Jose Aldo vs Frankie Edgar
Round 5:
Edgar is pushing the pace some more and Aldo gets eye poked. No break as Aldo is fighting through it. Aldo comes out throwing much bigger. Edgar goes for a single almost in passing and Aldo shrugs it off. Edgar is throwing jabs at him but nothing's connecting. Edgar goes to the clinch for the takedown, nothing happens and he lands a jab as he exits. Edgar's pace is something to behold right now. Frankie is pushing the pace right now as Aldo is looking for a big counter. Edgar goes towards the clinch and a knee from him misses, Aldo with a nice hook. Edgar follows it with a nice combination. 90 seconds left and Edgar is throwing some nice leg kicks. Aldo with a nice counter combination that stuns Edgar momentarily. Edgar with a nice combination of his own. Aldo is looking to counter and keep it standing with 40 seconds left. The crowd is behind Frankie as he misses a head kick. Aldo with a superman punch off the cage to end the fight.
Score: Edgar 10-9, Aldo 48-47
Official Result: Aldo wins via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
Round 4:
Frankie is coming out with the same heavy pace. This is where he can win the fight; he's still landing light strikes but he's out landing Aldo still. Another big leg kick from Aldo as Edgar is looking good still. Edgar's hand speed is impressive as he's throwing quick combinations in succession; he's not landing much but he's throwing so much that Aldo is having to pick his spot to throw. Edgar with another takedown attempt that Aldo defends beautifully but he lands some nice punches while doing so. Frankie is making him work and is tiring him down. Nice left hook from Aldo; he looks to be tiring considerably but he's still landing big shots on Edgar. Edgar goes for the takedown and grabs the back, Aldo slammed to the ground and Aldo springs back up. He won't let go, though, as he starts kneeing the champion in the leg. Aldo's ability to stay on his feet is something and Edgar eventually lets go to go back to the center. Another takedown try with 20 seconds left goes nowhere and Aldo flares up a knee that leaves Frankie moving backwards.
Score: 10-9 Edgar, 39-37 Aldo
Round 3:
Frankie with a takedown early and Aldo back up like lightning. Frankie still has some bounce to his step despite getting lit up in that department. Both guys with some light striking as they're not throwing heavy; Edgar eats a big front kick to the face that has broken his nose. Aldo is content to light him up and Edgar won't go down. Edgar is landing some nice jabs but everything Aldo is hitting him with just sounds painful. He's hitting Aldo but he's not landing anything of consequence. Edgar's accumulation style is effective but Aldo is landing big shots still. Edgar is landing some nice leg kicks; his movement while doing so is really good. Aldo is having a bit of a problem with his speed to some degree; he's slowing down a little and Edgar is still putting a pace on him. Another takedown and he shook him off easily. Edgar with a nice right that lands flush. Closer than the first two but Aldo is still ahead.
Score: 10-9 Aldo, 30-27 Aldo
Round 2:
Edgar comes out more aggressive this round and his left leg looks bad right now. Aldo lands a nice combination as Edgar is looking to make him fight in a phone booth to go for a takedown. Edgar is throwing a lot but not hitting a lot; Aldo is content to counter as he's timing Edgar's striking effectively. Edgar keeps wading in and Aldo is landing some big strikes. Edgar with a couple of takedown attempts and Aldo's defense is stellar. The sound Aldo's making when he connects on Frankie's leg is horrifying. Lands a big one that drops Edgar to the ground temporarily. He's wading in but Aldo is picking him apart right now; this is becoming a duplicate of Aldo vs. Urijah Faber in the only WEC PPV.
Edgar gets the clinch and goes for the takedown but Aldo shrugs him off again. Frankie catches the leg and lands a big shot, Aldo goes down and gets the takedown. Aldo's immediately back up though. Aldo lands some nice jabs, though as he's hitting him hard.
