Post by #HEEL Dark Lord on Sept 20, 2009 15:13:09 GMT -5
Event: UFC 103 Pay-Per-View
Airdate: Saturday, September 19th, 2009 (Pay-Per-View)
Location: The American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas
Results by MMAScoops.com
Rafael dos Anjos vs. Robert Emerson
Round 1
Dos Anjos, from a southpaw stance, lands a nice leg kick to open the fight. He shoots but Emerson defends well and gets back to the center to the cage. Emerson fighting more of a counter-striking style while dos Anjos is initiating more of the action. Dos Anjos lands a nice left hook to the jaw of Emerson but he shakes it off. Emerson defends another shot by pushing dos Anjos head down and retreating from danger. Dos Anjos is in on a single but Emerson grabs a whizzer trying to stave off the attempt but this time dos Anjos gets it. With only a few seconds left in the round, dos Anjos grounds and pounds to the bell.
Round 2
Dos Anjos decisioned Emerson.Dos Anjos kicking to the legs of Emerson, they are starting to take a toll. Emerson finally checks a kick and lands a straight right hand and another. Emerson has found an effective attack and scores with yet another right. Dos Anjos shoots but Emerson defends. Emerson defends another takedown, dos Anjos ducked under a right hand but Emerson sprawled. A big inside leg kick to Emerson’s lead left leg from dos Anjos backs up the Californian. Dos Anjos presses him against the cage as the 10-second warning sounds.
Round 3
After a brief exchange to start the third dos Anjos gets in deep on a shot. Emerson sprawls but he cannot defend and is pulled to the canvas along the cage. Dos Anjos tries to take his back and gets a hook in before attempting a choke that Emerson defends by turning back into him. Emerson gets his guard back but dos Anjos is dropping punches and elbows from the top. Emerson pushes dos Anjos back with his legs and tries to stand but the Brazilian dives back into his guard before passing to half and then side-control. Emerson escapes back to his feet but dos Anjos grabs double underhooks and presses him against the cage. Emerson frees himself from dos Anjos’ clutches but finds himself on the receiving end of yet another brutal inside leg-kick. An exhausted Emerson is throwing single right hands looking for the finish but dos Anjos keeps landing the inside leg-kick to Emerson’s lead leg before circling away. The round comes to a close with Emerson still chasing the elusive dos Anjos.
All three official judges score it 30-27 for dos Anjos, who takes the unanimous decision.
Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Igor Pokrajac
Round 1
Pokrajac throwing leg kicks early and after a couple Matyushenko gets the timing down and blasts the Croat with a big right hand over the top. Matyushenko, standing upright, doubles up on the jab. Pokrajac wades in with punches and stuns Matyushenko with a combination. He rushes after him hoping to finish but the veteran wrestler ducks under and takes him to the mat. Matyushenko stands and controls the legs of Pokrajac before jumping back to the ground. He quickly moves to mount but Pokrajac gives up his back. Matyushenko tries for the choke but is bucked off and mounted himself as the round closes.
Round 2
Matyushenko lunges in with a jab and finds his mark. Pokrajac answers with punches of his own. Matyushenko, bleeding from the nose, lands a nice straight right-left hook combo that rattles the Croat. The fighters are exchanging heavy blows in the center of the cage with Matyushenko getting the better shots in. He takes Pokrajac to the mat and punches from the top. He pins his arm with a leg and punches to his defenseless opponent. Pokrajac defends the position but has his back taken. Matyushenko cannot sink the choke and Pokrajac gets back to his feet but has to defend a guillotine.
Round 3
Pokrajac throws a sloppy right leg kick to Matyushenko’s lead leg and pays for it when he is clipped with a big right hand. Matyushenko shoots and is briefly stuffed before finishing the takedown. With little action, referee Leon Roberts stands the fighters up. Matyushenko grinds Pokrajac up against the cage but again the referee breaks them after a lull. Pokrajac gets his first takedown from another clinch but Matyushenko sweeps him right away. The fight ends with Matyushenko on top.
Matyushenko takes a unanimous decision with scores of 30-27 on all three of the official judges' scorecards.
