This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Welcome to live coverage of UFC 103 from the American Airlines Center in Dallas.  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 spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

This is going to be one long show, from 5:20 p.m. until midnight Central time.

Rafael dos Anjos vs. Rob Emerson

Both standing and circling.  Dos Anjos landing low kicks.  Emerson back with a body kick.  Another low kick by Dos Anjos.  Dos Anjos tried a takedown but Emerson circled away.  Dos Anjos with three punches, tried a clinch but Emerson powered him away.  Anoher takedown attempt by Dos Anjos with 45 seconds left.  Emerson fighting it and Dos Anjos working like hell ot get it and finally does with 18 seconds left.  No damage done.  10-9 dos Anjos.

Crowd is pretty easy giving both men a big hand.  Unlike most new cities, the building is pretty empty at this point.  I think people aren't into arriving at 5:20 for a long show.  Logan Stanton just got the biggest pop of the show.

Dos Anjos has swelling under the left eye.  He just landed a good left.  And a low kick.  An exchange, even but dos Anjos hit a good low kick.  Emerson now finding the range and looking more confident.  Anotehr low kick by dos Anjos and Emerson right back.  Dos Anjos shot an Emerson easily threw him off.  Emerson with a few punches.  Good exchange.  Dos Anjos went for another takedown but Emerson has his back against the fence, but Dos Anjos got him down, but Emerson up within a second or so.  Another takedown attempt blocked by Emerson.  Emerson staggered him.  Good low kick by Dos Anjos.  Another good low kick.  He's destroying Emerson's left leg, hit another.  Another good one.  The leg is starting to buckle.  Another sick low kick by Dos Anjos.  Emerson's shorts are hiding the damage to the left leg but he's getting killed.  Emerson's punches were better and I can see him getting the round because judges here usually don't award low kicks so much, but dos Anjos 20-18 because he's really doing a number on the left leg.

The fans here even cheered Tito Ortiz.  that's a first.

Dos Anjos got the takedown and throwing some punches.  Some more punches are getting in.  Both trading elbows on the ground.  Dos Anjos trying to throw but Emerson defending well.  Now dos Anjos moving to body punches.  Dos Anjos backed off, Emerson was about to get up and Dos Anjos tackled him down.  He's on top in half guard and moved to side position.  Emerson got half guard and then got up.  Emerson now trying a takedown with 1:47 left.  Trading punches.  Dos Anjos with another low kick and Emerson was staggered.  Great exchange in the last 30 seconds and crowd reacted big.  I've got 30-27 dos Anjos.

All three judges have it 30-27 for dos Anjos

Igor Pokrajac vs. Vladimir Matyushenko

Igor came out to Chris Candido's entrance music which Natasha at ringside (trying really hard to look like Farrah Fawcett) was singing.  Igor is on the show as a member of Team Cro Cop, so we've got Croatia vs. Belarus in Dallas.  Polite reaction to both.

Igor is small for a light heavy as far as frame although he's taller tha Vladdy.  Vladdy has him backed up against the cage.  Good right by Vladdy.  Igor had this "Oh shit" look on his face.  Right and left by Vladdy.  Crowd booing the lack of action.  This crowd is into catcalling.  Igor nailed Vladdy with a punch that crossed his legs and tried to take advantage when Vladdy took him down.  1:30 left.  Vladdy stood up.  It looked like he wanted to hook the sharpshooter but changed his mind.  Crowd booing.  Vladdy then tried to four the leg to set up a figure four.  Then he grabbed a leg for an ankle lock.  None of thse moves were working so he jumped down and got full mount, throwing punches.  Vladdy got his back to try a choke, but Igor reversed and got full mount as time ran out.  Hard round to score.  I guess slighty for Vladdy 10-9.

Vladdy connecting more including an overhand right.  Vladdy's face is marked up.  Cut under right eye and bridge of the nose.  Trading, with Vladdy getting an uppercut in.  Vladdy hit a right down the pike hard.  Igor stood up to it.  Igor always tries superman punches that miss.  Vladdy connected with a lot of punches in exchanges.  Great trades with Valddy now hurting him.  Vladdy with a belly to belly suplex for the biggest reaction thus far and now pounding him on the ground.  Vladdy with several punches on the ground punching his head.  Vladdy now going for a wrist lock , but gave it up.  Igor turned his back and Vladdy going for a choke with 1:24 left.  Not even close to getting it.  Gave up trying and back to punches.  Bulled him into the cage and going for a guillotine, backed offf, a few more punches, took him to the ground.  Vladdy's round easy.  20-18 Vladdy.

