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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
UFC ON FOX 7: HENDERSON VS. MELENDEZ
APRIL 20, 2013
LIVE FROM SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA
=====Facebook Preliminary Card Quick Results=====
-Yoel Romero def. Clifford Starks via KO (flying knee and punches) at 1:32 of the first round
-Anthony Njokuani def. Roger Bowling via TKO at 2:52 of the second round
=====FX Preliminary Card=====
-The broadcast began with a cold open as Jay Glazer expressed the UFC and Fox's thoughts on the events in Boston this week, praising the efforts of law enforcement officials who brought the perpetrators of the Boston Marathon bombing to justice.
-Into the arena, Glazer, Dominick Cruz, and Brian Stann are at the desk in the arena to break down the event. The featured fight on tonight's preliminary card broadcast is the Chad Mendes-Darren Elkins fight, a fantastic fight at 145 lbs. Ariel Helwani's then brought into the broadcast to tell the story of Tim Means, who returns tonight for the first time since his freak sauna accident in December that took him out of his last scheduled fight. After the break, the first fight of the night.
FIGHT ONE: T.J. DILLASHAW VS. HUGO VIANA (BANTAMWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Dillashaw popped in with a jab and a leg kick early, and Viana threw a counter strike. Viana landed a nicely timed left hook, but Dillashaw quickly grabbed a leg, scored a takedown and quickly transitioned to Viana's back. Viana got loose and stood up as Dillashaw stuck with him. Viana just missed an elbow and Dillashaw went for a single leg. He completed the takedown briefly. Viana got back up. Dillashaw landed a couple strikes but got hurt with another strike from Viana as they separated. Dillashaw landed a hard jab that sent Viana down briefly, but Viana got back up. Dillashaw connected on a couple strikes in a row. Dillashaw went for a high kick that Viana just barely ducked under. He slipped on another attempt but popped up. Dillashaw landed a nice right but got stuffed on a single leg attempt. Dillashaw got in a nice body shot and covered up to block a counter. Dillashaw went for the head kick again, then landed a big right that had Viana hurt. Viana bakck tracked. Dillashaw swarmed and landed another big strike that knocked Viana down. He followed up with a few more strikes and the John McCarthy stepped in. That's another great win for Dillashaw against a good fighter. Really good fight.
WINNER: Dillashaw via TKO at 4:22 of the first round
STAR RATING: (***) That was a really fun one round fight. Viana actually hurt Dillashaw early, and was trying to pressure, but Dillashaw's instincts kicked in to work on the ground and recover. Then he showed off his power on the feet, and his finishing instincts once he had Viana hurt. Really impressive stuff and Dillashaw keeps getting better.
FIGHT TWO: TIM MEANS VS. JORGE MASVIDAL (LIGHTWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Means immediately walked Masvidal back and tried to cut off his angles. He threw a solid straight kick to the body, though Masvidal avoided a two-punch follow-up. Masvidal popped in with a nice right. Means landed a couple in combination. He kept the pressure on and ducked under a punch. Means landed a body kick. Means got in a straight left. Masvidal got in a nice short combo. Masvidal got in a good body kick. Means through a spinning elbow that grazed Masvidal. He barely avoided an overhand right. Masvidal landed a couple short punches. He landed a left and a nice kick to the body. He faked a short and landed a right. They traded jabs. Means pressed in and landed a jab. Masvidal shot in and scored a takedown, though Means immediately got to his feet. Masvidal tried to take his back standing. Means got himself turned around. Masvidal exited the clinch with a strike. Means missed a spinning elbow attempt. Means shot in for a single but Masvidal stuffed it. Means landed an elbow. Means landed a nice body punch. Masvidal connected on a short combo before the round ended. Solid, competitive opening frame.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Means. Very close round, honestly wouldn't have an issue with Masvidal taking it either, but Means pressed the action throughout and landed more strikes overall. Real close round though.
