By Dave Meltzer
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Welcome to our live coverage of the Ultimate Fighter finals on Spike TV, from The Pearl at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas. We're looking for your thoughts on tonight's show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Jason Dent vs. Cameron Dollar
They're pushing this as a grudge match from the TV show. Dollar got a few punches in. Hard right by Dollar and another one. Dollar got a few more in, took Dent down, but Dent was right back up. Dollar seems content to stand with Dent. Good body punch by Dollar. Dent is backing up. Dollar moving in with more punches. Dent started throwing but Dollar back with more punches. Dollar landing the jab. Dent starting to use low kicks. Dollar working the body, then the head, swinging away. Dent tried to come back with a knee. Dent now back with a low kixk and knee and a spin kick. Dent with a body punch, then blocked Dollar's takedown and going for an Anaconda choke and has it deep with 30 seconds left. Dollar tapped out in a fight he was well ahead in.
Frank Lester vs. Nick Osipczak
Lester is a big crowd favorite. USA chant here for Lester. Lester threw a kick and Nick took him down right off it. Lester caught a kick but couldn't take Nick down. They started trading punches with both getting shots in. Lester went for a takedown but Nick ended up spinning behind Lester and getting the choke for the tap. This was a cool looking submission.
Mike Ciesnolevicz vs. Tomasz Drwal
Drwal leg tripped him down and is on top. Drwal took him down again. Mike C got up and was leg tripped down again. Drwal isn't dong much on top. Mike C got up and Drwal threw several punches at him. Mike C tried to shoot but he got the worst of that one and Drwal is on top again. Clearly Drwal is the better wrestler. Drwal got his back, Mike C got up and in the transition Drwal threw several punches again. Drwal was hammering him by the cage at the end of the round. He dropped Mike C with a knee up the middle and was pounding him on the ground with 13 punches until Herb Dean stopped it with 12 seconds left in the round.
Edgar Garcia vs. Bad Brad Blackburn
Garcia has a fan club. Brad rocked him with the first punch but Garcia recovered fast. Blackburn moved in with punches and Garcia tried for a takedown. Garcia with a Hokuto bomb (Snow plow for those of you who were 90s ECW fans) but Blackburn no sold it and got right back up. Garcia connected with a two punch combo. Garcia is huge for a welterweight and his punches have power. Garcia connecting with lead punch. Good body kick by Blackburn. Garcia nailed him with a jab as Blackburn came in. Garvia hurt him bad with a punch and then threw a knee to the groin at the horn. 10-9 Garcia.
Garcia thrownig hard but most punches are missing. All standing but no real good shots early. Nobody established any dominance in the second round. I guess Garcia 20-18.
More standing with no solid blows landing. Crod is quiet but nobody booing. Balckburn hit Garcia with a left high kick but Garcia wasn't fazed. Garvia seemed to hurt Balckburn with a series pof punches. Crowd picked up for that. Garcia firing hard punches and Blackburn moving backwards. Edgar chants. I wish Frankie Edgar was here because then it would be a better fight. You will not be seeing this one on the live show. Garcia coming on strong although Blackburn did land a high kick. With 15 seconds left, Blackburn, who was cut above the right eye in a late exchange, got a taekdown, but Garcia got right up. Garcia dropped Blackburn with a right with about five secodns left. The last 15 seconds were really good. Garcia should win 30-27.
Oh boy. Scores were 29-28, 28-29 and 29-28 for Blackburn. People are booing heavy. This was the worst UFC decision in a while because it wasn't one of the usual close calls where you can at least argue. Blackburn easily could have won the second round, but no way the third and I saw Garcia pretty clearly winning the first. Will have the scorecards posted in a few.
Blackburn popped his right shoulder and couldn't throw with power with the right the rest of the fight.
Melvin Guillard vs. Gleison Tibau
Guillard just got out of prison for a parole violation. Tibau out to Iron Man, the 1980s Road Warriors theme song. He did the Hogan shirt tearing as well.
Tibau took Guillard down. Trading punches. Good body kick by Guillard and Tibau took him down. Big slam by Tibau, he had him up and running but didn't put Guillard down hard. Guillard escaped from the bottom. Nobody really established dominance here, 10-9 Tibau but could go either way.