Vladdy tried another belly-to-belly, Igor wasn't going for it and just stood there and Vladdy fell to his back, but Vladdy got up and took him down.  Both up.  Vladdy bulled him into the cage.  Ref separated them since nothing happening.  Igor tried another superman punch and got punched in he face instead.  Igor tried a belly-to-belly and Vladdy easily blocked.  Both guys are tied up.  Igor with a leg trip and takedown.  He's doing nothing on top, though and crowd is booing.  Vladdy reversed it with 36 seconds left.  He's at last trying body/head punches but with no power.  Also close but I've got Vladdy taking the round and fight 30-27.

All three judges have it 30-27 for Vladdy.  Crowd gave both a polite reaction.  Some crowds would hot have been so polite, but both were working hard in clinches and standing.

Place still kind of empty.

Jason Brilz vs. Eliot Marshall

Crowd likes Marshall because they know him from TUF.  Looks bigger and in better condition than Brilz who has that farm boy look.  Marshall using his reach to keep a distance and throw.  Brilz got a single but Marshall avoided the takedown.  Brilz connected with a punch.  In a clinch by the cage.  Brilz again went for a takedown and Marshall blocked him.  It's anyone's round right now.  Traded punches.  Brilz went for a guillotine but Marshall easily escaped.  High kick by Marhsall.  Didn't have much power.  Body kick and Brilz back with a punch, then bulled Marshall into the cage.  Crowd booed the round.  Very close round.  10-9 Marshall but really should be 10-10.

Brilz is at least trying takedowns and not gettign them which is the only action so far this round. Crowd started booing so they started throwing.  Brilz cuffing him with punches but on the cage.  Brilz threw a knee low and got warned.  Brilz moving in with punches.  Marshall countered and Marshall hit a nice uppercut.  Brilz may be tiring.  Brilz bulled Marhsll into the cage again.  Marshall is moving better but doing no damage.  Brilz finally got a takedown but Marshall was back up with no damage.  Brilz hit two good punches late, the first of which hurt Marshall.  Another close round, but I'd go Brilz, making it 19-19.

Urijah just showed up.

Brilz bulled Marshall into the fence.  Brilz threw a wild punch as Marshall's legs were crossed and he stumbled.  Brilz with a single leg but couldn't get the takedown.  Crowd booing heavy at this point.  Most crowds would have lost patience ten minutes ago.  Marshall connected with a few punches.  Brilz missed with a wild punch.  Trading, Brilz has him backed hin the corner again with 1:00 left.  Brilz has him back against the fence.  Marshall is making Brilz's stand up game look foolish but not doing any effective offense.  Crowd booed this heavy.  Brilz at least tried to win harder so I'll give it to him 29-28 but I could see it easy going any way possible because all three rounds had little action.

30-27 Brilz, 30-27 Marshall, 30-27 Marshall.  Crowd booed this really bad.  I think they realized Brilz was at least pushing the pace.

Brian Foster vs. Rick Story

They really need to do something right about now.

No Canadians tonight in the crowd.  Rick Story is from Vancouver and got no reaction.  Fucking awesome first 30 seconds.  Foster dropped Story to a knee.  Foster with a great judo throw and a guillotine, Story popped out on top.  First minute was as good a minute you'll see.  Story has side mount.  Somebody is bleeding all over the place.  Story has his back.  Story tried a German suplex but blocked.  Story took Foster down and throwing elbows to the body.  Story bleeding all over Foster.  Story's nose bleeding bad and he's cut over the right eye.  Story throwing elbows to the body while on top.  Story up and Story took him back down.  Back up and trading.  Story rocked Foster with a punch.  Great stuff.  10-9 Story.

More wild trading.  Foster got better of it so Story took him down.  Story choked him out with an arm triangle.  Good shot for fight of the night bonus.  Expect it on PPV later tonight.

Crowd about three-quarters full at this point.

Rafaello Oliveira vs. Nik Lentz

Lentz is the crowd favorite, former University of Minnesota wrestler.  Lentz giving up a few inches in height.  Trading low kicks which is a game Lentz shouldn't play.  Takedown by Oliveria and Lentz grabbed a guillotine but it's not tight and Oliveira is out.  Lenz quickly back up.  Oliveira hit a good punch, charged for a takedown, Lentz with a guillotine. Oliveira slammed him hard and got out.  Oivera connecting with punches and slammed Lenz down hard.  Now Lentz back with punches and he's starting to hurt Olveira.  Trading punches.  Body kick by Lentz.  Lentz tagged him and going for a takedown and got his own hard slam with 10 seconds left.  Good round.  Oliveira's round 10-9 but Lentz came on strong late.

