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  • The Ultimate Fighter 22 Las Vegas live results: Frankie Edgar vs. Chad Mendes

    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.

    The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale Weigh-In Results
    The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale 5 Storylines To Watch
    The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale DFS Playbook
    The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale Observer Picks & Preview

    Coverage provided by Dave Meltzer

    PRELIMINARY CARD (FS1- 8 PM ET/5 PM PT)

    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.

    FLYWEIGHTS- JOBY SANCHEZ (7-1, 1-1 UFC) VS. GEANE HERRERA (8-1, 0-1 UFC)

    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. 

  • UFC Fight Night 80 Las Vegas live results: Rose Namajunas vs. Paige VanZant

    Welcome to WrestlingObserver.com’s live coverage of UFC Fight Night 80: Namajunas vs. VanZant from The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event is headlined by a five-round women’s strawweight bout as former title challenger Rose Namajunas steps in on short notice to take on rising star Paige VanZant in the first-ever womens’ non-title bout to headline a UFC event. In the co-main event, it will be a lightweight contest as 14th-ranked UFC veteran Jim Miller takes on former “TUF” winner Michael Chiesa. Also on the card is the next UFC appearance of 19-year-old budding star Sage Northcutt as he takes on Cody Pfister. The entire event airs on the UFC’s digital network, UFC Fight Pass, with preliminary card action kicking off at 6:45 PM eastern time before heading into the main card at 10 PM eastern time.

    UFC Fight Night 80 Weigh-In Results
    UFC Fight Night 80 5 Storylines To Watch
    UFC Fight Night 80 DFS Playbook
    UFC Fight Night 80 Observer Picks

    Coverage provided by Ryan Frederick

    PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 6:45 PM ET/3:45 PM PT)

    WOMEN’S STRAWWEIGHTS- KAILIN CURRAN (3-2, 0-2 UFC) VS. EMILY KAGAN (3-2, 0-1 UFC)

    ROUND 1- Both ladies throwing lots of punches right at the start. Kagan has underhooks against the fence but Curran scrambles out. Kagan clinches but Curran with a judo throw but they get right back up as Curran went for mount. Kagan with a knee against the fence. Kagan gets the back on a brief takedown. Kagan unable to get Curran down to the mat. Kagan with a brief takedown but they get right back up. Kagan trying real hard for the takedown but Curran lands knees to the body and a head kick followed by some punches. Kagan clinches back up against the fence. Kagan gets a takedown with just seconds left and ends the round in the guard as Curran went for a triangle. 10-9 Kagan.

    ROUND 2- Curran tries to land a knee as Kagan punches her way back to the clinch. They separate and Curran lands a jab. Kagan with a left hand and a head kick. Curran with a knee in the clinch. Curran with a knee to the head in the clinch and they break. Kagan with a combo but not much lands. Kagan lands a left hand. Curran lands a right hand but Kagan counters with a left. Kagan is breathing heavily. They clinch and Curran lands a knee. Kagan gets the fight down but Curran reverses into half-guard. Curran switches to the back and has a hook in. Curran looking for a choke and she submits Kagan! Curran gets her first UFC win with a submission.

    Official Result- Kailin Curran def. Emily Kagan by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:13 of Round 2

    FEATHERWEIGHTS- ZUBAIRA TUKHUGOV (17-3, 2-0 UFC) VS. PHILLIPE NOVER (11-5-1, 1-3 UFC)

    ROUND 1- Nover starts off with a high kick. Nover with another head kick. Tukhugov just misses a big right hand, and then misses another. Nover has a head kick checked. Both men missing on kicks. Tukhugov lands a head kick. Nover with a body kick. Tukhogov lands a right hand. Tukhogov with a spinning back kick. Nover with a head kick but Tukhugov grabs it and kicks the leg out from Nover to the mat. They scramble back to their feet. Tukhugov misses a spinning back fist but lands a left hook. Tukhugov with a right hand. 10-9 Tukhugov.

    ROUND 2- Tukhugov starts with some kicks. Nover has a head kick checked. Tukhugov clips Nover with a left hook as he rushed in. Nover circles away. Tukhugov with a right hand. Nover with a leg kick and misses a takedown attempt. Tukhugov lands a left hand. Tukhugov with a head kick. Nover with a body kick but Tukhugov comes back with a combo. Tukhugov with a spin kick that barely lands. Tukhugov lands a big right hand and has Nover in trouble. Nover on the mat and eats a right hand but gets back to his feet. Nover with a body kick. Nover with another body kick and Tukhugov rushes in with a combo. Nover with another body kick. Tukhugov lands a left hand and stuffs a takedown. 10-9 Tukhugov, 20-18 Tukhugov.

    ROUND 3- Tukhugov with some kicks and punches to start. Nover lands a body kick. Tukhugov lands a right hand. Tukhugov with a head kick. Nover lands a head kick and Tukhugov shakes it off and takes the fight down. Tukhugov in the guard and looking to pass. Nover with another high kick. Tukhugov breathing a little heavy. Nover with another head kick but Tukhugov fires back with a combo. Nover with a deep shot and misses but has the clinch against the fence. They break and Nover lands a left hand. Nover with a body kick. Tukhugov with a nice combo and Nover misses a takedown. Tukhugov with another kick. 10-9 Tukhugov, 30-27 Tukhugov.

    Official Result- Zubaira Tukhugov def. Phillipe Nover by split decision (28-29, 30-27 , 30-27)

    WELTERWEIGHTS- DANNY ROBERTS (11-1, 0-0 UFC) VS. NATHAN COY (14-5, 0-0 UFC)

    ROUND 1- This is the UFC debut for both men and Roberts is a solid prospect. They trade leg kicks. They trade and Roberts lands a big left hand. Roberts with a head kick. Roberts with a leg kick. They trade punches. Roberts with a head kick attempt and Coy eats it and takes Roberts down and is in the guard. Roberts with strikes from the bottom and looking for a triangle. Roberts with the armbar and Coy taps out! Roberts gets the submission win in his UFC debut.

    Official Result- Danny Roberts def. Nathan Coy by technical submission (triangle choke) at 2:46 of Round 1

    WELTERWEIGHTS- SANTIAGO PONZINIBBIO (20-3, 2-2 UFC) VS. ANDREAS STAHL (9-1, 0-1 UFC)

    ROUND 1- Stahl with a leg kick. Stahl with a combo and gets a big takedown and they scramble to their feet. Ponzinibbio with a leg kick and then a body kick. He lands a big combo against the fence and Stahl is covering up. Stahl with another takedown but Ponzinibbio back to his feet. Ponzinibbio with a leg kick and then a combo. Stahl lands a right hand. Ponzinibbio lands a nice combo. Ponzinibbio with another big combo against the fence. Stahl with a head kick but eats some punches from Ponzinibbio. Ponzinibbio drops Stahl with a big right hand and one more punch and this fight is over. Herb Dean stops the fight and Ponzinibbio gets the win by knockout.

    Official Result- Santiago Ponzinibbio def. Andreas Stahl by TKO (punches) at 4:25 of Round 1

    BANTAMWEIGHTS- (#5) ALJAMAIN STERLING (11-0, 3-0 UFC) VS. (#10) JOHNNY EDUARDO (27-9, 2-1 UFC)

    ROUND 1- Sterling is a big-time prospect at 135 pounds, but is in the last fight of his contract. They trade kicks. Sterling with a high kick but the leg is grabbed by Eduardo. Eduardo with a big leg kick. Both missing high kicks but Sterling gets the takedown and pushes Eduardo against the fence. Sterling in the half-guard of Eduardo. Sterling landing some punches from the top as Eduardo is unable to escape from the bottom. Left hands from the top by Sterling. More punches from Sterling as the round ends. 10-9 Sterling.

    ROUND 2- Eduardo misses a leg kick. Sterling with a leg kick and follows with a right hand. Eduardo with a body kick. They trade kicks. Sterling misses a spinning back fist. Eduardo with a body kick and Sterling misses a head kick. Sterling with a leg kick. Eduardo with a head kick that is checked. They start trading punches and kicks. Sterling with a high kick. Sterling gets a takedown and some big punches from the top. Dominant from the top with elbows and punches. More big punches and Sterling goes for a choke. He’s got it! Sterling submits Eduardo with a guillotine choke and gets the big win.

    Official Result- Aljamain Sterling def. Johnny Eduardo by submission (guillotine choke) at 4:18 of Round 2

    MIDDLEWEIGHTS- ANTONIO CARLOS JUNIOR (5-1, 2-1 UFC) VS. KEVIN CASEY (9-3 1 NC, 1-1 1 NC UFC)

    ROUND 1- Casey poked right in the eye as this fight begins. And it is stopped. That was weird. Fight stopped due to the eye poke. 11 seconds into the fight.

    Official Result- Antonio Carlos Junior vs. Kevin Casey declared a no contest due to an eye poke at 0:11 of Round 1

    WELTERWEIGHTS- OMARI AKHMEDOV (15-2, 3-1 UFC) VS. SERGIO MORAES (9-2, 3-1 UFC)

    ROUND 1- Both men missing on kicks but Akhmedov lands a spinning back fist. Moraes misses a high kick. Akhmedov with a big head kick but Moraes shakes it off. Moraes just misses a flying knee. Big left hook from Moraes stuns Akhmedov. Akhmedov with an uppercut. Akhmedov lands an overhand right and then lands a body kick. Akhmedov drops Moraes with a right hand and lands a big punch from the top and a couple of leg kicks. Akhmedov wants him up. Moraes goes for a takedown but it is defended. They trade right hands. 10-9 Akhmedov.

    ROUND 2- Akhmedov misses a leg kick and a right hand. Body kick from Akhmedov. Big right hand from Moraes lands. Akhmedov misses some body kicks. Left hook by Akhmedov. Moraes misses a flying knee and may have a hand injury. Pace has slowed in this round. Akhmedov with a body kick. Moraes misses a big right hand. Leg kick by Akhmedov and Moraes counters with his own. Moraes misses a right hand and Akhmedov counters with some punches. Akhmedov with a takedown but Moraes grabs the neck and has a guillotine locked in but the clock runs out. Close round. 10-9 Akhmedov, 20-18 Akhmedov.

    ROUND 3- This fight is close and up for grabs. They trade punches and Akhmedov taunts Moraes to come on. Moraes goes for a takedown but it is defended. They are each missing punches. Out of nowhere Moraes lands a big right hand and stuns Akhmedov and after a bunch of punches Akhmedov crumbles to the ground and the fight is stopped. Moraes with the comeback TKO win.

    Official Result- Sergio Moraes def. Omari Akhmedov by TKO (punches) at 2:18 of Round 3

    WELTERWEIGHTS- TIM MEANS (24-7-1, 6-4 UFC) VS. JOHN HOWARD (23-11, 7-6 UFC)

    ROUND 1- Means lands a big left hand and rocks Howard. Howard grabs the fence and takes Means down. They get back up. They trade and Howard lands a big overhand right. They are throwing punches. Each man landing punches. Both men land combos. Howard with a nice combo. They are both still landing hard punches and Howard explodes with a takedown. Howard pulls Means away from the fence but Means gets to his feet. Howard gets another takedown but Means right back up and they break. Means with a knee to the body. Head kick misses from Means. Howard’s right eye is closed a little. Means lands a head kick. Close round. 10-9 Means.

    ROUND 2- Means comes out and lands a big left hook and Howard goes out cold. Massive left hand and Means gets the knockout win.

    Official Result- Tim Means def. John Howard by knockout (punch) at 0:21 of Round 2

    MAIN CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 10 PM ET/7 PM PT)

    MIDDLEWEIGHTS- ELIAS THEODOROU (11-0, 3-0 UFC) VS. THIAGO SANTOS (11-3, 3-2 UFC)

    ROUND 1- Theodorou is a solid middleweight prospect with an undefeated record. Theodorou with a nice head kick but Santos fires back a leg kick. Theodorou looking for that head kick. Theodorou with a combo and high kick. Santos with a leg kick. Theodorou with a leg kick. Santos with a front kick. Theodorou with a big leg kick and a body kick. Theodorou with another series of body kicks. More body kicks from Theodorou. He just misses a head kick. Spinning heel kick from Santos lands. Front kick from Theodorou trips up Santos. They trade kicks again. They clinch against the fence for a moment. Strong round from Theodorou. 10-9 Theodorou.

    ROUND 2- They trade kicks. Lots of punches thrown. Santos with a big elbow. Theodorou goes for a takedown but Santos blatantly grabs the fence. Theodorou gets him down. Big knee from Theodorou as they get to their feet. Theodorou working for the takedown but Santos lands a series of elbows. Theodorou still working to take Santos to the mat. Santos landing lots of elbows. They are broken from their clinch. Theodorou goes for another takedown but Santos lands some knees and elbows and landing a lot of strikes. They are clinched against the fence. Santos reverses and gets a takedown and takes the back and lands a knee and some punches. Theodorou ends the round with a takedown. Close round. 10-9 Santos, 19-19.

    ROUND 3- They clinch as Theodorou looks for a high-crotch takedown. Theodorou working hard for the takedown. They are broken up by referee Marc Goddard. Santos lands a knee as Theodorou goes for a shot. Theodorou pushes Santos up against the fence. Timeout as Theodorou has a massive cut over his eye. The doctor lets it go. Theodorou goes for the takedown again but Santos making him eat knees. Santos has Theodorou in trouble and lands a big kick and a big knee. Santos looking for the finish but Theodorou surviving and goes back for the takedown. Santos with some elbows. More big shots from Santos but Theodorou is surviving. Timeout as we have an eye poke. Back to action and Santos lands some big shots as the fight ends. Big round for Santos. Good fight. 10-9 Santos, 29-28 Santos.

