Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is finally ready to pull the trigger on its first mixed martial arts (MMA) event of the New Year TONIGHT (Jan. 19, 2013) from the Ibirapuera Arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
UFC on FX 7: "Bisping vs. Belfort" will feature a 185-pound headliner that pits former divison No. 1 contender Vitor Belfort against The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 3 Champion Michael Bisping in a battle to see whether or not "The Count" gets a crack at Anderson Silva. Several other high-profile match ups have been booked for the South American fight card this evening, including C.B. Dollaway vs. Daniel Sarafian (middleweight), Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Ben Rothwell (heavyweight) and Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Thiago Tavares (lightweight).
MMAmania.com will provide LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the UFC on FX 7 main card action below, which is slated to start promptly with the FX broadcast at 9 p.m. ET. The latest updates and fight-by-fight coverage of the live action, however, will begin to flow earlier than that around 5:30 p.m. ET with the under card "Prelims" bouts on FUEL TV and Facebook.
Many of our readers check-in before, during and after the televised action to share their thoughts on all the exciting action. Therefore, feel free to leave a comment (or seven) before you leave and chat with all the other Maniacs during the show -- it always turns out to be a great discussion.
Keep in mind that we will also be the spot for the latest news, recaps and post-fight analysis after "Bisping vs. Belfort."
Without further delay, see below for the latest UFC on FX 7 results. (Note: This will go from the bottom up; therefore, scroll toward the bottom for the latest detailed round-by-round action.)
UFC ON FX 7: "BISPING VS. BELFORT" QUICK RESULTS:
185 lbs.: Vitor Belfort def. Michael Bisping via TKO (head kick and punches) at 1:27 of round two
185 lbs.: C.B. Dollaway def. Daniel Sarafian via split decision
265 lbs.: Gabriel Gonzaga def. Ben Rothwell via submission (guillotine) at 1:01 of round two
155 lbs.: Khabib Nurmagomedov def. Thiago Tavares via knockout at 1:55 of round one
145 lbs.: Godofredo Castro def. Milton Vieira via split decision
185 lbs.: Ronny Markes def. Andrew Craig via unanimous decision
145 lbs.: Nik Lentz def. Diego Nunes via unanimous decision
155 lbs.: Edson Barboza def. Lucas Martins via submission (strikes) at 2:38 of round one
145 lbs.: Pedro Nobre vs. Yuri Alcantara is ruled a no contest (accidental blows to back of the head)
205 lbs.: Ildemar Alcantara def. Wagner Prado via submission (kneebar) at 2:39 of round two
155 lbs.: Francisco Trinaldo def. C.J. Keith via submission (arm triangle) at 1:50 of round two
UFC ON FX 7: "BISPING VS. BELFORT" LIVE MAIN CARD COMMENTARY (FX):
Hemmi here (still)!
185 lbs.: Vitor Belfort vs. Michael Bisping
Round one: Bisping takes the cage center early, stalking away and throwing a leg kick. Heavy inside leg kick from Bisping and Belfort goes high with a kick but Bisping gets out of the way. Jab from Bisping and then a right hand. Spinning heel kick from Belfort but it comes up short. Good right from Bisping but Belfort lands a right uppercut. Solid inside leg kick from Bisping and Belfort swings a wild left haymaker that misses. Jab from Bisping and then another. He's finding a home for the jab and Vitor lands an eye poke but they only stop for a second. Good body kick from Belfort but Bisping fires back with a right hand. Left high kick from Belfort and Bisping might be stunned. Belfort swarms but Bisping stays relatively composed. 10-9 Bisping
Round two: Sharp left from Belfort and Bisping's nose is bleeding. Good 1-2 from Belfort and Bisping responds with a left jab. Huge left high kick from Belfort and Bisping goes down! Belfort swarms Bisping and Bisping is fetal! Punches from Belfort and that's it!
