UFC 241 live blog: Yoel Romero vs. Paulo Costa

This is the UFC 241 live blog for Yoel Romero vs. Paulo Costa, a middleweight bout at Saturday’s UFC event at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Romero, who is 9-2 in the UFC, faces Costa, who is undefeated with all four of his UFC wins coming by way of knockout, on the main card.

Check out the UFC 241 live blog below.

Round 1: Jason Herzog is the third man in the cage for this bout. Both men come out kicking early and Yoel is really throwing a lot of tae kwon do kicks. A high kick from Romero into a double leg. He gets the takedown but a quick scramble and they’re back to the feet. Romerogets clipped by a monster hand from Costa but he clips Costa as Costa comes in and drops Costa. Costa is pressuring and working Romeros body now. So much power is being thrown here. Spinning back fist attempt from Romero misses and Costas is really keeping the pressure and the body work up. Romero lands a good left hook though. Tomero is doing a good job of rolling with shots and covering up but Costa is still landing some. Romero with a jumping knee that has Costa in full retreat! Now Romero has Costa up against the fence but a knee to the groin drops Romero and the fight is stopped. This has been insane so far. Romero is finally up and ready to go and there are still two minutes left in the fight. Costa back to pressuring but he seems a little more gunshy right now. Romeroshoots, get stuffed, Costa lands some big shots from the sprawl but Romero stands up and cracks Costa. This is absolutely insane to watch. Both men just throwing hammers and eating them in turn. Romero lands a strong counter left hook that backs Costa up. Costa’s pressure may be taking effect and he lands a wheel kick. The bell ends and that round was worth the $60 bucks alone.

MMAFighting scores the round 10-9 Romero.

Round 2: Round two starts and Romero is firing kicks at range again. Costa is still pressuring constantly though. Hard leg kick and then body kick from Costa. And another. Costa’s pace has slowed it seems but so has Romero’s. Both men still throwing hard. Romero’s defense against the fence is tremendous as he slips about five shots in a row. Costa’s offense is definitely slowing. Romero is having more success finding openings now to counter at range. Romero is now very active with the jab and it’s doing good things for him. Costa is still coming forward but without much offense behind it anymore. Romero is coming on with the volume now. Costa now finding another wind it seems like. Certainly more punches coming from him now. Romero drives through on a double leg and gets the takedown to end the round.

MMAFighting scores the round 10-9 Romero (20-18 Romero overall).

Round 3: This could easily be 19-19 heading into the third or even 20-18 Costa. Both rounds have been tough to call. Costa starts rounds three with more pressure. Romero active with the jab and lands a good combination. Huge body kick from Costa and another. Those have been his best shots of the evening. Romero sticks a hand out and the ref stops the fight. Both men catching a breather here. After a quick doctor check, the fight restarts. Costa lands a good inside kick and a big combination. Big straight shots to the body from Costa. His volume is picking up now. Romero lands a five punch combination. Big left hand from Romero has Costa in retreat. Monster body shots from Costa in return. Backfist from Romero has Costa in retreat. Romero gets Costa against the fence and then backs off for some reason. Big uppercut from Romero. Both men are mugging in the center now. This is madness. Uppercuts from Romero. Costa might be hurt. He’s up against the fence again. Romero is gassed too though and he beckons Costa back to the center. Romero is starting to pour on the shots. Romero lands a big head kick but Romero eats it and fires back. This is completely ridiculous. They clinch and Romero gets and inside trip. Costa gets the back for a brief second but they’re back on their feet and the bell sounds. What a damn fight.

MMAFighting scores the round 10-9 Romero (30-27 Romero overall).

Official result: Paulo Costa wins by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)