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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
UFC FIGHT NIGHT 44
JUNE 28, 2014
LIVE FROM SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
=====UFC Fight Pass Quick Result=====
- Oleksiy Oleynik def. Anthony Hamilton via submission (neck crank) at 2:18 of the first round
Oleynik showed off some heavy hands early on, ate a few shots to showcase his chin, then finished it off with a nasty looking neck crank. Same hold he beat Mirko Cro Cop with last fall. Nice work.
=====Fox Sports 1 Prelims=====
-Jon Anik and Brian Stann on the call tonight for this card. Right to the first fight on FS1.
PRELIM FIGHT ONE: RAY BORG VS. SHANE HOWELL (FLYWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Howell tried to stalk as Borg moved on the outside. Borg popped in with a big right hand, then shot in for a quick takedown. Howell got him to guard and tried to escape. Borg quickly took his back and quickly locked on a choke. It looked really tight, but Howell managed to escape. Borg held position and went for another choke. He turned it to a neck crank. He got under the chin and Howell went out cold. Borg looked excellent to get his first UFC win.
WINNER: Borg via technical submission (rear naked choke) at 2:17 of the first round
STAR RATING: (**+) Not really competitive in the least, but Borg is fun to watch. He's a real young fighter, looked good in a losing effort in his debut, and now gets his first UFC win. Good stuff.
PRELIM FIGHT TWO: MARCELO GUIMARAES VS. ANDY ENZ (MIDDLEWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Enz backed away from a strike and threw out a few strikes. Guimaraes threw out some kicks to the lead leg. Guimaraes threw a few strikes and shot in. Enz did a very good job initially holding off a takedown attempt. Guimaraes picked him up and slammed him, but Enz got right back to his feet and separated. Enz landed a hard right hand. Guimaraes shot in again and got stuffed. He landed that right hand again. Another shot from Guimaraes and Enz stuffed him again. Guimaraes clinched for a bit, then landed a hard right hand as he separated. Guimaraes missed some big strike attempts. He landed an outside leg kick, then a kick to the body. He missed a big overhand right. Enz continued to counter well, though he wasn't landing flush with a ton. Guimaraes shot in again and clinched. Enz held off the takedown attempt, but Guimaraes landed a knee to the body and continued working. Enz got loose and circled away. They traded leg kicks. Guimaraes got in a couple of kicks before the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Enz. He had the more significant strikes land in the round, avoided much of Guimaraes' offense, and just had a solid round overall.
ROUND TWO: Enz moved forward quickly and tried to close the distance. They traded some leg kicks. Enz connected on a right hand. Guimaraes slipped on a head kick attempt but popped up. Enz landed the right hand again. And again. Guimaraes landed a kick to the lead leg. Enz landed the right hand again. Both missed some strikes to the head and body. Enz missed a couple of strikes and Guimaraes landed a few strikes out of a brief clinch. Guimaraes cracked Enz with a overhand right behind the ear. He landed another right hand. He swung wild on a couple of strikes and ate a counter to the body. Guimaraes shot in and powered Enz down, but Enz popped to his feet immediately on the cage. Guimaraes separated and backed off. Guimaraes landed a two punch combo. He got in a few kicks. The momentum was swinging away from Enz here. Guimaraes landed some more strikes as Enz missed. Things slowed down a bit as both looked for a clear opening. Enz tried to move forward but got hit by a few strikes. Enz landed a hard right hand after eating a body kick. Guimaraes shot in but backed off before the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Guimaraes. He evened things up there, though Enz's coaches tell him he may be down two rounds to none and to go out for a finish. That's what corners need to do more often.
