-Karyn Bryant, Brian Stann, and Gilbert Melendez break down tonight's card at the desk before throwing to Jon Anik and Kenny Florian cageside. Five minutes in and it's pre-fight video for tonight's first televised bout.
PRELIM FIGHT ONE: ALPTEKIN OZKILIC VS. LOUIS SMOLKA (FLYWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Smolka tried to walk Ozkilic down early and landed some inside leg kicks. Ozkilic fired back with some body punches. Smolka tossed in some high kicks but Ozkilic came straight back. Ozkilic landed a nice strike. He scored a nice takedown. Smolka held onto Ozkilic's left arm tight, but Ozkilic patiently tried to work free. Very active guard from Smolka. Ozkilic got out and threw some wild strikes, passing to side control. He landed a hard left. Smolka got out to his feet and landed some hard knees to the body, but he took a bunch of strikes from Ozkilic to the head and body. Smolka landed a hard right that stunned Ozkilic. Ozkilic then landed a big strike of his own that hurt Smolka! Crazy back and forth action in this opening round. Ozkilic landed a body punch and ate a counter. He scored another takedown. Smolka got to his feet. In a scramble Smolka landed a few knees to the body but got taken back down again. Smolka tried to set up a choke, but Ozkilic got out. They scrambled up and Smolka tried to run in with a flying knee. Ozkilic moved out of the way. Smolka landed a hard body kick. Ozkilic landed a nice body punch. Smolka landed a hard body kick. Back to the body from Ozkilic. Smolka landed a couple of nice strikes in combination before the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Ozkilic. Really close round. Both had each other hurt, both landed a ton of strikes, both had their moments on the ground. Slight edge to Ozkilic here.
ROUND TWO: Smolka came in and landed a knee but ate a big strike. Ozkilic landed a hard right hook. Smolka fired in with knees and punches. He landed a nice right. Ozkilic connected to the body. Smolka went high with a kick that grazed Ozkilic. Smolka looks to be the fresher fighter here. Ozkilic landed a solid combination. He landed a hard overhand right. Then a combination behind it. Ozkilic scored a takedown, then reversed a choke attempt. He tried to grab a headlock, but Smolka got out. Ozkilic got in close, but Smolka landed several nice knees to the body from the Thai clinch. Ozkilic pressed him to the cage, but ate a few more knees. He blocked a few, but Smolka had a hold of him. Smolka wore him down with several big knees. Smolka connected on a nice combination. He snapped Ozkilic's head back with a right. Ozkilic fired back. Smolka landed a huge counter-right elbow and kept the pressure on. Smolka landed a nice straight right. He popped in again. Smolka with a fantastic right. Ozkilic scored a takedown late. He tried to take Smolka's back, but Smolka countered with a heel hook attempt. They battled and Smolka reversed. He landed a knee on the way up as they scrambled and Ozkilic scored another takedown. The horn ended with Ozkilic on top.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Smolka. Tons of damage gave him the edge this time. Ozkilic is in trouble as he's getting worn down by damage and is clearly the more exhausted of the two.
ROUND THREE: Ozkilic wasted no time scoring a takedown. He tried to take Smolka's back but Smolka got to his feet in a scramble. Ozkilic landed a nice combination. Smolka landed a hard left with a right behind it. Ozkilic landed a hard left. Smolka landed a nice uppercut. They traded strikes high then traded low kicks. Ozkilic caught a kick and landed a leg kick. Smolka landed a couple of strikes. Smolka with a nice combination and Ozkilic was very tired. He shot in but half-heartedly and got stuffed. Smolka missed a spinning kick. He landed a hard jab. Ozkilic tried for a takedown but again Smolka held it off. Smolka landed a big combination. He kept up the attack and kept battering Ozkilic to the cage. Ozkilic scored another takedown, but Smolka countered beautifully and got back to his feet. Ozkilic scored another trip and tried to take Smolka's back. Smolka shrugged him off and got on top himself. Smolka set up for a D'Arce choke. Ozkilic tried to defend as Smolka kept on the hold. Ozkilic survived but Smolka got back on top. He landed some strikes and mounted Ozkilic late. He landed some hard strikes and Ozkilic tried to survive again. He stayed active enough to get to the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Smolka. Beautiful work from the 22-year-old newcomer. Great transitions on the ground, constant pressure on the feet. He should take a clear 2-1 decision here, and has an argument for the first round as well.
