UFC 99 Play-by-Play
Jun 14, 2009
Sherdog.com reports from the Lanxess Arena in Germany with live
play-by-play of UFC 99, which is headlined by Wanderlei
Silva vs. Rich
Franklin.
Don't forget to check out the MMA Forums to discuss tonight's event.
In addition to live play-by-play, Jake Rossen will be blogging all
things UFC 99 on the Sherblog.
Click here for quick results.
John Hathaway vs. Ricky Story
Round 1
Most of the first minute is spent with both fighters in the clinch. Story gets a takedown. Hathaway gets a reversal as the fighters trade positions. At the midway point of the round, Story executes a mild slam. Hathaway gets to his feet and is taken back down. Hathaway locks on a kimura from the bottom and holds it until the bell rings. 10-9 Hathaway.
Round 2
Much of the second round is spent trading on the feet. Hathaway gets a takedown and punishes his opponent from the top position. From his back, Story goes for a guillotine, but he can’t secure the hold. Hathaway escapes, but gives up the top. Story closes the round strong with punches and elbows from the top. 10-9 Story.
Round 3
The fight goes immediately to the ground to start the final period. Story takes the top position after a scramble. Story works for a kimura from half guard. Story lets go to punch and elbow the head. Hathaway shows good defense and gets offensive as he goes high with his hips in search of a triangle. Story frees himself and then is forced to fight off an armbar. Hathaway, 10-9.
Hathaway is awarded the unanimous decision. Scores forthcoming.
Stefan Struve vs. Denis Stojnic
Round 1
Stojnic pushes Struve to the fence in search of a trip takedown. Struve gets back to the center of the Octagon and is tripped to the canvas. Stojnic stands in the guard of his opponent and lands hammerfists. From his back, Struve looks for an armbar and a kimura. Stojnic escapes and pounds away from the top. Struve looks for a triangle and is abused by more punches. Struve is hurt and bleeding. Referee Dan Miragliotta stops the action so Struve’s cut can be checked out. He’s cleared and the round ends. 10-9 Stojnic.
Round 2
Struve gets the top as the fighters wrestle for position. Stojnic gives up his back. Struve is bleeding all over his foe as he locks on a body triangle and looks for a rear-naked choke. Stojnic tries to stand up while being choked. Struve brings him back down and forces a tapout at the 2:37 mark of round one. Struve celebrates his victory under a mask of blood.
Paul Kelly vs. Roli Delgado
Round 1
Sporting a “Che” beard, Delgado comes out swinging before the fighters tie up at the one-minute mark. Delgado hops on Kelly’s back and is reversed. Delgado works a defensive-rubber guard and keeps his opponent’s head tucked down. Delgado takes the frame on the Sherdog.com scorecard, 10-9.
Round 2
Kelly roughs up Delgado with punches on the inside early in round two. Kelly switches it up and locks on a guillotine before pulling guard. Kelly holds the choke for a long time, but Delgado maneuvers to a safe position for his neck. Delgado frees himself and transitions to Kelly’s back. Kelly escapes danger and takes the top position, where he tees off with punches from the guard. Delgado takes a leg from the bottom but does little with it. Kelly blasts away with more punches in the round’s final moments. 10-9 Kelly.
Round 3
Sherdog.com is having technical issues at the venue. We apologize for the inconvenience. Play-by-play will resume with the televised card.
MMAFrenzy is reporting that Paul Taylor defeated Peter Sobotta via unanimous decision and Paul Kelly outpointed Roli Delgado by unanimous decision.
Rossen is live blogging as well. Open another browser window.
Dan Hardy vs. Marcus Davis
Round 1
The fighters size each other up early with kicks from the outside. Davis closes the gap and clinches with Hardy against the fencing. Referee Marc Goddard calls for action as the fight’s pace slows to a crawl. Davis eventually trips Hardy to the canvas. Davis takes the mount and punches away with lefts and rights. Hardy defends well and gets back to guard with little damage. Hardy stands and Davis takes half of his back, where he lands some punches on the inside. Hardy gets to his feet and hurts Davis with a standing elbow and a right hand.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Davis.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Davis.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Davis.
