UFC 133 Evans Vs Ortiz
August 6, 2011
Wells Fargo Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Light Heavyweight bout:
Rashad Evans 204.4 lbs. Vs. Tito Ortiz 205.8 lbs.
Rashad EVans def. Tito Ortiz TKO 2 (4:48)

Middleweight bout:
Vitor Belfort 185.4 lbs. Vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama 184.6 lbs.
Vitor Belfort def. Yoshihiro Akiyama  via KO Rnd 1 (1:52)

Welterweight bout:
Brian Ebersole 170.6 lbs. Vs. Dennis Hallman 170.8 lbs.
Brian Ebersole def. Dennis Hallman TKO Rnd 1 (4:28)

Middleweight bout:
Jorge Rivera 184.6 lbs. Vs. Costantinos Philippou 185.2 lbs.
Costantinos Philippou def. Jorge Rivera via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Sportsbettingworld.com Score Card
Rnd 1 Philippou
Rnd 2 Philippou
Rnd 3 Rivera

Welterweight bout:
Mike Pyle 170.8 lbs. Vs. Rory MacDonald 170.6 lbs.
Rory MacDonald def. Mike Pyle via TKO Rnd 1 (3:54)

SPIKE Prelim
Light Heavyweight bout:
Matt Hamill 206 lbs. Vs. Alexander Gustafsson 204.4 lbs.
Alexander Gustafsson def. Matt Hammill via TKO Rnd 2 (3:34)

Sportsbettingworld.com Score Card
Rnd 1 Hammill
Rnd 2 –
Rnd 3 –

Featherweight bout:
Chad Mendes 145.8 lbs. Vs. Rani Yahya 145.2 lbs.
Chad Mendes Def. Rani Yahya Via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Sportsbettingworld.com Score Card
Rnd 1. Mendes
Rnd 2. Mendes
Rnd 3. Mendes
(30-27 Mendes)

Facebook Prelim
Bantamweight bout:(Changed to catchweight when Menjivar weighed in 2+ lbs over)
Ivan Menjivar 138 lbs. Vs. Nick Pace 135.8 lbs.
Ivan Menjivar Def. Nick Pace via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Welterweight bout:
Johny Hendricks 170.8 lbs. Vs. Mike Pierce 171 lbs.
Johnny Hendricks Def. Mike Pierce via split decision  (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Featherweight bout:
Mike Brown 146 lbs. Vs. Nam Phan 145 lbs.
Mike Brown Def. Nam Phan via Unanimous Decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Middleweight bout:
Rafael Natal 185.4 lbs. Vs. Paul Bradley 185.2 lbs.
Rafael Natal def. Paul Bradley via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Odds: -500
Reach: 75 In
Record: 15-1-1
UFC Record: 10-1-1
Last 5: 4-1
Streak: +2

Tito Ortiz
63% Fights Won
48% Striking Accuracy
44% Takedown Accuracy

Odds: +360
Reach: 74 In
Record: 16-8-1
UFC Record: 15-8-1
Last 5: 1-4
Streak: +1

In the first fight between Tito and Rashad at UFC 73, Tito was able to control Evans on the floor and out work him. Rashad was able to win one round, and when Tito had a point deducted for repeatedly grabbing the cage, the then undefeated Evans was able to escape with a Unanimous Draw to keep his record clean. Since the fight, both fighters careers had different trajectories. Tito Ortiz dropped 3 straight fights, and it would be 3 and a half years before he got another win (which happened weeks ago against Ryan Bader.) Evans continued rising, and after he put together wins over Michael Bisping and Chuck Liddell, he fought Forrest Griffin and won the Light Heavyweight Championship strap. Evans lost his next fight, the first of his career against Lyoto Machida, but has sense beating Thiago Silva and Rampage Jackson.

This fight was originally scheduled to be between Phil Davis and Evans, but a knee injury sidelined Davis. Even though Ortiz released a statement that he would not be taking the fight, after prodding by fans and the UFC, it was announced he would be taking it only weeks after his first win since 2006.  Tito is in a no lose situation, if he loses he lost to a number 3 contender after fighting 3 weeks ago. If he wins the fight, he will have completed the improbable come back story in UFC history.