ROUND TWO: Means came out pressing again, though Masvidal landed a solid jab early. The second round was a bit more tentative with neither landing much. Masvidal shot in and tried hard for a takedown, which he eventually completed. Means landed some nice strikes off his back, complete with elbows, then attacked for an arm but Masvidal popped out. Means landed a nice upkick and got to his feet. He landed a nice left. Masvidal landed a good body strike, but ate a right from Means. Masvidal rushed in and scored another takedown. He landed a nice series of strikes, then Means gave up his back. Means got to his feet again, but he was taken down once more. Masvidal landed a couple of elbows from guard. He got in a couple more really nice elbows. He postured up and threw down a few strikes as Means tried to hold on from the bottom. Means tried to walk his legs up for a submission attempt, but Masvidal defended well. He landed some elbows from the bottom, and tried to use the cage to his advantage, but Masvidal stayed busy. Masvidal got cut open from one of the elbows and began bleeding badly, though he ended the round on top.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Masvidal. Means worked well off his back for the first takedown, and again in the last 30 seconds, but Masvidal was effective the rest of the way, and got in some good ground damage himself. Could be some interesting scores into the third here.
ROUND THREE: Means countered nicely early with a left, and pressed in to close the distance. Means got in another nice left in an exchange. Means got in a nice two-punch combo, then a nice hook after Masvidal missed. Masvidal landed a nice body kick. Means got in a nice knee, then threw a flying one as Masvidal had a hold of his other leg. Masvidal continued going for the takedown as his cut opened up, and he dragged him down, but ate a few elbows for his trouble. Means got to his feet as Masvidal tried to take his back. Means got in another knee to gain separation. Masvidal shot in again and scored the takedown. Means immediately landed a big series of elbows that all did damage. Masvidal landed an elbow from the top. Means may need to do something dramatic here. Masvidal landed a few strikes. Means continued attacking from his back. Masvidal continued trying to work from the top, but Means was doing more damage. Masvidal stood up and landed a couple strikes to the body before dropping to guard. Means tried to attack for a desperation kimura and swept into mount with it. Masvidal got out of mount, but Means got on top and landed a huge flurry of strikes from the guard to finish out the round. Tough round to score.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Means. Really tough round to score, but I think Means did most of the damage despite being on his back for two minutes, and he got that sweep and ended the round on top. I'm OK with just about any score outside of 30-27 Means here, though. Masvidal had a case for each round.
WINNER: Masvidal via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (**+) Good fight, but not anything overly special. That was one of those close fights where either fighter getting the win would have been justifiable, and there's nothing wrong with 29-28 scorecards for Masvidal at all.
FIGHT THREE: JOSEPH BENAVIDEZ VS. DARREN UYENOYAMA (FLYWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Uyenoyama circled on the outside as Benavidez held the center of the cage. Benavidez landed a couple of right hands and sprawled a Uyenoyama attempt. Benavidez caught a kick and landed another strike. He dropped down with a strike and backed out before Uyenoyama could grab a hold of him. He backed away and made Uyenoyama stand. Benavidez accidentally landed a low kick as they re-engaged on the feet and Uyenoyama took a short time to recover. Benavidez came in and landed a body kick. Uyenoyama returned one of his own. Benavidez caught another kick and dropped Uyenoyama, landing a couple kicks to the legs before making him stand. Benavidez landed a right. Uyenoyama got in a solid kick to the body. Uyenoyama landed a left but Benavidez responded with a flurry. Benavidez landed a big head kick and got right on top. Uyenoyama recovered and popped back to his feet. Benavidez then scored a nice takedown as Uyenoyama held on to a clinch. Benavidez stood up and landed a couple of kicks to the legs again and made him stand once more. Benavidez suffered a cut around the right eye somehow. Benavidez missed a high kick. Benavidez scored on a couple more strikes to end the round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Benavidez. Close to a 10-8, especially with the knockdown.
ROUND TWO: Benavidez landed a nice right early. He got in a short combination and popped out. He's picking his spots well. He landed a straight left. He landed another kick to the body. Benavidez landed another body kick after missing a right. He staggered Uyenoyama with a combo. Benavidez rushed in with an exchange, but Uyenoyama snuck behind him and took his back standing. Uyenoyama tried to drop down, but Benavidez got out and dropped down with a huge right. Benavidez postured up and landed a couple of strikes before standing. Benavidez landed a nice right again. He kept the pressure up with a kick and a left. Benavidez landed a nice left. Again he landed the straight left. He set it up with a jab. He pressed him back with a nice rush of strikes. Benavidez landed an inside leg kick, then a couple more strikes. Benavidez landed a few more strikes, then got in another combination. Benavidez went high with a kick and it was briefly caught. Benavidez got in another combo. Benavidez landed a big strike to the body and Uyenoyama crumpled. That was fantastic.
