UFC Fight Night Boston Results: ‘Dillashaw vs. Cruz’ Play-by-Play & Updates

Francimar Barroso vs. Elvis Mutapcic

Round 1

Barroso opens with a long right hand on the temple of Mutapcic, who takes it and circles off. Barroso puts a kick on the body of Mutapcic, then touches the late replacement with a straight right to the face and follows with another body shot. Mutapcic grins and stands in the center with his hands low, trying to catch Barroso with a counter right hand when the Brazilian threatens to shoot for a takedown. Barroso resets and shoots again, and this time he floors Mutapcic in the center of the cage with 3:00 on the clock. Mutapcic wraps up Barroso’s head and right arm, avoiding any heavy punches on the mat. Mutapcic shifts between open and closed guard while landing some short punches to the side of Barroso’s head; meanwhile, Barroso continues to do very little with top position. Mutapcic succeeds in getting back to his feet just before the round ends, after spending more than two minutes on the bottom.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Mutapcic presses forward as round two begins, moving Barroso backward toward the fence with leg kicks and long punches to the body. Barroso is looking to counter but not really letting go of his hands, though one left hand knocks out Mutapcic’s mouthguard. Barroso lets off a few leg kicks midway through the round, then goes back to waiting for a counter. Barroso dives for a single-leg takedown from way out, gets stuffed and has to release. Another left hand from Barroso opens up a cut on the outside of Mutapcic’s right eye; the Brazilian isn’t landing at a high clip, but the shots he is landing are doing damage. Mutapcic eats a straight right but defends the takedown attempt behind it just before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Barroso spends the first minute countering with left-handed jabs and landing low kicks off his back foot. Mutapcic fends off a takedown attempt and loses his mouthpiece for the third time in the fight. Barroso steps into the pocket with an uppercut, but Mutapcic pulls down on his head to deliver a clinch knee. Inside leg kick lands for Barroso, answered by a slugging left hook by Mutapcic. The light heavyweights continue to fight on the outside, Barroso with his back near the fence and Mutapcic pressing from a few feet away. Mutapcic tries to get some combinations going but only sends five or six punches of Barroso’s gloves as they enter the final two minutes. Barroso counters a combo with a straight left hand, then backs up Mutapcic with a hard kick to the midsection. Mutapcic is still coming forward, still trying to land, but he’s tired and breathing with his mouth wide open. The fighters clinch on the fence with 30 seconds remaining and Barroso pins Mutapcic against the fence. Mutapcic breaks loose with 10 seconds left, lands a clinch knee and a right hook, and that’s where it ends.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Barroso (30-27 Barroso)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Barroso (29-28 Barroso)
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Barroso (29-28 Barroso)

The Official Result

Francimar Barroso def. Elvis Mutapcic via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) R3 5:00

Rob Font vs. Joey Gomez

Round 1

Font puts a front kick on Gomez’s body, then an outside kick on his lead leg in an otherwise uneventful opening minute. Font is firing off combinations of kicks and punches but pulling up short on the backpedaling Gomez. Two minutes in, Font hits a fast takedown near the fence, but Gomez springs right back to his feet. Another high double-leg goes for Font, but again Gomez is able to stand with little trouble. An uppercut-left hook combo scores for Font as he continues to chase Gomez around the cage. With 90 seconds remaining, Font is controlling the fight, landing another left hand and shooting again for a takedown near the cage. Gomez denies the takedown, puts his back against the fence and decks the Massachusetts native with a standing elbow to the face. Gomez comes away from the clinch with blood trickling from his right eye. “The KO King” sticks a jab but gets backed up by a right hand from Font in the last 20 seconds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Same as the opening stanza, round two gets off to a slow start. It’s Font getting the better of the limited striking in the first 90 seconds, picking at Gomez’s body with kicks and touching him upstairs with left hands. A front kick catches Gomez on the chest. Gomez resets midway through the round and thumps Font with a left kick to the body, one of Gomez’s best shots of the fight so far. A cracking left hook hurts Gomez, sending him backing up to the fence. Font tries to blitz him with more punches, but Gomez changes levels and scores a takedown to get out of trouble. Gomez stands, tries to hook Font with a guillotine as he scrambles up, but Font shoves him away. Font is on the march again, walking straight at Gomez with standing elbow strikes, hooks to the body. An overhand right stuns Gomez, and a flurry of punches behind it melts him to the ground. Font continues to pound away until referee Herb Dean steps in to wave off the fight.

