Junior dos Santos vs Cain Velasquez
Round 1:
Cain comes out significantly more aggressive than the first time. Grabs a single and drags him down, JDS back up and Cain goes for the takedown and JDS is back up again. Third time and no success. Cain wants that leg like a starving dog wants a bone right now. Cain is pushing a ridiculous pace even for him right now with no success; another takedown attempt and nothing. Junior isn't landing a lot of strikes but he's landing flush whenever he throws. Cain's takedown attempts are coming from jab attempts; JDS is using his movement to stay away as yet another takedown attempt goes flat. Cain is landing some great strikes as he grabs a clinch against the cage; Cain is putting a pace on him we haven't seen before. Cain with a nice combination as JDS is wearing down and a big right hand from Cain drops the champion with a minute left and Cain gets the takedown, has back and Cain is raining strikes on him. He's not landing flush but this isn't pretty. JDS back to his and Cain finally gets him down and has back control. He's teeing off on him right now and gets into side control. Cain is teeing off as JDS is just trying to survive right now. Round ends and JDS is in all sorts of bad places.
Score: 10-8 Cain
Round 2:
Cain comes out with a beautiful combination and then ragdolls him to the ground; this is the Cain that wrecked Brock Lesnar. Cain is burying him in strikes right now; JDS can't do anything without eating a lot of punishment right now. He's got back control and JDS has taken an absolute beating. He looks absolutely gassed right now. Cain rains strikes on him and goes for an armbar with a minute left. JDS gets out of it but he's taken a beating. This is Franklin/Silva I in terms of a champion to take a shellacking.
Score: Cain 10-8, 20-16 Cain
Round 3:
JDS lands a nice uppercut to start but he doesn't know where he is right now. My god what a warrior .. Cain is going after him and Cain bulldozes him to the ground with another double leg. JDS back to his feet and it's against the cage. JDS needs separation and finally gets some but as soon as he gets space Cain closes that gap and is on him throwing down some more. Cain's pace is slowing down but he's landing some big time strikes on JDS; how he's still standing is baffling. Takedown attempt misses for once as Cain's hard pace has slowed to a crawl. JDS seems to be coming back when he gets space but Cain is fighting him really smart; he's not letting him get any space. Two minutes left and JDS just EATS some big bombs from Cain. Anyone else would've wilted by now; the fact that he's still standing is something. Cain has thrown everything he has and JDS isn't quitting. Cain has tired considerably but he keeps doing what's successful; fight him in a phone booth, unload body shots and keep him close to the fence. Junior clips him with a big uppercut near the end. He seems to be getting some wind back but the look in his eyes says a lot.
Score: 10-9 Cain, 30-25 Cain
Round 4:
Cain comes out doing what's worked; shrink the cage, press the pace. JDS is starting to fight significantly better; Cain doesn't have the pep in his takedown and JDS is defending it better. He's still eating punishment though. Cain finally gets a takedown a minute in but JDS is right back up. Junior reverses spots and looks for a takedown of his own. JDS is starting to surge but Cain takes him down to the mat. JDS up but Cain is teeing off; Cain walks through an elbow from JDS as he's looking to get another takedown. Cain backs off and both guys look gassed. Cain with another takedown attempt but can't quite finish it up. He has JDS against the cage for a good chunk of the round as the two exchange short strikes. JDS with a nice punch that wobbles Cain; he's not going gently into the night, that's for sure. Cain with a single leg to close out the fourth he can't finish as they trade some nice strikes.
Score: Cain 10-9, 40-34
Round 5:
Cain comes looking for the takedown again but can't finish. JDS lands a nice left to the body in the scramble but Cain is doing what has won him the fight so far: keep the fight close, go for the takedown and press him against the cage. JDS is landing more now as he's fighting desperately. He knows he has to knock him out and he's unloading the smidgen he has left. Velasquez works on a single and finally gets it halfway through the round. Cain grabs back control and Junior rolls to his back. Cain smothers him and is laying into him some more. JDS back to his knees but Cain is relentless; JDS to his feet and Cain presses him against the cage. JDS is landing some big shots right now but he's gassed and has nothing behind the strikes. 40 seconds left and a big head kick from Cain sends him back into the cage. Cain grabs a hold and looks like he's going to ride out the final 20 seconds. He keeps him there and the round ends.
