UFC on FOX 16 play-by-play

MMA Fighting brings you UFC on FOX 16 play-by-play and more for the fight card. Tonight’s event is headlined by a fight between T.J. Dillashaw and Renan Barao for the UFC bantamweight title. This bout is scheduled for five, five-minute rounds. Also appearing on the main card are Miesha Tate vs. Jessica Eye, Edson Barboza vs. Paul Felder and Joe Lauzon vs. Takanori Gomi. Tonight’s fights take place at the United Center in Chicago.

This is the UFC on FOX 16 undercard blog for the UFC on FOX 16 event at the United Center in Chicago on Saturday night.

There will be eight fights on the UFC on FOX 16 undercard. Gian Villante vs. Tom Lawlor, Jim Miller vs. Danny castillo, Kenny Robertson vs. Ben Saunders, Eddie Wineland vs. Bryan Caraway, Daron Cruickshank vs. James Krause, Ramsey Nijem vs. Andrew Holbrook, Jessamyn Duke vs. Elizabeth Phillips, and Zak Cummings vs. Dominique Steele  will be featured.

Check out the UFC on FOX 16 undercard live blog below.

More Coverage: UFC on FOX 16 Results | UFC news

Zak Cummings vs. Dominique Steele
Round 1: Steele making his debut, and he circles Cummins. Cummins moves in first, and clobbers Steele with a right hand! He goes flailing to the fence, and Cummins is coming on strong, pursuing him and slamming him with punches. Bang! It’s over. Just like that, Cummins’ with a quick TKO of Steele. He didn’t waste any time.

UFC on FOX 16 official results: Zak Cummins def. Dominique Steele via TKO (strikes) at :43 of R1

Jessamyn Duke vs. Elizabeth Phillips
Round 1: Herb Dean is the referee for this one. Duke looking to turning things around riding a two-fight losing streak. Phillips ducks down and hits Duke early. Duke holding the middle. Big right hand from Phillips lands, and already some red marks appearing on Duke’s face. Again Phillips ducks in and throws an overhand right and scores again, this time landing a combo on the separation. Duke pretty immobile in the pocket early. Now they clinch, and Phillips tries for a takedown…yet Duke ends up on top after the scramble, and she’s fishing for an arm. Now Phillips pops free, and she’s in Duke’s full guard. Phillips posturing up and looking to land some offense from there, but Duke is clinging to her with those long limbs, controlling her wrists. Phillips this time gets a little room and drops an elbow in on Duke, who absorbs it and squirms. Now Phillips moves into side control, and now into mount. She has Duke’s back, now back to mount. Duke swivels, and again with the back, Phillips’ wailing with her right hand to the side of Duke’s face. All Phillips in the first round here. Phillips is sneaking the arm through for the neck with a body triangle, and Duke is rotating towards Phillips, and she’s out of danger and ends up for the end of the round on top of Phillips. MMA Fighting scores R1 for Phillips, 10-9.

Round 2: Some swelling on Duke’s face, as Phillips moves in immediately with a right hand. Duke just stiff in the exchanges, and Phillips bobs and weaves. Duke moving forward, and she clinches on the fence with Phillips. Phillips may be tiring ever so slightly, not a lot of mustard on her last punch. Guillotine attempt by Duke, and they drop to the ground. It’s not tight, and Phillips rolls through in the scramble once again and ends up in Duke’s half-guard. Now it’s Phillips back in control on offense. Duke not able to do much on her back. She’s taking punishment now as Phillips gets side control. Duke keeping Phillips close. Phillips might be trying to fish out a Kimura — no, instead she gets mount, and momentarily gets reversed. Crazy sequence. Now Phillips once again reverses, and she’s back in side guard, as Duke covers up. Now Phillips landing big right hands to her ears. Phillips very methodically sinks her arm through for a rear naked, but she doesn’t keep it. Duke now on her knees, and she reverses Phillips, but now she’s being threatened with a guillotine. She pops out. Duke looking for a leg lock, slips out. Tries again, can’t get it as the round expires. MMA Fighting scores R2 for Phillips, 10-9 (20-18 overall).

Round 3: Duke immediately to the middle, and Phillips drops her head down and swings. Phillips took the worst of that exchange. Not a smart strategy for Phillips there, she’s well ahead — too far for sloppy exchanges. Duke coming to life a bit, as she lands an uppercut and then a right hand. Now she’s pursuing. Duke tries a kick, and the leg gets caught. She’s out, and now it’s Duke who takes Phillips down. They are scrambling again. Interesting strategy for Duke. Phillips stands up, and takes down Duke, and they scramble again. They are having some very crazy scrambles here; earlier Phillips was winning them, but now Duke is coming to life. Duke with a power guillotine, which looks tight…but she pops out. Phillips may need to survive now, stay out of trouble. She’s huffing. Duke is like a zombie stalking forward. Duke with a front kick, but nothing on it. Duke with a jousting jab, and another. Phillips just exhausted. They both are. Duke gets clipped with a left as she moves in, and now they clinch. Duke with some knees from the plum, but they aren’t lively. A minute to go, as Phillips gets taken down by Duke. Phillips on her knees, as Duke fishing for a neck. Duke has Phillips flattened out, and she’s trying for the choke. Now Phillips is out, and Duke in mount. Once again Duke trying to get the choke, can’t get under the neck. At the buzzer, Duke tries for an armbar…whoa. Looks like Phillips will survive the round, and win the fight. MMA Fighting scores R3 for Duke, 10-9 (29-28 for Phillips overall)

