UFC on ESPN 22 play-by-play and live results

Round 1 – Both men flash a few kicks out early, and it’s a quick pace with nice movement. Birchak delivers a straight right hand then scores with a few sharp kicks low. Gravely swinging back, and they clinch about one minute in. Gravely able to score the slick takedown off the high crotch. Birchak turns to his knees and is able to crawl up to his feet after preventing the back take. As he pulls away Gravely fires a right hand that lands clean, and Birchak falls to the canvas. Gravely follows, but Birchak able to recover and time a beautiful sweep. Now he’s on top. Gravely tries to work up, but Birchak grabs the guillotine and falls. It looks fairly tight, but Gravely waits through it, and Birchak has to let go. Gravely back on tope and firing in big punches. He’s committing to solid strikes on the floor. Punches score, and he teases the arm-triangle. Not there, so he goes back to the back position. Gravely punching away, but Birchak moving just enough to keep himself in the fight. Finally he works to the feet. Wow. Big momentum shifts. Gravely lifts his opponent and slams him to the canvas. He’s going back to the punches again. Birchak again able to get to his feet, but Gravely takes him down quickly. Birchak scrambles up in the final seconds. Gravely tags him with a big punch at the bell. What a round. MMA Junkie gives it to Gravely, 10-9.

Round 2 – They trade punches early, and Gravely drives inside for the takedown. He gets Birchak to a knee and remains active with the punches as he pushes inside. Birchak trying to pummel and create some space, but Gravely tosses him to the canvas once again. Birchak refuses to stay there, working back to his feet, and Gravely backs away. As they engage again, Gravely lands a clean left hook that sits Birchak down again. Gravely follows with hammerfists, and this is over. Great fight, great finish.

BetMGM Odds: Gravely -350, Birchak +275
Result: Tony Gravely def. Anthony Birchak via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 1:31
Photos: UFC on ESPN 22: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Anthony Birchak (15-8 MMA, 2-4 UFC), Tony Gravely (21-6 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith

Round 1 – They waste little time engaging, and Bush working the legs early. Punches mixed in, as well. He’s aggressive and scoring. Spinning backfist from Bush. Hubbard willing to engage, but he’s a step behind in most of the exchanges. Hubbard thinks takedown, but it’s not there. Hubbard with a nice left to the body. Pace settling down a bit now a few minutes in. Hubbard having better moments, but Bush does land a nice kick to the body. Still, Hubbard is the one pressing now. He chops the legs. They exchange punches in the center, and Bush immediately recoils and grabs his left eye. Replays show a pretty direct poke. Referee Keith Peterson brings in the doctor to take a look, but we carry on. Bush out quickly on the restart. He’s throwing his hands with power, and he scores with a kick to the body. Hubbard now going first on many of the exchanges, and he’s staying right in his opponent’s face. Bush throwing with heavy power but just missing. Hubbard scores a takedown at the bell. MMA Junkie gives the first to Hubbard, 10-9.

Round 2 – Bush again firing everything at full power. Hubbard dealing with it well ad returning fire with a bit more composure to his attacks. Bush decides to press in for a takedown, but it’s not there. Bush has to back away and reset. He’s slowing just a bit, understandable for the short-notice call. They reset to the center, and Bush tries again to work inside, but Hubbard able to reverse and press the action to the canvas. Bush active from his back, doing his best not to settle flat on his back and also trying to tie up the hands. But Hubbard grinding from the too, landing short punches when he can and keeping the fight on the floor. With a little less than a minute, Bush able to scramble and nearly get to his feet, but Hubbard adjusts and drives him back to the floor. Hubbard moves immediately to mount. Time winding down, and Hubbard tries to isolate the left arm. Not there, but as Bush scrambles to escape, Hubbard moves to his back and finishes there. MMA Junkie gives it again to Hubbard, 10-9.

Round 3 – Bush has lost some zip on his strikes, but he’s still working as they start, pumping out his jab and looking to kick, as well. He knows he’s behind, and he’s swinging hard to make something happen. Bush drives inside on a takedown and is actually able to slip around and drag the fight to the floor, but Hubbard immediately spins and is now on top. Hubbard quickly steps over to mount. Hubbard back on the grind. Short punches from the top. An exhausted Bush still refusing to quit. He powers his way up and to a sweep. Hubbard tries to lock in a triangle on the move, but it’s not there. Bush able to slip up and over to the dominant spot. Hubbard has more energy and powers his way into a sweep again. Frustrating moment for Bush, who was trying to get something done late. Hubbard back on top and landing short strikes inside. Punches and elbows are scoring. Half-guard for Bush, and he’s exhausted. He musters up a quick scramble, but it doesn’t have enough on it. He moves to his knees in the final seconds, but Hubbard on the back and forces him to settle again. Hubbard mounts before the bell. MMA Junkie gives it again to Hubbard, 10-9, awarding him the fight 30-27.

