Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is back on FOX Sports 1 just three days after wrapping up its most recent fight card, calling on a couple of heavyweights to headline the upcoming UFC Fight Night 71 mixed martial arts (MMA) event, set for Wednesday night (July 15, 2015) inside Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, California.
Headlining the "Mir vs. Duffee" fight card is former heavyweight champion Frank Mir, who squares off against Todd Duffee in a collision of old school verses new. Not long before they get busy in the five-round main event, Josh Thomson will throw hands opposite Tony Ferguson in a battle for lightweight bragging rights.
All that and so much more.
MMAmania.com will provide LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Fight Night 71 fight card below, starting with the Fight Pass "Prelims" matches online, which are scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET, right on through the FOX Sports 1 "Prelims" bouts at 8 p.m. ET, before moving on to the main card, which is slated to start at 10 p.m. ET.
Many of our readers check-in before, during and after the televised fisticuffs to share their thoughts on all the exciting action. Therefore, feel free to leave a comment (or 71) 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 we will also be the spot for the latest news, recaps and post-fight analysis following "Mir vs. Duffee."
Without further delay, see below for the latest UFC Fight Night 71 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 71 QUICK RESULTS:
Frank Mir def. Todd Duffee by KO (punch) at 1:13 of Round One
Tony Ferguson def. Josh Thomson by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 30-26)
Holly Holm def. Marion Reneau by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 29-28)
Manny Gamburyan def. Scott Jorgensen by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Kevin Lee def. James Moontasri by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:56 of Round One
Alan Jouban def. Matt Dwyer by unanimous decision (29-27 x3)
Sam Sicilia def. Yaotzin Meza by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Jessica Andrade def. Sarah Moras by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Rani Yahya def. Masanori Kanehara by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Sean Strickland def. Igor Araujo by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 30-26)
Kevin Casey def. Ildemar Alcantara by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Lyman Good def. Andrew Craig by TKO (punches) at 3:37 of Round Two
UFC FIGHT NIGHT 71 PLAY-BY-PLAY:
265 lbs.: Frank Mir vs. Todd Duffee
Round 1: They two big men meet in the center of the Octaon. Mir backs him off with a straight left; both men throwing early. Both men land but Mir rocks Duffee with a pair of left hands. Duffe firing back and stings Mir. Mir tries a knee, then ties up. Duffee moves him to the fence, Mir's classic Kryptonite, but lets him off. Big left hurts Mir, only for a tremendous left hand to leave Duffee stiff as a board.
Final result: Mir def. Duffee by KO (punch)
-end-
155 lbs.: Tony Ferguson vs. Josh Thomson
Round 1: Thomson lands the first strike of the fight, a body kick. Low kick lands for Ferguson. Thomfon tries a front kick. One minute in. Ferguson pushing Thomson back. Thomson catches a low kick and opens up as Ferguson scrambles up. Beautiful roll by Ferguson to counter a takedown. Front kicks by Ferguson. Good snap kick to the body. Ferguson low kick. Two minutes in. Stiff jab knocks Thomson back. Ferguson low kick. Front kick falls short, low kick lands and he avoids a level change. Thomson cracks him with a right hook. Another right on the break. Two minutes to go.
Low kick from Ferguson checked. Thomson lands a counter right off a leg kick. Trip attempt from Thomson, front kick from Ferguson. Snap kick to the body, low kicks. Flying knee from Ferguson winds up with him on his back, where he tries an inverted triangle. One minute in. Thomson on top in guard. Ferguson throws up an armbar that doesn't stick. Thomson connects with a good elbow before the bell. 10-9 Ferguson.
Round 2: Thomson tries a sneaky trip early. Good two-punch combo from Thomson. Right ook lands for him, left from Ferguson, who tries a rolling something. Snap kick to the body connects once again for him. One minute in. Elbow rocks Thomson's world and Ferguson tries to take his back. Nasty ground-and-pound from Ferguson, who takes the rear crucifix. Gnarly elbows land for Ferguson, but Herb Dean orders them to stand after Ferguson grabs the fence. Ferguson unloads with some powerful shots on the reset, but Thomson's firing back. Ferguson is overwhelming him, eats a right hand as he stuffs a takedown. Massive left elbow from Ferguson opens Thomson up and destroys his equilibrium, but he falls to his back in his aggression. Two minutes to go.