Eliot Marshall vs. Jason Brilz
Round 1
Brilz is moving forward while Marshall circles round the outside throwing jabs. Marshall plants and throws a three-punch combination that had Brilz ducking for a shot. Marshall retreats out of range and the fighters reset in the center of the Octagon. Brilz finally shoots but Marshall defends. Brilz shoots under another jab from Marshall but he is again denied. Marshall throws a weak head kick and Brilz rushes forward, pinning him against the cage at the horn.
Round 2
Marshall is showing off some impressive takedown defense again in round two. Brilz is in deep on a single but Marshall shows good balance and patience as he fights his way free of Brilz. The big Nebraskan pushes Marshall against the cage and works some knees to the thighs but one gets Marshall right in the groin. Replays show the left knee landing square on the cup of Marshall. After a quick respite, the Coloradan is ready to continue. Brilz continues to try to take the fight to the mat but Marshall proves too tough to ground. Marshall lands a nice counter right as Brilz chucks and ducks for another takedown. Brilz lands a couple shots, his first significant ones of the round, at the close of the second.
Round 3
Brilz just can’t get Marshall to the mat. He pushes his way into a clinch and tries to drop for the takedown but is stuff yet again. Brilz pushes Marshall against the cage but little action ensues. Brilz winging big rights now as the desperation sets in. He needs a finish and is fighting like he knows it. Brilz shoots again but is denied again. Marshall grabs double unders along the cage and slips away from Brilz. Another weak shot is defended and Marshall lands a two piece combo on an advancing Brilz. Brilz slugs away at the 10-second warning but it is too little too late.
Official scores are 30-28 Brilz and 30-27 (twice) for Marshall, who takes the split decision. However, the official scoresheet for the contest declaes scores of 30-27 (twice) for Marshall and 30-27 for Brilz.
Ricky Story vs. Brian Foster
Round 1
Story and Foster are slugging it out right from the get go. Foster lands a right hand that stumbles Story but he manages to stay on his feet. Foster throws him to the mat but Story takes top position when Foster misses on a guillotine. Story passes but Foster manages to get to his feet. Story will not let go of a body-lock and takes him back to the mat. Story is bleeding from the nose pretty good. Story trying to pass from half to mount but he is denied. Story punching from the top as he continues to try to advance his position. Foster gets his guard back but Story lands a punch that starts the blood flowing from his nose now. Foster is back up for a second but Story takes it back to the mat. Foster makes it back up again and the fighter exchange heavy shots once again. Both fighters are bloody as the round closes.
Round 2
The fighters slug it out some more to open round two. Story ducks under during the exchange and hits a single-leg takedown. He moves from his guard and locks up an arm-triangle that forces Foster to tap at 1:09 of the second round.
Nik Lentz vs. Rafaello Oliveira
Round 1
The fighters trade leg-kicks and Oliveira adds another one. Oliveira hurts Lentz with a punch and rushes in. He has to defend a guillotine but Lentz cannot get his guard making it academic for Oliveira. With the fighters back on their feet, Lentz stops a takedown and jumps to another guillotine. Oliveira slams him to the mat and breaks the hold. Lentz finding his range on his punches now, he lands a nice combination that has Oliveira reeling. He pushes him against the cage and takes him to the canvas with a double at the horn.
Round 2
Lentz, feeling more comfortable as the fight wears on, begins round two with a pair of right leg-kicks, one to the body and one to the head of Oliveira. Lentz pushing the pace this round, he pushes Oliveira against the cage and pops him with a nice right hand. Oliveira answers with a right of his own. Oliveira takes Lentz to the mat along the cage and tries to wrest control of the fight back from his opponent. Oliveira trying to mount but gets put back in guard. Lentz takes top position in a scramble only to be put back on bottom by Oliveira. Lentz is back on his feet but looks to be tiring. He is bleeding pretty good from his mouth.
