UFC Fight Night 35 Results: ‘Rockhold vs. Philippou’ Play-by-Play & Updates

Charlie Brenneman vs. Beneil Dariush

Round 1

The southpaw Dariush counters an outside leg kick with a pair of punches up top, then follows with a left hand to Brenneman’s face. Now it’s Brenneman scoring with close-range punches as Dariush tries to work a Thai plum and quickly releases. Dariush connects with a sizzling overhand left on the jaw and Brenneman’s legs go out from under him. Brenneman instinctively dives on a leg as Dariush tries to pound him out, so Dariush turns the corner and jumps on his back. Dariush cinches up a body triangle and sinks in a rear-naked choke, and Brenneman is forced to tap out.

The Official Result

Beneil Dariush def. Charlie Brenneman via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 1:45

Vinc Pichel vs. Garett Whiteley

Round 1

Pichel sets up in the center of the cage while Whiteley moves around the outside, flicking out leg kicks. Whiteley tries to go up high with a switch kick, but Pichel blocks and returns fire with a chopping low kick. After 90 seconds, Pichel puts the fight on the fence and muscles Whiteley to the mat, landing in half-guard on Whiteley’s right side. Whiteley gets a knee in and pushes him away, then keeps Pichel at bay from Ali-Inoki position until referee George Allen restarts them. Pichel again pushes Whiteley against the fence, and Whiteley tries to leap guard with a flying triangle or armbar. He slips off, and Pichel follows him to the ground at the base of the fence. Good elbows land for Whiteley from his back as he looks to secure a triangle. Pichel drops back for a heel hook, but Whiteley slips out and tries a brabo choke. Pichel slips out but stalls on his knees, where Whiteley hops on his back and drills him with a knee to the body. The lightweight stand and Whiteley scores with a hard right hook to the ribs, then a knee. Pichel finishes the round with one last takedown at the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Pichel
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Pichel
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Pichel

Round 2

Pichel jabs his way toward Whiteley, then cracks him with a hard right hook before landing another takedown near the fence. Whiteley tries a guillotine from guard which Pichel easily escapes to set up in half-guard. A couple hard left hands have Whiteley covering up on his knees; he scrambles to his feet, but Pichel stays glued to him with punches and uppercuts against the cage. Another takedown goes for Pichel at the halfway mark of the round and the fight. Whiteley wraps him up tight in guard, and Pichel works short punches to the body. Pichel explodes out and stands to deliver some heavier ground-and-pound to Whiteley’s head, then comes back down and passes to side control on Whiteley’s right. Whiteley looks to cage-walk, so Pichel pulls him away from the cage and takes back-control just before time runs out.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Pichel
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Pichel
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Pichel

Round 3

Whiteley catches the incoming Pichel with a clean, right-hand counter, momentarily slowing Pichel’s charge. Pichel tries a takedown, can’t get it, then hits it on the second effort and looks to pass to full mount. Whiteley keeps a knee inside and pushes him away to prevent the mount, so Pichel sits up and drops a hard left hand on Whiteley’s face. Whiteley throws up his legs for a triangle, forcing Pichel to stand and dive back down with another heavy punch. Now it’s north-south position for Pichel as Whiteley tries to walk off the cage. Pichel tries a brabo choke of his own, can’t cinch it and Whiteley stands up. The lightweights trade knees in the clinch as Pichel muscles Whiteley against the cage with 90 seconds to go. Whiteley snuffs out a single-leg and lands some short punches but can’t escape the clutches of Pichel, who drills his opponent with a close-quarters elbow. Whiteley drops to the ground with a kimura attempt, but Pichel rolls on top and finishes the fight with one last slam.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Pichel (30-27 Pichel)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Pichel (30-27 Pichel)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Pichel (30-27 Pichel)

The Official Result

Vinc Pichel def. Garett Whiteley via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Alptekin Ozkilic vs. Louis Smolka

