Strikeforce Challengers 18 Results & Play-by-Play
Aug 12, 2011
Sherdog.com will report from the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas
at approximately 9 p.m. ET with play-by-play and live results of
Strikeforce
“Challengers 18,” which is headlined by a lightweight duel
pitting Jorge Gurgel
against Joe
Duarte.
Check out the MMA Forums to discuss the card.
Click here for quick results.
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Round 1
Vieira is pretty aggressive right off the bat. He hammers Ford with a thudding low kick. Ford answers with a low kick of his own, only to be hit accidentally in the groin by the Brazilian's foot. Once they restart, the action slows to a more cautious pace. Another low kick by Vieira, followed by a sloppy flurry of punches from Ford. Vieira clips the American with a head kick, prompting Ford to swing away. Vieira quickly clinches and latches on a standing guillotine. It's fairly deep, but Ford is defending it well. Vieira drags his opponent down and switches to a brabo, but Ford eventually breaks free of the choke. Vieira delivers an elbow and latches on the brabo again. It's very, very tight. Ford eventually goes out and Vieira is ripped off of him. Ford is twitching on the canvas, but quickly comes back from his slumber. He's on his back and after several moments is able to stand up and walk out on his own power. The official time of the submission is 4:49.
Mike Bronzoulis vs. Chad Leonhardt
Round 1
Bronzoulis misses with a slow head kick early. Both are very cautious to start. They exchange low kicks. Leonhardt lands a glancing push kick to the chest. They exchange punches and clinch against the cage. They disengage. Bronzoulis shoots in and scores a double leg but lands in Leonhardt's butterfly guard. Quickly they scramble up to their feet and clinch against the cage. 45 seconds later, positioning hasn't changed. Dean finally separates them. Two hard low kicks by Bronzoulis. They flurry again and Leonhardt digs two right knees into his foe's body. They separate and back away. Bronzoulis paws out two left jabs and then misses with a head kick. Bronzoulis shoots in and takes him down. From the guard, Leonhardt tries a triangle but time expires. 10-9 Bronzoulis.
Round 2
Leonhardt opens the round with a low kick and a right cross. Both miss their target. Bronzoulis shoots in for a double leg but he's stuffed. They clinch against the cage. A minute into the frame and very little has happened. Bronzoulis is still trying for the takedown but he is being thwarted. Leonhardt switches position against the cage, only to be reversed by Bronzoulis. Finally they separate on their own. Leonhardt dives in and scores a textbook double leg. Bronzoulis quickly scrambles back to his feet. They separate and Leonhardt eats a right hand. Flying knee by Leonhardt, but it's blocked. A stinging low kick by Leonhardt backs away Bronzoulis. With his back near the cage, Leonhardt stuffs another takedown attempt. They scramble off the cage and Bronzoulis floors his opponent with a knee to the face. Leonhardt is hurt, but he defends the onslaught well. 10-9 Bronzoulis.
Round 3
A hard push kick by Leonhardt stops Bronzoulis in his tracks but only briefly. A hard left hand hurts Bronzoulis but he recovers well. They engage again but Bronzoulis digs a sinister right low kick. Leonhardt buckles from the blow and falls to his knees. Bronzoulis swarms him and lands a few hard punches. Dean stops the bout. Leonhardt, not terribly hurt by the blows, staggers up and limps toward his corner. The official time of the TKO is 1:30.
Nah-Shon Burrell vs. Lukasz Les
Round 1
Les fires off two left jabs and shoots in for a single. Burrell sprawls well but is quickly dragged to the ground. Les seizes his back. He can't sink the hooks and Burrell shucks him off. They scramble back to their feet and Burrell just misses a left hook. The two exhale and regroup, slowing their pace. Hard left jab by Burrell followed by a glancing left hook. Les digs a kick to the body but his foot is caught. Burrell just misses a bomb of a right hand as Les escapes the grab. Hard straight right hand by Burrell. Les wants none of it and shoots in. He's stuffed. Back up, Burrell lands a huge right cross and floors Les. He pounces on him but can't put him away. Les stumbles back to his feet during a scramble and backs away. Les, on his bicycle, jabs away. Another right hand drops Les but Burrell backs off. At the horn, Burrell misses a wild head kick. 10-9 Burrell.
Round 2
Burrell lands two stiff left jabs right away. Burrell digs a kick to the body but Les catches it. He can't take him down and Burrell separates. Les shoots in for a single but he's easily stuffed. He tries again and latches onto Burell's left leg. Les is trying to lure him into his guard but Burrell won't play his game. Back up, Burrell crushes Les' leg with a nasty kick. Les crumbles to the seat of his trunks and Burrell pouches. Mazzagatti quickly stops the bout, much to the chagrin of Les. The official time of the TKO is 2:09.
