UFC on FOX 7 play-by-play and live results

SAN JOSE, Calif. – MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) is on scene and reporting live from today’s UFC on FOX 7 event.

The event, which features lightweight champion Benson Henderson vs. Gilbert Melendez, takes place at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. The main card airs on FOX following prelims on FX and Facebook.

Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 4 p.m. ET (1 p.m. PT) for the preliminary card and 8 p.m. ET for the main card.

To discuss tonight’s show, be sure to check out our UFC on FOX 7 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporters John Morgan (@MMAjunkieJohn) and Ben Fowlkes (@BenFowlkesMMA) on Twitter.

Enjoy the fights, everyone.

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CLIFFORD STARKS VS. YOEL ROMERO

Round 1 – Referee Mike Beltran in the cage for the night’s first fight, a middleweight matchup. Starks lands an early jab as southpaw Romero moves on the outside. Starks throwing big punches to start. Romero bouncing, and he fires in a few kicks from range. Romero kicks the leg and then punches the thigh. Leaping knee for Romero scores on the button. Starks falls slowly to the canvas before Romero unleashes a flurry of brutal punches on the floor. Fight over. Yoel Romero def. Clifford Starks via knockout (strikes) – Round 1, 1:32.

ROGER BOWLING VS. ANTHONY NJOKUANI

Round 1 – Referee Herb Dean oversees this Facebook-streamed fight. Bowling with an early low kick. Njokuani staying at range early. Bowling kicks the body. Njokuani switching stances but has yet to uncoil. Bowling with a leaping left that scores. Bowling the aggressor to start. Njokuani starting to open up a bit, and they exchange in the pocket. Bowling kicks the body again. Njokuani trying to time his shots as Bowling moves in. Halfway mark. Bowling continues to kick the body. Njokuani retreats, and Bowling’s corner yells not to chase. Bowling drives in on a takedown and slams Njokuani into the canvas. Njokuani with a closed guard underneath. Punch lands from the top. Njokuani crawl up to his feet, but Bowling stays tied to the body. Njokuani breaks free and circles off before rifling in strikes. Left hand from Bowling, and the round closes. MMAjunkie.com sees it for Bowling, 10-9.

Round 2 – Bowling kicks the body, and Njokuani grabs hold and trips him. Bowling immediately back up. Njokuani moving well, and he launches a high kick that’s blocked. Spinning kick to the body for Njokuani. Front kick for Njokuani. Punches traded, and Njokuani is starting to land. Njokuani kicks the body. Bowling still moving forward. He fakes a takedown and lands a punch. Bowling lands to the body. He’s mixing up his levels well. Njokuani shuffling and throwing. He looks completely relaxed. Njokuani lands a clean left as Bowling walks in, and that’s it. Njokuani walk-off shot. Anthony Njokuani def. Roger Bowling via knockout (punch) – Round 2, 2:52.

T.J. DILLASHAW VS. HUGO VIANA

Round 1 – Referee John McCarthy in the cage for the night’s first FX-aired prelim. Dillashaw moving well, but he walks into a jab. Viana pawing his left hand. Dillashaw moves in and again eats a strike, but he drives in for a takedown and slides immediately over to the back. Viana spins and climbs back to his feet. Dillashaw stays tight to the body and nearly moves to the back. Viana finds space to strike, and Dillashaw’s nose is bloodied. Two minutes in. Dillashaw staggers Viana with a grazing blow.He pops back up. Dillashaw fakes a takedown and drives through with punches. Dillashaw misses on a high kick and nearly slips. Dillashaw drops for a leg, but Viana pulls it free. Viana looks confident in his hands. Dillashaw staggers Viana again. He rushes in to finish, but Viana pulls away. Dillashaw keeps the pressure high, staggering Viana over and over with strikes on the feet. Viana finally falls to the floor, and Dillashaw pounces for the finish. Impressive win. T.J. Dillashaw def. Hugo Viana via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:22.

JORGE MASVIDAL VS. TIM MEANS

Round 1 – Referee Mike Beltran in the cage. Means takes the center and opens with a front kick. Masvidal feeling out the distance. Means front kick again. He snaps a kick to the body. Masvidal right lands flush. Means returns fire. Bodyshots traded. Kicks to the body exchanged. Means still walking forward, but Masvidal answering with big right hands. Means misses a spinning strike. His nose is busted up a bit. Masvidal just misses on a wild right hand. Masvidal’s straight right is scoring. Means continues to walk forward. Masvidal drops for a takedown and elevates Means before dropping him down and sliding to the back. Means walks up and peels Masvidal off wit the cage. They break and reset. Means misses an elbow. Means looks for a takedown, but Masvidal stays upright and flurries. Means is game in the pocket, and they end with traded punches. MMajunkie.com fives the first to Masvidal, 10-9.

