DARREN ELKINS VS. STEVEN SILER
Round 1 - Referee Marc-Andre Cote refs this featherweight fight. Elkins
leads with a jab, and they trade early. Siler favors a few hooks, but
gets tagged on the counter. Elkins resets and advances while taking a
leg kick. Counter brings landed shot for Elkins, who's doing well on the
back end of exchanges. Elkins charges and the two hit the cage. Knees
from Elkins. Siler works to escape but is stuffed. More knees land in
close for Elkins, and he grabs a body lock for a takedown. Siler passes
to side guard, but adjustment puts him in Siler's guard. Elkins postures
up and fires down a punch, then stands overhead and lands a few more
bombs. Siler misses upkick and gives up side mount briefly. Elkins back
in half-guard, headlocks Siler's neck. Let's it go, and more ground and
pound from Elkins. Siler kicks free and stands, but Elkins grabs him and
takes him back to mat. Siler kicks off a punch and hints at triangle,
and Elkins grabs his neck in a scramble. A few rolls, and Elkins still
has the headlock. A few beats, and he lets it go as 10-second clapper
sounds. A punch up top for Elkins ends the frame, which MMAjunkie.com
scores 10-9 for Elkins.
Round 2 - Siler advances with a lower stance, and paws a jab. Elkins
combo misses. Siler plants for a leg kick, and Elkins springs for
takedown. Again, Elkins postures up and throws a few bombs. Siler kicks
him off, but he's back in. Another sequence of the same, and Elkins
takes the back as Siler attempts to right himself. He's got the
position, but Siler escapes. They're up against the cage with Elkins
working punches, and the two sink back to the mat. Hand-fighting. Elkins
winging punches, and Siler attempting to defend from both choke and
strikes. He wings an elbow and punch backward. 1:45 to go. Elkins
adjusts and lands more punches. He goes palm-to-palm and then adjusts
for rear-naked, but Siler gives thumbs up. His face is turning beet-red
from the punches Elkins is landing at his back. 30 seconds left, and
Elkins not only has choke position but body triangle. Somehow, Siler is
not going out. Quite impressive, but this round is all Elkins for
another 10-9 score. 20-18 Elkins.
Round 3 - A marked-up Siler lands a jab, and Elkins swings wild in
response. No more kicks from Siler. The two trade jabs. Elkins ducks
down and Siler misses a knee. Elkins' still swinging with big punches,
but missing more. Siler finds mark with a combo. But when he leaps in
with a knee, Elkins once again grabs him and takes him to the mat.
Elkins stands overhead at cage, but this time, Siler uses links to
stand, taking a knee to the body in the process. Elkins wants him back
down, but peels off, the two exchanging a punch on the back end. Right
hook for Elkins lands. Elkins shoots from the open and is initially
stuffed, but adjusts, changes angles and gets it done. Elkins in guard
again working big shots from up top. Two minutes left. Elkins passes to
half-guard and grabs Siler's head again. Let's it go. Siler working high
guard, and a few punches. Locks in rubber guard. Elkins is unimpressed
and stands overhead. Siler rolls free when he misses from up top. Elkins
ducks under Siler's first punch and takes them back down. He's on
Siler's back at the cage edge. Silers turns to him and takes a shot as
Elkins retreats. Siler with a combo, and immediately a takedown attempt.
He stuffs it with headlock, and audience senses a possible submission.
No dice, and round ends with another 10-9 tally for Elkins, who sweeps
it 30-27. Darren Elkins def. Steven Siler via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
AZAMAT GASHIMOV VS. IVAN MENJIVAR
Round 1 - Referee Phillippe Chartier oversees this bantamweight bout.
Menjivar paws at the very bouncy Gashimov. They trade early and Menjivar
lands to the body. He misses big follow up hook, and Gashimov shoots
under for a takedown, getting it after a brief struggle. Gashimov in
Menjivar's guard, and the UFC vet attempts to tie him up. Gashimov
postures and Menjivar works for armbar, nearly getting slammed. Gashimov
barely avoids upkick on way back down, and we're back in the same
position. Gashimov works arm triangle from guard, but doubtful he'll get
that. Body-body head for Gashimov. Menjivar grabs a leg and sweeps
directly into a belly-down armbar. Gashimov is tapping long before the
out of position referee sees it. The official time of the 2:44 of the
first frame. Ivan Menjivar def. Azamat Gashimov via submission (armbar) - Round 1, 2:44
JOHN MAGUIRE VS. MATT RIDDLE
Round 1 - Referee Yves Lavigne third man in cage for this welterweight
fight. Southpaw fight gets started slowly. Maguire in with a kick.
