Category: UFC News

Welcome to WrestlingObserver.com’s live coverage of the UFC On FOX 16: Dillashaw vs. Barao 2 weigh-ins from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois kicking off at 4 PM eastern time. The event airs on Saturday on FOX at 8 PM eastern time. Preliminary card action kicks off on UFC Fight Pass at 4:15 PM eastern time before moving over to FOX at 6 PM eastern time. This marks the first title fight on network television since UFC On FOX 9 in December 2013.

The event is headlined by UFC Bantamweight Champion T.J. Dillashaw defending the championship against the man he defeated for it at UFC 173 in May 2014, former champion Renan Barao. Unlike last time, Dillashaw enters this fight as the favorite to retain, but a win by Barao could set up a trilogy bout. The co-main event is a title eliminator bout in the UFC women’s bantamweight division as former Strikeforce champion Miesha Tate takes on rising contender Jessica Eye. Also on the main card is a pair of exciting lightweight match-ups as Edson Barboza takes on Paul Felder, and Joe Lauzon squares off with Takanori Gomi.

Barao missed weight on the first try by 1/2 pound.  Removed the shorts and made weight!  Otherwise a very uneventful weigh-in.

MAIN CARD (FOX- 8 PM ET/5 PM PT):

T.J. Dillashaw (135) vs. Renan Barao (135) – UFC Bantamweight Championship
Miesha Tate (135.5) vs. Jessica Eye (136)
Edson Barboza (155) vs. Paul Felder (155.5)
Joe Lauzon (155.5) vs. Takanori Gomi (155.5)

PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX- 6 PM ET/3 PM PT):

Gian Villante (205) vs. Tom Lawlor (203)
Jim Miller (155) vs. Danny Castillo (155.5)
Kenny Robertson (170) vs. Ben Saunders (170.5)
Eddie Wineland (136) vs. Bryan Caraway (135.5)

PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 4:15 PM ET/1:15 PM PT):

Daron Cruickshank (155) vs. James Krause (155.5)
Ramsey Nijem (156) vs. Andrew Holbrook (155.5)
Jessamyn Duke (135.5) vs. Elizabeth Phillips (135)
Zak Cummings (170.5) vs. Dominique Steele (170.5) 

By Ryan Frederick, WrestlingObserver.com

The UFC returns to the FOX Network on Saturday night for their annual summer event as the Octagon rolls back into the Windy City, Chicago, with a championship bout headlining the card and a title eliminator serving as the co-main event. It will be the fourth FOX event eminating from Chicago, and the first title fight on FOX since December 2013. The event kicks off with preliminary action on UFC Fight Pass at 4:15 PM eastern time. The action moves to FOX at 6 PM eastern time with more preliminary card action before the four-fight main card kicks off at 8 PM eastern time.

The long-awaited rematch for the UFC Bantamweight Championship headlines the event as champion T.J. Dillashaw makes his second title defense, this time finally defending against his rival and the man he defeated for the title, Renan Barao, who looks to regain the title he held for nearly two years. In the co-main event, it is a title eliminator in the women’s bantamweight division as former Strikeforce champion Miesha Tate takes on rising contender Jessica Eye. Also on the main card are two exciting lightweight match-ups as Edson Barboza takes on Paul Felder, and veterans Joe Lauzon and Takanori Gomi square off. Let’s dive deeper into the night’s action and look at five storylines to keep our eye on.

1. Can T.J. Dillashaw score a second win over Renan Barao and retain the UFC Bantamweight Championship?

When Renan Barao and T.J. Dillashaw were announced for the main event of UFC 173 in May 2014, many were expecting a win for Barao as he was entering the fight on a 33-fight unbeaten streak where he had absolutely dominated the competition, and he was a heavy betting favorite when they stepped into the Octagon in Las Vegas that night. A funny thing happened to Barao, though. As dominant as he had been over those 33 fights, on this Saturday night of Memorial Day Weekend, it was Dillashaw that did the dominating. Barao didn’t even look in the league of Dillashaw that night, and Dillashaw finished Barao in the fifth round to become the new UFC Bantamweight Championship.

Dillashaw and Barao have been on a collision course for a rematch ever since, and after two false starts, they will finally step inside the Octagon across from each other 14 months later. Both men have fought just once since then. Dillashaw scored a dominant win over Joe Soto at UFC 177 in August, a fight that Soto took on one day’s notice after Barao was forced out due to being rushed to the hospital during his weight cut. Barao submitted Mitch Gagnon in December, a fight he controlled, but he wasn’t as dominant as he had been in the past. Dillashaw and Barao were scheduled to meet at UFC 186 in April, but a rib injury forced Dillashaw out of the bout. With two pay-per-view headline fights between the two falling apart, they were put on a free television card, and both men look ready to make the walk on Saturday.

Things are different as we head into this Saturday night’s fight. Dillashaw is now the favorite, coming in as a two-to-one favorite. He has been splitting time between California and Colorado, training with his Team Alpha Male teammates, and also training under striking coach Duane Ludwig. He is Ludwig’s prized student and Ludwig was a big key in Dillashaw defeating Barao the first time. Barao looked lost when dealing with Dillashaw’s footwork, and if he looks the same way, it is hard to envision Barao winning the championship back. Barao is going to need to be explosive and counter the footwork of Dillashaw by using pressure. Dillashaw may just be too quick on his feet. Barao still has to cut a lot of weight to make 135 pounds, and it may drain him like it did the first time. This has the makings of another win by Dillashaw, but it is hard to count out Barao. A win by Barao undoubtedly sets up a trilogy bout, but a Dillashaw win sets him up for when Dominick Cruz returns.

2. Who wins the title eliminator between Miesha Tate and Jessica Eye?
The co-main event is a women’s bantamweight title eliminator between perennial contender Miesha Tate and rising contender Jessica Eye. Tate is a former Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Champion who has fought for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship, losing to Ronda Rousey at UFC 168 in December 2013. She has since scored three straight decision wins over Liz Carmouche, Rin Nakai and Sara McMann, showing off a better arsenal of attacks. She wants to get back and get another crack at Rousey, who has beaten her twice, but Tate thinks a third time would be different.

Eye has fought three times in the Octagon, and while she only has one official win, she, the UFC brass and a lot of people see her as 3-0 in the UFC. She scored a win over Sarah Kaufman in her UFC debut, but that was turned into a no contest due to a failed drug test for marijuana, which has been repeatedly said to be due to second-hand smoke. She then dropped a split decision to Alexis Davis, but it was a fight many, myself included, scored for Eye. She is coming off the big win at UFC 180 in November when she scored a TKO win over Leslie Smith, literally punching Smith’s ear off in the process while landing 80 significant strikes in under seven minutes of action.

Tate carries the same attack and style into every fight, and she will be looking to go for the takedown. She has improved her striking, but she still tends to eat a lot of punches and walk through them, and Eye is one of the top strikers in the division, using excellent footwork and kickboxing skills, and she fights at a relentless pace. The conditioning edge clearly goes to Eye as well as the striking edge. Tate will be looking for takedowns and Eye will need to show improved defense and good ability to get off the ground if it goes there. Eye can hold her own on the ground, but Tate can be suffocating in top control. An x-factor in this fight is Tate is cornering her boyfriend, Bryan Caraway, in his fight earlier on the card. If Caraway loses, what kind of affect will it have on Tate, and will not relaxing when she should throw her off. This is a big battle for the next title shot, and I like Eye taking a decision in a tough battle.

3. Can Paul Felder remain undefeated against the tough Edson Barboza?
A big lightweight battle between Anthony Pettis and Myles Jury was originally scheduled for this card, but through a series of injuries, we ended up with an interesting lightweight contest between Edson Barboza and the undefeated Paul Felder on the main card of Saturday’s event. Barboza is coming off a tough loss to Michael Johnson in February, ending his two-fight win streak that had him on the verge of breaking into the top five of the division. Every time he gets on a roll, he has suffered a setback, and this is his chance to get back on a roll. Felder is undefeated in his ten fight career, scoring his last two wins in the UFC. He is coming off a spectacular spinning back fist finish of Danny Castillo at UFC 182 in January, and he gets a high-profile fight on the main card for the first time in his short UFC career.

