UFC 307: José Aldo vs. Mario Bautista: Live round-by-round updates
The UFC 307 José Aldo vs. Mario Bautista round-by-round updates are here with real-time coverage and live scoring. The two men clash in a bantamweight bout on the UFC 307 main card, which is set to start at 10 PM E.T. / 7:00 PM P.T.
The matchup itself, meanwhile, is estimated for a 10:30 PM E.T. / 7:30 PM P.T. start time. The fight marks the second UFC appearance Aldo has made since walking back on his retirement. Meanwhile, Bautista is likely intent on using the legendary Brazilian as a launching pad for his own success in the division.
Aldo is a former featherweight champion, whose exceptional skill and physicality enabled him to outwork Jonathan Martinez in his return after two years away. Now, the 32-8 Hall of Famer will hope to do the same with Bautista en route to earning a crack at bantamweight gold.
However, Bautista, who is 14-2 and on a six-fight win streak, will hope to retire Aldo for good and make his own way up the divisional ladder. The oddsmakers at DraftKings Sportsbook certainly expect him to do so, regarding him as a -142 favorite, while Aldo is a +120 underdog.
Follow Sportskeeda for play-by-play analysis and live scoring of the bantamweight bout, which plays over three, five-minute, rounds.
UFC 307: José Aldo vs. Mario Bautista
Round 1
Bautista opens with a low kick, pressuring Aldo to the fence, throwing in combinations already. Aldo is making reads though, countering a Bautista jab with a low kick. However, Bautista is right back on the front foot, landing a jab to the body before ducking under for a takedown. However, Aldo defends.
Bautista has Aldo trapped against the fence, kneeing him in the thigh. Some shoulder strikes land for Bautista. Both men trade knees to the thigh, but they break. Aldo with a hard outside low kick. A big right hand lands for Bautista. Another takedown attempt from Bautista as they clinch up against the fence.
Knees to the thigh and stomps to the feet from Bautista, but Aldo frames him and breaks away. Aldo has done little but opens up with a combination. Bautista with a body jab. Aldo lands a good right hand. A round kick to the body lands for Bautista. He's just more active than Aldo, but eats a combination. 10-9 Bautista
Round 2
An intercepting knee from Aldo grazes Bautista, cutting him open on the brow. Aldo on the front foot now, landing jabs and a big body shot. Aldo is landing more easily now, catching Bautista with a big knee as his opponent fails on a takedown. Bautista is back on the front foot, throwing more volume.
However, Aldo fires back with his own combination. Bautista shoots for another takedown but Aldo defends well. They're back on the fence with Bautista landing some shoulder strikes. They break and Bautista eats another knee. But Bautista lands a combination.
Jabs land for Bautista, before Aldo lands his own jab. More takedown shots from Bautista, but as always, Aldo defends and they're back on the fence. They break and Aldo cracks Bautista with a right hand. Combinations from Aldo and Bautista shoots for another failed takedown. 10-9 Aldo
Round 3
Aldo starts off with a combination. Jabs for Aldo and a low kick for Bautista. More low kicks for Bautista. Aldo fires back with jabs and Bautista shoots and fails on another takedown. Once again, both men are on the fence, with Bautista landing knees to thigh and nearly tripping him.
Bautista is working hard for the takedown but just can't finish it. The referee separates them and Bautista immediately shoots for another takedown, pushing Aldo to the fence. They're still stuck on the cage and Aldo finally breaks, exploding with combinations.
Aldo is throwing with reckless abandon and Bautista immediately ducks under for a takedown to pin Aldo against the fence. They break and end the round exchanging. 10-9 Bautista
Official Decision: Mario Bautista def. José Aldo via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)