UFC 116 Results & Live Play-by-Play
Jul 5, 2010
Sherdog.com will report from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las
Vegas at 7:45 p.m. ET with play-by-play and live results of
UFC 116, which is headlined by Brock
Lesnar vs. Shane
Carwin.
Additionally, Jake Rossen will live blog the event in minute-by-minute format. Don't forget to check out the MMA Forums to discuss the card.
Click here for quick results.
Jon Madsen vs. Karlos Vemola
Round 1
Vemola comes out swinging for the fences and misses three wild, loopy right and left hooks. Vemola shoots in but is stuffed. Madsen pushes him away and lands a decent right cross. Vemola shoots in again and is stuffed. Madsen tosses the Czech fighter to the ground and tries to seize side control, but Vemola springs up. They quickly clinch. Madsen presses his foe into the cage. They switch positions but Madsen is having nothing of it and forces his will and walks Vemola across the Octagon. Vemola loses his mouthpiece and Yamasaki has it replaced. They clinch again and Madsen looks like the much stronger of the two. Madsen pins Vemola into the cage again. After no action, Yamasaki restarts them. Madsen scores a takedown and lands in Vemola's half guard. Vemola is controlling his opponent's neck from his back. Very little action. The round ends with Madsen on top. 10-9 Madsen.
They circle. Madsen misses a loopy right cross and then shoots in. He forces his will and scores a takedown. Again Madsen lands in half guard. 90 seconds in and very little has happened. The sparse crowd is growing restless. Madsen has Vemola pinned against the cage and lands two decent right hands. The Czech fighter cannot buck him off. Yamasaki finally restarts them with just under two minutes remaining. Madsen lands a right/left but Vemola shrugs it off. Madsen closes the gap and forces his foe into the cage. Madsen lands a knee to the thigh and then separates. They circle and Madsen digs a right hook into the chest of Vemola while eating a hard kick to the leg. they clinch again. The round ends and the crowd is beginning to moan. 10-9 Madsen.
Round 3
Vemola comes out swing wildly. Every bomb misses it's mark by a foot. Madsen ducks under and then scores a quick takedown. Vemola pulls Madsen into his full guard. Again, very little action. Madsen is doing a great job preventing Vemola from getting up. Vemola locks on a kimura with 2:17 left, but it's not tight. The crowd is now booing restlessly. Madsen switches over to side control after a scramble. He moves to north-south. Finally Yamasaki restarts them with a minute left. They clinch. Vemola locks on a standing guillotine but loses it when he drops to guard. They stand. Fight over. 10-9 Madsen.
Official scores: 30-27 across the board for Madsen, the winner by unanimous decision.
Daniel Roberts vs. Forrest Petz
Round 1
They both come out swinging but nothing lands. Roberts tries a single leg but Petz defends. Roberts won't relent with the takedown and Petz' sprawl is superb. They separate. They circle each other and play it safe. Low kick by Petz. Roberts again shoots in, but he's stuffed. Roberts presses Petz against the fence. Not much going on now. Petz reverses position and then separates. Roberts shoots in for another single and gets it. He lands in Petz' half guard and quickly locks in an arm triangle, but Petz rolls out of it. However, Roberts seizes his back and tries a rear-naked choke. It's not tight. Roberts locks on a body triangle but still he can't sink the choke. Round ends. 10-9 Roberts.
Round 2
Leg kick by Roberts right away. They circle. Roberts misses a single leg. They separate and circle again. Two minutes in and Roberts scores a single. Petz pulls guard. During a scramble, Roberts takes Petz' back, but like in the first round, he can't sink the rear-naked choke. Petz's defense is superb. Petz spins out and scrambles, taking Roberts' back. They scramble again and stand. Roberts swings wildly and then scores a single leg. He doesn't hold Petz down long as another scramble switches position. Roberts quickly locks on a guillotine but runs out of time. 10-9 Roberts.
Round 3
They look a bit tired in the final round but still are pressing each other. Petz throws a perfect left and right but he just misses them both. Roberts counters with a stiff low kick. Petz stuffs a single leg attempt a minute in. Roberts is not as aggressive as he was in the first two rounds. Roberts is starting to lunge with his punches; a dangerous move. Petz can't counter those lunges and winds up being forced into the fence. Roberts drags him down and lands in his opponent's half guard. Very little action. Roberts is keeping him down. Finally, Roberts lands the full mount but there is only 35 seconds left. Petz covers up and holds on until the horn. 10-9 Roberts.
Official scores: 29-28 Petz and 29-28 Roberts (twice). Daniel Roberts takes the split decision.
Gerald Harris vs. Dave Branch
Round 1
They circle cautiously. Harris lands a left hook 45 seconds in. Branch counters with a leg kick. Harris just misses with a huge left/right to the head. Branch has his head kick blocked. Harris misses a wild left hook and then a right cross. Harris is a wild man, winging bombs from several feet out. Branch dodges them all easily. Harris regroups. Harris rattles Branch with a loopy right hand on top of the head and then is quickly grabbed. Harris presses his opponent into the cage and tries a single leg. Branch pushes down on Harris' head and then escapes. Harris inches again and then scoops up Branch and slams him down hard. Round ends with Harris in Branch's full guard. 10-9 Harris.
