Benavidez vs. Yarde Results: LIVE updates of the undercard and main event

MMA Fighting has Benavidez vs. Yarde results live for the David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde fight card at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday afternoon.

When the main event begins around 8:30 p.m. ET, check out our Benavidez vs. Yarde live round-by-round updates for our live blog of the main event.

David Benavidez (30-0) has yet to taste defeat in his career, recording 24 knockouts. He will defend his WBC light heavyweight title for the first time.

Anthony Yarde (27-3) has reeled off four straight wins, including a unanimous decision win over Lyndon Arthur this past April.

Check out Benavidez vs. Yarde results below.

Fight card (DAZN PPV at 4:45 p.m. ET)

Main event

David Benavidez def. Anthony Yarde via TKO — 1:59, Round 7. (live blog)| Watch highlights

Undercard

Devin Haney def. Brian Norman Jr. via unanimous decision (114-113, 117-110, 116-111)

Jesse Rodriguez def. Fernando Martinez via KO — 1:25, Round 10.

Abdullah Mason def. Sam Noakes via unanimous decision (117-111, 115-113, 115-113)

Vito Mielnicki def. Samuel Nmomah via TKO — 3:09, Round 9.

Prelims (MMA Fighting LIVE now)

Mohammed Alakel def. Jiaming Li via unanimous decision (60-53 x3)

Julio Ruiz and Pius Mpenda fight to a unanimous draw (57-57 x3)

Sultan Almohammed def. Umesh Chavan via TKO — 2:05, Round 1.

Juan El Guerito de Tepito def. Barker Ssewanyana via unanimous decision (40-35 x3)

Check out live blogs below for the biggest fights on the undercard.

Jesse Rodriguez vs. Fernando Martinez

Walkouts: Martinez comes out in black trunks with gold trim. He’s looking very intense ahead of this title fight. “Bam” Rodriguez is out in black trunks with white trim. He’s looking very calm and confident.

Round 1: Martinez out aggressively but Bam is moving, using that footwork, setting the distance with his jab. Both men starting hot and Martinez lands a decent right hand early. Bam’s jab is getting in there, but Martinez showing limited respect early. Bam lands a nice body shot that gets a reaction, but Martinez lands a looping right hand in response. OH! Martinez landed a right hand and Bam touched the canvas. Commentary is saying Bam is the one who landed, but from this angle it sure looked that that was a knockdown. Ref didn’t acknowledge it though and Bam sidestaps Martinez. Great footwork from Bam. Martinez just digging in and chucking hammers. Lands a good one to the body but Bam keeps the jab going.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Martinez.

Round 2: Bam right back with jab, and Martinez lands a right hand. Martinez is missing plenty, but he’s undeterred. Nice body shot from Bam. He’s controlling the ring, backing Martinez up, and picking him with the jab. Another hook to the body around the guard from Bam. Martinez is shouting every time he throws. And he’s not landing clean, but he’s staying very busy. Bam taking his time. Oh, Bam with a nice combination as he got Martinez on the ropes. He’s starting to score consistently. Martinez keeps chopping wood though.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Rodriguez, 19-19 overall.

Round 3: Bam right to the center, moving Martinez back. Slick combination from Bam, landing a sequence of hooks while sliding out of Martinez’s shots. He’s got some Lomachenko to him. Very crafty footwork. And he’s tagging Martinez with shots now. Beautiful slip uppercut. Martinez is not landing anything clean right now. But he keeps trying. Martinez bleeding from the nose, now. Bam is turning him and working him over now. Beautiful body shot, and another. He’s got the angles right now. All class from Bam.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Rodriguez, 29-28 Rodriguez overall.

Round 4: Martinez needs something new here and he comes out trying to move Bam back. He cannot as Bam slips him and then takes over. This is starting to look like a matter of time. Bam with a nice 1-2. Martinez lands a good one, his first in a while. And another. Bam slowed his own output, and staying in the phone booth right now. That’s let Martinez get a few in. They’re inside and grappling. Nice right hook from Bam though. Martinez is no longer grunting, but he’s still throwing. And Bam is walking around him again, pinging him with shots from angles. He’s back to full control.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Rodriguez, 39-37 Rodriguez overall.

Round 5: Martinez with some pep in his step to start this round, but Bam still controlling the footwork. Martinez is just never in position to land well. Bam keeps punching from angles, and it’s starting to add up on Martinez, who is really bothered by his nose. He keeps messing with it, and Bam keeps hitting it. Martinez is not stopping though. He continues punching, to little effect. Bam seeing everything and putting on a masterclass. Nasty left hand catches Martinez clean and puts a jolt in him just before the bell.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Rodriguez, 49-46 Rodriguez overall.

