Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) brings the heat in Mexico City, Mexico, tonight (Sat., Jun. 13, 2015) with an exciting UFC 188 pay-per-view (PPV).
The baddest dude on the planet, Cain Velasquez, defends his Heavyweight strap for the first time in 20 months when he takes on well-rounded Brazilian Fabricio Werdum in the evening's main course. Both Werdum and Velasquez spent time coaching opposite each other on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF): "Latin America" and appear to have gotten under each other's skin a little bit in the lead-up to their 25-minute tilt.
Long-time mixed martial arts (MMA) rivals tangle in the co-main event of the night when former Strikeforce Lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez looks to shut down two-time Bellator champ Eddie Alvarez. Each fighter is coming off of a disappointing loss in their last trip to the Octagon and are eager to silence the other.
The remaining three PPV main card bouts each present fighters who are at various crossroads in their MMA careers.
But, before we get to that, fight fans will be treated to an interesting set of "Prelims" undercard bouts scheduled to take place on Fight Pass beginning at 7 p.m. ET (results, recaps here) and then cross over to FX at 8 p.m. ET.
Below are the results (from the bottom up) for the FX-televised "Prelims:"
Henry Cejudo vs. Chico Camus
Former Olympic wrestler Henry Cejudo put his spotless record on the line when he went toe-to-toe with the kickboxer Camus.
Cejudo with a push kick early. A one-two combo is put together by "The Messenger." Camus instigates the clinch, with Cejudo on the offensive. The freestyle wrestling competitor has the Milwaukee-based fighter up against the fence. Camus returns with a solid right hand. Push kick by "King." A takedown attempt by the Mexican-American is stuffed. Cejudo pushes forward to the fence, landing knees. The pair trade shots exiting the clinch. Body shot for Cejudo. Camus connects on the left hook and the two clinch again. The 30-year-old Camus stuffs a second good takedown attempt from Cejudo. The latter pushes ends up in the clinch once again. The fighters stalemate against the fence. Referee Mario Yamasaki separates them. Cejudo fails on a takedown attempt, then throws a body kick, which is caught by Camus. Cejudo drops for another takedown, but is denied. He puts him on the mat for a moment, but Camus is back up to his feet in a hurry.
Cejudo scores with a left hand to begin round 2. Leg kick by the Arizona-based Cejudo. A right hand finds the mark as he continues his offensive. Camus now in defensive mode. Camus now defending in the clinch up against the cage. The duo trade right hands. Camus starting to pick up the pace now, landing solid shots. The 28-year-old Cejudo is dotting him up a bit with right hands as they exchange in the center of the Octagon. "King's" takedown defense is spotless. Cejudo goes to the head and then the body with power punches. Cejudo gets clipped with a left from Camus. Another left hand lands for the Roufusport fighter. Cejudo puts together a combination that ends with a head kick to conclude round 2.
Cejudo opens up right out of the gate with a left and right hand. A body kick by Cejudo is countered by a right hand from Camus. "The Messenger" still can't buy a takedown. An eye poke by Cejudo causes a brief brake in the action. Body kick finds the mark for Cejudo. More body kicks. He burrows into Camus and has the clinch. A very good right hand on the break by Cejudo. His activity is playing an important role in distancing himself from Camus on the scorecards. Much more volume from Cejudo, compared to Camus's more reserved, but strategic striking. Camus in search of a takedown up against the cage. Cejudo reverses position in the clinch. A good left hand connects for Camus, followed by a kick to the body. Cejudo finds himself on top of Camus after a scramble. The two top-notch flyweights end the bout on the feet. Cejudo tallies the ninth-straight victory of his career, earning a unanimous-decision win. Camus shows promise in defeat and is now 1-1 in his new weight class of 125 pounds.
Efrain Escudero vs. Drew Dober
Escudero attempted to put together his first UFC winning streak since 2008-2009 against the Nebraska native Dober.
Escudero nails Dober with a vicious body kick, as the latter returns one at the same exact time, slipping and falling to the mat. The 29-year-old submission artist jumps on the guillotine choke and taps the Nebraska native Dober standing. "Hecho en Mexico" is on a brand new streak with a decisive finish! Disappointment continues to haunt Dober in the UFC, who falls to 15-7 professionally.
Alejandro Perez vs. Patrick Williams
The TUF: "Latin America" veteran Perez looked to conquer another foe in the bantamweight ranks when he faced off with the American Williams.
Williams tags Perez with an uppercut and right hand to begin the 135-pound tilt. The American pounces on the wounded Mexican, locking up a swift guillotine choke in the early moments of the first frame. "The Animal" gets back in the win column and improves his record to 8-4, while "El Diablito" has his two-fight win streak snapped.
Francisco Trevino vs. Johnny Case
Undefeated welterweight Francisco Trevino stepped into the cage with the explosive Alliance MMA representative Case in what was a back-and-forth fight.
Case pushes forward to begin the bout with a straight left and right cross. "Hollywood" lands a kick to the body that has Trevino backing up. He dots up Trevino with a straight right. A left hook and right body kick combo connects for the 25-year-old Case. Case is stalking the Mexican-American and continues to land kicks. Trevino and Case trade kicks. The 33-year-old Trevino starting to open up with kicks. Case finds the mark with a leg kick. Trevino is switching between orthodox and southpaw stances. Case lands a nice uppercut. The Alliance MMA standout connects with a body kick, but goes down wincing and shouts after a nasty eye poke. Trevino starts out the action, after about a five minute delay, pumping his right jab, but is quickly taken down by Case. He's in full mount, but gets reversed. The pair engage in a nice scramble, with Case ending up on top again. The California-based case is in full guard. No significant passes or offense is made and round 1 is in the books.
Trevino egging Case on to kick him in the body to start the second round. Case is clearly feeling the effects of the eye poke and is not as active. Trevino scores with a leg kick. Case changes levels, ducks a right hand, and finds the takedown. Trevino is excellent with the wrist control. North-south position for Case and then side control. Half guard for Case. The Iowa native case has Trevino's back and is looking to land shots, or get hooks in. One hook is in, before a Trevino scramble, who grabs Case's leg and ends up in his full guard. Trevino in side control and straddling him. They stand up. A hard leg kick finds the mark for Case, who records his second takedown of the round. Case on Trevino's back, who has a hold of one arm. Trevino is looking to reverse position on the mat once again and the two finish round 2 in the clinch.
Case tags Trevino with a right hand to get the final frame underway. He ducks out of the way of an overhand right from Trevino. The Texas-based Trevino throws a side kick to the body, but it's ducked by Case. Two huge right hands connect for Case. The American has the most meaningful shots of the round so far. Both men are laboring. Case changes levels and records his fourth takedown of the fight. Trevino is trying to isolate the right arm of Case, who advances position of the ground. Trevino escapes out the back door and is hanging onto the clinch. Case muddles in for a lousy takedown and the bout concludes. Case nabs the unanimous-decision victory and is on a 10-fight winning streak. Trevino sees his undefeated record become null and void and falls to 12-1.