Final result: Vitor Belfort defeats Michael Bisping via TKO (head kick and punches) at 1:27 of round two
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185 lbs.: C.B. Dollaway vs. Daniel Sarafian
Round one: Heavy leg kick from Dollaway and he steps forward with a good left hand. Head kick comes up short for Dollaway. They simultaneously land left hands and Sarafian rushes forward with a combination, throwing a head kick. Huge overhand right from Dollaway. Big shot from Sarafian and Dollaway is on his butt but he saves himself by shooting for a takedown to clear out the cobwebs. He pushes Sarafian into the fence and they separate. Sarafian lands a good left hook that stuns Dollaway and he's in control here. Jumping knee from Sarafian and a left hand. Dollaway needs to take this fight to the ground or he's going to be in trouble. Sarafian steps in with a pair of left hands to the body and Dollaway taunts him, telling him to bring it on. Sarafian presses forward with a right hand at the end of the round. 10-9 Sarafian
Round two: Sarafian scores with a left hand and both men are looking to land heavy kicks but they're telegraphing them a bit too much. Sarafian presses Dollaway into the fence briefly but backs off. Dollaway flashes his jab a few times and throws a leg kick. Big right hand from Sarafian and he shoots in but Dollaway recovers and is back to his feet. Another left jab from Dollaway and then another. Sarafian goes low with a left to the body and Dollaway responds with a good kick. Left kick to the body by Dollaway and Sarafian looks like he's head hunting. Dollaway slips and Sarafian nearly knocks his head off with a head kick on the way up. Sarafian attempts a spinning back kick but Dollaway steps inside on it and lands a few good punches. Nice combination from Dollaway and he scores with a right hand. They trade left hands and Dollaway lands a solid left hook. Another straight left from Dollaway. Huge uppercut from Dollaway and Sarafian is hurt! Dollaway swarms Sarafian and is pounding away with huge punches and Sarafian is saved by the bell! 10-9 Dollaway
Round three: They trade kicks early and both men tag each other with heavy right hands. Huge right hand from Sarafian but Dollaway remains upright. Dollaway steps forward and blasts Sarafian with a monster right hand. Dollaway shoots in for a takedown and he gets it. Sarafian is tired and Dollaway passes all the way to full mount. Sarafian gives up his back and gets to his feet but Dollaway drags him right to the ground again and is once again in full mount. Sarafian turns and he sweeps Dollaway, landing on top in half guard. Sarafian looking to pass to mount and he's dropping some right hands. Dollaway rolls over and Sarafian has his back with both hooks in. Dollaway twists himself and now he's on top again! Great reversal from Dollaway. Sarafian sweeps back to his feet and lands a knee at the end of the fight as Dollaway shoots in for a takedown. 10-9 Dollaway
Final result: C.B. Dollaway defeats Daniel Sarafian via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
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265 lbs.: Ben Rothwell vs. Gabriel Gonzaga
Round one: Rothwell has control of the cage center and throws a couple good punches. Gonzaga drops down looking for a takedown and has a nice single leg but Rothwell fends him off for now. Rothwell briefly gets dragged down to the ground but he cagewalks back to his feet. Gonzaga pulls Rothwell's legs out from under him but Rothwell sits up along the fence. Punches from Gonzaga but Rothwell is upright again. Gonzaga clinches but the ref separates them. Rothwell is looking to counter but Gonzaga shoots in and pushes him into the cage. Right hand from Gonzaga and they reset. Leg kick from Gonzaga and Rothwell connects with a right hand. They clinch again and now Rothwell has inside position, throwing a few heavy knees. Rothwell backs off and Gonzaga connects with three straight right hands. Gonzaga shoots in but Rothwell sprawls and Gonzaga throws a knee on the way up. Good uppercut from Rothwell and he eats a right from Gonzaga. They clinch again and trade knees at the end of the round. 10-9 Gonzaga
Round two: They trade some blows and Gonzaga lands a nice right hand. Gonzaga shoots in for a takedown and he instead latches onto a guillotine choke. Gonzaga drops to his back and it's tight! Rothwell taps!
