Tonight is the night for what should be the biggest fight card of the year. We'll be right here covering the fights live as they happen, starting with the 2 prelims airing on Spike and all the way through the main card up to the epic main event. I used to just post the results for each fight after they happened but that became quite difficult with the short amount of time in between fights. It's much easier following along with a live blog and it's also more fun.
So join us at 9 p.m. ET for the start of the action. The night's lineup looks like this:
Patrick Cote vs Tom Lawlor
Court McGee vs Ryan Jensen
Diego Sanchez vs Paulo Thiago
Brendan Schaub vs Gabriel Gonzaga
Tito Ortiz vs Matt Hamill
Jake Shields vs Martin Kampmann
Brock Lesnar vs Cain Velasquez
See you tonight.
Round 1
Big John gets us started. Lawlor out with a jab and Cote responds before a clinch. Lawlor pushing him against the cage with an underhook working Cote's legs with knees. Lawlor drops under and manages to get the takedown. Full guard now. Cote doing a great job of controlling Lawlor from the bottom. Not a lot of action so far. Crowd booing and Big John calling for action. Cote uses his hips to kick out but Lawlor gets side control up against the cage. Back into half guard. Lawlor actually landing some shots now. He's working for an arm triangle and he's got it but Cote rolls out of it. Lawlor took his back with a rear naked choke but Cote rolled out and landed a few big shots of his own to end the round. All Lawlor though. 10-9 Lawlor
Round 2
Lawlor comes out popping the jab. Lawlor shoots in but Cote grabs an arm in guillotine. Lawlor easily gets out and they're back against the cage. He drops down again for the takedown and he'll get credit for one. Cote scoots to full guard. Lawlor landing a few shots while Cote tries to control his head. Lawlor isn't doing a lot of damage with these punches but he's completely controlling the fight. Cote manages to reverse and stand back up. Lawlor gets him down again. Cote looking for a kimura but isn't in position for it. McCarthy stands them up. Cote with a superman punch. Lawlor landed a nice right hand to end the round. Another for him. 10-9 Lawlor
Round 3
Lawlor opens aggressive and again gets a takedown. He's looking for an arm triangle and he passes to side control letting go of the submission. He's looking for it again. Cote works hard to get back to half guard. Lawlor gets warned for shots to the back of the head. He's got full mount now now. Hip escape from Cote to get back to half. Lawlor looking for a kimura now and Cote scrambles to get back to his feet but Lawlor keeps him down. Another stand up from Big John. Little dubious, in my opinion. Lawlor drives him into the cage and drops back down for yet another takedown. This is all Lawlor here. Lawlor pours it on to finish and he'll take a dominant decision. 10-9 Lawlor
Tom Lawlor def. Patrick Cote via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Round 1
Nice right hand from Jensen to start. He's moving quite a bit. McGee misses a takedown. He lands a left hand and McGee goes down but he's back up. Misses another takedown. Jensen jumps in with a right hand and McGee ducks under. Jensen gets the takedown and passes to half guard. He isolates the arm before standing up and jumping back in. He's landing some big shots on McGee against the cage. Head kick from Jensen gets blocked. Jensen's movement is really frustrating McGee. He tags him again. Another head kick blocked. McGee lands a nice right hand. Both guys getting off with kicks. Jensen misses a huge right hand. He landed the harder shots and had the takedown with the knockdown to take the first. 10-9 Jensen
Round 2
Big leg kicks from both guys. Jensen throwing a lot of power shots. Big left hand after an exchange lands for McGee but Jensen absorbs it. Jensen shoots in but nice defense from Court. He ducks under a combo and lands to the body. Superman jab from Jensen misses. McGee with the tie up and Jensen throws him down. Right back to the feet they go. Jensen starting to look tired and he's cut. Nice jab from Jensen. The crowd boos but Rogan tells us it's because Josh Koscheck walked in. Jensen wins an exchange. He's turning it up a bit. McGee tags him and lands a nice takedown into side control as the round ends. Very close round. 10-9 McGee
Round 3
McGee with a kick to the body. Oh, he lands a big right and he's pouring it on. Gets a big takedown and lands in full guard. Jensen looks very tired. Full mount for McGee and he's landing big elbows. Jensen working to get back to half but can't do it. McGee looking for an arm triangle and he gets the tap. Wow. That was out of nowhere. Great performance to come back from McGee.
Court McGee def. Ryan Jensen via arm triangle at 1:21 of round 3.
