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UFC Fight Night 46: McGregor vs. Brandao — Live Results & Commentary

(“D’ya loik me man-pannies? Tree peepul DOYD makin’ deese noat-hoaggers.” / Photo by Esther Lin for MMAFighting)

The people of Dublin are in for a treat today, as hometown hero Conor McGregor does battle with Diego Brandao in the main event of UFC Fight Night 46. (We recommend listening to this traditional Irish folk song to get psyched up for it.) Also on the card, emotionless Icelander Gunnar Nelson will look to maintain his undefeated record against Zak Cummings, and these two old-timey gentlemen square off in the flyweight division.

The event isn’t airing on TV out here in North America, but CagePotato Fight Pass Correspondent Barry “Bear” Siragusa will keep you updated with live round-by-round results from the main card, which will be available after the jump beginning at 3 p.m. ET / noon PT. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest and let us know your thoughts in the comments section or on twitter @cagepotatomma.

(“D’ya loik me man-pannies? Tree peepul DOYD makin’ deese noat-hoaggers.” / Photo by Esther Lin for MMAFighting)

Preliminary Card Results
– Ilir Latifi def. Chris Dempsey via KO (punch) at 2:07 of round 1
– Neil Seery def. Phil Harris via Unanimous Decision (30-27 X3)
– Cathal Pendred def. Mike King via Submission (RNC) at 3:33 of round 2
– Trevor Smith def. Tor Troeng via Unanimous decision (29-28 X3)
– Nikita Krylov def. Cody Donovan via KO (punches) at 4:57 of round 1
– Patrick Holohan def. Josh Sampo via Submission (RNC) at 3:06 of round 1

Please stand by…

The crowd is crazy! It was deafening during the first Prelim. Will the Irish Con-man live up to the hype? Will Brad Pickett mess up Ian McCall’s hair? Will McCall celebrate by saying “Bully!” should he win? Will Brandao win and become the first(?) UFC fighter to be dragged out of the octagon by an angry mob? Plenty of questions to be answered in the next few hours. I’ll resist the urge to start us off with “top of the evening” and just go with- Right ya miserable buggers, let’s do this.

First up:

Norman Parke vs. Naoyuki Kotani

Norman Parke (19-2 MMA)
Born in Northern Ireland, Parke competed in TUF: The Smashes, where he won the lightweight tournament. He had a nine fight win streak, followed by a single draw against Leonard Santos where Parke was deducted a point for grabbing Santos’s shorts.

Naoyuki Kotani (33-10-7)
Seven draws? This is Kotani’s return to the UFC after a rough start and eventual release from the promotion in 2007. He is a veteran of Pride, Rings, and Pancrase. Despite being only 32 years old, he has been fighting for nearly 15 years.

Round 1:
The crowd is mental. A quick leg kick from Parke. Kotani is waiting for Parke to make the first move. Kotani flurries and changes levels. Parke stuffs the attempt and the briefly end up against the fence before breaking and moving to the center. Some jabs, both men trying to find their range. Lots of foot movement. Another flurry and level change from Kotani. Parke reverses against the fence and pins Kotani there. Nasty elbow inside from Parke. Kotani misses with a leg kick.connects with a left jab. They clicnh and break quickly. A flying knee from Parke that just misses. A head kick from Parke that misses by a hair. Parke has Kotani backing up, but Kotani catches a kick and goes for the takedown. Parke defends and clinches, starts punishing Kotani with knees. Kotani distances himself and backpeddles again. Parke is throwing a lot of body and head kicks. Parke clinches and pushes him against the fence. Parke breaks away and connects with some elbows. Kotani goes for the double leg but Parke sprawls and gets Kotani’sback up against the fence o the ground. Prake dropping Some BOMBS at the ten second mark. Some HUGE ELBOWS to end the round. Wow.

Round 2:
Parke immediately goes on the attack with some leg kicks. A maybe low blow. Parke throws a looping left and kotani ducks under and goes for the single. Misses and Parke lets him up. They clinch and Parke slams Kotani down to the canvas. Parke starts with the ground and pound. Some nasty elbows from the top. Kotani is struggling to find an answer to Parke. Parke with some brutal elbows. Kotani can’t take much more of those. Looked like Kotani was out cold for for a second there. Kotani recovers and attempts a knee bar and Parke jumps up and gets away. They clinch immediately on their feet and Parke pushes Kotani against the fence. Parke drags Kotani to the ground and starts dropping some huge elbows Kotai is just turtled up and it’s over. Some big punches to end that one.

Norman Parke def. Naoyuki Kotani via TKO (punches and elbows) at 3:41 of the second round.

Next up.

Brad Pickett vs. Ian McCall

Brad Pickett (24-8 MMA)
Currently the #6 ranked bantamweight in the UFC but making a run at flyweight where he is ranked #11. Pickett is a four time recipient of Fight of the Night.

Ian McCall (12-4-1 MMA)
Fought Demetrius Johnson to a draw in the first Flyweight fight in UFC history. He later lost the rematch. He had a two fight loosing streak after his draw with Johnson, but rebounded in his last fight with a win over Iliarde Santos. He is currently ranked #3 in UFC flyweight rankings.

Round 1:
Uncle Creepy rocking the Topknot. They touch gloves. McCall misses a leg kick to start things off. Pickett connects with a left hook. McCall connects with some solid leg kicks. A huge amount of movement from McCall. Pickett goes for the double legs. McCall defends and connects with some knees. Pickett manages to knee McCall solid in the nuts. McCall recovers. Huge leg kicks from McCall. They clinch and McCall ends up against the fence. He defends well and connects with some solid legs kicks. McCall tries to control Picketts head, but Pickett just tosses him out of the way. McCall with some solid combos. Pickett firing off some huge shots but McCall is just so fast. McCall has found his range and is connecting solidly with his left jab. Pickett goes for the double leg, pushes McCall against the fence. McCall reverses and gets away from Pickett. Connects wth some big shots. Pickett is moving forward but it seems he is following McCall more than dictating the pace. McCall and Pickett exchange some nasty shots. Pickett rushes McCall and McCall slips but is saved by the bell.

Round 2:
Pickett opens with a few big punches that McCall ducks under. They clinch and McCall takes Pickett down. Pickett gets up quickly and they trade shots. McCall gets double underhooks and trips Picket. McCall gets full mount. Pickett tries to buck him off without success. Pickett is starting to look tired. McCall tries to free up his leg and Pickett uses the opportunity to get to his feet. They face off in the center of the octagon. A straight left jab from McCall. Pickett is throwing some bombs, but McCall sees them coming. McCall attempts a takedown. Picket goes low and eats a knee and a body kick. Pickett pushes McCall against the fence. McCall hits Pickett in the groin with an inside low kick. Pickett is looking green. Ouch… They are back and Pickett connects with a looping right. They clinch and Pickett connects with a left hook on the way out. McCall answers with a jab. They both are winging some huge overhands and missing. McCall connects with a body punch. McCall defends a single leg takedown attempt and connects with a spinning backfist. He breaks away and back-peddles while Pickett hunts him down.

Round 3:
They both go low and miss with overhand rights. McCall connects with a kick to Picketts armpit. McCall throwing a lot more kicks early in the third. Those are starting to sting. Pickett is moving forward and going for the finishing shots. McCall is doing a good job avoiding the hard shots. McCall is shooting some major kicks. McCall connects with a outside leg. Pickett rushes in for the clinch. Some nasty knee’s from the clinch from both fighters. A big right hand from McCall, Pickett attempts a takedown and gets it for a second. McCall is up again and connects with a nasty body kick. McCall gets the takedown. Pickett is attempting a kimura, McCall is still on top and defending well. Now McCall is dropping some elbows and hammerfists to Picketts head. McCall gets full mount for a moment but Pickett defends back to half guard.. McCall is on top but Pickett is attacking McCalls body with some big shots. McCall is really pouring on shots to the head of Pickett. Pickett regains his feet at the last second. McCall connects with an uppercut and looping right at the buzzer.

Ian McCall def. Brad Pickett via Unanimous decision. (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Next up:

Gunnar Nelson vs. Zak Cummings

Gunnar Nelson (13-0-1 MMA)
This will be the Icelandic fighters fourth fight inside the octagon. His first professional fight was a draw, he has been undefeated since. In his last outing he won Performance of the Night. He is known for showing no emotion… He’s the Icelandic Fedor…

Zak Cummings (17-3 MMA)
Cummings was a contestant on TUF Jones vs. Sonnen where he was eliminated in the elimination rounds. In his two UFC appearances he has gone 2-0.

This is the co-main event.

