Early Prelims
(#11) Tim Elliott(15-8-1) vs. Mark De La Rosa (9-0) bantamweight 135 lbs.
Round 1:
Elliott comes out early with a couple of side kicks, and attempts a takedown that de la Rosa counters with a guillotine but he lets go and Elliott is on top. De la Rosa is looking for an armbar here, and it’s a tight spot. Elliott slams him down, but de la Rosa still has the arm. Elliott is out and on de la Rosa’s back. Elliott is maintaining top control here, and his sitting in de la Rosa’s guard. De la Rosa is a BJJ Blackbelt but he isn’t doing much here. Elliott is looking for a guillotine and rolls to mount, but gives up the guillotine. 10-9 Elliott
Round 2:
Elliott attacks with a headlock and pulls guard with it. He’s being really creative with his movements here on the ground. They’re scrambling for position, but Elliott is winning most of the exchanges. Joe Rogan keeps talking about a bite, I think De La Rosa bit Elliott. Elliott transitions for a choke, looks like an anaconda and its over.
Analysis: Elliott looked good here tonight. He spoke about Robert Follis in his post fight speech.
Result: Tim Elliott def. Mark de la Rosa via submission (Round 2, 1:00)
Prelims
(#13) Louis Smolka (11-4) vs. Matheus Nicolau (12-2-1) flyweight 125 lbs.
Round 1:
They’re exchanging early. Smolka is starting to land, but Nicolau is still landing a few shots of his own, and as I say that he drops Smolka with a left hand. They scramble and Nicolau ends up with Smolka’s back, but he recovers guard. They are back on the feet. Lots of movement here, but not much is happening. Smolka trips and Nicolau is on top and looking for an arm triangle, but he can’t get it and they’re back on the feet. Nicolau lands a nice right hand and Smolka is rocked, but recovers as the round ends. 10-9 Nicolau
Round 2:
It’s weird seeing two flyweights move as slow as these two are moving right now. Smolka lands a nice leg kick, but Nicolau counters with a nice shot of his own. Smolka is busted right now, somewhere Jim Ross is screaming about a crimson mask. Smolka still seems like he’s in first gear, but his kicks are starting to land a bit more frequently. Nicolau with a nice jab, he hits hard for a flyweight, but he looks like he’s slowing a bit. Smolka is really working the body with kicks, and he’s making Nicolau chase him. I regret my “first gear” comment from earlier. Nice straight right, left hook combo by Smolka but Nicolau lands a nice counter before Smolka can slide out. Smolka is slowing but he’s still landing. Close round but I like what Smolka was doing. 10-9 Smolka
Round 3:
Smolka throws a body kick but Nicolau catches it and trips him to the ground, but Smolka is right back up. Smolka rushes in, but Nicolau catches him and they fall to the ground. Nicolau is holding on, not looking to advance, but Smolka isn’t taking advantage. Nicolau is back on his feet, and Smolka is up. Nice left hook by Nicolau. He seems like he’s been fading, but Smolka hasn’t taken any sort of advantage. Nicolau with a NICE trip, and he’s looking for a Darce choke. Nicolau takes the back, and is looking for the rear naked choke, but Smolka survives as the round ends. 10-9 Nicolau (29-28 Nicolau)
Result: Nicolau via unanimous decision
Marvin Vettori (12-3) vs. Omari Akhmedov (17-4) middleweight 185 lbs.
Round 1:
Akhmedov comes out with a violent leg kick, and they are trading shots early. Akhmedov looks like he is trying to kill with every shot that he throws. Both men are landing hooks with success. Akhmedov hurts Vettori with a shot, but he recovers. He is landing some big shots here, and Vettori is just trying to avoid getting hit. He attempts a weak takedown, but Akhmedov won’t allow it, and counters with a mean right hook. He lands another nice right hook…he is using a lot of energy here. Vettori looks uncomfortable on the feet, and is doing a lot of flailing to avoid getting hit. Akhmedov shoots for a takedown, but can’t get it. Interesting decision there. 10-9 Akhmedov
Round 2:
Akhmedov is landing some wild shots to start the round. A nice one, two with a follow up leg kick. He is throwing fire, and Vettori is just surviving. Akhmedov with a takedown, but Vettori gets the upper hand and slaps on a triangle, this is a deep choke, but Akhmedov survives. Joe Rogan asked an interesting question about how judges score a deep submission attempt. It would be interesting to get an answer. They are locked up against the fence, Akhmedov is taking heavy breathes here, but he’s still moving okay. They separate, Akhmedovs strikes don’t seem to have the same power behind them but he’s still clearly ahead in this round. Vettori pressures him against the fence, as the round ends. 10-9 Akhmedov
Round 3:
Vettori comes out hot, and lands a flurry of punches and follows it up with a knee to the head. Akhmedov is tired, and Vettori knows it. Akhmedov spit out his mouth piece, looking for a breather and he gets it as the ref separates them. They’re back at it and Akhmedov lands a nice spinning back fist. Both men are tired here, but Vettori is landing more shots, he definitely needs a finish though if he wants to win. Akhmedov can take it as well as he can give it. Akhmedov looks for a takedown, but can’t get it and Vettori ends up on top. He’s looking for a submission as the round ends but can’t get it. 10-9 Vettori (29-28 Akhmedov)
Result: Majority Draw
Analysis: I disagree with a draw here. Akhmedov clearly won the first and second, and I just don’t see round 3 as a 10-8. Still though it was a good fight, but neither man is really going to move forward.
