411’s UFC 141 Lesnar vs. Overeem Report 12.30.11

Posted by Wyatt Beougher on 12.31.2011

Brock Lesnar lost to Alistair Overeem via RD1 TKO in the main event of UFC 141! Plus, Johny Hendricks defeated Jon Fitch via RD1 KO, Nate Diaz defeated Donald Cerrone via unanimous decision and more! Check out 411’s complete UFC 141 report for all the details!



MAIN PPV CARD - 10:00PM ET

Brock Lesnar (5-2-0, 266 lbs) vs. Alistair Overeem (35-11-1, 263 lbs) (for heavyweight title shot)
Donald Cerrone (17-3-0, 1 NC, 156 pounds) vs. Nate Diaz (14-7-0, 156 pounds)
Jon Fitch (26-3-1, 1 NC, 171 pounds) vs. Johny Hendricks (11-1-0, 170 pounds)
Alexander Gustafsson (12-1-0, 203 pounds) vs. Vladimir Matyushenko (26-5-0, 205 pounds)
Jim Hettes (9-0-0, 145 pounds) vs. Nam Phan (17-10-0, 146 pounds)




SPIKE TV PRELIMINARY CARD - 9:00PM ET

Junior Assuncao (14-4-0, 145 lbs) vs. Ross Pearson (14-5-0, 145 lbs)
Danny Castillo (12-4-0, 156 lbs) vs. Anthony Njokuani (15-5-0, 154 lbs)



PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook.com - 7:00PM ET)

Dong Hyun Kim (14-1-1, 1 NC, 171 lbs) vs. Sean Pierson (11-5-0, 171 lbs)
Efrain Escudero (19-3-0, 155 lbs) vs. Jacob Volkmann (13-2-0, 155 lbs)
Luis Ramos (19-7-0, 171 lbs) vs. Matt Riddle (5-3-0, 170 lbs)
Manny Gamburyan (13-7-0, 146 lbs) vs. Diego Nunes (16-2-0, 145 lbs)

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Hey 411 readers, thanks for joining 411's live MMA coverage tonight!

It's been a while since I've done live coverage for a UFC event (the last one was UFC 136, featuring Edgar vs Maynard III), so forgive me if I'm a little rusty, and also, my apologies for not providing coverage of the Facebook prelims, but I'm on vacation and working off of a Verizon Mifi card that gets two bars of signal at best, which makes streaming video a virtual impossibility. I'll update the results for the Facebook portion of the card as I am able, and hopefully that won't detract from the overall coverage of the event. On that note, welcome to the party, and let's hope we have a great show tonight!


INTRODUCTION:

We are live at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, in Las Vegas, Nevada!

Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan are of course on the mic tonight as we go to the octagon for our first fight.

FACEBOOK.COM PRELIMINARY RESULTS


Luis Ramos vs. Mat Riddle has been scratched due to Riddle being ill.
Diego Nunes defeated Manny Gamburyan via Unanmous Decision (29-28 across the cards)
Jacob Volkmann defeated Efrain Escudero via decision (29-28 across the cards)
Dong Hyun Kim defeated Sean Pierson via unanimous decision (30-27 across the cards)


SPIKE TV PRELIMINARY CARD MATCHES

Mike and Joe start by pimping the PPV and then run down the SpikeTV fights.

Lightweight bout: Danny Castillo (12-4-0, 156 lbs) vs. Anthony Njokuani (15-5-0, 154 lbs)

ROUND ONE: Njokuani has a 3" height advantage and a 4.5" reach advantage – be interesting to see if he uses that to his advantage. Oh boy, Mazzagatti is the official… Both men looking for range and circling early, with Njokuani the early aggressor. Castillo presses the action, but Njokuani is using the reach to keep Castillo on his heels. Castillo fakes a punch and gets the takedown against the cage, but Njokuani is immediately back to his feet. Castillo maintains the waistlock and takes Njokuani back to the ground, but Njokuani is quickly back up. Castillo working the knees against the fence, and Njokuani throws an elbow to the head of Castillo. Castillo continues to work the knees and again gets Njokuani to the mat. Castillo uses his legs to flatten Njokuani out, trapping the taller man's legs between his own. Njokuani is able to get back to his feet, but Castillo again has his back. Castillo looks for a suplex, but Njokuani sandbags and they're again pressed against the cage. Castillo again picks Njokuani up and forces him to the mat, locking in hooks while Njokuani is trying to get back to his feet. Njokuani turns and ends up in Castillo's guard, then looks for a guillotine, only for Castillo to get a nice slam. Castillo ends up on Njokuani's back again, but they get back to their feet and separate. Njokuani looks content to ride out the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Castillo, 10-9 overall


