UFC 88 Live Play-by-Play
Sep 6, 2008
Sherdog.com reports from the Philips Arena in Atlanta with live
play-by-play of UFC 88 "Liddell vs. Evans," which kicks off
Saturday evening shortly after 7:30 p.m. EST.
Don't forget to check out the MMA Forums to discuss tonight's event.
Click here for quick results.
Hit F5 on your keyboard to refresh often, as play-by-play is updated in real time.
Round 1
Chonan starts the bout by kicking Roan to the body. Carneiro shoots and Chonan stuffs the shot. Ryo lands in Carneiro's guard. Carneiro frames up a triangle and transitions to an omaplata. He uses the attempt to sweep and takes side-control on the Pride veteran. Chonan gets half-guard. Roan pushes Chonan up against the fence and lands a few shots to the head. Still on the floor with two minutes remaining in the opening round. Canreiro stands and looks for a guillotine. On the feet, Roan throws an overhand right that grazes Chonan. He shoots off of the punch, and the two clinch before the round ends. 10-9 Carneiro.
Round 2
Chonan throws a body kick that is blocked. The fight hits the floor with Ryo in Roan's closed-guard. Off of his back, the Brazilin throws a few elbows to Chonan’s head. Chonan stacks and throws a few punches. Chonan stands and kicks his opponent’s legs. Ryo then fires an elbow down and lands in Roan's guard. Carneiro is playing defense with his back up against the cage. Carneiro swivels his hips for an armbar but nothing is there. Carneiro again looks for a arm, but Chonan has none of it. The round expires with Chonan on top. Sherdog.com scores the round 10-9 for Ryo Chonan.
Round 3
The final frame begins with the two welterweights feinting jabs. Carneiro shoots but the Japanese fighter stuffs it. Sprawled out, Ryo grabs a front face lock the two men stand and disengage. Carneiro executes a takedown and lands in Ryo's half-guard. With 3 minutes left in the bout, the Brazilian looks to work, pushing Chonan against the cage. From an open-guard, Carneiro fires a few body shots. Roan passes to half-guard as the Atlanta crowd grows restless. Chonan gets back to his feet and Carneiro shoots again. This time, Chonan gets on top and finds himself in Roan's guard.with 10 seconds left. Chonan fires a few punches, none of which are very effective. Sherdog.com scores the round 10-9 for Roan Carneiro.
The judges score the contest 29-28 (Carneiro) and 29-28 (twice) for the winner by split-decision, Ryo Chonan.
Jason Lambert (Pictures) vs. Jason MacDonald (Pictures)
Round 1
The two men touch gloves and MacDonald fires a flurry of punches. A couple land and “The Athlete” secures a double-leg takedown. Against the fence, MacDonald passes to half-guard. Lambert looks for a guillotine from half-guard that fails. Lambert manages to get full-guard. MacDonald is staying busy inside the guard, however nothing is landing too hard. MacDonald postures and throws down an elbow that is deflected. MacDonald lands a few punches and an elbow to the face of Lambert. MacDonald is frustrating Lambert with his ground attack. This frustrates the crowd as well. With the closing second of round one Lambert catches the Canadian in a guillotine. It is deep, but time is not on his side. 10-9 MacDonald.
Round 2
The two men start the second round with a flurry of strikes. Lambert landed the cleaner punches but he gets taken down on the heels of the attack. From there, MacDonald passses to mount and take his opponent’s back. MacDonald triangles the body and secures a rear-naked choke, which prompts Lambert to submit at 1:20 of the second stanza.
Tim Boetsch (Pictures) vs. Michael Patt (Pictures)
Round 1
Both men look to stand with Boetsch landing leather. Patt looks for a single-leg but lets it go to trade punches. They clinch and then separate. Boetsch lands a nice right hand. Unfazed, Patt fires back with a left. Patt with a right low kick and Boetsch counters with a right hand. Another right drops Patt. Smelling blood, the IFL veteran pounces, finishing his opponent at 2:03 of the first round as referee Herb Dean steps in.