Barboza is an excellent kickboxer with excellent speed and power on his feet, and he has had some dazzling finishes in his career. Felder is excellent at countering attacks and he will make his opponents pay for making mistakes. Felder has solid power, and he is good in the clinch and at defending takedowns. Barboza has trouble when he is pressured by his opponents, and Felder fights at a relentless pace and is good at applying pressure. Barboza does leave himself easy to hit, and if he can’t get the takedown, this fight will likely end up with Felder dominating on the feet. He still has to watch out for the speed and power from Barboza. Both men can score finishes out of nowhere. This is Felder’s chance to break into the rankings while Barboza tries to hang on to the future title challenger potential he has. This is a close fight on paper and in the betting odds. I like Felder to score a close decision.

4. Can Joe Lauzon score another bonus to add to his record?

Joe Lauzon is the UFC’s all-time leader in post-fight bonus awards, scoring thirteen over his career. He has been an Octagon staple since 2006, but he comes into Saturday night’s event having lost three of his previous five fights, and a win after being knocked out by Al Iaquinta would get him back on track. He faces Japanese legend and former PRIDE Champion Takanori Gomi, who certainly would like to get back on track as well after having dropped two of his last three, and he is also coming in off a knockout loss, at the hands of Myles Jury in September. Both men are in a kind of limbo as they have been around for a long time and they may never contend for titles these days as a new breed of fighters enter the UFC, but they are plenty capable of producing some fun fights.

Lauzon on offense is all about finding ways to finish the fight, whether on the feet or on the ground. Gomi was a knockout artist in his prime, but as he has lost the speed and some of the power on his feet, he has become a better technical striker. Lauzon has a chin that can be tested, and Gomi is still capable of landing a big right hand. Gomi still lacks some on the ground, and while he has great takedown defense, he gets in bad positions on the ground. Lauzon is excellent on the ground and will take advantage of any bad positions that he has Gomi in. He is excellent at sweeps and transitions, and has a full arsenal of submissions. Conditioning could be a key for both men, but a ground battle favors Lauzon. He is the bonus king for a reason, and he has a good chance at scoring another one on Saturday.

5. What is there to look out for on the preliminary card?

The night’s preliminary card is full of solid match-ups capped off by F4W’s very own “Filthy” Tom Lawlor making his return after being out of action for over two years, and moving back up to the light heavyweight division as he takes on Gian Villante, winner of two straight fights. It will be interesting if Lawlor’s wrestling and submission game can match up with the striking attack of Villante. Jim Miller and Danny Castillo meet in a lightweight bout as both look to end two-fight losing skids. Kenny Robertson puts his three-fight win streak on the line against Ben Saunders, who has won five of his last six. Eddie Wineland returns from a 15-month layoff to take on Bryan Caraway as both look to rebound from a loss. All of those fights air on FOX.

On the UFC Fight Pass portion of the card, there are four fights that could breed some solid action. Lightweights Daron Cruickshank and James Kruase look to rebound from some bad luck in recent Octagon appearances when they meet. Ramsey Nijem looks to rebound from a loss when he meets undefeated Octagon newcomer Andrew Holbrook, making his UFC debut as an injury replacement. Women’s bantamweights Jessamyn Duke and Elizabeth Phillips square off in what could be a loser leaves town bout as both have lost two straight. Opening the card is a welterweight bout between Zak Cummings and Dominique Steele, who is taking the fight on short notice as an injury replacement.

Full UFC On FOX 16 Fight Card, Betting Odds & Predictions

MAIN CARD (FOX-8 PM ET/5 PM PT)

UFC Bantamweight Championship: T.J. Dillashaw(c) vs. (#1) Renan Barao
Betting Odds: Dillashaw (-240), Barao (+200)
Prediction: Dillashaw by knockout in round 4

Women’s Bantamweights: (#2) Miesha Tate vs. (#5) Jessica Eye
Betting Odds: Tate (-200), Eye (+170)
Prediction: Eye by decision

Lightweights: (#7) Edson Barboza vs. Paul Felder
Betting Odds: Barboza (-135), Felder (+115)
Prediction: Felder by decision

Lightweights: Joe Lauzon vs. Takanori Gomi
Betting Odds: Lauzon (-350), Gomi (+290)
Prediction: Lauzon by submission in round 3

PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX-6 PM ET/3 PM PT)

Light Heavyweights: (#15) Gian Villante vs. Tom Lawlor
Betting Odds: Villante (-230), Lawlor (+190)
Prediction: Lawlor by decision

Lightweights: Jim Miller vs. Danny Castillo
Betting Odds: Miller (-130), Castillo (+110)
Prediction: Miller by decision

Welterweights: Kenny Robertson vs. Ben Saunders
Betting Odds: Robertson (-115), Saunders (-105)
Prediction: Saunders by submission in round 2

Bantamweights: (#6) Eddie Wineland vs. (#12) Bryan Caraway
Betting Odds: Wineland (-145), Caraway (+125)
Prediction: Wineland by decision

PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 4:15 PM ET/1:15 PM PT)

Lightweights: Daron Cruickshank vs. James Krause
Betting Odds: Cruickshank (-155), Krause (+135)
Prediction: Cruickshank by decision

Lightweights: Ramsey Nijem vs. Andrew Holbrook
Betting Odds: Nijem (-140), Holbrook (+120)
Prediction: Nijem by knockout in round 2

Women’s Bantamweights: Jessamyn Duke vs. Elizabeth Phillips
Betting Odds: Duke (+150), Phillips (-170)
Prediction: Duke by decision

Welterweights: Zak Cummings vs. Dominique Steele
Betting Odds: Cummings (-260), Steele (+220)
Prediction: Cummings by submission in round 2

Jacob “Stitch” Duran, regarded as the best cut man in the business, was fired today by UFC in a shocking move.

Duran just posted on Twitter in regard to a fan question based on stories this week that he had lost sponsors due to the Reebok deal, “You will be the first to know that the UFC just let me go because I spoke out about the Reebok deal. Got to look for a new job.”

Fedor Emelianenko’s manager Vadim Finkelchtein had an hour long interview with Submission Radio getting down to every detail of a possible return for “The Last Emperor”

When it comes to where Fedor is going Vadim believes UFC has the highest chance as long as Dana White actually provides a substantial offer “If Dana would not only talk, but do some things [and] will make a good offer to Fedor, they have a big chance then.” While many are speculating the Rebook deal may be an issue for Fedor Vadim assured Submission Radio that it’s no problem at all “It’s going to be a big problem because I think Rebook is interested in Fedor as well as the UFC, and I think if they really want this they will find some ways.” 


While on the subject of Dana White Vadim assured Submission Radio that the shaky negotions that Emelianenko had on a secret island along with the negative comments in the media won’t hurt a possible deal in the future “Dana talked a lot. [He] talked a lot about Fedor, about Vadim, and he talked bad. But Fedor understands that it all was just PR. He’s not in a bad relations with Dana and he doesn’t feel anything bad about him.”


With WSOF bidding for a co-promoted card between them and M1 Vadim shot down the idea “Well, when it comes to M-1 we are not really interested in any kind of co-promotion. M-1 is a self-contained, European promotion which has no less than 12 shows a year, and this number is about to grow every year.” As well as WSOF Vadim wouldn’t consider co-promotion between M1 and Scott Coker’s Bellator similar to their deal with Stirkeforce “I don’t think that a co-promotion with Bellator is possible. The other time when we co-promoted with Strikeforce [it was] because Fedor had a contract with M-1. Now it’s a different story. And, well to repeat what I said before, I want to say that M-1 don’t really need any co-promotion.”

According to Vadim a fight with Randy Couture isn’t out of the question if the former UFC champion looks to make a return to the ring “From my point of view this fight would be interesting. They are both legends and great fighters, but I can’t talk about Fedor. I think that can be interesting for him because years ago it was interesting for him.”

Finally when it comes to Joe Rogan and some of his comments earlier in the year suggesting Fedor’s use of PED’s Vadim just puts it down to PR tricks “Well, actually we never put a big attention on that PR tricks, and Joe Rogan’s words were those kind of PR things. I am a friend of Fedor, I was his manager, and I know he never used any doping. People even asked him “why don’t you use this? Why don’t you take this medicine?” and so on, but he never did this. He just ate healthy food, trained a lot, and stayed healthy. He never used any doping.”

Full link: http://bit.ly/1Gvjdv2


Transcript

On if Vadim is interested in a co-promotion deal with WSOF for a potential Fedor fight

“Well, when it comes to M-1 we are not really interested in any kind of co-promotion. M-1 is a self-contained, European promotion which has no less than 12 shows a year, and this number is about to grow every year.”

“Well, actually we can talk about this. It depends on many things. It’s complicated to make a co-promotion. It’s a hard thing. It’s about money, and when it comes to Fedor, it’s only his choice. He has a very wide choice of MMA organizations in the world, and who will make a better offer to him will get Fedor.”

