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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
UFC 168: WEIDMAN VS. SILVA II
DECEMBER 28, 2013
LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
=====Preliminary Card Quick Results=====
-Robbie Peralta def. Estevan Payan via TKO at :12 of the third round
-William Macario def. Bobby Voelker via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
=====Fox Sports 1 Prelims=====
-Jon Anik is joined by Chael Sonnen and Daniel Cormier at the desk in the arena, breaking down what's coming up on tonight's preliminary card broadcast. They then send down to Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan cageside, who discuss the opening fight between Siyar Bahadurzada and John Howard.
PRELIM FIGHT 1: JOHN HOWARD VS. SIYAR BAHADURZADA (WELTERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Both fighters stood in front of each other and feinted a bit early, testing the range. Bahadurzada tossed out a leg kick that wash checked partially. He got inside with a kick. He barely missed a strike and Howard came back with a leg kick. Howard landed a right and avoided the counter strike. Bahadurzada connected on a short combo in close but didn't land flush. Bahadurzada went high with a kick that was partially blocked. He landed a hard two punch combo that stopped Howard as he was moving in. Howard swung heavy but missed. Bahadurzada landed a nice combination. He stuffed a takedown and turned Howard around in the clinch. They traded strikes in the clinch. Bahadurzada landed a couple of hard knees to the body and Howard turned him around in the clinch. Bahadurzada got loose from the clinch and landed a nice leg kick. He went there again but was checked. Howard missed a swinging left hook. They both swung wild but didn't connect flush. Bahadurzada stuffed another takedown and they traded knees in the clinch. Howard finally drove forward and scored a takedown. Howard threw a couple of strikes. Howard took his back, but Bahadurzada worked to his feet and got out. Howard dropped for a single but let it go. Bahadurzada landed a nice combo late. Howard landed a left. Bahadurzada got in one more strike before the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Bahadurzada. I'm sure at least one judge gives Howard the round on the takedown, but Bahadurzada had the better offense striking and in the clinch, and didn't take damage on the ground.
ROUND TWO: Howard came out swinging and they exchanged furiously in the opening seconds. Howard landed a nice left to the top of the head. He got a clinch and landed some uppercuts. Bahadurzada fired back with a couple knees. Howard Dropped down and grabbed it, but let it go. Bahadurzada scored a big combination, then ducked down and took Howard down himself. He landed some strikes to the head and body and Howard tried to control him. Howard threw up his legs for a triangle, but Bahadurzada stepped out and let him up. Howard landed a leg kick. Bahadurzada landed a hard knee and they clinched again. Howard got in a knee. Bahadurzada landed a hard knee. Howard fired back and landed a couple of strikes to back him off. Both looked very tired. Howard landed a strike, then got in a kick. Bahadurzada landed a few strikes. Howard stuffed a takedown. Bahadurzada got in some knees. Howard landed a few uppercuts. They traded as Bahadurzada drove him back. Howard tried to duck down, but Bahadurzada grabbed his arm for a kimura. Howard picked him up and carried him before back dropping him, but Bahadurzada got back up. The round ended in the clinch.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Bahadurzada. Close round, and Howard's big slam might get him the edge again, but gassed as he was, Bahadurzada landed more overall and had more top position time by a slight margin.
ROUND THREE:Howard landed a few strikes and shot in early in the round. Bahadurzada held it off. Howard backed off and landed a big flurry. Bahadurzada tried to bring him in, but Howard didn't engage. Bahadruzada came in with a short burst. He missed a knee and Howard landed several strikes. Bahadurzada was exhausted. He landed a knee but got easily taken down. Howard landed several big strikes. Bahadurzada rolled. He tried for a leg lock but wound up back in guard. Howard passed to half guard. Howard tried to mount but his foot was caught. He got it out and got into mount. Howard postured up and landed a right and Bahadurzada gave up his back. Howard looked for the choke, but Bahadurzada defended. The round ended with Bahadurzada throwing strikes behind him and Howard holding position.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Howard. Bahadurzada was just exhausted, and Howard took advantage. That said, he was pretty tired himself, and didn't put a ton of effort into that final position in the last minute. Won't be surprised if he wins the decision here, but Bahadurzada had a good argument for the first two rounds.
