UFC 199 Results: ‘Rockhold vs. Bisping 2’ Play-by-Play & Updates

Dong Hyun Kim vs. Marco Polo Reyes

Round 1

Reyes circles and twitches in front of the more stationary Korean fighter, threatening to throw punches. When he does throw, it’s Kim using his long, straight right to score with counter punches. Reyes rushes forward, eats another jab and delivers a few good hooks of his own. Kim regains the momentum by moving Reyes backward toward the cage and staggering him with more straight shots before clinching Reyes against the wall. Reyes gets an overhook and tees up Kim’s head for an elbow strike to the temple, and Kim goes slumping to the ground. As soon as he hits the mat, Kim wakes up and somehow fends off Reyes’ follow-up assault. Kim powers back to his feet, but he’s clearly dazed and on the defensive as Reyes comes in for the kill. Another flurry of punches puts Kim back on the ground at the midway point of round one. This time, when Reyes comes down to pounce, Kim wraps him up in guard and slowly works back to his feet. Kim looks to have shaken the cobwebs, as he’s pressing forward on Reyes in an ultra-aggressive manner. Reyes is getting the worse of it suddenly, with Kim finding the home for long punches from range and clinch knees to the face when he steps inside. Kim looks to tie up the Mexican fighter and spins him to the ground, but Reyes gets right back up and the lightweights trade more blows in the closing seconds.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Reyes
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Reyes
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Reyes

Round 2

Between rounds, referee Mike Beltran calls the cageside physician to check on Kim’s right eye, which appears to be nearly swollen shut. Kim is quickly cleared to continue, and when the round begins, it’s the Korean pressing forward on Reyes in a wide stance. The lightweights take a minute to get back into it, but once they do, it’s a slugfest. Kim and Reyes are standing in the pocket, going blow-for-blow, Kim doing work with looping left hands while Reyes gets it done with short hooks inside. Kim looks to have the upper hand here, with Reyes’ face becoming more busted-up and bloody by the minute. Nonetheless, Reyes finds the energy to tag Kim with three or four hard punches inside the two-minute mark. Reyes tries to follow with a takedown, but Kim denies it and hits a trip of his own. The 155ers don’t stay on the ground for long, scrambling back up to continue bouncing punches off one another’s faces. Reyes continues to take left hands to the face; Kim’s nose is spraying blood now as Reyes tags him with a one-two down the center. With 20 seconds left, Kim tries to press Reyes against the wall but gets tripped to the mat, and Reyes finishes the round on top.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Reyes
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Reyes
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Reyes

Round 3

Reyes takes a kick to the cup in the opening minute of the round, but he doesn’t need long to recover from the inadvertant foul. Kim is working some leg kicks now, still flicking out his jab at the oncoming Reyes, who is doing well to get inside, deliver strikes and then push-kick Kim away. Kim blocks a head kick, steps forward on Reyes and gets blasted by a nasty right hand to the jaw. Kim tries to keep his balance, but he’s moving in slow-motion with his hands down, allowing Reyes to finish him with a downward right hand. Referee Beltran rushes in to save the unconscious fighter, giving Reyes a well-earned knockout victory.

The Official Result

Marco Polo Reyes def. Dong Hyun Kim via KO (Punches) R3 1:52

Kevin Casey vs. Elvis Mutapcic

Round 1

The middleweights keep their distance for much of the opening minute, though Casey scores with a few punches when he ducks inside and fires under Mutapcic’s guard. Casey also throws leg kicks at Mutapcic, who is having some difficulty landing punches on the southpaw through the first two minutes. Suddenly, Casey comes charging at Mutapcic and plows him to the ground near the fence with a powerful takedown. Casey advances to half-guard and keeps himself tight on Mutapcic, who is trying to mount some offense from underneath. Casey methodically works his way to side control, but when he finally gets there inside the final minute, Mutapcic is able to explode out and escape to his feet. Casey sticks a jab as the 185ers circle out the last few seconds.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Casey
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Casey
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Casey

