Will
02-01-2009, 03:13 AM
UFC 94: GSP vs. Penn
Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas
January 31, 2009
Matt Arroyo vs. Dan Cramer
Round 1 - Arroyo with an early leg kick, but his shot is stuffed by Cramer. The second, though, is successful, and Arroyo is able to pull guard, reverse the position and immediately take mount. Cramer reverses, but Arroyo quickly secures an arm and tries for the armbar. Cramer escapes and works from inside guard. The fighters catch a breather before Arroyo works elbows from below. Cramer's punches from above are easily deflected. However, Cramer finally gets through a couple elbows and then a big right and blows to the body. Cramer sits up before the blows, but despite telegraphing them, Arroyo can do nothing to stop them. Cramer lands a stiff right, but Arroyo grabs the arm again and works for an armbar. Cramer survives and then batters him with more rights. After standing, Cramer doesn't allow Arroyo to do the same and then smothers his opponent when Arroyo tries to get to his feet. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Cramer.
Round 2 - After a touch of the gloves, Arroyo misses on a lazy right and is put on his back after a spinning back kick misses widely. Cramer takes the dominant top position as Arroyo works butterfly guard. Cramer stands over his opponent and then rains down some right hands that connect. Arroyo quickly secures full guard and defends against more right hands from Cramer. Back to butterfly guard for Arroyo, who throws elbows from below. They have little on them, and Cramer again lands some rights from above. Cramer again stands over his opponent, and as he awaits his opening, the crowd begins to boo. Cramer returns to his opponent's guard. Arroyo throws elbows while Cramer patiently looks to connect with big rights. The pace slows as both fighters look to have tired. Referee Steve Mazzagatti halts the action when Arroyo kicks Cramer in the face, and a warning is issued. Back to action, Cramer again stands over Arroyo, and the crowd again grows restless. Little action in the final 30 seconds of the frame. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Cramer.
Round 3 - Arroyo has a major black eye as the left side of his face swells. The fighters trade blows in the center of the cage, and Arroyo finally secures a takedown of his own. Cramer, though, looks for the triangle choke, but without the position, he allows Arroyo to take sidemount and then his back. Arroyo climbs onto his back and sinks in a rear-naked choke. Cramer won't tap and breaks free of the choke, but Arroyo still has his back. After throwing some punches from behind, Arroyo again attempts the choke as he locks in a body triangle. Cramer wiggles free and is able to turn free and take top position. Now working from inside his opponent's guard, Cramer rains down elbows. The pace slows as Cramer works elbows. Mazzagatti steps in and restarts them. Arroyo shoots lazily, and Cramer collapses on top of him and immediately rains down elbows that find their mark. Arroyo looks for the triangle choke, but Cramer pulls back and frees himself. With a sense of desparation, Arroyo looks for a submission, but Cramer closes out the round with a flurry of ground and pound. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Cramer in what should be a clean sweep of a decision.
Dan Cramer def. Matt Arroyo via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
Jake O'Brien vs. Christian Wellisch
Round 1 - Wellisch quickly closes the distances and tries to take O'Brien to the ground, but he's popped and dropped with a right. Wellisch quickly gets back to his feet, and the fighters trade blows furiously. O'Brien takes Wellisch to the mat and works from inside his opponent's guard. Pressed against the fence, Weliisch pulls O'Brien toward him. O'Brien, though, backs away and allows Wellisch to get back to his feet. Wellisch misses with a head kick and then lands a soft leg kick. A lazy takedown attempt by Wellisch allows O'Brien to toss him to the mat. He follows and works from inside Wellisch's guard. O'Brien throws a few short punches to the body. The referee soon break and restarts them. The fighters again throw wildly, and O'Brien connects with a left and then partially connects on a right. Wellisch gets through a blow, but O'Brien shoots and takes him down. O'Brien backs away and lets him up. However, after his next takedown, O'Brien collapses on top of him before the round ends. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for O'Brien.
Round 2 - After trading more punches to open the round, Wellisch lands a body kick and follows with a leg kick. O'Brien avoids subsequent blows and counters Wellisch with three consecutive jabs. Wellisch lands a nice leg kick. O'Brien works jabs as Wellisch swings and misses wildly. O'Brien lands a nice left- overhand right combination, but Wellisch shakes it off and attempts a takedown. O'Brien, though, dips for the double-leg takedown and slams his opponent to the mat. Wellisch rolls free and quickly gets to his feet and lands a left-right combo. O'Brien counters with an uppercut, but Wellisch continues to push forward. O'Brien counters a low kick-jab combo with an easy takedown and again slams Wellisch to the mat. Wellisch, though, again gets to his feet quickly and land a nice combo of low kicks and punches just as the round ends. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for O'Brien.
Round 3 - Wellisch goes on the offensive as O'Brien looks to counter. Wellisch chases with some lunging rights and eats a shot that opens his nose and causes a steady flow of blood. O'Brien shoots and scores the takedown, but Wellisch rolls free and easily gets to his feet. The fighters trade jabs and Wellisch again throws wildly and lands with a left. O'Brien patiently awaits to counter and forces the fight to the ground again. Wellisch quickly gets to his feet and throws left-right combinations. O'Brien deflects most of them. Wellisch sneaks through an overhand right. Wellisch swings wildly and just misses with a knee to the head. O'Brien shoots and again gets the takedown, but again, he can't keep his opponent there. Wellisch, now gushing blood from his nose and mouth, stalks after O'Brien but is again easily taken to the mount. O'Brien stands over him and tries to rain down a blow, but Wellisch easily deflects it and gets to his feet. The fighters battle for ground position as the round ends. MMAjunkie.com scores a close final round for Wellisch, 10-9.
Jake O'Brien def. Christian Wellisch via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28).
John Howard vs. Chris Wilson
Round 1 - Howard with an early leg kick before Wilson fakes a takedown attempt. Wilson throws a kick, which is stuffed, and Howard powers through to put his opponent on his back. He quickly returns to his feet, though, and just misses a head kick that would have wrecked Wilson. Howard lands a leg kick, but Wilson counters with two of his own that knock his opponent off balance. Howard throws a punch and clinches, but Wilson gets the underhooks and takes the fight to the ground. Howard immediately breaks free and grazes Wilson a blow as he gets back up. Wilson has a small cut above his nose. Wilson then lands a leg kick that knocks Howard off his feet and takes him to the mat. Wilson had a head lock and Howard patiently thinks his way through it. After rolling to his back, Howard defends body blows from Wilson. Howard breaks free, defends a guillotine, rolls to the mat, and takes top position. The quick exchange earns a round of applause from a near-full arena. After a break in action, referee Herb Dean stands the fighters. Howard lands a body shot and then slams Wilson to the mat as an exciting first round ends. It's a close one, but MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Wilson.
Round 2 - The fighters fire leg kicks at the same time, but Howard's lands thunderously and knocks Wilson off balance. Howard follows with some big punches, ties up his opponent, and sends Wilson to the mat. Wilson quickly escapes, and the fighters again trade in the center of the cage. Wilson lands a nice body shot, but Howard closes the distances, scoops up Wilson and slams him to the mat. Howard gets one leg free and works for side control, but Wilson gets to his feet, the fighters stay clinches, and Wilson scores a trip takedown. Howard quickly escapes, and we're back standing. After a clinch, Howard lands a right-left combination and then shots to the body. Wilson clinches and looks for knees to the body, but Howard keeps his stances and they seperate. Howard just misses two looping shots, and Wilson uses the opportunity to throws him to the mat. Working from inside guard, Wilson throws elbows to the body and left punches to the head. The pace slows, and the ref issues a warning to pick up the pace. Wilson looks for a leg but gives up his position just as the round ends. It's another close one, and MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for Howard.
