Ultimate Fighting Championship

FIGHT BLOG RECAP: Machida destroys Dollaway with body kick

Published Dec. 20, 2014 5:00 p.m. ET

Damon Martin

It took Lyoto Machida just 62 seconds to send a message to the rest of the middleweight division that if they hope to get a title shot in 2015, the road is going to lead directly to his front door.

Machida wasted no time looking for his opening as C.B. Dollaway tried to apply pressure, but all it took was one lethal kick to the body and that was all she wrote. Dollaway folded up and Machida finished him on the ground with a few more punches.

Also on the card, Renan Barao had to wait until the third round to finally drag Mitch Gagnon to the floor before he slapped on an arm triangle choke to get another submission win.

Barao called for a rematch with bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw after the fight as he looks to reclaim the title he lost earlier this year.

Full results and play by play from UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway below:

Round 1:

Machida just waiting for an opening as Dollaway tries to pressure forward. Machida finds some open space and cracks a kick right to Dollaway's ribs and he drops to the mat like a hammer. Machida fires off a few more punches and that's it. Fight over. UFC year over.

Official result: Lyoto Machida def. C.B. Dollaway by TKO (body kick, punches) at 1:02, R1

Analysis: The middleweight title race still goes through Lyoto Machida because he just assassinated C.B. Dollaway with a single kick. Machida is deadly when he finds an opening and Dollaway failed to defend his body when he was looking for the Brazilian to go up high. Machida once again proves he's the class of the division and he should find himself in a marquee fight to start 2015 -- perhaps a battle with Luke Rockhold?

Round 1:

Barao cracks Gagnon with a leg kick early. Gagnon light on his feet and he works a quick combination to Barao's head. Barao is finding his range and he's starting to open up on Gagnon -- good jabs and starting to throw big punches now. Barao drops Gagnon with a quick left hook in an exchange and he pounces. Gagnon able to recover to get back to the feet.

10-9 Renan Barao

Round 2:

Gagnon tries to get the body lock and a takedown early but the referee sees the stalling and separates the fighters. Barao finding his range and he's popping Gagnon, but the Canadian keeps going for the takedown to no avail. Gagnon still firing away and looking for takedowns but Barao still getting the better of the exchanges. Not exactly setting the world on fire so far in this one

10-9 Renan Barao

Round 3:

Gagnon still trying to get the takedown, but nothing doing. Barao ends up getting a takedown of his own with just over 2 minutes to go. Barao feeding Gagnon some good knees to the body. Barao drags the fight back down and he locks on a head and arm choke and Gagnon is exhausted. Barao has him trapped and Gagnon taps out.

Official result: Renan Barao def. Mitch Gagnon by submission (arm triangle choke) at 3:53, R3

Analysis: A strange fight from Barao considering in all reality Gagnon wasn't really in his atmosphere as far as talent or skill goes. Barao ultimately got the win, but he seemed tentative and just slower than usual. Maybe it's the weight cut. Maybe it was the heat in the arena. Maybe the fight with T.J. Dillashaw is still lingering? Either way, Barao gets the win and it seems like a fight with Raphael Assuancao in early 2015 makes all the sense in the world with the winner getting either Dillashaw or Dominick Cruz after they fight next year.

Round 1:

Cummins gets a takedown after some clinch work with Carlos in the center of the cage. Carlos immediately starts looking for leg locks from the bottom. Carlos Junior looking for a toe hold and still grabbing onto Cummins' alternate leg as well. Cummins breaks free and starts working his ground and pound from the top. He passes Carlos' guard and starts unloading big elbows from inside. Good work from Cummins.

10-9 Patrick Cummins

Round 2:

Cummins with another quick takedown and he starts working his ground and pound again. Carlos Junior seems complacent laying on his back and trying to work his guard, but he's just eating shots from Cummins. The fighters work back to the feet with just about a minute to go. Carlos Junior looks worse for wear at this point in the fight. Carlos Junior throws a big haymaker that Cummins sees from a mile away before he slips under for one more takedown

10-9 Patrick Cummins

Round 3:

Cummins with another takedown to start the final round. Carlos Junior needs to be in desparation mode, but he's just not able to get free from Cummins' grip. Cummins is just relentless from the top position and Carlos can't offer up much defense, he's clearly exhausted. Carlos Junior is able to wiggle free and get up. He lands a takedown of his own and he takes Cummins' back. Time is running out and the fight is over.

10-9 Patrick Cummins

FOX Sports scores the fight 30-27 for Patrick Cummins

Official result: Patrick Cummins def. Antonio Carlos Junior by unanimous decision (30-27 on all cards)

Analysis: Big win for Patrick Cummins by going into Brazil and beating a former TUF Brazil champion on his home turf. Cummins' wrestling was unstoppable and his ground attack was constant. Considering the terrible conditions inside the arena, Cummins showed a good gas tank as well. Since losing in his first fight to Daniel Cormier on short notice, Cummins has stormed back and looks like the prospect he probably should have been had he not faced a top three fighter in his debut

Round 1:

Silverio and Magomedov are throwing down in the first round, lots of big punches and kicks being landed. Silverio pushing forward but Magomedov countering well. Very even fight thus far. Magomedov clocks Silverio with a good right hand. Magomedov slips to the side and hits a good body kick followed by a gorgeous punch. Magomedov lands a takedown to secure the round as well

10-9 Rashid Magomedov

Round 2:

Silverio opens with a quick left hand that stuns Magomedov. The Brazilian crowd wakes up momentarily and starts the chant for their home countryman. The exchanges are great during this round with each fighter landing good body kicks and counter punches. It seems like Magomedov lands more punches, but Silverio had the bigger strikes. Tough call for the round.