Round 2
Hardy works kicks to the body and lead leg through the first minute of the second round. Davis lands a straight left on the chin and takes the best of a brief punching exchange. Hardy responds with a knee to the chin that flattens Davis. Hardy pounces with hammerfists, but Davis recovers quickly and gets to guard. From his back, Davis locks on an armbar. It’s tight, but Hardy frees his arm. Hardy again goes for an armbar and Hardy has none of it. Davis closes his guard and peppers Hardy’s head with short punches. Goddard stands the fighters. Davis bobs under a right hand and ties up with the Englishman. Hardy gets space as is starched with a left hook from Davis. The American gets a takedown before the round closes.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Hardy.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Hardy.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Hardy.
Round 3
Hardy slips and Davis enters his guard to kickoff the final frame. Interestingly, the German crowd chants “U-S-A! U-S-A!” Davis drops back for a toe hold. Hardy maneuvers and Davis switches to a heel hook and a kneebar. Hardy escapes and gets a takedown of his own. An elbow from Hardy opens up a nasty cut on the bridge of Davis’ nose. Davis is also sporting a large mouse on his left eye. Goddard calls time to have the cut examined and Davis stumbles to meet the ref. The fight is restarted on the floor. Goddard stands the fighters after a lull in the action. Hardy lands a left hook before the bell rings.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Hardy (29-28 Hardy).
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Hardy (29-28 Hardy).
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Hardy (29-28 Hardy).
The official scorecards read:
29-28 (Hardy)
29-28 (Davis)
29-28 (Hardy)
Dan Hardy takes the split decision.
Spencer Fisher vs. Caol Uno
Round 1
Fisher punches from the outside and stuffs an Uno single. Fisher clinches with his opponent against the fencing, where he lands knees to the thigh and body. Uno switches positions against the cage. The action slows to a crawl and referee Mario Yamasaki restarts the bout. Fisher lands a hard kick to the lead leg of Uno and a right hook. Uno drops levels for a takedown and it’s stuffed. The fighters clinch again and the crowd starts to shower the Octagon with boos. The round ends to a chorus of jeers.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-10.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Fisher.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Fisher.
Round 2
Uno counters a loaded-up right hand with a slick single-leg takedown. Fisher will not be held down however, as he quickly uses his back against the fence to stand. Fisher lands two hard low kicks and is taken down by an Uno single. Fisher closes his guard as he works from his back in the center of the Octagon. Fisher stands and eats a right-hook lead from Uno. Fisher is tripped to the canvas, but again, Uno can’t hold his opponent down. The extremely lackluster round comes to a close.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-10.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Uno.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-10.
Round 3
Fisher lands a sharp left hook and a knee to the midsection. Uno gets a trip takedown and the boos start again. The fighters clinch until referee Mario Yamasaki shows mercy and restarts the fighters. Fisher lands a low kick and takes the top position as Uno stumbles during a shot. Right back to the clinch goes Uno and the crowd starts again. Fisher lands an elbow from the inside and is taken down. Uno goes to the mount, where he lands punches and elbows to the head. Uno goes to half-guard, where he’s able to strike with more force with Fisher trapped against the fence. Uno moves seamlessly from Fisher’s back to the mount again. A strong finish to an awful fight.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Uno (30-29 Uno).
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Uno (29-28 Uno).
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Uno (29-29 Draw).
Spencer Fisher takes the unanimous decision on the official scorecards. No scores are given.
Mike Swick vs. Ben Saunders
Round 1
Swick gets a quick takedown into his opponent’s guard. Saunders moves to a butterfly guard. Swick lands some left hands to the body as Saunders stalls for a standup. “Are you going to hold me all [expletive] night?” said a frustrated Swick. Saunders answers the taunt with well-used expletives of his own as he tells Swick to stand up. Referee Leon Roberts stands the fighters. Swick stomps Saunders’ feet from the clinch to end the first round. Boos from the crowd meet the fighters as they go to their corners.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Swick.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Swick.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Swick.
Round 2
The fighters trade knees from close range and Swick gets a trip. Swick works punches to the head and body as Saunders holds the head down with a closed guard. Just as Saunders moved to a butterfly guard, Roberts stands the fighters. Saunders lands a kick to Swick’s left thigh. Swick lands five straight right hands and a left hook. Swick pounces with punches on the downed fighter until Roberts saves Saunders at 3:47 of the second period.
Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic vs. Mustapha al Turk
Round 1
Al Turk lands a hard right hook to the temple. Cro Cop shrugs off a takedown and circles away from his charging opponent. Cro Cop lands a left hand and starts to move forward. Al Turk lunges in with a right hand than glances. Cro Cop opens up with his hands and hurts al Turk. An inadvertent eye poke sends al Turk reeling. Cro Cop jumps all over his opponent with punches until referee Dan Miragliotta pulls him off at 3:06 of the first.
