[UFC 109]: Relentless - minuto per minuto (06/02/2010)

A seguito riporto il play-by-play di tutto l'evento, compresi della main card e preliminary card.
Ricordo a tutti che qui potrete trovare i video dell'evento ed i risultati.

Rolles Gracie vs. Joey Beltran
Round 1
Gracie shoots for an immediate takedown and pushes Beltran into the cage. Knees from the clinch follow from the Brazilian. Beltran breaks free and stuffs a takedown attempt, but Gracie moves back to the clinch and scores with a takedown. Gracie mounts immediately and Beltran surrenders his back. Gracie transitions back to the full mount with 3:20 left in the round. Beltran reverses into top position on the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, and the two heavyweights stand. Gracie lands a straight right hand and another, as he pushes back into the clinch. With roughly 45 seconds to go, they trade wildly in the center of the Octagon. Gracie, the considerably large of the two men, carries his hands low. He shoots for a late takedown, but Beltran sprawls and batters him with ground-and-pound. 10-9 Gracie.
Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Beltran vs. Gracie.


Round 2
Gracie tries for another takedown, and Beltran meets him with a sprawl. Gracie looks winded and eats a knee to the top of his head for his troubles. Almost stationary, Gracie shoots again and catches only air, as the crowd answers with boos. Beltran stops another takedown from the exhausted Brazilian, lands in top position on Gracie’s back and pounds away for the finish, as referee Herb Dean intervenes 1:31 into round two.

Joey Beltran def. Rolles Gracie – TKO (Punches) 1:31 R2


Tim Hague vs. Chris Tuchscherer
Round 1
The much taller Hague paws with a left jab. Tuchscherer clinches quickly and presses the Canadian into the cage. Tuchscherer, sporting a robust belly, has his single leg thwarted. Hague traps Tuchscherer’s left arm and defends the takedown well. Still against fence, they finally separate 90 seconds in. They circle and Hague lands a decent right hand. Tuchscherer counters with a left hand. Tuchscherer misses with a flailing right/left and shoots in for a double-leg, but he is stuffed. In the skirmish, Hague inadvertently lands a right knee to the groin. Tuchscherer not exactly feeling too well at this point but continues moments later. Tuchscherer lands a hard right leg kick. Both men sizing each other up with little action. Tuchscherer throws a series of strikes but none of his punches land cleanly. Hague lands a vicious leg kick with less than two minutes remaining. Tuchscherer presses Hague into the fence again but Hague defends the takedown well. Tuchscherer seems to be staggered by a short left hand by Hague and he stumbles forward. Hague latches on a standing guillotine. It looks remotely deep. Tuchscherer clears his head and fights his way out of the choke. Tuchscherer still has Hague pinned against the fence. Referee Josh Rosenthal warns them to fight. They separate after a knee by Hague just before the bell. Very close round. 10-9 Hague.

Round 2
Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Tuchscherer vs. Hague.
Hague lands a hard choppy right hand seconds into the round. Tuchscherer quickly scores a single leg but he is rolled over into a kimura. It looks deep but Tuchscherer is fighting his way out. He’s safe and has side control. They scramble up but Hague slips into a standing guillotine. It’s loose and Tuchscherer lets it go. Hague separates with a knee and punch. They circle and both take deep breaths. Two minutes in and the pace has slowed. Hard right/left hands by Tuchscherer but Hague is unfazed. Tuchscherer lands a decent left leg kick and follows it up with a short hook. Hague defends well. Tuchscherer closes the gap and again presses his opponent into the fence. Hague pushes off and separates again. They circle and Tuchscherer lands a right hand. Hague looking very tired with 90 seconds left. Hague backs away from the fight and looks at the big screen for the clock.

He is gassed. Hague misses with a wild flying knee and falls into a clinch. Tuchscherer reverses and again presses his foe into the cage. Tuchscherer looking for the single leg but he’s stuffed. Hague pushes off and lands a right hand. Hague lands a left knee to the body just before the bell. 10-9 Tuchscherer.

