the madscotsman
11-10-2013, 10:35 PM
JOSE MARIA TOME
VS.
DUSTIN ORTIZ
ROUND 1
Photo: Gleidson Venga/Sherdog.com
Ortiz impressed in his UFC debut.
Ortiz moves forward on Maria, then quickly has to back up as the Brazilian swings and misses with a spinning back fist, then a kick. Ortiz comes forward again, and now Maria drives ahead to hit a powerful takedown in the center of the cage. Scooting toward the fence, Ortiz is able to work back to his feet, but Maria keeps him pinned to the fence. Maria changes levels for a single-leg, gets it, and stays glued to Ortiz as the American posts and stands up again. Ortiz gets some distance about two minutes into the bout and swipes a long left hand across Maria’s face on the end of a three-piece combo.
Now it’s Ortiz pushing Maria against the fence and landing a knee to the cup. Maria hits the floor and needs a few minutes to recover, but the flyweights do get back to action. Ortiz looks for a takedown as they tie up, pulling Maria to the ground with a rear waistlock. Maria tries to roll through, giving up his back, but Ortiz can’t sink his hooks and Maria gets back to his feet in the scramble. Ortiz shoots a double-leg and puts Maria on the ground again; this time, Maria is waiting to pull guard with an arm-in guillotine attempt. Maria can’t get the angle, and Ortiz rides out the last few seconds of the round with his head trapped.
SHERDOG SCORES
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Maria
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Maria
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Maria
ROUND 2
Ortiz goes high with a few kicks, blocked off by Maria, who answers with a hard leg kick inside. Maria comes over the top with an overhand right, then another. Ortiz gives him one in return, drawing a smile, but then lands another groin shot, this time an inside leg kick which sends Maria to the floor. Maria recovers after two minutes, while ref MacDonald warns Ortiz that another infraction will cost him a point. Maria lands a couple leg kicks and a spinning kick to the body, then sprawls all over a double-leg shot. Ortiz catches a kick and tries to send the Brazilian to the ground, but Maria reverses position and goes for a single-leg of his own. Ortiz hits the switch and the flyweights separate, then Ortiz comes back to stick a straight right and toss Maria to the canvas. It’s side control for Ortiz as he drops short, hard elbows on Maria’s face. Maria powers back to his feet and sprawls on a shot, catching Ortiz in another guillotine, but again time runs out. Maria goes back to his corner bleeding from a cut above his right eye.
SHERDOG SCORES
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Ortiz
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Maria
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Maria
ROUND 3
Ortiz moves to clinch against the fence and takes about 40 seconds to drag Maria to the ground. Another 40 seconds and Ortiz has passed Maria’s guard, working to deep half-guard and dropping hard punches and elbows on Maria’s face. Ortiz gets to mount for a moment, then gets bucked back to side control on Maria’s left side. Maria gets to his knees and Ortiz turns up the volume, smashing away with hammer fists. Referee MacDonald tells Maria to fight back, but Maria just raises his hand in protest of what appear to be a couple punches to the back of the head. Nonetheless, MacDonald steps in and waves an end to the fight.
THE OFFICIAL RESULT
Dustin Ortiz def. Jose Maria Tome via TKO (Punches) R3 3:19
DARON CRUICKSHANK
VS.
ADRIANO MARTINS
ROUND 1
Martins chases the backpedaling Cruickshank around the cage, sticking a straight left after about a minute and following up with a leg kick. Another straight left drops Cruickshank to the canvas, and Martins looks to pound him out from side control. Cruickshank recovers and slips out, then gets back to his feet and circles away. The left hand keeps working for Martins as he follows Cruickshank, who looks to retaliate with kicks to the leg and body of the Brazilian but cannot find anything clean. Cruickshank hits the deck after another left lands, and Martins comes down to half-guard on the American’s right side. Martins grabs a kimura, sits up and switches to an armbar, but Cruickshank defends. Martins steps into mount briefly, Cruickshank gets a knee in and pushes him back to half-guard. Now, Martins leans right to left and fishes for another kimura, but time runs out.
SHERDOG SCORES
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Martins
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Martins
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Martins
ROUND 2
Photo: G. Venga/Sherdog.com
Martins tapped out Cruickshank.
Martins catches a high kick on his shoulder and shoves Cruickshank to the ground at the base of the fence. Cruickshank puts the Brazilian in his guard, so Martins postures up and puts pressure on the head to pass. Another kimura attempt from Martins is thwarted, this time by the fence and a lack of space to work. Martins leans even further across Cruickshank’s body and gets the arm very deep before cranking a straight armbar, and this time he forces the tap.
