Will
03-08-2009, 02:25 AM
UFC 96: Jackson vs. Jardine
Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio
March 07, 2009
Shane Nelson vs. Aaron Riley
Round 1 - Riley with an early leg kick, but he eats a knee on the second attempt. Nelson tries a kick of his own and is briefly shoved to the mat. Nelson lands another kick. A big right hook buckles Riley's legs, and when Nelson swarms in, Riley's shoved to the mat. Nelson delivers a few more punches, but Riley's clearly defending himself. The referee calls a halt to the bout anyway, and Riley immediately jumps to his feet to protest the stoppage. The crowd boos the decision mightily.
Shane Nelson def. Aaron Riley via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 0:44.
Brandon Vera vs. Michael Patt
Round 1 - Aftrer a touch of the gloves, we're underway. Vera lands an early leg kick and follows with a stiff jab. The fighters then trade leg kicks, but Vera counters with a slick right-kick-right-punch-left-punch combination. Vera lands another leg kick and just misses an overhand right. Patt checks a head kick but then is clocked with another kick to the leg. Vera sneaks through an uppercut and then backs up Patt with a stiff left. It's all Vera two minutes in. After a clinch, Vera unloads another combination and then counters beautifully when Patt tries to initiate. Vera drops Patt with two leg kicks and then waits for him to get back up. Vera again does damage with a leg kick before Patt finally scores with a high kick to the neck. Vera shakes it off and then delivers one of his own, which Patt partially blocks. Vera again lands a leg kick and then a glancing overhand right and lunging punch to the gut. Vera patiently waits to counter, but Patt's slow to engage. A final leg kick secures a dominant 10-9 round for Vera.
Round 2 - Patt tries to get things started but is countered with a flurry of leg kicks and punches. Patt just can't get inside Vera's reach. Vera lands another big kick to Patt's leg before Patt backs him up with some wild punches that miss. Vera throws a leg kick that hobbles Patt and then drops him with another. Vera simply stands and waits for the referee to stand Patt back up. Once back on his feet, Patt is again dropped with a brutal kick to the leg, and the fight is mercifully stopped. Patt walked out of the cage under his own power, but his left leg is probably in pretty bad shape.
Brandon Vera def. Michael Patt via TKO (leg kicks) - Round, 1:27.
Jason Brilz vs. Tim Boetsch
Round 1 - Boetsch lands an early combination, blasts Brilz with a knee and then lands a series of uppercuts that force his opponent to cover up. Brilz regains his composure but then eats a left. Boetsch whiffs on a Superman punch but avoids a clinch. Boetsch lands a nice leg kick that forces Brilz to spin away. Brilz is already bleeding from the nose, but he lands a shot and pushes forward to put Boetsch on his back. Boetsch kicks his way free and gets back to his feet, but Brilz clinches and pushes his opponent against the fence before they separate. The pace slows a bit with two minutes remaining, but Boetsch again connects with a series of uppercuts. The fighters trade jabs before Brilz lands a nice left. Boetsch quickly answers with an uppercut with a minute remaining. Brilz now has a steady stream of blood coming from his nose. With 10 seconds remaining, both fighters throw and connect with some power shots. MMAjunkie.com scores a dominant round for Boetsch, 10-9.
Round 2 - Brilz tries to clinch early, but Boetsch easily avoids it. Brilz misses an uppercut but connects with a right. Brilz shoots again, but Boetsch sprawls. A resilient Brilz tries again, clinches and secures the trip-drag takedown. After moving to side control, Brilz delivers some short elbows to the head that are mostly ineffective. Brilz works some short punches to the body and attempts to trap one of Boetsch's arms with his legs. Boetsch tries to scramble free, but Brilz reclaims side control and does some damage with knees to the body and elbows to the head. Brilz takes a north-south position and smothers Boetsch before delivering punches to the body. Brilz locks in a choke and rolls to torque it, but Boetsch escapes, and Brilz reclaims side position. As Brilz tries to throw a punch, Boetsch quickly scrambles to his feet. Brilz clinches from behind and delivers a dozen knees to his opponent's legs while pushing him against the cage. The referee breaks them apart with 10 seconds to go, but the round ends before any more damage is done. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Brilz in an impressive round.
