Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) today put the finishing touches on its upcoming pay-per-view (PPV) fight card from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, on Sat., Feb. 25, 2012.
UFC 144: "Edgar vs. Henderson" will be headlined by a 155-pound title fight featuring number one division contender Ben Henderson, fresh off his unanimous decision win over Clay Guida, taking on reigning lightweight champion Frankie Edgar.
In addition, a welterweight clash between Jake Shields vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama is on tap, as well as a light heavyweight tilt between Quinton Jackson vs. Ryan Bader.
MMAmania.com will provide LIVE blow-by-blow, round-by-round coverage of ALL the UFC 144 mixed martial arts (MMA) action below, beginning with the Facebook "Prelims" fights at 7:30 p.m. ET and running right on through to the PPV telecast that starts at 10 p.m. ET. This includes LIVE coverage of the FX "Prelims" special, which is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET on the basic cable 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 144) 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 "Edgar vs. Henderson."
Without further delay, see below for the latest UFC 144 results. (Note: This will go from the bottom up; therefore, scroll toward the bottom for the latest detailed round-by-round action.)
UFC 144 QUICK RESULTS:
Main Event:
155 lbs.: Ben Henderson defeats Frankie Edgar via Unanimous Decision
Main Card: (Pay-per-view):
205 lbs.: Ryan Bader defeats Quinton Jackson via Unanimous Decision
170 lbs.: Jake Shields defeats Yoshihiro Akiyama via Unanimous Decision
265 lbs.: Mark Hunt defeats Cheick Kongo via TKO (Strikes) Round 1
185 lbs.: Tim Boetsch defeats Yushin Okami via TKO (Strikes) Round 3
145 lbs.: Hatsu Hioki defeats Bart Palaszewski via Unanimous Decision
155 lbs.: Anthony Pettis defeats Joe Lauzon via TKO (Head Kick) Round 1Preliminary card (FX Channel):
155 lbs.: Takanori Gomi def. Eiji Mitsuoka via TKO (strikes) at 2:21 of round two
135 lbs.: Vaughan Lee def. Norifumi Yamamoto via submission (armbar) at 4:29 of round one
185 lbs.: Riki Fukuda def. Steve Cantwell via unanimous decision
135 lbs.: Chris Cariaso def. Takeya Mizugaki via unanimous decisionPreliminary card (Facebook):
145 lbs.: Issei Tamura def. Zhang Tiequan via KO at 0:32 of round two
UFC 144 PLAY-BY-PLAY LIVE MAIN CARD COMMENTARY (PPV):
Frankie Edgar vs. Ben Henderson (155-pound limit)
Round one: Leg kick from Edgar. Good right from Edgar. Leg kick from Henderson caught and Edgar holds onto it and Henderson just misses an amazing head kick attempt. Leg kick from Edgar. Edgar blocks two head kicks. Edgar with a quick take down. Inside leg kick from Edgar. Good body kick from Henderson lands low. Edgar catches a kick again and lands a body shot and leg kick. Good left hook from Edgar. Body shot from Edgar. Body kick from Henderson. Knee from Henderson. Good right from Edgar. Good left from Henderson. Edgar catches another kick then lands a body kick. Edgar with a take down. Henderson back up and lands a body kick and knee to the body. Edgar tosses Henderson to the mat in a tie up. Edgar lands a good right after a tie up and that is the bell. Edgar won that round on points. 10-9 Edgar.
Round two: Good right from Edgar. Edgar with a tie up but backs off. Edgar has a good mouse under his right eye. Edgar catches a kick and lands a body kick of his own. Good left from Henderson. Inside leg kick from Edgar. Body kick caught by Edgar and both men trade right hands. Edgar with a inside leg kick, good jab from Henderson. Good knee to the head from Henderson in a tie up. Body shot from Edgar. Good left and then knee to the body from Henderson. Good combo from Edgar. Inside leg kick from Edgar. Left from Edgar. Edgar with a take down and now he has a front choke but it is not locked tight. Edgar gets the back but lets it go. Good right from Edgar. Inside leg kick from Edgar. Good double right hook from Edgar and good combo from Henderson in return. Good left from Edgar. Edgar with a tackle take down and now he is on top in full guard. Edgar working some ground and pound. Edgar stands up and Henderson lands a BIG up kick!!! Henderson landing some big ground and pound at the bell and Edgar's face is busted open BAD! 10-9 Edgar.
