UFC on ESPN 71 live results: Tatsuro Taira vs. Hyun Sung Park

After two months away, the Octagon is back inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas for the first of four events in August as UFC On ESPN 71 takes place.

The main event is a bout that came together less than a week ago, as Tatsuro Taira takes on Hyun Sung Park in a five-round flyweight bout. Park is stepping in on short notice as a replacement for Amir Albazi, who wasn’t medically cleared to compete. Taira is looking to bounce back after suffering his first career loss in October, while Park puts his perfect 10-0 record on the line in his first UFC main event.

The co-main event sees a match-up of exciting upcoming lightweights as Mateusz Rebecki battles Chris Duncan. Also on the main card is a battle of ranked female bantamweights as Karol Rosa takes on Nora Cornolle; the all-time wins leader in the UFC welterweight division, Neil Magny, looks to add to that record against Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos; and featherweight fireworks are expected as Danny Silva battles Kevin Vallejos.

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> Women’s Strawweights- Piera Rodriguez (10-2, 3-2 UFC) vs. Ketlen Souza (15-5, 2-2 UFC)

Rodriguez with an inside leg kick and Souza lands a leg kick. Rodriguez with a leg kick then a pair of jabs as Souza lands a leg kick. They trade kicks. Souza lands a double jab before Rodriguez grabs the clinch and lands a few knees before letting go. They tie up and Rodriguez tried to trip Souza to the mat, but was unsuccessful. Souza then lands a combo ending with a knee. Souza lands another combination. They clinch and Rodriguez lands a series of knees and elbows before letting go. Souza lands a combo but Rodriguez is able to score a takedown. Rodriguez lands from the top before Souza is able to force a stand up. They trade as Souza lands an uppercut. Souza lands a kick as Rodriguez is able to score a takedown. Souza attacks the arm. 10-9 Rodriguez.

They trade and Rodriguez lands some knees in the clinch, then lands a head kick when they separate. They trade leg kicks. Rodriguez with a high kick. Souza lands a left hook, but Rodriguez returns fire as she pushes Souza to the fence and then scores a takedown. Souza is able to quickly scramble to her feet. Souza lands a flying knee and Rodriguez is able to score a takedown off of it. Souza attacks a leg but uses it to sweep up and then lands as she pushes Rodriguez to the fence. Rodriguez lands a pair of knees to cause separation. Souza lands and Rodriguez slips to the mat, but gets up and they are trading flurries. Souza grabs the body lock against the fence. They break apart and trade. 10-9 Rodriguez, 20-18 Rodriguez.

They trade and Rodriguez lands a knee up the middle. They trade and Rodriguez scores a takedown, but Souza is able to quickly scramble up. They break away from a clinch. They trade body kicks. Rodriguez is pressing forward as they trade leg kicks. Rodriguez lands a knee as Souza lands a left hook. They trade body kicks. Rodriguez scores a takedown. She lands from the top and keeps Souza down on the mat as they go the distance. 10-9 Rodriguez, 30-27 Rodriguez.

Fight Result- Piera Rodriguez def. Ketlen Souza by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Flyweights*- Rafael Estevam (13-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Felipe Bunes (14-7, 1-1 UFC)

*Estevam missed weight by four pounds

Bunes with a front kick then a jab as Estevam lands a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. They trade kicks up the middle then trade leg kicks. Estevam tries a takedown but Bunes is able to sprawl and they stand. They trade while tied up before separating. Estevam with a pair of kicks and Bunes gets a brief takedown but Estevam explodes to his feet and they break. Estevam lands to the body and scores a takedown. Bunes trying to attack with submissions from the bottom but Estevam lands and passes guard into side control. Bunes tries for a version of a triangle choke but Estevam is holding on. Estevam makes it to the end. 10-9 Estevam.