UFC on FOX 16 official results: Elizabeth Phillips def. Jessamyn Duke via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Ramsey Nijem vs. Andrew Holbrook
Round 1: Yves Lavigne is the third man in the cage for this lightweight fight. Nijem circles as Indiana’s Holbrook takes the center. Nijem with a right hand, and now moves forward with a one-two. Leg kick from Nijem, and Holbrook grabs Nijem and takes him down momentarily. Now Holbrook with the clinch, and they are slugging on the fence, with Holbrook slamming in some knees. Nijem under some early pressure here from the late replacement. Knee to the body from Holbrook, and they separate. Nice body kick from Nijem lands, and now Nijem gets a takedown on Holbrook and immediately gets on top. Holbrook looking for Nijem’s neck, but can’t get it. Big time elbows from the bottom from Holbrook, as Ramsey passes. Now in side control. Took some punishment to get it. Nijem tries to jump over, and Holbrook stands back up. Flying knee misses from Holbrook, as he pushes Nijem to the fence. They reverse, and Nijem goes to work. They break, and Nijem lights him up with a series of parting shots, followed by a knee in the clinch. Right hand to the body from Nijem, and Holbrook with a body kick. Nijem once again spins Holbrook to the ground, and after the scramble is in side guard. Nijem postures up looking to mount. Big shot from Nijem. Now he eats a solid upkick. Nijem dives in again, and he’s landing right hands, as Holbrook fires elbows from the bottom. MMA Fighting scores R1 for Nijem, 10-9.

Round 2: Nijem very conversational in between rounds, seems like he has plenty of gas left even after aggressive first round. Spinning kick from Nijem, now Nijem comes to life with a series of shots, and he has Holbrook in trouble. But, Nijem decides to crowd in and try for a takedown on the fence. He gets it, and Holbrook snatches the neck and squeezes. Holbrook holds onto it as Nijem steps over his leg…and he pops out. He is trying to get Holbrook’s back. They are scrambling, with Holbrook wrapping up Nijem’s leg. Nijem uses his other foot to push off and get free, and he snatches Holbrook’s back. Holbrook looking for a straight armlock, and as they scramble Holbrook ends up in Nijem’s guard on top. Now it’s Holbrook landing the ground and pound. Nijem scrambles to his knees, and now Holbrook has Nijem in trouble with the D’arce, but Nijem pops out! He was poised in there. But he’s not out of the woods yet. Holbrook is still pressuring. He’s staying on top of Nihem, and he once again grabs his neck as Ramsey sits on his knees. After much toil, Nijem dumps Holbrook on his back and scores with some ground and pound. Very tough round to score. But the submission attempt by Holbrook might have been enough to win it. MMA Fighting scores R2 for Holbrook, 10-9 (19-19 overall)

Round 3: Nijem’s corner telling him that he was doing excellent while standing. They come out, and Nijem lands a body kick, and now he’s throwing leather. He slams Holbrook with some early shots, and takes Holbrook down. Again they are scrambling as Holbrook is looking for an armlock, and now a leglock. Kneebar attempt by Holbrook, who is very busy with these submission attempts. Holbrook with a great showing considering the circumstances. Heel hook attempt now by Holbrook. It’s the full bouquet of subs being attempted. Nijem grabs Holbrook’s back and they roll over on the fence. Holbrook holding NIjem’s wrists, keeping them off his neck. Hammerfist from Nijem, who insists on the rear naked set-up. Ramsey slowly sapping Holbrook here, as he gets high on Holbrook’s back. Holbrook drops down trying to shake him but can’t. Hammerfist now from Holbrook, who is showing some versatility. Nijem still on him, though, and controlling the action. Nijem not doing that much from his position. He sneaks some short left hands through on Holbrook. Nijem gets into side control as they scramble late, and continues to land hammerfists as the horn sounds. Close fight. Could go either way. MMA Fighting scores R3 for Nijem, 10-9 (29-28 overall for Nijem).

UFC on FOX 16 official results: Andrew Holbrook def. Ramsey Nijem via split decision  (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Daron Cruickshank vs. James Krause
Round 1: Robert Madrigal is the referee. Cruickshank with a couple of shots early, all hands, and Krause tries to answer with a high kick. Krause takes Cruickshank down momentarily, and they bounce right back up. Pressure from Krause. Cruickshank giving up a lot of height, but he’s wading through there and throwing. A hook to the body from Cruickshank, and there’s a flying knee from Krause which gets a good piece. Trip takedown for Krause, gets his hooks, and Krause has Cruickshank’s neck! Could be in trouble…and there it is, Cruickshank taps. Wow. Came almost immediately. Urgent, fluid stuff there from Krause.

UFC on FOX 16 official results: James Krause def. Daron Cruickshank via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:27 of R1

Eddie Wineland vs. Bryan Caraway
Round 1: Wineland with a menacing scowl coming out. Yves Lavigne is the referee. Wineland rushes to the center, and waves his paw at Caraway. Caraway shoots in for a takedown, and gets in along fence. Can’t hold Wineland there, and they are on their feet, in clinch. Caraway stuck on Wineland like glue, and trying to dump him back down. They finally break, and Wineland goes rolling off. Wineland throws a big looping right, but comes up empty. Caraway returns fire, and Wineland lands a leg kick. Wineland really wants to put Caraway down with that right hand; he’s throwing it with abandon, but not getting close enough. Caraway winging retreating rights of his own — a lot of errant punches. Wineland holding the center, and he’s peppering Caraway with shots. Caraway drops in and drives Wineland back to fence, landing a knee to the body. They break, and Wineland resets. A lot of one-punch stuff from Caraway. Sloppy punch exchanges. They come together in the middle, and both swing and miss. Right hand from Wineland lands. Fairly frustrating round. Timing is off for both. MMA Fighting scores R1 for Caraway, 10-9.