Round three: Good left from Edgar. Body kick from Edgar. Good right hook from Edgar. Left from Edgar and a brief tie up. Great combo from Edgar capped by a left hook. Edgar lands a good right on a fake take down attempt. Edgar shoots but the take down is stopped. Good right from Edgar. Another good right from Edgar and body kick from Henderson. Jab from Henderson. Good right from Edgar. Their tied up now and a big scramble going on and Henderson gets a take down! Henderson trying to hold down Edgar. Edgar back up and eats a kick for his troubles. Nice right from Edgar. Good left right combo from Edgar. Leg kick from Edgar. Good head kick from Henderson caught again. Edgar with another brief take down. Now a scramble and no one gets the edge in that one. Good right from Henderson. Good right from Edgar. Edgar with a big take down now at the bell. Another round for Edgar but his face is busted his eye is swollen shut and nose is gushing blood. 10-9 Edgar.
Round four: Inside leg kick from Edgar. Hard leg kick from Henderson. Right from Henderson. Jab from Henderson. Another jab from Henderson. Body kick from Henderson. Right from Henderson. Low kick lands on Edgar and a brief time stoppage. Good right from Edgar. Another right from Edgar. Leg kick from Edgar. Good hard right from Edgar. Now their tied up. Jab and right from Henderson. Good knee from Henderson and Edgar gets a take down, but Henderson has a guillotine in TIGHT!!! Edgar is out!! Now he is on top in full guard!! Elbows from the bottom by Henderson. Edgar takes the back but they break. Good left from Henderson. Big leg kick from Henderson. Another leg kick from Henderson and then a big knee to the head. Right from Edgar. Edgar with another brief take down and then a body kick from Henderson and then a jab. Leg kick again from Henderson. That is the bell and this fight is very close although this is first round i have Henderson winning. 5th round will decide this one. 10-9 Henderson.
Round five: Edgar has scored more points, but Henderson has done the damage this round could decide the champion. Good leg kicks from Edgar to start the round. Good right from Edgar. Leg kick from Henderson. Good right from Edgar and coutner left from Henderson. Good left uppercut from Edgar. HUGE left from Edgar! Henderson shakes it off. Good counter right from Edgar. Now their tied up agains tthe cage and Edgar gets a take down and briefly has the back but lets go. Leg kick from Edgar. Good big right hook from Henderson. Another left from Edgar. Body kick from Henderson. Body kick from Henderson. Big right hook from Edgar drops Henderson!!! Edgar gets on top then lets him up and eats a kick. Nice left from Edgar. Edgar catches a kick and lands a right. Edgar goes for a take down and bails. HUGE knee from Henderson at the bell and then a take down and big punches at the bell!!! Wow this was a razor close fight, I have Edgar on points and Henderson on damage. 10-9 Henderson.
Final result: Ben Henderson defeats Frankie Edgar via Unanimous Decision
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Quinton Jackson vs. Ryan Bader (205-pound limit)
Round one: Rampage charges to the center of the cage and looks aggressive. Bader grabs a hold of Rampage and their tied up against the cage. Short left from Bader. Inside leg kick from Bader. Jab from Rampage. Inside leg kick from Bader. Good right from Bader and now he drops down looking for the take down. Rampage defends. Now their tied up against the cage again. Inside leg kick from Bader again. Left from Bader. Shot from Bader stuffed by Rampage. Now their tied up against the cage again. Rampage eats a knee to the head, escapes and then goes for a take down of his own. Rampage lands a big left hook and then a right hook to the body at the bell. Close round, but Bader was more active. 10-9 Bader.
