UFC on ESPN 31 live results: Rob Font vs. Jose Aldo

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC On ESPN 31: Font vs. Aldo, emanating from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.

UFC action returns after a week off as the first of three December events in Las Vegas takes place, highlighted by a pivotal bantamweight bout featuring one of the UFC’s all-time greats.

Bantamweight contender Rob Font looks for his fifth straight win as he takes on former UFC Featherweight Champion and future hall of famer Jose Aldo in the main event. Font is coming off a decision win over Cody Garbrandt in May, while Aldo has won two straight after scoring a decision over Pedro Munhoz in August.

In the co-main event, it will be a battle of ranked lightweights looking to move up the ladder as Brad Riddell takes on Rafael Fiziev. Also on the main card is a lightweight battle between long-time veteran Clay Guida and Leonardo Santos, a light heavyweight fight pitting Jimmy Crute against Jamahal Hill, a middleweight fight between Brendan Allen and Chris Curtis, and a welterweight fight that sees Alex Morono squaring off against Mickey Gall.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.

ESPN PRELIMS | 7:00 PM ET/4:00 PM PT

> Louis Smolka (17-7, 8-7 UFC) vs. Vince Morales (10-5, 2-3 UFC)
Bantamweights

They trade to start as Morales lands some jabs while Smolka lands to the body. Morales with a combo to the body and Smolka lands a left hook. Smolka pressing forward and lands a combo. They clinch and Smolka lands some knees to the body as Morales is landing to the body, then Morales drops Smolka with a right hand as they break and finishes it up with some follow-up punches. Big finish by Morales.

Official Result- Vince Morales def. Louis Smolka by knockout (punches) at 2:02 of Round 1

> Claudio Puelles (10-2, 3-1 UFC) vs. Chris Gruetzemacher (15-4, 3-3 UFC)
Lightweights

Gruetzemacher pressing forward and lands a leg kick early. They trade body kicks and then leg kicks. Puelles gets a takedown and is in the full guard of Gruetzemacher. Puelles working from the top but not a whole lot happening. Gruetzemacher tries to scramble out but Puelles takes his back but Gruetzemacher slides his body to the side of the fence. Puelles trying to take the back as Gruetzemacher is trying to escape. Puelles looking for a mounted guillotine but lets go. Puelles gets the full mount and lands some elbows then some punches. Puelles landing some big hammerfists from the top and then moves to the half-guard. Puelles moves to side control and stands and lands to the body at the end. 10-9 Puelles.

Puelles lands a head kick to start the second and tried for a couple of takedowns but Gruetzemacher defended. Gruetzemacher defending as he has the neck of Puelles and is now looking to get on top. Gruetzemacher is on top and in control but not much is going on. They scramble up and Gruetzemacher with a knee. They break and Puelles throws a head kick but Gruetzemacher blocks. Puelles lands a left hand and shoots for a takedown but Gruetzemacher defends against the fence. They break and both are landing. Puelles shoots for a takedown from a mile away but Gruetzemacher easily defends. Gruetzemacher with a knee in the clinch as they go to the fence. Puelles with some elbows and knees in the clinch against the fence. 10-9 Puelles, 20-18 Puelles.

We have a timeout early in the third as they’re in the clinch and Gruetzemacher lands a low blow on Puelles. They get back to action and both throw before they clinch, but break before anything happens. They trade leg kicks and Gruetzemacher with a right hand. Puelles shoots for a takedown but Gruetzemacher defends and switches to the back. They tie up against the fence and Puelles with some foot stomps and Gruetzemacher gets a takedown. Puelles goes for a leg lock. Gruetzemacher escapes and has the back but Puelles goes back for the leg and has a kneebar locked in and Gruetzemacher taps. Nice late finish by Puelles.

Official Result- Claudio Puelles def. Chris Gruetzemacher by submission (kneebar) at 3:25 of Round 3

> Alonzo Menifield (11-2, 4-2 UFC) vs. William Knight (10-2, 2-1 UFC)
Light Heavyweights

Knight goes for an early takedown but Menifield reverses it and is in side control. Knight escapes out and gets to the mount and lands a punch and then takes the back of Menifield. Knight looking for a rear-naked choke. Menifield escapes and takes the back of Knight as they stand. Knight with a knee in the clinch. Knight has a front headlock in as they’re leaning on each other. Menifield is trying for a takedown. They break. Menifield lands a right hand. Knight lands a right hand and then drops Menifield with a left hand and tosses him to the mat and is landing big shots as the first ends. 10-9 Knight.

