Travicity
08-29-2010, 03:57 AM
Event: UFC 118 Pay-Per-View
Airdate: Saturday, August 28th, 2010 (Pay-Per-View)
Location: The TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts
Amilcar Alves vs. Mike Pierce
Round 1
Pierce bullies his way in and shoots a single that is stuffed. He knees to Alves legs along the cage then slams him to the floor. Pierce settles into the guard and tries to ground-and-pound. Alves stands back up but is planted again by Pierce. Alves gets back up again and Pierce clinches to the end of the round. Textbook Mike Pierce, ugly but effective.
Round 2
Pierce is in on another single and takes Alves back down. He gets a front headlock on the ground but Alves scrambles back to guard. Midway through the round boos start to ring out. There has been a dearth of action in round two. Pierce is holding Alves against the cage and punching to the body. After another fruitless two minutes the round closes. Second verse, same as the first, 10-9 Pierce. Not pretty.
Round 3
Alves starts off active landing a couple of low kicks and a partially blocked head kick. But, as expected, Pierce slows the pace to a crawl with a takedown. Pierce goes for a straight armbar but Alves defends well. Pierce looks determined to get the submission though and goes back to it from half-guard. He is rebuffed again. The third time's a charm as Alves taps out to the armbar at 3:11 of the final round.
Nick Osipczak vs. Greg Soto
Round 1
Osipczak pops Soto with a lead left and then a one-two that snaps his head back. Soto shoots and wrangles Osipczak to the ground. The Brit goes for a triangle but soto pulls out. He moves to half and looks for an opening but can't find anything. Osipczak gets back to his feet and pushes Soto against the cage. Osipczak lands a jumping knee in the clinch and Soto responds with a knee of his own. Osipczak cracks him with a straight right and now begins to turn up the heat. He lands another combo and Soto is bleeding from around the left eye. Osipczak is cruising after one.
Round 2
After a short delay due to the ringside doctor checking Soto's cut, round two gets underway. Osipczak starts battering Soto with punches again but gets careless after missing a poorly thrown elbow. Soto grabbed him around the waist and took him down from behind and immediately searched for a rear nake-choke. Osipczak defended and go to guard and tried an armbar but was foiled. Soto settled in on top and pounds away from half-guard. Osipczak avoids most of the shots but a few trickle through. He gets his full guard back and pushes Soto off. They scramble and Osipczak is up but eats a knee. The trade in the middle and the Brit misses with a wild shot at the horn.
Round 3
Both guys look a bit tired to start the last round. Soto takes advantage and takes Osipczak down right off the bat. He gets to side-control and goes to work. Osipczak gets his guard back and shifts his hips for an armbar but Soto sees it coming and extracts his arm. Soto is back in side and hammers a pair on knees to the body. Soto slides in an arm triange but Osipczak is safe and motions to the referee. Soto is not amused and drops a heavy knee to the stomach. He jumps to mount and hammers away. Osipczak gives up his back and is pounded on some more. The round closes with Soto trying for a rear naked. He doesn't get close but he dominates the third.
All three official judges see the contest 29-28 for Soto, who takes the unanimous decision.
Dan Miller vs. John Salter
Round 1
Miller looks like he came throw hands tonight. He pops salter with an early one-two and follows it up with more punches as salter tries to find his range. Miller lands another straight right against the southpaw and another. He is having problems with miller's range. Salter has had enough and takes Miller to the mat. Salter can't muster any offence on the ground and Miller kicks him off and stands. Salter lands a nice left hook for his first meaningful strike. Miller misses on a takedown and Salter answers with one. Miller is breathing heavily with his mouth open. The round closes and Miller takes a close one.
Round 2
Miller's mouth is hanging open, that is not a good sign. The fighters trade winging punches and Salter shoots. It's a mistake. Miller locks in a figure-four guillotine and taps out Salter at 1:52 of the frame.
