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Round 1
The southpaw White circles to his right along the outside, away
from the power hand of the hard-hitting Lobov. Nonetheless, the
“Hammer” manages to find White’s face with a few hard right hooks
in the opening minute. White scores with a few leg kicks before
Lobov catches one and sends back another right hand in return.
White comes off the cage to put a pair of knees in Lobov’s
breadbasket, then tries to keep Lobov out of range with some jabs
which pull up short. Lobov gets clipped with a left hand as he
backs up toward the chain-link, so the SBG Ireland product grabs an
underhook and turns White against the cage. White escapes with a
knee to the body and avoids some wide punches from Lobov, who gets
stung again with a right hand on the temple. White follows the
punch with a quick takedown, now inside the final minute of the
round. Lobov holds his opponent in butterfly guard until he’s able
to burst back to his feet. White makes him pay for the stand-up by
landing a couple knees and thwarting a late Lobov takedown attempt.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 White
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 White
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 White
Round 2
White lands a leg kick and circles well clear of a telegraphed
uppercut from Lobov, then resets to deliver a long, driving punch
to the body. Front kicks push Lobov out of range, leaving him
swinging at air with a pair of bombs. White eats the next right
hand from Lobov and answers with a quick body-head combination. Now
it’s Lobov circling the outside and White working the middle of the
cage as they hit the halfway mark of round two. Lobov paws at his
left eye, which has a cut above it and swelling below. White steps
into the pocket with a lead uppercut, slips a shot from Lobov and
follows up with a left hand. Another takedown goes for White with
70 seconds on the clock. He tries to control the Russian but can’t
wrap up his legs, and Lobov is back on his feet within 30 seconds.
He comes forward, swinging more hard punches at White but can’t
inflict any damage before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 White
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 White
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 White
Round 3
White pumps his jab in Lobov’s face and then goes downstairs with a
body shot. Lobov tries to close in near the fence but eats a right
hand and gets pushed away with a body kick. Ninety seconds in,
White wraps up Lobov with a bodylock and trips him to the ground,
where the American passes straight to side control. Lobov rolls to
his knees and tries to stand up near the fence, but White has
control of the grounded man’s legs and keeps him on the canvas.
Referee Mark Smith calls for action at the halfway mark; White
responds by hunting for a guillotine choke, but in the process he
allows Lobov to stand up. Lobov walks forward with his hands low
and swipes a hard left hand across White’s face. The next two
wind-up right hands from Lobov hit nothing, and White dings him
with a nice left hook on the counter as the “Hammer” stands there
with hands by his waist. White grabs a rear waistlock and winds up
on top after Lobov tries to roll through and escape. The fight ends
a few seconds later, with White in Lobov’s half guard.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 White (30-27 White)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 White (30-27 White)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 White (30-27 White)
The Official Result
Alex White def. Artem Lobov via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27,
30-27) R3 5:00
Round 1
Gall walks across the cage and jabs Jackson backward toward the
fence, then follows through with a hard right cross to the chin.
Jackson hits the deck and Gall drops a few punches on him before
opting to take the Texan’s back. Gall slaps on a rear-naked choke
which forces Jackson to tap within seconds, and that’s all she
wrote. With that, Mickey Gall has won the right to be the debut
opponent for Phil Brooks, a.k.a. “CM Punk,” later this year.
The Official Result
Mickey Gall def. Mike Jackson via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1
0:45
Round 1
Lahat opens with a front kick and dodges a big right hand from
Rivas, who pokes “Neo” in his right eye with an outstretched hand
as he pushes away. Lahat recovers from the foul within a minute and
gets back to business. Rivas checks a hard leg kick but can’t
defend Lahat’s first takedown attempt, a bodylock trip in the
center of the cage. From half guard, Lahat snatches a topside
guillotine choke and passes to full mount, where he squeezes for
the finish. Rivas gives a thumbs-up to referee Mark Smith, and the
Chilean looks to be working his way out of the choke, which isn’t
under his chin. After 20 seconds of squeezing, Lahat gives up on
the choke and sets up in Rivas’ guard. Rivas throws up a triangle
which forces Lahat to stand up, but “Neo” comes back to the ground
and takes Rivas’ back in a scramble. Lahat looks for the rear-naked
choke, can’t get it and gives up a hook to transition to top
control again. Lahat tries an arm-triangle choke, can’t get the tap
and moves again to Rivas’ back. This time, Rivas stands up with his
opponent on his back. Lahat slips off but grabs another guillotine
as he’s taken down by Rivas. “Pitbull” escapes from the choke
shortly before time runs out.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Lahat
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-8 Lahat
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Lahat
Round 2
Rivas sends a high kick off Lahat’s forearm, backs up and then
leaps at “Neo” with a flying knee. The shot connects clean and
knocks out Lahat immediately. He drops to his back in the center of
the cage and Rivas follows up with a couple punches before referee
Smith recognizes that Lahat is out and stops the fight. Diego Rivas
comes back from a tough opening round to score a highlight-reel
knockout.
