Welcome to Inside Fights’ live coverage of UFC 166 from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The event is headlined by a trilogy fight for the UFC Heavyweight Champion as current champion Cain Velasquez meets former champion Junior Dos Santos once again for the championship. Stay tuned for live play-by-play and results of the entire fight card, which is stacked deep with 13 fights. The first four will air on Facebook, with the next four airing on FOX Sports 1, and then the five-fight main card rounds out the action on pay-per-view. Enjoy the fights everyone.
Dustin Pague vs. Kyoji Horiguchi
Referee: Herb Dean
ROUND 1- Herb Dean is the referee for the night’s opening bout. Pague looks to end a losing streak while Horiguchi makes his UFC debut. They touch gloves to start the fight. Horiguchi strikes first with a leg kick. He’s keeping his hands down and circling. Pague hits Horiguchi and then drags the fight to the ground and gets the body triangle and the back. Pague looking for the choke as they stand up and Pague has a standing rear-naked choke locked in. Going for it early and Horiguchi is in a little bit of trouble. They are backed up against the cage. Horiguchi is out of it but still in trouble though he has arm control. He escapes fully but Pague still has his back on the feet. Horiguchi tries to shake him off as Pague still has the standing body triangle. Horiguchi still tries to shake him off. Pague with a punch from the back. Pague continues to hang on but is losing position and does and Horiguchi switches and has Pague trapped against the fence. Horiguchi looking for a takedown and Pague has a wide base. Horiguchi has a takedown attempt blocked and they break. Pague lands a nice right hand. Horiguchi gets hurt from a knee from Pague but lands a right hand. Pague with a knee to the body and then scores a nice judo throw. Pague with some punches from side control and he switches to guard. Horiguchi lands a big right hand and the round ends. We score the round 10-9 Pague.
ROUND 2- Horiguchi lands a nice left hook to start his attack. He then drops Pague with another big left hook and is attacking with a relentless amount of punches from the top. Pague is eating tons of punches but is hanging on. Horiguchi still has Pague in trouble but Pague survives and grabs a leg. Pague was in real trouble but he sweeps and ends up in Horiguchi’s guard. Horiguchi tries to get this fight up and he does. Knees to the legs against the cage from Horiguchi on Pague. Horiguchi with a trip and gets the fight to the ground. Head-and-arm control by Horiguchi and he goes into half-guard. Pague looks to sweep. Horiguchi with punches from the top. Another series of punches from the top from Horiguchi. Horiguchi with a hammerfist. Pague looks for a submission but gives it up quickly. Horiguchi postures up and lands several big punches from the top. Horiguchi looking to end the fight as he lands more punches from the top. Pague remains in trouble. Horiguchi with more big punches from the top and he goes for the finish again. Pague is in trouble and Herb Dean warns him to fight back. And it is over! Horiguchi ends the fight with some hard ground-and-pound and gains the win in his UFC debut.
Official Result: Kyoji Horiguchi def. Dustin Pague by TKO (punches) at 3:51 of Round 2
Jeremy Larsen vs. Andre Fili
Referee: Jacob Montalvo
ROUND 1- Fili is making his UFC debut but missed weight for the bout though he took it on two weeks’ notice. Larsen looks to end a two-fight losing skid. Fili with a head kick to start. Larsen fires back with punches but Fili comes back with a combination. Fili lands a big right hand and Larsen is in trouble. Larsen goes for a takedown and it is stopped. Fili with a big knee that hurts Larsen and he is cut open. Numerous big knees from Fili against the cage and he switches to a punching attack. Larsen is taking big shots from Fili and is in a lot of trouble but the fight goes on. Larsen looking for the takedown but it is stuffed and Fili lands a big body shot. Larsen can’t get Fili down and Fili lands another big knee as they split. Time is called by the referee to check the cut on Larsen. Larsen gets checked and can continue. The fight resumes and Fili comes on the attack. Larsen lands a punch to the body and then one to the head and Fili is knocked good. Fili lands a right hand. Fili rocks Larsen with another combination. Fili with a right hand and then initiates a clinch and has Larsen against the cage but they break. Larsen lands a right hand and pushes Fili to the ground and gets on top and in the guard. Larsen with some punches from the top. Fili looks to get a triangle choke but Larsen switches positions. Fili looks for a sweep but Larsen goes back into the guard. Fili sweeps and gets to his feet. Fili hurts Larsen with a big combination. Larsen is a bloody mess. Fili lands another right hand and the round ends. Big round for Fili here. We have it 10-9 Fili.
