UFC Fight Night ‘Cerrone vs. Oliveira’ Results: Play-by-Play & Updates

Anthony Hamilton vs. Shamil Abdurakhimov

Round 1

Hamilton fakes a few level changes before shooting on Abdurakhimov, who clocks the American with a counter uppercut. A hard right hand from Abdurakhimov drops “Freight Train” to his knees, but Hamilton powers back to his feet as follow-up punches rain down upon him. Hamilton looks to have shaken the cobwebs 90 seconds into the round when Abdurakhimov catches him with another nice uppercut. The punch is landing at will for Abdurakhimov, who seems to have figured out Hamilton’s level changes and jerky movements early on. The heavyweights clinch inside the last two minutes of the round, and Hamilton separates with a knee to the body. The wrestler comes back to clinch again, now looking for a bodylock takedown, but Abdurakhimov punishes him in the position with knees and hooks to the gut.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Abdurakhimov
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Abdurakhimov
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Abdurakhimov

Round 2

Abdurakhimov sends a straight left hand into the face of Hamilton, who gets stumbled as he closes the distance and clashes heads with the Dagestan native. Abdurakhimov scores again on his way out of the pocket, this time with a clean right hook. Hamilton is trying to get inside, looking to clinch again, but Abdurakhimov is making him pay every time with body shots in the clinch and headshots on the way out. Another uppercut lands for Abdurakhimov, then two more after Hamilton ties up again. Hamilton seems to want to push Abdurakhimov to the fence but “Abrek” is unwilling to go, and the big men break apart again. Inside the final minute, Hamilton finally manages to pin his man against the cage; Abdurakhimov digs an underhook and escapes almost immediately.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Abdurakhimov
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Abdurakhimov
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Abdurakhimov

Round 3

The heavyweights clash heads early in the final round, and straight away blood begins flowing from a cut on the right side of Abdurakhimov’s forehead. There isn’t a heavy flow of blood, though it is dripping straight down into the Russian’s right eye. Another clinch yields a right hand for Abdurakhimov and a pair of body shots from Hamilton, who is getting a little busier here in the last stanza. A body shot and an uppercut land in close quarters for Hamilton, so Abdurakhimov breaks away and sticks the American with a stiff jab. Hamilton pushes Abdurakhimov against the fence, where Abdurakhimov loses his mouthguard. Referee Chip Snider gets the piece washed out, replaces it and restarts the fighters back on the fence. Abdurakhimov escapes in a few seconds and goes back to circling, snapping off jabs in Hamilton’s face. Hamilton comes back to clinch again and gets zapped with a straight right hand over the top. Hamilton throws a knee low and inside, and referee Snider warns him to “keep it clean” just before time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Abdurakhimov (30-27 Abdurakhimov)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Abdurakhimov (30-27 Abdurakhimov)
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Abdurakhimov (30-27 Abdurakhimov)

The Official Result

Shamil Abdurakhimov def. Anthony Hamilton via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Lauren Murphy vs. Kelly Faszholz

Round 1

The bantamweights come out slugging, with Faszholz getting the better of the early striking exchanges. Faszholz’s straight punches are connecting clean on Murphy, whose own punches look stiff and come with little head movement. Murphy opts to clinch and tries to hold Faszholz against the cage but can’t keep her there. Faszholz gets back to business with straight punches, including a right which catches the off-balance Murphy on the chin and knocks her to her seat. Murphy lands a few leg kicks before having her nose reddened by another Faszholz one-two. Faszholz comes over the top with a right hand but takes one in return, and now her nose is bleeding, too. Down to the last 90 seconds of round one, Murphy looks to be loosening up, backing up Faszholz to the fence and tagging her with three or four solid right hands to the face. It’s another clinch from Murphy; this time Faszholz is unable to escape and spends the last half minute glued to the fence.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Faszholz
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Faszholz
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Faszholz

