Kellie
12-28-2008, 02:32 AM
UFC 92: Griffin vs. Evans
The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas
December 27, 2008
Dan Evensen vs. Patrick Barry
Round 1: K-1 veterans Barry and Evenson enter and look very confident. A very sparse crowd looks on from the seats. Barry circles to his left. Barry throws Evenson down but he gets back up. Hard leg kick from Barry. Evenson clinches and pins him against fence. They are separated by reveree Yves Lavigne. Three thunderous right low kicks by Barry. Evensen takes him down. Barry scrambles back up. Barry lands another huge right low kick. Evensen stumbles to his left.
Patrick Barry def. Dan Evensen via TKO (injury) -- Round 1, 2:36.
Ryo Chonan vs. Brad Blackburn
Round 1: Blackburn walks into the Octagon to the perfectly suited "Bad" from Michael Jackson. No moon walk is performed, unfortunately. They exchange kicks to the body. Good combos from Blackburn early; punches and kicks. Loopy left hook glances Chonan's head. Short left hook from Chonan inside. Not much action. Chonan misses a flying knee and falls onto his back. He springs back up. Blackburn with good leg kick, right cross combo. And another. Chonan is pushing the pace but Blackburn is more active. Close round. 10-9 Blackburn.
Round 2: Chonan starts the second round with a head kick but it’s blocked. Chonan slips as he's punched as he falls onto his back. Blackburn pounces. Chonan is let back up after no damage is inflicted. Hard right- and left-handed punches score for Blackburn. Blackburn shoots for a takedown but it’s stuffed. The pace slows considerably. Hard kick to Blackburn's ribs. A leg kick connects for Chonan. And another. The close round goes to Blackburn, 10-9.
Round 3: Left kick to Blackburn's ribs. And another. Blackburn continues to back away to his left. Very little action. Chonan throws a head kick and it’s blocked. And two more, all of which are blocked. Chonan is starting to look desperate. Blackburn is not taking any chances. The crowd is getting restless. Chonan catches a leg but he can't sweep for the takedown. A hard right uppercut rocks Blackburn with 40 seconds left. Blackburn is retreating. A big straight right by Chonan followed by another uppercut. The third frame is all Chonan, 10-9.
Brad Blackburn def. Ryo Chonan via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
Matt Hamill vs. Reese Andy
Round 1: The fighters trade punches but nothing clean lands. Hamill dumps Andy onto his back. Andy gets up. Left head kick by Hamill but it’s blocked. Good left kick to body from Andy. Andy tries a takedown but is stuffed and caught in a loose guillotine. Hamill lets it go. Left jab by Andy. Gash opens under Hamill's right eye. Very little action. Looping right hand by Andy near bell. 10-9 Hamill.
Round 2: There's a mouse under Andy’s left eye. Good right hand by hamill. A left and right by Hamill. A hard right knee in the clinch from Hamill. Andy is in trouble. Hamill unloads a furious barrage of punches and another knee. Andy takes another knee and falls. Hamill pounces along the fencing, teeing off with punches. Dozens of punches rain down though most are blocked. Hamill takes his opponent’s back and unloads again.
Matt Hamill def. Reese Andy via TKO (strikes) -- Round 2, 2:19.
Antoni Hardonk vs. Mike Wessel
Round 1:Wessell comes right at Hardonk and pushes him to the floor. Wessell pounces but is sucked into Hardonk's guard. Hardonk secures an armbar. Wessell escapes and scrambles to his feet. They clinch along fence. A series of knees from Hardonk land. Wessell looks tired already. More knees to body and head from Hardonk. Wessell desperately looks for a takedown. Hardonk pulls guard. The action slows considerably and the crowd is booing. Hardonk just misses another armbar. He goes high with his hips in search of a triangle, but the round ends. 10-9 Hardonk.
Round 2: Wessell scores a quick takedown. Hardonk is playing a high offensive guard. Hardonk sneaks out the back door and takes his opponent’s back. He's softening him up with punches. Wessell turtles to avoid the rear-naked choke. Wessell rolls over but is stuck, fully mounted. Hardonk tees off with punches. Wessell rolls back over and eats more punches.
Antoni Hardonk def. Mike Wessel via TKO (strikes) -- Round 2, 2:09.