Round 6: This is truly a matter of if Bam will put the pedal down. He’s moving Martinez freely around and landing almost at will. But Martinez won’t quit. He fires off a flurry with Bam against the ropes. Nothing gets home, but he’s not a quitter. Bam bullying him back now, and Martinez keeps messing with his nose. Bam chewing Martinez up now, keeping him cornered and working him to all levels. Beautiful combinations from Bam as he puts Martinez in the glove factory.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Rodriguez, 59-55

Round 7: More of the same in this round. Martinez simply lacks the tools to get real offense off. There is not question who will win, it’s a matter of how Bam does it. Credit to Martinez, he’s not looking for a way out, but Bam is starting to wear him down. He’s landing so often, over 100 more shots thus far, per the stats. Martinez is the No. 2 guy in the weight class, and he’s getting worked. And now he’s hurt! Bam tagged him to the body and Martinez is in defense mode. His punches are coming slower, and slower, and that’s allowing Bam to open up even more.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Rodriguez, 69-64 Rodriguez overall.

Round 8: The story continues. Bam is putting Martinez through his paces. He’s opening up with longer combos now. Martinez hanging tough. Martinez lands one when the ref tries to separate them. That gets a reaction from Bam, but he might just get mad. He doesn’t, just keeps going at it. Martinez swinging hard and coming up with air.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Rodriguez, 79-73 Rodriguez overall.

Round 9: It’s getting hard to describe the same thing over and over again. Martinez is a trier, but doesn’t have the tools. Bam keeps walking around him and tagging Martinez. Martinez is bleeding from the nose. The occasional short clinch. Rinse and repeat. It would be nice for Bam to try and go for the kill here, but his corner is telling him to stay focused. They’re concerned he’s too casual.

Oh! Something happened. Bam landed a nasty left that sent Martinez stumbling back. He fires coming off the ropes to keep Bam off him, and Bam doesn’t get reckless. But that was a big shot, as we’re back to the masterclass of Bam.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Rodriguez, 89-82 Rodriguez overall.

Round 10: More of the same. Round and round we go.

OH! Beautiful left hand to the jaw from Bam sends Martinez crashing to the canvas! Martinez opened up, Bam slipped and sent a straight left that THUMPED him. Martinez looks out of it, and I’m not sure he’s getting up. And he’s not! Bam Rodriguez puts a stamp on it with a one-punch knockout win!

Official Decision: Jesse Rodriguez def. Fernando Martinez via KO — 1:25, Round 10.

Brian Norman Jr. vs. Devin Haney

Walkouts: Haney is out in gator amber print trunks with gold trim and white gloves. Norman in brown and beige trunks, with beige gloves.

Round 1: Haney looks filled out at this weight class. Tense start to this one, with Norman testing the waters with a jab early. He comes in and Haney clinches. Norman definitely looks bigger. Neither man doing much. Norman in the center, Haney has not thrown a punch yet at the 90 second mark. Another clinch when Norman jumps in. Haney doing almost nothing other than play defense. Norman comes in and lands a short left hook. Haney jabs. Man, Haney is so gunshy now. And with good reason I guess as he gets his head snapped back by a left hook when he comes in. Haney grabbing a lot. He does not want to get hit.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Norman.

Round 2: Can’t wait to see the numbers. Haney maybe threw 10 punches. Norman getting the jab going as Haney continues to move away. Haney lands his first good punch, a check hook as Norman got too aggressive. Maybe that will give him confidence. Norman keeps coming in, and Haney doing defense. A lot of clinching happening here. OH! They exchange left hooks and Haney got there first! Norman on wobbly legs and he’s down! Haney put him down!

Norman makes the count but Haney is all over him! Haney needs to attack! Norman in survival mode. Clinch and break. Norman’s bleeding from the nose, but maybe has his legs again. Haney slowing his attack now. He’s let off the gas and Norman survives to the bell.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-8 Haney, 19-18 Haney overall.

Round 3: Norman’s corner was very upset at their fighter. But he survived and that might be good enough. Haney didn’t finish him, will he come out strong now? His corner wants him to get after it.

Norman a little slower now, but still moving Haney back and slams to the body. Haney waiting for his spots. Norman looking OK for now, keeping his nose in. And Haney might be letting him off the hook. Norman gaining confidence as he keeps coming in and Haney isn’t stopping it. Nice right from Haney but Norman eats that well. Norman may not have his legs, but he’s winning this round by virtue of doing stuff. Haney is just waiting too much. The occasional jab is all. Commentary would suggest he’s kicking Norman’s ass, but that’s seems incorrect. He not doing much.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Norman, 28-28 overall.

