1. Daniel Bryan vs. Mark Henry vs. The Big Show

The story of this match is that Daniel Bryan is a pinball and he’s bouncing around for Big Show and Mark Henry. Mark Henry couldn’t really do anything. He was not the world’s strongest man tonight. He could barely get his foot off the ground.

Bryan went to the top of the cage to try and leave, but the every so swift Big Show kept catching him. Big Show trapped Daniel Bryan’s arm and then also had him by his head so it looked like Bryan was hanging from the top of the cage, which was pretty cool. Show had a grip on him and Bryan was hanging from Show’s wrists, and finally let go and won the match.

Winner: Daniel Bryan

Bryan did the “Yes” screams after the match. (Photo sent in by my friend Jenn who is there live.)

2. The Bellas, Natalya, and Beth Phoenix vs. Alicia Fox, Eve, Kelly Kelly, and Tamina

Beth Phoenix tagged herself in by slapping one of the bellas pretty hard, immediately gave Kelly Kelly the Glam Slam for the win. Beth projects her character better than most of the dude wrestlers.

Winner: The Bellas, Natalya, and Beth Phoenix

3. John Cena vs. Kane

Your biggest star is used as the backdrop dor a terrible angle where Kane just keeps beating up Zack Ryder. The match was actually okay. Cena did a pretty sweet “You Can’t See Me” fist drop from the top rope.

They were both counted out and they brawled to the back. Earlier in the show, Zack Ryder was wheeled into the arena and Johnny Ace gave him a room to relax in. As they were brawling in the back, Kane found where Zack was, beat him up, brought him back to the ring and beat him up some more. For whatever reason, Cena was no where to be found. Eve was pleading with Kane, but to no avail. It was tombstone time. He was put on a stretcher and taken to the back.

Winner: No one (double count out)

And right after that brutal bullying, they ran an anti-bullying ad. Hmmm.

4. Drew McIntyre vs. Brodus Clay

And here we all thought that Drew was fired. He might as well be. Brodus with the squash.

Winner: Brodus Clay

5. Dolph Ziggler vs. CM Punk

It’s too bad that the Johnny Ace/CM Punk feud was given more importance than this match because it could’ve been so much better. It was still good. Lots of back and forth, but it was mostly hurt by the constant interfering by Ace. Punk had the match won a couple of times, but there was a ref bump and Ace was the ringside enforcer and wouldn’t count the pin. Punk had him up for a GTS and clipped Ace who was upset and wouldn’t count the pin again. Dolph hit the Fame Asser for a near fall. Punk hit the GTS again and Ace came in to help the referee count the pin. Odd finish.

Winner: CM Punk

6. Royal Rumble

Miz eliminated Riley fairly easily and now has to face Truth. Miz eventually eliminated Truth. Mick and Ricardo eliminated Gabriel. It looks like Mick is going to pair up with anyone and everyone. Santino gave Ricardo a wedgie before throwing him out. Foley and Santino did a socko vs. cobra stand-off. Epico was quickly socko’d out.

Cody tossed out Foley from behind. Lawler came out, hit the fist drop and was thrown out by Cody. Cody and Miz are cleaning up. The Great Khali comes back and immediately eliminates Khali and Big Zeke. No wonder Jinder hates him. Booker came in and only had a shirt and tie on. He must’ve been pantsless. Miz tossed out Kofi, but Kofi did a handstand so his feet didn’t hit the floor and he walked on his hands to the steps so he’s still in the match. Awesome. Duggan wasn’t long for this match. Cody and Miz are still running things.

Kharma, Booker, and Lawler eliminated Cole. Kharma press slammed Hunico out. After Kharma did her move on Ziggler, he threw her out. Sheamus tossed out Kofi. Barrett tossed out Road Dog. It was fun while it lasted. Orton tossed out Barrett like he was Jey Uso. He also threw out Jey Uso. Jericho didn’t run around the ring and slap fives with fans. He immediately eliminated David Otunga. Show eliminated Miz, Rhodes, and Ziggler.

Show, Jericho, Sheamus, and Orton are the final four. Orton eliminated Show and Jericho eliminated Orton. It’s Jericho and Sheamus. Holy crap. Sheamus won.