(#15) Myles Jury (16-2) vs. Rick Glenn (20-4-1) featherweight 145 lbs.
Round 1:
Myles Jury lands a nice back kick to start things off. They tie up early and Jury pressures Glenn against the fence. Back in the center, Glenn rushes in and gets caught with a counter left hand. Glenn uses a strange forward head movement when he is anticipating strikes. I can’t tell if it’s an actual technique or just a bad habit. Myles Jury gets the fight to the ground, but Glenn manages to get back to the standing position. Rick Glenn is throwing lots of winging shots, and he’s getting counter at the end of most of them. Nice right hand by Myles Jury. He just appears to be the better fighter at this point. Glenn looks for a takedown as the round ends but can’t get it. 10-9 Jury
Round 2:
Joe Rogan is talking about how Myles Jury appears to have Rick Glenn’s number. I couldn’t agree more, he looks hesitant in the striking exchanges and is trying to pressure Jury against the fence to avoid them. Jury is looking to take the back standing, but Glenn is scrappy and won’t give it up. Lots of fence wrestling here, neither man is really taking control. Jury sweeps Glenn’s feet and trips him to the ground. He takes the back, and Glenn could be in trouble here. He’s struggling to get to the feet, but Jury is using his weight to hold him down. Glenn recovers guard, he has 40 seconds to get something done before the round ends. This is a disappointing performance by Glenn considering how dominate he was in his last fight. The quality of competition is much higher, but still. 10-9 Jury
Round 3:
More of the same to start the 3rd. Glenn is getting tagged anytime he moves in, and Myles Jury seems content to counter. Rick Glenn doesn’t seem to really have any sort of game plan at this point, he’s just looking for what works. Jury gets a takedown with 30 seconds left, and he’s just going to maintain control until the round ends. 10-9 Jury. (30-27 Jury)
Result: Myles Jury def. Rick Glenn via Unanimous Decision
Khalil Rountree (7-2) vs. Michał Oleksiejczuk (12-2) light heavyweight 205 lbs.
Round 1:
Khalil Roundtree comes out throwing some heat. He’s clearly the more powerful of the two. Olek pressures Rountree against the fence, looking for a takedown, Rountree attempts a guillotine. He uses it to get back to his feet, but is still holding on. Olek is getting bullied by the bigger man here. Rountree seems to have slowed down a bit, could be on purpose though. Rountree takes a big shot from Olek, this is interesting here. Rountree is breathing heavy here, this isn’t good for him. Olek is busted open, but is looking better now than at any point in the fight. He’s picking his shots here, Rountree needs to move. Close round but I think Oleksiejczuk got it done. 10-9 Oleksiejczuk
Round 2:
Rountree seems to have recovered a bit, but he’s still moving backwards. Olek is stalking him, but isn’t actually throwing any strikes. Still though he is in control of the fight at this point. They both appear tired, and not much is happening. We still have another round to go…Olek is throwing body shots. Nice uppercut by Rountree but he doesn’t follow up. Rountree gets a clinch, lands a few knees and they separate. Olek should really turn it up here if he has anything left in the tank. 10-9 Oleksiejczuk
Round 3:
Rountree seems to have caught a second wind, and comes out swinging. Olek won’t have it though, and quickly completes a takedown. Its going to be tough for Rountree to get up from here at this point. Olek is maintaining control here. Cruz and Rogan are arguing about Roundtree’s muscle mass…fun stuff. Olek takes the back and is looking for a RNC, but Rountree moves out of it. They are moving at a snail’s pace here. Rountree is going to escape the round but he has a lot of work to do. He didn’t look good here tonight once we passed the one-minute mark of the first round. 10-9 Oleksiejczuk (29-28 Oleksiejczuk)
Result: Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Khalil Rountree via Unanimous Decision
Main Card
(#8) Carlos Condit (30-10) vs. (#12) Neil Magny (19-7) welterweight 170 lbs.