WINNER: Smolka via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (***) Just an awesome fifteen minute fight between two good flyweight fighters. Ozkilic got worn down by those knees to the body in the second, but he kept coming in the third and gave his best effort. The 22-year-old was just too much for him, and the flyweight division has a bright new prospect in Hawaii's Louis Smolka.
PRELIM FIGHT TWO: TREVOR SMITH VS. BRIAN HOUSTON (MIDDLEWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Houston came out stalking Smith, landing a few strikes. Smith then shot in and scored a takedown, but Houston worked to his feet and through a front headlock to get separation. Smith landed a hard strike, then Houston caught a kick and slammed him down for a nice takedown. Smith scrambled and worked to his feet. They traded strikes in the clinch back on their feet. Smith got in a few knees to the body. Houston tossed in some body strikes and landed a right as he separated. Smith landed a body kick and ate several strikes in return. Houston landed a hard left hook to the body. Houston landed a right but Smith timed it and took him down. He tried to pass out of half guard immediately, and moved to mount with an arm triangle. He tried to pass to side control, but Houston escaped. Smith passed back to mount. He tried to posture up to landed a few strikes. Houston escaped but Smith got to side control as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Smith. Had more dominant positions on the ground there in the final minute to steal the round. Houston having more success on the feet.
ROUND TWO: Smith landed an early strike. They traded leg kicks in the opening minute. Houston landed a hard left and it opened up a cut on Smith. Smith tried to shoot in and Houston sprawled and stuffed it. The cut on Smith's forehead was nasty and he started bleeding profusely. Houston pressed him to the cage in the clinch. Smith circled out. Smith landed a leg kick. He shot in for the single leg but Houston got out of dodge. Houston sprawled on another takedown attempt. He stepped out and forced Smith up again. Houston landed a couple of strikes and backed out from another takedown attempt. Smith threw a leg kick. Both were slowed down considerably, breathing heavy. Smith landed a right. Houston landed a left. Houston landed a hard outside leg kick. Smith moved forward and landed a jab before the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Houston. Did more damage and stuffed all the takedowns. Both are gassed, not a good fight.
ROUND THREE: Houston moved in early and threw some strikes, backing away from the counters as well. Smith threw an overhand right. He pawed out a left. Houston landed an outside leg kick. Houston connected on a jab. Smith connected on a kick as Houston circled on the outside. Smith landed a couple of strikes. Houston connected to the body. Smith landed a leg kick. The crowd got restless at the fairly tentative action. Houston landed a jab and backed out. Smith landed a couple of jabs. Smmith landed a small combination. Houston just not doing much of anything, while Smith is doing just a little bit more. Smith landed a body kick. He landed an outside kick. Houston stuffed a takedown and sprawled. Smith landed a knee as they got to their feet. Smith landed a short combo. Houston swung but missed. Houston tried a takedown briefly but got stopped. Smith landed a body kick as the round and fight ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Smith. Ugly stuff, but Smith was the only one really doing anything offensively.
WINNER: Smith via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (*+) Not sure why Houston was upset about that decision. He didn't do anything in the third round whatsoever. Not a good fight.