Yushin Okami vs. Dean Lister
Round 1:Lister enters the cage sporting a pre-fight black eye. Lister misses badly with a wild right hook. Lister tries a single-leg, but it is stuffed. Lister is able to pull guard but he can't keep Okami down. Okami lets him up. Okami is dragged to the ground after another single leg. Okami gets back up. A hard left hand by Okami connects. And another. Lister wants the fight down and pulls guard. Lister rolls to rubber guard but nothing unfolds. Okami’s round, 10-9.
Round 2:Head kick by Lister misses and Okami is pinned against the fence. They separate. Left hand by Okami lands. A takedown by Lister is stuffed. Lister lays on his back to try and lure Okami into his guard. The crowd boos. He does it again. More boos. They're up and clinch along fence. Lister pulls guard. Lister applies an omaplata but Okami escapes. Okami lands three hard punches from on top. Lister scrambles out of danger. He tries to pull guard again. Three more hard right hands from Okami connect. The round ends as the arena showers the Octagon with boos. 10-9 Okami.
Round 3: Lister comes out firing, but misses wildly. Lister is trying more takedowns but his shots are telegraphed. Lister tries pulling guard again. Finally he successfully pulls guard, but Okami lands two more right hands. Very tedious fight to watch. The crowd is restless and are begging Referee Herb Dean to stand the fighters. Okami lands a decent right and left. Lister is unable to pull any submissions. Dean stands them. Lister misses badly with looping punches. Lister tries another single leg. It’s stuffed. 10 seconds left and the crowd boos. 10-9 Okami.
Yushin Okami def. Dean Lister via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Mostapha Al-Turk VS. Cheick Kongo
Round 1 - Quick left from Al-Turk. Kongo and Al-Turk both patiently looking for openings. Al-Turk throws a leg kick but Kongo catches it and pushes him to the floor. Kongo throws a few snapping kicks before allowing Al-Turk to stand. Al-Turk shoots in, but Kongo is able to defend. Al-Turk continues to push in for the takedown while Kongo defends with his back to the cage. Kongo has an opening for a guillotine, but Kongo passes. Al-Turk continues to work for the takedown, and Kongo lands elbows to his opponent's head. Kongo circles off the cage and receives a warning for grabbing Al-Turk's shorts. A knee from Al-Turk lands directly to the groin, and Kongo needs a break. Kongo winces intently as he recovers. Al-Turk offers his glove as an apology as the fight restarts. Al-Turk narrowly misses with an overhand right. Kongo lands a low kick and Al-Turk shoots in again. Kongo again defends and circles off of the cage. Kongo lands a low knee directly to Al-Turk's groin. Referee Steve Mazzagatti warns Kongo that, "That better have been an accident." Al-Turk takes his time to recover. Mazzagatii warns the fighters to keep the bout clean as we restart. Kongo lands two right hands that drop Al-Turk. Kongo follows to the mat and lands a barrage of punches, elbows and hammerfists. Al-Turk is bleeding profusely and Kongo is unrelenting. Mazzagatti is forced to step in.
Cheick Kongo def. Mostapha Al-Turk via TKO (strikes) -- Round 1, 4:37.
Quinton Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva
Round 1 - Unsurprisingly, no touch of gloves. Jackson moves forward and throws an overhand right. Silva throws a combo as Jackson retreats, then a leg kick. Silva throws a combo and Jackson defends well. Silva throws a few punches as Jackson throws a leg kick. Chants of "Sil-va" erupt, but Jackson scores with a jab. Both fighters look cautious in their attacks. Silva now holds the center. Jackson shoots, but Silva shakes it off and scores a knee. Silva scores with a low kick. Jackson misses moving forward then slides out of the way. Silva again scores with a solid leg kick. Halfway through the round. Jackson grans a leg and nearly works the fight to the floor, but Silva backs away. Jackson scores with a jab, then a stunning hook that leaves Silva out cold.
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson def. Wanderlei Silva via KO (punch) -- Round 1, 3:21.
C.B. Dollaway vs. Mike Massenzio
Round 1 - Dollaway lands a solid body kick, and after Massenzio clinches, Dollaway pops him with a knee to the head. Back to the center of the cage, Massenzio ducks under a combination and then rocks Dollaway with a right hand. Massenzio instantly pounces on the dazed fighter and locks in a guillotine choke. Dollaway looks close to tapping but pops his head free and works from inside his opponent's guard. Massenzio then slaps on a triangle choke, but Dollaway easily escapes and briefly takes side control before returning to full guard. Dollaway works some short punches to the body and then rises up to rain down a big right. Dollaway takes the mount position with Massenzio pushed against the fence and gets the position he needs to deliver punches. Massenzio gives up his back, and Dollaway rains down a brutal combination of blows to force the stoppage just seconds later.