Thiago Tavares (Pictures) vs. Kurt Pellegrino (Pictures)
Round 1
Tavares starts the fight feinting jabs. Kurt takes the center of the Octagon as the feeling-out process continues. Pellegrino drops Tavares hard and pounces for the finish. On the ground Kurt fires a few more shots but Thiago defends. Pellegrino goes back to his feet and drops the Brazilian again. He takes mount and lands some elbows that cut Tavares. Thiago gets his guard back but is still hurt. A few more elbows for “Batman” rain down at the two-minute mark. From half-guard, you can see Pellegrino’s blond hair soaked with his opponent’s blood. Tavares stands up and lands a couple of punches of his own. The Brazilian shoots and ends up on his back again. The round ends. A solid 10-9 round for Kurt Pellegrino.
Round 2
A battered Tavares wings a right hand that misses to start the second stanza. Pellegrino lands a right low kick. A left grazes from Pellegrino and Tavares answers with a jab. Kurt winces in pain and calls for the ref. Tavares caught the eye of Tavares. After a brief respite the two men engage again. The high-action packed round continues with some punches and then the fighters clinch. After neither fighter gains an advantage they separate. Tavares secures a trip take down with 2:30 remaining in the round. From Pellegrino's guard, Tavares looks to elbow. “Batman” swivels for an armbar but Tavares pulls free. Hammer fists find the face of Pellegrino with less than a minute left in the frame. Thiago Tavares is rallying, pecking away at his opponents face. After almost being stopped in the first round, Tavares steals the middle stage, 10-9.
Round 3
Tavares just misses a high kick and looks to make the jab work. Off of a jab, the Brazilian shoots and Pellegrino sprawls perfectly. Back on the feet the men exchange. Neither landing flush, Pellegrino clinches and looks for a takedown against the fence. From the clinch, Tavares goes for a takedown that Kurt reverses, almost securing his opponent’s back. Tavares wisely escapes trouble and the clinch against the fence before being separated. Tavares shoots with less than a minute remaining and is sprawled on. Pellegrino gets on top, where he rides the duration of the fight out. 10-9 Kurt Pellegrino.
The judges see it 29-27 (twice) 29-28 all for the winner, Kurt Pellegrino.
Dong Hyun Kim vs. Matt Brown (Pictures)
Round 1
Brown kicks off the fight with a right straight that misses its target. Kim lands a left hand and trips Brown to the canvas. The Team Gurgel fighter stands but he has Kim on his back with one hook. The Korean fighter works for a rear-naked choke while standing, but Brown defends. Brown shakes his opponent off. Kim, undeterred, again hops on Brown’s back while in a standing position. Brown escapes danger and works briefly from the top-position in guard before standing. An excellent straight right to the body scores for Brown. Kim attempts an inside-leg trip against the fencing that falls short. Brown switches positions and pushes his opponent to the cage. One minute remains in the opening period. Brown trips Kim to the canvas and with half of his opponent’s back, looks for a rear-naked choke of his own. Kim clears the technique and again transitions to Brown’s back.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Kim
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Kim
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Kim
Round 2
Brown goes to the front leg of his opponent with a low kick. The American is headhunting, looking for one punch that can end the fight. Brown lands a solid right kick to the body. A scramble from the clinch ends with a brief moment of ground action, but Brown returns to his feet. Brown scores a takedown and begins to work from Kim’s closed-guard. Brown stands again and applies pressure with knees, kicks and punches. Brown throws a beautiful counter combination -- a right, left, right -- three-piece that connects. Brown gets a takedown and finishes strong with punches from the top position.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Brown
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Brown
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Brown
Round 3
Brown eats a grazing punch and realizes he doesn’t have a mouth-guard in. Referee Mario Yamasaki calls time to retrieve the safety device. The action is resumed and Kim trips Brown to the floor into side-control. Kim can’t hold the dominant position. Brown stands and delivers a knee to the midsection. The fighters clinch against the fencing and Brown lands digging right hands to the body. Kim gets off the fence and lands a left-standing elbow. Kim again trips Brown to the canvas. Brown elbows the head from the bottom and Kim returns the favor with a right elbow that glances. Two more score cleanly. Brown is cut under his left eye. The laceration is large but time expires.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Kim
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Kim
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Kim
The official judges see the contest 29-28 for Matt Brown, and 29-28 (twice) for the winner by split decision, Dong Hyun Kim.
