The card is to be headlined by a bantamweight title duel pitting champion Dominick Cruz against Urijah Faber.
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Round 1
Referee Mario Yamasaki starts the contest. Hougland lands an inside
leg kick and follows with a jab. Hougland lands a body kick and
then shoots for a double. He completes the takedown and is now
standing over Walker and dropping shots to the body and head.
Walker is active off his back, preventing the pass and landing
several elbows. Stalemate now as both men jockey for position.
Hougland lands a pair of elbows and then stacks Walker against the
cage. With Walker seated against the cage, Hougland snatches an
arm-in guillotine, but he can't finish the fight. The round ends
with Hougland on top, but Walker is landing elbows from the
guard.
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Hougland
Tomasz Marciniak scores the round 10-9 Hougland
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Hougland
Round 2
The pair trade tentative strikes to start the second, but Hougland
is more active, landing multiple leg kicks. Hougland lands a
spinning back fist to the side of the head. Walker is really
looking for the big shot. Hougland shoots a takedown, but it's
stuffed. Hougland lands a nice outside leg kick and then a pair of
jabs. Walker is cut over his right eye. Hougland ties a head kick,
but it's blocked. Walker continues to press forward, whiffing on a
body kick and then a left hook. Hougland lands a looping counter
left hook, but it's answered by a leg kick from Walker. Walker
rushes in and takes an incidental knee to the groin. Yamasaki calls
for time, but restarts them quickly. Hougland continually lands a
well-timed jab and then tags Walker with a big shot coming in that
hurts him. Hougland tries another guillotine and jumps into guard.
Walker seems safe, however. Now Hougland switches to a no-arm
variation, and it looks close to being over. The horn sounds, and
we'll go to round three.
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Hougland
Tomasz Marciniak scores the round 10-8 Hougland
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Hougland
Round 3
The fighters touch gloves to start. Hougland lands a right cross,
but walker answers with a lead-right hook. Walker clinches and
presses Hougland against the cage. Both men land knees before
Hougland shoots for a double. Walker sprawls, and Hougland pulls
guard. Hougland is trying a straight armbar from bottom. Walker
stacks him and drops Hougland on the back of his head. Hougland now
threatening with a triangle, but Walker squirts an arm through
Hougland's legs and escapes. Yamasaki stands them up after a few
seconds of inactivity. Walker lands a nice leg kick and then a pair
of right hands. Hougland tries a double, but Walker again sprawls.
Walker is setting up a D'arce from top control in Hougland's half
guard. Hougland sweeps from half and winds up in Walker's guard.
Both men are landing shots – Hougland with punches, Walker with
elbows off his back. Both men continue to throw as the round
expires.
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Houghland (30-27 Houghland)
Tomasz Marciniak scores the round 10-9 Walker (29-27 Houghland)
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Walker (29-27 Houghland)
Official scores: 29-28 (twice) and 30-27 for Houghland, winner by unanimous decision. Judges names are not announced.
Round 1
Referee Yves Lavigne kicks off this lightweight contest. Njokuani
leads with an inside leg kick, but Winner responds with a hard
one-two that is blocked. Both men gauge distance with front kicks.
Njokuani digs a left hook to the ribs. Winner leads with a left
hook, but Njokuani responds with another leg kick before trying a
spinning elbow. Winner tries a lead uppercut. Njokuani counters
with a knee and a pair of leg kicks and follows with a knee to the
ribs from the clinch. Njokuani lands a sweet counter uppercut to
the jaw. Winner rushes for ward, then whiffs on a high kick.
Njokuani circles to his right and lands another leg kick and then
goes upstairs. Winner blocks the head kick and charges forward with
a hook that is countered with a body punch. Njokuani counters with
another uppercut. Njokuani lands a leg kick and then a teep to the
gut. Njokuani lands a jab and then another front kick. Njokuani
lands a pair of knees to the face and follows up with a murderous
flurry. Punches, knees come from everywhere, but Winner is somehow
still alive. Winner is out on his feet. Referee Yves Lavigne is
looking hard at this one. Winner somehow survives another burst and
is taken down with a trip. He bounces back to his feet as the horn
sounds.
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-8 Njokuani
Tomasz Marciniak scores the round 10-8 Njokuani
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Njokuani
Round 2
Incredibly, Winner comes out aggressive to start round two.
