Welcome to FOXSports.com/InsideFights.com’s live coverage of UFC On FX 8 headlined by Vitor Belfort taking on Luke Rockhold. The event takes place from Arena Jaragua in Jaragua do Sul, Brazil. We will be here for all 13 of the fights taking place on tonight’s card. Stay tuned for live play-by-play of the night’s FUEL TV preliminary card. If you missed the Facebook portion of the preliminary card, we have full coverage posted and stay tuned for continuing coverage of the main card on FX. Enjoy the fights.
Fabio Maldonado vs. Roger Hollett
Referee: Leon Roberts
ROUND 1- Hollett misses a big overhand right to start the fight. Hollett with a leg kick. Hollett backs Maldonado up as he misses a combination. Maldonado lands a punch. Hollett with a spinning back kick and it lands right on Maldonado’s groin. Maldonado is down and in a lot of pain from the errant blow. Replay shows it landed right in the wrong spot and Maldonado is still down on the mat as he attempts to recover. Leon Roberts asks if he needs to see a doctor but Maldonado declines. Maldonado back on his feet but still trying to recover. The action continues. Maldonado comes out with a nice combination. Maldonado looks to attack the body of Hollett. Maldonado tells Hollett to come and fight. Hollett counters with a takedown of Maldonado and is in half-guard. Not a lot of action on the ground as both are just staying in position. The crowd boos loudly. The referee rightfully stands them up. Maldonado misses a left and they tie up. Hollett pushes Maldonado against the cage. Maldonado blocks Hollett from trying to take him down. Both against the cage but not a lot of action going on. Maldonado with an overhand right and the referee breaks them up. Hollett with a leg kick that does nothing to Maldonado. Hollett takes Maldonado down and the crowd again boos. Hollett in the half-guard of Maldonado. Not much going on as Hollett tries to move into side control. 10-9 Hollett.
ROUND 2- Maldonado fires a right hand to start. Maldonado looks to work the jab. Maldonado comes in and Hollett makes him pay with some right hands. Hollett lands a spinning kick. Maldonado misses a left hook. Hollett lands a right hand as a counter followed by a left hook. Maldonado looks to attack the body as they clinch up. They move against the cage and Maldonado lands some body shots. Maldonado has Hollett’s back against the cage and is working with some dirty boxing. Hollett switches positions and they break. Maldonado lands a right hand that stuns Hollett for a moment. They tie back up and Maldonado has Hollett against the cage and is landing body shots. Maldonado switches back-and-forth with head and body attacks. They break up. Hollett lands a body shot of his own. They break as not a lot goes on. Both starting to look tired. Hollett lands a glancing overhand right. Hollett grabs a single leg and pushes Maldonado against the cage. Maldonado has cut Hollett. Maldonado switches and he has Hollett against the cage. Maldonado attacks the body and is wearing Hollett down. Hollett looking to hang on. 10-9 Maldonado.
ROUND 3- Both are tired to start the round. Hollett with a brief takedown but they are back to the feet. Maldonado backs Hollett up against the cage. Maldonado attacking the body yet again. Hollett fights off with a knee but Maldonado lands more body shots. They break and Maldonado urges Hollett to bring the fight to him. Hollett goes low for a takedown but Maldonado is shaking it off. Maldonado showing good takedown defense. Maldonado mixes his boxing as he attacks the head and body. Maldonado with more body shots as Hollett can’t get his back off the cage. They move back to the center of the Octagon. Maldonado lands some punches and Hollett is tired and dazed. Hollett back against the cage and Maldonado lands some punches to the body again. Maldonado attacks the head but Hollett is surviving. They clinch again and Maldonado again attacks the body. Maldonado lands some big punches to the head of Hollett. Hollett lands a big knee and they separate. Hollett misses a left hook. Maldonado continues to have Hollett in trouble. They clinch again with Hollett having Maldonado against the cage. Maldonado lands a couple of knees. Maldonado lands a left hand and Leon Roberts breaks them up. Hollett misses a right hand and they clinch and Maldonado lands a trip takedown. Maldonado ends the fight with some ground-and-pound. 10-9 Maldonado.
Official Result: Fabio Maldonado def. Roger Hollett by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-27)
Yuri Alcantara vs. Illarde Santos
Referee: Kevin Mulhall
ROUND 1- They touch gloves to start. Alcantara lands an overhand right to start the fight. Alcantara lands a combination but misses a flying knee and they clinch up against the cage. Santos looks for the takedown but Alcantara lands some elbows. They break and Alcantara lands some punches. Alcantara lands a big left head kick. Alcantara attacks with punches but Santos gets a brief takedown. Back on the feet and some distance is put between the two. Alcantara looks to set up another head kick. Santos with a leg kick. Alcantara with a body kick and then he knocks Santos down with a left hand. Alcantara lands some more left big left hands on the ground and Kevin Mulhall steps in to stop the fight. Alcantara with the big knockout win!