Round 1:
Starts of Cuminsg starts off with an outside leg kick. Nelson connects with a weak overhand left and they clinch. Cummings gets the advantage and connects with some solid knees. Nelson connects with a nasty right hook. Cummings eats it and keeps coming. Cummings is keeping his hands down after throwing combos. Nelson is hanging back and watching. Cummings needs to get his hand back up. A nice body knee from Nelson. Another nasty jab from Nelson that nails Cummings. They clinch and Cummings gains Nelsons back while they stand. Nelson reverses and they break. Cummings connects with a body shot. Nelson misses a head kick. Cummings fakes a superman punch. Cummings is trying to find his range. Cummings with the flying knee attempt. Cummings is throwing a lot while Nelson is just keeping his distance. They clinch and Cummings pushes Nelson against the fence. Cummings connects with some punches while Nelson spins away. There is the buzzer.

Round 2:
Cummings corner was asking for more volume. That’s a bad call.
They feel each other out. Cummings connects with a few punches but nothing hurts Nelson. Cummings attacks Nelsons legs against the fence with some knees. Cummings and Nelson are still clinched but wheeling around the octagon. They break. Cummings with the feints. A quick inside leg from Cummings. Nelson connects with a stinging straight right. Nelson hold his head really far back so his opponents don’t realize how close he is. Nelson connects with a straight right. Cummings with a flurry and an inside leg kick. Nelson with the straight right. Nelson with a great body kick, but Cummings holds on to it and goes for the takedown, Nelson attempts a guillotine Cummings defends but Nelson gets his back and starts working to sink in the RNC. It’s over! Nelson gets the win via RNC.

Gunnar Nelson def. Zak Cummings via Submission (RNC) at 4:48 of Round 2

Next up: Our Main Event.

Conor McGregor vs. Diego Brandao

Conor McGregor (14-2 MMA)
Is currently on a 10 fight win streak. Mcgegor is undefeated in the UFC, but has only fought in the UFC twice. He did however earn the KO of the night in his first appearence in the octagon against Marcus Brimage. McGregor is the former Cage Warriors lightweight champ.

Diego Brandao (18-9 MMA)
Winner of TUF Bisping vs. Miller. Currently ranked #15 in UFC featherweight rankings.
He is coming off of a loss to Dustin Poirier. He fights out of New Mexico and Jackson’s MMA.

Get ready for things to get nutty.

I have not ever heard a crowd like this.

Round 1:
Conor starts with a spinning back kick to the body of Brandao. Damn you could hear that one. Brandao with some nasty punches but nothing connects. Brandao goes for te takedown. Conor defends and abuses Brandaos head with punches from the clinch. McGregor reverses the clinch against the fence. Brandao hits Mcgregor with a nasty knee to the body. Brandao reverse and McGregor ends up in Brandaos guard, Brandao kicks him off and they end up on the ground. Brandao goes for a leg lock but McGregor spins away. Brandao stays down while McGregor stand and tries to land some bombs. McGregor gains the top, but Brandao looks calm. McGregor is landing some shots but nothing hard. Brandao gets his feet and McGregor starts peppering him with some hard shots. Bradnao is starting to throw down, McGregor is staying just out of reeach and connecting with jabs. McGregor connects with a HUGE straight left hand and Brandao goes down! McGRegor is on top and starts absolutely POUNDING Brandao. What is the ref waiting for! There it is. It’s all over. Conor McGregor defeats Diego Brandao via TKO.

Conor McGregor def. Diego Brandao via TKO (Punches) at 4:05 of round one.

Post fight interview:
McGregor: “Not a man alive that could come on this soil (Ireland) and beat me. I’m going back stage with Lorenzo and some “foin” ass whiskey and talk football stadiums and world titles!”

What a main event. The Hype is for real, Conor McGregor as hard as a coffin nail.

There is nothing more to say except.

“May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
And the rain fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand”

-Irish Parting Wish

UFC 171 Results: Johny Hendricks Becomes New Welterweight Champion With Unanimous Decision Win Over Robbie Lawler

(I have nothing funny to say about this stare-down, so instead I’ll just link you to a half-assed photoshop of Dana White wearing Johny Hendricks’s beard. / Photo via Esther Lin/MMAFighting)

UFC 171: Hendricks vs. Lawler is underway at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, and we admit it — we had a hard time getting it up for this one. Yesterday’s weigh-in drama was more compelling to us than any other storyline related to tonight’s fights. Maybe that’s a byproduct of event over-saturation and viewer fatigue. Maybe we never really liked MMA, and we were actually just in love with Georges St-Pierre this whole time. That’s certainly possible.

Anyway, that doesn’t mean UFC 171 won’t be fun to watch, because honestly, this is a talent-rich card with some very competitive match-ups. In the main event, Johny Hendricks and (incredibly) Robbie Lawler will fight for the UFC’s vacant welterweight title, while a quartet of other 170-pounders (Condit, Woodley, Shields, Lombard) jockey for their place in the divisional pecking order. Plus: The always-entertaining Diego Sanchez will shed some more brain cells in a scrap with the undefeated Myles Jury.

Live UFC 171 results will be available after the jump beginning at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest, and keep an eye on our Twitter and Facebook pages for extra analysis and updates. And as always, thanks for being here.

(I have nothing funny to say about this stare-down, so instead I’ll just link you to a half-assed photoshop of Dana White wearing Johny Hendricks’s beard. / Photo via Esther Lin/MMAFighting)

UFC 171 Prelim Results
– Kelvin Gastelum def. Rick Story via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27).
– Jessica Andrade def. Raquel Pennington via split decision (29-28 x 2, 28-29)
– Dennis Bermudez def. Jimy Hettes via TKO, 2:57 of round 3
– Alex Garcia def. Sean Spencer via split-decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
– Frank Trevino def. Renee Forte via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
– Justin Scoggins def. Will Campuzano via unanimous decision (30-27 x 3)
– Sean Strickland def. Robert “Bubba” McDaniel via submission (rear-naked choke), 4:33 of round 1
– Robert Whiteford def. Daniel Pineda via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x 2)

Please stand by…

Nikita Krylov vs. Ovince St. Preux

Keep in mind that Krylov has the best Sherdog profile photo in MMA history.

Round 1: After some feeling-out, OSP lands a body kick and goes right into a successful takedown. Very slick. OSP in side control but Krylov locking his head down, trying one of those one-arm guillotines from the bottom that never ever work. So, St. Preux sets up a Von Flue choke, putting his shoulder on Krylov’s neck and squeezing it together with his free arm. Krylov goes limp and referee Dan Miragliotta jumps in. Ovince St. Preux def. Nikita Krylov via submission (Von Flue choke), 1:29 of round 1.

Jake Shields vs. Hector Lombard

Round 1: Lombard takes the center of the cage, swings his way into a clinch, and dumps Shields on his ass. Shields gets up. Lombard lands hard and Shields falls to the mat. He ain’t following Shields down there, though. Shields gets up, Lombard lands hard. This really isn’t going well for Jake. Shields shoots and Lombard sees it coming, easily defending. They clinch agains the mat. Nice dirty boxing from Lombard and Shields scampers away. Shields shoots from a mile away and fails. Lombard abuses Shields with more punches. Shields is bleeding badly from near his left eye. Shields shoots, Lombard assaults him with punches and a kick, bashing Shields to the mat and getting on top. Shields trying to box Lombard off his back. The referee is getting impatient, saying “c’mon guys” over and over again even though both guys are staying active. Shields locks Lombard down in the last ten seconds, and survives to the second round. 10-9 Lombard, easy.

Round 2: Shields with an inside leg kick. Then he goes high. Lombard comes in slugging, but doesn’t land anything cleanly. Lombard fires a few more punches to get Shields covering up, then trips him to the mat again. Shields establishes full guard. Lombard doing very little from the top, partly due to Shields controlling his position. The ref breaks ‘em. Lombard might be slowing down. He’s flat footed right now, and the ref warms them for not engaging on the feet. They lock lead-hands in a pro-wrestling style test of strength. Shields shoots, Lombard sprawls. Shields throws an upkick and gets to his feet. Body kick Shields. Lombard lands a short left when Shields rushes in, then flips Shields to the mat again. The ref immediately says “c’mon guys.” Man, fuck that guy. Lombard in Shields’s guard. That’s the round. I’d give it to Lombard 10-9, but it was much closer than the first.

Round 3: Shields goes high with a kick. He tries it again, Lombard catches it and swings a big counterpunch. Lombard front-kicks Shields in the balls and gets warned for it. Shields goes back in pretty quickly, tries for a takedown, and gets reversed by Lombard, who gets on top of him once more. Lombard tries some actual ground-and-pound for a change, but it doesn’t last long. The ref stands them up. Shields shoots, Lombard sprawls right on top of him. Shields’s face is a bloody mess. Shields throwing some very ineffective strikes from the bottom. Lombard seems content to ride out the round on top of Shields. The ref stands them up again. Joe Rogan is burying Lombard’d performance, saying he’s “doing just enough to win.” In the waning seconds of the fight, Shields goes for a guillotine after Lombard tries for a takedown and it actually looks really tight, but the clock runs out.