WINNER: Benavidez via TKO at 4:50 of the second round
STAR RATING: (**+) Great stuff from Benavidez, but that wasn't even a competitive fight. As good as Uyenoyama's been, he's just not on Benavidez's level right now. Benavidez was a massively better striker, and the better grappler as well. Great performance, and I want to see him get another crack at Mighty Mouse.
FIGHT FOUR: RAMSEY NIJEM VS. MYLES JURY (LIGHTWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Jury landed an early right hand as Nijem rushed in. Nijem landed a left hook. Jury scored a takedown. Nijem tried to roll through, but Jury stayed on him. Jury tried to go for a crucifix as Nijem nearly got on top. Very interesting ground battle. Jury got to a knee and got to his feet in a clinch. Jury dropped for a takedown, but Nijem stuffed it initially. Jury took his foot out then tried to take Nijem's back. Nijem turtled up as Jury landed a couple strikes. He had Nijem's back, then got bucked off, and he went right for an armbar as he got planted on his back. Jury kept the arm trapped, but Nijem got himself loose and into top position. Jury got to his feet as Nijem dragged him back down and took his back. Jury exploded out and took Nijem's back again briefly. Jury went for an inverted triangle, but Nijem got out and picked him up. Jury got to a knee as Nijem tried to take his back before the round ended. Really tough round to score, but very entertaining.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Jury. I think he edged it overall, but that was a very good ground battle with both having chances at taking the advantage.
ROUND TWO: After an early exchange, Nijem reacted to an eye poke and Jury pulled back on a high kick as referee John McCarthy came in. Jury threw a flying knee early as they restarted. Nijem wildly came in with strikes, landing one. Jury landed a good body punch. Jury landed a huge overhand right, countering Nijem as he came in, and it knocked Nijem out. He landed one more strike on the ground before McCarthy could get in. Huge counter-right KO right there. Brutal.
WINNER: Jury via KO at 1:02 of the second round
STAR RATING: (***) That was just a really entertaining fight. Some of the best MMA grappling exchanges in some time in that first round, and then just a brutal counter-strike knockout from Jury in that second round. He's getting better, his striking is improving, and he keeps putting things together in the right way. Great fight.
FIGHT FIVE: FRANCIS CARMONT VS. LORENZ LARKIN (MIDDLEWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Carmont tried to stalk Larkin back early as Larkin threw a few kicks. They traded kicks and Larkin backed away from a short combo. He landed a hard leg kick after eating one to the body. Carmont threw a front kick. Carmont landed a hard kick to the arm. Larkin landed a nice outside leg kick. Carmont closed the distance and shot for a takedown. Larkin landed an elbow as he tried to hold it off. Carmont went to the other leg and briefly got him down as Larkin held it off well and popped back to the cage. He landed a few hard elbows as Carmont stayed on the leg. Larkin showed great flexibility as Carmont held onto his leg and he held it off as he was landing strikes. That was damned impressive balance right there. Carmont wouldn't give up the takedown attempt, but Larkin continued holding it off. Carmont finally backed off and separated. Carmont threw a kick high that was blocked. Larkin landed a good inside leg kick. Larkin barely missed a big right. He threw a few straight kicks before the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Larkin. While holding off those takedown attempts, Larkin had the most significant offense of the round. Impressive stuff.
ROUND TWO: Carmont connected on a couple of early strikes over the top. Larkin accidentally went low with a kick and it was briefly paused. Larkin went high with a kick that nearly landed. Carmont tried to walk him down but he fired back with a couple strikes. He landed a hard kick to the lead leg. Carmont threw a body kick and Larkin responded. Larkin landed a nice counter-left. Carmont got in a kick to the body. Larkin threw a spinning kick to the lower leg. Carmont missed a spinning kick. Larkin landed a kick to the knee. He got in a nice left. He got in another left as Carmont tried to engage. Larkin landed a nice uppercut as he avoided Carmont again. Carmont shot in again on the cage after the strike but got right up after the brief takedown. He landed several hard elbows to the side of the head and got Carmont to back off. They traded leg kicks. Larkin landed another hard kick to the outside of the leg. Carmont connected with a jab, but then ate another kick to the leg. Carmont got in a right as he backed Larkin up. Larkin missed a strike and blocked an uppercut. Larkin landed another hard leg kick as he ran in. He landed a spinning kick after a punch right to the lower leg. Carmont shot again and Larkin stuffed him on the cage and landed another elbow. Carmont then managed to drag him down, but ate more elbows and strikes before the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Larkin. He's doing a lot of damage with those kicks, and he's scoring with his strikes as well. Carmont's completely off at the moment.