Njokuani stays on the outside, gauging distance. Winner leads with
a left hook. Njokuani responds with a high kick. Both shots are
mostly blocked. Deliberate pace through the first minute until
Njokuani lands a hard overhand right that knocks Winner into the
cage. More knees from Njokuani to Winner's ribs and face. Winner
escapes to the center of the cage. Winner secures a body lock and
executes a hip toss, but Winner bounces back to his feet again. The
men exchange knees in the clinch against the cage until Lavigne
restarts them in the center. Both men land punches, then Winner
lands a lead left hook. Njokuani lands an outside leg kick, then an
inside variation. Another inside leg kick from Njokuani followed by
a high kick that is blocked. Winner whiffs with that lead left
hook. Njokuani lands a body kick. Winner misses on a right hand
lead. Njokuani tries another spinning elbow, but hits nothing but
air. Jab from Njokuani, then a flurry of kicks that push Winner out
of punching distance.
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Njokuani
Tomasz Marciniak scores the round 10-9 Njokuani
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Njokuani
Round 3
Njokuani lands another inside leg kick to start the third. Winner
blocks a high kick and tries one of his own. Winner leads with an
uppercut and follows with a body jab. Njokuani lands a nice right
hook to the jaw. Winner lands a nice body jab. The Brit tries an
uppercut, but it's blocked. Winner just misses on a head kick.
Njokuani fires a four-strike combination and then lands a hard leg
kick to the lead thigh. Left hook to the ribs from Njokuani and
then a lead-leg body kick. Winner is trying to get on the inside,
but Njokuani continues to frustrate him on the outside. Another leg
kick from Njokuani. And another. Njokuani tries a takedown, but
it's stuffed. Winner lands a left hook from the clinch, but
Njokuani responds with a combination before circling away from the
fence. Njokuani switches briefly to southpaw and seems content to
ride out the decision. Scratch that. Njokuani lands a left hook and
then a body kick. Winner is still game and looking for a big shot,
but it's not there. The horn sounds to end the bout.
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Njokuani (30-26 Njokuani)
Tomasz Marciniak scores the round 10-9 Njokuani (30-26
Njokuani)
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Njokuani (30-26 Njokuani)
Official scores: 30-26 (twice) and 30-27 for the winner by unanimous decision, Njokuani.
Round 1
Josh Rosenthal starts the middleweight bout. Tavares lands a body
kick as Simpson clinches and hunts for a takedown. Knees to the
thigh courtesy of Simpson. Tavares is hanging onto an overhook and
defending the takedown successfully thus far. Simpson elevates
Tavares briefly, but he can't quite get him up for a slam or trip.
More knees from the clinch from Simpson. The crowd boos the clinch
work. Tavares defends another trip attempt. Midway through the
round, and Simpson is still pounding Tavares against the cage.
Rosenthal restarts them due to inactivity. Tavares lands a nice
right straight, but Simpson eats it and fires a leg kick before
bulling forward to clinch against the cage again. Simpson whirls
Tavares around again, but Tavares uses his whizzer to defend,
ending up back in the clinch against the cage. Both men trade shots
as the round expires.
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Simpson
Tomasz Marciniak scores the round 10-9 Simpson
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Simpson
Round 2
Simpson lands a leg kick, but Tavares counters with a heavy right
hand. Tavares pops Simpson coming in and drops him momentarily.
Simpson springs back to his feet and manages to secure a body lock
that he turns into a waist-cinch. Tavares turns into his foe to
prevent full back control and the fighters are back in the
over-under clinch once again. Both men jockey for position while
Rosenthal asks them to increase their work rate. Tavares is now
digging for a double-leg, but Simpson defends well before landing a
nice pair of knees from the Thai plum. Tavares tries again, and
this time he executes the takedown, elevating Simpson and slamming
him hard. Simpson springs back to his feet immediately, however,
and pins Simpson against the cage. Now Simpson tries for a
guillotine with Tavares seated against the cage. Tavares escapes
the choke and works his way out of a front headlock before
recovering to the Greco clinch. Tavares defends a takedown as the
round expires.
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-10
Tomasz Marciniak scores the round 10-9 Simpson
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-10
Round 3
Simpson whiffs on a huge right hand before closing the gap and
clinching again. They separate. Tavares lands a counter combination
as Simpson charges forward. Tavares defends another takedown
attempt with a whizzer. Back in the clinch, Simpson continues to
work with short punches. Simpson gets a body lock and tries to drag
Tavares down, but Tavares' base is still stout. Even so, it's
Simpson dictating everything so far this round. Simpson finally
gets his takedown, but Tavares stands up. Simpson trips him down,
but Tavares again stands. Simpson is relentless, grinding his foe
down with this constant pressure. Simpson tries another double, but
Tavares again defends well. Rosenthal separates the men. Simpson
lands a nice overhand right and transitions into an outside trip to
score the takedown. Tavares escapes to his feet and tries another
takedown that's stuffed. The fighters are still scrapping as the
horn sounds.
