Our ongoing UFC 73 coverage has begun! Check back throughout the evening for new updates.
1. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Heath Herring. This fight is already controversial. Herring knocked him on his ass with a kick at the very end of the first and I guarantee people will be saying it should have been stopped. Nog looked wobbly even going into the second round. He managed to recover and won the second. Went the distance and it looks like Nog will get the decision. Nog wins 29-28.
2. Sean Sherk vs. Hermes Franca for the Lightweight Title. Sherk took the first round, decisively except for a moment early where he almost got hooked in a guillotine. Sherk was just a beast but Franca held his own. Sherk had a near-Nogueira early in the second, but survived. Sherk dominated the rest of this round except for the last 30 seconds or so when he was stuck in a largely ineffective guillotine. So it was a close round and I guess it could have gone either way. We are now into the fourth round. If you saw the first round, basically, it's been that round four straight times now. Hermes waylays Sherk with a knee or something, then Sherk takes him down for a pummeling that does not involve any sort of finish. Sherk won, and indeed, one judge gave the second to Franca. Didn't end up meaning a damn thing. The other two judges had it at 50-45. Everyone booed Sherk like crazy afterwards.
Results from earlier courtesy JD Fox:
Frankie. Edgar Vs. Mark Bocek:
Standup battle to start with Edgar finally getting upper hand earning side control midway through the round. Back to their feet and Edgar again controls with dominate sprawl off of Bocek shoot attempt. Edgar gets his back and ground and pounds for the win at 4:55 of the first round. Edgar remains undefeated while giving Bocek his first loss.
Chris Lytle vs. Jason Gilliam:
Both fighters come out swinging for the fences but it slows down into a position battle early with Lytle in control after Gilliam slips on a high kick attempt. Lytle gets a rare triangle from the top position with an armbar in for good measure and the ref stops it at 215 in the first round. One of the best submissions I've ever seen.
Jorge Gurgel vs. Diego Saraiva:
Cautious start for both before Saraiva connects with a big flying knee. Gurgel gets some overhand rights from the clinch but fans turn on the fight quickly. Gurgel takes too position but Saraiva holds tight to him forcing Gurgel to stand and try downward blows while posturing up. End of round one sees the fighters exchange on the feet with Saraiva getting a few shots in before the bell. Probably Gurgel's round
Round two again starts slow as both fighters are cautious the first minute. Gurgel gets a few shots in but Saraiva responds with a nice counter. Midway through the round again sees brief flurries of action with both fighters counter punching for the most part. 145 in and the action heats up with both fighters swinging for the fences before Gurgel takes it to the ground. Back on the feet with 45 seconds left and Gorgel is showing signs of punishment from the exchange a minute earlier. Fans enjoy the round and I think you have to give it to Saraiva. Replays show four clean heavy shots that connected on Gurgel from Diego late in the round
Round three starts at a crawl and the fans turn on the fight again. Both guys are cautious and fatigued. Jorgel's face is starting to swell. Jorgel with a takedown and he sits in Saraiva's guard for three minutes. Stood up with less than thirty seconds to go and the fight ends without heavy shots landing. Gut says round three goes to Jorgel based on cage positioning
Wow. All three judges score the bout 30-27 for Gurgel. The fans hate this decision and I just don't see it as 30-27 fight, let alone unanimous.
Stephan Bonnar vs. Mike Nickels:
Nickel's catches a Bonnar kick and takes him down in the first 15 seconds. Both fighters exchange positions on the ground. Bonnar gets his back and can't get him in the rear naked choke. Nickels fights out but is soon in the rear naked choke again and this time Bonnar is able to sync in the choke for the tapout early in the first round.
Crowd still filing in for the ppv as the undercard is done. I'll have in house notes after the show.
3. Tito Ortiz vs. Rashad Evans is up now. A hell of a first round, probably a 10-9 for Tito. Very close round. Tito nearly had a guillotine at the end, but he also lost a point for grabbing the fence, so it looks like a 9-9 round. Tito looks like he's getting tired, which never happens in round two, at least in the 21st century. Tito controlled most of the third until Rashad got a final takedown and pummeled on him from side control. May be 10-9 in favor of Rashad, which would be a 28-28 fight. Yup, it's a draw. Tito saw dollars signs and said he'd love a rematch.
4. Anderson Silva vs. Nate Marquardt for the Middleweight Title. Silva retains in the first. Nate did all right for himself and was not afraid to trade. Finish saw Silva pop him right in the face, then reverse position after a takedown and lay in the ground and pound until it was stopped.
5. Kenny Florian vs. Alvin Robinson. Florian won in the first when he tapped Alvin out to a ground and pound. Really.
Well, there you go. Vinny, Tony and I will be back before midnight tonight PST with a special audio show for members running down this event plus the Ring of Honor: Respect is Earned PPV. Thanks for joining us and we'll talk to you soon! {plug}
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