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UFC 171 LIVE RESULTS: Penick's round by round report for "Hendricks vs. Lawler" event
Mar 15, 2014 - 11:45:15 PM UFC 171 LIVE RESULTS: Penick's round by round report for "Hendricks vs. Lawler" event

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

UFC 171: HENDRICKS VS. LAWLER
MARCH 15, 2014
LIVE FROM DALLAS, TEXAS

=====UFC Fight Pass Prelims Quick Results=====

-Robert Whiteford def. Daniel Pineda via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
-Sean Strickland def. Bubba McDaniel via submission (rear naked choke) at 4:33 of the first round
-Justin Scoggins def. Will Campuzano via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
-Francisco Trevino def. Renee Forte via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

=====Fox Sports 2 Prelims=====

-Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan open up the broadcast running down the drama of Friday's weigh-ins, and then it's quick to setting up the first fight of this broadcast.

PRELIM FIGHT ONE: SEAN SPENCER VS. ALEX GARCIA (WELTERWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Spencer moved ahead early and threw out a few jabs. Garcia stepped in with a couple of combinations. Garcia shot in and scored a quick takedown. He landed a hard right hand and then tried to take Spencer's back. He dragged him down to the ground as Spencer tried to escape. Spencer got to his feet on the cage. Spencer landed a knee to the body and got separation. Garcia landed a nice right hand. Spencer popped in with a left. Garcia landed a hard right hand. Garcia threw a nice high kick but Spencer absorbed it. Garcia landed a two punch combo and scored another takedown. He landed a few strikes but Spencer got to his feet again. Garcia landed a couple of uppercuts and backed away. Garcia threw a superman punch. Garcia landed a few more strikes while Spencer missed. Spencer tried to get in with a jumping knee before the horn.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Garcia. Strong opening round. He landed several combinations, scored a few takedowns, and just generally controlled that round.

ROUND TWO: Spencer came straight ahead again. Garcia landed a hard left. He barely missed a big uppercut. Spencer got in a couple of jabs. Garcia fired back. Spencer landed a front kick and Garcia popped back in. Spencer connected on a left. He landed a body kick with a left behind it. Spencer landed a body kick. Garcia ducked under a punch and scored a takedown. He pulled Spencer back from the cage, but Spencer worked to his feet. Garcia landed a big strike on the exit. Spencer landed a hard right hand and then a head kick and Garcia was hurt. Spencer came after him but Garcia recovered. Garcia then flattened Spencer with a strike and landed several more as Spencer recovered. Both got rocked in that sequence. Nuts. Garcia then scored a takedown, but Spencer reversed and they stood. Garcia landed a right hand and they clinched. They separated and Spencer landed a right. Garcia landed another right hand. He missed a huge uppercut. Garcia landed a left. He landed a big uppercut and another right behind it. Garcia scored another takedown. He got into half guard and tried to work. Spencer escaped and they got to their feet. Spencer landed another hard right. Garcia took a knee and shot in. Spencer held it off to the horn.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Garcia. That was just a nutty round. Garcia got hurt first, but he hurt Spencer again himself. He also scored several takedowns, and in a close round with damage from both he gets a slight edge.

ROUND THREE: Spencer ran forward again to start the round but didn't land anything flush. Garcia tossed out a few strikes. Spencer landed a kick. Garcia landed a hard left. He got in a solid kick to the body. Garcia landed a hard right hand. Garcia moved forward and landed a right. Garcia threw the overhand right. He landed a short uppercut. Spencer's lead leg was bothering him after a checked kick. Garcia scored a good takedown. Garcia stood and landed a right hand as he dropped back into guard. Spencer moved back to the cage and got to his feet. He landed two left hooks on the break. He came in with a couple of solid strikes. Garcia landed a jab. Garcia scored another good takedown. He transitioned to the back and then turned it to the mount. He lost position and Spencer got to his feet. Garcia landed a right and shot in, but this time got stuffed. Spencer landed a knee to the body. Garcia landed a left. Garcia landed another left. Spencer got in a kick to the body. They each missed strikes. Spencer missed a spinning elbow and landed a body kick at the horn.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Garcia. Closer round, and Spencer had a bit more offense on the feet, but it was even enough that the takedowns again were the difference.