Round 3 - As the third round gets started, random "B.J. Penn!" and "GSP!" chants randomly break out. Wilson opens with a knee to the body, but Howard checks it, takes his opponent's back, locks in a body triangle and looks for the rear-naked choke. Wilson successfully defends, but Howard maintains the dominant position and delivers some blows from behind. After a flurry of the punches, Wilson gives Howard the opening he needs, and he sinks in the rear-naked choke. Wilson rolls just enough to break free and eats some punches. Howard again goes for the rear-naked choke, but he can't get it under Wilson's chin. Two minutes into the position, Howard continues fighting with Wilson's long limbs and then tries to soften him up with punches from behind. Wilson finally escapes and takes top position to avoid the choke threats. Wilson delivers punches from above, but after standing, he's taken to the mat when Howard secures a leg and trips him. Both fighters look for submissions with the other's leg, but they give up the positions and return standing. Howard shoots and after a few efforts trips Wilson to the mat. Wilson delivers elbows from below and Howard throws a few wild punches as the round ends. It's another close round in a close fight, but MMAjunkie.com gives the nod to Howard, 10-9.
John Howard def. Chris Wilson via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
Manny Gamburyan VS. Thiago Tavares
Round 1 - Gamburyan scores the early leg kick, but after a lull in action, Tavares shoots and scores the takedown. Tavares rains down a storm of punches and hammerfists as Gamburyan scrambles to deflect the blows. Tavares continues with the punishment as Gamburyam rolls to his side and secures an arm, looking for a kimura. Gamburyan finally gets the position he needs and jerks the arm behind Tavares. Tavares, though, climbs over and around his opponent to escape and ends up back in his opponent's guard. Gamburyan connects on some punches from below and then gets to his feet, judo-throwing Tavares across the mat. Tavares sticks to him, though, and the fighters clinch against the fence standing. Tavares lands a left to the head and then scoops up Gamburyan and throws him to the mat. Working from inside guard, Tavares eats some punches from below before pounding his opponent with a series of elbows and punches. Gamburyan gets to his feet before the round ends. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for Tavares.
Round 2 - Gamburyan lunges forward with a left and then connects with a left and a leg kick. Tavares shakes it off and remains in his offensive stance. Gamburyan backs him up with some wild overhand rights, but Tavares then shoots for the takedown. Gamburyan has his back to the fence and tries to shake it off, and then he reverses the position and take the top position. Working from guard, Gamburyan can initially do little as Tavares ties him up.Gamnburyan gets through a few punches before he grabs a look and looks for a submission. He quickly gives it up and returns to Tavares' guard. After a few shoulder presses, Gamburyan delivers two big right elbows just as referee Josh Rosenthal steps in to restart them standing. Gamburyan strikes first with a low kick, but he's countered with a combination from Tavares. Tavares just misses with a right cross and he dips to take Gamburyan to the mat. The Armenian puts his back against the fence and tries to defend against the takedown. He's able to wait out the round in the position. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Gamburyan.
Round 3 - Tavares shoots early and secures a leg, but Gamburyan escapes. After throwing a leg kick, Gamburyan now shoots, but he also has no luck. Tavares uses a right to set up a takedown attempt, but Gamburyan shrugs it off. Tavares connects on a right and then counters with another moments later. Gamburyan jabs as Tavares continues to keep his opponent's back against the fence. Gamburyan connects on a few kicks, and the fight has new life. Gamburyan connect on an overhand left and a follow-up right, but Tavares continues to be the aggressor and stalk Gamburyan around the perimeter of the cage. Tavares goes high with a head kick, which is deflected, and then he connects on a right and a knee to the face as Gamburyan misses on his takedown attempt. Gamburyan again shoots and puts his opponent up against the cage, but Tavares escapes. With 30 seconds to go, the fighters trade jabs as the round ends unceremoniously. It's a close round, and MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Tavares. But it's another tough decision for the judges.
Thiago Tavares def. Manny Gamburyan via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
Jon Fitch vs. Akihro Gono
Round 1 - Gono and his corner "men" enter the cage in drag, complete with silver dresses, jewelry, sunglasses, wigs, sequined gloves and high heels. The two drag-tastic back-up dancers are in the same get-up. The cageside dance routine delights the crowd. Fitch's Johnny Cash ballad doesn't have the same effect. Fitch fires a combination and immediately looks for the takedown. Gono, pinned against the fence, refuses to go down, and he tries to sprawl free. Fitch briefly takes his back before pinning Gono back against the fence while trying to improve his position. Gono escapes and eats a knee in the process, but no harm appears done. Fitch fires a head kick and knees before Gono closes the distance and pushes him into the fence. Fitch does some damage from the Muay Thai clinch before Gono breaks free.
Round 2 - Fitch lands two leg kicks before Gono closes the distance. Gono pins him against the fence and works punches to the body. The fighters stay clinched before Fitch scores the trip takedown and works from inside guard. Fitch works elbows from above and follows with a series of lefts, and referee Steve Mazzagtatti warns Fitch to get busier. Fitch kicks it up a notch and continues a steady stream of ground and pound. Fitch tries to improve his position, but with Gono shoved against the cage, he can't take the mount position. However, when Gono tries to escape, Fitch takes his opponent's back, locks in a body triangle and throws punches from behind. Gono, though, controls his hands and avoids the rear-naked choke. Fitch locks in an armbar just as the round comes to a close, but Gono is saved by the bell. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for Fitch.
Round 3 - The camera catch Olympian Satoshi Ishii before the round begins. Fitch strikes early with kicks, clinches and then forces a visibly exhausted Gono the mat. Fitch works to side control and delivers brutal blows from above. When Fitch stands, Gono kicks his way free and gets back to his feet. Fitch works front kicks before Gono attempts a flying knee to the body. Fitch clinches and puts him against the mat. Gono tries to escape by rolling free, but Fitch collapses on top of him and takes his back. Gono rolls free and takes top position while Fitch uses butterfly guard. Gono tries to deliver an elbow, but Fitch doesn't allow it. The pace slows with a minute to go before Gono delivers an elbow. Fitch gets to his feet and just ducks under a head kick from Gono. With time running out, Gono tries everything from a Superman punch to a head kick, but nothing connects, and Fitch takes him to the mat to let time expire. MMAjunkie.com has it again for Fitch, 10-9.
Jon Fitch def. Akihiro Gono via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-26).