Brendan Schaub vs Gabriel Gonzaga
Round 1
Touch of the gloves and we're under way. Lot of circling from Schaub to start. He opens with a right hand that gets countered by a leg kick. Not much happening in the first minute. Schaub catches a kick and tags him with a right hand but Gonzaga looks okay. Another right hand lands. He hits a jab too. Leg kick from Gabriel. Schaub has a big speed advantage. He comes over the top with a right that just misses the mark. Nice combination from Brendan. Head kick from Gabe gets blocked. Schaub using the jab to set up a right but he misses. Gonzaga looks for the takedown but defended well by Schaub. More exchanging but no one lands anything significant. Gonzaga gets tagged by a right hand. Schaub is pushing forward with big punches and gets a knockdown just as the horn sounds to save him. 10-9 Schaub
Round 2
Schaub lands another right hand. Leg kick from Gonzaga and another. He's attacking those legs with big kicks. He throws another and falls down. Schaub gets aggressive and comes in and lands a few punches before they reset. Schaub goes to the body. He's really pushing forward now. Doesn't land anything. Gonzaga not looking for any counter shots, he's just covering up when Schaub comes in on him. Schaub pouring on uppercuts. Finally Gonzaga with a counter but it doesn't land. Misses a head kick. Schaub closes the round by landing a decent right hand. Close but he's more aggressive. 10-9 Schaub
Round 3
Gonzaga getting aggressive to start the third. He's the one pushing forward with punches now. Schaub shoots for a takedown but Gonzaga sprawls and avoids. Schaub lands a jab. Slow moving round now. Neither guy really landing anything so far. Gonzaga attempts another head kick but Schaub sees it coming. Inside leg kick from Gabriel. Another one hits Schaub in the nuts but he decides to keep fighting. Schaub is circling a lot now and playing it safe. The crowd boos to voice their displeasure. Body kick from Gonzaga and he has no sense of urgency with ten seconds left. Big exchange and a shot from Schaub turns into Gabriel taking his back and looking for a choke but the round ends. Another close one that I'll score for Gabe but it should be Schaub to take it. 10-9 Gonzaga
Brendan Schaub def. Gabriel Gonzaga via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Round 1
Tito is attacking early with kicks and punches. He's being very aggressive and they are chanting for him. Hamill weathers the early storm. Tito kicks and Hamill catches it and gets the takedown. He gets to side control and Tito stands up. Very nice scramble there. Ortiz looks cut on the side of his head. Another kick from Tito, and another. That's a body kick then a head kick and then a leg kick. He's really working those kicks. He throws a spinning back fist that gets an "Oh" from the crowd but doesn't land. He's not even looking for the takedown. Hamill tags him with a left but he's okay. Ortiz lands a nice combination. Throws another head kick but misses. The round limps to a close and it was very close. 10-9 Ortiz
Round 2
Hamill runs out to start the second. Ortiz with another inside leg kick. Hamill lands a head kick but Tito is okay. Good left hook from Ortiz. Hamill answers with a leg kick. Tito lands a nice knee to the body from the clinch. Another leg kick. Now Hamill goes to the body which gets answered in kind by Ortiz. He comes in with a knee against the cage. Hamill shoots in and gets a takedown straight to full guard. Tito scooting his hips and throwing his legs up. He's trying to stay busy on the bottom. He attempted an armbar but missed and got back to full guard. Big elbows coming from Hamill. Hamill postures up and Tito goes after the knee. Gives up his back and rolls and Matt has side control now. He's looking for a crucifix with about thirty seconds left. Ortiz gets back to half guard as the round ends. 10-9 Hamill
Round 3
Hamill tries a combination to start the final frame. He lands a nice left hook. I'm shocked that Ortiz hasn't even tried to take him down. He lands a right hand. Matt lands a jab with a right straight behind it. Neither guy is fighting with a lot of urgency here, despite how close it is. Hamill throws a body kick. Tito controlling the center but Hamill is pumping the jab. Not much going but Hamill is landing more often. He catches a kick but does nothing. Ortiz shoots but gets stuffed. Tito tries to pressure but gets nothing. Big takedown from Hamill and that should win him the fight. A minute left and he's in half guard landing elbows. Hamill pouring on with punches and elbows. Tito trying to throw punches from his back but they are doing nothing. Tito looks frustrated as the round ends. Hamill should take it. 10-9 Hamill
Matt Hamill def. Tito Ortiz via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Round 1
Diego opens with a big right that misses. Thiago looking for the counter shot. Sanchez pushes and lands a right hand. Diego shoots in for a takedown and almost has it but Thiago does a great job to stay upright. Thiago has him against the cage and looking for the takedown but can't get it. They reset. Another right hand lands for Diego. Thiago wraps him up and takes him down. Half guard and he's controlling Sanchez. He's got a D'arce choke but he lost it. Diego did a great job getting out of three different attempts. Diego pushing against the cage looking for the takedown but can't get it. Thiago finishes the round with a big flurry and he takes it. Thiago 10-9
Round 2