Tibau came out trying to take him down. Guillard doing a great job of blocking the takedown. Nice knee by Guillard while Tibau continues to try a single leg. Awesome judo throw by Guillard. Tibau is back up. Whole place chanting Melvin after that one. Guillard tried a second judo throw but Tibau saw it coming and escaped and got Guillard down, but Guillard back up. Not much happening with the stand-up but Guillard has connected more of the two. Body kick by Guillard. Tibau connected with a punch. Tibau got a takedown with 26 seconds left. He didn't do anything with it before time ran out. Guillard's round so I've got it 19-19.
Guillard out with a Superman punch. Tibau back with a punch. Tibau with a punch and then followed with a takedown. Hemoved to full mount at 4:14 left. Guillard got guard back within seconds. Tibau got mount back. Still Tibau is doing no damage, just keeping the position. How he's starting to throw weak punches. Guillard got half guard back. Tibau on top but doing little but weak punches and forearm choke to the throat. Guillard escaped and the place came unglued. Guillard went for a takedown but didn't get it. Tibau took him down again. Tibau is going to win the round just based on neutralizing Guillard on the ground. This is one of the most patient crowds you'd see as this match would be heavily booed anywhere outside of Japan and nobody is booing. Tibau threw some good punches in the waning seconds from the top. Tibau 29-28
Here's how I see it. Round two has to be Guillard and three has to be Tibau. Round one could go either way.
Split decision for Guillard. Some cheers. Guillard was the crowd favorite, but people reacted like they were kind of shocked by it. They didn't read scores because of time constraints.
Based on crowd reaction, they want Damarques Johnson and Ross Pearson to win the TUF matches. Dioeg Sanchez was booed and Clay Guida got by far the largest cheers. Joe Stevenson was cheered more than Nate Diaz, who got no reaction believe it or not. Johnson was the second most cheered guy.
This place holds a little over 2,000, somewhat like the Hammerstein Ballroom and it's not quite full. Scattered empties here and there but am guessing it'll be full very shortly.
In Garcia vs. Blackburn, Judge Adalaide Byrd had Garcia winning one and three, which I can see. Judge Patricia Morst Jarman gave the first two rounds to Blackburn, as did Tony Weeks.
In Tibau vs. Guillard, Glenn Trowbridge gave Guillard the first two rounds. Dave Hagen had the same score. Doc Hamilton had rounds one and three for Tibau. Hamilton and I usually have the same cards as coincidence would have it.
Joe Stevenson vs. Nate Diaz
Diaz is the skinniest guy I'v ever seen who walks around doing double biceps poses.
Diaz got a mixture of cheers and boos, more cheers. Stevenson the favorite. Mazzagatti is the referee. Stevenson took Diaz down right away. Diaz going for some kind of a choke but Stevenson is out. Stevenson controlling him using wrestling. He's trying gto crucifix the arms and throwing punches. Stevenson grabbed a small package and is pounding on Diaz's face. Diaz reversed but Stevenson got the guillotine in tight. Diaz is in real trouble. Diaz got out. That was impressive as shit because that's Stevenson's best move. Another takedown by Stevenson. Diaz this time going for a guillotiine but he didhn't have it tight and Stevenson got out. Diaz up but getting nailed with knees while Stevenson has him front facelocked. Very good round. Crowd liked it a lot. Stevenson 10-9.
Stevenson shot in and took him down again. Diaz grabbed a guillotine and used it to reverse. Stevenson rolled out and held Diaz and threw knees to the body and now knees to the thigh. Hard knees to the thigh. Stevenson with a knee to the head. Stevenson with another single leg and now he's got side control. Diaz is getting outwrestled. Stevenson with side control and threw a knee to the ribs. Diaz up. Stevenson took Diaz down again. Diaz tried an armbar from the bottom but didn't have anything. People gave them a big cheer and it was all for the grappling. 20-18.
Sevenson wanted to slap hands and Diaz shook his head and said No way. Another takedown by Stevenson. Diaz finally got a hip toss. Diaz tried a guillotine. Now he's got Stevenson's back and went for a choke and Stevenson escaped and going for a standing switch. Stevenson with knees to the body. 51 seconds left and Diaz is up. Stevenson tried a takedown but Diaz escaped. Stevenson going for another takedown and Diaz escaped and hit several punches. Time ran out. they did hug after the match. Diaz may have taken the third. I've got it 29-28 for Stevenson.
