Welcome, fight fans, to our live coverage of UFC 171 from the first fights on Fight Pass to the PPV itself. Stay tuned for live results and PBP as it happens.
Fight Pass card is up and we’re going to be live in a little bit.
Daniel Pineda vs. Robert Whiteford
Round 1: Whiteford comes out looking to manage distance; he’s going to be fairly awful on the ground against someone with a grappling prowess like Pineda. Hard kick from Pineda and he goes in for the clinch, Whiteford presses him against the cage and we’re playing the cage dancing game. Not much happening as both guys aren’t doing much but fight for position. Whiteford gets the takedown and Pineda’s right back up. He double him down again and I’m shocked at how good Pineda is looking on the ground. Pineda is looking to wall walk and Whiteford is pressing him against the cage. Pineda back up though as this is becoming about winning position more than anything else. We get a break at the 90 second mark and we’re back to the middle. Pineda leads with an uppercut and he’s starting to come after Whiteford. Pineda looks to get in deep and Whiteford fights him off fairly well. Not a bunch of action as Whiteford is looking for the counter and Pineda is having to try and corner him unsuccessfully. Whiteford 10-9
Round 2: Whiteford with the takedown right off the back and Pineda grabs an open guard. Whiteford is looking to pass but Pineda is doing a good job at keeping him from doing it. Whiteford is keeping the fight there with just enough ground and pound, backs out completely and Pineda with the elevated takedown. He nearly grabs back and Whiteford is up and out. Back standing. Whiteford lands some nice strikes as Pineda is busted open. He’s still moving forward as Whiteford is looking to counter, catches a leg kick and nearly takes him down. Pineda eats a huge leg kick and Whiteford’s in on a takedown, still standing as Whiteford is looking to drag him down. Pineda rolls for a knee bar and grabs it, Whiteford winds up on top as Pineda can’t complete it. He’s in side control and scramble gets them up. Whiteford with a nice knee to the body as Pineda is looking to stand. Whiteford with a nice knee as he’s standing up and Pineda is bleeding like crazy. Round ends as Whiteford circles his way out. Whiteford 10-9
Round 3: Whiteford in on the takedown early and lands into half guard. Pineda is using butterfly guard sporadically but Whiteford is doing a good job or working his way out of it. Whiteford’s taking a fairly simple approach to his grappling; he’s playing it safe in top control, keeping everything close and preventing Pineda from setting anything up. 80 seconds in and we get a stand up as Whiteford isn’t doing much. Pineda is starting to push the pace more as Whiteford looks gassed. Spinning back fist and takedown, Pineda rolls to a knee bar and Whiteford rolls his way out. Scramble to standing. Whiteford takes him down again and Pineda is looking to sweep his way out. Whiteford is laying and praying his way. Pineda grabs a triangle but Whiteford pulls his way out. Back into side control. Pineda works his way into full guard and we get a standup right at the minute mark. Whiteford goes for the takedown and Pineda gets. 30 seconds left and he’s trying to free up a leg but Whiteford is holding on to dear life right now. He’s looking to grab a kimura with 10 seconds left and Whiteford holds on. 10-9 Pineda, 29-28 Whiteford
Official decision: 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28 for Whiteford
Robert McDaniel vs. Sean Strickland
Round 1: Both guys come out throwing, slip by Strickland early. Strickland comes out throwing a lot of Muay Thai kicks and McDaniel has no problem getting into a kickboxing match early. Bubba comes in charging and Strickland with a nice flurry. Bubba in on the takedown, Strickland elevated but prevents him from being slammed. Now we’re against the cage and trading position. Strickland gets the takedown but McDaniel hips out, Strickland right on him and gets the takedown again. Now he’s into half guard and looking to posture. All the way up and tries to land a big shot, can’t land it though. Strickland landing some nice elbows as McDaniel keeps trying to get up. Strickland’s getting vicious with his strikes as McDaniel is eating a ton of shots. Bubba winds up giving his back and Strickland with the RNC and tap.
Sean Strickland wins via submission (rear naked choke) at 4:33 of the first round
Will Campuzano vs. Justin Scoggins
Scoggins is a heck of a prospect … would be a huge shocker if he didn’t collect a scalp here.
