...OH, ONE MORE THING - PLEASE BOOKMARK US & VISIT DAILY!
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
UFC 161: EVANS VS. HENDERSON
JUNE 15, 2013
LIVE FROM WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA
=====Facebook Prelim Quick Results=====
-Yves Jabouin def. Dustin Pague via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
-Mitch Clarke def. John Maguire via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
=====FX Prelims=====
-Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan open up the FX broadcast with a breakdown of the fights coming to pay-per-view, and then it's a quick transition to the pre-fight video for our first fight of the night.
PRELIM FIGHT ONE: ROLAND DELORME VS. EDWIN FIGUEROA (BANTAMWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Delorme landed an early jab, but took a couple of strikes as he shot in for a takedown. He scored an early one but Figueroa popped up. Delorme stayed on his back and pulled him to the ground. He got a quick body triangle on and Figueroa tried to fight out. Delorme attacked for a triangle, then went for an arm, but Figueroa got loose and wound up on top. Figueroa stood and landed some big strikes from the top. Delorme tried to attack a leg, and used it to reverse and get back on top. Nice transition. He tried to get the mounted crucifix after a quick pass to side control. Delorme took Figueroa's back as Figueroa turtle. Delorme took his back and trapped his arm. He tried to lock on a choke, but was a bit high to get it fully locked on. Delorme landed some nice strikes from behind. The crowd was fully behind Deloerme. Figueroa got the arm free and Delorme stayed on his back as the round came to a close.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Delorme. Really fun battle on the ground. A couple of nice transitions from each of them, and really nice work overall from Delorme to take the frame.
ROUND TWO: Delorme shot early and Figueroa stuffed it with a few strikes. Delorme stayed on him though, and dragged him to the ground on his back. Figueroa locked on a triangle from the bottom and nearly took an arm, but Delorme stayed safe and got free on top. Delorme landed a couple of strikes from the top and moved to side control. He got Figueroa's back again with a tight body triangle. Figueroa got himself turned around and wound up on top. He landed a few hard elbows from the top in Delorme's guard. After a bit more damage from Figueroa, Delorme scrambled and again got Figueroa's back. He ended the round again attacking for a choke.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Delorme. Figueroa had his moments, they just didn't encompass as much of the round as Delorme's offense did. Close round though, Figueroa could have evened it up.
ROUND THREE: Figueroa landed a couple of strikes early. Delorme shot in and completed a takedown, taking Figueroa's back again in a scramble. Figueroa worked to his feet, but Delorme remained on his back. Figueroa got to his feet and got separation, landing a couple of big strikes. He then avoided a takedown attempt. Both fighters looked quite tired. Figueroa landed a left hook. He connected on a hard uppercut, but it was as Delorme took him down. Delorme passed to side control. Delorme briefly went for a north-south choke, but Figueroa got out and tried to scramble. Delorme took his back again, but Figueroa tried to get turned around. Figueroa then reversed and got on top into half guard. He landed some hard strikes from the top. He postured up and continued delivering big damage. Delorme tried to survive, but Figueroa landed more strikes to the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Figueroa. I think it was too little too late, but Figueroa definitely had a greater level of damage on Delorme in that round, especially in that last 30 second flurry. Should still be Delorme's fight.
WINNER: Delorme via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (**+) That fight was a lot of fun. Not much importance to it in the context of the division, but there was a lot of ground action, some good defense from Figueroa, some nice offensive flurries, and a lot of reversals and battles in there. Just fun stuff to watch, and a nice way to open up the preliminary card broadcast.
PRELIM FIGHT TWO: SEAN PIERSON VS. KENNY ROBERTSON (WELTERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Robertson landed a jab and tried to close the distance earlier. However, he got cracked with a counter punch and had to briefly back off. He again tried to clinch, but Pierson sprawled and had off the takedown attempt. Pierson tried to grab a choke, but Robertson stayed on him and took him down, taking his back and going for a choke. Pierson defended well, but Robertson changed it to some strikes. Pierson escaped and popped to his feet. He went for a front choke but didn't have it locked on. He landed a knee to the body. Robertson got to his feet and they battled in the clinch. Pierson broke off and backed away. Robertson landed a kick to the body and Pierson connected on a counter. Pierson landed a nice straight left. Robertson grabbed a hold of him, but Pierson managed to hold off the takedown. Robertson tried to scramble, but Pierson got to a sprawl again. Pierson landed a knee as Robertson tried to get to his feet. He kept a nice sprawl, but stood and let it go. Pierson landed a two punch combo late. He got in another couple of strikes before the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Pierson. He did a lot more damage, and held off a lot of what Robertson wanted to do on the ground.