Round 2
Branch quickly fires a roundhouse kick and misses. They circle again. Harris darts in again and misses a wild combo of punches. He quickly closes the gap and scores a double leg against the fence. Branch pulls to full guard. Harris delivers a hard right hand from up top. Branch scrambles out to his feet. Harris is all over him and keeps him pinned against the cage. Branch reverses position. Harris switches and then lowers his level. He scores an awkward scoop/single leg and lands in Branch's full guard. Branch scrambles up and is clipped by a right uppercut but he shrugs it off. They circle. Hard right jab by Harris with 12 left on the clock. 10-9 Harris.
Round 3
They come out firing wildly. They miss their targets but Branch launches a flying triangle. He has it and drops to sink it. Harris breaks the hold and scrambles to his feet. They clinch and Branch presses his foe into the cage. They stall and the crowd boos restlessly. Dean finally restarts them. Harris misses a flying knee. They clinch and Branch again tries a flying triangle but misses. Branch drops to guard while Harris slams him and Branch is out cold! 2:35 of round three is the official time of the KO.
Kendall Grove vs. Goran Reljic
Round 1
Reljic misses a head kick and a left/right. Grove misses a right head kick. They circle cautiously. Very little action. They trade low kicks. Goran scores a takedown and Grove pulls guard. They scramble after an up kick by Grove lands. Reljic presses the Hawaiian into the cage. They trade meager knees into the body. They separate. 10-9 Reljic.
Round 2
Reljic misses a right/left. Grove scores a takedown but Reljic pulls guard. They scramble up and the Grove slips. He's on his back and Reljic stands over him. Reljic dives into Grove's full guard. Grove switches to butterfly guard but can't work anything. Goran is working feverishly from up top but nothing hard or clean is getting through. Very little action with 90 seconds left and the crowd has grown restless with boos. Yamasaki finally stands them. Hard low kick stumbles Grove late. Not much happens by the horn. 10-9 Reljic.
Round 3
Grove pursues Reljic off a right hand. Reljic shoots for the takedown. Grove sprawls and it stays on its feet. Grove latches on a guillotine choke when Reljic moves in, and follows up with a knee. They separate and Grove lands an inside leg kick. Reljic returns fire, then goes for another takedown. Grove defends and throws knees, as Reljic drives the Hawaiian against the fence. Reljic completes the takedown and lands in half guard. Reljic passes to side control, then North-South, but Grove fights to his feet to end the round. Grove 10-9.
Official scores: 28-29, 30-27, 29-28 for Grove, the winner by split decision.
Seth Petruzelli vs. Ricardo Romero
Round 1
Petruzelli peppers Romero with short punches and stuffs a double-leg attempt. Petruzelli lands more short, hard punches from both hands and Romero is reeling. Petruzelli lands a head kick, but slips in the process, giving his opponent time to clear the cobwebs. Petruzelli lands a series of right hands and then a spinning-back kick. Romero catches the leg and pulls him to the canvas. Romero attempts to set up a choke from the top and Petruzelli sweeps. Right hands score from the top for Petruzelli. The EliteXC veteran is beating Romero down. Romero gains his bearings and takes the top position. Romero moves to the mount and works for a keylock. Petruzelli turns his back and referee Steve Mazzagatti warns Romero for punching the back of the head. Romero transitions to an armbar and Petruzelli easily escapes. Petruzelli pounds the head with dual-fisted hammerstrikes.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Petruzelli
Jack Encarnacao scores the round 10-9 Petruzelli
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Petruzelli
Round 2
Petruzelli lands a hard knee early in the round and Romero is limping along the cage. Romero shoots and Petruzelli uses wrist control to transition to the back. Petruzelli works for an armbar and a heavily-bleeding Romero escapes. Romero moves to the top, where he hits the body with his right hand from the guard. Petruzelli goes high with his hips in search of a triangle, but Romero escapes. Romero passes to half guard and Petruzelli elbows the face from the bottom. Romero locks up an Americana and then a straight armbar to force Petruzelli to tap at the 3:05 mark of round two.
Brendan Schaub vs. Chris Tuchscherer
Round 1
Tuchscherer is showing lots of feints early, but neither fighter wants to pull the trigger through the bout’s first 20 seconds. Schaub lights Tuchscherer up with a punching flurry and then backs off. Schaub then clips Tuchscherer on the temple with a right hand and he falls. Schaub pounces with punches until referee Herb Dean pulls him off at 1:07 of the first. Schaub takes home the win in impressive fashion.
