Riki Fukuda vs. Brad TavaresIt's time for the Facebook main event, as Riki Fukuda (19-6) takes on Brad Tavares (9-1) at middleweight. Tavares has won two straight, including a split decision over Tom Watson last year. Thomas Fan will be the referee in charge.
Round 1: Fukuda catches Tavares coming in off a kick, landing a left-counter and going right for control. Tavares stands up and breaks free, throwing a straight right of his own. Again, Fukuda catches a kick and takes Tavares down. Right on the inside hits from Tavares. Of interest,Jon Fitch is in the corner of Fukuda. Must feel weird to corner a UFC fight and no longer be with the company. Back to the action, and Tavares lands another jab. Tavares lands a kick and a right, but Fukuda answers back with a right of his own. Tavares likely stealing this round with his effective striking, but Fukuda gets a takedown with a sweep.
Round 2: Also, current World Series of Fighting president Ray Sefo is in the corner of Tavares, and that is the likely landing place of Fitch. Maybe they can announce it after the bout, inside the Octagon:) Tavares doing a great job landing his combos, as he has a big cut under his left eye that is pouring blood. Tavares continues to snap his jabs off at will, and now Fukuda is a mess - in terms of his face, that is. Uppercut lands by Tavares. Knee to the body by "BT," who is seemingly landing anything and everything he throws. Fukuda may have an injury to his left hand, as he has not thrown it this round, according to Kenny Florian. He's trying to throw it now, but is keeping it open and not making a fist. Fukuda is a southpaw, in case I forgot to mention that earlier.
Round 3: Head kick lands, but just a glancing blow by Tavares. Some nice dirty boxing inside the clinch by both fighters. Fukuda throwing the left more this round, but leaving it open for the most part. Right jab catches Tavares coming in, as does another. Tavares appears to be the slower fighter now with just over a minute to go. Exchange of kicks by the two as the crowd starts to get into it. Tavares with a jab, and they finish the fight off without any further fireworks.
Brad Tavares def. Riki Fukuda via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Takeya Mizugaki vs. Bryan Caraway
Into the bantamweight ranks next, as Takeya Mizugaki (16-7-2) squares off with Miesha Tate's boyfriend, Bryan Caraway (17-5). Caraway is on a three-fight winning streak, with all three victories coming via rear-naked choke. Marc Goddard will be the referee, and yes, Tate is in Caraway's corner:)
Round 1: Mizugaki fires off a big right to start that connects, and he continues to apply pressure. Caraway working the outside leg kick, and pushes it up against the fence. Mizugaki is able to get the first takedown, as it appeared Caraway slipped to the mat. Mizugaki sweeping in with his left, looking for the knockout. Caraway gets the takedown, but is unable to keep him on the ground, and we've lost the feed. We are back, and there is a minute left in the round, as Mizugaki defends a takedown. Caraway gets the takedown and is working to the back, which he gets, with seconds left.
Round 2: Caraway looking to take this right back to the ground, shooting in for a single-leg. After advancing quickly to Mizugaki's back late in round one, he likely wants to get right into that position again. Caraway's corner is telling the ref he keeps grabbing the fence, and the ref tells them to stop talking. Mizugaki back to his feet - with the cage or not, I couldn't really tell. Mizugaki with a liver shot, and a left, and Caraway appears to have slowed. Mizugaki comes in and Caraway catches him, dropping him to the ground and locking up a guillotine choke. Caraway trying to get his legs wrapped around the body with 90 seconds left, but Mizugaki gets out. Caraway transitions to the back, has the legs wrapped around the hips, but is unable to latch on the choke.
Round 3: Interesting corner talk, as Tate calls Caraway, "babe." His corner believes he is up 2-0, and Caraway tells them he wants to keep the fight standing. Might not be the best idea to stand and trade, as Mizugaki lands a stiff right. A left from Mizugaki floors Caraway, but he's able to get back up. Another swooping left lands, and Mizugaki goes on the attack, sensing blood. Caraway goes for a single-leg, but appears too tired to land it and gives up. Another big blow by Mizugaki, as his lead-left is on target. Caraway with a second-wind, lands some nice uppercuts inside the clinch. Caraway has Mizugaki against the cage, avoiding the striking and gaining control. Exchange from both fighters, as Caraway lands a right and Mizugaki hits with some elbows. Back standing with 20 seconds left, and Mizugaki hits a left.
