UFC 217 ‘Bisping vs. St. Pierre’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round-by-Round Scoring

Ricardo Lucas Ramos vs. Aiemann Zahabi

Round 1

Zahabi immediately sticks his jab in the face of the southpaw Ramos, then clinches with the Brazilian and puts him against the fence. Ramos reverses a trip attempt from Zahabi and scrambles to take the back, but Zahabi shakes him off and the bantamweights get back on their feet with 4:00 on the clock. Ramos gets to work with three chopping low kicks, and the third nearly takes out Zahabi's lead leg. The pace slows toward the middle of the round, with Zahabi inching forward on Ramos, both men waiting for the other to strike. Zahabi tries to clinch and gets popped, then underhooked and shoved away. Ramos changes levels, shoots and drives Zahabi to the ground, but he can't hold the Canadian down for long. Zahabi catches Ramos coming forward and connects with a counter right, then wraps him up and looks for a trip against the fence with one minute remaining. Zahabi lands a knee to the body, but it's Ramos slamming Zahabi to the ground and jumping on his back as the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Ramos begins round two in the same way as round one, popping Zahabi with jabs and landing a heavy kick to the lead leg. Zahabi blocks a left high kick but takes another chop to his left knee. Ramos whiffs on a spinning elbow, avoids a clinch from Zahabi and eats a jab. Zahabi is starting to catch Ramos with some solid right hands, including a hook that forces the Brazilian to stagger backward. Zahabi threatens with a takedown off a caught kick, can't complete it. A lead uppercut lands for Zahabi, now a jab as he continues to force Ramos onto his back foot. Zahabi's stiff jab snaps back the head of Ramos, who tries to come back with a leaping knee and can't find the mark. Another uppercut lands clean for Zahabi; this one leaves Ramos bloody-nosed and shaking his head. Ramos whiffs on a low kick and a brief double-leg attempt from the orthodox stance, and gets zapped with one more jab before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Ramos comes out southpaw, tries a quick low kick and gets a right hand in the face on the counter. Zahabi blocks a head kick but something got through to bloody the outside of the Canadian's right eye. Jab-uppercut lands for Zahabi again, as the 135ers take turns coming forward, both still swinging for the fences. Zahabi looks to be landing the harder shots in this round, as a tiring Ramos moves backward with his mouth open. Zahabi is looking for the finish as he blitzes Ramos against the wall, pouring on punches, many of which bounce off Ramos' forearms. Suddenly, Ramos whirls around with a perfect spinning back elbow that lands square on the jaw of his opponent. Zahabi goes stiff and falls to his back as referee Todd Anderson rushes in to save the unconscious fighter from any further damage.

The Official Result

Ricardo Lucas Ramos def. Aiemann Zahabi via KO (Spinning Back Elbow) R3 1:58

Alexey Oleynik vs. Curtis Blaydes

Round 1

Blaydes shoots and completes an early takedown, but he quickly jumps back to his feet when the "Boa Constrictor" tries to wrap him up in guard. Back on the feet, Blaydes hits Oleynik with a few low kicks before swinging big punches at the Russian. Oleynik is doing well to stay out of range of the long-limbed Blaydes' strikes. Blaydes reddens the nose of Oleynik with a hard jab. Oleynik whiffs on a spinning back fist, gets taken down as he turns around, but again Blaydes gets back on his feet as Oleynik looks for an armbar. Soon after, it's another takedown for Blaydes, another Oleynik armabar attempt; this time, "Razor" pulls his arm free and passes to side control, landing knees to the body and short punches before Oleynik gets back on his feet. The big men wind up in the tie-up, both throwing uppercuts a la Frye-Takayama. After they break, it's Blaydes landing the more damaging shots, sending Oleynik to the ground. Oleynik survives the follow-up attack and pushes Blaydes against the fence, where referee Blake Grice warns the Russian for looping his arm over the top of the fence. Blaydes breaks loose and bloodies Oleynik with another barrage of punches, and Oleynik looks wobbly as the horn sounds in the middle of the assault.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Oleynik comes out swinging and walks into a thudding left hook from Blaydes, who punctuates his combination with a chop to the lead leg. Oleynik is hanging tough but isn't offering much in return, before he backs up Blaydes with a two-piece. Blaydes reverses momentum and shoots to drive the flat-footed Oleynik to the ground in the center of the cage. Oleynik tries to wrap up from the bottom, so Blaydes gets back on his feet. As Oleynik is climbing to his feet, Blaydes lands a grazing kick to the head of the kneeling Russian. Referee Grice calls for the doctor, who briefly examines Oleynik before advising Grice to call off the contest. The officials go to instant replay, and the restless crowd begins to boo after a few minutes of indecision. Finally, the official result is announced: Blaydes has won via technical knockout due to doctor's stoppage. The light foul which precipitated the end of the bout was apparently ruled not to be fight-ending, and the doctor stopped the bout due to other damage sustained by Oleynik in the bout.