Round 3 - A touch of the gloves starts round three, and Brilz quickly clinches, gets underhooks and shoves Boetsch into the fence. Brilz tries to collapse on top of him for the takedown, but Boetsch escapes. Brilz shoots, Boetsch sprawls, and Brilz again pushes him against the cage. Boetsch creates distance and returns to the center of the cage. Boetsch has definitely lost some steam, and Brilz takes control of the standup before dragging Boetsch back to the mat. With Boetsch kneeling, Brilz takes his back and attempts a rear-naked choke. He can't get his hooks in and eventually rolls to side control. From there, he delivers some knees and elbows, but Boetsch gets back to his feet, and we start again. Both fighters throw a bit wildly before a looping punch from Boetsch allows Brilz to shoot and score the takedown. Again working from side control, he works punches to the body. Boetsch ties up his opponent's hands, but Brilz takes the mount position and opens a cut near Boetsch's left eye. Boetsch pulls his opponent close to avoid damage, but Brilz gets through some short punches as the round comes to a close. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Brilz in what should be a come-from-behind 29-28 victory.
Jason Brilz def. Tim Boetsch via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
Kendall Grove vs. Jason Day
Round 1 - Grove misses with a head kick and then eats some punches as Day puts him on the run. Back to the center of the cage, the fighters trade blows. After a clinch, Day does some damage with an uppercut and elbow. He then backs Grove against the cage, but the Hawaiian throws an overhand right that forces Day to retreat. Grove then blasts his opponent with a straight right to the jaw, and Day falls to his back. Grove swarms in for some follow-up shots before the referee calls a halt to the bout.
Kendall Grove def. Jason Day via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 1:32.
Tamdan McCrory def. Ryan Madigan
Round 1 - The fighters quickly trade shots and clinch, and McCrory forces Madigan to his back. McCrory postures up, but Madigan avoids the damage and pulls guard. Madigan works some short elbows from below, but McCrory secures side control. McCrory postures up and lands two right hands to the upper body with a loud thud. Madigan again pulls guard and throws some punches from below. McCrory takes the mount position and briefly considers a gogoplata attempt before taking side control and securing Madigan's arm with his legs. Madigan grabs a leg and looks for a submission, but the lanky McCrory escapes and reclaims side control. McCrory takes mount again and rains down a quick stream of punches and elbows to force the TKO stoppage.
Tamdan McCrory def. Ryan Madigan via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 3:35.
Gray Maynard vs. Jim Miller
Round 1 - Maynard strikes first with a jab and Miller answers with a leg kick. Clinched against the cage, Miller forced Maynard into the fence, but he eats a knee in the process. The fighters trade knees while still clinched before separating and moving to the center of the cage. Both fighters throw quick shots but little lands until Maynard connects on a stiff shot to the belly. Miller answers with a kick and shoots for a takedown. With a single leg, Miller then eats two quick shots to the head that land with a thud. Maynard avoids the takedown, but Miller shoots again for the single-leg takedown. Maynard again fends it off, and Miller now has blood tricking from his nose. After a deparation, Maynard pushes forward with punches that fail to land. Miller land a punch-kick combo to the midsection. Maynard counters with an overhand right and strikes again just as the round ends. Miller's previous trickle is now a steady flow of blood. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for Maynard.
Round 2 - Maynard strikes first with lunging rights to the body before popping his opponent with a jab. Miller avoids his subsequent attempts and then snaps a leg kick that lands flush. Miller throws a body kick that just misses the family jewels and then goes high to force Maynard back. Maynard comes right back in and partially connects on an uppercut and then a right. A quick combination connect well for Maynard. Miller, though, keeps pressing forward before he's warned about a low blow. Miller's now bleeding from under his left eye but throws a head kick that Maynard blocks just in time. Miller throws a low kick and grimaces when he thinks it might have been to the junk. Maynard, though, just keeps fighting. Miller shoots, but Maynard sprawls free and waits for his opponent to get back up. Miller charges forward with a combination but Maynard counters with a well-placed punch. Miller's face is now a bloody mess as a minute remains in the round. Miller throws some leg kicks but has little behind them, and Maynard lets his hands fly with success. Maynard snaps a quick right than connects as the round comes to a close. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for Maynard.