Round 1: Scoggins is looking to counter and in with an insanely beautiful double and back take like lighting. Campuzano turns inside and Scoggins slams him down. Campuzano back to his feet but eats some shots from Scoggins. Scoggins is like lighting; Campuzano isn’t a slow guy but Scoggins is making him look like a heavyweight. Nice head kick as Scoggins is looking exceptional right now. Campuzano looks like he’s lost out there. Scoggins in deep on another double and oykks gun down, presses him into the cage. Campuzano back up and eats a ton of shots to get out. Scoggins goes for another takedown but can’t get it. Campuzano is looking to throw some more front kicks, to prevent him from shooting in so frequently. Campuzano is playing defense right now, looking to survive the round. A head kick followed by a double leg takedown an Scoggins is rolling through Campuzano right now. Campuzano rolls to his stomach and Scoggins on his back, gets out but eats an elbow. Utter dismantling. 10-9 Scoggins, bordering on a 10-8
Round 2: Campuzano comes out throwing as Scoggins is looking to land something big. Nice hook kick from Scoggins as he’s unloading some of his arsenal right now. He’s looking for something to throw but Campuzano isn’t giving him it. Scoggins in deep and his neck is out. Campuzano grabs a guillotine and has it deep, can’t finish it though as Scoggins gets his neck out. Very close though. scoggins is trying to pass but Campuzano is using butterfly guard to keep him at bay so far. Scoggins winds up passing to back as Campuzano rolls to stomach. Campuzano tries to roll for a knee bar but can’t finish it. Scoggins is on his back but Campuzano rolls back to half guard. He’s trying to work a sweep to get back standing but Scoggins is using top position profoundly well right now. 30 seconds left and Campuzano manages to get up. Campuzano gets in close to try to grab a clinch but Scoggins fights him off fairly easy. Scoggins finishes the round with a nice hook and Campuzano looks defeated in his corner. 10-9 Scoggins, 20-18
Round 3: Campuzano comes out throwing but winds up getting taken down 30 seconds in. Scoggins moves into mount but Campuzano rolls into half guard. Scoggins lands some brutal ground and pound as Campuzano rolls to his knees. Scoggins on his back and Campuzano tries to roll his way out. He can’t as he eats a TON of punishment though. Scoggins rolls through the sitout attempt and grabs his back. Campuzano is trying to roll his way out but Scoggins is lighting him up right now. Nice knee to the body and Scoggins slams him back down. Scoggins is beating a hole in him and Campuzano is trying to just survive right now. He finishes the final minute lighting him up. 10-9 Scoggins, 30-27
Official decision: Justin Scoggins wins via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
Renee Forte vs. Frank Trevino
Round 1: Forte takes him down a minute in and grabs back, has both hooks in and is working for the rear naked choke. Trevino is playing hand control really well right now as Forte is on his back really well. Trevino manages to out and scrambles his way up, Forte on him though and Trevino’s on his back. Trevino manages to get back to his feet and wins trh striking exchange late but it’s not enough to change the round. 10-9 Forte
Round 2: Not much action to start the round as neither guy is pushing the pace. Forte catches a knee and gets the takedown, Trevino right back up and out. Trevino is looking to throw something but Forte is making him miss. Trevino lands a couple of nice rights but Forte’s head movement is saving him. He’s slowing down as the round goes on and Trevino is starting to tag him a little more. Forte is starting to back off as Trevino is setting the pace right now, landing at a much better clip than before. Forte gets a takedown with 80 seconds left and Trevino in full guard. Trevino works his way back and is working for a double of his own, gets it briefly but Forte gets back up. Trevino with a nice guillotine and lands some big knees as Forte is keeping his hand to prevent the head shot. He gets pulled up and lit, though. Trevino 10-9, 19-19
Round 3: Trevino comes out throwing some big shot as Forte eats some big shots looking for a takedown. Trevino with a takedown and an elevation slam, Forte right back up and Trevino on him. Nice spinning back elbow as he exits as Trevino needs to keep this striking. Forte gets a takedown of his own and Trevino’s right back up. Trevino has back control and we’re back to the middle. Trevino with a beautiful combination as Forte grabs the body clinch. He’s gassed and eating a ton of punishment striking but not out of it grappling. Trevino is just mauling him with his striking and Forte is trying to just survive right now. Forte with a level change and a takedown with 90 seconds left. Trevino rolls to his stomach and Forte grabs his back, hooks in but can’t keep them in. Trevino out and we’re in a clinch against the cage. Trevino out and we’ve got some brawling to end the fight. 10-9 Trevino, 29-28
Official decision: Trevino via decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Now it’s time for the Fox Sports 2 portion of the undercard.
