In the first FX fight bantamweights and former TUF team Miller teammates went at it. Johnny Bedford faced off with Brian Caraway whom took the fight on 6 days notice. Caraway dominated the fight with a stifling ground game but was ultimately able to pull out the submission victory by guillotine with 16 seconds left in the fight.

In the women’s bantamweights division Sara McNabb dominated Sheila Gaff as she took her down at the opening bell and pounded Gaff’s midsection till the ref stood them back up. McMann took the fight right back and got the mounted crucifix and pounded away till the ref had seen enough. The finish came at 4:06 by TKO to move Sara to 7-0.

The referee has managed to screw up another fight in MMA as two Strikeforce light heavyweights made there debut in the UFC. Ovince Saint Preux the former University of Tennessee football standout faced Gian Villante. The first round belonged to Saint Preux a he hurt and out struck Villante but in the second Saint Preux tired and Villante took the advantage with leg kicks. In the final stanza the referee didn’t see a second eye poke of the fight this time it was Villante on the receiving end. As Villante stepped back the referee came over and asked Villante if he could see Villante said “no” as in I’ll take the time allowed to recover but rather than give home the time the ref waved off the fight  with out even a doctor checking him out or time to recover. Due to it being accidental it goes to the judges scorecards and they scored it 30-28, 30-29 and 29-29 for winner by majority decision Ovince Saint Preux.

In another fight to stop early Yancy Mederos put his hand down to stop himself as he was about to get slammed and broke his thumb. Therefore Rustam Khabilov wins the lightweight match up at 2:32 by TKO in a fight that could have been a good one.

St-Pierre got the idea for this book when he found out he was going to need surgery to repair his anterior crucial ligament injury. This book would highlight what is to be the new GSP; an accumulation of three decades of constant hard work, training and learning from everyone and everything around him. This is the foundation for making him the best all-around fighters ever and not just a specialist in one discipline. GSP doesn’t do this alone much like his life up to this point the had help writing this book from Justin Kingsley. The book has personal insight contributed by the closest people to St-Pierre including: his mother, Kristof Midoux, John Danaher, Firas Zahabi and Rodolphe Beaulieu.

St-Pierre takes us through his life from overcoming being a bullied child through his fight with Carlos Condit.

The fight with Condit was his first return to the Octagon after his surgery and recovery which kept him out of the cage for 19 months. While he does not go into all of the fights he has had he talks about some of the more defining moments in what has made him one of the greatest fighters of all time. As for his physical skill set he discusses what may be considered unorthodox training such as gymnastics and fencing techniques have improved his strength and footwork. He also talks about the mental aspects as much as the physical.

Examples include fear, visualization,  and how the people around you can both hinder and help you to achieve your goals. Both the physical and mental perspectives that he discusses are not limited to just fighters but can help in recreational activities such as golf and tennis for example. Along with just being able to be a more fulfilled feeling person by keeping moving and addressing your weaknesses.

The book is broken down into five books and five different periods of GSP’s life.

Each book is titled for its contributor such as Book 1: Mother which primarily focuses on the early Georges through childhood from his and his mothers perspective. Book 2: Mentor is his early days and first martial arts training with Kristoff Midoux. They share their insight on the tough times that they went through together and how that bond has held them deeply indebted to one another to this day.  John Danaher takes over the contributor role in Book 3: Master. Danaher was GSP’s first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coaches and pulls no punches about him not being the most gifted athlete he has had but through hard work and dedication has become one of the most intelligent fighters to date. Book 4: Maven with Firas Zahabi who became his current head coach after he lost his championship to Matt Serra. Zahabi and St-Pierre go into how they continue to adapt his training techniques to keep his skill set, body and mind from becoming stagnant.  The final book is about Georges and his friend for the last dozen years and half of his management team Rodolphe Beaulieu. In Book 5: Conscience the two go into what GSP faces as he goes through training camps and all the things that must happen to keep him focused on the upcoming fight. St-Pierre also goes into how lonely it can be during those periods but it is something he has to accept to accomplish the task at hand.

The Way of the Fight also gives a great understanding to fight fans who may think that a fight is boring because it doesn’t end with a knock out. Fights that go the distance can give better insight into the fighter and how versed a fighter they really are physically and intelligently. It takes a great deal of hard work and planning to be able to dominant a fight by managing risks and keeping their opponent from implementing their strengths and game plan.

The Way of the Fight is being released by HarperCollins Publishers and hits shelves today in hardcover format and contains 240 pages. This is a must read for anyone interested in mixed martial arts, personal growth or are a Georges St-Pierre fan.

You can purchase it from Amazon.com for $19.16.

This fight is monumental achievement for Jones’ career because a win over Sonnen ties him with Tito Ortiz for the all-time leader in successful title defenses. Looking at the 205 pound champion history no one has defended the belt successfully more than once since Hall of Famer Chuck Lidell dropped it in May of 2007.  After Jones passes Ortiz for all time defenses he will entertain the idea of super fights and heavyweight fights.

Jones made it clear that he felt everyone is overlooking his wrestling abilities and stated “the storyline has always been his wrestling, his wrestling, his wrestling. It was that way with Matyushenko, Ryan Bader and Rashad Evans.” Jones continued by saying “maybe I’ll take him down more then he takes me down’ you never know.”

Sonnen took the opportunity to tell everyone just how great he thinks Jones is and added that Jones doesn’t realize how good he is by saying, “The reality is Jon Jones could beat up Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali in the same day.” Sonnen also praised Jones and informed everyone how his opinion had changed of the champ quickly after the two had met while filming The Ultimate Fighter 17. The dedication that Jones had shown to all the fighters and using the example of him never being late. Aside from praising Jones he also made it clear that he deserves this title shot and has earned.

The most interesting part of the call was when Bisping and Belcher verbally traded jabs. When they were asked about what a win would do for their careers, Bisping said he just wants to be back in the win column and work his way to a title shot. Belcher on the other hand just wanted to get the win and see who the best is  and nothing more but Bisping took the opportunity to interrupt and tell everyone, “That a win over me for Alan Belcher would be by far the biggest win of his pathetic career. No one gives a fuck about Alan Belcher.”

Belcher responded with warning Bisping that he better not lose; which opened the door for Bisping to tell his opponent just how little he thought of him and how easy Saturday night will be.

The full conference call can be heard below.

[audio mp3="http://www.wrestling-online.com/audio/ufc159mediacall.mp3"]

While it took a split decision with two of the judges scoring it three rounds to two for the champ the other judge saw it as three to two but for the former Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez. It was an ultra close fight with Melendez clearly taking round one and Henderson clearly taking round four other than that it really could have gone either way.

Melendez started out setting the pace early in the fight. Melendez was able to catch a good chunk of the kicks that came to the body. Henderson used a stepping elbow over and over through out the fight and seemed to switch from the body kicks that were being caught to knees. Henderson did work the jab as Melendez would close the distance but the stats that were being showed through out the fight clearly showed it was all Henderson as he out struck Melendez and out kicked by a huge advantage. Part of it being so deceiving was that Melendez spent most of the time as the man coming forward bringing the fight to the champ.

In what turned out to be a great fight I hope to see a rematch of but not too soon; as it is getting tiresome of having the champions tied up with the same opponents and jamming up the rest of the division. After the scores are read the HP Pavilion showed their displeasure in the verdict and showered Henderson with boos. As Rogan tried to get the post fight interview Henderson stopped him got the ring from one of his corner men, dropped to a knee and purposed to his girlfriend who had joined him in the cage. She of course said “yes” which momentarily stopped some of the crowd from booing but only long enough to give a real quick applause before the boos erupted in full force again.

The big men had their opportunity in the cage as Daniel Cormier finally got to get his hands on Frank Mir. In a match up between the two time Olympic wrestler and one of the greatest UFC submission artist ever it was all Cormier in this fight. In what seemed like a highlight of Hall of Famer Randy Couture fights Cormier stacked Mir up against the cage he put all his weight on Mir, he dirty boxed him and kneed him. This technique was very successful as Mir was helpless against it for three rounds and Cormier took the unanimous decision 30-27 on all three of the judges scorecards.

Josh Thomson made it a successful return to the UFC where he had gone 2-1 during 2003 and 2004. Also in the process Thomson became the first person to ever stop Nate Diaz at any weight. Thomson started off the fight with switching stances over and over while landing the leg kick to keep Diaz from using his range. Diaz ate a pair of head kicks from Thomson, the first he smiled and ate while the second turned out to be the end of his night. Diaz tried to duck under the one in the second but all he did was put the side of his head directly inline with the shin of Thomson. Thomson swarmed and pounded away as but the ref gave Diaz a chance before he jumped in but eventually had to bring it to a stop and he did so as you see the towel fly into the cage from Diaz’s corner.

In the first fight of the evening for the FOX portion of the broadcast “The Immortal” Matt Brown came out and showed the occasional fans who watch the free events exactly what it is that he does. He makes a fight a brawl! He swarmed one of the top welterweight prospects Jordan Mein right from the beginning as he usually does and never backed off. Brown chased Mein lunging at him with punches as he did so. Mein landed some sharp elbows when they were in close and even dropping Brown with a body shot. Brown the ever wise veteran immediately latched on to a leg of Mein and pulled him in close while threatening a triangle choke while he cleared the cobb webs. At the beginning of round 2 Brown swarms once again and brutalizes Mein as he pounds away on a turtled up Mein with elbows to the side of the head then standing over him elbowing his back till “Big John” McCarthy steps in at 1 min of round 2. That is what Brown does he wants to stand and punch till some one drops and with someone like Mein who uses more technique it really can pull them out of their game.

The first fight on Facebook ended in stunning fashion as the Cuban Olympic silver medalist in free style wrestling, Yoel Romero, landed a flying knee to the chin of Clifford Starks. Romero wasted no time diving on top and pounded away on till the ref was able to get over and protect Starks. The middleweight Romero picked up his first UFC win just 92 seconds into round 1.

