Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2 Results: Live updates of the undercard and main event

MMA Fighting has Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2 results live for the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol fight card at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday.

When the main event begins around 6 p.m. ET, check out our Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2 live round-by-round updates for our live blog of the main event. Artur Beterbiev defeated Dmitry Bivol via majority decision this past October.

Main Card

Dmitry Bivol def. Artur Beterbiev via MD (live blog) | Highlights | Reax | Recap

Joseph Parker def. Martin Bakole via KO (R2, 2:17) | Watch finish

Shakur Stevenson def. Josh Padley via TKO (corner stoppage) (R9, 3:00) | Watch finish

Carlos Adames vs. Hamzah Sheeraz ends in a split draw (115-114 Sheeraz, 118-110 Adames, 114-114)

Vergil Ortiz Jr. def. Israil Madrimov via unanimous decision (117-111, 115-113, 115-113)

Agit Kabayel def. Zhilei Zhang via KO (R6, 2:29) | Watch finish

Callum Smith def. Joshua Buatsi via unanimous decision (119-110, 115-113, 116-112)

Preliminary Card

Ziyad Almaayouf def. Jonatas Oliveira via decision (60-54)

Mohammed Alakel def. Engel Gomez via decision (60-54)

Check out Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2 undercard live blog below:

Our first title fight of the next is set to go, with Joshua Buatsi defending an interim WBO light heavyweight title against Callum Smith.

Joshua Buatsi vs. Callum Smith

Round 1: Buatsi looks to get his jab going early. They clash in the middle of the ring and clinch with Buatsi pushing Smith to the corner and looking to score with short shots. Smith with a quick uppercut. Buatsi just smothering Smith right now. Referee let them work for a bit but calls for a break. Good jab by Smith. They trade jabs, Smith picking up the pace. Hard left from Buatsi, they tangle their legs up and Smith is tripped to the mat. Hard jab to the body by Smith. He’s pulling away in the closing moments of Round 1.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Smith.

Round 2: Jab duel right in the middle of the ring. Smith looks for a combination, but Buatsi digs in with the clinch. Smith to the body, Buatsi answers with a short uppercut. Good counter left hook by Buatsi. Buatsi with a pair of body shots. Smith drives a right hand to Buatsi’s body. Smith scores with two stiff jabs. Nice head-body combo by Smith, Buatsi sticks a jab right in Smith’s face. Jab from Buatsi backs Smith off. Smith again coming on strong to close out the round. Jab by Buatsi. Two close frames so far.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Buatsi. Overall, 19-19.

Round 3: Smith doing a better job of throwing combinations. Buatsi looking to jab his way in and land with power or clinch. He has Smith cornered and lets a few body shots fly. Smith right back at him with a pair of good punches up top. Buatsi lands a crisp jab. Smith targeting the body. Buatsi on the defensive. His jab is still working when he lets it go. Buatsi with a pair of LOUD body shots and it looks like Smith was momentarily stunned, but he stays standing. Looks like he’s recovered, but Buatsi just had the bes tmoment of the fight.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Buatsi. Overall, 29-28 Buatsi.

Round 4: Buatsi putting on the pressure with Smith defending against the ropes. Smith hunting for that counter left hook. Buatsi starting to match Smith’s volume. Tense fight as we dig into Round 4. Both guys are letting the hands go now, mixing shots beautifully to the head and body. No idea how the judges are seeing this one right now. Big uppercut-left hook combo by Buatsi. He’s getting through Smith’s defense. Right hook-body shot combo by Smith. Buatsi continuing to push Smith against the ropes as they trade short punches inside. Good exchange from both men before the bell.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Buatsi. Overall, 39-37 Buatsi.

Round 5: Buatsi showing great patience as he sticks with his jab to set up his offense. Right across the chin from Smith. Jab pressure from Smith, but Buatsi with a nice counter. Smith lands a body shot and Buatsi is reacting, he’s covering up. Smith takes the opening and lands a pair of left hooks to the head. Smith drowning Buatsi with volume now, Buatsi might have weathered the storm, though. Left hook from Smith and Buatsi loses his mouthpiece. On the reset, Buatsi comes out back on the offensive. Good comeback to close out the round, but that’s a Smith frame.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Smith. Overall, 48-47 Buatsi.

