UFC Vegas 6 live blog: Omari Akhmedov vs. Chris Weidman

This is the UFC Vegas 6 live blog for Omari Akhmedov vs. Chris Weidman, the middleweight co-headliner for Saturday’s fight card at UFC APEX in Las Vegas.

Akhmedov is on an impressive 5-0-1 streak in the octagon, most recently outpointing Ian Heinisch at UFC 245. Former champ Weidman is trending the opposite direction with a 1-5 record in his past six outings, including back-to-back knockout losses.

Check out the UFC Vegas 6 live blog below.

Round 1: Weidman comes out looking a lot like Stephen Thompson in stance before diving for a leg. Akhmedov avoids and circles off. Another shot from Weidman nets a clinch, and he drives to the fence before getting pushed off again. Akhmedov misses wide with a right, and Weidman grabs a leg and drives to the fence. Punches and elbows from Akhmedov as he tries to stay upright. They pummel for position, and Akhmedov eventally breaks off at center cage. A trade of punches, and Weidman eats a right. Leading body shot into dirty boxing from Akhmedov. Weidman wears it and moves into a right hand that sets up a takedown attempt from Akhmedov. Weidman intercepts and stops the attempt before they break off. Weidman inches in again and gets a trip off a single leg. On top, he moves to pass as Akhmedov checks his face for blood. Akhmedov pushes up and gets to his feet, forcing Weidman to work for another takedown against the fence. Weidman scoops the legs and tries to trap them with his own. He then pulls out Akhmedov’s base and works for a pass. Half-guard is there, but the ex-champ hasn’t done much work from up top. A couple of short elbows end the frame.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 for Akhmedov.

Round 2: Weidman leads with a right hand and narrowly dodges Akhmedov’s counter hooks. Hands down, Weidman eats a few glancing punches and gets taken down against the fence. Akhmedov pounds as Weidman rights himself, and he grabs a leg briefly. A choke threat forces him off, and they go back to trading. Big hooks from Akhmedov open up the takedown, but Weidman loses control of a leg and goes back to standing. Akhmedov breaks that rhythm quick and goes for the takedown. Weidman fights it and briefly considers his own takedown before they break. Single leg attempt from Weidman, who’s held up by the cage. He elevates Akhmedov’s leg and tries a trip again, but Akhmedov fights out of it. More wild punches from Akhmedov, but they’re off target. Weidman shoots and it’s stuffed. Akhmedov starts to land more shots, working a heaavy jab and body shots. Weidman looks like he’s slowing down, and Akhmedov ducks under for a takedown. In half-guard, Akhmedov fires a few punches and an upkick, and Weidman gets up with some space. Akhmedov digs to the body. More jabs from Akhmedov, and Weidman’s aggressive counter gets him swept to the mat briefly. Akhmedov lands a few shots and then gets a leg for a takedown. He stands overhead, contemplating his next move, and referee Jason Herzog finally stands Weidman up. Weidman goes on the offense, trading a few punches to end the round.

MMA Fighting scores the frame 10-9 for Akhmedov, who’s up 20-18.

Round 3: Weidman presses in and ducks under, but Akhmedov stuffs the takedown initially. Weidman goes again and gets his foe to the mat, taking the back as Akhmedov gets up. Weidman attacks with knees and then trips Akhmedov to the mat. Again, Akhmedov gets up, and Weidman goes for what looks like a Suloev stretch. When Akhmedov gets out of danger, Weidman transitions to mount and sets up for an arm-triangle. Akhmedov posts and arm to keep space, and Weidman fires some short punches. Akhmedov tries to get up, but it ain’t happening with pure brute force. He gives up his back briefly, and Weidman can’t get the choke before Akhmedov turns to his back. So he goes back to the arm-triangle and tries to finish. Akhmedov’s huge head and arm make things really tough, so Weidmand goes to elbows to the head. Akhmedov rolls, and Weidman closes the round in back mount as time runs out.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-8 for Weidman for the 28-28 draw.

OFFICIAL DECISION: Chris Weidman def. Omari Akhmedov via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-28)