Letnz got a takedown.  Oliveira went for an ankle and now back up.  Oliveira with hard low kicks.  Clinch, knees and punches by Lentz.  Takedown by Oliveira.  A couple of reverses on the ground.  Lentz with a body kick as the round ended.  Oliveira 20-18.

Oliveira got another takedown.  Oliveria throwing punches but no real damage.  Lentz up.  Oliveira getting the better of the standup.  Lentz has a bloody nose.  He got Oliveira down and throwing body punches.  Lentz got a lot of punches in from the top.  Lentz won this round in the last minute so I've got is 29-28 Oliveira.

29-28 29-28 30-27 for Lentz.  First two rounds saw Oliveira win both the stand-up and ground game.  People didn't boo the decision, but it got a surprise reaction.

Steve Lopez vs. Jim Miller

Both swinging wildly.  Miller dropped him but Lopez right back up.  Low kicks now by Miller.  Miller tried a takedown, Lopez easily sprawled.  Miller dropped him again, now on top.  He's got a staing guillotine which looks like trouble.  Lopez out.  Miller firing a bunch of punches and now has his back.  Miller hit a wicked punch on the ground.  Surprised Lopez wasn't hurt worse.  Lopez is tough.  He's taken a lot of hard shots and really not hurt all that bad.  Miller thought about a leglock late and round ended.  Miller's round, I'd go 10-8, two knockdowns and hard ground and pound, expect judges to go 10-9.

Lopez threw a left and must have thrown out his left shoulder and just quit.  Crowd was unhappy about it at first, but seemed to understand he was injured.  Miller didn't want the win that way.  Lopez didn't look that unhappy leaving the cage.  Diagnosis was a separated shoulder.  Lopez separated his shoulder in TUF tryouts some time back, had surgery and this happened again.

Tomasz Drwal vs. Drew McFedries starts at 9 p.m. Eastern on Spike.

Drwal trying to get it to the ground.  McFredries throwing big punches, already cut under the left eye.  Drwal is making McFedries miss bad on his big punches.  USA chant.  Drwal got McFedries down.  McFedries back up.  McFedries already looking tired.  Trading big punches and McFredries got the better of it.  Now Drwal back.  Hard punch by Drwal.  Good hard punch back by McFedries and Drwal invited him to throw.  Bomb by Drwal who then shoved McFedries down.  McFedries up, but Drwal took hin down and punching.  Drwal He going for a choke but the horn saved McFedires.  10-9

I didn't think this would make round two.  Drwal slammed McFedries back down and has side control and has a choke and it's over a minute into the round.

Dans's running around taking photos with fans and babies.  Not your usual sports owner.

Efrain Escudero vs. Cole Miller

Escudero was the most popular fighter thus far.  Miller has several inches on him.  Miller trying to use kicks to keep Escudero from getting inside.  Crowd booing the lack of action.  Miller with a body kick and Escudero threw him down, but Miller back up.  These guys are moving but nothign happening.  Miller with a punch.  Escudero dropped him with a hard back suplex.  Miller up.  Punch by Escudero.  Escucero decked him with a right, and a hard right on the ground and Miller was out.  Two more punches followed before it was called.  Escudero got a huge reaction for winning.

Hermes Franca vs. Tyson Griffin

Franca weighed 159 and had to pay Griffin 15% of his purse for missing weight.  Franca is sprotging purple and gray hair.  Franca looks like he's easy 180, maybe more  right now.  Big size advantage here, looks 15 pounds heavier.  Crowd booing even though Griffin is out there throwing.  Franca isn't doing much.  Griffin connecting with punches and a hard low kick.  Franca tried a takedown off a low kick but didn't get it.  Griffin moving in with a punch.  Crowd booing again.  Griffin missing wildly.  Griffin with low kicks and ducked Franca's punches.  Griffin is a lot quicker, mainly because Franca is looking slow as shit.  Franca doesn't look himself at all.  Griffin 10-9.

Franca threw a big punch that Griffin ducked.  Griffin jabbed.  Franca unlolade dwith punches and Griffin right back.  Crazy slugfest.  Griffin staggered Franca with a punch.  Griffin with a jab.  Now a low kick.  Overhand right by Griffin.  Griffin moved in with punches and Franca back with punches.  Franca tried to catch his foot after a kick but didn't.  Griffin decked Franca with a right straight punch and unloading on the ground.  About 16 punches on the ground, most of the early ones blocked but Franca was out by the last few.