Score: Cain 10-9, 50-43 Cain
Official Result: Cain Velasquez wins the UFC heavyweight title by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-44, 50-43)
Jim Miller vs Joe Lauzon
Round 1:
Both guys come firing out of the gate. Miller's hands look really good right as his combinations looks really good right now. Nice inside leg kick and Miller lays into Lauzon for a little bit; his standup looks significantly better than it did against Nate Diaz on Fox this summer. Miller is landing some great strikes, an inside leg kick nearly drops Lauzon. Lauzon can't quite get off right now as Miller looks really crisp right now. Miller lands some big shots and grabs the clinch, lands some massive knees and Lauzon is a bloody mess. Standing arm triangle can't be finished as Lauzon's cut needs to be looked at by the doctor. He's pouring blood everywhere. They wipe him off and he's ready to fight. Miller has more of Lauzon's blood right on him right now than Lauzon has in him, I think. Nice head kick from Miller and Lauzon is landing some nice shots in response. Miller is dictating the pace right now as Lauzon is a bit shell-shocked. Both fighters slip as they kick each other at the same time. Miller's standup looks remarkable right now; so much crisper than it's ever been. Lauzon is continuing to fight but he's just bleeding like a pig. Body shot from Miller and Lauzon is returning fire. What a round so far. Round ends and the crowd erupts. Just what this card needed.
Score: 10-9 Miller
Round 2:
Lauzon's bleeding has stopped and Miller opening up on him. 30 seconds in and Miller grabs a double, Lauzon into butterfly guard. Miller postures up and is going for that cut. Lauzon is bleeding like a pig again; it's like a horror film. Miller is going for an arm triangle and Lauzon knows and is defending well. Miller grabs the mount off an attempted sweep from Lauzon, then back into half guard. Miller looks like he's going for a darce choke and Lauzon rolls him onto his back. Miller is looking for rubber guard but can't get his leg over. Lauzon postures up and we need to cut some tape away. Restart in the same spot and Miller has mission control but Lauzon picks him up and slams him back to the mat. Lauzon defends it well and Miller lets go of it. Lauzon grabs a knee bar and has it deep but can't quite finish it; Lauzon grabs a darce attempt but can't finish that either. What a fight so far!
Score: Miller 10-9, 20-18 Miller
Round 3:
These guys aren't leaving anything in there; both guys are gassed, or close to it, and they're going for it. Miller with some nice leg kicks to the inside, including one at 4 minutes that drops Lauzon. He lets him back up and we're to them throwing down. Miller is back to using the clinch for a knee or two but Miller's arms might be gassed because he doesn't hold on for long. Lauzon has nothing in his arms, either, as both guys are throwing shots but not much is behind it from either man. At the two minute mark Lauzon is bleeding form another place; if this were a movie about MMA people would complain that someone bleeding this much would be totally unrealistic. Both guys aren't throwing combinations; it's one shot and hope the guy goes down. Miller finally uses the clinch with 90 seconds left to land some solid uppercuts; he's got nothing on them or else Lauzon might've gone out. Lauzon grabs a heel hook with 30 seconds left, turns it into an ankle lock as Miller is fighting him off. Lauzon grabs a guillotine as time runs out but can't finish it.
Score: Lauzon 10-9, 29-28 What a fight ... and what heart from Joe Lauzon.