Winner: Sheamus

Entry order
1. The Miz
2. Alex Riley
3. R-Truth
4. Cody Rhodes
5. Justin Gabriel
6. Primo
7. Mick Foley
8. Ricardo
9. Santino
10. Epico
11. Kofi Kingston
12. Jerry Lawler
13. Big Zeke
14. Jinder Mahal
15. The Great Khali
16. Hunico
17. Booker T
18. Dolph Ziggler
19. Hacksaw Jim Duggan
20. Michael Cole
21. Kharma
22. Sheamus
23. Road Dogg
24. Jey Uso
25. Jack Swagger
26. Wade Barrett
27. David Otunga
28. Randy Orton
29. Chris Jericho
30. The Big Show

Elimination order
1. Alex Riley
2. R-Truth
3. Primo
4. Justin Gabriel
5. Ricardo
6. Epico
7. Santino
8. Mick Foley
9. Jerry Lawler
10. Jinder Mahal
11. Big Zeke
12. Hacksaw Jim Duggan
13. Booker T
14. The Great Khali
15. Michael Cole
16. Hunico
17. Kharma
18. Kofi Kingston
19. Road Dog
20. Jey Uso
21. Wade Barrett
22. David Otunga
23. Jack Swagger
24. The Miz
25. Cody Rhodes
26. Dolph Ziggler
27. The Big Show
28. Randy Orton
29. Chris Jericho

Curt Menafee says this is the first of four UFC shows on Fox this year. Well, at least if the shows bring in solid ratings or no one is violently hurt.

Menafee, Randy Couture, and Jon Jones are on the panel for the pre-game stuff. Menafee says that if Evans wins, he gets Jones at UFC 145 in Atlanta.

1. Chris Weidman vs. Demian Maia

You have a good wrestler and a great jiu-jitsu guy. Of course the first round is nearly all on the feet. Earlier, Maia seemed to be getting the best of it, but later in the round, Weidman was much more comfortable. Maia is telegraphing his right hand and Weidman was able to avoid it mostly. But Maia did land some nice knees. Weidman was varied with his kicks and punches. Weidman also got a takedown late.

Weidman had an early takedown and he fell immediately into side control. Weidman was tired for most of it and Maia was able to outstrike him, but not in any significant way. Pretty boring round until Weidman was able to secure another takedown and was working for Maia’s back. I think that last takedown and attempt toward submission may have secured him the round.

Maia is also tired and the third round suffered because of sloppiness. Maia was so tired that he went for a takedown, Weidman sprawled and Maia face planted. This isn’t necessarily the kind of fight that’s going to keep an audience. With Weidman having to cut so much weight, it was ripe for the taking for Maia and he just looks absurdly tired. I’d give the fight to Weidman simply because he closed rounds better and fought a smarter tactical fight than Maia did.

Winner: Chris Weidman by way of split decision

The scores were 29-28 once for Maia and the same twice for Weidman.

Bisping called Sonnen the UFC’s court jester. Sonnen cut a Saturday Night’s Main Event-like promo and said that fighting Chael Sonnen is hazardous to your health.

2. Michael Bisping vs. Chael Sonnen

Very active first round. Sonnen was all over Bisping early on and Bisping was on his heels. He took him down seconds into the fight, but wasn’t able to keep him down. Bisping looked flustered, but figured him out. Bisping’s striking was crisp while Sonnen’s was wild. Sonnen’s stand-up was so wild that it looked like he was going to conk Bisping in the head when he missed his left hand.

Sonnen looks all out of sorts on his feet. He hits hard but it’s not smooth, it’s jumpy, and every time he throws, it looks like he’s going to collide with Bisping’s head. But he did secure a takedown and was able to keep Bisping down for a bit. But he wasn’t able to land his signature ground and pound punches.

Sonnen opened up the round with a huge takedown. Bisping’s guard has been so good in this fight. He either keeps his right foot on Sonnen’s hips to push him off, or he’s been able to control his hips by locking his feet on his back. Sonnen got Bisping’s back, couldn’t get the rear naked, nearly got an arm triangle and immediately transitioned into the mount. Sonnen has found something extra in the tank this round. Bisping took him down at the very end. I think Sonnen’s going to win a very close decision. The key is the first round.

Winner: Chael Sonnen by way of unanimous decision

Bisping at first looked bothered at the decision, but he clapped for him. That first round could’ve been a draw round or it could’ve been for either guy. All three judges looked to have given it to Sonnen.