    Official Result- Thiago Santos def. Elias Theodorou by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)

    LIGHTWEIGHTS- SAGE NORTHCUTT (6-0, 1-0 UFC) VS. CODY PFISTER (12-4-1, 1-1 UFC)

    ROUND 1- Northcutt is one of the future stars UFC is banking on. Pfister gets an early takedown. Pfister in the guard of Northcutt. Pfister with some elbows and punches from the top. Northcutt having trouble getting out from the bottom. They are stood up by the referee. The crowd boos as that was bad. Northcutt immediately gets the takedown. Northcutt working in the half-guard. Northcutt with some elbows and is looking for a choke. Pfister survives with punches from the bottom. We are going to the second after Northcutt lands elbows to end the round. 10-9 Northcutt.

    ROUND 2- Northcutt with a takedown and he grabs the neck. Guillotine choke locked in and Pfister taps! Northcutt gets the win by submission.

    Official Result- Sage Northcutt def. Cody Pfister by submission (guillotine choke) at 0:41 of Round 2

    LIGHTWEIGHTS- (#14) JIM MILLER (25-6 1 NC, 14-5 1 NC UFC) VS. MICHAEL CHIESA (12-2, 5-2 UFC)

    ROUND 1- High-level lightweight fight here. They trade combinations. Miller with a big left hand. Miller with a body kick. They clinch and Chiesa gets a takedown. Chiesa in the half-guard. Chiesa with some elbows from the top. Chiesa with top control as Miller looks to grab the leg. Miller reverses to the top. Chiesa looking for the triangle. Miller transitions to the back of Chiesa. Miller looking for a choke and has the body locked. Miller with punches from the back. Miller has the body locked still as he maintains position. Punches from the back as he can’t find the choke. Good round. 10-9 Miller.

    ROUND 2- Miller with a leg kick. Miller with a nice left hand. They both land punches and Chiesa ducks under and scores a takedown. Chiesa with punches from the top as Miller looks to roll out from the bottom. Miller is cut open but he looks for a leg lock. Nice defense from Chiesa as he lands punches. Chiesa gets into the mount and is landing a lot of punches. Chiesa has the rear-naked choke locked in. Miller taps! Chiesa with the big win in impressive fashion.

    Official Result- Michael Chiesa def. Jim Miller by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:57 of Round 2

    WOMEN’S STRAWWEIGHTS- (#3) ROSE NAMAJUNAS (3-2, 1-1 UFC) VS. (#7) PAIGE VANZANT (6-0, 3-0 UFC)

    ROUND 1- VanZant is the other future young fighter they are banking on to be a star. VanZant with a leg kick and Namajunas with some quick combos. Namajunas gets a takedown and is in half-guard. Big elbows from Namajunas and VanZant is cut on her cheek. VanZant rolls out to her feet. Namajunas with a nice right hand. They clinch and VanZant goes for a takedown but Namajunas takes the back and looks for a choke. Namjunas gets in the mount and lands some elbows and goes to the back and looks for a choke again. VanZant is bleeding badly. VanZant gets to her feet. Namajunas gets the fight back down and is in the guard. Namajunas with more big shots from the top. VanZant somehow survives the round. Big round for Rose. 10-8 Namajunas.

    ROUND 2- Namajunas with a nice combination. Namajunas grabs the back of VanZant. Namajunas takes her down and is in side control. Namajunas gets the back and is looking for the choke. VanZant escapes and Namajunas back in side control. Namajunas into the half-guard. They get to their feet. Namajunas with a knee. VanZant gets a brief takedown but Namajunas is able to get to side control. Namajunas has the back of VanZant. They get to their feet and break. VanZant still bleeding badly. VanZant pulls guard and Namajunas in the half-guard. Namajunas with more short elbows from the top. 10-9 Namajunas, 20-17 Namajunas.

    ROUND 3- They got back to the mat and Namajunas in the half-guard. They scramble and get to their feet. VanZant with a knee. They both land punches. VanZant misses a spinning back fist and Namajunas grabs the back. They break. They trade kicks. Namajunas with a left hand and then a head kick. They clinch and VanZant lands some knees. Namajunas with a takedown and looking for the back. VanZant rolls and has Namajunas in her half-guard. Namajunas takes the back and locks in a rear-naked choke. She has it in deep but VanZant isn’t tapping. VanZant escapes. VanZant survives the round. 10-9 Namajunas, 30-26 Namajunas.

    ROUND 4- VanZant with a kick and they clinch. Namajunas with another takedown, her sixth of the fight. Namajunas in the full guard and postures up. Namajunas grabs the arm and goes for the armbar. VanZant escapes. Namajunas with some elbows and moves to the back. Namajunas locks in another armbar. This one is in deeper. VanZant manages to escape again. No idea how she got out of that one as her arm was all twisted. They get to their feet and Namajunas has VanZant against the fence. Namajunas with a front kick. Namajunas with a takedown. 10-8 Namajunas, 40-34 Namajunas.

    ROUND 5- VanZant hanging in there. They trade punches. Namajunas with another takedown and into the half-guard. Namajunas in side control. Namajunas gets the back of VanZant and locks in the rear-naked choke. VanZant taps! Namajunas gets the submission win in a dominant performance and a gutsy performance by VanZant.

    Official Result- Rose Namajunas def. Paige VanZant by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:25 of Round 5

  • WWE RAW Live results 12-7: Reigns, Ambrose, Sheamus and the League of Nations

    The Big Takeaway: 

    The go-home show for the TLC PPV was strange, but still an improvement from last week. The most relevant long-term takeaway from the show was the instant breakup of the Alberto Del Rio-Zeb Coulter faction. There was a hot opening match and a good singles match between Kevin Owens and Dolph Ziggler. Then came some strange stuff involving Charlotte and Paige. Followed by even more strange stuff with Titus O’Neal and Stardust. 

    Show Recap: 

    The League of Nations were in the ring with its own new music. Sheamus mentioned Rusev from Bulgaria, Alberto Del Rio from Mexico (I thought it was MexAmerica?), King Barrett from England and himself from Ireland. Sheamus said they couldn’t find anyone from America to lace their boots. He talked about how they were the best of the best. Suddenly, the Wyatt Family appeared in the ring. This was the start of their long-awaited face turn, and it took the fans awhile to catch on, but they started chanting “yes.” Bray Wyatt said he didn’t care about nations, this was his world and he was allowing them to breathe in it. They came out to create chaos. 

    They teased a showdown when the Dudley Boyz and Tommy Dreamer came out. Bubba Ray Dudley and Wyatt jabbered back and forth. Devon Dudley said when you’re extreme, you don’t die, you multiply. Rhyno came out. Considering they used a Robin Harris quote and the word “Extreme,” maybe their gimmick is “That 90s team.” 

    Just as they were about to get in the ring, Reigns, Dean Ambrose and the Usos came out through the crowd. They’re running 16 guys out there in one match when they have no depth. Fandango vs. Brooklyn Brawler anyone?  

    Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and the Usos defeated The League of Nations in a Fatal Four-Way Elimination Match that also included The Wyatt Family and the Dudley Boyz, Rhyno and Tommy Dreamer (21:26) 

    Fans got into Rhyno for the nostalgia pop Dreamer wore polka-dot pants, I guess as a tribute to Dusty Rhodes. That week on the road must have done a number on Dreamer because he looked like he aged 5 years in one week. 

    Dreamer pinned Eric Rowan with a DDT to eliminate the Wyatt Family in 4:45. Michael Cole called the DDT a “Dreamer Driver.” Do what? 

    Sheamus pinned Bubba Ray at 11:06 with a Brogue Kick There was a 12-way brawl midway through this cycle that led to Rhyno and Reigns having a staredown. Man it was scary that someone from the dying days of ECW got a better reaction than the man groomed to be the next John Cena. Del Rio jumped Rhyno before they touched. 

    Reigns pinned Sheamus with a spear to win the match at 21:26. Really good final sequence where Del Rio tried to pin Reigns after Sheamus hit him with a Brogue Kick outside the ring, but Reigns kicked out. Del Rio then applied the cross armbreaker, but Jimmy Uso broke it up with a splash off the top. Amrbose and Jey Uso did topes on the heels at various points. Strong match overall. 

    Sheamus sold his ribs backstage when Renee Young walked up to ask him about the match he just lost. A deadly serious Sheamus said Reigns’ victory over him was as close to the world championship as he will ever get. Young asked if there was anything he could learn about tonight’s opening match. Sheamus vowed to make Reigns pay in front of the whole world tonight. 

    Stardust ranted to himself in his private liar about making the entire WWE Universe see the whole world is a dark place. Titus O’Neal made his weekly appearance and suggested Stardust should leave his dingy room and get some. He didn’t mean that. O’Neal told Stardust to get a life, read a book. Stardust refused to listen. Stardust looked back to respond to O’Neal, who disappeared. 

    Tyler Breeze and Summer Rae watched from their VIP section. 

    Kevin Owens (C) defeated Dolph Ziggler in a nontitle match (19:12)

    Another good match where Kevin Owens won with a Pop-Up Power Bomb. They worked spots around a side headlock. Dolph Ziggler ran his right shoulder into the post and sold his right shoulder extremely well the rest of the match. High spot included Owens doing a senton into the corner. Ziggler rolled out to the floor several times, but hit Owens with a jumping DDT. Breeze never got involved.  

    Right after the pin, Ambrose came out eating popcorn and drinking a soft drink. Owens was furious his music didn’t play. Ambrose got in the ring, threw popcorn and drink in Owens’ face and left. Sure made Ambrose look like a jerk. 

    Wyatt cut a promo on the Dudleys, Dreamer and Rhyno. Braun Strowman said he had a dream where he would become Tommy Dreamer’s worst nightmare. 

    Miz met with Neville backstage. Miz wanted to teach Neville how to be a true superstar so he could be the next Daniel Bryan. If that happens, I guess we’ll never see any crowd signs for Neville again. This led to Miz bringing in Donny Deutsch, who stars in a new USA Network show called “Donny.” Deutsch used to have a CNBC talk show that had WWE personalities appear all the time. Miz and Deutsch chatted. Neville and Deutsch shook hands. Really was more of a promotional piece than anything.  

    Naomi and Sasha Banks defeated Brie Bella and Alicia Fox (6:12) 

    Clumsy match. Naomi pinned Brie Bella with the Rear View after Sasha Banks grabbed her foot from the outside. Not much to it. Team BAD’s new gimmick is saying “Unity” in unison at the highest pitch possible. 

    Right afterwards, the New Day came out wearing unicorn horns. They gave the members of Team BAD the horns and did a group handshake. 

    The New Day claimed to submit thousands of baby names to Kanye West and Kim Kardshian. But they don’t believe WWE Tag Team title shots should be handed out generously, saying they had to defend against Lucha Dragons and the Usos in a ladder match. They did a skit to prove they didn’t need ladders, proving they could get a kitten out of a tree without a ladder. To prove it, Big E. played the role of a tree, Kofi Kingston played a kitten. Kingston jumped on top of Big E, while Xavier Woods told Kofi to climb down. Kofi mee-owed. Crowd didn’t really follow it. 

    Lucha Dragons defeated Kofi Kingston and Big E. (C) in a nontitle match (7:10)

    The Usos were at ringside on commentary. Woods blew the trombone into the Usos face, which led to Jey trashing the trombone and going after Woods. Kingston watched this unfold from the ring, which led to Sin Cara getting the pin with an O’Connor Roll. 

    Reigns did an interview. Note to self: never watch Mid-South episodes on Raw days. Watching Bill Watts, Jim Cornette and even Terry Taylor cut these promos that were short on polish and high on emotion and drawing money makes the current product look so colorless. Reigns said he would face Sheamus later tonight to see who would teach who a lesson. 

    On that note, it was time for MizTv. Charlotte and Ric Flair came out. Charlotte told Miz that he didn’t introduce her father correctly, clearly teasing a heel turn. Charlotte and her father had matching Rolex watches. Flair said he would be in Charlotte’s corner for her title match against Paige at TLC. Miz brought up Charlotte’s win over Becky Lynch. Charlotte interrupted Miz saying she was going to do what it took to win. 

    Miz did a babyface speech saying that Charlotte has changed and wanted to know what she had to say to Paige. Charlotte said if she had anything to say, she would say it on Sunday. Miz said Piage interferred with her friendship with Lynch and wanted to know why Charlotte wouldn’t answer the question. Flair got up and talked Miz down. Miz said Charlotte was hiding behind her father. Miz pressed on until Charlotte spoke up and called Paige a “two-faced gothic piece of trash.” Charlotte said she would destroy Paige for everything she ever said about Charlotte. 

    Miz brought out Paige, who got a babyface pop. Did a miss Paige’s babyface turn? Flair took Charlotte out of the ring instead of confronting Paige. Charlotte left, but Paige slapped Flair. That led Flair to tell Charlotte to get her. Then came a weird sequence. Charlotte jumped on Paige, who didn’t get a comeback and rolled out of the ring. Isn’t it usually the newly turned babyface who has to be pulled off the newly turned heel? And wasn’t Miz the Flair in waiting two years ago? 

    Ryback and Rusev went to a double countout (10:13) 

    Ryback chased Rusev around the ring until Ryback appeared to run into Lana, who feigned an ankle injury. As Ryback checked on her, Rusev jumped him from behind and put him in the Accolade. Lana showed the ankle injury was a gimmick, then laughed as she and Rusev kissed. Lana did an inset promo saying she knew Ryback didn’t mean to hurt her last week when he rammed the steps into her last week. Cole billed this as a weird interview and he was right. Ryback did a rolling tope to the floor, which wasn’t flawless but damn impressive for someone his size. 

    They showed a teaser for Shawn Michaels podcast interview with Steve Austin. Of course, they broached the subjet of Montreal. Austin asked Michaels if the scenario where Bret Hart would be placed in the Sharpshooter was Michaels’ idea, and they cut to the end before Michaels could answer. I’m going to create a bingo card for all the answers that Michaels has given about Montreal over the past 18 years. He went from saying it wasn’t his idea, to telling RF Video that Bret had proof that Michaels wasn’t involved in the screw job in the “Wrestling with Shadows” documentary footage but didn’t show it, to admitting he did know about it, and then claiming it was his idea. Wonder which answer Shawn’s God likes? 