In the only other Facebook fight lightweights Roger Bowling made his UFC debut against Anthony Njokuani. Bowling was making his transition to the UFC ranks from Strikeforce and controlled the fight up to the 4:20 mark of round one when Njokuani was able to get up off the mat and stepped his game up to give the judges something to remember as he landed clean and often. However the judges wouldn’t be needed as the second round the two fighters stayed on their feet and as Bowling charged in Njokuani placed a perfect short left to the chin that knocked out Bowling and Njokuani being the veteran could tell the fight was over and just stood above rather than delivering more punishment as the referee raced over. Anthony Njokuani is now 3-3 in the UFC with this knockout victory at the 2:52 mark of round 2.  To cap it off Njokuani busted out a big spinaroonie after it was over.

Team Alpha Male had an absolutely great showing from their fighters tonight as TJ Dillashaw started off the action when he took on Hugo Viana in the bantamweight ranks. Viana was able to drop Dillashaw 45 seconds into the fight with a right hand but the wrestler quickly turned it into his favor taking Viana to the ground. Dillashaw would go on to get his striking working as he was able to hurt and drop Viana a couple times in the 60 seconds leading up to the final right hand and ground and pound that would give the Alpha Males the first of three victories at 4:22 of round 1.

Next up for the team of fighters out of Sacramento, CA was the flyweight Joseph Benavidez who lost to the champion Demetrious Johnson in the fight to crown the first champion. It would take Benavidez nearly two full rounds of punishing Darren Uyenoyama to put him away but he was able to. In the second round Benavidez landed a left kick to the body that connected right under the ribs that you could just see hurt. Benavidez heard is coach say go to the body and a thudding left hand in the same spot dropped Uyneoyama. Benavidez dove on top and landed a couple more body shots and head shots as the ref rushed over. Benavidez would spend the longest time in the cage going to the 4:50 mark of round 2.

Chad Mendes would cap off the night for the Alpha Males as the number one contender at featherweight took on Darren Elkins who filled in for Clay Guida. It took “Money” Mendes 1:08 to land one overhand right to the temple and then dive on top to finish off Elkins for the TKO. After Mendes finished of Elkins he motioned at his waist for the belt. Mendes wants the rematch with the featherweight king Jose Aldo and their is no one left standing between the two. Having Duane “Bang” Ludwig as their new head coach has really been paying off.

The two former Ultimate Fighter competitors met as Ramsey Nijem and Myles Jury faced off at 155 pounds. The first round was dominated by grappling as neither man landed double digit strikes and they fought for position. In the second round though Nijem and his reckless striking would pay. Nijem charged forward winging punch after punch and Jury connected with an right to the face that shut off the lights for Nijem before he even hit the mat. Myles Jury with the win at 1:02 in round 2 is now 11-0 in his mixed martial arts career.

Jorge Masvidal is the latest transplant from Strikeforce to successfully step inside the octagon. He was at a distance disadvantage to the taller Tim Means and ate a few elbows when he was able to get in close but after the first round Masvidal was successful in take down after take down and that is where a majority of the last two rounds were spent. Means defended from really taking any punishment but he had spent too much time on his back and Masvidal took home the 29-28 decision from all three judges.

In the other bout to go the distance Georges St. Pierre’s teammate Francis Carmont was able to extend his winning streak to 11 fights by picking up the unanimous decision two rounds to one on all cards over Lorenz Larkin. Larkin looked to have this fight as he punished the legs of Carmont and defended 7 of the first 8 take down attempts. Larkin even pulled off a sweet looking spinning heel kick to the thigh of Carmont. When Carmont got the fight to the ground he was never there long and Larkin put up a fight from the bottom utilizing the rubber guard attempting submissions and almost locking in a kimura. Carmont was the aggressor in this fight with out a doubt; he was consistently moving forward and that had to be what stood out in the mind of the judges.

These figures are just what is mandatory for the UFC to report. It does not include any discretionary bonuses or performance bonuses the UFC may hand out. It also does not include any deductions for such things as taxes, licenses, insurance or other fees. These figures also do not include the event bonuses of $50,000 that went out to Travis Browne for “Knockout of the Night”, Daniel Pineda for “Submission of the Night”, or Cat Zingano and Miesha Tate for “Fight of the Night”

UFC ‘The Ultimate Fighter 17’ Finale Salaries:

Urijah Faber: $110,000 (includes $55,000 win bonus)
Scott Jorgensen: $23,500

Kelvin Gastelum: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
Uriah Hall: $8,000

Cat Zingano: $14,000 (includes $7,000 win bonus)
Miesha Tate: $28,000

Travis Browne: $40,000 (includes $20,000 win bonus)
Gabriel Gonzaga: $24,000

Bubba McDaniel: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
Gilbert Smith: $8,000

Josh Samman: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
Kevin Casey: $8,000

Luke Barnatt: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
Collin Hart: $8,000

Dylan Andrews: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
Jimmy Quinlan: $8,000

Clint Hester: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
Bristol Marunde: $8,000

Cole Miller: $42,000 (includes $21,000 win bonus)
Bart Palaszewski: $15,000

Maximo Blanco: $26,00 (includes $13,000 win bonus)
Sam Sicilia: $8,000

Daniel Pineda: $26,00 (includes $13,000 win bonus)
Justin Lawrence: $8,000

Its been 10 years since Urijah Faber made his pro MMA debut and tonight he takes on a former training partner in Scott Jorgensen. Jorgensen quickly goes for a take down and Faber lands as quick combo as he was on his way in. Jorgensen gets the inside trip off the cage then gets Faber’s back as he gets to his feet. Faber side slams him instead and is working on taking the back. Jorgensen gets back to his feet and they separate. Faber with a big knee to the chest as Jorgensen comes in. Faber prevents a take down put switches over to the back of Jorgensen and locks in the hooks. Jorgensen is more then adapt on the ground and these two are rolling back and forth as Faber holds on to a front choke. Jorgensen is able to work free but Faber flips around as is back on the back of his opponent. What a great ground grappling session by these two. In round 2 Jorgensen charges forward and eats an inside leg kick to the groin and they briefly pause the action. Jorgensen is successfully landing the counter now and Faber winsors out of a take down attempt. Faber is doing a great job of mixing the strikes up top with those to the body along with a knee and kick. Faber gets the take down and is in the guard of Jorgensen. Jorgensen working for a kimura. Faber switches to side control and back to his feet as Jorgensen tries to manipulate that arm. Jorgensen is landing the counter strikes effectively now. Third round Jorgensen is landing the right hand with hooks and uppercuts. Jorgensen eats a right left combo to the head that was followed by a right hook to the body. Jorgensen working the left jab. Jorgensen goes for another take down against the cage. Knee now a right as they get to the center of the cage. Faber eats a right and Jorgensen tries to take the back of Faber. Jorgensen with an elbow on the break. Jorgensen with a right uppercut followed by a left straight. Faber is now trying to counter and gets a huge double and now has the back of Jorgensen but the round comes to a close and that’s two rounds to one for Faber in my eyes. Two rounds to go. Faber now is pressing the action again and Jorgensen is unsuccessful at a double leg. Faber with an uppercut followed by a blocked left and right but a knee behind it finds a home. Jorgensen is sneakily landing a lead elbow when they get in close and Faber now with a take down and he switches onto the back od Jorgensen. Faber has the body lock now rolls onto his back and hooks the neck crank then sinks it under the chin to get the RNC and Jorgensen taps out.

Winner by Submission at 3:16 of round 4 Urijah Faber.

Next up the newest TUF winner will be crowned as Kelvin Gastelum took on fellow Team Sonnen fighter Uriah Hall. Hall looked great through the whole tournament and Gastelum is the youngest TUF competitor ever.  Gastelum came out full speed ahead while Hall looked to set up precision striking. Hall looked a little cocky pulling middleweight king Anderson Silva type moves with his hands down and trying to bob his head out of the way. Hall was rocked though and Gastelum got the take down and was in control from the top most of the round. Hall in the second now is finding a home for his kicks as he puts a spinning back kick into the body then a high kick. Gastelum gets the take down once he backs Hall into the cage. Hall is taking some damage but nothing real dangerous. Hall reverses and now has Gastelum on his back. Gastelum gets back to his feet but eats some punches and kick to the body. Hall was able to get the trip with his back to the cage and pounds away at the body of Gastelum. Hall moves Gastelum’s head toward the cage and as Gastelum gets up Hall takes his back. Hall picks him up and belly to back suplexes him only for Gastelum to turn and get back to his feet. Gastelum does some work from the clinch but not much before the second stanza comes to a close.  Hall looks to be in no hurry and lands a pair of kicks. Now Hall is feinting with his hands down and landing the straights. Hall gets suplexed now but is able to roll with it and do some damage briefly from the top as Gastelum gets back to his feet. Half way through the last round and I would say Hall needs to end this fight to get the win but he is in no hurry and Gastelum is walking him down then lands an over hand left. Gastelum gets another double and is working for a kimura but doesn’t get it and now Hall goes for an arm bar but Gastelum is back in the guard and dropping down punches. Hall is firing away from back but Gastelum catches the arm and is going for an arm bar right before the fight comes to a close. I think the 21 year old last pick took this fight, the TUF crown and a new Harley-Davidson.

Winner of The Ultimate Fighter 17 by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Kelvin Gastelum

Kelvin Gastelum gets the submission of season with his RNC against Josh Samman. Luke Barnatt vs Dylan Andrews take home fight of the season and obviously Uriah Hall gets the knock out of the season for that ridiculous spinning heel kick. Each fighter gets $25k.

Dana White announces that next season of The Ultimate Fighter will be airing on the soon to be debuting FOX Sports 1 channel. TUF 18 will feature men and women bantamweights and be coached by Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano. Jon Anik said that the new season will premier in September.

