WEC 40 Live Play-by-Play
Apr 6, 2009
Sherdog.com reports from the UIC Pavilion in Chicago with live
play-by-play of WEC 40, which is headlined by Miguel
Torres vs. Takeya
Mizugaki.
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
Dias starts the contest throwing low kicks. Budnik answers with a kick of his own but is taken down. Budnik tries to get half guard but Dias moves to side. He then takes mount. Budnik wisely moves his hips to get guard. Budnik spins for a leg and is working for it but Dias defends. Dias dives back into Budnik's guard with half the round still remaining. Dias moves to half guard and then back to side control. Budnik is working to stand and does. He then shoots and Dias is working a guillotine. 10 seconds remain and Dias is still working at the choke. The round expires. 10-9 Dias.
Round 2
Budnik starts the second frame with a kick but Dias takes him to the floor. Budnik has his full guard and Dias stacks. Dias lands a grazing elbow to Budnik's face. Dias lands a couple of hammerfists and moves to half. Budnik attempts a sweep but fails to execute. He does manage to get back to full guard. Dias lands a digging right to the body of his grounded opponent and then comes over the top to land hard on Budnik's face. Dias passes to side control and then to north-south. The ATT fighter locks in a north-south choke and Budnik reverses to get on top. Dias gets away and in a scramble gets back on top. Round ends 10-9 Dias.
Round 3
Budnik senses he is behind and comes out swinging. Dias lowers his elevation and executes a double leg takedown. Budnik is back on the floor in full guard. Dias works a body-head combination on the ground but isn't doing much. Half of the round is gone. Budnik raises his hips and attempts a triangle. He misses and almost secures an armbar but fails. Referee Robert Long stands the two men up. Dias shoots and is put in to a triangle. He escapes and passes. Budnik gets back to full guard and attempts an armbar. Dias is caught but gets his elbow out. Time expires a few moments later. 10-9 Budnik.
The official judges see it 30-27 and 29-28 (twice) for Dias.
Manny Tapia vs. Akitoshi Tamura
Round 1
Tamura comes out and uses kicks to start the bout. Tapia answers with a punching combination that misses. The fighters clinch and Tamura uses knees to back Tapia into the cage. Tapia is still working punches to the body while clinched and the two men separate. Tapia lands a nice left to the face of the “Ironman.” Tamura is still is looking to use the kicks. The two fighters clinch again and this time Tapia put his opponent in to the cage. Tamura lands another nice knee to the body of Tapia. Tamura pushes Tapia away and the “Mangler” throws a flurry that lands. The round ends. 10-9 Tamura.
Round 2
Tapia comes out standing orthodox and looks to exchange punches. Back and fourth, Tapia switches from orthodox to southpaw stances. Tapia lands a nice jab and an uppercut. Tamura initiates a clinch and lands a hard knee to Tapia's midsection. The Japanese fighter attacks the lead leg of Tapia with two sharp kicks. Tapia still is confident with his striking and finds his range a bit. Manny works a jab cross combo that catches the former Shooto champion. Tamura comes high with a kick that grazes the KOTC veteran. Less than a minute remains. The fighters clinch and Tamura lands a decent knee to the face of Tapia. The round expires. Tamura takes a close round, 10-9.
Round 3
Tamura has a small mouse under his right eye to start the final round. Tamura launches a nice solid mid kick to Tapia's body. Manny attempts a jump knee but Tamura circles away. Tamura is landing a jab. Tapia launches a left hook that is deflected. Tapia continues to try and box while Tamura circles and kicks. Tapia launches a left hook right cross combo that is deflected. 90 seconds remain and Tamura shoots. Tapia easily sprawls out. Tapia is still pushing forward with 30 seconds remaining. Sensing urgency, Tapia starts to unload landing punch after punch. The round expires. Tapia steals the round 10-9.
All three official judges see the bout 29-28 for Akitoshi Tamura.
Eddie Wineland vs. Rani Yahya
Round 1
Wineland comes out aggressive and takes the center of the Octagon. Yahya shoots and works for a single. In a scramble, Yahya takes the back and sinks in a rear-naked choke. Referee Robert Long stops the contest as Wineland taps at the 1:07 mark of the opening frame.
