UFC on FOX 10 play-by-play and live results

CHICAGO – MMAjunkie is on scene and reporting live from today’s UFC on FOX 10 event.

The card, which features a bout between former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson and former Strikeforce champ Josh Thomson, takes place at Chicago’s United Center in Chicago. The main card airs on FOX following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. PT) for the preliminary card and 8 p.m. ET for the main card.

To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFC on FOX 10 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporters Matt Erickson (@MMAjunkieMatt) and Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) on Twitter.

Enjoy the fights, everyone.

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WALT HARRIS (5-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC) VS. NIKITA KRYLOV (16-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC)

Round 1 – Rob Madrigal will take a look in on the first fight of the night. The two big men touch gloves and come out kicking. Both land left hands and keep after the leg kicks. Then Krylov kicks high and it’s on the button. The right kick hits Harris in the head, and he stumbles backward. Krylov is on him quickly and starts raining down the ground-and-pound until Madrigal steps in. Quick finish to start the night, just like last week in Georgia.

Result: Nikita Krylov def. Walt Harris via TKO (head kick, punches) – Round 1, 0:25
Recap: Nikita Krylov stuns Walt Harris in 25-second beatdown
Photos: Nikita Krylov vs. Walt Harris photos
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Rob Madrigal

MIKE RHODES (6-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) VS. GEORGE SULLIVAN (15-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC)

Round 1 – “Big” John McCarthy is the third man in the octagon for a couple 170-pounders making their UFC debuts. Rhodes circles outside as Sullivan tries to find a home for a left jab. Sullivan kicks inside a handful of times before Rhodes finally fires off his first kick about a minute in. Sullivan lands nicely a couple times, including a body kick. But Rhodes peppers off a solid right hand. Two minutes in, Rhodes ties Sullivan up on the cage and drops down for a double. He scoops him up and lands a good takedown that gets the crowd’s attention. They pop back up and scramble for position on the feet, where Rhodes just misses an overhand right before they break. Sullivan pushes forward and lands a good combo before changing levels to look for a takedown, and he finally gets it after a struggle. Rhodes pops up, but Sullivan plants him again – right into a kimura attempt from Rhodes. It’s solid, but Sullivan makes it out of the round. It’s a close frame, but MMAjunkie will give it to Sullivan, 10-9, on the narrowest of margins.

Round 2 – Outside leg kick for Sullivan opens up the second, and Rhodes tries to answer, but answers just a little low. Sullivan doesn’t need much of a break, though. Rhodes tries a Superman punch that is off the mark, but seconds later he lands a big right – his best punch of the fight. A solid jab lands moments later. With three minutes left, Rhodes jumps his way into a Thai clinch and tries to land three knees, but Sullivan scrambles out of danger. Sullivan has been missing with some big overhand rights, and finally Rhodes takes advantage by landing a solid combo after a Sullivan miss. Then he nearly lands a kick up high. Rhodes works for a takedown late in the round, but can’t get it, and Sullivan changes position to go after one of his own. It’s a better round for Rhodes, and he takes it 10-9 on the Junkie card.

Round 3 – Rhodes looks early in the third like he might have the better cardio. Sullivan had his hands on his knees between rounds. The two trade kicks in the opening minute, and then Rhodes lands a right to the side of the head. Sullivan is still throwing, but he’s backing up a little more. Sullivan lands some solid rights two minutes in, but Rhodes answers with some kicks to the body. Sullivan pushes in to look for a takedown. He can’t get it, and they tie up along the fence and trade knees. Sullivan lands a couple rights, then looks like he’s got an issue with his eye. He doesn’t get a stop from McCarthy, so Rhodes drills him with a kick to the body. With 90 seconds left, both guys look tired. But it’s still anyone’s fight to take, it would seem. They tie up with a minute left, but it’s Sullivan who gets a mild takedown. But with 10 seconds left, Rhodes gets a takedown. It’s a close third again. But MMAjunkie will give it to Sullivan, 10-9, and the fight to him 29-28. Really could go either way, though.

