UFC 214 REPORT
JULY 29, 2017
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA AT THE HONDA CENTER
ON UFC FIGHT PASS, FXX AND PAY-PER-VIEW
UFC 214 airs live from the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. Michael Grocke here to keep you updated throughout the show.
Daniel Cormier puts his light heavyweight title on the line against bitter rival Jon Jones in the evening’s main event. In the co-main event Tyron Woodley defends his welterweight championship against submission artist Demian Maia.
Also on the main card Cris Cyborg takes on Invicta FC Bantamweight Champion Tonya Evinger for the vacant women’s featherweight title, Robbie Lawler makes his return to take on Donald Cerrone in a battle of top-ranked welterweights, and in the light heavyweight division Jimi Manuwa looks to keep his run of victories going when he faces the fast rising Volkan Oezdemir.
Early Prelims
(1) Joshua Burkman (29-15, 1 NC) vs. Drew Dober (17-8, 1 NC) – Lightweight 155 lbs.
ROUND ONE: Both fighters came out traded hard leg kicks as the fight started. Dober worked in some knees and short punches in the clinch a minute into the fight. They separated at 3:30. They traded more kicks with Dober doing more damage. Burkman connected with a big left hand at the 2:30 mark but Dober kept coming. Dober landed a huge left hand inside the pocket that dropped Burkman. Dober landed a hammer fist before the ref can jump in, but this one is all over.
Result: Drew Dober over Joshua Burkman by Knockout (3:04 of Round 1)
(2) Eric Shelton (10-3) vs. Jarred Brooks (12-0) – Flyweight 125 lbs.
ROUND ONE: Shelton catches a kick from Brooks but couldn’t do anything with it as the fight began. Brooks is dancing and circling Shelton. Shelton seems to be figuring out his timing because he keeps catching Brooks with right hands every time Brooks tries to get inside. Brooks took Shelton down but Shelton was back up at 2:30. Brooks got another takedown with two minutes left in the round and began working for a guillotine. Shelton was able to slip out of it but still found himself on the mat. Brooks finally got a guillotine choke in, but Shelton was able to survive the round.
10-9 Brooks
ROUND TWO: Shelton took center cage with Brooks circling to start the second round. Shelton landed a few jabs as Brooks would get into range a minute in. Brooks shot in at the three minute mark but Shelton stuffed it nicely. With 2:30 the fight remained on the feet with neither fighter doing much. Brooks landed a big uppercut that looked to stun Shelton with a 1:30 to go but he was able to shake it off. Shelton shot in and scored with a takedown but caught in a guillotine. Sheton was able to slip out and they were back to their. Brooks shot in got a takedown with under ten seconds left to get the takedown he gave up back.
10-9 Brooks
ROUND THREE: Both fighters landed big shots to start the last round. With 3:30 left Shelton landed a big right hand that hurt Brooks. For some reason Shelton didn’t follow up and apply the pressure. Brooks jumped back up quickly and was back in the fight. 2:30 to go and not much happening. The small crowd gets restless. 90 seconds left and I don’t think Brooks has landed a punch. Shelton keeps stalking Brooks down and landed a big knee but on the way down he caught in a guillotine as the fight ended.
10-9 Shelton
Result: Jarred Brooks over Eric Shelton by Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
(3) Kailin Curran (4-4) vs. Alexandra Albu (6-0) – Strawweight 115 lbs.
ROUND ONE: Albu walked through a few kicks and landed some big shots as the fight started. Albu pulls guard and goes for a leg lock with 3:40 to go. Curran slipped out and took Albu’s back. Albu was able to get back to her feet with 2:40 to go in the round. Back on the feet both fighters stated to throw hands. Albu scored a takedown but Curran was back up quickly with two minutes to go. Curran landed some knees as they clinched against the cage. With a minute left both fighters were back to center. Albu landed a takedown with 45 seconds left but Curran got back to her feet and they tried to get the better position on the other while working in the clinch as the round ended.
10-9 Albu
ROUND TWO: Curran came out throwing a lot of kicks and punches trying to keep distance. Albu landed a few kicks in the clinch with 3:40 left in the fight. Albu scored with a takedown at the 3:30 mark. Curran kicked Albu off of her and landed a nice combination. Albu ate it and took Curran down again. With two minutes to go Curran landed an illegal upkick, but Albu didn’t even flinch. Herb Dean let them continue. With 1:15 left both fighters were back to center cage. Albu started to get the better of the exchanges with under a minute to go. Curran was more than happy to trade in the pocket as both women landed heavy punches.
