UFC 213
July 8, 2017
Las Vegas, Nevada from T-Mobile Arena
Live on UFC Fight Pass (7 PM ET), Fox Sports 1 (8 PM ET) and pay-per-view (10 PM ET)
Thanks for joining us for the culmination of International Fight Week with live coverage of UFC 213. Tonight’s show has lost its main event as Amanda Nunes fell ill earlier today and was pulled from her title defense against Valentina Shevchenko. So the unstable women’s bantamweight division remains so for the time being.
Speaking of stability, middleweight won’t have that anytime soon but it will have an interim champion after tonight as Yoel Romero will take on Robert Whittaker to crown a presumed #1 contender for champion Michael Bisping (or maybe even GSP?). Regardless of the politics, this should be a great fight. Romero looks to be in peak shape but Whittaker has been on a tear, most recently knocking out Jacare Souza and making it look easy.
Stay with us all night for up to the minute results and analysis of all of tonight’s fights. Fighter’s MMATorch.com rankings are included in the listings and you can follow me on Twitter @MikeHiscoe.
Fight Pass Prelims
(1) Trevin Giles vs. James Bochnovic (Light Heavyweight 205 lbs)
Result: Giles by knockout at 2:54 of round two
Hiscoe’s Analysis: Giles dominated nearly every second of this fight. He took a 10-8 first round by taking Bochnovic down, riding his back and pounding him out. Giles even landed a german suplex at one point. Second round saw more of the same, Giles took him down, took his back and Bochnovic had no defense and the fight was stopped.
(2) Cody Stamann vs. Terrion Ware (Featherweight 145 lbs)
Result: Stamann by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Hiscoe’s Analysis: These two had a nice back and forth war. The story of the fight was any time Ware would seem to get anything going standing, Stamann would take him down and keep him there. Ware’s best round was probably the second, but Stamann definitely won the first and the third. Solid undercard fight.
Fox Sports 1 Prelims
(3) Jordan Mein vs. Belal Muhammad (Welterweight 170 lbs)
Result: 29-28, 29-28, 30-27 Muhammad by unanimous decision
Hiscoe’s Analysis: Muhammad trained for this fight through Ramadan, which just concluded last week. Muhammad’s standup was very sharp throughout the first round and he kept up a good pace. Mein was cut above his left eye. Muhammad used the clinch well to get some short elbows in. More of the same in the second as Muhammad just kept the pace up and wore Mein down in the clinch. Muhammad took him down late in the second and did some damage while looking for the mount. Much of the same in the third, Muhammad took him down early in the third and worked him for a while. Mein had top position briefly but otherwise, this fight was all Belal Muhammad.
(4) Thiago Santos vs. Gerald Meerschaert (Middleweight 185 lbs)
Result: Santos by TKO at 2:04 of round two
Hiscoe’s Analysis: Meerschaert opened up a big cut on the right side of Santos’ head in the first. Santos landed more and landed harder but the cut was significant. Meerschaert went for a takedown early in the second and Santos sprawled and unloaded punch after punch to Meerschaert’s head. Santos took top position and rained down shots while Meerschaert did little more than cover up. The fight was stopped after a couple minutes of this. Santos asked for a rematch with Gegard Mousasi during his post-fight interview.
(5) Chad Laprise vs. Brian Camozzi (Welterweight 170 lbs)
Result: Chad Laprise by TKO at 1:27 of round three.
Hiscoe’s Analysis: Laprise typically fights at lightweight but took the fight at welterweight on about a month’s notice. Laprise was busy in the first, landed the most shots and got a trip takedown late in the round. Camozzi fared better in the second, landing a better volume of strikes and using his reach advantage to keep Laprise at bay. So they went into the third with a round a piece. Laprise came out busier and tagged Camozzi with a liver shot. He saw Camozzi was hurt by it and swarmed. After a strong flurry of punches that Camozzi didn’t have an answer for, the fight was stopped giving Laprise the win.