10-9 Elias Silverio

Round 3:

Magomedov puts together a great combination and finishes it off with a huge right haymaker that clocks Silverio. The Brazilian just eats it and keeps coming, but that was a big shot. Magomedov is just landing the quicker, faster strikes throughout the round. Magomedov drops Silverio with a quick left hook and the Brazilian is down! Magomedov just pours it on and Silverio can't keep up and the fight is stopped. Fantastic finish

Official result: Rashid Magomedov def. Elias Silverio by TKO (strikes) at 4:57, R3

Analysis: Quite a fun battle between these two lightweights, but such a great performance from Rashid Magomedov. Three fights into his UFC career and Magomedov just keeps getting better and better. Add him to the list of great Russian imports and this is a lightweight to watch in 2014

Round 1:

Silva comes out with a spin kick and a spinning back fist, both miss but he slips under and gets the takedown. Silva moves to side control with ease and the locks on the head and arm choke/arm triangle choke and Rhodes goes completely out. Fight over, what a submission!

Official result: Erick Silva def. Mike Rhodes by submission (arm triangle choke) at 1:15, R1

Analysis: The strange ride of Erick Silva continues as his back and forth, up and down career in the UFC keeps going. He's alternated wins and losses throughout his time with the UFC and after getting battered by Matt Brown back in may, Silva bounces back in fine form with a quick submission win in Brazil. Silva may never be a top 10 guy, but he seems to annihilate anyone outside the rankings. Another one bites the dust.

Round 1:

Sarafian slams a kick into dos Santos' head, but somehow the newcomer eats it and just comes forward with a big punch that drops Sarafian. Ridiculous series of strikes to open this fight. These guys are just firing off huge punches. Not a lot of technique but a ton of power. Sarafian closes the round with a takedown

10-9 Antonio dos Santos

Round 2:

The fighters are exchanging again to open round two, but it looks like dos Santos has a dislocated finger. Dos Santos tries to pause the fight as he pops it back into place, but the referee stops the fight due to injury. Fight is over.

Official result: Daniel Sarafian def. Antonio dos Santos by TKO (injury) at 1:01, R2

Analysis: Unfortunate ending for what started out as a fun fight. Tough call for the referee but when will fighters learn you can't call for a timeout? It's like saying you can't see during a fight -- chances are if the referee hears it they will stop it immediately

Round 1:

De Lima rushes in and clinches with Pokrajac immediately but the stall out forces the referee to pull them apart. Pokrajac catches de Lima, but he leaves an opening and catches a huge counter. Pokrajac goes down and de Lima follows up and the referee swoops in for a stoppage. Seemed a little premature with Pokrajac still defending but he was definitely hurt

Official result: Marcos Rogerio de Lima def. Igor Pokrajac by TKO (strikes) at 1:59, R1

Analysis: Another good win and quick finish for de Lima after his stint on The Ultimate Fighter Brazil. It seemed like the fight could have gone on a little longer, but who knows how much more Pokrajac could have taken. Two fights into the UFC and it seems like de Lima will be a really fun addition to the 205 pound division.

Round 1:

Moicano showing great confidence here early, snaps off a good body kick and punches in bunches. Niinimaki counters with leg kicks. Moicano catches a kick from Niinimaki and starts looking for the takedown, but opts to just shove him away instead.

10-9 Renato Moicano

Round 2:

Moicano opens with some vicious leg kicks before coming over the top with a punch. Moicano is connecting with big power, slipping inside Niinimaki's defense. Moicano gets the fight to the ground and he slaps on a rear naked choke and Niinimaki has no choice but to tap out. Dominant win for Moicano

Official result: Renato Moicano def. Tom Niinimaki by submission (rear naked choke) at 3:30, R2

Analysis: Impressive debut for Renato Moicano, who took this fight on short notice. Good addition to the division, showed great confidence and good overall skill set both on the feet and on the ground. The loss might be the end of the road for Niinimaki after he looked good in his debut against Rani Yahya

Round 1:

Dias is firing early and he's connecting to Elkins' chin. Doesn't take long for Elkins to look for the takedown against the cage. Elkins misses his takedown and it's Dias who gets the fight to the ground instead. Dias avoiding up kicks from Elkins while waiting for his spot before getting stuck in guard. The fighters work up to the feet with just a minute to go. Dias with another trip takedown, but in the scramble Elkins takes his back as the round ends.