Round 3
Trainer Greg Nelson implores Tuchscherer to not turn his back on Hague or else he won’t stay in the Octagon between rounds. Hague comes out firing right at the start and tags Tuchscherer. Tuchscherer is wobbly. Hague closes the gap and unloads a barrage of punches. Tuchscherer covers up and tries to fire back. It’s a wild slugfest and Tuchscherer is hurt. Tuchscherer tries for a takedown but hague slams him down. Hague in dominant position and lands some decent punches. Tuchscherer scrambles out of harm and is able to roll onto his back to try and pull guard. Tuchscherer desperately trying to pull guard but Hague is able to scoot over to half guard. Hague relents and rests on his wounded foe. Hague scoots up high and he has the position for an inverted triangle. He can’t seal it. Tuchscherer slips out and turtles up. Hague lands some decent punches. Tuchscherer rolls back over onto his back and Hague lands in half guard. Tuchscherer slips out but gives up his back. Hague has a chance for a rear naked but he misses and allows Tuchscherer to escape. They scamble again but Hague is able to keep Tuchscherer down and against the fence. 30 seconds left and Tuchscherer needs a miracle. Hague now in half guard and wails away with punches. The horn sounds and saves Tuchscherer from a stoppage. 10-8 Hague.

Official scores: 29-28 (twice) and a 28-28 for Tuchscherer. The crowd boos and Hague is in disbelief. Joe Rogan looks stunned as Tuchscherer takes the majority decision.

Brian Stann vs. Phil Davis
Round 1
Referee is Steve Mazzagatti. They touch gloves and circle away right off the bat. Both pawing with jabs and leg kicks but nothing hs landed. Davis misses a left head kick and spins out of harm’s way. Davis shoots in but is stuffed and winds up pinning Stann into the cage. Working with only one underhook, Davis can’t land the takedown. Stann pushes off and circles away from the clinch and brings the fight to center cage. Davis stalking while he bobs and weaves. Hard left inside leg kick by Stann. Davis looks a little hesitant right now, trying to time Stann for the takedown. Davis lands a hard left kick to Stann’s body. Davis shoots in and scores a heavy takedown and immediately secures side control. ‘Mr. Wonderful” has Stann pinned into the fence, but Stann rolls over onto his hands and knees. Stann trying to wall walk. Davis flattens Stann but the Marine rolls back onto his back to avoid the choke. Davis has full mount with 45 seconds left. Davis lands two nice left hands. Stann rolls onto his back and Davis flattens him. Davis rains down some strikes and Stann rolls onto his back again. The horn ends with Stann in serious trouble. 10-9 Davis.

Round 2
Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Davis vs. Stann.
Stann misses a lunging right hand early on. Davis looks very confident early on. Stann misses another punch and Davis shoots in. He lands a textbook double leg takedown. davis immediately moves to full mount. Stann is in deep trouble as Davis' wrestling is superb. Davis lands some strikes and Stann scrambles. Davis is all over Stann and won't let him breathe. Stann desperately scrambles out and is able to pull Davis into half guard. Davis scoots over and moves to side control. Davis tries a kimura but its not happening. He lets go and attempts an arm triangle. Stann defends well but during a scramble he's mounted again. Stann can't escape anything. Davis pins Stann into the cage again and lands a huge knee to the body. Another. Another. Davis is dominating Stann. Davis lands another huge knee to the body. The horn ends the round and Davis is in total control. 10-9 Davis.

Round 3
Stann misses some punches. Stann needs to keep this one on the feet if he’s to win. Davis lands a leg kick but eats a straight right from the Marine. Stann misses another right hand and is quickly shot in on. Stann stuffs it but Davis is too determined to be stopped. Davis lands the single leg. Stann crumbles onto his back and his body language displays complete frustration. Davis scoots over to full mount. Stann shells up and blocks a series of punches from the wrestler. Stann bucks Davis off but he has no time to escape; Davis dives right back onto his opponent. Davis lands right back into a full mount. Stann needs some sort of escape and a clean punch to end it, but he just can’t get Davis off. With a minute left, Davis is still over him. Davis rolls Stann over when Stann gives up his back, but he can’t land the rear-naked choke. Stann rolls over but Davis grabs the arm. Davis pulls the arm over and locks in the armbar. Davis can’t land it before the horn ends the round. 10-9 Davis.