Round 3 - The final frame is underway, and Maynard strikes first with a lunging right. Maynard then sidesteps Miller's advances, but a right to the body finds its mark. Miller partially connects on a kick to the body. The crowd becomes restless as both fighters strategically avoid damage. Miller breaks the stalemate with a nice kick to the stomach but whiffs on a subsequent Superman punch. Miller shoots, but Maynard easily sprawls and then shoots and slams Miller to the mat. While Miller scrambles to get back to his feet he grabs Maynard's leg but can do little with it, and we're back standing. Miller lands a stiff right and then shoots, but Maynard sprawls and collapses on top of his opponent. It's another stalemate Maynard pushes off to create distance and swarming back in for better position. He doesn't get it, and Miller tries to force his way back to his feet. He ends up on his back and nails Maynard with a shot from below before trying to pull guard. He doesn't secure, and Maynard peppers him with quick punches before both fighters return to their feet. It's closer than the first two, but MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Maynard.
Gray Maynard def. Jim Miller via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Matt Hamill vs. Mark Munoz
Round 1 - After a touch of gloves, we're underway. Hamill goes on the offensive with punches, Munoz shoots, but Hamill sprawls free. We start again and Hamill delivers a series of punches as Munoz looks for an opportunity to shoot. Hamill, though, sprawls free again. Hamill goes into stalking mode before Munoz lands a couple nice uppercuts. Munoz then lands a nice shot to the body, but Hamill counters with four shots that find their mark. Hamill continues the shots with Munoz pressed against the cage, but Munoz punches his way free. Back to the center of the cage, Hamill can't secure the clinch. Munoz sneaks in a right before Hamill clinches and works some dirty boxing. They separate, and Munoz telegraphs a shoot that Hamill easily avoids. The fighters trade some punches before Hamill floors Munoz with a right kick to the head. Munoz is out cold.
Matt Hamill def. Mark Munoz via knockout (head kick) - Round 1, 3:53.
(Munoz remains on the canvas long after the knockout as medical personnel enter the cage. Munoz, though, thankfully regains consciousness and is fitted with a neck brace, but he refuses to leave on a stretcher and walks out of the cage under his own power.)
Matt Brown vs. Pete Sell
Round 1 - Brown goes high with a kick that's checked and follows with two more, one that connects flush and drops Sell. Brown drops Sell, and the referee rushes in and grabs Brown to halt the bout. The fighters separate, and Sell is obviously OK to go, and the fight confusingly continues. Brown goes right back to work and drops his opponent with a right and batters him with dozens of unanswered blows. Amazingly, the fight continues despite Sell being knocked silly. Somehow, Sell gets back to his feet, and Brown continues a dominating assault of punches and ground and pound to force an eventual stoppage. It's an absolutely dominating performance for Brown.
Matt Brown def. Pete Sell via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 1:32.
Shane Carwin vs. Gabriel Gonzaga
Round 1 - After a touch of gloves, Carwin fires first but doesn't connect. Gonzaga counters with a punch and elbow strikes that find their mark. After a clinch, Gonzaga forces the fight to the ground and continues an assault of elbow strikes. Carwin gets back to his feet and then drops Gonzaga with a stiff right to the chin. Gonzaga's legs buckle, Carwin charges in with follow-up punches, and the bout is quickly halted.
Shane Carwin def. Gabriel Gonzaga via knockout (punch) - Round 1, 1:09.
Quinton Jackson vs. Keith Jardine
Round 1 - Jackson quickly clinches and avoids Jardine's punch. With Jardine pressed against the cage, Jackson dips and looks for a takedown. Jardine fends it off and forces the referee to step in and separate them. After the restart, the two trade punches before Jardine throws his first leg kick. He follows with a sloppy second and misses with an overhand right. Jardine lands another leg kick and just dodges a Jackson punch. Jardine clinches, misses with a knee and then backs away. Jardine now presses Jackson against the cage and looks for the takedown. He instead throws a punch partially blocked by Jardine, and the crowd grows restless at the stalemate. Jardine breaks away with a quick jab, and back to the center of the cage we go. Jardine uses a combination to set up a leg kick that misses but gets the second one. Jardine lands a leg kick before Jackson lands a right, but Jardine follows with one of his own. Jardine throws a body kick that's checked and then eats two quick rights from Jackson. Jardine counters but eats a stiff right when Jackson closes the distance. Jardien creates distance with a front kick, but Jackson avoids the following punches. Jardine throws a punch and gets two back in return before the round ends. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for Jardine.
