Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will stage its first major mixed martial arts (MMA) pay-per-view (PPV) event of the New Year later TONIGHT (Sat., Feb. 2, 2013) from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
And it coincides with Super Bowl weekend, too.
UFC 156 features a "super" fight between 145-pound superstars Jose Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar in the main event, while a Light Heavyweight showdown between Rashad Evans vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira is expected to serve as the co-main event of the evening. Huge Heavyweight veterans -- Alistair Overeem vs. Antonio Silva -- will also be featured on the PPV main card along with a select few others.
MMAmania.com will provide LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the UFC 156 main card action below, which is slated to start promptly at 10 p.m. ET. The latest fight-by-fight updates of the live action will begin to flow earlier than that around 7 p.m. ET with the "Prelims" bouts on Facebook and FX Channel.
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 156) 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 "Aldo vs. Edgar."
Without further delay, see below for the latest UFC 156 results. (Note: This will go from the bottom up; therefore, scroll toward the bottom for the latest detailed round-by-round action.)
UFC 156 QUICK RESULTS:
UFC Featherweight Champ Jose Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar Aldo wins via unanimous decision (49-46 x2, 48-47)
Rashad Evans vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira Nogueira wins via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Alistair Overeem vs. Antonio Silva Silva wins via TKO (punches) 0:25 of round 3
Jon Fitch vs. Demian Maia - Maia wins via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Joseph Benavidez vs. Ian McCall - Benavidez wins via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Evan Dunham vs. Gleison Tibau - Dunham wins via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
Jay Hieron vs. Tyron Woodley - Woodley wins via KO (punches) - 0:36 round 1
Bobby Green vs. Jacob Volkmann - Green wins via submission (RNC) - 4:25 round 3
Yves Edwards vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg - Flagg wins via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
Chico Camus vs. Dustin Kimura - Kimura wins via submission (RNC) - 1:50 round 3
Edwin Figueroa vs. Francisco Rivera - Rivera wins via TKO (strikes) - 4:20 round 2
UFC 156 PLAY-BY-PLAY LIVE MAIN CARD COMMENTARY (PPV):
Hemmi here!
UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar
Round one: Aldo takes the cage center early and both men look very light on their feet. Jab from Aldo and a leg kick which Edgar fails to catch. Inside leg kick from Edgar and he steps inside with a lead left hook but Edgar dances out of the way. Leg kick from Edgar and Aldo catches Edgar on the way in with an uppercut. Sharp right hand from Aldo and Edgar throws a spinning back kick but it comes up short. Edgar is continuing to chase Aldo down but he can't land anything significant and Aldo keeps popping him with short lightning fast strikes. Nasty outside leg kick from Aldo and then a sharp jab. Combination from Aldo and Edgar is hanging in there. Another leg kick from Aldo and then a left hand. Edgar is bleeding a bit out of his mouth. Front kick from Edgar and Aldo steps forward with a huge high kick at the end of the round. 10-9 Aldo
Round two: Right hand from Aldo to get things started and Edgar backs him off wit forward pressure. Anothe rright hand and a left from Aldo and Edgar is trying to catch u pto him, but Aldo is matching him in pure speed. Edgar eats a left and then a left jab. More left jabs from Aldo and he's timing Edgar's aggression very well. Leg kick from Edgar and then a body kick. Edgar presses forward in an exchange and Aldo gets the better of it. Edgar shoots in for a takedown and Aldo stuffs it easily. Right hand from Aldo backs Edgar off and a huge leg kick from Aldo staggers him. MASSIVE leg kick from Aldo and Edgar goes down briefly but pops back up. Edgar moving slower already from the leg kicks. Another leg kick from Aldo and he throws a flying knee but Edgar clinches. Aldo throws a leg kick and Edgar shoots in for a takedown, landing a right hand but Aldo pops back to his feet with ease. Double jab from Aldo catches Edgar and Aldo misses with a spinning back kick at the end of the round. 10-9 Aldo