ROUND TWO: Robertson looked to engage early, but Pierson had off his attempts. Pierson went high with a kick and looked to engage. He landed a few strikes. Robertson connected on a spinning back fist. Pierson landed a right. Pierson landed another hard right, he got in with a counter. He landed a solid head kick and a left. Robertson shot in. Pierson sprawled, lost the position, and Robertson wound up on top with two minutes left. Robertson landed a hard right from the top. Pierson defended well from the bottom, and Robertson failed to do much with the position.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Pierson. Robertson had two minutes on top at the end of the round, but did nothing at all with that time.
ROUND THREE: Pierson took the center early, but it was Robertson landing a couple of early strikes. Robertson hurt Pierson with a huge elbow over the top. Pierson was hurt badly and Robertson tried to capitalize. He landed a couple of strikes, but Pierson shot in. Robertson stuffed it, then went for a choke. He gave it up, but took Pierson's back. Pierson got time to recover, though. Robertson got his back and flattened him out, but Pierson was still able to mostly defend. Pierson continued to defend as Robertson did more damage. He tried to keep position, but Pierson was in a spot where he could easily defend. The crowd got a little restless. Robertson went for a choke, but Pierson eventually got out and to his feet, dropping for one more punch at the end of the frame.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Robertson. Not close to a 10-8 to make this a draw, but some very good offense from Robertson for most of it. Pierson defended real well to avoid the finish.
WINNER: Pierson via majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
STAR RATING: (**) Ok fight. Not really any controversy on that bout. Pierson got lucky Robertson's not a better striker, though, because he nearly got finished in that final round.
PRELIM FIGHT THREE: SAM STOUT VS. JAMES KRAUSE (LIGHTWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Stout took the center early. Krause got in with a jab. Stout threw a few early leg kicks inside. Krause landed one outside. Stout ducked under a kick and clinched, but Krause put him against the cage. They jockeyed for position a bit before Stout backed out. They traded some kicks and each missed a few strikes. Stout went back to inside leg kicks, and Krause landed one to the body. Krause landed a hard leg kick. Krause connected on a front kick to the face. He landed another that hurt Stout and pounced. Stout recovered on the cage, but ate a few more hard strikes before getting separation. Krause landed another hard leg kick. He connected on an uppercut. Stout got in a couple leg kicks. Krause landed another inside kick. He landed a left. He connected on the head kick on Stout and opened up a cut over the eye of Stout. Stout landed a takedown, but Krause quickly reversed and got on top. Goldberg and Rogan suspected the collision as the cut suspect, but it was the head kick. Krause landed a hard elbow from the top. Stout scrambled to his feet a bloody mess. Krause landed a jab. Stout got in a kick to the body. Krause threw a cartwheel kick that barely missed. He landed a couple more strikes before the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Krause. Very nice round from the underdog in his UFC debut. Lots of damage done, and Stout's going to have to come back from that.
ROUND TWO: Stout caught an early kick and tripped Krause up, but Krause popped to his feet. They exchanged strikes. Krause landed the front kick to the face again. Krause landed a solid leg kick. He landed a few jabs and avoided strikes from Stout. Stout got in a solid inside leg kick. Stout landed a hard left hook to the body. Krause connected on a couple of nice counters. He connected again on a short combo, then again. Stout landed a hard kick to the body. Krause ducked under a punch and scored a takedown. Krause did some damage from the top as Stout tried to kick him off. Krause again stood and dropped with a punch, but Stout scrambled and stood again. He landed a body kick once standing. Krause landed a couple of nice jabs. He landed a hard left. Krause landed another leg kick. Stout got in a couple kicks. Nice busy work from Krause landed. Stout stuffed a takedown and put Krause on his back, evening up the earlier takedown in the round. Stout didn't have time to do much, but ended the round with a few elbows from the top.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Krause. Stout had a strong finish, but it wasn't enough to take the round.
