Note: Having stream issues for Fight Pass on the Xbox One app, and issues with the online stream as well through the service, so did not see much of this fight.
-Joe Riggs def. Ron Stallings via DQ (illegal up kick) at 2:28 of the second round
Note: Completely bizarre fight, so very much a Joe Riggs bout. Stallings hurt Riggs' eye badly with a jab in the first round, and Riggs kept grabbing at it throughout the bout. Then in the second, Riggs scored a knockdown and spent a couple of minutes on top. Stallings then threw an upkick while Riggs knee was down; the foot went up to his eye and bothered him further, the fight was stopped, Riggs said he couldn't see, and the fight was called. Somehow, despite the injury happening by a punch in the first round to begin with, the fight was called a DQ due to the illegal kick. Just a really odd sequence of events, and doesn't seem like the right call. Probably should have been a no contest if they were calling it off the illegal knee. Regardless, Riggs was on his way to a win there before the eye injury became too much to bear. Really strange finish.
=====Fox Sports 1 Prelims=====
-After an intro from Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan running down the card, we throw to our first televised fight of the night.
PRELIM FIGHT ONE: CLAY COLLARD VS. TIAGO TRATOR (FEATHERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Collard worked early from the outside, getting in some straight kicks to the leg and a jumping kick to the body. Trator scored a strike. They clinched up in the center and Trator scored a couple of hard knees. They clinched again in the center and Collard drove Trator to the cage. They traded some uppercuts to the body and Collard grabbed a body lock briefly. Trator fought off the position and they tried to bully each other around. Collard separated with a solid elbow. Collard landed a nice right hand and avoided counters, though he did take a leg kick. Collard taunted Trator a bit. He landed a nice short combination. He dropped his hands and tried to goad Trator in. He missed a big left and Trator took his back standing. He landed some knees to the thighs. As he tried to drag Collard down, he got reversed, and Collard took top position. He dropped down with a couple of hard strikes. Trator attacked for a leg and used it to reverse to top position, and then moved to full mount with just under a minute left. Collard escaped off the cage and got to his feet. Trator scored a takedown and quickly took Collard's back. Collard got to his feet, but Trator attacked for a choke at the horn. Close, competitive round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Trator. Collard was doing some nice work on the feet, but Trator landed some strikes, and got the better of the grappling by a small margin. Could easily go the other way here.
ROUND TWO: Collard caught a kick early and tried to rush Trator, but he was quickly backed off. Trator landed a right hand. Collard fired back a few strikes in combination. They traded strikes and Trator got in a good knee. Collard popped in with a jab. He countered a leg kick with a few strikes, then ate a left hand in return. Collard started trying to throw some spinning strikes, but he missed. Trator tried to back him up, but Collard landed several big punches to back him off. He again went for the spinning back fist that was blocked. Collard scored a knock down off a combination and got in several strikes on the ground. Trator went for the leg lock again and used it to reverse position. Saved himself there and moved into half guard. Trator tried to work for an arm triangle, and used it to move to mount. Collard tried to tie him up. Collard gave up his back and Trator tried to get on him. Collard escaped the position and got back on top. Collard vot in a couple of elbows. Collard dropped down a few strikes from the top. He got in some punches to the body and added in an elbow at the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Collard. He has to hope the mount he gave up again doesn't cost him, but he did a ton more damage and had more overall time on top on the ground.