THE OFFICIAL RESULT
Adriano Martins def. Daron Cruickshank via Submission (Straight Armbar) R2 2:49
JUSTIN SALAS
VS.
THIAGO TAVARES
ROUND 1
Photo: G. Venga/Sherdog.com
Tavares returned with a bang.
Tavares shoots in early, gets stuffed and instead pulls guard. Salas kicks at his legs for a moment before ref Dan Miragliotta orders the Brazilian back to his feet. Salas catches a kick and tries to hustle Tavares to the ground, can’t get him down. Tavares ducks under a hook and double-legs Salas to the ground near the fence, then lifts him into the air and deposits him in the center of the cage. Salas scores with a couple elbows as he tries to work back to his feet, but Tavares keeps heavy on top and spins around to take the American’s back. Tavares slaps on a rear-naked choke and rolls Salas over, forcing a quick tap.
THE OFFICIAL RESULT
Thiago Tavares def. Justin Salas via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 2:38
OMARI AKHMEDOV
VS.
THIAGO DE OLIVEIRA PERPETUO
ROUND 1
Photo: G. Venga/Sherdog.com
Akhmedov lamped Perpetuo in quick fashion.
Perpetuo snipes over the top with a grazing right hand, answered by a chopping leg kick from the Russian. Akhmedov shoots in and falls to a knee as the middleweights clash heads, and Perpetuo tries to bash him out with hammer fists. Akhmedov regains his senses and drives forward on a single-leg to slam Perpetuo to the ground, but the Brazilian is quickly back on his feet. Akhmedov presses him against the fence and throws knees up the middle, one of which draws a complaint from Perpetuo. Ref Kevin MacDonald tells them to fight on, so Perpetuo drubs Akhmedov with a hard right hand.
Akhmedov stumbles a few steps away, then charges back to shove Perpetuo against the cage and then jump on his back. Akhmedov tries to finish with a rear-naked choke, but despite having it under the chin, Perpetuo pulls his head free. Still in back-mount, Akhmedov lands a couple punches on his kneeling opponent before trying for the RNC again. Perpetuo twists around in guard, scrambles up and lands a takedown of his own. Akhmedov drives forward, gets clipped with another right and backpedals. Perpetuo rushes in and gets clipped by a right hook; he falls to his knees, and as he moves to stand again, Akhmedov blasts him with another huge right hand. This one turns out the lights on Perpetuo, sending ref MacDonald into action.
THE OFFICIAL RESULT
Omari Akhmedov def. Thiago de Oliveira Perpetuo via KO (Punches) R1 3:31
GODOFREDO CASTRO
VS.
SAM SICILIA
ROUND 1
Photo: G. Venga/Sherdog.com
Sicilia teed off on Castro from the guard.
Sicilia blocks a high kick and walks forward on “Pepey,” who shoots a single-leg against the fence. Sicilia reverses for a takedown of his own and sets up in the jiu-jitsu ace’s guard to land some rough forearm shots. Sicilia stands and Pepey sticks him with an upkick. Sicilia comes crashing down with a pair of thunderous right hands that hurt the Brazilian. Another half dozen rights send ref Dan Miragliotta crashing in for the stoppage.
THE OFFICIAL RESULT
Sam Sicilia def. Godofredo Castro via TKO (Punches) R1 1:42
JEREMY STEPHENS
VS.
RONY ‘JASON’ MARIANO BEZERRA
ROUND 1
Bezerra leaps at Stephens with a knee, sending the American backwards. It’s short lives, as Stephens goes back to stalking “Rony Jason” clockwise around the perimeter. Bezerra steps in to throw an overhand right and ducks straight into a right mid kick from Stephens. The Brazilian is out cold when he hits the ground, but Stephens lands a big right hand before referee Kevin MacDonald can step in to wave it off.
THE OFFICIAL RESULT
Jeremy Stephens def. Rony Mariano Bezerra via KO (Head Kick) R1 0:40
RYAN LAFLARE
VS.