Gian Villante vs. Keith Berry
Round 1
Berry comes swarming out with a storm of punches. Villante blocks most and ducks under, scoring a single leg. Berry quickly pulls to full guard. Villante lands a few scant punches but they don't faze Berry. Villante lands a hard right hand. Berry is working from an active guard back can't transition into a sub attempt. Berry kicks away in an effort to scramble up, but Gian keeps him grounded. Villante lands another right hand. Still from full guard, Berry is trying to work his way up for a sub. Big right hand rocks Berry but the Vegas fighter holds him tight to clear his head. Villante digs a few right hands to Berry's body. Berry throws an arsenal of elbows and punches from his back. Hard right/left by Villante at the horn. 10-9 Villante.
Round 2
A hard low kick by Villante immediately. They trade punches in the center of the cage until an errant foot crushes Berry's berries. There's a break in the action. After they resume, Villante digs a kick into Berryls ribs. Berry counters with a right hand. They clinch. After a brief separation, Berry hurts him with a right hand. Villante clinches and drags him to the mat. Berry pulls him into full guard. Little action for the first minute of grappling. Villante lands a decent right hand. Berry looks to be just holding him in his guard, looking for a restart. The crowd has grown restless and is jeering the two light heavyweights. Villante tries to pass guard but Berry prevents it. They are finally restarted. Villante immediately shoots in, but Berry latches on a kimura. He loses it on the way down. The crowd lustily boos the return to Berry's guard. Very close round; 10-9 Berry.
Round 3
Berry opens the round with a few left jabs. They exchange punches and Villante shoots in. He scores the double leg and lands back in Berry's full guard. The crowd groans with displeasure. Villante pushes Berry against the cage and lands a few moderate lunches to the face. After two minutes of scant action, the crowd again is restless and begging for a restart. Boos rain down onto the fighters and referee. With 90 seconds left, they are finally stood up. As expected, Villante immediately shoots in and takes Berry down. The crowd explodes in anger. Neither fighter is doing much against the cage. Berry is cut above his right eye, probably from a left hand. The fight ends with Villante in Berry's full guard. 10-9 Villante.
Official scores: 30-27s across the board for Vilante, the winner by unanimous decision.
Roy Jones vs. Derrick Mehmen
Round 1
Mehmen leads with a nice, one-two, but Jones doesn't back up. Mehman lands a left hook, and Jones counters with a jab. Mehmen clinches and pushes his man against the cage. Jones escapes the clinch and quickly attacks, flying across the cage and landing a flying knee. Jones is now relentless with the offense, but Mehmen has survived for the moment and is now circling away. Jones tries another flying knee and lands an uppercut. Both men jockeying for position in the clinch. Jones gets the plum and lands a knee to the body. He chases Mehmen across the cage, but now appears to have caught his opponent low. Mehmen recovers quickly and now charges quickly and clinches. From there, he elevates Jones and slams him, landing in side control. Jones recovers guard, however. Mehmen is landing pot-shots, but nothing significant. Jones is continually trying to stand, using the cage to sit up. Mehmen postures up, but Jones quickly smothers him once again. Mehmen still looking for a clean blow, but he's accomplishing little. Jones is now fishing for an arm-in guillotine, but Mehmen passes to half-guard with a minute left in the frame. Jones is continually squirming, trying to reverse the position, but Mehmen's base is too solid. Mehmen is thinking of passing to side, but the round expires before he can.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Mehmen
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Jones
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Jones
Round 2
Jones tries a jump-spinning back kick, but Mehmen shoots in at the same time and takes him down. Mehmen is suddenly bleeding like a stuck pig. Crimson mask time, folks. There is a massive gash over Mehmen's left eye, but it's unclear what caused it during the initial exchange. The doctor will allow Mehmen to continue, despite the huge laceration. Mehmen resumes top control from half-guard. The canvas, and Jones, is being painted with Mehmen's blood. Jones is still avoiding contact from the bottom, though Mehmen continues to try to score. Mehmen is still riding from full guard, now, but is landing few strikes. Now Mehmen lands a nice elbow. Jones, while not taking much damage, isn't attempting submissions, nor is he close to escaping. Mehmen passes to half-guard now and wails away with right hands. It looks good, but it's unclear exactly how much damage is being done. Jones retaliates with a backfist from the bottom. Mehmen goes body-head with the right hand as the round expires.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Mehmen
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Mehmen
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Mehmen
Round 3
Mehmen shoots in quickly to start the third frame. Jones tries to jump into a guillotine, but Mehmen easily avoids the sub attempt. Mehmen passes to half-guard, but Jones recovers full guard quickly. Jones' defense is still solid, but he's offering little in the way of offense. Now Jones tries to squirt away and push down on Mehmen's head, but Mehmen recovers the position. Herb Dean has seen enough and stands the fighters. Jones lands a quick jab as Mehmen shoots. Jones stuffs it, and this might be his opportunity to score. Jones stuffs another takedown and could take Mehmen's back from the turtle position. Mehmen is still digging for a single leg. Mehmen let's it go, but he falls on Jones and immediately passes to half-guard. Jones recovers full guard, but Mehmen stays on top. Jones looks frustrated and rolls over. Mehmen steps over and now has the mount, grapevining Jones' legs while dropping shots as the round expires.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Mehmen (30-26 Mehmen)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Mehmen (29-28 Mehmen)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Mehmen (29-28 Mehmen)
Official scores: Mehman takes a unanimous decision. Scores are not announced.