WINNER: Howard (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
STAR RATING: (**-) Both gassed heavily, but the first nine minutes were fairly solid.
PRELIM FIGHT TWO: DENNIS SIVER VS. MANVEL GAMBURYAN (FEATHERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Gamburyan pressed right to the center and Siver threw a couple of leg kicks. Gamburyan swung wildly bit missed as Siver ducked out of the way. Siver tossed out a couple kicks. He ducked under a right and quickly took Gamburyan down. Gamburyan attacked for an arm. Siver defended and popped out, but tried to drop back down. Gamburyan popped back to his feet though. Siver landed a right. Siver landed a nice knee with a left behind it. He tossed up a head kick that Gamburyan took. Gamburyan threw a spinning kick. Siver landed an uppercut and avoided the counter. Siver kept up with the kicks. Gamburyan shot in and scored a takedown of his own. Gamburyan dropped back for a leg lock. Siver countered with strikes and took a dominant position with some big strikes. Siver then jumped up and took his back as Gamburyan got to his feet. He tried to trap an arm. He got on a body triangle standing and landed several strikes before the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Siver. Gamburyan's game here, but Siver landed some really heavy strikes and had some good positions grappling as well.
ROUND TWO: In an early exchange, Siver dropped Gamburyan with a knee to the jaw. Gamburyan popped back up though, trying to goad Siver back in. Siver stayed patient and landed a couple of strikes, but then Gamburyan took him down. Siver landed some strikes from his back as Gamburyan just sat in his guard. Gamburyan landed an elbow. Siver held control of him. Gamburyan opened him up with an elbow to the forehead. He passed to half guard. Siver fought to regain guard and succeeded. He pushed Gamburyan off after eating another elbow and got to his feet. Gamburyan landed a hard leg kick. The offense slowed from both. Siver pressed in and scored with a few strikes. Gamburyan swung and missed, but then shot in and scored a hard takedown at the cage into half guard. Gamburyan postured up with a couple of elbows, but didn't do a ton as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Gamburyan. Extremely rare to see a fighter get knocked down that badly yet win a round. But Gamburyan came back strong and Siver didn't do anything else after the knockdown.
ROUND THREE: Gamburyan slipped on a spinning kick. They exchanged strikes in the center. Gamburyan went high with a kick. Siver landed a leg kick. Gamburyan missed a few strikes. Siver threw a kick that went in between the legs and the action was stalled. At the restart, Siver shot in and scored a takedown. He landed some strikes as Gamburyan tossed some elbows from the bottom. Siver tried to stay busy from the top. He landed some hard body strikes and Gamburyan turned to try attacking the left arm. Siver stepped over his leg into half guard. Gamburyan gave up his back and tried to get out, but Siver rolled him and got both hooks in. He landed a bunch of strikes as he tried to loosen Gamburyan up. Gamburyan defended well, though. Siver continued to work on Gamburyan's back, but there weren't any opening for the submission. He just continued throwing strikes, closing out the fight in that position.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Siver. He fought a very smart round after giving away the second, and should secure the decision here.
WINNER: Siver via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (**) Solid fight. Gamburyan was more competitive than expected, but Siver came back strong in the third round to take a clear win there.
PRELIM FIGHT THREE: GLEISON TIBAU VS. MICHAEL JOHNSON (LIGHTWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Johnson landed an early right. Tibau threw up a head kick that was blocked. Johnson landed a short combo. Tibau swung and missed on a few strikes. A large Brazilian contingent was vocal for Tibau. They each landed some solid strikes in a couple of exchanges in the opening minute. Tibau got in a nice combination. They clinched briefly but then separated. Johnson landed a hard body punch but ate a right. Johnson landed a few strikes from the outside and hurt Tibau with a right. He came in and went to the body with another right, but backed away as Tibau recovered. Tibau connected on a couple of strikes. Johnson landed another left. Johnson connected on a few strikes. He stuffed a takedown attempt as Tibau pressed him to the cage. Tibau landed a couple of knees. He stalled there, though and Johnson got in a knee as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Johnson. Both had some success that round, but I think overall Johnson had more frequent and effective strikes.