Nik Lentz vs. Andre Winner
Round 1
Lentz lands a low kick and shoots a single that is defended by Winner. Letz works hard for the takedown as his opponent balances himself against the cage. Lentz gives up the single and then reaches for the left leg again. This time he gets the takedown, but Winner pops back up. Lentz drags him back down but again, he can’t hold the Brit slugger down. Back against the fence, Lentz fights for another takedown as he alternates between a single and a double. Winner’s defense is solid and Lentz has to give up the takedown effort. Lentz backs away from a sharp right hand and immediately goes to another single attempt that is stuffed. Lentz drops levels for a double and then transitions to a single. Both fail. Knee to the body from Winner from the clinch with his back against the fencing. The crowd is booing the clinch wrestling. Lentz lifts Winner’s left knee high into the air, but the Brit hops on his other foot to avoid being tripped up. Winner lands a standing elbow and then uses wrist control to thwart another single. Lentz drags Winner down, but he can’t keep him there. Winner stands and lights Lentz up with his hands. A left snaps the head back.
Round 2
Lentz misses a kick to the body and then charges forward to tie up. Winner has none of it. Lentz lands a left and Winner glances a right. Lentz drops for a single and has to give it up. Winner knees the body and uses an underhook to stay on his feet with his back to the fencing. Winner turns his opponent around and Lentz returns the reversal. Lentz goes to an inside trip on the right leg and Winner briefly counters with a standing kimura. Lentz lifts Winner into the air, but he can’t deposit him on the canvas. Hard right hook by Winner. Lentz wants none of the standup and goes right to a single attempt. Lentz gets a trip and Winner is using a whizzer in an effort to stand. Winner is warned for holding the fence and Lentz pushes his opponent’s back to the floor. Winner, as he has done previously in this bout, wastes little time in getting to his feet. Lentz slams Winner to the mat face first, but again he can’t hold down his prey.
Round 3
Winner checks a low kick and stalks Lentz down. Winner lands a kick to the body and clips his foe with short punches from both hands. Lentz weathers the storm and gets a trip takedown from the clinch. Winner uses his left arm to push off the head and his back against the fence to stand. Lentz stays right on him and tries to take his back while on the feet. Winner is tripped in the scramble, and Lentz goes to side control before being put in half guard. Winner explodes to stand and Lentz briefly has his back before going to half guard. Lentz nearly passes into mount and Winner gives up his back. Winner eats a few right hands and defends an arm-triangle choke. Winner jockeys for position and rolls out of the clasp of Letnz’s hooks. Lentz continues to ride the back while throwing punches and elbows with his left arm.
Official scores: 30-27 (twice) and 29-28 for the winner by unanimous decision, Nik Lentz.
Joe Lauzon vs. Gabe Ruediger
Round 1
Ruediger is short early with jabs and a low kick. Lauzon lands a right hook and a glancing left before slamming Ruediger to the floor. Lauzon moves to side control and Ruediger gives up his back. Lauzon attacks with hard punches and constantly moves to improve his position. Ruediger gets his back off the floor and is getting peppered by very hard punches by Lauzon. Right hands set up an armbar transition and Ruediger taps quickly. Very impressive performance by Joe Lauzon. The official time is 2:01 of round one.
Marcus Davis vs. Nate Diaz
Round 1
The fighters trade jabs that miss their marks. Davis checks a low kick and Diaz starts to taunt Davis. The boxer unloads with his hands and down goes Diaz to connections from both hands. Davis hops on his back and continues to unload with both hands. Diaz gets to his feet and throws his hands in the air, continuing to taunt his opponent. The fighters clash melons and referee Yves Lavigne tells the fighters to watch their heads. Davis is bleeding from a cut near his right eyebrow. He lands a left hook and Diaz returns fire with a straight left. Both fighters land glancing blows and Diaz drops levels for a single. Davis defends and then stuffs another takedown. The fighters clash heads again as southpaw meets orthodox fighter. Davis ducks under a left hook and kicks the right leg. Diaz lands a left counter that slows Davis down a bit. Diaz is winning the boxing war from the outside with his reach as he’s able to connect with both hands. Davis lands a left hook. And another.
Round 2
The cut above Davis’ right is deep, wide and long. It’s packed with Vaseline and the doctor wants a look. He allows the second round to start and here we go. Davis lands a left hook on the heels of a jab. The fighters clash heads yet again. Diaz uses his jab to set up a straight left and Davis counters with short punches on the inside. Diaz is using his jab well to keep Davis at a safe range. Davis ducks his head and connects with a left-hook lead. Diaz peppers the face of Davis with a right and a left. Davis tells him to bring it on. Diaz obliges, and scores with each fist. Davis connects with two low kicks and starts to bleed from the cut he sustained in the first round. Diaz backs Davis up to the fence and drops for a double, but Davis is too strong. Davis throws Diaz to the floor and Diaz sweeps at the horn.