Ferguson slaps on the triangle and whacks The Punk with some mean elbows. Thomson escapes , only for Ferguson to attack a Kimura. It's crazy tight and he rolls Thomson over. Incredibly, Thomson survives, only to eat another savage elbow. Thomson in the turtle position, eating blows. Thomson falls to his back, then scrambles up with a single leg and tags Ferguson with a right. Thomson is still game after a hellacious round. 10-8 Ferguson.
Round 3: Ferguson looks fresh as he walks Thomson down. Jumping front kick caught by Thomson, but Ferguson stuffs the takedown and cracks him with an elbow. Stiff jab by Ferguson as Thomson advances and cracks him with a right. Heavy cross by Ferguson. Front kick, right hand. Body kick, left hand. Ferguson with a level elbow, then another. Body kick. This is a beating. Low kick, left hand, right uppercut. Big elbow just misses and Ferguson sprawls on a shot. Two minutes in. Ferguson doing some fancy moves, cracks him with a low kick. Another, Thomson answers. Ferguson smiling as he advances and lands a heavy body kick. Two minutes to go.
Ferguson filled to bursting with confidence. Lots of feinting. Thomson on the retreat, eats a brutal knee that drops him. He escapes the ensuing d'arce. One minute to go. Front kick to the body, Thomson tries a spinning backfist. Thomson shoots in and moves to the rear waistlock. Ferguson tries a throw and Thomson gets a better grip, landing a knee at the bell. 10-8 Ferguson.
Final result: Ferguson def. Thomson by unanimous decision
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135 lbs.: Holly Holm vs. Marion Reneau
Round 1: Reneau whiffs on a low kick early, as does Holm. Neither woman has found her range yet. Body kick from Holly on the break. One minute in. Reneau backs Holm up, doesn't land clean. Holm looking for side kicks. Low kick connects for her. Side kick lands. Hook kick blocked. Two minutes in. Holm keeping Reneau on the end of her kicks but hasn't landed anything substantial. Straight right by Reneau. Holm Brazilian kick falls short, side kick lands. Holm lands a body kick, misses an axe kick. Two minutes to go.
Low kick connects for Holly. Body kick blocked. Really more like a sparring session at the moment. Reneau rushes forward, can't connect. Holm tries to go high. One minute to go. Holm tries a wheel kick. Reneau body kick lands. Side kick from Holly, then a glancing Brazilian kick that visibly troubles Reneau. Reneau pops her with a teep before the bell. 10-9 Holm.
Round 2: Teep from Holm. Reneau falls short with a high kick, then lands a low kick. Holm head kick blocked. Next head kick connects with the foot. One minute in. Straight left by Holm. Reneau has a bit of a mouse under her eye. Holm lands a low kick and Reneau ties up, eating a hard body kick on the exit before answering with one of her own. Holm going back to looking for side kicks and lands another hard body kick. Two minutes in. Combination from Holm, capped by a body kick. Head kick just misses. Three-punch rush, uppercut lands. Holm pops her with a straight left. Two minutes to go.
Oblique kicks from Holm. Hook kick misses, as does a body kick. Front kicks from Reneau, body kicks from Holm in response. One minute to go. Holm lands a pair of side kicks. Straight left after a blocked kick. Right hand by Reneau. They tie up and Reneau pulls guard. Holm dumps her and kicks at her legs. Reneau lands a low kick off her back, then stands before the bell. 10-9 Holm.
Round 3: Holm keeping up the side kicks. Reneau is giving too much ground when Holly rushes. Reneau catches a finger in the eye while advancing, then tries to capitalize off a caught body kick. One minute in. Two-punch combo lands for Holm. Uppercut and body kick land. Combination ends with a body kick. Another body kick from Holly. Counter uppercut and left straight land for her. Low kick connects. Two minutes in. Body kick, lands, then she drops Reneau with a left hand. She pops her with a side kick when Reneau stands. Spinning kick attempt for Holm. She counters a body kick with a left straight. Reneau right hook answered by a body kick. Brazilian kick just misses. Two minutes to go.
Teep by Reneau stops a Superman punch. Wheel kick just misses for Holm. Nice left hand and side kick at the end of a combination. Reneau pulls guard and Holly dumps her again, avoiding a triangle. One minute to go. Holly stands over her and kicks at her legs until the ref stands Reneau up. Short left hook lands for Reneau. Holm combo just misses. A final combo hurts Reneau and Holm pursues until fight's end. 10-9 Holm.