Wagnney Fabiano vs. Fredson Paixao
Round 1
Fabiano comes out southpaw and launches a right head kick that is blocked by Paixao. The IFL veteran steps back and lands a nice punching combination that stuns Paixao. The two men clinch. Paixao has a cut on his hairline. The two men separate. Paixao checks a kick from Fabiano. Fabiano launches a low kick to the inner thigh of Paixao. The two men clinch and Paixao puts his opponent into the cage. 60 seconds remain in the opening bout. The boo birds are out as the UIC Pavilion is bored with the clinch. The round expires. 10-9 for Fabiano.
Round 2
Fabiano starts the middle frame with a left cross, right midkick combination. Fabiano goes high with a left kick and Paixao blocks. Fredson engages a clinch and Fabiano finds himself being pushed in to the cage. Referee Scott Fisher separates the two men. Fabiano launches a low kick and Paixao answers with his own. Two minutes remain in the second. Fabiano lands a digging right low kick to the leg. The former IFL Pitbull scores a takedown and lands in side control. Paixao gets back to his feet and the two men look to strike. Fabiano stuns Paixao with a left. Paixao is on the run. Fabiano launches a jumping kick that is blocked. The round ends. 10-9 for Fabiano.
Round 3
Fabiano lands a right hand to start the frame. The two men continue to stand on the outside and strike. Fabiano is measuring the right hand. Fabiano lands a hard low kick and shoots. Paixao frames up a guillotine, but Fabiano is in no trouble and gets out. Fabiano is standing in his opponent’s guard and Paixao glances with an upkick that forces Fabiano to back up. On the feet, Fabiano stuns Paixao with a flurry of punches. Paixao remains strong and circles away. A looping right hand finds the face of Paixao. The fight comes to a close while Fabiano is working for a single leg. 10-9 Fabiano.
All three judges see it the same: 30-27 for Fabiano.
Dominick Cruz vs. Ivan Lopez
Round 1
Lopez comes out southpaw and is met by the orthodox-striking Cruz. Lopez misses with a leg kick but then comes high and hits Cruz on the chin. Cruz shoots and takes down Lopez. Lopez defends against any punishment and stands. Back on the feet, Cruz executes another takedown. Cruz looks to pass and secures side control. Lopez holding Cruz close and shrimps to guard, but Cruz secures side. In a scramble, Cruz gets in to half guard and lands a few nice left hands and elbows to Lopez’s dome. Lopez creates space and stands. The two men separate and the round expires. 10-9 Cruz.
Round 2
The two bantamweights exchange until Cruz ducks under and scores another takedown. Against the fence, Cruz looks to work from full guard. Cruz postures up and lands two left hands to the face of Lopez. Cruz briefly passes to half guard, but Lopez gets guard again. Lopez makes space and stands, but is taken down again against the fence. Cruz is in half and passes to side. Lopez circles his hips and puts his feet on the cage. Cruz postures up from side and lands a few shots to the face of Lopez. Lopez gets guard and loses it. Cruz gets side and Lopez wall walks against the fence and stands. The fighters exchange with Lopez landing. Cruz shoots and takes him down. Cruz finishes the round with some decent shots. 10-9 Cruz.
Round 3
The fighters begin the final round on the feet exchanging. Cruz lowers his elevation and executes a solid double-leg scoop slam takedown. Cruz finds himself in side control and looks to work. Cruz knees the side of Lopez. This causes Lopez to shrimp and get his guard back. The two men are back on their feet with two minutes remaining. Lopez was on his knees in a scramble and eats an illegal knee. The replay shows the knee as a glancing blow but Lopez is on his back looking to be in serious pain. The crowd is letting him hear their opinion. The bout is called. The official decision goes to the score cards due to the accidental foul, in which the incomplete round will be scored. Sherdog.com sees the truncated frame 10-9 for Cruz.
The official judges render scores of 30-27 (twice) and 29-28, all for Cruz.
Bart Palaszewski vs. Anthony Njokuani
Round 1
Njokuani comes out and establishes a jab. Palaszewski shoots and takes his opponent down despite the fact that Njokuani was grabbing the fence. The fighters are in a scramble and they find themselves back on their feet. Two minutes remain and neither man is landing too hard of strikes. Njokuani lands a right hand that drops the IFL veteran. Palaszewski is hurt but still in it. Standing Njokuani allows Palaszewski to stand up. The Jeff Curran-trained fighter secures a double leg and finishes the round in Njokuani's guard. 10-9 Njokuani.
Round 2
Njokuani starts the round strong and drops Palaszewski. Against the fence and on his back, Palaszewski is in trouble. Referee Scott Fisher saves Palaszewski from any more punches at 27 seconds of the second round.
