Post by #HEEL Dark Lord on May 29, 2011 17:34:32 GMT -5
Event: UFC 130 Pay-Per-View
Airdate: Saturday, May 28th, 2011 (Pay-Per-View)
Location: The MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV
Results by MMAScoops.com
Renan “Barao” Pegado vs. Cole Escovedo
Round 1
Steve Mazzagatti is the referee for the night’s opening contest. Barao has Escovedo tied up and slammed to the canvas in the first 30 seconds. The American pushes off the Brazilian’s hips and works a butterfly guard, closing up as Barao scoots him into the cage. Escovedo uses his feet to push off the cage and Barao stands. Back on the feet, it’s Barao firing one-twos down the pipe, stalking outward as Escovedo circles the perimeter. Right low kick from Barao lands with a loud crack. Escovedo puts his back to the cage and jumps guard, tying up Barao with his lanky limbs and angling for his favorite submission, the triangle choke. Two minutes to go in the opening stanza. Escovedo throws elbows from underneath and tries to minimize the damage from Barao’s minimal top assault. The bantamweights aren’t active enough for Mazzagatti, who stands them back up. Escovedo lands a glancing head kick, then a stiff left straight that stuns Barao. The “Apache Kid” jumps guard again, looks for an armbar, and throws another bunch of elbows from the bottom as the round expires.
Round 2
Barao is coming forward again as round two begins and walks straight into a hard punch, then a follow-up knee from Escovedo. Disguising any trouble he may be in, Barao puts Escovedo on his back, but they don’t stay there long. Barao stands in center cage again and snaps off push and leg kicks. Escovedo answers with a hard kick to the body. Midway through the round, Barao grabs a waist lock and trips Escovedo down at the base of the fence. Escovedo throws horizontal elbows from his back as Barao tries unsuccessfully to pass guard. Barao not doing much from the top with 90 ticks to go and Mazzagatti tells the fighters to get busy. They’re restarted on the feet with a minute left. Barao catches a leg kick and ties up with Escovedo, who jumps guard once more. The round expires with Escovedo sweeping out from underneath.
Round 3
Escovedo landing good, straight right hands in the opening minute of the final frame, attacking the body of Barao with kicks. Barao charges with a high flying knee which can’t find Escovedo’s jaw. A big right hand seems to stun Escovedo, who is hurled to the mat in short order with a Barao double-leg. Escovedo throws up a triangle and Barao stands, dodging an upkick. Another flying knee grazes for Barao, then a spinning kick. Barao scores another takedown with 20 seconds to go and one more for good measure just before the horn.
Official scores: The judges at cageside have it 30-27 (twice) and 29-28, all in favor of the winner by unanimous decision, Renan “Barao” Pegado.
Chris Cariaso vs. Michael McDonald
Round 1
Josh Rosenthal is in charge of this bantamweight tilt. McDonald cracks Cariaso with a kick and Cariaso shoots. They clinch up briefly and McDonald cracks his man with a right hand as they disengage. Cariaso flicking out nice leg kicks, but McDonald is timing them and answering with hard combos down the middle. McDonald lands an outside thigh kick of his own, then stumbles Cariaso with a left hook. Cariaso gets off a good right hand as he wades inside, but McDonald grabs the neck and considers jumping guard with a guillotine. He doesn’t and circles away from the cage, where Cariaso continues to give chase with low kicks. The momentum from one kick causes Cariaso to slip and McDonald gives chase. Hard elbow from “Mayday” on top and he stands back up with a minute to go. McDonald ducks under a high kick just before the horn and plows Cariaso to the floor, where Cariaso tries for a heel hook as the round ends.
Round 2
Kicks continue to comprise the bulk of Cariaso’s offense as round two begins; McDonald continues to try and time it for a takedown or home run shot. Cariaso ducks inside on the much taller McDonald with a one-two and Rosenthal warns them about clashing heads. McDonald times a kick and sweeps the back leg out from underneath Cariaso. He pops right back up. McDonald is keeping his distance, using his range as he picks his shots. Left inside thigh kick from Cariaso finds McDonald’s cup and the Californian is given time to recover. Cariaso’s corner tells its fighter that they believe McDonald has injured an arm. McDonald recovers and they resume with two minutes to go. McDonald takes a kick on the forearm, goes for a shot and is stuffed. He bullies Cariaso against the fence and exits with a sharp right inside. He times a kick and takes Cariaso straight down, then moves to side control. McDonald nearly gets mount, but Cariaso squirms out and stands just before the end of the round.
Round 3
Kicks to the body are again the weapon of choice for Cariaso. McDonald tries to catch another, but winds up on the underside with Cariaso in his half-guard. McDonald ties up the right arm of Cariaso, who’s being kept at bay by McDonald’s long butterfly guard. McDonald regains full guard and closes it up. McDonald throws up a triangle that forces Cariaso to stand. Two minutes to go in the fight. McDonald drives Cariaso down and gets his right arm trapped in an omoplata. Cariaso has the limb triangle with 90 seconds to go, but McDonald stays calm and is able to extract it quickly. Cariaso tries to close it out with more kicks, but McDonald stays away and the final minute winds down without much landed.
Official scores: One judge has it a clean sweep for Cariaso, 30-27. However, the remaining two see it 29-28 for Michael McDonald, the winner by split decision.
Gleison Tibau vs. Rafaello Oliveira
Round 1
Referee Kim Winslow is in the cage for this lightweight bout. It’s hard but somewhat tentative striking in the early going with Tibau taking the center of the cage. He puts Oliveira on his back, but “Tractor” doesn’t stay there for more than a moment, shoving Tibau off the top. They go back to standing and Tibau is scoring with left hooks while Oliveira kicks to the body. Two minutes to go. Tibau wades forward with a huge overhand right that glances. He drives Oliveira to the floor again, and this time, Tibau holds him there. Oliveira is active underneath, shrimping and kicking, regaining guard, and ultimately standing back up. Tibau scores with a hard left hand and plays matador as Oliveira rushes forward.
