UFC 201 Results: Play-by-Play & Updates

Cesar Arzamendia vs. Damien Brown

Round 1

Arzamendia opens with a leaping high kick, but Brown gets a mitt up to block it. Brown pushes out from the center, takes a clinch knee off the arms and then steps back as the longer man throws straight punches. On his next advance, Brown lands a blistering right hand on the jaw of Arzamendia, who slumps to the ground at the base of the fence. Brown tries to pound him out, can’t land anything cleanly, and now Arzamendia dives for a heel hook. Brown sits up and slowly works his leg free, but he allows Arzamendia to stand in the process. Arzamendia looks to have recovered as he touches Brown’s face with a sweeping left hook. Brown dodges Arzamendia’s next attack and counters with two vicious right crosses which takes out the Paraguayan’s legs. Arzamendia is badly hurt this time, and Brown has little difficulty pounding him unconscious with follow-up hammerfists.

The Official Result

Damien Brown def. Cesar Arzamendia via KO (Punches) R1 2:27

Michael Graves vs. Bojan Velickovic

Round 1

The southpaw Velickovic works cautiously around the outside, trying to find his range with stomping kicks and flickering jabs. Graves stays put in the center, waiting to counter, but Velickovic isn’t giving him much besides leg kicks through the first two minutes. Midway through the round, Velickovic takes the middle of the cage and fires off a right high kick, blocked by the American. Graves shoots a long double with two minutes on the clock, but Velickovic stands him up and spins him against the cage. Tight clinch work here from Velickovic, keeping Graves pinned to the fence while grinding with short punches inside. Graves breaks loose with one minute remaining and tries to attack with punches; Velickovic slips them and does a little dance.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-10
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Velickovic
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Velickovic

Round 2

Graves shoots an early single-leg and drags Velickovic to the ground near the fence. The Serbian tries to spin and stand, but as he does, Graves jumps on his back and pulls him backward to the ground. Graves gets one hook in and begins fishing for the rear-naked choke; just when it looks like Velickovic might peel the hook away and escape, Graves adjusts the position and locks on a body triangle. Velickovic goes to his knees and rolls forward, kicking off the fence to help shake Graves from his back in the process. Graves comes out on top and continues to hold Velickovic against the cage, now midway through the round and the fight. Velickovic tries to stand and gets his back taken again. Graves establishes both hooks and tries the RNC, but Velickovic is doing well to keep his chin tucked as he pries Graves’ arms away from his face. Graves tries to finish with a neck crank but can’t force a tap from “Serbian Steel.” Velickovic rolls onto his right side, toward the fence, but Graves wraps him up and rolls him the other way, toward the center of the cage, where the American has more space to work the submission. Velickovic punches over his shoulder as the last half-minute of the round ticks away, but Graves is stuck on and remains behind Velickovic until the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Graves
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Graves
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Graves

Round 3

Velickovic turns the tables on Graves by shooting for a takedown in the opening seconds, slamming the American Top Team fighter to the ground and then trying to take Graves’ back as he stands. Graves turns into the back-take and drives Velickovic to the ground, where the Serbian tries to work a kimura from the bottom. Graves takes Velickovic’s back again, but only for a moment, and now the welterweights climb back to their feet with about half the round remaining. Graves is looking tired as he grasps a single-leg and pushes Velickovic to the fence. Graves switches to an ankle pick, then drops to his knees as Velickovic tries to hit the switch. Graves just stays glued to Velickovic’s legs, driving hard for a takedown while Velickovic widens his base with his back against the cage. Velickovic slips out and circles back to the center; he lobs knees and punches at the fatigued Graves but can’t come up with any clean strikes. The 170-pounders wind up back in the clinch, Velickovic dropping to try a takedown just before time runs out.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Graves (30-28 Graves)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Graves (29-28 Graves)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-10 (29-28 Graves)

The Official Result

Michael Graves vs. Bojan Velickovic ruled a Majority Draw (28-28, 28-28, 30-27) R3 5:00

Wilson Reis vs. Hector Sandoval

Round 1

Sandoval connects with a few hard right hands in a hectic opening exchange, but Reis slows the assault with a powerful takedown. Reis tries to jump on Sandoval’s back as they stand, settles for taking down the American a second time. Sandoval sweeps to top position and the flyweights scramble back to their feet, but only for a moment before Reis hits a trip takedown. Reis climbs onto Sandoval’s back and sinks both hooks, then slaps on a rear-naked choke. Sandoval resists for a moment before tapping out.

