UFC 148 Results: Live Play-by-Play & Updates

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Sherdog.com reports from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas at approximately 7:30 p.m. ET with play-by-play and live results of UFC 148 “Silva vs. Sonnen 2,” which is headlined by a middleweight title fight between champion Anderson Silva and challenger Chael Sonnen.

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Click here for quick results.

Rafaello Oliveira vs. Yoislandy Izquierdo

Round 1
The Brazilian lands a leg kick and southpaw Izquierdo looks to come over the top with a big left. Izquierdo kicks to the body, stuffs a shot and waits to punish Oliveira with punches and knees as he stands back up. Another straight left from Izquierdo, who dips back out to dodge a punch and stuffs another shot. Oliveira keeps after the double-leg and brings Izquierdo down at the base of the fence. Oliveira takes a minute to navigate Izquierdo’s guard and passes to the left side with just over three minutes left in the round. Izquierdo elbows from his back while defending against the mount, and Oliveira drills knees into his man’s midsection from cross-side position. Keylock attempt on the far arm from Oliveira doesn’t go. He mounts Izquierdo for a split-second before being bucked off and pushed away. Oliveira stays the aggressor as the lightweights get back on their feet, pressuring Izquierdo into the fence and backing him off with a kick. Oliveira tries to plow Izquierdo down again, but this time Izquierdo flips the Brazilian over the top and cracks him with a knee. Izquierdo is on the move in the last 40 seconds, chasing Oliveira around the cage with aggressive strikes, landing more lefts and knees.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Oliveira
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Izquierdo
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Izquierdo

Round 2
Izquierdo gets right back to work with his plucking left hands, though he can’t capitalize when Oliveira slips on a high kick try. Oliveira eats a hard knee and decides to bring the fight to the floor moments later, putting Izquierdo on his back away from the fence. Oliveira is squirting blood from his forehead as he leans from right to left in side control. Oliveira nearly gets caught in a reverse triangle as he passes from the right to left side, but pops his head out quickly. Another armlock attempt on the far side yields nothing for Oliveira, and a few seconds later, ref Mario Yamasaki calls a break to have the Brazilian’s cut inspected. Oliveira is cleared to continue and they resume on the ground with 1:50 left in the middle round. Izquierdo’s offense has stopped from the bottom as he squirms and tries to extract himself from the position. Oliveira keeps trying to trap the arm in the final minute; he can’t, so he instead grinds away with short punches.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Oliveira
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Oliveira
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Oliveira

Round 3
Oliveira stays on the end of Izquierdo’s punches and slow leg kicks through the first 45 seconds, then opts to come inside and bring the fight down again. He eats a knee from Izquierdo as he goes down to his rangy opponent’s open guard. Izquierdo throws elbows underneath while Oliveira peppers with frustrating punches to the body. Throwing up his legs for a triangle, Izquierdo misses the submission and gives up position, allowing Oliveira to pass to the right side and work a kimura on the left arm. Oliveira can’t finish and gets pushed away by Izquierdo with about two minutes remaining. The Brazilian drives on a single-leg immediately and takes down Izquierdo again, this time at the base of the fence. North-south position for Oliveira, and he opts to pass to Izquierdo’s right side. He finally gets the crucifix he’s been looking for by trapping Izquierdo’s right arm, and Oliveira begins dropping punches on the Floridian’s unprotected face. Izquierdo extracts his arm, almost pops out the backdoor but gets caught with his head and arms pinned by his opponent. Oliveira finishes the fight on top.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Oliveira (30-27 Oliveira)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Oliveira (29-28 Oliveira)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Oliveira (29-28 Oliveira)

Official result: All three judges score the bout 29-28 for the winner by unanimous decision, Rafaello Oliveira.

Shane Roller vs. John Alessio

Round 1
Roller takes the outside, trying to punch over the top with head low. Alessio keeps his punches straight, throwing in combinations and getting the better of the striking exchanges through the opening minute. An inside thigh kick from Roller goes astray and Alessio goes down from the groin shot. The Canadian takes a minute to recover and the lightweights are back to work. Alessio stuffs a shot from Roller and spends a minute controlling the action on the fence. They’re trading shots in the last 30 seconds, Alessio scoring with hooks inside and Roller connecting with a particularly hard uppercut. Alessio puts Roller on his posterior with a hook-jab combo and pounces, but Roller recovers from the shot quickly and rides out the last few seconds.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Alessio
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Alessio
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Alessio