ROUND THREE: Collard landed a solid early combination. He avoided a punch and landed a jab. Trator connected on a couple of strikes. He landed a hard inside leg kick. Trator backed him up and they traded, but Collard got the best of it. Collard kept his hands down and got hit in the face. Trator went for a spinning strike. Collard tossed out a few in combination. Trator landed a hard right hand that nearly stumbled Collard. Collard came back ahead with a few kicks. He landed a solid left hook to close a combination. Trator landed a nice step kick to the body. Both were swinging quite wildly. Trator landed another right hand. They traded punches again. Trator shot in for a takedown but got stuffed. Collard landed several strikes before backing off. Trator landed a hard jab. Collard stepped in with a few strikes. They traded punches again. Trator went for a takedown off a brief clinch but got stuffed. Trator landed a right. Collard shot in and scored a takedown, but Trator popped right back up. Collard shot in again, but Trator stuffed it. Trator wound up sneaking behind him to take his back standing. Collard held off a takedown as he tried to break the hold. He nearly scored a reversal. He through and went for a leg late, but wound up on his back with Trator in his half guard as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Collard. Another very close round, but it seemed Collard was more successful overall in his striking game. Scorecards could be interesting in this one.
WINNER: Trator via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (**) Entertaining, if sloppy at times, fight. It's hard to be mad at the decision even if I don't wholly agree with it, because the first and third were so close and had arguments either way. Collard allowing himself to get planted on his back probably sealed his fate, fair or not.
PRELIM FIGHT TWO: JESSICA ANDRADE VS. RAQUEL PENNINGTON (WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Andrade came out firing and quickly closed distance. She got in a strike, then Pennington returned fire with a knee in the clinch. Andrade landed a hard strike and they tied each other up. Andrade went for a single leg takedown, picked Pennington up, and got her to the ground. Pennington held closed guard as Andrade threw some body punches. Pennington tried to get her legs high to work towards something, but Andrade slammed her down. Andrade stood and Pennington worked to her feet, avoiding Andrade's attempt to take her back. Pennington went for her own takedown on the cage, but got held off by Andrade. Andrade landed a knee to the body. Pennington got in a couple of knees and a hard elbow in close. Andrade fired back. She went for a single leg and Pennington tried to attack for a kimura. She lost it and Andrade took her back down. Pennington worked right back to her feet. Andrade again went for the takedown. She took a few hammerfists but briefly completed it. Pennington got in a Thai clinch and landed several hard knees to the body. She fired off a few elbows in combination as well. Andrade got in a few hard strikes. She landed a couple of knees. Pennington got in another big combination. They traded knees. Andrade again went for a takedown and scored another one late. Pennington landed some strikes off her back and attacked from the bottom at the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Pennington. I think her clinch offense may have offset the brief takedowns from Andrade, though it won't surprise me if it goes the Brazilian's way. Good start to this one.
ROUND TWO: They traded kicks early. Andrade got in a brief combination, but they weren't all that hard. Pennington landed an inside leg kick. Pennington landed a hard left hook to end a combination. She got in another combination. Andrade got close, Pennington clinched, and Andrade drove her to the cage after a failed trip attempt. They separated quickly. Andrade got in a leg kick, then Pennington got in a few strikes in combination. Pennington landed another right hook. Andrade seemed much slower than early on. Pennington landed a few strikes. Pennington ducked under a strike and scored a takedown. Andrade tried to set up a guillotine. Andrade used the hold to get to her feet, then separated with a couple of knees. Pennington landed a short combo but ate a counter right. Andrade landed several hard strikes. She got in a big knee and a punch that hurt Pennington, but "Rocky" recovered. A big hematoma started forming to the side of her eye. Pennington went for another takedown, but this time got caught in a guillotine attempt. Andrade tried to tighten the hold. Pennington stayed patient, and got out of the hold. She postured up, then stood and tried to land strikes from the top. Andrade tried to kick her off, but Pennington stayed on top. Pennington took Andrade's back late and went for the rear naked choke as time was running out. Andrade taps!
WINNER: Pennington via submission (rear naked choke) at 4:58 of the second round
STAR RATING: (***) That was fantastic. A really good, competitive fight, with a fantastic finish from Pennington. That's the biggest win of her career.