ROUND TWO: They each traded strikes early on, though neither connected on anything big. Johnson popped in and backed away from the counters a couple of times. He landed a solid combination. Johnson went back to the body. He dropped him with a big left to the ear! He landed a couple more and scored the stoppage. That's a huge, huge win right there.
WINNER: Johnson via KO at 1:32 of the second round.
STAR RATING: (**+) That's a major win for Michael Johnson, who becomes the first person to stop Gleison Tibau by strikes since Nick Diaz did so all the way back at UFC 65.
-Back to the desk to break down what we've seen already tonight and to preview what's coming up later tonight on pay-per-view.
PRELIM FIGHT FOUR: CHRIS LEBEN VS. URIAH HALL (MIDDLEWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Hall came out and dropped Leben with a flying knee. Leben got up and Hall threw a front kick to the body. No slow start for Hall tonight. Leben moved forward and Hall sidestepped him with a right. He landed a hard jab and continued picking his spot from the outside. Hall landed the big knee again and Leben stayed up this time. Hall kept landing the jab and backing out. Leben's face was busted open. Leben tried to reach in with the left. Hall slowed down his output, looking for an opening to counter. Leben closed the distance. Hall landed an uppercut and a knee in the clinch. He landed a hard knee to the body after separating. He landed a straight kick to the body. He landed a nice counter right as he sidestepped Leben. Hall kept his hands down and avoided a rush from Leben. He landed a hard step in forearm. Another front kick to the body. Hall countered a leg kick with a left. Leben tried to chase him down and the crowd booed Hall as he circled out. Hall landed another short combo. He landed the step in elbow again. Hall with a knee to the body. Leben landed an inside leg kick. He got in a kick to the body. Hall returned fire. Hall ducked under a punch. He went for the wheel kick that just missed. Hall dropped Leben with a right and landed a bunch of strikes but the round ended before the ref could step in.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-8 Hall. Two knockdowns and all the offensive output mean a big round for Hall. He needs to keep the offense up here.
-Leben quit on his stool in between rounds. He asked his corner if he had been knocked out, and said he was done. That's the right move on his part, should have been stopped before it got to the horn.
WINNER: Hall via TKO (retirement) at 5:00 of the first round
STAR RATING: (**+) Hall fought a smart fight, beat the crap out of a poor looking version of Chris Leben, and gets to move on from there. Leben doesn't belong in the cage anymore. At all. And this was kind of sad to see.
-Back to the desk to give a final run down of the pay-per-view card and to kill time on the prelims before the pay-per-view card. Then it's on to Dana and Rogan cageside for the final screaming sell.
=====Pay-Per-View Card=====
-Goldberg and Rogan welcome in the pay-per-view audience and break down what's coming up on tonight's card before sending to our opening main card bout.
PPV FIGHT ONE: DUSTIN POIRIER VS. DIEGO BRANDAO (FEATHERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Poirier threw an early kick. Brandao fired in a strike. Poirier blocked a right and Brandao landed a body kick. Poirier landed a left and Brandao tripped. Brandao swung wildly and Poirier tripped. Brandao threw a kick as he got up but he wasn't entirely standing and he apologized. They traded short combos. Brandao swung big with a right and Poirier fired back. Brandao took a couple of strikes and clipped Poirier with a big one. He landed a hard knee. Brandao landed a short elbow. Poirier landed a kick outside. Poirier went high with a kick that was blocked. Brandao landed a hard right to the body. Poirier connected on a right. Brandao knocked Poirier down with a right, but he popped back up. Poirier landed a right. Brandao went for a takedown, but Poirier defended and popped up. Poirier connected on a right. Poirier landed a hard left. He scored another counter left. They traded punches. Brandao shot in and scored a takedown. Poirier got to the cage and popped up. He backed off and landed some nice strikes. He landed a few body strikes in a row and Poirier started unloading. Poirier then took him down. Brandao got up but got knocked right back down. Brandao tried to defend on his back and Poirier dropped in with a right. Poirier kept the attack on and the referee finally stepped in with seconds remaining in the round.