Round 3
Lentz still charging forward as the third gets under way. Oliveira changes levels and grabs hold of the wrestler taking him to the mat in sloppy fashion. Oliveira goes to work in the guard, landing punches and looking to pass. Lentz uses the cage to get back to his feet and resumes his forward movement. Oliveira stops him dead in his tracks with a stiff right hand but Lentz is undeterred. He takes Oliveira to the mat, again sloppily. The men trade punches with Lentz firing down to the body and head while Oliveira counters with backfists. Lentz punishing Oliveira from half-guard with both right and left hands while trapping his opponent’s left arm with his leg. Oliveira lands an upkick in the rounds closing seconds but it should not be enough to sway the judges.
The official cards read 29-28 (twice) and 30-27 for thew winner by unanimous decision, Nik Lentz.
Jim Miller vs. Steve Lopez
Round 1
Miller firing from his normal southpaw stance attacks early with punches. Lopez, also a southpaw returns the favor. Miller catches the lanky Lopez with a punch that wobbles him but he smiles and shakes it off. Miller winces during an exchange and paws at his left eye as if he was poked but he does not stop fighting. Miller lands a high kick and goes back to rubbing his eye with his hand. Perhaps sensing some urgency, Miller unloads a flurry and drops Lopez with a left. He rushes in to finish and locks up a guillotine along the cage. Lopez does well to defend but as soon as he is out he starts eating leather. Miller, working in the guard delivers some big left hands. Lopez remains calm and utilizes his guard to limit the damage from Miller. With just seconds left, Miller sits back for a leg-lock but doesn’t come close. Lopez gets up but with no time left on the clock.
Round 2
There is little happening in the second round when Lopez waves to referee Don Turnage that he cannot continue. There were a couple of exchanges but nothing really landed. Replays show Lopez’s shoulder dislocated when he threw a punch. Jim Miller wins by TKO at 48 seconds of round two.
Drew McFedries vs. Tomasz Drwal
Round 1
lead leg. McFedries is really loading up on his punches as he unloads with both hands. Drwal answers with a left hook that opens a small cut above the right eye of McFedries. Drwal lands a snapping low kick and enters into a clinch with his dangerous opponent. Drwal, while standing, takes the back of McFedries. He winds up heavy knees and connects them with the left thigh of his foe. The fighters separate and go toe-to-toe with punches. Drwal gets the better of the exchange as McFedries is already gassed out. Drwal gets a takedown and moves to mount. Drwal unloads and forces McFedries to give up his back to avoid punishment.
Round 2
Drawl roughs McFedries up with a series of straight-punching combinations. Drwal gets a takedown and moves to side control. Drwal advances to mount and McFedries offers nothing to resist. Drwal takes the back and secures a tapout at the 1:03 mark of round one from a rear-naked choke.
Efrain Escudero vs. Cole Miller
Round 1
Escudero circles away from his taller opponent. Miller is effectively using his reach in the center of the Octagon as he uses his jab and straight right hand. Escudero scores a single-leg takedown, but he does not follow his opponent to the floor. Miller stands and seems a little trigger shy as he pulls two punches. Miller lands a knee and misses a spinning-back kick. Miller connects with a teep kick and Escudero slams him to the floor. Miller stands and is belted by a right hook. Miller crumbles and Escudero unloads on the downed fighter with two right hands and a left. Referee Yves Lavigne steps in to save the American Top Team product at 3:36 of round one.
Tyson Griffin vs. Hermes Franca
Round 1
Griffin lands two hard low kicks to start the fight. Griffin sneaks a jab through the defense of the Brazilian. Griffin takes the center of the cage with his back foot and throws his jab and right hand while Franca circles. The Xtreme Couture fighter continues to abuse the left leg of Franca with low kicks. Griffin connects to the body with a straight right. The American has doubled up on his jab for the first time of the fight. Griffin peppered the BJJ black belt throughout the first frame, but the crowd was displeased with the pace of the action.
