn’t take long for Tybura to resort back to the takedown. He tries one but ends up pushing Spivac against the cage again. Tybura separates with an elbow. The two clinch in the center but break milliseconds later. Signaling to the referee, Tybura complains about an eye poke. Spivac has much more energy in Round 3. He’s trying to muster up some offense. The effort is there. Spivac closes the distance and Tybura ducks in for another takedown. He gets it and is in half guard. The fight ends with Tybura landing short ground-and-pound shots from the top. MMA Junkie scores it 30-27 Tybura.

Result: Marcin Tybura def. Serghei Spivac via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Photos: Marcin Tybura def. Serghei Spivac
Records: Serghei Spivac (10-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC), Marcin Tybura (18-6 MMA, 5-5 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Bill Bookwalter
Judging: Sal D’Amato, Brian Costello (30-27); Lisa Cuellar (29-28, giving Spivac Round 2)

Brendan Allen vs. Tom Breese

Round 1 – The two fighters come out and clinch immediately. Breese hits Allen in the body, but Allen grabs double under-hooks. Allen briefly drags the fight to the canvas, but Breese rises up immediately. Allen is clinching Breese against the fence. Breese reverses position. Allen defends, but Breese tries to hop on Allen’s back. They’re in a 50-50 position. Allen wins out in the battle for an advantageous position. He rolls and lands on top of Breese in half guard. Allen threatens a kimura and uses it to advance to side control. Allen lets go of the kimura, lands a sequence of punches, then delves into another submission attempt. It’s unsuccessful. Breese transitions to the back, but Allen pops out into north-south. Allen rolls and Breese starts working for a triangle choke. Allen gets out and lands a heavy right hand from side control. Breese is covering up. The referee warns Breese – again and again. Breese is stuck between the cage and Allen. He can’t get out. That’s it. The referee calls it. First-round TKO victory for Allen.

Result: Brendan Allen def. Tom Breese via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:47
Photos: Brendan Allen def. Tom Breese
Records: Brendan Allen (14-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Tom Breese (11-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Bill Bookwalter

Kyler Phillips vs. Gabriel Silva

Round 1 – There’s a touch of gloves and we’re off. Both fighters exchange wildly. Phillips throws a looping spinning back kick. Silva grabs hold of the body. The two clinch briefly, then separate. Phillips lands a front kick to the chest. Silva ducks out of the way of danger on a Phillips combination. Silva lands an overhand right and dives in for a takedown attempt against the cage. Phillps defends and circles out. Phillips lands an elbow, then follows it up with a combination. The aggressor, Silva whiffs on a multi-punch combination. Phillips lands a nice counterpunch, then a leg kick. Phillips lands a punch that slows Silva. Following up, Phillips lands a handful of punches to Silva, who is covering up. Moments later, Silva tries a spinning back fist. No dice. Silva steps into a right hand and eats it. Phillips is throwing a tremendous volume of strikes – kicks, punches, spinning stuff, you name it. Phillips’ combinations are coming together nicely. Silva shoots for a single leg. Phillips tries to hop out, but Silva kicks his leg out. Silva is in Phillips’ guard. The round ends with Phillips getting up and Silva slipping on a kick. 10-9 Phillips.

Round 2 – Early in Round 2, Silva ties up Phillips against the cage. Silva tries another trip, but Phillips prevents it. Then, Silva tries to get a hook in. Phillip pulls Silva’s leg out from under him and gets a takedown of his own. Silva gets up. There’s a long string coming out of the shorts of Phillips – presumably his cup. Silva gets Phillips down. Phillips gets up and lands a hard elbow. Eventually, Phillips gets the fight down in the center of the cage. The two fighters transition and Phillips lands on top in half guard. Phillips is going for a kneebar. He doesn’t get it, but instead, uses it to hop over Silva’s legs. Now it’s Silva going for a kneebar from the bottom. They enter 50/50 guard. Phillips is slowly scooting out. He lands a series of hard hammer-fists to Silva’s head, which makes the Brazilian let go. Silva looked hurt there. The round ends. 20-18 Phillips.

Round 3 – Phillips lands a low kick. Silva throws a slow – very slow – punch. Moments later, Phillips opens up and lands a combination. Phillips tries a flying knee, then gets a takedown. Phillips posts up. Silva tries to get back to his feet, but is met with a Phillips’ d’arce choke attempt. Upon Silva getting up, Phillips lands a massive elbow. Silva has a good chin. They’re back in the center. After a few insignificant, brief exchanges, Phillips gets another takedown. Phillips is in half guard, threatening an arm triangle. Not before long, Phillips moves to the back. Phillips lands a series of hard punches. Silva rolls over and eats some more punches. With the clock winding down, Silva gets up again. He’s tough. The buzzer sounds. That was a fun fight. MMA Junkie scores it 30-26 Phillips