WINNER: Poirier via TKO at 4:54 of the first round
STAR RATING: (***) Really fun one round fight. Brandao came out trying to finish early because he knew he wouldn't have the gas tank to go long. Poirier took his best shots, then beat him up late as he tired out. Big finish for Poirier and he moves closer to relevance again at featherweight.
PPV FIGHT TWO: JIM MILLER VS. FABRICIO CAMOES (LIGHTWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Camoes opened up the striking with an inside leg kick. Miller clinched after ducking under a strike. Camoes landed a knee and a left hook as he separated. They traded strikes. Camoes landed a hard left hook. He landed an uppercut. They traded strikes, but Camoes was getting the better of the exchanges. Camoes landed another hard left and Miller backed up. Miller caught a high kick, planted Camoes, and dropped in with a right. Camoes battled to his feet but Miller took him down. However, he wound up on his back as Camoes turned into him. Camoes landed an elbow. Miller grabbed an armbar. Camoes tried to defend, but he was forced to tap! Camoes was very unhappy, but that armbar was tight.
WINNER: Miller via submission (armbar) at 3:42 of the first round
STAR RATING: (**+) Miller looked really bad in the first three minutes on the feet there, but he's as dangerous as ever on the ground. Great armbar after a fantastic setup to get back in the win column.
-They re-air the preliminary card bout between Michael Johnson and Gleison Tibau.
PPV FIGHT THREE: JOSH BARNETT VS. TRAVIS BROWNE (HEAVYWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Browne landed an early left hook. He landed another one as he ate a leg kick. Barnett closed the distance and landed a knee to the body. He tried to keep him there but Browne circled out. Browne missed a big right and stuffed a takedown. Browne landed a jab. He landed a hard right. Browne got in a big knee as Barnett shot in. Browne then started unleashing a huge string of elbows to the side of the head and Barnett was out cold! Holy hell that was nuts.
WINNER: Browne via KO at 1:00 of the first round
STAR RATING: (****) That was incredible. Seriously. Incredible. I don't think anyone saw that coming; not like that anyway, and he's going to be absolutely deserving of a shot at a title in 2014. Give him the fight with Werdum, the winner of that's the true contender. Amazing win for Travis Browne.
-They replay Uriah Hall's win over Chris Leben from the prelims.
-After another break with that replay and more commercials tonight, it's on to the co-main event.
ROUND ONE: An intense Rousey came straight out and they started throwing. Rousey went right to the clinch from there and almost got Tate down. Tate transitioned well and got to her feet, but ate some strikes on the way up. Rousey landed some strikes in the clinch. Tate got in a knee. The crowd was already nuts. Rousey tripped her up and landed a few strikes as she stood over her. Tate threw up for a triangle, but Rousey lifted her up and landed a few strikes after slamming her. Tate then took her down, but Rousey started attacking for the arm. Tate was cut open already and Rousey went for a triangle. Tate's arm was still stuck in. Rousey tried to work for the arm. Tate tried to escape, but Rousey kept her in the triangle. She landed some more elbows. Tate got out, but Rousey kicked her off and got to her feet. Rousey landed a right. She landed another. Tate fired back. Tate went for a takedown, but Rousey tripped her and got on top. Rousey almost got her back. Tate rolled into her and stood. Rousey got back up. Tate shot in and Rousey just trip slammed her back into half guard. Rousey stood out and let her stand. Tate came in again with a right and went for a trip of her own, but Rousey stopped her. Tate looked up to the clock. Rousey backed off with a few strikes and Rousey's going to the second round for the first time. Holy crap this fight.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Rousey. Credit to Tate for surviving some bad spots, but this is all Rousey thus far.