Hector Lombard def. Jake Shields via unanimous decision (30-27 x 2, 29-28). “Somebody gave Lombard the last round just because of that guillotine,” Rogan says.

Diego Sanchez vs. Myles Jury

This might the first time I’ve actually seen Myles Jury. They say he’s undefeated in the UFC, but shit, I wouldn’t know. Sanchez’s nose looks like it’s still broken from his fight against Melendez. He’s wearing a mohawk in the classic crazy-guy style.

Round 1: Both guys throwing at air for a while. Sanchez tries a spinning side kick and Jury nails him with a counterpunch. Sanchez backs up then starts giving Jury the “come on!” hand gesture. Jury tries a head kick. Sanchez barrels in with punches and lands one clean. They clinch on the fence. Sanchez looks to set up a takedown, but Jury spins out and escapes. Jury with a body kick, Sanchez returns fire. Jury catches a kick from Sanchez. Leg kick from Jury lands clean. Sanchez wades in brawling and Jury has to retreat. Jumping front kick from Sanchez, and a body kick that lands. Jury lands a punch that briefly wobbles Sanchez. He goes for the head kick, then tags Sanchez with a right hand. Jury scores a takedown in the last 30 seconds and drops a bomb from above. Sanchez threatens with a leg lock and Jury has to stop attacking and defend it. The round ends. Probably 10-9 Jury.

Round 2: Leg kick Jury. Sharp body kick from Sanchez. Sanchez swings wildly, and Jury has to get the eff out of dodge. Jury lands a monster overhand right that wobbles Sanchez, who grabs his eye in pain and surprise. Sanchez’s left eye is gashed. But Sanchez lands hard on Jury in a striking combo. Jury pops an uppercut when Sanchez is coming in, and ducks away. Jury sticks the jab. Sanchez’s face is looking rough. Sanchez lands a hard body kick. Sanchez lands a hard right hook as Jury shoots for a takedown, successfully. Sanchez grabs an arm-in guillotine. It looks tight, but Jury gives the ref a thumbs-up. Sanchez eventually has to let it go and they’re soon back on their feet. Jury lands a punch, Sanchez throws back. That’s the round.

Round 3: Jury jabbing. Then a leg kick. Sanchez tries a jumping front kick. Sanchez runs forward charging in with punches, as he likes to do. Head kick Jury. Sanchez fires another series of punches but can’t land much. Body kick Sanchez. And a leg kick. Sanchez fires to the body. Jury is doing a lot of avoiding at this point. He lands a counter-punch and slips out of the way. Nice flying knee from Jury nails Sanchez in the face. Jury takes Sanchez to the mat. Sanchez punches him off and lands a couple of upkicks to Jury’s body. They scrap on the mat and Sanchez attempts another guillotine as time runs out.

Myles Jury def. Diego Sanchez via unanimous decision (30-27 x 2, 29-28). Joe Rogan asks Jury if anything surprised him about fighting Diego Sanchez, and he says, “not to sound cocky, but it surprised me how easy I beat him.” Wow. Kind of a dick move, bro.

Carlos Condit vs. Tyron Woodley

Round 1: Woodley lands a nasty straight right and Condit is back on his heels already. Woodley does it again. He storms Condit with a flurry of strikes. Condit throws a side kick and Woodley smacks him again. They clinch against the fence, and Woodley lands a sharp elbow. They trade knees. Woodley slips in an uppercut. They separate. Condit fires some kicks that miss but lands a nice left hand. Condit shoots forward with a superman punch, and Woodley grabs him and deposits him on the mat. Condit working some high guard and threatens with a triangle. Woodley picks him up and tosses him to get out of it. Condit gets to his feet. Woodley ducks under a high kick and takes Condit to the mat again. Condit is up. Woodley lands a spinning elbow as Condit rushes in, but Condit attacks to the bell. Good round; I’d give it to Woodley 10-9.

Round 2: Leg kick Condit. Then high kicks with both legs. Woodley brushes Condit back with a big right hand. Woodley blasts forward and gets a takedown. Condit grimaces; he might have gotten injured on the way down. Woodley in Condit’s guard. The ref stands them up after a brief stalemate. Woodley lands a nasty leg kick, Condit spins around and goes down holding his right knee. The fight is over. Tyron Woodley def. Carlos Condit via TKO, 2:00 of round 2. Woodley makes his case for a title shot. In the replay, you can see that Woodley connected with Condit’s left knee, but Condit’s right knee visibly collapsed while he was spinning around on it. Pretty nasty. Condit might be gone for a while.

Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler

Lawler made his MMA debut three months after George W. Bush’s first inauguration. And here he is. It’s rare you get to see a man’s final shot at greatness, but this is probably it.

Round 1: Sharp leg kick from Hendricks to start. Lawler swarms and lands a bunch of hard punches. Hendricks fires his left hand from long distance. Lawler lands an uppercut as Hendricks charges in. They clinch against the fence. Hendricks disengages. Again, Hendricks shoots in and Lawler bashes him with an uppercut, then a couple more strikes before they separate. Hendricks lands another nice leg kick. And one to the inside. A 1-2 from Hendricks lands. Lawler lads a right hook as Hendricks advances. Hendricks throws his left hand, a leg kick, and shoots in. Dirty boxing from Hendricks against the fence. Hendricks works some knees to the thighs as the round ends. Hard to score…I’d give it to Lawler for landing the harder shots.

Round 2: Lawler with a left hand, and another. His leg is swelling up from Hendricks’s kicks, though. Lawler lands again. Hendricks storms forward, brawling at Lawler. He lands a punishing leg kick. Hendricks pawing with the jab. Hendricks lands punches, a knee, more punches, and finishes with a leg kick. More punches from Hendricks. He’s really turning it on now. Lawler lands a left. Hendricks throws punches to get inside and finishes with a hard inside leg kick. But Lawler catches Hendricks with a stiff punch. Leg kick Hendricks, left hand from Lawler. Knee and punch from Hendricks. Lawler ambling toward Hendricks, and Hendricks is pot-shotting him at will. They start slugging at close range. Lawler lands a head kick, but Hendricks returns with more punches. Lawler doesn’t know anything other than go forward, and it’s not working out for him tonight. Clear 10-9 for Hendricks.

Round 3: Lawler lands a leg kick of his own. But Hendricks returns it. A knee to the dome from Hendricks, a leg kick from Lawler. Lawler just stealing Hendricks’s gameplan now. But Hendricks lands a long series of punches and knees. Left hand from Hendricks lands. They trade hooks. Lawler staggers Hendricks with a punch, and pursues, smelling blood. Lawler landing some nasty shots, and Hendricks is wobbly but somehow he’s staying on his feet. Lawler chasing him around the cage landing shot after shot. Hendricks shoots for a desperation takedown, but Lawler defends it. Still, Hendricks gets a moment to clear the cobwebs, and he’s back to landing punches of his own. Knee and punches from Hendricks. Hendricks pops some jabs to the bell. What a crazy round. Both of these guys have iron chins.

Round 4: Lawler remains the aggressor, marching forward and landing punch after punch. Hendricks lands his leg kick again but Lawler appears unfazed and goes back to landing power shots. Hendricks shoots and is stuffed. His face is badly bloodied, due to a cut near his right eye. Lawler pops a jab, follows with a hook. Hendricks lands a pair of left hands. Lawler with a hook. He jacks Hendricks’s head back with an uppercut, but Hendricks fires right back. Lawler with a jab. Lawler lands a hook as Hendricks is throwing. Lawler landing that jab again. Leg kick from Hendricks lands. Hendricks shoots and lands a takedown. The round ends.

“YOU HAVE TO WIN THIS ROUND RIGHT FUCKIN’ NOW!!” Marc Laimon screams at Hendricks.

Round 5: Lawler with a big left hand. Hendricks is trying to keep the pressure on Lawler, stalking him around the cage. Hendricks shoots, Lawler defends. Hendricks with some knees to Lawler’s leg from a clinch against the fence. The ref breaks them. Lawler jabs. A punch and hard leg kick from Hendricks. And again. Hook/cross from Lawler. More punches from Lawler wobble Hendricks, but Hendricks lands some hard shots of his own, and Lawler stumbles back. Hendricks with an uppercut, followed by more punches. Two big punches and a leg kick from Hendricks. Hendricks shoots for the takedown and gets it. Lawler looks annoyed. Hendricks throws in some punches to Lawler’s head against the fence, and the round ends.