In Evan’s fight against Rampage, he was able to pick his shots and control him up against the fence. He was able to score key take downs, and win rounds. He fought a methodical fight, and frustrated Jackson for 3 straight rounds. Evans is a wrestler who has learned to strike, and can do it very effectively. The wild card in this fight is cage rust as Evans last fought in may of 2010 at UFC 114. Evans elected to wait on the shelf while Mauricio Shogun Rua recovered from knee surgery. During the wait Evans hurt his knee, and the title shot went to his training partner Jon Jones (who defeated Rua and became champion.)

I am far from sold on Tito Ortiz’s comeback. He did beat a top 10 fighter in Ryan Bader, and he did it quickly. However, when its been 5 years since your last win, a 90 second win will never convince me you’re back. Especially not against a number one contender like Evans. A jab, and an arm in guillotine submission just doesn’t convince me that he can hang with a fighter like Evans. If Ortiz is going to win this fight, it will have to happen quickly, and I just don’t see that happening.  Tito should be commended for taking this fight, but I don’t see him winning. I wouldn’t be surprised if Evans TKO/KO’s Tito in the fight, but most likely Evans will take this one by decision.

UFC 133 Evans Vs Ortiz
August 6, 2011
Wells Fargo Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Light Heavyweight bout:
Rashad Evans 204.4 lbs.
Tito Ortiz 205.8 lbs.

Middleweight bout:
Vitor Belfort 185.4 lbs.
Yoshihiro Akiyama 184.6 lbs.

Welterweight bout:
Brian Ebersole 170.6 lbs.
Dennis Hallman 170.8 lbs.

Middleweight bout:
Jorge Rivera 184.6 lbs.
Costantinos Philippou 185.2 lbs.

Welterweight bout:
Mike Pyle 170.8 lbs.
Rory MacDonald 170.6 lbs.

SPIKE Prelim
Light Heavyweight bout:
Matt Hamill 206 lbs.
Alexander Gustafsson 204.4 lbs.

Featherweight bout:
Chad Mendes 145.8 lbs.
Rani Yahya 145.2 lbs.

Facebook Prelim
Bantamweight bout:
Ivan Menjivar 138 lbs. * 2+ over
Nick Pace 135.8 lbs.

Welterweight bout:
Johny Hendricks 170.8 lbs.
Mike Pierce 171 lbs.

Featherweight bout:
Mike Brown 146 lbs.
Nam Phan 145 lbs.

Middleweight bout:
Rafael Natal 185.4 lbs.
Paul Bradley 185.2 lbs.

Odds: +250
Reach: 75 in
Record: 19-9
UFC Record: 8-5
Last 5: 4-1
Streak: -1

Yoshihiro Akiyama
72% Fights Won
39% Striking Accuracy
79% Takedown Accuracy

Odds: -340
Reach: 75 in
Record: 13-3-0 (2nc)
UFC Record: 1-2
Last 5: 3-2
Streak: -2

This is Vitor Belfort’s third stint in the UFC, and everytime he gets close to the top of the mountain he falls short. I am not taking anything away from Vitor, as Anderson Silva has demolished just about everyone he has faced, but that is his most recent loss and is a recurring theme in his career. When Belfort is on, he is one of the most dangerous strikers in the game. Everyone thought he was going to be the striker to make Silva look foolish and check his chin ‘for the first time.’ When Belfort realized he couldn’t compete with Silva on the feet, he dove in for a takedown that Silva recovered from. When Silva popped up, he connected with a viscous front kick KO (that had never been done in the octagon before) that left Belfort in a ball on the mat. That loss snapped a 5 fight winning streak that dated back to 2007.

Akiyama is coming off of two losses for the first time in his career. He is only 1-2 in his 3 UFC fights, but all three of them were Fight of The Night award winners. Prior to that, besides 2 no contests which he originally won, Akiyama hadn’t suffered a loss since 2005. The 36 year old is a 3rd degree black belt in judo, and he has won the gold in Judo in 2001 and 2002 at the Asian games. He is an all around fighter, but he has won more fights on the ground than on the feet. Akiyama will look to close the distance and tie up Belfort, and look to toss him to the ground. if Akiyama is smart he will also attack the lead leg of Belfort in hopes of taking some of the spring out of his step.

Akiyama has the chance to control Belfort against the fence, or even take him down and submit him, but he will have to close the distance on him first. Belfort, when in top form, is quick on the feet and with his hands. I think that will be the down side for Akiyama in this fight, as Belfort takes a 2 round TKO.

