UFC on ESPN 64 (ESPN2, ESPN+) took place Saturday, and MMA Junkie provided live round-by-round coverage and official results throughout the event at Arena CDMX in Mexico City.
Former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno (24-8-2 MMA, 12-4-2 UFC) took on recent title challenger Steve Erceg (12-5 MMA, 3-4 UFC) in the main event. In the co-feature, Drew Dober (27-15 MMA, 13-11 UFC) met Manuel Torres (16-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC).
Check out our round-by-round updates and official results below.
Enjoy the fights, everyone.
UFC Mexico lineup
MAIN CARD (ESPN2/ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)
- Brandon Moreno def. Steve Erceg via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
- Manuel Torres def. Drew Dober via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:45
- Edgar Chairez def. CJ Vergara via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:30
- Raul Rosas Jr. def. Vince Morales via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- David Martinez def. Saimon Oliveira via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:38
- Kevin Borjas def. Ronaldo Rodriguez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN2/ESPN+, 4 p.m. ET)
- Ateba Gautier def. Jose Daniel Medina via knockout (knee) – Round 1, 3:32
- Melquizael Costa def. Christian Rodriguez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Loopy Godinez def. Julia Polastri via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Rafa Garcia def. Vinc Pichel via unanimous decision (30-37, 30-37, 29-28)
- Jamall Emmers def. Gabriel Miranda via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:06
- MarQuel Mederos def. Austin Hubbard via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Brandon Moreno vs. Steve Erceg
Round 1 – No touch of gloves for the main event. Moreno lands an early overhand left. Erceg peppers out a left jab as Moreno studies his movement. Another left for Moreno. Erceg rips a left jab followed by a right hand. Moreno answers with a left jab of his own. Moreno lands a vicious upppercut and a right hand to stumble Erceg! Moreno allows Erceg to reset. A moment later, Moreno lands another stiff right hand. Erceg slaps with a leg kick and then looks for an uppercut. Moreno lands a nice kick to the body and Erceg also lands a left hand. Moreno with a right hand and another left jab not far behind it.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Moreno.
Round 2 – Erceg looks for a head kick. Moreno comes back with a right hand. Erceg steps in with a knee. Moreno goes to the inside leg kick twice. They tie up in the center, both just missing with clean strikes on the exit. A moment later, a heated exchange sees both land hard punches, but Moreno comes forward at the end of it. Moreno stays in control from the center, leading exchanges with crisp punches. Erceg goes to a leg kick. Both land punches upstairs. Moreno slips and dips a combo as the crowd starts to chant.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Moreno.
Round 3 – Moreno leads from the center, but it’s Erceg offering more punches at the start of the round, although nothing of significance lands. Moreno feels good, bobbing and weaving. Erceg popps him with a right hand, though. Now Moreno turns up his volum with punches and a few kicks to the legs. Moreno toys with a stance switch, but stays orthodox. Erceg rips a combo, but Moreno evades. A nice step-in knee gets there for Erceg. Moreno lands a left hand. Erceg responds with a high front kick. Moreno goes to an inside leg kick. The crowd grows a restless as the action stalls toward the end of the round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Erceg.
Round 4 – Erceg gets back to working behind the left jab. Moreno paws out his left hand repeatedly, then lunges with a hook. Moreno puts together a combination, punctuated with a left hand. Erceg offers a series of fast punches. Moreno charges forward with hooks. They take turns pumping out the jab. Erceg offers more jabs as he circles on the outside. Erceg lands a nice punch, then another jab. Moreno appears to be having fun in there, but Erceg is more active offensively with a minute to go. With 30 seconds on the clock, Moreno looks for a single leg, resulting in a clinch along the fence.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Erceg.
Round 5 – Moreno gets back to work from the center, going first now with punches and leg kicks. Erceg looks to answer with jabs, but Moreno turns up the pressure with combinations. Moreno keeps his hands low for a moment, bobbing and weaving with Erceg’s punches. The crowd is alive, chanting loudly as the time ticks away. Moreno gets back to peppering out the jab, and finds a right hand. Erceg doubles up the jab. Moreno comes over the top with a right hand. Erceg with a front kick. Moreno catches a head kick and drives Erceg to the canvas. Moreno works to side control and gets a punch in a moment before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Moreno, giving him the fight 48-47.
