UFC on ESPN 36 live results: Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakic

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC On ESPN 36: Blachowicz vs. Rakic, emanating from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The UFC is back in their home base this weekend with a light heavyweight main event that could play a hand into who is the top contender in the division.

Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jan Blachowicz returns for the first time since losing the title as he takes on Aleksandar Rakic in the five-round headline bout. They were scheduled to meet in March, but the fight was pushed back after Blachowicz had to pull out due to neck issues. Blachowicz was last seen in October, when Glover Teixeira submitted him to win the light heavyweight title. Rakic hasn’t fought in 14 months as he’s coming off a win over Thiago Santos at UFC 259 in March 2021.

In the co-main event, it’s another light heavyweight battle as Ryan Spann takes on Ion Cutelaba. The rest of the main card sees a bantamweight bout between Davey Grant and Louis Smolka, a women’s flyweight fight between Katlyn Chookagian and Amanda Ribas, a lightweight fight pitting Frank Camacho against the debuting Manuel Torres, and undefeated flyweight prospect Jake Hadley debuts against Allan Nascimento.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.

ESPN PRELIMS | 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT

> Middleweights- Nick Maximov (8-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Andre Petroski (7-1, 2-0 UFC)

They trade leg kicks to start. Maximov with a right hand. Maximov shoots for the takedown and they scramble around and Petroski has the front headlock. Petroski looking for a D’Arce choke and Maximov is out! What a finish by Petroski!

Official Result- Andre Petroski def. Nick Maximov by submission (anaconda choke) at 1:16 of Round 1

> Flyweights- Tatsuro Taira (10-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Carlos Candelario (8-1, 0-0 UFC)

Candelario with a body kick then they clinch right up. They break. They trade punches and Taira with a leg kick. Candelario with a leg kick. Taira with a leg kick. Taira goes for a takedown but Candelario is defending. They break. Taira lands a right hook and a body kick to follow. Candelario tries a takedown but Taira defends and they break. Taira with an inside leg kick. Taira lands a nice right hand. Taira with a nice right hand to the body as Candelario lands a counter. Taira shoots for a takedown and completes it near the fence. Candelario works his way to the feet. Taira lands an uppercut to the body as they break. Candelario gets a late takedown. 10-9 Taira.

They trade and Taira shoots for a takedown but Candelario defends. Taira then drops Candelario with a right hand and was landing then jumped on the back as they stand. They go to the ground and Taira looking for a choke. Taira landing punches from the back as he flattens Candelario out. Taira working for the rear-naked choke but Candelario defending. Taira still working from the back ad Candelario spins to the guard of Taira. Candelario gets to the half-guard of Taira and lands some body punches and some elbows to the body. 10-9 Taira, 20-18 Taira.

Taira lands a groin kick and we have a timeout. They get back to action and Taira gets a takedown and Candelario goes for a guillotine and had it locked in but Taira gets out of danger. Candelario lands from the top but Taira sweeps to the top for a moment and looks for a triangle choke. Candelario escapes and Taira grabs the back. Taira gets to the mount and is keeping the arm trapped as he lands short body shots. Taira with some big punches from the top looking for the late finish. Taira with more big punches and lands some elbows now. Taira with a strong finish to the fight. 10-9 Taira, 30-27 Taira.

Official Result- Tatsuro Taira def. Carlos Candelario by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

> Women’s Strawweights- #12 Virna Jandiroba (17-3, 3-3 UFC) vs. #13 Angela Hill (13-11, 8-11 UFC)

Both looking for early openings and Jandiroba is looking to shoot for a takedown. Jandiroba tries for a takedown but Hill keeps it up as they clinch against the fence. Jandiroba drops to the mat looking for a calf slicer and a leg as Hill is defending on the mat. Hill is showing pain on her face as Jandiroba is trying for a kneebar. Hill escapes and is in half-guard. They scramble to their feet and Hill pushes it against the fence. They escape and Jandiroba just misses a right hand. Hill lands a right hand. They clinch and Jandiroba lands a knee and Hill gets a takedown and lands some elbows on the mat at the end. 10-9 Jandiroba.

