Dominick Cruz and Demtrious Johnson (photo courtesy of Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)
Complete results of tonight’s fight card in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON — Heavy MMA brings you coverage of tonight’s “UFC on Versus 6: Cruz vs. Johnson” card from the Verizon Center.
Our coverage kicks off with the first preliminary bout of the evening at 6:25pm ET/3:25pm PT.
PRELIMINARY CARD
Walel Watson (8-2) vs. Joseph Sandoval (6-0)
The opening contest of the night started with a bang. Sandoval came out with a Dan Hardy haircut, but that didn’t help him against Watson. After some brief exchanges, Watson landed a vicious head kick. He followed it up with another and a flurry of punches to finish the fight in dramatic fashion. Very good showing from Watson.
Official Decision: Watson def. Sandoval by technical knockout at 1:17 of Round 1
Josh Neer (31-10-4) vs. Keith Wisniewski (28-12-1)
Wisniewski got off to a slow start in the opening round, but started to land efficiently after the midpoint. However, Neer came back with short elbows at the end to put on some late damage. In the second, he continued with the elbows, and Wisniewski’s face got bloodied up badly. Neer landed more and more throughout the round, as blood poured onto both him and the canvas. At the second rounds end, there was concern over Wisniewski’s cuts, and the fight came to a stop after he was deemed unable to continue.
Official Decision: Neer def. Wisniewski via technical knockout at 5:00 of Round 2
Shane Roller (10-4) vs. TJ Grant (16-5)
The third fight of the evening, unlike the first two, ended in the type of controversy that makes Dana White have nightmares. Grant had success in the opening two frames of the fight, basically neutralizing all of Roller’s game, while implementing his own. In the third and final round of Grant’s first fight at 155 lbs., he looked for a guillotine and the finish. He could not get it, but transitioned well to the armbar. He locked it on, but Roller looked like he would survive. With Roller’s hands locked, the referee stopped the fight, much to the disdain of the former WEC contender. Impressive performance by Grant, but a frustrating one for Roller.
Official Decision: Grant def. Roller via submission (armbar) at 2:12 of Round 3
Mike Easton (10-1) vs. Byron Bloodworth (6-1)
This fight was all Mike Easton, thanks to the tentativeness of his opponent, who missed weight just over a day ago. The crowd welcomed Easton with a lot of praise, and Easton spent the first round feeling his opponent out before opening up. In the second, Easton really poured it on, and when Bloodworth clinched, Easton worked a few knees that caused his opponent to crumble. Easton landed a few shots to his downed opponent before the fight was stopped due to strikes.
Official Decision: Easton def. Bloodworth via technical knockout at 4:52 of Round 2
Michael Johnson (9-5) vs. Paul Sass (11-0)
Round 1: The former “Ultimate Fighter” runner up had great success in the striking early, but that would not save him from the submission game of Sass. When the fight hit the floor, Sass worked for a way to finish the fight and grabbed a leg in hopes for a lock. He got it and forced Johnson to tap out after a great start to the contest.
Official Decision: Sass def. Johnson via submission (heel hook) at 3:00 of Round 1
Yves Edwards (40-17-1) vs. Rafaello Oliveira (14-4)
Oliveira was tough tonight, but Edwards was too much for his challenger. Edwards used precision striking throughout the first frame to earn the round, but really turned it on in the second, flooring his opponent. Oliveira survived at first and stood back up, but it was only momentary. He was dropped again shortly after, and Edwards earned the technical knockout finish with his ground and pound.
Official Decision: Edwards def. Oliveira via technical knockout at 2:42 of Round 2
MAIN CARD
Matt Wiman (13-6) vs. Mac Danzig (20-8-1)
Round 1 – Leg kick from Wiman, followed by a punch. They tie up in the center. Danzig with several uppercuts, followed by a knee. They separate. Wiman catches a leg kick and takes the fight to the ground. Wiman is up against the cage, but very composed. He is back up and looking for a guillotine. He lets it go, but grabs on again. He once again can’t get it, and the two are back to the striking game. Wiman presses forward, landing nicely, but Danzig is avoiding the vast majority of the shots. They clinch against the cage, and Danzig lands to the body several times. Wiman with a shot to the body, followed by one to the head. Wiman lands a right when they separate, but Danzig comes back with a combo. Another nice right hook from Wiman. Wiman looks for the takedown know. He gets it briefly, but Danzig is back up for the end of the round. HeavyMMA.com scores it 10-9 for Danzig, but it was close.
Round 2 – Clinch against the cage is the first action of the round. They exchange short punches before separating. Wiman with a body shot. Another clinch. Takedown by Danzig. Wiman throws up a triangle choke, but switches to an armbar. It looks close, but Danzig is trying to power out of it. Battle going on here on the ground. Danzig breaks out of trouble, landing several punches. Danzig is now in half guard. Wiman is looking for a kimura. Danzig is out again. Danzig pours on a combination against the cage when the fight moves back to the feet, but eats a hook from his opponent. Danzig pressing his opponent against the cage. Wiman misses with a takedown and pays for it. He comes back with a shot, elbowing Danzig at the end of the round. HeavyMMA.com scores it 10-9 for Danzig.
Round 3 – Wiman swings early, but Danzig seems calm and ready to counter. Up against the cage now, and Wiman is landing nice shots here. They are in the clinch. Elbows from Wiman. Another few land for him. And another . Danzig separates with precision punches. Danzig pressing his opponent against the cage, but both seem a bit tired. Incredibly cardio shown by each fighter throughout. Exchange by the two, but neither lands anything significant. Danzig with the takedown and seems to have found a second wind. He moves to Wiman’s back, but he slides off. Wiman on top now. Elbows from Wiman. Vicious. Danzig is in trouble here. Danzig gets back to guard. Under one minute to go, and Danzig is back on the feet. The two are leaving everything in the cage, battling against the cage. Wiman with a takedown attempt, but Danzig throws on a guillotine. Thumbs up from Wiman as the round comes to a close. HeavyMMA.com scores the round 10-9 for Wiman. Close fight.