The Official Result

Rob Font def. Joey Gomez via TKO (Punches) R2 4:13

Charles Rosa vs. Kyle Bochniak

Round 1

Rosa lines up southpaw and hops backward, flicking out side kicks to fend off the advancing Bochniak. Leg kicks land for Bochniak early on, keeping Rosa on his back foot. Rosa comes down the middle with a straight left hand that marks up Bochniak’s eye, then goes back to side-kicking. Bochniak counters a kick with a right hand over the top; Rosa counters with another left to Bochniak’s damaged eye. A straight right counter from Bochniak sends Rosa to the ground, but when Bochniak tries to pounce and pound out his opponent, Rosa threatens with a heel hook. Bochniak pulls the leg free and allows Rosa to stand with 90 seconds on the clock. Rosa takes a kick on the body, catches the leg and trips Bochniak to the ground, then lets him back up. Rosa shoots for a takedown in the last 30 seconds, briefly puts Bochniak on the mat but can’t hold him there.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Rosa emerges for the second round in the orthodox stance and attacks the lead leg of Bochniak with kicks. Bochniak times a leg kick with a straight right hand over the top, sending Rosa shooting for a takedown which he can’t complete. An overhand right to the temple puts Bochniak on his knees for a split second. He bounces back up and Rosa continues to pick away with jabs and leg kicks as they hit the two-minute mark. Rosa tries a takedown, gets denied and eats a knee from Bochniak on the exit. Eighty seconds remain in the round as the featherweights continue to circle the center. Bochniak gets taken down, springs back up and gets floored again. Rosa wraps up Bochniak’s legs and flattens him out, then passes to side control with 45 seconds on the clock. Bochniak gets a knee in, kicks Rosa away and explodes to his feet. Now it’s Bochniak ducking under a Rosa punch and planting the Bostonian on the mat in the center of the cage. Rosa bursts back to his feet and catches Bochniak with a barely legal knee to the face on the way up.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Rosa bounces wide punches off Bochniak’s arms with his opening salvo, and Bochniak returns fire with some strong left hands in the pocket. Bochniak looks to have more pop in his punches through the first minute of the final frame, though he’s hindered by a lead leg which has been torn up by Rosa’s low kicks. Rosa lands another leg kick, sticks a jab on Bochniak’s bloodied nose and circles backward. A clubbing right hook from Rosa connects to the temple of Bochniak, who denies a takedown attempt halfway through the round. Bochniak traps Rosa near the fence and decks him with a left hook, a clinch knee. Rosa eats the shots and walks straight back at Bochniak to hit him with a leg kick and a pair of punches. Rosa tries a single-leg, can’t trip up Bochniak, and the featherweights separate with 90 seconds remaining. Bochniak counters Rosa with a right hand upstairs, then Rosa slugs back with a one-two. Rosa tries and fails on another takedown attempt, resets and tries to drag Bochniak to the ground with a front headlock. Bochniak goes down to one knee, then stands and circles off to dodge a knee. Both men are still throwing when the final horn sounds, and both raise their hands in victory.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Charles Rosa def. Kyle Bochniak via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Ilir Latifi vs. Sean O’Connell

Round 1

Latifi backs up to the fence, waits for O’Connell to come forward and then steps forward to deliver a brutal overhand right to the American’s jaw. O’Connell takes another right hand on the temple and hits the ground in a heap, not out cold but clearly dazed, and referee Kevin MacDonald rushes in to save “The Real OC” from any further punishment.