Round 1:
Its good to see Condit back. They exchange early, and Magny trips him and gets him to the ground. Magny is standing in the guard, trying to untie the legs but they get back to the feet. Magny is all over Condit tonight, he clinches and drags him back to the ground. Magny is working in the clinch, landing knees and elbows. Magny countered a Condit low kick with a nice right hand. Magny is a much bigger size advantaged than I was expecting. Condit keeps looking for the low kick, but is having no success with it. He needs to do something else. Magny looks good tonight, he’s definitely trying to get the memories of the RDA fight out of our minds. Magny again looking for a takedown, but nothings there. Condit is plodding, and its looking like himself so far. 10-9 Magny
Round 2:
Condit lands a nice hook to the body and follows it up with a nice low kick. Magny pressures Condit against the fence, he seems to think he has an advantage there and its hard to disagree with him. Condit looking for a hip toss, but can’t get it and Magny trips him to the ground. Condit is attacking the ankle, but can’t find anything. Magny is easily controlling the grappling exchanges here. Condit attacks with a front kick, and a nice right that backs Magny up against the fence. They’re wrestling in the clinch, and Magny drags Condit down, but they’re back on the feet, only for Magny to take him down again. 10-9 Magny
Round 3:
Condit has some work to do as he is likely down two rounds here. Nice combo by Condit, but other than that he looks like he isn’t all in tonight. Magny gets a body lock, and Condit is attacking for a kimura, but can’t get it. I keep expecting Condit to bust out a flying knee, but I think I’m going to be let down. Condit attacks with a one, two and follows it up with a couple of elbows. Lots of low kicks here by both men. Condit isn’t showing a sense of urgency, he seems content to box it out at the same pace he’s kept all fight. Magny gets a body lock, and trips Condit to the ground. I really hope this isn’t the last time we see Carlos Condit, but he seems like a reasonable guy and I’m not sure he’s going to return after a third straight loss. 10-9 Magny (30-27 Magny)
Result: Neil Magny def. Carlos Condit via Unanimous Decision
(#6) Cynthia Calvillo (6-0) vs. (#9) Carla Esparza (13-4) strawweight 115 lbs.
Round 1:
They’re both looking to land big right hands early. Nice leg kick by Esparza. Calvillo avoids a straight right and takes Esparza down to the mat. Calvillo is in side control here, looking for the mount I think. Esparza is doing much, just lying flat on her back. Esparza has under hooks but isn’t doing anything to move the hips. Esparza recovers full guard, and is looking for an armbar here. Calvillo pulls out but it was a tight spot there for a second. Calvillo is back in side control now, and seems to have no problem controlling Esparza from there. She gets the mount, lands some nice shots, and goes for the back but Esparza escapes and ends up on top as the round ends. 10-9 Calvillo
Round 2:
They exchange early, but neither is landing anything of note. Just as I write that Esparza lands a straight right. Esparza throws another straight right, but Calvillo ducks and goes for a single but can’t get it. Nice counter right hand by Carla Esparza. This fight is much closer on the feet than it is on the ground, but Calvillo seems content to stand. Esparza gets a nice takedown, it was a sort of quarter guard trip type thing, that’s a bad way to explain it, but its worth a watch. Esparza seems to be getting her rhythm down and is looking good here in this second round. Esparza gets another takedown, but cant keep her down and they are back on the feet as the round ends. 10-9 Esparza
Round 3:
They both land shots in the first exchange of the third round. Calvillo is looking for a takedown, but Esparza is able to hold herself up against the fence until they separate. Calvillo is starting to press forward with hooks, and inside leg kicks. Calvillo needs to figure something out or she is going to lose this fight. Esparza is pressing forward, and landing. Nice superman punch by Esparza! Esparza is having a lot of success with her low kicks, but is paying for some of them. Esparza gets one more takedown, but Calvillo pops right back up with 20 seconds left. The round ends with a flurry by both women! Good fight and I think Carla Esparza is going to pull off the upset here tonight. 10-9 Esparza (29-28 Esparza)
Result: Carla Esparza def. Cynthia Calvillo via Unanimous Decision
Dan Hooker (15-7) vs. Marc Diakiese (21-1) lightweight 155. lbs.
Round 1:
Lots of crazy kicks by Diakiese here but they aren’t landing. Hooker appears a bit tentative, and isn’t throwing much. Diakiese attempts a takedown, but can’t get it and Hooker gets a double leg of his own. 10-9 Diakiese but it was close without much action.
