Welcome to the Inside Fights live coverage of UFC 169. We’ll be covering the card live as it happens, so bookmark this page and you can find the PBP for tonight’s card.
As always I’m on Twitter @ScottSawitz, with which you can banter back and forth with me during tonight’s card.
Neil Magny vs. Gasan Umalatov is up first. Umalatov is 4-1 in his last five fights and making his UFC debut. Magny is on a two fight losing streak, losing by decision to Seth Baczynski at Fight for the Troops 3.
Round 1: Magny is using his reach early, pumping the jab to keep the Russian at a distance. Umalatov is looking to counter. Magny lands a nice combination and Umalatov goes for the clinch, Magny out of it and we’re back to the middle of the cage. Umalatov gets the takedown and moves into side control quickly. Magny goes to half guard and is looking to scoot himself out. Umalatov lets him up and we’re back standing. Magny with a double and we get to some cage dancing. Umalatov circles out and we’re back to the center. Umalatov back to countering, Magny looking to keep on the outside. Umalatov is keeping out of range and lands a nice counter, looking for a takedown but can’t get him down. Umalatov in the clinch and goes for the takedown, can’t finish. Magny grabs back and gets the takedown, looking for a rear naked but can’t finish. He doesn’t have enough time to wade through the handfighting and secure it. 10-9 Magny
Round 2: Magny presses again as Umalatov looking to take him down off the counter. He’s not able to do so and Magny is landing some nice punches standing. Wild brawling and we get to the cage against the clinch. Magny with some nice knees as we’re getting some extended jockeying for position. Umalatov out and we’re back to the middle. Umalatov is trying to counter but Magny is putting on some nice combinations. Umalatov is getting a little wild. He’s slipping to the right, as well, which should set him up for a head kick there that Magny hasn’t tried yet. Stiff left from Umalatov and Magny looking for a single. In deep but against the cage. Circle out and back to the middle. Magny is finding his best success right now , keeping his distance with his strikes. Umalatov lands a nice combination and in deep. Magny reverses and grabs back, hooks in and is landing big shots but can’t finish it before the round ends. 10-9 Magny, 20-18
Round 3: Umalatov out more aggressive this round as Magny is circling away and jabbing. He’s looking to counter right now as Umalatov is throwing wild. Magny is coming back and landing cleaner right now. He’s dictating the pace and the exchanges as Umalatov is fighting desperately. Umalatov gets a body lock and gets him to the ground but Magny’s base is good. Magny back up and Umalatov back out. Magny looks great right now as he’s sticking, moving and getting out of the way for counters. Umalatov gets the takedown and Magny in guard, nearly grabs an omaplata but Umalatov gets out. Desperation right now as he’s throwing wild and grabs a clinch against the cage. Magny reverses position and we’re cage dancing right now for a takedown. Umalatov away and throwing wildly until the round ends. 10-9 Magny, 30-27 Magny
Official decision: Magny wins via unanimous decision (29-28,30-27×2)
Tony Martin vs. Rashid Magomedov
Martin is making his debut in the UFC and is 8-0. Magomedov is also making his debut and is on an 8 fight winning streak.
