UFC on ESPN 36 play-by-play and live results

LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 36 event, and you can join us for live play-by-play and official results.

UFC on ESPN 36 takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card airs on ESPN2 and streams on ESPN+ following prelims on ESPN2/ESPN+.

In the main event, former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz (28-9 MMA, 11-6 UFC) takes on Aleksandar Rakic (14-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC). In the co-feature, Ion Cutelaba (16-6-1 MMA, 5-5-1 UFC) meets Ryan Spann (19-7 MMA, 5-2 UFC) at light heavyweight.

Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results.

To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFC on ESPN 36 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporter Ken Hathaway (@kenshathaway) on Twitter.

Enjoy the fights, everyone.

Nick Maximov vs. Andre Petroski

Round 1 – Petroski rushes to the center of the cage. Ten seconds in, they land kicks at the same time and Maximov briefly slips to the canvas. He’s back up in a hurry, though, and ready to swing. They trade punches 30 seconds in, and a few seconds after that, Maximov shoots for a single-leg takedown. Petroski plays defense nicely and reverses. They scramble on the canvas, and Petroski latches onto a choke. He turns around and it looks like he’s got it locked up. Petroski’s corner is yelling that he’s out. Referee Chris Tognoni checks on him, and sure enough – the anaconda choke has Maximov asleep. Maximov was the biggest favorite on the card, and Petroski has a big upset in just 76 seconds. It’s the first loss of Maximov’s career.

Result: Andre Petroski def. Nick Maximov via technical submission (anaconda choke) – Round 1, 1:16
Recap: Andre Petroski chokes Nick Maximov out cold in 76 seconds
Records: Andre Petroski (8-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC), Nick Maximov (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni

Carlos Candelario vs. Tatsuro Taira

Round 1 – The two fighters exchange and Taira ties Candelario up. They separate after a brief struggle against the fence. Candelario shoots for a single-leg. He almost gets it, but Taira spins out and lands an inside leg kick. A clean right hand clips Candelario, but he remains relatively unfazed. Candelario spams a head kick but Taira avoids and ties him up. Taira shoves Candelario to the fence and then takes him down. Candelario leverages himself upward and nearly breaks Taira’s grip. Taira lets it go on his own accord and connects with an uppercut. Candelario grabs hold of a leg and beautifully drags Taira to the ground. Taira briefly threatens a guillotine but lets go. Candelario on top as the round ends. 10-9 Taira.

Round 2 – Taira’s corner instructed him to go for the finish, and he apparently listened. A big punch floors Candelario over sideways. Candelario covers up and Taira rains down punches. Candelario eats a few in order to move upward. Taira gets the back mount and seeks a rear-naked choke. He turns his attention to ground-and-pound before the choke again. Now, he’s back to ground-and-pound. Candelario needs to move. He’s doing just enough for referee Mike Beltran not to stop it. Candelario nearly escapes, but Taira shifts in order to maintain the back. Taira is going for the rear-naked choke again. Candelario rolls and rolls. Taira briefly cranks his neck and lets go. Now, they are in a bizarre position, almost like a twister set-up for Taira. Candelario shows off his flexibility though and continues to try to turn inward toward Taira. He can’t get Taira off his back, but Taira can’t get a submission. We’ve hit a weird repetitive stalemate. Finally, Candelario twists himself on top, into Taira’s half guard. The round finishes with Candelario on top, hitting Taira in the body. 20-18 Taira.

Round 3 – In classic MMA fashion, the round begins with a groin kick. Taira split the uprights and connected flush on Candelario. After a brief breather, Candelario is good to go. The fight resumes. Taira whiffs on a big right hook. Candelario nicely ducks under it and shoots. A workmanlike effort gets Taira to the canvas. Taira tries to get up but leaves his neck out. Candelario snatches it and drops for a guillotine. He has a butterfly guard on one side, so it’s hard to tell how tight it is. He uses it to leverage Taira over. However, the squeeze isn’t there, so he briefly lets go. Taira rises up and Candelario pulls for a guillotine again. That one was much more ill-advised. Not the brightest move from Candelario, who just gave up top position and is now on the bottom in half guard. Taira spins from the top and shoots up a triangle choke on Candelario. That was slick. Candelario slips out but Taira flips to his back again. They tumble. Taira has a mean body lock, I’ll tell you. Taira is seeking a rear-naked choke, but he keeps putting his arm across Candelario’s jaw. They roll and Taira lands a pair of massive elbows from mount. Taira pauses, then postures up. Taira rains down ground-and-pound. Candelario is trying his best to sit up and get out of it, but he keeps eating punches and elbows. The round ends with Taira firing away. That’s a great debut from the 22-year-old youngster. 30-27 Taira.