Nate Diaz vs. Clay Guida
Round 1 - We've got a full house as we get ready for the night's first televised bout. Both fighters are amp'd to get started, and both swing wildly as we get started. Guida closes the distance, but the fighters quickly separate. Diaz uses his reach advantage to work jabs and a couple nice left-right combinations. Guida counters with a knee that partially connects. Guida follows a leg kick that an overhand right that misses, and Diaz continues a steady stream of jabs. Diaz remains the aggressor, and when Guida shoots for a single-leg takedown, Diaz easily escapes. Diaz shoots, but Guida stuffs it and put his opponent on his back. The crowd cheers for Guida, who takes Diaz's back as the fighter gets back to his feet. Diaz tries to roll free, but Guida puts him in a full nelson and then lands in side control to rain down punches and elbows. Diaz gets back to his feet, but Guida clings to him to try to salvage the position. When the opportunity rises, Guida picks up and slams Diaz violently to the mat. Diaz tries to get back to his feet, but Guida again takes his back. Standing, Diaz controls his opponent's hands as the round ends. A great first round is met with booming applause. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for Guida.
Round 2 - Diaz works the jab as Guida continues swinging wildly. After a clinch against the fence, Diaz looks for the takedown. Guida defends and attempts the trip takedown, but Diaz easily avoids it. With Diaz's back against the fence, Guida now looks the takedown. Guida tries on two separate occasions, but Diaz's stellar balance keeps him upright. Guida finally pulls Diaz's leg out from under him. Diaz, though, quickly gets back to his feet and then wrestles Guida to the mat. Guida reverses the position during a scramble and tries to take Diaz's back. Diaz, though, does just enough to stay out of trouble and then uses a judo throw to take Guida to the mat. Guida remains on his back but has to give up the position when Diaz secures an arm and looks for a kimura. However, when Diaz gets to his feet, Guida quickly follows. Diaz again throws him to the mat, and Guida again takes the top position. Diaz nearly secures a triangle choke as the round ends, but Guida escapes. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Guida and his smothering offense.
Round 3 - The fighters furiously trade punches and leg kicks to start the round. Diaz has trouble connecting, which causes Guida to smile. Diaz pushes his opponent into the fence and peppers Guida with punches when he tries to create distance. Diaz connects with a kick and showboats while trying to throw follow-up punches. The crowd boos him. Diaz starts to tee off on Guida, who's pinned against the fence. Guida quickly closes the distance and puts Diaz against the cage. Guida slows the pace to catch his breath, and Diaz tries to throw Guida to the mat after securing an arm. Guida quickly takes his opponent's back, but again, he can't lock in his hooks and instead settles for a single-leg drag takedown. Diaz quickly gets to his feet, but Guida works tirelessly to take it back to the ground. Guida won't allow any distance between them, and Diaz is forced to battle for position. Guida hops on Diaz's back, but he slips off and eats a punch as the round ends. It's a close one, but MMAjunkie.com scores the round 10-9 for Diaz.
Clay Guida def. Nate Diaz via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
Dong Hyun Kim vs. Karo Parisyan
Round 1 - Parisyan strikes fiirst, but Kim takes him to the mat and puts him on his back. As Parisyan looks to roll for better position, Kim pops him with a straight punch to the face. Kim then takes his opponent's back as Parisyan gets back to his feet and locks in a body triangle. Kim throws some short punches from behind while looking to sink in a rear-naked choke. Parisyan, standing with his opponent clinging to his back, goes to the mat, but Kim keeps the dominant position. After absorbing a series of hammerfists, Parisyan again returns to his feet, but Kim remains on his back. Parisyan tries to slam his way free by slamming into the mat. He breaks free but is corralled with an armbar. Parisyan escapes but is locked in a triangle choke. He again escapes trouble and works from inside Kim's guard. Parisyan throws some punches to the body, but Kim gets back to his feet and again takes his opponent's back. He struggles to get in his hooks, though, and Parisyan gets back to his feet and clinches face to face with Kim. Parisyan tries a trip takedown with no luck, and the fighters trade a couple short punches before the round ends. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for Kim.
Round 2 - Kim whiffs on a head kick, and the fighters again trade leather in the center of the cage. Parisyan dips and shoots, but Kim sprawls and avoids the takedown. Pinned against the cage, Parisyan is nearly thrown to the mat on a first try and finally is on the second. Kim takes his back, but during a scramble for position, Parisyan breaks free and they're back to their feet. Clinches against the fence, Kim works for underhooks. Parisyan dips for the trip takedown, but Kim scrambles free and again puts Parisyan against the mat. Parisyan, though, finally secures the trip takedown and sends Kim airborne and onto his back. Parisyan tries to take his back, but Kim escapes and puts Parisyan back into the cage. The fighters continue battling for position as the pace slows. Kim separates, and a timeout is called as Parisyan loses his mouthpiece. It's washed, and we're again underway. Parisyan connects on a left and a strong right just as the round ends. It's a strategic (and action-less) second round. MMAjunkie.com sees no clear-cut winner and scores the round 10-10.
Round 3 - After a quick clinch, Parisyan puts Kim against the cage, but it's Kim who gets the trip takedown. Parisyan works from below, and after failing with the triangle choke, kicks Kim in the face, forcing the referee to halt the action and issue a warning. Parisyan immediately charges forward, but Kim overpowers him and puts him on his back. Parisyan quickly gets to his feet, and the fighters again clinch against the cage while jockeying for position and hand control. Parisyan tries a flying knee that does little and immediately closes the distances and pulls Kim's legs out from under him. It doesn't last long. and Kim gets back to his feet. Parisyan avoids a takedown attempt but grabbing the fence, which the referee doesnt see. The crowd boos the stalemate. A minute later, there's still little action against the cage. Parisyan scores a brief takedown, but Kim gets to his feet easily. The final minute of the fight is much of the same, and little connects as the fighters focus on getting position. The round ends with a chorus of boos. MMAjunkie.com again sees no obvious winner of the round and issues another 10-10 score.
Karo Parisyan def. Dong Hyun Kim via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
Stephan Bonnar vs. Jon Jones
Round 1 - Bonnar throws some back kicks, and Bonnar forces him to retreat with an attempt at a head kick. After a clinch, Jones nearly gets the trip takedown. Bonnar gets to his feet, and Jones swarms with a knee and then launch Bonnar to the mat with a toss. Bonnar gets back to his feet quickly, but Jones trips and shoves him right back. Bonnar again gets to his feet, and back to the center of the cage we go. Bonnar throws a kick and is counter with a big shot to the stomach. After regrouping, Bonnar clinches but takes a knee to the body and head. Jones is pushed against the cage, and when the fight hits the mat, he takes Bonnar's back, suplexes him and tries to take him to the mat. Jones then floors Bonnar with a spinning elbow that hits him in the back of the head, and Jones pounces on him. Bonnar quickly recovers and clinches with Jones to slow the pace and regain his composure. Jones then lands a vicious knee to the head and trips Bonnar to the mat. MMAjunkie.com scores a dominant first round for Jones, 10-9.
Round 2 - Jones tries to create distance with some front kick, but Bonnar gets through a punch and then throws some body kicks. Bonnar whiffs on a right, and Jones quickly takes his back. As Bonnar tries to get up, Jones hits him with knees to the body. Bonnar then throws a body kick and eats a body punch at the same time. The jolt sends Bonnar to the mat, and Jones takes side control. Bonnar reclaims one leg, but he can't shake Jones from the dominant position. However, he eventually muscles his way back to his feet. Jones lands a leg kick, a right hand and then is pushed into the fence by Bonnar. Bonnar dips for a takedown, but Jones backs him off with a footstomp and a right hand. Bonnar connects on an uppercut and pushes Jones back into the fence and follows with a knee to the bodu. Jones answers with one of his own, and the fighters return to the center of the cage. Jones tosses Bonnar to the mat, but he quickly returns to his feet. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Jones.
