UFC 236 live blog: Eryk Anders vs. Khalil Rountree

This is the UFC 236 live blog for Eryk Anders vs. Khalil Rountree, a light heavyweight bout at Saturday’s UFC event at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

Anders, who is competing at light heavyweight for the second time in the UFC, faces Rountree, an Ultimate Fighter finalist whose his last three wins have come by way of first-round knockout, on the main card.

Check out the UFC 236 live blog below.

Round 1: Eryk Anders is the first fighter on the main card to come out to OutKast - ATLiens - and now the city of Atlanta loves him. He doesn’t use that love though for the first minute as both men are feeling each other out, with Rountree landing the occasional leg kick. Rountree explodes with a three punch combo that just misses but gets everyone’s attention. Anders has not done much and Rountree is starting to tally up the strikes; nothing murderous but consistent work. Anders doesn’t seem to be able to figure out the range and Rountree is really starting to go to work with leg kicks. a huge combination from Rountree prompts Anders to fire back but Rountree is targeting the lead leg of Anders aggressively. It’s starting to swell up and that’s gonna mean problems for the former football player. The round ends without too much further action.

MMAFighting scores the round 10-9 for Rountree.

Round 2: Rountree’s work in Thailand is showing and he drops Anders with a huge punch to start the round. Anders does a great job of kicking Rountree off. Rountree is able to land a few shots while Anders is down but he lets him back to the feet and is once against in pursuit. A counter hook as Anders ducks in floors the former football player and he looked out on his feet but is able to recover! Incredible chin shown by Anders who is still b=wobbly and dives on a desperation takedown that gets nowhere. Rountree is pummeling Anders now, working the body and the head. The only bright spot for Anders is Rountree has temporarily forgot about attacking the legs. Incredibly, Anders seems to have recovered but Rountree drops him again with a huge right hook. Anders is still conscious and keeps kicking Rountree off and you’ve gotta wonder what it’ll take to stop this man! Rountree appears to be be reassessing. He goes back to a leg kick but drops Anders again with a lunging hook! Anders again is able to stay safe though and Rountree lets him up. This is unbelievable! Anders corner should definitely stop this fight but what a showing of heart by this man.

MMAFighting scores the round 10-7 for Rountree.

Round 3: Rountree is patient to start the third and returns to working the legs over. Anders is looking to counter but can’t pull the trigger. He needs a finish and if he gets one, it’s the greatest comeback in MMA history. Rountree lands a pair of hooks but Anders stays on his feet. First time in while that’s happened so maybe Rountree is losing steam. The leg kicks are clearly starting to affect Anders now. His movement is compromised. Both Anders and Rountree miss on monstrous hooks. Anders is still dangerous. Rountree is in retreat now some. This is interesting. with a minute left, Anders is now the aggressor. Rountree just misses with a good combo but he’s clearly faded and Anders is pushing forward looking for the miracle. He does not get it but it’s a minor miracle that he saw the final bell.

MMAFighting scores the round 10-9 for Rountree and the fight overall 30-25 for Rountree.

Official result: Khalil Rountree wins by unanimous decision (30-26 x3)