They trade punches to start the second. Jandiroba with a right hand. Jandiroba with a right hand. Hill lands a quick combo. They clinch and both land as they break. They clinch and Hill pushes it against the fence. They break. Hill with a three-punch combination. They clinch again and Hill pushes it against the fence. Hill with a knee as they break. Hill lands a right hand and Jandiroba counters with a right hand. Jandiroba gets a takedown. Jandiroba trying to find an arm and look for the armbar. Jandiroba lands some hammerfists. Hill rolls to the top but Jandiroba still has the arm. They make it to the end. 10-9 Jandiroba, 20-18 Jandiroba.

Hill lands a nice right hand and follows it up with another one. She lands another right hand. Hill with the combination. Jandiroba tries for a takedown as she has the single leg against the fence. Jandiroba gets the takedown. Jandiroba with some body punches from the top. They get to their feet and Jandiroba has the back standing. They break and Jandiroba quickly gets another takedown. Jandiroba in the full guard of Hill. Jandiroba with some body shots. She lands some more. Jandiroba gets the back of Hill late. Hill spins into the guard of Jandiroba. Hill with a right hand from the top. 10-9 Jandiroba, 30-27 Jandiroba.

Official Result- Virna Jandiroba def. Angela Hill by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Lightweights- Michael Johnson (19-17, 11-13 UFC) vs. Alan Patrick (15-3 1 NC, 5-3 1 NC UFC)

Patrick with a leg kick. Johnson lands the jab. They clinch and Johnson pushes Patrick off. Johnson lands a left hand that rocks Patrick. They trade leg kicks and Patrick with a knee to the body. Patrick lands a left hand that wobbles Johnson. They clinch against the fence. They trade knees. They break. Patrick lands a body kick. Patrick with a leg kick. Johnson lands a left hand. Patrick with a leg kick. Patrick lands a spinning back fist and Johnson was struggling to stay on his feet but is able to get a takedown and is in the guard of Patrick. Johnson lands a couple of elbows. Johnson ends the round on top. 10-9 Johnson.

Patrick with a leg kick and they frantically run around the cage. Patrick with a front kick to the body. Patrick with a leg kick and they clinch up. They break. Patrick with a spin kick then Johnson lands a nice combination. Johnson drops Patrick with a combination and lands a big shot from the top and it is over! What a finish by Johnson!

Official Result- Michael Johnson def. Alan Patrick by knockout (punches) at 3:22 of Round 2

> Women’s Flyweights- #8 Viviane Araujo (10-3, 4-2 UFC) vs. #9 Andrea Lee (13-5, 5-3 UFC)

Lee with a leg kick and Araujo lands a combo that puts Lee on a knee for a second. They trade punches. Lee drops Araujo with a right hand and Araujo stands and eats a head kick that almost puts her out. Lee gets on top and is landing big punches and puts Araujo on her back. Lee lands but they scramble up. Araujo gets a big slam takedown and is in the guard of Lee. Lee looking for a kimura and uses it to get to their feet. Araujo has the body lock. Lee lands a knee as they break. Lee with a leg kick then a high kick and a combo. Araujo looks for a takedown against the fence. They break. Lee landing the jab as Araujo lands a right hand. Lee with a left hook. They trade jabs and Araujo with a right hand. Araujo gets a takedown and passes to side control. Araujo with some right hands from the top at the end. 10-9 Lee.

Lee lands a lead elbow as both land to start the second. Araujo with some right hands. Both are landing solid punches. Lee tries a takedown but Araujo defends and takes the back and looks to flatten Lee out. Araujo with left hands from the back. Araujo looking from the arm-triangle choke as she’s on top. Lee escapes but Araujo maintains top control. Araujo takes the back again and has the hooks in and looking to flatten Lee out. Araujo with punches from the back. Araujo with big right hands from the back. Araujo still working from the back. Araujo gets to the top and has the arm-triangle choke locked in. Lee is defending. Araujo with some punches. Lee survives the round. 10-9 Araujo, 19-19.

They trade to start the third. Araujo looks for the takedown and gets it against the fence. They get to their feet and remain clinched against the fence. They break. Lee with a combination. Lee tries a kick but falls to the ground and Araujo gets on top and moves to side control. Araujo working from the top and gets the back of Lee. Lee is able to sneak out to the top but Araujo scrambles looking for a heel hook but Lee is on top and lands punches to end the fight. 10-9 Araujo, 29-28 Araujo.

