Bellator 183 ‘Henderson vs. Freire’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round-by-Round Scoring

Alexander Lopez vs. Fernando Gonzalez Trevino

Round 1

Lopez throws a low oblique kick, then a hook kick on the southpaw Gonzalez, just flashing skills and probing the striking range. Lopez lands a solid outside low kick, then chases his foe back with a running axe kick. Gonzalez steps in and lands an overhand left, but Lopez shakes his head and waves his foe in. Two hard, very low outside kicks by Lopez, then Gonzalez lands two lefts as Lopez backs up to the cage. Gonzalez unloads with six punches and Gonzalez eats more than a few, then shooting a lazy double to get himself off the cage. Left hand from Gonzalez again moments later, then Lopez blocks a head kick, but not the two left crosses behind it. Lopez is repeatedly walking himself back to the fence and eating Gonzalez's lefts. More probing kicks with the lead leg from Lopez and Gonzalez dings him with more southpaw hands behind the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Gonzalez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Gonzalez
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Gonzalez

Round 2

Lopez rushes with another low cut kick and Gonzalez falls while trying to intercept him with a wild head kick. Lopez throws a kick from outside and his toe crack into his opponent's cup, prompting referee Josh Rosenthal to call for time. On the restart, Lopez comes forward and keeps up his unorthodox kicking attack, but then eats another rushing pair of left hooks from Gonzalez. It's the same pattern, rinse and repeat. Lopez quickly lans five legs inside and outside, still focusing on Gonzalez's lead leg and it's finally starting to pay dividends. Left uppercut for Gonzalez, then a hook with the same hand, then finally uses both hands again to land a four-punch combo. Lopez lands two hard inside low kicks to work his way off the fence. However, with just under a minute to go, Gonzalez rushes him again, unloads left hands. Weirdly, Gonzalez's mouthguard falls out while he's swarming. Lopez comes back with kicks and surprise surprise, Gonzalez touches him up with the hands again. In the dying seconds, Lopez tries a running, jumping switch kick that hits glove, but then one more rugged, outside low kick.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Gonzalez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Gonzalez
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Gonzalez

Round 3

It's more of the same with Lopez hurling undisguised, exotic kicks, then backing himself up to the fence and eating punches. Lopez tries an awkward spinning kick but walks right into a Gonzalez counter cross that makes the crowd roar for a second. Gonzalez circles as Lopez chases him with low kicks, then an ugly takedown attempt that the American Kickboxing Academy product shrugs off. Gonzalez's output has slowed as he takes a look at the clock with two minutes left. Lopez shows no urgency, however, still awkwardly going between legitimate low kicks and flashy footwork that amounts to nothing.Lopez twirls into a body kick that allows Gonzalez to sock him with another left, but Lopez keeps running forward. Finally Lopez throws his hands for seemingly the first time in the fight, surprising Gonzalez with a pair of hooks. Under a minute to go and Lopez keeps pressing, but walks into two identical left hooks just a second apart, falling down off of the second one. Another hard outside low kick by Lopez as Gonzalez retreats and eats another low kick.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Lopez (29-28 Gonzalez)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Lopez (29-28 Gonzalez)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Lopez (29-28 Gonzalez)

The Official Result

Fernando Gonzalez Trevino def. Alexander Lopez via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Corina Herrera vs. Jaimelene Nievera

Round 1

Herrera pressures Nievera and walks her right back to the fence, lobbing overhand rights from the outside, while Nievera circles and kicks low. Hard right hook from Nievera, but Herrera dings her right back. Herrera looks for a spinning back fist but she eats a right hand and nearly has her back taken. Nievera keeps pushing her foe into the fence, working with over-unders for a takedown. Nievera drives low for a double, winds up in a guillotine but pops her head out. Herrera throws up an armbar and slowly adjusts but Nievera slams her. Nievera doesn't extract herself fully though and actually ends up driving herself back into the armbar position. Herrera knocks Nievera off balance with under 90 to go but can't fully extend the arm before Nievera stacks her up again. With under 20 to go, Herrera shifts her hips for a triangle, but is unsuccessful. As time ticks down, Nievera unloads with some heavy hammerfists which are mostly blocked.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Herrera
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Herrera
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Herrera