Round 6: Buatsi pushes Smith to the corner, Smith gives him body shot for his troubles. Nice left by Smith, but Buatsi answers and keeps Smith’s back to the ropes. Smith’s bodywork is on point. Buatsi finding a home for his jab through it all. Smith keeps sneaking hooks around Buatsi’s defenses and punishing the body. Right hand across the chin and Buatsi definitely felt that one. Smith pressing the advantage. He’s pouring it on and Buatsi is wearing it now. Smith doubles up on the hook and he’s hurting Buatsi, but Buatsi lands a huge counter. Scary moment for Smith at the end of the round.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Smith. Overall, 57-57.

Round 7: Smith coming out firing, he’s testing how much Buatsi has left in the tank. Buatsi doubles up on his jab. Great straight right from Smith. Left hook to the body by Smith, answered by a glancing right from Buatsi. Smith drives another left hook to the body, Buatsi doesn’t like that. The action has slowed, both fighters probing with jabs. Just as I write that, Smith lands a hard right hand and Buatsi answers with a couple of his own. Slowest round of the fight, possibly gearing up for a sprint to the finish line.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Smith. Overall, 67-66 Smith.

Round 8: Smith with a sneaky right hook. He opens up with a combination, Buatsi staying patient. Buatsi coming forward with the jab, Smith backs him off with a counter left. They trade clean punches. Left hook from Smith, Buatsi goes to the body. Counter left from Buatsi, then an uppercut. Another straight right for Smith lands. Buatsi pumping that jab in successfully. Big left hand from Buatsi near the end of the round. Close fight!

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Buatsi. Overall, 76-76.

Round 9: Buatsi circling and firing his jab out, that’s different. Smith says screw it and throws with power, then he doubles up with hooks to the body. Buatsi back to the jab. Smith has definitely slowed down, perhaps too eager for a KO blow? Right hand scores for Smith. Left hook from Smith as he chases Buatsi. His aggression pays off as he slips a Buatsi punch and cracks him with a counter right. Quick combo by Buatsi. Right down the middle gets through for Smith. Buatsi answers with two punches. Uppercut by Smith.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Smith. Overall, 86-85 Smith.

Round 10: Smith advances with an uppercut as Buatsi makes him work to navigate his jab. Another big right for Smith across the bow. Looks like both guys have found a second wind as they are just trading punches beautifully, mixing it up to the head and body. Buatsi’s corner has been telling him he needs a finish, but this is going to be razor close on the scorecards. Buatsi with volume now as he makes a statement on the cards. Smith drops his defense and fires back with a combination. They trade left hooks. Smith lands a right hand on Buatsi. More fun exchanges to close the round.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Buatsi. Overall, 95-95.

Round 11: Buatsi with two beautiful punches early. They’re both still firing out speedy jabs, but Buatsi looks to be a step ahead when it comes to following up. Smith with a blindingly fast left hook to the body. Buatsi going to work with Smith on the ropes. He’s firing away, but the referee has to warn him about targeting the top and back of Smith’s head. Fatigue definitely setting in for the fighters, Buatsi maybe the fresher guy? Smith working for another big finish, but his power shots are wider than before.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Buatsi. Overall, 105-104 Buatsi.

Round 12: Smith triples up on the jab, daring Buatsi to come forward. Buatsi jabs his way in. They trade uppercuts to the body. Stiff jab from Buatsi slows Smith. Smith cracks Buatsi with a left hook. Smith scores with his right. Buatsi walking Smith down, but not all that effectively. Mouthguard out again for Buatsi. One minute to go. Buatsi letting his right hand fly. They’re leaving it all out there. Right hand by Smith. Smith with a 1-2 down the middle. He’s pressing forward, 10 seconds to go. No finish, but what a corker. I have it all even.

Run it back!

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Smith. Overall, 114-114.

Official result: Callum Smith def. Joshua Buatsi via unanimous decision (119-110, 115-113, 116-112)

119-110! I beg your pardon???

Ah well, no time to worry about that insanity, we’re on to our next fight! Zhilei Zhang and Agit Kabayel battle for a vacant WBC interim heavyweight title.

