UFC on FOX 30 live blog: Alexander Hernandez vs. Olivier Aubin-Mercier

This is the UFC on FOX 30 live blog for Alexander Hernandez vs. Olivier Aubin-Mercier, a lightweight bout at Saturday’s UFC event at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta.

Hernandez, coming off of a 42-second knockout of Beneil Dariush, faces Aubin-Mercier, who is on a four-fight win streak, on the main card.

Check out the UFC on FOX 30 live blog below.

Round 1: The third man in the cage for the main card opener is Marc Goddard. Both fighters looking to score early with low kicks. Hernandez aggressive, walking Aubin-Mercier down and winging hooks. Aubin-Mercier circling along the cage. He shrugs off a grappling attempt by Hernandez. The younger fighter is throwing a lot of strikes in close, scoring points on OAM. He’s putting a lot of pressure on Aubin-Mercier, keeping him from getting off much offense. Aubin-Mercier is pinned against the cage. Grinding effort from Hernandez so far. Aubin-Mercier pawing with a left hand, not finding much success. Hernandez pushing him against the cage once more, he gets a takedown, but Aubin-Mercier is able to stand up quickly.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Hernandez.

Round 2: Hernandez picks up right where he left off, rushing in for a takedown and getting Aubin-Mercier down against the fence. He’s strictly fighting for position, but Aubin-Mercier stands up again. He goes for a takedown of his own and lands a body punch as they clinch up. Hernandez dives in for a single and Aubin-Mercier just gets heavy and falls on top of him before pivoting into a better position. He takes an arm and uses a kimura attempt to get on top of Hernandez, now he’s going to work from half guard. Hernandez regains full guard and throws up an armbar. They’re tangled up awkwardly now. Some spirited grappling in this round. AOM ends up sitting on Hernandez, facing his lower body. They scramble and Hernandez gets top position. Butterfly guard by Aubin-Mercier. Goddard stands them up with Hernandez working in full guard. Hernandez goes all out for a takedown, lunging in from distance and he’s again pinning Aubin-Mercier against the cage. They separate with a minute to go. Hernandez the more active striker and Aubin-Mercier can’t stop being backed up against the cage. Hernandez dragging Aubin-Mercier down again before the buzzer. Close round.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Hernandez. Overall, 20-18 Hernandez.

Round 3: Quick 1-2 combo by Hernandez and he’s on Aubin-Mercier against the cage. Knee lands low and Goddard calls for a pause in the action to give Aubin-Mercier time to recover. Aubin-Mercier gets his back off the cage for a moment, lands a glancing right hook that causes Hernandez to stumble, but he’s not hurt too badly and he counters with a successful takedown attempt. He’s on top in Aubin-Mercier’s half guard, working to get mount. Aubin-Mercier gets Hernandez into full guard. Goddard calls for the stand-up. Aubin-Mercier fighting for a takedown now, but it could be too little, too late for him. Hernandez content to defend against a double leg, but Aubin-Mercier eventually gets it. Hernandez using butterfly guard to minimize any ground-and-pound. They scramble and Hernandez gets Aubin-Mercier’s back. He ends the round landing punches from a dominant position.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Hernandez. Overall, 30-27 Hernandez.

Official result: Alexander Hernandez def. Olivier Aubin-Mercier via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)