The crowd boos the judges’ decision, but all three Sherdog.com staffers agree with scores of 29-28 for Kim.
Martin Kampmann (Pictures) vs. Nathan Marquardt (Pictures)
Round 1
Marquardt pumps his jab and Kampmann comes out slugging. Marquardt lands a hard body shot and eats a crushing right hand for his effort. Marquardt recovers and scores with a right-legged head kick. Marquardt goes off with knees to the body and uppercuts to the chin. He backs off and unloads leather to the head and body until Kampmann crumbles to the canvas to avoid punishment. Mario Yamasaki saves Kampmann at 1:22 of the first.
Dan Henderson (Pictures) vs. Rousimar Palhares (Pictures)
Round 1
The fighters calmly size each other up in the center of the Octagon. Palhares shoots and is blasted with a right hand. Palhares attempts a foot lock but Henderson jumps out of it. Palhares shoots twice and Dan sprawls strong and punches the head. Palhares lands a body kick and misses with a wheel kick. Henderson continues to stop the takedown. Henderson jabs and looks to set up his right hand. Palhares lands a left-right combo but he pays for it as Henderson gets wild with punches and crumbles Palhares to the canvas. Henderson lands a hammerfist. The Pride veteran jabs the head and is taken down with a single-leg. Palhares takes side-control with 30 seconds remaining. Henderson gets to half-guard, and as time expires, Palhares spins for a kneebar.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Henderson
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Henderson
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Henderson
Round 2
Palhares fails on two shots before picking Henderson up and slamming him hard to the canvas. The Brazilian works from Henderson’s closed-guard with punches. Henderson goes high with his hips and Palhares immediately goes to a kneebar-heelhook combo. The hold is deep but Henderson escapes. Palhares pulls guard and is hit with a right hand. The action slows, which prompts referee Herb Dean to stand the fighters to their feet. Both middleweights miss head kicks before the horn sounds.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Henderson
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Henderson
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Palhares
Round 3
The final frame starts slow. With 4:30 left on the clock, Palhares fails on a shoot but he manages to land a knee to the chin on exit. Palhares looks sloppy with his punches as he grows frustrated from not being able to score a takedown. Henderson cracks the BJJ black belt with a right cross. Palhares looks to tie up the wrester, but Henderson backs away and fires a right hook that glances. The crowd starts to shower the cage with boos as the action slows. Palhares nearly scores a takedown, but Henderson shows excellent use of hips to keep the top position. He punches the head with his right hand and stands. Palhares pulls guard and nearly secures a heel hook. Henderson escapes. Punches rain down from the Team Quest fighter to put the stamp on what should be a clear victory.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Henderson
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Henderson
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Henderson
The official judges’ scorecards mirror Sherdog.com’s perfectly with scores of 30-27 (twice) and 29-28 for Dan Henderson.