Zhilei Zhang vs. Agit Kabayel

Round 1: Zhang immediately backs Kabayel up with a big right. Kabayel respecting the power. Zhang throwing single jabs to set up his power. Kabayel keeping his range well and firing back. Kabayel sneaks in a right hand. Zhang with two hard body punches. His left hand is loose now and he’s connecting. He’s got his hands low, just waiting for Kabayel to open up. Pawing jabs from Zhang, then a glancing left.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Zhang.

Round 2: Kabayel adventuring forward, he’s not intimidated. He scores with an uppercut. Kabayel pressing forward, flicking shots to the body. Not sure what Zhang is waiting for here. Punches in bunches from Kabayel, not a lot getting through, but Zhang not answering either. There’s a left by Zhang, but Kabael isn’t deterred and he continues to swarm with short shots. Zhang remains a KO threat, but that round was all Kabayel.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Kabayel. Overall, 19-19.

Round 3: There’s a good body shot by Zhang. Kabayel not letting up, though. Kabayel mixing punches to the head and body. Zhang just getting out-struck. He lets loose with a couple of good hooks. Kabayel targeting the body, that’s paying off. Zhang wants to answer back with body work of his own, but Kabayel is the one pushing the pace. Zhang looks so slow. Kabayel just peppering him with punches.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Kabayel. Overall, 29-28 Kabayel.

Round 4: Kabayel right back on the attack. Zhang needs to wake up. There’s a good body shot by Zhang. Uppercut by Kabayel, Zhang felt it. Kabayel ripping to the body over and over again. Zhang punches to back Kabayel off. Referee warning Zhang to stop pushing Kabayel. He looks several steps ahead of Zhang. Non-stop pressure from Kabayel, he’s not overextending for a finish, but he’s scoring at will.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Kabayel. Overall, 39-37 Kabayel.

Round 5: Kabayel off to another fast start, but there it is, the power of Zhang as he connects with that heavy left. Down goes Kabayel! He looks OK answering the count and we’re back at it with Zhang putting on a more spirited effort. Kabayel tags his chin with a straight right. Zhang throwing the left out there with little setup. Kabayel walking Zhang down, though with more caution this round, understandably. Zhang didn’t do much to capitalize on his moment, unfortunately for him.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-8, Zhang. Overall, 47-47.

Round 6: Kabayel bouncing punches off Zhang’s gloves before finding an opening to attack the body. He’s relentless and Zhang looked stunned. The referee steps in for a moment, looking like he might score it a knockdown... but doesn’t? He just paused the action... for no reason? What in the world was that? Kabayel not thrown off as he goes right back to putting it on Zhang. Don’t know how many body shots Zhang can take. Not too many as Kabayel lands a short one inside and Zhang has to take a knee. He’s struggling to stand, he’s not going to make it. The referee waves it off! Knockout win for Kabayel!

Official result: Agit Kabayel def. Zhilei Zhang via KO (R6, 2:29)

Another big bout and another interim title on the line as Vergil Ortiz Jr. defends a WBC super welterweight belt against Israil Madrimov.

Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Israil Madrimov

Round 1: Ortiz cutting off the ring early, Madrimov staying light on his feet. Patient start for both fighters. There’s a tap to the body by Ortiz. Madrimov flicks his jab out as the fighters are still figuring out the range. Madrimov with a few probing punches, neither man has landed anything clean. Volume advantage to Madrimov. Little to score in the opening round. Slight edge to the challenger.

MMA Fighting scores the round, 10-9 Madrimov.

Round 2: Counter jab by Madrimov. He goes to the body with Ortiz keeping his hands high. Ortiz chases Madrimov down and lands a straight right. Lots of movement from Madrimov, he’s exploring the ring. Counter punch to the body by Ortiz. Madrimov flicking out some punches, Ortiz’s defense holding up well. Madrimov letting his hands go, Ortiz avoids most of the flurry. But he needs to start throwing.

MMA Fighting scores the round, 10-9 Madrimov. Overall, 20-18 Madrimov.

Round 3: Madrimov in and out with the body shot, Ortiz got his attention with a counter hook. Madrimov picking up the pace. Ortiz clips him with a jab. Madrimov continues to dance. Ortiz staying patient, maybe too patient? Ortiz corners Madrimov, but can’t keep him there. Feels like a better round for Ortiz than the first two, though. Madrimov with a right to the body. He lands a hook to end the round and could be pitching a shutout so far.