10-9 Albu
ROUND THREE: Curran came out very aggressively and landed big punches that hurt Albu. Albu seemed to take shake it off quickly and began throwing big punches of her own. With three minutes Albu went for a takedown but Curran ended on top. She worked from top position with 2:30 to go in the fight. Curran postured up and landed a few hammer fists. She continued to work from top position with a minute to go. Albu got to her feet with 35 seconds left and got a takedown with 20 seconds left. Curran got back to her feet and scored with a takedown of her own just as the horn sounded. That was a hell of a scrap!
10-9 Curran
Result: Alexandra Albu over Kailin Curran by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Prelims
(4) Andre Fili (16-4) vs. Calvin Kattar (16-2) – Featherweight 145 lbs.
ROUND ONE: Fili landed a nice kick to the body 30 seconds in. Over a minute into the fight and I don’t think Kattar has landed anything. With three minutes to go Kattar finally opens up with his offense. Big right hand lands for Kattar followed up with a solid leg kick at the 2:30 mark. Fili blocks a head kick with 1:30 to go in the round. Big uppercut from Kattar with 35 seconds left. He follows up with a takedown and landed big left hands to Fili’s head as the round ended.
10-9 Kattar
ROUND TWO: Kattar came out more aggressively to start the second round. Fili landed a leg kick followed by a stiff jab a minute into the round. Kattar blocked a head kick with 3:42 in the fight. With three minutes to go Kattar started to open up and landed a big right hand. With 2:30 left in the round Kattar seemed to finally figure out the timing. Fili went low with 1:20 left but the fight continued. Kattar is showing tremendous poise here in his debut. Kattar landed a huge combination that hurt Fili with ten seconds left but couldn’t follow it up as the horn sounded.
10-9 Kattar
ROUND THREE: Stiff jab from Kattar as the round started. Fili switches to southpaw and lands a hard kick to the body. Fili got tagged a big left and then a kick with 3:20 to go in the fight. Big right hand counter from Kattar with 2:30 to go. Kattar is beating Fili to the punch every time. Fili finally responds with a nice uppercut followed by a solid kick. With a minute to go Fili continues to circle but Kattar heads him off. With 47 seconds left Kattar caught a kick and landed a takedwon. He lets Fili up with 26 seconds left. The fight ends with both fighters landing punches, but neither doing much damage.
10-9 Kattar
Result: Calvin Kattar over Andre Fili by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
(5) Renato Moicano (10-0-1) vs. Brian Ortega (11-0, 1 NC) – Featherweight 145 lbs.
ROUND ONE: Both fighters came out throwing punches with bad intentions. Ortega landed a big right hand a minute in. Moicano landed a nice combination with 3:18 to go. Moicano got poked in the eye with 2:40 left in the round. They were back to fighting within seconds. A hard leg kick lands for Ortega and Moicano returns the favor shortly after. Moicano lands a nice counter with under a minute left. The whole round has been fought inside the pocket. Moicano’s nose is a mess. I don’t see this one going to the judge’s scorecards.
10-9 Ortega
ROUND TWO: The first round was basically a boxing match with a few kick thrown in. Moicano opens with a hard kick. He follows up with a high-low combination. At 3:32 Moicano lands a big combination followed by a hard kick to the body. Moicano with a stiff jab and another kick to the body. Ortega continues to press forward with 2:30 left in the round. A combination lands for Moicano. Ortega lands a big right hand and follows with another. Under a minute left Ortega starts getting some big offensive flurries in. Moicano lands a takedown with 14 seconds left and he finishes the round in top position.
10-9 Moicano
ROUND THREE: Moicano comes out landing more kicks to start the round. Both fighters can certainly take a punch. They are just trading punches in the pocket at the 3:15 mark. Moicano with a hard leg kick. More big shots from both fighters. Moicano goes for a takedown but gets caught in a guillotine and Moicano taps quickly.
Result: Brian Ortega over Renato Moicano by submission (2:59 of Round 3 – Guillotine Choke)
(6) Aljamain Sterling (13-2) vs. #8 Renan Barao (35-4, 1 NC) – Catchweight 140 lbs.
ROUND ONE: Sterling and just misses with a head kick. Both fighters landing leg kicks. Sterling slips while going for a kick and Barao goes to finish the takedown and ends up in top position after fighting out of a heel hook. With 2:30 to go Barao works from top position. Barao continued in top position and did just enough to not get stood up for the remainder of the round.
