Benson Henderson vs Gilbert Melendez
Round 5:
Fifth and final round to a great fight, and it's still anyone's fight. Here we go. A couple of punches from both guys to start. Henderson throws a leaping head kick that misses. Inside leg kick from Benson. Melendez with a body shot and swings to take off Benson's head, but doesn't connect cleanly. Henderson stalking Gil now. High front kick from the champ misses. A pair of inside leg kicks land for Henderson. Henderson with very elusive movement and catching Gil at the right moments. Lots of hair flying as the champion throws two elbows. Outside leg kicks lands for Bendo. Gil pushes Henderson back after catching a kick, but Henderson keeps evading. Flying knee to the body from Gil. Under a minute to go and the fighters look to turn it up. Gil with a nice counter punch, but can't connect with a combination. Henderson looking to play keep away and throw a counter. He whips a whiffed back kick at the closing moments and both men raise their arms in victory at the buzzer.
Score: 10-9 Henderson, 49-46 Henderson
Official Result: Henderson wins via split decision (48-47 Melendez, 48-47 Henderson, 48-47 Henderson)
Second official result: Benson Henderson is now engaged.
Round 4:
Brief exchange to open and the guys collide in the middle of the octagon, bumping heads. Warning from Big John. Another brief meeting and they separate, exchanging punches. Melendez with a missed right and the champ shoots for a takedown with no success. Gil catches another kick and lets it go, then catches a knee and lets it go. Not a good sign for the champ. Henderson with another kick that lands, but also gets caught and Gil returns a knee. Benson steps into an elbow and backs off. Another exchange and Melendez with a good counter. The champion lands two front kicks to Gil's thigh. Gil slips and Henderson briefly has his back standing up, but Gil breaks free. Henderson looks more comfortable now and is earning points with tactical striking. Gil catches the champ coming in with a body shot. Melendez with another body shot and throws a combination, and they clinch against the cage. They separate to end the round. Yet another action packed but razor close round.
Score: 10-9 Henderson, 39-27 Henderson
Round 3:
Henderson playing to the crowd before Round 3, looking confident. Inside leg kick from the champ. Crowd breaks into “El Nino” chants. Both guys dancing around each other. Henderson lands a vicious leg kick that trips Gil for a second. Gil catches the champ coming in with a big punch and Henderson is backing up. More circling and Henderson comes in for a takedown. He's got a solid double and drags Gil down, but only to one knee. Melendez back up and they exchange in a clinch, mean punches and knees. Gil looks just as strong as Bendo so far, that added weight is paying off. Another exchange and Gil shrugs off another take down attempt. Body kick from the champ. Henderson comes in swinging and gets a double underhook. The two exchange strikes and break. Gil with a leg kick and Henderson times a perfect counter punch. Plenty of action so far. Another huge inside kick trips Melendez and Henderson is lightning quick to follow up with big elbows to the challenger's face. Another close round that Henderson probably won in the closing moments.
Score: 10-9 Henderson, 29-28 Henderson
Round 2:
Both fighters tentative to start, Melendez lands with punches and kicks and follows with another jab. Henderson with more kicks and a flurry between the two. Melendez looks sharper at the moment, quicker to the punch. Both guys sizing each other up. Melendez in the center with the octagon control. The champ looks much more passive than aggressive right now, Melendez has him a little off his game. Melendez pursuing and throws a big overhand right that's blocked. Henderson looks for a takedown but Gil escapes. Henderson hasn't landed anything memorable and Gil simply looks better at this point. The two exchange wildly and Henderson lands a good knee to the body. Sick elbows from the champ to end the exchange. Henderson finding a little groove here at the end of the round. A razor thin round that Henderson probably stole in that last minute.