Round 2
Roller scores with a few punches and a leg kick in the opening moments before Alessio lands a punch to the body and shoots in behind it. Roller defends the takedown and tries to snare a guillotine as he rolls his man over. Alessio pops loose but gets put on his back by Roller, who works from side control and drops elbows into Alessio’s midsection. Hard elbows to the head from Roller now, and he’s quick to leap on his opponent’s back when Alessio tries to stand up against the cage. Roller can only get one hook in as Alessio controls the wrestler’s left arm and fends off the rear-naked choke. Roller finally gets both hooks in and finishes the final 30 seconds sitting against the cage and working on Alessio.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Roller
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Roller
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Roller

Round 3
Alessio comes out blazing and hurts Roller with an uppercut in an exchange. Roller’s back is on the fence and Alessio throws rapid-fire punches, trying to drop the tough Oklahoman. Getting off the fence, Roller charges forward and tries for a takedown, which he gets after a few seconds’ struggle. Alessio is shrimped up underneath, unable to escape. When Alessio finally works back up, Roller drags him down again and assumes back control. Alessio is frustrated, unable to control and asking Roller, “Do you want to fight me?” The Canadian avoids a rear-naked choke attempt and slips out with seconds left in the fight, angrily punching at the grounded Roller, but it’s too late and time expires.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Roller (29-28 Roller)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Roller (29-28 Roller)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Roller (29-28 Roller)

Official result: All three judges score the bout 29-28 for the winner by unanimous decision, Shane Roller.

Constantinos Philippou vs. Riki Fukuda

Round 1
The southpaw Fukuda circles the outside, flicking out a range-finding jab and landing some outside leg kicks. Philippou switches stances, plunks Fukuda with a few straight, snapping punches. Fukuda dives on a single-leg and presses Philippou against the fence as he works to bring the ex-boxer to the ground. Philippou goes to a knee but does well to defend, hops back up and shoves Fukuda away after eating some punches inside. Philippou is starting to find his range with his right hand, while Fukuda is doing better in close quarters. A left hand lands for Philippou and then a right high kick, and Fukuda wants to tie up. Philippou denies it and keeps picking his punches in the final minute of the round.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Philippou
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Philippou
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Philippou

Round 2
Philippou circles the outside to start round two, countering Fukuda’s bombing combos and even faking a shot before dinging the former Deep champ with a nice hook. Fukuda gets inside and puts Philippou on the fence, mugging inside with uppercuts before letting the Serra-Longo product loose. Fukuda’s left eye is swelling up as Philippou puts another right hand on it; Fukuda answers with a slapping leg kick. Philippou is pawing at his eye; he throws a straight right and is countered low with a Fukuda kick. Philippou comes off his back foot to move forward and takes a glancing low kick on the cup. It’s not bad and Philippou is soon back to action. Fukuda slugs with a straight left, throws a low kick and is countered with a Philippou right hand. A nice series of hooking combos closes out the round for Philippou.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Philippou
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Philippou
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Fukuda

Round 3
Fukuda whiffs on a leg kick, catches Philippou with a hard left cross and takes a right hand in return. Pressing Philippou into the fence, Fukuda lands a couple stiff shots to the body before being shoved away. Nice right hand from Philippou and he’s on his bike again, letting Fukuda give chase with 3:30 remaining in the bout. Philippou throws a three-punch combo, landing hardest with a wide right, and ducks away from a Fukuda combo. Fukuda presses in for a single-leg and is wholly denied, then turned away again to resume striking. Fukuda thuds a kick to Philippou’s body, but he simultaneously poked Philippou in the eye. Philippou is in agony, shouting as he drops to his knees. Referee Steve Mazzagatti calls the cageside doc in to have a look and they give Philippou a moment to recover. Philippou says he’s ready to go and the middleweights are back to business with 1:45 remaining. Philippou comes forward now and instead of pausing, he screams and moves ahead when Fukuda catches him in the cup with another kick. He drops Fukuda to a knee, but the Japanese fighter stands back up and puts Philippou on the fence. Philippou won’t stay there and circles away , wiping his eye before throwing more counterpunches when Fukuda comes inside. A stiff right hook from Philippou closes out the bout.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Philippou (30-27 Philippou)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Philippou (30-27 Philippou)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Philippou (29-28 Philippou)

Official result: The judges score this bout 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28, all for the winner by unanimous decision, Costa Philippou.