Final result: Holm def. Reneau by unanimous decision
-end-
135 lbs.: Manny Gamburyan vs. Scott Jorgensen
Round 1: Manny shoots in, stuffed. Low kick connects for him. Overhand right connects and Jorgensen shoots. Manny counters with a guillotine, rolling Jorgensen over. Manny eventually loses the guillotine and Jorgensen takes the front headlock. They scramble and Gamburyan takes top position. One minute in. Jorgensen scoots to the fence and works to stand. Manny has the rear waistlock and drags Jorgensen down once more. Two minutes in. Scott gets back up quickly and they jockey for position on the fence until Jorgensen lands a knee to the groin. They restart in the same potiion and MAnny takes the outside. He changes levels and Jorgensen counters with a guillotine attempt. Nothing's there, so Manny slams him down and takes the back. Two minutes to go.
Manny gets the rear crucifix, but Jorgensen reverses and throws as Manny stands. Gamburyan counters with a right hand that floors Jorgensen. Scott manages to survive and stand back up, only to get slammed back down. Again, he's back up quickly and lands an elbow before they separate. One minute to go. Overhand right by Manny glances off. Body kick lands for him. Bell. 10-9 Gamburyan.
Round 2: Double left hook from Manny. Right hand lands for Jorgensen. Gamburyan low kick hits groin and Scot does not look happy. They resume after a short pause. Jorgensen low kick. Manny tries to go high, eats an elbow, and lands a right hand. One minute in. Manny shoots in, looking for a single. He can't keep Scott down and eats a body kick when they separate. Manny tries to change levels and counters a Jorgensen takedown with a guillotine attempt. They scramble and Jorgensen takes the front headlock. Two minutes in. Manny makes it to his feet and lands a knee to the body, followed by a right hand on the break. Overhand right by Manny. Back elbow connects awkwardly. Two minutes to go.
Manny changes levels and takes Scott to the fence. Jorgensen fighting off the takedown, gets dragged to a knee. One minute in. Manny drags him down, can't keep him there and Jorgensen scores a takedown of his own. Manny scrambles free of Jorgensen's back take and cracks him with a couple of elbows. Good knee to the body from Manny before the bell. 10-9 Gamburyan.
Round 3: Left hook from Manny connects early. Body kick blocked. Lead right by Jorgensen, then a body kick. Manny lands a low kick, gets the next one checked. One minute in. Manny lands a body kick as he's eating a jab. Lead left hook connects. Double left hook this time. Jorgensen pops him with a lead right in response, then they trade right hands. Jorgensen to the body, then up top with the lead right. Two minutes in. Jorgensen left hook; he's doing well sticking and moving this round. Manny shoots in, stuffed but lands a left hook when he rises. Both men connect with hooks. Gamburyan low kick. Two minutes to go.
Jorgensen lands a lead right and stuffs a takedown. Low kick connects. Check hook by Manny. Low kick lands. Jorgensen lead right, Gamburyan left hook. One minute to go. Nice overhand from the Armenian. He shoots in against the fence and Jorgensen defends. Short punches in the clinch land for him. Jorgensen lands a knee, a body kick, and a straight right before round's end. 10-9 Jorgensen.
Final result: Gamburyan def. Jorgensen by unanimous decision
-end-
155 lbs.: Kevin Lee vs. James Moontasri
Round 1: Lee on the front foot to begin, eats a low kick. Once more. Lee tries to go high. Overhand right glances off Moontasri's head. Moontasri whiffs on a right head and eats a pair of body kicks. Both men attempt jumping switch kicks. Low kick from Moontasri. One minute in. James tries to go high, eats a right hand from Lee. Body shot. Moontasri low kick, eats a 1-1-2 and both men poke each other in the eye. They resume in the center. Moontasri catches a body kick, but eats a sequence of strikes from Lee before being taken down. Lee takes him down from the rear waistlock and cinches up the body triangle. Two minutes in. Moontasri attempting to stand, has one arm trapped. Lee appears to have the choke locked up and there's the tap.
Final result: Lee def. Moontasri by submission (rear-naked choke)
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170 lbs.: Matt Dwyer vs. Alan Jouban
Round 1: Low kick from Jouban, Dwyer wings a few punches in response. High kick attempt. Front kick attempt by Dwyer. One minute in. Counter right from Dwyer drops Jouban. Jouban shoots in and Dwyer slaps on a guillotine, losing it on the way down. Jouban on top in guard. Not much offense from Brahma on top. Two minutes in. Dwyer kicks him away and makes it to his feet. Punch rush falls short for him. Dwyer ties him up against the fence, Jouban soon reverses. Jouban cracks him with a straight left on the exit. Two minutes to go.
