The day isn’t over for MMA heads, of course, as the World Series of Fighting is providing a really great card tonight as well.
I’ll be here, live, to walk you through the action of the main card.
MAIN CARD (NBC Sports Network, 9 p.m. ET):
Justin Gaethje (9-0) vs. Dan Lauzon (17-4)
Lauzon is the younger brother of UFC veteran Joe Lauzon and had a stint in the UFC himself once upon a time.
Round 1: JG pushes forward and we wind up in the clinch pretty quick. Lauzon’s got some power in his hands and JG is looking to stick and move. These guys are throwing bombs early and Lauzon eats some big shots. Body shot and Lauzonis a little wobbly. Not a lot of strategy so far, just two guys throwing full power shots early. Not sure how long that pace will last. Mainly both guys are just pushing straight forward and throwing power shots right now. JG is landing some nice combinations. Lauzon eats some inside leg kicks and looks like he’s hurt; JG is pushing the pace and starts to follow up leg kicks with punch follows. Spinning back elbow lands and JG is starting to use elbows and uppercuts. Leg kcicks and Lauzon is hurt. He’s gimping and JG smells blood. He’s targeting that right leg and Lauzon might not make it to round 2. Lauzon with a nice shot to end the round, as JG falls and he lands in side control. 10-9 Gaethje
Round 2: JG is going back to that leg as Lauzon is really gimpy on it. Lauzon is trying to move away and using jabs to try and keep him away. JG lands a big hook and follows it with an uppercut, Lauzon is out and it’s over.
Gaethje wins via TKO (strikes) at 1:40 of the second round
Marcelo Alfaya (15-6) vs. Jon Fitch (24-5)
Round 1: Fitch going to Fitch as he’s looking to get inside and go for the double. 30 seconds in and we’re against the cage. Alfaya reverses and gets a double of his own. Alfaya on top and he manages to get back on Fitch; he’s got a body triangle and has trapped one arm in it. Alfaya is looking for a rear naked choke and Fitch is fighting him off. Alfaya spends the round on his back to grab the RNC and Fitch plays hand control to kepe him off. This looked nearly exactly like Fitch/Maia rd 1. Fitch gets up late but doesn’t have time to do anything with it. 10-9 Alfaya
Round 2: Fitch grabs the double early and drags him to the ground quickly. Alfaya gets back up and takes Fitch down and Alfaya grabs back again. Fitch scrambles out and presses Alfaya against the cage. Alfaya reverses and we’re cage dancing at the two minute mark. Alfaya gets the takedown and gets back again. Fitch with a nice uppercut as Fitch is pushing the pace. Alfaya looks a bit gassed now, strength wise, from all that grappling. Alfaya back to the cage, Fitch backs off and final seconds are spent in a sloppy brawl. 10-9 Alfaya, 20-18 Alfaya
Very close round … I could see this being 19-19 right now.
Round 3: Alfaya is noticeably slower as Fitch is really starting to work the pace. He needs to let his hands go right now and outwork him. He’s really working his hands now as Alfaya is eating a lot of punishment right now. Alfaya with a shot and Fitch defends it well. We get against the cage as Fitch is looking to try and get this to the ground. Alfaya circles out and Fitch lands some strikes, looking for a body clinch. Alfaya reverses and nearly gets the takedown. Fitch’s striking is something. Fitch comes in and is starting to land some big power shots. He wants the finish and Alfaya goes for the desperate takedown. Fitch looking for a front choke and can’t complete it. Alfaya presses him against the cage as Fitch lands some body shots. Alfaya gets the takedown and gets back, thrown off and Fitch lands some shots. He’s gone and survives until the end of the round. 10-9 Fitch, 29-28
Not confident in that, though … I think we’re looking at a split decision. However you gave the second will determine the fight.
Official decision: Fitch wins by split decision (29-28 Fitch, 29-28 Alfaya, 29-28 Fitch)
Carson Beebe (14-2) vs. Marlon Moraes (11-4)
Round 1: Beebe comes out swinging as he wants to get in close. Moraes is sprawling and brawling, showing good takedown defense. Beebe’s getting clipped and goes down :33 in. Ref stops it.
Marloe Moraes wins via KO (punches) at :33 of the first round
Josh Burkman (26-9) vs. Steve Carl (20-3)
Round 1: Some feeling out to begin with. This is five rounds and neither guy is going to blow their gas tank early. Some light striking and then Carl goes for the takedown. Burkman gets the takedown and gets top position early. Carl back up and Burkman circles out. Carl goes in close again and Burkman gets the takedown, Carl working a half butterfly guard. He moves to full guard and Burkman pushes him against the cage. He’s looking to move to a crucific and Carl is defending well. Carl rolls for a toe hold but can’t finish. Carl works his way back up but the round ends before he can do anything of note. Burkman 10-9
Round 2: Carl gets in close and grabs a single, Burkman goes for a guillotine and can’t finish. Carl manages to get on his back and Burkman dives into his guard. Carl works for a triangle but defended well. Some sloppy boxing as both guys are just winging single punches out there. Carl is trying to get in close and Burkman is keeping his distance. Carl grabs a double and gets it, Burke on his back. Carl moves into mount and is working some ground and pound. Burkman gets back into half guard and Carl grinds the round out from top position, landing strikes. He nearly gets a D’arce and an armbar but can’t, either. 10-9 Carl, 19-19
Round 3: Both guys coming out swinging until Carl grabs a single. Can’t finish and BUrkman gets up, Carl back in on the double and drags him down. Burkman defending well and back up quickly, though, as Carl pins him against the cage. He gets him down and into side control. Knee to belly gets mount, Burkman rolls to his back and Carl has a deep rear naked choke in. He’s fighting it off well, though, as Carl is trying to finish with one arm. He gets out and back to our feet with two minutes left. Carl goes for the double and Burkman gets a front headlock on him. He grabs a guillotine and rolls to mount. but doesn’t have it gripped. Carl gets out but Burkman’s got mount. Carl escape out the back and grabs a double, guillotine attempt again that doesn’t connect. Carl rolls to his back and gives up side control. Burkman with an arm triangle but he can’t complete. Ends round in full guard. 10-9 Burkman, 29-28 Burkman
Round 4: Carl in deep early and gets the takedown. Scramble and Burkman winds up on top. Carl throws a triangle in and Burkman goes to sleep.
Steve Carl wins via technical submission at 1:00 of the fourth round