Seeing as M-1 co-promoted with Strikeforce in the past, if he would consider co-promoting with Scott Coker and Bellator on a card with Fedor?

“I don’t think that a co-promotion with Bellator is possible. The other time when we co-promoted with Strikeforce [it was] because Fedor had a contract with M-1. Now it’s a different story. And, well to repeat what I said before, I want to say that M-1 don’t really need any co-promotion.”

On if the negative experience and failed negations with Dana White (from the meeting on the island) in the past will have an impact on Fedor coming to the UFC

“Well I don’t think that story can influence somehow Fedor’s decision to choose UFC or any other MMA promotion. If they will make a good offer to him that will be good for himself, then he can accept this. Also Bellator can make a better offer. So I don’t think that situation can influence it somehow.”

On if Fedor has any negative feelings towards Dana White

“Dana talked a lot. [He] talked a lot about Fedor, about Vadim, and he talked bad. But Fedor understands that it all was just PR. He’s not in a bad relations with Dana and he doesn’t feel anything bad about him.”

On if Vadim would be open to selling M-1 Global to Dana White as he expressed in a previous interview he was open to the idea a number of years back when Dana offered to buy it but had no power to sell it

“It was a completely different situation then. We had some financial problems then. And now I’m not going to sell M-1 to anywhere because we are growing and developing. We have no less than 12 events a year, and the next year we are going to have 14 or 16 events. We have a lot of sponsors, we have support, and we started to make the “M-1 arena” for 3000 people in St Petersburg. So it’s no more financial problems and no matter for me to sell to M-1.”

On if the new Rebook deal will be a problem when the UFC will sign Fedor due to loss of sponsorship money

“I’m not sure, but I don’t think it’s going to be a big problem because I think Rebook is interested in Fedor as well as the UFC, and I think if they really want this they will find some ways.”

On if UFC is the most likely company to sign Fedor

 “Well I think UFC have a big chance to sign Fedor. It depends on what offer they will make. If Dana would not only talk, but do some things [and] will make a good offer to Fedor, they have a big chance then.”

On if Fedor is still open to fighting Randy Couture

“From my point of view this fight would be interesting. They are both legends and great fighters, but I can’t talk about Fedor. I think that can be interesting for him because years ago it was interesting for him.”

The level of competition that Fedor would fight upon his return and if he would pursue a title belt of have showcase fights

“Before he decided to retire, Fedor was working hard, training and fighting a lot during his whole career, and he was tired, both physically and mentally. So he decided himself [that] it was time to stop. And that was a common decision, and I was doing my best to make him come back. Now he decided to come back, but he never stopped training. He always gave master-classes, always had sparring, and so on. So his physical form is very good now. He didn’t lose anything. All he needs now is some time to get ready to get prepared, because I see fire in his eyes. He is ready mentally to fight. All he needs is to take some training and he will be able to beat any fighters and the strongest fighters in the world.”

Thoughts on Khabib Nurmagomedov saying “I hope Fedor understands that MMA has changed a lot”
 “Fedor never actually never left MMA, he just didn’t fight. He was always involved. He saw the level of the fighters, he saw the level of the champions, and well he was involved. He didn’t miss anything. He has trained constantly and been self-active. Furthermore, he had never used any kind of doping. All of his power and all of his strength was gained by the hard work only. So this vacation only even benefited him because he didn’t have all that condition downfall that it’s users typically experience when they stop using it.”

If Vadim was upset with Joe Rogan’s comments about Fedor and PED’s

“Well, actually we never put a big attention on that PR tricks, and Joe Rogan’s words were those kind of PR things. I am a friend of Fedor, I was his manager, and I know he never used any doping. People even asked him “why don’t you use this? Why don’t you take this medicine?” and so on, but he never did this. He just ate healthy food, trained a lot, and stayed healthy. He never used any doping.”

Welcome to WrestlingObserver.com’s live coverage of UFC Fight Night 72: Bisping vs. Leites from The SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland. The event, the UFC’s first-ever trip to Scotland, is headlined by a five-round middleweight bout between 9th-ranked Michael Bisping and 10th-ranked Thales Leites and airs on FOX Sports 1 at 1 PM eastern time. Preliminary card action kicks off at 10 AM eastern time on UFC Fight Pass before moving over to FOX Sports 1 at 11 AM eastern time.

Coverage provided by Ryan Frederick

PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 10 AM ET/7 AM PT):

HEAVYWEIGHTS: DANIEL OMIELANCZUK VS. CHRIS DE LA ROCHA

ROUND 1- Omielanczuk rocks Rocha quick with some big punches and a head kick but Rocha survives. Omielanczuk rocks him again and they are swinging hard. Omielanczuk drops Rocha with a right hand and then two punches on the ground and this fight is over quickly. Omielanczuk with a quick knockout win in less than a minute.

Official Result: Daniel Omielanczuk def. Chris de la Rocha by TKO (punches) at :48 of Round 1

BANTAMWEIGHTS: MARCUS BRIMAGE VS. JIMMIE RIVERA

ROUND 1- Rivera starts with a head kick and they trade punches. They swing hard early. Rivera with a leg kick and Brimage stumbles for a moment. Brimage with a front kick to the body and then a straight left hand. Brimage with a leg kick. Rivera rocks Brimage big with a right hand and then knocks him down against the fence and more punches and the fight is stopped. Rivera picks up the win in his UFC debut.

Official Result: Jimmie Rivera def. Marcus Brimage by TKO (punches) at 1:29 of Round 1

PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX SPORTS 1- 11 AM ET/8 AM PT):

FEATHERWEIGHTS: ROBERT WHITEFORD VS. PAUL REDMOND

ROUND 1- Whiteford got a massive ovation as he is from Scotland and had bagpipes playing during his walkout. Whiteford lands a right hand and then connects with another. Redmond with a head kick and he eats a right hand and goes down for a moment but gets up. Both men land and we have an eye poke. Whiteford with a leg kick after they exchange. Redmond lands a right hand that rocks Whiteford for a moment. Whiteford lands a left hand as the crowd chants loudly for him. Whiteford drops Redmond with a big left hand and finishes him with more punches and the crowd goes wild. Whiteford jumped out of the Octagon and went into the crowd to celebrate as they chant loudly for him. It came across well on the broadcast.

Official Result: Robert Whiteford def. Paul Redmond by TKO (punches) at 3:04 of Round 1

LIGHTWEIGHTS: MICKAEL LEBOUT VS. TEEMU PACKALEN

ROUND 1- Packalen has a takedown stuffed in the opening seconds and they clinch against the fence. Packalen gets the fight to the mat and is in half-guard. Packalen passes guard into the mount but Lebout recovers to half-guard. Packalen with some punches from the top. Lebout scrambles to the top and Packalen is going for an arm. Lebout goes to side control and then takes side mount on the back. Packalen rolls out and Lebout gets to his feet. Lebout with a hammerfist and then takes the back for a moment but goes back to side control. Packalen rolls out. Lebout with some left hands from the top. Lebout goes to side control and then takes the back. Lebout rolls for a submission and it allows Packalen to go to mount and he starts landing big punches and elbows from the top. We are headed to the second round for the first time today. 10-9 Packalen.

ROUND 2- Packalen goes for a takedown but Lebout sprawls. Lebout gets to his feet lands some leg kicks before the referee stands Packalen up. Lebout sprawls a takedown again and lands more kicks to the legs and body from a standing position. Lebout goes to the ground but gets back up. Packalen ordered back up after eating some kicks. Packalen lands a spinning back kick to the body as he is starting to gas out. Lebout lands a knee and right hand to the body. Lebout misses a right hand and defends a takedown. Lebout lands a knee to the head by accident and we have a timeout. No point deduction. Lebout lands a right hand. Packalen gets a weak takedown and goes for a leglock. Packalen gets to the mount but goes back to half-guard. Lebout gets to his feet as the round ends. 10-9 Lebout, 19-19.

ROUND 3- Packalen lands some big punches to start the round and they clinch against the fence. Packalen tries to grab the arm and stumbles to the ground. Lebout lands leg kicks from a standing position. Packalen ordered to his feet and lands a right. Lebout lands a couple of jabs. Packalen whifs on a telegraphed takedown. Lebout gets to his feet. Packalen gets up and they trade punches. Both men are tired. Packalen has a takedown stuffed again. They trade punches again as the pace has slowed. Packalen is able to finish an ugly takedown attempt. Packalen in the half-guard. Lebout tries to sweep and goes into side control against the fence. Packalen tries to roll out and can’t get Lebout down. They trade punches as they get to their feet and Packalen pulls guard and Lebout takes his back. Lebout goes for a choke but time expires. 10-9 Lebout, 29-28 Lebout.