ROUND 2- The doctor checks Larsen before the round. They trade jabs to start the second round. Fili with a nice kick. Larsen goes for a kick but Fili catches his leg and lands two punches. Larsen with a big right hand and Fili barely misses a head kick. They trade combos and Larsen is hurt from a right hand. Larsen is dropped from another combination by Fili and Fili lands some punches on the ground and the referee rushes in to stop the fight. Big win for Fili. Very impressive on short notice and we now have two wins in two UFC debuts.
Official Result: Andre Fili def. Jeremy Larsen by TKO (punches) at :53 of Round 2
Tony Ferguson vs. Mike Rio
Referee: Kerry Hatley
ROUND 1- Ferguson is back following a long layoff, since May 2012. Kerry Hatley will oversee this lightweight bout. Rio with a nice jab to start the fight. Rio looking for the takedown but Ferguson lands a left hook and has a good sprawl to keep the fight on the feet. Rio has double underhooks against the cage but Ferguson causes separation. Ferguson with a nice lead right hand and a nice combination to follow. Rio goes for another takedown but another good sprawl from Ferguson. Knee to the shoulder from Ferguson. They get to the feet and break. Ferguson with a nice combo and hurts Rio with a left hook. Rio goes for the takedown and Ferguson reverses it into a D’arce choke. He has it in tight and Rio taps out! Big submission win for Ferguson in his return as he forces the tap out.
Official Result: Tony Ferguson def. Mike Rio by submission (D’arce choke) at 1:52 of Round 1
T.J. Waldburger vs. Adlan Amagov
Referee: Jason Stafin
ROUND 1- A welterweight bout ends the first round of preliminary bouts. Waldburger is a big crowd favorite being from Texas. Waldburger starts with a leg kick. Waldburger with another leg kick. And another leg kick as Amagov can’t land anything. Amagov misses a head kick. Amagov looking to set up a spin attack. Waldburger misses a takedown attempt. Waldburger has the crowd behind him. Amagov with a spin kick to the body. Waldburger gets stuffed on a takedown attempt but has Amagov against the cage. Amagov showing good balance as he can keep the fight on the feet and stuffing the fight from going to the ground. Amagov with some left hands as Waldburger has the leg and Amagov drops him with a punch. Amagov with some punches from the top and Waldburger has been knocked out cold. The fight is over! Amagov with a big knockout win and he is a scary fighter at 170 pounds. Brutal finish.
Official Result: Adlan Amagov def. T.J. Waldburger by KO (punches) at 3:45 of Round 1
George Sotiropoulos vs. K.J. Noons
Referee: Herb Dean
ROUND 1- We head to FOX Sports 1 for this bout. Both men looking to end losing streaks. Herb Dean is the referee. Nothing thrown in the first 45 seconds, a lot of circling going on. The crowd is booing this fight big time after a minute as there is no action. Sotiropoulos is just circling and Noons is unable to attack. Noons lands a jab to the body. He lands another. Sotiropoulos lands a right hand. Noons with a body jab and Sotiropoulos still circles. The crowd is getting louder with their boos. Noons lands a right hand. Sotiropoulos lands a nice left hand. Noons misses the jab to the body. Noons lands a big left hook that is mostly blocked. Sotiropoulos misses a left hook. Noons is poked in the eye as Sotiropoulos has his hands out and the fight is stopped for a timeout. The fight resumes and Noons chases him around the cage and lands an uppercut. Noons fires off a right hand and Sotiropoulos misses a front kick to the head. Noons with a nice combo as they pick it up. Noons hurts Sotiropoulos with a right hand and fires off on him as the round comes to an end. Not much early but Noons comes on late. 10-9 Noons.
ROUND 2- Noons looking to land the jab to start and hits Sotiropoulos with a right hand. Both trying to land the jab. Sotiropoulos lands a right hand. Sotiropoulos with a head kick as Noons rushes in. Noons just misses an uppercut and Sotiropoulos counters. Both men landing punches in close range but Noons is outlanding him. Sotiropoulos misses a spinning wheel kick. Sotiropoulos shoots for a takedown but it is stuffed and Noons counters with the jab. Noons with a right hand and then an uppercut. Both landing short punches at close range. Noons with a punch to the body. Noons with a big right hand as Sotiropoulos lands a kick to the body. Sotiropoulos then gets Noons down to the ground and against the cage. Noons looking to get the fight back up and does and they split up. Both land left hooks to the body and Noons misses a big punch. Sotiropoulos with a body kick. Noons with a left hook. Both land on strikes and Sotiropoulos lands a head kick. Noons is getting caught as he is changing levels. Both land solid punches as the round begins to wind down. Close round but I give the edge to Sotiropoulos. 10-9 Sotiropoulos.