Riddle returns with a jab. Riddle lands big right that knocks Maguire
off balance. Body kick from Riddle. Maguire in with a two-punch combo.
Riddle counters on next attempt and lands. Another glancing body kick
for Riddle, who deflects kick and counters on next exchange. Riddle jabs
in. Right hand lands big for Maguire. Riddle's body kick caught. Sneaky
right for Riddle. A lot of fits and starts in first round, not much
big. Left hand for Riddle lands. Riddle launches back leg at Maguire
when his other one is caught. Audience loves that. Maguire still
unfazed. Riddle tries the same back kick when next leg kick is caught
and takes a few punches when Maguire adjusts. They hit the cage, and
Riddle is hinting at takedown. Maguire grabs a collar tie as they walk
across octagon and lets it go. Back to sparring. Riddle blocks takedown
attempt. Maguire with straight left into clinch, gets pushed away when
he leaps with knee. Maguire changing levels a lot, but so far, he's not
getting to Riddle's legs. Round ends with a whimper, but it goes to
Riddle, 10-9.
Round 2 - Riddle misses counter on first exchange. Maguire with big leg
kick. Riddle presses in with a hook. Front kick for Riddle. Maguire with
another leg kick. Big left for Maguire on two-punch combo. Riddle
advances to counter. They wind up clinched at cage with Riddle working
the knees. Riddle peels off, and we're back in open range. Misses for
both. Neither fighter committing much to combinations. Two nice lefts
from Maguire who's suddenly lighting Riddle up. But when he kicks,
Riddle catches it and puts him on the mat. Riddle pauses, then throws
down a big punch. Riddle working around Maguire's outstretched legs. He
flops into guard, and it's body-body-head time. Maguire with butterfly
guard lifts him off, and Lavigne stands them up at Riddle's behest.
Maguire presses to the cage and lets his hands go, but Riddle catches
him again and pushes him to the cage. Maguire pushes him off and lands a
leg kick. Right hand lead hook lands for Riddle. Another right for
Maguire, who catches Riddle's neck when he pitches forward. Riddle
escapes and lets him off cage. The two go toe to toe against the cage,
with Maguire countering and landing just a bit better. Crowd loves it.
Riddle touches gloves at the round's end. MMAjunkie.com scores the frame
10-9 for Maguire.
Round 3 - Riddle advances with a jab to the body. Nice counter hook off
the jab for Riddle. Jab lands for Riddle. Maguire backs off a flurry and
resets. Maguire punches into a clinch and lands a right hand that gets
Riddle's attention. They exchange hard jabs. Riddle backs him against
cage, but we don't get a slugfest. Kick to the body for Riddle. Riddle
counters leg kick with punch, and he's on the move. They both miss in
follow up exchanges. Maguire with that left hand again. Riddle jab keeps
him back. Leg kick for Maguire. And for Riddle, who next goes to the
body. He's got the center of the cage far more in this round. Maguire
still looking for that big left as Riddle diddles. Riddle corners him
and lands a nice combo. Maguire shoots and gets stuffed against the
cage. Riddle hoists for a takedown and knees the legs when Maguire
denies. Double undercooks for Riddle. Less than a minute to go. Lavigne
calls for action. Riddle misses a trip, and then suddenly peels off.
Maguire lands jab and gets waved in by Riddle, who shoots in for a
takedown. Maguire grabs his neck and rolls for a guillotine, but by the
time he's rolled Riddle, the round is kaput. Very close round, but
Riddle gets it 10-9 for a 29-28 win. Matthew Riddle def. John Maguire via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
ANTONIO CARVALHO VS. RODRIGO DAMM
Round 1 - Dan Miragliotta oversees this featherweight bout. Touch of
gloves and we're underway. Slow start. Carvalho inching in, gets a jab
from Damm, who feints before unloading a combo. Carvalho kicks the leg
after punches meet air. Carvalho lands a leg kick. A lot of staring.
Carvalho kicks the leg as Damm punches. Again, Damm shoves in and gets
kicked in the leg. They trade inside leg kicks. Carvalho smacks Damm
with outside kick. Some of crowd chants "GSP." Damm with good leg kick.