Round 2: Right hand from Caraway stings, and Wineland missed on an uppercut. Wineland holding the middle. A little cut on Wineland’s face. Still, neither can piece together much. Footwork and angles, but neither guy getting a lot of offense. Wineland bouncing and throwing the left jab, and Caraway patiently waits him out and shoots in. Can’t get the take down. Good sprawl from Wineland. Blood coming out pretty good now on Wineland’s face. Still, the former WEC champ pushes forward, yet he doesn’t throw. A lot of flirting with punching. Caraway gets low and tries to get Wineland down, but can’t. Now Caraway with a series of uppercuts in the clinch, and he lands there. That was a good sequence. Caraway starting to pull away a little bit, nickel and diming. Again, a lot of deking, but neither throwing. Some taunting from Caraway here, as he drops down to take Wineland down. Can’t. They exchange in the pocket, and Wineland may have got the better of that one. Round ends. MMA Fighting scores R2 for Caraway, 10-9 (20-18 overall)

Round 3: They touch gloves for final round. Caraway the aggressor to start, and he lands a couple of good shots — now a right hand. Takedown attempt is stopped again from Wineland.They trade jabs in the middle, and Caraway drops in with a right cross. Wineland misses again on an uppercut, just looks out of tune. Dirty boxing from Caraway, and he tucks a couple of uppercuts in. Good right hand from Wineland lands. High kick from Caraway misses and he falls to the mat. Back up. Another head kick from Caraway glances its target. Caraway just the more efficient strikes here, which is a bit of a surprise. Caraway gets low again, and they dirty box, with Caraway landing. He pushed Wineland to fence, and they toil. Now back to center, and they trade punches. More missed shots. Wineland just can’t get anything rolling. Caraway at least a little better. Caraway hits home a nice combo, and Wineland hits home a nice body shot. That’ll do it. Should be Caraway. MMA Fighting scores R3 for Caraway, 10-9 (30-27 overall).

UFC on FOX 16 official results: Bryan Caraway def. Eddie WIneland via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)

Kenny Robertson vs. Ben Saunders
Round 1: They touch gloves. Saunders with a high kick early, and Robertson returns one. Robertson comes in and Saunders tries for his deadly clinch, but Robertson slips aside. Now to the fence. Robertson working for a takedown, and he gets it. He’s trying to light Saunders up with some big punches on the ground. Saunders in mission control, and Robertson is getting a little limp looking on the top. Saunders has his legs cinched, and now Saunders rolls into an omoplata attempt. Can’t get it, and Saunders is back up. They got to fence, though, with Robertson driving the action. They stay there a moment and break. Saunders with a knee from a quick clinch, misses. They trade kicks, and then Saunders with a body kick. High kick from Saunders, who can’t stay at range. Hard kick there hits Robertson’s forearm. They are throwing now, with Robertson trying to make Saunders vanish with his right hand. They come together again on the fence, and a lot of volume in close from both guys. Robertson grabs a single-leg, and he’s trying to drive Saunders down. Can’t. Robertson took a big kick to that arm, and seems to be favoring it. Saunders with a kick, and now gets blasted on his ascent by a right hand and drops. Robertson jumps on him going for a finish, but Saunders coolly gathers him in and gets back into mission control. Round ends there. Crazy action. MMA Fighting scores R1 for Robertson, 10-9.

Round 2: Robertson’s corner asking him for overhand left. We’ll see how that works out. They touch gloves. Saunders to the middle. He waves his left hand out, and the overhand left from Robertson comes whizzing by. High kick from Robertson, and now a body kick. They tied up in the middle, and trade there. Saunders eats a kick and retreats a bit, and Robertson keeps applying pressure wherever he goes. Saunders pawing with his left, and Robertson a push kick and an overhand left. Now it looks like Saunders clips Robertson low, and the referee calls time. Robertson walking it off. Saunders apologizing for his mistake, and they touch gloves. We’re back. Quick exchange in middle, and two overhand rights for Robertson. Robertson still throwing with both hands. Saunders beginning to bleed a bit on bridge of his nose. Front kick from Saunders, who eats a right hand. They keep trading. Saunders getting nicked up pretty good in those exchanges, but also landing. Both attempt high kicks, and then Robertson lunges forward with leather. Body punch from Robertson, who is mixing it up well. Beautiful combo from Saunders there, though, as he goes from punches to a nice body kick. Big time body kick from Saunders. That’ll take some steam out of you. Robertson again eats a body shot, and then a whizzer to the chin from the lanky Saunders. Damn, Robertson still winging though, lands a right hand, and now here comes the pressure. He gets Saunders on the fence and unloads, the punches are coming — not fast and furious, but measuredly. He’s going for a single-leg as Saunders blasts him with a series of down-swinging elbows. Round ends. MMA Fighting scores R2 for Saunders, 10-9 (19-19 overall)

Round 3: Good fight, close fight. Might come down to this. They touch them up again, and Robertson plants a right hand into Saunders’ dome. Saunders at range lands a high kick, and then tries it again. Saunders coming to life a bit. Landing and pushing forward, knees and hands. Robertson might be favoring his rib cage after so many shins to that area. And right as I write that, Robertson with an explosive cross-cage takedown. Saunders poised, back into mission control. Robertson like a fly in the venus flytrap on the ground. He’s on top, but he’s the one getting abused. Saunders landing big elbows as he squeezes his legs. Robertson, rendered helpless in the triangle, just trying to pry loose. He’s bleeding pretty good, too. Saunders torso is covered in Robertson’s blood. Great job from his back here for Saunders, who is using his limbs like a constrictor. It’s a gruesome scene, as he rains more elbows upward into the pulp of Robertson’s head. Robertson can’t be liking his decision to take Saunders down. It’s all Saunders from his back, just landing sharp elbows from all angles, now little punches to Robertson’s ribs. Finally Robertson, so tough, slips out and throws bombs down on Saunders, but it’s too late. Close fight. Give the nod to Saunders. MMA Fighting scores R3 for Saunders, 10-9 (29-28 overall for Saunders)

