Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) brings a stellar UFC Fight Night 81 mixed martial arts (MMA) event to Boston, Massachusetts tonight (Sun., Jan. 17, 2016) inside TD Garden and it features a Bantamweight championship main event pitting titleholder T.J. Dillashaw against ex-champion Dominick Cruz.
The pair of incredible stand-up talents have traded numerous verbal barbs over the last few months and will settle their score in "Beantown" when it's all said and done.
In the co-main event, Anthony Pettis looks to make a triumphant return following the loss of his Lightweight title when he battles former Bellator standout Eddie Alvarez.
Elsewhere on the card is a match-up of Heavyweight brutes as Travis Browne looks to bounce back from a knockout loss to Andrei Arlovski against Indiana native Matt Mitrione.
However, before we can get to the evening's main courses, fans will be treated to a set of nine "Prelims" bouts scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on the Fight Pass digital streaming service, until the final four are broadcast on FOX Sports 1 at 8 p.m. ET. The four-fight main card will start promptly at 10 p.m. ET.
Below are the results recaps for the four FOX Sports 1 "Prelims" tussles:
Two potent finishers of the Welterweight division collided as Cote took on Saunders.
Cote comes out against the southpaw Saunders looking to target the leg of "Killa B." Saunders backing up Cote early, eats a leg kick. He scores to the body, but eats another leg kick. Saunders lands a trip and ends up in full guard. Cote establishing a solid guard so far. Saunders trying to posture up. Minimal strikes coming from Saunders, as Cote throws his legs up in hopes for an armbar. Cote in on a deep armbar attempt, doesn't get it, but uses it to end up in side control. "The Predator" in full guard. Now butterfly guard as Cote punishes the body. He holds onto to top position as round one comes to a close. 10-9 Cote
They exchange kicks to open round two. Very nice uppercuts in the clinch from Cote, who lands several unanswered blows, before following up with hammerfists on the ground to stop the American Top Team staple.
Cote wins his third-straight fight, while Saunders' three-fight win streak is snapped.
Result: Cote via second-round knockout
Gritty Light Heavyweight veterans took to the Octagon for battle as Boetsch battled Herman.
Herman pumps the jab, while Boetsch lands a right. Chopping leg kick for Boetsch. A big right hand scores for "The Barbarian." Front kick from the Maine native Boetsch. Solid leg kick from Herman. Another jab for the Oregon slugger. Body-head combo for Herman. Herman gets caught coming in. Knee in the clinch from Herman, and a good uppercut. A couple of good leg kicks from Boetsch crack the shin. He goes to the overhand right next. Herman turning it on a bit. He lands a short elbow and a knee. 10-9 Boetsch
Boetsch opens up with a kick up the middle. Left hook comes down the pike and connects for Herman. He's scoring well with his left hand, be it with a jab or hook. The 35-year-old backs up Boetsch, who hangs tough in the clinch, until Herman lands a vicious knee for the second-round knockout.
Herman improves his overall record to 22-11-(1). Boetsch loses his third-straight in the Octagon and falls to 18-10.
Result: Herman via second-round knockout
The New York grappler Wade welcomed the French striker Baghdad to the confines of ZUFFA.
Wade shoots for a takedown, before moving to the throw. Baghdad is down. Full guard now for the American. Wade coming with short shots, but "The Sultan" is doing a nice job of controlling the posture of the former. Nice punch by Wade. No submission attempts from Baghdad, who gets back to his feet with the help of the wall. Midway through the round. Baghdad's dragged back down to the ground. Wade leaving the Frenchman no room to breath. Baghdad capitalizes on some room given to him by Wade and gets back to his feet. Wade stays with him along the fence. The New Yorker is on Baghdad's back. Some short punches from Wade. He's looking for the choke with 40 seconds left.
Wade racks up his fourth UFC victory in spotless fashion, while Baghdad drops a clunker and falls to 11-4.
Result: Wade via first-round submission (rear-naked choke)
Maximo Blanco vs. Luke Sanders
Blanco put his three-fight win streak on the line against the undefeated and debuting Sanders.
Blanco a little wild early, gets clipped with a left hand. The Venzeulean lands a shot to the body. He's giving Sanders different looks. Blanco swithcing stances often, gets caught with another left. Two nice leg kicks in-a-row for Sanders. Very good knees from the American in the clinch. Hard kick from Sanders, who gets taken down by Blanco. "Maxi" goes for the arm triangle choke and lets it go. We're back to the feet with two minutes left: Sanders to the leg once more. He catches Blanco with a right. Moments later, Sanders scores with a big left hand, dropping Blanco before he finishes him off with a rear-naked choke.
Sanders improves to 11-0 overall, while Blanco drops to 12-7-1-(1).
Result: Sanders via first-round submission (rear-naked choke)
For more UFC Fight Night 81 news and notes, including up-to-the-minute live results and play-by-play, click here and here.