(6) Travis Browne vs. Aleksei Oleinik (Heavyweight 265 lbs)
Result: Oleinik by submission at 3:44 of round two
Hiscoe’s Analysis: Oleinik actually had a modest reach advantage over the taller Browne. They both hurt each other in the first round but Oleinik got the better of Browne. He worked for a rear-naked choke late in the round but couldn’t get it in deep enough. As expected of heavyweights, the action slowed a bit in the second round. Oleinik landed a high volume of strikes in the clinch while Browne was looking for that one big knee. Browne muscled him to the mat and moved to side control. Oleinik reversed and took Browne’s back. This time he was able to sink the choke in and take the win. It’s been a long and hard fall for Travis Browne.
Pay-per-view Main Card
(7) Rob Font vs. Douglas Silva de Andrade (Bantamweight 135 lbs)
ROUND ONE: Both men came out with brisk leg kicks early on. Font blasted in for a double leg takedown and was able to complete it. He worked his way to half guard briefly and threw elbows. Silva de Andrade was able to get up but found himself in a standing guillotine but got out of that too. Font landed a huge knee but also poked Silva de Andrade in the eye during the same sequence. No point deduction. They traded shots for the rest of the round but Font landed much more. 10-9 Font.
ROUND TWO: Font landed a flush right hand in the first minute. He was the busier fighter though Silva de Andrade was holding his own. Font landed a straight right that tagged him. Font put together several combinations that saw several strikes connect each time. A right hand dropped Silva de Andrade. Font followed up then took him down. He had side control but Silva de Andrade had a hold of Font’s head. Font took hold of Silva de Andrade’s neck. Silva de Andrade tried to stand up and slam Font down but Font didn’t let go and Silva de Andrade was forced to tap to the guillotine.
Result: Font by submission at 4:36 of round two
Hiscoe’s Analysis: Nice showing for Font and a strong pay-per-view opener. Font’s standup was on point and brought a diverse array of punch and knee combinations that left his opponent puzzled. Font showed the wherewithal to take the fight to the ground even though he was winning the stand-up and it helped him get the win. Font could be one to watch at 135.
They aired a promo for Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series. It looks like there’s going to be a focus on highlighting the personalities of the fighters and telling their backstories so this show may be a vehicle to transition away from the TUF format while still providing a path for new fighters to get into UFC.
(8) Anthony Pettis (#9 FTW) vs. Jim Miller (Lightweight 155 lbs)
ROUND ONE: Pettis doesn’t seem to carry himself with the same confidence he used to. Miller almost ate a jumping knee from Pettis but blocked it. Two body kicks from Pettis. Pettis worked mostly body kicks and came back in with the jumping knee. Miller looked to counter the kicks with his jab but wasn’t getting it. Pettis threw a nice spinning back fist. Miller landed a nice body kick and then a big left hand late in the round. Pettis’ round 10-9.
ROUND TWO: Miller took Pettis down to the mat but found himself in a triangle choke. He got out of that, postured up and landed some punches on Pettis. Miller was bleeding heavily onto Pettis from the top. There was a scramble and Miller took his back. Pettis was able to turn out and ended up on top. Pettis took side control and looked to move to mount. Pettis took his back but Miller stood up. Pettis dragged him back to the mat and landed a few punches as time expired. 10-9 Pettis, 20-18.
ROUND THREE: Outside leg kick by Miller to the lead leg. He continued to attack Pettis’ lead leg. Pettis stayed on the perimeter and threw jabs and leg kicks. Miller shot in for a takedown but he looked to be too tired to complete it. Pettis pressed Miller against the cage and threw knees to the legs. Miller landed an elbow from this position while Pettis worked for knees to the body. Pettis tried a cartwheel kick and Miller followed up with one of his own. 10-9 Pettis, 30-27.
Result: 30-27 across the board for Pettis by unanimous decision.
Hiscoe’s Analysis: That was a solid but somewhat underwhelming return to lightweight for Anthony Pettis. He would have made easy work of Jim Miller just a few years ago so something is still missing for Pettis and this performance doesn’t give me confidence that he can return to championship level. Pettis said in his interview that the lack of weight cut helped him perform better.