George Sotiropoulos vs. Kurt Pellegrino
Round 1
Sotiropoulos is firing his straight-right hand early, keeping Pellegrino at bay. Pellegrino goes inside to work the body and is clipped by a short right that puts him on the floor. Sotiropoulos tries to move fully to the back, but Pellegrino scrambles to his feet. Sotiropoulos lands another straight right and a left-hand counter. Sotiropoulos jabs and goes to the body. Sotiropoulos connects with a clean left hook and Pellegrino is hurt. Pellegrino stumbles and secures a much-needed takedown. Pellegrino stands over his opponent and Sotiropoulos uses a single to stand. Pellegrino lands an uppercut and Sotiropoulos connects with a knee on exit. Sotiropoulos continues to jab, but Pellegrino is doing a better job of moving laterally. Pellegrino is smacked with another left hook and shoots for a successful takedown. Sotiropoulos secures “mission control” and lands elbows to the head from the bottom. Pellegrino moves to half guard before the bell.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sotiropoulos
Jack Encarnacao scores the round 10-9 Sotiropoulos
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Sotiropoulos
Round 2
Pellegrino sneaks in a left hook and two low kicks. He then gets too aggressive and Sotiropoulos snatches up a single leg. Pellegrino peppers the face with punches as he defends the takedown while hopping on one foot, but he ends up on the floor. Sotiropoulos defends elbows from the top in the open guard. Sotiropoulos stands and passes to half guard. Sotiropoulos has a high half guard, and he’s able to tee off with elbows to the forehead. Pellegrino turns his head to seek the advice of his cornermen, and Sotiropoulos stays busy with punches to the body and elbows to the head. Pellegrino scrambles and uses the cage against his back to stand, but he is trapped. Sotiropoulos pulls him away from the fencing and transitions to half of the back before Pellegrino is able to stand. The fighters clinch until referee Josh Rosenthal calls for action. Now back in the center of the cage, Pellegrino blocks a head kick and lands a jumping knee to the body.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sotiropoulos
Jack Encarnacao scores the round 10-9 Sotiropoulos
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Sotiropoulos
Round 3
Sotiropoulos jabs and Pellegrino answers with jabs of his own. Sotiropoulos pieces together a clean punching combo to establish the tempo he set in the first two frames. Sotiropoulos connects with a right and a left that hurt his foe. Just as in previous rounds, Pellegrino has no trouble getting the takedown when he’s hurt. Sotiropoulos elbows the head from his back in the guard. Pellegrino punches the body and throws short right hands to the chin. Pellegrino postures and fails on a high-guard pass. Pellegrino sneaks in two elbows from the guard. Sotiropoulos locks on “mission control,” but he can’t do anything with the offensive position. Pellegrino stands and frees himself. Sotiropoulos follows to the feet. 45 seconds remain. Sotiropoulos clinches and pushes his opponent into the fencing. Pellegrino punches the left thigh and Sotiropoulos hits the body and stomps the feet. Sotiropoulos backs up and Pellegrino drops him to the canvas with a well-placed knee. Sotiropoulos is hurt and Pellegrino pounces, but runs out of time.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Pellegrino (29-28 Sotiropoulos)
Jack Encarnacao scores the round 10-9 Pellegrino (29-28 Sotiropoulos)
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Pellegrino (29-28 Sotiropoulos)
Official scores: 30-27 (twice) and 29-28 for the winner by unanimous decision, George Sotiropoulos.
Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Stephan Bonnar
Round 1
Bonnar kicks the body and Soszynski unloads with both hands to the face. Bonnar is knocked off balace, but escapes the flurry no worse for the wear. Soszynski kicks the leg hard twice before Bonner sweeps him off the feet and to the canvas. Bonnar works from the top in guard until Soszynski uses an armbar attempt to stand. Sszynski again throws caution to the wind with a hands-down punching flurry against the cage. Bonnar covers and gets off the fence without damage. Bonnar pushes his opponent into the cage and gets in some nice work with standing elbows and a hard knee. Bonnar has a spinning-back kick blocked and Soszynski chases him around the cage. Bonnar lands a snapping kick to the body hat gets a rise out of the crowd. Bonnar drops levels for a single and Soszynski defends. Soszynski again opens up with his hands, but this time he connects clean and Bonnar is bleeding from a cut above his right eye. The round ends and Bonnar is bleeding from cuts near both eyes.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Soszynski
Jack Encarnacao scores the round 10-9 Soszynski
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Soszynski
Round 2
Bonnar lands a hard right and Soszynski is all over him with haymakers. Bonnar turns his back, but is able to square off. Bonnar opens up with his hands and beats Sosynski up against the fence, but Soszynski lands a right-hook counter that buckles Bonnar’s knees. Bonnar recovers and continues to get the best of Soszynski in round two exchanges. A hard knee from Bonnar slams into Soszynski’s chin. Bonnar follows up with a strong double-leg takedown directly into side control. Soszynski stands and Bonnar drops him with a flush knee to the chin. Soszynski turtles on the floor and Bonnar swarms with punches. Soszynski defends well and Bonnar moves to the back, where he punches with his left hand until referee Mario Yamasaki steps in at 3:08 of round two, giving Bonnar the TKO win.
