pay-per-view card at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.
Nelson (15-6) has lost his last two fights in decisions against Junior dos Santos and Frank Mir. Cro Cop (27-9-2) is also on a two-fight skid, both knockout losses to Frank Mir and Brendan Schaub.
Round 1: Nelson swings and missed badly early on. Cro Cop with a slow start out of the gate as he reacts to Nelson's feints but throws nothing back. Nelson shoots in and takes him down against the cage. Cro Cop ties him up. Nelson is working from his guard and lands an occasional punch to the head. Cro Cop uses an opening and explodes back to his feet. Kick by Cro Cop lands to the body. Nelson lands a right that sends Cro Cop back a step. Cro Cop snaps Nelson's head back with an uppercut. A combo from Cro Cop. Nelson tried a kick but Cro Cop beat him with a left hand. It was Nelson early but Cro Cop late and the Croatian takes it 10-9.
Round 2: Nelson rocked Cro Cop with a right hand. Nelson went in for the kill and Cro Cop floored him with a left. Cro Cop went in for the finish and flurried. Nelson covered up and stayed alive as the crowd went wild. Nelson is bleeding from the nose. A Cro Cop head kick was mostly deflected by Nelson to a huge pop. We're midway through now. Nelson takes him down and moves to side mount. Nelson tried to set up the crucifix but Cro Cop kept his hand high. Nelson finally got the crucifix with :30 left. Nelson threw left hands but they weren't heavy ones. Ref Steve Mazzagatti thought about stopping it but correctly let it go. Cro Cop made it out. Nelson 10-9 but a very back and forth round makes it difficult to score.
Round 3: Nelson wobbled Cro Cop with a big right hand early. For some reason he didn't follow it up. Another right hand from Nelson hurt him again. Cro Cop went down this time and Nelson rained punches from the back until ref Steve Mazzagatti stopped it.
Winner: Roy Nelson via TKO, Rd. 3 (1:30)
- UFC 137 Photos Francis Carmont def. Chris Camozzi via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos Francis Carmont def. Chris Camozzi via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos Francis Carmont def. Chris Camozzi via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
-
UFC 137 Photos
Francis Carmont def. Chris Camozzi via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 137 Photos
Clifford Starks def. Dustin Jacoby via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 137 Photos Clifford Starks def. Dustin Jacoby via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos Clifford Starks def. Dustin Jacoby via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos Clifford Starks def. Dustin Jacoby via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
-
UFC 137 Photos
Brandon Vera and Eliot Marshall applaud one another after their fight at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 137 Photos
Eliot Marshall drops Brandon Vera at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 137 Photos
Eliot Marshall knees Brandon Vera at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 137 Photos
Brandon Vera kicks Eliot Marshall en route to a via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 137 Photos Ramsey Nijem def. Danny Downes via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos Ramsey Nijem def. Danny Downes via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos Ramsey Nijem def. Danny Downes via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos Ramsey Nijem def. Danny Downes via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos Ramsey Nijem def. Danny Downes via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos Ramsey Nijem def. Danny Downes via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos Ramsey Nijem def. Danny Downes via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
-
UFC 137 Photos
Ramsey Nijem def. Danny Downes via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 137 Photos Bart Palaszewski def. Tyson Griffin via first-round KO at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos Bart Palaszewski looks at a downed Tyson Griffin at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
-
UFC 137 Photos
Bart Palaszewski def. Tyson Griffin via first-round KO at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 137 Photos Bart Palaszewski def. Tyson Griffin via first-round KO at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos Bart Palaszewski def. Tyson Griffin via first-round KO at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos Hatsu Hioki beats George Roop via split decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos George Roop throws a kick at Hatsu Hioki at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos Hatsu Hioki and George Roop exchange punches at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos George Roop throws a right hand at Hatsu Hioki at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
-
UFC 137 Photos
Hatsu Hioki enters for his UFC debut at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
-
UFC 137 Photos
Donald Cerrone def. Dennis Siver at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 137 Photos Donald Cerrone def. Dennis Siver at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos Donald Cerrone def. Dennis Siver at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos Donald Cerrone def. Dennis Siver at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos Donald Cerrone def. Dennis Siver at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos Donald Cerrone def. Dennis Siver at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos Donald Cerrone def. Dennis Siver at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
-
UFC 137 Photos
Scott Jorgensen beats Jeff Curran via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 137 Photos Jeff Curran clashes with Scott Jorgensen at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
-
UFC 137 Photos
Scott Jorgensen punches Jeff Curran at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 137 Photos Jeff Curran swings at Scott Jorgensen at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
