Complete results for UFC on Fox from Anaheim
ANAHEIM, Calif. – HeavyMMA.com is reporting live from the Honda Center for tonight’s “UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos” event.
The heavyweight title clash marks the UFC’s debut on network television for the FOX network.
Dustin Poirier vs. Pablo Garza
Round 1 – Neither fighter doing much early. Garza with a front-kick. They exchange leg kicks. Leg kick lands for Garza. Head kick from Poirier blocked by Garza, and he blocks a combination shortly after. Poirier lands and gets his opponent to the ground, but Garza is back up almost immediately. Garza lands a kick, but, when he throws another, Poirier throws him to the ground. Garza is back up and on the outside, but Poirier is controlling this contest. Garza catches a leg kick and falls to the ground. He is in a leg lock, but escapes. Back to the feet now. Poirier lands a nice combination, but takes a shot below the belt. Fight is stopped for a second, but continues. Poirier with a combination, and Garza falls to the floor, though he is not hurt. Poirier is on top and sitting in half guard. Garza defending well. Poirier is throwing down now, but not landing all of his shots. Garza is fine and has full guard here. 10 seconds remaining in the round. Garza attempts a late submission, but can’t get it locked on. HeavyMMA.com scores the round 10-9 for Poirier.
Round 2 – Garza misses with a leg kick to start the round, followed by a failed spinning-back elbow. The fight moves to the floor, and the fans disapprove. Half guard for Poirier now. The Louisiana native is looking for a D’arce choke. He has it locked on. It is over. Garza forced to tap out. Terrific showing by contender Dustin Poirier.
Official Decision: Poirier def. Garza via submission (D’arce choke) at 1:32 of Round 2
Ben Henderson vs. Clay Guida
Round 1 – Guida coming forward with a combination at a frantic pace, but Henderson catches him with a punch. Guida is down with Henderson on top, but Guida is right back up. He is looking for a takedown now. They are clinched up against teh cage, but neither fighter is able to land anything major. They separate now. 90 seconds remain in the fight. Both fighters seem a bit tentative here. Guida with a flying knee that misses. He lands a combination after and locks on a choke. Henderson escapes. The former WEC lightweight champion is looking for a takedown here. He has Guida on the ground. Guida is back up, and Henderson is throwing a lot of kicks to close the round, but only a couple land. HeavyMMA.com scores the round 10-9 for Henderson.
Round 2 – Frantic start to the second round leads to Henderson on top. Incredible start. Henderson on top in North-South position. Guida is back up, but the former WEc star is holding him against the cage. Knees land for Henderson. Guida with knees of his own. Almost halfway through the round. Henderson lands a shot and looks for the takedown again. No luck for him, but Guida catches a knee and takes the fight down. Henderson is back up against the cage. Guida looking to drag the fight back to the floor. Clinch battle finally ends, and the two are back in the center of the cage with 90 seconds remaining. Spinning back fist misses for the contender, and Henderson takes his opponent down. Guida with a guillotine choke attempt, but Henderson easily escapes. He takes the back with under 30 seconds to go in the round. Guida defending. He will survive the round. HeavyMMA.com scores the round 10-9 for Henderson.
Round 3 – Henderson misses with a head kick, as these two appear to be ready to strike. Brief exchange, but neither land a significant strike. Front-kick from Henderson misses., as does an axe kick. Guida misses with a strike, but he lands a nice knee. Clinch against the cage, as Henderson presses his opponent agaisnt the cage. Guida with a takedown attempt now, but Henderson avoids. Tremendous balance from Henderson. Henderson with a takedown just after the midpoint of the round. He is in side control. Trouble for Guida, who rolls, but gives up his back. Henderson looking for a body triangle and he has it. He rolls Guida over and is looking for a choke. Guida escapes and is standing again. He gets a takedown. Guida is looking for the choke. Great action here. Henderson is looking to take the back, but Guida avoids that. Another choke attempt. Guida escapes, and Henderson throws down on his opponent. Great contest, great action. HeavyMMA.com scores the round 10-9 for Henderson.
Official Decision: Henderson def. Guida via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
The Heavyweight Championship: Cain Velasquez vs. Junior Dos Santos (FOX television broadcast)
Dana White explains how the well-rounded champion Cain Velasquez has achieved the top spot in the sport, but he also says dos Santos is capable of posing problems. Brock Lesnar is up next.
Lesnar start out by stating, “What a historic event.” The former champion says he is excited to fight Alistair Overeem and to fight the champion in order to take back the belt he believes is his own. Lesnar says that Velasquez is a well-rounded fight, and White says that his determination is terrific. The UFC president also says the two fighters tonight want the championship so badly.
The former heavyweight champion says that dos Santos needs to stop the takedown. White says that the challenger has fought the best wrestlers in the sport, but Lesnar says he has not. Lesnar insists that Velasquez will get takedowns when he wants them and the superstar can’t wait to fight the champion once again.
Back from commercials, and Lesnar insists he will win against Overeem. White says that Velasquez is the best heavyweight, but Lesnar stops him, asking if he is sure about that. Great to see the former WWE superstar extremely passionate about MMA.
Walkouts beginning now. Dos Santos walks out to the “Rocky” theme song, per the usual. Velasquez up next.
The fight will begin shortly.
Round 1 – 10 seconds in and neither have thrown a strike. Velasquez looks very calm and looks for a takedown. He doesn’t get it, but he lands a leg kick. Dos Santos lands a nice punch that drops Velasquez. He pounds away. Velasquez is in trouble after that overhand right. More shots from dos Santos, and this fight is over. Junior dos Santos is the new UFC heavyweight champion.
Official Decision: Dos Santos def. Velasquez via knockout at 1:04 of Round 1