10-9 Barao
ROUND TWO: The second round starts much like the first, with both fighters throwing kicks. Sterling slis and Barao catches him in an Anaconda Choke, but Sterling slips out. Sterling gets a takedown and takes the back with 3:30 to go and starts looking for submissions. With 2:40 to go Sterling goes for a rear-naked choke but Barao is fighting it off. Sterling gets both hooks in with 1:25 left. Barao scrambles but Sterling maintains control on top. Sterling lands big ground and pound that opens Barao up. The round ends with Sterling doing damage from top position.
10-9 Sterling
ROUND THREE: Sterling lands a front kick and a right hand that rocked Barao as the round started. Sterling has Barao pinned against the cage a minute into the round. At 3:17 Herb Dean separates them. Sterling landing punches and kicks and Barao doesn’t look to have any answers. Sterling pins Barao back against the cage with 2:20 to go. At 1:40 Herb Dean separates them. Barao has nothing left with 1:30 left. Barao goes for a takedown but Sterling fights him off. He finally gets the takedown with 12 seconds left. Sterling stands and tries spiking Barao’s’ head to the mat as the fight ends.
10-9 Sterling
Result: Aljamain Sterling over Renan Barao by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-27, 30-26)
(7) #4 Ricardo Lamas (17-5) vs. Jason Knight (20-2) – Featherweight 145 lbs.
ROUND ONE: Lamas comes out and lands with a low kick followed by a left. At the 4:27 mark Lamas goes for a takedown but is caught in a standing guillotine from Knight. Lamas fought out of it and ran Knight to the fence and finished with a takedown. Lamas lands ground and pound with 3:20 to go. Knight lands a nice upkick with 2:12 to go. Knight goes for heel hook with under two minutes to go but he’s able to get free. With 1:30 to go Lamas catches Knight with a big punch as he’s getting back to his feet that hurts Knight. Lamas starts unloading but Knight is fighting back. How Knight survived that is incredible. Knight goes for a takedown with 38 seconds left but he has no energy and Lamas gets on top and lands big punches and the fight is stopped.
Result: Ricardo Lamas over Jason Knight by TKO (4:34 of Round 1)
Main Card
(8) #7 Jimi Manuwa (17-2) vs. #9 Volkan Oezdemir (14-1) – Light Heavyweight 205 lbs.
ROUND ONE: They trade knees in the clinch and Manuwa pushes Oezdemir to the fence. Oezdemir lands a few short strikes with his back to the fence that hurts Manuwa. Oezdemir lands a big left and pushes Manuwa to the mat. Oezdemir lands a few more big punches and Manuwa is out out on the mat.
Result: Volkan Oezdemir over Jimi Manuwa by Knockout (0:22 of Round 1)
What?!? This guy is incredible. 3-0 in the UFC against world class competition. He says he wants the winner of tonight’s main event. I say give it to him after these performances. Jimi Manuwa didn’t even know the fight was over. I guess it’s time for me to start taking Oezdemir seriously. I think I’ve picked against him in all three UFC fights.
(9) #4 Robbie Lawler (27-11, 1 NC) vs. #7 Donald Cerrone (32-8, 1 NC) – Welterweight 170 lbs.
ROUND ONE: Lawler comes out and goes after Cerrone with bad intentions. He landed big punches and followed up with a huge knee. Cerrone looked to be close to getting finished within the first ten seconds. Cerrone creates some separation and tries to regain his senses. Cerrone trying to create distance but Lawler is forcing the fight in the pocket. With 2:20 they trade nasty knees. Cerrone scores with a takedown at the two minute mark. Cerrone continues to work and gets side control with a minute left in the round. Cerrone tries to take the back but Lawler gets back to his feet. Lawler lands a big kick and Cerrone works the body with punches as the round ends.
10-9 Lawler
ROUND TWO: Nice low kick lands for Lawler to start the round. Cerrone lands some big shots from distance. Lawler comes back with a head kick a minute into the round. Cerrone comes back with a nasty elbow. Cerrone lands a big head kick with just over three minutes to go. Cererone doing a btter job keeping distance in this round as he continues to gain confidence. Lawler starts going to the body with kicks with just under two minutes left. Cerrone connects with another kick. Lawler blocks a head kick with 58 seconds left. Cerrone opens up with a flurry of punches and ends the round with a big straight left hand.
10-9 Cerrone
ROUND THREE: Lawler opens the round with a big head kick. Lawler lands with punches but Cerrone comes right back with a knee to the body a minute into the round. Lawler attacking the body more here, but Cerrone lands with a flurry of punches. With three minutes to go Lawler lands a nice uppercut. Lawler’s pressure is relentless. With 1:50 to go Lawler landed a punch that looked to hurt Cerrone. Lawler goes back to the body. Cerrone comes back with a knee but gets stuffed on a takedown attempt. With under a minute to go Cerrone says he was poked in the eye but the fight continues. They continue to trade punches until the final horn.
