UFC Fight Night Results: ‘Rockhold vs. Bisping’ Play-by-Play & Updates

Marcus Brimage vs. Jumabieke Tuerxun

Round 1

Brimage paws out his jab as Tuerxun stalks from the center. The feeling out process continues for the next minute then Brimage fires off a left high kick. Brimage scores with an inside low kick and Tuerxun answers with one of his own. The southpaw Brimage is staying light on his feet as the two continue to exchange slapping low kicks. Midway through the round Brimage charges forward with a combination and Tuerxun answers with a high kick. Brimage launches a scorching left high kick that connects, rendering the Chinese fighter unconscious against the cage. Spectacular knockout by “The Bama Beast.”

The Official Result

Marcus Brimage Def. Jumabieke Tuerxun KO (Head Kick) R1 2:58

Daniel Kelly vs. Luke Zachrich

Round 1

Zachrich denies a glove touch by Kelly and scores with an outside low kick. Zachrich lands a 1-2 combination upstairs as Kelly stalks. Zachrich circles the cage and the two middleweights exchange combinations near the fence. Zachrich scores with a right hand low kick combination. Kelly is trying to force to action here as he wades forward with punches. Zachrich changes levels for a takedown but Kelly defends, punishing the American with a knee on the break. Zachrich backpedals around the cage while the Melbourne native tries to close distance. Kelly drops down for a takedown against the fence, but Zachrich defends. Kelly clinches up, landing a series of uppercuts upstairs. Zachrich answers with a right hand and Kelly completes a trip, taking the American to the canvas. Kelly now working in half-guard trying to isolate Zachrich’s right arm. The four-time Olympic judoka has a kimura locked up and it appears to be deep. Kelly further torques the submission and Zachrich is left with no choice but to tap.

The Official Result

Daniel Kelly Def. Luke Zachrich Submission (Kimura) R1 4:27

Chris Clements vs. Vik Grujic

Round 1

Clements opens with a low kick and the fighters immediately clinch up in the center of the cage. Grujic completes an outside trip and lands in the half-guard of the Canadian. Grujic scores with a few solid elbows and attempts to pass into mount. Clements scrambles his back to his feet and Grujic ties him up against the fence. The Australian has an underhook secured while landing short punches on the inside. Grujic briefly looks for a takedown but the two fighters disengage. Clements lands a solid right hand, backing Grujic up to the cage. Clements ties his man up against the fence, but Grujic reverse position. Clements lands a hard knee to the head that stuns Grujic, forces “The Spartan” to retreat across the cage. Clements follows up his attack, landing a series of hooks and knees against the fence. A solid right hook finishes the job, sending Grujic to the canvas and prompting referee Herb Dean to wave off the fight.

The Official Result

Chris Clements Def. Vik Grujic TKO (Punches) R1 4:06

Louis Smolka vs. Richie Vaculik

Round 1

Smolka opens with a left high kick while Vaculik paws out a double jab. Vaculik lands a three punch combination that appears to wobble Smolka, and then follws with a punch to the body. Vaculik is keeping the pressure in the first round, landing an another right hook upstairs. Smolka answers with an uppercut and now the two flyweights are exchanging combinations. Smolka looks for a clinch knee and then scores with a left-right combination upstairs. Vaculik presses forward with combinations of his own, opening up a cut on the bridge of Smolka’s nose. Vaculik lands a solid inside low kick that buckles the lead leg of the Hawaiian. “Vas” lands another thudding punch to the body and Smolka answers with a few unorthodox kicks upstairs. Vaculik fires off a high kick but Vaculik shoots in, completing a takedown. Smolka regains his full guard and attempts to scramble to his feet. Vaculik locks up a guillotine and pulls guard, but Smolka escapes into top position as the bell sounds. 10-9 Vaculik.

Round 2

Smolka opens the round with a series of punches upstairs and Vaculik lands a stinging jab up top. Smolka looks to work some punches to the body but Vaculik makes him pay on the inside with shots of his own. Smolka lands a solid body kick. The Hawaii launches forward with a flying knee but it doesn’t land clean. Vaculik scores with several punches on the inside. Smolka throws an axe kick, but Vaculik catches it and drags his opponent to the canvas. Vaculik quickly secures back control with both hook and threatens with an rear-naked choke. The Hawaiian finds his way out of the submission and the flyweights return to their feet. Smolka completes a short lived takedown and the fighters again take the center. Vaculik is using his jab well while mixing up shots to the midsection. Smolka throws a 1-2 combination and Vaculik is happy to trade inside the pocket. Vaculik scores with a right hand upstairs. Smolka attempts a flying knee at the bell. 10-9 Vaculik.

Round 3

The final round begins and Smolka lands a stepping side kick to the face of the Australian. Vasculik crashes to the canvas and Smolka pounces, landing a series of punches. Referee John Sharp has seen enough and is forced to step in. Fantastic knockout by “Da Last Samurai.”