Round 3
Referee Lavigne asks Davis to protect his eye, which has swollen up and has a huge gash above it. Diaz refuses to touch hands to kick off the third period. Davis misses a lunging left lead and Diaz lands a low kick. Diaz goes back to his jab and Davis connects with a hard lock kick right on the knee. Diaz clinches and moves the fight up against the fencing. Davis gets free and runs back to the center of the Octagon. A hard right hook blasts the jaw of Davis. Diaz again uses his jab to set up a beautiful straight left. Diaz is picking Davis apart with his boxing. Davis opens up and Diaz hits the body with a right. Davis’ eye is a mess. Diaz hits the eye with his left hand and lands a stiff body kick before scoring a quick single-leg takedown. Diaz advances to half guard and hits the right eye. Diaz works a guillotine and rolls. Davis refuses to tap and goes to sleep at the 4:02 mark.
Kenny Florian vs. Gray Maynard
Round 1
Maynard very tentative to start the fight, Florian pawing out with his jab and fires off a head kick. Florian throws a couple quick leg kicks, as Maynard seems cautious about engaging. Florian tags him with a good punch close, and Maynard backs out. Maynard finally pushes forward looking for a takedown, Florian stuffs him early but Maynard gets it deeper and slams him to the ground. Maynard fires down some punches as the round comes to a close.
Round 2
Round 2
Another slow start plays out in round two. Maynard blocks a kick aimed at the shoulder at the one-minute mark. Florian tries to enter the pocket and Maynard lands a short right and exits. A straight right hits the chin of Florian. Maynard blocks another shoulder kick but it sounds like a hard impact on the arms. Maynard shakes it off, so it must have hurt. Florian connects with a short punch and Maynard is bleeding from a small cut near his right eye. Maynard shoots and trips Florian to the canvas. Maynard lands a short right elbow from his back in half guard. Maynard returns the favor with a heavy right elbow of his own. Maynard sneaks in a right hand and is warned by referee Mario Yamasaki for holding the cage. Florian works a half butterfly and Maynard is all over his body with lefts and rights.
Round 3
Florian is showing some light swelling around his left eye. He waves Maynard on and connects with a straight right to the midsection. Maynard blocks a head and spinning-back kick. Florian opens his hips and throws another head kick. Maynard times a takedown with Florian’s return to balance and he succeeds. Maynard punches the body with his left from the guard. Yamasaki warns the fighters to get busy or he’ll stand them up. Maynard throws short, looping punches from the guard that are doing little damage. Florian scrambles and Maynard throws him right back down. Florian locks on an omoplata and Maynard pulls free. Florian reaches for a triangle and comes up short before locking on another omoplata. The technique is deep, but Maynard is able to escape.
Official scores: 30-27 (twice) and 29-28 for the winner by unanimous decision, Gray Maynard.
Demian Maia vs. Mario Miranda
Round 1
Miranda, with UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva in his corner, has a head kick blocked in the opening seconds. Maia closes the distance and drops for a double. Maia secures the takedown, but he can’t hold Miranda down. Maia trips him to the floor and hits the head with his left hand. Maia transitions to the back and has both hooks in. Maia hits the head with both hands and then briefly tries to sing a rear-naked choke. Miranda scrambles in an effort to stand and Maia continues to ride the back. Maia works for an armbar and Miranda slips free and stands to his feet. Maia lands a lunging left hand and a low kick. Maia closes in and connects with a knee the body. The pace slows to a crawl as the fighters are tentative to engage. Miranada lands a low kick. And another.
Round 2
Maia ties Miranda up after a brief exchange on the feet, and takes him to the ground. Maia softening Miranda up with punches, as he moves to the mount. Maia going for a head and arm choke briefly, but he lets it go and starts to reign down shots instead. Maia almost locks in a triangle from the top, but lets go and swings over for an armbar, but Miranda slips out.
Round 3
Maia gets the fight down just seconds into round 3, takes Miranda's back and sinks the hooks in. Maia continues to punish from the top as he tries to maintain his position. Miranda is able to slip out the backdoor, and the fight is back up again. Maia looks tired, but Miranda is also looking sluggish in his first chance to fire away standing. Maia gets the body lock and drags Miranda back to the ground, and takes the mount again. Maia goes for another armbar, and Miranda slips out, but the fight comes to a close.