ROUND 3- Both come into the round firing punches as this fight could be up for grabs. Sotiropoulos with a spin kick followed by a right hand. Noons attacks the body. Sotiropoulos with a leg kick. Noons with a left hand and Sotiropoulos lands one of his own. Sotiropoulos is cut over the left eye. Noons lands a big uppercut. Noons lands a big right hand that hurts Sotiropoulos and wobbles his legs. Sotiropoulos gets back and lands a leg kick. Noons being patient and stuffs a takedown. Noons with a body punch and stuffs another takedown from Sotiropoulos. Noons with a nice combination. Sotiropoulos with a leg kick. Both land a nice punching exchange. Sotiropoulos misses a spin kick. Noons with a right hand. Both land punches and Sotiropoulos misses a takedown. Noons lands a nice punch but eats a leg kick. Noons with a body punch but eats three more leg kicks. Sotiropoulos lands a head kick and Noons is not checking kicks. Sotiropoulos misses a head kick and Noons lands two punches in countering. Noons with a nice right hand. Sotiropoulos with a left hand. Noons just misses a spinning back fist and Sotiropoulos misses a spinning kick. Noons with a big right hand and is on the attack to end the fight. Another close round and close fight overall. 10-9 Noons. We have it 29-28 for Noons.
Official Result: K.J. Noons def. George Sotiropoulos by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Sarah Kaufman vs. Jessica Eye
Referee: Jacob Montalvo
ROUND 1- We have our first women’s bout in some time as both make their UFC debuts. Both exchange punches to start the fight and Eye lands a nice right hand. They exchange leg kicks. Kaufman with a nice double jab and both ladies throw wild punches. They clinch and Kaufman lands a nice knee. Eye with a short elbow as they battle against the cage. Eye with some uppercuts and Kaufman lands a knee as they break the clinch. Eye with a leg kick followed by a right hand. Eye with another leg kick. Kaufman lands two right hands. Eye with a quick jab and Kaufman lands a right hand. They trade combinations in close quarters and then clinch against the cage. Kaufman has her back against the fence but lands some right hands. Eye with a foot stomp. Kaufman lands a knee and then several right hands as they break from the fence. They trade close and both land nice exchanges. Both land combos again and they clinch against the cage. Eye lands a nice combo on the break. Eye with another big right hand. They tie up again and Kaufman gets a knee in. Kaufman with a solid combination. They trade again and then clinch. Kaufman with a right hand. Kaufman with a left hook then a right hand. They’re landing a lot of strikes so far. Eye with a body kick. Nice exchange to end the close round. We’ll give it close to Eye. 10-9 Eye.
ROUND 2- Eye comes out looking to land the jab. Kaufman with a leg kick. Kaufman lands a nice combo. Kaufman with a right hand then followed by two more and they clinch. Kaufman with a knee and they break. Both land nice combos. Kaufman lands a big right hand and they clinch again. Kaufman and Eye both land right hands as they break. Kaufman misses a big right hand. Kaufman lands a short right hand and then a leg kick. They both land punches in close range and then regain posture. Eye with a body kick. Kaufman lands a big right hand and then rushes in and both land combos out of the clinch. Kaufman lands a right hand and Eye is forced to initiate a clinch. Eye with some foot stomps and Kaufman lands a right hand on the break. Kaufman’s left eye is beginning to swell up. Kaufman with a right hand and they clinch. Kaufman with knees in the clinch. More knees from Kaufman and Eye fires back some knees as well. They each trade knees again. They break but not before Kaufman lands a short elbow. Eye with a right hand and then a left. Kaufman with a leg kick and then a combo. Kaufman lands a right hand. Eye with a leg kick and then another. Kaufman with a leg kick and another close round ends. Tough one to call but we’ll go for Kaufman. 10-9 Kaufman.