WINNER: Garcia via unanimous decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

STAR RATING: (***-) The second round was fantastic, with both guys landing big strikes that hurt one another in an absolutely wild round. The other two dragged it down from there, but that round was excellent. Two of the judges got it right here, I don't see how you can give anything but the second round to Spencer, and even then it's questionable.


PRELIM FIGHT TWO: DENNIS BERMUDEZ VS. JIMY HETTES (FEATHERWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Bermudez opened up the offense with a right hand. Hettes covered up. Bermudez tossed out some short kicks and punches. Hettes clinched and Bermudez powered him to the cage. They jockeyed for position with Hettes landed a few knees to the body. They traded knees. Hettes scored a takedown but Bermudez popped up. Bermudez missed a big strike on a break and then nearly scored his own takedown. They continued working in the clinch. Bermudez secured a takedown. Hettes worked to his feet and ate a few inside leg kicks. Hettes landed a punch and a big knee behind it, then got slammed. Bermudez nearly tripped him up again, then lifted him and dropped him. They continued working in close and Hettes nearly pulled off a nice trip. More clinch battling as they each tried to gain an edge. Hettes tried a trip but got stuffed. Bermudez landed a few strikes in close. Bermudez landed a nice right to the body. He got in a knee to the body. Hettes landed a knee. Bermudez then pulled off a nice takedown to side control, though Hettes quickly got to guard. Bermudez landed a hard elbow. Hettes defended pretty well off his back, but Bermudez continued trying to open him up. Hettes got to his feet. Bermudez landed a knee to the body. Hettes tried to score a takedown and got stuffed, then Bermudez grabbed a choke that he held to the horn.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Bermudez. He's doing a great job mixing things up, landing better strikes on the feet and having more success in the grappling. Good start.

ROUND TWO: Bermudez closed the distance early and grabbed a clinch. He landed a strike on the break, then a knee and a few punches before driving Hettes right back to the cage. Bermudez scored a brief takedown but Hettes popped up. Hettes landed a knee in the clinch. Bermudez drove forward in the clinch and they traded knees and punches. Hettes held off a couple of attempts. Hettes got in a knee and they jockeyed for position in the clinch. Bermudez threw him to the ground and landed a few strikes. He landed a knee as Hettes got back up. Bermudez landed a hard right and Hettes went down. He pounced and tried to finish but Hettes covered up and tried to get back into it. Hettes pulled it back to half guard. Bermudez stacked him up at the cage and landed a few strikes. Hettes escaped and got back to his feet. The action was halted to give Hettes his mouthpiece back. Bermudez threw a right and shot in, scoring another takedown. Hettes rolled out and grabbed Bermudez's back standing in a scramble. Bermudez tried to throw him, but wound up with Hettes on his back throwing strikes. Hettes got on a body lock and tried to find an opening. Bermudez covered up and defended. He escaped just before the horn sounded.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Bermudez. He's dominating the action here and nearly had the fight finished that round.

ROUND THREE: They had an early grappling exchange once again. Hettes landed a couple of strikes. Bermudez hurt Hettes again and Hettes went down. Bermudez popped into his guard, but it gave Hettes time to recover. Bermudez stood up and ate an upkick. Hettes tried to throw his legs up for something, but Bermudez smothered him. Bermudez stacked him up and landed a few strikes. He backed up and made Hettes stand. Bermudez started landing big strikes. He then landed a big knee that sent Hettes down and the ref stepped in.

WINNER: Bermudez via TKO at 2:57

STAR RATING: (**+) One-sided performance, and a very good one at that from Bermudez. Hettes tried to just survive but he was getting lit up from the outset. Very nice win for Bermudez, who now has six straight.