Johny Hendricks def. Robbie Lawler via unanimous decision (48-47 x 3). Hendricks is the new UFC welterweight champion, and he and his cornermen absolutely lose their shit in the cage. “Robbie’s fuckin’ tough,” Hendricks tells Joe Rogan. “God dang.” Hendricks thanks the fans, his wife, his daughters, his team. He says he knows he’ll face Lawler again. Great fight.

UFC on FOX 10 Results: Henderson Wins Questionable Decision Over Thomson

(Luckily, Josh is no stranger to awkwardly intimate encounters. / Photo via MMAJunkie)

The UFC is back on network television tonight with a four-fight FOX broadcast, live from Chicago’s United Center. In the main event, former lightweight champion Benson Henderson attempts to rebound against Josh Thomson, who may earn a title shot with a win here. Plus, heavyweights Gabriel Gonzaga and Stipe Miocic throw bombs until one of them needs to sit down for a while, Donald Cerrone fights some guy he’s never heard of, and Darren Elkins and Jeremy Stephens face off for the right be taken seriously in the featherweight division.

Handling our liveblog of the UFC on FOX 10 main card broadcast is Aaron Mandel, who will be tossing round-by-round results after the jump beginning at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest updates, and be sure to tell us how you feelin’ in the comments section. Thanks for coming.

(Luckily, Josh is no stranger to awkwardly intimate encounters. / Photo via MMAJunkie)

Preliminary Card Results
– Alex Caceres def. Sergio Pettis via submission, 4:39 of round 3 (rear-naked choke)
– Eddie Wineland def. Yves Jabouin via TKO, 4:16 of round 2
– Chico Camus def. Yaotzin Meza via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x 2)
– Hugo Viana def. Ramiro Hernandez via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
– Daron Cruickshank def. Mike Rio via TKO, 4:56 of round 2
– George Sullivan def. Mike Rhodes via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
– Nikita Krylov def. Walt Harris via TKO, 0:25 of round 1

Alright PotatoHeads, it’s time for the main card, refresh early and often for round by round commentary and results, and if you were lucky enough to hear it on the prelims, perhaps Joe Rogan will repeat his hilarious critiques of the FOX robot.

Jeremy Stephens vs. Darren Elkins

Round 1- Low kick lands from Stephens. Body kick from Stephens. Shot by Elkins easily stuffed, which does not bode well for the wrestler. Uppercut lands from Stephens. Low kick from Stephens. Two huge punches miss from Stephens. Takedown from Elkins misses badly. Elkins slips and Stephens lands on top and hits an elbow as he works to half guard. Stephens stands up to put it back to striking. Good right-left from Stephens. Single from Elkins and Stephens fights it off by jumping three feet in the air trying to knee him while Elkins holds him aloft. They push against the cage and Stephens is able to fight Elkins off and separate back to striking range. Uppercut and a left from Stephens. Left from Elkins grazes Stephens who just took a deep breath. Huge punches from Stephens but not landing clean and he is putting everything behind them. Right lands for Stephens as does a knee. Good body kick by Stephens. Elkins comes forward with two strikes but they don’t land and the round ends, all Stephens. 10-9 Stephens.

Round 2- Elkins lands a right but Stephens cracks him right back and Elkins seems a little wobbled. Left high kick grazes Elkins. Takedown easily stuffed by Stephens. Right lands from Stephens. A left tags Stephens and Elkins shoots for a takedown against the cage, Stephens fighting it off. Stephens separates and starts winging punches again. Low kick by Stephens as Elkins shoots and it looked painful, although MMA in general looks painful to a wimp like me. Front kick partially lands by Elkins and he follows it with a left. Right kick by Elkins and Stephens cracks a right uppercut. Elkins shoots for a single leg takedown, stuffed again by Stephens. Head kick by Elkins partially blocked. Body kick by Elkins. Body kick by Stephens now. Left hand lands from Stephens and Elkins is cut under his right eye. 10-9 Stephens.

Round 3- Stephens is in control here, let’s see if he coasts or looks to finish. Low kick by Stephens. Body kick by Elkins is caught by Stephens who takes him down but lands in a guillotine. Stephens works out of the guillotine but it was close and Elkins rolls for the guillotine again, has it for a moment but Stephens rolls out and smartly stands up. Kick from Stephens caught and Elkins tries to take him down but Stephens throws him off. Right to the body, left to the head by Stephens. Another takedown stuffed by Stephens and his sprawl and brawl is really working. Headkicks miss by both fighters. Left hook lands from Stephens. Elkins may have clipped Stephens, he ran back and seemed tentative, Elkins charges in swinging and Stephens takes Elkins down, Elkins immediately goes for another guillotine and it is tight but the horn sounds and we are done, wow that was almost a last second hail mary but should be a comfortable decision for Stephens.

Jeremy Stephens defeats Darren Elkins by unanimous decison (30-27 x2, 29-28)

Donald Cerrone vs. Adriano Martins

Martins is sponsored by a sushi delivery company and an oil company, this guy has nothing to lose!

Round 1- Body kick by Martins and it may have hurt Cerrone ala his Pettis fight. Cerrone recovering and throwing kicks of his own. Good leg kick by Cerrone. Head kick misses by Cerrone who follows with a front kick and leg kick. Martins landing some shots in a good exchange. Another leg kick by Cerrone whose corner is urging him not to wait. Martins lands a good shot and Cerrone shoots for a takedown, goes right into full mount but Martins bounces back to the feet all in about 15 seconds. Body kick by Cerrone. Right jab lands for Cerrone along with another body kick. Right head kick lands on the button from Cerrone and Martins falls forward and is out. Good sportsmanship from Cerrone who avoids any unnecessary strikes.

Cerrone was looking rather pedestrian until the kick, but BOOM, that was all it took. It was well set up with the steady diet of body kicks and this could be KOTN and yet another bonus for Cerrone.

Donald Cerrone defeats Adriano Martins via KO, 4:40 round 1

Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Stipe Miocic

This should be an interesting style matchup, Gonzaga is clearly more accomplished on the ground but can tend to fall in love with his striking, where Miocic has had his success. The winner of this will jump near the top 5 at heavyweight.

Round 1- Leg kick by Gonzaga thuds into Miocic to start and Miocic sends one of his own back. Right hand lands for Gonzaga but Miocic takes it and fires back. Another leg kick from each fighter and they are hard ones. Left jab by Gonzaga. Overhand right by Gonzaga and another low kick. Overhand right again by Gonzaga but Miocic is blocking and absorbing and firing back. Miocic slips on a kick and Gonzaga closes the distance and tries for a takedown but Miocic spins away. Big right hands lands from Gonzaga but Miocic seems fine. Gonzaga catches a Miocic leg kick and fires a few clean punches back. Gonzaga shoots a double leg and brings Miocic down but Miocic pops back up. Gonzaga breathing heavily now after that mostly failed takedown and it could be a factor as Miocic looks fresh despite eating lots of kicks and punches. 10-9 Gonzaga.

Round 2- Leg kick to start by Gonzaga. Stiff jab by Miocic and an inside leg kick. Gonzaga looks for a takedown but Miocic sprawls and defends, blocking a Gonzaga high kick on the way out. Left hook by Gonzaga and pawing jabs and a straight by Miocic. Gonzaga appears to be fading a bit with three minutes left. Miocic is picking his volume up. Gonzaga has thrown nothing in the last minute. Left head kick from Gonzaga blocked and he sends one low before going back into a largely defensive shell. Gonzaga falls forward for a takedown but it isn’t pretty and Miocic sprawls out with ease. Miocic has been teeing off for the last three minutes, Gonzaga blocked most of it but he just stopped throwing early in the round, this could get ugly in the third round. 10-9 Miocic.

Round 3- Leg kick from Gonzaga and a punch, he needs to finish in the early going here because he looks faded. Miocic working a high rate of punches but nothing landing clean. Leg kick by Miocic. Gonzaga shoots for a takedown which fails. Gonzaga tries some kicks and punches but nothing lands, Miocic keeping up a good work rate. Gonzaga slips and falls back to guard. Miocic stands over him landing punches. Gonzaga gets up but slips again and lays back in guard with Miocic standing over him. Gonzaga seems content to lay down and rest which is also my plan tonight. Miocic finally dives in with hammer fists sitting up in half guard. Gonzaga ties up from the bottom but he’s gassed. Miocic postures up and lands some big strikes. Gonzaga gets up with twenty seconds left and throws a few desperate strikes as the round ends. The Gonzaga from round 1 and round 3 don’t even seem like the same person, fatigue is a powerful beast. 10-9 Miocic.