Rich Franklin (Pictures) vs. Matt Hamill (Pictures)
Round 1
The Queen City natives touch hands to begin the contest. Franklin goes to the lead leg of Hamill with three low kicks in the opening 40 seconds. Franklin continues to work the leg but he has yet to connect with a solid kick. Hamill counter punches from the outside but like Franklin, struggles to land with a clean blow. Franklin goes to the inside of Hamill’s right leg and these smack their target. A glancing left hook from Hamill opens a cut above the right eye of Franklin. One minute remains in the frame. Hamill rushes in and muscles Franklin to the canvas. Hamill, now bleeding from above his right eye, defends an armbar attempt. The fighters stand and trade knees as the horn sounds. Franklin’s cut appears to be deep and serious.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Franklin
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Franklin
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Franklin
Round 2
While Franklin’s cut is deep, bleeding has been stopped for now. Franklin applies pressure with kicks to the body and a flurry of punches. Referee Mario Yamasaki steps in to have the doctor check out Franklin. A chunk of flesh is missing on the eye lid near Franklin’s right temple. The doctor allows the fight to continue. Franklin kicks Hamill on the cup. Time is given to Hamill to recover and a referee warning is issued. Franklin pours it on with kicks to the inside and outside of the left leg of Hamill. A stiff left kick to the body connects for Franklin. Another low kick crashes into Hamill’s left leg. The wrestler, feeling the affects of the punishment, starts to reach for his takedowns instead of dropping levels. A flying knee from Franklin misses short at the end of the frame.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Franklin
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Franklin
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Franklin
Round 3
Franklin crushes Hamill with a liver kick and this fight is over. The wrestler folds to the canvas and covers while tapping out. The official time is 0:39 of the third.
Chuck Liddell (Pictures) vs. Rashad Evans (Pictures)
Round 1
Liddell shows a jab early and a wide base. Evans bounces on the tip of his toes and throws a jab of his own. Evans moves backwards as the former champion measures up his powerful right hand. Liddell moves forward with his right hand cocked back. He fires it, and it lands. Evans absorbs the shot and bounces off the cage. Evans shows good footwork in circling away from Liddell’s power. Through four minutes in the Octagon, Evans has proved to be elusive but he has not mounted any offense. Evans goes to a southpaw stance and jabs with his left. Liddell chases after his prey and backs him to the fencing. The intensity rises in the final 30 seconds but nothing is landed clean, including a vicious head kick attempt from Liddell at the horn.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Liddell
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Liddell
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Liddell
Round 2
The light heavyweights trade punches to start the fourth. Evans starts to land at a frequent pace with a left hook. Liddell answers with a straight right. Evans reaches back with a right hand and delivers the knockout of the year. Liddell is hit while throwing a punch and is out cold and motionless. He lies face down on the canvas before Herb Dean rolls him over. The official time is 1:51 of the first. Liddell finally gets to his feet after several tense minutes.
Don't forget to check out the MMA Forums to discuss tonight's event.
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Hit F5 on your keyboard to refresh often, as play-by-play is updated in real time.
Roan
Carneiro (Pictures) vs. Ryo Chonan
(Pictures)
Round 1
Chonan starts the bout by kicking Roan to the body. Carneiro shoots and Chonan stuffs the shot. Ryo lands in Carneiro's guard. Carneiro frames up a triangle and transitions to an omaplata. He uses the attempt to sweep and takes side-control on the Pride veteran. Chonan gets half-guard. Roan pushes Chonan up against the fence and lands a few shots to the head. Still on the floor with two minutes remaining in the opening round. Canreiro stands and looks for a guillotine. On the feet, Roan throws an overhand right that grazes Chonan. He shoots off of the punch, and the two clinch before the round ends. 10-9 Carneiro.
Round 2
Chonan throws a body kick that is blocked. The fight hits the floor with Ryo in Roan's closed-guard. Off of his back, the Brazilin throws a few elbows to Chonan’s head. Chonan stacks and throws a few punches. Chonan stands and kicks his opponent’s legs. Ryo then fires an elbow down and lands in Roan's guard. Carneiro is playing defense with his back up against the cage. Carneiro swivels his hips for an armbar but nothing is there. Carneiro again looks for a arm, but Chonan has none of it. The round expires with Chonan on top. Sherdog.com scores the round 10-9 for Ryo Chonan.
Round 3
The final frame begins with the two welterweights feinting jabs. Carneiro shoots but the Japanese fighter stuffs it. Sprawled out, Ryo grabs a front face lock the two men stand and disengage. Carneiro executes a takedown and lands in Ryo's half-guard. With 3 minutes left in the bout, the Brazilian looks to work, pushing Chonan against the cage. From an open-guard, Carneiro fires a few body shots. Roan passes to half-guard as the Atlanta crowd grows restless. Chonan gets back to his feet and Carneiro shoots again. This time, Chonan gets on top and finds himself in Roan's guard.with 10 seconds left. Chonan fires a few punches, none of which are very effective. Sherdog.com scores the round 10-9 for Roan Carneiro.