All three judges have it 29-28 for Stevenson. Huge pop for the decision. Rare for decisions. Nate Diaz looks pissed. Stevenson said that having Greg Jackson in the corner is like having Chuck Norris in the corner.
Ross Pearon vs. Andre Winner for the TUF lightweight tournament final.
Pearson with a series for punches and a low kick. USA chant as comedy. They're struggling in a clinch. Traded knees from a clinch. Somebody needs to do something. Winner threw a knee low and they are having a time out. Now thery are trading while holding a clinch. Peason dropped for a takedown but didn't get it. Winner with a few punches right at the buzzer. Very close round. Should be a draw but if you have to pick, Winner 10-9
Bisping was booed when he was shown on camera. Pearson forward with punches and a few knees from the clinch. Pearson trying a takedown but hasn't gottten it. Winner threw some punches, now trading knees from the clinch. Knee and punch and another knee by Pearson. More punches by Pearson from the clinch. 90 seconds left and it's anybody's round. Another knee by Pearson. Winner with a left but Pearson with a left high kick. Pearson with a right and a knee. Winner threw a few at the buzzer again. I've got it 19-19 but both rounds are close. Dull fight but nobody booing. Nobody cheering much either.
They're locked up in a clinch again. Trading punches. Winner landed better punches. Back in a clinch. Now Winner going for a takedown but didn't get it. Pearson punching from the clinch. Another knee by Pearson. Good low kick by Pearson. 2:00 left. Pearson got a momentary takedown but Winner up. Pearson threw a knee. They're trading in the clinch. Pearson hurt Winner with a punch. Brief slugfest. Trading more and Pearson getting the better of it. Pearson 29-28 People cheered the fight when it was over, or at least cheered Pearson.
Pearson won via scores of 29-28 across the board. It was his mom's 50th birthday today. He said it was a tough fight, knew because he had trained so much with Andre that it would be tough.
Kevin Burns vs. Chris Lytle
Lytle vowed to win the fight of the night bonus and get knockout of the night. They are standing and swinging wildly. Burns throwing kicks and Lytle back with punches. Standing and trading. Lytle with a takedown but let him right back up. Still trading. Burns got the best shot of the fight. Crowd is totally quiet while these guys throw big shots at each other. A guy yelled out boring and now some USA sceams. Good knee by Burns up the middle. Burns kicked Lytle in the groin. Time out called. Burns put Lytle down with punches. Lytle is back up. Burns has him hurt again in the closing seconds. Hard knee by Burns. I'd give it 10-8 Burns but I'm guessing the judges will go 10-9. Lytle is in trouble.
Lytle came out and rocked Burns. Burns back. Both guys are tired. Lytle scored with a few more punches and now trying to get his wind back. Burns got a takedown . Lytle back up. Burns is sucking air big. Lytle with a body shot and an overhand right. More body shots by Lytle. Lytle continues to win the round standing with punches to the body and head. He stunned Burns again with a punch. Burns back with a knee. Burns with another low kick. I think he needed the rest. Burns is going for the record for illegal moves in a career. Lytle continues to win the round with punches. Burns is backing away. Lytle is getting tired because he's swinging and missing but just nailed another body shot. Another low kick by Burns. Herb Dean warned him. Lytle won the round. I have it 19-18 for Burns but I'm guessing judges will have it even.
Rashad Evans shown on the screen and booed.
Lytle nailed him with a shot that cut him massively near the left eye. Burns back with kicks. Both swinging wildly. Blood has picked up the crowd heat. The cut looks bad. Burns continues to back away. Lytle continues to target the cut, now to the ribs on the left side. Lytle continues to connect. Lytle rocked him with a punch and followed with a body shot. Lytle rocked him again with a punch. Burns got a good punch back. Crowd not into this nearly as much as the Diaz fight but most crowd would be going nuts for this fight. Trading and both landing. Lytle continues to rock Burns. The blood is sick. There have been mentions of this being like The Sheik vs. Abdullah the Butcher at Cobo Hall, although there is no silverware being used, although there are throwing fire references. Hard high kick by Burns. Lytle tearing him up. Crowd now going crazy for the last seconds as they trade. Everyone gave them a standing ovation when it was over. Lytle won rounds two and three for sure. I've got it 28-28 but am guessing Lytle took the decision. Lytle should get it, another example of points not having who you think won.