Score: 10-9 Henderson, 19-19 even
Round 1:
Champion vs. Champion time. You have to wonder how the Diaz vs. Thomson result affects these two, since Gil beat Thomson, who just KO'd Diaz, a feat that Henderson couldn't pull off. They touch up and here we go. Melendez with some punches and nice leg kick on the inside. Henderson looks hesitant, then lands a straight jab that makes Melendez stumble. Melendez catches a leg kick and jumps into Henderson's guard, looking to ground and pound. Melendez has the champ sitting against the cage and gets a knee into Ben's face on the stand up. Gil catches another Henderson leg kick, and throws a flying knee, but Henderson stays upright and has Gil in a clinch. Henderson with knees to Gil's thighs. Henderson tries for a takedown but well defended by Gil who throws a good punch in the break. Henderson throwing kicks high and low. Gil returns with an inside kick of his own. Gil pursuing with two punch/kick combinations. Another caught leg kick and Gil makes the champ pay with a knee to the body. Gil gets the better of a punch exchange. Gil catches another kick at the buzzer and the round ends and the champ looks a little unsure out there.
Score: 10-9 Melendez
Frank Mir vs Daniel Cormier
Round 3:
Herb Dean wipes off both guys before Round 3 and DC complains about the extra break time. Mir with great kicks to start, both body and leg. DC catches one and trips up Mir to get another clinch against the cage. DC breaks with more punches to Mir's face. Strong body kick from Mir. Follows up with another and DC is backing up. They lock up and DC wants to clinch. Mir with another kick that Cormier catches and Cormier throws some fast punches to Mir's body. Yet another clinch with Herb Dean and the crowd imploring some action. Dean finally separates them. Mir with a borderline kick to the groin. DC gets another clinch, but nothing happening. Mir's losing this fight and he knows it, but he can't escape Cormier against the cage. Punches exchanged between the two, but another lull and Dean separates again. Some wild exchanges in the closing moments and they end up in a clinch at the buzzer. Solid win, but not the stuff of legends in Cormier's debut.
Score: 10-9 Cormier, 30-27 Cormier
Official Result: Cormier wins via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Round 2:
Mir with a good outside leg kick. Cormier with a jumping front kick that's not even close. Cormier stalking and stalking and gets another clinch. Cormier looking to go to work here. Shots to the midsection from Cormier. Not much happening and the crowd is booing. The fighters break on their own. Cormier earns another clinch and presses Mir back into the cage. Cormier backs off yet again after a few good body shots. Mir with a kick to Cormier's knee. Mir with another blocked head kick. Cormier catches Mir once again in a clinch and switches it up for a guillotine attempt. Nice uppercuts from Cormier and Mir throws stiff punches to back Cormier up. They exchange punches and Cormier gets the better of it. Another clinch and this time Herb Dean separates them. Nothing thrown for the last 15 seconds again and the crowd voices their displeasure.
Score: 10-9 Cormier, 20-18 Cormier
Round 1:
Here we go with the co-main event and Cormier's highly-anticipated debut in the Octagon. Interesting to see Greg Jackson in Mir's corner. Mir looking bouncy and throws a series of missed head kicks. Cormier stalking Mir and gets him in a cilnch against the cage. Crowd is chanting “DC!”. Cormier landing some dirty boxing shots. They break and Cormier throws a head kick and a flurry of punches. Cormier gets another clinch and lands a nice knee to the body. Cormier landing more dirty boxing to the body and head. DC dictating this fight so far, owning Mir in the clinch. Big elbow from DC and a knee from Mir to break. Another clinch and Cormier shows his fast hands. DC with Mir against the cage. They separate with an exchange of punches. DC slips after a kick attempt and Mir shoots for a guillotine but can't get it. Mir with a spinning head kick that misses and the guys stare at each other for the last 15 seconds.
Score: 10-9 Cormier
Nate Diaz vs Josh Thomson
Round 2:
Diaz comes out quick and aggressive. Catches Thomson in a clinch and throws a knee right into the jewels. Lull in the fight as Thomson tries to recover. Back at it and Diaz stands in the center of the octagon while Thomson circles. Diaz throwing taunting kicks. Thomson gets Diaz in a clinch and they exchange knees. Lots of action so far. Thomson with nice elbows and they break with punches exchanged. Thomson with another clinch and a good takedown. Diaz stands up and throws at Thomson's face as he stands back up. Thomson throws elbows to break the clinch. The crowd chants for Diaz, whose eye is bloodied up. Another clinch and more elbows to the face from Thomson. They break and Thomson lands another big head kick that dazes Diaz. Craziness now, Thomson is swarming all over him and Diaz is in BIG trouble. Diaz bunches up and isn't defending himself and the ref steps in to stop him right as Diaz' corner throws in the towel, litereally. Huge, huge win for Thomson who becomes the first guy to KO Nate Diaz. Impressive performance from “The Punk”.
