-Dustin Ortiz def. Ray Borg via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
=====Fox Sports 1 Prelims=====
-After a brief opening up at the desk in arena, they threw to Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan cageside to talk about what was coming up tonight. After an intriguing Fight Pass prelim card, hopefully the rest of the event follows suit!
PRELIM FIGHT ONE: JORDAN MEIN VS. HERNANI PERPETUO (WELTERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Both fighters started very tentatively. Mein tossed out some leg kicks, but neither did much through the first minute and a half. Mein shot in and scored a takedown two minutes in and threw down some ground and pound. Perpetuo covered his face, but Mein started beating him up to the body and then landed some shots to the head. He stood up and then ducked back down with a right hand. Mein stepped over to half guard and landed a few strikes. He sat up and scored a few more strikes. Perpetuo pulled off a really nice sweep to fet back to his feet. Mein feigned a shot and landed a nice knee to the face with a strike behind. Mein stayed patient and stalked, avoiding Perpetuo's attempts. Perpetuo shot in but didn't get to him before the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Mein. Some moments of excellence from Mein on the ground, but he was real tentative in the striking exchanges.
ROUND TWO: More tentative action to start this one. Very little offense being thrown out as Mein stalks. He landed a couple of hard leg kicks. Mein threw a combination but Perpetuo covered up. The crowd was getting restless and Mein finally shot in and scored a takedown. Perpetuo quickly got to his feet. Mein scored a strike before the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Mein. Little happening, but Perpetuo didn't do much.
ROUND THREE: Perpetuo came out aggressively, he got cracked by a strike and bled from the side of his head. Mein shot in and scored another takedown. Perpetuo scrambled and grabbed a leg lock. He grabbed a knee bar and tried to wrench it. Mein tried to defend and got the leg out and took Perpetuo's back in the process, but Perpetuo transitioned into him and took top position. Mein got to guard, then broke out and got to his feet. Mein stepped in with an elbow. Perpetuo dropped his hands trying to goad Mein into a brawl. Mein landed a left. Pepetuo landed a hard right. He landed a hard combination. They exchanged strikes. Mein shot in and went for a takedown. Perpetou tried for an inverted triangle as the round wound down. Not a good fight.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Perpetuo. Not sure what was up with Mein tonight. He's going to win the decision most likely here, but it was such a lackluster performance start to finish and Perpetuo had a strong third.
WINNER: Mein via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (*+) Just an odd fight. Mein played it mostly safe, but that almost cost him in the third round. Regardless, he clearly won the first two rounds, so one judge giving two rounds to Perpetuo is ridiculous.
PRELIM FIGHT TWO: CAIO MAGALHAES VS. LUKE ZACHRICH (MIDDLEWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Zachrich pressed in early. Magalhaes swung wildly. He hurt Zachrich in an exchange but Zachrich gained his bearings and came back. Magalhaes hurt him with a flurry again. One of the knees in a flurry hit Zachrich low but John McCarthy missed it and Magalhaes continued delivering punishment until McCarthy stopped the fight.
WINNER: Magalhaes via TKO at :44 of the first round
STAR RATING: (**) Not much to that one there. Magalhaes simply overwhelmed an overmatched fighter and scored a stoppage win with relentless offense. Despite a possibly missed low-blow, good win for Magalhaes.
PRELIM FIGHT THREE: ESTEVAN PAYAN VS. ALEX WHITE (FEATHERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Payan opened up with a hard kick to the gut. He caught a kick and landed a strike. White landed a body punch. Payan tossed out a couple of strikes. White missed a spinning back fist but landed a kick behind it. They traded strikes. White landed a left. He knocked Payan down in a flurry, then landed a series of strikes on the ground that forced the ref to step in. Payan complained about the stoppage, but he got woken up after getting knocked unconscious in that series of strikes on the cage.
WINNER: White via TKO at 1:28 of the first round
STAR RATING: (**+) Nice debut from White. Payan opened with a good kick to the body, but that was about the only effective offense he'd get in. White did a really good job pressuring, and finally scored the knockdown with a huge flurry of strikes on the ground behind it. Nice finish.
-With time to kill on the prelims, they highlight tonight's co-main event between Miesha Tate and Liz Carmouche.