The Official Result

Ilir Latifi def. Sean O’Connell via TKO (Punches) R1 0:30

Paul Felder vs. Daron Cruickshank

Round 1

Felder steps forward and lands an outside leg kick, but he nearly has his back leg swept out by Cruickshank on the counter. Cruickshank ducks a punch and puts a spinning back kick on Felder’s midsection, then uses side kicks to try and keep the longer man out of the pocket. Felder keeps walking forward and gets a pair of high side kicks on the jaw, but the “Irish Dragon” seems unfazed. Felder opts to clinch up and hold Cruickshank on the fence midway through the round, only to be reversed 10 seconds later. Cruickshank releases and catches Felder with a body kick, then a right hand before dropping down to try a double-leg takedown. Felder wraps up Cruickshank’s neck and jumps guard with a very tight guillotine, but Cruickshank leans forward and Felder’s body weight causes him to drop to the ground. Back up come the 155ers with under a minute on the clock. Felder keeps the outside position in the clinch, lands a couple knees to the body and gets a liver shot in return. They come off the fence and Felder hits a quick takedown, only to be swept underneath immediately and finish the round on bottom.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Cruickshank comes out for the second round with a sizeable mouse beneath his left eye, but it doesn’t stop him from attacking Felder with early kicks. Felder does well to avoid Cruickshank’s spinning attacks and then sprawls on a high double-leg attempt from the “Detroit Superstar” up against the fence. Felder reverses and turns it into a takedown of his own, and now he works from Cruickshank’s open guard with three minutes on the clock. Felder passes to half guard, lands a couple elbows but Cruickshank powers back to his feet. More spinning attacks from Cruickshank have Felder backing up against the fence. Cruickshank shoots for a takedown, but Felder sprawls and catches him in an inverted triangle choke. Felder tries to cinch the choke but doesn’t have the proper angle, and Cruickshank slowly loosens the triangle before escaping. The lightweights scramble up, Cruickshank shoots for another takedown and has to slam his way out of a brief guillotine attempt from Felder as time expires.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Felder brings the fight back to the fence and looks to rough up Cruickshank in the clinch. Knees to the body are scoring for Felder, forcing Cruickshank to drop levels and try another takedown. Felder sprawls all over the shot, briefly looks to frame up a choke and then spins to the back. Cruickshank stands up, dodges a sneaky over-the-shoulder kick but gets slammed down to the ground at the base of the fence. Felder winds up on top in Cruickshank’s guard, then moves to take the back as he spins over. Cruickshank stands up with Felder locked onto his back, and Felder sinks in a deep rear-naked choke with his right arm around the throat. Cruickshank drops to the ground and it’s only a few seconds before he taps out to the deep RNC.

The Official Result

Paul Felder def. Daron Cruickshank via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R3 3:56

Maximo Blanco vs. Luke Sanders

Round 1

Blanco misses with a hard right high kick to open the fight but finds his mark with a straight right hand shortly afterward. The southpaw Sanders circles off and retaliates with a counter left hand, answered by a body kick from the Venezuelan. Sanders puts Blanco on the fence for a few seconds, releases and grazes his face with a reaching left over the top. Another counter left scores for Sanders as he cuts off a looping Blanco combination. A pair of leg kicks score for Sanders, who’s still on his back foot as Blanco pushes forward. Sanders lands a clinch knee to the body and gets shoved away by the larger man. A left hand stuns Blanco, sending the wrestler shooting for a takedown which he completes with ease. Blanco lands in position for an arm-triangle choke, frames it up and jumps off to the side, but Sanders works it loose and Blanco releases. Back to their feet come the featherweights with 2:00 left in the round. Another short, hard left hook counter stuns Blanco, and then a left to the jaw on the end of a two-piece combo sends him crashing to the mat. Sanders immediately jumps on the back of his dazed opponent, slaps on a rear-naked choke and forces Blanco to tap out.