Rafael Assuncao vs. Jameel Massouh
Round 1
The fighters charge to the center of the cage and Assuncao slips on the canvas. Massouh allows his opponent to stand and pays for it. Assuncao loads up an overhand right that clips Massouh on the temple. Assuncao pounces on the downed fighter with punches. Massouh recovers and works for a heel hook and a toe hold. The techniques are tight, but Assuncao is game as he escapes and continues his punching assault from the top position in his opponent’s guard. Massouh shows an offensive guard: hips high in search of a triangle. Assuncao escapes danger and stands to his feet. The fighters trade low kicks in the center of the cage. Assuncao steps forward in the pocket and blasts his foe with a one-two punching combination.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Assuncao
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Assuncao
Round 2
Assuncao kicks off the third round with a right-handed powershot that lands flush on the jaw. Massouh paws a lazy jab out and is belted with another right hand. And another. Massouh has some chin. Assuncao ducks under a right hand and moves to the clinch. Massouh reaches for a high crotch and is caught in an arm-in guillotine. Assuncao lets go of the guillotine, but keeps head control from the four-point position. Massouh frees his head and stands, where he is greeted with a right hook to the left side of his face. The fighters trade low kicks, and Assuncao uses the opportunity to land another right-hand lead. Massouh slips with 45 seconds remaining in the round, and finds himself under his opponent in half guard.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Assuncao
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Assuncao
Round 3
Assuncao misses a head kick attempt to start the final round. He then connects with kicks to the body and thigh of Massouh. Assuncao continues to fire away with power punches, and he’s clipping Massouh pretty good. Massough tries to pull guard with a guillotine and Assuncao has none of it. Assuncao clears his head from danger and advances to mount. Massouh bucks Assuncao off and takes the top position. From the top in guard, Massouh lazily hits the body with his right hand and defends a triangle attempt. He gets a little loose with his positioning and ends up on his back after Assuncao sweeps. Massough tries two heel hooks in the final minute that come up short. Assuncao finishes strong as he gets to Massouh’s back briefly before both fighters stand to end the fight.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Assuncao
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Assuncao
All three official judges see the bout 30-27 for Rafael Assuncao.
Shane Roller vs. Benson Henderson
Round 1
Henderson, a southpaw, backs Roller away with a lead left. Roller loads up on a right hand that drops Henderson to the floor. Roller swarms and locks up a guillotine choke, but Henderson is game. Henderson works for a single on the floor and finishes it. Henderson stands and lands a left straight and a right hook that collapse Roller to the canvas. Henderson follows up with punches until referee Scott Fisher steps in to stop the bout at the 1:41 mark of round one.
Jeff Curran vs. Joseph Benavidez
Round 1
Curran jabs early and Benavidez attacks the lead leg of Curran with low kicks. Benavidez puts his head down and clinches with Curran along the fencing. Curran backs off the cage and throws a left hook that smacks Benavidez on the right eye. Benavidez checks ground zero with his glove and sees no blood. Benavidez lands a hard right and eats another. Both men are throwing power shots exclusively, with some success. With 1:30 remaining in the first. Benavidez lands a hard right hook that knocks Curran off balance and to the floor. Benavidez briefly engages his opponent on the ground before exiting to strike the body while standing in guard. The pattern repeats for the final 60 seconds of action.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Benavidez
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Benavidez
Round 2
Curran throws two effective side kicks to the body of Benavidez. On the heels of A Curran right hook, Benavidez rocks his opponent’s frame with a solid low kick. Benavidez rushes forward and Curran pulls guard. Curran uses a full-side whizzer to control his opponent, and then gives it up for head control. Benavidez stands in the guard of Curran and lands several hard lunging punches. Showing damage on his face from the blows, Curran stands and pulls guard with a guillotine. Benavidez escapes and then fights off an omaplata attempt. Benavidez frees his arm and moves to side control. Curran gets a butterfly guard with a body lock. Benavidez uses a guillotine from the top to gain striking space on the break. Benavidez postures from Curran’s guard, striking with his left hand while he holds the left foot of Curran. A good round comes to a close as Curran lands an upkick and Benavidez finishes strong with punches from the top.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Benavidez
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Benavidez
Round 3
Benavidez seems content to throw right-hand leads in the opening minute of the final round. Curran lands his best punch since the first round, a counter left hook from the pocket. Benavidez trips Curran to the canvas and begins to work from the top in guard with elbows and punches. Curran stands and belts Benavidez with a knee to the body. Curran misses wildly on a spinning-back kick. Curran steps forward but misses on his punches and a head kick try. Curran drops levels for a double-leg takedown and gets it, though he is unable to hold his opponent down for long. Benavidez takes the top position and loads up on nothing but right hands to the head, all of which are blocked. Benavidez starts to elbow with 30 seconds left in the fight. With 20 seconds left, Curran goes high with his hips in search of a triangle. Benavidez escapes and the bout is over.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Benavidez
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Benavidez
The official judges render totals of 30-27 (twice) and 29-28, all for Joseph Benavidez.