ROUND TWO: Rousey came out swinging and landed a right. Rousey tripped her. Tate kicked her off with up kicks and got to her feet. Tate shot in and Rousey just tripped her over almost into mount. Rousey backed off and let her stand. Tate was smiling. Tate landed a left. Rousey scored a takedown. Tate got to her knees. Rousey took her back at the cage but let her up. Rousey landed some knees on the cage. Rousey landed some strikes to the body. Rousey landed some knees to the legs and punches at the cage in the clinch. Rousey landed a hard knee to the body. Rousey just stepped over and scored another trip into side control. Tate threw her legs up to try to counter. Rousey passed to mount as she attacked an arm. She postured up and landed some strikes from the top. Rousey started unloading. She went for the arm but didn't have her leg across the face. Rousey went back to the strikes as Tate got to a knee. Rousey locked on an inverted triangle. Rousey tried to finish but Tate held on. Rousey landed more strikes but Tate again somehow survived.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Rousey. Tate is somehow surviving all of this, and she's dragging Rousey late here, but this is still all the Champion offensively.
ROUND THREE: Rousey rushed in striking early and clinched. She landed some strikes in the clinch, then looked for another trip. Rousey dragged her down and rolled for the arm. Rousey rolled her over, secured the arm, and forced the tap. There it is.
WINNER: Rousey via submission (armbar) at :58 of the third round
STAR RATING: (****) That fight was incredible, from the atmosphere, from Tate pushing her further than anyone has ever pushed her, to the finish, it was just amazing to watch from start to finish, and Rousey remains the best women's bantamweight in the world. Hate her or not, she's fantastic.
PPV MAIN EVENT FIGHT FIVE: CHRIS WEIDMAN VS. ANDERSON SILVA (UFC MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP)
ROUND ONE: Weidman took the center and Silva had his hands up. Weidman threw an early body kick. Weidman shot in and scored a takedown, but Silva got a knee down and got right to his feet. He landed a hard knee to the body. Weidman dropped for a double but Silva had the underhook and held him off. Silva landed a hard knee to the body. Weidman knocked Silva down from the clinch and got on top. He landed several big strikes but Silva survived the onslaught. Weidman looked to posture up but Silva avoided the elbow. Silva held control of his body briefly. Weidman worked on a neck crank, but Silva got out of that. Weidman stayed busy in the guard, but Silva avoided much of the damage. Then Weidman unleashed a major elbow and got in a couple more. Weidman sat up and dropped down some big strikes. Silva threw a right from his back and tossed a couple more strikes up. Weidman landed a few big strikes again as he continued to work effectively. Silva tossed in some hammerfists from the bottom. Weidman tried to posture up again and Silva landed some hard strikes from the bottom again. Weidman stood and Silva tried to keep him off with kicks. Weidman dropped in with a right and Silva tried to attack at the horn. Weidman's face was busted up from the strikes Silva threw from the bottom.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Weidman. Big round from the Champion. Lots of damage on the ground.
ROUND TWO: Silva threw a hard leg kick early, then stuffed an advance with a nice jab. Silva's not clowning this time around. The action was a lot more tentative to start this round. Weidman landed a hard body kick. Silva threw a kick and his leg broke! No! No, no, no. no, no. Oh no. That's just awful. Weidman checked the kick and Silva's leg broke just like Corey Hill. Oh no.
WINNER: Weidman via TKO (injury) at 1:16 of the second round
STAR RATING: (n/a) That's just one of the worst, most unfortunate things I've ever seen in this sport. What a horrible, awful way for this fight to end. Weidman did a great job in the first round, and he checked that kick perfectly, but to see one of the greatest fighters in the history of this sport go out like that is just too terrible for words. I don't know that we'll ever see Silva fight again after that.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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