The Official Result

Luke Sanders def. Maximo Blanco via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 3:38

Chris Wade vs. Mehdi Baghdad

Round 1

Wade ducks under Baghdad’s jab, shoots for a double-leg and then switches to a throw which puts the UFC newcomer on the ground in the center of the cage. Baghdad throws up his long legs and slows Wade’s progress by entangling him in full guard. Wade gets an elbow through but can’t manage much else as the lightweights continue to grapple in close quarters. About two minutes in, Wade drops a couple punches on Baghdad’s face as he shoves “The Sultan” against the base of the fence. Baghdad tries to sit up against the cage and nearly gets his neck caught in a guillotine, but he peels away Wade’s hands. More ground strikes are landing for Wade at the midway point, though Baghdad continues to tie up the New Yorker’s wrists. Baghdad kicks away his opponent and tries to scramble up, but Wade comes rushing back and catches Baghdad in the transition, pinning him against the fence and looking to jump on his back. Baghdad drops to his knees and Wade throws punches from riding position, then sinks in one hook. Wade flattens out the belly-down Baghdad and slowly works his right arm around his neck to apply a rear-naked choke. Baghdad is flat on his stomach as the RNC gets tighter; with nowhere to go, Baghdad taps out in submission.

The Official Result

Chris Wade def. Mehdi Baghdad via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 4:30

Tim Boetsch vs. Ed Herman

Round 1

Herman sticks a jab, takes a right hand over the top and comes back with a right hand to the body. Boetsch puts a kick on the outside of Herman’s lead leg and gets countered with an overhand right. Boetsch counters a Herman jab with an overhand right on the jaw which sends “Short Fuse” stumbling backward for a few seconds. Herman throws a kick to the body and gets a jab to the chin, then another right hand over the top a few seconds later. A stiff jab from Herman stops the advance of Boetsch for a moment. Left hand to the body scores for Boetsch, but Herman blocks the big right hand behind it. Two minutes left in the opening round, and Boetsch catches Herman with another pair of quick counterpunches in close quarters. The 205ers clinch up and Herman scores with a good pair of knees to the body. The right hand continues to land for Boetsch inside the final minute; Herman clinches up in the closing seconds and delivers a knee to Boetsch’s face, then a pair to the body.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Herman touches the incoming Boetsch with a hard jab and follows up with a straight right. After a short left hook, Herman steps in to push his opponent against the cage. Herman pulls the Thai clinch, pops Boetsch with an uppercut and then demolishes “The Barbarian” with a massive knee up the center. Boetsch crumbles to the ground and Herman polishes him off with three or four right hands before referee Kevin MacDonald gets between them.

The Official Result

Ed Herman def. Tim Boetsch via KO (Knee) R2 1:39

Patrick Cote vs. Ben Saunders

Round 1

The welterweights spend a minute testing the range with probing jabs and leg kicks, with Cote landing a few of the latter. The rangy southpaw Saunders fires off a few high kicks which bounce off the gloves of Cote. A fast body kick lands for Saunders, but Cote continues to chop away at the taller man’s legs. Saunders clinches, hits a trip and postures up in Cote’s butterfly guard. When Saunders comes down to his knees, Cote switches to full guard and locks down the arms of “Killa B.” Saunders keeps busy with short left hands to the body while Cote shifts underneath, angling for a possible armbar attempt. Cote does find the armbar, and though the submission doesn’t look deep, it’s enough to get Saunders to panic. Cote sweeps to top position and busts through Saunders’ rubber guard with some hard right hands. Saunders tries rubber guard again but Cote breaks free and stands over him to deliver a big right hand.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Saunders opens with a hard kick to the body of Cote, who responds in kind and then continues picking at Saunders’ legs with kicks. Cote stings him with a wild combination which finishes with a right hook to the ear. Saunders takes a step back and Cote follows, clinching up to deliver a series of hellacious uppercuts which slowly bring Saunders to his knees. Saunders drops to his back and throws up his legs, desperately hunting for a submission, but Cote slams him with hammerfists from north-south position. Saunders is eating heavy leather on the ground, and although he’s not out cold, he’s not defending himself enough for referee Steve Rita, who steps in between the men to halt the bout.