The second ever Women’s fight in the UFC featuring Miesha “Cupcake” Tate vs Cat “Alpha” Zingano was next up on the fight card.  Tate came out looking for the take down Zingano defended well and nearly got a standing guillotine but Tate popped free. Zingano got rocked by some big punches from Tate. These two are going back and forth. Tate gets the take down and Zingano sweeps to get side control. They get back up and exchange some big punches but both chins are holding up thus far. Tate gets another take down this time she is doing damage with the elbow on Zingano. This was a furious pace to round 1. Zingano charges out for the start of round 2 with a flying knee. Tate gets the dominant position as they go to the ground and works the body of Zingano. Tate postures up delivers some huge ground and pound before she goes for an arm bar. Tate can’t get it though and she goes back to mount to rain down more punches. Zingano is bleeding from the nose now. Tate goes for the back and Zingano gets into the guard of Tate. Tate now switches to a heel hook but Zingano is avoiding and she turns and is now in half guard. Tate is eating the big shots now from the ground. Tate gets back to her feet but eats a pair of jabs before she unsuccessfully goes for a take down at the end of the second. Zingano now with the take down and has Tate folded up delivering shots from the top. Zingano now is in half guard trying to get the mount but still doing damage. Zingano has now bloodied up Tate with these punches and elbows. Tate keeps trying to do anything possible but Zingano is making her pay. Tate gets up and eats a knee and she quickly drops back to the ground. Tate gets up again and eats three more knees and an elbow to drop Tate and Winslow has seen enough. Zingano had to be down on the score cards going into that last round but she pulls it out and moves to 8-0. Zingano will coach opposite Rousey and get a championship fight next.

Winner by TKO at 2:55 of round 3 Cat “Alpha” Zingano

Finally the big boys have made their way to the cage as the lone heavyweight battle of the night. Travis Browne took on former title challenger Gabriel Gonzaga. Browne came out aggressive and missed with a head kick that Gonzaga ducked under. Gonzaga tied up Browne and worked non-stop for the take down until Browne drove his elbow into the side of Gonzaga’s head as he was working for a take down to knock out Gonzaga cold. That some power!

Winner by KO at 1:11 of round 1 Travis Browne

In the first fight to take place on the main card Gilbert Smith matches up with Jackson MMA fighter Bubba McDaniel. McDaniel came out and pressed the action from the get go including getting a thai clinch and landing some knees. Smith got the separation and take down shortly after. Smith spent most of the round on top but Bubba was able to threaten submissions from the bottom including a deep guillotine. Bubba was able to use the guillotine to sweep Smith and do some damage from side control at the close of round 1. McDaniel stuns Smith early in the second round but the next couple minutes are made up of Smith working for a take down. McDaniel gets the separation and lands a couple good shots before he goes for a take down himself. Smith sprawls and tries for a guillotine but McDaniel quickly changed sides and popped his head free. McDaniel briefly takes the back of Smith then into the half guard before Smith gets to his feet. In round 3 they alternate ground positions as Smith shows how versed he is getting off his back and McDaniel landing some shots when he was on top however the last time Smith swept McDaniel he landed right into the arm in triangle and quickly tapped out mid way through the final round.

Winner by Submission at 2:49 of Round 3 Bubba McDaniel

I’ll be back top of the hour with the main card on FX.

The final prelim fight is Kevin Casey vs Josh Samman. Samman quickly gets the take down but Casey locks in an arm in triangle and has it deep but Samman slams Casey over and over and Casey lets go of the hold. Casey sweeps though and is now on top pounding away on Samman against the cage. Samman is doing all he can to sweep or lock in a submission but Casey is just relentless from the top pinning the arm of Samman then delivering some shots. Samman wall walks with 45 seconds left and eats a knee to the body. Samman gets Casey against the cage now and Samman locks up a thai clinch and delivers knee after knee to the body as the first round ends. Second round Samman gets the clinch again and knees away again and again at Casey. Casey has been hurt and goes down but comes up only to get caught back in the clinch and eats more and more knees and he drops again. The ref has seen enough.

Winner by TKO at 2:17 of round 2 Josh Samman

The first overall pick from this season the 6’6″ Luke Barnatt took on Team Jones fighter Collin Hart. Hart who only is at a one inch reach disadvantage despite 4″ in height stays in close trying to keep Barnatt from using his height. Hart came in leading with the leg kicks each time. Hart gets the big man down two minutes into the fight and quickly takes Barnatt’s back but Barnatt gets to his feet and shakes off Hart. Hart is not being timid and is charging inside winging the big punches. Barnatt is utilizing the jab now and both men are cut now. Barnatt is coming forward with what looks like a stepping right elbow but than brings the hand and not the elbow at the chin. Great first round as these two look to make this a serious fight. Hart once again connects and stuns Barnatt. Hart tries for a swinging back fist then immediately spins again for a high kick that is blocked this time. The 6’6″ Barnatt tries for a huge flying knee that misses but he gets good air. Barnatt again working that jab and these two continue the non-stop action. Hart’s face is busted up as he is bleeding from the nose and mouth. Barnatt is not unscathed as he has some swelling and minor cuts himself. Both men are starting to slow at the end of the round but the fight as left neither as Barnatt goes for a kimura as Hart tries to take him down then a standing guillotine right before the end of the second stanza. The third round was much like the first two Barnatt working the jab and swinging for the fences when Hart came in close. Hart worked over and over for the take down but was only able to get it for short periods. Barnatt proved his wrestling training with Chael Sonnen paid off and he gets to have a memorable 25th birthday with his first UFC victory.

Winner by Unanimous Decision (29-28×2, 30-27) Luke Barnatt

Team Jones Dylan Andrews was up next as he met Team Sonnen’s Jimmy Quinlan. Quinlan sprints across the cage immediately to attempt the take down. Andrews is able to avoid and once Quinlan does get him down he quickly gets back to his feet but Quinlan doesn’t give him any space. 2 minutes into the fight Quinlan gets a take down into side control but once again can’t keep Andrews there. Once Andrews is back up Quinlan swarms and tries for another take down and the ref breaks them apart and as Quinlan charges Andrews drills him with a right to the back portion of the head and Andrews pounds away with the right on a turtled up Quinlan.

Winner at 3:22 of round 1 by TKO Dylan Andrews

Just as we saw the Facebook prelims all featherweights the FuelTV prelims will feature all middleweights.

Now that we have switched to FuelTV for the prelims a season 16 fighter Bristol Marunde will square off with this TUF season fighter Clint Hester at middleweight (185lbs). In what started out as a slow first round and brought on numerous boos from the Vegas crowd picked up when Marunde got a take down with 90 seconds left than Hester landed a right when he got back to his feet to drop Marunde briefly before Marunde secured another take down and laid in the guard to end the round. The second round saw more action and far less boos. Both men where more loose and willing to strike but Hester was the aggressor pressing the action. Marunde missed with a head kick and slipped. Marunde kept fighting and got the top position when Hester swarmed on him. Hester attempted a triangle and Marunde stood up only to eat an up kick and fall back down to his knees. Hester nailed him with more shots and Marunde tried to fire back to no avail but was able to survive till the end of round 2. In round 3 the action slowed again as there was not as much on the strikes from either. Hester did land a flying knee and was able to sprawl out of the take down that followed from Marunde. After the first couple take downs in the fight Hester did a good job of sprawling and putting pressure on the back of Marunde’s head to avoid the take downs. Hester lands an arching standing elbow that knocks Marunde out as he came forward with an upper cut to end the fight with just over a minute left.

Winner by KO at 3:53 of round 3 Clint Hester

FuelTV prelims will begin in 20 minutes.

In the final Facebook prelim fight another pair of featherweights take to the cage as Cole Miller and Bart Palaszewski enter. At first Miller was getting the edge in striking keeping Palasweski at a distance but Palaszewski started countering well then even had Miller backed into the cage and landed some good combos. Miller with a minute left in the first got a double leg take down Miller got his back as he tried to get up and locked in the rear naked choke to secure the victory.

Winner by Submission at 4:23 of Round 1 Cole “Magrinho”  Miller

Two more featherweights enter the cage as Maximo Blanco faces off with Sam Sicilia. While Blanco got an early take down this first round was pretty.  Blanco utilized the jab to keep Sicilia at a distance and Sicilia landed more of the lunging punches. Both men also spent a fair amount of time striking the opponents body and legs with kicks. Early in the second Sicilia landed a nice combo and looked to hurt Blanco. Blanco escapes and hurts Sicilia and the two men stand and trade punches not trying to block anything. Blanco gets the take down and got the full mount. A bloodied Sicilia was able to get to his feet and immediately stays in close trying to punish Blanco. Sicilia catches Blanco with a left right combo that jarred the head of Blanco only for Blanco to land a combo of his own. Again another close round. Blanco charges forward and misses with a flying knee but fires off punch after punch that hurts Sicilia . Sicilia now lands a right that wobbles Blanco. These two are trading  big shots yet neither one will stay down. Winslow has warned Blanco over and over again about grabbing the fence. They spend the last minute of the fight trying to secure a take down or get a submission. Ultra close fight that I would edge to Blanco due to volume and take downs even though Sicilia dropped him at one point. The judges scored it the same.

Winner by Unanimous Decision (29–28×3) Maximo “Maxi” Blanco

Up first though is the featherweights (145lbs) as Justin Lawrence takes on Daniel Pineda. Pineda takes this fight down to the ground early. Lawrence was briefly able to get to his feet. Pineda gets him back down to the mat and locks in a kimura from the top and Lawrence has no choice but to tap.

Winner by Submission at 1:35 of rd 1 Daniel “The Pit” Pineda

Two former WEC standouts will main event the nights activities as “The California Kid” Urijah Faber takes on Scott “Young Guns” Jorgensen in the bantamweight division.

On of the most intriguing headlines of the night is who will be the opposing coach of Ronda Rousey next season and receive a shot at the women’s bantamweight belt. Former Strikeforce Champion Miesha “Cupcake” Tate, whom Rousey won the belt from, will take on the undefeated Cat “Alpha” Zingano.  Season 18 of TUF will feature both men and women bantamweight fighters.

Follow along on twitter @wonlinemma for the fight by fight winners and notes or check back on the site later for a recap of the night in whole.