The Official Result

Curtis Blaydes def. Alexey Oleynik via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) R2 1:56

Mickey Gall vs. Randy Brown

Round 1

Brown comes fast out of the gate, rushing forward on Gall with long, accurate punches. Gall eats a few shots and doubles over, ducking and weaving to get his head out of danger as "Rude Boy" continues to swing hands. Gall slows the assault with an overhand right and then clinches with Brown, but soon it's the Jamaican shoving Gall against the fence and landing sharp knees to the body. Brown goes upstairs with a knee, then trips Gall to the floor, landing in side control on the left. Gall eats a couple hammerfists to the grill before he's able to shift and recover full guard. Brown stacks him up against the fence and then stands over Gall, kicking at his legs. Brown kneels down in guard again, looking to ground-and-pound while Gall rolls up, hunting for an arm. Gall uses wrist control to slow Brown's attacks on the ground, but with 70 seconds left, Brown postures up and slams Gall with five or six hard elbows. Gall is trying to shift and escape, or grab a limb from the bottom, but he's finding no success in the last minute. Brown bloodies Gall with late punches on the floor, and referee Todd Anderson warns Gall for grabbing inside Brown's gloves to hinder the strikes.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Gall is still leaking blood from the left side of his hairline as he's taken down by Brown once again early in the second round. Gall hits a quick sweep to top position but has to pull out of Brown's guard as the Jamaican throws up a gogoplata. Brown transitions to an omoplata and looks to land an illegal upkick, though there's not much complaint from Gall and no action from the ref. Gall maintains top position and now leans right to left across Brown's body in side control. Gall drops short left hands on Brown's head as he smothers "Rude Boy" with heavy top pressure. Switching between palm strikes, elbows and punches, Gall continues to rough up Brown until the two-minute mark, when Brown is able to pivot and secure guard. Gall passes to the side again, resumes striking with left hands as he tries to secure a crucifix. Brown tries to scramble up and has to work out of a guillotine attempt. Gall releases the neck and passes to mount, but Brown escapes quickly and Gall finishes the round in side control.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Brown comes forward swinging a big lead uppercut, and Gall tries to dodge it by changing levels. Brown's uppercut grazes the temple of Gall, though, and now Gall drops to his back in a daze. Brown stands over him, trying to pound out the injured Gall, but the New Jerseyan is aware enough to kick Brown away and avoid most of the ground strikes. Brown sets up in Gall's guard as the extra-bloody Gall scoots backward against the fence and looks to grab Brown in a headlock. Gall tries a guillotine but doesn't seem to have the angle, and he quickly gives up on the sub attempt. Brown tees up Gall's head for some short, stapling elbows as the welterweights enter the final three minutes of the contest. Gall tries to kick off the cage and angle for an armbar or triangle, but it's difficult with Brown's forearm across his throat. Two minutes left as Brown maintains a strong top position, keeping Gall pinned to the canvas even when he makes an effort to stand. Gall tries another arm-in guillotine; this one looks tighter, but Brown is able to slip his head free. Gall is still hunting for a guillotine in the last minute, so Brown stands and runs off the last few seconds by forcing Gall to stand.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Randy Brown def. Mickey Gall via Unanimous Decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Ovince St. Preux vs. Corey Anderson

