(“Alright guys, kick some ass tomorrow night and give all these fans a great fuc-HOLY CRAP LOOK AT CONOR‘S CUFFLINKS.” / Photo via Getty)
Two years and nine months after their controversial first meeting, Jose Aldo and Chad Mendes are once again throwing down for the UFC featherweight title in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this time at the Maracanãzinho. But that’s only the main attraction at UFC 179 — tonight’s card will also feature Phil Davis vs. Glover Teixiera, and…well, not a whole lot else. It isn’t exactly a must-buy PPV, but that’s why you have us, right?
CagePotato liveblogger Alex Giardini will be posting live round-by-round results from the main card after the jump starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. Refresh the page for all the latest UFC 179 results, and hit us with your own thoughts in the comments section or on twitter @cagepotatomma. Thanks for stopping by.
UFC 179 PRELIMINARY CARD RESULTS
– Neil Magny def. William Macario via TKO (punches) at 2:40 of round 3.
– Yan Cabral def. Naoyuki Kotani via submission (rear naked choke) at 3:06 of round 2.
– Wilson Reis def. Scott Jorgensen via submission (arm triangle choke) at 3:28 of round 1.
– Andre Fili def. Felipe Arantes via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
– Gilbert Burns def. Christos Giagos via submission (armbar) at 4:57 of round 1.
– Tony Martin def. Fabricio Camoes via submission (kimura) at 4:16 of round 1.
Finishes galore on the under card … let’s hope the trend continues. Here we go, people.
Carlos Diego Ferreira vs. Beneil Dariush
Round 1: Mario Yamasaki is our referee. Dariush backs the Brazilian up near the cage right from the get-go. Dariush sneaks in an uppercut and walks off. Dariush misses a head kick, but lands a right hand followed by a jab. Ferreira attacking with low kicks. Head kick lands from Dariush, while Ferreira tries to return the favor but fails. Ferreira pushes forward but can’t land clean. Powerful leg kick from Dariush. Ferreira tries landing a string of punches, followed by a head kick attempt. The Brazilian ties his foe up against the fence, battling for the takedown. Both fighters jostling up against the cage for position, and Dariush breaks off. Superkick attempt from Ferreira (yes, really), as he switches stances. Ferreira storms forward, landing some nice punches, yet his opponent landed a good counter, too. Takedown from Dariush, trying to pass. Dariush postures up, looking for some ground and pound, and Ferreira grabs a hold of his leg for the heel hook. He gives it up, and eats a punch at the end of the round.
Round 2: Spinning kick misses for Ferreira. Dariush pressuring, and goes for the takedown. Dariush scores, as he tries to take the back. Ferreira back on his feet, as his foe relentless on his back. Punches from Dariush, but Ferreira storms out with an uppercut. Switching stances, Ferreira gets hit with a hard kick to the right leg. Dariush gets a solid shot in on the body, and lands a heavy kick to the ribcage. Darisuh shoots and scores the takedown, working from half guard. Dariush lets go, circling around his downed opponent and lands in full guard after a punch. Dariush somewhat active with ground and pound, eventually making his way back up to his feet.
Round 3: Ferreira storming forward and lands his best punches of the fight. Dariush staying composed, as he clinches the Brazilian against the fence. Ferreira breaks the clinch, and gets back up from a quick takedown. Dariush locks up Ferreira’s legs, taking him down right next to the cage. Dariush looking for a dominant position, not really doing much damage. Dariush throws a few elbows, as his foe as no answer for him. Dariush posturing up, eventually finding himself in half guard. All Dariush on the mat, looking to take the back as well. Dariush controls Ferreira’s body against the fence until the final horn.
Beneil Dariush def. Carlos Diego Ferreira via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
Darren Elkins vs. Lucas Martins
Round 1: Elkins working his jab, and shoots for the takedown early. Martins succumbs to the trip, and Elkins moves him to the fence. Martins is up, but Elkins going for the takedown again. Elkins lands a right hand, and moves away. Martins with a body kick. Leg kicks from Martins, while Elkins gets a takedown stuffed. Martins trying to find his range, while Elkins is the more active fighter. Elkins shoots for another takedown, softening up Martins with knees against the fence. Elkins changing levels often, going for a takedown every 20 seconds. Martins eats a big left hand, while he lands a knee to the body. Push kick from Elkins, who nails Martins with a combination. They tie up together before the horn.
Round 2: Elkins brings Martins towards the fence, and it’s basically looking like one of those fights now. Elkins seems like the better grappler at this point, exploiting his adversary’s weaknesses. Elkins goes to the body with punches, with his face busted up. Martins throwing kicks to the body, but he can’t put together a combination for the life of him. Another attempt from Elkins against the fence. Elkins breaks the clinch to throw, and goes back into it. The crowd is getting restless, and frankly, this pay-per-view sucks so far. Martins lands an uppercut off the break. Martines lands a head kick, coming back into this fight. He has Elkins against the fence, as the American shoots for the takedown as they break. Clinch work until the horn.