Chris Lytle vs. Matt Brown
Round 1
Brown comes out gunning with a kick to the body and Lytle returns fire with a wild right hand. The fighters trade winging punches, but nothing gets through clean. Lytle presses Brown against the fencing, where the Cincinnati native connects with a knee to the thigh. Brown grazes a head kick off the melon of Lytle and the Hoosier goes right back to the clinch. Brown trips Lytle to the canvas. Lytle works immediately for an omaplata, but Brown has none of it. Brown locks up a brabo choke and both fighters move in a clockwise manner. Lytle is on top in side control, so he’s able to defend the choke. Lytle frees his neck and both fighters are on their feet. Brown works the leg with a low kick and Lytle swings for the fences. Lytle blocks a head kick misses a three-punch combo before landing a hard right to the body. Lytle slips with 10 seconds remaining and works a kimura and armbar attempt at the bell.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Brown
Jack Encarnacao scores the round 10-9 Brown
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Brown
Round 2
Brown lands two low kicks to start round two. To the body goes Brown with hooks from both hands. Brown lands a left hook and Lytle connects with a short uppercut that hurts his opponent. A hurt Brown tries to pull guard and Lytle moves to the mount with a guillotine. Lytle transitions to a mounted triangle while working a straight armbar on the right arm. Brown tries to fight off the technique but verbally submits to referee Steve Mazzagatti at 2:02 of round two.
Chris Leben vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama
Round 1
Akiyama catches a low kick and trips Leben to the floor in the bout’s opening seconds. Leben gets back to his feet and blocks a knee attempt. Leben rushes forward and Akiyama grazes a left-hook counter off the top of the head. Leben kicks the body and leg and absorbs Akiyama’s right foot on the cup. Referee Herb Dean calls time and the bout is restarted shortly after. Akiyama throws a spinning-back fist and then trips Leben to the floor with a judo throw. From the guard, Leben attempt an armbar on the right arm. Akiyama pulls his arm free and then defends the same technique again. Akiyama escapes and works for an armbar of his own from the top in side control. The judoka has a near triangle at the same time, but Leben gets free. Akiyama, back in half guard, punches the head with his right hand. Leben scrambles to his feet. Leben lands a left ahnd and Akiyama gets another judo throw at the horn.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Akiyama
Jack Encarnacao scores the round 10-9 Akiyama
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Akiyama
Round 2
Leben lands a head kick and then slips. Leben stands and lands a left-hook counter following an Akiyama body shot. Akiyama lands a spinning-back fist and Leben sneaks in a hard right-hand counter. A slugfest unfolds as both men land clean power shots to the chin. Leben is hurt and Akiyama is going for the finish. With both hands down, Leben absorbs several punches but he’s getting as good as he’s taking. Akiyama is forced to one knee by a hard left hand, but he quickly stands to throw Leben to the canvas. Leben gets to his feet, but Akiyama stays tight and will not let him off the canvas. Leben attempts a standing guillotine and Akiyama has none of it. A hard left hand scores for Akiyama. And another. Leben Comes back and lands two hard left hands of his own and Akiyama is hurt. Both fighters are fatigued as time expires.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Akiyama
Jack Encarnacao scores the round 10-9 Akiyama
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Akiyama
Round 3
The fighters embrace to start the final period and here we go. Leben lands a stiff kick to the body and a head kick. Leben works the leg with a low kick and Akiyama catches it before dragging him to the canvas. From the guard, Akiyama attempts a rare can opener. Leben punches his way out and then looks for an armbar. Leben gives it his all and the judoka escapes after a few tense moments. Akiyama moves to half guard after a brief stint in the mount, where Leben stomps downward on the left leg, which is trapped between his legs. Leben uses good legwork to get back to closed guard. Leben elbows the head from his back and Akiyama returns fire with punches. With one minute remaining, Leben is clearly the fresher fighter, working from his back as Akiyama rests in the guard. Leben goes for broke and locks on a triangle choke. Leben elbows the head before switching position and securing a tapout of the judo black belt. Chris Leben wins his second fight in 14 days at 4:40 of the final round.
Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin
Round 1
Both fighters start tentitve and paw out jabs. Carwin clips Lesnar with a left hook and uses a whizzer to defend a powerful shot. The fighters stand and Carwin connects with a knee. Carwin is bullying Lesnar around the cage with punches, bullrushing him against the fence. Lesnar slips and Carwin pours it on with punches as referee Josh Rosenthal watches on closely. Carwin continues to tee off with both hands as Lesnar does nothing but defend from the bottom. Lesnar is bleeding from a cut above his left eye. Carwin lights him up with two hard elbows. Carwin stands in the guard and continues his assault as Lesnar just takes a beating. Carwin backs away for a moment to catch his breath and Lesnar kicks the left leg from his back. Carwin jumps back into half guard and seems to rest. Lesnar gets space to get to his feet and it appears the champion has survived a serious onslaught. Lesnar presses Carwin against the cage and knees the thigh. Lesnar attempts a single at the bell.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Carwin
Jack Encarnacao scores the round 10-8 Carwin
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-8 Carwin
Round 2
For the first time in his career Carwin comes out for a second round. Carwin looks fatigued as he breaths with an open mouth. Lesnar loads up for a right hand and Carwin counters it with a short right hand. Lesnar drops levels and scores his first takedown of the fight. Lesnar punches the head with his left hand from the top in half guard. Lesnar moves to the mount and locks on an arm-triangle choke. Carwin moves to side control to finish the technique. Carwin looks to be in a safe position, but Lesnar’s strength is too much. Carwin taps at the 2:19 mark of round two.