PRELIM FIGHT FOUR: JORGE MASVIDAL VS. PAT HEALY (LIGHTWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Masvidal closed distance immediately and threw some side kicks to the lead leg. They traded some strikes. Masvidal landed a hard right hand as Healy tried to close the distance. Masvidal continued to work the jab as Healy moved in. Masvidal landed a hard body kick. Healy connected with a short left hand. Masvidal landed a couple of strikes. Healy landed a hard right and shot in. Masvidal tried to grab a headlock. Healy briefly got him to the ground. Masvidal got up and defended. They traded strikes and Masvidal got loose. He threw a few strikes. Masvidal landed a hard kick to the body. He connected on a right hand. Masvidal threw an excellent jumping knee and held off a shot. He went for a choke, but Healy got out and got to his feet. He landed a strike before the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Masvidal. He was a lot more effective overall in that round. Strong start.
ROUND TWO: Healy came out aggressively, scored a couple of strikes, and shot in. Masvidal held him off. He got in a couple of elbows as Healy stayed on the takedown attempt. Healy landed a body punch after briefly backing out. Masvidal backed off with a couple of strikes. Masvidal landed a solid right hand. He connected on a jab. They traded strikes. Healy shot in for a single leg but got stuffed. Masvidal turned him around on the cage. He separated and avoided a strike. Masvidal landed a nice left. Masvidal threw a spinning wheel kick that landed, but Healy took it. Masvidal landed a few strikes behind that as well. Healy shot in at him and scored a brief takedown, but Masvidal was immediately to his feet. Healy landed a few knees. Masvidal went for a front choke and used that for separation. He landed a few strikes. Healy missed a couple of strikes and clinched. Masvidal landed a knee and turned him around just before the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Masvidal. The judges might give that to Healy erroneously, but again it's Masvidal who is the more effective overall of the two.
ROUND THREE: Masvidal landed a series of strikes as Healy moved forward. Healy clinched but Masvidal turned him around. Masvidal got free and landed a head kick. He got in a body kick. Masvidal landed a couple of punches and moved in to clinch, but Masvidal turned him around. Healy got a body lock and scored a takedown, but Masvidal reversed and wound up on top. Healy scooted to the fence and ate a couple of strikes. Healy managed his way to his feet, but Masvidal scored a double leg takedown. Masvidal got a hook in but Healy stood and he let it go. Healy tried to roll through and he shot for his own takedown. Masvidal landed some elbows and backed him off. They continued the clinch battle for a bit before separating just prior to the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Masvidal. He's at risk of losing a bad decision with poor judging, but this absolutely should be Masvidal's fight.
WINNER: Masvidal via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (**) Hey! Two Florida judges got that right! It was a solid fight, and a good performance overall from Masvidal, who really did just beat Healy up for 15 minutes there despite a few takedowns from Healy.
PRELIM FIGHT FIVE: THIAGO ALVES VS. SETH BACZYNSKI (WELTERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Alves threw a couple of early strikes as he looked to close the distance. Baczynski fired back. Alves tossed out a combination. They traded leg kicks. Alves landed an inside leg kick with a punch behind. Baczynski shot in and Alves stopped him on the cage. Baczynski backed off. Alves landed a right. Alves landed a solid two punch combination. Baczynski got in a couple of kicks. Alves fired back to the lead leg. Alves missed a head kick. Alves landed a couple of good strikes in combination. He tried to close the distance and Baczynski fired back. Alves connected again. Baczynski was cut open above the right eye. Alves got in with another short combo. They traded kicks. Alves got in to the body. He got in a short combo after another kick. They taded some more kicks. Alves landed a short combination. Alves landed a hard kick. Baczynski fired back with a jumping knee that missed. Alves landed a combination of strikes before the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Alves. He doesn't look like he's been out two years at this stage. Solid opening round.