Round 1

The southpaw St. Preux pushes Anderson backward with a front kick to the breadbasket. "OSP" is finding some early success on the feet, snapping back Anderson's head with stiff punches, but Anderson turns the tides with a thunderous takedown that plants St. Preux at the base of the fence. Anderson works from riding position, his right arm looped around St. Preux's waist while he lands lefts to the head. St. Preux works back to his feet with 3:30 on the clock, but Anderson keeps him trapped against the fence. Anderson scores with a knee to the body as St. Preux finally escapes to the center of the cage. "Overtime" gets St. Preux moving backward to the fence and then changes levels for another double-leg shot. St. Preux keeps his balance this time, landing a few elbows to the side of Anderson's head while defending the takedown. Anderson releases and goes upright to hit St. Preux with a spinning elbow, then goes right back to his shot. St. Preux continues to defend the takedown but can't get his back off the wall as the final 90 seconds tick down. St. Preux finally gets free and walks forward on Anderson in the last half minute of the round. Anderson shoots again, this time taking a knee to the body in the process. St. Preux injures Anderson just before the horn with a four-punch combo and a left hook that knocks Anderson to the floor.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Anderson
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 St. Preux
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Anderson

Round 2

St. Preux blasts Anderson with a left high kick in the opening half minute, knocking out Anderson's mouthguard. Referee Dan Miragliotta pauses the fight to replace the mouthpiece, perhaps giving Anderson a crucial few seconds to recover. When action resumes, Anderson shoots and clings to St. Preux on the fence with a double-leg, though "OSP" is still able to do some damage with elbows to the side of the head. Anderson isn't offering much offense in the clinch, and the ref tells him to stay busy if he wants to keep the position. The 205ers separate with three minutes on the clock, but Anderson is soon back to shooting, this time lifting St. Preux over his shoulder and slamming him to the floor. Back to ride position goes Anderson as St. Preux goes to his knees, now halfway through the round and the fight. Anderson lands several unanswered punches before St. Preux begins to shift, briefly climbing back to his feet before being dragged back to the mat. Anderson grabs the right wrist of "OSP" and lands left hands to the head as they reach the final minute of the round. St. Preux struggles back to his feet with 40 seconds left, but he can't escape the clinch of Anderson before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

St. Preux lands the first shot of the round, a left hand to the side of the head as he counters an Anderson low kick. "OSP" is able to defend Anderson's first takedown attempt, too, so Anderson spends the next half minute moving in and out of range on the feet. Out of nowhere, St. Preux wheels up with a left high kick that lands flush to the head, instantly knocking Anderson out cold. Anderson drops flat on his back; St. Preux recognizes that Anderson is finished and opts not to follow up as referee Miragliotta rushes in for the stoppage.

The Official Result

Ovince St. Preux def. Corey Anderson via KO (Head Kick) R3 1:25

Mark Godbeer vs. Walt Harris

Round 1

Both heavyweights test out head kicks in the opening exchanges, but it's the body kicks of the southpaw Harris that look to be doing effective damage. Harris hits an effortless takedown and passes straight to full mount, but Godbeer shifts underneath to put the "Big Ticket" in half, then full guard. Harris scoots Godbeer over to the base of the fence, though Godbeer is doing well to tie up from the bottom and neutralize any real ground-and-pound. Now, halfway through the round, Harris postures up and begins landing some heavy right hands. Godbeer isn't able to do much from the bottom as Harris busts through his guard and slams his head against the canvas with an elbow. Referee Blake Grice calls for action, and Harris lands a hard knee to the body as Godbeer climbs back to his feet. A straight left from Harris nearly knocks Godbeer off his feet, and a knee from the American lands to Godbeer's cup in the ensuing clinch. Referee Grice rushes in and shouts to pause the fight, but Harris lands a late, illegal kick to the jaw of Godbeer. The Englishman staggers to the other side of the cage and drops to his knees in a daze. After a short examination by the officials, Godbeer is deemed unfit to continue, and the fight is waved off.

The Official Result

Mark Godbeer def. Walt Harris via DQ (Kick to Head After Referee Paused Fight Due to Low Blow) R1 4:29