ROUND THREE: Carmont missed a few winging strikes early. He shot in for a single leg again, briefly tripped Larkin up, then took his back standing. Larkin stayed patient and tried to explode out, and avoided a choke and another takedown trip. Larkin landed a leg kick, then missed a right. Carmont then scored a trip takedown. Larkin had a triangle attempt from the bottom but Carmont passed to side control. Larkin went for a gogoplata, but Carmont got loose. Carmont was doing nothing from the top as he sat in guard. Larkin continued working off his back and tossed his leg up high for rubber guard. Larkin then latched on for a kimura and tried to tear off Carmont's arm. He used it to transition, then nearly took his back before standing up. Larkin won that ground battle. Larkin threw a kick to the body. The crowd chanted USA. Larkin went for a spinning capoeira kick at the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Larkin. Carmont did absolutely nothing with that takedown, and it was Larkin who was effective off his back, challenged for subs, and ultimately reversed position with that kimura. He should win this fight.
WINNER: Carmont via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (*+) Absolutely awful decision. That's the classic "wrestler gets the nod for ineffectual takedowns" call. Just absolutely terrible.
FIGHT SIX: CHAD MENDES VS. DARREN ELKINS (FEATHERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Both fighters tested the range early with strikes that missed. Mendes landed a nice outside leg kick. He popped in with a right and covered up. Mendes landed another hard kick and backed away from the counter strikes of Elkins. Mendes hurt Elkins with a huge right and tried to stalk. He landed another big right that turned Elkins over, then landed a few more against the cage and that was all she wrote. Yep, he's definitely the second best featherweight on the planet right now. Elkins' five-fight win streak at 145 lbs. comes to an end.
WINNER: Mendes via TKO at 1:08 of the first round
STAR RATING: (**) That's just a fantastic fight from Chad Mendes. Elkins came in on a five fight winning streak, and Mendes just showed why he's the top ranked contender in the division right now. Yes he's fallen to Jose Aldo once, but he might not do so in a rematch.
-20-minute break until the start of the Fox broadcast, so they'll replay the Anthony Njokuani vs. Roger Bowling fight, meaning all 12 fights tonight will have been televised.
=====Fox Main Card=====
-Curt Menefee does a cold open for the Fox broadcast just as Jay Glazer did for the FX prelims. Then it's on to the rundown of tonight's main card before going to the Fox desk with Menefee, Chael Sonnen, and Brian Stann.
-Sonnen is a bit in over the top mode, almost Dana yelling at the camera during the first Fox broadcast level. Compared to Menefee's more subdued voice and Brian Stann staying calm, it was definitely jarring.
FOX FIGHT ONE: MATT BROWN VS. JORDAN MEIN (WELTERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Brown came out with a pawing jab as Mein took the center and looked to engage. He landed a nice step-in elbow early. He rushed in with a right. Brown fired back with a right and tried to rush in. Mein got hit and Brown tried to swarm. Mein avoided a lot of damage but was put on the run. Brown landed an uppercut. Mein landed a nice left. Mein landed a huge three-punch combo, but Brown took it and kept moving. He landed a nice knee to the body. The action paused to get Mein's mouth guard back in. He landed a few strikes on the restart. Brown landed a left hook. Both missed some big shots. Brown's eye began bleeding. He landed a hard right. Mein landed a nice right hook. He landed a hard two punch combo, and Brown connected on a couple punches. He grabbed a clinch and landed a few knees before Mein broke free. Mein landed a nice hook to the body. Brown kept him on the cage, but got pressed away with a huge hook> Mein hurt Brown with a big uppercut to the body. He went for a front choke, but then stood up. Mein landed more strikes to the body from the top as Brown tried to recover. Brown then tossed his legs up and went for a triangle choke. It was tight briefly, but Mein popped out of it. Mein stepped up and out and it's back to the firefight. Brown landed a nice right and a couple knees. He got in a short elbow, a hook, then another elbow as the round ended. What a round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-10. Brown landed a ton, but he got dropped and spent a lot of time on his back. Great round to start this fight off, though.