Dwyer tries a high kick. Front kick to the body. Jouban threatens a spin, doesn't follow through. One minute to go. Jouban pops him with a left, eats a hard shot inside. Jouban in pursuit and drops him with a straight left. Dwyer scrambles up, only to eat an illegal knee on the way up. Jouban claiming it hit the shoulder, replays disagree. Herb Dean immediately takes a point, which I find excessively harsh. They reset in the center. Straight left by Jouban. Dwyer lands a front kick to the body and head, after which they trade bombs on the fence. 9-9.
Round 2: Dwyer on the front foot early. Low kick by Jouban. Quick exchange inside. Jouban body kick. Dwyer misses with a pair of swatting punches. He slips a big straight left. One minute in. Things slow down in the second minute. Body kick by Dwyer, Jouban answers. Jouban body kick, takes a groin shot but elects to continue. High kick from Jouban, Dwyer tries to answer. Two minutes in. Check hook by Jouban. Dwyer tossing out kicks, none landing hard. Jouban stuffs a takedown. Body kick for Jouban. Two minutes to go.
Dwyer ducks a right hook and they tie up on the fence, Jouban on the outside. Good elbow by Jouban. Jouban lands a head kick and straight left that drop Dwyer. Jouban looks to put him away, can't do it and Dwyer throws back as soon as he's back to his feet. One minute to go. Jouban landing some heavy leather to the head and body. Nice body shot folds Dwyer, who retreats slowly. Cartwheel kick from Jouban connects and Dwyer is unsteady on his feet when the bell sounds. 10-9 Jouban.
Round 3: Jouban marching forward right away. Low kick lands. Dwyer backed to the fence, avoids a combination. Dwyer's retaliatory shots don't look terribly forceful. One minute in. Another heavy exchange. Jouban patient in his advance. Two minutes in. Body kick from Jouban, Dwyer tries to go high in response. Major slowdown in the third mintue. Two minutes to go.
Dwyer attempts a high kick. 2-3 blocked. Dwyer head kick blocked. Flurry inside from Jouban, who shoots in and takes Dwyer down against the fence. Dwyer looking for a Kimura. One minute to go. Jouban extracts his arm. Dwyer looks for it again, no luck. Jouban establishes half guard. Knee to the body from Jouban, who opens up with punches. Dwyer makes it to his feet and takes top position when Jouban tries a cartwheel kick. Fight ends there. 10-9 Jouban.
Final result: Jouban def. Dwyer by unanimous decision
-end-
145 lbs.: Yaotzin Meza vs. Sam Sicilia
Round 1: Sicilia the aggressor early on, as expected. Meza tries to change levels, stuffed. Sicilia trips him to the mat and sets up shop in guard. Meza controlling his wrists. One minute in. Meza tries to sit up, can't do so and gives up half guard. Now back to full. Sicilia pulls guard on a guillotine, then Meza does the same. Sicilia manages to stay on top in half guard. Two minutes in. Sicilia so far not terribly active from the top. Meza regains guard. Siciilia looking for a a guillotine, can't get it but gets the seatbelt grip. Two minutes to go.
Sicilia working towards the back. Meza breaks the grip and Sicilia stands over him. Meza shoots in and takes top position, landing in half guard. One minute to go. Meza tries a guillotine, can't get it. Sicilia looking for a guillotine, can't get it and briefly attempts a brabo. No real damage until the bell. 10-9 Sicilia.
Round 2: Sicilia moving forward, neither man connecting clean. Meza low kick connects. One minute in. 1-2 from Meza. Low kick checked. Body kick lands for him. Sicilia whiffs on a right hand and Meza tries to trip him down. Sicilia takes him to the fence. They separate. Two minutes in. Sicilia catches a low kick and pups him with a right hand. Sicilia forces him to the mat with a ten-finger guillotine and takes top position in guard. Meza scrambles up. Two minutes to go.
Sicilia stuffs a takedown. 1-2 from Meza. Uppercut lands, then Sicilia lands a glancing right hand. Meza tries a high kick. One minute to go. Very slow end to the round. Meza shoots in and eats a couple of Browle elbows before putting Sicilia on his back. Sicilia ends the round trying to scramble up. 10-9 Meza.