Gleison Tibau vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov

Round 1
Nurmagomedov circles the perimeter throwing single punches over the top while Tibau throws more compact punches, with neither finding success in the opening 90 seconds. Quick high kick flashed by Nurmagomedov but it’s deflected as the lightweights work in the middle of the cage now. Nurmagomedov grabs a single-leg and bullies Tibau into the fence to try and finish the takedown. Tibau defends well and Nurmagomedov can’t finish against the cage. Tibau is denied on a single-leg of his own inside the last minute, then hops around to defend one from Nurmagomedov. The Russian stays after it, can’t get it and settles for a knee in the clinch as they exit.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Tibau
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Tibau
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Tibau

Round 2
It’s tentative striking through the first minute of round two, with Nurmagomedov swiping at the body and Tibau finally throwing a blocked body kick. Single-leg try from Tibau is stuffed and Nurmagomedov goes for one of his own on the fence. Tibau does well to keep his balance once again, hopping around on one leg while throwing punches and breaking off with a knee. Tibau muscles Nurmagomedov to the ground, but the Russian hops back up and goes right after the single again. Tibau puts his back on the fence and shuts it down again. Nurmagomedov lets up on the takedown try for a moment, just long enough to land three punches over the top, his hardest offense of the fight. Ref Mario Yamasaki splits them up a moment later, 50 seconds left in the round. Nurmagomedov misses wide with a lead uppercut and gets put on the canvas face-first, but Tibau lets him back up. Nurmagomedov continues to miss with his punches in the closing seconds but finds a right hand before the horn.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Tibau
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Tibau
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Tibau

Round 3
Both guys paw and miss with punches both short and long in the opening minute of the final frame. Nurmagomedov has a high kick deflected off Tibau’s forearms but snaps one low on the Brazilian’s legs. Waistlock on the fence turns into yet another single-leg by Nurmagomedov, and again Tibau stays vertical, punishing with knees inside as he does. Nurmagomedov breaks off and scores a right hand but is taken down by Tibau soon after. Tibau spins to try and take the back, can’t secure it and allows Nurmagomedov back to his feet. Nurmagomedov pushes Tibau into the cage again and ref Yamasaki warns the K Dojo fighter not to grab the fence as he keeps Tibau in place. Tibau breaks off with about 80 seconds left in the fight. Tibau stands in front of Nurmagomedov and nods out of the way of the Russian’s wild haymakers, occasionally scoring with a counter and stuffing one last takedown before the end of the bout.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-10 (30-28 Tibau)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Tibau (30-27 Tibau)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Tibau (30-27 Tibau)

Official result: All three judges score the bout 30-27 for the winner by unanimous decision, Khabib Nurmagomedov. The crowd boos the baffling verdict as Nurmagomedov tears up. Tibau looks rightfully incredulous when the winner’s name is read.

Melvin Guillard vs. Fabricio Camoes

Round 1
Both guys swing punches early but connect with leg kicks on the outside. Guillard catches Camoes throwing and zaps him with a right hand, then sidesteps a charge from the Brazilian, who pushes from the middle toward the cage. Camoes dives on a single-leg behind a punch, drags Guillard to the ground, but Melvin is right back on his feet and gets away with a punch and a kick to the body. Guillard turns away another attempt to tie up and gives Camoes a punch inside for his trouble. Body kick from Camoes is caught and Melvin tries to rough him up on the fence. He can’t muster much and goes back to circling as Camoes looks to get inside. Camoes dives on a leg and Guillard steps way. Guillard gets tangled up and opts for a takedown of his own, with Camoes briefly considering a guillotine on the way down. Camoes turns it around and puts Guillard on his rear at the foot of the fence. Full mount for Camoes now with 45 seconds left in the round. The Brazilian slugs with punches and drops some hard elbows before appearing to grab for an armbar. Camoes gives up the arm and stays on top, but it’s too late and Guillard has his opening to stand. Camoes tries a spinning kick and gets caught with a punch from Guillard. The “Young Assassin” tries to pound out the turtling Moraes before the end of the frame but runs out of time.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Moraes
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Guillard
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Guillard