Result: George Sullivan def. Mike Rhodes via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Recap: George Sullivan edges Mike Rhodes in lackluster affair
Photos: George Sullivan vs. Mike Rhodes photos
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: FOX Sports 1
Referee: John McCarthy
Judging: Sal D’Amato, Gabriel Sabaitis, Tony Weeks (all had Rounds 1 and 3 for Sullivan, Round 2 for Rhodes)

DARON CRUICKSHANK (14-4 MMA, 4-2 UFC) VS. MIKE RIO (9-4 MMA, 1-3 UFC)

Round 1 – Herb Dean will look in on his first bout of the night. The “TUF 15? veterans – on opposite teams in the house – spend some time feeling each other out. They trade a few jabs and leg kicks. But it’s a very patient start. Cruickshank lands a good right hand, then ties Rio up for a  moment. He then lands a good front kick to the body. Rio eats a kick, but then throws a big right hand counter that is just off the mark. Rio lands a left hook counter seconds later. With 80 seconds left, Cruickshank lands a beautiful spinning back kick to the body that pushes Rio back. But Rio gets inside wit a minute left for a left and a right before Cruickshank spins out. He fakes, then lands a big right hand in the center o f the cage. And seconds later, he lands a giant left kick right to Rio’s face. He hits the turf, and Cruickshank is on him looking for aa choke. He can’t get the finish. Rio survives the round. Cruickshank takes the round 10-9 thanks to that late flurry.

Round 2 – Rio goes after a takedown 50 seconds in, but Cruickshank fends it off and kicks to the outside leg. Cruickshank kicks high again and has it partially blocked, then comes back with a front kick to the body. A spinning back kick from Cruickshank draws some “oooohs” from the crowd. Cruickshank wobbles Rio with a kick, but Rio stays on his feet. Rio gets the fight to the cage, but it’s Cruickshank takes him down. But it’s Rio who gets a heel hook. Cruickshank could be in trouble. He survives it, though, by stepping over perfectly to get out of the hold – but it was lengthy. Cruickshank gets back to his feet. And he absolutely plants a spinning wheel kick on Rio’s face. Just plants it. Rio goes to the cage, and Cruickshank is on him landing a couple dozen punches before Dean stops it with just seconds left. Stellar striking performance from Cruickshank over the 10 minutes.

Result: Daron Cruickshank def. Mike Rio via TKO (kick, punches) – Round 2, 4:56
Recap: Daron Cruickshank stuns Mike Rio with spinning finish
Photos: Daron Cruickshank vs. Mike Rio photos
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: FOX Sports 1
Referee: Herb Dean

RAMIRO HERNANDEZ (13-6 MMA, 0-2 UFC) VS. HUGO VIANA (8-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC)

Round 1 – Otto Torriero will be the third man here. Viana takes the center of the cage as Hernandez circles outside to the right. But Viana lands a right hand that puts Hernandez quickly on the canvas. Back on the feet, Viana lands again, this time with a left hook. Good 1-1-2 combo from Viana. Viana wings a right hand across, then lands inside. He then drills a kick to the body. It’s all Viana, and he’s bring hard left hands and not having to deal with many answers from the Pat Miletich-trained Hernandez. Viana gets a 10-9 first round on the Junkie card.

Round 2 – Not as many early opportunities for Viana, but more than anything, Hernandez isn’t offering much to him in return. He finally gets inside for a couple right hands, but Viana answers back with punches of his own. The crowd starts to grow a little restless, and Viana lands a good combination in tight. Hernandez is cut inside his right eye. With a minute left, Viana puts together another pair of combos. He’s dancing to the outside, but Hernandez is doing very little but standing in front of him eating punches and kicks. It’s another 10-9 round for Viana on the MMAjunkie card.

