UFC 159 play-by-play and live results

NEWARK, N.J. – MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) is on scene and reporting live from today’s UFC 159 event.

The event, which features light heavyweight champion Jon Jones vs. Chael Sonnen, takes place at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FX and Facebook.

Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT) for the preliminary card and 10 p.m. ET for the main card.

To discuss tonight’s show, be sure to check out our UFC 159 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporters Steven Marrocco (@MMAjunkieSteven) and Matt Erickson (@MMAjunkieMatt) on Twitter.

Enjoy the fights, everyone.

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KURT HOLOBAUGH VS. STEVEN SILER

Round 1 – Gasper Oliver oversees the action for the first fight of the night. He sets them up, and we’re ready to go. Touch of the gloves, and Holobaugh works a leg kick early. But SIler goes to the head. Looks like they both want to swing early, but 30 seconds in they tie up for a second and dirty box on the fence. Siler gets a tight Thai plum and gets a few good knees off before they split. Siler lands a few punches inside and Holobaugh ties him up. But Siler again gets a solid plum, lands a pair of knees and then a few elbows. Siler picks Holobaugh up and lands a solid slam. He moves around and takes Holobaugh’s back and is looking for the rear-naked choke for now. But he’ll start to soften him up with some punches. And he has a lot of time to do it. Siler tries to rock him back, and Holobaugh is in a world of trouble. Siler is teeing off, but Holobaugh gets to his feet with SIler still wrapped right around him. Holobaugh is bloodied up and still can’t shake him yet. Holobaugh tries to roll ou, but Siler rolls with him and Siler has a deep rear-naked choke. His mouthpiece falls out. But he survives it somehow, and Siler will have to try again. With 35 seconds left, Holobaugh may survive the round – and he does. But it’s a dominant round for Siler. MMAjunkie.com will give it to Siler, 10-9, though a 10-8 wouldn’t be out of the question.

Round 2 – Holobaugh comes out quickly, and he dives for a guillotine and gets it for a moment. But he can’t keep it, and Siler looks to posture up and land some punches. But Holobaugh pushes him off with his feet, and then gets him back to the ground. But Siler pulls off an impressive sweep to get back to his feet. But there, Holobaugh catches Siler and may have hurt him. Holobaugh looks for a choke on the ground, but Siler survives it to land an upkick while Holobaugh postures up to land some big punches and elbows from up top. Siler wraps back up in guard, but Holobaugh still looking for ground and pound here. He lands a few more elbows before going back to his feet. Siler still looking for those upkicks, and then gets back to his feet. They start swinging, and Siler is landing the better ones with a minute left. With 30 seconds left, Siler ducks under and looks for a takedown. But it’s Holobaugh who will finish the round on top. Big swing the other way, and it’s a 10-9 round for Holobaugh going to the last.

Round 3 – Crowd in Newark very appreciative of the effort from these two featherweights for the first 10 minutes. They trade early. Then Siler lands a right uppercut, gets a Thai plum and lands a good knee. The pace has slowed just a little bit, but Holobaugh lands a good right elbow along the fence. They trade position on the fence, and now it’s Holobaugh who looks like he might want a takedown. They break at the 2:45 mark, and Siler lands a left hook, then a couple body kicks. He just misses a kick and a spinning fist afterward, but he gets a takedown. Siler quickly moves to full mount. Holobaugh gives his back up, and Siler takes back mount and starts punching. He’ll go for the rear-naked again, and he has a body triangel that is going to be rough for Holobaugh to get out of. Neck crank effort from Siler is survived for now by Holobaugh. But he’s not going to have enough left in the tank to get out of there. If he survives the round, it’s a clear one for Siler. And it appears that’s how we’ll finish up. Siler tees off as we come to a close. He won’t get the stoppage, but he’ll get a 10-9 round on the MMAjunkie.com card and should win the fight 29-28. Steven Siler def. Kurt Holobaugh via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