ROUND TWO: Njokuani working the stand-up, throwing punches and kicks without anything significant landing. He is keeping Castillo on the outside, though, so as to avoid a repeat of the first round. Castillo shoots, Njokuani avoids it, and they're back to the feet. Castillo gets a body lock, Njokuani looks for a judo throw, but Castillo thwarts it and they're back to the feet. Castillo looking for his range and Njokuani counters to the body. Castillo starting to look tired, and Goldberg and Rogan are discussing how he took this fight on short notice. Castillo again looks for a takedown, but Njokuani counters into a Muay Thai clinch and lands some knees and a huge elbow. They separate, and Njokuani again using his length to keep Castillo on the outside. Njokuani buckles Castillo with a big right, but Castillo clinches on instinct, eats another knee, grabs a leg, and takes Njokuani down! Castillo is doing very little from the top, throwing sporadic punches to the ribs as Njokuani is content to hold him down. Castillo tries to posture, but Njokuani catching him with short elbows. Castillo is in dominant position, but he's doing very little damage, and Njokuani pushes him off and gets back to his feet. Castillo looks for another takedown, Njokuani defends momentarily, but gets taken down against the cage. Castillo holds the position as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Njokuani, for the far more damaging strikes, 19-19 overall

ROUND THREE: Castillo working the lefts, but Njokuani is avoiding any real damage. Castillo whiffs on a kick, and he continues to look much flatter than he did in the first round. Njokuani sprawls on a shot, but Castillo backs him against the cage. Castillo continues to look for the takedown, but Njokuani looks for a guillotine. Castillo gets the takedown against the cage and he traps Njokuani's right leg. Njokuani tries to stand up and gets his leg free, but Castillo holds him down and captures the leg again. Njokuani gets to his feet and actually looks for a leg lock, but it's not deep enough and Castillo defends. They get back to their feet and Njokuani lands a decent punch and then a nice kick. Njokuani throws a wild left and Castillo again takes him down against the cage. Njokuani immediately looks to get back to his feet as the clock is under 90 seconds. He gets back to his feet, but Castillo keeps the waist lock and now he's hanging off of Njokuani's back. Castillo again looks to take Njokuani down, but they separate and Njokuani lands a leg kick and starts working combinations as the round winds down. Njokuani keeps landing strikes, including a flying knee, and the round ends!

SCORECARD: Close round, Castillo controlled the round but did almost no damage. I'd say 10-9 Castillo, but I could see Njokuani stealing the round with his strikes at the end. I think Castillo takes this 29-28

OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – Danny Castillo, by Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Fans are booing, but it was a very close fight and I'm honestly not surprised that Castillo took it. Remember, takedowns = Octagon control in the eyes of the judges.

Featherweight bout: Junior Assuncao (14-4-0, 145 lbs) vs. Ross Pearson (14-5-0, 145 lbs)

ROUND ONE: They look for their range at first and circle until Assuncao takes him down. Pearson back to his feet, but Assuncao has him in a waistlock. They separate and Pearson lands a decent punch as they back away. Assuncao looks for another takedown, and they get back to their feet. They continue to trade on the feet and it looks fairly even. Assuncao in with a kick and then backs off and avoids the brunt of Pearson's attacks. Goldberg and Rogan doing what they can to make Lyoto Machida comparisons, and as the round ends, Pearson backs Assuncao against the cage with punches but Assuncao counters with a body kick.