Official Result: Mickael Lebout def. Teemu Packalen by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS: ILIR LATIFI VS. HANS STRINGER

ROUND 1- Latifi with a big leg kick. They trade leg kicks and Latifi drops Stringer with a right hand and then lands one more and another for good measure and it is over quickly. Fourth fight to finish in the first round today. Solid card for finishes.

Official Result: Ilir Latifi def. Hans Stringer by knockout (punches) at :56 of Round 1

FLYWEIGHTS: PATRICK HOLOHAN VS. VAUGHAN LEE

ROUND 1- Holohan got a big reaction. Lee with a side kick. Holohan with some body kicks. They go to the may and Lee ends in the guard of Holohan. Holohan working for an arm but eats some hammerfists from Lee. Holohan transitions and looks for a triangle choke. Holohan still looking for it as he lands some elbows from the bottom. Holohan still working for it as Lee is looking to escape. Lee and Holohan are both landing punches as Holohan tries to transition and Lee escapes. Lee then grabs the back and has a choke locked in but Holohan survives as the round ends. Awesome final minute. 10-9 Holohan.

ROUND 2- Lee lands a big leg kick. Holohan misses a spin kick but goes for a takedown against the fence. Lee defends and lands a big knee. Holohan rolls to the ground and Lee is on top and lands a big punch from the top. Lee in the half-guard and lands a big hammerfist as he transitions to mount. Holohan grabs a leg and looks for a heel hook. Holohan rolls to the top. Holohan in the half-guard. Holohan moves to side control. Holohan looking for an arm. Elbows from the top by Holohan. Holohan with more left hands from the top as they spin to north-south position. Holohan looks for a kimura as he lands hammerfists. Holohan looks to switch for an armbar. Lee defends as the round comes to an end. 10-9 Holohan, 20-18 Holohan.

ROUND 3- Holohan lands a kick that goes just a little too low and we have a timeout. Back to action after Lee used almost all of the five minutes. Holhan with a high kick but Lee lands a left hand counter. Holohan with a combo. Holohan with a jumping high kick and then another. Lee lands a left hand and then a combo to the body. Holohan with a spinning heel kick and then another. Holohan with a side elbow and a spinning back fist. Lee with a left hand. Holohan lands a combo and then a knee to the body. Holohan misses a spinning head kick. Lee lands a straight left hand and then lands a solid left hand. Holohan lands a late takedown and some elbows as the fight ends. 10-9 Holohan, 30-27 Holohan.

Official Result: Patrick Holohan def. Vaughan Lee by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

MAIN CARD (FOX SPORTS 1- 1 PM ET/10 AM PT):

LIGHTWEIGHTS: STEVIE RAY VS. LEONARDO MAFRA

ROUND 1- Ray got a massive reaction and a chant as he is from Scotland. Ray with a head kick to start. Ray slips on a kick but gets up. Ray lands a left hand. They trade kicks. Mafra with a leg kick. Ray misses a wheel kick. Ray lands a right hand.Ray lands a big right hand and Mafra is hurt bad. Ray lands some more and they are throwing bombs as Mafra has recovered. But then Ray lands a big right hand and some punches against the fence and this one is over. Massive reaction from the Scottish fans as Ray gets the first-round win. A nice night of first-round finishes.

Official Result: Stevie Ray def. Leonardo Mafra by TKO (punches) at 2:30 of Round 1

WELTERWEIGHTS: LEON EDWARDS VS. PAWEL PAWLAK

ROUND 1- Edwards is coming off an eight-second win in his last fight. Edwards with a head kick. Edwards with a body kick and then lands a left hand. Pawlak lands a right hand. Edwards lands a big combo and they clinch against the fence. They trade knees against the fence. They break and Edwards lands a big left. Edwards with a combo and they clinch again. Edwards looking for a takedown against the fence. They trade knees and then are broken up by the referee. Pawlak goes for a takedown but Edwards sprawls. Edwards lands a left hand and a body kick. Pawlak with a body kick. Edwards lands a left hand at the end. 10-9 Edwards.

ROUND 2- They both miss on their attack to open. Edwards with a big head kick. Pawlak counters but Edwards lands a combo that hurts Pawlak for a moment. They trade punches. Edwards just misses with a spin kick against the fence but lands a big left hand. Pawlak with a combo and a body kick. Edwards lands a left hand and they clinch. They are broken up by the referee as not a lot happened in the clinch. Edwards lands a left hand. Pawlak goes for a takedown but Edwards ends up in his guard. Edwards with some elbows from the top. Edwards with some punches from the top. 10-9 Edwards, 20-18 Edwards.

ROUND 3- They both miss on punches to start. Break in the action after a low blow. Pawlak slips on a kick but right back up. Big head kick from Edwards drops Pawlak and Edwards goes to the ground looking for the finish. Big punches from Edwards but Pawlak survives and is able to recover. Pawlak holding Edwards on the ground trying to recover. Edwards in the guard landing but unable to pass the guard. They stand. Edwards misses a flying knee. Edwards lands a left hand. Pawlak misses a spinning back fist and they clinch against the fence. Edwards lands short punches against the fence. Edwards with an elbow on the break. Pawlak with a body kick and they clinch again. We go to the judges. 10-9 Edwards, 30-27 Edwards.

Official Result: Leon Edwards def. Pawel Pawlak by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

WOMEN’S STRAWWEIGHTS: JOANNE CALDERWOOD VS. CORTNEY CASEY

ROUND 1- Calderwood got a massive reaction being from Glasgow. They trade punches and Casey rocks Calderwood with some right hands. Calderwood is stunned against the fence and they clinch. Calderwood with body punches in the clinch. Casey pulls guard and they go to the mat. Calderwood with body punches from the top. Calderwood with a big elbow from the top. Casey with an upkick. Casey goes for a heel hook. They trade punches on the ground and Calderwood is able to transition to the half-guard of Casey. Casey with elbows from the bottom and Calderwood with punches from the top. Hammerfists from both women. 10-9 Casey.

ROUND 2- Calderwood initates a clinch against the fence. Calderwood with knees and elbows in the clinch as they break. Calderwood with a nice combo and a spin kick to the body. Calderwood with knees in the tie-up and then gets a takedown. Calderwood in the guard of Casey. She gets to her feet and Casey does as well. Calderwood with a big left hand and then another but eats a right hand from Casey. They trade punches. Calderwood with a right hand. They clinch and Calderwood trips Casey to the ground. Calderwood with body punches from the top. Loud chants for Calderwood from the crowd. Calderwood with ground-and-pound and they get to their feet. Calderwood with a spin kick to the body into the clinch where she lands some knees. Calderwood lands a big combo at the end of the round. 10-9 Calderwood, 19-19.

ROUND 3- They trade leg kicks. Calderwood with a right hand. They trade a lot of punches and Calderwood landed a big right hand. Calderwood with a spinning elbow. Calderwood drops Casey with a spin kick to the body and goes for the finish. Punches and elbows from Calderwood but Casey is surviving. Calderwood backs off and they stand. Calderwood with two left hands. They trade punches. Calderwood with a big right hand and they clinch. Casey goes to the mat and Calderwood goes into her guard. Calderwood moves to side control but they get to their feet. Calderwood with some leg kicks and they clinch. They trade and clinch and Calderwood lands some knees. Casey pulls guard and Calderwood lands punches to the body. Calderwood with strikes from the top. Calderwood with more punches and she ends the round with a huge flurry and a massive ovation from the crowd. Great fight. 10-9 Calderwood, 29-28 Calderwood.

Official Result: Joanne Calderwood def. Cortney Casey by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

LIGHTWEIGHTS: JOSEPH DUFFY VS. IVAN JORGE

ROUND 1- Duffy is the last man to defeat Conor McGregor. Jorge lands a right hand. Duffy with a solid combo. Duffy with an inside leg kick. They clinch against the fence. Duffy with a body kick and knee and a combo. Jorge with a knee to the body. They break. Duffy with a knee and then just misses a head kick. Jorge lands a combo. Duffy with an uppercut and Jorge gets a takedown but goes into the guard of Duffy. Duffy locks on a triangle and looks for an armbar and Jorge taps out! Duffy with the impressive win.