Sean Spencer vs. Alex Garcia
Round 1: Both guys come out throwing, Garcia with the takedown early. Spencer back up immediately but dragged down to the ground. Spencer working his way back up as Garcia is working to get back down. Circle out and we’re back standing. Spencer’s looking to get inside and land there and Garcia is doing a good job of keeping his distance. Nice head kick from Garcia and he mauls his way inside to a takedown. Spencer back up after eating some shots. Spencer’s starting to land some nice inside leg kicks, using some great angles to work his way in and out. He’s just not landing anything of note. Garcia 10-9
Round 2: Spencer is starting throw a bit more as this is becoming an interesting fight. Garcia on cue with the takedown 90 seconds in but Spencer is right back up. Garcia lands some big shots and Spencer lands a huge head kick. FOllows it up with hands and a knee. Spencer is lamping him with shots right now and Garcia comes back with a huge hook of his own. Spencer’s wobbly and Garcia is pushing the pace, spinning back fist and Garcia with the takedown. Spencer reverses and we’re back up, hands are a flying. Garcia lands a huge right of his own and Spencer is staggered. These guys are throwing some BOMBS right now. Garcia grabs a double and a minute left he’s in top control. Garcia in half guard and Spencer’s back up. Spencer with some hands and Garcia is hurt, flying knee is caught as Garcia goes for a double to finish. 10-9 Spencer- 19-19
Round 3: Garcia looks a little gassed and Spencer looks like he still has a ton in the gas tank. Both guys are throwing bombs still, though, but not much is behind them. Garcia is gassed as Spencer is picking his moments to explode. Garcia still has some power to him, though and he goes in for a double two minutes in. Drags it to get the takedown. Spencer back up and Garcia is backing off. He’s gassed and Spencer’s foot is hurt. Garcia gets another takedown 30 seconds later and grabs back. Spencer looks to roll through and Garcia turns that to mount. He gets back up and we’re throwing hands to end the round. These guys aren’t leaving anything on the table. Garcia goes in for another double and we’re up against the cage. Can’t finish and back to the middle. Spencer spends the rest of the fight looking to throw something desperate to end it and can’t land. 10-9 Garcia, 29-28
Official decision: Alex Garcia def. Sean Spencer via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Dennis Bermudez vs. Jimy Hettes
Round 1: Bermudez comes out fast and Hettes goes to the clinch, Bermudez is shorter and getting underneath. Hettes works his way to getting the takedown but Bermudez is up. He’s in on double right away and can’t finish it. Bermudez gets the takedown and Hettes is right back up. Bermudez is throwing some big hands right now and gets a foot sweep, Hettes back up. Bermudez in deep and slams him down, Hettes rights back up. Tries to back trip him down but can’t keep him down. Clinch again and we’re back against the cage. Bermudez with some nice punches as he exits the clinch, Bermudez with yet another takedown and into side control. Hettes into full guard. Bermudez is landing ground and pound right now, trying to grind out this round. Hettes back up and Bermudez in on a single, grabs a guillotine as the round ends but can’t finish it. 10-9 Bermudez
Round 2: Bermudez is coming out super aggressive again and is throwing some hands. Hettes grabs a clinch and we’re against the cage. Bermudez works the double but can’t finish it. Hettes reverses position and Bermudez in on a single, can’t finish it and we get a series of takedown attempts and strikes. Clinch work and Bermudez gets a takedown after a while, landing some big shots and Hettes is down. Bermudez swarms him and survives his way out of it. Bermudez postures up and is donkey konging him, Hettes out the backdoor and a quick break for a mouthpiece. Bermudez on the single right away and gets it. Bermudez tries to throw him and Hettes grabs his back with 30 seconds left, Hettes with a body triangle and round ends as Bermudez escapes. 10-9 Bermudez, 20-18
Round 3: Bermudez out aggressive again as Hettes is coming out throwing more. He’s looking to grab a clinch and Bermudez drops him with a right, Bermudez swarms but can’t finish him. Bermudez stays on top and is staying busy with the ground and pound. Hettes is trying to work his way out but Bermudez is doing everything he can to keep him in proper punching range. Hettes out and bErmudez drops him with a right. Bermudez lets him back and drops him with another. Fight’s over.