MMA Fighting scores the round, 10-9 Madrimov. Overall, 30-27 Madrimov.

Round 4: Madrimov staying well outside of Ortiz’s range. Ortiz doubles up on the jab to close the distance and score. Madrimov’s movement is just so tricky, Ortiz cannot get a bead on him. Straight right by Madrimov. Ortiz lands a right. Great rip to the body by Ortiz. Now he’s finding real success in these exchanges. Madrimov lands an uppercut to give himself some space. Jab by Ortiz. He lands a counter left.

MMA Fighting scores the round, 10-9 Ortiz. Overall, 39-37 Madrimov.

Round 5: Ortiz immediately walks Madrimov down, he looks like he’s figured something out. Madrimov’s punches falling short, he gets warned about trying to step on Ortiz’s foot. Cheeky. There’s a short body shot by Ortiz. He pops Madrimov with a left hand. He’s definitely having more success than before. Madrimov splits the guard with a right hand. Ortiz making Madrimov stand in front of him, at last. Madrimov takes this opportunity to land a right. Ortiz with a combination. Right hand from Madrimov as he circles out. Ortiz backs him up with a right to the body. Another body shot by Ortiz. Margins are razor-thin right now.

MMA Fighting scores the round, 10-9 Ortiz. Overall, 48-47 Madrimov.

Round 6: Madrimov punches his way out of the corner, but the complexion of the fight has definitely changed. Ortiz making Madrimov stick and move as opposed to just moving. Good, smothering offense from Ortiz as he taps Madrimov’s body. Ortiz again to the body. Ortiz with punches and bunches, he wants Madrimov to open up and fight him. Madrimov ducks right into an Ortiz uppercut. Madrimov struggling to crack Ortiz’s defense. Ortiz on the hunt to close the round.

MMA Fighting scores the round, 10-9 Ortiz. Overall, 57-57.

Round 7: Ortiz leading the dance. Madrimov has to change something up, maybe just throw more. He gets a right hook to connect, that’s a start. They clash inside, neither man able to score with anything substantial. Good body shot by Madrimov. He’s fighting like he knows he dropped a few rounds. Ortiz goes to the body. Staring contest as we head to the eighth.

MMA Fighting scores the round, 10-9 Madrimov. Overall, 67-66 Madrimov.

Round 8: Ortiz sitting on his punches more, Madrimov keeping his gloves high and tight to not get clipped. Ortiz’s jab work is paying off. There’s a 1-2 by Ortiz. Madrimov sneaks in a right to the body. Ortiz hits a jab. Madrimov giving up a lot of ground as he’s pushed to the corner. Double jab by Ortiz. Ortiz blocks a telegraphed combination. Glancing left hook by Madrimov. Good right scores for Ortiz.

MMA Fighting scores the round, 10-9 Ortiz. Overall, 76-76.

Round 9: Ortiz right back to putting on the pressure and he’s upped his accuracy, too. Madrimov having difficulty finding an opening to answer back. Big rip to the body by Ortiz. Madrimov was stuck on the ropes, not throwing any punches. Ortiz with another rib-roaster. Ortiz pulling way ahead here. Madrimov cannot get out of the way of the body shots and he eats another one there. Ortiz mixes in a jab up top. Flurry from Ortiz puts an exclamation point on this round.

MMA Fighting scores the round, 10-9 Ortiz. Overall, 86-85 Ortiz.

Round 10: Madrimov with an overhand right to start the round. He’s alive! Ortiz goes back to the body, a huge left hook has Madrimov turtling up. He’s won’t be able to breathe if this keeps up. Madrimov goes in to brawl, which might not be the best idea as Vergil pops him with a left hook. Give Madrimov credit, he’s coming forward even if it’s not working out so great. Madrimov lands a 1-2 combo and Ortiz pays him back with one of his own. Some of these Madrimov hooks aren’t coming close to landing.

MMA Fighting scores the round, 10-9 Ortiz. Overall, 96-94 Ortiz.

Round 11: They’re meeting in the middle of the ring with their gloves up, looking like two bulls. Madrimov with a left hook, then another, he’s ramped up the aggression in a crazy way. Ortiz happy to stand and bang with him. Another left hook by Madrimov, Ortiz drives a counter right in. Ortiz to the body. Madrimov with a straight right. Flurry by Ortiz. It’s Madrimov on the chase now, Ortiz keeping him at bay with his jab. Madrimov lands as he slips a couple of Ortiz punches. Ortiz to the body again. Madrimov just rifling punches in from long distance, looking so wild at times.

