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UFC 97 'Redemption' Live Play-by-Play

Sherdog.com reports from the Bell Centre in Montreal with live play-by-play of UFC 97 “Redemption,” which is headlined by Anderson Silva vs. Thales Leites.

Don't forget to check out the MMA Forums to discuss tonight's event.

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Click here for quick results.



Hit F5 on your keyboard to refresh often, as play-by-play is updated in real time.

Click here to read Jake Rossen’s live UFC 97 Blog.

Eliot Marshall vs. Vinny Magalhaes
Round 1
Evenly aggressive and circling in the first part of round one. Trading punches with a few leg kicks by Magalhaes. A head kick by Marshall blocked. The crowd starts to boo the lack of action. Good left jab to the face by Magalhaes. Marshall continues to jab. The crowd boos some more as Marshall blocks another head kick attempt. A stiff right from Marshall snaps Magalhaes’ head back. The round ends with the pair against the cage. 10-9 Marshall.

Round 2
Vinny is the aggressor as he presses Marshall into the cage. Marshall pushes him away and fires a high kick that is easily defended. Two nice left body kicks by Magalhaes follow. Marshall is caught partially by a kick countered with right straight. The crowd is booing due to tentative single shots. Right hand to the body by Marshall then more circling. Nice three punch combination from Marshall, followed by more circling and more fan booing. They trade kicks and Maghaeles catches Marshall's leg and scores a nice takedown before moving into side control. Straight to mount, Magalhaes is getting a few elbows in. Marshall squirms out and gets into half guard, before finally getting to his feet to end the round. 10-9 Maghales.

Round 3
Marshall starts the round with a low kick and then the pair reverts to being tentative and the crowd boos once again. One-two combination finds the mark for Marshall and Magalhaes is bleeding from the nose. This round should decide the victor but neither fighter seems to want to press the action. Magalhaes presses forward with left and right body kicks that are both blocked. Right body kick by Magalhaes is countered by a right straight by Marshall. Magalhaes pushes Marshall against the cage and takes him down with a thud into side control and immediately into mount with some elbows to follow. Marshall rolls over to escape and the round ends with Magalhaes throwing down punches from above. 10-9 Magalhaes.

The official scorecards read 30-27 (twice) and 29-28 for Marshall, who takes the unanimous decision.

Ryo Chonan vs. T.J. Grant
Round 1
The Canadian Grant walks out to thunderous applause, while Chonan comes out with Dan Henderson to meet an indifferent crowd. Low kick by Grant to start the fight and Chonan counters. The fighters are trading hooks and Chonan judo throws Grant to the ground and moves into side control. Grant works busily on his butterfly guard and makes for Chonan's arm but no luck. Grant gets full guard and Chonan attempts a few week hooks from top. Grant attempts to throwpunches from the bottom and the crowd chants "TJ, TJ." Grant goes for an arm again and again Chonan escapes. Chonan stands up to drop a right hand and falls back into full guard. Pretty sweep by Grant and he regains his feet. Trading punches and Grant skips underneath a Chonan left and takes him down into half guard. Chonan escapes and they get back to their feet. Wild haymakers from both end the round. 10-9 Grant.

Round 2
A four-punch combination from Grant and then they clinch against the cage. Chonan works a single-leg takedown and gets Grant down. They’re on their feet and it's Grant’s turn for the takedown, and ends up on Chonan’s back briefly before going to guard. Chonan posts up and drops ineffective single shots. Again in Grant’s full guard, Chonan tastes an upkick to the face. Chonan tries for an ankle and Grant rolls out to take his back. Again Chonan rolls into guard to end the round. 10-9 Chonan.

Round 3
Chonan connects with a few punches to the face and misses with an uppercut. Grant ducks underneath another punch and takes him down into half guard. where he delivers short elbows and is looking to pass. Chonan grabs a leg and puts Grant to his back in half guard. Now in Grant’s full guard, Grant tries for a triangle, but Chonan has none it. Both fighters looking tired as Chonan stands out of guard, only to have Grant kick his foot out and Chonan falls back into guard. Grant takes a single and puts Chonan down and Chonan gives up his back. He looks to escape but Grant won't let him up and briefly traps his left arm to deliver some solid shots to Chonan’s unprotected face. 10-9 Grant.

