Here we go!
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is back in the Atlanta area for a special Wednesday night mixed martial arts (MMA) extravaganza on FOX Sports 1, which takes place TONIGHT (Jan. 15, 2014) from Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Georgia.
Leading the charge will be former Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold, as he tries to secure his first win inside the Octagon at the expense of longtime 185-pound veteran Constantinos Philippou. Elsewhere on the card, Lorenz Larkin battles Brad Tavares while Charlie Brenneman gets another crack at UFC infamy opposite Beneil Dariush.
MMAmania.com will provide LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Fight Night 35 fight card TONIGHT (Weds., Jan. 15, 2014) right here, starting with the Fight Pass "Prelims" at 4 p.m. ET, right on through the FOX Sports 1-televised main card bouts at 7 p.m. ET.
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 35) 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 "Rockhold vs. Philippou."
Without further delay, see below for the latest UFC Fight Night 35 results. (Note: This will go from the bottom up; therefore, scroll toward the bottom for the latest detailed round-by-round action.)
UFC FIGHT NIGHT 35 QUICK RESULTS:
185 lbs.: Luke Rockhold def. Constantinos Philippou by TKO (body kicks) at 2:31 of Round One
185 lbs.: Brad Tavares def. Lorenz Larkin by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
125 lbs.: John Moraga def. Dustin Ortiz by split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
135 lbs.: T.J. Dillashaw def. Mike Easton by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
185 lbs.: Yoel Romero def. Derek Brunson by TKO (strikes) at 3:23 of Round Three
145 lbs.: Cole Miller def. Sam Sicilia by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:55 of Round Two
155 lbs.: Ramsey Nijem def. Justin Edwards by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
155 lbs.: Elias Silverio def. Isaac Vallie-Flagg by unanimous decision (29-27 x3)
185 lbs.: Brian Houston vs. Trevor Smith -- Smith wins via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
125 lbs.: Alptekin Ozkilic vs. Louis Smolka -- Smolka wins via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
155 lbs.: Vinc Pichel vs. Garett Whiteley -- Pichel wins via unanimous decision (30-27 x 3)
155 lbs.: Beneil Dariush vs. Charlie Brenneman -- Dariush wins via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:45 round 1
UFC FIGHT NIGHT 35 PLAY-BY-PLAY:
Luke Rockhold vs. Constantinos Philippou
Round 1: Nothing much in the first minute. Costas has a high kick blocked. Rockhold's counter right hook glances off. It lands clean the next time and buckles Philippou. Costas answers with a left hook and Rockhold briefly holds him against the fence. Philippou blocks a head kick. Philippou storming forward behind punches as Rockhold tries to time his right hook. BIG body kicks by Rockhold crumple Philippou and Herb Dean rushes in to save him. Damn.
Final result: Rockhold def. Philippou by TKO
-end-
Lorenz Larkin vs. Brad Tavares
Round 1: Tavares looking to work the jab. Good leg kick. Larkin with a superman punch, Tavares answers with a left hook. Body kick from Brad. Good body shots. Jab to the body and a hard leg kick. Larkin has a high kick blocked. Another leg kick from Tavares. Tries to go high. Tavares to the body, tries to end it high. Body kick, then a leg kick. Larkin just not throwing. Now he connects with a leg kick. Hard right hand from Larkin, Tavares takes it and lend a left hook. Wide right hand from Larkin after Brad blocks a high kick. Larkin with a right hand, Tavares answers when Larkin kicks his leg. Tavares again to the body. Larkin swings wildly, Tavares latches onto his back as he turns to reorient himself. Tavares gets him down with ten seconds to go and ends the round with one hook in. 10-9 Tavares.
Round 2: Tavares with an inside leg kick. 3-2 form Tavares. Larkin to the leg. Head kick blocked. Tavares avoids a big uppercut. Larkin flurries with three punches, lands the latter two. Tavares to the body with that same low-high combination. Leg kick lands. Again with that combo, landing well downstairs. Leg kicks, met by a Larkin leg kick. Counter left hook from Tavares as Larkin approaches. Larkin leg kick met by Tavares' right hand. Brad goes to the body yet again. Body kick. Leg kick. Tavares shoots for a double-leg and gets Larkin to the fence. He gets Larkin down and takes the back as Larkin tries to rise. Tavares chilling on Larkin's back. Larkin spins into top position with ten seconds left. Brad ends the round working for an armbar. 10-9 Tavares.