SANTIAGO PONZINIBBIO
ROUND 1
LaFlare catches a kick and tries to bring Ponzinibbio to the ground but can’t hold him down. LaFlare sticks a long jab in Ponzinibbio’s face and shoots in for a takedown, this time putting the Argentine fighter down in the center of the cage. Ponzinibbio scoots backward toward the fence, absorbing a few punches before kicking LaFlare away. LaFlare comes right back to Ponzinibbio’s half-guard, then steps in to mount at the base of the fence. He lays a forearm across Ponzinibbio’s face and sits up in mount to land a hard elbow shot. Ponzinibbio tries to roll over, but his left arm is pinned behind his back. LaFlare rolls underneath for an armbar, surrendering top position as Ponzinibbio pulls his arm free. Ponzinibbio jumps on LaFlare’s back, but LaFlare just turns around to wind up back on top, in guard. Ponzinibbio kicks him away and staggers up, eating a right hand to the face as he does. LaFlare catches a kick and drives Ponzinibbio to the ground again with about one minute to go. Ponzinibbio kicks him away and stands, misses with an overhand right and takes a quick right hand on the body.
SHERDOG SCORES
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 LaFlare
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 LaFlare
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 LaFlare
ROUND 2
Photo: G. Venga/Sherdog.com
LaFlare dominated Ponzinibbio for three rounds.
The welterweights exchange leg kicks early in round two, with LaFlare mixing in some long jabs. Both men try to go high, though both block the other’s head kicks. Ponzinibbio sprawls on a shot, but LaFlare turns the corner to take the back. Ponzinibbio doesn’t allow it, though LaFlare shoves him against the cage and scores with a couple knees on the way up. Ponzinibbio sprawls on the next double-leg shot, takes a left kick to the body and then one on the leg. LaFlare has a left high kick blocked and takes one back off the forearms. After a few sloppy exchanges, Ponzinibbio scores with a lead uppercut and then tries to chase LaFlare around the outside with more punches.
Left hooks are landing for Ponzinibbio, but LaFlare slows his roll with a left straight that snaps back Ponzinibbio’s head. LaFlare comes off the fence and hits a double-leg in the middle of cage to wind up in half-guard and finish the round on top.
SHERDOG SCORES
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 LaFlare
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 LaFlare
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Ponzinibbio
ROUND 3
LaFlare takes a finger in the eye as the round begins but doesn’t want time to recover. Instead, he gets right back to stalking and kicking at Ponzinibbio, who is sporting damage beneath his left eye and breathing heavily with hands at his sides. LaFlare catches a slow-motion kick and shoves Ponzinibbio to the ground. Short, hard elbows land for LaFlare on the ground before Ponzinibbio works over to the fence and stands. Ponzinibbio throws a right hand and ducks into a knee from LaFlare, who pounces on his wounded opponent and tries to polish him off with ground-and-pound. Left hands and elbows fall on the face of Ponzinibbio, but he does well to recover under fire. Ponzinibbio gets back to his feet and circles off the cage, still holding his hands low. LaFlare eats an uppercut and drops to the ground, then catches Ponzinibbio’s arm in an omoplata and rolls him over when the Argentinean fighter comes to the canvas. LaFlare spends the final few moments on top, pinning Ponzinibbio in the middle of the cage.
SHERDOG SCORES
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 LaFlare (30-27 LaFlare)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 LaFlare (30-27 LaFlare)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 LaFlare (29-28 LaFlare)
THE OFFICIAL RESULT
Ryan LaFlare def. Santiago Ponzinibbio via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00
PAULO THIAGO
VS.
BRANDON THATCH
ROUND 1
Photo: G. Venga/Sherdog.com
Thatch buckled Thiago with a hard knee.
Thatch swings kicks in Thiago’s direction early, both at the legs and head, but Thiago is doing well to play matador as he moves backward. Thatch leaps into range with a knee and gets wrapped up, then taken down near the fence. Thatch posts and stands up immediately, still kept in the clinch by Thiago with a body lock. Thatch powers out of it and hits Thiago with a couple good knees as they fight on the fence. Thiago tries a trip and gets shoved off. Thatch walks him over to the other side of the cage and steps in with a knee to the liver that sends Thiago slumping to the ground.
Thatch steps in to follow up with punches, but Thiago is already tapping the canvas in submission.
THE OFFICIAL RESULT
Brandon Thatch def. Paulo Thiago via KO (Knee to the Body) R1 2:10
RAFAEL ‘FEIJAO’ CAVALCANTE
VS.
IGOR POKRAJAC
ROUND 1
Photo: G. Venga/Sherdog.com
Feijao destroyed Pokrajac with knees, punches.