Official Result: Miller wins via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Tim Boetsch vs Costa Philippou
Round 1:
Boetsch uses really good movement to corner Costa against the cage, goes for a takedown but Costa defends well. Boetsch is throwing some nice knees to the body and eventually drags him to the ground with a single leg. Costa back up and we're cage-dncing as Boetsch is going for the takedown and Costa defends. Costa eventually gets away and back to the center of the cage. Wild striking exchange that Boetsch wins but no significant damage. Boetsch is using his footwork really well; he's backing Costa into a corner and making him fight in a close space. Costa with a nice right uppercut and Boetsch against the cage. Costa circles and throws some strikes, Boetsch ducks and grabs a double leg. Costa in full guard and it's a stalemate as neither is doing much. Costa is holding on at this point and Boetsch isn't doing much. Stand up and Costa with a nice combination. Front kick from Boetsch and Costa is rocked, time runs out before he can do anything with it.
Score: Boetsch 10-9
Round 2:
Boetsch with some light striking and back to the clinch; he might've broken his right hand from how his corner was talking to him between rounds. He can't complete it, though, and Costa is doing a good job at using space. Boetsch is also bleeding, too. A double leg that doesn't succeed as Costa defends it really well this time. Nice combination from Costa as Boetsch can't finish a takedown. His right hand is his power hand when it comes to finishing takedowns and he can't grasp it. Eye poke from Costa and we have a break. Costa has really found his range coming out of the break; Boetsch is leading with a front kick and Costa's footwork and hand speed are too much. That eye looks swollen as Boetsch pulls guard as Costa is on top in an open guard. Costa with some nice punches from top; Costa is teeing off as Boetsch is just holding on for dear life right now. Costa ends the round with some short elbows as Boetsch is bleeding profusely right now.
Score: Costa 10-9, 19-19 even
Round 3:
Boetsch with a wild takedown try and pulls guard off it a la Frank Mir and Costa dives into it, landing in an open guard. Costa lets him back up as Boetsch is spewing blood right now. This isn't safe as Boetsch goes for another takedown and can't complete it, pulling guard. Boetsch tries to ride it out and we're back to our feet. Another takedown attempt and Costa is teeing off. The ref steps in.
Official Result: Costa Philippou wins via TKO at 2:10 of the third round.
Yushin Okami vs Alan Belcher
Round 1:
Belcher comes out significantly more aggressive with his leg kick game as Okami is pretty tentative. Belcher gets a bit close and Okami lands a couple of nice punches. Jumping kick and Okami catches him with a jab and Belcher face plants, up quickly though. Okami with a clinch and presses Belcher against the cage, looking for a takedown. Belcher is looking to catch one of Okami's knees and get the takedown but Okami is using his leverage really effectively to keep him back. Okami goes for a trip but can't finish it, Belcher goes for the takedown and a scramble leaves Okami in full guard. Belcher going for mission control but Okami defends well. Belcher wraps Okami up to try and force a stand up, Okami moves into side control after some jockeying for position. Okami's looking to set up a kimura attempt but Belcher is keeping his arms out of reach. Belcher rolls to his belly and then back to his knees, then gives up back as Okami rides him out for the round's remainder.
Score: Okami 10-9
Round 2:
Belcher leads with a kick that doesn't connect, Okami bull rushes and gets the clinch against the cage. Okami tries to drag him to the ground but Belcher winds up on top, Belcher grabs a guillotine but doesn't have it in against the cage. Okami's out and into half guard, looking to move to side control. He's working some light ground and pound as he smothers Belcher on the ground. Okami's top control is really good right now; Belcher can not do a thing at this point as Okami is controlling him. Okami moves into side control and the ref stands them up in a really ridiculous decision. Belcher lands a big right kick but Okami isn't hurt. Okami with a nice combination and back against the cage, grabs a single but can't finish it. Okami gets behind Belcher and Okami drags him to the ground. Belcher into half guard and Okami is grinding him down again. Another standup with 20 seconds left and the round ends with some light striking exchanges.