Round 2

It’s slow-going again in the first minute, but once again Casey is having success by ducking inside and cracking Mutapcic with an uppercut. The “King” follows with a hook and slides back, then dives on Mutapcic’s legs for another takedown at the foot of the fence. This time, Casey easily advances to full mount and begins hunting for openings to punch Mutapcic’s head into the canvas. Casey tries to pin down Mutapcic’s wrists and winds up riding too high in mount, which allows Mutapcic to buck off the fence and flip Casey out of mount. Mutapcic scrambles to his feet and gets clinched against the cage, but he makes Casey pay for the position with a series of stiff knee strikes to the abdomen. Casey is definitely feeling the body blows as he’s spun around and held against the fence for the last half minute of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Mutapcic
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Mutapcic
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Mutapcic

Round 3

Mutapcic scores with a body kick but it’s caught by Casey, who counters with a pair of right hands. Mutapcic gets the clinch and delivers a hard, slashing elbow strike upstairs before backing Casey against the fence. Casey won’t be held there and pushes Mutapcic away to continue moving around the outside. Mutapcic wants the fight closer, and he gets it there by pulling down Casey’s head in the Thai plum and then slamming him with another elbow on the break. Casey pushes off with an open palm and thumbs Mutapcic in the left eye, causing a break in the action. Mutapcic tells the doctor he’s OK to continue, and the fight resumes in short order with just under three minutes on the clock. Casey catches Mutapcic with a good inside leg kick, but it’s Mutapcic pressing the action here in the late stages. Mutapcic covers up as Casey throws a wide pair of hooks, then springs forward on the Californian with a straight right. Casey sticks a few jabs as he slides backward around the edge of the fence. He catches a kick from Mutapcic and tries to convert it into a takedown, but Mutapcic denies it. With 30 seconds left, Casey looks for a bodylock trip, but this is thwarted by Mutapcic, too. Mutapcic gets Casey off balance and trips him to the ground, landing in full mount. Casey covers up well for the final moments, seemingly absorbing little damage as Mutapcic goes wild with elbow strikes and punches.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Mutapcic (29-28 Mutapcic)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-8 Mutapcic (29-27 Mutapcic)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Mutapcic (29-28 Mutapcic)

The Official Result

Kevin Casey vs. Elvis Mutapcic is ruled a Split Draw (28-28, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Jonathan Wilson vs. Luis Henrique da Silva

Round 1

Wilson backs up da Silva with a straight left hand, then keeps punching away with the left as the Brazilian tries to tie him up in the clinch. Da Silva opts to release, then charges and scores with a thumping body kick. Wilson slows his pace now, waiting for a chance to grab da Silva in the collar tie and then deliver a nice uppercut. Two minutes in, it’s da Silva stepping forward with an inside leg kick. He whiffs on the body kick behind it, grabs for the Thai plum again and gets slugged on the inside. Da Silva’s next clinch attempt is more successful, with multiple knee strikes finding their way to Wilson’s breadbasket. The round still seems up for grabs with 90 seconds on the clock, and it’s da Silva pressing the action, trying to keep Wilson on the outside. Wilson steps to the center but is soon blitzed back to the fence, where da Silva works the body with more knees. A few hard right hands from da Silva have opened a small cut on Wilson’s left eyebrow. Da Silva puts a punctuation mark on the round with two more clinch knees to the gut.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Wilson
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 da Silva
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 da Silva