Official Result: Josh Thomson def. Nate Diaz by TKO (punches) at 3:44 of Round 2
Round 1:
Both fighters get nice ovations from the crowd. Diaz taunts right away after a good leg kick from Thomson. Diaz throws a 1-2 and ends with a leg kick. Diaz the pursuer early here. A wild, short clinch and they break. Thomson switching stances frequently. Thomson lands a flush head kick that Diaz just shrugs off. That's got to dishearten Thomson. Diaz with more taunting and a few jabs that back Thomson up. Another head kick lands, but Diaz catches it at the end and trips up Thomson. Thomson right back up. Diaz lands a couple of good punches to the head. Diaz clinches and has Thomson against the cage. Thomson turns him and they break. Thomson with quick lateral movement and lands some good punches to Diaz' head. Great counters from Thomson, who catches Diaz coming in. Diaz with another clinch and Thomson takes Diaz down with authority. Thomson throwing big elbows and avoids a sub attempt from Diaz. Thomson looking to back off until the bell and Diaz pursues. Diaz with a kick to end the round.
Score: 10-9 Thomson
Matt Brown vs Jordan Mein
Round 2:
That first round was a hard round to top. Stiff jab from Brown to open. Brown with big knees to Mein's face and blood is pouring. Brown on top of Mein and Mein bunches up in a shell position. Brown throwing more punches and elbows to Mein's back and Mein is just getting mauled. Mein crouched over not defending himself and Big John steps in to stop it.
Official Result: Brown wins via TKO at 1:00 in round 2
Round 1:
Welterweight hopefuls Matt Brown and Jordan Mein kick off a stacked main card. Mein with a quick inside elbow to the face and Brown comes back with two solid punches. Brown aggressive and has Mein backing up all over the cage. Brown is throwing and making this a brawl. Mein trying to evade and land and he is succeeding. Brown drops Mein with a punch, but Mein bounces right back up. Mein's mouthpiece is out, but McCarthy helps and they're back at it. Both guys settle a bit after the initial wild exchange. Brown with a big right hook. Mein lands two big punches but Brown is unfazed, a tough guy is Matt Brown. Mein throws a big body punch and backs up Brown with more punches. Another vicious body punch and Brown falls to the ground. Mein raining some punches down from the top, but Brown catches Mein in a deep leg triangle. Mein hangs on and escapes by a hair and lets Brown back up. Right back at it and Brown throws two big knees that rock Mein, who looks hurt at the end of Round 1. What an amazing back and forth round.
Score: 10-9 Mein
Chad Mendes vs Darren Elkins
Round 1:
Here we go with the last fight of the undercard. Mendes comes out as the crowd favorite. Elkins with a noticeable size advantage. A couple of punches exchanged between the guys. Mendes with a solid leg kick and Elkins with a body punch to answer. Mendes catches Elkins coming in and follows up with two big rights. Elkins is dazed and Mendes lands another huge right hook and Elkins has no chance. Herb Dean steps in and Mendes has yet another first round KO. Mendes is psyched up and does his customary backflip, then calls out Jose Aldo on the camera.
Official Result: Mendes wins via TKO at 1:08 in Round 1
Francis Carmont vs. Lorenz Larkin
Round 3:
Carmont with some wild punches. Larkin evades and misses with a big counter hook. Carmont with another single and lifts it high to flip Larkin over, who manages to stay upright. Carmont jumps to his back and gets a leg hook in. Larkin defends yet again and manages to separate himself. Larkin with an outside leg kick, Carmont grabs him and slams him into the ground. Larkin in full guard, looking for a submission but Carmont escapes. Carmont on top but not mounting any offense. Larkin displaying amazing flexibility and locks Carmont up for a minute. Carmont throws a a few punches and gets his arm caught by Larkin in a kimura attempt. Carmont rolls over to escape and Larkin ends up on Carmont's back for a second before he slides out. Back to the feet now after that excellent display of ground offense/defense. Larkin with a harmless airbone capoeira spinning kick to end the round.
