Main Bouts (on pay-per-view):
-B.J. Penn def. Diego Sanchez by TKO (referee’s stoppage due to cuts) at 2:37, R5
-Frank Mir def. Cheick Kongo by submission (guillotine choke) at 1:12, R1
-Jon Fitch def. Mike Pierce by unanimous decision (29-28 on all cards)
-Kenny Florian def. Clay Guida by submission (rear naked choke) at 2:19, R2
-Stefan Struve def. Paul Buentello by majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
Preliminary Bouts:
-Alan Belcher def. Wilson Gouveia by TKO (referee’s stoppage due to strikes) at 3:02, R1
-Matt Wiman def. Shane Nelson by unanimous decision (30-27 on all cards)
-Johny Hendricks def. Ricardo Funch by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-25)
-Rousimar Palhares def. Lucio Linhares by submission (heel hook) at 3:21, R2
– DaMarques Johnson def. Edgar Garcia by submission (triangle choke) at 4:03, R1
-T.J. Grant def. Kevin Burns by TKO (referee’s stoppage) at 4:57, R1
PLAY-BY-PLAY:
-B.J. Penn vs. Diego Sanchez
R1 – Penn comes out very aggressive, and drops Sanchez with a huge punch. Penn follows up and blasts Sanchez with a series of punches. Sanchez somehow recovers and it gets back to the feet. Diego charges in and gets caught with another uppercut that puts him down to one knee, but he continues to drive for a single leg takedown. Sanchez shoots again and Penn sprawls to avoid. Sanchez moves in and out, but can’t land anything effectively. Penn pops him again before the round ends.
MMAWeekly scores R1 10-8 B.J. Penn
R2 – Sanchez shoots immediately looking for a takedown, but Penn stuffs it. On the escape, Sanchez throws a big uppercut and just misses. Penn continuously steps forward to engage Sanchez, landing a few shots along the way. Penn stuns Sanchez again with a good punch, and the New Mexico native looks for a takedown, but can’t land it. Back on the feet, Penn again hits Diego hard with every punch he throws. Sanchez gets the clinch and one of Penn’s legs, but gets punched in the face while trying to force the champion to the ground.
MMAWeekly scores R2 10-9 B.J. Penn
R3 – Sanchez lunges forward and catches Penn with a good straight punch. Penn answers with a flurry of his own, so Sanchez tries for the takedown once again. As Sanchez holds on to one leg, Penn peppers away with punches and elbows. As Sanchez looks for another takedown from the clinch, Penn lands a nice inside elbow strike as they separate. The fighters exchange positions against the cage, Sanchez simply cannot force Penn to the ground.
MMAWeekly scores R3 10-9 B.J. Penn
R4 – Penn controls the fight once again, Sanchez seems to be telegraphing all of his kicks and takedown attempts. Sanchez charges across again, gets the clinch and catches a nice forearm strike from Penn. Diego bulls forward again, missing his punches, but getting the clinch, and again struggles to find footing to land a takedown. Sanchez steps forward throws a punch and gets caught with a counter from Penn. Penn blasts Sanchez with a good knee just before the 4th round ends.
MMAWeekly scores R4 10-9 B.J. Penn
R5 – Both fighters look as fresh in the 5th as they did the first. Diego again works for a takedown and can’t land it, Penn sprawls out and stands it back up. Penn comes after Sanchez with a series of big uppercuts, Sanchez grabs a leg immediately. As the fighters separate, Sanchez has a huge cut over his left eye. The referee steps in to stop the fight.
B.J. Penn def. Diego Sanchez by TKO (referee’s stoppage due to cuts) at 2:37, R5
– Frank Mir vs. Cheick Kongo
R1 – Mir blasts Kongo with a huge left hook that drops the big Frenchman. Mir follows up and locks on a guillotine choke. Kongo goes out and the referee pulls Mir off giving the former champ the win.
Frank Mir def. Cheick Kongo by submission (guillotine choke) at 1:12, R1
– Jon Fitch vs. Mike Pierce
R1 – Pierce misses with a kick and Fitch is on him immediately. Fitch has the clinch and drags him to the ground, where he takes his back. Fitch tries for the choke but can’t sink it and once he moves out of position, Pierce lands a nice takedown. Fitch gets up to his feet as they clinch against the cage. The fighters start to trade punches, as Fitch has a cut around his eye that is starting to bleed.
MMAWeekly scores R1 10-9 Jon Fitch
R2 – Pierce shoots in looking for the double leg, but Fitch defends well. Pierce lands a nice left hook, Fitch fires back with some strikes of his own. Pierce throws a kick, Fitch catches it and takes him to the ground. The fighters work their way back to the feet, and start trading shots again. As Pierce steps forward, Fitch again takes him down and looks to take his back. Fitch’s punches all seem to come just inches away from catching Pierce, but he’s still the more effective striker.