Main card on FX

Bantamweights (135lbs)

Urijah Faber vs Scott Jorgensen

TUF 17 Championship

Middleweights (185lbs)

Uriah Hall vs Kelvin Gastelum

Womens Bantamweights (135lbs)

Miesha Tate vs Cat Zingano

Heavyweights

Travis Browne vs Gabriel Gonzaga

Middleweights (185lbs)

Bubba McDaniel vs Gilbert Smith

Prelims on FuelTV

Middleweights (185lbs)

Josh Samman vs Kevin Casey

Middleweights (185lbs)

Luke Barnatt vs Collin Hart

Middleweights (185lbs)

Dylan Andrews vs Jimmy Quinlan

Middleweights (185lbs)

Clint Hester vs Bristol Marunde

Facebook Prelims

Featherweights (145 lbs)

Cole Miller vs Bart Palaszewski

Featherweights (145lbs)

Sam Sicilia vs Maximo Blanco

Featherweights (145lbs)

Justin Lawrence vs Daniel Pineda

One of the two coaches will be current women’s bantamweight champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey. The opposing coach will be the winner of the Miesha “Cupcake” Tate and Cat Zigano fight which is scheduled to be the co-main event at the finale for this season of TUF on April 13th.

The UFC president also stated that the open tryouts will take place in Las Vegas, NV on April 15th if you are interested in trying out.

Jordan “The Young Gun” Mein made it a successful debut in his first fight in the UFC. Mein survived an early takedown from Dan Miller and a deep arm bar attempt in the first two minutes. Mein dropped Miller shortly after they got back to their feet but let Miller get back standing. Mein realized at that point he could land the punches at will. Mein hurt Miller with a pair of lead jabs to the jaw then a right hand over the top. Mein opened up on the body as Miller crumpled. “The Young Gun” followed him to the mat and delivered ground and pound till the ref stepped in and waved off the fight with 18 seconds left in round 1. Mein gets the TKO victory and becomes the first to stop Dan Miller. Miller now moves to 6-6 in the UFC and 1-1 at welterweight. Miller has not put together the same success as his brother Jim has at lightweight but to note has also had his fair share of hardships to keep him from being fully focused on mma.

In a featherweight affair Antonio “Pato” Carvalho took on the red hot Darren “The Damage” Elkins. Elkins has rattled off wins over Steven Siler, Diego Brandao, Tiequan Zhang and Michirio Omigawa since entering the featherweight ranks. Elkins hurt Carvalho with a right to the jaw and you could see Carvalho was pretty much out on his feet. Elkins lands a left and right with the right dropping Carvalho but he quickly was popping up to his feet but Yves Lavigne was already waving off the fight. Elkins gets his second stoppage in the UFC and first since his debut at 3:06 of round 1.

The long time UFC veteran Patrick “The Predator” Cote, who first appeared in the Octagon in 2004, made his first cut down from middleweight to welterweight. His opponent would be another Strikeforce transplant looking to make a successful first trip to the UFC “Vicious” Bobby Voelker. The hometown fighter Cote had the crowd behind him in mass tonight. Cote started off the fight hot and even was effective of his back at the end of round 1 but the second round was a touch more back and forth. As Cote looked good striking out the gate and first have of the round then after Voelker took a barrage he returned the favor and followed up with some big knees and busted open the eye brow and forehead of Cote. The third round Voelker came out like a rock’em sock’em robot and planted his feet and threw the big left and rights. Voelker lands more big shots and knees as Cote comes ducking in. Voelker gets a take down and delivers dominate ground and pound to keep Cote on the ground for most of the final round. It wouldn’t be enough though as Patrick Cote gets the unanimous decision 29-28 on all three of the judges cards. Voelker is definitely one to keep an eye on going forward to see if he can make the needed changes to be a top 170er.

Earlier on Facebook:

TJ Dillashaw defeats Issei Tamura by knockout at :26 of round 2.

Rick Story wins via TKO at 3:05 of round 1 over Quinn Mulhern.

George Roop gets the unanimous decision over Reuben Duran (29-28×2, 30-27)

Diaz had his share of his highlight moments as he had to be escorted back to his corner after round 1 as he acted like he was going to go after Rush and then after the second he threw a punch after very shortly after the horn. Aside from those Diaz was able to land some shots including looking like he stunned the champ with a punch and coming close to winning the third round until he spent the last minute on his back.

St. Pierre wins his 18th inside the Octagon to bring his record to 24-2 in pro fights. His 18th win is also m0numental because he ties the man who preceded him as king of welterweights UFC hall of famer Matt Hughes. Hughes is also one of the two men to hand Rush a defeat. This was also his 9th consecutive title defense since he captured the belt against Hughes in December of 2007.

Hendricks calls out GSP after decision over Condit

Johny “Bigg Rig” Hendricks squeaked out a close unanimous decision as he took two rounds to one over former interim 170 champ Carlos Condit. Hendricks and Condit rightfully took home the fight of the night honors and an extra $50, 000 each. These two men fought for fifteen minutes and rarely do you get to say that anymore. Hendricks was able to secure take down after take down on Condit. 12 of them in all for the four time all American wrestler and two time national champion at Oklahoma State.

Condit never gave up the fight as he continued to come forward and land a finishing knee or punch. Condit also stayed busy elbowing away at Hendricks from his back and trying to secure a submission. Hendricks landed some good shots from the half guard with punches and elbows. These two went back and forth through out but the take downs and ground control were two much and Hendricks jumps to front of the line for next shot at the champion Georges St. Pierre.

Ellenberger makes fairly quick work of Marquardt

It only took three minutes and the landing of the right hand for ”The Juggernaut” to get has hand raised. Ellenberger has now won 8 of his last 10 in the UFC. Jake Ellenberger delivered the right hand to the face of Marquardt and Marquardt quickly went face down. The former Strikeforce welterweight champion quickly tried to latch onto a leg but Ellenberger held down the back of his head and landed more right hands. Marquardt was put to sleep and quickly awoken by another. Ellenberger was also awarded the knockout of the night and $50,000.

Camozzi takes two of three judges scorecards over Ring

Chris Camozzi has now won four straight fights in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s middleweight decision. Nick “Promise” Ring looked sharp early as he played to being the much faster man but he was unable to keep that pace up for the whole fight. Ring quickly got in and out striking Camozzi as his opponent kept coming. Late in the second Ring was fighting with his hands down as he had much of the fight but by now his volume had significantly decreased and his punches didn’t look to have the same pop that they had earlier. Camozzi clearly took the final stanza as Ring managed to survive but was being highly out worked. While I thought Ring had taken the first and Camozzi the third and the second was a toss up but two of the three judges scored it 29-28 while one scored it 29-28 for Ring.

Ricci out classes Fletcher in clear cut victory.

The first fight of the pay per view was a light weight affair as Tri Star gym representative and Canadian Mike Ricci wins the fight by taking every round on the three judges scorecards. This one was one of those cases where it seems like a fighter just doesn’t get going  and seemed to be the case for the Sunderland, England native Colin Fletcher. Ricci got the take downs and really showed he wanted it in the final round and almost got a submission from Fletcher’s back but the fight ended. This was Ricci’s first fight since dropping the unanimous decision to Colton Smith in the TUF 16 season finale.

In a featherweight fight Rani Yahya spent much of the first two rounds like Kim did in his fight from a dominant top position. Yahya also like Kim had a deep arm triangle but being up against the fence really kept him from turning it and he would go on to let go and settle back into the guard of Mizuto Hirota. In the third round the clearly tired Yahya was nearly caught in triangle than arm bar submission but the smooth grappler was able to pop his way out of danger and survive till the end of the fight. Rani Yahya was awarded the unanimous decision by judges scores of 29-28×3.

In the “Thunder” versus “Lightning” fight Yushin “Thunder” Okami spent the first two rounds grinding away on Hector “Lightning” Lombard.  Okami was able to utilize his reach advantage than get the take downs trying to wear down the muscular Lombard. After two clear rounds for Okami Lombard came out the aggressor winging big right and left over hand punches. Okami looked to be hurt and flopped to his back. Lombard quickly dove on top and tried to rain down the punches but Okami was able to tie him up and prevented him from landing anything that could have ended the fight. Lombard clearly won the last round but after the first two rounds he needed the stoppage. Thunder took this one by judges scores of 28-29, 29-28, 29-28 for split decision nod.

After more than a year since his last fight the middleweight winner from the very first Ultimate Fighter season Diego Sanchez stepped back into the octagon. After going 2-2 at welterweight the former light weight title challenger made his return the ranks of 155ers. The man to welcome him to Japan would be none other than home town fighter, Pride grand prix winner and former Pride champion ‘The Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi.  The man who now fights under the moniker “The Dream” had more of a nightmarish weekend as he was unable to make weight and had to give Gomi 20% of his purse. Than to make things worse Gomi landed the lead jab over and over again throughout the fight. Gomi also punished the body of Sanchez with thudding hooks. Gomi was the aggressor of this fight as he had Sanchez circling and back pedaling almost the whole fight. Once Gomi would back Sanchez into the cage he would wisely reset and get back to the center of the octagon to avoid being taken down by Sanchez. Sanchez was successful with his kicks to the body but not so much when he would go to the head or inside of the leg as he caught Gomi twice in the groin and was warned early in the second to change what he was doing or he was going to end up losing points. Sanchez was able to get a pair of take downs off the kicks of Gomi in the first than Gomi stuffed the rest of Sanchez’s attempts. Wow judges score the fight (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) to give the split decision nod to Diego “The Dream” Sanchez. That is surprising and most who are watching and on twitter see it the same way including UFC President Dana White who tweeted “How the fuck did Diego win that fight!? Crazy shit” Watch for yourself I would love to know how you saw it.