PRELIM FIGHT THREE: JESSICA ANDRADE VS. RAQUEL PENNINGTONG (WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Andrade moved in aggressively early, but Pennington stuffed her and landed a knee to the body. Andrade pressed her to the cage after a few body strikes. Pennington tried to set up a guillotine, but Andrade tried to defend. That allowed Pennington to turn her around. She landed a nice knee to the body, ate a couple of body strikes, then added another hard knee. Andrade then pulled off a nice throw right into half guard. Pennington got her into her guard. Andrade picked her up and slammed her to the cage, but Pennington got to her feet. Andrade pulled off another nice throw right into half guard. Andrade landed some body strikes and tried to trap Pennington's left arm. Pennington got her arm free and continued defending well. Pennington got to her butterfly guard and tried to kick her off. Andrade landed a right and Pennington shot up for an armbar. Andrade exploded out to escape right into side control. Andrade tried to pull guard for a choke, but Pennington escaped and got to her feet. Andrade nearly got her back down before the horn.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Andrade. Nice grappling battle that round. Andrade has a clear edge there, but Pennington's defense was solid and she stayed mostly out of danger.

ROUND TWO: Pennington landed a few early strikes, then Andrade unleashed a flurry into a clinch. Pennington landed a strike but Andrade pressed her back to the cage. Pennington covered up and escaped, throwing a few strikes of her own. Pennington landed a nice left, but Andrade shot in and scored a takedown. Pennington held on as Andrade lifted her up and planted her feet down to separate. Pennington landed a leg kick and a short combo. Andrade threw a side kick to the body. Pennington threw a few strikes as Andrade covered up. Andrade landed a hard leg kick. Pennington landed a nice uppercut, but Andrade landed back in a flurry. Pennington got a brief Thai clinch and landed some knees. Andrade got loose and Pennington blocked a few punches. Pennington landed a hard leg kick. Andrade got strikes in to the body. Andrade landed a hard leg kick and a flurry at the cage. Pennington fired back and they each landed strikes in that exchange. Andrade shot in and Pennington stuffed it, landing a knee to the body at the cage. Pennington got in a knee to the body. She separated and landed two nice strikes. She got a leg kick inside. Andrade landed a right, but missed a few. Pennington fired back with a few. Andraded continued moving forward. Pennington backed up, but countered well as well. Andrade missed several, but landed with some. Pennington landed a knee to the body, then scored a standing guillotine and tried to stop the fight. She tried to pull guard but Andrade got loose. Andrade then tried to jump up into the choke as the horn sounded. Crazy and really fun round.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Andrade. This could be Pennington's round as well, as she was landing a lot of counter strikes and clinch strikes, but Andrade was the aggressor and landed the heavier blows in that round. Fun fight here.

ROUND THREE: Andrade again moved in as the aggressor. Pennington got backed up again but blocked a few strikes and landed some nice counters. Andrade continued moving forward. They traded leg kicks. Andrade gave Pennington no space and they traded strikes again. Pennington landed a knee. Andrade got in a few strikes and Pennington circled out. Pennington landed a right. Pennington landed a two punch combo. Andrade drove her back again and Pennington fired back. Andrade landed a few strikes. Pennington stayed busy with her counter strikes despite backing up. Andrade got in a flurry but Pennington fired back. Pennington got in a nice knee to the body with a right hand behind it. Andrade continued throwing wildly, but she wasn't connecting on a lot. Pennington turned her around and landed a few. She got in some knees in the Thai clinch again. Pennington landed a right. She stuffed her again and landed a knee to the body. She got in an elbow and then a right hand behind it on the break. Andrade continued moving in and landed a big flurry on the cage. Pennington went back to the clinch and tried to take Andrade's back standing. Andrade tried to escape but Pennington got her down briefly. She landed some strikes and took Andrade's back. Andrade stood but got slammed. Pennington landed a few more and Andrade worked to her feet. Andrade held the cage to hodl on. Pennington let it go and landed a huge flurry at the end of the round.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Pennington. Huge final round. She blocked a lot of Andrade's offense and then really picked up her own in that final minute. Great fight.

WINNER: Andrade via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

STAR RATING: (***) Really good fight, and all of those scores are acceptable. Pennington had a case for that second round, and it was just action packed with a lot of entertaining exchanges there. Pennington held her own and did a great job blocking and counter striking the second half of that fight, it just wasn't quite enough.


