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Round 1
The Octagon newcomers are taking their time, feeling one another
out in the opening minute with Starks in the center and Jacoby on
the outside. Starks is throwing out more combinations, but it’s
Jacoby who sticks his man first with a stiff straight right. Jacoby
splits the guard of Starks with a left hand and Starks replies with
a right hand over the top. Midway through the round, neither man
has taken a clear advantage, as Jacoby continues to sidestep
Starks’ punches and look for his own. Starks goes to the body with
a right hand as the slow-paced round enters its last minute. With
30 seconds to go, Starks grabs a single-leg and plows Jacoby to the
mat. Jacoby turns to his right side and immediately starts working
on a kimura from the bottom, but time runs out before he can lock
it up.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-10
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Starks
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Starks
Round 2
Jacoby plugs Starks with three left straights in the first minute
of the second frame. It’s moving at the same pace as the first,
with Jacoby in the center this time. Jacoby grazes Starks with a
turning kick, goes for a walk and slips an overhand right from his
opponent. Starks is looking for the homerun shot, loading up on his
right hand, but the taller Jacoby is aware of it and doing well to
get out of the way. Starks closes the distance and ducks inside for
another easy single-leg takedown. Jacoby quickly closes up his
guard and ties up the arms of Starks to negate any strikes. Starks
throws a few half-hearted elbows as he presses his face to Jacoby’s
chest, then connects more soundly with a left hand. Starks puts a
couple short right hands on the body and another flurry of lefts on
Jacoby’s face before the round ends.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Starks
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Starks
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Starks
Round 3
Jacoby is still looking to box as the final frame begins, but his
work rate is slowing and Starks is finding more success with his
left hand counterpunches. With just over three minutes to go,
Starks gets another easy takedown. This time, Jacoby keeps his
guard a bit more active, angling for escape and digging his heel
into Starks’ body, but still doesn’t attempt any submissions.
Starks gets to side control for a split second, then voluntarily
returns to half-guard as Jacoby frames up a kimura on Starks’ left
arm. Starks does well to defend until Jacoby gives it up with 45
seconds to go. Starks finishes off the fight in top position,
unloading punches.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Starks (30-28 Starks)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Starks (30-27 Starks)
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Starks (30-27 Starks)
Official result: All three judges score the bout 30-27 for the winner by unanimous decision, Clifford Starks. Judges’ names are not announced.
Round 1
The middleweights trade leg kicks to open the bout, then Carmont
goes to the body. Carmont gets a hold of Camozzi’s right leg and
drags him to the canvas at the base of the cage. A nice left hand
by Carmont has Camozzi scrambling to his feet, where he’s met by
Carmont’s knee. Camozzi gets back up and reverses the position,
putting Carmont’s back on the fence and looking for a trip. Carmont
stays vertical and relaxed as Camozzi hugs and leans his weight on
the Frenchman. Carmont drills a knee to Camozzi’s gut and steps
out. They clinch up again and Carmont puts another pair of hard
knees on Camozzi’s belly before going low to pick the ankle.
Camozzi goes to a knee, pops up and takes a knee to the chest from
the lanky Carmont. Down to the last 60 seconds of the round,
Camozzi gets out of the clinch and walks Carmont down with punches.
Camozzi tries a leaping knee of his own and shoves Carmont into the
cage again. The American tries another single-leg, but Carmont
keeps it on the feet.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Carmont
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Carmont
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Carmont
Round 2
Carmont comes out striking for the second, but it’s not long before
Camozzi has him clinched against the cage again. Camozzi goes low,
can’t find a takedown and stands back up, where he’s drilled with a
series of knees to the body and head. Carmont is keeping active
with his back to the cage while Camozzi stalls out from the
dominant position. Carmont grabs the Thai plum and lets loose with
a few more knees which cause Camozzi to back out. Carmont walks him
down, scores with another knee and puts Camozzi on the cage.
Camozzi tries to escape and gives up his back standing. He tries to
shake Carmont, but the Tristar Gym fighter lifts Camozzi into the
air and slams him to the mat with authority. Carmont is standing
above Camozzi, dodging upkicks and thumping Camozzi with punches.
Camozzi tries to stand and is drilled by a right uppercut-left hook
combo from Carmont that sends him to his back. Carmont tries to
polish off his bloodied opponent, but Camozzi survives, even trying
for a guillotine at the end of the round.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Carmont
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-8 Carmont
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Carmont
Round 3
Carmont has Camozzi rocked with another combination early in the
round, but Camozzi just comes straight forward and clinches up.