Round 2 – Means again pushing forward. Masvidal setting up and looking to counter. As they trade shots, Masvidal drops a level and looks for the takedown. Masvidal stays upright momentarily, but a second effort gets the result. Masvidal can’t take advantage of the position, and they crawl up to the feet. Masvidal easily pushes inside again and scores another takedown. He lands a few punches and avoids a triangle attempt. Means spins to his knees, and Masvidal works on to his back. Means turns in, but Masvidal is there for another takedown. Punches and elbows from the top. Means trying to be active from his back, but Masvidal riding heavy and landing punches in spots. Means elbows form his back, but Masvidal ups the volume again. Means with his feet on the cage, but Masvidal continues to tee off and score points. Round ends, and MMAjunkie.com has it for Masvidal, 10-9.

Round 3 – Means walks quickly forward to start the round. He lands a clean left hand. Means picking up the pace and finding some success. Another straight lands. Means behind but scrappy in the third. Masvidal looking for a takedown. He gets it, but Means immediately back to his feet. Masvidal is bleeding, and it’s all over both men. Masvidal drives in with another takedown. Means firing elbows from his back. Masvidal controlling the positioning and landing a few punches and elbows of his own. Time winding down for Means. Masvidal backs away briefly but punches right back into his opponent’s guard.Means rolls for a kimura. He misses it but lands the sweep. He moves to top and rattles off punches, but the bell sounds before he can capitalize. MMAjunkie.com sees the final round for Means, 10-9, but gives Masvidal the fight 29-28. Jorge Masvidal def. Tim Means via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

JOSEPH BENAVIDEZ VS. DARREN UYENOYAMA

Round 1 – Referee Herb Dean oversees this flyweight matchup. Benavidez misses an early low kick, but he’s pressing from the center. Uyenoyama circling on the outside. Benavidez high kick blocked. Benavidez catches a kick and pushes Uyenoyama to the floor, launching forward with a big punch. He engages on the floor, but it’s not for long. He stands and kicks the leg before backing away. Punches traded. Kick lands low for Uyenoyama, and we take a quick break. Uyenoyama kicks the body on the restart, and Uyenoyama answers. Right hand lands for Benavidez, and it sends Uyenoyama to the floor. Benavidez backs away and lands another right hand when Uyenoyama rises. Benavidez landing punches from the outside and setting the pace of the fight. High kick drops Uyenoyama. Benavidez follows to the floor, but Uyenoyama quickly recovers. They battle in the clinch. Benavidez with a takedown, but he eventually backs away. Benavidez has a cut, but it’s on the side of the head. Round ends on the feet, and MMAjunkie.com gives it to Benavidez, 10-9.

Round 2 – Quick start again for Benavidez, who’s stalking and rifling off punches. Another punch staggers Uyenoyama, who looks a step behind. Benavidez flurries to the body, but Uyenoyama gets inside and wraps the body as he slips to the back. Benavidez tries to push to the cage. Uyenoyama drops down for a leg, but Benavidez pulls it free and then drops down with punches from the top. He backs away to the feet ad then tees off again on the restart. Benavidez in complete control. Left hand scores. Benavidez using both hands, attacking at different levels. Uyenoyama confidently walking forward. Uyenoyama showing heart and absorbing the shots well, but he’s having a hard time answering. Bodyhots land. More come in, and Uyenoyama falls to the floor, clutching his side. Benavidez jumps in to finish. Impressive. Joseph Benavidez def. Darren Uyenoyama via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:50.

MYLES JURY VS. RAMSEY NIJEM

Round 1 – Referee John McCarthy in the cage. Both fighters push forward quickly and exchange strikes. Nijem with a kick to the body. Fury pushes him backward and tries to settle into a crucifix on the back. Nijem alertly spins through and sweeps to the top. Jury scrambles up, and they work from the clinch. Jury looking again for a takedown. Nijem defends it but winds up exposing his back. Nijem defending from his knees. Slick transition work from Jury, who spins into an armbar position. Nijem patiently waits through it and tries to take top position, but Jury scrambles up and works again to a dominant position. Nijem showing good defense and not taking a ton of damage, but Jury controls until the end. MMAjunkie.com gives it to Jury, 10-9.