Dennis Hallman
56% Fights Won
42% Striking Accuracy
28% Takedown Accuracy

Odds: -130
Reach: 72 in
Record: 43-13-2 (1Nc)
UFC Record: 2-3
Last 5: 4-1
Streak: +2

Brian Ebersole
100% Fights Won
56% Striking Accuracy
64% Takedown Accuracy

Odds: +108
Reach: 73 In
Record: 47-14-1 (1)
UFC Record: 1-0
Last 5: 5-0
Streak: +8

These two guys have 129 fights between them in what may be the highest combined total of fights between two fighters in the UFC history. They are as seasoned as it gets, and is honestly a sleeper match on this card that could prove to be the fight of the night. Ebersole has a tremendous amount of momentum coming into this fight. He has won his last 8 fights, and has won 12 of his last 13. Ebersole will be looking to use his wrestling against Hallman who has better jiu jitsu, and most likely will not be concerned with his stand up. Ebersole has never been knocked out in all of his fights and he routinely boasts about his iron chin. Ebersole has a solid Jiu Jitsu game himself, and has amassed 20 submission wins, but that is still 18 shy of Hallman’s 38.

Hallman’s BJJ game has been his go to for a long time, and he will be forced to rely on it as both guys have mediocre stand up games. Just like Ebersole has never been knocked out, Hallman has never been submitted. If Ebersole is going to win this one its going to be by decision, and although many feel he has overcome his cardio issues, it will be interesting to see if he fades late in the fight against a BJJ player as Hallman. Ebersole is susceptible to submissions, as he has been sub’ed 8 times.

Hallman will always be looking for the finish in this fight, and I think he will get it. Hallman may be in desperation mode when it happens as I think Ebersole will control him most of the fight. This fight could turn into two ground fighters stalemating each other, and we could see 3 rounds of these guys just throwing hands. However, I see Hallman winning via a late submission.

Odds: -280
Reach: 76.5
Record: 11-1
UFC Record: 2-1
Last 5: 4-1
Streak: +1

Mike Pyle
67% Fights Won
46% Striking Accuracy
26% Takedown Accuracy

Odds: +245
Reach: 74 in
Record: 21-7-1
UFC Record: 4-2
Last 5: 4-1
Streak: +3

This is gonna be the fight where Rory McDonald is definitley going to be tested. The 22 year old MacDonald has been making waves since he set foot in the octagon, and his only UFC loss is to welterweight contender Carlos Condit-which was a last minute knock out. MacDonald showed a tremendous amount of grow in his controlling win over Nate Diaz, and his win over Joker Guymon he displayed slick BJJ to earn an submission win via armbar.

Mike Pyle has the proverbial answer for the game that MacDonald is going to bring. He has the wrestling ability to stop the takedowns, and Pyle has the ability to muscle fighters around and bully them, and that goes a long way in the UFC welterweight division. Fighters like Hughes, Fitch, and even champion Georges St. Pierre have made careers out of doing that. Pyle is going to have to get on in the inside of MacDonald’s reach and get this fight to the floor. It doesn’t guarantee a win to a fighter like Rory, but the advantage certainly goes to Pyle.
MacDonald is going to be in a tough fight against a veteran cage savvy fighter like Pyle, and he will face adversity in this fight. I also think Rory will have to come from behind in this fight if he wants to win, and I think he can do that. I am picking MacDonald by late stoppage in the fight. If not a straight TKO from strikes, I can see him hurting Pyle and getting the rear naked choke.

Jorge Rivera
50% Fights Won
50% Striking Accuracy
50% Takedown Accuracy

Odds: n/a
Reach: 73 in
Record: 19-8
UFC Record: 7-6
Last 5: 3-2
Streak: -1

Costantinos Philippou
%’s N/A

Odds: n/a
Reach: 73 in
Record: 7-2-1
UFC Record: 0-1
Last 5: 3-1 (1 NC)
Streak: -1

Constantinos Philippou is stepping up from the under card to take on the veteran Jorge Rivera who desperately needs a win. Unless you have been following the RIng Of Combat promotion you probably don’t know much about Philippou. His only UFC fight was a Unanmious Decision loss to Nick Catone, and since he is stepping up to the task, and taking this fight as a late replacement, I don’t think he is in danger of getting cut and has nothing to lose. He has the ability to ring Rivera’s bell in this fight, but he has to deal with a veteran in the game to pull that out. If he shows up with this type of attitude, and knows he could be leaving on his shield-thats the type of fighter who could pull the upset here.