Carmont breaks off, socks his man with an uppercut, an elbow, then
has a head kick blocked. Camozzi hugs Carmont and tries to trip him
up, but can’t and instead settles for the familiar position,
leaning on the cage. Referee Herb Dean threatens to split the
inactive fighters up, but doesn’t get the chance before they
disengage. Camozzi gets off a few outside leg kicks and sends a
left hand down the pipe. He sprawls on a high double-leg from
Carmont, but Carmont gets the takedown anyway and goes into
Camozzi’s full guard with just under two minutes remaining. Carmont
stands up and won’t allow Camozzi to his feet, slapping with a few
kicks to Camozzi’s legs before finally stepping back. Camozzi
charges and clinches, but not for long, as ref Dean breaks them
quickly this time. Carmont lands a kick to the legs, one to the
body, and he dodges a punching attack from Camozzi. With seconds to
go, Carmont gets a waistlock and Camozzi tries for a last-ditch
kimura, but it doesn’t come.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Carmont (30-27 Carmont)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Carmont (30-26 Carmont)
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Carmont (30-27 Carmont)
Official result: The judges’ scorecards read 30-26, 30-27 and 30-27, all in favor of the winner by unanimous decision, Francis Carmont.
Round 1
Nijem closes the distance on Downes and tries for a single-leg
against the fence. The Roufusport fighter defends momentarily, but
Nijem drags him down and is soon trying to take Downes’ back.
Downes escapes the bad position and Nijem chases him with a solid
flurry of punches. Nijem gets another takedown and drops punches
from half-guard as Downes tries to pick the ankle and escape out
the backdoor. Downes works back to his feet and puts his back on
the cage, but it doesn’t keep him standing. Nijem gets another easy
takedown, drops a few elbows and then knees Downes’ legs and thighs
when he stands back up. Nijem takes Downes down one more time, hops
on his back and locks up a rear-naked choke. Downes is resisting ,
so Nijem lets go and socks him in the head a few times. Nijem tries
to slap on the choke again, and again Downes peels his hands off.
The third time looks to be the charm for Nijem, but again Downes
guts out the deep choke and escapes to his feet. Nijem hits another
single leg, Downes gets up and Nijem gets him down again. Another
RNC attempt from Nijem yields nothing, but he finishes the round on
Downes’ back, punching at his head.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Nijem
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Nijem
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Nijem
Round 2
Nijem opens up the round with a solid one-two on Downes’ chin and
then goes for another takedown. Downes catches the diving Nijem’s
head in an inverted triangle and throws strikes to the body, but
soon loses the position. With Nijem back on top, Downes tries for a
guillotine, then settles for restoring full guard. Downes looks to
roll for a leglock with Nijem in side control, and Nijem uses the
opportunity to hop into full mount. Downes gives up his back and
Nijem slaps on the RNC again, but again cannot finish. Nijem goes
back to full mount and gives up the position to try and take the
back again. Instead, Downes works to his feet and Nijem sticks to
his back there. Nijem tries to loosen Downes up for the RNC with a
few more elbows, but the choke just won’t stick. The round ends
with Downes locked in a body triangle, a large mouse sprouting
beneath his left eye.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Nijem
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Nijem
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Nijem
Round 3
Nijem has his first takedown attempt stifled, but the second one
works. Downes is on his back again less than 40 seconds into the
final frame and is being shoved into the cage after a minute. Nijem
traps the right arm of Downes between his legs, gives it up and
tries to take the back instead. He winds up in north-south
position, elbowing at Downes’ head. Nijem hops on Downes’ back with
three minutes left in the fight and sinks a single hook in, keeping
his balance in the position as Downes tries to stand. Nijem keeps
him on the floor and peppers with right hands; Downes is just
hanging in there, not mounting any sort of offense in return. Nijem
takes the back, locks up a tight body triangle and tries the RNC
again. It doesn’t work, so Nijem postures up and drops punches on
the turtling Downes as referee Josh Rosenthal hovers nearby. Downes
survives to hear the final horn.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Nijem (30-26 Nijem)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-8 Nijem (30-26 Nijem)
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Nijem (30-27 Nijem)
Official result: The judges have it 30-25, 30-26 and 30-27, all for the winner by unanimous decision, Ramsey Nijem.
Round 1
Vera backs Marshall up with some low kicks and Marshall tries to
answer with a body kick. Some more chopping kicks land on the
inside of Marshall’s legs before Vera gets inside and clinches on
the fence with one underhook. Marshall breaks off and rushes Vera
with knees and a series of right hands, one of which appears to
stun “The Truth.” Vera stays up, though, and slows the pace by
muscling Marshall into the cage and driving knees into Marshall’s
thighs. Referee Kim Winslow splits them up with a minute remaining
and Vera gets off a few more strong leg kicks before the round
expires.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Vera
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Vera
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Vera
Round 2
Marshall absorbs a couple more leg kicks before initiating the
clinch and digging for a single-leg. Vera avoids the takedown and
reverses the position, keeping busy with inside knees before
dumping Marshall to the ground with a trip. Vera sits in Marshall’s
half-guard as Marshall grabs the fence to try and escape and is
admonished by referee Winslow. Marshall scrambles to his feet with
80 seconds left and eats a knee for his trouble. Vera is keeping
Marshall pinned to the cage, not mounting much offence, and Winslow
resets them with 30 seconds remaining. The round ends without any
further significant offense.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Vera
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Vera
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Vera
Round 3
Both men look tired, the pace slowing in the opening minute of the
final frame, until Marshall drops Vera with a big right cross.
Vera’s legs buckle and Marshall gives chase, sitting atop Vera and
punching away while Winslow looks on intently. Vera covers up,
works back to his feet and clinches Marshall on the fence. Marshall
gets the fight to the ground and jumps on Vera’s back, sinking both
hooks in as he hunts for the rear-naked choke. Vera is controlling
Marshall’s right arm, keeping himself safe from the RNC but leaving
himself open for an armbar. Marshall sees the opening and peels
off, extending Vera’s arm. Vera keeps calm, extracts the limb and
makes it to the final horn.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Marshall (29-28 Vera)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-8 Marshall (29-29 Draw)
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Marshall (29-28 Vera)
Official result: All three judges score the bout 29-28 in favor of the winner by unanimous decision, Brandon Vera.
Round 1
Palaszewski flicks out a crisp leg kick on the much shorter
Griffin, who answers in kind. Griffin stands low in the pocket,
waiting to counterpunch on Palaszewski and connecting with a few.
Palaszewski clips Griffin with a pair of hooks and Griffin stands
back up, his back to the fence. Palaszewski chases him down and
unloads with 10 or 12 hard punches. Griffin avoids a few of them by
covering up, but drops his guard just long enough for a crushing
right hook to find his face. Griffin crumbles to the mat,
unconscious, and referee Steve Mazzagatti intervenes at 2:45 of the
opening round.
Round 1
Cerrone goes to the body of Siver with a kick early, and the German
counters with a quick combination. Siver looks to keep the lanky
“Cowboy” at range with a push kick, but Cerrone gets inside to put
punches on anyway. A high kick has Siver on rubber legs and Cerrone
tries to pounce, but Siver keeps his composure and rushes Cerrone
into the fence. Siver seems to regain his wits as he throws knees
at Cerrone’s head. Cerrone breaks away and Siver tags him with a
pawing hook. Cerrone thuds a kick to Siver’s body, then drops him
with another kick to the jaw. Siver is in dire straits this time as
Cerrone leaps on his back and flattens him out, belly down. Cerrone
sinks in the rear-naked choke and Siver taps the mat in submission
at 2:22 of the first round.
Round 1
Hioki goes to touch gloves, but Roop wants none of it and circles
away. Both lanky featherweights are aiming high with leg kicks
early, but it’s a right straight from Roop which becomes the first
meaningful strike of the bout. Hioki fires off a solid combination
before he catches an inside thigh kick on the cup. He takes a
moment to recover and they’re back to business. Hioki uses a left
jab to get inside and dig an underhook on Roop. He grapples with
Roop along the fence, trying to trip the American but finding no
success. Hioki throws a couple weak knees to Roop’s thighs, then
lands a little stronger to the body. Hioki has underhooks and Roop
uses both hands to push the Shooto champ’s face. Hioki sees the
opportunity to turn the corner and take Roop’s back standing. Roop
twists around to escape danger, then gets hurled to the canvas by
Hioki with a big slam. Hioki lands in side control and tries to
spin to the other side, and Roop regains full guard. Hioki catches
a stiff elbow from the bottom and backs away from Roop, who
scrambles to his feet. Roop is warned for grabbing Hioki’s shorts
in the clinch. He chases Hioki down and lands a few punches in
close quarters before the first frame ends.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Roop
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Roop
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-10
Round 2
Roop zaps Hioki with a one-two and has a head kick blocked, then
chases his man down and rips a punch to the body. Roop is
aggressively looking for the head kick. He gets too close to Hioki,
who wraps Roop up and trips him to the ground, landing in full
mount. Hioki is riding high and hops off to side control on Roop’s
left side. They’re in the middle of the cage with plenty of space
for Hioki to work as he leans across, framing up a keylock. Hioki
drives a few knees into Roop’s body before taking full mount again.
Butterfly hooks now for Hioki, who stays flat on Roop and postures
up to throw occasional punches. Roop nearly scoots out, but Hioki
puts him back down and threatens with a headlock. Finally, with
seconds left in the round, Roop shoves Hioki off and drills him in
the face with a right upkick. Hioki wheels back and tries to dodge
Roops punches for the few remaining seconds.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Hioki
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Hioki
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Hioki
Round 3
Roop drives forward almost immediately and brings Hioki down, but
Hioki pops back up. Roop sprawls on a double-leg from Hioki, who
settles for bullying Roop into the fence. The featherweights pummel
for position inside until Roop establishes the dominant position
and scores with a few knees. He stomps Hioki’s foot, the only
offense taking place at the last round’s midway point. Referee Josh
Rosenthal asks them to work and then breaks them up. Roop, who’s
now cut on his cheek, drive Hioki down and scoots him to the fence.
Hioki throws up his legs, angling for an arm or a triangle. He
catches Roop in the face with a foot and referee Rosenthal warns
him to watch the upkicks. There’s little action in the final 30
seconds, with Roop throwing sporadic shots on top and trying to
break the posture of Hioki, who ends avoiding damage on the
bottom.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Roop (29-28 Roop)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Roop (29-28 Roop)
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Roop (29-29 Draw)
Official result: One judge scores the bout 29-28 in favor of George Roop, while the remaining two officials see it 29-28 for the winner by split decision, Hatsu Hioki.
Round 1
Curran is mixing it up early, kicking to the legs and the body,
even slipping a right hand through. Jorgensen soon decides to bring
the fight to the floor, however, and does so with ease, planting
Curran on his back in the middle of the cage. Curran ties up,
trying to negate the space, while Jorgensen works to pass and lands
a couple hard, short punches to the face. Jorgensen is having
trouble passing and throwing strikes as Curran keeps tight and
nearly sweeps to the top. Jorgensen backs out and then goes back to
Curran’s open guard, 90 seconds left in the round. Curran barely
gets to his feet before Jorgensen brings him straight back down.
Referee Kim Winslow wants the bantamweights back up with 40 seconds
left. Curran puts a left hand on Jorgensen and misses with another
pair of winging punches. Jorgensen finishes the round with another
takedown.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Jorgensen
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Jorgensen
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Jorgensen
Round 2
Curran has a head kick blocked and tries to take Jorgensen’s head
off with an overhand right. He shoots a single-leg on Jorgensen,
who sprawls and catches the “Big Frog” in a front headlock.
Jorgensen throws knees at Curran’s body and head until Curran leans
down to put a hand on the mat. Curran pulls his head out and throws
a knee up high which Jorgensen catches and uses to score another
takedown. Curran pops back up and Jorgensen finds himself trapped
in a guillotine, but expertly twists out of it. Jorgensen ducks a
punch from Curran and shoves him away, then ties up and trips
Curran to the floor. Curran has his back to the fence, keeping
Jorgensen stifled with butterfly guard. Jorgensen turns Curran away
from the fence and works some grinding ground-and-pound from
Curran’s active guard. Curran squirts out and Jorgensen drives
forward on a leg. Curran catches and keeps Jorgensen on his knees
for the last 20 seconds.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Jorgensen
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Curran
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Jorgensen
Round 3
Curran scores well with jabs and uppercuts in the opening minute of
the last frame, while Jorgensen covers up and counterstrikes,
throwing leg kicks. Nonetheless, it’s Curran who’s bleeding from
the nose 90 seconds into the frame. Curran ties up with the
forward-moving Jorgensen, who keeps moving forward, landing knees
to the body and putting Curran on the fence. Curran shoves
Jorgensen off and they go back to trading tit-for-tat punches in
the last minute. Jorgensen scores with a pair of right hands;
Curran lands an inside leg kick and shoots a long shot. Jorgensen
sprawls and puts Curran on his back, finishing the fight in side
control.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Curran (29-28 Jorgensen)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-10 (29-29 Draw)
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Curran (29-28
Jorgensen)
Official result: Two judges score the bout 29-28 while one sees it 30-27, all in favor of the winner by unanimous decision, Scott Jorgensen.
Round 1
The heavyweights meet in the center of the cage and shake hands
even before their names are announced. When the bell rings,
Filipovic circles actively away from Nelson, who ducks low and
tries to get inside with overhand punches. After a minute, “Big
Country” finds his opening and puts Cro Cop on his back. The
Croatian closes up his guard and Nelson lays his forearm across Cro
Cop’s throat. Nelson is posturing up, trying to extract his arms
from Filipovic’s clutches to rain punches. Cro Cop creates space to
get up and socks Nelson with a left hand, grazes with a high kick.
Nelson lands his big right hand and Cro Cop backs up, then comes
straight forward with a strong left uppercut. Cro Cop scores with a
left uppercut and continues circling, pecking away as Nelson gives
chase. Nelson connects with another right, eats a straight
left.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Filipovic
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Filipovic
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Nelson
Round 2
Nelson stuns Cro Cop with another overhand right, but Filipovic
turns the tides immediately and traps Nelson on the fence. The
former Pride star blasts away, thudding a dozen or more punches to
the body and head of Nelson, who comes out on the other side of the
exchange with a bloodied beard. Cro Cop scores with a high kick and
shoves Nelson into the fence. The American reverses and trips
Filipovic down, hopping quickly from half-guard to side control on
Filipovic’s right side. Nelson leans across Filipovic’s head and
arms, possibly looking for a crucifix or a kimura on the far arm.
One minute left and Cro Cop is defending ably from the bottom,
circling and staying out of trouble with Nelson on top. With 40
seconds left, Nelson gets his crucifix and lands 15 or 20 short
left hands to the unprotected face of Cro Cop, who survives to see
round three.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Nelson
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Nelson
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Nelson
Round 3
As he has most of the fight, Nelson continues to walk Cro Cop down
in the final frame. Cro Cop is backing up but not counterpunching
now. A straight right hand sends Cro Cop staggering backward and
another pair of punches has him driving forward, slipping on the
canvas and landing on his face. Nelson pounces and lands heavy
punches from back mount until referee Steve Mazzagatti intervenes.
The official time of the TKO stoppage is 1:30 of round three.
Round 1
Mitrione takes center cage in the southpaw stance, hands by his
waist, while the orthodox Kongo flicks his jab to keep “Meathead”
at bay. Mitrione is feinting and twitching, making faces and trying
to psych the Frenchman out, but still hasn’t thrown anything.
Scattered boos can be heard in the Las Vegas crowd as the round
enters its third minute of inactivity. Mitrione finally comes
inside and the pair clinch on the cage, Kongo in the dominant
position with underhooks. Mitrione just grins and tries to escape
as Kongo throws short knees inside and referee Herb Dean asks for
more work. Dean breaks them up with just under two minutes to go
and Kongo misses with a pair of right hands. Mitrione whiffs as he
chases Kongo down with a punching combo. Mitrione backs Kongo into
the fence, then steps away, giving Kongo room to come forward.
Kongo is quickly on his backward trajectory again, trying to
counter Mitrione. The strategy isn’t working, though, as neither
man is throwing. Kongo gets tripped up, but pops back up and
punches to the body. A lusty boo emerges as the round ends.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-10
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Mitrione
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-10
Round 2
Mitrione is throwing his hands a bit more in the second, as is
Kongo, who also scores with leg kicks. A combination from Kongo has
Mitrione backing up, but the “Ultimate Fighter” alum is soon coming
forward again. There’s little action in the middle of the round,
save a few outside leg kicks from Kongo. Mitrione backs Kongo up
with a combination and socks him with a nice right uppercut. Kongo
is trying combinations, but can’t find the space to get through
Mitrione’s defense. The final minute is more of the same, with
Mitrione giving chase to the backpedaling Kongo and connecting with
a pair of solid shots before the horn.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Mitrione
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Mitrione
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Mitrione
Round 3
Mitrione lights up Kongo with a combination, but the offense only
seems to make Kongo angry. He surges forward and dumps Mitrione to
the ground, then catches him turtling and nearly takes the back.
Mitrione gets to his feet, but Kongo is stuck to his back, still
punching away at Mitrione’s now-bleeding face. Kongo muscles
Mitrione into the cage, working from the front now. The action
slows as Kongo goes for a double-leg, but Kongo gets his man to the
ground before referee Herb Dean can split them up. Kongo works from
half-guard on Mitrione’s right side, with his left side to the
cage. The crowd jeers as the big men rest at the base of the cage.
Kongo gets a little busier, pinning down the exhausted Mitrione and
throwing enough punches to ward off the nearby referee. Mitrione
tries to roll through and Kongo gets him on his knees again,
lobbing right hands to the horn.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Kongo (29-29 Draw)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Kongo (29-28 Mitrione)
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Kongo (29-29 Draw)
Official result: The judges at cageside score the bout 30-27, 30-28 and 29-28, all for the winner by unanimous decision Cheick Kongo.
Round 1
Diaz has Penn on the fence early and the welterweights throw
punches in tight quarters. Penn sticks Diaz with a left jab and
scores with another bunch of punches in the collar tie. Diaz lands
a few in a reply, but Penn’s strikes are coming hard, fast and
accurate in the first 90 seconds. Penn shoots low and Diaz tries to
take top position, but Penn gets Diaz’s back in the scramble. The
Hawaiian is unable to sink both hooks in and loses the position,
moving to side control and then half-guard on Diaz’s right side.
Penn sneaks punches in as he tries to extract his leg, then stands
up and allows Diaz to his feet. Penn grabs a headlock on the way
and the doubled-over Diaz pushes him into the cage. Diaz
straightens up and leans his weight on “The Prodigy” slamming a few
right hands into Penn’s ribs. Penn breaks out and puts a
combination on the face of Diaz, which is already starting to show
signs of damage. Diaz stands stock-still, inviting Penn to punch;
Penn obliges, but takes a few shots in return before the horn.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Penn
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Penn
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Penn
Round 2
Diaz is jawing and smacking Penn with long left hands. Penn seems
to take exception to this and connects with a quick combo before
being pressed into the fence. Diaz lobs right hands to the body,
lefts to the face, while Penn tries to circle out with uppercuts.
Referee Josh Rosenthal warns Diaz against grabbing the fence. The
pair disengages and Diaz goes back to punching long and standing
still. Penn shoots inside and has a takedown attempt foiled, takes
a few knees for his trouble. Diaz puts a flurry of hooks on Penn
and starts walking down the former two-division UFC champ. The
volume is being turned up by Diaz, who has Penn backed into the
fence and opens up with combination boxing to the head and ribs.
The Stockton, Calif., native goes low for a shot, decides against
it and keeps punching Penn on the fence. A left hook staggers Penn
and he circles to the right. Diaz is relentless, walking after Penn
with his hands at his side and tagging Penn whenever he gets in
range. Penn is being lit up, barely staying standing as Diaz lands
dozens of punches to the body and face. Penn is bleeding from his
nose and has a nasty mouse beneath his left eye as he heads back to
his corner.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Diaz
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-8 Diaz
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Diaz
Round 3
Penn and Diaz are standing only inches away and get to business as
soon as referee Josh Rosenthal starts the round. Diaz is back to
work with volume punches and gets Penn right back where he had him.
Penn has his back to the fence and is slipping some of Diaz’s
punches now, but still absorbing the majority. Penn moves off the
fence and throws some punches of his own, further bloodying the
face of Diaz. The former Strikeforce champion is still keeping very
busy, though his punches aren’t as precise at this late point.
Penn’s left eye looks almost totally swollen shut as Diaz leans him
into a cage post. Penn tags Diaz with a left hook, a right
straight. Diaz has a kick to the body partially blocked and gets
Penn clinched into the cage again. Diaz sticks Penn with a long
left and Penn answers with a nice right. Another straight left from
Diaz has Penn backing up. Down the stretch, Diaz gets in close and
finishes with rib-roasters to Penn’s body. Diaz raises his hands in
victory at the horn while Penn returns to his corner.
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Diaz (29-28 Diaz)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Diaz (29-27 Diaz)
Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Diaz (29-28 Diaz)
Official result: Two judges score the bout 29-28, while the third has it 29-27, all in favor of the winner by unanimous decision, Nick Diaz.
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