ROUND THREE: Guimaraes landed a couple of strikes early. Enz got in a kick high that grazed Guimaraes in the face. Guimaraes landed a kick, but Enz caught it and charged in. Guimaraes did a good job avoiding too much damage there though. Guimaraes got hit by a right hand, then shot in and scored a takedown. Enz again got back to his feet. Enz landed some looping strikes. Guimaraes responded. Guimaraes landed some more kicks. Enz caught another one and landed a right hand. Guimaraes landed a kick to the leg. He continued connecting to the lead leg and Enz was moving slower because of them. Guimaraes continued that attack as Enz tried to move in. Guimaraes turning the tide in his favor with the leg kicks again. Enz got in a right hand. Guimaraes shot in, but again couldn't keep Enz down. Enz turned himself around on the cage. Guimaraes continued to stay on him in the clinch, and landed some knees to the legs to end the round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Guimaraes. Close round, but the leg kicks did a lot of damage, and Enz just wasn't doing a ton offensively himself.
WINNER: Guimaraes via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (**-) Solid enough and competitive, I suppose, but there wasn't much to that fight at all.
PRELIM FIGHT THREE: JOHNNY BEDFORD VS. CODY GIBSON (BANTAMWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Bedford opened with several strikes, then backed Gibson to the cage and unleashed a flurry. He got tagged by a right hand as he backed off and stumbled back, dropping violently to the ground, but as Gibson came in he was engaging. Unfortunately for him, referee Kerry Hatley had already jumped in and called an end to it. Bedford was livid, as he should be, and protested immediately. That's just a terrible stoppage. Just absolutely awful.
WINNER: Gibson via TKO at :38 of the first round
STAR RATING: (n/a) I just really hate that stoppage. Bedford went down hard, but he engaged immediately as Gibson dropped into him, and immediately protested the stoppage. Terrible luck for Bedford here.
-Gibson said he saw Bedford's eyes roll to the back of his head and he was out. He said he'll do that fight again if Bedford wants the rematch.
PRELIM FIGHT FOUR: COLTON SMITH VS. CARLOS DIEGO FERREIRA (LIGHTWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Smith closed the distance and clinched at the cage. They traded knees, then Ferreira pulled off a judo throw, and locked on a rear naked choke from the side with no hooks in and forced Smith to tap! Impressively quick debut for Ferreira.
WINNER: Ferreira via submission (modified rear naked choke) at :38 seconds of the first round
STAR RATING: (**) Happened too quick to say much more. Impressive work from Ferreira, who remains undefeated in his UFC debut.
=====Fox Sports 1 Main Card=====
-In case you missed it, news broke during the break that Chael Sonnen failed a second drug test, this time for HGH and EPO. More details in the main listing of our site. On to the main card!
MAIN CARD FIGHT ONE: JOE ELLENBERGER VS. JAMES MOONTASRI (LIGHTWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Ellenberger shot in early and looked for a takedown, but was held off. He tried again and failed, then shook off a flying knee attempt and grabbed a front headlock. Moontasri stayed patient, and he was allowed up. Moontasri countered a missed strike with a huge uppercut. Ellenberger went down hard, and Moontasri tried to capitalize. Ellenberger turned into him and tried to survive. He flopped to his back and took some big strikes from Moontasri while in his guard. Moontasri stood up and made Ellenberger get up. Ellenberger could barely stand. This fight should be stopped. Ellenberger grabbed for a single leg and tried to regain his bearings, but he's in bad shape. Here's where a fight should be stopped. Moontasri continued landing strikes and Ellenberger tried to throw his legs up. Moontasri passed to side control, and nearly got mount, but Ellenberger showed signs of life and bucked out to half guard. Ellenberger landed an upkick as Moontasri stood. He tried for a submission at the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-8 Moontasri. That fight should have been stopped. Ellenberger was in really bad shape. So we've had a bad early stoppage and a bad non stoppage tonight.
ROUND TWO: Ellenberger scored a takedown after Moontasri missed a spinning kick. Ellenberger took his back and got his hooks in. He landed some strikes and tried to lock on the rear naked choke. Ellenberger transitioned to mount and landed some big elbows from the top. Moontasri escaped to half guard. Ellenberger went for a D'Arce choke. He tried to roll with it, but lost the position, and Moontasri got to a sprawl. Major missed opportunity for Ellenberger there. Moontasri stood up and Ellenberger dropped to guard. He threw up an upkick before Moontasri got into half guard. Ellenberger regained guard. He landed some elbows from the bottom. He tried to attack from the bottom and Moontasri backed out. Ellenberger slowly stood up, but as Moontasri rushed him, Ellenberger took him back down. He landed a few hard strikes as he trapped an arm. Moontasri's nose got busted up badly and he started bleeding badly before the horn. Huge turnaround for Ellenberger that round.