Phil Davis takes a unanimous decision with scores of 30-27 and 30-26 (twice).

Phillipe Nover vs. Robert Emerson
Round 1
Nover lands a snappy left leg kick. Emerson misses a left and is tagged by a right hand by Nover. Nover slips but Emerson misses a knee to the face. They clinch and Emerson reverses his opponent. Nover falls onto his back and pulls full guard. Emerson slowly pushes Nover into the cage. Nover wall walks up but is dragged back down onto the canvas. Emerson again forces Nover into the fence. Emerson is giving Nover no room to move. Nover stands up and locks in a standing guillotine. Emerson tries to escape and Nover is flipped over. Emerson, on his back, is in deep trouble. His face is turning dark red but he pops his head out. They scramble and Nover sinks another guillotine. Nover’s got it deep with the arm in, but he lets go. Emerson now has Nover pinned against the fence again. Nover wall walks and gets back to his feet. Nover reverses and pins his opponent into the cage. Very close first round. 10-9 Nover.

Round 2
Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Emerson vs. Nover.
Nover lands a left leg kick. Nover misses a left head kick. Emerson reaches for an overhand right but eats a right leg to the chest. Emerson dishes out a hard leg kick. Another. Nover closes the gap but is clipped by a right hand by Emerson. Nover clinches but is brought down by Emerson. Nover lands an up kick when Emerson tries to dive in. It’s glancing and no damage is inflicted. Emerson slinks down and nabs side control. Nover defends the attacks from Emerson and eventually pulls Emerson into half guard and then full guard. Nover very relaxed. Emerson’s pace has slowed. Nover tries an omoplata but his base is off. He relents the submission and pulls full guard. Emerson scrambles back to his feet. Emerson pins Nover into the fence but they separate almost instantaneously. A minute left in a very close round. They trade punches but nothing lands cleanly. Emerson clinches and scores another takedown. Emerson slugs Nover’s stomach several times. Very close round yet again. 10-9 Emerson.

Round 3
It’s anybody’s fight coming into the final round. First two rounds could have gone to either man. Emerson lands a right leg kick right away. Nover circles and dishes out a kick to the stomach. Emerson doubles over; the kick was right on the cup. Emerson is walking off the pain from the accidental groin kick. After a brief hiatus, they continue. Nover lands a hard knee to the body and Emerson quickly clinches. Emerson tried a takedown but he forced Nover into the cage, stuffing his own takedown attempt. Nover defending the takedown well. Nover backs away and lands two nice right knees to the chest. They separate and square off. Nover switching from southpaw to conventional repeatedly. Emerson is not confused and lands a leg kick. Emerson shoots in and scores a double leg with about two and half minutes left. Nover scrambles out but is pinned into the cage. Emerson is controlling the action and keeping Nover on his trunks. Nover stands up and locks in a standing guillotine. It’s very tight. Emerson is in deep trouble. It looks over but Emerson pops out. Nover sinks in another but Emerson defends it. Nover lands a knee when they separate. Nover with two leg kicks but they are glancing blows. Emerson shoots in and scores another takedown just before the horn. Another very, very close round. The near submission gets it for Nover. 10-9 Nover.

Emerson takes a unanimous decision with scores of 29-28 on all three scorecards.

Melvin Guillard vs. Ronys Torres
Round 1
Torres ducks under a Guillard right hand and gets a fast single-leg takedown. Torres locks up Guillard’s right arm to look for a kimura, but Guillard escapes and gets to his feet. Torres gets another fast takedown and transitions directly to his opponent’s back. Guillard explodes and gets free before standing. Guillard lands a low kick to Torres’ lead leg and misses a head kick. Torres answers with a jumping knee that falls short. Guillard jabs from a southpaw stance. Torres times the exchange and lands a crisp right counter. Torres drops levels for a takedown and is crushed by a right knee. He shakes it off and finishes the double. From the top position in guard, Torres works the body with right hand. He mixes in hooks to the head as he moves to half guard against the fencing. Guillard is attempting to cake walk his way to his feet. Guillard stands and Torres lands a left hook. Guillard lands a right hook that backs Torres up.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Torres
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Torres
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Torres