Round three: Leg kick from Aldo and Edgar scores an immediate takedown but Aldo pops back to his feet like he's on a trampoline. Push kick to the face from Aldo and Edgar is bleeding out of his nose badly. Edgar continues pressing forward but Aldo is still catching him with jabs on the way in. Edgar presses forward with a combination and lands a few good leg kicks to the outside and inside. Another leg kick from Edgar and Aldo backs him off with a lead left hook. Right hand from Edgar and he's starting to gain momentum here. Uppercut from Aldo and he shrugs off a takedown attempt from Edgar easily. Edgar lands a right hand and then a leg kick. Another leg kick from Edgar. Big kicks from both men to finish the round. 10-9 Aldo
Round four: Edgar steps forward with a right hand and scores a good leg kick. Spinning back kick to the gut from Aldo and Edgar lands a good right hand to back him off. Edgar steps forward, going high with a body kick but it's blocked. Spinning back kick from Edgar comes up short. Takedown attempt from Edgar is fended off but he gets the better of the striking exchange afterwards. Aldo is breathing heavy and Edgar lands a left hook. Body kick from Edgar and they trade right hands. Takedown from Edgar but Aldo pops to his feet. Edgar has a reverse body lock and he knees Aldo in the legs. Another knee from Edgar and Aldo forces a separation. Edgar attempts a takedown but Aldo backs him off with a jumping knee. 10-9 Edgar
Round five: Edgar puts the pressure on early, backing Aldo up. Leg kick from Edgar and Aldo throws a jab and a jumping knee, but it misses. Right hand connects for Edgar and he backs Aldo up with repeated jabs. Left hand from Aldo and Edgar shoots in for a takedown but gets stuffed, landing a knee but eating a left hook in the process before separating. Leg kick from Edgar and he continues to press forward, missing a head kick. They clinch and Edgar throws a very nice knee on the exit. Combination from Edgar and he lands an inside leg kick. Huge right hand from Aldo stop Edgar in his tracks but he resets and keeps moving forward. Aldo lands a right hand and then another. Edgar continues to press forward, throwing a combination as Aldo looks at the clock. Lead left hook for Edgar and he grazes with a head kick. Aldo kicks off the cage and blasts Edgar with a superman punch right before the horn. 10-9 Edgar This one all comes down to the close third round.
Final result: Jose Aldo defeats Frankie Edgar via unanimous decision (49-46. 49-46. 48-47)
-end-
Rashad Evans vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
Round one: Nogueira has the cage center to get things started and Evans is flashing a jab in his face. Leg kick from Evans and a body kick but Nogueira is looking ot counter, winging a right hand. Another body kick from Evans and he attempts a head kick but it's blocked. Solid jab from Nogueira and he's starting to find his range. Straight left from Nogueira and then another. He's definitely starting to find his range. Evans steps in and connects with a heavy left hand that staggers Nogueira but Little Nog recovers. Evans shoots in for a takedown and briefly puts Nogueira down but Nogueira pops to his feet. Evans scores with a right hand right at the end of the round. 10-9 Evans
Round two:Evans is trying to work his right hand but Nogueira pops him with a left. Lead left hook from Nogueira and then a left to the head and the body. Evans steps forward with a doubled-up pair of hooks and then connects with an inside leg kick. Evans lunges forward with a right hand but whiffs. Nogueira steps forward with a left hand that lands, then a right jab. Evans shoots in for a takedown and almost scores it but Nogueira fends it off and lands a left then a right hand. Another left from Nogueira and Evans pops him with a clean right hook that knocks him back. Evans throws a good high kick at the end of the round. 10-9 Nogueira
Round three: Evans keeps throwign a patty cake jab at nogueira but neither man gets anything going in th efirst minute. Right jab from Nogueira and a body kick from Nogueira. Stiff jab from Nogueira and Evans just is doing nothing. Evans' patty cake jab pokes Nogueira in the eye and we take a break. They reset and Nogueira goes over the top with a left hand and then lands a nice body kick. Nogueira backs Evans off with a combination and then connects with a body kick. Leg kick from Nogueira and he scores with a left on the inside as Evans tries to get something going. Nogueira is jus tbeing the busier fighter here. Evans shoots in for a takedown and can't get it, easily stuffed by Nogueira. Evans lands a right hand at the end of the fight. I have no idea why Evans didn't try to be more active there. 10-9 Nogueira