    Jack Swagger defeated Stardust (3:36)

    The match was in progress when Del Rio and Zeb Coulter came out. O’Neal was on commentary. He’s basically doing Dave Meltzer’s gimmick where he wants Cody Rhodes to drop the Stardust character. Swagger won with the Patriot Lock. Immediately afterwards, Del Rio popped Swagger with a hard chair shot. Stardust came up from behind Del Rio. O’Neal screamed “Del Rio, look out!” Wasn’t he trying to help Stardust? Why did he need to warn Del Rio since he had a chair? Del Rio hit Stardust. 

    Then Swagger popped up from the chair shot after barely selling it. He and Del Rio each had a chair at this point. Swagger swung and knocked the chair out of Del Rio’s hands. Del Rio stumbled over Coulter’s motorized cart. Swagger then yelled at Coulter about how he had turned his back on the people and his country. Coutler rode off on his cart.  

    The Rose Bush atrocity saw a 2nd week. Adam Rose said the Miz was trying to use Neville for a remake of Dumbo, which Neville was a shoo-in for. They implied Neville had a big nose. Ungodly bad stuff.  

    In the back, Del Rio was mad at Coulter because he tripped over Coulter’s cart. ADR told Coulter he didn’t want him around anymore. Coulter tried to but in and remind ADR that he was the reason ADR held the U.S. Championship, but ADR wasn’t hearing any of it. Coulter rode away. So this pairing is history, and not a moment too soon. This was an ill-advised act from the beginning and it was best to cut bait while they could. 

    Braun Strowman defeated Tommy Dreamer by submission (2:43)

    It was what you would think. Strowman won with the head-and-arm choke. JBL compared Strowman to Bill Kazmaier, which could be prescient, but not in the way he meant. 

    Reigns showed up to the ring, which had tables, ladders and chairs in it. Reigns remembered that’s how the Shield started, in a TLC match. He started climbing the ladder as a metaphor for his career. Crowd chanted “what” at him. Reigns said it was Sheamus who knocked him down this ladder. He said he wasn’t leaving until Sheamus showed up. 

    Sheamus came out. He said Roman was out of touch. Fancy that line coming from this company. Sheamus vowed to beat Reigns again. They bickered back and forth until Reigns got off this line saying that he thought Sheamus had potatoes, but it turns out he has Tater Tots. That succeeded in getting the crowd to chant “Tater Tots.” Sheamus started to run in the ring, but he stopped. Sheamus said he was going to build a castle of mangled ladders, broken chairs and tables on top of Reigns. Again, Roman challenged him. 

    Sheamus said if he got in the ring, Sheamus would hit him with a chair. So Reigns threw the chair away. Reigns said he didn’t want Reigns to power bomb him through a table. So Reigns put the table away. Then Sheamus wanted the ladder put away, Reigns did that. This was going on forever. Crowd did respond with more Tater Tot chants. 

    Sheamus finally got in the ring put Reigns decked him quickly. Reigns started to clear the announcer’s table when Sheamus made a comeback. They fought into the crowd, where Reigns dumped a trash can on him. They spilled out into the fans with more brawling and worked their way to the ramp. Reigns teased power bombing Sheamus off the ramp, but Sheamus stopped him and rammed Reigns into the tables and chairs on the set. Sheamus gave him a chair shot. Reigns popped up like Swagger earlier. At least they were consistent. Reigns hit Sheamus with a chair. 

    They fought back to where they started, where Sheamus tried to power bomb Reigns through the table, but Regins escaped. Reigns tried to spear Sheamus through the announcer’s table, but Sheamus dodged him. Sheamus rose his arms, but Reigns got up and speared Sheamus through a set of tables set up at ringside. There were some “Roman” chants, but the crowd was pretty quiet for most of this segment and much of the hour overall. 

    SUMMARY: This was a show booked in reverse. We got a solid first hour and it just lost steam from there. Reigns and Sheamus feels like a cold program, which anyone who watched Sheamus win the title would have predicted. I might regret writing this, but Reigns doesn’t have that special quality as a main eventer. He can’t carry a 10-minute talking segment and the fans don’t see him as a top of the card talent. Maybe an upper midcarder, but he isn’t getting the reaction of a star. On the bright side, moving Del Rio away from Coulter was for the best. No one needs to steal Del Rio’s spotlight because he can be a top heel if booked properly. 

  • NJPW World Tag League live results: Finalists determined, Honma & Makabe battle Yoshi-Hashi & Okada

    Welcome to this morning’s World Tag League coverage, the last show before the finals on 12/9. This card will determine who makes it to the finals.

    The show is from the famed Aiichi Gym in Nagoya, a New Japan stronghold for decades. 

    The A block comes down to this.  Kazuchika Okada & Yoshi-Hashi face Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma.  Both teams have 3-2 records.  Hiroshi Tanahashi & Michael Elgin are in first place with a 4-2 record.  If Okada & Yoshi-Hashi win, then Tanahashi & Elgin go to the finals based on having beaten Okada & Yoshi-Hashi earlier.  If Makabe & Honma win, which is expected, they go to the finals since they beat Tanahashi & Elgin a few days ago.

    The B block has Katsuyori Shibata & Hirooki Goto and Tetsuya Naito & Evil both with 4-1 records.  As coincidence would have it, they face off tonight and the winner goes to the finals.

    The overall tournament winner is expected to face Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows at Wrestle Kingdom 10 at the Tokyo Dome.

    Looks like a full house tonight.  Crowd seems reasonably hot even though it’s December and cold buildings in the winter with people bundled up usually means less crowd heat in Japan.

    MANABU NAKANISHI & MASCARA DORADA & RYUSUKE TAGUCHI & YOHEI KOMATSU VS. YUJI NAGATA & SHO TANAKA & TIGER MASK & CAPTAIN NEW JAPAN

    About what you’d expect.  Tiger Mask may have gotten hurt a little as he’s holding his upper chest.  More comedy than usual, but when you’ve got Captain in, that’s all you can do.  Komatsu and Tanaka were serious and good as usual  Tiger Mask made Komatsu submit to a double armbar.  Funny spot where Nagata kicked Nakanishi in the chest and he said, “Oh fuck.” 

    No live announcing tonight. 

    CHRISTOPHER DANIELS & FRANKIE KAZARIAN VS. JAY WHITE & DAVID FINLAY

    Decent match.  Daniels & Kazarian worked like the veterans and controlled the match, mostly working on Finlay is a solidly worked undercard style match.  White made the hot tag, did a few things but fell victim to Celebrity Rehab and Kazarian pinned White.

    HIROYOSHI TENZAN & SATOSHI KOJIMA VS. YUJIRO TAKAHASHI & CODY HALL

    Yujiro has a woman with 22 inch heels on doing all kinds of splits and almost a strip tease in a small bikini.  Kind of weird having this on a show where Maria is a big part of the act coming up later.  Better than expected.  Crowd was into Kojima & Tenzan’s trademark stuff and Hall has improved.  There was a spot wher Tenzan clotheslined Kojima when Takahashi moved and they played up being mad at each other.  They teased tension after as well but shook hands.  Finish saw Kojima lay out Takahashi with a lariat and Tenzan used the Anaconda buster and Anaconda vise to get a submssion from Hall.

    HIROSHI TANAHASHI & MICHAEL ELGIN & KUSHIDA VS. MICHAEL BENNETT & MATT TAVEN & GEDO

    Good match, best thing on the hsow so far.  The highlight was Elgin giving Taven and Bennett German suplexes building to a spot where he gave both German suplexes at the same time.  Tanahashi was playing it safe here.  After Kushida did a flip dive wiping out Bennett & Taven, Tanahashi used a Dragon screw and Texas cloverleaf for the submission on Gedo.  Maria didn’t do much.  One dancing spot to distract Tanahashi and that was about it.  Kushida borught a little kid over the rail to meet Tanahashi after. 

    Intermission time.  The rest of the show are four tag team tournament matches, the last two deciding who goes to the finals.

    BAD LUCK FALE & TAMA TONGA VS. KAZUSHI SAKURABA & TORU YANO 

    Tanahashi is on commentary we can’t hear.  Nothing at all to this.  Short match with the only cool spot being Sakuraba gettingan armbar on Fale out of nowhere.  Yano had is ribs all taped and didn’t do anything.  Yano gave both guys low blows at the same time and then Sakuraba craled Tonga for the pin.  Yujiro Takahashi ame out and took out Sakuraba and then they beat down three-on-one on Yano after, working over his ribs. and putting the boots to him.  Then Tonga beat down Sakuraba and threw David Finlay around.  

    SHINSUKE NAKAMURA & TOMOHIRO ISHII VS.  KARL ANDERSON & DOC GALLOWS

    The idea here seemed to be to get Anderson & Gallows over since they’re defending the belts at the Dome, so they got to beat a legit team here.  They laid out Nakamura with a Magic killer, and then went back and forth with Ishii until using the Magic killer on him for the pin  Nakamura didn’t do a lot here but Ishii and Anderson were good.  Nobody got their heat back or anything like that.  There was a simple goal of the match and they did it

    TOGI MAKABE & TOMOAKI HONMA VS. KAZUCHIKA OKADA & YOSHI-HASHI

    Makabe & Honma won as they took out Okada, then Honma did a spear head-butt to the back of Yoshi-Hashi as he was getting near falls on Makabe  Makabe did a Death Valley bomb on Yoshi-Hashi  They did a Road Warriors style double impact but Honma, instead of a clothesline off the top, did a spear head-butt.  Makabe then used the King Kong kneedrop off the top rope onto Yoshi-Hashi for the pin.  Tanahashi was in tears at ringside, did a better job of selling it than anyone.  So Makabe & Honma are in the finals against whoever wins the next match.  Match was good, but not nearly as good as it should have been with the stakes.  It’s notable they didn’t change from the original plans here.

    TETSUYA NAITO & EVIL VS. HIROOKI GOTO & KATSUYORI SHIBATA

    Best match on the show but not a blow away match but very good.  Naito & Evil are going to the finals.  A lot of brawling in the crowd.  The finish saw Naito tackle the ref so Bushi could blow green mist into Shibata’s face.  Evil hit the STO on Shibata.  Naito used a low blow and Destino to pin Goto.  After the match, they beat down the ref and Bushi blew mist in his eyes. 

    Naito watnst the i.  Naito attacked the ring announcer.  He’s putting the boots to the ring announcer.  Makabe & Honma made the save.  We’re done before 1:45 a.m. 

  • Bellator 147 live results: Josh Thomson vs Pablo Villaseca

    Bellator MMA is back on Spike TV at 9 pm eastern with it’s final event of the year, from San Jose University Events Centre. Former Strikeforce Champion Josh Thomson hopes to get closer to a title shot in Bellator with a win over virtual unknown Villaseca. Also on the card is an interesting Featherweight match between former WSOF Champion Georgi Karakhanyan and perennial Bellator contender Daniel Weichel, coming off a loss to then-champion Patricio Friere. And speaking of the Pitbulls, Patricio’s brother Patricky returns to the Bellator cage in a Lightweight fight with another longtime Bellator competitor Derek Anderson. Brian Rogers makes his Light Heavyweight debut against former Strikeforce fighter Virgil Zwicker. Rounding out the card is a Lightweight fight between unbeaten Adam Piccolotti and Mario Soto, with only one loss  on his record.

    The prelims start at 7 pm eastern and can be viewed at Spike.com. We’ll have results here after  they take place and then full play by play and results of the main card once it starts on Spike. 

    Light Heavyweights Virgil Zwicker (14-4-1) vs Brian Rogers (11-8)

    First round:   Zwicker missed weight.  He doesn’t look in shape at all.  They traded punches.  They traded again.  Another big trade.  Neither is getting the better of it.  Hard body kick by Rogers.  Rogers slammed  him down into side control and kept him down the rest of the round.  10-9 Rogers.

    Second round:    Rogers kicked him in the groin hard and Zwicker went down.  This was a super nasty kick.  Zwicker is up and going to be able to continue.  Zwicker with a  low kick.  Nice right by Zwicker.  Low kicks by Zwicker.  Rogers threw a kick and lost his balance but got back up.  Takedown by Rogers.  He got his back.  Rogers moved to full mount and throwing punch after punch.  Zwicker is in trouble.  He’s working for a head and arm choke from side control, and got it.     

    Lightweights Adam Piccolotti (6-0) vs Mario Soto (6-1)

    First round:  These are two local fighters.  Piccolotti has his back in the piggy back position.  Now he’ got him down and has his back.  Now he’s moved to mount.  He’s working for a head and arm choke.  Who is the agent tongiht?  Trying to steal finishes form the opening match.  Soto tried an ankle lock but  Piccolotti reversed to his back.  Soto out of trouble and back up.  Left and right by Piccolotti.  Piccolotti with some punches.  Piccolotti 10-9.

    Second round:    Piccolotti took him down off a kick and throwing punches on the ground.  Now he’s in full mount.  Now he’s got his back.  Piccolotti just throwing punches.  Piccolotti workihg for a choke.  Piccolotti gave it up to throw more punches.  Sotob leeding from elbows and Piccolotti working for a choke and looks like he has it.  Soto tapped.  Soto was busted up pretty bad from the elbows.

    Lightweights Patricky Freire (14-6) vs Derek Anderson (12-2)

    First round:  Glad Coker doesn’t hate Ole Anderson, or else he’d be Derek Kennedy.  Trading hard shots.  Freire smiled.  Anderson landed a good right.  High kick by Anderson.  Right by Anderson.  Anderson got inside and landed some more.  Both now missing a lot.  Pitbull tried for a takedown, Anderson went for a choke but Pitbull escaped and got his back.  He’s in the piggy back position now.  Both to their feet.  Anderson with a nice slam and Pitbull reversed to the top in side control.  Now Pitbull on top  with an elbow.  Andeson reversed to the top.  Pitbull up.  Good round.  10-9 Anderson.

    Second round:   Anderson landing.  Pitbull starring to land and hurt him.  Pitbull low kicks and a nice uppecut and jumping kick.  Body kick by Anderson.  Pitbull landed a nice series.  Anderson with a  body kick.  Knee by Pitbull.  Pitbull took him down into side control.  Pitbull has his back.  He’s got a body triangle.  Pitbull with punches.  Pitbull’s round so 19-19.