C.B. Dollaway def. Mike Massenzio via TKO (strikes) -- Round 1, 3:01.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Frank Mir (for interim heavyweight title)
Round 1 - Mir opens with a left high kick, then follows with a right low kick. Mir looks quick to start. A right hand stuns Nogueira, and Mir follows with several more shots. Mir pushes the fight to the ground, and sets up in top position. Mir walks away from the downed Nogueira, moving the fight back to the feet. Mir again scores with a right hand. Mir is far more effective on the feet, and Nogueira has offered little in return in the opening two minutes. Mir scores with another leg kick then backs away. Nogueira starts to stalk Mir, but Mir scores with a few counter blows. Another punch drops Nogueira, but Mir refuses to grapple. Again the fight is on the feet. One minute remaining, and Mir scores another uppercut. Mir scores with a knee inside, and Nogueira still has yet to offer a true retaliation. The two trade kicks, and Mir again moves forward behind a combo. Nogueira scores with his hands as time winds down, but Mir has dominated the opening frame. Nogueira dropped one final time as the round close. MMAjunkie.com gives to Mir, 10-9, but a 10-8 could be justified.
Round 2 - Mir continues to punish Nogueira with punches up the middle. Nogueira is standing firm, but is completely unable to defend Mir's timing. Nogueira scores with a kick to the leg. Mir drops Nogueira with two stiff left hands, and immediately looks to Brock Lesnar at ringside as the fight is waved off. Nogueira has been stopped for the first time in his legendary 37-fight career.
Frank Mir def. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira via TKO (punches) -- Round 2, 1:54.
Champion Forrest Griffin vs. Rashad Evans (for light heavyweight title)
Round 1 - Griffin takes the center of the cage as chants of "Forrest, Forrest" echo the arena. Evans keeps his distance as he dances around his larger opponent. Griffin scores with two kicks to the body as Evans looks to close the distance. Evans just misses with a quick right hand. Griffin continues to score with right low kicks. Evans answers with a heavy low kick of his own. Evans again just misses a heavy right hand, and Griffin doubles up his jab. Evans continues to stay just outside of Griffin's reach. A nice exchange with two minutes remaining, and both fighters land. Evans trips Griffin with a low kick. Both fighters comfortable trading on the outside. Griffin misses with back-to-back high kicks. Evans moves in and evades a counter from Griffin. Quick jab from Evans, followed by a hook. Evans then retreats out of range before Griffin can answer. Griffin continues to score with kicks as time expires. Good round, and MMAjunkie.com sees it for Griffin, 10-9.
Round 2 - The two quickly engage, and Griffin's corner yells for him not to chase. Griffin slips moving away, but quickly recovers. Evans scores with a jab, but Griffin continues to answer with leg kicks. Griffin stuns Evans with a right hand, then moves forwards behind a kick. Griffin clinches and scores with knees, but Evans insists he's fine. Evans scores with anther jab, but the distance is difficult to overcome. Griffin continues to work Evans' leg and body with kicks. Evans smiles at Griffin as he circles around. Two minutes remain, and Griffin continues to score with the legs. Evans looks to move in, but has to immediately back away to move back out of range. Evans score with a solid right, but Griffin is unfazed. Evans looking to pick his spots, but the range is difficult to secure. Many of Evans attempts are just short of their mark. Evans does score in the waning moments, but Griffin answers at the bell. Another round for Griffin, 10-9.
Round 3 - Griffin immediately takes the center of the cage, and the pattern of the fight has undoubtedly been established. Evans catches a kick and piles on top of Griffin. Hammerfists rain down, and Griffin is in trouble. The champion collects himself and pulls guard. Griffin looks to a kimura, but Evans slides out. Griffin maintains half-guard, while Evans looks to pass. Evans briefly escapes, but Griffin is quickly able to regain full guard. Halfway through the fight, and Griffin tries to bait Evans into a triangle. Evans slips out, and a barrage of punches follow. Griffin appears out, but the offense continues. Several more blows, and we have a new champion.
