LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Saturday’s UFC 248 event, and you can join us for live play-by-play and official results beginning at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT).

The event takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.

In the main event, middleweight champion Israel Adesanya (18-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) puts his title on the line for the first time against challenger Yoel Romero (13-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC). In the co-feature, women’s strawweight champ Zhang Weili (20-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) defends her title against former champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk (16-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC).

Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 6:30 p.m. ET for the UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+ prelims, 8 p.m. ET for the prelims on ESPN, and 10 p.m. ET for the main card on pay-per-view.

To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFC 248 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporters John Morgan (@MMAjunkieJohn), Mike Bohn (@mikebohnmma), Nolan King (@mma_kings) and Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) on Twitter.

Enjoy the fights, everyone.

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Current Fight

Gerald Meerschaert vs. Deron Winn

Round 1 –

Result:
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Records: Gerald Meerschaert (30-12 MMA, 5-4 UFC), Deron Winn (6-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Keith Peterson
Judging: Chris Lee, Tony Weeks, Ron McCarthy

Results

Danaa Batgerel vs. Guido Cannetti

Round 1 – Cannetti knocks Batgerel off balance with a leg kick, but the Chinese fighter scrambles back up. Cannetti throws a high kick, which is blocked. The two fighters bash their shins together in a leg kick exchange. Batgerel lands a hard punch on Cannetti. These bantamweights are really opening up. Batgerel lands another hard combination. Batgerel rushes in – in a takedown-punch hybrid attempt. He doesn’t land either. Batgerel is putting the pressure on his 10-year-elder opponent. Cannetti throws a leg kick, but Batgerel makes him pay with a straight punch. Batgerel lands a huge counter left punch, which floors Cannetti. The Argentinian tumbles over backward. He’s really hurt. Batgerel lands a couple of follow up punches, before the referee steps in and stops the fight.

Result: Danaa Batgerel def. Guido Cannetti via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 3:01
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Records: Danaa Batgerel (7-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC), Guido Cannetti (8-5 MMA, 3-3 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Chris Tognoni

Jamall Emmers vs. Giga Chikadze

Round 1 – Chikadze tries a spin kick right off the bat. It whiffs. Chikadze tries a high kick, which is blocked. Both men are deep in the feeling out process. Chikadze clips Emmers with a punch coming in. Emmers briefly wobbles, but escapes any further danger. A body kick lands for Chikadze. Emmers is using a lot of feints, but hasn’t been able to muster up much offense. Chikadze lands another body kick. After much missing by both men, Chikadze stands in the center and raises his arms – likely in an attempt to goad Emmers. Chikadze lands a body kick, followed by a left hand. Emmers lands a straight righthand. Chikadze attempts a Raymond Daniels kick. It’s blocked, but gets some oohs and aahs out of the crowd. Chikadze lands an overhand right, then a body kick. Chikadze lands a thudding leg kick. With 10 seconds left, things get wild. Chikaze comes in gesticulating with his hands. While Chikadze throws a rolling thunder, Emmers tries a spinning backfist. The round ends with each fighter mouthing off. 10-9 Chikadze.

Round 2 – Emmers tries a jumping knee, but misses. Emmers lands a body kick and then a right hand. His timing is looking much better here in Round 2. Emmers throws a high kick, which is blocked. Emmers blocks a Chikadze body kick and fires back with a punch. Emmers lands a jab, while Chikadze lands a punch-punch-kick combination. In a change of pace, Emmers decisively shoots in for a double leg, elevates Chikadze, and slams him down. Emmers is in half guard and tries to advance to mount. However in doing so, Emmers gives up position. Chikadze is in Emmers’ guard. Chikadze stands up and welcomes Emmers to the feet. Upon the scramble up, Chikadze’s finger goes in Emmers eye. A timeout is called. Emmers gives the thumbs up and the action resume. Emmers comes out of the timeout aggressive. Soon after, Chikadze makes him pay when he connects with a clipping punch. Emmers wobbles, smiles, and shoots for a takedown. Emmers ties Chikadze against the cage momentarily, but Chikadze eventually circles out. Emmers soots for another takedown, but Chikadze stuffs. Emmers lands a right hand. Chikadze looking tired here late. Chikadze tries to clinch Emmers, but the American body blocks him with his shoulder. The round ends. Closer round, but 20-18 Chikadze.

Round 3 – Chikadze’s corner forgets to give him his mouth piece, so referee Mark Smith has to go get it. Emmers corner isn’t thrilled. Emmers looks like the fresher man here early. Emmers lands a one-two. On the next exchange. Emmers lands a jab. Chikadze misses on a looping hook. Emmers lands a combination. Chikadze, for as tired as he is, is winging combination. Emmers is ducking them with his hands low. The two engage an exchange, but head movement prevails over punches. No shots were landed. Emmers’ jab has been his best weapon. It’s finding a lot of success in Round 3. Emmers cracks Chikadze with a left. Emmers is being really aggressive here. Emmers lands a right, then gets a takedown. Chikadze is in Emmers’ guard. Both fighters throw punches – Emmers from the top, Chikadze from the bottom. Emmers lands some ground-and-pound before the round ends. It’s going to likely come down to Round 2. MMA Junkie scores the fight 29-28 Chikadze.

Result: Giga Chikadze def. Jamall Emmers via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
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Records: Jamall Emmers (17-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Giga Chikadze (9-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Eric Colon, Junichiro Kamijo, Tony Weeks

Saparbek Safarov vs. Rodolfo Vieira

Round 1 –

Result:
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Records: Saparbek Safarov (9-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC), Rodolfo Vieira (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Jason Herzog
Judging: Sal D’Amato, Adalaide Byrd, Junichiro Kamijo

Austin Hubbard vs. Mark Madsen

Round 1 –

Result:
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Records: Austin Hubbard (11-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Mark Madsen (9-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Judging: Eric Colon, Dave Hagen, Ron McCarthy

Sean O’Malley vs. Jose Quinonez

Round 1 –

Result:
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Records: Sean O’Malley (10-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Jose Quinonez (8-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Judging: Tony Weeks, Mike Bell, Derek Cleary

Max Griffin vs. Alex Oliveira

Round 1 –

Result:
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Records: Max Griffin (15-7 MMA, 3-5 UFC), Alex Oliveira (20-8-1 MMA, 9-6 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Chris Lee, Sal D’Amato, Dave Hagen

Li Jingliang vs. Neil Magny

Round 1 –

Result:
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Records: Li Jingliang (17-5 MMA, 9-3 UFC), Neil Magny (21-7 MMA, 14-6 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Rankings: Jingliang honorable mention
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Keith Peterson
Judging: Derek Cleary, Eric Colon, Junichiro Kamijo

Beneil Dariush vs. Drakkar Klose

Round 1 –

Result:
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Records: Beneil Dariush (17-4-1 MMA, 11-4-1 UFC), Drakkar Klose (11-1-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Jason Herzog
Judging: Sal D’Amato, Dave Hagen, Chris Lee

Zhang Weili vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk

Round 1 –

Result:
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Records: Zhang Weili (20-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC), Joanna Jedrzejczyk (16-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Rankings: Weili No. 1, No. 4 pound-for-pound; Jedrzejczyk No. 5, No. 9 pound-for-pound
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Keith Peterson
Judging: Mike Bell, Derek Cleary, Eric Colon

Israel Adesanya vs. Yoel Romero

Round 1 –

Result:
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Records: Israel Adesanya (18-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC), Yoel Romero (13-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Rankings: Adesanya No. 1, No. 8 pound-for-pound; Romero No. 4
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Judging: Sal D’Amato, Chris Lee, Ron McCarthy