Result: Kyler Phillips def. Gabriel Silva via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: Kyler Phillips def. Gabriel Silva
Records: Kyler Phillips (7-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Gabriel Silva (8-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Judging: Sal D’Amato, Lisa Cuellar, Brian Costello

Grant Dawson vs. Darrick Minner

Round 1 – After a touch of gloves, we’re underway. Minner lands a leg kick that knocks Dawson over. Look at this. Minner is pulling for a guillotine. Dawson moves his hips away from Minner’s guard attempts. Despite Minner’s grip adjustment, Dawson pops out. However, Minner’s submission attempts continue. He goes for an armbar, but Dawson escapes. Moments later, Minner goes for another. Dawson escapes. They get up and Minner pulls for another guillotine. Dawson escapes, but Minner goes for it again. Rolling Dawson over, Minner is on top. Unwilling to let go of the neck, Minner lands in side control after Dawson transitions. Dawson finally breaks out of the guillotine and is in half guard on top. Eventually, Dawson moves to side control – but only for a moment. Dawson is back in half guard, working on an arm triangle. He gives up on it. After a transition, Dawson ends up on Minner’s back. Dawson is landing some massive ground-and-pound in the final seconds. The referee is giving Minner a warning to move – but the round ends. 10-9 Dawson.

Round 2 – Dawson grabs hold of Minner. Although Minner threatens a guillotine again, Dawson breaks free and drags him to the ground. Dawson is almost in mount, but Minner decides to give him the back instead. Dawson is working on a rear-naked choke – and he quickly locks it in. There’s the tap. That’s it. “They don’t belong with me,” Dawson repeats as he walks to the corner.

Result: Grant Dawson def. Darrick Minner via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:38
Photos: Grant Dawson def. Darrick Minner
Records: Grant Dawson (14-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Darrick Minner (24-10 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Kevin MacDonald

Megan Anderson vs. Norma Dumont

Round 1 – Anderson lands a stiff left counter in the opening exchange. Dumont swiftly returns one of her own. After a stiff Anderson jab, Dumont tries a takedown. Dumont pushes Anderson against the cage and gets double under-hooks. Still gripping Anderson, Dumont lands knees to the body and thigh. Anderson reverses position. Dumont reverses the reversal. Dumont grabs hold of a single leg and drags Anderson down. Anderson quickly reverses position and the two rise to the feet. Back in the center, the two exchange – and down goes Dumont. Anderson lands a hard right hand that floors Dumont. No follow up strikes are needed in the eyes of Kevin MacDonald. The fight is waived off. Dumont seems unhappy, but it wasn’t certainly wasn’t a “bad” stoppage.

Result: Megan Anderson def. Norma Dumont via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 3:31
Recap: Megan Anderson KOs Norma Dumont in first, calls for title shot against Amanda Nunes
Photos:
Records: Megan Anderson (10-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC), Norma Dumont (4-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s featherweight
Rankings: Anderson No. 5
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Kevin MacDonald

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba

Round 1 – Cutelaba lands with a low kick, then a high kick. He’s being super aggressive. Ankalaev lands a vicious combo and then one, two, three head kicks. Cutelaba is all sorts of wobbly. A hook lands from Ankalaev and Cutelaba does a mini version of the chicken dance. Referee Kevin MacDonald steps in. The crowd isn’t happy. Cutelaba isn’t happy. That appeared to be premature. I’m guessing MacDonald stepped in thinking Cutelaba was punch-drunk. He rebounded so quickly, though. I’m not sure that’s justifiable.

Result: Magomed Ankalaev def. Ion Cutelaba via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:38
Recap: Magomed Ankalaev takes controversial TKO over Ion Cutelaba
Photos: Magomed Ankalaev def. Ion Cutelaba
Records: Magomed Ankalaev (13-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC), Ion Cutelaba (15-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Kevin MacDonald

Zarah Fairn vs. Felicia Spencer

Round 1 – Spencer lands a high kick in the opening exchange. Matching jabs land. Spencer pushes Fairn away with a kick to the stomach. Fairn is looking like the much larger woman out there. Spencer is having trouble getting inside. Fairn lands a couple of punches and Spencer goes for the takedown. It takes a minute, but Spencer sweeps Fairn’s leg and gets the takedown. Landing right in mount, Spencer lands short punches and elbows to Fairn’s head. Fairn is really struggling here defensively. Spencer eats some brutal elbows from Spencer and is covering up. Fairn rolled to her back momentarily but is face-up again. Spencer is really teeing off here. Referee Dan Miragliotta is having a look – a long one. Eventually, he steps in and waives it off. Spencer becomes to second women’s featherweight to pick up a first-round TKO this evening.

Result: Felicia Spencer def. Zarah Fairn via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:37
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Zarah Fairn (6-4 MMA, 0-2 UFC), Felicia Spencer (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s featherweight
Rankings: Spencer No. 4, Fairn honorable mention
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Dan Miragliotta