10-9 Hacran Dias

Round 2:

Elkins immediately looks for the clinch to start round two but still can't drag Dias to the mat. Dias gets a takedown of his own and he's on top again stuck in Elkins' guard. Dias gets another takedown before the round comes to an end. Apparently fighting Elkins tonight has made Dias adapt to his style as well

10-9 Hacran Dias

Round 3:

Dias connects with a good punch to open the final round. Dias doing a good job with counter strikes as both fighters slow down. It's 96 degrees in the arena tonight so expect a lot more of this. Thankfully there are no heavyweights on the card tonight. Dias lands another takedown as he out-Elkins, Elkins. Dias with another takedown with under 90 seconds to go. Elkins finds an opening for a guillotine but he can't land it although he does get on top with 30 seconds to go.

10-9 Hacran Dias

FOX Sports scores the fight 30-27 for Hacran Dias

Official result: Hacran Dias def. Darren Elkins by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Analysis: Certainly not the most exciting fight of the night although it was interesting to see Hacran Dias work his wrestling against a fighter notorious for grinding opponents into the mat. A win is a win, probably the most positive thing to take away from this one.

Round 1:

Strong start for Issa landing some good punches on the feet and backing Sasaki up before the fight hits the mat. Issa looking for a kimura and a few hammer fists to Sasaki's face. Sasaki recovers and he works for a takedown of his own.

10-9 Leandro Issa

Round 2:

Sasaki is looking for a D'Arce choke and he's trying to lock it up, but Issa is able to slip free, Issa ends up getting a takedown of his own and he takes Sasaki's back and starts searching for a rear naked choke. He can't get under the chin, but he does crank the neck back really hard and Sasaki is trapped. He taps out and Issa gets the win!

Official result: Leandro Issa def. Ulka Sasaki by submission (rear naked choke/neck crank) at 4:13, R2

Analysis: Great win for Leandro Issa against a serious prospect out of Japan. Sasaki was expected to be a force, but Issa just took the wind out of his sails. Issa was strong on the ground and locked up the submission to get the win. He apparently also came into the fight with an injured rib so it makes his performance that much more impressive.

Tim Means vs. Marcio Alexandre

Round 1:

Tim Means is just controlling the striking with a series of left hands and a nasty shot to the body. Alexandre throws a couple of flashy kicks, but nothing lands and he's not opening up much offense in the first round. Good start for Means

10-9 Tim Means

Round 2:

Means continues his barrage in the second round. He gets Alexandre trapped against the cage and as the Brazilian gets up off the mat, Means throws a huge knee that lands flush. Alexandre goes down in a heap but the referee pauses the match saying the knee was illegal. The replay shows it's razor close but it seemed like a legal strike. The fight is restarted and Alexandre fires a head kick and it lands! Now Means is down but he recovers and pulls Alexandre into a takedown and gets on top. Means postures up and starts to throw down some fire on Alexandre. The fighters work back up before Means closes the round with some good elbows back in the ground. Very close round.

10-9 Tim Means

Round 3:

Means is still moving forward with a ton of gas left in his tank. He's firing off big shots and Alexandre's face is a mess as Means continues to land big punches throughout the round. Means with an uppercut and another knee strike. Alexandre is just out of energy, barely throwing this round.

10-9 Tim Means

FOX Sports scores the fight 30-27 for Tim Means

Official result: Tim Means def. Marcio Alexandre by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Analysis: The knee that could have ended the fight seems like a legal strike based on the replays, which is unfortunate because that could have been a TKO for Means. The rule about a fighter having one hand or even fingers down on the mat to stop a knee strike needs to be changed. It should have been changed long ago. Thankfully, Means still got the win at the end of the day although it came by split decision, which goes back to the heart of these problems nearly costing a fighter a victory.

Vitor Miranda vs. Jake Collier

Round 1:

Jake Collier doing a great job early working Miranda to the ground, landing in side control and advancing his position. Collier looks for a D'Arce choke, but Miranda works his way free and gets back to the feet. Miranda looks low and fires a high kick that blasts Collier right in the neck! Collier goes down and Miranda follows up with a couple of more shots as the referee swoops in for the stoppage. Wow what a finish.

Official result: Vitor Miranda def. Jake Collier by knockout (head kick) at 4:59, R1

Analysis: A strong first round for Collier just gets undone by a fantastic comeback from Miranda with one second to go. Miranda is a great striker so the head kick was a great finish from this former Ultimate Fighter Brazil competitor. Miranda fought at heavyweight on the reality show but it looks like 205 will be a great home for him in the future.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT: MACHIDA VS. DOLLAWAY FULL FIGHT CARD

MAIN CARD airing on FOX Sports 1 at 10p ET

MAIN EVENT: Lyoto Machida vs. C.B. Dollaway

Renan Barao vs. Mitch Gagnon

Antonio Carlos Junior vs. Patrick Cummins

Elias Silverio vs. Rashid Magomedov

Erick Silva vs. Mike Rhodes

Daniel Sarafian vs. Antonio dos Santos

PRELIMS airing on FOX Sports 1 at 8p ET

Marcos Rogerio de Lima vs. Igor Pokrajac

Tom Niinimaki vs. Renato Moicano

Darren Elkins vs. Hacran Dias