MAIN EVENT – Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Championship
Ronda Rousey (134.5) vs Miesha Tate (134.5)
SHOWTIME MAIN CARD
KJ Noons (156) vs Josh Thomson (155)
Kazuo Misaki (169.5) vs Paul Daley (171)
Lumumba Sayers (185) vs Scott Smith (186)
Bristol Marunde (184) vs Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (184.5)
SHOWTIME EXTREME PRELIMS
Alexis Davis (135.5) vs Sarah Kaufman (135.5)
Roger Bowling (170) vs. Brandon Saling (170.5)
Pat Healy (155) vs Caros Fodor (155.5)
Conor Heun (155) vs Ryan Couture (154)
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Click here for quick results.
Round 1
Referee Herb Dean starts the night off in the welterweight division. The fighters exchange jabs to start the contest. Pierce is able to initiate the clinch with Robertson. The Washington native is able to use the position to drag his opponent to the mat. Robertson is game and fights off the takedown as much as he can. He works back to a standing position. Pierce keeps Robertson's back in the fence but is landing little in the way of damage. Referee Dean agrees and separates the fighters. Robertson fires a right hand but is clinched up against the fence almost immediately. Pierce fires a right hand to the stomach of Robertson. The round ends with a Pierce takedown. 10-9 Pierce.
Round 2
The second frame starts with the fighters opening up in a flurry. A right lands for Pierce but its the left that sends Kenny Robertson to the floor. Pierce capitalizes on the floor and gets the stoppage at 29 seconds into the second round via TKO.
Round 1
Light heavyweights continue the action from The Mandalay Bay Events Center. Overseeing the tilt is referee Steve Mazzagatti. The two men touch gloves and the action starts early. Romero gets tied up into the clinch and eats a solid Kingsbury knee. The knees don't stop there as "Kingsbu" lands a few more to the body before landing a left hook that drops Romero. Mazagatti has seen enough and stops the contest just 21 seconds in the first.
Round 1
Lightweights are in the Octagon, along with referee Kim Winslow. After a quick touch of the gloves Taylor fires a right hand that lands to the head of "Godzilla." This initiates a clinch from Ruediger, but it doesn't last long. Taylor launches a left followed by a right which his complemented by a right low kick. The two men clinch again with Ruediger's back to the fence. Ruediger tries to make space and get a takedown, but Taylor shrugs him off. In space, Ruediger shoots but comes up empty. Taylor clinches again and puts his opponent's back into the fence. With little action taking place, Winslow separates the two lightweights. Ruediger rushes in for a takedown but fails again. The round ends with a Taylor left hand. 10-9 Taylor.
Round 2
The middle period opens with Taylor launching punches at Ruediger. The former WEC champion falls to his back to lure the Brit to the mat, but Taylor is wise and backs away. On the feet they clinch again and Ruediger is able to force Taylor's back into the fence. Taylor is able to move off the cage and launches a fight ending flurry. First it's a left hand that hurts Ruediger. A right causes more damage, but its a left head kick that causes Ruediger to fall to the mat and turtle. Kim Winslow savesthe fallen Ruediger at 1:42, giving Taylor the TKO win.
Round 1
Mario Yamasaki is the referee for this bantamweight bout. Both men bounce tentatively with Yamamoto on the outside. Johnson flicks out a few low kicks and Kid catches him with a short left on the second. Another leg kick yields a right hand counter from Yamamoto, tripping Johnson up and sending him backing up into the cage. Johsnon appears to catch a low kick, but he’s good to continue and the fighters touch gloves. Yamamoto winds up and misses on a huge uppercut, gets taken down by Johnson, but pops right back up. Johnson comes in and Kid hits him with a right hand, and then repeats a moment later with a left. Johnson gets a takedown in the center of the cage with 90 seconds to go. Kid bucks and rolls, escaping, but gets clipped by a Johnson combo on the way up. Yamamoto lands one back on Johnson and pins him against the fence. They disengage and Johnson plows Yamamoto down with a powerful takedown. The round ends with Johnson landing short punches from half-guard.
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Johnson
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Johnson
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Johnson
Round 2
Yamamoto tries a takedown after some more feeling out, but Johnson sprawls and they stay up. Johnson comes inside with a kick that catches Kid square on the cup and immediately backs off. After a moment, they resume and Johnson scores another takedown. Kid barely touches the ground and scrambles to keep it standing up. He sprawls on the next shot, but eats a few punches from Johnson soon after. Now it’s Johnson circling the outside in the orthodox stance. He goes to the middle and whirls Kid down with a single leg. Yamamoto once again gets the underhook and quickly works back to his feet. Johnson misses with a three-piece, Kid misses with a counter right, and Johnson floors his opponent. Yamamoto gets up and Johnson does it again. Kid scrambles loose and tags Johnson with a knee, then backs off, thinking it may have been illegal. Johnson says he’s good and that’s where the round ends.
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Johnson
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Johnson
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Johnson
Round 3
Yamamoto slowing down now, still trying to counter the bouncy Johnson. After a minute of circling, Johnson drags Yamamoto down again. Not much happens before Kid gets back up, but Johnson is taking him down at will now. He does again, but can’t get any position on Yamamoto, who gets to his knees, then to his feet. Two minutes left. Johnson clips Kid with a left hook, then another, a kick to the body, and finishes with a takedown at the base of the fence. This time, Kid is slower to get up. He only gets off a few knee and punch attempts before Johnson takes him down again. It ends with Johnson grinding from half-guard and it should be a clean sweep for “Mighty Mouse.”
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Johnson (30-27 Johnson)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Johnson (30-27 Johnson)
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Johnson (30-27 Johnson)
Official scores: The judges have it 29-28 and 30-27, twice, all in favor of Demetrious Johnson, the winner by unanimous decision.
Round 1
Referee Herb Dean is in charge of this featherweight affair. Omigawa puts his dukes up and begins changing levels, and Mendes smacks him with an outside leg kick. Mendes ducks inside and misses on a combo; Omigawa zaps him with a short counter left. Another cracking leg kick from Mendes precedes a takedown attempt, but Omigawa gets the underhook and sprawls well. Mendes lands a crisp right hand, another leg kick, and tries another takedown attempt. Omigawa stays up again and now starts moving forward on Mendes, who’s flicking out his jab. With 90 seconds left, Mendes brings Omigawa down with a double-leg. Omigawa grabs a straight armbar from guard and Mendes looks concerned momentarily, but soon extracts the limb. He backs out and allows Omigawa to his feet. Mendes with another inside leg kick and grazes Omigawa with a left as the round ends.
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Mendes
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Mendes
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Mendes
Round 2
The fighters touch gloves again. Omigawa times an inside leg kick from Mendes and hits him over the top with a right hand. A combo from Mendes floors Omigawa and Mendes gives chase into the judoka’s guard. Omigawa recovers and ties up, but Mendes postures up and gets a few punches through before Omigawa scrambles to his feet. Mendes bounces a few overhand rights off Omigawa, who’s coming slow on his counters and has dropped his hands a bit. Mendes drills a right to the gut of Omigawa and then one to the grill. Omigawa’s face is bloodied now, but does well to resist the next takedown attempt from Mendes and winds up pinned to the fence. Short elbow lands inside for Omigawa; Mendes gives him one back. Omigawa tries to reap the leg of Mendes, can’t get it and they disengage. Nice right hand from Mendes. He lands a few more leg kicks that have Omigawa jumping out of the way. Mendes shoots a single and gets sprawled on, and Omigawa drives some punches and elbows to his ribs. Mendes leaps in with a knee and has a left high kick blocked. Omigawa lands a solid left with 20 seconds left, but immediately gets plowed down by Mendes.
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Mendes
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Mendes
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Mendes
Round 3
Omigawa comes out sporting a massive gash on his left eyebrow from a Mendes elbow in round two. Nonetheless, he comes forward, landing a kick to the body and a few left hands before sprawling on another Mendes single-leg. Omigawa grabs a guillotine and Mendes rolls forward, extracting his head and moving into the Yoshida Dojo fighter’s half-guard. Omigawa establishes his guard. He’s doing well to tie Mendes up, but Mendes is just pinning him down and muscling him around the mat. Mendes backs out and dives back in with a right hand. Omigawa shrimps and gets to his feet with just under two minutes left. Omigawa starting to string together punches now, lands a few and eats an overhand right counter. He looks to stuff another shot from Mendes, but Mendes keeps after it and gets it with the second effort. Omigawa looks for an omoplata opportunity in the waning seconds. Mendes senses this and backs out, then dives forward and connects with a few more punches before the final horn.
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Mendes (30-27 Mendes)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Mendes (30-27 Mendes)
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Mendes (30-27 Mendes)
Official scores: All three judges cageside see the bout for Chad Mendes, with scores of 30-27 across the board.
Round 1
Referee Steve Mazzagatti is in charge of this lightweight matchup. Kelly throws a one-two instead of touching gloves and Cerrone plows him down with a double-leg. Cerrone gets his head clear of a loose guillotine attempt and moves to side control on Kelly. They work back to the feet and Kelly drills a knee in the clinch. He leaps forward and pops Cerrone with a nice left hand, opening up a cut beneath Cerrone’s right eye. Cerrone puts a straight left on Kelly’s forehead, which Kelly slaps, telling the “Cowboy” to do it again. Cerrone ducks under a looping right from Kelly and slaps a nice kick to the Brit’s body. Solid overhand right connects for Kelly this time. Cerrone times a short Superman punch from Kelly and brings him down, then moves into half-guard. Kelly has both of Cerrone’s arms tied up, not allowing much. Cerrone gets loose in the last 20 seconds and busts Kelly up with short elbows, opening up a cut on the Englishman’s right eyebrow.
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Kelly
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cerrone
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cerrone
Round 2
The fighters touch gloves to start the second. Kelly flurrying with punching combos and leaping knees as Cerrone goes to work with low kicks. Cerrone connects with a left kick to the body-right hook combo. Left jabs getting through for Cerrone now. He drives forward and puts Kelly on his back, but gets caught in a guillotine. It’s not tight, and the Cowboy pops loose and gets to half-guard, then mount. Kelly eats a few punches before giving up his back, where Cerrone locks up a tight body triangle with 1:50 still on the clock. Kelly, whose cut has opened back up, defends well at first, but a few punches from the back soften him up. Cerrone whips his left arm around Kelly’s throat and rolls him over, squeezing tight. Kelly taps the mat at the 3:48 mark of the second round.