Official Result- Viviane Araujo def. Andrea Lee by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)

ESPN2 MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

> Flyweights- Jake Hadley (8-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Allan Nascimento (18-6, 0-1 UFC)

Nascimento lands a big head kick that Hadley eats. Hadley with a combo as Nascimento lands a leg kick. Hadley with a body kick and Nascimento grabs the leg and gets a takedown. Nascimento in the full guard of Hadley. Hadley gets the omaplata and uses it to sweep to the top. Nascimento looking for the arm. They trade punches on the mat. Hadley looking for the back as Nascimento still has the leg. Nascimento looking for an ankle lock. Hadley lands some body punches to escape. Nascimento still has the leg and Nascimento sweeps to the top. Nascimento working in the guard of Hadley. Nascimento with a couple of shoulder strikes. Nascimento with some ground-and-pound from the top at the end. 10-9 Nascimento.

Hadley coming forward and Nascimento lands some kicks. Hadley pressing forward ad lands a combination. Nascimento gets the takedown. Nascimento working from the top as he’s in the half-guard and lands a couple of elbows. Nascimento gets inside the full guard of Hadley. Nascimento stands and lands a punch as he moves to side control. They scramble to their feet and clinch against the fence. Hadley with a knee. 10-9 Nascimento, 20-18 Nascimento.

Hadley lands to start the third as he’s pressuring. Hadley gets the takedown and he’s on top next to the fence. Hadley working from the top and he takes the back of Nascimento and looks for the hooks. Nascimento is able to scramble to the top. They get to their feet and Nascimento goes for a takedown but Hadley is able to get on top and is in side control. Nascimento gets on top and lands some left hands. Nascimento ends the fight on top. 10-9 Nascimento, 30-27 Nascimento.

Official Result- Allan Nascimento def. Jake Hadley by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Lightweights- Frank Camacho (22-9, 2-5 UFC) vs. Manuel Torres (12-2, 0-0 UFC)

They’re trading big shots to start. Camacho lands the jab. Torres lands a big combo. They trade big punches. They clinch against the fence but break. Camacho with a leg kick. Camacho with the jab and Torres lands a right hand. Camacho tries a takedown but Torres defends. Camacho with the jab and a right hand. Torres with a flurry of shots against the fence. Torres with a combination. Camacho with a leg kick and Torres lands a left hook. They trade right hands. Torres with a flurry after landing an uppercut. Torres with an elbow and a left hand. Torres with the stiff jab. Torres drops Camacho with a left hook and right hand combination and Herb Dean stops it. What a finish by Torres!

Official Result- Manuel Torres def. Frank Camacho by TKO (punches) at 3:27 of Round 1

> Women’s Flyweights- #1 Katlyn Chookagian (17-4, 10-4 UFC) vs. #9 (WSW) Amanda Ribas (11-2, 5-1 UFC)

Ribas with a quick combination. Chookagian with the jab. Ribas grabs the neck and gets a judo takedown. Ribas in control from the top as Chookagian is trying to scramble up but Ribas is holding her down and lands some short punches. Ribas trying to get into the guard but Chookagian is able to sweep and they get to their feet. They trade and Ribas lands some short uppercuts. Chookagian with a nice combo. Chookagian with a right hand. Chookagian with the jab. Ribas lands a combo to the body. Ribas with a right hand. Chookagian with a knee. Ribas with a spin kick and they both land punches. They trade in close range. Close round. 10-9 Chookagian.

They trade to start the second and Chookagian with a right hand and a knee. Chookagian with some front kicks. Chookagian with an uppercut. They trade right hands. Ribas with a spin kick to the body. Chookagian lands a knee and a right hand. They clinch and Ribas with some body shots and gets another head-and-arm takedown. Ribas rolls into the guard of Chookagian. Ribas looking to pass the guard as she lands some punches from the top. Ribas takes the back but they get to their feet. Ribas tried a takedown but Chookagian grabbed the fence to defend. They break. Ribas with a leg kick and Chookagian with a left hook. Ribas with a right hand. Chookagian with a big right hand. Chookagian with a combo. Chookagian grabs the back and pushes it against the fence at the end. Another close round. 10-9 Chookagian, 20-18 Chookagian.

