UFC 93 Play-by-Play
Jan 18, 2009
Sherdog.com reports from the O2 Arena in Dublin with live
play-by-play of UFC 93, which is headlined by Dan
Henderson vs. Rich
Franklin.
Don't forget to check out the MMA Forums to discuss tonight's event.
Click here for quick results.
Hit F5 on your keyboard to refresh often, as play-by-play is updated in real time.
Round 1
Siver opens the card by landing a headkick followed by a heavy right hand. Feeling that Mohr is rocked, Siver follows with a plethora of punches, which drop Mohr to the canvas. Mohr recovers, but is chased by Siver. Sensing that he is in danger, Mohr secures a takedown and instantly moves to mount. Unable to land any damaging ground-and-pound, he allows Siver to the chance to retain half guard. Referee Kevin Mulhall separates the fighters after the action stalls. The frame ends with both fighters trading punches on the feet. Mohr takes the round 10-9 on the strength of his takedown and control.
Round 2
The second round begins very tentaively as both fighters look to find an opening on the feet. Mohr dictates the pace as he lands faster combinations and stuns Siver with a head kick. Siver starts to push the fight towards the end of the round as he comes forward landing combos and leg kicks. Due to his willingness to come forward, Siver edges Mohr in the second frame, 10-9.
Round 3
The final frame starts with Siver looking like the fresher fighter in the Octagon. He is staying active with his jab and right hand. Siver shoots a single-leg that is defended well by Mohr. With a minute and a half left, Siver lands a beautiful spinning-back kick which folds Mohr. Siver follows with some punches on the downed fighter until Mulhall calls the contest at 3:27 of the third.
Tomasz Drwal vs. Ivan Serati
Round 1
Serati shoots a fast double-leg takedown, but Drwal shrugs it off with ease. Looking for another shot, Serati is stuffed once again. Drawl gets a takedown of his own and instantly goes to work with hard punches. Several find their target and referee Leon Roberts steps in to save Serati at 2:02 of the opening frame.
Eric Schafer vs. Antonio Mendes
Round 1
Looking to utilize his BJJ skills, Schafer presses Mendes against the fencing. Unable to secure a leg, Schafer fails on his takedown and is taken to his back but he doesn’t stay there long, using a textbook sweep to take the mount. Showing a good base, Schafer bombs away from the mount with punches. Mendes, unable to defend himself, offers little until referee Dan Miragliotta calls the bout at the 3:35 mark of round one.
Martin Kampmann vs. Alexandre Barros
Round 1
After a slow start to the bout, Barros looks to land an inside-leg kick. Kampmann moves backwards and the kick slaps his cup directly. Clearly in pain, Kampmann lies on the Octagon floor and uses his full allotted time to recover. When the action is resumed, Kampmann lands a crisp body kick and initiates a couple of knees from the Thai plum. Barros drops levels for a takedown and is caught in a guillotine choke. Barros escapes and gets a lateral drop to take Kampmann’s back. Referee Kevin Mulhall stands up the fighters before the round expires. Barros takes the first, 10-9.
Round 2
Kampmann works from the clinch early in the second stanza and takes the top position on the floor following a scramble. Working over his opponent with punches, Kampmann finds the opening to take mount. Hurting Barros with a number of shots, Kampmann moves to the back, where he finishes Barros at 3:07 of the second after Mulhall had seen enough.
Thomas Egan vs. John Hathaway
Round 1
Hometown favorite Tom Egan comes out to a rapturous reception as his opponent is greeted with a chorus of jeers. There is no doubt who the crowd is behind in the evening’s final preliminary bout. Hathaway gets a big slam to start the bout. Egan is showing he is a hard man to hold down, as he scrambles and forces his opponent to work hard to get off any offense. Egan gets back to his feet but he is dragged immediately back to the floor. Passing first to side-control and then the back of Egan, Hathaway lands some elbows to the head that prompt referee Marc Goddard to save the local hero at 4:36 of the first.