Joseph Duffy vs. James Vick

Round 1

Duffy takes the center of the cage and backs up the taller Vick with range-finding jabs. "Irish Joe" catches a kick and trips Vick to the ground, but the Texan is quickly back on his feet. Vick steps out to the center of the cage now, trying to close the distance, only to be hit with a heavy leg kick and forced backward again. Vick rocks the head of Duffy with a pair of straight punches that split the Irishman's guard. Duffy tries to come over the top with a right hand but can't find the mark as 6-foot-3 Vick leans back. Duffy catches another kick, Vick tries to jump guard and gets dropped to the floor, then allowed to stand. Duffy slips a right hand and fires back with a straight punch that forces Vick to back up. Ninety seconds remain in the opening round as Duffy opts to clinch and goes to the body of Vick with a rib-roaster right hand. Vick fires a knee in the Thai plum before Duffy can escape the clinch. Now it's Duffy shooting and completing a takedown at the fence, though he's not able to keep Vick on the mat for more than a few seconds. Vick looks to reclaim some momentum in the closing moments with a flurry of punches and a spinning kick to the body of Duffy.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Vick snaps off a jab and gets countered with a loud kick to the stomach as he presses forward on Duffy to open the second stanza. Vick is trying to keep the smaller man on the end of his long jab, but Duffy's speed is still allowing him to get inside to land punches. Vick switches things up and begins to attack the legs of Duffy with some solid kicks. The lightweights tie up in the center of the cage, where Vick scores with a pair of knees to the body before disengaging. Vick switches to southpaw stance and has a left high kick blocked, now switches back to orthodox. Duffy strikes back with a leg kick, now one to the body; Vick lands a good leg kick of his own before slipping a counter from Duffy and continuing his forward march. Vick keeps chopping at Duffy's lead leg in the final minute as the Irishman tries to press forward. Just after the 10-second warning, Vick blows up Duffy with a perfectly timed uppercut, and "Irish Joe" hits the canvas. Duffy is on his back, trying to cover up as Vick pounds away with hammerfists, trying to finish before the horn. Referee Todd Anderson intervenes a split-second before the horn sounds, and James Vick has earned a stunning, buzzer-beater stoppage.

The Official Result

James Vick def. Joe Duffy via TKO (Punches) R2 4:59

Johny Hendricks vs. Paulo Henrique Costa

Round 1

Costa comes out with a kick to the leg, then one to the body of the southpaw Hendricks, who is stuck on his back foot here in the opening minute. Hendricks blocks a head kick and fires back with an outside low kick, then continues trying to leap into striking range on the larger man. Hendricks waits for a knee and shoots for a takedown, but Costa blocks the double and gives the wrestler a knee to the chest before separating. Costa is constantly pressing forward on Hendricks, putting the "Bigg Rigg" in reverse with his back near the wall. Hendricks eats a big overhand right, then a knee, and now he's forced to get his back off the fence and circle away before "The Eraser" can continue his assault. Hendricks finally plunges a good left hand down the middle, but Costa just smiles and shakes his head, raising his arms and calling for Hendricks to engage. Hendricks draws another smile from the Brazilian with a double left hand, but it's Costa who gets the last laugh in the round with a combination on the fence, followed by a loud body kick.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Hendricks backs up to the fence but lands a left hand and a chopping low kick on the incoming Costa. However, the Brazilian's outstretched fingers catch Hendricks in the right eye, and referee John McCarthy pauses the fight to give Hendricks time to recover. McCarthy issues a warning but does not deduct a point from Costa, and the middleweights are soon back to business. Costa resumes his forward pressure, putting Hendricks on roller skates with a left hand-head kick sequence. Hendricks is wobbling around the outside, barely staying upright as "Borrachinha" walks him down with more powerful, precise punches. A body shot nearly takes out Hendricks, but ultimately, it's a brutal series of uppercuts that drops the wrestler to his knees and forces "Big John" into action.