Round 2

Nievera comes forward behind her jab, landing a right cross and low kicks. Herrera is circling away now, loading up on right-handed counters. Left kick to the body registers for Nievera, then three outside low kicks to the lead leg. Jab-overhand right registers for Nievera, whose corner is now screaming that Herrera is gassed. Herrera just glances with an overhand right but Nievera swims to the double collar tie and unloads with knees to the body. Herrera gets an underhook and they pummel for position until Nievera gets double unders and whips Herrera down the mat along the fence with under 90 seconds left. Herrera overhooks one of Nievera's arms, then turns for the same textbook armbar she attacked with in Round 1. Nievera once more stacks her and this time waits for the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Nievera
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Nievera
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Nievera

Round 3

Pure fisticuffs for the first 10 seconds as Herrera rocks a rushing Nievera, then both women smash away with both hands in the center of the cage. Nievera times a Herrera spinning back fist and lands a double but when she passes to side control, Herrera steps over and sweeps her, winding up on top in full guard. It's Nievera now working for an arm off her back, then tries to switch to an omoplata, then briefly a gogoplata. Herrera breaks her grip and postures up with left hands from guard. Nievera goes for another armbar and Herrera is slow to react. She stacks Nievera up but gets swept over briefly. Nievera still working hard for the arm as she's stacked again in a quaint reversal of roles. Herrera bases out wide but gets swept into spiderweb position. She gets her arm free but Nievera takes top with 90 seconds to go, smacking Herrera with right hands. Herrera is spent and tries to lock up Nievera's arms to her chest but eats a torrent of elbows to the face. The San Jose crowd shows their appreciation, so Nievera drops a few more nasty ones. Nievera throws five more hard elbows before the bell, though the last few are mostly blocked.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Nievera (29-28 Nievera)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Nievera (29-28 Nievera)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Nievera (29-28 Nievera)

The Official Result

Jamielene Nievera def. Corina Herrera via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-28) R3 5:00

Gaston Bolanos vs. Brandon Laroco

Round 1

Laroco comes out southpaw in a wide karate stance and pops Bolanos with a quick left cross. Hard left head kick moments later lands for Laroco, but Bolanos catches it partially and nearly throws him. Laroco flurries his way to Bolanos but eats a right hand, then a left hook moments later. Bolanos looks for roundhouse kicks upstairs while Laroco uses oblique kicks to ward him off. Spinning back kick partially lands for Laroco but Bolanos catches his foot. “Lil Beast” doesn't seem to mind as he pulls guard, immediately eating punches from Bolanos. Bolanos lets his foe stand again moments later, then tags him a spinning back elbow. Bolanos is starting to land and come forward but he rushes into a left hook that briefly drops him. Bolanos regains his feet and resumes attacking with his own kicks, instead he winds up eating a left cross and some tepid knees from Laroco. Bolanos throws another spinning back elbow and Laroco instantly dives on his back, suddenly springing back to life. He fights for a rear-naked choke but Bolanos slows is roll with a two-on-one. Laroco gets free and unloads with punches until the round dies.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Laroco
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Laroco
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Laroco

Round 2

Both men jab their way to the center, then Laroco times Bolanos with a beautiful spinning wheel kick. He decks his target, stumbling Bolanos backwards. Laroco rushes all over Bolanos with a flying knee, then winging punches that send “The Dreamkiller” careening over. Bolanos gets to his knees, eating right hands around his guard. Bolanos makes it back to his feet but is now getting raked with punches along the fence. He launches another spinning back elbow and nearly knocks himself over. Referee Mike Beltran giving Bolanos every latitude here. He stumbles back and when Laroco rushes him next, he gets double underhooks and shockingly gets a takedown. Just as Bolanos tries to catch his breath, Laroco locks up a triangle, slowly adjusting it. Finally he sweeps Bolanos into a mounted triangle, yet as it looks to be a wrap, Bolanos gives a thumbs up. No matter: “Lil Beast” rolls again to his back, tightening his legs in the process and pulling the head down. Two seconds later, he looks at Mike Beltran and simply says “He's out.” Beltran breaks up the choke in a hurry with Bolanos slumping over supine, unconscious.