Round 1
Mario Yamasaki is the third man in the cage for this bantamweight scrap. The WEC vets touch gloves and the much longer Torres sticks his left arm out, feeling for range and keeping Banuelos on the outside. Following a very tentative start from both men, Torres starts to land, connecting with a kick to the body and a few nice jabs. Banuelos catches a low kick and drives Torres down, but lets the former champ back up right away. Torres sneaks a stiff right through the low guard of Banuelos and sticks him with a few more left jabs. The crowd boos as the slow opening round ends.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Torres
Tony Loiseleur scores the round 10-9 Torres
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Torres
Round 2
Torres slaps a left high kick off the forearm of Banuelos, who then barely misses with an overhand right. Banuelos catches a glancing low kick to the cup, but runs it off and gets right back to work. Torres is continuing to pump the left jab, keeping Banuelos out of his zone. The crowd is growing audibly restless with two minutes left in the middle stanza. Banuelos is getting tagged with the jab every time he moves into Torres’ range and not landing anything of his own. He finally lands a solid left hand in the last 10 seconds, but the round was once again all Torres.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Torres
Tony Loiseleur scores the round 10-9 Torres
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Torres
Round 3
Torres begins scoring with more jabs to open the final period. Banuelos is still unable to get inside effectively, and the crowd jeers after 90 seconds. Nice one-two from Torres is followed by a kick to the body. More jabs snapping back the head of Banuelos, who is now covering up when Torres feints the punch. Torres landing jabs at will in the final minute and dodging everything Banuelos throws his way. Banuelos goes wild with punches, knees and a spinning kick in the final 20 seconds, to no avail.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Torres (30-27 Torres)
Tony Loiseleur scores the round 10-9 Torres (30-27 Torres)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Torres (30-27 Torres)
Official scores: It’s a clean sweep for Miguel Torres, who earns scores of 30-27 on all three official scorecards.
Round 1
Referee Kim Winslow gets the assignment for this welterweight bout. Ellenberger eats a left hand and floors Rocha with a double-leg. Rocha pops back up and clinches with Ellenberger along the fence. The Brazilian tries to reap the leg of Ellenberger, but gets taken down instead. Rocha gets to his feet and sprawls on a takedown attempt, winding up in side control on Ellenberger’s right. Rocha steps over into mount, then moves to the left. Rocha is pinning his man down and moving from side to side, then jumps on Ellenberger’s back as the American tries to twist loose. Ellenberger puts his back on the mat and Rocha is back in side control. Rocha steps over and grabs the left leg of Ellenberger under the knee from top mount. He can’t find the leg lock and moves back to side control. Winslow warns Rocha of headbutting. Ellenberger explodes out and grabs a guillotine, but it’s short-lived. Ellenburger stuffs a takedown attempt and drills a knee to the body of Rocha, who slips on a spinning kick. Rocha gets taken down, but sweeps with a kimura. He wrenches the hold from side control, but can’t finish before the round expires.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Rocha
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Rocha
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Rocha
Round 2
Ellenberger scores with some knees in the clinch and stuffs a takedown attempt. Rocha turtles and eats some solid punches from Ellenberger before scrambling to his feet and whiffing on a big spinning back kick. Rocha looks to be breathing hard as he airmails a few slow low kicks. Ellenberger jumps forward and drills a knee to the gut of Rocha. As the pace has slowed, Ellenberger has started landing more punches, especially his left. Rocha catches a kick to the body and returns fire with one of his own. Ellenberger drives Rocha down with 20 seconds left. Rocha looks for a submission as the round ends.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Ellenberger
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Ellenberger
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Ellenberger
Round 3
Rocha putting low kicks on the inside of Ellenberger’s left leg early in the final round. Ellenberger clips Rocha with a three-punch combo and uses underhooks to stuff the subsequent takedown attempt. Rocha falls to guard and Ellenberger wants none of it. Ellenberger times a low kick perfectly and slugs Rocha with an overhand right. The Brazilian sidesteps a double-leg attempt from Ellenberger. Hard left jab from Rocha gets through with 90 seconds left. A right high kick glances off Ellenberger, who shoves Rocha to the floor. He lets Rocha back up and zaps him with a one-two. Ellenberger waits for a low kick and explodes into a takedown, going into Rocha’s guard and landing short elbows. Ellenberger backs out and dives back in with one more shot at the horn.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Ellenberger (29-28 Ellenberger)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Ellenberger (29-28 Ellenberger)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Ellenberger (29-28 Ellenberger)
Official scores: One judge scores it 30-27 Rocha, while the other two have it 29-28 for the winner by split decision, Jake Ellenberger.
Round 1
Herb Dean is the referee for this important clash of 205-pound prospects. Jones crouches in his corner before the start and then slinks across the cage to meet Bader. Jones looking very relaxed, moving around the outside before shooting in and pulling Bader down with a double. Bader grabs a guillotine, but Jones rolls through and winds up in side control, then north-south position. Jones snares Bader’s head under his left arm and squeezes. Bader looks to be in trouble, but he’s surviving even as Jones puts all his weight on the north-south choke. Jones abandons the choke and Bader twists loose, escaping to his knees, then his feet. Two minutes to go. Jones fires off a left high kick that causes Bader to shoot. Jones stuffs the double and puts Bader on his back. Jones looking for a choke from half-guard, but Bader has an underhook and gets back up. Bader has a kimura framed up momentarily, but loses it as he falls back to guard. Jones with a few glancing elbows that cause Bader to cover up.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Jones
Jack Encarnacao scores the round 10-9 Jones
Tomasz Marciniak scores the round 10-9 Jones
Round 2
Jones goes high with a partially-deflected left kick, then low with a right. Bader connects with a solid punch and a leg kick, but Jones continues pressing forward. One-two and a leg kick from Jones. Another outside leg kick makes Bader shoot; Jones stuffs it. They tie up and Jones trips Bader down, landing in half-guard. From there, Jones traps the head of Bader under his left arm, wrenches a tight guillotine choke and elicits the tap from Bader. The official time is 4:20 of the second round.
During the postfight interview, Joe Rogan reveals that Rashad Evans has withdrawn from his UFC 128 light heavyweight title bout with Mauricio “Shogun” Rua due to a knee injury. Rua will instead defend his belt against Jones on March 19 in Newark, N.J.
Round 1
Steve Mazzagatti is back in the cage for the evening’s co-main event. Franklin throws a low kick and gets his rear leg chopped out from under him. Griffin gives chase into Franklin’s guard, but Franklin is keeping active from the bottom with short punches. Griffin isn’t landing much offense, but is looking every bit the stronger man as he stacks Franklin up from guard. Now the punches begin to come from Griffin, both to the head and body of Franklin, who is maintaining guard and trying to neutralize the space with wrist control. Griffin postures up and gets a few shots through to Franklin’s head. With 90 seconds to go in the opening round, Franklin is playing strictly defense, unable to find an answer to the larger Griffin’s top game. Still in guard, Griffin lands some elbows before the round ends.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Griffin
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Griffin
Tony Loiseleur scores the round 10-9 Griffin
Round 2
Griffin going with kicks to open the round, as Franklin tries to get inside with combinations. Griffin catches a low kick from Franklin and takes his back standing, then drags him to the floor. Against the base of the fence, Griffin tries to sink his hooks in. Franklin gets to his knees, but Griffin is still glued on his back. Punches from Griffin as Franklin gets to his feet; Griffin yanks him back down. Franklin works back to his feet and Griffin shoves him away. Some nice left straights connect for Franklin, but his knees fold up when Griffin clips him with a left hook of his own. Griffin doesn’t pounce, instead backing off and firing a hard body kick to Franklin’s ribs. Franklin is landing sporadically when he wades in with combos, but Griffin’s still getting the better, more varied attack.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Griffin
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Griffin
Tony Loiseleur scores the round 10-9 Griffin
Round 3
The fighters touch gloves to start the final frame. Franklin thuds a good left kick to Griffin’s gut. Franklin comes inside with a left hand that misses and the pair ties up. Griffin brings it to the floor, but both men are soon back on their feet. Three minutes to go and Franklin seems to be turning the tide slightly. His left kicks are connecting as Griffin’s punching combos decrease in accuracy. Franklin comes over the top with a left hand as Griffin lands a push kick. It’s still a close fight with 90 seconds to go when Griffin changes levels and scores with a double-leg. Franklin twists free and gets on top, but Griffin scrambles and reverses him back. They wind up on their feet with 35 ticks on the clock. Franklin pushes Griffin into the fence and Griffin reverses, then disengages. Both men throwing hard in the final seconds.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Franklin (29-28 Griffin)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Franklin (29-28 Griffin)
Tony Loiseleur scores the round 10-9 Griffin (30-27 Griffin)
Official scores: All three judges cageside score it 29-28 for the winner by unanimous decision, Forrest Griffin.
Round 1
Mario Yamasaki is set to officiate this title bout. Silva bows to Belfort after final instructions, but the men do not touch gloves as the match begins. Belfort assumes the center as Silva circles the outside, clockwise. Nothing thrown in the first 60 seconds and the crowd boos. Both men starting to feint and flinch when Belfort finally flicks out a leg kick. Now two minutes down and there’s been no offense of substance. Belfort jumps forward and lands a left on Silva’s chin. Silva answers with a high kick and gets taken down, but he’s quickly back up. Another left from Vitor, but Silva is bobbing and weaving, playing the matador. Silva lands a left front kick square to the jaw of Belfort, whose knees give way immediately. Silva pounces and lands two punches on the mat before Yamasaki jumps in. It’s another spectacular knockout for Silva at 3:29 of the opening round.
PPV
Chris Leben (186) vs Brian Stann (186)
Nate Diaz (170) vs Dong Hyun Kim (171)
Clay Guida (156) vs Takanori Gomi (155)
Thiago Silva (206) vs Brandon Vera (205)
ION TELEVISION PRELIMS
Jeremy Stephens (156) vs Marcus Davis (156)
Josh Grispi (146) vs Dustin Poirier (145)
Phil Baroni (186) vs Brad Tavares(185)
PRELIMS
Mike Brown (146) vs Diego Nunes (146)
Daniel Roberts (171) vs Greg Soto (171)
Antonio McKee (156) vs Jacob Volkmann (156)
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Click here for quick results.
Round 1
Both come out cautiously in a southpaw stance. They paw right jabs. McKee misses a right hook but follows that with a kick to the ribs. McKee lands a left/right and then shoots in. He's stuffed. They stand and clinch. McKee presses Volkmann into the cage. After about 20 seconds they separate. Volkmann shoots in and scores a takedown; he lands in half guard. McKee scrambles and gets back to his feet and presses "Christmas" into the cage again. Volkmann reverses and then separates. McKee misses a wild left uppercut/right hook. Very little action at end of frame. Very close round. 10-9 Volkmann.
Round 2
They paw jabs and stalk each other. A minute in and virtually nothing has happened. Volkmann shoots in and takes McKee down. They scramble and Volkmann takes his back, but he's inverted. They scramble again and this time Volkmann has his back proper. He latches on a rear-naked choke, but McKee has great defense. Volkmann has both hook in but he can't sink the choke. 90 seconds later and McKee is still defending perfectly. McKee now is punching upwards to try and score points. He's actually landing many of his punches cleanly. McKee explodes and spins out of the choke and lands in Volkmann's guard at the horn. 10-9 Volkmann.