Round 2

Faszholz turns the tables by closing the distance and pushing Murphy’s back to the fence, but the former Invicta FC titleholder is having none of it. Murphy spins the newcomer and claims outside position but opts to release after only 20 seconds or so. Faszholz’s face is a mess, blood pouring out of her nose, and now she walks into another right hand from Murphy which won’t help the situation. The 135ers circle back to the center of the cage, where Faszholz connects with a left hook on the ear of Murphy. “Lucky” returns the favor with a pair of hooks and continues to walk down her foe. Murphy puts Faszholz against the fence again and bashes her with short punches. It’s Faszholz who gets the last word in the round by catching a kick, tripping Murphy to the ground and moving to take her back just as time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Murphy
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Murphy
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Faszholz

Round 3

Murphy shoots and lands a takedown in the opening minute of the final frame. Faszholz looks for a guillotine as she’s driven to the ground but comes up empty, and now she’ll try to hold Murphy in full guard. Murphy leans right to left across Faszholz’s body to deliver short punches and elbows to the ribs. The Alaskan switches to head shots, smothering Faszholz with an open left hand while dropping short right hammerfists. Murphy pushes Faszholz to the fence and stacks her up as they enter the final two minutes of the bout. Passing to full mount, Murphy catches Faszholz on her side and wraps her legs around the newcomer. Faszholz tries to bump and escape but can’t free herself, and now Murphy is turning up the gas, looking to referee Bill Bookwalter for a stoppage. Bookwalter doesn’t react immediately, but after Murphy thumps Faszholz’s face with half a dozen more punches, the ref stops the contest.

The Official Result

Lauren Murphy def. Kelly Faszholz via TKO (Punches) R3 4:55

Marion Reneau vs. Ashlee Evans-Smith

Round 1

Reneau scores with straight punches and leg kicks in the opening minute, but she’s decked with a short right hook once she gets too close. Evans-Smith tries to keep the distance with a body kick, but Reneau charges full steam ahead with four or five punches which miss, followed by a right hook which nearly knocks out Evans-Smith. The wrestler keeps her balance and waves on Reneau, who slows her assault after half a dozen punches, perhaps sensing that Evans-Smith has recovered. Evans-Smith throws some straight punches of her own but nearly all of them come up short; she has more success with a right kick which thumps Reneau on the body. Reneau’s offense has dropped off in the latter half of the round as she focuses on staying out of the taller woman’s striking range. The tactic works as Reneau sidesteps Evans-Smith, leaving her running against the fence. Reneau catches a kick and runs Evans-Smith to the ground, snatching up a guillotine along the way. Reneau rolls to the top and squeezes hard but can’t produce a tap before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Reneau
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Reneau
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Reneau

Round 2

Evans-Smith switches between stances as she presses forward in the first minute of the round, but Reneau is still being evasive. Reneau stops long enough to deliver a hard kick to Evans-Smith’s body and then a pluging left hand down the center. Reneau switches to leg kicks, placing three or four nice chops on the exposed lead leg of Evans-Smith, who has stopped charging forward and now looks to counter. Another hard leg kick nearly turns Evans-Smith around as the bantamweights continue to fight in the center of the cage. Reneau snaps back the head of Evans-Smith with a shoveling uppercut, then deflects a reaching combination with her forearms.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Reneau
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Reneau
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Reneau

Round 3

Evans-Smith presses forward, trying to back Reneau against the cage, but the “Belizean Bruiser” is waiting with a straight right hand. A loud leg kick crashes into the leg of Evans-Smith, who tries to counter with three or four punches but only hits air. Evans-Smith catches a kick and trips Reneau to the ground, but she allows Reneau to stand up just a few seconds later. It’s halfway through the final frame and neither woman has really taken control of this round. Reneau is the busier fighter down the stretch, keeping active with leg kicks, but now Evans-Smith connects with a slapping kick to the body. Evans-Smith catches a kick and runs Reneau against the fence with 30 seconds on the clock, but she doesn’t look for a takedown. Instead, Evans-Smith releases and lands a level elbow on the break just before the fight ends.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Evans-Smith (29-28 Reneau)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Evans-Smith (29-28 Reneau)
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Evans-Smith (29-28 Reneau)