Round 1

The rangy Smolka throws out kicks and jabs to start the fight, while Ozkilic returns fire with heavy right hands before changing levels hitting a takedown. Smolka wraps up “The Turkish Delight” in guard, but Ozkilic stands and throws wild punches in order to come back down and pass guard. Good hips from Smolka get him out from underneath, and as the flyweight stand, it’s Smolka scoring with hard knees in the clinch. A left hook nearly drops Ozkilic, who retaliates with a cracking left of his own. Both men seem to have regained their wits as Ozkilic drives forward for another takedown. Smolka stands and gets off a couple knees in the clinch before being taken down again. Smolka stays down longer this time but works his way back to his feet, slapping Ozkilic’s body with a pair of kicks. Smolka gets the last word in the round with a straight right down the middle, covering up as Ozkilic throws a counter combo.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Ozkilic
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Ozkilic
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Ozkilic

Round 2

Smolka is taken down again early in round two, but he’s quick to return to his feet. Ozkilic gets off a combination, and Smolka answers quickly with a knee to the body. They clinch against the cage and it’s Smolka grabbing the Thai plum and driving four or five hard knees up the center. Smolka counters some tired-looking punches from Ozkilic with a hard, short standing elbow. Ozkilic whiffs on a right hand and eats another elbow in the pocket. Smolka counters a pair of missed punches with a straight right to Ozkilic’s mug. Ozkilic hits a takedown and Smolka rolls for a leg lock, and both men scramble up. Ozkilic lands one last takedown before time runs out.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Smolka
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Smolka
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Smolka

Round 3

Ozkilic shoots in immediately and takes Smolka to the mat in the center of the cage. Smolka is quick to scramble up and resume sticking his left hand in Ozkilic’s face. Ozkilic is still throwing hands, but most of his punches are pulling up short now. Smolka denies a double-leg attempt and clubs Ozkilic with a hook to the side of the head. A spinning kick whiffs for Smolka but he pops back to his feet before Ozkilic can capitalize. Ozkilic tries for another takedown but winds up in the whizzer, where Smolka separates and stands. A big, three-punch combo lands for Smolka as Ozkilic’s hands continue to drop midway through the final round. Smolka backs up Ozkilic to the fence, landing heavy right hands, but Ozkilic survives the barrage with a takedown. Smolka flips over the top and stuffs another takedown, but Ozkilic turns the corner and tries to take back-control. Smolka slips out the back door and locks up a brabo choke, squeezing to finish as Ozkilic reaches for a leg. Smolka gives up on the choke with 45 seconds left, stands over Ozkilic and drops punches until he can step into mount. Ozkilic goes belly-down and covers up as Smolka pounds away with both fists. Referee Herb Dean is watching closely, but Ozkilic defends himself enough to hear the final horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Smolka (29-28 Smolka)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Smolka (29-28 Smolka)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Smolka (29-28 Smolka)

The Official Result

Louis Smolka def. Alptekin Ozkilic via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Brian Houston vs. Trevor Smith

Round 1

Smith hits a double-leg takedown in the opening minute but can’t keep Houston on the ground, as the middleweights scramble up and trade knees in the clinch before separating. Now it’s Houston hitting a takedown and holding the kneeling Smith in north-south position. They work back up again and separate after a few seconds on the fence. Houston mixes it up with a kick to the body as he cuts angles around the outside, with Smith stalking from the center. Smith ducks under a punch and floors Houston again, this time grabbing head-and-arm control as he steps into full mount. Smith jumps off the other side to try and finish the arm-triangle choke, but Houston gets his head low to escape. Smith drops short elbows on Houston’s face in the final 30 seconds.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Smith
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Smith
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Smith