PRELIM FIGHT FOUR: KELVIN GASTELUM VS. RICK STORY (WELTERWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Story came out aggressively and landed a few strikes early. Gastelum backed him off with a few hard jabs. That actually opened Story up on his left cheek. Story landed a hard right uppercut to the body. Gastelum landed a couple of straight left hands. They traded strikes as they continued trying to find an opening. Story missed a few strikes. He landed a few in combination and Gastelum connected. Gastelum landed a hard left. Gastelum hurt Story badly with a head kick and got on top as Story tried to scramble to defend. He grabbed a hold of Gastelum and survived. Story tried to escape and he managed to get to his feet in a scramble. Gastelum landed a right. After a short exchange, Gastelum grabbed a headlock. Story got loose. Gastelum landed a hard strike but Story took it on the chin and kept moving. Gastelum landed a leg kick. Story got in a leg kick. Gastelum landed a left before the horn.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-8 Gastelum. Huge knockdown with some other big exchanges adds up to a big first round for the 22-year-old.

ROUND TWO: Story landed some early flurries. Gastelum popped him back with a jab. Story landed a left. Gastelum got inside with a leg kick. He cracked Story with a couple of jabs. Story landed a punch to the body. Gastelum landed a leg kick. Gastelum landed a hard two punch combo and Story was hurt. Story shook it off quick though. Story caught a kick and landed a strike to the body. Story got in a kick to the body. Gastelum got in a punch but missed the follow up. They traded punches in the center. Story barely missed a big left hook. Gastelum looked like he was slowing down significantly. They threw a few wild flurries, but neither was landing much. Gastelum then got in with a few strikes. He landed a couple more. Story threw back a couple. Gastelum landed some more hard jabs. Gastelum landed a nice two-punch combo. He landed a hard leg kick to the outside. Story gave one back. Story rocked Gastelum with a big left hand. They started trading big shots and Story dropped Gastelum with a left hook! Story tried to finish but Gastelum held on to the horn.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Story. He stole the round back as Gastelum was well ahead. Huge left hook, then a big strike to drop him late.

ROUND THREE: Story came out more aggressive given how the last round ended. He moved away from a jab and barely missed a big counter. They exchanges some strikes in the center early. Gastelum landed a few strikes. Story got in a couple of kicks. Gastelum came back with the left. Story shot in and Gastelum stuffed it. Gastelum turned him around in the clinch. They then separated with three minutes left. Gastelum hurt Story with a few strikes but Story was firing back. Gastelum then shot in and scored a takedown. Gastelum nearly took his back, but Story escaped and took positional control. He took Gastelum's back and got both hooks in. Story tried to set up for a rear naked choke but Gastelum defended well. Story threw some heel strikes to the thigh. Gastelum tried to loosen Story's hold, but Story held position. Gastelum spun out and got on top. He grabbed a front choke but Story got to his feet. They traded strikes. Story landed a hard kick to the body. Gastelum hurt story with a left. Story returned fire with a few strikes before the horn.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-10. That round is so hard to give clearly to one over the other. Story got the positional control on the back, but he got hurt badly in the waning seconds. They each had a lot of good strikes in the round as well. So close, that's a draw for me.

WINNER: Gastelum via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)

STAR RATING: (***) Another really good fight on this card, but that 30-27 Gastelum score is ridiculous. He nearly got finished at the end of the second round. Give him the third, I can at least see the argument, but not the second, at all. Awful card.

=====Pay-Per-View Main Card=====

-Goldy and Rogan discussed tonight's main card with the PPV audience before throwing to our first fight of this broadcast.

PPV FIGHT ONE: OVINCE ST. PREUX VS. NIKITA KRYLOV (LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Krylov moved forward early and threw out some kicks, but St. Preux circled out. St. Preux threw a kick and scored a quick takedown right into side control. Krylov tried to get to a better position, but St. Preux tried to hold control. He pressed his shoulder down and cut off Krylov's airway, working for the Von Flue choke, and Krylov went unconscious. Well then. That happened.