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Simpson (30-28 Simpson)
Tomasz Marciniak scores the round 10-9 Simpson (30-27 Simpson)
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Simpson (30-28 Simpson)
Official scores: 30-27s across the board for Aaron Simpson, winner by unanimous decision.
Round 1
Mario Yamasaki starts the bantamweight bout. Both men tentative to
start. Bowles tosses out a jab, and Mizugaki tries an overhand
right before landing an outside leg kick. Bowles circles to his
left and fires a jab, but Mizugaki cracks him with a right hand for
his efforts. Mizugaki blocks an uppercut and lands another right
before finding a home for another leg kick. Another leg kick from
the Japanese fighter. Bowles lands a jab and Mizugaki whiffs on
another overhand. Bowles still sticking his jab out there, but
Mizugaki is still looking to counter. Bowles lands a glancing jab.
Bowles still circling left. Mizugaki times him with a right hand
and catches Bowles coming in. Bowles lands a right of his own, but
there's little power behind it. Both men launch a three punch
combo, and the American lands his best punch of the fight so far.
Bowles clinches up and now presses Mizugaki against the cage.
Bowles now cinches up a body lock and begins to knee the ribs.
Yamasaki breaks them with 10 seconds left in the frame.
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Mizugaki
Tomasz Marciniak scores the round 10-10
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Mizugaki
Round 2
Both men tentative again to start the second before Mizugaki
initiates the action with a right cross and then a leg kick. Bowles
lands a pair of stiff jabs and then a right hand. Bowles' movement
has picked up, and he lands another jab. Bowles lands a one-two,
but Mizugaki counters with a jab. Body jab by Bowles. Mizugaki
lands a sharp right hand on the counter. Mizugaki lands another
right hand before eating a Bowles jab. Hard leg kick from Mizugaki.
Nice counter right hand from Bowles. Mizugaki fires back with a
right, but Bowles seems unfazed. Bowles catches an outside leg kick
and cracks Mizugaki with a right straight. Bowles jumps on his foe
and takes his back. Bowles now cinches a body triangle and is
searching for a rear-naked choke. Mizugaki defends well, but Bowles
is trying to soften him up with punches from the back. Mizugaki
wants to turn Bowles, but the triangle keeps him in place. Bowles
is trying hard to finish with the rear-naked, but Mizugaki is still
calm as the horn sounds.
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Bowles
Tomasz Marciniak scores the round 10-9 Bowles
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Bowles
Round 3
Bowles may have broken his hand once again in round two. Mizugaki
tries a left hook to start the frame, but Bowles smothers him and
presses his foe against the cage. Mizugaki lands a high knee to
Bowles' face from the Greco clinch. Bowles lands short knees to
Mizugaki's legs. Mizugaki catches a knee and fires a combination to
escape the position. Bowles shoots a double and completes it in a
big way. Suddenly, Bowles again has Mizugaki's back, this time from
a standing position. Bowles clings to Mizugaki's back like like a
monkey as he thinks about a rear-naked choke. Mizugaki is calm with
wrist control, but Bowles is still on his back. Mizugaki tries to
land short blows to Bowles' face, and the crowd boos the stalemate.
Yamasaki separates them with 50 seconds remaining. Mizugaki is
pressing forward and lands a combination. Bowles lands a right
hand, but it looked uncomfortable. Bowles is on his bike as the
round expires.
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Bowles (29-28 Bowles)
Tomasz Marciniak scores the round 10-9 Bowles (30-28 Bowles)
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Bowles (29-28 Bowles)
Official scores: 30-27 (twice) and 29-28 for Bowles, winner by unanimous decision.
Round 1
Referee Yves Lavigne signals the start of the Spike TV card.
Sotiropoulos presses immediately. Dos Anjos fires a combination,
but he's countered by a Sots combination. The Aussie lands a light
outside leg kick, and Dos Anjos retaliates with a hard one. The
pair exchange looping hooks, and the Brazilian's clips Sotiropoulos
on the chin. The Aussie collapses, his skull bouncing off the
canvas. Lavigne steps in to stop the contest at only 59 seconds of
the first frame, saving Sotiropoulos from further punishment.
