Seven fights on the UFC on FOX undercard showcased all manner of MMA, as fans inside Chicago’s United Center saw submissions, close decisions, three-round blowouts and even the illustrious hellbow KO.
TJ Grant vs. Matt Wiman
TJ Grant, a BJJ brown belt from Canada, made a big impression with his Muay Thai in the night’s featured prelim, a lightweight matchup against the equally dynamic Matt Wiman that ended inside the first round.
Wiman seemed to control the first couple of minutes, coming forward with kicks, overhand rights, Superman punches and a particularly big right hand. But when Grant would initiate a clinch, he showed his danger with knees and hard lefts. One such exchange wobbed Wiman, and as he staggered backward, Grant came forward. Wiman dove for a single leg and wound up in turtle. Grant made some submission attempts; Wiman responded in kind.
After a short scramble, Grant backed off and the let the referee stand Wiman up with less than a minute left in the round. There, Grant charged Wiman onto the fence and unleashed a series of knees from the clinch, then threw two short elbows, the second of which dropped Wiman and ended the fight at 4:51.
Now undefeated at lightweight, Grant’s record rises to 20-5; Wiman’s two-fight streak is halted an his record moves to 15-7. “I feel at home here at lightweight, I’m not giving up 20 pounds on fight night like I did [at welterweight],” said Grant. “I feel I have the speed and the power to go against anyone at 155 pounds. I am ready for anyone and everyone in the division.”
Clay Guida vs. Hatsu Hioki
Chicago fans finally got a win inside their United Center as fan favorite and Round Lake, Ill. local Clay Guida earned a split decision victory over jiu-jitsu black belt Hatsu Hioki in Guida’s first foray into featherweight.
Guida started out with his usual frenetic stick-and-move dance to the chants of “Gui-da! Gui-da!” from the crowd, but Hioki was neither fazed nor baited. Hioki patiently meted out body shots, body kicks and jabs until Guida scored a big takedown with two minutes left. Hioki quickly threw up a triangle attempt, but Guida powered his way out. Hoiki tried for an armbar from behind as the two worked back to their feet, but was unsuccessful and the round ended back on the feet.
Guida stayed in motion in the second, eating an uppercut from Hioki before carrying him to the center of the mat for a dramatic, crowd-pleasing slam. With Guida in his guard, Hioki worked deftly for a series of armbars but again Guida powered out. Hioki kept a close guard and save for a few shots that Guida got through, the lack of action on the ground triggered a referee standup with thirty seconds left. Hioki tried to earn back points with a high kick.
Guida came forward more on the feet in the third, but only as a precursor to another takedown. Hioki made another triangle-armbar attempt, but Guida slammed out. Hioki then tried to tie up Guida’s arms as Guida worked to half-guard. Hioki dragged himself to the cage and struggled at length to stand before the referee again did the work for them with thirty seconds left. Guida tried for a round-sealing takedown, but was turned away by Hioki.
Scores for Guida were 30-27, 29-28 and 28-29, as he takes home his 30th career win and first at featherweight (to 10 losses). The decision knocks Hioki to 26-6-2, who was a good sport in defeat. “With takedowns being so important, he won a contest, fairly, but I won a fight,” he said. “I am not unhappy with the decision, it was split because it was so close.”
Guida agreed with Hioki’s assessment of the deciding factor: “I think the takedowns won it for me. He was like a rubber band, he was so hard to keep in one space so I could get anything going. He got me with some nice body shots.”
Watch Guida’s post-fight interview
Mike Stumpf vs. Pascal Krauss
German-born, Duke-Roufus-trained Pascal Krauss put on a kickboxing clinic against local boy Mike Stumpf, shutting out his opponent with three 30-27 scores.
Although the 170-pounders are nearly identical in height and weight, the difference in striking styles was obvious right away, with Stumpf throwing short hooks and Krauss leading with long jabs. After a feeling-out period, one of Krauss’ kicks got him taken down, but he was able to return to the feet. Both men threw vicious low leg kicks, but Krauss mixed his up with front kicks to the body and prefaced them with uppercuts. Stumpf did damage with elbows during a tie-up on the cage, but otherwise seemed unable to find his range on the feet.
The “Panzer” showed his full arsenal in the second, with body kicks, superman uppercuts and unpredictable combinations finished with resounding low kicks. Stumpf was game, but his one-inch reach disadvantage seemed much greater due to his tight stance. Stumpf got Krauss to the ground against the fence, but Panzer neutralized until he could get back on his feet, where he did work with short elbows until they broke. Back on feet the two traded, then Stumpf charged for a takedown that got him promptly tied up on the fence again.
The third was more of the same, with Krauss backing up Stumpf with a wide range of strikes, then backing off before Stumpf could tie him up, as Stumpf’s best shots seemed to come from inside the telephone booth range. As the minutes ticked on, Stumpf dove more desperately for takedowns, but only wound up with Krauss in his guard working for elbows.
Krauss’s return to the W column is the 11th of his career with only one loss. : “I’ve been in the UFC since 2010 and I’ve had three fights, but I want three more this year,” said Krauss. “All I really wish for is to keep healthy and keep active.” Crystal Lake, Ill.’s Stumpf, who returned from a 16-month layoff, slides to 11-4.
Ryan Bader vs. Vladimir Matyushenko
It was a short night in the first light heavyweight bout of the night as Ryan Bader needed only 50 seconds to tap out Vladimir Matyushenko.
Bader dropped Matyushenko early, clipping him with a left then rushing in capitalize. He secured a D’Arce hold from the front, and when squeezing didn’t finish “The Janitor,” he dropped and hooked his legs, earning the win and the record for fastest submission in the 205-pound division.
Bader’s first UFC submission win is his 8th Octagon victory and his 16th overall (his three losses are all to current or former UFC champions). The 42-year-old Matyushenko falls to 26-7 in his first fight since UFC 141 in December of 2011.
“I work so hard on my BJJ in the gym, I’m happy to show it off in the Octagon,” said Bader. “I’ve worked my way to being very close to a title shot before, then I got KOd by Lyoto [Machida]. Everyone gets beat in the UFC — not everyone bounces back. I was determined to bounce back.”
Watch Bader’s post-fight interview
Mike Russow vs. Shawn Jordan
Chicago police officer Mike Russow was denied a hometown victory as fellow heavyweight Shawn Jordan waited him out and then finished things in the second round.
Russow’s height and size helped him own the opening round, as he tied Jordan up on the fence and teed off early, rocking Jordan. “Savage” Shawn was moving backward for most of the round, shaking off Russow’s punches only to be again tagged by uppercuts and straights. Russow chased him and tied things up, using his heavyweight mass to pressure the shorter fighter as he tried to get Jordan to the mat .
The cardio difference was evident five minutes in, as Russow put his hands on his knees to catch his breath at the end of the first; Jordan, a former LSU football player, used that to his advantage. After a brief break due to an eye poke to Russow, Jordan bobbed and weaved, using footwork to keep things in the center of the cage. He picked his shots and damaged with combinations, then pushed things to the cage and got a takedown of his own. From mount, he threw elbows and strikes before Russow gave up his back. Russow reversed and got back to his feet mid-way through the round, but soon things moved back to the mat where Jordan threw merciless fists from mount and back mount until Herb Dean waved things off 3:48 in.
The win, which Jordan celebrated with his signature back flip, improves his record to 14-4. “That first round wasn’t fun at all,” said Jordan. “He hurt me a couple of times but I saw after each big attack his arms would go down, which made me think he was getting tired. In the second, I felt myself getting stronger.”
Russow drops his second in a row and departs 15-3. ““I thought I had it. I’m disappointed but it’s MMA. You have to finish when you get your guy hurt.”
Watch Jordan’s post-fight interview
Rafael Natal vs. Sean Spencer
In a middleweight battle between “Black Magik” and a BJJ black belt, the gentle art that reigned supreme as UFC veteran Rafael Natal tapped out Octagon newcomer Sean Spencer in the third round.
The fight opened with an accidental eye poke from Natal, but once the doctor cleared things to continue, one-time Golden Gloves champ Spencer did most of the work, following Natal with range-finding fists and dropping him once with a left. Natal tried to keep his distance, missing with a spinning back fist that Spencer met with a counter. In the last thirty seconds, though, Natal landed his spinning back fist, which stunned Spencer enough to allow Natal to swam for a takedown. He hopped into mount and finished the round working for a guillotine.
Natal came out more aggressively in the second, landing punches and scoring with kicks to Spencer’s leg and body. Two takedowns later, Natal was in Spencer’s full guard with two minutes left. “Black Magik” worked hard to control his opponent, but Natal gradually wore him down. Natal then took Spencer’s back with 40 seconds to go and nearly got the tap from a rear-naked attempt, but Spencer gutted it out and was saved by the bell. “I didn’t want to [exhaust] my arms by trying to get a choke so close to the end of the round,” said Natal post-fight. “If I had 10 seconds more I would have really gone for the finish. Instead, I used it to tire him out and in the last round I knew I would get him.”
Spencer avoided Natal’s first takedown of the third round but the second was successful. Natal quickly pinned Spencer into crucifix position and punished him with elbows. As Spencer squirmed, he was subject to a nasty Americana and somehow survived that as well. But Natal wound up in mount and the arm-triangle choke was simply too much, causing Spencer to finally submit at 2:13.
The submission is Natal’s first tapout win in the UFC, bringing his UFC record to 3-2-1 and 14-4-1 overall. The loss sends Spencer, who took the bout on less than two weeks’ notice, to a record of 9-2.
Watch Natal’s post-fight interview
Simeon Thoresen vs David Mitchell
David Mitchell (now 12-2) snapped his two-fight losing streak and earned his first UFC victory with a three-round win at welterweight over Norway’s Simeon “The Grin” Thoresen to open the UFC on FOX card in Chicago.
Round one reeked of “sudden ending” with both men standing and striking the entire time. Mitchell started out moving forward, and did better throughout the round, beginning with long jabs and then working in body shots and long-range uppercuts. Thoresen had more trouble finding his range, but was the only one to send his opponent to the mat, knocking “Daudi’s” leg out from underneath him. Thoresen picked up the pace after that and landed a few crisp shots of his own, particularly his left hook, and one close-quarters exchange between the two sent a loud crack throughout the United Center. Though both men were bloodied at the end of the round, Mitchell appeared to have done more damage.
The second round was a ground affair, with Mitchell clearly dominating. An early assault from Mitchell sent things to the ground, and from there he stayed busy with a nasty assortment of ground-and-pound, upkicks and submission attempts, including one convincing stint in gogoplata. Thoresen, who has finished 15 career opponents by submission, was unable to secure a finish and instead was subject to Mitchell’s brand of fist-infused grappling.
After a lengthy break between rounds so doctors could check on Thoresen’s swollen eye, the third stanza moved more slowly, starting with two tie-ups on the cage before another scramble on the ground. A left hook and another leg kick from Thoresen dropped Mitchell again, but he still had enough energy to to bounce up and shoot for a takedown. Thoresen sprawled but again returned to the world of Mitchell’s ground game. Mitchell was dominant throughout the final scramble, punching his wounded opponent throughout another series of submission attempts.
Judges gave the bout to Mitchell 30-27 three times over. “This is the greatest night of my life,” said Mitchell. “I’ve been chasing this UFC win a long time. When Bruce Buffer said my name, all this emotion hit me — I kissed the canvas!” The loss is Thoresen’s second in a row, dropping his record to 17-4-1.
Seven fights on the UFC on FOX undercard showcased all manner of MMA, as fans inside Chicago’s United Center saw submissions, close decisions, three-round blowouts and even the illustrious hellbow KO.
TJ Grant vs. Matt Wiman
TJ Grant, a BJJ brown belt from Canada, made a big impression with his Muay Thai in the night’s featured prelim, a lightweight matchup against the equally dynamic Matt Wiman that ended inside the first round.