Round 3
They circle cautiously for 45 seconds until Volkmann throws a right hook. It misses by a mile. Very little action and the sparse crowd begins to boo. Two minutes in and nothing has happened. McKee eats a right hand but answers with a left. McKee digs a right hook to the body followed by a left hand to the ribs. McKee lands a lunging right hand and shoots in. He scoops up Volkmann and slams him down to the canvas. Volkmann scoots to the cage and sits up. Volkmann wall walks after a minute or so buy McKee drags him back down. The horn sounds and those in attendance boo lustily. 10-9 McKee.
Official scores: 29-28 McKee, 29-28 Volkmann and 29-28 Volkmann. Jacob Volkmann takes the split decision.
Round 1
Roberts storms out and connects with a series of stiff right jabs from a southpaw stance. They flail away but neither lands a clean shot. Roberts shoots in but is stuffed and then caught in a guillotine. Roberts fends it off and scrambles to his feet. Soto sprawls to avoid a double leg but he's eventually dragged down. Roberts lands in Soto's half guard. Roberts is active from up top and delivers a series of left elbows and hammerfists. Soto returns the favor with a vicious elbow from the bottom. Soto scrambles and Roberts instantly locks in a perilous kimura. It's deep. Soto rolls to escape but he is stick by the fence. It's deep and Soto taps. The official time of submission is 3:25.
Round 1
Nunes quickly fires a low kick and a spinning back kick. Brown charges in and shoots for a double, but Nunes stuffs him. Brown has Nunes pressed into the fence and digs dozens of vicious knees to the thigh. Nunes scrambles out and Brown is all over him. Brown lands a series of punches to the face and then seizes his back. Nunes explodes out and Brown slams him back down. Nunes scrambles up and is cracked by a massive left hand. He's rocked and stumbles into the fence. Brown over extends on a takedown attempt and Nunes escapes danger and clears his head. Hard low kick connects for Nunes. Hard right hand by Brown. Flying knee by Nunes. Now it's on. The Brazilian fires three more knees from the clinch. 10-9 Brown.
Round 2
Nunes' left eye is totally shut at the start of the round. A hard low kick by Nunes followed by a spinning-back kick and another low kick. Brown just presses forward. Nunes is keeping a safe distance with his low and front kicks. They clinch. A few knees from Nunes find a home on Brown's body. They separate. Brown isn't as aggressive this round. Nunes is in total control with his awkward punches and low kicks. Brown shoots in but Nunes sprawls. Brown scoops him up but can't slam him down because Nunes grabbed onto the corner post. Back up, Nunes lands another spinning-back kick. They clinch and Nunes connects with a series of knees to the body. 10-9 Nunes.
Round 3
Nunes lands a kick to the body, a head kick and a glancing axe kick. Brown can't close the gap to strike due to Nunes' distance. A hard low kick by Nunes. Brown shoots in but Nunes sprawls. They clinch against the cage and then trade knees to the body. Nunes reverses and has Brown pinned into the cage. Nunes lands a series of knees to the body. Brown slips out and lands a knee of his own. They separate. Nunes with another spinning-back kick. Another, but it's blocked. Brown scores a textbook double leg and Nunes scrambles up to his feet. Head kick by Nunes at the horn. Great fight. 10-9 Nunes.
Official scores: 29-28, Nunes, 29-28 Brown and 29-28 Nunes. Nunes takes a split decision; there's a mixture of cheers and boos for the verdict.
Round 1
Tavares continues to paw toward the back of the fence, and Baroni cracks him with a hard left hook. Tavares falls against the fence, and Baroni quickly looks for a guillotine, but can't secure the choke. Tavares is able to defend the choke, but Baroni assumes top control, and gets to half guard, driving his forearm into Tavares. Tavares scrambles to his feet, but Baroni controls the head. Tavares catches two hard knees to the body as he barrels forward in pursuit of the takedown. Baroni sprawls, and drives him into the fence. The pair stand up in the clinch, and trade knees. Baroni lands a knee low on Tavares, and referee Josh Rosenthal gives him a momentary respite. Tavares cracks Baroni with a hard head kick, and Baroni waves him to come on. Tavares feints, and cracks Baroni with an overhand right. Baroni is rocked badly, falling into the cage and Tavares is all over him, pushing down his head and smashing him with punches. Rosenthal has seen enough, and calls the fight at 4:20 of the first round for the Hawaiian.
Round 1
The pair trade kicks early, and Grispi lands a hard kick to the body. Poirier returns with a hard inside low kick. Poirier drives a teetp into Grispi's chest. Grispi jumps guard high, and nearly gets high enough for a flying triangle, but Poirier defends and Grispi lands on his feet. They land in the clinch, and Poirier lands a volley of hard knees to Grispi. Grispi reels, and Poirier follows up, landing hard left and right hooks. Grispi shoots for a desperate takedown, but Poirier lands on top and pounds him momentarily before standing back up. Poirier lands another hard teep to the body. He follows with another hard push kick that puts Grispi on the mat. Poirier opts not to stay on top and lets him back up, where he goes to work on Grispi again, smashing him with hooks as Grispi reels along the fence. Grispi is being completely sonned on the feet. He drops for another desperate takedown, and Poirier takes top and continues the pounding. Poirier nearly takes Grispi's back, but Grispi turns and gets half guard. Grispi locks up a kimura, and slowly waits for a chance to pull it away from Poirier's body. He finally gets it away, but Grispi can't pull Poirier's arm back. Poirier escapes, and takes the round easily.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Poirier
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Poirier
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-8 Porier
Round 2
Grispi looks for another takedown, and Poirier smashes a knee into his gut. Grispi separates, and Poirier smashes him with another torrent of punches. Grispi shoots again, and finally gets Poirier to the ground. Poirier scrambles, but Grispi looks for a guillotine, and jumps it. He can't get position, and Poirier escapes. Poirier clinches up and smashes Grispi with another series of knees. Poirier maintains the clinch and lands another three hard knees. Grispi changes levels, but Poirier sprawls forces his head into the met. Poirier takes top position and pounds away. Grispi looks for a triangle, but Poirier elevates him and throws him off. When Grispi regains his feet, Poirier assaults him with more punches and elbows. The Louisiana native is just smashing Grispi with standing elbows at the bell.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Poirier
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Poirier
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-8 Porier
Round 3
Poirier gets to the Thai clinch again and smashes Grispi in the face with more knees. Grispi escapes, and shoots another slow, desperate takedown. Poirier sprawls and takes top position again, before standing up and forcing Grispi back to the feet. More crosses and uppercuts meet him when he regains his feet. Grispi walks headlong into another volley of hard knees. Poirier is just dragging him around with a double collar tie and smashing him with knees. Grispi drives low, and finally sucks Poirier off of his feet and puts him on his back. Grispi is able to pass to side control briefly, but Poirier regains full guard. He locks up and overhook and just hangs on to Grispi, waiting for the round to end. Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Poirier (30-27 Poirier)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Poirier (30-27 Poirier)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Porier (30-25 Poirier)
30-27 across the board for Dustin Porier, winner by unanimous decision.
According to Compustrike data, Porier outlanded Grispi 102-28.
Round 1
Both men tense, sizing one another up and feinting. Stephens jumps in with a wild hook, leading to the clinch, with each man having one underhook. Davis double jabs, but doesn't connect. Davis' jab isn't landing, but it is keeping Stephens on the outside. Stephens cracks Davis with an inside low kick, and drives the former pro boxer into the fence. Davis turns him around, and gets his leg deep on Stephens, tripping him to the mat and straight into half guard. Davis chips away with short left hands up against the fence, as Stephens looks to walk up the wall. Stephens is able to scramble back to his feet and break free. Davis lands a hard overhand left on Stephens, stumbling him. Recognizing he's hurt Stephens, Davis charges at Stephens, and runs him into the cage. Stephens is able to stave off the takedown until the bell.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Davis
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Davis
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Davis
Round 2
Stephens avoids a flurry from Davis, and cracks him with an outside low kick. Davis throws a left cross and misses, and Stephens misses the right cross counter. Stephens low kicks, and looks for a flying knee that misses. Both men tentative to throw, each waiting for the other to engage so they can counter. Davis lunges with a hook, but Stephens sidesteps it and clinches briefly. Stephens continues to try to time Davis with a right hook counter and can't land it. Davis stpes in, and Stephens drops for a takedown, driving Davis back into the cage. Stephens gets his hands closed on a single, but can't get Davis to the mat. Davis ties up Stephens leg, tripping him to the ground as Stephens goes for a kimura. Davis wisely steps into side control, taking away much of the threat of Stephens' kimura attempt. Stephens kicks his legs low and gets half guard back, trying to crank Davis' arm behind his back. Davis lays down on him, idly punching his ribs. Davis yanks his arm free, and steps up in full guard. However, Stephens is the more active, elbowing to Davis' head to the bell.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Stephens
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Stephens
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Stephens
Round 3
Stephens shoots a takedown but is rebuffed by Davis. Davis lands a hard overhand left that rocks Stephens, but Stephens returns fire with a hard right hand of his own. Stephens throws a roundhouse kick that hits only air. Davis now starts to move forward, in pursuit of a left cross. Davis throws a low kick, and finally lands the left cross he's seeking. As Davis throws a right overhand, Stephens squats low and drives into his skull with a spear of a right hand. Davis goes down, and Stephens is all over him with a diving punch for good measure. Davis is completely unconscious. Stephens' sudden, brutal knockout comes at 2:33 of the final round.
Round 1
Through the first minute, there is frenetic movement from both fighters and very little action. Guida throws two lunging overhand rights that miss by miles. Guida smacks a head kick off Gomi's face, and charges with a takedown that Gomi sprawls on. Guida shoots a single, and Gomi sprawls, turning and limplegging out of the attempt. Gomi looking for an overhand left, but can't land it. Neither men have really landed anything of conseqeuence with 90 seconds to go in the round. Gomi grazes with a jab. Gomi throws a wild hook, and Guida ducks under and elevates Gomi to score his first clean takedown. Guida sets up shop in half guard. Guida throws a sharp elbow that misses before the bell.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Guida
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Guida
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Guida
Round 2
Gomi clips Guida with a punch, prompting Guida to drive for a takedown, but Gomi is able to limpleg out. Guida bulls him into the fence, but Gomi is able to fight off the fence. Gomi continues to change levels, looking for a left cross. Guida capitalizes with another head kick and a right cross. Gomi lands a flicking jab, and another. He explodes at Guida with a hard knee, but Guida controls his leg and slams him to the mat again, landing in half guard. Guida tries pushing to the fence, looking to secure his arm deeper around Gomi's neck for an arm-triangle choke. Gomi is able to fight out and looks for a kimura from the bottom. Guida escapes, and swings his arm over Gomi's head. He passes to mount quickly, prompting Gomi to roll right into a deep arm-in guillotine. Gomis strains to pull his head out, but can't, and is forced to tap. The end comes at 4:27 of the second round.