Estevam comes forward and backs Bunes to the fence as he’s throwing. Estevam connects and gets the clinch. They break and both land solid punches. They trade and Estevam scores a takedown. Estevam lands from the top. Estevam stands and Bunes just misses an upkick before Estevam gets back into the guard and lands an elbow. Estevam lands some from the top. Estevam continues to land and gets the back and lands more. They stand late. 10-9 Estevam, 20-18 Estevam.

They trade right hands. Estevam scores a takedown. They get up and Estevam lands a right hand followed by a left hand. Bunes connects and they trade in close range. Estevam lands solidly and scores a takedown. Both land elbows and Bunes attacks the arm. Estevam gets loose and lands before taking the back of Bunes. Estevam with more punches before he gets the body triangle locked on. Estevam landing while looking for a choke. 10-9 Estevam, 30-27 Estevam.

Fight Result- Rafael Estevam def. Felipe Bunes by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Featherweights- Austin Bashi (13-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. John Yannis (9-3, 0-0 UFC)

Bashi lands some big punches. Yannis lands a body kick. Bashi ducks under and scores a takedown. Bashi lands and takes the back and is on it as they stand. Bashi with punches from the back as they go back to the mat. Bashi continues to land and is looking to set up a choke. Bashi landing punches as Yannis is trying to escape. They stand and Bashi is on the back and locks in a rear-naked choke and Yannis taps! An impressive win from Bashi.

Fight Result- Austin Bashi def. John Yannis by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:39 of Round 1

> Middleweights- Nick Klein (6-2, 0-1 UFC) vs. Andrey Pulyaev (9-3, 0-1 UFC)

Klein gets a quick takedown and is landing as they stand. Klein gets it back down and has the back and lands. Klein works for a choke and almost has it, but Pulyaev escapes and they stand. Klein forces it to the fence and gets it back down for a moment. They separate and Pulyaev lands a big left hand. Klein shoots for a takedown and pushes it against the fence. Pulyaev lands a knee as they separate. Klein gets the back and scores a late takedown. 10-9 Klein.

Klein shoots for a takedown and pushes Pulyaev against the fence. Klein scores a takedown. They separate and Pulyaev lands and lands a body kick and Klein goes down and some follow-up shots end it for Pulyaev! What a finish!

Fight Result- Andrey Pulyaev def. Nick Klein by TKO (strikes) at 1:31 of Round 2

> Middleweights*- Rodolfo Vieira (10-3, 5-3 UFC) vs. Tresean Gore (5-3, 2-3 UFC)

*Gore missed weight by 3.5 pounds

Vieira with some early jabs as he also lands a leg kick. Gore lands a leg kick. Vieira looks for a takedown as he pushes Gore against the fence, but they quickly separate. They trade leg kicks. Vieira shoots again, but Gore defends the attempt. Gore lands a leg kick. Vieira shoots for another takedown attempt and pushes Gore against the fence. Gore is able to defend as they break apart. Gore lands a calf kick. Vieira is finally able to score a takedown. Gore gives up his back as they stand. Vieira with a right hand as Gore spins. They break apart. Gore with a pair of right hands. Vieira lands a calf kick. Vieira with a combo. 10-9 Vieira.

Vieira with a jab and Gore lands a left hand. Gore looks to land as Vieira looks for a takedown, but Gore backs up. Gore lands a jab. Vieira with a combination. Vieira shoots but Gore defends. They trade leg kicks. Vieira with a right hand. Vieira shoots for a takedown but Gore is defending. They break apart and trade jabs. Vieira with a leg kick. Gore lands a leg kick and Vieira lands a brief flurry. Gore with another leg kick and Vieira counters with a combo. They trade as Vieira lands a big combo, but he is poked in the eye by Gore and timeout is called. They get back to action but nothing really happens. 10-9 Vieira, 20-18 Vieira.