PRELIM FIGHT THREE: ISAAC VALLIE-FLAGG VS. ELIAS SILVERIO (LIGHTWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Vallie-Flagg came out firing, but Silverio did a nice job holding him off with kicks. Silverio landed a nice counter left. Vallie-Flagg connected on a straight right as he lunged in. Silverio ducked in and scored a takedown as Vallie-Flagg closed the distance. Vallie-Flagg worked back to his feet on the cage and got separation. Vallie-Flagg landed a couple of hard strikes. Silverio dropped Vallie-Flagg and pounced with a few strikes. Vallie-Flagg recovered and tried to work to his feet, but Silverio stayed on him and tried to take his back. Silverio landed some hard strikes from behind as he continued working to improve his position. Vallie-Flagg turtled up, but Silverio got a hook in. Vallie-Flagg worked to his feet, though, and got turned around. They traded body strikes in the clinch. Silverio landed a hard right with a knee behind it. Silverio landed a big combination to close out the round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Silverio. Easy round to score. Vallie-Flagg defended well on the ground, but all the offense came from Silverio.
ROUND TWO: Vallie-Flagg came out swinging, but Silverio did a good job countering. Silverio landed a couple of hard strikes, clinched, then dragged Vallie-Flagg to the ground. Silverio tried to pass, but Vallie-Flagg used that to turn around. He got to a knee and ate a knee that brought a halt to the bout. The referee took a point from Silverio, but on replay it looked like it may have hit the chest. Iffy there. They restarted, though, and Vallie-Flagg came out swinging again. Silverio got the better of the exchanges, though, and pressed him back with several big strikes. Silverio scored another takedown. He worked from half guard, though he wasn't doing a ton from the top. Vallie-Flagg worked to his feet just before the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 9-9. The lost point means Silverio needs the sweep to take a decision, or a draw could come if Vallie-Flagg has a strong third.
ROUND THREE: Silverio came out aggressive and landed a few early strikes. He landed some nice combinations with a straight kick and punches behind it, bringing the fight to a clinch. He landed a big elbow, scored a few strikes and brought Vallie-Flagg down right into mount. Vallie-Flagg gave up his back. Silverio landed some strikes, then flattened Vallie-Flagg out. Silverio landed some big strikes from the top. Vallie-Flagg escaped to half guard. Silverio continued working and got back to mount. He got his back again and went for a choke. He tried to turn it to a neck crank but couldn't finish the hold.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Silverio. Dominant on the ground, despite not getting a finish. Vallie-Flagg just couldn't do much in this fight at all.
WINNER: Silverio via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
STAR RATING: (**) Not the most thrilling at times, but a very good performance from Elias Silverio nonetheless.
PRELIM FIGHT FOUR: RAMSEY NIJEM VS. JUSTIN EDWARDS (LIGHTWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Nijem came to the center and landed a couple of quick jabs early. He got in an outside kick. Straight kick from Nijem and Edwards swung wildly. Nijem briefly clinched and landed a couple of strikes as he separated. Nijem landed some nice strikes while avoiding the return from Edwards. Edwards connected on a counter behind the head, but it didn't land flush. Nijem landed a front kick to the body. Edwards rushed in and connected on a left. He landed a right as he popped in quick. Nijem went for a jumping knee but it didn't connect. Edwards landed a hard two-punch combo after eating a leg kick. Nijem landed a jab. Edwards began shaking his arms out, tiring a bit already. Edwards capitalized on a slip from Nijem and landed several big strikes in combination. Nijem recovered though and backed him off with a big strike of his own. Nijem connected on a few strikes. Nijem missed a spinning kick and wound up on his back, but he attacked for a heel hook at the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Nijem. He did more offensively, though Edwards had a few moments.