Sonnen cut another WWE-inspired promo. It wasn’t as good as his recent ones, but still pretty darn good.

3. Phil Davis vs. Rashad Evans

Davis looks a little nervous. Lots of feeling each other out. Davis threw a kick and Evans caught it and took him down. Evans got him in the little brother position and laid in some heavy punches, but Davis got his arms free and lasted the round.

Pretty boring round. Davis is hesitant to finish his kicks. Evans is fighting a safe fight, while Davis is fighting a scared fight. Evans caught his leg again and took him down near the end of the round.

Davis went for a takedown, but Evans stuffed it. Davis pushed for it, but Evans turned him over and ended up on top. They were tied up against the fence and Evans landed an uppercut that seemed to take the life out of Davis there for a bit. Davis finally got the takedown, which should at least give him some confidence. But Rashad is pitching a shutout.

Davis looks tired energy-wise, but also tired of getting hit. His kicks and punches are in slow motion. Evans is too methodical. He could take it to Davis if he wants to, but seems okay with winning a decision. He pressed on at the end a bit.

Evans caught Davis’ leg again and pounded Davis against the cage a few times before taking him down. Davis got up and kept slipping when throwing his shots, but he didn’t have anything on them anyway. Rashad will win an easy decision.

Winner: Rashad Evans by way of unanimous decision

The big news yesterday was that Anthony Johnson’s body shut down when he was trying to cut weight and he weighed in at 197 for a 185 pound fight. Vitor accepted the fight as long as Johnson didn’t weigh more than 205 this morning and Johnson has to give him 20% of his purse. The fight will go on.

1. Terry Etim vs. Edson Barboza

The first round featured a ton of leg kicks and some nice boxing. Neither guy really got the advantage and while a lot of strikes scored, no one was in trouble. Leg kicks may hurt Etim in the next couple rounds.

Etim started to gain some momentum late in the round, but Barboza’s striking is more varied and he’s landing the harder shots. Etim needs to close out strong to win this one.

Holy cow! Barboza threw a wheel kick and caught Etim right in the face with his heel. Etim went stiff and out.

Winner: Edson Barboza by way of 1st round TKO

2. Carlo Prater vs. Erick Silva

Well, that was fast. Silva landed a right hand, then a knee when Prater buckled and them hammer fists on the ground and it was over. Uh oh. The referee is going to take away Silva’s victory because of shots to the back of the head. There have been many worse occurrences of hitting in the back of the head. Silva got a raw deal.

Winner: Carlo Prater by way of disqualification

3. Mike Massenzio vs. Rousimar Palhares

Massenzio never had a chance. After kicking him low, Palhares grabbed him, pulled him into his guard, and immediately heel hooked him.

Winner: Rousimar Palhares by way of 1st round submission

4. Anthony Johnson vs. Vitor Belfort

Vitor is the biggest babyface on earth right now. Johnson started early, using his wrestling and landing a huge bomb when Belfort was on his back. Johnson got another takedown, but they were stood back up quickly. Vitor got Johnson down, got his back, and sunk in a rear naked choke for the win.

Winner: Vitor Belfort by way of 1st round submission

5. Chad Mendes vs. Jose Aldo

It was a funny exchange early on. Mendes landed a couple of leg kicks. And then Aldo landed one. Aldo’s looked like it was about 10 times harder. Mendes worked for the takedown and just couldn’t get it. He had a shot at one, but Aldo held onto the cage. He let Aldo get away and he was still in a crouch. Aldo kneed him right in the face and followed up with a bomb on the ground and it was over with one second left in the round.

Winner: Jose Aldo by way of 1st round TKO

The undercard was all decisions. That tells me we’ll see all finishes on the main card.

1. Jimy Hettes vs. Nam Phan

Hettes owned the entire first half of the round. He took Phan down a couple times, locked in a guillotine, and was laying into him with the ground and pound. I thought it was going to be stopped. Phan was able to get back up, which tells me that Hettes might not be a hard hitter. Phan looked like he was going to start doing well in the standup, but Hettes hip tossed him. Hettes went for an arm bar, but Phan fought it, taking a beating in the process. Has to be a 10-8 round.