Dennis Bermudez wins via TKO (punches) at 2:57 of the third round
Raquel Pennington vs. Jessica Andrade
Round 1: Andrade in early and Pennington with some nice knees to the body. We’re against the cage and not much is happening. Andrade with some nice body shots and then a beautiful hip toss to get the fight to the ground, properly. Pennington tries to get up and gets tossed down. Andrade is looking to pass but Pennington is doing a good job tying her up. Pennington grabs an armbar off back but can’t finish it. Andrade grabs a guillotine and pulls guard with 20 secondd left, can’t finish. Hip toss can’t finish and the round ends against the cage. 10-9 Andrade
Round 2: Andrade comes out and lands some big shots and Pennington ties her up, lands some nice knees to the body. Andrade circles out and we’re back to the middle. Andrade in on a trip and gets the takedown, Pennington grabs for a triangle and Andrade goes for the slam. Pennington lets go and is back to her feet. Pennington is starting to box and move now, as Andrade is pushing forward to throw some hands. Pennington ties her up but Andrade gets her against the cage. Andrade circles out and we’re back standing. When she has distance Andrade is landing some big hands on Pennington; Pennington needs to to close the distance and make this ugly but she’s too content to let Andrade lamp her on occasion before she does it. Back against the cage and Pennington grabs a guillotine with 20 seconds left but Pennington can’t finish it. Andrade jumps up and tries to grab one of her own as the round ends. Andrade 10-9, 20-18
Round 3: Both ladies come out throwing hands early as this is getting Bonnar/Griffin level of striking defense. Pennington is trying to get her to fight at range but Andrade is getting in close and landing well before Pennington can throw to start. Andrade gets her up against the cage with hands, back out and Andrade is landing on her as Pennington is backing away. Andrade wants her to throw and Pennington doesn’t want to engage but isn’t trying to get this to the ground, either. Back against the cage as Andrade goes for a takedown but then it’s back to the wild strikes, Pennington eats a ton but lands a bunch of knees in exchange. She’s working the Thai Plum really effectively. Pennington gets Andrade down and lands some nice fists on the ground, Andrade up and Pennington is owning this final minute. Slams her again and lands some big shots. 10-9 Pennington, 29-28 Andrade
Official decision: Andrade wins via split decision (29-28z2, 28-29)
Rick Story vs. Kelvin Gastelum
Round 1: Gastelum comes and is outlanding Story early … Story is a little bloody to start. Gastelum is working that jab really effectively to start, using his movement to set it up. Head kick from Gastelum and Story’s in trouble, Story grabs a buttefly and grabs Gastelum to regain his senses. Gastelum is looking to pass and moves to side control, unable to land but Story scrambles and winds up back on his feet after Gastelum manages to nearly grab his back twice. Gastelum with another great combination and Gastelum looks like he belongs to be here. Story looks awful so far; Gastelum looks in control. 10-9 Gastelum
Round 2: Story comes out a bit more aggressive as Gastelum is looking to pump that jab some more. Story is looking to slow Gastelum down by countering more and working the body when Gastelum comes in. Gastelum is just tagging him with his jab as Story is looking for big power shots. Kelvin with a nice left as he’s in drive right now. Story is reacting, not acting, and he’s looking t counter all the little things he’s eating something huge and Gastelum can see it all day. Gastelum is landing nice jabs and two punch combinations as Story is trying to counter with a massive hook and overhands but not landing much. Gastelum’s head movement is something else right now. Story can’t figure this riddle out so far. Story hits a big right and GASTELUM IS HURT! He swarms at the end of the second and Gastelum somehow manages to survive. Story just took that round and we got a FIGHT. 10-9 Story, 19-19
Round 3: Story’s starting to throw some leg kicks now, to slow that movement, as now Story has figured out Gastelum’s movement. He’s landing some nice shots as Gastelum is coming in. He’s opening his kicks as Gastelum isn’t going for the takedown. Story goes in for a single but Gastelum defends and we’re back against the cage. Gastelum lands some nice hands and Kelvin gets the takedown. He moves to back and Story shakes him off, grabbing top position. Story moves to back and he’s got the hooks in. Two minutes left and he’s in prime position to land that RNC. He’s got a Gabel grip temporarily but Gastelum breaks it up. The TUF winner is doing a good job hand fighting to keep him away that neck. Kelvin spins through with 40 seconds left and is back up. Back to our feet and both guys are throwing some hands. Gastelum goes for the takedown and can’t, tags him with a left and Story responds with one of his own. What round. Tough to call. 10-9 Story
Official decision: Gastelum wins via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Stay tuned for the PPV portion of this card.