Result: Brandon Moreno def. Steve Erceg via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
Recap: UFC on ESPN 64 results: Brandon Moreno edges technical affair over Steve Erceg
Social media reaction: Fighters react to Brandon Moreno’s victory Steve Erceg at UFC on ESPN 64
Photos: UFC on ESPN 64: Best photos from Mexico City
Records: Moreno (24-8-2 MMA, 12-4-2 UFC), Erceg (12-5 MMA, 3-4 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging: Mike Bell, Sal D’Amato, Chris Lee
Drew Dober vs. Manuel Torres
Round 1 – They touch gloves and Torres starts things off with a front kick to the body. Dober takes control of the center. Torres fires off a fast 1-2, followed by a hard kick to the body. Torres keeps going first, now with a head kick and punches. Torres fires off a crisp 1-2 dropping Dober! Torres rushes in and Dober grabs a single leg. Torres keeps hammering away. Multiple unanswered shots here! Dober is still hanging on to the leg. Torres keeps smashing him in the head. Dober might be out, but still has the leg! More punches! The referee rushes in to stop it! Dober gets up, thinking the fight is still going on, but Torres is celebrating. What a scary moment for Dober, yet a fantastic finish for Torres.
Result: Manuel Torres (@LocoUFC) def. Drew Dober via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:45
Recap: UFC on ESPN 64 video: Manuel Torres hammerfists Drew Dober for quick TKO
Photos: UFC on ESPN 64: Best photos from Mexico City
Records: Dober (27-15 MMA, 13-11 UFC), Torres (16-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Mike Beltran
Edgar Chairez vs. CJ Vergara
Round 1 – They quickly touch gloves and Vergara comes forward with an opening combo. Chairez looks for a big uppercut as he works behind a left jab. Vergara adds leg kicks to his mix. Chairez stays just out of range, though. Bang! Chairez cracks Vergara with a hook! Vergara goes down! Chairez lets him up and taunts as he chases him around the cage. Chairez lands again! Vergara is in real trouble now and gets dropped again! Chairez takes the back as Vergara tries to get back to his feet. He slaps on a choke. There’s the tap! Chairez is overwhelmed with emotion as the celebration begins. What a performance.
Result: Edgar Chairez def. CJ Vergara via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:30
Recap: Edgar Chairez drills, then taps CJ Vergara for emotional finish at UFC Mexico
Photos: UFC on ESPN 64: Best photos from Mexico City
Records: Chairez (12-6 MMA, 2-2 UFC), Vergara (12-7-1 MMA, 3-5 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Marc Goddard
Vince Morales vs. Raul Rosas Jr.
Round 1 – No glove touch as they meet in the venter. Rosas Jr. kicks to the midsection to get things started. After a few more kicks, Rosas Jr. looks for the takedown, but it’s not there. Rosas Jr. stays in close range with punches, then changes levels again. This time he lifts and brings Morales to the center of the cage for the slam. Rosas Jr. gets to side control, looking for punches and submission openings. Morales gets back to gull guard, but just for a moment. Morales tries to roll, but gives up his back. Rosas Jr. works to get his hooks in, but Morales does a good job of preventing it. Morales scrambles and gets his own single leg to a double in order to finish the round in an advantaegous spot.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Rosas Jr.
Round 2 – Rosas Jr. opens with a few punches and kicks as Morales comes forward with his own offerings. A clean leg kick connects for Rosas Jr., which is answered by a nice right hand. Rosas closes in on a single leg, getting Morales down to a knee to the mat against the fence. Morales worked his way up momentarily, but Rosas Jr. adjusted to complete the takedown. Rosas Jr. finds the back midway through the round. Morales stays patient as Rosas Jr. attempts to lock in a body triangle. Rosas Jr. maintains ground control until the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Rosas Jr.