 Frank Trigg vs. Josh Koscheck

Trigg was booed.  Koscheck got a louder mixed reaction.

Trigg moved in with a punch.  Koshceck with a punch.  Koshceck put Trigg down with a hard right and hammering him on the ground and it's over.  Big win for Koshceck.  Trigg acted llike it was a bad stoppage but that's just the pro wrestler in him because there was no doubt.

To get back to the winning ways was awesome.  Koscheck got a hge pop.  Challenged Matt Hughes. I'll fight anyone at any time, I'll fight every month.

Martin Kampmann vs. Paul Daley

Big exchange early.  Taylor got a few shots in.  Kampmann tried a takedown, didn't get it and Daley connected with solid shots.  Another big exchange.  More exchanges.  Daley connected with two good shots.  He's doing better in the stand-up so far.  Kampmann delivered  a knee in the clinch.  Trade and Daley hurt Kampmann with a right.   He's pounding him against the cage with nine hard punches.  Kampmann didn't like the stoppage but he was wobbly.

Crowd started booing when they saw the replay thinking it was an early stoppage.  Kampmann was right in front of me and he was hurt, but boy was Kampamnn mad leaving the cage.

Mirko Cro Cop vs. Junior Dos Santos

Cro Cop out to "Wild Boys" wearing  a Pride T-shirt. 

Cro Cop the huge crowd favorite here.  Junior billed at 6-3 and Cro Cop at 6-2, but Junior looks 3-4 inches taller.  Huge height difference.  Junior in aggressively and Cro Cop throws him off.  High kick by Cro Cop doesn't connect but looks scary and pops the crowd.  Body kick by Cro Cop.  Junior moving forward trading in the corner.  Juinor got the best punch in and Cro Cop moving backwards.  Junior chasing Cro Cop who is scrambling away.  Knee in a clinch by Junior.  Cro Cop has swelling near the right eye.  Junior has swelling under the left eye already.  Locked up and loud Cro Cop chant.  In a clinch against the cage.  Dos Santos with a takedown but Cro Cop right back up.  Cro Cop's swelling is getting bigger.  Dos Santos eye swelling more and there are foot prints in Junior's right ribcage.  Dos Santos in and  Cro Cop shoved him  off.  Dos Santos throwing more but Cro Cop covering up.  Dos Santos throwing more again.  Knees in the clinch by Dos Santos.   Dos Santos 10-9 

Dos Santos fired a punch.  Cro Cop missed a scary kick.  Good low kick by Cro Cop.  Big trade and Dos Santos got the best punch in.  Body punch by Dos Santos.  Dos Santos with a flurry that connected.  Cro Cop mised a kick.  Two good body punches by Dos Santos.  Dos Santos connecting with more punches.  Crowd booing.  Knee by Dos Santos.  Not sure why they are booing.  Cro Cop kicked Dos Santos hard to the groin.  After a break, back in action.  Dos Santos with another punch.  Cro Cop bleeding now from the forehead.  20-18 Dos Santos

Body punch by Dos Santos.  Kick by Cro Cop.  Hard knee coming in by Dos Sanos.  Cro Cop almost slipped.  Another knee by Dos Santos to the stomach.  Another knee.  Body punch and knee.  Cro Cop really taking it.  Hard knee and punch that connected.  Another hard knee.  Another knee.  Another knee.  Another knee.  Cro Cop said was punched in the eye and looked like he was having trouble seeing and ref Dan Miragliotta stopped it.  Crowd was booing the stoppage but Cro Cop verbally submitted.

There was a fight in the stands and one guy knocked another guy way down the stairs.  The police were trying to break it up when they turned the lights off and showed a video for the next fight.

Just in case there was any question, all 3 judges had the fight 20-18 for Dos Santos going into the third.

Rich Franklin vs. Vitor Belfort

Franklin chant.  Nobody doing anything early.  Franklin threw a kick that Belfort caught.  2:00 in and anohting happening.  Both traded but niether landed with anything good.  Belfort threw a push kick.  Fans booing at 2:30 in with nothing happening.  Belfort connected with punches and knocked Franklin out in the first flurry.

Looping left was the big one, and a few hard lefts on the ground and Franklin was done.  Time was 3:02.

He told Jesus he loved him.  He loves many people in English, and then spoke Portuguese.  Said he was away from his family for three months.  God gave me the gift of speed and power.  Joe Rogan brought up Anderson Silva.  Said Anderson was his friend but if UFC decides on that fight.

Franklin said I'm a little scrambled.  Losing wasn't part of my plan.