This is the UFC 331 live blog for Alonzo Menifield vs. Iwo Baraniewski, the main card light heavyweight bout Saturday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Menifield (18-7-1) heads into Saturday night's event as the underdog, but the 205-pound veteran has a habit of spoiling the plans of the matchmakers. This past May, he headed into enemy territory to win a thrilling striking battle against China's Zhang Mingyang, and was previously the first man to defeat French prospect Oumar Sy. He has won three of his past four fights.

The red-hot Baraniewski (9-0) seeks his fourth UFC victory, with none of his octagon appearances lasting longer than 90 seconds. Baraniewski, 27, debuted with a wild win over Ibo Aslan, and followed that up with a 28-second knockout over Austen Lane before scoring another fast finish against Junior Tafa. With a win over the veteran Menifield, Baraniewski likely finds himself with a number next to his name when the rankings are next updated.

Check out the UFC 331 live blog for Alonzo Menifield vs. Iwo Baraniewski below.

All aboard the Iwo Baraniewski hype train! Is he the future light heavyweight GOAT or, as Jed Meshew has suggested, just the 205-pound version of Terrance McKinney? We'll learn a lot tonight in this matchup with the always game Alonzo Menifield.

The undefeated Baraniewski is a sizable favorite at -295 according to FanDuel, Menifield the underdog at +240.

Tentative start, both guys respecting each other's power. Menifield lands a right, Baraniewski answers with a left hand. Menifield with a good job, but Baraniewski connects with a power punch and that backs Menifield up. Menifield comes forward and gets rocked again. Baraniewski on the offensive, Menifield wisely ties him up.

They separate and Baraniewski immediately starts throwing, he has Menifield hurt. Baraniewski in top position now, working to get to full mount. Menifield survives but he looks rattled as the round comes to a close, Baraniewski continuing to fire.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Baraniewski.

Menifield immediately comes out swinging and Baraniewski just eats it. No way these guys can keep fighting like this without someone getting flattened. Pace finally slows with the fighters pummeling against the fence. Back at distance, Baraniewski and Menifield looking to establish the jab. Baraniewski connects and immediately goes headhunting, Menifield with good movement to stay out of danger. Neither guy looks particularly fresh right now and there's a lot of fight left.

Gnarly fight inside, Menifield scoring. Whenever he gets going, though, one good counter from Baraniewski gives him pause. Baraniewski beating Menifield to the punch, Menifield's chin is holding up. Menifield with a right across the chin. He ends the round as the aggressor. Close, close round.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Menifield. Overall, 19-19.

Before the round starts, they're bringing in a doctor to check on Menifield's hand. All good. The broadcast zooms in and it looks like his thumb is mangled. Eep.

Quick flurry from Menifield and Baraniewski ties him up. He's pressuring Menifield against the fence. Action has slowed to a crawl. This could be good for Baraniewski with his gas tank not exactly at peak capacity right now. Menifield reverses position and now he has fence control. Crowd boos the lack of action. Menifield trying to throw short punches, but Baraniewski stays locked on to him.

We get a separation with about 90 seconds to go. They trade jabs, Menifield with a slight advantage as it looks like he has more energy. The veteran might pull this off. This is a Menifield round for me, but could go Baraniewski's way if he got the first two.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Menifield. Overall, 29-28 Menifield.

Official result: Alonzo Menifield def. Iwo Baraniewski via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)

Menifield calls Baraniewski “awesome†and then downplays his thumb injury, saying his problems are nothing compared to that of homeless people. He says his mom used to have to search through trash when he was growing up, “Where I come from, this is my background, I have to be [tough].â€