MMA Fighting scores the round, 10-9 Ortiz. Overall, 106-103 Ortiz.

Round 12: Just a gritty, grimy fight now. Ortiz’s left hook to the body is paying dividends. He’s pressuring Madrimov, who is just putting his head down and firing back. Ortiz connects with a big punch and Madrimov needs a second before he goes back to walking Ortiz down. The gives Madrimov a warning about ducking his head and rushing Ortiz into the ropes. It’s not the first time. Just take the point, man. Ortiz doing a better job of avoiding and landing as time ticks away.

MMA Fighting scores the round, 10-9 Ortiz. Overall, 116-112 Ortiz.

Official result: Vergil Ortiz Jr. def. Israil Madrimov via unanimous decision (117-111, 115-113, 115-113)

Our next title fight sees Carlos Adames defend his WBC middleweight title against Hamzah Sheeraz.

Carlos Adames vs. Hamzah Sheeraz

Round 1: Sheeraz with a big size advantage. Jab by Sheeraz as Adames looks to close the distance. He’s avoiding the overhand right of Sheeraz, for now. They both narrowly miss landing a hard shot in a rapid exchange. Adames pokes Sheeraz’s midsection. He’s landing to the body when he can. Action has become more tentative after a fast start.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Adames.

Round 2: Good jab from Sheeraz. Quick combo by Adames, he’s fighting smart, not just standing and trading with the larger Sheeraz. Glancing left hook by Sheeraz. He doubles up on the jab as Adames continues to come forward. Adames to the body again. Counter jab by Sheeraz. He’s catching Adames coming in. Little output from Adames in this round. Sheeraz backs him up with a combo. Great range control from Sheeraz throughout the round.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Sheeraz. Overall, 19-19.

Round 3: Sheeraz backing up and jabbing, letting Adames come to him. He pops Adames right in the face. Adames with excellent head movement as he makes Sheeraz miss. Partially deflected jabs by Sheeraz. He just keeps pecking away at Adames, who rushes a few errant power punches. Jab from Sheeraz. Adames couldn’t get past the jab this round.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Sheeraz. Overall, 29-28 Sheeraz.

Round 4: There’s a right for Adames, that had to feel good just to land something substantial. Sheeraz follows up a jab with a beautiful left hook to the body. He’s using his reach well, making it difficult for Adames to get out of the way. That Sheeraz jab is money even as Adames continues to advance. Sheeraz scores with another jab. Adames throws, but catches nothing but glove. Sheeraz lands a body shot and then jabs his way out of danger as Adames tries to answer.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Sheeraz. Overall, 39-37 Sheeraz.

Round 5: Adames lunging forward, just trying to make something happen. He keeps eating that Sheeraz jab, though. Good right from Adames. He jabs the body. Sheeraz circling and circling and circling. Adames driving hands to the body. Another body shot lands and Adames is winning this round. Sheeraz seems content to take those punches and protect his head. Adames lands a straight right. Good double jab by Sheeraz.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Adames. Overall, 48-47 Sheeraz.

Round 6: Adames’ head movement is giving Sheeraz some issues. Sheeraz might need to open up with more than just his jab. Adames dips his head in and lands a couple of body shots. Right hook from Adames gets through. Two crisp jabs score for Sheeraz. Adames is catching glove as he throws, but he’s been the aggressor in this round. Adames goes twice to the body. Sheeraz just turtling up on the ropes. Huge drop in volume from him.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Adames. Overall, 57-57.

Round 7: Sheeraz flicking out the jab, but Adames seems to have the timing. He jabs Sheeraz’s body and probes with uppercuts to try and open Sheeraz’s defenses. Triple up on the jab by Adames, Sheeraz’s defense stays solid. A 1-2 combination from Adames gets through. Not sure what Sheeraz’s game plan is right now because he’s lost the advantage. More jabs from Sheeraz. Uneventful round for the most part.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Adames. Overall, 67-66 Adames.