Round 1
Diaz paws with his jab, and Kim drives forward and slams him to the floor. Diaz momentarily looks for a kimura from the bottom, but gives it up. Diaz is active, moving his legs, looking for submissions. Kim cracks him with a single punch from guard and looks for the pass, but can't get to side control. He gets to north-sorth and Diaz attempts to scramble, but Kim controls his hips and reaffirms top position. Kim tries to pin Diaz's leg in guard, but Diaz frees himself and grapevines Kim's leg. Kim spins out, and takes top position again. As Kim settles into guard, Diaz looks for a kneebar momentarily, but Kim easily escapes and sets up in full guard again. Kim gets to half guard, and Diaz turns, exposing his back. Kim sinks his hooks in briefly, but Diaz rolls through and seeks a kneebar again. Kim escapes, and they get back to their feet, missing punches as the bell goes.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Kim
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Kim
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Kim
Round 2
Diaz flicks his jab and follows with a hard left cross. Diaz comes forward again, and digs into Kim with a four-punch combination that features a hard left hook to the body. Diaz lands a nice two-piece combination that forces Kim to shoot: Kim doesn't get the first takedown attempt, but Kim continues looking for the takedown and takes him to the mat with an inside trip. Diaz continues to stagnate Kim's attempts to pass guard with active hips and punches from the bottom. Kim tries to vault over Diaz's legs, but Diaz shuts it down. Kim lands some overhand rights, and tries to pass under. When he brings his knees off the mat, Diaz upkicks him, pushing him away, but Kim drives forward and puts him right back on the mat. Kim lands two overhand rights. Diaz puts his legs up, and Kim stacks him yet again. Diaz rolls and exposes his back again, but Kim can't take back control. The Korean cradles Diaz, taking away his hips, but Diaz is able to escape and take Kim's back. Kim is able to throw him off over the top, and Diaz lands a right hand as the horn sounds.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Diaz
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Diaz
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Diaz
Round 3
Kim's nose is bloodied as the third round begins, and Diaz mashes his nose with his jab again. The two southpaws exchange left crosses, and Kim throws a head kick that clips the back of Diaz's head as he ducks. The Korean throws in a short right hand, and looks for a lackadaiscal takedown, which Diaz defends, and then takes a rear waistlock on the Korean briefly. Kim bends over for another takedown, and Diaz gets a front headlock, and delivers a sharp knee. Kim puts his hand on the ground, and Diaz lands another knee. Kim crumples to the ground after the illegal blow, and referee Yves Lavigne gives Kim a brief respite and warns Diaz. The action resumes, and Diaz is able to put Kim on the mat. However, Kim quickly sweeps, and presses Diaz into the fence. Diaz turns his back again and fights back to his feet. Kim looks to sink one of his hooks standing, but Diaz defends. Kim eventually pulls him to the ground and sinks his hooks, but Diaz peels them off and attacks the leg again. Kim pulls his leg out, and holds onto the rear waistlock standing with 90 seconds to go. Kim grapevines Diaz's far leg and falls to the mat, but is too tired to sink his hooks, and both men get back to their feet. Kim tries for a harai goshi throw, and Diaz pushes him off, and lands a head kick that snaps Kim's head back against the fence. Diaz pushes Kim into the fence, kneeing Kim to the head and body. Kim goes for head control, looking for a throw, and Diaz smashes him with repeated right hands, drawing a roar from the crowd. Diaz looks for a takedown at the bell.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Diaz (30-28 Diaz)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Diaz (29-28 Diaz)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Diaz (29-28 Diaz)
Official scores: All three judges 29-28 Kim. No judges' names are announced.
Round 1
Vera lands two hard leg kicks, and Silva landing a chopping right over the top. Silva pushes him into the fence, and Vera lands a knee to the body. Silva drops for a single-leg takedown, and gets it, setting up in half guard. Thiago is trying to pass, Vera controls his upper body to prevent it. Vera switches to half butterfly guard, looking for a sweep. Silva moves to half guard, and as Vera looks to regain, Silva passes over to the other side to sit in side control. Silva starts delivering short elbows and punches. Silva continues to grind away with short shots. He pulls his arm back in toward his body, smashing Vera with an elbow. Vera kicks his legs up, and Silva catches one, and falls to his back, looking for a heel hook. Vera escapes and the horn sounds.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Silva
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Silva
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Silva
Round 2
The second round begins with both men trading heavy hooks. Vera gets through clean and flush with a left hook-right hook combo. Silva lands a right of his own and they clinch up along the fence. As Vera pushes Silva into the fence, Silva raises his leg and explodes forward with a brilliant trip into the full guard. Vera throws elbows from his back while Silva lands short, idle punches. Vera kicks Silva away, but Silva splits his legs and passes through to half guard. Vera gets a butterfly hook, and digs under the thigh looking for a sweep. Silva punches with both hands. Silva lands a hard left that forces Vera to cover up, and follows with more lefts. Silva continues to chop away with short punches and elbows. With 30 seconds to go, Silva postures up and throws a strong salvo of punches. Vera is stuck on the bottom with no recourse. Silva hammers away until the bell.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Silva
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Silva
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Silva
Round 3
Silva throws a body kick, but Vera catches it, and trips him to the mat. Vera returns with another body kick. "The Truth" looks for a head kick, and Silva runs him into the cage again, and gets double underhooks, much to the chagrin of the crowd. Silva ducks under and gets a rear waistlock. Vera tries to elbow him from behind, but Silva uses the momentum of the strike to pull Vera to the mat, looking to take his back. Silva gets one hook in, and punches away on Vera. Silva starts to posture up, throwing punches and hammerfists, and trying to sink his arm under Vera's chin. Silva mocks Vera, drumming on his back, and slapping him in the ear, which prompts Vera to throw an elbow at Silva behind him, which misses. Vera continues to control one of Silva's wrists, as Silva smashes away with left hands as the horn sounds. Silva leisurely skips to his feet, while Vera slowly gets to his feet with a completely destroyed, gnarled nose.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Silva (30-27 Silva)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Silva (30-27 Silva)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Silva (30-27 Silva)
Official scores: 30-26 and 30-27 (twice) for Thiago Silva.
According to Compustrike data, Silva connected with 111 strikes to Vera's 35.
Round 1
The pair trade low kicks, and Stann cracks Leben with a right cross. Leben throws a wide left hand, and Stann cracks him with another right. Leben with a low kick. Stann pushes him into the fence, and shuts down an attempted Leben trip. The pair break out in a full hockey fight from the collar tie, and Leben crunches some uppercuts into Stann's face before Stann pushes him back into the fence. Stann looks for knees to the body but can't land anything hard and clean. They separate, and Stann lands a hard kick to the body. Stann lands a hard two-piece, and Leben comes forward right into a flurry of hard punches from Stann. Stann lands a massive right hook and Leben goes down in a heap, in slow motion, and Stann pounces with punches as Leben holds on. Leben makes it back to his feet, only to be dropped again by heavy Stann fire. Stann is all over "The Crippler" as Josh Rosenthal looks on with concern. Leben somehow gets back to his feet again, but he's basically out on his feet. Stann crushes him with a knee, and the follow up punches seal the deal. Rosenthal has given Leben every chance to recover, but he's down and out officially at 3:37 of the first round.
Round 1
The first minute of the bout is marked by much feinting and little striking, until Edgar cracks a low kick into Maynard. Maynard lands a crushing overhand left that drops Edgar, who does a somersault backwards. Maynard chases down Edgar and is all over him with punches. Edgar is desperate in pursuit of a takedown, but Maynard is bashing him with rights and lefts. Edgar tries to turn and retreat but is hit with more heavy artillery. Maynard continues the assault while Edgar is able to defend just well enough to let Yves Lavigne let him continue. Edgar gets back to his feet and gets cracked with a right uppercut that puts him down again, forcing him into another attempted takedown. Maynard pounds and pounds. Edgar makes it back to his feet, but he's extremely groggy and looks to have little speed left. Edgar's nose is bloody, and he continues to circle into Maynard's left hook. With 20 seconds to go in the round, Edgar starts to land short punches of his own, however, it's far too little, too late after an absolute shellacking by "The Bully."
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-7 Maynard
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-8 Maynard
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-8 Maynard
Round 2
Edgar looks to have gained some measure of his wits back, moving much more smoothly with speed. He lands a hard overhand right that marks up Maynard's left eye with a trickle of blood beneath it. Maynard still looking to land a swiping left hook, but can't connect. Edgar doubles his left hook, but Maynard blocks it. Body kick and a right hand land for Edgar. Edgar cracks Maynard with another right hand. Maynard looks for a takedown, but Edgar shucks him off easily. The champion looks much better in this second round after a nearly catastrophic first frame. Right hand to the body, left cross land for Edgar. Maynard rushes forward, and Edgar ducks low, and picks him up with a massive slam and dumps him to the mat. However, "The Answer" can't keep Maynard down, and he scrambles back to his feet. ANother right cross lands on Maynard's bloody left eye. Left hook to the body, right hook up top for Edgar again. Maynard shoots and Edgar stuffs it. Edgar wobbles Maynard with another right cross, and puts another one in his mush before the bell.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Edgar
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Edgar
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Edgar
Round 3
Maynard kicks, and Edgar's left hook to the body, right hand upstairs lands again. Edgar lands another low kick. Edgar switches stance and kicks Maynard in the legs again. Another clean right cross cracks Maynard. Maynard gets in on a deep single, but Edgar gets an underhook and twists out. Maynard is still throwing the left hook that did so much damage in round one, but Edgar is staying just off the end of it. Edgar lands a jab, and Maynard lands a short left hand. Edgar misses with a two-punch combinations, and Maynard lands a right hook that turns the faucet in Edgar's nose on. Maynard changes levels and gets Edgar down, but Edgar gets back to his feet. Maynard sucks him back to the ground and Edgar looks for a kimura momentarily. Maynard pulls his arm out, and drives Edgar to the fence. Edgar whips his left arm over Maynard's head just before the end of the round and sinks a guillotine, but the horn stops any offense short.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Edgar
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Maynard
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-10
Round 4
Edgar shoots for a takedown and almost gets Maynard to the ground. Maynard stands back up, and Edgar threatens with a guillotine up against the fence. However, Maynard fights his hand and escapes. Maynard shows his penetration step, and Edgar changes levels low and harpoons him to the mat again. However, despite the great takedown, Edgar can't keep Maynard on the floor, as "The Bully" springs back up. On the feet, it's hard to believe the fight started as it did, as Maynard's punching is labored and rired, and Edgar's punches are cleaner and straighter. Maynard misses a cross and an uppercut. Maynard throws a two-punch combo and Edgar answers with a knee to his head. Edgar changes levels and drives Maynard into the fence. Maynard overhooks Edgar's arm to prevent the takedown, but Edgar smashes him with some short punches on the other side. Edgar pops his double jab off of Maynard's face. The pace has slowed, but both men are still throwing punches. Edgar lands a three-punch combo, albeit without much steam. Maynard throws a right, but Edgar evades and hits him with the double jab again. Edgar swings a low kick that misses. Horn.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Edgar
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Edgar
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Edgar
Round 5
Edgar feints and smacks a low kick into the outside of Maynard's lead leg. "The Answer" throws a three-punch combo, but lands only the left hook. He comes back with his left hook to the body, right hook to the head, and lands. Maynard lands a winging shot as Edgar circles away. Maynard shoots weakly, and Edgar glances him with a knee. Maynard shoots again, and can't get the takedown, but gets a front headlock and lands a knee before Edgar pulls away. Edgar lands a knee to the body as Maynard wades in for another takedown Maynard throws a weak uppercut, and Edgar pops him with two hooks. Edgar looks for al ow kick, and Maynard thwarts him with a stiff jab. Edgar ruishes with an uppercut and a pair of hooks that crack Maynard. Edgar lands a left hook and then flurries with a three-punch combo, punctuated with a hard right hook that snaps Maynard's head back. Maynard shoots, and is stuffed again. Maynard continues to look for a last-second takedown, but Edgar shuts him down and continues to land counters. Both men launch haymakers at the horn to end a fantastic fight. Brilliant display by Frank Edgar fighting back from what seemed like certain disaster in the first round.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Edgar (47-46 Edgar)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Edgar (47-47 Draw)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Maynard (48-47 Maynard)
Official scores: 48-46 Maynard, 48-46 Edgar and a 47-47 draw. The bout has been ruled a split draw.
