MMA Fighting has David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde live round-by-round updates for one of the most anticipated boxing fights of the year at ANB Arena in Riyardh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday night.
The main event is expected to begin around 8:30 p.m. ET on DAZN pay-per-view. Check out our Benavidez vs. Yarde results page to find out what happened on the undercard.
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 the Benavidez vs. Yarde live blog below.
Yarde has a clip from “Legend” with Tom Hardy talking about wanting a shootout. He’s in a green robe with gold trim, and looks very confident. His trunks match, forest green with white trim.
Benavidez is walking out and grinning from ear to ear. He’s in a gator skin robe with Mexican flag colors, red, white, and green. His trunks are similar, though not gator skin.
Bruce Buffer does the introductions, they touch gloves, and it’s go time.
Yarde looks clearly bigger than Benavidez, a natural light heavyweight. But Benavidez is right on the pressure, moving Yarde back. And Yarde is getting cornered early, as they exchange heavy shots. Benavidez loops a right hand long and over the top, and it lands, but without much pop. He’s moving Yarde back freely. Benavidez to the body, and Yarde returns in kind. Nice right hand from Yarde up top as Benavidez went to the body. Benavidez jabs the body. Benavidez with a sharp jab as Yarde is waiting a bit. Yarde looks enormous, but Benavidez with a combo.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Benavidez.
Yarde snapping the jab early. Benavidez looks like he’s just handing in first gear for now. But he gets Yarde to the corner and combos. Yarde counters well and moves him. Benavidez goes to the body. Benavidez still staying in first gear, methodical. Yarde moving well and popping his jab. Benavidez gets him to a corner and big combo, but Yarde blocks well and lands a right as he spins out. Benavidez gets him to the ropes again and unloads but Yarde rolling them all. He’s not scoring back, but he’s doing fine.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Benavidez, 20-18 Benavidez overall.
Yarde lands a soft right to the body early. He’s not throwing hard, and he’s landing some. Benavidez sits on a stepping right hand but Yarde rolls it. Benavidez coming in hard now and Yarde showing good defense. Benavidez gets Yarde to the corner again and digs to the body. Yarde mixing his levels well but Benavidez keeps putting him in the corner and getting busy. Yarde defending well, but this is not a winning position. Right back to the corner again and Benavidez is throwing more combinations now. Benavidez really leans into a couple shots but Yarde takes them. He’s just not winning, but he’s not getting lit up. Yet.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Benavidez, 30-27 Benavidez overall.
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