Round 1
Josh Rosenthal starts the lightweight contest. Guillard tries a
pair of flying knees to begin and follows up with a left hook and a
right hand. Guillard is on his toes and looks very comfortable.
Guillard lands a hard leg kick and follows with a combination.
Guillard lands a nice body kick as Roller rushes in, but it looks
like Roller was poked in the eye in the process. Roller is fine,
and the bout continues. Roller checks a leg kick, but gets clipped
with a punch to the body. Roller lands a nice left hook as both men
throw. Guillard did not enjoy that, and he circles out. Roller now
presses forward but gets caught with an uppercut, left hook combo
that drops him. He struggles to his feet but gets blasted with
another straight shot to the chops that puts him back on the mat.
There is no escape this time, as Guillard pounds him into
unconsciousness. The end comes at 2:12 of the first frame, as Josh
Rosenthal declares Guillard the winner by knockout.
Round 1
Kim gets in close and slams Condit to the mat authoritatively.
However, Condit quickly pins Kim's arm, and sweeps to full mount,
and tries to lock up a guillotine. Kim peels Condit's hands, and
they resume standing. Low kick lands for Condit. Neither guy
locating hard strikes. Condit flicks a front kick, and then
explodes with a furious flying right knee that wrecks Kim. Kim
falls to his seat, and "The Natural Born Killer" is all over him,
taking mount and punching away, wracking Kim's head from side to
side. Steve Mazzagatti rescues the shattered Kim at 2:58 of the
first round. Incredible knockout.
Round 1
Both men start with an active jab. Bader lands an overhand right
that stumbles Ortiz briefly. Dueling low kicks whiff for each man.
Ortiz rushes with a two-piece, but Bader circles away. Low kick for
Bader. Both men trade turns pumping their hands and landing a low
kick. Ortiz jumps in with a right hook that crushes Bader, folding
his legs over one another. Ortiz smells blood, and attacks with
punches. Bader fights to a single-leg attempt, but Ortiz locks up a
guillotine and jumps guard. It's deep, and Ortiz strains hard to
finish the choke. Bader tries to wriggle free, but is caught, and
feebly taps. A jubilant Ortiz leaps to his feet, instantly
recreating his famous "Gravedigger" routine with gusto. The end
comes just 1:56 into the first round. Incredible win for Tito
Ortiz.
Round 1
Hard low kick by Siver lands, and his overhand follow whizzes by
Wiman. Wiman low kicks. Siver launches a one-two that snaps Wiman's
head, and "Handsome" shoots a double, which Siver soundly defends.
Hard right for Wiman, and they swing away wildly. Very aggressive
fight from both through the first minute. Low kick for Siver lands,
a Wiman head kick sails wide. Hard low kick for Siver. Inside low
kick for Wiman, double roundhouse kick by Siver, and more intense
swinging. Very rugged, offensive fight. Wiman grabs a waistlock and
throws Siver to the mat. Siver gets back up to his feet, as Wiman
tries to pull him back down with a single-leg takedown. Wiman drops
down, tries to take the back, and Siver thwarts him. The
Russian-born German is showing off great takedown defense. Siver
tries to sneak a guillotine in on Wiman, and Wiman breaks Siver's
grip. They break, and a Siver combination is blocked on the way
out. Hard outside low kick by Siver lands. Swinging right hook by
Siver misses Wiman, but he changes levels and puts Wiman on the
mat. Siver tries to pass, but Wiman shuts him down. The German
stands, pounding briefly before Wiman regains his feet. Wiman
quickly attempts a single-leg, but Siver shuts him down again.
Heavy combination punching from Siver, and Wiman shoots another
double, finally getting Siver on the mat with under 15 seconds to
go. Wiman gets into guard and punches at the bell.
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Siver
Tomasz Marciniak scores the round 10-9 Siver
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Siver
Round 2
Wiman attacks Siver's legs with another double, and Siver sprawls
along the fence. Wiman switches to a single, and Siver stands.
Wiman continues to drive Siver into the fence, prompting boos from
the crowd. Siver threatens a guillotine, Wiman pulls out and shoots
in a single again. Wiman switches to a double, gets his head low,
and turns Siver over to finish the workmanlike takedown. Wiman
lands a short elbow that cuts Siver's forehead open. Another hard
elbow for Wiman lands. Three heavy right elbows follow. Wiman
continues to drill Siver with elbows, slashing his face wide open.