Round 2 - Jardine misses with a lunging leg kick and is countered with a left. A body kick lands softly for Jardine, and Jackson blocks the next one to the body. Jardine throws another leg kick and just ducks under a counter punch. Jardine lands a nice leg kick and left jab combo but Jackson sneaks through a left. Both fighters just miss with looping punches before Jackson drops Jardine with a left. Jardine immediately recovers, gets to his feet and clinches with Jackson. Jardine throws another leg kick and seems OK. Jackson, though, shoots and scores the easy takedown, but Jardine again quickly gets to his feet. The fighters both look to engage, and Jackson's caught with an accidental eye poke. The action is briefly stopped, but Jackson wants no time to recover. Jardine then lands a combination and a big right that staggers Jackson. The fighters wildly trade blows, and Jardine gets the better of it. Jardine lands a left, but Jardine wisely clinches and waits out the round. Despite the knockdown, it's a close round. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for Jackson.
Round 3 - Both fighters quickly initiate, but nothing lands. Jackson misses with a combo. The fighters again trade and miss, and the crowds lets out a few boos. Each fighter's stick-and-move game plan does little, but Jackson gains the momentum with a double-leg takedown. Jardine quickly gets to his feet. Jardine lands a leg kick and another. Jardine looks to be laboring for breath but then sneaks through a right that snaps Jackson's head back. Jackson patiently checks a body kick, and Jardine eats a punch while delivering a leg kick. The fighters again trade blows, and Jardine shoots and presses Jackson against the cage. Jackson reverses the position and puts Jardine into the cage, and lull forces more boos. The referee quickly separates, and we've got a minute to go. The fighters again trade, and Jackson gets the better of it and wobbles Jardine. Jardine shakes it off and Jackson drops him. Jardine quickly grabs a leg as the round comes to a close. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for Jackson.
Quinton Jackson def. Keith Jardine via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27).
Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio
March 07, 2009
Shane Nelson vs. Aaron Riley
Round 1 - Riley with an early leg kick, but he eats a knee on the second attempt. Nelson tries a kick of his own and is briefly shoved to the mat. Nelson lands another kick. A big right hook buckles Riley's legs, and when Nelson swarms in, Riley's shoved to the mat. Nelson delivers a few more punches, but Riley's clearly defending himself. The referee calls a halt to the bout anyway, and Riley immediately jumps to his feet to protest the stoppage. The crowd boos the decision mightily.
Shane Nelson def. Aaron Riley via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 0:44.
Brandon Vera vs. Michael Patt
Round 1 - Aftrer a touch of the gloves, we're underway. Vera lands an early leg kick and follows with a stiff jab. The fighters then trade leg kicks, but Vera counters with a slick right-kick-right-punch-left-punch combination. Vera lands another leg kick and just misses an overhand right. Patt checks a head kick but then is clocked with another kick to the leg. Vera sneaks through an uppercut and then backs up Patt with a stiff left. It's all Vera two minutes in. After a clinch, Vera unloads another combination and then counters beautifully when Patt tries to initiate. Vera drops Patt with two leg kicks and then waits for him to get back up. Vera again does damage with a leg kick before Patt finally scores with a high kick to the neck. Vera shakes it off and then delivers one of his own, which Patt partially blocks. Vera again lands a leg kick and then a glancing overhand right and lunging punch to the gut. Vera patiently waits to counter, but Patt's slow to engage. A final leg kick secures a dominant 10-9 round for Vera.
Round 2 - Patt tries to get things started but is countered with a flurry of leg kicks and punches. Patt just can't get inside Vera's reach. Vera lands another big kick to Patt's leg before Patt backs him up with some wild punches that miss. Vera throws a leg kick that hobbles Patt and then drops him with another. Vera simply stands and waits for the referee to stand Patt back up. Once back on his feet, Patt is again dropped with a brutal kick to the leg, and the fight is mercifully stopped. Patt walked out of the cage under his own power, but his left leg is probably in pretty bad shape.