UFC on FOX 16 official results: Ben Saunders def. Kenny Robertson via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Jim Miller vs. Danny Castillo
Round 1: Herb Dean the ref here. Both guys riding two-fight losing streaks. Something’s got to give. Miller to center early, and with an inside leg kick. Castillo comes up high with a kick, which Miller grabs and drives him to the ground. Miller in side guard, and sneaking punches in with his right. Castillo trying to get back to his feet, but Miller swirls around and gets mount. Wow. Castillo grabs Miller’s shoulders and pulls him chest-to-chest, but Miller is poised. He’s landing the left hand in mount, as Castillo tries to buck him off. Now he’s all the way up high on the neck, and Castillo digging for a triangle, and they scramble. Castillo ends up in side control, and now Miller recovers to full guard. Big elbow from Castillo, and Miller lands an elbow from the bottom. Castillo postures, or attempts to, and they gets pulled back in tight. Elbow from Castillo, who is keeping Miller stationary. Now they do scramble, and Miller pops up, digging for a double-leg as he does. Can’t get it, and he resets. Miller, on the feet, comes forward with a left. Castillo now throwing low kicks to the legs, and Miller answers in turn. Great cross from Miller, and now he swoops in just as Castillo tries a flying kick. That’s how the round ends. MMA Fighting scores R1 for Miller, 10-9

Round 2: Miller moving in, comes up top with a punch and then a leg kick, which he’s been landing all fight. Flying kick from Castillo came close. Again, Miller starts high with punches and ends combo with kicks to legs. He’s got his left cocked, but Castillo on his bicycle. Same combo from Miller, and he’s starting to work the outside of Castillo’s legs too. Right hand from Castillo lands, and then Miller blasts him with a big right-left. Head kick by Castillo misses as Miller steers out of the way. Body kick from Miller, and he comes in to see if that registered. Again, up top, down low with kick. Finding a home with that. Castillo waving his left out there, and Miller slams a looping left home. Sweet little right hand from Miller, who is mixing it up, keeping Castillo off balance. Body punch from Miller, and Castillo lands a counter. High kick from Castillo lands, too. Miller not picking that up well. Body show from Miller, and high kick yet again from Castillo lands. The round ends with a Miller high-low sequence. MMA Fighting scores R2 for Miller, 10-9 (20-18 overall)

Round 3: Miller to center, and a quick right hand. Again he sends a right hand down the pipe. Castillo returning fire here, but he’s not initiating. Right hand lands from Miller, and Castillo backs up. Patient stuff from Miller. Miller comes forward and gets off a one-two. There’s a nice left from Miller, who then takes Castillo down. Can’t stay there, as Castillo scrambles, and Miller gives him some knees up top in the clinch as he does. Huge whiffing miss from Miller up high with a kick; it fanned right by Castillo’s chin. Castillo ducks low and drives Miller into the fence. Good exchange. They are in the middle, and Castillo gamely throwing now. Miller comes in again, and initiates an exchange. Body shot from Castillo. Duane Ludwig wants body shots, and Castillo’s obliging. Miller still wobbles forward, and comes up top with a kick. Miller jousts with his jab, and Castillo slams a shot into his ribs. Castillo defends a takedown, and in the scramble, Castillo gets Miller on his back. Late in the fight, and he has side control on Miller. He’ll end the fight in side control, working punches in on Miller. MMA Fighting scores R3 for Castillo, 10-9 (29-28 overall for Miller).

UFC on FOX 16 official results: Jim Miller def. Danny Castillo via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

Gian Villante vs. Tom Lawlor
Round 1: Robert Madrigal is the ref. Last fight on the prelims. They touch gloves, and the southpaw Lawlor lets that left fly early. It misses. A couple of high kicks from Villante. And he comes in off balance and lands a left hand on Lawlor, that sends him staggering sideways. But he’s alright, and Lawlor fires back. Right hook by Lawlor, and then on a follow-up he gets tagged good with a right. Leg kick from Villante, who is fighting long. High kick from Villante, snaps it off from his stationary position. Some blood on Lawlor’s right eye. Front kick by Villante, and Lawlor circles. Inside leg kick from Villante, and he’s landing that at will. Lawlor sneaks in and lands an uppercut flush. Overhand left from Lawlor catches a gang of forearms. As Lawlor moves in he eats a knee. Another inside leg kick from Villante. Lawlor’s lead leg it’s getting blown up. Villante shoots in and takes Lawlor down, but doesn’t pursue it. Let’s Lawlor back up. Villante now standing in the middle, and he’s changing levels. Another low kick lands, and that’s how the round ends. MMA Fighting scores R1 for Villante, 10-9.

Round 2: Body shot from Villante. Lawlor swinging in the pocket, and he eats an uppercut. But wait! As Villante comes in Lawlor lands a huge right hand that sends him straight back onto the canvas. That’s it! It’s over. What a shot. One-punch, and boom! Down goes Villante who had been winning the fight. Villante doesn’t like it, but he crumpled on over his own knees. What a well-time right hand from Lawlor, lands clean. Lawlor had his eyes closed when it landed, but that punch did it.