Round 3: Straight right from Sicilia, then a left hook connects. Sicilia stuffs a shot and looks for a Marcelotine, taking top half guard. Full guard for Meza. Sicilia passes to half guard after threatening a brarbo. One minute in. Sicilia overpowering Meza in the scramble, searches for a guillotine from the front headlock. Sicilia looks for the Marcelotine again and it looks super tight, but Meza manages to fall to his back. Two minutes in. Full guard. Right hand by Sicilia, who looks for the Marcelotine yet again. Nothing doing. Two minutes to go.
Meza scrambles up and shoots in. Sicilia stuffs a trip and they separate. 1-2 by Meza. Again. Meza latches onto a nasty arm-in guillotine, but Sicilia manages to escape, though he gibes up the back. Meza working towards the armbar. Sicilia gets his arm free and takes top position once more. Sicilia takes top position, then gives it up before the bell. 10-9 Sicilia.
Final result: Sicilia def. Meza by unanimous decision
-end-
135 lbs.: Jessica Andrade vs. Sarah Moras
Round 1: Moras tries a takedown, Andrade denies it. Moras shoots again, gets stuffed again. Nice head-and-arm throw by Andrade. Moras pops her with an upkick and she backs off. One minute in. Stiff right from the Brazilian, body kick by Moras. Nice counter right by Moras and they slug. Andrade sprawls on a shot and waves Moras up. Hard combination from Andrade, Moras shoots and fails to pull guard. 2-3 by Andrade, Moras pulls guard. "Cheesecake" working her way towards a triangle. Andrade defends, Moras using overhook control. Two minutes to go.
Moras tries the armbar, loses it and lands an upkick before Andrade walks away. Andrade sprawls again and drills her with nice punches before standing again. Moras tries a guillotine, misses and eats a right hand. Andrade erupts with hammerfists when Moras tries to pull guard. Andrade makes it to side control and connects with some nice elbows. Andrade elects to letter Andrade tries a flying knee and smashes her with more good punches before the bell. 10-9 Andrade.
Round 2: Left hook from Andrade. Low kick connects. Moras lands a nice combination and tries to shoot in Andrade throws her down, landing on top in half guard. One minute in. Hammerfists from Andrade, who takes side control. Elbows from the Brazilian. Yet more elbows from Andrade, who gets shoved back to half guard. Body shots. Two minutes in. Moras regains guard, so Andrade postures up and forces her to stand. Low kick from Andrade, then a slam into side control. Nice elbows. Two minutes to go.
Half guard. Andrade in total control of the fight. More elbows, punches, and hammerfists from the Brazilian. One minute to go. Side control for Andrade and the strikes continue to pile up. Andrade threatens a guillotine, then moves to north-south and continues unloading until the bell. 10-8 Andrade.
Round 3: Andrade drops her with a right hand, lets Moras back up. Body shot by the Brazilian. Moras is finding some success in the exchanges. Cheesecake grabs the front headlock and Andrade drags her down, landing in side control. One minute in. More G-N-P connects. Moras manages to turn into her and Andrade sprawls. Andrade looking for a guillotine, settles for top half guard. Two minutes in. More punches by Andrade. Moras opened up and bleeding from the constant assault. Andrade waves her up; the entire right half of her face is red.
Andrade cracks her with a left hook and a right straight, then takes top position once again. Andrade pulls her arm free of a triangle and lets her stand. Left hook from Andrade. Moras catches a kick and flops. Andrade waves her up. Left hook by Moras. One minute to go. Moras grabs onto a guillotine, Andrade pulls her head out but gives up her back after failing a head-and-arm-through. Andrade stands with Moras attached and the choke looks locked in. Andrade says she's fine and waggles her finger to indicate that until the bell. 10-9 Andrade.
Final result: Andrade def. Moras by unanimous decision
-end-
135 lbs.: Masanori Kanehara vs. Rani Yahya
Round 1: Yahya opens with an oblique kick, then takes Kanehara down behind a flying knee. Kanehara hits the switch, gets planted back down. Kanehara trying to use the cage to stand with no success so far. One minute in. Kanehara not in any danger so far but unable to get back to his feet. Two minutes in. Yahya transitions to the rear waistlock with Kanehara stands. The Japanese fighter turns to face him, then gets pressed against the fence. Yahya shoots in again and Kanehara sprawls on it, landing a few hammerfists before getting taken down again. Two minutes to go.