Round 3 – Morales comes out with a heightened sense of urgency as he works behind a left jab. Rosas Jr. looks for a takedown, but Morales quickly counters and wraps him up with a necktie. Morales adjusts and puts the squeeze on! Rosas Jr. looks to be in trouble, but he stays calm and gets out, ending up on top in side control. Rosas Jr. delivers a hard elbow. Morales turns and gives up his back, but then looks to grab a heel hook. Rosas Jr. is wise to it, and works his way to back control again. Morales works back up to his feet, but Rosas Jr. stays attached. Morales finds space to counter with another necktie. Rosas Jr. just rides out the spot while giving a thumbs up.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Morales, but the fight goes to Rosas Jr., 29-28.
Result: Raul Rosas Jr. def. Vince Morales via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Recap: UFC on ESPN 64 results: 20-year-old Raul Rosas Jr. outworks Vince Morales for fifth UFC win
Photos: UFC on ESPN 64: Best photos from Mexico City
Records: Morales (11-10 MMA, 3-8 UFC), Rosas (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Mike Beltran
Judging: Eric Colon, Sal D’Amato, Chris Lee
David Martinez vs. Saimon Oliveira
Round 1 – They touch gloves and start feeling out the range. Martinez digs in with a hard leg kick. He circles, then sticks with a speedy 1-2. Martinez stays busy with a series of kicks, then circles away before Oliveira can offer his own offense. Martinez continuez his approach of sticking and moving. Oliveira offers a spinning punch, but Martinez gets a hold of him and looks for a takedown. Martinez gives up on the clinch and gets back to leg kicks and punches. Oliveira spins with a punch again, this time connecting, but there’s not much power on it. Martinez lands a right hand. Martinez catches a kick from Oliveira. Martinez lands a beautiful counter right hand that rocks Oliveira! Martinez swarms! Down goes Oliveira! Martinez rushes in with follow-up shots! The refs stops it! Wow!!
Result: David Martinez def. Saimon Oliveira via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:38
Recap: Oh, doctor! David Martinez blasts Saimon Oliveira for stunning UFC Mexico debut
Photos: UFC on ESPN 64: Best photos from Mexico City
Records: Martinez (12-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Oliveira (18-6 MMA, 0-3 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Marc Goddard
Kevin Borjas vs. Ronaldo Rodriguez
Round 1 – Rodriguez quickly takes control of the center as the crowd loudly chants. A big wheel kick attempt catches air, but a jumping switch kick from Rodriguez partially connects. Borjas steps in an levels Rodriguez with a right hand! Rodriguez rolls backward up to his feet, and gets right back to his feet, waving Borjas on. Rodriguez, more cautious now, keeps coming foward and offers another spinning kick. Borjas sends a combination down the middle. Borjas lands another right. A moment later, another right drops Rodriguez! Once again, Rodriguez pops right back up to his feet. Rodriguez closes distance and changes levels for the takedown, but gets caught with a counter knee. Rodriguez sticks with the takedown attempt, though. He works through and gets the takedown, but there’s only a couple of seconds left in the round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Borjas.
Round 2 – Rodriguez takes the center quickly again and looks for a big punch that misses. Another jumping kick catches air. Rodriguez finds home for a left. Borjas gets in a nice pair of punches. Rodriguez telegraphs a takedown shot, which Borjas easily steps away from. Borjas lands a crushing right hand, but Rodriguez just eats it. A few moments later, a wheel kick partially lands for Rodriguez. Borjas responds with a right. Rodriguez offers a punch, and Borjas connects with another hard counter. Rodriguez kicks to the body. Borjas counters another punch. Rodriguez keeps coming forward with strikes, but Borjas is just sharper with his counters. A takedown attempt isn’t there for Rodriguez, but he gets a spinning backfist a moment before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Borjas.
Round 3 – Rodriguez looks to pressure early again, but Borjas quickly rips punches to keep him honest. They start trading in the center, which keeps the crowd hyped up. Borjas’ right hand continues to be sharp on the counter. Rodriguez with another switch kick. The spinning back kick isn’t there, though. Another hard right hand from Borjas. Midway through the round now and Rodriguez continues to struggle with the right hand of Borjas. Rodriguez looks for a head kick and Borjas offers one of his own. One minute left. Borjas lands cleaner again in an exchange. He’s feeling himself now as he bounces around in front of Rodriguez. Waving him in, Rodriguez wants to stand and bang in the closing seconds. Rodriguez swings for the fences, but Borjas is just too sharp defensively to close out the fight.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Borjas, giving him the fight 30-27.