(9) Daniel Omielanczuk vs. Curtis Blaydes (Heavyweight 265 lbs)
ROUND ONE: Omielanczuk hit him hard right away. They clinched against the cage and Blaydes kneed him in the groin twice in short time. He was warned and they were broken apart. Blaydes took him back to the same position. Blaydes landed a knee to the stomach. They broke apart and Omielanczuk landed a body kick. Blaydes landed a knee to the body in the clinch. Blaydes pressed him against the cage and worked for a takedown. Omielanczuk defended well. Blaydes persisted in looking for the takedown. 10-9 Blaydes.
ROUND TWO: Blaydes landed a couple right hands and went back to the takedown attempt against the cage. Omielanczuk landed a knee in the clinch. Blaydes landed a leg kick and was working well from a distance. Blaydes missed a takedown. He rushed in for a takedown but still couldn’t get it. Blaydes threw some big punches from the distance. Omielanczuk threw another body kick. Blaydes rushed in for another failed takedown attempt and the crowd began turning on this fight. 10-9 Blaydes, 20-18.
ROUND THREE: Blaydes went in for the takedown early on and fought hard for it but just couldn’t get it. Omielanczuk looked really tired and Blaydes slightly less so. Blaydes worked his jab from the outside and Omielanczuk didn’t see them coming. Blaydes landed a nice uppercut and Omielanczuk countered with a big left. Omielanczuk shot in for a takedown from the parking lot but Blaydes defended. Omielanczuk tried a desperation spin kick near the end but it failed miserably as did this fight. 10-9 Blaydes, 30-27.
Result: 30-27 across the board for Blaydes by unanimous decision.
Hiscoe’s Analysis: That fight was no good but Curtis Blaydes showed that he has come tools to compete at heavyweight. He wasn’t able to get the takedown but he was persistent and he looked good when he did go to his striking. He has a ways to go but there is some upside to Curtis Blaydes.
They showed some highlights of Friday’s fantastic main event between Justin Gaethje and Michael Johnson. They then announced a Fight Night show from Sydney, Australia on November 18/19.
(10) Fabricio Werdum (#5) vs. Alistair Overeem (#3) (Heavyweight 265 lbs)
ROUND ONE: Werdum’s body has changed in the last couple of years. Werdum came out with that flying kick again but no one was there. Werdum landed a leg kick. Overeem responded with a high kick. Overeem was patient and looked to be waiting for a very specific opportunity. Werdum with a couple quick combinations. Overeem countered a body kick with a right hand. Overeem gave Werdum’s striking a ton of respect but I don’t think he needs to. Overeem landed a double jab followed by a right. 10-9 Werdum.
ROUND TWO: Body kick by Overeem. Werdum caught a kick and pulled guard. Overeem stood up after a short time to let him up. Overeem landed a jab while Werdum threw push kicks. Overeem hurt Fabricio with a left and landed a knee as they went to the ground. Overeem stood up again and looked for the kill shot. He landed a bid left followed by a body kick that stunned Werdum. Werdum rushed in and connected with a right hand. Werdum landed a couple jabs. Big left hand from Overeem hurt him. Big spin kick from Werdum missed. 10-9 Overeem, 19-19.
ROUND THREE: Werdum was more active early on this round. Overeem landed a left and then an uppercut. Werdum landed a double jab followed by a right hand and a knee that put Overeem down. The ended up on the mat but got back up. Werdum piled on with strikes on a wobbly on his feet Overeem. Werdum took him down and worked body shots and small hammer fists to the face. Overeem held on to try and minimize damage. Werdum moved to half guard and landed some body shots leading to the bell. 10-8 Werdum, 29-27 but the scorecards could be all over the place here.
Result: 28-28, 29-28, 29-28 for Overeem by majority decision.