Stipe Miocic defeats Gabriel Gonzaga via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

And as predicted at the beginning, Joe Rogan clowns on the FOX robot, “they should throw that thing in the garbage.”

Benson Henderson vs. Josh Thomson

They check Henderson for a toothpick at the prep point and it’s main event time! Winner of this may get a title shot and settle all of those WEC/Strikeforce debates that no one had, ever.

Round 1- Something tells me I might be furiously touch typing for 5 rounds here…and we’re set, touch of the gloves and high kick from Henderson to open but it’s blocked. Punches from Henderson as he flurries in on Thomson who ties up Henderson and throws him to the ground! Thomson takes Henderson’s back with a body triangle locked in. Henderson turtles up and Thomson flattens him out. Henderson rolls and Thomson still has his back but is pressed against the fence. Thomson wrenches the shoulder joint looking for an armbar or a choke. Henderson staying calm but not in a good place. Henderson stands up with Thomson still attached to his back. Henderson leans against the fence giving Thomson a free ride on his back. Henderson maneuvers out out into a clinch with over/under. Henderson puts Thomson against the cage in the clinch but Thomson reverses. Henderson works knees and then takes Thomson down. Thomson stands back up but Henderson applies a standing arm triangle! Henderson cranks it and then falls to his back with the arm triangle locked in. Thomson frees himself, stands back up and then picks up Henderson and slams him down as the round ends. Wild round, great grappling! 10-9 Thomson.

Round 2- Body punch from Henderson to start and then another. Stepping knee lands to the body for Henderson, Thomson catches the leg and tries to work a takedown but cannot. Henderson clinches again and looks for the standing arm triangle but it’s not there. They clinch along the fence trading knees and kicks. Big John McCarthy splits them up and Henderson comes in with a knee, they clinch and Thomson picks him up and slams Henderson down, takes his back again and puts on the body triangle! Henderson stands up with Thomson on his back, Thomson releases his hold and they separate. Running body punch from Henderson. Thomson seems content to wait for Henderson to come in and then try to grapple. The action heats up with an exchange and Henderson runs in with another body punch and kick to the left side of Thomson’s body. Thomson catches the kick and tries for a takedown but Henderson shows great balance and stays up. Close round, 10-9 Henderson?

Round 3- Henderson comes out flying with a superman punch and strikes and drives Thomson to the mat. Henderson on top in full guard but Thomson works back to the feet. Henderson takes Thomson’s back standing and Rogan thinks Thomson broke his right hand last round which might explain his lack of striking engagement. They separate back to the feet and Henderson works another strong right hook to the body, he’s thrown a lot of those and they appear to be landing effectively. They clinch along the cage and then spin out to the middle of the cage. Thomson throws a right elbow. Henderson with a body kick that Thomson tries to catch but can’t. Thomson goes for a takedown but cannot complete it and they clinch along the cage. Henderson cracks Thomson with an elbow. Good knee from Henderson, Thomson tries for a takedown but can’t get it. Thomson slips on a kick and Henderson lands on top in side control. North-south for Henderson and Josh spins out, grimacing noticeably as he pushes off the ground with his presumably broken hand. Thomson throws a cartwheel kick that misses and he is slowing down, maybe due to the hand. 10-9 Henderson.

Round 4- Powerful body kick by Henderson which Thomson catches. Another kick from Henderson. Low kick from Henderson. Thomson closes the distance and hits a trip takedown on Henderson, on top in half guard. Henderson uses rubber guard from the bottom and works strikes from the bottom as well as elbowing the shoulder of Thomson who is stuck. Thomson pulls his head out, briefly stands, dives back in with punches and rolls for top control. Henderson powers up and hits a takedown and elbows of his own. Henderson on top with Thomson against the cage. Thomson climbs to his feet as Henderson knees his thighs. Henderson front kicking Thomson’s calves against the cage, weird! They separate and Thomson clinches and gets another takedown and the body triangle. Never seen Henderson taken down this much. Henderson stands again, fixes his hair, and oh yea Thomson is still attached to his back. Thomson hypes the crowd from Henderson’s back and then falls back down to the mat, wild! 10-9 Henderson.

Round 5- By my very amateur scorecard it’s 3-1 in rounds for Henderson going into the 5th, Ariel Helwani has it exact opposite, 3-1 Thomson. Henderson misses with a right hook and lands one to the body. Another huge knee to the body for Henderson. Leg kick from Henderson. Thomson cracks Henderson with his right hand! Leg kick by Thomson drops Henderson but he pops right up. Three high kicks in a row from Henderson followed by a low kick and you know it’s hurting Thomson to block these. Rogan thinks Thomson is down and needs to go for broke, thanks for having my back! Josh catches Hendo’s kick and throws him violently to the ground, takes his back but Henderson stands. Thomson on Henderson’s back against the cage. Josh desperately trying to spin Henderson to the ground as they clinch with one minute left. Clinch grappling all the way here. They split with 20 seconds left and the horn sounds. 10-9 Henderson. I think it will be 49-46 Henderson but shit, who knows? The closest the fight came to being finished was in round 1 by Thomson but there were never any real fight changing moments, just a solid back and forth war.

Benson Henderson defeats Josh Thomson via split decision (49-46, 48-47, 47-48)

And instead of an interview with either fighter we get a UFC 169 promo, wtf?

And that’s all folks!

UFC Fight Night 35: Rockhold vs. Philippou — Main Card Results & Commentary

(Luke and Costa face off in front of the wax replica of Dana White that the UFC has been sending to non-essential events. No offense, guys. At least you’re not on Fight Pass. / Photo via Getty)

Look, what can we tell you about UFC Fight Night 35 that we haven’t already expressed via dog GIFs? Luke Rockhold and Costa Philippou are a pair of highly-regarded middleweights who are trying to avoid a two-fight losing streak. Supporting their main event is a worthwhile list of TUF vets (Brad Tavares, TJ Dillashaw, Cole Miller, Sam Sicilia), a former flyweight title challenger (John Moraga), and a fast-rising knockout artist named Yoel Romero. It’s on cable TV, and early enough to watch while you’re eating your salisbury steak. Take it or leave it.

Handling our liveblog of the “Rockhold vs. Philippou” FOX Sports 1 main card is Matt Kaplan, who will be sticking round-by-round results after the jump beginning at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest, and if you’re watching along with us, join the conversation in the comments section.

(Luke and Costa face off in front of the wax replica of Dana White that the UFC has been sending to non-essential events. No offense, guys. At least you’re not on Fight Pass. / Photo via Getty)

Preliminary card results:
– Ramsey Nijem def. Justin Edwards via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x 2)
– Elias Silverio def. Isaac Vallie-Flagg via unanimous decision (29-27 x 3)*
– Trevor Smith def. Brian Houston via split-decision (29-28 x 2, 28-29)
– Louis Smolka def. Alptekin Ozkilic via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
– Vinc Pichel def. Garett Whiteley via unanimous decision (30-27 x 3)
– Beneil Dariush def. Charlie Brenneman via submission (rear-naked choke), 1:45 of round 1

* Silverio had a point deducted for an illegal knee.

Just a few minutes of intro stuff we already know, and here comes the first bout of the noche. Fight Night 35 is shaping up to be a Tic Tac-and-a-rubber type of gal: nothing fancy, just right to bidness.

Cole Miller vs. Sam Sicilia

Rd. 1 – Sicilia takes the center of the cage and puts his jab to work a little. The much taller Miller is getting it going after a slow opening minute, but neither man is getting too nasty with it just yet. Sicilia wades in, looking for a hook, but Miller is patient and sidesteps the inside hooks. Miller is testing out the head kick, it seems. Sicilia nails Miller with a tough right hand to the mid-section. Again Miller brings the kick upstairs. Sicilia is throwing his hooks hard now, but Miller is still patient and fighting behind his jab. He’s committed to that head kick, but isn’t throwing it too hard, and Sicilia keeps coming in with wide, hard shots. Decent opening round.

Rd. 2 – Miller opens with a high kick, and Sicilia answers with hooks. Miller employs the front kick. A left hook-right cross combo seems to hurt Sicilia, and you can see the damage under his left eye. Nice body shot from Sicilia. BIG right staggers and drops Sicilia. Miller pounces and slaps on a guillotine from half guard. Oh boy. Now he’s got his back…Sicilia is flattened out on his stomach…rear naked…tappy tap.

Cole Miller wins via Rd. 2 rear naked choke (and then calls out Cowboy Cerrone).