Official scores: Demain Maia takes the unanimous decision with 30-27s across the board.
Randy Couture vs. James Toney
Round 1
Couture with the takedown just seconds in, moves to mount immediately. Couture working punches from the mount as Toney holds on. Couture locks on a head and arm choke, but Toney appears okay. Couture moves to the side, locks up the head and arm choke again and Toney taps out.
Randy Couture def. James Toney by submission (arm triangle) at 3:19, R1
Frankie Edgar vs. B.J. Penn
Round 1
The fighters storm out and trade short, heavy punches and both men graze. Edgar drops under a flurry and scores a single trip. From his back, Penn looks for an armbar and then lets it go. Penn is working a butterfly guard while holding an underhook on the right arm just above the elbow. Penn goes to heel on hips and sweeps to his feet. Edgar follows. Penn scores with a left hook lead. Edgar is throwing back, but his range is short through the midway point of round one. Edgar rushes in and Penn clips him with a knee to the body. Edgar trips Penn to the canvas, but the former champion stands. Edgar gets to the side and slams Penn hard to the canvas. Penn stays patient and gets to his feet shortly after with his back “crawling” against the cage. Edgar connects with a low kick and circles away from Penn’s powerful right hand. Two left hooks hit the right eye of Penn. Penn answers with a left hook from a southpaw stance. Edgar kicks the body before the horn.
Round 2
Edgar checks a low kick and eats a left hook in the pocket. And another. Penn connects with a right hand and Edgar kicks the body. Edgar has a single stuffed and he lands a knee to the body. The champion lands a low kick and then fails on a quick double. Penn has yet to utilize his jab properly in this fight, instead choosing to throw looping punches. Penn connects with a straight right to the body and is taken down by a lightning fast waist hold. Penn shows good footwork in getting to guard and back to his feet. Edgar lands a left hook as Penn moves straight backward to avoid leather. A double jab from Edgar finds its mark. Edgar continues to circle, staying away from a slugfest. Penn blocks a head kick and then absorbs a kick to the thigh. Edgar with a hard kick to the body. Edgar cracks Penn with a left hook and then makes him look silly with a feint-low kick combo.
Round 3
Penn shows his jab early in round three, but he’s just pawing it out. Penn has a body kick blocked before he tastes a left hook. Edgar steps forward to throw both hands at short range, but he hits nothing. Edgar reverts to his jab and he moves the head back with a second attempt. Penn rushes in and cracks Edgar with a knee to the body. Edgar throws a fast head kick, but it just misses. Edgar sets up a beautiful right hook on the jaw with hooks to the body. An uppercut lands for Edgar. The champion is working Penn over to the body, and it’s setting up clean punches on the chin. Penn throws his jab and follows with a right to the body that scores. Edgar shoots a double and Penn stuffs it. A hard right to the body sets up a left hook to Penn’s temple. Edgar shoots and Penn stays upward, but the champion gets the better of a brief dirty boxing exchange against the fence. Penn sees a right hand slide into Edgar’s abdomen. Edgar connects with a short left before time runs out.
Round 4
Penn gets aggressive and lands a nice takedown of his own on Edgar. Penn maintains the position for a moment, but Edgar is able to slip out and get back to his feet. Edgar with a nice kick that takes out Penn's legs and they are on the mat again. Penn works for a high guard as Edgar stays in close to avoid a submission. Edgar hops up and drop a huge punch from above, and follows it up with a few hammer fists. Edgar backs out again, and Penn springs to his feet. Edgar again keeps his feet working at all times, and moves in and out with punches.
Round 5
Penn secures a takedown to start the final round, as Edgar pulls guard. In the scramble, Penn tries to take Edgar's back, but he reverses and puts Penn on his back instead. Edgar working short elbows and punches inside of Penn's guard. Edgar staying busy, peppering Penn with shots. Penn tries to switch around for a takedown of his own, but Edgar has none of it, and puts Penn on his back again. Penn is able to spring up against the cage, and they are back on the feet. Penn dives in for a takedown and catches a knee for his trouble.