SCORECARD: Pearson 10-9

ROUND TWO: Assuncao continues to avoid Pearson's strikes and throw kicks, but Pearson successfully defends a takedown. Assuncao presses him against the cage and looks for the takedown, but Pearson gets free and they back away from the cage. Assuncao looks for another takedown, but Pearson defends and ends up standing over Assuncao. Pearson backs off and Assuncao gets back to his feet. Pearson looks to land again, but Assuncao presses him against the fence and again looks for the takedown, to no avail. Pearson looks for a knee, but Assuncao backs away and they return to center cage. Pearson lands a solid jab, a left to the body, and a knee to the body, and it looks like he's figured out Assuncao's stance. Assuncao controls Pearson's wrists against the cage, but Pearson lands knees to the body. Assuncao gets free but eats another jab. Assuncao with another weak takedown attempt and they're against the cage, yet again, with 45 seconds left in the round. Pearson trips Assuncao to the ground. Assuncao grabs a leg, but Pearson looks to land an elbow, only to be tripped by Assuncao. Pearson looking to land from the bottom, and Assuncao counters as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Pearson, 20-18 overall

ROUND THREE: Pearson throws a nice leg kick, then looks to follow-up, only to get caught with a stiff jab and then finally taken down. Pearson scrambles, but Assuncao gets his back and gets a hook in. Pearson scrambles as Assuncao looks for an armbar and then a kimura, but they end up on the feet and Pearson lands a nice elbow and a couple of punches to the body. Assuncao lands another shot and applies a bodylock against the cage. Pearson tries to get free, then lands a couple of punches to the face. Assuncao takes him down, but before he can gain control, Pearson is back up and free. Assuncao again looks for the takedown and they end up against the cage, AGAIN. They separate, and Assuncao's hands are down and he's breathing heavily, but that doesn't stop him from again looking for a weak single leg and pressing Pearson against the cage. Pearson spins and presses Assuncao against the cage and they exchange elbows. Head kick and a knee by Pearson, but Assuncao catches the knee and they again end up AGAINST THE CAGE. Will this fight never end? Pearson lands a right against the cage, they separate, and Pearson is throwing with bad intentions, landing punches and a knee. Assuncao again looks for the takedown, but Pearson avoids him like a matador and shoves him into the cage, only for Assuncao to again look for the takedown as the round, mercifully, ends. Pearson did his best, but Assuncao turned this into an ugly, ugly fight.

SCORECARD: Pearson, 10-9, 30-27 overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – Ross Pearson, by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

And now it's time for Dana and Joe to yell and hype up the PPV!

PPV MAIN CARD MATCHES

Featherweight bout: Jimy Hettes (9-0-0, 145 pounds) vs. Nam Phan (17-10-0, 146 pounds)

ROUND ONE: Last UFC event I covered was the Phan/Garcia rematch. Be interesting to see how this one plays out. Touch of the gloves, and the PPV is underway! Phan comes out aggressive, looking to cut off the cage, but Hettes gets a trip takedown. Phan gets free but Hettes pushes him against the cage and drags him back down. Hettes lands a couple of punches from the top, but Phan walks up the cage and back to his feet. Hettes trips him back to the mat and gets a single-arm guillotine, but he gives it up to work ground and pound from the guard, and he is absolutely swarming Phan! Phan turns and gives up his back, but Hettes doesn't immediately sink the hooks, landing more punches. Now he sinks in the hooks and pounds on Phan some more, but Phan turns and Hettes beats on him some more. Phan manages to get to his feet, but Hettes again presses him against the cage. Hettes looks for another takedown, but Phan gets free. Phan lands a couple of punches, but Hettes looks for a single leg, presses fan against the cage, and he hip tosses Phan to the mat before easily taking full mount. Hettes lands a nice elbow, but he transitions into an armbar, but Phan has his hands locked. Hettes is pounding on Phan's face and ribs while still looking for the armbar. Hettes again pounding on Phan's ribs as Phan continues to try to roll into the armbar and stack Hettes up. Hettes gets on Phan's back and pounds on him some more as the round ends.