Final result: Antonio Rogerio Nogueira defeats Rashad Evans via unanimous decision
-end-
Alistair Overeem vs. Antonio Silva
Round one: Silva has his hands covering his face early and Overeem has control of the cage center. They clinch along the cage and Overeem lands a big knee before separating. Leg kick from Silva and Overeem steps forward with a left uppercut before initiating a clinch. Overeem steps back and throws a godo right hand and then a knee to the body, then a knee to the leg. Overeem backs off and Silva throws a heavy body kick and initiates a clinch but Overeem throws a knee to the body. Another knee from Overeem and he backs off. Bigfoot throws a body kick and Overeem throws a right hand and then a step-in knee. Right hand from Silva is avoided and Overeem lands a huge leg kick. They spend the majority of the rest of the round in the clinch along the fence. 10-9 Overeem
Round two: Silva lands a leg kick early and Overeem is stalking him in the cage center. They trade right hands and Overeem grabs a body lock and takes Silva down into side control. Overeem drops some punches and Bigfoot retains full guard. Silva has closed guard and Ovedreem drops som ehavy body punches but he would be wise to back off unles she can land some heavy blows. Silva has wrist control from bottom and Overeem drop ssom eelbows to the body. Silva kicks him off but Overeem drops down again into his closed guard, dropping some short punches. Left hand from Overeem and after another minute of this, he backs off and they get to the feet. Silva steps forward with some huge punches and Overeem responds with a knee. Good punches from Bigfoot at the end of the round and Overeem lands an elbow at the end of the round. 10-9 Overeem
Round three: Bigfoot steps forward and lands a huge punch! Overeem is rocked! Silva pours it on with a tremendous flurry of blows and Overeem turns away from the punishment. Holy shit. Bigfoot continues blasting Overeem and a huge right hand rocks Overeem again. MASSIVE flurry of punches from Silva and Overeem slumps along the fence and the ref stops the fight. WOW!!!
Final result: Antonio Silva defeats Alistair Overeem via TKO (punches) at 0:25 of round three
-end-
Jon Fitch vs. Demian Maia
Round one: Maia immediately shoots in for a takedown along the fence and quickly takes Fitch to the ground. They scramble and Maia takes his back, locking in a body triangle. Maia is already hunting for a rear naked choke and Fitch stands back up but Maia is on his back like a backpack. Maia drops some punches and Fitch responds with some reverse elbows to the thigh. Maia switches from a body triangle to having both hooks in and he now he again tries to take him down, putting him on the canvas. Fitch is being stubborn, but Maia again takes him down and locks in a body triangle again. Maia drops some right punches and he's trying to attack Fitch as he turtles but Fitch is hanging in there. Fitch postures up on his knees, but Maia is still plastered to him all the way to the end of the round. 10-8 Maia
Round two: Maia shoots in but gets stuffed. They stand in the cage center and Fitch lands a nice right hand over the top. Maia shoots in again an dhe takes Fitch down once more, immediately working to pass, but Fitch is defending. Fitch turtles and pops back to his feet, but Maia takes him down once more along the fence and has a hook in. Maia gets the second hook in and he's trying to lock on a choke. Maia has a choke and he looks like he might have it. He's going palm to palm but Fitch is surviving. Maia gives up on the choke and goes back to dropping some shots strikes to try and soften him up. Left hands from Maia and Fitch is handfighting but they stay that way until time expires. 10-8 Maia
Round three: Maia shoots in immediately and works for a takedown. He has a reverse body lock but Fitch fends him off for now. Maia is relentless and takes his back as Fitch turtles. Fitch scrambles back to his feet but Maia shoots in again and he's deep in on a takedown but Fitch latches on a guillotine and forces Maia to drop to his back to defend it. Now Fitch is on top and he drops some right hands. Maia is on bottom in half guard and he reverses position, popping back to his feet. Maia has a reverse body lock and he throws some heavy knees to Fitch's thighs. Maia shoots in for a takedown but Fitch fends him off adn creates separation. Fitch tries to land some punches but Maia shoots in for a single leg and presses forward until he takes him down again. Maia takes his back again and drops some punches. Maia has a body triangle and drops some hammerfists, taking full mount right as the horn sounds. 10-9 Maia