Wiman seemed to control the first couple of minutes, coming forward with kicks, overhand rights, Superman punches and a particularly big right hand. But when Grant would initiate a clinch, he showed his danger with knees and hard lefts. One such exchange wobbed Wiman, and as he staggered backward, Grant came forward. Wiman dove for a single leg and wound up in turtle. Grant made some submission attempts; Wiman responded in kind.
After a short scramble, Grant backed off and the let the referee stand Wiman up with less than a minute left in the round. There, Grant charged Wiman onto the fence and unleashed a series of knees from the clinch, then threw two short elbows, the second of which dropped Wiman and ended the fight at 4:51.
Now undefeated at lightweight, Grant’s record rises to 20-5; Wiman’s two-fight streak is halted an his record moves to 15-7. “I feel at home here at lightweight, I’m not giving up 20 pounds on fight night like I did [at welterweight],” said Grant. “I feel I have the speed and the power to go against anyone at 155 pounds. I am ready for anyone and everyone in the division.”
Clay Guida vs. Hatsu Hioki
Chicago fans finally got a win inside their United Center as fan favorite and Round Lake, Ill. local Clay Guida earned a split decision victory over jiu-jitsu black belt Hatsu Hioki in Guida’s first foray into featherweight.
Guida started out with his usual frenetic stick-and-move dance to the chants of “Gui-da! Gui-da!” from the crowd, but Hioki was neither fazed nor baited. Hioki patiently meted out body shots, body kicks and jabs until Guida scored a big takedown with two minutes left. Hioki quickly threw up a triangle attempt, but Guida powered his way out. Hoiki tried for an armbar from behind as the two worked back to their feet, but was unsuccessful and the round ended back on the feet.
Guida stayed in motion in the second, eating an uppercut from Hioki before carrying him to the center of the mat for a dramatic, crowd-pleasing slam. With Guida in his guard, Hioki worked deftly for a series of armbars but again Guida powered out. Hioki kept a close guard and save for a few shots that Guida got through, the lack of action on the ground triggered a referee standup with thirty seconds left. Hioki tried to earn back points with a high kick.
Guida came forward more on the feet in the third, but only as a precursor to another takedown. Hioki made another triangle-armbar attempt, but Guida slammed out. Hioki then tried to tie up Guida’s arms as Guida worked to half-guard. Hioki dragged himself to the cage and struggled at length to stand before the referee again did the work for them with thirty seconds left. Guida tried for a round-sealing takedown, but was turned away by Hioki.
Scores for Guida were 30-27, 29-28 and 28-29, as he takes home his 30th career win and first at featherweight (to 10 losses). The decision knocks Hioki to 26-6-2, who was a good sport in defeat. “With takedowns being so important, he won a contest, fairly, but I won a fight,” he said. “I am not unhappy with the decision, it was split because it was so close.”
Guida agreed with Hioki’s assessment of the deciding factor: “I think the takedowns won it for me. He was like a rubber band, he was so hard to keep in one space so I could get anything going. He got me with some nice body shots.”
Watch Guida’s post-fight interview
Mike Stumpf vs. Pascal Krauss
German-born, Duke-Roufus-trained Pascal Krauss put on a kickboxing clinic against local boy Mike Stumpf, shutting out his opponent with three 30-27 scores.
Although the 170-pounders are nearly identical in height and weight, the difference in striking styles was obvious right away, with Stumpf throwing short hooks and Krauss leading with long jabs. After a feeling-out period, one of Krauss’ kicks got him taken down, but he was able to return to the feet. Both men threw vicious low leg kicks, but Krauss mixed his up with front kicks to the body and prefaced them with uppercuts. Stumpf did damage with elbows during a tie-up on the cage, but otherwise seemed unable to find his range on the feet.
The “Panzer” showed his full arsenal in the second, with body kicks, superman uppercuts and unpredictable combinations finished with resounding low kicks. Stumpf was game, but his one-inch reach disadvantage seemed much greater due to his tight stance. Stumpf got Krauss to the ground against the fence, but Panzer neutralized until he could get back on his feet, where he did work with short elbows until they broke. Back on feet the two traded, then Stumpf charged for a takedown that got him promptly tied up on the fence again.
The third was more of the same, with Krauss backing up Stumpf with a wide range of strikes, then backing off before Stumpf could tie him up, as Stumpf’s best shots seemed to come from inside the telephone booth range. As the minutes ticked on, Stumpf dove more desperately for takedowns, but only wound up with Krauss in his guard working for elbows.
Krauss’s return to the W column is the 11th of his career with only one loss. : “I’ve been in the UFC since 2010 and I’ve had three fights, but I want three more this year,” said Krauss. “All I really wish for is to keep healthy and keep active.” Crystal Lake, Ill.’s Stumpf, who returned from a 16-month layoff, slides to 11-4.
Ryan Bader vs. Vladimir Matyushenko
It was a short night in the first light heavyweight bout of the night as Ryan Bader needed only 50 seconds to tap out Vladimir Matyushenko.
Bader dropped Matyushenko early, clipping him with a left then rushing in capitalize. He secured a D’Arce hold from the front, and when squeezing didn’t finish “The Janitor,” he dropped and hooked his legs, earning the win and the record for fastest submission in the 205-pound division.
Bader’s first UFC submission win is his 8th Octagon victory and his 16th overall (his three losses are all to current or former UFC champions). The 42-year-old Matyushenko falls to 26-7 in his first fight since UFC 141 in December of 2011.
“I work so hard on my BJJ in the gym, I’m happy to show it off in the Octagon,” said Bader. “I’ve worked my way to being very close to a title shot before, then I got KOd by Lyoto [Machida]. Everyone gets beat in the UFC — not everyone bounces back. I was determined to bounce back.”
Watch Bader’s post-fight interview
Mike Russow vs. Shawn Jordan
Chicago police officer Mike Russow was denied a hometown victory as fellow heavyweight Shawn Jordan waited him out and then finished things in the second round.
Russow’s height and size helped him own the opening round, as he tied Jordan up on the fence and teed off early, rocking Jordan. “Savage” Shawn was moving backward for most of the round, shaking off Russow’s punches only to be again tagged by uppercuts and straights. Russow chased him and tied things up, using his heavyweight mass to pressure the shorter fighter as he tried to get Jordan to the mat .
The cardio difference was evident five minutes in, as Russow put his hands on his knees to catch his breath at the end of the first; Jordan, a former LSU football player, used that to his advantage. After a brief break due to an eye poke to Russow, Jordan bobbed and weaved, using footwork to keep things in the center of the cage. He picked his shots and damaged with combinations, then pushed things to the cage and got a takedown of his own. From mount, he threw elbows and strikes before Russow gave up his back. Russow reversed and got back to his feet mid-way through the round, but soon things moved back to the mat where Jordan threw merciless fists from mount and back mount until Herb Dean waved things off 3:48 in.
The win, which Jordan celebrated with his signature back flip, improves his record to 14-4. “That first round wasn’t fun at all,” said Jordan. “He hurt me a couple of times but I saw after each big attack his arms would go down, which made me think he was getting tired. In the second, I felt myself getting stronger.”
Russow drops his second in a row and departs 15-3. ““I thought I had it. I’m disappointed but it’s MMA. You have to finish when you get your guy hurt.”
Watch Jordan’s post-fight interview
Rafael Natal vs. Sean Spencer
In a middleweight battle between “Black Magik” and a BJJ black belt, the gentle art that reigned supreme as UFC veteran Rafael Natal tapped out Octagon newcomer Sean Spencer in the third round.
The fight opened with an accidental eye poke from Natal, but once the doctor cleared things to continue, one-time Golden Gloves champ Spencer did most of the work, following Natal with range-finding fists and dropping him once with a left. Natal tried to keep his distance, missing with a spinning back fist that Spencer met with a counter. In the last thirty seconds, though, Natal landed his spinning back fist, which stunned Spencer enough to allow Natal to swam for a takedown. He hopped into mount and finished the round working for a guillotine.
Natal came out more aggressively in the second, landing punches and scoring with kicks to Spencer’s leg and body. Two takedowns later, Natal was in Spencer’s full guard with two minutes left. “Black Magik” worked hard to control his opponent, but Natal gradually wore him down. Natal then took Spencer’s back with 40 seconds to go and nearly got the tap from a rear-naked attempt, but Spencer gutted it out and was saved by the bell. “I didn’t want to [exhaust] my arms by trying to get a choke so close to the end of the round,” said Natal post-fight. “If I had 10 seconds more I would have really gone for the finish. Instead, I used it to tire him out and in the last round I knew I would get him.”
Spencer avoided Natal’s first takedown of the third round but the second was successful. Natal quickly pinned Spencer into crucifix position and punished him with elbows. As Spencer squirmed, he was subject to a nasty Americana and somehow survived that as well. But Natal wound up in mount and the arm-triangle choke was simply too much, causing Spencer to finally submit at 2:13.
The submission is Natal’s first tapout win in the UFC, bringing his UFC record to 3-2-1 and 14-4-1 overall. The loss sends Spencer, who took the bout on less than two weeks’ notice, to a record of 9-2.
Watch Natal’s post-fight interview
Simeon Thoresen vs David Mitchell
David Mitchell (now 12-2) snapped his two-fight losing streak and earned his first UFC victory with a three-round win at welterweight over Norway’s Simeon “The Grin” Thoresen to open the UFC on FOX card in Chicago.
Round one reeked of “sudden ending” with both men standing and striking the entire time. Mitchell started out moving forward, and did better throughout the round, beginning with long jabs and then working in body shots and long-range uppercuts. Thoresen had more trouble finding his range, but was the only one to send his opponent to the mat, knocking “Daudi’s” leg out from underneath him. Thoresen picked up the pace after that and landed a few crisp shots of his own, particularly his left hook, and one close-quarters exchange between the two sent a loud crack throughout the United Center. Though both men were bloodied at the end of the round, Mitchell appeared to have done more damage.
The second round was a ground affair, with Mitchell clearly dominating. An early assault from Mitchell sent things to the ground, and from there he stayed busy with a nasty assortment of ground-and-pound, upkicks and submission attempts, including one convincing stint in gogoplata. Thoresen, who has finished 15 career opponents by submission, was unable to secure a finish and instead was subject to Mitchell’s brand of fist-infused grappling.
After a lengthy break between rounds so doctors could check on Thoresen’s swollen eye, the third stanza moved more slowly, starting with two tie-ups on the cage before another scramble on the ground. A left hook and another leg kick from Thoresen dropped Mitchell again, but he still had enough energy to to bounce up and shoot for a takedown. Thoresen sprawled but again returned to the world of Mitchell’s ground game. Mitchell was dominant throughout the final scramble, punching his wounded opponent throughout another series of submission attempts.
Judges gave the bout to Mitchell 30-27 three times over. “This is the greatest night of my life,” said Mitchell. “I’ve been chasing this UFC win a long time. When Bruce Buffer said my name, all this emotion hit me — I kissed the canvas!” The loss is Thoresen’s second in a row, dropping his record to 17-4-1.
LAS VEGAS – On a UFC 155 main card featuring fighters with 116 combined UFC fights and 30 post-fight bonuses, incoming champion Junior dos Santos and former champion-turned-recrowned champion Cain Velasquez showed why the heavyweight division still reigns supreme, as they put on an athletic, exciting bout between giants at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday night. Velasquez’ endless cardio and wrestling prowess put the champion in more danger in the first round than he’d seen in his entire UFC career, and Velasquez followed that with four more rounds of domination, winning back the belt he’d surrendered to dos Santos in just 64 seconds last November.