Final result: Gabriel Gonzaga defeats Ben Rothwell via submission (guillotine choke) at 1:01 of round two
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155 lbs.: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Thiago Tavares
Round one: Nurmagomedov in stalk mode early, keeping Tavares on his heels. Huge uppercut lands for the Russian and Tavares goes down, he might be out. Five elbows from Nurmagomedov and Tavares is definitely out but the ref lets him eat about 20 more elbows before finally putting a stop to it. Wow, horrible refereeing tonight by Dan Mirigliotta.
Final result: Khabib Nurmagomedov defeats Thiago Tavares via knockout (elbows) at 1:55 of round one
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UFC ON FX 7: "BISPING VS. BELFORT" LIVE "PRELIMS" UNDER CARD COMMENTARY (FUEL TV):
Hemmi here!
145 lbs.: Godofredo Castro vs. Milton Vieira
Round one: Pepey wings a kick that comes up short to get things started and Vieira lands a nice body kick to back him off. Huge winging punches fro Pepey and he's throwing a very fast overhand right. Right hand from Pepey hurts Vieira but Vieira shoots in and takes him down immediately after getting hit. Vieira is in Pepey's closed guard for now, trying to advance but he can't. Short elbows from Vieira and he postures up, dropping a few good punches. Pepey attempts a triangle but Vieira shrugs it off and passes to side control. He doesn't have great control here and Pepey escapes to his feet, landing a low blow. After a break, Pepey scores with an inside leg kick and they clinch. Pepey has inside position along the fence and throws a knee and then some more knees but Vieira takes him down beautifully, landing in side control. Pepey explodes to his feet but Vieira throws a huge knee and grabs a back body lock but gives it up. Spinning wheel kick from Vieira comes up short. Nice straight right from Pepey at the end of the round. 10-9 Vieira
Round two: Pepey presses forward with some kicks but Vieira takes him down easily. Pepey throws some elbows from off his back. Pepey is working for a Kimura from his back but he doesn't have the arm free. He finally jerks the arm free and he sweeps into full mount! Pepey postures up with some punches and now he's got Vieira's back with a body triangle. Pepey is trying to soften up Vieira with some punches. Pepe rolls him over and he's pounding away with occasional punches, still trying to create an opening for a potential submission with shots to the body and head but Vieira is keeping that chin protected. He rides out the round from the dominant position. 10-9 Pepey
Round three: Pepey is the aggressor early, winging punches and Vieira responds with a leg kick. Good left hook from Pepey and he's working a left jab. Vieira clinches, throwing a knee but backs off. Nice heavy right hand from Pepey. Vieira scores with a heavy right hand and an outside leg kick but Pepey responds with heavy hooks. Vieira scores with a good right hand and a knee. They clinch and Pepey is working for a takedown but Vieira is attempting a Kimura although Pepey counters by creating space with his legs. Vieira gives up on the Kimura but takes top position and he's in Pepey's closed guard. Wow, Mario Yamasake immediately stands them up. Leg kick from Pepey and Vieira clinches, throwing a knee. Big offensive surge from Pepey and Vieira times it perfectly, taking him down again and landing in his guard. He stands up over Pepey trying to pass the guard but he can't do it and is back on the ground inside Pepey's guard. Vieira drops some good strikes at the end of the round. 10-9 Vieira
Final result: Godofrido Pepey defeats Milton Vieira via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
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185 lbs.: Andrew Craig vs. Ronny Markes
Round one: Markes presses forward early with a short hook, but Craig backs him off. Good punch from Craig and Markes shoots in for a takedown and gets it briefly but Craig pops back to his feet. Markes has Craig pressed into the fence and he's really hunting for a takedown but Craig fends it off. Markes drags Craig to the ground but he pops right back up. Markes again has a grip on Craig and he drops down for a takedown, lifting Craig up over his head and dropping him on the ground. Craig posts on his arm and backs towards the fence while Markes is on top in half guard, but he doesn't have much room to work with Craig having his back against the cage. Craig tries to turn towards the fence and Markes jumps on his back with a rear naked choke attempt but it's not under the chin. Markes has both hooks in. Markes drops a few punches but can't do much with the position and Craig rolls into him the second Markes lets go of his body triangle at the end of the round. 10-9 Markes
