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Round 1
Lots of feinting and bobbing in the first minute until the southpaw
Massenzio connects with a slapping kick to Cantwell’s thigh.
Massenzio fires off a few punches and lands a kick to the right
side of Cantwell’s body, and Cantwell returns fire with low kicks.
A powerful combination from Massenzio comes through. He ducks under
a punch from Cantwell and tries to grab the waist. Massenzio can’t
get in on the hips on this attempt or the next. Cantwell shoves him
off and digs a one-two to the body and head of Massenzio. A single
right hook tags the chin of Massenzio and his legs buckle briefly.
Cantwell follows up with a head kick and more punches, but still
doesn’t take Massenzio down. Massenzio has regained his wits and
just dodges a flying knee, then catches Cantwell with a foot to the
cup. Cantwell recovers quickly and puts punches, a knee and an
elbow on Massenzio, who shoots. Cantwell sprawls and works on the
turtling Massenzio until Massenzio scrambles to his feet.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Cantwell
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cantwell
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Cantwell
Round 2
Cantwell connects with a solid high kick and Massenzio shoots.
Cantwell is pinned against the cage, Massenzio’s hands locked
around his waist. But Cantwell stays active as Massenzio works,
digging punches and elbows to Massenzio’s back and sides. Referee
Kerry Hatley warns him to watch the elbows to the back. Back on the
feet, Massenzio shoots again and is sprawled on by Cantwell, who
responds with an outside leg kick. Massenzio swims inside with a
pair of hard left hooks, backs out and lands another. A nice lead
left uppercut from Massenzio connects. He follows up with another
flurry of punches, but Massenzio’s momentum is halted when he
shoots a high double-leg and is blocked. Massenzio steps out again
and drills Cantwell with a left hand, a knee. Cantwell is bloodied
now, landing leg kicks but still absorbing left hooks at the
horn.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Massenzio
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Massenzio
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Massenzio
Round 3
Massenzio emerges for the final round aggressively, chasing
Cantwell down with punches and bullying him into the cage. They
split and Cantwell tries kicking to the legs and body of Massenzio,
but the kicks are coming slower and Massenzio’s punches are still
hard. Massenzio another stuffed takedown attempt and absorbs damage
to his ribs while Cantwell sprawls with his back on the fence.
Massenzio backs out, lands a few punches and shoots again, this
well getting Cantwell to the floor. Cantwell has designs on a
kimura, then twists his hips for an armbar, but Massenzio escapes
to the feet. Massenzio lands another lead left uppercut, a right
hook, a knee. Cantwell is in trouble, back to the fence with
Massenzio mugging him. Then Massenzio changes levels and tries
another takedown, which Cantwell stifles. A brief guillotine
attempt from Cantwell forces Massenzio away. Massenzio is just
picking his punches, landing left hands at will on an exhausted
Cantwell as the fight enters its last 90 seconds. Now it’s Cantwell
who tries to bring the fight down, only to get caught underneath.
Cantwell rolls for a heel hook at the very last second and screams
in frustration when the final horn sounds.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Massenzio (29-28 Massenzio)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Massenzio (29-28 Massenzio)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Massenzio (29-28 Massenzio)
Official result: It’s a unanimous decision with scores of 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28, all in favor of Mike Massenzio. Judges’ names are not announced.
Round 1
Simpson takes 30 seconds to feel out Schafer before exploding with
a big right hand and follow-up uppercuts against the fence. Schafer
falls to his back, but Simpson doesn’t give chase, instead calling
“Red” back to his feet. Schafer is bloodied beneath his left eye
but composed as he eats a big left hook. Schafer tries to clinch
but is shaken off and slugged by Simpson, who is swinging for the
fences with massive right uppercuts. Simpson digs a left hook to
the body, then staggers Schafer with a flurry to the body and head,
a right uppercut doing the most damage. Bouncing around the
perimeter, Simpson is countering Schafer’s single punches with
combos, continuous right uppercuts to the body and one to the head
around the 40 second mark which appears to daze Schafer.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Simpson
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Simpson
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Simpson
Round 2
It’s straight back to work for Simpson in the second, looking to
take Schafer’s head off with huge right hands. The left side of
Schafer’s face is swollen and bleeding again after 60 seconds of
absorbing the punches. Simpson lands a sweet right hook on
Schafer’s jaw, then rips four or five more to the body in vicious
fashion. Schafer swings a wide left hook as Simpson gets near, but
his punches are slow and few. Simpson buckles his man with a right
hand; it’s not looking good for Schafer, but he’s not going away.