Cain Velasquez vs. Cheick Kongo
Round 1
Kongo uses his jab to set up two right hands that rock Velasquez’s world. A hurt Velasquez his a desperation single-leg, but Kongo flips him over. Velasquez gets back on top and takes the mount. Kongo gives up his back and Velasquez works his arm under the chin for a rear-naked choke. Kongo rolls out and stands, only to be slammed hard to the canvas. Velasquez goes to the mount and again ends up on his opponent’s back. Velasquez tees off with right hands. Kongo gets to his feet and Velasquez, a decorated amateur wrestler, lifts him high into the air and deposits him on the floor. Velasquez is completely dominating with positioning, although Kongo gets back to his feet at the sound of the horn
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Velasquez.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Velasquez.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Velasquez.
Round 2
Kongo again hurts Velasquez with a right hand to start a round. Velasquez clears the cobwebs and gets a takedown after Kongo unexplainably went for a single on the hurt fighter. Velasquez advances to Kongo’s back. Left and right hooks are landing by the bulk. Kongo rolls over and Velasquez tees off on the face from half guard with his right hand. Kongo works hard to get to his feet and is taken back down within a second. Velasquez lands directly in side control, but he’s not satisfied with the dominant position. He goes for Kongo’s back and gets it. Two huge knees connect with the kidney of Kongo as the hurt fighter turtles up with blood pouring from his nose. Kongo turns over and is mounted before the horn sounds.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Velasquez.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Velasquez.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-8 Velasquez.
Round 3
Kongo blasts Velasquez again with a right hand. Velasquez’s eyes roll but his chin is phenomenal. Kongo, repateing his mistake of round two, works for a single-leg as his opponent clears the damage from his mind. Velasquez defends the single and takes the back door to Kongo’s back. Sound familiar? Right-handed hammerfists rain down for minutes at a time as Kongo absorbs punishment. Kongo somehow finds a doorway to his feet, but again he is taken down. Velasquez traps both arms from side control before advancing to mount. Elbows and right hands connect with the mouth of Kongo. Velasquez absolutely tees off with punches from both hands in the bout’s final 10 seconds.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Velasquez (30-26 Velasquez).
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Velasquez (30-27 Velasquez).
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-8 Velasquez (30-25 Velasquez).
Cain Velasquez takes the unanimous decision. No scores are given.
Rich Franklin vs. Wanderlei Silva
Round 1
A feel-out period unfolds through the first 90 seconds. The southpaw Franklin lands a left-hand lead and Silva counters wildly with both hands. Franklin backs up and exits clean. Franklin goes to Silva’s body with his left leg. Silva catches another Franklin kick and takes him to the floor. Silva begins to work from Franklin’s open guard. Silva tripods and lands some leather with his right. Franklin stands and Silva, now bleeding from his right eye, tries to pull guard with a guillotine. Franklin easily avoids it and advances to the mount. Silva escapes to his feet and throws wild haymakers to close the frame.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Franklin
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Franklin.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Franklin.
Round 2
“I think I broke his nose,” says Franklin to trainer Matt Hume in between rounds. Silva looks to the body with a right kick to start round two. Silva lands a right hand counter as Franklin loses balance. A right jab knocks Silva down briefly as he had shaky legs following a kick attempt. Franklin is outpointing his foe from the outside with kicks to the body and his straight left. Silva is swinging for the fences and Franklin refuses to play that game. Just when it looked like Franklin was taking over, Silva scores a right hand that buckles Franklin’s legs. Silva pounces and roughs the former champion up with a flurry of punches. Both fighters are exhausted as Franklin clears his head and lands a right hand of his own at the end of the round.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Franklin
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Silva.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Silva.
Round 3
The fighters touch gloves to start the final frame. Both men meet in the center of the Octagon to trade leather. Neither fighter lands clean. Franklin lands a kick to the body and a left hook that backs Silva up. Franklin smashes Silva with a kick to the body. Silva stands in the pocket and lands a clean right hand. Silva is now chasing the retreating Franklin around the cage with two minutes remaining. Silva is still looking for the knockout with every punch late into the fight. Franklin shows good footwork and lands his best jab of the fight. Silva waves his hands into the air for the crowd and attacks with both hands. Franklin senses danger and gets a tatakedown. Silva stands and Franklin takes his back while standing. Franklin punches the head while Silva throws backward elbows in rapid succession. Great end to a solid fight.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Franklin (30-27 Franklin).
