UFC 179 live blog: Darren Elkins vs. Lucas Martins

This is the UFC 179 live blog for Darren Elkins vs. Lucas Martins, a featherweight bout at Saturday night's UFC event at the Maracanazinho in Rio de Janeiro.

Elkins, who has won three of his past five fights, will face Martins, who has won three of his four UFC fights, on the main card.

Check out the UFC 179 live blog below.

Round 1: The referee in charge of the action is Osiris Maia. Both fighters open orthodox. Elkins punches his way into the clinch and gets Martins down with a single-leg trip. Martins stands, but they're still clinched and Elkins is all over him. They separate. Elkins in on another double, but it's stuffed. The American does manage to land a body kick. Another deep shot by Elkins and he pushes the Brazilian into the fence, but Martins eventually separates. Martins cracks Elkins with a knee, but Elkins is back on Martins' hips. They separate and, again, Elkins and Martins clinch off a takedown attempt.

MMA Fighting scores this round 10-9 Elkins

Round 2: Martins scores with a left hook, but Elkins is in on a leg and now Martins' hips against the fence. They eventually separate, but Martins is really apprehensive to throw anything. Elkins is back on Martins hips against the cage. Martins is stopping most of it, but can't get any offense going. They separate and Martins lands an uppercut, but Elkins scores with a right hook. Martins finally lands a hard shot, a head kick, and is now pressing Elkins into the fence. Elkins, though, is back on Martins' hips.

MMA Fighting scores this round 10-9 Martins

Round 3: Martins lands with another knee, but Elkins is all over him, pressing Martins into the fence. Martins scores with another. Martins stuffs another single, but Elkins is still all over him. Another knee scores for the Brazilian. Eventually the referee separates them and again, Elkins is back on Martins hips. Martins, though, finally gets some space. Elkins whiffs on a combination, but eventually finds a home for the right hand. Elkins backs off, eats a right hand, but drives back into Martins.

MMA Fighting scores this round 10-10 and the fight 29-29, a draw

Official result: Darren Elkins def. Lucas Martins via split decision (30-27 Martins, 30-27 Elkins, 30-27 Elkins)