And Carvalho. A lot of staring, though. Another hard leg kick for Damm,
who closes and lands his own leg kick before getting slapped with
another. Neither guy letting his hands go. Both tentative and relying on
leg kicks, half of which don't land. Another trade of leg kicks.
Carvalho goes up high but gets blocked. His follow up punches miss.
Carvalho with that left hook and leg combo again. Nice leg kick counter
to Damm's combo. Carvalho catches a jab, seemingly wakes up, and starts
turning up the tempo. But the round is over. What little action seen
goes to Carvalho for the 10-9 score.
Round 2 - Another 20 seconds, and we've just seen a few leg kicks.
Carvalho misses high kick, prompting a few aaahs. They trade leg kicks.
Another high kick blocked for Carvalho. He lands to the leg, but
audience is losing patience. High kick for Carvalho glances. A lot of
feints from Damm, and he jabs in. Carvalho resets. Carvalho trips on
high kick attempt, and Damm attempts to leap onto his back. Instead,
they tumble over each other and wind up back on their feet. Carvalho
offers a glove. And more kicks from both. Damm's jab hook combo misses.
Carvalho's high kick blocked. Damm punches in, but hits air. They trade
leg kicks. Losing the crowd, and fast. Carvalho's high kicks are so
telegraphed they're blocked every time. Damm lands a punch off a leg
kick. The Brazilian punches in, but Carvalho avoids and resets. Front
kick from Carvalho misses. Damm just pulled his own punch. Carvalho's
nose is bleeding slightly. Nice left counter from Damm. Then Carvalho
lands a nice right hand in the middle of an exchange. Another round in
the books, and MMAjunkie.com gives a slight edge to Carvalho, 10-9 for a
20-18 score.
Round 3 - First 30 seconds of third go much the same as the first two.
Damm breaks the monotony with a leg pick, but Carvalho is hip to it.
Carvalho is working that lead leg high kick. Damm inching forward with
jabs. Now the entire crowd is booing. And who can blame them? Aside from
a few leg kicks, they're canceling each other out. Out of nowhere,
Carvalho drops his mouthpiece and signals to Miragliotta. This does not
impress the audience. We're back, and Damm lands a nice right hand to
end a combo of pressing jabs. They trade leg kicks, and both land shots
in the subsequent exchange. Nice left from Damm against a bobbing
Carvalho. Nice body shot for Damm. But Carvalho counters with a two-shot
combo that backs him off. Leg kick for Carvalho, who better times his
next head kick. Still, it's picked off. Less than a minute to go, and
we're pretty much where we started at the beginning of all this.
Carvalho still working that head kick, but it's blocked. He checks a leg
kick, and Damm resets. Carvalho lands a two-shot combo and leaps in
with a knee after hearing the 10-second clapper, but nothing doing in a
dud of a fight. Damm takes it 10-9 on MMAjunkie.com scorecard, but
Carvalho should pick the fight up 29-28. Antonio Carvalho def. Rodrigo Damm via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
JOHN MAKDESSI VS. SAM STOUT
Round 1 - Referee Marc-Andre Cote in charge of this lightweight contest.
Touch of gloves, and Makdessi immediately to work with kicks. Stout
advances and throws a one-two. Next tries are blocked. Makdessi goes
with a nice left hand counter to Stout's combo. Stout counters a leg
kick. Nice jab for Makdessi. Glancing leg kick from Stout. Stout goes
with wild hook and gets popped by short counter from Makdessi. Stout
changes levels and attacks the body. Nice leg kick from Stout. Side kick
from Makdessi, and a nice jab to keep Stout away. Makdessi circling
Stout, who's looking for a way in. Nice short left from Makdessi as
Stout charges. Switching stances is Makdessi. Nice punch off kick for
"The Bull." Jab guts there, too. Stout charges but Makdessi plays
matador. Nice jab from Makdessi. Stout's face is reddening. Nice rig
hand from Stout, and he tries to finish with a takedown. No dice. He
jabs in after eating one. Big wild right hand from Stout gets a tight
one-two. He digs to the body. Stout, though, is missing a lot. Makdessi
lands a spinning back kick. Makdessi winning the war of counters. Stout
is aggressive, but less effectively so. First round ends, and
MMAjunkie.com gives it 10-9 to Makdessi.