Round 3: One-two from Tavares. Another one-two. Left high kick nearly connects. Two more leg kicks by Tavares. Larkin tries to flurry, eats a counter right hand for his trouble. Right hand from Tavares after faking a takedown. Now Larkin lands a left hook. Tavares lands a right hand, tries for a takedown, eats an elbow from the plum. Tavares with another hard leg kick. Larkin lands a right hand and dodges a superman punch off the cage. Spinning backfist is blocked. Leg kick is not. They briefly clinch before Larkin disengages. Larkin sprawls on a takedown and attempts a guillotine. Tavares rolls onto his back, Larkin disengages and lets him up. Tavares shoots once again, eats some Browne elbows against the fence. Larkin continues firing those elbows, though Tavares' glove is blocking it. He attempts to ride the pipe but cannot. Larkin thumps him with an uppercut when he exits the clinch. Lorenz limp-legs his way out of a single. Tavares attempts a single-leg to end the fight. 10-9 Tavares.
Final result: Tavares def. Larkin by unanimous decision
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John Moraga vs. Dustin Ortiz
Round 1: Ortiz lands a hard counter overhand early and stops the resultant takedown attempt. Ortiz shoots for a takedown of his own and takes Moraga's back standing. Moraga defending well, eventually gets pressed into the cage. Ortiz still looking for trips. Good knee to the body from Dustin, who is working with double underhooks. After about a minute of working, Ortiz finally gets Moraga down and starts punching from the latter's open guard. Ortiz briefly passes to half guard. Moraga trying to stall and get a standup. Moraga gets his back on the fence but can't stand. Ortiz to half guard. Nothing happens but sporadic short punches from Ortiz for the last ninety seconds. 10-9 Ortiz.
Round 2: Moraga on the front foot. Low kick lands. Solid uppercut and left hook from Moraga as Ortiz steps in. Another leg kick. Moraga looking for the counter left hook. Ortiz with a leg kick of his own. Moraga left hook and Ortiz right connect. BIG left hook by Moraga has Ortiz looking for a takedown. He moves Moraga to the fence but gets reversed. Solid body blows by Moraga before Ortiz escapes. Ortiz slips as he retreats and Moraga tries to take his back. Ortiz in top position but eating elbows. Ortiz tries to move to a better position but gives up his back. Moraga latches onto the choke and nearly gets it, but doesn't quite have the angle. Ortiz manages to roll out and eventually winds up on top in side control. Moraga rolls and Ortiz tries to work a front headlock. Moraga escapes out the backdoor and they stand. Good left hook by Moraga once again. Moraga sprawls on a takedown attempt, but Ortiz manages to sit through and take the back. Moraga rolls out and gets top position at the bell. 10-9 Moraga.
Round 3: Both kick the body at the same time. Lead right hand by Moraga, followed shortly thereafter by a left hook. Moraga sprawls on another takedown. Solid jab from Ortiz lands and he ducks a right high kick. Good counter hook my Moraga, Ortiz with a lead right afterwards. Quick exchange. Moraga low kick and left hook. Ortiz with a solid combination. Moraga attempts a takedown, can't get it, lands a knee to the body on the exit. Ortiz lands some good short blows. Ortiz now landing well, catches a body kick and lands a right. Ortiz hits a takedown with two minutes to go. Ortiz establishes in side control, Moraga quickly works his way back to half. Back to guard. Moraga kicks Ortiz off and stands. Ortiz goes for a takedown and they scramble, Ortiz winding up in dominant position against the cage. Ortiz hits another takedown in the last ten seconds and lands short ground-and-pound. 10-9 Ortiz.
Final result: Moraga def. Ortiz by split decision
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T.J. Dillashaw vs. Mike Easton
Round 1: Easton with a Lloyd Irvin shirt. I wish bad things upon him.
Side kick by Easton to the gut. Easton with a counter right hand. Body kick by Dillashaw connects. Leg kick. Easton tries a spinning back kick. Dillashaw lands a left hook. Head kick falls short, Easton drops an off-balance Dillasha with a body kick. Dillashaw drops for a double-leg against the cage and gets it. Easton works his way to butterfly guard. Easton elevates and pushes him off, but Dillashaw shoots again when Easton stands. Dillashaw pressing Easton against the fence, taking knees to the body. They separate. Quick exchange at close range. Easton with a knee to the body. Side kick. Left-right by Dillashaw, big right hand lands. Lead left connects. TJ misses an uppercut, Easton attempts to counter with hooks. Kicks from both men. Dillashaw flurries briefly with Easton against the cage. Easton's eye is bothering him. Body kick by Dillashaw and a left hand at the bell. 10-9 Dillashaw.