ROUND TWO: Alves tossed out a couple of early punches and kicks. He landed another inside leg kick. He landed it again, then got in a couple of knees in a clinch. Alves landed a hard left hand with a leg kick to follow up. Alves fired off several more kicks to the leg and body. Baczynski caught a kick and drove him back, but Alves worked out of the corner. Alves landed a good kick. Baczynski connected on a few strikes. Alves landed a hard left and then an even harder right hand behind it. Baczynski was cut on the bridge of the nose. Bacyznksi got in a right hand. They traded strikes again. Baczynski's face was getting busted up. Baczynski landed a couple of hard right hands that drove Alves back. He clinched and pressed him to the cage. Alves may have had his nose broken. Baczynski threw a spinning back fist that was blocked. Alves just missed a big knee, then an overhand right. Alves connected with a few strikes. They traded kicks. Baczynski connected on a left. Alves landed a few really hard kicks. He went up high but it was partially blocked. They traded punches. Alves landed a nice flurry before the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Alves. Nice exchanges in that round, but it's Alves doing more effective damage overall.
ROUND THREE: Alves landed an inside leg kick to start the round. He connected to the body. Alves landed a right. Baczynski shot in but got stuffed. Alves landed a couple of strikes and drove him back. Alves kicked out Baczynski's leg, but Baczynski popped up. They traded kicks. Baczynski backed Alves up but couldn't take advantage. They traded strikes again. Baczynski landed a couple of strikes. Alves landed a hard right hand. Baczynski connected on a strike. Alves connected on a right hand. He landed a nice combination. He got in a good body kick. Baczynski landed a strike. Alves fired back. They traded big strikes again. Alves hurt him with a combo. They traded kicks. Baczynski regained his bearings but Alves moved back at him. Alves landed a few strikes. They continued throwing to the horn. Fun fight.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Alves. Baczynski stayed in that fight the whole time, but I think that should be a successful return for Alves.
WINNER: Alves via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
STAR RATING: (***) Really fun fight start to finish. Alves making a successful return and looking as good as he did in that fight is a nice story. Fun stuff. Competitive fight for the entire 15 minutes, but Alves definitely did enough to take each of those rounds.
PRELIM FIGHT SIX: KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV VS. RAFAEL DOS ANJOS (LIGHTWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Dos Anjos took the center and looked to pressure first. But it was Nurmagomedov who struck, landing a combination. Dos Anjos connected on a kick. Nurmagomedov closed the distance, picked dos Anjos up, and got him to the ground. Dos Anjos got up to his feet, but Nurmagomedov dragged him back down briefly. Dos Anjos again popped to his feet. He got separation. He got in a couple of high kicks. He landed a right hand. Nurmagomedov jumped in with a flying knee, landed a left hook, and scored another takedown. He stepped into half guard as dos Anjos went for a kimura.he was forced to let it go but got to his feet. Nurmagomedov stayed on him in the clinch. They traded knees. Nurmagomedov landed a hard uppercut and shot in again. He almost tripped dos Anjos up but dos Anjos got free. Dos Anjos landed a two punch combo. He landed a body kick. Dos Anjos landed a punch to the body. Nurmagomedov scored with a right hand, then a body kick. Dos Anjos got in a right. Nurmagomedov returned one of his own. He shot in at the horn. Solid start.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Nurmagomedov. Takedowns and pressure, along with some offensive striking, give the round to the undefeated fighter.
ROUND TWO: Dos Anjos got in a few early strikes. Nurmagomedov fired back a hard body kick. Nurmagomedov landed some jabs and avoided a rush. Nurmagomedov landed a combination. He ducked under a punch and scored a takedown. Dos Anjos tried to work for a choke, but Nurmagomedov patiently defended. Dos Anjos tried to wrench the hold but lost it. Nurmagomedov held him down against the cage and tried to bully him back to the ground. He got in a knee to the body. Dos Anjos almost got up but got dragged down. Nurmagomedov worked knees to the legs and body as he tried to take dos Anjos' back. He continued working knees and nearly took dos Anjos' back. Dos Anjos got to his feet but got taken right back down. Nurmagomedov nearly had side control but got pulled back into half guard. Dos Anjos got back to guard, but ate a couple of big strikes. Nurmagomedov landed some hard strikes from the top and passed. Dos Anjos regained guard again. The crowd got a little restless at the ground work, but Nurmagomedov remained busy. Dos Anjos managed to get to his feet just before the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Nurmagomedov. Dos Anjos is tiring out here at this point.