Round 1: Both guys come out tentative. Rashid throws the first two strikes with a pair of leg kicks as Martin grabs the clinch and gets double underhooks. Can’t get him down straight from the clinch and then sweeps him for the takedown and into side control. Martin isn’t doing much as he’s looking to move to mount. Rashid works his way to half butterfly as this is a positional game right now. Martin grabs a kimura out of half guard and scramble gets it deeper. Rashid is defending it beautifully and Martin looks to roll to an armbar. Belly down and Rashid is in agony defending the arm. He gets out though and we’re back standing. Very impressive grit from Rashid and some brilliant grappling acumen from Martin. Not much as the round ends. Martin 10-9
Round 2: Martin goes for the takedown early off the clinch and turns it into a single. He’s against the cage and working for a takedown. Goes for a lateral drop and Rashid gets the takedown. Rashid with some bombs and into half guard. Martin is a little bloody as he’s looking to land some elbows. Martin is playing position and preventing it. Scramble and he’s up, back to the feet. Martin with a nice head kick. Martin is looking to get the takedown again but isn’t fully committing. Magomedov is controlling the fight on his feet as Martin is getting a little sloppy in trying to get close. Martin is circling away and looking to counter but the Russian is patient. Magomedov 10-9, 19-19
Round 3: Magomedov out more aggressive as Martin is looking to set something up on a counter to a takedown and can’t finish. He shoots for a single and the Russian counters, we’re back against the cage. Martin in deep but Magomedov defending well. He’s working hard but the RUssian is defending it masterfully. Magomedov grabs a guillotine and he’s got it deep. Martin’s fighting out of it with a butterfly and he gets out. Magomedov postures up and lands a big shot. Martin is up and Magomedov is landing some big shots standing. That weight cut may have taxed his gas tank a bit as he goes for a deep single. Magomedov is fighting it well. Up against the cage and not much is happening. We get a break with a minute left. Shot from Martin and Magomedov lands some big shots. We get a quick break for the doctor to check out Martin’s face. He’s ok to go with 34 seconds left. Magomedov lands some big shots to the body as Martin goes for a desperate takedown. Up against the cage and nothing, backs out and the round ends. 10-9 Magomedov, 29-28 Magomedov
Official decision: Magomedov wins via decision (29-28×3)
Clint Hester vs. Andy Enz is next.
Enz was the only fight on TUF 17 to go the distance with Urijah Hall in the fight to get into the house. Hester is coming off a win over Dylan Andrews in Australia on the Hunt/Silva undercard.
Round 1: Enz is looking to stay away early and keep away from Hester’s power. Big hook and Enz is down. Back up quick and goes for a double as Hester lights him for a second time. Enz rolls out and Hester smells blood. Enz is a bit wobbly as Hester looking for a kill shot. Enz with a nice counter as Hester is slowing down from the big sprint to the kill he tried. Hester is looking for a one shot right KO right now. Hester’s calmed down as he’s looking for an opening. Enz catches Hester with a nice combination as he comes in as Enz is moving towards that power hand. Enz with a nice body kick, followed by a nice combination. Not much action concludes the round. 10-9 Hester
Round 2: Hester gets a takedown early and moves into side control. Enz is up but he eats some shots on the come up. Enz is using his distance well but Hester is landing big shots on him to keep the advantage. Hester is looking for a counter as Enz comes in and gets bodylocked down for his efforts. Postures up and lands some nice shots. Enz scrambles up and eats some shots on the way up. Enz is being aggressive but eating some big counters every time he comes in. Hester 10-9, 20-18
Round 3: Enz coming out more aggressive this round as he knows he’s down two rounds right now. Hester is patient to set up a counter right now, missing a spinning backfist and landing a head kick. Enz is pumping the jab and keeping his distance, making Hester miss on a couple of counters. Hester is looking to set up a big overhand right and Enz is keeping him from doing so with movement. Enz follows a nice combination with a body kick but he needs to do more. Enz coming in with a big right and gets countered for his efforts. Enz is throwing out some nice combinations as he’s putting some nice punch/kick combos together. Hester has slowed down, considerably, as Enz is outworking him this round. Hester with a nice left hook with 30 seconds left. Hester goes for a late takedown and can’t finish it. Hester with a nice combination to end the round. Enz 10-9, Hester 29-28
Official decision: Hester wins via unanimous decision (30-27×2, 30-26)
Time to switch over to Fox Sports 1 in America, check your local listings elsewhere.