Round 2 - Stout charging ahead as Makdessi again works a side kick. Leg
kick from Stout is caught. Makdessi counters again. Body shot lands for
Stout, but he eats a counter to the dome for it. Reset. Stout changes
levels. Makdessi with body kick. Nice jab for Makdessi. Stout missing
with big right off jabs. Dual body shots for Stout. He's certainly
winning the colume game, here. He shoots from open and briefly gets
Makdessi to the mat, but they're both up in a sec. Head kick grazes
Makdessi's face. Body kick for Stout. Makdessi's attempts at same are
blocked. Stout nice with a one-two counter. But Makdessi pops him with a
jab. High pace in this fight. Nice jab for Stout. Makdessi kicks to the
body. Stout still pressing forward as Makdessi looks for the counter.
Will be interesting to see how judges score this. Makdessi scores with a
big one-two off a counter, but Stout is unrattled. Stout lands a nice
right hand. Stout leads to the body and takes a jab. He grabs a leg, but
after dragging Makdessi around the cage still can't get things down.
Left counter from Makdessi seals the round. MMAjunkie.com scores the
second frame 10-9 for Makdessi.
Round 3 - Stout eats a jab but avoids a spinning kick from "The Bull."
Two-part kick frm Makdessi. A spinning hook kick nearly gets Stout. Jabs
for Stout land. Stout leads to the body. Still an insane pace for the
two. Makdessi countering with jab, then lands a nice left hook. He
catches a kick and makes Stout pay again. Stout to the body. Stout
chases Makdessi, who circles off. Stout runs straight into a left hand.
Makdessi with a slick head kick in transition. Stout still coming
forward. Of the two, though, he looks worse for the wear. He's eating
two to give one. Jab stops his attack. For a second…he's still chasing. A
takedown attempt misses. Makdessi expertly playing matador here. Nice
bob and counter jab for Makdessi, who's just a bit faster than Stout in
every exchange. Stout is making up for it with aggression and volume,
but the points are going mostly to Makdessi. A low kick briefly pauses
us. Stout charges in again and easts a jab. Stout tries to go with a
knee this time and then shoots unsuccessfully again. He's charging and
throwing punch after punch after punch that mostly miss. MMAjunkie.com
scores the round 10-9 for Makdessi, who should take this 30-27. John Makdessi def. Sam Stout via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
CYRILLE DIABATE VS. CHAD GRIGGS
Round 1 - Referee Marc-Andre Cote refs this light heavyweight, which
serves as Griggs 205 debut. Griggs staking in off the bat and meets a
knee. Then he leaps in with a kick and gets countered with a shot that
takes him off his feet. Diabate gets on top and stuffs Griggs as he
tries to get up. But Griggs keeps powering and gets up. Diabate grabs
his waist and yanks him back down. Crowd has awoken. Diabate working in
half-guard as Griggs uses cage to push up. He gets to his knees and
keeps his hands on the mat for a short bit, but takes a knee when his
hands come off. Diabate lands a few illegal shots prompting a complaint
from Griggs, who powers Diabate to the mat in a subsequent drive. They
recover to their feet, where Griggs drives for a takedown. Problem is,
he's not facing Diabate fully, and falls, literally, right into back
control. Diabate has to do little but secure hooks and the arm-triangle,
which he does for a tappout at the 2:24 mark of the first frame. Cyrille Diabate def. Chad Griggs via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 1, 2:24
PATRICK COTE VS. ALESSIO SAKARA
Round 1 - Referee Dan Miragliotta the third man in cage for this
middleweight fight. Cote leads with inside kick. He's jabbing in and
lands to the body. Another inside kick. Right hand meets counter. Jab
for Sakara. Cote misses combo and tumbles off. Cote lands big in close
and Skaraa is looking tio counter. Dirty boxing against knees. Elbows
from Sakara roc Cote and he's against the cage. Cote is down, and Sakara
is throwing hammerfists to the head, most of which look illegal. Cote
loses consciousness a third of the way into the assault, and Miragliotta
intervenes. Boos from the audience, and even more when the replay shows
most of the finishing shots were illegal. After an extended meeting
between referee and UFC officials, Cote is determined as the winner by
disqualification at the 1:26 mark of the round. Patrick Cote def. Alessio Sakara via DQ (strikes to back of head) - Round 1, 1:26
MARK HOMINICK VS. PABLO GARZA
Round 1 - Referee Marc-Andre Cote is the referee for this featherweight
fight. Hominick comes right at Garza, who immediately starggers him with
a left hand. Hominick comes forward and eats kicks from the ling-limbed
fighter. Garza with shot to the body. He's sniping as Hominick chases.