The Official Result

Brandon Laroco def. Gaston Bolanos via Technical Submission (Triangle Choke) R2 2:16

Brooke Mayo vs. Kaytlin Neil

Round 1

Mayo trots forward for the first 90 seconds, throwing steady leg and body kicks while Neil looks to jab. Right hook-head kick scores for Mayo but Neil dings her with an overhand left. Mayo runs Neil into the cage, works for double underhooks and secures a takedown but is too eager in trying to take the back and gets shook over the top. Neil tries to set up in guard but Mayo shows quick hips in turning the corner, working for an armbar with under 90 seconds to go. Mayo lands a few hammerfists around her own body then “Katniss” yanks her arm out. Neil scrambles but Mayo secures a reverse guard, then turns around back into full guard. She tries to climb the ladder again so Neil breaks away and stands up. Teep for Mayo, but she eats a left head kick before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Mayo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Mayo
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Mayo

Round 2

Mayo is still the one pressuring forward, jabbing and kicking. Neil catches a left body kick and puts two jabs in Mayo's face, leading Mayo to run her into the fence and pursue a body lock takedown. Mayo uses her leg to trip Neil to her knees but Neil gets back to her feet as Mayo goes behind and grabs a rear waistlock. Mayo briefly elevates her and Neil blocks it but “The Bully” drags her down finally. Again, Mayo is too eager in trying to get back control and winds up on her own back. She's working for another armbar but her hips are partially blocked by the fence. She kicks off the cage and keeps looking for the armbar, but Neil gets free and lands a few punches. Mayo re-snatches the right limb instantly and is right back to threatening the armbar. Neil lands tiny hammerfists while stacking Mayo along the fence. Neil finally pulls her arm out with 30 seconds left in the round and flurries for a moment but instantly Mayo is switching her hips and trying to get her arm.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Mayo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Mayo
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Mayo

Round 3

Mayo clinches up quickly but Neil turns her around and punches her way out. A Neil head kick is blocked but she touches her target with a right cross. “The Bully” wades inside again, grabs double overhooks and just runs Neil into the fence. Crossface by Mayo, who knees to the body then works to over-unders. Mayo tries to explode for the takedown but doesn't seem to have the steam any more. She looks for a go-behind but Neil gets head and throws her to the mat. Both women collide into the fence, scrambling back to their feet with Neil still holding a headlock. She throws an exhausted Mayo to the mat, then clambers into her open guard with two minutes to go. Neil doesn't get much done before Mayo uses double butterfly hooks to kick her away. A Mayo body kick is caught, but on one foot, she tags Neil. Mayo runs “Katniss” into the fence but gets nowhere. They separate late and Neil tags her spent opponent with another head kick before the bout comes to a close.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Neil (29-28 Mayo)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Neil (29-28 Mayo)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Neil (29-28 Mayo)

The Official Result

Kaytlin Neil def. Brooke Mayo via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Anthony Johnson vs. Mike Ortega

Round 1

Johnson coming forward with a left hook-right cross, just glancing Ortega, then going to jab-cross. Ortega pops him with two jabs, then Johnson barely misses with a massive right-hand windmill. Ortega begins to employ low kicks. Johnson feints then lands a right cross to the body. Overhand left scores for Johnson as Ortega rushes but Ortega comes right back, going body-head then tacking on a leg kick. Right hooks clash for both men. It's Ortega coming forward now as Johnson looks to counter. Ortega cracks Johnson with a spinning back fist but his low kick moments later is caught. Right uppercut-left hook for Ortega, then a jab-right hook-left body kick. Ortega finding a groove as Johnson, now bleeding from his nose, starts to slow down. Both men pop each other with crisp jabs, then Ortega cracks Johnson with another hard left kick to the body.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Ortega
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Ortega
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Ortega