Round 2
Griffin stays behind his jab to start the second stanza. Griffin clips Franca with a right hand and a toughman-like brawl ensues. Griffin mixes in a kick to the body with his haymakers and Franca catches it. Franca holds the leg and throws his right hook nonstop to the head. Griffin does little to trump his free-swinging opponent, as he throws his right hand exclusively until Franca lets go of the leg. Technique returns to the bout as Griffin drops Franca with a right straight. Griffin swarms and absolutely tees off on his prey. Franca is taking heavy shots, but he’s trying to catch Griffin in an armbar. Franca goes for the heel and Griffin has none of it. He keeps punching until Franca goes limp. Referee Dan Miragliotta steps in at 3:26 of round two.
Josh Koscheck vs. Frank Trigg
Round 1
Trigg lands the first meaningful shot of the fight after a period of long distance striking. A left straight clips Koscheck on the right eye. Two right hooks drop Trigg to the floor. Koscheck follows Trigg to the floor and pounds him out with four powerful right hands. Leon Roberts halts the contest at 1:25 of the first period.
Martin Kampmann vs. Paul Daley
Round 1
Kampmann opens up with a punching flurry, but nothing lands clean. Daley stands tight in the pocket and counter punches effectively. Kampmann is rocked from a Daley right hand. Crisp, technical striking is on display in this contest. Kampmann attempts a single and Daley shrugs him off. Daley blasts Kampmann with a left and a right. Kampmann answers the assult with a right hook of his own. Both fighters are landing at a good pace as they trade punches. Daley hurts Kampmann with a left hook. Kampmann stumbles back to the fence and Daley unleashes both hands to the head. Referee Yves Lavigne steps in for an awful premature stoppage at 2:31 of the first.
Junior dos Santos vs. Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic
Round 1
Dos Santos lets his hands fly and backs Cro Cop up against the cage. Cro Cop defends his way off the cage and lands a kick to the right side of Cigano’s body. And another. Cigano is applying pressure with punching flurries, but nothing is landing clean. Finally a right hand gets through. Cigano explodes with punches, but Cro Cop is game. Cro Cop is sporting a lump over his right eye. He shoots for a single and fails as Cigano backs away. The Croatian goes to the clinch and briefly throws Cigano to the floor. The Brazilian is cut over both eyes. Cro Cop lands a sharp left straight that rocks Cigano’s frame. Cro Cop is starting to land. Cigano attacks with an uppercut and Cro Cop covers up well. Cro Cop’s defensive strategy is clear: he’s covering up and staying stationary instead of moving away. Cro Cop gets in another left at the horn.
Round 2
Cro Cop fires a head kick that comes up short. Cro Cop lands a stinging low kick and Cigano belts him with a left hook. Cigano charges while unloading. Cro Cop shows good defense, but he’s not answering. Cigano continues to attack and lands an uppercut. Cro Cop covers and pushes him away when he gets close. Cro Cop misses another headkick. Cigano lands a stiff-left hand to the midsection. The crowd is starting to boo as Cro Cop does nothing. The fighters clinch and Cro Cop lands a left knee to the body. Cigano answers it with a knee of his own. The Brazilian falls to the canvas as Cro Cop lands a kick directly on the groin protector. Referee Dan Miragliotta gives dos Santos five minutes to recover. Dos Santos opens up a cut above the left eye of Cro Cop with a right hook. Cigano also connects with a body kick to end the round.
Round 3
Cro Cop comes forward and lands a straight left. And another. Dos Santos is not phased. He answers with a solid body shot from his right hand. Dos Santos lands three knees to the body and a left hook. Another knee crushes Cro Cop’s body and he’s hurt. Cigano goes to the head with a knee and the Pride veteran is wobbly. Cigano continues the torrent of punishment with knees to the body. Cigano lands a right hand to the left eye of Cro Cop and the Croatian quits. The fight is over. Cro Cop took the punch directly on the eye and then waved to referee Miragliotta that he was done. The official time is 2:00 of round three.
Rich Franklin vs. Vitor Belfort
Round 1
Belfort makes the first move with a low kick. Franklin checks it. Franklin moves in and out of range as Belfort stays planted; his left hand cocked and loaded. At the midway point of round one, not one meaningful strike has found its target. The crowd is growing restless. A left hand to the temple knocks Franklin down to his knees. Belfort lands another left hook and finishes the Ohioan with punches from both hands. Referee Yves Lavigne steps in at 3:02 of round one.