Round 2
Oliveira looks to play aggressor in the second, but Tibau is keeping his countryman at range with murderous left hooks. Tibau executes a perfect takedown with 3:30 on the clock. On the ground, referee Winslow warns someone to “watch the eyes.” Oliveira slips an armbar attempt and works back to his feet, whereupon he looks for a takedown of his own. A short left uppercut from Tibau sends Oliveira buckling to the mat, his back to the cage. Tibau gives chase. Back mount for Tibau as Oliveira turtles. Tibau has his hooks in and bangs away with left hands to the side of Oliveira’s head. Just as the storm seems to relent, Tibau sees an opening and snakes his right arm around Oliveira’s throat. Oliveira is trapped and forced to submit to the rear-naked choke at 3:28 of the second round.
Kendall Grove vs. Tim Boetsch
Round 1
Boetsch dips inside for a single-leg and is spun around by the lanky “Spyder.” The second attempt yields a better result and Boetsch stuffs Grove down against the base of the fence. Boetsch grinds there a minute and then backs out, allowing Grove to stand. The middleweights trade teep kicks and clinch up, where Boetsch drops Grove with a smooth double and takes side control. Grove shrimps and Boetsch deals him a few punches to the back of the head, for which he is verbally warned by ref Steve Mazzagatti. Grove throws up his legs for an armbar, forcing Boetsch to retreat. The “Barbarian” stands over Grove, who kicks at Boetsch’s knees from his back. Boetsch lets him up and they engage against the fence with over-unders. Grove gets a front headlock and knees to the thigh and gut of Boetsch, who extracts his head with about 90 seconds remaining. Boetsch is breathing heavy as he tries to neutralize the more active Grove in the clinch. Grove scores with knees to the stomach and one up high. Another lands to the body of Boetsch at the horn.
Round 2
The middleweights find themselves back in the clinch after a moment of light exchanging. Grove scores with a few strikes in close quarters, but Boetsch decides to take it to the floor and does so at will. Hard, short right hands score as Boetsch leans from Grove’s left to right in side control. Grove gets to his knees and stands, but is single-legged straight back down. Grove appears to be cut near the right eye as he struggles beneath the powerful wrestler. Boetsch has head-and-arm control on Grove as the Hawaiian works to his feet. Grove uses the fence and a wide base to stuff a single-leg with a minute on the clock. A few elbows to the side later, Boetsch gets his way and Grove is again on his back. They and Grove has a long high kick blocked as the round ends.
Round 3
Boetsch drags Grove down with a high single inside the first 20 seconds. Grove gets back up and finds himself pinned to the cage. He reverses the position and puts a few hard right hands on Boetsch’s face. Boetsch gets his hips in front, though, and tosses Grove to the ground. Grove is on his knees now with Boetsch looking to hop on his back. He can’t get there and instead knees to Grove’s body. Grove finds an opening and scrambles up with three minutes left in the fight. Thirty seconds later, Grove is on his back once more. He throws up a triangle; it’s not tight, but it’s enough to get Boetsch to stand. Another easy takedown from Boetsch and Grove is now sporting a more significant cut beneath his right eye. Boetsch lays in half-guard on Grove’s right side, framing up the far-side arm. Grove scrambles up and executes a double-leg of his own on the fence, but Boetsch quickly sweeps and grabs a headlock. The match ends with Boetsch bullying Grove on the cage.
Official scores: All three judges have it 30-27 for Tim Boetsch, who takes a unanimous decision in his middleweight debut.
Miguel Torres vs. Demetrious Johnson
Round 1
Torres flicks out some leg kicks and looks to keep his range early. They soon tie up, however, and the diminutive Johnson brings the fight to the floor. They scramble and Torres winds up on top. Johnson traps him in half-guard and digs short heels into the back of Torres’ thigh. The former WEC champ looks to be framing up an arm-triangle as he tries to extract his left leg and hop to the side, but “Mighty Mouse” is keeping him at bay. Johnson sits up and Torres grabs a headlock, then threatens to slink the second arm around for a brabo choke. Johnson senses danger and extracts his head, and Torres passes to side control with two minutes to go. Lovely sweep from Johnson finds the positions suddenly switched, but Torres uses his legs to sweep right back. Torres drops back for a heel hook and Johnson matches him. Johnson stands and rushes to take Torres’ back, but Torres drops back to guard and throws up a triangle. Johnson pulls loose and Torres rolls, keeping Johnson in guard. Guillotine attempt from Torres before the horn.
Round 2
Johnson uses quick hands and feet, ducking in and out with combinations before driving Torres down with a double. Torres drives his heels into Johnson’s back and is warned to mind the spine by referee Josh Rosenthal. Torres tries to roll with a triangle, can’t find it and they pop back up. Another takedown for Johnson, but Torres is doing work from his back, elbowing and boxing the ears of Johnson. Torres is put down again, but he slaps on a reverse triangle choke. He doesn’t have it tight and releases Johnson after a moment, going back to striking from his back. Johnson can’t pass the long guard of Torres, nor land much in the way of meaningful offense up top. Torres leans to his left and isolates the right arm of Johnson, then rolls through, putting Johnson back in full guard. Torres looks to push off the cage with his feet, but Johnson is in his face now. Johnson hops up and into reverse-mount. Torres throws his legs up and Johnson jams him up, finally passing to half-guard, but the round ends there.