The Official Result

Patrick Cote def. Ben Saunders via TKO (Punches) R2 1:14

Ross Pearson vs. Francisco Trinaldo

Round 1

Pearson winds up and misses with a leg kick as the southpaw Trinaldo slides backward, and the Brazilian dodges a jab behind it as the lightweights circle in the opening minute. A leg kick finds the mark for Pearson before he sends a right high kick off the gloves of Trinaldo. Still backing up as Pearson steps forward, Trinaldo bounces off the fence and circles away as soon as he touches the cage. “Massaranduba” lands a plunging left hand, misses with a twirling kick and catches a right hook from Pearson on the turn-around. Pearson ducks under a left high kick and moves to clinch but Trinaldo dashes away. Pearson lands an inside leg kick with 2:00 on the clock, tries to jab his way into range and just slides his head back to avoid another long straight from the lefty. Trinaldo steps in and scores with a knee to the body, waits for Pearson to come forward again and counters with a clean left hook. Trinaldo zaps Pearson with a straight left down the center and then puts a left high kick on his forehead. The Brazilian comes in to clinch, Pearson turns his back and Trinaldo lifts him into the air for a huge slam before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Trinaldo leaves his right hand open as he sticks it out to keep Pearson out of striking range, but he seems to rake Pearson’s face and he gets a warning from referee Herb Dean about 30 seconds into the round. Pearson is still pushing the action, marching forward and walking Trinaldo nearer to the fence, where the Englishman executes a takedown. Trinaldo escapes from underneath after a few seconds, and the 155ers are back to striking in the center of the cage. Pearson whips around with a heel kick that partially connects, but Trinaldo charges forward and hurts him right back with a big clinch knee. Trinaldo follows with punches against the fence, pulls down Pearson’s head for another knee, but Pearson hangs in there and punches back to slow the assault. Trinaldo maintains the outside position with 2:00 on the clock but they’re grappling for position now instead of trading strikes. They split 30 seconds later and Trinaldo steps back in with a push kick to the breadbasket. Pearson resumes his forward progression and walks into a pair of leaping body kicks. Left hand misses for Trinaldo but he catches Pearson with a backfist on his way out of the pocket. Referee Dean tells the fighters to engage as they hit the 30-second mark, and Trinaldo ducks under a right hook to deliver a straight left to the chest. Pearson charges in the last five seconds and puts a couple punches on Trinaldo’s body while defending the Thai plum.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Trinaldo dodges a few jabs from Pearson and takes out the Englishman’s equilibrium with an overhand right. Pearson wobbles backward to the fence, where Trinaldo catches up with him and lands three or four hard shots in the clinch. Pearson seems to have regained his footing as they separate and once again he walks forward, now sporting a cut above his left eye. Trinaldo spends a minute on his back foot, just dodging Pearson’s strikes and not offering much in the way of counters. The ref calls for the fighters to engage and Pearson responds with a right hand. Trinaldo wheels up with a left high kick which appears to land hard on Pearson’s head, but “The Real Deal” presses forward and hits a fast takedown. Pearson soon opts to stand and wants “Massaranduba” to do the same with 2:00 remaining. Again, referee Dean tells the fighters -- or maybe just Trinaldo -- to engage. Pearson continues to chase Trinaldo around the cage as they hit the final minute, getting the better of what brief striking exchanges they do have with leg kicks and jabs. After a short clinch on the fence, Trinaldo dashes back to the center and waits for Pearson with a grazing overhand right to the face. Pearson is still coming forward at the end, as he sends one final right high kick off Trinaldo’s gloves.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Francisco Trinaldo def. Ross Pearson via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) R3 5:00