ROUND TWO: Nijem slipped on a front kick but wound up getting a takedown. Edwards went for an arm in guillotine and had it fairly tight. Nijem tried to fight out of it and Edwards lost the hold. Nijem landed some strikes from the top. Edwards tried to attack from the bottom, but Nijem landed a strike. Edwards worked to his feet but ate a knee on the way up. Nijem got in a standing knee to the body. He landed a straight right. They traded strikes as Edwards continued to circle. Nijem slipped on another front kick attempt. That technique has had him off balance a bunch tonight. Nijem pulled off a nice trip and as Edwards got up he tagged him with an excellent knee. Edwards was hurt and got tagged again. Nijem then pulled off another trip throw and got to mount. Edwards gave up his back and Nijem went for a couple of choke attempts. Edwards defended and tried to roll through, but Nijem held back mount with the body lock. Edwards continued defending the choke well. Nijem went for a neck crank, but again Edwards defended well. He survived to the end of the round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Nijem. Excellent sequence with the trip to the knee, to the combo, and then the takedown. But good defense from Edwards once Nijem was on his back.
ROUND THREE: Nijem landed a nice left early on. He clinched in the center and Edwards shoved him away. Edwards went for a spinning kick but Nijem was out of the way. Nijem scored a nice takedown. Timed that well. He landed a couple of elbows from the top. Edwards tried to attack from his back, but Nijem got out. Edwards scrambled and worked to his feet, landing a left on the way out. Edwards' left eye was cut open badly. He came forward throwing anyway. Nijem landed a hard right. Nijem landed some counter-strikes. He landed a kick to the body. Nijem landed a few strikes in close, but Edwards landed a hard right. Nijem looked up to the clock. Edwards connected on the spinning kick, but Nijem absorbed it. Nijem ducked in and scored a takedown. Edwards got to a knee and got to his feet. He landed a left. Edwards landed a nice left. He landed a spinning elbow. Edwards landed a body kick. Nijem stuffed a takedown. Edwards pulled guard with a choke attempt but Nijem easily got out. Nijem stood and threw strikes. He tried for a heel hook and Edwards tried to roll it to a calf slicer. They battled to the horn with leg locks.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Nijem. I can see an argument for Edwards in that round on activity and damage, but I think Nijem edged the offense in the round.
WINNER: Nijem via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (**) Solid fight. There were a few really nice exchanges and sequences in the fight, but on the whole just nothing more than a solid fight.
=====Fox Sports 1 Main Card======
-Nice opening video for the main card with a narrated rundown on the night's main event. Beats the canned black and white talking head opening and "Face the Pain" for the millionth time. Anik and Florian welcome in the main card audience and then it's quick to the opening main card fight.
MAIN CARD FIGHT ONE: COLE MILLER VS. SAM SICILIA (FEATHERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Miller circled on the outside early and threw out some kicks. Sicilia landed an outside leg kick. Miller landed a few strikes in close and avoided the counter. Miller landed a couple of inside leg kicks. Sicilia missed the overhand right and Miller countered with a couple of strikes. Miller connected on a few strikes in close. Miller continued to circle well and avoid Sicilia's advances. Miller landed a nice front kick with a straight right behind it. Miller landed a hard kick inside. He landed some nice jabs as Sicilia tried to walk forward. Miller blocked a left hook. Sicilia landed a hard body shot but Miller blocked the follow up high. Miller fired in with a couple of strikes. Miller with another straight right. Sicilia's eye was showing the effects of the jab. Miller blocked a couple of hard strikes. He threw a couple of solid kicks. Sicilia missed on a couple of thrown strikes. Miller landed a hard outside leg kick. Miller avoided another big overhand right before the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Miller. Sicilia's trying to find openings, but Miller did a really good job staying out of range and blocking.
ROUND TWO: Miller landed a couple of jabs. He hurt Sicilia with a combo. Sicilia tried to shoot in but got stuffed. He had a big mouse under the left eye. Miller landed another combination. Sicilia landed a hard body strike. Miller dropped Sicilia with a right hand. He swarmed with a big combo. He went for a choke. Sicilia got out, but Miller took his back, locked on the rear naked choke, and scored the submission. Very good performance from Cole Miller.
WINNER: Miller via submission (rear naked choke) at 1:54 of the second round
STAR RATING: (**+) One of the best performances we've seen from Miller start to finish. He looked fantastic.