Round two: Rampage just misses a big right not once but twice. Their tied up and short body shots and knees from Rampage against the cage. Rampage catches a knee and lifts up Rampage for a big slam!!! Now Rampage lands a clean knee to the head as Bader tries to get up!! Now a hard body kick from Rampage!! Jab from Rampage. Good right from Rampage. HARD body shot from Rampage, but Bader uses it to get the take down. Now Bader is on top in half guard. Short elbow from Bader. Elbows from the bottom by Rampage. Bader keeping busy but not doing any damage. Rampage with full guard and now gives up his back to try and get it back to the feet. Rampage to his feet now but Bader now slams Rampage. Body shots from Bader. Full guard now for Rampage. That is the bell, and Bader again takes the round. Rampage needs a stoppage. 10-9 Bader.
Round three: Rampage lands a jab and a left hook. Bader ties things up now. Left on break from Bader. Rampage stuffs a take down attempt. Bader with a charging take down and he is right into side control and Rampage is in trouble. Rampage gets full guard now. Rampage now with a scramble and is almost back to his feet. Bader drags him back down and Rampage now with full guard. Bader working in good punches. Bader now going for a kimura. He bails on it and lands some short elbows before the bell. Bader with an impressive win. 10-9 Bader.
Final Result: Ryan Bader defeats Quinton Jackson via Unanimous Decision
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Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Jake Shields (170-pound limit)
Round one: Leg kick from Shields and then a right hand. Akiyama with a big left. Right from Shields and then he shoots for a single. Akiyama with great take down defense. Short punches against the cage from Akiyama. Right from Shields. Jab from Akiyama. Good body kick from Shields. Good hard uppercut from Akiyama. Shields almost gets a take down, but Akiyama escapes and now their tied up against the cage. Shields now has the back of Akiyama while standing! Akiyama escapes! Good right from Akiyama. Leg kick and jab from Shields. AMAZING trip take down from Akiyama! Jab from Shields. Shields won this round as he landed more shots but none of them did any damage. 10-9 Shields.
Round two: Akiyama stuffs a take down attempt and lands a good right hand. Spinning back kick from Akiyama. Spinning back fist now from Akiyama and Akiyama again stuffs a take down with ease. Good right from Akiyama. Akiyama again stuffs a double leg take down attempt. Jab from Akiyama. Double jab from Shields. Right from Shields. Leg kick from Akiyama. Leg kick from Shields. Akiyama with an awesome step in hip toss and Shields bounces back up. Shields ties things up against the cage. Shields now transitions to the back. That is the bell, and this was a close round. 10-9 Akiyama.
Round three: Jab from Shields. Right from Shields. Left from Akiyama. Body kick from Shields. Right from Shields. Leg kick from Shields. Left from Akiyama. Good hard uppercut from Akiyama. Shields shoots again and is in deep but Akiyama stuffs it once again. Body shots from Akiyama against the cage. Left from Akiyama. Body kick from Shields. Another shot from Shields is stuffed. Shields briefly has Akiyama down, but its only for a second. Right from Akiyama. Shields finally gets a take down and has the back!! Both hooks in and Akiyama not once but twice holds onto the fence to prevent being take down!! Shields still gets him down and is now going for the rear naked choke!! That is the bell, and how the ref did not take away a point for a blatant grabbing of the fence twice is beyond me. None the less Shields took the round. 10-9 Shields.
Final Result: Jake Shields defeats Yoshihiro Akiyama via Unanimous Decision
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Mark Hunt vs. Cheick Kongo (265-pound limit)
Round one: Leg kick from Hunt. Kongo charges and ties things up against the cage. Jab from Kongo. Leg kick from Kongo. Leg kick from Hunt. BIG left hand drops Kongo, but Hunt does not charge in and Kongo bounces back to his feet. HUGE right hand from Hunt! Kongo is back on his heels!!! Hunt now lands 3 more BIG right hands and that is it this fight is stopped!!! Wow impressive win from Hunt.