Marcus Davis vs. Chris Lytle
Round 1
Both men charge to the center of the Octagon. Lytle opens up with his hands and absolutely blasts Davis with a punching flurry. Davis, a former boxer like Lytle, recovers quickly and trades a few low kicks. A straight left and a body kick connect for Davis. At the midway point of round one, both fighters swing for the fences and nothing lands clean. Davis catches a low kick and shoves Lytle to the floor. A left hand lead lands for the southpaw Davis. An incidental clash of heads sends Lytle briefly to the canvas, but Davis allows him to stand. Lytle absorbs a flying knee, a stiff body kick and another left hand. After a shaky start, the first round is all Davis.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Davis
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Davis
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Davis
Round 2
Lytle tees off again with a flurry of punches to start a round. Davis is getting caught as he covers up against the fencing. Davis runs out of harms way and resets himself. Davis puts together a punching combination that sends Lytle to the canvas. He stands and is cracked by a Davis knee to the chest. And another. Davis continues to work the body with stiff kicks from his left leg. Lytle gets wild with his hands as he misses a fury of haymakers from both hands. Lytle is tiring and it shows with his impatience and lack of balance. Lytle lands his best punch since the opening seconds of the round, a straight right lead. Davis misses on a jumping knee as he bleeds from the nose. The men walk to the center of the Octagon to trade punches in the final 10 seconds.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Davis
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Lytle
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Davis
Round 3
The fighters embrace for a long hug to start the final frame. A counter-left hook from Davis finds a home on the jaw of Lytle. To the front leg of Lytle goes Davis with two low kicks. Lytle’s face is showing signs of abuse as his left eye begins to swell. Davis connects with a low kick and a left hook to the body. Lytle lands a hard right straight to the midsection. Davis answers with a jumping knee to the same region. Lytle’s punches are looking more looping as time wears on, while as Davis continues to punch straight and kick the body and legs fluidly. A right hand from Lytle swells Davis’ left cheekbone up. A solid left counter connects for Lytle. A decent slugest to start Saturday’s pay-per-view broadcast.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Davis
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Davis
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Davis
The official judges’ scorecards read:
29-28 Davis.
29-28 Lytle.
29-28 Davis. Marcus Davis takes a split-decision that didn’t look that close.
Alan Belcher vs. Denis Kang
Round 1
The fighters exchange hard punches and both land. Kang drops levels for a single-leg and he gets it. Kang passes to half-guard and briefly side-control. Belcher gets back to guard and pushes Kang off. Now back to his feet, Belcher gets caught with a right and a left. Kang easily gets another takedown. In half-guard, Kang locks on a kimura, but loses it just as he passes to side-control. Kang delivers knees to the body to close the round.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Kang
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Kang
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Kang
Round 2
Kang gets off with an early series of punches and Belchers answers with a right hand. Kang gets a smooth takedown into Belcher’s guard. Kang moves to half guard and looks briefly for a kimura. He gives up the hold as he is stuck in Belcher’s defensive half-guard. Kang backs out and ends up in Belcher’s full guard. Referee Dan Miragliotta stands the fighters up with 90 seconds remaining. The crowd is growing restless as the fighters circle. Kang gets busy with his hands but he can’t connect. Kang shoots for a single but is caught in a guillotine. He turns Kang over and forces a tapout. The official time is 4:36 of the second.