-After the fight, Miller said he's on a new level in this past year and he promised to be more consistent. He thinks he broke his hand on one of those strikes. Miller thinks he's a top ten featherweight. He called out Donald Cerrone, and said he'd send him Mike Dolce on his tab to get down to featherweight.
MAIN CARD FIGHT TWO: JOHN MORAGA VS. DUSTIN ORTIZ (FLYWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Ortiz landed a nice overhand right early as Moraga moved in. He then stuffed a quick takedown attempt. Ortiz landed an inside leg kick. He shot in and took Moraga's back standing. He tried to take him down but Moraga kept on his feet at the cage. Ortiz stayed on him in the clinch as Moraga threw some strikes. Morage tossed out some short knees and Ortiz landed a hard one to the body. He tried to drag Moraga off the cage, but Moraga continued to defend in the clinch. Ortiz then dragged Moraga to the ground. He postured up with an elbow and landed a couple of punches. He passed to half guard briefly, but Moraga regained guard. Ortiz worked patiently in the guard. Moraga continued to defend. The crowd was getting entertained by Ric Flair, who was in attendance. Moraga tried to get his back to the cage, but Ortiz dragged him back down. Ortiz passed to half guard and landed some strikes. Ortiz landed a hard knee to the body. He landed some elbows. Moraga tried to set up a triangle, but Ortiz recognized it and landed a few hard strikes. Ortiz landed a hard elbow from the top. He stayed active in the guard to the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Ortiz. Solid opening round for Ortiz. Didn't do a ton on the ground, but that's as much to do with Moraga's solid defense as anything.
ROUND TWO: Moraga threw out some early kicks as Ortiz circled on the outside. Moraga landed a solid left hook as Ortiz stepped in. Moraga a lot more active in the second round and he landed another outside leg kick. Ortiz landed a body punch. Ortiz landed a hard outside leg kick after switching his stance a couple of times. Moraga landed a hard leg kick with a great follow up strike that hurt Ortiz. He landed a knee as Ortiz tried to shoot in but he secured the clinch to slow things down. Moraga landed an elbow and a few strikes. He got in a knee to the body. Ortiz slipped as Moraga feinted and he reacted, but as Moraga engaged it was Ortiz turning him around. Moraga landed several hard elbows then transitioned to a choke as he took Ortiz's back. Ortiz somehow got free and wound up on top, passing to side control with a minute and a half left. Moraga scrambled and got to his feet. They traded strikes with Moraga getting the better of the exchange. Ortiz shot in but got stuffed, but Ortiz escaped and took his back. Moraga tried to roll through and eventually got out before the horn sounded.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Moraga. Big round in response from the former title challenger. Ortiz has one hell of a chin and some great survival instincts. Comes down to this third round and it's anyone's fight.
ROUND THREE: They traded kicks early. Ortiz stepped away from a right. Both missed some punches. Moraga landed a left hook. Ortiz shot in but Moraga stuffed it and tried to set up a headlock. Ortiz got loose and up to his feet. Moraga landed a right. Ortiz ducked under a head kick. Ortiz landed a nice right. Moraga landed a hard outside leg kick. Ortiz landed a nice left. Moraga landed the outside leg kick. They traded strikes in the center. Moraga got a clinch but let it go with a knee. He landed a couple of strikes on the release. Ortiz caught a kick and landed a nice couple of punches. Ortiz pulled off a nice takedown. Timed that perfectly as Moraga stepped in. He passed to half guard and landed a couple of elbows. Ortiz passed to side control as Moraga tried for a kimura. Moraga regained half guard. Ortiz landed some short elbows but Moraga regained guard. Ortiz postured up with a couple of strikes. Moraga exploded out and got to his feet. Ortiz shot and in a back and forth scramble Ortiz clinched him from behind and landed a few knees. Moraga tried to lock on a late guillotine but ended the fight on his back.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Ortiz. Moraga was getting the better of the striking exchanges, but Ortiz scored a nice takedown and stayed active enough to edge the round. Close fight, but Ortiz should take the nod here in the slight upset.