ROUND 3- The crowd comes alive for the final round. Eye with the double jab. Kaufman with a right hand. They trade punches and Kaufman lands a big right hand. They clinch against the cage and Kaufman has Eye against the fence. They trade knees. Kaufman with a right hand. Eye with a good right hand as Kaufman lands a leg kick. Kaufman comes back with a right hand. Kaufman with a right hand and both land knees as they tie up and Kaufman lands a right hand on the break. Eye with an inside leg kick. Kaufman lands a combo and Eye lands a body kick. They trade in close range. Kaufman with a short leg kick. Both trade combos. Kaufman rushes for a takedown but they clinch against the fence. Both land knees as Eye is pressed against the cage. Kaufman with a short elbow. Eye lands a good right hand as they break. Kaufman rocks Eye with a big right hand and Eye is in trouble. Kaufman tries to finish it as Eye is surviving. Eye’s chin is straight in the air. They clinch and Eye pushes Kaufman against the fence. Kaufman with a knee. Eye survived and is being told to keep it pressed against the fence. They break and Eye lands a left hand. Kaufman with three big right hands but Eye lands a right hand in retaliation. Eye with a nice left jab. Kaufman comes with a fury and hurts Eye again as Eye fires back to end the fight. Good fight. 10-9 Kaufman and we have it 29-28 Kaufman.
Official Result: Jessica Eye def. Sarah Kaufman by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Nate Marquardt vs. Hector Lombard
Referee: Jason Stafin
ROUND 1- Lombard makes his welterweight debut and both look to get back into the win column. Marquardt with a front kick to start his attack. Lombard misses a big right hook. Marquardt with a series of high kicks. Marquardt with a leg kick. Lombard lands a right hand. They clinch and both land big strikes. Lombard lands on the break. Lombard with a big left hand and Lombard is on the attack. Lombard chases Marquardt and knocks him down with a right hand. Several punches on the ground and Marquardt is out! Lombard with the big win in his welterweight debut. He is gonna be scary at 170 pounds.
Official Result: Hector Lombard def. Nate Marquardt by KO (punches) at 1:48 of Round 1
Tim Boetsch vs. C.B. Dollaway
Referee: Kerry Hatley
ROUND 1- We are down to our final preliminary bout. Dollaway replaced Luke Rockhold. Boestch has lost two straight fights. Kerry Hatley is the referee. Boetsch with a leg kick to start and then eats a right hand to the body from Dollaway. Both trade leg kicks but Boestch grabs Dollaway’s leg and kicks him down to the ground. Dollaway misses a right hand but lands one on an exchange. Boetsch lands a right hand that fazes Dollaway. Dollaway with two leg kicks. Boetsch backs him up with a right hand. Dollaway with a leg kick but Boetsch briefly grabs his leg. Dollaway with a left hook. Dollaway taunts and lands a leg kick then a left hook. Boestch with a body punch and gets a brief takedown but Dollaway right back up. Boetsch with a leg kick. Dollaway with a head kick. Dollaway with a body punch and then a leg kick. Boetsch with a left hook and Dollaway throws his hands up and is baiting him in. Dollaway then attacks with kicks and punches. Dollaway with a left jab and lands a kick. Dollaway gets the clinch and lands some nasty knees. They break and Boetsch lands a left hand. Dollaway with a big left hook that stuns Boetsch. Boestch lands an uppercut then a right hand. Dollaway comes back with a head kick. Boestch with a leg kick. Dollaway with some uppercuts and the round comes to an end. 10-9 Dollaway.
ROUND 2- Dollaway starts with a left hook. Boetsch with a front kick. Both land left hands and Dollaway drops for a takedown and completes it and is looking to keep the fight planted on the ground. He does and is inside the full guard of Boetsch. Dollaway steps over to half-guard and lands an elbow from the top to the body. Boetsch looks for a sweep and a reversal. Boestch escapes and Dollaway is looking for a choke but both get up and they break. Boetsch with a big knee and blocks a takedown attempt from Dollaway. Dollaway with a knee and drops for a takedown but good sprawl from Boetsch. Boestch has a standing guillotine but Dollaway escapes and grabs a leg but loses it. Boetsch is on top and landing to the head from the back. Boetsch with a knee to the body and they get to their feet. Dollaway with an elbow and uppercut. Boetsch pushes Dollaway against the fence. Dollaway with an elbow and they split. Boetsch with a right hand that causes Dollaway to smile. Dollaway ducks under a right hand and scores with a takedown. Boetsch has an arm extended and looking for the kimura but is in the wrong position. Boetsch still looking for it but Dollaway landing punches from the top. Dollaway with elbows from the top and the round concludes. 10-9 Dollaway.