LEONARD GARCIA VS. CODY MCKENZIE

Round 1 – Dan Miragliotta oversees this one. And McKenzie goes to the floor quickly. He’ll want that special guillotine he’s known for. Garcia is up fairly quickly, but McKenzie brings him right back to the ground. He starts to sneak around and has Garcia’s back. Lots of trouble for the smaller Garcia here. McKenzie locks up the body triangle, and McKenzie goes to work with some punches and then looks for the rear-naked choke. He gets it, but Garcia pushes it off. Still, with three minutes left, Garcia surviving the round would be an accomplishment. He lands some punches from Garcia’s back and McKenzie again looks for that choke. Not yet. Garcia tries to stand up, but it’s not going to stick. McKenzie keeps working for it. Garcia tries to turn out of it, but McKenzie tries an arm triangle. Somehow, Garcia is able to gather back up and gets to his back in guard. Garcia gets back to his feet. McKenzie goes for a couple guillotines, and as the round starts to wind down, he’ll look for a triangle. But Garcia survives the round. MMAjunkie.com gives the round to McKenzie 10-8; it was dominant.

Round 2 – Garcia looks to throw some punches early in the second. But McKenzie ties him up and naturally wants the fight on the floor. He gets it there with Garcia’s back on the fence. He’ll try to wrap up Garcia’s neck, naturally. Garcia scrambles out and gets back to the middle. HE lands a body kick and tries to get some punches off. He slugs. And with just under three minutes left, McKenzie tries to get the fight back down. It’s Garcia who looks for a choke, but he has to give it up and McKenzie takes him down and takes his back. We’re back to much of the same as the first round. Garcia has no room to do anything. He’s landing punches to soften and trying to look for that choke, body triangle firmly in place. It’s a 10-9 round for McKenzie fairly easily on the MMAjunkie.com card.

Round 3 – Garcia is going to have to turn this thing into a slugfest and stay on his feet. He throws a big kick. A spinning backfist misses. McKenzie dives for a takedown, but he can’t get it. He ducks under a Garcia left, but Garcia lands a right. Garcia telegraphs a left high kick, but part of it gets through. A right hand from Garcia lands 90 seconds in. He’ll kick high again. But McKenzie lands a 1-2. Garcia still wants the home run ball. But McKenzie puts his hands down, then puts them behind his back and lets him swing. Garcia kicks to the body. He just misses up high, then goes to the legs with a kick. McKenzie laughing at Garcia when he misses with these haymakers. With 45 seconds left, McKenzie gets a trip takedown, and he’ll be on top in north-south position. He lands a few elbows from half-guard, and this is how the fight will end. It’s a 10-9 round for McKenzie, and MMAjunkie.com has him winning the fight 30-26. Cody McKenzie def. Leonard Garcia via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

JOHNNY BEDFORD VS. BRYAN CARAWAY

Round 1 – Keith Peterson is the ref for this one. Caraway lands a left hook out of the gate. But Bedford fires back. These two were teammates on Season 14 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” but in different weight classes under Jason “Mayhem” Miller. And Bedford fires off a few left hooks that miss. He’s swinging, but Caraway isn’t home for anything major yet, and he lands a kick up the middle. Bedford lands a guy right hand, then backs Caraway up. Bedford misses one, and Caraway looks to take his back. He gets a takedown with a nice little leg sweep and takes Bedford’s back on the fence. Caraway goes after a rear-naked choke. It’s not there yet, so he lands a few punches from his back. He covers Bedford’s mouth up to restrict his breathing, and he has him tied up nicely with lots of time to work. Bedford finally works out of it, gets back to his feet and nearly lands a nice kick. Good punch combo from Bedford followed by a kick to the body. They trade a few punches, and Bedford lands a nice knee to the body, then a right hand. Bedford shoots, but it’s Caraway who gets a late takedown. Caraway gets a 10-9 first on the MMAjunkie.com card.

Round 2 – Bedford gets to work early. Caraway just misses a right uppercut, and Bedford comes back with a right hand a knee to the body. Caraway sneaks a couple punches through, but Bedford lands a nice outside leg kick. They tie up briefly, then separate in the middle. Bedford kicks outside again to Caraway’s left leg. Bedford circles outside. His right eye is showing the effects of some Caraway punches, and Caraway again lands that left hand. And then again. He’s landed a lot of lefts this fight. Bedford tries to tie him up, but Caraway gets his third takedown of the fight. Bedford tries to land some elbows from the bottom, but Caraway nicely pops out to half guard. Caraway lands elbows to the body. Caraway lands a few punches deep in the round as Bedford tries to get loose to his feet. It’s another 10-9 round for Bedford on the MMAjunkie.com card.