Round 2

Ortega feinting and switching levels now as he comes at Johnson, pumping double jabs. Another left roundhouse kick to the body for Ortega, but Johnson touches him with a counter cross. Ortega throws a lazy low kick, Johnson catches it and rips him twice. Both light heavyweights opening up now as Johnson puts the pressure on, smacking Ortega with two big overhand rights, but Ortega comes right back with a hard knee to the face then a body kick. Johnson is not backing down and continues to press Ortega, stepping in behind a lead hook. He transfers all of his weight into a devastating right cross just behind the lead hook, nuking Ortega and instantly knocking him out as he collapses over his own right knee. Referee Jason Herzog waves the bout off immediately. Incredible one-punch knockout for Anthony Johnson, who more resembled the other Anthony Johnson in the fight's climax.

The Official Result

Anthony Johnson def. Mike Ortega via KO (Punch) R1 1:49

Adam Piccolotti vs. Goiti Yamauchi

Round 1

Yamauchi lands two quick, chopping low kicks, then throws a left roundhouse upstairs which Piccolotti narrowly blocks. A wheel kick cracks a ducking Piccolotti in the jaw and backs him up, so Yamauchi comes flying at him with a flying knee. Yamauchi jumps an arm-in guillotine and looks stoic as he subtly adjusts it, then tries switching to an anaconda. Piccolotti gets out, yet instantly finds himself ensnared in an omoplata. Relentless attack by Yamauchi in the first two minutes as he now rolls for a leglock. Piccolotti jumps back to his feet but Yamauchi runs him right across the cage, gets a rear waistlock and starts kneeing the American int he legs and head. Yamauchi nearly slams Piccolotti but his opponent blocks the elevation attempt. Yamauchi tries to pick him up again and Piccolotti squats and appears to grab the fence. Bad move: Yamauchi instantly leaps onto his back standing, sinking both hooks and instantly locking up a rear-naked choke. Piccolotti topples to the mat and as he does, Yamauchi makes it even more academic, adjusting his right hook and using it to trap his opponent's arm. The Brazilian-Japanese fighter tightens his squeeze and that's a wrap.

The Official Result

Goiti Yamauchi def. Adam Piccolotti via Submissio n(Rear-Naked Choke) R1 3:19

Justin Linn vs. Aaron Pico

Round 1

Pico pops his jab in Linn's face but eats a left hand. Pico ducks underneath, hits a lightning fast go-behind, elevates Linn and slams him. Linn gets to his knees but Pico rides his leg and punches him away. Linn gets to guard, Pico stands and allows his opponent to regain his feet. Pico lands a left to the body, then lands a long head-body combination as Linn walks back to the fence. The American Kickboxing Academy fighter unloads with both hands for a solid seven seconds, but Linn is able to block the worst of it and sneak in a few right hands of his own. He gets off the fence but Pico keeps charging him. The heralded prospect eats another right coming in but hits a quick takedown and sets up in half guard, chopping away on “The Mortal Sinn” with elbows. Linn regains full guard and Pico allows him to stand again. Head kick from Linn is blocked. Pico fades back for a second and Linn attempts to step in, reaching with a right cross. Pico slips and counters with an absolutely gruesome counter left hook that reverberates through Linn's face, completely removing him from consciousness. Linn falls straight back, stiff as a board, his head and shoulders collapsing into the cage as he clatters to the canvas. Linn stays down for several minutes but eventually leaves the cage under his own power. Absolutely ferocious knockout by Aaron Pico in his sophomore outing.