WINNER: St. Preux via technical submission (Von Flue choke) at 1:29 of the first round

STAR RATING: (**) Yeah, St. Preux did what he was expected to do here. Krylov had nothing for him.


PPV FIGHT TWO: HECTOR LOMBARD VS. JAKE SHIELDS (WELTERWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Shields pawed out a jab. Lombard clinched and just tossed him to the ground, landing a few strikes before he stood up. Lombard knocked him off balance with a left as Shields threw a kick. He let him stand. Lombard landed a big combination and Shields tried to hold the clinch tight. Lombard pressed him away. Shields has a hell of a chin. Lombard landed a couple of short strikes. Shields got in a kick to the body. Shields ducked under a strike and shot in but Lombard stuffed it. Lombard landed a body strike. Things stalled briefly. Lombard landed a big right as he separated and Shields was cut open by the left eye. Shields shot in and Lombard sprawled. Lombard stuffed another shot and tossed him down. Shields covered up and got to his feet. Shields was bothered by the blood and wiped at it. Shields pawed out a few jabs. Lombard landed a left. Lombard stuffed another takedown and landed a big flurry. Shields was hurt badly and Shields pulled guard and held on tight. He held on to ride out the round to the horn.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-8 Lombard. Shields is in rough shape here. Lombard hits a lot harder, and Shields can't do much but survive until Lombard tires out here.

ROUND TWO: Shields threw out a high kick to the body. He avoided a big flurry most of the way. Lombard landed a hard strike and Shields covered up. Lombard just tripped him down to the ground and got right into side control. Shields got it back to guard and put on a body triangle from his back. They were stood up half way through the round. The crowd booed as things slowed down in a big way. Lombard landed a right and sprawled as Shields dove in. He landed a right hand. Shields tried to pull guard and landed an upkick. He got to his feet as Lombard held off. Shields landed a kick to the body. The crowd got a little restless again. Shields clinched again, and Lombard just threw him down hard in a fantastic judo move. He got right into side control, but didn't do much as Shields quickly got into guard. He survived another round.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Lombard. He slowed down badly, but Shields still had nothing for him. Shields has to somehow stop this fight to win, and that's not likely to happen here.

ROUND THREE: Shields came out throwing kicks to the body in succession. Lombard caught one and rushed in with a right hand, but Shields got away from it. Shields pawed in with a couple of strikes. Lombard landed a low blow and the action was halted. Shields shot in but it was he who was taken down once again. Shields just held his closed guard as Lombard landed some body strikes. They were stood up again. They quickly hit the ground and Shields tried to sit up. Lombard just held him down. The crowd booed and they were stood up once again. Neither did much of anything as the clock was winding down. Lombard shot in but Shields went for a guillotine and locked it on as the fight was closing, but the horn sounded. Not enough time for that.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Lombard. Shields perhaps stole it for one of the judges off that guillotine attempt, but that devolved into a very bad fight after a good opening three minutes from Lombard.

WINNER: Lombard via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

STAR RATING: (*+) The first round saw Lombard nearly finish the fight with several flurries that had Shields hurt badly. Then just about nothing happened the rest of the way. Ugly stuff that didn't put Lombard ahead of anyone in for a title fight.


PPV FIGHT THREE: DIEGO SANCHEZ VS. MYLES JURY (LIGHTWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Sanchez threw an early side kick. Jury hit him with a hard right hand and Sanchez tried to egg him on into a firefight. Sanchez popped in a bit later with a right hand and clinched. Jury held him off in the clinch as Sanchez threw some knees to the thighs. Jury got loose. They traded jabs. Sanchez got in a body strike and Jury fired back. Jury landed a leg kick. Sanchez tried to taunt him and Jury landed a few strikes as Sanchez missed. Jury landed a jab. Sanchez missed a jumping kick. He landed a kick to the body. Jury landed a really nice counter right. Jury got in with a head kick but Sanchez caught it briefly. Sanchez tried to walk him down. Jury landed another hard right hand. Jury ducked down and scored a takedown. Sanchez tried to escape. He grabbed a leg but Jury got out and took his back. He landed a couple of strikes as Sanchez briefly got to his feet. Jury stayed on him to the horn.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Jury. Good first round for Jury. Sanchez is swinging wildly, but not landing much, while Jury's connecting on counters nicely.