WINNER: Moraga via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (**+) It was a good fight, but man I don't agree with that decision. Moraga clearly did more damage, but it was confined to the second round, and I really don't see how you give him the first or the third.
MAIN CARD FIGHT THREE: DEREK BRUNSON VS. YOEL ROMERO (MIDDLEWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Romero circled quickly on the outside as Brunson took the center. Brunson landed the first strike with a straight left. Romero rushed with a left then tossed in a flying knee, but neither landed flush. Brunson rushed and shot in and scored a takedown, but Romero quickly got to his feet. Brunson barely avoided a big strike. Brunson landed an overhand left. Romero blocked a couple of strikes and moved back ahead. Brunson landed a kick from the outside. Romero landed a hard body punch. Brunson rocked Romero with a head kick, but Romero stayed standing. He threw a straight kick. Romero switched stances and landed a hard kick to the body. Brunson landed a straight left. Romero ducked down briefly but Brunson shrugged off the takedown attempt. Romero landed a nice uppercut. Brunson went high with the kick again. Brunson threw a kick to the body. Brunson clinched after eating a knee but Romero dropped him. Brunson scrambled with a takedown and took Romero's back standing. He picked Romero up as Romero tried for a kimura and took him down. He kept on Romero's back but Romero got to his feet.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Brunson. Good opening round for Brunson. He did more damage on the feet surprisingly, and had a bit more success on the ground. Very good start.
ROUND TWO: Romero threw a couple of front kicks and tried to close the distance. Romero bobbed his head and tried to close the distance. Brunson backed him up with a left. Romero landed a hard punch that looked to the body, but Brunson reacted like it was a groin shot. Replay showed that was the case. Brunson was alright and Romero rushed back at him. Brunson landed a hard left. Romero dropped his hands and moved back in. Brunson went high with the kick again. He got stuffed on a shot. Romero landed a hard body combo. He got in a hard jumping knee but Brunson took it. Romero landed a combo to the body. Brunson shot in and scored a takedown into half guard. Romero threw some strikes from his back. Brunson passed to mount. Romero tried to scoot out but Brunson held position. He postured up but missed a couple of strikes. Romero escaped to half guard. He got his back to the cage briefly and tried to escape. He got out and to his feet. Romero came out swinging. He got stuffed on a shot. Romero clinched and Brunson held him to the cage. Romero landed a couple of body strikes before the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Brunson. Romero was doing more on the feet, but that takedown and mount sealed his fate for the round. He needs a third round finish here.
ROUND THREE: Romero moved forward, pressing Brunson back. Brunson landed a left. Romero connected with a body strike. Brunson shot in but was stuffed. He's very tired in this third round. Romero landed a left. Romero needs to fight with more urgency here. Brunson landed several strikes from the outside. Romero grazed him with an uppercut. He hurt him bad with a left but Brunson stayed on his feet. Brunson landed a knee and a few strikes behind. Romero rushed in with the uppercut. He landed a left again. Another combo. He hurt him again and kept the pressure on. Brunson went down and Romero stood above him landing strikes. Brunson survived as Romero threw strikes. Brunson covered up. Romero threw a ton of elbows to the body and Brunson just laid there. Brunson was an absolute mess. Not often you see a TKO on elbow strikes to the body, but Brunson was done. He was hurt badly and couldn't fight back.
WINNER: Romero via TKO at 3:23 of the third round
STAR RATING: (**+) That was a good fight. Brunson was well ahead into the third, but his gas tank didn't hold up in the final round and Romero just lit him up in that final frame. Nice to see a fighter down on the cards finish a fight in the third, though, doesn't happen often enough.
-Preview time for "TUF: Nations", which premieres tonight after this event.