Menifield landing some good punches to start the second and Knight circles away. Menifield lands a big right hand. Knight just misses a front kick to the face and Menifield lands a right hand. Menifield lands a couple of hard punches. Menifield with a combo and then lands a left hand as Knight has really slowed down. They trade jabs and Menifield lands another nice jab. Knight with a leg kick. Menifield with another jab and just misses an overhand right. They trade late and Knight with a body kick and left hand. 10-9 Menifield, 19-19.

They trade to start the third with both landing hard shots. They clinch against the fence as Menifield has Knight pushed against the fence. Menifield working for a takedown against the fence. Menifield landing some short punches against the fence. Menifield still working for the takedown against the fence. Both landing short shots but neither are doing much. They break. Knight with a body kick then a leg kick. Knight swinging late but doesn’t really connect. 10-9 Menifield, 29-28 Menifield.

Official Result- William Knight def. Alonzo Menifield by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Cheyanne Vlismas (6-2, 1-1 UFC) vs. Mallory Martin (7-4, 1-2 UFC)
Women’s Strawweights

Vlismas throwing punches and kicks early. Vlismas lands a right hand. They trade punches. Martin lands a right hand. Vlismas with a body kick. Vlismas with an overhand right. Vlismas with a combo. They trade punches. They trade inside the pocket. Vlismas with a right hand. Vlismas with a combo. Vlismas with a right hand. Martin lands a left hand. They clinch and Vlismas with some uppercuts and they break. Vlismas with a right hand. Vlismas with some late uppercuts. 10-9 Vlismas.

Vlismas with a right hand. They trade punches and Vlismas with a leg kick. Martin with a combo and Vlismas lands a right hand as she circles away. Martin with a combination. Vlismas with a combo and a head kick. Martin lands to the body and then a left hook. Vlismas with a right hand. They clinch and Martin with a knee to the body. They trade knees to the body against the fence. They break. Vlismas lands a couple of right hands and Martin lands one. Vlismas with a body kick. Vlismas with a combo. They trade late. Close round. 10-9 Vlismas, 20-18 Vlismas.

They trade to start the third. Martin shoots for the takedown as they tie up against the fence. Martin with a knee and they break. Vlismas with a combo. Vlismas with the jab. Vlismas lands a nice overhand right. They tie up and Martin tries hard for the takedown but Vlismas defends. They break. Both are landing and Vlismas with a right hand. Martin coming forward but Vlismas landing more. Vlismas lands a nice right hand. Vlismas with a left hand and continues to land more as the fight is nearing the end. Martin lands a right hand. Vlismas with a combo as she comes forward and she lands more late. 10-9 Vlismas, 30-27 Vlismas.

Official Result- Cheyanne Vlismas def. Mallory Martin by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

> Bryan Barberena (15-8, 6-6 UFC) vs. Darian Weeks (5-0, 0-0 UFC)
Welterweights

Weeks is making his UFC debut, taking this fight on Tuesday. Weeks landing early as he lands a body kick. They trade leg kicks. Weeks scores a takedown but Barberena does a good job of getting back to his feet. Weeks just misses an elbow as they break. Both throwing short kicks and Barberena lands a solid calf kick. He lands another. Weeks goes for a takedown but Barberena defends as Weeks pushes it against the fence. Barberena fights for the underhooks and reverses. Weeks with some knees as they’re tied up. Barberena lands as they break. Weeks with a front kick. Weeks goes for a takedown but Barberena defends. Barberena with a left hand and an inside leg kick late. 10-9 Barberena.