ROUND THREE: Nurmagomedov opened up with a few kicks, but they were blocked. Dos Anjos fired a kick to the body. He took a couple of strikes and avoided a clinch. Dos Anjos came in and got clinched, then turned around. The action stalled at the cage and dos Anjos avoided a takedown. They traded punches. They traded kicks to the body and dos Anjos shot in. He got stuffed at the cage, and Nurmagomedov pulled off a sweet throw into half guard. Dos Anjos regained guard. Nurmagomedov continued staying busy. Dos Ajos tried to attack a leg, but Nurmagomedov stepped out and dropped back in. Dos Anjos almost kicked him off, but Nurmagomedov powered him down and landed a strike. Dos Anjos got to his knees but Nurmagomedov rag-dolled him. Dos Anjos got planted on his back again, and Nurmagomedov closed out the round with a short flurry from the top.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Nurmagomedov. This was his fight start to finish.
WINNER: Nurmagomedov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
STAR RATING: (**+) Really good performance from Nurmagomedov, dominating a very good fighter in dos Anjos start to finish.
=====Fox Main Card=====
-After Curt Menefee opened up the broadcast with Chael Sonnen and Brian Stann, the card was run down by Goldberg and Rogan before throwing to our first network fight tonight.
MAIN CARD FIGHT ONE: YOEL ROMERO VS. BRAD TAVARES (MIDDLEWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Tavares landed a hard right hand early. They traded kicks in the first minute. Romero rushed in with a flurry and landed several strikes, then dropped down and took him to the ground. Tavares turned him around and shot himself. Romero grabbed for a kimura. Romero then pulled off a nice throw into side control. Tavares worked to his feet, but Romero was on his back standing. He took him down briefly. Tavares got loose and landed a couple of strikes. Romero took him down again at the cage. Tavares landed a takedown but got countered before the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Romero. Competitive round, but Romero controlled things with his grappling.
ROUND TWO: Romero scored an immediate takedown into side control. Tavares escaped and got to his feet, and landed a couple of strikes. Tavares tried to rush in but Romero backed out. Romero landed an excellent elbow to the head that cut Tavares open above the temple. Romero landed a hard right hand as he popped in and tried to take Tavares down. Tavares held it off, then tried to take Romero down himself. They scrambled and separated. Tavares threw in a flying knee, then got cracked by a right hand. They clinched and Romero pressed Tavares to the cage to the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Romero. Still controlling the action here. Tavares is fairly scrappy, but he's just not having a ton of success here.
ROUND THREE: Tavares tossed out a high kick early that missed. He shot in but Romero grabbed a headlock and landed a few knees before clinching him to the cage. They separated. Tavares got in a right hand. The action slowed down considerably from the first two rounds. Tavares got in a leg kick. Romero blocked a few strike attempts. Romero landed a hard left hand and popped out. Tavares landed a kick. Romero drove through a kick and scored a takedown. Tavares gave up his back but worked to his feet. They were separated. Tavares got in a leg kick. The crowd booed as the bout wound down. They traded punches, then Romero grabbed a body lock and threw him down at the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Romero. Good overall performance. Things slowed down that round, but Romero still did more overall than Tavares.
WINNER: Romero via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
STAR RATING: (**+) That was pretty fun for most of it. Romero's so strong at 185 lbs., and his wrestling game is fantastic. That he's got ridiculous power to go along with that is a scary combination. Tavares is a tough guy to put away, no question, and that's another sign of where Romero's at with his performance here tonight. Good stuff.
MAIN CARD FIGHT TWO: DONALD CERRONE VS. EDSON BARBOZA (LIGHTWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Barboza opened up with a flurry of strikes as Cerrone came in and Cerrone was hurt. He grabbed for a body lock and scored a brief takedown. Barboza got free and they separated. Barboza tossed out some punches and kicks that were a little off the mark. Cerrone got in a leg kick. Barboza landed a push kick. He got in a left hand. Cerrone landed a strike but got cracked by a right hand. Barboza landed a kick. Barboza landed a nice combination. He landed a great counter-left after a right hand from Cerrone. Barboza checked a leg kick. Barboza landed another hard right hand. Barboza landed a spinning kick to the body. Cerrone connected on a couple strikes. Barboza got in with a few strikes. Cerrone laned a kick. Cerrone landed a hard left hand that stunned Barboza! He jumped on his back and locked on a rear naked choke! It was tight, Barboza couldn't get out, and he tapped! Holy hell, that finish!