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Round 1
Bantamweights start our night out in Phoenix. Overseeing this contest is Neil Sarembock. The two men touch gloves to start the bout. Cariaso fires a kick to the body but the Brazilian answers with a stiff jab. Cariaso fires another kick to the body but slips to the floor. Barao follows him to the floor and settles in to the guard. Barao passes to side mount briefly before Cariaso manages to regain half guard. In a scramble, Barao takes the back of his opponent and locks in a body triangle. He fishes for the rear-naked choke and quickly sinks it. Cariaso is forced to tap at 3:37 of the first round.
Round 1
Alcantara starts the action of the lightweight bout with a knee to the body of Lamas, which initiates the clinch. The two men separate and Lamas lands a stiff jab to the face. Lamas clinches and pushes the Brazilian in to the fence. Lamas uses some dirty boxing to pepper the side of his opponent. Lamas disengages and the two men separate. From there, Alcantara puts an end to Lamas night, landing a crushing overhand left to the jaw. Alcantara walks away before referee Ron Nation can intervene to save the unconscious Lamas. The end comes at 3:26 of the first round.
Round 1
Overseeing this lightweight tilt is referee Herb Dean. Kerr starts aggressive with a flying knee that misses. Castillo gets a takedown but fights off a guillotine. Kerr gives it up and tries for an armbar. When that fails, he switches to a leglock. The Team Alpha Male product fights it off. Castillo stands and rains down punches while Kerr still attacks the leg. Kerr's sub attempt goes by the wayside as Castillo knocks him cold with three vicious right hands. Herb Dean stops the punishment at 1:25.
Round 1
Referee Sarembock is overseeing the action. Wineland eats a Stone low kick to the inner part of his lead leg. Stone fires another and it finds the mark as well. Stone wings a spinning-back fist that finds the face of the former champion. Wineland clinches and Kerr frames up a guillotine. Jumping to guard Stone locks up the body triangle but Wineland walks him to the fence. Wineland gets his hands on the chest of his opponent and slams him violently to the mat. The fight is over at 2:11 as Stone is out. The scene is grim as Stone is put on a stretcher. He is put on a bed and wheeled out.
Round 1
Bantamweights are in the cage with the third man being Ron Nation. The two fighters touch gloves to start the bout. A jab lands for Menjivar but he misses with the right cross. Pickett shoots in and take Menjivar to the floor. The Canadian makes space and gets back to his feet. They clinch and Menjivar finds a home to the side of Pickett's face for a left elbow. Pickett digs a left to the body of Menjivar. A right lands by Menjivar. Picketts tries to answer with a flying knee. The Englishman misses, and he is cut. Menjivar misses a spinning-back fist and "One Punch" ducks under and secures a takedown. The round ends. 10-9 Menjivar.
Round 2
Pickett starts the round with a left low kick that catches Menjivar low. For a brief moment a respite is called, but Menjivar is game quickly. In the break you can see Menjivar is the man with a cut. Earlier in round one it appeared the Pickett was cut, but it is not the case. Back at it, Pickett lands a combination that staggers Menjivar. "The Pride of El Salvador" responds with a flurry of punches that has Pickett on the run. The crowd is oohing as Pickett is hurt. Wise to the situation, he shoots and puts Menjivar on his back. Menjivar goes for an armbar, but it fails. The attempt opens up a chance for Pickett to take the back. From there he goes for an armbar on Menjivar that is deep. However he gets free and the fight goes back to the feet. The round ends. 10-9 Menjivar.
Round 3
The two men clinch to start the third round. Menjivar throws some knees from the inside and Pickett gets free and circles. The two fighters exchange jabs and circle. Pickett lands a low kick to the lead leg of Menjivar. Pickett eats a jab but answers with a left hook. Menjivar is on his heels for a moment and recovers. Pickett launches a left uppercut that misses. Menjivar fires a jab and Pickett answers with a jab of his own. The fight ends. 10-9 Pickett.
The judges see 29-28 for Brad Pickett across the board. The crowd is mixed in its opinion of the official decision.
Round 1
Herb Dean will officiate this lightweight tilt. Varner starts the contest pawing the jab. A stiff one finds the face of Roller. Another followed by a right cross lands for the former WEC champion. Roller responds with a jab of his own. Varner goes high with a right kick but Roller defends. A hard left drops Roller, but he is coherent and shoots in on Varner. In the scramble, Roller takes the back of his opponent. Varner is stands and is in no danger. Varner then tries to slam Roller but it's to his detriment. Roller secures the choke and Varner is forced to tap. The end comes at 3:55 via rear-naked choke.
Round 1
Ron Nation starts our final preliminary bout of the evening. Downes flips a lead left low kick out to the lead leg of Zhang. "The Mongolian Wolf" shoots in and passes to side. From there, he executes a straight armbar with his legs. Downes yelps in pain but moves and is free. In a scramble, Zhang takes the back and looks for a rear-naked choke. Zhang has the forearm under the chin, but Downes will not go down without a fight. After a few minutes of defending it, Downes is able to roll free from the choke and into his opponent's guard. Downes stands and the fight continues on the feet. It is only there for a moment though, as Downes takes the fight back to the floor. Zhang shoots his hips high and bellies out with the armbar. Downes is a warrior and survives this attempt too. The round ends. 10-9 Zhang.
Round 2
Downes throws light punches and kicks at Zhang until the Chinese fighter shoots in for a takedown. Downes sprawls and gets on top of Zhang. Downes stands above the grounded Zhang, who looks to be tired. Downes passes the legs and takes the back of Zhang. With a body triangle locked in, Downes is fishing for the choke but Zhang defends and is able to force "Danny Boy" back to half. With a minute remaining in the frame, Zhang looks to have little to nothing left in the gas tank. Downes finishes the round landing a hard elbow from guard. Which has opened up the face of Zhang. 10-9 Downes.
Round 3
The final frame sees Zhang throw a hard right hand that misses and he flops to his back. Downes follows him to the floor and a scramble ensues. Zhang is on top for a brief moment, but Downes makes space and gets on top himself. Zhang locks up a full guard, but Downes stacks. He passes the legs of Zhang, who turtles. Downes takes the back and secures a body triangle. Ninety seconds remain and Downes frames up an arm-triangle and tries to move to side, but is forced to settle for half. He then loses the choke but secures the back again. The round expires. 10-9 Downes.
The judges see it 29-28 (twice) and 30-27, all for Danny Downes, the winner by unanimous decision.
Round 1
Neil Sarembock officiates the first televised bout of the evening. Shalorus opens up with a big left hand, then puts Palaszewski on his back as they tie up. Working from Palaszewski’s guard, Shalorus slams hard right hands to the body and head. Palaszewski is against the base of the cage and tries for an armbar, but Shalorus stands and escapes danger. Shalorus stacks Palaszewski up and wails away with powerful punches. Palaszewski covering up well, but not offering much in return. Sarembock twice warns Palaszewski for grabbing the cage to spin himself around as Shalorus stands over him. Back into Palaszewski’s guard goes Shalorus and Sarembock warns Palaszewski again. Palaszewski gets back to his feet and lands a hard left, responding with some nice leg kicks. The lightweights exchange low kicks to the end of the round.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Shalorus
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Shalorus
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Shalorus
Round 2
Straight back to the kicking battle as the second round opens. Palaszewski’s look to be more effective, though Shalorus is not slowing down. Shalorus is maintaining the center of the cage as Palaszewski circles right along the fence. Shalorus airmails a murderous overhand right. Glancing head kick lands for Palaszewski, who’s relocated to the middle now. Shalorus moves in for a takedown, but eats a right hand and can’t finish the shot. Shalorus picks Palaszewski’s left leg standing and brings him down with ease. Butterfly guard for Palaszewski as Shalorus lands short punches to the ribs. Shalorus scoots Palaszewski against the base of the fence and tees off with punches as Palaszewski gets to his feet. Palaszewski lands another glancing head kick and taunts Shalorus to bring the fight as the round expires.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Shalorus
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Shalorus
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Shalorus
Round 3
Shalorus charges with a flurry and lands a hard, looping right. He fakes a shot and Palaszewski steps backward. A few seconds later, he shoots for real and dumps Palaszewski to the mat with a single. Palaszewski is up against the fence, though, and pops right back up. Now Palaszewski is finding his jab, coming forward with two- and three-piece combos. Solid left hook connects for Palaszewski and Shalorus replies by dumping him down with another single-leg in the middle of the cage. Two minutes to go in the fight and Shalorus is looking to pass to Palaszewski’s left. Short punches from Shalorus and elbows from Palaszewski on the bottom. Shalorus now landing some short, hard elbows from half-guard. Palaszewski gets to his feet with a minute left and hits a head kick, then a step-in knee. Right hand from Palaszewski finds the jaw of a fatiguing Shalorus with ease before the fight ends.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Palaszewski (29-28 Shalorus)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Palaszewski (29-28 Shalorus)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Palaszewski (29-28 Shalorus)
Judge Chris Flores scores the bout 30-27 Shalorus; Nelson “Doc” Hamilton scores it 29-28 Palaszewski; and Craig Harmon scores it 29-28 for Kamal Shalorus, the winner by split decision.