Round 2
Staying on the outside, Guillard looks for a single big right hand early in the middle round. Camoes throws combinations but isn’t finding his target with much success. Now, Camoes comes inside and Guillard is ready to counter with a straight right and a kick. Camoes latches onto a single-leg and Guillard tries to roll him, but Camoes pops back to his feet. Camoes picks the ankle and trips Guillard down, but the Jackson’s MMA fighter is right back up. Camoes gets double underhooks and Guillard dead-weights him, but Camoes finishes the takedown on the fence. Guillard uses the cage to get back up and drops Camoes with a left as Camoes goes for a spinning elbow. It’s almost a repeat of the end of the previous round, as Guillard works to finish the damaged Camoes with heavy leather on the ground until time runs out.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Guillard
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Guillard
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Guillard

Round 3
Guillard is clearly the fresher fighter as the final frame gets underway; Camoes throws a whiffing wheel kick and sucks in a deep breath after doing so. A wide left hook goes for Guillard and then a short left; the punches seem to be getting through but Guillard is only throwing single punches now, while Camoes doesn’t offer much in return. Guillard pulls up short on a few punches and shoves Camoes away, mindful of a tie-up or takedown attempt with 2:30 still remaining. Camoes comes forward now, throwing slow punches and kicks, clinging to a desperation single-leg with 90 seconds on the clock. Guillard shuts it down, as well as the next attempt from his bloody-nosed opponent. Camoes keeps after the next try and winds up on top of Guillard’s legs, trying to straighten out a kneebar. Guillard fends it off and we’re headed to the judges’ scorecards.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Guillard (29-28 Guillard)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Guillard (30-27 Guillard)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Guillard (30-27 Guillard)

Official result: All three judges score the bout 30-27 for the winner by unanimous decision, Melvin Guillard.

Ivan Menjivar vs. Mike Easton

Round 1
Easton inches forward on his veteran opponent, feinting and twitching constantly. He ducks a head kick and tries to wrap up but Menjivar extracts himself from the situation and pops Easton with a right. Easton lands a few leg kicks inside and Menjivar motions that one grazed low, but the fight continues. Another head kick is blocked by Easton, and then he tags Menjivar with a left high kick of his own. Menjivar stays looking for the high kick, throwing two more, but both are blocked. A pair of spinning low kicks land for Menjivar now; Easton misses with his reply but pushes Menjivar away with a front kick. Easton pumps his jab, steps back from a Menjivar front kick and lands a shot to the body. It’s tit-for-tat in the last minute with Easton landing a leg kick outside and Menjivar going inside. Easton goes for a takedown in the closing seconds and gets denied on the fence.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-10
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Easton
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-10

Round 2
Easton is keeping up a busy pace at the start of the second round, but neither man’s strikes are landing with much more frequency than they did in the opening round. Easton’s offense is mainly kick-based now while Menjivar looks to counter over the top, mixing in some low kicks off his back foot. The round is still very much up for grabs midway through. Easton lands an inside low kick, slips an overhand from Menjivar and returns fire with a right hand. Menjivar is continually being moved backward as Easton pushes forward, throwing punches and kick which don’t always land, but at least keep Menjivar from charging. Easton rips some hard hooks to Menjivar’s body in the last 30 seconds, finishing strong with a jump knee and an outside leg kick.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Easton
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Easton
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Easton

Round 3
Easton continues pushing forward to start round three, now going heavy on the leg kicks which have accumulated to mark up Menjivar’s knees. Easton digs a right hook to the body again and gets clipped with the elbow of a spinning backfist. It doesn’t affect Easton, who stays up and keeps busy until hitting an easy takedown against the fence halfway through the round. Easton sits in Menjivar’s tight, closed guard, trying to punch and avoiding an armbar from underneath. Menjivar pushes off and they’re back on the feet. Menjivar appears to claim that he caught a front kick low but they keep working. One minute remaining now and Menjivar tries to dip inside with a hard right, only to be countered by an Easton combo. Easton flops to his butt on a botched leaping kick, misses a wheel kick, and the fight ends with Menjivar dipping inside to clinch.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Easton (30-28 Easton)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Easton (30-27 Easton)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Easton (30-28 Easton)

Official result: The judges see it 30-27, 29-28 and 30-27, all in favor of the winner by unanimous decision, Mike Easton.

Chad Mendes vs. Cody McKenzie

Round 1
Mendes closes the gap instantly and drills McKenzie with a couple knees to the gut. McKenzie comes off the cage and whiffs on a head kick. Mendes catches McKenzie coming in and drives a straight right hand into the Alaskan’s midsection. McKenzie collapses to his knees and Mendes finishes him off with some fierce ground-and-pound. Ref Steve Mazzagatti waves this one off after only 31 seconds, giving Chad Mendes the stoppage victory.