Kanehara stands, Yahya grabs the rear waistock and takes him down. Kanehara manages to wind up on top in the scramble. He elects to stand. 1-2 from Yahya after eating a body kick, then another. Yahya shoots in off a Kanehara front kick. Elbows by Kanehara as he defends. One minute go go. Kanehara might be looking for an inverted triangle of some kind, loses it. 10-9 Yahya.
Round 2: Knee to the body from Kanehara. Body shot lands. Check hook as Yahya advances, then a knee to the body. Yahya tries a Superman punch. Body kick and straight from Kanehara. Yahya shoots in. Kanehara shucks him off and shoots in himself, only to wind up in a guillotine. He doesn't appear to be in danger. One minute in. Yahya switches to an arm-in guillotine. Kanehara settles for elbowing the thighs and stacking the Brazilian. Two minutes in. Kanehara's free and attempts to pass to mount. Yahya keeping him at bay so far. Full guard. Two minutes to go.
Kanehara landing short blows, but the ref decides he's not seeing enough action and stands them up. Yahya walks into a counter left, then accidentally hits Kanehara in the groin. Yahya looks winded, but lands an overhand left. Kanehara wades in and lands a left hook. One minute to go. Left from Yahya, who eats a left after trying a flying knee. The Brazilian shoots in and Kanehara sprawls, dropping Browne elbows. Yahya gets him to his seat. Kanehara briefly teases a guillotine. Bell, 10-9 Kanehara.
Round 3: Knee by Kanehara met by a Yahya 1-2. Kanehara on the advance. Knee to the body lands. Yahya tossing out low kicks. Looping left hook by Kanehara. Kanehara stuffs a shot. One minute in. Straight left. Body kick lands. Nasty body shot forces Yahya to shoot. Kanehara getting close to the back, landing hammerfists. Kanehara has the crucifix from the back. Two minutes in. Kanehara looks for the Kadowaki Special RNC and Yahya puts him on his rear against the fence. Yahya just holding on as Kanehara swats him. The ref stands them up with two minutes to go.
Kanehara advancing, popping Yahya with accurate straight punches. Yahya shoots after taking a front kick. Kanehara sprawls, then eventually scoots free. Yahya grabbing an ankle as Kanehara calmly bonks him with hammerfists. One minute to go. Kanehara sprawls on him until the ref forces them up. Body kick and straight left land for him, then a hard right and body shot. Kanehara chases Yahya, who swings back at the bell. 10-9 Kanehara.
Final result: Yahya def. Kanehara by split decision
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170 lbs.: Igor Araujo vs. Sean Strickland
Round 1: Araujo lands a body kick. 1-2 from Strickland falls short. One minute in. Araujo low kick. Three-punch combo from Strickland. Strickland catches a body kick and takes Araujo down. Punches from Strickland, who fights off a sweep attempt. Side control for the American after diving down with a right. Two minutes in. Strickland riding from the turtle position and dropping punches. Araujo scrambles up, Strickland still attached. They separate and Strickland unloads on Araujo, eventually dropping him with a body shot. The Brazilian manages to tie up. Two minutes to go.
Araujo turns for a leg, so Strickland postures up and lands more shots. Araujo turtling and eating punches. One minute to go. Araujo makes it to his feet and starts slinging some bombs of his own until Strickland clinches. Araujo throwing with his back to the fence, but eating clean shots from Strickland. He somehow manages to reach the bell. 10-8 Strickland.
Round 2: Araujo going all-out with punches and shoots in on the fence. Knee to the body from the Brazilian. Strickland makes space. Low kick by Araujo. He lands a glancing head kick but gets stuffed on a shot and dragged to the fence. One minute in. Knee by Strickland, body shot by Araujo on the break. Low kick by Strickland. Igor answers. 1-2 by Strickland. Araujo with an overhand right and spinning back kick, after which he implores Strickland to come at him. Two minutes in. Strickland catches another body kick and takes him down once more. Two minutes to go.
Araujo holding him in guard. Strickland postures up, then comes back down. One minute to go. Strickland stands over him and avoids an idiot sweep. He can't do more damage before the bell. 10-9 Strickland.
