Inside Fights will be live tonight from The Palace of Auburn Hills in suburban Detroit, Michigan for this evening’s UFC 123: Rampage vs. Machida. The card features several standout bouts between the likes of Phil Davis and Tim Boetsch, Joe Lauzon and George Sotiropoulos, as well as a stellar co-headlining bout between B.J. Penn and Matt Hughes. The card will be main evented by a Light Heavyweight encounter between Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida. Tonight’s show also features a two-fight “UFC Prelims” on Spike TV that begins at 9 PM ET.
Follow along with round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 7 PM ET for the preliminary card and 10 p.m. ET for the main card.
In addition to the night’s pay-per-view main card – which also features Joe Lauzon vs. George Sotiropoulos, Tim Boetsch vs. Phil Davis and Maiquel Falcao vs. Gerald Harris – tonight’s show features a two-fight “UFC Prelims” on Spike TV that begins at 9 p.m. ET.
Feel free to hit me up on Twitter tonight for immediate reactions and feedback (Shawn M. Smith on Twitter)
Check back regularly for the latest results
Nik Lentz vs. Tyson Griffin
Referee: Herb Dean
Round 1
Both fighters exchange leg kicks to start. Leg kick from Griffin ends with Lentz on top. Griffin back to his feet and he gets the takedown, but Lentz uses the gullotine to get to his feet. Big slam from Tyson that Lentz counters by getting to his feet. Another takedown from Griffin that Lentz pops right up from. Slam into closed guard from Griffin, but Lentz gets an underhook back to his feet. Straight right to the head and two body kicks from Lentz end the round.
Griffin 10-9
Round 2
Body kick from Lentz misses. Good exchange from each fighter as Nik meets Tyson in the center of the Octagon to strike. Right from Grifing hits the gloves. Outside leg kick from Lentz. Griffin is content to let Nik circle before unleashing a BIG right that barely misses. Nik presses Tyson against the cage and backs away with two big hooks that miss. Griffin get the big slam, but Lentz grabs the guillotine, forcing Tyson to roll through and relinquesh control. Body kicks from Lentz have the crowd “oohing”. With just over a minute and a half, Lentz is stacked up by Griffin against the cage, but Nik is working for submissions off his back. Lentz is hoisted and slammed at the round mark, most likely giving Griffin the round.
Griffin 10-9
Round 3
Big right from Griffing rocks Lentz. Nik counters with a big body kick but is hammered again with a combination of blows. Big blows and side kick from Nik Lentz, but Tyson tries to shoot for the takedown. Tyson proves too strong at this stage and gets Nik down. Lentz is trying to get to his feet against the cage, but Tyson has a deep guillotine that Nik scoops him from within and slams into Griffin’s guard. Tyson controls the neck and works to half guard before Tyson let go. Nasty kimura by Lentz is rolled through by Griffin who barely survives the submission attempt. Lentz is able to secure a takedown at the end of the round that won’t be enough.
Griffin 10-9
Paul Kelly vs. T.J. O’Brien
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Round 1
Paul Kelly comes out swinging looking to end this early. TJ creates room with leg kicks. Good exchange that TJ begins to get the better off before being knocked to the Mat by Kelly. Kelly continues to miss the makr as TJ maintains good head movement. O’Brien is repeatedly using his head kicks to keep Kelly out of range and many of the punches that Paul has let fly have been just off the mark as a result. TJ comes flying at Paul with a flying knee attempt, but Paul catches him and takes him to the ground. In TJ’s guard, Kelly works to his feet and back out quickly. More striking attempts before the end of the round.
Round 2
Kelly with a big shot that knocks O’Brien to the mat. O’Brien with a takedown that ends with him the mount and beginning to hammer away. Kelly reverses, giving up his back, and shakes free of O’Brien. Kelly scoops the legs and ends up in side control. Crucifix by Kelly has O’Brien on his back and scrambling to get free. The beating continues to drag on and the ref is hovering overhead. Dan Miragliotta has to step in and stop the fight with just under 1:45 left in the round.