John Moraga vs. Dustin Ortiz

Rd. 1 – Big overhand right from the very energetic Ortiz just 20 seconds in, but Moraga takes it. He shoots on Ortiz…nah. Ortiz shoots now, scrambles behind Moraga, and presses him against the cage. Moraga is throwing short punches and knees from off the fence as Ortiz presses and works for position. Knees from Ortiz now, and there’s the takedown. Ortiz is in Moraga’s guard and dropping punches. Moraga can’t get up, it seems. Moraga is against the cage with Ortiz all over him. Ortiz is in half guard now and stays active from top position. MOraga going for the triangle? Looks like it. Yup. Ortiz is really throwing hard now. Bye bye, triangle attempt. Dominant round for Ortiz.

Rd. 2 – Moraga is kicking early as Ortiz bounces around the center of the cage. Nice leg kick from Moraga. Good short right hand from Moraga. Big ol’ left hook from Moraga staggers Ortiz. That was some power right there. Ortiz recovers, but Moraga has him against the cage now. They’re off the fence. Ortiz slips as Moraga feints, and Moraga is all over him. Ortiz has a hold of his leg, but he’s throwing some hard elbows. Moraga takes Ortiz’s back now. Here we go. Uh-oh, Ortiz escapes and is in side control. They scramble and are back on the feet. A hard right-left combo from Moraga connects. Ortiz shoots and has Moraga’s back with seconds left. Much better round for Moraga.

Rd. 3 – Moraga misses a big overhand right that could have been all she wrote. Moraga stuffs an Ortiz shoot and is the much more poised stand-up fighter so far. Nice right from Ortiz over the top, right on cue. Both men are throwing combos with limited success, and there’s a takedown from Ortiz. Ortiz is moving into half guard and dropping forearms. Moraga wants the kimura but can’t get it. Moraga pops up, tries for Ortiz’s back, but Ortiz reverses and has Moraga on the fence. Knees from Ortiz. Ortiz nails one last takedown. Moraga wants the guillotine, as Ortiz pounds the body. Close fight.

John Moraga wins via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).

Hey, there’s Ric Flair cageside, looking like death warmed over. Whooo!

Yoel Romero vs. Derek Brunson

Rd. 1- Big early left hand from Brunson. Bigger left and flying knee from Romero. Brunson gets a takedown, but Romero is back up like it aint no thang. Brunson fires a 1-2. Nice left hand to the body from Romero, but GOD DAMN did Brunson just land a monster kick to the ear of the burly Cuban gent. Wow. I’d be dead. Brunson stuffs a takedown and kicks at the lead leg. The head kick misses for Brunson. Romero with the trip takedown, but Brunson gets up and slams down Romero after a busy scramble. The round ends with both guys locked up in the center of the cage.

Rd. 2 – Brunson misses the 1-2, but hits with the right hook. Romero punches the body, but the shot is deflected to the nether regions of Brunson. Time out briefly, and we’re back. Romero is loading up for a big uppercut or hook, but Brunson lands a hard elbow in the meantime. Romero misses with wide, wild shots. Romero connects with the lead left and the right to the body. Brunson nails the takedown and is in half guard with 2 min. left. And now Brunson has the mount. Romero isn’t doing much from the botton but is avoiding any real punishment. Brunson is back in half guard, and they’re up. Romero is throwing for the KO uppercut but misses the mark. Romero misses a few takedowns, and that’s the bell.

Rd. 3 – Brunson circles away as Romero wades in for the close-quarters assault. Brunson’s half-assed takedown is stuffed with one hand. The pace has slowed markedly. Each man flicks a kick at the opponent’s lead leg. Big right from Romero drops Brunson to a knee, but he’s back up. Knee from Brunson now. Romero is loading up that uppercut. Big left from Romero. And another…Brunson is down! Romero is on him. Brunson is down and bloodied, and Romero is elbowing the shit out of his right ribs. That’s it.

Yoel Romero wins via Rd. 3 TKO (elbows).

TJ Dillashaw vs. Mike Easton

Rd. 1 – Easton fires a side kick immediately. Both men are throwing hard and moving forward early on. Dillashaw slips and lands a right. Dillashaw kicks the body. Easton returns the favor and drops Dillashaw for a second. Dillashaw grabs Easton’s knees and had his down against the cage. Easton has Dillashaw in his guard, pushes Dillashaw away with his legs, and is back up to his feet. Dillashaw clinches and takes some knees from Easton. They separate. Dillashaw lands some good short fists as he comes forward. Left uppercut-right cross combo hits for Dillashaw. Nice one. Dillashaw switches to south[paw and lands a knee to the chin. Dillashaw nails Easton with two big rights, and Easton circles away from the power. Good action.

Rd. 2 – Dillashaw is definitely landing the harder, more crisp punches, but Easton isn’t going anywhere. Easton misses the takedown, Dillashaw takes his back, and Easton finds himself fighting off a very aggressive Dillashaw from half guard. Easton’s left eye is cut. Dillashaw pounds away with the left hand. Easton is up, but takes a knee from Dillashaw. Oooh. Easton misses two spinning kicks and is again smothered by Dillashaw. Easton is down on a knee with his back to the fence and with Dillashaw in his half guard once again. Easton is up, but Dillashaw is on his back, looking to get both hooks in. Dillashaw knees Easton’s legs. Easton can’t shake Dillashaw off his back. More knees from Dillashaw. Easton wants the straight elbow, but Dillashaw slips away.

Rd. 3 – Dillashaw connects with a short uppercut in the center of the cage. Easton looks frustrated offensively and eats a right hook from Dillashaw. Big left kick to the body from Dillashaw, who seems to be in complete control of the striking exchanges. Dillashaw connects with a front kick that keeps Easton back. Easton is coming in, looking for something, but Dillashaw lands shots before Easton can make up his mind. Dillashaw is pulling away, it seems. Easton wants to clinch; Dillashaw punches his face, so no more clinch. Dillashaw is landing his combination punches seemingly at will. Easton is throwing punches in isolation, and Dillashaw is kneeing and punching as the bell sounds. Easton was dominated.

TJ Dillashaw wins via unanimous decision (30-27 x 3).

Brad Tavares vs. Lorenz Larkin

Rd. 1 – Tavares opens with an inside leg kick. Tavares connects with a left hook. Larkin ust misses with the Super Man punch, and Tavares counters with the left-right combo. Larkin’s uppercut is just off the mark. Larkin brings a hard kick upstairs that Tavares blocks. Tavares throws a high klick of his own now. Tavares again kicks at the lead leg. Larkin reciprocates with the same kick. Larkin lands a punch combo from close range. Larkin kicks the lead leg, but Tavares counters with a straight punch. Larkin misses a wild kick and Tavares takes his back. Tavares drags him to a knee and has his back. Horn.

Rd. 2 – Again Tavares targets the lead leg with kicks, and he follows up with a left-right. Larkin just misses with the uppercut – looked good, but nothing. Tavares keeps kicking and follows with two punches to the facial. Tavares is keeping it simple and is winning this fight, kids. Larkin misses another uppercut and eats a counter right from Tavares. Tavares works the body, and both men are kicking one another’s lead thighs. Tavares goes for a single, gets the takedown, and has Larkin’s back. Both hooks are in and he wants the RNC. Tavares with the hammer heels to Larkin’s right leg. Larkin escapes and is in Tavares’s guard for the final seconds of the frame.

Rd. 3 – Tavares comes out hot: punching, kicking, charging forward. The Larkin offense has been confined to missed uppercuts and some successful kicks to Tavares’s left thigh, but nothing so far from the right hand. Larkin just landed a pretty good elbow, but Tavares answers with the right hand. Larkin kicks to the body, but Tavares catches the kick and goes for the takedown. Larkin grabs the head for a guillotine, but Tavares sprawls out. Tavares lands a cracking right hand, shoots in on Larkin, and presses him against the fence. Larkin lands some vicious elbows to the ear. Those look horrible. Tavares snatches a single, but Larkin stays up and lands a good uppercut, finally. Tavares again wants the single, but Larkin avoids it. Horn.

Brad Tavares wins via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3).

Costas Philippou vs Luke Rockhold

Rd. 1 – Philippou opens things up with a shot to the body. Rockhold answers with a body kick. Philippou is circling and Rockhold connects with a right hook that drops the Long Islander. Philippou is right up and lands a big right of his own. Rockhold lands a hard kick to the head. Philippou is bleeding but still connects with another right. WHOA! Rockhold threw a left kick to the body, punched upstairs, and then kicked the body again and dropped Philippou. Herb Dean rushed in and waved it off.

Luke Rockhold wins via Rd. 1 TKO (body kick).

That’ll do ‘er.