Round 3 - Bonnar works the kicks early before clinching with Jones. Jones pushes him away, but Bonnar uses some dirty boxing from the clinch. Jones, though, counter with a knee to the body. Against the cage, the pace slows, so the fighters break and trade big blows in the center of the cage. Jones gets the last lick with a knee to the head. More dirty boxing and elbows from both fighters, and Bonnar may have stunned Jones with a right to the temple and left to the jaw. Jones scores a trip takedown and works from inside guard. Bonnar grabs an arm and nearly locks in a triangle choke, but Jones wisely backs out of it. Bonnar soon gets back to his feet, and back to the center of the cage we go. Bonnar shoves Jones into the cage and has no luck with knees to the body. Jones pushes him off, and both fighters catch their breath. With 30 seconds to go, the two light heavyweight swing wildly, and Bonnar gets the better of it. However, the fight ends anticlimactically against the cage. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for Bonnar.
Jon Jones def. Stephan Bonnar via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).
Lyoto Machida vs. Thiago Silva
Round 1 - Little action early before Machida connects on a leg kick and then partially connects on a flying knee to the body. Silva shows no damage and pushes forward. An accidental knee to Silva's groin forces a halt in the action. Silva needs little to recover, but Machida quickly trips him to the mat. However, he quickly returns to his feet. Machida is working a stick-and-move approach, but Silva continues to stalk. However, two quick blows from Machida send Silva to his back. Machida follows and works from inside his opponent's guard. Machida stands over his opponent, kicks his legs and then tries to land a diving right. Silva avoids the blow, and ties up his fellow Brazilian. Machida allows Silva to stand and then tries a head kick that's blocked. A left-right combination drops Silva, and Machida pounces on him and lands in side control. Machida easily transition to mount, but Silva bucks free. Machida quickly goes back in and takes his opponent's back as Silva gets to his feet. Silva then pins Machida against the cage to catch his breath. Machida lands some dirty boxing, shoves Silva to the mat and blasts him with a diving right hand just as the round ends. Silva's knocked out cold.
Lyoto Machida def. Thiago Silva via knockout (punch) -- Round 1, 4:59.
B.J. Ppenn vs. Georges St. Pierre
According to the UFC, final odds at the MGM Grand have St. Pierre at -170 and Penn at +140. The fighters make their way to the cage. In nearly three years of covering MMA, I've never heard a crowd this loud.
Round 1 - No touch of the gloves. After an early clinch, St. Pierre pins Penn against the cage and works knees to the body. Penn gets off the fence and delivers his own. Still clinched, St. Pierre dips for a leg, and then two, but Penn masterfully avoids the takedown. Penn grabs a Muay Thai clinch as St. Pierre again goes lowfor a takedown attempt. Penn balances out of it and hobbles around on one leg as every kind of chant eachoes through the arena. St. Pierre breaks the hold with an overhand punch that partially connected. He then backs up penn with a combination and partially connects on a right. Back to the center of the cage. St. Pierre again looks for the single-leg takedown, but Penn again balances perfectly to avoid it. Pinned against the fence, Penn eats a short uppercut but lands a left on the seperation. Back to the center of the cage before St. Pierre lands a left and then a right. Penn shakes it off. The fighters again clinch, and St. Pierre pushes Penn into the fence. Penn misses a big right hand and then absorbs a low leg kick from St. Pierre. The round's final clinch allows St. Pierre to sneak in a short uppercut. MMAjunkie.com gives a close round to St. Pierre, 10-9.
Round 2 - St. Pierre works the left jab and catches Penn with it when he rushed in. Penn retreats to regroup and eats another punch when he again pushes forward. St. Pierre shoves Penn into the cage and is met with an elbow, and when St. Pierre dips, Penn batters him with some quick rabbit punches. St. Pierre, though, finally gets the takdown and works from inside Penn's guard. Penn goes high with his legs but eats an elbow to the kisser and some shots to the body. Penn shows no ill effects from it but is blasted with a right when St. Pierre stands over him and rains down a punch. St. Pierre takes side control and delivers a steady dose of punches, and the crowd goes crazy. St. Pierre maintains the dominant position and connects with punches to both sides of Penn's head. St. Pierre tries to secure the crucifix position, but Penn escapes. Back to full guard, St. Pierre delivers elbows to the head and body. Penn tries to again high with his guard, but St. Pierre stands out of it and rains down two big punches and reclaims side control. Penn wraps him back up in full guard but eats two quick forearm strikes to the mouth. A third one is followed by a right hand, but Penn's face is starting to show some damage. St. Pierre closes out the round with more ground and pound to take a two-rounds-to-none lead. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for St. Pierre.
Round 3 - St. Pierre lands a left jab and a couple leg kicks and then attacks Penn with a couple punches from different angles. Penn's now gushing blood from his nose as he eats another head-snapping jab. St. Pierre clinches and looks for the single-leg takedown. It wasn't easy, but he gets it. St. Pierre frees one leg from Penn's guard and looks to move into side control. While trying to pass, St. Pierre pops Penn with two quick rights. However, he can't free his second leg, and Penn pulls him back into butterfly guard. St. Pierre rises up and drops a right hand on Penn before falling back into his guard. A left hand connects to the head and a series of rights get Penn's body. St. Pierre then connects on some hammerfists, but Penn powers his back to his feet and gets the fight standing again. St. Pierre reverses the position and puts Penn's back to the cage before referee Herb Dean warns them to pick up the pace. St. Pierre immediately forces Penn to the mat, and with a minute to go, drops stiff elbows while Penn's head is pinned against the cage. St. Pierre then stands and rains down two big blows. Penn pulls guard and tries to wait out the round, which gives to MMAjunkie.com, 10-9.
Round 4 - The doctor check on Penn but allow the fight to continue. Dean gets things started, and we now enter a championship fourth round. St. Pierre goes high a left and low with a righ kick, and Penn's then forced to the mat with a double-leg takedown. St. Pierre easily secures side control and puts Penn in the crucifix position to rain down a few blows. The blows continue as St. Pierre presses his elbow into Penn's mouth. The referee warns them about something, and Penn's head is bounced off the mat like a basketball. St. Pierre then takes the mount position and eats additional blows and the ref keeps watchful eye on things. Now working from side control, St. Pierre delivers knees to the body and returns to the crucifix position for more punishment. Back to the mount, St. Pierre tags Penn with elbows. Penn reclaims one leg, but he can't stop the punishment or St. Pierre's return to side control. Penn is gasping for breath, and St. Pierre continues a series of short punches before hopping back into mount. With a minute to go, St. Pierre continues the assault, and Penn's head bounces off the mat with a thud. The ref considers jumping in to stop it, and after St. Pierre kicks up the energy, he looks to the ref. A final left elbow pops Penn just as the round ends. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-8 for St. Pierre. After conferring with the doctor, referee Heb Dean puts a stop to the fight. Penn sits on the floor gasping for breath as St. Pierre takes a victory lap around the cage.