Round 2

Houston snaps off a few jabs in the face of Smith, who retaliates with a pair of hard kicks to Houston’s lead leg. Houston counters a jab with a crisp left hook which opens up a gash on Smith’s forehead. They move to the fence with Houston on the outside, blood spilling off the forehead of Smith and onto Houston’s back. They separate and Smith shoots a double midway through the round, sprawled on by Houston, who hops away. Smith misses with a wide overhand right and shows signs of fatigue by leaning over momentarily with his hands on his knees. Not much clean offense in the final moments of the round, though Houston lands a hard leg kick and sticks out his tongue at Smith.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Houston
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Houston
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Houston

Round 3

Houston sticks jabs in the face of Smith and backpedals, forcing the wrestler to shuffle after him. Though tired, Smith won’t stop moving forward and even sneaks through some single punches of his own, but neither man is scoring big through the middle of the final frame. Smith puts a short left on Houston’s cheek, making him miss with a counter, and then Smith follows up with an outside leg kick. Smiths lands a pair of leg kicks and dodges some heavy punches before shooting a long double-leg. Houston sprawls but it’s Smith with a knee to the body as the middleweights stand. Smith lands one more leg kick and a kick to the body as time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Smith (29-28 Smith)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Smith (29-28 Smith)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Smith (29-28 Smith)

The Official Result

Trevor Smith def. Brian Houston via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Isaac Vallie-Flagg vs. Elias Silverio

Round 1

Vallie-Flagg rushes forward early and eats a straight right hand from the Brazilian. A leg kick lands for Vallie-Flagg, answered by another straight right from Silverio, who drops for a single-leg and spins Vallie-Flagg to the mat near the fence. Silverio wraps up the legs but can’t keep Vallie-Flagg on the ground, as the Greg Jackson student sits and stands. A big left hook sends Vallie-Flagg crashing to the canvas, and Silverio has to rush back to try and capitalize. Vallie-Flagg seems to recover quickly but Silverio is heavy on top, keeping the American trapped against the fence. Big left hands connect for Silverio as they enter the last 90 seconds of the opening round. Vallie-Flagg works back to his feet but eats another big right hand and a knee to the body. Silverio continues to chase down his opponent, wrapping up Vallie-Flagg on the fence and separating to score a big right hand at the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Silverio
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Silverio
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Silverio

Round 2

Silverio turns a clinch on the fence into a body-lock trip takedown and begins grinding on Vallie-Flagg’s face with elbows and forearms from half-guard. Silverio nearly passes to mount, winds up in north-south position and lands a knee to the still-kneeling Vallie-Flagg. Replays show that the knee may have landed to Vallie-Flagg’s chest, but referee Blake Grice nonetheless takes one point from Silverio. The lightweights get back to business with half the round to go, and Silverio whacks Vallie-Flagg with a standing elbow before hitting another takedown on the fence. Silverio works from half-guard, throwing short punches to Vallie-Flagg’s body and head. Vallie-Flagg struggles back to his feet just before the end of the frame.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 9-9
TJ De Santis scores the round 9-9
Chris Nelson scores the round 9-9

Round 3

Silverio lands another takedown and moves straight to full mount, then takes back-mount when Vallie-Flagg turns over. Silverio has both hooks in, softening up Vallie-Flagg with punches as he looks for an opening for the rear-naked choke. Elbows and punches now from Silverio as Vallie-Flagg turns over and puts the Brazilian back in half-guard. Two minutes left in the bout and Silverio remains heavy on top, keeping Vallie-Flagg’s back glued to the mat. Vallie-Flagg goes to his knees and Silverio takes the back, trying for a rear-naked choke. The second effort is closer, but he still can’t get underneath Vallie-Flagg’s chin. Silverio goes for a neck crank instead but runs out of time.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Silverio (29-27 Silverio)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Silverio (29-27 Silverio)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Silverio (29-27 Silverio)

The Official Result

Elias Silverio def. Isaac Vallie-Flagg via Unanimous Decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27) R3 5:00