UFC 168 Results: Weidman Defeats Silva Via Brutal, Corey Hill-like Leg Injury

(Buffer’s got that look in his eyes again. / Photos via MMAFighting)

With two marquee titles on the line, UFC 168 can certainly claim to be the “biggest” and “best” UFC offering of 2013 — although we still reserve the right to wonder what the hell Fabricio Camoes is doing on the main card. Anyway, Las Vegas is Rematch City tonight, with MMA G.O.A.T. Anderson Silva looking for revenge against Chris Weidman, and women’s bantamweight superstar Ronda Rousey trying to make it 2-0 against her arch-nemesis Miesha Tate. Plus: Josh Barnett and Travis Browne face off in a sure-to-entertain heavyweight battle, and Dustin Poirier will attempt to punish Diego Brandao for coming in way, way overweight yesterday.

Handling our liveblog for the “Weidman vs. Silva 2” pay-per-view broadcast is Aaron Mandel, who will be sticking round-by-round results after the jump beginning at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest, and shoot us your own thoughts in the comments section or on twitter. (We’re @cagepotatomma. Hi there.)

(Buffer’s got that look in his eyes again. / Photos via MMAFighting)

Handling our liveblog for the “Weidman vs. Silva 2″ pay-per-view broadcast is Aaron Mandel, who will be sticking round-by-round results after the jump beginning at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest, and shoot us your own thoughts in the comments section or on twitter. (We’re @cagepotatomma. Hi there.)

Preliminary card results
– Uriah Hall def. Chris Leben via TKO (doctor stoppage*), 5:00 of round 1
– Michael Johnson def. Gleison Tibau via KO, 1:32 of round 2
– Dennis Siver def. Manny Gamburyan via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
– John Howard def. Siyar Bahadurzada via unanimous decision (30-27 x 3)
– William Macario def. Bobby Voelker via unanimous decision (30-27 x 3)
– Robbie Peralta def. Estevan Payan via KO, 0:12 of round 3

* Or “retirement,” basically. Leben verbally quit the fight after being dominated through the first round.

Hi PotatoHeads and welcome to the last card of 2013. If you were too cheap to throw down the extra $5 for the PPV, fear not, we’ve got all your results here, I’m in the best liveblogging shape of my life, refresh early and often!

Diego Brandao vs. Dustin Poirier

Round 1- Body kick to start from Poirier with a head kick from Brandao that is blocked. Good body punch from Brandao. Wild windmill from Brandao who slips but is landing some early with punches and kicks to the body. Spinning backfist lands from Poirier. Some good wild exchanges early. Overhand right drops Poirier but he’s back up. Brandao tries a clinch throw but Poirier uses an effective whizzer and stands up. Brandao completes a takedown on Poirier, who had been landing. Poirier up and unloads on Brandao with strikes, wobbling him. Brandao goes down and Poirier follows with strikes until the ref jumps in and stops it, good win for Poirier.

Dustin Poirier defeats Diego Brandao via TKO, round 1

Poirier pumped up in the post fight interview and clearly from Louisiana.

Jim Miller vs. Fabricio Camoes

Miller is looking to right the ship after alternating wins and losses lately. Camoes has to be excited to be on the main card of the end of year PPV, he’s definitely the least known fighter outside of hardcore fans but has the no-lose thing going for him here with a win or strong show.

Round 1- Leg kick from Camoes. Clinch on the fence as Camoes tries for a takedown that fails and they separate back to the feet. Two short strikes land from Camoes. Head kick blocked by Miller. Camoes cracks Miller with a left hook. Camoes continues to land, backing Miller up. Head kick caught by Miller who takes him down and lands some ground and pound. Camoes back to the feet and now gets Miller down and lands in full guard. Miller doing a good job of tying up from the bottom and threatening with submissions. Miller tightens up an armbar, Camoes defends patiently but Miller stays on it and works it tighter until Camoes is forced to tap!

Jim Miller defeats Fabricio Camoes via armbar, round 1

Miller references Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in his interview, losing the beer soaked KO crazy crowd, but impressing all the nerds out there (hey o!)

We are now treated to the undercard fight between Gleison Tibau and Michael Johnson.

Josh Barnett vs. Travis Browne

Round 1- Browne lands first with a left hook. Barnett puts Browne against the cage where he wants to work his catch wrestling but Browne moves away and lands a few strong hooks. Barnett shoots for a takedown against the cage and Browne starts unloading elbows just like he did against Gonzaga and Barnett goes limp, he’s out and Lavigne stops the fight! Impressive KO for Browne who is rocketing to the top of the HW division.

Travis Browne defeats Josh Barnett via KO, round 1

And with three quick finishes so far we return to the undercard for Leben-Hall.

Champ Ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate

Round 1- Tate comes out swinging furiously but wildly. Rousey clinches up and takes Tate down but she is right back up but eating shots from Rousey as she gets put against the fence and eats more shots. Headkick from Rousey is blocked but Tate is on her back and Rousey is working strikes. Tate gets up and gets Rousey down! Shockingly Rousey throws on an armbar but it’s loose. Rousey locks on a triangle and peppers Tate from the bottom with strikes. The triangle looks tight but Tate gets out and they strike until Rousey clinches again and goes into mount, working on an arm. Tate slips out on top into guard but Rousey pulls out and they get back up. Another huge judo throw from Rousey who is on top again. Tate back to the feet and lands a nice strike. Rousey clinches and works strikes against Tate on the fence. The round ends and this is the first round 2 for Rousey in her career. 10-9 Rousey.

Round 2- Good right from Rousey and trips Tate easily. Tate hits Rousey with some good upkicks and Rousey’s mouth is open and she backs off! Tate gets up but Rousey hits another judo throw but quickly backs off. Tate having some luck with a left hook but Rousey gets her down and works for her back but Tate works back up against the cage with Rousey throwing strikes. Strong clinch works ends in a violent judo throw from Rousey who is in side control. Tate throws her legs up and around and grabs Rousey head but Rousey works out and grabs Tate’s arm. She torques it brutally and Tate’s arm is fully stretched but she doesn’t tap and somehow gets out. Tate is now caught in an inverted triangle but is defending with Rousey all over her. Round ends and saves Tate. 10-9 Rousey.

Round 3- Rousey muscles Tate into the cage and works clinch positioning. Tate lands on top out of a throw but her arm is in danger and this time Rousey cranks it at the right angle and Tate taps.

Tate tries to initiate a hand shake but Rousey is having none of it.

Ronda Rousey defeats Miesha Tate via armbar, round 3.

The crowd roundly boos Rousey who compliments Tate but says she insulted her family and cannot shake her hand. Tate gets a huge ovation from the crowd and admits Rousey was the better fighter.

Champ Chris Weidman vs. Anderson Silva

Silva on his way into the cage crouches and remains motionless on two separate occasions. It’s a 10 minute walk in. He is a unique legend. Weidman is all business and my girlfriend just referred to him as a “thoroughbred”.

Round 1- Touch of the gloves. Weidman shoots in and finishes on a single leg. Silva works his way up on the cage and they are clinched. Weidman cracks Silva and he staggers back. Weidman landing HUGE bombs on the ground but Silva SOMEHOW survives and ties Weidman up in full guard. Weidman is loading up on some huge shots, some of which are landing. It is hard to tell how hurt Silva is but he is still in the fight. Big elbow from Weidman and he postures up and hits him more as Silva throws upkicks and creates separation. Weidman dives in with a strike and Silva ties him up as round ends. 10-9 Weidman.

Round 2- Good low kick from Silva. Weidman wades in with strikes. Head kick from Weidman blocked. Good body kick from Weidman and Silva snaps a leg kick low on Weidman OH FUCK Silva snapped his leg. He falls back in pain and his leg fractured on the shin right above the foot on the shinbone. Fight is over.

Chris Weidman defeats Anderson Silva via TKO, round 2, doctor/ref stoppage.

Weidman classy in victory giving props to Silva as the greatest of all time. Silva is not in the cage, presumably getting medical treatment or already on the way to the hospital. My own editorializing: It sucks for Silva, of course, this could be career ending. It also sucks for Weidman who dominated the first round for the second time before winning on a crazy, unpredictable moment. He will still have to face questions about if he was for real, which he CLEARLY is. Crazy ending, great night of fights, no judges involved on the main card! Goodnight for now, thanks for reading along.

UFC on FOX 9: Johnson vs. Benavidez 2 — Live Results & Commentary

(It was then that Demetrious realized his own head was chilly, and the envy built up inside him, poisonous and overwhelming. / Photo via MMAJunkie)

The UFC is setting up shop at the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento this evening, and while injuries have hacked this card down to a hobbling shell of its former self, we’ll still happily tune in to watch the Team Alpha Male crew defend its home turf on network television. On the docket for this evening: Joseph Benavidez takes another crack at reigning flyweight champ Demetrious Johnson, local legend Urijah Faber takes on 22-year-old bantamweight phenom Michael McDonald, and Chad Mendes looks for his fifth-straight KO/TKO in the featherweight division against Nik Lentz. Plus, Joe Lauzon and Mac Danzig kick off the broadcast in a battle between a guy who collects a lot of bonus money and a guy with no sponsors.