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Jon Madsen vs. Karlos Vemola
Round 1
Vemola comes out swinging for the fences and misses three wild, loopy right and left hooks. Vemola shoots in but is stuffed. Madsen pushes him away and lands a decent right cross. Vemola shoots in again and is stuffed. Madsen tosses the Czech fighter to the ground and tries to seize side control, but Vemola springs up. They quickly clinch. Madsen presses his foe into the cage. They switch positions but Madsen is having nothing of it and forces his will and walks Vemola across the Octagon. Vemola loses his mouthpiece and Yamasaki has it replaced. They clinch again and Madsen looks like the much stronger of the two. Madsen pins Vemola into the cage again. After no action, Yamasaki restarts them. Madsen scores a takedown and lands in Vemola's half guard. Vemola is controlling his opponent's neck from his back. Very little action. The round ends with Madsen on top. 10-9 Madsen.
Round 2
They circle. Madsen misses a loopy right cross and then shoots in. He forces his will and scores a takedown. Again Madsen lands in half guard. 90 seconds in and very little has happened. The sparse crowd is growing restless. Madsen has Vemola pinned against the cage and lands two decent right hands. The Czech fighter cannot buck him off. Yamasaki finally restarts them with just under two minutes remaining. Madsen lands a right/left but Vemola shrugs it off. Madsen closes the gap and forces his foe into the cage. Madsen lands a knee to the thigh and then separates. They circle and Madsen digs a right hook into the chest of Vemola while eating a hard kick to the leg. they clinch again. The round ends and the crowd is beginning to moan. 10-9 Madsen.
Round 3
Vemola comes out swing wildly. Every bomb misses it's mark by a foot. Madsen ducks under and then scores a quick takedown. Vemola pulls Madsen into his full guard. Again, very little action. Madsen is doing a great job preventing Vemola from getting up. Vemola locks on a kimura with 2:17 left, but it's not tight. The crowd is now booing restlessly. Madsen switches over to side control after a scramble. He moves to north-south. Finally Yamasaki restarts them with a minute left. They clinch. Vemola locks on a standing guillotine but loses it when he drops to guard. They stand. Fight over. 10-9 Madsen.
Official scores: 30-27 across the board for Madsen, the winner by unanimous decision.
Daniel Roberts vs. Forrest Petz
Round 1
They both come out swinging but nothing lands. Roberts tries a single leg but Petz defends. Roberts won't relent with the takedown and Petz' sprawl is superb. They separate. They circle each other and play it safe. Low kick by Petz. Roberts again shoots in, but he's stuffed. Roberts presses Petz against the fence. Not much going on now. Petz reverses position and then separates. Roberts shoots in for another single and gets it. He lands in Petz' half guard and quickly locks in an arm triangle, but Petz rolls out of it. However, Roberts seizes his back and tries a rear-naked choke. It's not tight. Roberts locks on a body triangle but still he can't sink the choke. Round ends. 10-9 Roberts.
Round 2
Leg kick by Roberts right away. They circle. Roberts misses a single leg. They separate and circle again. Two minutes in and Roberts scores a single. Petz pulls guard. During a scramble, Roberts takes Petz' back, but like in the first round, he can't sink the rear-naked choke. Petz's defense is superb. Petz spins out and scrambles, taking Roberts' back. They scramble again and stand. Roberts swings wildly and then scores a single leg. He doesn't hold Petz down long as another scramble switches position. Roberts quickly locks on a guillotine but runs out of time. 10-9 Roberts.
Round 3
They look a bit tired in the final round but still are pressing each other. Petz throws a perfect left and right but he just misses them both. Roberts counters with a stiff low kick. Petz stuffs a single leg attempt a minute in. Roberts is not as aggressive as he was in the first two rounds. Roberts is starting to lunge with his punches; a dangerous move. Petz can't counter those lunges and winds up being forced into the fence. Roberts drags him down and lands in his opponent's half guard. Very little action. Roberts is keeping him down. Finally, Roberts lands the full mount but there is only 35 seconds left. Petz covers up and holds on until the horn. 10-9 Roberts.
Official scores: 29-28 Petz and 29-28 Roberts (twice). Daniel Roberts takes the split decision.
Gerald Harris vs. Dave Branch
Round 1
They circle cautiously. Harris lands a left hook 45 seconds in. Branch counters with a leg kick. Harris just misses with a huge left/right to the head. Branch has his head kick blocked. Harris misses a wild left hook and then a right cross. Harris is a wild man, winging bombs from several feet out. Branch dodges them all easily. Harris regroups. Harris rattles Branch with a loopy right hand on top of the head and then is quickly grabbed. Harris presses his opponent into the cage and tries a single leg. Branch pushes down on Harris' head and then escapes. Harris inches again and then scoops up Branch and slams him down hard. Round ends with Harris in Branch's full guard. 10-9 Harris.