Brandon Vera def. Michael Patt via TKO (leg kicks) - Round, 1:27.
Jason Brilz vs. Tim Boetsch
Round 1 - Boetsch lands an early combination, blasts Brilz with a knee and then lands a series of uppercuts that force his opponent to cover up. Brilz regains his composure but then eats a left. Boetsch whiffs on a Superman punch but avoids a clinch. Boetsch lands a nice leg kick that forces Brilz to spin away. Brilz is already bleeding from the nose, but he lands a shot and pushes forward to put Boetsch on his back. Boetsch kicks his way free and gets back to his feet, but Brilz clinches and pushes his opponent against the fence before they separate. The pace slows a bit with two minutes remaining, but Boetsch again connects with a series of uppercuts. The fighters trade jabs before Brilz lands a nice left. Boetsch quickly answers with an uppercut with a minute remaining. Brilz now has a steady stream of blood coming from his nose. With 10 seconds remaining, both fighters throw and connect with some power shots. MMAjunkie.com scores a dominant round for Boetsch, 10-9.
Round 2 - Brilz tries to clinch early, but Boetsch easily avoids it. Brilz misses an uppercut but connects with a right. Brilz shoots again, but Boetsch sprawls. A resilient Brilz tries again, clinches and secures the trip-drag takedown. After moving to side control, Brilz delivers some short elbows to the head that are mostly ineffective. Brilz works some short punches to the body and attempts to trap one of Boetsch's arms with his legs. Boetsch tries to scramble free, but Brilz reclaims side control and does some damage with knees to the body and elbows to the head. Brilz takes a north-south position and smothers Boetsch before delivering punches to the body. Brilz locks in a choke and rolls to torque it, but Boetsch escapes, and Brilz reclaims side position. As Brilz tries to throw a punch, Boetsch quickly scrambles to his feet. Brilz clinches from behind and delivers a dozen knees to his opponent's legs while pushing him against the cage. The referee breaks them apart with 10 seconds to go, but the round ends before any more damage is done. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Brilz in an impressive round.
Round 3 - A touch of the gloves starts round three, and Brilz quickly clinches, gets underhooks and shoves Boetsch into the fence. Brilz tries to collapse on top of him for the takedown, but Boetsch escapes. Brilz shoots, Boetsch sprawls, and Brilz again pushes him against the cage. Boetsch creates distance and returns to the center of the cage. Boetsch has definitely lost some steam, and Brilz takes control of the standup before dragging Boetsch back to the mat. With Boetsch kneeling, Brilz takes his back and attempts a rear-naked choke. He can't get his hooks in and eventually rolls to side control. From there, he delivers some knees and elbows, but Boetsch gets back to his feet, and we start again. Both fighters throw a bit wildly before a looping punch from Boetsch allows Brilz to shoot and score the takedown. Again working from side control, he works punches to the body. Boetsch ties up his opponent's hands, but Brilz takes the mount position and opens a cut near Boetsch's left eye. Boetsch pulls his opponent close to avoid damage, but Brilz gets through some short punches as the round comes to a close. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Brilz in what should be a come-from-behind 29-28 victory.
Jason Brilz def. Tim Boetsch via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
Kendall Grove vs. Jason Day
Round 1 - Grove misses with a head kick and then eats some punches as Day puts him on the run. Back to the center of the cage, the fighters trade blows. After a clinch, Day does some damage with an uppercut and elbow. He then backs Grove against the cage, but the Hawaiian throws an overhand right that forces Day to retreat. Grove then blasts his opponent with a straight right to the jaw, and Day falls to his back. Grove swarms in for some follow-up shots before the referee calls a halt to the bout.
Kendall Grove def. Jason Day via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 1:32.
Tamdan McCrory def. Ryan Madigan
Round 1 - The fighters quickly trade shots and clinch, and McCrory forces Madigan to his back. McCrory postures up, but Madigan avoids the damage and pulls guard. Madigan works some short elbows from below, but McCrory secures side control. McCrory postures up and lands two right hands to the upper body with a loud thud. Madigan again pulls guard and throws some punches from below. McCrory takes the mount position and briefly considers a gogoplata attempt before taking side control and securing Madigan's arm with his legs. Madigan grabs a leg and looks for a submission, but the lanky McCrory escapes and reclaims side control. McCrory takes mount again and rains down a quick stream of punches and elbows to force the TKO stoppage.
