Josh Burkman vs. Pete Sell
Round 1
This battle of welterweighs is over seen by referee Mike Reid. Drago takes the center of the cage and throws a right hand off of a Burkman low kick. Sell then goes for a shot, b Burkman stuffs it and the fighters clinch. Then they separate and Burkman connects with a hard right hook that stuns Drago. Sell is taken down and Burkman passes to half and lands some elbows. Still in half-guard, Burkman isolates Sell’s right arm with his left leg. Unable to do anything with it, Sell gets his arm free. With 1:42 remaining in the round the Matt Serra student gets full guard. Shortly there after, the two TUF veterans are stood up. They clinch against the cage where Burkman lands a footstomp. Sell attempts a takedown and Burkman wizzers out of it. The first frame ends. 10-9 Burkman.
Round 2
The two men circle to start the middle stanza. Both pawing with jabs and straights. Neither landing with great success. After landing a right, Sell shoots for a double but Burkman stuffs it. Burkman then lands a straight jab that backs up the New Yorker. Burkman lands a mid kick to the body at the mid-point of the round. The two men clinch and then separate. Sell lands a left to the mid section of Burkman. Sell is finding his range effectively landing a couple shots. A left to the body with an over hand right finds its home. Sell is rallying while Burkman swings wildy. The end of the second round concludes with a failed Drago shot reversed to a Burkman takedown. 10-9 Sell.
Round 3
Round three begins with Sell sporting nice mouse under his right eye. Burkman starts the last round with a knee to the body. The fighters then begin a sequence of clinching and separating. Sell takes the center and tries again to take down Burkman, this time with a single. To no avail, the two welterweights separate. Sell lands a low right leg kick. With half the round remaining Sell gets tagged with a jab and answers with a left hook to the body. Burkman shoots and Drago stuffs. A good left jab finds the chin of Burkman. Sell finds his rhythm again and lands a few more quick punches. The Matt Serra product is finding his punches landing and this opens up a takedown. With 45 seconds left in the fight sell finds himself on top for the first time in the fight. Burkman looks to stand and Drago frames up a guillotine. It isn’t tight enough for a finish as the bell rings. 10-9 Sell. All three official judges see the contest 29-28 for Pete Sell.
-Hermes Franca vs. Marcus Aurelio
Marcus Aurelio enters first, proudly carrying the American Top Team flag behind him. Gesias “JZ” Calvancante is in his corner. Hermes Franca comes out to the tune of “Crazy Train” and is seen with a confident smirk on his face. Fans cheer as he enters the Octagon and Franca purposely shoves Aurelio as he makes his way around the cage. The little altercation is broken up quickly.
Round 1
Hermes Franca, a former student of Marcus Aureilo, meets his former instructor in a lightweight contest. The official overseeing this scrap is Todd Frederickson. The ref has to separate the men before the bout starts as Franca bumps Aurelio as he passes him circling the cage.
The official action starts with a missed Franca flying knee. Aurelio takes the center of the Octagon to eat a right low kick by Franca. The former American Top Team fighter starts to counter Aurelio with kicks to the legs and thighs. Franca looks to work the jab while Aurelio misses with a variety of punches. “Maximus” finally lands a flush jab, but Franca circles. Another nice low kick lands to the left leg of the Pride veteran. Aurelio answers with a right hand. A front kick lands by Franca. Frnaca closes the first round with good kicks and obviously frustrates his former training partner. 10-9 Franca.
Round 2
Todd Frederickson starts the second frame and the Brazilians waste no time trying to exchange. Franca again starts with kicks going low and high. Nothing is catching the ATT fighter flush, but he is showing dominance. Franca’s unorthodox style is working. Combos are coming from Franca. Left jab, right straight and a low kick for good measure. Aurelio is trying to answer, but nothing is landing hard. Finally Aurelio has a combo that grazes Franca but nothing solid. A flurry from both men but nothing clean. The two men engage again and both land decent shots, but still Franca is the more effective striker. With 10 seconds remaining, Franca lands another hard low kick. 10-9 Hermes Franca.
Round 3
Franca again takes the center of the cage and starts where he left off, leg kicks. Aurelio is obviously frustrated and sore. He shoots but cannot secure a takedown. Aurelio then shoots off of another Franca leg kick and finally takes his opponent down. On the floor Aurelio passes to half and lands some strikes. Aurelio is scoring here and Franca then gets guard. He pushes Aurelio away and stands. As Franca gets back to his feet Aurelio lands a knee to the head of Franca. Fredrickson stops the bout and says the knee was illegal. Replays show that the knee was legal. The fighters restart with Franca landing a leg kick. Aurelio shoots for a single and the two men clinch. They separate for the closing moments of the bout. Franca throws a 3 punch combo that misses.