Takeya Mizugaki def. Bryan Caraway via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Cristiano Marcello vs. Kazuki Tokudome
Our lone lightweight contest (since someone missed weight) will feature Cristiano Marcello (13-4) going up against Kazuki Tokudome (11-3-1). Thomas Fan is the third man inside the Octagon.
Round 1: Marcello lands a big knee and a right that drops Tokudome against the fence, but he quickly recovers and attacks. Now, Marcello is firing off some heavy rights, and this one is action-packed. I really liked Marcello's chances on The Ultimate Fighter. Slip by Marcello, who is bleeding from the nose. Tokudome takes advantage, and is working to advance position. Tokudome postures up, and Marcello hits an upkick, but remains in control in top position, advancing into half-guard.
Round 2: Marcello again comes right after Tokudome, landing some nice rights, but gets taken down for his effort. Marcello opening up his guard, but is denied, as Tokudome remains in complete control of this one after two minutes of action. The ref has seen enough, and he stands them up. Marcello charges in, eats a knee, and scores a takedown. The Brazilian is dangerous when on top, so Tokudome backs up against the cage and stands up. A right hand lands from Marcello, but has little power behind it.
Round 3: Marcello eats a right and gets dropped, and Tokudome pounces, throwing lefts and rights. Marcello appears to have recovered, Tokudome is looking to advance his position. Tokudome gets a little too careless, and Marcello is able to stand up. Marcello lands a left, but is unable to follow it up and string anything together. Knee to the body misses by Tokudome, and Marcello goes to the back, but is unable to get a takedown. Tokudome gets a trip takedown and is looking to finish.
Kazuki Tokudome def. Cristiano Marcello via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Alex Caceres vs. Kyung Ho KangA pair of bantamweights hit the Octagon next, as Alex Caceres (8-5) seeks a third straight victory by welcoming Kyung Ho Kang (11-6) to the promotion. Herb Dean will be the referee.
Round 1: Superman punch misses by Caceres, they tie up and Kang gets the takedown with a bodylock. Caceres really had no chance to defend it, as Kang was in tight. Kang posturing up and looking to hammer down, but settles for side control and is working on a possible head-and-arm choke. Elbows from Kang land, but Caceres gets to his feet with a slick move. Caceres misses with a big shot and Kang gets the takedown again. Caceres works for a kneebar, but is unable to get it and is on his back again. Caceres was going for a submission, unable to get it, but got him back to his feet. Kang scores another takedown and locks in the hooks, but Caceres gets out of it and back up. Trip takedown by Kang connects. Caceres has been working with UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson as of late. Slickly, Caceres uses a butterfly guard to get top position. Some very nice ground work from both guys.
Round 2: Kang trying to cut off the Octagon, chasing Caceres around and scores another takedown. Right away, Caceres attempts to secure a foot and possible submission. Kang really throwing everything he can, jabs, kicks, but has been unable to do much damage with his takedowns. Caceres fights off a takedown attempt, and winds up on top after Kang pulls guard. Caceres to the back, but Kang rolls and winds up on top. Caceres doing some damage from the top, landing plenty of rights as his corner yells for elbows, which he does. Kang gets up and scores another takedown, but isn't able to do any damage again.
Round 3: Caceres being more active with his striking, as this has been a very close fight. Kang has been the more effective wrestler, but Caceres has done more damage with his attacks. Caceres with a kick to the body, Kang trips and he goes on the attack. Caceres working for a guillotine finish, but lets go of it to work some elbows to the face. Kang back in control, but again, he does little to no damage from this powerful position. Kang pulls guard and Caceres is able to get back into control. Caceres in mount, went for a triangle choke but didn't get it. An exhausted Kang is just laying on the ground, but is able to land an upkick. A very weird finish to the round.