Round 2: And there's Lloyd himself. Wonderful.
Dillashaw leg kick. Dillashaw with a punching combination. Hook exchange. Hard leg kicks from both. Leg kick by Dillashaw, lead right by Easton. Body kicks from Dillashaw met by one from Easton. TJ lands a head kick and Easton uses the opportunity to try to get him down. TJ wins the scramble and takes his back. Easton turns, TJ now in half guard. Short left hands from TJ. Easton makes it to his feet but eats a knee form the plum. Combination by TJ before they separate. Body kick by Dillashaw, who avoids consecutive heel kicks from Easton. TJ presses forward and takes Easton down against the cage. One hook in. Easton shrimps out and gets half guard. Easton rises, TJ gets a hook in. Now working some knees to the legs. Dillashaw tries a suplex, Easton defends nicely. Easton fishing for a Kimura, continues to take knees to the thighs. Easton spins for the Kimura but can't get it. TJ lands a big right hand at the end of the round as Easton stands. All Dillashaw. 10-9.
Round 3: Both land short right hands. Easton lands a leg kick. Dillashaw left hook ends a combination. TJ whiffs on an uppercut, lands a sequence of three hard straights. Easton winging haymakers, but eats a hook as he throws. Dillashaw lands to the body. Two big shots by TJ to the head. Easton knees the body. Front kick to the body by Dillashaw. Leg kick. Left hook after a superman punch falls short. Right uppercut met by an Easton straight right. Dillashaw is winning every exchange. Another good right hand. Lead left right through Easton's guard. Knee to the body by Easton lands. Easton shoots, TJ limp-legs out of it. Three-piece combination connects for TJ. Another right hand. Body kick connects .Dillashaw with a left straight and a knee. Easton with a couple of leg kicks. Dillashaw with two Thai knees and a right hand to end the round. Absolute domination from the Team Alpha Male rep. 10-9 Dillashaw.
Final result:i Dillashaw def. Easton by unanimous decision
-end-
Derek Brunson vs. Yoel Romero
Round 1: Brunson lands a left straight early. Romero lands a left hand and tries a flying knee that bounces off Brunson's chest. Brunson shoots in for a double leg, but can't keep him down for long. Brunson with another left. Romero with a right to the body. Left hand to the guts this time. Brunson lands a clean head kick on Romero, who takes it like it was nothing. Jumping elbow attempt by Romero. Brunson leg kicks, Romero body kick. Romero ducks for a takedown, bails when Brunson gets his hips out of the way. Big right uppercut by Romero. Up elbow attempt, then a flying knee, neither of which land. Romero reverses a takedown attempt but can't keep Brunson down. Romero dropped by a short shot and Brunson takes his back standing. Romero attempts a Kimura but is lifted and slammed by Brunson. Brunson with one hook in standing, ends the round in the clinch. Impressive round for Derek. 10-9 Brunson.
Round 2: Romero flicking out his lead leg. One-two from Brunson falls short. Right hook by Brunson. Romero lands a punch on Brunson's groin; it bounced off Brunson's elbow to get there, though, so it wasn't intentional. Romero starting to throw power shots but can't land. Big left by Brunson, Romero with a left. Yoel taunting Brunson. Brunson lands a lead left. Good body shots by Romero. Jumping knee lands as Brunson goes for a takedown. Body shot from Yoel. Brunson completes a double-leg. Sitting in Yoel's half guard. He wriggles his way right to mount. Not doing anything there, though. Now he briefly postures up and drops punches. Romero trying to bridge and regains half guard. Romero scrambles and gets his back to the fence. He continues the scramble and makes it to his feet. Romero looking for takedowns at the end of the round. 10-9 Brunson.
Round 3: Brunson looks tired, as does Yoel. Good left from Brunson. Jumping front kick by Brunson falls just short. Romero stuffs a slow takedown. Romero denied on two brief takedown attempts. Brunson with some front kicks to the body. Right uppercut by Romero. HUGE left hand by Romero briefly buckles Brunson, but he survives somehow. Good knee by Brunson. Another left by Romero. Another. Right uppercut and another big left. Brunson eating everything Romero throws. Brunson rolls to his back to escape punishment by Romero continues to punch. Romero battering Brunson. Tremendous elbows to the body from Yoel on a fetal Brunson are enough for the referee to call it. What a comeback.