    Third round:   Anderson landing punches.  Head kick by Anderson.  More punches by Anderson.  Pitbull with a takedown.  Anderson back up.  Pitbull got in and Anderson tied him up.  A knee, two punches, and a low kick by Anderson.  Knee by Pitbull.  Both trading.  Pitbull with elbows as Anderson shot for a takedown.  Pitbull reversed a takedown to the top but Anderson back up.  Anderson going for a takedown and Pitbull switched to the top.  Anderson tried a guillotine at the bell.  Close round.  Anderson 29-28 but this could go either way.

    Scores:   29-28 Anderson 29-28 Pitbull 29-28 Anderson

    Featherweights Georgi Karakhanyan (24-4-1) vs Daniel Weichel (35-9)

    First round:  Weichel with a body kick.  Weichel kicked him low.  Weichel landing good low kicks.  Weichel with some punches.  Kharakhanyan slapped him in the face.  Weichel 10-9.

    Second round:  Weichel with a front kick.  Karakhanyan with a front kick.  Weichel landing punches.  Weichel with more punches.  Karakhanyan wih a spin kick to the head.  Body kick had by Weichel.  Another body kick by Weichel.  Another body kick by Weichel.  Body kickj by  Weichel.  Weichel landed a left.  Weichel 20-18.

    Third round:   Weichel with a punch and body kick.  Kharakhanyan with a body kick.  Nice spin kick to the head by Kharakhanyan.  Right landed by Weichel.  Front kick by Weichel.  Right by Weichel.  Weichel continues to land.  A nice exchange .  Weichel still landing more.  Weichel landing much more.  Kharakhanyan’s left leg all bruised up.  Kharakanyan tried a spin kick and missed.  Weichel 30-27.

    Scores:    All three have it 30-27 for Weichel

    Main Event –

    Lightweights Josh Thomson (21-8) vs Pablo Villaseca (10-1)

    First round:  Thomson obviously is the star of the show.  Body kick by Thomson.  Takedown by Thomson.  Thomson working for a triangle.  Now he’s got an armbar.  Now an uma plata.  Villaseca escaped from all the attempts.  Knee by Villaseca.  Knee by Thomson.  Low kick by Villaseca.  Villaseca got a takedown.  Thomson back up.  Villaseca got him down momentarily agan.  Villaseca with a knee to the groin.  Thomson with a takedown.   Thomson 10-9.

    Second round:  Thomson  with a takedown and landed some blows.  Thomson trying to get mount.  But Villaseca managed to block the attempt.   Thomson with lots of punches.  Thomson landing a lot of punches.  Thomson is landing punch after punch and it’s about to be stopped.  And it’s over.    3:59

    After the fight they Jimmy Smith asked Thomson about facing Will Brooks for the title.  Interestingly, he kind of blew it off, saying he’ll fight Brooks but right now he said the hype was for a fight with Michael Chandler.  That was an interesting response.

  • WWE RAW live results 11-30: The build towards TLC with Roman Reigns and Sheamus

    The Big Takeaway: 

    At least it was a newsworthy show, which had some good ideas on paper. In practice, they weren’t executed well tonight. Sheamus has formed a new heel unit with King Barrett, Rusev and Alberto Del Rio called the League of Nations. They won in the main event, which needlessly also included the New Day on its side to beat Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and the Usos. Charlotte teased a heel turn after faking a knee injury to beat her friend Becky Lynch. And Lana reemerged as a heel, doing a complete reset of her character since February. 

    Show Recap: 

    The New Day came out with confetti and red carpeting like they were going to throw a party. They were there to introduce Sheamus as WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Of course, Sheamus thanked the Authority. He also thanked Roman Reigns. New Day pretended they couldn’t remember Reigns’ 5-minute championship reign, with Xavier Woods mentioning they were playing Street Fighter and heard something about it. 

    Sheamus said if Reigns’ hadn’t savored the moment after winning the belt, he would have seen Sheamus coming. They all laughed over Reigns’ being champion for 5 minutes and 15 seconds, which I think is the average length a Raw viewer stays around before they turn to the football game. Sheamus said you can have Austin 3:16, because Sheamus 5:15 said I just kicked your arse. Not much heat for Sheamus as a top heel, probably because he’s booked as the new Seth Rollins. 

    As Sheamus held up the belt, Reigns showed up, gave him the Superman punch and took the championship belt. Michael Cole and JBL had moments of awkward silence trying to get this angle over without saying the word “belt.” It’s like a game of “Password” on national television where “belt” is the clue but the announcers can’t say it. Somebody get these people a thesaurus. 

    Reigns showed off the belt to Dean Ambrose and the Usos when HHH and Stephanie McMahon showed up. HHH wanted the belt back. Reigns gave the belt back. Well, that gimmick was great. HHH said Sheamus wanted to face Reigns for the title tonight. Reigns jumped at that chance. Stephanie said the catch was Reigns could only win the title if he beats Reigns in under 5:15. Maybe they could call that a Quadrophenia Death Match. (Only fans of the Who will get that. Hate to go all Dennis Miller on you.) 

    Dolph Ziggler defeated Tyler Breeze (10:33) 

    There traded a series of about ten cradles in a row, all for two counts. After Dolph Ziggler kicked out of a schoolboy cradle by Tyler Breeze, Ziggler hit a Superkick for the win. Once again, Breeze’s ring entrance didn’t air in lieu of Cole talking about the main event. If they aren’t going to give Breeze the full trappings of his character, why bring him up from NXT? Pretty good match. 

    MizTV featured Rusev with Lana, making her return after her engagement to Rusev was publicly acknowledged. This was weird. Miz said Rusev had to be upset nursing injuries that forced him to miss the WWE World Heavyweight title tournament. Rusev missed the tournament because of injury? When was this acknowledged? Rusev said there was one person who had been there for him while he was injured, and it was Lana. 

    Lana came out dressed like she was a heel again. She lost her 1980s Great White video wardrobe. Even stranger, Miz said Rusev made Lana “Summer Rae 2.0.” Wasn’t it the other way around? Lana said she never went all the way with Ziggler. Crowd chanted “Yes, you did.” Lana said all the turmoil only made them a stronger couple. Rusev said he never went all the way with Summer. Crowd…ibid. Rusev said from now on, he will break people apart in the ring, but out of the ring his heart belonged to Lana. They started making out in the ring for a very long period of time unti Ryback came out. 

    Ryback said this wasn’t an episode of “Teen Wolf” and the big guy was hungry. This set up a match. 

    Ryback defeated Rusev via countout (1:44) 

    Ryback shoulder blocked Rusev into the ring steps, which slammed into Lana’s leg. Lana went down immediately. Even though he realized the count was on by the referee, Rusev stopped to check on Lana and got counted out. Rusev screamed at Ryback afterwards. A reminder that Rusev is supposed to be the heel here. 

    Ambrose met with HHH backstage. On Smackdown, Ambrose earned an Intercontinental Championship match by beating Kevin Owens in a nontitle match. HHH said if Reigns doesn’t beat Sheamus tonight in 5:15, then Ambrose would lose his title shot with Owens. Ambrose looked mad. I’m not sure why since I-C champions usually job all the time. 

    The Dudley Boyz came out. Bubba Ray Dudley said last week was a tough one for them as they were beaten up twice by the Wyatt Family. By doing what they did to the Dudley’s, Ray said the Wyatt Family had put their names on tables. Bubba unveiled tables with the names of each Wyatt Family member on them. Bubba challenged them to come out. 

    The Wyatts came out. Bray Wyatt accepted the Dudleys challenge, but said they should be careful to invite the devil into your backyard because he might like it and decide to stay. 

    Devon Dudley said the Wyatts had his family and they have theirs. This brought out Tommy Dreamer from the crowd. He brought out the typical trash can filled with weapons. Crowd chanted “ECW.” Dreamer looked tanned and looked younger than earlier this year when he was in TNA. 

    The Dudley Boyz and Tommy Dreamer went to a double DQ with Eric Rowan, Luke Harper and Braun Strowman (3:30)

    They got a six-way brawl going after Dreamer made the hot tag. Then the bell just sounded, which got the most heat in the match and not in a good way. 

    Braun Strowman put Dreamer in the head-and-arm choke while Rowan and Harper laid out the Dudleys. Wyatt ordered the heels to get the tables. As they did so, Bubba Ray got up and pushed Wyatt off the apron and through a table at ringside. Crowd popped and the heels were incensed their leader had gone through a table. 

    Zeb Coulter cut a promo before the match saying the fans were more concerned with Anne Hathaway’s baby bump and social media than the country. Alberto Del Rio said Goldust was out of date and full of hate. Goldust popped him across the jaw. What is the purpose behind the Del Rio/Coulter pairing? 

    Alberto Del Rio (C) defeated Goldust in a nontitle match (1:57) 

    Del Rio pinned Golddust after the double stomp off the top rope as Golddust was on the Tree of Woe. Del Rio put Goldust in a flying armbar afterwards, leading to Jack Swagger coming out for the save and the “We the People” pledge. 

    Charlotte and Becky Lynch talked backstage. Lynch suggested they go to the Authority and ask for a singles match. Charlotte wasn’t hot on the idea. Lynch suggested they have a match like they were on NXT again. Charlotte agreed. Ric Flair walked in for a cameo to trade catchphrases with his daughter. 

    Lucha Dragons and the Usos went to a Double DQ (2:53) 

    The New Day were on commentary. Big E. was funny as hell. He tried to talk like Michael Cole. He sounded like Tony Gwynn. Jey Uso did a tope on Sin Cara that nearly ended his career. Then Big E. and Kofi Kingston ran in for another Double DQ. Xavier Woods explained that since neither team won, the New Day wouldn’t have to defend the tag team titles at TLC. Third screw job finish within an hour. On the other hand, it’s really scary that Big E. was more entertaining on commentary in 2 minutes than Cole and JBL have been all year. 

    Stephanie met with Lucha Dragons and the Usos backstage. They wanted a three-way match with the New Day. Stephanie agreed to put Lucha Dragons in the match. She also agreed to include the Usos, but only if Reigns defeated Sheamus tonight. 

    Sasha Banks defeated Brie Bella via submission (4:58)

    Sasha Banks pinned Brie Bella after a distraction from Naomi. Banks got the tapout with the Bank Statement after a Bakc Stabber. Earlier, Alicia Fox got laid out by a superkick from Naomi and was taken to the back. Announcers explained that Nikki Bella was at home nursing an injury, so Team BAD had Team Bella outnumbered.  

    Roman Reigns defeated Sheamus (C) by DQ so Sheamus retains the WWE World Heavyweight Championship (4:37)  

    Sheamus now has a “Sheamus 5:15” shirt to get heat. Crowd got into the match as the time ran down. To his credit, Sheamus played the time-killing heel very well. Sheamus constantly grabbed rest holds and rolled out of the ring whenever Reigns was on offense. Reigns finally got Sheamus in the ring set up for the spear, but Rusev showed up to jump Reigns for the DQ while Del Rio and King Barrett helped Sheamus out of the ring. 

    Sheamus fell all over Lillian Garcia’s lap, and she didn’t look happy about it at all. He introduced Del Rio, Barrett and Rusev as a heel stable called the League of Nations. Ambrose and the Usos hit the ring. Reigns delivered an uppercut on Sheamus to knock him into the League of Nations. They set up a eight-man tag for the main event. 

    For the record, since Reigns won, Ambrose and the Usos will get their title matches at TLC. 

    New Day did a commercial introducing New Day t-shirts as part of Cyber Monday. This was during the final hour of the show, which gave viewers two hours to get to their computers in time to take advantage of the discounts. 

    Charlotte (C) defeated Becky Lynch in a nontitle match (4:37) 

    Charlotte teased a heel turn by faking a knee injury after a float over in the corner. Flair distracted Lynch, which led to Charlotte doing a nip up and pinning Lynch with a schoolgirl cradle. Lynch acted like she didn’t know what Charlotte was doing, but Flair strutted after his daughter proved the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Paige was on commentary saying she knew all along that Charlotte was someone who would win at all costs. It also proves Charlotte is a big UNC fan. 

    Lynch confronted Charlotte backstage. Charlotte said she didn’t cheat to beat Lynch, she lured Lynch into letting her guard down. Charlotte said it was just tough love and trying to teach her something and talked her into giving her a pinkie swear. Paige walked up to Lynch and said at least her friendship wasn’t affected. 

    Next came a segment called the Rosebush with Adam Rose. It’s meant to be a takeoff of Entertainment Tonight. I haven’t seen a segment like this since ODB’s old Trailer Park talk show when she had Magnus on one night. His closing line was “The dirt is always blooming,” which seemed like a shot at newsletters.  

    Stardust held up a Christmas star and called for the Ascension to rise. Instead, Titus O’Neal showed up and started singing Christmas carols like “Stardust got Run Over by a Reindeer.” Stardust starting hissing at him, but O’Neal threw a present in his throat and wished everyone a Merry Christmas. 

    Before the eight man main event could begin, the New Day came out again and announced they joined the League of Nations team to make the main event 7-on-4. They were selling merchandise 15 minutes ago and now they’re heels again? And shouldn’t the League of Nations establish themselves as a quartet before they receive extra help?

    The League of Nations and the New Day defeated The Usos, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns (25:10)  

    Crowd was dead to begin with, but the weird booking just killed it dead. Plus, they went 10 minutes too long. Crowd was more into Ambrose than Reigns.  Jimmy Uso started selling his knee from getting the heat and had to leave the match, leaving the babyfaces down 7-on-3. Didn’t we just see Charlotte fake the same injury in the previous match? Ambrose did a plancha onto five of the heels, and later took out Sheamus with a tope. Reigns hit Del Rio with a Superman Punch and gave Big E. a clothesline on the floor. As Ambrose took out Barrett, he walked into a Brogue Kick by Sheamus and was pinned. 

    Heels picked apart Ambrose until Reigns tried to make the save. Reigns got laid out with a Brogue kick and the heels posed. 