Georges St. Pierre def. B.J. Penn via TKO (doctor's stoppage) - Round 4, 5:00
Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas
January 31, 2009
Matt Arroyo vs. Dan Cramer
Round 1 - Arroyo with an early leg kick, but his shot is stuffed by Cramer. The second, though, is successful, and Arroyo is able to pull guard, reverse the position and immediately take mount. Cramer reverses, but Arroyo quickly secures an arm and tries for the armbar. Cramer escapes and works from inside guard. The fighters catch a breather before Arroyo works elbows from below. Cramer's punches from above are easily deflected. However, Cramer finally gets through a couple elbows and then a big right and blows to the body. Cramer sits up before the blows, but despite telegraphing them, Arroyo can do nothing to stop them. Cramer lands a stiff right, but Arroyo grabs the arm again and works for an armbar. Cramer survives and then batters him with more rights. After standing, Cramer doesn't allow Arroyo to do the same and then smothers his opponent when Arroyo tries to get to his feet. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Cramer.
Round 2 - After a touch of the gloves, Arroyo misses on a lazy right and is put on his back after a spinning back kick misses widely. Cramer takes the dominant top position as Arroyo works butterfly guard. Cramer stands over his opponent and then rains down some right hands that connect. Arroyo quickly secures full guard and defends against more right hands from Cramer. Back to butterfly guard for Arroyo, who throws elbows from below. They have little on them, and Cramer again lands some rights from above. Cramer again stands over his opponent, and as he awaits his opening, the crowd begins to boo. Cramer returns to his opponent's guard. Arroyo throws elbows while Cramer patiently looks to connect with big rights. The pace slows as both fighters look to have tired. Referee Steve Mazzagatti halts the action when Arroyo kicks Cramer in the face, and a warning is issued. Back to action, Cramer again stands over Arroyo, and the crowd again grows restless. Little action in the final 30 seconds of the frame. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Cramer.
Round 3 - Arroyo has a major black eye as the left side of his face swells. The fighters trade blows in the center of the cage, and Arroyo finally secures a takedown of his own. Cramer, though, looks for the triangle choke, but without the position, he allows Arroyo to take sidemount and then his back. Arroyo climbs onto his back and sinks in a rear-naked choke. Cramer won't tap and breaks free of the choke, but Arroyo still has his back. After throwing some punches from behind, Arroyo again attempts the choke as he locks in a body triangle. Cramer wiggles free and is able to turn free and take top position. Now working from inside his opponent's guard, Cramer rains down elbows. The pace slows as Cramer works elbows. Mazzagatti steps in and restarts them. Arroyo shoots lazily, and Cramer collapses on top of him and immediately rains down elbows that find their mark. Arroyo looks for the triangle choke, but Cramer pulls back and frees himself. With a sense of desparation, Arroyo looks for a submission, but Cramer closes out the round with a flurry of ground and pound. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Cramer in what should be a clean sweep of a decision.
Dan Cramer def. Matt Arroyo via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
Jake O'Brien vs. Christian Wellisch
Round 1 - Wellisch quickly closes the distances and tries to take O'Brien to the ground, but he's popped and dropped with a right. Wellisch quickly gets back to his feet, and the fighters trade blows furiously. O'Brien takes Wellisch to the mat and works from inside his opponent's guard. Pressed against the fence, Weliisch pulls O'Brien toward him. O'Brien, though, backs away and allows Wellisch to get back to his feet. Wellisch misses with a head kick and then lands a soft leg kick. A lazy takedown attempt by Wellisch allows O'Brien to toss him to the mat. He follows and works from inside Wellisch's guard. O'Brien throws a few short punches to the body. The referee soon break and restarts them. The fighters again throw wildly, and O'Brien connects with a left and then partially connects on a right. Wellisch gets through a blow, but O'Brien shoots and takes him down. O'Brien backs away and lets him up. However, after his next takedown, O'Brien collapses on top of him before the round ends. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for O'Brien.
Round 2 - After trading more punches to open the round, Wellisch lands a body kick and follows with a leg kick. O'Brien avoids subsequent blows and counters Wellisch with three consecutive jabs. Wellisch lands a nice leg kick. O'Brien works jabs as Wellisch swings and misses wildly. O'Brien lands a nice left- overhand right combination, but Wellisch shakes it off and attempts a takedown. O'Brien, though, dips for the double-leg takedown and slams his opponent to the mat. Wellisch rolls free and quickly gets to his feet and lands a left-right combo. O'Brien counters with an uppercut, but Wellisch continues to push forward. O'Brien counters a low kick-jab combo with an easy takedown and again slams Wellisch to the mat. Wellisch, though, again gets to his feet quickly and land a nice combo of low kicks and punches just as the round ends. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for O'Brien.
Round 3 - Wellisch goes on the offensive as O'Brien looks to counter. Wellisch chases with some lunging rights and eats a shot that opens his nose and causes a steady flow of blood. O'Brien shoots and scores the takedown, but Wellisch rolls free and easily gets to his feet. The fighters trade jabs and Wellisch again throws wildly and lands with a left. O'Brien patiently awaits to counter and forces the fight to the ground again. Wellisch quickly gets to his feet and throws left-right combinations. O'Brien deflects most of them. Wellisch sneaks through an overhand right. Wellisch swings wildly and just misses with a knee to the head. O'Brien shoots and again gets the takedown, but again, he can't keep his opponent there. Wellisch, now gushing blood from his nose and mouth, stalks after O'Brien but is again easily taken to the mount. O'Brien stands over him and tries to rain down a blow, but Wellisch easily deflects it and gets to his feet. The fighters battle for ground position as the round ends. MMAjunkie.com scores a close final round for Wellisch, 10-9.
Jake O'Brien def. Christian Wellisch via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28).
John Howard vs. Chris Wilson
Round 1 - Howard with an early leg kick before Wilson fakes a takedown attempt. Wilson throws a kick, which is stuffed, and Howard powers through to put his opponent on his back. He quickly returns to his feet, though, and just misses a head kick that would have wrecked Wilson. Howard lands a leg kick, but Wilson counters with two of his own that knock his opponent off balance. Howard throws a punch and clinches, but Wilson gets the underhooks and takes the fight to the ground. Howard immediately breaks free and grazes Wilson a blow as he gets back up. Wilson has a small cut above his nose. Wilson then lands a leg kick that knocks Howard off his feet and takes him to the mat. Wilson had a head lock and Howard patiently thinks his way through it. After rolling to his back, Howard defends body blows from Wilson. Howard breaks free, defends a guillotine, rolls to the mat, and takes top position. The quick exchange earns a round of applause from a near-full arena. After a break in action, referee Herb Dean stands the fighters. Howard lands a body shot and then slams Wilson to the mat as an exciting first round ends. It's a close one, but MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Wilson.
Round 2 - The fighters fire leg kicks at the same time, but Howard's lands thunderously and knocks Wilson off balance. Howard follows with some big punches, ties up his opponent, and sends Wilson to the mat. Wilson quickly escapes, and the fighters again trade in the center of the cage. Wilson lands a nice body shot, but Howard closes the distances, scoops up Wilson and slams him to the mat. Howard gets one leg free and works for side control, but Wilson gets to his feet, the fighters stay clinches, and Wilson scores a trip takedown. Howard quickly escapes, and we're back standing. After a clinch, Howard lands a right-left combination and then shots to the body. Wilson clinches and looks for knees to the body, but Howard keeps his stances and they seperate. Howard just misses two looping shots, and Wilson uses the opportunity to throws him to the mat. Working from inside guard, Wilson throws elbows to the body and left punches to the head. The pace slows, and the ref issues a warning to pick up the pace. Wilson looks for a leg but gives up his position just as the round ends. It's another close one, and MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for Howard.