The Official Result

Louis Smolka Def. Richie Vaculik KO (Side Kick and Punches) R3 3:06

Sam Alvey vs. Dylan Andrews

Round 1

The two southpaws take the center and Andrews scores with a pair of range-finding low kicks. Andrews changes levels for a takedown and gets it, landing in side control. The New Zealander is keeping a low of shoulder pressure on the neck of Alvey. Andrews steps over into mount, but Alvey scrambles out and the fighters return to their feet. Andrews completes a trip against the cage but inadvertently slams his own head into the canvas. Alvey immediately reverses into full mount and unleashes a series of punches that put Andrews’ lights out.

The Official Result

Sam Alvey Def. Dylan Andrews Knockout (Slam and Punches) R1 2:16

Carlos Augusto Filho vs. Anthony Perosh

Round 1

Perosh charges forward with a left-right combination and Inocente answers with a partially blocked high kick. Perosh lands a solid right hand up stairs and immediately clinches up, looking to trip the Brazilian to the canvas. Perosh completes the trip and lands in half-guard. Perosh postures up and lands several heavy punches to the head of Inocente. Perosh steps over into full mount and the Brazilian turns to give his back. Inocente briefly regains half-guard but Perosh again steps over into mount. Inocente gives up his back and Perosh flattens his man out, landing a series of punches to the ears. Inocente turns to face the Australian, but Perosh again secures back-control. Perosh flattens Inocente out and begins fishing for the rear-naked choke. The submission is tight and Inocente has no choice but to submit.

The Official Result

Anthony Perosh Def. Carlos Augusto Filho Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 3:46

Jake Matthews vs. Vagner Rocha

Round 1

Matthews leaps forward with a jab upstairs and follows with a right hook. Lunging uppercut from Matthews. The Australian digs in a solid low kick and follows with another. Rocha staying light on his feet but has yes to land anything of significance. Matthews lands a hook combination upstairs and follows with another solid outside low kick. Matthews stumbles Rocha with a right hand and then ties his opponent against the fence. Matthews shoves the Brazilian off and the fight again takes the center of the cage. With two minutes left in the round, Matthews looks for a trip, but Rocha defends well. Matthews looks for a body lock but Rocha reverse the Australian against the fence. The fighters separate and Matthews throws a combination on the break. “The Celtic Kid” lands an accidental low blow, but the fight resumes quickly. Rocha rushes forward but eats a solid jab. Matthews completes a takedown near the fence, and Rocha locks up a kimura as the round closes. 10-9 Matthews.

Round 2

Rocha looking to stalk from the center of the cage. Matthews lands a solid right hand upstairs and follows with a pair of inside low kicks. Matthews connects with a lunging uppercut to the chin of the Brazilian. Rocha is looking to counter punch but the opponents aren’t there for him. Matthews connects with a solid superman punch that sends Rocha reeling backwards. Matthews swarms his stunned opponent with a several punches and Rocha exposes his back. Matthews immediately sinks his arm under the chin of the Brazilian and locks up a rear-naked choke. Rocha is face down on the canvas but referee John Sharp notices he is unconscious, and quickly calls a halt to the bout.

The Official Result

Jake Matthews Def. Vagner Rocha Technical Submission (No-Hooks, Rear-Naked Choke) R2 1:52

Soa Palelei vs. Walt Harris

Round 1

The heavyweights take the center of the cage and begin the feeling out process. Palelei quickly changes levels for a takedown and drives Harris to the fence. Harris circles out resets in the center. Harris lands a solid inside low kick and Palelei again shoots for a double-leg. Harris defends and makes the Australian pay with a body kick. Palelei fires off a right straight down the center and Harris whiffs on a high kick. Midway through the round and it’s Harris looking to control the center of the cage. “The Big Ticket” scores with a straight left hand. The Australian crown begins to get restless due to a lack of action, and Palelei scores with a right high kick. Harris lands a thudding body kick to the midsection of “The Hulk” that backs him up. Palelei using his jab trying to find his range now. The round ends with the Australian throwing a blocked high kick. 10-9 Harris.

Round 2

Harris stalking forward now while pawing out his right hand. Palelei answers with an inside low kick that knocks the American off balance. The two heavyweights exchange punches upstairs. Palelei lands a solid left hand upstairs and then changes levels, but Harris shakes him off. Palelei land a clean left hand up top and Harris retorts with a left body kick. Palelei is starting to stalk the American now as Harris backpedals around the cage. Two minutes left on the clock and the Australian continues pressing forward. Palelei looks for a single-leg takedown against the cage and gets it. Palelei now working from half-guard ,landing a few solid strikes from top position. “The Hulk” steps over into mount and postures up, lands a flurry of punches. Referee Leon Roberts demands Harris to fight back, but after several hammerfists he’s seen enough. The fight is waved off , awarding Soa Palelei the second round stoppage.