Round 2

Wilson grabs for da Silva’s legs early, looking for a takedown, but “Frankenstein” uses the position to his advantage and works more knees to the body. Wilson tries to pull guard and is told to stand up by da Silva, who is waiting to press forward when Wilson clambers up. Another knee to the body lands for da Silva in a brief clinch. He covers up as Wilson throws hands, then runs Wilson against the fence again and explodes with a punching combo of his own. Wilson circles off the cage and slides backward, drawing da Silva toward him. When the Brazilian gets close enough, Wilson hunches over and runs him to the ground with a double-leg. Da Silva is back on his feet inside the two-minute mark, but now his aggression has him walking into punches from the suddenly energized Wilson. Da Silva pulls guard midway through the round and tries to attack the legs of Wilson, who stands over him throwing punches. Wilson eventually comes down to the floor, only to be swept and have da Silva advance straight to full mount. Da Silva is looking for the finish, slamming Wilson with heavy right hands, and Wilson looks to be fading with each failed attempt to buck him. Wilson rolls to his side and raises a hand to protect his face; da Silva just threads punches under the armpit and continues to drain the fight out of the American. Referee Beltran is having a close look, and after Wilson absorbs a few dozen unanswered strikes, the fight is waved off.

The Official Result

Luis Henrique da Silva def. Jonathan Wilson via TKO (Punches) R2 4:11

Sean Strickland vs. Tom Breese

Round 1

There’s an early feeling-out process as righty Strickland steps forward on southpaw Breese, with the Englishman firing off harder strikes in the first 90 seconds. Breese’s punches don’t look to be landing flush, but already he’s put a few hard kicks on Strickland’s lead leg. Strickland looks to jab his way forward but keeps pulling up short and having his high kicks deflected. A leaping left hand from Breese gets the attention of Strickland, but the American is soon back on the march, walking after his opponent. The striking stalemate continues down the stretch, with both men landing leg kicks and little else in the way of significant strikes.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Breese
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Breese
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-10

Round 2

Strickland continues to press forward at the start of round two, though his aggression is still yielding little in the way of clean offense. Breese isn’t exactly lighting up his opponent, but he’s doing the better work from his back foot through the first 90 seconds. Strickland tries to jab his way forward and gets dinged by a counter left hook. Now a straight left scores down the center for Breese, who’s starting to pick up the pace a little as Strickland’s forward movement drops off. Right on cue, Strickland starts stepping forward again and puts a pair of kicks on Breese’s right thigh. Down to the last minute of the round, Breese finds the mark on Strickland’s gut with a nice left hand. Strickland tries to get busy before the end of the round but walks away shaking his head, hands on his hips.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Breese
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Strickland
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Breese

Round 3

It’s more of the same as the final round begins: Strickland steppping forward, reaching out with long punches for Breese, who slides out of the way and looks to counter off his back foot. Breese begins really connecting when he takes a moment to step inside on Strickland, but that momentum is slowed by a Strickland clinch and the threat of a takedown. The welterweights separate and then tie up again, nearly hitting the ground in a whizzer but instead winding up in a brief clinch on the fence, Strickland on the outside. They step back to the middle of the cage with three minutes left to fight, then spend the better part of a minute circling one another. Strickland snaps off a couple successful jabs, follows them with a right hook. Breese responds with a body kick and a left-handed Superman punch, which hits but doesn’t seem to hurt Strickland. With 60 seconds left, Breese changes levels for a quick takedown, but Strickland is back up immediately and resists the follow-up slam attempt from Breese. The Englishman shoots for another takedown in the waning seconds of the fight, only to be stuffed to his back and socked with a couple punches from Strickland before the final horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Strickland (29-28 Breese)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Strickland (29-28 Strickland)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Strickland (29-29 Draw)

The Official Result

Sean Strickland def. Tom Breese via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Cole Miller vs. Alex Caceres

Round 1

Caceres steps forward in a wide southpaw stance and lands an inside leg kick, then keeps coming and plants Miller on his seat with a left hand to the jaw. Miller springs back up and clinches with “Bruce Leroy” on the fence, engaging in a brief struggle for position before tripping Caceres to the mat. Caceres kicks him away and stands, but Miller rushes right in and gets a rear waistlock to pull him back down. Caceres doesn’t allow Miller to secure back-mount, instead whipping around and shoving the veteran against the base of the fence to deliver a pair of punches. Caceres backs up, allowing Miller to stand and step out to the center of the cage. More leg kicks from Caceres, but Miller blocks one upstairs as they hit the midway point of a busy first round. Caceres whiffs on a spinning backfist but sneaks his left hand through Miller’s mitts just afterward. Miller lunges forward with punches but Caceres uses good head movement to evade the strikes, then hooks one of Miller’s legs and dumps him to the floor. Caceres wants no part of the lanky Miller’s guard and once again allows him to stand. Caceres digs into Miller’s body with a pair of hooks before slapping his face with a right high kick. A bodylock takedown lands Caceres in side control with 20 seconds on the clock, but he’s forced to bail when Miller grabs for a heel hook.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Caceres
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Caceres
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Caceres