Score: 10-9 Aldo, 20-18 Aldo
Round 1:
Edgar with a leg kick to open it up and the crowd is behind him early. Frankie is throwing some punching combinations but Aldo is moving out of the way easy. Aldo is picking his spots as Edgar is looking to set a fast, rough space. So far Aldo's movement is keeping him from getting hit. Edgar wanders in and eats a big uppercut for his troubles. Aldo is landing some big jabs as he's found his timing early. Aldo's power is something as he's landing big shots on Frankie. Every time he hits Frankie the former lightweight champion is moving back. He wants none of that power and he didn't do that against Gray Maynard or Benson Henderson, either. Says a lot. Edgar is looking for the takedown through the clinch and moving forward but Aldo is moving out of the way so well. Aldo's boxing game is right on par with Frankie's so far, which is impressive. He's countering him so well and finally lands a leg kick with 40 seconds left. Frankie has taken a lot of punishment and it shows so far. Round ends with Aldo landing a nice head kick.
Score: Aldo 10-9
Rashad Evans vs Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
Round 3:
Rashad comes out more aggressive to start but he's still parrying with his left. Nog is landing, not with a lot of power, but he's landing. Nog's timing is pretty good so far; Evans doesn't look like he normally does. Rashad with a nice double jab and Nog follows up with a nice straight, and then a jab. Some more exchanges and Rashad eyepokes him on accident.
Time to bring in the doctor ... and he's ok.
Rashad comes out more aggressive as he's faking level changes but Nog is landing some nice jabs and straight lefts. He's even throwing kicks, which look ugly but are connecting. Evans with a bizarre takedown try that goes nowhere and we're back to the same. Little Nog is landing some nice strikes as Evans just is having an off-night. Evans goes for the takedown one more time and back to our feet. Nog is walking him down and landing some more. Some more striking and this winds up as one of the stranger fights in either guy's careers.
Score: Nog 10-9, 30-27 Nog ... but any result wouldn't shock me.
Official Result: Nogueira wins via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Round 2:
Slow start to come out as both fighters are looking for the counter instead of being the aggressor. Nice combination from Little Nog as Evans counters with a nice leg kick. Rashad's speed is significant here but Little Nog's timing has been impeccable so far. Nog's setting up straight lefts and catching him regularly off it. Rashad is parrying with his left and not doing anything to keep Nog from throwing that left. Nog's boxing is something special right now; Rashad is either baffled by it or waiting to unload with something. Rashad with a nice combination of his own but Nog is landing. He's not landing a lot of power strikes but he's landing. Takedown from Rashad isn't finished and Nog with some nice punches. Nog's boxing looks great now; Rashad is almost hesitant to exchange at times.
Score: Nog 10-9, 20-18 ... but another exceptionally close round
Round 1:
Not a lot of action in the first minute as Rashad seems to looking for his spot at a takedown. He has no qualms standing with him but Little Nog is waiting to counter. Rashad is showing the level change but looking to strike off it; he wants to get Nog's hands down to land flush. Nog's hands are fast though; he's throwing some nice combinations on Rashad. I'm shocked Rashad hasn't gone for a takedown yet; Nog has found his groove and distance. Rashad lands a beautiful right off a level change but Nog seems ok with it. Evans with a nice takedown but Little Nog is back up quickly and nearly lands a knee in the Thai clinch. Rashad back out quickly.
Score: Little Nog 10-9 ... but neither guy is doing much. Nog has just outlanded him by a small margin in quality strikes. Could see it for Evans no problem based on the takedown.
Alistair Overeem vs Antonio Silva
Round 3:
Silva goes for the takedown and can't finish it but Silva is starting to turn it on. Bigfoot unloads on Overeem and Overeem IS OUT. Bigfoot Silva with the upset of the night, maybe of the year, as Bigfoot Silva wins via TKO at :24 of the third round.
Official Result: Bigfoot Silva wins via TKO (strikes) at :24 of the third round.