Final result: Demian Maia defeats Jon Fitch via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
-end-
Joseph Benavidez vs. Ian McCall
Round one: Benavidez has the cage center early an dthe clinch. McCall shoots in for a takedown along the fence and gets shut down. Right hand from Benavidez on the break and they reset. Benavidez is really looking for that big overhand right against McCall. Heavy kick to the body from McCall and Benavidez responds with a low kick as well. Another kick from McCall and then another. Benavidez steps in with an overhand right and both men trade huge strikes, but Benavdiez clips McCall with a huge left hand. Outside leg kick from McCall and he lands a stiff left hook on the inside but Benavidez gets him back. Heavy right hand from McCall and McCall responds with a body kick. Benavidez again with a right hand and he scores with an inside leg kick. Benavidez looks sharp with all of his strikes. Heavy right hand from Benavidez and McCall responds with a right of his own and an elbow. McCall scores with a left hook and a right hand in combination. Huge body kicks from both men and McCall scores a nice right hand that knocks him off balance. Benavidez is bleeding on his forehead. 10-9 Benavidez
Round two: Benavidez lands a heavy body shot and an overhand right to get things started. Good kick from McCall and Benavidez steps in with a right hand. They trade heavy shots and Benavidez gets the better of it and then lands a right hand afterwards. They clinch and McCall scores with some god inside knees to the body. Benavidez takes inside position in the clinch and throws a few short punches but backs off. Body kick from McCall and Benavidez responds with a quick left. Right hand from Benavidez. Benavidez shoots in for a takedown but McCall winds up on top of him and takes his back with both hooks in. Benavidez is scrambling like crazy an dMcCall lands some good punches from behind. Benavidez gets back to his feet but McCall has a reverse body lock and throws heavy knees to the thigh and some short punches until time runs out. 10-9 McCall
Round three: Huge punch from Benavidez rocks McCall along the fence but he doesn't follow up. Benavidez clinches and throws a good elbow but backs off. Body kick from Benavidez an dMcCall just can't time him with his striking very well. McCall needs to make somethin ghappen. Benavidez lands a straight left and McCall responds with a combination. McCall shoots in and scores a takedown, immediately passing guard but Benavidez scrambles back to his feet. Benavidez lands a right hand and they trade leg kicks. Nice body kick from McCall and Benavidez throws a heavy body kick and a quick right hand. Right hand from Benavidez and McCall is running out of time. McCall drops down with a right hand to the body. McCall looks for a takedown but gets stuffed an dBenavidez tags him with a right hand. Body kick from Benavidez and he lands a 1-2 right before the bell. 10-9 Benavidez
Final result: Joseph Benavidez defeats Ian McCall via unanimous decision (29-28)
-end-
UFC 156 PLAY-BY-PLAY LIVE "PRELIMS" UNDER CARD COMMENTARY (FX):
Braiterman still here and vaguely sober!
Round one: Final undercard bout of the night after that replay of Kimura's win from earlier. Tibau is in the blue shorts and Dunham in black. Dunham lands a left and then circles out. Tibau glances a left hook off the chin. Dunham using his reach well to keep Tibau at the end of a 1-2. Tibau powers forward and hits a takedown. Tibau locking on a guillotine and tries to drag him into guard to finish, but Dunham rolls through and breaks the hold. Tibau on top as Dunham scrambles. Tibau heavy on Dunham's head/neck from a north/south position. Dunham gets to his feet and presses Tibau into the fence with double underhooks. Tibau powers off, but they're still clinched. They separate and Dunham glances a jab as they back off. Switch kick from Dunham misses. A jab from "tee baow" as Goldie just enunciated it hits. Dunham lands a right. Dunham shoots as Tibau is up against the cage and they clinch. Tibau reverses as they pummel and work back and forth in the clinch. It ends with an exchange of body knees.