They trade in close range and Vieira lands some shots that back Gore up. Gore lands a leg kick. Vieira lands a jab then a heavy leg kick. Gore with a double jab. Vieira lands a solid right hand and then shoots for a takedown, but Gore stuffs it as Vieira pushes it to the fence. Vieira lets go and they separate. Vieira lands a combination. Vieira lands again. Vieira with a solid combination and goes back after the takedown. Gore defending by landing. They break apart. Vieira with a stiff jab. Vieira with a hard calf kick. Vieira with a pair of combos as he lands a solid right hand. Vieira with a right hand. Vieira pushes Gore to the fence and lands to end it. 10-9 Vieira, 30-27 Vieira.

Fight Result- Rodolfo Vieira def. Tresean Gore by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

> Bantamweights- Rinya Nakamura (9-1, 3-1 UFC) vs. Nathan Fletcher (9-2, 1-1 UFC)

Nakamura with a body kick. Nakamura trips Fletcher up with a leg kick. Nakamura lands a right hand. Nakamura with a left hand. Nakamura hurts Fletcher with a body kick and then Fletcher goes down and Nakamura starts landing from the top and it is all over! What a finish from Nakamura!

Fight Result- Rinya Nakamura def. Nathan Fletcher by TKO (strikes) at 1:02 of Round 1

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> Featherweights- Danny Silva (10-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Kevin Vallejos (15-1, 1-0 UFC)

Vallejos lands a right hand. They land leg kicks at the same time. Vallejos lands a leg kick. Silva with a knee up the middle. Vallejos lands a right hand. They trade inside the pocket and Vallejos lands a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Vallejos lands a high kick. Silva lands a combination. Vallejos looks for a takedown and has the back against the fence. Vallejos lands a knee. They separate. Vallejos lands a combination. Silva scores a takedown. 10-9 Vallejos.

Vallejos lands a right hand. Silva with a high kick that Vallejos blocks. Silva with a quick combo and Vallejos lands a right hand. Vallejos with a combo and lands a left hand to the body. Vallejos with a pair of stiff right hands. Vallejos lands a combo and Silva swings and lands. Silva looks for a takedown but Vallejos defends. Vallejos lands an elbow. Vallejos scores a takedown. They get up. Vallejos lands a combo and a right hand. Vallejos with a hard right hand. He lands another. 10-9 Vallejos, 20-18 Vallejos.

Silva lands a knee. They trade. Vallejos scores a takedown but Silva is able to scramble to his feet. They separate. Vallejos lands an uppercut. Silva lands a knee. Silva with a left hand. Vallejos scores with a right hand. Vallejos lands a combination and then a big combo. Silva fires back and lands. Vallejos lands a right hand. Vallejos lands to the body. Silva lands a knee and then taunts Vallejos. Vallejos grabs the body and lands an elbow on the break. Vallejos lands a combo to the body. Vallejos lands a right hand. Vallejos with a stiff left hook. He’s landing the bigger punches. Vallejos lands a right hand and then another. Vallejos lands an elbow and a left hand. Fun fight. 10-9 Vallejos, 30-27 Vallejos.

Fight Result- Kevin Vallejos def. Danny Silva by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

> Welterweights- Neil Magny (29-13, 22-12 UFC) vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (25-9-1, 11-5-1 UFC)

Zaleski with a leg kick. Magny works the jab. Magny looks to grab the body lock but Zaleski defends, though Magny lands a knee on the break. Zaleski with a leg kick and Magny lands a quick combo. They trade and Zaleski gets the clinch. They battle for position. Magny lands some and Zaleski grabs the back. They separate. Magny lands a jab. Zaleski with a body kick. They both miss and Zaleski grabs the back. They separate and trade leg kicks. Zaleski with a combination and scores a late takedown. 10-9 Zaleski.

They trade and Zaleski gets a takedown. They battle for position and Zaleski attacks the legs. He lets go to get top position. He lands from the top as Magny lands some short shots from his back. They both land and Magny tries to scramble up, but Zaleski keeps him down in the half-guard. They get to their feet and Magny pushes it to the fence. Magny scores a takedown and gets to the top. Zaleski is able to scramble up but Magny lands some knees. Zaleski drops to the mat to slip away and Magny gets the body lock. Magny drags Zaleski down from the back and has the hooks in. Magny lands some punches and is looking to get the finish. Magny with lots of punches as Zaleski is covering up and it is stopped! Magny with a great finish after losing the early part of the round.