Jeremy Horn vs. Rousimar Palhares
Round 1
Palhares throws a wild right-hand haymaker and transitions to a successful trip. Only seconds pass before Palhares is on Horn’s back with one hook in. Palhares punches and hammerfists the head. Horn rolls over and Palhares stays on him tightly. After a beating dished out by Palhares with his left hand, Horn gets back to a closed guard. Palhares drops down for a heel hook, but Horn is game, he escapes and attempts a triangle choke. Palhares has none of it, as he powers out and returns to side-control and the back position. Palhares is fluid on the canvas. He rides horn like a quarter-horse jockey as he continuously looks for a dominant position and window of attack.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-8 Palhares
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Palhares
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Palhares
Round 2
Palhares gets a quick takedown to start round two. Referee Leon Roberts warns Palhares twice for holding the cage as the fighters scrambled on the floor for position. Palhares takes the back of Horn and tees off with punches. Roberts warns Horn to defend himself and horn answers by taking the top position. Horn mounts Palhares and locks on an arm-triangle choke before moving to side-control. The hold is deep, but Palhares is too strong. He muscles himself out of danger and stands to his feet. Palhares displays a jab and is hit with a right hand. Palhares drops his base and gets a takedown into Horn’s guard. Horn goes high with his hips in search of a triangle. Palhares escapes and punches the head until the horn sounds.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Palhares
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Palhares
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Horn
Round 3
Palhares suplexes Horn hard to the canvas. Horn works back to his feet, where he pulls guard with a guillotine. Palhares sees it coming and avoids the technique. Palhares seems content to punch from guard as he rests and throws lazy punches until Horn attempts a triangle. Palhares passes and moves to Horn’s back, where he strikes the side of the head with his right hand. Horn nearly gets to his feet but has to settle for guard. Roberts stands the fighters with 60 seconds remaining. Horn glances a right-legged head kick and slips shortly after. Palhares hops on top and rides out the bout’s final moments.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Palhares
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Palhares
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Palhares
All three judges see the bout 30-27 for Rousimar Palhares.
Mark Coleman vs. Mauricio Rua
Round 1
Coleman takes a low kick before ripping Rua to the floor. With Rua pinned against the cage, Coleman trees off with punches. Rua gets out of harms way and stands with the former heavyweight champion. Coleman muscles Rua back down to the floor in the center of the Octagon. Rua looks for a kneebar and a triangle. Rua gets to his feet and trips Coleman to the floor. Rua easily passes to side control. Rua isolates an arm for a submission but he gives it up to elbow the head. Coleman gets to his feet, where he eats two low kicks. Coleman lands a right hand and is hit with a left hand and a knee to the body. With his hands down from exhaustion, Coleman is dropped with a right hand. Rua pounces but Coleman is game as he survives and gets to his feet. Coleman takes a knee to the chest before the round ends.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-8 Rua
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Rua
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Rua
Round 2
A tired Coleman takes two low kicks and a hard left hook. Just when it looked as if was game over, Coleman slams Rua hard to the floor. Coleman has Rua pinned against the fence, but he is unable to get off before Rua gets to his feet. From the Thai plum, Rua lands a low kick and a standing elbow. Rua connects with a straight right to the body. Coleman is so tired that he’s barely moving. He just stands and eats punishment to his legs and to the face with glancing punches. Rua gets a little wild and ends up slipping. Rua gets to his feet showing a little fatigue and is taken back down by Coleman. Rua goes for an omaplata and it’s deep. Coleman rolls over to a safe place, but the hold on his arm is still pinning him to the floor. The round ends with the omaplata still applied.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Rua
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Rua
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Rua
Round 3
Coleman backs Rua away with a hard body shot. Rua steps backwardsand then forward with a left hook. Coleman works for a single along the fence and gets a takedown. To the body with his right hand goes the Buckeye. Coleman passes to half-guard with Rua’s arm pinned under the leg. Rua improves his position and goes for a heel hook. Coleman escapes and puts Rua back to the floor. From Rua’s back, Coleman hits the head with both hands. Rua gets to his feet and knees the body. Referee Kevin Mulhall incorrectly declares it an illegal blow to the head and issues a warning. Once action is resumed, Rua connects with a right uppercut and a left hook that send Coleman to the ground. Mulhall steps in to save Coleman at 4:36 of the third. Coleman complains about the stoppage, but it was legit.