Franca tries to shake Aurelio’s hand and Marcus has none of it. Franca then flips him off. 10-9 for Franca. The official judges see the bout 29-28 (twice) and 30-27 for Hermes Franca.
Dan Miller vs. Matt Horwich
Round 1
Referee Mike Reid oversees this middleweight bout. Miller starts strong with a superman punch and a takedown. “Suave” stays cool and gets half guard. Miller looks to secure his position but winds up in full guard after a Horwich leglock attempt. Horwich then uses rubber guard to attempt a gogoplata and an omaplata, but neither work. Horwich gets his guard and looks to use the cages to stand up. In a scramble, Horwich gets on top as Miller shoots. Sprawling is Horwich, but the Team Quest fighter ultimately finds himself on his back. Horwich looks to bring his guard high and Miller stacks. After a lull in the action, both men stand up. A left jab and right straight land to the face of Horwich. The fight goes to the floor with Horwich looking for another omaplata. The round concludes. 10-9 Miller.
Round 2
The bout continues as Miller secures a takedown. Horwich then stands and the two fighters clinch. In his unorthodox jiu-jitsu attack, Suave grabs the arm of the former IFL champ and flops to guard. Again on the floor, Horwich uses rubber guard to hook up an omaplata, and this time he uses the attack to get on top and looks to pass the legs of Miller. Miller now tries to utilize the rubber guard himself. With nothing happening, a scramble occurs and Horwich takes Miller’s back. Horwich locks on a body triangle and frames up a rear-naked choke. A resilient Miller defends and is mounted. Horwich lands some blows and Miller gives his back again. The round ends with Horwich’s forearm under the chin of his opponent. 10-9 Horwich.
Round 3
The two fighters touch gloves and start the final frame. Miller takes down his fellow IFL alumni. Again with the rubber-guard, Horwich secures mission control. Another omaplata attempt allows Miller to pass for a brief moment. Horwich then secures full guard again. With his back against the cage, Horwich looks bored as he rests his head on his right arm. Miller fires a few strikes to the face of the Team Quest fighter. Nothing very effective but it’s enough to keep Mike Reid from standing them up. Miller keeps active from the guard with a minute left. Miller stacks the open guard and lands some punches. Horwich is cut under his right eye. The round ends as Horwich lands an upkick. 10-9 Miller. All three official judges see the contest 29-28 for Dan Miller.
Spencer Fisher vs. Shannon Gugerty
Shannon Gugerty enters first with head phones and hood on. He is accompanied by Dean Lister. Spencer Fisher comes out to loud cheers by the crowd. Matt Hume is in his corner.
Gugerty starts with low kicks as Fisher closes off the cage. The two clinch and Gugerty gets the takedown. Fisher eventually gets back up and lands a standing elbow from the clinch. Fisher lands another nice elbow that sends Gugerty back. Fisher beginning to let his hands go more while Gugerty can only offer takedown attempts. Fisher drops Gugerty with a right hook and the round ends with an unsuccessful takedown by Shannon. 10-9 for Spencer Fisher.
Docs check on a large cut over Gugerty’s left eye in between rounds.
Round 2
Shannon lands a nice body kick but then slips with another kick attempt. He promptly gets back up and the two clinch against the cage. The two break free. Gugerty attempts a few front kicks. Fisher is still the aggressor and gets a takedown. He falls into a guillotine attempt by Gugerty but eventually gets out. Gugerty immediately throws multiple high kicks after the separation. Fisher gets a takedown and lands in full guard. Round ends with Fisher on top. 10-9 for Spencer Fisher.
Round 3
Gugerty goes for a clinch early, breaks and beings to throw kicks with more regularity. Gugerty powers Fisher down and lands in his guard. Fisher locks in a triangle choke but Shannon holds on, giving the occasional ‘thumbs up’ to the ref. Fisher is unable to finish Gugerty with the triangle due to his awkward positioning. Fisher rolls to his back and gains full leverage, forcing Gugerty to tap.
Spencer Fisher def. Shannon Gugerty by Submission (Triangle Choke) in 3:56
Thales Leites vs. Drew McFedries
Both fighters enter the cage quickly. Drew is cornered by Tim Sylvia while Thales is cornered by Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro and Andre Pederneiras.
Round 1
Thales takes McFedries down early. He postures up and eventually gets Drew’s back. Leites uses his right leg to immobilize McFedries’ right arm and then sinks in the rear naked choke.
