UFC Phoenix live blog: Cortney Casey vs. Cynthia Calvillo

This is the UFC Phoenix live blog for Cortney Casey vs. Cynthia Calvillo, a strawweight bout at Sunday’s UFC event at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix.

Casey, who is coming off of a split decision win over former Invicta FC champion Angela Hill, faces Calvillo, who is 4-1 in the UFC, on the main card.

Check out the UFC Phoenix live blog below.

Round 1: Jason Herzog will oversee this one. Calvillo starting with inside leg kicks, but Casey is able to get in with a short punch inside. A knee from Calvillo lands clean. Neither fighter able to establish the jab early. Casey starting to land her right hand, Calvillo countering by going to the body. Glancing overhand left by Calvillo. Lots of feints from Calvillo as she looks to set up a takedown. Casey not giving her an opening. Good short left hand lands for Calvillo. She catches a Casey kick and briefly pushes Casey down, but there’s no follow-up. They’re back up with about 90 seconds to go. Casey with a short uppercut. Her right hand is finding a home, but Calvillo tags her up top with a fast left hook. Calvillo throwing single shots and Casey is getting caught just at the end of their range.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Calvillo.

Round 2: Spinning kick to the body partially connects for Calvillo, she’s doing well with low kicks. Calvillo is just beating Casey to the punch on the feet. Casey looking to counter though. Calvillo clinches off of a punch and she’s starting to wrap Casey up. Casey fighting the hands and arms, patiently turning Calvillo towards the fence, then they break. The low kick of Casey keeps getting caught. Left hook again scores for Calvillo, Casey answers with a straight left. Casey steps into a right hand and connects. Crowd is getting behind Casey, but the fighters seem stuck in first gear.

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

Round 3: A lot of movement to start round three, little volume as far as striking goes. Casey walks forward and lands a knee to the body, Calvillo wraps her up and turns her to the fence. Casey lands a 1-2 on the separation. Good leg kicks by Casey and Calvillo looks like she’s getting frustrated. Casey looks like she has a little more gas in the tank, she’s catching Calvillo with punches whenever she closes in. Calvillo getting sloppy with her power shots. Both women exchange hard punches. Casey with a left hand up top. 1-2 scores for Calvillo. They’re swinging freely with 10 seconds to go. This will be a close one.

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

Official result: Cynthia Calvillo def. Cortney Casey via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)