Final result: Romero def. Brunson by TKO
-end-
Cole Miller vs. Sam Sicilia
Round 1: Both tentative in the early going. Sicilia with a glancing leg kick. Cole lands a right hand inside, avoids the heavy counters. Right hand from Sicilia lands. Cole working behind the jab. Still no major blows by either side. Good one-two by Miller backs Sicilia off. Brazilian kick from Miller. Cuffing hooks by Miller in response to an inside leg kick. Another good jab from Cole. Miller with a counter left hook, takes a right to the body that seems to bother him. Another good one-two from Miller. Sicilia simply unable to close the distance so far. Cole avoids a rush. Miller flicking out kicks to the head and legs. Sicilia falls short with haymakers to end the round. 10-9 Miller.
Round 2: Sicilia still trundling forward, still eating jabs and blocking kicks. BIG one-two by Miller hurts Sicilia. Another right has Sam looking for the takedown to no effect. Yet another one-two lands. Sicilia lands a right hook to the body. Another gorgeous one-two hurts Sicilia. Cole pouring it on, rolls for a guillotine. Sicilia gets out but Cole's on top in side control. Now he's on the back and locks up the choke. Terrific work by Miller.
Final result: Miller def. Sicilia by submission
-end-
Justin Edwards vs. Ramsey Nijem
Round 1: Nijem lands a one-two early. Leg kick. Edwards ties Ramsey up against the cage, gets reversed. They break and briefly wing hooks at one another. Ramsey with another leg kick. Edwards blocks a head kick and nearly lands a left hook. Nijem lands a body kick, takes a left hook upstairs. Edwards with a body kick. Edwards pursues with wild hooks with no success. Ramsey tries a flying knee that bounces off the guard. Edwards counters a leg kick with right and left hooks that both land. One-two from Nijem. Nijem lands a body kick. Nijem tries a whieel kick, Edwards capitalizes and lands a knee, head kick, and left hook in sequence. Nijem takes them well. Big uppercut by Nijem, Edwards responds with a spinning back kick. Wild hook kick falls well short for Edwards. Nijem slips on a wheel kick attempt and attacks Edwards' leg. They end the round trading heel hook attempts. 10-9 Nijem.
Round 2: Nijem with a counter hook after Edwards briefly changes levels. Ramsey slips and Edwards immediately latches onto an arm-in guillotine. He jumps guard and it looks deep. Ramsey surprisingly survives after a good 10+ seconds of choking and sets up in Edwards' guard. Ramsey with short shots to the body and nearly falls into a triangle. Nijem lands a solid knee as Edwards rocks forward and rises.Edwards left hook connects, blocks a step-in knee. Nijem front kick. Nijem goes for an Akiyama-style throw, putting Edwards off-balance enough to land a knee. Nijem pouring on the punishment and trips a clearly-hurt Edwards down. Ramsey immediately goes to mount and then the back and nearly secures the RNC. Body triangle locked in and a minute to work. Edwards attempts to slam his way out but can't. Ramsey still fighting for the choke, teases a neck crank. Ramsey runs out of time. 10-9 Nijem.
Round 3: Nijem lands a body kick after 20 seconds of circling. Good left hook by Ramsey in an exchange. Edwards stops a takedown attempt. Edwards attempts another funky spinning kick and again fails. Nijem hoists Edwards up, then down, and goes to work from his guard. Edwards scrambles up, Ramsey tries to use the front headlock to get the back. No dice and they re-engage in center ring. Edwards' left eye looks banged up. Ramsey with a counter right. Now Edwards with the left hook. Nijem bouncing punches off Edwards' guard, Edwards looking to counter without much success. Edwards wheel kick finally lands, but to no effect. Ramsey ducks down and scores a takedown on an advancing Edwards. Edwards up quickly and they briefly exchnage against the cage. Left hook lands for Edwards, who misses a spinning elbow. Big body kick lands. Nijem drops for a single-leg, Edwards grabs another guillotine and pulls guard. No luck as Edwards goes to work with ground-and-pound. Nijem standsworks his leg out of Edwards' guard, only to get caught in a calf slicer. It's not deep and Nijem fiddles with Edwards' dangling leg until the bell. 10-9 Nijem.