Winner: Paul Kelly by TKO (R2, 3:16)
Edson Barboza vs. Mike Lullo
Referee: Mark Fennell
Round 1
Short feeling-out process from the two fighters. Barboza snaps off several quick kicks and is countering Lullo’s takedowns with two amazing slams. One attempt ends with Lullo working for a gogoplata on Barboza, raining punches and elbows on his head to loosen him up. Barboza stays compact and rides out the attempt, eventually earning a big escape after a long time trapped. Several leg kicks from Barboza are sitting deep in the thigh. The round ends with both fighters on their feet and striking.
Barboza 10-9
Round 2
Big punches from Barboza daze Lullo. Double leg takedown from Lullo is sprawled against the cage. Lullo pulls guard in the center of the cage after a series of deep leg kicks. Lullo pulls guard again and has a very high rubber guard that Barboza is lucky to escape. A HUGE leg kick drops Lullo to his butt, as he rises, he is met with another leg kick that drops him once again. The ref stands them up and the round ends.
Barboza 10-9
Round 3
Touch of gloves shows great class from both me. Big Leg kick from Edson stumbles Mike, who rises to eat another enormous leg kick. Mike is on his backside and looks unable to continue. The ref steps in and stops the bout before Lullo can take any more damage.
Winner: Edson Junior Barboza via TKO (R3, 0:26)
Dennis Hallman vs. Karo Parisyan
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Round 1
Karo gets Hallman against the cage and works for position. Hallman connects with a punch that puts Parisyan down on the mat and Dennis swarms and hammerfists his way to a stoppage by the referee.
Winner: Dennis Hallman by TKO (R1, 1:47)
PRELIMINARY CARD (Spike TV)
Mark Munoz vs. Aaron Simpson
Referee: Mark Fennell
Round 1
Simpson and Munoz touch gloves to start. Simpson is the early aggressor with a straight to the body as he shoots for the takedown. Knee to the body from Munoz gets separation for both fighters and Aaron eats a hook from “The Filipino Wrecking Machine.” Both fighters barely miss with hooks, which leads to Munoz shooting for a takedown that is sprawled by Simpson. Against the cage, Munoz works in some dirty boxing and Simpson is able to reverse the clinch against the cage and work some strikes of his own. A single leg by Simpson is avoided and we end up playing the rest of the round out with some barely missed striking.
Simpson 10-9
Round 2
Munoz comes out ready to strike but ends up on the mat after a good shot from Simpson. Good exchange along the cage gets Munoz in close with Simpson, doing solid damage with hooks. An accidental kick to the groin gets a brief respite for both fighters and we now can see that Munoz has a cut at his hairline between his eyes. On the restart a big kick to the jaw on Simpson who takes it like a man. A counter by Simpson misses and he eats a loud right kick to the jaw. Simpson gets a brief takedown that Munoz is able to walk away from. With ten seconds to go, Simpson is pressed to the cage and held til the round ends.
Munoz 10-9
Round 3
Munoz comes out with a big leg kick that Simpson catches and drags him to the ground with. Munoz gets out the back door and swings with three hooks, one of which plants a knuckle into the eye of Simpson, bringing about a stoppage. Once the restart happens, Simpson and Munoz are jockeying for position against the cage until the ref splits them apart. Simpson catches another low leg kick, but is backed against the cage, where Simpson eats hammerfists in the left thigh. Lots of back and forth boxing, with the pace picking up as the round gets closer to conclusion. The fighters jockey for position against the cage, separating for one final flurry before the fight ends.
Munoz 10-9
Winner: Mark Munoz by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Matt Brown vs. Brian Foster
Referee: Herb Dean
Round 1
Brown comes out the immediate aggressor. With recent losses to Ricardo Almedia and Chris Lytle, you have to think that he’s in a dangerous position is he loses this fight. Foster with a takedown, but they are both back to their feet right away. Matt Brown with a takedown into half guard. He easily passes to side control and has North-South position very quickly. Reversal by Matt Brown, but Brian Foster is able to get out and back to Matt’s back. Brown rolls through and takes a dominant position, but he ends up on their feet. Big takedown from Foster after a right hand rocks Brown, but from the total exchange, Foster almost gets stuck in a very deep armbar. As the round ends, Foster gets free and tries to hit a flying punch over the top, but Matt avoids it.