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Silva (29-28 Silva).
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Silva (29-28 Silva).
Rich Franklin takes the unanimous decision. No scores are given.
Don't forget to check out the MMA Forums to discuss tonight's event.
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John Hathaway vs. Ricky Story
Round 1
Most of the first minute is spent with both fighters in the clinch. Story gets a takedown. Hathaway gets a reversal as the fighters trade positions. At the midway point of the round, Story executes a mild slam. Hathaway gets to his feet and is taken back down. Hathaway locks on a kimura from the bottom and holds it until the bell rings. 10-9 Hathaway.
Round 2
Much of the second round is spent trading on the feet. Hathaway gets a takedown and punishes his opponent from the top position. From his back, Story goes for a guillotine, but he can’t secure the hold. Hathaway escapes, but gives up the top. Story closes the round strong with punches and elbows from the top. 10-9 Story.
Round 3
The fight goes immediately to the ground to start the final period. Story takes the top position after a scramble. Story works for a kimura from half guard. Story lets go to punch and elbow the head. Hathaway shows good defense and gets offensive as he goes high with his hips in search of a triangle. Story frees himself and then is forced to fight off an armbar. Hathaway, 10-9.
Hathaway is awarded the unanimous decision. Scores forthcoming.
Stefan Struve vs. Denis Stojnic
Round 1
Stojnic pushes Struve to the fence in search of a trip takedown. Struve gets back to the center of the Octagon and is tripped to the canvas. Stojnic stands in the guard of his opponent and lands hammerfists. From his back, Struve looks for an armbar and a kimura. Stojnic escapes and pounds away from the top. Struve looks for a triangle and is abused by more punches. Struve is hurt and bleeding. Referee Dan Miragliotta stops the action so Struve’s cut can be checked out. He’s cleared and the round ends. 10-9 Stojnic.
Round 2
Struve gets the top as the fighters wrestle for position. Stojnic gives up his back. Struve is bleeding all over his foe as he locks on a body triangle and looks for a rear-naked choke. Stojnic tries to stand up while being choked. Struve brings him back down and forces a tapout at the 2:37 mark of round one. Struve celebrates his victory under a mask of blood.
Paul Kelly vs. Roli Delgado
Round 1
Sporting a “Che” beard, Delgado comes out swinging before the fighters tie up at the one-minute mark. Delgado hops on Kelly’s back and is reversed. Delgado works a defensive-rubber guard and keeps his opponent’s head tucked down. Delgado takes the frame on the Sherdog.com scorecard, 10-9.
Round 2
Kelly roughs up Delgado with punches on the inside early in round two. Kelly switches it up and locks on a guillotine before pulling guard. Kelly holds the choke for a long time, but Delgado maneuvers to a safe position for his neck. Delgado frees himself and transitions to Kelly’s back. Kelly escapes danger and takes the top position, where he tees off with punches from the guard. Delgado takes a leg from the bottom but does little with it. Kelly blasts away with more punches in the round’s final moments. 10-9 Kelly.
Round 3
Sherdog.com is having technical issues at the venue. We apologize for the inconvenience. Play-by-play will resume with the televised card.
MMAFrenzy is reporting that Paul Taylor defeated Peter Sobotta via unanimous decision and Paul Kelly outpointed Roli Delgado by unanimous decision.
Rossen is live blogging as well. Open another browser window.
Dan Hardy vs. Marcus Davis
Round 1
The fighters size each other up early with kicks from the outside. Davis closes the gap and clinches with Hardy against the fencing. Referee Marc Goddard calls for action as the fight’s pace slows to a crawl. Davis eventually trips Hardy to the canvas. Davis takes the mount and punches away with lefts and rights. Hardy defends well and gets back to guard with little damage. Hardy stands and Davis takes half of his back, where he lands some punches on the inside. Hardy gets to his feet and hurts Davis with a standing elbow and a right hand.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Davis.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Davis.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Davis.
Round 2
Hardy works kicks to the body and lead leg through the first minute of the second round. Davis lands a straight left on the chin and takes the best of a brief punching exchange. Hardy responds with a knee to the chin that flattens Davis. Hardy pounces with hammerfists, but Davis recovers quickly and gets to guard. From his back, Davis locks on an armbar. It’s tight, but Hardy frees his arm. Hardy again goes for an armbar and Hardy has none of it. Davis closes his guard and peppers Hardy’s head with short punches. Goddard stands the fighters. Davis bobs under a right hand and ties up with the Englishman. Hardy gets space as is starched with a left hook from Davis. The American gets a takedown before the round closes.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Hardy.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Hardy.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Hardy.
