UFC 145 live results: Rashad Evans vs. Jon Jones
By Todd Martin
April 21, 2012
UFC 145 takes place from Atlanta Saturday night, headlined by a grudge match for the UFC light heavyweight title between champion Jon Jones and challenger Rashad Evans. We'll be providing ongoing coverage throughout the evening, beginning at around 4PM Pacific.
Maximo Blanco vs. Marcus Brimage
Blanco is a world traveled MMA veteran who has fought for highly regarded international organizations such as Pancrase, World Victory Road and Strikeforce. He is also known for his wild style. This is his UFC debut. Brimage is an Ultimate Fighter veteran with very good striking and knockout power but a deficient ground game.
Round 1. Blanco opens with a head kick. Brimage moves forward with a few straight punch combinations. He connects solidly with a couple shots. As Brimage moves in, Blanco takes him down. Brimage gets right back up, although he does eat a few punches on the way back up. As the round winds down, a pattern develops of Brimage moving forward with punches and Blanco looking to counter. 10-9 Brimage.
Round 2. Blanco scores with a front kick and then follows with a leaping front kick that does not connect. Blanco throws another moments later and lands well with a knee in the process. With Blanco landing a few shots early, Brimage is more tentative this round and doesn't press forward nearly as much. As Brimage moves in, he gets caught with a nice counter hook. As Brimage moves in again, Blanco knocks him down with a well placed leg kick. 10-9 Blanco.
Round 3. Roles reverse in the third round, with Blanco walking down Brimage some after spending most of the first two rounds countering. Neither man is able to land much and the crowd boos. Blanco goes for a takedown but has it stuffed. Brimage lands a nice pair of straight punches. Brimage becomes more aggressive late in the round, charging forward with the same combinations of punches he has used throughout. Blanco goes for a takedown with 30 seconds left but has it blocked and Brimage throws a few heavy punches in response. 10-9 Brimage, 29-28 Brimage.
After the round, the two fighters begin taunting each other for running. This leads to each man doing various flips and then a full scale gymnastics contest. This was as bizarre of a spectacle as you're going to see in UFC.
Winner: Marcus Brimage, split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27).
Keith Wisniewski vs. Chris Clements
Wisniewski has led an unusual MMA career. He fought in the UFC before the company took off in popularity, but then his career fell off significantly with a long series of losses. Wisniewski rebounded with a number of wins that earned him a return to the UFC after a six year absence. Clements is a Canadian striker who has never fought to a decision and is making his UFC debut.
Round 1. Clements connects with an overhand right early. Wisniewski clinches and looks for a takedown. Wisniewski takes Clements down. He works into mount position and then takes Clements' back. He also cuts Clements open with an elbow. Clements works his way out of trouble and ends up with half guard on the bottom. Wisniewski continues dropping down hard elbows. Referee Fernando Yamasaki stands them up for no good reason. Clements quickly opens up with leg kicks and power punches. Clements lands a huge right hand and then drops Wisniewski. Clements goes to the ground and Wisniewski immediately looks for a takedown. Wisniewski is badly bleeding from the eye. Close round, thanks to terrible officiating. 10-9 Wisniewski, because he never should have lost his position on the ground.
Round 2. Wisniewski moves in and eats some big punches to get a takedown. Clements works his way up without taking any real damage. Clements then lands a spinning backfist and spinning back kick. He follows with a pair of overhand rights. Clements throws with so much more power than Wisniewski, but Wisniewski has a great chin. They clinch and Clements looks for a takedown that he cannot achieve. Wisniewski takes Clements down and mounts. He gets the back and looks for a rear naked choke. Wisniewski uses a body triangle and throws some punches to the head. Clements defends the choke well. Clements throws some hard elbows while defending from the back, appearing to daze Wisniewski a little. It's an extreme rarity that someone does such damage from that position, a testament to Clements' power. 10-9 Wisniewski.
Round 3. Clements throws big punches while Wisniewski moves in for a takedown. Clements defends and even unsuccessfully attempts a takedown of his own. Clements throws some leg kicks and then a pair of punches to the chin. Clements lands a stiff spinning back kick to the body then a spinning backfist to the head. Clements lands a huge 1-2 punch combination and it's amazing that Wisniewski was able to withstand them given how hard Clements landed. Clements pushes Wisniewski against the cage with heavy punches and drops Wisniewski with a knee. Clements drops down punches as the round ends. 10-8 Clements, 28-28 draw. First two rounds were close, third round was a blowout.