Al Iaquinta vs. Kevin Lee
Round 1: Lee comes out more aggressive and IaQuinta lands a BIG shot that floors him. Iaquinta on the hunt for a kill and can’t finish, back up after an attempt at ground and pound finishing by Iaquinta and we’re back standing. Lee’s gone from being aggressive to tentative based on that big punch alone. Lee with a deep shot, Iaquinta rolls for a leg lock and looks like he has it. He’s going for a heel hook as Lee is playing hand control. Lee is trying to punch his way out and Iaquinta rolls for it again. Lee counters and grabs back, Iaquinta back up and Lee gets out. Some stalking from the two as neither is throwing anything big now. Iaquinta 10-9
Round 2: Lee comes out tentative looking to stay away from that right and uses a head kick to keep him at distance. Lee with a beautiful level change and gets a takedown, grabs back and looks for a body triangle. Rear naked choke and he’s got it in deep. Iaquinta is fighting out of it but it’s not too deep as Iaquinta is hand fighting. He’s out but Lee has that body lock in. He’s trying to roll out but Lee doing a great job with his movement. He gets the RNC in again but Iaquinta is fighting off some more. Some great defense from Iaquinta so far as Lee is working that body triangle and looking to open Iaquinta up for that choke. He’s in survival mode right now, trying to grind the round out on defense. Lee grinds the round on Iaquinta’s back, unable to secure anything but in good position. 10-9 Lee, 19-19
Wouldn’t be shocked if someone scored that 10-8.
Round 3: Iaquinta comes out throwing that right as he hurts him early. Iaquinta is keeping his body low and looking to prevent Lee from shooting in. Lee with another shot on a duck as Iaquinta looks to roll for that ankle again. Can’t complete it, scramble and we’re up. Iaquinta is looking to counter Lee’s duck under to a takedown with uppercuts. Couple of takedowns and Iaquinta stuffs them both. Lee is looking for that takedown to seal the round as Iaquinta is winning the stand up portion. Iaquinta’s adjustments between rounds are exceptional. Another takedown attempt and Iaquinta stuffs it. Iaquinta’s landing some nice combinations this round. Iaquinta turns the pace up as the round ends and lands a nice combination to end the fight. 10-9 Iaquinta, 29-28 Iaquinta
I can see this turning into a draw or a majority decision, as well.
Official decision: Al Iaquinta wins unanimous decision (29-28×2,28-27)
Nick Catone vs. Tom Watson
Round 1: Not much action to start as both guys are feeling each other out early. Catone counters a missed head kick with a nice combination early. Catone is looking to get inside and throw hands but Watson is using movement to keep him away. Catone with a nice right as both guys are a little hesitant right now. Watson is landing some nice leg kicks but he’s not landing flush. Catone goes for the body clinch takedown against the cage and can’t get it. Watson is starting to throw a little more now but neither guy is throwing in volume. Knee from Watson and Catone takes him down, Watson scoots to the cage and gives his back up to Catone to get up. Catone is locked in on him as he’s looking to put the hooks in. Watson with a nice job pulling it out and moving away. Catone changes directions and lands in half guard against the cage with 10 seconds left. Watson back up and eats a punch on the way out as the round ends. 10-9 Catone
Round 2: Watson comes out looking for the counter again as Catone is giving up cage position to Watson. Watson is starting to throw a lot more now as he’s looking to make him fight in a phone booth right now. He’s just not pulling the trigger enough. Both guys aren’t throwing as much as normal. though, as we’re seeing a lot of single strikes. Not a lot of combinations. Catone with another takedown and Watson is back up, a little bit of cage dancing now as Catone is looking to get him back down. Watson with some nice knees to force the break. Catone with another takedown and Watson up after a short while on the mat. Watson lands a nice knee on the exit. 10-9 Catone, 20-18
Round 3: Watson coming out more aggressive as he knows he’s down 2 rounds right now. Watson’s leg kicks are starting to really bother Catone right now and Watson stuffs a takedown attempt. Not much action as this round and Catone gets another takedown with two minutes left. Watson is getting up quickly but Catone is getting the take down regularly (even if he can’t keep him down). Catone with another takedown and gets the hooks in and has less than a minute to work. Watson rolls him off his back but Catone maintains position. Catone grinds out the final moments of the fight. 10-9 Catone, 30-27