Round 2 – Strikes to open, and Jury apparently pokes the eye, as Nijem turns away. McCarthy doesn’t step in right away, and Jury kicks the body, which draws boos from the crowd. Quick restart. Jury just misses a flying knee. Nijem moving forward, but he looks a step behind. As he presses with punches, he walks into an overhand right hand that lands on the button. Nijem out. Myles Jury def. Ramsey Nijem via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 1:02.

FRANCIS CARMONT VS. LORENZ LARKIN

Round 1 – Referee Mike Beltran in the cage. Larkin with an early low kick. Carmont holds the center. Larkin again kicks the leg. Carmont walking forward and throwing kicks the body. Larkin continues to chop the leg and moves away. Carmont drives in on a takedown. Larkin defends against the cage and somehow stays upright even with Carmont deep on a single leg. Carmont gets the leg up to his shoulder but still can’t earn a takedown. Carmont lets go and drives back in. Larkin continues to show great defense. Carmont finally backs away. Larkin blocks a high kick. Carmont walking forward, and he slips a right. Round ends. Not a lot of offense to judge, but MMAjunkie.com gives it to Carmont, 10-9.

Round 2 – Carmont with an early right hand. Larkin kicks the thigh. Larkin just misses a high kick. Carmont continues to press forward, but Larkin matching the volume right now. Larkin lands a crisp left and misses a spinning kick afterward. Slow pace. Larkin probably getting the best of it, and Carmont decided to think takedown. Larkin defends well agains the fence and sneaks in a few elbows. Carmont pulls away to reset. Leg kicks traded. Carmont switching stances and holding the center. They pair trades low kicks. Larkin with a spinning low kick. Carmont drives in again for a takedown. He finally drags Larkin to his butt, and the round ends. MMAjunkie.com likes Larkin in the round, 10-9.

Round 3 – Scores could be everywhere coming into the third. Carmont again takes the center and presses forwardHe kicks the body and then gets deep again on a takedown before pulling out and sliding to the back. Carmont gets the left hook in, but Larkin peels him off. Carmont misses a trip, and they reset. Larkin breathing hard. He misses a big right, and Carmont moves in for a trip takedown. Larkin briefly looks for an armbar. It’s not there, and he looks to set up a gogo plata. It’s not there. Carmont just grinding on top, not even not even looking to strike. Larkin control the wrist and sets up a kimura. He sweeps to the top. He backs away, and they reset. Carmont lifts his hands, but he doesn’t attack. Larkin misses a flying kick at the bell. MMAjunkie.com gives the third to Larkin, 10-9, awarding him the fight 29-28. Could go either way. Francis Carmont def. Lorenz Larkin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

DARREN ELKINS VS. CHAD MENDES

Round 1 – Referee Herb Dean in the cage for the night’s final prelim. Elkins with an early jab. Mendes with a stiff low kick. Mendes leaps forward with a heavy series of punches that come up just short. Another low kick from Mendes. Mendes staggers Elkins with a straight. Elkins hurt. Mendes runs to follow. Elkins trying to recover, but he’s clipped again. Massive punches from Mendes, and Elkins hits the floor after eating a big right. Mendes pounces for the finish and immediately jumps up to ask for the belt. He may get his shot. Chad Mendes def. Darren Elkins via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:08.

MATT BROWN VS. JORDAN MEIN

Round 1 – Referee John McCarthy in the cage as we go live on FOX. Brown paws a few jabs to start. Mein charges forward with an elbow. Brown cutting off the cage as Mein dances around.He leaps in with a few punches that score, and Mein’s eye seems to be bothering him. Brown wants a brawl, and he chase Mein around the cage. When Mein finally does settle, he scores three crisp punches. Brown answers with an uppercut. Mouthpiece out, so McCarthy has to step in. it’s Mein’s but we restart quickly. Mein with a low kick. Brown still cutting off the cage, looking to keep the pressure high. Big swings from both miss. Brown lands again, and he’s pressing. His right eye is already bruised up, too. Into the clinch, and Brown knees the body. Mein lands two crisp punches. He flurries, first to the head, then the body. Brown is hurt. He drops for a takedown, but Mein is too strong. Main rolls him over and starts punching away. Brown recovers guard and slows it down. Momentum shift. Brown locks in a triangle choke. It’s tight. He readjusts. Mein trying to pull his arm back, and he survives. Incredidble action. On the restart, Brown lands several knees. A short elbow lands at the bell, and MMAjunkie.com gives an incredible round to Brown, 10-9.

