UFC 229 live blog: Ovince Saint Preux vs. Dominick Reyes

LAS VEGAS – This is the UFC 229 live blog for Ovince Saint Preux vs. Dominick Reyes, a light heavyweight bout at Saturday’s UFC event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Saint Preux, who has won four of his last five, faces Reyes, who is undefeated in nine pro bouts with first-round finishes in all three of his UFC fights so far, on the main card.

Check out the UFC 229 live blog below.

Round 1: Nice little showcase here of a stalwart in the LHW and a rare new blood, ready to make waves. The referee is Big Dan Miragliotta. Reyes with a leg kick, and a quick surge forward for a punch. Now OSP kicks Reyes up high and falls to the canvas for his efforts. He’s back up. OSP in the middle, and he fends off another high kick with his forearm. The kicks are coming at him high and low. Right hand from Reyes, and a body kick. OSP pawing at the air, trying to get some range and set up that right. Reyes very elusive early, and on cue OSP changes levels for a takedown to try and capture him — he pushes Reyes on fence, and Reyes ultimately acts as a matador, gets out of way. Now it’s Reyes with the takedown, and right back. Now OSP trying for takedown on fence, and Reyes hammers him with a series of violent elbows straight down, dangerously close to 12-to-5. They tumble to ground, and back up, OSP doggedly pursuing the takedown. Reyes turns him to fence, and with limited space begins opening up and connecting. Big shots, and they are landing. That wobbled OSP, who looks very gassed. Reyes moves in and lands a fresh series of punches. Inside of a minute. High kick mostly blocked by OSP, who tries some chin music with his reach. Reyes is bending this thing his way, though. A toe grazes OSP’s chin on a high kick. He looks tired as hell. MMA Fighting scores R1 for Reyes, 10-9

Round 2: OSP to the middle, and Reyes bobbing his shoulders. He’s slick. Reyes tosses a push kick out there, mostly to keep the encroaching OSP at bay. OSP punished for trying a leg kick, as Reyes hits him in the face — but there’s a well-timed takedown attempt from OSP, who crashes Reyes bodily into the fence. They remain on the fence, pace slowed as Reyes now in control, trying to peel away. And he does. Back to center. Nice exchange there, and OSP got the better of it, landing a right. Big kick to the shoulder from OSP, and that got a wince from Reyes, who is beginning to look tired. OSP jousting with his jab, hoping to find something. Reyes keeps his own chin tucked towards his chest, his eyes always peeking over the hill. OSP shoots for a double leg and comes up empty and off-balance. He does it again, this time Reyes steps aside. Saint Preux’s face is covered in blood — a true crimson mask. Finals seconds of the round sees a high kick from OSP get blocked. MMA Fighting scores R2 for Reyes, 10-9 (20-18)

Round 3: Reyes in middle, and OSP advancing. A little high-low combo from Reyes, who is very deliberate in most of his assaults. OSP comes in high with a kick, and waves it by Reyes’ face. Pace very slow, as OSP attempts a side kick. Another high kick from OSP, not a ton of zap on it. Exchange of leg kicks, and OSP keeps trying to initiate. Reyes a beautiful left counter, lands clean on OSP’s chin as he came in. Damn nice shot there. Maybe the besdt of the fight. Now as Reyes attempts a kick, OSP grabs his leg and drives him to the fence, unable to get him down. They stall there, with OSP trying to use what’s left of his strength to manhandle Reyes. Instead Reyes tosses him aside, and we’re back to center. OSP at least trying to create something, sensing he needs it. He lands a left hook, and the crowd like the look of that. Reyes staying busy, too. Landing leg kicks, as blood again begins streaming down OSP’s face. Thirty seconds left. OSP showing some grit here, moving forward, trying to accomplish something. Not going to be another Derrick Lewis-style comeback. In fact, Reyes lands a straight left that drops OSP right at the horn! Damn. Very confusing if that was a knockout, or if he was saved by the horn. Looks like it was a decision. MMA Fighting scores R3 for Reyes, 10-9 (30-27 overall)

Official result: Dominick Reyes def. Ovince Saint Preux via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)