Official Result: Joseph Duffy def. Ivan Jorge by submission (triangle choke) at 3:05 of Round 1

Daniel Cormier vs. Alexander Gustafsson was announced as the main event of UFC 192 on October 3 in Houston, Texas.

LIGHTWEIGHTS: ROSS PEARSON VS. EVAN DUNHAM

ROUND 1- Dunham lands a knee as Pearson ducked in. Dunham with a body kick. Pearson lands a right hand. Dunham shoots in and gets a takedown and lands some punches on the mat but Pearson gets to his feet. Dunham has the back and lands some knees. Dunham gets another takedown and takes the back of Pearson and has the hooks in. Dunham looking for the choke but Pearson is defending. Both men landing strikes on the ground. Dunham landing punches and elbows from the back. Dunham transitions to the armbar and it is in deep. Pearson is somehow surviving and gets out! That was locked in tight but Pearson survived. No idea how Pearson didn’t tap there. Pearson lands a right hand and then another as the round ends. 10-9 Dunham.

ROUND 2- They trade and Dunham gets the takedown and is on top. Dunham with punches from the top. They get up and Dunham has the back. Dunham looks for a slam but Pearson defends and they run to the mat against the fence. Dunham still has the back and drags Pearson to the mat and is looking to get the hooks in. Dunham with punches from the back as he has the hooks in on Pearson. Dunham working for the choke as Pearson lands punches from the top. The fans are booing. Dunham looking for the armbar but the round ends before he can get it. 10-9 Dunham, 20-18 Dunham.

ROUND 3- Dunham with a head kick. Pearson defends a takedown attempt from Dunham. Pearson with a body kick. Dunham goes for a takedown and pushes Pearson against the fence. Dunham with an elbow. Pearson with an elbow as Dunham works for the takedown. Pearson lands some knees as he defends and Dunham is cut. Dunham initiates a tie-up and pushes Pearson against the fence. Pearson lands a knee as Dunham drops to work for the takedown. Dunham with a knee. Dunham still working for the takedown. They trade elbows in the clinch. Pearson with a knee to the body. They trade short punches and Dunham works for the takedown and gets it right at the end of the fight. 10-9 Dunham, 30-27 Dunham.

Official Result: Evan Dunham def. Ross Pearson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

MIDDLEWEIGHTS: MICHAEL BISPING VS. THALES LEITES

ROUND 1- Leites starts with a leg kick. Low kick by Leites lands in the wrong place. They trade punches and Bisping lands a right hand. Leites with a leg kick. They trade punches. Bisping with a combo ending with a high kick. Leites with a leg kick. Leites lands a nice combo. Bisping with a head kick. They trade punches and kicks. Bisping with an inside leg kick and then another. Leites lands a leg kick but Bisping counters with a right hand. Bisping lands a right hand and scores a takedown. Bisping in the half-guard of Leites. Leites switches to the back and is looking for something on Bisping. Bisping grabbed the fence. 10-9 Bisping.

ROUND 2- Leites lands a leg kick. Bisping with an overhand right. Leites lands a right hook and Bisping with an inside leg kick. Bisping with another leg kick and then lands a solid combo. Big right hand from Leites lands. Bisping with an inside leg kick. They trade leg kicks and Bisping stumbles to the ground. Leites with a right hand as Bisping lands a leg kick. Bisping with a big body kick. Leites lands an uppercut and then a big leg kick. Bisping with another inside leg kick. They trade an exchange. Bisping lands a big overhand right. Bisping with another inside leg kick and then lands a big left hook. They trade leg kicks. Leites lands a right hand. Bisping with a high kick. Two close rounds. 10-9 Bisping, 20-18 Bisping.

ROUND 3- Leites lands a big right hand and has Bisping hurt. Leites fires away with punches and Bisping is able to clinch. They break and Bisping is cut. They trade punches as Bisping looks to circle around. Bisping with the jab and firing away punches and a kick. Leites comes back with a leg kick. Leites lands a right hand. Bisping lands a spinning back kick. Bisping with another combo. Leites with a leg kick. Leites with a leg kick. Leites is bleeding as well. Bisping lands a right hand. Leites lands a big uppercut against the fence. Another close round but Leites takes it. 10-9 Leites, 29-28 Bisping.

ROUND 4- Both come out swinging against the fence. Bisping with an inside leg kick. Bisping’s footwork has slowed down and he does land another leg kick. Leites with a leg kick and Bisping counters with a right hand. Leites with a combo but Bisping is able to circle away. Leites lands a right hand. Bisping with a right hand and an inside leg kick. Bisping with a double jab and leg kick combo. Both men land punches. Bisping with a Superman punch and Leites counters with a combo. Bisping with a combo. They trade punches as both men are slowing a little. Bisping with a leg kick and Leites fails at a takedown attempt. Leites with a leg kick. Bisping with a body kick. Another close round. 10-9 Bisping, 39-37 Bisping.

ROUND 5- Leites lands a left hand and both men come with an exchange. Leites being the aggressor. Leites with a leg kick. Bisping lands a right hand but Leites landed a left hook. Bisping with the jab. Leites lands an uppercut and both land a leg kick. Bisping with a solid combo with a right hand and head kick. Leites with a right hand as Bisping was against the fence. Leites with a combo as he has Bisping against the fence but Bisping is able to circle away and lands a leg kick. Leites lands a right hand. Bisping lands a nice right hand. Both men land punches. Bisping lands a solid combination and then a right hand. Leites lands a combo. Bisping countering well. Leites lands a right hook that stuns Bisping. Bisping goes for a flying knee but Leites lands a right hand. Bisping lands a spin kick as the fight ends. Super close fight and will be interesting. 10-9 Bisping, 49-46 Bisping.

Official Result: Michael Bisping def. Thales Leites by split decision (47-48, 49-46, 48-47) 

Welcome to WrestlingObserver.com’s live coverage of the UFC Fight Night 72: Bisping vs. Leites weigh-ins from The SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland kicking off at 9 AM eastern time. The event airs on Saturday morning on FOX Sports 1 at 1 PM eastern time. Preliminary card action kicks off on UFC Fight Pass at 10 AM eastern time before moving over to FOX Sports 1 at 11 AM eastern time. This marks the UFC’s fourth event in a week and their first trip to Scotland.

The event will be headlined by a five-round middleweight bout as Michael Bisping looks to remain undefeated in the United Kingdom when he takes on Thales Leites, a former title challenger and current holder of an eight-fight win streak. In the co-main event of the evening, it will be a lightweight battle between Ross Pearson and Evan Dunham as both look to score their second straight win.

MAIN CARD (FOX SPORTS 1- 1 PM ET/10 AM PT):

Michael Bisping (185) vs. Thales Leites (185)
Ross Pearson (155) vs. Evan Dunham (156)
Joseph Duffy (155) vs. Ivan Jorge (154)
Joanne Calderwood (115) vs. Cortney Casey (114)
Leon Edwards (169) vs. Pawel Pawlak (170)
Stevie Ray (155) vs. Leonardo Mafra (155)

PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX SPORTS 1- 11 AM ET/8 AM PT):

Patrick Holohan (126) vs. Vaughan Lee (126)
Ilir Latifi (206) vs. Hans Stringer (205)
Mickael Lebout (155) vs. Teemu Packalen (155)
Robert Whiteford (146) vs. Paul Redmond (145)

PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 10 AM ET/7 AM PT):

Marcus Brimage (136) vs. Jimmie Rivera (135)
Daniel Omielanczuk (242) vs. Chris de la Rocha (245) 

By Ryan Frederick, WrestlingObserver.com

UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson (22-2-1, 10-1-1 UFC) will defend his championship in a rematch against top contender John Dodson (17-6, 6-1 UFC) in the main event of UFC 191 on September 5 in Las Vegas. The UFC announced the fight during tonight’s broadcast of UFC Fight Night: Mir vs. Duffee on FOX Sports 1.

Johnson and Dodson headlined UFC On FOX 6 in January 2013 in Johnson’s first title defense after winning the flyweight title, winning Fight Of The Night. The bout was won by Johnson, but Dodson gave Johnson his toughest fight to date at 125 pounds. Dodson has won three straight fights since that bout, coming back from a year off due to a knee injury to defeat Zach Makovsky at UFC 187 in May. Johnson has won eight straight fights after successfully defending his championship against Kyoji Horiguchi at UFC 186 in April.