ROUND THREE: Ellenberger got cracked with an overhand right as he closed distance to shoot in. Ellenberger stayed on the takedown attempt. They were separated off the cage for inactivity. Ellenberger threw an awful high kick and Moontasri landed a much harder one. Ellenberger ducked under and scored a takedown at the cage. Moontasri landed some strikes and tried to get to his feet. Ellenberger landed a couple of knees. Moontasri started smiling and playing to the cameras before finally getting to his feet. They were separated again from the clinch. Ellenberger is just exhausted. Moontasri slowly tried to walk Ellenberger down, but neither did anything for 30 seconds. Ellenberger threw out a left. He shot in but got stuffed. Moontasri looked up at the clock and Ellenberger shot in again. Moontasri landed some elbows. Ellenberger finally completed the takedown, but Moontasri turned it over. Ellenberger nearly got a triangle on, but Moontasri got out and on top. He threw some really lackluster strikes of his own from the top as he was just as tired. Ellenberger landed a punch from the bottom. Moontasri stood and tried to dive in with an elbow at the end.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Moontasri. I guess. Both were dead tired in that round and neither did much of anything. Ugly finish.
WINNER: Ellenberger via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (**) I'm not sure I agree with the decision, but the third was so ugly I suppose it could have gone to him. That said, the fight really should have been stopped in the first when he was forced to stand and could barely do anything at all. Still, gutsy second round from him to bounce back.
MAIN CARD FIGHT TWO: CLINT HESTER VS. ANTONIO BRAGA NETO (MIDDLEWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Hester circled on the outside and landed a couple of strikes early. They each got a bit hesitant to engage, but then Hester landed a nice body kick. Hester swung wildly as Neto moved close, but missed several strikes before Neto shot in. Hester stuffed the attempt, but Neto stayed on him against the cage. Hester tried to stay on his feet, but Neto dragged him down. Hester avoided any damage on the ground and tried to get his back to the cage. Neto tried to open something up from the top, but Hester held his wrist and tried to explode to his feet. He got up, but Neto brought him back down into half guard. Hester continued trying to hold control of a wrist, but Neto landed a couple of strikes. Hester's arm got trapped and Neto was throwing some minor strikes until Hester could get the arm free. Neto again trapped the left arm behind Hester and tried to use that to mount. He got there, but with only seconds left in the round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Neto. Hester had some decent defense, but he can't allow himself to be planted like that if he hopes to win this fight.
ROUND TWO: Hester moved forward and threw a left hook. He landed a body punch. Hester landed a hard body kick as he kept moving forward. Neto looked tired as Hester started opening up. He landed a few to the body, then went to the head. Hester went back to the body. He landed a hard leg kick and tossed out a couple of strikes. More strikes to the body, and Hester circled out fro a clinch attempt. Hester tossed out a few jabs. Hester countered a kick with a right hand. Neto shot in but this time got stuffed. Hester countered the attempt and got on top, but he got swept and Neto wound up in mount. Hester tried to buck out, but Neto trapped his arm and landed some elbows. Hester held on tight. Hester escaped to half guard, then landed an elbow. Neto went for a kimura from half guard, but Hester got his arm free.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-10. Hester's offense I don't think was enough to hold on when he was mounted for a minute and a half, but Neto did very little from top position there after the sweep, so I can't say he stole it back either.
ROUND THREE: Hester came out aggressive with strikes and Neto shot in. Hester stuffed him, then made him get up. He landed several big strikes. He was doing tons of damage to the body and then he slipped on a strike and Neto got on top. Wow. Just the worst thing that could have happened for him, as he has not been able to get to his feet once put on his back. Neto passed to mount. The crowd booed. Hester bucked out and got on top into Neto's guard, but he needs to stand up. Hester landed a hard elbow, but he really needed to have some urgency to get up. Neto looked to set up from his back. The crowd now booed the lay and pray. Hester finally stood up. Hester landed a left hook. He got in a few body shots and continued winging strikes. Hester landed some more strikes, but allowed Neto to walk him down and scored a late takedown.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Hester. Neto had no significant offense despite getting into mount after that slip by Hester. Going to come down to the score in the second, I think.