At the 10-second clapper, Simpson sends Schafer to the canvas with
a right hand over the top. Simpson waves him back up as the round
expires.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Simpson
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-8 Simpson
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Simpson
Round 3
Action is slow to start in the final frame, with Simpson circling
Schafer and lunging in with occasional hooks to the head and body.
Schafer walks him down but still isn’t letting his hands go, even
as the fight enters the final three minutes. A cracking left over
the top from Simpson sends him backward. Schafer keeps coming
forward, eating punches and swinging a left hook once in a while.
Simpson circles to the right, drills a right hook to Schafer’s body
and a left to the head. Schafer is still moving forward at the end
of the fight, but it looks like a clean sweep for Simpson.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Simpson (30-26 Simpson)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Simpson (30-26 Simpson)
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Simpson (30-27 Simpson)
Official result: All three scorecards read 30-27 in favor of the winner by unanimous decision, Aaron Simpson.
Round 1
The featherweights get to trading right away and it’s Zhang beating
Elkins to the punch with fast hands. The wrestler Elkins shoots in
and Zhang snares a guillotine choke under his left arm. Elkins
looks to be in serious trouble for a moment, but he gets out of the
position, extracts his head and moves to Zhang’s guard. There are
heavy shots coming from Elkins on top as Zhang tries to push the
American away with his feet. Elkins passes to half-guard on Zhang’s
right side, where he drops punches and short elbows while Zhang
tries to tie up. Elkins has a neck crank momentarily on top, then
releases it and goes back to pounding with about two minutes to go.
Elkins pops his right leg out and moves to full mount. Zhang gives
up his back and Elkins sinks in both hooks, rolling with Zhang and
hunting for a rear-naked choke. Zhang avoids the choke, eats a few
more punches and peels his way out of another RNC attempt. Elkins
has a body-triangle applied and he punches away from Zhang’s back
to the horn.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Elkins
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Elkins
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Elkins
Round 2
Zhang sprawls on a takedown from Elkins and grabs for another
guillotine. In a repeat of the first round, Elkins gets loose from
the choke and rolls Zhang over to wind up on top. Elkins is quickly
on Zhang’s back again with both hooks in. Zhang covers up, rolled
onto his right side, avoiding Elkins’ punches. Zhang twists and
puts his back on the canvas with Elkins in half-guard. Elkins
advances to side control, but Zhang sees the opening to escape to
his feet. Elkins shoots again and Zhang tries another guillotine.
The sequence repeats and it’s Elkins on top with two minutes to go.
Zhang uses his hips to sweep, only to be swept back under by
Elkins. From half-guard, Elkins drops punches to the body and
shoulders Zhang’s head into the mat. Referee Dan Miragliotta asks
the fighters for action as the second frame winds down.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Elkins
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Elkins
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Elkins
Round 3
Once again, Elkins shoots and Zhang grabs a guillotine. It looks
bad for Elkins this time, his face turning purple as the Chinese
fighter wrenches away. Again, Elkins twists his way loose,
extracting his head and sweeping to top position. It’s the same
progression as before: half-guard, side control, full mount. Zhang
turtles up as Elkins drops right hands on him, then takes the back.
Elkins has another body triangle with 90 seconds left on the clock.
Elkins socks away with tired right hands; Zhang can only try to
control his opponent’s hands as time runs out.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Elkins (30-27 Elkins)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Elkins (30-27 Elkins)
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Elkins (30-27 Elkins)
Official result: The scorecards read 30-27, 30-27 and 30-26, all in favor of the winner by unanimous decision, Darren Elkins. Judges’ names are not announced.
Round 1
Miocic starts out with hard inside thigh kicks to the left leg of
Beltran, who moves around the outside, looking to line up a punch
on the bigger man. After 90 seconds, Beltran is checking the kicks,
swinging long left hands to keep Miocic at range. Miocic grabs a
single-leg and drags Beltran to the floor. Beltran has his right
side to the cage, covering up as Miocic throws punches from above.