Round 3
Johnson clubs Torres with an overhand right; it doesn’t seem to do much damage, but Johnson scores on an ankle pick nonetheless. Torres quickly closes his guard and ties up the right arm of Johnson, who stays calm and pulls it loose. Side control for Johnson with 3:30 to go, but 15 seconds later, Torres has him stuffed back in his full guard. The battle for position goes on with Johnson taking side control. Once he gets there, though, Torres grabs for a leg lock and Johnson has to take flight. Torres tries to stand, but gets caught on his knees and is forced to roll back to guard. Torres posts up on his left arm and simply uses his length and leverage to sweep Johnson. Torres has full mount with two minutes left, but the ex-champ isn’t rushing. He flattens Johnson but can’t get anything off before Johnson sneaks his leg through the middle and reclaims guard. Torres is in half-guard, tying up the collar of Johnson. It turns to a guillotine, but Johnson escapes to his feet. Another takedown for Johnson and another guillotine attempt from Torres at the horn ends it.
Official scores: Judges Dave Hagen, Glenn Trowbridge and Tony Weeks all see it 29-28 for the winner by unanimous decision, Demetrious Johnson.
Brian Stann vs. Jorge Santiago
Round 1
Referee Herb Dean makes his first appearance of the evening to officiate this middleweight affair. Stann moves forward, whipping hard kicks to the upper thigh of the Brazilian. Stann connects with punches as Santiago lowers his head and ducks inside. Santiago slips coming in for a takedown, dusts himself off and stands back up. Outside thigh kick from Santiago lands with a thud; Stann returns fire. Stann kicks the lead leg out from under Santiago. A huge left from Stann puts Santiago on his rear and Stann gives chase, shoving his man into the fence. Big elbows and hammerfists from Stann bust through Santiago’s guard. Stann smothers the mouth and then drops more elbows as Santiago gets his wits about him with a minute left. Santiago is warned for grabbing the fence as he spins to his feet, taking more punishment from Stann.
Round 2
Before the second round begins, referee Dean warns the Brazilian about leaving his hand open when he strikes. Santiago rushes Stann into the cage early and drives a knee up the gut. Stann muscles out of the position and it’s back to boxing. Half-hearted takedown attempt from Santiago is shucked easily by Stann, who’s headhunting with big right hands while continuing to chop away at the left leg of Santiago. Spinning backfist lands for Santiago, but Stann retaliates right away with a stinging left hook. Stann catches a slow-moving kick, shoves Santiago away, and lands another leg kick of his own. Santiago tries a flying knee and slips. Stann still working the leg kicks with a minute left, then drills one to the body. Overhand right from Stann lands behind the ear of Santiago and the Brazilian falls to his back. Stann stands over him, blasting away with straight shots to the face. Herb Dean sees Santiago’s lights flickering and steps in for a righteous save at 4:29 of the second round.
Rick Story vs. Thiago Alves
Round 1
Story gets Alves doubled over and pinned against the cage, where the American drills knees into Alves’ thigh. Strong waist lock for Story, who continues to assault with the knees as Alves has nowhere to go. Now Alves puts Story on the front side and trips him down, but Story whips right around and back to his feet. The crowd cheers the first two minutes of heavy action. Story comes forward, winging punches and backing Alves into the fence before changing levels. Alves defends the double leg and the welterweights pummel for control with over-unders. Story knees to the inside thigh; Alves punches short shots to the body. Referee Kim Winslow splits them up with two minutes on the clock. Story wings combos, but an Alves knee to the gut seems to make the wrestler think better of the exchange. He whips Alves into the fence and doubles over, but again is stuffed. Story takes a step back and unloads with a half-dozen hard punches, two or three of which find their marks. Alves ties back up and then shoves Story off. They clinch and Story comes with knees up the gut.
Round 2
Story lands a glancing head kick and snaps Alves’ head back with a right hand. The wrestler goes low, can’t find a takedown and settles for a waist lock. Alves puts his back to the cage and gets an underhook to shove Story away. Another takedown attempt from Story appears to stall out at the fence, but a second effort finds Alves on his back. The Brazilian pops right back up and trips Story to the canvas, quickly advancing to half-guard. Story powers his way out and stands, placing Alves’ back on a cagepost. Story leans his full weight on Alves, stifling any potential offense from the striker. Story goes back to his thigh-kneeing of the first frame before the pair is split again by Winslow. Alves slips on a kick and simultaneously eats a punch to the gut. As he gets back up, Story rushes him and throws his arms around Alves’ waist, eliciting boos from the audience. Wild exchanges end the round with neither man landing much of significance.
Round 3
It’s a firefight in the early going, both men winging punches in close quarters. Alves gets off a few hard ones, then a knee, and suddenly Story’s pace slows. A weak single-leg attempt follows; this time, Alves doesn’t take long to shuck Story off. Story keeps pressing forward, though, throwing to body and head before going for another single. No takedown for Story. Alves comes over the top with a crisp left hook that jacks Story’s jaw. Alves stuffs another single from Story, puts Story’s back on the cage and shoves off with double underhooks. Alves just trying to keep his distance now, sidestepping every time Story comes forward. Alves with a one-two, an uppercut, another left; Story lands a right hand of his own and tries again in vain to bring the fight to the floor. Alves puts a right straight on Story’s nose and wilts him with a knee. Story ties up with 40 seconds to go, but Alves breaks free. He smacks a right high kick off the side of Story’s face. Story goes wild with punches in the waning seconds, but Alves does, too, and the Brazilian’s strikes land cleaner to the final horn.
Official scores: All three judges have it 29-28 in favor of the winner by unanimous decision, Rick Story.
Travis Browne vs. Stefan Struve
Round 1
Struve gets off with an early knee and uses his massive frame to pin Browne to the cage. Browne gets off a short elbow, reverses the position, and gets a separation from ref Steve Mazzagatti. Browne ducks in and out with punches, but Struve uses a huge push kick to keep him away. Struve has a big right kick to the body caught, but Browne can’t do anything with it. Struve ducks big punches, kicks Browne in the body again. The big men tie up and Browne trips the “Skyscraper” down. Struve turns his hips and tries to put his back to the cage. Browne goes to stand and Struve picks the ankle, tripping the American to his knees. Lighting fast, Struve latches an anaconda choke on the neck of Browne, but he can’t roll for the finish. Browne wants it back on the feet with a minute to go. Browne times a right-handed Superman punch perfectly and Struve bends over backward like a tree in a strong wind. Browne gives chase, but it’s a done deal. The official time of the highlight-reel knockout is 4:11 of the opening frame.