Rich Franklin vs. Dan Henderson
Round 1
Henderson gets the action started with a kick to the outside of Franklin’s right leg. Franklin, a southpaw, fires a crisp kick to the body. Henderson loads up on a right hand and slips to the mat. Henderson scrambles and hops on top to begin to work from half-guard. Henderson has Franklin pinned against the cage, blasting away with right hands. Henderson knees the body. Franklin escapes and sprints out of the grip of the wrestler. Back to the body with kicks goes Franklin. Three straight kicks connect with Henderson’s body and arm. 90 seconds are left in the round. Franklin lands a sloppy kick to Henderson’s lead leg. Henderson roughs Franklin up with a right hand and the fighter’s heads collide, which opens up a cut on Franklin’s hairline. Henderson lands a right-hand counter as time expires.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Henderson
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Henderson
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Franklin
Round 2
The round starts a little slow but the pace turns on a time with a punching exchange at the 60-second mark. Franklin jabs and Henderson loads up on power punches that miss. Henderson goes to the clinch as he pushes Franklin against the cage and trips him to the floor. Henderson elbows the head from guard and fights off an armbar. The pace slows again as Henderson controls from the top position in guard. The uneventful round comes to a close.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Franklin
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Henderson
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Henderson
Round 3
Franklin lands a hard left and a kick to the body. Henderson answers with a right hook and a takedown into his opponent’s guard. Franklin takes the back door and gets to his feet after landing a left hand. Franklin has the upperhand with Henderson clinched against the fence. Franklin knees the body and thigh. We’re halfway through the final round and the fight is up for the taking. Franklin connects with a jab and a right hook to the forehead. Another knee to the body lands for the Ohioan. Franklin counters a low kick with a right hand. Henderson slips throwing a head kick and eats a few punches for his effort. Henderson gets back to his feet and inadvertently pokes Franklin in the eye. Franklin takes two minutes to recover and the fight is back on. Franklin gets in a few jabs before the horn sounds to end the contest.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Franklin
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Franklin
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Franklin
The official judges see the bout 29-28 (twice) for Henderson and 30-27 for Franklin. Dan Henderson takes the split decision.
Don't forget to check out the MMA Forums to discuss tonight's event.
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Hit F5 on your keyboard to refresh often, as play-by-play is updated in real time.
Dennis Siver
vs. Nate
Mohr
Round 1
Siver opens the card by landing a headkick followed by a heavy right hand. Feeling that Mohr is rocked, Siver follows with a plethora of punches, which drop Mohr to the canvas. Mohr recovers, but is chased by Siver. Sensing that he is in danger, Mohr secures a takedown and instantly moves to mount. Unable to land any damaging ground-and-pound, he allows Siver to the chance to retain half guard. Referee Kevin Mulhall separates the fighters after the action stalls. The frame ends with both fighters trading punches on the feet. Mohr takes the round 10-9 on the strength of his takedown and control.
Round 2
The second round begins very tentaively as both fighters look to find an opening on the feet. Mohr dictates the pace as he lands faster combinations and stuns Siver with a head kick. Siver starts to push the fight towards the end of the round as he comes forward landing combos and leg kicks. Due to his willingness to come forward, Siver edges Mohr in the second frame, 10-9.
Round 3
The final frame starts with Siver looking like the fresher fighter in the Octagon. He is staying active with his jab and right hand. Siver shoots a single-leg that is defended well by Mohr. With a minute and a half left, Siver lands a beautiful spinning-back kick which folds Mohr. Siver follows with some punches on the downed fighter until Mulhall calls the contest at 3:27 of the third.
Tomasz Drwal vs. Ivan Serati
Round 1
Serati shoots a fast double-leg takedown, but Drwal shrugs it off with ease. Looking for another shot, Serati is stuffed once again. Drawl gets a takedown of his own and instantly goes to work with hard punches. Several find their target and referee Leon Roberts steps in to save Serati at 2:02 of the opening frame.