In the co-main event the heavyweights had their turn to entertain the fans. Former Pride competitor Mark “Super Samoan” Hunt who comes into the fight at 5’10″ and 266lbs faces the 7′ “Skyscraper” that is Stefan Struve. The two heavies but on a very competitive fight as they showed all aspects of the mma game. Hunt looked good standing being able to get to the inside and land some punches on the much bigger man. Struve was able to stay in the fight because Hunt was more than willing to go into the guard of Struve and Struve was able to sweep Hunt a couple times, gain the mount and threaten submissions. By the third round both men looked exhausted. Struve was letting Hunt come in and tee off on him with leaping punches. Struve finally dropped his hands and Hunt landed a huge lunging (almost leaping to reach the chin) left hand that causes Dean to step in and save Stefan Struve and we see our first stoppage of the night since the opening fight on facebook. Hunt is credited with a technical knock out at 1:44 of round 3. Struve suffered a broken jaw from that last big hay maker.

Brian Stann stepped back up to light heavyweight for the night to face “The Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva in the building that captured many of his most memorable highlights and helped make him a legend in mixed martial arts. The two men come out right from the beginning and look to do nothing other than trade the biggest punches they can throw. Stann is able to drop Silva twice in the first couple minutes as they stand in front of each other but Silva is quickly back to his feet and telling Stann to bring it on. Silva breaks Stann’s nose across the bridge. With a minute left in the round they are winging punches again. This time Silva goes down pops back up and Stann is dropped now as Silva has his back against the cage. Silva goes down again after Stann connects. Silva once again is back up and as they clinch Stann falls on top of Silva as they go down to the mat and the round ends there with Stann gushing blood down on Silva. Round two was much more cautious as Stann was looking to land the straight punches and press the action while Silva wants to counter with the hooks. Silva does just that as he ducks lands the counter right than immediately follows it with a left hook to the chin and Stann is down. Silva pounces and Goodard is racing over to save Stann from any more punishment. Saitama Super Arena, the announcers and me at home go nuts as Silva jumps into the stands. What a fight especially that last minute of round one. Go back and watch it to see one of the greatest exchanges of all time. The Axe Murderer Wanderlei Silva gets the knock out victory at 4:08 of round 2.

Award winners and recipients of an extra $50K

FOTN Stann vs Silva

KOTN Silva and Hunt

Welterweights (170 lbs)

Marcelo “Magrao” Guimaraes vs “The Ace” Hyun Gyu Lim

In the first round the much taller 6’3″ Lim worked the jab and striking well. He avoided all the take down attempts but for the last one in the round when he went for a stepping knee and Guimaraes was able to take him down but not do much in the last thirty seconds. In the second round Guimaraes was looking much better with his striking as he was able to counter the punches from Lim and able to get in and out with out being punished. Guimaraes was also able to score another take down.  Lim landed the stepping knee this time as Guimaraes was ducking down for another take down and connected to the chin and Guimaraes is knocked out.

Winner at 4:00 of round 2 by Knockout Hyun Gyu Lim

Bantamweights (135 lbs)

“Bruce Leeroy” Alex Caceres vs Kyung Ho “Typhoon” Kang

Caceres and Kang went the distance in this one. Kang was able to get take downs pretty much at will. His wrestling game was head and shoulders above Caceres but the crafty Caceres was able to keep Kang from landing any damaging shots from the top and over and over again was able to sweep or reverse positions. Late in the second round Caceres got top position and started landing the shots that counted by elbows and hammer fist. The third round was all Caceres as he was making Kang fight out of submissions or just punishing him from the top. This was a great show case of both fighters ground game as the were constantly working to better their positions.

Winner by Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) Alex Caceres

Lightweights (155 lbs)

Cristiano Marcello vs Kazuki Tokudome

Marcello rocked Tokudome with a right hand right at the beginning of the fight he rushed forward and went for the muay thai clinch and Tokudome lands a series of rights that looked to hurt Marcello. A moment later Marcello slipped and Tokudome jumped into his guard and from there he landed the left hand and kept the bjj black belt from doing anything offensive off his back. Early in the second Tokudome got the judo throw and spent most of the second round just like the first in the guard of Marcello landing some punches but mainly kept Marcello trapped. In the third round Tokudome dropped Marcello with a right hand that connected with the chin. Tokudome would spend much of the third just as he did in the first and second round.

Winner by judges scores of (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) for Unanimous Decision Kazuki Tokudome

Bantamweights (135 lbs)

Takeya Mizugaki vs “Kid Lightning” Bryan Caraway

These two 135ers fought for the whole fifteen minutes. Mizugaki got the edge in the stand up and was able to land a lot of punishing shots. Mizugaki found a home with the left to the body and over hand right that dropped Caraway. The second round was more Caraway as he had a tight guillotine and dominate ground positions in the round. Mizugaki took the fight in the third when he dropped Caraway with the right hand. Mizugaki also looked good fighting off the submissions from Caraway when Caraway was able to get one it wasn’t for long. This was the first win for Mizugaki in Japan and led to him hitting his knees and sobbing his way through the post fight interview with Jon Anik.

Winner by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) Takeya Mizugaki

Middleweights (185 lbs)

Riki Fukuda vs Brad Tavares

Tavares, who I had thought was a small middle weight, looked much stronger in this fight. Tavares was taken down three times in the first round as he telegraphed the right leg kick to the body. Tavares was able to quickly push Fukuda off of him each time and able to push Fukuda off of him and across the cage when he tried to clinch. Tavares punching was defiently the difference in the first as he was able to land repeatedly to the nose of Fukuda. According to Kenny Florian Fukuda was paying special attention to his left hand between rounds which was not shown on the Facebook stream. Tavares cruises in the second behind the lead left jab and right leg kick to the inside of Fukuda’s leg. Tavares mixing it up and grazed Fukuda with a spinning back fist. By the end of the third round Fukuda isn’t even closing his hand nor seriously throwing it. By the end of two both men have bloody face, the bridge of Fukuda’s nose and under the left eye of Tavares. Fukuda comes in to strike in the third and we see Tavares step to the side and land a counter right of his own. Both men were landing punches in the third but it doesn’t look like either man has much left on them.

Winner by Unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) Brad Tavares

In another grueling war Court McGee made his welterweight debut as he makes the cut down from middleweight. Josh Neer was the welcome party and he was able to go the distance but this fight was almost all McGee other than the second round. McGee unleashed the strikes in bunches never settling for one when he could land as many as five in row. McGee hurt the body or more precisely the liver of Neer at the end of round but once he had Neer on the ground he was punching away at the head and not the body. Round 2 was the same from McGee but Neer was able to get off a few good series when he would start the exchange rather than try to counter. In the third round McGee continued the relentless pace and set a new record for strikes landed for a welterweight by eclipsing the 234 mark. McGee took the unanimous decision with scores of 30-27 from all three judges. This was his first time fighting at 170 I can’t wait to see what he does after he makes that cut a few more times.

The rematch between “The California Kid” Urijah Faber and Ivan Menjivar was up next and Menjivar started it off with a beautiful throw. Faber was able to roll over and get side control. Faber spends the next few minutes pounding away on Menjivar. Menjivar gets some space and tries to get up but Faber hopes on his shoulders side ways than spins the right leg around the waist of the standing Menjivar to get the body triangle. Faber locks in the standing rear naked choke and Menjivar taps out at 4:34 of round 1.

In the co-main event a number one contender for the Light Heavyweight champion was decided and that man will be Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida. Machida took the split decision 28-29, 29-28, 29-28 over Dan Henderson in a fight that never really got started it seemed. First round was close but went to Machida as he got the trip take down in the last 10 seconds. Both men seemed to have a great deal of respect for one another but they never fell for each others feints so not much happened other than circling. Hendo got the one take down he went for in the third but was never able to land that big over hand right of his. Hendo did out strike Machida to the body and legs but Machida out struck Henderson with the head shots. Machida landed 30 I think which is a low output especially compared to McGee who earlier landed 100 strikes in one round. Machida tried some of his karate techniques but nothing that ever seemed to hurt Henderson or land cleanly. It would have been interesting to see it go two more rounds but I am not sure if that would have even changed a thing. Machida will now face the winner of Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen bout after this season of TUF wraps up.

In the main event Rowdy Ronda Rousey is able to end another fight in the first round by arm bar to make it 7 pro fights,  and 7 first round submissions by arm bar. Rousey locked on a headlock almost immediately and worked to get the fight to the ground. Liz Carmouche gave her a hell of a fight though including at one point taking Rousey’s back standing and locking on a neck crank she didn’t have the body triangle only the hooks in and that would lead to the end as Rousey was able to shake her and eventually get that leg across the face. Rousey started cranking on that arm and Carmouche defended for about a minute but Rousey was able to keep prying then eventually pops that arm free and Carmouche has to tap out and taps out quickly.  Joe Rogan when complementing Rousey after the mentioned all she is doing for women not just women in combat sports but added at the end that those are the sexiest cauliflowered ears in mma.

In the second prelim fight on Facebook Neil Magny kept his opponent Jon Manley from ever implementing his money technique the take down. Magny defended 11 of 12 take downs and Manley never tried to strike with him. Manley had no other plan than to take the fight to the ground. Magny would make him pay with knees to the body and short punches as he spent most of his time pressed against the cage by Manley as he worked for the take down.  Neil Magny took home the unanimous decision 30-27, 30-27, 29-28.

The final Facebook fight didn’t last long as Kenny Robertson went for a quick take down and finished it with his head in the guillotine choke of Brock Jardine. Robertson was able to defend and pop his head free from there he quickly moved to side control than eventually took Jardine’s back. Robertson sunk both hooks in and went to work for the RNC. Jardine tried to dump him off his back over the top but Robertson shocked everyone when he was able to submit Jardine by grabbing the foot of Jardine and pulling it forward till he had no choice but tap or rip his hamstring. Dana White went on to tweet “How sick was that!!!! Love the evolution of this sport.” Great to get complements like that from the president.

Once the action moves to FX for the prelims to continue one of the UFC’s most experienced young fighters Sam Stout took to the cage to welcome another Strikeforce transplant Caros Fodor. These two went at it for fifteen minutes in close jockeying for position and taking turns trading shots to the body and head. Good fight but it was one that you could just tell was gruelling as each man was trying to put his weight on the other and the short knees and punches back and forth to the body and head. Stout would take home the ultra thin split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28).

