5. UFC 130 Live Play-by-Play Updates

UFC 130 Live Play-by-Play Updates:

Prelims (Facebook):

Bantamweight Division: Renan Barao versus Cole Escovedo:

Round 1: Early Takedown by Barao followed by good control and ground & pound. Escovedo is allowed to stand up before pulling guard after Barao presses him against the cage. Solid defence from Escovedo from the bottom as Barao lands short elbows. Referee Steve Mazzagatti stands them up. Kicks followed by quick combos from Escovedo before Barao takes him down again. Barao ends the round on top. 10-9 to Barao.

Round 2: Escovedo drops Barao for a second before Barao takes Cole down into butterfly guard. Fighters stand back up. Escovedo loosening up whilst Barao throws kicks to the midsection. Fighters exchange body kicks and leading hand hooks before Barao takes Escovedo down once again fairly easily. Elbows from the bottom from Cole. Little reply from Barao as he works the position. Fighters are stood back up again before Barao presses Escovedo against the cage. Knees from Cole before he pulls guard. Barao finishes the round on top once again. 10-9 to Barao, only just.

Round 3: Flying knee from Barao at the start of the final round. Fighters scramble with Barao landing on top for a few moments. Jabs from Barao as he stalks Escovedo. Legkicks from Barao followed by a spinning back fist and front legkick. Straight right from Escovedo followed by kicks. Fighters stand and bang momentarily. Flying knee by Barao countered by kicks from Cole. Combination from Escovedo followed by legkicks. Takedown successful by Barao towards the end of the round. Elbows from the bottom from Cole as Barao controls his opponent. Fighters stand and bang for the final 30 seconds before a final takedown from Barao to win the round 10-9 and the fight, in my eyes, 30-27.

Judges scores: 30-27, 30-27, 29-28 all for Renan Barao (Unanimous Decision win)

Bantamweight Division: Michael McDonald versus Chris Cariaso:

Round 1: Good stand up from McDonald. Several faints followed by right hand hooks by Michael. Cariaso attempts several takedowns as well as a leg lock towards the end of the round. Fairly even round, 10-10, maybe 10-9 to Cariaso for submission attempts.

Round 2: Good countering by McDonald. Solid kicks from Cariaso but slightly telegraphed. Good exchanges from both fighters as McDonald counters Cariaso's kicks. Cariaso slips but is allowed to stand back up. A second slip as McDonald pushes forward. Fighters exchange kicks as Cariaso tags McDonald with an illegal but accidental kick to the groin. McDonald is given time to recover before referee Rosenthal continues the fight. Kick missed by Cariaso as McDonald targets the inside leg. Lunging punch by Cariaso as McDonald bobs and weaves away. Late pressure by Cariaso but McDonald soon presses him against the cage. Takedown stuffed. McDonald shoots for the takedown and is successful into side control before passing into full mount.Cariaso pulls him back to half guard as the round ends. 10-9 to McDonald.

Round 3: Headkick missed by Cariaso as the final round begins. Right handed landed by McDonald as Cariaso continues with a mixture of kicks. Combination by Cariaso as McDonald replies. Cariaso takes McDonald down, tying up his own right arm in the process. McDonald moves into butterfly guard as Cariaso lands hammer fists. Triangle attempt by McDonald before Cariaso escapes and they both stand up. Successful takedown by McDonald but Cariaso replies with an omaplata attempt. McDonald defends by holding Cariaso's feet. McDonald escapes and they stand once more. Final minute of the fight. Missed legkick by Cariaso. Two missed headkicks by Cariaso. Fight ends with a missed headkick attempt by Michael. Close round with McDonald just edging it 10-9 and possibly winning the fight 30-28 or 29-28.

Judges scores: 30-27 Cariaso, 29-28 McDonald, 29-28 McDonald (Split Decision win for McDonald)

Lightweight Division: Gleison Tibau versus Rafaello Oliveira:

Round 1: Fighters touch gloves before Oliveira lands a legkick. Solid right hand landed by Rafaello followed by a body shot and legkick. Takedown by Tibau. Rafaello scrambles back to his feet. Fighters exchange several shots before circling the octagon. Tibau lands to shots to Rafaello's face followed by a left hand and takedown into half guard. Oliveira tries to escape but shots from Tibau hold him down. Fighters stand and Tibau continues to pick Oliveira apart. Left hand connects on Rafaello. Close first round, 10-9 to Tibau for takedowns and solid combos.