Round two:
Round three:
Final Result: Mark Hunt defeats Cheick Kongo via TKO (Strikes) Round 1
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Tim Boetsch vs. Yushin Okami (185-pound limit)
Round one: Right from Boetsch. Straight left from Okami. Good hard jab from Okami. Another hard jab from Okami knocks Boetsch backward. Another stiff jab from Okami. Boetsch ducks under for a take down but is brushed off. Inside leg kick and jab combo from Okami and then a BIG left from Okami lands flush. Big head kick from Okami. Body kick from Boetsch. Leg kick from Boetsch. Head kick from Okami. Hard left from Okami. Right from Boetsch. Good right hand from Boetsch. Another good right from Boetsch. Nice knee to the body from Okami. That is the bell and Okami looks awesome Boetsch is cut under both eyes and is being dominated on the feet. 10-9 Okami.
Round two: Good combo from Okami and then a MONSTER knee to the body! Good right from Okami. Okami grabs a double and finishes it with the take down, but Boetsch has the guillotine choke locked in. Boetsch is not gunna finish it, and Okami now slips out and is on top in half guard. Elbows from the top by Okami. Okami is trying for an arm triangle now. Okami is working good punches and elbows from the top now. Okami now going for the kimura. Okami now in full mount! Okami rains down some big punches now from the mount and is just demolishing Boetsch. Great round for Okami. 10-9 Okami.
Round three: Jab from Okami. Knee from the clinch from Boetsch. Big right from Boetsch he is going for broke. Boetsch lands a high kick and then a big left hand!! Okami is hurt and Boetsch lands a big right! Boetsch now landing a barrage of uppercuts and Okami is hurt bad!!! One HUGE uppercut drops Okami to the mat!!! Now he lands a group of unanswered punches and the ref stops it!!!! WOW WHAT A COMEBACK!! Boetsch WINS AFTER BEING DOMINATED FOR 2 ROUNDS!
Final Result: Tim Boetsch defeats Yushin Okami via TKO (Strikes) Round 3
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Hatsu Hioki vs. Bart Palaszewski (145-pound limit)
Round one: Jab from Hioki. Big jab from Hioki drops Palaszewski briefly! Nice body kick from Hioki. Left from Hioki. Leg kick from Palaszewski. Jab from Hioki. Hioki ducks under and grabs a single and is now working for the take down. He gets it. Palaszewski looking for the guillotine. Hioki passes to half guard. Now Hioki right into side control. Hioki now pounding away with punches. Palaszewski gives up his back now and Hioki pounces and is going for the arm bar now!! Palaszewski wiggles around and now Hioki uses an Oma Plata to sweep over and ends up on top back in full guard what crazy technique by Hioki! Now he is raining punches down from the top. That is the bell and Hioki looked absolutely dominant. 10-9 Hioki.
Round two: Front kick to the body from Hioki. High kick from Hioki then a follow up jab. Jab to the body from Hioki. Good hard right hand from Palaszewski, and counter left from Hioki. Leg kick from Palaszewski. Head kick from Hioki lands. Good hard jab from Hioki. Both men trade jabs. Leg kick from Palaszewski. Leg kick from Palaszewski. Then a body shot and another leg kick from Palaszewski. Brief stoppage for low blow. Another stoppage for a low blow. Good right from Palaszewski. Leg kick from Palaszewski. Good right from Palaszewski. Hioki now shoots a double and gets a take down and now has the back as the bell rings! Very close round, Hioki could have stole it but ill lean towards Palaszewski, 10-9 Palaszewski.
Round three: Palaszewski comes out with urgency. Hioki ducks under and gets a body lock against the cage and gets the trip take down. Now Hioki on top looking to advance. Hioki now with good punches from the top and he improves into side control. Knee to the body from Hioki and he goes for full mount but misses and ends up in half guard once again. Hioki back into side control. Elbows from Hioki on the top. Palaszewski gives up his back now and Hioki jumps on top and gets both hooks in. Hioki with good punches from behind as he looks for an opening to sink in the choke. The bell rings and Hioki cannot finish the fight but he controlled this fight on the ground and will get the win. 10-9 Hioki.