UFC on FOX 16 official results: Tom Lawlor def. Gian Villante via KO (punch) at :27 of R2

MMA Fighting brings you UFC on FOX 16 play-by-play and more for the fight card. Tonight’s event is headlined by a fight between T.J. Dillashaw and Renan Barao for the UFC bantamweight title. This bout is scheduled for five, five-minute rounds. Also appearing on the main card are Miesha Tate vs. Jessica Eye, Edson Barboza vs. Paul Felder and Joe Lauzon vs. Takanori Gomi. Tonight’s fights take place at the United Center in Chicago.

This is the UFC on FOX 16 undercard blog for the UFC on FOX 16 event at the United Center in Chicago on Saturday night.

There will be eight fights on the UFC on FOX 16 undercard. Gian Villante vs. Tom Lawlor, Jim Miller vs. Danny castillo, Kenny Robertson vs. Ben Saunders, Eddie Wineland vs. Bryan Caraway, Daron Cruickshank vs. James Krause, Ramsey Nijem vs. Andrew Holbrook, Jessamyn Duke vs. Elizabeth Phillips, and Zak Cummings vs. Dominique Steele  will be featured.

Check out the UFC on FOX 16 undercard live blog below.

More Coverage: UFC on FOX 16 Results | UFC news

Zak Cummings vs. Dominique Steele
Round 1: Steele making his debut, and he circles Cummins. Cummins moves in first, and clobbers Steele with a right hand! He goes flailing to the fence, and Cummins is coming on strong, pursuing him and slamming him with punches. Bang! It’s over. Just like that, Cummins’ with a quick TKO of Steele. He didn’t waste any time.

UFC on FOX 16 official results: Zak Cummins def. Dominique Steele via TKO (strikes) at :43 of R1

Jessamyn Duke vs. Elizabeth Phillips
Round 1: Herb Dean is the referee for this one. Duke looking to turning things around riding a two-fight losing streak. Phillips ducks down and hits Duke early. Duke holding the middle. Big right hand from Phillips lands, and already some red marks appearing on Duke’s face. Again Phillips ducks in and throws an overhand right and scores again, this time landing a combo on the separation. Duke pretty immobile in the pocket early. Now they clinch, and Phillips tries for a takedown…yet Duke ends up on top after the scramble, and she’s fishing for an arm. Now Phillips pops free, and she’s in Duke’s full guard. Phillips posturing up and looking to land some offense from there, but Duke is clinging to her with those long limbs, controlling her wrists. Phillips this time gets a little room and drops an elbow in on Duke, who absorbs it and squirms. Now Phillips moves into side control, and now into mount. She has Duke’s back, now back to mount. Duke swivels, and again with the back, Phillips’ wailing with her right hand to the side of Duke’s face. All Phillips in the first round here. Phillips is sneaking the arm through for the neck with a body triangle, and Duke is rotating towards Phillips, and she’s out of danger and ends up for the end of the round on top of Phillips. MMA Fighting scores R1 for Phillips, 10-9.

Round 2: Some swelling on Duke’s face, as Phillips moves in immediately with a right hand. Duke just stiff in the exchanges, and Phillips bobs and weaves. Duke moving forward, and she clinches on the fence with Phillips. Phillips may be tiring ever so slightly, not a lot of mustard on her last punch. Guillotine attempt by Duke, and they drop to the ground. It’s not tight, and Phillips rolls through in the scramble once again and ends up in Duke’s half-guard. Now it’s Phillips back in control on offense. Duke not able to do much on her back. She’s taking punishment now as Phillips gets side control. Duke keeping Phillips close. Phillips might be trying to fish out a Kimura — no, instead she gets mount, and momentarily gets reversed. Crazy sequence. Now Phillips once again reverses, and she’s back in side guard, as Duke covers up. Now Phillips landing big right hands to her ears. Phillips very methodically sinks her arm through for a rear naked, but she doesn’t keep it. Duke now on her knees, and she reverses Phillips, but now she’s being threatened with a guillotine. She pops out. Duke looking for a leg lock, slips out. Tries again, can’t get it as the round expires. MMA Fighting scores R2 for Phillips, 10-9 (20-18 overall).

Round 3: Duke immediately to the middle, and Phillips drops her head down and swings. Phillips took the worst of that exchange. Not a smart strategy for Phillips there, she’s well ahead — too far for sloppy exchanges. Duke coming to life a bit, as she lands an uppercut and then a right hand. Now she’s pursuing. Duke tries a kick, and the leg gets caught. She’s out, and now it’s Duke who takes Phillips down. They are scrambling again. Interesting strategy for Duke. Phillips stands up, and takes down Duke, and they scramble again. They are having some very crazy scrambles here; earlier Phillips was winning them, but now Duke is coming to life. Duke with a power guillotine, which looks tight…but she pops out. Phillips may need to survive now, stay out of trouble. She’s huffing. Duke is like a zombie stalking forward. Duke with a front kick, but nothing on it. Duke with a jousting jab, and another. Phillips just exhausted. They both are. Duke gets clipped with a left as she moves in, and now they clinch. Duke with some knees from the plum, but they aren’t lively. A minute to go, as Phillips gets taken down by Duke. Phillips on her knees, as Duke fishing for a neck. Duke has Phillips flattened out, and she’s trying for the choke. Now Phillips is out, and Duke in mount. Once again Duke trying to get the choke, can’t get under the neck. At the buzzer, Duke tries for an armbar…whoa. Looks like Phillips will survive the round, and win the fight. MMA Fighting scores R3 for Duke, 10-9 (29-28 for Phillips overall)