I know I was blown away with the performance from Burrell and Villefort but the show was stolen once Matt Grice and Dennis Bermudez started it off. Bermudez ended up on top of Grice early and unleashed 40 ground and pound shots on Grice who had one arm pinned which prevented him from blocking them. Grice gets to his feet though and is able to drop Bermudez with a left hook that almost brings the fight to a screeching halt. Herb Dean makes a great decision seeing Bermudez is recovering and lets them continue. Grice gets the better in the second round clearly with that left hand finding a home numerous times. Round 3 begins and Bermudez unleashes an assault to be remembered for all time. Over and over again he connects with uppercuts, elbows, knees and kicks. He is pound away on the ground and when they are on their feet. Dean is watching closely and nearly stopping it again but lets them continue and Grice connects with another of those big hooks and Bermudez is scrambling to get back to his feet. These two stand for the last part of the round just unleash a barrage of hay makers. Dennis Bermudez takes home the split decision 29-28×2, 28-29. Everyone should go and find this fight and watch it! Easily it will get consideration for the year end awards.

Michael Chiesa, the TUF winner, was getting out struck in the fight and was not looking so sharp against Anton Kuivanen in the first round. That all changed in the second as he was able to take the back of Kuivanen while they were on their feet. Chiesa got them to the ground locked in the body triangle and kept working for the rear naked choke until he got it. Which he successfully did at 2:29 of round 2. Than the prelims went on to end on a sour note when Brendan Shaub took on Lavar Johnson. In what everyone was expecting to be ended with a devastating knockout was the exact opposite. Schaub clearly wanted no part of Johnson’s stand up game as he took him down early and often. Schaub spent most of the fight in Johnson’s half guard but did very little as far as offense. Johnson out struck Schaub from the bottom and punished the body of Schaub when they were on their feet. Most of the strikes all came from the clinch as even when they were standing Schaub was locked onto Johnson. Johnson did bust open Schaub in the third when they got a little separation but it wasn’t enough and the judges handed the unanimous decision to Schaub by scores of 30-27×3.

Ronda Rousey will defend her belt for the first time in the UFC against the United States Marine veteran Liz Carmouche. In the co-main event UFC’s number 2 Light Heavyweight Dan Henderson will take on the number 3 ranked Lyoto Machida to decide who the number one contender will be for the winner of the upcoming title bout between Jon Jones versus Chael Sonnen after this season of TUF wraps up.

Also in a marquee match up Bantamweights Ivan Menjivar will get a rematch against Urijah Faber. Last time they fought back in 2006 Menjivar was disqualified in the second round for kicking a downed opponent.

Video of the weigh-ins is available below.

The action starts on Facebook tomorrow at 6:35 pm ET

Nah-Shon “The Rock N Rolla” Burrell 175.8lbs* vs Yuri Villefort 170lbs

Jon Manley 171lbs vs Neil Magny 171lbs

Kenny Robertson 170lbs vs Brock “The Machine”  Jardine 170lbs

UFC 157 prelims move to FX at 8pm ET

Sam “Hands of Stone” Stout 155lbs vs Caros “The Future” Fodor 155lbs

Dennis “The Menace” Bermudez 145lbs vs Matt “The Real One” Grice 145lbs

Michael “Maverick” Chiesa 156.2lbs** vs Anton Kuivanen 156lbs

Brendan “The Hybrid” Shaub 243lbs vs “Big” Lavar Johnson 255lbs

UFC 157 main card on PPV at 10pm ET

Josh “Kos” Koscheck 171lbs vs “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler 171lbs

Court “The Crusher” McGee 170lbs vs Josh “The Dentist” Neer

“The California Kid” Urijah Faber 136lbs vs Ivan “The Pride of El Savador” Menjivar 135.6lbs

Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida 202lbs vs Dan “Hendo” Henderson 205lbs

Ronda “Rowdy” Rousey(c) 134.6lbs vs Liz “Girlrilla” Carmouche 133.6lbs

*Burrell missed weight by a long shot and will hand over a portion of his purse to Villefort.

**Chiesa missed weight by .2 pounds but it was clear his beard weighed a couple pounds by its self so before he even tried to weigh in minus his shorts Dana and the commission called it good.

Bubba McDaniels is still playing the I told you so card in regards to Team Jones losing the first fight and wanting his fight with Kevin Casey. Casey feels disrespected by the call out but tells McDaniel that it will go down even if it has to happen in the house. Mixed group of TUF competitors are sitting outside by the fire and Hall said some thing along the lines of so and so is smart and is a “professional cooker.” Josh corrected him by telling him he meant “chef” which triggers flash backs for Hall who came from Jamaica and being picked on as a youth so he is determined to call out Josh after the fight.

In training you see Hall’s competitive side come out. As Sonnen said he is one of the best athletes there and pushes himself to be first in everything that they do but Uriah is Uriah’s worst enemy. As Casey gets his arm while they are rolling Hall won’t let the defeat go and wants to go again even though practice is done.

Adam talks that he doesn’t have to do this; he has an education, has a job and will have one when he gets back. He feels that gives him the advantage because he wants to win and doesn’t have to. Jones points out that Hall has broken some ones arm with a kick and that Cella may want to not take too many of them. Jones feels Adam has a lot to improve on grappling so Jones takes the time to show him a basic and efficient technique (short elbows from the guard) that may work better for him.

Sonnen talks game plan as Hall is shown striking with another coach and Sonnen says the plan is to go forward and his team is focused on the offense and making the other team have to adapt while going back wards. Sonnen gives Hall some advice about not beating yourself and that he even saw a sports psychologist. Randy Couture told Chael that it doesn’t go away he has to recognize it and push through it. It is normal to have doubt and its okay to to acknowledge it. That is just part of but ultimately you its your choice to fail or succeed.

When they return from commercial break Casey tells the other guys in the fan that he would rather not face Bubba in the first round of the competition. Chael puts up a picture of Casey in the next fight slot. Cella feels like they are looking past him and McDaniel who wants to fight Casey puts his picture up in the spot that Sonnen had put a question mark.

Its Jones turn to make a visit to the house and brought food for the guys that they bbq and also his puppy. Jones takes his team out to the fire pit and they sit around sharing stories so Jones can get to know his team. Jones plays it up that he is getting choked up and teary eyed hearing their stories.

Team Jones’ Adam Cella vs Team Sonnen’s Uriah Hall

Round 1-

Hall definitely has more of a kick boxer approach with his hands up but further apart. Hall is able to get a couple jabs in and they trade knees to the body as Hall gets the clinch. Cella tries for kick and Hall catches it and takes the fight to the ground. Cella goes for a submission and Hall stands up to punch down at him. Cella is able to get back up and Hall hits him with a hook then a front kick to the body that knocks Cella briefly to the mat. Hall lets him back up and eats a weak right. Hall catches another kick and pulls the leg out from under Cella who briefly goes down again. Hall lands a nice leg kick head kick with out ever letting his foot touch the mat again. Hall lands a side kick that briefly knocks Cella down again. Cella pops up and is trying to go on the offensive. Hall gets the clinch again and delivers another series of knees to the body. Hall is letting his hands drop and Chael has to keep reminding him to jab. Cella tries another spinning back fist but misses by a lot again. Hall lands a spinning heel kick right to the jaw of Cella with 5 seconds left and it is over. That kick connected right in front of the ear but nothing but heel to jaw. Cella is breathing like a fish out of water and the room falls silent. Hall says “Sorry Adam” and that is all that is heard. Hall looks shaken up at what he just did. Cella is in a seated position. Cella says “Spinning heel kick.” Cella is asked if he can see and he says “I can see Uriah.”  Docs ask if he has any numbness or weird feeling and he says he doesn’t know what happened. They help him to the stool and every one applauds. Cella is back to his feet and he embraces Hall in the center.  The kick was what Barboza finished Etim with but it wasn’t just a clip this time it was a pure connection.

Winner by KO Uriah Hall

Uriah Hall tells the camera that he is sorry about the kick to Adam and hopefully he wont be mad at him and looks forward to see him soon. It is hurt business but he is a human being and he feels bad that he could have really hurt him.

Mazzagati comes in and tells Team Jones’ Adam is okay, just going to have a CAT scan and should have his memory back in about an hour or so.

Up next…

Team Sonnen’s Kevin Casey vs Team Jones’ Collin Hart

Bubba McDaniel is upset; go figure.  He figures that Casey or the other team is scared. Will Jones get his first win next week?

Anthony “Showtime” Pettis will be the man making the extra ten pound weight cut this time. Pettis who is a top contender for the UFC’s Lightweight champion asked Dana White via text after Aldo successfully defended against Edgar last Saturday to get the next shot at the 145 champ.

USA Today first broke the story this morning after speaking with the UFC President Dana White whom they quoted as saying, “Two of the baddest dudes in the fight business are going to fight at 145 pounds. These guys are two of the most amazing, gravity-defying athletes in the sport. I am so pumped for this fight.”

A venue is yet to be determined for this date as of now.

Pettis 16-2 overall is 3-1 so far in the UFC since he came to the organization as WEC’s last Lightweight champion.

Pettis took the belt in a decision victory against then title holder and now current UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson. In that fight “Showtime” delivered one of the most memorable kicks in MMA history when he jumped off the side of the cage to land the flying kick to the head of Henderson.

In Pettis’ first fight in the UFC he dropped a decision to Clay Guida as well as his shot at then lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. Since then, Pettis has rattled off three straight victories over Jeremy Stephens, Joe Lauzon and Donald Cerrone. The last two fights earned him Knockout of the Night awards for both events.

The 22-1 Jose Aldo hasn’t lost since 2005 and is on a 15 win streak including going 8-0 in the WEC and 4-0 so far in the UFC.

The champ has won 13 of his fights by knockout and 2 by submission. The champ is known for his pin-point striking and vicious kicks. While it is his striking that garners most attention it is not to be forgotten that he holds the rank of black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, is a four time Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion, and world jiu-jitsu champion.