The Official Result

Soa Palelei Def. Walt Harris TKO (Punches) R2 4:49

Clint Hester vs. Robert Whittaker

Round 1

Hester backs Whittaker up with a jab and then scores with a clear right hand upstairs. Hester lunges forward with an overhand right and immediately looked for a takedown against the fence. Whittaker defends well and circles out. Whittaker puts a stinging jab in the face of Hester and backs up the Atlanta native. Hester rushes forward and clocks Whittaker with a cracking spinning elbow. Whittaker doesn’t seemed phased and continues pressing forward. Halfway through the round now. The middleweights exchange low kicks and Whittaker lands a massive right hand upstairs, sending Hester crashing to the floor. Whittaker pounces but Hester recovers and begins working his way back up. Whittaker changes levels for a takedown and finishes it against the cage. Whittaker now going to work from top position, landing several short elbows. The Australian moves into full mount but Hester powers out and gains top position. The fighters rise to their feet as the horn sounds. 10-9 Whittaker.

Round 2

Whittaker opens with an outside low kick followed by a push kick. Hester lands a looping left hook but Whittaker counters with a right of his own. The two fighters begin exchanging wildly around the outside of the cage, each man eating their share of punches. The fight again takes the center and Whittaker looks to put his jab to use. Hester ties the Australian up against the fence and then changes levels for a takedown. Whittaker defends well and lands a 1-2 combination on the visibly tired Hester. “Headbussa” backs up to the fence and Whittaker is all over him. Whittaker drives a clean knee up into Hester’s chin, dropping the Atlanta native to the canvas. A few follow up punches and referee John Sharp calls the bout, awarding Robert Whittaker the second round technical knockout.

The Official Result

Robert Whittaker Def. Clint Hester TKO (Knee and Punches) R2 2:43

Ross Pearson vs. Al Iaquinta

Round 1

Pearson quickly takes the center of the cage as Iaquinta looks to circle the outside. Pearson connects with a right hook upstairs and Iaquinta responds with a kick. Pearson rushes forward with a right and and Iaquinta feints a takedown. Pearson lands an outside low kick and Iaquinta continues to circle looking to counter. Pearson catches a kick from Iaquinta and he briefly goes to the mat. “The Real Deal” continues to stalk forward as Iaquinta tries to work from the outside. Pearson with a stiff jab followed by an inside low kick. Pearson connects with an uppercut followed by a left hook, but Iaquinta answers with an uppercut of his own. With under 90 seconds left in the round, Iaquinta fires off a high kick. Pearson lands combination to the body and Iaquinta answers with a solid right hand upstairs. Iaquinta scores with a push kick followed by an uppercut. Iaquinta looks for a takedown at the horn, but Pearson defends. 10-9 Iaquinta.

Round 2

Pearson rushes across the cage trying to push the action early. Iaquinta continues to circle the cage and lands a few solid counter punches. Iaquinta scores with a solid outside low kick and Pearson responds with a left-right combination upstairs. Iaquinta lands a massive counter right hand upstairs that sends Pearson to the canvas. Iaquinta swarms the Englishman with an uppercut-hook combination against the fence. A solid right hook seals the deal, and Pearson falls face down to the canvas. Iaquinta polishes his “The Real Deal” off with a few extra punches and referee Leon Roberts has seen enough, calling a stop to the contest.

The Official Result

Al Iaquinta Def. Ross Pearson TKO (Punches) R2 1:39

Luke Rockhold vs. Michael Bisping

Round 1

Referee Herb Dean will be the third man in the cage for tonight’s main event, with judges Sal D’amato, Anthony Dimitriou, and Chris Lee scoring cageside. Rockhold takes the center of the cage as Bisping throws out a few quick jabs. Bisping staying light on his feet as he circles the cage. Rockhold lands a solid right upstairs and “The Count” answers with a high kick. Rockhold ties Bisping up against the cage and Herb Dean calls a break due to an accidental headbutt. After a short break in the action, the fight is reset against the fence. The middleweights struggle for position against the fence but eventually circle out. Rockhold lands a clean left body kick and Bisping continues to circle. Bisping is doing a good job staying out of the pocket but Rockhold continues to stalk. Rockhold lands a clean left hand over the top and Bisping returns fire with a right of his own. Bisping lands a clean outside low kick and follows with a 1-2 combination. Rockhold slams a body kick into the midsection and has Bisping circling the fence. Bisping moves forward witha combination of his own and Rockhold lands a high kick. Rockhold charges forward as the round comes to an end. 10-9 Rockhold.

Round 2

Rockhold lands a clean left hand and backs Bisping up near the fence. Rockhold fires off a brazilian kick that finds it’s mark. The former Strikeforce champion immediately follows with a left high kick that send “The Count” crashing to the fence. Rockhold pounces on his man with a series of punches and Bisping attempts to get to his feet. During the scramble Rockhold locks up a guillotine choke, flipping Bisping over into full mount. Rockhold torques the one-armed guillotine prompting the tap and securing the second round finish.

The Official Result

Luke Rockhold Def. Michael Bisping Submission (Guillotine) R2 0:57