Jorge Rivera was scheduled to fight American Top Team’s Alessio Sakara for the third time, but the fight was scrapped again when a knee injury plagued the perennial injured Sakara. Rivera is coming off of a controversial loss to Michael Bisping in which he ate an illegal knee that the UFC believed was thrown intentionally. Being a game opponent, Rivera decided to continue, and was quickly put away in the next few minutes. To his credit, Many fighters would have stayed down. Rivera will have to use experience in the fight as he is facing a dangerous fight against a guy with not much to lose, and WILL take chances to win. Rivera was on a 3 fight winning streak before the emotion fueled Bisping fight with wins TKO wins over Quarry, Kimmons, and Osterneck respectively.

75% Fights Won
40% Striking Accuracy
35% Takedown Accuracy

Odds: +175
Reach: 76 in
Record: 10-3
UFC Record: 9-3
Last 5: 4-1
Streak: -1

Alexander Gustafsson

75% Fights Won
41% Striking Accuracy
43% Takedown Accuracy

Odds: -200
Reach: 76.5
Record: 11-1
UFC Record: 3-1
Last 5: 4-1
Streak: +2

Matt Hammill is coming off of his title eliminator fight against Quinton Jackson in which he put together one of the worst fights of career. When Hammill couldn’t take Rampage down, it really seemed like he had no plan b. Before that fight Hammill was on a five fight win streak that included wins over Tito Ortiz, Mark Munoz and Keith Jardine. He is a grinder when he has to be, and he has the ability to TKO fighters. His last two wins have been decisions, but he also owns 6 ko/tko wins including a viscous head kick over Munoz.

Gustafsson is riding a two fight win streak after being handed his first career loss to Phil Davis. He has proven to be an exciting prospect who has the ability to finish fights on the ground as well as on the feet. He is a finisher, and he has only been to the judges scorecard in his 11 wins. He is well rounded, but he has only really had a big step up in competition once and he ended up losing.

I think Gustafsson  has a real solid future in the UFC, and even though he is real well rounded I don’t think he has the experience and cage savvy to beat a guy like Hammill. Every time Hammill has lost in his career he has come back to finish his next opponent. Hammill will make Gustafsson fight his fight, and control him either to a TKO finish, or just squeak out a decision.

Chad Mendes
100% Fights Won
47% Striking Accuracy
63% Takedown Accuracy

Odds: -800
Reach: 66 in.
Record: 10-0
UFC Record: 1-0
Last 5: +5
Streak: +10

Rani Yahya
63% Fights Won
48% Striking Accuracy
30% Takedown Accuracy

Odds: +500
Reach: 68 in
Record: 16-6
UFC Record: 1-0
Last 5: 3-2
Streak: +1

Rani Yahya is coming off the biggest win of his career with a decision win over Mike Brown, and is taking a big step up in competition in taking on the undefeated Mendes. At 16-6, Yahya is a finisher! The second degree Brazilian Jiu Jitzu black belt has 14 submission wins out of 16. Yahya has adapted his bjj very well for cage, but he is currently 1-2 of his last 3 fights.

The 10-0 Mendes trains with Team Alpha Male and trains along side former champions Urijah Faber and Joseph Benavidez. Mendes has pretty much dominated every opponent he has faced with his wrestling, and has earned 6 unanimous decision wins. He won a decision against Omigawa in his first UFC fight after his successful WEC run. He has a top notch wrestling background and went 30-1 in senior year, only losing the NCAA championship match.

Yahya can fight off his back, and Mendes will put him there as it is just a matter of time. However, I don’t see him being able to finish an opponent like Mendes who has proven to be able defend submissions while executing his top game. He will need to be careful as Yahya is a slick BJJ player, and handing Mendes his first loss would be huge for his career.  Mendes will use his wrestling to take all three rounds, and if he can do it standing up by holding Yahya against the fence he will.

MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko was handed his third straight loss when he was stopped by Dan Henderson to close the night, and it was Miesha Tate who unseated the women’s welterweight champion via arm triangle in the fourth round of a close fight.

Below are the results for all fight, and a full breakdown of the main card.