The Official Result

Aaron Pico def. Justin Linn via KO (Punch) R1 3:45

Javy Ayala vs. Roy Nelson

Round 1

Ayala leads with a body kick that backs Nelson up, then a chopping right and two hooks which are blocked. Ayala comes right back with a hard outside low kick. Nelson finally starts to come forward, blocks a one-two from Ayala, but a flying -- or as flying as a man of his dimensions can -- knee from Ayala gets through. Spinning back kick from Ayala now. Nelson double jabs then lands to the body on Ayala, his first real offense of the bout, but eats a right hand a moment later. A Superman elbow glances for Ayala, then Nelson touches his nose with a wild overhand right. Jab-low kick from Ayala, Nelson catches a leg and instigates a clinch. Nelson turns Ayala into the fence, changes levels and dumps him along the cage, quickly moving to half guard. Short right hands and elbows from Nelson, who then looks for a kimura on Ayala's right arm. He forces “Eye Candy” to defend then passes into full mount with just over 45 seconds to go. Nelson briefly threatens a keylock, then bases down and gets back to punching or a second. He then looks for a keylock on the other arm, but Ayala escapes to his feet, rocks Nelson with a hook, then a big jumping knee before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Ayala
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Ayala
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Ayala

Round 2

Jab-outside low kick from Ayala once more to start Round 2. Nelson glances with another chopping right, then eats a right elbow from Ayala, a low kick and a right. In the standup, “Big Country” has few answers for Ayala. Nelson throws a right cross to the body then shoots another takedown, dumping Ayala against the cage, settling in half guard once again. Short lefts score for the former “Ultimate Fighter” Season 10 winner. Ayala trying hard to buck and shrimp away so he can slide up the fence, yet can't get free of Nelson's grasp. Ayala manages to make it to his knees, but Nelson sinks both hooks in and looks to take his back. Nelson is tired too however and gets sloppy, allowing Ayala to shake him off and stand up with two minutes left in the round. Ayala tackles Nelson to the mat and nearly takes Nelson's back sinking a hook as he stands, then opting to head kick Nelson instead. Nelson shoots a right hand but eats a nasty front kick from Ayala that rocks him back to the fence. Nelson charges back in though, landing a left and then a huge series of right uppercuts that rock the Californian's head back. It's Nelson's best sequence of the bout thus far and allows him to shoot another easy double and resituate himself in half guard. Big right elbows for Ayala get the San Jose crowd buzzing.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Nelson
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Nelson
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Nelson

Round 3

Wide casting right hand for Ayala lands and Nelson dings him right back with a back fist. Both heavyweights are weary but it's still Ayala that's the more active of the two, landing his right hand. Nelson tires of the act and hits a powerful double 90 seconds in, dumping “Eye Candy” back on the floor against the cage. He easily moves into side control, flurrying with short right hands. “Big Country” threatens the top cruicfix, then mount but Ayala has enough stamina left to stave him off. Ayala tries to push off the fence and explode to his feet but he can't make it and Nelson continues to hold him down in side control. Nelson goes to knee on belly for a moment, seeming just riding Ayala and forcing his foe to carry his weight. Nelson cradles the near leg and bases up, drilling knees into Ayala's ribs. Nelson postures up and rains down clean right hands and hammerfists. He moves back into knee on belly, rifling Ayala with even harder shots until the final bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Nelson (29-28 Nelson)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Nelson (29-28 Nelson)
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Nelson (29-28 Nelson)

The Official Result

Roy Nelson def. Javy Ayala via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Paul Daley vs. Lorenz Larkin

Round 1

Right low kick then body kick from Daley starts the clash of welterweights. Quick circling footwork from Larkin who takes the cage center and Daley looks to cut him off with a right head kick but it's blocked. Larkin with a clean outside low kick and Daley tags him a second later with a jab and leg kick of his own. Larkin kicks low and Daley tries to counter with two hooks. Low kick lands for Larkin, then he lands a side kick to the gut as “Semtex” tries to step in behind it. Straight right and a left hook for Larkin backs Daley up. Right cross and then two lunging left hooks score for Larkin, who demonstrates some nifty hand speed. Daley chops back with an outside low kick but “Da Monsoon” rips him right back with that right cross. Daley backs Larkin up but slips while launching a head kick. Larkin dives on top and shocking, Daley looks for a triangle briefly, but the Millenia MMA product escapes quickly. Larkin dives into guard with hard rights and hammerfists before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Larkin
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Larkin
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Larkin