Round 3 – Bedford goes after a big right that misses. Then right-left that aren’t quite there. Caraway holds his arms out wide, enticing Bedford to come forward. Caraway may have gotten poked in the eye, but there’s no stoppage for it. Soon after, Bedford lands a stiff left hook. Uppercut just misses for Caraway, as does a front kick. With three minutes left, Caraway wants the fight on the ground. But a nice switch from Bedford avoids it for a moment – but just a moment. Caraway is on top. But Bedford looks for a triangle, then an armbar, and it’s very close to working. Caraway sneaks out of there and he’s on top in guard. He’ll pass out to half guard. Eventually, Caraway steps over and he’s got a guillotine from guard. Bedford survives – but, Caraway stays with it, gets to mount and gets the finish. And just 16 seconds left in the fight. He was cruising, but he stayed after the stoppage. Bryan Caraway def. Johnny Bedford via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 3, 4:44

SHEILA GAFF VS. SARA MCMANN

Round 1 – Gasper Oliver gets his second assignment of the night, and we’re ready to go for the third women’s fight in UFC history. Gaff comes forward right away, and McMann plants her immediately. McMann pushes her against the cage, and Gaff will have to figure things out from her back with McMann looking to land some punches. Gaff doing well of keeping McMann from posturing up too majorly. McMann comfortable working out of Gaff’s guard, and she’ll pepper the body with punches. No real attempt to pass yet midway through. The crowd isn’t enjoying it, and we now hear the crowd getting restless. FInally, Oliver stands them up. Gaff wants to stand and bang, but they tie up and Gaff lands a few knees to the body. But McMann gets her back to the ground and gets the mounted crucifix. She starts landing punches to the face with relative ease. Oliver taking a close look. Finally, he’s seen enough, and McMann gets the first-round stoppage from the repeated blasts to the face. Sara McMann def. Sheila Gaff via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:06

OVINCE ST. PREUX VS. GIAN VILLANTE

Round 1 – Kevin Mulhall sees his first reffing duty tonight. Battle of former Strikeforce fighters. Villante jabs early, then kicks. But St. Preux comes back with a high kick of his own. Villante catches a St. Preux kick and goes for a takedown, pushing the former Tennessee football player to the cage. St. Preux gets his leg on top of Villante’s shoulder, then uses the cage to keep himself upright and gets a warning. Front kick from St. Preux, and then a combination and a high kick. But Villante returns with a high kick of his own. St. Preux lands a right hand, and it’s a big one. He has Villante staggered and backing toward the fence. He blasts away, but Villante holds on and they tie up. With a couple minutes left, they break. St. Preux again comes forward, and it forces Villante to try to tie things up. Villante notices that he’s got a piece of tape danging and he asks for time. He gets it and they cut it off. St. Preux throws, then looks for a takedown with a minute left. Villante lands an elbow on the way out, then an inside leg kick. High kick from Villante is blocked. St. Preux sneaks a right hand through. He’s done enough to take the round 10-9 on the MMAjunkie.com scorecard.

Round 2 – Giant leg kick from Villante right out of the gate and it takes St. Preux off balance. But he recovers and lands a kick of his own. St. Preux tries to the legs with a kick, and then lands a straight left jab. Villante will try to counter with some kicks to the legs. Left hand from St. Preux sneaks through. St. Preux wants to shoot, but Villante sees it a mile away and defends easily. St. Preux lands a couple punches. Villante lands to the right leg, and Villante changes his stance. With 75 seconds left in the frame, it’s a close one. But St. Preux lands a good left. The crowd is impatient and booing, as both men have slowed way down. St. Preux lands a few punches late. Villante was a little more active, and he gets a 10-9 round on the MMAjunkie.com scorecard.