Round 2:
Overeem comes out more aggressive; this is the first second round Overeem has seen in some time. Slug fest to start and Overeem launches Silva into side control. Overeem eats some big elbows from the bottom as Overeem backs out, Bigfoot looking to use his guard. Overeem is lighting him up with some ground and pound to the body. Silva is looking to work a submission off his back but Overeem's posture is really strong right now. Overeem's ground and pound just sounds vicious right now; he's landed some big strikes as Silva is looking to survive right now. Silva's looking for a hip escape and Overeem is using his top positional game to control him. Silva is trying to work his way back up but whenever he gives some space up Overeem is lighting him up. He's trying to set up a triangle right now but Overeem is defending well. Overeem stand up and we're back to the feet. Big uppercut from Silva and a nice knee out of the clinch. Overeem shrugged it off, though.
Score: Overeem 10-9, 20-18
Round 1:
Overeem looks significantly less muscular than the guy who thumped Brock Lesnar a year ago. He also just shattered Melvin Guillard’s super-confident cage entrance from UFC 136 as well.
Overeem comes out as Bigfoot looks significantly bigger than Overeem, something I didn’t think was possible. Not a lot of action to start as Overeem grabs the clinch and starts to work his knee game. Bigfoot wants none of that, of course, and circles out. Another clinch and Bigfoot is looking to work a takedown on the K-1 champion. He lets go for a moment and goes right back to it. Overeem is working knees to the body as Silva goes to set up a takedown and Overeem backs out. Silva goes for a takedown and back to the clinch, Overeem in control and looking to work that knee game some more. Overeem backs out as Silva gets closer to a takedown. Overeem with a nice combination followed by a nice knee to the body. Overeem is daring Silva to stand with him at this point as he has his hands down, chin up. Another clinch from Overeem and we’re against the cage. Overeem backs out and Silva cracks him, Overeem walks right through it. He’s looking to set up a wheel kick, like the one he knocked out Leko with in K-1, but he’s telegraphing it too much.
Score: Overeem 10-9
Jon Fitch vs Demian Maia
Round 3:
Fitch's corner has told him to go and leave it all out there. He has to finish to win and throws a high kick. Maia on the other hand has other thoughts and grabs a single leg and grabs back control some more. Maai's looking to get him to the ground some more and Fitch's takedown defense is better this round. It's not that difficult to think that Maia could take Fitch down; he laterally dropped Chael Sonnen (he of the best wrestling in MMA) with ease. Maia drags him to the ground, hooks in and Fitch is back where he's been all fight. Maia rolls through as Fitch is trying to get up and can't. Fitch gets back up and we're back standing Maia with a deep shot and Maia is in deep. Leg lace but can't pull him down. Fitch has a guillotine in and Maia rolls to his back, Maia eats a big elbow. Maia out-grapples Fitch on the way up and has the back some more. He's trying to drag Fitch down to the ground again and Fitch is fighting him off. This is desperation time for Fitch and Maia is content to ride it out. Fitch to the middle of the cage and Maia takes a single, turns it into a double and gets Fitch to the ground. Maia with back control and we're back to Maia in back control, hooks in, looking for a rear naked choke. Fitch rolls to his back and they trade some strikes on the ground to end the round.
Score: 10-9 Maia, 30-26 Maia
Official Decision: Maia wins via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Round 2:
Fitch comes out looking to throw as Maia wants to get this to the ground again. Maia with a deep single again and he goes for the pass quickly. Fitch is on his back for the first time in a long time and Fitch uses the scramble to get back up. Maia drags him to the ground and he’s on his back again. Fitch presses Maia against the cage as Maia is looking to finish a rear naked choke. Fitch’s hand control and wrist defense is special right now. Maia goes to a body triangle as he’s working him over right now. Maia goes palm to palm on the choke and he’s defending it beautifully some more. This is spectacular submission defense from Fitch; no one lasts this long with someone as masterful as Maia on their back. Maia’s looking for full back mount and Fitch is just trying to survive right now. I’m completely floored by Fitch’s ability survive this assault from Maia. Fitch is trying to spin into top position but Maia’s control is exceptional. Round ends with Maia going for the finish and unable to secure it.