Round 2
Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Guillard vs. Torres.
There’s a long delay in between rounds to clean up a bucket of spilled ice. Following a long rest, both fighters come out charges and swinging. Nothing lands clean. The pace slows until Guillard lands a clean jab and then connects a right knee as Torres attempts a single. Guillard escapes the takedown with a whizzer. Guillard is turning up the pace with kicks to the legs and ribs. Torres tries to answer, but Guillard roughs him up with a right hand. Guillard misses a right-hand lead and moves away from the counter-punching Brazilian. Torres catches a Guillard low kick and moves him to the fence. Torres takes his back while standing, and Guillard rolls to the ground to avoid the bad position. Immediately, Torres locks on a kimura from guard. Guillard stays calm and frees his arm. Still in guard, Torres goes high with his hips in search of a triangle. Guillard has none of it, and lands a right hand at the bell.


Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Guillard
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Guillard
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Guillard

Round 3
Guillard misses a wild right-hand lead haymaker. Torres attempts a double and Guillard sprawls and shuts it down. Guillard lands a right hand and a left hook. Guillard starts to jab with confidence. Torres gets a trip takedown and begins to work from half guard. Torres passes to side control and ties up the head. Torres switches his focus to the left arm of Guillard, as he applies a kimura. Guillard explodes and gets to his feet. Guillard displays an excellent jab before getting clipped with a right-hand counter. Guillard scores with a left hook and Torres gets a much-needed takedown against the cage. Torres looks to pass from half guard. Guillard starts to taunt his opponent as he yawns with his back to the fence on the bottom in half guard. Torres picks Guillard up and slams him to the canvas, but the American reverses the position and takes the mount. Guillard lands a nice right at the bell.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Guillard (29-28 Guillard)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Torres (29-28 Torres)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Guillard (29-28 Guillard)

All three official judges see the bout 29-28 for Melvin Guillard, who takes the unanimous decision.

Mac Danzig vs. Justin Buchholz
Round 1
Buchholz is kicking at a rapid pace to keep his opponent at bay through the first 90 seconds of action. Head, legs and body, although nothing is landing clean. With a right hand that slips through, Danzig lands the first meaningful strike of the fight. Buchholz attacks and backs Danzig up to the fence. Danzig lands a right hand and then is dropped by a right hand following a knee. Danzig recovers and Buchholz goes to the Thai plum. Danzig gets out of the clinch with no harm. Buchholz is beating Danzig up with his hands. Rights and lefts are getting through. Danzig lands a right-hand lead and goes to the clinch. He attempts to get underhooks, but Buchholz connects with a standing elbow. The fighters trade kicks at the bell.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-10
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-10
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Buchholz

Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Danzig vs. Buchholz.
Round 2
Buchholz and Danzig trade jabs and right hands through the opening minute of round two. Danzig lands a right hand and gets a single-leg takedown. Danzig looks to pass and nearly has the mount, but he gives up the position. Now in half guard, Buchholz works a kimura from his back on Danzig’s right arm. Danzig escapes and gets the mount. Buchholz turns his back to avoid punishment. Danzig gets sloppy and ends up in guard, where he looks for an armbar. Buchholz escapes and covers as Danzig elbows the head. Danzig streikes the head with both hands from his back. With five seconds left in the round, Danzig reverses and takes the mount. He lands a downward elbow and referee Herb Dean issues a warning at the bell.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Danzig
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Danzig
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Danzig

Round 3
Danzig gets a quick takedown to kickoff the final period. Buchholz gets to his feet and is met with a right hand. Danzig lands a sharp jab. Buchholz connects with a knee and gets the clinch against the cage. Danzig rolls and ends up on his back. Buchholzguards the right side of his face as Danzig attacks with punches from his back. Danzig attempts to go to the rubber guard, but he fails. Dean stands the fighters with two minutes left in the frame. Danzig swarms with a punching flurry and a right-head kick that misses. Danzig scores with a knee to the midsection. Danzig pours it on with a left and a right hook. Danzig trips his prey to the floor and maneuvers to the mount position. Danzig opens up with both hands and Buchholz turns his back to avoid punishment. Danzig looks for a rear-naked choke as time expires.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Danzig (30-28 Danzig)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Danzig (30-28 Danzig)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Danzig (29-28 Danzig)

All three official judges see the contest 29-28 for Mac Danzig, who takes the unanimous decision.