ROUND THREE: Stout landed a couple of nice strikes early. Krause landed a hard right. He got in a couple of nice leg kicks in a row, then avoided a spinning kick from Stout. Krause threw a jumping knee that slightly caught Stout, but it wasn't flush. Stout landed some leg kicks, but Krause covered up on a high kick. Krause landed a few nice punches in combination. Both missed a couple of strikes. They traded punches. Krause got in a nice kick to the head. Stout slipped, but got to his feet. They traded punches again. Krause kept on the attack and landed a couple nice jabs. Stout landed a kick to the body. He got in a nice right. Krause continued the jab work with a few nice punches. He switched stances a bit to confuse Stout. Krause blocked a strike and countered. Krause avoided a couple of Stout's advances. Krause threw a nice little elbow as he stepped in. They traded strikes, but again Krause got the better of the exchange. Stout shot in and scored a takedown with 30 seconds left. Krause locked on a tight guillotine choke and Stout tried to fight out of it. He couldn't, and was forced to tap with very little time left. Great performance from Krause and a thrilling finish there.
WINNER: Krause via submission (guillotine choke) at 4:47 of the third round
STAR RATING: (**+) The finish elevated it a bit, especially the late round theatrics of it, but it wasn't a bad fight before then. Krause looked good throughout the fight, and likely would have won a decision, but picking up that submission with 13 seconds left when Stout scored the takedown is just a fantastic way to make your entrance into the UFC.
PRELIM FIGHT FOUR: JAKE SHIELDS VS. TYRON WOODLEY (WELTERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Shields threw a couple of kicks early as Woodley tried to move in close. Shields landed a hard body kick and backed Woodley up a bit. Shields partially blocked a right. Woodley landed a hard body kick. Woodley dropped Shields with a leg kick. He landed a grazing uppercut after Shields popped back up. Shields caught a kick, but Woodley held him off and stayed standing in the clinch. Shields landed some knees to the body and tried to open up something to score the takedown. Woodley continued to hold off the takedown as he landed some punches to the body. They were separated halfway through the round. Woodley avoided several strikes from Shields. Shields landed a body kick. Shields continued to work in the kicks to the inside and outside of Woodley's lead leg. Woodley missed the overhand right. Then he connected with one. They traded kicks. Shields shot in again with a single, but Woodley stuffed him on the cage. Woodley landed a couple body punches. Shields landed some knees to stay busy. Woodley landed more hard body punches with his back on the cage. They traded shots to the body in the clinch until the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-10. Really close round. Shields landed more strikes, but Woodley did more damage. Add in the clinch work and it's just an even round.
ROUND TWO: Shields came out throwing strikes. Woodley looked for the home run punch. He tripped Shields again with a hard leg kick. Shields continued to play the aggressor, but Woodley connected with more hard strikes countering. Shields grabbed a clinch again and they jockeyed for position on the cage. Shields briefly went down attempting a trip, but Woodley avoided it. The crowd booed the action a bit. Woodley landed a hard knee to the body. He shrugged at the light body punches thrown in the clinch. Shields stayed on the single leg attempt. Woodley turned him around. Shields tried to grab for the guillotine. Woodley dropped to a knee to avoid the knees to the head. Shields landed some to the shoulder. The crowd booed again and Woodley popped up. Woodley got separation. Woodley landed a right and backed away. He missed a superman punch. Shields landed a body kick. He shot in and got stuffed. More boos. Turning out to be the version of this fight many feared could happen. They traded knees in the clinch and were separated with ten seconds left.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Shields. I guess. Another that could be a 10-10, with little offensive action, but a tired Woodley allowed Shields to press him against the cage for much of the round. For what it's worth, the close first round I'd have leaned towards Woodley, so it could be even here.
ROUND THREE: Woodley landed an overhand right. Shields landed a couple of body kicks. He got in a jab. Shields shot in again but got stuffed. They jockeyed for position on the cage. They were quickly separated this time. Shields stayed busy, Woodley missed an overhand right. More body shot exchanges in the clinch. They were separated again. Woodley landed a right. Woodley landed a huge spinning back fist that hurt Shields, but Shields stayed up and clinched. They were separated after stalling again. Woodley landed a body kick. Shields landed a body kick. Shields shot in and was stuffed and Woodley threw a right. Woodley landed a right. He got in a couple uppercuts against the cage. He landed some body strikes and they ended a dull fight in the clinch to boos.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Woodley. The spinning back fist was the most significant offense of the fight. But who knows how the scores come down here. It ultimately doesn't matter, because that wasn't a good fight.
WINNER: Shields via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (*) Not a good fight. Little action through most of it, a lot of clinch stalling, and an odd 30-27 card for Woodley. That was Woodley's worst showing in some time, and Shields won ugly.
=====Pay-Per-View Main Card=====
-Goldberg and Rogan opened up the broadcast talking about the main event before running down the main card and throwing to our first pay-per-view fight of the night.