Ronda Rousey vs. Sarah D'Alelio
Round 1
Referee Steve Mazzagatti starts the bout. Rousey doubles up on her jab and clinches immediately. Rousey quickly jumps into an armbar, and Mazzagatti steps in and stops the fight. D'Alelio is not happy, and maybe for good reason. D'Aleio never taps, but the fight is over. Rousey claims that D'Aleio verbally submitted, and her opponent denies it in their in-cage postfight interviews. The official time is 0:25 of round one.
Pat Healy vs. Eric Wisely
Round 1
Referee Chris Tognoni gets us underway. The fighters touch gloves, and Healy begins to stalk his foe, taking the center of the cage. Wisely is on his bicycle, circling left. Healy catches a front kick and is trying to turn it into a single-leg. Healy instead elects to sweep Wisely's other leg and now settles in his man's guard. Healy is clearly the stronger man, but Wisely pivots into a tight straight armbar. Healy looks to be in trouble, but he spins out of it deftly. Wisely grabs both ankles and sweeps Healy; both men recover to their feet. Wisely is using excellent head movement and lands a nice leg kick. Healy is still the aggressor, moving forward. Healy slips a hook and takes the fight to the floor. Wisely lands a nice elbow from bottom, then another. Wisely now has a leg trapped, and he's looking for a heel hook. Now he switches to a kneebar, then back to a heel hook. Another hammerfist from the bottom from Wisely. Healy is trying hard to score from top, but Wisely's defense is excellent. Wisely escapes to his feet.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Healy
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Wisely
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Wisely
Round 2
Healy wings a right hand, but he hits nothing but air. Wisely is elusive and clinches. Healy meets him with a short hook and knee. Now Healy is looking to take the back while standing, but Wisely rolls through and tries for a rolling kneebar. Healy escapes and settles into Wisely's guard once again. Healy lands a nice right hand over the top. Healy tries to pass, but Wisely throws his legs up and thinks about an armbar. Healy shrinks up and avoids the attempt. Healy now finally passes to half-guard and has his right arm positioned for an arm triangle if he can pass. Healy is working diligently to do just that, and he does it, passing to side. Wisely is clutching Healy's torso, trying to prevent strikes. Wisely bucks and tries to recover guard, but Healy denies him, looking perhaps for the knee-on-belly position. Wisely is expertly avoiding damage and suddenly pulls and armbar attempt out of nowhere. Healy escapes as the round expires.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Healy
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Healy
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Healy
Round 3
Wisely tries a stiff front kick to start, but Healy slips it and clinches. Healy is looking for a takedown, but Wisely has double unders and reverses the position. Healy finally gets the takedown. Wisely's guard is still tight, and the smaller man is avoiding most damage. Wisely lands a nice shot from bottom and seems to be looking for another armbar. Healy is content to look for the pass, but Wisely is landing elbows. Healy now lands a short elbow. It's a close round so far, but Healy seems to be wearing is smaller foe down, as Wisely has not attempted a serious submission so far this round. Wisely looks for a scissor sweep, but he can't convert. Wisely throws his legs up and tries to avoid hammer strikes and punches as the third round expires. Very close fight.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Healy (30-27 Healy)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Healy (29-28 Healy)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Healy (29-28 Healy)
Official decision: Healy takes the unanimous nod. Judges and scores are not announced.