Foster 10-9
Round 2
Stoppage pretty soon into the round as Foster gets a kick in the groin for his trouble. On the restart, it happens again. Tonight is full of groin kicks already. Foster catches a leg kick from Brown and plants him on the mat hard. He toys a while with him, trying to strike the grounded Brown, who is biding his time. On a diving punch by Foster misses and Brown scrambles. Brown gets caught in a deep guillotine and is forced to tap.
Winner: Brian Foster by submission (guillotine, R2, 2:11)
The main card is about to begin the place is absolutely nuts. Fans have been clamouring for a show in the Detroit metro area for over 14 years now, so tonight should be a really special atmosphere.
MAIN CARD
Joe Lauzon vs. George Sotiropoulos
Referee: Mark Fennell
Round 1
Great boxing exchange early on as Lauzon comes out ready to strike and Sotiropoulos deftly moves away from the blows. Both men miss on hooks and end up in a clinch that is separated. George shoots for a takedown that is stuffed against the cage by Lauzon. Joe dives and George pulls guard. Great back and forth exchange on the mat whereas Lauzon ends up back in George’s guard. Sotiropoulos working on Joe’s back, pulling him down to the matt in a North-South position. Elbows to the body from George. Joe tries to scramble and ends up temporarily mounted by George. Sotiropoulos throws his legs up to go for the armbar, but Lauzon slips free and misses a big punch over the top end the round.
Lauzon 10-9
Round 2
Strikes miss from George and the counters from Lauzon pass his head as well. Sotiropoulos gets a leg and takedown, but both men end back on their feet. Nasty muay thai clinch sees George get three knees to Joe’s body. Another takedown by George where he works for the kimura, which Sotiropoulos then chains into an armbar. Back into North-South, George gets another kimura and the submission from Lauzon
Winner: George Sotiropoulos by submission (Kimura, R2, 2:42)
Tim Boetsch vs. Phil Davis
Referee: Herb Dean
Round 1
Leg kick from Boetsch lands and it countered by one from “Mr. Wonderful.” Davis and Boetsch kick simulataneously. Body kick by Davis is caught by Boetsch but can’t connect with punches. Another body kick is caught by Boetsch but to no avail. Davis gets a big takedown in the red corner and is in Tim’s half guard raining left hooks to the body. Under Davis’ control for around two minutes, Boetsch eats a lot of punches to the ribs and body. Davis hops up and gets to his feet, leaving Boetsch to rise to meet him. Boetsch is caught right away in a muay thai clinch and Davis spins him for control, landing knees to the body as the horn sounds to end Round 1.
Davis 10-9
Round 2
Boetsch misses a shot and is pressed against the cage by Davis. Boetsch reverses position and leans his body into Davis. Boetsch intelligently defends a kimura by getting the cage, but Davis pulls him away and sinks it in for the tap. Unique finish as Davis first secure the left arm with one hand and then reached around Boetsch’s body to secure the wrist and finished the hold.
Winner: Phil Davis by submission (kimura, R2, 2:55)
Maiquel Falcao vs. Gerald Harris
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Round 1
Big left from Gerald Harris misses. Over a minute and thirty seconds of these two fighters feeling one another out leads to a loud round of boos from the Detroit crowd. Big right from Harris misses. Straight right misses from Harris. Body kick from Falcao. The match looks like little more than a sparring bout thus far. Unexpectedly, Falcao swarms with a series of very nasty hooks, tumbling into the cage and onto the mat with Harris. Falcao controls Harris against the cage in Harris’ half guard, hitting short right hooks in an attempt to set up the rear naked choke. Falcao is lifted and slammed by Harris, but takes Harris’ back and locks on the rear naked choke. Harris doesn’t tap and gets saved by the bell. Falcao doesn’t let go of the hold to end the round and referee Dan Miragliotta warns him to listen for the horn.