PPV FIGHT ONE: PAT BARRY VS. SHAWN JORDAN (HEAVYWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Jordan took the center early, but Barry threw the first strike with a high kick that was blocked. The crowd chanted for Barry early. Barry landed a straight left and Jordan countered with a right. Jordan landed a big flurry and hurt Barry. He kept throwing strikes against the cage and Barry could only cover up. Wow. Barry's eye looked messed up, may have busted his orbital bone by the looks of it.
WINNER: Jordan via TKO at :59 of the first round
STAR RATING: (**) But of a shocking finish there, especially with how quick it happened from Jordan. Still, great win for Jordan, and real tough loss for Barry.
PPV FIGHT TWO: ALEXIS DAVIS VS. ROSI SEXTON (WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Sexton landed a couple of hard strikes early. Davis responded with a nice combination and a couple of elbows. Davis grabbed a Thai clinch and landed some hard strikes against the cage. She landed a few hard knees to the body against the cage and kept control of Sexton. Davis got in another knee and continued working in the clinch. Sexton held off the takedown attempt against the cage. She finally broke free. She landed a couple of nice strikes and ate a counter. Sexton shot in, but Davis stuffed it and tried to take her back. However, Sexton wound up on top. Davis tried for a triangle choke and got it locked on. Sexton landed some hard strikes from the top trying to break the hold, but Davis held the position. Davis tightened up the choke. Sexton continued to defend against the hold as it wasn't fully locked on. She lost the hold and Sexton unleashed a nice flurry of strikes. Sexton landed more strikes and remained in the better position as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Sexton. Davis had the triangle locked on, but it was Sexton delivering strike after strike after strike and doing more damage in that spot.
ROUND TWO: Sexton landed an early flurry and Davis responded with an elbow. Sexton pressed Davis against the cage and scored the takedown into side control. Davis tried to scramble, and used a leg to score a nice reversal to get on top herself. Sexton got to full guard. Davis postured up and scored with some nice punches to the face and body. Davis stayed busy on top. Davis landed a hard elbow. Sexton tossed her legs up, but Davis postured up again and landed a several nice strikes. In a scramble, Davis got on Sexton's back and went for a choke. Sexton tried to throw some punches and Davis let the choke go. She landed some strikes and got both hooks in and flattened Sexton out. She started landing strikes and Sexton tried to cover up. Davis tossed some pitter patter strikes in from the top as the horn sounded.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-8 Davis. She evened things up in a big way, but both are exhausted into this final frame.
ROUND THREE: Davis landed a few strikes early. Sexton struck back. They exchanged punches. Davis shot in, but Sexton wound up on top. However, Davis nicely turned her around and got her back. She got the body triangle locked on and looked for the choke. Sexton got herself turned around and Davis tried to grab an arm. Davis landed some elbows from the bottom. Sexton got out and into Davis' full guard. Sexton tried to stay busy from the top. Sexton kept herself on top and Davis couldn't get anything going from the bottom. Davis rolled for a leg but Sexton sprawled and tried to take Davis' back. Davis wound up on top, though. Both women gave up positions in this round. Davis stood and Sexton through a couple up kicks before the horn sounded. Solid fight.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-10. Tough round to score, as each had several minutes of top control with busy work, and neither had a clear advantage. Really could go either way, but I have this 29-28 for Davis with the 10-8 second, draw if it was 10-9.
WINNER: Davis via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (**+) Pretty fun fight, though the third round wasn't great. Still, even the worst women's fight thus far in the UFC has been as good or better than most of the bouts on these cards.
PPV FIGHT THREE: RYAN JIMMO VS. IGOR POKRAJAC (LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Pokrajac tried to rush in early, but Jimmo grabbed a clinch and pressed him across the Octagon to the far cage wall. The clinch was broken up early. Jimmo threw a right and Pokrajac clinched up. Could be a lot of this tonight in this one. Jimmo turned him around and pressed him to the cage again and we got another quick separation from Yves Lavigne. Jimmo landed an inside leg kick and a solid jab. Pokrajac ducked under a strike and shot for a single leg, but couldn't complete it. Pokrajac landed a knee to the body. Jimmo landed some short punches and they were separated again. Jimmo over engaged and Pokrajac clinched again. Jimmo landed a couple of strikes. He separated with an elbow. Both fighter missed winging punches and it was back to the clinch. Another clinch separation. Pokrajac missed a high kick. Jimmo connected on a solid kick to the lead leg. Jimmo landed a right. He got in another one. Jimmo landed a two punch combo. He got in a solid jab. Pokrajac rushed and landed a right. Jimmo fired back. Jimmo landed a couple of hard rights and they clinched to end the round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Jimmo. Little actual action until the final minute, but there were a few nice exchanges late.