Velasquez chased dos Santos early in the first, diving several times for single-leg takedowns that the Brazilian merely stepped away from. But mid-round, Velasquez hit dos Santos clean with a right, dropping him, then following things to the mat with hammerfists. That blow changed the entire momentum of the fight. From there, Velasquez completed his takedown (then another, then another). With dos Santos trapped in half-guard or against the fence, Velasquez rained down punches from on top and behind.
Velasquez continued his onslaught forward in round two, as he grabbed dos Santos, slammed him down and took his back. After spinning out of a kneebar, Velasquez wound up with back mount, and got another takedown when dos Santos stood. Dos Santos repeatedly sought recovery time on the fence, but each time, Velasquez’ shots took him off-center enough to score takedown after takedown. Dos Santos wound turtle or recover in half guard, taking punishment before powering to his feet. Late in the second it was Velasquez who sought an armbar on the BJJ brown belt.
Dos Santos seemed to have recovered a by the third, as he landed bodyshots, jabs and uppercuts on Velasquez. But Velasquez still scored a single-leg on the tired champion, and issued more nasty blows against the fence. Dos Santos shook off the next few takedown attempts, but still struggled to mount an effective offense against Velasquez’ forward motion. Each time the challenger pressured dos Santos against the fence, Velasquez would attack.
The deep water rounds were more of the same – dos Santos having mixed success defending takedowns, but still losing the stand-up exchanges and moving backward. Velasquez punctuated the last frame with a huge takedown and a head kick. Judges’ scores were 50-45, 50-43 and 50-44 for Velasquez, whose return to glory ups his numbers to 11-1. The durable dos Santos was handed only the second loss of his career, slipping to 15-2.
“I knew that Junior was a tough striker and he was able to end our last fight that way, so I was prepared for him this time,” said Cain. “I was able to use my striking and my grappling to control him and get the title back.”
“Velasquez is a tough opponent,” said the always-gracious dos Santos. “His grappling is great and tonight his striking was great as well. Congratulations to him on his victory.” Before leaving the Octagon, dos Santos vowed to face Velasquez again to do as the new champion had just done and regain the belt.
LAS VEGAS – On a UFC 155 main card featuring fighters with 116 combined UFC fights and 30 post-fight bonuses, incoming champion Junior dos Santos and former champion-turned-recrowned champion Cain Velasquez showed why the heavyweight division still reigns supreme, as they put on an athletic, exciting bout between giants at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday night. Velasquez’ endless cardio and wrestling prowess put the champion in more danger in the first round than he’d seen in his entire UFC career, and Velasquez followed that with four more rounds of domination, winning back the belt he’d surrendered to dos Santos in just 64 seconds last November.
Velasquez chased dos Santos early in the first, diving several times for single-leg takedowns that the Brazilian merely stepped away from. But mid-round, Velasquez hit dos Santos clean with a right, dropping him, then following things to the mat with hammerfists. That blow changed the entire momentum of the fight. From there, Velasquez completed his takedown (then another, then another). With dos Santos trapped in half-guard or against the fence, Velasquez rained down punches from on top and behind.
Velasquez continued his onslaught forward in round two, as he grabbed dos Santos, slammed him down and took his back. After spinning out of a kneebar, Velasquez wound up with back mount, and got another takedown when dos Santos stood. Dos Santos repeatedly sought recovery time on the fence, but each time, Velasquez’ shots took him off-center enough to score takedown after takedown. Dos Santos wound turtle or recover in half guard, taking punishment before powering to his feet. Late in the second it was Velasquez who sought an armbar on the BJJ brown belt.
Dos Santos seemed to have recovered a by the third, as he landed bodyshots, jabs and uppercuts on Velasquez. But Velasquez still scored a single-leg on the tired champion, and issued more nasty blows against the fence. Dos Santos shook off the next few takedown attempts, but still struggled to mount an effective offense against Velasquez’ forward motion. Each time the challenger pressured dos Santos against the fence, Velasquez would attack.
The deep water rounds were more of the same – dos Santos having mixed success defending takedowns, but still losing the stand-up exchanges and moving backward. Velasquez punctuated the last frame with a huge takedown and a head kick. Judges’ scores were 50-45, 50-43 and 50-44 for Velasquez, whose return to glory ups his numbers to 11-1. The durable dos Santos was handed only the second loss of his career, slipping to 15-2.
“I knew that Junior was a tough striker and he was able to end our last fight that way, so I was prepared for him this time,” said Cain. “I was able to use my striking and my grappling to control him and get the title back.”
“Velasquez is a tough opponent,” said the always-gracious dos Santos. “His grappling is great and tonight his striking was great as well. Congratulations to him on his victory.” Before leaving the Octagon, dos Santos vowed to face Velasquez again to do as the new champion had just done and regain the belt.
LAS VEGAS – Entering the Octagon inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday night with 13 UFC fights each and a combined 15 post-fight bonuses, lightweights Jim Miller and Joe Lauzon quickly lived up to their fight’s hype, outshining UFC 155’s three middleweight bouts and adding a last-minute entry to year-end Fight of the Year lists.
Jim Miller vs. Joe Lauzon
Both durable, well-rounded and nimble submission artists, Miller vs. Lauzon was billed as a match-up of mirror images. By the end of three rounds, those mirror images were coated in blood, with a screaming arena celebrating Miller’s decision win and thrilled by the performances of both men..
Known for coming out aggressively, Lauzon did just that, but Miller answered with equal intensity, landing uppercuts and low kicks as Lauzon came forward. He forced Lauzon against the cage, wobbling him with uppercuts, and at one point dropping him with a low leg kick. An elbow from close quarters opened a cut on Lauzon’s forehead, and Miller grabbed for a standing head-and-arm choke that only caused it to pour, drawing a temporary checkup from the doctor. Lauzon bounded back, but Miller continued the onslaught of punches, which Lauzon merrily weathered and returned in kind. At one point, the two traded kicks and both dropped backward. Neither relented as the round buzzer sounded and the crowd stood to its feet.
Miller, a BJJ black belt, landed a takedown early in the second, and Lauzon – himself a submission expert — worked to tie up one of Miller’s arms. Lauzon eventually got the sweep, and another brief stoppage occurred as the cutmen removed a piece of tape from Lauzon’s glove that had come unraveled. Back in Miller’s rubber guard, Lauzon stood and slammed Miller down, which had little tactical result but further endeared Lauzon to the crowd. Lauzon reached for an armbar then rolled for a kneebar, but both men were slicked enough with blood that Miller escaped. Both men again drew a standing ovation at the end of the second.
Back on the feet for the third, the pair moved in and out as they boxed, with Lauzon working the body until slipping on the mat. He tried to goad Miller into his guard, but Miller’s success on his feet had him happy to keep things there. Lauzon scored with a left and a knee, while Miller worked to hold Lauzon in the clinch and throw right elbows. With less than a minute left, Lauzon dove and spun for a flying leglock, then pulled Miller into a guillotine.
“I knew I was going to have to bring my best effort to put him away and I was never able to,” said Miller post-fight. That’s how good he is. Even in the last minute, look what he was trying to do to win the fight.”
Judges gave the bout to Jim Miller with three scores of 29-28, as Miller rises to 22-5; Lauzon slips to 22-8; both men saw their bonus counts grow for their troubles when the bout was named Fight of the Night at the post-fight press conference..
Tim Boetsch vs. Costa Philippou
After two less-than-crowd-pleasing middleweight decisions in a row, Costa Philippou finally gave the fans a finish at 185 pounds, TKOing Tim Boetsch in the third round.
Boetsch immediately put the former pro boxer on the fence, then dropped for a single leg that gave Philippou his neck before returning to the fence. Eventually things returned to the center of the mat, where Philippou fired off a body shot and one uppercut that sent sweat soaring off Boetsch’s head. But as he moved forward again, Boetsch plowed him to the ground. The Serra-Longo trained Philippou used a closed guard and one trapped arm to tie things up and earn a standup with 35 seconds left. From there he surged forward with relentless combinations, only to back off and be wobbled by a seemingly casual high kick thrown by Boetsch at the end of the round.
The men quickly made their way to the fence in round two, then meandered back to the center where they took turns cracking one another. One punch from Philippou simultaneously poked Boetsch in the eye and removed his mouthpiece, prompting a short break. After having a takedown denied, Boetsch lured Philippou onto the ground, and while he worked for an armbar, Philippou drew more blood with his boxer’s hands from top position.
Boetsch, possibly injured and dripping blood from a cut on his forehead, lunged for takedowns in the final round that repeatedly left him on the bottom. In between ground-and-pound, Philippou stood, with Boetsch more reluctant to rise each time. On the final ground exchange, Philippou finally did enough to inspire referee Kim Winslow to call the bout at 2:11.
“I made a few rookie mistakes in letting him take me down, but once we started trading blows back and forth later in the fight I had him, said Philippou, who now boasts a five-fight win streak and a record of 12-2 (1 NC). Boetsch tastes his first loss in the middleweight division, dropping to 16-5 overall.
Watch Philippou’s post-fight interview
Yushin Okami vs. Alan Belcher
In 2006, middleweights Alan Belcher and Yushin Okami first fought in what was the UFC debut for both men, with Okami eking out the decision win. Six years and 28 combined UFC fights later, they met again and the outcome was the same – if more one-sided – as Okami’s ground domination netted him a unanimous decision win.
After enjoying a few low and high kicks courtesy of Belcher, Okami drove things to the fence and tied up the action as Belcher struggled mightily for an underhook. Finally, a trip by Okami sent both men to the mat, where Belcher grabbed for a guillotine then tried for a gogoplata to boot. Once Okami was out of danger, Belcher stayed as tight with his guard and half guard as Okami had stayed against the cage. Okami eventurally advanced to side control, Belcher worked his way to his knees, and the round ended with Okami trying to take Belcher’s back.
Belcher tripped Okami backward in the second, only to let him up, lock on a guillotine and pull guard. But Okami popped out, and again struggled to do damage from half-guard. The referee stood them up at 2:30 left, and Belcher celebrated the freedom by wobbling Okami with a punch. But Okami charged forward, and it was then another fight on the fence for control until Okami dragged his way to another takedown ticket to Half Guard City, followed by another stand-up.
Belcher came out reinvigorated for the third, and his active assaults clipped Okami briefly before things went back to the fence, then the mat. But this time it was Belcher on top, and he hung on Okami’s neck backward so that he was positioned for a guillotine when Okami stood. After pulling guard again, he lost the submission, and the bout went back to more of the same half-guard ground control. Despite the crowd’s increasing boos, Okami worked his way into mount. With Belcher’s head against the fence, he threw body shots and shoulder shots until he could clear the route for more ground and pound. Belcher turned away, and Okami continued the assault from the back with both hooks in until the buzzer sounded.
Judges saw it for Okami 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28, as the one-time title contender improves to 29-7; BJJ black belt Belcher sees his record slip to 17-6.
Watch Okami’s post-fight interview
Chris Leben vs. Derek Brunson
After months of lobbying on social media for a match-up, middleweight Strikeforce import Derek Brunson made the most of a last-minute opportunity when he was offered a main card bout against UFC veteran Chris Leben after “The Crippler’s” original opponent was injured. The Div. II All-American wrestler used that skill to control the fight and wear down Leben, earning himself a unanimous decision victory with eight days of prep time.
It was Brunson who worked the first offense, testing with a couple of kicks. Leben caught a kick but Brunson grabbed hold and tripped him backward in the center of the cage. Leben nimbly worked for an armbar, but Brunson escaped with a slam, then returned to throwing elbows from guard. As Leben stood, Brunson threw him back down again, then passed into mount and briefly worked for a head-and-arm choke before returning to ground-and-pound from half-guard. Leben found his way back to his feet in the final half-minute of the round and threw a knee from clinch, but his ferocious fists were otherwise stymied by Brunson’s control.