Final Result: Hatsu Hioki defeats Bart Palaszewski via Unanimous Decision
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Joe Lauzon vs. Anthony Pettis (155-pound limit)
Round one: Big body kick from Pettis early. Good one two combo from Lauzon. Good hard left from Pettis. HUGE head kick from Pettis and Lauzon drops to the mat!!! Pettis lands a couple more bombs but it does not matter Lauzon is OUT COLD!! WOW!!
Round two:
Round three:
Final Result: Anthony Pettis defeats Joe Lauzon via TKO (Head Kick) Round 1
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UFC 144 FX "PRELIMS" COMMENTARY:
Haggerty here!
Takanori Gomi vs. Eiji Mitsuoka (155-pound limit)
Round one: Mitsuoka with a big straight right hand to the head. Gomi rushes in but Mitsuoka circles away. Mitsuoka with a wide looping right that connects. Mitsuoka works the jab. And again. Gomi ahaving trouble getting inside and is getting clipped fairly regularly every time he tries to get in. They clinch again the fence and Gomi lands several big knees. Back to center. Mitsuoka with a big left hook. Outside leg kick by Mitsuoka who is really dominating the stand up so far, somewhat surprisingly. Gomi throws a big right hand that doesn't connect. Interesting fight so far as both fighters continually switch stances. Gomi throws a good right cross but is countered by a left hook and then a kick to the body. Mitsuoka lands a good one two punch combo then a nice uppercut. Inside leg kick by Gomi. Left cross by Mitsuoka connects solidly. Gomi lands a jab, but Mitsuoka counters with a much harder jab. Mitsuoka lands a huge right to the head! Gomi is down. Mitsuoka takes his back and is working for a mounted triangle from the back. Very little time left. This is a tight submission! The horn sounds and Gomi barely survives! 10-9 Mitsuoka.
Round two: Mitsuoka comes forward aggressively and Gomi sends him backwards with a good combo. Gomi is throwing much more often now and he looks like a man who knows he is behind. He is scoring big! Mitsuoka wasn't liking how the exchange was going and he shoots for the takedown. He can't get it. Gomi is landing a ton of punches! What a different round this is! Mitsuoka shoots and is met by Gomi's sprawl against the fence. Gomi peppering him with quick punches from the top, still trying to avoid the takedown. No Gomi has his back! He's punishing him with ground and pound. This could be stopped soon! It's all over! What a comeback for "The Fireball Kid!"
Final Result: Takanori Gomi via TKO (strikes) at 2:21 of round two
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Norifumi Yamamoto vs. Vaughan Lee (135-pound limit)
Round one: Lee comes forward right away as the aggressor. Yamamoto with good movement. Good right to the body by Lee. Lee comes forward with a flurry of punches. Good body kick by Yamamoto. Good right hook by Yamamoto. Lee cliches up but is unable to get the takedown. Big right hook by Yamamoto and he has him stunned. Lee is covering up but he's getting hit with a lot of shots. Lee survives the exchange. Two minutes left. Big knee by Lee. Yamamoto was staggered a bit, but he clinches up and steers things toward the cage. Yamamoto throws a big right that is blocked for the most part. Big uppercut by Yamamoto answered by a right hook from Lee. Yamamoto throws another uppercut. Lee lands a good shot and Yamamoto shoots for the takedown. He has him down but Lee throws a leg over right away. He's got him in a triangle choke! This is deep! And it's all over! "Kid" Yamamoto has tapped out giving Vaughan Lee the beautiful first round submission win!