More kicks for Garza, who's briefly pinned against the cage. Hominick is
looking for the big shot and taking a jot of blows. But he finally
opens up and…meets glove. Garza escapes and fires back. Hominick back
in, and he eats a jab. Garza circles away and lands a leg kick. Hominick
eats a knee as he comes in with his head lowered. Reach is killing
Hominick here. A right hand hurts Garza, but he recovers and lets more
kicks go. He grabs a clinch and Hominick tosses them to the mat. Garza
gets an armbar, but Hominick picks him up and wiggles out of it. From
there, he lands big shot from up top. Garza kicks off and Hominick
escapes. Leaping knee from Garza, and Hominick goes with the jab again.
Garza attacking body. Then Hominick drops him with a body shot and lands
a knee in transiting. Uppercut looks like it hurt Hominick's eye. Garza
on the assault now in the crazy round. Hominick's left eye is a mess,
and Garza is unloading against the cage. Round ends with a cloud of
smoke from the wild swings in action. MMAjunkie.com scores the frame
10-9 for Hominick for dropping Garza.
Round 2 - That left eye is swelling, and Garza launches a spinning
skink. Hominick attacks the body again, and Garza tries the same.
Charging leg kick for Garza. Hominick working his boxing. Garza shoots
for a takedown and Hominick rolls, but Garza winds up on top in
Hominick's guard. Finally, the action slows. Garza posturing as Hominick
looks for an armbar. Garza with a few shots from up top. Hominick
angles for a leg, and Garza pushes them to the edge of the cage. He
lands elbows from up top. Garza's length makes it easy for him to hit
the head while still pressed against Hominick's torso. Hominick trying
to tie things up. Garza stands and unloads heavy punches that damage.
Hominick scrambles and almost grabs a leg. But Garza is having his way,
and Hominick is getting battered. Again, Hominick tries to snag a leg,
and the crowd chants his name. Garza is having none of it. His size is
just too much to manipulate. Big elbow for Garza. Hominick's face
swelling. Now he's tying up. But those elbows just keep coming. Ten
seconds left, and the action is slowing. Round ends with a clear 10-9 in
the corner of Garza, making the score even at 19-19.
Round 3 - Hominick has cuts under both eyes now. Head kick leads for
Garza. Hominick still jamming in. He's again meeting a whole lot of
resistance from Garza, who's active with kicks and punches. Best shots
so far have been to the body. Hominick corners him briefly and unloads
after a takedown attempt. Garza charges and put the pair on the mat. And
we're back to a very bad place for Hominick, who's eating more elbow
sandwiches. He twice hoists his legs for an armbar, but Garza has his
number. Three minutes left, and Garza stands. Hominick grabs a leg,
preventing Garza from getting leverage to throw big shots. But when
Garza returns to guard, he's got elbows all day. Next time he stands,
big shots score. Elbows again. Garza briefly stands. Hominick kicks him
off, and instantly, Garza chases down another takedown. You know what
happens from here. Garza stands and lands big punches. Hominick grabs an
arm but doesn't have enough leverage for the joint-lock. Garza raises
his arms at the bell, and a very swollen Hominick heads to his corner.
Another 10-9 for Garza, who should take this 29-28. Pablo Garza def. Mark Hominick via unanimous decision (29-27, 30-26, 29-28)
MARK BOCEK VS. RAFAEL DOS ANJOS
Round 1 - Referee Yves Lavigne is third man in the cage for this
lightweight fight. Bocek is the offensive guy here, pressing in until
the two meet the cage. Dos Anjos grabs a plumb and fires off a knee,
which prompts a reply in kind before the two separate. Nice left hand
for Dos Anjos on the break-off. Leg kick for the Brazilian. Dos Anjos
goes high with kick as Bocek charges into the clinch. Bocek grabs a leg
and throws a knee, prompting Dos Anjos to reset. Bocek on a single now,
and nearly vaults Dos Anjos overhead. Dos Anjos grabs a plumb and lands
some nice knees to break himself out of clinch purgatory. Lot of feints
from Dos Anjos to keep Bocek guessing. Bocek plods forward. Uppercut
lands in middle of combo for Dos Anjos. He misses with big uppercut.