Far more wary of Brunson’s ground game after the first five, Leben defended when Brunson drove him across the cage into the fence. But Leben only had to throw two punches for Brunson to feel his power, which motivated him to grab Leben in a bear hug and trip him right back down. Brunson moved for a guillotine on the way up, but back on the feet, he had his way with a few more punches and leg kicks. Brunson connected with his own elbows and jabs, using whatever openings he could to fight for another takedown. Leben defended most of the them, but his own offense paid the price as his punches came more and more slowly.
Leben hunted for the uppercut throughout the third, but Brunson made difference with jabs, right straights and kicks in between more takedown attempts. A backward trip a minute in did the trick, and Leben wall-walked his way back to the feet. A pawing left by Leben drew a shrug from Brunson, and Leben increased his output; a sharper left drew a less convincing shrug. After looking at the clock for the fourth time in two rounds, Brunson landed one more takedown with about 45 seconds left. Judges all scored the action 29-28 for Brunson, whose UFC debut brings him to a 10-2 record. Leben’s first outing in over a year drops him to 22-9.
““I knew the type of fight I was getting myself into when I agreed to the bout — Leben is an all-out slugger,” said Brunson. “I started slowing down in the second round and I feel that’s just a matter of taking the fight and training for it on such short notice.” He later tweeted to Leben: “I’ve looked up to you for so long and you’re a scary fighter. Thanks for the opportunity; I’m honored.”
Watch Brunson’s post-fight interview
LAS VEGAS – Entering the Octagon inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday night with 13 UFC fights each and a combined 15 post-fight bonuses, lightweights Jim Miller and Joe Lauzon quickly lived up to their fight’s hype, outshining UFC 155’s three middleweight bouts and adding a last-minute entry to year-end Fight of the Year lists.
Jim Miller vs. Joe Lauzon
Both durable, well-rounded and nimble submission artists, Miller vs. Lauzon was billed as a match-up of mirror images. By the end of three rounds, those mirror images were coated in blood, with a screaming arena celebrating Miller’s decision win and thrilled by the performances of both men..
Known for coming out aggressively, Lauzon did just that, but Miller answered with equal intensity, landing uppercuts and low kicks as Lauzon came forward. He forced Lauzon against the cage, wobbling him with uppercuts, and at one point dropping him with a low leg kick. An elbow from close quarters opened a cut on Lauzon’s forehead, and Miller grabbed for a standing head-and-arm choke that only caused it to pour, drawing a temporary checkup from the doctor. Lauzon bounded back, but Miller continued the onslaught of punches, which Lauzon merrily weathered and returned in kind. At one point, the two traded kicks and both dropped backward. Neither relented as the round buzzer sounded and the crowd stood to its feet.
Miller, a BJJ black belt, landed a takedown early in the second, and Lauzon – himself a submission expert — worked to tie up one of Miller’s arms. Lauzon eventually got the sweep, and another brief stoppage occurred as the cutmen removed a piece of tape from Lauzon’s glove that had come unraveled. Back in Miller’s rubber guard, Lauzon stood and slammed Miller down, which had little tactical result but further endeared Lauzon to the crowd. Lauzon reached for an armbar then rolled for a kneebar, but both men were slicked enough with blood that Miller escaped. Both men again drew a standing ovation at the end of the second.
Back on the feet for the third, the pair moved in and out as they boxed, with Lauzon working the body until slipping on the mat. He tried to goad Miller into his guard, but Miller’s success on his feet had him happy to keep things there. Lauzon scored with a left and a knee, while Miller worked to hold Lauzon in the clinch and throw right elbows. With less than a minute left, Lauzon dove and spun for a flying leglock, then pulled Miller into a guillotine.
“I knew I was going to have to bring my best effort to put him away and I was never able to,” said Miller post-fight. That’s how good he is. Even in the last minute, look what he was trying to do to win the fight.”
Judges gave the bout to Jim Miller with three scores of 29-28, as Miller rises to 22-5; Lauzon slips to 22-8; both men saw their bonus counts grow for their troubles when the bout was named Fight of the Night at the post-fight press conference..
Tim Boetsch vs. Costa Philippou
After two less-than-crowd-pleasing middleweight decisions in a row, Costa Philippou finally gave the fans a finish at 185 pounds, TKOing Tim Boetsch in the third round.
Boetsch immediately put the former pro boxer on the fence, then dropped for a single leg that gave Philippou his neck before returning to the fence. Eventually things returned to the center of the mat, where Philippou fired off a body shot and one uppercut that sent sweat soaring off Boetsch’s head. But as he moved forward again, Boetsch plowed him to the ground. The Serra-Longo trained Philippou used a closed guard and one trapped arm to tie things up and earn a standup with 35 seconds left. From there he surged forward with relentless combinations, only to back off and be wobbled by a seemingly casual high kick thrown by Boetsch at the end of the round.
The men quickly made their way to the fence in round two, then meandered back to the center where they took turns cracking one another. One punch from Philippou simultaneously poked Boetsch in the eye and removed his mouthpiece, prompting a short break. After having a takedown denied, Boetsch lured Philippou onto the ground, and while he worked for an armbar, Philippou drew more blood with his boxer’s hands from top position.
Boetsch, possibly injured and dripping blood from a cut on his forehead, lunged for takedowns in the final round that repeatedly left him on the bottom. In between ground-and-pound, Philippou stood, with Boetsch more reluctant to rise each time. On the final ground exchange, Philippou finally did enough to inspire referee Kim Winslow to call the bout at 2:11.
“I made a few rookie mistakes in letting him take me down, but once we started trading blows back and forth later in the fight I had him, said Philippou, who now boasts a five-fight win streak and a record of 12-2 (1 NC). Boetsch tastes his first loss in the middleweight division, dropping to 16-5 overall.
Watch Philippou’s post-fight interview
Yushin Okami vs. Alan Belcher
In 2006, middleweights Alan Belcher and Yushin Okami first fought in what was the UFC debut for both men, with Okami eking out the decision win. Six years and 28 combined UFC fights later, they met again and the outcome was the same – if more one-sided – as Okami’s ground domination netted him a unanimous decision win.
After enjoying a few low and high kicks courtesy of Belcher, Okami drove things to the fence and tied up the action as Belcher struggled mightily for an underhook. Finally, a trip by Okami sent both men to the mat, where Belcher grabbed for a guillotine then tried for a gogoplata to boot. Once Okami was out of danger, Belcher stayed as tight with his guard and half guard as Okami had stayed against the cage. Okami eventurally advanced to side control, Belcher worked his way to his knees, and the round ended with Okami trying to take Belcher’s back.
Belcher tripped Okami backward in the second, only to let him up, lock on a guillotine and pull guard. But Okami popped out, and again struggled to do damage from half-guard. The referee stood them up at 2:30 left, and Belcher celebrated the freedom by wobbling Okami with a punch. But Okami charged forward, and it was then another fight on the fence for control until Okami dragged his way to another takedown ticket to Half Guard City, followed by another stand-up.
Belcher came out reinvigorated for the third, and his active assaults clipped Okami briefly before things went back to the fence, then the mat. But this time it was Belcher on top, and he hung on Okami’s neck backward so that he was positioned for a guillotine when Okami stood. After pulling guard again, he lost the submission, and the bout went back to more of the same half-guard ground control. Despite the crowd’s increasing boos, Okami worked his way into mount. With Belcher’s head against the fence, he threw body shots and shoulder shots until he could clear the route for more ground and pound. Belcher turned away, and Okami continued the assault from the back with both hooks in until the buzzer sounded.
Judges saw it for Okami 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28, as the one-time title contender improves to 29-7; BJJ black belt Belcher sees his record slip to 17-6.
Watch Okami’s post-fight interview
Chris Leben vs. Derek Brunson
After months of lobbying on social media for a match-up, middleweight Strikeforce import Derek Brunson made the most of a last-minute opportunity when he was offered a main card bout against UFC veteran Chris Leben after “The Crippler’s” original opponent was injured. The Div. II All-American wrestler used that skill to control the fight and wear down Leben, earning himself a unanimous decision victory with eight days of prep time.
It was Brunson who worked the first offense, testing with a couple of kicks. Leben caught a kick but Brunson grabbed hold and tripped him backward in the center of the cage. Leben nimbly worked for an armbar, but Brunson escaped with a slam, then returned to throwing elbows from guard. As Leben stood, Brunson threw him back down again, then passed into mount and briefly worked for a head-and-arm choke before returning to ground-and-pound from half-guard. Leben found his way back to his feet in the final half-minute of the round and threw a knee from clinch, but his ferocious fists were otherwise stymied by Brunson’s control.
Far more wary of Brunson’s ground game after the first five, Leben defended when Brunson drove him across the cage into the fence. But Leben only had to throw two punches for Brunson to feel his power, which motivated him to grab Leben in a bear hug and trip him right back down. Brunson moved for a guillotine on the way up, but back on the feet, he had his way with a few more punches and leg kicks. Brunson connected with his own elbows and jabs, using whatever openings he could to fight for another takedown. Leben defended most of the them, but his own offense paid the price as his punches came more and more slowly.
Leben hunted for the uppercut throughout the third, but Brunson made difference with jabs, right straights and kicks in between more takedown attempts. A backward trip a minute in did the trick, and Leben wall-walked his way back to the feet. A pawing left by Leben drew a shrug from Brunson, and Leben increased his output; a sharper left drew a less convincing shrug. After looking at the clock for the fourth time in two rounds, Brunson landed one more takedown with about 45 seconds left. Judges all scored the action 29-28 for Brunson, whose UFC debut brings him to a 10-2 record. Leben’s first outing in over a year drops him to 22-9.
““I knew the type of fight I was getting myself into when I agreed to the bout — Leben is an all-out slugger,” said Brunson. “I started slowing down in the second round and I feel that’s just a matter of taking the fight and training for it on such short notice.” He later tweeted to Leben: “I’ve looked up to you for so long and you’re a scary fighter. Thanks for the opportunity; I’m honored.”
Watch Brunson’s post-fight interview
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LAS VEGAS – As up-and-coming fighters like Erik Perez, Myles Jury and Max Holloway made their marks on the UFC 155 undercard at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday night, veterans like Eddie Wineland and Jamie Varner (both former WEC champions) showed that they’re still in prime form.
Brad Pickett vs. Eddie Wineland
In the featured bout on the FX prelims, bantamweights Eddie Wineland and Brad Pickett put on a three-round stand-up fight that earned Wineland a split decision win with scores of 30-27, 29-28 and 30-27.
Pickett, who started training as a boxer, landed several body shots and right hands in the first round, but it was Wineland’s dynamic combinations that did more damage. Though their height difference is slight on paper, Pickett’s disadvantage seemed to put him squarely in range of Wineland’s fists, and while both men possess KO power, it was Wineland who connected more, dropping “One Punch” once with an uppercut and then twice more with fast right hands. Pickett responded with a takedown, but by and large, round one took part on the feet as a battle between Wineland’s hand speed and Pickett’s foot speed.
The rest of the fight was mostly a boxing match, save a few leg kicks from Pickett. Pickett worked to hunt down Wineland, pressing forward and looking to land left hooks and overhand rights, but Wineland stayed evasive, strategically placing long jabs and counter rights. Wineland cruised to a victory, the 20th in his career (now 20-8-1); Pickett drops to 23-7.
Watch Wineland’s post-fight interview
Erik Perez vs. Byron Bloodwoorth
The owner of the fastest knockout in bantamweight history, Erik Perez walked out in a signature luchador mask and then wowed with another first-round finish, dispatching Byron Bloodworth in under four minutes.
Bloodworth swung early, and Perez pushed things to the fence, where he dirty-boxed before dropping Bloodworth with a knee to the body and punishing him with fists and elbows from inside the guard. With just over a minute left, Perez stood above Bloodworth, then dove in with a huge right hand followed by hammerfists that ended the fight at 3:40.