    SUMMARY: 

    I feel like using a facepalm emoji. Need a new heel unit? Great idea. Why water them down in the main event with three more heels? Main event was overbooked. Why does Ambrose continue to do more jobs when he’s the most over babyface they have? Becky Lynch could be a great babyface. This company doesn’t know how to make babyface stars anymore because she came off looking like an idiot on this show. Almost all the matches were too short, and the only one that wasn’t was too long. If this one does a 2.0 against a bad MNF game, who will Vince blame? He needs to start with the face in the mirror. 

  • UFC Fight Night 79 Seoul live results: Benson Henderson vs. Jorge Masvidal

    Welcome to WrestlingObserver.com’s live coverage of UFC Fight Night 79: Henderson vs. Masvidal from the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Seoul, South Korea. The event is headlined by a five-round welterweight bout as former UFC and WEC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson takes on Jorge Masvidal. Also on the card, in the co-main event, is South Korea’s own, Dong Hyun “Stun Gun” Kim, ranked seventh at 170 pounds, taking on Dominic Waters, plus the return to action of Yoshihiro Akiyama, who takes on the undefeated Alberto Mina. The action kicks off with preliminary card fights at 5 AM eastern time on UFC Fight Pass. The action remains on UFC Fight Pass for the main card at 8 AM eastern time.

    UFC Fight Night 79 Weigh-In Results
    UFC Fight Night 79 5 Storylines To Watch
    UFC Fight Night 79 DFS Playbook

    Coverage provided by Ryan Frederick

    PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 5 AM ET/2 AM PT)

    WELTERWEIGHTS- DOMINIQUE STEELE (13-6, 0-1 UFC) VS. “MAESTRO” DONG HYUN KIM (13-6-3, 0-0 UFC)

    ROUND 1- We have the first of our two Dong Hyun Kim’s fighting on the card. Steele drops Kim with a left hook early and gets on the top but they get to their feet. The crowd is loud early. KIm has Steele against the fence. KIm lands a head kick. Steele lands a left hook and they trade in the clinch. Steele with some foot stomps and then lands a big elbow. They trade in the clinch and they are throwing a lot of punches. Kim grabs the neck and pulls guard but Steele is in the full guard against the fence. They battle to their feet. Kim with a spinning elbow as they break the clinch. Steele lands a right hand and Kim counters with a combo and a head kick. Flying knee to the body from Kim. Good first round. 10-9 Steele.

    ROUND 2- Kim with a jumping head kick to start the round off. Steele lands a right hand right as Kim goes for a low kick and Kim goes down and Steele follows into the guard. Steele with punches from the top and Kim is cut under the eye but they get to their feet. Steele picks Kim up and lands a takedown. Steele with an elbow from the top. Steele with more elbows from the top. Steele with a couple more big elbows from inside the guard. Steele with punches from the top as Kim is unable to work to his feet. More big strikes from the top by Steele. 10-9 Steele, 20-18 Steele.

    ROUND 3- Kim lands a big right hand and Steele counters with a big takedown and some elbows from the top and Kim is out! Big slam and Kim was out there and ate the elbows as he was out.

    Official Result- Dominique Steele def. “Maestro” Dong Hyun Kim by knockout (slam) at 0:27 of Round 3

    BANTAMWEIGHTS- NING GUANGYOU (5-2-1, 2-0 UFC) VS. MARCO BELTRAN (6-3, 1-0 UFC)

    ROUND 1- They are each missing kicks early. Beltran with a body kick and lands a knee instead and then a right hand. Guangyou with a low kick that went a little too low. Beltran misses a spin kick. Not a lot of action and the crowd is letting them hear it. Beltran with a body kick and Guangyou lands one. Neither man is doing anything. A round full of circling and movement and missed strikes. Beltran with a late takedown. 10-9 Beltran.

    ROUND 2- Guangyou lands some punches and goes for a takedown. Beltran slips as he tries to land a knee and Guangyou goes into the guard. Guangyou lands a punch from the top. They are trading punches from the guard and then are stood up. Beltran with a leg kick. Guangyou with a leg kick. Not a lot of action when they’re on their feet. Beltran just misses a head kick. Guangyou with a leg kick. 10-9 Guangyou, 19-19.

    ROUND 3- Guangyou with a leg kick. Beltran lands a combination. They trade leg kicks. Guangyou fighting very timid in this fight. Beltran lands a head kick. Beltran lands a right hand. Beltran with a front kick but Guangyou grabs the leg and forces the fight against the fence. Guangyou with an elbow on the break and then a left hand. Beltran with a big knee to the body on the break and then a big combo and lands in the clinch with some knees. Beltran with another big knee. They clinch and Beltran lands some knees as Guangyou lands some body punches. Dirty boxing by both to end the fight. Fight could really go either way. 10-9 Beltran, 29-28 Beltran.

    Official Result- Marco Beltran def. Ning Guangyou by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

    FLYWEIGHTS- YAO ZHIKUI (2-2, 1-1 UFC) VS. FREDY SERRANO (2-0, 1-0 UFC)

    ROUND 1- Serrano is a big-time prospect, even at age 36, and a 2008 Olympian in wrestling. They trade punches and Serrano lands a takedown and some punches from the side and the fight is stopped. Zhikui hurt his arm on the takedown as he posted on his right arm and he dislocated his arm. Serrano gets the win though.

    Official Result- Fredy Serrano def. Yao Zhikui by TKO (arm injury) at 0:44 of Round 1

    WOMEN’S STRAWWEIGHTS- SEO HEE HAM (15-6, 0-1 UFC) VS. CORTNEY CASEY (4-2, 0-1 UFC)

    ROUND 1- Ham got a big reaction walking out. They trade punches. They trade again. Casey lands a right hand. They trade in an exchange with Casey getting the better of it. Ham lands a left hand. Casey with a big head kick and looks for the finish with some punches. Ham survives and fires back with a combo. Casey with some punches. They trade punches as Casey lands a leg kick. Casey with an aggressive attack and they end the round in a wild exchange. Good round. 10-9 Casey.

    ROUND 2- Ham with a leg kick as she looks to get inside of Casey’s range. Casey drops Ham with a right hand but Ham gets right back to her feet and lands a left hand. Break in the action as Casey is poked in the eye. Casey lands a leg kick as we get back to action. Casey just misses a head kick. They trade body kicks. They trade in an exchange and clinch against the fence. Ham with a body kick that went a little low. They trade as we get back to action and Ham lands a left hand. Casey lands a big right hand and they have another wild exchange to end the round. Another good round. 10-9 Ham, 19-19.

    ROUND 3- Casey misses a head kick but lands a side kick. Ham lands a big left hand and then a nice combo. Ham with a spin kick to the body but Casey lands a right hand. Ham with a right hand as she looks for a finish. Casey has slowed down as Ham as picked up the pressure. Casey with a knee in close. Ham with a barrage of strikes and a spinning back fist. Ham with a body kick. They trade punches and clinch against the fence. Ham with a big combo. They trade an exchange. They battle for a takedown with 40 seconds left. Wild exchange to end the fight. Really good fight that comes down to how the second was scored. 10-9 Ham, 29-28 Ham.

    Official Result- Seo Hee Ham def. Cortney Casey by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

    LIGHTWEIGHTS- TAE HYUN BANG (17-9, 1-2 UFC) VS. LEO KUNTZ (17-2-1, 0-1 UFC)

    ROUND 1- They trade punches to start the fight and Bang drops Kuntz with a left hand and looks for the finish. Bang grabs the guillotine and is looking to finish. Kuntz escapes. They get to their feet. Kuntz with a low knee. Bang’s eye is cut open and is looking bad. Kuntz lands a combo and Bang counters with a spinning back fist. Bang with some nice punches. Kuntz looks for the takedown but eats some knees before he gets it. They break on the feet. Bang with a right hand. They trade punches. Good round. 10-9 Bang.

    ROUND 2- They trade right hands and Kuntz landed a big one but ate a big one. Bang with a big right hand and both looking for a knockout. Kuntz goes for a takedown but Bang defends. They break as Kuntz can’t finish the takedown. Bang looks gassed. Bang with a solid combo that lands. Bang with a left hook. Kuntz gets a double-leg takedown straight into side control. Kuntz with punches from the top as he takes the back. Kuntz with punches from the back as he looks for a choke. Bang not defending the choke but somehow scrambles out. Bang on top and lands some punches but Kuntz rolls out from the bottom to the feet. Both men are gassed. Good fight though. 10-9 Kuntz, 19-19.

    ROUND 3- Kuntz a little fresher to start the final round. Bang with his hands down. Kuntz goes for a takedown against the fence. Bang with some elbows. Bang has the neck and drops down for the guillotine choke. Bang squeezing tight. Kuntz escapes and Bang looks dejected and extremely tired. Kuntz with some soft hammerfists from the top. Bang tries to work to his feet and they are stood up. I’m not sure about that one. Kuntz misses a takedown. Bang scores a takedown of his own against the fence and goes for the back. Kuntz scrambles to his feet and spins out. Bang with a right hand and they trade punches. Bang with a big right hand. Sloppy fight, but a good one. 10-9 Bang, 29-28 Bang.

    Official Result- Tae Hyun Bang def. Leo Kuntz by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

    FEATHERWEIGHTS- YUI CHUL NAM (18-5-1, 1-1 UFC) VS. MIKE DE LA TORRE (13-5 1 NC, 1-2 1 NC UFC)

    ROUND 1- They trade quickly and Nam goes in for a takedown. Torre with some huge right hands and these guys are swinging for the fences. That was a wild brawl as they clinch against the fence. Nam is cut above his left eye. Nam with some knees in the clinch. Another wild brawl as both throw and land punches. They break away from a clinch. Nam misses on a takedown but has the back. Nam really wincing his eye. They are battling hard for position in the clinch. Torre with some heel strikes in the clinch and they are broken apart. Another wild exchange from both men and they clinch again. Good round. 10-9 de la Torre.

    ROUND 2- Torre lands a left hook as Nam shoots in for a takedown against the fence. Torre with some knees in the clinch as Nam works for that takedown. They battle for position with a bunch of switches. They break. Another wild exchange. Nam misses a takedown attempt. They break after not much happens in a clinch. Nam lands a nice right hand. Nam whiffs a takedown and Torre makes him eat a left hand. Nam lands a right hand but can’t score a takedown. de la Torre with some short elbows in the sprawl. They are still throwing big punches with one hoping to land the ender. 10-9 de la Torre, 20-18 de la Torre.

    ROUND 3- Nam lands a right hand. de la Torre lands a kick but eats another right hand from Nam. Nam misses a takedown. de la Torre with a kick but Nam catches the leg and finally gets a takedown. de la Torre gets right back up. Nam misses another takedown. His gameplan is really obvious right now. They are clinched again. This fight feels on repeat. Broken up by the referee again. Nam misses a big left hand. Nam with two body kicks and his face is showing the counters he has eaten. Nam misses a takedown. He misses another. Torre lands a left hook. 10-9 de la Torre, 30-27 de la Torre.

    Official Result- Mike de la Torre def. Yui Chul Nam by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

    I don’t see how you can score that fight for Nam, but the right guy got the decision in the end.

    MIDDLEWEIGHTS- DONGI YANG (12-3, 1-3 UFC) VS. JAKE COLLIER (9-2, 1-1 UFC)

    ROUND 1- This is Yang’s second stint in the UFC. Yang with a big body kick early. They exchange and Yang lands some nice left hands. Collier with a body kick. Collier drops Yang with a right hand and goes into the half-guard. Yang scrambles to his feet. Collier with a leg kick. Yang with a nice combo. Yang with a left hand and then gets poked right in the eye. Yang lands a left hand and they exchange punches. Yang with a takedown and landing from the top. Collier to his feet but eats strikes from Yang. Collier reverses a takedown and goes into half-guard. Yang scrambles to his feet. Collier with another takedown but Yang reverses and lands punches. Back to their feet. Yang with a late takedown. Close round. 10-9 Yang.

    ROUND 2- They exchange and Collier grabs the neck looking for a guillotine choke. Yang defends and lands body punches. Yang escapes and lands big punches from the top and looking to finish. Collier rolls for a leg lock but Yang landing big punches. Collier has a leg and looking to extend it. Yang gets out and lands more punches and Collier is eating them and not fighting back and Herb Dean stops it. TKO win for Yang in his UFC return.

    Official Result- Dongi Yang def. Jake Collier by TKO (punches) at 1:50 of Round 2

    MAIN CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 8 AM ET/5 AM PT)

    FEATHERWEIGHTS- DOO HO CHOI (12-1, 1-0 UFC) VS. SAM SICILIA (15-5, 5-4 UFC)

    ROUND 1- Choi is a solid prospect at 145 pounds. Choi lands a combo to start. Choi rocks Sicilia and drops him. Sicilia gets up but is on wobbly legs. Sicilia lands a big right hand. Choi with another big punch. Sicilia goes for a trip but it is defended. Cjoi with a flying knee. Both men landing punches. Choi drops Sicilia with a left hand and some more punches on the ground and this fight is stopped. Choi extends his win streak to 11. Excellent fight while it lasted.

    Official Result- Doo Ho Choi def. Sam Sicilia by TKO (punches) at 1:33 of Round 1

    Choi called for a fight against Tatsuya Kawajiri next. Coincidence, Kawajiri fights in 13 days in Las Vegas, and doesn’t have an opponent as his opponent, Mirsad Bektic, pulled out due to a torn ACL yesterday.

    WELTERWEIGHTS- YOSHIHIRO AKIYAMA (14-5 2 NC, 2-4 UFC) VS. ALBERTO MINA (11-0, 1-0 UFC)

    ROUND 1- Akiyama is returning to action after 14 months off, still as shredded and as sexy as ever. Huge pop from the crowd when he took his shirt off. Mina with a right hand. Akiyama and Mina trade leg kicks. Akiyama with another big leg kick. Akiyama with a spinning back fist as the crowd chants for him. Mina with a leg kick. Mina lands a right hand. Mina with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Mina misses a takedown and a flying knee. They trade right hands. Mina with a late takedown. Close round. 10-9 Akiyama.