Main card (Showtime)

Heavyweight bout:
Fedor Emelianenko  223 Lbs. Vs. Dan Henderson  207 Lbs.

This was a fight that turned into a brawl almost immediately. Besides about 90 seconds where Hendo held Fedor against the fence, both of these guys were trying to knock each others heads off. Near the end of the fight, Fedor landed a right hand that put Hendo on the seat of his pants. Fedor jumped into his guard and started throwing punches, and Hendo snuck out the back and landed a huge upper cut that sent Fedor face planting into the canvas.

After the fight, Fedor claimed he felt the fight was stopped early. Personally, after it happened I agreed with him, but then I watched the slo-motion replay and I agree with Herb Dean’s stop there.

Dan Henderson def. Fedor Emelianenko via TKO (punches) at 4:12 of R1

Women’s Welterweight (135 lb) Championship bout:
Marloes Coenen ©  135 Lbs. Vs. Miesha Tate   135 Lbs.

This was a fight everyone thought would be close, and it was up until the Coenen submitted. Tate effectively used her wrestling to control the stand up, because right away it was clear Coenen had the edge there. Coenen was fainting beautifully, and landing her left hook with precision almost immediately in the fight.

On the ground, Tate was able to control Coenen for some of the time, but it was Coenen who was threatening submissions. At one point in the third round, Tate dove in and got the take down, but Coenen was able to frame up a Comado choke that had Tate hovering her hand to tap. However, in the third round it was Tate who cinched up a slick arm triangle choke after she slid from right side mount to left to force the tap. Great back and forth fight, and an excellent win for the new champ.

Miesha Tate def. Marloes Coenen via arm triangle at 3:03 Rd. 4
New women’s bantamweight champ.

Middleweight bout:
Robbie Lawler 185 Lbs. Vs. Tim Kennedy  185 Lbs.

The times that Lawler landed punches in the fight, he was extremely effective. He managed to bloody up the face of Kennedy, but for most of the fight it seemed he had a hard time pulling the trigger. Kennedy was able to pressure Lawler and frustrate him on the floor, and anytime Lawler would come forward Kennedy would duck under and dive for a take down.

I’m wondering if Lawler hurt his hand in the fight, because he wasn’t throwing combinations. The whole fight he looked for the homerun punch, but never followed it up with anything. Kennedy fought his style of fight, and controlled Lawler on the fence and on the mat. Lawler was finding the mark with his uppercut, but after Kennedy got stung with it a few times he was looking out for it.

Tim Kennedy Def. Robbie Lawler by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Sportsbettingworld.com Score
Rd. 1 10-9 Kennedy
Rd. 2 10-9 Kennedy
Rd. 3 10-9 Kennedy

(Kennedy 30-27)

Welterweight bout:
Paul Daley 171 Lbs. Vs. Tyron Woodley  170 Lbs.

If you saw Paul Daley vs Josh Koschek you basically saw th same fight. The only real difference in this one, was that Daley managed to defend a large amount of the takedowns and was able to get to his feet a few times. That didn’t change the outcome any, as every time Daley was on his back he had a lot of trouble getting up.

The first round I scored a draw, I really didn’t think either fighter did anything to win the round. Daley was taken down, but he got back and took no damage and Woodley never had a dominant position. If I had to pick a winner of the round it would have been Woodley.  I understand the argument that Daley won the third round, but I just didn’t think Daley did enough to steal it. Yes he landed some shots, but he didn’t create any damage and it was Woodley who had cage control.

Tyron Woodley defeats Paul Daley by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Sportsbettingworld.com Score
Rd. 1 10-10 Draw
Rd. 2 10-9   Woodley
Rd. 3 10-9   Woodley
(30-28 Woodley)

Welterweight bout:
Scott Smith 171 Lbs. Vs. Tarec Saffiedine  170 Lbs.

Smith was picked apart in this fight from the very beginning. Saffiedine was able to jump in and out of the pocket, and land on smith at will. Smith was able to land some shots, but he threw very few combinations and was throwing single shots and kicks. When it was clear at the end of the fight that he did not have the decision in his favor, he was way to docile and it didn’t seem like he was trying to finish Saffiedine. He kept throwing the right leg high kick that never came close to landing, and it reeked of desperation everytime. Smith just wasn’t aggressive int his fight, and he stood in front of Saffiedine for 15 minutes getting beat up.