Frank Mir vs. Roy Nelson
Round 1
The southpaw Mir takes to the center of the cage, but Nelson rushes forward and initiates the clinch. Mir puts Nelson’s back to the fence and looks for a double-leg that doesn’t come. Nelson swaps positions and puts hands to Mir’s gut, but Mir is doing well to frustrate and stall “Big Country.” The former champ exits with a hard knee, then just misses with a big head kick. Nelson lands a solid right hand and clinches up again, this time using underhooks to immobilize Mir. Knees inside from Nelson draw a warning from referee Josh Rosenthal to “keep ‘em clean.” Mir connects with two or three hard, high knees and Nelson backs away. More knees from Mir back Nelson up further, but not for long. Nelson puts Mir on the fence again, hold him there a moment, then backs up, slugging. Mir strikes with more knees and then tosses Nelson to the ground beautifully. Mir takes full mount and Nelson craftily twists around, scrambling to his feet. The round ends with Nelson trying to mount offense against the cage.
Round 2
Nelson slugs Mir with a big right over the top. Mir throws a combo and a solid kick to the body, rushing in behind it to beat Nelson to the clinch. Mir drops for a single-leg and deposits Nelson on his back in half-guard. Mir puts his glove over the mouth of Nelson and is warned by referee Rosenthal to watch the eyes. Nelson works to his feet and they clinch again with Big Country scoring on uppercuts. Another knee in the clinch is followed by another Mir takedown. He pins down Nelson’s left arm, but Nelson again powers his way out and to his feet. The crowd approves and Nelson sucks in a deep breath with 90 seconds to go in the middle round. Nelson shoots a single and puts Mir’s back on the fence. Nelson looks wiped as he holds Mir to the cage for the final minute.
Round 3
Mir ducks inside and ties up to score with another high knee; after it lands, Nelson backs away and draws a breath with his hands at his side. A kick to the body and further knees come from Mir before he walks Nelson into a corner and plows him down once again. Mir works from a loose half-guard on Nelson’s right, pinning down Nelson’s arm, laying punches and forearms across the face. Nelson stands and the sequence repeats. Elbows, hammerfists and shoulder shrugs find their way to the exhausted grill of Nelson, but he still manages to climb back up. Another high double puts Nelson on his back, where he’s simply gasping for air. Heavy, heavy elbows from Mir in the last minute, but Nelson is able to end the fight on his feet.
Official scores: It’s a clean sweep for Frank Mir with the judges at cageside turning in scorecards of 30-26 and 30-27 (twice).
Quinton Jackson vs. Matt Hamill
Round 1
Herb Dean is the third man in the cage for tonight’s main event. Judges Roy Silbert, Glenn Trowbridge and Tony Weeks score the bout at cageside. Jackson sports his usual pre-fight grimace during the introductions and final instructions. Hamill attacks with kicks to the head and body early, then has a long shot stuffed by Jackson. Hamill kicks with his left as Jackson circles off in that direction. Rampage paws with punches just out of range; Hamill uses another outside leg kick, then a teep. Jackson explodes with punches only when Hamill comes inside, looking to counter. He reacts to a faked shot from Hamill, but comes forward with a two-piece and finishes with an uppercut on the doubled-over “Hammer.” Long, straight rights from Hamill precede a stuffed shot. Jackson cracks Hamill with a left and stuffs another single-leg a moment later. Now Jackson goes offensive, moving forward with punches, but this soon subsides. Good left-right from Hamill around the 60-second mark. Jackson shucks another shot and blasts away upon exit, landing more uppercuts and an outside thigh kick at the horn. Blood drips from the mouth of Hamill as he walks to his corner, hands on his hips.
Round 2
Hamill comes out with a left head kick, but Jackson blocks it and fires off a crisp combo. Hamill half-shoots, eats a left hand and fakes another shot. Hamill shoots across the center of the cage, but Jackson is backing up before Hamill’s arms are even extended. Jackson bullies his man on the fence, drives a sharp knee to the gut. Uppercut in the clinch from Jackson makes Hamill try a throw. It doesn’t come, so Hamill shoves the ex-champ off. Hamill tries to go low for an ankle pick; again Jackson has it sussed and backs Hamill into the fence with punches. Back in the center of the cage with 2:30 on the clock and Hamill lobs a noticeably slower leg kick. Jackson slips a long, slow jab from Hamill and backs him up with a one-two. Jackson stuffs two more shots from Hamill in short order. He comes inside and digs a heater to Hamill’s body, following up with shots to the head. More body blows come from Rampage and he finishes the frame with a knee in the clinch.
Round 3
Hamill starts the round with a Superman punch, but is punished for the try with a Jackson counter. Hamill continues to try and stick with single jabs that miss and single-legs that are stuffed. He does manage to clinch with Jackson, but it doesn’t last long. Hamill puts a left hand on Jackson’s cheek. It doesn’t do much and Jackson soon moves forward with more rib roasters. Hamill clinches up and Jackson scores with a knee to the gut. The Hammer looking every bit the anvil, taking blows low and high from Jackson, leg kicks and punches. Ninety seconds to go and both men are spent. Jackson puts Hamill’s back on the fence, but gets reversed and eats a few punches to the body. Boos rain down in the last 30 seconds, but Jackson stifles them with a leaping knee and a hard combination to finish the fight.
Official scores: Judges Silbert, Trowbridge and Weeks all score it 30-27 in favor of Quinton Jackson. The crowd boos as the cards are read and throughout Jackson’s interview, surely not in protest of the decision, but the fight itself.