Final Result: Vaughan Lee via submission (triangle choke) at 4:29 of round one
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Riki Fukuda vs. Steve Cantwell (185-pound limit)
Round one: Cantwell throws the head kick and is taken down immediately. Fukuda working short punches to the ribcage. Now Fukuda with the a good punch to the face of Cantwell who is working off his back. Fukuda landing some vicious ground and pound. He is teeing off! Cantwell in a bit of trouble. Cantwell throws a leg over to try for a triangle but eats several really hard punches in the process. Cantwell finally is able to sneak out and back up. Fukuda clinches up against the fence. Fukuda working to get underhooks. Good knee by Cantwell who is able to get away from the fence. Three minutes left. Good front kick to the instep by Cantwell. Good inside leg kick by Cantwell. Cantwell with a good right cross to the head. Fukuda comes forward and shoots but is stuffed. Fukuda with a good body kick. Fukuda throws a halfhearted right hand then shoots but is met by the sprawl of Cantwell once again. Fukuda with a good inside leg kick and then another. Fukuda lands a good combination of punches. One minute left. Cantwell with a good straight right hand. Cantwell throws the superman punch but misses. Inside leg kick by Fukuda. Good looping right hand to the head by Cantwell. Good right uppercut to the body by Cantwell. Cantwell lands the kick to the body. I'm calling it a 10-10 round.
Round two: Inside leg kick by Fukuda. Fukuda kick to the side. Cantwell with a good right hand but is countered by Fukuda with a left hand ot the head. Fukuda shoots and gets the takedown but leaves his neck exposed. Cantwell is going for a guillotine from his back. Fukuda fighting to get free. It looks deep...but Fukuda is able to get out. Back on their feet. They clinch up and Cantwell lands several good punches. Fukuda is getting loose now and lands a few big punches of his own. Cantwell with a great combo, ending with a left hook to the head. Fukuda loads up a big uppercut that nearly connects. Fukuda coming forward throwing punches in bunches. They're up against the fence now with two minutes left. Cantwell lands an elbow then goes for a spinning elbow that misses. Fukuda scores with a several hard punches in the clinch. They're back to center. These guys are exchanging furiously and this is turning into a tremendous fight! Big jab from Fukuda. Cantwell's punches are slowing down in a big way and he's starting to get countered with a much higher frequency. Fukuda is starting to land a large volume of punches and Cantwell needs to pull his head out. Fukuda throws a kick that lands low and Cantwell will get time to recover. Back to action. Fukuda throws a wild right hand and Cantwell ducks under and takes him down. He tries to take his back but just doesn't have the energy to complete it. As the horn sounds, both fighters get back to their feet. 10-9 Fukuda.
Round three: Fukuda comes out firing. He lands a few punches then an outside leg kick that ends with a thud. Both of these guys look gassed by Fukuda appears to have a little more energy than Cantwell. Inside leg kick by Fukuda. Good leg kick by Cantwell but it's blocked for the most part. They're exchanging in the center now and it's pretty even. Good right cross by Fukuda. Fukuda pushes forward and lands several punches as Cantwell goes backwards into the fence. Fukuda keeps working and eventually gets the takedown. Just over two minutes and Fukuda is on top. Cantwell trying for an arm. Fukuda lands a big right hand and now he has his back. Cantwell rolls and Fukuda is now in side control. Cantwell to his feet. Fukuda tries to scramble to get his back from standing position but Cantwell slips away. Just over a minute left as both fighters are throwing big, lazy bombs. Fukuda is connecting with more frequency. Good body kick by Fukuda. Cantwell throws a one-two punch combo that lands but with very little strength. Fukuda is attacking now and landing some good shots. Cantwell looks like he's about to fall over from exhaustion. Fukuda with another good body kick. Cantwell drops his hands and gets nailed with two consecutive punches and then ends with a final thunderous kick to the body. Strong finish by Fukuda who should have taken that final round, 10-9.
Final Result: Riki Fukuda via unanimous decision
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Chris Cariaso vs. Takeya Mizugaki (135-pound limit)
Round one: Big head kick attempt by Cariaso misses. Mizugaki answers with big right hand. Cariaso rushes in again and gets nailed with a several punch combination. Cariaso comes forward again, Mizugaki clinches up, Cariaso pushes away and lands several punches on exit. Mizugaki shoots and gets tossed aside with ease. Good body kick by Cariaso followed by a left hand to the head. Mizugaki with a decent straight left hand to the head. Mizugaki gets the takedown and is in Cariaso's full guard. Cariaso active on his back and he's working for a submission. He almost was able to secure an arm but Mizugaki was able to slip out. Mizugaki is back on top and inside the full guard. Just under two minutes left. Mizugaki with a nice big left hand from the top. Cariaso rolls for armbar but is unable to secure anything. One minute to go. Mizugaki is landing sporadic ground and pound and controlling with heavy hips. Cariaso throwing occasional elbows from the bottom. Round ends with Mizugaki on top. 10-9 Mizugaki.