Round 2:
Hooker just isn’t doing much. Diakiese is picking his shots but still is landing much. This is a strange fight. Hooker is looking to land leg kicks, but is getting punched in the face for his efforts. Hooker gets a body lock, and is looking for a takedown but can’t find one. Diakiese is landing some nice leg kicks, and Hooker is just taking them. Hooker gets a takedown after a struggle, and that’s big in a round that is this close. Hooker transitions to the back, he has 2 minutes to work. Hooker has a body triangle locked on tight, and is looking for a rear naked choke. This could be trouble for Diakiese. But he manages to escape and end up on top. 10-9 Hooker
Round 3:
My feed cut out and I missed the whole third round, but Hooker was able to win with a guillotine.
Result: Daniel Hooker def. Marc Diakiese via Submission (Round 3, 0:42)
(#2) Khabib Nurmagomedov (24-0) vs. (#4) Edson Barboza (19-4) lightweight 155 lbs.
Round 1:
Khabib comes out early swarming, and gets a takedown despite some nice body kicks by Barboza. Barboza is up, but he is getting tagged. Khabib is applying heavy pressure here, he lands a nice combo and finishes it with a flying knee against the fence. He is fighting like a man possessed. Khabib trips Barboza down, and is landing some heavy ground and pound. Barboza is taking a huge beating here…wow just really impressive stuff by Khabib. 10-8 Khabib
Round 2:
Khabib comes out swarming like an angry bee. He is making Barboza move all over the place, and he’ still landing. He attacks with a body lock, and is looking for trips. Barboza needs to separate and try to make something happen. He is getting dominated here. Barboza throws a wheel kick that almost connects, but Khabib keeps the pressure up. Barboza is landing some kicks again, and man they are coming hard. But Khabib gets him down again. He is landing some violent shots from the top position now. Barboza is taking a beating here, he just can’t do anything. 10-8 Khabib
Round 3:
Khabib comes out early, and Barboza can’t stop the assault. Khabib quickly gets him down, Barboza is a gamer but he can’t do anything from here. They’re back on the feet, and Barboza lands a nice shot. But Khabib quickly gets him back down. I wish I could explain what’s happening right now…Barbosa’s foot is stuck in between Khabib’s leg, he is trying to crawl away, but Khabib is just pounding him. Crazy fight here tonight. 10-9 Khabib (30-25 Khabib)
Result: Khabib Nurmagomedov def. Edson Barboza via Unanimous Decision
(C) Cris “Cyborg” Justino 18-1-1NC vs. Holly Holm (11-3)
Round 1:
Holm catches an early kick by Cyborg, and tosses her to the ground. Cyborg jumps up, and just blocks a head kick. Cyborg lands a big right had on Holm, but she survives. Holly lands a straight left, but eats a right hook on her way out. Cyborg is landing some nice shots here. Cyborg doesn’t seem to have a strength advantage, which is surprising. Holly connects with a nice head kick as the round ends. DRAW
Round 2:
Cyborg is landing two shots for each one that Holly lands. She is swarming with her punches. Holm is standing in front of Cyborg. Cyborg lands a nice body kick. They clinch and Holm puts Cyborg against the fence. Holm lands a nice elbow as they separate. Holm pushes Cyborg back against the fence and is controlling her there. Cyborg lands a big left as they separate and follows it up with a big kick to the body. These rounds are really close. 10-9 Cyborg
Round 3:
They exchange early and Cyborg gets the under hooks, and pushes Holm against the fence but can’t keep her there. Holm is landing shots here and there but Cyborg is still making her pay for all of them. Nice left hand by Cyborg. Holm returns the favor with a right hand. They’re exchanging, and Cyborg lands a nice knee to the body. Nice right hand by Cyborg, and this has been her most dominant round. Holm hasn’t landed much of note. Holm took a big shot at the end, and Cyborg flurries as the round comes to a close. 10-9 Cyborg
Round 4:
Nice left by Holm to start the round. The crowd liked that one. Cyborg lands a high kick to the shoulder. Holm is doing a lot of moving but not much actual striking. She really needs to start landing here or this wont end well. Holm gets Cyborg against the fence, first time she’s done that in a while. Holm lands a nice straight left as they separate. Cyborg lands a right hand that staggers Holm a bit. 10-9 Cyborg
Round 5:
Holm just misses an elbow at the start of the round and they clinch up. I’m still shocked that Holm controls these clinches. Nice mid kick by Cyborg. Holm returns one of her own. Nice right hook by Cyborg. They both flurry and Cyborg is landing big shots here with 60 seconds left. Holm lands a nice left hand and Cyborg didn’t like it. She has Cyborg back against the fence. 10-9 Cyborg
Result: Cris Cyborg Def. Holly Holm via Unanimous Decision
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