It was Hettes’ round yet again. Not quite 10-8 this round. He was using all kinds of throws to get Phan on his back and was going for submissions, but Phan was fighting them. If Hettes could punch a bit, this fight would be over.

Both guys are pretty tired. If Phan had a chance, it was when they were standing up and Hettes looked to be more tired. But soon thereafter, Hettes took him down again and was slamming him with punches and elbows from the top. He gave him another beating to easily win the fight.

Winner: Jimy Hettes by way of unanimous decision

The scores were 30-25, 30-25, 30-26.

2. Alexander Gustafsson vs. Vladimir Matyushenko

Well, MGM got their first stoppage of the night. Matyushenko stepped right into a Gustafsson jab and went down. Gustafsson followed it up on the ground and it was stopped very quickly.

Winner: Alexander Gustafsson by way of 1st way TKO

3. Johny Hendricks vs. Jon Fitch

Well, MGM got their second finish. Hendricks stepped into a left hand and Fitch went out. Wow.

Winner: Johny Hendricks by way of 1st round TKO

4. Donald Cerrone vs. Nate Diaz

They rushed each other like two bulls. Diaz had his way with Cerrone on the feet. Cerrone tried to mix up his strikes with leg kicks, but he had to have eaten 40 punches to his face. Diaz’s striking was super accurate and he beat Cerrone to punch every time.

This is going to be an interesting scoring round. With my eyes, I’d give it to Nate again as his boxing has just been excellent. But Cerrone was putting him down with leg kicks. The second round scoring will be interesting if Cerrone is able to win round three.

Cerrone’s strikes were more varied with knees, high kicks, leg kicks, and punches. I think he takes this round just based off that. He still took a beating in the process. I have Diaz winning 29-28.

Winner: Nate Diaz by unanimous decision

The scores were 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.

5. Alistair Overeem vs. Brock Lesnar

Brock opened up a cut over Overeem’s eye with a jab. Overeem opened up a cut on the back of Brock’s head. Brock was very passive. Overeem was fighting slightly cautiously as well as he was looking to stop the takedown. He had the overhand right open. He hit Brock with a kick to the gut and Brock went down. He threw punches on the ground and it was stopped.

Winner: Alistair Overeem by 1st round TKO

1. Dolph Ziggler vs. Zack Ryder

Ziggler was fantastic in this match, just such a great animated heel. The match picked up near the end with some really great near falls. Vickie was throw out of the match for putting Dolph’s foot on the rope to save him. Ziggler hit the Fame Asser for a near fall. Ryder hit a Frankensteiner from the top rope for a near fall. Ziggler ran into the corner for a splash and was hit with knees to the face and then the leg lariat for the pin. Fun match. Zack is the new US champ.

Winner: Dolph Ziggler

Cody attacked Booker in the back and Booker’s eyes went wide and he was puffing out his cheeks. He’s been taking his vitamins as he looks good.

2. Air Boom vs. Primo and Epico

Evan Bourne’s not getting the slap on the wrist quite yet. Fun tag team match, and very much by the books, except with all of Bourne’s high flying. Kofi hit Primo with the Trouble In Paradise for the pinfall.

Winner: Air Boom

3. Wade Barrett vs. Randy Orton

This is a table match. It was pretty decent while it lasted. We were all thinking of ways that Orton could put Barrett through the table. I was hoping for the between the ropes DDT through the table on the floor to Barrett, but then, I didn’t want him to die. They didn’t tease any table spots except for teasing that they were going to throw each other through the one in the corner. For whatever reason, Barrett put Orton on the table and went to the top rope and you know what happened next. RKO right through the table on a flying Barrett.

Winner: Randy Orton

4. Beth Phoenix vs. Kelly Kelly

If Beth was with someone who could stay with her, this would’ve been a pretty good match. Beth went for the Bitch Clamp and Kelly rolled through for a two count. Beth reversed it for a two count. Kelly went for a hurracanrana but Beth caught her and fell backwards and Kelly face planted. Match over.

Winner: Beth Phoenix

Well, Booker vs. Cody was about to start, but it false started again. Booker came out but he was attacked again. They are really making Booker look old. Match didn’t start and it looks like they are both going to the back.

5. Kevin Nash vs. Triple H

This is a ladder match. Whoever gets the sledgehammer first wins. I guess HHH can’t get his usual sledgehammer from under the ring.