Close round, but if I had to guess, I'd guess that the judges give it to Tibau 10-9 for the top control and sub attempt.
Round two: Powerful blows just got thrown, but neither land flush. Dunham with a right. Tibau misses on a shot of a single. Tibau is definitely slower this round, but he lands a nice counter left that makes Dunham blink. Dunham hits a takedown but Tibau is right back to his feet with his back up on the cage. They exchange leads and circle again. Dunham is ducking his head on every strike - it keeps him offline from the counter, as Rogan pointed out, but he might duck into a headkick somewhere if Tibau can time it. Jab from Dunham. Lol, this shot from Dunham looks like he tried to take down a mailbox as Tibau just walls him. These two are having nice firing exchanges of two and three punches, but neither is landing a bullseye yet. Dunham wades forward with an uppercut as the boards clap, and they end it winging again.
10-10? Maybe 10-9 Dunham.
Round three: Tibau immediately going to the grappling as he gets a momentary takedown and then tries to snap on that guillotine. He pulls guard with the choke attempt, but Dunham shirks him off and gets back to standing. Dunham misses a 1-2 and a head kick. A right lands for Dunham and he misses a takedown. Dunham lands a stiff jab as Tibau comes forward, that takes the stocky Brazilian to a knee for a second. Tibau just devours another takedown with the heaviest of hips and they're back to throwing punches in... well not bunches, but a small bunch. Two minutes left and Tibau owns another takedown attempt. Dunham landing some nice shots as Tibau tries to fire back. He's missing more often than not because he's not been able to close the range. Dunham is holding him at bay for most of the round. Another takedown attempt that just gets bludgeoned by Tibau. He may be gassed, but those instincts are still rock solid. Dunham is landing jabs and elbows over and over. Huge flying knee for Dunham with about 20 seconds left that lands flush as Tibau eats it. Dunham with another knee as a close bout ends.
Easy 10-9 for Dunham, but I've got no idea how the judges are going to score this fight.
Final result: Evan Dunham wins via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
-end-
Round one: Not gonna lie folks, I'm not anticipating a barnburner here. Having said that, watch this be fight of the night. Hieron in the white trunks and Woodley is in black. Woodley with a HUGE, HUGE winging right that plants Hieron on his butt and Tyron turns out the lights with vicious GNP.
Not gonna lie, I considered deleting those first two lines, as I hadn't posted them, but hey, props to T-Wood on that massive blowout. Egg on my face.
Final result: Tyron Woodley wins via KO (punches and GNP) - 0:36 of round 1
-end-
Bobby Green vs. Jacob Volkmann
Round one: Again, sir Bobby here is black and senor Jacob is white. (Green in the blue trunks and "Christmas" in the black). Volkmann misses a high kick early. Green adopting the Overeem tactic of crouching low and square to prevent the takedown. Lowkick from Green. There's the single from Volkmann that Green initially stuffs, but he chains into the takedown. Volkmann in Green's half guard as they're up against the cage. Light ground and pound from the maligned Volkmann. Green tries to explode, but not shockingly, Volkmann stays on top. Green bucks his hips again and has a vague version of guard, but it's more Volkmann stacking Green. Volkmann standing over Green and raining down punches. Green kicks him off, but Volkmann charges right back in. Volkmann with Green's back and a body triangle in. Volkmann fishing for the RNC and there's a minute left in the round. Volkmann keeps hunting it, but Green keeps shucking the elbow off his chin and neck every time. Volkmann gives up on the neck and just throws left punches for the final 15 seconds.
10-9 Volkmann easy.
Round two: Green lands a kick and tries a second, which is like waving a red flag in front of a bull. Volkmann obliges and shoots, but Green manages to stuff him. Green backs Volkmann into the cage and lands a bit before breaking. Volkmann shoots and misses. Volkmann shoots again and this time ends up on his back, and Green goes on top. Green landing some decent GNP, despite being on the ground with the dangerous Volkmann. Green in half guard landing some nice elbows. Volkmann trying to shrimp out, but Green is heavy on top of him and landing strikes.
