UFC ‘Shields vs. Ellenberger’ Results and Play-by-Play
Sep 17, 2011
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live results of UFC Fight Night "Shields
vs. Ellenberger," which features a welterweight headliner
between Jake Shields
and Jake
Ellenberger.
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Jorge Lopez vs. Justin Edwards
Lopez connects with a left hand off the bat and appears to catch a kick to the cup, but the action continues. The Wand Fight Team youngster stifles a takedown and Edwards turns it into a guillotine choke. Lopez flips over the top, loosening the choke and eventually scrambling free from north-south position. Edwards shoots a single against the cage, gets stuffed and eats a hard knee to the gut. A double-leg attempt from Edwards succeeds, but Lopez pops right back up. Another takedown succeeds and again Lopez stands. A third double-leg brings Lopez down and this time Edwards lands a sharp knee to the ribs before Lopez can stand. Back on the feet, Lopez looks to establish a stiff left jab and catches Edwards with a nice right hook. Edwards shoots with 90 seconds to go and takes a knee to the face. Now it’s Lopez pressing the action against the fence with underhooks. He gets off an uppercut before Edwards drives forward for a takedown; the try misses, but Edwards pushes Lopez into the cage until the round ends.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Edwards
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Edwards
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Edwards
Round 2
Edwards is finding his strikes early in round two, connecting with a hard right hand and just missing on a turning kick. Another takedown comes for Edwards, who moves directly to side control with Lopez’s right side flush to the fence. Edwards gives up the position to try for a guillotine, but he’s too high up and Lopez slips loose. Rather than stay in guard, Lopez opts to stand and go back to his jabbing. Lopez catches Edwards coming in with a punch and takes underhooks, pushing Edwards into the fence, but Edwards quickly reverses and hits another double-leg. Lopez turns to stand and Edwards leaps onto his kneeling opponent’s back. Edwards has both hooks in, punching away to soften Lopez up with 90 seconds left in the round. After Edwards lands half a dozen punches to the side of the head, Lopez explodes and frees himself from the position, standing to push Edwards into the cage. The work along the perimeter until referee Kevin Mulhall splits them up with 30 ticks on the clock. Edwards puts a solid kick on Lopez’s gut, causing Lopez to clinch, where Edwards lands a knee before the horn.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Edwards
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Edwards
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Edwards
Round 3
Lopez tries to attack with knees when the fighters clinch early in the final frame, then grabs underhooks, goes low and slams Edwards to the canvas. Edwards is instantly on the hunt, framing up a kimura on Lopez’s left arm, but Lopez breaks up the attempt by taking full mount. Edwards gives up his back and Lopez flattens him out with both hooks in. Lopez punches away, landing five or six solid shots before Edwards turns over. Lopez is in side-control on Edwards’ left side with three minutes remaining in the fight. Lopez moves to north-south position and lands a few short elbows to Edwards’ head. Edwards tries to control the head and arm from the bottom, then scrambles to his feet. Lopez instantly digs for a single-leg; Edwards defends for a moment, but winds up on his back with Lopez in his closed guard. Down the final minute, Edwards is keeping it tight on the ground, neutralizing Lopez’s ground-and-pound. An armbar try from Edwards turns into an omoplata, then a triangle choke just as time runs out.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Lopez (29-28 Edwards)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Lopez (29-28 Edwards)
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Lopez (29-28 Edwards)
Official result: All three judges score the bout 29-28 in favor of Justin Edwards, the winner by unanimous decision. Judges’ names are not announced.
Robert Peralta vs. Mike Lullo
Round 1
Peralta goes straight to throwing outside thigh kicks on the left leg of Lullo, the same weapon Edson Barboza used to chop Lullo down in his last bout. The wrestler Lullo shoots, gets stuffed and eats a few knees to the gut before being put on his back. Peralta stands and goes back to leg-kicking while stepping out of the way of Lullo’s long, single punches. Lullo’s left thigh is showing damage halfway through the opening round; he appears to catch a kick in the groin, but waves off referee Myron Gaudet. Lullo moves forward, throwing inside thigh kicks of his own, but he gets backed up by a hard combo. Peralta cracks Lullo with a stiff right hand and pours on another nasty pair of leg kicks. A side-kick to the body sends Lullo to the floor, but he stands to finish the round on his feet.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Peralta
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Peralta
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Peralta
Round 2
Lullo emerges for the second round sporting a bulging hematoma on the left side of his head. He throws single right hands at Peralta, who backs up and continues to feed Lullo a steady diet of kicks to the thigh. Lullo dives for a takedown, can’t get it and instead shoves Peralta into the fence. Peralta lands a hard knee up the middle and the featherweights spin a few times, jockeying for position. Peralta finally shucks Lullo off, exiting with a knee and one-two combo. Lullo tries a few more leg kicks before driving forward and again being stuffed.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Peralta
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Peralta
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Peralta
Round 3
Lullo tries to push forward to begin the third and Peralta backs him off with a flurry of punches. Lullo gets inside and puts Peralta on the fence, but again Peralta displays great takedown defense and stays upright. A few knees up the middle from Peralta score; Lullo tries to answer with some of his own to Peralta’s thighs. They split and Peralta throws a trio of hooks, finishing with a blocked head kick. Lullo shoots again and gets turned around into the cage with two minutes remaining. Thirty seconds later, Lullo finally drags Peralta down with a high double-leg, but Peralta stands right back up. Lullo hops onto his man’s back as he stands. Peralta peels Lullo’s wrists off and prevents any further advance, and they go back to throwing. Lullo hits another takedown and holds Peralta on the base of the fence for the final 20 seconds.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Lullo (29-28 Peralta)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Peralta (30-27 Peralta)
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Lullo (29-28 Peralta)
Official result: Two judges have it 30-27 while one scores it 29-28, all for the winner by unanimous decision, Robert Peralta.