The Official Result

Wilson Reis def. Hector Sandoval via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 1:49

Damian Grabowski vs. Anthony Hamilton

Round 1

Grabowski eats the first right hand from Hamilton and backs up toward the fence. Hamilton chases after him, punching with both hands and landing shots to the Polish fighter’s temple. Grabowski doubles over, leaving him open to three huge uppercuts from Hamilton. The punches put Grabowski down for good, and referee George Allen rushes in for the stoppage.

The Official Result

Anthony Hamilton def. Damian Grabowski via KO (Punches) R1 0:14

Jorge Masvidal vs. Ross Pearson

Round 1

Pearson swings some heavy strikes in the direction of Masvidal but pulls up short against the taller man. Masvidal has a kick caught but pulls his leg free and resets before Pearson can capitalize. The Englishman lands a nice leg kick, drawing a smile from Masvidal. Pearson catches another kick on his shoulder; this time, Masvidal steps into it and throws a knee to the body as he extracts his trapped leg. Masvidal throws a short and ill-timed flying knee, easily caught by Pearson and converted to a takedown. Masvidal rolls backward and escapes to his feet, giving Pearson some hard knees to the body as they break from the clinch. Pearson keeps a little more distance between himself and Masvidal as the last 90 seconds wind down. Masvidal pushes him back further with a spinning kick to the body, but Pearson charges back to the middle of the cage to end the round.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Masvidal
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Masvidal
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Masvidal

Round 2

After another minute of circling, Masvidal floors Pearson with a counter left hook on the jaw. Pearson drops to his back and Masvidal swarms him with punches for a few seconds before pausing and looking up at referee Blake Grice, as if to ask if the official wants the fight to continue. Grice doesn’t stop the fight, but Pearson is getting mauled on the floor, taking more shots to the face as he rolls and squirms, trying to slow the attack. Masvidal’s punches relent after 20 seconds or so, allowing Pearson to scramble up with a face significantly redder than before. Pearson presses forward to land a leg kick and eats a sharp jab in return. Masvidal is sitting back a bit more now, letting Pearson chase him; the Floridian catches Pearson stepping inside and slams a right kick into his ribs. Swings and misses from both men down the stretch, though Masvidal continues to do work with his jab and Pearson keeps landing sporadic leg kicks.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-8 Masvidal
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-8 Masvidal
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Masvidal

Round 3

Masvidal looks to be playing it safe through the first minute of the final round, continually sliding backward and keeping Pearson on the end of his jab. Pearson, surely down two rounds to none, is pressing forward but isn’t attacking with much aggression. Masvidal catches “The Real Deal” leaning in and lands a left hook upstairs; Pearson answers with a body shot. A pair of jabs connect for Pearson as they enter the last two minutes of the fight. Masvidal flashes a one-two, lands a quick jab, but Pearson tags him back with a shovel punch. Pearson blocks a head kick, pushes Masvidal backward with one to the body, and that’s where it ends.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Masvidal (30-26 Masvidal)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Masvidal (30-26 Masvidal)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Masvidal (30-26 Masvidal)

The Official Result

Jorge Masvidal def. Ross Pearson via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Nikita Krylov vs. Ed Herman

Round 1

Krylov opens with a body kick and a jab, then grazes Herman’s face with a right hand over the top. Herman presses forward, walking into a few more body kicks before putting a left hand in Krylov’s breadbasket. Krylov explodes forward with more punches and jams Herman against the fence with an underhook. Krylov releases and backs up to throw a left high kick; it’s blocked by Herman, who once again steps forward and walks into strikes from “The Miner.” Herman sweeps Krylov’s face with a left hand, then catches a low kick and shoves him to the canvas. The American comes down in top position, leaning right to left across Krylov’s body in half guard. Krylov overpowers him and shoves him off the top, and both men scramble up. Herman’s face is beet red as Krylov continues to slam him with punches while backing him up against the wall. “Short Fuse” looks to be fading a bit, too, as he draws deep breaths, throws tired-looking leg kicks and glances up at the clock on the big screen.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Krylov
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Krylov
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Krylov

Round 2

Krylov comes out aggressive in the second frame, backing up Herman with low kicks, body shots and punches up top. Herman tries a clinch knee, misses and backs up to the fence with his hands still lowered. Krylov sees the opening and fires a left high kick; it lands clean and immediately knocks Herman unconscious. Herman crashes face-first to the canvas in a twisted heap as Krylov strolls away with the highlight-reel knockout.