ROUND TWO: Pokrajac tried to stalk early, and Jimmo landed a nice kick, then hurt Pokrajac with a big right. He landed some on the ground and Pokrajac worked back to his feet. Jimmo took him down, but Pokrajac recovered in the guard. Jimmo landed some strikes in the guard. He postured up with a couple of strikes. He added in some elbows from the top. Jimmo landed some more punches. The action slowed again. Pokrajac landed some strikes from the bottom and Jimmo connected on a few more from the top. Jimmo landed an elbow. Jimmo stayed busy in the guard. Pokrajac tried to go after an arm but Jimmo got it free. Pokrajac landed a couple strikes from the bottom, then connected on an upkick. Jimmo passed to side control, though.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Jimmo. He got the knockdown and did damage on the ground, but it got dull pretty quick there.
ROUND THREE: Both fighters swung big strikes early, but it led to missed punches and yet another clinch. Pokrajac went for a takedown, but Jimmo reversed it and got on top. Pokarjac landed some strikes from his back, but ate some more punches from Jimmo. As they continued to battle on the ground, Jimmo stayed busy enough not to get stood up. The action continued to stall, though Jimmo occasionally opened up with short bursts of offense. Pokrajac tried to look for a choke from the bottom. He had it briefly, but couldn't lock it on tight enough. Jimmo broke free and landed some more strikes from the top. Pokrajac managed to get to his feet, but it was back to the clinch. They were separated again. We got a jab and then another clinch as the fight ended to boos.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Jimmo. More of the same from the second round to the third. Just a dull fight for the most part.
WINNER: Jimmo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
STAR RATING: (*) Jimmo thought he had people fooled with that seven second KO in his debut, but he's gone back to what he was criticized heavily for in his time with the MFC in Canada.
PPV FIGHT FOUR: ROY NELSON VS. STIPE MIOCIC (HEAVYWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Nelson tried to close the distance early, but Miocic avoided it. Nelson faked a shot and landed a right. Miocic landed a solid right. Nelson landed a straight left and missed a right. Miocic landed a right. They traded leg kicks. Nelson missed an uppercut. Miocic landed a solid combination. Miocic landed a nice right after Nelson moved in. Nelson landed a right to the body. Miocic landed a right again. He landed a nice combination. He sprawled on a takedown, but Nelson got to his feet. Nelson continued to look for the right. Miocic ducked under a punch and scored a few strikes of his own. Nelson staggered Miocic with a right, though it may have been a slip. Nelson continued to look for the blow. Miocic landed a big right hand and had Nelson hurt. Mioci landed a few nice elbows in the clinch and continued delivering punishment. Nelson recovered and grabbed a clinch. Nelson was huffing and puffing as the round came to a close.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Miocic. Strong round for the underdog, and Nelson's got himself in trouble here.
ROUND TWO: Miocic landed a nice early combination and avoided strikes from Nelson. Miocic landed another right. Nelson swung heavy with the right hands, but Miocic avoided it. Miocic landed a big combination and drove Nelson back against the cage. Nelson looks awful in this fight. Miocic landed a couple of elbows and Nelson connected on a right. Miocic continued to circle around to the left, avoiding Nelson's power hand. Miocic hurt Nelson again with a right. Miocic faked a shot. Miocic landed a jab. He connected on a couple more punches. Nelson landed a hard uppercut and Miocic got on his bike a bit. Miocic landed a hard combination. Miocic continued making Nelson move, which in turn made Nelson more exhausted. Miocic landed another combination and drove Nelson to the cage. Miocic separated and made Nelson walk after him as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Miocic. He's doing everything he wants to do in this fight, and Nelson's never looked worse inside the Octagon.
ROUND THREE: Miocic landed a nice right. He connected on another combination. He landed a straight right. Nelson's chin is still holding up, but that's about all you can say for him in this one. Miocic landed a few jabs and blocked another overhand right. He landed a right of his own and blocked another right. Miocic landed another couple jabs. Nelson walked forward with his hands down. Miocic avoided Nelson's rush again, then came right back with a few punches of his own. Nelson landed a counter right as Miocic almost over-extended himself. Miocic scored a takedown on Nelson and landed some strikes as Nelson got back to his feet. Miocic continued smothering Nelson in the clinch until they were separated. Big exhale from Nelson. Nelson landed an uppercut, but Miocic stepped away. Miocic got in a knee to the head. Miocic pressed Nelson back again and landed a few strikes. Nelson turned him around in a clinch but Miocic separated. Miocic landed another combination. He landed a hard knee and another couple of strikes, then circled around to the horn and raised his hands. Extremely intelligent performance from Miocic tonight.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Miocic. This was all Miocic tonight. He did everything he wanted to tonight.