Siver is pouring blood. Wiman with a torrent of hammerfist that
force Siver to cover up. Five elbows for Wiman smash into Siver's
brow. Wiman tries for two double axehandles, but Siver blocks them.
The horn ends a firm Wiman round.
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Wiman
Tomasz Marciniak scores the round 10-9 Wiman
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Wiman
Round 3
Inside low kick lands for Wiman, and Siver throws a slow one-two
that Wiman blocks. Wiman catches a Siver push kick, bulling him
into the fence and shooting another single. Siver splits his legs
along the fence, and Wiman tries to step over his leg, but the
German escapes to his feet. Left high kick is blocked by Siver. He
attempts to follow with his trademark spinning back kick, but Wiman
sidesteps it. The lightweights trade low kicks. Wiman stumbles
Siver with a low kick, and touches him with a long Superman punch.
Siver kicks, and Wiman tries to land a kneetap, but Siver avoids,
and fights Wiman's advance off with powerful hooks. Wiman continues
forward, and ducks under a left hook to shoot another single. Siver
punches away on Wiman's head, and tries to break his grip. Siver
forces Wiman back to the feet, and turns him into the fence. Wiman
grabs a guillotine, and pulls guard. Siver escapes, but Wiman sucks
him into an omoplata. Siver. Pulls his arm out, and Wiman gets back
to his feet. Siver kicks, and Wiman catches his leg again, tripping
him to the mat. Siver kicks him away, and turns him over, standing
up. Wiman attacks again, and Siver kicks his leg out, forcing him
into a takedown. Wiman drives for it and Siver pounds away until
the horn. Fun fight.
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Wiman (29-28 Wiman)
Tomasz Marciniak scores the round 10-9 Siver (29-28 Siver)
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Siver (29-28 Siver)
Official scores: All three judges score the bout 29-28 for the winner by unanimous decision, Dennis Siver.
Round 1
Leben kicks, and Silva glances him with a right hand counter. Silva
attacks with a flurry of hooks. Leben throws a left hook that tags
and stumbles Silva. Leben goes to attack, but Silva clinches. "The
Crippler" responds with a torrent of left uppercuts. Silva goes
down on his face. Leben attacks and punches away until referee Josh
Rosenthal dives in to save Silva. The Brazilian continues to fight
the referee Rosenthal for several seconds before coming to his
senses. The official time of the fight is 27 seconds.
Round 1
Cruz's right hand lead snaps Faber's head back. Both men moving
actively, darting in and out. Cruz lands another right, and Faber
looks for the takedown. He tries to spin Cruz around to take his
back, but Cruz shakes him off. Low kick for Faber lands. Cruz
responds with a one-two and a kick of his own. Kicks from Cruz are
absorbed on the arms and body of Faber. Cruz continues to shuck and
jive, throwing low and high kicks. Cruz continues to dance in and
out. Hard low kick for the champion lands, but Faber decks him
right a right that drops him for a moment, as the crowd roars. Cruz
jumps back to his feet, and the fight continues at its frenetic
pace. They flurry, and Faber lands a right on the exit. Faber jumps
into the pocket, and Cruz smacks him with a heavy uppercut. Cruz
dances in, ducks a Faber hook, and lands one of his own. Double jab
and a hard low kick for Cruz. Faber drives Cruz into the fence in
pursuit of a takedown. Cruz knees Faber to the head and gets an
underhook. Faber breaks and flurries, and Cruz blocks it. More
punches exchanged, each landing hard rights, and Faber lands a hard
knee to boot. Cruz throws a flying knee which glances, and Faber
and he spill to the mat in an attempted hip throw at the end of an
exciting round.
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-10
Tomasz Marciniak scores the round 10-10
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-10
Round 2
Cruz continues to be active with kicks, but can't land clean on
Faber through the first minute. A "Faber, Faber" chant breaks out.
Two kicks for Faber glance. Left hook and a right cross land clean
for Cruz. Cut kick for Cruz lands under Faber's attempted check.
Inside low kick for Cruz land, and Faber lands a right. He responds
with another hard right that finds its mark on the champ. Stiff jab
from the ever-dancing Cruz. Cruz darting in and out with feints,
but Faber simply backs away. Flailing three-punch combo lands for
Cruz. Faber attempts a single, and Cruz glances with a pair of
countering hooks. Head kick blocked by Faber, but Cruz throws an
outside low kick on the other side that lands firm. Another jab
lands for Cruz, and his swiping right tags Faber. Faber responds
with a right of his own that stumbles Cruz. Cruz feints, Faber
throws a right hook, and Cruz immediately changes levels and
double-legs him. However, Faber quickly works back to his feet with
15 seconds to fight. Double outside low kicks are followed by three
hooks that land for Dominick Cruz, ending another great round.