MMAWeekly scores R2 10-9 Jon Fitch
R3 – Fitch goes for a takedown to start the round, but can’t land it. Pierce starts to step forward more, throwing punches, but can’t land anything with power. Pierce presses Fitch against the cage looking for the takedown, but Fitch stuffs him. Fitch starts to throw some big punches and then moves in for a takedown. Pierce ducks down and almost gets caught with a big knee, but then lands a good punch of his own that rattles Fitch. Pierce tries to land some follow up shots, but Fitch defends well as the fight comes to a close.
MMAWeekly scores R3 10-9 Jon Fitch
-Jon Fitch def. Mike Pierce by unanimous decision (29-28 on all cards)
– Kenny Florian vs. Clay Guida
R1 – Guida comes out aggressive like always, throwing good punches and a few leg kicks. Florian misses with a head kicks and falls to the mat, where Guida follows up to attack. Florian gets his feet on Guida’s hips and pushes him away, back to the feet. Florian flies in with a knee, but misses and Guida connects with a right hook. Florian shoots in for a single leg and trips Clay up for a moment, but they get back up immediately. Guida shoots this time and Florian sprawls. During a scramble, Florian gets side control and opens a huge gash on Guida’s head. Florian begins to open up, as the referee pauses the fight to check the cut. The fight starts again, Florian paws with his jab and the round ends.
MMAWeekly scores R1 10-9 Kenny Florian
R2 – Guida shoots for the single, but Florian sprawls well again. Florian continues to throw his jab out to keep Guida away. Guida steps forward and gets caught with a huge right hand that drops him. Florian follows up with a few more strikes and then moves in to snatch a rear naked choke, forcing the tap out.
Kenny Florian def. Clay Guida by submission (rear naked choke) at 2:19, R2
– Paul Buentello vs. Stefan Struve
R1 – Struve uncorks a head kick, but Buentello blocks it. Buentello catches a kick from Struve, who then tries to pull guard but is blocked. Struve gets a nice trip takedown, and immediately takes Buentello’s back, looking for the choke. With Struve locked onto Buentello’s back, he eventually rolls and continues to look for the choke. Buentello defends well, and Struve just can’t get underneath his chin to finish. Buentello keeps moving and then rolls into Struve’s guard.
MMAWeekly scores R1 10-9 Stefan Struve
R2 – Struve jumps in looking for a knee and catches a big punch from Buentello instead. Struve drops to the mat, but Buentello wants no part of it and lets him back up again. After clinching against the cage, Struve falls for guard again, and then goes for an ankle lock, but can’t get it. Buentello stands back up, and punishes Struve’s mid-section with a big punch. Struve again jumps in for a knee and gets clocked with a huge punch that drops him. Buentello lets Struve back up again, and the two end up clinching against the cage. The two separate and a slugfest ensues, both fighters unloading huge shots.
MMAWeekly scores R2 10-9 Paul Buentello
R3 – Struve fees Buentello a steady diet of leg and body kicks that land with a sickening thud. Struve presses forward and pops Buentello with a good straight punch before getting the clinch. Struve backs out and Buentello fires away. Struve continues to blast away at Buentello’s lead leg. Buentello throws a shot and Struve trips and falls to the mat, but Buentello lets him back up. With just seconds remaining the fighters unload big punches again.
MMAWeekly scores R2 10-9 Stefan Struve
Stefan Struve def. Paul Buentello by majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
-Wilson Gouveia vs. Alan Belcher
R1 – Belcher steps out aggressive, walking Gouveia down early, as both fighters throw some heavy, heavy leather. Belcher appears to get the best of Gouviea with a good punch, but the Brazilian battles back immediately with some good shots of his own. Belcher attacks Gouveia against the cage and the American Top Team fighter drops to the canvas. Belcher follows up with a few more shots, as Gouveia can only cover up and the fight is stopped.
Alan Belcher def. Wilson Gouveia by TKO (referee’s stoppage due to strikes) at 3:02, R1
-Shane Nelson vs. Matt Wiman
R1 – Nelson and Wiman both come out swinging for the fences, with Nelson eventually catching Wiman with a good shot that seems to rattle him. Wiman gets his senses back quickly and is back after Nelson. Wiman lands a nice body shot that catches Nelson off guard. Wiman connects with a big right hand, followed by another that drops Nelson to the canvas. The Hawaiian pulls guard as Wiman starts his ground attack. Wiman lets Nelson back up and Nelson has a good cut over his right eye. A few more exchanges and the round comes to an end.
MMAWeekly scores R1 10-9 Matt Wiman
R2 – Wiman throws a nice kick that lands on Nelson’s face as he ducks, but it only glances him and he puts Wiman on his back. The fight is stood back up and Nelson starts to step forward and is greeted by some serious right hands courtesy of Wiman. Wiman gets a leg and drags Nelson to the mat and starts to throw good forearm and elbow shots. Wiman leaves his foot in a bad position and Nelson goes for a heel hook, but Wiman slips out. The round ends with more forearm shots from Wiman.