Miguel Torres vs. Takeya Mizugaki
Round 1
The champion shows excellent footwork avoiding Mizugaki’s haymakers in the opening 30 seconds. Mizugaki traps Torres in the corner and unloads a flurry of punches that are all defended. Mizugaki is going for broke, throwing nothing but power punches. Torres is thrown to the ground by Mizugaki from the clinch. Torres stands and is hit with a right hand. Torres jabs and is countered by a right hand; a pattern that unfolds several times in the frame’s middle minutes. Mizugaki is standing tough in the pocket and getting the best of punching exchanges. Torres prefers to jab from the outside, and the challenger is not letting it happen. Mizugaki lands a hard knee to the chin from the Thai plum and defends an attempt from Torres to pull guard. The first is clearly the challenger’s round.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Mizugaki
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Mizugaki
Round 2
Torres jabs and is hit with a right hand that makes him mad. Torres launches his first real flurry of the fight and slips to the canvas in the process. Torres tries to make the most of it with a weak kneebar attempt. Mizugaki stands and belts Torres with a right hand. Torres answers with a counter left and goes back to his jab. Mizugaki attacks the body with both hands and he’s scoring. Mizugaki cracks Torres with a right hook lead. Torres lands his best punch of the fight, a left hook while his opponent rushed in. Momentum has changed as Torres unloads with a flurry and a knee to the body against the fence. Torres pushes Mizugaki to the fence and sharply knees the body. Referee Marc Wasem briefly halts the bout to retrieve Torres’ mouthguard. The fight is restarted and Torres lands a jab and another knee to the body. Torres clinches with the challenger and stomps downward painfully on the left foot.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Torres
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Torres
Round 3
Torres goes to the right leg of Mizugaki with low kicks. Torres jabs from the outside and uses lateral movement to avoid Mizugaki as he rushes forward throwing bombs. Showing excellent head movement, Torres bobs and weaves to avoid a punching flurry against the cage. Torres steps forward to throw his jab and the fighters clash heads. Mizugaki lands a right hand, but it appears that the head clash opened up a deep cut above the right eye of Torres. The action is stopped and referee Wasem calls for the doctor. The cut is checked and the action is back on. Torres has a new look in his eye as he throws his punches with grit. Mizugaki slows his pace and waits out the round.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Mizugaki
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Torres
Round 4
Mizugaki cracks Torres with a lunging left hook. Torres tries to pull guard and Mizugaki has none of it. Torres drops levels for a single that is defended. Torres transitions to guard, but Mizugaki stands immediately. Torres clinches with the challenger and tees off with two standing elbows that rattle the teeth of the challenger. Mizugaki punches his way off the fence, but nothing lands clean. Torres doubles up on his jab and reaps the benefits of a strong one-two. From the clinch, Torres lands another elbow to the mouth and a hard knee to the liver. Mizugaki answers with a knee that lands flush on the chin. Mizugaki takes Torres’ back while standing and has to immediately fight off a kneebar. He escapes easily and stands. Torres hits Mizugaki with a beautiful two-piece with a biscuit. A left, right, left combo. Mizugaki looks to be hurt for the first time in the fight.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Torres
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Torres
Round 5
Mizugaki grazes a left hook off the nose of the champion. With his back to the fence, Mizugaki knees the body and gets blasted by a Torres right hand. Torres knees the body and throws short shoulder punches to the neck. With three minutes to go, a right hand from Torres opens a small cut on the forehead of Mizugaki. Torres goes to work on the body with his right hand from the clinch. An extended clinch plays out against the fence, where Torres racks up punishment to the midsection with both hands and knees. The last 20 seconds is an absolute slugfest that sees neither fighter gain an advantage.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Torres
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Torres
The official judges see the contest 49-46 (twice) and 48-47 for Miguel Torres, who takes the unanimous decision.