Justin Edwards vs. Ramsey Nijem

Round 1

Edwards comes in behind a right hand and puts Nijem on the fence, but the lightweights quickly separate and Nijem lands a thudding low kick. Nijem keeps Edwards at a distance with a long front kick, has a high kick blocked and takes a left hook on the cheek. Edwards takes a kick to the body and comes back up top with a nice left hook and an inside leg kick. Nijem slips on a spinning kick and Edwards tries to capitalize, bombing with punches and knees. Nijem gets his composure and backs Edwards off with a left hand. Nijem misses a spinning kick and dives on a kneebar in the closing seconds, while Edwards pulls for a heel hook, but they run out of time.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Nijem
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Edwards
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Edwards

Round 2

Nijem shoots low and finishes a takedown in the center of the cage, but Edwards grabs a guillotine with his right arm as he goes down. Nijem sits up, trying to relieve the pressure as Edwards squeezes, and after 20 seconds of struggling, Nijem gets free. Edwards releases the hold and Nijem gets to work from Edwards’ closed guard. Nijem tries to stack up Edwards and nearly gets caught with an armbar. The lightweights stand up and Nijem gets busy with kicks, then tosses Edwards down. As Edwards bounces back up, Nijem lands a knee and a right hand, then another takedown. Nijem goes to full mount and scores with right hands, forcing Edwards to roll over. It’s back control for Nijem, who locks up a body triangle and works for a rear-naked choke with70 seconds left in the round. Edwards keeps rolling, trying to escape, but the body triangle is tight and Nijem is in good position to keep it. Nijem keeps working for the RNC or neck crank but Edwards rides out the final 20 seconds.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Nijem
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Nijem
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Nijem

Round 3

Nijem fends off Edwards with a teep kick, then steps in and hits “Fast Eddy” with a hard left hook. Edwards denies a takedown attempt, misses a back-kick and goes down as Nijem comes back for another double-leg. Now bleeding from his left eye, Edwards pushes off, gets some separation and scrambles to his feet before Nijem can take his back. Edwards lands a wide left hook midway through the round and chases after the circling Nijem. Counter an uppercut, Edwards lands a short left and a follow-up right hook, then thuds a spinning kick off Nijem’s chest. Nijem double-legs Edwards to the mat with 90 seconds remaining, but Edwards is soon back on his feet to club Nijem with a left hook. Nijem goes for a single-leg and Edwards opts to pull guard with a guillotine, which he quickly gives up on. Edwards leans back for a calf slicer, countered by Nijem with a kneebar, but time runs out as they battle with leg locks.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Nijem (30-27 Nijem)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Nijem (29-28 Nijem)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Nijem (29-28 Nijem)

The Official Result

Ramsey Nijem def. Justin Edwards via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Cole Miller vs. Sam Sicilia

Round 1

The featherweights open up with a few minutes of feinting and feeling out, with Miller mixing in a few leg kicks as he dodges Sicilia’s heavy overhand rights. Sicilia has to step in to reach the taller fighter and, consequently, most of his punches are deflecting off Miller’s arms and body. Miller connects with a teep kick up the center and right hand behind it. Sicilia counters a low kick with a clubbing right hand behind Miller’s ear. Miller continues circling the outside, and Sicilia chases him down with a blistering body shot and a right hand up top. Miller sticks a one-two and has a body kick blocked, then circles away from Sicilia’s right hand again. The kicks keep coming from Miller in the final minute of the round as he continues to slide away from Sicilia’s heavy hands.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Miller
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Miller
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Miller

Round 2

Miller walks down Sicilia and zaps him with another one-two, but Sicilia is able to grab hold of a leg and trip “Magrinho” to the mat to slow the roll. They reset on the feet and Miller sends a hard right straight down the middle, putting Sicilia on the ground again. Miller chases him to the ground and looks for a topside guillotine. Sicilia escapes and Miller transitions to the back, sinking in a rear-naked choke which forces Sicilia to tap almost immediately.