ROUND 3- Dollaway lands a nice jab to start but Boetsch lands a leg kick. Dollaway with a leg kick and then pokes Boetsch in the eye. Boetsch goes down in pain and a timeout is called. Boetsch is bleeding from the eye after the eye poke. The doctor checks him out and Boetsch can continue. Back to action and Boetsch is coming on the attack. Boetsch with two big right hands and stuffs a takedown. Boetsch lands a right hand and they clinch against the cage but Dollaway escapes. Big leg kick from Boetsch. Boetsch with a left hook and Dollaway pokes him in the eye again. Another break and the crowd boos. Dollaway gets a point taken away. Boetsch with a big right hand and he is firing away. He lands a kick to the body and goes for a guillotine but Dollaway reverses it to a takedown. Dollaway in the full guard. Boetsch trying to escape from the bottom and but Dollaway gets the mount. Dollaway on top but Boetsch pushes off the cage and gets the fight to the fight. Dollaway with a knee in the clinch and they break. Deep breath from both. Boetsch with some leg kicks. Dollaway lands a right hand and Boetsch looks exhausted. Dollaway with a right hand and Boetsch lands an uppercut. Big right hand from Boetsch and then backs Dollaway up with another right hand. They trade punches and tie up. Boetsch has double underhooks and pushes the fight against the cage. Dollaway tries a takedown but Boetsch reverses into a guillotine but they scramble and Dollaway is out. Both men looking for a choke in the final seconds but the fight ends. The crowd boos when Dollaway puts his hands up and cheer when Boetsch does. Boetsch gets the round and it is a 10-8 round due to the point deduction. We have it a 28-28 draw.
Official Result: Tom Boetsch def. C.B. Dollaway by split decision (30-26, 27-29, 30-26)
John Dodson vs. Darrell Montague
Referee: Jacob Montalvo
ROUND 1- We open the main card with Montague making his UFC debut. Both coming out as southpaws. Dodson throws a left hand early but Montague comes back with a knee. Montague with a leg kick. Dodson lands a big left hand. Montague with a jab and then a leg kick. Dodson returns with his own left hand and leg kick. Dodson fakes with a left and then lands a right hand. Montague misses a leg kick. Dodson throws a punch at Montague’s knee. Montague with a leg kick. Dodson lands a left hand. Dodson with a leg kick. Dodson drops Montague with a left hand and then picks him up and throws him down. Dodson looking for the finish but Montague is hanging on as Dodson lands a lot of punches. Montague survives and looks for a takedown but gets back up. Dodson with more left hands that are hurting Montague. He survived, big heart from Montague. Dodson with another left hand. Dodson with a body punch but Montague lands a combo. Dodson rushes in and lands a left hand over the top. Dodson lands another left hand and Montague falls face first and this fight is stopped! Big knockout win for Dodson.
Official Result: John Dodson def. Darrell Montague by KO (punch) at 4:13 of Round 1
Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Shawn Jordan
Referee: Jason Stafin
ROUND 1- We have heavyweight action now as both look for another win in the Octagon. Gonzaga with a big leg kick to start. He misses another. Gonzaga fires off some punches that back Jordan up. Gonzaga with a body punch and then goes to the head. Gonzaga with a right hand. Gonzaga with a leg kick. Jordan with a left hand. Gonzaga knocks Jordan down with a right hand and starts unloading punches. And it is all over! Gonzaga with the knockout win! It was a right hand on a counter that dropped Jordan and he was finished with several punches on the ground.
Official Result: Gabriel Gonzaga def. Shawn Jordan by TKO (punches) at 1:33 of Round 1
Gilbert Melendez vs. Diego Sanchez
Referee: Kerry Hatley
ROUND 1- This one could be good. Sanchez rushes in quickly as the fight begins. Melendez with an early kick. Melendez misses a head kick and is taken down by Sanchez. Sanchez has the back and a standing rear-naked choke but Melendez escapes. Melendez with a big body punch against the cage on Sanchez. Sanchez circles away. Melendez with a body punch. Leg kick from Sanchez. Melendez with a ducking right hand. Melendez with a leg kick. Sanchez with a head kick. Melendez with a big right hand. Sanchez goes for the takedown and it is stuffed and he eats a knee on the way up from Melendez. Melendez with a leg kick and stuffs a takedown. Melendez with a body shot. Melendez lands a right hand. Sanchez just misses a kick. Melendez with an uppercut as Sanchez comes forward. Melendez with two big right hands. Sanchez with a body kick. Melendez lands a nice combo and Sanchez is cut open. They trade exchanges. Sanchez misses a right hook. Melendez stuffs a takedown and lands a punch. Melendez with a body punch but Sanchez fires over the top in retaliation. Sanchez with two body kicks. They trade combos in close range and both wobble. Melendez catches a leg kick. Melendez with a head kick and they swing to end the round but Sanchez is dropped in it. 10-9 Melendez.