PRELIM FIGHT THREE: FRANCISCO RIVERA VS. JOHN LINEKER (BANTAMWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Rivera tried to stalk early. He got in a solid body kick. Lineker tried to jump in with a strike but didn't get in range. Lineker got in a jab. Rivera's definitely got the reach. Lineker backed him up and they both started throwing. Rivera got some in, but Lineker landed a ton and dropped him! He couldn't stop him on the ground, and Rivera got up and started firing back! This is insanity. Lineker got rocked and kept firing! Lineker locked on a guillotine choke and pulled guard. Rivera tried to fight it off but tapped! What a crazy fight. That was as fun as advertised.
WINNER: Lineker via submission (guillotine choke) 2:08 of the first round
STAR RATING: (***+) About as fun as you'll get in a fight that only lasts two minutes. Absolute insanity, and despite technique being thrown out of the window, that fight was everything fans were hoping it would be. Awesome fight.
PRELIM FIGHT FOUR: ROSS PEARSON VS. PAUL FELDER (LIGHTWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Felder landed a solid knee to the body early. He missed an elbow as Pearson popped in with a punch. Felder landed a hard knee to the body. They went to the cage in the clinch and traded knees. Felder got in another hard knee to the body and turned Pearson around. He landed another one, then got in an elbow. He landed another hard knee to the body. The clinch battle continued, with Felder getting the better of the exchanges with knees and elbows. Felder went for a spinning back elbow to back out. He went for a high kick, Pearson walked through, and took Felder down. Felder got in an elbow off his back. Pearson stood. He tried to drop down with a strike but couldn't land anything. Felder landed a few hard elbows from the bottom while keeping Pearson in his guard. Felder scrambled and tried to get to his feet. He worked back up and got in a couple more hard elbows to the face. Pearson got in a couple of body punches, then Felder got in a hard knee to the body. He got in another one. He slipped on a spinning strike and wound up on his back before the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Felder. Lots more offense overall despite the slip-ups.
ROUND TWO: Felder got in another early step-in knee. Both missed several strikes. Felder landed a hard leg kick. Pearson landed a solid jab. Felder landed a hard jumping knee, then another to the head, but missed on some follow up strikes. Pearson missed a spinning back fist. They traded punches. Pearson got in a hard kick to the body. Felder got in a hard spinning back kick to the body with about 90 seconds left. Pearson connected to the body. Felder again landed the step-in knee to the body. Pearson connected on a hard jab. Felder got inside with a leg kick. Pearson landed a couple of punches. Pearson landed a hard left. Felder missed a spinning kick late. He landed an elbow, then a short combo late.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Felder. He had a slight edge there, but it was much closer than the first.
ROUND THREE: Felder came out and they both traded punches. Felder's getting into the same thing he got hung up with against Edson Barboza, and that's trying to win exchanges without just focusing on getting his strikes in. Pearson shook his arms out. Felder landed the knee again. Pearson barely missed the left hand. Felder landed a hard left counter and Pearson started hopping around to shake it off. Pearson got in a couple of good jabs and Felder shook his head in acknowledgement. Felder landed a hard leg kick but it was nearly caught. Pearson got in a left hook and clinched. They traded knees in the clinch. Felder landed a hard left after they separated. They traded punches again. Felder continued to stalk. Pearson missed a couple of strikes as Felder ducked his head out of the way. Felder landed a spinning back fist but it was partially blocked. Felder landed a couple of leg kicks. Pearson connected on a couple hard strikes. He landed the left hook. Felder threw a wheel kick but it was blocked. They traded strikes again. Pearson landed the left. Felder got in a knee. They traded strikes again at the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Pearson? Maybe? Another really close round, both landing lots and missing lots. It was a solid fight overall.
WINNER: Pearson via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (**) Well then. I can see the second and third for Pearson, but I'm really surprised he got the first. I guess that takedown off a caught kick stole it from a bunch of knees to the body. Really odd fight.
-Less than ten minutes to go for the pay-per-view broadcast.
=====Pay-Per-View Main Card=====
-Brief intro from Goldie and Rogan and it's on to our first fight of the main card.