Pokrajac rushes “Feijao” against the fence and lands a hard right hand over the top, forcing the Brazilian to circle out. Pokrajac follows him and pins the former Strikeforce champ against the fence with an underhook. The 205ers trade knees in the clinch, Cavalcante adding a right hand to the body before pulling the Thai plum for more knees. A couple more knees to the gut have Pokrajac covering up; a few more and he’s wilting to the ground. Cavalcante polishes him off with a couple hard right hands, and ref Kevin MacDonald comes in to halt the bout.
THE OFFICIAL RESULT
Rafael Cavalcante def. Igor Pokrajac via TKO (Knees and Punches) R1 1:18
CEZAR FERREIRA
VS.
DANIEL SARAFIAN
ROUND 1
Ferreira keeps his back to the fence as he circles the outside, and then Sarafian moves in to tie up and really stick his back against the cage. The middleweights quickly stall out in the clinch, and after about a minute of Sarafian trying for a single-leg, ref Mario Yamasaki breaks them up. Sarafian steps in with a hard right hand on the end of a one-two, then stuffs a shot from Ferreira and grabs a headlock as “Mutante” pushes him against the cage. Sarafian drops to guard but doesn’t have the angle to finish the guillotine, and Ferreira pulls his head free. They stand and separate, and Ferreira thwacks a high kick off Sarafian’s arms, then lands one to the body. Ferreira clinches on the cage again but it goes nowhere and they break off. One minute to go, and Sarafian runs into a hard right hand that opens a cut on the left side of his forehead. Sarafian steps in with a straight right, gets clipped with a left and goes to a knee for a moment.
SHERDOG SCORES
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sarafian
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Sarafian
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Sarafian
ROUND 2
Photo: G. Venga/Sherdog.com
Ferreira outpointed Sarafian.
It’s Ferreira shooting for and hitting a double-leg to open up the second round. He tries to advance past half-guard, but Sarafian gets a leg in and puts him back in full guard. Sarafian holds on to a loose headlock from underneath, stalling Ferreira’s progress and drawing a call for action from ref Mario Yamasaki. Ferreira loses top position as Sarafian rolls over and back to his feet. A nasty right straight from Sarafian sends “Mutante” stumbling; Sarafian follows up with more punches but can’t put Ferreira out before being taken down.
Ferreira keeps a tight top position, and he’s still working for an arm-triangle when ref Yamasaki stands them up. Sarafian shoots a single-leg against the cage, and he’s still shooting when the round runs out.
SHERDOG SCORES
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Ferreira
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Ferreira
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Ferreira
ROUND 3
Ferreira sticks his opponent with a pair of punches, but he gets caught throwing a spinning back fist and pinned on the fence. Sarafian releases and hits Ferreira with a hard right. Ferreira gets another takedown and shoulder-shrugs Sarafian’s face from half-guard. Sarafian tries to sit up and Ferreira goes for an arm-triangle. Sarafian counters with a guillotine try, but Ferreira slips out and punishes the man on the bottom with right hands to the ribs. Referee Yamasaki orders the middleweights back to their feet with just under two minutes on the clock. Ferreira just hits another takedown near the fence and this time climbs on the kneeling Sarafian’s back. Sarafian stands up with Ferreira sill locked on, and Ferreira hits him with short left hands from the back. The fight ends with Ferreira looking for a last-second rear-naked choke.
SHERDOG SCORES
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Ferreira (29-28 Ferreira)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Ferreira (29-28 Ferreira)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Ferreira (29-28 Ferreira)
THE OFFICIAL RESULT
Cezar Ferreia def. Daniel Sarafian via Split Decision (28-29, 30-27, 30-28) R3 5:00
VITOR BELFORT
VS.
DAN HENDERSON
ROUND 1
Referee Dan Miragliotta has the assignment for tonight’s main event, with judges Guilhermo Bravo, Douglas Crosby and Cardo Urso scoring at cageside. The veterans get off to a slow start, Belfort circling the outside clockwise and Henderson creeping in the middle, both with hands loaded. “Hendo” lunges in with a right hand and gets caught off balance with a left hook on the chin. Belfort swarms with wild punches, but Henderson appears to have recovered as he throws up his legs for an armbar. Belfort stands and keeps punching at his kneeling opponent. When Henderson goes to stand, Belfort is waiting with a left kick that lands clean, shin-to-face, and puts Henderson down again. This time, ref Miragliotta has seen enough, and the arena explodes as Belfort jumps up to straddle the cage.
THE OFFICIAL RESULT
Vitor Belfort def. Dan Henderson via KO (Head Kick)
VS.