According to data from CompuStrike, Shalorus out-landed Palaszewski 95-85 in total strikes, and 49-0 in power ground strikes.
Round 1
Herb Dean is the ref for this lightweight contest. Horodecki fires a head kick off the bat, then begins swinging away with combinations as Cerrone looks to tie up. Horodecki steps in and takes an inside thigh kick to the cup. Horodecki recovers quickly, but he’s already cut around the inside of his right eye. Cerrone catches Horodecki coming in, gets an underhook and bulls Horodecki down. Cerrone looks to hop into mount, but Horodecki escapes to his feet. Right hand from Horodecki lands over the top. Cerrone going to work with kicks to the outside of Horodecki’s left leg, then ties up and lands a knee to the breadbasket. Cerrone steps in with an uppercut, eats a leg kick from Horodecki, then hits the “Polish Hammer” with a stiff jab. Nice punch to the body by Horodecki, who catches a telegraphed kick from Cerrone. Horodecki trips Cerrone down with 90 seconds left in the round, but “Cowboy” is quickly back on his feet. Cerrone trips Horodecki now, but winds up on his back, where he tries for an armbar that doesn’t come. Back on the feet, Horodecki slaps a left kick to the ribs of Cerrone, who plows Horodecki down and takes his back as the round ends.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cerrone
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cerrone
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Cerrone
Round 2
Horodecki tries another head kick early, but this one is easily blocked by Cerrone. Horodecki with a takedown and Cerrone quickly gets an omoplata. “Cowboy” moves to the side briefly, then back to guard. From there, he locks up a triangle, but it’s not tight enough to force the tap. Nonetheless, Horodecki isn’t going anywhere, even as Cerrone releases the hold, adjusts, and reapplies it. Finally, after about a minute in the position, Cerrone rolls to his left and squeezes, increasing the pressure on Horodecki’s throat. Horodecki is forced to submit to the triangle choke at the 2:43 mark.
Round 1
Referee Neil Sarembock is in charge of the first of two title bouts. Lots of feints and footwork from the champion early, then lands a speedy three-piece to the body and head. Kick to the body and two pawing right hands by Cruz. The champion’s punches are coming right through Jorgensen’s low guard, and Jorgensen’s counters aren’t landing. Jorgensen goes for a takedown and winds up with a rear waistlock on Cruz, kneeing to the legs. Cruz shucks him off and goes back to dancing, making Jorgensen swing and miss. Cruz slams a few hard kicks to Jorgensen’s lead leg. Cruz bobs and weaves, lights Jorgensen up with an uppercut and another hard low kick. Jorgensen pushes Cruz into the fence with underhooks, but soon disengages. Cruz charges in with punches, sprawls on a shot, but is taken down with Jorgensen powers through. Jorgensen takes the back of the champion momentarily. He’s too high and Cruz slips out, finishing the round on top.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cruz
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cruz
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Cruz
Round 2
Cruz pops Jorgensen with a stiff jab, then adds a follow-up three-punch combo. The champ looks to have a small cut on the bridge of his nose early in the round. Cruz shoots in for a takedown and gets it with ease, straight into Jorgensen’s closed guard. Left hands to the body by Cruz as Jorgensen ties up his right. Jorgensen’s guard is opened up now and Cruz lands a few short elbows. Cruz punching away with his head down and Jorgensen is warned about his counters hitting the back of Cruz’s head. Jorgensen uses the cage to get back to his feet with 30 seconds left. Solid jumping knee by Cruz. Jorgensen misses with a head kick as the round expires. According to CompuStrike, Cruz landed 71 total strikes to Jorgensen’s eight in the second frame.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cruz
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cruz
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Cruz
Round 3
Cruz drops Jorgensen with a right straight, but the challenger pops right back up. Now a wide right connects for Cruz, who follows up with a three-punch combo and a kick to the right leg. Cruz bounces a right high kick off Jorgensen’s dome and Jorgensen doesn’t budge. Phenomenal job by Cruz of evading Jorgensen’s every strike as the challenger tries to back the champ into the fence. Low kicks from Cruz seem to be taking their toll on the left leg of Jorgensen. Cruz picks the leg of Jorgensen in an exchange and puts him on his back with a minute left. Short punches to the body by Cruz, followed by hard elbows to the grill. Jorgensen sweeps and takes Cruz’s back again, but Cruz escapes quickly and the round ends.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cruz
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cruz
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Cruz
Round 4
Hard right hand from Cruz opens the championship rounds, followed by another takedown. Cruz puts his head down and works from the closed guard of Jorgensen, who sits up and tries to grab a guillotine. Nothing doing for Jorgensen and he’s back on the defense, being jammed up against the base of the cage while Cruz pours on volume shots. Jorgensen escapes to his feet and chases Cruz down. They clinch along the fence, jockeying for position. There’s a good-sized mouse under the right eye of Jorgensen now. They tie up in the center of the cage and Cruz once more taps the knee to put Jorgensen on his back. Back on the feet, Cruz lands a one-two and a knee to the body. Cruz with yet another takedown to close out the round.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cruz
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cruz
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Cruz
Round 5
Cruz sticking Jorgensen with jabs early in the last period. Credit to Jorgensen, he still hasn’t stopped coming forward. The champion is just piling on punch-kick-punch combinations through the first half of the round. Jorgensen ties up and scores a trip takedown, but can’t hold Cruz down for long. Cruz gets another takedown of his own with two minutes left and keeps busy with little shots to the body. Jorgensen doesn’t even close his guard now, tries for a weak guillotine and abandons it almost immediately. The fight ends on the feet with Cruz still punching away, and it should be a clean sweep for the champ.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cruz (50-45 Cruz)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cruz (50-45 Cruz)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Cruz (50-45 Cruz)
All three judges score the bout 50-45 for Dominick Cruz, the final WEC and first ever UFC bantamweight champion.
Data from CompuStrike illustrates the dominance of Cruz’s performance, as the champion landed 104 power strikes to Jorgensen’s 14, out-striking him 283-55 in total.
Round 1
Referee Herb Dean will oversee the final bout in WEC history. Champion and challenger share an intense staredown as Dean gives them their final instructions. No touch of gloves to start the bout. Henderson assumes the center of the cage in a southpaw stance. Flashy switch kick by Henderson lands on the arm of Pettis, and Pettis fires off a high kick of his own. Both men are very tentative through the opening two minutes. Finally, Henderson rushes forward with a nice leg kick and two-punch combo. Henderson muscles Pettis into the cage with double underhooks and knees to the outside thigh. Pettis mimes a yawn, but is tripped to the mat shortly thereafter. Pettis’ back is to the cage and he throws up his legs, hunting for a triangle or armbar, but Henderson steps back and slips loose. Back on the feet and Pettis lands a solid leg kick, then a jab. Push kick by Pettis sends Henderson stumbling backward. Henderson ties up and reaps the leg of Pettis, tripping him to the mat and stacking him up to land a few punches just before the round ends.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Henderson
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Henderson
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Henderson
Round 2
Pettis presses forward and seems to drop Henderson with a combination, though it may have been a partial slip on Henderson’s part. Henderson falls to the mat momentarily, stands back up, but is tossed back down by Pettis. “Smooth” pops to his feet again and clinches against the fence, landing more knees to the legs of Pettis. Right high kick by Pettis is blocked, but he connects with a straight left hand. Thudding left kick to the body by Henderson. Pettis leaps in with a knee and gets muscled into the fence for his trouble, Henderson landing a knee to the body on the exit. Pettis lands a kick south of the border, but Henderson says he’s fine and they restart straight away. They trade leg kicks and stalk one another to the end of the round.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Pettis
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Pettis
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-10
Round 3
Henderson grazes Pettis with hard overhand right and Pettis trips the champ to the canvas in the center of the cage. Pettis takes the back of Henderson and locks up a body triangle, looking for the rear-naked choke. Henderson postures up and tries to slide Pettis off, then moves to put the right side of his body against the fence. Henderson now standing with Pettis on his back, body triangle still in place. Pettis’ right arm is snaked over Henderson’s shoulder and Henderson is controlling the wrist. Pettis using his free left hand to punch away at the body of the champion with 90 seconds on the clock, then begins sneaking some shots under the arm. Henderson is doing well to defend the choke, but Pettis isn’t going anywhere. Now Henderson begins elbowing the inside right thigh of Pettis where he has the body triangle. Pettis finally gets off Henderson’s back just before the horn signals the end of the round.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Pettis
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Pettis
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Pettis
Round 4
The challenger looking to be the aggressor in the opening minute of the round until Henderson pushes forward with a combo. Pettis snares a guillotine and spins to guard, but Henderson slips free and stacks him up. Pettis gives up his back and Henderson jumps on, sinking both hooks in with more than three minutes left on the clock. Henderson puts his left arm under the chin of Pettis and appears to have the choke, but Pettis breaks it off. Switching arms, Henderson continues to hunt for the rear-naked choke. Pettis twists around and into the guard of Henderson, then takes the back of the champion once again. This time, he doesn’t stay on as Henderson stands and the two go back to exchanging on the feet. Body kick by Henderson is countered by a hard right from Pettis. Now Pettis hits a left hook and Henderson shoots. Pettis grabs a guillotine and pulls guard, but Henderson postures up and doesn’t look to be in trouble. His head is still under Pettis’ arm as the round expires.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Henderson
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Henderson
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Henderson
Round 5
Henderson slips on a combo and pops right back up, then slaps with a leg kick. Pettis kicks to the inside thigh and instead catches Henderson square in the cup. Again, Henderson recovers quickly and they restart. Now Pettis offers up his glove for a touch. Head kick connects for Henderson, but Pettis answers with a heavy one-two punch combo. Henderson feints and slips, and Pettis chases him down to take his back. Pettis is too high and quickly slips off. Henderson shoots and Pettis times it perfectly with a leaping knee, then sprawls as Henderson tries to finish off the single-leg. The champion does get him down, however, and now works from closed guard parallel to the base of the fence. Henderson steps around and now takes the back of Pettis, but Pettis twists free and wants the fight back on the feet. Ninety seconds left and either man could still take this. Pettis charges forward and launches himself off the cage with his right leg, then uses the same foot to smack Henderson right in the face. Henderson falls to the mat and Pettis punches away, trapping the kneeling champion’s right arm and striking to the side of his head. Henderson escapes just before the bell.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Pettis (48-47 Pettis)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Pettis (48-47 Pettis)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Pettis (48-48 Draw)
The judges have it 48-47 (twice) and 49-46 for Anthony Pettis, the winner by unanimous decision and new WEC lightweight champion.