Score: 10-9 Okami, 20-18 Okami
Round 3:
Belcher comes out crazy aggressive but Okami grabs the clinch, Belcher backs out. Big right from Belcher temporarily drops Okami but he's right back and Belcher can't capitalize on it. Belcher backs into the cage and Okami grabs a hold of him again. Okami goes for the trip and Belcher manages to land into full mount. Okami gives up his back and picks him up into the air. Belcher goes for a standing guillotine but doesn't have it in tight, Okami drags him to the ground and he loses it. Back into side control and back to Okami's smothering top game. Considering the last two standups it's shocking that this fight is still on the ground. Okami grabs full mount with two minutes to go, the crowd not very happy, as Okami is grinding him down. Okami is riding out the clock at this point as he's pounding Belcher out now with nothing serious. Round ends with Okami in mount, landing enough strikes to keep him there. Belcher rolls onto his back and Okami's got both hooks in with 20 seconds to go, Okami's positional dominance is incredible right now. Fight ends with Okami still dominating.
Score: 10-9 Okami, 30-27 Okami
Official Result: Okami wins via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Chris Leben vs Derek Brunson
Round 1:
Brunson opens with a high kick that goes no where but a nice combination to follow. Brunson throws a kick that gets caught, Leben can't finish the takedown and Brunson gets it instead. Leben in full guard as he goes for an armbar from the bottom that Brunson sees and avoids. Leben is looking for it again as a scramble, with Leben elevated, lands Brunson back in half guard. Brunson's top control is a bit light as Leben is attacking fairly regularly from the bottom. Leben with a triangle and Brunson stands up out of it, jumps right back on and into side control. Brunson grabs an arm triangle but Leben gets the arm free, but is stuck in mount. He rolls out of it, nearly giving up his neck, but lands half guard. He eats an elbow as well. Brunson is using his upper body to smother him more as he's pressing Leben's hips down to prevent the armbar attempts. Brunson postures up and lands some strikes, stands and then jumps back into Leben's guard to land some more. Leben with a wall walk attempt but Brunson nearly mounts him. He lands some big shots and it's up against the cage. Round ends with Leben circling out of Brunson's cage dancing.
Score: Brunson 10-9
Round 2:
Leben comes out and catches Brunson's kick again but Brunson backs out as soon as he catches it. Double leg stopped by Leben but he gets Leben against the cage and has the clinch against the cage. Leben pummels out of it and Brunson tries to drag him down but can't quite finish. Double leg gets in deep and Leben's on his back in full guard. Brunson looks a bit gassed as Leben wall walks his back up, Brunson goes for a guillotine but can't finish it. Leben lands a nice uppercut but Brunson lands some nice combinations, another double leg from Brunson that he can't finish. He looks really sloppy right now; he's close to being gassed right now. Brunson is landing some jabs but he's not throwing them powerfully; much more like pawing than jabbing. Brunson gets in deep with another high clinch that he can't finish. Some light striking exchanges and another attempted takedown from Brunson isn't completed. Leben circles out with 15 seconds left and he looks to have significantly more in the gas tank. Some wild strikes that don't connect end the round.
Score: Brunson 10-9, 20-18 Brunson
Round 3:
Leben is much more aggressive to start as Brunson is looking to counter more. Another double leg isn't completed; Brunson's shots are that of a tired man. He's just bending at the waist and grabbing at this point; he does it again and gets Leben to the ground. Brunson is landing some light ground and pound and Leben is back up with there minutes left. Leben looks gassed as well; Brunson is stalling at this point and Leben doesn't have anything left to push the pace and steal the win. Brunson is using light strikes and pawing jabs to keep Leben at bay. At this point he's keeping away from Leben; Brunson with another double that's sloppy and goes nowhere. Leben with a nice left that wakes up Brunson but he circles away before Leben can do anything. That big left two years would've dropped Brunson, who ducks under a series of big left haymaker style hooks and he gets the takedown. Not much on the ground and Brunson lets him back up. Last 10 seconds are Brunson actively moving away from Leben.