T.J. Waldburger vs. Mike Stumpf
Round 1
The first leg kick from Waldburger knocks Stumpf off balance and Waldburger wastes no time in leaping onto his opponent’s back. Stumpf is kneeling, trying to defend against Waldburger’s hooks and doing a good job of surviving in a very bad position. Waldburger loses the position briefly as Stumpf tries to stand against the fence, but soon flattens Stumpf out. Both hooks are in now for Waldburger, who works for a rear-naked choke and then transitions to an armbar. Stumpf slips out of the armbar and takes Waldburger’s back standing, but soon finds himself back on the ground with Waldburger on top looking for an arm-triangle. Stumpf escapes, runs across the cage and tries to catch Waldburger with a flying knee. It doesn’t work and Stumpf winds up on his back with Waldburger in side control. Waldburger tries another armbar, can’t finish it and transitions to a triangle choke. This one is tight and Stumpf is forced to tap out at 3:52 of the first round.
Seth Baczynski vs. Clay Harvison
Round 1
Harvison is first to land with some inside thigh kicks, but it’s Baczynski pushing forward with hard combinations while his man circles the outside. Baczynski puts a one-two on “Heavy Metal” and initiates the Thai clinch, where he lands a few knees before disengaging. Baczynski scores with a leaping knee and plunks the seemingly dazed Harvison with a pair of punches. Harvison looks to be on the retreat while Baczynski is coming forward, clinching, scoring with knees and elbows. Harvison lands a tired knee in the clinch and Baczynski answers with a stinging right hook. Baczynski measures his distance, looking for a homerun shot and instead opts to tie up and try for a takedown. It doesn’t come, but Baczynski lands a few elbows before the horn.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Baczynski
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Baczynski
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Baczynski
Round 2
Baczynski connects with a few hard leg kicks before he crumbles Harvison with a big right uppercut. Harvison throws his guard up, trying to tangle his opponent up and control the damage, but Baczynski is all over him with nasty elbows and punches. Harvison gives up his back and takes some more punishment before Baczynski sinks in a deep rear-naked choke and coaxes the tap. The end comes officially 72 seconds into the second round.
Ken Stone vs. Donny Walker
Round 1
No touch of gloves as the bantamweights get underway; Stone lands first with some inside thigh kicks. Walker wades inside to tie up, but it’s Stone who grabs underhooks and shoves “Eagle Eye” into the fence. They trade knees inside before Stone trips Walker to the floor and takes half-guard. Stone elbows to the head and body, pushes Walker into the fence and clings to his back as Walker stands. Stone brings Walker back down and sinks in a deep rear-naked choke. Walker looks as though he’ll tap but then resists. The choke is deep and Walker can’t escape. Instead, he turns onto his belly and Stone puts him to sleep. Referee Myron Gaudet pries Stone off at the 2:40 mark.
Matt Riddle vs. Lance Benoist
Round 1
Benoist stings Riddle with a hard, straight left hand before tying up. Riddle slides out and dodges a hook-kick and then clinches Benoist against the cage. Referee Dan Miragliotta pauses the action after Benoist drills a knee into Riddle’s cup. Riddle takes a minute to recover and the welterweights get back to work. Riddle times a kick from Benoist and spins him to the ground, where Benoist throws his left leg up for rubber guard. Riddle drops a few elbows that break up the posture as he shoves Benoist into the fence with two minutes to go. Benoist postures up and uses a kimura to sweep into full mount. Riddle pushes him back to half-guard and Benoist goes looking for a guillotine in between softening shots. The choke doesn’t come, so Benoist sits up and drops vicious punches and elbows to the horn.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Benoist
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Benoist
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Benoist
Round 2
In the first minute, Benoist dips in with punches and backs out of the range of the larger Riddle, who looks to clinch up and knee. Benoist defends a takedown, but Riddle gets there eventually with a double-leg. Riddle pops out of a headlock and muscles Benoist into the fence. Benoist stands, though, and tries to beat Riddle at his own game with knees to the sides. Benoist hits a takedown and throws elbows from half-guard. Benoist is gushing blood from his clearly broken nose, dripping all over Riddle as he tries to advance his position. Riddle throws up a triangle, can’t get it and instead goes to rubber, then closed guard. Benoist stands and Riddle drills him with an upkick, causing him to go back to closed guard. Riddle twists for an armbar on Benoist’s left limb. Benoist defends and tries to keep punching, but he’s slowing and eating elbows from the bottom in the final 30 seconds. Benoist throws four or five heavy bombs just before the horn.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Benoist
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Benoist
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Benoist
Round 3
Benoist socks Riddle with a left hand, but gets in range for Riddle to clinch up. They trade heavy fire and then circle one another before engaging again. This time, Riddle brings Benoist down with ease and drops knees to the body from side control on Benoist’s left. Benoist tries to cage-walk, can’t get close enough, so settles for putting Riddle back in his full guard. Riddle shoves him a bit closer to the fence and drops a few elbows, but the pace and accuracy have slowed considerably with three minutes left in the fight. Benoist throws up rubber guard, forcing Riddle to back out and come back into full, closed guard. Benoist’s nose is gushing after a particularly hard elbow from Riddle, who is back in side-control and kneeing Benoist’s ribs. Driving forward, Benoist nearly gets to his feet, but instead puts Riddle back in his guard. Riddle has Benoist’s left arm hooked behind his back, but Benoist is using his right side effectively to tie up. Riddle lands a few hard left hands in the last 30 seconds.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Riddle (29-28 Benoist)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Riddle (29-28 Benoist)
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Riddle (29-28 Benoist)
Official result: All three judges score it 29-28 in favor of Lance Benoist, who survives a tough final round to win his UFC debut. Judges’ names are not announced.