UFC 191 takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Other bouts announced for the card:

-Anthony Johnson vs. Jan Blachowicz

– Francisco Rivera vs. John Lineker

– Paige VanZant vs. Alex Chambers

On Wednesday, UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey won an ESPN ESPY Award for Best Fighter, beating out boxers Floyd Mayweather, Gennady Golovkin, and Terence Crawford and fellow UFC fighter Donald Cerrone. It is the first time a UFC fighter has won the award.

She also won Female Athlete of the Year for the second straight year. She is also up for Best Play for her 14-second submission win over Cat Zingano at UFC 184 in February.

Welcome to WrestlingObserver.com’s live coverage of UFC Fight Night 71: Mir vs. Duffee from the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, California. The event, headlined by a five-round heavyweight bout between Frank Mir and Todd Duffee, airs on FOX Sports 1 at 10 PM eastern time. Preliminary card action kicks off at 7 PM eastern time on UFC Fight Pass before moving over to FOX Sports 1 at 8 PM eastern time.

Coverage provided by Ryan Frederick

PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 7 PM ET/4 PM PT):

WELTERWEIGHTS: ANDREW CRAIG VS. LYMAN GOOD

ROUND 1- Good is making his UFC debut. They trade punches quickly. Good with a big leg kick. Good lands a nice jab and a big leg kick again. They each land a right hand. Good is bleeding from the ear and both men are missing on punches. Good lands a solid right hand and a high kick. Craig just misses a head kick. Good lands a big jab. They trade punches. Good with a leg kick. Both men are really unable to connect with the majority of their shots. Craig lands a right hand and Good counters with a big leg kick. Good lands a combo and a head kick then a power right hand. His finish to the round probably sealed it for him. 10-9 Good.

ROUND 2- Both men looking to establish the jab as Good lands a leg kick. Good lands another solid leg kick. Craig with a couple of leg kicks of his own. They trade right hands. Craig with a high kick. Craig lands a combo. Good lands a solid right hand. Good lands an uppercut and they clinch against the cage. Craig with a big elbow against the fence. Another big elbow from Craig and Good counters with a knee to the body. Good lands a knee and Craig slips to the mat. Good goes down and grabs the back but Craig gets to his feet. They break as Craig lands a knee to the body. Good lands a right hand and drops Craig. Good goes into the guard and is landing some big ground and pound. Lots of punches and the fight is stopped. Good gets the TKO win in his UFC debut.

Official Result: Lyman Good def. Andrew Craig by TKO (punches) at 3:37 of Round 2

MIDDLEWEIGHTS: KEVIN CASEY VS. ILDEMAR ALCANTARA

ROUND 1- Casey returns from a drug suspension. They trade early and Casey lands a left hand. Casey lands another left hand. Alcantara with a right hand and then a body kick. Alcantara with a front kick and Casey gets tripped up on a takedown and gets mounted. Casey gives up his back but is able to escape into the guard. Casey pushes Alcanatara against the fence and is in high-guard but switches to half-guard. Casey with right hands from the top. Alcantara threw his legs up but it allowed Casey to reverse to the back with a hook in. Casey with some right hands from the back. Casey with more right hands from the back and then moves Alcantara to his back and is in the full guard. Casey with a big elbow. 10-9 Casey.

ROUND 2- Slow start to the second round. Casey lands a combo. They clinch for a moment and Alcantara lands a knee on the break. Not much happening. Casey with a quick combo. Alcantara misses a right hand. Casey misses a head kick. This fight is increasingly dull. Alcantara lands a punch. Casey lands a leg kick. This is one of those rounds where both fighters need a warning for no action. Both miss punches. Casey did land a punch and then started opening up and dropped Alcantara with a left hook. One of the more dull rounds of “fighting” you’ll see before the late knockdown by Casey. 10-9 Casey, 20-18 Casey.

ROUND 3- Casey lands a leg kick. Alcantara lands an elbow as Casey was off-balance and Casey slipped against the fence, but Alcantara didn’t take advantage. Both men are tired. Neither men are engaging much. Casey lands a combo. This fight is not a re-enactment of Lawler vs. MacDonald. Casey barely lands a right hand. Alcantara lands a big knee as Casey was coming in. Casey counters with some punches. Alcantara lands a combo and a front kick. Casey with a leg kick. They clinch as Casey looks for a body-lock takedown. They break. Casey lands some punches. Casey gets a late takedown. A complete nothing fight. 10-9 Casey, 30-27 Casey.

Official Result: Kevin Casey def. Ildemar Alcantara by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX SPORTS 1- 8 PM ET/5 PM PT):

WELTERWEIGHTS: IGOR ARAUJO VS. SEAN STRICKLAND

ROUND 1- Strickland lands a jab and Araujo lands a head kick. Araujo with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Strickland lands a big combo against the cage. Strickland grabs a leg and gets a takedown and is in the guard and blocks a sweep. Strickland postures up and takes the back of Araujo. Strickland with some big punches from the back. Araujo covers up as they scramble to the feet. They clinch against the fence. Strickland with a big elbow and a big combo. Strickland pouring punches on against the fence and Araujo goes down. Strickland with big ground-and-pound but it isn’t stopped and Araujo survives and has Strickland in his guard. Strickland with more big punches from the top and he takes the back and lands more punches. Araujo is in a bad position. He gets to his feet and lands some body kicks and rocks Strickland. Strickland with a big knee and a big combo. Both men are swinging. They both survive the round. 10-8 Strickland.

ROUND 2- They both come out swinging and clinch against the fence. Araujo with a series of kicks and Strickland stuffs a takedown. They clinch against the fence. They break and Strickland lands a leg kick. They trade punches as the pace of the fight has slowed. Araujo with a body kick but Strickland grabs the leg and pushes the fight to the ground. Strickland in the guard of Araujo. Strickland with punches from the top as he gets to his feet. Strickland with more big punches. Strickland with more punches from the top as Araujo has no answer. Big punches to end the round. 10-9 Strickland, 20-17 Strickland.

ROUND 3- They trade punches and Strickland gets a takedown. Not much happens on the mat as they get back to their feet. Strickland lands a big right hand and Araujo acts like it didn’t faze him. Araujo with a high kick. Strickland with a combo. Araujo misses a head kick. Strickland with a leg kick and a straight right hand. They trade punches. Araujo is unable to land much as Strickland is solid with his counters tonight. Araujo with a leg kick. Strickland responds with a straight right hand. Strickland with a nice combo. Strickland lands a left hand. Araujo misses a right hand but lands a push front kick. Araujo with a nice combo and he swings for the fences but too little too late. 10-9 Strickland, 30-26 Strickland.

Official Result: Sean Strickland def. Igor Araujo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

BANTAMWEIGHTS: RANI YAHYA VS. MASANORI KANEHARA

ROUND 1- Yahya misses a jumping kick but uses it to set up a takedown and he has Kanehara against the fence. Kanehara counters but Yahya gets right back into Kanehara’s guard. Yahya trying to plant Kanehara on the mat. Kanhara with some punches from the bottom. Yahya working hard for position on the mat. They scramble to their feet. Yahya moves to the back. They are clinched against the fence. They break and Yahya lands a right hand and goes for a takedown. Kanehara defending and lands some punches and elbows. They get to their feet and Yahya grabs the back and gets a takedown and looks for a choke. Kanehara escapes and ends on top. They get to their feet and break. Yahya lands a solid combo. Yahya landing some punches and goes for a takedown. Kanehara with some side elbows as Yahya works. Yahya keeping Kanehara on the mat. Kanehara with short shots to end the round. 10-9 Yahya.

ROUND 2- Kanehara with a step-in knee to start the round. Yahya with a quick combo but Kanehara lands a right hand. Yahya misses a Superman punch. Kanehara with a front kick to the body. Yahya misses a combo. Yahya initiates a clinch and grabs the neck and drops down for a guillotine. Kanehara defends and is landing body punches and elbows. Yahya locks it in tighter but Kanehara is trying to escape and keeps landing body shots. Kanehara is out and goes to half-guard. Yahya still looking for the choke but they are stood up by referee Jason Herzog. Yahya with a combo and lands a kick to the cup. Yahya lands a left hand. Kanehara with a body punch. Yahya lands a left hand and misses a Superman punch. Yahya goes for a takedown but can’t finish it as they fall to the mat. Kanehara with short elbows to the head. 10-9 Yahya, 20-18 Yahya.