Round 2: Straight left by Gleison followed by a solid right that drops Oliveira for a second. Fighters circle as Tibau swings away. Oliveira lands twice with the left followed by a solid kick to the stomach. Oliveira charges at Tibau. Gleison catches a kick and takes Rafaello down. Tibau takes Rafaello's back before attempting an arm triangle. Rafaello escapes. Fighters stand up before Tibau lands an uppercut that drops Rafaello. Tibau takes his back, lands some shots and sinks in a rear naked choke that forces the submission.

Gleison Tibau wins via rear naked choke at 3:28 of round 2.

Prelims (Spike TV):

Middleweight Division: Kendall Grove versus Tim Boetsch:

Round 1: Boetsch immediately takes Grove down and lands some good shots. Fighters get back to their feet and Grove starts loosening up with some kicks. Tim pushes Grove up against the cage and takes him down with a double leg into side control. Grove pulls back to full guard and lands elbows from the bottom. Boetsch works some shots to the body before Grove attempts a triangle. Tim escapes and creates distance. Upkicks from Grove before the fighters stand once again. Attempted trip by Boetsch as they scuffle up against the cage. Knees from Grove to Tim's body as Boetsch continues to try to take Tim down. Grove attempts and fails for a takedown before pressing him against the cage. Boetsch reverse Kendall. More knees from Grove followed by a foot stomp towards the end of the round. A kick from Boestch to seal the round. 10-9 Boetsch.

Round 2: Both fighters exchange before connecting against the cage. Knees from Grove. Inside uppercuts from Boetsch as Grove continues with the knees. Trip by Tim to take Kendall down and into half guard. Short elbows from Tim as Grove covers up to defend. Side control for Boetsch. Grove gives up his back to defend himself from the shots before getting back to his feet only to be taken back down again by Boetsch again taking his back. Fighters get back up to their feet. Knees from Tim. Takedown attempt by Boetsch, defended by Grove for a few moments before Tim completes it. Grove attempts to tie up a triangle again but fails. Round ends and Boetsch is 2 rounds up. 10-9 Tim.

Round 3: Fighters scuffle and Tim presses Grove up against the cage again using his weight advantage. Grove reverses the position before Boetsch successfully takes Grove down with a judo hip throw. Grove gives up his back allowing Boetsch to land knees to the body. Fighters stand but Grove eats a knee. Another takedown attempt by Boetsch, stuffed. Grove cut under the right eye. Slow single leg takedown successful by Tim but Grove locks on a triangle that is defended again by Boetsch. Grove with the takedown attempt, stuffed. Tim continues with the takedown attempts and lands into half guard. Grove tries to burst out but only lands into full guard. Shots by Boetsch before the fighters stand back up. Grove completes a takedown but is reversed by Boetsch who attempts a front headlock/side guillotine choke. Round ends with Tim on top. 10-9 Boetsch and a 30-27 win for him.

Judges scores: 30-27 all for Tim Boetsch (Unanimous Decision win)

Bantamweight Division: Miguel Torres versus Demetrious Johnson:

Round 1: Josh Rosenthal begins the action as the fighters circle. Johnson lands two quick legkicks. Takedown attempt by Torres failed followed by a successful takedown by Johnson. Torres reverse Johnson into half guard. Both fighters wrap up as Torres attempts to pass. Miguel locks his arms around Johnson's neck as he slides into side control and then full mount. Johnson pulls Miguel back into half guard as Miguel lands some shots. Torres attempts a choke but Johnson defends. Elbows from the bottom by Johnson. Side control for Torres once again but Johnson reverses the position before Torres sweeps Johnson into a leglock transitioned into a heelhook. Johnson spins out and takes Torres' back. Miguel turns and pulls him into full guard. Torres attempts a triangle but fails. A choke attempt fails as the round ends. Close round but 10-9 to Torres for the early success on top and the constant action from the bottom at the end of the round.

Round 2: Legkick from Johnson. Fighters exchange in the centre before Johnson circles on the outside. Takedown successful by Demetrious up against the cage. Triangle attempt by Torres to roll Johnson over and the fighters stand back up. Another takedown by Johnson as Miguel lands elbows from the bottom. Sweep by Torres reversed by Johnson. A reverse triangle locked on by Torres, lost. More elbows from Torres. Kimura attempt from the bottom by Torres. Again lost. Fighters scuffle but Johnson stays on top althought doing little from the position. Shots finally land from Johnson. Demetrious spins for a leg but Torres grabs one of Johnson's. Side control for Johnson. Round ends with Johnson on top in half guard. Another close round with Johnson being on top more but Torres working harder. 10-10, maybe 10-9 for Johnson.