Airdate: Saturday, May 28th, 2011 (Pay-Per-View)
Location: The MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV
Results by MMAScoops.com
Renan “Barao” Pegado vs. Cole Escovedo
Round 1
Steve Mazzagatti is the referee for the night’s opening contest. Barao has Escovedo tied up and slammed to the canvas in the first 30 seconds. The American pushes off the Brazilian’s hips and works a butterfly guard, closing up as Barao scoots him into the cage. Escovedo uses his feet to push off the cage and Barao stands. Back on the feet, it’s Barao firing one-twos down the pipe, stalking outward as Escovedo circles the perimeter. Right low kick from Barao lands with a loud crack. Escovedo puts his back to the cage and jumps guard, tying up Barao with his lanky limbs and angling for his favorite submission, the triangle choke. Two minutes to go in the opening stanza. Escovedo throws elbows from underneath and tries to minimize the damage from Barao’s minimal top assault. The bantamweights aren’t active enough for Mazzagatti, who stands them back up. Escovedo lands a glancing head kick, then a stiff left straight that stuns Barao. The “Apache Kid” jumps guard again, looks for an armbar, and throws another bunch of elbows from the bottom as the round expires.
Round 2
Barao is coming forward again as round two begins and walks straight into a hard punch, then a follow-up knee from Escovedo. Disguising any trouble he may be in, Barao puts Escovedo on his back, but they don’t stay there long. Barao stands in center cage again and snaps off push and leg kicks. Escovedo answers with a hard kick to the body. Midway through the round, Barao grabs a waist lock and trips Escovedo down at the base of the fence. Escovedo throws horizontal elbows from his back as Barao tries unsuccessfully to pass guard. Barao not doing much from the top with 90 ticks to go and Mazzagatti tells the fighters to get busy. They’re restarted on the feet with a minute left. Barao catches a leg kick and ties up with Escovedo, who jumps guard once more. The round expires with Escovedo sweeping out from underneath.
Round 3
Escovedo landing good, straight right hands in the opening minute of the final frame, attacking the body of Barao with kicks. Barao charges with a high flying knee which can’t find Escovedo’s jaw. A big right hand seems to stun Escovedo, who is hurled to the mat in short order with a Barao double-leg. Escovedo throws up a triangle and Barao stands, dodging an upkick. Another flying knee grazes for Barao, then a spinning kick. Barao scores another takedown with 20 seconds to go and one more for good measure just before the horn.
Official scores: The judges at cageside have it 30-27 (twice) and 29-28, all in favor of the winner by unanimous decision, Renan “Barao” Pegado.
Chris Cariaso vs. Michael McDonald
Round 1
Josh Rosenthal is in charge of this bantamweight tilt. McDonald cracks Cariaso with a kick and Cariaso shoots. They clinch up briefly and McDonald cracks his man with a right hand as they disengage. Cariaso flicking out nice leg kicks, but McDonald is timing them and answering with hard combos down the middle. McDonald lands an outside thigh kick of his own, then stumbles Cariaso with a left hook. Cariaso gets off a good right hand as he wades inside, but McDonald grabs the neck and considers jumping guard with a guillotine. He doesn’t and circles away from the cage, where Cariaso continues to give chase with low kicks. The momentum from one kick causes Cariaso to slip and McDonald gives chase. Hard elbow from “Mayday” on top and he stands back up with a minute to go. McDonald ducks under a high kick just before the horn and plows Cariaso to the floor, where Cariaso tries for a heel hook as the round ends.
Round 2
Kicks continue to comprise the bulk of Cariaso’s offense as round two begins; McDonald continues to try and time it for a takedown or home run shot. Cariaso ducks inside on the much taller McDonald with a one-two and Rosenthal warns them about clashing heads. McDonald times a kick and sweeps the back leg out from underneath Cariaso. He pops right back up. McDonald is keeping his distance, using his range as he picks his shots. Left inside thigh kick from Cariaso finds McDonald’s cup and the Californian is given time to recover. Cariaso’s corner tells its fighter that they believe McDonald has injured an arm. McDonald recovers and they resume with two minutes to go. McDonald takes a kick on the forearm, goes for a shot and is stuffed. He bullies Cariaso against the fence and exits with a sharp right inside. He times a kick and takes Cariaso straight down, then moves to side control. McDonald nearly gets mount, but Cariaso squirms out and stands just before the end of the round.
Round 3
Kicks to the body are again the weapon of choice for Cariaso. McDonald tries to catch another, but winds up on the underside with Cariaso in his half-guard. McDonald ties up the right arm of Cariaso, who’s being kept at bay by McDonald’s long butterfly guard. McDonald regains full guard and closes it up. McDonald throws up a triangle that forces Cariaso to stand. Two minutes to go in the fight. McDonald drives Cariaso down and gets his right arm trapped in an omoplata. Cariaso has the limb triangle with 90 seconds to go, but McDonald stays calm and is able to extract it quickly. Cariaso tries to close it out with more kicks, but McDonald stays away and the final minute winds down without much landed.
Official scores: One judge has it a clean sweep for Cariaso, 30-27. However, the remaining two see it 29-28 for Michael McDonald, the winner by split decision.
Gleison Tibau vs. Rafaello Oliveira
Round 1
Referee Kim Winslow is in the cage for this lightweight bout. It’s hard but somewhat tentative striking in the early going with Tibau taking the center of the cage. He puts Oliveira on his back, but “Tractor” doesn’t stay there for more than a moment, shoving Tibau off the top. They go back to standing and Tibau is scoring with left hooks while Oliveira kicks to the body. Two minutes to go. Tibau wades forward with a huge overhand right that glances. He drives Oliveira to the floor again, and this time, Tibau holds him there. Oliveira is active underneath, shrimping and kicking, regaining guard, and ultimately standing back up. Tibau scores with a hard left hand and plays matador as Oliveira rushes forward.