Bocetk trips on a high kick. He gets up and drives them to the cage,
grabbling for a double leg. Dos Anjos stuffs it and attempts a switch
knee. Overhand left for Dos Anjos. Leg kick prompts shot from Bocek,
who's again ensnared in a plumb before changing levels for a leg. His
drop to a knee doesn't faze Dos Anjos, who again spins out. A jumping
front kick, and the two bump heads badly before resetting. First round
goes to Dos Anjos 10-9 for takedown defense and superior striking.
Round 2 - A leg kick lands for Dos Anjos, who subsequently takes a kick
to the jewels. After a brief restert, Dos Anjos digs to the body. Bocek
shoots and is repaid with a punch to the face. He adjusts and tries
again against the fence, but instead winds up on bottom, where he takes a
few shots. He springs up and tries for a kimura, but Dos Anjos drives
him down. Dos Anjos has an arm now and goes from kimura to armbar, but
Bocek defends and drives forward for a takedown. Again, he's stuffed,
and Dos Anjos lands punches in transition. Dos Anjos now has a leg, but
then peels off with a few punches. Bocek's left eye has taken a nasty
shot and is closing. He shoots again but is dodged, and Dos Anjos
retorts with his own takedown. He winds up at Bocek's back, where he
flings a few hammerfists. Bocek has a hold of his arm, then rolls to his
hands and knees. He's clinging to Dos Anjos's leg for dear life. Bocek
stands and gets taken down in short order. He stands again and takes
punches and elbows against the cage. When Dos Anjos peels off, he's a
swollen mess. They trade kicks to end the round. MMAjunkie.com scores
the second frame for Dos Anjos, 10-9, putting him ahead 20-18 on the
scorecard.
Round 3 - Bocek takes a kick and punch before landing a nice body kick
to start final frame. Front kick from Dos Anjos, who's feinting and
dodging takedown attempts. He shoots on his own and misses against the
cage, and Bocek is now looking to take the fight down. Bocek scoops the
legs, but Dos Anjos has a hand posted and rights himself. Big return
punches from Dos Anjos, who hoists Bocek northward and dumps him. Dos
Anjos works around to the cage, and Bocek wheels them around working for
a kimura before they reset. Dos Anjos with leg kick. Right hand for
Bocek. Dos Anjos jumps in with a knee to body. Dos Anjos comes out with
another point in subsequent exchange. He falls in anticipation of
another takedown, and Bocek drives again. Bocek grabs a leg and finds
himself in another plumb eating knees in close. Lavigne separates them,
and Dos Anjos charges with combo after combo. He's getting loose, not
landing much, but compared to Bocek, he's looking a whole lot better. He
gets wild with a spinning kick. Bocek evades and counters. A few
indecisive exchanges end the fight. MMAjunkie.com scores the final frame
10-9 for Dos Anjos, who should take this 30-27. Tough night for
Canadians so far. Rafael dos Anjos def. Mark Bocek via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
TOM LAWLOR VS. FRANCIS CARMONT
Round 1 - Referee Phillippe Chartier is the referee for this
middleweight fight. Lawlor immediately closing distance, and clinches up
quick against cage. Carmont looking to prevent double undercooks, works
for plumb and ties up and arm. Lawlor wings a punch with free arm, and
Carmont knees. Lawlor has a leg and lifts, but Carmont is a big dude.
Carmont gets a shot off close, but Lawlor won't give him space. A brief
spin, and it's Lawlor pressing again. Chartier separates them and
Carmont lands two heavy body kicks. Carmont pawing the jab. Lawlor tries
to com over top, and then charges for a takedown. His trip misses, and
he's working for a double against the cage. Carmont threatens with a
kimura to reverse, and Lawlor peels out. Body kick from Carmont, and
Lawlor charges again. Lawlor unsuccessful getting fight down, and we're
in open range. Body kick for Carmont. Lawlor punches in and lands an
uppercut. Carmont trying to corner Lawlor. Lawlor retreats. Carmont
ducks under for a takedown, and Lawlor slaps on a guillotine choke.
Carmont working Lawlor's legs to ease pressure. After a few tense
seconds, it's clear Lawlor doesn't have the position, and Carmont frees
himself. The round ends with that. MMAjunkie.com scores the round 10-9
for Lawlor.
Round 2 - Lawlor pressing in again. Carmont doing a little voguing.