Result: Kevin Borjas def. Ronaldo Rodriguez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 64: Best photos from Mexico City
Records: Borjas (10-3 MMA, 1-2 UFC), Rodriguez (17-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging: Vladimir Puga (29-28), Eric Colon (30-27), Sal D’Amato (30-27)
Ateba Gautier vs. Jose Daniel Medina
Round 1 – They quickly meet in the middle, where Gautier gets things started with a snappy jab followed by an inside leg kick. Another jab for Gautier. A two-punch combo just misses. A big uppercut is there for Gautier and Medina eats it. Medina offers a punch, but gets countered hard with a left hand. Gautier goes high with a kick. Gautier blitzes forward with more strikes, but Medina just smiles at him. Gautier lands another combo. They exchange hard punches and both smile after. Another hard left from Gautier. Medina waves him in. Gautier obliges and unloads a flurry of punches. A big knee up the middle connects flush and down goes Medina! Woah! That’s it the ref gets there before he can land a follow-up! What a debut for Gautier!
Result: Ateba Gautier def. Jose Daniel Medina via knockout (knee) – Round 1, 3:32
Recap: UFC on ESPN 64 video: Ateba Gautier blasts Jose Daniel Medina with violent knee knockout
Photos: UFC on ESPN 64: Best photos from Mexico City
Records: Gautier (7-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Medina (11-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Raul Porrata
Melquizael Costa vs. Christian Rodriguez
Round 1 – They touch gloves and size each other up for a moment. Costa looks for a head kick, but it’s not there. Rodriguez comes forward with a punches, gets tripped up by a kick, but pops up and grabs a clinch against the cage. Rodriguez works for a few trips and nearly gets Costa down. They both get right back up to continue fighting in the clinch, prompting a few boo birds to chirp. Costa has Rodriguez’s back against the fence now. Costa is more active with his position, adding a few knees to the body and short punches. Rodriguez is able to reverse and hit the trip he wanted. Rodriguez slaps on the anaconda choke! It looks good – but nope. Costa quickly explodes and ends up in top side control. Costa adds a few short strikes before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Costa.
Round 2 – Rodriguez comes out firing punches, but he gets a kick caught, and Costa kicks out the plant leg. Costa lets him back to his feet. Rodriguez gets up and immediately closes in for the clinch against the cage. Costa shakes free quickly, though. Rodriguez darts forward and gets clipped with a counter before changing levels. Rodriguez is in on the clinch looking for another trip. Rodriguez gets it just before the midway mark of the round. Costa gets back to his feet quickly, though. Costa takes control in the clinch and lands a clean knee to the head. Costa unloads follow-up punches, hunting for a finish. Rodriguez covers up well, though. Costa ends up on the back and then jumps on a guillotine. Rodriguez is able to jump over to escape, but can’t maintain top position. Costa is on top in full guard now. Costa opts to stand up and kick to the body.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Costa.
Round 3 – Rodriguez quickly comes across the cage to get an early foot sweep takedown. Costa looks to counter with a kimura. Rodriguez offers a big elbow, but it leaves an opening for Costa to reverse the position and land a solid knee. Back to the standing clinch and Rodriguez hits another trip. Costa pops right back up. Costa adds a nice elbow. Rodriguez comes forward with a punch before another clinch. Another trip for Rodriguez, and he takes the back. A couple of punches here before Costa explodes back to his feet again. Rodriguez unloads a combination. Rodriguez turns up the volume with punches. One minute to go. They clinch up in the center of the cage, and Rodriguez hits another foot sweep, landing in full guard. Rodriguez rains down elbows. He stands for a big hammerfist. Rodriguez empties the tank until the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Rodriguez, but the fight goes to Costa, 29-28.