Round 3 – Miletich told Hernandez between rounds it’s “time to get nasty.” He’ll likely have to get a finish to win the fight, so we’ll see what he brings. A minute in, it’s again not much. The two trade inside for a moment, and now it’s Viana circling outside to avoid, and if Hernandez isn’t going to throw much, it’s not a bad strategy. But Hernandez does land one, and then another, and now he’s chasing Viana down and throwing. He lands a good jab, but Viana answers with an overhand right. Halfway through the round, it’s Hernandez chasing still. He gets inside with 100 seconds left and puts some leather on Viana. With a minute left, Hernandez recognizes that Viana is on his bike, and mimics running away to the crowd’s delight – though throwing some strikes the first 10 minutes may have helped his case. Hernandez lands a left hook with 20 seconds left and a right hand after that. But he won’t have enough to get the finish. Hernandez will get a 10-9 third round, but he’s going to lose the fight 29-28 – at least on the MMAjunkie unofficial scorecard.

Result: Hugo Viana def. Ramiro Hernandez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Recap: Hugo Viana batters Ramiro Hernandez, survives late rally
Photos: Hugo Viana vs. Ramiro Hernandez photos
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: FOX Sports 1
Referee: Otto Torriero
Judging: Kelvin Caldwell, Sal D’Amato, Brian Puccillo (all had Rounds 1-2 for Viana, Round 3 for Hernandez)

CHICO CAMUS (14-4 MMA, 3-1 UFC) VS. YAOTZIN MEZA (20-9 MMA, 1-2 UFC)

Round 1 – Otto Torriero will work his second straight fight. Meza takes the middle to start, but they dance around to feel things out for the first 30 seconds. Meza gets inside 90 seconds in and ties Camus up, and he finally gets a takedown and goes right into half-guard. Camus, though, gets a gorgeous reversal and flips things right over. Camus will go to work out of guard while Meza tries to control his posture on the ground. Camus isn’t able to fire off a ton of offense from up top, but he’s in the better position here. With 10 seconds left, they get stood up, but not with enough time to do much. Camus will take a 10-9 first round on the Junkie card.

Round 2 – Camus lands a solid shot right away in the second and the fight hits the ground. But this time it’s Meza who gets the good reversal and gets on top. The crowd gets restless, and Torriero stands them up. But seconds later, it’s Camus on top with a takedown doing work. He gets to full mount, and then takes Meza’s back and wraps up a body triangle. He moves back to mount and lands a few punches, then takes the back again. But Meza shakes him off. They’ll finish the round standing. But it’s another 10-9 round for Camus.

Round 3 – Meza looking to throw some big kicks early. But he throws a kick 30 seconds in and Camus takes him right down. And now full mount again for Camus with ease, with lots of time to work. He takes Meza’s back, and again Meza will try to shake him off. But it’s not going to happen. Camus has his back tightly, and he’ll go after a rear-naked choke. Meza slips the choke, but Camus keeps him in trouble back to mount. Meza continues to try to buck out, and he does, and rolls over nicely and is on top. Meza is going after a finish, but it’s looking like it’s too little too late as Camus defends. And Camus gets back to full mount with 15 seconds left. He’ll take the back and go after one more choke to finish. It’s another 10-9 round for Camus, and he should have the fight 30-27.

Result: Chico Camus def. Yaotzin Meza via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Recap: Chico Camus outgrapples Yaotzin Meza for decision win
Photos: Chico Camus vs. Yaotzin Meza photos
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: FOX Sports 1
Referee: Otto Torriero
Judging: Kevin Caldwell (30-27), Sal D’Amato (29-28), Gabriel Sabaitis (29-28) (D’Amato, Sabaitis gave Round 1 to Meza)

YVES JABOUIN (19-9 MMA, 4-3 UFC) VS. EDDIE WINELAND (21-9-1 MMA, 3-3 UFC)

Round 1 – Wineland marches right to the middle. He puts together a combo and a kick. Jabouin kicks high, but it’s blocked, as is a follow-up. Wineland gets inside and lands an uppercut. Wineland staying in the center as Jabouin moves ouside. Body punch from Wineland is on the mark. Another Jabouin high kick is blocked, and Wineland gets inside for a good right hand. Jabouin tries to go high with the left kick once again. But Wineland again comes with the right. Jabouin again just misses with a kick, but Wineland pushes forward. Wineland lands a couple good jabs. With 30 seconds left, it’s a close round, and Wineland shoots for a takedown that Jabouin sprawls his way out of. Wineland lands a few knees to close. It’s a tight frame, but Jabouin may have edged out a 10-9 with his volume of kicks.