UFC on FOX 16 official results: Elizabeth Phillips def. Jessamyn Duke via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Ramsey Nijem vs. Andrew Holbrook
Round 1: Yves Lavigne is the third man in the cage for this lightweight fight. Nijem circles as Indiana’s Holbrook takes the center. Nijem with a right hand, and now moves forward with a one-two. Leg kick from Nijem, and Holbrook grabs Nijem and takes him down momentarily. Now Holbrook with the clinch, and they are slugging on the fence, with Holbrook slamming in some knees. Nijem under some early pressure here from the late replacement. Knee to the body from Holbrook, and they separate. Nice body kick from Nijem lands, and now Nijem gets a takedown on Holbrook and immediately gets on top. Holbrook looking for Nijem’s neck, but can’t get it. Big time elbows from the bottom from Holbrook, as Ramsey passes. Now in side control. Took some punishment to get it. Nijem tries to jump over, and Holbrook stands back up. Flying knee misses from Holbrook, as he pushes Nijem to the fence. They reverse, and Nijem goes to work. They break, and Nijem lights him up with a series of parting shots, followed by a knee in the clinch. Right hand to the body from Nijem, and Holbrook with a body kick. Nijem once again spins Holbrook to the ground, and after the scramble is in side guard. Nijem postures up looking to mount. Big shot from Nijem. Now he eats a solid upkick. Nijem dives in again, and he’s landing right hands, as Holbrook fires elbows from the bottom. MMA Fighting scores R1 for Nijem, 10-9.

Round 2: Nijem very conversational in between rounds, seems like he has plenty of gas left even after aggressive first round. Spinning kick from Nijem, now Nijem comes to life with a series of shots, and he has Holbrook in trouble. But, Nijem decides to crowd in and try for a takedown on the fence. He gets it, and Holbrook snatches the neck and squeezes. Holbrook holds onto it as Nijem steps over his leg…and he pops out. He is trying to get Holbrook’s back. They are scrambling, with Holbrook wrapping up Nijem’s leg. Nijem uses his other foot to push off and get free, and he snatches Holbrook’s back. Holbrook looking for a straight armlock, and as they scramble Holbrook ends up in Nijem’s guard on top. Now it’s Holbrook landing the ground and pound. Nijem scrambles to his knees, and now Holbrook has Nijem in trouble with the D’arce, but Nijem pops out! He was poised in there. But he’s not out of the woods yet. Holbrook is still pressuring. He’s staying on top of Nihem, and he once again grabs his neck as Ramsey sits on his knees. After much toil, Nijem dumps Holbrook on his back and scores with some ground and pound. Very tough round to score. But the submission attempt by Holbrook might have been enough to win it. MMA Fighting scores R2 for Holbrook, 10-9 (19-19 overall)

Round 3: Nijem’s corner telling him that he was doing excellent while standing. They come out, and Nijem lands a body kick, and now he’s throwing leather. He slams Holbrook with some early shots, and takes Holbrook down. Again they are scrambling as Holbrook is looking for an armlock, and now a leglock. Kneebar attempt by Holbrook, who is very busy with these submission attempts. Holbrook with a great showing considering the circumstances. Heel hook attempt now by Holbrook. It’s the full bouquet of subs being attempted. Nijem grabs Holbrook’s back and they roll over on the fence. Holbrook holding NIjem’s wrists, keeping them off his neck. Hammerfist from Nijem, who insists on the rear naked set-up. Ramsey slowly sapping Holbrook here, as he gets high on Holbrook’s back. Holbrook drops down trying to shake him but can’t. Hammerfist now from Holbrook, who is showing some versatility. Nijem still on him, though, and controlling the action. Nijem not doing that much from his position. He sneaks some short left hands through on Holbrook. Nijem gets into side control as they scramble late, and continues to land hammerfists as the horn sounds. Close fight. Could go either way. MMA Fighting scores R3 for Nijem, 10-9 (29-28 overall for Nijem).

UFC on FOX 16 official results: Andrew Holbrook def. Ramsey Nijem via split decision  (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Daron Cruickshank vs. James Krause
Round 1: Robert Madrigal is the referee. Cruickshank with a couple of shots early, all hands, and Krause tries to answer with a high kick. Krause takes Cruickshank down momentarily, and they bounce right back up. Pressure from Krause. Cruickshank giving up a lot of height, but he’s wading through there and throwing. A hook to the body from Cruickshank, and there’s a flying knee from Krause which gets a good piece. Trip takedown for Krause, gets his hooks, and Krause has Cruickshank’s neck! Could be in trouble…and there it is, Cruickshank taps. Wow. Came almost immediately. Urgent, fluid stuff there from Krause.

UFC on FOX 16 official results: James Krause def. Daron Cruickshank via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:27 of R1

Eddie Wineland vs. Bryan Caraway
Round 1: Wineland with a menacing scowl coming out. Yves Lavigne is the referee. Wineland rushes to the center, and waves his paw at Caraway. Caraway shoots in for a takedown, and gets in along fence. Can’t hold Wineland there, and they are on their feet, in clinch. Caraway stuck on Wineland like glue, and trying to dump him back down. They finally break, and Wineland goes rolling off. Wineland throws a big looping right, but comes up empty. Caraway returns fire, and Wineland lands a leg kick. Wineland really wants to put Caraway down with that right hand; he’s throwing it with abandon, but not getting close enough. Caraway winging retreating rights of his own — a lot of errant punches. Wineland holding the center, and he’s peppering Caraway with shots. Caraway drops in and drives Wineland back to fence, landing a knee to the body. They break, and Wineland resets. A lot of one-punch stuff from Caraway. Sloppy punch exchanges. They come together in the middle, and both swing and miss. Right hand from Wineland lands. Fairly frustrating round. Timing is off for both. MMA Fighting scores R1 for Caraway, 10-9.