Round 2
Branch quickly fires a roundhouse kick and misses. They circle again. Harris darts in again and misses a wild combo of punches. He quickly closes the gap and scores a double leg against the fence. Branch pulls to full guard. Harris delivers a hard right hand from up top. Branch scrambles out to his feet. Harris is all over him and keeps him pinned against the cage. Branch reverses position. Harris switches and then lowers his level. He scores an awkward scoop/single leg and lands in Branch's full guard. Branch scrambles up and is clipped by a right uppercut but he shrugs it off. They circle. Hard right jab by Harris with 12 left on the clock. 10-9 Harris.
Round 3
They come out firing wildly. They miss their targets but Branch launches a flying triangle. He has it and drops to sink it. Harris breaks the hold and scrambles to his feet. They clinch and Branch presses his foe into the cage. They stall and the crowd boos restlessly. Dean finally restarts them. Harris misses a flying knee. They clinch and Branch again tries a flying triangle but misses. Branch drops to guard while Harris slams him and Branch is out cold! 2:35 of round three is the official time of the KO.
Kendall Grove vs. Goran Reljic
Round 1
Reljic misses a head kick and a left/right. Grove misses a right head kick. They circle cautiously. Very little action. They trade low kicks. Goran scores a takedown and Grove pulls guard. They scramble after an up kick by Grove lands. Reljic presses the Hawaiian into the cage. They trade meager knees into the body. They separate. 10-9 Reljic.
Round 2
Reljic misses a right/left. Grove scores a takedown but Reljic pulls guard. They scramble up and the Grove slips. He's on his back and Reljic stands over him. Reljic dives into Grove's full guard. Grove switches to butterfly guard but can't work anything. Goran is working feverishly from up top but nothing hard or clean is getting through. Very little action with 90 seconds left and the crowd has grown restless with boos. Yamasaki finally stands them. Hard low kick stumbles Grove late. Not much happens by the horn. 10-9 Reljic.
Round 3
Grove pursues Reljic off a right hand. Reljic shoots for the takedown. Grove sprawls and it stays on its feet. Grove latches on a guillotine choke when Reljic moves in, and follows up with a knee. They separate and Grove lands an inside leg kick. Reljic returns fire, then goes for another takedown. Grove defends and throws knees, as Reljic drives the Hawaiian against the fence. Reljic completes the takedown and lands in half guard. Reljic passes to side control, then North-South, but Grove fights to his feet to end the round. Grove 10-9.
Official scores: 28-29, 30-27, 29-28 for Grove, the winner by split decision.
Seth Petruzelli vs. Ricardo Romero
Round 1
Petruzelli peppers Romero with short punches and stuffs a double-leg attempt. Petruzelli lands more short, hard punches from both hands and Romero is reeling. Petruzelli lands a head kick, but slips in the process, giving his opponent time to clear the cobwebs. Petruzelli lands a series of right hands and then a spinning-back kick. Romero catches the leg and pulls him to the canvas. Romero attempts to set up a choke from the top and Petruzelli sweeps. Right hands score from the top for Petruzelli. The EliteXC veteran is beating Romero down. Romero gains his bearings and takes the top position. Romero moves to the mount and works for a keylock. Petruzelli turns his back and referee Steve Mazzagatti warns Romero for punching the back of the head. Romero transitions to an armbar and Petruzelli easily escapes. Petruzelli pounds the head with dual-fisted hammerstrikes.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Petruzelli
Jack Encarnacao scores the round 10-9 Petruzelli
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Petruzelli
Round 2
Petruzelli lands a hard knee early in the round and Romero is limping along the cage. Romero shoots and Petruzelli uses wrist control to transition to the back. Petruzelli works for an armbar and a heavily-bleeding Romero escapes. Romero moves to the top, where he hits the body with his right hand from the guard. Petruzelli goes high with his hips in search of a triangle, but Romero escapes. Romero passes to half guard and Petruzelli elbows the face from the bottom. Romero locks up an Americana and then a straight armbar to force Petruzelli to tap at the 3:05 mark of round two.
Brendan Schaub vs. Chris Tuchscherer
Round 1
Tuchscherer is showing lots of feints early, but neither fighter wants to pull the trigger through the bout’s first 20 seconds. Schaub lights Tuchscherer up with a punching flurry and then backs off. Schaub then clips Tuchscherer on the temple with a right hand and he falls. Schaub pounces with punches until referee Herb Dean pulls him off at 1:07 of the first. Schaub takes home the win in impressive fashion.