    ROUND 2- Mina with a leg kick. Akiyama with a leg kick and then a big right hand. Akiyama with a leg kick. Mina misses a takedown. Mina with a front kick. Big uppercut lands from Akiyama. Mina then attacks the legs with kicks. Akiyama with a leg kick. Mina misses another takedown as he telegraphs them. Akiyama with another leg kick. They trade leg kicks and Akiyama stuffs a takedown attempt from Mina. Mina with a combo rocks Akiyama for a moment and they clinch against the fence but break. Mina with a too low kick and we have a timeout. We get back to action and Mina rocks Akiyama with a left hand. Mina goes for a takedown but it is stuffed. Mina with another right hand rocks Akiyama and drops him. Mina going for the finish and Mina rocking Akiyama big time but he is saved by the bell. Mina stole that round. 10-9 Mina, 19-19.

    ROUND 3- This fight could be up for grabs. Mina misses a big left hook. Akiyama with a leg kick. Mina whiffing on his punches. Akiyama lands an uppercut. Mina misses a spinning elbow. Akiyama with a left hook as Mina drops for a takedown. Akiyama landing some punches as Mina looks gassed trying for a takedown. Crowd chanting big for Akiyama. Mina misses a takedown and tries to pull guard but Akiyama has none of it. Mina’s leg is badly bruised from the leg kicks. Akiyama with a right hand and then a combo. Mina just getting desperate for takedowns and it could cost him the fight. Mina lands a combo though. Akiyama with a solid combo and both are landing punches. Mina catches a leg kick from Akiyama and gets a takedown but Akiyama reverses. Akiyama in the guard and landing punches. They get up. Akiyama landing the left. Mina gassed out badly with the leg hurting. Akiyama with a left hook. Mina misses a takedown and is laying on the mat and Akiyama capitalizes and nearly finishes him. Akiyama finishes the round with strikes from the top. Good fight, comes down to how the first was scored. 10-9 Akiyama, 29-28 Akiyama.

    Official Result- Alberto Mina def. Yoshihiro Akiyama by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

    Crowd booed the decision as Akiyama is the big crowd favorite, but nothing wrong with it at all.

    WELTERWEIGHTS- (#7) DONG HYUN KIM (20-3-1 1 NC, 11-3 1 NC UFC) VS. DOMINIC WATERS (9-3, 0-1 UFC)

    ROUND 1- We have the more well-known Dong Hyun Kim up now. Kim with a cartwheel kick and Waters takes advantage and grabs the back. Kim with a kneeto the body in the clinch. Kim with a judo throw and is in side control and the crucifix. Kim with a lot of punches from this position. Kim looking for a shoulder lock. Kim with more punches from the top. Kim with more and more punches. Waters in a lot of trouble as he fights to escape. Kim looking to finish and it is over. Kim has finished Waters and gets the big win.

    Official Result- Dong Hyun Kim def. Dominic Waters by TKO (punches) at 3:11 of Round 1

    WELTERWEIGHTS- (#7 LW) BENSON HENDERSON (22-5, 10-3 UFC) VS. JORGE MASVIDAL (29-9, 6-2 UFC)

    ROUND 1- This is interesting for Henderson as it is the last fight on his current contract. Henderson with a leg kick. Henderson with a nice combo and a leg kick. Masvidal with a body kick. They trade punches. Masvidal with a body kick. They trade punches. Masvidal with a body kick but gets dropped for a moment by a right hand counter from Henderson. He gets back up and they clinch and Masvidal lands a liver punch on the break. Masvidal with a series of body kicks and then a head kick. Henderson with a leg kick. Henderson with a body kick and Masvidal lands his own and a right hand. Masvidal with a flying knee attempt and Henderson tries a takedown but it is defended. Good and close round. 10-9 Henderson.

    ROUND 2- Both missing head kicks to start but Masvidal lands a glancing one to the arms of Henderson, who counters with a combo. Masvidal misses on two kicks. Masvidal with a punch and Henderson goes to the mat and Masvidal chases him down. Henderson has the leg but Masvidal defends. They get back up and both land punches in a nice exchange. They clinch and land knees. They break and Masvidal with a high kick. Lots of output from both men, especially Masvidal. Big head kick from Henderson but it is checked. Henderson shoots in for a single-leg but Masvidal has the neck. Masvidal goes for a guillotine but Henderson rolls out and Henderson looks for one of his own. Henderson with knees as the round ends. Another good and close round. 10-9 Masvidal, 19-19.

    ROUND 3- Front kick to the face from Henderson. Body kick and then leg kick from Masvidal. They trade punches. Henderson with a body kick. They trade punches and Henderson sets up for a takedown but Masvidal defends against the fence. Henderson landing in the clinch but Masvidal has his tounge sticking out. Masvidal drags Henderson down for a moment and has the back but Henderson spins around. Masvidal has the neck but lets go. Henderson with a knee to the legs. They break and Masvidal got hit in the groin on the break. Masvidal with a body kick. He lands another. Masvidal with a head kick that just misses but lands a right hand. Henderson with a nice right hand and a leg kick. They trade in close range. Big body kick by Masvidal. 3 rounds down, 3 close rounds. 10-9 Henderson, 29-28 Henderson.

    ROUND 4- Henderson with an outside leg kick. They trade some punches. Masvidal with a high kick. Henderson goes in for a takedown but Masvidal defends against the fence. They remain clinched against the fence. They break. They trade punches. Masvidal with a wild combo and Henderson grabs the clinch and pushes the fight against the fence. Henderson with a quick takedown but Masvidal slips out and grabs the neck. Masvidal with some elbows off the break. Henderson ducks under a right hand from Masvidal and gets the takedown but Masvidal gets right back up and grabs the back and looks to take Henderson down. Masvidal gets in the guard of Henderson and Henderson looks to set up a triangle. Masvidal gets out and grabs the neck. Masvidal with a combo as Henderson gets off the fence. Henderson lands a flying knee as the round ends. Another close round. 10-9 Henderson, 39-37 Henderson.

    ROUND 5- No telling how the scores are in this close fight. Henderson with a left hand to the body. Masvidal misses a big right hand. Henderson misses a flying knee but looks to set up a takedown. Henderson gets Masvidal down for a second but right back up. Masvidal grabs the neck and goes for a choke and Henderson is in trouble as this is tight. Henderson goes to his back to defend but Masvidal still going for it. Henderson defending well. They get back to their feet. Masvidal with a knee in the clinch. Masvidal with a right hand over the top. Masvidal with a body kick and Henderson goes for a takedown but it is stuffed by Masvidal. Henderson with knees to the thighs. Masvidal with a roll and Henderson gets into mount but Masvidal escapes. Nice scramble and Henderson lands a knee. They scramble and go back down to the mat. They get to their feet and Henderson has the back. Henderson trips Masvidal down and looks for the back. Masvidal escapes with 30 seconds left. Masvidal trying a late takedown. Masvidal goes for the neck but the fight ends. Excellent fight, one of the better fights of the year. Every round is close. 10-9 Henderson, 49-46 Henderson.

    Official Result- Benson Henderson def. Jorge Masvidal by split decision (47-48, 48-47, 49-46)

  • WWE Raw live results 11-23: Survivor Series Fallout

    The Big Takeaway: 

    Sheamus faces Roman Reigns in a TLC match at the TLC PPV. Since Seth Rollins is on the shelf, the overriding buildup of HHH vs. Rollins has now turned into HHH vs. Reigns, as that was the tease during the 20 minute opening segment. A long show and a cold one, though Reigns got a good response. 

    Show Recap: 

    Superstars matches:

    R-Truth beat Adam Rose
    The Miz beat Zack Ryder

    Raw will be returning to the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on 2/29.

    Tickets are on sale now at ticketmaster with the code word TICKETS.HHH and Stephanie McMahon are first out, which is one hell of a way to get the new champion over. HHH said he gave Roman Reigns an opporutnity of a lifetime several times, but Reignss told him to shove it. HHH introduced Sheamus as a man who knew how to seize an opportunity. 

    So out came the James Hetfield look-a-like who dropped 9 of his previous 10 matches before he beat Reigns last night. He got some good heat. Sheamus said Reigns’ “Roman Empire” lasted only a few minutes. Sheamus mentioned how Reigns cried at the end of the match. If they want to get Reigns over as a babyface that fans won’t boo, I think they need to obscure that part of history ASAP.

    This brought out Reigns, who got “Roman” chants. Reigns said he wanted his rematch tonight, which got “Yes” chants. Stephanie stepped in front of HHH and said any chance Roman had to dictate terms to them was lost when Reigns speared HHH. Roman asked HHH if Stephanie was standing in front of him because he was scared.

    What followed was exactly why WWE finds themselves in the predicament they’re in. HHH and Reigns had a long staredown while the new champion was just a background piece. It was supposed to get monster dual chants going, but it got a mild reaction. So with Rollins out of the picture, it’s going to be HHH vs. Reigns at some point down the line until Vince changes his mind again. HHH said Reigns wasn’t getting his rematch tonight. At that point, Rusev ran out of the crowd and hit Regins with a thrust kick. Sheamus followed up with a Brogue Kick.

    As the heels retreated up the ramp, HHH announced that Reigns would face Shemaus in a TLC match at the TLC PPV. Stephanie ordered Reigns to face Rusev tonight.  

    Luke Harper and Bray Wyatt defeated the Dudley Boyz (7:49)

    Luke Harper pinned Bubba Ray Dudley after a clothesline. Bubba looked like a geek at the finish, because he got distracted by Bray who…was standing on the apron. Then he got pinned with a transitional move. Braun Strowman came in afterwards and gave Bubba the Head-and-Arm Choke, which Michael Cole is now calling a bearhug. Wyatt left Devon Dudley laying with Sister Abigail. Wyatt in a tag team ruins his aura, but not any more than his two programs with the Undertaker. 

    They continue to run the 25 years of Undertaker vignette, which ran twice last night. 

    Sasha Banks defeated Becky Lynch (4:06) 

    Becky Lynch didn’t even get a ring entrance. Lynch got the Disarm-her, but Tamina took the referee while Naomi pulled Sasha Banks to the ropes. Lynch went after Naomi, allowing Banks to get the pin with a schoolgirl cradle. 2 distraction finishes in 2 matches. Banks is a star on NXT. On the modern day Raw roster, she gets McMahoned/Dunned. (That’s a good name for a heel tag team, BTW) Same applies to Lynch. 

    Cole built up Banks as a future contender when Paige appeared on the big screen to shout him down. Paige claimed that Charlotte cheated to win last night at Survivor Series because when Charlotte applied the Figure Eight, her hand was under the ropes. Paige claimed Charlotte was just like her father, the dirtiest player in the game. 

    They showed the trailer for “Santa’s Little Helper,” starring the Miz. I’d like to remind everyone Mystery Science Theater 3000 is launching a campaign to return to TV. 

    The New Day came out to celebrate its 1st birthday. They came out with stick rocking horses and toy cowboy hats. Big E. got the DieHard “Yipee Ki Ay.” Kofi Kingston talked about how country music sucks, which actually got a pop. Kofi and Big E. sang with the thickest twang they could about losing dogs, girlfriends, and tractors while Xavier Woods played the trombone, then sang “Mamas Don’t Like Your Babies Grow up to be Bootee.” Woods has a great voice. He issued an open challenge for the WWE World Tag Team championship. Lucha Dragons came out. 

    Kalisto spoke about being serious about facing the tag champs. Sin Cara, for the first time I can recall, talked and wished them a happy birthday. 

    New Day started to leave when the Usos came out to stop them. Sin Cara told the Usos they were out there first and suggested a triple threat match. Big E. got mad at them for ruining their jamboree. Woods said the open challenge had been canceled. So Jey Uso decked Woods. The Usos gave Kingston a double superkick while Big E. was sent over the top rope. Rare New Day segment that died after the first few minutes. 

    Renee Young did an interview with Charlotte and she built up her match with Paige later tonight, which really made me glad I missed their match last night since it’s now rendered meaningless. Of course, the company rendered their own world title tournament they had built for 3 weeks meaningless last night in about 2 minutes, so we’ve got a theme going. 

    Neville defeated Mark Henry (2:25) 

    This one did one no one any favors. Mark Henry gave Neville a Beal from the corner, then acted like he didn’t want to hurt Neville as he rolled out of the ring. So Henry distracted himself and didn’t see Neville get in the ring. Neville hit a kick to the head, Henry sold it like he was dead and Neville got the pin with the Red Arrow. Cole called it a huge upset. Hasn’t Henry done nothing but jobs for months? Henry met Neville and shook his hand afterwards. So Neville was the only babyface eliminated in the Survivor Series match last night, and won tonight. 3 segments in a row that made last night meaningless. 

    Stardust was backstage in his liar going crazy about Cesaro being out when Titus O’Neal showed up. O’Neal mentioned taking a wrong turn, then noticed a titanium figure in Stardust’s room. Titus claimed it was in the shape of the Florida Gators. When Stardust looked, Titus did his dog bark to scare Stardust. Something about seeing Titus taking a wrong turn was amusing. 

    The Prime Time Players and Golddust defeated The Ascension and Stardust (6:11) 

    O’Neal pinned Viktor after a Spinebuster. Darren Young got the heat. It was OK. 

    Zeb Coulter and Alberto Del Rio came out. Coulter ripped the crowd saying the borders of MexAmerica were now closed because people weren’t listening to their message. People tend to do that with dead gimmicks. Jack Swagger returned saying Coulter had turned his back on the people and his country. He said Coulter used to stand for something. Yeah, xenophobia. He didn’t mention that part. 

    Del Rio shouted him down. Swagger promised to defend his country against all doubters, foreign and domestic. He dared Del Rio to do something about it. They had a staredown. Del Rio held up the U.S. title and walked out to boos. Swagger led the people in a “We the People” chant. 

    Charlotte (C) and Paige went to a double countout (14:56). Charlotte retains the Divas Championship. 