Evan Dunham vs. Shamar Bailey
Round 1
Dunham sneaks a quick one-two through on Bailey and keeps working the two punch combos in the opening minute. The wrestler Bailey is putting his head down as he throws and looks tentative on the feet, but he backs Dunham off with a left hook. Dunham sticks a left jab on his fellow southpaw and takes a grazing left in return. Dunham fires off a right hook-left straight combo and shucks a takedown attempt. Bailey is now coming forward with wild combos which Dunham is having no trouble dodging while repeatedly stinging Bailey with lefts. A pair of slapping head kicks connect for Dunham, then another straight combination. Bailey gets a single-leg and dumps Dunham to the canvas with only seconds left. Dunham scrambles back up and throws Bailey down just after the horn, to which Bailey takes offense.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Dunham
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Dunham
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Dunham
Round 2
The lightweights angrily slap hands to begin the second round and Dunham fires off tight punches while Bailey throws inside leg kicks. Bailey slips and Dunham leaps onto his back, but it only lasts a few seconds before Bailey stands back up and slips him off. Dunham dips inside for a takedown, doesn’t get it and lets Bailey loose after a moment of clinching. Dunham’s combinations are still finding success, repeatedly landing his left straight, and his front kicks are now coming into play. A sneaky right hook-left straight from Dunham rattles Bailey’s head. Bailey gives chase and lands a right hook that doesn’t seem to faze. A takedown try from Bailey is easily stuffed with two minutes to go in the middle stanza. Dunham is just piling on the punches; he’s firing off head kicks, too, but these are blocked. Bailey has another shot stuffed, gets zapped with a one-two and a head kick, and begins pawing at his own eye. Dunham lands his left hand at will as time expires.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Dunham
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Dunham
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Dunham
Round 3
Bailey comes forward with urgency, but the result is the same: Dunham rocking his head back with one-twos and trying to finish off with head kicks. Dunham is leading with a right uppercut and coming across with a left hook now, just battering the already swollen face of Bailey. Three- and four-punch combinations coming from Dunham now, finishing off with head kicks. Referee Kevin Mulhall is looming, perhaps considering intervening to save Bailey from further punishment. Mulhall does step in, but it’s to replace Bailey’s mouthpiece. They resume with 40 seconds left and Dunham continues to snap off punches and kicks. Bailey runs straight into a guillotine choke, but he rides it out to the final horn.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Dunham (30-27 Dunham)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Dunham (30-27 Dunham)
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Dunham (30-27 Dunham)
Official result: No surprises from the judges, who see the bout 30-27 across the board for the winner by unanimous decision, Evan Dunham.
Cody McKenzie vs. Vagner Rocha
Round 1
McKenzie throws punches early but appears to motion to the ground, as if to ask Rocha if that’s where he wants the fight. McKenzie gets underhooks as they tie up on the fence and reaches for his trademark guillotine choke. Rocha circles out and connects with a low kick on McKenzie’s cup, but McKenzie doesn’t want more than 10 seconds to recover before he tells ref Yves Lavigne he’s ready to go. McKenzie is putting some straight right hands on Rocha now. Rocha comes inside and McKenzie grabs at another guillotine as he pulls guard. Rocha pops his head out and stacks McKenzie up at the base of the fence, but McKenzie uses butterfly guard to shift and keep Rocha off balance. Rocha looks for a guillotine from the top, gives it up and tries for a farside kimura instead. He changes to an armbar, but this doesn’t work either and McKenzie scrambles to his feet. Rocha rolls forward and hops onto McKenzie’s back, locking up an awkwardly angled rear-naked choke that McKenzie slips loose and sweeps out of. McKenzie lands a hard right straight at the 30 second mark and Rocha turns his back. Another gets through and Rocha does it again, only to be chased down and socked again before the horn.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Rocha
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Rocha
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Rocha
Round 2
Rocha dips inside for a takedown and spins down McKenzie, who grabs a loose headlock. McKenzie gives up the guillotine quickly and tries to tie Rocha up in half-guard. Rocha goes for a kimura, gives it up and dives for a brabo choke. It looks deep, but just as in the first round, McKenzie waits it out and Rocha relents. Rocha maintains top position, working from half-guard with three minutes to go. McKenzie tries a guillotine from the bottom to no avail, as Rocha rolls out and straight into an armbar attempt. McKenzie gives up his back for a second before twisting and finding himself fully mounted. Rocha rains down punches until McKenzie turns over again. Rocha’s hips are anchored, staying glued atop McKenzie as the Alaskan flips over again. This time, the rear-naked choke from Rocha is on tight and McKenzie has no choice but to tap out. The end comes officially at 3:49 of round two.
Alan Belcher vs. Jason MacDonald
Round 1
MacDonald quickly goes waist-high for a takedown attempt, but Belcher stands him back up and puts him on the fence. MacDonald won’t give up on his single-leg, though, and keeps pressuring Belcher as he reverses to take the dominant position in the clinch. In an attempt to toss Belcher down, MacDonald winds up on his back with Belcher in his guard. Belcher puts a few right hands on “The Athlete” while MacDonald tries to pull the head down and throw up a triangle. Belcher busts out and unloads with heavy punches and elbows that stun MacDonald, who looks for a kimura on Belcher’s left arm. Belcher moves to side-control and out of danger of the submission. A few more hard punches from the standing Belcher have MacDonald turning to his side, bleeding and in serious trouble. MacDonald doesn’t go out, but referee Dan Miragliotta steps in to save him from any further punishment at 3:48 of round one. The result is announced as a “verbal tapout due to strikes.”