The Official Result

Paulo Costa def. Johny Hendricks via TKO (Punches) R2 1:23

Jorge Masvidal vs. Stephen Thompson

Round 1

The southpaw Thompson takes the center of the cage in his wide karate stance, following as "Gamebred" hops around the outside, staying light on his lead leg. There's little engagement through the first 90 seconds, though Thompson continues to close the gap on Masvidal with long kicks to the body. Masvidal retaliates with a low kick, eats a few long jabs from Thompson, then gives "Wonderboy" a few stomps on the thigh. Now it's Masvidal connecting with a hard body kick; Thompson responds by kicking the Floridian to the mat with one to the chest. Back up comes Masvidal, now taking the center of the cage to Thompson around the outside. Thompson splits the gloves of Masvidal with a single straight left, his nicest strike of the final minute.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Thompson has a high kick blocked, then dodges one from Masvidal, who dives on a single-leg but can't take down the karate stylist. After a slow opening minute, Thompson rips into Masvidal with a blistering straight right that puts "Gamebred" on his seat. Masvidal is allowed to stand, where he finds Thompson waiting in his wide stance, now back to countering as Masvidal presses forward. Thompson is timing Masvidal well now, picking off the slower man with straight punches whenever he steps inside. Masvidal retaliates with a left hook on the jaw, but after a little wobble, Thompson seems unfazed and just keeps hopping around the perimeter. Masvidal's most effective weapons this round have been his low kicks, but the battle of head strikes is clearly being won by Thompson.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Masvidal shoots for an early takedown, has his double-leg stuffed but catches Thompson with a few punches on his way out. "Gamebred" continues to use his low kicks effectively, but now Thompson plunges a right hand down the center. Masvidal slips out of the way of a spinning kick, then lays a kick across Thompson's body in return. Masvidal grabs for a leg but comes up empty, so he stands up and engages in a firefight with Thompson, both men landing power punches in the pocket. Masvidal bites down on his mouthpiece and marches forward on Thompson, who's sporting some damage and swelling underneath his right eye. The welterweights trade low kicks as they fight inside the final two minutes. Thompson snaps back the head of Masvidal with a straight right hand to the veteran's already bloody nose. Thompson tries to go body-head but gets picked off by Masvidal with a left hook. Both men swing big shots in hopes of a knockout in the last 20 seconds, but the fight ends with Thompson catching a kick and tripping Masvidal to the canvas.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Stephen Thompson def. Jorge Masvidal via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

UFC Strawweight Title Fight:
Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Rose Namajunas

Round 1

Veteran official "Big" John McCarthy is the referee for the first of tonight's championship tripleheader. The challenger Namajunas strikes first with an outside low kick, then jumps out of the way of a straight right hand from the champ. Jedrzejczyk circles to her left around the outside, catching Namajunas with a pair of punches and a body kick when she comes too close. Two minutes in, Namajunas comes over the top of a Jedrzejczyk kick with a right hand that knocks the champion to the canvas. Namajunas tries to keep her downed opponent on the floor, but Jedrzejczyk scoots backward and works her way back up at the fence. Namajunas tries to rush inside on Jedrzejczyk again, but this time "Joanna Champion" is ready with a counter right hand. Namajunas clubs Jedrzejczyk again, this time with a sweeping left and a right hand over the top. Jedrzejczyk eats it and backpedals around the outside again. This time, when Namajunas catches up to her, the challenger lays waste to the champion with a perfectly placed left hook to the jaw. Jedrzejczyk hits the deck, and Namajunas pounds away on her cowering opponent until the champion taps out to strikes. With a stunning first-round stoppage, Rose Namajunas has dethroned the queen of the 115-pound division to become the UFC's third strawweight champion.

The Official Result

Rose Namajunas def. Joanna Jedrzejczyk via TKO (Punches) R1 3:03

UFC Bantamweight Title Fight:
Cody Garbrandt vs. T.J. Dillashaw

Round 1

Referee Dan Miragliotta is the third man in the cage for tonight's 135-pound title fight. Garbrandt refuses Dillashaw's offer to touch gloves during final instructions. Dillashaw comes out of the corner crouching low in the southpaw stance, lunging forward to test the range with feints and a few kicks. Garbrandt swipes a right hand across the face of his former teammate as the tense action continues through the first half of round one. Garbrandt mostly maintains his upright boxing stance in the center of the cage, while Dillashaw bounces around, changing levels and offering all manner of feints and fakes. Halfway through the round, Garbrandt puts the challenger on his back foot with a flurry of punches, but Dillashaw covers up as he backpedals, deflecting most of the shots. Garbrandt gets through with a short left hook in a combination, then catches Dillashaw stepping inside and plunks him with the left again. Dillashaw tries to catch Garbrandt in the Thai clinch and gets a few body shots for his troubles. Garbrandt's left hand continues to be the most effective weapon for either fighter, but it's a right hook that sends Dillashaw to the floor just before the horn. Dillashaw jumps back to his feet, but he's unsteady as he heads back to his corner.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Garbrandt ducks underneath a left high kick from Dillashaw, then brushes the top of his own head to mock the challenger's miss. Dillashaw tries to distract Garbrandt with a raised right hand, then shoots for a single, but Garbrandt shoves him away. A left high kick from Dillashaw lands foot-to-cheek on Garbrandt, who crashes to the ground but recovers immediately and jumps back to his feet. Dillashaw catches the escaping Garbrandt with a right hand, but now the pace slows toward the middle of the round. Dillashaw presses out from the center of the cage and catches Garbrandt with a right hook on the end of a combination. Garbrandt drops to his back, then rolls to his knees as Dillashaw pounds away with unanswered right hands. With Garbrandt covering up and Dillashaw showing no signs of relenting, referee Miragliotta steps in to halt the contest. Garbrandt immediately jumps back to his feet, looking unsteady, and Dillashaw screams in his face. Miragliotta and other officials have to corral Garbrandt, who seems to be shouting back at someone outside the cage. T.J. Dillashaw has stopped Cody Garbrandt with a second-round knockout to recapture the UFC bantamweight title.