SCORECARD: Jimy Hettes, 10-8


ROUND TWO: Hettes looks for a low single and doesn't get it, looks for a trip takedown and doesn't get it, and then presses Phan against the cage. He lets Phan go and they trade, but Hettes presses him against the cage again and then takes him down. Hettes looks for something, but Phan counters with a leglock attempt, only to have Hettes step out and back into full mount. Hettes wildly looks for a choke, but Phan escapes out the back door and ends up in Hettes' guard, landing some big elbows. Phan stands over Hettes and then drops down for some more ground and pound. Hettes back to his feet, pressing Phan against the cage. Hettes looks for another trip, but Phan defends. Phan defends another trip attempt, but Hettes' third try is successful, as he drags Phan down. Back against the cage and Phan is to his feet. They separate, and Phan lands a nice punch. Hettes throwing wildly and Phan lands a decent counter before being pressed to the fence again. Hettes looks for another takedown, but Phan wizzers to prevent it, only to have Hettes take him down anyway on the second try. Hettes into side control and he looks for an arm-in guillotine as they scramble. Hettes again uses his judo to take Phan to the mat, but Phan gets back to his feet against the cage as the round ends.

SCORECARD: Jimy Hettes, 10-9, 20-17

ROUND THREE: Phan needs a finish here. Phan trying to work combinations, but Hettes is avoiding it. Hettes looks for a takedown, but Phan finally avoids and continues to try to strike. Hettes using his distance well, but Phan lands a jab. Hettes gets a single leg and then trips Phan to finish it. Hettes trying to get Phan away from the cage, but Phan tries to get up, only to eat a knee to the body. Phan back to his feet, but Hettes slams him back down. Phan again tries to use the cage to get back up, but Hettes punches him in the face a few times. Hettes looks for an inside trip, but Phan defends. They separate, and Phan lands a nice right. Hettes clearly tired and Phan lands a nice body shot. Hettes looks for the takedown, but Phan defends, but Hettes drags him down and again has Phan's back with one hook in. Phan hangs onto Hettes' right arm, but Hettes is wailing away with his left. Hettes transitions to an arm triangle and Hettes gets his left leg free, but Phan defends and eats some more ground and pound. Hettes with punches and then some excellent elbows, and he's just landing from full guard. Hettes postures up and lands some good shots from the guard as the round ends.

SCORECARD: Jimy Hettes, 10-9, 30-26 overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – Jimy Hettes, Unanimous Decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-26)

Third round definitely could've been a 10-8, but I thought Phan did enough to keep it a 10-9. Either way, great performance from young Jimy Hettes.

Light heavyweight bout: Alexander Gustafsson (12-1-0, 203 pounds) vs. Vladimir Matyushenko (26-5-0, 205 pounds)


ROUND ONE: Gustafsson with a big height advantage but only a 2.5" reach advantage. Touch of the gloves and they circle to start. Gustafsson looks like a giant compared to Matyushenko. Gustafsson throws a wicked kick, but Matyushenko easily avoids it, only to have Gustafsson avoid his follow-up punch. Matyushenko lands a straight left counter to Gustafsson's leg kick. Gustafsson with an uppercut and a straight kick, but Matyushenko clinches. Gustafsson gets free and then glances Matyushenko in the face with a kick. Matyushenko continues to look for the right, but Gustafsson drops him and swarms in, causing Yves Lavinge to wave him off.

OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – Alexander Gustafsson, by TKO (Round 1, 2:13)

Welterweight bout: Jon Fitch (26-3-1, 1 NC, 171 pounds) vs. Johny Hendricks (11-1-0, 170 pounds)

ROUND ONE: Fitch with a five inch reach advantage, although neither of these guys is really known for using their length. Fitch comes out aggressive, but Hendricks avoids the damage. HENDRICKS DROPS FITCH WITH A HUGE LEFT AND A FOLLOW-UP AND IT'S ALL OVER! Fitch tries to get back up, but Mazzagatti holds him down, and Fitch looks upset, but Hendricks knocked him stiff. Actually a good stoppage by Mazzagatti.

OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – Johny Hendricks, by KO (Round 1, 0:12)

(Preliminary) Welterweight bout: Dong Hyun Kim (14-1-1, 1 NC, 171 lbs) vs. Sean Pierson (11-5-0, 171 lbs)


ROUND ONE: Kim comes out with a kick, and Pierson looks to use his jab. Pierson with a leg kick. Kim with a punch, Pierson with the clinch, and he presses Kim against the cage. Kim looking to create separation, and they return to center cage. Kim throwing over the top as Pierson looks for a leg kick, and they trade punches. Kim with a leg kick, briefly caught by Pierson. Pierson with a nice leg kick and an inside leg kick to follow. Kim with a solid left to Pierson's face. Pierson catches another kick but Kim lands a punch to the face. Kim with a nice combination and a right jab. Kim with a crane kick attempt that doesn't land, and Pierson is having a hard time landing. Pierson looks for the clinch, but Kim gets free. Pierson catches another kick, but he again can't capitalize. Kim lands another solid right. Pierson looks to clinch, but Kim spins and grabs a single-arm guillotine. Pierson presses Kim against the cage, only to get judo thrown, but Pierson rolls through and takes Kim's back. Pierson looks for a rear naked, but he's extremely high on Kim's back, and Kim spends the rest of the round trying to buck him off.

SCORECARD: Dong Hyun Kim, 10-9

ROUND TWO: Kim with another kick attempt, but again Pierson can't capitalize. Pierson slips a punch, but Kim avoids his counter. Pierson pressing the action, but not really landing anything significant. Kim with a head kick attempt that misses and the action has slowed down a bit. Kim with an inside leg kick and an outside leg kick. Pierson press Kim against the cage and lands a couple of punches to the ribs. They separate and return to center cage. Kim with another inside leg kick, and Pierson tries to counter with a combo, although he doesn't land any damaging punches. Pierson clinches again, but Kim slips free. They trade kicks and Kim feigns a punch. Pierson looks for a combo, but Kim slips it and lands a counter combination of his own. Pierson clinches again and looks for a trip, but Kim stays on his feet. They break again and return to center cage. Kim with a nice punch to the body and Pierson shoves him away. Kim with a right kick and a left hand. Pierson clinches and lands a knee but then he breaks. Kim with another combination, Pierson with an outside leg kick. Pierson ducks a punch and looks for a takedown, but Kim knocks him down with a jumping front kick to the side of the head, follows it up with a jab, and swarms, but Pierson holds on until the rounds ends, although he's clearly wobbly as he walks to his corner.

SCORECARD: Dong Hyun Kim, 10-9, 20-18 overall

ROUND THREE: Kim with a leg kick and Pierson is back away. They catch each other with jabs. Pierson fakes a Superman punch and lands an outside leg kick. They clinch, and Pierson lands a knee against the cage. Kim pushes him away and they return to center cage. Kim landing some strikes, but Pierson keeps coming forward. Kim with a quick takedown and he passes to half-guard, only to have Pierson put him back into full guard and get back to his feet. Kim pressing Pierson against the cage and he drags Pierson to the mat. Pierson rolls to his back to get butterfly guard, and then he closes his guard up as Kim throws an elbow. Pierson is controlling Kim's posture and not taking damage, as Kim seems content to throw weak punches to the ribs. Kim stands over Pierson and drops into a strange half-guard. Yves Lavigne stands them up. Kim looks for the jumping front kick again but it misses. Kim with a huge swing and a miss, but Pierson doesn't capitalize. Pierson with a Superman punch that misses and a follow-up right than glances Kim. Pierson presses Kim against the cage and lands a couple of punches before looking for the takedown, but they separate and again return to center cage. Kim with a Superman punch, Pierson with another Superman punch of his own, and Kim with a flying knee.

SCORECARD: Dong Hyun Kim, 10-9, 30-27 overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – Dong Hyun Kim, Unanimous Decision (30-27x3)

Co-Main Event Lightweight bout: Donald Cerrone (17-3-0, 1 NC, 156 pounds) vs. Nate Diaz (14-7-0, 156 pounds)