Frankie Edgar def. B.J. Penn by unanimous decision (50-45 on all cards)
MMAScoops/WI
Airdate: Saturday, August 28th, 2010 (Pay-Per-View)
Location: The TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts
Amilcar Alves vs. Mike Pierce
Round 1
Pierce bullies his way in and shoots a single that is stuffed. He knees to Alves legs along the cage then slams him to the floor. Pierce settles into the guard and tries to ground-and-pound. Alves stands back up but is planted again by Pierce. Alves gets back up again and Pierce clinches to the end of the round. Textbook Mike Pierce, ugly but effective.
Round 2
Pierce is in on another single and takes Alves back down. He gets a front headlock on the ground but Alves scrambles back to guard. Midway through the round boos start to ring out. There has been a dearth of action in round two. Pierce is holding Alves against the cage and punching to the body. After another fruitless two minutes the round closes. Second verse, same as the first, 10-9 Pierce. Not pretty.
Round 3
Alves starts off active landing a couple of low kicks and a partially blocked head kick. But, as expected, Pierce slows the pace to a crawl with a takedown. Pierce goes for a straight armbar but Alves defends well. Pierce looks determined to get the submission though and goes back to it from half-guard. He is rebuffed again. The third time's a charm as Alves taps out to the armbar at 3:11 of the final round.
Nick Osipczak vs. Greg Soto
Round 1
Osipczak pops Soto with a lead left and then a one-two that snaps his head back. Soto shoots and wrangles Osipczak to the ground. The Brit goes for a triangle but soto pulls out. He moves to half and looks for an opening but can't find anything. Osipczak gets back to his feet and pushes Soto against the cage. Osipczak lands a jumping knee in the clinch and Soto responds with a knee of his own. Osipczak cracks him with a straight right and now begins to turn up the heat. He lands another combo and Soto is bleeding from around the left eye. Osipczak is cruising after one.
Round 2
After a short delay due to the ringside doctor checking Soto's cut, round two gets underway. Osipczak starts battering Soto with punches again but gets careless after missing a poorly thrown elbow. Soto grabbed him around the waist and took him down from behind and immediately searched for a rear nake-choke. Osipczak defended and go to guard and tried an armbar but was foiled. Soto settled in on top and pounds away from half-guard. Osipczak avoids most of the shots but a few trickle through. He gets his full guard back and pushes Soto off. They scramble and Osipczak is up but eats a knee. The trade in the middle and the Brit misses with a wild shot at the horn.
Round 3
Both guys look a bit tired to start the last round. Soto takes advantage and takes Osipczak down right off the bat. He gets to side-control and goes to work. Osipczak gets his guard back and shifts his hips for an armbar but Soto sees it coming and extracts his arm. Soto is back in side and hammers a pair on knees to the body. Soto slides in an arm triange but Osipczak is safe and motions to the referee. Soto is not amused and drops a heavy knee to the stomach. He jumps to mount and hammers away. Osipczak gives up his back and is pounded on some more. The round closes with Soto trying for a rear naked. He doesn't get close but he dominates the third.
All three official judges see the contest 29-28 for Soto, who takes the unanimous decision.
Dan Miller vs. John Salter
Round 1
Miller looks like he came throw hands tonight. He pops salter with an early one-two and follows it up with more punches as salter tries to find his range. Miller lands another straight right against the southpaw and another. He is having problems with miller's range. Salter has had enough and takes Miller to the mat. Salter can't muster any offence on the ground and Miller kicks him off and stands. Salter lands a nice left hook for his first meaningful strike. Miller misses on a takedown and Salter answers with one. Miller is breathing heavily with his mouth open. The round closes and Miller takes a close one.
Round 2
Miller's mouth is hanging open, that is not a good sign. The fighters trade winging punches and Salter shoots. It's a mistake. Miller locks in a figure-four guillotine and taps out Salter at 1:52 of the frame.
