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FRANCISCO RIVERA VS. ALEX SOTO, BANTAMWEIGHTS
Rivera hurt him with a right in the second round. Rivera then knocked him down with a head kick but Soto back up. Rivera constantly moving forward. Rivera threw a high kick and Soto took him down from it, but Rivera back up quickly. Rivera still landing but is getting tired given that he took the fight on late notice, so that hurt him in round three. But Rivera hurt him with a right and tried to finish Soto with punches. Soto survived and Rivera continued to stalk him and land the stronger shots. Should be 30-27 for Rivera, really no other possible score.
Scores: All three judges have it 30-27 for Rivera.
JEFF CURRAN VS. JOHNNY EDUARDO, BANTAMWEIGHTS
First round: Eduardo landed better, mostly with low kicks and a few punches and a knee late. Eduardo 10-9.
Second round: Eduardo contineus to land low kicks. He continues to land hard low kicks. He also landed some punches. Eduardo continuing to land low kicks. They exchanged punches. Curran tried a high kick. Spin kick by Eduardo. 2 more hard low kicks by Eduardo. Eduardo slowly taking him apart late in the round. Eduardo 20-18.
Third round: Eduardo got his eye poked and the ref didn’t see it, looked like the knuckle of the thumb by Curran in Eduardo’s right eye but with the ref not calling it, Curran started to take over. Curran started to land. He landed another right. Hard low kick by Eduardo. Now Eduardo started to go back with low kicks. Eduardo bleeding from the right eye. Curran landed punches late. Curran firing away late. Hard right by Curran a few seconds before it ended. Curran’s round, so should be 29-28 for Eduardo.
Scores: All three had it 29-28 for Eduardo. Fans booed but again all three rounds were pretty clear.
KAMAL SHALORUS VS. RAFAEL DOS ANJOS, LIGHTWEIGHTS
First round: Dos Anjos landed a left high kick to the side of the head which put Shalorus down. Dos Anjos jumped on his back and is working for a choke. Shalorus is in a lot of trouble and had to tap out. 1:40
T.J. GRANT VS. CARLO PRATER, LIGHTWEIGHTS
First round: Grant working for a takedown but couldn’t get him down. Prater was also unable to get a takedown. Grant landing more punches. Crowd quiet for this match. Grant took Prater down. Prater went for a kneebar, and it was blocked and Grant on top. Grant moved to side control but didn’t do any damage from the top before time ran out. 10-9 Grant.
Second round: Elbow by Grant off the break of a clinch. Grant grabbed another clinch. Grant with another elbow from the clinch. Grant powered Prater down but Prater up immediately. Grant with knees from the clinch. Grant took Prater down with a minute left. Grant moved to side control. Grant landed some good punches on the ground late. Grant nearly had him in a crucifix when punching so Prater couldn’t block. Prater reversed just as time ran out in the round. Grant’s round so 20-18 for him at this point.
Third round: Grant got another takedown. He moved to side control. Grant got his back with two minutes left. Grant went for a banana split but gave it up to move back to side position. He threw some elbows to the body and moved into a full mount. Prater is a longtime black belt and Grant is completely outgrappling him. Grant now has his back and trying to work for a choke but Prater escaped. High takedown and slam by Grant. Grant has his back again and working for an armbar. Time ran out just before Grant extended the arm. Almost a 10-8, but not enough damage so Grant 10-9, 30-27 overall. Seems like no other reasonable score except 30-26.
Scores: All three judges have it 30-27.
Grant did an interview and said he didn’t have an opponent to call out, but wanted to be move to the main card.
CODY MCKENZIE VS. MARCUS LEVESSEUR, LIGHTWEIGHTS
First round: LeVesseur took him right down and moved into side control. LeVesseur let him right up, and McKenzie gave him an up kick to the groin. LeVessuer landed several uppercuts and McKenzie was dropped. LeVesseur landing punches from the top. LeVessuer took him down froma front headlock position. LeVesseur tried to spin to the back for a choke but McKenzie regained guard. McKenzie working for the guillotine which is his big weapon. LeVesseur had to tap. Given everyone knows when you fight McKenzie you have to mainly make sure he doen’t get the guillotine, but he still does, which tells you how good he is with it.