Erik Koch vs. Jonathan Brookins
Round 1
Brookins wants the fight on the floor early and gets inside with a high double-leg try. Koch widens his base with his back to the fence and defends, throwing a knee over the top. Brookins answers with an elbow up top and keeps working for the takedown. A few more elbows come from Brookins before the featherweights separate and Koch socks him with a right straight. The taller Brookins misses with an uppercut from a mile out. Koch slaps with an outside thigh kick, follows up with a right straight. Brookins goes for another single-leg and again Koch defends, landing hammerfists while he does. Brookins finally tosses Koch down right at, or perhaps just after, the horn.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Brookins
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-10
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Brookins
Round 2
Koch gets busy with outside leg kicks, looking a fair bit looser as the second round begins. Brookins catches a kick and rushes Koch into the fence, but only for a second. Koch slaps Brookins with a right high kick and sticks a few right jabs in the Floridian’s face. A left straight jacks the jaw of Brookins, who immediately tries to close the distance and single-leg Koch down again. Koch uses a whizzer to avoid a takedown and then get on top, but Brookins is right back up and pressing Koch into the fence again. Koch is punching and elbowing to the head and body of Brookins, who just keeps trying for the single-leg. Now, Koch reverses and lands a few knees before disengaging and chopping with an outside leg kick. Koch wades in with punches and Brookins goes low, trying for a double this time and again being stifled by Koch. The takedown finally comes for Brookins, but he can’t do much with the position and Koch stands before the end of the round.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Koch
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Koch
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Brookins
Round 3
Koch is keeping his distance at the start of round three, using quick right jabs and leg kicks on the taller man while slipping single-leg attempts when they come. Brookins gets inside with one about two minutes into the frame and leans on Koch against the fence. Referee Myron Gaudet warns Brookins about holding the fence just as the pair splits. Koch comes swinging with leg kicks and Brookins answers with a tired swipe of his own. They clinch on the outside again, Brookins just bending at the waist for the final minute of the fight while Koch throws sporadic punches to the body and head.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Koch (29-28 Koch)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Koch (30-28 Koch)
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Koch (29-28 Brookins)
Official result: With two scorecards of 30-27 and one 29-28, it’s a unanimous decision for 22-year-old Erik Koch.
Dongi Yang vs. Court McGee
Round 1
McGee takes the outside of the Octagon while southpaw Yang stands in the center, trying to punch to the head and body of the “TUF” winner. Not much action through the first two minutes of the opening round. McGee gets the better of an exchange with a right hand over the top and the middleweights trade inside thigh kicks. McGee lurches forward to tie up but Yang backs away and appears to catch a finger in the eye, for which referee Yves Lavigne warns McGee. Both men are still holding their hands back with 90 seconds to go. Yang catches a kick, misses with a right hook counter and lands a kick to the body. The Korean slips as he circles the outside but McGee doesn’t pounce. McGee lands a few right hands just before the uneventful first round ends.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 McGee
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Yang
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Yang
Round 2
The action resumes where it left off: McGee moving forward, lobbing inside leg kicks, while Yang tries to catch said kicks and counterpunch. After a minute of this, McGee ties up and tries to press Yang into the fence, but Yang is quick to escape. Yang catches McGee coming in with a one-two. McGee slaps a high kick off Yang’s forearm. Yang rips a single left hook, but that’s all. With two minutes to go, McGee goes for a single-leg takedown; Yang keeps his balance, steps away and breathes heavy. They clinch and Yang misses with a knee, scores with a clubbing left hook. Nice combination from Yang after they split; McGee answers with a deflected head kick. McGee slaps a few inside thigh kicks and has a double-leg stuffed at the horn.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 McGee
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 McGee
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 McGee
Round 3
McGee wades inside but doesn’t do anything once he’s there. When he steps back out, he eats a pair of hard jabs from Yang, who feints a single-leg. McGee steps away from it and runs himself into the fence. Now it’s back to throwing single shots from both men. A hard left hook from Yang lands flush and McGee stumbles backward. Yang gives chase with a flying knee that misses and drags McGee to the floor. Yang tries to hop on McGee’s back and McGee slips out the back door. Yang is bloodied when they stand back up, but he stumbles McGee with a right hand shortly thereafter. McGee gets underhooks and tries to trip Yang down, but the damaged “Ox” stays up and keeps throwing. Double-leg attempt from McGee is stuffed by Yang, who tries to reverse the throw. McGee keeps working for the takedown and gets it. He’s only in mount for a moment before Yang escapes. McGee strings together a few punches, goes for another single-leg and gets it easily this time. McGee drops elbows from the top and throws on what looks to be a deep guillotine just before the horn. Yang survives to see the judges’ scorecards.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 McGee (30-27 McGee)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 McGee (29-28 McGee)
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 McGee (29-28 McGee)
Official result: The judges have it 30-28, 30-27 and 29-28, all in favor of the winner by unanimous decision, Court McGee.
Jake Shields vs. Jake Ellenberger
Round 1
Referee Kevin Mulhall is the third man for tonight’s welterweight main event, with judges Richard Bertrand, Douglas Crosby and Sal D’Amato scoring at cageside in the event of a decision. Shields starts out flicking quick jabs while Ellenberger looks for a murderous uppercut. Shields tries to clinch up and Ellenberger tosses him right to the ground. The next takedown attempt from the Cesar Gracie student is stuffed as well. They tie up again and a big knee from Ellenberger sends Shields sprawling forward. Ellenberger pounces and unloads with six or eight brutal punches while Shields tries to drive forward. Mulhall leaps in for the save and Shields keeps shooting on the referee, unaware of what happened. The vicious TKO comes just 53 seconds into the first round.