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Faber
Tomasz Marciniak scores the round 10-9 Cruz
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cruz
Round 3
Slapping low kick for Faber lands, but Cruz lands a clean
right-handed lead in response. Cruz dives in with another right
that misses its mark. Galloping body kick for Cruz lands. Cruz
attempts another kneetap, but Faber blocks it, and the champion
lands a series of short rights rather than trying to finish the
takedown. Combinations for both guys sail wide. Cruz is walking
down Faber more intently now with his dancing, and nails him with a
three-punch combo. Two more low kicks. Cruz's volume is starting to
define the fight. Faber swipes with a body shot. Cruz swings and
Faber ducks under, taking him to the mat. Cruz sweeps and initiates
the scramble, but Faber attempts to take his back. Cruz rolls
through and gets to side control before they both stand up in a
sensational scramble. Stiff jab from Cruz connects. Faber kicks to
the body, Cruz catches it, but can't land a hard punch. A Cruz head
kick is blocked, but his right-handed follow smacks Faber. Solid
right hook for Faber lands, and Cruz responds with a left before
shooting a double. Faber stuffs the takedown, and they clinch along
the cage. Cruz tries for the single, but Faber stuffs it again.
They clinch until the horn.
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Cruz
Tomasz Marciniak scores the round 10-9 Cruz
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cruz
Round 4
Cruz lands a quick combination to start the championship rounds. A
left hook followed by two right hooks jack Faber's jaw. Cruz
sidesteps a Faber right, but steps right onto a hard low kick. A
heavy Faber right hand smacks Cruz, and drops him to the mat for a
moment. As Faber steps in to attack, Cruz tries for a takedown, but
Faber shuts him down. Feint and a single-leg attempt for Faber.
Cruz shuts him down, but "The California Kid" lands a stiff
uppercut on the break. Lunging body hooks for Cruz land. Two more
Cruz punches glance Faber, and the champion adds a knee. Both men
are slowed, but continuing to fight with aggression. Cruz attempts
another kneetap, but Faber pancakes him. When Cruz tries to
reshoot, Faber shucks him off. Great takedown defense by Faber.
Left hook to the body and a right hook over the top land for Faber
as Cruz backs up and plays defense for a moment. Faber kicks
inside, and Cruz steps inside, landing a knee to the head. Cruz
changes levels again looking for a late takedown, but Faber stuffs
him. Cruz gets double underhooks and grinds Faber into the fence
until the bell.
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-10
Tomasz Marciniak scores the round 10-10
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cruz
Round 5
A heavy Cruz rocks Faber. The champion looks to leap in with an
attack, but Faber flurries in response. Heavy action to start the
fifth and final round. Cruz fakes a jab and shoots, getting Faber
to the mat. However, Faber scrambles back to his feet, and Cruz
hangs on with a rear waistlock. They separate. Cruz doubles Faber
to the mat again, but the former WEC featherweight champ quickly
leaps back to his feet. Faber kicks to the body, and the kick is
caught, but Cruz can't capitalize. Cruz lands another double-leg,
but Faber slickly sits out and slides back to his feet, another
display of brilliant defensive wrestling. Cruz attempts a foot
sweep, but Faber again scrambles and remains standing, as Cruz rams
him into the fence. Faber breaks Cruz's grip, and the champion
steps away with under two minutes to fight. Hard inside low kick by
Cruz. Faber responds with a tired head kick but can't land. One
minute left, and Cruz digs to the body. Faber swings hook counters,
but can't land. Cruz hits two consecutive knee taps, but Faber
keeps his hips low and defends both expertly. Faber breaks free
with 20 seconds to fight. Front kick by Faber allows Cruz to shoot
again, but he can't get the takedown before the bell.
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Cruz (49-48 Cruz)
Tomasz Marciniak scores the round 10-9 Cruz (50-47 Cruz)
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cruz (50-46 Cruz)
Official scores: Sal D'Amato sees it 50-45, Patricia Morse-Jarman reckons 49-46, and Glenn Trowbridge has it 48-47 for the winner by unanimous decision and still the UFC bantamweight champion, Dominick Cruz.
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