The judges score the contest 29-28 (Carneiro) and 29-28 (twice) for the winner by split-decision, Ryo Chonan.
Jason Lambert (Pictures) vs. Jason MacDonald (Pictures)
Round 1
The two men touch gloves and MacDonald fires a flurry of punches. A couple land and “The Athlete” secures a double-leg takedown. Against the fence, MacDonald passes to half-guard. Lambert looks for a guillotine from half-guard that fails. Lambert manages to get full-guard. MacDonald is staying busy inside the guard, however nothing is landing too hard. MacDonald postures and throws down an elbow that is deflected. MacDonald lands a few punches and an elbow to the face of Lambert. MacDonald is frustrating Lambert with his ground attack. This frustrates the crowd as well. With the closing second of round one Lambert catches the Canadian in a guillotine. It is deep, but time is not on his side. 10-9 MacDonald.
Round 2
The two men start the second round with a flurry of strikes. Lambert landed the cleaner punches but he gets taken down on the heels of the attack. From there, MacDonald passses to mount and take his opponent’s back. MacDonald triangles the body and secures a rear-naked choke, which prompts Lambert to submit at 1:20 of the second stanza.
Tim Boetsch (Pictures) vs. Michael Patt (Pictures)
Round 1
Both men look to stand with Boetsch landing leather. Patt looks for a single-leg but lets it go to trade punches. They clinch and then separate. Boetsch lands a nice right hand. Unfazed, Patt fires back with a left. Patt with a right low kick and Boetsch counters with a right hand. Another right drops Patt. Smelling blood, the IFL veteran pounces, finishing his opponent at 2:03 of the first round as referee Herb Dean steps in.
Thiago Tavares (Pictures) vs. Kurt Pellegrino (Pictures)
Round 1
Tavares starts the fight feinting jabs. Kurt takes the center of the Octagon as the feeling-out process continues. Pellegrino drops Tavares hard and pounces for the finish. On the ground Kurt fires a few more shots but Thiago defends. Pellegrino goes back to his feet and drops the Brazilian again. He takes mount and lands some elbows that cut Tavares. Thiago gets his guard back but is still hurt. A few more elbows for “Batman” rain down at the two-minute mark. From half-guard, you can see Pellegrino’s blond hair soaked with his opponent’s blood. Tavares stands up and lands a couple of punches of his own. The Brazilian shoots and ends up on his back again. The round ends. A solid 10-9 round for Kurt Pellegrino.
Round 2
A battered Tavares wings a right hand that misses to start the second stanza. Pellegrino lands a right low kick. A left grazes from Pellegrino and Tavares answers with a jab. Kurt winces in pain and calls for the ref. Tavares caught the eye of Tavares. After a brief respite the two men engage again. The high-action packed round continues with some punches and then the fighters clinch. After neither fighter gains an advantage they separate. Tavares secures a trip take down with 2:30 remaining in the round. From Pellegrino's guard, Tavares looks to elbow. “Batman” swivels for an armbar but Tavares pulls free. Hammer fists find the face of Pellegrino with less than a minute left in the frame. Thiago Tavares is rallying, pecking away at his opponents face. After almost being stopped in the first round, Tavares steals the middle stage, 10-9.
Round 3
Tavares just misses a high kick and looks to make the jab work. Off of a jab, the Brazilian shoots and Pellegrino sprawls perfectly. Back on the feet the men exchange. Neither landing flush, Pellegrino clinches and looks for a takedown against the fence. From the clinch, Tavares goes for a takedown that Kurt reverses, almost securing his opponent’s back. Tavares wisely escapes trouble and the clinch against the fence before being separated. Tavares shoots with less than a minute remaining and is sprawled on. Pellegrino gets on top, where he rides the duration of the fight out. 10-9 Kurt Pellegrino.