The official judges see the fight: 29-28 for Chonan and 30-27, 29-28 for the winner by split decision, T.J. Grant.

Mark Bocek vs. David Bielkheden
Round 1
They come out and touch gloves then clinch against the cage, where Bocek presses and lands some knees to the thighs. Two reverses off the fencing and Bocek grabs a leg and takes Bielkheden down to half guard. Bocek is grinding his forearm on Bielkheden’s face and he moves to side control. Bocek is looking strong on top and moves to full guard. Bocek posts and lands a few punches. Bocek tees off and moves to half guard, then immediately to side. A hard elbow by Bocek and then he goes back to half guard. The crowd starts to chant “Ole.” Bocek takes mount begins to unload as the crowd goes nuts. Bielkheden gives his back and Bocek wins by an amazingly quick rear-naked choke at 4:57 of the first.

David Loiseau vs. Ed Herman
Round 1
Montreal's own David Loiseau emerges to thunderous applause while Herman is roundly jeered. Two spinning back kicks to Herman's face to start the round. Herman body locks Loiseau and takes him to the mat, where he gives up his back. Herman pounds away while Loiseau covers up. Loiseau tries to stand but Herman bullies him down. Herman tries to take his back and gets one hook in. Loiseau tries to stand and Herman takes him down where he continues to chip away with punches. Herman is on Loiseau’s back and drops some nice knees to his body. Loiseau is covering up and making no attempt to escape. More knees to the body from Herman before Loiseau finally stands into the clinch against the cage to end round one. 10-8 Herman.

Round 2
Loiseau misses with a spinning back kicks that sails over Herman's head. Herman takes Loiseau down and goes into his full guard, where he drops punches and elbows. Herman gets full mount and Loiseau gives up his back. Herman loves the knees to the body and again Loiseau is on his knees covering up. No effort from Loiseau and Herman is completely controlling the fight. Loiseau gets to his feet, and yet again Herman gets him down. Up again, and the pair clinch against the fence. The crowd cheers when Loiseau avoids a takedown. Loiseau launches a right hand, but slips and falls. 10-9 Herman.

Round 3
Loiseau stuns Herman with a snapping-left hook and then they clinch against the cage. Herman is pressing into Loiseau and lands some knees to the torso. Herman rushes in and gets a powerful double leg takedown. Loiseau gives up his back and stands up. Loiseau slips again as he tries to throw a left jab and Herman gets three knees to the body of his downed opponent. Herman in full mount and Loiseau finally squirms out. Loiseau with a weak body kick, then ends the round with a “Superman” punch. 10-9 Herman.

The official judges see the bout 30-27 (twice) and 30-26 for Ed Herman.

Jason MacDonald vs. Nate Quarry
Round 1
They briefly trade in the middle before MacDonald takes Quarry to the cage and ducks for a single. Quarry counters the takedown and lands in MacDonald's half guard. MacDonald avoids some elbows from top but eats a few. MacDonald is tying Quarry up but gets cut on the forehead by an elbow. GNP by Quarry and MacDonald is busted up. Quarry is relentless in his attack, forcing referee Mario Yamasaki to halt the fight at 2:27 of round one for a TKO victory.

Denis Kang vs. Xavier Foupa-Pokam
Round 1
Foupa-Pokam comes in with a jumping left knee to the body, then a left high kick and knee. Foupa-Pokam tries a low kick and Kang shoots in to take him down. Kang is looking to pass and attempts an arm triangle choke, but Foupa-Pokam gets to his feet. A knee and a left straight from Foupa-Pokam and Kang retaliates with a one-two. A Foupa-Pokam low kick spins Kang around, and he grazes Kang's head with a kick and then a spinning-back kick that misses its mark. Kang shoots and gets the takedown, where he moves to side control and delivers some elbows. Kang looked to snatch an armbar but Foupa-Pokam avoids as the round ends. 10-9 Kang.