10-9 Lawler
Result: Robbie Lawler over Donald Cerrone by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Lawler dedicates the fight to Matt Hughes. He says he doesn’t care who’s next, all he wants to do is spend time with his family and friend (Matt Hughes) who is fighting harder than he is.
That was an excellent fight. It was all even going into the last round and Lawler’s forward pressure was just relentless. He looked to hurt Cerrone to the body that I think was the difference in that last round. Lawler looked good after the layoff. He put himself right back into title contention whether he wants it or not.
(10) Cris Cyborg (16-1, 1 NC) vs. Tonya Evinger (19-5) – Featherweight 145 lbs.
ROUND ONE: A left hook drops Evinger in the first ten seconds. Cyborg is patient though and doesn’t force things. Evinger ties Cyborg up against the fence and pulls her down. Cyborg gets back to her feet and forces Evinger to stand back up. At the three minute mark they trade punches at center cage. Evinger ties Cyborg up against the cage with 2:43 to go. She takes Cyborg down but Cris is back up quickly. At 1:51 time is called due an eye poke from Evinger. Replays show it was a nasty eye poke. Cyborg says she’s good and we’re back to action. They trade kicks as the fight resumes. Evinger tries to clinch but Cyborg pushes her off and just misses with a big overhand right. With under a minute left Cyborg lands a big head kick and follows up with a right hand. Cyborg lands more punches and a nasty knee to the Evinger’s body as the horn sounds.
10-9 Cyborg
ROUND TWO: Inside leg from Cyborg to start the second round. Straight left lands for Cyborg. A minute into the round Cyborg lands a big head kick. Cyborg doing a great job cutting off the cage as she stalks Evinger down. They trade big right hands but Cyborg’s did more damage. Evinger’s lead leg is looking pretty bad at this point in the fight. Another leg kick lands for Cyborg at the 1:38 mark. Big right hand lands for Cyborg with 1:15 left in the round. Big knee for Cyborg with Evinger against the fence with 15 seconds left. Evinger clinches as the round ends.
10-9 Cyborg
ROUND THREE: Inside leg kick to open the round for Cyborg. Big overhand right lands flush. A minute in Evinger is dropped with another right hand. Instead of following her to the ground Cyborg makes Evinger get back up. Cybborg lands three or four devastating knees that put Evinger on the mat. Evinger is hurt and she turtles, Cyborg lands one more left to a grounded Evinger and Mike Beltran steps in to stop the fight.
Result: Cris Cyborg over Tonya Evinger by Knockout (1:56 of Round 3)
(11) #1 Tyron Woodley (16-3-1) vs. #2 Demian Maia (25-6) – Welterweight 170 lbs.
ROUND ONE: Maia shoots but Woodley stuffs it. Maia shoots again but Woodley controls the hand and successfully defends the second attempt. Maia shoots again at the three minute mark and Woodley is warned for grabbing the fence. With 2:30 to go they stand at center cage. The action stalls until until Woodley stuffs yet another takedown attempt with a minute left in the round. Absolutely nothing happened for the final minute of the round.
10-9 Woodley
ROUND TWO: Woodley finally lands a punch a follows up with an inside leg kick. A right hand drops Maia but Woodley doesn’t follow him to the mat and forces Maia back to his feet. Maia misses on another takedown attempt with 3:18 left in the round. Left jab lands for Woodley at the 2:12 mark. Almost zero offense from Maia here. Woodley rushes in with 30 seconds left but Maia blocks the right hand. The round ends with little happening.
10-9 Woodley
ROUND THREE: Maia shoots and Woodley easily steps aside as the round starts. With 3:30 left in the round Woodley starts to taunt Maia. Probably the most exciting thing that’s happened so far this round. The crowd gets restless with 2:24 left in the round. Woodley finally lands with an inside leg kick. Great sprawl from Woodley as Maia shoots in for another failed takedown attempt. Maia lands with an inside leg kick with twenty seconds left and that’s about it for this round.
10-9 Woodley
ROUND FOUR: Woodley opens the round with a little more aggression. Woodley stuffs another takedown a minute into the round. Maia gets a single but can’t finish as Woodley pulls his leg free and gets back to the center of the cage. Woodley slips his leg out again after Maia gets hold of it with two minutes left in the round. Inside leg kick lands for Maia. The crowd starts booing loudly with under a minute to go. The round ends with neither fighter attempting any offense what so ever.