Don't forget to check out the MMA Forums to discuss tonight's event.
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Rafael Dias
vs. Mike
Budnik
Round 1
Dias starts the contest throwing low kicks. Budnik answers with a kick of his own but is taken down. Budnik tries to get half guard but Dias moves to side. He then takes mount. Budnik wisely moves his hips to get guard. Budnik spins for a leg and is working for it but Dias defends. Dias dives back into Budnik's guard with half the round still remaining. Dias moves to half guard and then back to side control. Budnik is working to stand and does. He then shoots and Dias is working a guillotine. 10 seconds remain and Dias is still working at the choke. The round expires. 10-9 Dias.
Round 2
Budnik starts the second frame with a kick but Dias takes him to the floor. Budnik has his full guard and Dias stacks. Dias lands a grazing elbow to Budnik's face. Dias lands a couple of hammerfists and moves to half. Budnik attempts a sweep but fails to execute. He does manage to get back to full guard. Dias lands a digging right to the body of his grounded opponent and then comes over the top to land hard on Budnik's face. Dias passes to side control and then to north-south. The ATT fighter locks in a north-south choke and Budnik reverses to get on top. Dias gets away and in a scramble gets back on top. Round ends 10-9 Dias.
Round 3
Budnik senses he is behind and comes out swinging. Dias lowers his elevation and executes a double leg takedown. Budnik is back on the floor in full guard. Dias works a body-head combination on the ground but isn't doing much. Half of the round is gone. Budnik raises his hips and attempts a triangle. He misses and almost secures an armbar but fails. Referee Robert Long stands the two men up. Dias shoots and is put in to a triangle. He escapes and passes. Budnik gets back to full guard and attempts an armbar. Dias is caught but gets his elbow out. Time expires a few moments later. 10-9 Budnik.
The official judges see it 30-27 and 29-28 (twice) for Dias.
Manny Tapia vs. Akitoshi Tamura
Round 1
Tamura comes out and uses kicks to start the bout. Tapia answers with a punching combination that misses. The fighters clinch and Tamura uses knees to back Tapia into the cage. Tapia is still working punches to the body while clinched and the two men separate. Tapia lands a nice left to the face of the “Ironman.” Tamura is still is looking to use the kicks. The two fighters clinch again and this time Tapia put his opponent in to the cage. Tamura lands another nice knee to the body of Tapia. Tamura pushes Tapia away and the “Mangler” throws a flurry that lands. The round ends. 10-9 Tamura.
Round 2
Tapia comes out standing orthodox and looks to exchange punches. Back and fourth, Tapia switches from orthodox to southpaw stances. Tapia lands a nice jab and an uppercut. Tamura initiates a clinch and lands a hard knee to Tapia's midsection. The Japanese fighter attacks the lead leg of Tapia with two sharp kicks. Tapia still is confident with his striking and finds his range a bit. Manny works a jab cross combo that catches the former Shooto champion. Tamura comes high with a kick that grazes the KOTC veteran. Less than a minute remains. The fighters clinch and Tamura lands a decent knee to the face of Tapia. The round expires. Tamura takes a close round, 10-9.
Round 3
Tamura has a small mouse under his right eye to start the final round. Tamura launches a nice solid mid kick to Tapia's body. Manny attempts a jump knee but Tamura circles away. Tamura is landing a jab. Tapia launches a left hook that is deflected. Tapia continues to try and box while Tamura circles and kicks. Tapia launches a left hook right cross combo that is deflected. 90 seconds remain and Tamura shoots. Tapia easily sprawls out. Tapia is still pushing forward with 30 seconds remaining. Sensing urgency, Tapia starts to unload landing punch after punch. The round expires. Tapia steals the round 10-9.
All three official judges see the bout 29-28 for Akitoshi Tamura.
Eddie Wineland vs. Rani Yahya
Round 1
Wineland comes out aggressive and takes the center of the Octagon. Yahya shoots and works for a single. In a scramble, Yahya takes the back and sinks in a rear-naked choke. Referee Robert Long stops the contest as Wineland taps at the 1:07 mark of the opening frame.