Round 2
They dance in the middle for a minute before Foupa-Pokam steps forward and they trade straight rights against the cage. Kicks by Foupa-Pokam and Kang takes him down. Kang in half guard then moves to side and drops some hard elbows to the face. Some more short elbows and the crowd is restless. They scramble and Foupa-Pokam gets to his feet when Kang goes for a single and Foupa-Pokam uses a knee to escape. Before the bell, Foupa-Pokam rests his hands on his knees and looks very tired. 10-9 Kang.

Round 3
Body shot by Kang and they circle as the crowd boos for action. Kang tries another body shot but Foupa-Pokam counters with a knee. Double-leg takedown by Kang and he's looking for a kimura, but gives up and moves into side. Kang setting up for another kimura then drops two hard elbows to de face. Foupa-Pokam reverses and gets on top but Kang escapes back to top again, chipping away with short punches and elbows. Kang briefly gets mount before Foupa-Pokam rolls out. 10-9 Kang

All three official judges see the contest 30-27 for Denis Kang.

Click here to read Jake Rossen’s live UFC 97 Blog.

Steve Cantwell vs. Luis Arthur Cane
Round 1
Cantwell gets the fight started with a left hand lead and an uppercut. Cantwell moves laterally and kicks the body with his left foot. Cane returns the favor and fires a sharp body kick to the liver. Cane stalks his opponent across the cage and roughs him up with punches. The fighters clinch and Cane breaks the tieup with a standing elbow. Cane goes to the Thai plum, where he lands a knee to the chin. Cantwell throws several head kicks that are easily blocked. Cantwell goes to the body with a left hand that connects. Cane, despite leading with his power hand, pieces together a nice combination that ends with a right hook. Cane doubles up on his jab but he does not follow up. With 30 seconds left in the first frame, Cane slows down a bit, but holds the center of the Octagon.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cane.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Cane.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Cane.

Round 2
Cane snaps back his opponent’s head with a straight left that was setup with a jab. Cane continues to jab and then bursts into a wild flurry that falls short. With blood trickling from his nose, Cantwell holds his hands high and blocks a three-punch combination. A crisp jab lands for Cane and he slips in a left hook behind it. Cane is dominating. Cantwell lands his best punch of the fight; a counter left hook that clips Cane on the chin. Cantwell puts together a rally with a right hand and a head kick. Cane is hurt for the first time tonight. Another kick grazes the right side of Cane’s face. Cantwell stands tight in the pocket and lands clean with a right and a left that sneak in under the defense of Cane. Another front-leg head kick lands for Cantwell. A short right hook from Cantwell backs Cane up against the fence. The second half of round two is all Cantwell.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cantwell.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-10.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Cantwell.

Round 3
Cane absolutely tees off in the first minute of the final round with punches from in close. Cantwell hangs tough and eats a right hand. Cantwell connects with his right hand, but is roughed up in the clinch with two knees. Cantwell throws a lead right-hand straight that lands. Canrtwell backs Cane up against the fencing with a punching flurry. Cane drops levels for a takedown and Cantwell easily stuffs it. Cantwell is still bouncing on his toes while Cane shows fatigue. Cane goes for it and lands a right hook and a hard knee to the body. Cane lands a one-two and slips a right hand. Cantwell throws a quick-switch kick that is easily checked.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cane (29-28 Cane).
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Cane (30-28 Cane).
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Cane (29-28 Cane).

The official judges see the contest 30-27 (twice) and 29-28 for Cane.

Cheick Kongo vs. Antoni Hardonk
Round 1
Kongo throws a low kick that is checked clean. Hardonk fires a low kick of his own and it crushes its target. With his back to the fence, Kongo lands a right hook on the temple that backs up his opponent. Hardonk goes back to the leg with a low kick as Kongo rushes forward with a punching flurry. The confidence in Kongo grows as he steps forward with his right hand with more frequency. Kongo backs his opponent up to the cage, where he bends down for a double-leg takedown. Kongo fails on the first attempt but lifts Hardonk cleanly into the air on his second try. Working from his opponent’s closed guard, Kongo throws short right hand and mixes in a crossface. Elbows rain down in the final five seconds.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Kongo.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Kongo.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Kongo.