The Official Result

Cole Miller def. Sam Sicilia via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 1:54

John Moraga vs. Dustin Ortiz

Round 1

Ortiz lands the first strike with a clean right hand to Moraga’s jaw, and he follows with another as he denies Moraga’s first takedown attempt. Moraga shoots again and Ortiz turns the corner to grab a rear waistlock, elevating Moraga but unable to finish the slam. Instead, Ortiz presses Moraga against the cage with double underhooks and works a couple knees to the body. Two minutes into the round, Ortiz trips Moraga to the ground near the base of the fence. Moraga wraps him up tight, pushing Ortiz from half-guard back to closed guard, then opening up to push off Ortiz’s hips. Ortiz comes back and keeps close, pinning Moraga to the ground and dodging a pair of loose guillotine attempts. Moraga tries rubber guard, but Ortiz denies it and roughs up the former title contender with knees to the body and a forearm across the face. Ortiz sits up to escape a triangle attempt and roughs up Moraga with another flurry of punches before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Ortiz
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Ortiz
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Ortiz

Round 2

Moraga chops at Ortiz’s lead leg early in round two, landing three or four hard shots and mixing in some right hands. The flyweights trade simultaneous left hooks as Ortiz dances outside of range, giving Moraga a leg kick in return. A right hook fells Ortiz, but he shoots on a leg and recovers quickly as Moraga stands him up and pushes him against the cage. Moraga scores with punches and knees to the body before Ortiz escapes, then Ortiz slips and hits the mat again after a glancing blow from Moraga. This time, Moraga follows him down and jumps on Ortiz’s back, looking for a quick rear-naked choke. Ortiz does well to defend, turning into the choke and escaping out the back door to take top position with 1:40 on the clock. Ortiz works from side control on Moraga’s right side, then north-south position as Moraga gets to his knees. Ortiz tries to take the back, but he rides too high and Moraga scrambles up to his feet. A left hook from Moraga stings Ortiz, who stays on his feet this time. Moraga sprawls on a shot, but Ortiz turns the corner and takes Moraga’s back in the final 10 seconds.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Moraga
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Moraga
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Moraga

Round 3

Moraga sprawls on a shot and stands to sock Ortiz with a right hand. A spinning kick misses for Moraga, who spins around and lands a left hand, then eats one in return from Ortiz. A short left hook scores for Moraga as the flyweights step into the pocket to trade. Ortiz dings Moraga with a quick pair of punches, then shuts down a short takedown attempt from Moraga. Another combo lands for Ortiz, and Moraga hits him back with a stiff jab. With two minutes left in the bout, Ortiz hits a takedown in the center of the cage and tries to advance past Moraga’s half-guard. Ortiz makes it to side control with 80 seconds on the clock, but Moraga puts him back in guard 10 seconds later. Ortiz tries to posture up and strike, giving Moraga enough room to scramble to his feet. Ortiz denies a shot and tries to take Moraga’s back, instead holding him against the cage and working knees to the body. Moraga indicates a possible low blow but they fight on, and Ortiz lands one last takedown in the final seconds to finish the fight on top.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Ortiz (29-28 Ortiz)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Ortiz (29-28 Ortiz)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Ortiz (29-28 Ortiz)

The Official Result

John Moraga def. Dustin Ortiz via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Yoel Romero Palacio vs. Derek Brunson

Round 1

The middleweights circle one another, both in the southpaw stance, until Romero lunges forward with a huge left hand that backs Brunson off. Brunson comes straight back to hit a takedown, though Romero gets back to his feet immediately. Brunson keeps Romero away with a long front kick but has to change levels to defend a faked takedown from the wrestler. Brunson catches Romero changing levels with a hard kick to the neck, but Romero just takes it and keeps coming forward. Romero walks forward in the orthodox stance now and eats a stiff jab down the center. Romero grazes with an uppercut and blocks a head kick, misses with a flying knee and hits a trip. Brunson pops back up and drops Romero with a short punch, then leaps on Romero’s back and slams the “Soldier of God” to the floor. Romero stands with Brunson still glued to him, and it’s Brunson denying a takedown as the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Brunson
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Brunson
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Brunson