In the best spot so far, HHH tied up Nash’s legs in the rungs of the ladder and put on a figure four. Slow Nash is slow. Nash side slammed HHH on top of the ladder. Half of HHH’s butt missed, but still looked like it sucked. HHH tried to backdrop Nash on the table, but Nash couldn’t get up so he just rolled over it. Looked awful.

Nash took five years to get into the ring. Nash put a table into the ring and actually used it to help him get to his feet. HHH has to sell for way too long. They both went up the ladder to get the sledgehammer and Nash fell backward through the table. The most gingerly fall you’ve ever seen. HHH got the sledge, hit Nash, and then tried to give him the pedigree but Nash screwed up the first one. He hit the second one and then hit Nash with the sledge after Nash tried to throw up the wolfpac sign. HHH crotch chopped him. Then he pinned him, and thankful for all watching, it was over. This should win worst match of the year.

Winner: HHH

6. Jack Swagger vs. Sheamus

This match was made in a segment with Teddy Long. There wasn’t much to it. Sheamus won with the Brogue Kick.

Winner: Sheamus

7. The Big Show vs. Mark Henry

Well, this PPV has fallen off a cliff. Show won the match with the big punch.

Winner: Mark Henry

Henry DDT’d Show onto a few chairs and then Daniel Bryan cashed in his Money In The Bank briefcase and pinned Show. Bryan is now the World champ.

8. Cody Rhodes vs. Booker T

They kind of killed Booker’s pop by having him come out already. It was kind of a squash match. Cody pinned Booker by jumping from the second rope and hitting an enziguiri-like move called the Beautiful Disaster.

Winner: Cody Rhodes

9. Alberto Del Rio vs. The Miz vs. CM Punk

The match started with the heels double teaming on Punk. Miz side suplexed Punk on a chair. Del Rio back dropped Miz outside on a ladder. Punk was inside the ring all by his lonesome and Ricardo Rodriguez interfered, handcuffing him to the ladder. He broke the ladder to toss Del Rio off the ladder.

Punk and Miz were on top, doing a superplex spot and Del Rio hit the enziguiri and sent Punk all the way through a table on the floor. It was the best spot of the night. Del Rio also arm barred both Miz and Punk, while using the ladder. Rodriguez was dumped from the tall ladder down to the floor and through a table. OMG, as Santino would say.

Miz handcuffed Punk to the turnbuckle, but Punk took the buckle off to get unhooked. Punk hit Miz with the GTS and climbed to the top to get the belt. Pretty darn good match.

Winner: CM Punk

The show started out pretty good, died in the middle, and ended fairly well.

In the semi-finals, Ward defeated Abraham while Froch beat Glen Johnson, who was a replacement. The finals was supposed to happen in October, but was postponed until tonight because of a cut to Ward’s eye.

If Ward does pull out a decision in a close fight, I’d love to see them fight in Froch’s home town in an immediate rematch. Give Kessler to Lucian Bute.

Carl Froch vs. Andre Ward

R1
They are going to be able to fight on the inside. Ward landed a nice left hook out of the break. Froch looks a little slow early on. Both were able to land their jabs a couple of times. Ward is slightly more elusive so far and is landing after Froch misses with short lefts and jabs.

R2
Ward is gaining confidence with his left hand. He landed a nice left hook and them immediately a jab, jab, left hook combination. Ward’s not even really using his right hand. Froch is throwing shots inside and to the body, which don’t look fantastic, but will probably do more damage later on in the fight. Ward hit him with a big left hook that looked like it may have been the back of the head. I have Ward up 2-0 on my card.

R3
This was the best round so far and really close. Ward probably edges him again, but Froch is landing to the body and he’s hooking back. Ward’s left hook is still his best shot, but Froch is throwing back off the hook. Business is about to pick up.

R4
Lots of inside fighting in the round and Froch is looking tired. The ref is letting them rough house a bit, though it’s not bad. Ward had his elbows up a few times. Ward ended the round strong. Froch needs a second wind or he may go down.

R5
Ward had his hand on Froch’s chin and then pushed it and hit Froch with a hook. The problem here is that Froch can’t land from the outside and when he goes inside, he pays for it. Froch needs to figure out how to fight from the outside in order to have a chance. Ward is pushing him around. Ward with a short left hook to end the round that looked like it caught Froch’s attention. I have Ward up 5-0.