Thiago landing some big shots to start. Diego tries to answer but he's at a reach disadvantage and it's showing. He pushes in with a big combo that totally misses but sets up a takedown attempt. Thiago gets out but Diego completes the takedown and he's on top but facing the wrong direction. He turns around in side control but doesn't have control of his hips. He manages to get him on his back and he's in half guard now. Thiago working towards an arm but Diego avoids. They call time for Thiago hitting Diego in the back of the head. No point taken away though. Thiago has an arm but Diego stands up and comes down with a big shot. He's throwing a ton and whoa, a big reversal by Thiago. He flips him with his legs and grabs him but Diego picks him up and walks him across for a big slam. He's working angry now and the crowd is loving it. Diego sprawling on top of Thiago now and he's taking his back. Landing shots to the side of his head. He's looking to get the hooks in but he's too high up. Thiago gets up and throws a head kick and the round ends. Amazing round. No idea how to score it. 10-9 Sanchez
Round 3
Thiago shoots under and Diego ends up on top in half guard. Thiago looks tired but Diego is on his horse. Thiago grabs his arm again and extends it but Diego gets out. He grabs his back with a body triangle and he's looking for the rear naked choke. Thiago tries to roll over and Sanchez is looking to flatten him out. He let go of the choke and he's landing punches now. Diego has totally taken this fight over. Thiago turns and he's in full mount now. Oh, Thiago manages to stand up out but falls down. Diego runs after him and almost gets caught big with an upkick. Thiago is bleeding and he's looking for a leg but Sanchez avoids. On his back again and landing a few punches. Thiago turns it over and looks for the D'arce again but Diego gets out. What a fight. Sanchez on top again and Thiago throwing upkicks. He comes down with a big right hand. Diego gets full mount and throws a shit ton of punches to end the fight. Spectacular fight. 10-9 Sanchez
Diego Sanchez def. Paulo Thiago via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-28)
Jake Shields vs Martin Kampmann
Round 1
Shields opens with a body kick. He grabs him up and pushes him against the cage. He spins and gets the takedown. Kampmann is working hard to control his body. Shields gets out and he's in half guard. Jake working hard to get full mount but Martin is doing great to stay in half. There it is, full mount for Shields. Flattening him out but Kampmann gets back to his feet. Very impressive. Reversal against the cage and knees from Kampmann. Shields works the single and gets a takedown but Kampmann is right back up. Finally, they reset. Body kick from Shields. Double jab and another kick. Kampmann is uncharacteristically passive here. Shields misses a takedown. Shields pushes forward and drives through for another takedown to end the round. It's Shields just on sheer control. 10-9 Shields
Round 2
Leg kick to start for Jake. Clinch up against the cage with Shields throwing knees. Kampmann lands a huge knee and he's got a front choke. Shields looks unaffected and dips under for another takedown. He's back in half guard. Kampmann is attempting submissions and Shields is giving them to him to get superior position and it's working beautifully. Kampmann gets back up and lands another knee from the Thai Plum and Shields is bleeding. Another big knee and Shields is trying to drive through with a takedown. Once again he's on top but positional control might not win him this round. Kampmann has done far more damage. Full mount for Shields as I say that and Martin hip escapes. Once again they grapple on the ground and Shields passes to full mount. And once again Kampmann manages to get back to his feet. Big John calls for a break and they reset with twenty seconds left. Kampmann lands a shot. Despite the positional dominance, damage goes to Kampmann and I'm giving him the round. 10-9 Kampmann
Round 3
Shields looks a little tired to start this one. He throws a couple leg kicks and dives in for a takedown. Nice sprawl from Kampmann. Lands another knee from the clinch. Pumps the jab and sprawls again. Head kick misses. Yet another takedown attempt and sprawl. Kampmann has his back now and landing shots. Shields looks really gassed. He gets back up and tries for another takedown but he just doesn't have the legs for it. Kampmann looks like he might have a D'arce choke. Shields rolls out of it. Half guard now and Kampmann might take a decision from this. He's landing some elbows. Once again, Kampmann looking for the choke but Shields reverses and ends up in full guard. Pass to half and now side control. Rogan is saying it might cost Kampmann the round but I don't agree. Shields takes his back with one hook and looking for the choke. Body triangle now with twenty seconds left. Round ends and I think this is Kampmann's fight but they'll probably give it to Shields. 10-9 Kampmann
Jake Shields def. Martin Kampmann via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
Brock Lesnar vs Cain Velasquez
Round 1
Brock shoots in immediately and they are dirty boxing big time. Flying knee from Brock. Didn't get the takedown and he tags him a few times. Boom, there it is. Big takedown from Brock. Cain gets back to his feet and now Lesnar has him against the cage. BIG start to this fight. Slowed down now. Brock is pressing him up against the cage still. Wearing him out? He's getting low with the double leg. Grabs him and gets a takedown but Cain springs right back up. He's got his back but Cain separates. They swing away and Cain throws a head kick. Now Cain shoots in and gets a takedown. Takes his back and he's landing punches to the side of his head. Brock gets back up but Cain keeps the pressure on. Lesnar falls down. Cain lands a big knee and Lesnar is in trouble. Cain is all over him. Lesnar is surviving. Holy shit. Cain is pouring it on and not getting tired. Lesnar goes down again. Cain is really going for it and Brock looks out of it. Cain is trying to end this thing and Herb Dean might step in at any time. That's it. Dean steps in and Cain Velasquez is the UFC Heavyweight champion. He dominated this fight. WOW. Lesnar is totally bloody.
Cain Velasquez def. Brock Lesnar via TKO at 4:12 of round 1.