The Official Result

T.J. Dillashaw def. Cody Garbrandt via TKO (Punches) R2 2:41

UFC Middleweight Title Fight:
Georges St. Pierre vs. Michael Bisping

Round 1

Referee John McCarthy will oversee tonight's 185-pound championship headliner, with judges Derek Cleary, Eric Colon and Chris Lee scoring at cageside. Bisping offers a hearty pound to the outstretched glove of St. Pierre during final instructions. "GSP" emerges in a wide stance, bouncing on his toes, while the champion Bisping crouches low as they circle in the center of the cage. St. Pierre comes over the top with a right hand that lands clean but elicits no reaction from Bisping; a spinning back kick grazes the Brit's midsection and gets a shrug of the shoulders. St. Pierre sticks a jab on the left eye of Bisping, which is already showing some swelling with redness on the cheek underneath. Bisping looks a little more wobbly after another right hand touches his temple. "GSP" follows with a stiff, lunging jab, then another right hand over the top. St. Pierre is controlling the center of the cage here in the latter half of the round, and now he drives Bisping to the floor with a nice knee tap. Bisping doesn't stay down for long, working his way back up along the fence. St. Pierre stings the champion again in the final 20 seconds, putting Bisping on his back foot as the first round comes to a close.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 St. Pierre
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 St. Pierre
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 St. Pierre

Round 2

St. Pierre gets back to work with his jab early in round two; he throws a hard leg kick, but Bisping sees it coming and checks the strike. Bisping lands an inside leg kick, an oblique kick, but he remains on his back foot under constant forward pressure from the challenger. Bisping times an inside leg kick and zaps St. Pierre with a straight right counter near the middle of the round. St. Pierre shoots in behind a jab and double-legs Bisping to the floor in the center of the cage. Bisping locks down the Canadian in half guard, then posts and scrambles back to his feet. St. Pierre takes a deep breath before Bisping pops him with a straight right hand. St. Pierre's hands are looking dangerously low as the middleweights enter the final minute of the round. Bisping tries a left high kick, blocked by the former welterweight king. St. Pierre can't block the next right hand from Bisping, who finishes the round strong but returns to his corner complaining of a cup malfunction. Whatever the problem, it looks to have been solved between rounds.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Bisping
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 St. Pierre
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Bisping

Round 3

St. Pierre latches on to a high single-leg and forces Bisping to the ground in the center of the cage within 30 seconds of the horn. Bisping lands several elbows and punches from the bottom, and one of them looks to have sliced "GSP," as blood is now leaking down onto the champion's chest. St. Pierre struggles to mount offense as he works in Bisping's tight guard. A hard elbow gets through to the jaw of Bisping, whose offense from the bottom has slowed here in the second minute. Suddenly, there's blood everywhere, with another elbow from Bisping opening an even more significant cut on St. Pierre's face. Bisping is back on his feet at the midway point of round three, and St. Pierre climbs back up with blood all over his face, dripping directly into his eyes. The pace slows down the stretch, St. Pierre pressing forward on the champion with measured steps. Bisping misses with a right hand and gets blown up by St. Pierre's counter left. St. Pierre pounces all over the fallen Bisping and unloads with heavy elbow strikes, forcing referee McCarthy to take a close look as Bisping eats unanswered strikes. "GSP" can't manifest the stoppage via strikes, so he moves to Bisping's back and cinches up an extremely tight rear-naked choke. Bisping is stuck with no hope of escape, but "The Count" chooses to go to sleep rather than tap out. Referee McCarthy intervenes when Bisping goes limp, giving St. Pierre the win via technical submission. Georges St. Pierre, the former king of the welterweight division, has returned to claim the UFC middleweight title.

The Official Result

Georges St. Pierre def. Michael Bisping via Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R3 4:23