UFC 150 Prelims: ‘TUF 14’ Finalist Dennis Bermudez Guillotines Tommy Hayden

Dennis Bermudez File photo

Bermudez put away Tommy Hayden.

Hayden (8-2, 0-2 UFC) had his chance. The Jorge Gurgel protégé rocked Bermudez with a knee, moved to his back and threatened to finish him with a rear-naked choke. Bermudez cleared the cobwebs, escaped the Ohioan’s clutches and returned to safety on his feet. From there, he stymied an ill-advised Hayden takedown attempt and locked in the guillotine.

“I didn’t even know I got hit with a knee,” Bermudez said. “This guy was on my back with a rear-naked choke. How did I get here? I got some people back home who said, ‘Go out and let him tag you as hard as he can and then start your fight. It seems like whenever you get hit, you come back and win.’”

Kuiper Records First UFC Victory

Kuiper (12-1, 1-1 UFC) battered the Californian with rights and lefts throughout the brief matchup. A stout kick left Hamman with an injured leg, and the Dutchman went to work from there. In the second round, he floored the EliteXC veteran with a left hook and later sealed the deal with a right uppercut.

Erik Perez File photo

Perez faceplanted Ken Stone.

Perez Stops Stone in 17 Seconds

Perez clipped Stone (11-4, 2-2 UFC) with a right hook during their initial exchange, sending the American Top Team representative face-first to the mat. He followed with a string of powerful blows on the defenseless Stone, forcing referee Herb Dean to intervene. Perez (12-4, 2-0 UFC) has won seven consecutive bouts.

Roufusport’s Camus Outduels Pague

Pague (11-7, 1-3 UFC) found himself on the defensive for much of the 15-minute encounter. “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 14 alum squandered his best chance at victory at the start of round three, when he maneuvered onto Camus’ back, secured a body triangle and fished for a rear-naked choke. None of his attempts were successful, and Roufusport’s Camus rolled into top position and resumed his attack.

Featherweight Lentz Batters Mitsuoka

Lentz (22-5-2, 6-2-1 UFC) utilized the clinch, struck for four takedowns and dominated the Japanese veteran with superior grappling. In his first appearance at 145 pounds, the Minnesotan moved to Mitsuoka’s back, secured his hooks and ultimately flattened out his foe. From there, the former lightweight unleashed a series of blows on the defenseless Mitsuoka for the finish.