Round 2
Kongo strikes the chest with his right hand and catches a body-kick attempt from Hardonk. Kongo pushes his off-balanced foe to the floor and starts to work from the guard. Kongo elbows the left side of Hardonk’s ribs and opens up a small cut near the left eye. Kongo targets the wound with five consecutive hammerfists. Kongo can smell the end as he starts teeing off. Hardonk covers to avoid punishment as Kongo swarms with his right hand. Referee Yves Lavigne steps in to save Hardonk at 2:29 of the second round.

Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Brian Stann
Round 1
Stann is unloading with his hands as Soszynski steps forward in the pocket. Stann goes to Soszynski’s lead leg with an inside-low kick. Soszynski secures the Thai plum, but he is unable to mount any offense before catching a right hand on the top of his head. Soszynski drops down for a double-leg takedown and he easily gets it. Stann tries to stand and Soszynski rips his legs out from underneath him. Soszynski hops into the mount but loses it when Stann transitions to a heel hold. Soszynski defends and moves to side control. Stann gets to his feet and is slammed immediately to the floor. From half-guard, Soszynski locks in a kimura and Stann escapes. Another kimura comes from side control and Stann taps quickly. The official time is 3:53 of the opening frame.

Chuck Liddell vs. Mauricio Rua
Round 1
Rua digs in a hard low kick to the left leg of Liddell. Rua grazes a right hand on the top of Liddell’s head. Liddell stands tight in close range and bangs out a three-piece and a biscuit. Rua counters with a right hand that lands clean. Rua lands another right hand and a hard low kick. Liddell tries to return fire with a low kick and he’s taken down easily. Liddell fights to get to his feet while Rua ties up his left foot in an inverted heel hook. Liddell escapes and both fighters stand. Liddell stuffs a takedown attempt and lands a right hand. For a change, Liddell gets a double-leg, but he stands shortly after. Rua drops Liddell with a messy left hook. Rua swarms with his right hand on the fallen fighter until referee Mario Yamasaki shows mercy at 4:28 of the first.

Sam Stout vs. Matt Wiman
Round 1
Wiman and Stout meet in the center of the Octagon, where they trade punches. Wiman takes a nice angle and hits a successful single-leg takedown. Wiman controls his opponent from guard, as Stout uses the cage to attempt a stand up. Stout gets to his feet and catches a left hook to the ear for his effort. Stout catches a low kick and delivers a right hand to the jaw. Wiman lands a clean right-hand lead and fails on a takedown. Wiman attempts to pull guard with a guillotine but he loses the neck. Stout stands and Wiman follows. Stout goes to the inside of Wiman’s leg with a sharp kick and a right hand. Stout sprawls on a single and lands a knee to the body on exit. Stout goes to the body with a left kick and it connects. Wiman grabs a hold of Stout’s right leg and drags him to the canvas. Stout gets on top and lands a right hand before the horn sounds.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Wiman.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Wiman.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Stout.

Round 2
Stout goes after the leg of Wiman with low kicks. Just when it looked as if Stout’s confidence was at a high, he slips to the floor. Wiman hops on his back and looks for an armbar, but he’s too high on the back. Stout takes the top position and stands. Stout lands a clean right hand on the temple. Wiman lazily comes forward for a takedown with dropping levels. Stout shrugs it off lets loose with a right hand. Stout hurts Wiman with a punching flurry and a body kick. Wiman is down. Stout tries to finish but is caught in an armbar. Stout frees his arm and throws a kick to the ribs. Stout takes a look at the clock after blasting Wiman with a low kick and a right hand. Stout deleivers a digfging right hook to the body at the sound of the horn.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Stout.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Stout.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Stout.