Thales Leites def. Drew McFedries by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 1:18.
Tyson Griffin vs. Sean Sherk
Round 1
Both fighters start with low stances, respecting each other’s skills. Sherk gets a takedown along the fence, eventually taking Griffin’s back. Tyson stands up and walks Sherk to the opposite side of the cage and shrugged him off. Sherk throwing some nice combinations before forcing Griffin back to the fence and taking him down. Griffin gets back up and lands a nice straight right as they break. Both fighters are entertaining the fans with nice exchanges, proving that they’re not just wrestlers. Sherk momentarily takes Tyson’s back but is eventually shrugged off. Sherk beginning to land and win the exchanges. 10-9 for Sean Sherk
Round 2
Both fighters displaying their striking early with Sherk edging him out. Griffin throws a body kick that glances off Sherk, Sean responds with a combination. Sherk is gaining confidence with his hands, landing the cleaner combinations. Griffin taunting Sherk, inviting him in for a free punch. Sherk obliges and Griffin responds with a nice combo of his own. The two begin to slug it out for a moment, much to the pleasure of the crowd. 10-9 for Sean Sherk.
Round 3
Griffin rocks Sherk for a moment but the former champion recovers quickly and responds with an exchange of his own. The output by these two lightweights is incredible. Griffin taunting Sherk a little. Sherk beginning to land more when he comes steps into the pocket. The fans begin to cheer with less than a minute left. A play-by-play doesn’t do this fight justice, it needs to be seen. The final round was very close. 10-9 for Sean Sherk.
Sean Sherk def. Tyson Griffin by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Fabricio Werdum vs. Junior dos Santos
Round 1
Werdum throws a low kick early while parrying away from Dos Santos. A right hand lands clean and puts Werdum down. A barrage of strikes afterwards forces the ref to halt the fight.
Junior dos Santos def. Fabricio Werdum by KO in RD1, 1:20
Lightweight Bout: Gray Maynard vs. Rich Clementi
Round 1
Both fighters crouched, circling around each other tentatively through the first 30 seconds. Maynard jabs and comes in with a cross on the back of it, but fails to land. Clementi opening his hands, trying to bait Maynard into activity. Clementi has a body kick blocked, but snaps a crisp leg kick. The slow pace draws boos from the Chicago crowd, as Maynard lands a right hook, and an uppercut which just graze Clementi. Maynard with a weak shot, and Clementi easily gets an underhook and brushes him by. Maynard throwing jabs, and right overhands from outside, but not landing anything significant. Maynard steps inside of a Clementi leg kick, and elevates “No Love” with a big slam into half guard. Maynard punches away to Clementi’s ribs while Clementi looks for a half-guard sweep. A very telegraphed armbar is easily thwarted by Maynard, who lands some punches and elbows, his best offense so far, to end the round.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Maynard
TJ DeSantis scores the round: 10-9 Maynard
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Clementi
Round 2
A good counter right cross for Maynard lands. Clementi lands a hard leg kick, but Maynard bulls him into the cage for a moment. Both fighters putting right crosses over each other as they exchange, but Maynard drops levels for a takedown. Clementi turns his body around, but can’t avoid the takedown, as Maynard assumes top position. Maynard looks for a top position guillotine, but Clementi sweeps him with butterfly hooks, and gets to his feet for a moment, before Maynard takes him back down with a single leg. Clementi sets up an omoplata, but Maynard stays on top as Clementi fails to roll through successfully. Maynard now upright in Clementi’s half guard, looking to pound. Clementi nearly initiates a scramble as he sneaks below Maynard’s body from the half guard, but Maynard retains top position, controlling him with a partial headlock. Clementi continuing to work for a sweep, but Maynard stays on top, getting into full guard and punching away. Maynard stacks Clementi and passes to side control as the round expires.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Maynard
TJ DeSantis scores the round: 10-9 Maynard
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Maynard
Round 3
The two touch gloves to begin the final round. As an aggressive, stalking Clementi moves in, Maynard elevates and slams Clementi to the mat again, landing in half guard. Maynard attempting to control Clementi’s head as referee Todd Frederickson asks the pair for action. Clementi attempts to use a kimura sweep to initiate another scramble, but Maynard has none of it, reaffirming top position and getting into Clementi’s full guard. Maynard uses a partial headlock to move to side control, but Clementi regains half guard. Clementi uses the half guard to sneak between Maynard’s legs through the back, attempting a low single. Although Clementi makes it to his feet, Maynard gets control of his waist, and forces another takedown with just over 90 seconds to go. With 60 seconds to go, Clementi finally scrambles to top position, but can’t get Maynard’s back as Maynard squares up on Clementi, and takes “No Love” down again. The Chicago crowd heartily booing as Clementi controls Maynard’s wrists, thwarting his attempts to ground and pound him as the lackluster affair ends.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Maynard
TJ DeSantis scores the round: 10-9 Maynard
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Maynard
All three judges score the bout 30-27 for Maynard.