ROUND 2- Melendez fires a right hand to start the second round. Sanchez with a leg kick. Melendez with a body punch. Melendez lands another right hand. Sanchez misses an overhand right. Melendez with a right hand and they exchange at close range and both land nice right hands. They are slugging away at each other and this is fun to watch. Melendez with a leg kick. The referee calls for time to check the cut over Sanchez’ eye. It is a big cut but he is fine and continues. Melendez gets in a nice right hand. Melendez with a leg kick. Sanchez misses a flying knee and backs Melendez up with a combination. They trade punches against the cage and Melendez lands to the body and head. Sanchez lands a left hand and Melendez counters with a right. They trade again. Sanchez slips on a kick and Melendez tries to take advantage but Sanchez gets back up. Melendez lands a big right hand as Sanchez misses a combo, good timing by Gilbert. Sanchez lands a body kick. Melendez nails Sanchez with a series of combos. Sanchez goes for a takedown and gets it but they get right back up. Sanchez fires away. They trade again but Sanchez is eating more punches. Sanchez misses a big head kick. Sanchez misses a takedown as Melendez sprawls. A nice knee landed on the break. Melendez rocks Sanchez as he rushes in as we conclude round two. This fight is fun. 10-9 Melendez.
ROUND 3- Sanchez may need a finish in this round. Melendez with a front kick. Melendez lands a right hand and Sanchez lands an uppercut. Melendez lands a nice combo. Speed advantage for Melendez. They trade big punches in close range and both got rocked just a little. Deep breath from Sanchez as Melendez lands a right hand. They trade a huge amount of punches and they are blasting each other and the crowd goes wild. They had to have traded 15 punches a piece. Still after it and this is bonkers! Sanchez with a head kick. Melendez with a big right hand. Sanchez is bleeding badly. Melendez with another combo as Sanchez is out of his groove. They call time to check the cut on Sanchez and the crowd boos. He is badly bleeding. The doctor says let him go and we continue this war. Sanchez with a body kick. Melendez lands a right hand as Sanchez lands a leg kick. Sanchez misses a head kick. They trade punches again and the crowd is going wild again. They trade again and Sanchez rocks Melendez. Sanchez knocks Melendez down and takes the back of Melendez. Sanchez looking for the choke and he locks in the guillotine and Melendez escapes! Wow! This fight is awesome. They get up and Melendez lands a knee and an elbow. Crazy fight. Melendez lands a big combination. Melendez gets a takedown but they get up. Melendez has the back. Sanchez hits the switch and reverses but they break. Sanchez with a body kick. This place is bananas. They trade another series of punches as the fight ends. CRAZY fight. Amazing. 10-9 Sanchez. 29-28 Melendez.
Official Result: Gilbert Melendez def. Diego Sanchez by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
Daniel Cormier vs. Roy Nelson
Referee: Jacob Montalvo
ROUND 1- We have a big heavyweight co-main event going down now. Both men have slimmed down for this fight. Nelson misses a big left hook to start the fight as Cormier circles around. Both miss on jab attempts. Cormier lands the first punch. Nelson misses a punch and Cormier counters with a takedown and has Nelson down on the ground. Cormier in the guard of Nelson and looking for a choke. Cormier has Nelson in a cradle and is smothering him thus far. Cormier with punches from the top. Cormier postures up and Nelson springs to his feet but Cormier is hanging on to him. Cormier has the body lock on Nelson and is trying to drag him back down. Cormier with a big knee as he goes for a single-leg. Nelson looking for a kimura on the feet as Cormier is looking to get it back down. Cormier escapes the arm and is switching his wrestling technique and putting constant pressure on Nelson. Still on the feet but against the cage. Cormier with a big knee to the body of Nelson against the fence. They break for a moment and Cormier lands a body punch and then a knee. Cormier then lands a shot low and a timeout is called. They continue. Cormier with a high kick that is checked. Nelson looking to land that big right hand. Cormier with a double jab. Nelson lands that right hand but Cormier isn’t fazed. Cormier rocks Nelson with a left hand and then a head kick. Cormier ducks under the right hand from Nelson and then lands a left hand. Nelson misses that right hand and Cormier smiles. Round over. 10-9 Cormier.