Back to his feet goes Beltran, though his back is now mashed into
the fence. The big men trade punches to the body with
over-underhooks. The action slows in the last 90 seconds with
Beltran swinging punches out of range, Miocic dipping inside with
crisp leg kicks and hooks to the head.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Miocic
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Miocic
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Miocic
Round 2
Beltran moves straight forward now, but his punches are still
coming short. Miocic whips the smaller man to the floor with an
easy single-leg and unleashes punches from on top. Giving chase to
the floor, Miocic winds up in side control on Beltran’s left side.
Beltran scrambles to his feet and starts swinging. He catches a
knee from Miocic and plows him to the ground, slamming heavy
leather from the top. Nothing connects with much force and Miocic
keeps his composure to stand back up. They clinch for a moment and
Miocic eats a left hook on the way out from Beltran, who’s bleeding
from his nose and beneath his right eye. Another easy takedown
comes for Miocic only lasts a moment, as Beltran explodes to his
feet. Miocic lobs a knee from the clinch and then tosses Beltran
head-first toward the cage. Beltran comes right back, hurling slow
hands, trying to bring the fight to the floor. Both heavyweights
look spent with a minute left in the second frame. Miocic puts a
pair of hard right straights on Beltran before clinching up again.
They trade solid rights, both men swinging wildly to the end of the
round.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Miocic
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-10
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Miocic
Round 3
They’re trading punches early in the third, Beltran still gushing
blood from his nose. Miocic tries to dip inside for a single-leg,
but is stuffed and has to settle for clinching Beltran into the
cage. Beltran punches to the body until Miocic goes low again, this
time executing the takedown. Miocic takes full mount and nearly has
Beltran’s back, but slips off. Instead, Miocic clinches Beltran
into the cage; Beltran exits with an attempted standing hammerfist.
Miocic lands a hard leg kick, a knee up the middle, then has a shot
stuffed. Beltran stays on the ground as he stuffs the shot,
however, and Miocic winds up on top anyway. A few hammerfists from
Miocic give way to a keylock attempt, quickly aborted. Miocic drops
knees to the body from side control on Beltran’s right as time
ticks away. Beltran grimaces under the weight as Miocic takes full
mount, then back mount. That’s where it ends.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Miocic (30-27 Miocic)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Miocic (30-28 Miocic)
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Miocic (30-27 Miocic)
Official result: It’s a unanimous decision with scores of 29-28, 30-27 and 29-28, all in favor of the still-undefeated Octagon rookie, Stipe Miocic.
Round 1
Both lightweights look to find their range with punches and kicks
in the opening minute. Stephens’ powerful shots are landing better
early; nonetheless, he brings the fight to the floor, plowing
Pettis onto his back. “Showtime” starts creeping his left leg up,
but Stephens backs out to his feet before a triangle or armbar
attempt can come. Stephens catches a kick to the cup but only needs
a few seconds to recover. When they restart, it’s Pettis landing
long punches and hard inside thigh kicks. Stephens blocks a hard
switch kick up top and clinches Pettis into the cage. He tries to
dump the Duke Roufus product with a single-leg, doesn’t get it, but
finds the takedown on a second effort. Pettis’ legs are trapped at
first, so he punches at Stephens’ body until he can get to his
feet. Once there, Stephens lands a hard combo and blocks a spinning
kick, wagging his finger at Pettis.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Stephens
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Stephens
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Stephens
Round 2
Pettis tries to flick out his jab to start the second and Stephens
bombs over the top with a right hand. Another low blow, this time
to Pettis’ cup, but again action resumes quickly. Pettis scores a
double leg and lays Stephens flat on his back, his right side to
the fence. Stephens shoves him back to guard, but Pettis backs out
and traps Stephens on his way up. After a few knees to the body,
Pettis shoves Stephens to his back and works from half-guard.
Pettis steps into full mount briefly, and again Stephens puts him
back in guard. Bleeding from the nose, Stephens uses the cage to
work back to his feet, where he’s still being clinched by Pettis.
The former WEC champ connects with a knee before tossing Stephens
back down. Stephens stands, is thrown down again, stands again.
This time, Pettis scrambles to take Stephens’ back and drops to the
floor. Pettis cinches up a body triangle and tries to soften up
Stephens with punches from back mount. Pettis nearly gets his right
arm under Stephens’ chin for the rear-naked, but Stephens defends
and shucks him off, finishing the round on top.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Pettis
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Pettis
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Pettis
Round 3
Stephens lobs out a low kick and tries to follow up with a crushing
overhand right. It doesn’t connect, but he’s able to bring Pettis
to the floor. Pettis instantly swings his legs up, hunting for a
triangle choke and forcing Stephens to let him up. Ducking a punch,
Pettis has a takedown stuffed and then turns to his back. Stephens
wants no part of Pettis’ rangy guard, and Pettis springs to his
feet, clinching Stephens into the fence. Pettis gets a takedown in
his corner midway through the round, Stephens pops up and Pettis
slams him with authority. Pettis isn’t offering much offense, but
Stephens is breathing with his mouth open, unable to escape.
Stephens gets to his feet, throws a few short punches and blocks a
trip attempt, winding up atop Pettis. After absorbing a couple
punches, Pettis gets to his knees, then his feet, where he shoves
Stephens into the cage. Single-leg attempt from Stephens doesn’t
come and Pettis misses a turning kick just before the final
horn.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Pettis (29-28 Pettis)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Stephens (29-28 Stephens)
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Pettis (29-28 Pettis)
Official result: One judge at cageside scores the bout 29-28 in favor of Jeremy Stephens, while the remaining two have the same score for the winner by split decision, Anthony Pettis.
Round 1
The pair clinch up and Santiago avoids a takedown, circling out to
lob kicks to the leg and body. Maia returns with a hard kick to the
body and chases down his countryman with punches. Takedown for Maia
comes in the center of the cage and he moves to Santiago’s
half-guard with ease. Maia tries to pass and gets hurled off by
Santiago’s legs. Santiago looks for an opportunity in the clinch,
can’t find much and Maia bursts out. Maia is swinging big overhand
punches, trying to get in on Santiago. One right hand finds
Santiago’s chin, but the ex-Sengoku champ doesn’t go down. Maia
gets a takedown with 90 seconds left and again Santiago uses his
legs to shove Maia away and keep him in guard. Santiago closes his
guard and Maia stacks him up, lunging in with a left hand. Santiago
controls his man’s arms and avoids damage, driving a hard upkick
into Maia’s chest when he stands. Maia goes back down and finishes
the round on top.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Maia
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Maia
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Maia
Round 2
The Brazilians are looking for their ranges, firing out punches
which largely miss. Santiago has a hard head kick blocked, ducks
under a left hook from Maia and lands a one-two. Right hook gets
through for Santiago, who gives chase and winds up clinched against
the cage. Maia spins him down with a single-leg. Butterfly guard
for Santiago, forcing Maia to tripod and attempt a pass. Maia gets
to side half-guard, stands, dodges an upkick and dives back down,
where Santiago closes up. Maia stands again, looking for a chance
to pass, but can’t find it and again goes to Santiago’s butterfly
guard. Maia lands half a dozen solid right hands from on top. They
finish on the floor with the Houston crowd offering its first boos
of the night.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Maia
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Maia
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Maia
Round 3
Santiago comes out with punches and sprawls on a single-leg from
Maia, but gets taken down anyway. He pops back to his feet, Maia
clinches him into the fence and they split. Santiago’s looking for
a big right hand to finish the fight and one gets through, then
another. Maia shoots a single in the center of the cage and takes
Santiago’s back standing off the scramble. The crowd boos as
Santiago tries to shake Maia, who’s just keeping the waistlock.
Santiago turns around as he’s taken down and Maia lands in
Santiago’s open half-guard. Not much transpires as Maia tries to
keep Santiago pinned down and Santiago works to shove him off. Maia
stands and falls into half-guard on Santiago’s left, elbowing at
his head as the fight enters its final minute. Maia goes to
north-south position, side-control, then full mount. Santiago bucks
him off. Maia goes back to half-guard and drops a few more elbows
to finish out the fight.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Maia (30-27 Maia)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Maia (30-27 Maia)
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Maia (30-27 Maia)
Official result: All three judges have it 30-27, a clean sweep for the winner by unanimous decision, Demian Maia.
Round 1
Lauzon lands a left hook and Guillard responds with punches of his
own, a few nasty knees to the body. Another left hand from Lauzon
wobbles Guillard, sends him stumbling backward and slipping
forward. Lauzon gives chase, leaping onto Guillard’s back and
hunting for the rear-naked choke. Guillard resists momentarily, but
Lauzon is persistent and gets his arm under the chin. Guillard is
forced to tap out just 47 seconds into the first round.
Round 1
Garcia is using his range to stuff Phan with jabs early, mixing in
a few kicks to the body. Phan backs Garcia into the fence and
throws a flurry of punches to the gut, then knocks Garcia to his
back with a right hand and chases him to the floor. Garcia closes
up his guard and the action slows until referee Jacob Montalvo
resets them with three minutes to go. Garcia gets zapped again with
a left hook from Phan, but stays vertical this time. Phan blocks a
head kick and walks Garcia down with punches, then backs out of the
way of a spinning kick. Garcia tries a takedown and Phan stuffs it,
stands and rips another cluster of punches to Garcia’s body. Garcia
times a right hand and kicks Phan’s body. Garcia is blowing out his
nose, getting backed into the fence by Phan and trying to get space
with punches. Phan swarms with a combination and catches Garcia
with a right hand. Garcia tells referee Montalvo that he was poked
in the eye, but only takes 10 seconds to resume. Garcia tries to
rush in for a takedown, gets socked and falls to his back. Phan
tries to follow up but can’t land anything before the round
ends.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Phan
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Phan
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Phan
Round 2
Phan is walking the larger man down, picking his punches on the
free-swinging Garcia. A great three-piece combo connects from Phan,
whose crisp boxing is winning after 60 seconds of round two. Phan
rips a left hook to the ribs of Garcia, who misses with a pair of
wild, windmilling punches. Phan is going after the body with
vicious intent now, sapping the energy of Garcia, who’s looking
winded and wobbly midway through the fight. Phan fires off a tight
three-punch combo that grazes, but Garcia shakes his head. Garcia
is doubling over, trying to protect his body when Phan feints shots
there. Phan backs Garcia into the fence and lands a clean pair of
right hands as he’s doubled over. Garcia is bleeding on his right
cheek and pawing at the cut, trying to back Phan off with kicks and
long punches. It’s not working, and Phan lands another pair of
punches before the horn.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Phan
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Phan
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Phan
Round 3
Garcia is going for broke and landing a few punches, leg kicks
early in the third. A wide left hook drops Phan to his posterior,
but Garcia doesn’t pounce. Phan gets back up, his back to the
fence, and Garcia is throwing it all out there, desperately trying
to finish. Phan covers up under the assault and survives as the
spent Garcia shoves him into the cage. They split and go back to
trading. Phan drills Garcia with a left hand. Garcia answers with a
chopping leg kick and Phan gives him two hard punches back.
Takedown for Phan with two minutes to go and Garcia closes up his
guard. The crowd boos as Phan controls from on top and Garcia
shrugs. They’re stood up with 90 seconds left and the crowd roars.
Garcia misses with a wild spinning backfist; Phan chases him down
with one punch to the body, two to the head. Garcia surges forward
in a takedown attempt and Phan pops right back up. It’s a firefight
in the final seconds, Garcia swinging for the fences and Phan
plunking him with a couple punches in return. The crowd explodes at
the finish.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Garcia (29-28 Phan)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Garcia (29-28 Phan)
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Garcia (29-28 Phan)
Official result: All three scorecards read 29-28 for the winner by unanimous decision, Nam Phan.
Round 1
The middleweights are clinching early, Sonnen grinding Stann into
the fence and foot-stomping. Sonnen gets the takedown and lands in
side control on Stann’s left, where he begins mashing with elbows
and knees to the body. Sonnen tries to mount and gets stuffed back
to full guard. He takes Stann’s back and sinks in both hooks as
Stann puts his back to the fence. Sonnen keeps the hands tied up
and rolls Stann over, taking full mount. Stann gives up his back
and Sonnen takes it as “The All-American” stands back up. Trying to
shake Sonnen loose, Stann dives to the ground, winding up
underneath the Team Quest fighter. Stann has full-guard now,
looking to throw up his legs for a submission attempt as Sonnen
punches away from the top.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Sonnen
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Sonnen
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Sonnen
Round 2
It’s less than 10 seconds into the round when Sonnen scores an easy
takedown and begins working from Stann’s half-guard. Sonnen shoves
his man into the cage and moves to side control on Stann’s left.
Now it’s full mount for Sonnen, flattening Stann out and landing
shot shots. Stann forces Sonnen back to full-guard and referee
Kerry Hatley issues a questionable stand-up command. Back on the
feet, Stann connects with a right hand -- his best offense of the
fight so far -- only to be taken back down seconds later. From side
control on Stann’s left, Sonnen locks up a tight arm-triangle choke
and hops over to the right side. Stann defends for a few seconds
but is soon forced to tap out, the end coming officially at 3:51 of
round two. The crowd chants “Silva! Silva!” and Sonnen, naturally,
calls out the UFC middleweight champion in his postfight
interview.
Round 1
Referee Dan Miragliotta is the third man in the cage for tonight’s
first title fight. The featherweights touch gloves and Florian
flicks out a quick low kick, tries to go high and is blocked. More
inside thigh kicks from Florian as the champion waits on the
outside. Aldo explodes with a combination and Florian moves out of
the way. Right hand sneaks through for Aldo and he misses with a
follow-up one-two. Aldo stuffs a shot from the challenger and get
stunned by a punch, staggering into the fence. Florian motions that
he was poked in the eye and Miragliotta warns Aldo to keep his
hands closed. Another takedown try for Florian; this time, they
wind up clinched on the fence, Florian digging for a single-leg.
Aldo keeps his balance for a while but Florian trips him down once,
then twice. Both times, Aldo stands back up. Florian has a
waistlock, can’t slam Aldo down and instead takes his back
standing. They split and Florian tries to duck under for another
takedown, but Aldo slips this one. Florian clinches the champ into
the fence again and knees his thighs. Florian lands a level elbow
in the clinch to close the round.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Florian
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Florian
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Florian
Round 2
Aldo slips a takedown and lunges at Florian with a missed knee.
From the southpaw stance, Florian tries to stick his right jab and
set up another takedown. Both men look rather tentative on the feet
after 90 seconds of round two. Florian ducks in for a single-leg
but wades right back out. They trade inside thigh kicks and Aldo
socks Florian with a straight right hand. Florian connects with a
few nice low kicks and is blocked up high. He tries to clinch the
champion and Aldo shucks him off, missing a soccer kick as Florian
stood back up. Aldo steps out of the way of another Florian
single-leg and slaps the challenger with a sharp inside leg kick;
Florian answers in kind. Florian bullies Aldo into the fence and
the round ends there.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Aldo
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Aldo
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Aldo
Round 3
Aldo lands a nice jab, follows up with a right straight that snaps
back Florian’s head. An inside thigh kick from Aldo buckles
Florian’s right leg and Aldo capitalizes with a two-punch
combination, finished by a hard right. Florian circles the outside,
trying to stick his jab. He ducks in for a takedown try and is
stuffed, winding up on his back. Aldo has mount, then tries to
secure Florian’s back, but Florian escapes. Florian is defending
well underneath, keeping Aldo in deep half-guard and out of full
mount. Two minutes remain in the round and Aldo is looking for
mount, not throwing much offense aside from a few sporadic punches.
Florian tries to control the wrists of the champion and work his
way out of the position. It gets Aldo to stand, where he has to
dodge upkicks from the American. Aldo goes back to the ground,
where Florian uses butterfly guard to escape to his feet. Florian
tries a single-leg with 30 seconds to go, instead shoving Aldo into
the fence, where the round ends.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Aldo
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Aldo
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Aldo
Round 4
As they enter the championship rounds, it’s Florian looking to land
leg kicks. Aldo keeps chopping away at his challenger’s right leg.
Florian tries to tie up, gets shoved off and has a takedown attempt
denied as well. He muscles Aldo against the cage, looking to hook
the leg and trip the Brazilian to the canvas. The action stalls out
in the clinch until Aldo gets his leg loose and circles out. Aldo
slips another takedown try from Florian, and another. Florian walks
right up and clinches with Aldo, backing him into the cage again
and landing a few knees. Aldo reverses the position and Florian’s
corner screams that the champ is grabbing the fence. Florian
reverses now and goes for a single-leg, but Aldo hops away. Into
the final minute of the fourth round, Florian gets the clinch again
and boos rain down. Florian tries to keep Aldo at bay with teep
kicks as the round ticks away. Aldo misses a jumping knee and a
right hand at the horn.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Aldo
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Aldo
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Aldo
Round 5
Florian lobs a few punches and dodges a few from Aldo before once
more clinching up with the champion on the fence. Florian tries the
single-leg again and Aldo slips out. Trying to land a knee, Florian
slips and winds up on his back, Aldo kicking at his legs. Aldo goes
to Florian’s half-guard and slams the challenger with a hard, short
elbow. Aldo takes full mount with just under three minutes to go,
but Florian bucks and rolls, regaining half-guard. Florian powers
his way back to his feet and is shoved into the cage by the champ.
The men trade tired knees and stall out, prompting a restart from
referee Miragliotta with 80 seconds to go. They’re soon back in the
same position, Aldo pushing Florian into the fence, with the same
amount of action. Florian reverses with 40 seconds left and tries
to lunge in with a knee. Aldo gets his back off the fence, grazes
with a combo, misses with a knee and one final high kick. The
champion straddles and backflips off the fence while Florian leans
in his corner.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Aldo (49-46 Aldo)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Aldo (49-46 Aldo)
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Aldo (49-46 Aldo)
Official result: All three judges -- Douglas Crosby, Nelson Hamilton and Cecil Peoples -- score the bout 49-46 for the winner by unanimous decision and still UFC featherweight champion, Jose Aldo.
Round 1
Josh Rosenthal is the referee in charge of tonight’s main event;
judges Douglas Crosby, Nelson Hamilton and Cecil Peoples are
cageside should the bout go the distance. The champion scores first
with a straight right-left hook combination. Edgar spends the first
90 seconds circling, then ducks inside and goes for a takedown. He
takes Maynard’s back standing and Maynard squirts free. Big head
kick is blocked for Maynard, but he slugs the champion with a
massive right uppercut. Edgar is still wobbly with Maynard drills
him with a knee in the clinch. Still recovering, Edgar lands a
solid right hand and takes one back. Maynard drops the champion
again and Edgard clings desperately to a leg. Edgar gets back to
his feet and is greeted by another uppercut and a violent flurry of
punches. Maynard zaps Edgar with a left hand, slaps him with a
right high kick and drops him with a knee. Edgar is gushing blood
from his nose as he tries to survive the final 30 seconds of the
opening round. Edgar is on his feet but sustaining severe
punishment, punches and knees from Maynard, who snaps off one more
stiff left jab at the horn.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Maynard
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-8 Maynard
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-8 Maynard
Round 2
Maynard is hunched over, hands low as Edgar tries to get inside and
punch. The champ can’t find his range, though, and switches back
and forth between southpaw and orthodox stances while Maynard picks
his single left hands and circles away. Edgar lands a few leg kicks
now. He trades punches with Maynard, who is content to let the
champion chase him and select his counterpunches. Edgar is landing
right hands, body shots, leg kicks, putting more volume on the
champion. Edgar sends Maynard stumbling with a one-two, finished by
a strong left hook.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Edgar
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Edgar
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Edgar
Round 3
Edgar puts a one-two on Maynard, who replies with a knee up the
middle and a murderous uppercut which the champion sidesteps.
Single-leg attempt from the champion yields nothing as Maynard hops
away. Edgar scores with a leg kick and Maynard gives him an even
harder one in return. Maynard dismisses another takedown try from
Edgar. Halfway through the third round and sprinkling of boos can
be heard, though the action in the cage keeps coming. Edgar steps
inside and drills Maynard with an overhand right. Edgar misses on a
combination, tries to get inside with a single-leg and can’t. The
champion slaps Maynard with a leg kick and circles out, dodging
another big uppercut.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Edgar
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Edgar
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Edgar
Round 4
Edgar is coming on strong as the fight goes into the championship
rounds, still bloodied around the grill but finding his right hand.
The champion continues working angles, chopping Maynard down with
leg kicks. Maynard’s punches, meanwhile, are getting less and less
accurate. Edgar bashes Maynard with an uppercut. Maynard falls and
gets back up, stumbling backward, only to be met by a pair of
brutal right hooks. Referee Rosenthal hovers as Maynard falls to
his knees and Edgar slugs away. Edgar gets off three or four clean
left hands before the ref is forced into action. At 3:54 of the
fourth round, Frankie Edgar retains his UFC lightweight title.