Alex Caceres def. Kyung Ho Kang via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28
Marcelo Guimaraes vs. Hyun Gyu Lim
We begin the night in the welterweight division, as Marcelo Guimaraes (8-0-1) looks to remain unbeaten in his MMA career against Hyun Gyu Lim (10-3-1), who will be making his UFC debut. The referee inside the Octagon is Thomas Fan, which is not the name I was expecting when Bruce Buffer announced him.
Round 1: Lim with a reach advantage, as he is a tall welterweight. Guimaraes stuffed on his first and second takedown attempts, and Lim lands a nice body shot. Lim appears very calm for his Octagon debut, as fighting close to home is likely a large part to calming those jitters. Lim has got to be around 200 pounds right now, as he easily stuffs another takedown attempt. Lim looking to land an uppercut after finding his range, looking for a huge knockout, but it's Guimaraes who strikes first with an uppercut/jab combo. Right now, Guimaraes has no chance to land a takedown, but he keeps trying, and eating strikes on the way up. Quick left connects from Lim as we approach a minute in the round. Wild right has no chance to connect from Guimaraes. Flying knee attempt is blocked by Guimaraes, and he scores a takedown.
Round 2: Lim with a strong combo to start the round. Guimaraes catches Lim coming in and he wobbles a bit, but appears to have his bearings back. Lim doing a good job with the striking, but Guimaraes finally gets his ground game going, taking him down. Lim also has some blood pouring from under his nose area, and eats some ground-and-pound. Lim breathing heavily, as his mouth is open and Guimaraes is striking much better now. Big overhand right lands from Guimaraes, as does another left. But, out of nowhere, Lim throws a massive knee that lands and drops Guimaraes straight to the ground. This one is over, and we may have just seen the "Knockout of the Night," and one that will be replayed over and over again. Guimaraes appeared to be ducking down for a takedown, and Lim telegraphed it, hitting the knee right to the side of the heat.
Hyun Gyu Lim def. Marceo Guimaraes via KO (knee to the head) at 4:00 of Round 2
Round 1: Fukuda catches Tavares coming in off a kick, landing a left-counter and going right for control. Tavares stands up and breaks free, throwing a straight right of his own. Again, Fukuda catches a kick and takes Tavares down. Right on the inside hits from Tavares. Of interest,Jon Fitch is in the corner of Fukuda. Must feel weird to corner a UFC fight and no longer be with the company. Back to the action, and Tavares lands another jab. Tavares lands a kick and a right, but Fukuda answers back with a right of his own. Tavares likely stealing this round with his effective striking, but Fukuda gets a takedown with a sweep.
Round 2: Also, current World Series of Fighting president Ray Sefo is in the corner of Tavares, and that is the likely landing place of Fitch. Maybe they can announce it after the bout, inside the Octagon:) Tavares doing a great job landing his combos, as he has a big cut under his left eye that is pouring blood. Tavares continues to snap his jabs off at will, and now Fukuda is a mess - in terms of his face, that is. Uppercut lands by Tavares. Knee to the body by "BT," who is seemingly landing anything and everything he throws. Fukuda may have an injury to his left hand, as he has not thrown it this round, according to Kenny Florian. He's trying to throw it now, but is keeping it open and not making a fist. Fukuda is a southpaw, in case I forgot to mention that earlier.
Round 3: Head kick lands, but just a glancing blow by Tavares. Some nice dirty boxing inside the clinch by both fighters. Fukuda throwing the left more this round, but leaving it open for the most part. Right jab catches Tavares coming in, as does another. Tavares appears to be the slower fighter now with just over a minute to go. Exchange of kicks by the two as the crowd starts to get into it. Tavares with a jab, and they finish the fight off without any further fireworks.