Check out the MMA Forums to discuss the card. Click here for quick results.
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Jorge Lopez vs. Justin Edwards
Round 1
Lopez connects with a left hand off the bat and appears to catch a kick to the cup, but the action continues. The Wand Fight Team youngster stifles a takedown and Edwards turns it into a guillotine choke. Lopez flips over the top, loosening the choke and eventually scrambling free from north-south position. Edwards shoots a single against the cage, gets stuffed and eats a hard knee to the gut. A double-leg attempt from Edwards succeeds, but Lopez pops right back up. Another takedown succeeds and again Lopez stands. A third double-leg brings Lopez down and this time Edwards lands a sharp knee to the ribs before Lopez can stand. Back on the feet, Lopez looks to establish a stiff left jab and catches Edwards with a nice right hook. Edwards shoots with 90 seconds to go and takes a knee to the face. Now it’s Lopez pressing the action against the fence with underhooks. He gets off an uppercut before Edwards drives forward for a takedown; the try misses, but Edwards pushes Lopez into the cage until the round ends.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Edwards
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Edwards
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Edwards
Round 2
Edwards is finding his strikes early in round two, connecting with a hard right hand and just missing on a turning kick. Another takedown comes for Edwards, who moves directly to side control with Lopez’s right side flush to the fence. Edwards gives up the position to try for a guillotine, but he’s too high up and Lopez slips loose. Rather than stay in guard, Lopez opts to stand and go back to his jabbing. Lopez catches Edwards coming in with a punch and takes underhooks, pushing Edwards into the fence, but Edwards quickly reverses and hits another double-leg. Lopez turns to stand and Edwards leaps onto his kneeling opponent’s back. Edwards has both hooks in, punching away to soften Lopez up with 90 seconds left in the round. After Edwards lands half a dozen punches to the side of the head, Lopez explodes and frees himself from the position, standing to push Edwards into the cage. The work along the perimeter until referee Kevin Mulhall splits them up with 30 ticks on the clock. Edwards puts a solid kick on Lopez’s gut, causing Lopez to clinch, where Edwards lands a knee before the horn.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Edwards
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Edwards
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Edwards
Round 3
Lopez tries to attack with knees when the fighters clinch early in the final frame, then grabs underhooks, goes low and slams Edwards to the canvas. Edwards is instantly on the hunt, framing up a kimura on Lopez’s left arm, but Lopez breaks up the attempt by taking full mount. Edwards gives up his back and Lopez flattens him out with both hooks in. Lopez punches away, landing five or six solid shots before Edwards turns over. Lopez is in side-control on Edwards’ left side with three minutes remaining in the fight. Lopez moves to north-south position and lands a few short elbows to Edwards’ head. Edwards tries to control the head and arm from the bottom, then scrambles to his feet. Lopez instantly digs for a single-leg; Edwards defends for a moment, but winds up on his back with Lopez in his closed guard. Down the final minute, Edwards is keeping it tight on the ground, neutralizing Lopez’s ground-and-pound. An armbar try from Edwards turns into an omoplata, then a triangle choke just as time runs out.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Lopez (29-28 Edwards)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Lopez (29-28 Edwards)
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Lopez (29-28 Edwards)
Official result: All three judges score the bout 29-28 in favor of Justin Edwards, the winner by unanimous decision. Judges’ names are not announced.
Robert Peralta vs. Mike Lullo
Round 1
Peralta goes straight to throwing outside thigh kicks on the left leg of Lullo, the same weapon Edson Barboza used to chop Lullo down in his last bout. The wrestler Lullo shoots, gets stuffed and eats a few knees to the gut before being put on his back. Peralta stands and goes back to leg-kicking while stepping out of the way of Lullo’s long, single punches. Lullo’s left thigh is showing damage halfway through the opening round; he appears to catch a kick in the groin, but waves off referee Myron Gaudet. Lullo moves forward, throwing inside thigh kicks of his own, but he gets backed up by a hard combo. Peralta cracks Lullo with a stiff right hand and pours on another nasty pair of leg kicks. A side-kick to the body sends Lullo to the floor, but he stands to finish the round on his feet.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Peralta
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Peralta
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Peralta
Round 2
Lullo emerges for the second round sporting a bulging hematoma on the left side of his head. He throws single right hands at Peralta, who backs up and continues to feed Lullo a steady diet of kicks to the thigh. Lullo dives for a takedown, can’t get it and instead shoves Peralta into the fence. Peralta lands a hard knee up the middle and the featherweights spin a few times, jockeying for position. Peralta finally shucks Lullo off, exiting with a knee and one-two combo. Lullo tries a few more leg kicks before driving forward and again being stuffed.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Peralta
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Peralta
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Peralta
Round 3
Lullo tries to push forward to begin the third and Peralta backs him off with a flurry of punches. Lullo gets inside and puts Peralta on the fence, but again Peralta displays great takedown defense and stays upright. A few knees up the middle from Peralta score; Lullo tries to answer with some of his own to Peralta’s thighs. They split and Peralta throws a trio of hooks, finishing with a blocked head kick. Lullo shoots again and gets turned around into the cage with two minutes remaining. Thirty seconds later, Lullo finally drags Peralta down with a high double-leg, but Peralta stands right back up. Lullo hops onto his man’s back as he stands. Peralta peels Lullo’s wrists off and prevents any further advance, and they go back to throwing. Lullo hits another takedown and holds Peralta on the base of the fence for the final 20 seconds.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Lullo (29-28 Peralta)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Peralta (30-27 Peralta)
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Lullo (29-28 Peralta)
Official result: Two judges have it 30-27 while one scores it 29-28, all for the winner by unanimous decision, Robert Peralta.