Round 2 – Jabouin again will want the kick to be his weapon. A minute in, he lands his best punches of the fight, finishing with a right hand. Wineland gets inside for a good combo, then goes back to faking and dodges away from a spinning back fist. Midway through, Wineland pops Jabouin’s head back with a right hand, but then eats a kick to the body. Wineland catches a kick and lands a good punch on the tail end as Jabouin goes backward. Seconds later, Wineland walks right through a kick to the head. He lands a right hand that puts Jabouin on his back. Wineland goes after an arm-triangle choke. He’ll survive it, but Wineland mounts him and starts raining down punches and elbows. Madrigal takes a good look, and then Wineland takes Jabouin’s back. He’s got more than a minute to get a finish. He’s landing big left hands, and that’s going to be it. Jabouin eats a bunch of them, that’s gonna do it.

Result: Eddie Wineland def. Yves Jabouin via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:16
Recap: Eddie Wineland batters Yves Jabouin for impressive TKO
Photos: Eddie Wineland vs. Yves Jabouin photos
Division: Bantamweight
Rankings: Wineland No. 4
Broadcast: FOX Sports 1
Referee: Rob Madrigal

ALEX CACERES (10-5 MMA, 5-3 UFC) VS. SERGIO PETTIS (10-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC)

Round 1 – Caceres kicks early. He’s got a big height advantage over Pettis, the younger brother of UFC lightweight champ Anthony. Pettis stands inside with confidence and blocks a spinning back fist from Caceres. Pettis tries to chase “Bruce Leeroy” down, and the two trade in the center of the cage. Pettis catches a body kick, but can’t counter. A high kick from Pettis is just off the mark, but he lands a left right after it. With two minutes left, Pettis looks like he’s starting to get some confidence, and seconds later, he lands a good kick up high that briefly puts Caceres on his knees. Pettis lands a spinning kick that hits Caceres in the back, and he comes behind it with a good combination. Caceres lands a good right hand, with a left hand right afterward. But Pettis gets inside and lands a kick, then a monster head kick right after it. Somehow Caceres stays on his feet, though. Caceres lands a spinning fist near the close. But it’s a 10-9 first round for Pettis on the Junkie card.

Round 2 – Pettis works early, but Caceres lands a massive left hand and drops Pettis instantly. Pettis tries to recover and holds on to Caceres as he moves in. But Pettis gets back to his feet and throws a head kick. Pettis lands inside, then kicks high again. The two start trading in what is quickly becoming a slugfest. Pettis backs Caceres up with a kick and a couple punches. Caceres goes to the body with a kick. Pettis tries a short Superman punch right after it, then lands a right hand. Then Caceres lands a 360-degree kick that looks all kinds of fancy. Another head kick from Pettis is on the button, but Caceres doesn’t drop. A few teeps from Caceres are good, and Pettis just misses a spinning back kick. The two tie up with 30 seconds left. Both fighters miss spinning strikes at the end of the round. The big knockdown by Caceres turned this fight around, and he’ll get a close second on the Junkie card, 10-9.

Round 3 – Perhaps sensing a “Fight of the Night” bonus, the two get riled up to start the third. A Pettis takedown is good, but Caceres can’t hold on to the kimura he wanted off of it. They’ll go back to standing again. A wild exchange leads to a crazy ground scramble. Pettis hangs on to a leg, but then flips Caceres off and gets back to his feet. Caceres lands a knee to the body. Caceres does a 360-degree spinning kick to the leg. Pettis lands a kick up high, then a right hand stuns him. With less than two minutes left in the fight, Pettis lands a kick to the body. Caceres wings a big left hand. They tie up, and Pettis looks for a takedown. But he can’t get it, and it’s Caceres who winds up on top. Pettis moves to a heel hook, but Caceres gets out and lands some big punches while taking Pettis’ back. He gets under Pettis’ chin, and he’s going to get the rear-naked choke. It’s tight, and Pettis has to tap with about 20 seconds left in the fight. The fight was hanging in the balance, and Caceres gets a huge submission win over the highly touted Pettis. It’s the first loss of Pettis’ career, and he sinks to the canvas and shakes his head.