The Official Result
Diego Rivas def. Noad Lahat via KO (Flying Knee) R2 0:23
Round 1
Scoggins is on the attack from the opening bell, pumping jabs in
Borg’s face and threatening with kicks both frontward and back.
Borg changes levels and hits a quick takedown, but Scoggins is back
up within seconds, pushing Borg against the cage. Scoggins keeps
his head underneath Borg’s chin, applying pressure as they grind
away in the clinch. Scoggins connects with a left hand on the
break, comes back to clinch again and applies more head pressure.
This one doesn’t last long, and the flyweights are back to striking
in the center of the cage. Scoggins slaps Borg’s face with a
leaping high kick, then sprawls on a shot from the “Tazmexican
Devil.” Borg comes away from the exchange with a bloody nose and
circles away, absorbing a leg kick as he does so. Scoggins shuts
down another takedown attempt and kicks at Borg’s legs after the
Albuquerque fighter drops to guard. Scoggins gets the last word in
the round with a lovely spinning back kick to Borg’s midsection.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Scoggins
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Scoggins
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Scoggins
Round 2
Borg gets hold of Scoggins and, instead of trying for a takedown,
opts to pull guard in the middle of the cage. Scoggins follows to
the ground, lands a couple middling shots and then stands up,
asking Borg to do the same. Scoggins continues to switch between
orthodox and southpaw stances as he slides around the cage, evading
Borg’s power punches. Scoggins gets a bodylock and puts Borg on the
ground with a trip takedown. Borg tries to sit up and drive forward
for a takedown of his own, but Scoggins keeps control and forces
Borg back to his seat at the base of the fence. Borg eats half a
dozen hard right hands to the face as he works back to his feet,
but once he’s there, he slugs Scoggins with a right hand on the
break. Scoggins eats it and walks forward on Borg with two minutes
on the clock. Scoggins comes down the center with a hard left hand,
then follows up with a pair of high kicks which slap both sides of
Borg’s face. Borg drops levels and drives hard on a double-leg
takedown attempt, but Scoggins keeps his balance and stays standing
with his back up against the fence. Scoggins reverses Borg to the
fence and finishes the round in the outside position.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Scoggins
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Scoggins
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Scoggins
Round 3
Borg meets Scoggins with a takedown attempt in the center of the
cage. Scoggins sprawls and kneels down on Borg to land some
ground-and-pound, but after a few punches, Borg rolls him over and
gets top position in the scramble. Borg looks for a guillotine but
Scoggins escapes instantly, raising up to slam Borg to his back and
escaping from the choke in the process. With 3:30 on the clock,
it’s Scoggins on top, grinding with short right hands from Borg’s
half guard. Borg thumps the side of Scoggins’ head with some
frustrated open-palm strikes and then powers back to his feet. He’s
there for only a few seconds before Scoggins decks him with a left
hook and takes him down again. It’s looking like a lost cause for
Borg with 90 seconds on the clock, but he’s still throwing elbows
from his back and trying to escape. Scoggins keeps his face buried
in Borg’s chest until the 40-second mark, when Borg kicks him back
and jumps to his feet. Borg goes for a last-ditch guillotine but
loses it almost as soon as they hit the ground, and that’s where
this one ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Scoggins (30-27 Scoggins)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Scoggins (30-27
Scoggins)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Scoggins (30-27 Scoggins)
The Official Result
Justin Scoggins def. Ray Borg via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27,
30-27) R3 5:00
Round 1
Grabowski blocks a high kick from Lewis, changes levels and drives
forward for a fast double-leg takedown. Lewis sweeps almost as soon
as they hit the ground and drops a couple right hands on
Grabowski’s face while passing to the Pole’s half guard. Grabowski
reclaims full guard and locks down both of Lewis’ wrists to prevent
any further offense. Lewis stands, shucks Grabowski’s legs and
comes crashing back to the ground with a huge right hand. The punch
opens a deep cut on the left side of Grabowski’s head, staining the
canvas with blood straight away. Lewis compresses Grabowski on the
ground and tees up the head of the “Polish Pitbull” for some heavy
right hands. Grabowski is fading fast, covering up as Lewis unloads
with more strikes. Lewis stands up again and dives back to the
ground with another massive right hand that splits the gloves of
the already fetal Grabowski. This time, referee Mark Smith has seen
enough, and Derrick Lewis has notched a quick and dominant stoppage
victory.