WINNER: Cerrone via submission (rear naked choke) at 3:15 of the first round
STAR RATING: (****) That was incredible. Barboza was winning that round and had Cerrone hurt a couple of times with combinations of strikes. Then Cerrone lands a straight jab that sent Barboza down, and the opening was there for the choke. Fantastic finishing instincts from Cerrone and an unbelievably quick shift in fortune given how that round was going. Just excellent, excellent stuff.
MAIN CARD FIGHT THREE: MIESHA TATE VS. LIZ CARMOUCHE (WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Carmouche missed an early kick. Tate got in a left hand. Carmouche landed a leg kick. They traded strikes. Tate pawed out strikes and had Carmouche backing up. Carmouche grabbed a clinch and brought her to the cage. She picked her up and secured a takedown. Tate landed some elbows to Carmouche's back. The crowd booed as the action stalled. Tate landed some more elbows as Carmouche tried to drag her further down. Tate got to her feet and threw an elbow behind her as Carmouche held her back standing. Carmouche landed a knee to the thigh. They continued to battle in the clinch, and Carmouche turned her around and took her down. Tate popped up and grabbed for a kimura. Carmouche got her arm free and stayed on the body lock as Tate threw some elbows. Carmouche landed a knee. She countered a kimura attempt into a throw. She landed in side control, but Tate grabbed half guard as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Carmouche. Close round, but Carmouche's grappling is going to edge it with not enough other offense from Tate to negate it.
ROUND TWO: Carmouche closed distance early and clinched. They battled a bit in the clinch and Tate tried for her own takedown. Carmouche held it off with her back on the cage. Tate separated and landed a solid jab. She missed a right hand but landed the left. She missed a couple of strikes but again got the left hand through. Carmouche secured a takedown briefly, but Tate stood again. Carmouche again took her down and tried to tie her legs up. Tate got to a knee but Carmouche dragged her back down. Tate moved to her feet and went for a choke. She grabbed for the guillotine and dropped down with it. Carmouche defended and countered and broke free, getting to her feet. She snuck behind Tate and landed a knee, taking Tate down once more at the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Tate. Her striking offense and the sub attempt I think give her the edge. Close fight.
ROUND THREE: Tate came out with a few strikes before shooting in. She scored the takedown into side control. She landed some strikes but Carmouche got it to half guard. Tate transitioned and took Carmouche's back, attacking for a choke. Carmouche turned into it to loosen the hold. Tate tried to pull off a neck crank as she couldn't get the arm under Carmouche's chin. Tate tried to grab Carmouche's face to loosen it up. Carmouche tried to get up but Tate got the choke on and brought her back down. Carmouche defended well as she battled Tate's hands. She got free. Tate went for an arm but Carmouche escaped to trap the leg. Tate stood up and dropped a punch down to the body. Might be too little too late, it really depends on how round two was scored.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Tate. Not enough offense or damage for a 10-8, but the most dominant round of the fight for sure.
WINNER: Tate via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (**) Solid fight. Really good work from Tate in the third round and she edged that second round rightfully to take the decision here. Third round probably should have been 10-8 given how little Carmouche did, but regardless, the right person one the fight in that one.
MAIN EVENT FIGHT FOUR: FABRICIO WERDUM VS. TRAVIS BROWNE (HEAVYWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Browne took the center, but Werdum popped in with a right hand as Browne landed a leg kick. Browne went for a head kick but Werdum ducked under it. Browne landed a hard right hand and avoided the counters of Werdum. They each got in a couple strikes in the clinch. Browne landed a big right hand but Werdum took it. Browne hurt Werdum and Werdum tried to pull it down to the ground. He turned into Browne and scored a takedown to change the momentum big time. Werdum tried to work in half guard. Browne tried to defend from his back as Werdum tried to pass. He got to side control but Browne almost escaped. Browne got to his feet and got separation. He landed a body kick, then a front kick to the body. Browne got in a knee. Browne missed a big uppercut attempt. Werdum landed a leg kick. Werdum landed a hard body kick. Werdum smacked his side and tried to get him to come in. Werdum landed a couple of kicks. Browne caught it and walked him back to the cage. Browne landed a wheel kick to the face. Werdum got in a couple of strikes. Browne landed a right and Werdum got in a kick. Werdum landed a hard uppercut. Werdum threw a spinning kick. He missed another. He landed a right hand. He landed another, then hurt Browne with a left at the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Werdum. Was leaning Browne until that final big combo from Werdum. Competitive start.