Airdate: Saturday, September 19th, 2009 (Pay-Per-View)
Location: The American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas
Results by MMAScoops.com
Rafael dos Anjos vs. Robert Emerson
Round 1
Dos Anjos, from a southpaw stance, lands a nice leg kick to open the fight. He shoots but Emerson defends well and gets back to the center to the cage. Emerson fighting more of a counter-striking style while dos Anjos is initiating more of the action. Dos Anjos lands a nice left hook to the jaw of Emerson but he shakes it off. Emerson defends another shot by pushing dos Anjos head down and retreating from danger. Dos Anjos is in on a single but Emerson grabs a whizzer trying to stave off the attempt but this time dos Anjos gets it. With only a few seconds left in the round, dos Anjos grounds and pounds to the bell.
Round 2
Dos Anjos decisioned Emerson.Dos Anjos kicking to the legs of Emerson, they are starting to take a toll. Emerson finally checks a kick and lands a straight right hand and another. Emerson has found an effective attack and scores with yet another right. Dos Anjos shoots but Emerson defends. Emerson defends another takedown, dos Anjos ducked under a right hand but Emerson sprawled. A big inside leg kick to Emerson’s lead left leg from dos Anjos backs up the Californian. Dos Anjos presses him against the cage as the 10-second warning sounds.
Round 3
After a brief exchange to start the third dos Anjos gets in deep on a shot. Emerson sprawls but he cannot defend and is pulled to the canvas along the cage. Dos Anjos tries to take his back and gets a hook in before attempting a choke that Emerson defends by turning back into him. Emerson gets his guard back but dos Anjos is dropping punches and elbows from the top. Emerson pushes dos Anjos back with his legs and tries to stand but the Brazilian dives back into his guard before passing to half and then side-control. Emerson escapes back to his feet but dos Anjos grabs double underhooks and presses him against the cage. Emerson frees himself from dos Anjos’ clutches but finds himself on the receiving end of yet another brutal inside leg-kick. An exhausted Emerson is throwing single right hands looking for the finish but dos Anjos keeps landing the inside leg-kick to Emerson’s lead leg before circling away. The round comes to a close with Emerson still chasing the elusive dos Anjos.
All three official judges score it 30-27 for dos Anjos, who takes the unanimous decision.
Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Igor Pokrajac
Round 1
Pokrajac throwing leg kicks early and after a couple Matyushenko gets the timing down and blasts the Croat with a big right hand over the top. Matyushenko, standing upright, doubles up on the jab. Pokrajac wades in with punches and stuns Matyushenko with a combination. He rushes after him hoping to finish but the veteran wrestler ducks under and takes him to the mat. Matyushenko stands and controls the legs of Pokrajac before jumping back to the ground. He quickly moves to mount but Pokrajac gives up his back. Matyushenko tries for the choke but is bucked off and mounted himself as the round closes.
Round 2
Matyushenko lunges in with a jab and finds his mark. Pokrajac answers with punches of his own. Matyushenko, bleeding from the nose, lands a nice straight right-left hook combo that rattles the Croat. The fighters are exchanging heavy blows in the center of the cage with Matyushenko getting the better shots in. He takes Pokrajac to the mat and punches from the top. He pins his arm with a leg and punches to his defenseless opponent. Pokrajac defends the position but has his back taken. Matyushenko cannot sink the choke and Pokrajac gets back to his feet but has to defend a guillotine.
Round 3
Pokrajac throws a sloppy right leg kick to Matyushenko’s lead leg and pays for it when he is clipped with a big right hand. Matyushenko shoots and is briefly stuffed before finishing the takedown. With little action, referee Leon Roberts stands the fighters up. Matyushenko grinds Pokrajac up against the cage but again the referee breaks them after a lull. Pokrajac gets his first takedown from another clinch but Matyushenko sweeps him right away. The fight ends with Matyushenko on top.
Matyushenko takes a unanimous decision with scores of 30-27 on all three of the official judges' scorecards.