Tarec Saffiedine def. Scott Smith by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

Sportsbettingworld.com Score
Rd. 1 10-9 Saffiedine
Rd. 2 10-8 Saffiedine
Rd. 3 10-9 Saffiedine
(30-26 Saffiedine)

Preliminary card

Lightweight bout:
Gesias Cavalcante  155 Lbs. Vs. Bobby Green 155 Lbs.
Gesias Cavalcante def. Bobby Green via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Welterweight bout:
Eduardo Pamplona 170 Lbs. Vs. Tyler Stinson 171 Lbs.
Tyler Stinson def. Eduardo Pamplona by KO at :15 seconds, R1

Women’s Welterweight (135 lb) bout:
Alexis Davis 136 Lbs. Vs. Julie Kedzie 135 Lbs.
Alexis Davis def. Julie Kedzie by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Middleweight bout:
Derek Brunson 186 Lbs. Vs. Lumumba Sayers 184 Lbs.
Derek Brunson def. Lumumba Sayers by submission (rear naked choke) at 4:33, R1

Heavyweight bout:
Bryan Humes 266 Lbs. Vs Gabriel Salinas-Jones  260 Lbs.
Gabriel Salinas-Jones def. Bryan Humes by submission (D’Arce choke) at 1:19, R3

MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko was handed his third straight loss when he was stopped by Dan Henderson to close the night, and it was Miesha Tate who unseated the women’s welterweight champion via arm triangle in the fourth round of a close fight.

Below are the results for all fight, as always I will do a full breakdown of the main card tomorrow.

Main card (Showtime)

Heavyweight bout:
Fedor Emelianenko  223 Lbs. Vs. Dan Henderson  207 Lbs.
Dan Henderson def. Fedor Emelianenko via TKO (punches) at 4:12 of R1

Women’s Welterweight (135 lb) Championship bout:
Marloes Coenen ©  135 Lbs. Vs. Miesha Tate   135 Lbs.

Miesha Tate def. Marloes Coenen via arm triangle at 3:03 Rd. 4
New women’s bantamweight champ.

Middleweight bout:
Robbie Lawler 185 Lbs. Vs. Tim Kennedy  185 Lbs.
Tim Kennedy Def. Robbie Lawler by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Sportsbettingworld.com Score
Rd. 1 10-9 Kennedy
Rd. 2 10-9 Kennedy
Rd. 3 10-9 Kennedy

(Kennedy 30-27)

Welterweight bout:
Paul Daley 171 Lbs. Vs. Tyron Woodley  170 Lbs.
Tyron Woodley defeats Paul Daley by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Sportsbettingworld.com Score
Rd. 1 10-10 Draw
Rd. 2 10-9   Woodley
Rd. 3 10-9   Woodley
(30-28 Woodley)

Welterweight bout:
Scott Smith 171 Lbs. Vs. Tarec Saffiedine  170 Lbs.
Tarec Saffiedine def. Scott Smith by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

Sportsbettingworld.com Score
Rd. 1 10-9 Saffiedine
Rd. 2 10-8 Saffiedine
Rd. 3 10-9 Saffiedine
(30-26 Saffiedine)

Preliminary card

Lightweight bout:
Gesias Cavalcante  155 Lbs. Vs. Bobby Green 155 Lbs.
Gesias Cavalcante def. Bobby Green via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Welterweight bout:
Eduardo Pamplona 170 Lbs. Vs. Tyler Stinson 171 Lbs.
Tyler Stinson def. Eduardo Pamplona by KO at :15 seconds, R1

Women’s Welterweight (135 lb) bout:
Alexis Davis 136 Lbs. Vs. Julie Kedzie 135 Lbs.
Alexis Davis def. Julie Kedzie by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Middleweight bout:
Derek Brunson 186 Lbs. Vs. Lumumba Sayers 184 Lbs.
Derek Brunson def. Lumumba Sayers by submission (rear naked choke) at 4:33, R1

Heavyweight bout:
Bryan Humes 266 Lbs. Vs Gabriel Salinas-Jones  260 Lbs.
Gabriel Salinas-Jones def. Bryan Humes by submission (D’Arce choke) at 1:19, R3

Below are the full weigh in results for all fighters, and the main card will air live on Showtime tomorrow night.