Round 3 – Villante opens with leg kicks and St. Preux throws a left. But Villante gets poked in the eye. Mulhall asks him if he can see, and VIllante says he can’t. And Mulhall immediately waves the fight off. Villante is pleading with him when he understands that the fight is stopped, begging to not do this. But it’s too late. Villante seemed to be saying he couldn’t see – but assuming he was going to get time to recover, which is standard practice. Controversial ending, for sure, and we’ll go to the scorecards since it’s in the third round. Ovince St. Preux def. Gian Villante via majority technical decision (30-28, 30-29, 29-29) – Round 3, 0:33

RUSTAM KHABILOV VS. YANCY MEDEIROS

Round 1 – Dan Miragliotta in charge of this lightweight fight. Medeiros on the outside, then trying to push inside with some kicks and a few big swings. He kicks to Khabilov’s leg, but the kick nearly is caught. Medeiros lands a nice little right hand, and tries a Superman punch that’s off the mark. Khabilov tries a nice combo, then catches another kick and goes right to the ground. He picks him up and tries a suplex. It’s not a full success, but it’s a good takedown. He gets another one right after. But Medeiros asks Miragliotta to take a look at his glove. And guess what? This one’s done. Broken or dislocated thumb for Medeiros is going to be the stop to this one. Replays and close-ups show his right thumb is pretty mangled. It’ll be a TKO win for Khabilov. Rustam Khabilov def. Yancy Medeiros via TKO (thumb injury) – Round 1, 2:32

PAT HEALY VS. JIM MILLER

Round 1 – Herb Dean will get his first work of the night to open the pay-per-view main card. Miller gets a huge ovation from his home New Jersey fans. No glove touch. Healy closes early. Good left to the body from Miller, then an outside leg kick takes Healy briefly off his feet, and Miller catches him again on the way up, then once more right afterward. Healy lands a nice leg kick, then ties things up for a moment. He tries to clinch, but Miller breaks off and lands a left. Miller then pushes Healy right to the ground and goes down into his guard. Healy is best here, but Miller will test him and try to land some ground and pound. He’s got Miller’s left arm for a moment, then tries for an omoplata. But Miller moves nicely out of that and goes after an arm himself. He’s got Healy in some trouble and has an arm tied up. Healy tries to roll out of it, and eventually he rolls out and gets back to his feet. Healy kicks to the body, and soon after, Healy gets a takedown of his own near the fence. Healy tries to posture up and he’s going to land some good punches as Miller turtles over and gives his back. Miller gets back to his feet and goes after an arm while getting taken down. Healy takes Miller’s back, but Miller beautifully reverse to get on top. Healy goes after an armbar, but Miller lands some significant shots right as the round closes. MMAjunkie.com gives the first to Miller, 10-9.

Round 2 – Healy tries to be first to the punch early in the second, knowing Miller will want to go after his bloody eye. Healy gets a trip takedown, but Miller pops right back up. Healy’s face is showing tons of damage. The two tie up, and Healy again gets a takedown near the fence. He’ll try to do some damage from on top. Miller is in full guard, though, and is trying to see what kind of ofefnse he can do from there. He’s got Healy’s right arm, but can’t keep it. Healy doing well landing some good punches and elbows up top, and Miller is showing the effects. Miller keeps going after a submission, but Healy gets to side control. Healy then sneaks around to Miller’s back as Miller tries to get back to his feet. Miller in trouble with a Healy rear-naked choke. But Miller defends, then hip escapes to get out. With 25 seconds left, Miller gets back to his feet, but just briefly. Miller looks for a choke late, but can’t get it. Healy lands some punches and knees as the round ends. It’s a 10-9 round for Healy, and the fight should hang in the balance in the third.