Winner: Chris Clements, split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27).
Mac Danzig vs. Efrain Escudero
This is a battle of former Ultimate Fighter winners who have struggled to find sustained success in the UFC since. Danzig has lost five of his last seven, albeit against consistently high level opposition. Escudero has lost three of his last four UFC fights.
Round 1. Danzig clinches at the start and looks for a takedown. They exchange knees from the clinch and both look for a takedown. Danzig uses a trip takedown but Escudero immediately looks for a heel hook. Danzig gets out and then jumps to take Escudero's back. Escudero gets out of danger and stands back up. Those were some nice ground transitions. Danzig backs up Escudero near the cage and lands a series of straight punches. They don't connect with a lot of power but are very accurate. They clinch, with each man trying for a takedown as the round comes to an end. 10-9 Danzig.
Round 2. Danzig presses the action but is caught with a couple quality counterpunches moving in. Danzig clinches and looks for a takedown. He can't get it and they separate. They return to fighting from range, where Escudero is mostly just boxing while Danzig is mixing in leg kicks. They clinch and exchange knees. This has been a dull affair. 10-9 Danzig.
Round 3. UFC color commentator Joe Rogan pointed out at the start of the round that Danzig's ankle is visibly damaged from the heel hook in the first round. Danzig lands a combination with a pair of punches and a low kick. They clinch and Danzig looks for a takedown. He throws a knee to the head and then backs off. After some fighting from distance, Danzig re-engages the clinch. The referee separates the fighters. Danzig continues peppering Escudero with leg kicks while they exchange punches. 10-9 Danzig, 30-27 Danzig.
Winner: Mac Danzig, unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27).
John Makdessi vs. Anthony Njokuani
This has all the makings of a very exciting fight. Makdessi is a high level Canadian kickboxer coming off his first UFC loss. Njokuani is an excellent Nigerian born kickboxer with a fan pleasing style.
Round 1. Njokuani has a clear length advantage. They both open with a series of kicks. Njokuani throws more, but Makdessi is able to block all but the occasional leg kick. Njokuani continues to throw from all directions, while Makdessi mostly walks forward and tries to find range. Njokuani appears to stagger Makdessi with a looping left punch. Njokuani looks to follow it up but Makdessi is able to regain his composure. Njokuani lands a leaping head kick. Makdessi keeps throwing side kicks but Njokuani just calmly moves out of the way. 10-9 Njokuani.
Round 2. Makdessi is aggressive in trying to close distance. He is able to land a few punches from inside, but Njokuani lands much more often from the outside with various kicks as Makdessi moves in. Makdessi looks for a takedown at the very end of the round but it comes way too later. Makdessi still can't figure out Njokuani's reach advantage. 10-9 Njokuani.
Round 3. Njokuani opens with a series of leg kicks. Makdessi keeps trying to move in but Njokuani will just back out and return to his kicks. Makdessi lands a spinning backfist and continues to push. His leg is really red from all the Njokuani kicks. They clinch very briefly and Njokuani connects with a punch on the separation. Njokuani does a lot of backing up in the second half of the final stanza. What a massive disappointment this fight was. 10-9 Njokuani, 30-27 Njokuani.
Winner: Anthony Njokuani, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Stephen Thompson vs. Matt Brown
Thompson is a unique MMA fighter, utilizing an unorthodox karate based style. He looked spectacular in his UFC debut, hushing some of the skepticism about how adaptable his style of fighting his. Brown is a rugged veteran who relies on grit, determination and punching power more than elite technique.
Round 1. Thompson throws a few kicks early and Brown charges in for a takedown. Brown catches a kick and looks for another takedown unsuccessfully. Brown goes for another and this time gets a trip takedown. Brown postures up and throws down some punches. Thompson uses the opportunity to return to his feet. Brown immediately looks to take him back down. Brown gets him down momentarily but Thompson stands back up. Brown pulls Thompson down again and throws a few punches. Brown looks for a calf slicer but can't get it and they roll for position. Brown ends up on top. 10-9 Brown.