Watch Perez’ post-fight interview
Perez’ win streak extends to eight in a row, as the 24-year-old’s record rises to 13-4; Bloodworth slides to 6-3 in his pro career, 0-2 inside the Octagon.
Melvin Guillard vs. Jamie Varner
Two weeks after their TUF 16 Finale match-up was scrapped due to Varner’s illness, lightweights Jamie Varner and Melvin Guillard finally delivered, with Varner’s takedowns giving him the edge and the judges’ split decision.
The first round was mostly a one-for-one feeling-out process, with leg kicks making up most of the offense between both well-rounded fighters. As the men bounced and kept one another at bay, Guillard’s leg kicks landed with thuds as Varner worked to change levels and fire body shots. Varner began putting together combinations, but Guillard’s speed helped him avoid danger. In the round’s final minute, however, Varner pressed Guillard against the fence, wobbled him with a series of shots and sealed his takedown.
With Varner’s confidence up, he quickly pushed the action to the cage and took Guillard down to start the second. Guillard worked his way back up and Varner took the back standing, but Guillard tossed him off over the top and Guillard worked for a guillotine as Varner stood. Varner was more aggressive with his punches, especially his trademark right hand, and used them to bully Guillard back to the fence for another takedown. Back on the feet, Guillard seemed to stun Varner with a pair of punches, but he quickly recovered and began reapplying pressure before an accidental low kick to Guillard gave both guys a break.
Guillard launched a flying knee to open the third, but Varner quickly returned things to the fence and got another takedown. He used guillotine and armbar attempts to try and keep Guillard down, but wound up with Guillard in his guard. Varner pushed his way to his feet, only to return Guillard to his spot on the mat with a running-start takedown Guillard seemed unable to control. Guillard worked his way up briefly, but before he could even throw a shot, Varner planted him back on the mat, this time in the center of the mat. Guillard briefly surged with an armbar and then a sweep, but with one minute left, Varner was back in top position in Guillard’s closed guard. As Guillard worked for a zero-hour inverted triangle, Varner stood and arced backward, slamming Guillard on his head as the audience gasped.
The judges saw the bout as one-sided, though not the same way: Varner’s scores were 30-27, 30-27 and 27-30. Regardless, the win bumps Varner’s record to 21-7-1 (2 NC) as Guillard slides to 47-13-3 (1 NC).
highlights from Varner’s win
Michael Johnson vs. Myles Jury
Another young prospect announced himself to fans on the FX card opener, as undefeated TUF Live standout Myles “Fury” Jury, 24, utterly controlled TUF 12 finalist Michael Johnson for three rounds en route to a decision win.
The first minute was quiet between the two lightweights, but Jury took control and started his round of domination with a double-leg. Though Johnson locked his legs in half guard, Jury was able to twist “The Menace’s” body and essentially pin him in that position, punching away at will as Johnson struggled to do anything but survive. As Johnson maneuvered for any position, Jury used the last 30 seconds of the round to pass into side control, then mount, then taking the back.
Back on the feet for the second, Johnson was more wary and connected on several exits. Both men kept their distance, popping in and out, until Jury caught a kick and used it for a takedown midway through. From there, Johnson slapped on a tight guard and did what he could to control Jury’s hands for the next several minutes, as Jury postured up and did damage with his elbows.
With nothing to lose, Johnson pushed forward with bad intentions at the beginning of the third, sprawling out of danger on at least the first two takedown attempts before being tripped backward into half guard again, this time against the Octagon fence. Jury’s long limbs and flexibility allowed him to use his knees and elbows, even with one leg trapped. Though Johnson worked to get back to his feet by round’s end, Jury threatened with a guillotine and punctuated the bout with another takedown.
Judges gave the bout to Jury with a trio of 30-27 scores, making it his 11th win on a perfect record; now 13-7, Johnson’s three-fight win streak is snapped in his fourth 2012 outing.
Highlights from Jury’s win
Phil De Fries vs. Todd Duffee
The last of three UFC 155 fights aired on Facebook featured a classic striker vs. grappler match-up on a larger scale than usually seen, as heavyweights Todd Duffee and Phil De Fries put on a short bout that marked Duffee’s return to the Octagon via first-round TKO.
Duffee – who once held the UFC record for fastest knockout at seven seconds – clipped the British BJJ expert within the first five seconds, then pinned his quarry against the fence, punishing him with knees and dirty boxing. De Fries recovered enough to score a takedown against the cage. As Duffee worked to get back up, De Fries pinned one arm and was able to land several blows.
Back on the feet, however, it was all the striker’s game: Duffee stunned De Fries with a massive uppercut, then followed him with a half-dozen right hands that had De Fries out on his feet before the ref waved things off at 2:04 of the round. The finish is Duffee’s eighth win (with 2 losses); De Fries departs 9-2 (1 NC).
Watch Duffee’s post-fight interview
Leonard Garcia vs. Max Holloway
Fan favorite and three-time Fight of the Night winner Leonard Garcia was seeking a career comeback, but three rounds weren’t enough time to get it done as he lost a split decision to 21-year-old striker Max Holloway, a late-notice replacement for his original submission-specialist opponent, Cody McKenzie.
Then featherweights took turns as aggressor in round one, with Garcia scoring particularly well with low kicks and overhand rights; Holloway doing more work with kicks. Both men stood readily in the pocket and ate shots to give shots, and it was Holloway who scored the first knockdown. Though the two have similar reach measurements, Holloway put his longer legs to use, pushing Garcia backward several times with spinning back blows. The first round ended with Garcia chasing Holloway, who moved backward as he sought to land a pinpoint uppercut.
Holloway found his range and landed jabs to open the second, and the increasingly battered Garcia answered with a big takedown. Though his all-out, swinging arms, no-fear stance pleased the crowd, Garcia’s low hands left his face open to Holloway’s precision striking, and he appeared to be losing steam – if not heart – by the middle of the second round.
Garcia’s combinations got crisper and more frequent early in the second, though Holloway bought himself space with counter rights and a nasty knee. Garcia’s aggression paid off and by mid-round, he was landing with and more success as the crowd showed their appreciation. He scored another takedown, then, wary of Holloway’s submission attempts on the ground, scored with a knee to the head on the way back up. With one minute left, the crowd cheered as both men swung, Garcia holding Holloway’s head and lobbing uppercuts. Holloway tried a flashy kick as the clock wore down that ended with Garcia in a danger of a triangle choke; Garcia sealed the fight by escaping via crowd-pleasing slam.
Though both men raised their hands in victory and Holloway hoisted Garcia into the air to celebrate, judges could only name one winner, and it was Holloway who scored the close nod with a split decision (29-28, 29-28 and 28-29). The loss was Garcia’s fourth in a row, dropping him to 19-10-1. The youngest fighter in the UFC, Holloway’s prospect status rises as his record climbs to 7-1.
Holloway claimed his victory as a win for all strikers, saying “I’m tired of wrestlers getting victories that way. They get takedowns and do nothing with it and somehow they still get points for that, so I feel very vindicated with this win.”
Watch Holloway’s post-fight interview
Chris Cariaso vs. John Moraga
UFC 155’s first bout took place between Arizonan flyweights John Moraga and Chris Cariaso, as Moraga racked up his 12th career win with a third-round tapout.
Cariaso started with his signature high kicks, but found more success landing feet to the body. As Moraga got a feel for his opponent, he found more success with body punches and right hands that reddened the left side of Cariaso’s face early. Moraga seems to have the edge in composure and control in round one, as he wobbled Cariaso multiple times, earned one big takedown mid-round and only slipped himself when a high kick of his own completely went over Cariasio’s head.
The second round opened much more aggressively, with Cariaso moving forward with punches and kicks in combinations. Before long, they slowed back to their more measured pace from round one. After a tie-up on the fence, they exploded free, trading fists in a a crowd-pleasing flurry. Cariaso connected more in the second stanza – particularly with one head kick — but the bout remained competitive as Moraga landed solid counters. A late-round exchange sent Cariaso backward onto the mat, and Moraga flirted with diving into guard before moving out of danger and allowing Cariaso back to his feet. Cariaso recovered by controlling a tie-up and tripping Moraga, ending the round in Moraga’s guard.
Cariaso came out more aggressively in the third, and paid for his forward motion with more solid shots from Moraga. The exchange left Cariaso with his back against the fence. Moraga pounced, locking in a guillotine choke that forced Cariaso to tap at 1:11 of the round.
The win brings Moraga to an impressive 12-1 record; the loss put the skids on Cariaso’s three-fight win streak as he falls to 14-4.
LAS VEGAS – As up-and-coming fighters like Erik Perez, Myles Jury and Max Holloway made their marks on the UFC 155 undercard at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday night, veterans like Eddie Wineland and Jamie Varner (both former WEC champions) showed that they’re still in prime form.
Brad Pickett vs. Eddie Wineland
In the featured bout on the FX prelims, bantamweights Eddie Wineland and Brad Pickett put on a three-round stand-up fight that earned Wineland a split decision win with scores of 30-27, 29-28 and 30-27.
Pickett, who started training as a boxer, landed several body shots and right hands in the first round, but it was Wineland’s dynamic combinations that did more damage. Though their height difference is slight on paper, Pickett’s disadvantage seemed to put him squarely in range of Wineland’s fists, and while both men possess KO power, it was Wineland who connected more, dropping “One Punch” once with an uppercut and then twice more with fast right hands. Pickett responded with a takedown, but by and large, round one took part on the feet as a battle between Wineland’s hand speed and Pickett’s foot speed.
The rest of the fight was mostly a boxing match, save a few leg kicks from Pickett. Pickett worked to hunt down Wineland, pressing forward and looking to land left hooks and overhand rights, but Wineland stayed evasive, strategically placing long jabs and counter rights. Wineland cruised to a victory, the 20th in his career (now 20-8-1); Pickett drops to 23-7.
Watch Wineland’s post-fight interview
Erik Perez vs. Byron Bloodwoorth
The owner of the fastest knockout in bantamweight history, Erik Perez walked out in a signature luchador mask and then wowed with another first-round finish, dispatching Byron Bloodworth in under four minutes.
Bloodworth swung early, and Perez pushed things to the fence, where he dirty-boxed before dropping Bloodworth with a knee to the body and punishing him with fists and elbows from inside the guard. With just over a minute left, Perez stood above Bloodworth, then dove in with a huge right hand followed by hammerfists that ended the fight at 3:40.
Watch Perez’ post-fight interview
Perez’ win streak extends to eight in a row, as the 24-year-old’s record rises to 13-4; Bloodworth slides to 6-3 in his pro career, 0-2 inside the Octagon.
Melvin Guillard vs. Jamie Varner
Two weeks after their TUF 16 Finale match-up was scrapped due to Varner’s illness, lightweights Jamie Varner and Melvin Guillard finally delivered, with Varner’s takedowns giving him the edge and the judges’ split decision.
The first round was mostly a one-for-one feeling-out process, with leg kicks making up most of the offense between both well-rounded fighters. As the men bounced and kept one another at bay, Guillard’s leg kicks landed with thuds as Varner worked to change levels and fire body shots. Varner began putting together combinations, but Guillard’s speed helped him avoid danger. In the round’s final minute, however, Varner pressed Guillard against the fence, wobbled him with a series of shots and sealed his takedown.
With Varner’s confidence up, he quickly pushed the action to the cage and took Guillard down to start the second. Guillard worked his way back up and Varner took the back standing, but Guillard tossed him off over the top and Guillard worked for a guillotine as Varner stood. Varner was more aggressive with his punches, especially his trademark right hand, and used them to bully Guillard back to the fence for another takedown. Back on the feet, Guillard seemed to stun Varner with a pair of punches, but he quickly recovered and began reapplying pressure before an accidental low kick to Guillard gave both guys a break.