DONGI YANG VS. BRAD TAVARES, MIDDLEWEIGHTS
First round: Yang landing low kicks and Tavares back with a body kick. Now both swinging and landing big punches. Hard low kick and Tavares back with a body kick. Yang has some Vaseline in his eyes or was poked. Yang kicked him but before that got his finger in Tavares’ eye. Tavares very close 10-9
Second round: Tavares said his eye was blurry and had double vision, then realized what he said given the doctor was about to stop it, and then said his vision was fine. Both using kicks and Tavares with a right. Yang landed a good left moving in. Yang landed two lefts and now a flurry of punches. Yang landed a hard left kick to the body. Body kick by Tavares. Yang with a body kick. Now in a clinch. Yang tried a hiptoss but Tavares blocked it. Close round but I’d go with Yang 10-9, so we’re even 19-19. Ray Sefo said that he knows Tavares can’t see out of the eye but he won’t tell the doctor. Boy if the commission had Internet this match would have to be stopped.
Third round: Yang landing punches landing punches and a body kick, but Tavares exploded with a takedown. Yang back up. Tavares took him down a second time. Now Tavares slammed him down a third time. Yang with a low blow and Tavares gets five minutes to rest. We’re running tight on time due to all the fights going the distance so I’m sure they’re praying Tavares gets back quick. He did. Tavares landed a high kick. Tavares landing punches. Tavares landing more body kicks. Tavares with more kicks. Tavares clearly won the round. I’ve got him 29-28 but the first round could go either way, so either guy winning is fine.
Scores: All three have it 29-28 for Tavares. Some booing the decision, but not a lot.
TOM LAWLOR VS. JASON MACDONALD, MIDDLEWEIGHTS
First round: Today is Lawlor’s 29th birthday. They didn’t show Lawlor’s ring entrance and I’m not sure why you even have Lawlor on a car if you aren’t going to show that. Lawlor with a left to the jaw that hurt him and a follow-up right behind the ear knocked him out. :50
FABIO MALDONADO VS. IGOR POKRAJAC, LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
First round: Pokrajac took him right down. Pokrajac got his back, then got a mount. Pokrajac keeping him down but not doing any damage. He seems content to just blanket him. Crowd booing. Pokrajac landed a right. Maldonado escaped. Pokrajac tried for a choke. Pokrajac slipped off his back and fell to the ground, and Maldonado got up. Pokrajac with a knee. Maldonado now taking him apart with punches. Pokrajac stopped him by tying him up. Maldonado landing shots but Pokrajac with a hard knee. Maldonado punching the body. He’s got Pokrajac hurt but Pokrajac back with knees. Maldonado with body punches Maldonado 10-9.
Second round: Left by Maldonado. Pokrajac landed hard punches to the jaw and immediately moved in for a takedown . You can tell Pokrajac does not want to stand with Maldonado. Pokrajac continuing to work for the takedown until giving up on it. Pokrajac landed more punches and a knee. Maldonado back with body shots and head shots and Pokrajac came back. Knee by Pokrajac and Maldonado with more body shots. Maldonado landing more punches. Maldonado landed another flurry. Maldonado landing more shots from close range. Pokrajac with a punch and knee. Back in a clinch and Maldonado firing. Spinning backfist by Pokrajac. Pokrajac went for a takedown, Madlonado blocked and landed on top. Maldonado’s round so 20-18.
Third round: They hugged before the third round started and Pokrajac started playing to the crowd. In a clinch and Maldonado landing body punches. Back in the clinch. Body punches by Maldonado and Pokrajac with knees, but Maldonado landing more. Flying knee by Pokrajac. Ref Dan Miragliotta broke the clinch. Pokrajac hurt Maldonado with a right and landed several more punches. Both tired. Maldonado tried a takedown but Pokrajac blocked it. Maldonado’s face is a mess. Left by Maldonado. Pokrajac hurt himwith a left. Maldonado back with punches andOkrajc back. Both andignbig punchjes. Madnado landing big oes but Pkrajac caused Madno to wobble with a punch. Close round. Fans iging them a standing ovation. Really good fight. Pokrajac’s round so I’ve got 29-28 for Maldonado but it could go the other way.
Scores: 29-38, 30-27 and 29-28 Pokrajac. I’m surprised with the 30-27, but the other scores are okay. Crowd booed the scores a lot.
JEFF HOAGLAND VS. YVES JABOUIN, BANTAMWEIGHTS
First round: Jabouin with a low kick and a left hook. Jabouin with a right and a spin kick to the body. Punch and a low kick by Jabouin. High kick by Jabouin. Fight slowed down to where the ref told them to do something. Body kick by Jabouin. Head kick by Jabouin. Push kick by Jabouin to the stomach. Spin kick to the body and Hoagland down and just about done. Jabouin wasn’t aggressive enough in trying to finish him and allowed Hoagland to survive. Kick to the body and Jabouin throwing punches from the top but time is running low. Jabouin pounding him but time ran out. 10-9 Jabouin.