MAIN CARD FIGHT ONE: PAIGE VANZANT VS. ALEX CHAMBERS (WOMEN'S STRAWWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: VanZant quickly closed distance and clinched. They traded shots wildly in and out of the clinch. VanZant pressed Chambers back to the cage and got in some more knees to the body. Chambers landed a couple of punches to the body. VanZant backed off. She came forward again. Chambers got in a few strikes. VanZant clinched and landed an elbow. She went to some knees. Chambers turned her around and went for a takedown to no avail. They traded knees and VanZant scored a nice trip takedown. She let Chambers up. Chambers scored a strike and they were back to the clinch. They traded punches again. VanZant rushed in with a strike. She grabbed the Thai clinch and landed a couple of knees. She got in a few strikes as well. Chambers landed a few strikes. VanZant added more knees before the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 VanZant. Lots more offense overall.
ROUND TWO: VanZant rushed in and landed several hard knees. She continued working effectively in the clinch. Chambers stayed in the mix, but VanZant continued doing more damage. Chambers kept covering up, but VanZant continued hitting her with knees. She briefly dragged Chambers to the ground but didn't keep her there. She tried to sneak around and score a standing choke, but Chambers got out. VanZant added more strikes. She continued firing to the head and body. Chambers went down and VanZant pounced. VanZant kept up the attack, then threw her to the ground. She kept throwing strikes and went for a crucifix late, but Chambers survived.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-8 VanZant. Chambers is getting mauled here.
ROUND THREE: Again VanZant rushed her. She mauled her to the ground. She tried for a no hooks choke but didn't have it. She transitioned into the mount, landed a couple of strikes, then locked on a slick armbar to force the tap. Another nice performance from VanZant.
WINNER: VanZant via submission (armbar) at 1:01 of the first round
STAR RATING: (**+) VanZant is a lot of fun to watch. No question. Chambers was out-matched and got beat. Nice progression for the 21-year-old, who still has a long way to go before she should be fighting for the title.
MAIN CARD FIGHT TWO: JAN BLACHOWICZ VS. COREY ANDERSON (LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Blachowicz came forward. Anderson tossed out some strikes. Blachowicz got in some kicks to the body. Anderson caught a couple of them but couldn't do much. Blachowicz got in a brief clinch, but couldn't do much. Anderson grabbed a clinch, then eventually scored a takedown. Blachowicz attacked for an armbar, lost it, but worked his way up because of the attempt. Blachowicz landed a left hand. Anderson got in a few short strikes, then a few knees to the body. The round ended in the clinch.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Anderson? Close round, but Anderson probably edged it with the takedown and some of his strikes. Blachowicz got in his offense, though.
ROUND TWO: Blachowicz landed an uppercut early. He got a couple more strikes in. Anderson landed a few strikes of his own, then scored a takedown. Anderson popped up and landed some strikes. He postured up and landed a few more strikes. He continued scoring from the guard as Blachowicz continued to get worn down. Anderson passed to half guard and rained down some elbows, but it wasn't doing tons of damage. He kept up the attack to the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Anderson. Much clearer round. Blachowicz doesn't have much left.
ROUND THREE: Anderson scored another early takedown, and it was back to work from the top. Blachowicz tried to attack off his back to no avail. Anderson moved to half guard. He landed some punches and elbows. He continued to work from the top. Anderson kept up the assault, Blachowicz offered nothing, and it continued throughout the round. Absolutely one-sided.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-8 Anderson. Close to 10-7. Blachowicz just offered nothing.
WINNER: Anderson via unanimous decision (29-26, 30-25, 30-25)
STAR RATING: (**) Better than some of Anderson's other fights, but not great. Blachowicz seems shot.