Round 2

Romero ducks under a punch to throw a right hand to Brunson’s body, but instead the punch strays to Brunson’s groin. Brunson takes a moment to recover, and when they resume, Romero comes forward throwing wild uppercuts, looking to take off Brunson’s head. Brunson lands a standing elbow and a short left hand, has a head kick blocked and shoots a stuffed double-leg. Romero attacks the body with punches then grabs the Thai plum and jumps up with a flying knee that just misses. Brunson hits a takedown near the fence and passes to full mount, and Romero just lays flat underneath. Brunson postures up and misses with a flurry of punches, and Romero pushes him back to half-guard with 70 seconds left. Scooting backward toward the cage, Romero is able to twist his way free and stand. Brunson shuts down a high double-leg and a clinch attempt, pushing Romero against the cage and deflecting an uppercut.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Brunson
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Brunson
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Brunson

Round 3

Brunson checks the oncoming Romero with short leg kicks and a jab, then grazes Romero’s chin with a switch kick up the center. Romero stuffs a long shot attempt from Brunson, who stands and circles out. Romero keeps chasing him and eventually scores with a big left hook that drops Brunson to his knees. Brunson gets right back up and returns fire, but Romero is still throwing fire, now sending uppercuts to Brunson’s chin in the Thai clinch. Brunson hits the deck again and Romero stands over him, delivering more heavy punches which knock out Brunson’s mouthpiece. Referee Blake Grice is taking a close look, telling Brunson he needs to fight back as Romero slams his body with (12-to-6) elbows. Brunson isn’t fighting back, and this one is all over.

The Official Result

Yoel Romero Palacio def. Derek Brunson via TKO (Punches and Elbows) R3 3:23

T.J. Dillashaw vs. Mike Easton

Round 1

Both bantamweights connect with leg kicks in the opening minute, while both have punches deflected in close quarters. Dillashaw gets through with a right hand and a kick, then gets briefly dropped by a counter hook from Easton. The Team Alpha Male fighter shoots against the cage and puts Easton on the mat, but Easton works his way back up. Good head movement from Easton, who cuts angles on the outside while Dillashaw presses forward. Dillashaw scores with an uppercut-right hook combo, then sends a straight left down the center. Easton just manages to block a left high kick, and Dillashaw backs him against the fence to unload with punches. Dillashaw closes out the round with a body kick and a left straight from the southpaw stance.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Dillashaw
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Dillashaw
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Dillashaw

Round 2

Dillashaw comes straight after Easton as round two begins, getting in the face of “The Hulk” with heavy punching combinations. Dillashaw switches to body shots, then goes upstairs with a head kick which drops Easton and opens up a cut on his forehead. It’s half-guard for Dillashaw on top, and Easton gets off the only offense he can muster from the position with heels to Dillashaw’s legs. Dillashaw flattens him out, grinding with elbows and short punches. Easton explodes back to his feet, only to eat a knee and a three-punch combo before he can escape. Easton tries a spinning kick and gets shoved against the fence, then slammed back to the canvas. Back up comes Easton with Dillashaw still hugging him on the cage, throwing knees to Easton’s legs from the back. Easton keeps hold of Dillashaw’s arm as they spin to the ground, but he loses the submission attempt before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Dillashaw
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Dillashaw
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Dillashaw