Round 3
Hardy slips and Davis enters his guard to kickoff the final frame. Interestingly, the German crowd chants “U-S-A! U-S-A!” Davis drops back for a toe hold. Hardy maneuvers and Davis switches to a heel hook and a kneebar. Hardy escapes and gets a takedown of his own. An elbow from Hardy opens up a nasty cut on the bridge of Davis’ nose. Davis is also sporting a large mouse on his left eye. Goddard calls time to have the cut examined and Davis stumbles to meet the ref. The fight is restarted on the floor. Goddard stands the fighters after a lull in the action. Hardy lands a left hook before the bell rings.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Hardy (29-28 Hardy).
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Hardy (29-28 Hardy).
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Hardy (29-28 Hardy).
The official scorecards read:
29-28 (Hardy)
29-28 (Davis)
29-28 (Hardy)
Dan Hardy takes the split decision.
Spencer Fisher vs. Caol Uno
Round 1
Fisher punches from the outside and stuffs an Uno single. Fisher clinches with his opponent against the fencing, where he lands knees to the thigh and body. Uno switches positions against the cage. The action slows to a crawl and referee Mario Yamasaki restarts the bout. Fisher lands a hard kick to the lead leg of Uno and a right hook. Uno drops levels for a takedown and it’s stuffed. The fighters clinch again and the crowd starts to shower the Octagon with boos. The round ends to a chorus of jeers.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-10.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Fisher.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Fisher.
Round 2
Uno counters a loaded-up right hand with a slick single-leg takedown. Fisher will not be held down however, as he quickly uses his back against the fence to stand. Fisher lands two hard low kicks and is taken down by an Uno single. Fisher closes his guard as he works from his back in the center of the Octagon. Fisher stands and eats a right-hook lead from Uno. Fisher is tripped to the canvas, but again, Uno can’t hold his opponent down. The extremely lackluster round comes to a close.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-10.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Uno.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-10.
Round 3
Fisher lands a sharp left hook and a knee to the midsection. Uno gets a trip takedown and the boos start again. The fighters clinch until referee Mario Yamasaki shows mercy and restarts the fighters. Fisher lands a low kick and takes the top position as Uno stumbles during a shot. Right back to the clinch goes Uno and the crowd starts again. Fisher lands an elbow from the inside and is taken down. Uno goes to the mount, where he lands punches and elbows to the head. Uno goes to half-guard, where he’s able to strike with more force with Fisher trapped against the fence. Uno moves seamlessly from Fisher’s back to the mount again. A strong finish to an awful fight.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Uno (30-29 Uno).
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Uno (29-28 Uno).
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Uno (29-29 Draw).
Spencer Fisher takes the unanimous decision on the official scorecards. No scores are given.
Mike Swick vs. Ben Saunders
Round 1
Swick gets a quick takedown into his opponent’s guard. Saunders moves to a butterfly guard. Swick lands some left hands to the body as Saunders stalls for a standup. “Are you going to hold me all [expletive] night?” said a frustrated Swick. Saunders answers the taunt with well-used expletives of his own as he tells Swick to stand up. Referee Leon Roberts stands the fighters. Swick stomps Saunders’ feet from the clinch to end the first round. Boos from the crowd meet the fighters as they go to their corners.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Swick.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Swick.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Swick.
Round 2
The fighters trade knees from close range and Swick gets a trip. Swick works punches to the head and body as Saunders holds the head down with a closed guard. Just as Saunders moved to a butterfly guard, Roberts stands the fighters. Saunders lands a kick to Swick’s left thigh. Swick lands five straight right hands and a left hook. Swick pounces with punches on the downed fighter until Roberts saves Saunders at 3:47 of the second period.
Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic vs. Mustapha al Turk
Round 1
Al Turk lands a hard right hook to the temple. Cro Cop shrugs off a takedown and circles away from his charging opponent. Cro Cop lands a left hand and starts to move forward. Al Turk lunges in with a right hand than glances. Cro Cop opens up with his hands and hurts al Turk. An inadvertent eye poke sends al Turk reeling. Cro Cop jumps all over his opponent with punches until referee Dan Miragliotta pulls him off at 3:06 of the first.