Weeks scores a takedown to start the second. They get to their feet. Barberena still landing the leg kick while Weeks is landing punches. Barberena with a left hand. They trade in close range. Both throw wild shots but neither land. They both then land in close range. Weeks gets a takedown. Barberena works himself to the fence and back to his feet. They break and both land in close range. Barberena with a leg kick. Weeks with a front kick. Barberena with a close combo. Weeks with a right hand. Barberena with a right hand. Close round. 10-9 Weeks, 19-19.

Barberena with some leg kicks as Weeks lands some punches. Barberena with a combo. They tie up and Barberena with a couple of knees. Barberena with some more knees. Weeks tries a takedown but Barberena escapes. Weeks still trying to get the takedown but lets go as they break towards the center. They exchange in close range as Barberena is coming forward and lands to the body. Barberena mixing his punches and lands to the body and head. Barberena with some left hands and an inside leg kick. Weeks with a right hand. Weeks lands some punches and now both landing in close range. Weeks with a solid combination. Barberena with a leg kick. They both land in close but Barberena landing with lots of volume as he lands a big combo to the body. Weeks gets a late takedown. Barberena gets to his feet at the end and rocks Weeks with a left hand at the end. Good fight and close. 10-9 Barberena, 29-28 Barberena.

Official Result- Bryan Barberena def. Darian Weeks by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Manel Kape (16-6, 1-2 UFC) vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov (14-5, 1-2 UFC)
Flyweights

Kape lands some right hands early on. Kape with a leg kick. Zhumagulov with a leg kick. Zhumagulov lands a right hand. Zhumagulov with a right hand and Kape with a leg kick. Zhumagulov lands a big right hand. Zhumagulov with an inside leg kick. They trade right hands. Kape with a knee to the body. Kape with a right hand and Zhumagulov counters with a leg kick and left hand. Kape with a leg kick. Kape with a right hand. Kape with a leg kick and Zhumagulov lands a counter right. Kape drops Zhumagulov with a straight right hand and Zhumagulov is able to get up. Kape lands a flurry against the fence. Kape with big punches against the fence and Zhumagulov is covering up and goes down again and it is over. What a finish by Kape.

Official Result- Manel Kape def. Zhalgas Zhumagulov by TKO (punches) at 4:02 of Round 1

> Maki Pitolo (13-8, 1-4 UFC) vs. Dusko Todorovic (10-2, 1-2 UFC)
Middleweights

Both throwing early but neither really landing. Pitolo lands a solid right hand. Pitolo landing more and then goes for a guillotine choke as they go to the ground. Todorovic escapes and is on top in the full guard of Pitolo. Todorovic moves to the half-guard and then traps an arm and is landing left hands. He almost has the crucifix position in but Todorovic moves to the full mount and is landing big right hands. He flattens Pitolo out and is landing punches. More big punches from Todorovic and it is stopped.

Official Result- Dusko Todorovic def. Maki Pitolo by TKO (punches) at 4:34 of Round 1

ESPN MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

> Alex Morono (20-7 1 NC, 9-4 1 NC UFC) vs. Mickey Gall (7-3, 6-3 UFC)
Welterweights

Morono lands a right hand. Morono with an inside leg kick. Gall with a body kick. Gall with a leg kick. They trade in close range. Gall with a body kick. Morono with a couple of right hands. Morono with a right hand. Morono with a right hand to the body. Morono drops Gall with the jab and gets on top in the full guard of Gall. Morono lands some hammerfists. Gall tries for a kneebar. Morono lands some more punches as he’s getting warned about grabbing the fence. Morono back into Gall’s full guard. They get to their feet and both swing wildly late. 10-9 Morono.

They trade to start the second. Morono keeping Gall on the outside with the jab. Gall lands a combo with a nice left hand and backs Morono up. Gall lands a right hand. Morono lands a right hand. They trade punches and Morono throws so hard he falls to the mat for a moment, but pops right back up. Gall lands a right hand. Gall lands a jab. Both land in close range. They swing wildly but neither seem to land. Morono lands a right hand. Morono lands the jab and follows with a right hand. Gall lands a right hand and tries a takedown but Morono defends. Morono lands a looping left hand. 10-9 Morono, 20-18 Morono.