Eliot Marshall vs. Jason Brilz
Round 1
Brilz is moving forward while Marshall circles round the outside throwing jabs. Marshall plants and throws a three-punch combination that had Brilz ducking for a shot. Marshall retreats out of range and the fighters reset in the center of the Octagon. Brilz finally shoots but Marshall defends. Brilz shoots under another jab from Marshall but he is again denied. Marshall throws a weak head kick and Brilz rushes forward, pinning him against the cage at the horn.
Round 2
Marshall is showing off some impressive takedown defense again in round two. Brilz is in deep on a single but Marshall shows good balance and patience as he fights his way free of Brilz. The big Nebraskan pushes Marshall against the cage and works some knees to the thighs but one gets Marshall right in the groin. Replays show the left knee landing square on the cup of Marshall. After a quick respite, the Coloradan is ready to continue. Brilz continues to try to take the fight to the mat but Marshall proves too tough to ground. Marshall lands a nice counter right as Brilz chucks and ducks for another takedown. Brilz lands a couple shots, his first significant ones of the round, at the close of the second.
Round 3
Brilz just can’t get Marshall to the mat. He pushes his way into a clinch and tries to drop for the takedown but is stuff yet again. Brilz pushes Marshall against the cage but little action ensues. Brilz winging big rights now as the desperation sets in. He needs a finish and is fighting like he knows it. Brilz shoots again but is denied again. Marshall grabs double unders along the cage and slips away from Brilz. Another weak shot is defended and Marshall lands a two piece combo on an advancing Brilz. Brilz slugs away at the 10-second warning but it is too little too late.
Official scores are 30-28 Brilz and 30-27 (twice) for Marshall, who takes the split decision. However, the official scoresheet for the contest declaes scores of 30-27 (twice) for Marshall and 30-27 for Brilz.
Ricky Story vs. Brian Foster
Round 1
Story and Foster are slugging it out right from the get go. Foster lands a right hand that stumbles Story but he manages to stay on his feet. Foster throws him to the mat but Story takes top position when Foster misses on a guillotine. Story passes but Foster manages to get to his feet. Story will not let go of a body-lock and takes him back to the mat. Story is bleeding from the nose pretty good. Story trying to pass from half to mount but he is denied. Story punching from the top as he continues to try to advance his position. Foster gets his guard back but Story lands a punch that starts the blood flowing from his nose now. Foster is back up for a second but Story takes it back to the mat. Foster makes it back up again and the fighter exchange heavy shots once again. Both fighters are bloody as the round closes.
Round 2
The fighters slug it out some more to open round two. Story ducks under during the exchange and hits a single-leg takedown. He moves from his guard and locks up an arm-triangle that forces Foster to tap at 1:09 of the second round.
Nik Lentz vs. Rafaello Oliveira
Round 1
The fighters trade leg-kicks and Oliveira adds another one. Oliveira hurts Lentz with a punch and rushes in. He has to defend a guillotine but Lentz cannot get his guard making it academic for Oliveira. With the fighters back on their feet, Lentz stops a takedown and jumps to another guillotine. Oliveira slams him to the mat and breaks the hold. Lentz finding his range on his punches now, he lands a nice combination that has Oliveira reeling. He pushes him against the cage and takes him to the canvas with a double at the horn.
Round 2
Lentz, feeling more comfortable as the fight wears on, begins round two with a pair of right leg-kicks, one to the body and one to the head of Oliveira. Lentz pushing the pace this round, he pushes Oliveira against the cage and pops him with a nice right hand. Oliveira answers with a right of his own. Oliveira takes Lentz to the mat along the cage and tries to wrest control of the fight back from his opponent. Oliveira trying to mount but gets put back in guard. Lentz takes top position in a scramble only to be put back on bottom by Oliveira. Lentz is back on his feet but looks to be tiring. He is bleeding pretty good from his mouth.
