30 post-event facts about 'UFC on FOX 10: Henderson vs. Thomson'

The UFC visited Chicago for the third year in a row as Saturday’s “UFC on FOX 10: Henderson vs. Thomson” event emanated from Chicago’s United Center.

In what has seemingly become tradition when the UFC visits the Windy City, the main and co-main events went the distance – with a bit of controversy sprinkled into the mix.

In the headliner, Benson Henderson (20-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) outworked Josh Thomson (20-6 MMA, 3-2 UFC) in the eyes of two of the three judges for a disputed split-decision victory to get back in the win column after dropping the UFC lightweight belt to Anthony Pettis in his previous outing.

The co-main event saw Stipe Miocic (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) continue his rise up the heavyweight rankings, albeit with a somewhat underwhelming showing, by shutting down veteran Gabriel Gonzaga (16-8 MMA, 11-7 UFC) for his fifth win in six fights.

While the end of the show left many viewers unsatisfied, the rest of the card had numerous high points, including a record number of head-kick knockouts.

With the organization’s first network-televised fight card of 2014 in the books, FightMetric research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll and MMAjunkie’s Mike Bohn help bring post-fight facts from UFC on FOX 10.

GENERAL

UFC on FOX 10 was the first event in UFC history to feature three knockout finishes stemming from head kicks. Four events (UFC 70, UFC 126, UFC on VERSUS 6, UFC Fight Night 32) were tied for the previous record with two.

Two of those knockouts were credited to Daron Cruickshank (14-4 MMA, 4-2 UFC) and Donald Cerrone (22-6 MMA, 9-3 UFC), who became the sixth and seventh fighters in UFC history to earn two or more head-kick knockouts in the organization.

UFC on FOX 10 drew an announced attendance of 10,895 for a live gate of $863,655. By comparison, UFC on FOX 6 drew 16,091 for $1.27 million in 2013 while UFC on FOX 2 drew 16,963 for a $1.27 million in 2012.

Cerrone and Sergio Pettis earned $50,000 UFC on FOX 10 fight-night bonuses. Alex Caceres, however, was awarded two bonuses for a total of $100,000, making him just the third bantamweight in UFC history along with Scott Jorgensen (UFC on FOX 5) and Michael McDonald (UFC Fight Night 26) to double up.

Total fight time of the 11-bout card was 2:18:56.

Betting favorites went 8-3 at the event.

MAIN CARD

Henderson has earned all eight of his UFC victories by decision. He is the first fighter to ever win his first eight fights with the organization by decision. The win over Thomson moved his UFC record to 3-0 in fights that are ruled a split decision.

Henderson is the first former UFC lightweight champion to earn an immediate victory after losing his belt.

Henderson’s four takedowns landed give him a total of 45 in his UFC/WEC career, moving him into third place all-time in lightweight history behind Gleison Tibau (71) and Clay Guida (48).

Five of Thomson’s six career losses have come via decision. “The Punk” is a mere 6-5 in fights that are decided by the judges.

Thomson’s four takedowns landed in his loss to Henderson are the second most in his 20-fight UFC/Strikeforce/PRIDE career.

Gonzaga suffered just the second decision loss of his career and his first since Oct. 23, 2010 – a span of 1,190 days (more than three years) and seven fights.

Cerrone recorded just the third knockout victory of his 29-fight career.

Cerrone earned his 13th UFC/WEC fight-night bonus, the most of any fighter in the combined history of the two organizations. “Cowboy” has earned a total of $555,000 from those bonuses.

Cerrone’s 10 knockout/submission victories in UFC/WEC lightweight competition are the second most in history behind Nate Diaz (11).

Adriano Martins (25-7 MMA, 1-1 UFC) suffered a knocked loss for just the second time in his career and the first time since April 7, 2008 – a span of 2,119 days (nearly six years) and 18 fights.

Jeremy Stephens (23-9 MMA, 10-8 UFC) improved to 3-0 since dropping to the UFC featherweight division.

Darren Elkins (17-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) suffered the first decision loss of his 21-fight career.

Elkins attempted four submissions in his loss to Stephens, earning him sole possession of first place in UFC featherweight history with 14.

PRELIMINARY CARD

Alex Caceres’ (10-5 MMA, 5-3 UFC) five-fight unbeaten streak is the longest of his MMA career. “Bruce Leeroy” is 5-1 with one no-contest since dropping to the UFC bantamweight division.

Caceres’ five UFC victories are the second most of any cast member from “The Ultimate Fighter 12,” behind Michael Johnson (six).

Caceres’ submission of Sergio Pettis (10-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) at 4:39 of Round 3 is the second latest ever in a three-round UFC bantamweight fight. Only Bryan Caraway’s tap-out of Johnny Bedford at 4:44 of Round 3 at UFC 159 occurred later in a fight.

Caceres’ last-second submission was also the second latest rear-naked choke victory ever in a three round UFC fight, preceding Forrest Griffin’s submission of Mauricio Rua at UFC 76 by just six seconds.

Eddie Wineland’s (21-9-1 MMA, 3-3 UFC) seven knockdowns in UFC/WEC bantamweight competition are the most in divisional history.

Yves Jabouin (19-9 MMA, 4-3 UFC) has been knocked out or submitted in seven of his nine career defeats.

Chico Camus (14-4 MMA, 3-1 UFC) has earned his past six MMA victories by decision.

Yaotzin Meza (20-9 MMA, 1-2 UFC) was defeated by decision for the first time since Oct. 24, 2009 – a span of 1,554 days (more than four years) and 11 fights.

Hugo Viana (8-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) has earned seven of eight career victories by decision.

Viana’s 79 significant strikes landed against Junior Hernandez (13-6 MMA, 0-2 UFC) were the most of any fighter on the card

Mike Rio (9-4 MMA, 1-3 UFC) dropped his third consecutive UFC fight after winning his promotional debut. “Wolverine” suffered the first knockout loss of his career against Cruickshank and has been finished in all three of his UFC defeats.

Mike Rhodes (6-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) suffered a decision loss for the first time in his career.

Nikita Krylov (16-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) has finished his opponent by first-round knockout or submission in all 16 of his career victories.

Krylov’s head-kick finish of Walt Harris (6-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC) at 0:25 of Round 1 marked the sixth fastest knockout in UFC heavyweight history. It was also the fastest head-kick finish ever in UFC history, topping Gerard Gordeau’s 26-second victory at UFC 1.

For complete coverage of UFC on FOX 10, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.