Nate James vs. Danillo Villefort
Round 1
Herb Dean starts the bout, and James doubles up on his jab to start. Villefort looks intense and lands an inside leg kick. James is trying to find the distance with a jab of his own, and Villefort is looking to counter. Villefort lands and outside leg kick, but James lands a pair of his own. Both men swing for the fences, but nobody connects. James still working his jab and follows with a one-two that hits air. James lands an overhand while Villefort lands another leg kick. James throws a serious body kick, but it's partially blocked. James lands a straight, but Villefort clinches and looks for the Thai plum. He can't get it, but he's pressed James against the cage and is working with knees and fishing for a trip. James responds with knees of his own, but Villefort maintains control of the clinch. James quickly reverses before Villefort busts an emphatic hip toss and transitions into mount immediately. Huge swing. James exposes his back, and Villefort is digging for a rear-naked choke. James defends well, however. Villefort if flat on his back and elects not to go for a body triangle as the round expires.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Villefort
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Villefort
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Villefort
Round 2
Both men paw with jabs and leg kicks. Villefort executes a cartwheel after taking a leg kick. The men clinch and separate. Villefort charges forward and lands a leg kick. The Brazilian lands a right hand, but James is now moving forward. Villefort clinches and nearly executes another throw. James now fishes for a guillotine, but Villefort takes him down and passes to side control to relieve the pressure. Villefort has James' head secured and may go for an arm-triangle. James scrambles to his feet, but Villefort nearly gets his back. The Brazilian is riding too high, however, and slips off. James now has top position, but he eats an elbow. Armbar attempt by Villefort. Another elbow from the Brazilian. James is trying to drop some punishment, but only smaller shots are getting through. Now James lands several right hands and hammerfists.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Villefort
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Villefort
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Villefort
Round 3
The men touch gloves to start the final round. James shoots for a takedown, but Villefort defends well. Villefort tries a jumping front kick, but he misses. James seems much fresher and lands an uppercut. Both men land body kicks. James is putting his combinations together well, now, popping the Brazilian. Villefort dives for a double-leg and gets it, passing to side. James reverse the position, but Villefort snags an arm-in guillotine from half-guard, a la Urijah Faber. James escapes the choke and lands in full guard. Healy is landing small shots, but Villefort retaliates with elbows. James is fairly inactive now, and Herb stands the men up. Villefort lands a sweet back elbow before James takes the fight to the floor. James is looking for more offense, but nothing hard is getting through.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 James (29-28 Villefort)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 James (29-28 Villefort)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 James (29-28 Villefort)
Official scores: Byrd 30-27, Trowbridge and Smith 29-28 for Nate James, the winner by unanimous decision.
Jorge Gurgel vs. Joe Duarte
Round 1
Steve Mazzagatti speaks the instructions and begins the proceedings. Both men are cautious to start. Duarte lunges forward, but nothing significant is landed. Duarte takes a leg kick to his lead thigh then lands a right straight seconds later. Duarte doubles with his jab, head-body. Gurgel is patient and lands an inside leg kick. Gurgel lands another leg kick, and this time it's much harder. Duarte lands a jab. Neither fighter can put together a combination; instead, both seem content with landing single shots. Gurgel clinches and presses Duarte against the cage, but Duarte escapes. Gurgel eats a right hand from Duarte, but he's not hurt. Duarte hits a double-leg, but Gurgel is rabid immediately from the bottom, landing elbows and hammerfists as the round expires.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Gurgel
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Gurgel
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Gurgel
Round 2
Duarte lands a leg kick, but Gurgel looks like he's all business this round as he charges forward and threatens with punches. Gurgel whiffs with the combination, but lands an inside low kick. Gurgel lands another hard leg kick. Duarte connects with a solid left hook, catching Gurgel coming in. Another low kick from Gurgel. Duarte lands a sharp uppercut, then a straight right hand. Another nice combination from Duarte. Double-jab from Duarte snaps the Brazilian's head back. Gurgel tries a head kick and shoots for a double. Duarte stuffs it and spins off the cage. Duarte is again trying to work the jab, but Gurgel hits him with another low kick. Nice right straight from Duarte, followed by another double-jab, then a left hook. Gurgel clinches and lands a knee, but they separate. Gurgel eats another shots coming in. Duarte tries for a takedown, but Gurgel – his nose now bloody – avoids the takedown. Gurgel launches a spinning heel kick as the round expires.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Duarte
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Duarte
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Duarte
Round 3
Gurgel lands a leg kick and a right straight to start the round. Another leg kick from Gurgel, and he charges forward, clinching against the cage. Gurgel eats a right straight to land a leg kick. Now Gurgel charges in and lands a left hook. The Brazilian is clearly the aggressor in round three, just missing a head kick before diving for a double. Gurgel tries to finish it, but Duarte sits down on it and ends up in mount. Gurgel does well to escape the mount and recover guard. Gurgel now working from butterfly and working palm strikes and slaps. Duarte is taking a breather. Gurgel lands a pair of elbows, but Duarte is now trying to score with punches and hammer strikes. More elbows from Gurgel. Duarte stands and lets Gurgel return to a vertical base with one minute to go. Gurgel lands a leg kick and bulls forward with a right hand. Gurgel lands a body kick and a left hook, but Duarte counters with a powerful double-leg. Gurgel is firing elbows like there is now tomorrow. Duarte stands as the round expires, and the fighters congratulate each other on a hard-fought contest.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Gurgel (29-28 Gurgel)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Gurgel (29-28 Gurgel)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Gurgel (29-28 Gurgel)
Official scores: 29-28 (twice) and 30-27 all for Duarte, the winner by unanimous decision.