Ovince St. Preux vs. Nikita Kyrlov
Round 1: Krylov lands a kick and OSP grabs the takedown off it, moves into side control. OSP has his head stuck and is trying to pop his head up, Krylov looking to use it to get himself back up. OSP pulls off a Von Flue choke and Krylov is OUT. I think everyone missed that. I totally missed it.
OSP via technical submission (Von Flue choke) at 1:29 of the first round
Jake Shields vs. Hector Lombard
Round 1: Shields gets in close and Lombard just slams him to the ground. Back up and a big left flattens Shields. Lombard wants him back up to swing some more. Shields into the clinch and Lombard is landing some shots on Shields. Shields eats like a pro, though. Shields is looking to get in close and he’s getting tagged every time Shields is coming in. Shields in on a single but Lombard shrugs it off. Back against the cage and Shields tries to get away, Lombard lands a couple of nasty shots. Shields is a little hurt but doesn’t look rocked. Shields grabs him by the neck and throws him down, landing some big shots in the process. Shields has started to bleed. The strength advantage from Lombard is off the charts; he’s ragdolling Shields seemingly at will. Shields in on a single and is eating some big shots. Kick from Lombard and Shields is down. He pulls guard and ties him up. Not much is happening as Shields rides the round out from the bottom, not getting smashed. Lombard 10-9
Round 2: Shield sis smartly staying away to start but Lombard looks like he wants to kill him with his fist. Lombard lands some huge shots. Shields grabs the clinch and Lombard just ragdolls him down on a trip, violently. He’s in side control and Shields is trying to pull him into guard. Lombard should stand back up to take advantage of the massive standup advantage he has. Shields into full guard and Lombard is laying and praying right now. We get a standup at 2:50. MNot much happening as Shields goes for the takedown, Lombard with the sprawl as Shields is trying to pull him into guard. Shields is flashing the jab as Lombard is just waiting to pull the trigger. Shields grabs the clinch and Lombard launches him on a trip takedown again, landing in side control. Lombard is just chilling here as Shields moves into guard. 10-9 Lombard, 20-18
Round 3: Lombard is looking for a one punch KO right now as Shields is looking to throw en masse. Shields is pushing the pace and then promptly gets hit in the nuts. Shields recovers and goes for a single, he can’t get it and Lombard casually takes him down. Lombard isn’t doing much on top, just laying on him with very minimal ground and pound. We get a standup after some time on the ground. Shields with another takedown try that goes nowhere, he pulls guard and Hector dives in and lays there again. Shields is bloodied up but Lombard is just chilling. Another stand up with a minute left. Lombard in on a double and Shields grabs a guillotine with little time left, time expires before he can finish it. 10-9 Lombard, 30-27
Official decision: Hector Lombard by unanimous decision (30-27×2, 29-28)
Diego Sanchez vs. Myles Jury
Round 1: Diego comes out more patient than normal. He’s looking to kickbox. Jury with a nice right and Sanchez gets knocked down but right up, taunting Jury along the way. Diego is starting to get into his usual brawly kind of mode and is trying to goad Jury into it. Jury is using movement to keep Diego at range and Diego tags him, pushing him against the cage. He’s in on a double but Jury is defending it well. Not much happening as Jury fights it off and we’re back to the middle of the cage. Kick from Sanchez gets caught and Jury nearly takes him down with it. Jury is showing some real poise here. Sanchez is taunting him and Jury is sticking to his plan. Sanchez bites the mouthguard, runs forward and throws but Jury gets out of the way. Myles is using good movement to make Sanchez chase him down, leaving him open to the counter. Jury with the takedown with 30 seconds left, Sanchez uses butterfly to get him off and rolls for a knee bar, Jury out and grabs back. Ten seconds left and Diego looks for the switch and we run out of time. 10-9 Jury