Chookagian with a right hand and Ribas lands a leg kick and Chookagian slips for a moment. They trade jabs. Ribas with a spin kick to the body. Chookagian with a quick combo and back fist. Ribas with a high kick. They trade in close range. Ribas with a nice combination ending with a leg kick. Ribas with the jab. Chookagian with a combination. Ribas with a high kick. Chookagian with the jab and Ribas with a body kick. Ribas gets a takedown but Chookagian gets to her feet against the fence. They break. Ribas with a right hand and follows it with a jab. They trade in close range. Ribas landing big punches ear the end. They clinch and trade knees. They trade wild shots at the end. Really fun fight. 10-9 Ribas, 29-28 Chookagian.

Official Result- Katlyn Chookagian def. Amanda Ribas by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Bantamweights- Davey Grant (13-6, 4-5 UFC) vs. Louis Smolka (17-8, 8-8 UFC)

Grant with some side kicks to the legs. Grant with a leg kick. Grant lands a right hand. Grant with a leg kick and they trade punches in close range. Grant with a big combination to the body and head. Smolka rushes in and Grant lands a knee to the body. They trade in close range. Grant landing some big punches in close range but Smolka is still coming forward. Grant with more combos to the body. Grant drops Smolka with a jab and jumps on top. Smolka looks for a leg. They get up and Grant with a combo. 10-9 Grant.

Smolka immediately tries a takedown but Grant defends. Smolka with a body kick and Grant counters with a body combination. Smolka with a right hand. Grant still landing punches. Grant with a knee. Smolka with a body kick. Grant with a right hand to the body. Smolka with a quick combo. Smolka with a nice combination. Grant with a leg kick. Smolka with a combo but Grant was covering up. Grant with a combo and Smolka is landing the jab. They trade in close range. Smolka with the jab. They both land big shots. Grant with a spin kick. Grant with more big shots. Smolka gets a takedown and jumps on the back and was landing as they stood. Smolka jumped on the back and they went back down and now Smolka looking for the armbar. Grant gives up his back and they get to their feet. They trade late. 10-9 Smolka, 19-19.

They trade to start the third. Grant lands a leg kick and Smolka is hurt and they go to the mat. Grant starts landing big punches on the mat and knocks Smolka out! What a finish by Grant.

Official Result- Davey Grant def. Louis Smolka by knockout (punches) at :49 of Round 3

> Light Heavyweights- #13 Ryan Spann (19-7, 5-2 UFC) vs. Ion Cutelaba (16-6-1 1 NC, 5-5-1 UFC)

They’re trading to start and Cutelaba gets the takedown. They get to their feet and Cutelaba gets another takedown. Cutelaba lands from the top. Spann kicks Cutelaba off and they get to their feet and Spann grabs the neck and they go to the mat and Cutelaba taps! Great finish by Spann.

Official Result- Ryan Spann def. Ion Cutelaba by submission (guillotine choke) at 2:22 of Round 1

> Light Heavyweights- #1 Jan Blachowicz (28-9, 11-6 UFC) vs. #3 Aleksandar Rakic (14-2, 6-1 UFC)

Both land leg kicks early and Rakic slips and almost gets his head kicked off on the way up. Rakic with some calf kicks. Blachowicz lands a left hook. Blachowicz with a leg kick. Blachowicz with a left hook to the body and an overhand right. Rakic with a leg kick. Blachowicz fires one back. Blachowicz with a right hand. They trade leg kicks. Rakic with a right hand. They trade leg kicks. Blachowicz with a leg kick. Blachowicz clips Rakic with a left hand and Rakic tries a takedown but Blachowicz defends it. They trade big shots in close range. Rakic with a body kick. Rakic with some leg kicks. 10-9 Blachowicz.

Blachowicz landing early and throws a kick but Rakic grabs the leg and gets a takedown. Rakic is working from the top and in the guard of Blachowicz and landing punches. Rakic still working from the top as the round ends. 10-9 Rakic, 19-19.

Blachowicz with a quick combination. Blachowicz landing and Rakic is backing up. Blachowicz lands a leg kick and Rakic backs up and falls to the mat holding his knee and the fight is stopped. It looked like Rakic blew out his knee as he was stepping back and putting weight on his back leg. You could see the knee blow out on the replays. It’s a win for Blachowicz but not in the way he wanted it.

Official Result- Jan Blachowicz def. Aleksandar Rakic by TKO (injury) at 1:11 of Round 3