Falcao 10-9
Round 2
Falcao picks up where he left off in the last round, swarming Harris in the opening moments. Harris lets a big hook go, but it misses. Falcao gets the takedown and begins working for the rear naked choke again. Harris reverses into Falcao’s guard and the fighters end up against the cage with neither man really taking control. Harris pokes with a jab and shoots for a single leg takedown, which is sprawled by Falcao. Into the fence, Harris refuses to release the leg. Harris finally gets the takedown, but Falcao reverses a second attempt and holds top position for a good minute. Harris gets back to his feet and lets a big left go that just misses as the horn sounds to end round two.
Harris 10-9
Round 3
Both fighters measure before Harris pokes a jab out there. Both fighters want to establish their presence in the octago, but the fight is drawing big boos. Harris with a jab that misses. Then another. Falcao is going backwards this round. Big “Let’s Go Red Wings!” chant breaks out. Neither fighter wants to lose this round and it will hinge entirely on this last minute. Harris shoots for the single and Falcao sprawls it. Both fighters get back to their feet and Falcao eats a knee to the body on the way out. Both fighters gesture that they want to fight, but nothing comes of it. There is more striking from Falcao to end the round than at any other point.
Harris 10-9
Winner: Maiquel Falcao by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28)
B.J. Penn vs. Matt Hughes
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Round 1
Early exchange from BJ dazes Matt. A big right from Matt misses the mark, BJ connects with an big straight right that puts Matt down. BJ swarms and knocks Matt Hughes out cold, ending his three-fight win streak.
Winner: BJ Penn by knockout (R1, 0:21)
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs. Lyoto Machida
Referee: Herb Dean
Round 1
Rampage stalks Lyoto around the Octagon, never engaging but head faking the punch. Inside leg kick from Lyoto lands. Machida is circling, landing a leg kick then getting out to his left. Rampage swings for a hook but misses and engages Lyoto in a clinch along the cage. Rampage hits my favorite manuever…footstomps. Big uppercut to the body by Rampage as they separate. Machida with a big kick to the body. Machida follows with another kick to the body. Clinch along the cage is controlled by Lyoto, but Jackson gets free. Two big hooks from Rampage miss. Leg kick from Lyoto barely misses and Rampage steps in and barely misses. Both men step to strike and miss as the round ends.
Rampage 10-9
Round 2
Rampage is back out and the aggressor, landing a jab. Lyoto tries to leg kick, but Rampage takes him to the cage in a clinch. The clinch is broken by referee Herb Dean. A left hook by Rampage is countered by a leg kick from Machida. Machida leans Rampage against the cage, but Rampage gets a leg and earns the takedown. Machida gets back on his feet but is still controlled in the clinch by Jackson. Both fighters step in to strike and there’s a sickening thud. The fighters separate and Machida tries for a head kick that is blocked. Big shot from Rampage. Machida tries for a leg kick, but end in a clinch against the fence with Rampage in control. Lyoto tries for a trip takedown, but Rampage avoids it. A big hook from Machida misses and Lyoto pushes Rampage free but he tumbles to avoid taking a kick to the head as the round ends.
Rampage 10-9
Round 3
The crowd is thirsty for a finish in this bout and doesn’t want to see the fight in the hands of the judges. Right as I type that, Lyoto warms Rampage with hooks and straights, putting him against the cage. Machida unleashes a high kick that gets Rampage to cover up and he steps in to clinch him and trip him for the takedown. Lyoto works for a kimura, but Rampage fights it and instead uses it to get the mount on Rampage. Just over one minute remaining in the fight and Lyoto tries to secure an armbar. Rampage stacks him up and hoists him for a big slam, but Lyoto slips free and is back on his feet. Lyoto works to take Rampage’s back, but Rampage remains standing. This is going to be a tight decision based on how the judges score the first two rounds.
Machida 10-9
Winner: Quinton “Rampage” Jackson by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
That’s going to do it for Inside Fight’s live coverage and play by play from The Palace at Auburn Hills tonight. It’s been an awesome event and I hope you’ve all enjoyed following along this evening. Feel free to stick around, we’ll have lots of great coverage in the coming days including the fallout of UFC 123.
Good night, everybody!