Round 4: Haney needs to do stuff. Literally, just do some stuff. Norman right back on the offense, backing Haney to the corner and hitting the body. Haney with a couple jabs. Norman bullies him back and Haney works the body well off the ropes. Haney doing some stuff this round at least. He’s got the jab going. And another check hook. He’s controlling the distance much better, making Norman lunge in. And Haney is backing Norman up now.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Haney, 38-37 Haney overall.

Round 5: Norman pumping the jab early, to the body. Haney moving around, waiting for his counters. Haney lands a good jab. And another. His right hand hasn’t done much, but the lead hand is getting home. Norman getting a bit reckless, and Haney lands a right hand over the top. That was nice. Norman’s nose is busted up, might be broken. Haney has the range set and lands a nice right hand. Haney really starting to come alive now, and Norman pressing. His confidence appears to be rocked.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Haney, 48-46 Haney overall.

Round 6: Haney in full control now. Norman looks befuddled with the distance right now. Haney not pressing the advantage though, and Norman lands a nice hook to the body. Haney back to doing nothing this round. Nice jab there. He really should open up the offense. Just the jab. That’s all that’s happening. Clinch and Haney lands a few short shots inside to steal the round.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Haney, 58-55 Haney overall.

Round 7: Norman on the attack but Haney lands a nice left hook early. Then he sits down on a right hand that gets home. Haney getting the offense going? That’s fun. Norman cannot get anything to land. This has to be so frustrating for him. Haney is seeing everything. Norman charges his way in. An exchange and Norman lands well to the body. He’s starting to find some shots, by making this a little ugly right now. Haney with the jab. He’s feeling confident with his defense.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Haney, 68-64 Haney overall.

Round 8: Norman came a live a bit there. can he build on that? He comes out firing and Haney is on his bike. Norman gets inside and roughs him up a bit. Oh, nice combo from Norman. Haney getting pushed into the corner and Norman lands his best shots maybe of the night. Haney not jabbing as much, and Norman coming forward. Haney clinching and Norman trying to toss him. Haney comes alive at the end of the round but not enough to take the round.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Norman, 77-74 Haney overall.

Round 9: Norman’s corner tells him to “take him out” and “make it rough” and that’s probably right.

Haney clinches early. Haney on the defense. They clinch and some roughhouse tactics both ways. Norman is selling out on bully tactics. Haney is not doing enough right now and Norman bulls his way in. This round has been a lot of clinch work, and Haney has against abandoned his jab. Nice left hook from Norman. And another! That one landed clean and got a reaction! Haney now moving away as Norman has gained his confidence back. Norman to the body. He’s getting mean in there and Haney is retreating. Good double jab from Haney. Norman leads with his head.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Norman, 86-84 Haney overall.

Round 10: Haney needs a round to keep this from slipping away. Norman isn’t going away. Another round of clinching thus far. Nice check hook from Haney but Norman is taking them now, and keeps coming. Haney ducking and clinching, not using the jab as much. Unclear why that fell off. Not a ton of offense either side as Haney has continued to move away and play D. Norman with the jab. Haney slowing down a bit, maybe. Oh, big jab from Norman as Haney jumped in, snapped his head back.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Norman, 95-94 Haney overall.

Round 11: Norman’s corner still urging him to go for broke. Great advice. The commentators think the scorecards are wider than we have it, but this one could be close.

Haney is still on defense, and Norman is taking advantage. The jab has disappeared. Clinch and in-fighting. This is getting muddy, and that’s better for Norman. Ref letting them work in tie-ups. Haney lands a couple. Norman keeps coming in. Haney lands some clinch shots. Haney landing decently in these tie-ups now. Norman might be gassing a bit. He keeps coming forward but he’s labored now. Haney needed this round badly.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Haney, 105-103 Haney overall.

Round 12: Norman needs a knockdown now, maybe more. It’s possible this is 104-104, but unlikely. Probably wider in favor of Haney.

Haney looks fresh, and I suspect he’s about to run for 3 minutes. They clinch and Haney lands well. They keep getting in clinches and this is now good for Haney. Norman can’t work here. Norman trying to thump to the body but Haney tying up, draining the clock. Haney keeps getting into clinches. Norman running out of time as they clinch again. Haney to the body and that has been good. 60 seconds left, and Norman isn’t going to get there. He can’t get real offense off and it’s all clinch wrestling. Haney tying him up and he’s going to win this one.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Norman, 114-113 Haney overall.

Official Decision: Devin Haney def. Brian Norman Jr. via unanimous decision (114-113, 117-110, 116-111)