UFC 243 live blog: Tai Tuivasa vs. Sergey Spivak

This is the UFC 243 live blog for Tai Tuivasa vs. Sergey Spivak, a heavyweight bout at Saturday’s UFC event at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.

Tuivasa, who has lost two straight fights, faces Spivak, who is 9-1 and coming off of his first pro loss, on the main card.

Check out the UFC 243 live blog below.

Round 1: Steve Percival will referee this heavyweight tilt. Leg kick catches Spivak off-balance and he spins and falls, Tuivasa throws a hammer fist, but backs off not wanting to engage Spivak on the ground. Tuivasa loading up hard shots. Spivak catches a kick and lands an overhand right, he pushes Tuivasa onto his back. Tuivasa scooting to the cage and he gets his back against it, he’s up. Fast start to this one. Leg kick by Tuivasa, Spivak answers with a 1-2. Tuivasa pressing forward, scores with a left hand. Nice elbow by Tuivasa glances Spviak’s head. Spivak ducks a punch and goes for a headlock takedown, Tuivasa scrambles and recovers, throwing hooks on the way up. Spivak gets another takedown after taking a leg kick. Tuivasa very active from bottom, Spivak controlling with a head lock. Tuivasa slips out and he’s back to head-hunting on the feet. Spivak gets that head lock again standing and lands a judo throw. He’s scoring short punches as he maintains control of Tuivasa’s head. They’re back up, but not for long as Spivak shoots in and takes Tuivasa down again. That’s five in the round for him.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Spivak.

Round 2: Spivak pumping the jab, Tuivasa looking hesitant, not wanting to get taken down. It doesn’t matter as Spivak gets a double leg and puts Tuivasa on his butt against the cage. Tuivasa up, they trade knees in the clinch. Tuivasa looks to go to the body with a left hook. He’s still throwing that right hand with no set-up, Spivak avoiding the worst of it. Spivak looks for another trip, it’s blocked by Tuivasa. Double leg attempt now and Spivak dumps Tuivasa again. He advances to mount. Spivak focusing on control, though it looks like he’s cut Tuivasa open with an elbow. More ground strikes from top by Spivak. He’s looking for an arm-triangle, he gets his body onto one side and tightens it up. Percival checks Tuivasa’s wrist, he’s unconscious.

Official result: Sergey Spivak def. Tai Tuivasa via technical submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:14 of round two