Official decision: Catone via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Chris Cariaso vs. Danny Martinez
Round 1: Martinez goes for a takedown right away and we’re against the cage. Cariaso out and we’re back to the middle. Cariaso with some nice kicks as Martinez is looking to close the distance and make this a NAGA match. Martinez is looking to set up his takedown game on the counter and goes for a double again. Cariaso’s takedown defense is pretty slick so far as we’re back against the cage. Not much happening as both guys are struggling for position right now. Martinez backs out as the two have a small flurry going on the exit. Martinez is throwing wild to get inside as Cariaso isn’t winding up with anything. He’s looking to prevent Martinez from getting inside and getting a takedown. Martinez gets in and finally scores the takedown with about 70 seconds or so left. Cariaso is using his back against the cage to get back up as Martinez is looking to pin his legs down. Cariaso gets back up and Martinez lifts him up and slams him to the ground. Cariaso goes for a triangle and can’t sink it in, lands in guard and the round ends. 10-9 Martinez
Round 2: Martinez comes out winging shots as Cariaso is much more technical and picking his spots better. Cariaso is staying on the outside, looking to make Martinez to get inside and light him up before exiting. Martinez is starting to tire down as he’s been throwing some wild, full power shots that haven’t hit. Martinez in deep on a double and Cariaso defending it well. Not much as Martinez works hard for that takedown for a while. Cariaso is back to working his game plan, sticking and moving on the outside. Martinez with some wild strikes again and he’s in on the double again against the cage. He finally drags him down and Cariaso is back up pretty quickly. Back against the cage as Martinez is working for the takedown again. He grinds out the round. 10-9 Martinez, 20-18
Round 3: Cariaso comes out swinging as he’s fighting a bit more desperately this round. Martinez with a big right and Cariaso is a bit wobbly right now. He lands a couple of big shots and he presses Cariaso against the cage, level change and into that double. Cariaso gets out and back tot he middle of the cage. High kick from Cariaso is caught and Martinez with the takedown, lands in full guard with 3 minutes to work with. Cariaso uses his heels to get his way up and Martinez back at it with that double. Cariaso defending welland gets away. Cariaso is staying on the outside and landing impressively right now. Martinez is still throwing wild to get inside and Cariaso has adjusted his footwork accordingly. Cariaso starts lighting him up as the round ends. 10-9 Martinez, 30-27
Official decision: Chris Cariaso via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
John Makdessi vs. Alan Patrick
Round 1: Patrick comes out looking to get the fight to the ground as quick as possible. Nearly gets a takedown in the first 30 seconds as he’s looking to make this a BJJ match ASAP. Makdessi is doing a good job backing out whenever Patrick gets in close, throwing kicks whenever Patrick looks like he’s going to go for a takedown. Patrick’s striking isn’t that great but he’s got some power behind it as Makdessi is watching his distance. Makdessi eats a big knee to avoid another clinch attempt from Patrick. Patrick with a great takedown with under a minute remaining and Makdessi up to his fight quickly. We’re up against the cage now and Patrick is getting stuffed in his attempts at getting a clinch takedown. 10-9 Patrick
Round 2: Makdessi is controlling the center of the cage as he’s looking to counter Patrick when he bulldozes his way inside. Patrick is in for a body clinch but Makdessi is doing a great job keeping this standing. Patrick finally gets a body clinch and takes him down, Makdessi back up but Patrick is hell bent on getting this to the ground. Makdessi gets out and we’re back standing. Patrick is now more measured in his takedown attempts, weary of Makdessi’s offense. They reach a stalemate for the most part as not much is happening. 10-9 Makdessi, 19-19