The Official Result
Derrick Lewis def. Damian Grabowski via TKO (Punches) R1 2:17
Round 1
It’s a tense opening minute between the welterweights, who circle
and jab around the middle of the cage, testing the range with
kicks. Burkman puts a few good leg kicks on Noons’ lead leg and
follows with a body shot. The Las Vegas crowd begins to jeer after
two minutes of slow going, so Burkman goes back to Noons’ body with
another kick. Burkman tags Noons with a left hook which gets the
Hawaiian circling away. Another thumping left kick hits Noons on
the flank. A left hand to the body lands for Burkman, but he misses
with a pair of huge power punches, trying to take off the head of
his opponent. Noons continues to work off his back foot, flicking
out punches but not landing much of anything. Burkman raises up
with a left high kick that partially connects to Noons’ head in the
closing seconds.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Burkman
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Burkman
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Burkman
Round 2
Burkman fires off a few punches before running forward and grabbing
hold of Noons’ legs, looking for a double against the fence. “The
People’s Warrior” lifts Noons into the air and slams him to the
ground, but he can’t contain the former Strikeforce contender and
soon both welterweights are back on their feet. Once again, the
pace slows in the striking exchanges. Both men are moving around
the cage, both throwing strikes but not connecting with much.
Referee John McCarthy calls for action but none is forthcoming.
Burkman decks Noons with a good combination, finished with a right
hook as they fight down the final minute.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Burkman
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Burkman
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Burkman
Round 3
Before the start of the final round, referee McCarthy cautions both
fighters to stay busy and “go after” one another. Burkman shoots a
single-leg and immediately takes down Noons at the base of the
fence. Noons kneels, posts and stands, working back to his feet
with surprising ease. He walks forward on Burkman and dings the
veteran with a couple good left hands on the side of the head.
Noons leans over to dodge a punch from Burkman and gets a knee to
the face instead. Noons continues to press forward on Burkman,
socks him with a hard right hook and fends off another takedown
attempt. The tide has turned in favor of Noons here in the final
round, but Burkman slows the boxer’s roll with a double-leg
takedown attempt against the cage. Noons fights out of it, steps
toward Burkman and gets clipped with a hook, then another body
kick. Burkman follows up his successful offense with another
double-leg try, pushing Noons back to the fence. Noons drops to one
knee as they enter the final minute, stands up with Burkman still
clung to his legs and scores with three or four elbows to the side
of the head. Burkman takes a couple more elbows before he lifts
Noons off the ground and slams him to the mat. That will be all she
wrote, as Noons is unable to escape before the final horn.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Noons (29-28 Burkman)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Noons (29-28 Burkman)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Noons (29-28 Burkman)
The Official Result
Joshua Burkman def. K.J. Noons via Unanimous Decision (30-27,
30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00
Round 1
Spencer is on the move in the opening minute, flicking out his jab
as he tries to close the gap on the taller man. The welterweights
engage in a brief clinch on the fence and then disengage without
much action. Pyle lands a few leg kicks, then takes a lead left
hook on the cheek. Spencer sends a hard jab down the center that
gets Pyle wiping at his face. Pyle uses his long arms to touch
Spencer with a couple right hands, but Spencer gets the last word
in the exchange with a hook that puts the veteran on his seat.