Eric Schafer vs. Antonio Mendes
Round 1
Looking to utilize his BJJ skills, Schafer presses Mendes against the fencing. Unable to secure a leg, Schafer fails on his takedown and is taken to his back but he doesn’t stay there long, using a textbook sweep to take the mount. Showing a good base, Schafer bombs away from the mount with punches. Mendes, unable to defend himself, offers little until referee Dan Miragliotta calls the bout at the 3:35 mark of round one.
Martin Kampmann vs. Alexandre Barros
Round 1
After a slow start to the bout, Barros looks to land an inside-leg kick. Kampmann moves backwards and the kick slaps his cup directly. Clearly in pain, Kampmann lies on the Octagon floor and uses his full allotted time to recover. When the action is resumed, Kampmann lands a crisp body kick and initiates a couple of knees from the Thai plum. Barros drops levels for a takedown and is caught in a guillotine choke. Barros escapes and gets a lateral drop to take Kampmann’s back. Referee Kevin Mulhall stands up the fighters before the round expires. Barros takes the first, 10-9.
Round 2
Kampmann works from the clinch early in the second stanza and takes the top position on the floor following a scramble. Working over his opponent with punches, Kampmann finds the opening to take mount. Hurting Barros with a number of shots, Kampmann moves to the back, where he finishes Barros at 3:07 of the second after Mulhall had seen enough.
Thomas Egan vs. John Hathaway
Round 1
Hometown favorite Tom Egan comes out to a rapturous reception as his opponent is greeted with a chorus of jeers. There is no doubt who the crowd is behind in the evening’s final preliminary bout. Hathaway gets a big slam to start the bout. Egan is showing he is a hard man to hold down, as he scrambles and forces his opponent to work hard to get off any offense. Egan gets back to his feet but he is dragged immediately back to the floor. Passing first to side-control and then the back of Egan, Hathaway lands some elbows to the head that prompt referee Marc Goddard to save the local hero at 4:36 of the first.
Marcus Davis vs. Chris Lytle
Round 1
Both men charge to the center of the Octagon. Lytle opens up with his hands and absolutely blasts Davis with a punching flurry. Davis, a former boxer like Lytle, recovers quickly and trades a few low kicks. A straight left and a body kick connect for Davis. At the midway point of round one, both fighters swing for the fences and nothing lands clean. Davis catches a low kick and shoves Lytle to the floor. A left hand lead lands for the southpaw Davis. An incidental clash of heads sends Lytle briefly to the canvas, but Davis allows him to stand. Lytle absorbs a flying knee, a stiff body kick and another left hand. After a shaky start, the first round is all Davis.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Davis
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Davis
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Davis
Round 2
Lytle tees off again with a flurry of punches to start a round. Davis is getting caught as he covers up against the fencing. Davis runs out of harms way and resets himself. Davis puts together a punching combination that sends Lytle to the canvas. He stands and is cracked by a Davis knee to the chest. And another. Davis continues to work the body with stiff kicks from his left leg. Lytle gets wild with his hands as he misses a fury of haymakers from both hands. Lytle is tiring and it shows with his impatience and lack of balance. Lytle lands his best punch since the opening seconds of the round, a straight right lead. Davis misses on a jumping knee as he bleeds from the nose. The men walk to the center of the Octagon to trade punches in the final 10 seconds.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Davis
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Lytle
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Davis
Round 3
The fighters embrace for a long hug to start the final frame. A counter-left hook from Davis finds a home on the jaw of Lytle. To the front leg of Lytle goes Davis with two low kicks. Lytle’s face is showing signs of abuse as his left eye begins to swell. Davis connects with a low kick and a left hook to the body. Lytle lands a hard right straight to the midsection. Davis answers with a jumping knee to the same region. Lytle’s punches are looking more looping as time wears on, while as Davis continues to punch straight and kick the body and legs fluidly. A right hand from Lytle swells Davis’ left cheekbone up. A solid left counter connects for Lytle. A decent slugest to start Saturday’s pay-per-view broadcast.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Davis
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Davis
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Davis
The official judges’ scorecards read:
29-28 Davis.