Score: Maia 10-8, 20-17 Maia
Round 1:
Maia comes out and immediatley with a double leg on Fitch. Beautiful trip down and grabs back. Maia's on his back and this is the fun part. Maia has a triangle around the body but that's not going to be a huge deal until it's to the ground. Maia wants that choke as he's working his striking game to get it. Fitch is defending it well but he's carrying Maia's weight on him, too. That has to be taxing after a while. Maia's looking to work that RNC but Fitch is defending it well. Fitch is playing wrist control really well right now. Maia drops to his feet and tries to drag him to the ground and then trips him down, jumps to his back and Maia tries to go for it again. Maia is trying to break him down and Fitch is doing a great job at defense right now. Goes for the choke again and Fitch's submission defense is absolutely sublime right now. Maia's grappling credentials are among the best in BJJ, much less MMA, and Fitch is fighting him off. Fitch is on his knees and Maia's trying to break him down but Fitch is keeping him from anything substantial.
Score: Maia 10-9
Joseph Benavidez vs Ian McCall
Round 3:
Benavidez lands early with a nice right as McCall is smiling. McCall goes for a takedown and has Benavidez against the cage. Benavidez exits quickly and he throws a nice body kick. McCall has done some impressive work on the leg; Benavidez is backing off as soon as McCall throws something with power. Benavidez gets McCall against after dropping him with a kick; some nice strikes on the exit. Benavidez is back to working his movement and his speed right now; he seems a step faster than McCall right now. McCall is looking for another big combination and Benavidez is getting out before he can land it. McCall with a beauty of a double and Benavidez is up quickly.
That could mean much more when all is said and done.
A nice liver shot from Benavidez as these guys are at full throttle with 90 seconds left. Benavidez goes back to keeping his distance from McCall; he's not risking another takedown. As soon as McCall goes for one with 50 seconds left he sprints away. He's content to out point him in the final minute as McCall is nearly telegraphing that takedown.Another one with 20 seconds that goes nowhere as McCall has been eating some punishment on the exit.
Score: Benavidez 10-9, 29-28
Official Decision: Benavidez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Round 2:
Benavidez looks so much faster than him it’s something to behold. McCall is landing some nice strikes as Benavidez lands a nice kick to the body. McCall has his timing down now and is starting to look a lot better. Benavidez’s athletic ability is on such a higher plane, though, that McCall has to fight smart. Benavidez isn’t looking to outpoint him; he wants to finish him. McCall is more than willing to oblige him as he’s looking for a big counter. Benavidez is beating him to the punch right now; McCall is landing on the counter but Benavidez is out working him. McCall goes for the takedown but Benavidez out maneuevers him into the cage. Benavidez walks back out. McCall is trying to get inside and Benavidez is timing him; he’s landing and getting out before McCall can throw something like an uppercut. Benavidez’s striking is a bit less technical. Benavidez gets ROCKED from a nice uppercut by McCall and McCall’s on top, raining down hammer fists. McCall in the mount and then into back control, Benavidez scrambles out to his feet but McCall is on him. McCall lands a nice knee as Benavidez is hanging on for dear life. Round ends and now it’s interesting.
Score: McCall 10-9, 19-19 even
Round 1:
Both guys come out winging leg kicks early as McCall goes for a takedown but Benavidez with a beautiful defense. He also cracks McCall with an elbow for his troubles. These guys are winging kicks at each other; McCall gets hit down low but doesn't need any time to recover. They trade some haymakers as Benavidez lands a big left and McCall is a bit rocked. Second nut shot and McCall will take time to recover.
Replay shows that it was an errant knee that clipped McCall's groin.