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Sterling
Ford vs. Milton
Vieira
Round 1
Vieira is pretty aggressive right off the bat. He hammers Ford with a thudding low kick. Ford answers with a low kick of his own, only to be hit accidentally in the groin by the Brazilian's foot. Once they restart, the action slows to a more cautious pace. Another low kick by Vieira, followed by a sloppy flurry of punches from Ford. Vieira clips the American with a head kick, prompting Ford to swing away. Vieira quickly clinches and latches on a standing guillotine. It's fairly deep, but Ford is defending it well. Vieira drags his opponent down and switches to a brabo, but Ford eventually breaks free of the choke. Vieira delivers an elbow and latches on the brabo again. It's very, very tight. Ford eventually goes out and Vieira is ripped off of him. Ford is twitching on the canvas, but quickly comes back from his slumber. He's on his back and after several moments is able to stand up and walk out on his own power. The official time of the submission is 4:49.
Mike Bronzoulis vs. Chad Leonhardt
Round 1
Bronzoulis misses with a slow head kick early. Both are very cautious to start. They exchange low kicks. Leonhardt lands a glancing push kick to the chest. They exchange punches and clinch against the cage. They disengage. Bronzoulis shoots in and scores a double leg but lands in Leonhardt's butterfly guard. Quickly they scramble up to their feet and clinch against the cage. 45 seconds later, positioning hasn't changed. Dean finally separates them. Two hard low kicks by Bronzoulis. They flurry again and Leonhardt digs two right knees into his foe's body. They separate and back away. Bronzoulis paws out two left jabs and then misses with a head kick. Bronzoulis shoots in and takes him down. From the guard, Leonhardt tries a triangle but time expires. 10-9 Bronzoulis.
Round 2
Leonhardt opens the round with a low kick and a right cross. Both miss their target. Bronzoulis shoots in for a double leg but he's stuffed. They clinch against the cage. A minute into the frame and very little has happened. Bronzoulis is still trying for the takedown but he is being thwarted. Leonhardt switches position against the cage, only to be reversed by Bronzoulis. Finally they separate on their own. Leonhardt dives in and scores a textbook double leg. Bronzoulis quickly scrambles back to his feet. They separate and Leonhardt eats a right hand. Flying knee by Leonhardt, but it's blocked. A stinging low kick by Leonhardt backs away Bronzoulis. With his back near the cage, Leonhardt stuffs another takedown attempt. They scramble off the cage and Bronzoulis floors his opponent with a knee to the face. Leonhardt is hurt, but he defends the onslaught well. 10-9 Bronzoulis.
Round 3
A hard push kick by Leonhardt stops Bronzoulis in his tracks but only briefly. A hard left hand hurts Bronzoulis but he recovers well. They engage again but Bronzoulis digs a sinister right low kick. Leonhardt buckles from the blow and falls to his knees. Bronzoulis swarms him and lands a few hard punches. Dean stops the bout. Leonhardt, not terribly hurt by the blows, staggers up and limps toward his corner. The official time of the TKO is 1:30.
Nah-Shon Burrell vs. Lukasz Les
Round 1
Les fires off two left jabs and shoots in for a single. Burrell sprawls well but is quickly dragged to the ground. Les seizes his back. He can't sink the hooks and Burrell shucks him off. They scramble back to their feet and Burrell just misses a left hook. The two exhale and regroup, slowing their pace. Hard left jab by Burrell followed by a glancing left hook. Les digs a kick to the body but his foot is caught. Burrell just misses a bomb of a right hand as Les escapes the grab. Hard straight right hand by Burrell. Les wants none of it and shoots in. He's stuffed. Back up, Burrell lands a huge right cross and floors Les. He pounces on him but can't put him away. Les stumbles back to his feet during a scramble and backs away. Les, on his bicycle, jabs away. Another right hand drops Les but Burrell backs off. At the horn, Burrell misses a wild head kick. 10-9 Burrell.
Round 2
Burrell lands two stiff left jabs right away. Burrell digs a kick to the body but Les catches it. He can't take him down and Burrell separates. Les shoots in for a single but he's easily stuffed. He tries again and latches onto Burell's left leg. Les is trying to lure him into his guard but Burrell won't play his game. Back up, Burrell crushes Les' leg with a nasty kick. Les crumbles to the seat of his trunks and Burrell pouches. Mazzagatti quickly stops the bout, much to the chagrin of Les. The official time of the TKO is 2:09.