Round 3: Fighters touch gloves. Right hand lands by Johnson followed by a successful takedown. Torres working for a triangle but Johnson defending well. Tight lock by Miguel but Johnson is surviving. Elbows from Torres. Side control for Johnson as Torres tries to sweep again but fails. Half guard for Demetrious as Torres continues to scuffle. Johnson takes his back whilst Miguel tries to roll into an armbar. Johnson is swept by Torres and Miguel lands into full mount. Torres spreads his weight over Johnson to hold him down as Johnson tries to hip escape. Johnson turns but Torres stays on top and works with some shots. Half guard for Torres. Guillotine attempt by Torres as he rolls into a full mount guillotine. Both fighters roll and stand. They exchange for the final few seconds with Johnson landing a takedown in the last 5 seconds to possibly steal the round and the fight. 10-10 round with the fight scored a draw 29-29 or a win for Torres 30-29 in my eyes.

Judges scores: 29-28 all for Demetrious Johnson (Unanimous Decision win)

Main Card (Pay-Per-View):

Middleweight Division: Brian Stann versus Jorge Santiago:

Round 1: Fighters touch gloves and Stann opens up with a combination. Fighters exchange as Santiago bobs and weaves. Legkick by Santiago as Stann replies with several punches. Solid legkick from Stann replied by a headkick from Jorge. 1-2 legkick combo from Brian as they continue to circle. Stann drops Santiago with a huge left hand and jumps onto him with solid shots against the cage. Hammerfists from Stann as Jorge tries to recover. The action slows down as Jorge holds Stann down against him. Several shots from Brian land as the round ends with Stann allowing Jorge to stand up. 10-9 Stann.

Round 2: Santiago lands a right hand early on. Takedown attempt by Santiago stuffed by Stann. Knees from Jorge up against the cage. Legkicks from Stann. Combination from Santiago. Overhand right from Stann misses. Takedown attempt by Santiago stuffed again. Another legkick from Stann lands on Santiago's lead leg. Spinning backfist from Santiago answered by Stann with a right. Kick caught by Stann. Left lands on Santiago's face followed by a straight right. Slip by Jorge. Stann charges with punches and legkicks. Santiago is dropped by a huge right from Stann and Brian lands several unanswered punches to stop Jorge and force the referee to end the fight.

Brian Stann wins via TKO (punches) at 4:29 of round 2.

Welterweight Division: Thiago Alves versus Rick Story:

Round 1: Right hand lands for Alves. Takedown success for Story but Alves gets back up. Knees from Story. Rick takes Alves' back whilst landing knees to Thiago's thighes. Takedown from Alves but they stand back up. Left lands from Story before he attempts another takedown. Stuffed. Knees from Story against the cage. Referee separates them from the cage. Shot to the body missed by Story. Exchanges from both fighters before Story locks up and presses Thiago against the cage once again. Takedown attempt failed by Story. Both fighters reverse positions against the cage before Story opens up and lands a few shots on Alves. Fighters separate before exchanging again. Knees from Story lead to more shots from both fighters. End of the round and a 10-9 round for Story.

Round 2: Legkicks by Alves start the second round. Fighters bob and weave before Story attempts a takedown and drags Alves down taking his back. Up against the cage, Story delivers more knees. They separate and circle. A takedown attempt completed by Story but Alves stands up several seconds later. A takedown by Alves who moves into half guard. Burst from Story to get back to his feet. More knees against the cage by Story. More Greco-Roman wrestling from Story as he holds Alves against the cage. Separation by referee Kim Winslow. Alves slips on a headkick attempt and Story presses him against the cage again, dragging him down to the ground. They stand and Alves lands some knees. Round ends with several exchanges from both fighters. 10-9 to Story again.

Round 3: Alves works the body of Story early on. A knee from Thiago as Story opens up. Pressure from Alves as he delivers a left hook. Takedown attempt stuffed by Alves, who eats a knee in the process. Jabs from Story. Another left hook lands on Story. Body shots by Story backed up by a single leg takedown attempt defended by Alves. Another left hook by Alves as Story stalks him against the cage. Right hand combo lands by Alves. Story continues to move forward. Alves stuffs another takedown attempt by Rick. A right hand followed by a knee by Thiago but Story continues to press on. Headkick by Alves as both fighters fight to the finish. A 10-9 round for Alves but a 29-28 win for Rick Story.

Judges scores: 29-28 all for Rick Story (Unanimous Decision win)

Heavyweight Division: Stefan Struve versus Travis Browne:

Round 1: Early legkicks from both fighters as Browne bounces around. They lock up against the octagon before Browne reverse the position. the referee separates them and Browne engages again, throwing overhand rights. More kicks from Struve. Both fighters exchange shots and legkicks before Browne lands a takedown and into half guard. Struve escapes but sweeps Browne over and attempts a D'arce choke before switching to an annaconda choke. Browne escapes and they stand back up. Both fighters launch into each other with superman punches and knees before Browne connects with a straight right from the superman punch that knocks out Struve. Several shots from the top and the referee steps in to stop the fight.