Wagnney Fabiano vs. Fredson Paixao
Round 1
Fabiano comes out southpaw and launches a right head kick that is blocked by Paixao. The IFL veteran steps back and lands a nice punching combination that stuns Paixao. The two men clinch. Paixao has a cut on his hairline. The two men separate. Paixao checks a kick from Fabiano. Fabiano launches a low kick to the inner thigh of Paixao. The two men clinch and Paixao puts his opponent into the cage. 60 seconds remain in the opening bout. The boo birds are out as the UIC Pavilion is bored with the clinch. The round expires. 10-9 for Fabiano.
Round 2
Fabiano starts the middle frame with a left cross, right midkick combination. Fabiano goes high with a left kick and Paixao blocks. Fredson engages a clinch and Fabiano finds himself being pushed in to the cage. Referee Scott Fisher separates the two men. Fabiano launches a low kick and Paixao answers with his own. Two minutes remain in the second. Fabiano lands a digging right low kick to the leg. The former IFL Pitbull scores a takedown and lands in side control. Paixao gets back to his feet and the two men look to strike. Fabiano stuns Paixao with a left. Paixao is on the run. Fabiano launches a jumping kick that is blocked. The round ends. 10-9 for Fabiano.
Round 3
Fabiano lands a right hand to start the frame. The two men continue to stand on the outside and strike. Fabiano is measuring the right hand. Fabiano lands a hard low kick and shoots. Paixao frames up a guillotine, but Fabiano is in no trouble and gets out. Fabiano is standing in his opponent’s guard and Paixao glances with an upkick that forces Fabiano to back up. On the feet, Fabiano stuns Paixao with a flurry of punches. Paixao remains strong and circles away. A looping right hand finds the face of Paixao. The fight comes to a close while Fabiano is working for a single leg. 10-9 Fabiano.
All three judges see it the same: 30-27 for Fabiano.
Dominick Cruz vs. Ivan Lopez
Round 1
Lopez comes out southpaw and is met by the orthodox-striking Cruz. Lopez misses with a leg kick but then comes high and hits Cruz on the chin. Cruz shoots and takes down Lopez. Lopez defends against any punishment and stands. Back on the feet, Cruz executes another takedown. Cruz looks to pass and secures side control. Lopez holding Cruz close and shrimps to guard, but Cruz secures side. In a scramble, Cruz gets in to half guard and lands a few nice left hands and elbows to Lopez’s dome. Lopez creates space and stands. The two men separate and the round expires. 10-9 Cruz.
Round 2
The two bantamweights exchange until Cruz ducks under and scores another takedown. Against the fence, Cruz looks to work from full guard. Cruz postures up and lands two left hands to the face of Lopez. Cruz briefly passes to half guard, but Lopez gets guard again. Lopez makes space and stands, but is taken down again against the fence. Cruz is in half and passes to side. Lopez circles his hips and puts his feet on the cage. Cruz postures up from side and lands a few shots to the face of Lopez. Lopez gets guard and loses it. Cruz gets side and Lopez wall walks against the fence and stands. The fighters exchange with Lopez landing. Cruz shoots and takes him down. Cruz finishes the round with some decent shots. 10-9 Cruz.
Round 3
The fighters begin the final round on the feet exchanging. Cruz lowers his elevation and executes a solid double-leg scoop slam takedown. Cruz finds himself in side control and looks to work. Cruz knees the side of Lopez. This causes Lopez to shrimp and get his guard back. The two men are back on their feet with two minutes remaining. Lopez was on his knees in a scramble and eats an illegal knee. The replay shows the knee as a glancing blow but Lopez is on his back looking to be in serious pain. The crowd is letting him hear their opinion. The bout is called. The official decision goes to the score cards due to the accidental foul, in which the incomplete round will be scored. Sherdog.com sees the truncated frame 10-9 for Cruz.
The official judges render scores of 30-27 (twice) and 29-28, all for Cruz.
Bart Palaszewski vs. Anthony Njokuani
Round 1
Njokuani comes out and establishes a jab. Palaszewski shoots and takes his opponent down despite the fact that Njokuani was grabbing the fence. The fighters are in a scramble and they find themselves back on their feet. Two minutes remain and neither man is landing too hard of strikes. Njokuani lands a right hand that drops the IFL veteran. Palaszewski is hurt but still in it. Standing Njokuani allows Palaszewski to stand up. The Jeff Curran-trained fighter secures a double leg and finishes the round in Njokuani's guard. 10-9 Njokuani.
Round 2
Njokuani starts the round strong and drops Palaszewski. Against the fence and on his back, Palaszewski is in trouble. Referee Scott Fisher saves Palaszewski from any more punches at 27 seconds of the second round.