Result: Alex Caceres def. Sergio Pettis via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 4:39
Recap: Alex Caceres submits Sergio Pettis in thriller
Photos: Alex Caceres vs. Sergio Pettis photos
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: FOX Sports 1
Referee: Herb Dean

DARREN ELKINS (17-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) VS. JEREMY STEPHENS (23-9 MMA, 10-8 UFC)

Round 1 – Stephens lands a couple body kicks early. Elkins stays outside, but a minute in shoots for his first takedown. It’s not there, and he backs out as Stephens stuffs it. Stephens lands a big uppercut inside. Elkins backs away from Stephens’ power as he throws another big uppercut that just misses. Elkins shoots again, and it’s stuffed. Elkins throws a punch, but slips and Stephens gets on top. He doesn’t land much there, though, and midway through we’re back to standing. Elkins will work in for a single. Stephens defends, but Elkins pushes him to the cage and continues to try to drop down. Finally, Stephens pushes off and they go back to the center with 90 seconds left. Stephens lands a right and a left behind it. They swing wildly in the middle with a minute left, but both miss. A right hand over the top is good for Stephens, and with 15 seconds left he lands a massive body kick. Stephens takes the first round, 10-9, on the Junkie card.

Round 2 – Elkins lands a right hand right away, but Stephens landed a bomb of his own. Elkins lands a body kick, then shoots for a takedown and Stephens scrambles out of there. A Stephens right hand is on the mark. Another Elkins shot comes 90 seconds in, but again Stephens defends. A hard leg kick from Stephens briefly takes Elkins off his feet. A front kick from Elkins just misses. He’s cut near his right eye. Elkins again wants the takedown, and again, for the ninth time, Stephens stuffs it. Stephens lands a good uppercut inside. It’s another 10-9 round for Stephens.

Round 3 – Stephens tries to land inside. But surprisingly, it’s Stephens who gets a takedown – right into a guillotine choke. Elkins can’t keep it, but he nearly locks it back up when Stephens tries to spin out. But the two go back to their feet. Elkins eats a kick and catches it on the way out. He nearly takes Stephens off his feet, but there’s nothing there. Stephens lands a 1-2 combination, then a leg kick. Stephens lands a big left hook, and with 90 seconds left, he can probably go on cruise control. Stephens slips, and Elkins tries to take advantage. They’ll swing, but Elkins can’t take advantage. Elkins gets a guillotine late in the fight, but he won’t have enough time to finish things, despite it being tight. Stephens gets a 10-9 round on the Junkie card, and should have the fight 30-27.

Result: Jeremy Stephens def. Darren Elkins via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Recap: Jeremy Stephens stuffs Darren Elkins, cruises to win
Photos: Jeremy Stephens vs. Darren Elkins photos
Division: Featherweight
Rankings: Elkins No. 9
Broadcast: FOX
Referee: John McCarthy
Judging: Sal D’Amato (29-28), Brian Puccillo (30-27), Gabriel Sabaitis (30-27) (D’Amato gave Round 3 to Elkins)

DONALD CERRONE (22-6 MMA, 9-3 UFC) VS. ADRIANO MARTINS (25-7 MMA, 1-1 UFC)

Round 1 – The two kick early. Martins threatens after one kick, but Cerrone recovers and lands a good kick to the body. Cerrone kicks high with the right, and it just  misses. The two slow the pace and stay patient. Martins just misses with a counter left hand. Cerrone tries to punch to the body, then kicks. Martins lands a good left, and a jab behind it. Martins wants to throw over the top with the right again. Outside leg kick for Cerrone is good. Martins lands a solid left. But Cerrone gets a takedown, briefly has full mount, but can’t stay there as Martins pops right back to his feet. Cerrone lands a solid kick to the body. But just like that, Cerrone lands a head kick with his right, and this one is done. Martins falls immediately, and Cerrone won’t even follow up on it. He knows he’s out. Perfect technique for Cerrone. The shin drilled Martins right in the neck and on the jaw. Solid candidate there for Cerrone to become the new Zuffa bonuses leader.