Tamdan McCrory def. Ryan Madigan via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 3:35.
Gray Maynard vs. Jim Miller
Round 1 - Maynard strikes first with a jab and Miller answers with a leg kick. Clinched against the cage, Miller forced Maynard into the fence, but he eats a knee in the process. The fighters trade knees while still clinched before separating and moving to the center of the cage. Both fighters throw quick shots but little lands until Maynard connects on a stiff shot to the belly. Miller answers with a kick and shoots for a takedown. With a single leg, Miller then eats two quick shots to the head that land with a thud. Maynard avoids the takedown, but Miller shoots again for the single-leg takedown. Maynard again fends it off, and Miller now has blood tricking from his nose. After a deparation, Maynard pushes forward with punches that fail to land. Miller land a punch-kick combo to the midsection. Maynard counters with an overhand right and strikes again just as the round ends. Miller's previous trickle is now a steady flow of blood. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for Maynard.
Round 2 - Maynard strikes first with lunging rights to the body before popping his opponent with a jab. Miller avoids his subsequent attempts and then snaps a leg kick that lands flush. Miller throws a body kick that just misses the family jewels and then goes high to force Maynard back. Maynard comes right back in and partially connects on an uppercut and then a right. A quick combination connect well for Maynard. Miller, though, keeps pressing forward before he's warned about a low blow. Miller's now bleeding from under his left eye but throws a head kick that Maynard blocks just in time. Miller throws a low kick and grimaces when he thinks it might have been to the junk. Maynard, though, just keeps fighting. Miller shoots, but Maynard sprawls free and waits for his opponent to get back up. Miller charges forward with a combination but Maynard counters with a well-placed punch. Miller's face is now a bloody mess as a minute remains in the round. Miller throws some leg kicks but has little behind them, and Maynard lets his hands fly with success. Maynard snaps a quick right than connects as the round comes to a close. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for Maynard.
Round 3 - The final frame is underway, and Maynard strikes first with a lunging right. Maynard then sidesteps Miller's advances, but a right to the body finds its mark. Miller partially connects on a kick to the body. The crowd becomes restless as both fighters strategically avoid damage. Miller breaks the stalemate with a nice kick to the stomach but whiffs on a subsequent Superman punch. Miller shoots, but Maynard easily sprawls and then shoots and slams Miller to the mat. While Miller scrambles to get back to his feet he grabs Maynard's leg but can do little with it, and we're back standing. Miller lands a stiff right and then shoots, but Maynard sprawls and collapses on top of his opponent. It's another stalemate Maynard pushes off to create distance and swarming back in for better position. He doesn't get it, and Miller tries to force his way back to his feet. He ends up on his back and nails Maynard with a shot from below before trying to pull guard. He doesn't secure, and Maynard peppers him with quick punches before both fighters return to their feet. It's closer than the first two, but MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Maynard.
Gray Maynard def. Jim Miller via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Matt Hamill vs. Mark Munoz
Round 1 - After a touch of gloves, we're underway. Hamill goes on the offensive with punches, Munoz shoots, but Hamill sprawls free. We start again and Hamill delivers a series of punches as Munoz looks for an opportunity to shoot. Hamill, though, sprawls free again. Hamill goes into stalking mode before Munoz lands a couple nice uppercuts. Munoz then lands a nice shot to the body, but Hamill counters with four shots that find their mark. Hamill continues the shots with Munoz pressed against the cage, but Munoz punches his way free. Back to the center of the cage, Hamill can't secure the clinch. Munoz sneaks in a right before Hamill clinches and works some dirty boxing. They separate, and Munoz telegraphs a shoot that Hamill easily avoids. The fighters trade some punches before Hamill floors Munoz with a right kick to the head. Munoz is out cold.
Matt Hamill def. Mark Munoz via knockout (head kick) - Round 1, 3:53.
(Munoz remains on the canvas long after the knockout as medical personnel enter the cage. Munoz, though, thankfully regains consciousness and is fitted with a neck brace, but he refuses to leave on a stretcher and walks out of the cage under his own power.)