The judges see it 29-27 (twice) 29-28 all for the winner, Kurt Pellegrino.
Dong Hyun Kim vs. Matt Brown (Pictures)
Round 1
Brown kicks off the fight with a right straight that misses its target. Kim lands a left hand and trips Brown to the canvas. The Team Gurgel fighter stands but he has Kim on his back with one hook. The Korean fighter works for a rear-naked choke while standing, but Brown defends. Brown shakes his opponent off. Kim, undeterred, again hops on Brown’s back while in a standing position. Brown escapes danger and works briefly from the top-position in guard before standing. An excellent straight right to the body scores for Brown. Kim attempts an inside-leg trip against the fencing that falls short. Brown switches positions and pushes his opponent to the cage. One minute remains in the opening period. Brown trips Kim to the canvas and with half of his opponent’s back, looks for a rear-naked choke of his own. Kim clears the technique and again transitions to Brown’s back.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Kim
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Kim
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Kim
Round 2
Brown goes to the front leg of his opponent with a low kick. The American is headhunting, looking for one punch that can end the fight. Brown lands a solid right kick to the body. A scramble from the clinch ends with a brief moment of ground action, but Brown returns to his feet. Brown scores a takedown and begins to work from Kim’s closed-guard. Brown stands again and applies pressure with knees, kicks and punches. Brown throws a beautiful counter combination -- a right, left, right -- three-piece that connects. Brown gets a takedown and finishes strong with punches from the top position.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Brown
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Brown
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Brown
Round 3
Brown eats a grazing punch and realizes he doesn’t have a mouth-guard in. Referee Mario Yamasaki calls time to retrieve the safety device. The action is resumed and Kim trips Brown to the floor into side-control. Kim can’t hold the dominant position. Brown stands and delivers a knee to the midsection. The fighters clinch against the fencing and Brown lands digging right hands to the body. Kim gets off the fence and lands a left-standing elbow. Kim again trips Brown to the canvas. Brown elbows the head from the bottom and Kim returns the favor with a right elbow that glances. Two more score cleanly. Brown is cut under his left eye. The laceration is large but time expires.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Kim
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Kim
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Kim
The official judges see the contest 29-28 for Matt Brown, and 29-28 (twice) for the winner by split decision, Dong Hyun Kim.
The crowd boos the judges’ decision, but all three Sherdog.com staffers agree with scores of 29-28 for Kim.
Martin Kampmann (Pictures) vs. Nathan Marquardt (Pictures)
Round 1
Marquardt pumps his jab and Kampmann comes out slugging. Marquardt lands a hard body shot and eats a crushing right hand for his effort. Marquardt recovers and scores with a right-legged head kick. Marquardt goes off with knees to the body and uppercuts to the chin. He backs off and unloads leather to the head and body until Kampmann crumbles to the canvas to avoid punishment. Mario Yamasaki saves Kampmann at 1:22 of the first.