Final result: Nijem def. Edwards by unanimous decision
-end-
Elias Silverio vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg
Round 1: IVF lands a body shot, takes a couple front kicks to the gut. Right hand from IVF as Silverio continues to work from kicking range. Leg kick from IVF and a lead right as he lunges in. Silverio drops for a single-leg underneath a left hook and gets it. IVF has his back against the cage and eventually rises. Trading knees against the cage, IVF pushes off. Silverio's counters are landing and just as I say that a huge counter left hook takes Isaac off his feet. Silverio pounces, but can't polish him off and hangs out in half guard. IVF looking to cage-walk, Silverio fishing for the back. Good left hands by Elias; one hook in. Silverio very nearly has the back and is landing a steady stream of short blows. IVF makes it to his feet, they trade briefly in the clinch before Isaac breaks off and eats a hard right hand. IVF winging haymakers as he steps in and getting chewed up by lefts and rights. IVF body shot, Elias pushes him to the fence. Big right hand by Elias to end the round. 10-9 Silverio.
Round 2: Front kicks to the body from Elias. Isaac continues to press forward. Counter hook from Elias and a big one-two into the clinch. Elias has over-under control and wrangles IVF down. Half guard for the Brazilian. Short ground-and-pound as he works to pass. IVF turns into him to get up, Silverio nearly frames up a D'arce. Silverio lands a possibly-illegal knee as Isaac rises.
Ref takes a point after admonishing Silverio in English, which Elias clearly can't understand.
IVF continues to advance and lands a left. Good right hand by Vallie-Flagg. Big right hand from Silverio and another have IVF on the retreat. Again he gets over-under control, this time takes the single and rides the pipe to half guard. Isaac using lockdown to hold Silverio in place. Elias avoids a sweep, chisels from top position. Isaac gets up in the waning seconds but can't land. 9-9.
Round 3: Silverio kicks are blocked. Good right from Elias and a flurry again push IVF to the cage. Silverio landing good shots in the clinch. Isaac tries a throw and accidentally gives up mount as he falls. Now he gives up his back. Silverio landing short punches from back mount. I miss the rest of the round due to technical difficulties, but Kenny and Anik are hyping Elias' performance when I manage to watch again. 29-27 Silverio.
Final result: Silverio def. Vallie-Flagg by unanimous decision
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Brian Houston vs. Trevor Smith
Round 1: Outside leg kick from Smith gets the fight going. Houston lands a clean right hand. Smith shoots for a takedown and hits it but Houston is back up to his feet. Smith with a nice knee to the head. Houston catches Smith's kick and Houston takes him down. Action back up to the feet and they are up against the cage. Grappling affair so far. They exchange kicks to the body. Houston trying to get his jab going. Smith with a leg kick, Smith shoots and lands the takedown. He's in half guard as he looks for a head and arm triangle. He has it, but not tight enough as Houston escapes. Smith now with a few short elbows. Smith with nice control as round one comes to an end. 10-9 Smith.
Round 2: Houston connects with a short left hook. Nice jab from Houston as Smith returns fire with a leg kick, and another. Smith's forehead is cut open thanks to a nice left hook from Houston and the blood is pouring out. Up against the cage as they exchange knees. Another leg kick from Smith as he tries to get a takedown but Houston avoids. Smith shoots in but Houston sprawls nicely. Wild right from Smith misses and he looks exhausted. Smith tries for a single but Houston gets away. Nice leg kick from Smith. Houston picking his shots carefully and he lands a nice kick to the leg. The rounds comes to an end. 10-9 Houston.
Round 3: Smith whiffs on two leg kicks. Houston lands a right hand. Nice kick from Houston to the lead leg of Smith. Smith stalking Houston. Both men seem a bit tired in the final round. Smith staying loyal to his leg kicks. Smith utilizing his jab well. The action seems to have died down a bit as both men are cautious. Houston misses a huge right haymaker as Smith fires a straight right. Smith shoots but Houston stuffs the takedown. Big knee from Smith on the break. They meet in he middle and Houston blocks one final kick from Smith. 10-9 Smith.
Final result: Trevor Smith defeats Houston split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
-end-
Alptekin Ozkilic vs. Louis Smolka
Round 1: Smolka with a high kick that misses. Ozkilic looking for the counter to Smolka's jab. Nice uppercut that touches Smolka. Ozkilic with a nice takedown. Smolka looking to escape as Oskilic lands a huge elbow as he slides into side control. They're up the feet as Smolka lands some clean knees in the clinch. Short left hook from Smolka that wobbles Ozkilic as he lands a huge right hands on Smolka. Nice right hand that catches Ozkilic. Ozkilic tries to takes the fight back down to the ground as he lands a takedown. Smolka right back up as Ozkilic gets it down one more time. Smolka whiffs on a flying knee. Strong first round from both fighters but Ozkilic won that one with takedowns. 10-9 Ozkilic.