ROUND TWO: Sanchez ran to the center and they went to work. Jury landed a few leg kicks. Sanchez threw a flurry of strikes but didn't really connect flush. Jury landed a hard right and Sanchez immediately grabbed at his eye. That one hurt him and he was cut open. He tried to rush in and he scored with a right hand. Jury landed a right. He backed away as Sanchez tried to rush him and landed another right. Jury landed a two punch combo and circled away. Sanchez missed a few more strikes. Jury landed a left. Sanchez missed more wildly thrown strikes. Jury landed a few leg kicks. Jury landed a left. Sanchez got inside with a leg kick. Jury landed a left. Jury landed a hard right hand, then ducked in for a takedown. Sanchez tried to lock on a guillotine choke. He had it set up, but Jury seemed ok. He gave the ref a thumbs up and finally popped out. He landed a big elbow and held onto Sanchez as Sanchez tried to escape. Sanchez rolled out and Jury landed two big strikes on him. Sanchez moved in and had a couple strikes blocked before the horn.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Jury. He's fighting a really good fight against Sanchez right now, and hopefully these judges are seeing that he's landing a ton while Sanchez is missing almost everything.

ROUND THREE: Sanchez rushed in with a flurry in the opening minute, but only landed on a couple of the strikes. Jury popped in with a head kick after avoiding some more damage. Sanchez got in a body kick. Jury landed a hard left after Sanchez got in a body kick. The action was a lot more tentative as the round wore on. They clinched in the center and Jury pressed Sanchez to the cage. He ducked down but Sanchez held him off and separated. Jury landed a grazing left. Jury landed a jumping knee with a punch behind it. Jury ducked under a strike and scored a takedown with a minute left. Sanchez landed an elbow from his back. Jury dropped into his guard after taking an upkick to the body. Sanchez tried to attack from this back, but Jury held it off. He postured up for a few strikes. Sanchez went for an armbar but Jury got out. Sanchez pulled guard with a guillotine off a scramble at the horn.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Jury. Closer than the other two, but Sanchez still wasn't actually landing much offensively at all. Should be Jury's fight clearly.

WINNER: Jury via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

STAR RATING: (**) There wasn't a ton to that fight. Jury played the counter game well, tossed in a few takedowns when he needed to throw in some takedowns, and he avoided Sanchez's offense through much of it.


PPV FIGHT FOUR: CARLOS CONDIT VS. TYRON WOODLEY (WELTERWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Woodley stood back as Condit took the center. Woodley landed a big right hand that sent Condit backing away. He landed another right hand as Condit threw a kick. Woodley landed more as Condit tried to get in close for a clinch. Very good opening minute for Woodley. Condit threw a spinning kick to the body and Woodley shot in. Condit held him in the clinch. Condit landed some body strikes. He got in a knee to the body. Woodley landed an elbow in close. Condit turned him around and landed some knees. They traded knees to the body. Woodley kept Condit in the clinch and landed a nice uppercut. They finally separated with two minutes left in the round. Condit landed a hard left. Condit got in with a high kick. Condit landed a short flurry but Woodley took him down. Condit tried to grab wrist control to set up a triangle. He got on the triangle but Woodley lifted him up and threw him off and Condit got to his feet. Woodley landed a right and Condit fired back. Condit missed a kick and Woodley took him down. Condit went for the triangle again, but Woodley stood up and got out. Condit landed a two-punch combo. Woodley landed a spinning elbow and Condit scored with a few strikes at the horn.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Woodley. Condit didn't do quite enough there to steal it, but he was more active on the ground and started taking over late.

ROUND TWO: Condit came straight ahead and landed a kick. He went high with a kick that was blocked. He landed another kick. Woodley backed him up with an overhand right. Condit landed a strike and Woodley took him down. Woodley was in his guard and Condit tried to work from his back. Woodley wasn't doing anything and they got stood up. Condit closed distance and landed a right. Woodley landed a kick and Condit's right knee buckled as he spun around and he went down in pain. This fight's going to end by injury. That's just... that is horrible.