BetMGM Odds: Hubbard -185, Bush +150
Result: Austin Hubbard def. Dakota Bush via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 22: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Dakota Bush (8-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Austin Hubbard (13-5 MMA, 3-3 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson
Judging: Derek Cleary (29-28, giving Hubbard rounds 2 and 3), Junichiro Kamijo (29-28, giving Hubbard rounds 2 and 3), Tony Weeks (29-28, giving Hubbard rounds 2 and 3)

Round 1 – No wasted time here. Fabinski movies forward quickly, and Meerschaert there to engage and swing back. They move to the clinch, and Meerschaert initially on the outside. Fabinski switches off, but Meerschaert reverses again. Meerschaert with the head in the center. Fabinski switches off again. He knees to the body and drives inside. Meerschaert catches the neck and drops for the guillotine. It’s in, and he rolls over to top side. Meerschaert lets go with the right arm for a moment and adjusts as he rolls to the side and continues the squeeze. Fabinski doesn’t want to tap, but Meerschaert has the arms in tight and has the legs hooked, and Fabinski goes to sleep.

BetMGM Odds: Fabinski -115, Meerschaert -105
Result: Gerald Meerschaert def. Bartosz Fabinski via technical submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 2:00
Recap:
Photos: UFC on ESPN 22: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Bartosz Fabinski (15-5 MMA, 3-3 UFC), Gerald Meerschaert (32-14 MMA, 7-6 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean

Round 1 – Penne paws a jab early. Godinez answers back with heavy punches. Penne briefly holds a Thai clinch, but Godinez again with power shots as she pulls away. Godinez rushes in and wants the head-and-arm throw, but Penne reaches over with a leg and prevents that with a hook. Godinez keeps working and does get a throw, but Penne right back to her feet. Penne using her length to her advantage and working with straight punches from distance. She lands a nice kick to the body and a knee inside. Right hand scores for Penne. She’s settling in now. Godinez drills her with a big right hand over the top Godinez definitely has the power edge. She picks Penne up and throws her to the floor but doesn’t want to follow down. Back on the feet, Godinez wants the head-and-arm again. Penne makes her pay and moves to the back. Godinez stands, but Penne is firm on her back. She’s got the body triangle in place as she hunts for the choke. Godinez defending the choke well. Penne with punches and a squeeze on the face before the bell. MMA Junkie gives the first to Penne, 10-9.

Round 2 – Penne works from range, but Godinez swings back with power. Reach the key for Penne. Godinez rushes forward with power and again wants the throw. Penne tries to take the back again, but Godinez able to peel her off with the fence. Penne staying tight in the grappling game and teasing the move to the back. Godinez forces to defend. Penne laces the legs, and Godinez tries to peel her away, but that just allows Penne to move all the way to the back. She locks in the triangle around the body once again. Godinez standing, but she grabs one arm and spins and is able to work free. She backs away with a little more than two minutes. Penne with front kicks from range. Godinez catches a kick and trips Penne to the floor but again doesn’t want to follow. Godinez with a right to the body and another up top. Godinez with the power edge, but she’s not doing enough of it. Takedown from Godinez, but Penne transitions and forces a move back to the feet, where they finish. Good late work from Godinez, but MMA Junkie gives it to Penne, 10-9. Very close.

Round 3 – Godinez able to move inside quickly, and this time she locks the hands around the body. Penne defending agains the cage, but she’s able to stay upright. They break away, and Godinez wipes some blood away from her nose before firing a few short punches inside. She’s still packing power. Godinez clinches, and Penne able to grab hold and jump standing guard. She walks her way up to the shoulders, but Godinez just throws her to the floor. She doesn’t follow. Back on the feet, Penne wants the takedown, but she’s lost some zip. Godinez throws her to the canvas but stays on her feet. Penne back up, and she moves inside. She’s looking for potential submission opportunities in the clinch, but she’s struggling with her opponent’s power in the position. Into the final minute, and Penne jumps guard again. Left leg is on the shoulder, but she can’t the triangle in place. She lets go at the end. MMA Junkie gives the final round to Godinez, 10-9, but awards the fight to Penne, 29-28. Scores could be wild.