Matt Serra vs. Frank Trigg
Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Serra vs. Trigg.
Round 1
Serra hits the body with a right hand. Serra continues to work the body and Trigg opens up with counter punches to the head. Trigg lands a left straight. Serra, the much shorter fighter, is having early success with the right hook to the midsection. Trigg is fighting in a ridged, tall stance. Trigg, with his hands down, throws a left straight and is put down by a counter right hook. Serra swarms with right and left hands until referee Josh Rosenthal steps in to save Trigg at 2:23 of the opening stanza. Trigg protests the stoppage, but he was clearly defenseless.




Demian Maia vs. Dan Miller
Round 1
Miller gets the bout underway with a one-two that falls short. Maia seems gun-shy early, as he does a lot of flinching and holding back. Maia attempts to clinch and Miller cracks the Brazilian with a right uppercut. Maia cuts off the Octagon and closes enough distance to shoot a single. Miller defends and works a single overhook on the right arm of Maia. Miller gets off the fence and is grazed by a Maia left head kick. He counters with a right hand and lands clean. Maia gets a takedown and Miller hops right back up. Maia knees the cup of Miller and lands several hard punches as the injured fighter calls for time. Referee Steve Mazzagatti gives Miller a short reprieve and the fight is back on. Miller connects with the left side of Maia’s face and then immediately looks down at his right hand, as if it is injured. Maia gets a single-leg, but again he can’t hold Miller down. Miller lands a right hand at the horn.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Miller
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Maia
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Miller

Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Maia vs. Miller.
Round 2
Maia lands a kick to the body. Miller charges forward and is hurt by a short right-hand counter, but Maia doesn’t capitalize. Maia lands a double-left hook combo and then crushes Miller with another left. Miller goes to work on Maia’s lead leg with a low kick. Maia is outboxing Miller in round two. He lands a right jab and a left straight before checking a low kick. Miller answers with a right directly down the pipe. Miller misses a punching flurry and then pushes Maia back with a jumping front kick. The crowd begins to shower the Octagon with boos at the four minute mark. Maia slips in another left straight. And another as Miller charges forward. Miller has a body kick blocked as time expires. The crowd boos both fighters’ effort.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Maia
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Maia
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Maia

Round 3
Miller belts Maia with a right hand. The BJJ black belt falls briefly before securing a double-leg takedown. Maia punches the head from a standing guard. Miller uses his back against the fence to stand. Maia fails on a single and then gets the takedown with a second effort. Maia looks to pass as Miller works an underhook on his opponent’s right arm. Maia passes to half guard, and begins to connect with rights to the face. Bleeding from a cut above his left eye, Maia finds himself back in the butterfly guard. Miller is defending beautifully from his back. He gets offensive and looks for a triangle choke. Maia escapes and takes punches to the head from the top position.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Maia (29-28 Maia)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Maia (30-27 Maia)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Maia (29-28 Maia)

Official scores: Demian Maia takes a unanimous decision with scores of 29-29 (twice) and 30-27.

Mike Swick vs. Paulo Thiago
Round 1
Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Thiago vs. Swick.
Following a feeling-out process that lasts 50 seconds, Thiago grazes a kick off the right side of Swick’s face. Both fighters are reluctant to stay in the pocket early. Swick hurts Thiago with a right hand, but the Brazilian recovers quickly. Swick is coming up short on his low kicks. Thiago lands a hard low kick and then misses a left hook. Both fighters are tight and having problems letting their hands go. The crowd lets them hear it. Thiago steps forward and misses everything in a three-punch combo. Thiago misses a head kick and the crowd grows restless again. Swick drops levels for a single-leg takedown and Thiago gives it to him.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-10
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Swick
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Swick

Round 2
Thiago lands the best low kick so far. He follows with a crushing kick to the body. Swick answers with a low kick of his own after having one checked. A slapfight ensues at the 90-second mark. Thiago gets it together and lands a counter right behind the ear and then a left hook. Swick falls and Thiago pounces. Thiago attacks an underhook with a brabo choke and the technique is tight. Swick is out cold. Herb Dean saves Swick at 1:54 of the second frame.