MMAWeekly scores R2 10-9 Matt Wiman
R3 – Both fighters are throwing strikes and one of Wiman’s leg kicks goes too high and cracks Nelson in the groin. Nelson takes a moment and the fight restarts. Wiman shoots in and scores a nice takedown as he throws down more forearm strikes. Nelson starts to find his range, but Wiman stays on the attack, goes for a guillotine, and Nelson falls to the ground to escape. Nelson again goes for a heel hook, but this time gives up his back and WIman starts to look for a choke. Wiman pounds away at Nelson trying for a finish but the final horn sounds.
MMAWeekly scores R2 10-9 Matt Wiman
Matt Wiman def. Shane Nelson by unanimous decision (30-27 on all cards)
-Johny Hendricks vs. Ricardo Funch
R1 – A few punches early and Hendricks shoots in, but Funch defends well. Funch actually ends up getting position and putting Hendricks down, but only for a moment before they bounce up again. Funch gets a little too aggressive, and Hendricks picks him up for a big slam. Funch gets back up again, only to get caught with Hendrick’s signature clinch and uppercut combo. A scramble on the ground results in Hendricks locking on a guillotine, but the round ends.
MMAWeekly scores R1 10-9 Johny Hendricks
R2 – Hendricks lands a few shots to open the round and then picks Funch up for another big slam. Hendricks lets Funch back up again, and he starts to land some more good shots before Funch has had enough and shoots in for a takedown. Hendricks defends and lands some good knees before taking Funch down again. Hendricks lets him up once again, and Funch again tries for a takedown with no success. Hendricks eventually reverses position, and takes Funch’s back. Hendricks goes for punches, but the round comes to a close.
MMAWeekly scores R2 10-9 Johny Hendricks
R3 – Hendricks lands another takedown just seconds into the third round and again works to take Funch’s back. Funch gets out of the bad position, only to end up with Hendricks on him again landing punches from the top. Hendricks unloads with a nasty body shot before shooting back in again, and moving to side control once on the ground. Hendricks goes for a key lock, while popping Funch with elbows for his troubles. Hendricks picks Funch up and literally tosses him up in the air and down to the mat. A big flurry at the end and the fight comes to a close.
MMAWeekly scores R3 10-9 for Johny Hendricks
Johny Hendricks def. Ricardo Funch by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-25)
-Lucio Linhares vs. Rousimar Palhares
R1 – Palhares wastes no time at all getting the fight to the ground, working from the top on Linhares. Palhares works from within Linhares’ guard, but not enough action and the fight is stood back up. The fighters hit the mat again quickly as Palhares goes for a heel hook and almost gets it, but Linhares slips out. Palhares gets top position and goes for another leg lock, but Linhares again gets out.
MMAWeekly scores R1 10-9 Rousimar Palhares
R2 – Palhares is much slower this round, throws a weak kick and Linhares takes him down. Palhares reverses, but finds himself in a triangle choke. Palhares escapes and the two fighters begin to battle for position. After a lull in action the two fighters are stood back up again. Palhares looks gassed as he goes for a takedown, Linhares works for an omo plata. Palhares escaps and rolls for another heel hook and Linhares quickly taps.
Rousimar Palhares def. Lucio Linhares by submission (heel hook) at 3:21, R2
-DaMarques Johnson vs. Edgar Garcia
R1 – The fighters come out swinging heavy early on, both fighters connecting with heavy shots. Johnson throws a kick and it’s caught by Garcia who takes the fight to the ground. Garcia traps Johnson in a choke, but he stays tough and eventually works his way out and back to the feet. The fighters clinch against the cage and Garcia opens up a big series of punches. Johnson survives and moves away only to be dropped with a big punch. Garcia swoops in for the finish, but Johnson pops him with an upkick, then slips on a triangle choke. Garcia falls to the side and taps out.
DaMarques Johnson def. Edgar Garcia by submission (triangle choke) at 4:03, R1
-Kevin Burns vs. T.J. Grant
R1 – Grant shoots for a takedown early, but Burns bounces back up quickly. Burns connects with a huge punch that drops Grant to the mat, Burns follows up to finish, but Grant recovers. Back on the feet, Grant connects with a good punch of his own, shots and takes Burns to the ground. Grant passes to side control, but Burns is able to regain half guard. Burns slips out the back door and the fight is back up again. During and exchange, Grant throws a quick kick and nails Burns in the groin. Burns takes a moment, but then the fight continues. Grant connects with a huge right hook that drops Burns, and he follows up with hammer fists to get the finish.
T.J. Grant def. Kevin Burns by TKO (referee’s stoppage) at 4:57, R1