Gian Villante vs. Keith Berry
Round 1
Berry comes swarming out with a storm of punches. Villante blocks most and ducks under, scoring a single leg. Berry quickly pulls to full guard. Villante lands a few scant punches but they don't faze Berry. Villante lands a hard right hand. Berry is working from an active guard back can't transition into a sub attempt. Berry kicks away in an effort to scramble up, but Gian keeps him grounded. Villante lands another right hand. Still from full guard, Berry is trying to work his way up for a sub. Big right hand rocks Berry but the Vegas fighter holds him tight to clear his head. Villante digs a few right hands to Berry's body. Berry throws an arsenal of elbows and punches from his back. Hard right/left by Villante at the horn. 10-9 Villante.
Round 2
A hard low kick by Villante immediately. They trade punches in the center of the cage until an errant foot crushes Berry's berries. There's a break in the action. After they resume, Villante digs a kick into Berryls ribs. Berry counters with a right hand. They clinch. After a brief separation, Berry hurts him with a right hand. Villante clinches and drags him to the mat. Berry pulls him into full guard. Little action for the first minute of grappling. Villante lands a decent right hand. Berry looks to be just holding him in his guard, looking for a restart. The crowd has grown restless and is jeering the two light heavyweights. Villante tries to pass guard but Berry prevents it. They are finally restarted. Villante immediately shoots in, but Berry latches on a kimura. He loses it on the way down. The crowd lustily boos the return to Berry's guard. Very close round; 10-9 Berry.
Round 3
Berry opens the round with a few left jabs. They exchange punches and Villante shoots in. He scores the double leg and lands back in Berry's full guard. The crowd groans with displeasure. Villante pushes Berry against the cage and lands a few moderate lunches to the face. After two minutes of scant action, the crowd again is restless and begging for a restart. Boos rain down onto the fighters and referee. With 90 seconds left, they are finally stood up. As expected, Villante immediately shoots in and takes Berry down. The crowd explodes in anger. Neither fighter is doing much against the cage. Berry is cut above his right eye, probably from a left hand. The fight ends with Villante in Berry's full guard. 10-9 Villante.
Official scores: 30-27s across the board for Vilante, the winner by unanimous decision.
Roy Jones vs. Derrick Mehmen
Round 1
Mehmen leads with a nice, one-two, but Jones doesn't back up. Mehman lands a left hook, and Jones counters with a jab. Mehmen clinches and pushes his man against the cage. Jones escapes the clinch and quickly attacks, flying across the cage and landing a flying knee. Jones is now relentless with the offense, but Mehmen has survived for the moment and is now circling away. Jones tries another flying knee and lands an uppercut. Both men jockeying for position in the clinch. Jones gets the plum and lands a knee to the body. He chases Mehmen across the cage, but now appears to have caught his opponent low. Mehmen recovers quickly and now charges quickly and clinches. From there, he elevates Jones and slams him, landing in side control. Jones recovers guard, however. Mehmen is landing pot-shots, but nothing significant. Jones is continually trying to stand, using the cage to sit up. Mehmen postures up, but Jones quickly smothers him once again. Mehmen still looking for a clean blow, but he's accomplishing little. Jones is now fishing for an arm-in guillotine, but Mehmen passes to half-guard with a minute left in the frame. Jones is continually squirming, trying to reverse the position, but Mehmen's base is too solid. Mehmen is thinking of passing to side, but the round expires before he can.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Mehmen
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Jones
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Jones
Round 2
Jones tries a jump-spinning back kick, but Mehmen shoots in at the same time and takes him down. Mehmen is suddenly bleeding like a stuck pig. Crimson mask time, folks. There is a massive gash over Mehmen's left eye, but it's unclear what caused it during the initial exchange. The doctor will allow Mehmen to continue, despite the huge laceration. Mehmen resumes top control from half-guard. The canvas, and Jones, is being painted with Mehmen's blood. Jones is still avoiding contact from the bottom, though Mehmen continues to try to score. Mehmen is still riding from full guard, now, but is landing few strikes. Now Mehmen lands a nice elbow. Jones, while not taking much damage, isn't attempting submissions, nor is he close to escaping. Mehmen passes to half-guard now and wails away with right hands. It looks good, but it's unclear exactly how much damage is being done. Jones retaliates with a backfist from the bottom. Mehmen goes body-head with the right hand as the round expires.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Mehmen
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Mehmen
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Mehmen
Round 3
Mehmen shoots in quickly to start the third frame. Jones tries to jump into a guillotine, but Mehmen easily avoids the sub attempt. Mehmen passes to half-guard, but Jones recovers full guard quickly. Jones' defense is still solid, but he's offering little in the way of offense. Now Jones tries to squirt away and push down on Mehmen's head, but Mehmen recovers the position. Herb Dean has seen enough and stands the fighters. Jones lands a quick jab as Mehmen shoots. Jones stuffs it, and this might be his opportunity to score. Jones stuffs another takedown and could take Mehmen's back from the turtle position. Mehmen is still digging for a single leg. Mehmen let's it go, but he falls on Jones and immediately passes to half-guard. Jones recovers full guard, but Mehmen stays on top. Jones looks frustrated and rolls over. Mehmen steps over and now has the mount, grapevining Jones' legs while dropping shots as the round expires.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Mehmen (30-26 Mehmen)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Mehmen (29-28 Mehmen)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Mehmen (29-28 Mehmen)
Official scores: Mehman takes a unanimous decision. Scores are not announced.