Back to the action and Benavidez lands a big left. His boxing looks amazing tonight; he's looking to throw tonight instead of set up his takedowns. McCall is not expecting this but he's getting fired up. Benavidez lands a right to punctuate it. Benavidez hits to the inside and that was almost a groin shot again. Benavidez is landing some amazing combinations; McCall's chin is something else. McCall lands a knee and Benavidez counters with a left hook of his own. Benavidez is looking to trade, not grapple, and McCall is willing to oblige him. McCall is finding his timing now as his movement is getting better. He landing a nice right that's cut Benavidez open. Lands a nice kick and Benavidez slips, McCall stalks him as the round ends.
Score: Benavidez 10-9
Gleison Tibau vs Evan Dunham
Round 3:
Some big strikes to start and Tibau goes for the takedown, Tibau goes for a guillotine and can't finish it. Pulls guard looking to finish it and Dunham defends beautifully. Tibau moves out after some clinching against the cage and we're back to the middle. Dunham is looking for volume and Tibau is looking for the big kill shot; Dunham goes in for another takedown and can't get it but he's teeing off that jab before and after. Tibau with his own takedown attempt but he gets Dunham against the cage; Dunham circles out and we're back to the center of the cage. Dunham is landing some nice combinations as Tibau looks like he's gassed right now. Dunham keeps going for the takedown when he's winning the stand up war with combinations. Dunham goes to the Thai clinch and lands a nice knee, following by some nice combinations. Tibau is gassed now and half heartedly throwing big shows as Dunham is taking him apart right now. Tibau with a takedown attempt and Dunham lands a nice combination, failed takedown attempt on his part and we're back to the center. The round ends as Tibau is looking to throw a big left but can't connect; Dunham lands a beautiful flying knee that rocks Tibau and finishes with some nice work.
Score: 10-9 Dunham, 29-28 Dunham
Official Decision: Dunham wins via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Round 2:
Dunham comes out and is pushing a harder pace to start the round. Tibau has slowed down considerably and Dunham is landing more in volume as Tibau keeps looking for a big shot. Dunham is getting out before Tibau can get the opportunity though. Tibau lands a nice left 90 seconds in and Dunham goes for the takedown. Tibau defends beautifully and we're in the clinch against the cage, trading knees. They work out of it and Dunham is pushing the pace a bit harder. He's landing more as Tibau has a second wind of sorts. He's loading up when he's throwing as he's winging hooks from both hands. Dunham with a beautiful level change but Tibau defends it strongly. Dunham responds with some combinations and movement as Tibau is looking for a big counter but eating combinations to do so. Round ends with Dunham landing a nice combination as they swing away.
Score: Dunham 10-9, 19-19 even
Round 1:
Not a lot to begin with as both guys feel each other out. Dunham lands a nice combination early and Tibau throws a big left of his own. Tibau is content to wing strikes while Dunham is landing some crisp technical strikes. Absolute fire fight breaks out as Tibeau lands a beautiful right, goes for the takedown and grabs a guillotine. Pulls guard and tries to mount but Dunham fights his way out of it. Dunham is trying to work his way back to his feet as Tibau is looking to spin to the back. Dunham is slowly getting back up and gets up to his feet, Tibau against the cage. Some pummeling as Dunham is pushing him around. Tibau backs out and we're back to the middle. Some brawling follows as Dunham is looking to set up combination and Tibau is looking for a big strike. Tibau is slowing down as Dunham is starting to turn the pace up. Dunham nearly gets the takedown and is against the cage but Tibau manages to reverse position and keep Dunham pinned against the cage. Round ends as they pummel for position
Score: 10-9 Tibau
Tyron Woodley vs Jay Hieron
Round 1:
Woodley lands a big right and follows it up with a nice left and Hieron is rocked, falls flat on his face. Woodley pours it on and just tees off on him. It's getting ugly and Herb Dean steps in at :36 of the first round.