WINNER: Hester via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (**) Lots of bad fight I.Q. from both guys in that fight. Neto was just too tired to do much after the first round, but Hester almost handed him the fight a few times.
MAIN CARD FIGHT THREE: RICARDO LAMAS VS. HACRAN DIAS (FEATHERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Lamas moved forward and threw a couple of strikes. Dias fired back with a couple. Lamas threw a left hook which was blocked. Lamas landed a nice left. He got in a good leg kick. Dias fired a hard leg kick back. Lamas got in with a clinch and landed a body kick as he separated. Lamas landed a hard kick. Dias landed another hard leg kick. Lamas switched stances a couple times. He landed a hard leg kick. Dias connected with a left hand. They traded kicks and punches. Dias ducked under a punch and shot in, but Lamas stuffed it at the cage. He got in a knee as he defended, then got a body lock as he turned Dias around. Lamas landed a left hand and dropped for his own takedown attempt. They were separated as things stalled. Lamas fired a big strike that missed. Dias landed a hard two-punch combo. Lamas fired a kick. Lamas grazed him with a high kick. Dias got in a kick at the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Dias. He edged it that second half of the round with more significant damage. Close round, though.
ROUND TWO: Dias opened with a left and closed the distance. Lamas landed a few strikes and a knee as Dias clinched. Lamas grabbed a single leg and took his back standing in a brief scramble. Dias separated his hands as he defended and turned into him, then separated nicely. Lamas landed a few kicks and threw out a punch. He had a high kick blocked, but got in with a right hand. Dias landed a hard right hand and Lamas clinched and drove for the single leg. Dias defended, landing a couple of strikes and turning him around. Lamas got in a kick to the body. Lamas landed a nice combination to the body with punches and kicks. Dias landed a hard leg kick. Dias staggered Lamas with a right hand behind the ear, then a couple more strikes. Lamas shot in to recover, and scored a takedown. Dias quickly worked back to his feet as Lamas tried to stay on him. Lamas got punched out of the clinch. Dias moved forward. Lamas tried to throw out some strikes but wasn't connecting with much. Dias shot for a single leg and the crowd booed the stalled action. They traded knees. Lamas threw out some strikes. Lamas missed some more strikes and clinched before the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Dias. He's much more effective with his strikes right now. Lamas is missing a lot, and he got tagged pretty good in that round.
ROUND THREE: Dias came forward early, and Lamas ducked under a punch to shoot in. He scored the takedown, but Dias got right back to his feet. He tried for a switch, but Lamas stayed on him. He landed a few knees to the thigh as he took his back standing. He went for the rear naked choke standing, but Dias shook him off. Dias went for his own takedown, and got it as Lamas failed to grab a guillotine. Lamas got his back to the cage and slowly worked to his feet. He landed a couple of knees to the body, but things stalled again. Dias tried for a takedown, and he got Lamas down, only to get reversed. Dias got back to his feet and they separated. Lamas landed a nice left. He got in a body kick and a right hand, but shot in for a takedown again. He landed a knee to the body and took his back standing. Dias turned back into him. They traded some elbows. Lamas tried hard but failed in a takedown attempt. The round ended in the clinch to boos.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Lamas, I guess? Another close round. This score could easily be 30-27 either way and it wouldn't be an incorrect score. Neither did a ton to differentiate their offense, so it's all on how these particular judges interpreted what they saw.
WINNER: Lamas via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (*) Lamas said he broke his hand perhaps in the first round, which makes that performance a bit more understandable. It was dangerous, as he didn't clearly make the rounds his, and I'm a little surprised Dias didn't get one of the scorecards, but again, there's an argument for both of them in each of the three rounds, so there's nothing wrong with the decision. Wasn't a good fight, though.