ROUND TWO: Brown immediately moved forward and landed a right. Mein landed a nice straight right. Brown got in a series of elbows that busted up Mein's face. Brown went for a choke and used that to get Mein to the ground. Mein gave up his back and Brown landed a bunch of strikes. Mein got to a knee. Bronw landed a bunch of strikes to the body and as Mein went to his knees and stayed there the fight was stopped. Man that was a fight. Huge win for Brown.
WINNER: Brown via TKO at 1:00 of the second round
STAR RATING: (****-) That fight was just insane, and so much fun to watch. Both fighters were swinging with bad intentions, and Brown took it up another notch in the second round to score his fifth straight win in the UFC's welterweight division.
FOX FIGHT TWO: NATE DIAZ VS. JOSH THOMSON (LIGHTWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Thomson missed a leg kick early, then got one in as Diaz immediately began taunting. Thomson continued with the leg kicks as Diaz tried to walk him down. Diaz got in a short combo, but Thomson circled away again. Diaz nearly closed the distance, but Thomson again got away. Diaz landed a jab. The crowd wasn't liking Thomson's strategy. Then he came out of nowhere with a head kick. Diaz just absorbed it and continued moving forward. That would have dropped a lot of people. Diaz tried to goad Thomson into a brawl. He landed a jab. Thomson smiled on the outside. He went up high again, but Diaz caught it and tripped him up. Diaz continued trying to walk him down and Thomson smiled as he avoided it all. Diaz landed a couple strikes. He tried to jump in with a kick. He got in close for a clinch. Thomson turned him around and then broke free. Thomson landed a few strikes, a couple of shish looked to the back of the head, then broke free. Thomson landed a combo. Diaz just not having any success. Diaz landed a body kick. They exchanged strikes in a flurry which Thomson seemed to win. Thomson then scored a trip takedown from the clinch on the cage. Diaz landed an elbow off his back and a few strikes as Thomson scored a few strikes. Diaz got back to his feet before the round ended and got in a kick.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Thomson. He's not playing into Diaz's game at all, and Diaz is just flustered right now.
ROUND TWO: Diaz immediately closed the distance and clinched. Then he threw a knee and Thomson reacted like it was low. Diaz didn't think it was and shook his head. On replay it was right to the cup. As they restarted Diaz tried to taunt and goad Thomson into more exchanges. Thomson clinched and landed a knee. He got in an elbow. Diaz got bloodied up from that clinch. Diaz tried to walk him down again, then scored a takedown. He landed a flurry as Thomson got to his feet and tried for a guillotine, though he lost it. Thomson turned him around and scored an elbow before breaking off. The crowd chanted for Diaz. He landed a couple of strikes. Thomson clinched again as Diaz got in close. Diaz's face was a mess at this point. Thomson landed a knee to the body. Diaz got loose. Thomson got in with the clinch again. He landed a head kick again, then started unleashing strikes on the ground. Diaz was hurt badly and Thomson stayed on him. He kept unleashing strikes and the ref had to step in. That's an unbelievable win for Josh Thomson. Huge. Just huge.
Wow, on the replay, Diaz's corner threw in the towel.
WINNER: Thomson via TKO at 3:44 of the second round
STAR RATING: (***+) That's just an absolutely incredible win from Josh Thomson. No one has ever done that to Nate Diaz. Ever. Thomson absolutely stamped his spot amongst the elite in his UFC return. Huge win.
FOX FIGHT THREE: FRANK MIR VS. DANIEL CORMIER (HEAVYWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Mir threw an early kick that Cormier stepped away from. He threw a few more kicks as he tried to walk Cormier down but they didn't connect. Mir threw another head kick that was shrugged aside. Cormier tried to walk him down and landed a big left as Mir threw a knee. He clinched and got in a couple of uppercuts. He landed a nice right and another uppercut. Mir threw a knee to the body. Cormier got in a nice left, grabbed a headlock and moved him aside. He backed off, then scored with a nice quick flurry on the cage. Cormier scored a few more strikes as he clinched again and landed a knee to the body. Cormier landed a couple of nice body punches as he kept Mir on the cage. Cormier landed a nice flurry in the clinch. He landed a brutal knee to the side that hurt Mir and he continued targeting the body with punches. Cormier landed another big flurry while staying in the clinch. Masterful clinch work from Cormier in this fight. He separated with a straight right. Mir landed a right, then they clinched in the center. Cormier pressed him to the cage and landed another body punch. He continued to target the left side of Mir's body as he wore Mir down. Cormier slipped on a head kick and Mir tried to grab a guillotine but Cormier popped out, bringing a smile from Mir. Cormier kicked out Mir's leg with an inside leg kick. He landed a hard one to the outside. The round ended in a standoff.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Cormier. That was some excellent clinch work, and the damage he did to the body was significant. Strong opening round for Cormier.