R6
Froch is a tough man. He took some brutal left hands and is being outclassed, but he’s still on his feet. Ward is just too quick for him and is landing that left hook at will.

R7
Both guys pretty much took a break for the round. Froch should’ve won this round, but he looks tired. Though they weren’t hard punches, Ward outlanded him nearly 3-1. I don’t have Froch winning a round yet.

R8
Ward is allowing the pace to slow down, rather than going for the kill. Froch looks arm weary. Ward landed a huge right hand. Froch missed a right hand and looked so exhausted that he threw a backhanded slap too. He also threw a right hand after the bell.

R9
I know the stats may say differently, but I think Froch won this round. For whatever reason, Ward is fighting left-handed, and Froch was able to hit him more often. Ward looked confused fighting left-handed. He needs to switch back.

R10
Another pretty lackadaisical round in which Ward won it closely. Froch started out well, but faded in the end. Ward continues to dominate.

R11
I think I may give Froch that round as well. Right now, I have it 9-2. Ward was sloppy and did a lot of running.

R12
I’m not sure if Froch hit him in the round. Froch was throwing huge right hands, but didn’t land any of them. Ward landed the best punch in the round, which was a big left hook. I have it 10-2 for Ward.

Winner: Andre Ward

115-113, 115-113, and 118-10

On the fight right before this main event, Seth Mitchell defeated Timur Ibragimov by TKO at 2:48 of round 2.

Lamont Peterson vs. Amir Khan

R1
Amazing round for Khan. He knocked Peterson down with a left hook (I think as it was a weird camera angle), but the referee called it a slip, mostly because he fell down and didn’t see it. It looked like a knock down. Then Khan knocked him down again with a right hand. Khan is loading up on his left hook and landing it at will. 10-8 Khan (should be 10-7)

(They nearly had a Mayweather/Ortiz moment as the referee called for them to fight out of the clinch and Peterson thought they were going to be separated. Khan hit him and then had his elbow high on Peterson’s neck while pushing him backward.)

R2
If you’re a Khan fan, the only thing you have to worry about is Khan overthrowing his punches and falling out of balance. It doesn’t seem that Peterson can hurt him. Khan’s round, easily.

R3
Damn, Peterson is right back in this thing. He shook Khan with some body shots. Khan started the round boxing, but couldn’t help himself and got into a slugfest. Peterson wins the round, but both guys were slugging it out. Great round.

R4
Khan was back, but he looks tired. Peterson is stalking him, but Khan’s hands are fast. At one point, Khan put his hands up as if to say that he wasn’t hurt, and took a punch right to the balls.

R5
Another good round for Khan. Peterson is tired and now, Khan’s hand speed is the difference. Peterson may have taken that round off after such a fast pace.

R6
Khan keeps taunting Peterson as if he’s not hurting him, but looking at his face, he’s getting hit more than he thinks. He’s also fighting a bit dirty with the holding behind the head and pushing that he’s doing. He’s still leading the fight, but Peterson is game.

R7
Well, this fight just got a bit closer. Peterson is getting in close and just digging Khan. Khan keeps pushing him off with his forearms and elbows. He’s on his horse racing back to get out of Peterson’s way. He was docked a point for the pushing so it’s a 10-8 for Peterson.

R8
Peterson has figured it out. He’s staying inside, forcing Khan up against the ropes and digging against the body. Khan feels like he has something to prove, rather than just deciding to use all of his talent advantages to win the fight. It’s definitely turned a bit.

R9
This might’ve been the best round of the fight. Peterson was digging again and pushing him around. Then Khan decided to stop it and just hit him with some nasty combinations that shook Peterson. It’s back in Khan’s favor. If he decides to land combinations and stay moving, he can put him away.

R10
Peterson may be too tired. Fight is turning right back in Khan’s favor. If Peterson doesn’t press, Khan wins these rounds easily. He didn’t press in that round.

R11
Khan is dealing with the pressure much better. He’s covering up and when Peterson digs and stops for a second, Khan unleashes some lightning fast hands to get out of there. Khan had Peterson figured out. Peterson figured Khan out. And now, Khan has figured it out again.

R12
Khan lost another point for pushing, but that was pretty much BS. I still think he won the round so this one is 9-9. I still have Khan winning this fight.