DUSTIN ORTIZ
ROUND 1
Photo: Gleidson Venga/Sherdog.com
Ortiz impressed in his UFC debut.
Ortiz moves forward on Maria, then quickly has to back up as the Brazilian swings and misses with a spinning back fist, then a kick. Ortiz comes forward again, and now Maria drives ahead to hit a powerful takedown in the center of the cage. Scooting toward the fence, Ortiz is able to work back to his feet, but Maria keeps him pinned to the fence. Maria changes levels for a single-leg, gets it, and stays glued to Ortiz as the American posts and stands up again. Ortiz gets some distance about two minutes into the bout and swipes a long left hand across Maria’s face on the end of a three-piece combo.
Now it’s Ortiz pushing Maria against the fence and landing a knee to the cup. Maria hits the floor and needs a few minutes to recover, but the flyweights do get back to action. Ortiz looks for a takedown as they tie up, pulling Maria to the ground with a rear waistlock. Maria tries to roll through, giving up his back, but Ortiz can’t sink his hooks and Maria gets back to his feet in the scramble. Ortiz shoots a double-leg and puts Maria on the ground again; this time, Maria is waiting to pull guard with an arm-in guillotine attempt. Maria can’t get the angle, and Ortiz rides out the last few seconds of the round with his head trapped.
SHERDOG SCORES
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Maria
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Maria
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Maria
ROUND 2
Ortiz goes high with a few kicks, blocked off by Maria, who answers with a hard leg kick inside. Maria comes over the top with an overhand right, then another. Ortiz gives him one in return, drawing a smile, but then lands another groin shot, this time an inside leg kick which sends Maria to the floor. Maria recovers after two minutes, while ref MacDonald warns Ortiz that another infraction will cost him a point. Maria lands a couple leg kicks and a spinning kick to the body, then sprawls all over a double-leg shot. Ortiz catches a kick and tries to send the Brazilian to the ground, but Maria reverses position and goes for a single-leg of his own. Ortiz hits the switch and the flyweights separate, then Ortiz comes back to stick a straight right and toss Maria to the canvas. It’s side control for Ortiz as he drops short, hard elbows on Maria’s face. Maria powers back to his feet and sprawls on a shot, catching Ortiz in another guillotine, but again time runs out. Maria goes back to his corner bleeding from a cut above his right eye.
SHERDOG SCORES
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Ortiz
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Maria
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Maria
ROUND 3
Ortiz moves to clinch against the fence and takes about 40 seconds to drag Maria to the ground. Another 40 seconds and Ortiz has passed Maria’s guard, working to deep half-guard and dropping hard punches and elbows on Maria’s face. Ortiz gets to mount for a moment, then gets bucked back to side control on Maria’s left side. Maria gets to his knees and Ortiz turns up the volume, smashing away with hammer fists. Referee MacDonald tells Maria to fight back, but Maria just raises his hand in protest of what appear to be a couple punches to the back of the head. Nonetheless, MacDonald steps in and waves an end to the fight.
THE OFFICIAL RESULT
Dustin Ortiz def. Jose Maria Tome via TKO (Punches) R3 3:19
DARON CRUICKSHANK
VS.
ADRIANO MARTINS
ROUND 1
Martins chases the backpedaling Cruickshank around the cage, sticking a straight left after about a minute and following up with a leg kick. Another straight left drops Cruickshank to the canvas, and Martins looks to pound him out from side control. Cruickshank recovers and slips out, then gets back to his feet and circles away. The left hand keeps working for Martins as he follows Cruickshank, who looks to retaliate with kicks to the leg and body of the Brazilian but cannot find anything clean. Cruickshank hits the deck after another left lands, and Martins comes down to half-guard on the American’s right side. Martins grabs a kimura, sits up and switches to an armbar, but Cruickshank defends. Martins steps into mount briefly, Cruickshank gets a knee in and pushes him back to half-guard. Now, Martins leans right to left and fishes for another kimura, but time runs out.
SHERDOG SCORES
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Martins
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Martins
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Martins
ROUND 2
Photo: G. Venga/Sherdog.com
Martins tapped out Cruickshank.
Martins catches a high kick on his shoulder and shoves Cruickshank to the ground at the base of the fence. Cruickshank puts the Brazilian in his guard, so Martins postures up and puts pressure on the head to pass. Another kimura attempt from Martins is thwarted, this time by the fence and a lack of space to work. Martins leans even further across Cruickshank’s body and gets the arm very deep before cranking a straight armbar, and this time he forces the tap.