Round 3 - As the third round gets started, random "B.J. Penn!" and "GSP!" chants randomly break out. Wilson opens with a knee to the body, but Howard checks it, takes his opponent's back, locks in a body triangle and looks for the rear-naked choke. Wilson successfully defends, but Howard maintains the dominant position and delivers some blows from behind. After a flurry of the punches, Wilson gives Howard the opening he needs, and he sinks in the rear-naked choke. Wilson rolls just enough to break free and eats some punches. Howard again goes for the rear-naked choke, but he can't get it under Wilson's chin. Two minutes into the position, Howard continues fighting with Wilson's long limbs and then tries to soften him up with punches from behind. Wilson finally escapes and takes top position to avoid the choke threats. Wilson delivers punches from above, but after standing, he's taken to the mat when Howard secures a leg and trips him. Both fighters look for submissions with the other's leg, but they give up the positions and return standing. Howard shoots and after a few efforts trips Wilson to the mat. Wilson delivers elbows from below and Howard throws a few wild punches as the round ends. It's another close round in a close fight, but MMAjunkie.com gives the nod to Howard, 10-9.
John Howard def. Chris Wilson via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
Manny Gamburyan VS. Thiago Tavares
Round 1 - Gamburyan scores the early leg kick, but after a lull in action, Tavares shoots and scores the takedown. Tavares rains down a storm of punches and hammerfists as Gamburyan scrambles to deflect the blows. Tavares continues with the punishment as Gamburyam rolls to his side and secures an arm, looking for a kimura. Gamburyan finally gets the position he needs and jerks the arm behind Tavares. Tavares, though, climbs over and around his opponent to escape and ends up back in his opponent's guard. Gamburyan connects on some punches from below and then gets to his feet, judo-throwing Tavares across the mat. Tavares sticks to him, though, and the fighters clinch against the fence standing. Tavares lands a left to the head and then scoops up Gamburyan and throws him to the mat. Working from inside guard, Tavares eats some punches from below before pounding his opponent with a series of elbows and punches. Gamburyan gets to his feet before the round ends. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for Tavares.
Round 2 - Gamburyan lunges forward with a left and then connects with a left and a leg kick. Tavares shakes it off and remains in his offensive stance. Gamburyan backs him up with some wild overhand rights, but Tavares then shoots for the takedown. Gamburyan has his back to the fence and tries to shake it off, and then he reverses the position and take the top position. Working from guard, Gamburyan can initially do little as Tavares ties him up.Gamnburyan gets through a few punches before he grabs a look and looks for a submission. He quickly gives it up and returns to Tavares' guard. After a few shoulder presses, Gamburyan delivers two big right elbows just as referee Josh Rosenthal steps in to restart them standing. Gamburyan strikes first with a low kick, but he's countered with a combination from Tavares. Tavares just misses with a right cross and he dips to take Gamburyan to the mat. The Armenian puts his back against the fence and tries to defend against the takedown. He's able to wait out the round in the position. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Gamburyan.
Round 3 - Tavares shoots early and secures a leg, but Gamburyan escapes. After throwing a leg kick, Gamburyan now shoots, but he also has no luck. Tavares uses a right to set up a takedown attempt, but Gamburyan shrugs it off. Tavares connects on a right and then counters with another moments later. Gamburyan jabs as Tavares continues to keep his opponent's back against the fence. Gamburyan connects on a few kicks, and the fight has new life. Gamburyan connect on an overhand left and a follow-up right, but Tavares continues to be the aggressor and stalk Gamburyan around the perimeter of the cage. Tavares goes high with a head kick, which is deflected, and then he connects on a right and a knee to the face as Gamburyan misses on his takedown attempt. Gamburyan again shoots and puts his opponent up against the cage, but Tavares escapes. With 30 seconds to go, the fighters trade jabs as the round ends unceremoniously. It's a close round, and MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Tavares. But it's another tough decision for the judges.
Thiago Tavares def. Manny Gamburyan via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
Jon Fitch vs. Akihro Gono
Round 1 - Gono and his corner "men" enter the cage in drag, complete with silver dresses, jewelry, sunglasses, wigs, sequined gloves and high heels. The two drag-tastic back-up dancers are in the same get-up. The cageside dance routine delights the crowd. Fitch's Johnny Cash ballad doesn't have the same effect. Fitch fires a combination and immediately looks for the takedown. Gono, pinned against the fence, refuses to go down, and he tries to sprawl free. Fitch briefly takes his back before pinning Gono back against the fence while trying to improve his position. Gono escapes and eats a knee in the process, but no harm appears done. Fitch fires a head kick and knees before Gono closes the distance and pushes him into the fence. Fitch does some damage from the Muay Thai clinch before Gono breaks free.
Round 2 - Fitch lands two leg kicks before Gono closes the distance. Gono pins him against the fence and works punches to the body. The fighters stay clinched before Fitch scores the trip takedown and works from inside guard. Fitch works elbows from above and follows with a series of lefts, and referee Steve Mazzagtatti warns Fitch to get busier. Fitch kicks it up a notch and continues a steady stream of ground and pound. Fitch tries to improve his position, but with Gono shoved against the cage, he can't take the mount position. However, when Gono tries to escape, Fitch takes his opponent's back, locks in a body triangle and throws punches from behind. Gono, though, controls his hands and avoids the rear-naked choke. Fitch locks in an armbar just as the round comes to a close, but Gono is saved by the bell. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for Fitch.
Round 3 - The camera catch Olympian Satoshi Ishii before the round begins. Fitch strikes early with kicks, clinches and then forces a visibly exhausted Gono the mat. Fitch works to side control and delivers brutal blows from above. When Fitch stands, Gono kicks his way free and gets back to his feet. Fitch works front kicks before Gono attempts a flying knee to the body. Fitch clinches and puts him against the mat. Gono tries to escape by rolling free, but Fitch collapses on top of him and takes his back. Gono rolls free and takes top position while Fitch uses butterfly guard. Gono tries to deliver an elbow, but Fitch doesn't allow it. The pace slows with a minute to go before Gono delivers an elbow. Fitch gets to his feet and just ducks under a head kick from Gono. With time running out, Gono tries everything from a Superman punch to a head kick, but nothing connects, and Fitch takes him to the mat to let time expire. MMAjunkie.com has it again for Fitch, 10-9.
Jon Fitch def. Akihiro Gono via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-26).