MAIN CARD FIGHT FOUR: T.J. DILLASHAW VS. MIKE EASTON (BANTAMWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Easton threw a side kick to the body early. They collided with strikes close. Dillashaw landed a body kick and blocked the counter. Dillashaw landed a nice leg kick. Dillashaw landed a nice right hand. Easton avoided a couple of strikes. Dillashaw went high with a kick. Easton landed a hard body kick that knocked Dillashaw off balance. He came forward and scored a nice takedown at the cage. Easton got to guard. Dillashaw tried to posture up and Easton kicked him off. He landed a knee as Dillashaw pressed him to the cage. Dillashaw landed some strikes. They traded blows in the cage. Dillashaw landed a nice right with a knee upon separation. Dillashaw landed a solid combination. Easton got in a knee to the body. Dillashaw landed a big combination with a right to the face and a kick to the body. He landed a fantastic straight left and just barely missed an uppercut. Dillashaw went high with a kick. Dillashaw landed a jab. He continued switching stances. Dillashaw unloaded on a combination. Easton was grabbing at his eye like it got poked. Dillashaw landed another combo as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Dillashaw. Really strong start for Dillashaw. Lots of solid strikes on the feet, scored the takedown even though he couldn't do much with it, and he's just in control right now.
ROUND TWO: Dillashaw came out firing. Easton tried to throw back but it was Dillashaw getting the better of every exchange. Dillashaw landed several kicks to the body. Easton ate the head kick and shot in, but it was Dillashaw winding up on his back. Easton was cut open. Dillashaw stayed busy on top and passed to half guard. Dillashaw landed an elbow. He unloaded several more strikes. Easton tried to scramble and got to his feet. He ate a big knee from Dillashaw with a couple strikes behind it. Dillashaw landed a hard punch to the body. Easton missed a couple of kicks and Dillashaw took him down. He landed a knee to the body and tried to take his back. Easton scrambled back to half guard. Dillashaw again tried to take his back as Easton got to his feet. Dillashaw landed some knees to the legs from behind. Dillashaw continued to work. Easton tried to set up a kimura. Dillashaw continued landing knees. Easton went for the kimura but got thrown to the ground. Dillashaw landed a few strikes as Easton worked back to his feet.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Dillashaw. He's in complete control everywhere here at this stage. Easton's going to have to do something huge to avoid the loss tonight.
ROUND THREE:They exchanged strikes in the center to start. Easton landed a kick. Dillashaw landed two really nice strikes while avoiding Easton's strikes. Dillashaw landed an inside leg kick. He barely missed an uppercut. He landed a hard combination. Easton avoided a head kick. Dillashaw barely missed another big combo. Dillashaw landed a hard uppercut to the body. Dillashaw ate a body punch and threw three to the head. They traded body kicks. Easton connected on a left. Dillashaw landed a combo. He got in a straight kick to the body. Hard leg kick from Dillashaw. Dillashaw landed a superman punch. Hard uppercut. Dillashaw just picking Easton apart. Easton landed a kick to the lead leg after eating a bunch of punches. Dillashaw with several more strikes. Dillashaw with another big combination. Easton shot in but Dillashaw got out. Dillashaw threw a nice uppercut. Dillashaw with another excellent combination. Easton landed a body kick. Dillashaw with a hard body kick. He missed the head kick. Dillashaw poured it on again. Superman punch with a left hook behind it. Easton fired back, but ate more strikes. Dillashaw landed several strikes and finished strong with a few more strikes to the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Dillashaw. He just picked Easton apart, and never slowed down his output. Really excellent performance from T.J. Dillashaw tonight.
WINNER: Dillashaw via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
STAR RATING: (**+) Good fight, really good performance from Dillashaw, who just completely picked Easton apart in that fight.
