ABU DHABI – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Saturday’s UFC 254 event, and you can join us for live play-by-play and official results beginning at 11 a.m. ET (8 a.m. PT).
The event takes place at Flash Forum at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2/ESPN+ and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.
In the main event, dominant lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) takes on interim champ Justin Gaethje (22-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) in a title unification bout. In the co-feature, Jared Cannonier (13-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) tries to keep his streak going and cement a possible title shot when he meets former middleweight champ Robert Whittaker (21-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC).
Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 11 a.m. ET for the ESPN+ early prelims, noon for the ESPN2/ESPN+ prelims and 2 p.m. for the main card on pay-per-view.
To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFC 254 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.
Joel Alvarez vs. Alexander Yakovlev
Round 1 – The morning fights are underway. Alvarez comes out with a leg kick. Both fighters are tentative early, feeling one another out. Yakovlev shoots for a takedown and Alvarez drops for a guillotine. Yakovlev looks like his head is slipping out but Alvarez is cranking. He’s squeezing so hard he’s physically shaking. I’m not sure that’s a smart move. He could gas himself. Yakovlev pops his head out and is in Alvarez’s guard. Yakovlev lands some short punches. Alvarez shoots up for an armbar. He has a good grip. Yakovlev is reacting like he’s in trouble. He’s sitting back. Alvarez is almost on top of him now, still cranking. There’s the tap! Another first-round submission for Joel Alvarez.
Result: Joel Alvarez def. Alexander Yakovlev via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 3:00
Recap:
Records: Joel Alvarez (18-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC), Alexander Yakovlev (25-11-1 MMA, 3-6 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Liana Jojua vs. Miranda Maverick
Round 1 –
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Records: Liana Jojua (8-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Miranda Maverick (7-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee:
Judging:
Sam Alvey vs. Da Un Jung
Round 1 –
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Records: Sam Alvey (33-14 MMA, 10-9 UFC), Da Un Jung (13-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
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Alex Oliveira vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov
Round 1 –
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Records: Alex Oliveira (22-8-1 MMA, 11-6 UFC), Shavkat Rakhmonov (12-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee:
Judging:
Casey Kenney vs. Nathaniel Wood
Round 1 –
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Records: Casey Kenney (15-2-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC), Nathaniel Wood (17-4 MMA, 4-1 UFC)
Division: 140-pound contract weight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
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Stefan Struve vs. Tai Tuivasa
Round 1 –
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Records: Stefan Struve (29-12 MMA, 13-10 UFC), Tai Tuivasa (10-3 MMA, 3-3 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
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Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba
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Records: Magomed Ankalaev (13-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC), Ion Cutelaba (15-5 MMA, 4-4 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
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Judging:
Lauren Murphy vs. Liliya Shakirova
Round 1 –
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Records: Lauren Murphy (13-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC), Liliya Shakirova (8-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
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Judging:
Phil Hawes vs. Jacob Malkoun
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Records: Phil Hawes (8-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC), Jacob Malkoun (4-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
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Judging:
Walt Harris vs. Alexander Volkov
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Records: Walt Harris (13-8 MMA, 6-7 UFC), Alexander Volkov (31-8 MMA, 5-2 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
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Jared Cannonier vs. Robert Whittaker
Round 1 –
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Records: Jared Cannonier (13-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC), Robert Whittaker (21-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
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Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje
Round 1 –
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Records: Khabib Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC), Justin Gaethje (22-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee:
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