Guillard launched a flying knee to open the third, but Varner quickly returned things to the fence and got another takedown. He used guillotine and armbar attempts to try and keep Guillard down, but wound up with Guillard in his guard. Varner pushed his way to his feet, only to return Guillard to his spot on the mat with a running-start takedown Guillard seemed unable to control. Guillard worked his way up briefly, but before he could even throw a shot, Varner planted him back on the mat, this time in the center of the mat. Guillard briefly surged with an armbar and then a sweep, but with one minute left, Varner was back in top position in Guillard’s closed guard. As Guillard worked for a zero-hour inverted triangle, Varner stood and arced backward, slamming Guillard on his head as the audience gasped.
The judges saw the bout as one-sided, though not the same way: Varner’s scores were 30-27, 30-27 and 27-30. Regardless, the win bumps Varner’s record to 21-7-1 (2 NC) as Guillard slides to 47-13-3 (1 NC).
highlights from Varner’s win
Michael Johnson vs. Myles Jury
Another young prospect announced himself to fans on the FX card opener, as undefeated TUF Live standout Myles “Fury” Jury, 24, utterly controlled TUF 12 finalist Michael Johnson for three rounds en route to a decision win.
The first minute was quiet between the two lightweights, but Jury took control and started his round of domination with a double-leg. Though Johnson locked his legs in half guard, Jury was able to twist “The Menace’s” body and essentially pin him in that position, punching away at will as Johnson struggled to do anything but survive. As Johnson maneuvered for any position, Jury used the last 30 seconds of the round to pass into side control, then mount, then taking the back.
Back on the feet for the second, Johnson was more wary and connected on several exits. Both men kept their distance, popping in and out, until Jury caught a kick and used it for a takedown midway through. From there, Johnson slapped on a tight guard and did what he could to control Jury’s hands for the next several minutes, as Jury postured up and did damage with his elbows.
With nothing to lose, Johnson pushed forward with bad intentions at the beginning of the third, sprawling out of danger on at least the first two takedown attempts before being tripped backward into half guard again, this time against the Octagon fence. Jury’s long limbs and flexibility allowed him to use his knees and elbows, even with one leg trapped. Though Johnson worked to get back to his feet by round’s end, Jury threatened with a guillotine and punctuated the bout with another takedown.
Judges gave the bout to Jury with a trio of 30-27 scores, making it his 11th win on a perfect record; now 13-7, Johnson’s three-fight win streak is snapped in his fourth 2012 outing.
Highlights from Jury’s win
Phil De Fries vs. Todd Duffee
The last of three UFC 155 fights aired on Facebook featured a classic striker vs. grappler match-up on a larger scale than usually seen, as heavyweights Todd Duffee and Phil De Fries put on a short bout that marked Duffee’s return to the Octagon via first-round TKO.
Duffee – who once held the UFC record for fastest knockout at seven seconds – clipped the British BJJ expert within the first five seconds, then pinned his quarry against the fence, punishing him with knees and dirty boxing. De Fries recovered enough to score a takedown against the cage. As Duffee worked to get back up, De Fries pinned one arm and was able to land several blows.
Back on the feet, however, it was all the striker’s game: Duffee stunned De Fries with a massive uppercut, then followed him with a half-dozen right hands that had De Fries out on his feet before the ref waved things off at 2:04 of the round. The finish is Duffee’s eighth win (with 2 losses); De Fries departs 9-2 (1 NC).
Watch Duffee’s post-fight interview
Leonard Garcia vs. Max Holloway
Fan favorite and three-time Fight of the Night winner Leonard Garcia was seeking a career comeback, but three rounds weren’t enough time to get it done as he lost a split decision to 21-year-old striker Max Holloway, a late-notice replacement for his original submission-specialist opponent, Cody McKenzie.
Then featherweights took turns as aggressor in round one, with Garcia scoring particularly well with low kicks and overhand rights; Holloway doing more work with kicks. Both men stood readily in the pocket and ate shots to give shots, and it was Holloway who scored the first knockdown. Though the two have similar reach measurements, Holloway put his longer legs to use, pushing Garcia backward several times with spinning back blows. The first round ended with Garcia chasing Holloway, who moved backward as he sought to land a pinpoint uppercut.
Holloway found his range and landed jabs to open the second, and the increasingly battered Garcia answered with a big takedown. Though his all-out, swinging arms, no-fear stance pleased the crowd, Garcia’s low hands left his face open to Holloway’s precision striking, and he appeared to be losing steam – if not heart – by the middle of the second round.
Garcia’s combinations got crisper and more frequent early in the second, though Holloway bought himself space with counter rights and a nasty knee. Garcia’s aggression paid off and by mid-round, he was landing with and more success as the crowd showed their appreciation. He scored another takedown, then, wary of Holloway’s submission attempts on the ground, scored with a knee to the head on the way back up. With one minute left, the crowd cheered as both men swung, Garcia holding Holloway’s head and lobbing uppercuts. Holloway tried a flashy kick as the clock wore down that ended with Garcia in a danger of a triangle choke; Garcia sealed the fight by escaping via crowd-pleasing slam.
Though both men raised their hands in victory and Holloway hoisted Garcia into the air to celebrate, judges could only name one winner, and it was Holloway who scored the close nod with a split decision (29-28, 29-28 and 28-29). The loss was Garcia’s fourth in a row, dropping him to 19-10-1. The youngest fighter in the UFC, Holloway’s prospect status rises as his record climbs to 7-1.
Holloway claimed his victory as a win for all strikers, saying “I’m tired of wrestlers getting victories that way. They get takedowns and do nothing with it and somehow they still get points for that, so I feel very vindicated with this win.”
Watch Holloway’s post-fight interview
Chris Cariaso vs. John Moraga
UFC 155’s first bout took place between Arizonan flyweights John Moraga and Chris Cariaso, as Moraga racked up his 12th career win with a third-round tapout.
Cariaso started with his signature high kicks, but found more success landing feet to the body. As Moraga got a feel for his opponent, he found more success with body punches and right hands that reddened the left side of Cariaso’s face early. Moraga seems to have the edge in composure and control in round one, as he wobbled Cariaso multiple times, earned one big takedown mid-round and only slipped himself when a high kick of his own completely went over Cariasio’s head.
The second round opened much more aggressively, with Cariaso moving forward with punches and kicks in combinations. Before long, they slowed back to their more measured pace from round one. After a tie-up on the fence, they exploded free, trading fists in a a crowd-pleasing flurry. Cariaso connected more in the second stanza – particularly with one head kick — but the bout remained competitive as Moraga landed solid counters. A late-round exchange sent Cariaso backward onto the mat, and Moraga flirted with diving into guard before moving out of danger and allowing Cariaso back to his feet. Cariaso recovered by controlling a tie-up and tripping Moraga, ending the round in Moraga’s guard.
Cariaso came out more aggressively in the third, and paid for his forward motion with more solid shots from Moraga. The exchange left Cariaso with his back against the fence. Moraga pounced, locking in a guillotine choke that forced Cariaso to tap at 1:11 of the round.
The win brings Moraga to an impressive 12-1 record; the loss put the skids on Cariaso’s three-fight win streak as he falls to 14-4.
The TUF 16 Finale inside the Joint at the Hard Rock brought one of the most jaw-dropping nights of fights in recent Vegas memory. Though a lightweight bout between Fight of the Night favorites Jamie Varner and Melvin Guillard was cancelled on the day of the fight due to Varner’s illness, the rest of the card overdelivered, bringing knockouts in five weight divisions and finishes in nine of the night’s 11 match-ups.
Roy Nelson vs. Matt Mitrione
After a controversial season of coaching on The Ultimate Fighter, heavyweight Roy Nelson had the last laugh: His team member won the season and he himself scored a quick knockout win over Matt Mitrione in the main event.
Mitrione, who was returning to the Octagon for the first time in over a year as a late replacement for Shane Carwin, did well early, landing kicks both high and low against his opponent, but Nelson rushed in and pinned Mitrione against the fence.
Back in the center, Mitrione stood in the pocket and watched and waited for Nelson’s combinations, countering with straights that tagged Nelson multiple times. But confidence proved no match for Nelson’s power in close quarters, and a left-right-left first clipped and then dropped Mitrione. As Roy followed up with huge, arcing blows, Mitrione turned away and the bout was waved off at 2:58.
Nelson’s knockout was the sixth first-round finish on the TUF 16 fight card and improved his record to 19-7. Mitrione’s loss – and his first by knockout — moves his record to 5-2.
Colton Smith vs. Mike Ricci
Despite a promising cruise through the TUF 16 tournament that included the only knockout of the regular season, Team Carwin’s Mike Ricci had no answer for Team Nelson’s Colton Smith and his relentless wrestling. Smith outclassed the Canadian for three rounds to become the latest Ultimate Fighter.
Smith wasted no time in diving for a takedown, and Ricci answered with elbows to the side of Smith’s head in what was possibly the best striking sequence of the 15-minute fight. Smith completely controlled the round from there, pressuring Ricci against the fence, taking him to the mat multiple times and working at length to sink in a rear-naked choke.
After the two traded kicks early in the second, Ricci buckled over due to a seeming low blow. With referee Steve Mazzagatti not calling a break in the action, Smith rushed in to attack, and Ricci answered with a solid hook to the throat. Smith turned to Mazzagatti to see if it would be stopped, and after that bizarre moment, it was back to the Colton Smith wrestling domination show. Smith rode out the rest of the fight on Ricci’s back, both standing and on the mat, threatening with more rear-naked chokes but not finishing.
With less than a minute left, Ricci rallied, reversed, and took Smith’s back, transitioning from a rear-naked attempt to an armbar, but the time was too short and both fighters too slippery to pull off the Hail Mary finish.
Judges gave the fight to Colton Smith with scores of 30-27 twice and 30-26, as the Army sergeant’s record rises to 6-1. The Tri-Star trained Ricci, who normally fights at 155 pounds, slips to 8-3.
Watch Smith’s post-fight interview
Pat Barry vs. Shane Del Rosario
In the first of the night’s two heavyweight battles inside The Joint, renown strikers Pat Barry and Shane Del Rosario surprised fans with a ground war in the first, following up with the seemingly inevitable knockout right after.
The first round started with the promise of kickboxing as Del Rosario offered body kicks and Barry leg kicks. In the clinch, Del Rosario threw knees to Barry’s side and thighs, then continued the assault against the fence, where the two struggled for much of the first round. Del Rosario used his five-inch height and reach advantage and wrestling skills to control where the fight went, taking Barry down and threatening him with a rear-naked choke and a couple of armbars. Though Barry had little defense, he remained calm and escaped to top position at the end of the round.
In the second, however, Barry gave fans exactly what they expected and showed why his nickname of “Hype or Die” is wholly warranted. An overhand left stunned Del Rosario, and when Barry saw his opponent wobble, he charged forward with a series of punches, the last of which was a massive walkoff right hand that sent spit flying high above the Octagon and dropped Del Rosario. Barry’s eighth win (with 5 losses) came 26 seconds into the second round, while Del Rosario tasted defeat for only the second time in his 13-fight career.
Watch Barry’s emotional post-fight interview
Dustin Poirier vs. Jonathan Brookins
Featherweights Dustin
Poirier and Jonathan Brookins opened the main card with an incredible,
rock-em sock-em round that brought the crowd inside The Joint to its
feet and raised both fighters’ star profiles.
TUF 12 winner
Brookins, an accomplished wrestler, showed improved standup, clipping
Poirier at the round open then hunting him down, unloading underhooks
throughout the bout with particular precision. As the two engaged, they
stood in front of one another and unloaded in pure heavyweight-brawler
style. It was actually Poirier who went for the first takedown, but had
to settle for resetting in a tie-up on the fence.