Round 2: Right hand from Caraway stings, and Wineland missed on an uppercut. Wineland holding the middle. A little cut on Wineland’s face. Still, neither can piece together much. Footwork and angles, but neither guy getting a lot of offense. Wineland bouncing and throwing the left jab, and Caraway patiently waits him out and shoots in. Can’t get the take down. Good sprawl from Wineland. Blood coming out pretty good now on Wineland’s face. Still, the former WEC champ pushes forward, yet he doesn’t throw. A lot of flirting with punching. Caraway gets low and tries to get Wineland down, but can’t. Now Caraway with a series of uppercuts in the clinch, and he lands there. That was a good sequence. Caraway starting to pull away a little bit, nickel and diming. Again, a lot of deking, but neither throwing. Some taunting from Caraway here, as he drops down to take Wineland down. Can’t. They exchange in the pocket, and Wineland may have got the better of that one. Round ends. MMA Fighting scores R2 for Caraway, 10-9 (20-18 overall)

Round 3: They touch gloves for final round. Caraway the aggressor to start, and he lands a couple of good shots — now a right hand. Takedown attempt is stopped again from Wineland.They trade jabs in the middle, and Caraway drops in with a right cross. Wineland misses again on an uppercut, just looks out of tune. Dirty boxing from Caraway, and he tucks a couple of uppercuts in. Good right hand from Wineland lands. High kick from Caraway misses and he falls to the mat. Back up. Another head kick from Caraway glances its target. Caraway just the more efficient strikes here, which is a bit of a surprise. Caraway gets low again, and they dirty box, with Caraway landing. He pushed Wineland to fence, and they toil. Now back to center, and they trade punches. More missed shots. Wineland just can’t get anything rolling. Caraway at least a little better. Caraway hits home a nice combo, and Wineland hits home a nice body shot. That’ll do it. Should be Caraway. MMA Fighting scores R3 for Caraway, 10-9 (30-27 overall).

UFC on FOX 16 official results: Bryan Caraway def. Eddie WIneland via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)

Kenny Robertson vs. Ben Saunders
Round 1: They touch gloves. Saunders with a high kick early, and Robertson returns one. Robertson comes in and Saunders tries for his deadly clinch, but Robertson slips aside. Now to the fence. Robertson working for a takedown, and he gets it. He’s trying to light Saunders up with some big punches on the ground. Saunders in mission control, and Robertson is getting a little limp looking on the top. Saunders has his legs cinched, and now Saunders rolls into an omoplata attempt. Can’t get it, and Saunders is back up. They got to fence, though, with Robertson driving the action. They stay there a moment and break. Saunders with a knee from a quick clinch, misses. They trade kicks, and then Saunders with a body kick. High kick from Saunders, who can’t stay at range. Hard kick there hits Robertson’s forearm. They are throwing now, with Robertson trying to make Saunders vanish with his right hand. They come together again on the fence, and a lot of volume in close from both guys. Robertson grabs a single-leg, and he’s trying to drive Saunders down. Can’t. Robertson took a big kick to that arm, and seems to be favoring it. Saunders with a kick, and now gets blasted on his ascent by a right hand and drops. Robertson jumps on him going for a finish, but Saunders coolly gathers him in and gets back into mission control. Round ends there. Crazy action. MMA Fighting scores R1 for Robertson, 10-9.

Round 2: Robertson’s corner asking him for overhand left. We’ll see how that works out. They touch gloves. Saunders to the middle. He waves his left hand out, and the overhand left from Robertson comes whizzing by. High kick from Robertson, and now a body kick. They tied up in the middle, and trade there. Saunders eats a kick and retreats a bit, and Robertson keeps applying pressure wherever he goes. Saunders pawing with his left, and Robertson a push kick and an overhand left. Now it looks like Saunders clips Robertson low, and the referee calls time. Robertson walking it off. Saunders apologizing for his mistake, and they touch gloves. We’re back. Quick exchange in middle, and two overhand rights for Robertson. Robertson still throwing with both hands. Saunders beginning to bleed a bit on bridge of his nose. Front kick from Saunders, who eats a right hand. They keep trading. Saunders getting nicked up pretty good in those exchanges, but also landing. Both attempt high kicks, and then Robertson lunges forward with leather. Body punch from Robertson, who is mixing it up well. Beautiful combo from Saunders there, though, as he goes from punches to a nice body kick. Big time body kick from Saunders. That’ll take some steam out of you. Robertson again eats a body shot, and then a whizzer to the chin from the lanky Saunders. Damn, Robertson still winging though, lands a right hand, and now here comes the pressure. He gets Saunders on the fence and unloads, the punches are coming — not fast and furious, but measuredly. He’s going for a single-leg as Saunders blasts him with a series of down-swinging elbows. Round ends. MMA Fighting scores R2 for Saunders, 10-9 (19-19 overall)

Round 3: Good fight, close fight. Might come down to this. They touch them up again, and Robertson plants a right hand into Saunders’ dome. Saunders at range lands a high kick, and then tries it again. Saunders coming to life a bit. Landing and pushing forward, knees and hands. Robertson might be favoring his rib cage after so many shins to that area. And right as I write that, Robertson with an explosive cross-cage takedown. Saunders poised, back into mission control. Robertson like a fly in the venus flytrap on the ground. He’s on top, but he’s the one getting abused. Saunders landing big elbows as he squeezes his legs. Robertson, rendered helpless in the triangle, just trying to pry loose. He’s bleeding pretty good, too. Saunders torso is covered in Robertson’s blood. Great job from his back here for Saunders, who is using his limbs like a constrictor. It’s a gruesome scene, as he rains more elbows upward into the pulp of Robertson’s head. Robertson can’t be liking his decision to take Saunders down. It’s all Saunders from his back, just landing sharp elbows from all angles, now little punches to Robertson’s ribs. Finally Robertson, so tough, slips out and throws bombs down on Saunders, but it’s too late. Close fight. Give the nod to Saunders. MMA Fighting scores R3 for Saunders, 10-9 (29-28 overall for Saunders)