Round 8: Adames picking his shots. He’s not landing anything huge, but Sheeraz is hardly punching back. Referee warns Adames to get his punches up above the belt. More jabs from Sheeraz. Effectiveness, questionable. There’s a 1-2 by Adames, and a right hand that catches Sheeraz. Adames patient as he follows up, Sheeraz recovers. Two punches up top land for Adames. Straight right from Sheeraz on the button. Where has that been? Sheeraz cirling and jabbing, but it’s not slowing Adames down.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Adames. Overall, 77-75 Adames.

Round 9: Sheeraz sticking with the jab. Why not, I guess? Adames right back on the offensive. There’s a couple of good uppercuts by Sheeraz. Adames to the body, he’s just rifling those punches in. Head movement from Adames, like he’s trying to snake charm Sheeraz or something. More body punches from Adames, but he gets a warning for low shots again. Jab from Sheeraz as we head to the final three rounds.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Adames. Overall, 87-84 Adames.

Round 10: Adames easily walks Sheeraz down and starts to throw. Sheeraz struggling to find angles to land anything other than his job. Sheeraz circles, throwing nothing. There’s a good jab. Adames lands a right hand. He jabs Sheeraz’s body. Overhand right from Adames, partially blocked. Neither guy setting the ring on fire with their work here.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Adames. Overall, 97-93 Adames.

Round 11: Jab battle, Adames breaks the deadlock with a big right. Sheeraz smacks him with a left hook to the body. Uppercut by Sheeraz, that was a good one. Left hook by Sheeraz. He gives up ground to Adames and eats a 1-2. Clean right for Adames. Sheeraz with a nice counter. He waits patiently for Adames to comes in and catches him with a right hand. Sheeraz is back, but probably needs a finish.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Sheeraz. Overall, 106-103 Adames.

Round 12: They’re trading and they should have plenty of energy left. Nice jabs from Sheeraz. Glancing left hand from Sheeraz. Adames peppering the body. Adames pumps a jab up top. Good body shot from Adames. Sheeraz looking too passive again. Adames sends Sheeraz’s head back with an uppercut. Adames rips the body. There’s a nice counter left by Sheeraz. Not a bad finish for Sheeraz, but too little, too late.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Sheeraz. Overall, 115-113 Adames.

Official result: Carlos Adames vs. Hamzah Sheeraz ends in a split draw (115-114 Sheeraz, 118-110 Adames, 114-114)

Shakur Stevenson up next against Josh Padley, who steps in on short notice as a replacement for Floyd Schofield. Can Padley shock the world and take Stevenson’s WBC lightweight title?

Shakur Stevenson vs. Josh Padley

Round 1: Stevenson in no hurry to get this one started. He flicks out a few quick punches to keep Padley from advancing. There’s a few jabs from Stevenson. Good left hook from Stevenson just before a clinch. Padley looks to attack the body. Stevenson keeping Padley at the end of that jab.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Stevenson.

Round 2: Good left down the middle from Stevenson. He jabs Padley’s body. Quick combination keeps Padley on the defensive. Stevenson in a good rhythm in this round, Padley doesn’t have many answers right now. Big left hand connects for Stevenson and he’s flowing freely in there. Padley coming forward, but struggling to find a way in.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Stevenson. Overall, 20-18 Stevenson.

Round 3: Stevenson rattles Padley with a right hook and he pursues Padley, who has to work his way out of a corner. Stevenson’s jab is on point. Good counter to the body from Stevenson, but Padley showing something as he comes forward. Padley lands a right to the body. Jab pops Padley’s head back. Overhand right from Shakur gets Padley’s attention.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Stevenson. Overall, 30-27 Stevenson.

Round 4: Jab from Stevenson perfectly timed as Padley steps forward. Stevenson with a quick left to the body. More jabs from Stevenson. He’s methodically claiming space. Another good jab stops a Padley charge. Stevenson staying out of range, neither fighter showing much offense in this round.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Stevenson. Overall, 40-36 Stevenson.

Round 5: Stevenson jabs the body. There’s a good right to the body by Padley. And Stevenson again scores to the body. Jab from Stevenson and he’s talking in there. Padley shuffles in close for a combination. Short right catches Padley ducking in. More tentative action. Glancing right by Stevenson. Hard left from Stevenson splits the guard. Padley not backing down, he’s landing the occasional counter and body shot. Two good jabs from Padley, followed by a right to the body. Looks like that shot affected Padley. Stevenson with a hard shot to the jaw, but a finish won’t materialize as the round comes to an end.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Stevenson. Overall, 50-45 Stevenson.

