The highly anticipated, first fight between Yair Rodriguez and Jeremy Stephens didn’t deliver the fireworks everyone was hoping. But their rematch tonight at UFC Boston did so and then some.

Round one

Rodriguez came out with a flying sidekick to begin the fight that just missed. Rodriguez then followed up with a big spinning backfist that missed, before clinching up. Stephens worked his way into double underhooks before the two broke away from the clinch. Rodriguez fired in several more kicks and followed up with punches. Rodriguez continued to pick away at Stephens at range, before missing with a flying knee. Stephens dug a nice hard right to the body with one minute left. Rodriguez grazed Stephens not long after with a switch kick, and then he dropped him with a jab moments later. Stephens quickly back to his feet, but Rodriguez started busted out some taunting before the round concluded.

Round two

Rodriguez came with a jumping kick shortly into round two. Moments later he pounded Stephens to the body with a thumping kick and Rodriguez swarmed in with punches. Stephens briefly started working for a takedown, but Rodriguez continued to fire in shots. Rodriguez switched to a choke attempt but gave it up, and then resumed hitting Stephens from the top. Stephens started returning fire from the bottom and Rodriguez started hunting for a D’arce. Rodriguez abandoned the choke attempt again and Stephens worked his way back to his feet. Moments later Stephens clinched up and the fight spilled to the floor. Stephens tossed down a big shot from above but Rodriguez started looking for a choke. Stephens defended and started pounding in punches. Rodriguez got back to his feet but ate a hook while doing so. The round ends with the crowd on its feet. Wow.

Round three

Rodriguez offered to touch gloves but Stephens shrugged him off. Stephens started chucking huge hooks that buzzed the crowd further. Rodriguez continued to throw kicks but Stephens countered with a takedown. Rodriguez ate some shots but got back to his feet. Stephens took Rodriguez down again not long after and scored with some punches from above. Stephens started working to pass guard and continued to land shots. Rodriguez fired some elbows from the bottom but Stephens continued to land from the top. With 20 seconds left, Stephens started tossing down big elbows. The final horn went and the fighters embraced. What a bout.

Rodriguez was announced as the winner via unanimous decision. Here are the results so far for UFC Boston.

Yair Rodriguez  def. Jeremy Stephens via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Greg Hardy def.  Ben Sosoli via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Joe Lauzon def. Jonathan Pearce via TKO (punches) R1, 1:33

Maycee Barber def. Gillian Robertson via TKO (punches) R1, 3:04

Darren Stewart def. Deron Winn via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Charles Rosa def. Manny Bermudez via submission (armbar) R1, 2:46

Molly McCann def. Diana Belbita via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)

Sean Woodson def. Kyle Bochniak via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

Randy Costa def. Boston Salmon by TKO (punches) R1, 2:15

Sean Brady def. Court McGee via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Brendan Allen def. Kevin Holland via submission (rear-naked choke) R2, 3:38

Tanner Boser def. Daniel Spitz via unanimous decision (30-27, 20-27, 20-37)

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