UFC on FOX 3 results: Lavar Johnson stops Pat Barry with punches in the first round

The UFC on Fox 3: "Diaz vs. Miller" event taking place tonight (Sat., May 5, 2012) in New Jersey kicked off its main card on network television with a heavyweight hustle pitting the short but stocky Pat Barry against the powerful Lavar Johnson.

Both men came into the fight having crushed their previous opponents. They both also promised we wouldn't see any ground work and we could be treated to "Knockout of the Night" honors.

They lived up to exactly what they promised, too, or at least Johnson did. Barry started the fight exchanging punches but once he felt his opponent's power, he shot in for a takedown and started attempting submissions. Naturally, "Big" Lavar fought his way out and once he got back to his feet, that's when he put in work.

And by "put in work," I mean he put Barry against the fence and dropped about 55 bombs on him. That'll do it every time, folks.

It didn't take long for the big boys to lock up in the center of the cage. Johnson was pushing forward and trying to land uppercuts after pushing Barry against the fence. "HD" managed to fire off a big kick to the head that had Lavar stepping back.

But, once again, they ended up back against the fence with Lavar using his strength to overwhelm. He was landing knees and big punches, too, enough so that Barry bailed out by shooting a takedown.

And the weirdest thing happened. He succeeded. Then it got really weird when he hopped into full mount before passing to side control. We're talking about Pat Freaking Barry, y'all.

He even locked on a submission attempt, laughable as it may have been, but Johnson fought it off.

No matter, Barry kept solid position for some time before Lavar finally managed to get back to his feet. Right away, he was headhunting, too. Once he connected with knees and kicks, we saw why. Barry went flat to the floor but managed to pop back up, only to see Johnson continue the assault.

Eventually, Barry couldn't take the incredibly powerful shots Johnson was unloading on him and the referee stepped in to save him from further punishment.

Sometimes it's nice when a fight ends exactly as advertised.

Remember, too, that MMAmania.com has live ongoing coverage of the UFC on FOX 3 event with blow-by-blow coverage of all the night's action right here.