Second round: Hoagland went for a takedown and got him down for a second but Jabouin back up. Jabouin kicked him in the hand. Jabouin kicked him to the body. Spin kick by Jabouin. Body kick by Hoagland. Hoagland tried a takedown but Jabouin blocked it. Left by Jabouin. Body kick by Hoagland. Head kick by Jabouin. Low kick by Jabouin. Jabouin hit him with his wrist and buckled Hoagland’s knees. Jabouin’s round easy again 10-9, so 20-18.
Third round: Jabouin dropped him with a left, landing punches on the ground. Ref warned Jabouin about punches to the back of the head. Now Jabouin landed a lot of hard punches. Jabouin has him hurt bad this time. Hoagland can take punishment. Jabouin went for a choke and Hoagland out and on top. Hoagland went for a takedown. Knee by Jabouin and Jabouin took him down. Elbows by Jabouin. Jabouin landing more punches from the top. . A standup was ordered, which made no sense since Jabouin was busy from the top. Jabouin dropped him with a knee to the body and a head kick. Hoagland back to the ground. Now a lot of elbows by Jabouin as time ran out. Crowd gave them a big hand, Jabouin for all his enteraining moves and Hoagland for being in trouble and surviving every time. 10-8 third so 30-26 for Jabouin.
Scores: 30-27, 30-26, 30-27 for Jabouin
DONALD CERRONE VS. JEREMY STEPHENS, LIGHTWEIGHTS
First round: Stephens landed some shots. Low kick by Stephens. Stephens landed a right and Cerrone with a low kick. Stephens moving in with a punch. Stephens with a low kick. Both trading body kicks. Cerrone went for takedown but gave it up. Head kick by Cerrone. Knee by Cerrone. Low kick by Cerrone. Cerrone landed a few punches as Ceerone moved in. Cerrone with a low kick. Cerrone with a low kick and two punches. Stephens’ left eye already looking bad. High kick by Cerrone. Cerrone with in with punches and low kick. Cerrone landing more punches. Stephens with a right. Low kick by Cerrone. Flying knee by Cerrone. Cerrone definitely took this round in the last two minutes after Stephens started strong. 10-9 Cerrone.
Second round: Stephens landing punches now. Low kick and punch by Cerrone. Cerrone landed a spinning elbow. Cerrone landing punches and is staring to hurt Stephens, who is backing up. Stephens went for a takedown but Cerrone sprawled. Stephens landed a punch. Stephens cut under the left eye. Stephens landed a shot after Cerrone missed a flying knee. Left by Stephens . Cerrone hurting him with punches and Cerrone mocking him. Cerrone with a knee. Stephens tried for a takedown but couldn’t get it. Cerrone with a low kick. Body kick by Stephens. Cerrone with punches and Stephens back with a punch. Low kick by Cerrone. Cerrone landing tons of punches. Cerrone with a takedown with 20 seconds left. Good up kick by Stephens but Cerrone’s round again 20-18.
Third round: Cerrone cut from the top of the head. Cerrone kicked Stephens hard in the groin, the minute he did it Cerrone knew he screwed up. Cerrone with a knee to the body. Cerrone with a punch and low kick. Cerrone went for a takedown but gave it up. Knee to the body by Cerrone. Cerrone kicked the left leg and Stephens went down. Cerrone let him up. Stephens landed two punches. Left and low kick combo by Cerrone. For the most part, this is target practice for Cerrone as he moves too quick. Uppercut and hard left by Stephens. Stephens landed a right. Body kick by Cerrone. Stephens having trouble seeing out of the left eye. Cerrone landing body kicks and jabbing the eye. Cerrone punching the body and head, Stephens tried a flying knee but Cerrone ducked it. Cerrone won the round, I think 30-27 is the only possible score. Good fight, but not at the level of the Pokrajac fight.
Scores: All three judges have 30-27 for Cerrone
Cerrone said he wanted to fight in Denver and wanted another shot at Nate Diaz, but knew it wasn’t going to happen right away.
