UFC on ESPN 6 results: Yair Rodriguez decisions Jeremy Stephens in 3-round thriller

The second time around, Yair Rodriguez vs. Jeremy Stephens was almost everything everyone thought it would be.

Unfortunately for Stephens (28-17 MMA, 15-16 UFC), and for that matter the fans, their bout at UFC on ESPN 6 in Boston on Friday night was a co-headliner, and not the main event that was planned for last month in Mexico City, which meant three rounds instead of five.

Stephens had turned the fight in his favor in the final round of their sensational featherweight matchup, but not before Rodriguez (12-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) won the firsts two, which was enough for Rodriguez to get the nod. The judges’ scores at TD Garden were 29-28 across the board for “El Pantera.”

The opening round was well-contested, as the two figured out their pacing and range. Stephens looked to land his trademark big bombs, while Rodriguez led his offense with kicks in order to avoid his opponents’ heavy hands.

The second round, meanwhile, was a wild affair, as Rodriguez swarmed Stephens, dropped him, and then spent roughly half the round raining down strikes on Stephens. Referee Kevin MacDonald smartly let the fight continue, as Stephens never stopped trying to improve his position. By round’s end, Stephens was the one dishing out the offense.

The third round was nearly all Stephens, as he kept looking for the finish. But he never got it, and Rodriguez’s work in the first half of the fight held the day.

“I was kind of compromised because I was down most of the round, but I never felt in danger,” Rodriguez said of the final round. “I just stayed as safe as possible and win the fight.”

The original matchup, at UFC Mexico on Sept. 21, ended in a no contest in just 15 seconds following a vicious eye poke by Rodriguez, which led to an ugly post-fight scene.

Rodriguez had his sixth career decision win, while Stephens has now dropped three straight fights.

Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 6 results include:

Yair Rodriguez def. Jeremy Stephens via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Greg Hardy def. Ben Sosoli via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Joe Lauzon def. Jonathan Pearce via TKO (punches) — Round 1, 1:33
Maycee Barber def. Gillian Robertson via TKO (punches and elbows — Round 1, 3:04
Darren Stewart def. Deron Winn via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Charles Rosa def. Manny Bermudez via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 2:46
Molly McCann def. Diana Belbita via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Sean Woodson def. Kyle Bochniak via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Brendan Allen def. Kevin Holland via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 3:38
Sean Brady def. Court McGee via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Randy Costa def. Boston Salmon by TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:15
Tanner Boser def. Daniel Spitz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)