Back in the
center, Poirier finally began to close the distance on his six-foot-tall
opponent. A hard right backed Brookins off, as did a hard left soon
after. Poirier had found his range, and his shots found homes on
Brookins’ chin with increasing frequency. The roles reversed from early
in the round and Poirer moved forward with strikes, backing Brookins up
against the Octagon. A short elbow from close quarters dropped Brookins,
and as Brookins instinctively shot forward for a takedown, Poirier
slipped into position for an anaconda choke, then rolled to the ground,
earning the tap at 4:15 of the round.
Poirier’s win bounces him
back from his only UFC loss against Chan Sung Jung “The Korean Zombie”
in May and moves his record to 13-2, while Brookins is bumped to 14-6.
In his post-fight interview, Poirier said the win wasn’t just redemption
for his May defeat – which came via anaconda choke – but for the fact
that he applied but wasn’t cast on season 12 of TUF, which Brookins won.
Watch Poirier’s post-fight interview
The TUF 16 Finale inside the Joint at the Hard Rock brought one of the most jaw-dropping nights of fights in recent Vegas memory. Though a lightweight bout between Fight of the Night favorites Jamie Varner and Melvin Guillard was cancelled on the day of the fight due to Varner’s illness, the rest of the card overdelivered, bringing knockouts in five weight divisions and finishes in nine of the night’s 11 match-ups.
Roy Nelson vs. Matt Mitrione
After a controversial season of coaching on The Ultimate Fighter, heavyweight Roy Nelson had the last laugh: His team member won the season and he himself scored a quick knockout win over Matt Mitrione in the main event.
Mitrione, who was returning to the Octagon for the first time in over a year as a late replacement for Shane Carwin, did well early, landing kicks both high and low against his opponent, but Nelson rushed in and pinned Mitrione against the fence.
Back in the center, Mitrione stood in the pocket and watched and waited for Nelson’s combinations, countering with straights that tagged Nelson multiple times. But confidence proved no match for Nelson’s power in close quarters, and a left-right-left first clipped and then dropped Mitrione. As Roy followed up with huge, arcing blows, Mitrione turned away and the bout was waved off at 2:58.
Nelson’s knockout was the sixth first-round finish on the TUF 16 fight card and improved his record to 19-7. Mitrione’s loss – and his first by knockout — moves his record to 5-2.
Colton Smith vs. Mike Ricci
Despite a promising cruise through the TUF 16 tournament that included the only knockout of the regular season, Team Carwin’s Mike Ricci had no answer for Team Nelson’s Colton Smith and his relentless wrestling. Smith outclassed the Canadian for three rounds to become the latest Ultimate Fighter.
Smith wasted no time in diving for a takedown, and Ricci answered with elbows to the side of Smith’s head in what was possibly the best striking sequence of the 15-minute fight. Smith completely controlled the round from there, pressuring Ricci against the fence, taking him to the mat multiple times and working at length to sink in a rear-naked choke.
After the two traded kicks early in the second, Ricci buckled over due to a seeming low blow. With referee Steve Mazzagatti not calling a break in the action, Smith rushed in to attack, and Ricci answered with a solid hook to the throat. Smith turned to Mazzagatti to see if it would be stopped, and after that bizarre moment, it was back to the Colton Smith wrestling domination show. Smith rode out the rest of the fight on Ricci’s back, both standing and on the mat, threatening with more rear-naked chokes but not finishing.
With less than a minute left, Ricci rallied, reversed, and took Smith’s back, transitioning from a rear-naked attempt to an armbar, but the time was too short and both fighters too slippery to pull off the Hail Mary finish.
Judges gave the fight to Colton Smith with scores of 30-27 twice and 30-26, as the Army sergeant’s record rises to 6-1. The Tri-Star trained Ricci, who normally fights at 155 pounds, slips to 8-3.
Watch Smith’s post-fight interview
Pat Barry vs. Shane Del Rosario
In the first of the night’s two heavyweight battles inside The Joint, renown strikers Pat Barry and Shane Del Rosario surprised fans with a ground war in the first, following up with the seemingly inevitable knockout right after.
The first round started with the promise of kickboxing as Del Rosario offered body kicks and Barry leg kicks. In the clinch, Del Rosario threw knees to Barry’s side and thighs, then continued the assault against the fence, where the two struggled for much of the first round. Del Rosario used his five-inch height and reach advantage and wrestling skills to control where the fight went, taking Barry down and threatening him with a rear-naked choke and a couple of armbars. Though Barry had little defense, he remained calm and escaped to top position at the end of the round.
In the second, however, Barry gave fans exactly what they expected and showed why his nickname of “Hype or Die” is wholly warranted. An overhand left stunned Del Rosario, and when Barry saw his opponent wobble, he charged forward with a series of punches, the last of which was a massive walkoff right hand that sent spit flying high above the Octagon and dropped Del Rosario. Barry’s eighth win (with 5 losses) came 26 seconds into the second round, while Del Rosario tasted defeat for only the second time in his 13-fight career.
Watch Barry’s emotional post-fight interview
Dustin Poirier vs. Jonathan Brookins
Featherweights Dustin
Poirier and Jonathan Brookins opened the main card with an incredible,
rock-em sock-em round that brought the crowd inside The Joint to its
feet and raised both fighters’ star profiles.
TUF 12 winner
Brookins, an accomplished wrestler, showed improved standup, clipping
Poirier at the round open then hunting him down, unloading underhooks
throughout the bout with particular precision. As the two engaged, they
stood in front of one another and unloaded in pure heavyweight-brawler
style. It was actually Poirier who went for the first takedown, but had
to settle for resetting in a tie-up on the fence.
Back in the
center, Poirier finally began to close the distance on his six-foot-tall
opponent. A hard right backed Brookins off, as did a hard left soon
after. Poirier had found his range, and his shots found homes on
Brookins’ chin with increasing frequency. The roles reversed from early
in the round and Poirer moved forward with strikes, backing Brookins up
against the Octagon. A short elbow from close quarters dropped Brookins,
and as Brookins instinctively shot forward for a takedown, Poirier
slipped into position for an anaconda choke, then rolled to the ground,
earning the tap at 4:15 of the round.
Poirier’s win bounces him
back from his only UFC loss against Chan Sung Jung “The Korean Zombie”
in May and moves his record to 13-2, while Brookins is bumped to 14-6.
In his post-fight interview, Poirier said the win wasn’t just redemption
for his May defeat – which came via anaconda choke – but for the fact
that he applied but wasn’t cast on season 12 of TUF, which Brookins won.
Watch Poirier’s post-fight interview
After six years away, the UFC’s return to The Joint inside Las Vegas’ Hard Rock Hotel was marked by a rousing undercard of finishes and star-making performances from prospects including Rustam Khabilov, Hugo Viana and TJ Waldburger.
Mike Pyle vs. James Head
In the night’s featured bout, Mike Pyle scored his third first-round TKO of 2012 with an impressive Muay Thai knee that ended Oklahoma wrestler James Head’s own win streak in 1 minute and 55 seconds..
Though Head connected early with a left straight, Las Vegas’ Pyle dodged out of harm’s way and used a Thai clinch to throw knees and reset. As the welterweights clinched again, Pyle locked on a perfect Muay Thai plum, landed a knee to the head that dropped his foe, and followed up with vicious punches that left no doubt that the fight was over.
The 37-year-old Pyle’s record rises to 24-8-1, with his only loss in his last seven bouts coming at the hands of top-ranked Rory MacDonald; Head’s record slips to 9-3.
Johnny Bedford vs. Marcos Vinicius
After a year away from the Octagon due to injury and a last-minute opponent scratch, “Brutal” Johnny Bedford lived up to his nickname, finishing TUF Brasil’s Marco “Vina” Vinicius in six minutes.
Bedford moved forward with big shots throughout the fight, including one thudding body blow. A right hand dropped “Vina” in the first and Bedford swarmed, issuing ground-and-pound and threatening with a crucifix. Besides one guillotine attempt off an early takedown, Vinicius was mostly stuck on the bottom using guard and butterfly guard to try and neutralize his opponent.
The second round was more of the same, with a brief break due to a low blow by Vinicius. Bedford continued to back up the Brazilian, who seemed unable to find his range against his lanky opponent. Against the cage, Bedford dropped his cornered quarry with a right hook and followed with punches and a perfectly-placed kick to the body as Vinicius crumpled to the mat. Referee Kim Winslow called things off a minute into the second round. The win is Bedford’s 19th with 10 losses; Vinicius falls to 20-5-1.
Watch Bedford’s post-fight interview
Vinc Pichel vs. Rustam Khabilov
Russian-born, Jackson’s-trained Rustam Khabilov needed just two minutes and fifteen seconds to end the unbeaten streak of TUF Live knockout artist Vinc Pichel. The sambo champion used relentless wrestling to control – and eventually knock out – Pichel.
Khabilov’s first takedown started via single-leg, and he peppered Pichel’s body and head from half guard. As Pichel got back up, the Russian wrestler treated him to a suplex, then threw him back down again as he stood. Two more takedowns – including another suplex – followed, until the third suplex dazed Pichel. Khabilov’s followup ground and pound erased any doubt as the fight was waved off at 2:15.
Khabilov’s performance in his UFC debut improves his record to 15-1; Pichel, a Californian with a hardy fan presence inside the Hard Rock, is now 7-1.
Watch Khabilov’s post-fight interview
TJ Waldburger vs. Nick Catone
In a welterweight battle of jiu-jitsu brown belts, TJ Waldburger’s technique got the best of Nick Catone’s size advantage as Waldburger earned his 13th career submission win.
Catone, making his debut at 170 after a career at middleweight, used his strength to assert back control throughout the first frame, struggling against the fence for much of the time to drag or throw his opponent to the ground. It was Waldburger who had more dangerous submission attacks that he followed from the feet to the ground, particularly a guillotine early in the fight and a kimura.
Catone landed a high kick at the opening of the second, but shortly after was dropped by a punch. Waldburger pounced on “The New Jersey Devil,” raining blows and setting up a guillotine as Catone scrambled to his feet. Waldburger pulled guard, moved one leg over Catone’s shoulder, and transitioned into a triangle choke. Elbows from the bottom triggered Catone to cover his face, which gave Waldburger the arm control he needed to render Catone fast asleep at 1:04 of the second.
“I figured he’d be strong in the first round so I just weathered the storm and tried to tire him out as much as possible,” said Waldburger. “Very happy I was able to lace in the triangle and finish it early.” Waldburger now owns 16 wins with 7 losses and Catone slips to 9-4.
Watch Waldburger’s post-fight interview
Reuben Duran vs. Hugo Viana
Wolverines
went 2-0 inside the Hard Rock Saturday as Mike Rio and Hugo Viana both picked up
wins for the lupine nickname. After a plodding performance from the
night’s first lightweights, bantamweights brought The Joint back to
life with a bout that saw Reuben Duran dropped no less than five times
by TUF Brasil star Viana.
The muscular 135ers bobbed and weaved, and
Viana dropped Duran on his first connect. Duran appeared injured and
was wobbled twice more in the next minute or so, but beat his chest and
implored Wolverine to keep coming forward. The two tied up on the cage
briefly before returning to the center, where Viana, despite a two-inch
reach deficit, continued landing single shots directly on Duran’s chin,
some of which sent the Californian to the mat. A left straight dropped
Duran flat, but Duran somehow returned. A giant right hand was the
final blow, its force literally spinning Duran around as he fell at 4:05
of the first round.
The win was the powerful Brazilian’s seventh (with one loss); Duran now sits at 8-4-1.
Watch Viana’s post-fight interview
Mike Rio vs. John Cofer
Two TUF Live lightweights met in Las
Vegas as John Cofer and Mike Rio patiently circled and grappled for most
of three rounds before Rio earned his ninth career win.