Round 6: Stevenson opens with a jab to the body again. Padley eats a jab, but rushes forward with a flurry, putting Stevenson on the defensive. The challenger is staying busy in there, odds be damned. Short right for Stevenson off a clinch. He blasts Padley with power punches up top, beautiful combo work. Stevenson throwing to the body with serious intent. Padley needs to get off the ropes because Stevenson is chewing him up. He circles and gets Stevenson against the ropes before landing his own body shots. Padley bringing the excitement out of Stevenson, that’s for sure. Stevenson lands a left and the commentary team notes he might be showing some discomfort. Possible injury? He doesn’t seem too bothered by it.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Stevenson. Overall, 60-54 Stevenson.

Round 7: Stevenson keeping his guard high and tight. He scores with a jab. Counter right by Stevenson on a lunging Padley, who comes forward anyway and lands a punch of his own. Long-distance jab from Stevenson. Right hand bangs against the side of Padley’s head. He punches his way out of the corner. Padley narrowly misses getting crowned by a Stevenson left hook. Stevenson presses the advantage and puts points on the board with a combination. Jab from Stevenson is money. Padley staying active, but he’s catching a lot of air. Stevenson stung Padley with a body shot. Nice body punch sequence from Padley before the bell.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Stevenson. Overall, 70-63 Stevenson.

Round 8: Stevenson upping the pressure slightly. He has Padley’s timing and he’s scoring while stuffing Padley’s counters. Just a steady diet of jabs and body work from Stevenson. Good right from Padley. Stevenson is battering Padley with hooks. Padley doing what he can to push Stevenson to the ropes, but Stevenson brushes him off. Uppercut by Padley. He’s using some unorthodox movement and timing to throw Stevenson off. He’s still getting hit, though.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Stevenson. Overall, 80-72 Stevenson.

Round 9: Padley with a 1-2 to push Stevenson back. Stevenson walks Padley to the corner and lands a pair of lefts to the body. When Stevenson opens up, he’s doing damage. Right on cue, a body shot sends Padley to a knee. He slaps the mat in frustrations and answers the count. Hard punches to the face from Stevenson, then another body shot. Those punches keep getting through. Padley throwing caution to the wind and firing back rather than just wilting from the pressure. Another pinpoint body shot drops Padley. Late shot from Stevenson, too, but ref does not take a point. Stevenson mercilessly ripping at Padley’s body. He’s adding in some head shots, too, and somehow Padley is still in this. Straight left to the body for a third knockdown. Padley looks like he wants to answer the count, but his corner throws in the towel, which is the right call.

Official result: Shakur Stevenson def. Josh Padley via TKO (corner stoppage) (R9, 3:00)

Up next, a non-title fight that could have major title stakes as Joseph Parker faces last-second replacement Martin Bakole. Parker was supposed to fight IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois, but Dubois withdrew on Thursday and now Bakole jumps on this opportunity having just arrived in Saudi Arabia this morning.

Joseph Parker vs. Martin Bakole

Round 1: Parker jabs the body. Probably not a bad strategy given that Bakole could be in less-than-ideal shape. Jab up top by Parker. He’s keeping his distance and focusing on the body. Big right hand whiff by Bakole. Parker triples up on his jab. There’s a nice jab from Bakole, but he’s been getting picked apart from distance. Bakole wants to throw heavy shots, but Parker just ducks his head in and pushes Bakole to the ropes. Bakole lands a right and wants to follow up, but Parker evades and there’s the bell.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Parker.

Round 2: More jabs from Parker to start. He tests Bakole’s defense with a 1-2 combination. Parker makes Bakole miss and connects with a heavy right. Parker with a right to the body. Parker just bullying Bakole, but Bakole is finding openings to land punches inside. Dangerous territory here for Parker. Right hand from Parker lands clean, Bakole just shakes it off. Another right from Parker and that one ain’t getting shaken off, down goes Bakole! He falls back hard and though he’s up for the count, his the referee doesn’t like what he sees and we have a stoppage.

Official result: Joseph Parker def. Martin Bakole via KO (R2, 2:17)