Rashad Evans def. Forrest Griffin via TKO (punches) -- Round 3, 2:46
The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas
December 27, 2008
Dan Evensen vs. Patrick Barry
Round 1: K-1 veterans Barry and Evenson enter and look very confident. A very sparse crowd looks on from the seats. Barry circles to his left. Barry throws Evenson down but he gets back up. Hard leg kick from Barry. Evenson clinches and pins him against fence. They are separated by reveree Yves Lavigne. Three thunderous right low kicks by Barry. Evensen takes him down. Barry scrambles back up. Barry lands another huge right low kick. Evensen stumbles to his left.
Patrick Barry def. Dan Evensen via TKO (injury) -- Round 1, 2:36.
Ryo Chonan vs. Brad Blackburn
Round 1: Blackburn walks into the Octagon to the perfectly suited "Bad" from Michael Jackson. No moon walk is performed, unfortunately. They exchange kicks to the body. Good combos from Blackburn early; punches and kicks. Loopy left hook glances Chonan's head. Short left hook from Chonan inside. Not much action. Chonan misses a flying knee and falls onto his back. He springs back up. Blackburn with good leg kick, right cross combo. And another. Chonan is pushing the pace but Blackburn is more active. Close round. 10-9 Blackburn.
Round 2: Chonan starts the second round with a head kick but it’s blocked. Chonan slips as he's punched as he falls onto his back. Blackburn pounces. Chonan is let back up after no damage is inflicted. Hard right- and left-handed punches score for Blackburn. Blackburn shoots for a takedown but it’s stuffed. The pace slows considerably. Hard kick to Blackburn's ribs. A leg kick connects for Chonan. And another. The close round goes to Blackburn, 10-9.
Round 3: Left kick to Blackburn's ribs. And another. Blackburn continues to back away to his left. Very little action. Chonan throws a head kick and it’s blocked. And two more, all of which are blocked. Chonan is starting to look desperate. Blackburn is not taking any chances. The crowd is getting restless. Chonan catches a leg but he can't sweep for the takedown. A hard right uppercut rocks Blackburn with 40 seconds left. Blackburn is retreating. A big straight right by Chonan followed by another uppercut. The third frame is all Chonan, 10-9.
Brad Blackburn def. Ryo Chonan via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
Matt Hamill vs. Reese Andy
Round 1: The fighters trade punches but nothing clean lands. Hamill dumps Andy onto his back. Andy gets up. Left head kick by Hamill but it’s blocked. Good left kick to body from Andy. Andy tries a takedown but is stuffed and caught in a loose guillotine. Hamill lets it go. Left jab by Andy. Gash opens under Hamill's right eye. Very little action. Looping right hand by Andy near bell. 10-9 Hamill.
Round 2: There's a mouse under Andy’s left eye. Good right hand by hamill. A left and right by Hamill. A hard right knee in the clinch from Hamill. Andy is in trouble. Hamill unloads a furious barrage of punches and another knee. Andy takes another knee and falls. Hamill pounces along the fencing, teeing off with punches. Dozens of punches rain down though most are blocked. Hamill takes his opponent’s back and unloads again.
Matt Hamill def. Reese Andy via TKO (strikes) -- Round 2, 2:19.
Antoni Hardonk vs. Mike Wessel
Round 1:Wessell comes right at Hardonk and pushes him to the floor. Wessell pounces but is sucked into Hardonk's guard. Hardonk secures an armbar. Wessell escapes and scrambles to his feet. They clinch along fence. A series of knees from Hardonk land. Wessell looks tired already. More knees to body and head from Hardonk. Wessell desperately looks for a takedown. Hardonk pulls guard. The action slows considerably and the crowd is booing. Hardonk just misses another armbar. He goes high with his hips in search of a triangle, but the round ends. 10-9 Hardonk.
Round 2: Wessell scores a quick takedown. Hardonk is playing a high offensive guard. Hardonk sneaks out the back door and takes his opponent’s back. He's softening him up with punches. Wessell turtles to avoid the rear-naked choke. Wessell rolls over but is stuck, fully mounted. Hardonk tees off with punches. Wessell rolls back over and eats more punches.
Antoni Hardonk def. Mike Wessel via TKO (strikes) -- Round 2, 2:09.