Gall with a right hand to the body as Morono lands a jab. They trade jabs. Morono with a right hand. Morono with a right hand. Gall lands a right hand. The pace has been slowing down here in the third. Morono lands a nice jab. Gall lands a right hand. Morono with an inside leg kick. Morono lands a combo. Gall lands a right hand as he’s coming forward. Gall with a right hand as he pushes Morono against the fence. They break. Morono still landing the jab. Morono with a spinning back fist. They trade in close range as both are throwing wildly. 10-9 Morono, 30-27 Morono.

Official Result- Alex Morono def. Mickey Gall by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Brendan Allen (17-4, 5-1 UFC) vs. Chris Curtis (27-8, 1-0 UFC)
Middleweights

They trade in close range to start off. Allen picks Curtis up and slams him down and takes the back as Curtis scrambles up. They break as Curtis escapes. Allen with a body kick. They trade punches in close range. Allen with a leg kick. Curtis with a combo against the fence. Allen lands a nice right hand and then a knee to the body. Curtis with a left hand to the body. Curtis with some leg kicks and Allen lands a body kick. Curtis with a left hand to the body. They clinch and Allen goes for a leg lock and Curtis ends up on top and finishes the round on top. Close round. 10-9 Curtis.

Allen with a leg kick. He lands another and follows it with a right hand. They trade in close range as Curtis lands to the body. Curtis lands a body shot and then a right hand and Allen is rocked and in trouble. Curtis lands some knees and an elbow and then a couple of knees put Allen down and it is over. What an upset by Curtis, his second late-notice underdog win in less than a month.

Official Result- Chris Curtis def. Brendan Allen by TKO (strikes) at 1:58 of Round 2

> Clay Guida (36-21, 16-15 UFC) vs. Leonardo Santos (18-4-1, 7-1-1 UFC)
Lightweights

Santos with a leg kick. He lands another leg kick. Santos lands a body kick that seems to hurt Guida and starts landing a flurry. Santos with some big punches as Guida shoots for a takedown and Santos is landing lots of hammerfists. Guida gets up and Santos is still landing big shots to the body as Guida is trying to defend. Santos lands a big knee to the body and Guida goes down and is scrambling for a takedown. They get up and Santos with another big knee and Guida is still trying for a takedown. They stand and Santos with more knees. They break and I don’t know how Guida survived all of that. Guida coming forward and lands a high kick. Guida tries a takedown against the fence. Guida gets a big takedown and is in the guard of Santos and landing punches. Guida with an elbow from the top. Guida with some shots from the top at the end of the round. 10-9 Santos.

Guida comes out swinging and pressuring and Santos lands a knee to the body. Guida gets the back and tries a takedown but Santos grabs the fence to defend. Guida gets Santos down and lands some knees to the body. Guida looking for full back control. Guida looking for a rear-naked choke. He has it locked in and Santos taps! What a comeback by Guida.

Official Result- Clay Guida def. Leonardo Santos by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:21 of Round 2

> Jimmy Crute (#13, 12-2, 4-2 UFC) vs. Jamahal Hill (#14, 8-1 1 NC, 2-1 1 NC UFC)
Light Heavyweights

Crute landing leg kicks early on. Hill with a body kick and then catches Crute with a right hook that sends Crute down for a brief second. Crute gets up and they clinch and Hill lands a knee to the body as they break. Hill then drops Crute again with a right hook and a follow-up right hand on the ground ends it. What a finish by Hill.

Official Result- Jamahal Hill def. Jimmy Crute by knockout (punch) at :48 of Round 1

> Brad Riddell (#12, 10-1, 4-0 UFC) vs. Rafael Fiziev (#14, 10-1, 4-1 UFC)
Lightweights

Riddell with a leg kick. Riddell with a body kick. They trade punches. Riddell with a leg kick. They’re both still feeling each other out. Fiziev with a body kick and Riddell catches it and lets go. They trade in close as Fiziev lands a body kick. They trade close punches. Riddell lands a right hand. Fiziev with a body kick. Riddell lands a right hand and Fiziev lands a counter left hook. Riddell landing the jab as Fiziev lands a hard body kick. Riddell with a leg kick and a follow-up combination at the end of the first. 10-9 Riddell.