Score: Brunson 10-9, 30-27 Brunson
Official Result: Brunson wins via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Brad Pickett vs Eddie Wineland
Round 1:
Both come out fast and both have skipped the feeling out process. Pickett with some nice punches early on; Wineland is keeping his hands down and chin up, almost daring Wineland to land big on the chin. Wineland's footwork has been fairly remarkable so far in that his other techniques would normally get him hurt haven't done so yet. Pickett is landing some nice strikes so far but Wineland lands a massive shot, and then another big one, but Pickett isn't rocked. Wineland is looking pure offensively at this point as Pickett is trying to get in but Wineland is letting his hands go. Wineland with another big left and Pickett has to take a knee, back up quickly. PIckett's face shows the damage. Pickett goes for a double but Wineland whizzes his way out of it. Pickett's head movement has picked up since he got tagged the second time; this is a fight about movement and both fighters are trying to find each other out so far. Pickett lands a nice body shot with 30 seconds left; he's not shying away despite the power. Fight ends as Pickett goes for a superman elbow of sorts against the cage, scramble turns into nothing.
Score: Wineland 10-9
Round 2:
Same start as the first as Wineland's technique in how he holds everything is not good but Pickett can't quite reach him. He's starting to throw a jab more to set up combinations; Wineland is really using his range effectively as Pickett is rushing in and getting countered. If you're a boxing enthusiast now Wineland has to be frustrating you right now; Pickett just can't quite exploit it. His footwork is buying him ground his hands/chin up high shouldn't. At this point Wineland is sticking and moving, making Pickett come in. Pickett just can't land anything of note as Wineland is countering him at range. Pickett is landing jabs but Wineland is getting out of the way of anything more substantive. Pickett lands a nice right that opens up a cut on Wineland but Wineland with a nice counter to close the round.
Score: Wineland 10-9, 20-18
Round 3:
More of the same as Pickett is pushing the pace, trying to get inside, but can't quite keep Wineland there. Wineland's footwork and countering are better than Pickett's aggression at this point; Pickett is eating a lot of punishment to try and do anything. Wineland is moving backward and out-landing Pickett fairly easily. Pickett is landing jabs easily but Wineland is moving away and countering him easily. He catches a kick and lands a couple of nice strikes off it. Pickett just can't keep the distance close as whenever he gets close he eats something, whenever he lands a jab he has to take something bigger in return. He's throwing wilder in the final minute, much more desperately. Round ends the way the fight has been; Pickett moving forward, Wineland countering him.
Score: 10-9 Wineland, 30-27 Wineland
Official Result: Wineland wins via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
Erik Perez vs Byron Bloodworth
Round 1:
Byron comes out with a big overhand that Perez ducks and counters with a couple of nice rights of his own. Perez grabs the clinch and we're up against the cage as the two are throwing knees to one another's bodies. Perez looks for space for a short elbow and Bloodworth reverses him. Another reversal and we're cage-dancing. Perez is throwing uppercuts to the body as he controls Perez with his head against the cage. He's landing a lot of nice strikes and lands a beautiful knee to the body that drops Bloodworth, he recovers and lands in full guard. Perez postures up and is looking to throw big strikes; Bloodworth is holding on for dear life right now as he's trying to get a stalemate. Perez's right arm is becoming the big to do; Perez is looking to throw it, Bloodworth to tie it up. Perez is letting his hands go when he can bu Bloodworth is doing a great job of preventing anything significant from coming through. Perez is landing some nice elbows as he's dominating Bloodworth right now. Bloodworth is cut open right now as Perez unloads with strikes, ref steps in at 3:50 of the first round.
Official Result: Erik Perez wins via TKO at 3:50 of round 1
Melvin Guillard vs Jamie Varner
Round 1:
Both guys come out a bit more tentative than they usually are. There's a definite respect for one another's power at this point; as soon as a power punch comes down both are retreating. Lots of leg kicks landing and punches missing by a wide margin from Guillard, more punches missing than kicks landing by Varner. Varner isn't checking those leg kicks, either, but he's working on the inside of Guillard's legs with his kicks. Varner lands a nice overhand right but Guillard is out before he can follow up with anything. Both guys really worked on frustrating one another's range; neither has found timing yet. Guillard is really patient right now; this is the most patient Guillard has been in quite some time. Guillard is making Varner eat a lot of leg kicks when Varner comes forward with his boxing game, all to the lead leg. Guillard's looking to take this longer than a round; he's not over committing for the kill, which is his usual suit. Varner lands a nice combination but Guillard is out before he can turn it into something more. Varner goes for a low single but can't complete it. Guillard got out of it fairly easily. Wild exchange as Varner catches Guillard with 15 seconds, Guillard face plants but is right up; Varner grabs a guillotine but can't finish it as the round ends.