Round 3: Knee lands from Martins as his foe goes for the takedown. He clips him with another, but Elkins isn’t in trouble. Elkins shoots for another takedown against the fence. This fight stinks like hell, but you can’t blame the American. Martins escapes, and they’re back in the center. Elkins working the takedown again. You have to credit Martins’ defense, but he hasn’t been able to do anything apart from defend. They get broken up, and Elkins pushes him right back to the fence. Another break, and Elkins lands a left, followed by a right. Push kick from Martins, yet Elkins pits him back against the cage, and that’s basically the story of this fight. Dominant performance from Elkins.
Darren Elkins def. Lucas Martins via split decision (27-30, 30-27×2)
That split decision call is laughable at best. Anyhow, those two terrible fights are out of the way. Up next, someone’s face is going through a meat grinder, followed by the headlining fights.
Fabio Maldonado vs. Hans Stringer
Round 1: Stringer gets the takedown right away, and I’m pretty sure everyone in the audience just put their head down. Stringer staying busy in side control, softening up the Brazilian. Elbows from Stringer, while Maldonado isn’t really moving around much. Stringer’s size is prohibiting Maldonado from getting up. Stringer keeps ahold of Maldonado as the latter gets up, and they go right back down. Stringer dominates the whole round, basically in the same position.
Round 2: Stringer has Maldonado against the fence, but the Brazilian breaks free. Stringer lacing Maldonado with takedowns, and actively throwing an abundance of kicks. Takedown from Stringer, and the “birthplace of jiu-jitsu” lets out a comical sigh. Faldonado shrugs Stringer off, and starts to lace his opponent with some ground and pound. Maldonado in half guard, pounding him with some punches and that’s it. Maldonado gets the win, and jumps onto the fence. Anderson Silva joins him on top of the cage. Cute. Ok, PPV has started.
Fabio Maldonado def. Hans Stringer via TKO (punches) at 4:06 of round 2.
Glover Teixeira vs. Phil Davis
Round 1: The co-main event is underway. Davis circling, and shoots for the takedown (OMG). Teixeira stuffs it, and looks to land bombs. Overhead right misses for the Brazilian. Davis has him up against the fence, and they break free. Head kick just misses for Davis. Teixeira follows him around, but can’t land clean. Right hand misses from Teixeira. Davis staying in the pocket and lands a combo. Davis circles away from Glover’s punches, looking for the takedown. Knees to the gut from Glover. Front kick and jabs land for Davis. The American shoots for a single leg, with Teixeira against the fence. Glover gets taken down, and Davis is driving through. Strikes landing for Davis, keeping Teixeira down. Uppercuts landing for Davis. Teixeira back on his feet. Knees to the belly for Davis. He stays heavy in side control, and Teixeira’s been warned a few times about grabbing the fence.
Round 2: Left hook connects for Teixeira in the middle. Davis lands another takedown, but Teixeira reverses and grabs a hold of the American’s neck. Glover working a front choke, but lets it go. Another takedown from Davis, after Glover tried to go for a guillotine. Davis looking to take Glover’s back, but he’s content to ride Teixeira from the side and land some uppercuts. Teixeira trying to break free, yet Davis’ grip is pretty strong. Davis brings Glover against the fence. Cut on the right eye of Glover, and Davis’ striking is looking on point. Left hook misses for Glover. An eye poke to Glover halts the action momentarily. Davis with a stiff jab. Glover misses with the left, and can’t quite find his range. Uppercut misses for Glover, and Davis’ striking is looking pretty efficient. Davis scores another takedown, and goes for a rear naked choke. He can’t lock it up properly as time elapses.
Round 3: Left hook lands from Teixeira, as he fights off another takedown from Davis. The American breaks off his foe, back in the center. Davis looks tried now, and Glover gets taken down clean. Davis is smothering him now on the mat, as he movies into mount. Davis has his back, and locks in a cradle. Knees to the body from Davis, and Teixeira gets taken down after making his way back to his feet. Davis controlling Teixeira from his back, and Glover is running out of options here. Belly-to-back suplex attempt fails for Davis, but he’s still working another takedown. They’re back on their feet, and Glover is starting to go for broke. Still, Davis relentlessly searches for another takedown, and drags the Brazilian to the ground. Oh man. Davis completely dominated Glover, with arguably the best performance in the Octagon thus far.
Phil Davis def. Glover Teixeira via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
This is your classic WWE Attitude Era pay-per-view. It’s time for the main event, and thankfully, I can take this shotgun out of my pants.
Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes for the Featherweight Championship
Round 1: Mendes rushes forward, and lands an early leg kick. Pressure from Mendes. Aldo lands a combo, followed by a body shit. Mendes catches Aldo with a right, followed by a leg kick. They’re trading in the center, and Aldo gets dropped from a left hook. Aldo back up, and Mendes pressuring him. This is a fight, holy Jesus. Both are calculating their shots now. Mendes has Aldo back peddling a bit. Aldo goes to the body with a punch, followed by a hard body kick. They trade jabs with Mendes staying right in front of Aldo. Left hook from the Brazilian. Aldo gets countered with a left, followed by another. Big combo from Aldo, and he stings Mendes. Leg kick for Aldo. Left hook lands for Mendes as Aldo goes to the body. Mendes lands another serious punch. Uppercut misses for Aldo. Jab from Aldo, and the Brazilian gets eye poked by accident. We’re back from the break, and they both come out strong. Aldo laces Mendes with a huge knee, and gets taken down. Aldo back up in a second, and drops Mendes with a humongous left hook. Aldo in full mount, blasing Mendes with some punches and elbows. The American is back up, and he gets dropped by a punch thrown after the buzzer. Yikes. Holy mother of shit.
Round 2: Replay shows Aldo threw two punches after the horn, but it’s hard to say if it was purposely done. No point deduction or anything, and we’re back on. Mendes with a low kick, and tries to go to the body. Mendes goes for a takedown, and Aldo stuffs it. Accidental groin shot from Mendes. Switching stances from Mendes, and Aldo throws to the body. Aldo unable to throw a lot of leg kicks so far. Mendes gets tripped, and gets back up. Mendes with a kick to the thigh. Jab from Aldo, while Mendes trying to find openings. Aldo goes to the body, while Mendes kicks him on the body. Aldo counters a jab from Mendes with a right hook. Jab from Aldo, and he eats one, too. Stiff jab from Aldo, and he takes a kick to the body. Huge combo from Mendes, who gets a good right hand in. Big hook to the body from Aldo. Kicks from both, and Aldo surprises Mendes with a head kick. Left hands land for both at the buzzer.
Round 3: Mendes storms out of the gate, and Aldo comes out swinging. Anther eye poke from Mendes. Mendes comes out swinging on the break, and these dudes are throwing down. Mendes gets caught, and Aldo misses with another left hook. Mendes catches him with a right hand. Mendes with an overhead right. Big hook from Aldo. Aldo pressuring, landing some left hands. A jab from Aldo snaps Mendes’ head back, but the latter gets an uppercut in. Uppercut lands from Mendes, and he’s got Aldo hurt. Aldo then blasts Mendes with a bomb of a right followed by a knee. Both are rocked. Aldo nails Mendes with another hit, and stuffs a takedown. Mendes going for a single leg, and a massive takedown from Mendes after a left hook from the champ. This fight is unreal. Mendes has Aldo against the fence, with a bit of stalling here. Big left hook lands for Mendes on the break. With judges being a thing, this one is too close to call.
Round 4: Mendes storms out again, landing a kick to the body. Mendes looking for a way in on the inside. Front kick misses for Mendes, while Aldo a bit slower in this round. Uppercut lands for Mendes. Head kick misses for Mendes, and he’s got Aldo on his bike. Aldo a bit swollen around the eyes. Uppercut lands for Mendes, but Aldo is there with some straight punches. Aldo’s left eye pouring blood. Mendes the more active fighter here. Aldo gets a right hand in. Wild uppercut just misses for Mendes. Aldo with some right hands. Mendes winning the round, and he gets a big right hand in. Jab from Aldo, who isn’t really throwing much here. Mendes circling well, and the pace has been turned down a notch. Aldo with a stiff left hand, and just misses a flying double knee.
Round 5: Five minutes of doom right here, folks. Mendes catches Aldo with the left, and again. Aldo then lands a good right hand. Body kick for Mendes, who scores a takedown. Aldo looks up to the clock, and Mendes has him against the fence. Mendes has a hold of the champ’s legs, and gets a warning from Marc Goddard. Aldo with his back against the cage, and uses it to wall-walk. Aldo pushing forward, and stings Mendes with a combination, followed by a knee. Takedown stuffed from Aldo, and he hops on Mendes whose on all fours. Aldo now stalling as Mendes makes his way back up. Great punches from Aldo on the inside, and they’re trading punches now. Aldo turns the corner from a few punches, and both guys are pretty tired. Mendes gets a takedown, but gets back up and pushes Mendes away, complaining about a groin shot. They’re in front of each other in the center, and Aldo a little more active and ahead. Uppercut misses from Mendes, and Aldo being cautious now. Leg kick from Mendes, who eats a left hook. They swing, and Mendes lands a nice right hand. Aldo with some flying strikes that miss. That’s it, the buzzer sounds. Oh man, fight of the year.
Jose Aldo def. Chad Mendes via unanimous decision (49-46×3)
So, that’s that. Aldo deserves the win for sure, but the scorecards could be debatable. Stann asks Aldo who he wants next, and the champion says he’ll face anyone, but says he’s the king, Mendes the prince, and now, they have a “joker.” Unreal answer. Speaking about that joker, he’s nowhere to be seen. Wise move. Mendes says he’s still looking forward to whipping Conor McGregor’s ass. Man, that was fun.
It’s been a slice. Keep it locked to the Potato for some recapping tomorrow. Cheers, brothers and sisters.