Spencer follows his opponent to the ground but stays there only a
few seconds after “Quicksand” threatens with an armbar. More jabs
and lead left hooks score for Spencer, who is keeping up his
forward motion here in the final 90 seconds of the round. Pyle
catches a body kick with seconds to spare, tries a takedown and
gets stuffed. He releases and catches Spencer on the jaw with a
right hand just as time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Spencer
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Spencer
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Spencer
Round 2
Spencer keeps up the pressure at the onset of the second round, his
jab thwarting the offense of Pyle in the opening minute. Spencer
leans into the pocket awkwardly and gets caught with a right hook
which loops around the back of his head. He wobbles backward as
Pyle steps forward cautiously, looking to capitalize but not
rushing. Spencer regains his footing and slugs back at Pyle with a
right hand that gets the veteran’s attention. A left hook scores
for Spencer, then an overhand right, another left hook. Pyle
strikes back with a pair of right hands which slows the Virginian’s
attack. Spencer gets a left hook on the side of the head and winds
up with a small but pronounced hematoma on his right temple. Pyle
eats a right hand and changes levels for a takedown near the fence,
but Spencer is back up within seconds to finish the round on his
feet.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Pyle
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Pyle
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Pyle
Round 3
Spencer pushes Pyle backward with a left hook and an overhand
right, waits 20 seconds and repeats the sequence. Pyle tries a
little rope-a-dope but can’t get Spencer to rush in. Spencer shoots
for a takedown and nearly gets caught in a guillotine; he escapes
the choke after they hit the ground, surrendering top position in
the process. Spencer backs up to the fence and get to one knee,
where he has to fend off another choke attempt. Pyle switches to a
bodylock and tries to keep Spencer on the ground, but “Black Magic”
is back on his feet with just under two minutes on the clock. Pyle
flicks out a couple jabs, tries a takedown and gets stuffed, but he
hits Spencer with a knee as they split. A spinning elbow from Pyle
puts Spencer on rubber legs. Pyle smells blood and traps Spencer
against the cage, blasting him with level elbows. Spencer doubles
over and leaves his head in perfect position for Pyle to deliver a
knee. Pyle looks at referee Yves Lavigne, trying to get him to stop
the fight. Lavigne takes no action, so Pyle drives another knee
into Spencer’s face, and this one gets the ref to intervene.
The Official Result
Mike Pyle def. Sean Spencer via TKO (Elbows and Knees) R3
4:25
Round 1
Cirkunov presses forward in the first minute, ducking under a few
spinning attacks from Nicholson to deliver strikes of his own.
After a tense couple of minutes, Cirkunov catches Nicholson near
the fence, wraps him up and drags him down to one knee. Nicholson
gets back up but takes a knee to the face in the process. Cirkunov
lands a left hand over the top, dodges another spinning backfist
from Nicholson and takes him down again. Nicholson stands up with
his back to the fence and knees Cirkunov in the groin as they fight
in the clinch. Referee Herb Dean issues a stern warning to
Nicholson and tells him a point will be deducted for the next foul.
Cirkunov recovers quickly and comes back to slug Nicholson with
another overhand left. Yet another left scores for Cirkunov as he
walks Nicholson against the fence. Nicholson shoves him away but is
soon backed up again. Cirkunov lands a pair of punches, ducks under
a spinning elbow and tries to clinch, but Nicholson refuses to be
held. Nicholson gets too aggressive as he steps in to strike,
allowing Cirkunov to change levels and floor him with ease. A huge
elbow to the face gets Nicholson to turn over; Cirkunov tries to
follow up but runs out of time.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cirkunov
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Cirkunov
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cirkunov
Round 2
Cirkunov catches Nicholson off balance and completes another easy
takedown near the fence. He jumps on Nicholson’s back, holds the
position with a body triangle and begins pounding away with left
hands. Nicholson tries to cover up and deflect the strikes, so
Cirkunov applies a tight neck crank and wrenches Nicholson’s face
to the right. Nicholson taps out almost instantly and grabs at his
jaw, which Cirkunov looks to have injured with the pain lock.
The Official Result
Misha Cirkunov def. Alex Nicholson via Submission (Neck Crank) R2
1:28
Round 1
Makovsky dodges early punches from his fellow southpaw and denies
Benavidez’s first takedown attempt, albeit a half-hearted one.
“Funsize” shoots for a takedown of his own and slams Benavidez to
the ground with a high single-leg, but the Team Alpha Male product
jumps right back to his feet. Benavidez connects with a two-piece
combination, shuts down Makovsky’s next two shots and backs him off
with an elbow strike. A right hand swipes Makovsky’s face as
Benavidez backs him up to the fence. Makovsky catches a kick but
can’t keep hold as Benavidez spins out of the dangerous position.
Jabs continue to score for Benavidez, now a standing elbow. Inside
the final minute, Makovsky brings down Benavidez with a takedown
near the fence and tries to climb on the Joe-Jitsu fighter’s back.