    They exchanged holds for most of what aired. Paige tripped Charlotte off the second rope with her head hitting the back of the turnbuckles. Paige used various leglocks and a Bow and Arrow. Unfortunately, Charlotte didn’t sell her leg as much as she should have. Charlotte speared Paige through the ropes, leading to a double countout, a finish the crowd booed. That didn’t help matters since the fans were dead for most of the night. Afterwards, Paige continued her gimmick of doing submission holds on the announcer’s table by giving Charlotte the PTO. If Cole could explain what difference it makes when Paige does the PTO on the announcer’s table, I’d really appreciate it. Charlotte has great facials selling submissions, showing the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. 

    Heath Slater came out. Swagger. Slater. It’s like the Witness Relocation Program all-stars came out in full force tonight. He ran down Dirks Bentley, Johnny Cash and teased singing. Ryback came out to total silence. Slater busted his guitar over Ryback’s back, but Ryback didn’t sell out. Crowd did start a “Feed Me More” chant as Ryback gave Slater a spinebuster, Meat Hook Clothesline and the Shellshock. Same segment you’ve seen 100 times with Slater, which I guess is better than getting released. 

    Dean Ambrose and Dolph Ziggler defeated Tyler Breeze and Kevin Owens (5:27) 

    Dean Ambrose pinned Tyler Breeze with Dirty Deeds. Already, Breeze is in the 50/50 club. None of these men got a ring entrance. So much of Breeze’s routine is the entrance. How can you not fit that in on a 3:15 show? Fortunately, they made up for it with Breeze and Kevin Owens doing the tag partners who don’t get along gimmick, which got old in TNA around 2006. Dean Ambrose hit a tope where Breeze tookd a nasty fall. Looks like they’re setting up Owens vs. Ambrose for the Intercontinental championship. 

    Cute product placement for Tex/Mex Chicken Sandwiches at Carl Jr’s./Hardees with JBL, El Torito and Henry. It showed Torito coming out in JBL’s gear getting a huge pop from a crowd that was edited to look live. This was a trip. An acid trip. 

    As Sheamus came out for the main event, they showed a tweet from Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly congratulating him. That’s apropos, because one person has backdoored into a championship opportunity they had no business getting. And the other person was Sheamus. 

    Roman Reigns defeated Rusev by DQ (18:46) 

    Sheamus interfered freely, which led to him being sent to the back. Rusev pulled off a cool spin kick that caught Reigns across the forehead. Reigns escaped an Accolade attempt and hit a Superman’s punch, but Rusev kicked out. Reigns gave the sign for the spear, but Rusv rolled out of the ring. Reigns teased the Drive By, but Rusev hit the thrust kick. Rusev repeatedly rammed Reigns’ head into the table, but again, Reigns barely sold it. Reigns hit a Superman’s Punch while Rusev was on the apron, and Rusev took the Nestle Tea bump on the floor. Reigns caught the Drive By. King Barrett ran out, for some reason, to attack Reigns for the DQ. Both men really worked hard and it was the best match of the night with a bad finish. 

    Barrett pulled out a chair. Rusev teased hitting him with it, but Reigns got it and hit Rusev with it repeatedly. Sheamus ran down, only to take a chair shot to the back. They teased Rusev, Barrett and Sheamus as a new heel trio. 

    SUMMARY: 

    There’s little hope for this company to build a new star if they keep going back to 1999 in order to find big matches. With HHH as the de facto top heel, that makes Sheamus look like his understudy. In other words, they learned nothing from how poorly Rollins was booked. This show had too many bad finishes and the crowd was lifeless most of the way. 

  • WWE Survivor Series 2015 live results: Undertaker & Kane vs The Wyatts, WWE Title Tournament

    Welcome to WrestlingObserver.com’s coverage of the 2015 Survivor Series from the Phillips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The show is headlined by the Undertaker and Kane vs. two members of the Wyatt Family alongside the semi-finals and finals of the WWE World Heavyweight Title tournament. In the semi-finals, Roman Reigns faces the newly-returned Alberto Del Rio, while Kevin Owens faces Dean Ambrose.

    We’re looking for your thoughts on tonight’s show so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

    The undercard features Dolph Ziggler vs. Tyler Breeze, and the women’s division is represented by Paige facing off with Charlotte for Charlotte’s Divas Title. Their show-closing Raw storyline put a spotlight on the show that otherwise wasn’t there, so they’ll probably be motivated to have a great match and make people forget that whole thing ever happened.

    *****

    Check out our great articles while you wait!  WWE Survivor Series 2015 Preview & Predictions

    Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez, Dave Meltzer and Filthy Tom Lawlor is back tonight to talk all the major stories from the weekend: Survivor Series and ISIS, what the company is saying about it, preview of the PPV with predictions on all the matches, La Sombra to WWE, TNA to POP TV, UFC results from Saturday night, Bellator notes and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

    Sign up for an F4Wonline.com subscription to listen to Dave and Bryan later on tonight on Wrestling Observer Radio where they will talk the aftermath of WWE Survivor Series.

    *****

    They announced Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels in the Stone Cold Podcast over the next several weeks.

    ELIMINATION MATCH: NEVILLE & TITUS O’NEIL & GOLDUST & DUDLEYS VS.  THE MIZ & BO DALLAS & STARDUST & THE ASCENSION

    Decent match, nothing special. Cesaro was originally to be in this ten-man opener, but Titus replaced him.

    1) Goldust pinned Viktor in 32 seconds with a powerslam

    2) Bubba Ray Dudley pinned Konnor with a uranage

    3) Dallas used the Bodog on Neville and then Miz tagged in and used the Skull Crushing Finale for the pin

    4) Goldust pinned Miz almost immediately with a schoolboy

    5) O’Neil pinned Dallas with the Clash of the Titus

    6) This left Stardust against O’Neil, Goldust and the Dudleys  Stardust tried to walk out for the count out.  O’Neil blocked his way.  He gave Goldust an elbow and then ran away from Goldust into the ring right into a 3-D by the Dudleys and Devon pinned Cody to win, so the face team won 5-1.

    WWE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT SEMIFINAL: ROMAN REIGNS VS. U.S. CHAMPION ALBERTO DEL RIO

    Really good match, better than you’d think from these two.  Easily Del Rio’s best match since he’s returned.  A lot of near falls, including a spear into a kick by Del Rio at one point after  Del Rio missed the double foot stomp and sold his knee.  The finish saw Del Rio come off the top, but Reigns moved and hit him with the spear.

    Reigns and Ambrose were backstage.  Reigns said it’s going to be best friends fighting for the WWE title.  Kevin Owens showed up and said,” Reigns always comes close and Seth Rollins and Bray Wyatt stopped him from winning the title and now I’m beating your little buddy Dean and you’re going to come this close again but tonight’s the Kevin Owens show.” The crowd cheered that a lot.  Reigns said Owens is a guy who runs his mouth but he’s going to go out to the ring and get his ass whipped by Ambrose.

    WWE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT SEMIFINAL: DEAN AMBROSE VS. INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION KEVIN OWENS

    Another really good match.  Amborse used a tope, then a second one and Owens dumped him on the announcers table.  In the ring, Owens used two superkicks, went for the pop up power bomb but Ambose reversed into a huracanrana, and followed with Dirty Deeds for the pin.

    So the finals, as expected is Reigns vs. Ambrose.

    ELIMINATION MATCH: TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS THE NEW DAY & KING BARRETT & SHEAMUS VS. LUCHA DRAGONS & USOS & RYBACK

    1) Sin Cara pinned Barrett with a senton into the ring

    2) Kingston & Woods double-teamed and pinned Jimmy Uso

    3) Sheamus pinned Sin Cara with a brogue kick

    4) Jey Uso pinned E with a splash off the top rope

    5) Woods & Kingston left with Big E, who was acting like he was injured6) This left Sheamus alone with Kalisto, Ryback and Jey.  They went a long time until Jey hit a superkick on Sheamus, Kalisto used  huracanrana and Ryback pinned him after the shell shock.

    Match was good. Last fall went too long with the story they were telling, kind of died off.  The crowd loved the New Day so that was part of it as they lost interest after they left.

    DIVAS CHAMPION CHARLOTTE VS. PAIGE

    They gave them time to have the kind of match they’d have in NXT.  It was good.  The highlight was Charlotte spearing Paige with her running on the barricade tackling Paige, standing on the barricade, to the floor.  Charlotte won clean via submission with the figure eight.

    Dean Ambrose said we knew this day would come and tonight I’m going to fight my brother, I’d give him the shirt off my back but he isn’t going to pay the bills  Reigns came out and said usually I’d give you a hug but today’s not about hugs.  They fist bumped.

    DOLPH ZIGGLER VS. TYLER BREEZE

    This was all about getting Breeze over.  Short match that they rushed through with Breeze winning with the unprettier.  As far as execution went, very good, but it felt from the start like they were rushing through.

    UNDERTAKER & KANE VS. BRAY WYATT & LUKE HARPER

    They took out Erick Rowan before the match.  Wyatt & Harper did the match with Strowman in the corner.  The match was all about putting Undertaker over.  The crowd was more into this than any match on the show.  Undertake & Kane choke slammed Strowman onto the announcers table.  In the ring, Undertaker & Kane did a double sit up.  Undertaker choke slammed Wyatt and Kane choke slammed Harper and then Undertaker pinned Harper after a tombstone piledriver. Not a great match but it was good as a showcase.  They teased this may be the last time Undertaker & Kane are a tag team.

    WWE CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS: ROMAN REIGNS VS. DEAN AMBROSE

    They rushed through a 9:00 final. Each kicked out of the others big move until Reigns hit a second spear and got the clean pin. It’s early so we may have an angle coming. Really good while it lasted.

    HHH came out while they had the pyro and confetti going, and came out to congratulate Reigns. Reigns wouldn’t shake his hand and speared him. Sheamus came out from behind, and gave Reigns a brogue kick but Reigns kicked out. He hit Reigns with a second brogue kick and pinned him so Sheamus ends the show as WWE Champion, shaking hands and hugging HHH. 

  • UFC Fight Night 78 Monterrey live results: Neil Magny vs. Kelvin Gastelum

    Welcome to WrestlingObserver.com’s live coverage of UFC Fight Night 78: Magny vs. Gastelum from Arena Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico. The event is headlined by a five-round welterweight bout as 13th-ranked Neil Magny takes on 15th-ranked and former “TUF” winner Kelvin Gastelum. Also on the card, in the co-main event, it is a featherweight bout as former title challenger Ricardo Lamas welcomes original “TUF” winner, Diego Sanchez, back to the Octagon in another new weight class, and flyweights Jussier Formiga and Henry Cejudo square off in a potential title eliminator bout. The action kicks off with preliminary card fights at 6:30 PM eastern time on UFC Fight Pass. The action moves over to FS1 at 8 PM eastern time with additional preliminary fights before the main card kicks off at 10 PM eastern time.

    UFC Fight Night 78 Weigh-In Results
    UFC Fight Night 78 5 Storylines To Watch
    UFC Fight Night 78 DFS Playbook
    UFC Fight Night 78 By The Numbers
    UFC Fight Night 78 Panel Picks

    Coverage provided by Dave Meltzer

    PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT)

    LIGHTWEIGHTS- VALMIR LAZARO (13-3, 1-1 UFC) VS. MICHEL PRAZERES (18-2, 2-2 UFC)

    First round: Mini-Brock Gary Copeland as referee tonight.  Lazaro with a low kick.  Low kick back by Prezeres.  Now Lazaro with a low kick.  Left by Prezeres.  Good low kick by Lazaro.  Lazaro landing jabs.  Another jab by Lazaro.  Lazaro continues to jab.  Right by Prezeres.  Good right by Prezeres.  He tried to follow with a takedown and got him down. .  But Lazaro right back up.  No damage was done on the ground.  Prezeres went for another takedown and Lazaro easily evaded it.  Prezeres with a right and left.  Low kick by Lazaro.  Lazaro 10-9 good round.

    Second round: Body kick by Prezeres.  Prezeres went for a takedown but Lazaro landed on top.  Copeland ordered a standup.  Prezeres landed a right.  He shot for a takedown but and got him down but Lazaro was right back up.  Lazaro landing jabs again.  Prezeres took him down but Lazaro right back up.  Close round, 20-18 Lazaro.

    Third round: Lazaro’s corner told him it was 1-1, which is probably a good thing to tell him because it could be and he can’t think he’s got it won.  They hugged before the round started.  Low kick by Lazaro.  Nice left by Prezeres.  Missed on a huge right.  Prezeres missing punches.  Left by Prezeres.  Prezers moving in for a takedown.  Prezeres got him down but Lazaro right back up.  Lazaro ended up blocking a takedown and landing on top.   The ref ordered a standup with 37 seconds left.  Prezeres missed another takedown.  Lazaro’s round I’ve got 30-27.

    Scores: 29-28 Prezeres 29-28 Lazaro 29-28 Prezeres.  Prezeres very lucky.  Bad call.

    LIGHTWEIGHTS- CESAR ARZAMENDIA (7-1, 0-0 UFC) VS. POLO REYES (3-1, 0-0 UFC)

    First round: Arzamendia from Paraguay, Reyes from Mexico.  They are both of TUF Latin America.  Both swinging.  Low kick by Arzamendia.  Knees by Arzamendia.  Arzamendia claimed there was a low blow.  Armzamendia took him down but Reyes right back up.  Another takedown by Arzamendia.  Another takedown by Arzamendia.  Reyes back up.  Spin kick to the body by Reyes.  Crowd pretty hot for this with a Mexican in the match.  A double leg takedown by Arzamendia.  Left by Reyes knocked him out.  He broke a clinch and landed  a left to the jaw for the knockout.   3:42

    WELTERWEIGHTS- VERNON RAMOS (3-0, 0-0 UFC) VS. ALVARO HERRERA (8-3, 0-0 UFC)

    First round: Ramos from Panama, Herrera from Guadalajara.  Both off TUF Latin America.  Herrera landed punches right away and it was over.  Left, a right uppercut and another right behind the ear and it’s over as Ramos face planted. :30 

    PRELIMINARY CARD (FS1- 8 PM ET/5 PM PT)

    FEATHERWEIGHTS- GABRIEL BENITEZ (18-4, 2-0 UFC) VS. ANDRE FILI (14-3, 2-2 UFC)

    First round:  Benitez the crowd favorite from Tijuana.  Benitez known for ridiculous kicks.  Benitez landing low kicks.  Left by Benitez.  Fili with a body kick.  Fili with a low kick.  High kick by Fili.  Fili with a takedown.  Head kick by Fili and he finished him with a flurry of punches to the chagrin of the crowd.  It was  pair of right high kicks and a series of punches before Benitez could recover, he went down and it was stopped. 