MAIN CARD FIGHT THREE: ANTHONY JOHNSON VS. JIMI MANUWA (LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Manuwa threw an early leg kick. Johnson unleashed a flurry of strikes and Manuwa was definitely affected. Johnson took Manuwa down, then took his back as Manuwa was turtled to land some strikes. Manuwa tried to work to his feet on the cage. Manuwa got up briefly with a fence grab, then Johnson took him back down into half guard. Johnson tried to work for an arm triangle and the crowd booed. Manuwa got loose and to his feet. He got into the clinch and they ended the round there.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Johnson. Clear round in his favor, but odd gameplan from "Rumble" here.
ROUND TWO: Johnson landed a couple of strikes early. Manuwa covered up. Johnson then dropped him, landed another strike on the ground, and it was over. That was expected in the first round.
WINNER: Johnson via TKO at :28 of the second round
STAR RATING: (**) Odd first round for Johnson, but the expected finish came quick in the second.
MAIN CARD FIGHT FOUR: ANDREI ARLOVSKI VS. FRANK MIR (HEAVYWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Arlovski scored an early right hand, then Mir clinched up and brought Arlovski to the cage. Arlovski got free pretty quickly. Mir landed a right hand on the cage but Arlovski slipped out after that and scored one of his own. Arlovski got in a leg kick and tried to work the outside. Mir landed a strike and clinched again. Arlovski landed a hard inside leg kick. After a brief clinch, Arlovski went back to work on the outside. He landed a right hand and Mir clinched again. Both missed a few strikes, then exchanged. Mir landed a left and clinched again. Mir got in a knee. Arlovski turned him around and got in a knee. He separated with another. Arlovski got in a kick, then a couple of punches late.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Arlovski. Mir's offense seemed mostly consistent of clinching. Not much there from him.
ROUND TWO: Mir grabbed an early clinch, ducked down, and scored a quick takedown. Mir tried to posture up in Arlovski's guard, and landed a couple of strikes. Arlovski fired off a couple of his own strikes. Mir landed several hard elbows to the body. Arlovski tried to stall out to force a stand up. They finally were with three minutes left to go in the round. Arlovski popped in with a strike. Arlovksi landed a good body kick. They traded and then Mir clinched. Arlovski turned him around and then separated. Mir landed a strike while missing a couple more. Arlovski landed a couple of strikes. Mir went for a spinning back fist, it was blocked, and they clinched. Arlovski got in a knee. Arlovski popped in with a good right hand and Mir smiled. He stood still, then got hit. Arlovski landed a couple more. Arlovski pressed him back in a clinch late.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Arlovski. Despite the takedown, Mir did very little, and Arlovski took over the second half after getting the stand up.
ROUND THREE: They clinched up early. They broke free, then clinched up again. Lots of boos. Very little happening, and they were separated with under three minutes left. Mir then tagged Arlovski and got on top. He briefly went for a kimura, but Arlovski scrambled to his feet. Arlovski landed a left with a minute left. He connected again on a short combo. They briefly traded and clinched, and the crowd booed. Mir was bloodied up pretty badly. Arlovski landed a right after separating, and that was the last punch to land in the fight. Ugh.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Arlovski. I guess. Suppose the knock down could give Mir the round. Not a good fight. Arlovski probably takes it.
WINNER: Arlovski via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
STAR RATING: (*) Really bad fight. Just, not good at all. Kind of hurt the status of both guys in this one.
MAIN EVENT FIGHT FIVE: DEMETRIOUS JOHNSON VS. JOHN DODSON (UFC FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP)
ROUND ONE: Dodson wasted no time closing the distance, opening with a body kick. They both threw out short kicks. Johnson popped in with a right hand. Dodson connected with a strike to the body. Johnson landed a right hand and shot in, but got stuffed. Johnson threw a right hand but it didn't hit its mark. He walked Dodson down. Johnson got in a knee off a Thai clinch while Dodson threw out a couple of body punches. They got in a clinch and traded knees. Johnson landed a couple of hard right hands in succession. He threw a kick high that was blocked. He shot in for a single leg and Dodson got free. Johnson tried to chase him down, but Dodson managed to get loose. Dodson landed a kick to the body. Johnson tried to press in. Dodson pressed back a bit late and Johnson got in a body kick before the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Johnson. Dodson's very much in this, but Johnson dictated the pace that round and had a bit more effective offense.