Dong Hyun Kim vs. Demian Maia

Round 1
Maia shoots almost immediately and Kim tries to punish the Brazilian with elbows as he defends the takedown against the fence. Now onto the back goes Maia, who hits the floor and comes back up with Kim, staying glued to his back. Kim tries to spin away and the pair hits the ground awkwardly at the base of the fence. Maia hops into mount and drops a couple punches on the nonresponsive Kim, then stands up and walks away before referee Yamasaki even intervenes. Kim is holding his midsection as he lays on the ground, having apparently injured his ribs in the act of being taken down. The official time of the strange stoppage is 47 seconds of the first round.

Cung Le vs. Patrick Cote

Round 1
Le catches the first kick from Cote and instantly sweeps the Canadian to the canvas. Cote pops back up and gives chase around the Octagon, pawing over the top with his jab. Le stays out of range, sizing Cote up and throwing the occasional kick to the body. Le is conserving his strikes and his energy, waiting for Cote to get wild and making him pay for mistakes with snappy kicks to the body and counterpunches. A quick right hook from Le makes Cote miss wildly with an overhand. Le flicks his right hand in Cote’s face to get his attention and then drills a left kick into his body. Not much action in the final minute, with Cote still trying to find his range and chase Le down.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Le
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Le
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Le

Round 2
Le stands out of range of Cote’s punches again, swiping with right hands and left kicks when the “Predator” gets too close for comfort. A spinning heel kick connects for Le but doesn’t faze, and Cote keeps pressing forward. A good punching combo from Cote is followed by a kick and he ties up. One of Cote’s strikes has cut Le on the outside of his left eye. At the same time, Cote has a red streak running down from his hairline. Cung goes high with a left kick that appears to anger Cote, who pushes in on the sanshou specialist with a flurry of punches. Cote begins pouring it on with a minute left, walking down Le with punches and knees against the fence. Le gets himself out of trouble momentarily by taking the outside position, but Cote walks him off the fence and roughs up the body with uppercuts. Le lands an uppercut of his own as they disengage and blocks a body kick from Cote to finish the frame.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Le
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Le
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Le

Round 3
Le takes a kick below the belt early, but he’s quick to recover and they get back to work. Cote slows the action down by pushing Le into the fence. Le removes himself from the position and goes back to kicking at Cote’s legs and head, but the kicks are coming slower now and not finding their marks. More missed kicks from Le, and Cote wades in to clinch behind a pair of right hands. Cote holds Le on the fence, peppering with short punches to the body, but he gets complacent and Le trips him to the ground. Cote stands immediately and tries a single-leg, but Le hops away and stays upright. Cote walks into range and Le socks him with a hard right hand up top, then another. Kick to the breadbasket from Le, countered by a grazing Cote right hand. Le puts his right hand on Cote’s temple and Cote shakes his head out. Le hits another takedown with 40 seconds remaining and works from side control on Cote’s right. Cote regains guard and throws short punches off his back while Le stays flat on top. Cote throws his legs up for a last-ditch sub attempt just before the horn.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Le (30-27 Le)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Le (30-27 Le)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Le (30-27 Le)

Official result: All three judges score the bout 30-27 for the winner by unanimous decision, Cung Le.

Forrest Griffin vs. Tito Ortiz

Round 1
Griffin leads with leg kicks but gets caught by a one-two combo in the first half minute. More leg kicks from Griffin, who circles around Ortiz for 40 seconds until being taken down along the cage. Ortiz postures up and drops some heavy elbows and punches through Griffin’s guard. Griffin tries to spin out, only to be placed on his back again. A nice sweep from Griffin gets him out of the bad position and he goes back to trading with Ortiz on the feet, sticking the Californian with some crude, wide punches. Ortiz steps inside to land a right and a partial head kick. Griffin replies with a chopping leg kick and a right uppercut in the pocket, then sprawls on a shot. Ortiz’s offense has petered off as the round enters its last minute. He seems content to chase Griffin for now, standing on the end of Forrest’s punches and kicks. Superman punch from Griffin misses but it gets him inside to land a left hand. Ortiz spins Griffin down with a single-leg just before the horn.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Griffin
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Griffin
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Griffin