The Official Result

Ashlee Evans-Smith def. Marion Reneau via Split Decision (30-27, 29-27, 28-29) R3 5:00

Jonavin Webb vs. Nathan Coy

Round 1

Both men swing and miss as they fight all around the cage in the opening minute. Coy sticks a reaching left hand which forces Webb to the outside momentarily, but Webb gets one back with a short right hook and then slaps Coy’s chest with a high kick. There’s more swinging and missing through the middle of the frame; at the two-minute mark, neither man has taken control of the round. Coy pushes forward in straight angles while Webb moves around the outside of the cage. With his back to the fence, Webb shoots low for a takedown but gets stuffed by Coy. The veteran socks Webb with a couple right hands in the collar tie before releasing and continuing his forward pressure.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Webb
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Webb
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Webb

Round 2

Webb catches an early kick, trips Coy to the ground and tries to jump on his back in a hurry. When it becomes clear that he won’t get the back, Webb switches to an armbar, but Coy stacks him up in the center of the cage and pulls his arm free. Coy comes out on top in the scramble and pushes Webb over to the fence, where the veteran holds Webb on his knees in a front headlock, looking to set up a choke. Webb peels away Coy’s hands and gets back to his feet, where the welterweights separate with 3:30 on the clock. Coy jabs Webb around the edge of the cage and then shuts down a double-leg takedown attempt from “Spider.” Seconds later, Coy drops to his knees to try a double of his own. Webb stuffs the shot at first but eventually is brought down to his knees. Coy tries to jump on Webb’s back but can’t secure the position before Webb drops to the ground, trying to use a kimura to sweep from the bottom. Coy pulls his arm loose and establishes top position, then passes to full mount with just under one minute left in the round. Coy keeps heavy pressure on Webb but doesn’t do much to set up a finish, leaving Webb on his back at the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Coy
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Coy
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Coy

Round 3

Webb gets backed up with a long left hand, has a takedown attempt stuffed, but he scrambles to catch Coy in a crucifix as they tumble to the ground. Coy escapes a kimura try and stuffs Webb underneath, and now it’s “Soulforce” back on top with more than three minutes remaining in the bout. Coy roughs up Webb with short ground-and-pound, then looks to take the back again. Webb puts his back on the canvas, so Coy moves to side control. Webb rolls to the other side and powers back to his feet for a brief second, only to be dragged back to the canvas. Coy drops a few short shots on Webb’s body, then has to surrender the dominant position as Webb drops back for a heel hook. Coy pulls the leg free before the final horn and finishes the round back on top.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Coy (29-28 Coy)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Coy (29-28 Coy)
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Coy (29-28 Coy)

The Official Result

Nathan Coy def. Jonavin Webb via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Anthony Smith vs. Leonardo Guimaraes

Round 1

Both men swing heavy punches in the opening minute, but it’s Guimaraes connecting with a couple hard overhand rights. Smith keeps coming forward, trying to push-kick “Leleco” backward against the fence, but the Brazilian won’t be cornered. Guimaraes gets his left arm up to block a right high kick, circles left and comes out to meet Smith in the center. Smith starts landing leg kicks, now body blows as he continues to keep Guimaraes’ back near the fence with constant forward pressure. A few more body shots force Guimaraes to drop his hands low, allowing Smith to come leaping into range with a flying knee. Guimaraes escapes and goes back to circling, but he sidesteps into a hard, straight right hand. A couple more rights from Smith open up a cut on Guimaraes’ forehead. Guimaraes tries to swing back but he’s looking tired by the time the first round comes to a close.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Smith
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Smith
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Smith