Nate Diaz vs. Clay Guida
Round 1 - We've got a full house as we get ready for the night's first televised bout. Both fighters are amp'd to get started, and both swing wildly as we get started. Guida closes the distance, but the fighters quickly separate. Diaz uses his reach advantage to work jabs and a couple nice left-right combinations. Guida counters with a knee that partially connects. Guida follows a leg kick that an overhand right that misses, and Diaz continues a steady stream of jabs. Diaz remains the aggressor, and when Guida shoots for a single-leg takedown, Diaz easily escapes. Diaz shoots, but Guida stuffs it and put his opponent on his back. The crowd cheers for Guida, who takes Diaz's back as the fighter gets back to his feet. Diaz tries to roll free, but Guida puts him in a full nelson and then lands in side control to rain down punches and elbows. Diaz gets back to his feet, but Guida clings to him to try to salvage the position. When the opportunity rises, Guida picks up and slams Diaz violently to the mat. Diaz tries to get back to his feet, but Guida again takes his back. Standing, Diaz controls his opponent's hands as the round ends. A great first round is met with booming applause. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for Guida.
Round 2 - Diaz works the jab as Guida continues swinging wildly. After a clinch against the fence, Diaz looks for the takedown. Guida defends and attempts the trip takedown, but Diaz easily avoids it. With Diaz's back against the fence, Guida now looks the takedown. Guida tries on two separate occasions, but Diaz's stellar balance keeps him upright. Guida finally pulls Diaz's leg out from under him. Diaz, though, quickly gets back to his feet and then wrestles Guida to the mat. Guida reverses the position during a scramble and tries to take Diaz's back. Diaz, though, does just enough to stay out of trouble and then uses a judo throw to take Guida to the mat. Guida remains on his back but has to give up the position when Diaz secures an arm and looks for a kimura. However, when Diaz gets to his feet, Guida quickly follows. Diaz again throws him to the mat, and Guida again takes the top position. Diaz nearly secures a triangle choke as the round ends, but Guida escapes. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Guida and his smothering offense.
Round 3 - The fighters furiously trade punches and leg kicks to start the round. Diaz has trouble connecting, which causes Guida to smile. Diaz pushes his opponent into the fence and peppers Guida with punches when he tries to create distance. Diaz connects with a kick and showboats while trying to throw follow-up punches. The crowd boos him. Diaz starts to tee off on Guida, who's pinned against the fence. Guida quickly closes the distance and puts Diaz against the cage. Guida slows the pace to catch his breath, and Diaz tries to throw Guida to the mat after securing an arm. Guida quickly takes his opponent's back, but again, he can't lock in his hooks and instead settles for a single-leg drag takedown. Diaz quickly gets to his feet, but Guida works tirelessly to take it back to the ground. Guida won't allow any distance between them, and Diaz is forced to battle for position. Guida hops on Diaz's back, but he slips off and eats a punch as the round ends. It's a close one, but MMAjunkie.com scores the round 10-9 for Diaz.
Clay Guida def. Nate Diaz via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
Dong Hyun Kim vs. Karo Parisyan
Round 1 - Parisyan strikes fiirst, but Kim takes him to the mat and puts him on his back. As Parisyan looks to roll for better position, Kim pops him with a straight punch to the face. Kim then takes his opponent's back as Parisyan gets back to his feet and locks in a body triangle. Kim throws some short punches from behind while looking to sink in a rear-naked choke. Parisyan, standing with his opponent clinging to his back, goes to the mat, but Kim keeps the dominant position. After absorbing a series of hammerfists, Parisyan again returns to his feet, but Kim remains on his back. Parisyan tries to slam his way free by slamming into the mat. He breaks free but is corralled with an armbar. Parisyan escapes but is locked in a triangle choke. He again escapes trouble and works from inside Kim's guard. Parisyan throws some punches to the body, but Kim gets back to his feet and again takes his opponent's back. He struggles to get in his hooks, though, and Parisyan gets back to his feet and clinches face to face with Kim. Parisyan tries a trip takedown with no luck, and the fighters trade a couple short punches before the round ends. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for Kim.
Round 2 - Kim whiffs on a head kick, and the fighters again trade leather in the center of the cage. Parisyan dips and shoots, but Kim sprawls and avoids the takedown. Pinned against the cage, Parisyan is nearly thrown to the mat on a first try and finally is on the second. Kim takes his back, but during a scramble for position, Parisyan breaks free and they're back to their feet. Clinches against the fence, Kim works for underhooks. Parisyan dips for the trip takedown, but Kim scrambles free and again puts Parisyan against the mat. Parisyan, though, finally secures the trip takedown and sends Kim airborne and onto his back. Parisyan tries to take his back, but Kim escapes and puts Parisyan back into the cage. The fighters continue battling for position as the pace slows. Kim separates, and a timeout is called as Parisyan loses his mouthpiece. It's washed, and we're again underway. Parisyan connects on a left and a strong right just as the round ends. It's a strategic (and action-less) second round. MMAjunkie.com sees no clear-cut winner and scores the round 10-10.
Round 3 - After a quick clinch, Parisyan puts Kim against the cage, but it's Kim who gets the trip takedown. Parisyan works from below, and after failing with the triangle choke, kicks Kim in the face, forcing the referee to halt the action and issue a warning. Parisyan immediately charges forward, but Kim overpowers him and puts him on his back. Parisyan quickly gets to his feet, and the fighters again clinch against the cage while jockeying for position and hand control. Parisyan tries a flying knee that does little and immediately closes the distances and pulls Kim's legs out from under him. It doesn't last long. and Kim gets back to his feet. Parisyan avoids a takedown attempt but grabbing the fence, which the referee doesnt see. The crowd boos the stalemate. A minute later, there's still little action against the cage. Parisyan scores a brief takedown, but Kim gets to his feet easily. The final minute of the fight is much of the same, and little connects as the fighters focus on getting position. The round ends with a chorus of boos. MMAjunkie.com again sees no obvious winner of the round and issues another 10-10 score.
Karo Parisyan def. Dong Hyun Kim via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
Stephan Bonnar vs. Jon Jones
Round 1 - Bonnar throws some back kicks, and Bonnar forces him to retreat with an attempt at a head kick. After a clinch, Jones nearly gets the trip takedown. Bonnar gets to his feet, and Jones swarms with a knee and then launch Bonnar to the mat with a toss. Bonnar gets back to his feet quickly, but Jones trips and shoves him right back. Bonnar again gets to his feet, and back to the center of the cage we go. Bonnar throws a kick and is counter with a big shot to the stomach. After regrouping, Bonnar clinches but takes a knee to the body and head. Jones is pushed against the cage, and when the fight hits the mat, he takes Bonnar's back, suplexes him and tries to take him to the mat. Jones then floors Bonnar with a spinning elbow that hits him in the back of the head, and Jones pounces on him. Bonnar quickly recovers and clinches with Jones to slow the pace and regain his composure. Jones then lands a vicious knee to the head and trips Bonnar to the mat. MMAjunkie.com scores a dominant first round for Jones, 10-9.
Round 2 - Jones tries to create distance with some front kick, but Bonnar gets through a punch and then throws some body kicks. Bonnar whiffs on a right, and Jones quickly takes his back. As Bonnar tries to get up, Jones hits him with knees to the body. Bonnar then throws a body kick and eats a body punch at the same time. The jolt sends Bonnar to the mat, and Jones takes side control. Bonnar reclaims one leg, but he can't shake Jones from the dominant position. However, he eventually muscles his way back to his feet. Jones lands a leg kick, a right hand and then is pushed into the fence by Bonnar. Bonnar dips for a takedown, but Jones backs him off with a footstomp and a right hand. Bonnar connects on an uppercut and pushes Jones back into the fence and follows with a knee to the bodu. Jones answers with one of his own, and the fighters return to the center of the cage. Jones tosses Bonnar to the mat, but he quickly returns to his feet. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Jones.