Round 2

Miller starts the round chasing after Caceres, who’s moving fleetly around the perimeter of the cage, stopping to punch when “Magrinho” gets close enough. A few right hands force Miller to back up against the cage, but he doesn’t look hurt by the shots. Caceres hits another trip takedown but can’t keep Miller on his back. They tangle up near the fence and Miller drops to guard, grabbing again for a leglock and forcing Caceres to separate. Miller is controlling the center of the cage but the offense has been almost all in favor of Caceres here, midway through the round and the fight. Miller is frequently caught shelling up and ducking down, putting his head on a better level for the shorter Caceres to hit. A Superman left hand lands flush for Caceres, splitting open the bridge of Miller’s nose. Miller gets one back with a straight right down the middle, but his significant strikes have been few and far between when compared to Caceres’ offensive output.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Caceres
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Caceres
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Caceres

Round 3

Miller shells up and turns to his side as Caceres comes lunging in with a punch, allowing Caceres to easily wrap him up and slam him to the ground. Caceres lands a few punches on top before standing and allowing Miller to do the same. Miller ducks low and grabs a waistlock to wrestle Caceres to the ground; he tries to get on Caceres’ back but he’s too high, and instead Miller peels off to attempt an armbar. Caceres looks just about ready to tap, kicking his legs wildly as he tries to escape. Miller loses his grip and instead tries to hook a leg, but Caceres is already escaping to his feet. Caceres shoves the bloody Miller against the cage but can’t keep him there. A left cross turns Miller’s head and Caceres chases him down, grabbing a rear waistlock and looking to suplex Miller to the ground. Miller sits out and turns, forcing Caceres to his back. Caceres turns to try and escape, and Miller goes for a last-ditch rear-naked choke with only one hook in, to no avail.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Alex Caceres def. Cole Miller via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Jessica Penne vs. Jessica Andrade

Round 1

Andrade waits 30 seconds before exploding forward, swinging heavy hooks which back up Penne against the fence. A couple shots catch Penne on the face, but the storm subsides after a few seconds and the American tries to step back out to the center. Andrade isn’t having it and rushes Penne to the wall again, this time with a clinch. Penne has a kick caught and stands with her hands down, allowing Andrade to crack her with a straight right, then a left hook. Two minutes in, Penne is already wearing redness on her face from Andrade’s power punches. Andrade keeps throwing them from the hip, too, battering Penne around the outside of the fence. Penne is covering up entirely during the attacks, trying to avoid damage, but some of Andrade’s wide hooks are looping around the guard. Penne flicks out a few long punches, can’t quite find the mark and gets blitzed against the cage again, this time with body blows added into the mix. Whether the punches are hurting her or not, Penne’s body language can’t be doing her any favors with the judges. Andrade, meanwhile, just keeps attacking, looking to take Penne’s head off before the end of the round. Penne falls to the mat just before the horn but she’ll survive to see a second round.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Andrade
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-8 Andrade
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Andrade

Round 2

Penne’s face is lumped up as the second frame begins, but she steps forward anyway, trying to get inside on Andrade’s legs. Andrade punches her away, easily avoids the taller fighter’s jabs and then charges with another hailstorm of hooks. Penne flops to guard but Andrade wants her back up, and referee Jason Herzog orders Penne to stand. Penne’s hands are getting lower and lower as the fight wears on, and her defense is failing as she backpedals around the edge of the cage, absorbing strikes to both sides of her face. Andrade catches Penne leaning over, decks her with three or four good right hands. Penne isn’t getting knocked out, but she’s in pure defensive mode. She’s offering nothing in return as Andrade tees off, landing heavy, heavy shots with both hands. Referee Herzog is nearby, telling Penne to fight back, but the hits just keep on coming. With Penne no longer intelligently defending herself, the fight is waved off.