Round 2

The middleweights take up their familiar positions to start round two, with Guimaraes backing straight up against the fence, allowing Smith to press forward. Smith charges into range and walks into a left hook from “Leleco,” who circles out to the center and comes back swinging to blast Smith with an overhand right. Smith looks stung as he drops levels for a quick takedown. He puts Guimaraes on his back, takes a few seconds to clear the cobwebs and then slips around to take the back. Guimaraes blocks the back-take and tries to roll free, but Smith stays glued to him and socks the Brazilian with short right hands to the face. Smith tries to take the back again but can’t establish his hooks. Guimaraes climbs back to his feet for about two seconds before he’s hurled back to the floor from the suplex position. Smith is in riding position when referee Chip Snider orders the fighters back to their feet. Smith doesn’t like it, and he likes even less the right hand and takedown which come next from Guimaraes. The Brazilian takes Smith’s back and drops more punches as the final 10 seconds tick down.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-10
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Smith
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Guimaraes

Round 3

Guimaraes goes body-head with a nasty pair of hooks, backing up Smith against the cage. The body assault continues from the Brazilian, and after absorbing half a dozen hard shots to the gut, Smith goes diving for a takedown. “Leleco” sprawls on the shot and spins, trying to take Smith’s back. Instead, Guimaraes winds up in position for a crucifix, his legs trapping the kneeling Smith’s left arm. Guimaraes reaches over to trap Smith’s right arm, too, and then begins unloading with short right hands to the side of the head. There’s not a ton of power behind the shots, but they’re landing clean to Smith’s head as the referee stands nearby. Smith pulls his arm free and begins the process of trying to stand with 2:00 on the clock, using two-on-one wrist control to slow down his opponent’s progress. Referee Snider issues another surprising stand-up order, this time with Guimaraes in the dominant position. Guimaraes comes forward swinging, turning Smith’s head with a wide right hand. The exhausted Smith shoots a double, sprawled on by Guimaraes, who lands some more short punches to the head as time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Guimaraes (29-29 Draw)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Guimaraes (28-28 Draw)
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Guimaraes (29-28 Guimaraes)

The Official Result

Anthony Smith def. Leonardo Guimaraes via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Daniel Sarafian vs. Oluwale Bamgbose

Round 1

Bamgbose twitches and feints, moving in awkward angles toward his opponent. A partially blocked left high kick knocks Sarafian to his seat, and “The Holy War Angel” wastes no time pouncing on his fallen opponent. Sarafian looks alright at first, but a pair of massive right hands from Bamgbose changes than in a hurry. Sarafian is flat on his back, out cold when referee James Chappell steps in to stop the bout.

The Official Result

Oluwale Bamgbose def. Daniel Sarafian via KO (Punches) R1 1:00

Alex Garcia vs. Sean Strickland

Round 1

The longer Strickland snaps off a front kick but misses and nearly succumbs to Garcia’s first takedown attempt. Instead, “Tarzan” stifles the shot and turns the tables by standing up Garcia and muscling him against the fence. Strickland pops Garcia with a couple short left hands as they tangle on the fence, then shoves the Dominican to the floor. Garcia throws a few upkicks before one lands on Strickland’s chin, and now the American opts to come down to the ground. Strickland lands a good right hand but misses with four or five punches behind it as Garcia tries to kick him away. Strickland maintains top position at the midway point of the round, landing a couple elbows which leave Garcia bleeding from the mouth. A pair of hard right hands seem to put Garcia in a daze, but just as referee Bill Bookwalter appears poised to step in, he clips the standing Strickland with another upkick and sweeps him underneath. Now it’s Garcia on top with 90 seconds left in the round, Strickland keeping him tight in closed guard. Garcia can’t do much with the position; in fact, it’s Strickland landing the better punches off his back down the stretch. Garcia manages to close the round with a hard left on the ground, then stands up to drop a straight right hand before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Strickland
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Strickland
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Strickland

Round 2

Garcia charges forward on Strickland with a pair of heavy punches, clipping with a good right hand over the top. Strickland looks to be the fresher fighter early on in the second stanza, though Garcia still has plenty of pop behind his punches as he slugs “Tarzan” with another big overhand. Garcia starts to use his jab but then goes back to loading up on single strikes, trying to take off Strickland’s head with murderous overhand lefts. Strickland stays tall and measured, using his length to jab on the shorter man, land leg kicks and slide out of range when Garcia telegraphs one of his power punches. Garcia explodes into a double-leg takedown and plants Strickland in the center of the cage with 60 seconds on the clock. Again, it’s Strickland staying busy on the bottom while Garcia struggles to mount offense on top.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Strickland
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Strickland
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Strickland