Winner: Lamont Peterson by way of majority decision

113-112 for Peterson, 114-111 for Khan, and 113-112 for Peterson

If upsets are the story of the night, there will be some unhappy people.

2. Brian Ebersole vs. Claude Patrick

Not the most entertaining first round, but still interesting. Patrick had a guillotine attempt on early, but Ebersole wasn’t in trouble. The rest of the round was mostly striking up against the cage, with no one really doing much, but Ebersole probably getting the better of the action. Not really sure how to score the round.

A lot of the same as the end of the first round. Who wins the round is based on who did the most damage in a round that wasn’t all that pretty to watch.

Patrick had three nice submissions, but Ebersole got out of each one. There was some great ground work and ground defense in this round and the last minute of the round was excellent.

Winner: Brian Ebersole by way of split decision

Ebersole got two of the 29-28 scores while Patrick got one. Not a lot of people happy with that decision, including one Lorenzo Fertita.

3. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Tito Ortiz

Tito started out quickly, hanging in there in the pocket with Lil’ Nog, trying to get Nog to open up so he could take him down. But Nog landed a left hand that turned the tide. Tito was taking punches on the arms, but it was a knee to the body that put him down. Nog was on top and Tito was covering up, trying to throw up his legs as if to say he was trying to work on a submission. But Nog was throwing nasty elbows/forearms to the ribs and it was stopped. Tito looks to be in a bit of pain.

Winner: Antonio Rogerio Nogueira by way of 1st round TKO

4. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Frank Mir

This was an amazing one round fight. Big Nog came to fight. He staggered Mir on the feet and Mir slumped backward. Nog followed him to the ground and looked like he was going to stop him with ground and pound. For some reason, Nog went for a guillotine. He rolled over and Mir popped out of it and grabbed onto a kimura. Nog rolled over, but Mir followed through and popped his shoulder out.

Winner: Frank Mir by 1st round TKO

I guess they’re calling Mir’s victory a submission rather than a TKO because the referee stopped it before he tapped. It was nasty.

5. Lyoto Machida vs. Jon Jones

Good round for Machida. He had Jones off balanced and back pedaling. He also hit Jones with a right hand that looked like it landed flush. Jones wasn’t hurt, but it woke him up. Jones is trying to use his kicks. Machida is hard to hit clean. Interestingly, the fight was entirely on the feet. Jones didn’t shoot.

Jones finally went for a takedown and got it. He also opened up Machida with an elbow over the eye and Big John stopped the fight to check out the cut which was a huge gash. They restarted up against the cage and Jones put him in a standing guillotine. Machida went limp and it was over. Machida did a Flair flop to the ground.

Winner: Jon Jones by way of 2nd round submission

1. Louis Gaudinot vs. Johnny Bedford

Bedford tooled him the entire round. He was on top of him and in the mount for most of the round with Gaudinot only able to cover up because he couldn’t buck him off. Near the end of the round he was back to his feet but took a lot of punishment and his eyes show it.

Bedford had Gaudinot up against the cage and he was unleashing punches, but he doesn’t have much power. He took it back to the ground. He beat up Gaudinot more on the ground and basically just got bored, and maneuvered into an arm bar. He couldn’t separate Gaudinot’s hands as the bell ended. Gaudinot may be stopped in the next round.

Bedford landed a pretty vicious knee that sent Gaudinot down and he followed up with some ground and pound and finally got the stoppage. Thankfully.

Winner: Johnny Bedford by way of 3rd round TKO

2. Tony Ferguson vs. Yves Edwards

Fantastic first round. Edwards looked really good for about 2 1/2 minutes. He was landing some nice counter punches and had Ferguson off-balanced. But Ferguson has the heavier hands and landed the bigger shots. Edwards spend the last minute of the fight trying to stay on his feet. Ferguson has him timed a lot better now.

Edwards surprisingly bloodied Ferguson’s nose. Rogan keeps saying that Edwards’ shots aren’t flush or as on the money as Ferguson’s, but the blood says differently. Ferguson is throwing a lead uppercut. Ferguson tried to steal the round at the end with a takedown. Edwards tried too, but he was stuffed.

Another strong and competitive round. These last two rounds were hard to score. I think I’d give the fight to Ferguson because he was setting the pace and landing the more consistent shots. Edwards was hard to root against though. He was throwing a lot of high kicks and fought a really strong fight.