Round 2
Oliveira looks to play aggressor in the second, but Tibau is keeping his countryman at range with murderous left hooks. Tibau executes a perfect takedown with 3:30 on the clock. On the ground, referee Winslow warns someone to “watch the eyes.” Oliveira slips an armbar attempt and works back to his feet, whereupon he looks for a takedown of his own. A short left uppercut from Tibau sends Oliveira buckling to the mat, his back to the cage. Tibau gives chase. Back mount for Tibau as Oliveira turtles. Tibau has his hooks in and bangs away with left hands to the side of Oliveira’s head. Just as the storm seems to relent, Tibau sees an opening and snakes his right arm around Oliveira’s throat. Oliveira is trapped and forced to submit to the rear-naked choke at 3:28 of the second round.
Kendall Grove vs. Tim Boetsch
Round 1
Boetsch dips inside for a single-leg and is spun around by the lanky “Spyder.” The second attempt yields a better result and Boetsch stuffs Grove down against the base of the fence. Boetsch grinds there a minute and then backs out, allowing Grove to stand. The middleweights trade teep kicks and clinch up, where Boetsch drops Grove with a smooth double and takes side control. Grove shrimps and Boetsch deals him a few punches to the back of the head, for which he is verbally warned by ref Steve Mazzagatti. Grove throws up his legs for an armbar, forcing Boetsch to retreat. The “Barbarian” stands over Grove, who kicks at Boetsch’s knees from his back. Boetsch lets him up and they engage against the fence with over-unders. Grove gets a front headlock and knees to the thigh and gut of Boetsch, who extracts his head with about 90 seconds remaining. Boetsch is breathing heavy as he tries to neutralize the more active Grove in the clinch. Grove scores with knees to the stomach and one up high. Another lands to the body of Boetsch at the horn.
Round 2
The middleweights find themselves back in the clinch after a moment of light exchanging. Grove scores with a few strikes in close quarters, but Boetsch decides to take it to the floor and does so at will. Hard, short right hands score as Boetsch leans from Grove’s left to right in side control. Grove gets to his knees and stands, but is single-legged straight back down. Grove appears to be cut near the right eye as he struggles beneath the powerful wrestler. Boetsch has head-and-arm control on Grove as the Hawaiian works to his feet. Grove uses the fence and a wide base to stuff a single-leg with a minute on the clock. A few elbows to the side later, Boetsch gets his way and Grove is again on his back. They and Grove has a long high kick blocked as the round ends.
Round 3
Boetsch drags Grove down with a high single inside the first 20 seconds. Grove gets back up and finds himself pinned to the cage. He reverses the position and puts a few hard right hands on Boetsch’s face. Boetsch gets his hips in front, though, and tosses Grove to the ground. Grove is on his knees now with Boetsch looking to hop on his back. He can’t get there and instead knees to Grove’s body. Grove finds an opening and scrambles up with three minutes left in the fight. Thirty seconds later, Grove is on his back once more. He throws up a triangle; it’s not tight, but it’s enough to get Boetsch to stand. Another easy takedown from Boetsch and Grove is now sporting a more significant cut beneath his right eye. Boetsch lays in half-guard on Grove’s right side, framing up the far-side arm. Grove scrambles up and executes a double-leg of his own on the fence, but Boetsch quickly sweeps and grabs a headlock. The match ends with Boetsch bullying Grove on the cage.
Official scores: All three judges have it 30-27 for Tim Boetsch, who takes a unanimous decision in his middleweight debut.
Miguel Torres vs. Demetrious Johnson
Round 1
Torres flicks out some leg kicks and looks to keep his range early. They soon tie up, however, and the diminutive Johnson brings the fight to the floor. They scramble and Torres winds up on top. Johnson traps him in half-guard and digs short heels into the back of Torres’ thigh. The former WEC champ looks to be framing up an arm-triangle as he tries to extract his left leg and hop to the side, but “Mighty Mouse” is keeping him at bay. Johnson sits up and Torres grabs a headlock, then threatens to slink the second arm around for a brabo choke. Johnson senses danger and extracts his head, and Torres passes to side control with two minutes to go. Lovely sweep from Johnson finds the positions suddenly switched, but Torres uses his legs to sweep right back. Torres drops back for a heel hook and Johnson matches him. Johnson stands and rushes to take Torres’ back, but Torres drops back to guard and throws up a triangle. Johnson pulls loose and Torres rolls, keeping Johnson in guard. Guillotine attempt from Torres before the horn.
Round 2
Johnson uses quick hands and feet, ducking in and out with combinations before driving Torres down with a double. Torres drives his heels into Johnson’s back and is warned to mind the spine by referee Josh Rosenthal. Torres tries to roll with a triangle, can’t find it and they pop back up. Another takedown for Johnson, but Torres is doing work from his back, elbowing and boxing the ears of Johnson. Torres is put down again, but he slaps on a reverse triangle choke. He doesn’t have it tight and releases Johnson after a moment, going back to striking from his back. Johnson can’t pass the long guard of Torres, nor land much in the way of meaningful offense up top. Torres leans to his left and isolates the right arm of Johnson, then rolls through, putting Johnson back in full guard. Torres looks to push off the cage with his feet, but Johnson is in his face now. Johnson hops up and into reverse-mount. Torres throws his legs up and Johnson jams him up, finally passing to half-guard, but the round ends there.