Lawlor throws a right then dodges away. A straight left lands for
filthy. Carmont misses with right hand but lands a heavy knee that backs
Lawlor off. He's back in, and lands a straight left and goes for the
clinch. Back against the cage, and Lawlor is driving for a takedown. He
ain't got it, and peels off. Carmont's outstretched arms trying to keep
distance, and he pays with a hard right hand. Carmont trying to corner
Lawlor. Right hand counter lands for Carmont, but he's shoved back
against fence. Crowd not liking this one bit. Lawlor gives space, and
Carmont fires off a few shots. Lawlor ducks under and nabs the takedown.
Against cage, he works punches from the top. Carmont rights himself and
takes a few knees. Carmont tries to threaten with a kimura. Lawlor
turns the corner and takes them to the mat. Carmont gets his legs up for
a triangle, but Lawlor swings around to side control. When Carmont
pitches forward, Lawlor goes with the guillotine again. And again, he
doesn't have the leverage. Carmont escapes, postures up and fires down
big shots before being kicked off as the bell sounds. Another round in
the bag for Lawlor, 10-9, who improves his lead to 20-18.
Round 3 - Probably the most punching yet between the two, with Carmont
going with powerful kicks and Lawlor working his straight left. Carmont
leaps with a knee and gets driven to the fence. Lawlor working a
single-leg. Carmont fires back with a knee. Booing. Chartier separates
them and Lawlor fires a few straight lefts. High kick from Carmont
blocked. Carmont stalking in. Now working the jab as Lawlor presses.
Carmont misses a shot and Lawlor ducks into the clinch, but no takedown
attempts. Carmont fakes a level change and Lawlor takes it as a green
light to press them into the cage. Carmont with short elbows to the
bent-over Lawlor, who's now working a single. Carmont defends, and
throws a knee. Another knee, and Lawlor drives. Carmont escapes and
tries to set up a straight right. His outstretched arm is a distraction,
but Lawlor gets around it with a right hand. Return kicks are blocked.
Lawlor takes a leg kick. Lawlor gets a straight left. Nice body kick for
Carmont. Left scores again for Lawlor, who presses to the fence.
Carmont bucks him off briefly, but round ends with Lawlor in dominant
position against cage. MMAjunkie.com scores the frame 10-9 for Lawlor,
giving him the 30-27 decision. Francis Carmont def. Tom Lawlor via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
JOHNY HENDRICKS VS. MARTIN KAMPMANN
Round 1 - Referee Dan Miragliotta oversees this welterweight co-main
event, which could determine next contender. Kampmann leads with head
kick that's blocked. Hendricks blocks another. Then a series of fast
rights from Hendricks, who meets glove on all before resetting. Body
kick from Kampmann, which is blocked. A big right hand is followed by a
left that drops Kampmann cold to the mat. Miragliotta is right on him,
and that's the fight. Ladies and gentleman, Johny Hendricks, the next
welterweight contender. The official time of stoppage is 0:46 seconds of
the first round. Johny Hendricks def. Martin Kampmann via knockout (punch) - Round 1, 0:46
CHAMP GEORGES ST-PIERRE VS. INTERIM CHAMP CARLOS CONDIT
Round 1 - Referee Yves Lavigne is third man in cage for this
welterweight title unification fight. St-Pierre immediately pressing in.
Leg kicks for the champ. Condit returns, circles off jab. Condit high
kick blocked. St-Pierre closing again. A combo is blocked from the
interim champ. St-Pierre pursues. Inside leg kick for champ. Condit
front kick misses. Condit explodes with combo that's blocked. St-Pierre
punch lands and COndit circles. St-Pierre lands a punch, then gets a
single leg and puts Condit on the mat. St-Pierre postures and works a
can opener. Condit angles for armbar, but St-Pierre is hip to that.
Elbow for the champ. St-Pierre passes to half-guard. He postures up and
lands a few shots. Another pass attempt is blocked. Still stuck in
half0guard, and Condit recovers guard. Can opener for Condit, who angles
legs for armbar. St-Pierre stands and lands a punch overhead. St-Pierre
stands again and, well, does what he's best at. Condit isn't doing much
to scramble, preferring to try submissions or throw punches. St-Pierre
keeps him honest with a big shot overhead. Then returns to guard, where
he lands elbows. Condit again agaigles for an arm, then threatens a leg
to right himself. A cut has opened on Condit's right brow. MMAjunkie.com
scores the first frame 10-9 for St-Pierre.
Round 2 - St-Pierre back to his advance. Condit with inside kick. He
thinks about a leaping knee but decides against it. A high kick is
blocked. St-Pierre with straight jab. Combo from Condit blocked.