This is Edgar’s 7th title fight in a row. He won the first two against BJ Penn, fought to a draw with Gray Maynard, beat Maynard, and than lost the last two fights to current Lightweight champ Benson Henderson. Aldo is on a tear and 21-1 in his pro career and hasn’t lost since 2005. That’s a 14 fight win streak for the champ.

In the co-main event former Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans takes on Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and also in a featured bout two former Strikeforce heavyweights take the cage as former champ Alistair Overeem meets Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva.

In the UFC on Facebook prelim:

Bantamweights (135lbs)

Edwin “El Feroz” Figueroa vs Francisco “Cisco” Rivera

Rivera over comes getting dropped 90 seconds into the fight to pound out Figueroa with strikes with under a minute left in the second round. This came after he caught Figueroa with a right hook that hurt him.

Winner by TKO Francisco “Cisco” Rivera at 4:20 of round 2

Bantamweights (135lbs)

Chico “The King” Camus vs Dustin “The Diamond” Kimura

Camus lands the straight right early that sends Kimura flailing into the cage. Kimura comes back lands his own right and Camus gets the take down and is full guard of Kimura. Kimura gets the leg up over the shoulder of Camus quickly but Camus is aware of what is going on and twice is able to pop out of danger. Kimura goes for an omoplata and Camus ends up on the bottom as he escapes. Kimura takes his back briefly and Camus rolls back into the guard of Kimura. Great ground skills being shown here by these two. Very technical showing from these two in the first round. Constant submission attempts and working to better their positions. Camus has the edge in the first two minutes of the second with some good leg kicks and avoiding being hit by Kimura. Kimura lands a right and Camus ties him up trying to get the fight to the mat. Camus lands some nice knees from the clinch against the cage. Once they separate Camus immediately gets the low single and is in the guard now. Camus  is fighting off arm bars and triangles now very quickly. Kimura locks in the arm in triangle but Camus is able to stay with it for the last 10 seconds to take the fight into the last round. Camus gets the low single but Kimura ends up with the mount and Camus gives up his back and Kimura locks in the rear naked choke to end the fight.

Winner by Submission at  1:50 of round 3 Dustin “The Diamond” Kimura

UFC on FX prelims:

Lightweights (155lbs)

Yves Edwards vs Isaac Valle- Flagg

In the first round Valle-Flagg came out the aggressor and he kept that up most of the fight. He was getting the edge in striking and the first and working for take downs. Valle-Flagg did a good job of mixing up his strikes and shots. In the second round though it was all Edwards as he got control on the ground and delivered some nice strikes on the feet. Edwards had his back for a chunk of the second but was unable to secure the rear naked choke. The third round was back to Valle-Flagg as he came out and pressured Edwards from the go. Valle-Flagg landed some nice elbows from in close and controlled how the fight’s last round went.

Winner by Split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Isaac Valle-Flagg

Lightweights (155lbs)

Jacob “Christmas” Volkmann vs Bobby “King” Green

Volkmann gets the take down a minute into the first and briefly gets the back of Green. Green is able to work Volkmann into half-guard and deliver some short lefts to the head and body before he stands up and stacks Green to drop down some punches against the cage. Green explodes and presses Volkmann away and as he tries to get up Volkmann dives back on him and takes Green’s back. Volkmann locks in the body triangle and works hard for the rear naked choke but is not able get it but is able to land some punches in the final minute. Green comes out to start the second with bloody nose. Volkmann gets the take down but Green is able to reverse it and get top position and delivers and bunch of nasty elbows from the top from the guard then half-guard. My least favorite referee in the whole sport Kim Winslow decides to stand them up with two minutes left in the second round while Green is delivering damage from the top. Winslow screws up another fight. The crowd is irate. Green landed 35 strikes their from the top they say. Volkmann is swelling up around the right eye.  Volkmann shoots for a take down and is able to get the take down after he drags Green down from behind. Volkmann locks in the body triangle but once again is unable to get the rear naked choke. In the final round Volkmann pulls guard and Green is able to do a little damage  but Volkmann tries to get the reverse and Green stands up and wants Volkmann on his feet. Volkamnn is able to get the fight back to the ground two more times and both times Green ends up in the dominant position. The last time Green ends up in the full mount and pounds away on a tired Volkmann. Green locks in the rear naked choke as Volkmann gives up his back; Volkmann taps and Green has his first victory in the octagon.

Winner by Submission at 4:25 of round 3 Bobby “King” Green

Welterweights (170lbs)

Tyron “The Choosen One” Woodley vs Jay “Thoroughbred” Hieron

Woodley blitzes Hieron with a fake left superman and lands the looping right less than 30 seconds into the fight to drop Hieron. Woddley pounces and rains down punches till Herb Dean can get there to stop the fight.

Winner by KO at 36 secs of round 1 Tyron Woodley

Lightweights (155lbs)

Gleison Tibau vs Evan Dunham

These two want to stand and bang the first minute and half these two trade big shots to the chin. Tibau decides its time to take the fight to the ground and powers through for the double. As Dunham gets up Tibau locks in the front choke and Dunham gets to his feet. Tibau pulls guard with the standing front choke but Dunham keeps his hand in the way to keep from getting submitted and gets back to his feet. They take turns alternating big shots and missing big shots. Tibau is looking a bit tired here with a minute left in the first. They spend the last minute jockeying for position from the clinch and alternating knees to the body. Dunham has the crisper strikes while Tibau is winging the punches. I am not sure I have seen Tibau throw a jab yet. Dunham is landing down the middle and Tibau lands the left hook as I say that. Dunham now goes for a take down but Tibau is right back up and Dunham stays glued to him kneeing away against the cage. Dunham is doing a great job as they are striking back in the center of the cage making sure that when he strikes his head is not left out there for Tibau to counter and nail. Dunham starts the third with a nice jab down the center. Tibau briefly gets the take down but has to pull his head out of danger as Dunham latches on as they go down. Now Tibau grabs the neck of Dunham as they get up and tries to pull guard with it but Dunham is quickly back up. Dunham lands another jab and Tibau drops to a knee and pops back up to his feet. Tibau’s right eye looks to be swelling pretty good and possibly cut under it. Tibau looks exhausted but tries another take down and Dunham defends again. Dunham with a jumping knee followed by a series on jabs that are landing over and over as Tibau is throwing the big hay makers that are finding no one home. Dunham lands a pair of knees in the last 10 seconds to put a stamp on this fight.

Winner by Split Decision ( 29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Evan Dunham

UFC 156 Main card:

Flyweights (125lbs)

Joseph Benavidez vs Ian “Uncle Creepy” McCall

Both men utilize the kicks early. Benavidez catches McCall twice in the first two minutes with shots to the cup. Benavidez is landing the hooks when they get in close and has rocked McCall twice now. Benavidez with a third cup shot and McCall once again fights through it.  Elbow now from McCall as Benavidez than lands the counter. McCall with a left hook that cuts open Benavidez some where in the hair. The cut Rogan says came from an incidental head butt but in the replay it doesn’t look like the heads connect. McCall’s right lead leg is starting to show signs of the damages Benavidez is doing with that leg kick. Benavidez with a good jab as McCall comes forward and Benavidez circles out of the way after landing. The movement from these flyweights is just amazing. Benavidez lands the counter left that grazes McCall as he tries to circle away. Benavidez ducks under a punch and McCall takes his back. Hammer fist from McCall now McCall has the mount. Benavidez turns back over and McCall drops the hammer fist till Benavidez gets back to his feet and eats some knees and the round ends with them tied up on the cage. McCall trying to pump up the crowd as they come out for round three. Benavidez gets McCall back up to the cage and lands some big punches that has McCall showing a big grin. They kick each other at the same time and McCall hits the mat. They are back up and Benavidez lands as they exit.  Benavidez is getting the edge in striking here in the last round and McCall gets the take down but only momentarily. Benavidez with a nice left and McCall goes to the body. Close fight but I give it to Benavidez 2-1 which is hard because McCall is one of my favorites but the one take down for McCall wasn’t enough to edge the striking of Benavidez in the final round.

Winner by Unanimous Decision (29-28×3) Joseph Benavidez

Welterweights (170lbs)

Jon Fitch vs Demian Maia

Winslow is back in the cage and I immediately cringe. Maia comes out and goes for a take down. Maia gets him down and gets the back of Fitch. Maia has the body triangle but Fitch stands up and Maia hangs on with his legs. Maia is pounding away from the back and is trying to work that arm under the chin. Fitch keeping the chin tucked for now. Maia falls of his back but gets the trip once his feet hit the mat and Fitch climbs back up to a standing position and Maia drags him back down and is kneeing away at the body of Fitch. Maia has the body triangle again and Fitch is now on one knee.  Maia landing the left hand to the body over and over and Maia has spent the whole round wrapped around Fitch’s back. Fitch’s striking is looking good for the first 50 seconds then Maia gets the take down. Fitch explodes and uses his legs to push Maia away and he is back up. Maia ties him back up on the cage and drags Maia back to the mat and has the back of Fitch as he sits against the cage. Maia gets the neck crank but Fitch is able to fight it off. Maia has the body triangle and is punching away. Maia spends another 4 minutes on Fitch’s back clearly two rounds for Maia. Fitch’s corner is telling him he has to knock him out. Round 3 Maia ducks under the kick of Fitch and latches right back on the back of Fitch. Maia now has him against the cage working for another take down. Maia spreads the legs of Fitch and Fitch is back to the mat with Maia on his back and the crowd is booing. Fitch gets back to his feet with 3 minutes left in the fight and Maia goes for another take down. Fitch goes for a guillotine and Maia is now on his back. Fitch with a big elbow and Maia is back to his feet. Fitch gets free with 90 seconds left and Maia gets another take down and now has the back again of Fitch and Maia will ride out the last minute with the body triangle and Maia switches to the full mount right before the horn.