Round 3
Johnson clubs Torres with an overhand right; it doesn’t seem to do much damage, but Johnson scores on an ankle pick nonetheless. Torres quickly closes his guard and ties up the right arm of Johnson, who stays calm and pulls it loose. Side control for Johnson with 3:30 to go, but 15 seconds later, Torres has him stuffed back in his full guard. The battle for position goes on with Johnson taking side control. Once he gets there, though, Torres grabs for a leg lock and Johnson has to take flight. Torres tries to stand, but gets caught on his knees and is forced to roll back to guard. Torres posts up on his left arm and simply uses his length and leverage to sweep Johnson. Torres has full mount with two minutes left, but the ex-champ isn’t rushing. He flattens Johnson but can’t get anything off before Johnson sneaks his leg through the middle and reclaims guard. Torres is in half-guard, tying up the collar of Johnson. It turns to a guillotine, but Johnson escapes to his feet. Another takedown for Johnson and another guillotine attempt from Torres at the horn ends it.
Official scores: Judges Dave Hagen, Glenn Trowbridge and Tony Weeks all see it 29-28 for the winner by unanimous decision, Demetrious Johnson.
Brian Stann vs. Jorge Santiago
Round 1
Referee Herb Dean makes his first appearance of the evening to officiate this middleweight affair. Stann moves forward, whipping hard kicks to the upper thigh of the Brazilian. Stann connects with punches as Santiago lowers his head and ducks inside. Santiago slips coming in for a takedown, dusts himself off and stands back up. Outside thigh kick from Santiago lands with a thud; Stann returns fire. Stann kicks the lead leg out from under Santiago. A huge left from Stann puts Santiago on his rear and Stann gives chase, shoving his man into the fence. Big elbows and hammerfists from Stann bust through Santiago’s guard. Stann smothers the mouth and then drops more elbows as Santiago gets his wits about him with a minute left. Santiago is warned for grabbing the fence as he spins to his feet, taking more punishment from Stann.
Round 2
Before the second round begins, referee Dean warns the Brazilian about leaving his hand open when he strikes. Santiago rushes Stann into the cage early and drives a knee up the gut. Stann muscles out of the position and it’s back to boxing. Half-hearted takedown attempt from Santiago is shucked easily by Stann, who’s headhunting with big right hands while continuing to chop away at the left leg of Santiago. Spinning backfist lands for Santiago, but Stann retaliates right away with a stinging left hook. Stann catches a slow-moving kick, shoves Santiago away, and lands another leg kick of his own. Santiago tries a flying knee and slips. Stann still working the leg kicks with a minute left, then drills one to the body. Overhand right from Stann lands behind the ear of Santiago and the Brazilian falls to his back. Stann stands over him, blasting away with straight shots to the face. Herb Dean sees Santiago’s lights flickering and steps in for a righteous save at 4:29 of the second round.
Rick Story vs. Thiago Alves
Round 1
Story gets Alves doubled over and pinned against the cage, where the American drills knees into Alves’ thigh. Strong waist lock for Story, who continues to assault with the knees as Alves has nowhere to go. Now Alves puts Story on the front side and trips him down, but Story whips right around and back to his feet. The crowd cheers the first two minutes of heavy action. Story comes forward, winging punches and backing Alves into the fence before changing levels. Alves defends the double leg and the welterweights pummel for control with over-unders. Story knees to the inside thigh; Alves punches short shots to the body. Referee Kim Winslow splits them up with two minutes on the clock. Story wings combos, but an Alves knee to the gut seems to make the wrestler think better of the exchange. He whips Alves into the fence and doubles over, but again is stuffed. Story takes a step back and unloads with a half-dozen hard punches, two or three of which find their marks. Alves ties back up and then shoves Story off. They clinch and Story comes with knees up the gut.
Round 2
Story lands a glancing head kick and snaps Alves’ head back with a right hand. The wrestler goes low, can’t find a takedown and settles for a waist lock. Alves puts his back to the cage and gets an underhook to shove Story away. Another takedown attempt from Story appears to stall out at the fence, but a second effort finds Alves on his back. The Brazilian pops right back up and trips Story to the canvas, quickly advancing to half-guard. Story powers his way out and stands, placing Alves’ back on a cagepost. Story leans his full weight on Alves, stifling any potential offense from the striker. Story goes back to his thigh-kneeing of the first frame before the pair is split again by Winslow. Alves slips on a kick and simultaneously eats a punch to the gut. As he gets back up, Story rushes him and throws his arms around Alves’ waist, eliciting boos from the audience. Wild exchanges end the round with neither man landing much of significance.
Round 3
It’s a firefight in the early going, both men winging punches in close quarters. Alves gets off a few hard ones, then a knee, and suddenly Story’s pace slows. A weak single-leg attempt follows; this time, Alves doesn’t take long to shuck Story off. Story keeps pressing forward, though, throwing to body and head before going for another single. No takedown for Story. Alves comes over the top with a crisp left hook that jacks Story’s jaw. Alves stuffs another single from Story, puts Story’s back on the cage and shoves off with double underhooks. Alves just trying to keep his distance now, sidestepping every time Story comes forward. Alves with a one-two, an uppercut, another left; Story lands a right hand of his own and tries again in vain to bring the fight to the floor. Alves puts a right straight on Story’s nose and wilts him with a knee. Story ties up with 40 seconds to go, but Alves breaks free. He smacks a right high kick off the side of Story’s face. Story goes wild with punches in the waning seconds, but Alves does, too, and the Brazilian’s strikes land cleaner to the final horn.
Official scores: All three judges have it 29-28 in favor of the winner by unanimous decision, Rick Story.
Travis Browne vs. Stefan Struve
Round 1
Struve gets off with an early knee and uses his massive frame to pin Browne to the cage. Browne gets off a short elbow, reverses the position, and gets a separation from ref Steve Mazzagatti. Browne ducks in and out with punches, but Struve uses a huge push kick to keep him away. Struve has a big right kick to the body caught, but Browne can’t do anything with it. Struve ducks big punches, kicks Browne in the body again. The big men tie up and Browne trips the “Skyscraper” down. Struve turns his hips and tries to put his back to the cage. Browne goes to stand and Struve picks the ankle, tripping the American to his knees. Lighting fast, Struve latches an anaconda choke on the neck of Browne, but he can’t roll for the finish. Browne wants it back on the feet with a minute to go. Browne times a right-handed Superman punch perfectly and Struve bends over backward like a tree in a strong wind. Browne gives chase, but it’s a done deal. The official time of the highlight-reel knockout is 4:11 of the opening frame.
