UFC 250 live blog: Neil Magny vs. Rocco Martin

This is the UFC 250 live blog for XXX vs. XXX, a welterweight main card bout for Saturday’s fight card at UFC APEX in Las Vegas.

Magny most recently outpointed Jingliang Li to rebound from a KO loss to Santiago Ponzinibbio in his previous bout. Martin also rebounded with a decision over Ramazan Emeev following a loss to Demian Maia.

Check out the UFC 250 live blog below.

Round 1: Mark Smith is the third man in the cage for this welterweight bout. Martin comes out pressuring with Magny looking to control the distance. Martin is able to back Magny up to the fence and force a clinch but nothing happens and the separate. Now Magny is pressuring but Martin is popping some good jabs in Magny’s face. Martin ducks under the advancing Magny and takes the back, forcing Magny to walk to the fence. Magny is fighting hand grips trying to separate, while Martin keeps shifting his weight, looking for an opportunity to drag Magny to the floor. Magny is finally able to turn into Martin but Martin is still keeping the clinch. Not a lot of strikes from either man in this position and the two finally separate with two minutes left. Magny lands a pair of low kicks but Martin is still landing good jabs. Magny closes the distance and ducks under for a takedown but Martin denies it and turns Magny into the fence in a clinch. They separate again and there’s a minute remaining. Magny lands another good low kick and Martin throws a wild right hand and charges forward into a clinch. Magny fights it off and lands another good calf kick. The round ends with Martin rushing in again.

MMAFighting scores the round 10-9 Magny.

Round 2: Magny comes out throwing much more volume but still not landing much. So far, the kicks have been the difference but as Magny charges in, Martin lands a cracking counter right hand that has Magny hurt and in retreat. Magny is able to avoid eating another shot but Martin shoots a power double and finishes it. Magny immediately digs an underhook and, after some effort, uses it to stand. Now Magny has Martin in a clinch against the cage and is throwing shoulder strikes, but Marttin reverses and then separates. Martin lands another good right hand but Magny is now the one applying pressure. Magny forces another clinch but Martin reverses. Magny has been completely dominated in clinch positioning. Maritn goes for a kimura trap as Magny goes for a takedown and that forces them to both back off. Magny lands a sharp right hand that has Martin retreating now as Magny throws volume. Martin forces a clinch and is controlling Magny against the fence now. Magny is finally able to separate and throws a pair of low kicks that get checked right before the round ends.

MMAFighting scores the round 10-9 Martin (19-19 overall).

Round 3: This has been a very close fight and the judges could have it any number of ways. As such, Magny comes out firing for the third, pressuring Martin and pouring on the volume. Martin is now looking for jabs and big counters. Magny steps in and Martin bullies him back against the fence in a clinch. Now though Magny is starting to feel it. He separates, forces his own clinch, separates again, and then pops a clean right hand in Martin’s face. Martin is starting to slow and Magny is coming no strong. Jabs and combos from Magny and Martin is starting to look a little lost in there. More clinch work and Magny seems to be using clinches just to wear Martin out. Magny keeps backing Martin to the fence and striping him with shots. Combinations form Magny are landing with impunity and Martin is just trying to hold on. Magny forces a clinch and Martin is in better shape here but Magny is now controlling the position. Martin is not throwing offense any more but Magny has yet to land something truly clean to hurt him. Instead, Magny has jus tired him out and he’s pouring the punishment on. Martin lands a monster right hand but that may have been the last he’s got, and Magny responds with a good shot of his own. Furious pace as this fight ends and Martin drops to the floor, exhausted.

MMAFighting scores the round 10-9 Magny, 29-28 Magny overall.

OFFICIAL DECISION: Neil Magny defeats Rocco Martin by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).