All three have it 29-28 for Lytle. Everyone cheered the decision. Joe Rogan said he'd call the cops if they don't win fight of the night. Stevenson and Diaz should be pretty upset by that.
Brock Lesnar did an interivew that wasn't played in the building. He will be awarded the title of "The World's Most Dangerous Man" tomorrow night on Spike in a TV viewer voting, beating Manny Pacquiao. I hope he does better than the last guy who got that nickname. His wife gave birth to a son and he noted he's now changing The World's Most Nastiest Diapers.
DaMarques Johnson vs. James Wilks for the TUF middleweight finals
The Team U.K. star was billed as fighting out of Laguna Hills, California. USA chatns. They're both connecting with solid punches. Wilks with knees from a clinch. Wilkes caught him with punches, then knees from the clinch. Johnson back. Johnson tried a takedown but Wilkes on top. Johnson trying a sweep but doesn't get it. Wilkes went for a heel hook. Johnson out and now on top punching. Crowd super into Johnson. The deal with Lylte vs. Burns is crowd didn't care who won and here they did. Wilkes has a triangle from the botttom. He's also throwing elbows. Johnson popped out. Wilkes now going for a choke. Johnson bleeding from the nose. Johnson out of the hold. Wilkes got the choke again and Johnson tapped with six seconds left in the round. Good match, surprised at how dominant Wilks was, but not surprised he won.
Team Bisping swept.
Clay Guida vs. Diego Sanchez
Weirdest thing is there is an ad for the EA MMA video game on the mat.
This crowd is booing the very thought of Diego. They love Guida who came out singing his own song. Sanchez came out with the greatest heel face, like he's Oscar De La Hoya's evil twin brother. The crowd is more into this as a main event than Hughes vs. Silva or Machida vs. Evans the last time I was here. Completely different atmosphere from everything so far tonight.
There were people cheering Sanchez, but not close to the level of Guida. Frye-Takayama and that's not good for Guida. Sanchez is just killing Guida like we've never seen before. Flying knee by Sanchez. Sanchez boxing is awesome. Guida already bleeding. Flying knee by Sanchez. Sanchez is just tearing this guy up. Guida got a takedown. Sanchez thinking trirangle Sancnez up and Guida is in trouble again. Beeautiful high kick by Sanchez put Guida down but Guida is back up. Flying knee by Sanchez. This is one of the best rounds of the year. Sanchez taking him apart again. Guida bulled Sanchez into the cage. Sanchez got his back. Sanched took Guida down with 41 seconds left. Guida up. He should have stayed down. Guida lasted the round. 10-8 Sanchez.
Fans are chanting Diego. Where were they five minutes ago.
High kick by Sanchez. Takedown by Guida. Sanchez with elbows from the bottom and Guida with punches and elbows from the top. Guida with punches from the top. Loud Guida chant. Sanchez with elbows from the bottom and Guida with punches from the top. Sanchez nailing Guida with elbows . Sanchez wants a triangle. Still Guida is about to win this round which is amazing considering how badly he was slughtered in the first round. Trading elbows and punches. This is wild shit. Sanchez tried an armbar but Guida blocked it. Crowd going berserk Guida won the round and he's covered in blood. 19-18 for Sanchez at this point.
Good punch by Sanchez. Trading but that's to Sanchez's advantage. Trading again. Sanchez dancing away. Sanchez has to avoid the takdown. Sanchez with a high kick that just mssed or would have been lethal. Guida running in swinging wildly. Sanchez tearing him apart and threw Guida off when he tried a takedown. Guida connected with a good punch and an uppercut follow-up. Trading some more Sanchez gets the better of the trades. Guida tagged himn twice good. Now Sanchez back with a left. Huge Guida chant . Sanchez connects with a few punches. High kick by Sanchez. Sanchez got Guida's back gong for a choke as Guida tried a takedodwn. Guida escaped. Guida can actually win this round with a good flurry from the top. Sanchez has him tied up. Sanchez going for a Kimura. Sanchez working the hold hard with 25 seconds left. There is like a lake of blood on Sanchez 's back. Guida going to town on Sanchez at the bell. Very close round, but I'd go for Sanchez. Maybe fight of the year. This was in some ways better than Faber-Brown. I have it 29-27 for Sanchez.
29-28 Guida, 29-27 Sanchez and came down to Doc Hamilton. Well, that doesn't look good for Guida. 29-28 Sanchez taking the split decision.
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