Frank Mir vs. Roy Nelson
Round 1
The southpaw Mir takes to the center of the cage, but Nelson rushes forward and initiates the clinch. Mir puts Nelson’s back to the fence and looks for a double-leg that doesn’t come. Nelson swaps positions and puts hands to Mir’s gut, but Mir is doing well to frustrate and stall “Big Country.” The former champ exits with a hard knee, then just misses with a big head kick. Nelson lands a solid right hand and clinches up again, this time using underhooks to immobilize Mir. Knees inside from Nelson draw a warning from referee Josh Rosenthal to “keep ‘em clean.” Mir connects with two or three hard, high knees and Nelson backs away. More knees from Mir back Nelson up further, but not for long. Nelson puts Mir on the fence again, hold him there a moment, then backs up, slugging. Mir strikes with more knees and then tosses Nelson to the ground beautifully. Mir takes full mount and Nelson craftily twists around, scrambling to his feet. The round ends with Nelson trying to mount offense against the cage.
Round 2
Nelson slugs Mir with a big right over the top. Mir throws a combo and a solid kick to the body, rushing in behind it to beat Nelson to the clinch. Mir drops for a single-leg and deposits Nelson on his back in half-guard. Mir puts his glove over the mouth of Nelson and is warned by referee Rosenthal to watch the eyes. Nelson works to his feet and they clinch again with Big Country scoring on uppercuts. Another knee in the clinch is followed by another Mir takedown. He pins down Nelson’s left arm, but Nelson again powers his way out and to his feet. The crowd approves and Nelson sucks in a deep breath with 90 seconds to go in the middle round. Nelson shoots a single and puts Mir’s back on the fence. Nelson looks wiped as he holds Mir to the cage for the final minute.
Round 3
Mir ducks inside and ties up to score with another high knee; after it lands, Nelson backs away and draws a breath with his hands at his side. A kick to the body and further knees come from Mir before he walks Nelson into a corner and plows him down once again. Mir works from a loose half-guard on Nelson’s right, pinning down Nelson’s arm, laying punches and forearms across the face. Nelson stands and the sequence repeats. Elbows, hammerfists and shoulder shrugs find their way to the exhausted grill of Nelson, but he still manages to climb back up. Another high double puts Nelson on his back, where he’s simply gasping for air. Heavy, heavy elbows from Mir in the last minute, but Nelson is able to end the fight on his feet.
Official scores: It’s a clean sweep for Frank Mir with the judges at cageside turning in scorecards of 30-26 and 30-27 (twice).
Quinton Jackson vs. Matt Hamill
Round 1
Herb Dean is the third man in the cage for tonight’s main event. Judges Roy Silbert, Glenn Trowbridge and Tony Weeks score the bout at cageside. Jackson sports his usual pre-fight grimace during the introductions and final instructions. Hamill attacks with kicks to the head and body early, then has a long shot stuffed by Jackson. Hamill kicks with his left as Jackson circles off in that direction. Rampage paws with punches just out of range; Hamill uses another outside leg kick, then a teep. Jackson explodes with punches only when Hamill comes inside, looking to counter. He reacts to a faked shot from Hamill, but comes forward with a two-piece and finishes with an uppercut on the doubled-over “Hammer.” Long, straight rights from Hamill precede a stuffed shot. Jackson cracks Hamill with a left and stuffs another single-leg a moment later. Now Jackson goes offensive, moving forward with punches, but this soon subsides. Good left-right from Hamill around the 60-second mark. Jackson shucks another shot and blasts away upon exit, landing more uppercuts and an outside thigh kick at the horn. Blood drips from the mouth of Hamill as he walks to his corner, hands on his hips.
Round 2
Hamill comes out with a left head kick, but Jackson blocks it and fires off a crisp combo. Hamill half-shoots, eats a left hand and fakes another shot. Hamill shoots across the center of the cage, but Jackson is backing up before Hamill’s arms are even extended. Jackson bullies his man on the fence, drives a sharp knee to the gut. Uppercut in the clinch from Jackson makes Hamill try a throw. It doesn’t come, so Hamill shoves the ex-champ off. Hamill tries to go low for an ankle pick; again Jackson has it sussed and backs Hamill into the fence with punches. Back in the center of the cage with 2:30 on the clock and Hamill lobs a noticeably slower leg kick. Jackson slips a long, slow jab from Hamill and backs him up with a one-two. Jackson stuffs two more shots from Hamill in short order. He comes inside and digs a heater to Hamill’s body, following up with shots to the head. More body blows come from Rampage and he finishes the frame with a knee in the clinch.
Round 3
Hamill starts the round with a Superman punch, but is punished for the try with a Jackson counter. Hamill continues to try and stick with single jabs that miss and single-legs that are stuffed. He does manage to clinch with Jackson, but it doesn’t last long. Hamill puts a left hand on Jackson’s cheek. It doesn’t do much and Jackson soon moves forward with more rib roasters. Hamill clinches up and Jackson scores with a knee to the gut. The Hammer looking every bit the anvil, taking blows low and high from Jackson, leg kicks and punches. Ninety seconds to go and both men are spent. Jackson puts Hamill’s back on the fence, but gets reversed and eats a few punches to the body. Boos rain down in the last 30 seconds, but Jackson stifles them with a leaping knee and a hard combination to finish the fight.
Official scores: Judges Silbert, Trowbridge and Weeks all score it 30-27 in favor of Quinton Jackson. The crowd boos as the cards are read and throughout Jackson’s interview, surely not in protest of the decision, but the fight itself.