WEC Bantamweight Championship (Winner will be crowned UFC Champion)
Dominick Cruz (134.5) vs Scott Jorgensen (135)
Donald Cerrone (155) vs Chris Horodecki (155)
Bart Palaszewski (156) vs Kamal Shalorus (156)
Tiequan Zhang (155.5) vs Danny Downes (154.5)
Jamie Varner (156) vs Shane Roller (155)
Brad Pickett (136) vs Ivan Menjivar (135)
Eddie Wineland (136) vs Ken Stone (135)
Danny Castillo (155.5) vs Will Kerr (155)
Ricardo Lamas (156) vs Yuri Alcantara (154.5)
Renan Barao (136) vs Chris Cariaso (136)
PPV
Stefan Struve (253) vs Sean McCorkle (264)
Joe Stevenson (155.5) vs Mac Danzig (156)
Thiago Alves (171) vs John Howard (171)
Charles Oliveira (153.5) vs Jim Miller (155)
UFC.COM PRELIMS
Joe Doerksen (185.5) vs Dan Miller (184.5)
Mark Bocek (155.5) vs Dustin Hazelett (155)
PRELIMS
Rafael Natal (185) vs Jesse Bongfeldt (185.5)
Sean Pierson (170.5) vs Matt Riddle (170.5)
Ricardo Almeida (170.5) vs TJ Grant (170)
John Makdessi (155) vs Pat Audinwood (156)
Igor Pokrajac (205) VS Stephan Bonnar (205)
Kendall Grove (186) VS Demian Maia (186)
Rick Story (170) VS Johny Hendricks (171)
Leonard Garcia (145) VS Nam Phan (146)
Aaron Wilkinson (155) VS Cody McKenzie (154)
Tyler Toner (146) vs Ian Loveland (145)
Kyle Watson (156) VS Sako Chivitchian (156)
Nick Pace (138*) vs Will Campuzano (136)
Pablo Garza (146) vs Fredson Paixao (145)
David Branch (185) VS Rich Attonito (185)
*Pace was two pounds over- he will forfeit a percentage of his purse to Campuzano
Check out the MMA Forums to discuss the card.
Click here for quick results.
Round 1
Josh Rosenthal is the referee for the evening's opening contest. Both fighters come out with an orthodox stance. Branch shoots in for a single leg, but he's stuffed coming in. Branch decides to then press Attonito into the cage. They separate after 40 seconds. Branch is cautious and avoids Attonito's wild punches. Attonito misses a loopy right hand and is taken down. Branch lands in Attonito's half guard. After a scramble, Branch is push kicked off but he quickly dives back in and scores a takedown as his foe tries to stand. Branch quickly mounts him but a scramble allows Attonito to stand up. Branch drags him down again. Branch tries an inverted triangle but Attonito escapes at the horn. 10-9 Branch.
Round 2
Attonito misses a wild right hand after he blocks a head kick. They clinch. Branch presses his opponent into the cage. Very little action 90 seconds in. Attonito delivers a sturdy knee to the gut. Branch is not letting him breathe. Attonito falls down but quickly springs back up. They scramble but Branch is all over him. Very dull second round. Branch expolodes for a slam but he's stuffed and is crucifixed. They scramble again and Branch seizes side control. Branch land a few meager punches. Attonito pulls to half guard but can't escape or sweep. 10-9 Branch.
Round 3
Branch quickly scores a textbook double leg takedown but Attonito scrambles back to his feet. Branch presses Attonito into the cage. He keeps him there for 20 seconds and then drags him down. Attonito pulls guard. The sparse crowd is growing restless. Branch delivers three decent right elbows. Branch moves to half guard. Very little action. They scramble and Branch takes his back. Both hooks are in. Attonito rolls over and turtles up. Branch can't sink the rear-naked choke just yet. Attonito stands up and shakes Branch off. He misses a wild right hand and Branch quickly presses him into the cage until the end. 10-9 Branch.
Official scores: 30-27s across the board for Branch, the winner by unanimous decision.
Round 1
Paixao eats a left jab right away. Hard right low kick scores for Paixao. Garza's length and lanky body is causing Paixao problems. Huge flying knee from Garza. Paixao is out. He's flat on his back and is completely out cold. His arms are stiffened in the "shoot in" position. Garza hit him with the knee right as Paixao ducked under for a double leg. He is still out on his back some 45 seconds later. He is finally moving his legs roughly two minutes after the blow to the face. He's still down. Medical staff has him surrounded and he is still on his back almost four minutes after the KO. Finally he is able to sit up. They put a neck brace on him to be extra safe. Garza is thrilled for the win, but it's clear he is very concerned for Paixao. Finally he is up on his feet and is being escorted out. He is very wobbly and has to be carried off the steps and now he's sitting on a stretcher. The official time is just 0:51 of round one.
Round 1
The referee for this contest is Chris Togoni. Campuzano blocks a quick knee by Pace and takes a left shin to the ribs. They trade blows. Pave shoots in his he's stuffed. They clinch against the cage and Pace drags him down. Pace lands five straight left hands. Campuzano can't get back to his feet. Finally he does. Pace forces him down again courtesy of a trip and shove. Pace scores the mount but Campuzano is very calm. They scramble and Will is back up. Pace quickly drags him back down. Pace takes his back, but he's reversed. Campuzano is sitting on Pace's stomach with his back to him. Nothing is doing so he scrambles up. Pace slams him back down at the horn. 10-9 Pace.
Round 2
Pace throws a head kick. They both swing wildly and miss. Low kick by Pace. Campuzano is fighting from a safer distance and is using his reach advantage well. Nice front kick by Campuzano followed by a right hand. Campuzano tries a takedown, but he's stuffed. Finally, after almost a minute of clinching, Pace drags him down. Campuzano wall walks back up to his feet. Pace struggles but finally drags his foe down again. Not much action at this point. Pace is all over him, not letting him move. Campuzano finally stands and then slams Pace down at the end of the frame. 10-9 Pace.
Round 3
Pace extends his left arm to touch gloves, but Campuzano punches him instead. The punch glances him and they trade blows. Will fires several loopy, winging right hands and misses them all. Pace bides his time and scores a textbook double leg. After a scramble Campuzano sweeps him and lands in Pace's guard. Campuzano lands two elbows. Campuzano stands up and dives back in with a hard left hammer fist. He does it again, but lands in an awkward triangle. Pace has only one leg over his head and his arms underneath. He locks on a unique arm/leg triangle and forces the tap. Official time is 4:33.
Pace reveals that he just made that choke up. It's a cross between a triangle and guillotine or a gogoplata with the leg over the head and arm underneath. He just named it "The Pace."
Round 1
Sako rushes out and is very assertive. Watson feels him out and backs away. They clinch and Sako presses him into the cage. Watson reverses position, and then is reversed himself. They trade knees. They separate. The fire and miss punches and Sako clinches again. Watson takes him down, but Sako quickly stands up. Watson slams him down again but Sako springs right up. The trade punches. Watson fires a flurry and it leads to a quick takedown. Sako stands again. They trade punches against the cage again. 10-9 Watson.
Round 2
They rush right out and fire away, though nothing lands for either. They clinch. Sako lands a nice left hand as they separate. Watson is moving from side to side and giving Sako problems. They clinch again. Sako presses Watson into the cage. They separate. A hard right hand by Watson lands as Sako comes in. Sako lands a decent right cross on the inside. Sako is hit in the groin by an errant knee, and is given time to recover. He's good to go. They resume and Sako absorbs a thudding shin to the ribs. They trade blows but again they clinch. Sako presses Watson into the fence. Watson lands two meager knees just before the horn. 10-9 Watson.
Round 3
Sako lands a stiff left-right-left immediately, but Watson takes it. Watson fires a head kick and it glances off Sako's dome. Both men are doing a lot of feinting, leaving for a dull two minutes. Watson scores a takedown, but Sako springs back up. Stiff left straight by Watson. Watson forces Sako into the fence. Very little action. It's a close fight but Sako might need a KO to win. Watson digs a kick to Sako's ribs. Another. Right hand by Watson just before the horn. 10-9 Watson.
Official scores: 30-27 (twice) and 29-28 for Watson, the winner by unanimous decision.
Round 1
Hard right low kick by Toner. Loveland cracks him with a hard right hand and Toner drops. Loveland pounces and lands another right hand and tees off. Toner covers up well and blocks most of the shots. Loveland smartly slows down the attrition as not to waste energy. Toner is on his back and pinned against the cage. Toner pulls guard. Very little action now. Toner's defense is strong as Loveland isn't landing anything or able to pass the guard. Three minutes have passed with very little action. Toner tries an armbar but can't sink it. Loveland lands two decent punches before the horn. 10-9 Loveland.
Round 2
Toner misses a high kick. Loveland misses a spinning-back fist, but does connect with two ensuing right hands. Hard low kick by Toner. Loveland lands a right hand, which bloodies Toner's nose. Nice right uppercut on the inside by Loveland. Not much action on the feet and the crowd is getting restless. Hard back fist by Loveland rocks Toner and he stumbles to the canvas. Loveland dives onto him and unloads a fury. Toner recovers well and defends wisely. Toner almost locks up a triangle but Loveland escapes. Loveland stands over Toner and lands some moderate punches. 10-9 Loveland.
Round 3
Both fighting at a measured pace early on. Toner lands a grazing head kick. Loveland backing up, looking to land one massive counter to end it. Hard low kick by Toner. Very little action. Toner pressing the issue but Loveland isn't doing anything. A minute left and almost nothing of note has landed. Very passive round. Decent counter right hand by Loveland. Low kick by Toner. Neither man wanted the win in the final round. 10-9 Toner.
Official scores: 30-27, 29-28 and 30-26 for Loveland, winner by unanimous decision.
Round 1
McKenzie rushes right across the cage and tries a takedown but falls into a guillotine. He escapes and scrambles up. McKenzie quickly latches on a standing guillotine. Wilkinson remains calm and fends it off. They scramble again and McKenzie takes him down. McKenzie latches on the guillotine from on top. He rolls him over and sinks it. Wilkinson taps out. Official time is 2:03 of the first round.
Round 1
Herb Dean referees the first televised fight of the show, which is also the first televised UFC featherweight bout. Both men swinging away early and Phan lands a solid right upside the head of Garcia, who’s swinging and missing with big, looping shots. Thudding body kick by Phan is answered in kind by Garcia. Phan connects with a nice three-piece combo. The fighters trade body shots and Garcia tries a spinning back-fist that’s blocked. Left jab is working for Phan now, as Garcia continues to throw wild hooks and uppercuts which mostly miss or connect with Phan’s arms. Phan lands a head kick, but Garcia keeps moving forward, shaking his head. 10-9 Phan.