Official Result: Woodley wins via TKO at :36 of the first round
Jacob Volkmann vs Bobby Green
Round 3:
Volkmann goes for a takedown early and eats a knee from Green. And then Volkmann decides to reenact a skit from "Jackass" and kicks Green straight in the nuts for a quick break in the action.
Green is fired up; maybe hitting him in the crotch is the secret to accelerating his abilities.
Green comes out throwing as he's landing some nice shots as Volkmann goes for the takeodwn again. Green with a beautiful trip takedown and lands in side control. Volkmann tries to roll into north/south as Green keeps position well. Volkmann tries to use the cage as Green moves his way into half guard. Volkmann spins out of the side and we're back standing. Green is watching his distance as Volkmann is looking for a big takedown and a level change winds up going nowhere. Volkmann grabs a takedown and Green reverses him beautifully, back up to the cage and Volkmann takes his back looking for rear mount. Volkmann drags him to the ground and Green is fighting him the whole way. He manages to reverse position and grabs mount. Green is teeing off on him and Volkmann is eating some punishment. A minute left and Volkmann is gassed. He's holding on for dear life right now as Green is trying to get some space. Volkmann is busted open as Volkmann gives his back up. Green grabs a rear naked choke and he only needs it once to get the submission with :35 left in the fight.
Official Result: Green wins via submission (rear naked choke) 4:25 into the third round.
Round 2:
Green has to keep his distance this round; Volkmann is exploding as soon as he gets within range and Green is trying to defend as opposed to get away.
Takedown from Volkmann gets in but Green is back up. Second attempt and Green explodes out of that. Green presses him against the cage as Volkmann grabs an arm-in guillotine. That can't work as Green is unloading some strong striking. Another takedown and Volkmann can't connect; Volkmann winds up on his back and Green's in full guard. Interesting spot for Volkmann who is rarely on his back. Green with some nice striking from guard as Volkmann isn't known for his work off his back. Volkmann is looking to ride it out to a standup but Green is landing some strikes to the body. Green is landing some nice elbow strikes. Volkmann gets a standup that's an absolute gift; Green was working on top and was no way justified. Green is the aggressor now as he looks like a new fighter. Head kick from Green that Volkmann kind of smiles at, then proceeds to get a takedown. Volkmann moves to back and drags him to the ground as Volkmann grabs a body triangle and then goes for a rear naked choke again. That body triangle isn't complete, though, as Green moves to his side. Volkmann ends the round as the first, trying for a rear naked choke.
Score: 10-9 Green, 19-19 even
Here's the thing: the judges could give Volkmann that round. If this goes all the way to decision that ending sequence could steal the fight for Volkmann.
Round 1:
Volkmann comes out throwing kicks and looks to go for the takedown. Volkmann is in a shooter's position in wrestling with his lead leg forward, looking for the level change. Green is in a square stance, which is designed to sprawl out of. Volkmann grabs a single and chains a takedown together off that. Volkmann into half guard as he's looked for a d'arce or a guillotine. He's landing some ground and pound as he's looking to move to mount. Green tries to set up a scramble and Volkmann's top position is stifling right now. Another scramble and Volkmann stands up, grabbing both legs. He's either look for a pass or to grab a leg lock; Volkmann pushes him against the cage instead and Green tries to push him off with his legs. Volkmann's back on him again with a body triangle. It's almost academic now as Green hand fights his way out of a rear naked choke twice as he's playing hand control now. Third time isn't the charm, either as Volkmann is grinding him now. Round ends with some light striking.