Result: Tatsuro Taira def. Carlos Candelario via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Records: Carlos Candelario (8-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Tatsuro Taira (11-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Mike Beltran
Judging:

Angela Hill vs. Virna Jandiroba

Round 1 – A pretty solid bout divisionally for the third fight of the night is underway. This card is sneaky solid from top to bottom, but I digress. The two fighters exchange and tie up. The fight hits the mat and Jandiroba is seeking a leg lock. After a brief struggled, Hill escapes and ends up on top. They get to their feet, still in the clinch. Hill is controlling Jandiroba, who fires a few knees before they break. Jandiroba ties up Hill and drags her to the canvas, but the round ends. 10-9 Jandiroba.

Round 2 – Jandiroba lands a combination and shoots. Hill defends and shoves her off. Hill jabs. Jandiroba comes over the top with a right hand. Hill comes under with an uppercut and ties Jandiroba up. She walks Jandiroba to the cage. Jandiroba breaks with an elbow and circles away. Hill connects with a nice combination. They tie up again. Hill walks Jandiroba backward. Jandiroba shoots for another takedown. This time, she gets it. Jandiroba is in Hill’s half guard. Hill controlling Jandiroba’s wrist. Jandiroba shifts upward and isolates an armbar. She’s going for an armbar. Hill is holding her left arm with all her might, fighting the armbar. Hill rolls to be on top, but she’s still fighting the armbar. Jandiroba readjusts her grip. Hill shoves her knee into Jandiroba’s throat. That looks brutal. Jandiroba is uncomfortable, but continues her armbar threat until the round ends. 20-18 Jandiroba.

Round 3 – Jandiroba lands a nice combination, then smiles. Perhaps she knew what was coming, because she drags Hill down again. Hill threatens a triangle but Jandiroba doesn’t look bothered. She tosses Hill’s legs aside and isolates Hill’s arm briefly. Hill grabs Jandiroba’s leg. Jandiroba cycles to the the back, as they stand up. Hill fights off a second hook to remain standing. Jandiroba is relentless, though. She gets what she wants, which is Hill with her back on the mat. There is about half a round left on the clock. Jandiroba is much stronger in the grappling department. It’s clear. Jandiroba in half guard. Hill slides herself back toward the fence. Jandiroba looking for an arm-triangle choke. In defense, Hill gives Jandiroba her back. Vandiroba has the body lock on. Hill rolls into her and ends up in Jandiroba’s guard where the fight ends upon the final horn. 30-27 Jandiroba.

Result: Virna Jandiroba def. Angela Hill via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Records: Angela Hill (13-12 MMA, 8-12 UFC), Virna Jandiroba (18-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Judging:

Michael Johnson vs. Alan Patrick

Round 1 – Patrick tries to drag Johnson down. No dice. Johnson cracks him shortly thereafter. That stunned Patrick, who briefly tries another tie up. Johnson matadors the bull and side steps. His boxing looked crisp, but Johnson just got tagged. He was hurt there. Ice skates. Both guys have had their moments here early. Patrick ties up Johnson. They separate. Patrick dives in with a wild combination that lands. Johnson returns. Patrick connects with a spinning backfist. Johnson looked a little stunned again, but he tied Patrick up and took him down. Johnson cranking Patrick’s neck with a can opener. What is the point of a can opener? To open the guard. That’s what just happened. Johnson moved to side control and then north-south. The round ends with Johnson on top. 10-9 Johnson.

Round 2 – This is a fun one. Both fighters connect. Patrick throws a low kick and Johnson counters with a wicked punch. Patrick wipes his face. That must’ve hurt. Johnson ties him up and shoves him against the fence. Patrick tries a spinning back kick to the body. Johnson taps an inside leg kick. Patrick dashes for a takedown. Johnson avoids and remains standing, while Patrick is on his back looking up at him. Patrick tries a handstand upkick off his back. That was cool-looking, but not particularly effective. Johnson lets him up and lands a combination. Patrick moves in again and eats a counter for his troubles. Johnson lands a four-punch combination and Patrick crumples over backward. Johnson drills a few more dynamite punches to the downed Brazilian and that’s it! What a knockout!

Result: Michael Johnson def. Alan Patrick via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 3:22
Recap:
Records: Michael Johnson (20-17 MMA, 12-13 UFC), Alan Patrick (15-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean

Viviane Araujo vs. Andrea Lee

Round 1 – Araujo jabs, then lands a hard left hand and a leg kick. Lee returns with a cross of her own – and then another combination. OH! Araujo falls forward, hurt. Araujo gets up and eats a big head kick. Lee is pummeling away but Araujo survives. Araujo ties Lee up and slams her to the canvas. Oh my goodness. She drove her into the canvas with a thud. Lee is OK, though. They remain on the ground briefly, then clinch. They separate. Referee Chris Tognoni calls timeout to reposition Lee’s mouth piece in its rightful… mouth. Lee peppering Araujo with kicks. Araujo shoots for a takedown against the fence. Lee’s nose is a faucet of blood. They separate. Araujo jabs. Moments later, she gets a takedown. Araujo is in side control. She briefly threatened an arm-triangle or Von Flue choke. Araujo lands a few punches. Lee is starting to work off her back. She’s in rubber guard. Araujo passes into side control, now seeking mount. Araujo lands a few punches before the round ends. 10-9 Lee.