Yushin Okami vs. Dean Lister
Round 1:Lister enters the cage sporting a pre-fight black eye. Lister misses badly with a wild right hook. Lister tries a single-leg, but it is stuffed. Lister is able to pull guard but he can't keep Okami down. Okami lets him up. Okami is dragged to the ground after another single leg. Okami gets back up. A hard left hand by Okami connects. And another. Lister wants the fight down and pulls guard. Lister rolls to rubber guard but nothing unfolds. Okami’s round, 10-9.
Round 2:Head kick by Lister misses and Okami is pinned against the fence. They separate. Left hand by Okami lands. A takedown by Lister is stuffed. Lister lays on his back to try and lure Okami into his guard. The crowd boos. He does it again. More boos. They're up and clinch along fence. Lister pulls guard. Lister applies an omaplata but Okami escapes. Okami lands three hard punches from on top. Lister scrambles out of danger. He tries to pull guard again. Three more hard right hands from Okami connect. The round ends as the arena showers the Octagon with boos. 10-9 Okami.
Round 3: Lister comes out firing, but misses wildly. Lister is trying more takedowns but his shots are telegraphed. Lister tries pulling guard again. Finally he successfully pulls guard, but Okami lands two more right hands. Very tedious fight to watch. The crowd is restless and are begging Referee Herb Dean to stand the fighters. Okami lands a decent right and left. Lister is unable to pull any submissions. Dean stands them. Lister misses badly with looping punches. Lister tries another single leg. It’s stuffed. 10 seconds left and the crowd boos. 10-9 Okami.
Yushin Okami def. Dean Lister via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Mostapha Al-Turk VS. Cheick Kongo
Round 1 - Quick left from Al-Turk. Kongo and Al-Turk both patiently looking for openings. Al-Turk throws a leg kick but Kongo catches it and pushes him to the floor. Kongo throws a few snapping kicks before allowing Al-Turk to stand. Al-Turk shoots in, but Kongo is able to defend. Al-Turk continues to push in for the takedown while Kongo defends with his back to the cage. Kongo has an opening for a guillotine, but Kongo passes. Al-Turk continues to work for the takedown, and Kongo lands elbows to his opponent's head. Kongo circles off the cage and receives a warning for grabbing Al-Turk's shorts. A knee from Al-Turk lands directly to the groin, and Kongo needs a break. Kongo winces intently as he recovers. Al-Turk offers his glove as an apology as the fight restarts. Al-Turk narrowly misses with an overhand right. Kongo lands a low kick and Al-Turk shoots in again. Kongo again defends and circles off of the cage. Kongo lands a low knee directly to Al-Turk's groin. Referee Steve Mazzagatti warns Kongo that, "That better have been an accident." Al-Turk takes his time to recover. Mazzagatii warns the fighters to keep the bout clean as we restart. Kongo lands two right hands that drop Al-Turk. Kongo follows to the mat and lands a barrage of punches, elbows and hammerfists. Al-Turk is bleeding profusely and Kongo is unrelenting. Mazzagatti is forced to step in.
Cheick Kongo def. Mostapha Al-Turk via TKO (strikes) -- Round 1, 4:37.
Quinton Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva
Round 1 - Unsurprisingly, no touch of gloves. Jackson moves forward and throws an overhand right. Silva throws a combo as Jackson retreats, then a leg kick. Silva throws a combo and Jackson defends well. Silva throws a few punches as Jackson throws a leg kick. Chants of "Sil-va" erupt, but Jackson scores with a jab. Both fighters look cautious in their attacks. Silva now holds the center. Jackson shoots, but Silva shakes it off and scores a knee. Silva scores with a low kick. Jackson misses moving forward then slides out of the way. Silva again scores with a solid leg kick. Halfway through the round. Jackson grans a leg and nearly works the fight to the floor, but Silva backs away. Jackson scores with a jab, then a stunning hook that leaves Silva out cold.
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson def. Wanderlei Silva via KO (punch) -- Round 1, 3:21.
C.B. Dollaway vs. Mike Massenzio
Round 1 - Dollaway lands a solid body kick, and after Massenzio clinches, Dollaway pops him with a knee to the head. Back to the center of the cage, Massenzio ducks under a combination and then rocks Dollaway with a right hand. Massenzio instantly pounces on the dazed fighter and locks in a guillotine choke. Dollaway looks close to tapping but pops his head free and works from inside his opponent's guard. Massenzio then slaps on a triangle choke, but Dollaway easily escapes and briefly takes side control before returning to full guard. Dollaway works some short punches to the body and then rises up to rain down a big right. Dollaway takes the mount position with Massenzio pushed against the fence and gets the position he needs to deliver punches. Massenzio gives up his back, and Dollaway rains down a brutal combination of blows to force the stoppage just seconds later.