Round 2: Smolka with a knee as Ozkilic connects with a big right hand. Smolka pressing forward as Ozkilic looks to counter everything. Smolka teases a flying knee. Ozkilic with a nice body shot and then a clean left hand. Ozkilic shoots for the takedown and he gets it. Smolka fighting to get back to the feet. Both men going after it. Smolka with the clinch as he digs to Ozkilic's body with some nice knees. Smolka showing good muay-thai work. Ozkilic is slowing down and Smolka looks very fresh. Smolka now pressing the action. Big elbow from Smolka followed by a nice uppercut. Huge straight right from Smolka. The 22-year-old showing no UFC jitters. Ozkilic gets one more takedown. Smolka looking for a heel hook. The round comes to an end. Very close, but Ozkilic may have stole it with his takedowns. 10-9 Ozkilic.
Round 3: Smolka looks to pick up the pace but Ozkilic gets one more takedown. Smolka back up to the feet and eats an elbow. Smolka clearly has the advantage on the feet, but Ozkilic getting the takedown at will. Smolka with another knee to the midsection. Smolka now finding his range with his striking, keeping the pressure. Smolka tries a spinning kick. Ozkilic shoots for a takedown but Smolka defends well. Smolka with a nice combination. Smolka picking up the pace as he lands nice right hand. Ozkilic gets another takedown as he takes Smolka's back. The young Hawaiian escapes and looks for a choke of his own. Smolka has the d'arce choke with one minute remaining. He lets the hold go. Smolka rains down some punches in full mount. Smolka pours it on but the fight comes to an end. Entertaining fight. 10-9 Smolka.
Final result: Smolka defeats Ozkilic via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
-end-
Vinc Pichel vs. Garett Whiteley
Round 1: Whitely starts off the action with a nice kick to the midsection. Pichel pacing himself. Nice leg kick by Pichel which is returned by Whiteley. Two more leg kicks from Pichel. They go up against the cage and Pichel gets the takedown. Pichel with some short elbows. Whitley with some nice up-kicks to fend off Pichel. Back to their feet. Nice combo from Whitely and a clean knee to Pichel's midsection. Whitley attempts a flying triangle but whiffs as the fight hits the ground. Pichel looking to pass. Whitely staying busy from the bottom position with some nice elbows and he reverses position. Whitely goes for an anaconda choke but Pichel escapes. Whitely attacking the back. And they're back up. Pichel lands another takedown as the round comes to an end. Pichel 10-9.
Round 2: Whitely starts off with another clean kick. Pichel looking for his range with his power shots. Pichel with a big left which knocks Whitely's mouthpiece out. Pichel lands another takedown. Scrambling for position against the cage. Pichel raining down some left-handed punches as he tries to take the back. Whitely is back up and Pichel gets another takedown. Pichel staying busy with some nice elbows as Whitley returns the favor from the bottom position. Big shot from Pichel as Whitely tries to keep him at bay with some up kicks. Pichel back in side control.Pichel proving to be the stronger fighter as he refuses to let Whitely get back up. Pichel seeking the rear-naked choke as he locks in both hooks. Round comes to an end. Pichel 10-9.
Round 3: They exchange punches to start the final round. Whitely a bit more aggressive but Pichel lands yet another takedown. Pichel looking to mount as Whitley continues to throw elbows from the bottom position. Whitely looking for a triangle as Pichel lands a huge right hand. Pichel now in side control and lands a few knees to the ribs of Whitely. Pichel looking for an d'arce choke but Whitely escapes. He seeks for it again and he might have it. Pichel determined to get the submission but Whitely escapes yet again. Back to their feet as Whitely lands a nice knee. Very good technical fight on the ground. Pichel gets another takedown but Whitely gets back up. Pichel lands a huge elbow in the clinch. Whitely looking for a kimura. Pichel escapes and the fight is back to the feet as Pichel lands one final takedown at the sound of the horn. 10-9 Pichel.
Final result: Pichel defeats Whitely via unanimous decision (30-27 x 3)
-end-
Beneil Dariush vs. Charlie Brenneman
Round 1: Fighters meet in the center and exchange immediately. Nice left from Dariush. Brenneman shoots for the takedown but doesn't get it. Dariush with a flying knee that whiffs. Big left hand from Dariush that floors Brenneman. Dariush takes his back and locks in the rear-naked choke. Brenneman taps. Wow! Impressive debut from Dariush.
Final result: Dariush defeats Brenneman via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:45 of round 1
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