10-9 Woodley
ROUND FIVE: Maia shoots to start the round and, you guessed it, stuffed. A minute in Maia tries for a single again but Woodley slips out. At 3:30 Maia shoots for a single yet again and, stuffed. Maia goes for a head kick but Woodley blocks it. Woodley lands a right hand at the two minute mark. Maia returns with a straight left. The crowd starts chanting boring with 1:20 to go in the fight. The rest of the round takes place on the feet with neither fighter doing any damage.
10-9 Woodley
Result: Tyron Woodley over Demian Maia by Unanimous Decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
Well, you had to know this fight had a great chance of being boring. And Sweet Jesus was it boring. Woodley did what he had to do to win the fight so kudos to him. He fought a very smart fight and once Maia knew he wasn’t getting a takedown the fight was over. The problem is, I don’t see a Woodley vs. GSP fight being very exciting either. But hey, it’s the fight Woodley wants and it’s the fight Dana White says will be made.
(12) #1 Daniel Cormier (19-1) vs. #5 Jon Jones (22-1) – Light Heavyweight 205 lbs.
ROUND ONE: Jones comes out aggressively but Cormier connects with a punch that knocks Jones’s mouth piece out. Jones goes for a takedown but can’t finish it. They stand at center cage with 3:30 to go. They clinch and Jones shucks Cormier off. Cormier lands with an inside leg kick. Jones using the front kick to maintain range nicely. Jones lands a nice shot with just under two minutes left. DC working the legs and body of Jones more the second half of the round. DC catches Jones with a big right with 30 seconds left but Jones isn’t fazed. DC talking trash to Jones as the round ends.
10-9 Cormier
ROUND TWO: Jones opens the round with a front kick. Cormier is doing a nice job of closing distance and landing punches while inside. An accidental head butt stops the action for a minute. They resume with 3:55 to go. DC lands a left hook followed by an overhand right. They trade leg kicks with 3:20 left. DC shakes off a kick that was low. DC continuing to pressure Jones half way through the round. DC talking more trash as he catches Jones with a nice uppercut. DC gets a trip but Jones springs back to his feet instantly. DC lands another right hand with a minute to go. DC lands a combination to a retreating Jon Jones. Big right hand from DC with just under ten seconds left.
10-9 Cormier
ROUND THREE: Jones rips the body to start the round and follows with two kicks. Jones using his reach advantage well here. DC continues to press forward with 3:30 to go. Both fighters land with Jones out voluming DC. Jones lands with a big head kick that stuns DC with 2:20 to go in the round. DC is retreating and Jones is right on him. Jones lands a kick to the body that puts DC on the canvass. Jones pounces and starts landing hammer fists. Jones is unloading with left hands and finally Big John steps in to stop it.
Result: Jon Jones over Daniel Cormier by TKO (3:01 of Round 3)
For some reason Daniel Cormier seemed to have words for Big John. He walked over to Jones and Big John and, when John took his arm, Cormier ripped it away and walked out of the cage before the final announcement. Jones kinda gave the What the F–k”?” look as Bruce Buffer made the announcement.
Jones went down to his knees and broke down after receiving the title from Dana White. Jones says he made it back and that it was such a beautiful moment. He tells everyone if you’ve ever let anyone down that it’s never over as long as you never quit. He says this is an unbelievable and surreal moment. He goes on to thank everyone and says he realizes he hasn’t been the easiest person to root for. He also thanked his haters for motivating him and pushing him.
He finally says it ‘s over and thanks Daniel Cormier for being his biggest rival and motivator. Apparently Cormier made it back, or never left the cage because he is shown in tears at this point. Jones goes on to say that DC has no reason to hang his head. He says Daniel has been a model champion, a model husband, model father, a teammate, leader. Cormier is shown openly weeping now. Jones continues and says he aspires to be a lot more like that man because he’s an amazing human being. He says Cormier is true champion for the rest of his life.
Jon Jones then goes over and kisses the head of Daniel Cormier.
Rogan goes over Cormier and asks for his thoughts right now. Cormier says he thought the fight was going well and he doesn’t even know what happened. He says he got kicked in the head and it’s so disappointing. Rogan asks about the rivalry with Jon. Cormier says he doesn’t know if it’s even a rivalry because Jones won both fights. Cormier leaves the cage. Cormier was distraught and broken.
Jon Jones takes a microphone and calls out Brock Lesnar by telling him if he wants to know what it feels like to get his ass kicked by a guy who weighs 40 pounds less than him to meet him in the Octagon.
Damn!
Thanks for following along with me tonight. Follow me on Twitter at @FightChampBlog.
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