Travis Browne wins by KO (superman punch) at 4:11 of round 1.

Heavyweight Division: Frank Mir versus Roy Nelson:

Round 1: Fighters touch gloves and circle. Nelson charges forward and Mir reverses against the cage. Takedown defending by Roy. Knees from Mir as they separate. Legkicks and knees from Mir as Nelson tries to lock up. Headkick lands by Mir. Nelson lands with a right and clinches up with Mir against the cage. More knees from Mir stagger Nelson as Mir lands combinations on Nelson. Knees from both fighters as they work the clinch with 90 seconds to go. Referee asks for more action, Nelson lands a few shots. Big right from Nelson countered by shots from Mir. Nelson in control against the cage until Frank throws Nelson down with a hip toss and takes full mount before moving to take Nelson's back. Nelson works his way back to his feet and the round ends. Close round but 10-9 to Mir for the takedown and cleaner shots landed.

Round 2: Nelson lands several combos before Mir lands a legkick. Another kick follows and Mir pushes Nelson against the cage before taking Roy down with a single. A loose half guard for Mir as he lands elbows to Nelson's face. Mir moves to take the back but Nelson works his way back up to his feet. Uppercuts from Mir inside the clinch followed by a knee. Double leg takedown by Mir, successful. Mir works the position but Nelson stands back up again. They circle the octagon before Mir lands more knees and kicks. Nelson goes for the takedown but isn't successful. The round ends and Mir is now two rounds up. 10-9 Mir.

Round 3: A quick touch of the gloves and the final round begins. A swing and a miss by Roy. Combo by Mir lands. Knees and kicks continue to land on Roy. Both fighters clinch before Frank changes levels and takes Roy down. Short elbows land on Nelson. Nelson's right arm is pinned down but he works his way out of trouble and they stand. Another big knee by Mir followed by another takedown. Mir works the position with punches and elbows before they stand again. Final 90 seconds of the co-main event. One more takedown by Mir and Nelson is visibly exhausted. Huge elbows from Frank, one after another. Frank takes Roy's back for a moment to land a knee to the body but they stand once more. The round ends with both fighters against the cage. A 10-9, maybe even 10-8, round for Mir and, obviously, a 30-27/26 win as well.

Judges scores: 30-27, 30-27, 30-26 all for Frank Mir (Unanimous Decision win)

Main Event: Light Heavyweight Division: Quinton Jackson versus Matt Hamill:

Round 1: Early takedown attempt by Hamill. Stuffed by Jackson. Kicks from Hamill. Headkick missed. Jackson connects with a combo. Faints by Hamill followed by a leg kick. Uppercut by Rampage. Takedown stuffed again by Jackson. Hamill moves forward. Quick combo by Jackson as Hamill lands a legkick. Another takedown attempt stuffed by Quinton. Jackson lands a few jabs. Final minute of the first round. Good combination by Hamill. Another combo and flurry of punches by Jackson as the round ends. 10-9 to Jackson for the takedown defence and combinations. Hamill is cut.

Round 2: Knees by Jackson. Another stuffed takedown by Hamill and Jackson counters with more shots. Legkicks from Hamill. Good left. Another stuffed takedown. Swing and a miss by Jackson. Knee by Quinton. They clinch but Jackson moves away quickly. Big combo by Jackson as Hamill pushes him against the cage. Big body shots by Quinton as he defends another takedown. Jackson finishes the round strongly with more punches. 10-9 again to Jackson.

Round 3: Jackson stalks Hamill and jabs away. Swing and a miss by Jackson. The clinch together but Hamill fails to take advantage. Missed uppercut by Matt. Body kick by Hamill defended by Jackson. Hamill forces Quinton up against the cage but Jackson prevents the takedown. Hamill changes levels as he tries to get Jackson down. They separate again and circle each other. Legkick by Jackson, Hamill jumps in for a takedown but Jackson defends and answers with a hook. Final 90 seconds. Jackson gets the bloodied Hamill up against the cage and lands several knees to the thighs. Matt reverses the position by Jackson escapes and launches an attack in the last few seconds, looking for a knockout. The round ends as does the fight and another 10-9 round for Jackson who takes the fight 30-27.

Judges scores: 30-27 all for Quinton Jackson (Unanimous Decision win)

The End.