Round 3
Lentz still charging forward as the third gets under way. Oliveira changes levels and grabs hold of the wrestler taking him to the mat in sloppy fashion. Oliveira goes to work in the guard, landing punches and looking to pass. Lentz uses the cage to get back to his feet and resumes his forward movement. Oliveira stops him dead in his tracks with a stiff right hand but Lentz is undeterred. He takes Oliveira to the mat, again sloppily. The men trade punches with Lentz firing down to the body and head while Oliveira counters with backfists. Lentz punishing Oliveira from half-guard with both right and left hands while trapping his opponent’s left arm with his leg. Oliveira lands an upkick in the rounds closing seconds but it should not be enough to sway the judges.
The official cards read 29-28 (twice) and 30-27 for thew winner by unanimous decision, Nik Lentz.
Jim Miller vs. Steve Lopez
Round 1
Miller firing from his normal southpaw stance attacks early with punches. Lopez, also a southpaw returns the favor. Miller catches the lanky Lopez with a punch that wobbles him but he smiles and shakes it off. Miller winces during an exchange and paws at his left eye as if he was poked but he does not stop fighting. Miller lands a high kick and goes back to rubbing his eye with his hand. Perhaps sensing some urgency, Miller unloads a flurry and drops Lopez with a left. He rushes in to finish and locks up a guillotine along the cage. Lopez does well to defend but as soon as he is out he starts eating leather. Miller, working in the guard delivers some big left hands. Lopez remains calm and utilizes his guard to limit the damage from Miller. With just seconds left, Miller sits back for a leg-lock but doesn’t come close. Lopez gets up but with no time left on the clock.
Round 2
There is little happening in the second round when Lopez waves to referee Don Turnage that he cannot continue. There were a couple of exchanges but nothing really landed. Replays show Lopez’s shoulder dislocated when he threw a punch. Jim Miller wins by TKO at 48 seconds of round two.
Drew McFedries vs. Tomasz Drwal
Round 1
lead leg. McFedries is really loading up on his punches as he unloads with both hands. Drwal answers with a left hook that opens a small cut above the right eye of McFedries. Drwal lands a snapping low kick and enters into a clinch with his dangerous opponent. Drwal, while standing, takes the back of McFedries. He winds up heavy knees and connects them with the left thigh of his foe. The fighters separate and go toe-to-toe with punches. Drwal gets the better of the exchange as McFedries is already gassed out. Drwal gets a takedown and moves to mount. Drwal unloads and forces McFedries to give up his back to avoid punishment.
Round 2
Drawl roughs McFedries up with a series of straight-punching combinations. Drwal gets a takedown and moves to side control. Drwal advances to mount and McFedries offers nothing to resist. Drwal takes the back and secures a tapout at the 1:03 mark of round one from a rear-naked choke.
Efrain Escudero vs. Cole Miller
Round 1
Escudero circles away from his taller opponent. Miller is effectively using his reach in the center of the Octagon as he uses his jab and straight right hand. Escudero scores a single-leg takedown, but he does not follow his opponent to the floor. Miller stands and seems a little trigger shy as he pulls two punches. Miller lands a knee and misses a spinning-back kick. Miller connects with a teep kick and Escudero slams him to the floor. Miller stands and is belted by a right hook. Miller crumbles and Escudero unloads on the downed fighter with two right hands and a left. Referee Yves Lavigne steps in to save the American Top Team product at 3:36 of round one.
Tyson Griffin vs. Hermes Franca
Round 1
Griffin lands two hard low kicks to start the fight. Griffin sneaks a jab through the defense of the Brazilian. Griffin takes the center of the cage with his back foot and throws his jab and right hand while Franca circles. The Xtreme Couture fighter continues to abuse the left leg of Franca with low kicks. Griffin connects to the body with a straight right. The American has doubled up on his jab for the first time of the fight. Griffin peppered the BJJ black belt throughout the first frame, but the crowd was displeased with the pace of the action.
Round 2
Griffin stays behind his jab to start the second stanza. Griffin clips Franca with a right hand and a toughman-like brawl ensues. Griffin mixes in a kick to the body with his haymakers and Franca catches it. Franca holds the leg and throws his right hook nonstop to the head. Griffin does little to trump his free-swinging opponent, as he throws his right hand exclusively until Franca lets go of the leg. Technique returns to the bout as Griffin drops Franca with a right straight. Griffin swarms and absolutely tees off on his prey. Franca is taking heavy shots, but he’s trying to catch Griffin in an armbar. Franca goes for the heel and Griffin has none of it. He keeps punching until Franca goes limp. Referee Dan Miragliotta steps in at 3:26 of round two.