ROUND TWO: Johnson opened up with a couple of kicks. He kept Dodson backing up. Dodson scored a brief takedown, but couldn't keep Johnson on the ground. Johnson came back ahead and shot in, but Dodson got himself free. Dodson got in a good left as Johnson tried to press in. He nearly rag-dolled Johnson, but couldn't get him to the ground. Things slowed down a bit, then Johnson got in a clinch. Dodson turned him around and landed a couple of knees. They separated. Johnson tried to rush. He landed a couple of hard right hands, then got tied up by Dodson. Johnson tried to jump up into something, then got tossed aside. They traded punches late. Hard round to score.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Dodson. Very well could be Johnson's. Real close. Thought Dodson got in a bit more offense overall.
ROUND THREE: Johnson scored a real nice left early on, shooting in and scoring another right hand from there. He landed some more short strikes and started bloodying the challenger up. They battled in the clinch. Johnson got in a hard kick to the body before they separated. Johnson eventually grabbed another single leg, then threw several punches and elbows. He dropped down but couldn't complete the takedown. He kept on it, then landed a slick spinning elbow. He landed a hard right with a big left hand behind it. Johnson turning on the offense. He backed away from a rush. Dodson landed a low blow, and Johnson shrugged off Herb Dean to keep it moving. He came back ahead and clinched. They separated, then Johnson came back ahead with a big strike. Johnson ducked under a strike, but his takedown attempt was stuffed. He pressed Dodson to the cage and scored a takedown. Dodson briefly got up, then Johnson took him back down. In a scramble, Johnson looked for a few things, but Dodson got up. Johnson gave him no space, and clinched him to the cage. Some boos as he round ended, and Johnson threw a few big strikes before the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Johnson. He's taking back over here. Hard to see Dodson doing much from here given how much he slowed down. Would be nice to see the Champ finish here.
ROUND FOUR: Johnson wasted no time moving forward. He landed a nice combination on the cage. Dodson got in a good kick to the legs. Dodson separated with a left. Johnson got back in with a right hand. Johnson stuffed a takedown attempt from Dodson, then kept up the pressure. He landed a strike and clinched. Things slowed for a bit. They clinched again after a brief exchange. Johnson backed him up, landed a right hand, took a knee, then dropped down and scored another takedown. Johnson threw a shoulder strike and separated. Johnson landed a hard right hand late. Dodson threw a late punch after the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Johnson. Dodson's kinda done here. Barring a flash KO this final round, Johnson will retain once again.
ROUND FIVE: Dodson landed an early leg kick. Johnson landed a right hand off a body kick. He tried to walk Dodson down, then rocked him with a right. Dodson landed a strike out of the clinch. They traded punches. Johnson scored a brief takedown. He kept pressing forward. Johnson landed another right hand. He landed another hard right hand. Johnson landed another combination. Johnson grabbed a single leg. Dodson got in a few strikes, but ate more from Johnson. Johnson picked him up and took him down, but Dodson scrambled up. Johnson landed a right hand. He connected again. Dodson got in a late strike. Johnson clinched him up. They clinched, traded knees, and the crowd booed. Johnson landed a couple of knees and they separated late. Dodson raised his arms, but he didn't win this fight.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Johnson. Dodson just didn't do much of anything in this fight. Johnson kept up the pressure, and clearly won this fight.
WINNER: Johnson via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 50-45)
STAR RATING: (**) Not nearly as good as their first fight, but another clear win for Johnson. He's just so far ahead of the pack in the division that I don't know how anyone's supposed to stop him from breaking Anderson Silva's record of most consecutive title defenses.
-Thanks for joining us here tonight! We'll have lots of reaction to the event throughout the week, so make sure to stick with us throughout the week for more thoughts on what happened on this card!
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
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