Round 3 – Good right hook by Miller early, but Healy tries to answer back. They clinch up along the fence, and there’s a quick ground scramble before they go back to standing. Miller tries a left uppercut, and it’s just off the mark. Then he tries for an elbow. Healy ties him up, then lands knees. Inside leg kick from Miller takes Healy off his feet, but Healy then tags Miller with a punch. Healy looking for knees along the fence 90 seconds in. And Healy finally drags him to the floor for his fourth takedown. Healy trying to land elbows, and he’s got an arm triangle that isn’t going to work for him. Miller trying to get out of there, but Healy is just grinding him out here. Miller trying to get back to his feet with 90 seconds left. Healy takes his back. He’s got the rear-naked choke, and it’s deep. It’s really deep. Miller might be out. And that’s it. Dean stops it. Big upset. Pat Healy def. Jim Miller via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 4:02

PHIL DAVIS VS. VINNY MAGALHAES

Round 1 – Dan Miragliotta looking in on this one. Magalhaes takes the center, and he kicks high early, then to the legs, then up the middle. Davis with a right, then a right to the body. They trade kicks. Magalhaes backs him up with a kick, then clinches him up before Davis separates. Right hand from Davis, and then a couple that have Magalhaes backed to the cage. He kicks high, and Magalhaes is stumbled. Then a left hand from Davis lands as he moves in. He kicks up the middle, and Davis will see if he can keep him wobbled. But Magalhaes survives and gets a takedown. He tries to take Davis’ back. And Davis scrambles out. He’ll let Magalhaes back to his feet. Magalhaes was in great position to put his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt skills to work, and couldn’t hold it. Davis puts a combo together, but Magalhaes sneaks an uppercut through. Davis is right behind it, though, with more punches. He eats a leg kick, but stays in the pocket. Magalhaes claims he was poked in the eye, but Miragliotta didnt’ see it. Magalhaes lands a nice leg kick, then a smacking one to the body. Davis gets a 10-9 Round 1 on the MMAjunkie.com scorecard.

Round 2 – Magalhaes lands a good right hand early, and Davis tries to land a front kick, but misses. Davis lands a 1-2, then backs out. Davis gets inside and gets a takedown attempt, and Magalhaes pulls guard and will see if Davis will follow him in. He won’t for long before letting Magalhaes back up. He lands a good right, then a left. Then another right. Davis goes to the body. Outside leg kick from Magalhaes, then inside. Davis staying busy and landing a few punches, then a left jab. Magalhaes drops his hands, and his corner is telling him, “You’ve gotta go!” Magalhaes drops down to guard, but again Davis lets him up. He lands a nice right to the body. Magalhaes is bloodied from the nose, and Davis is picking him apart with jabs and punches. Magalhaes will try for a takedown, and it’s not there, and he eats a punch for his trouble. It’s another 10-9 round for Davis.

Round 3 – Magalhaes kicks high early. He’s going to likely need a finish in the last round here to win the fight. Much slower pace this round, and the fans are reacting to it. Davis dumps Magalhaes to the ground, and Magalhaes tells him to come down into his world. Not gonna happen. Davis lands a few good punches on the fence, again picking Magalhaes apart. Midway through, Magalhaes is offering next to nothing in the way of offense. Solid right hand from Davis at the two-minute mark. Magalhaes tries to get inside and clinch, but it’s not happening. Again Magalhaes goes to the ground and wants Davis to go there, but Davis won’t oblige him. Magalhaes kicks to the body, then tries to kick up the middle. Magalhaes will run out of time and then some. It’s a 10-9 round for Davis on the MMAjunkie.com card, and he should get the fight 30-27. Phil Davis def. Vinny Magalhaes via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

CHEICK KONGO VS. ROY NELSON

Round 1 – Big ovation for Nelson. Kevin Mulhall will oversee the heavyweight bout, which will have Kongo with a nine-inch reach advantage. Kongo on the outside, and Nelson comes in and ties him up. He pushes Kongo against the cage. Kongo looks for knees from there and tries to stay on his feet. Kongo staying on his feet so far. Nelson appeared to be doing enough work, but Mulhall breaks them apart. And just like that, Nelson lands a massive right hand, then one more on the ground. He cocks back for a third, but he knows Kongo is done. Big knockout for Nelson, and the crowd goes crazy. Roy Nelson def. Cheick Kongo via KO (punch) – Round 1, 2:03