The Official Result

Jessica Andrade def. Jessica Penne via TKO (Punches) R2 2:56

Beneil Dariush vs. James Vick

Round 1

Vick takes a hard kick to the body, but he shakes it off and delivers one in return to Dariush before sticking the Kings MMA product with a sharp right hand. At the end of the opening minute, Vick reaches out his open left hand to catch a punch but instead pokes Dariush in the right eye. Dariush is quick to recover, annd he hits Vick with a left hand to the body as they restart. The eye poke seems to have woken up Dariush, but as he ups his aggression and charges forward to punch at Vick, “The Texecutioner” pokes him in the same eye again. Referee Beltran gives Vick a stern warning before the fight resumes this time. Dariush takes his time closing in on Vick, and once he gets close enough, the Rafael Cordeiro student sends Vick tilting to the ground with a left hook on the temple. Vick tries to cover up as Dariush pounds on him at the base of the fence, and referee Beltran is taking a very close look at the beating. Somehow, Vick stays alive and powers back to his feet, but his nose may have been broken during the blitz. Dariush keeps Vick wrapped up on the fence, but the taller Vick tries to turn the table with a Thai clinch. Dariush won’t allow his head to be pulled down, and the lightweights eventually separate to circle back to the center. Vick is put on rollerskates again when Dariush hits him with a left hook on the ear. Dariush tries to finish the job with an uppercut but narrowly misses Vick’s chin. Vick tries to push off but leaves his hands low, and Dariush connects with a thumping left hand over the top which Vick never sees coming. Vick crumbles to the ground in a heap and referee Beltran dives in to save the unconscious fighter.

The Official Result

Beneil Dariush def. James Vick via KO (Punches) R1 4:16

Clay Guida vs. Brian Ortega

Round 1

Ortega switches between stances as he backpedals away from Guida’s early punches. Guida keeps bouncing forward and catches “T-City” with a looping punch; Ortega hits the deck momentarily but springs right back to his feet, and the featherweights continue their dance around the cage. Guida continues to press the action, now two minutes into the round, and he looks to negate the taller man’s reach advantage by running Ortega against the cage with a single-leg. Guida lands a few short punches from the position before Ortega breaks away. Ortega gets tagged with a couple left hands upstairs and covers up as Guida backs him against the wall again. Guida’s constant motion is making him a tough target for Ortega, who misses with a few punches before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Guida
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Guida
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Guida

Round 2

Guida catches a kick and dives for Ortega’s legs, but “The Carpenter” has to abandon the takedown attempt when Ortega threatens to snare him in a headlock. Body kick lands for Ortega, who covers up as Guida rushes him with a reaching combination that pulls up short. Ortega is getting a little better sense of Guida’s timing now, doing well to get away from the veteran’s punches, but his own offense has yet to increase. Down to the final two minutes of the round, and now it’s Ortega pushing forward. Guida bounces left to right in front of him, switching stances and bobbing his head before diving on a shot and being stuffed. Ortega snipes at Guida with a jab and slides away from Guida’s four or five return punches. Guida tries to clinch but can’t wrap up Ortega, who scores with a short, hard left hand on the split. Ortega lands a body kick but his spinning attack at the end of the round is blocked.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Guida
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Ortega
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Ortega

Round 3

After an opening minute of largely missed punches, Ortega sticks a hard jab and then follows with another after making Guida whiff on a combination. Guida swings a left over the top and finds the mark, then sticks a jab on Ortega’s chin. Guida is staying active in front of Ortega -- that is, ducking and constantly circling his hands -- but it’s Ortega connecting with straight punches down the middle. Down to the final minute, it’s Ortega jabbing his way forward, trying to string together some good offense, but Guida is on the retreat, maybe looking to run out the clock. Ortega backs up Guida to the fence, catches him leaning over and crushes the veteran with a knee to the jaw. Guida collapses to the canvas and eats one follow-up punch before referee Herb Dean jumps in to stop the fight.

