Nick Diaz (26-9 MMA, 7-6 UFC) vs. Anderson Silva (33-6 MMA, 16-2 UFC)
Embed from Getty ImagesPrefight: Nick comes out mean-mugging as usual. Rocking his Torque shirt he comes into the octagon shadowboxing and jumps around.
Anderson comes out to his signature “No Sunshine” by DMX. He looks visibly nervous with a steady amount of deep breathing. The moment sinks in that this fight is actually happening.
Round 1 – Nick comes out and immediately starts talking trash to Anderson! Nick lands some great leg kicks and Anderson answers with some straight punches. Nick toys with Anderson, goofing around and motioning towards him. Silva keeps his composure but clearly seems agitated. Silva lands some great punches and gets to Diaz. Diaz can’t get much in in terms of decent strikes and Silva clearly takes the round.
Round 2 – Anderson lands some leg kicks with his newly strengthened left leg. Nick attempts some punches but nothing solid really lands. Diaz continues to clown with Silva, dropping his hands and taunting Anderson. Silva answers by keeping the pressure on, but Diaz really hold his own. Impressive performance so far by Diaz of getting into Silva’s head but he hasn’t done enough damage so far.
Round 3 – Nick Diaz’s left eye is starting to take some serious damage. Silva is landing small jabs at will to Diaz’s face and he isn’t answering back with anything that significant. The crowd calls for Silva and you can see Diaz’s eye start to swell. Silva is still in control of the fight.
Round 4 – Diaz needs to step up his striking and in this round he starts to. Diaz lands some good elbows but Silva recovers with ease. Silva continues to rain on the leg kicks and control the octagon. Diaz continues to clown Silva with dancing around and taunting, but it may be without reason. Silva still getting the better of the exchanges going into the final round.
Round 5 – Diaz’s taunting is becoming comical. Silva remains unfazed and lands like good jabs and leg kicks. Diaz actually starts landing some decent strikes but can’t follow it up with anything too meaningful. Diaz’s eye is almost completely shut. The blood on his face really starts to pour down and Silva stays cautious, betting that he has the fight locked up. As the horn sounds, Silva gives a relieved fist pump and circles the octagon.
Silva def. Diaz by unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 49-46)
Kelvin Gastelum (10-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) vs. Tyron Woodley (14-3 MMA, 4-2 UFC)
Embed from Getty ImagesRound 1 – Kelvin comes in looking much heavier than Woodley, for good reason. He weighed in over 10 pounds heavy and had to sacrifice part of his purse to Woodley. Woodley stays on the outside and Gastelum looks very cautious initially. Woodley lands some decent strikes and Gastelum seems to still look for his range. The crowd rains in a chorus of boo’s as neither fighter does much in term of activity. Woodley takes the round.
Round 2 – Gastelum starts to pick up the pace. Woodley stays on the perimeter and land some great strikes. Gastelum gets rocked with a nice straight right by Woodley. Woodley keeps his pace very applies pressure. Kelvin mixes in some good leg kicks. Gastelum tries some punches but is losing the exchanges with Woodley. Rogan claims that Woodley has done the most damage and to this point it seems to be accurate.
Round 3 – Woodley lands a strong punch and Gastelum’s left eye starts to bleed. Gastelum answers with his own leg kicks and keeps Woodley fro doing further damage. Woodley continues to wind up his right hand, looking for a haymaker to finish Gastelum. Rogan claims that Gastelum’s cut was actually due to an accidental head-butt and not Woodley’s punch. Woodley grinds out Gastelum on the cage and theres a final exchange to end the round.
Tyron Woodley def. Kelvin Gastelum via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Al Iaquinta (10-3-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC) vs. Joe Lauzon (24-9 MMA, 11-6 UFC)
Embed from Getty ImagesRound 1 – Lauzon lands some nice punches early. Joe takes control of the round and gets some good strikes in.
Round 2 – Lauzon starts some of the same strategy, picking spots and staying striking for the most part. Iaquinta answers with a left hook and gets a vicious right to Lauzon’s head. Lauzon holds and stumbles but stays standing. Iaquinta lays on more strikes and starts pounding on Lauzon. Lauzon can’t hold on any longer and the fight is stopped while standing.
Al Iaquinta def. Joe Lauzon via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 3:34