Score: Varner 10-9
Round 2:
Guillard wades to throw in but Varner ducks and nearly lands a massive shot of his own; he's confident right now as he throws wildly but catches a double leg attempt to get Guillard against the cage. Guillard is doing a good job scooting out, exposes his back but Guillard throws him off violently. Varner scrambles away but Guillard makes him eat a knee for his troubles. Melvin back to his kickboxing game; Gulliard's head movement is starting to improve. He's really improved that in the past couple months. Varner needs to start doing something other than just absorb leg kicks at this point. Varner with a nice combination as Guillard's movement is saving him from eating 2-3 punches. Varner with another double leg but Guillard sits up against the cage. Varner is looking to drag him all the way to his back; Guillard stands up out of it and looks for a hip toss, Varner lets him go instead. Guillard goes back to the kicks as Varner lands a really nice right. He doesn't quite have the spring in his step to follow up with it though; Guillard's leg kicks have worn him down. He's throwing one long punch and trying to get in close instead of multiple punch combinations. Varner goes for a leg kick and hits Guillard in his Melvin's with 40 seconds left. It was unintentional but Melvin is given time to recover. Guillard with a nice body kick, some light exchanges to end the round.
Score: Varner 10-9, 20-18
Round 3:
Melvin with a flying knee and is much more aggressive. Varner goes high but can't finish. Guillard is fighting like a man who thinks he's down on the scorecards. Varner gets a double leg and gets Guillard down, back against the cage. Varner goes for a Pervuain necktie but can't finish it, Guillard winds up on top in an open guard. Guillard isn't doing much on the ground as Varner gets back to his feet, eating a knee in the process. Varner with a wild shot and gets the takedown. Varner is working top position game as he's unloading some nice ground and pound. Guillard gives up his back but Varner can't capitalize, Guillard standing up. Guillard throws wildly and Varner gets another takedown, landing in full guard. Melvin rolls for an armbar but can't finish, scramble and Melvin gets into side control. Varner with a beautiful switch of his own and he winds up on top in full guard. Guillard pushes him off with his legs and we're back standing. Varner is backing off and lands a nice combination. Takedown attempt and Varner flips and nearly spikes Guillard on his head; fight ends with the two scrambling for position.
Score: Varner 10-9, 30-27 Varner
Official Result: Varner wins via split decision (30-27, 27-30, 30-27)
Michael Johnson vs Myles Jury
Round 1:
Both guys come out throwing leg kicks that don't connect but Johnson lands a pair of nice rights. Jury wants to throw leg kicks but he's not moving his head when he throws; Johnson is throwing with the same side hand whenever he does. It's making Jury tentative and moving backward; Johnson is setting the pace. Neither guy is throwing much but Jury doesn't want to get into exchanges with Johnson; every time he gets in close Johnson throws some beautiful combinations. Jury fakes a kick and gets a beautiful double leg, landing in half guard. Jury gets mount and Johnson scrambles, winding back in half guard after giving up his back. Jury is working for an arm and Johnson rolls to his side, eating some big lefts as Jury is pounding away. Johnson isn't doing much but he's not getting hit flush, either. Johnson gets back into half guard and Jury lands some big elbows; Jury is using offensive position on top to just tee off on him right now. Johnson is doing good things to keep him in half guard, preventing him from passing into side control. Jury looks for a kimura as Johnson tries to shrimp to no avail. Jury lands a couple of nice elbows and gets into full mount; Johnson rolls to his back and Jury ends the round unable to finish a rear naked choke.