Official Decision: Wiman def. Danzig via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Anthony Johnson (9-3) vs. Charlie Brenneman (14-2)
Round 1 – The welterweights exchange early before Brenneman looks for a takedown. Johnson stuffs it and is overpowering his opponent here. But he is not landing great shots in this position. Now he is. Knees to the body from Johnson, who now spins to the back. He needs to be careful. Brenneman rolls, and Johnson is now in half guard. Brenneman with a guillotine choke attempt. He escapes, but Brenneman pushes him away. Johnson lands again. He blasts off a head kick that floors Brenneman. This fight is over. Incredible performance from Johnson.
Official Decision: Johnson def. Brenneman via technical knockout at 2:49 of Round 1
Pat Barry (6-3) vs. Stefan Struve (21-5)
Round 1 – It has to be noted that there is a ridiculous difference between the height of these two. Struve working kicks, while Barry throws one back in retaliation. Another from Barry. He dodges a punch and presses forward. Left misses for him. The next lands shortly after. Struve with a head kick, but it is blocked. Shot to the body lands. These two seem very tentative. Neither wants to overcommit. Struve with more kicks, keeping the distance easily. Barry misses with a vicious left hook. Struve with a straight left and a kick. Head kick follows from Struve. Barry attempts a flying knee. That was hilarious. He laughs it off as the round comes to a close. HeavyMMA.com scores the round 10-9 for Struve.
Round 2- Slow start, but Barry lands a nice combination to the head of Struve. It hurt him, but he seems to be fine. Barry throws a high kick, butit is blocked. Head kick from Struve is blocked, and he eats a leg kick. Struve returns the favor. Leg kick lands for Barry. These two are basically just trading kicks now, as few punches are landing. They clinch briefly, but are separated now. Missed leg kick from Barry. Struve presses forward and clinches. He goes for a choke. He has a guillotine choke. The fight hits the floor, and Barry escapes. Struve locks on a triangle. Big slam by Barry, but Struve holds on. Barry is forced to tap.
Official Decision: Struve def. Barry via submission (triangle choke) at 3:22 of Round 2
Dominick Cruz (18-1) vs. Demetrious Johnson (10-1)
Round 1 – Both fighters using a lot of movement here. Cruz lands a combination, but Johnson presses forward. These guys are fast. Body kick lands for Cruz, and Johnson dodges a punch. Cruz stuffs a takedown, but Johnson has him against the cage. Nice throw by Cruz, who is now on top. Cruz moves to side control. Johnson moving to the cage. Brief scramble, and Johnson looks for a leg. Cruz escapes and is back on top. Johnson stands up before earning a takedown of his own. Great back-and-forth action in the main event. Cruz is back up now. Johnson landing knees. They are throwing now. Each fighter landing, but Johnson scores the better strikes. He is looking for a takedown now, but backs away. Johnson misses with an overhand right. Cruz with a punch to end the round. HeavyMMA.com scores the round 10-9 for Cruz.
Round 2 – Johnson presses forward, but Cruz grabs him and looks for a takedown. He has it. Johnson is trying to stand up, and he succeeds. He is pressing Cruz against the cage. The champion seems to be having a difficult time figuring his opponent out. They separate. Left misses for Johnson. He looks for the takedown, but it gets stuffed. Cruz has his challenger up against the cage. Johnson transitions and he presses Johnson against the cage again. Cruz separates with a nice knee. They are exchanging now, but both are dodging strikes nicely. Nice jab by Cruz. Johnson misses with two punches, but looks for a takedown. He nearly gets it, but Cruz throws him aside. The champion with the takedown now. Under 20 seconds remaining in the round. Cruz remains on top as the round comes to an end. HeavyMMA.com scores it 10-9 for Cruz.
Round 3 – Leg kick lands for Johnson. Body kick for Cruz. They are trying to figure out the range of one another. Cruz goes for a takedown, and Johnson nearly throws him down to reverse. He fails, and Cruz throws him down to the mat. He has his opponent’s back. Trouble for Johnson. He is looking for the rear naked choke. It’s close. Johnson avoids for now, but Cruz flattens him out again. Neck crank now. Johnson somehow escapes. Incredible escape. He has Cruz against the cage. Cruz with the takedown. Johnson with knees in the clinch as the round comes to an end. HeavyMMA.com scores the round 10-9 for Cruz.
Round 4 – Leg kicks exchanged to start the round. Neither fighter is landing much here, and Cruz decides for a takedown. He transitions to full mount, but Johnson has him tangled up. The challenger is avoiding damage nicely and works his way back to guard. He is back up now. Cruz is pressing his opponent up against the cage again. He has him down, but Johnson is back up again. The challenger presses him against the cage as the uneventful round comes to a close. HeavyMMA.com scores the round 10-9 for Cruz.
Round 5 – Johnson presses forward early, but gets taken down after finding success on the feet. Cruz in side control, but only briefly. Johnson gains guard again and his looking to get back up. He is against the wall now. Cruz is trying to keep him down, preventing him from landing any shots. Johnson is back up and lands several nice shots. A head kick is blocked by Cruz. He tries to throw Johnson, but can’t finish it. Cruz with a takedown with under a minute remaining in the round. Johnson rolls and gives up his back. Johnson is back up. Very nice escape. He looks at the clock and lands a left hook. Cruz looking for another takedown. He has it, and the round comes to a close. HeavyMMA.com scores the round 10-9 for Cruz.
Official Decision: Cruz def. Johnson via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 49-46)