Official Result: Yuri Alcantara def. Illarde Santos by TKO (punches) at 2:31 of Round 1
Paulo Thiago vs. Michel Prazeres
Referee: Mario Yamasaki
ROUND 1- Prazeres starts with a head kick followed by a leg kick. Thiago lands some punches and Prazeres grabs him looking for the takedown against the cage. Thiago with a knee to the leg of Prazeres. Prazeres still looking for the takedown. Thiago down on one knee as he defends the takedown. Thiago reverses into mount but they get back to the feet. Prazeres has Thiago up against the cage and is still looking for the takedown. Prazeres with a body lock wearing down Thiago. Thiago is defending well against the cage. The referee breaks up the fighters. Prazeres with a body kick. Prazeres follows with a big leg kick to Thiago’s lead leg. Both looking to extend their range. Prazeres with some nice leg kicks. Thiago with a nice combination to the body and head. Thiago with a body kick and Prazeres momentarily catches the leg. Thiago looking to establish his jab. Thiago misses a right hand. Prazeres lands a lunging left hand. Prazeres with a body kick. Thiago misses a combination and Prazeres grabs him for a takedown. Prazeres with double underhooks as he tries to get Thiago down to the mat. They are clinched up against the cage as the round ends. 10-9 Prazeres.
ROUND 2- Prazeres with an inside leg kick to start. Thiago with a front kick. Prazeres misses a left head kick. Thiago backs Prazeres up with a left hook. A big knee to the chest lands from Thiago and Prazeres goes down to the mat. Thiago is on top in half-guard looking to transition for a choke. Thiago with some shots on the ground trying to soften Prazeres up. Prazeres creates a scramble back to the feet. Thiago gets another takedown and is looking for a choke. Thiago has Prazeres’ arm tied up but they get back to the feet. Prazeres looks to be tiring just a bit but then he scores a takedown. Prazeres has the back of Thiago. They get back to the feet and Thiago grabs Prazeres with double underhooks. Prazeres gets a brief takedown but it gets right back up. They finally separate and Prazeres lands a huge left hand. Prazeres gets a takedown off the left hand and Thiago has his back against the cage. Prazeres postures up and is looking to land punches as he has Thiago pinned down. Prazeres with a front headlock. Thiago switches and Thiago takes Prazeres’ back and is on top in half-guard. Thiago lands some punches on Prazeres. Thiago pins Prazeres’ arm down and ends the round on top. Close round. 10-9 Prazeres.
ROUND 3- Both look tired to start the round. Both looking to land a combination and find their range as the fight could be up for grabs in this final round. Thiago hits a left hook and is back Prazeres up. Thiago lands a nice combination but Prazeres fires back with a combo of his own. They clinch and Thiago pushes Prazeres against the cage. Both are looking for the takedown before the split up. Back to the center of the Octagon and Prazeres lands a nice combination. Prazeres pressures Thiago against the cage looking for the takedown. Thiago with some nice elbows to the side of the head of Prazeres. Prazeres keeps Thiago against the cage before Mario Yamasaki splits them up. Prazeres lands a left hook and then a big left hand. Thiago lands a big head kick but Prazeres shakes it off. Thiago misses a big right hand but it still backs Prazeres up. Thiago with a leg kick and Prazeres wipes away some sweat. Prazeres lands a nice combination. They tie-up and Thiago looks for the takedown but Prazeres stops it. Prazeres gets Thiago up against the cage door but Thiago secures an important takedown. Thiago gets the back of Prazeres and pounds away on him to end the round with a strong finish. 10-9 Thiago.
Official Result: Paulo Thiago def. Michel Prazeres by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Gleison Tibau vs. John Cholish
Referee: Leon Roberts
ROUND 1- Tibau with a combo to start. Tibau with a nice body shot as Cholish is unable to unload with his strikes. Cholish with a body kick. Tibau lands a big right hand but Cholish shakes it off. Cholish with a leg kick as the crowd starts to chant. Tibau puts Cholish on his back and goes into his guard. Cholish looks to get back to the feet but Tibau lands a big knee to the body. They get up and separate. Tibau with a right hand but misses the left hand. Cholish goes for a leg kick but Tibau grabs his leg. Cholish rolls out and they are back outside their range. Neither man unloading right now with their hands. Cholish having trouble finding his range. Tibau lands a left hand. Tibau rushes in for a takedown and picks Cholish up and plants him on the mat. They scramble to the feet but Tibau has Cholish’s back against the cage. They break. Tibau misses with a left hand and Cholish misses a front kick with 30 seconds to go. Tibau lands a glancing left hand then grabs Cholish against the cage. Tibau gets some short punches in and holds Cholish against the cage to end the round. 10-9 Tibau.
ROUND 2- They exchange to start the fight. Quick side note: Cholish announced earlier today this will be the last fight of his career. They are both looking to land from outside their range. Neither has landed much in the round but then Tibau lands a left hand. They clinch up as Tibau looked for a left hand. Tibau forces Cholish up against the cage as Tibau looks for the takedown. They separate. Cholish presses forward but is unable to land anything. Cholish with a leg kick but Tibau grabs the leg though he lets it go. Tibau lands a big left hand and it stuns Cholish. Cholish tries to shoot in and Tibau grabs Cholish’s neck and locks in the guillotine choke. It is in super tight and Cholish is forced to tap out! Tibau picks up the submission victory.