Round 3: Makdessi comes out more aggressive this round as he’s keeping Patrick on his heels some more. Not much action as Makdessi is looking to set up a big strike and Patrick is looking to set up a takedown, neither doing much. Not much happening this round. Patrick looks like he hurt his leg as he slips and Makdessi lets him back up. He’s limping a bit as Makdessi is controlling the cage right now. Patrick in on a shot and nearly gets the takedown, Makdessi defending it beautifully. Not much action and we get a break from the ref. Not much happens as the fight ends. 10-9 Makdessi, 29-28 Makdessi
Official decision: Patrick via decision (29-28×2, 30-27)
Time to turn over to the Main Card on PPV
Jamie Varner vs. Abel Trujillo
Round 1: Varner is looking to stay away from Trujillo’s power early as Varner has gotten tagged but used his movement to get away. Trujillo is staying disciplined with his trikes as Varner is trying to lure him into a brawl and he’s not taking the bait. Clinch from Varner and he gets the takedown, rolls and grabs back quickly. Varner is looking to work the hook as Varner moves him into North/South and grabs the N/S choke. He’s got it deep as Trujillo is trying to muscle his way out. Varner is really grinding that choke in as he’s working it slowly. Varner looks to move to mount and Trujillo stands up and out. Trujillo catches him with a big shot and we’re wildly brawling. Trujillo is getting more aggressive now as he’s throwing wildly, Varner looking to counter. Wild exchange at the end. Varner 10-9
Round 2: Trujillo comes out throwing as he’s settled into “I want to brawl” mode. Varner is sticking and moving, using footwork to make Trujillo come to him. Varner with a big left and Trujillo is on skates. Trujillo is hanging in and both guys are hurt. Varner with a big exchange and Trujillo wilts, grabs a desperation leg and hammer fists from Varner. Trujillo recovers and is on that single, Varner still landing some hammerfists. Varner back up and we’re against the cage. Varner backs out and now it’s time to throw some wild exchanges. Varner is landing some big shots and Trujillo is in it. Trujillo with an epic left and VARNER GOES OUT. Trujillo was on his way out and ONE PUNCH KNOCKOUT!!!!!
Official decision: Abel Trujillo wins via KO (2:32 of the second round)
John Lineker vs. Ali Bagautinov
Round 1: Bagautinov with a takedown early and Lineker’s in guard. He doesn’t want anything to do with Lineker’s boxing game. Ali is working a fairly suffocating top position game so far. Ali is doing a great job working ground and pound and not giving Lineker any space to move Lineker goes for a leglock and Bagautinov goes for one of his own and we’re in a 50/50 for a minute. Ali with a leg lock of his own and Lineker is trying to punch is way out. Scramble and we’re back to our feet. Lineker taunts the Russian, telling him to keep it standing. Ali is using his movement to stay away and Lineker throws a kick, caught and takedown from the Russian. Lineker goes for a kimura from the bottom and it goes nowhere, Ali grinds him on top to finish the round. Bagautinov 10-9
Round 2: Bagautinov looking to counter to start the round as he’s keeping away from Lineker. He’s looking to tire him down and sap that power from him; he goes for a takedown and can’t connect, gets Lineker against the cage and lands some big shots against the cage. Lineker gets out and Ali is looking to stay away from Lineker’s power shots at all costs. He’s playing a very interesting game this round, moving away and trying to get into a boxing match with a guy that has one punch KO power. He’s doing a great job at staying away but when Lineker connects the damage is noticeable. Lineker is working some nice body shots in and they’ve taken something off of Ali’s takedown tries. Lineker is also avoiding kicks, which Ali has timed on the takedown. Lineker is fighting much smarter this round, staying low and working his way up with punches. Wild exchange to end the round. Lineker 10-9, 19-19
Round 3: Lineker comes out lower to the ground and looking to throw his hands. He’s showing kick but not throwing any so far. AB knows the power and is staying away. Lineker is stalking, loading up and throwing hands. AB grabs a body clinch and a takedown next to the cage. Lineker wall walks up but gets mat-returned. Full mount on the Russian as Lineker looks to work a kimura from bottom, working his way back into half guard. Lineker gets back up and throws a wild shot but AB level changes beautifully and gets the takedown. He’s starting to grind on him right now. Lineker back up and AB is keeping him against the cage. Lineker manages to push his way out and we’re back standing with just over a minute left. AB is moving away from him right now, not wanting to get hit at this point. Deep single and he gets the takedown, 30 seconds left. Lineker rolling for a leglock again but eats some punches for his effort. AB waves to the ground with ten seconds left and the last moments of the fight are him flexing to the crowd. AB 10-9, 29-28