Round one
was mostly a standoff, save a couple of Cofer left hooks that connected
and a few efforted takedown attempts from Rio. Rio finally succeeded
with one late in the round, but Cofer reversed and the stanza ended with
both men working for kneebars. The pace picked up in the second, with
both lightweights moving forward, throwing (and eating) punches, but not
being wobbled. Rio used Cofer’s forward momentum to score a huge slam,
which he followed into side control before backing off. He struggled to
avoid Cofer’s upkicks until the referee stood them both back up. Rio
dragged Cofer for a takedown and got Cofer’s back as Cofer got to his
feet, but Cofer shook him off and wound up in top position.
Rio’s
persistence paid off as he got a takedown in the third and stayed heavy
in side control, transitioning over several minutes into an armbar
attempt. Cofer survived and reversed, trying some ground and pound
before getting both arms caught in the armbar again, this time forced to
tap at 4:11.
“I was in side mount and I knew that if I popped up it would’ve released the pressure on his chest and give him a chance to counter,” said Rio. “When I moved he capitalized so I transitioned to the arm and it worked.” The win lifts Rio’s record to 9-1; Cofer departs 7-4.
Watch Rio’s post-fight interview
Jared Papazian vs. Timothy Elliott
The night’s action began in the always-entertaining flyweight division, as Jared Papazian made his debut in the weight class against Timothy Elliott. Missouri’s Elliott overcame an inadvertent illegal knee in the first to punish Papazian over the next two rounds and score a lopsided unanimous decision win.
At the bell, Elliott wasted no time in charging forward and locking on a guillotine, then stayed busy trying for a guillotine in between ground and pounding in the floor scramble that followed. After freeing his head from the sub attempt for a second time, Papazian nailed Elliott with an illegal knee to the head on the way up. Rocked and wobbled on the feet, the doctor checked on Elliott and the bout seemed in danger of being waved off. However, after giving Elliott time to recover and taking a point from Papazian, referee Chris Tognoni allowed the fight to continue. Papazian tried to capitalize on his injured opponent but but was dropped by a short hook then taken down again by a single-leg. A tie-up on the fence slowed things, but Elliott showed he was still in it by diving for a heelhook in the round’s final seconds,drawing cheers from the already half-full arena.
Elliott’s footwork returned in the second, and both men connected with wide, winging shots. Elliott scored early with a single leg and did more damage with elbows from on top of his increasingly bloodied foe before returning to the feet. Both circled, hands down and stances wide. Both threw occasional short combinations of punches, switch kicks and switch knees that generally whiffed, though Papazian landed a couple of shots. Elliott ended the round the way he began it – with a takedown followed by elbows from top.
Elliott scored a takedown to start the third, and the two grappled in a stalemate on the ground before a referee standup. Papazian increased his pace, but as he moved forward, he was dropped by a short shot. Elliott pounced into mount, and the rest of the bout was all Elliott, who dropped elbows and hammerfists. Elbows inspired Papazian to turn around, giving up his back. Elliott continued his fistic attack until he could sink in a rear-naked choke attempt twice in the final minutes, Papazian only escaping due to the slipperiness of his own blood.
The point deduction plus the 10-8 final frame on two judges’ scorecards rendered the scores 30-25 twice and 30-26 for the now 9-3-1 Elliott. Papazian’s record slips to 14-9 1 NC and 0-3 in the UFC.
After six years away, the UFC’s return to The Joint inside Las Vegas’ Hard Rock Hotel was marked by a rousing undercard of finishes and star-making performances from prospects including Rustam Khabilov, Hugo Viana and TJ Waldburger.
Mike Pyle vs. James Head
In the night’s featured bout, Mike Pyle scored his third first-round TKO of 2012 with an impressive Muay Thai knee that ended Oklahoma wrestler James Head’s own win streak in 1 minute and 55 seconds..
Though Head connected early with a left straight, Las Vegas’ Pyle dodged out of harm’s way and used a Thai clinch to throw knees and reset. As the welterweights clinched again, Pyle locked on a perfect Muay Thai plum, landed a knee to the head that dropped his foe, and followed up with vicious punches that left no doubt that the fight was over.
The 37-year-old Pyle’s record rises to 24-8-1, with his only loss in his last seven bouts coming at the hands of top-ranked Rory MacDonald; Head’s record slips to 9-3.
Johnny Bedford vs. Marcos Vinicius
After a year away from the Octagon due to injury and a last-minute opponent scratch, “Brutal” Johnny Bedford lived up to his nickname, finishing TUF Brasil’s Marco “Vina” Vinicius in six minutes.
Bedford moved forward with big shots throughout the fight, including one thudding body blow. A right hand dropped “Vina” in the first and Bedford swarmed, issuing ground-and-pound and threatening with a crucifix. Besides one guillotine attempt off an early takedown, Vinicius was mostly stuck on the bottom using guard and butterfly guard to try and neutralize his opponent.
The second round was more of the same, with a brief break due to a low blow by Vinicius. Bedford continued to back up the Brazilian, who seemed unable to find his range against his lanky opponent. Against the cage, Bedford dropped his cornered quarry with a right hook and followed with punches and a perfectly-placed kick to the body as Vinicius crumpled to the mat. Referee Kim Winslow called things off a minute into the second round. The win is Bedford’s 19th with 10 losses; Vinicius falls to 20-5-1.
Watch Bedford’s post-fight interview
Vinc Pichel vs. Rustam Khabilov
Russian-born, Jackson’s-trained Rustam Khabilov needed just two minutes and fifteen seconds to end the unbeaten streak of TUF Live knockout artist Vinc Pichel. The sambo champion used relentless wrestling to control – and eventually knock out – Pichel.
Khabilov’s first takedown started via single-leg, and he peppered Pichel’s body and head from half guard. As Pichel got back up, the Russian wrestler treated him to a suplex, then threw him back down again as he stood. Two more takedowns – including another suplex – followed, until the third suplex dazed Pichel. Khabilov’s followup ground and pound erased any doubt as the fight was waved off at 2:15.
Khabilov’s performance in his UFC debut improves his record to 15-1; Pichel, a Californian with a hardy fan presence inside the Hard Rock, is now 7-1.
Watch Khabilov’s post-fight interview
TJ Waldburger vs. Nick Catone
In a welterweight battle of jiu-jitsu brown belts, TJ Waldburger’s technique got the best of Nick Catone’s size advantage as Waldburger earned his 13th career submission win.
Catone, making his debut at 170 after a career at middleweight, used his strength to assert back control throughout the first frame, struggling against the fence for much of the time to drag or throw his opponent to the ground. It was Waldburger who had more dangerous submission attacks that he followed from the feet to the ground, particularly a guillotine early in the fight and a kimura.
Catone landed a high kick at the opening of the second, but shortly after was dropped by a punch. Waldburger pounced on “The New Jersey Devil,” raining blows and setting up a guillotine as Catone scrambled to his feet. Waldburger pulled guard, moved one leg over Catone’s shoulder, and transitioned into a triangle choke. Elbows from the bottom triggered Catone to cover his face, which gave Waldburger the arm control he needed to render Catone fast asleep at 1:04 of the second.
“I figured he’d be strong in the first round so I just weathered the storm and tried to tire him out as much as possible,” said Waldburger. “Very happy I was able to lace in the triangle and finish it early.” Waldburger now owns 16 wins with 7 losses and Catone slips to 9-4.
Watch Waldburger’s post-fight interview
Reuben Duran vs. Hugo Viana
Wolverines
went 2-0 inside the Hard Rock Saturday as Mike Rio and Hugo Viana both picked up
wins for the lupine nickname. After a plodding performance from the
night’s first lightweights, bantamweights brought The Joint back to
life with a bout that saw Reuben Duran dropped no less than five times
by TUF Brasil star Viana.
The muscular 135ers bobbed and weaved, and
Viana dropped Duran on his first connect. Duran appeared injured and
was wobbled twice more in the next minute or so, but beat his chest and
implored Wolverine to keep coming forward. The two tied up on the cage
briefly before returning to the center, where Viana, despite a two-inch
reach deficit, continued landing single shots directly on Duran’s chin,
some of which sent the Californian to the mat. A left straight dropped
Duran flat, but Duran somehow returned. A giant right hand was the
final blow, its force literally spinning Duran around as he fell at 4:05
of the first round.
The win was the powerful Brazilian’s seventh (with one loss); Duran now sits at 8-4-1.
Watch Viana’s post-fight interview
Mike Rio vs. John Cofer
Two TUF Live lightweights met in Las
Vegas as John Cofer and Mike Rio patiently circled and grappled for most
of three rounds before Rio earned his ninth career win.
Round one
was mostly a standoff, save a couple of Cofer left hooks that connected
and a few efforted takedown attempts from Rio. Rio finally succeeded
with one late in the round, but Cofer reversed and the stanza ended with
both men working for kneebars. The pace picked up in the second, with
both lightweights moving forward, throwing (and eating) punches, but not
being wobbled. Rio used Cofer’s forward momentum to score a huge slam,
which he followed into side control before backing off. He struggled to
avoid Cofer’s upkicks until the referee stood them both back up. Rio
dragged Cofer for a takedown and got Cofer’s back as Cofer got to his
feet, but Cofer shook him off and wound up in top position.
Rio’s
persistence paid off as he got a takedown in the third and stayed heavy
in side control, transitioning over several minutes into an armbar
attempt. Cofer survived and reversed, trying some ground and pound
before getting both arms caught in the armbar again, this time forced to
tap at 4:11.
“I was in side mount and I knew that if I popped up it would’ve released the pressure on his chest and give him a chance to counter,” said Rio. “When I moved he capitalized so I transitioned to the arm and it worked.” The win lifts Rio’s record to 9-1; Cofer departs 7-4.
Watch Rio’s post-fight interview
Jared Papazian vs. Timothy Elliott
The night’s action began in the always-entertaining flyweight division, as Jared Papazian made his debut in the weight class against Timothy Elliott. Missouri’s Elliott overcame an inadvertent illegal knee in the first to punish Papazian over the next two rounds and score a lopsided unanimous decision win.
At the bell, Elliott wasted no time in charging forward and locking on a guillotine, then stayed busy trying for a guillotine in between ground and pounding in the floor scramble that followed. After freeing his head from the sub attempt for a second time, Papazian nailed Elliott with an illegal knee to the head on the way up. Rocked and wobbled on the feet, the doctor checked on Elliott and the bout seemed in danger of being waved off. However, after giving Elliott time to recover and taking a point from Papazian, referee Chris Tognoni allowed the fight to continue. Papazian tried to capitalize on his injured opponent but but was dropped by a short hook then taken down again by a single-leg. A tie-up on the fence slowed things, but Elliott showed he was still in it by diving for a heelhook in the round’s final seconds,drawing cheers from the already half-full arena.
Elliott’s footwork returned in the second, and both men connected with wide, winging shots. Elliott scored early with a single leg and did more damage with elbows from on top of his increasingly bloodied foe before returning to the feet. Both circled, hands down and stances wide. Both threw occasional short combinations of punches, switch kicks and switch knees that generally whiffed, though Papazian landed a couple of shots. Elliott ended the round the way he began it – with a takedown followed by elbows from top.
Elliott scored a takedown to start the third, and the two grappled in a stalemate on the ground before a referee standup. Papazian increased his pace, but as he moved forward, he was dropped by a short shot. Elliott pounced into mount, and the rest of the bout was all Elliott, who dropped elbows and hammerfists. Elbows inspired Papazian to turn around, giving up his back. Elliott continued his fistic attack until he could sink in a rear-naked choke attempt twice in the final minutes, Papazian only escaping due to the slipperiness of his own blood.
The point deduction plus the 10-8 final frame on two judges’ scorecards rendered the scores 30-25 twice and 30-26 for the now 9-3-1 Elliott. Papazian’s record slips to 14-9 1 NC and 0-3 in the UFC.