Round 3

Strickland opens the final frame with more jabs and inside leg kicks. Garcia gets hold of a kick and uses the leg to run Strickland back to the ground with four minutes left to fight. Strickland is only on his back for 30 seconds before Garcia stands and gives the American enough space to escape. Jabs continue to land on Garcia’s bloodied nose, and the fight looks to be slipping away from him now. Garcia is offering up less and less offense as the seconds tick down, allowing Strickland to stick and move around him. Garcia tries another takedown with two minuts on the clock, but Strickland underhooks his arms and denies the shot. Strickland sprawls on another shot, jumps up and hurts Garcia with a hard jab. Garcia is staggering around the edge of the cage, trying to dodge the offense of Strickland, who can sense the finish coming. Strickland finally catches up to his opponent and nails Garcia with a right hand on the chin, finishing the fight inside the final minute.

The Official Result

Sean Strickland def. Alex Garcia via TKO (Punches) R3 4:25

James Krause vs. Shane Campbell

Round 1

Krause gets an underhook and pushes Campbell against the cage, tries to drop levels for a double-leg but gets stood up by “Shaolin.” Campbell turns the tables by stuffing Krause to the ground, then holding him against the cage when he stands back up. The lightweights tangle their legs as Krause tries a trip takedown, and now they disengage about 90 seconds into the round. Krause goes for another double, gets Campbell down to one knee briefly but cannot keep him there. Krause splits the gloves of Campbell with an uppercut-right hook, then goes to the body with a left hook. Campbell leaps at Krause with a body kick, but Krause catches a leg and nearly trips him to the mat. Krause comes around the outside with a lovely right hook as the 155ers continue to fight around the cage. They exchange body kicks and Krause has to scramble up after slipping to the ground. Krause blocks a head kick, sticks a jab and eats a clean right hand over the top from Campbell, who’s starting to string together strikes in the last minute. Krause slows that progress with a takedown near the fence, and he climbs on Campbell’s back as the fighters get to their feet. Krause slaps on a rear-naked choke with 10 seconds left; the choke is deep, and for a moment it looks like Campbell might go to sleep, but he’s saved by the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Krause
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Krause
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Krause

Round 2

Krause looks for an early takedown but Campbell sweeps the leg and sends the Missourian tumbling to his back. Campbell pounces and tries to takes the back as Krause stands, but Krause isn’t having it. The lightweights fight to the other side of the cage and wind up back on the fence with Krause in the outside position, pinning Campbell to the cage with an underhook. Ninety seconds in, Krause drops levels and tries a high double-leg takedown. He lands in side control on Campbell’s right, looks to step over to full mount but is blocked by the cage. Campbell rolls to his knees, and now Krause is coming close to securing back-mount, though only his left hook is set. Nonetheless, Krause begins hunting for another rear-naked choke as he peels Campbell away from the fence. Krause gets the choke but loses it almost instantly, and Campbell makes him pay by kneeing Krasue in the chest as they scramble up. Now it’s Campbell in the outside position in the clinch, but he’s quickly spun around by Krause with an underhook. The fighters disengage with 50 seconds on the clock and Krause runs Campbell back to the ground for another takedown. Campbell flips him over the top and bounces back to his feet right away. Krause defends a trip and drives Campbell to the mat once more before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Krause
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Krause
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Krause