Round 2

Daley stalks Larkin back to the perimeter of the cage but uncorks a wild right hand that misses, allowing Larkin to clinch up and control him along the cage. The Brit trips Larkin down for a moment and as he pops up, Daley dings him with a left hand. Daley feints, steps inside and drills Larkin with a stepping knee to the body and a hook before another clinch happens. Larkin pushes Daley into the fence with over-unders, then lands a nice knee. Daley comes free and uncorks a spinning back fist that glances a ducking Larkin. As Larkin stands, Daley zaps him with his trademark left hook; Larkin is stiff on the balls of his feet, clearly rocked. “Semtex” sees his chance to explode, unloading a three punch combo that puts Larkin down in a heap, then diving in with a decisive hammerfist before referee Mike Beltran can dive in to rescue Larkin.

The Official Result

Paul Daley def. Lorenz Larkin via KO (Punches) R2 2:40

Benson Henderson vs. Patricky “Pitbull” Freire

Round 1

The southpaw Henderson quickly advances on Freire but is cautious about throwing much beyond probing, outside low kicks. Henderson rushes in with two punches, Freire completely ducks them and circles away adroitly. Right cross lands for Pitbull and when Henderson tries to rush him, the Brazilian lands a short left that stumbles Henderson to the mat for a moment. Superman punch for Henderson whiffs and Freire pushes him away, so the former UFC lightweight champion tries to respond with a left body kick which partially lands, but Freire catches it and shoves him back. Henderson again steps into the pocket without throwing and eats part of a three-punch combo from Freire. Left head kick lands for Henderson but he accidentally grazes his opponent's eye with his right hand after contact, prompting referee “Big” John McCarthy to call a brief halt. On the restart, Henderson launches a switch-step head kick but slips and eats the mat, quickly scrambling back to his feet. Henderson engages and Pitbull grazes him with a wild left as he ducks.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Freire
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Henderson
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-10

Round 2

Henderson starts with another clean left kick to the ribs of Freire. Henderson throws a Superman punch and beautifully transitions into a double-leg shot, but Freire sprawls all over it. They trade right hooks, then Freire tags the “Smooth” one with an extra one. Henderson resets and shoots a clean left cross into the Brazilian's chin. The MMA Lab rep changes levels and runs Freire across the cage, but Pitbull defends again. Henderson switches to a single but eats hammerfists, as John McCarthy warns Freire about grabbing the fence. Henderson nearly sucks Freire to the mat, but Pitbull posts on one hand and vaults back up to the clinch in an impressive display of athleticism. Henderson tries to run the pipe, Freire halts him and hits the Yves Edwards-style jumping knee off the one leg he has control of, cracking Henderson in the jaw. The former UFC lightweight champion simply won't give up on the single-leg attempt and continues to push. With a minute left, Freire elbows him in the side of the head. Freire gets an underhook and finally breaks the single attempt, bringing his opponent up into an over-under clinch. They trade knees to the body and Freire surprises Henderson by reaping ankle and putting him on the mat, but Henderson scrambles right back up.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Freire
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Henderson
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Freire

Round 3

Henderson continues coming forward with kicks and trying to set up takedown attempts but can't find what he seeks. Right hand for Freire, then a clean knee to the jaw. Henderson lunges in and appears to hit his head on Freire's shoulder or the side of his head and briefly rock himself and as if invigorated by it, lands two hard body kicks. Freire right back with a right hook that stumbles a kicking “Bendo” but Henderson zings him with a left straight down the pipe. Henderson spastically lunges into the pocket again and is knocked off balance. With under two minutes to go, Hendersonc charges in on another single-leg takedown and gets nowhere. Elbows from Freire, then short punches before he breaks. Henderson tries another leaping attack and eats another glancing shot. Stepping knee lands for Freire but he misses a flying knee attempt moments later. They trade body kicks and Henderson circles away as the bout winds down.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Freire (30-27 Freire)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Henderson (30-27 Henderson)
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Freire (30-28 Freire)

The Official Result

Patricky Freire def. Benson Henderson via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00