29-28 Lytle.
29-28 Davis. Marcus Davis takes a split-decision that didn’t look that close.
Alan Belcher vs. Denis Kang
Round 1
The fighters exchange hard punches and both land. Kang drops levels for a single-leg and he gets it. Kang passes to half-guard and briefly side-control. Belcher gets back to guard and pushes Kang off. Now back to his feet, Belcher gets caught with a right and a left. Kang easily gets another takedown. In half-guard, Kang locks on a kimura, but loses it just as he passes to side-control. Kang delivers knees to the body to close the round.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Kang
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Kang
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Kang
Round 2
Kang gets off with an early series of punches and Belchers answers with a right hand. Kang gets a smooth takedown into Belcher’s guard. Kang moves to half guard and looks briefly for a kimura. He gives up the hold as he is stuck in Belcher’s defensive half-guard. Kang backs out and ends up in Belcher’s full guard. Referee Dan Miragliotta stands the fighters up with 90 seconds remaining. The crowd is growing restless as the fighters circle. Kang gets busy with his hands but he can’t connect. Kang shoots for a single but is caught in a guillotine. He turns Kang over and forces a tapout. The official time is 4:36 of the second.
Jeremy Horn vs. Rousimar Palhares
Round 1
Palhares throws a wild right-hand haymaker and transitions to a successful trip. Only seconds pass before Palhares is on Horn’s back with one hook in. Palhares punches and hammerfists the head. Horn rolls over and Palhares stays on him tightly. After a beating dished out by Palhares with his left hand, Horn gets back to a closed guard. Palhares drops down for a heel hook, but Horn is game, he escapes and attempts a triangle choke. Palhares has none of it, as he powers out and returns to side-control and the back position. Palhares is fluid on the canvas. He rides horn like a quarter-horse jockey as he continuously looks for a dominant position and window of attack.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-8 Palhares
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Palhares
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Palhares
Round 2
Palhares gets a quick takedown to start round two. Referee Leon Roberts warns Palhares twice for holding the cage as the fighters scrambled on the floor for position. Palhares takes the back of Horn and tees off with punches. Roberts warns Horn to defend himself and horn answers by taking the top position. Horn mounts Palhares and locks on an arm-triangle choke before moving to side-control. The hold is deep, but Palhares is too strong. He muscles himself out of danger and stands to his feet. Palhares displays a jab and is hit with a right hand. Palhares drops his base and gets a takedown into Horn’s guard. Horn goes high with his hips in search of a triangle. Palhares escapes and punches the head until the horn sounds.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Palhares
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Palhares
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Horn
Round 3
Palhares suplexes Horn hard to the canvas. Horn works back to his feet, where he pulls guard with a guillotine. Palhares sees it coming and avoids the technique. Palhares seems content to punch from guard as he rests and throws lazy punches until Horn attempts a triangle. Palhares passes and moves to Horn’s back, where he strikes the side of the head with his right hand. Horn nearly gets to his feet but has to settle for guard. Roberts stands the fighters with 60 seconds remaining. Horn glances a right-legged head kick and slips shortly after. Palhares hops on top and rides out the bout’s final moments.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Palhares
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Palhares
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Palhares
All three judges see the bout 30-27 for Rousimar Palhares.
