Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Live, blow-by-blow updates for today’s UFC 252 main card from Vegas. To stream UFC 252 LIVE on ESPN+ PPV click here!
Join us today on Bloody Elbow for live results, discussion, round scoring, and play-by-play as UFC 252 goes down in UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
The biggest heavyweight fight in the promotion’s history will serve as the main event tonight, with champion Stipe Miocic defending his title against Daniel Cormier in the latter’s apparent retirement fight. The co-main is the Suga Show, with Sean O’Malley looking to stay undefeated when he meets the streaking Marlon Vera.
This post will cover the first three fights of the main card. This is topped by a heavyweight battle between Junior dos Santos and Jarzinho Rozenstruik.
We’ll start on Fight Pass and ESPN+ at approximately 7pm ET with two fights. The card then moves to ESPN and stays on ESPN+ at 8pm ET for four more bouts, then onto the main PPV card at 10pm ET. The full lineup and schedule follows. The preliminary card and top two fights will have separate posts.
John Dodson vs. Mareb Dvalishvili
Round 1 – Dvalishvili throws a spinning back fist but misses. No other strikes thrown in the first 40 seconds. Dodson jumps and lands to the body. Dvalishvili coming up short with his strikes so far. Inside leg kick from Dodson. Another body shot from Dodson. Dvalishvili with a left and he dives in on a takedown attempt. Dodson goes down, then up, then desperately tries to stay upright after he takes a bunch of knees to the thigh. Dodson still on his feet. Dvalishvili kicking the calves. So many knees to the butt. Dvalishvili looks for a trip but can’t get it. Yet more knees. Dodson is stuck. Dodson finally escapes with 50 seconds to go, and eats a left on the way out. Outside leg kick from Dvalishvili. Nice left over top from Dodson. 10-9 Dvalishvili.
Round 2 – Dodson lands to the body. Dvalishvili scoops an ankle but Dodson stays upright. Inside leg kick from Dodson. Dvalishvili in on a takedown as Dodson throws a kick. Dvalishvili carries him all the way to the center of the cage and tries to slam him, but Dodson pops out and escapes. Dodson goes body/head. Jab. Dvalishvili with a spinning back fist and a hard right hook. Dvalishvili jumps in for a takedown again. Short shots from Dvalishvili. He throws punches and scoops up Dodson again. He goes to slam him again and Dodson just lands on his butt and immediately jumps back up. Leg kick from Dodson. Nice left from Dvalishvili. One minute to go. Dodson flurries but misses. Left hook from Dvalishvili. Dodso charges in with a couple of punches. Dvalishvili almost gets a takedown at the horn. 10-9 Dvalishvili.
Round 3 –
Junior dos Santos vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Daniel Pineda vs. Herbert Burns