Brad Tavares def. Riki Fukuda via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Takeya Mizugaki vs. Bryan Caraway
Into the bantamweight ranks next, as Takeya Mizugaki (16-7-2) squares off with Miesha Tate's boyfriend, Bryan Caraway (17-5). Caraway is on a three-fight winning streak, with all three victories coming via rear-naked choke. Marc Goddard will be the referee, and yes, Tate is in Caraway's corner:)
Round 1: Mizugaki fires off a big right to start that connects, and he continues to apply pressure. Caraway working the outside leg kick, and pushes it up against the fence. Mizugaki is able to get the first takedown, as it appeared Caraway slipped to the mat. Mizugaki sweeping in with his left, looking for the knockout. Caraway gets the takedown, but is unable to keep him on the ground, and we've lost the feed. We are back, and there is a minute left in the round, as Mizugaki defends a takedown. Caraway gets the takedown and is working to the back, which he gets, with seconds left.
Round 2: Caraway looking to take this right back to the ground, shooting in for a single-leg. After advancing quickly to Mizugaki's back late in round one, he likely wants to get right into that position again. Caraway's corner is telling the ref he keeps grabbing the fence, and the ref tells them to stop talking. Mizugaki back to his feet - with the cage or not, I couldn't really tell. Mizugaki with a liver shot, and a left, and Caraway appears to have slowed. Mizugaki comes in and Caraway catches him, dropping him to the ground and locking up a guillotine choke. Caraway trying to get his legs wrapped around the body with 90 seconds left, but Mizugaki gets out. Caraway transitions to the back, has the legs wrapped around the hips, but is unable to latch on the choke.
Round 3: Interesting corner talk, as Tate calls Caraway, "babe." His corner believes he is up 2-0, and Caraway tells them he wants to keep the fight standing. Might not be the best idea to stand and trade, as Mizugaki lands a stiff right. A left from Mizugaki floors Caraway, but he's able to get back up. Another swooping left lands, and Mizugaki goes on the attack, sensing blood. Caraway goes for a single-leg, but appears too tired to land it and gives up. Another big blow by Mizugaki, as his lead-left is on target. Caraway with a second-wind, lands some nice uppercuts inside the clinch. Caraway has Mizugaki against the cage, avoiding the striking and gaining control. Exchange from both fighters, as Caraway lands a right and Mizugaki hits with some elbows. Back standing with 20 seconds left, and Mizugaki hits a left.
Takeya Mizugaki def. Bryan Caraway via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Cristiano Marcello vs. Kazuki Tokudome
Our lone lightweight contest (since someone missed weight) will feature Cristiano Marcello (13-4) going up against Kazuki Tokudome (11-3-1). Thomas Fan is the third man inside the Octagon.
Round 1: Marcello lands a big knee and a right that drops Tokudome against the fence, but he quickly recovers and attacks. Now, Marcello is firing off some heavy rights, and this one is action-packed. I really liked Marcello's chances on The Ultimate Fighter. Slip by Marcello, who is bleeding from the nose. Tokudome takes advantage, and is working to advance position. Tokudome postures up, and Marcello hits an upkick, but remains in control in top position, advancing into half-guard.
Round 2: Marcello again comes right after Tokudome, landing some nice rights, but gets taken down for his effort. Marcello opening up his guard, but is denied, as Tokudome remains in complete control of this one after two minutes of action. The ref has seen enough, and he stands them up. Marcello charges in, eats a knee, and scores a takedown. The Brazilian is dangerous when on top, so Tokudome backs up against the cage and stands up. A right hand lands from Marcello, but has little power behind it.
Round 3: Marcello eats a right and gets dropped, and Tokudome pounces, throwing lefts and rights. Marcello appears to have recovered, Tokudome is looking to advance his position. Tokudome gets a little too careless, and Marcello is able to stand up. Marcello lands a left, but is unable to follow it up and string anything together. Knee to the body misses by Tokudome, and Marcello goes to the back, but is unable to get a takedown. Tokudome gets a trip takedown and is looking to finish.
Kazuki Tokudome def. Cristiano Marcello via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Alex Caceres vs. Kyung Ho KangA pair of bantamweights hit the Octagon next, as Alex Caceres (8-5) seeks a third straight victory by welcoming Kyung Ho Kang (11-6) to the promotion. Herb Dean will be the referee.