Score: 10-9 Volkmann
Yves Edwards vs Isaac Vallie-Flagg
Round 3:
Flagg opens with a nice push kick as he comes out much more aggressive. He's come out like a man who knows he has to win the round. He's landing some crisp combinations and Edwards is countering him really well. Edwards is using his movement to slip a lot of these punches; his counter game looks really good right now. Flagg gets the clinch and back against the cage, Edwards circles out quickly. Edwards slips a punch and lands a nice combination of his own. Flagg is starting to get a bit brawly now as he's winging a lot of punches here. Edwards is countering well and with two minutes left Edwards can't complete a sloppy single. Flagg is using a nice short elbow to really work Edwards over. Flagg is throwing a big right over the top with some nice body work; back to the clinch and we're there with a minute left.Edwards circles out and we're back to the middle of the cage. Both guys are throwing down right now. Flagg is throwing some big strikes and swarms him into the clinch as the round ends. Edwards circles out and we end with another flurry.
Score: 10-9 Flagg, 29-28 Edwards. Could go either way as however you scored the first is how the winner will be determined.
Official Result: Vallie-Flagg wins via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Round 2:
IVF comes out pushing the pace and goes for the clinch early, both fighters against the cage early. Edwards is working the Thai clinch but Flagg is doing a really good job at preventing him from landing knees out of it. Flagg is throwing overhand shots and Edwards is fucking and responding in kind. Back the clinch again and Flagg lands some nice uppercuts in it. As soon as Edwards goes for the clinch Flagg is throwing. Edwards lands a nice combination and Flagg walks through them as Flagg grabs the clinch against the cage. Edwards circles out, gets position and grabs a single with a trip. Flagg gets into half guard after initially landing with Edwards in side control. Edwards passes to side control with two minutes left. Edwards moves into mount and Flagg rolls to his stomach. Hooks are in and Edwards has his back against the cage. Good defense from Flagg as he plays wrist control with Edwards. Flagg rolls to his side and Edwards has both hooks in; Flagg is playing defense right now to keep Edwards from going for the choke. Round ends as Edwards can't complete it.
Score: Edwards 10-9, 20-18 Edwards
Round 1:
Flagg comes out aggressive but Edwards is countering him solidly whenever he wades in. Flagg is coming out really aggressive so far; he's pushing the pace and throwing first but is eating a lot of strikes for his effort. Edwards is connecting whenever Flagg wades in. Flagg is landing some nice right and grabs the clinch, Edwards defending well. Wild exchanges from the two as Edwards is eating a lot to make Flagg do the same. Flagg is landing some really nice right hands; Edwards can't eat them all day. Flying superman punch and Edwards clinches up as Flagg pummels out. Edwards with some nice kicks, gets one caught by Flagg but lands a beautiful flying knee out of it. Flagg finishes the pummel and back to the cage, Edwards circles out. Back to throwing as Edwards is throwing a lead uppercut on occasion; it can be dangerous if Flagg can catch him coming in. Round ends with another fiery exchange.
Score: 10-9 Edwards ... but a very close 10-9. Could go either way.
Chico Camus vs Dustin Kimura
Round 3:
Some grappling to start as Camus goes for another takedown, Kimura fights it off well. Kimura is working off it well as Camus is trying to bring him down with double underhooks. He's keeping it in the middle of his back which won't get a guy down; you need it around the back of the neck or on the lower back. Slip by Camus and Kimura grabs his back. Both hooks and the choke is on. Tap at 1:50 of the third round.
Official Result: Dustin Kimura wins via submission (rear naked choke) at 1:50 of the third round
Round 2:
Kimura comes out a bit more aggressive as Camus hopefully learned his lesson this round. He needs to keep his distance and avoid getting to the ground again; he's looking to stick and move early as Kimura is stepping heavy to get inside as fast as he can. He's looking to pull guard and get him to the ground again. Camus isn't looking to throw anything complex or deep; he's look to land a jab and a follow up combination before getting back out. He's using his footwork to get Kimura chase after him as he circles. Kimura comes in looking for the clinch and Camus gets right back out. Kimura is landing more as Camus's stick and move is working but he's not landing much. Camus grabs the clinch and looks for the takedown. Kimura is trying to work off the cage as Camus is content to land a knee or two. He wants the takedown but he wants to land with underhooks in. Kimura circles out, though and back to the center. Camus with a beautiful deep single picking the ankle as Kimura grabs butterfly guard. Kimura grabs a triangle and turns it into an armbar, spin out and into a deep triangle. Doesn't have it locked as Camus is defending. Kimura nearly finishes it as the round ends.