Round 3
Wiman comes forward and misses with a right hand. Wiman gets a takedown and transitions directly to Stout’s back. Wiman secures both hooks and switches to a body triangle. Stout turns into the triangle and takes the top position without sustainging any damage. Stout punches the head and body from guard. Wiman stands and Stout follows. Wiman quickly trips Stout to the floor. Stout defends from butterfly guard while Wiman controls with tight positioning. With less than a minute left in the fight, Wiman drags Stout to the fence, which allows Stout to hit a switch. Wiman recovers and lifts Stout high into the air before slamming him to the canvas.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Wiman (29-28 Wiman)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Wiman (29-28 Wiman)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Wiman (29-28 Stout)

All three official judges see bout 29-28 for Sam Stout.

Anderson Silva vs. Thales Leites
Round 1
The fighters size each other up in the center of the octagon for the first 70 seconds. Not a single strike is thrown until Silva lunges in with a left hook that misses. The crowd starts to let the fighters hear it. Silva cuts the cage off and semi-corners Leites against the cage, but the challenger escapes harm. With two minutes left in the round, not a single meaningful moment has unfolded. Leities lands the first clean strike of the fight, a low kick. Leites grazes a head kick and the fight is on. Silva connects to the body with a dipping-right hook. Leites attemps a jumping knee and Silva has none of it. Leites slips and Silva stands over his opponent until referee Yves Lavigne stands him up. Leites pulls guard. Silva stands and is taken down. Silva gets back to his feet and the horn sounds to close the frame.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-10
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Silva
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Silva

Round 2
Leites lands a hard kick to the inside of Silva’s right leg. Leites then drops levels for a single and he completes the takedown. Leities moves to half guard. After some solid leg work, Silva gets back to full guard, where he locks a body triangle on his opponent. Silva lets go and works from a standard-closed guard. Leites briefly stands and then enters the guard of Silva. The champion goes high with his hips and passes the right shoulder of Leites, but he does not attempt a triangle. Silva slips out from the bottom and stands with two minutes left in the stanza. The fighters dance for 30 seconds and the crowd boos. Silva cuts off the cage and backs Leites up to the fence. Silva misses a left-right combination and Leites runs away. Silva tries a head kick and a low kick before the round ends.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Silva
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Leites
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Leites

Round 3
Silva comes out more aggressive to start round three. He quickly backs Leites up and lands a low kick. And a jab. Leities lands a clean right hand, but was poked in the eye shortly after when Silva reached for a Thai plum. Leites drops to his back until Lavigne stands him. Leites attempts to pull guard and Silva has none of it. Leites stands up and checks how much time is left on the round clock. Three minutes remain. Silva steps forward and connects with a low kick. Leites flops and the crowd boos. Leites stands and wants to touch gloves. Silva reluctantly does after an awkward few seconds. Silva throws a right hand that misses by a foot and Leites flops again. Silva extends his arms in frustration and walks away. Leites stands and Silva roughs him up with low kicks. Leities flops again. Lavigne should issue a warning. He flops again after a failed takedown. The round ends.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Silva
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Silva
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-8 Silva

Round 4
Silva refuses to touch gloves to start round four. Silva throws two side kicks to the left leg, just below the knee. And two more. Leites is feeling them. Silva mixes in an orthodox low kick and a right hand. Silva goes back to the side kick to the leg. Leites shoots a single and Silva sprawls on it. Both fighters stand slowly. Silva steps forward and punches Leites in the left thigh. Leites throws an open-hand left and tries to pull guard. Lavigne stands him. The crowd showers both fighters with boos to end the round.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Silva
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Silva
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Silva

Round 5
Silva bobs and weaves while defending a takedown. Leites tries again and Silva gets on top, where he tees off with right hands. Silva stands and crushes the challenger with a spinning-back kick. The crowd is absolutely furious as both fighters continue their pattern of non-violence. Chants of “G-S-P” echo from the arena. Leities attempts a kick and Silva grabs his foot. Leites flops until he is stood. What may be remembered as the worst title fight in UFC history mercifully ends.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Silva
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Silva
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Silva

Anderson Silva takes all three official scorecards with scores of 49-46, 48-47 and 50-46.
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