Round 2 – Araujo comes up aggressive and punishes Lee with a punch to the body. Jabs land simultaneously. Lee shoots for a takedown. Not only does Araujo stuff it hard, she switches to the back mount on Lee while she’s there. That was slick. Araujo is landing short shots, so Lee spins into her. But she may have put herself in danger. Araujo is working for an arm-triangle choke. Lee escapes. Araujo shifts to side control, then to the back again. Araujo is controlling Lee significantly from the back. She’s so strong. Lee is flat, but holding Araujo’s wrists so the Brazilian fighter can’t posture up. Araujo works back for another arm-triangle choke. Lee defends and spins away as the horn sounds. 19-18 Araujo.

Round 3 – Araujo takes Lee down immediately. More of the same. Lee works her way up. Araujo clinches her against the fence and they break. Lee tries a hook kick, but it’s caught. Araujo grabs her and back to the canvas they go. Araujo is in side control again. They’re just holding each other here. Araujo threatens a Von Flue choke to move to the back again. Araujo falls off the back of Lee. They scramble and are in a 50-50 leg lock position. Lee rains down some hard punches before the round and fight ends. 29-27 Araujo.

Result: Viviane Araujo def. Andrea Lee via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-28)
Recap:
Records: Viviane Araujo (11-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC), Andrea Lee (13-6 MMA, 5-4 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Judging:

Jake Hadley vs. Allan Nascimento

Round 1 – With UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in his corner, Nascimento drags the fight right to the canvas. He utilizes an omaplata to roll Hadley. Nascimento is now on the bottom, as he seeks a leg. His focus shifts to Hadley’s arms. Nascimento gives up his back to re-seek the leg. Nascimento leverages Hadley backward, as he seeks an ankle lock. They transition and Nascimento enters Hadley’s guard. Hadley tries the rubber guard, but Nascimento remains heavy, making it impossible. Nascimento slides both of his hips into mount. Hadley shifts Nascimento into half guard. Hadley gets up right before the horn sounds. 10-9 Nascimento.

Round 2 – Charles Oliveira called for kicks and Nascimento instantly gives him what he wants. After a few kicks, Nascimento takes Hadley straight to the mat. Hadley has his rubber guard going, trapping Nascimento’s right arm. Nascimento pops his arm out. He remains heavy on top and is doing just enough to prevent a standup. However, neither fighter is mustering up much offense in the striking or submission departments on the ground. Like Round 1, Hadley works his way to the feet just in time for time to expire. Not the most eventful fight of the evening. 20-18 Nascimento.

Round 3 – Nascimento throws a kick and ducks his head. Hadley snatches control of his neck with a guillotine choke attempt. Nascimento drops to the mat, in defense. Hadley is on top, in half guard, but no longer is attempting a submission. Hadley shifts to mount, but he’s on Nascimento’s side. Despite the odd position, he’s trying an arm-triangle choke. Hadley moves to the back but is bucked off. Nascimento is on top. This is not where Hadley wants to be with half a round left in a fight in which he is almost certainly down two rounds to none. Nasicmento is trying a D’Arce choke. Hadley defending, but it’s a bit of a stalemate. Hadley escapes and briefly shoves Nascimento off. Nascimento dives back into the grappling department. Hadley eventually gets up. Nascimento chases him down, then shoots for another takedown. Hadley grabs hold of his neck and flips him over. Hadley is in half guard. Someone is bleeding. Ew, it’s mat burn from Nascimento’s knee. Ouch. Nascimento is unfazed. He reverses Hadley and ends up on top. He lands ground-and-pound and the horn sounds. Nascimento explodes in celebration as he embraces Charles Oliveira. 30-27 Nascimento.

Result: Allan Nascimento def. Jake Hadley via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Records: Jake Hadley (8-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Allan Nascimento (19-6 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Mike Beltran
Judging:

Frank Camacho vs. Manuel Torres

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Records: Frank Camacho (22-9 MMA, 2-5 UFC), Manuel Torres (12-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee:
Judging:

Katlyn Chookagian vs. Amanda Ribas

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Records: Katlyn Chookagian (17-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC), Amanda Ribas (11-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee:
Judging:

Davey Grant vs. Louis Smolka

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Records: Davey Grant (11-6 MMA, 4-5 UFC), Louis Smolka (17-8 MMA, 8-8 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee:
Judging:

Ion Cutelaba vs. Ryan Spann

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Records: Ion Cutelaba (16-6-1 MMA, 5-5-1 UFC), Ryan Spann (19-7 MMA, 5-2 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee:
Judging:

Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakic

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Records: Jan Blachowicz (28-9 MMA, 11-6 UFC), Aleksandar Rakic (14-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee:
Judging: