HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- In a battle between one of the welterweight division's top wrestlers and one of the welterweight division's hardest punchers, wrestling won out.
by unanimous decision, using his superior clinch game, takedowns and top control -- and surviving a tough onslaught from Daley in the fight's closing moments.
Early in the first round Woodley caught a Daley kick and clinched with him against the fence, but just when it looked like Woodley was going to take Daley down, Daley landed a knee to the groin that caused Woodley to pull away. The knee appeared to be intentional, but referee Big John McCarthy let him off with a warning, not a point deduction.
When the action re-started, Woodley was able to grab Daley in the clinch again, but he was never able to complete a takedown. Most of the round consisted of Woodley holding Daley against the fence, and although Woodley probably won the round, Daley had to feel good that Woodley couldn't complete the takedown.
At the start of the second round, it was more of the same, with Woodley holding Daley against the fence. But this time Woodley managed to complete the takedown and stay on top in Daley's guard. Woodley mostly stayed there without accomplishing much, and McCarthy finally stood them up with 20 seconds left in the round. Woodley won the round because he was in top control so long, but the fans were getting restless that there wasn't a whole lot of action.
Daley came out swinging in the third round, but within 30 seconds Woodley had put him on his back again. This time, however, Daley showed off some ground acumen, eventually getting himself into top position and hitting Woodley with some hard punches. Woodley was clearly hurt, but he managed to recover and get back on top of Daley in the closing seconds, concluding the fight on top in a fitting ending.
All three judges scored the fight 29-28 for Woodley, who improves his professional MMA record to 9-0. Daley falls to 27-11-2 with his second straight loss.
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Fedor vs. Henderson
Fedor Emelianenko makes his way to the cage at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Fedor vs. Henderson
Dan Henderson gets ready for the main event at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Fedor Emelianenko and Dan Henderson get final instructions at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Fedor Emelianenko punches Dan Henderson at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Dan Henderson punches Fedor Emelianenko at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Fedor Emelianenko punches Dan Henderson at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Fedor Emelianenko and Dan Henderson square off at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Fedor vs.Henderson
Fedor Emelianenko punches Dan Henderson at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Dan Henderson celebrates his first-round TKO win at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Fedor Emelianenko gets treatment after his loss at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Dan Henderson gets his hand raised at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Marloes Coenen makes her way to the cage at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Marloes Coenen punches Miesha Tate at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Marloes Coenen and Miesha Tate battle at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Marloes Coenen punches Miesha Tate at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Miesha Tate swings at Marloes Coenen at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Miesha Tate celebrates her win over Marloes Coenen at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Miesha Tate celebrates her win over Marloes Coenen at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Marloes Coenen reacts after her loss at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Miesha Tate celebrates her win over Marloes Coenen at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Miesha Tate celebrates her win over Marloes Coenen at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Miesha Tate celebrates her win over Marloes Coenen at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tim Kennedy gets ready for his fight at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Robbie Lawler makes his way to the cage at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tim Kennedy battles Robbie Lawler at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tim Kennedy kicks Robbie Lawler at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tim Kennedy kicks Robbie Lawler at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Robbie Lawler punches Tim Kennedy at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tim Kennedy battles Robbie Lawler on the ground at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tim Kennedy battles Robbie Lawler on the ground at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tim Kennedy is a bloody mess after his fight with Robbie Lawler on the ground at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tim Kennedy defeated Robbie Lawler via unanimous decision at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Paul Daley makes his way to the cage at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tyron Woodley kicks Paul Daley at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Paul Daley punches Tyron Woodley at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Paul Daley punches Tyron Woodley at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Paul Daley punches Tyron Woodley at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Paul Daley punches Tyron Woodley at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Paul Daley tries to knee Tyron Woodley at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Paul Daley tries to submit Tyron Woodley at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tyron Woodley celebrates his unanimous decision win over Paul Daley at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tyron Woodley celebrates his unanimous decision win over Paul Daley at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tarec Saffiedine punches Scott Smith at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tarec Saffiedine tries to kick Scott Smith at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Fedor vs. Henderson Photos
Tarec Saffiedine kicks Scott Smith at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tarec Saffiedine punches Scott Smith at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Scott Smith kicks Tarec Saffiedine at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tarec Saffiedine celebrates his unanimous decision win over Scott Smith at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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JZ Cavalcante gets ready for his fight at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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JZ Cavalcante punches Bobby Green at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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JZ Cavalcante punches Bobby Green at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Bobby Green kicks JZ Cavalcante at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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JZ Cavalcante punches Bobby Green at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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JZ Cavalcante punches Bobby Green at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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JZ Cavalcante punches Bobby Green at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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JZ Cavalcante tries to finish Bobby Green at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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JZ Cavalcante tries to finish Bobby Green at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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JZ Cavalcante kicks Bobby Green at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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JZ Cavalcante celebrates his unanimous decision win over Bobby Green at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Dan Henderson looks to finish Fedor Emelianenko at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Dan Henderson rocks Fedor Emelianenko at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Gabriel Salinas-Jones def. Bryan Humes via submission at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Derek Brunson def. Lumumba Sayers via submission at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Derek Brunson def. Lumumba Sayers via submission at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Derek Brunson def. Lumumba Sayers via submission at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Derek Brunson def. Lumumba Sayers via submission at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Derek Brunson def. Lumumba Sayers via submission at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Derek Brunson def. Lumumba Sayers via submission at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Alexis Davis def. Julie Kedzie via unanimous decision at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Alexis Davis def. Julie Kedzie via unanimous decision at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Alexis Davis def. Julie Kedzie via unanimous decision at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Alexis Davis def. Julie Kedzie via unanimous decision at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Alexis Davis def. Julie Kedzie via unanimous decision at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Alexis Davis def. Julie Kedzie via unanimous decision at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Alexis Davis def. Julie Kedzie via unanimous decision at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Alexis Davis def. Julie Kedzie via unanimous decision at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Alexis Davis def. Julie Kedzie via unanimous decision at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Fedor vs. Henderson
Tyler Stinson punches Eduardo Pamplona at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tyler Stinson punches Eduardo Pamplona at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tyler Stinson punches Eduardo Pamplona at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tyler Stinson celebrates his first-round knockout against Eduardo Pamplona at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tyler Stinson celebrates his first-round knockout against Eduardo Pamplona at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tyler Stinson celebrates his first-round knockout against Eduardo Pamplona at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tyler Stinson celebrates his first-round knockout against Eduardo Pamplona at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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