Josh Koscheck vs. Frank Trigg
Round 1
Trigg lands the first meaningful shot of the fight after a period of long distance striking. A left straight clips Koscheck on the right eye. Two right hooks drop Trigg to the floor. Koscheck follows Trigg to the floor and pounds him out with four powerful right hands. Leon Roberts halts the contest at 1:25 of the first period.
Martin Kampmann vs. Paul Daley
Round 1
Kampmann opens up with a punching flurry, but nothing lands clean. Daley stands tight in the pocket and counter punches effectively. Kampmann is rocked from a Daley right hand. Crisp, technical striking is on display in this contest. Kampmann attempts a single and Daley shrugs him off. Daley blasts Kampmann with a left and a right. Kampmann answers the assult with a right hook of his own. Both fighters are landing at a good pace as they trade punches. Daley hurts Kampmann with a left hook. Kampmann stumbles back to the fence and Daley unleashes both hands to the head. Referee Yves Lavigne steps in for an awful premature stoppage at 2:31 of the first.
Junior dos Santos vs. Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic
Round 1
Dos Santos lets his hands fly and backs Cro Cop up against the cage. Cro Cop defends his way off the cage and lands a kick to the right side of Cigano’s body. And another. Cigano is applying pressure with punching flurries, but nothing is landing clean. Finally a right hand gets through. Cigano explodes with punches, but Cro Cop is game. Cro Cop is sporting a lump over his right eye. He shoots for a single and fails as Cigano backs away. The Croatian goes to the clinch and briefly throws Cigano to the floor. The Brazilian is cut over both eyes. Cro Cop lands a sharp left straight that rocks Cigano’s frame. Cro Cop is starting to land. Cigano attacks with an uppercut and Cro Cop covers up well. Cro Cop’s defensive strategy is clear: he’s covering up and staying stationary instead of moving away. Cro Cop gets in another left at the horn.
Round 2
Cro Cop fires a head kick that comes up short. Cro Cop lands a stinging low kick and Cigano belts him with a left hook. Cigano charges while unloading. Cro Cop shows good defense, but he’s not answering. Cigano continues to attack and lands an uppercut. Cro Cop covers and pushes him away when he gets close. Cro Cop misses another headkick. Cigano lands a stiff-left hand to the midsection. The crowd is starting to boo as Cro Cop does nothing. The fighters clinch and Cro Cop lands a left knee to the body. Cigano answers it with a knee of his own. The Brazilian falls to the canvas as Cro Cop lands a kick directly on the groin protector. Referee Dan Miragliotta gives dos Santos five minutes to recover. Dos Santos opens up a cut above the left eye of Cro Cop with a right hook. Cigano also connects with a body kick to end the round.
Round 3
Cro Cop comes forward and lands a straight left. And another. Dos Santos is not phased. He answers with a solid body shot from his right hand. Dos Santos lands three knees to the body and a left hook. Another knee crushes Cro Cop’s body and he’s hurt. Cigano goes to the head with a knee and the Pride veteran is wobbly. Cigano continues the torrent of punishment with knees to the body. Cigano lands a right hand to the left eye of Cro Cop and the Croatian quits. The fight is over. Cro Cop took the punch directly on the eye and then waved to referee Miragliotta that he was done. The official time is 2:00 of round three.
Rich Franklin vs. Vitor Belfort
Round 1
Belfort makes the first move with a low kick. Franklin checks it. Franklin moves in and out of range as Belfort stays planted; his left hand cocked and loaded. At the midway point of round one, not one meaningful strike has found its target. The crowd is growing restless. A left hand to the temple knocks Franklin down to his knees. Belfort lands another left hook and finishes the Ohioan with punches from both hands. Referee Yves Lavigne steps in at 3:02 of round one.