Round 3 - Bonnar works the kicks early before clinching with Jones. Jones pushes him away, but Bonnar uses some dirty boxing from the clinch. Jones, though, counter with a knee to the body. Against the cage, the pace slows, so the fighters break and trade big blows in the center of the cage. Jones gets the last lick with a knee to the head. More dirty boxing and elbows from both fighters, and Bonnar may have stunned Jones with a right to the temple and left to the jaw. Jones scores a trip takedown and works from inside guard. Bonnar grabs an arm and nearly locks in a triangle choke, but Jones wisely backs out of it. Bonnar soon gets back to his feet, and back to the center of the cage we go. Bonnar shoves Jones into the cage and has no luck with knees to the body. Jones pushes him off, and both fighters catch their breath. With 30 seconds to go, the two light heavyweight swing wildly, and Bonnar gets the better of it. However, the fight ends anticlimactically against the cage. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for Bonnar.
Jon Jones def. Stephan Bonnar via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).
Lyoto Machida vs. Thiago Silva
Round 1 - Little action early before Machida connects on a leg kick and then partially connects on a flying knee to the body. Silva shows no damage and pushes forward. An accidental knee to Silva's groin forces a halt in the action. Silva needs little to recover, but Machida quickly trips him to the mat. However, he quickly returns to his feet. Machida is working a stick-and-move approach, but Silva continues to stalk. However, two quick blows from Machida send Silva to his back. Machida follows and works from inside his opponent's guard. Machida stands over his opponent, kicks his legs and then tries to land a diving right. Silva avoids the blow, and ties up his fellow Brazilian. Machida allows Silva to stand and then tries a head kick that's blocked. A left-right combination drops Silva, and Machida pounces on him and lands in side control. Machida easily transition to mount, but Silva bucks free. Machida quickly goes back in and takes his opponent's back as Silva gets to his feet. Silva then pins Machida against the cage to catch his breath. Machida lands some dirty boxing, shoves Silva to the mat and blasts him with a diving right hand just as the round ends. Silva's knocked out cold.
Lyoto Machida def. Thiago Silva via knockout (punch) -- Round 1, 4:59.
B.J. Ppenn vs. Georges St. Pierre
According to the UFC, final odds at the MGM Grand have St. Pierre at -170 and Penn at +140. The fighters make their way to the cage. In nearly three years of covering MMA, I've never heard a crowd this loud.
Round 1 - No touch of the gloves. After an early clinch, St. Pierre pins Penn against the cage and works knees to the body. Penn gets off the fence and delivers his own. Still clinched, St. Pierre dips for a leg, and then two, but Penn masterfully avoids the takedown. Penn grabs a Muay Thai clinch as St. Pierre again goes lowfor a takedown attempt. Penn balances out of it and hobbles around on one leg as every kind of chant eachoes through the arena. St. Pierre breaks the hold with an overhand punch that partially connected. He then backs up penn with a combination and partially connects on a right. Back to the center of the cage. St. Pierre again looks for the single-leg takedown, but Penn again balances perfectly to avoid it. Pinned against the fence, Penn eats a short uppercut but lands a left on the seperation. Back to the center of the cage before St. Pierre lands a left and then a right. Penn shakes it off. The fighters again clinch, and St. Pierre pushes Penn into the fence. Penn misses a big right hand and then absorbs a low leg kick from St. Pierre. The round's final clinch allows St. Pierre to sneak in a short uppercut. MMAjunkie.com gives a close round to St. Pierre, 10-9.
Round 2 - St. Pierre works the left jab and catches Penn with it when he rushed in. Penn retreats to regroup and eats another punch when he again pushes forward. St. Pierre shoves Penn into the cage and is met with an elbow, and when St. Pierre dips, Penn batters him with some quick rabbit punches. St. Pierre, though, finally gets the takdown and works from inside Penn's guard. Penn goes high with his legs but eats an elbow to the kisser and some shots to the body. Penn shows no ill effects from it but is blasted with a right when St. Pierre stands over him and rains down a punch. St. Pierre takes side control and delivers a steady dose of punches, and the crowd goes crazy. St. Pierre maintains the dominant position and connects with punches to both sides of Penn's head. St. Pierre tries to secure the crucifix position, but Penn escapes. Back to full guard, St. Pierre delivers elbows to the head and body. Penn tries to again high with his guard, but St. Pierre stands out of it and rains down two big punches and reclaims side control. Penn wraps him back up in full guard but eats two quick forearm strikes to the mouth. A third one is followed by a right hand, but Penn's face is starting to show some damage. St. Pierre closes out the round with more ground and pound to take a two-rounds-to-none lead. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for St. Pierre.
Round 3 - St. Pierre lands a left jab and a couple leg kicks and then attacks Penn with a couple punches from different angles. Penn's now gushing blood from his nose as he eats another head-snapping jab. St. Pierre clinches and looks for the single-leg takedown. It wasn't easy, but he gets it. St. Pierre frees one leg from Penn's guard and looks to move into side control. While trying to pass, St. Pierre pops Penn with two quick rights. However, he can't free his second leg, and Penn pulls him back into butterfly guard. St. Pierre rises up and drops a right hand on Penn before falling back into his guard. A left hand connects to the head and a series of rights get Penn's body. St. Pierre then connects on some hammerfists, but Penn powers his back to his feet and gets the fight standing again. St. Pierre reverses the position and puts Penn's back to the cage before referee Herb Dean warns them to pick up the pace. St. Pierre immediately forces Penn to the mat, and with a minute to go, drops stiff elbows while Penn's head is pinned against the cage. St. Pierre then stands and rains down two big blows. Penn pulls guard and tries to wait out the round, which gives to MMAjunkie.com, 10-9.
Round 4 - The doctor check on Penn but allow the fight to continue. Dean gets things started, and we now enter a championship fourth round. St. Pierre goes high a left and low with a righ kick, and Penn's then forced to the mat with a double-leg takedown. St. Pierre easily secures side control and puts Penn in the crucifix position to rain down a few blows. The blows continue as St. Pierre presses his elbow into Penn's mouth. The referee warns them about something, and Penn's head is bounced off the mat like a basketball. St. Pierre then takes the mount position and eats additional blows and the ref keeps watchful eye on things. Now working from side control, St. Pierre delivers knees to the body and returns to the crucifix position for more punishment. Back to the mount, St. Pierre tags Penn with elbows. Penn reclaims one leg, but he can't stop the punishment or St. Pierre's return to side control. Penn is gasping for breath, and St. Pierre continues a series of short punches before hopping back into mount. With a minute to go, St. Pierre continues the assault, and Penn's head bounces off the mat with a thud. The ref considers jumping in to stop it, and after St. Pierre kicks up the energy, he looks to the ref. A final left elbow pops Penn just as the round ends. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-8 for St. Pierre. After conferring with the doctor, referee Heb Dean puts a stop to the fight. Penn sits on the floor gasping for breath as St. Pierre takes a victory lap around the cage.
Georges St. Pierre def. B.J. Penn via TKO (doctor's stoppage) - Round 4, 5:00