Benavidez stands and peels him off just before time runs out.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Benavidez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Benavidez
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Benavidez
Round 2
Benavidez walks straight at Makovsky, backing up the former
Bellator champ to the fence and then shutting down a takedown
attempt. Benavidez backs up a step and thumps Makovsky’s body with
a right kick, then steps back inside to deliver a knee to the gut.
Makovsky gets out of the way of a telegraphed right hand, lands a
counter left hook and circles away. Benavidez goes body-head with a
pair of punches, ducks under a Makovsky spinning backfist. Makovsky
drops levels, grabs a leg and dumps Benavidez to the ground in the
middle of the cage, but Benavidez executes a nice bridge sweep and
flips him over the top. Benavidez tags Makovsky with a lead right
hook and then drops to his knees to shut down the wrestler’s next
shot. A short clinch on the cage ends with a Makovsky knee to the
body and a Benavidez right hook upstairs. Makovsky gets another
takedown with 30 seconds on the clock and this time jumps on
Benavidez’s back as they scramble up. Benavidez shakes him off and
clinches Makovsky against the cage as time runs out.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Benavidez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Benavidez
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Benavidez
Round 3
Benavidez swings and misses as he marches forward on Makovsky in
the opening minute. Makovsky catches him coming inside and delivers
a knee to the body, but Benavidez shuts down another takedown
attempt behind the strike. Benavidez is walking inside on
Makovsky’s with hands low, swinging at “Funsize” with impunity. A
short clinch off the fence ends with a Benavidez standing elbow
strike and a knee to the gut. Halfway through the final round,
Benavidez continues to snuff out Makovsky’s shots. A right hook
connects for Benavidez on the end of one takedown try, then a
reaching left hand as Makovsky moves backward. Makovsky tries a
spinning backfist in the closing seconds, gets knocked to the
ground and takes a right hand to the face. He kicks Benavidez
backward just as the final horn sounds, and this one will be
decided by the judges.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Benavidez (30-27 Benavidez)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Benavidez (30-27
Benavidez)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Benavidez (30-27 Benavidez)
The Official Result
Joseph Benavidez def. Zach Makovsky via Unanimous Decision (30-27,
29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00
Round 1
The southpaw St. Preux moves slowly forward on “Feijao,” who
switches stances as he bounces around the perimeter of the cage.
There’s not much action between the 205ers in the first 90 seconds.
“OSP” throws a leg kick and appears to injure his foot as it
clashes against the Brazilian’s knee. St. Preux switches to
orthodox stance after a kick from Feijao connects to the injured
leg. St. Preux uses the other leg to front-kick Feijao’s
midsection, but the American is clearly limping as he tries to walk
forward. St. Preux catches Feijao near the fence and drills him
with a left hand over the top. Cavalcante hits the deck, absorbs a
couple more punches from OSP and then wraps him up to avoid any
further damage in the closing seconds.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 St. Preux
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 St. Preux
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 St. Preux
Round 2
The light heavyweights are off to another slow start in the second
stanza, with St. Preux pressing out from the center while
Cavalcante circles the perimeter. Feijao steps back to the center
to deliver a right hand, but he goes back to cutting angles after
landing the single strike. St. Preux sends him back a few steps
with a push kick to the body and, moments later, floors the
off-balance Brazilian with a right hand. OSP follows him to the
ground, setting up in Feijao’s closed guard near the fence. Feijao
tries to control St. Preux’s arms and limit the ground-and-pound,
shifting between closed and open guard as he appears to ponder a
submission. St. Preux gets busy with some hammerfists but only
socks Cavalcante with two or three before relenting. St. Preux puts
an open hand across Feijao’s face and gets a warning from referee
Yves Lavigne to mind his fingers.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 St. Preux
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 St. Preux
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 St. Preux
Round 3
It’s a much quicker start to the final round, as Cavalcante absorbs
a pair of punches and a body kick, then comes back swinging power
punches at St. Preux’s head. OSP drops to his knees to try a
double-leg, gets stood up and holds Feijao against the fence for a
few seconds before releasing. St. Preux lands a stiff front kick to
the body, dings the side of Feijao’s head with a pair of left hooks
and then scores a takedown near the fence. Feijao tries to wrap up
St. Preux, who works from the Brazilian’s half guard with just over
three minutes left in the fight. A minute evaporates with little
action on the mat, just St. Preux keeping Feijao flat on his back,
scoring the occasional short left hand to the head. Feijao reclaims
full guard but can’t do much from his back, and St. Preux continues
to grind him down in the final minute. With 30 seconds on the
clock, St. Preux stands over his opponent and comes crashing back
to the mat with a big left hand. More lefts rain down on Feijao’s
face as St. Preux tries to finish before the horn, but time expires
before the finish materializes.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 St. Preux (30-26 St. Preux)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-8 St. Preux (30-26 St.
