‘TUF Nations’ Finale Results: ‘Bisping vs. Kennedy’ Play-by-Play %26 Updates

Round 1

Dan Miragliotta is the referee for tonight’s opening bantamweight bout. Gagnon sticks a jab and a leg kick, but Gorman counters him with a left hook. Gagnon lands a hard one to the body that doubles over Gorman, who has to defend against a guillotine as Gagnon pulls guard. Gagnon doesn’t have the angle to finish the choke but holds on to Gorman’s head nonetheless, preventing “The Psycho” from mounting any offense from the top position. They work back up against the fence and Gagnon begins attacking the body of Gorman with kicks. Gorman shoots a single-leg, switches to a rear waistlock and then changes to the front as he pushes Gagnon against the cage. Referee Miragliotta splits up the bantamweights with 20 seconds on the clock. When they resume, Gagnon tags Gorman with a clean left from the southpaw stance.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Gagnon
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Gagnon
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Gagnon

Round 2

Gagnon stifles another single-leg takedown with the help of the fence, but Gorman stays on the takedown attempt. Another guillotine attempt from Gagnon forces Gorman to relent momentarily, and now Gagnon scores with a takedown of his own. Gorman powers back to his feet and holds Gagnon against the cage again. When they’re separated by the ref, Gagnon tries to pull guard with another guillotine but loses the choke along the way. Gagnon throws up a triangle, switches to an armbar, but Gorman pulls free of both to finish the round on top.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Gagnon
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Gagnon
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Gagnon

Round 3

Gagnon comes out firing with a quick punching combination but opts for a trip takedown after eating a left from Gorman. They scramble back up and now it’s Gorman hunting for a single-leg against the cage, again defended by Gagnon, who lands some hard knees and punches to Gorman’s body before escaping the clinch. Gagnon sprawls on a double-leg shot in the center of the cage, tries another guillotine, can’t get it. Back on the feet, Gagnon pops his man with an uppercut and a knee before Gorman clinches up. The bantamweights are separated with two minutes remaining, and Gagnon attacks with a step-in knee before flooring Gorman with a double-leg. Not much action on the ground in the closing moments as Gagnon works from Gorman’s closed guard, occasionally posturing up to drop an elbow or punch.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Gagnon (30-27 Gagnon)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Gagnon (30-27 Gagnon)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Gagnon (30-27 Gagnon)

The Official Result

Mitch Gagnon def. Tim Gorman via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Round 1

Philippe Chartier is the referee for this welterweight bout. Indich connects with a right hand before Walsh changes levels and comes inside looking for a takedown. They wind up in the whizzer, then clinching on the cage with Walsh on the outside. Indich circles out, but Walsh comes straight after him and this time completes a takedown against the cage. Indich inches up the cage, back to his feet, then pulls guard with a guillotine. Walsh pulls his head free, keeps Indich on the fence as they stand and then lands another takedown. This time, Walsh lands in side control, “Filthy Rich” can’t do anything with the position before Indich scrambles up again. Walsh tries a single-leg and gets snared in another guillotine as Indich pulls guard with 40 seconds remaining, but Walsh is able to free himself before the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Walsh
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Walsh
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Walsh

Round 2

Walsh cracks Indich with a hard left hook and then rushes him across the cage with a flurry of punches. Indich hangs on and gets pushed against the cage, where he complains to referee Chartier that Walsh is grabbing the inside of his glove. As Indich protests, Walsh releases and thumps him with a huge left hand up top. They come off the fence and Walsh sticks a stiff right straight in Indich’s face. Walsh puts a slapping kick on Indich’s body, then sends a hard left up top. A right hand rocks Indich as he’s shoved against the cage yet again. Indich reverses the position but he’s still eating punches and elbows when Walsh gets any sort of space. Walsh takes the outside now and unloads on Indich with some huge knees and elbows to the face. Indich finishes the round against the cage, getting lit up by Walsh’s hands.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Walsh
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Walsh
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Walsh

Round 3

Walsh sticks a combination in the face of Indich before chasing him across the cage and bullying him against the fence. Indich is dragged down but gets to a knee, then back to his feet, but he still can’t escape Walsh’s grips on the cage. Midway through the round, Indich reverses to the outside, but it lasts about five seconds and Walsh hits him with a knee to the gut as they return to the familiar position. Now it’s Indich changing levels, looking for a double-leg. Walsh simply shoves Indich to the ground and follows him down to pop Indich with left hands. Indich is back on his feet with 70 seconds left, still getting mugged by Walsh on the fence. Indich tries to throw hands and kicks as he comes off the fence in the last 10 seconds, but it’s far too little, too late.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Walsh (30-27 Walsh)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Walsh (30-27 Walsh)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Walsh (30-27 Walsh)

The Official Result

Richard Walsh def. Chris Indich via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Round 1

Dan Miragliotta is the referee for this middleweight bout. Grujic starts out pumping his jab, staying long to keep Taleb out of range. Neither man connects with any offense of note in the opening minute as they continue to feint and feel the distance. Taleb finally sticks a jab in Grujic’s face, and now the Australian is circling counterclockwise around the outside. The fighters move to the center of the cage, where Grujic rushes the Canadian with a combination but misses and winds up on his posterior at the base of the fence after a Taleb takedown. Taleb is heavy on top, grinding on Grujic’s face with elbows, forearms and punches, while “The Spartan” struggles to get off his back. With 30 seconds on the clock, Grujic finally gets back to his feet and shoves Taleb away. Grujic wades into range with a lazy left hook and pays for it with a pair of knees to the gut at the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Taleb
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Taleb
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Taleb

Round 2

Taleb gets an early takedown and this time works from Grujic’s guard, stacking up the Australian near the fence to drop punches. As Grujic scrambles to his feet, Taleb drills him with some hard knees to the breadbasket. Taleb keeps Grujic in the clinch against the cage and then trips him to the canvas. It’s half guard on Grujic’s right side for Taleb now, scoring with short left hands while Grujic struggles to free himself. They finish the round on the ground.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Taleb
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Taleb
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Taleb

Round 3

Taleb hits Grujic with a couple punches and leg kicks, then plays matador to the Australian’s bull when Grujic charges ahead with tired, winging punches. Grujic changes levels for a takedown attempt and gets tossed to the ground. The middleweights are back to where they spent round two, Taleb on top with 3:30 left in the fight. Two minutes later, they’re in the same position, only now Taleb is targeting the body of Grujic. Elbows slam into Grujic’s face, busting him open in the final moments of the fight.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Taleb (30-27 Taleb)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Taleb (30-27 Taleb)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Taleb (30-27 Taleb)

The Official Result

Nordine Taleb def. Vik Grujic via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Round 1

Yves Lavigne is the referee for this lightweight bout. De La Torre comes out swinging, but it’s Bocek who connects with a sizzling overhand right that buckles de la Torre’s legs. Bocek drags his man to the ground with a single-leg, but de la Torre twice pops back to his feet after being taken down. Bocek keeps him clinched against the cage, but now de la Torre executes a slick trip to put Bocek on his back. After nearly being mounted, Bocek stands and pushes de la Torre against the cage again. De La Torre reverses and both men connect with uppercuts in the clinch. Bocek shoves off and slugs de la Torre with another overhand right. A pair of uppercuts connects for de la Torre now, but Bocek is firing back with that right hand. Both guys are sniping with punches at the end of the round, and Bocek returns to his corner sporting some cuts and swelling around the brow.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Bocek
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Bocek
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Bocek

Round 2

Bocek takes a couple jabs before rushing ahead, changing levels and flooring de la Torre with a double-leg takedown. De La Torre gets to his knees, gets dragged back down, and stands on his second effort. Bocek keeps him pressed against the fence, but de la Torre scores with an uppercut inside. De La Torre is finding his mark now, shutting down Bocek’s takedown and tagging the Canadian with hard, straight punches. Bocek is still looking for the overhand right that was working earlier in the fight, but de la Torre seems to have it sniffed out now. De La Torre has successfully turned the latter half of round two into a boxing match, and after absorbing some big uppercuts, Bocek finishes the round trying for a takedown.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 de la Torre
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 de la Torre
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 de la Torre

Round 3

De La Torre opens the round with an uppercut, then sticks a straight left counter in Bocek’s face. A powerful double-leg scores for Bocek, but de la Torre is immediately back on his feet. Bocek is a bloody mess now, eating lots of clean punches from de la Torre, and an attempt to clinch with “El Cucuy” on the fence yields nothing. De La Torre lands a knee to the body and gets shoved against the cage again. Bocek’s takedowns just aren’t there at this late stage, and de la Torre’s defense is looking good, too. Bocek thumps de la Torre with a couple right hands to the body, releases and tags him with one upstairs. With 30 seconds left, Bocek leaps on the standing de la Torre’s back, cinches up a body triangle and spends the final seconds trying for a rear-naked choke.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Bocek (29-28 Bocek)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-10 (29-29 Draw)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Bocek (29-28 Bocek)

The Official Result

Mark Bocek def. Mike de la Torre via Split Decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Round 1

Philippe Chartier is the referee for this bantamweight bout. Roop jabs and throws high kicks early while Kimura comes up short with overhand rights, looking to take the head off of his taller opponent. Roop stuffs a shot and grazes with a left hand as Kimura exits the pocket. Kimura eats a couple more punches to get in on a single-leg and spin Roop to the ground. Roop stands, gets dragged back down and forces Kimura to dodge long upkicks before standing again. Now it’s Roop wrapping up Kimura against the cage and dragging him to the ground. Kimura closes his guard around Roop, who grinds his head against the Hawaiian’s face while shoving Kimura against the cage. With 50 seconds on the clock, Roop sits up to drop a couple hard elbow shots. Kimura hangs on underneath to the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Roop
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Roop
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Roop

Round 2

Neither bantamweight is committing to strikes in the opening minute, with Roop staking out the center of the cage and using his long limbs to keep Kimura at bay. Kimura tries a level change and gets pushed against the cage briefly. Kimura swipes a left hook across Roop’s face and then plants him on the ground with a slow-motion takedown. Roop kicks him away and stands up, then pops Kimura with a couple elbows to the side of the head as the Hawaiian drops levels. Kimura gets another takedown and hops on Roop’s back, sinking in one hook before Roop puts his other side on the mat to defend. With 50 seconds to go, Kimura gets his other hook in place and begins fishing for a rear-naked choke. Roop catches Kimura sweeping, twists around and stands up, then attacks Kimura with punches and knees on the fence to finish the round.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-10
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Kimura
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Kimura

Round 3

Roop steps in behind four or five hooking punches and double-legs Kimura to the ground near the fence. Elbows and punches fall on the face of Kimura, which is now sporting some damage around the left eye. Kimura shifts underneath, trying to find an armbar or triangle, but Roop snuffs it out and continues punishing the “Diamond” with heavy ground-and-pound. It’s all Roop on top, even as the bantamweights scoot away from the fence, staying heavy in Kimura’s guard and keeping busy with short, hard elbows. Kimura tries to fire back in the last few seconds but he still finishes the fight on his back.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Roop (30-28 Roop)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Roop (29-28 Roop)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Roop (29-28 Roop)

The Official Result

George Roop def. Dustin Kimura via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-26, 29-28) R3 5:00

Round 1

Dan Miragliotta is the referee for this light heavyweight bout. Jimmo slips on a high kick but powers back to his feet, where he’s pushed against the cage by O’Connell. They separate and Jimmo decks O’Connell with a right hand, then a high kick. O’Connell keeps pressing forward and drills Jimmo with a heavy right hook before muscling “The Big Deal” against the fence in the clinch. Body shots score for O’Connell, who keeps Jimmo on the cage with over-unders. Jimmo takes a knee on the cup but needs only a few seconds to recover. When they resume, Jimmo plows O’Connell to the ground at the base of the fence, but O’Connell won’t stay there. Back on the feet, the 205ers trade places in the clinch, with both men doing body work in the final minute of the round. Referee Miragliotta breaks them up with 40 seconds on the clock, and Jimmo catches O’Connell coming in with a murderous right hook counter. O’Connell falls to the ground in a daze and Jimmo knocks him senseless with three more punches before Miragliotta intervenes.

The Official Result

Ryan Jimmo def. Sean O’Connell via KO (Punches) R1 4:27

Round 1

Yves Lavigne is the referee for this bantamweight bout. Kaufman fires a jab right off the horn, answered by a Smith leg kick. Smith moves in to clinch and pushes Kaufman against the cage, putting a couple left hands on the Canadian’s body before Kaufman escapes. Kaufman kicks the leg out from underneath Smith but can’t hold her on the ground. A right-left combo from Smith connects, and Kaufman comes back with a pair of hard punches in the pocket. They move back to the clinch, where Smith resumes her body punching and foot stomping. Kaufman shoves her off and both women are throwing hands now, Kaufman cutting off Smith with her lead left. Another clinch is initiated by Smith; it doesn’t last long, as Kaufman pushes off and gets back to punching. They tie up in the center and Smith scores with two hard elbows inside, then puts Kaufman’s back to the cage. Kaufman gets out and hits Smith with four or five punches in succession, answered by a Smith head kick. Kaufman hits Smith with knees to the body in the tie-up, takes a clean head kick as they break.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Kaufman
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Kaufman
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Kaufman

Round 2

Smith comes out firing this time, but she walks right into a couple hard combinations from Kaufman. The 135ers tie up on the fence, Kaufman sending knees to the breadbasket and then releasing to pump her jab in Smith’s face. Smith is being beaten to the punch by the short, clean combos of Kaufman, but the Californian continues to throw hands. Kaufman grabs a collar tie and decks Smith with a couple short lefts. They clinch in the center, and now it’s the uppercut landing for Kaufman. It’s all Kaufman as the round enters its final minute, with left hands and knees repeatedly finding their marks on Smith. A takedown attempt from Smith gets her pushed against the fence and drilled with a couple punches upstairs. Smith takes the outside position and tries a knee to the body, but there’s not much behind it.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Kaufman
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Kaufman
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Kaufman

Round 3

Kaufman pops Smith with an overhand right before Smith clinches up in the center and lands an uppercut. Kaufman’s scoring with both hands, absorbing Smith’s leg kicks to stand in the pocket and rack up the punches. From the Thai plum, Kaufman puts a knee on Smith’s body and then releases to hit her with a short left. More work on the fence yields more success for Kaufman, and when the fighters separate, it’s Kaufman moving Smith around the outside, standing just out of range to fire punches upstairs and down. Kaufman grabs hold of Smith and drags her to the ground with 40 seconds on the clock. Smith rolls to her knees, nearly gets trapped in a crucifix but powers back up to finish the fight standing. Both women are still throwing punches when time runs out.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Kaufman (30-27 Kaufman)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Kaufman (30-27 Kaufman)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Kaufman (30-27 Kaufman)

The Official Result

Sarah Kaufman def. Leslie Smith via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Round 1

Philippe Chartier is the referee for this welterweight bout. Both fighters come out throwing low kicks. The first punch from Noons, an overhand right, lands square on Stout’s jaw and knocks him to the ground. Noons follows up with a left and a right on the mat before referee Chartier dives in to peel him off. Stout is still trying to battle with Chartier as Noons celebrates.

The Official Result

K.J. Noons def. Sam Stout via KO (Punches) R1 0:30

Round 1

Dan Miragliotta is the referee for this featherweight bout. Corassani lands a pair of punches early, and the right hand leaves Poirier pawing at his eye. The southpaw Poirier keeps coming forward, though, sticking his jab in Corassani’s face and then looking for a trip near the cage. Corassani stuffs it and presses Poirier against the fence for a moment. Corassani goes to the body, sticks a jab and then knocks Poirier to the ground with another stiff left hand. Poirier is backing up now, allowing Corassani to press forward and send a spinning kick off the American’s arm. Poirier gives him one back with a sweeping right hand. Poirier comes forward now, popping Corassani with a left hand but taking a couple return punches. The featherweights clinch up, and Corassani slams Poirier with a wide right on the break. Corassani shoots a double and gets stuffed to the ground, where Poirier begins framing up a brabo choke. Corassani goes belly down, trying to get low and defend. Poirier switches to a Peruvian necktie, and the choke looks deep. Corassani somehow withstands and gets to his feet in the final 10 seconds, and Poirier tags him with more punches on the fence.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Poirier
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Poirier
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Poirier

Round 2

Poirier strings together a nice combination with a left hook, a right up stairs and a kick to the body. He keeps walking forward on Corassani and drills him with a left hook-right uppercut combo. Corassani is covering up against the fence, and Poirier helps him to the ground with a flurry of body punches. When Corassani drops to his knees, referee Miragliotta steps in to stop the fight.

The Official Result

Dustin Poirier def. Akira Corassani via TKO (Punches) R2 0:42

Round 1

Yves Lavigne is the referee for this “TUF Nations” welterweight final. Aubin-Mercier has a high kick blocked and Laprise lands an outside low kick as the Canadians do a little give-and-take around the Octagon. A few more hard leg kicks score inside for Laprise, and now Aubin-Mercier is checking them. Aubin-Mercier has a takedown attempt stuffed, looks for a trip in the center as they work off the fence, but Laprise denies it. Laprise is sporting a cut under his left eye after that last exchange, and he comes out of it looking to set up a big right hand. Aubin-Mercier keeps on the outside until the 2:00 mark, when he dives on Laprise’s legs and gets turned away. Laprise takes a hard kick to the body, circles left and eats a stiff left from the southpaw. Laprise finishes strong with a knee to the gut and a pair of right hooks in the closing moments.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Laprise
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Laprise
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Laprise

Round 2

Aubin-Mercier is on the move, stepping into the pocket to hit Laprise with a left hook, but Laprise gives him a pair of hard punches in return. Laprise keeps cutting angles around the outside and then keeps his balance as Aubin-Mercier lifts him into the air for a slam. The second attempt from Aubin-Mercier yields a takedown, but the youngster gives up the position by pulling guard with a weak guillotine. Laprise pops to his feet and blasts Aubin-Mercier with a right hand to the gut, then stuffs a takedown attempt. A high kick knocks Aubin-Mercier off balance; Laprise allows him to stand. Aubin-Mercier is getting through with kicks to the right side of Laprise’s body, so Laprise answers with a body blow of his own. Laprise circles the outside, continually moving and countering Aubin-Mercier’ single- and double-strike attacks.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Laprise
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Laprise
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Laprise

Round 3

Laprise shuts down a shot, circles out and pops Aubin-Mercier with a short left. Aubin-Mercier kicks at the body of Laprise, who answers with a nice left cross. One minute in, Aubin-Mercier hits a takedown but can’t hold Laprise there for long. Aubin-Mercier lands a few body kicks, and Laprise ducks under a punch with a right-handed counter. Laprise trips Aubin-Mercier to the ground, won’t follow him and orders him back up. Aubin-Mercier sneaks an uppercut through, dodges a left hand down the center and hits Laprise with a left kick to the body. Thirty seconds to go, and Laprise drives a spinning back kick into Aubin-Mercier’s gut. Laprise charges in the last 10 seconds, eats a right hand but makes Aubin-Mercier pay with a pair of shots to the body before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Laprise (30-27 Laprise)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Laprise (30-27 Laprise)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Laprise (30-27 Laprise)

The Official Result

Chad Laprise def. Olivier Aubin-Mercier via Split Decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Round 1

Philippe Chartier is the referee for this “TUF Nations” middleweight final. Theodorou and Westcott move straight to the clinch, and Westcott lands a couple knees inside as he pushes Theodorou to the fence. Thirty seconds in, Westcott gets Theodorou to the ground and then moves to take his back as the “Spartan” tries to stand. Both hooks are in for Westcott, and he stays attached to the back as Theodorou stands. Theodorou tucks his chin as Westcott tries to slip his right arm underneath. Westcott switches hands and continues to ride Theodorou’s back, hunting for the rear-naked choke. Theodorou shakes him off with 2:40 on the clock and follows Westcott to the ground with big right hands. The 185ers are back to their feet midway through the round, and Theodorou scores with a knee to the body, then one to the head. Westcott drops to the ground briefly and eats another big knee as he stands. He’s looking for a takedown against the cage, grasping at Theodorou’s legs, but Theodorou defends well, drilling his former teammate with elbows and punches to the side of the head. Westcott pulls guard and Theodorou leaves him there. Referee Chartier stands up Westcott with less than a minute remaining. Theodorou sends a couple front kicks up the middle, sticks Westcott with a left cross and circles out. He finishes the round slapping Westcott’s face with a left high kick.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Theodorou
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Theodorou
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Theodorou

Round 2

Westcott charges forward and runs into a left-right combo from Theodorou, who backs up a step and fires off a couple kicks to Westcott’s body. Theodorou dumps his opponent to the ground with a double-leg slam, lets Westcott stand and then does it again. Westcott pops up and tries his own double against the fence, defended well by Theodorou. After being taken down, Theodorou stands and drops Westcott on the ground. Westcott loses a loose headlock and eats a couple punches before referee Chartier orders him up. Theodorou looks much fresher as he attacks Westcott on the fence, drilling him with knees in the clinch before executing another slam. Westcott gives up his back briefly, turns over and takes a couple elbows to the body. Theodorou pops Westcott with five or six short right hands, then sits up and drops hammer fists. Theodorou stands and comes crashing back to the ground with huge punches and elbows which force referee Chartier into action.

The Official Result

Elias Theodorou def. Sheldon Westcott via TKO (Punches and Elbows) R2 4:41

Round 1

Dan Miragliotta is the referee for tonight’s welterweight co-main event. Cote catches a kick on the cup in the first exchange of the fight. Miragliotta pauses the action, but Cote wants to fight on. Noke is ducking into the pocket, and Cote clips him with a couple nice right hands. Noke catches a kick and presses Cote against the fence. Cote exits the clinch, just missing with an elbow over the top as he does. Noke is sporting a cut outside his left eye but continues to push-kick Cote away. Cote hits a takedown, defends a short guillotine attempt and then sits up in Noke’s open guard to throw body punches, then an elbow to the face. Noke swings his legs around, looking for an armbar; he can’t get it and instead keeps Cote in guard. Cote is landing some big elbows on top, prompting Noke to try another armbar. Cote stands to escape danger, then comes back down with a thudding right. Cote finishes the round bashing through Noke’s guard with more heavy elbows.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Cote
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Cote
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cote

Round 2

Cote backs Noke up to the fence and then changes levels, driving his head straight into the waiting knee of the Australian. Noke tries to pound him out but Cote survives and stands up, circling away while Noke is still bombing him with punches. The knee looks to have cut Cote along the left side of his hairline, but there’s not much blood trickling into his eye at the moment. Noke keeps Cote at bay with push kicks until midway through the round, when Cote makes his way inside and hits a takedown. Cote comes over the top with three or four hard elbows, while Noke tries to scoot backward to the fence. Noke gets to his knees, where Cote drills his chest with a pair of knees. Noke stands and finishes the round with a couple low kicks.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Noke
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Cote
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Noke

Round 3

Noke backs up to the fence and tries to catch Cote coming in with the same knee, but Cote dodges it this time. The welterweights circle in the center of the cage, flicking out jabs and kicks. Cote charges and puts Noke on the fence with an underhook. Noke works his way out and has a hard, single left hand up top blocked. More push kicks from Noke now, and Cote grabs hold of a single-leg to spin “KO” to the ground with two minutes remaining. Cote drops a couple elbow but isn’t able to mount much offense from Noke’s active half guard. An elbow on the forehead opens a cut on Noke with under a minute remaining. The Australian keeps working get back to his feet and, despite Cote’s best efforts, gets there with 20 seconds on the clock. Cote keeps him pressed against the cage, working Noke’s legs with knees to the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Cote (29-28 Cote)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Cote (30-27 Cote)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cote (29-28 Cote)

The Official Result

Patrick Cote def. Kyle Noke via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Round 1