Fight Result- Neil Magny def. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos by TKO (punches) at 4:39 of Round 2

> Women’s Bantamweights- #10 Karol Rosa (18-7, 7-4 UFC) vs. #12 Nora Cornolle (9-2, 3-1 UFC)

Rosa with a combo after Cornolle lands a body kick. Cornolle with a hard calf kick and then another. Cornolle with a leg kick and Rosa lands a combination. Rosa with more big punches. Cornolle lands a big right hand. Rosa lands a left hook. They clinch and Cornolle lands a knee to separate. Cornolle lands a leg kick. Cornolle with a leg kick and Rosa lands a few right hands. Rosa lands and they clinch. They trade knees against the fence. Cornolle with a knee and Rosa lands a left hand. They separate and Cornolle lands a flurry. They clinch back up with Rosa having position. They break before tying back up and Cornolle lands a knee. They break as Cornolle lands an elbow. Rosa with a knee as they clinch. 10-9 Rosa.

Rosa scores an immediate takedown. Rosa lands to the body from the half-guard as Cornolle is looking to attack an arm. They both land elbows to the body. Rosa landing to the body as Cornolle is pinned down to the mat. Rosa trying to set up an arm-triangle choke but doesn’t have the right position, though she now has full mount and continues to land to the body. Rosa has side mount and looks for a choke again. Rosa has the back and looks for the choke. It was on the chin and Cornolle fights it off. Rosa lands from the top. Dominant round from Rosa. 10-8 Rosa, 20-17 Rosa.

Rosa gets a takedown right away and is working from the half-guard. Rosa landing to the body. Rosa controlling from the top as she’s landing and Cornolle is pinned on the bottom. Rosa with punches and elbows from the top and is looking to take the back. Rosa looking for a choke as she lands punches. Big shots from the top by Rosa to end it. 10-8 Rosa, 30-25 Rosa.

Fight Result- Karol Rosa def. Nora Cornolle by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-27, 29-27)

> Lightweights- Elves Brener (16-5, 3-2 UFC) vs. Esteban Ribovics (14-2, 3-2 UFC)

Ribovics lands a leg kick and Brener looks for a takedown but they clinch against the fence. They scramble to the mat and Ribovics ends up on top. Brener tries to take the back and they scramble up. Brener lands a combo. Ribovics with a body kick. Brener lands some punches. Brener lands a stiff jab. Brener with a leg kick. Ribovics lands some solid punches and Brener lands some counter shots. Ribovics lands a combo. Ribovics is pressuring and landing. Ribovics lands a right hand and Brener goes down. Ribovics lands from the top but Brener is able to get up. Brener lands a leg kick. Brener with a combination. Ribovics with a high kick. They trade inside the pocket and both land leg kicks. Ribovics with a high kick. Ribovics lands a combination. 10-9 Ribovics.

They trade to start the second. Ribovics lands a flurry and Brener lands a left hand. Ribovics lands a leg kick. Ribovics with a big combo. Brener lands a jab as he’s circling away. Ribovics with a big combination. Ribovics with a left hand as Brener lands a knee. Brener works the jab. Ribovics with a stringing combination. Ribovics lands as they exchange in close range. Ribovics lands a combo. Brener slips on a kick, but gets up and they trade. Brener lands a combination. Brener with slightly more volume late in the second. Brener with a big left hook after they trade. Brener lands a big combo. Close round. 10-9 Brener, 19-19.