Preux)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 St. Preux (30-26 St. Preux)
The Official Result
Ovince St. Preux def. Rafael Cavalcante via Unanimous Decision
(30-27, 30-27, 29-28) R3 5:00
Round 1
Rosholt cuts angles around the edge of the cage while Nelson looks
to close in from the center, both heavyweights hunched low with
hands cocked. Nelson sticks a jab on the nose of Rosholt, who
swings and misses with a simultaneous overhand right. Rosholt
circles left and dashes away to avoid Nelson’s first overhand bomb
of the fight. Nelson doubles up on his jab and tries to follow
through with another huge right hand, but again “The Big Show” is
able to evade the power punch. Nelson whiffs on a right hand and
stumbles into range, allowing Rosholt to clip him with a quick
burst of punches. Rosholt jabs his way toward Nelson and follows
through with a right straight which grazes the face of “Big
Country.” Nelson gets Rosholt to bite on a couple feints but the
Texan finishes the frame with a stiff front kick to Nelson’s
midsection.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Rosholt
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Rosholt
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Rosholt
Round 2
It’s more of the same from the big men at the onset of the second
stanza: Rosholt keeping to the outside, cutting angles and staying
away from the power hand of Nelson. Back to the center comes
Rosholt, just briefly, to land a leg kick and a short right hand.
Nelson gets caught off balance and drops to a knee after a punch
from Rosholt but he’s soon back on his feet. Rosholt continues to
pick at Nelson’s lead leg as they circle around the cage. Nelson
catches Rosholt leaning in and clips him with an overhand right
behind the ear. Nelson gets Rosholt moving with a pawing left hand
and follow-up right over the top. Rosholt fakes a shot but doesn’t
get much reaction from “Big Country,” who whiffs on a couple
right-handed bombs in the closing seconds.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-10
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Nelson
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-10
Round 3
Rosholt remains on his back foot as the final round begins, dashing
around the edge of the cage when Nelson comes charging forward with
his big right hand. Nelson finds the mark with an overhand bomb but
can’t land follow-up shots as Rosholt runs away. Nelson ducks under
a right high kick and catches Rosholt on the other side with a
right hand. Half a round remains in the bout, and the heavyweights
continue to attack one another with single strikes. Nelson clips
Rosholt with a right hand and gives him a little more with a
backhand on the other side. Inside the final 90 seconds, Rosholt
comes looking for a takedown and is stuffed by “Big Country.”
There’s lots of swinging and missing in the final seconds as both
guys go for the homerun shot but have very little left in their gas
tanks.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Nelson (29-29 Draw)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Nelson (29-28 Nelson)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Nelson (29-29 Draw)
The Official Result
Roy Nelson def. Jared Rosholt via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27,
30-27) R3 5:00
Round 1
Referee John McCarthy is the third man in the cage for tonight’s
170-pound main event, with judges Sal D’Amato, Marcos Rosales and
Glenn Trowbridge scoring at cageside. Both men line up southpaw,
Thompson in his wide karate stance and Hendricks with his left hand
loaded. “Bigg Rigg” dodges Thompson’s first kick and comes inside
to clinch up against the fence. Thompson denies a short takedown
attempt and escapes from Hendricks’ underhook to circle out to the
center. Hendricks gets a right high kick to the face, albeit one
without much behind it. Thompson sends a pair of hard punches down
the middle, and these connect with much greater force. Hendricks
stands in front of Thompson with his hands high and gets a right
high kick bounced off his forearms. A straight right hand down the
middle knocks Hendricks back a few steps. Now a pair of straight
shots scores for Thompson, followed by a high kick deflected by
Hendricks’ arms. Hendricks swings and misses with an overhand and
gets clocked with a right-handed counter. Thompson follows up with
a huge spinning kick to the chest, gets Hendricks looking one way
with a straight right and then blows him up with a left cross.
Hendricks drops to his knees and it only takes a few follow-up
punches from Thompson to force referee McCarthy into action.
Stephen Thompson picks up his most significant win to date with a
sensational first-round finish.
The Official Result
Stephen Thompson def. Johny Hendricks via TKO (Punches) R1
3:31