Matt Brown vs. Pete Sell
Round 1 - Brown goes high with a kick that's checked and follows with two more, one that connects flush and drops Sell. Brown drops Sell, and the referee rushes in and grabs Brown to halt the bout. The fighters separate, and Sell is obviously OK to go, and the fight confusingly continues. Brown goes right back to work and drops his opponent with a right and batters him with dozens of unanswered blows. Amazingly, the fight continues despite Sell being knocked silly. Somehow, Sell gets back to his feet, and Brown continues a dominating assault of punches and ground and pound to force an eventual stoppage. It's an absolutely dominating performance for Brown.
Matt Brown def. Pete Sell via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 1:32.
Shane Carwin vs. Gabriel Gonzaga
Round 1 - After a touch of gloves, Carwin fires first but doesn't connect. Gonzaga counters with a punch and elbow strikes that find their mark. After a clinch, Gonzaga forces the fight to the ground and continues an assault of elbow strikes. Carwin gets back to his feet and then drops Gonzaga with a stiff right to the chin. Gonzaga's legs buckle, Carwin charges in with follow-up punches, and the bout is quickly halted.
Shane Carwin def. Gabriel Gonzaga via knockout (punch) - Round 1, 1:09.
Quinton Jackson vs. Keith Jardine
Round 1 - Jackson quickly clinches and avoids Jardine's punch. With Jardine pressed against the cage, Jackson dips and looks for a takedown. Jardine fends it off and forces the referee to step in and separate them. After the restart, the two trade punches before Jardine throws his first leg kick. He follows with a sloppy second and misses with an overhand right. Jardine lands another leg kick and just dodges a Jackson punch. Jardine clinches, misses with a knee and then backs away. Jardine now presses Jackson against the cage and looks for the takedown. He instead throws a punch partially blocked by Jardine, and the crowd grows restless at the stalemate. Jardine breaks away with a quick jab, and back to the center of the cage we go. Jardine uses a combination to set up a leg kick that misses but gets the second one. Jardine lands a leg kick before Jackson lands a right, but Jardine follows with one of his own. Jardine throws a body kick that's checked and then eats two quick rights from Jackson. Jardine counters but eats a stiff right when Jackson closes the distance. Jardien creates distance with a front kick, but Jackson avoids the following punches. Jardine throws a punch and gets two back in return before the round ends. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for Jardine.
Round 2 - Jardine misses with a lunging leg kick and is countered with a left. A body kick lands softly for Jardine, and Jackson blocks the next one to the body. Jardine throws another leg kick and just ducks under a counter punch. Jardine lands a nice leg kick and left jab combo but Jackson sneaks through a left. Both fighters just miss with looping punches before Jackson drops Jardine with a left. Jardine immediately recovers, gets to his feet and clinches with Jackson. Jardine throws another leg kick and seems OK. Jackson, though, shoots and scores the easy takedown, but Jardine again quickly gets to his feet. The fighters both look to engage, and Jackson's caught with an accidental eye poke. The action is briefly stopped, but Jackson wants no time to recover. Jardine then lands a combination and a big right that staggers Jackson. The fighters wildly trade blows, and Jardine gets the better of it. Jardine lands a left, but Jardine wisely clinches and waits out the round. Despite the knockdown, it's a close round. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for Jackson.
Round 3 - Both fighters quickly initiate, but nothing lands. Jackson misses with a combo. The fighters again trade and miss, and the crowds lets out a few boos. Each fighter's stick-and-move game plan does little, but Jackson gains the momentum with a double-leg takedown. Jardine quickly gets to his feet. Jardine lands a leg kick and another. Jardine looks to be laboring for breath but then sneaks through a right that snaps Jackson's head back. Jackson patiently checks a body kick, and Jardine eats a punch while delivering a leg kick. The fighters again trade blows, and Jardine shoots and presses Jackson against the cage. Jackson reverses the position and puts Jardine into the cage, and lull forces more boos. The referee quickly separates, and we've got a minute to go. The fighters again trade, and Jackson gets the better of it and wobbles Jardine. Jardine shakes it off and Jackson drops him. Jardine quickly grabs a leg as the round comes to a close. MMAjunkie.com has it 10-9 for Jackson.
Quinton Jackson def. Keith Jardine via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27).