George Sotiropoulos vs. Kurt Pellegrino
Round 1
Sotiropoulos is firing his straight-right hand early, keeping Pellegrino at bay. Pellegrino goes inside to work the body and is clipped by a short right that puts him on the floor. Sotiropoulos tries to move fully to the back, but Pellegrino scrambles to his feet. Sotiropoulos lands another straight right and a left-hand counter. Sotiropoulos jabs and goes to the body. Sotiropoulos connects with a clean left hook and Pellegrino is hurt. Pellegrino stumbles and secures a much-needed takedown. Pellegrino stands over his opponent and Sotiropoulos uses a single to stand. Pellegrino lands an uppercut and Sotiropoulos connects with a knee on exit. Sotiropoulos continues to jab, but Pellegrino is doing a better job of moving laterally. Pellegrino is smacked with another left hook and shoots for a successful takedown. Sotiropoulos secures “mission control” and lands elbows to the head from the bottom. Pellegrino moves to half guard before the bell.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sotiropoulos
Jack Encarnacao scores the round 10-9 Sotiropoulos
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Sotiropoulos
Round 2
Pellegrino sneaks in a left hook and two low kicks. He then gets too aggressive and Sotiropoulos snatches up a single leg. Pellegrino peppers the face with punches as he defends the takedown while hopping on one foot, but he ends up on the floor. Sotiropoulos defends elbows from the top in the open guard. Sotiropoulos stands and passes to half guard. Sotiropoulos has a high half guard, and he’s able to tee off with elbows to the forehead. Pellegrino turns his head to seek the advice of his cornermen, and Sotiropoulos stays busy with punches to the body and elbows to the head. Pellegrino scrambles and uses the cage against his back to stand, but he is trapped. Sotiropoulos pulls him away from the fencing and transitions to half of the back before Pellegrino is able to stand. The fighters clinch until referee Josh Rosenthal calls for action. Now back in the center of the cage, Pellegrino blocks a head kick and lands a jumping knee to the body.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sotiropoulos
Jack Encarnacao scores the round 10-9 Sotiropoulos
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Sotiropoulos
Round 3
Sotiropoulos jabs and Pellegrino answers with jabs of his own. Sotiropoulos pieces together a clean punching combo to establish the tempo he set in the first two frames. Sotiropoulos connects with a right and a left that hurt his foe. Just as in previous rounds, Pellegrino has no trouble getting the takedown when he’s hurt. Sotiropoulos elbows the head from his back in the guard. Pellegrino punches the body and throws short right hands to the chin. Pellegrino postures and fails on a high-guard pass. Pellegrino sneaks in two elbows from the guard. Sotiropoulos locks on “mission control,” but he can’t do anything with the offensive position. Pellegrino stands and frees himself. Sotiropoulos follows to the feet. 45 seconds remain. Sotiropoulos clinches and pushes his opponent into the fencing. Pellegrino punches the left thigh and Sotiropoulos hits the body and stomps the feet. Sotiropoulos backs up and Pellegrino drops him to the canvas with a well-placed knee. Sotiropoulos is hurt and Pellegrino pounces, but runs out of time.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Pellegrino (29-28 Sotiropoulos)
Jack Encarnacao scores the round 10-9 Pellegrino (29-28 Sotiropoulos)
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Pellegrino (29-28 Sotiropoulos)
Official scores: 30-27 (twice) and 29-28 for the winner by unanimous decision, George Sotiropoulos.
Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Stephan Bonnar
Round 1
Bonnar kicks the body and Soszynski unloads with both hands to the face. Bonnar is knocked off balace, but escapes the flurry no worse for the wear. Soszynski kicks the leg hard twice before Bonner sweeps him off the feet and to the canvas. Bonnar works from the top in guard until Soszynski uses an armbar attempt to stand. Sszynski again throws caution to the wind with a hands-down punching flurry against the cage. Bonnar covers and gets off the fence without damage. Bonnar pushes his opponent into the cage and gets in some nice work with standing elbows and a hard knee. Bonnar has a spinning-back kick blocked and Soszynski chases him around the cage. Bonnar lands a snapping kick to the body hat gets a rise out of the crowd. Bonnar drops levels for a single and Soszynski defends. Soszynski again opens up with his hands, but this time he connects clean and Bonnar is bleeding from a cut above his right eye. The round ends and Bonnar is bleeding from cuts near both eyes.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Soszynski
Jack Encarnacao scores the round 10-9 Soszynski
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Soszynski
Round 2
Bonnar lands a hard right and Soszynski is all over him with haymakers. Bonnar turns his back, but is able to square off. Bonnar opens up with his hands and beats Sosynski up against the fence, but Soszynski lands a right-hook counter that buckles Bonnar’s knees. Bonnar recovers and continues to get the best of Soszynski in round two exchanges. A hard knee from Bonnar slams into Soszynski’s chin. Bonnar follows up with a strong double-leg takedown directly into side control. Soszynski stands and Bonnar drops him with a flush knee to the chin. Soszynski turtles on the floor and Bonnar swarms with punches. Soszynski defends well and Bonnar moves to the back, where he punches with his left hand until referee Mario Yamasaki steps in at 3:08 of round two, giving Bonnar the TKO win.