-
UFC 137 Photos
Jeff Curran comes forward against Scott Jorgensen at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 137 Photos
Jeff Curran stares down Scott Jorgensen at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 137 Photos
Jeff Curran punches Scott Jorgensen at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 137 Photos
Nick Diaz hits B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 137 Photos
Nick Diaz throws a left punch at B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 137 Photos
B.J. Penn crushes a left hand on Nick Diaz at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
-
UFC 137 Photos
Nick Diaz throws punches at B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 137 Photos
Nick Diaz attacks B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 137 Photos Nick Diaz throws a kick at B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos Nick Diaz smashes a left hand on B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos Nick Diaz charges forward against B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos Nick Diaz wants B.J. Penn to engage at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos B.J. Penn hits Nick Diaz at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos Nick Diaz connects on a left hand against B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos Nick Diaz and B.J. Penn are ready to return to battle at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos B.J. Penn's face shows the damage done by Nick Diaz at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos "Stitch" Duran attends to B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
-
UFC 137 Photos
Nick Diaz punches B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 137 Photos B.J. Penn lands a left hand on Nick Diaz at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos Nick Diaz taunts B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos B.J. Penn lands a left hand on Nick Diaz at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
-
UFC 137 Photos
Roy Nelson def. Mirko Cro Cop via third-round TKO at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 137 Photos
Roy Nelson def. Mirko Cro Cop via third-round TKO at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 137 Photos
Roy Nelson def. Mirko Cro Cop via third-round TKO at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 137 Photos
Roy Nelson finishes Mirko Cro Cop with punches at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 137 Photos
Roy Nelson punches Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 137 Photos
Roy Nelson takes a look at Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 137 Photos
Roy Nelson traps Mirko Cro Cop at the end of the second round at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 137 Photos
Roy Nelson charges Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 137 Photos
Roy Nelson throws a right hand against Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 137 Photos
Roy Nelson throws a right hand against Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 137 Photos
Nick Diaz exits after making a successful UFC return against B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
-
UFC 137 Photos
B.J. Penn exits the cage after his final MMA fight at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
-
UFC 137 Photos
Nick Diaz celebrates with his team after his unanimous decision win over B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
-
UFC 137 Photos
Nick Diaz shouts to the camera that he won the fight at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
-
UFC 137 Photos
Nick Diaz relaxes after his fight against B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
-
UFC 137 Photos
Nick Diaz raises his arms after the sound of the bell at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
-
UFC 137 Photos
Cheick Kongo defeats Matt Mitrione via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
-
UFC 137 Photos
Matt Mitrione grabs a headlock against Cheick Kongo at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
-
UFC 137 Photos
Cheick Kongo attacks the body of Matt Mitrione at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
-
UFC 137 Photos
Matt Mitrione charges Cheick Kongo at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
-
UFC 137 Photos
Matt Mitrione (right) throws a left hand against Cheick Kongo at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
-
UFC 137 Photos
Mirko Cro Cop leaves the cage after his "farewell" fight at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 137 Photos Arianny Celeste holds up the round three card at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos The stage of UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos Donald Cerrone celebrates with his team after beating Dennis Siver at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 137 Photos Bart Palaszewski celebrates with his team after knocking out Tyson Griffin at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
.fanhouseButton {margin:2em 0;} .fanhouseButton a:link, .fanhouseButton a:visited, .fanhouseButton a:hover, .fanhouseButton a:active {background-color:#dd2829;color:#FFFFFF;font-size:18px;padding:0.3em 0.6em;text-decoration:none;} .fanhouseButton a:hover {background-color:#000000;}
More From MMA Fighting
- Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker set as UFC Saudi Arabia main event, 4 more fights announced
- Morning Report: Dana White says UFC level ‘not even comparable’ to other promotions after ‘MVP’ debut, Kayla Harrison signing
- Becky Lynch: WWE were ‘mishandling’ Ronda Rousey, ‘she couldn’t wrestle’ at first
- Watch Dana White get mistaken for Joe Rogan in sitdown interview with ex-ESPN anchor
- Gina Carano explains why fight with Ronda Rousey never happened in UFC, confident she would have won
- Dana White threatened to resign from UFC in defense of Joe Rogan amid 2022 controversies