Winner: Tony Ferguson by unanimous decision

The scores were 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.

3. John Dodson vs. TJ Dillashaw

Wow. Dodson rocked him with a left hand and Dillashaw went down into a split, came back up but was woozy and was put right on his back with another left. Dodson followed it up with hammer fists.

Winner: John Dodson by way of 1st round TKO

Dodson did two wall walks into back flips and then did a Randy Orton pose. After he was announced the winner, he did a back flip and his infamous laugh. Then he started dancing with his trophy. I can’t wait to see this guy fight again.

4. Dennis Bermudez vs. Diego Brandao

This is the second best one-round fight of the year (Diaz/Daley). Bermudez started off well, leading the engages. Then Brandao finally connected and Bermudez went down. It looked like it was going to be over quickly, but Brandao came in a little carelessly and was hit with a short right and went down. Bermudez looked like he was going to upset Brandao and then he got careless on the ground and Brandao grabbed his arm and tapped him out quickly.

Winner: Diego Brandao by way of 1st round submission

5. John Albert vs. Dustin Pague

Albert knocked him down with a left-right combination and he jumped into the mount and tied up Pague’s right arm. Pague’s arm hit the canvas and Herb Dean called for the tap.

Winner: John Albert by way of 1st round submission (from strikes)

6. Jason “Mayhem” Miller vs. Michael Bisping

Bisping came out to loud boos. Bisping looks much stronger. Even more so than I’d have expected. Mayhem’s boxing isn’t crisp, but it’s effective. Bisping is throwing short and direct punches. Mayhem got a takedown and held Bisping up against the cage in a sitting position and landed some shots while holding Bisping’s legs in a figure four underneath him. Bisping ended up finishing strong. Close round, but it might go to Mayhem.

Bisping controlled the round and he was unloading big right hands. Miller is very tired. He took a beating. He shot in late in the round, didn’t get it, and Bisping got on top of him and nearly finished him. Miller can barely lift his arms.

It was all Bisping. Mayhem could do nothing. The fight ended with Bisping pounding Miller who was on all fours and wasn’t defending himself.

Winner: Michael Bisping by way of 3rd round TKO

Antonio Margarito vs. Miguel Cotto

R1
Interesting style for Cotto. He’s allowing Margarito to use his length and dictate where the fight goes, but Cotto’s showing great hand speed and isn’t just throwing one punch. His combinations look crisp. He was hit a couple times, but Cotto’s round. Cotto’s following up a left hook, but going out the back door and Margarito can’t really find him at the end of exchanges.

R2
Boxing clinic of a round for Cotto. He tattooed Margarito’s face several times with short hooks and straight right hands. Margarito’s face is going to be a mess again. Margarito landed a great body shot to end the round that seemed to rock Cotto.

R3
Cotto tagged Margarito time after time and opened up his right eye, which is the bad eye for Margarito. There was a brilliant exchange where both guys stood toe-to-toe and Cotto definitely bot the better of it. He’s fighting amazingly on the inside.

R4
Margarito landed some nice shots on the inside, but Cotto isn’t stationary and he’s having a hard time tracking him. Cotto is also getting off three punches before Margarito can get off one.

R5
Cotto took the round off offensively, but he’s dancing around Margarito. He’s up 5-0.

R6
It’s Margarito’s best round of the fight, and while I’m going to still give it to Cotto, Margarito did two things well. He went do the body on the inside, and when they were clinching, he was peppering Cotto to the ears. Cotto landed the two best shots; a buckling body shot and then a nice uppercut.

R7
Cotto’s round yet again. He landed a picturesque left hand hook while backpedaling. He stopped for one second to plant and throw it. Margarito’s eye is closed. Cotto threw three late punches after the bell.

R8
Margarito is frustrated and with two good eyes was having a hard time catching Cotto. He’s not coming close now. Cotto is still putting on a clinic. If you’re a Cotto fan, you want to see him go for the stoppage.

R9
More of the same. Cotto is targeting his eye. Cotto is being slick in that as he gets out of an exchange, he starts to bounce to his left and when Margarito comes close, he switches to southpaw and Margarito doesn’t even see the left hand coming.

The doctor stopped it and it’s over.

Winner: Miguel Cotto by way of 9th round TKO