This is the UFC 240 live blog for Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Arman Tsarukyan, a lightweight bout at Saturday’s UFC event at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta.
Aubin-Mercier, who has lost two straight, faces Tsarukyan, a 22-year-old who has won 12 of his last 13 fights, on the main card.
Check out the UFC 240 live blog below.
Round 1: Referee Marc Goddard on hand for this bout. Aubin-Mercier opens up with a glancing kick to Tsarukyan’s left leg. It doesn’t take long before Tsarukyan punches his way in before going for a takedown. Well defended by OAM. Tsarukyan catches a kick and Aubin-Mercier ends up crawling on the mat towards the fence. Tsarukyan stays on him, searching for a body lock, but Aubin-Mercier showing good balance to avoid the takedown. Back in the center, Aubin-Mercier catches Tsarukyan with a counter-punch. Aubin-Mercier lands the low kick, but Tsarukyan grabs it on the rebound and Aubin-Mercier again scrambles to the cage. Tsarukyan gets the takedown this time, he works to back control with OAM controlling his right hand. Tsarukyan lands a few short punches. Aubin-Mercier trying to break free and Tsarukyan is locked on. Not much damage being done, but Tsarukyan’s wrestling has him in the driver’s seat. Not much room for offense here, though Tsarukyan is scoring with short punches and knees to Aubin-Mercier’s thigh.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Tsarukyan.
Round 2: Tsarukyan comes out firing high kicks, Aubin-Mercier blocking them. OAM takes a hard kick to the body. Tsarukyan in for the single leg, Aubin-Mercier quickly escapes to the fence this time and ends up pressuring Tsarukyan against the cage. Tsarukyan just tries to power his way out of the position, but Aubin-Mercier stays on him. They break and exchange jabs. Tsarukyan with a spinning kick that glances Aubin-Mercier’s body. Right hand over the top by Tsarukyan, Aubin-Mercier lands a knee to the body. OAM stuffs a Tsarukyan takedown attempt, but Tsarukyan sticks to Aubin-Mercier’s leg like a Rottweiler. Aubin-Mercier slips free. Neither man having much success with the striking. Tsarukyan in for the single leg, he’s the aggressor if nothing else. Stalemate against the fence. Tsarukyan lands a good left hand as Aubin-Mercier steps forward. A spinning kick is met by an Aubin-Mercier jab. Aubin-Mercier starting to counter punch well. Tsarukyan upping the volume in the standup in the closing seconds of round two.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Tsarukyan. Overall, 20-18 Tsarukyan.
Round 3: Aubin-Mercier showing some urgency, he shoots in for a takedown and the two grapple against the fence. Tsarukyan with the reversal and he gets the cleanest takedown of the fight. He’s working in Aubin-Mercier’s full guard. Tsarukyan asserting hiself now, punching Aubin-Mercier’s body and posturing up to throw elbows. Hammer fists by Tsarukyan, he’s staying heavy and busy on top. Aubin-Mercier throws up a triangle, but Tsarukyan postures up out of it before it’s close to being sunk in. More elbows from top position by Tsarukyan. With a minute remaining, Tsarukyan has been in total control in the third round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Tsarukyan. Overall, 30-27 Tsarukyan.
Official result: Arman Tsarukyan def. Olivier Aubin-Mercier via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)