Round 2: Sanchez is aggressive to start the round again as Sanchez gets in close and throws a flurry of punches, not a ton landing, and Jury lands a big elbow on Sanchez. He’s being patient and Diego is getting flummoxed by it. Sanchez chases in and lands a big right and he’s throwing en masse whenever Jury tries to stick and move. He’s trying to coax him into a brawl whenever Jury gets in close and Jury won’t take the bait. Jury has figured out when Diego’s rushing in and is using movement to keep himself away from the cage. Diego’s biting down on his mouth piece to run forward but Jury is using lateral movement to get away, stick and move, find his moment and maintain a level of space. Nice right from Jury and he gets a double with 90 seconds left. Sanchez has an arm in guillotine with guard right now but it doesn’t look very tight at first. They change angles and it looks like it’s tight but Jury gives the thumbs up. Jury manages to get his head out, Sanchez scrambles back to his feet and he rolls for an armbar. Jury lands a couple of shots as he exits, though, as Sanchez is a bloody mess right now. 10-9 Jury
Round 3: Jury comes out sticking to the game plan again as Sanchez charges in, throwing wildly, but he isn’t hitting Jury very often. It looks pretty but it’s not effective. Jury is using that jab to keep him at bay as Sanchez is charging in, missing wildly, and repeating. Two minutes left and Jury in on a takedown, can’t get it. He level changes a wild charge and gets the takedown with a minute left. Sanchez rolls for an armbar as the fight ends, and tries to grab a guillotine as the round ends, but this is all Jury. 10-9 Jury, 30-27
Official decision: Myles Jury by decision (30-27×2, 29-28)
Carlos Condit vs. Tyron Woodley
Round 1: Condit is trying to stay on the outside as Woodley looks for the counter. He land s two huge counter rights as Condit is eating some big shots by Woodley as he shoots the gap. His ability to shoot the gap and get in quick is something else. UP against the cage now and we’re jockeying for position right now. Condit manages to circle his way out and we’re back to the middle. Condit is looking to use his kicks and follow them up with his combinations. Woodley in on the takedown with 90 seconds left. Condit moves to mission control of rubber guard early and grabs a triangle. Woodley lifts and throws him off and we’re back standing. Woodley with some big rights and then grabs the takedown with 30 seconds left. Condit is looking to work that triangle again off his back and Woodley lets him up. Woodley is slowing down. Condit wins the striking exchange at the end of the round. 10-9 Woodley … but could go either way.
Round 2: Condit comes out looking to throw some kicks again, looking to keep Woodley at distance and make him come in. A minute in and Woodley grabs the takedown. Condit looked like he might’ve tweaked something and Woodley pounced on it. Will need a replay to see what happened for sure. Woodley looking to stack as Condit isn’t moving to rubber guard like he did before. We get a standup and Condit looks ok. Woodley hits that knee and Condit is done. Condit blew his knee out and it’s over.
Tyrone Woodley wins via TKO (injury) at 2:00 of the second round
Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler
Round 1: Lawler’s on him early and we’re up against the cage, some hands exchanged but nothing landing of note. Both guys have no problem coming right at each other. Lawler with a left to set up a takedown, we’re up against the cage and Hendricks is landing some knees. Hendricks backs out after some time. We’re looking at Lawler mainly using his boxing and Hendricks using a kickboxing attack to set up his takedowns. his takedowns aren’t working so far as Lawler is keeping his hips low and and committing fully to all of his sprawls. Lawler is using a lot of movement with his head as Hendricks has missed a number of punches he normally hits. They exchange lefts in a Hunt/Sefo kind of way. A number of kicks and Hendricks is going for the takedown again. Lawler is defending it really well. Round ends against the cage. Hendricks 10-9
Round 2: Lawler is more active this round to start with his boxing as Hendricks is a bit more stiff-footed to start. Lawler looks like he’s much looser and has a better understanding of the fight as a whole right now. Hendricks gets in close but backs out after Lawler lands some big shots. Nice big left from Hendricks and then a kick, Lawler responds with a right of his own. The crowd could tip this for Hendricks if it’s a close decision; they’re going nuts for everything he does. Hendricks with a nice knee to the body and nice follow up as well; Hendricks isn’t going for a killshot so far. He’s not landing with huge power but enough to do some damage. He’s got the 25 under his belt and he’s working the gas tank more effectively. Some nice combinations and a leg kick from hendricks. He’s fighting more completely than he ever has. He’s also abandoned his wrestling game, as well, and Lawler stuffs the lone takedown he’s tried so far at the 3:40 mark. Hendricks is pawing at him, looking to land small shots, and Lawler is looking to uncork something big. He’s looking for the opening but in the meantime he’s eating a lot of punishment. Lawler with a big left kick and Hendricks lands a flurry to end the round. 10-9 Hendricks, 20-18