Nik Lentz vs. Andre Winner
Round 1
Lentz lands a low kick and shoots a single that is defended by Winner. Letz works hard for the takedown as his opponent balances himself against the cage. Lentz gives up the single and then reaches for the left leg again. This time he gets the takedown, but Winner pops back up. Lentz drags him back down but again, he can’t hold the Brit slugger down. Back against the fence, Lentz fights for another takedown as he alternates between a single and a double. Winner’s defense is solid and Lentz has to give up the takedown effort. Lentz backs away from a sharp right hand and immediately goes to another single attempt that is stuffed. Lentz drops levels for a double and then transitions to a single. Both fail. Knee to the body from Winner from the clinch with his back against the fencing. The crowd is booing the clinch wrestling. Lentz lifts Winner’s left knee high into the air, but the Brit hops on his other foot to avoid being tripped up. Winner lands a standing elbow and then uses wrist control to thwart another single. Lentz drags Winner down, but he can’t keep him there. Winner stands and lights Lentz up with his hands. A left snaps the head back.
Round 2
Lentz misses a kick to the body and then charges forward to tie up. Winner has none of it. Lentz lands a left and Winner glances a right. Lentz drops for a single and has to give it up. Winner knees the body and uses an underhook to stay on his feet with his back to the fencing. Winner turns his opponent around and Lentz returns the reversal. Lentz goes to an inside trip on the right leg and Winner briefly counters with a standing kimura. Lentz lifts Winner into the air, but he can’t deposit him on the canvas. Hard right hook by Winner. Lentz wants none of the standup and goes right to a single attempt. Lentz gets a trip and Winner is using a whizzer in an effort to stand. Winner is warned for holding the fence and Lentz pushes his opponent’s back to the floor. Winner, as he has done previously in this bout, wastes little time in getting to his feet. Lentz slams Winner to the mat face first, but again he can’t hold down his prey.
Round 3
Winner checks a low kick and stalks Lentz down. Winner lands a kick to the body and clips his foe with short punches from both hands. Lentz weathers the storm and gets a trip takedown from the clinch. Winner uses his left arm to push off the head and his back against the fence to stand. Lentz stays right on him and tries to take his back while on the feet. Winner is tripped in the scramble, and Lentz goes to side control before being put in half guard. Winner explodes to stand and Lentz briefly has his back before going to half guard. Lentz nearly passes into mount and Winner gives up his back. Winner eats a few right hands and defends an arm-triangle choke. Winner jockeys for position and rolls out of the clasp of Letnz’s hooks. Lentz continues to ride the back while throwing punches and elbows with his left arm.
Official scores: 30-27 (twice) and 29-28 for the winner by unanimous decision, Nik Lentz.
Joe Lauzon vs. Gabe Ruediger
Round 1
Ruediger is short early with jabs and a low kick. Lauzon lands a right hook and a glancing left before slamming Ruediger to the floor. Lauzon moves to side control and Ruediger gives up his back. Lauzon attacks with hard punches and constantly moves to improve his position. Ruediger gets his back off the floor and is getting peppered by very hard punches by Lauzon. Right hands set up an armbar transition and Ruediger taps quickly. Very impressive performance by Joe Lauzon. The official time is 2:01 of round one.
Marcus Davis vs. Nate Diaz
Round 1
The fighters trade jabs that miss their marks. Davis checks a low kick and Diaz starts to taunt Davis. The boxer unloads with his hands and down goes Diaz to connections from both hands. Davis hops on his back and continues to unload with both hands. Diaz gets to his feet and throws his hands in the air, continuing to taunt his opponent. The fighters clash melons and referee Yves Lavigne tells the fighters to watch their heads. Davis is bleeding from a cut near his right eyebrow. He lands a left hook and Diaz returns fire with a straight left. Both fighters land glancing blows and Diaz drops levels for a single. Davis defends and then stuffs another takedown. The fighters clash heads again as southpaw meets orthodox fighter. Davis ducks under a left hook and kicks the right leg. Diaz lands a left counter that slows Davis down a bit. Diaz is winning the boxing war from the outside with his reach as he’s able to connect with both hands. Davis lands a left hook. And another.
Round 2
The cut above Davis’ right is deep, wide and long. It’s packed with Vaseline and the doctor wants a look. He allows the second round to start and here we go. Davis lands a left hook on the heels of a jab. The fighters clash heads yet again. Diaz uses his jab to set up a straight left and Davis counters with short punches on the inside. Diaz is using his jab well to keep Davis at a safe range. Davis ducks his head and connects with a left-hook lead. Diaz peppers the face of Davis with a right and a left. Davis tells him to bring it on. Diaz obliges, and scores with each fist. Davis connects with two low kicks and starts to bleed from the cut he sustained in the first round. Diaz backs Davis up to the fence and drops for a double, but Davis is too strong. Davis throws Diaz to the floor and Diaz sweeps at the horn.