Round 2 – Brown pushes quickly forward again. Punches and knees come in. He grabs the neck, but Mein goes to his back. Brown keeps the pressure high. Mein bleeding badly. Mein on his knees, and Brown tees off with brutal elbows and punches. Mein showing heart, but he’s in pain. McCarthy asks him to move, but he can’t. Fight over, and Mein doesn’t protest. Matt Brown def. Jordan Mein via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 1:00.

NATE DIAZ VS. JOSH THOMSON

Round 1 – Referee Mike Beltran in the cage. Thomson switching stances to open, and he misses a low kick. Diaz walking forward, and Thomson chops the leg. Diaz moving forward with punches, but Thomson staying out of range and kicking the legs. Crowd chanting for Diaz. Thomson sticking to his gameplan as Diaz tries to shuffle in front of him. Thomson punches the thigh and then lands flush with a high kick. Diaz holding his arms out, and he taunts Thomson for walking away. Thomson lands another high kick. Diaz lands a pair of punches. Diaz with his hands down. Thomson gets inside with a few knees before he pulls away. Diaz continues to stalk. Thomson slips his advance and seems to punch the back of the head. Diaz kicks the body. Stiff punches traded. Thomson with a trip. He lands punches from the top before backing away. Diaz taunts him again, and the round ends. MMAjunkie.com has the first for Thomson, 10-9.

Round 2 – Quick start again as Diaz rushes forward. Knee scores to the groin for Diaz, and Thomson gets a quick rest. Diaz with his hand out, still taunting. Thomson kicks the leg, and they move into the clinch. Knee from Thomson followed by an elbow. He’s got a bodylock, and he holds tight. He breaks, and they exchange punches. Diaz bleeding from his right eye. He moves in and scores a takedown, but Thomson refuses to stay on the floor. Diaz stalks again on the restart. Thomson not kicking as much, and he’s forced to trade punches, which Diaz is happy to do. Into the clinch again. Thomson with a few knees inside before they break. Thomson with another high kick that lands flush. Diaz in trouble. Thomson pounces with big punches as Diaz wilts. Beltran gives him more than enough chance to recover, but he’s done. Incredible work from Thomson. Josh Thomson def. Nate Diaz vis TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 3:44.

DANIEL CORMIER VS. FRANK MIR

Round 1 – Referee Herb Dean oversees this heavyweight contest. Mir shuffling his feet and open with a kick to the body. Three more kicks follow. Cormier patiently stalking as Mir moves on the outside. Cormier punches into a clinch. Dirty boxing for Cormier. He grabs the neck and fires a knee. They break, and Cormier throws heavy leather. Mir moves, and but Cormier pushes in again with big punches. Cormier punching in the clinch. Knees to the body. Cormier pulls free and punches the body. Short punch inside before Cormier beaks away. Mir seems content to stay there. Cormier grinding away against the cage. Cormier slips on a high kick, but Mir can’t grab him. Mir takes a deep breath. Cormier avoids a spinning kick and answers to the legs. Round ends, and MMAjunkie.com gives it to Cormier, 10-9.

Round 2 – Mir kicks again to start. Cormier misses on a wild flying kick. Cormier pushes back into a clinch and looks to grind away on the outside. Cormier pummeling the body. Mir is trapped on the cage. Crowd wants a little more action, and Cormier backs away. He’s quickly back into the clinch again. Boos come, and he backs away again. Punches traded. Mir tries to grab the neck but slips. Cormier pushes inside again. He’s not doing a ton of damage, but he’s certainly tiring Mir, who is doing very little inside. Cormier backs away again and lands a flurry as he breaks. Mir tries to move inside, but Cormier slips away. Mir looks very tired, and Cormier is patiently wearing him down. Quick break from Dean. Round ends on the feet, and MMAjunkie.com gives it again to Cormier, 10-9.