Ronda Rousey vs. Sarah D'Alelio
Round 1
Referee Steve Mazzagatti starts the bout. Rousey doubles up on her jab and clinches immediately. Rousey quickly jumps into an armbar, and Mazzagatti steps in and stops the fight. D'Alelio is not happy, and maybe for good reason. D'Aleio never taps, but the fight is over. Rousey claims that D'Aleio verbally submitted, and her opponent denies it in their in-cage postfight interviews. The official time is 0:25 of round one.
Pat Healy vs. Eric Wisely
Round 1
Referee Chris Tognoni gets us underway. The fighters touch gloves, and Healy begins to stalk his foe, taking the center of the cage. Wisely is on his bicycle, circling left. Healy catches a front kick and is trying to turn it into a single-leg. Healy instead elects to sweep Wisely's other leg and now settles in his man's guard. Healy is clearly the stronger man, but Wisely pivots into a tight straight armbar. Healy looks to be in trouble, but he spins out of it deftly. Wisely grabs both ankles and sweeps Healy; both men recover to their feet. Wisely is using excellent head movement and lands a nice leg kick. Healy is still the aggressor, moving forward. Healy slips a hook and takes the fight to the floor. Wisely lands a nice elbow from bottom, then another. Wisely now has a leg trapped, and he's looking for a heel hook. Now he switches to a kneebar, then back to a heel hook. Another hammerfist from the bottom from Wisely. Healy is trying hard to score from top, but Wisely's defense is excellent. Wisely escapes to his feet.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Healy
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Wisely
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Wisely
Round 2
Healy wings a right hand, but he hits nothing but air. Wisely is elusive and clinches. Healy meets him with a short hook and knee. Now Healy is looking to take the back while standing, but Wisely rolls through and tries for a rolling kneebar. Healy escapes and settles into Wisely's guard once again. Healy lands a nice right hand over the top. Healy tries to pass, but Wisely throws his legs up and thinks about an armbar. Healy shrinks up and avoids the attempt. Healy now finally passes to half-guard and has his right arm positioned for an arm triangle if he can pass. Healy is working diligently to do just that, and he does it, passing to side. Wisely is clutching Healy's torso, trying to prevent strikes. Wisely bucks and tries to recover guard, but Healy denies him, looking perhaps for the knee-on-belly position. Wisely is expertly avoiding damage and suddenly pulls and armbar attempt out of nowhere. Healy escapes as the round expires.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Healy
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Healy
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Healy
Round 3
Wisely tries a stiff front kick to start, but Healy slips it and clinches. Healy is looking for a takedown, but Wisely has double unders and reverses the position. Healy finally gets the takedown. Wisely's guard is still tight, and the smaller man is avoiding most damage. Wisely lands a nice shot from bottom and seems to be looking for another armbar. Healy is content to look for the pass, but Wisely is landing elbows. Healy now lands a short elbow. It's a close round so far, but Healy seems to be wearing is smaller foe down, as Wisely has not attempted a serious submission so far this round. Wisely looks for a scissor sweep, but he can't convert. Wisely throws his legs up and tries to avoid hammer strikes and punches as the third round expires. Very close fight.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Healy (30-27 Healy)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Healy (29-28 Healy)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Healy (29-28 Healy)
Official decision: Healy takes the unanimous nod. Judges and scores are not announced.