Round 2
Griffin connects with a combination but gets dropped by a straight right hand from Ortiz. The “People’s Champ” gives chase, trying to polish off the dazed Griffin, but Ortiz looks tired already; Forrest recovers enough to grab hold of Ortiz’s wrists and control the fight against the fence. He shoulder-shrugs and throws a knee up the middle, then breaks off and connects with a right hand. Griffin throws a left straight that snaps back Ortiz’s head and Tito returns the favor. Ortiz is cut on the bridge of his nose now as he absorbs more hard leg kicks. Griffin ducks a punch and strings together a combination inside, follows up with a jab. Griffin is still missing a lot of strikes, but he’s also connecting with plenty, racking up leg kicks and wide punches, probably doubling or tripling Ortiz in offensive output. Again, Ortiz goes for a takedown at the end of the round, but this time Griffin sprawls and punishes his fellow ex-champ with punches for the last few seconds of the round.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Griffin
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Griffin
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Griffin

Round 3
It looks like more of the same through the first 30 seconds of round three with Griffin scoring at will. That is, until Ortiz cracks him with a big left hand in an exchange and Griffin goes tumbling backward. Ortiz tries to catch him standing up with a knee or kick, but he’s too tired and Griffin scrambles back up to clinch. Ortiz shoves him to the ground and lays in Griffin’s open guard. Griffin closes up shop and grabs onto Tito’s right wrist to limit the offense on top. Ortiz bucks up to try and pass but Griffin keeps him in place with the butterfly guard. Griffin opens up and tries to shrimp out, can’t and instead grabs for a kimura. Ortiz gets his arm free and sticks his hands in Griffin’s face. Griffin scoots over to the cage and uses the fence to work his way back up. Knee to the body from Griffin as the light heavyweights separate. Ortiz’s hands are by his waist as Griffin continues throwing and landing punches to the face. With a minute to go, Ortiz is looking for the homerun shot, but he just doesn’t have it left in his arms and Griffin is still throwing two shots for every one of Ortiz’s. The horn sounds and Griffin dashes from the cage, apparently headed for the locker room. Officials catch up to him and he quickly returns to the Octagon to hear the decision.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Ortiz (29-28 Griffin)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Ortiz (29-28 Griffin)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Ortiz (29-28 Griffin)

Official result: All three judges score the bout 29-28 for the winner by unanimous decision, Forrest Griffin.

Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen

Round 1
Referee Yves Lavigne is the third man in the cage to preside over this 185-pound title bout. Judges Junichiro Kamijo, Chris Lee and Patricia Morse-Jarman are scoring at cageside. Silva walks to the middle of the cage for his traditional pre-fight bow and is restrained by Lavigne and NAC officials. There’s no touch of gloves during final instructions.

Silva comes out swinging and Sonnen immediately changes levels to drive the Brazilian to the ground. Open guard from Silva as he wraps up Sonnen’s head and limits the damage. Sonnen thuds with some right hands to the body and then goes up top to mash Silva’s face with his fist and forearm. Sonnen tries to pass on Silva’s left side but the cage impedes his progress. Sonnen has control of Silva’s right wrist but Silva gets the arm free and wraps up the challenger from underneath. Three minutes to go in the opening round and Sonnen works from Silva’s half-guard on the left, though Silva’s doing well to neutralize any ground-and-pound. Sonnen drops a couple knees to the champ’s body and ref Lavigne tells the middleweights to get to work. Silva dodges a big punch and grabs an arm-triangle from the bottom, then looks to throw up his legs for a triangle. Sonnen isn’t having it and continues mashing the body and face from half-guard. Silva takes an elbow on the side of the head and motions to the ref that it was in the back. Lavigne doesn’t respond and Sonnen hops into mount soon after. Forty seconds left in the round and Sonnen is slamming his chest into Silva’s face, keeping the champ flat on his back, and that’s where the round ends.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sonnen
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Sonnen
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Sonnen

Round 2
Sonnen clinches up instantly, this time putting Silva on the fence, but it’s Silva who’s grabbed onto the wrestler’s leg. Solid knees on the fence from Sonnen, but Silva breaks away after a minute. Silva’s warned for holding his opponent’s shorts while punching. Sonnen tumbles to the ground after whiffing on a spinning backfist and Silva appears to knee his challenger in the face on the ground. Sonnen is in trouble, going fetal on the ground against the fence while Silva bashes him with heavy punches. Sonnen almost gets up, only to hit the floor again and receive more punishment. Ref Lavigne has seen enough; he steps in to wave the fight off, giving Silva the TKO victory. Replay shows that the knee from Silva landed to Sonnen’s body. Silva’s 10th UFC middleweight title defense comes officially at 1:55 of round two.