Hiscoe’s Analysis: I went into this fight thinking that Werdum was done but he showed that he still has something left in the tank here. If Overeem was a little more aggressive, especially early on he probably could have won more convincingly. I don’t disagree with the scorecards as very little happened in the first round. I went with Werdum but it really could have gone either way. One of the judges agreed with me that the third round was a 10-8 for Werdum. Overeem asked for another title shot at Stipe Miocic but he might have to take another fight in the meantime.
We saw an excellent and detailed history of Jon Jones’ rise and fall from grace. Considering how many times they’ve tried to promote this fight, they did an amazing job making it feel fresh.
(11) Yoel Romero (#1) vs. Robert Whittaker (#3) (Interim Middleweight Championship Bout 185 lbs)
ROUND ONE: They showed Romero and Bisping staring down as Bisping was sitting, with his belt, right behind Romero’s corner. Whittaker was not weary of Romero one bit and threw everything full force. Romero laid back a bit and threw some kicks from the outside. Whittaker ducked a hook kick which gave Romero and opening for a takedown. Whittaker got back up and took the center of the cage. Romero went for a flying knee and then clinched with Whittaker against the cage. Leg kick from Romero. Whittaker landed some punches as Romero ducked down for a takedown attempt with was unsuccessful. 10-9 Whittaker
ROUND TWO: Whittaker told his corner that his leg is “trashed.” It was his left leg and from an oblique kick early in the fight. Whittaker went for the high kick right away. Romero is going back to the oblique kick and following up with a punch nearly simultaneously. Romero took him down. Whittaker closed up his guard and just held on as the crowd grew impatient. They stood up and Romero took his back. Romero tried to trip him down but Whittaker defended and turned to face Romero. They clinched against the cage and traded knees until Big John broke them apart. Whittaker with a front kick and left hand. Romero clinched with him up against the cage. Romero took him down right as the round ended. 10-9 Romero, 19-19.
ROUND THREE: Whittaker threw a lot of front kicks with his right leg. Whittaker landed a couple of big punches that stunned Romero. He hurt him with another of those front kicks. Romero looked to have slowed down a bit and Whittaker pressed forward with combinations and front kicks. Whittaker had his hands low and was looking to land a big shot as Romero did very little this round. Whittaker landed a big left at the horn. 10-9 Whittaker, 29-28.
ROUND FOUR: Michael Bisping ripped up a Cuban flag and threw it towards Romero between rounds. Romero took hold of Whittaker’s waist looking for a takedown. Whittaker spun feverishly looking to escape his grip. The settled near the cage with Romero still holding on. Whittaker escaped. Romero was looking to land the flying knee. Whittaker landed a left hand and then two front kicks to the body. Romero responded with an oblique kick. Whittaker hurt him with some punches late in the round. Romero was breathing heavily and held on until the end of the round. 10-9 Whittaker, 39-37.
ROUND FIVE: Big left from Whittaker right away. Romero tried to attack the lead leg of Whittaker but it doesn’t seem to be bothering him. Romero threw more punches but was visibly tired. Whittaker was landing front kicks at will and got some punches in while Romero went for haymaker knockout attempts. Romero landed a couple lefts. Whittaker landed a big left. Romero tumbled over after an exchange and Whittaker got on top with just over a minute left. Whittaker almost took mount but ended in half guard and landed some big elbows from the top. He held him down to end a gutsy performance that should be a win for Whittaker. 10-9 Whittaker, 49-46.
Result: 48-47 across the board for Whittaker by unanimous decision
Hiscoe’s Analysis: I was not expecting Whittaker to take a grind-out decision win, especially after getting hurt early in the fight. He gutted it out and really impressed me in adapting to his injury. Michael Bisping was getting into it with Romero in the cage before the decision was announced. He should probably shift his focus to the new interim champ. Whittaker said he hurt his knee earlier in his camp and Romero reaggravated it with the kick. Considering Bisping was in the cage, let’s hope that the plan is for Bisping vs. Whittaker next rather than Bisping vs. GSP. Bisping congratulated Whittaker, threw his belt at Whittaker’s feet and said: “see you soon, motherfucker.”
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