UFC Fight Night 114 live blog: Alexa Grasso vs. Randa Markos

This is the UFC Fight Night 114 live blog for Alexa Grasso vs. Randa Markos, a catchweight bout at Saturday night's UFC event at the Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico.

Grasso, who is coming off her first career loss and is 9-1, will square off against Markos, who has won three of her past five fights, in the co-main event.

Check out the UFC Fight Night 114 live blog below.

Round 1: Both women trading early in this one, with Grasso initiating much of the action. She’s coming forward and throwing straight shots down the pipe, but Markos is answering. Markos showing good head movement and she catches Grasso coming in with a series of punches. Leg kicks from Grasso, though Markos is still connecting with punches up top. Two minutes to go, Grasso finds a body kick and a nice cross to force Markos back against the cage. Grasso blocks a head and arm throw and now she’s on Markos’s back, working her over with hammer fists. She’s turned over into half-guard, and she uses that position to score with elbows. Back up against the cage, Markos is just trying to neutralize Grasso. Solid work from both fighters so far.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Grasso.

Round 2: Grasso stays aggressive and she somehow gets the better of a Markos trip attempt, landing in top position. Markos uses her wrestling to stand and then reverse, getting into half-guard. Now it’s Grasso powering up. Neither woman can seem to gain any advantage on the mat. Markos trips Grasso down in the middle of the Octagon and she has time to work. She’s trying to pass to mount from half-guard, but Grasso is staying active from bottom position, tying Markos up. Another scramble ends with Markos reaching the mount position she’d been hunting for and she’s able to land a ton of elbows and punches. Markos stays in mount, refusing to let Grasso turn over. Strong finish for the Canadian.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Markos. Overall 19-19.

Round 3: Grasso again approaching with straight shots and a leg kick. Markos shoots in for a clinch and a trip, but Grasso’s defense holds up. Another try by Markos and this time she gets it, ending up in Grasso’s guard. Markos scoring points with ground-and-pound. Grasso kicks her off to turn this back into a standup fight with two minutes to go. Another Markos clinch attempt is blocked, she’s looking slower. Grasso scoring now with straight punches. She breaks out a guillotine attempt when Markos goes into grapple, and it’s enough to block another trip. Grasso finishing strong and she could eke this one out.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Grasso. Overall 29-28, Grasso.

Official result: Alexa Grasso def. Randa Markos via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)