The Official Result

Nikita Krylov def. Ed Herman via KO (Head Kick) R2 0:40

Freddy Serrano vs. Ryan Benoit

Round 1

Benoit presses out from the center and clashes kicks with Serrano, who slips to the ground but recovers before Benoit can capitalize on the mistake. Serrano catches a kick and, after a brief struggle, slams Benoit to the canvas in the center of the cage. Benoit grabs a headlock on his way down and holds it as Serrano leans right to left across his body. Benoit flips him over the top and scrambles to his feet with about three minutes remaining in the round. Serrano takes a hard right hand to the face, shoots low and plows Benoit to the ground again. Benoit holds the Colombian in another headlock and shrugs at referee Blake Grice, looking for a quick stand-up order. Instead, Benoit powers back to his feet and clinches with Serrano on the fence. Serrano, bloodied from the earlier punch, nearly leans into a head kick as the flyweights resume striking. With 55 seconds on the clock, Serrano dives on a shot and winds up holding Benoit on the cage. Benoit breaks loose and takes an axe kick off the arms. With seconds remaining, Benoit stings Serrano with a right hook and tries to chase down his fleeing opponent. The horn sounds while Benoit is chasing; referee Blake Grice steps between the fighters, then Serrano gives a late shove to Benoit’s back, drawing a stern warning from the ref.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Benoit
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Benoit
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Benoit

Round 2

Serrano tries to latch onto a few early kicks from Benoit but can’t keep hold. The Colombian runs into a left hand from Benoit before diving for another takedown. Benoit backs up against the fence and grabs Serrano in a headlock while defending the slow-moving shot. Benoit catches Serrano shooting again and jumps guard with a guillotine, but Serrano’s head slips loose as he slams Benoit to the ground. Benoit wraps up Serrano in a tight guard; Serrano slowly passes to side control, only to be flipped over and have Benoit escape to his feet. Benoit sprawls on Serrano’s next shot, then simply steps backward to avoid a mile-long single-leg attempt. Serrano looks gassed as he plods around the cage, with moments spent standing stock-still while feet away from Benoit, who looks fresher but is similarly inactive. “Baby Face” tries to backpedal away from Serrano’s next double-leg shot, but Serrano gets inside on this one and rips Benoit to the ground. Serrano passes to side control, then north-south position, where he drops unorthodox thigh strikes on Benoit’s face. Benoit reclaims half guard, kicks Serrano away and scrambles up before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Serrano
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Serrano
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Serrano

Round 3

Serrano touches gloves with Benoit, quickly backpedals away and then changes course, driving on Benoit’s legs as he steps out from the center. The result is another takedown for Serrano, though this time Benoit wraps him up in a tight guard to prevent another easy pass. Serrano is trying to stay busy with short right hands, but it’s not enough for referee Grice, who orders the fighters back to their feet about 90 seconds into the round. Serrano looks to shoot immediately, then has to somersault into a guard-pull as Benoit threatens to land a knee. Benoit comes down atop Serrano and tries to take his back, but Serrano posts and climbs back to his feet. Serrano tumbles to guard again, then stands before Benoit establish top position. Serrano’s next takedown attempt comes up short, and now Benoit stalks him around the outside. Benoit denies another shot, now inside the final 90 seconds. Serrano takes a hard kick to the ribs, grabs hold of the leg but can’t find the takedown. Benoit marches after him but doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to engage. After nearly kicking out Serrano’s legs, Benoit muscles his opponent against the wall. Serrano takes a right hand on the chin as he breaks away and jogs to the other side of the cage. Benoit is walking toward him, barking at him when time runs out.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Benoit (29-28 Benoit)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Benoit (29-28 Benoit)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Benoit (29-28 Benoit)

The Official Result

Ryan Benoit def. Freddy Serrano via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Francisco Rivera vs. Erik Perez

