UFC on FUEL 8 Live Blog: Yushin Okami vs. Hector Lombard

This is the UFC on FUEL 8 live blog for Yushin Okami vs. Hector Lombard, a middleweight bout at Saturday night's UFC event at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

Okami, who has won three of his past five fights, will face Lombard, who is 1-1 in his UFC career, on the main card.

Check out the UFC on FUEL 8 live blog below.

Round 1: Herb Dean is your referee. Lombard's moving forward from the outset, as Okami circles away. Lombard throws a kick, but Okami catches it and turns it into a single-leg takedown. Lombard scrambles back to his feet. Lombard throw a quick two-punch combo. Okami throws a front kick and a jab. Midway through the round. Lombard just misses with a big uppercut, but he seems to be finding his range. Okami with another single for a takedown. Two minutes left. Okami in half-guard and better able to control Lombard on the ground this time. Lombard was close to being pinned against the cage, but he bulls Okami off of him and gets back to his feet. Okami, though, has him clinched against the cage. They switch positions, but Okami lands a couple knees in the clinch. MMAFighting scores the round for Yushin Okami, 10-9.

Round 2: With Lombard in the same zombie/statue position he displayed against Tim Boetsch, Okami breaks through for a big knee. Okami's jab is finding a home and helping keep Lombard on the outside. Okami patient, per usual. Lombard throwing single punches. Okami with a single leg, which Lombard nearly evades, but Okami sticks with it and finally gets the takedown. Okami in Lombard's half-guard. One minute left. Lombard has no answer for Okami's ground game. Okami moves into mount position and stays there until round's end. MMAFighting scores the round for Yushin Okami, 10-9 (20-18 overall).

Round 3: Lombard shows a sense of urgency right out of the gate. He's swinging wildly and he rocks Okami. Okami regains his senses, though, and lands a knee from the Thai clinch. Okami pulls guard, an odd choice. Okami spins out and is on his hands and knees with Lombard landing hammerfists. Okami escapes, but ends up on his back again, with Lombard in his guard. Lombard postures up, They're back on their feet and clinched. Okami lands a knee to the body. Okami looks fatigued. Lombard sprawls a takedown attempt, Okami hits the mat and Lombard is in his guard. One minute left. Lombard tries to posture up, but Okami keeps him tied up as the seconds tick off. MMAFighting scores the round for Hector Lombard, 10-9 (29-28 Okami overall).

Yushin Okami def. Hector Lombard via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28).