ROUND TWO: Werdum landed a couple of kicks. Browne went high with a kick but it was blocked. Werdum fired a kick to the gut. Werdum shot in and scored a takedown. He tried to take Browne's back but wound up in half guard as Browne turned into him. Werdum passed to side control. He threw some knees to the body and landed some punches and elbows to the head. Werdum continued working from side control. Werdum attacked the right arm and stepped over Browne's head. Browne escaped and got to his feet with Werdum holding a headlock. He landed a right and separated. Browne stepped aside and threw a side kick. He landed a right. Browne was drained. Werdum landed a hard jab. Browne landed a left. Browne grabbed a single leg but let it go. Werdum got in a knee to the gut before the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Werdum. Browne's just in a lot of trouble right now. He's exhausted.
ROUND THREE: Browne landed an early right hand, but Werdum put together a major combination of punches and kicks to drive him back. Werdum hit him with a spinning back fist and landed a few more. Werdum landed a kick to the body. Werdum dropped to his back and then kipped up, HBK style. Well done. He landed a hard body kick. Browne tried to push in and landed a punch. He drove the clinch, but Werdum turned him around. He landed a big knee and started teeing off with a few strikes as Browne covered up. Werdum shot in and got stuffed. Browne landed a couple of elbows. Browne backed out of the clinch and Werdum landed a right hand. Browne's punches were just slow as all hell at this stage. Everything thrown was heavily labored. Werdum popped in with a knee to the face. Werdum landed a combo with kicks and punches to the head in the final ten seconds.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-8 Werdum. Giving him the extra point for the kip-up. Toss in Sweet Chin Music and round four and this is an all-time classic.
ROUND FOUR: Werdum landed a couple of leg kicks. The pace slowed considerably and there was little offense the opening minute. Werdum landed a right hand, but Browne recovered. Browne is just massively tired here, and Werdum has started to slow down. Werdum landed a hard body kick. Browne connected on a kick to the cup and the action halted. Browne landed a hard right hand after they restarted. Werdum shot for a single but Browne held it off. Werdum landed an uppercut. Browne got in a body kick. Werdum landed a nice two-punch combo. Browne threw the overhand right but Werdum took it. Browne barely missed a couple of head kicks. Werdum landed a stiff jab. Browne missed a few strikes. Werdum landed another left. They traded strikes before the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Werdum. Less action that round overall, but Werdum remains in full control.
ROUND FIVE: Werdum scored an early takedown but let Browne up. He landed a couple of strikes as he did. Browne landed a jab. Werdum continued landing strikes as Browne failed to get much going. Browne landed a hard leg kick. Werdum knocked his head back with a couple of jabs. Werdum half-heartedly shot in and was stuffed. They traded punches. Werdum landed a fantastic combination. He popped him with the jab again. Werdum landed another two-punch combo. Another big right lands to the jab. Browne looked at the clock and Werdum immediately unleashed several punches and kicks in combination. Browne got up high with a kick. Werdum landed a hard jab. He landed another. Werdum landed another combo and Browne kept wiping at his bleeding eye. Browne missed a big overhand right. Browne threw a spinning wheel kick and missed. Werdum landed a hard jab. Browne landed a left. He got in with an uppercut. He tried to press in late but Werdum avoided his rush.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Werdum. Just absolute dominance. Fantastic performance from Fabricio Werdum. If you weren't sold on him as a title challenger before tonight, that should do it. He's massively dangerous on the ground, and he just completely out-struck a good striker. Great work.
WINNER: Werdum via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45)
STAR RATING: (***) This is all for Werdum. He looked as good as he's ever looked, and he just beat up Travis Browne for 25 minutes there. He's going to be an excellent challenger for Velasquez later this year.
-That's our card tonight. Thanks for joining us for another night of UFC action! We'll have fallout and more throughout the week, and we'll be back with another live event report for the UFC next Saturday night with UFC 172 on pay-per-view!
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(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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