Travis Browne vs. Matt Mitrione

Round 1

The southpaw Mitrione deflects a high kick and tries to come inside with a straight left, but Browne slides out of range. A long right down the center connects for Browne, who again backpedals when Mitrione charges forward to strike. The heavyweights continue to feel the range and play pattycake with their lead hands. Mitrione blocks another right high kick and touches Browne’s beard with a straight left. Two minutes remain in the opening round and Mitrione barges inside to graze with a right hand. Browne continues to flick out low kicks and test the range until Mitrione drops him with a clubbing left hand. Browne pushes back to his feet, dodging a murderous follow-up punch along the way. “Hapa” seems to have recovered from the flash knockdown but he’s moving backward and not engaging at the moment. Browne misses with a straight right, lands a front kick to the body. Mitrione steps into the pocket and gets a finger in the right eye from Browne’s outstretched left hand. Mitrione turns away and dashes to the fence in pain; Browne tries to run him down, but referee Gary Forman spots the foul and intervenes. Mitrione is able to open the eye after a minute, and the doctor clears him to continue. The round expires after a few more seconds with no more action.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Mitrione lands a leg kick but whiffs on a big right hand as Browne sidesteps him. A straight left hand knocks Browne backward, and as Mitrione charges in to add more punches, Browne sticks him with a thumb to the eye. This time, referee Forman doesn’t pause the action, and Mitrione continues to fight with his right eye shut. The referee calls out for Browne to keep his hands closed just before Mitrione yells that he’s seeing double. Forman pauses the fight and calls in the doctor; they shine a light in Mitrione’s eye, and it looks like he wants to continue. Action resumes with 3:45 on the clock, with no point deducted from Browne for the second infraction. Mitrione takes a front kick to the body, misses with a left hand and gets kneed in the gut. Browne continues to move backward, looking to counter as Mitrione loads up on big single strikes. Mitrione whiffs on another overhand shot, gets tied up and tripped to the ground near the fence with two minutes remaining. From side control, Browne leans left to right across Mitrione’s body and works for a keylock on the far arm. Mitrione kicks off the fence and rolls to his knees, where Browne spins to take the back. Mitrione stands before Browne can establish the position, and back on the feet, Browne puts a few more hard front kicks on Mitrione’s body. Mitrione ducks inside, maybe looking to shoot, but Browne is waiting for him with a counter knee.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

The big men trade leg kicks and little else in a slow opening minute. Mitrione comes over the top with a left hand, slides out of range of Browne’s double jab. A straight right hand lands hard for Browne, and he follows with another push kick to Mitrione’s body. Browne pulls down Mitrione’s head in the Thai clinch, Mitrione blocks the knee and Browne trips him to the ground instead. Browne passes to full mount and drops a few right hands, then postures up and starts throwing with both hands. Mitrione has both arms up, trying to defend, but Browne is landing with increased frequency as they fight inside the last two minutes. A few huge elbows crash into Mitrione’s face, and then one last barrage of punches sends referee Forman in for the stoppage.

The Official Result

Travis Browne def. Matt Mitrione via TKO (Punches and Elbows) R3 4:09

Anthony Pettis vs. Eddie Alvarez

Round 1

Alvarez opens with an inside leg kick, answered by Pettis with a quick left hand down the center. Alvarez dives on Pettis’ legs, shooting for a double-leg against the fence. Pettis threatens with a guillotine as he succumbs to the takedown attempt, then releases the neck in order to post and stand. Alvarez keeps “Showtime” stuffed against the fence, popping Pettis with a few no-look right hands as he keeps his left arm glued to Pettis’ right leg. Another 30 seconds pass with Alvarez pressing Pettis on the cage, then a trip takedown briefly puts the lightweights on the floor. Pettis posts and stands again, and now the fighters separate to strike in the center of the cage, Pettis landing a clinch knee on the exit. Alvarez charges forward and avoids a spinning kick from Pettis, catching him off balance to hit another takedown. Pettis goes down again, stands and separates with under a minute on the clock. Pettis tries to make up some ground, whirling at Alvarez with spinning kicks, but the former Bellator champ evades the flashy strikes. Pettis does manage to put a hard left high kick on target, though the impact is lessened by Alvarez’s mitt.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Alvarez looks wary of Pettis’ kicks as he works his way inside during the opening minute. A few chops land for Pettis, but Alvarez gets off a good right hand before he pins the ex-champ against the fence. Pettis separates a few seconds later and puts a nice kick on the right side of Alvarez’s body, slipping the Philly fighter’s counter right hand on the way out. Pettis steps out to the center of the cage with an outside leg kick, then another. Alvarez responds with an outside leg kick of his own, and when Pettis returns fire, Alvarez grabs the leg and clinches again. Pettis keeps his balance and slugs Alvarez away with a left hand. He switches to orthodox stance and tags Alvarez with a right hook, then another kick to the body. Alvarez is starting to show some wear from the strikes, bleeding a bit from his nose. Down to the last minute of the round, Pettis evades an overhand right but takes a leg kick and gets clipped with a right on the jaw. A pair of low kicks score for Pettis, followed by one to Alvarez’s body. Alvarez tries to return fire with a right high kick, but it’s blocked by Pettis, as is Alvarez’s last-second takedown attempt.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

