UFC Fight Night 213 play-by-play and live results

Round 1 – Here we go. Eleven fights of action from Las Vegas coming at you. I appreciate you all for joining me. Rodriguez wastes no time. A nice combination finishes off with a hook that may have slightly wobbled Weems, the five-day notice replacement sporting dyed blue cornrows. They clinch up. Rodriguez shoves Weems into the cage. Weems reverses position and trips Rodriguez to the canvas. Rodriguez rolls away and works his way up. Rodriguez pushes Weems, who pulls guard. Interesting decision. Rodriguez, in Weems’ guard, decides to stand up. Weems gets back up. Rodriguez fires a kick, then a spinning elbow. Weems catches his back and takes Rodriguez down. Weems leaves his neck exposed and Rodriguez snatches an anaconda choke. That looks pretty locked. Weems, eyes wide open, circles away clockwise. Rodriguez still has the grip though. It just seems like a matter of time – and there’s the tap! Rodriguez has his first UFC win and it’s a first-round submission. Nice victory for the Fight Ready MMA product.

Result: Christian Rodriguez def. Joshua Weems via submission (anaconda choke) – Round 1, 4:07
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Records: Christian Rodriguez (8-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Joshua Weems (10-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni

Round 1 – This is a great fight. For those who don’t know, Mota was one of the best free agent flyweights prior to his UFC signing. That sounds great and all, but this being on short notice against a skilled guy like Durden could be a difficult first assignment. A touch of gloves and we’re off. Durden drops Mota in one of the opening exchanges. A nice multipunch combination sat Mota down, who grabs hold of Durden. Eventually, Durden wiggles to guard. Durden posts up and tries a big ground-and-pound punch. Mota grabs his arm. Armbar attempt! Nope. Durden pops out and passes to half guard. Durden is relentless on top. Constantly trying to explode for punches. Mota is dodging, but unable to reverse position or stand up. Durden rides out the rest of the round on top. 10-9 Durden.

Round 2 – Luckily for Mota, every round starts back standing. He needs to make sure Durden doesn’t get him down again. Durden shoots. Mota stuffs it. Durden shoots again. Mota defends again, but Durden won’t let go. He’s shoving Mota into the cage. Eventually, Durden simply muscles him to the canvas. That was more strength than technique. Mota lands a nice elbow from the bottom, then shoots for an armbar. The submission was quickly shut down by Durden, who grinds his head on Mota’s. Durden stands up to rain down ground-and-pound. Mota smiles. Durden gets half guard right in front of his own corner, which includes former UFC fighter Dhiego Lima. Once again, Mota fires his legs up for an armbar. This one looks like the most solid attempt yet – but still Durden escapes. The round ends after some short strikes from both men. 20-18 Durden.

Round 3 – Both men come out swinging. Mota gets confident and Durden shoots on a low single leg. Mota tries to step out of it, but Durden won’t let go of his foot. Mota tries to duck under him for a heel hook. They’re in a pretzeled position on the ground. Durden works to Mota’s back and gets both hooks in – then the body lock. Durden flattens Mota out in back mount and lands short shots. Mota rolls and rolls and lands on top in guard. Mota stands up and tells Durden to do the same. The fight is back on the feet with about 100 seconds left in Round 3. Durden shoots. Mota defends, but Durden is relentless in his attempts. This is like Dagestani chain-wrestling. Durden eventually gets Mota down. Mota tries another leg submission and ends up on top. Durden remains calm as the clock ticks off its final seconds. MMA Junkie scores the fight 30-27 Durden.

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Records: Cody Durden (13-4-1 MMA, 2-2-1 UFC), Carlos Mota (8-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
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Records: Steve Garcia (12-5 MMA, 1-2 UFC), Chase Hooper (11-2-1 MMA, 3-2 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
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Records: Joseph Holmes (8-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Junyong Park (14-5 MMA, 4-2 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
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Records: Andrei Arlovski (34-20 MMA, 23-14 UFC), Marcos Rogerio de Lima (19-8-1 MMA, 8-6 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
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Records: Roman Dolidze (10-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC), Phil Hawes (12-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
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Records: Dustin Jacoby (18-5-1 MMA, 6-2-1 UFC), Khalil Rountree (10-5 MMA, 6-5 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
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Records: Josh Fremd (9-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Tresean Gore (3-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
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Records: Waldo Cortes-Acosta (7-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC), Jared Vanderaa (12-9 MMA, 1-5 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
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Records: Max Griffin (18-9 MMA, 6-7 UFC), Tim Means (32-13-1 MMA, 14-10 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
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Records: Calvin Kattar (23-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC), Arnold Allen (16-1 MMA, 9-0 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
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