Result: Donald Cerrone def. Adriano Martins via knockout (head kick) – Round 1, 4:40
Recap: Donald Cerrone starches Adriano Martins with high kick
Photos: Donald Cerrone vs. Adriano Martins photos
Division: Lightweight
Rankings: Cerrone No. 13
Broadcast: FOX
Referee: John McCarthy

GABRIEL GONZAGA (16-8 MMA, 11-7 UFC) VS. STIPE MIOCIC (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC)

Round 1 – Herb Dean will look in on the heavyweights in our co-main event. Gonzaga kicks early. Miocic answers with a kick of his own. The two throw big right hands over the top, and Gonzaga just misses what could’ve been a fight-ender. Miocic is a former Golden Gloves boxer, but it’s Gonzaga landed better early. And he follows with a nice kick to Miocic’s lead leg. Gonzaga covers up nicely from Miocic’s jabs, then kicks to the leg again. Gonzaga briefly gets hold of Miocic, but he slips away. Gonzaga catches Miocic on teh chin as Miocic throws a kick, then lands a solid leg kick and Miocic is already feeling the effects of the kicks to his left leg. With 50 seconds left, Gonzaga shoots for a takedown and lands it. But Miocic pops right back up. They’ll end the round on the feet. Gonzaga takes the round 10-9 on the MMAjunkie card.

Round 2 – Slower pace to start the second, but Gonzaga sneaks a left hook in. Gonzaga looks like he might be fading a little bit, so it’ll be interesting to see if Miocic can take advantage. Miocic starts stalking him down, boxing him up with jabs. The crowd, for the first time tonight, starts a chant – chanting Miocic’s first name. Gonzaga looks for a takedown, but it’s not close. Miocic starts peppering him up some more in close as Gonzaga backs up. With a minute left, Miocic is in clear control of this round. He throws some body kicks and keeps walking Gonzaga down. It’s a 10-9 round for Miocic in the second.

Round 3 – Good right leg kick from Goznaga opens the third, and he lands a right hand behind it. But Miocic still looks much more fresh. Gonzaga shoots 90 seconds in, but Miocic stuffs it for the fifth time in the fight. High kick from Gonzaga is just off the mark. He tries to pop out a jab off of that, but there’s not much there. The crowd gets a little restless, but Miocic gets Gonzaga to the ground. He’ll try to land some punches from his feet while avoiding the upkicks. Gonzaga tries to get up, but slips. He remains on his back, and Miocic lands a few punches, then backs away. Then lands a couple and backs away. With 90 seconds left, Miocic pops down and lands hammer fists to the body and head. Gonzaga goes into defensive mode, but Miocic keeps pounding on him. Gonzaga tries to land a few punches from his back while eating bunches. They get back to standing with 15 seconds left, and Gonzaga looks exhausted. Miocic takes the third 10-9 on the Junkie card, and should have the fight 29-28.

Result: Stipe Miocic def. Gabriel Gonzaga via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Recap: Stipe Miocic outlasts exhausted Gabriel Gonzaga
Photos: Stipe Miocic vs. Gabriel Gonzaga photos
Division: Heavyweight
Rankings: Miocic No. 11
Broadcast: FOX
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging: Sal D’Amato (30-27), Clay Goodman (29-28), Tony Weeks (30-27) (Goodman gave Gonzaga Round 1)

BENSON HENDERSON (19-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC) VS. JOSH THOMSON (20-5 MMA, 3-1 UFC)