Score: 10-9 Kimura, 20-18 Kimura
Round 1:
Camus opens things with a big right that wobbles Kimura and Kimura pulls guard to get him to the ground. He grabs a triangle but Camus is fighting it off well. He has it in really tight, though, as he looks to work it. Camus defends it well and Kimura has to let it go. Kimura grabs it again and Camus is defending it well; he's leaving himself open as Kimura's guard is something else. He rolls for an omoplata and Camus rolls out, Dustin on to his feet and Camus off his back. Camus rolls to his stomach and Kimura dives in, taking back. He goes for the choke and Camus rolls him onto his back. Kimura's guard play is something else right now; Camus is defending well but Kimura is getting really close to catching him in something. Camus is leaving things open and Kimura works for a meat hook position but can't finish. Camus isn't doing much but playing defense right now. Round ends as he rolls off his back for an armbar and can't finish.
Score: Kimura 10-9
Edward Figueroa vs Francisco Rivera
Round 2:
Rivera comes out with some really nice movement to start. He's not standing in front and taking punishment this round; Edwin isn't landing nearly as much. Figueroa catches a kick and gets the takedown, Rivera nearly pulls a triangle out of it but Figueroa postures up and press him into the cage. We're in full guard as Rivera is looking for something off the bottom while Figueroa is landing some nice strikes. Edwin is really using top position to keep control; Rivera wall walks his way into a whizzer and then back to his feet. Really nice work from the bottom. Rivera with a nice hook/leg kick combination from the same side. Edwin is a bit gassed as his hands are down and Rivera is pushing the pace. Big left catches Edwin coming in; these guys are standing and trading something fierce. Rivera is landing some nice strikes as Edwin is just taking shots. Big combination from Rivera with 50 seconds as he's teeing off. Kim Winslow steps in at 4:20 of the second round.
Official Result: Francisco Rivera wins via TKO (strikes) at 4:20 of the second round.
Round 1:
Both guys come out throwing fairly early; no feeling out process either. Edwin is looking to throw to the body and then move up; Rivera is countering why leading to kicks to the body. Edwin tags him HARD and lands a nice combination. Rivera was wobbly for a moment but has recovered. Big left hook winged by Edwin and Rivera is down, Edwin dies in and Rivera grabs full guard on him. Rivera looks to work an armbar off the bottom and Edwin bails, both to our feet. Figueroa is landing some nice combinations and Rivera is only mustering one strike in response; Edwin is teeing off with nice combinations and Rivera's counters aren't doing much. Rivera with a sloppy double that works and Figueroa is in guard. Rivera with a beautiful guard pass into side control and Edwin shrimps to his feet. We're back up and back to throwing down. These guys are throwing some leather tonight. Rivera is getting timed off his leg kicks and as soon as he throws one Figueroa is throwing down the middle. Nice question mark kick and Rivera gets a nice takedown. Figueroa gets deep into mission control and Rivera postures up then stands up, letting Edwin stay on his back as he kicks his legs.
Score: Figueroa 10-9 ... he landed the biggest shot of the round and landed more effective striking. The two takedowns could sway the judges, though, so be warned if this goes to a decision.
Main Card
Jose Aldo vs Frankie Edgar
Rashad Evans vs Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
Alistair Overeem vs Antonio Silva
Jon Fitch vs Demian Maia
Joseph Benavidez vs Ian McCall
Prelims
Gleison Tibau vs Evan Dunham
Tyron Woodley vs Jay Hieron
Jacob Volkmann vs Bobby Green
Yves Edwards vs Isaac Vallie-Flagg
Online Prelims
Chico Camus vs Dustin Kimura
Edward Figueroa vs Francisco Rivera