Official decision: Ali Bagautinov by unanimous decision (29-28×3)
Frank Mir vs. Alistair Overeem
Round 1: Mir backs Overeem into the cage after some stalking early and Overeem’s out of it early. Neither guy is throwing much. Overeem is looking to grab the clinch early and lands a knee to the body. Big knee to the face and MIR GOES DOWN! Overeem follows him to the ground is teeing off as Mir goes for a Kimura. Overeem works his way out and is lacing into Mir at this point. Mir with some knees to the body and Mir’s face is smashed in at this point. Mir circles out and we’re back to the middle of the cage. Overeem still looks fresh right now as he didn’t empty his gas tank in the first like he did against Travis Browne. Mir is controlling the center but Overeem is looking for the counter. Mir pulls guard and Overeem takes half guard. Not much is happening as Mir is playing hand control to prevent him from landing anything big. Overeem gets his hands free and lands some shots to the body but MIr is looking to control his posture with his hands. Overeem grinds out the rest of the round. 10-9 Overeem
Round 2: Overeem comes out working his boxing game again. This is a much different Overeem than we’ve seen in a while; he’s patient and methodical. Mir goes in to try and pull guard but Overeem throws across the cage. Mir back to the clinch and eats some knees against the cage. We get a break from the ref and Overeem lands a nice combination. Mir with a wild double and he gets it. Overeem gets the against the cage and goes for a guillotine, can’t finish it as Overee, gives up his neck and nealry gets caught as Mir pulls guard on it. Overeem gets out and lands some big shots as he takes top position. Overeem is content to lay in guard and work ground and pound right now as he’s muscling Mir around. He’s looking to posture up but Mir is doing a good job at preventing it. He’s eating a ton of punishment though. Overeem with some nice elbows as Mir locks guard. MIr is controlling posture and is looking to roll for an armbar but Overeem isn’t allowing it. Mir is looking to stand up but Overeem won’t let him back up. Ref gives them a standup with 10 seconds to go. 10-9 Overeem, 20-18
Round 3: MIr comes out more aggressive but he looks to be spent. Three losses in a row coming in will do that to you, one imagines. Overeem is picking his spot and Mir pulls guard with his “double leg lean back” style takedown try. Overeem is content to hang in guard for a short while. Mir gets stoo d up and another guard pull takedown attempt. Overeem moves into half guard and works some ground and pound. Mir is eating some big shots right now. Mir is trying to bait Overeem in leaving an arm open but he’s eating some massive shots that way. Mir is content to stay in guard and not get finished, it seems, and Overeem stands up. He wants a finish and has tons of gas in the tank. Big right and Mir is a bloody mess. Overeem is setting up something big but waiting for the perfect moment. Fight ends with neither guy doing much. 10-9 Overeem, 30-27
Official decision: Alistair Overeem via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
José Aldo (c) vs. Ricardo Lamas
Round 1: Lamas comes out circling away from Aldo’s power kick as Aldo is patient right now. Aldo with a combination that doesn’t connect. Aldo’s feeling him out right now, trying to find distance. Aldo is starting to pump the jab a little more right as he’s looking to cut the cage off. Aldo’s been checking Lamas’s kicks so far as Lamas is looking to go high. Aldo is looking for his timing right now, nothing more. Under two minutes left and Aldo is starting to be a bit more aggressive now as he’s figured out his timing. Aldo catches a leg kick, lands a flying knee and lands some nice body shots. Lamas circles away and Aldo is being cautious as usual right now. Lamas is throwing a lot of high kicks to make Aldo leery of going in. Aldo is doing a beautiful job cutting the cage off right now as Lamas’s movement is something he’s figured out. FLying knee from Aldo to finish the round that misses, body shots don’t. 10-9 Aldo
Won’t object to Lamas getting that round, though. Very close.