By Todd Martin
April 21, 2012
UFC 145 takes place from Atlanta Saturday night, headlined by a grudge match for the UFC light heavyweight title between champion Jon Jones and challenger Rashad Evans. We'll be providing ongoing coverage throughout the evening, beginning at around 4PM Pacific.
Maximo Blanco vs. Marcus Brimage
Blanco is a world traveled MMA veteran who has fought for highly regarded international organizations such as Pancrase, World Victory Road and Strikeforce. He is also known for his wild style. This is his UFC debut. Brimage is an Ultimate Fighter veteran with very good striking and knockout power but a deficient ground game.
Round 1. Blanco opens with a head kick. Brimage moves forward with a few straight punch combinations. He connects solidly with a couple shots. As Brimage moves in, Blanco takes him down. Brimage gets right back up, although he does eat a few punches on the way back up. As the round winds down, a pattern develops of Brimage moving forward with punches and Blanco looking to counter. 10-9 Brimage.
Round 2. Blanco scores with a front kick and then follows with a leaping front kick that does not connect. Blanco throws another moments later and lands well with a knee in the process. With Blanco landing a few shots early, Brimage is more tentative this round and doesn't press forward nearly as much. As Brimage moves in, he gets caught with a nice counter hook. As Brimage moves in again, Blanco knocks him down with a well placed leg kick. 10-9 Blanco.
Round 3. Roles reverse in the third round, with Blanco walking down Brimage some after spending most of the first two rounds countering. Neither man is able to land much and the crowd boos. Blanco goes for a takedown but has it stuffed. Brimage lands a nice pair of straight punches. Brimage becomes more aggressive late in the round, charging forward with the same combinations of punches he has used throughout. Blanco goes for a takedown with 30 seconds left but has it blocked and Brimage throws a few heavy punches in response. 10-9 Brimage, 29-28 Brimage.
After the round, the two fighters begin taunting each other for running. This leads to each man doing various flips and then a full scale gymnastics contest. This was as bizarre of a spectacle as you're going to see in UFC.
Winner: Marcus Brimage, split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27).
Keith Wisniewski vs. Chris Clements
Wisniewski has led an unusual MMA career. He fought in the UFC before the company took off in popularity, but then his career fell off significantly with a long series of losses. Wisniewski rebounded with a number of wins that earned him a return to the UFC after a six year absence. Clements is a Canadian striker who has never fought to a decision and is making his UFC debut.
Round 1. Clements connects with an overhand right early. Wisniewski clinches and looks for a takedown. Wisniewski takes Clements down. He works into mount position and then takes Clements' back. He also cuts Clements open with an elbow. Clements works his way out of trouble and ends up with half guard on the bottom. Wisniewski continues dropping down hard elbows. Referee Fernando Yamasaki stands them up for no good reason. Clements quickly opens up with leg kicks and power punches. Clements lands a huge right hand and then drops Wisniewski. Clements goes to the ground and Wisniewski immediately looks for a takedown. Wisniewski is badly bleeding from the eye. Close round, thanks to terrible officiating. 10-9 Wisniewski, because he never should have lost his position on the ground.
Round 2. Wisniewski moves in and eats some big punches to get a takedown. Clements works his way up without taking any real damage. Clements then lands a spinning backfist and spinning back kick. He follows with a pair of overhand rights. Clements throws with so much more power than Wisniewski, but Wisniewski has a great chin. They clinch and Clements looks for a takedown that he cannot achieve. Wisniewski takes Clements down and mounts. He gets the back and looks for a rear naked choke. Wisniewski uses a body triangle and throws some punches to the head. Clements defends the choke well. Clements throws some hard elbows while defending from the back, appearing to daze Wisniewski a little. It's an extreme rarity that someone does such damage from that position, a testament to Clements' power. 10-9 Wisniewski.
Round 3. Clements throws big punches while Wisniewski moves in for a takedown. Clements defends and even unsuccessfully attempts a takedown of his own. Clements throws some leg kicks and then a pair of punches to the chin. Clements lands a stiff spinning back kick to the body then a spinning backfist to the head. Clements lands a huge 1-2 punch combination and it's amazing that Wisniewski was able to withstand them given how hard Clements landed. Clements pushes Wisniewski against the cage with heavy punches and drops Wisniewski with a knee. Clements drops down punches as the round ends. 10-8 Clements, 28-28 draw. First two rounds were close, third round was a blowout.