BetMGM Odds: Godinez -275, Penne +225
Result: Jessica Penne def. Loopy Godinez via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Recap:
Photos: UFC on ESPN 22: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Loopy Godinez (5-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Jessica Penne (13-5 MMA, 2-3 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Judging:

Round 1 – Espino on the outside, circling left. Romanov in the center, and he flashes out a front kick that just misses the jaw. He goes back upstairs quickly, but it’s blocked. Espino moves froward and grans his opponent, throwing him to the floor. Espino works to his knees quickly, but he’s against the cage. Romanov pressing from the top. Espino crawls to his feet. Espino works his hands inside and creates some space, and Romanov backs away. Big left from Romanov, and he moves back to the clinch. Espino able to gain his form and scores a beautiful trip to the canvas. Side control for Espino. He looks to isolate the arm. It keeps Romanov busy, and Espino steps over to mount. Romanov turns to his knees underneath and stands. Espino stays wrapped to the body and drives him back to the canvas. Romanov stands again. Espino holds the arms. Romanov pulls away at the end but eats a right hand. Round ends there. MMA Junkie gives it to Espino, 10-9.

Round 2 – Romanov misses a big left over the top. Another misses, as well. Low kicks traded. Espino punches his way into the clinch, but he can’t hold it. Romanov wants to strike. He does land inside, and Espino pulls away to reset. Romanov follows. He shoots in for a takedown. He’s deep on a single. He turns to referee Mark Smith to complain about something, and Espino leaps up and scores a knee. Potentially costly moment, but Romanov recovers and does get the takedown and Espino tries to attack his neck. Romanov in his opponent’s guard. He postures up and starts raining down hammerfists. Espino blocking well, but some of them are getting through. Espino eventually able to turn to his knees and stand. Romanov on the back and controlling the body. Espino drops to a knee. Romanov controls the neck and wants the choke, but it’s not there. Espino trying to turn it into a takedown. Romanov backs to the fence, but he stays upright. Stalemate in the clinch. Romanov lets go with 30 seconds left. He wants to strike, but both are clearly tiring. He shoots inside but nothing there. Backs away at the end. MMA Junkie gives it to Romanov, 10-9.

Round 3 – Both men exhausted. Romanov ducks under and wants a single. Not there. Espino grabs the body and drives him to the canvas. Romanov able to stand quickly, but Espino stays tied to the body. They’re battling in the clinch, but Espino lands a knee to the groin. Romanov drops to the canvas as Smith calls for time. Romanov in pain, and Smith talks to the fighter before bringing in the doctor. They bring in the corner to help translate, but it certainly doesn’t look like Romanov is going to be able to continue. Sure enough, the fight is waved off. We’ll go to the cards after 65 seconds. MMA Junkie gives the final round to Espino, 10-9, awarding him the fight 29-28.

BetMGM Odds: Romanov -140, Espino +115
Result: Alexandr Romanov def. Juan Espino via technical split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) – Round 3, 1:05
Recap:
Photos: UFC on ESPN 22: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Juan Espino (10-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC), Alexandr Romanov (14-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging:

Round 1 –

BetMGM Odds: Pena -150, Munoz +125
Result:
Recap:
Photos: UFC on ESPN 22: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Alexander Munoz (6-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Luis Pena (8-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging:

Round 1 –

BetMGM Odds: Cortez -300, Kish +240
Result:
Recap:
Photos: UFC on ESPN 22: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Tracy Cortez (8-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Justine Kish (7-3 MMA, 3-3 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson
Judging:

Round 1 –

BetMGM Odds: Alhassan -300, Malkoun +240
Result:
Recap:
Photos: UFC on ESPN 22: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Abdul Razak Alhassan (10-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC), Jacob Malkoun (4-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Judging:

Round 1 –

BetMGM Odds: Arlovski -120, Sherman +100
Result:
Recap:
Photos: UFC on ESPN 22: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Andrei Arlovski (30-20 MMA, 19-14 UFC), Chase Sherman (15-6 MMA, 3-5 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson
Judging:

Round 1 – This fight was scratched just as tonight’s broadcast went on air.

BetMGM Odds: Stephens -120, Klose +100
Result:
Recap:
Photos: UFC on ESPN 22: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Drakkar Klose (11-2-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC), Jeremy Stephens (28-18 MMA, 15-17 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging:

Round 1 –

BetMGM Odds: Whittaker -275, Gastelum +225
Result:
Recap:
Photos: UFC on ESPN 22: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Robert Whittaker (22-5 MMA, 13-3 UFC), Kelvin Gastelum (17-6 MMA, 11-6 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging: