Welcome to WrestlingObserver.com’s live coverage of the UFC On FOX 17: Dos Anjos vs. Cerrone 2 weigh-ins from the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. The fighters will hit the scale at 4 PM eastern time. The card airs on Saturday with the main card on FOX at 8 PM eastern time. Preliminary card action kicks off at 3:30 PM eastern time on UFC Fight Pass before heading over to FOX Sports 1 at 5 PM eastern time with additional preliminary bouts. This is the second time the Octagon has appeared in Orlando and it marks the 41st and final UFC event of 2015.
The event is headlined by UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael Dos Anjos making his first title defense against challenger Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, who enters his first UFC title fight riding an eight-fight win streak. They have met once before, at UFC Fight Night 27 in August 2013, a bout won by Dos Anjos. The co-main event will be a heavyweight battle years in the making as former UFC Heavyweight Champion Junior Dos Santos takes on Alistair Overeem. The card also features the return of Nate Diaz after a year out of action as he takes on Michael Johnson.
MAIN CARD (FOX- 8 PM ET/5 PM PT): Rafael Dos Anjos (154.5) vs. Donald Cerrone (154.5) – UFC Lightweight Championship Junior Dos Santos (239) vs. Alistair Overeem (243) Michael Johnson (155.5) vs. Nate Diaz (156) Randa Markos (116) vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz (114.5)
PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX SPORTS 1- 5 PM ET/2 PM PT): Charles Oliveira (150.5) vs. Myles Jury (146) C.B. Dollaway (185.5) vs. Nate Marquardt (186) Sarah Kaufman (136) vs. Valentina Shevchenko (134) Josh Samman (186) vs. Tamdan McCrory (185) Nik Lentz (156) vs. Danny Castillo (156) Cole Miller (146) vs. Jim Alers (145)
PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 3:30 PM ET/12:30 PM PT): Kamaru Usman (171) vs. Leon Edwards (171) Hayder Hassan (170) vs. Vicente Luque (171) Francis Ngannou (254) vs. Luiz Henrique (248)
*Danny Castillo missed the lightweight limit by two pounds. He later came back and made weight at 156 pounds.
*C.B. Dollaway missed on his initial attempt but made weight after the towel was brought in.
*Charles Oliveira missed weight badly, once again. He weighed in 4.5 pounds over the featherweight limit.
The 41st and final UFC event of 2015 comes fight fans’ way on Saturday as the Octagon returns to Orlando, Florida and the FOX network with a title fight closing out a big year of fights. UFC On FOX 17 comes from the Amway Center in Orlando and airs on FOX with a main card start time of 8 PM eastern time. Preliminary card action kicks off on UFC Fight Pass at 3:30 PM eastern time before heading over to FS1 at 5 PM eastern time.
New UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael Dos Anjos makes his first title defense when he defends against one of the most popular fighters in the sport, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, in the headline bout as Cerrone looks to capture the championship gold on the heels of eight straight wins. Dos Anjos and Cerrone have fought before, in August 2013, a fight won by Dos Anjos. In the co-main event, it will be a heavyweight slugfest that has been years in the making as former UFC Heavyweight Champion Junior Dos Santos takes on former Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem. Also on the card is the return of former “TUF” winner Nathan Diaz as he takes on Michael Johnson. Let’s take a deeper look into the fight card and give you five storylines to keep an eye on at UFC On FOX 17 on Saturday.
1. Can Donald Cerrone finally win that elusive UFC gold in his first chance?
Donald Cerrone has been chomping at the bits for years in an attempt to get a chance to become the UFC Lightweight Champion. Every time he has come close to a title shot, a setback has come in the way. Finally, on Saturday night, he gets that elusive title fight in the main event on the heels of an eight fight win streak. He is 15-3 since moving over from the WEC to the UFC in 2011, and has made a name for himself for his fight anytime, anywhere, against anyone frame of mind. There have been times where he has only had two weeks between fights, but, uncharacteristically, it has been since May that Cerrone has fought. It’s not like he didn’t want, or tried, to fight, but he had the title shot sewn up and didn’t wanna lose it. Eight straight wins over the likes of Benson Henderson, Myles Jury, Eddie Alvarez, Jim Miller and Edson Barboza to name a few have led him to the man who last defeated him.
That man is UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael Dos Anjos. Dos Anjos defeated Cerrone in August 2013 by unanimous decision. Even though he is now the champion, Dos Anjos actually lost his next fight, to Khabib Nurmagomedov, but three straight impressive performances following that loss, coupled with injuries to key fighters, opened the door for Dos Anjos to earn a title shot. He fought Anthony Pettis for the title at UFC 185 in March, and thoroughly dominated Pettis to post a five-round shutout and win the championship. Dos Anjos underwent a skill and physical transformation after being a gatekeeper in the division, and there have been questions about his physique. There are many who say that Dos Anjos looks completely different in the new era of drug testing, way different than the man who is 9-1 in his last ten fights, different than the man that won the championship in March, and different than the man that defeated Cerrone over two years ago. Those questions certainly open the door for Cerrone, who has even questioned Dos Anjos himself.
Dos Anjos and Cerrone both competed on the card the last time the UFC was in Orlando. That is when Dos Anjos lost his bout with Nurmagomedov that propelled him to the championship. Cerrone submitted Edson Barboza in the third of his eight straight wins. They descend back to Orlando with both looking to leave with championship gold around their waist. Cerrone has the excellent kickboxing with good takedowns and submissions. Dos Anjos has become a more well-rounded fighter over the last few years but it still remains to be seen what has changed for him. Cerrone will need to avoid being taken down, which likely cost them their first fight. Cerrone came on strong while Dos Anjos faded late in their bout, and a five-round bout last time may have seen a different outcome. They have five rounds this time. Interestingly, Dos Anjos is more than a two-to-one favorite, and that may be too long of odds. I see Cerrone finally reaching the top of the lightweight mountain.
2. Who wins the long-awaited heavyweight battle between Junior Dos Santos and Alistair Overeem?
A heavyweight bout between Junior Dos Santos and Alistair Overeem has been almost four years in the making. It was nearly four years ago that Overeem made his UFC debut at UFC 141 and defeated Brock Lesnar. After that, Overeem was scheduled to next fight for the UFC Heavyweight Championship, which was held at the time by Dos Santos, who had just come off of knocking out Cain Velasquez to win the title. They were set to meet at UFC 146 in May 2012, but issues with taking a drug test forced Overeem out of the bout. Dos Santos would eventually lose the championship in December 2012 back to Velasquez. Overeem didn’t fight again until February 2013, when he lost to Antonio Silva. They were again set to meet at UFC 160 in May 2013, but Overeem pulled out due to injury. After those false starts, they weren’t booked to fight again until they were scheduled to meet on Saturday. Since their initial booking in early 2012, Dos Santos has gone 3-2 and Overeem has gone 3-3.
They will finally step inside the Octagon on Saturday across from each other. Dos Santos hasn’t fought in over a year since earning a hard-fought decision win over Stipe Miocic. In fact, that is Dos Santos’ only fight in the last two years as injuries and beatings at the hands of both Velasquez and Miocic have taken their toll on him. Meanwhile, Overeem is riding a two-fight win streak that has him talking again of title shot aspirations. A win over a former champion in Dos Santos could put him just one fight away, but defeating Dos Santos, one of the hardest hitters in the sport, will be a tough task. Dos Santos has moved his training to American Top Team while Overeem continues to work on his skills with Greg Jackson. It will be interesting to see how each man fights the other as both have strong knockout power. Overeem showed a different approach in his last two fights, and has slimmed down a little. It is tough to say how much fight Dos Santos has left after his tough fights. It may be four years after they were first set to fight, and the championship gold may not be at stake, but it is still an interesting heavyweight bout between two big men, and it will finally go down on Saturday night.
3. Is Nate Diaz ready to make another run at 155 pounds?
One of the Stockton bad boys makes his long-awaited return on Saturday when Nate Diaz fights for the first time in over a year. After talk of moving, again, to 170 pounds, Diaz will come back at 155 pounds, and he looks to be in the best shape of his career. He will need to be as he takes on a tough opponent in Michael Johnson, a top-six ranked lightweight. Johnson should be on a five-fight win streak, but he lost a split decision to Beneil Dariush in August in a big controversial decision. Every media outlet scored the fight for Johnson, as did most observers, including UFC brass. They even paid Johnson his win bonus because they thought he won. Regardless of that, it still remains a loss on Johnson’s record, and he will be looking for a more impactful win when he takes on Diaz.
Diaz is coming off a loss to Rafael Dos Anjos last December, a bout he missed weight for, blaming it on a training injury. That is the only time Diaz has fought in the last two years, but when he is at his best, he remains one of the most complete boxers in the division, and a dangerous submission artist. Johnson is a solid striker who mixes everything well, uses a lot of volume, and has good takedowns. Diaz could suck Johnson into a striking battle, and if Diaz starts landing the punches, they may not do a ton of damage, but they will be very effective. The biggest question is whether the time away benefits Diaz, and if the last we saw of him is a true representation of where he is today, or if he is still the guy who blasted Gray Maynard in his bout prior to Dos Anjos. If Johnson lets Diaz hit him, it could be a field day for Diaz. Johnson is ever improving, but it is still hard to count out a Diaz brother. If he wants to make another run at a title shot, he has to get by a very tough Johnson.
4. Will Randa Markos keep making her climb up the 115-pound division ladder?
Randa Markos ended up being one of the big surprises during the strawweight season of “The Ultimate Fighter”. She came into the show with a 4-1 record, a solid record, but unlike the rest of the competitors, hadn’t had the exposure from fighting for Invicta, and she was one of the unknowns. She showed strong skills in making it all the way to the semifinals after defeating Tecia Torres and Felice Herrig as the 14-seed before losing to Rose Namajunas. Markos hasn’t had an easy road post-TUF as she has gotten tough opponents in Jessica Penne and Aisling Daly. She lost a close split decision to Penne before scoring a unanimous decision over Daly in convincing fashion at UFC 186 in April. Since then, she has quit working her full-time job and moved to Montreal to train at the Tristar camp, and Saturday represents her first time fighting since the move.
She gets the main card treatment as she takes on Karolina Kowalkiewicz, who makes her UFC debut sporting a solid, and perfect, 7-0 record. Both women are skilled and will get attention due to looks, but they can fight. They are very similar, with good skills on their feet, but neither are overwhelming with power, and both are patient fighters. Both tend to have close fights when they go to the judges, but Markos has the better finishing ability. She is also a better wrestler, and that was before going to Tristar, one of the best camps in the world. That is going to be a key factor, and also having one of the best coaches in the sport in Firas Zahabi in her corner will as well. Markos has a very solid shot at becoming a real title challenger as her skills evolve, and much like her nickname, she is looking at making a quiet storm brew in the strawweight division.
5. What is there to watch for on a solid preliminary card?
The preliminary card on Saturday features a lot of solid fights that could easily be main card bouts on a lot of fight cards. In the featured prelim bout, Myles Jury makes the move down to featherweight to take on Charles Oliveira. Jury started his career a perfect 15-0 before losing his last fight to Donald Cerrone. He made the switch to the Power MMA team in Arizona and decided to try his hand at 145 pounds. He gets a tough first test in Oliveira, a very skilled submission specialist looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss in August. Another Power MMA fighter, C.B. Dollaway, will be taking on Nate Marquardt in a pivotal bout that could determine the UFC future for both. Dollaway is looking to rebound from two straight losses while Marquardt has also lost two straight, but, more importantly, has lost five of his last six fights.
Also on the prelims, Sarah Kaufman welcomes Valentina Shevchenko to the UFC. Shevchenko makes her debut on short notice, but she is a seriously skilled kickboxer with a 9-1 MMA record to go along with her 60-2 kickboxing record. Middleweight Josh Samman looks to remain perfect in the UFC as he welcomes Tamdan McCrory back to the UFC. Samman has four straight wins and has won all three of his UFC fights by stoppage. McCrory went 3-3 during a UFC stint from 2007 to 2009, but after being cut after a boring decision loss, he retired from the sport for four years. He made his comeback in Bellator in 2014, scoring two wins in a combined 1:27, and was then re-signed by the UFC. Another bout is a lightweight contest between Nik Lentz and Danny Castillo. Lentz is moving back up to 155 pounds following a loss to Charles Oliveira while Castillo is looking to avoid the chopping block as he has lost three straight and four of his last five.
Full UFC On FOX 17 Fight Card, Betting Odds and Predictions
MAIN CARD (FOX- 8 PM ET/5 PM PT)
UFC Lightweight Championship: (C) Rafael Dos Anjos vs. (#2) Donald Cerrone Betting Odds: Dos Anjos (-200), Cerrone (+170) Prediction: Cerrone by decision
Heavyweights: (#2) Junior Dos Santos vs. (#9) Alistair Overeem Betting Odds: Dos Santos (-350), Overeem (+290) Prediction: Dos Santos by knockout in round 2
Lightweights: (#6) Michael Johnson vs. (#15) Nate Diaz Betting Odds: Johnson (-500), Diaz (+400) Prediction: Diaz by submission in round 2
Women’s Strawweights: (#7) Randa Markos vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz Betting Odds: Markos (-185), Kowalkiewicz (+160) Prediction: Markos by decision
PRELIMINARY CARD (FS1- 5 PM ET/2 PM PT)
Featherweights: (#7) Charles Oliveira vs. (#9 LW) Myles Jury Betting Odds: Oliveira (+130), Jury (-150) Prediction: Jury by decision
Middleweights: (#12) C.B. Dollaway vs. Nate Marquardt Betting Odds: Dollaway (-400), Marquardt (+325) Prediction: Dollaway by knockout in round 2
Women’s Bantamweights: (#5) Sarah Kaufman vs. Valentina Shevchenko Betting Odds: Kaufman (-225), Shevchenko (+185) Prediction: Shevchenko by decision
Middleweights: Josh Samman vs. Tamdan McCrory Betting Odds: Samman (-175), McCrory (+155) Prediction: Samman by knockout in round 2
Lightweights: (#10 FW) Nik Lentz vs. Danny Castillo Betting Odds: Lentz (-105), Castillo (-115) Prediction: Castillo by decision
Featherweights: Cole Miller vs. Jim Alers Betting Odds: Miller (+105), Alers (-125) Prediction: Miller by submission in round 3
In what could be a precursor to a big PPV buyrate, Saturday’s UFC 194 prelims did a record 1,931,000 viewers on Fox Sports One, double their 2015 prelims average of 987,500.
The numbers shatters the record set earlier this year by January’s UFC 183 prelims that did 1,546,000 viewers that Miesha Tate in the featured prelim fight of a show headlined by Anderson Silva vs. Nick Diaz.
Saturday’s four-fight prelim show headlined by Urijah Faber vs. Frankie Saenz garnered the highest number for a UFC PPV prelim show on any broadcast partner since the UFC 126 prelims on February 5, 2011 on SPIKE TV did 2,000,000 viewers for a 60-minute two fight broadcast featuring Donald Cerrone and Chad Mendes in separate fights. This was also during a time period when UFC was on television far less frequently and that number, while good, wasn’t thought be particularly notable as many Fight Night shows were either at or near that number.
Saturday’s viewership total was higher than all but one FS1 Fight Night show which was January’s UFC Fight Night 59 headlined by Conor McGregor vs Dennis Siver. That show was on a Sunday after the NFC conference championship game.
The company’s final prelims average on FS1 for 2015 is 1,073,273 viewers – a 47% increase over the 2014 average of 728,444.
In other UFC ratings news, the TUF 22 Finale featuring Frankie Edgar vs. Chad Mendes did 893,000 viewers, up from the July TUF 21 finale (691,000) but down from the December 2014 TUF 20 finale (989,000) The FS1 prelims did 809,000 viewers, way up from July’s 470,000 and the December 2014 prelims’ 719,000.
Welcome to WrestlingObserver.com’s live coverage of UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The biggest UFC event of 2015 is headlined by two title fights, two of the most intriguing fights of the year, and possibly the best main/co-main combination the UFC has ever put together. UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo takes on Interim UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor to unify the titles in the main event, and UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman defends against Luke Rockhold. Follow along with our live coverage beginning at 6:30 PM eastern time with preliminary action. We are looking for your thoughts on the show, so send us a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and worst fight to Dave Meltzer.
WELTERWEIGHTS- COURT MCGEE (16-4, 5-3 UFC) VS. MARCIO ALEXANDRE JR. (11-2, 0-2 UFC)
First round: Former TUF winner in the first of 13 matches. That’s how you know a show is loaded. Body kick by McGee. Left by Alexandre. Body kick by Alexandre landed. McGee gave him an accidental low blow. That was a kick straight through the uprights. Alexandre grabbed a guillotine and pulled guard. McGee out and threw punches. Close round 10-9 Alexandre.
Second round: Body kick by Alexandre and McGee with a low kick. McGee pushed him into the fence. McGee with a body kick. They were in a clinch against the fence and noting has been happening. McGee throwing knees to the thigh. They were separated with 50 seconds left. Body shot by McGee. High kick by Alexandre blocked. Left by Alexandre. Spin kick by McGee barely grazed him. McGee’s round so 19-19 going into the third.
Third round: McGee took him down. Trading body kicks. McGee trying for a takedown but doesn’t have it. McGee can’t take him down but he’s working for it. McGee finally picked him up low and slammed him and is busy from the top. McGee working the body. McGee pounded him out late in the round. 29-28 McGee. First and second rounds were close however, third was the only decisive round.
Scores: 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28 for McGee
LIGHTWEIGHTS- JOHN MAKDESSI (13-4, 6-4 UFC) VS. YANCY MEDEIROS (11-3 1 NC, 2-3 1 NC UFC)
First round: Makdessi connecting on low kicks. Medeiros with a solid low kick. Makdessi with a low kick. Left and right by Medeiros. Spin kick by Makdessi. Close round. Makdessi 10-9.
Second round: Makdessi with a body kick. Left uppercut by Medeiros. Head kick by Makdessi. This fight is more like technical sparring than a fight. Nice spin kick by Makdessi just as I wrote that. Left to the body by Makedessi. Low kick,but most blows don’t have a lot of force. Medeiros with a body kick and and a nice right. Side kick by Makedessi. Body shts and side kick by Makedessi. Medeiros went for a takedown but couldn’t get it. Spin kick to the body Medeiros. Left by Medeiros. Medeiros with a right. Another close round. Medeiros’ round so 19-19 going into the third.
Third round: Medeiros with aleft. Medeiros landing jabs. Right by Medeiros. Another jab by Medeiros. Makdessi back with a low kick. Medeiros with a right. Spin kick to the body by Makdessi. Body kick by Medeiros but he was momentarily tripped. Low kick by Makdessi. Medeiros landing the jab. Right by Makdessi. Makdessi with a side kick. Big right by Makdessi . Makdessi landing shots but Medeiros knocked him down. Very close, Medeiros was winning the round early, Makdesssi was really coming on late but that knockdown may have been the difference. All three rounds close. Medeiros 29-28.
LIGHTWEIGHTS- JOE PROCTOR (11-3, 4-2 UFC) VS. MAGOMED MUSTAFAEV (12-1, 1-0 UFC)
Magomed Mustafaev (12-1) vs. Joe Proctor (11-3), lw
First round: Mustafaev moving forward. Proctor with a low kick. Proctor in with punches. Mustafaev with punches. Body kick by Mustafaev. Body kick and punches by Mustafaev. Hard knees by Mustafaev. Hard knees by Mustafaev and another knee put him down and its’ over. Proctor’s a tough guy so Mustafaev is clearly legit. 1:54
PRELIMINARY CARD (FS1- 8 PM ET/5 PM PT)
LIGHTWEIGHTS- LEONARDO SANTOS (14-3-1, 3-0-1 UFC) VS. KEVIN LEE (11-1, 4-1 UFC)
First round: Hard body kick by Alves, Knee to the body by Alves. Covington took him down. Alves grabbed a guillotine, Covington power bombed him, in, but Alves held on and Covington tapped out.
First round: Huge size difference here. Lybarger much taller and larger. Torres landed some punches. Nice combo by Torres. Left to the jaw by Jones. Right by Jones. Torres now landed. Torres trying for a takedown. Torres 10-9.
Second round: Crowd starting to boo as Jones has Torres pressed against the fence. Now Torres reversed the position. Body kick by Jones. She’s again pressing Torres against the fence. Torres landing punches. Joes went for a takedown but Torres landed on top and is throwing punches on the ground. Now she’s landing elbows. Torres landing hard punches from the top late in the round. Crowd gave Torres a big hand. 20-18 Torres.
Third round: Torres landed some punches. Body kick by Jones as she moved in. Nice right hook by Torres. Torres now landing several punches. She’s turning it on. Torres with hard punches. Now Jones landed a solid right. Head kick by Torres. Crowd really liked this fight. They raised each others’ arms when it was over. The crowd took to Torres. Torres 30-27. Pretty much has to be that score unless you do a 10-8 second round which is possible.
First round: Trading low kicks. Faber out fast, landed a right and took him down. Faber tried another takedown but Saenz ended up on top. Faber threw a right but it was blocked. Seanz missed pnches. Faber ducked for a takedown but Saenz out of the way. Faber with a left and low kick. Saenz back with an elbow and Faber with an elbow. Seanz with a low kick. Faber wih a knee. Faber failed on a takedown attempt but back up. Saenz landed good shots. Body kick by Saenz. Faber failed on a takedown attempt. But he hit an elbow. Saenz missed a knee. Body kick by Saenz. Faber 10-9.
Second round: Body kick by Faber. Faber landing a ton of elbow and has Saenz in trouble. He’s hurting him with elbows. Saenz surviving some huge right and left elbows. Faber with a hip toss into side control. Saenz reversed to the top. This is a great fight. Crowd gave both a huge hand. Saenz swept his leg and Faber went down. Body kick and punch by Saenz. Saenz with a punch and low kick. Right by Saenz. Low kick by Saenz and another. Faber went for a takedown but Saenz blocked. Faber 20-18 because of the opening flurry but it was Saenz the last half of the round.
Third round: God low kick by Saenz. Body kick by Faber. Body kick by Saenz. Left and right by Faber. Knee by Saenz and another knee. Saenz going for a takedown. Faber blocking. Trading knees from a clinch. Elbow by Faber. Faber with a punch but Saenz fired back. Saenz with a right. Low kick by Saenz. Big right by Faber. Left by Faber. Body kick by Saenz. Faber took him down. Saenz back up. Another takedown by Faber. Crowd gave both a big hand. Really good fight. Close round but I gave it to Saenz, 29-28 Faber.
Scores: 29-28, 29-28 30-27 Faber. Everyone cheered the decision. I thought they’d boo it just because of how much heart Saenz showed.
Faber said he was going after the belt because at the end of the story the good guy wins and that’s me. Rogan said you mean against TJ Dillashaw and Faber said Dillashaw or Dominick Cruz.
MAIN CARD (PPV- 10 PM ET/7 PM PT)
FEATHERWEIGHTS- (#5) MAX HOLLOWAY (14-3, 10-3 UFC) VS. (#8) JEREMY STEPHENS (24-11, 11-10 UFC)
First round: Both missing punches. Super hot crowd anyway. Slow open. Both continue to miss punches. Holloway landed a punch. Stephens with a low kick. Holloway with a body kick. Body kick by Holloway. Stephens with a low kick. Holloway missed a punch and Stephens got behind him momentarily. Very close because little happened. Holloway 10-9.
Second round: Holloway tried a spin kick to the body but Stephens blocked it. Crowd is quiet. Stephens going for a takedown. Body punch and uppercut by Stephens. Low kick by Stephens. Holloway with a right. Stephens landed a right. Right by Holloway. Stephens again working for a takedown and can’t get it. Low kick by Stephens. Very close round again. Stephens, so 19-19 after two.
Third round: Holloway took him down. Holloway got behind him, throwing punches and working for a choke. Stephens out of trouble but Holloway is on top. Holloway with an elbow. He got Stephens’ back again and is working for a choke. Stephens back up. Stephens landed some punches. Low kick by Stephens. Holloway with a left. Stephens landed two punches and went for a takedown . Holloway blocking. Spinning elbow by Holloway. Holloway got the takedown. Stephens swinging wildly but mostly missing. Both threw at the fight ended. Holloway 29-28, but this is another close one.
Scores 30-27, 30-27, 29-28 for Holloway
Holloway challenged McGregor at Croke Park and challenged Aldo as well.
WELTERWEIGHTS- (#6) DEMIAN MAIA (21-6, 15-6 UFC) VS. (#12) GUNNAR NELSON (14-1-1, 5-1 UFC)
First round: Nelson got the takedown. Maia back up. Everyone wanted a Tokoro match on the ground here. Maia went for a takedown and Nelson tried to get his neck. Nelson now on top after a Maia takedown attempt. Crowd going crazy for Nelson. He trains in Ireland so he’s honorary Irish. Maia has his back. Maia throwing punches. Maia moved to mount and is punching him. Maia got his back. Maia punching hard from back position as the Brazilians chanted “You’re gonna die.” Maia punching from back position. He’s got Nelson is a body triangle. Maia working for an armbar. Nelson escaped and on top. The place went nuts for that reversal. The place is going crazy for a grappling match. It’s awesome. Maia 10-9.
Second round: Both landed punches. Maia with a takedown and Nelson reversed . Maia now behind him. Maia has his back again. Maia is in the piggy back position with a body triangle. Maia throwing punches from that position. Nelson reversed to the top. Maia reversed to the top. Maia landing elbows. Maia 20-18.
Third round: Maia took him down monentarily. Nelson trying for a guillotine. Maia out of it. Maia with punches and elbows from the top. Maia with elbows. Maia is working for a choke but he can’t get the arm under the chin. Maia gave it up to throw punches. Nelson reversed to the top with 15 seconds left. The crowd liked it and the two guys hugged. Maia easily 30-27.
Scores: 30-26, 30-25 and 30-25.
Maia challenged the Lawler vs. Condit winner.
MIDDLEWEIGHTS- (#2) RONALDO SOUZA (22-3 1 NC, 5-0 UFC) VS. (#3) YOEL ROMERO (10-1, 6-0 UFC)
First round: Romero came into the ring and did a roundoff. He’s an athlete at a completely different level from almost anyone in this sport and a lot of others. Traded body kicks. Nice right by Souza. Souza moving forward. Body kick by Souza. Left to the body by Souza. Romero threw a kick but it was checked. Romero landed a hard left. Spinning punch by Romero decked Souza. Romero throwing punches from the top. Romero starting to land good punches on the ground. He’s really weary, however. Romero with punches and elbows. Romero just got out of trouble and more punches. Romero with hard elbows. Souza went for an armbar. Romero got out and got his back and punching. 10-8 Romero
Second round: Body kick by Romero. Left by Romero. Souza went for a takedown. Romero totally holding onto the fence but Souza got him down and Romero reversed. The ref should have called a penalty point for that one. It was too long and too flagrant. Body shot by Souza. Body kick by Romero. Body kick by Souza. Souza landed a right. Romero looks shaky. Body kick by Romero. Body kick by Souza. Body kick by Romero. Souza’s round 19-18 Romero after two.
Third round: Body kick by Souza. Low kick by Souza. Souza missed a kick. Front kick and left by Romero. Souza tried a takedown. He couldn’t get it. Hard left by Romero. Body kick by Souza. Souza landed some good shots. He’s got Romero hurt and took him down. Souza landign punches on the ground. He’s working for ahead and arm choke. Souza with some elbows and punches. Romero back up. Souza’s round so I’ve got 28-28, but if not a 10-8 first then it’s Souza’s fight.
The two hugged after the match and both posed with a “Jesus” flag.
Scores: 29-27 Romero, 29-28 Souza 29-28 Romero. I don’t agree with that decision in the sense Souza won rounds two and three.
UFC MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP- (C) CHRIS WEIDMAN (13-0, 9-0 UFC) VS. (#1) LUKE ROCKHOLD (14-2, 4-1 UFC)
First round: Weidman got a huge positive reaction but no boos for Rockhold. Crowd going nuts and stomping before the match even started. Trading low kicks. Chris jumped on his back right away and got in piggy back position. Rockhold tried to throw him off but Weidman staying out of a bad position. Rockhold has him against the cage. Right by Weidman and he got the takedown. Rockhold back up. Loud let’s go Weidman chant. Elbow by Weidman. Another takedown by Weidman. Rockhold had a guillotine. Weidman motioned like he’s got nothing on it. Herb Dean called a standup. Weird to stand up from there. Hard body kick by Rockhold. Weidman took him down. Rockhold reversed and got another guillotine. Close round. Rockhold 10-9.
Second round: Rockhold landing punches. Hard body kick by Rockhold. . Weidman with a body kick. Both missed punches. Hard body kick by Weidmnan. Head kick by Rockhold. Low kick by Rockhold. Weidnan went for a takedown but Rockhold blocked and landed a body kick. Hard body kick by Rockhold. Weidman went for a takedown but Rockhold blocked and landed a body kick hard. Hard body kick by Rockhold. Another body kick by Rockhold. Weidman missed a kick. Rockhold with a right. Left by Weidamn. Hook kick by Rockhold just missed. High kick by Rockhold. Big right by Rockhold. Best punch of the fight. Right by Rockhold. Left by Rockhold. Body shot by Rockhold. Weidman with a right. Body kick by Wiedman. Body kick by Rockhold. Weidman with low kicks. Rockhold slipped a punch and landed a right. Low kick by Rockhold. Body kick by Weidman hurt him. Rockhold with a left. Rockhold 20-18.
Third round: Body kick by Weidman. Body kick by Rockhold. Body kick by Weidman. Weidman wants a takedown. Rockhold blocked him. Two body kick by Weidmann. Hard left by Weidman and he got the takedown. Rockhold back up. Rockhold with a left, a body kick and a low kick. Another left by Rockhold. Body kick by Weidman. Left and right by Rockhold. Body kick by Weidman. Another body kick by Weidman. Both guys are really tired at this point, slower and more measured. Hard kick by Weidman. Weidman missed a wheel kick and Rockhold took him down and got his back. Rockhold has full mount. Rockhold punching and elbows. Rockhold landing a lot of punches now. Weidman is in big trouble. Rockhold dropping a ton of punches and elbows. Rockhold is killing him with punches. It really should have been stopped. Rockhold 10-8 round for sure, I’ve got 30-26. That should have been stopped and I don’t know if Weidman is getting up from that.
Fourth round: Weidman answered the bell. Body kick by Rockhold. He tried for a takedown but Weidman blocked it. Rockhold got him down. Weidman has several cuts. Rockhold landing punches. Rockhold on top throwing punches again. Herb Dean stopped it and Rockhold is the new champion. 3:12
Rogan with Luke Rockhold. “It’s hard to describe. I can’t believe this is real.”
Rogan with Chris: He says this was Luke’s night, at the end of the the day I’ve got a beautiful family, fans love me, I’ll be back. He said the spin kick wasn’t the smartest move, I wanted to give everything I had, all I can do is work hard.
UFC FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – (C) JOSE ALDO (25-1, 7-0 UFC) VS. (IC) CONOR MCGREGOR (18-2, 6-0 UFC)
First round: McGregor landed a left and side kick. McGregor knocked him out in seconds. Aldo went for a left as did McGregor, McGregor landed perfectly on the jaw and Aldo went down. Aldo is in tears. :13
– Josh Nason (88-64 | .579): JNPO host, Wrestling Observer digital media and content guy, WON Twitter guy
*****
> UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo (25-1) vs. UFC Interim Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor (18-2)
During the first episode of UFC Embedded, there was something about McGregor that didn’t seem right, almost like he was too comfortable. As I was chatting with fellow New Englander J.B. on Twitter, he mentioned something similar without me even prompting it. Maybe we’re too tied up in David Price and thinking about the Red Sox season, but there’s talking about being hungry to get there and feeling like you’re already there.
I’m going with Aldo for a few reasons. One is that he hasn’t lost in 11 years and like champions before him (Anderson Silva, GSP, Jon Jones), long stretches of dominance and fending off challengers even when your body is screaming no. The other is he looks comfortable and ready. He’s laughing and joking. He looks like he’s ready to remind the world why so many have considered him the pound-for-pound best.
Of course, McGregor could starch him in three rounds. LET’S JUST DO THIS ALREADY.
> UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman (13-0) vs. Luke Rockhold (14-2)
A few weeks ago, I was trying to articulate to Ariel Helwani on Twitter how this fight felt like two NFL quarterbacks or two ace pitchers going head to head in their prime. Then, he nailed it: Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson. Now, while I don’t agree with Ariel that Weidman is in the conversation for the best middleweight champion of all time, this is, arguably, the best middleweight title fight of all time.
Weidman is undefeated, but Rockhold is pretty spot on when he says that all he’s beaten is a bunch of deflated Brazilians. The 31-year-old downed Silva twice to win the title, then Lyoto Machida in one of the best fights of 2014, and the deflated balloon that is Vitor Belfort.
After losing to the inflated version of Belfort, Rockhold has ripped off four straight with four finishes over Tim Boetsch, Costas Phillipou, Michael Bisping, and Machida. There’s some ‘eh’ in there as well, which is what makes this fight so damn compelling. Both can kick, both can punch, both are young, both can wrestle and grapple, and both are (hopefully) healthy. I could see this fight happening a few more times until it’s all said and done.
> Yoel Romero (10-1) vs. Jacare Souza (22-3-0-1) Middleweights
The awesomeness of the top two fights here has completely overshadowed what is essentially a bout for the no. 1 contendership to the winner of WIDE MAN VS. ROCK HOLD. Souza has won eight straight fights (5-0 UFC) including Chris Camozzi twice of all people. He just turned 36 and could have easily got the shot against Weidman tonight, but a win here makes him a no-doubter for that opportunity. Can he outstrike Romero and does he want this to go to the ground against the Olympic wrestling medalist?
Romero burst on the scene by busting up the consciousness of those who dare stepped in against him….except for Tim Kennedy and that whole sitting on the stool thing. Much like Souza, Romero came from Strikeforce and like Souza, is undefeated in the Octagon (6-0). He is coming off the June decimation of Lyoto Machida and has T/KO finishes in five of his six wins.
Souza has been knocked out in two of his three career defeats, but one was his first pro fight and the other was September 2008 against Gegard Mousasi. However, this is the biggest puncher he’s faced in the UFC to date. Keep that in mind if the “Soldier of God” can find his range.
> Demian Maia (21-6) vs. Gunnar Nelson (14-1-1) Welterweights
That collective satisfied moan you hear is from all of the world’s BJJ/grappling lovers who are getting to see this dream fight play out live. That being said, it will probably be 15 minutes of awkward stand-up.
The 38-year-old Maia is on a three-fight win streak and is coming off an August submission win over The World’s Most Active Fighter Neil Magny. After getting to a point in his career where he abandoned his tremendous BJJ game for the striking life with comme ci, comme ca results, Maia has found a groove again.
11 years Maia’s junior, the Icelandic Nelson has become a fan favorite in Ireland because of his association with Conor McGregor’s team. He’s 5-1 in the UFC and is coming a suffocating first round submission victory over Brandon Thatch in his first-ever fight on U.S. soil. His game plan is simple: survive and submit. I’m sure Maia sees a lot of his younger self in Nelson and the question is whether the future of BJJ aces in the welterweight division is now.
> Max Holloway (14-3) vs. Jeremy Stephens (24-11) Featherweights
Just over a week removed his 24th birthday, we’ve seen Holloway grow up before our eyes. He’s nearing the completion of his fourth year of UFC competition and in that time, he’s fought 13 times (10-3). He rides a seven-fight win streak into the PPV opener and tonight’s fight will mark the second straight calendar year in which Holloway has fought four times.
Stephens has found a nice home at 145 with a 4-2 record there since May 2013. After back-to-back losses to Cub Swanson and Charles Oliveira in 2014, the 29-year-old surprised many by beating Dennis Bermudez by 3rd round TKO in July. He’s a big underdog going into this one, but that won’t stop him from trying to take Holloway’s head off his shoulders.
UFC 194 ends the biggest week in UFC history on Saturday night and is another chance for fantasy players to win money on this big weekend. Below are our studs, value plays and fighters to avoid along with our personal line-ups for UFC 194 on Saturday night.
STUDS
Urijah Faber ($11,000)
Urijah Faber is the biggest favorite on the card and has the highest salary of the UFC 194 participants. He fights an unknown fighter in Frankie Saenz, who is facing the toughest opponent of his young career. Faber has been to the dance many times, and this harkens back to two fights in 2014 against Alex Caceres and Francisco Rivera, perfect fights made for Faber to bounce back in. With a title shot possibly looming for him, he is going to want to win in impressive fashion. Saenz will be a tough fight, but Faber should easily dispatch him within the distance.
Kevin Lee ($10,800)
Kevin Lee is a bright prospect in the lightweight division, with an 11-1 record and four straight wins. He is coming off an impressive first-round submission win over James Moontasri and is a big favorite in his bout against Leonardo Santos at UFC 194. Lee is more well-rounded than Santos and is a rising prospect. Santos probably won’t do much in the division but he will be a consistent roster member. Lee is primed for big things and this is another showcase for him.
VALUE PLAYS
Gunnar Nelson ($9,300)
Gunnar Nelson meets Demian Maia in one of the more intriguing bouts on the UFC 194 card. Nelson is the underdog, and I’m not really sure he should be. He has the grappling to match Maia, and he is a better striker at this stage. Maia is a solid wrestler and has been around for a long time, but this feels like a passing of the torch moment at 170 pounds. Nelson at his price point is worth a look for value and I think he gets the win.
Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger ($8,700)
Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger makes her UFC debut on short notice against Tecia Torres, thus meaning she is a big underdog. She maybe shouldn’t be such a big one. She is going to have a huge height and reach advantage over Torres and she will be able to exploit that well. Torres is a solid fighter, and is undefeated, but we saw her slow down in a tough environment against Angela Hill. Lybarger will pressure Torres and use her size to land. She is worth taking at her price though it is a tough match-up.
AVOID
John Makdessi ($10,300)
John Makdessi is coming into UFC 194 off a bad loss to Donald Cerrone in May that left him with a badly broken jaw. Makdessi talked about retirement after that injury, and any time that happens, you have to question the mentality of a fighter. He is a favorite over Yancy Medeiros, but Medeiros is solid competition. Makdessi has vicious power, but I don’t see him finishing Medeiros. He is one to avoid at his salary.
Ronaldo Souza ($10,200)
This is a risky one because Ronaldo Souza is such a great fighter. He has a great opponent in Yoel Romero. Both are looking for a title shot. The match-up has the chance to disappoint with a boring fight. Both are strong grapplers and Romero’s wrestling will likely negate Souza’s jiu-jitsu. So, there goes Souza’s big key to winning. They are equal on the feet though Romero is more flashy and may have the power edge. It doesn’t look like a finish is on the docket for Jacare, so we regrettably suggest to avoid.
OUR LINE-UPS
RYAN FREDERICK: Urijah Faber ($11,000), Kevin Lee ($10,800), Conor McGregor ($9,900) Gunnar Nelson ($9,300), Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger ($8,700)
I like Faber and Lee to score finish wins in their bouts. I picked Nelson to win and I think there is a decent chance he finishes Demian Maia. I like Lybarger to score a decent amount of points as a fighter to fill out my line-up. And I’m going with Conor McGregor. He lands a lot of strikes and I see Jose Aldo leaving himself open to getting hit. I admit it being a risky pick, but sometimes to win money, you have to risk, and I’m doing exactly that.
PAUL FONTAINE: Max Holloway ($10,900), Tecia Torres ($10,700), Chris Weidman ($10,000), Yancy Medeiros ($9,100), Marcio Alexandre Jr. ($9,000)
Chris Weidman is an unbeaten champion who’s finished 2/3 of his fights in UFC. He’s also a prolific striker so if the fight goes five rounds, he should rack up a lot of point. Holloway is a lock to win and likely via early stoppage as he’s got the longest winning streak in his division, besides Jose Aldo. Tecia Torres is another unbeaten fighter who’s facing someone making her UFC debut on short notice. She’s looked better and better each time out and I really like her here. My pick for Medeiros is more a bet against his opponent John Makdessi. Makdessi suffered a brutal KO in his last fight against Donald Cerrone and it’s the kind of fight guys often have a hard time coming back from, especially just over six months later. Alexandre may be 0-2 in UFC but he’s looked good in both fights, battling Tim Means to a split decision last time out. His opponent Court McGee is coming back from a long layoff, which could hurt him.
PEACH MACHINE: John Makdessi ($10,300), Ronaldo Souza ($10,200), Chris Weidman ($10,000), Conor McGregor ($9,900), Gunnar Nelson ($9,300)
The fact that I can easily get both McGregor and Weidman AND Souza is awesome. I like this hand. I’m taking Conor, obviously because I think he will win. I really do think that Conor has already beaten Aldo mentally. Or he’s over hyped this thing and will crack under the pressure he created. I find that to be unlikely, however, I’ll wait until after weigh-ins to make my actual bet. Weidman over Rockhold. I like Rockhold, but I think Weidman is the superior athlete and will make this a wrestling match, where he is easily one of the best. I think Maia is done. Sure he can beat guys like Magny on short notice, but Nelson is a far superior test than Magny and I expect him to beat Maia in every area. Souza is awesome. If he can get this to the ground, and drag Romero to the deep waters, it’s very likely he’ll get the submission. John Makdessi is going to have to rebound after his KO loss to Cerrone, and Medeiros isn’t that tough, so I expect Makdessi to win.
Welcome to WrestlingObserver.com’s live coverage of The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale: Edgar vs. Mendes from The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event is headlined by a big fight in the UFC’s featherweight division as former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar takes on former title challenger Chad Mendes in a bout that could determine the next title challenger at 145 pounds. In the co-main event, it is the finals of this season of “TUF” as Artem Lobov takes on Ryan Hall. Also on the card is a pivotal lightweight bout as Tony Ferguson puts his six-fight win streak on the line against Edson Barboza. Follow along with our live coverage beginning at 8 PM eastern time with the preliminary card bouts before heading to the main card at 10 PM eastern time.
LIGHTWEIGHTS- CHRIS GRUETZEMACHER (12-1, 0-0 UFC) VS. ABNER LLOVERAS (19-7-1, 0-0 UFC)
First round: Hard body kicks back and forth. Lloveras landed a right. Chris moved in and went for an elbow. Chris moved into the clinch. Knee by Lloveras. Hard body kick by Lloveras. Another hard body kick by Lloveras. Body kick by Lloveras. Chris landed punches and a low kick. Another hard body kick by Lloveras. They traded knees. Takedown by Lloveras. Chris up. Lloveras has him back down. Lloveras 10-9.
Second round: Trading kicks. Chris landed some punches a low kick and more punches. Lloveras got behind him working for a choke but Chris shook him off. Chris is bleeding from the mouth. Low kick by Chris. Lloveras with a right. Low kick by Lloveras. Lloveas with a hard snapping body kick. Close round. Lloveras 20-18.
Third round: Lloveras took him down right away and got his back. Chris got up and slammed him. Chris now throwing more. Body kick by Lloveras. Chris throwing knees to the thigh. Lloveras trying for a takedown and got it. Lloveras landed a right. Chris with a low kick. Loveras back with a low kick. Another close round. Lloveras 30-27.
Scores: All three have it 29-28 for Gruetezmacher. Rounds two and three were close, surprised but not shocked.
First round: Knee by Herrera. Sanchez dancing. High kick by Herrera. Spin kick by Sanchez but Herrera used it to take him down. Herrera 10-9 close.
Second round: Herrera landed a right. Another hard right by Herrera. Nice right by Sanchez. Sanchez with a body shot. Both started opening up. Herrera cut Sanchez near the left eye. Sanches landing a ton of shots. Knees by Herrera. Herrera tried a flying knee but didn’t land. Good uppercut by Sanchez. Herrera dropped him with a left hook and finished him with a few punches on the ground.
WELTERWEIGHTS- RYAN LAFLARE (11-1, 4-1 UFC) VS. MIKE PIERCE (17-6, 9-4 UFC)
First round: Body kick by LaFlare. Another body kick. Right by LaFlare. Pierce with a high kick. Pierce moved in to try a takedown. LaFlare threw a kick and Pierce is trying to take him down after catching the leg. Pierce tried a high kick but LaFlare grabbed the leg and threw him down as the round ended. 10-9 LaFlare.
Second round: LaFlare with a body kick. Another body kick by LaFlare. Low kick by LaFlare. Body kick by LaFlare. Another body kick by LaFlare. Left by LaFlare. Piece moved in for a takedown attempt. LaFlare blocked the takedown. Body kick by LaFlare. LaFlare with a body kick. Pierce landed a right. LaFlare 20-18.
Third round: Pierce with an elbow. Body kick by LaFlare. Pierce landed some punches. Pierce bleeding from the nose. LaFlare landed a left. Another left, almost a Superman punch by LaFlare. Body kick by LaFlare. LaFlare with a body kick. Left by LaFlare while both missed punches. Hard body kick by LaFlare. Pierce unloading with punches and knees. He landed big left. Great finish. Pierce could take this round with the late flurry, but LaFlare dominated most of the round. 30-27 LaFlare.
Scores: 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28 for LaFlare. Some loud boos but LaFlare clearly won the fight.
HEAVYWEIGHTS- GABRIEL GONZAGA (16-10, 11-9 UFC) VS. KONSTANTIN EROKHIN (9-2, 0-1 UFC)
First round: Crowd booing as nothing is happening. Gonzaga threw a punch about 2:45 into the round. Then he went for a takedown that was blocked. Right and left by Erokhin. Gonzaga with a body kick . Gonzaga took him down at the end of the round. 10-9 Gonzaga.
Second round: Gonzaga landed a right. Crowd booing again. And nothing is happening again. This is a seriously horrible round. Gonzaga threw a high kick at 3:20. He didn’t land it, though. Body kick by Gonzaga. Gonzaga almost got a takedown. Knee by Gonzaga from close range. 20-18 Gonzaga.
Third round: Gonzaga took him down to start the round. Gonzaga landed punches from the top. Erokhim scrambled up with about 1:40 left in the round. This fight seriously sucks. Crowd booing as nothing is happening again. Crowd booing loud now that the fight is over. 30-27 Gonzaga.
Scores: 30-27, 30-27 and 30-28 for Gonzaga. Crowd booed he decision. They’d have booed it no matter who won.
MAIN CARD (FS1- 10 PM ET/7 PM PT)
LIGHTWEIGHTS- JULIAN EROSA (14-2, 0-0 UFC) VS. MARCIN WRZOSEK (10-2, 0-0 UFC)
First round: Already more action than in the last fight. Wrzosek hurt him with a punch. Big right by Wrzosek. They are in a clinch against the fence. Erosa has a guillotine but it‘s not tight. Now Erosa is working for a D’arce choke. He gave up on it. Wrzosek 10-9.
Second round: Wrzosek hurt him with a right which almost spun him around. Elbow by Erosa. Wrzosek with a takedown. Wrzosek with another takedown. Wrzosek 20-18.
Third round: Erosa with a takedown. Erosa with another takedown. Crowd is way behind Erosa. He’s trying a choke but doesn’t have it. Wrzosek landed punches late in the round. Erosa’s round so I’ve got 29-28 for Wrzosek.
Scores: 29-28 Wrzosek 29-28 Erosa 29-28 Erosa. A lot of people booing that decision.
FEATHERWEIGHTS- (#13) TATSUYA KAWAJIRI (34-8-2, 2-1 UFC) VS. JASON KNIGHT (15-1, 0-0 UFC)
First round: Takedown by Kawajiri right away. Knight working for a triangle. He’s throwing elbows to Kawajiri’s head. Kawajiri escaped. Kawajiir was using the trunks for a cradle. Kawajiri did enough from the top that Knight is all bloody. Knight has two nice sized cuts, one near left eye and one in the forehead. 10-9 Kawajiri.
Second round: Kawajiri took him right down again. This fight is really boring. Nothing like the Gonzaga fight. But it’s quiet enough here that the most noise is an argument about whether Tyson Fury’s promos are a work. Which, by the way, they are. John McCarthy ordered a stand up. So Kawajiri just took him down again. And he kept him there the entire round. Somebody let Crusher know there isn’t a worst fight bonus. 20-18 Kawajiri.
Third round: Spin kick to the body by Kawajiri Another kick to the body. Knight tried a kick and Kawajiri used it to take him down. Another takedown by Kawajiri. John McCarthy had enough and ordered a standup. They traded punches and Kawajri got him down again. Kawajiri 30-27. No other score possible.
Scores: All three have it 30-27 for Kawajiri
LIGHTWEIGHTS- JOE LAUZON (25-10, 12-7 UFC) VS. EVAN DUNHAM (16-6, 9-6 UFC)
First round: Dunham landed several punches. Lauzon landed a nice left. Dunham landing all kinds of punches including a good uppercut. Now Lauzon back. Trading knees. Crowd is super dead though. Lauzon almost got a takedown. Dunham took him down as the round ended. 10-9 Dunham.
Second round: Dunham with a body kick. Nice low kick by Lauzon. Front kck by Dunham but Lauzon back with a punch. Dunham with punches and knees. Dunahm bleeding from the right eye. Dunham 20-18.
Third round: Dunham in with punches. Punches and low kicks by Dunham. Dunham with a body kick and punches. Nice right by Dunham. More punches by Dunham. More punches and finishing with a low kick by Dunham. Punches and a high kick by Dunham. This was a very different Lauzon tonight. Sad to see. 30-27 Dunham, has to be that score.
Scores: 30-26, 30-27 and 30-26 for Dunham
LIGHTWEIGHTS- (#6) EDSON BARBOZA (16-3, 10-3 UFC) VS. (#7) TONY FERGUSON (19-3, 9-1 UFC)
First round: Both out fast. Barboza landing. Ferguson dove in looking for a heel hook. Both guys on the ground throwing punches. Ferguson kicked him hard in the head on the ground which is so illegal. John McCarthy is pissed. McCarthy called in the doctor. He said Barboza was okay. McCarthy took a point away from Ferguson. He really had to. Both trading punches. Hard kick by Barboza. Nice body shot by Ferguson. Had left by Barboza. Ferguson dove in again looking for something. Barboza with a takedown off a kick. Barboza nailed him with a punch and spin kick. Ferguson landed a big shot. Ferguson again diving for an ankle. Spin kick to the body by Barboza. Hard kick by Barboza. Spin kick to the calf by Barboza. Huge ovation for both. More action than the rest of the show put together. 10-8 Barboza due to the foul point.
Second round: Barboza landed a right. Hard kick by Barboza. Trading low kicks. Hard right by Barboza. Ferguson bleeding from the left eye. Barboza bleeding form the right eye. Barboza took him down with a leg sweep. Barboza bleeding like crazy. Barboza missed a crazy spin kick. Ferguson with a side kick. Barboza went for a takedown. Ferguson sprawled and is working on a D’arce choke and Barboza tapped. Super fight. 2:54
TUF 22 LIGHTWEIGHT FINALS- ARTEM LOBOV (11-10-1 1 NC, 0-0 UFC) VS. RYAN HALL (4-1, 0-0 UFC)
First round: Hall immediately going for a leglock. He moved to a choke. But he didn’t have it. Crowd went crazy at Lobov getting out of it. USA chants. Hall has him in a body triangle. Loud USA chant. He’s back to looking for the choke. Hall 10-9.
Second round: Lobov dropped him with a punch. Hall went low for a leglock but Lobov got away. Hall pulled guard. Hall went for a leg lock but Lobov got up. Hall tried to get him down again. Hall shot in but Lobov is on top. Hall again going for a leglock. It will be interesting how this round is scored. Hall was on his back, but except or he early punch, he had the key offense. 20-18 Hall.
Third round: Hall dropped and looking for a leglock again. He’s also punching form his back. Loov go away. Hall took him down. Hall pulled him down. Lobov up and Hall jumped on his back. He locked him up in a body triangle. Hall is staying behind him in the piggy back position. Hall 30-27.
Scores: 30-27, 30-26 and 30-26 for Hall
FEATHERWEIGHTS- (#2) FRANKIE EDGAR (19-4-1, 13-4-1 UFC) VS. (#3) CHAD MENDES (17-3, 8-3 UFC)
First round: Mendes is smaller then before. Hard low kick by Mendes. Edgar landed a right. Hard low kick by Mendes. Uppercut by Mendes. Edgar with a combo. Another hard low kick by Mendes. Both swinging. Edgar dropped him with a left hook and Mendes face planted and it’s over.
Welcome to WrestlingObserver.com’s live coverage of the UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor weigh-ins from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fighters will hit the scale at 6 PM eastern time. The card airs on Saturday with the main card on pay-per-view at 10 PM eastern time. Preliminary card action kicks off at 6:30 PM eastern time on UFC Fight Pass before heading over to FS1 on 8 PM eastern time with additional preliminary bouts. This event concludes the biggest week in UFC history.
The event will be headlined by two title bouts, and two of the biggest fights of the year. UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo will finally step foot inside the Octagon across from Interim UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor in a bout that has been brewing for over a year. In the co-main event it will be UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman putting the title and his undefeated record on the line against the number one contender, Luke Rockhold. The main card also features a first in UFC history as every fighter on the main card has previously headlined a UFC event.
MAIN CARD (PPV- 10 PM ET/7 PM PT): Jose Aldo (145) vs. Conor McGregor (145) – UFC Featherweight Championship Chris Weidman (185) vs. Luke Rockhold (185) – UFC Middleweight Championship Ronaldo Souza (186) vs. Yoel Romero (185) Demian Maia (170) vs. Gunnar Nelson (170) Max Holloway (146) vs. Jeremy Stephens (145)
PRELIMINARY CARD (FS1- 8 PM ET/5 PM PT): Urijah Faber (136) vs. Frankie Saenz (135) Tecia Torres (116) vs. Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger (116) Warlley Alves (171) vs. Colby Covington (170) Leonardo Santos (156) vs. Kevin Lee (156)
PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT): Joe Proctor (155.5) vs. Magomed Mustafaev (155) John Makdessi (156) vs. Yancy Medeiros (155.5) Court McGee (170) vs. Marcio Alexandre Jr. (171)
*Over 9,000 in attendance at the MGM Grand for the weigh-ins. *Loud reaction for Conor McGregor and loud boos for Jose Aldo. Dana White had to keep them apart at the staredown. *Chris Weidman and Luke Rockhold had quite a bit of trash talk during their staredown. *Urijah Faber got a huge reaction from the crowd based on coaching opposite of Conor McGregor on the most recent season of TUF.
Night 1 of our three day UFC orgy was full of plenty of great moments. From Rose Namajunas’ star-making performance to Michael Chiesa busting down the lightweight gate to plenty of finishes, Thursday’s show was a lot of fun. The stakes escalate a bit tonight for the TUF 22 finale show, headlined by an incredible featherweight fight that could determine the next contender for either Conor McGregor or Jose Aldo.
Our panel:
– Jack Encarnacao (105-42 | .714): Sherdog Rewind host, The Lapsed Fan podcast co-chair
– Josh Nason (86-61 | .585): JNPO host, Wrestling Observer digital media and content guy, WON Twitter guy
*****
Frankie Edgar (19-4-1) vs. Chad Mendes (17-3) Featherweights
The second best featherweight fight of the weekend is essentially for the #1 contendership, but you have to think that if Jose Aldo loses Saturday night, he’s going to get a rematch. After all, it’s been, what, a decade-plus since an ‘L’ went in his ledger? The 30-year-old Mendes has fought three times in the last two years with two title shots and lost them both, the most recent to Conor McGregor this summer. His fight against Aldo last year was incredible and he’s shown a propensity in recent years of dropping suckas cold.
Edgar basically earned the right to fight for the title Saturday night, but he’s not as brash as McGregor and doesn’t compel people to click ‘buy’ enough to warrant getting another opportunity without dispatching everyone in his path. Thus, we have this 25 minutes of awesomeness in front of us Friday. The 34-year-old Frank James Edgar has won four in a row, beating Charles Oliveira, BJ Penn, Cub Swanson, and Urijah Faber along the way. If he can top “Money”, there’s no one left for him other than the champion, is there?
This fight should be hot fire and a half. I don’t know what that means, but it will be that.
Edson Barboza (16-3) vs. Tony Ferguson (19-3) Lightweights
Ferguson went from a guy that won TUF in 2011 to a force at 155 four years later. He’s 9-1 in the UFC and is riding a six-fight win streak, escalating the level of veteran he’s faced every time out. Thus far in 2015, he submitted Gleison Tibau and outclassed Josh Thomson via unanimous decision. Originally slated to battle Khabib Nurmagomedov in a battle of pure fire, Nurmy got hurt again but Barboza is no slouch.
Now in his sixth year of UFC competition, he’s 3-2 since 2014 and was last seen downing Paul Felder this summer. Every time he gets close to grabbing the brass ring, fighters like Donald Cerrone and Michael Johnson reach a bit further to snatch it first. Insanely talented, I wonder if he’s destined to be another one of those guys who never gets the opportunity compete for a title despite fighting nearly everyone in the division on their way to the gold.
Joe Lauzon (25-10) vs. Evan Dunham (16-6) Lightweights
It’s crazy to think Lauzon is just 31 years old as we’ve been watching him compete in the UFC since 2006. After fighting just once in 2014, this is Lauzon’s third bout of 2015 and he’s coming off a summertime win over Takanori Gomi. He’s still a fan favorite, but he’s also unranked. Where does he fit in the UFC 155-pound landscape these days anyway?
The 33-year-old Dunham is riding a two-fight win streak, his first since way back in 2011-12. A three-fight losing streak against the upper echelon of the division (current champ Rafael dos Anjos, #1 contender Donald Cerrone, Edson Barboza) put him in his place, and at 33 years old, we ask the same question as we do with Lauzon: where does he fit in the division? Of note, he hasn’t finished anyone since January 2012, a span of three wins over seven fights.
TUF Finals: Artem Lobov (11-10-1-1) vs. Ryan Hall (4-1) Lightweights
I stopped watching this season of TUF around episode four or so, and after 20+ seasons, I might be finally out altogether. There’s so much quality (and non-quality) MMA on TV that I’m not sure what the draw is anymore. Even the prospect of seeing Conor McGregor every week wasn’t enough to keep me interested. Anyhoo, Lobov is McGregor’s boy and took advantage of getting a second chance to come back on the show after losing on the fight-in show. He doesn’t bring much of a record into the UFC while the 30-year-old Hall gets the opportunity that Saul Rogers gave up due to lying to the UFC about his visa…or something like that. Ugh.
Ryan LaFlare (11-1) vs. Mike Pierce (17-6) Welterweights
File this under ‘Interesting’. LaFlare took the first loss of his career against BJJ ace Demian Maia earlier this year and steps into the Octagon looking to improve on his 4-1 UFC record. The 32-year-old has gone the distance in all five of them, and I wouldn’t expect much different here from the man with the wrestling background.
You might remember Pierce from such hits as “I Almost Beat Josh Koscheck!” and “Rousimar Palhares Nearly Ruined My Career!” Yep, Mike Pierce is back! Out of action since Palhares jacked up his knee and ankle by (surprise) holding onto a submission too long in October 2013, Pierce is back two years later. To be fair, he was supposed to return in 2014 against Demian Maia but got derailed due to a broken hand. He’s 35 so there’s not much of a threat of a title run, but it’s good to see him back regardless.
The Notorious Quote of the Week: “I didn’t think I’d see you again! You’re around!!! Good to see you my friend. I didn’t think I’d see +HIM+ again.”
Lightweight: Saul Rogers (Team Europe) vs. Marcin Wrzosek (Team Europe)
The first of two semi-finals. Wrzosek has the lighter trunks on, Rogers the darker grey. Rogers is showing off his striking game early, forcing the Polish Zombie to step backward, and then he hits a takedown at the one minute mark into guard. Wrzosek scoots his back to the fence looking to get up as John McCarthy looks on. It’s deathly quiet in the gym save for the rattling of the cage and their feet bouncing on the canvas. Rogers takes his back against the fence at 1:52. Wrzosek gets up and gets taken back down again at 2:10. He’s up again and backs away clean at 2:52. Zombie is being a little more aggressive but Rogers is still landing the better shots and gets another single leg at 4:16. He spins to take the back a half minute later but can’t do anything and Wrzosek escapes right before R1 ends.
Rogers is still the more fluid of the fighters in the first minute of R2. He’s acting, not REACTING. You can see it from the motion of his head and shoulders – his muscle memory from years and years of big fights and top level training. He scoops the leg for another takedown at 1:01. Rogers is warned to watch the back of the head as he overwhelms Wrzosek with strikes from behind, forcing him to cover up and drawing impressed whistles from a few people watching. Wrzosek tries to escape and can’t. Rogers sits on one leg and pounds his face, grabs a front headlock, then transitions to the back again. All Zombie can do is cover up. Zombie loses his mouthpiece and McCarthy calls time to let him put it back in but doesn’t stand them up or change their position. He escapes, Rogers takes him down, and jumps to his back immediately. He sinks in the rear naked choke and it’s over at 4:07. They hug.
SAUL ROGERS IS GOING ON TO TONIGHT’S TUF 22 FINALE.
Urijah Faber brings Jose Aldo to the final training session for his team – their last chance to prepare Julian Erosa for his fight with Artem Lobov. Aldo: “He is a great friend mine. We were once opponents but after that we became friends. We always stay in touch. Urijah always has something to teach me and I always have something to teach him.” Aldo shows off positional techniques for how to get dominant positions on the ground, even explaining the technique to go from a triangle to a shoulder lock.
Afterward they play a little soccer in the gym for fun, with some MMA takedowns mixed in. It’s pretty lighthearted – they’re all laughing and having a good time.
Meanwhile for Team McGregor it’s all business for Artem Lobov. He says he wants the hat trick and the third knockout. “This is what pays – knockouts pay.” McGregor says he wants Lobov reacting every time Erosa goes for single shots. He wants him to cut off the cage. “He has good ring knowledge, he just needs to use it. He will use it early and he will knock him out.” Lobov talks about how they were all once so broke they had to share a hotel room for McGregor’s fight and he slept on the floor.
McGregor waxes nostalgic as training winds down, saying he got personally attached even without trying to, and he’ll leave the show with a lifetime of memories. McGregor walks into the gym for the other semi-final fight and sees Jose Aldo sitting on Faber’s bench, and he’s laughing and smiling, but Also just sits there quietly.
Lightweight: Artem Lobov (Team Europe) vs. Julian Erosa (Team USA)
There are under ten minutes left so this isn’t getting out of the first round. McGregor reminds Lobov to be “flowey.” Dana White runs down the rules. Herb Dean signals both men and the fight is underway. Erosa is in the blue and Lobov the gray trunks. Lobov is following his usual MO – he’s head hunting and pressuring his opponent. Lobov rocks him at 57 seconds with a big left, hits him with another huge shot when he tries to get up, and Herb Dean is there to wave it off immediately. McGregor is so happy he rips his pants jumping over the fence!
ARTEM LOBOV ADVANCES TO TONIGHT’S TUF 22 FINALE.…BUT THE SHOW ISN’T OVER.
Dana White: “Saul lied on his visa application and has problems getting into the country and can’t fight on the Finale. Ryan Hall will now get the opportunity!” So the fight is Ryan Hall vs. Artem Lobov on Friday instead.