Round 1

Rivera catches the taller Perez leaning in and clips him with a left hand on the side of the head. “Goyito” seems unfazed as he bounces backward, constantly moving and crouching down to Rivera’s eye level. Rivera backs up to defend a fake shot from Perez, who stands up and plunks “Cisco” with a right hand on his way out of the pocket. Perez lands a hard leg kick inside and continues bouncing backward, forcing Rivera to come forward. Rivera throws a body kick, then has to hop on his right leg as he pulls the left free. With 90 seconds on the clock, Perez explodes into a takedown attempt, but he only winds up pressing Rivera against the fence with an underhook. Perez peppers Rivera with short right hands before releasing and sliding away. Rivera gives chase and counters a Perez leg kick with a hard right hand over the top; Perez eats the leather and continues his herky-jerky motions for the final seconds of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Rivera
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Rivera
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Perez

Round 2

Perez continues his evasive maneuvers at the start of the second frame, constantly backing away from Rivera and forcing the shorter man to miss with his power punches. Rivera clips with an overhand right but can’t seem to find a home for his combinations through two minutes of the round. Perez shoots wildly for a high double-leg takedown, but he’s easily brushed aside by Rivera. Ducking under a Rivera right hand, Perez comes back upstairs to clock the American with a nice right hook. Perez gets hold of a single-leg, again can’t convert for the takedown. With 90 seconds on the clock, Rivera blocks a jump knee and strikes back with a left hook. Rivera walks down his foe with stiff jabs, backs up to avoid a Perez kick and slugs him with an overhand right. Perez shoots in immediately after the punch and takes down Rivera at the fence to end the round.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Perez
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Perez
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Perez

Round 3

The bantamweights begin swinging wildly at the start of the final round, then Perez slips to the ground while throwing a kick. “Goyito” tries to drive forward on a takedown, can’t get it and stands instead. Rivera waves him forward, and Perez walks straight into another wild, windmilling exchange. Rivera is swinging so wildly -- and missing so badly -- that his momentum sends him crashing to the ground. Perez comes down on top and sets up in the guard of Rivera, who’s cut on the right side of his forehead and quickly turns the canvas a dark red. Perez slugs Rivera’s ribs with punches as he works on top with more than three minutes left in the fight. Rivera is a bloody mess as he clings on from underneath; Perez is doing just enough on top to avoid a stand-up from referee George Allen. Perez’s body punches give way to a few left hands to Rivera’s face. Rivera sits up against the wall and tries to post, but Perez triangles his legs to keep him grounded. Rivera finally posts and stands with 30 seconds remaining, but he can’t escape the clutches of “Goyito.” The bantamweights separate with 10 seconds to go; Rivera wobbles forward, but Perez slides back to avoid any wild last-second exchanges.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Perez (29-28 Perez)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Perez (29-28 Perez)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Perez (30-27 Perez)

The Official Result

Erik Perez def. Francisco Rivera via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-28) R3 5:00

Matt Brown vs. Jake Ellenberger

Round 1

Ellenberger’s first power punch of the fight -- a massive overhand right that comes behind two jabs -- sends Brown crashing to the canvas. Brown regains his wits as Ellenberger tries to pound him out, but “The Immortal” still looks to be in trouble as he slowly works back to his feet. Ellenberger tags him with another right hand as the welterweights separate. Brown marches forward now, sticking a hard jab on Ellenberger’s jaw. Ellenberger is biting hard on feints as Brown backs him up against the wall. Suddenly, a liver kick folds up Brown, who crouches down and then slumps to the ground in the center of the cage. Ellenberger smells blood, and this time he’s able to land hard hammerfists to the turtling Brown’s face. After half a dozen shots get through, referee Marc Goddard steps in to halt the bout, giving Jake Ellenberger a much-needed upset victory.

The Official Result

Jake Ellenberger def. Matt Brown via TKO (Kick to the Body and Punches) R1 1:46

Rose Namajunas vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz

Round 1

Kowalkiewicz lands first with a hard outside leg kick, then gets grazed by Namajunas’ straight right in the next exchange. There’s an extended feeling-out process between the strawweights as they bounce around the cage in the first two minutes of the fight. Kowalkiewicz misses with a right hand and gets caught looking as Namajunas counters with a step-off left. “Thug Rose” comes down the middle with a left hand; she’s looking like the speedier, sharper striker so far. Namajunas’ awkward angles seem to be causing problems for Kowalkiewicz. The unbeaten Polish prospect catches a low kick and trips Namajunas to the ground, can’t keep her there. Kowalkiewicz rushes into the pocket and gets clocked with another left-handed counter. An uppercut lands for Namajunas, who glides backward to avoid a charging Kowalkiewicz combination. Kowalkiewicz catches up to her opponent with 35 seconds on the clock, grabs the Thai plum and lands three or four solid knees to Namajunas’ midsection. Kowalkiewicz closes out the round with a trip takedown at the fence, though Namajunas is able to reverse just before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Namajunas
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Namajunas
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Namajunas