Round 3
Referee Lavigne asks Davis to protect his eye, which has swollen up and has a huge gash above it. Diaz refuses to touch hands to kick off the third period. Davis misses a lunging left lead and Diaz lands a low kick. Diaz goes back to his jab and Davis connects with a hard lock kick right on the knee. Diaz clinches and moves the fight up against the fencing. Davis gets free and runs back to the center of the Octagon. A hard right hook blasts the jaw of Davis. Diaz again uses his jab to set up a beautiful straight left. Diaz is picking Davis apart with his boxing. Davis opens up and Diaz hits the body with a right. Davis’ eye is a mess. Diaz hits the eye with his left hand and lands a stiff body kick before scoring a quick single-leg takedown. Diaz advances to half guard and hits the right eye. Diaz works a guillotine and rolls. Davis refuses to tap and goes to sleep at the 4:02 mark.
Kenny Florian vs. Gray Maynard
Round 1
Maynard very tentative to start the fight, Florian pawing out with his jab and fires off a head kick. Florian throws a couple quick leg kicks, as Maynard seems cautious about engaging. Florian tags him with a good punch close, and Maynard backs out. Maynard finally pushes forward looking for a takedown, Florian stuffs him early but Maynard gets it deeper and slams him to the ground. Maynard fires down some punches as the round comes to a close.
Round 2
Round 2
Another slow start plays out in round two. Maynard blocks a kick aimed at the shoulder at the one-minute mark. Florian tries to enter the pocket and Maynard lands a short right and exits. A straight right hits the chin of Florian. Maynard blocks another shoulder kick but it sounds like a hard impact on the arms. Maynard shakes it off, so it must have hurt. Florian connects with a short punch and Maynard is bleeding from a small cut near his right eye. Maynard shoots and trips Florian to the canvas. Maynard lands a short right elbow from his back in half guard. Maynard returns the favor with a heavy right elbow of his own. Maynard sneaks in a right hand and is warned by referee Mario Yamasaki for holding the cage. Florian works a half butterfly and Maynard is all over his body with lefts and rights.
Round 3
Florian is showing some light swelling around his left eye. He waves Maynard on and connects with a straight right to the midsection. Maynard blocks a head and spinning-back kick. Florian opens his hips and throws another head kick. Maynard times a takedown with Florian’s return to balance and he succeeds. Maynard punches the body with his left from the guard. Yamasaki warns the fighters to get busy or he’ll stand them up. Maynard throws short, looping punches from the guard that are doing little damage. Florian scrambles and Maynard throws him right back down. Florian locks on an omoplata and Maynard pulls free. Florian reaches for a triangle and comes up short before locking on another omoplata. The technique is deep, but Maynard is able to escape.
Official scores: 30-27 (twice) and 29-28 for the winner by unanimous decision, Gray Maynard.
Demian Maia vs. Mario Miranda
Round 1
Miranda, with UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva in his corner, has a head kick blocked in the opening seconds. Maia closes the distance and drops for a double. Maia secures the takedown, but he can’t hold Miranda down. Maia trips him to the floor and hits the head with his left hand. Maia transitions to the back and has both hooks in. Maia hits the head with both hands and then briefly tries to sing a rear-naked choke. Miranda scrambles in an effort to stand and Maia continues to ride the back. Maia works for an armbar and Miranda slips free and stands to his feet. Maia lands a lunging left hand and a low kick. Maia closes in and connects with a knee the body. The pace slows to a crawl as the fighters are tentative to engage. Miranada lands a low kick. And another.
Round 2
Maia ties Miranda up after a brief exchange on the feet, and takes him to the ground. Maia softening Miranda up with punches, as he moves to the mount. Maia going for a head and arm choke briefly, but he lets it go and starts to reign down shots instead. Maia almost locks in a triangle from the top, but lets go and swings over for an armbar, but Miranda slips out.
Round 3
Maia gets the fight down just seconds into round 3, takes Miranda's back and sinks the hooks in. Maia continues to punish from the top as he tries to maintain his position. Miranda is able to slip out the backdoor, and the fight is back up again. Maia looks tired, but Miranda is also looking sluggish in his first chance to fire away standing. Maia gets the body lock and drags Miranda back to the ground, and takes the mount again. Maia goes for another armbar, and Miranda slips out, but the fight comes to a close.