WINNER: Miocic via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
STAR RATING: (**) Great stuff from Miocic in that fight. He had a really smart gameplan, and he hurt Nelson throughout the 15 minute fight while avoiding everything Nelson tried to do.
MAIN EVENT FIGHT FIVE: RASHAD EVANS VS. DAN HENDERSON (LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Evans moved back and forth on the outside and began moving in. Both fighters were hesitant to engage immediately. Evans connected on a nice jab. Henderson came forward and landed a couple of strikes, and Evans fired back with a short flurry. Evans threw a winging left and rushed in with a shot, but Henderson sidestepped it. Evans landed a nice three punch combination. Henderson was eying for the big strike. He landed a jab. Henderson missed with the right hand as Evans avoided him. Evans landed another right as Henderson got in close. Evans grabbed a clinch as Henderson got close. Henderson landed a knee to the body. Henderson got himself loose and circled away. Evans landed a left and clinched. Henderson again got loose. Henderson connected on a right hand strike. Henderson missed an uppercut. Evans connected on a hard jab. Henderson hurt Evans with a right, but Evans recovered. They started exchanging on the cage but Evans was alright. That may have been more of a slip. They each missed a couple before the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Evans. Henderson had the staggering strike, but Evans recovered quickly and scored more overall in the round. Close round, though.
ROUND TWO: Evans ducked under a strike and scored a quick takedown into the round, but Henderson got to his feet. Henderson got turned around and Evans landed a couple of short clinch strikes. Henderson landed a knee to the body. The clinch battle continued. Evans landed a hard right and a few more punches. Henderson fired back and connected on a couple of strikes in a flurry. Evans scored a couple of strikes and clinched. He backed off and stalked a bit. Evans threw a winding overhand right but it didn't connect. Evans got in with a jab. Evans shot in but Henderson stuffed him. Evans backed Henderson to the cage, landed a flurry and clinched. Henderson held him off, and landed an elbow to back him off. Evans was cut over the right eye, likely from that elbow, as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Evans. He's doing more offensively, though there wasn't a ton of action that round. This could be even, as the damage from Henderson in the first round easily could have given him the nod. Close fight, and not half bad so far.
ROUND THREE: Henderson looked for the right early. Evans pushed him back and landed a really nice flurry against the cage. Henderson recovered, though. Evans landed a couple of nice jabs. Evans shot in for a single leg, but Henderson held it off. Henderson landed a knee to the body. Evans backed off and landed a really nice four punch combination before re-engaging. Henderson backed him off, and Evans continued to engage. Evans landed a nice jab. Evans backed Henderson up to the cage and clinched again. Evans landed a few strikes against the cage. Henderson connected on an elbow. Evans landed a big right as Henderson tried to break free. Henderson landed a knee to the body. They traded strikes in the clinch. Henderson landed a hard elbow. Evans continued to smother against the cage. Henderson landed a knee to the body. Evans landed a couple of strikes. He landed a nice uppercut. Then a jab as Henderson separated. He scored with one more as the horn sounded. This should be Evans' fight.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Evans. I'd venture to say that was the best round Rashad Evans has had since he beat Tito Ortiz in 2011. He had some really nice work against Henderson there in that round, and I think he took at least the second and third.
WINNER: Evans via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (**+) I'm fine admitting I was probably wrong about the first round, but I don't get how Henderson could have taken the second, and there's no way he took the third. That 29-28 for Henderson just doesn't make sense. But for Rashad Evans, that was the type of performance he needed to get back to the winning side of things, and he can build upon that third round, which was one of his best in recent memory.
-Thanks for joining us here tonight for another UFC event; make sure to join us this Wednesday for the first Bellator summer series event, and then next weekend for the RFA event from Milwaukee, with our own Rich Hansen in attendance.
(Attention MMATorch app users: Make sure to upgrade to the latest edition of the MMATorch app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device!)
Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
STAFF COLUMNISTS: Shawn Ennis - Jason Amadi
Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
Interested in joining MMATorch's writing team? Send idea for a theme to your column (for Specialist section) or area of interest (i.e. TV Reporter) along with a sample of writing to mmatorch@gmail.com.