Score: 10-9 Larkin in a very close round, 29-28 Larkin
Official Result: Carmont wins via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Round 2:
Carmont comes out with two punches, lands a nice right. Missed high kick from Larkin and a swinging punch misses from Carmont. Carmont pursuing and a spinning back kick from Larkin blocked by Carmont. Stiff counter jab from Larkin catches Carmont. Spinning kick connects with Carmont's thigh. Larkin's countering is winning the round, excellent countering, catches Carmont coming in again. Carmont with a single now, against the cage. Briefly takes Larkin down but Larkin bounces back up and throws some vicious elbows down on Carmont. They break and back to the stand up. Strong outside leg kick from Larkin. Another, and a front leg kick connects to Carmont's thigh. Larkin with a quick leg kick and spins into another leg kick. Carmont wraps up his waist for a takedown and finally drags him down. Carmont eats a few punches for his troubles and the round ends.
Score: 10-9 Larkin, 19-19 even
Round 1:
Welterweight Champ Georges St-Pierre in the corner of Carmont. They touch gloves to start. Feeling out process and Carmont with a jab. Carmont in a Muay Thai stance and throwing kicks, using his length well. Blocked body kick from Carmont and a nice body kick from Larkin in return. Carmont shoots for a takedown, gets a single. Nothing doing, but he gets him down for a second and Larkin right back up. Carmont with a single leg against the cage. Carmont raises Larkin'g leg above his shoulder but Larkin with amazing balance for a guy his size. He just won't go down. In the clinch against the cage now, exchanging knees and they finally break. A few punches exchanged, but both guys a little tentative. Big punches from both guys miss and the round is over.
Score: 10-9 Carmont
Ramsey Nijem vs Myles Jury
Round 2:
Nijem gets poked and walks away without a ref stoppage and Jury throws a head kick that doesn't connect. Foolish decision by Nijem and McCarthy steps in. They start after a quick break. Exchange of punches and Nijem throws wildly. Nijem comes in wild again and Jury beats him to the punch with a brutal right hook to the jaw. Nijem collapses and Jury gets another one in for good measure before Big John can slide in. This one's over.
Official Result: Jury wins via KO - Round 2 (1:02)
Round 1:
Nijem swinging wildly and Jury with a takedown. Jury on Nijem's back, but Nijem manages to defend and has Jury in the clinch standing up. Good knee from Nijem. Jury turns him and gets Nijem down. He gets the back and throws some hammer punches to the head. Jury gets a body lock but slips and Nijem is over him, a potential armbar for Jury but Nijem is defending. Nijem escapes and transitions to Jury's back. They end up sitting and then going horizontal, and Jury turns and ends up on top. Lots of interesting grappling going on here. Jury on top again and has Nijem in a turtle position. Nijem defends and picks up and slams Jury. They end up in the middle of the cage with Nijem on Jury's back. Ultra close round with Jury slightly more dominant.
Score: 10-9 Jury
Joseph Benavidez vs Darren Uyenoyama
Round 2:
Benavidez getting the better of the stand up, Uyenoyama looks outmatched on the feet. JB with another flurry of kicks and punches. Backs up DC who isn't mounting any offense. Benavidez with a big combo, but Darren ends up on JB's back. Knees to the thighs and DC pulls guard without JB. Benavidez lands some big shots then ends up in DC's guard. Some more punches and he lets Uyenoyama back up. Benavidez in total control right now, basically sparring right now. JB with another 1-2. Uyenoyama is moving back a lot, mounting no offense. JB throwing with bad intentions, but not landing cleanly. Hard liver kick and Uyenoyama in survival mode. Gets FLOORED by big body punches from Benavidez and Dean steps in, this one is in the books.
Official Result: Benavidez wins via TKO 4:50 into Round 2.