The lightweights exchange body kicks, Pettis follows with another and then Alvarez comes charging in for another double-leg shot on the fence. Pettis breaks loose after a few seconds, and now Alvarez comes walking after him, landing a pair of leg kicks. Alvarez scores with a right hand to the gut but gets ripped in return with a blistering right hand. Pettis tags him with the right again, so Alvarez dives on his legs and hits a takedown at the fence. Pettis goes for a heel hook and Alvarez tries to twist his way free, grabbing the fence multiple times on the way. Referee Kevin MacDonald gives a verbal warning but there’s no point deduction and he does not stop the fight, and Alvarez pulls the leg free seconds later. Pettis posts and stands with 2:20 on the clock, only to be driven back to the canvas 10 seconds later. Pettis stands with Alvarez still clung to his legs, and the Boston crowd boos as Alvarez keeps working for another takedown, looking to close out the fight on the ground. Pettis tries to push him away but can’t get free, and Alvarez drags him down again. Pettis is back up with 40 seconds remaining, breaks away with a knee and socks Alvarez with a straight left. A body kick lands for Pettis, answered by Alvarez with a pair of chops to Pettis’ lead leg. Both men look exhausted as they throw strikes in the closing seconds, trying to finish or score points, but time expires and this one will be decided by the judges.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Eddie Alvarez def. Anthony Pettis via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

UFC Bantamweight Title Fight:
T.J. Dillashaw vs. Dominick Cruz

Round 1

Referee Herb Dean is the third man in the cage for tonight’s 135-pound championship main event, with judges Sal D’Amato, David Ginsberg and Tony Weeks scoring at cageside. Cruz sticks out his hands to touch gloves after final instructions, but Dillashaw wants no part of it. The challenger catches a kick to the body, grabs hold of Dillashaw and runs him to his knees, but both men scramble back to their feet within seconds. Dillashaw lands an inside leg kick, answered by a Cruz right hand to the body. Lots of awkward movements, slipping and angling through the first 90 seconds. Cruz sticks a right hand, slides backward and catches hold of a right high kick to trip Dillashaw to the ground. Cruz tries to climb on the kneeling Dillashaw’s back but loses the position as the champion stands. Now it’s Dillashaw looking for a single-leg takedown, stuffed by Cruz as they hit the two-minute mark. Cruz is drawing deep breaths but doing well to keep his head off center, countering a few of Dillashaw’s big right hands. After slipping a couple more overhand rights, Cruz lands a three-piece combo and follows with a hard low kick. Dillashaw puts a kick on Cruz’s body and pulls back the limb before the former champ can grab hold. Cruz turns another caught kick into a takedown but again can’t keep Dillashaw on the floor. Dillashaw dives under a left hook and works a double on the fence but Cruz stays upright for the final 10 seconds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Dillashaw presses forward again at the start of the round and walks into a jab from Cruz, but the champ touches Cruz’s face with a sweeping right hand. Great head movement from Cruz in the pocket allows him to hit Dillashaw with a pair of right hands to the body and escape unscathed. Dillashaw continues to throw the right high kick, this time missing Cruz and slipping to the ground, but he pops right back up. Cruz denies a takedown attempt, just evades a left high kick and gets caught with a right hook on the other side. Dillashaw puts a pair of kicks on Cruz’s left leg at the halfway point of the round. Cruz flashes a corkscrew right hand and gets away before Dillashaw can land the counter. Left hook scores for Cruz, but he takes a right high kick on the neck as he backpedals away. Dillashaw pushes forward and Cruz uses the momentum to change levels and take him down in the middle of the cage. Dillashaw stands right away, gets taken down again and pops back up. Cruz gets an inadvertant headbutt as he ducks in to strike in the final seconds, but he looks no worse for wear as the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Dillashaw slaps the chest of Cruz with a kick, chases him against the fence and bounces a few shots off his arms. Cruz continues to use great head movement and footwork to stay out of harm’s way as Dillashaw ups his aggression with power punches. Cruz sticks a jab, slides out of the way of two punches from Dillashaw and lands another jab. Cruz takes a jab on the mouth, bloodying his lip, but he counters Dillashaw’s next combination with a check right hook. Cruz backs up Dillashaw to the fence and paws at his face with long, straight punches. Dillashaw circles out to land a couple leg kicks before Cruz changes levels and drives him to the ground. Dillashaw rolls to his belly, then his knees while Cruz tries to catch a guillotine, but the choke doesn’t materialize before Dillashaw gets back to his feet. One minute remains in the round as Cruz continues to dance just out of range. Dillashaw slaps the Alliance fighter’s face with a left high kick but Cruz doesn’t seem to feel it. Cruz catches Dillashaw walking into the pocket, pops him with three quick punches and circles out. Dillashaw tries a last-second takedown and gets stuffed on the fence.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 4