AMIR SADOLLAH VS. JORGE LOPEZ, WELTERWEIGHTS
First round: Sadollah got a big reaction since he grew up in Richmond, VA. I wonder if that means the people went wild for Joe Silva as well. Lopez landing punches. Lopez pushed him against the fence. Lopez threw Sadollah off. Lopez landing crisp punches. Body kick by Sadollah. Lopez used pure power to get a slam takedown and is on top. Lopez looking for a Kimura but Sadollah escped. Sadollah back up. Sadollah wanted a takedown but couldn’t get it. Lopez 10-9
Second round: Both are in a clinch and little is happening. Crowd is booing. Knee by Lopez. Sadollah landed a right and a front kick. Sadollah with a standing guillotine and Lopez escaped and on top. Now Lopez trying to get Sadollah’s back. Sadollah with a high kick and punch. Low kick. Body kick. Sadollah taking over. Lopez got a takedown. Close round, slightly to Sadollah but I could see the judges going the other way. I’ve got 19-19.
Third round: This round should decide it. Sadollah threw a few punches before Lopez pinned him against the fence and is working for a takedown. Sadollah again going for a guillotine. Takedown by Lopez. Lopez trying for a Kimura. Sadollah with a front kick and in with a few punches. Sadollah landed an elbow. Knee by Sadollah. Sadollah again trying for a guillotine. Lopez go the takedown. That takedown is key at this point. Crowd booing. The ref ordered a stand up. Lopez wasn’t doing anything on top. Sadollah with a knee but Lopez going for another takedown. Sadollah with a takedown and working for a choke but Lopez back up. Lopez working for a takedown. Knee by Sadollah. Elbow by Sadollah. Crowd booed the fight. This is a close fight and close round. I’d give it to Sadollah and the fight 29-28, but Lopez could have won both two and three. This is anyone’s game.
Scores: 29-28 Lopez 29-28 Sadollah 29-28 Sadollah. Not a bad call but he was lucky. Crowd booed and that’s with Sadollah being from Richmond. Sadollah said a prayer after he got the decision.
CHAN SUNG JUNG THE KOREAN ZOMBIE VS. DUSTIN POIRIER, FEATHERWEIGHTS
First round: Poirer threw a kick and Zombie took him down. Poirier back up. Now Poirier trying for a takedown. Zombie just blocking an making Poirier expand energy. Body punches, Zombie got the takedown. He landed in side position. Elbows from the top by Zombie. Poirier is cut from the top of the head. Poirier took him down and is on top. Elbow by Poirier and trading punches. A kick by Zombie. Zombie landing a punch and Poirier went for a takedown but Zombie sprawled and Poirier went for a takedown and Zombie sprawled. Zombie 10-9.
Second round: Zombie took him down and is landing good shots. Zombie staying on top. Zombie landed a hard left and right elbow. Zombie landed punches. Poirier with punches. Flying knee by Zombie and punches and he’s got Poirier hurt. Lots of knees and Poirier exploded with a takedown and Zombie rolled with it and ended up on top. This was a freaking awesome exchange. Zombie throwing elbow after elbow. Loud Zombie chants. Zombie went for an armbar but Poirier blocking and Zombie going for a triangle. This round is incredible. Zombie with elbows to the top of the head while Poirier was stuck in the triangle. Poirier escaped the triangle and is on top. He is in side control. Zombie again went for a triangle late in the round. The horn may have saved Poirier. Crowd going nuts for this round. 10-9 Zombie s up 20-18.
Third round: Poirier landed a couple of lefts. Both standing and trading. Both are tired now. Left by Poirier. Now Zombie back with punches. Poirier landed a left. Poirier landed a left. Body kick by Zombie. Good left by Poirier. Zombie back with punches. Another left by Poirier and a right by Zombie. Takedown by Zombie into side control and Zombie unloading with punches and Poirier rolled out of it. Zombie landed a left. Zombie with an uppercut. Now Poirier landed but Zombie hurt him with a knee, hard elbow by Zombie and hard knee by Zombie. Hard left by Poirier. Another left by Poirier. Zombie back with punches and has Poirier hurt. Knee by Zombie . Good left by Poirier and another left. Another hard left by Poirier. Both landing punches. Zombie now landing big shots at the end of the round. Poirier bleeding. Awesome round. This round is really hard to call. Poirier’s round very close so Zombie up 29-28.
Fourth round: Good right by Zombie. Left and right by Poirier. Zombie hurt him with a punch and Zombie nailed him with a flying knee. Poirier went for a takedown, Zombie sprawled and finished him with a D’arce choke. Super match.
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