THE OFFICIAL RESULT
Adriano Martins def. Daron Cruickshank via Submission (Straight Armbar) R2 2:49
JUSTIN SALAS
VS.
THIAGO TAVARES
ROUND 1
Photo: G. Venga/Sherdog.com
Tavares returned with a bang.
Tavares shoots in early, gets stuffed and instead pulls guard. Salas kicks at his legs for a moment before ref Dan Miragliotta orders the Brazilian back to his feet. Salas catches a kick and tries to hustle Tavares to the ground, can’t get him down. Tavares ducks under a hook and double-legs Salas to the ground near the fence, then lifts him into the air and deposits him in the center of the cage. Salas scores with a couple elbows as he tries to work back to his feet, but Tavares keeps heavy on top and spins around to take the American’s back. Tavares slaps on a rear-naked choke and rolls Salas over, forcing a quick tap.
THE OFFICIAL RESULT
Thiago Tavares def. Justin Salas via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 2:38
OMARI AKHMEDOV
VS.
THIAGO DE OLIVEIRA PERPETUO
ROUND 1
Photo: G. Venga/Sherdog.com
Akhmedov lamped Perpetuo in quick fashion.
Perpetuo snipes over the top with a grazing right hand, answered by a chopping leg kick from the Russian. Akhmedov shoots in and falls to a knee as the middleweights clash heads, and Perpetuo tries to bash him out with hammer fists. Akhmedov regains his senses and drives forward on a single-leg to slam Perpetuo to the ground, but the Brazilian is quickly back on his feet. Akhmedov presses him against the fence and throws knees up the middle, one of which draws a complaint from Perpetuo. Ref Kevin MacDonald tells them to fight on, so Perpetuo drubs Akhmedov with a hard right hand.
Akhmedov stumbles a few steps away, then charges back to shove Perpetuo against the cage and then jump on his back. Akhmedov tries to finish with a rear-naked choke, but despite having it under the chin, Perpetuo pulls his head free. Still in back-mount, Akhmedov lands a couple punches on his kneeling opponent before trying for the RNC again. Perpetuo twists around in guard, scrambles up and lands a takedown of his own. Akhmedov drives forward, gets clipped with another right and backpedals. Perpetuo rushes in and gets clipped by a right hook; he falls to his knees, and as he moves to stand again, Akhmedov blasts him with another huge right hand. This one turns out the lights on Perpetuo, sending ref MacDonald into action.
THE OFFICIAL RESULT
Omari Akhmedov def. Thiago de Oliveira Perpetuo via KO (Punches) R1 3:31
GODOFREDO CASTRO
VS.
SAM SICILIA
ROUND 1
Photo: G. Venga/Sherdog.com
Sicilia teed off on Castro from the guard.
Sicilia blocks a high kick and walks forward on “Pepey,” who shoots a single-leg against the fence. Sicilia reverses for a takedown of his own and sets up in the jiu-jitsu ace’s guard to land some rough forearm shots. Sicilia stands and Pepey sticks him with an upkick. Sicilia comes crashing down with a pair of thunderous right hands that hurt the Brazilian. Another half dozen rights send ref Dan Miragliotta crashing in for the stoppage.
THE OFFICIAL RESULT
Sam Sicilia def. Godofredo Castro via TKO (Punches) R1 1:42
JEREMY STEPHENS
VS.
RONY ‘JASON’ MARIANO BEZERRA
ROUND 1
Bezerra leaps at Stephens with a knee, sending the American backwards. It’s short lives, as Stephens goes back to stalking “Rony Jason” clockwise around the perimeter. Bezerra steps in to throw an overhand right and ducks straight into a right mid kick from Stephens. The Brazilian is out cold when he hits the ground, but Stephens lands a big right hand before referee Kevin MacDonald can step in to wave it off.
THE OFFICIAL RESULT
Jeremy Stephens def. Rony Mariano Bezerra via KO (Head Kick) R1 0:40
RYAN LAFLARE
VS.