Dillashaw comes out swinging, missing with a few punches before he plants a right kick on Cruz’s ribcage. A hard leg kick connects for the champion, countered by a Cruz left hook on the other side. Dillashaw is still looking for the big shot but mixing in more low kicks in between. One kick sends Cruz shooting for a takedown; he succeeds in flooring Dillashaw but isn’t able to keep him there, and the bantamweights are back up with 3:00 remaining in the fourth. Cruz lands a body kick and resumes his backpedaling, looking significantly more tired than in the previous round but still dodging the bulk of Dillashaw’s offense. Dillashaw throws five punches and lands one, then eats Cruz’s counter on the exit. Dillashaw hits a takedown inside the final two minutes and stays glued to Cruz’s back as they stand up. Dillashaw throws knees to the back of Cruz’s legs from the rear waistlock, while referee Dean warns Cruz for grabbing the fence as he tries to stay vertical. Cruz escapes to the center of the cage with 50 seconds left; Dillashaw follows, now leaking blood from the left side of his forehead. Dillashaw eats a straight right, denies a takedown attempt and pops the kneeling Cruz with a knee that goes unnoticed. Dillashaw finishes strong, socking Cruz with a pair of right hands before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 5

Dillashaw attacks Cruz’s damaged left leg with kicks in the opening seconds, then goes to the body with a kick on the left side. A left hook scores for Dillashaw, then a left high kick which Cruz absorbs and answers with three hard punches down the midde. Cruz continues to cut angles around the edge while Dillashaw works from the middle. A hard jab snaps back Dillashaw’s head, and he responds with another body kick. Another body blow scores for Dillashaw, but Cruz gets him right back with three fast punches to the face. Dillashaw smiles at his opponent and walks forward to deliver a leg kick, checked by Cruz, who comes away limping a bit. Cruz switches to southpaw stance and tries to bounce around, but as soon as he goes back to orthodox, Dillashaw hits the leg again. In a reversal of the earlier rounds, it’s Cruz swinging and missing with punches while Dillashaw’s accuracy increases here in the final few minutes. Suddenly, Cruz lights up Dillashaw with a three- or four-piece combination. Dillashaw chases after him, sticks a jab but gets socked with a counter right hook. Cruz tries a takedown with 35 seconds on the clock and gets shoved away. They go toe-to-toe in the center for the final 30 seconds, Cruz landing a snappy combination but eating one final right hand from Dillashaw before time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Dillashaw (48-47 Dillashaw)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Dillashaw (48-47 Cruz)
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Dillashaw (48-47 Dillashaw)

The Official Result

Dominick Cruz def. T.J. Dillashaw via Split Decision (49-46, 48-47, 46-49) R5 5:00