Round 3: Strickland limp-legs out of a single, then rushes in with punches and takes Araujo to the ground. Araujo looks for deep half guard and Strickland elects to stand. One minute in. Lead left by Araujo. Inside low kick lands, Strickland pops him with the jab. Good left hook by the Brazilian. Heavy 1-2 from Strickland, Araujo waves him on. Two minutes in. Araujo body kick. 1-2 from Strickland. Araujo tries to go high. Lead right from the American. Left hook connects. Two minutes to go.
Araujo misses badly with an overhand right and lands a teep. Body kick lands. 2-1 by Strickland. Low kick from Araujo. Strickland straight right, Araujo overhand left. One minute to go. Body kick from Araujo. 2-1 forces the Brazilian back. Overhand right by Araujo lands, then a short right hook. Araujo wades after him swinging wild punches, but can't get the miracle. 10-9 Strickland.
Final result: Strickland def. Araujo by unanimous decision
-end-
185 lbs.: Ildemar Alcantara vs. Kevin Casey
Round 1: Alcantara is the taller man by a fair margin. Straight right lands for him. Casey clips him with a 3-2. Overhand left connects. One minute in. 1-3 by Alcantara. Body kick lands, then a front kick. Caseey badly flubs a takedown and winds up on bottom in mount. He gives up his back, then rolls over to take top position in guard. Two minutes in. Alcantara controlling posture. Casey passes to half guard on the fence. Casey slams home some powerful rights and an elbow. Two minutes to go.
Alcantara attempts a triangle and gives up his back in the process. Good punches from Casey with one hook in. One minute to go. Casey slings him into half guard and Ildemar regains guard quickly. Elbows by Casey. The Brazilian holds him until the bell. 10-9 Casey.
Round 2: Slow start to the round. Casey falls short with a pair of wide swings. 2-3. Casey tries to change levels. One minute in. 2-3 again from the American. Alcantara whiffs on a right hook. Alcantara lands a knee as Casey steps in, then another on the exit. Both men look somewhat tired. Two minutes to go.
Casey lands a low kick. Wide right hook misses. Alcantara with a 1-2. One minute to go. Intercepting knee to the body. Casey pops him with a right hook. Long straight left stings Alcantara and Casey bullies him to the mat. Alcantara using butterfly hooks, gives up half guard at the bell. 10-9 Casey.
Round 3: Casey lands an inside low kick. Again. Alcantara pops an off-balance Casey with a right hand. Alcantara tries the intercepting knee. One minute in. Nice right hook from Casey. Again, at the end of a three-piece combo. Another right hook from Casey. Two minutes in. Low kick from Casey. Casey falls short with a right hook, lands the next one. Nice intercepting knee by Alcantara, Casey fires back with an overhand left. Two minutes to go.
1-2 from the big Brazilian, then a lead right and a front kick to the body. Casey low kick. One minute to go. Casey ties up and takes Alcantara to the fence. The Brazilian separates. Casey body shot, counter right from Alcantara. Casey lands a lead left and trips Alcantara to the mat. He ends the fight in half guard. 10-9 Casey.
Final result: Casey def. Alcantara by unanimous decision
-end-
170 lbs.: Andrew Craig vs. Lyman Good
Round 1: Quick exchange early, no clean contact. Low kick from Good. 2-3 connects, then a sequence of jabs. Low kick lands once again. One minute in. Check hook lands for Craig. They trade inside. Craig's own jabs are being parried. Inside low kick. Two minutes in. Nice straight right, high kick attempt by Good. Craig tries to go high. Good's jab is working well, both to the head and body. Two minutes to go.
Good slips in a counter right. Body kick connects. Craig is struggling to deal with the jab, eats a left hook. Good putting together combinations with mixed success. One minute to go. Craig to the body. 1-1-2 from Craig, Good answers with a low kick. High kick from Good, who rattles Craig with a series of hooks. Good knees the body before the bell. 10-9 Good.
Round 2: Good lands a low kick. Craig more active, but not landing anything of note. Craig low kicks. Both men land right hands. One minute in. Nice overhand from Craig. 3-2 by Good. Good low kick. Two minutes in. 1-2 and uppercut by Good, who gets hauled to the fence. Two minutes in. Craig with the level elbow. Good knees the body, eats another elbow, and moves off the fence. Craig lands a knee on the break but slips. Good working towards his back. Craig stands, Good still attached. Craig reverses and lands a knee. Two minutes to go.
MASSIVE counter right from Good and Craig collapses. Good unloads on the increasingly-fetal Craig for the stoppage.
Final result: Good def. Craig by TKO (punches)
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