C.B. Dollaway def. Mike Massenzio via TKO (strikes) -- Round 1, 3:01.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Frank Mir (for interim heavyweight title)
Round 1 - Mir opens with a left high kick, then follows with a right low kick. Mir looks quick to start. A right hand stuns Nogueira, and Mir follows with several more shots. Mir pushes the fight to the ground, and sets up in top position. Mir walks away from the downed Nogueira, moving the fight back to the feet. Mir again scores with a right hand. Mir is far more effective on the feet, and Nogueira has offered little in return in the opening two minutes. Mir scores with another leg kick then backs away. Nogueira starts to stalk Mir, but Mir scores with a few counter blows. Another punch drops Nogueira, but Mir refuses to grapple. Again the fight is on the feet. One minute remaining, and Mir scores another uppercut. Mir scores with a knee inside, and Nogueira still has yet to offer a true retaliation. The two trade kicks, and Mir again moves forward behind a combo. Nogueira scores with his hands as time winds down, but Mir has dominated the opening frame. Nogueira dropped one final time as the round close. MMAjunkie.com gives to Mir, 10-9, but a 10-8 could be justified.
Round 2 - Mir continues to punish Nogueira with punches up the middle. Nogueira is standing firm, but is completely unable to defend Mir's timing. Nogueira scores with a kick to the leg. Mir drops Nogueira with two stiff left hands, and immediately looks to Brock Lesnar at ringside as the fight is waved off. Nogueira has been stopped for the first time in his legendary 37-fight career.
Frank Mir def. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira via TKO (punches) -- Round 2, 1:54.
Champion Forrest Griffin vs. Rashad Evans (for light heavyweight title)
Round 1 - Griffin takes the center of the cage as chants of "Forrest, Forrest" echo the arena. Evans keeps his distance as he dances around his larger opponent. Griffin scores with two kicks to the body as Evans looks to close the distance. Evans just misses with a quick right hand. Griffin continues to score with right low kicks. Evans answers with a heavy low kick of his own. Evans again just misses a heavy right hand, and Griffin doubles up his jab. Evans continues to stay just outside of Griffin's reach. A nice exchange with two minutes remaining, and both fighters land. Evans trips Griffin with a low kick. Both fighters comfortable trading on the outside. Griffin misses with back-to-back high kicks. Evans moves in and evades a counter from Griffin. Quick jab from Evans, followed by a hook. Evans then retreats out of range before Griffin can answer. Griffin continues to score with kicks as time expires. Good round, and MMAjunkie.com sees it for Griffin, 10-9.
Round 2 - The two quickly engage, and Griffin's corner yells for him not to chase. Griffin slips moving away, but quickly recovers. Evans scores with a jab, but Griffin continues to answer with leg kicks. Griffin stuns Evans with a right hand, then moves forwards behind a kick. Griffin clinches and scores with knees, but Evans insists he's fine. Evans scores with anther jab, but the distance is difficult to overcome. Griffin continues to work Evans' leg and body with kicks. Evans smiles at Griffin as he circles around. Two minutes remain, and Griffin continues to score with the legs. Evans looks to move in, but has to immediately back away to move back out of range. Evans score with a solid right, but Griffin is unfazed. Evans looking to pick his spots, but the range is difficult to secure. Many of Evans attempts are just short of their mark. Evans does score in the waning moments, but Griffin answers at the bell. Another round for Griffin, 10-9.
Round 3 - Griffin immediately takes the center of the cage, and the pattern of the fight has undoubtedly been established. Evans catches a kick and piles on top of Griffin. Hammerfists rain down, and Griffin is in trouble. The champion collects himself and pulls guard. Griffin looks to a kimura, but Evans slides out. Griffin maintains half-guard, while Evans looks to pass. Evans briefly escapes, but Griffin is quickly able to regain full guard. Halfway through the fight, and Griffin tries to bait Evans into a triangle. Evans slips out, and a barrage of punches follow. Griffin appears out, but the offense continues. Several more blows, and we have a new champion.
Rashad Evans def. Forrest Griffin via TKO (punches) -- Round 3, 2:46