Result: Melquizael Costa def. Christian Rodriguez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 64: Best photos from Mexico City
Records: Costa (23-7 MMA, 4-2 UFC), Rodriguez (12-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Fernando Salas Navarro
Judging: Miguel Jimenez, Chris Lee, Dave Tirelli
Loopy Godinez vs. Julia Polastri
Round 1 – They touch gloves and get to the feel-out process. Polastri opens with a leg kick, but Godinez comes forward with a series of punches, showing early aggression. Polastri circles on the outside, continuing to offer kicks to the legs and the body. Godinez catches a high kick attempt, squeezes Polastri in close, and essentially powerbombs her to the canvas! Godinez looks for ground and pound, but Polastri keeps her defense tight. They return to the feet, but in the next sequence, Godinez gets a nice takedown. In half guard now, Godinez digs in a few short elbows to the body and thighs. Polastri gets back to full guard, and looks for strikes from her back. A clean elbow prompts Godinez to stand up. Nothing else comes from the final exchange.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Godinez.
Round 2 – Godinez gets back to forward pressure with punches while Polastri kicks on the outside. Godinez closes in for the clinch, but gives up on it. Nice left hand for Godinez. Polastri goes high with a kick. They exchange punches for a moment before Godinez shoots the double, finishing it with a trip for a nice takedown. Polastri defends well from her back and gets things back to standing. However, Godinez shoots right back in for another clean takedown. This time, Godinez lands in side control, though. Somehow a cut was opened up on Godinez’s forehead. They go from side control to North-South, and as Polastri turns into her, Godinez takes the back and clamps on a choke. Polastri quickly escapes and gets back to full guard.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Godinez.
Round 3 – Polastri comes out firing kicks to the legs. Godinez comes forward with punches. Polastri refuses to back away, keeping the pressure up with punches. Godinez is game to trade, though. Polastri keeps punching, getting the better of the exchanges. Godinez shoots in. They’re back to the feet and Polastri keeps firing punches. The momentum of the fight is turning quickly. Polastri drops her hands and walks foward. More punches connect for Polastri. She’s really feeling it now. Godinez clinches to slow things down. Just 90 seconds left and they’re back in striking range, trading punches. Godinez is wearing the damage as Polastri continues to light her up with clean punches. Godinez keeps ffiring back. It’s just a brawl at this point. Both keep swining. Godinez clinches and gets the takedown with an arm triangle threat. There’s the horn. Whew! What a finish to this one.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Polastri, but the fight goes to Godinez, 29-28.
Result: Loopy Godinez def. Julia Polastri via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 64: Best photos from Mexico City
Records: Godinez (13-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC), Polastri (13-5 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Horacio Lopez Villanueva
Judging: Vladimir Puga, Mike Bell, Eric Colon
Rafa Garcia vs. Vinc Pichel
Round 1 – The crowd was pumped to support Garcia, the first Mexican fighter to compete on the card. Garcia started off by controlling the center, applying pressure early with a few punching combinations. Pichel switched stances often, but the feints from Garcia mostly caused him to stay defensive. Midway through the round, Pichel starts working behind a left jab. Garcia lands a solid calf kick. Garcia closes in for a standing back take after defending a kick. Garcia adds some foot stomps while holding on to the body lock against the cage. Pichel attempts a spinning elbow that completely misses, allowing Garcia to complete the takedown before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Garcia.
Round 2 – Pichel comes out firing punches and Garcia is game to answer. Pichel lands a nice inside leg kick, but Garcia responds with heavy punches upstairs. Another inside kick for Pichel. Garcia lands a right hand. Pichel seems a little fired up now as he taunts and peppers out the jab. Pichel attempts to push Garcia’s lead arm, but pokes him in the eye causing a short pause in the action. On the restart, they get right back into it with punches. Garcia turns up the pressure, keeping Pichel on his back foot. Now Garcia is in on another body lock. Pichel lands a nice knee to the body on the exit. Pichel fires off a few punches, keeping his activity high. Garcia answers with a combination. A front kick from Pichel finds the target. Another lands before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Pichel.