Round 3

Dillashaw keeps the combinations coming, picking his shots and landing punches on Easton almost at will. When Easton comes in close, Dillashaw unloads with hooks and uppercuts; from a distance, Dillashaw works with low kicks on Easton’s lead leg. Dillashaw wings a lead right hook, then pumps a jab behind it before circling away. Easton drives forward on a single-leg with 90 seconds left in the bout, but Dillashaw snuffs it out. A straight right snaps back Easton’s head, and Dillashaw backs off to force Easton to give chase. More good work from Dillashaw down the stretch, popping Easton with a head kick, left hands and punches in the clinch.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Dillashaw (30-26 Dillashaw)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Dillashaw (30-27 Dillashaw)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Dillashaw (30-27 Dillashaw)

The Official Result

T.J. Dillashaw def. Mike Easton via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Lorenz Larkin vs. Brad Tavares

Round 1

Larkin opens with leg kicks and hooks, but Tavares is quick to return fire, throwing heavy hooks of his own with both hands before slamming Larkin’s lead leg with a kick. The middleweights are still feeling out the range with long punches and kicks midway through the round, while Tavares is keeping active with his low kicks. Larkin lands a right hand and a leg kick, but Tavares counters up top with a stiff right straight of his own. Tavares attacks the body with kicks, ducks under a punch and grabs a rear waistlock. Larkin widens his base and crab-walks over the fence to avoid the takedown, but Tavares drags him to his knees just before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Tavares
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Tavares
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Tavares

Round 2

The middleweights are staying at range, neither committing to striking in close, and it’s Tavares reaping the benefits through the first half of round two with the quicker, snappier strikes. Hooks and leg kicks are scoring for Tavares, though Larkin is banging up Tavares’ lead leg with kicks as well. Tavares shoots a single-leg against the fence and, with some effort, pulls Larkin to the ground. Tavares secures back-control with both hooks in and begins fishing for a rear-naked choke, but Larkin is doing well to fend off the Hawaiian’s hands. Tavares lands heels to Larkin’s inner thigh, drawing a warning from ref Herb Dean to keep clear of the groin. Tavares finishes the round still attached to Larkin’s back.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Tavares
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Tavares
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Tavares

Round 3

Larkin keeps Tavares at range with kicks early in the final round, so Tavares begins mixing it up with punching combinations and faked takedowns. The next takedown attempt from Tavares allows Larkin to land a solid elbow in close quarters. Tavares gives Larkin one back with a right hand up top, then a hard leg kick outside. Tavares pushes off the fence with a Superman punch which whiffs. Larkin’s punches are pulling up just short, allowing Tavares to counter with low kicks. Larkin sprawls on a shot and goes for a guillotine, loses it and stands over Tavares, kicking at his legs. Larkin allows Tavares back up with 1:45 on the clock. Tavares shoots again and Larkin widens his base against the fence, drilling Tavares with a dozen or more Travis Browne-style elbows to the side of the head. Tavares blocks some of the elbows but eventually has enough and tries to rip Larkin off the fence with a single-leg. Larkin denies it and decks Tavares with an uppercut, then limp-legs out of another takedown try. Tavares goes for one last takedown and gets stood up as time runs out.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Larkin (29-28 Tavares)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Tavares (30-27 Tavares)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Larkin (29-28 Tavares)

The Official Result

Brad Tavares def. Lorenz Larkin via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Luke Rockhold vs. Costas Philippou

Round 1

Referee Herb Dean is the third man in the cage for tonight’s main event, with judges Ken Coffey, Chris Lee and Glenn Trowbridge scoring at cageside. Rockhold stakes out the center of the cage to begin, with Philippou cutting angles around the outside. The middleweights trade body kicks early, both men feeling the distance with punches. Ninety seconds in, Rockhold clips Philippou with a short right hook; Philippou pops back up and gets muscled against the fence, but he shoves off and circles out. Rockhold has a high kick blocked, gets one through to the body. Philippou continues circling the outside and Rockhold delivers another pair of hard kicks to the liver. The second one melts Philippou, who takes a knee at the base of the fence and is rescued by referee Dean.

The Official Result

Luke Rockhold def. Costas Philippou via KO (Kick to the Body) R1 2:31