WINNER: Woodley via TKO (injury) at 2:00 of the second round

STAR RATING: (n/a) That's just an awful way for that fight to end. It doesn't do anything to say Woodley's the better fighter, which is unfortunate because an impressive win here could have gotten him a title fight. That's a freak injury because his knee blew out. It's horrible for Condit because he's out a year now, easy, and it doesn't give Woodley his clear impressive win to stake a claim for that title fight.


MAIN EVENT FIGHT FIVE: JOHNY HENDRICKS VS. ROBBIE LAWLER (WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP)

ROUND ONE: Hendricks landed an opening leg kick to the lead leg. Lawler caught a kick and swarmed with a flurry at the cage. He got in a knee and backed out. Hendricks took those shots well. Hendricks landed another kick in the center. The crowd chanted for Hendricks. He landed a left but Lawler smiled. Hendricks closed distance but ate a left hand as he came in for the clinch. Lawler did a good job holding Hendricks in that position and not taking much damage. Hendricks backed off with a left hand. Lawler tossed out a couple of strikes. Hendricks shot in and Lawler stuffed it to the cage. Hendricks got in a good knee to the body and backed out with a left. Hendricks landed a hard kick to the outside again. Lawler landed a right. They pawed out some mid-power strikes. Hendricks just missed the overhand left. Hendricks landed a good combination. Lawler landed a nice jab. Lawler just missed an over hand left of his own. Hendricks avoided a two punch combo. They traded strikes. Hendricks landed the left and followed up with a couple more to close in for a shot, but Lawler again stuffed it at the cage. Hendricks landed a left in close and a knee to the thigh. The round closed in the clinch.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Hendricks. He was more active overall and landed more strikes. Lawler's takedown defense was good, though, and he landed a couple of solid strikes.

ROUND TWO: Lawler came out pawing out strikes and he landed a couple of left hands early. Hendricks tried to stalk but Lawler landed a good body kick and circled out. Lawler landed a left. He got in again with the left, tossing out the jab behind it. Hendricks rushed in and they traded punches, with Lawler getting the better of that. Lawler landed a good combination. Hendricks fired back and got in a leg kick behind it. Lawler covered up as Hendricks tossed in some strikes. Lawler missed an uppercut. Hendricks got in a short combo and ended with a knee. Nice combination. Hendricks connected on another combination and Lawler was affected by the exchanges. Lawler landed a good left. He barely missed another one. Hendricks continued to throw in bunches and it was throwing off Lawler's rhythm. Lawler landed a big right hand. Hendricks popped in with the left hand. Lawler fired back. Hendricks shot in but Lawler stuffed it. Lawler tried to walk through a few strikes but ate a hard knee. Hendricks landed a short combo. Lawler tried to close the distance but kept getting tagged as he stood in front of Hendricks. Hendricks stayed active, landing at high volume. Hendricks tried to keep him at bay with jabs. Lawler barely missed a strike he got in with a kick and a left. Hendricks landed a big flurry of strikes as Lawler covered up, then Lawler landed a big left at the horn. Lawler's leg was bruised and battered at the end of the round.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Hendricks. He's working fantastically with volume punches, but Lawler does still have power here if he can get in and land.