Handling our liveblog for this evening is Aaron Mandel, who will be banging out round-by-round results from the UFC on FOX 9 main card after the jump beginning at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest, and let us know how you’re feeling in the comments section.

(It was then that Demetrious realized his own head was chilly, and the envy built up inside him, poisonous and overwhelming. / Photo via MMAJunkie)

Preliminary card results
– Ryan LaFlare def. Court McGee via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
– Edson Barboza def. Danny Castillo via majority decision (29-28 x2, 28-28)
– Bobby Green def. Pat Healy via unanimous decision (30-27 x 2, 29-28)
– Zach Makovsky def. Scott Jorgensen via unanimous decision (30-27 x 3)
– Sam Stout def. Cody McKenzie via unanimous decision (30-27 x 3)
– Abel Trujillo def. Roger Bowling via TKO, 1:35 of round 2
– Alptekin Ozkilic def. Darren Uyenoyama via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29)

Main Card

We’ve got FOX robots, very small men and 3 guys trying to do it on home turf. Refresh early and often for round-by-round action and leave your comments below.

Joe Lauzon vs. Mac Danzig

Both these lightweights are coming of losses so it’s an important fight for both of their UFC careers.

Round 1- Touch of the gloves to start. Lauzon throwing a few strikes early. Lauzon clinches Danzig and drags him to the ground into half guard. Lauzon working some ground and pound from half guard. Moves to mount and rains down strikes. Lauzon rolls for armbar and goes belly down but Danzig escapes and lands on top in Lauzon’s guard. Butterfly guard from Lauzon working for a sweep, Danzig not doing much. Lauzon throws his legs up for an armbar that is not there but he switches to omoplata and then triangle, well defended by Danzig and they rise to the feet. Good knees and elbows from Danzig in the Thai clinch. Lauzon muscles Danzig down from the clinch and lands in guard. Round ends with Lauzon on top and probably 10-9 Lauzon.

Round 2- Danzig winning the standup in the early going with punches and kicks. They clinch and exchange strikes but not much action. Good body shot and jab from Danzig. Right hand lands for Danzig. Danzig works strikes again from the clinch, some knees from Lauzon. A trip attempt fails for Danzig and Lauzon ends up on top in guard. Large cut on Danzig with blood getting in the eyes from a Lauzon elbow. Lauzon working strikes from on top in guard, being patient. Danzig’s face is entirely covered in blood. Lauzon moves to half guard and works knees into Danzig’s body. Danzig recovers butterfly guard and Lauzon postures up and rains down a large strike and falls into side control and then mount. With ten seconds left he spins for an armbar but Danzig defends. 10-9 Lauzon.

Round 3- Danzig comes out with a flurry of strikes but nothing major lands. Head collision briefly stops the fight, I did not realize that was a thing. Danzig initiating clinches more than I’ve ever seen, they separate and throw strikes, Danzig throwing heavier and landing more. Big elbow and knee from Lauzon and he trips Danzig to the ground. Lauzon in full guard working ground and pound as he moves to half guard. Side control for Lauzon with a crucifix on Danzig’s right arm. Heavy strikes from Lauzon and Danzig is bleeding bad. Elbows from Lauzon as he mounts. Huge elbows from mount for Lauzon as he spins for an arm. He pauses on the arm to rip elbows into Danzig’s body. Lauzon spins too soon and Danzig ends up on top. Lauzon turtles, stands and drives Danzig back down. Lauzon moves to half guard and works knees into side control, some top level top game grappling from Lauzon with big elbows as the fight ends. 10-9 Lauzon and should be his fight.

Joe Lauzon defeats Mac Danzig via unanimous decision, 30-27 x 3

Nik Lentz vs. Chad Mendes

Big cheers for hometowner Mendes, apparently Lentz is huge at 145…

Round 1- Lentz throws first but Mendes blocks. Mendes cracks Lentz with a right that rocks Lentz but he survives the flurry and they get back to striking range. Lentz may have hurt Mendes with a body kick. Lentz gets wobbled again and his knows is bloodied. Lentz whiffs on an uppercut and Mendes takes him down. Lentz escapes back to the feet. Speed of Mendes is apparent as he keeps landing. Lentz comes forward with strikes but Mendes perfectly times a takedown. Lentz successfully defending on the bottom and they are back on the feet. Mendes with another takedown but he has not been able to work any ground and pound. 10-9 Mendes.

Round 2- A few leg kicks from Mendes and Lentz answers. Good jab from Mendes. Right hook and leg kick from Mendes. Rogan thinks Mendes is tired or maybe hurt from round 1 body kick and he is only one strike at a time. Takedown from Mendes again but it is short lived and Lentz works back to the feet. Jab and hook land from Lentz. Takedown from Mendes yet again but Mendes is not doing much much. Lentz elevates and they are back to the feet. Lentz stuffs a takedown but Mendes comes back and hits another one, back on top in guard doing nothing. 10-9 Mendes.

Round 3- Kicks from both fighters to start, nice to the body from Lentz. Lentz clips Mendes and he either slipped or briefly goes down but back to the feet. Mendes shoots in but is stuffed and momentum building for Lentz. Headkick blocked from Mendes and Lentz flurries. Eye poke on Lentz with only a brief pause in the action. Good right hand from Lentz. Mendes briefly gets a takedown but Lentz comes right back up and drills a kick into the body of Mendes. Two more takedowns from Mendes but they are shortlived. Left hand lands from Lentz. Flying knee from Mendes clips Lentz and he goes down and Mendes dives in for a guillotine on top but Lentz is defending. They rise to the feet and the round ends. 10-9 Lentz?

Chad Mendes defeats Nik Lentz via unanimous decision (30-27 x 2, 29-28)

Apparently Mendes had the cold/flu according to a Dana White tweet which might explain his slightly flat performance. I wouldn’t take much away from Lentz though, he was a game opponent.

Michael McDonald vs. Urijah Faber

This is a good battle between a young stud in McDonald who has already had great early-career success and a fighter in Faber who is into the second half of his career. It should prove a lot about where the bantamweight division is headed, if McDonald is ready for another climb to the top or whether Faber will make a final run.

Round 1- Crowd is seriously pumped for Faber and boos McDonald who has one punch power at 135. Touch of gloves to start. Headkick from Faber into a takedown in first 15 seconds. Faber working strikes while Rogan salivates over McDonald’s guard. McDonald working rubber guard with Faber’s left arm stuck, Faber still working strikes. Good shots from the top from Faber. McDonald tying Faber up and searching for submissions with his legs. Some body shots from Faber and Herb Dean stands them up. Faber dancing around with kicks and shrugs of a clinch takedown from McDonald. Head kick misses from Faber. Big knee from McDonald to the body of Faber. Faber misses with a big windmill right. Good right hand from Faber lands as the round ends followed by a left. 10-9 Faber.

Round 2- Faber dances and fakes but can’t get an early takedown. Left hooks land from both fighters. Faber hits McDonald with a low blow and the action stops. Restart and Faber nails McDonald with a right hand that has him wobbled. McDonald fires back off a Faber head kick and hits Faber pretty hard which makes him reconsider his frenzy. McDonald still unsteady but firing back and lands a good low kick. Headkick grazes Faber but he cracks McDonald with a right and has him in trouble stumbling all over the Octagon. Faber pursues like a wild hyena smelling blood and drops McDonald with more strikes, throws a guillotine on and McDonald taps out. The crowd goes nuts, Rogan goes nuts and McDonald raises the hometown boy’s hand.

Urijah Faber defeats Michael McDonald via guillotine choke, round 2

Champion Demetrious Johnson vs. Joseph Benavidez

It’s time for the rematch of the first flyweight title fight in UFC history which Johnson eeked out in a decision. Benavidez has been on a tear and is fighting at home, should be a great fight and a great test of my touch typing speed skills.

Round 1- Leg kick from Benavidez, and yep, they are both fast as shit! Johnson goes down for a quick breakdancing move and then fails on a takedown attempt. Punches and headkick miss from Benavidez who is more active early with punches and a high amount of kicks. Johnson darting in and out quickly and loads up on a right hand that catches Benavidez flush and puts him out cold. Johnson holds onto his title with his most dominant performance yet.

Champion Demetrious Johnson defeats Joseph Benavidez via KO, round 1

Good nights of fights, capped by the main and co-main events, as it should be. Good night PotatoHeads.