ROUND ONE: Nate Diaz looks absolutely ridiculous as he paces the cage trying to look tough. Cerrone flips Diaz off instead of touching gloves. Cerrone comes out swinging and it's on! Diaz looks for a takedown but Cerrone defends and they trade against the cage. Cerrone lands a nice right as they break from the cage. Cerrone with a nice leg kick and Diaz looks to clinch, but Cerron pushes him off. Diaz with a couple of nice punches, but Cerrone looks unfazed. Diaz keeps landing and now Cerrone looks a little hesitant. Cerrone with a punch, Diaz with a knee, and Diaz with punches of his own. Cerrone blocks a punch and lands a body kick, but Diaz keeps finding a home with his jab. Cerrone with another leg kick, but Diaz again jabs him. Cerrone landing good leg kicks, but Diaz is far outstriking him. Diaz drops his hands and throws a punch, but Cowboy lands a head kick and a leg kick, only to eat some more punches. Diaz just landing combinations at will. Cerrone slips on a head kick attempt, and he eats some more punches as he gets to his feet. Cerrone with a front kick to Diaz' chest, but Diaz lands a punch in return. Diaz with another combination, and for every blow Cerrone lands, he eats three. Against the cage, and Diaz throws a punch, but Cerrone counters with a big knee to the head as the round ends.

SCORECARD: Nate Diaz, 10-9

ROUND TWO: Cerrone with a leg kick/punch combo, and Diaz lands another job in the middle of it. Cerrone chops Diaz down with a leg kick, but he lets him back up and eats another jab. Cerrone again chops Diaz down with a leg kick, and he follows it up with a knee from the clinch. Nate takes Cerrone's back standing and looks to lock in a hook, but Cerrone counters and briefly takes Diaz' back before they separate. Cerrone blocks punches and lands a knee to the face. Diaz pawing at Cerrone now, and Cowboy landing the better shots. Cowboy with a head kick that knocks Nate down, but he slips and can't capitalize and they're both back to their feet. Cerrone again takes Nate's legs out and avoids the worst of Diaz' strikes. Diaz again pawing, but Cerrone landing punches and kicks. Diaz landing at will again, but Cerrone with a push kick to the stomach. Diaz with a non-commital kick and Cerrone counters with a head kick. Cerrone with a knee and he takes Diaz down again. Diaz continues to throw punches and knees, but there is nothing behind them. Cerrone again sweeps Diaz' leg out from under him. Cerrone slips on a punch from Diaz, but he's quickly back up and they exchange. Cerrone with a knee and a punch as Diaz lands a glancing punch.

SCORECARD: Donald Cerrone, 10-9, based on the head kick knockdown and all the sweeps; 19-19 overall

ROUND THREE: Diaz lands a flurry with not a lot behind it. Cerrone comes in but Diaz avoids the brunt of it. Cerrone with a nice left, but Diaz lands a flurry and another combination after that. Cerrone slips again and Diaz with a body kick. Diaz with the jab and a combination and he eats a pair of punches on his way out. Diaz getting cocky, and Cerrone lands a punch and a knee to the body. Cerrone with the leg kicks again, but Diaz checks one and turns into another one. Diaz lands another combination and Cerrone sweeps him down yet again. Nick pawing, but not really landing and Cerrone lands a right. Cerrone with a knee to the body, then a knee to the face. Cerrone slips a Diaz jab and counters, then sweeps Diaz down again. Diaz lands a combination and a knee to the body. Diaz with a right, Cerrone with a knee, Diaz with a combination. Cerrone with a flying knee and Diaz presses him against the cage. Back to the center and they trade. Cerrone with a head kick and then he trips Diaz down again. They trade until the bell sounds.

SCORECARD: Close Round, but I give it, and the fight, to Nate Diaz, 10-9 (29-28)

OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – Nate Diaz, Unanimous Decision (30-27x2, 29-28)

Main Event Heavyweight Title Eliminator bout: Brock Lesnar (5-2-0, 266 lbs) vs. Alistair Overeem (35-11-1, 263 lbs)

ROUND ONE: Lesnar doesn't look for the immediate takedown and actually feints a kick and throws a leg kick. Overeem misses with a right and Lesnar continues to stand with him. Lesnar pawing at Overeem and he grabs a leg, but Overeem avoids a takedown. Lesnar with another leg kick, and Overeem is bleeding. Overeem pushes Lesnar against the cage and lands a knee to the body, but Brock answers with his own. Overeem lands another knee to the body, then follows it up with punches from the clinch against the cage. Lesnar creates separation and he's still trying to trade with Overeem. Overeem with another knee and he stuns Brock, but Lesnar looks fine. Overeem with another knee to the body and Lesnar goes down. Overeem swarms in with punches and Mario Yamasaki stops the fight. I honestly thought Lesnar looked like he was caught in the groin, but on the replay it caught him in the liver.

OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – Alistair Overeem, by TKO (Round 1, 2:26)

(Preliminary) Featherweight bout: Manny Gamburyan (13-7-0, 146 lbs) vs. Diego Nunes (16-2-0, 145 lbs)

ROUND ONE: Nunes with a kick and Gamburyan counters with a hard punch. Nunes throws a spinning backfist and follows with a kick, but Gamburyan avoids it. Gamburyan looks for a takedown, but Nunes avoids it and Gamburyan wings a right that Nunes avoids. Nunes with an outside leg kick, and he goes for another, but Gamburyan catches it and looks for a double leg, but Nunes avoids it. Gamburyan looks for another takedown against the cage, and he eventually gets it. Gamburyan with a nice right and he tries to flatten Nunes out. Nunes gets back to his feet and Gamburyan works some knees to the thigh. They separate and Nunes is throwing some stiff leg kicks. Nunes throws a front kick, but Gamburyan avoids it. Nunes throws a kick, Gamburyan counters, and Nunes lands another lead leg kick. Leg kick and a spinning back kick to the body by Nunes. They don't do much as the round ends.

SCORECARD: Diego Nunes, 10-9, 10-9 overall

ROUND TWO: They trade punches in close and then separate, with neither guy looking aggressive. Nunes throws a knee that misses, and Gamburyan lands a big right hand. Gamburyan looks for the takedown, but ends up pressing Nunes to the fence. They spin, and Gamburyan ends up in control, landing another right to the face. Gamburyan tries to take Nunes' back, but Nunes backs into the cage to prevent it and puts a hand down so as not to be kneed in the head. Gamburyan looks to improve his position, but Nunes gets free and they return to center cage. Nunes throws a kick and a spinning back kick, and Gamburyan takes him down again. Nunes landing elbows from the bottom as Gamburyan looks for a guillotine choke, but Nunes defends. Nunes gets back to his feet, but Gamburyan underhooks him and continues to hold him against the cage. Nunes gets away from the cage, lands a knee, avoids a takedown by Gamburyan and knees him for good measure. Gamburyan wings a punch that Nunes easily avoids, and Nunes fires back with a glancing kick to Gamburyan's face. Both men whiff on punches as the round ends.

SCORECARD: Diego Nunes, 10-9, 20-18 overall (although I wouldn't be surprised if the judges scored that in favor of Gamburyan based on his takedowns and top control)

ROUND THREE: Gamburyan lands a right, but Nunes lands a leg kick and a knee, and Gamburyan looks for a counter left. Nunes continues to work the kicks, taking out Gamburyan's lead leg and then working the body. More leg kicks by Nunes, and he follows it up with a head kick that is mostly blocked by Gamburyan. Gamburyan looks for a takedown, but Nunes locks in double underhooks and stops it. Nunes throws a knee and a right hand as they separate. Nunes lands a left punch and then a leg kick, following it up with a body kick. Gamburyan looking for openings, but they just aren't there. Gamburyan blocks a big kick and then ducks a spinning back fist, and he goes for a takedown, but Nunes stays up and they separate. Nunes with a head kick and they trade punches. Nunes lands an inadvertent low blow and Gamburyan takes a break. Nunes with a head kick and Gamburyan lands a nice combination, only to eat a big kick the ribs. Nunes looks for another kick, but Gamburyan dives for the takedown as the round ends.

SCORECARD: Diego Nunes, 10-9, 30-27 overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – Diego Nunes by Unanimous Decision (29-28x3)

And that's it for tonight! Good show overall, although the main event was pretty anticlimactic. Also of note, Lesnar retired after the fight, saying he promised his wife that if he won tonight, the title shot he earned would be his last fight, but if he lost, this would be his last fight. In spite of being in the vocal minority that said he wouldn't retire if he lost, I can't honestly say that I'm all that surprised. I also won't be surprised to see him in the Royal Rumble in less than a month.

Remember to tune into the 411 Ground and Pound Radio show on Sunday at 11:00 AM for a review of tonight's event. I hope everyone had a great evening with me and a great 2011, Happy New Year, take care and remember 411 MMA for all your MMA news and coverage needs!




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