ROUND 3- Yahya with a right hand to start as Kanehara lands a knee. Yahya with a side kick. Yahya with a combo and a leg kick. Kanehara lands a big left hand and defends a takedown attempt from Yahya. Yahya still trying to drag the fight to the mat. Kanehara with hammerfists on Yahya as he defends. They are stood up by the referee. Not much happening. They trade punches. Yahya goes for a takedown but it is defended. Yahya holding onto the leg. The crowd is booing but Yahya is able to finish the takedown for a moment but Kanehara back to his feet. Kanehara with punches as Yahya tries to grab a leg and get this fight back down. Yahya is exhausted. Yahya holding on and eating punches from Kanehara. Warned to work by the referee. Stood up again. Kanehara with a body kick and a right hand. Kanehara with a liver punch and they trade to end the fight. Close fight, comes down to how the second was judged. 10-9 Kanehara, 29-28 Yahya.

Official Result: Rani Yahya def. Masanori Kanehara by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHTS: JESSICA ANDRADE VS. SARAH MORAS

ROUND 1- Moras ducks under a left hand and gets a brief takedown but they get to their feet. Moras goes for another takedown but they clinch. Andrade scores a takedown from the clinch and they break to their feet. Andrade lands a left hand. They swing wildly and Moras lands a right hand and goes for a takedown but it is defended. They trade and Andrade lands a nice combo. Andrade lands a big left hook. Moras grabs Andrade and pulls guard. Andrade with punches from the top as Moras looks for an arm. Andrade escapes and they get to their feet. Moras misses a takedown and Andrade lands punches from the top. Andrade lands a punch and they go to the mat and Andrade lands some big hammerfists. Andrade in side control and they get to their feet as Moras looks to sweep. Andrade with some elbows. They stand. Andrade knocks Moras down with a knee to the body as the round ends. 10-9 Andrade.

ROUND 2- Andrade lands some punches. Andrade with a combo and they clinch. Andrade with a throw to the mat and she gets into the half-guard. Andrade with some hammerfists and she moves to side control. Andrade with some elbows. Andrade moves to half-guard and lands some body punches. They get to their feet. Andrade with a combo and she picks Moras up and slams her to the mat and goes to side control. Andrade with hammerfists from the top and then an elbow. More big punches from Andrade from the top. Andrade with more punches as she passes guard. Andrade looks for a finish with a quick flurry. Andrade with more body punches. 10-9 Andrade, 20-18 Andrade.

ROUND 3- Andrade drops Moras with a right hand and lets her right back up. Andrade with a body punch and then a combo and a leg kick. Moras grabs Andrade and drops to the mat allowing Andrade into side control. Andrade with big punches from side control. Andrade with a flurry of punches looking for the finish. Moras is hanging on. Andrade with more big punches from the top and Moras is in all sorts of trouble and bloody. Andrade gets to her feet and Moras’ face is a mess. Andrade with a big combo. Moras goes for a desperate takedown and Andrade ends in the guard. They get to their feet and Andrade drops Moras with a body kick. Back to their feet. This is a beatdown. Andrade misses a punch and Moras is able to grab the neck but Andrade escapes. They go to the mat and Moras has the back mount on Andrade and looking for a choke. They stand and Moras has the back looking for the choke but it is not in. Andrade holding her finger up and the fight ends with Andrade surviving the submission attempt. 10-9 Andrade, 30-27 Andrade.

Official Result: Jessica Andrade def. Sarah Moras by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)

FEATHERWEIGHTS: SAM SICILIA VS. YAOTZIN MEZA

ROUND 1- They trade punches. Sicilia misses an uppercut and they clinch against the fence. Sicilia with an inside trip and he goes to the guard of Meza. Meza tries to scramble out but Sicilia grabs the neck but they scramble and Meza grabs the neck but Sicilia ends up in Meza’s half-guard. Sicilia with some punches from the top. Sicilia grabs the neck and is going for the choke but Meza scrambles out. Sicilia moves to the back and looks for an opening. Meza scrambles out and Sicilia misses a right hand as they go to the ground and Meza is in the half-guard. Meza goes for a guillotine but they scramble to their feet. Sicilia grabs the neck but lets go. Sicilia in side control on the mat. Sicilia back in the guard and they ride it out there. 10-9 Sicilia.

ROUND 2- They trade leg kicks. They trade punches and leg kicks again. Meza lands a left hand. Sicilia misses a big right hand and Meza initiates a tie-up. They clinch against the fence. They break. They exchange punches. Meza goes for a leg kick but Sicilia grabs the leg and lands a right hand. Sicilia grabs the neck and looks for a choke but they go to the mat and Sicilia gets into the guard. They scramble to the feet and Meza with a knee to the body as they break. Meza with a leg kick. Meza with a glancing head kick. Sicilia looks for a takedown but Meza grabs the body and looks for one of his own. Meza finishes the takedown and is in half-guard. It could have stolen him the round. 10-9 Sicilia, 20-18 Sicilia.

ROUND 3- Sicilia comes out looking to land the right hand. Sicilia lands one as Meza shoots for a takedown. Sicilia grabs the neck for a choke but Meza rolls to his back. They scramble on the mat as Sicilia stays in side control. Sicilia grabs the front headlock once again as they work to their feet. Sicilia has the guillotine choke locked in as they stand but Meza is able to spin out. Sicilia with some punches from the top and lands some big right hands. Sicilia grabs the neck again looking for the choke but lets go. They get to their feet and Meza looks for a leg but Sicilia defends and looks for the back. They stand and break. Meza misses a combo. Meza with a leg kick. Both men are tired. Sicilia goes for a takedown but Meza grabs the neck and looks for the guillotine choke. Sicilia is in trouble. Meza works to the back and looks for the arm. They scramble as the fight ends. 10-9 Sicilia, 30-27 Sicilia.

Official Result: Sam Sicilia def. Yaotzin Meza by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

MAIN CARD (FOX SPORTS 1- 10 PM ET/7 PM PT):

WELTERWEIGHTS: ALAN JOUBAN VS. MATT DWYER

ROUND 1- Jouban with a series of leg kicks. Dwyer misses a Superman punch. Dwyer with a front kick. Jouban slips on a missed right hand. Dwyer actually landed a right hand. Dwyer pulled guard going for a choke but Jouban escapes and is in the guard. Jouban escapes to his feet and they are up. Dwyer misses a combo. They clinch against the fence. They break and Jouban lands a big combo. Dwyer with a high kick. Jouban with a big body kick. Jouban with a body kick and they exchange punches and he rocks Dwyer with a right hand. Jouban lands a big knee to the head and it was illegal as Dwyer was on the ground. Definitely illegal after seeing the replay. Herb Dean deducts a point from Jouban. Jouban lands a left hand and a leg kick. Dwyer with a front kick and they exchange as the round ends. Close round but Dwyer takes it and is now up big on the cards. 10-8 Dwyer.

ROUND 2- They come out trading punches. Dwyer lands a right hand. Jouban lands a left hand. Dwyer misses a leg kick. They trade punches and Jouban with a big body kick. Jouban with another body kick and then a head kick. Dwyer responds with one that is checked by Jouban. Dwyer with some body kicks. Jouban misses a left and defends a takedown attempt from Dwyer. Jouban hurts Dwyer with a body kick. They clinch against the fence. Jouban with a big elbow against the fence and a body kick. Jouban drops Dwyer with a head kick and looks to pounce. Jouban with big punches and a knee to the body. Dwyer throws a punch but Jouban counters with a left hand. Jouban with a body kick and then a kick to the head and then to the leg. Jouban with a body left hand to the body. Dwyer lands a right hand. Jouban with a cartwheel kick as the round ends with Dwyer in trouble. 10-9 Jouban, 19-18 Dwyer.

ROUND 3- Jouban stalks Dwyer to start the third. Jouban with a leg kick. Dwyer trying to circle out of trouble. Jouban with a leg kick and looking for a big finish. Jouban lands a big left hand. Jouban misses a head kick but lands a leg kick. Dwyer has a head kick checked by Jouban. Jouban with a body kick. Dwyer misses a head kick. Jouban got poked in the eye but it was missed and it has slowed his attack. Dwyer with a checked head kick. Jouban lands a big combo and they clinch. Jouban gets a takedown and is in half-guard. Dwyer going for an arm but Jouban has his planted on the mat. Jouban with a knee to the body and some big left hands. Jouban finishes strong as Dwyer heys to his feet. Jouban with a cartwheel kick that allows Dwyer to end on top. Will be interesting to see the cards. 10-9 Jouban, 28-28.