Round two: Mizugaki comes forward throwing punches and he's countered with a few hard punches from Cariaso. Mizugaki clinches up immediately and has him tangled up against the fence. Cariaso pushes free and they're back to the center of the cage. Big head kick attempt by Cariaso that ends up landing under the armpit as Mizugaki throws a right hand. Inside leg kick by Mizugaki. outside leg kick by Mizugaki as Cariaso lands a good multi-punch combo. Mizigaki shoots for the single leg takedown. He's unable to get it but has Cariaso up against the fence now. Cariaso reverses and has underhooks. Mizugaki defends and eats a knee or two to the body. Mizugaki lands a knee of his own and then gets the takedown. Two minutes left. Mizugaki working hard to pass guard but Cariaso doing a good job of defending. Mizugaki postures up and lands a big punch from the top. He's back inside the full guard now with Cariaso trying to control his head. Cariaso lands a couple of shot elbows off his back. Cariaso attempting to sweep and he gets it. He was on top for about a second but Mizugaki gets out of trouble quickly. Round ends with the fighters tied up against the fence. 10-9 Mizugaki.
Round three: Big head kick from Cariaso. It didn't connect squarely but he did clip him on the chin with it. Mizugaki looks uncomfortable with the standup and instantly ties him up and takes him to the fence. Cariaso gets underhooks and tries to pick him up for the slam but izugaki keeps his balance and defends. Cariaso lands a flurry of punches out of the clinch. Back to center. Good left hand by Cariaso who now clinches up and is workign for underhooks. Mizugaki reverses him and lands a good elbow. Cariaso scores a knee to the body. Another good knee by Cariaso to the body. Cariaso throws a left hand and backs out of the clinch. Cariaso throws a big head kick again that partially lands but as he threw it, he slipped and allowed himself to be taken down, once more. Just under two minutes to go and Mizugaki is back on top, where he's spent most of this fight. Mizugaki trying to pass but can't get through. Mizugaki with a good couple of strikes from the top. Cariaso tries to sweep but gets nailed with an elbow to the head. Mizugaki with the hammerfist. Cariaso looks frustratedly at the clock as precious time ticks away. Ten seconds left. More hammerfists by Mizugaki. Cariaso is able to sneak out the back door and land a good left hook as the horn sounds. 10-9 Mizugaki.
Final Result: Chris Cariaso via unanimous decision
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Zhang Tiequan vs. Issei Tamura (145-pound limit)
Round one: Tiequan with a big right hand and then a left hook, but Tamura answers. Tiequan is down! Tamura on top and inside the full guard. Tiequan trying to dust the cobwebs off and recover. Tamura lands a big short right hand from the top. And another! Tiequan is tying him up from the bottom but looks like he may still be a little hurt and unsure of how he wants to proceed. Tamura continues to land hammer fists as he works to try to get to side control. apparently, not enough work for Herb Dean who stands them up. Tamura with a counter left hook that staggers him. Tamura shoots and leaves his neck out a little. Tiequan tries to get a guillotine from standing position and is taken down in the process. Tamura on top and Tiequan still has his neck. Tamura slides out and he's free. Tamura trying to posture up and rain some ground and pound. Tiequan doing a good job of controlling but not threatening at all from the bottom. It's really been all Tamara since the opening few seconds. Tiequan now goes for an arm triangle from the bottom that looked promising for a moment but nothing doing.
Round two: Tiequan comes out working the jab. Tiequan with the inside leg kick. Tamara sits back patiently, waiting to counter -- and he lands a HUGE right hand! It's over! Tiequan is out!! Huge KO victory for Tamara!
Final Result: Isse Tamara via KO at 0:32 of round two
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