The Official Result

Brian Ortega def. Clay Guida via KO (Knee) R3 4:40

Dustin Poirier vs. Bobby Green

Round 1

The southpaw Poirier dodges Green’s first overhand right and clips him behind the ear with a counter hook. Poirier lands a hard kick on the planted lead leg of Green, who steps forward and leans his head back, inviting Poirier to strike. Poirier takes him up on the offer and gives Green a flash knockdown with a lovely left hook to the chin. The belly-down Green recovers quickly, rolls to his knees and powers back to his feet under the rain of Poirier’s follow-up punches. Poirier doubles up on a jab and clips Green with a left on the follow-through. Green is getting knocked around but continues to stand in front of Poirier, barely working around the edge of the cage. Another left behind the ear sends Green face-first to the floor, and this time Poirier pounces. Green looks to be out cold for a moment, and referee Jason Herzog dives between the fighters to stop the bout.

The Official Result

Dustin Poirier def. Bobby Green via KO (Punches) R1 2:53

Dan Henderson vs. Hector Lombard

Round 1

Henderson lands the first significant strike with an inside leg kick, but both heavy hitters have their hands cocked, ready to unleash the nukes. The southpaw Lombard presses forward, ducking low, ready to catch Henderson’s big right hand if it flies into range. Henderson fakes a punch and nearly catches the Cuban off balance, but both men stay upright. Suddenly, Henderson lands the wind-up right hand on Lombard’s jaw, causing the legs of “Showeather” to give way momentarily. Henderson tries to pounce, but Lombard instantly sweeps him underneath and takes up side control on the American’s right. Lombard leans across Henderson’s body and tries a kimura but can’t get the tap. He goes for a mounted crucifix but can’t hold Henderson’s arms in place, and now the middleweights fight back up to their feet. Henderson gets tagged with a left hook on the way, then bombed with three or four more punches up against the cage, sending him slumping to the canvas. Another punch from Lombard seems to wake up Henderson, and “Hendo” struggles back to his feet once again. Lombard gives him no space to breathe and quickly runs him to the ground in the center of the cage. Henderson closes his guard around Lombard and tries to slow the assault with 40 seconds left in the round. Lombard seems happy to maintain top position until the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Lombard
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Lombard
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Lombard

Round 2

Henderson whips a stiff right high kick toward Lombard’s head but only gets about halfway there. He swings forward with a big overhand right but can’t find the target on his backpedaling opponent. The middleweights are standing closer now, clasping lead hands as they wait to throw punches. Henderson throws the high kick again; this time, it’s caught by Lombard, but before he can do anything with the limb, Henderson drills Lombard with a slashing backward elbow directly to the temple. Lombard’s lights go out immediately, but referee Dean is still rushing in for the stoppage when Henderson plants an extra forearm shiver on his unconscious opponent’s face.

The Official Result

Dan Henderson def. Hector Lombard via KO (Elbow) R2 1:27

Max Holloway vs. Ricardo Lamas

Round 1

Holloway presses out from the center of the cage, reaching out his long jab and getting a kick to the lead leg in return. He catches Lamas throwing a leg kick and nearly takes out the base of “The Bully,” but both men stay upright. Lamas is moving to his right around the outside, toward the power hand of the southpaw, and Holloway is using the momentum to land some hard lefts. Lamas covers up after one attack, so Holloway gives him a few rib roasters instead. Lamas barges off the fence, diving on a double-leg, but Holloway sprawls all over it and forces him to the ground. Lamas is twisted up underneath the Hawaiian but still glued to a single-leg, so Holloway opts to return to his feet. Another single-leg attempt from Lamas gets Holloway hopping on one leg, scooting backward to defend the shot against the cage. Holloway plants his feet in the gap at the base of the Octagon, and eventually Lamas is forced to give up on the takedown attempt. Holloway finishes strong, forcing Lamas to deflect a spinning kick and tapping him with a right hook on the chin.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holloway