Nate James vs. Danillo Villefort
Round 1
Herb Dean starts the bout, and James doubles up on his jab to start. Villefort looks intense and lands an inside leg kick. James is trying to find the distance with a jab of his own, and Villefort is looking to counter. Villefort lands and outside leg kick, but James lands a pair of his own. Both men swing for the fences, but nobody connects. James still working his jab and follows with a one-two that hits air. James lands an overhand while Villefort lands another leg kick. James throws a serious body kick, but it's partially blocked. James lands a straight, but Villefort clinches and looks for the Thai plum. He can't get it, but he's pressed James against the cage and is working with knees and fishing for a trip. James responds with knees of his own, but Villefort maintains control of the clinch. James quickly reverses before Villefort busts an emphatic hip toss and transitions into mount immediately. Huge swing. James exposes his back, and Villefort is digging for a rear-naked choke. James defends well, however. Villefort if flat on his back and elects not to go for a body triangle as the round expires.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Villefort
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Villefort
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Villefort
Round 2
Both men paw with jabs and leg kicks. Villefort executes a cartwheel after taking a leg kick. The men clinch and separate. Villefort charges forward and lands a leg kick. The Brazilian lands a right hand, but James is now moving forward. Villefort clinches and nearly executes another throw. James now fishes for a guillotine, but Villefort takes him down and passes to side control to relieve the pressure. Villefort has James' head secured and may go for an arm-triangle. James scrambles to his feet, but Villefort nearly gets his back. The Brazilian is riding too high, however, and slips off. James now has top position, but he eats an elbow. Armbar attempt by Villefort. Another elbow from the Brazilian. James is trying to drop some punishment, but only smaller shots are getting through. Now James lands several right hands and hammerfists.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Villefort
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Villefort
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Villefort
Round 3
The men touch gloves to start the final round. James shoots for a takedown, but Villefort defends well. Villefort tries a jumping front kick, but he misses. James seems much fresher and lands an uppercut. Both men land body kicks. James is putting his combinations together well, now, popping the Brazilian. Villefort dives for a double-leg and gets it, passing to side. James reverse the position, but Villefort snags an arm-in guillotine from half-guard, a la Urijah Faber. James escapes the choke and lands in full guard. Healy is landing small shots, but Villefort retaliates with elbows. James is fairly inactive now, and Herb stands the men up. Villefort lands a sweet back elbow before James takes the fight to the floor. James is looking for more offense, but nothing hard is getting through.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 James (29-28 Villefort)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 James (29-28 Villefort)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 James (29-28 Villefort)
Official scores: Byrd 30-27, Trowbridge and Smith 29-28 for Nate James, the winner by unanimous decision.
Jorge Gurgel vs. Joe Duarte
Round 1
Steve Mazzagatti speaks the instructions and begins the proceedings. Both men are cautious to start. Duarte lunges forward, but nothing significant is landed. Duarte takes a leg kick to his lead thigh then lands a right straight seconds later. Duarte doubles with his jab, head-body. Gurgel is patient and lands an inside leg kick. Gurgel lands another leg kick, and this time it's much harder. Duarte lands a jab. Neither fighter can put together a combination; instead, both seem content with landing single shots. Gurgel clinches and presses Duarte against the cage, but Duarte escapes. Gurgel eats a right hand from Duarte, but he's not hurt. Duarte hits a double-leg, but Gurgel is rabid immediately from the bottom, landing elbows and hammerfists as the round expires.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Gurgel
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Gurgel
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Gurgel
Round 2
Duarte lands a leg kick, but Gurgel looks like he's all business this round as he charges forward and threatens with punches. Gurgel whiffs with the combination, but lands an inside low kick. Gurgel lands another hard leg kick. Duarte connects with a solid left hook, catching Gurgel coming in. Another low kick from Gurgel. Duarte lands a sharp uppercut, then a straight right hand. Another nice combination from Duarte. Double-jab from Duarte snaps the Brazilian's head back. Gurgel tries a head kick and shoots for a double. Duarte stuffs it and spins off the cage. Duarte is again trying to work the jab, but Gurgel hits him with another low kick. Nice right straight from Duarte, followed by another double-jab, then a left hook. Gurgel clinches and lands a knee, but they separate. Gurgel eats another shots coming in. Duarte tries for a takedown, but Gurgel – his nose now bloody – avoids the takedown. Gurgel launches a spinning heel kick as the round expires.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Duarte
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Duarte
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Duarte
Round 3
Gurgel lands a leg kick and a right straight to start the round. Another leg kick from Gurgel, and he charges forward, clinching against the cage. Gurgel eats a right straight to land a leg kick. Now Gurgel charges in and lands a left hook. The Brazilian is clearly the aggressor in round three, just missing a head kick before diving for a double. Gurgel tries to finish it, but Duarte sits down on it and ends up in mount. Gurgel does well to escape the mount and recover guard. Gurgel now working from butterfly and working palm strikes and slaps. Duarte is taking a breather. Gurgel lands a pair of elbows, but Duarte is now trying to score with punches and hammer strikes. More elbows from Gurgel. Duarte stands and lets Gurgel return to a vertical base with one minute to go. Gurgel lands a leg kick and bulls forward with a right hand. Gurgel lands a body kick and a left hook, but Duarte counters with a powerful double-leg. Gurgel is firing elbows like there is now tomorrow. Duarte stands as the round expires, and the fighters congratulate each other on a hard-fought contest.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Gurgel (29-28 Gurgel)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Gurgel (29-28 Gurgel)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Gurgel (29-28 Gurgel)
Official scores: 29-28 (twice) and 30-27 all for Duarte, the winner by unanimous decision.
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