Referee Yves Lavigne is the third man in the cage for this middleweight main event, with judges Sal D’Amato, Richard Bertrand and David Therien scoring at cageside. Bisping takes the center of the cage, fires off a blocked high kick and a jab. Kennedy changes levels for a single-leg and pushes Bisping to the fence. Bisping takes a knee and pushes down on Kennedy’s head, but Kennedy switches to a double and completes the takedown 45 seconds into the bout. Bisping keeps him in half guard as Kennedy flattens him out and works methodically to pass. Kennedy is focused on wrapping up Bisping’s legs, still working to secure position on the mat as the round hits the halfway point. Bisping powers up to his feet but doesn’t get far before Kennedy pulls him back down. Kennedy passes to full mount with 60 seconds remaining, then takes the back as Bisping rolls over. Bisping uses a nice escape to get out of danger but still finishes the round with Kennedy on top.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Kennedy
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Kennedy
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Kennedy

Round 2

Bisping keeps the fight standing through the first minute of this round and finds some success with jabs and left hooks up top. Kennedy comes in to clinch, eats a hook but hits back harder with a right uppercut in the pocket. Bisping sniffs out a fake level change from Kennedy and backs him away with a high kick. Lead right uppercut lands for Kennedy, and now he changes levels for real, driving Bisping against the cage with a single-leg. Bisping defends, so Kennedy changes to a body lock. “The Count” slips out of this one, too, but can’t find the mark as he leaps at Kennedy with a flying knee. Bisping ducks a hook and counters with a right upstairs. Kennedy is starting to slow late in the round, and Bisping seems to be gaining some confidence, pressing forward to strike against the cage. Bisping sticks a couple jabs, eats a left hook and misses with a high kick. A switch kick upstairs slaps Kennedy’s forearm as the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Bisping
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Bisping
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Bisping

Round 3

Bisping presses forward with combinations but can’t put much on Kennedy, who ducks in behind a right hook to floor the Brit in the center of the cage. Kennedy passes to side control on Bisping’s right side; he’s not doing much in terms of offense, but he’s not allowing Bisping to do anything either. Bisping tries a kimura, loses it, and now Kennedy gets busy with some punches on top. Kennedy steps into full mount with 1:45 remaining in the round. Bisping tries to lock up the American’s arms, but Kennedy gets loose and hits him with a couple hard lefts as Bisping moves backward to the fence. Bisping tries to wall-walk but Kennedy stays heavy in side control to the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Kennedy
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Kennedy
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Kennedy

Round 4

As in round two, Bisping does well through the first minute of the fourth, keeping the fight on the feet and popping with short punches when Kennedy comes in wide. After a minute, Kennedy decides to grapple, but Bisping defends the takedown this time. Kennedy backs up to the fence, uses a push kick to keep Bisping out of range. Kennedy wraps up Bisping on the fence, can’t trip the Englishman down. Bisping steps in and lights up Kennedy with a one-two down the center. Kennedy clubs him with an overhand right, and now Bisping backs away. Kennedy is sporting a cut between the eyes, and he socks Bisping with another nice right hand. Bisping counters with a left behind the ear, backs up and lands a one-two.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Kennedy
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Bisping
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Kennedy

Round 5

Kennedy ducks in behind an overhand right and pulls Bisping to the ground at the base of the fence. Bisping is on his feet 10 seconds later, only to be tripped back down. Kennedy takes full mount, but Bisping walks off the cage to slip out the back door. Kennedy stays all over him, coming down on top in half guard to flatten Bisping. Referee Lavigne restarts the fighters on their feet with 2:20 on the clock. Bisping attacks with a right hand-body kick combo, comes up short as he pumps a jab in Kennedy’s face. Down to the final minute now, and Bisping is working to stay busy with quick punches and kicks as he backs Kennedy toward the fence. Bisping catches Kennedy turning around and decks him with a left hook, then gets the last word of the fight with another left.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Kennedy (49-46 Kennedy)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Kennedy (48-47 Kennedy)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Bisping (48-47 Kennedy)

The Official Result

Tim Kennedy def. Michael Bisping via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) R5 5:00