Score: 10-9 Jury
Round 2:
Johnson comes out more aggressive as Jury is staying away from his striking game. He's pressing forward more but not letting his hands go; as soon as he throws Jury is getting out of there. He has a healthy respect for Johnson's power. Jury lands a nice head kick that Johnson shrugs off. Johnson is landing solid punches but as soon as he gets touched Jury is getting out; he's looking to counter but Johnson is too athletic for him to get a spot to land something solid. Johnson throws a kick that gets caught and Jury turns it into a single leg and then to the ground. Johnson's in full guard as he's holding tight onto Jury to get a standup; he's playing hand control now. Jury postures up but Johnson's defensive guard is really strong right now. Jury isn't landing in volume but he's controlling the fight right now. Johnson is angling for a standup by controlling Jury but Jury's active enough to keep this from being stood up. Round ends in this position.
Score: 10-9 Jury, 20-18 Jury
Round 3:
Johnson comes out throwing with authority now; he knows he's down on the cards and is going for broke right now. Jury gets a clinch and works him against the cage, beautiful trip and Johnson is on his back again. Into half guard; Jury's top positional game is something else right now. He's active and keeping Johnson off his game by always going for a better position. He's not content to stay in on spot. He's in side control against the cage, looking for a kimura again. He loses side control going for mount; Johnson is doing a good job at getting back into better position whenever Jury moves but Jury isn't giving him any space to do anything significant to sweep or stand up. Johnson shrimps to his right against the cage and Jury is striking him right now; he's looking to set up a choke but Johnson is doing just enough to not get finished right now. Johnson isn't fighting with urgency right now; he's hanging on for dear life right now. Jury's controlling him right now as Johnson goes for a kimura from the bottom right now. Jury's top control game is quite spectacular right now; Johnson has no answers in the final 30 seconds. Johnson gets back up to his feet in the final seconds and gets a guillotine but has no time to do anything with it.
Score: 10-9 Jury, 30-27 Jury
Official Result: Jury wins via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Phil De Fries vs Todd Duffee
Round 1:
Duffee comes out throwing and catches De Fries, getting him against the cage. De Fries ties him up as Duffee is looking to throw. He grabs a double and gets him down and De Fries lands some big time strikes as he controls him against the cage. Duffee is pummeling as De Fries wants to cage dance with him to try and get the takedown. Duffee reverses and is looking to strike from the clinch before backing off. Duffee with anice combination; big uppercut and he unloads as De Fries eats a ton of punches before finally going down at 2:00 of the first round.
Official Result: Todd Duffee wins via KO at 2:00 of the first round.
Leonard Garcia vs Max Holloway
Round 1:
Holloway comes out looking to establish range with some kicks. Garcia responds in kind by throwing power shots as neither guy is landing much with their hands but landing hard with kicks. Garcia is staying technical and actually fighting instead of brawling. He lands a nice combination but gets clipped at the 90 second mark and dropped. He recovers quickly though. Garcia doesn't respond by throwing wild haymakers, which is his usual response. It's odd seeing him keep that level of composure. Garcia goes for the clinch but Holloway moves back. And scratch that as Garcia starts winding haymakers halfway through the round. He's throwing wildly but he's missing and Holloway is countering with better shot. Garcia with a big shot as Holloway wobbles a little bit. Holloway is keeping his composure as Garcia is getting more technical in his striking at times but this is slowly turning into a brawl. Holloway is countering him beautifully though. Garcia lands a nice right with 20 seconds left and a nice flurry after.
Score: Holloway 10-9
Round 2:
Garcia is in full brawling mode right as Holloway is much more aggressive early on. He's using his kicks to try and keep him at bay as Garcia is trying to walk him down with his jab. Garcia is going for that big power right and Holloway is landing shots to that side with it. Holloway is being very disciplined here and not letting Garcia play his game. Flying knee from Holloway gets caught and Garcia throws him to the ground. Garcia lets him back up and pushes him against the cage; he wants to throw and wants nothing to do with Holloway's ground game. Garcia is being more aggressive but Holloway is landing off the counter and much more often to the body. Garcia has abandoned his technical striking game and is winging power shots as Holloway is countering him effectively. Garcia isn't nearly as wild but he's going for power strikes much more and not setting things up. Big looping left and he half-heartedly goes for a takedown that goes nowhere. Holloway looks to be tiring as he spends the final moments of the round getting into a brawl with Garcia.