Round 1: Superman punch misses by Caceres, they tie up and Kang gets the takedown with a bodylock. Caceres really had no chance to defend it, as Kang was in tight. Kang posturing up and looking to hammer down, but settles for side control and is working on a possible head-and-arm choke. Elbows from Kang land, but Caceres gets to his feet with a slick move. Caceres misses with a big shot and Kang gets the takedown again. Caceres works for a kneebar, but is unable to get it and is on his back again. Caceres was going for a submission, unable to get it, but got him back to his feet. Kang scores another takedown and locks in the hooks, but Caceres gets out of it and back up. Trip takedown by Kang connects. Caceres has been working with UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson as of late. Slickly, Caceres uses a butterfly guard to get top position. Some very nice ground work from both guys.
Round 2: Kang trying to cut off the Octagon, chasing Caceres around and scores another takedown. Right away, Caceres attempts to secure a foot and possible submission. Kang really throwing everything he can, jabs, kicks, but has been unable to do much damage with his takedowns. Caceres fights off a takedown attempt, and winds up on top after Kang pulls guard. Caceres to the back, but Kang rolls and winds up on top. Caceres doing some damage from the top, landing plenty of rights as his corner yells for elbows, which he does. Kang gets up and scores another takedown, but isn't able to do any damage again.
Round 3: Caceres being more active with his striking, as this has been a very close fight. Kang has been the more effective wrestler, but Caceres has done more damage with his attacks. Caceres with a kick to the body, Kang trips and he goes on the attack. Caceres working for a guillotine finish, but lets go of it to work some elbows to the face. Kang back in control, but again, he does little to no damage from this powerful position. Kang pulls guard and Caceres is able to get back into control. Caceres in mount, went for a triangle choke but didn't get it. An exhausted Kang is just laying on the ground, but is able to land an upkick. A very weird finish to the round.
Alex Caceres def. Kyung Ho Kang via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28
Marcelo Guimaraes vs. Hyun Gyu Lim
We begin the night in the welterweight division, as Marcelo Guimaraes (8-0-1) looks to remain unbeaten in his MMA career against Hyun Gyu Lim (10-3-1), who will be making his UFC debut. The referee inside the Octagon is Thomas Fan, which is not the name I was expecting when Bruce Buffer announced him.
Round 1: Lim with a reach advantage, as he is a tall welterweight. Guimaraes stuffed on his first and second takedown attempts, and Lim lands a nice body shot. Lim appears very calm for his Octagon debut, as fighting close to home is likely a large part to calming those jitters. Lim has got to be around 200 pounds right now, as he easily stuffs another takedown attempt. Lim looking to land an uppercut after finding his range, looking for a huge knockout, but it's Guimaraes who strikes first with an uppercut/jab combo. Right now, Guimaraes has no chance to land a takedown, but he keeps trying, and eating strikes on the way up. Quick left connects from Lim as we approach a minute in the round. Wild right has no chance to connect from Guimaraes. Flying knee attempt is blocked by Guimaraes, and he scores a takedown.
Round 2: Lim with a strong combo to start the round. Guimaraes catches Lim coming in and he wobbles a bit, but appears to have his bearings back. Lim doing a good job with the striking, but Guimaraes finally gets his ground game going, taking him down. Lim also has some blood pouring from under his nose area, and eats some ground-and-pound. Lim breathing heavily, as his mouth is open and Guimaraes is striking much better now. Big overhand right lands from Guimaraes, as does another left. But, out of nowhere, Lim throws a massive knee that lands and drops Guimaraes straight to the ground. This one is over, and we may have just seen the "Knockout of the Night," and one that will be replayed over and over again. Guimaraes appeared to be ducking down for a takedown, and Lim telegraphed it, hitting the knee right to the side of the heat.
Hyun Gyu Lim def. Marceo Guimaraes via KO (knee to the head) at 4:00 of Round 2
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