Round 2
Garcia comes out firing, connecting with a nice body shot and throwing multiple head kicks. Garcia pressing the action with punches and leg kicks until a nice hook from Phan slows him down a bit. Ninety seconds into the round, Garcia shoots and rushes Phan into the fence with a double-leg, but Phan escapes quickly. Phan ducks a punch from Garcia and rocks him with an uppercut, then begins to tee off. Phan lands four or five hard shots before Garcia finally hits the mat. Phan gives chase, taking Garcia’s back and sinking in both hooks as Garcia rolls away from the base of the cage. Riding high on Garcia’s back, Phan rolls his opponent onto his side and tries to sink in the rear-naked choke. Good wrist control from Garcia, but Phan gets an arm under and looks to have the choke. Garcia appears to quickly double-tap, then pries Phan’s arm loose. The bout continues and Phan finishes on top with a few short punches. 10-9 Phan.
Round 3
Phan is cut early on in the final round, bleeding from the right side of his face. The cut appears to be on the brow or up along the hairline. Garcia tries a takedown, can’t hold Phan down, and Phan comes up swinging and digging some of his trademark body blows. Garcia was connecting better in the second round than the first, but now he’s back to swinging wild. Jab from Phan snaps back the head of Garcia. Tired-looking kick from Garcia is timed by Phan, who punishes him with a stiff jab. Garcia is clearly exhausted, hands by his side, but still throwing. Uppercut to the body from Phan, then one to the head. Garcia pushes Phan into the fence and again can’t hold him there for long. Garcia hears the 10 second clapper and windmills one more time. 10-9 Phan.
Official scores: 29-28 Garcia, 30-27 Phan and 29-28 for Leonard Garcia, winner by split decision.
Round 1
Steve Mazzagatti in charge of this welterweight contest. Story lands a right hand early, then Hendricks lunges with a left straight that lands flush. They clinch and Story throws a flurry of punches to the body of Hendricks. Story with a hard combination as Hendricks covers up. Story doubles over, hunting for a takedown, but can’t get it. The fighters work over-unders and clinch briefly before disengaging. More body blows from Story, followed by a nice three-piece that sends Hendricks wheeling away. Hendricks trying to keep his distance and use movement to keep Story at bay, but Story’s aggression is winning out so far in a close round. Hendricks catches a kick and drags Story down, but Story works back to his feet and Hendricks ends the round with a waistlock against the fence. 10-9 Story.
Round 2
Hendricks throws a glancing combo which causes Story to rush forward with a barrage of his own. Takedown from Story and Hendricks briefly grabs a guillotine, which he lets go in order to wall-walk and stand back up. Hendricks tries for a takedown of his own and winds up on the floor with Story high on his back. Story slips off and Hendricks tries a front guillotine which doesn’t take. They’re back to clinching against the fence with Story getting the better of the clinch work, kneeing and punching to the left side of Hendricks’ rib cage. Story plows Hendricks to the mat with a double-leg, but Hendricks uses butterfly guard to work back to his feet. Story still has the waistlock and is kneeing to Hendricks’ left leg and midsection. 10-9 Story.
Round 3
Early takedown attempt from Hendricks is briefly defended, but he wrestles Story down and then grabs a guillotine. Story gets to his feet and turns the tables, snaring a guillotine of his own. Hendricks rolls to guard and pushes himself free, but Story stays on top as Hendricks turtles. Hendricks drives forward, pushing Story into the fence as Story controls his man’s right arm. No offense coming from either man in the third minute of the round, with Story sitting against the cage and Hendricks just latching on to Story’s legs, trying to improve position. Story is breathing heavily as Hendricks pins him to the fence, and finishes the round with a couple short elbows to Hendricks’ body. 10-10.
Official scores: All three judges see it 29-28 for Rick Story, the winner by unanimous decision.
Round 1
The referee for this middleweight bout is Josh Rosenthal. Maia lands an overhand left and Grove responds by chasing him down with a combo which includes a nice right straight. Maia grabs the right leg of Grove and drags him down, then leaps to pass guard, but Grove doesn’t stay down for long. Maia is tenacious, though, and takes Grove’s back on the feet as Grove turns into the fence. Maia briefly leaps onto Grove’s back, but Grove defends, so the Brazilian instead spins Grove down to the mat again. Maia in Grove’s half-guard, trying to pass as he elbows to the “TUF” winner’s body. Maia mounts and Grove rolls, giving up his back with just under two minutes left. Grove escapes the dangerous position by rolling and shucking Maia off, but Maia stays right on him, keeping busy with hard shots from the top. Grove rolls and gives up his back again, allowing Maia to look for a rear-naked choke with a single hook in. Grove defends the choke well and survives the scare, but it’s clearly Maia’s round. 10-9 Maia.
Round 2
Tentative jabbing early in the round before Maia shoots for a single-leg and Grove easily steps away from it. The second attempt from Maia is successful, and the BJJ black belt now works from half-guard, thumping away to the ribs and head of Grove. A leglock attempt from Grove is unsuccessful, but allows him to get back to his feet, where Maia immediately gets to working for another takedown. Maia gets it, but this time stalls out in Grove’s guard, unable to pass. Grove creates space and keeps the now-standing Maia away with upkicks, but Maia dives through the guard. Grove rolls and gives up his back, and Maia spends the final minute of the round on Grove’s back, punching away. 10-9 Maia.
Round 3
Grove pops Maia with a few nice jabs, then chases him down with a solid combo. Lots of circling through the first half of the frame, with neither man looking particularly desperate to finish, though Grove probably should be. Grove lands a few short shots to the face of Maia, who answers with one to Grove’s breadbasket. With 90 seconds left, Maia latches on to Grove’s left leg. Grove answers with a jumping knee, but Maia clings on. Nice defense from Grove, who stays vertical and rains shots to the face and body of the doubled-over Maia. That’s where the fight ends. 10-9 Grove.
Official scores: Three scores of 29-28 from the judges, who unanimously award the bout to Demian Maia.
Round 1
Steve Mazzagatti returns to referee the light heavyweight semi-main event. Pokrajac blitzes Bonnar with punches early, but Bonnar stifles the activity by pushing the Croatian into the fence. Easy takedown by Bonnar, who quickly moves to side control and then takes Pokrajac’s back. Bonnar tries to roll Pokrajac and botches it, allowing Pokrajac to stand back up and muscles Bonnar into the fence. Pokrajac lands an elbow as they separate, then slugs a few hard shots to Bonnar’s face. Bonnar snares a guillotine and jumps guard, and the submission looks deep. Pokrajac flips onto his back and Bonnar tries to adjust the choke, but Pokrajac breaks loose. Bonnar in Pokrajac’s guard briefly before advancing to half-guard, then side control. Pokrajac turtles and Bonnar keeps head-and-arm control, kneeing to the body and landing short punches as he tries to secure the back. They work back to their feet just before the round ends and Bonnar slaps Pokrajac with a head kick. 10-9 Bonnar.
Round 2
Even clinch work early in the round before Bonnar takes the driver’s seat by grabbing the Thai plum and drilling several knees to Pokrajac’s midsection. Pokrajac doesn’t like this and reverses, pushing Bonnar’s back to the fence. Bonnar reaps the leg of Pokrajac and sends him tumbling to the mat, where Bonnar leaps to side control on Pokrajac’s right. Horizontal elbows and short punches from Bonnar as he lies across Pokrajac’s chest. Pokrajac slips free and they resume trading on the feet. More solid knees by Bonnar in the clinch, but the action slows as the pair jockeys for position along the perimeter. Suddenly, they split and both men begin winging punches. Pokrajac tags Bonnar with a good one in the flurry, but Bonnar stands strong and muscles Pokrajac into the fence again before the round ends. 10-9 Bonnar. After the round ends, Mazzagatti deducts a point from Pokrajac for illegal knees landed to the head of Bonnar while the fighters were on the ground, making it a 10-8 round on our scorecard.
Round 3
Bonnar scores a takedown early and begins punishing Pokrajac from side control. Bonnar works to mount and begins punching furiously to the body of Pokrajac. The Croatian turtles and gives up his back, but Bonnar squanders the position as he’s unable to sink in the hooks. Pokrajac winds up in Bonnar’s guard for a second, then tries an armbar, allowing Bonnar to reclaim top position. Bonnar working from half-guard in the final minute, trying to pass to Pokrajac’s left and sink in an arm-triangle. Bonnar passes, but gives up the head-and-arm control, instead opting to punch and elbow his opponent. Just before the bell, Mazzagatti steps in and deducts a point from Bonnar for landing two or three punches to the back of Pokrajac’s head. Bonnar took the round once again, but after the point deduction, it’s an even 9-9.
Official scores: All three judges score the bout 29-26 in favor of Stephan Bonnar, the winner by unanimous decision.
Round 1
Referee Herb Dean is in charge of the “TUF 12” final. Johnson lands a nice one-two off the bat, followed by an overhand left. Brookins grabs a high single on Johnson’s left leg and Johnson hops back into the fence. Still digging for the takedown, Brookins gets flipped around and Johnson backs away. Johnson drops Brookins to his knees with a stiff left hand and Johnson gives chase. Johnson can’t finish, but he doesn’t relent his attack as Brookins attempts to escape on the feet. More punches from Johnson and Brookins takes a knee. Johnson tries a guillotine and can’t find it, but it’s not a problem, as he just goes back to lighting Brookins up on the feet. Despite eating any number of punches, Brookins’ hands are still very low. He nearly takes Johnson’s back in a scramble, but Johnson slides free and finishes the round by tagging Brookins with another pair of hard punches and stuffing a shot. 10-9 Johnson.
Round 2
Nice right hand lands for Johnson, but it’s Brookins who finds himself on top in the ensuing scramble. Brookins lands a few hard shots on top and then woks on passing Johnson’s half-guard. Not much offense coming from Brookins on top, but when he throws a punch or elbow, it lands hard. Now more short elbows from Brookins, who still can’t extract his left leg from between Johnson’s. Two minutes to go and Johnson is covering up as Brookins lands more elbows. Johnson tries to create space and get back to his feet, can’t find the distance, but does stuff Brookins back to full guard. Shortly thereafter, Johnson pops back to his feet. Brookins immediately begins working for another takedown, doubling over and pushing Johnson into the fence as Johnson elbows the side of Brookins’ head. Brookins slams Johnson down with about a minute left and tries for a kimura from half-guard. The round ends with Brookins still working for the submission. 10-9 Brookins.
Round 3
Johnson scores with a combination, prompting Brookins to go back to his single-leg attack. He puts Johnson on his rear at the base of the cage, but can’t pull Johnson away from the fence to put him on his back. Brookins takes mount with Johnson still sitting up and flattens him from there, but Johnson uses the position to sweep. Back on the feet, Johnson scores with another nice series of punches. Brookins pulls guard with a lateral drop before immediately sweeping into Johnson’s half-guard. Brookins keeping busy on top with one minute remaining in the bout. He postures up and Johnson tries to reverse the situation with a single-leg, but Brookins finishes the round on top and may have just eked out the win after a rough start. 10-9 Brookins.
Official scores: The judges have it 29-28 (twice) and 29-27, all in favor of Jonathan Brookins, the winner of the twelfth season of “The Ultimate Fighter.”