Cain Velasquez vs. Cheick Kongo
Round 1
Kongo uses his jab to set up two right hands that rock Velasquez’s world. A hurt Velasquez his a desperation single-leg, but Kongo flips him over. Velasquez gets back on top and takes the mount. Kongo gives up his back and Velasquez works his arm under the chin for a rear-naked choke. Kongo rolls out and stands, only to be slammed hard to the canvas. Velasquez goes to the mount and again ends up on his opponent’s back. Velasquez tees off with right hands. Kongo gets to his feet and Velasquez, a decorated amateur wrestler, lifts him high into the air and deposits him on the floor. Velasquez is completely dominating with positioning, although Kongo gets back to his feet at the sound of the horn
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Velasquez.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Velasquez.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Velasquez.
Round 2
Kongo again hurts Velasquez with a right hand to start a round. Velasquez clears the cobwebs and gets a takedown after Kongo unexplainably went for a single on the hurt fighter. Velasquez advances to Kongo’s back. Left and right hooks are landing by the bulk. Kongo rolls over and Velasquez tees off on the face from half guard with his right hand. Kongo works hard to get to his feet and is taken back down within a second. Velasquez lands directly in side control, but he’s not satisfied with the dominant position. He goes for Kongo’s back and gets it. Two huge knees connect with the kidney of Kongo as the hurt fighter turtles up with blood pouring from his nose. Kongo turns over and is mounted before the horn sounds.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Velasquez.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Velasquez.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-8 Velasquez.
Round 3
Kongo blasts Velasquez again with a right hand. Velasquez’s eyes roll but his chin is phenomenal. Kongo, repateing his mistake of round two, works for a single-leg as his opponent clears the damage from his mind. Velasquez defends the single and takes the back door to Kongo’s back. Sound familiar? Right-handed hammerfists rain down for minutes at a time as Kongo absorbs punishment. Kongo somehow finds a doorway to his feet, but again he is taken down. Velasquez traps both arms from side control before advancing to mount. Elbows and right hands connect with the mouth of Kongo. Velasquez absolutely tees off with punches from both hands in the bout’s final 10 seconds.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Velasquez (30-26 Velasquez).
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Velasquez (30-27 Velasquez).
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-8 Velasquez (30-25 Velasquez).
Cain Velasquez takes the unanimous decision. No scores are given.
Rich Franklin vs. Wanderlei Silva
Round 1
A feel-out period unfolds through the first 90 seconds. The southpaw Franklin lands a left-hand lead and Silva counters wildly with both hands. Franklin backs up and exits clean. Franklin goes to Silva’s body with his left leg. Silva catches another Franklin kick and takes him to the floor. Silva begins to work from Franklin’s open guard. Silva tripods and lands some leather with his right. Franklin stands and Silva, now bleeding from his right eye, tries to pull guard with a guillotine. Franklin easily avoids it and advances to the mount. Silva escapes to his feet and throws wild haymakers to close the frame.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Franklin
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Franklin.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Franklin.
Round 2
“I think I broke his nose,” says Franklin to trainer Matt Hume in between rounds. Silva looks to the body with a right kick to start round two. Silva lands a right hand counter as Franklin loses balance. A right jab knocks Silva down briefly as he had shaky legs following a kick attempt. Franklin is outpointing his foe from the outside with kicks to the body and his straight left. Silva is swinging for the fences and Franklin refuses to play that game. Just when it looked like Franklin was taking over, Silva scores a right hand that buckles Franklin’s legs. Silva pounces and roughs the former champion up with a flurry of punches. Both fighters are exhausted as Franklin clears his head and lands a right hand of his own at the end of the round.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Franklin
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Silva.
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Silva.
Round 3
The fighters touch gloves to start the final frame. Both men meet in the center of the Octagon to trade leather. Neither fighter lands clean. Franklin lands a kick to the body and a left hook that backs Silva up. Franklin smashes Silva with a kick to the body. Silva stands in the pocket and lands a clean right hand. Silva is now chasing the retreating Franklin around the cage with two minutes remaining. Silva is still looking for the knockout with every punch late into the fight. Franklin shows good footwork and lands his best jab of the fight. Silva waves his hands into the air for the crowd and attacks with both hands. Franklin senses danger and gets a tatakedown. Silva stands and Franklin takes his back while standing. Franklin punches the head while Silva throws backward elbows in rapid succession. Great end to a solid fight.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Franklin (30-27 Franklin).
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Silva (29-28 Silva).
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Silva (29-28 Silva).
Rich Franklin takes the unanimous decision. No scores are given.
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