UFC on FOX 16 official results: Ben Saunders def. Kenny Robertson via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Jim Miller vs. Danny Castillo
Round 1: Herb Dean the ref here. Both guys riding two-fight losing streaks. Something’s got to give. Miller to center early, and with an inside leg kick. Castillo comes up high with a kick, which Miller grabs and drives him to the ground. Miller in side guard, and sneaking punches in with his right. Castillo trying to get back to his feet, but Miller swirls around and gets mount. Wow. Castillo grabs Miller’s shoulders and pulls him chest-to-chest, but Miller is poised. He’s landing the left hand in mount, as Castillo tries to buck him off. Now he’s all the way up high on the neck, and Castillo digging for a triangle, and they scramble. Castillo ends up in side control, and now Miller recovers to full guard. Big elbow from Castillo, and Miller lands an elbow from the bottom. Castillo postures, or attempts to, and they gets pulled back in tight. Elbow from Castillo, who is keeping Miller stationary. Now they do scramble, and Miller pops up, digging for a double-leg as he does. Can’t get it, and he resets. Miller, on the feet, comes forward with a left. Castillo now throwing low kicks to the legs, and Miller answers in turn. Great cross from Miller, and now he swoops in just as Castillo tries a flying kick. That’s how the round ends. MMA Fighting scores R1 for Miller, 10-9

Round 2: Miller moving in, comes up top with a punch and then a leg kick, which he’s been landing all fight. Flying kick from Castillo came close. Again, Miller starts high with punches and ends combo with kicks to legs. He’s got his left cocked, but Castillo on his bicycle. Same combo from Miller, and he’s starting to work the outside of Castillo’s legs too. Right hand from Castillo lands, and then Miller blasts him with a big right-left. Head kick by Castillo misses as Miller steers out of the way. Body kick from Miller, and he comes in to see if that registered. Again, up top, down low with kick. Finding a home with that. Castillo waving his left out there, and Miller slams a looping left home. Sweet little right hand from Miller, who is mixing it up, keeping Castillo off balance. Body punch from Miller, and Castillo lands a counter. High kick from Castillo lands, too. Miller not picking that up well. Body show from Miller, and high kick yet again from Castillo lands. The round ends with a Miller high-low sequence. MMA Fighting scores R2 for Miller, 10-9 (20-18 overall)

Round 3: Miller to center, and a quick right hand. Again he sends a right hand down the pipe. Castillo returning fire here, but he’s not initiating. Right hand lands from Miller, and Castillo backs up. Patient stuff from Miller. Miller comes forward and gets off a one-two. There’s a nice left from Miller, who then takes Castillo down. Can’t stay there, as Castillo scrambles, and Miller gives him some knees up top in the clinch as he does. Huge whiffing miss from Miller up high with a kick; it fanned right by Castillo’s chin. Castillo ducks low and drives Miller into the fence. Good exchange. They are in the middle, and Castillo gamely throwing now. Miller comes in again, and initiates an exchange. Body shot from Castillo. Duane Ludwig wants body shots, and Castillo’s obliging. Miller still wobbles forward, and comes up top with a kick. Miller jousts with his jab, and Castillo slams a shot into his ribs. Castillo defends a takedown, and in the scramble, Castillo gets Miller on his back. Late in the fight, and he has side control on Miller. He’ll end the fight in side control, working punches in on Miller. MMA Fighting scores R3 for Castillo, 10-9 (29-28 overall for Miller).

UFC on FOX 16 official results: Jim Miller def. Danny Castillo via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

Gian Villante vs. Tom Lawlor
Round 1: Robert Madrigal is the ref. Last fight on the prelims. They touch gloves, and the southpaw Lawlor lets that left fly early. It misses. A couple of high kicks from Villante. And he comes in off balance and lands a left hand on Lawlor, that sends him staggering sideways. But he’s alright, and Lawlor fires back. Right hook by Lawlor, and then on a follow-up he gets tagged good with a right. Leg kick from Villante, who is fighting long. High kick from Villante, snaps it off from his stationary position. Some blood on Lawlor’s right eye. Front kick by Villante, and Lawlor circles. Inside leg kick from Villante, and he’s landing that at will. Lawlor sneaks in and lands an uppercut flush. Overhand left from Lawlor catches a gang of forearms. As Lawlor moves in he eats a knee. Another inside leg kick from Villante. Lawlor’s lead leg it’s getting blown up. Villante shoots in and takes Lawlor down, but doesn’t pursue it. Let’s Lawlor back up. Villante now standing in the middle, and he’s changing levels. Another low kick lands, and that’s how the round ends. MMA Fighting scores R1 for Villante, 10-9.

Round 2: Body shot from Villante. Lawlor swinging in the pocket, and he eats an uppercut. But wait! As Villante comes in Lawlor lands a huge right hand that sends him straight back onto the canvas. That’s it! It’s over. What a shot. One-punch, and boom! Down goes Villante who had been winning the fight. Villante doesn’t like it, but he crumpled on over his own knees. What a well-time right hand from Lawlor, lands clean. Lawlor had his eyes closed when it landed, but that punch did it.

UFC on FOX 16 official results: Tom Lawlor def. Gian Villante via KO (punch) at :27 of R2