Official Result: Gleison Tibau def. John Cholish by submission (guillotine choke) at 2:34 of Round 2
Francisco Trinaldo vs. Mike Rio
Referee: Kevin Mulhall
ROUND 1- Trinaldo looks to establish the right jab to start. Rio eats a left hand and misses on a takedown. Trinaldo lands a big left hand and Rio grabs him and takes the fight down. Rio looks to secure the neck of Trinaldo. Rio with some short punches on the ground. Trinaldo trying to get the fight back to the feet but Rio has a good hold of his head and leg. Rio looks to lock in a guillotine choke but Trinaldo escapes back to the feet. They get tied up and Trinaldo moves Rio against the cage. Trinaldo has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Both land knees to the body before the separate. Trinaldo grabs Rio and lands a huge slam takedown and he looks to move into side control. Trinaldo looks to set up an arm-triangle choke as he tries to break his leg free. He has it locked in and Rio taps out from half-guard! Trinaldo with a big submission win and the crowd goes wild.
Official Result: Francisco Trinaldo def. Mike Rio by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:08 of Round 1
Hacran Dias vs. Nik Lentz
Referee: Mario Yamasaki
ROUND 1- They touch gloves to start as they get to the center of the Octagon. Lentz comes with a combination and immediately looks for the takedown. Dias defends well as Lentz has him against the cage. Lentz pressures for the takedown with a knee to the body as he has the body lock. Dias causes separation and they are back into striking range. Dias looks to land a combination but Lentz goes for the leg. Dias escapes. They both exchange and Lentz lands a nice left hand. Lentz with a nice combination but Dias fires back. Lentz swarms in with some punches that land. Lentz shoots for the takedown but Dias blocks it. Lentz pressures Dias against the cage but Dias shows good takedown defense. Dias switches and tries for a takedown of his own but Lentz blocks it. They switch again and Lentz is back on the attack for a takedown. Dias goes for a trip takedown but Lentz reverses it and gets on top but they get to the feet. Lentz goes for a takedown but Dias grabs the cage to block it and is warned. Lentz has him down but they get back to the feet and switch. Dias has the back of Lentz. Dias looks for the takedown but Lentz keeps it on the feet. They switch and Lentz has double underhooks. They battle against the cage to end the round. Close round. 10-9 Lentz.
ROUND 2- Dias starts with a big right hand that barely misses. Lentz lands a big knee that sends Dias down to the ground and Lentz swarms in. Lentz tries to drag it down but Dias grabs the cage again. He was warned about that between the rounds. Lentz has Dias on the ground and is working from the back. Lentz with some punches to Dias from his back. Lentz continues to land punches as he looks to possibly get a rear-naked choke in. They switch and Lentz is on top of Dias and reigning down some solid ground-and-pound. Lentz in half-guard and he lands an elbow. Lentz is really controlling Dias down on the ground. Dias trying to get back up but Lentz has him solidly on the ground. Dias gets it back up but Lentz has him in a front headlock. Lentz works for the takedown against the cage. Lentz continues with the body lock and Lentz tries to take Dias down but Dias again grabs the fence. Lentz has the back of Dias and gets the fight back to the ground. Lentz is in Dias’ half-guard. Lentz with some elbows on the mat but Dias is trying to cause separation. Lentz on his feet and Dias lands some upkicks. Lentz goes back into Dias’ half-guard and grinds Dias with some elbows. Lentz is grinding away at Dias as Dias struggles to get it back to the feet. Lentz with some punches at the end of the round. 10-9 Lentz.
ROUND 3- Dias fighting with some urgency knowing he probably needs to win the round. They are throwing a ton of punches and Dias had Lentz in trouble. Dias was warned again about the cage grabbing in between rounds. Lentz ties up looking for the takedown but they separate. Both look to land and Lentz grabs a body lock again. Dias has Lentz against the cage but Lentz grabs his neck. Dias with a takedown but Lentz has a guillotine locked it. Dias is surviving as it is not in tight. Dias gets his head out and is on top of Lentz. Lentz with an elbow to the body. Dias switches and has an arm-triangle locked it deep. Lentz is surviving and punches Dias’ body. Lentz escapes the close finish as he is in trouble. Dias remains on top but Lentz is grabbing Dias. Two minutes left in the fight. Lentz working to get the fight back to the feet and Dias is in half-guard. Dias is warned about grabbing Lentz’ shorts on the mat. Dias working again for the arm-triangle but Lentz is showing good defense. Lentz causes separation but Dias gets back into his guard. Lentz has Dias’ arm looking for a kimura but releases it. They get back to the feet with less than a minute left. Lentz looking exhausted but Dias has slowed. Dias with a combination. Lentz returns fire and grabs Dias looking for another takedown. Dias with a short elbow. Lentz goes for the takedown but the round ends. Dias got the round but it may not be enough. 10-9 Dias.
Official Result: Nik Lentz def. Hacran Dias by unanimous decision (28-27, 29-28, 29-28)