MAIN CARD FIGHT FIVE: LORENZ LARKIN VS. BRAD TAVARES (MIDDLEWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Tavares came out and landed an early jab. He threw an inside leg kick. Larkin landed a nice superman punch with a left behind it. Tavares connected on an nice combination in close. Tavares landed a hard outside leg kick to the lead leg. Larkin threw a high kick which was blocked. Tavares ducked under a right. He landed a nice inside leg kick. Tavares rushed in with a short combo. He landed another nice leg kick. Tavares got in with a kick to the body and another to the leg. Tavares with a body punch. Larkin landed a hard outside leg kick. Larkin landed a hard right uppercut but Tavares took it. Tavares ducked a couple of strikes and landed a right. Larkin got through with a right. Tavares fired back with a nice counter right. Tavares landed a nice combination. Tavares took Larkin's back standing and managed to drag him to the ground, getting a hook in. He landed a couple of strikes before the horn sounded.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Tavares. He had a higher volume of strikes that round, and was the aggressor through most of it.
ROUND TWO: Tavares came out aggressive and landed a short combination. Larkin fired back a bit later with a nice combination of his own. Tavares landed a few kicks. Tavares came forward with another combination. Tavares connected on some body kicks. Larkin missed a big uppercut and Tavares countered with a left. Larkin landed a hard leg kick but got hit by a straight right. Tavares connected with a hard kick to the body. Tavares shot in for a takedown but Larkin stuffed it. Tavares completed it and took Larkin's back. He got both hooks in but Larkin held control of his wrist. Tavares landed some heel kicks to the thigh, but couldn't get his arm free to attack for the choke. Larkin reversed and got on top before the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Tavares. He's in control right now, working nicely on the feet and had back control as well.
ROUND THREE: Tavares came back out swinging. Larkin threw some strikes back but Tavares continued getting the better of exchanges. Tavares stepped in and ate an elbow from Larkin as he tried to grab a clinch. Tavares ate a strike, then tried to jump off the cage with a strike. He landed a nice side swipe strike, then a leg kick shortly after. Larkin threw a kick, then stuffed a takedown and attacked for a choke. Tavares got out but Larkin stood above him and threw some kicks to his legs before letting him up. Tavares connected on a right. He shot in but got stuffed at the cage. Larkin landed a couple of hard elbows and Tavares had to switch his approach. Larkin went back to the elbows as Tavares moved his head back. Larkin continued landing the elbows as Tavares put his arm in place. Tavares kept on it but Larkin delivered more elbows. He landed a nice uppercut as he got free. Larkin stuffed another single leg attempt. Tavares landed a jab. He shot in again and ate a couple more elbows before the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Larkin. Those elbows did a bunch of damage and clearly bothered Tavares. He edged that round, but it's too little, too late.
WINNER: Tavares via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (**) Ok fight. Larkin just didn't kick into gear, and Tavares poured on the volume in his strikes to clearly win the first two rounds. Too little too late from Larkin in the third.
MAIN EVENT FIGHT SIX: LUKE ROCKHOLD VS. COSTAS PHILIPPOU (MIDDLEWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Rockhold took to the center and stalked early. The action was a bit tentative early as Rockhold tried to walk him down. Rockhold landed a solid body kick. The crowd was a bit restless on the tentatitive start. Rockhold landed a big right hand that rocked Philippou and he closed distance to clinch. Philippou circled out. Philippou rushed in but didn't connect. Rockhold went high with a kick that got through. Philippou was cut open. He rushed in but couldn't find his target. Rockhold then landed a huge body kick that floored Philippou. He landed one more kick to the body as Philippou turtled up and referee Herb Dean called a stop to the fight. Brutal win for Rockhold. Body shot stoppages are nasty.
WINNER: Rockhold via TKO at 2:31 of the first round
STAR RATING: (**+) That's the Rockhold we didn't see against Belfort. He's that good, but just got trucked against a surging Belfort last May. He'll be back in the mix in short order.
-That's the card for tonight, thanks for joining us here! We'll have live coverage Saturday night of WSOF 8, and next week brings UFC on Fox 10. UFC 169 is the week after, so things are certainly not slowing down in the world of MMA!
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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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