ROUND TWO: Mir landed a solid outside leg kick early, though it didn't stop Cormier from moving forward. Cormier threw a jumping head kick that was far from landing, but looked interesting anyway. He backed Mir to the cage and got the clinch again. Cormier worked with punches and knees in the clinch. Cormier landed another brutal knee to the body, and more punches. Mir fired off a couple punches. Cormier landed a hard right. He backed off the clinch as the crowd began to boo. Cormier landed a nice straight right and another strike as he drove the clinch back to the cage. Cormier got in a short elbow in the clinch. He backed off again just as the crowd got a little restless. Mir landed a solid right. They clinched again after Mir missed a strike. Now the boo birds came out. Cormier landed a couple more uppercuts. He landed a nice uppercut after grabbing for a guillotine. Mir got in a knee to the body. Cormier landed a brutal uppercut, then another. He backed off with a minute left. Cormier held off a clinch and landed two strikes. He avoided Mir's shots and landed a huge punch to the gut. They were separated quick in a clinch that time. The second round ended in another stand off with the crowd booing again.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Cormier. The crowd will always hate clinch work, but Cormier's been effective and hasn't just used it to stall. He's making it look effortless in there right now.
ROUND THREE: Mir landed a high kick to the body. He landed a kick that Cormier caught. It nearly turned into a takedown, but they clinched instead. Mir should have just gone down there. Cormier exploded with another combo. Mir landed a couple of kicks. Mir landed another body kick and an elbow, but got pressed to the cage in clinch again. Cormier landed a few punches and separated. Cormier caught a kick, turned Mir around, and unleashed four strikes before clinching again. Herb Dean yelled at them to work and separated them with two and a half minutes left. Mir landed a hard body kick. He tried to walk Cormier down, but got turned around in the clinch once again. Cormier landed a few body punches. He went for a single leg and Mir tried to drop to guard. Cormier made him stand and landed a couple more strikes. They traded punches in the clinch. Cormier landed an uppercut and a couple more punches. They were separated with 30 seconds left. Cormier landed a two-punch combo. He got in a body kick. Mir landed a right. Mir landed a strike and clinched but ate a couple strikes.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Cormier. That was the most effective clinch work from a fighter in a really long time. Cormier used the clinch well and opened up with strikes before keeping Mir's back on the cage. One-sided performance, and even though the live crowd wasn't a huge fan, that was an impressive fight from Cormier.
WINNER: Cormier via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
STAR RATING: (**+) That wasn't a bad fight by any stretch. The fans weren't entirely thrilled with it in the arena, but they were spoiled by a night of finishes. Cormier's clinch work was excellent, and he picked up yet another major win in the heavyweight division.
-Up to the broadcast booth to check in with Menefee, Sonnen, and Stann before tonight's main event.
FOX MAIN EVENT FIGHT FOUR: BENSON HENDERSON VS. GILBERT MELENDEZ (UFC LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP)
ROUND ONE: Henderson took the center as Melendez began circling the outside. Melendez then pressed to the center and landed an early inside leg kick. Henderson got one in low to the outside of the leg. Melendez got in another hard inside leg kick, then a hard straight right to the chest. Henderson landed a nice straight left that briefly staggered Melendez. Melendez caught a kick and took Henderson down. Henderson got his back to the cage as Melendez held onto his foot. Henderson got to his feet and ate a knee on the way up. Well timed from Melendez, but Henderson got separation. Henderson landed the outside leg kick and it was caught again. Melendez drove him back and jumped up with a knee to the chest. Henderson turned him around in the clinch. He went for a throw but Melendez stayed up and broke free. He landed a left as he separated. The crowd chanted for Melendez. Henderson landed a hard outside leg kick. Melendez got in a solid kick in combination. Henderson threw a knee that was caught and he got tossed down. Melendez then dove in with a knee that could have been illegal but they both popped up quick anyway. Melendez landed a nice counter left after ducking a punch. He caught another kick as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Melendez. Solid start for the challenger. Henderson's got to find his rhythm, because Melendez is being opportunistic thus far.