Round 2

The featherweights trade leg kicks in the opening minute before Lamas ties up and puts a few punches on Holloway’s body. Holloway goes right back to stalking Lamas around the edge of the cage, keeping the WEC vet’s back near the fence. It’s a relatively slow couple of minutes before Holloway explodes into a flurry of knees and long punches, zapping Lamas with more than one hard right hand. Holloway seems content to take Lamas’ return fire as long as he’s scoring with shots, too. Lamas dives for a takedown and gets headlocked, then spun to the ground, with Holloway landing in north-south position. Lamas wraps up Holloway by the waist and tries to sweep, but he only manages to get his back on the mat. Both fighters work back to their feet with just over 90 seconds left in the round. Lamas, now bleeding from the nose, comes over the top with a right hand. Holloway waits for him to come inside again and gives him a snappy pair of slapping punches to the sides of the face. Lamas tries another single-leg, switches to a double and winds up in a bizarre reverse-guillotine choke while seated on the ground. Holloway releases and switches to a rear-naked choke, but he’s only got one hook in and Lamas is able to slide free. Holloway spends the last 20 seconds dropping punches and elbows on his defensive opponent.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holloway

Round 3

Lamas tries a capoeira kick as he attempts to string together some offense in the final frame, but Holloway easily avoids the strike. Stiff jab lands for Holloway, then he blocks a Lamas high kick and pops him with another. The Hawaiian’s reach continues to cause trouble for Lamas here in the third round, with Holloway able to reach in and touch Lamas without much fear of retaliation. Lamas tries to clinch and gets shoved against the fence, then released. He puts a right high kick on Holloway’s ear, but there’s not much behind it and Holloway just keeps coming. Holloway connects with an uppercut, then jacks Lamas’ jaw with a blistering left straight. Lamas looks to be in trouble as he grabs hold of Holloway’s legs and forces him against the cage. Holloway shoves him away, and the featherweights come back to the center for the final 20 seconds. It’s all mean-mugging and gunslinging from Holloway as he stands toe-to-toe with Lamas, both men throwing bombs until the final horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Holloway (30-27 Holloway)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Holloway (30-27 Holloway)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holloway (30-27 Holloway)

The Official Result

Max Holloway def. Ricardo Lamas via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

UFC Bantamweight Title Fight:
Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber

Round 1

Herb Dean is the referee for the first half of tonight’s championship doubleheader, this one at 135 pounds. Faber rushes at Cruz with a knee, only to have the leg snatched up by the champion and converted into a quick takedown at center cage. Cruz works to advance past Faber’s butterfly guard, but the bantamweights scramble back to their feet and Cruz uses the opportunity to grab a rear waistlock. Faber turns around, putting his back against the fence, Cruz yanks him away with another single-leg. Back up pops Faber, and now the fighters reset on their feet with three minutes left in the first round. Faber tries a high double-leg on the fence, lifts and slams Cruz to the ground, but Cruz flips him over as soon as they hit the canvas. Faber grabs for a heel hook but there’s nothing to it, although it does force Cruz back to his feet. They reset in the middle again, now with two minutes on the clock. Cruz is sporting a small cut beneath his left eye as he switches stances, feinting and faking punches toward “The California Kid.” Faber stuffs a single-leg shot, steps into the pocket and gets popped with a short left to the mouth.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cruz
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Cruz
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cruz

Round 2

Cruz dances in and out of Faber’s range, avoiding a whipping high kick and coming back in to touch Faber with a jab. A looping left hand over the top catches Faber on the button and puts him on his seat in the center of the cage, but he nearly catches the diving Cruz with an upkick and then regains his footing after just a few seconds. Faber is on the retreat now, Cruz stepping forward with more long punches. “The Dominator” sticks a couple jabs on Faber’s face. Cruz’s jerky movements seem to be causing increasing problems for the former featherweight champ, who’s having trouble mounting offense here in the second stanza. Faber whiffs on some wild punches but times a Cruz leg kick well and snipes back with a right hook upstairs. In the final minute, it’s still Cruz pressing the action, never giving Faber a moment to stand still.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cruz
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Cruz
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cruz