Holy shit balls, Kim Winslow stops them and stands them up despite Green landing at least three dozen strikes. Volkmann looks slowed, but he's still got enough in the tank to run up behind Green's back. Volkmann drags him down and again does a bunch of RNC attempts that get blocked every time until the round runs out.
10-9 Green, despite the shenanigans of one of the worst refs in the business.
Round three: Green manages to stuff the takedown early but gets hit low in the pills from Volkmann. A kick from Green and he stops the predictable shot from Volkmann that follows. Another kick and another sutff. Green lands a nice outside trip straight into side control. North-south position for a minute, but Green swings back to side. Half guard now. Green with some short right elbows as Volkmann tries to reverse, and then backs away as Volkmann shoots nothing but air. Another attempt, another stuff. Green finally gets a kick caught from Volkmann and he lands the takedown, but Green rolls through and is on top. They scramble and Volkmann takes the back again. Green is trying to roll into Volkmann and he does, straight into mount. Big GNP and Winslow is close to stopping it. Volkmann grabs a hold of Green's chest and manages to survive. Green breaks off and Volkmann rolls, but Green catches his neck and CHOKES HIM OUT!
Final result: Bobby Green wins via submission (RNC) at 4:25 of round 3
-end-
Yves Edwards vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg
Round one: Flagg is the white guy and Edwards is black (Flagg with blue and red shorts and Edwards with black trunks, Brittany in red shorts). The other Yves, Lavigne, is the ref. Flagg starts out with aggressive strikes from a bunch of angles - kicks, uppercuts, straight jabs... Edwards is a smart veteran here and is circling and taking it well. They clinch and Flagg gets in some good dirty boxing. Edwards lands a nice headkick on the break. More dirty boxing from Flagg. Big right from Flagg lands flush and Edwards buckles a bit but recovers. They clinch again and Flagg is landing good short elbows and knees. Lead uppercut from Flagg hits. Leg kick from Edwards hits and he goes for a body kick. It scores, but Flagg catches it. Edwards nails a jumping knee as Flagg tries to clinch. Edwards backs him into the cage, but Flagg reverses. Edwards reverses back and breaks away. Flagg ends the round clinching after a bangfest of a round.
Flagg 10-9
Round two: Flagg catches another body kick and uses it to back Edwards back into the fencing. They break off at about a minute into the round as Edwards threatens with a Thai plumm. More good dirty boxing from Flagg, as he rips the body then goes upstairs. Edwards hits a jab and a right. Flagg backs him into the cage and at the advice of Mike Thomas Brown in his corner, Edwards gets his back off the cage. He actually grabs a single and topples Flagg to the mat. Edwards on top in half guard, trying to pass to side control and does with about two minutes left. Flagg attempting to regain half, but Edwards stuffs it and mounts him. Flagg rolls, but Edwards maintains position with the double hooks and threatens with the RNC. Flagg defending well as he's milked a full minute off the clock. Edwards still threatening, but it's on the jaw and not the neck. Flagg survives, but I'll say 10-9 Edwards.
Round three: Flagg pressing and Edwards countering. Lead left and a right lands for Flagg. Edwards ducks under a 1-2 and lands a straight right. Knee to the body from Edwards. Right to the jaw from Flagg. Clinching into the fence again and Edwards escapes. Edwards with a decent uppercut. Flagg lands a pair of rights. Flagg with a good knee as Edwards ducks. Edwards tries a single and Flagg stuff it. Edwards looks like he might be fading a bit from the pressure as Flagg backs him into the cage again. Hard right from Flagg scores. Flagg pushing him up against the cage and working on yet more dirty boxing. Edwards with a left. Flagg pushing forward and Edwards is trying to counter, but getting hit more than he's landing. The round ends with the two standing and wanging as we hit our first decision. Flagg 10-9 on my mark.
Final result: Isaac Vallie-Flagg wins via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
-end-
UFC 156 PLAY-BY-PLAY LIVE "PRELIMS" UNDER CARD COMMENTARY (FACEBOOK):
Braito here, live and sober!
