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The most durable champion in mixed martial arts (MMA) will carry the load tonight (Sat., July 30, 2016) as current Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight titleholder Robbie Lawler puts his 170-pound belt on the line against ferocious top contender Tyron Woodley at UFC 201 live on pay-per-view (PPV) from Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
But before the American Top Team teammates settle the score inside of the Octagon to end a fairly enticing main card, which also features the likes of Welterweight brawler Matt Brown, Strawweight title threat Rose Namajunas, veteran Jake Ellenberger and undefeated Polish sensation Karolina Kowalkiewicz, "Hot 'Lanta" will play host to a slew of promising preliminary bouts on FOX Sports 2 starting at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Find out what happened right here as the UFC 201 FOX Sports 2 undercard recaps roll in real-time:
Nikita Krylov vs Ed Herman
In the feature preliminary bout of the evening, former Heavyweight Krylov (21-4) looked to extend his Light Heavyweight win steak to five when he met promotional mainstay Ed Herman (23-12). Considering Krylov has never been involved in a decision throughout his entire career, you knew there was going to be a finish. The Ukrainian absolutely punished Herman from the outside with kicks and countless body shots until finishing "Short Fuse" will a devastating head kick in Round 2, sending Herman head first into the canvas. The second-round knockout is certainly Krylov's most impressive performance to date. He'll move even closer towards title contention entering 2017.
TIMBERRRRRR! @KrylovUFC puts Ed Herman to sleep with a massive headkick knockout! #UFC201
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) July 31, 2016
https://t.co/24eQqCy13o
Ross Pearson vs Jorge Masvidal
In his first Octagon appearance at 170 pounds, Pearson (19-12) looked to make a quick turnaround from his loss to Will Brooks at TUF 23 Finale by taking on fellow Lightweight defector Masvidal (30-11). After a lengthy feeling out period, Masvidal began to overpower the English striker and land vicious knees in the clinch that tired Pearson. He even knocked Pearson down in Round 2 and nearly ended the fight. To Pearson's credit, he hung in tough. But with size on his side, "Gamebred" definitively outworked and outpointed "Real Deal" to capture the unanimous decision win. With the victory, Masvidal's divisional record moves to 2-2.
Anthony Hamilton vs Damian Grabowski
In an always entertaining Heavyweight tilt, Hamilton (15-5) tried to get back into the divisional win column against the formidable Grabowski (20-4). It did not take long for "Freight Train" to put an absolute beating on Grabowski after landing a vicious uppercut followed by a barrage of powerful combinations. The first-round knockout was Hamilton's second promotional finish, one that left Grabowski's toes curled and an impressive performance that should land him a legitimate opponent next time around.
BRUTAL knockout by @AHamilton_MMA. S-A-V-A-G-E. #UFC201 https://t.co/NfiKFZXvnl
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) July 31, 2016
Wilson Reis vs Hector Sandoval
Originally scheduled to take on UFC Flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson in the co-main event of the evening, Reis (21-6) had to settle for promotional newcomer Sandoval (12-3), who hails from the prestigious Team Alpha Male. Sandoval came out winging and actually caught Reis a few times before the Brazilian grabbed a hold of the prospect, dragged him to the canvas and sunk in a beautiful first-round rear naked choke. It goes down as the quickest submission finish in UFC Flyweight history and a victory that proves Reis is truly an elite option at 125 pounds. As for Sandoval, who took this fight on short notice, he'll most likely be given another chance inside of the Octagon in 2016.
When Wilson Reis grabs a hold of your neck, the tap is coming and it's coming QUICK. #UFC201 https://t.co/NIpdF3mBL5
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) July 31, 2016
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