Riddell with a body kick. Fiziev lands a combination. Riddell lands the jab. Riddell with a leg kick. They trade in close range. Fiziev lands an elbow. Riddell with a quick combination ending with a hard right hand. They trade hard leg kicks. They trade hard left hooks. Riddell has a big cut opened up on him. Fiziev lands a right hand. Fiziev misses a flying knee but leads to a clinch. They break and Riddell lands a leg kick. Fiziev with a right hand. Riddell lands a left hand. 10-9 Fiziev, 19-19.

Fiziev landing leg kicks early on in the third. Riddell with a leg kick. Fiziev with a leg kick and Riddell is able to get a takedown. They start to scramble up and Riddell has the back but they separate. Riddell with a leg kick. They exchange and both land hard punches. They trade hard shots in close. Fiziev with a leg kick and Riddell lands a counter leg kick. Fiziev now has a cut open. Fiziev with a spinning wheel kick and Riddell looked out on his feet and then dropped and this was over. What a finish by Fiziev!

Official Result- Rafael Fiziev def. Brad Riddell by TKO (wheel kick) at 2:20 of Round 3

> Rob Font (#4, 19-4, 9-3 UFC) vs. Jose Aldo (#5, 30-7, 12-6 UFC)
Bantamweights

Font landing the jab and to the body early. Aldo with a leg kick. Font with a leg kick and goes for a takedown and has the back of Aldo as they go to the mat. They get up and Font still has the back against the fence. Font tries a slam but Aldo grabs the fence to block and then they break. Font with the jab. Font lands a combo. They both land left hands in close. Font with a jab and Aldo with a right hand. Font continuing to land. Font with a leg kick. Aldo circling away. Font lands and Aldo lands to the body. Font with a right hand. Aldo lands a right hand and Font ends up falling down and Aldo swarms on top and lands at the end. Close round with that finish. 10-9 Aldo.

They trade to start the second. Font landing more early in the second. Aldo with a leg kick. Font lands a leg kick. Aldo with the jab. Font with a combo. Aldo lands a right hand. Aldo rocks Font again with a right hand and just misses a flying knee. They trade jabs. Font with the jab. Font throws a right hand but Aldo blocks it, then Font lands a jab. Font with a right hand and then Aldo lands a right hand. Aldo with a jab to the body. Font with a leg kick. They trade jabs. Font with a combo. Aldo with a body combo. 10-9 Aldo, 20-18 Aldo.

Aldo starting the third with some leg kicks. Font lands a combo but Aldo with another leg kick. Font tries a takedown and Aldo ends up on top. Aldo gets the mount and then moves to the half-guard looking for a choke. He then moves to side control. Both landing short body punches on the ground. They get to their feet and Font lands a couple of punches and Aldo lands a right hand. Font lands a jab. Font with a right hand to the body. Aldo with a leg kick and Font briefly falls down. They trade jabs. Aldo with a right hand and a leg kick. 10-9 Aldo, 30-27 Aldo.

Font landing early on. Aldo with a big right hand and Font is stunned. Aldo with two knees and Font goes down and Aldo gets on top and is landing. Aldo gets to side control. Both look to have orbital bone injuries. Aldo still working from side control and not much is happening. Aldo gets to the half-guard and almost had the mount, but Font got him in his guard. Font trying to land elbows from the bottom. Font lands some. Aldo still trying to set up a choke. Aldo ends the round on top. 10-9 Aldo, 40-36 Aldo.

Font trying to land early to start the fifth. Font with a right hand. They clinch against the fence and Font with a couple of left hands in the clinch. Font lands an elbow as they break. Aldo with a combo. Font pushes Aldo away and lands an uppercut that hits the body. They clinch and Font with some knees and left hands. Font with an elbow and big uppercut as they break. Aldo hurts Font with a combo and gets on top of Font. Aldo in the mount and Font trying to escape as he gives up the back. Aldo trying to find a choke but both look tired. Aldo has the body triangle but looks like he’s just going to hold on. Aldo gets the rear-naked choke locked in but Font is able to escape. Aldo gets back on top and has the back and ends the round on top. 10-9 Aldo, 50-45 Aldo.

Official Result- Jose Aldo def. Rob Font by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)