ROUND TWO: Melendez pressed in with a leg kick and a couple or right hand strikes in the first minute. Henderson got in with a short combo. He threw a push kick to the leg that was nearly kicked. Melendez landed a nice body shot as Henderson got close. Hendrson landed a knee that was nearly caught, but he got it free. Henderson got in a solid left as he engaged. He landed a hard jab to the thigh. Henderson got in a couple strikes. Melendez caught another kick and drove him back, though he missed his strikes. Henderson ducked under and tried to clinch but Melendez bounced out. Henderson landed a left uppercut. They exchanged strikes in the center. Henderson got in a few nice strikes, then got in a knee and a couple of elbows. Henderson heating up a little in the center. Henderson pressed Melendez back with a short combo. Melendez got in a right as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Henderson. Barely. A close round, and though Henderson had some trouble gaining a rhythm early again, he picked it up and got the better of the late exchanges.
ROUND THREE: Melendez pressed forward early, throwing winging overhand rights along with the inside leg kick, but Henderson avoided most of them. Henderson landed a hard outside leg kick that dropped Melendez, but the challenger got back up. Henderson landed a nice uppercut and a couple strikes behind it. Melendez landed a right. Henderson landed a nice combination and ducked in for a takedown. He scored it against the cage briefly, but Melendez fought him on the cage. He took Melendez's back briefly, but Melendez spun through. Henderson landed some knees and they traded punches to the body. Henderson landed a hard kick to the leg again. He threw a straight kick to the face that missed. Henderson landed a right and stuffed a takedown attempt. Henderson landed a kick to the body. Henderson missed a left, then ducked under a counter for a clinch. They traded knees before separating. Henderson landed a punch to the body. He landed a hard counter left. Melendez got in a hard kick to the body. Henderson landed a hard leg kick and ended the round in side control landing elbows. John McCarthy had to pull him off Melendez at the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Henderson. Another close round, but another one he edged with just a little more effective offense. Melendez still very much in this fight, and given he could have taken the second frame, could be ahead right now.
ROUND FOUR: Henderson landed the straight punch to the thigh. They accidentally headbutted and got slight admonishment from McCarthy. Henderson landed a hard leg kick. They clinched briefly and Melendez landed a left. Melendez landed a left and stuffed a takedown attempt. Henderson landed a hard leg kick. Melendez caught a kick and landed a knee. He stuffed a takedown, but ate a kick to the body as Henderson came forward. Henderson connected on an elbow. They traded strikes again. Henderson landed a side kick to the leg. Melendez slipped and Henderson scrambled to his back, but Melendez immediately got to his feet. Melendez landed a body punch. Henderson got in an inside leg kick. Melendez landed a left hook. Melendez got in a body punch. Melendez landed an uppercut. They traded strikes. Melendez clinched. Henderson landed a right as he broke out. He missed a winging right.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Melendez. He landed what appeared to be the most significant strikes in the round, but it's really fast paced exchanges and hard to say for sure. Tough to score.
ROUND FIVE: Melendez landed a jab early. Henderson threw a jumping kick that was blocked. Henderson landed an inside leg kick and a nice exchange after. Melendez walked Hendrson down and got in a body punch. He missed a few more as Henderson avoided. Henderson got in a body punch. He missed a straight kick. He got in an inside leg kick and a left. Little sense of urgency here for either.Henderson circled around the cage and avoided Melnedez's rush. He landed a hard elbow and a right. He landed a straight left. He landed an inside leg kick and avoided a flurry from Melendez. Melendez caught a kick and pressed Henderson back, but Henderson got loose. Melendez landed a knee, but ate one in the clinch. Melendez pulled Henderson's hair on accident. Melendez landed a right. Henderson connected. Henderson landed the elbow again. They both missed a few strikes. The fight ended in a stand off.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Henderson. Melendez wasn't landing much, and though Henderson wasn't doing much more, it was more. Really close fight, and there's going to be some unhappy people regardless of who gets the nod here.
WINNER: Henderson via split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47)
-Henderson proposed to his girlfriend as the crowd booed. Rude, San Jose, rude.
STAR RATING: (**+) It was a good, not great fight, and there was so little clear action from either fighter that it left a lot to interpretation and that's when you get a wide variety of scores. It wasn't a robbery, but it wasn't a clear win for Henderson, either.
-Thanks for sticking with us tonight, we'll have reaction to the event throughout the weekend and the week as we lead in to next weekend's UFC 159 event in New Jersey!
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
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