Round one: Camus in the black trunks and Kimura in the white. I promise I won't make any awful puns about Dustin's name unless there's a stoppage via some form of armlock. Camus looking good early and plants Kimura with a straight punch about 20 seconds in. Kimura scrambles up before Camus can pounce. Another 20 seconds later and... I couldn't tell if it was a takedown from Camus or Kimura pulling guard, but thats where we are in the middle of the ring. Kimura has a very active guard and is threatening the triangle and armbar repeatedly. Camus defends and moves them both into the cage. Camus defends and armbar, but Kimura uses it to threaten with an Omoplata. Camus rolls through, and Kimura stays on top of the roll. Kimura postures up and hits a solid right before they go back to grappling. Camus reverses and is back on top in guard. Rogan is harping on the arm placement of Camus, as he keeps putting it on the ground. "You can't put your arm on the ground against someone who doesn't suck."
Kimura with rubber guard, then back to regular guard... He threatens with an armbar as time expires in the first. Not really sure how to score this - Camus won the standup and had top control, but spent nearly four minutes of the round defending triangles, armbars and omoplatas. I'll give it to Kimura 10-9, but I could see 10-10 or 10-9 Camus.
Round two: More standing and circling this round for both fighters. Nearly half the round has expired without anything very significant being landed. Kimura is threatening with his right hand but not throwing. Two minutes left and Camus clinches and pushes Kimura into the cage. The nice seats are still mostly empty at this point as the camera stays with the empty chair shot. Low single from Camus and he's into the threatening guard of Kimura. Camus continues to make the mistake of having his arms behind Kimura's back and Dustin promptly threatens with the triangle, omoplata, armbar and straight armbar combo platter. I guess 10-9 Camus? Sure.
Round three: A lot of short punches in ones and twos to open the round. Camus tries a takedown but Kimura stuffs it as they back into the cage. They re-engage and Camus goes for a takedown, but it was as Kimura was coming forward and his momentum puts him on top of Camus. Kimura is in full mount and working to finish. Camus rolls to his front and Kimura stays on top with both hooks in. Kimura slaps on a rear naked and chokes out Camus.
Final result: Dustin Kimura wins via submission (RNC) at 1:50 of round 3
-end-
Edwin Figueroa vs. Francisco Rivera
Round one: Facebook and Youtube are up and running and ish is about to go down on one of the best cards in many, many months. Rivera in the white trunks and sporting the standard assortment of mildly absurd tattoos. Figueroa in the blue with the red Venum patches. Sparse crowd for this opening bout - dang Vegas crowds not appreciating what they've got. Figueroa lands a sweet combo about a minute in that hurts Rivera. 30 seconds later and Figueroa knocks down Rivera with a solid left hook. Rivera with a solid guard and threatens with a triangle that allows him to escape to standing. Rivera lands a pair of hooks. Figueroa eats a leg kick but lands an overhand in retaliation. They clinch and Rivera gets the trip takedown. Nice guard from Figueroa... nope, Rivera passes straight to side control, however Figueroa hip escapes and gets to his feet. One minute left in the round as we see the skeletal Kim Winslow stalking in the background as the two fighters trade. Rivera hits a question mark/Brazilian kick and scores another trip takedown with about 25 seconds left. Light ground and pound from Rivera ends the round.
I'd score that 10-9 Figueroa for overall damage done.
Round two: Light trading to start as neither fighter lands solid. Figueroa catches a kick from Rivera and bulls forward for the takedown. They're up near the cage and Rivera throws his legs up for another triangle attempt. Figueroa powers through and is in Rivera's guard. He postures up and is landing some decent GNP. That was a good oh... 90 seconds worth of solid striking from top for Figueroa. Rivera is landing a bunch of right leg kicks and Figueroa looks like he's fading badly. Figueroa is backing up and Rivera is landing kicks and punches almost at will. Figueroa is channeling the ghost of Leonard Garcia with his wild, winging punches, but the straight punches of Rivera are landing and wow, Figueroa just got blasted with a huge right that buckled his legs. Rivera is just unloading on Figueroa up against the cage. He escapes for a couple seconds, but Rivera chases him down and finishes Figueroa with a right upside the head.
Final result: Winner via TKO (strikes) - Francisco Rivera at 4:20 of round 2
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