Round 3

Both men connect with body kicks as they fight toward the fence, where Krause once more clinches with Campbell. They disengage after only a few seconds and Krause just barely gets out of the way of a spinning kick. Krause sticks a jab, takes another body kick and then shoots low for another takedown attempt. He spins around to take Campbell’s back with a rear waistlock and tries to trip the Canadian to the canvas. Campbell separates from Krause, turns around and has a left high kick deflected. Campbell stuffs the next shot from Krause and turns him against the cage. The lightweights split with two minutes left to fight, and Campbell connects with a level elbow on the break. Krause dives on Campbell again, only to have his leg swept by “Shaolin.” Campbell pounces on his downed opponent and hunts for an arm-triangle choke, then looks to take the back when Krause rolls to his knees. Krause turns over, surrendering full mount rather than allowing Campbell to take his back. Campbell keeps high and tight, using shoulder strikes to make things uncomfortable for Krause. When he hears the 10-second clapper, Campbell postures up and drops a bunch of punches, but it may be too little, too late.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Campbell (29-28 Krause)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Campbell (29-28 Krause)
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Campbell (29-28 Krause)

The Official Result

James Krause def. Shane Campbell via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Joe Riggs vs. Chris Camozzi

Round 1

Camozzi lands a pair of leg kicks and then snaps back Riggs’ head with a hard jab. Riggs is stunned by the punch and leans over, covering his head with his gloves. The rangy Camozzi sees the opening to tee off with five, six, seven knees to the head. Most of the strikes seem to bounce off Riggs’ gloves, but the final one gets through and sends the veteran slumping to the ground in a heap. Riggs seems to have suffered an arm injury as he tried to deflect Camozzi’s knee strikes. Referee Mario Yamasaki steps in and this one is over in a hurry.

The Official Result

Chris Camozzi def. Joe Riggs via TKO (Knees) R1 0:26

Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Dennis Bermudez

Round 1

Bermudez takes the center of the cage while Kawajiri circles left around the outside, both men swinging and missing with kicks in the early going. Bermudez puts a hard kick on Kawajiri’s lead leg and then gets clipped by a spinning backfist, though it doesn’t seem to faze the American. Kawajiri gets caught spinning around again, and this time Bermudez takes the opportunity to jump on the veteran’s back. Kawajiri drops to his knees and shakes one hook, then the other, but Bermudez threatens to straighten out an armbar as he falls off the back. Kawajiri finally gets the limb free with just about two minutes on the clock. He wraps up and flattens out Bermudez, then stays clung to his waist as Kawajiri climbs to his feet. Kawajiri tries a high-crotch single but Bermudez pushes down on the Japanese fighter’s head to neutralize the takedown threat. A second effort yields the takedown for Kawajiri, who wraps up Bermudez’s legs and lands a couple no-look left hands to the chest. Bermudez stands up, gets slammed back down and stands again just before time runs out.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Kawajiri
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-10
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-10

Round 2

Bermudez looks to clinch early and shoves Kawajiri against the fence. Kawajiri turns him around and drops for a takedown, then works his head free from a brief Bermudez guillotine attempt. They trade positions again as Bermudez forces the kneeling Kawajiri to the ground and connects with a solid right hand to the face. Back up comes Kawajiri, and now the featherweights separate with 3:30 on the clock. Kawajiri whiffs on a spinning backfist and gets sprawled on as he shoots from way out. Kawajiri is tenacious on his takedown attempt, looping his left leg around Bermudez’s right and trying to pull him to the floor. Bermudez tees up his kneeling opponent’s head to deliver four or five clean left hands to the ear. Kawajiri’s takedown position is working against him now as Bermudez lands more punches and elbows. Finally, Kawajiri releases the leg and drops to his knees, allowing Bermudez to climb on his back and drop more punches. Bermudez pulls his opponent away from the fence with 30 seconds remaining and seems to consider a choke before ending the round with another bunch of punches.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Bermudez
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Bermudez
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Bermudez