Round 1:
Both CA fighters get good ovations from the crowd. Brief feeling out process. Swing and a miss leg kick from Benavidez. Lots of lateral movement from Uyenoyama. Benavidez catches a leg kick and a huge hook to the head of “DC”. Benavidez jumps into DC's guard for a moment but stands back up and lets DC up as well. Low kick from JB stops the fight for a few seconds. Back at it with the cat and mouse. Joseph with a big right hand and DC falls down again. JB lets him up, probably so he can keep punching him. Darren throws a few strong body kicks. Benavidez with a HUGE head kick that drops Uyenoyama, almost out cold but DC is still in there. DC back to his feet, amazingly and they clinch. JB takes him down and stays in his guard for a moment. JB back up and lets DC up yet again. They dance around until the round ends.
Score: 10-9 Benavidez
Tim Means vs Jorge Masvidal
Round 3:
Means comes out the aggressor. Lands a good left counter against Masvidal. Masvidal taking his time and throws a few combinations, but Means comes right back with his reach. A body kick from Masvidal , Means throws a knee but Masvidal catches it and has Means against the cage. Gets his back again and transitions to a double leg. Brings Means down and has his sitting against the cage, then tries to transition to Means' back. Means defends and they break. Means with an elbow, but Masvidal shoots. Sharp elbows from the bottom and Masvidal is taking punishment from the top. Means in full guard and Masvidal starts throwing punches and elbows. Means looking to defend and throws a nice punch from the bottom. Masvidal raining down strikes but nothing significant. Means looking for an armbar, very active from the bottom. Means with an elbow from the bottom. Means with more elbows, but Masivdal still on top. Masvidal with elbows to the body and face. Means looking for a kimura and a beautiful sweep to get on top of Masvidal. Tables are turned for the last 10 seconds and Means shoots in for some big strikes and that's how the fight ends.
Score: 10-9 Masvidal
Official result: Masvidal wins via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Round 2:
Means comes out looking to strike. Backs Masvidal up, but he comes forward with a few punches. Means using his reach well and picking his shots. Masvidal lands a body punch and shoots for a takedown. He gets Means down and Means is in full guard. Means throwing elbows to Masvidal's head. Masvidal is up and Means is throwing upkicks. One lands and Means is right back to his feet. Masvidal lands a great body hook and gets behind Means. Means is down again and Masvidal is raining punches down. Means turns over and Masvidal gets his back. Means in a turtle position and Masvidal gets a leg hook in. Means manages to stand back up but Masvidal is all over him. Seures two underhooks and brings Means back down. Jorge is throwing elbows from the top. Means grabs Masvidal's arms but Masvidal manages to land some more elbows. Jorge landing some punches from the top. Means trying to push him off and looks for an armbar, but Masvidal isn't having it. Jorge with more elbows. Means throwing elbows at Masvidal's head from the bottom. Masvidal with punches to the face and body. Masvidal has a nasty cut on the head and is dripping blood, probably from those elbows. Masvidal raining more punches down and the round is over.
Score: 10-9 Masvidal, 19-19 even
Round 1:
Two of the taller guys in the LW division here. A brief touch and they're on. A front kick to the body lands for Means. Another front kick blocked by Masvidal. Again, a body kick blocked by Masvidal. Three jabs from Means and they exchange briefly. Two kicks from both guys cancel each other out. Masvidal with a quick jab that catches Means. Masvidal with a 1-2 and a body kick. Spinning elbow from Means touches Masvidal. Big hook from Masvidal grazes Means' head. Means with a variety of strikes and Masvidal with a small flurry of punches. A body kick lands for Masvidal and Means misses a counter hook. Stiff jab lands for Masvidal. Means right back with one of his own. Masvidal grabs a single and picks Means right up and drops him. Masvidal on his back standing up and gets a single leg hook in. Masvidal with double underhooks against the cage, but they break. Means with a wild spinning elbow that misses. Means shoots for a single but Masvidal defends. Body punch from Means lands cleanly. Masvidal with a quick 1-2 and they end with a short exchange.