Round 3 – Dean towels off both fighters before the bell. Cormier catches a low kick but can’t quite get the takedown. They move into the clinch again. Cormier breaks away and lands again with his hands. Mir kicks the body. He seems to have a little second wind, and he follows immediately back to the body. Cormier closes the distance. He moves away again, trying to keep the action moving. Punches score, but Mir absorbing it well. Another break from Dean. Cormier stays at range. Mir kicks the body again. He moves forward, but they go into the clinch. Cormier circles off and scores a takedown, but he backs away. Overhand punch leads Cormier into another clinch. It’s not the most exciting work, but he’s winning the fight. Final minute. Cormier breaks away briefly, and Dean pulls them apart yet again. Mir ducks into a solid right. He pushes forward to close, but the crowd boos at the bell. MMAjunkie.com gives the final round to Cormier, 10-9, awarding him the fight 30-27. Daniel Cormier def. Frank Mir via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

BENSON HENDERSON VS. GILBERT MELENDEZ

Round 1 – Referee John McCarthy in the cage for the night’s main event. Low kick from Henderson countered by a punch over the top. Melendez looking to box early. Henderson tags him with a straight and kicks the legs. Melendez picks the legs and scores a takedown. He pushes in with punches and takes top position. Henderson crawls to his feet before taking much damage. Fans chanting Melendez’s name as they reset. Melendez catches a kick and pushes Henderson to the cage before throwing a knee. Henderson absorbs it and wraps up a clinch. Nothing there, and they reset. Henderson short on a few high kicks. Melendez mixes in a few punches followed by a kick. Melendez grabs another kick and tosses Henderson down, but the champ pops up before the challenger can capitalize. Punches traded in the closing seconds. MMAjunkie.com gives the first to Melndez, 10-9.

Round 2 – Henderson busier with his jab to open as he feels the range. Melendez looks comfortable, and he’s mixing levels and adding kicks to his combinations. Henderson with a right hand. Melendez answers right back. Melendez stalking. He’s the aggressor. He walks into a knee, but he continue to press forward. Punches traded. Henderson moving well. He punches the leg. High kicks for Henderson. Melendez catches another kick but can’t do anything with it. Takedown attempt for Henderson, but Melendez pushes him away.Henderson leaps forward with a punch. He’s controlling the center, but neither has landed flush. They unload in the final miunte. Bug shots in the center of the cage. Both score in a fun flurry. Close round, but MMAjunkie.com leans slightly toward Melendez, 10-9.

Round 3 – Henderson wants the crowd on its feet. They boo as much as cheer. Henderson again starts very quickly. Henderson retreats and stays just out of Melendez’s range as he rushes forward with punches. Snapping low kick from Henderson drops Melendez. He gets back up and eats an uppercut. Henderson walks into a stiff right. Henderson flurries into a takedown attempt. He drags Melendez to the floor. Melendez quickly back up. Punches and knees traded inside before they break. Henderson short on a front kick. Henderson lands a left hand, and they exchange again. Henderson kicks the body. Henderson pushes in and locks the body, kicking quickly after when he lets go. Stiff left scores for Henderson. Low kick from Henderson, and Melendez slips. They finish on the floor. MMAjunkie.com gives the round to Henderson, 10-9.

Round 4 – Close fight entering the championship rounds. Henderson changing levels and pushing inside. Low kick scores for Henderson. Melendez scrappy and willing to trade. Henderson kicks the body. Melendez thinks takedown but doesn’t score. Henderson returns to the legs. He shoots for a takedown that won’t come, but he does flurry as they break. Henderson in the center, and he raises his arms to welcome Melendez in. Halfway mark of the round. Left lands for Henderson. Melendez has slowed a bit. He does land a left hand. Henderson again with a low kick that sweeps Melendez, but he can’t get to the back before his opponent scrambles up. Henderson chopping the legs. Henderson retreating and avoiding any real damage. Melendez gets inside for a late flurry. Close round, but MMAjunkie.com leans toward Henderson, 10-9.

Round 5 – Rounds have been close. Both guys look energized to start the final round. Switch kick from Henderson blocked. Melendez walking forward. Henderson wobbles him again with a low kick. Melendez digs the body, and Henderson returns fire. Melendez eats another low kick. Melendez controlling the center and moving forward. Henderson retreating and countering well. More low kicks. Melendez catches one but can’t score.Leaping knee from Melendez. Melendez pressing. Final minute. Melendez with a left hook. Henderson stays at range. The bell sounds, and both men raise their hands. MMAjunkie.com thinks Melendez took the final round, 10-9, and awards him the fight 48-47. Very close. Benson Henderson def. Gilbert Melendez via split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47).