Round two: Markes shoots in but Craig brushes him aside and flashes a jab. Markes shoots in with a single leg and scores a trip to get the takedown. Markes lifts Craig up and turns him away from the cage and he's on top in half guard. Markes has an arm and he's working for a Kimura on Craig's left arm. Markes passes to side control and he's torquing on that ar but Craig hangs in there and is now trying to pop back to his feet but Markes is still all over him with a body lock. Craig gets to his feet and Markes is on the inside position along the fence working for a takedown but Craig is fending him off as he exhales heavily. They get separated and a head kick from Craig sails high and Markes lands a leg kick. Craig attempts a head kick at the bell but it's blocked. 10-9 Markes
Round three: Markes quickly closes the distance and presses Craig into the fence in the clinch while pursuing the takedown. Markes has a double leg but Craig somehow escapes it. They separate and Craig lands a right hand as Markes loses his balance. Craig drops some short elbows and punches and Markes looks like he's fading. Craig is on top in half guard working some elbows and Markes is trying to stay tight to him to avoid getting hit. Markes retains closed guard. Craig drops some punches to the body. Craig finally backs off allowing Markes to get to his feet and throws a huge flying knee but Markes shoots in and goes back to his controlling clinch attack to finish the round. 10-9 Craig
Final result: Ronny Markes defeats Andrew Craig via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
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145 lbs.: Nik Lentz vs. Diego Nunes
Round one: Leg kick from Lentz and a nice overhand right. They clinch and Lentz is working for a takedown and he briefly gets it but Nunes pops back to his feet. Lentz has a reverse body lock, throwing a few good knees to the back of the legs. More knees fro Lentz and he drags Nunes to the ground twice, the second time he keeps him there and he's actually got him back mounted. Lentz is working towards a choke. Nunes gets back to his feet and Lentz still has a body lock, throwing knees to the head this time. Lentz again drags him to the ground and is dropping some nice right hands and he's really beating Nunes up here. Nunes turtles and pops back to his feet but it's more of the same with knees and dragging him to the ground. Again Nunes pops to his feet but Lentz has a death grip on him and again he takes him down. More punches from Lentz and he's briefly in mount but Nunes escapes at the end of the round. 10-9 Lentz
Round two: Back to work for Lentz and he shoots in, taking Nunes down with a double leg and he's on top in half guard. Lentz drops some punches and Nunes looks very tired already. Lentz is just completely controlling this round and Nunes can't get up or even try to get up. Nunes rolls over and Lentz has one hook in, dropping punches. Nunes finally gets to his feet in the final 30 seconds and Lentz scores a big knee but Nunes pops him with a right hand and a knee right before the bell. 10-9 Lentz
Round three: Lentz is the aggressor here, pressing forward with punches and kicks. Lentz ducks a hook and clinches, working for a takedown but he can't get it. Nunes wings some nice punches and Lentz attempts a takedown but Nunes uses a whizzer and staves him off. Leg kick from Lentz and he pops Nunes with a short left hand before pressing him into the fence and dragging him to the ground, landing in half guard much to the home crowd's dismay. Lentz keeps at it with short punches and he tries to take Nunes back but Nunes pops to his feet along the fence before getting dragged right back to the canvas and this time he's in full mount. Right hands from Lentz and it looks like he might be thinking of an arm triangle. Nunes rolls over and gets to his feet but Lentz has a body lock and again is in complete control. Knee from Nunes and he winsg some hooks but Lentz shoots in and takes him down right before the bell. 10-9 Lentz
Final result: Nik Lentz defeats Diego Nunes via unanimous decision (30-28, 30-27, 30-26)
-end-
155 lbs.: Lucas Martins vs. Edson Barboza
Round one: Heavy leg kick from Barboza and then another. He's working a lead left jab, but an inside leg kick nails Martins in the groin. Head kick from Barboza and Martins lunges in with a nice left hook. Martins is pressing forward with some punches but Barboza backs him off with a huge haymaker and then a swift outside leg kick. Body kick from Barboza and he looks sharp here. Barboza steps inside with a right hand and connects with a straight left. Outside lg kick from Barboza and Martins walks forward and Barboza drops him with a perfectly timed left hand. Barboza pounces and starts blasting away with hammer fists and Martins has no answer. Looks like Martins rolled over and tapped.