ROUND 2- Nelson starts with the double jab. Cormier misses a right hand. Cormier ducks under as Nelson looks to unload with that right hand. Cormier stumbles after taking a punch but recovers. Cormier with a leg kick. Cormier lands a left hook. Cormier with a front kick. Nelson lands a right hand. Cormier lands a nice combination and pushes Nelson against the cage. The corner yells for Cormier to work the body. Cormier with a knee and Nelson forces a separation. Cormier with a nice combo then takes down Nelson but they get right back up. Cormier misses a right hand but pushes Nelson against the cage. Cormier looking for the takedown but Nelson has his neck but he pops out. Cormier with a nice uppercut. Cormier with a knee and they break. Cormier lands a nice combination. Nelson lands a right hand. Nelson takes a deep breath. Cormier lands a right hand. Cormier with a leg kick. Nelson with his own leg kick. Cormier lands a combo. Cormier with a front kick and then lands a switch kick. Cormier with a combo but Nelson covers up. We are headed for the third. 10-9 Cormier.
ROUND 3- Nelson needs a knockout. Cormier with a front kick. Cormier with an inside leg kick and then another. Nelson with a body punch and is looking to set up that big right hand. The crowd begins to boo. Cormier with a nice leg kick and then another. Nelson with a left hand. Cormier lands a right hand. Cormier with a spinning back kick that transitions into a fist. Cormier with a big front kick. Cormier lands a nice combo. His speed is way too fast for Nelson right now. Cormier with a body kick. Cormier lands some nice right hands and then again as they collide. Cormier with a front kick followed by two more kicks. Cormier with a nice jab as Nelson just misses a right hand. Nelson pushes Cormier back with a double jab. Cormier with a big right hand and transitions that into a takedown. They get right back up. Cormier with a push kick. Cormier with a head kick and then goes low and lands high with a kick. One minute left. Nelson going for a big punch. Cormier with another series of kicks. Nelson misses an uppercut. Cormier with a double jab and then lands a right hand. They tie up and Nelson lands body punches. Cormier lands a series of punches and Nelson stumbles. Nelson runs in with a leg kick and the fight goes the distance. 10-9 Cormier. 30-27 Cormier.
Official Result: Daniel Cormier def. Roy Nelson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Cain Velasquez vs. Junior Dos Santos
Referee: Herb Dean
ROUND 1- Time for the main event, the trilogy bout for the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Herb Dean will officiate tonight’s main event. And here we go! Dos Santos hurts Velasquez with the first punch and Velasquez goes for the takedown. He gets him down and is attack with left hands and Dos Santos catches Velasquez. Amazing first 30 seconds. Velasquez goes for the takedown and has Dos Santos against the cage. Velasquez with right hands in the tie up. Crowd chanting for Cain as they break. Both land right hands and Velasquez pushes Dos Santos against the cage. Velasquez with underhooks and gets a knee. They break. Dos Santos stumbles on a head kick. Velasquez pushes Dos Santos against the cage again and lands a knee. Knees to the thigh by Velasquez. Velasquez gets the takedown and is looking for a choke as he has mount. Into half-guard and landing from the top. Dos Santos with an elbow from the bottom. Velasquez with a big elbow. Velasquez tries to go to mount but takes the back and keeps Dos Santos down on the ground. Dos Santos gets up but eats a knee as Velasquez drops back down. Dos Santos lands a punch to the back of the head. They’re on the feet against the fence. Velasquez with a big punch and Dos Santos is tired already. Dirty boxing from Velasquez. Velasquez with more pressure as he has landed a ton of strikes so far. Knees from both men. They split and Dos Santos misses a spin kick to end the round. 10-9 Velasquez.