MAIN CARD FIGHT FOUR: CEZAR "MUTANTE" FERREIRA VS. ANDREW CRAIG (MIDDLEWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Ferreira dropped Craig with a left hand as Craig threw a kick. He went for a guillotine, but didn't have it. Ferreira threw some knees to the shoulder. Craig got himself free, got to his feet, and separated. He took a knee to the body as he circled around. Things slowed down as both guys got a little tentative. Ferreira landed a couple of kicks to the body. Craig started bleeding badly from the top of his head. Craig got poked in the eye. After the restart, Craig landed a hard overhand right. He moved in and landed a left. Ferreira connected on a straight left. He got in a hard body kick behind that. Craig landed some kicks to the legs. They both threw strikes simultaneously, but neither connected with much. Ferreira shot in under a punch and scored a violent takedown. Craig worked right up to his feet and turned into Ferreira. He backed off with an elbow to end the round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Ferreira. Craig had a couple moments, but he's not doing much at all.
ROUND TWO: They circled around each other early, with Ferreira throwing some strikes. Craig wasn't really doing much of anything. Craig got in a knee to the body. The pace was agonizingly slow for the first half of the round. Ferreira landed a kick. The crowd got a little restless. Ferreira shot in but got stuffed, stalling things in the clinch instead of on the feet. This is just not a good fight. They separated. Ferreira threw a body kick. They traded strikes. Craig threw a head kick that was blocked. Craig shot in but got stuffed. Ferreira threw a spinning kick, but Craig was out of the way. Stand off at the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Ferreira. This is just a bad fight, and he simply did more than Craig. Not by much, though.
ROUND THREE: Ferreira opened up with an elbow to the forehead, and Craig got busted wide open. Ferreira shot in and scored a takedown as Craig's face just started gushing. Craig gave up his back and Ferreira locked on a body triangle. They were seated, though, with Ferreira's back on the cage. Ferreira tried to work for a choke, but Craig continued defending. The action stalled in this battle for a while. Craig continued to defend but not do anything else. Craig got wrist control and escaped. Then he landed a head kick that knocked Ferreira down. He was wobbled and Craig tried to fire. Ferreira got to his feet wobbled, but Craig landed some more stries. He landed a few more strikes, but Ferreira survived to the end.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Ferreira. Maybe 10-10. Maybe Craig stole it? Was all Ferreira until that knock down in the final seconds, but that head kick was the most significant blow dealt in the fight.
WINNER: Ferreira via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
STAR RATING: (*) Bad fight with a couple of moments breaking up the lengthy periods of very little action.
MAIN CARD FIGHT FIVE: KELVIN GASTELUM VS. NICO MUSOKE (WELTERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Musoke started off aggressive, connecting on several strikes early on and pressing Gastelum back. He landed a hard right hand and clinched. They jockeyed for position on the cage. Musoke tried for a takedown but Gastelum held it off. Musoke took his back standing, then dragged him down. Gastelum reversed, then they stood in a scramble. Musoke backed off briefly, then shot in, picked Gastelum up, and slammed him down. Gastelum gave up his back and couldn't shake Musoke off. Musoke pulled him backwards with both hooks in. Gastelum defended, and the crowd booed as yet another fight was moving at a slow pace. Gastelum finally escaped and spun around, but didn't have any time to work. He stood up and got one punch in before the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Musoke. Solid start for the underdog, who controlled that round entirely.
ROUND TWO: Gastelum tried to close the distance off the bat, and Musoke landed a couple of strikes. Musoke landed a body kick. They traded strikes wildly. Gastelum connected on some nice strikes. He started throwing wildly at the cage and Gastelum was getting the better of the exchange. He backed off and reset. Gastelum got in a nice kick to the body. He backed Musoke to the cage and landed a few strikes. Musoke ate a kick and landed a couple of punches. Gastelum landed a big flurry and had Musoke on the ropes against the cage. He kept the pressure on with a body kick. Musoke fired back. Gastelum hurt him again with a knee to the body. Gastelum went back to the body with a kick, then landed a few strikes in a row. Musoke continued moving backward as Gastelum kept on him with punches and kicks. Musoke got in a few strikes. They traded puches. Gastelum got in another combination. He missed a big uppercut attempt. Another hard body kick. He took it high but it was partially blocked. They traded punches. Musoke fired out a body kick. He ate a few punches before the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Gastelum. That was a big round for the TUF 17 winner. Completely different than the first, but given he missed weight yesterday, does he have the cardio to keep it up in the third?