Main card (Showtime)

Heavyweight bout:
Fedor Emelianenko  223 Lbs.
Dan Henderson  207 Lbs.

Women’s Welterweight (135 lb) Championship bout:
Marloes Coenen ©  135 Lbs.
Miesha Tate   135 Lbs.

Middleweight bout:
Robbie Lawler 185 Lbs.
Tim Kennedy  185 Lbs.

Welterweight bout:
Paul Daley 171 Lbs.
Tyron Woodley  170 Lbs.

Welterweight bout:
Scott Smith 171 Lbs.
Tarec Saffiedine  170 Lbs.

Preliminary card

Lightweight bout:
Gesias Cavalcante  155 Lbs.
Bobby Green 155 Lbs.

Welterweight bout:
Eduardo Pamplona 170 Lbs.
Tyler Stinson 171 Lbs.

Women’s Welterweight (135 lb) bout:
Alexis Davis 136 Lbs.
Julie Kedzie 135 Lbs.

Middleweight bout:
Derek Brunson 186 Lbs.
Lumumba Sayers 184 Lbs.

Heavyweight bout:
Bryan Humes 266 Lbs.
Gabriel Salinas-Jones  260 Lbs.

Fedor Emelianenko
Odds: -270
Reach: 74 In.
Record: 31-3 (1)
Strikeforce Record: 1-3
Last 5: 3-2
Streak: -2

Dan Henderson
Odds: +190
Reach: 74 in
Record: 27-8
Strikeforce Record: 2-1
Last 5: 4-1
Streak: +2

Anyone who has been watching MMA closely for more than five years wishes this fight was scheduled to happen years ago. In most cases when people make that statement it means the fight is a lot less intriguing. That isn’t the case with Fedor Vs Henderson. While one can argue both of these fighters are on the down side of their respective career trajectory, I certainly don’t see this fight being less interesting.

Fedor is coming off his first 2 real losses in his career when he was finished by Fabricio Werdum and Antonio ‘Big Foot’ Silva. Prior to that, besides a no contest against Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira for an accidental head butt, Fedor hadn’t been defeated since 2000 and he rattled off 27 wins. His other loss was a TKO (doctor stoppage) due to cuts. Fedor is easily the most dominant heavyweight fighter in the history of Mixed Martial Arts, and he has already solidified his gold medal legacy in the sport.

Henderson is also in the legends of the sport category. Henderson has fought all over the planet. His only UFC losses were to number 1 pound-for-pound fighter Anderson Silva for the middleweight title, and Quinton Jackson for the unification of the light heavyweight belts from Pride and the UFC. His only strikeforce loss is to Jake Shields for the middleweight title in which he lost via unanimous decision. His other losses are all names you will recognize, and most would consider them all pillars of the sport. His momentum is undeniable, and he has finished his last two fights in devastating fashion. His last win, over Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante, earned him the light heavyweight title.

Henderson is not the guy who is going to submit Fedor (like Werdum), and he isn’t going to be the guy to pound him out (like Silva.) Most likely, Henderson is going to want to take this fight to the ground or press Fedor against the fence, and try to neutralize him while scoring points and wearing him out. If he sees Fedor tiring at the end of the fight, he may just try to to land that overhand right and knock him out. I don’t see Henderson just trying to stand and trade with Fedor as he with Sobral or Feijao. Just because Fedor has put together back to back losses doesn’t mean he isn’t dangerous.

I give Fedor the edge in stand up and on the floor. Sure, Henderson has the better wrestling and can use it to dictate where the fight goes, but ignoring Fedor’s 16 submission wins and his Sambo(1st Razryad Grand Master) gold medals is extremely short sited. Also, don’t for get his black belt in judo under Vladimir Voronov. Fedor will be able to put Henderson on his back if he wants to, and he will be able to submit him as he was against Silva and both of the Nogueira brothers.

I see Fedor rising to the occasion in this fight, as this fight could represent his last fight in the cage if he ends up on the losing end. Make no mistakes, this is the most expensive fight ever put on in Strkeforce history (by a mile,) and both fighters know what a win represents at this point in their careers. I think Fedor will land a shot in the second round that will make Henderson revert to his wrestling, and shoot for a take down. At that point, I see Fedor either finishing him from side-back mount, or sinking in the hooks to take it by rear naked choke. No matter what happens, its really hard not to get excited about a fight like this.