T.J. Waldburger vs. Mike Stumpf
Round 1
The first leg kick from Waldburger knocks Stumpf off balance and Waldburger wastes no time in leaping onto his opponent’s back. Stumpf is kneeling, trying to defend against Waldburger’s hooks and doing a good job of surviving in a very bad position. Waldburger loses the position briefly as Stumpf tries to stand against the fence, but soon flattens Stumpf out. Both hooks are in now for Waldburger, who works for a rear-naked choke and then transitions to an armbar. Stumpf slips out of the armbar and takes Waldburger’s back standing, but soon finds himself back on the ground with Waldburger on top looking for an arm-triangle. Stumpf escapes, runs across the cage and tries to catch Waldburger with a flying knee. It doesn’t work and Stumpf winds up on his back with Waldburger in side control. Waldburger tries another armbar, can’t finish it and transitions to a triangle choke. This one is tight and Stumpf is forced to tap out at 3:52 of the first round.
Seth Baczynski vs. Clay Harvison
Round 1
Harvison is first to land with some inside thigh kicks, but it’s Baczynski pushing forward with hard combinations while his man circles the outside. Baczynski puts a one-two on “Heavy Metal” and initiates the Thai clinch, where he lands a few knees before disengaging. Baczynski scores with a leaping knee and plunks the seemingly dazed Harvison with a pair of punches. Harvison looks to be on the retreat while Baczynski is coming forward, clinching, scoring with knees and elbows. Harvison lands a tired knee in the clinch and Baczynski answers with a stinging right hook. Baczynski measures his distance, looking for a homerun shot and instead opts to tie up and try for a takedown. It doesn’t come, but Baczynski lands a few elbows before the horn.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Baczynski
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Baczynski
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Baczynski
Round 2
Baczynski connects with a few hard leg kicks before he crumbles Harvison with a big right uppercut. Harvison throws his guard up, trying to tangle his opponent up and control the damage, but Baczynski is all over him with nasty elbows and punches. Harvison gives up his back and takes some more punishment before Baczynski sinks in a deep rear-naked choke and coaxes the tap. The end comes officially 72 seconds into the second round.
Ken Stone vs. Donny Walker
Round 1
No touch of gloves as the bantamweights get underway; Stone lands first with some inside thigh kicks. Walker wades inside to tie up, but it’s Stone who grabs underhooks and shoves “Eagle Eye” into the fence. They trade knees inside before Stone trips Walker to the floor and takes half-guard. Stone elbows to the head and body, pushes Walker into the fence and clings to his back as Walker stands. Stone brings Walker back down and sinks in a deep rear-naked choke. Walker looks as though he’ll tap but then resists. The choke is deep and Walker can’t escape. Instead, he turns onto his belly and Stone puts him to sleep. Referee Myron Gaudet pries Stone off at the 2:40 mark.
Matt Riddle vs. Lance Benoist
Round 1
Benoist stings Riddle with a hard, straight left hand before tying up. Riddle slides out and dodges a hook-kick and then clinches Benoist against the cage. Referee Dan Miragliotta pauses the action after Benoist drills a knee into Riddle’s cup. Riddle takes a minute to recover and the welterweights get back to work. Riddle times a kick from Benoist and spins him to the ground, where Benoist throws his left leg up for rubber guard. Riddle drops a few elbows that break up the posture as he shoves Benoist into the fence with two minutes to go. Benoist postures up and uses a kimura to sweep into full mount. Riddle pushes him back to half-guard and Benoist goes looking for a guillotine in between softening shots. The choke doesn’t come, so Benoist sits up and drops vicious punches and elbows to the horn.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Benoist
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Benoist
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Benoist
Round 2
In the first minute, Benoist dips in with punches and backs out of the range of the larger Riddle, who looks to clinch up and knee. Benoist defends a takedown, but Riddle gets there eventually with a double-leg. Riddle pops out of a headlock and muscles Benoist into the fence. Benoist stands, though, and tries to beat Riddle at his own game with knees to the sides. Benoist hits a takedown and throws elbows from half-guard. Benoist is gushing blood from his clearly broken nose, dripping all over Riddle as he tries to advance his position. Riddle throws up a triangle, can’t get it and instead goes to rubber, then closed guard. Benoist stands and Riddle drills him with an upkick, causing him to go back to closed guard. Riddle twists for an armbar on Benoist’s left limb. Benoist defends and tries to keep punching, but he’s slowing and eating elbows from the bottom in the final 30 seconds. Benoist throws four or five heavy bombs just before the horn.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Benoist
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Benoist
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Benoist
Round 3
Benoist socks Riddle with a left hand, but gets in range for Riddle to clinch up. They trade heavy fire and then circle one another before engaging again. This time, Riddle brings Benoist down with ease and drops knees to the body from side control on Benoist’s left. Benoist tries to cage-walk, can’t get close enough, so settles for putting Riddle back in his full guard. Riddle shoves him a bit closer to the fence and drops a few elbows, but the pace and accuracy have slowed considerably with three minutes left in the fight. Benoist throws up rubber guard, forcing Riddle to back out and come back into full, closed guard. Benoist’s nose is gushing after a particularly hard elbow from Riddle, who is back in side-control and kneeing Benoist’s ribs. Driving forward, Benoist nearly gets to his feet, but instead puts Riddle back in his guard. Riddle has Benoist’s left arm hooked behind his back, but Benoist is using his right side effectively to tie up. Riddle lands a few hard left hands in the last 30 seconds.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Riddle (29-28 Benoist)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Riddle (29-28 Benoist)
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Riddle (29-28 Benoist)
Official result: All three judges score it 29-28 in favor of Lance Benoist, who survives a tough final round to win his UFC debut. Judges’ names are not announced.
