The show comes from Anaheim, California and the announcers are Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg.

Tyson Griffin and Thiago Tavares start off the show.

1. Tyson Griffin vs. Thiago Tavares

Griffin is the aggressor for the entire round. Tavares tries for submissions, but he didn’t really latch onto anything. Griffin won the round with heavy rights and knees to the body, while controlling Tavares when it went to the ground.

Tavares has early control of the round. He hits a flying knee that slightly wobbles Griffin and takes him down. He has Griffin’s back, but he stands up with him and eventually gets out of it. Griffin is aggressive on top with right hands, but Tavares gets his back again and again Griffin stands up. This time, Griffin dumps him right on top of his head and Tavares has a huge mouse under his left eye. Great round that I’d give slightly to Tavares.

Round three is tough to score. Tavares was persistent with the submissions, but never had anything tight. Griffin eluded them all and was the better striker of the round. Tavares ended up taking him down a couple times, but Griffin ended up in better position. I’d slightly give it to Griffin, but could see it going to a draw too.

Winner: Tyson Griffin by way of unanimous decision.

2. Lyoto Machida vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura

Machida looks bigger, faster, stronger, and no, that wasn’t meant to copy Daft Punk/Kanye West. He kept his distance with strikes and didn’t allow Nakamura to get inside. And when it went to the ground, he was in the top position and Nakamura didn’t even try to do anything from the bottom. Easily Machida’s round.

Machida wins about 4:15 of this round with strikes and a rear naked choke attempt. He had it in for several seconds. He also had strong ground and pound. Nakamura got one big punch in and had one takedown, but it wasn’t enough. Another easy round for Machida.

Nakamura knows he has to knock him out or submit him to win the round and he’s more busy. Machida seems to be willing to counter punch and fight defensively, but Nakamura presses on and they fight in the clinch for much of the second half of the round. They both score with hard strikes, but it’s too little to late for Nakamura. Another round for Machida.

Continue Reading »