    BANTAMWEIGHTS- SCOTT JORGENSEN (15-11, 4-7 UFC) VS. ALEJANDRO PEREZ (15-6, 1-1 UFC)

    First round:    Perez with a low kick.  Perez with another low kick.  Jorgensen tried for a akedown but Perez threw him off.  Jorgensen landed a right.  Jorgensen took him down.  Perez back up.  Another takedown by Jorgensen.  Perez back up again.  Right by Jorgensen.  High kick by Jorgensen missed.  Jorgensen with a right.  Low kick by Perez.  Low kick by Jorgensen.  Good low kick by Perez.  Jorgensn is hurt and may not be able to continue.  Perez 10-9.

    Second round:   Jorgensen came out but can barely walk.  He fell down, this fight needs to be stopped.  He got up.  Low kick by Perez.   Perez kicking the right leg, which is the good leg.  Perez continues to kick the right leg.  Jorgensen’s calf has a huge bruise.  Perez with a body kick.  Perez with more kicks to the right leg.  Right and left by Jorgensen.  Perez with a body shot.  Perez swept his leg  but Jorgensen got back up.  Body kick by Perez.  It’s kind of amazing the fight is still going.  Jorgensen just collapsed, his leg gave out and he tapped.

    WELTERWEIGHTS- HECTOR URBINA (17-8-1, 1-0 UFC) VS. BARTOSZ FABINSKI (12-2, 1-0 UFC)

    First round:  Fabinski took him right down.  Fabinski with punches and elbows from the top.  Mario Yamasaki stood them up.  I have no idea why since Fabinski was busy from the top.  Fabinski then took him right down again.  Fabinski landing elbows.  Urbina tred a triangle but Fabinski out of it easily.  10-9 Fabinski

    Second round:  Urbina with a knee and Fabinski took him down.  Another takedown by Fabinski.  He’s moved to side control.  Urbina reversed  and throwing punches but Fabinski back up.  Both trading punches.   Urbina missed a high kick.  Urbina bleeding from the left eye.  They stopped the fight for the doctor to check  the cut.  The cut is on the eye lid.  The doctor allowed it to continue.  Another  takedown by Fabinski.  Fabinski ‘s round 20-18.

    Third round:  The cut was caused by a head–butt.  Urbina throwing punches and went for a guillotine.  Fabinski took him down again. Urbina trying to use the guillotine to sweep.  Urbina has his legs tied up as well.  Fabinski escaped  and on top.  Fabinski  with some punches.  Now Urbina trying for a Kimura.  Boring round.  Urbina tried to sweep but Fabinski  blocked it and remained on top.  Fabinski has his back.  Urbina landing elbows as Fabinski tried for takedown.  Urbina throwing punches.  Urbina’s round so 29-28 FAbinski.

    Scores:  29-28, 30-27 and 30-27 for Fabinski

    BANTAMWEIGHTS- ERIK PEREZ (14-6, 4-2 UFC) VS. TAYLOR LAPILUS (10-1, 2-0 UFC)

    First round:  Perez is a big favorite since he’s from Monterrey.  Crowd going crazy for him.  Lapilus with a body kick.  Nice left by Lapilus.  Knee to the body by Lapilus.  Low kick by Lapilus.  Body kick by Lapilus.  Fans were booing.  Low kick by Lapilus.  Lapilus with a  body kick.  Low kick by Lapilus.  Perez landed a right.  Perez had a leg but couldn’t take him down.  Perez landed a series of punches  late.  Perez landed another combo.  Perez picked him up at the buzzer, so the slam didn’t count.  Lapilus 10-9

    Second round:  Lapilus landed some punches and Perez back with a right.  Lapilus working for a guillotine.  Perez escaped and on top.  Crowd popped big for that.  Perez is landing shots to the body from the top.   Perez with lots of body shots.  Perez with body shots and elbows.  Perez’s round so 19-19 after two.  

    Third round:  Crowd real hot knowing it’s even.  Loud “Mexico” chants.  Head kick by Perez.  Lapilus went for a takedown.  Perez defending well.  Perez has him against the fence.  Perez took him down.  Both scrambling and Perez standing .  Left and knee by Lapilus.  Perez in with a right.  Left by Lapilus.  Perez with another takedown.  Perez not doing much but staying on top.  Perez with body shots now.  Perez elbowing the thigh.   Perez is mostly holding him down.  Perez with some elbows.  Perez with body shots.   Perez should win 29-28, really that’s the only score possible.

    Scores:   Perez is wearing a mask.  All three have is 29-28 Perez.

    MAIN CARD (FS1- 10 PM ET/7 PM PT)

    LIGHTWEIGHTS- EFRAIN ESCUDERO (24-9, 5-5 UFC) VS. LEANDRO SILVA (18-2-1 1 NC, 2-2 1 NC UFC)

    First round:  Body kick by Silva.  Escuedero with a  body kick.  Left by Silva.  Body kick by Escudero and one back by Silva   Silva land a series of punches.  Head kick by Sivla.  Escudero worked for a takedown but didn’t get it.  Escudero in with a punch.  Nice right by Escudero and moved in for a takedown attempt.  Silva landed a nice left at the end of the round.  10-9 Sivla

    Second round:  Nice hook kick by Silva but didn’t land solid.  Front kick by Silva.  Body kick by Silva.  Escudero got the takedown.  Escudero took him down again.  Silva got to his feet.  Escudero’s round so 19-19 after two.

    Third round:  Body kick by Silva.  Escudero land some punches.  Left by Silva.  Silva landed jabs.  Escudero trying for a takedown but Silva defended well.  Silva landing punches.  Escuerdo tried a takedown but didn’t get it.  Sivla again blocking the takedown.  Right and left by Silva.  Silva got his back on the ground.  Silva 29-28.

    Scores:   All three have it 29-28 Silva. Really the only score possible.  Some boos since Escudero was the crowd favorite.

    TUF: LATIN AMERICA 2 LIGHTWEIGHT FINALS- HORACIO GUTIERREZ (2-1, 0-0 UFC) VS. ENRIQUE BARZOLA (10-2-1, 0-0 UFC)

    First round:  Gutierrez is from Guadalajara so that makes him the favorite.  This is the final of the current TUF Latin America season.  Low kick by Gutierrez.  Another low kick by Gutierrez.   Low kick by Gutierrez.  Beautiful back suplex by Barzola.  Barzola has his back.  Another takedown by Barzola.  Gutierrez up and Barzola tripped him  back down.   Barzola with a hard punch on the ground.   10-9 Barzola.

    Second round:  Takedown right away by Barzola.  Gutierrez bleeding.  Barzola bleeding as well.  Barzola with some elbows.  Some elbows to the body and head.  10-8 round, 20-17 Barzola.

    Third round:  Barzola with another takedown.  Barzola with elbows to the head and punches to the body.  More elbows by Barzola.   Another 10-8 round for Barzola, 30-25.

    Scores:   30-27, 30-27 and 30-26 for Barzola.

    TUF: LATIN AMERICA 2 WELTERWEIGHT FINALS- ERICK MONTANO (6-3, 0-0 UFC) VS. ENRIQUE MARIN (8-2, 0-0 UFC)

    First round:  This is the TUF Latin America finals in the welterweight division.  Montano is from Mexico City,  so he’s the crowd favorite.  Montano with a body kick and Marin back with some punches.  Nice left by Marin.  Montano took him down and Marin reversed to the top.  Side kick by Montano.  Montano went for a takedown but blocked.  Marin  moved in and landed.  Marin 10-9.

    Second round:  Both swinging.  Nice takedown by Marin.  Marin moved to side control.  Body kick by Montano.  Montano throwing kicks.  Marin went for a takedown but Montano blocked it.  Montano landing punches and kicks.  Close round but I’ve got 20-18 Marin.

    Third round:  They hugged before the third round.  These two were best friends on the show.  Montano with a high kick. Montano landed a right and a side kick.  Montano with a body kick.  Marin pushed him against the fence.  He’s just holding him against the cage but doing nothing.  Body kick by Montano.  Right by Montano.  Marin with punches and body kick.  Bodykick by Montano.  Montano took him down.  Crowd booed both guys.   Montano’s round so I’ve got 29-28 Marin.  Could go the other way.  Pretty uneventful fight.

    Scores:  29-28 Marin 29-28 Montano 29-28 Montano

    FLYWEIGHTS- (#3) JUSSIER FORMIGA (18-3, 4-2 UFC) VS. (#5) HENRY CEJUDO (9-0, 3-0 UFC)

    First round:  Cejudo landing punches.  Left and right by Cejudo.  Left by Formiga.  Formiga landed a right.  Trading knees.  Trading more knees from the clinch.  Formiga landed a right.  Hard right by Cejudo.  Cejudo took him down late.  10-9 Cejudo

    Second round:  Right by Cejudo.  Both traded knees from the clinch.  Nice right by Cejudo.  Formiga with a right.  Good low kick by Formiga.  Knee by  Cejudo.  Left by Formiga.  Nice elbow and uppercut by Cejudo.  They traded knees.  Formiga with a jab.  Body kick by Cejudo.  Very close round, Cejudo 20-18.

    Third round:  High kick by Cejudo.  High slam by Cejudo.   Formiga back up.  Knee and elbow by Cejudo.  Low kick by Formiga.  Cejudo pushed him against the fence.  Elbow from the clinch by  Cejudo and a right.   Cejudo 30-27.  Fans booed a little.  Not a good fight at all, Cejudo did nothing to make you excited about a fight with Demetrious Johnson.

    Scores:  30-27 Cejudo 29-28 Formiga 30-27 Cejudo.  Formiga winning would have been a robbery. 

    FEATHERWEIGHTS- (#4) RICARDO LAMAS (15-4, 6-2 UFC) VS. DIEGO SANCHEZ (25-7, 14-7 UFC)

    First round:  Sanchez in with punches.  Nice spin kick by Lamas.  Hard body kick by Lamas. Sanchez started punching back.  Hard body kick by Sanchez.  Lamas missed a spin kick.  Side kick by Lamas.  Sanchez missed a punh.  Lamas with takedown and got his back.  Lamas got his back and throwing knees.  Lamas has his back and Sanchez escaped and is up.  Elbow by Sanchdz.  10-9 Lamas.

    Second round:   Nice left hook by Sanchez.  Lamas took him down.  Lamas hurt him with a low kick.  Lamas landing big punches and low kicks.  Sanchez is in trouble.  Another low kick.  Lamas with a punch.  Lamas with a takedown.  Nice switch by Sanchez.  Lamas reversed and got his back.  Nice reverse by Sanchez.  Really good wrestling here.  Sanchez bleeding for the right eye.  Lamas got his back.  Sanchez escaped and up.  Low kick and punches by Lamas.  Left by Lamas.  Lamas 20-18.

    Third round:   Sanchez with a knee.  Low kick by Lamas.  Spin kick by Lamas and Lamas lost his balance.  Low kick by Lamas . Sanchez is hurt.  Fans chanting for Sanchez.  Spinning elbow by Lamas busted Sanchez up.  Lamas slipped but got up.  Sanchez bleeding badly from the right eye.  Left jab by Lamas.  Left jab by Lamas.  Lamas with a head kick but didn’t really land.  Sanchez with a left hook.  Spin kick by Sanchez missed.  Good fight.  30-27 Lamas.

    Scores:  All three have it 30-27 for Lamas.

    WELTERWEIGHTS- (#13) NEIL MAGNY (16-4, 9-3 UFC) VS. (#15) KELVIN GASTELUM (11-1, 6-1 UFC)

    First round:  Low kick by Gastelum.  Low kick by Gastelum.  Nice high kick and punches by Gastelum.   Nice takedown by Magny and has his back.  Gastelum back up.  Nice throw but Magny reversed to the top.  Magny has his back and working for a choke.  Gastelum out of trouble.  Magny with elbows to the body.  Gastelum up.   Right by Gastelum  Magny 10-9.

    Second round:  Magny landing punches and a front kick.  Body kick by  Gastelum  Front kicks by Magny.  Body kick by Gastelum.   Magny back with punches moving in.  Low kick by Gastelum  Gastelum landed several punches .  Magny now back with punches.  This is a good fight.  Magny got him down.  Gasteljum tried to reverse it but got blocked.  Magny  threw him down and got his back.  Another takedown by Magny.  Magny 20-18.

    Third round:   Magnyu landed a right and moved in.  Magny with more punches moving in.  Magny took him down.  Magny tried for a takedown but it was blocked.  Magny got him down again.  Gastelum right back up.  Gastelum got his back.  Magny took him down.  Gastelum rolled to the top.  Magny 30-27.

    Fourth round:   Magny with punches.  Gastelum decked him with a right, landed punches , has his back.  Gastelum in side control.  Gasetlum with an elbow.  Gastelum back to side control.  Gastelum got his back.  Gastelum dropped him a second time with a left hook.  Magny tried a triangle but Gastelum cleared it.  Magny back up.  Magny looked at the clock.  Magny with a takedown.  Gastelum up.  Magny has his back.  Gastelum 10-8, 38-37 for MAgny

    Fifth round:   Magny landed a right and hurt him.  Big takedown by Gastelum into side control.  Magny back up.  Magny landing punches.  Magny tried a takedown but it was blocked.  Gastelum landing punches.  Gastelum landing more punches.  Body kick by Gastelum  Another body kick by Gastelum.  Magny with a right.  Magny took him down and has his back  Gastelum reversed to the top.  Gastelum  landing punches from the top.  Great fight.  Gastelum’s round.  I have it a 47-47 draw.

    Scores:   48-47 Gastelum 48-47 Magny 48-47 Magny