ROUND THREE: Musoke shot in early in the third, snuck around to Gastelum's back, and tried to drag him down. Gastelum stuffed it, then landed some punches. Musoke tried to pick him up to drop him, but Gastelum held it off and separated. He moved back in and fired off some strikes. Musoke landed a couple of counter strikes. Gastelum landed a hard leg kick. Gastelum landed an uppercut. More strikes land for Gastelum as he continued moving forward. He got up high with a kick and Musoke was starting to bleed in a number of spots. Musoke shot in and Gastelum landed an elbow to the head. He turned Musoke around and landed some knees to the body. Gastelum separated with a right hand. Musoke fired back. Gastelum landed another hard kick to the body. He blocked a kick and kept moving forward. Gastelum slipped but got up to his feet. Gastelum landed a hard left, then a few body kicks. He backed away from a Musoke rush, then moved back forward. He got in a knee in the clinch to the body. He fired off a combination at the cage, several getting in to the body. They clinched briefly, but Gastelum backed off with a right hand. He moved back in with a few strikes. Musoke fired out, but Gastelum blocked the strikes. Gastelum threw some kicks that were blocked. Musoke landed a knee and Gastelum connected on a left hook at the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Gastelum. Strong finish. Kept up with his offensive output and finished off that win.
WINNER: Gastelum via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (**+) Entertaining fight. Musoke started strong, Gastelum showed he had more in the tank than expected after missing weight. He apologized to everyone for missing on Friday, and took responsibility for it. He's got to make weight and do so consistently. If he can, he's a very talented young fighter who continues to get better.
MAIN EVENT FIGHT SIX: CUB SWANSON VS. JEREMY STEPHENS (FEATHERWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Stephens rushed out to the center. Swanson opened with a leg kick. Stephens got in with a leg kick. Swanson tossed out a front kick to the face, but it didn't hit full on. Swanson circled and popped in with a combination. Stephens tried to paw out the left hook, but Swanson was well out of range. Swanson landed a couple of body kicks. Swanson moved in with a short combo. Swanson with a leg kick. Stephens landed a right hand. Swanson landed an inside leg kick. Swanson tossed out a short combo, then a cartwheel kick in the corner that didn't really land. Stephens fired out a few strikes but they were blocked. Swanson landed a hard jab. Stephens landed a hard right hand that slipped Swanson up a bit. Caught him off balance more than anything. Swanson stayed out of range of a few strikes. He got in a leg kick. Swanson landed a nice jab. They traded strikes. Swanson landed a big right hand and a combo. He landed a kick, but Stephens dropped him with a right hand as he caught it. Stephens dropped into Swanson's guard, but didn't do anything there.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Swanson. Despite the final 20 seconds, that should still be Swanson's round. Much more active and effective.
ROUND TWO: Swanson landed a low leg kick to start the round. Stephens missed a spinning kick as Swanson was well out of range. Stephens got in an uppercut, but Swanson covered up. Stephens landed another right hand. Swanson connected on a kick high. Stephens landed that right hand again and Swanson smiled after staggering back. That power is definitely there for Stephens. Swanson connected on a combination that backed Stephens up a bit. Stephens connected with an inside leg kick. Stephens landed a counter left. Stephens landed another big right hand that rocked Swanson. Swanson recovered and smiled again, but he's getting cracked by big strikes this round. Swanson landed a nice counter-right of his own. He went for the cartwheel kick again and it landed a bit. Swanson landed a left hook. Stephens landed a nice body kick. Stephens shot in but Swanson held it off at the cage. He did eat a couple of strikes before Stephens grabbed the clinch. Stephens dropped for the takedown, but Swanson got free and they traded strikes at the horn. Well, Swanson needs more than two rounds here.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Stephens. The power is a big factor in his favor here, but at the same time, Swanson took some of his better shots and is still standing. He's got to pick his spots here.