Chris Lytle vs. Matt Brown
Round 1
Brown comes out gunning with a kick to the body and Lytle returns fire with a wild right hand. The fighters trade winging punches, but nothing gets through clean. Lytle presses Brown against the fencing, where the Cincinnati native connects with a knee to the thigh. Brown grazes a head kick off the melon of Lytle and the Hoosier goes right back to the clinch. Brown trips Lytle to the canvas. Lytle works immediately for an omaplata, but Brown has none of it. Brown locks up a brabo choke and both fighters move in a clockwise manner. Lytle is on top in side control, so he’s able to defend the choke. Lytle frees his neck and both fighters are on their feet. Brown works the leg with a low kick and Lytle swings for the fences. Lytle blocks a head kick misses a three-punch combo before landing a hard right to the body. Lytle slips with 10 seconds remaining and works a kimura and armbar attempt at the bell.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Brown
Jack Encarnacao scores the round 10-9 Brown
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Brown
Round 2
Brown lands two low kicks to start round two. To the body goes Brown with hooks from both hands. Brown lands a left hook and Lytle connects with a short uppercut that hurts his opponent. A hurt Brown tries to pull guard and Lytle moves to the mount with a guillotine. Lytle transitions to a mounted triangle while working a straight armbar on the right arm. Brown tries to fight off the technique but verbally submits to referee Steve Mazzagatti at 2:02 of round two.
Chris Leben vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama
Round 1
Akiyama catches a low kick and trips Leben to the floor in the bout’s opening seconds. Leben gets back to his feet and blocks a knee attempt. Leben rushes forward and Akiyama grazes a left-hook counter off the top of the head. Leben kicks the body and leg and absorbs Akiyama’s right foot on the cup. Referee Herb Dean calls time and the bout is restarted shortly after. Akiyama throws a spinning-back fist and then trips Leben to the floor with a judo throw. From the guard, Leben attempt an armbar on the right arm. Akiyama pulls his arm free and then defends the same technique again. Akiyama escapes and works for an armbar of his own from the top in side control. The judoka has a near triangle at the same time, but Leben gets free. Akiyama, back in half guard, punches the head with his right hand. Leben scrambles to his feet. Leben lands a left ahnd and Akiyama gets another judo throw at the horn.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Akiyama
Jack Encarnacao scores the round 10-9 Akiyama
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Akiyama
Round 2
Leben lands a head kick and then slips. Leben stands and lands a left-hook counter following an Akiyama body shot. Akiyama lands a spinning-back fist and Leben sneaks in a hard right-hand counter. A slugfest unfolds as both men land clean power shots to the chin. Leben is hurt and Akiyama is going for the finish. With both hands down, Leben absorbs several punches but he’s getting as good as he’s taking. Akiyama is forced to one knee by a hard left hand, but he quickly stands to throw Leben to the canvas. Leben gets to his feet, but Akiyama stays tight and will not let him off the canvas. Leben attempts a standing guillotine and Akiyama has none of it. A hard left hand scores for Akiyama. And another. Leben Comes back and lands two hard left hands of his own and Akiyama is hurt. Both fighters are fatigued as time expires.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Akiyama
Jack Encarnacao scores the round 10-9 Akiyama
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Akiyama
Round 3
The fighters embrace to start the final period and here we go. Leben lands a stiff kick to the body and a head kick. Leben works the leg with a low kick and Akiyama catches it before dragging him to the canvas. From the guard, Akiyama attempts a rare can opener. Leben punches his way out and then looks for an armbar. Leben gives it his all and the judoka escapes after a few tense moments. Akiyama moves to half guard after a brief stint in the mount, where Leben stomps downward on the left leg, which is trapped between his legs. Leben uses good legwork to get back to closed guard. Leben elbows the head from his back and Akiyama returns fire with punches. With one minute remaining, Leben is clearly the fresher fighter, working from his back as Akiyama rests in the guard. Leben goes for broke and locks on a triangle choke. Leben elbows the head before switching position and securing a tapout of the judo black belt. Chris Leben wins his second fight in 14 days at 4:40 of the final round.
Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin
Round 1
Both fighters start tentitve and paw out jabs. Carwin clips Lesnar with a left hook and uses a whizzer to defend a powerful shot. The fighters stand and Carwin connects with a knee. Carwin is bullying Lesnar around the cage with punches, bullrushing him against the fence. Lesnar slips and Carwin pours it on with punches as referee Josh Rosenthal watches on closely. Carwin continues to tee off with both hands as Lesnar does nothing but defend from the bottom. Lesnar is bleeding from a cut above his left eye. Carwin lights him up with two hard elbows. Carwin stands in the guard and continues his assault as Lesnar just takes a beating. Carwin backs away for a moment to catch his breath and Lesnar kicks the left leg from his back. Carwin jumps back into half guard and seems to rest. Lesnar gets space to get to his feet and it appears the champion has survived a serious onslaught. Lesnar presses Carwin against the cage and knees the thigh. Lesnar attempts a single at the bell.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Carwin
Jack Encarnacao scores the round 10-8 Carwin
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-8 Carwin
Round 2
For the first time in his career Carwin comes out for a second round. Carwin looks fatigued as he breaths with an open mouth. Lesnar loads up for a right hand and Carwin counters it with a short right hand. Lesnar drops levels and scores his first takedown of the fight. Lesnar punches the head with his left hand from the top in half guard. Lesnar moves to the mount and locks on an arm-triangle choke. Carwin moves to side control to finish the technique. Carwin looks to be in a safe position, but Lesnar’s strength is too much. Carwin taps at the 2:19 mark of round two.
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