They trade inside the pocket. Brener looks for a takedown, but Ribovics defends. Ribovics with a high kick. They both land clipping punches. Ribovics pressing forward and lands a combo against the fence. Ribovics lands to the body then a right hand to the head. Ribovics lands a big combo. Ribovics lands a left hand. Ribovics lands some more punches. They trade big shots in close range and Ribovics lands to the body. They trade big punches. Ribovics with an uppercut and Brener lands a left hand. Ribovics with a right hand. Ribovics with a knee and a left hand then a high kick. Brener lands a big left hand. Brener with a spinning back fist and Ribovics lands a counter right hand. Ribovics with a front kick. Tremendous fight. 10-9 Ribovics, 29-28 Ribovics.

Fight Result- Esteban Ribovics def. Elves Brener by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

> Lightweights- Mateusz Rebecki (20-2, 4-1 UFC) vs. Chris Duncan (13-2, 4-1 UFC)

Rebecki with a leg kick as both are throwing big punches. Duncan lands a right hand. Rebecki lands a left hand. Rebecki with a leg kick. Duncan lands two straight right hands. Rebecki drops Duncan briefly with a right hook and lands big as Duncan stands. Duncan throws a kick and Rebecki trips him to the mat and gets on top, but they scramble up. Duncan lands a body kick. Rebecki with a leg kick. They trade in close range. Rebecki lands a leg kick. Duncan lands an elbow. Rebecki lands as he comes forward. Duncan with another elbow. Rebecki lands a leg kick. They trade inside the pocket. Rebecki trips Duncan up with a kick to score a takedown. Rebecki has the back as they stand and they separate. Rebecki with a right hook. 10-9 Rebecki.

They come out trading and Rebecki lands a leg kick. Duncan with a body kick. Duncan lands an uppercut as Rebecki lands. Duncan lands a right hand. Rebecki with a left hand and a combination. Duncan stuns Rebecki with a right hand and then again with a head kick. Duncan lands a knee as Rebecki scores a takedown. They scramble up. They’re both landing in close range and Rebecki’s face is an absolute mess. Rebecki lands a body kick. Duncan with a right hand. Duncan lands an uppercut. Duncan with a body kick. Rebecki lands two left hands. Duncan with a body kick. Rebecki lands a leg kick. Duncan with a knee up the middle. Duncan lands an uppercut. 10-9 Duncan, 19-19.

They trade and Rebecki gets a brief takedown, and they scramble up. Duncan lands a nice combination. I have no idea how Rebecki can see. Rebecki lands a left hand. Rebecki looks for a takedown, but Duncan stuffs it. Duncan looks for a choke as they go to the mat for a moment, but Rebecki rolls out to his feet. Duncan lands a right hand and then another. Duncan lands a knee up the middle. Rebecki lands a left hand but eats an elbow from Duncan. Duncan lands a combo. Duncan with an uppercut as they trade in close range. Duncan with two right hands and Rebecki lands a big left hand. Both guys are a bloody mess. Duncan lands a combination. Duncan with a right hand and a head kick. They tie up and Duncan with a big pair of knees. What a fight! 10-9 Duncan, 29-28 Duncan.

Fight Result- Chris Duncan def. Mateusz Rebecki by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

> Flyweights- #6 Tatsuro Taira (16-1, 6-1 UFC) vs. Hyun Sung Park (10-0, 3-0 UFC)

Park lands a leg kick. Taira lands a right hand and then drops Park with another right hand and jumps on top. Taira looking to pass the guard and work from side control. Taira grabs the back as they get to their feet. Taira drags it back down and is on the back as they stand. Taira looking for the neck from the backpack position. Taira with some body shots. Taira drags it to the ground from the position. Taira with big punches. Taira lands some more. 10-9 Taira.

Taira gets an early takedown. Park is able to get up but Taira is able to get it right back down and has the back. Taira is working for a choke and doesn’t quite have it under the chin, but he is squeezing and Park ends up tapping! Complete domination from Taira.

Fight Result- Tatsuro Taira def. Hyun Sung Park by submission (face crank) at 1:06 of Round 2