Mark Coleman vs. Mauricio Rua
Round 1
Coleman takes a low kick before ripping Rua to the floor. With Rua pinned against the cage, Coleman trees off with punches. Rua gets out of harms way and stands with the former heavyweight champion. Coleman muscles Rua back down to the floor in the center of the Octagon. Rua looks for a kneebar and a triangle. Rua gets to his feet and trips Coleman to the floor. Rua easily passes to side control. Rua isolates an arm for a submission but he gives it up to elbow the head. Coleman gets to his feet, where he eats two low kicks. Coleman lands a right hand and is hit with a left hand and a knee to the body. With his hands down from exhaustion, Coleman is dropped with a right hand. Rua pounces but Coleman is game as he survives and gets to his feet. Coleman takes a knee to the chest before the round ends.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-8 Rua
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Rua
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Rua
Round 2
A tired Coleman takes two low kicks and a hard left hook. Just when it looked as if was game over, Coleman slams Rua hard to the floor. Coleman has Rua pinned against the fence, but he is unable to get off before Rua gets to his feet. From the Thai plum, Rua lands a low kick and a standing elbow. Rua connects with a straight right to the body. Coleman is so tired that he’s barely moving. He just stands and eats punishment to his legs and to the face with glancing punches. Rua gets a little wild and ends up slipping. Rua gets to his feet showing a little fatigue and is taken back down by Coleman. Rua goes for an omaplata and it’s deep. Coleman rolls over to a safe place, but the hold on his arm is still pinning him to the floor. The round ends with the omaplata still applied.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Rua
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Rua
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Rua
Round 3
Coleman backs Rua away with a hard body shot. Rua steps backwardsand then forward with a left hook. Coleman works for a single along the fence and gets a takedown. To the body with his right hand goes the Buckeye. Coleman passes to half-guard with Rua’s arm pinned under the leg. Rua improves his position and goes for a heel hook. Coleman escapes and puts Rua back to the floor. From Rua’s back, Coleman hits the head with both hands. Rua gets to his feet and knees the body. Referee Kevin Mulhall incorrectly declares it an illegal blow to the head and issues a warning. Once action is resumed, Rua connects with a right uppercut and a left hook that send Coleman to the ground. Mulhall steps in to save Coleman at 4:36 of the third. Coleman complains about the stoppage, but it was legit.
Rich Franklin vs. Dan Henderson
Round 1
Henderson gets the action started with a kick to the outside of Franklin’s right leg. Franklin, a southpaw, fires a crisp kick to the body. Henderson loads up on a right hand and slips to the mat. Henderson scrambles and hops on top to begin to work from half-guard. Henderson has Franklin pinned against the cage, blasting away with right hands. Henderson knees the body. Franklin escapes and sprints out of the grip of the wrestler. Back to the body with kicks goes Franklin. Three straight kicks connect with Henderson’s body and arm. 90 seconds are left in the round. Franklin lands a sloppy kick to Henderson’s lead leg. Henderson roughs Franklin up with a right hand and the fighter’s heads collide, which opens up a cut on Franklin’s hairline. Henderson lands a right-hand counter as time expires.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Henderson
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Henderson
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Franklin
Round 2
The round starts a little slow but the pace turns on a time with a punching exchange at the 60-second mark. Franklin jabs and Henderson loads up on power punches that miss. Henderson goes to the clinch as he pushes Franklin against the cage and trips him to the floor. Henderson elbows the head from guard and fights off an armbar. The pace slows again as Henderson controls from the top position in guard. The uneventful round comes to a close.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Franklin
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Henderson
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Henderson
Round 3
Franklin lands a hard left and a kick to the body. Henderson answers with a right hook and a takedown into his opponent’s guard. Franklin takes the back door and gets to his feet after landing a left hand. Franklin has the upperhand with Henderson clinched against the fence. Franklin knees the body and thigh. We’re halfway through the final round and the fight is up for the taking. Franklin connects with a jab and a right hook to the forehead. Another knee to the body lands for the Ohioan. Franklin counters a low kick with a right hand. Henderson slips throwing a head kick and eats a few punches for his effort. Henderson gets back to his feet and inadvertently pokes Franklin in the eye. Franklin takes two minutes to recover and the fight is back on. Franklin gets in a few jabs before the horn sounds to end the contest.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Franklin
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Franklin
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Franklin
The official judges see the bout 29-28 (twice) for Henderson and 30-27 for Franklin. Dan Henderson takes the split decision.
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