Winner: Chris Clements, split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27).
Mac Danzig vs. Efrain Escudero
This is a battle of former Ultimate Fighter winners who have struggled to find sustained success in the UFC since. Danzig has lost five of his last seven, albeit against consistently high level opposition. Escudero has lost three of his last four UFC fights.
Round 1. Danzig clinches at the start and looks for a takedown. They exchange knees from the clinch and both look for a takedown. Danzig uses a trip takedown but Escudero immediately looks for a heel hook. Danzig gets out and then jumps to take Escudero's back. Escudero gets out of danger and stands back up. Those were some nice ground transitions. Danzig backs up Escudero near the cage and lands a series of straight punches. They don't connect with a lot of power but are very accurate. They clinch, with each man trying for a takedown as the round comes to an end. 10-9 Danzig.
Round 2. Danzig presses the action but is caught with a couple quality counterpunches moving in. Danzig clinches and looks for a takedown. He can't get it and they separate. They return to fighting from range, where Escudero is mostly just boxing while Danzig is mixing in leg kicks. They clinch and exchange knees. This has been a dull affair. 10-9 Danzig.
Round 3. UFC color commentator Joe Rogan pointed out at the start of the round that Danzig's ankle is visibly damaged from the heel hook in the first round. Danzig lands a combination with a pair of punches and a low kick. They clinch and Danzig looks for a takedown. He throws a knee to the head and then backs off. After some fighting from distance, Danzig re-engages the clinch. The referee separates the fighters. Danzig continues peppering Escudero with leg kicks while they exchange punches. 10-9 Danzig, 30-27 Danzig.
Winner: Mac Danzig, unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27).
John Makdessi vs. Anthony Njokuani
This has all the makings of a very exciting fight. Makdessi is a high level Canadian kickboxer coming off his first UFC loss. Njokuani is an excellent Nigerian born kickboxer with a fan pleasing style.
Round 1. Njokuani has a clear length advantage. They both open with a series of kicks. Njokuani throws more, but Makdessi is able to block all but the occasional leg kick. Njokuani continues to throw from all directions, while Makdessi mostly walks forward and tries to find range. Njokuani appears to stagger Makdessi with a looping left punch. Njokuani looks to follow it up but Makdessi is able to regain his composure. Njokuani lands a leaping head kick. Makdessi keeps throwing side kicks but Njokuani just calmly moves out of the way. 10-9 Njokuani.
Round 2. Makdessi is aggressive in trying to close distance. He is able to land a few punches from inside, but Njokuani lands much more often from the outside with various kicks as Makdessi moves in. Makdessi looks for a takedown at the very end of the round but it comes way too later. Makdessi still can't figure out Njokuani's reach advantage. 10-9 Njokuani.
Round 3. Njokuani opens with a series of leg kicks. Makdessi keeps trying to move in but Njokuani will just back out and return to his kicks. Makdessi lands a spinning backfist and continues to push. His leg is really red from all the Njokuani kicks. They clinch very briefly and Njokuani connects with a punch on the separation. Njokuani does a lot of backing up in the second half of the final stanza. What a massive disappointment this fight was. 10-9 Njokuani, 30-27 Njokuani.
Winner: Anthony Njokuani, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Stephen Thompson vs. Matt Brown
Thompson is a unique MMA fighter, utilizing an unorthodox karate based style. He looked spectacular in his UFC debut, hushing some of the skepticism about how adaptable his style of fighting his. Brown is a rugged veteran who relies on grit, determination and punching power more than elite technique.
Round 1. Thompson throws a few kicks early and Brown charges in for a takedown. Brown catches a kick and looks for another takedown unsuccessfully. Brown goes for another and this time gets a trip takedown. Brown postures up and throws down some punches. Thompson uses the opportunity to return to his feet. Brown immediately looks to take him back down. Brown gets him down momentarily but Thompson stands back up. Brown pulls Thompson down again and throws a few punches. Brown looks for a calf slicer but can't get it and they roll for position. Brown ends up on top. 10-9 Brown.
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