Round 3

Bermudez goes straight after a takedown and succeeds in flooring Kawajiri at the base of the fence. Kawajiri rolls to his knees but is held in north-south position when he tries to drive on Bermudez’s legs. The 145ers stand up as they enter the second minute, and Bermudez denies another single-leg attempt to stand up Kawajiri and push him against the cage. Kawajiri hunts for a guillotine but Bermudez pulls his head free and pops the veteran with an uppercut in the clinch. Bermudez backs up to throw a kick and slips to the ground. Kawajiri tries to capitalize but can’t hold Bermudez on the ground. Instead, Kawajiri drops to guard with a loose guillotine, but he loses the choke as he hits the mat. Back up they go, now inside the final two minutes. Bermudez presses forward with a leg kick, a right hook, then lifts and slams Kawajiri to the mat. “Dennis the Menace” keeps Kawajiri on his knees for 20 seconds, then remains stuck to his back as they climb up. Kawajiri tries to separate but Bermudez chases him around the outside, lands a pair of punches and takes him down again. Bermudez closes out the fight on top, in Kawajiri’s guard, dropping heavy right hands.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Bermudez (29-28 Bermudez)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Bermudez (30-28 Bermudez)
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Bermudez (30-28 Bermudez)

The Official Result

Dennis Bermudez def. Tatsuya Kawajiri via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Cody Garbrandt vs. Augusto Mendes

Round 1

Garbrandt opens with a kick to the leg of Mendes, then one to the body. A left hook gets the attention of “Tanquinho,” who is on his back foot, looking to avoid Garbrandt’s hard early punches. Ninety seconds in, Mendes starts pressing forward. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist steps into the pocket and gets clipped with a punch, then drops to guard, trying to draw Garbrandt down to the ground. Garbrandt has a brief scare as Mendes gets hold of his right arm, but the Team Alpha Male product pulls out and wants Mendes back on his feet to resume the striking. Garbrandt looks to come over the top with hard right hands but Mendes is leery, dodging the strikes. Leg kicks continue to land for Garbrandt as they enter the final minute of the round. “No Love” comes in to clinch and gets popped with a nice uppercut from Mendes that makes him back away. In the middle of the cage, Garbrandt explodes with a three-piece combination, connecting with an overhand right that puts Mendes on the floor. There’s momentary confusion as referee Mario Yamasaki steps between the fighters. Yamasaki does not signal an end to the bout, so Garbrandt steps around him and drops one more punch on the dazed Mendes, and now Yamasaki stops the fight.

The Official Result

Cody Garbrandt def. Augusto Mendes via TKO (Punches) R1 4:18

Derek Brunson vs. Roan Carneiro

Round 1

The middleweights play a bit of patty-cake in the opening minute as Carneiro tests the range against the southpaw Brunson. Both men swing and miss with hard punches in the early going, then Brunson gets through with a lunging left. “Jucao” ducks under a wide combination and grabs for Brunson’s legs, but he’s denied the takedown. Carneiro lunges at Brunson with a huge overhand right, but the punch misses and brings him to his knees. The Brazilian turns around and drops to guard, where Brunson begins unloading with heavy leather. Carneiro is in trouble but does seem to be deflecting the bulk of the shots with his forearms. Referee Keith Peterson gives Carneiro every opportunity to recover and improve his position, but when Brunson gets through with a particularly hard right hand, Carneiro stops defending himself and the ref has to intervene.

The Official Result

Derek Brunson def. Roan Carneiro via TKO (Punches) R1 2:38

Donald Cerrone vs. Alex Oliveira

Round 1

Referee Mario Yamasaki is the third man in the cage for tonight’s welterweight main event, with judges Eric Colon, Todd Kruszka and Cardo Urso scoring at cageside. Oliveira lunges into range with a long right hand, then grabs Cerrone in the Thai clinch and drives a pair of knees up the center. He pushes the American to the fence, where the “Cowboys” trade knees in close quarters. The fighters separate and move back to the middle, where Cerrone ducks under a punch and tries for a bodylock takedown. Oliveira stays standing and lines up to strike again, bouncing on his toes and then stepping inside to deliver another right hook. Cerrone grabs hold and trips Oliveira to the mat, then moves to full mount and loops a leg around Oliveira’s neck to set up a triangle. Cerrone drops to his back and cinches the choke, forcing Oliveira to tap out almost immediately.

The Official Result

Donald Cerrone def. Alex Oliveira via Submission (Triangle Choke) R1 2:33