ROUND THREE: A little slow to start the third. Swanson wound up an uppercut that missed. Swanson grazed him with a strike. Stephens barely missed a right. Swanson connected on a big right hand. He hurt Stephens with a big body kick. He kept the pressure on and he had Stephens on the ropes. Stephens continued backing up and Swanson kept landing strikes in combination. Stephens recovered with a shot attempt, but Swanson got separation. Swanson went high with a kick but it was blocked. Stephens shot in again but Swanson held it off at the cage. Swanson was breathing very heavily, trying to get back into it after the adrenaline of the near finish. Stephens got in a knee to the body. Swanson landed some elbows. The crowd booed the stalling on the cage. Swanson turned him around. Stephens got in a knee ont he break. Swanson went for a spinning kick to the head but missed. He landed a hard jab. Stephens shot in again, but got stuffed and ate a big knee to the body. Stephens spun with a strike at the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Swanson. Big round for Swanson with the most damage done in the fight yet.
ROUND FOUR: Swanson landed a couple of kicks. Stephens went high with a kick but it was easily blocked. Swanson landed a right hand. He dropped his hands a bit and landed a couple of leg kicks. Both were a bit more tentative after feeling each other's power. Stephens breathed heavily. Swanson got back to the leg with a kick. He landed a few strikes in combination. Swanson landed another nice inside leg kick. Stephens tried to walk him down and Swanson tripped. They clinched as Swanson got up. Swanson landed a knee to the body. He turned Stephens around. He landed a nice elbow as he backed away. Stephens connected on a right hand. He got in a jab. Stephens ducked under a punch and shot in. Swanson stuffed it nicely, though. Stephens tried to drop down, but Swanson continued holding him off, and landed a few elbows for good measure. Stephens backed off with a strike. Swanson threw a nice flurry. Stephens connected on a couple. He missed some big strikes at the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Swanson. Really slow round, not a ton happening. Swanson forgot what round it was in between rounds.
ROUND FIVE: Tentative opening minute. They traded shots and Stephens got the better of the exchange. Swanson landed a few strikes. They each connected on some strikes. Stephens began bleeding from the nose. Doesn't seem to be much sense of urgency for either in what could be a really close fight on the scorecards. Swanson landed a right hand, Stephens countered to the body. Swanson landed a brutal body kick and backed Stephens up. He landed a right. He got in a cartwheel kick. More strikes from Swanson. Stephens survived, but Swanson kept the pressure on. He landed a hard right hand. Stephens landed a jab. Swanson landed a hard jab. Swanson landed another combination with kicks to the leg and punches to the head. Swanson tried to fake him out and landed a nice right hand. They traded strikes and Swanson got in another nice left. Swanson landed another strike. He landed a couple of jabs. Stephens landed a right hand. Stephens landed another hard right hand late. Swanson came forward again with a combination. Stephens landed another right at the horn. Good finish after a dull fourth round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Swanson. Stephens is a hard guy to put away, but Swanson kept pressuring after hurting him again. Solid effort after a lengthy layoff between fights.
WINNER: Swanson via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
STAR RATING: (***-) There were some really entertaining moments in the fight, some spots that dragged, quite a bit of tentativeness as both guys were wary of the other after feeling the power. As a whole, though, it was entertaining.
-Well, a long double header day comes to a close; thank you for joining us here for both events, we'll have more in reaction to some of the results this week, and we don't slow down at all as we've got two more events from the UFC next weekend!
DON'T GO YET... WE SUGGEST THESE MMATORCH ARTICLES, TOO!
Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
STAFF COLUMNISTS: Shawn Ennis - Jason Amadi
Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
Interested in joining MMATorch's writing team? Send idea for a theme to your column (for Specialist section) or area of interest (i.e. TV Reporter) along with a sample of writing to mmatorch@gmail.com.