ROUND 2- Dos Santos lands two jabs but Velasquez comes back with a left hook. Dos Santos with a kick and Velasquez grabs the leg and gets Dos Santos down again but he gets right back up. Velasquez with more pressure against the fence. Knees to the legs from Velasquez. Velasquez with some punches as the crowd begins to chant for ‘Cigano’. Velasquez fires off with some punches and goes back to his wrestling. They break. Velasquez with the double jab and they tie up again. Velasquez attacks the body. Velasquez with more knees in the clinch but they break. Velasquez goes for another takedown and pushes the fight against the cage again. They break. More knees from Velasquez. Dos Santos with a brief takedown but Velasquez rocks him on the way up and Dos Santos’ face is starting to swell up. Velasquez with more knees in the clinch. Dirty boxing from Velasquez. They break for a moment but get back into a clinch against the cage. Velasquez is setting a relentless pace. Velasquez closes the distance every time they break and Dos Santos has no answer. Big punches from Velasquez as the round ends. 10-9 Velasquez.
ROUND 3- Velasquez with a left hand but Dos Santos lands a right hand. Velasquez pushes Dos Santos against the cage and is going to the takedown. Velasquez with a big uppercut. Velasquez lands a big right hand. They are tied up against the cage once again. Knees to the legs to Dos Santos from Velasquez. Short punches from Velasquez and back to the knees. The crowd is booing but Velasquez is doing what he needs to do to win. Elbow from Dos Santos. They break. Dos Santos lands a right hand. They tie back up against the fence. Dos Santos can’t avoid the tie ups. Velasquez misses a head kick. Dos Santos has his leg caught on a kick and back against the fence but the split. Velasquez drops Dos Santos with a big right hand and is landing a bunch of punches. He survives and gets back up but goes down again. Velasquez has his head for a choke but lets go. This fight is close to being stopped. Velasquez lands more big punches and Dos Santos is on wobbly legs trying to survive. They are tied up and this fight was close to ending. Velasquez with a short left hand. More punches from Velasquez as he lands a good left hand. Velasquez lands two more big right hands but Dos Santos somehow stays on his feet. He gets lit up again by Velasquez. Dos Santos somehow survived but big round for Velasquez. 10-8 Velasquez.
ROUND 4- Big reaction from the crowd to start the fourth round. Dos Santos with a left hook but gets rocked against the cage. They tie back up. Amazing heart from Dos Santos. Velasquez lands a big flurry against the cage but Dos Santos somehow survives and the fight goes on. Velasquez has landed tons of punches. Tied up against the cage and Velasquez rocks Dos Santos again. He isn’t chasing the knockout and is fighting smart right now. They break again and Velasquez lights Dos Santos up as Dos Santos misses some punches. Foot stomps from Velasquez in the clinch. Elbow from Dos Santos. Velasquez with a short left and they tie back up. Dos Santos’ face is a mess. Dos Santos lands a right hand as they break. Velasquez with a body kick. Dos Santos lands an uppercut and Velasquez goes back to the takedown attack. Velasquez with an elbow. Dos Santos is a bloody mess with a big cut over his left eye. The doctor lets the fight continue after a timeout to check the cut. Dos Santos lands a jab but Velasquez lands a combo and ties them up. Elbow from Dos Santos but he is rocked by a right hand. Dos Santos is having trouble with the cut as he keeps wiping his face. Two left hooks from Velasquez. They tie back up against the fence. Elbow from Velasquez. We are going to the fifth round but Velasquez is dominatin. 10-9 Velasquez.
ROUND 5- Dos Santos is a mess and is being checked by the doctor. They let him continue. Time for the final round. Velasquez lands a left hook but Dos Santos lands two right hands. Velasquez scores a takedown and is in the guard. Dos Santos rolls to his back and Velasquez attacks from the back and is landing punches. Dos Santos gets back up and they’re against the fence. Velasquez with two left hands in the clinch. Velasquez with right hands. More dirty boxing from Velasquez. Velasquez looks to get the fight to the mat but Dos Santos keeps it on the feet. Velasquez with an uppercut. Dos Santos throws elbows and Velasquez drops back in for the takedown. Knees from Velasquez. Knee from Dos Santos and they break. Big right hand from Velasquez and then another. Dos Santos drops down for a guillotine but Velasquez escapes and Dos Santos stays down. Two right hands from Velasquez and Herb Dean stops the fight! Velasquez retains the title and dominates Dos Santos! Dos Santos fell face first going for the choke and was out as his face hit the mat and it was done then.
Official Result: Cain Velasquez def. Junior Dos Santos by TKO (strikes) at 3:09 of Round 5
Cain Velasquez remains the UFC Heavyweight Champion.