Round 3

Cruz catches Faber shooting in and chops his lead leg with a hard kick, then tacks on a left hook as Faber is regaining his balance. Now it’s Cruz slipping to the ground after missing a punch, but he dodges Faber’s hand and cracks the challenger with a right hook before exiting the pocket. Two more hard rights slam into the face of Faber, which is surprisingly unmarked considering the punches it’s taken through two rounds. Faber eats a whipping left, resets and responds with a right uppercut. He blocks a Cruz high kick but can’t find the taller man with his counter right. Faber’s punches keep coming up short, but Cruz’s output is dropping off a bit here in the latter half of the frame, too. Cruz catches a kick and tries for a takedown; Faber sprawls all over it and escapes.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cruz
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Cruz
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cruz

Round 4

Cruz walks forward on Faber with a few solid jabs and then denies a takedown attempt from the California Kid. The bantamweights stand toe-to-toe in the center of the cage, but Cruz slides away as Faber throws more wild power punches. Cruz tries a few unsuccessful ankle picks, with Faber yanking the leg back and dashing away each time. Cruz’s punches are landing with less frequency now, and looking more labored, but he’s still doing well to avoid Faber’s shots. Faber gets caught with his hands low and is dropped by a pair of hooks that he doesn’t see coming. Faber works his way back up against the fence, blocking a high kick from Cruz along the way. Cruz dances just out of Faber’s reach, hopping away when the Team Alpha Male fighter reaches out to try a takedown.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cruz
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Cruz
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cruz

Round 5

Faber gets turned around in the pocket and tries to dash away, but Cruz makes him block high kicks on either side as he makes his escape. Cruz sticks his jab in Faber’s face in between his stop-start, in-and-out movements. Faber is still trying to punch, but his strikes are just too slow to catch the speedy Cruz at this late stage. Cruz catches Faber charging inside and changes levels to grab a rear waistlock. He brings Faber down to one knee, then both knees, where the champ works to secure back-mount. Faber posts and stands, Cruz still glued to his back, but now the bantamweights split with under two minutes left in the final frame. Cruz gets in on a high double-leg and manages to trip the off-balance Faber to the floor more than take him down. Faber rolls to his knees and then stands, but Cruz keeps him pressed against the wall as the final minute ticks away. The 135ers split and swing hands in the closing moments, but neither comes up with anything significant.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cruz (50-45 Cruz)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Cruz (50-45 Cruz)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cruz (50-45 Cruz)

The Official Result

Dominick Cruz def. Urijah Faber via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46) R5 5:00

UFC Middleweight Title Fight:
Luke Rockhold vs. Michael Bisping

Round 1

Referee “Big” John McCarthy is the third man in the cage for tonight’s 185-pound championship headliner. Rockhold works off his back foot in the opening minute, kicking at Bisping’s lead leg as the challenger steps forward in a long stance. Bisping pops the champion with a right hand down the middle, but it doesn’t seem to faze Rockhold, who starts stepping forward now in the second minute. Rockhold delivers a solid body kick, feints another and makes Bisping backpedal a few steps. Bisping deflects a left high kick, swings a big right hand but can’t catch the leaning Rockhold before he stands upright again. Rockhold walks forward on Bisping with his hands low, and “The Count” makes him pay with a right hook to the body and a cracking left hand upstairs. Rockhold staggers back a few steps, then gets dropped for good with another heavy left. Rockhold is unconscious, seated against the fence as Bisping tees off with more punches before referee McCarthy can intervene. Remarkably, after 10 years as a UFC fighter, Michael Bisping is the middleweight champion of the world.

The Official Result

Michael Bisping def. Luke Rockhold via KO (Punches) R1 3:36