Thiago Alves vs. Josh Koscheck
Round 1
Koscheck tries a side kick but slip. Alves rocks Koscheck, forcing him to scramble for a takedown. He eventually regains his composure. Alves lands a high kick but Kos comes back with a small combo of his own. Josh lands a nice overhand right followed by a body shot. Koscheck force Alves against the cage and is looking to take him down. Thiago breaks free and lands some low kicks in the center of the cage. 10-9 for Thiago Alves.
Round 2
Koscheck misses with an uppercut but begins to throw his hands more. Koscheck throws a high kick that is blocked. The American Kickboxing Academy fighter pins his Brazilian opponent against the fence but the two eventually break free. Alves comes in with a nice kick combination and Josh lands a body shot later. Koscheck attempts another takedown against the fence but is unsuccessful again. Close round. 10-9 for Thiago Alves.
Round 3
Alves rocks Josh with a combo and he resorts to scrambling for a takedown again. Koscheck recovers only to be greeted by a right hand. Alves landing with the low kicks while Koscheck misses with overhand rights. A left jab inadvertently hits Thiago in the eye, the fight is stopped momentarily. A low kick buckles Koscheck’s left leg. Both fighters exchange and then Alves lands a superman punch. The fight ends with Alves taking Josh down. 10-9 for Thiago Alves.
Thiago Alves def. Josh Koscheck by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Anderson Silva vs. Patrick Cote
Round 1
The bouncy Cote takes the center of the Octagon as Silva dances around the outside. Cote lands some early leg kicks. Without throwing a strike, a “Silva, Silva” chant is already building in the Allstate Arena. Through two minutes, the bout has been primarily leg kicks for either party. A short inside leg kick for Silva brings Cote forward, and almost allows him to tie him up in the Thai clinch. Silva, with his lead right hand low, stares down Cote from the pocket, while Cote bobs and weaves without throwing. A Cote kick to the body is blocked. Cote switches to southpaw momentarily, but switches back to Orthodox, lunging at Silva with punches which miss. Silva lands a big left head kick, and is able to land a lunging left knee on Cote inside which slashes his forehead open. A now-orthodox Silva sticks the jab in Cote’s face before turning back to southpaw. Silva pacing on the outside, attempting to get Cote to come forward, while Cote switches his stance back and forth again. A hard leg kick from Silva turns Cote around momentarily. Cote continues stalking, and Silva throws a switch-step high kick which is blocked as the round ends. Both fighters bow to one another to end an opening round that was largely a feeling-out process.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Silva
TJ DeSantis scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Round 2
Cote opens with another inside leg kick. A nimble Silva bounces around the perimeter, but explodes forward with a two punch combination, and throws a jumping switch head kick which just misses. Cote responds with a spinning back fist which grazes Silva, and the champion presses “The Predator” into the fence. A big right hook by Cote is easily ducked by Silva, who lands a stiff left kick to the body. Cote takes a literal run at Silva, who changes levels and takes him down with a double leg takedown against the fence, settling into Cote’s guard. Cote using wrist control to stop Silva from pounding on him, and lands a sharp elbow to the crown of Silva’s head. Silva stands above Cote, and offers Cote his hand in the middle of the fight to help him up, before backing away and allowing him to regain his feet. Cote attempts to jab in, and Silva easily moves out of range. Silva throwing his hands around aimlessly, as Cote stands in front of him resolute. Silva lands a hard right leg kick, as Cote drops for a low single. Silva escapes, throws another, and Cote gets a deeper grab on the single leg, as he pushes Silva into the fence. Cote bails out on the takedown, and Silva lands a swinging back elbow, and a late salvo of knees to the torso from the body clinch.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Silva
TJ DeSantis scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Lotfi Sariahmed scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Round 3
Cote is the first man to make it to the third heat with Silva in the Octagon, and he lands an overhand right and a leg kick to begin the round. As Cote crow hops toward Silva, he plants awkwardly on his back leg, and pops his right knee, and falls back to the mat. Cote grabs his knee, writhing on the mat, and awkwardly attempts to get to his feet. As he finally struggles to his feet, referee Herb Dean informs him that he’s in no condition to continue. The injury brings an extremely anti-climactic end to the fight at just 0:39 of the third round.
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