Rafael Assuncao vs. Jameel Massouh
Round 1
The fighters charge to the center of the cage and Assuncao slips on the canvas. Massouh allows his opponent to stand and pays for it. Assuncao loads up an overhand right that clips Massouh on the temple. Assuncao pounces on the downed fighter with punches. Massouh recovers and works for a heel hook and a toe hold. The techniques are tight, but Assuncao is game as he escapes and continues his punching assault from the top position in his opponent’s guard. Massouh shows an offensive guard: hips high in search of a triangle. Assuncao escapes danger and stands to his feet. The fighters trade low kicks in the center of the cage. Assuncao steps forward in the pocket and blasts his foe with a one-two punching combination.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Assuncao
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Assuncao
Round 2
Assuncao kicks off the third round with a right-handed powershot that lands flush on the jaw. Massouh paws a lazy jab out and is belted with another right hand. And another. Massouh has some chin. Assuncao ducks under a right hand and moves to the clinch. Massouh reaches for a high crotch and is caught in an arm-in guillotine. Assuncao lets go of the guillotine, but keeps head control from the four-point position. Massouh frees his head and stands, where he is greeted with a right hook to the left side of his face. The fighters trade low kicks, and Assuncao uses the opportunity to land another right-hand lead. Massouh slips with 45 seconds remaining in the round, and finds himself under his opponent in half guard.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Assuncao
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Assuncao
Round 3
Assuncao misses a head kick attempt to start the final round. He then connects with kicks to the body and thigh of Massouh. Assuncao continues to fire away with power punches, and he’s clipping Massouh pretty good. Massough tries to pull guard with a guillotine and Assuncao has none of it. Assuncao clears his head from danger and advances to mount. Massouh bucks Assuncao off and takes the top position. From the top in guard, Massouh lazily hits the body with his right hand and defends a triangle attempt. He gets a little loose with his positioning and ends up on his back after Assuncao sweeps. Massough tries two heel hooks in the final minute that come up short. Assuncao finishes strong as he gets to Massouh’s back briefly before both fighters stand to end the fight.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Assuncao
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Assuncao
All three official judges see the bout 30-27 for Rafael Assuncao.
Shane Roller vs. Benson Henderson
Round 1
Henderson, a southpaw, backs Roller away with a lead left. Roller loads up on a right hand that drops Henderson to the floor. Roller swarms and locks up a guillotine choke, but Henderson is game. Henderson works for a single on the floor and finishes it. Henderson stands and lands a left straight and a right hook that collapse Roller to the canvas. Henderson follows up with punches until referee Scott Fisher steps in to stop the bout at the 1:41 mark of round one.
Jeff Curran vs. Joseph Benavidez
Round 1
Curran jabs early and Benavidez attacks the lead leg of Curran with low kicks. Benavidez puts his head down and clinches with Curran along the fencing. Curran backs off the cage and throws a left hook that smacks Benavidez on the right eye. Benavidez checks ground zero with his glove and sees no blood. Benavidez lands a hard right and eats another. Both men are throwing power shots exclusively, with some success. With 1:30 remaining in the first. Benavidez lands a hard right hook that knocks Curran off balance and to the floor. Benavidez briefly engages his opponent on the ground before exiting to strike the body while standing in guard. The pattern repeats for the final 60 seconds of action.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Benavidez
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Benavidez
Round 2
Curran throws two effective side kicks to the body of Benavidez. On the heels of A Curran right hook, Benavidez rocks his opponent’s frame with a solid low kick. Benavidez rushes forward and Curran pulls guard. Curran uses a full-side whizzer to control his opponent, and then gives it up for head control. Benavidez stands in the guard of Curran and lands several hard lunging punches. Showing damage on his face from the blows, Curran stands and pulls guard with a guillotine. Benavidez escapes and then fights off an omaplata attempt. Benavidez frees his arm and moves to side control. Curran gets a butterfly guard with a body lock. Benavidez uses a guillotine from the top to gain striking space on the break. Benavidez postures from Curran’s guard, striking with his left hand while he holds the left foot of Curran. A good round comes to a close as Curran lands an upkick and Benavidez finishes strong with punches from the top.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Benavidez
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Benavidez
Round 3
Benavidez seems content to throw right-hand leads in the opening minute of the final round. Curran lands his best punch since the first round, a counter left hook from the pocket. Benavidez trips Curran to the canvas and begins to work from the top in guard with elbows and punches. Curran stands and belts Benavidez with a knee to the body. Curran misses wildly on a spinning-back kick. Curran steps forward but misses on his punches and a head kick try. Curran drops levels for a double-leg takedown and gets it, though he is unable to hold his opponent down for long. Benavidez takes the top position and loads up on nothing but right hands to the head, all of which are blocked. Benavidez starts to elbow with 30 seconds left in the fight. With 20 seconds left, Curran goes high with his hips in search of a triangle. Benavidez escapes and the bout is over.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Benavidez
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Benavidez
The official judges render totals of 30-27 (twice) and 29-28, all for Joseph Benavidez.