Dan Henderson (Pictures) vs. Rousimar Palhares (Pictures)
Round 1
The fighters calmly size each other up in the center of the Octagon. Palhares shoots and is blasted with a right hand. Palhares attempts a foot lock but Henderson jumps out of it. Palhares shoots twice and Dan sprawls strong and punches the head. Palhares lands a body kick and misses with a wheel kick. Henderson continues to stop the takedown. Henderson jabs and looks to set up his right hand. Palhares lands a left-right combo but he pays for it as Henderson gets wild with punches and crumbles Palhares to the canvas. Henderson lands a hammerfist. The Pride veteran jabs the head and is taken down with a single-leg. Palhares takes side-control with 30 seconds remaining. Henderson gets to half-guard, and as time expires, Palhares spins for a kneebar.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Henderson
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Henderson
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Henderson
Round 2
Palhares fails on two shots before picking Henderson up and slamming him hard to the canvas. The Brazilian works from Henderson’s closed-guard with punches. Henderson goes high with his hips and Palhares immediately goes to a kneebar-heelhook combo. The hold is deep but Henderson escapes. Palhares pulls guard and is hit with a right hand. The action slows, which prompts referee Herb Dean to stand the fighters to their feet. Both middleweights miss head kicks before the horn sounds.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Henderson
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Henderson
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Palhares
Round 3
The final frame starts slow. With 4:30 left on the clock, Palhares fails on a shoot but he manages to land a knee to the chin on exit. Palhares looks sloppy with his punches as he grows frustrated from not being able to score a takedown. Henderson cracks the BJJ black belt with a right cross. Palhares looks to tie up the wrester, but Henderson backs away and fires a right hook that glances. The crowd starts to shower the cage with boos as the action slows. Palhares nearly scores a takedown, but Henderson shows excellent use of hips to keep the top position. He punches the head with his right hand and stands. Palhares pulls guard and nearly secures a heel hook. Henderson escapes. Punches rain down from the Team Quest fighter to put the stamp on what should be a clear victory.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Henderson
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Henderson
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Henderson
The official judges’ scorecards mirror Sherdog.com’s perfectly with scores of 30-27 (twice) and 29-28 for Dan Henderson.
Rich Franklin (Pictures) vs. Matt Hamill (Pictures)
Round 1
The Queen City natives touch hands to begin the contest. Franklin goes to the lead leg of Hamill with three low kicks in the opening 40 seconds. Franklin continues to work the leg but he has yet to connect with a solid kick. Hamill counter punches from the outside but like Franklin, struggles to land with a clean blow. Franklin goes to the inside of Hamill’s right leg and these smack their target. A glancing left hook from Hamill opens a cut above the right eye of Franklin. One minute remains in the frame. Hamill rushes in and muscles Franklin to the canvas. Hamill, now bleeding from above his right eye, defends an armbar attempt. The fighters stand and trade knees as the horn sounds. Franklin’s cut appears to be deep and serious.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Franklin
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Franklin
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Franklin
Round 2
While Franklin’s cut is deep, bleeding has been stopped for now. Franklin applies pressure with kicks to the body and a flurry of punches. Referee Mario Yamasaki steps in to have the doctor check out Franklin. A chunk of flesh is missing on the eye lid near Franklin’s right temple. The doctor allows the fight to continue. Franklin kicks Hamill on the cup. Time is given to Hamill to recover and a referee warning is issued. Franklin pours it on with kicks to the inside and outside of the left leg of Hamill. A stiff left kick to the body connects for Franklin. Another low kick crashes into Hamill’s left leg. The wrestler, feeling the affects of the punishment, starts to reach for his takedowns instead of dropping levels. A flying knee from Franklin misses short at the end of the frame.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Franklin
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Franklin
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Franklin
Round 3
Franklin crushes Hamill with a liver kick and this fight is over. The wrestler folds to the canvas and covers while tapping out. The official time is 0:39 of the third.
Chuck Liddell (Pictures) vs. Rashad Evans (Pictures)
Round 1
Liddell shows a jab early and a wide base. Evans bounces on the tip of his toes and throws a jab of his own. Evans moves backwards as the former champion measures up his powerful right hand. Liddell moves forward with his right hand cocked back. He fires it, and it lands. Evans absorbs the shot and bounces off the cage. Evans shows good footwork in circling away from Liddell’s power. Through four minutes in the Octagon, Evans has proved to be elusive but he has not mounted any offense. Evans goes to a southpaw stance and jabs with his left. Liddell chases after his prey and backs him to the fencing. The intensity rises in the final 30 seconds but nothing is landed clean, including a vicious head kick attempt from Liddell at the horn.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Liddell
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Liddell
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Liddell
Round 2
The light heavyweights trade punches to start the fourth. Evans starts to land at a frequent pace with a left hook. Liddell answers with a straight right. Evans reaches back with a right hand and delivers the knockout of the year. Liddell is hit while throwing a punch and is out cold and motionless. He lies face down on the canvas before Herb Dean rolls him over. The official time is 1:51 of the first. Liddell finally gets to his feet after several tense minutes.
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