Round 1 – “Big” John McCarthy will look in on the two former champs. They touch gloves and get started. Henderson in the center early, and he kicks high with his left. He lands over the top with a right, but Thomson ties him up and slams him down. He takes Henderson’s back and locks up a tight body triangle with well more than four minutes to go. Thomson works to try to get Henderson’s left arm out. He squirms around and takes Henderson’s back with the triangle still on. Henderson gets some of the pressure of that triangle off, but Thomson keeps it wrapped around. Thomson keeps working on a choke, but Henderson stands up. Thomson stays on him and rides his back, but Henderson finally gets free. They stay tied up, but Henderson puts Thomson’s back to the fence. And with about a minute left, Henderosn gets a takedown. Thomson pops back up, but Henderson has a standing arm triangle. Henderson falls to the ground with it, but Thomson gets out and as the round closes, Thomson lands a takedown to put the cap on the frame. It’s a 10-9 first round for Thomson on the MMAjunkie card.

Round 2 – Henderson lands an early knee to the body, and Thomson tries for a takedown that’s not there. Henderson pushes the fight to the cage and looks for knees, but Thomson lands one of his own. With three minutes left, McCarthy splits them up. Henderson lands a good kick to the body, then fakes another one and comes with a front kick right after it. But Thomson, just like early in the first round, drags Henderson to the floor and again has a body triangle. But Henderson is back up much quicker this time. Solid exchange with 30 seconds left sees both fighters land. With 20 seconds left, Henderson kicks, but Thomson catches it. It’s a close round, but the Junkie card will go with Henderson, 10-9.

Round 3 – Superman punch from Henderson comes right away, and after a scramble, Henderson gets the fight to the ground. They scramble there, but Henderson gets back to his feet. Between rounds, Thomson told his corner his right hand is broken. But he throws one anyway. Henderson lands to the body, then ties Thomson up. After they break, Thomson throws a right elbow. Henderson ties him up and tries to overpower him. Thomson kicks to the body, but Henderson comes right behind it with some jabs. Henderson lands a knee to the body, but Thomson ties him up and gets a trip takedown that is short lived. With 30 seconds left, Henderson gets on top on the ground in side control and lands some elbows. It’s a 10-9 round for Henderson.

Round 4 – Big body kick from Henderson opens the fourth, but Thomson catches it and walks through it. Henderson will stalk him down a bit here, and he kicks to the leg. But Thomson gets a takedown right in the center of the cage. He lands a few punches with his broken right hand. Henderson tries to box the ears from his back. Henderson recovers to full guard after a sketchy moment. He traps Thomson’s left arm and he’ll look for a possible triangle choke. But Thomson works his way out. Henderson powers back to his feet and gets his own takedown with half the round left, and he’ll work on elbows. Thomson gets back to his feet, but Henderson kicks him repeatedly to the backs of his legs. Henderson lands a short elbow and breaks away. Thomson takes a long look at the clock, sees 90 seconds left, and keeps going. With 45 seconds left, Thomson ducks under a punch and gets another takedown. He takes Henderson’s back, again with a body triangle. Henderson gets to his feet and fixes his hair as he walks over to the fence. Thomson stays on his back and tries to rile up the crowd. MMAjunkie will score the round 10-9 for Henderson as we go to the fifth.

Round 5 – Henderson throws a right hook to the body. Then he throws a big knee to the body. Thomson lands a right hand to the jaw – with the hand he said after Round 2 is broken. Thomson kicks low and takes Henderson off his feet for a moment, but Henderson pops back up and kicks in return. Midway through, Henderson lands a heavy kick to the leg. Henderson punches to the body, but Thomson lands some shots in close. Thomson catches a Henderson kick and pushes him backward and throws him to the fence. He tries to take his back and does, but can’t yet get the fight to the ground. Henderson lands a knee to the body as the two hang on and trade position. They break with 20 seconds left. Henderson lands to the body once again, and that will be the last action of the fight. MMAjunkie scores the fifth for Henderson, 10-9, and sees the fight for him 49-46.

Result: Benson Henderson def. Josh Thomson via split decision (47-48, 48-47, 49-46)
Recap:
Photos:
Division: Lightweight
Rankings: Henderson No. 2, Thomson No. 7
Broadcast: FOX
Referee: John McCarthy
Judging: Sal D’Amato, Brian Puccillo, Gabriel Sabaitis