Miguel Torres vs. Takeya Mizugaki
Round 1
The champion shows excellent footwork avoiding Mizugaki’s haymakers in the opening 30 seconds. Mizugaki traps Torres in the corner and unloads a flurry of punches that are all defended. Mizugaki is going for broke, throwing nothing but power punches. Torres is thrown to the ground by Mizugaki from the clinch. Torres stands and is hit with a right hand. Torres jabs and is countered by a right hand; a pattern that unfolds several times in the frame’s middle minutes. Mizugaki is standing tough in the pocket and getting the best of punching exchanges. Torres prefers to jab from the outside, and the challenger is not letting it happen. Mizugaki lands a hard knee to the chin from the Thai plum and defends an attempt from Torres to pull guard. The first is clearly the challenger’s round.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Mizugaki
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Mizugaki
Round 2
Torres jabs and is hit with a right hand that makes him mad. Torres launches his first real flurry of the fight and slips to the canvas in the process. Torres tries to make the most of it with a weak kneebar attempt. Mizugaki stands and belts Torres with a right hand. Torres answers with a counter left and goes back to his jab. Mizugaki attacks the body with both hands and he’s scoring. Mizugaki cracks Torres with a right hook lead. Torres lands his best punch of the fight, a left hook while his opponent rushed in. Momentum has changed as Torres unloads with a flurry and a knee to the body against the fence. Torres pushes Mizugaki to the fence and sharply knees the body. Referee Marc Wasem briefly halts the bout to retrieve Torres’ mouthguard. The fight is restarted and Torres lands a jab and another knee to the body. Torres clinches with the challenger and stomps downward painfully on the left foot.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Torres
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Torres
Round 3
Torres goes to the right leg of Mizugaki with low kicks. Torres jabs from the outside and uses lateral movement to avoid Mizugaki as he rushes forward throwing bombs. Showing excellent head movement, Torres bobs and weaves to avoid a punching flurry against the cage. Torres steps forward to throw his jab and the fighters clash heads. Mizugaki lands a right hand, but it appears that the head clash opened up a deep cut above the right eye of Torres. The action is stopped and referee Wasem calls for the doctor. The cut is checked and the action is back on. Torres has a new look in his eye as he throws his punches with grit. Mizugaki slows his pace and waits out the round.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Mizugaki
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Torres
Round 4
Mizugaki cracks Torres with a lunging left hook. Torres tries to pull guard and Mizugaki has none of it. Torres drops levels for a single that is defended. Torres transitions to guard, but Mizugaki stands immediately. Torres clinches with the challenger and tees off with two standing elbows that rattle the teeth of the challenger. Mizugaki punches his way off the fence, but nothing lands clean. Torres doubles up on his jab and reaps the benefits of a strong one-two. From the clinch, Torres lands another elbow to the mouth and a hard knee to the liver. Mizugaki answers with a knee that lands flush on the chin. Mizugaki takes Torres’ back while standing and has to immediately fight off a kneebar. He escapes easily and stands. Torres hits Mizugaki with a beautiful two-piece with a biscuit. A left, right, left combo. Mizugaki looks to be hurt for the first time in the fight.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Torres
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Torres
Round 5
Mizugaki grazes a left hook off the nose of the champion. With his back to the fence, Mizugaki knees the body and gets blasted by a Torres right hand. Torres knees the body and throws short shoulder punches to the neck. With three minutes to go, a right hand from Torres opens a small cut on the forehead of Mizugaki. Torres goes to work on the body with his right hand from the clinch. An extended clinch plays out against the fence, where Torres racks up punishment to the midsection with both hands and knees. The last 20 seconds is an absolute slugfest that sees neither fighter gain an advantage.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Torres
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Torres
The official judges see the contest 49-46 (twice) and 48-47 for Miguel Torres, who takes the unanimous decision.
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