Final result: Edson Barboza defeats Lucas Martins via submission (strikes) at 2:38 of round one
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145 lbs.: Pedro Nobre vs. Yuri Alcantara
Round one: Alcantara comes out guns blazing with a huge knee. Push kick from Nobre lands low and they take a break. After the reset, Nobre wings a right hand that comes up short and Alcantara stalks him but Nobre tags him with a couple nice shots. Alcantara rushes in and Nobre clinches with a single leg but Alcantara gets on top and works for a Kimura. Alcantara rolls him and he's cranking on Nobre's arm something fierce, torquing it behind his head! Somehow Nobre holds on and they scramble, but Alcantara takes his back with both hooks in. He' postured up dropping punches to loosen Nobre up. Alcantara lands an elbow that might have hit the back of the head and keeps punching away. The ref warns him even though the shots aren't hitting the back of the head. Wow. The ref stops it and now Nobre is milking the back of his head like Alcantara had hit him there with a brick. Nobre is taking the easy way out and the officials are buying it. The fight is over. What a load of crap.
Final result: The fight between Pedro Nobre and Yuri Alcantara is ruled a no contest
-end-
205 lbs.: Ildemar Alcantara vs. Wagner Prado
Round one: Prado take the cage center, throwing a kick and winging a huge hook. Prado throws a right hand to the body and then a good right to the head. Big right hook connects for Prado and he's landing some heavy shots. Alcantara clinches and throws a few knees, pressing Prado into the fence. They separate and Alcantara throws a pair of good right kicks to the body, keeping Prado on the outside. Prado responds with a leg kick and a head kick. They clinch in the cage center and Alcantara wings some big knees before backing off. Prada wades in but misses. Huge right hook from Prado but Alcantara takes it well. Another nice kick from Alcantara and Prado wings a right that connects again. They trade knees for hooks and Alcantara is starting to get more comfortable, throwing some good short kicks, but he still is having trouble with Prado's right hand. Alcantara shoots in and takes Prado down, but does nothing and they get stood up. Prado steps forward with soe heavy punches and knees at the end of the round. 10-9 Prado
Round two: Prado wades in looking for his heavy right hand and Alcantara responds with a step knee. Another takedown from Alcantara and he's got Prado on his back and is on top in half guard. Prado turtles and works to his feet and Alcantara attempts an ill-advised choke, which gives up position. Prado is now on top, raining down some good punches and elbows. Left hands from Prado in half guard and they're getting through. Alcantara latches onto Prado's leg and he's got the left leg straightened out. He's working for a kneebar and he's got it! Prado screams and taps out.
Final result: Ildemar Alcantara defeats Wagner Prado via submission (kneebar) at 2:39 of round two
-end-
UFC ON FX 7: "BISPING VS. BELFORT" LIVE "PRELIMS" UNDER CARD COMMENTARY (FACEBOOK):
Hemmi here!
155 lbs.: C.J. Keith vs. Francisco Trinaldo
Round one:
Round two:
Round three:
Final result: Francisco Trinaldo defeats C.J. Keith via submission (arm triangle)
-end-