Evan Dunham vs. Shamar Bailey
Round 1
Dunham sneaks a quick one-two through on Bailey and keeps working the two punch combos in the opening minute. The wrestler Bailey is putting his head down as he throws and looks tentative on the feet, but he backs Dunham off with a left hook. Dunham sticks a left jab on his fellow southpaw and takes a grazing left in return. Dunham fires off a right hook-left straight combo and shucks a takedown attempt. Bailey is now coming forward with wild combos which Dunham is having no trouble dodging while repeatedly stinging Bailey with lefts. A pair of slapping head kicks connect for Dunham, then another straight combination. Bailey gets a single-leg and dumps Dunham to the canvas with only seconds left. Dunham scrambles back up and throws Bailey down just after the horn, to which Bailey takes offense.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Dunham
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Dunham
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Dunham
Round 2
The lightweights angrily slap hands to begin the second round and Dunham fires off tight punches while Bailey throws inside leg kicks. Bailey slips and Dunham leaps onto his back, but it only lasts a few seconds before Bailey stands back up and slips him off. Dunham dips inside for a takedown, doesn’t get it and lets Bailey loose after a moment of clinching. Dunham’s combinations are still finding success, repeatedly landing his left straight, and his front kicks are now coming into play. A sneaky right hook-left straight from Dunham rattles Bailey’s head. Bailey gives chase and lands a right hook that doesn’t seem to faze. A takedown try from Bailey is easily stuffed with two minutes to go in the middle stanza. Dunham is just piling on the punches; he’s firing off head kicks, too, but these are blocked. Bailey has another shot stuffed, gets zapped with a one-two and a head kick, and begins pawing at his own eye. Dunham lands his left hand at will as time expires.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Dunham
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Dunham
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Dunham
Round 3
Bailey comes forward with urgency, but the result is the same: Dunham rocking his head back with one-twos and trying to finish off with head kicks. Dunham is leading with a right uppercut and coming across with a left hook now, just battering the already swollen face of Bailey. Three- and four-punch combinations coming from Dunham now, finishing off with head kicks. Referee Kevin Mulhall is looming, perhaps considering intervening to save Bailey from further punishment. Mulhall does step in, but it’s to replace Bailey’s mouthpiece. They resume with 40 seconds left and Dunham continues to snap off punches and kicks. Bailey runs straight into a guillotine choke, but he rides it out to the final horn.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Dunham (30-27 Dunham)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Dunham (30-27 Dunham)
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Dunham (30-27 Dunham)
Official result: No surprises from the judges, who see the bout 30-27 across the board for the winner by unanimous decision, Evan Dunham.
Cody McKenzie vs. Vagner Rocha
Round 1
McKenzie throws punches early but appears to motion to the ground, as if to ask Rocha if that’s where he wants the fight. McKenzie gets underhooks as they tie up on the fence and reaches for his trademark guillotine choke. Rocha circles out and connects with a low kick on McKenzie’s cup, but McKenzie doesn’t want more than 10 seconds to recover before he tells ref Yves Lavigne he’s ready to go. McKenzie is putting some straight right hands on Rocha now. Rocha comes inside and McKenzie grabs at another guillotine as he pulls guard. Rocha pops his head out and stacks McKenzie up at the base of the fence, but McKenzie uses butterfly guard to shift and keep Rocha off balance. Rocha looks for a guillotine from the top, gives it up and tries for a farside kimura instead. He changes to an armbar, but this doesn’t work either and McKenzie scrambles to his feet. Rocha rolls forward and hops onto McKenzie’s back, locking up an awkwardly angled rear-naked choke that McKenzie slips loose and sweeps out of. McKenzie lands a hard right straight at the 30 second mark and Rocha turns his back. Another gets through and Rocha does it again, only to be chased down and socked again before the horn.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Rocha
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Rocha
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Rocha
Round 2
Rocha dips inside for a takedown and spins down McKenzie, who grabs a loose headlock. McKenzie gives up the guillotine quickly and tries to tie Rocha up in half-guard. Rocha goes for a kimura, gives it up and dives for a brabo choke. It looks deep, but just as in the first round, McKenzie waits it out and Rocha relents. Rocha maintains top position, working from half-guard with three minutes to go. McKenzie tries a guillotine from the bottom to no avail, as Rocha rolls out and straight into an armbar attempt. McKenzie gives up his back for a second before twisting and finding himself fully mounted. Rocha rains down punches until McKenzie turns over again. Rocha’s hips are anchored, staying glued atop McKenzie as the Alaskan flips over again. This time, the rear-naked choke from Rocha is on tight and McKenzie has no choice but to tap out. The end comes officially at 3:49 of round two.
Alan Belcher vs. Jason MacDonald
Round 1
MacDonald quickly goes waist-high for a takedown attempt, but Belcher stands him back up and puts him on the fence. MacDonald won’t give up on his single-leg, though, and keeps pressuring Belcher as he reverses to take the dominant position in the clinch. In an attempt to toss Belcher down, MacDonald winds up on his back with Belcher in his guard. Belcher puts a few right hands on “The Athlete” while MacDonald tries to pull the head down and throw up a triangle. Belcher busts out and unloads with heavy punches and elbows that stun MacDonald, who looks for a kimura on Belcher’s left arm. Belcher moves to side-control and out of danger of the submission. A few more hard punches from the standing Belcher have MacDonald turning to his side, bleeding and in serious trouble. MacDonald doesn’t go out, but referee Dan Miragliotta steps in to save him from any further punishment at 3:48 of round one. The result is announced as a “verbal tapout due to strikes.”