ALAN BELCHER VS. MICHAEL BISPING

Round 1 – Herb Dean looking in on this one. Bisping works a few kicks, and Belcher tries to bring one of his own. Bisping misses with a right, then nearly catches a kick. He sneaks inside for a left hand. They trade kicks to the body. Belcher changes stances, but Bisping keeps coming forward. Belcher lands a good body kick. Belcher tries to go up high with a kick, but Bisping blocks it without much trouble. Bisping lands a nice right, but Belcher answers with one. Belcher drops his hands a little and Bisping lands a right, then just misses with a follow-up. Bisping catches a finger in the right eye and gets a few seconds. But he appears mostly fine. A Bisping kick momentarily takes Belcher off his feet. It’s a pretty tight and mostly tentative first round, but MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Bisping.

Round 2 – Bisping lands a good jab, and then tries to come forward and lands a right hand, then an inside leg kick. Belcher drops his hands and invites Bisping to throw. They kick at the same time, but Bisping lands a clean right afterward. Right uppercut from Bisping misses. But moments later, he drills a right. Then he lands a left. Up high for Bisping with a kick, but it’s just off the mark. But he’s landing far more punches this round, and he lands a few more rights. He’s backing Belcher up. Stiff jab from Bisping. Then another with the left. Belcher lands a right, but Bisping comes right behind with one, stays in the pocket and lands a combo. Right-left from Bisping is right on the money. With 30 seconds left, Belcher shoots for a takedown, but Bisping defends easily. Belcher lands three rights, though. Bisping lands a combo in the last 10 seconds. It’s a 10-9 round for Bisping again on the MMAjunkie.com card going to the last.

Round 3 – Belcher comes out flying, and Bisping connected. Belcher’s corner told him between rounds he’ll lose a decision, so he needs to finish. Couple leg kicks from Belcher, but Bisping lands a good right. Belcher is smiling at Bisping, but Bisping lands a right. Bisping gets inside and lands an uppercut, then a hook. Solid right hand from Bisping, and he backs Belcher up with a combo and a high kick. A few stiff jabs from Bisping land with three minutes left. Belcher kicks to the body, then again. The crowd isn’t thrilled with things here. But Bisping lands a big right hand. Good combo by Bisping comes with 90 seconds left, and it looks like he wants to go after the finish. Belcher shoots and has it easily stuffed with 75 seconds left. Good jab-jab-right from Bisping. And suddenly, Belcher hits the turf from an accidental eye poke, which is a concern because he was out for so long from eye surgery. Belcher’s bleeding from his eye, and that’s going to be it. Another odd injury stoppage. Michael Bisping def. Alan Belcher via technical decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

CHAMP JON JONES VS. CHAEL SONNEN

Round 1 – Keith Peterson is our ref for the main event light heavyweight title fight that has been about eight months in the making. Mix of cheers and boos for Sonnen as he’s introduced. And the same for Jones, who comes in as a massive favorite of upwards of 11-to-1 in some places. They’ll touch gloves. Jones gets a quick takedown just 10 seconds in after Sonnen comes forward quickly. But Sonnen nicely gets back up and lands punches from the clinch. They tie up again and Jones puts Sonnen’s back on the fence. Again Sonnen lands some body punches, then Jones again puts him on his back and lands a big elbow. Sonnen is back up, but Jones gets double underhooks and pushes Sonnen to the fence. Sonnen tries for a guillotine, but Jones gets out and goes after a single. Uppercut from Jones is good, and then an elbow and a spinning elbow. Body punches from Jones are good, and Sonnen has a Thai clinch on. But Jones scoops him up for a big slam and Sonnen has to work out of guard. Jones postures up for an elbow, then another. Jones trying to do some damage on top. Jones grabs Sonnen’s left arm and pulls it across his face. But Jones swarms and lands some big elbows. Then a knee to the body, then some more elbows. He’s cut. And Peterson stops it. Sonnen isn’t happy and believes it’s a quick stoppage. It may be, but Sonnen was in a lot of trouble there. As Joe Rogan interviews Jones, Jones realizes his left big toe is broken. It looks pretty gnarly. Jon Jones def. Chael Sonnen via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:33