Nate Marquardt vs. Chael Sonnen
Round 1
Sonnen catches a low kick from Marquardt, but he can’t drag him down. Marquardt uses his kicks to keep Sonnen away, but the wrestler closes the distance. Marquardt pulls guard with an arm-in guillotine. Marquardt closes his guard to finish the submission. Sonnen looks to be in big trouble, but he controls the right hand of his opponent and gets free. Marquardt immediately switches to the right shoulder, and Sonnen sees it coming. Marquardt stands and connects with a jumping knee. A bleeding Sonnen finishes the takedown. Sonnen unloads with elbows from the top. The blows are landing clean, and Marquardt is lucky not to be cut. Sonnen continues to punch and elbow the face.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sonnen
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Sonnen
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Sonnen

Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Sonnen vs. Marquardt.
Round 2
Sonnen drops levels right away and gets an easy double-leg takedown. Sonnen goes to work on Marquardt’s body with punches from the guard. Marquardt looks for a kimura on Sonnen’s right arm. Sonnen stays patient in half guard and escapes. Marquardt gets back to guard and briefly works for a guillotine. Marquardt lands an elbow that opens up a massive cut above the right eye of Sonnen. Marquardt rolls for a kneebar and Sonnen escapes. Both fighters are absolutely covered in blood as Sonnen is opened up bad. Sonnen is controlling Marquardt from the back. Sonnen is dominating Marquardt with dominant control and punches to the head. The fighters trade elbows before Marquardt stands. Sonnen gets another takedown and finishes the round strongly with more punches.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sonnen
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Sonnen
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Sonnen

Round 3
Marquardt attempts a fast takedown and Sonnen easily stuffs it. Sonnen transitions to a takedown of his own and he has it. Sonnen punches the head and body from the guard as he presses Marquardt’s head against the fence. Sonnen is doing quality work on the ribs of the Greg Jackson product. Marquardt scrambles and gets to his feet, but Sonnen is on his back. Sonnen knees the back of the thigh and then drags his prey to the floor. Sonnen is all over Marquardt with his right hand on the ground. Marquardt slaps the side of the head as Sonnen’s blows become predictable. Marquardt uses a butterfly guard to stand. Sonnen drops down and Marquardt pulls guard with a guillotine. The choke is deep as Sonnen strains and his face turns purple. Marquardt runs out of gas and is forced to let go. Marquardt sweeps and takes the top in north-south. Marquardt controls and lands a right hand before going to the guard at the horn.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Marquardt (29-28 Sonnen)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Sonnen (30-27 Sonnen)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Marquardt (29-28 Sonnen)

The official judges see the bout 30-27 (twice) and 30-26 for Chael Sonnen.

Randy Couture vs. Mark Coleman
Round 1
Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Couture abused Coleman.
Couture jabs effectively early. He lands four clean jabs and then cleans Coleman’s clock with a straight right. Couture steps forward and Coleman lands a right hook that backs Couture up. Coleman lands a jab in the center of the Octagon and backs straight away from a punching flurry. Couture lands a right hand and then roughs Coleman up with knees to the chin from a Thai plum. A left hook buckles Coleman’s frame. Couture goes to the clinch and lands an uppercut. Couture has Coleman’s back pressed to the cage, and begins to work his dirty-boxing game. Neither fighter has any interest in a ground battle thus far. Couture connects with two consecutive uppercuts that snap Coleman’s head back. The pace slows as Coleman ties Couture up on the inside.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Couture
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Couture
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Couture

Round 2
Coleman connects with a jab and a left hook to start round two. Couture blasts Coleman with a right hand. And another. Couture gets a takedown and moves immediately to mount. Couture pounds away with both hands and Coleman gives up his back. Couture gets both hooks and sinks his arm under the chin of Coleman in a rear-naked choke. Coleman refuses to tap and Steve Mazzagatti pulls Couture off just as Coleman was