Official scores: Demain Maia takes the unanimous decision with 30-27s across the board.
Randy Couture vs. James Toney
Round 1
Couture with the takedown just seconds in, moves to mount immediately. Couture working punches from the mount as Toney holds on. Couture locks on a head and arm choke, but Toney appears okay. Couture moves to the side, locks up the head and arm choke again and Toney taps out.
Randy Couture def. James Toney by submission (arm triangle) at 3:19, R1
Frankie Edgar vs. B.J. Penn
Round 1
The fighters storm out and trade short, heavy punches and both men graze. Edgar drops under a flurry and scores a single trip. From his back, Penn looks for an armbar and then lets it go. Penn is working a butterfly guard while holding an underhook on the right arm just above the elbow. Penn goes to heel on hips and sweeps to his feet. Edgar follows. Penn scores with a left hook lead. Edgar is throwing back, but his range is short through the midway point of round one. Edgar rushes in and Penn clips him with a knee to the body. Edgar trips Penn to the canvas, but the former champion stands. Edgar gets to the side and slams Penn hard to the canvas. Penn stays patient and gets to his feet shortly after with his back “crawling” against the cage. Edgar connects with a low kick and circles away from Penn’s powerful right hand. Two left hooks hit the right eye of Penn. Penn answers with a left hook from a southpaw stance. Edgar kicks the body before the horn.
Round 2
Edgar checks a low kick and eats a left hook in the pocket. And another. Penn connects with a right hand and Edgar kicks the body. Edgar has a single stuffed and he lands a knee to the body. The champion lands a low kick and then fails on a quick double. Penn has yet to utilize his jab properly in this fight, instead choosing to throw looping punches. Penn connects with a straight right to the body and is taken down by a lightning fast waist hold. Penn shows good footwork in getting to guard and back to his feet. Edgar lands a left hook as Penn moves straight backward to avoid leather. A double jab from Edgar finds its mark. Edgar continues to circle, staying away from a slugfest. Penn blocks a head kick and then absorbs a kick to the thigh. Edgar with a hard kick to the body. Edgar cracks Penn with a left hook and then makes him look silly with a feint-low kick combo.
Round 3
Penn shows his jab early in round three, but he’s just pawing it out. Penn has a body kick blocked before he tastes a left hook. Edgar steps forward to throw both hands at short range, but he hits nothing. Edgar reverts to his jab and he moves the head back with a second attempt. Penn rushes in and cracks Edgar with a knee to the body. Edgar throws a fast head kick, but it just misses. Edgar sets up a beautiful right hook on the jaw with hooks to the body. An uppercut lands for Edgar. The champion is working Penn over to the body, and it’s setting up clean punches on the chin. Penn throws his jab and follows with a right to the body that scores. Edgar shoots a double and Penn stuffs it. A hard right to the body sets up a left hook to Penn’s temple. Edgar shoots and Penn stays upward, but the champion gets the better of a brief dirty boxing exchange against the fence. Penn sees a right hand slide into Edgar’s abdomen. Edgar connects with a short left before time runs out.
Round 4
Penn gets aggressive and lands a nice takedown of his own on Edgar. Penn maintains the position for a moment, but Edgar is able to slip out and get back to his feet. Edgar with a nice kick that takes out Penn's legs and they are on the mat again. Penn works for a high guard as Edgar stays in close to avoid a submission. Edgar hops up and drop a huge punch from above, and follows it up with a few hammer fists. Edgar backs out again, and Penn springs to his feet. Edgar again keeps his feet working at all times, and moves in and out with punches.
Round 5
Penn secures a takedown to start the final round, as Edgar pulls guard. In the scramble, Penn tries to take Edgar's back, but he reverses and puts Penn on his back instead. Edgar working short elbows and punches inside of Penn's guard. Edgar staying busy, peppering Penn with shots. Penn tries to switch around for a takedown of his own, but Edgar has none of it, and puts Penn on his back again. Penn is able to spring up against the cage, and they are back on the feet. Penn dives in for a takedown and catches a knee for his trouble.
Frankie Edgar def. B.J. Penn by unanimous decision (50-45 on all cards)
MMAScoops/WI