SANTIAGO PONZINIBBIO
ROUND 1
LaFlare catches a kick and tries to bring Ponzinibbio to the ground but can’t hold him down. LaFlare sticks a long jab in Ponzinibbio’s face and shoots in for a takedown, this time putting the Argentine fighter down in the center of the cage. Ponzinibbio scoots backward toward the fence, absorbing a few punches before kicking LaFlare away. LaFlare comes right back to Ponzinibbio’s half-guard, then steps in to mount at the base of the fence. He lays a forearm across Ponzinibbio’s face and sits up in mount to land a hard elbow shot. Ponzinibbio tries to roll over, but his left arm is pinned behind his back. LaFlare rolls underneath for an armbar, surrendering top position as Ponzinibbio pulls his arm free. Ponzinibbio jumps on LaFlare’s back, but LaFlare just turns around to wind up back on top, in guard. Ponzinibbio kicks him away and staggers up, eating a right hand to the face as he does. LaFlare catches a kick and drives Ponzinibbio to the ground again with about one minute to go. Ponzinibbio kicks him away and stands, misses with an overhand right and takes a quick right hand on the body.
SHERDOG SCORES
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 LaFlare
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 LaFlare
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 LaFlare
ROUND 2
Photo: G. Venga/Sherdog.com
LaFlare dominated Ponzinibbio for three rounds.
The welterweights exchange leg kicks early in round two, with LaFlare mixing in some long jabs. Both men try to go high, though both block the other’s head kicks. Ponzinibbio sprawls on a shot, but LaFlare turns the corner to take the back. Ponzinibbio doesn’t allow it, though LaFlare shoves him against the cage and scores with a couple knees on the way up. Ponzinibbio sprawls on the next double-leg shot, takes a left kick to the body and then one on the leg. LaFlare has a left high kick blocked and takes one back off the forearms. After a few sloppy exchanges, Ponzinibbio scores with a lead uppercut and then tries to chase LaFlare around the outside with more punches.
Left hooks are landing for Ponzinibbio, but LaFlare slows his roll with a left straight that snaps back Ponzinibbio’s head. LaFlare comes off the fence and hits a double-leg in the middle of cage to wind up in half-guard and finish the round on top.
SHERDOG SCORES
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 LaFlare
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 LaFlare
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Ponzinibbio
ROUND 3
LaFlare takes a finger in the eye as the round begins but doesn’t want time to recover. Instead, he gets right back to stalking and kicking at Ponzinibbio, who is sporting damage beneath his left eye and breathing heavily with hands at his sides. LaFlare catches a slow-motion kick and shoves Ponzinibbio to the ground. Short, hard elbows land for LaFlare on the ground before Ponzinibbio works over to the fence and stands. Ponzinibbio throws a right hand and ducks into a knee from LaFlare, who pounces on his wounded opponent and tries to polish him off with ground-and-pound. Left hands and elbows fall on the face of Ponzinibbio, but he does well to recover under fire. Ponzinibbio gets back to his feet and circles off the cage, still holding his hands low. LaFlare eats an uppercut and drops to the ground, then catches Ponzinibbio’s arm in an omoplata and rolls him over when the Argentinean fighter comes to the canvas. LaFlare spends the final few moments on top, pinning Ponzinibbio in the middle of the cage.
SHERDOG SCORES
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 LaFlare (30-27 LaFlare)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 LaFlare (30-27 LaFlare)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 LaFlare (29-28 LaFlare)
THE OFFICIAL RESULT
Ryan LaFlare def. Santiago Ponzinibbio via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00
PAULO THIAGO
VS.
BRANDON THATCH
ROUND 1
Photo: G. Venga/Sherdog.com
Thatch buckled Thiago with a hard knee.
Thatch swings kicks in Thiago’s direction early, both at the legs and head, but Thiago is doing well to play matador as he moves backward. Thatch leaps into range with a knee and gets wrapped up, then taken down near the fence. Thatch posts and stands up immediately, still kept in the clinch by Thiago with a body lock. Thatch powers out of it and hits Thiago with a couple good knees as they fight on the fence. Thiago tries a trip and gets shoved off. Thatch walks him over to the other side of the cage and steps in with a knee to the liver that sends Thiago slumping to the ground.
Thatch steps in to follow up with punches, but Thiago is already tapping the canvas in submission.
THE OFFICIAL RESULT
Brandon Thatch def. Paulo Thiago via KO (Knee to the Body) R1 2:10
RAFAEL ‘FEIJAO’ CAVALCANTE
VS.
IGOR POKRAJAC
ROUND 1
Photo: G. Venga/Sherdog.com
Feijao destroyed Pokrajac with knees, punches.