Round 3 – Pichel picks up right where he left off, leading the action behind the left jab. Circling on the outside, Pichel mixes in punches in kicks as he sticks and moves. Garcia closes the distance, ripping punches to the body and the head. Garcia keeps coming forward to slow Pichel’s momentum. Midway through the round, Pichel gets back to circling, but Garcia cracks him with a nice combination. Pichel draws a line on the canvas, inviting Garcia to stand and bang. Pichel starts putting together sharp combinations as he turns up the volume with punches and body kicks. Leg kicks are also in the mix. One minute to go. Garcia shoots in, lifts, and slams Pichel. Garcia lands a few clean punches as Pichel works his way up. Pichel empties the tank in the closing seconds.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Garcia, giving him the fight 29-28.
Result: Rafa Garcia def. Vinc Pichel via unanimous decision (30-37, 30-37, 29-28)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 64: Best photos from Mexico City
Records: Garcia (17-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC), Pichel (14-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Raul Porrata
Judging: Guilherme Bravo (30-27), Sal D’Amato (29-28), Dave Tirelli (30-27)
Jamall Emmers vs. Gabriel Miranda
Round 1 – The opening exchange was a heated one with heavy punches. Miranda then shoots in and gets a takedown. Miranda looks for the back, but slides off to the side. However, Miranda wraps up a choke and puts the squeeze on. Emmers stayed calm and eventually got free and returned the fight to standing. Emmers lands a few sharp punches, puppoing Miranda’s head up each time. Midway through the round now. Miranda lands a front kick to the body, but Emmers sits him down witha crushing right hand! Emmers doesn’t follow to the ground. Miranda slowly gets up, and Emmers gets right back to work with more punches. An elbow wobbles Miranda! Emmers swings for the fences to ends the fight. They clinch up. Emmers gets away, then blasts Miranda with haymaker! Miranda is down again! Hammerfists put him out cold! Wow!
Result: Jamall Emmers def. Gabriel Miranda via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:06
Recap: UFC on ESPN 64 video: Jamall Emmers batters Gabriel Miranda unconscious
Photos: UFC on ESPN 64: Best photos from Mexico City
Records: Emmers (21-8 MMA, 4-4 UFC), Miranda (17-8 MMA, 1-3 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Fernando Salas Navarro
Austin Hubbard vs. MarQuel Mederos
Round 1 – Mederos gets the action started right away with a leg kick. Hubbard presses forward from the center as they trade initial punches and kicks. The referee issues an early warning for the fighters to watch their fingers. Mederos continues chopping away with leg kicks, then steps in with a nice two-punch combo. Hubbard answers a few moments later with a nice left hand followed closely by a spinning back kick to the body. Mederos with another clean 1-2. Mederos keeps the action going with various kicks to the legs and body, but Hubbard stays in close range looking for counters. Hubbard then looks for the clinch, but can’t get the takedown. Mederos lands a solid left and one more 1-2 before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Mederos.
Round 2 – Mederos opens with a spinning kick to the body. Hubbard comes foward, landing a right hand. A heated exchange of punches follows. Now Mederos looks for the clinch, but abandons it. Hubbard gets in on a single leg and eventually hops on Mederos’ back along the fence. Mederos walks him across the cage to his corner as Hubbard stays attached and looks to sneak an arm under the neck. With less than a minute to go, Hubbard puts on a tight squeeze while leaning back to get Mederos to fall to the ground. The choke isn’t there, but Hubbard keeps control until the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Hubbard.
Round 3 – Hubbard gets right back to his wrestling game with a quick takedown, landing in full guard. Hubbard stays heavy on top, preventing Mederos from scrambling for an escape. Eventually Mederos finds an escape as he turned to give up his back. Mederos slices open a nasty cut with an elbow from the front headlock position. Hubbard works up to his feet and eats an elbow. Hubbard stalks forward. Mederos leaps with a knee, but it’s not there. Hubbard looks for another takedown, but it’s not there.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Mederos, giving him the fight 29-28.
Result: MarQuel Mederos def. Austin Hubbard via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 64: Best photos from Mexico City
Records: Hubbard (16-9 MMA, 4-7 UFC), Mederos (10-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Horacio Lopez Villanueva
Judging: Miguel Jimenez (28-29), Mike Bell (29-28), Sal D’Amato (29-28)
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 64.