St-Pierre tries front kick and misses with follow up high roundhouse.
Condit with front kick. St-Pierre jabs. Straight right lands for the
champ. One-two from Condit misses, and another. High kick from champ
blocked. He's working to corner Condit. Nice jab for St-Pierre.
St-Pierre takes a jab. Condit digs to the body. Condit leaps right into a
one-two from St-Pierre. One-two from Condit misses. He telegraphs a
high kick. St-Pierre jabs. Spinning backfist misses. Condit lands to the
body. A leg kick is scooped by St-Pierre, and he's back on top in
half-guard. Condit is bleeding. St-Pierre stands and lands a shot
overhead. Condit rolls for a leg again, but St-Pierre fights it. Can
opener from St-Pierre to open up Condit. He stands and fires off more
punches that land. Both of them are turning red from Condit's blood.
Condit with elbows to the top of the dome. St-Pierre still trucking.
More punches from up top. He stands overhead and sends Condit reeling
with a punch. St-Pierre counters with a one-two, and second round is
over. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for St-Pierre, putting him up 20-18.
Round 3 - St-Pierre resumes forward charge. Body kick from Condit. Jab
from champ and inside leg kick. Wheel kick from Condit misses. But his
next serious attempt, a left high kick, takes St-Pierre off his feet.
Condit is all over St-Pierre with punches and elbows. St-Pierre trying
to tie up and escape. Upkick for St-Pierre and he rolls to escape. His
eye is bleeding now, but he's advancing. One-two from St-Pierre is
followed by easy takedown against cage. St-Pierre is working ground and
pound as Condit angles hips for an armbar. Elbow for St-Pierre. Condit
with body triangle from the bottom. He's now working to get up as
St-Pierre presses him back. Punches from up top for St-Pierre. Condit
stands, but St-Pierre has his waist. Condit grabs a kimura but can't get
it, and spills to the mat on bottom, where St-Pierre's ground assault
continues. Less than a minute remaining, and Condit works to sweep. But
St-Pierre passes to half-guard. Condit again goes with a kimura, but
St-Pierre gets his arm free and throws down a few punches before the
round ends. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Condit.
Round 4 - Kicks from Condit to start the round, as St-Pierre closes
distance. The two trade high kicks bfore St-Pierre charges in and nabs
another takedown against the cage. Condit sits up, but St-Pierre presses
him back down. An attempted pass to side guard fails for St-Pierre. So
he resumes doing damage in guard. Condit rolls to his side and takes a
punch that makes him reconsider. St-Pierre briefly passes to side guard,
but Condit gets guard back. An elbow lands for St-Pierre. Condit works
again for an armbar, and uses his long legs to tie up St-Pierre. It's a
brief vacation, as St-Pierre escapes and fires down a punch that makes
the crowd scream. Back in guard, Condit scoots back and rights himself
against the cage. IN a subsequent scramble he gets top position, but
spends not a moment there before St-Pierre gets up, grabs his waist, and
puts them on the mat. Condit again using long legs to defend from
punishment. He manages to get up again and briefly exposes his back as
the round ends. MMAjunkie.com scores the frame 10-9 for St-Pierre,
putting him up 39-37.
Round 5 - Again, St-Pierre presses. One-two from Condit blocked, and
high kick. St-Pierre takes a jab. Condit goes to the inside of the leg.
Condit looking for left hook. Spinning back kick lands for Condit.
St-Pierre is unfazed. Condit hits a switch on St-Pierre 's next takedown
attempt, and thought St-Pierre has a leg, Condit gets free. St-Pierre
lands a right hand. Straight right lands for Condit, who punches forward
at a retreating St-Pierre. High kick from Condit blocked. Condit lands a
punch on the back end of an exchange. Then lands again. St-Pierre finds
his defense and keeps moving forward. He punches right into a takedown
against the cage, and Condit is flat on his back. In half-guard,
St-Pierre is working to pass as crowd chants. St-Pierre almost has leg
free to pass, then gets COndit's back as he rolls. Condit rolls again
and St-Pierre gets back to guard, where he pounds away with punches as
the seconds tick away. Condit working a kimura, but he isn't getting it.
Big elbows from up top as the round, and fight, ends. MMAjunkie.com
scores the final round 10-9 for St-Pierre, giving him a 49-46 win. Champ Georges St-Pierre def. interim champ Carlos Condit via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45)