Round 2

Kowalkiewicz goes back to the clinch early in the second frame, drilling Namajunas with two more hard knees to the gut. Namajunas spins her around and brings the fight to the fence, but Kowalkiewicz is able to score with more knees as she leans against the wall. Namajunas looks for some clinch knees of her own, but the sturdier Kowalkiewicz looks to have more power behind her shots. Namajunas clasps her arms around Kowalkiewicz and hugs her against the cage; Kowalkiewicz pries the arms loose and tries to escape, but in the struggle, she unwittingly gives Namajunas head-and-arm control. Namajunas tries to use the position to take Kowalkiewicz’s back, but she’s blocked by the fence. The 115ers separate with half the round remaining, and now it’s Kowalkiewicz on the march, attacking Namajunas with more stiff leg kicks. Kowalkiewicz slips to the ground, gets up safely but then takes a right hand on the jaw. She jogs away from the strike, but Namajunas catches up and presses her against the wall again. Kowalkiewicz breaks loose with 90 seconds remaining, dashes forward and plunks Namajunas with a right hand. Namajunas gets trapped in the Thai plum again and takes more knees to the body, though this time she lands a right hand on the break. Kowalkiewicz gets in her best shot of the fight so far with a knee to the side of Namajunas’ head inside the final minute.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Kowalkiewicz
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Kowalkiewicz
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Kowalkiewicz

Round 3

Namajunas reaches up and slaps the face of Kowalkiewicz with a right high kick; Kowalkiewicz answers by ducking low and digging a left to the body. The strawweights snipe with jabs as they drift in and out of range, but now Kowalkiewicz comes blitzing with a wild combination. The punches don’t land, but Kowalkiewicz gets the clinch to land another knee on the back end of the advance. Namajunas sweeps her back out of the pocket with a wild overhand right. Three minutes remain in a round and a fight which still seems up for grabs. Namajunas gets inside, looking for a trip takedown, but Kowalkiewicz rejects it. Kowalkiewicz catches a low kick and trips Namajunas to the floor, then attacks with more knees as she stands. An uppercut takes the legs out from under Namajunas, and Kowalkiewicz is able to follow her to the mat and establish top position with just over two minutes remaining. It’s methodical work from Kowalkiewicz here, slowly working to half guard, trying to pin down Namajunas’ arm, but the American shifts underneath to reclaim full guard. Kowalkiewicz stands over her prone opponent with 60 seconds left and punches downward. Once Kowalkiewicz kneels on the mat again, Namajunas swings her legs around, hunting for an armbar or triangle. Kowalkiewicz snuffs it out and rolls up Namajunas, who gets to her knees and aborbs a few more punches from the Polish fighter. The strawweights scramble up just before the horn, and Namajunas gets the final word with a left hand to the jaw.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Kowalkiewicz (29-28 Kowalkiewicz)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Kowalkiewicz (29-28 Kowalkiewicz)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Kowalkiewicz (29-28 Kowalkiewicz)

The Official Result

Karolina Kowalkiewicz def. Rose Namajunas via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

UFC Welterweight Title Fight:
Robbie Lawler vs. Tyron Woodley

Round 1

Referee Dan Miragliotta is the third man in the cage for tonight’s 170-pound championship clash, with judges Derek Cleary, Chris Lee and Jeff Mullen scoring the scheduled five-round bout. The challenger Woodley takes up the center of the cage and pivots on his right foot as Lawler circles clockwise around the outside. After a minute, Woodley ducks inside and shoves Lawler against the fence. Referee Miragliotta steps between the fighters with a restart command after about 15-20 seconds of inactivity. Woodley continues to follow Lawler around the outside until suddenly, two minutes in, “The Chosen One” steps out and connects with a massive overhand right. Lawler is dazed and falls backward to the canvas, seated at the base of the fence, and Woodley bashes him unconscious with a flurry of potent right hands. After 18 months away from the cage, Tyron Woodley is the new UFC welterweight champion.

The Official Result

Tyron Woodley def. Robbie Lawler via KO (Punches) R1 2:12