Winner by Unanimous decision (30-27×3) Demian Maia

Heavyweights

Alistair “The Reem” Overeem vs Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva

Overeem is coming in usually landing a single shot clinching against the cage and Overeem punches the body with some big knees to the body. Overeem is getting the better of the striking and looks like he has no worries about the striking of Bigfoot as his fist are down and he is just slipping his head out of the way of Bigfoots punches. Overeem nails him with a single shot and then puts Silva against the cage a knees away and the cycle repeated over and over in round 1.  In round two Overeem lands a right after eating a leg kick then gets the take down  and is in side control. Silva with  nice elbows from the bottom and Overeem resets and is now in the full guard of Bigfoot. Overeem alternates between hammer fist to the head and the short elbows to the body that are making a LOUD thud when they connect. Overeem pounds away a little more now moves to half guard briefly. Dean stands them up with under thirty seconds left in the round. Bigfoot lands a big knee and as he tries for the clinch to do it again Overeem shove him off and backwards into the cage from over half way across the cage. Bigfoot connects in the third and is teeing off on. Overeem is hurt and hurt bad. Silva is swarming. Silva with a head kick. Overeem is backing up but not protecting himself. Silva lands two gnarly right straights then two right uppercuts clean. Right, left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right, left,  from Silva. That last left landed as Overeems legs finally give out and he is going down. Dean is already pulling Silva away.  Silva is coming back at Overeem who is out on the mat. Dean is trying to pull him away and Silva is yelling at Overeem with his fingers locked in the cage to keep Dean from dragging him away. Wife and I watched it over and over and we counted 16 clean shots in a row landing for Bigfoot. WOW. What a finish after Overeem dominated him the first two rounds. As Rogan said Overeems lack of respect for Silva’s hands cost him dearly and ended a 12 fight win streak. Silva pounded away on Fedor and now Overeem has felt it too. Silva tells Rogan afterwards that he told Overeem at the press conference before hand that he was going to make him respect him.

Winner by TKO at :25 seconds of round 3 Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva

Light Heavyweights(205lbs)

“Suga” Rashad Evans vs Antonio Rogeira Nogueira

Lots of feeling out in the first round Evans has landed a couple kicks but nothing that locks to have fazed Nogueira in any way. Nogueira is starting to look for the straights and jabs down the middle. Rashad with a could right hook that stuns Nogueira briefly as he comes in. Rashad gets the take down with 45 seconds left in the first and is only able to land a couple quick punches before Nogueira is back to his feet. Close round that it looks like Evans edged Nogueira on. In the second round Evans looking to set things up off that inside leg kick and Nogueira really wanting to connect that jab to get going. Evans is quick but Nogueira is now right jab right jab and left connecting behind it. Nogueira defends against a take down and now left from Nogueira again. Evans has a take down stuffed and Nogueira lands a left and right as they stand back up straight. Another close round that could either way I personally see Lil Nog getting the edge in that one. Third round and Nogueira is getting the better of the striking until he gets a poked in the eye and we have to take a break while the doctor checks out the eye with 2 minutes gone in the final round. Nogueira finds a home down the middle again with that straight left and Nogueira defends another take down. Rogan is just peturbed with the unorthodox look of Lil Nogs kicks and Evans fails on another take down. Rashad lands his best right of the fight with under 10 left they tie up and trade knees in the clinch till the horn. Lil Nog edged Evans in a close fight with few highlights.

Winner by Unanimous Decision (29-28×3) Antonio Rogerio Nogueira

MAIN EVENT

Featherweight (145lbs) Championship 5 rounds

Jose “Junior” Aldo vs Frankie “The Answer” Edgar

Aldo is looking noticeably bigger than Edgar here.  Aldo striking is looking crisp even with Edgar and all his movement Aldo is connecting right down the middle with jabs and the straight right. Aldo is smiling have way through the first and just looking like Edgar has nothing for him. Even back pedaling with Edgar giving chase Aldo is peppering him. Aldo with a left and right while going back wards and now Aldo connects with one of those NASTY leg kicks to the outside of the lead leg of Edgar. Clearly first round belonged to the champ. Aldo’s striking is amazing and he is certainly looking faster than Edgar so far tonight. Aldo is getting that jab in over and over. Edgar unable to get the take down in his first attempt. Edgar with a nice leg kicks but eats a right trying to do so. Edgar with another unsuccessful take down attempt. Aldo with another outside leg kick and Edgar’s leg almost gives out. Okay this time when Aldo kicks him there his butt hits the mat. Edgar is quickly back up and when he charges in eats a jumping knee. Aldo gets briefly taken down with a double but Aldo uses those powerful legs to push off and get back to his feet before Edgar can think about hitting him. Edgar looks to have a small cut under his left eye. Aldo goes for another kick and Edgar briefly gets a take down but Aldo has a spring in him that bounces him right back to his feet each time they hit the mat. Edgar even with his movement eats a thudding front kick from Aldo that busts the nose of Edgar but he stays up and in the fight. Edgar with a nice body kick right under the arm pit but Aldo is unfazed. Edgar now with a leg kick of his own and now another. Edgar catches the big knee from Aldo right before it connects. Edgar with a nice punch. Edgar goes for a take down again and Aldo flicks him off of him. Edgar looks like he may have taken the third round but that was close either way. we are entering the championship rounds now. Aldo’s coach says they are up 3 rounds and to spend the final 30 seconds of the round kicking the leg of Edgar.

Edgar with another nice leg kick to the outside then inside and Edgar eats a spinning back kick to the body. Edgar catches the next kick and Aldo peppers his face with a couple more shots. Edgar can’t get another take down he has gotten 1 of 7 so far. Aldo is getting the edge in striking but not by much Edgar shoots for a take down and picks up Aldo and slams him to the ground but Aldo is back to his feet. That left eye of Edgar is nearly swollen shut. Tough round to score could easily go either way. Aldo’s coaches are saying that they are up 4-0. I am not sure I agree with that I see it much closer. Edgar is the first fighter to take down Aldo twice in the same fight.  Aldo with a knee. Aldo is starting to get hit more but Aldo is countering and making sure Edgar is taking something for his troubles. Edgar with a knee to the chin but Aldo still coming. Edgar gets off another leg kick and Aldo makes him pay with a quick combo. Edgar is winning this 5th round but I think it is a little too late. Aldo connects with a superman punch that lands clean as he propels himself off the cage right before the end of the fight. Both men’s corner men have them on their shoulders carrying them around the ring while we wait for the decision.

Winner by Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47 ) and still the Featherweight Champion Jose “Junior” Aldo

Crowd is booing but I don’t see why.

Each winner takes home an extra $50k tonight.

Fight of the Night: Jose Aldo vs Frankie Edgar

Submission of the Night: Bobby “King” Green

Knockout of the Night: Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva

Sonnen is confident it is his team, he got the fighters he wanted and all the coaches that he wanted. For Chael to know what is fighters are feeling and know when they need to be rested or pushed harder is for him to get in there and be doing everything that his fighters are.

Bubba McDaniel turns to Mir as soon as he can get him alone and vents his frustrations about Gilbert and his crying the night before and that the team feels he is jeopardizing all they chances in the house if he isn’t ready for the fight. Meanwhile Jones and the other coaches are listening in from the other side of the door after the team has a fighters meeting.  Jones comes in and provides a little motivation for Gilbert. Gilbert showed in his previous fight leaving his chin and head out there when he strikes so they had him working on throwing the overhand left so his head will lower when he throws the punch correctly.

Sonnen and the coaches came by the house to visit the team. Sonnen pulls Uriah Hall aside telling him he wants to be sure he gets into the next round. Hall has a different idea all together and wants to take out Team Jones’ biggest hitters right away. Sonnen wants Barnatt to focus on the huge reach advantage that he has.

Dana even questioned the thinking of Jones to why he has one of the shortest fighters in the house going against one of the tallest.

First round starts and within the first 20 second Luke Barnatt catches Gilbert Smith with a groin shot and is warned immediately. Smith is shoots in and pressures Barnatt against the fence then briefly gets the take down before Barnatt gets back up puts Smith on the cage and gets his own take down. Smith gets back up and they jockey for position and trade shots in close against the fence. Barnatt lands a couple could knees from the clinch and Smith again briefly gets another take down but is unable to do anything with it. With about 2 minutes left they get some space and Barnatt utilizes the reach and jab. Smith gets another take down but ends up on bottom. Jones voices his frustration with everyone else chiming in and goes silent for the remainder of the round.

Between rounds Jones tells Smith to get inside and hit him in the face. Smith tries to stand briefly before attempting another take down that he eventually gets and Barnatt is on top and Smith has to get back to his feet. Smith stays glued to Barnatt working hard for another take down. Barnatt grabs the arm for a kimura and they go to the ground. Smith gets the top position and Barnatt wall walks back to his feet and takes Smith down. Now Barnatt is in half guard and and Smith is having to work to get back to his feet.  Smith once again gets in close Barnatt grabs the clinch and Smith pulls back. Smith immediately shoots another take down and Barnatt sees it coming from a mile away and lands a stepping knee as Smith comes in to knock him out and Mazzigati has seen enough.

Winner by TKO(he was out though) in rd 2 Luke Barnatt

Dana is shown turning to someone and saying “That was a bad match-up. Jones made that match.”

Jones said after the fight “Gilbert lost the fight tonight before he got here. I don’t feel like here ever got the ball rolling and basically Luke came with the better cardio, more confidence. I don’t think cardio should ever be a reason to lose a fight.”

Josh Samman of Team Jones in his diary time  with camera says “he is not going to make a big deal of it everyone knows he told him so.”

Bubba McDaniel of Team Jones tries to swing the fight to the one he wants and immediately calls out Team Sonnen’s Kevin Casey. Jones in the locker room tells his team that he hates losing and now they can’t sweep the other team now.

Team Sonnen has the pick now and decides it will be Uriah Hall will face Adam Cella from Jones’ team. Jones feels that Hall is one of the toughest on the show and that he has to build Adam up.

Have to watch next week as one of the most devastating finishes ever is about to be shown.

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