Score: 10-9 Means
T.J. Dillashaw vs Hugo Viana
Round 1:
The first fight of the undercard is underway. “The Wolverine” Viana is styling with some serious mutton chops. They touch gloves to start. Dillashaw hits and runs with a leg kick. Viana with a few missed jabs. He lands a big left hook on Dillashaw coming in, but Dillashaw grabs a single and lifts Viana's leg and takes him down. A quick scramble and Dillashaw has his back for a few seconds. Viana postures up and escapes impressively, catching Dillashaw with a hard elbow in the clinch. Dillashaw clinching and they exchange against the cage. They break and back to the stand up. Diallshaw briefly drops Viana, who puts a hand down and gets right back up. A few chasing jabs from TJ. A missed front kick to the face by Viana. A missed head kick from TJ and Viana lands a jab. Another big Dillashaw head kick misses. A right jab lands for TJ and Viana tries to counter with two of his own. Viana with a front kick to the body, blocked by TJ. Dillashaw with a high kick that lands on Viana's back. TJ lands a huge right hook that drops Viana and Viana is scrambling to recover. Another punch connects and Viana is out on his feet. Viana finally loses his balance and Dillashaw swarms with punches, forcing Big John to step in.
Official Result: TJ Dillashaw def. Hugo Viana by TKO (punches) at 4:22 of Round 1
Anthony Njokuani vs Roger Bowling
Round 2:
Bowling starts with a leg kick that gets caught and Njokuani sweeps Bowling, who bounces right back up. A couple of punches exchanged, but nothing connects. Nice combo thrown by Njokuani, but Bolwing dodges. Bowling with a stiff jab. Njokuani lands a front kick. Bowling misses an inside leg kick. Njokuani lands a front kick but takes a jab in return. Body shot by Bowling followed by a left hook. Looping right hook misses for Njokuani. Njokuani catches Bowling coming in a with short, solid left hook that floors Bowling. Dean steps in and that's all she wrote folks. Njokuani break dances in the Octagon in celebration.
Official Result: Anthony Njokuani def. Roger Bowling via TKO (punches) at 2:52 of Round 2
Round 1:
Herb Dean gets them started and they touch gloves. Bowling misses a leg kick. Both guys showing a lot of movement. Couple jabs from Bowling and a solid body kick lands. Feeling each other out, a soft body kick from Bowling. Bowling lands a nice hook to the head and throws a body shot. Njokuani not mounting much offense so far. Njokuani throws a jab. Bowling is the aggressor and lands a couple of left hooks to the body and head. Backs up Njokuani for a moment. Njokuani throws a quick jab to the body. Njokauni lands a body kick and Bowling makes Njokuani stumble with a jab. Solid leg kick from Bowling lands, Njokuani catches it but drops the leg. Bowling shoots and gets a big takedown. Njokuani in full guard. Bowling lands a short elbow to the face. More elbows and Njokuani works to the cage to get back to his feet. Njokuani on his feet now and they clinch against the cage. Njokuani breaks the clinch with a great elbow and knee. Headkick lands for Njokuani. Bowling lands a left hook, Njokuani with a nice 1-2 to end the round.
Score: 10-9 Bowling
Clifford Starks vs Yoel Romero
Round 1:
They touch gloves to start. Starks with a few feeler jabs. Romero with a nice leg kick and body shot. Starks lands a jab. Starks with an inside leg kick. Romero with a high kick that grazes Starks’ head. Starks with a jab to the body. Inside leg kick from Romero. Starks feints in and a HUGE flying knee from Romero connects with Starks’ face and Starks is down. Romero follows up with a few punches on the ground and the ref stops the fight.
Official Result: Romero def. Starks via TKO (flying knee) at 1:32 of Round 1.
FOX Main Card
Benson Henderson vs Gilbert Melendez
Frank Mir vs Daniel Cormier
Nate Diaz vs Josh Thomson
Matt Brown vs Jordan Mein
FX Prelims
Chad Mendes vs Darren Elkins
Francis Carmont vs. Lorenz Larkin
Ramsey Nijem vs Myles Jury
Joseph Benavidez vs Darren Uyenoyama
Tim Means vs Jorge Masvidal
T.J. Dillashaw vs Hugo Viana
Online prelims
Anthony Njokuani vs Roger Bowling
Clifford Starks vs Yoel Romero