Round 2: Lamas coming out kick heavy to start the round out again. I get what he’s trying to do. He wants Aldo to be hesitant when he comes in lest he eat a head kick. He’s not fast enough on it to do anything but allow Aldo to time him. He’s figured it out right now and is starting to pour it on a bit more. Nice leg kick body punch combination. Aldo is looking to work the body this round and Aldo’s looking to work the inside. He’s also looking for a knee as well. Aldo is also starting to counter Lamas with his right kick and Lamas’s legs are flying whenever Aldo touches them. Lamas needs to start using his wrestling as he’s not going to win a kick boxing match with ALdo. Aldo with a pair of kicks and this is starting to look like Faber/Aldo. Aldo’s landing with his kicks and they’re setting up his hooks. Lamas is slowing down when he moves laterally because Aldo’s lit his leg up. Lamas’s leg is hurt as Aldo cracks him with an uppercut. Aldo is throwing some brutal leg kicks as the round ends. 10-9 Aldo, 20-18
Round 3: Lamas has to do more than try and stand with Aldo at this point. He’s not doing anything Aldo isn’t significantly better than him at. He needs to go hell bent for a takedown and right now all he’s doing is eating kicks. Aldo is styling on him to start the 3rd as Aldo is making him eat some punishment for not wrestling. Lamas goes for a takedown a minute in and can’t complete the takedown. Aldo is in control right now as Lamas isn’t showing anything right now. Aldo is countering everything Lamas is doing right now and Lamas looks completely out of his league right now. Aldo is starting to work the body again as Aldo is putting together some slick combinations. Lamas looks like he’s trying to drag him into deep waters but Aldo looks like he has plenty in his gas tank still. Lamas is starting to push the pace a bit more as the round ends but Aldo looks like he’s got ten more minutes in him, easy. Aldo 10-9, 30-27
Round 4: Lamas goes for the takedown early and Lamas goes for the lift, can’t complete it as Aldo is defending that deep single beautifully. Aldo is defending this beautifully as Lamas is trying to do the cage dance game right now. Aldo reverses and we’re still playing it. Aldo with a foot trip and we’re against the cage still. Aldo with some ground and pound as he’s looking to set up a head arm triangle. Lamas is defending well using a butterfly hook. Lamas is looking to hold and Aldo transitions to back. RNC and Lamas is fighting it off. He’s turning towards it and Lamas is out and back to their feet. Aldo with some elbows against the cage with 20 seconds left. Lamas is desperate for that takedown but can’t get it as the round ends. 10-9 Aldo, 40-36
Round 5: Lamas is down at least three rounds now, probably all four, and everyone knows it. He comes out a little more desperate and goes for the clinch, Aldo with the takedown and Lamas into guard. Lamas is looking to roll for an omaplata but Aldo defends it beautifully. Lamas is trying to get back up but Aldo is just grinding him, keeping him in position. Aldo uses this to take mount fairly effectively. He’s slowly grinding him from mount and Lamas bucks him off. Lamas manages to get top as Aldo grabs guard. Lamas is fighting a little more desperately now, looking to posture and land some shots on Aldo right now. Aldo is defending well with wrist control as Lamas can’t land anything of note. Some big shots from Lamas on top and he needs to go for broke right now. He’s landing some shots on Aldo but he’s not landing massive ones. Aldo is stalling his way on the bottom and Lamas is trying to shake him off. He runs out of time before he can do anything with it. 10-9 Lamas, 49-46 Aldo
Official decision: Jose Aldo wins via unanimous decision (49-46×3)
Renan Barão (c) vs. Urijah Faber
Round 1: Faber much more aggressive to start this fight than their first encounter. He’s moving much more fluidly and goes for a single early. Can’t get it but exits with a big right. Faber goes for a leg kick and trips, Barao nearly grabs his back but Faber scrambles out. Very intriguing fight so far. Faber is looking to throw hands and not switch to grab a single as soon as he can. Faber wades in but eats some punches for his efforts. Barao has got his timing down already and Faber is looking to stick and move, using movement. Barao with a hard leg kick and Barao lands a big sho. Faber down and Barao on the hunt. Barao has him hurt and is going for the kill. Faber wades through the storm but he’s wobbly still. Barao is looking for the kill and eats a big right. Faber goes for single a single and is eating a ton of hammer fists, Faber isn’t defending but gives the thumbs up. Ref stops the fight.
Bara wins via TKO
Official decision: Renan Barao wins via TKO at 3:42 of the first round