ROUND THREE: Lawler came out swinging with a right hand. He threw a kick. Hendricks tossed out a torrent of punches and kicks. Hendricks got in a big knee. Lawler landed a hard leg kick of his own. Lawler pawed out the jab. He landed a right hook. He went back to the kick as Hendricks landed a left. Hendricks again landed a flurry with punches, kicks, and knees in combination. When he starts throwing he's not letting up. Hendricks got in with two left hands in succession. Lawler landed a jab. He got over the top. They traded strikes in a big exchange. Lawler landed an elbow. He landed a big strike and hurt Hendricks. Lawler landed a big knee and tried to stay on him. Lawler landed a big left and kept Hendricks on the ropes. Big combination from Lawler. Hendricks was hurt. Lawler kept pressure on and landed another left. Lawler landed a big uppercut and a right hand. Hendricks shot in and Lawler stuffed it. Hendricks' nose was likely broken. Lawler pawed out the jab. Hendricks tossed out some more strikes. Lawler landed a big combination. He landed a left. Handricks missed a knee. Lawler kept on him but Hendricks fired back. Lawler landed a few short strikes but missed the power punch. Hendricks got in with a few strikes. Lawler hit him with a left. Hendricks landed a combo. Hendricks pawed out the jab to the horn.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Lawler. Ladies and gentlemen, we've got a fight here. Hendricks was hurt bad, but Lawler couldn't put him away there. He needs to hope he has energy to come back to try to even things up in this fourth round.

ROUND FOUR: Lawler came out firing and pressed Hendricks to the cage. He landed a couple of strikes and Hendricks fired back. Lawler landed the left and Hendricks returned fire. Lawler landed a big left. He landed a knee to the face. Lawler landed another combination. He drove him to the cage and landed a flurry. Hendricks pressed back at him with several strikes. Lawler landed a jab. Hendricks was getting busted open. Lawler landed a big flurry. Hendricks tried to press back and then got caught by another big left. Hendricks shot in and got stuffed. Lawler with another flurry. Lawler with a big hook at the cage. Hendricks landed a couple of jabs. Hendricks was busted open bad on his right eye. Lawler landed a left. Hendricks was bleeding profusely but kept firing. They traded punches in the center. Lawler landed a big combination. Hendricks got in a knee to the body. Lawler got in a left. Lawler got the Thai clinch and delivered a knee. Hendricks got in a leg kick. Lawler rocked Hendricks with an uppercut. Hendricks fired back with a combination. Lawler landed a few strikes. Lawler continued pressing the pace. They traded strikes again. Hendricks' right eye was a mess. Lawler landed another short combo. Lawler pawed out the jab. Again. He landed the left. Hendricks landed a hard leg kick. Hendricks shot in and scored a takedown with ten seconds left. Lawler worked to a knee quickly and the horn sounded.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Lawler. He beat up Hendricks badly that round, though Hendricks fired back strikes as well. This is nuts. This fight is incredible right now.

ROUND FIVE: They traded punches early, with Hendricks coming out the aggressor here. Lawler landed a big left hook. He circled out as Hendricks tried to close distance. Lawler landed a huge left. Hendricks shot in and Lawler stuffed it. Hendricks stayed on the attempt and landed a few knees to the leg. Things stalled as Hendricks stayed on the attempt. Lawler held it off, though, and they were separated. Lawler landed a jab. Hendricks missed a few punches but landed a hard leg kick. Lawler landed a combination. Hendricks fired back. Hendricks shot and Lawler sprawled. Lawler landed a couple of strikes. He pressed in. Lawler landed a combo. He landed a hard right hook. He rocked Hendricks with a right. Hendricks fired back. Hendricks landed a big left, then another. Hendricks landed an uppercut. Lawler fired another left. Hendricks with a left. Hendricks landed another hard left and a kick behind it. He landed a big combo on the cage and scored a takedown with a minute left. That could seal it if Lawler can't get up. Lawler tried to get to his feet, but Hendricks dragged him back. Hendricks landed a couple of strikes and Lawler fired from his back. This is going to be a close one, as rounds one and two weren't blowouts.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Hendricks. They both landed big strikes that round, but Hendricks is going to take it with that final takedown. Lawler could still have won one of the first two rounds, though. This is going to be close. Great fight, though.

WINNER: Hendricks via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)

STAR RATING: (****+) That was an incredible fight. Simply incredible. A finish in that fifth round might have made it a perfect title Both of them put everything into that fight; both were hurt badly and obviously hurt each other badly in kind. Robbie Lawler put together one hell of a performance in a loss, and given the lack of clear challengers in the division right now, a rematch isn't out of the question, as he had a case for 48-47 himself. That's my “Fight of the Year” front-runner right now, besting last night's Daniel Straus-Pat Curran rematch (which was also fantastic).