Pokrajac rushes “Feijao” against the fence and lands a hard right hand over the top, forcing the Brazilian to circle out. Pokrajac follows him and pins the former Strikeforce champ against the fence with an underhook. The 205ers trade knees in the clinch, Cavalcante adding a right hand to the body before pulling the Thai plum for more knees. A couple more knees to the gut have Pokrajac covering up; a few more and he’s wilting to the ground. Cavalcante polishes him off with a couple hard right hands, and ref Kevin MacDonald comes in to halt the bout.
THE OFFICIAL RESULT
Rafael Cavalcante def. Igor Pokrajac via TKO (Knees and Punches) R1 1:18
CEZAR FERREIRA
VS.
DANIEL SARAFIAN
ROUND 1
Ferreira keeps his back to the fence as he circles the outside, and then Sarafian moves in to tie up and really stick his back against the cage. The middleweights quickly stall out in the clinch, and after about a minute of Sarafian trying for a single-leg, ref Mario Yamasaki breaks them up. Sarafian steps in with a hard right hand on the end of a one-two, then stuffs a shot from Ferreira and grabs a headlock as “Mutante” pushes him against the cage. Sarafian drops to guard but doesn’t have the angle to finish the guillotine, and Ferreira pulls his head free. They stand and separate, and Ferreira thwacks a high kick off Sarafian’s arms, then lands one to the body. Ferreira clinches on the cage again but it goes nowhere and they break off. One minute to go, and Sarafian runs into a hard right hand that opens a cut on the left side of his forehead. Sarafian steps in with a straight right, gets clipped with a left and goes to a knee for a moment.
SHERDOG SCORES
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sarafian
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Sarafian
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Sarafian
ROUND 2
Photo: G. Venga/Sherdog.com
Ferreira outpointed Sarafian.
It’s Ferreira shooting for and hitting a double-leg to open up the second round. He tries to advance past half-guard, but Sarafian gets a leg in and puts him back in full guard. Sarafian holds on to a loose headlock from underneath, stalling Ferreira’s progress and drawing a call for action from ref Mario Yamasaki. Ferreira loses top position as Sarafian rolls over and back to his feet. A nasty right straight from Sarafian sends “Mutante” stumbling; Sarafian follows up with more punches but can’t put Ferreira out before being taken down.
Ferreira keeps a tight top position, and he’s still working for an arm-triangle when ref Yamasaki stands them up. Sarafian shoots a single-leg against the cage, and he’s still shooting when the round runs out.
SHERDOG SCORES
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Ferreira
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Ferreira
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Ferreira
ROUND 3
Ferreira sticks his opponent with a pair of punches, but he gets caught throwing a spinning back fist and pinned on the fence. Sarafian releases and hits Ferreira with a hard right. Ferreira gets another takedown and shoulder-shrugs Sarafian’s face from half-guard. Sarafian tries to sit up and Ferreira goes for an arm-triangle. Sarafian counters with a guillotine try, but Ferreira slips out and punishes the man on the bottom with right hands to the ribs. Referee Yamasaki orders the middleweights back to their feet with just under two minutes on the clock. Ferreira just hits another takedown near the fence and this time climbs on the kneeling Sarafian’s back. Sarafian stands up with Ferreira sill locked on, and Ferreira hits him with short left hands from the back. The fight ends with Ferreira looking for a last-second rear-naked choke.
SHERDOG SCORES
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Ferreira (29-28 Ferreira)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Ferreira (29-28 Ferreira)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Ferreira (29-28 Ferreira)
THE OFFICIAL RESULT
Cezar Ferreia def. Daniel Sarafian via Split Decision (28-29, 30-27, 30-28) R3 5:00
VITOR BELFORT
VS.
DAN HENDERSON
ROUND 1
Referee Dan Miragliotta has the assignment for tonight’s main event, with judges Guilhermo Bravo, Douglas Crosby and Cardo Urso scoring at cageside. The veterans get off to a slow start, Belfort circling the outside clockwise and Henderson creeping in the middle, both with hands loaded. “Hendo” lunges in with a right hand and gets caught off balance with a left hook on the chin. Belfort swarms with wild punches, but Henderson appears to have recovered as he throws up his legs for an armbar. Belfort stands and keeps punching at his kneeling opponent. When Henderson goes to stand, Belfort is waiting with a left kick that lands clean, shin-to-face, and puts Henderson down again. This time, ref Miragliotta has seen enough, and the arena explodes as Belfort jumps up to straddle the cage.
THE OFFICIAL RESULT
Vitor Belfort def. Dan Henderson via KO (Head Kick)