Erik Koch vs. Jonathan Brookins
Round 1
Brookins wants the fight on the floor early and gets inside with a high double-leg try. Koch widens his base with his back to the fence and defends, throwing a knee over the top. Brookins answers with an elbow up top and keeps working for the takedown. A few more elbows come from Brookins before the featherweights separate and Koch socks him with a right straight. The taller Brookins misses with an uppercut from a mile out. Koch slaps with an outside thigh kick, follows up with a right straight. Brookins goes for another single-leg and again Koch defends, landing hammerfists while he does. Brookins finally tosses Koch down right at, or perhaps just after, the horn.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Brookins
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-10
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Brookins
Round 2
Koch gets busy with outside leg kicks, looking a fair bit looser as the second round begins. Brookins catches a kick and rushes Koch into the fence, but only for a second. Koch slaps Brookins with a right high kick and sticks a few right jabs in the Floridian’s face. A left straight jacks the jaw of Brookins, who immediately tries to close the distance and single-leg Koch down again. Koch uses a whizzer to avoid a takedown and then get on top, but Brookins is right back up and pressing Koch into the fence again. Koch is punching and elbowing to the head and body of Brookins, who just keeps trying for the single-leg. Now, Koch reverses and lands a few knees before disengaging and chopping with an outside leg kick. Koch wades in with punches and Brookins goes low, trying for a double this time and again being stifled by Koch. The takedown finally comes for Brookins, but he can’t do much with the position and Koch stands before the end of the round.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Koch
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Koch
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Brookins
Round 3
Koch is keeping his distance at the start of round three, using quick right jabs and leg kicks on the taller man while slipping single-leg attempts when they come. Brookins gets inside with one about two minutes into the frame and leans on Koch against the fence. Referee Myron Gaudet warns Brookins about holding the fence just as the pair splits. Koch comes swinging with leg kicks and Brookins answers with a tired swipe of his own. They clinch on the outside again, Brookins just bending at the waist for the final minute of the fight while Koch throws sporadic punches to the body and head.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Koch (29-28 Koch)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Koch (30-28 Koch)
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Koch (29-28 Brookins)
Official result: With two scorecards of 30-27 and one 29-28, it’s a unanimous decision for 22-year-old Erik Koch.
Dongi Yang vs. Court McGee
Round 1
McGee takes the outside of the Octagon while southpaw Yang stands in the center, trying to punch to the head and body of the “TUF” winner. Not much action through the first two minutes of the opening round. McGee gets the better of an exchange with a right hand over the top and the middleweights trade inside thigh kicks. McGee lurches forward to tie up but Yang backs away and appears to catch a finger in the eye, for which referee Yves Lavigne warns McGee. Both men are still holding their hands back with 90 seconds to go. Yang catches a kick, misses with a right hook counter and lands a kick to the body. The Korean slips as he circles the outside but McGee doesn’t pounce. McGee lands a few right hands just before the uneventful first round ends.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 McGee
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Yang
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Yang
Round 2
The action resumes where it left off: McGee moving forward, lobbing inside leg kicks, while Yang tries to catch said kicks and counterpunch. After a minute of this, McGee ties up and tries to press Yang into the fence, but Yang is quick to escape. Yang catches McGee coming in with a one-two. McGee slaps a high kick off Yang’s forearm. Yang rips a single left hook, but that’s all. With two minutes to go, McGee goes for a single-leg takedown; Yang keeps his balance, steps away and breathes heavy. They clinch and Yang misses with a knee, scores with a clubbing left hook. Nice combination from Yang after they split; McGee answers with a deflected head kick. McGee slaps a few inside thigh kicks and has a double-leg stuffed at the horn.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 McGee
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 McGee
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 McGee
Round 3
McGee wades inside but doesn’t do anything once he’s there. When he steps back out, he eats a pair of hard jabs from Yang, who feints a single-leg. McGee steps away from it and runs himself into the fence. Now it’s back to throwing single shots from both men. A hard left hook from Yang lands flush and McGee stumbles backward. Yang gives chase with a flying knee that misses and drags McGee to the floor. Yang tries to hop on McGee’s back and McGee slips out the back door. Yang is bloodied when they stand back up, but he stumbles McGee with a right hand shortly thereafter. McGee gets underhooks and tries to trip Yang down, but the damaged “Ox” stays up and keeps throwing. Double-leg attempt from McGee is stuffed by Yang, who tries to reverse the throw. McGee keeps working for the takedown and gets it. He’s only in mount for a moment before Yang escapes. McGee strings together a few punches, goes for another single-leg and gets it easily this time. McGee drops elbows from the top and throws on what looks to be a deep guillotine just before the horn. Yang survives to see the judges’ scorecards.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 McGee (30-27 McGee)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 McGee (29-28 McGee)
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 McGee (29-28 McGee)
Official result: The judges have it 30-28, 30-27 and 29-28, all in favor of the winner by unanimous decision, Court McGee.
Jake Shields vs. Jake Ellenberger
Round 1
Referee Kevin Mulhall is the third man for tonight’s welterweight main event, with judges Richard Bertrand, Douglas Crosby and Sal D’Amato scoring at cageside in the event of a decision. Shields starts out flicking quick jabs while Ellenberger looks for a murderous uppercut. Shields tries to clinch up and Ellenberger tosses him right to the ground. The next takedown attempt from the Cesar Gracie student is stuffed as well. They tie up again and a big knee from Ellenberger sends Shields sprawling forward. Ellenberger pounces and unloads with six or eight brutal punches while Shields tries to drive forward. Mulhall leaps in for the save and Shields keeps shooting on the referee, unaware of what happened. The vicious TKO comes just 53 seconds into the first round.
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