Official Result: Alan Jouban def. Matt Dwyer by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)

LIGHTWEIGHTS: KEVIN LEE VS. JAMES MOONTASRI

ROUND 1- Moontasri with a leg kick to start. Lee goes high with a kick and then one to the body. Lee with a left hook to the body. Lee with a body kick. They trade kicks. They trade and each man was poked in the eye so we have a timeout. They come out swinging. Moontasri goes for a flying knee but it allows Lee to grab him. Lee with a suplex to the mat and has the back. Lee gets the full back and has the rear-naked choke locked in. He gets the tap out! Moontasri submits and Lee picks up the win.

Official Result: Kevin Lee def. James Moontasri by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:56 of Round 1

BANTAMWEIGHTS: SCOTT JORGENSEN VS. MANNY GAMBURYAN

ROUND 1- This is a do-or-die fight for Jorgensen. Jorgensen defends an early shot from Gamburyan. Gamburyan lands a right hand. Gamburyan grabs the neck and Jorgensen picks him up and they go to the mat but Gamburyan still has the neck looking for the choke. They scramble and Jorgensen escapes and now has the neck. Jorgensen with an elbow and Gamburyan gets a takedown. Gamburyan in the guard. Jorgensen tries to scramble up and does. Gamburyan gets a brief takedown. They clinch against the fence and a low blow from Jorgensen. They wrestle to the ground and Jorgensen ends up on top. Jorgensen with big punches and a knee and Gamburyan counters with a big right hand and big punches on the ground. Gamburyan looks for the finish and gets a big slam. Jorgensen survives and escapes to his feet and they clinch. Jorgensen with an uppercut and they break to the center of the Octagon. They trade right hands. Gamburyan with a body kick. Missed big right hand by both. Fun round. 10-9 Gamburyan.

ROUND 2- They both miss punches. Jorgensen lands a combo. Gamburyan with a low kick and we have a timeout. Jorgensen lands a right hand and a leg kick. Gamburyan misses a head kick. Gamburyan goes for a takedown against the fence. Jorgensen scrambles out and lands a big body kick. Jorgensen grabs a leg and Gamburyan grabs the neck but Jorgensen escapes. Jorgensen lands punches against the fence. Jorgensen with a knee and they clinch against the fence. Gamburyan with a knee to the body followed by a right hand as they break. Gamburyan goes for a takedown but Jorgensen sprawls against the fence. Jorgensen with some elbows on the mat. They scramble on the mat and Jorgensen gets a takedown but Gamburyan reverses. Gamburyan with some elbows. Gamburyan with a big knee to the body. Close round. 10-9 Gamburyan, 20-18 Gamburyan.

ROUND 3- Gamburyan with a leg kick and a left hand. Gamburyan with a body kick. Gamburyan with a leg kick and then another. Combo from Gamburyan. They each land shots. Gamburyan with a combo and a body kick. Gamburyan with a left hook. They trade punches. Leg kick from Jorgensen and then a hard right hand. Each man lands a punch. Gamburyan with a hard left hand after missing a takedown. Gamburyan with some kicks. Jorgensen with a right hand and Gamburyan has a takedown stuffed. They trade punches. Slower pace in the final round as Gamburyan lands a leg kick. Jorgensen lands a right hand. Big combo from Gamburyan. Gamburyan goes for a takedown but Jorgensen defends. Jorgensen with some elbows. They break and Jorgensen lands to the body to end the fight. Good fight and close final round. 10-9 Gamburyan, 30-27 Gamburyan.

Official Result: Manvel Gamburyan def. Scott Jorgensen by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHTS: HOLLY HOLM VS. MARION RENEAU

ROUND 1- Big fight for both ladies. Neither able to land in the first minute. They finally each land on a punch. Reneau with a head kick. Holm with a side kick. Holm with a leg kick and then another side kick. Holm with another side kick as Reneau is avoiding her punches. Holm with a body kick off a combo attempt. Neither really able to find their range. Holm with a leg kick. Reneau backs Holm up with a combo. Holm misses a spin kick. Reneau lands a body kick. Holm with a side kick and misses a head kick but lands a leg kick. They trade kicks. Reneau with a leg kick. They trade kicks. Not much happened. 10-9 Holm.

ROUND 2- Holm misses a front kick and Reneau misses a body kick. Reneau with an inside leg kick. Holm with a head kick. Holm with a leg kick. They clinch and Holm lands a body kick on the break. Reneau with a leg kick. They trade kicks as the crowd begins to boo. Holm with a body kick. Holm with a combo ending with a body kick. Holm misses a head kick. Holm is throwing the same attack in repeated order but Reneau unable to take advantage of it. Holm with a side kick to the leg. Holm with a combo to the body and then side kicks to the body. Reneau with a body kick and Holm grabs the leg. Reneau jumps up and looks to pull guard but Holm shakes her off and wants this fight back up. 10-9 Holm, 20-18 Holm.

ROUND 3- Neither able to land their punches. Holm misses a combo. Holm misses a side kick and Reneau lands a body kick. Holm with a combo and body kick. Holm with a body kick. Holm with a body kick. Holm misses a head kick. Holm with a leg kick. Holm with a leg kick. Neither able to land. Holm lands a left hand. Holm with a side kick. Reneau jumps guard and Holm throws her down and goes to the ground for a moment but gets up. Holm with leg kicks to a seated Reneau. They get back up. Holm with a nice combo and body kick that hurts Reneau but the fight ends without a finish. Good showing from Holm but nothing that makes you believe she’s close to title contention. 10-9 Holm, 30-27 Holm.

Official Result: Holly Holm def. Marion Reneau by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 29-28)

29-28 is a terrible scorecard.

LIGHTWEIGHTS: JOSH THOMSON VS. TONY FERGUSON

Word is this will be Thomson’s last UFC bout and possibly last career bout.

ROUND 1- Ferguson with a leg kick and Thomson with one of his own. Thomson with a front kick. Thomson catches a Ferguson leg and throws him down. Thomson gets a quick takedown but Ferguson rolls to his feet. Ferguson with a front kick to the body and then another. Ferguson with a leg kick. Ferguson lands a big jab. Ferguson with a leg kick. Thomson with a solid combination. Ferguson with a leg kick and Thomson counters with a right hand. Ferguson with a front kick. Ferguson with a leg kick and a front kick to the body. Ferguson goes for a flying knee but Thomson counters with a takedown and some punches from the top. Thomson escapes a triangle choke and is in the guard. Ferguson tries to roll but Thomson ends up in the guard and lands some punches and elbows. Close round. 10-9 Ferguson.

ROUND 2- They trade punches. Thomson lands a big right hand and Ferguson rolls out of trouble. Ferguson with a front kick. Ferguson with a big elbow that hurts Thomson and drops him. Ferguson goes for the finish with lots of punches but Thomson looks to roll out. Ferguson with elbows and punches on the ground. Ferguson with more elbows. Ferguson grabbed the fence to keep position and they are ordered to stand up. They trade punches. They trade punches and Ferguson still has Thomson hurt. Thomson with a right hand. Thomson misses a spinning back fist and stumbles to the ground. Thomson in the guard and bleeding heavily. Ferguson looks for the triangle choke and lands elbows. Thomson escapes but is bleeding all over Ferguson. Ferguson has the kimura and is cranking. Thomson rolling out and to his knees. Ferguson with big punches. Ferguson in side control but Thomson escapes to his feet and they throw to end the round. 10-8 Ferguson, 20-17 Ferguson.

ROUND 3- Thomson still on wobbly legs to start the final round. Ferguson goes for a flying knee but Thomson grabs the leg but they break. They trade punches. Ferguson lands a right hand. Ferguson with a short elbow. They trade body kicks. Ferguson with a leg kick. Elbow from Ferguson again. Thomson lands a left hand. Ferguson with a leg kick. Big body kick from Ferguson hurts Thomson. Ferguson with a leg kick and then a body kick. Big knee to the body from Ferguson hurts Thomson but he survives. Spinning back fist from Thomson. He is getting up there on the Muta Scale with the blood. They clinch and Thomson has the back but too late. 10-9 Ferguson, 30-26 Ferguson.

Official Result: Tony Ferguson def. Josh Thomson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

HEAVYWEIGHTS: FRANK MIR VS. TODD DUFFEE

ROUND 1- They trade punches quickly. Mir rocks Duffee with a left hand and then another. They are swinging and both men are throwing big shots. Mir with a knee and some big left hands. Big knee from Mir. Duffee running into Mir’s left hand. They clinch but break. Duffee with a big jab. Mir then lands a big left hand and Duffee goes down and out cold. Mir with the big knockout win as Duffee did a face plant right in the center of the Octagon. An absolute crazy fight.

Official Result: Frank Mir def. Todd Duffee by knockout (punch) at 1:13 of Round 1