Score: Garcia 10-9, 19-19 even
Round 3:
This is getting interesting now as both guys are coming out knowing they have to win this round. Holloway is sticking with his jab as Garcia keeps looking for big wild shots. The opening minute looks like a drunk who doesn't know how to fight against a boxer who does. Holloway is countering him wonderfully. Garcia has also dropped his hands as he has no problem with Holloway's power right now. Holloway is landing in volume but Garcia is just winging strikes. At the three minute mark a wild exchange begins as Holloway joins him for some wild brawling. Garcia goes for a takedown at 2:30 and completes it as Holloway misses out on a kimura. Holloway is looking for mission control but Garcia lets him up, making him eat a knee as he gets up. Holloway's gassed right now as Garcia is pushing the pace; he knows he's got more energy right now. Some nice combinations exchanged as the final minute is a wild brawl as the two are just throwing without regard. Holloway is playing Garcia's game right. Holloway goes for spin kick and lands partially, Holloway with a sloppy, gassed out triangle attempt but Garcia slams his way out of it to end the round.
Score: Garcia 10-9, 29-28 Garcia
Official Result: Holloway wins via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Chris Cariaso vs John Moraga
Round 1:
Both fighters come out fairly tentative for the first part of the round. Moraga with a nice flurry early as he's controlling the pace early. He gets a takedown at the two minute mark but can't hold him down for a significant amount of time. Moraga is throwing more to the head than anywhere else; he's throwing a lot of head kicks and Cariaso is content to keep it standing. Moraga is opening up his hips and normally this is where someone would go for the takedown; Cariaso is content to turn this into a kick boxing match. Moraga presses him against the cage underneath the two minute mark but can't do much with it as Moraga gets away. Cariaso is throwing kicks but not setting them up with anything significant; Moraga is looking for the takedown off of his strikes. Cariaso lands a nice right that doesn't do much. The round ends with some nice leg kicks but he's telegraphing his kicks fairly openly; Moraga is looking to set up a takedown but Cariaso is using good movement to keep him away.
Score: Moraga 10-9
Round 2:
Cariaso opens up much more aggressively in the first round. He's setting things up more effectively as well; he's not just throwing for the sake of. He's using combinations and Moraga isn't nearly as aggressive because of it. He's looking to go for a takedown but Cariaso is throwing much more to keep him away. Cariaso goes for the clinch and Moraga pushes him against the cage at the 90 second mark. Moraga pushes away and a nice flurry from the two as they move back to the center of the cage that Cariaso lands more on. Cariaso lands a nice head kick off a faith; Moraga is looking to level change and Cariaso is catching him before he shoots in. Moraga is moving in but Cariaso's combinations are crisp. Moraga is pressing forward but Cariaso is landing. Moraga gets close and throws him to the ground and Cariaso is working off his back. He's comfortable enough to try and do a standing pass, though, but can't complete it. Cariaso back to his feet. Cariaso tries to get inside with a nice double jab off his left; Cariaso with a nice takedown and lands in full guard. Moraga spends the final 10 seconds of the round tying up to prevent anything drastic.
Score: Cariaso 10-9, 19-19 even
Round 3:
Cariaso comes out more aggressive again. He's found his timing a bit more but eats some combinations for his trouble. Moraga goes for a body lock takedown and can't finish. Moraga is much more aggressive but Cariaso goes for the clinch against the cage. Moraga lines up a front headlock and gets a sweet power guillotine kind of front choke with a darce lockup. Cariaso taps.
Official result: Moraga wins via submission at 1:11 of the 3rd round.