Round 3: Hendricks is pushing a harder pace to start as he’s showing off a nuanced kickboxing game to start. He’s starting to fake takedown tries and throw some punches with it. Interesting combination from him as his wrestling game is being used as a fake to set up his hands. Nice combination of punches from Hendricks as Lawler is starting to pump the jab a little more. They’re standing in front of each other and they’re trading. Lawler hurt Hendricks with a left and he’s starting to pour it on. Hendricks is wobbly, something we’ve never seen. Lawler is putting it on him right now and he’s got two minute to pull it off. He’s being patient as he’s not throwing everything he has into this. Hendricks goes for the takedown and Lawler defends it. Hendricks looks a little wobbly still but he’s recovering. Lawler is throwing some big hands right now and he’s doing noticeable damage. Hendricks is varying up his offense but he’s eating a ton more this round than he did in the first two. Lawler is starting to tire a little bit but he’s also thrown a ton of punches this round. Hendricks has recovered but he’s lost this round. Tentative from both men to end the round. 10-9 Lawler, 29-28 Hendricks
Round 4: Lawler comes out and he’s pushing the pace more. Hendricks is eating a lot of punishment right now. He’s landing some big lefts and that bad weight cut could be coming back to haunt Bigg Rigg right now. Hendricks gets stuffed on another takedown try. Hendricks is bleeding pretty badly right now, as well. Lawler is throwing a lot to the side of bleed, which is near the eye as Lawler landing some big shots on him. Robbie grabs the clinch but doesn’t do anything with it. Big uppercut wobbles Lawler and that might’ve woken up Hendricks because he lands a couple big shots of his own. These guys are throwing DOWN. Hendricks keeps dropping his right whenever he throws the left and Lawler is popping him every time he does. Hendricks is continuing to throw kicks and Hendricks gets the takedown with 12 seconds left in the round. Lawler grabs a front choke but not enough time to finish. 10-9 Lawler, 38-38
Round 5: Both men come out knowing that this is probably tied. Hendricks is turning it on and Lawler is looking to jab and counter. He’s trying to get Hendricks to come in and lamp him, trying to get him in with that jab. Hendricks goes for a takedown early and Lawler defends it beautifully against the cage. Hendricks is working really hard but he can’t get it as Lawler is defending it profoundly well. We get a break 2 minutes in and we’re back to the middle. Hendricks is finding success using his kicks to set up his boxing; he’s not doing enough. Lawler is out landing him standing when Hendricks isn’t throwing kicks. He’s biting on his mouth guard and throwing when Hendricks isn’t kicking. He’s getting ready for takedown and eating the kicks. Lawler wobbled with a left from Hendricks, who’s turning it on the final two minutes. Hendricks is landing some big shots. Both guys are throwing but Lawler is a bit wobbly. Hendricks hurts him with a left and in on a takedown and gets it with a minute left. That might’ve sealed the round. He grapevines the leg and Lawler looks to wall walk his way back up. Hendricks lands some big shots as the round ends, Hendricks grinding him down for that final round. 10-9 Hendricks, 48-47 Hendricks
Won’t be shocked if it’s split or it goes the other way, or both.
Official decision: Johny Hendricks wins via decision (48-47)
Main card (PPV at 10 p.m. ET)
Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler
Carlos Condit vs. Tyron Woodley
Diego Sanchez vs. Myles Jury
Jake Shields vs. Hector Lombard
Ovince St. Preux vs. Nikita Kyrlov
Undercard (FOX Sports 2 at 8 p.m. ET)
Kevin Gastelum vs. Rick Story
Raquel Pennington vs. Jessica Andrade
Dennis Bermudez vs. Jimy Hettes
Sean Spencer vs. Alex Garcia
Undercard (UFC Fight Pass at 6 p.m. ET)
Renee Forte vs. Frank Trevino
Will Campuzano vs. Justin Scoggins
Robert McDaniel vs. Sean Strickland
Daniel Pineda vs. Robert Whiteford
