UFC 143 Live Play-By-Play

LAS VEGAS -- This is the UFC 143 live blog for Roy Nelson vs. Fabricio Werdum, a heavyweight bout on tonight's UFC pay-per-view at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Nelson (16-6) ended a two-fight losing streak at UFC 137 in October when he stopped Mirko Cro Cop with punches. Werdum (14-5-1) returns to the UFC after spending his last two years with Strikeforce. The two-time ADCC champ is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Alistair Overeem.

The live blog is below.

Round 1: Werdum opens with a push kick. Nelson fakes a takedown and Werdum nearly beheads him with a knee. Werdum takes Nelson's back in a flash. Nelson gets back to his feet. Werdum gets the clinch and lands a pair of knees. Nelson fires back uppercuts but Werdum keeps on landing knees. Nelson reverses position and puts Werdum against the fence. Nelson is bleeding from the nose. Werdum with more knees to the face as he's owning the clinch. This isn't a great idea for Nelson's chances. Nelson has a body clinch, but the ref breaks them up. Referee Josh Rosenthal calls a doctor to check Nelson's nose, but the doc lets them continue. Werdum with a left hand. Nelson drills Werdum with a right hand. Nelson follows him to the ground and Nelson tries an arm bar. Nelson defends it. Nelson backs out of his guard and they're back to their feet. Werdum with another knee. Huge round for Werdum, 10-9.

Round 2: Another Werdum knee briefly drops Nelson. Werdum is just moving forward whenever he wants, with little regard for what Nelson is doing. Werdum is certainly a different fighter than he was a few years ago. He lands a head kick to Nelson, who is taking an incredible amount of punishment but still continuing on. Werdum kicks to the body. Nelson caught Werdum with an overhand but Werdum kept circling away and didn't allow any sustained offense. This was a much better round for Nelson, but it was still Werdum's round, 10-9.

Round 3: Werdum shoots early. Nelson goes for a standing guillotine, adding a knee to the face. An angered Werdum punishes him with another knee to the face, then a straight right. Werdum sends Nelson staggering backwards with a combination. Werdum lands a front kick to the face. Nelson just eats it and moves forward. Werdum puts together another combo, landing several strikes. Nelson is reduced to looking for the KO shot as time runs low. It's another Werdum round, 10-9.

Winner: Fabricio Werdum via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

LAS VEGAS -- This is the UFC 143 live blog for Josh Koscheck vs. Mike Pierce, a welterweight bout on tonight's UFC pay-per-view at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Koscheck (16-5) fought once in 2011, knocking out Matt Hughes at UFC 135 in September. Pierce (13-4), who has won four of his last five fights, is coming off a split decision win over Paul Bradley last November at UFC on FOX 1.

The live blog is below.

Round 1: Pierce wastes no time going low for the takedown. Koscheck defends it, but they're up against the cage where Pierce often likes the action. Pierce works knees to Koscheck's legs from in tight as they both work for position. Koscheck struggles to circle free, and finally does. Pierce lands an uppercut on the way out. Pierce closes the gap again. This time Koscheck pushes him against the fence, but then pulls free. Pierce with a nice jab, then a hard right hand. Koscheck is hurt but swinging. Pierce with a hard jab. Koscheck fires off a head kick. Pierce gets inside with a hook. Pierce catches a hook and pushes Koscheck against the cage, but can't complete the takedown. Still, it's Pierce's round, 10-9.

Round 2: Pierce is making this just the kind of grinding fight that he excels at. Pierce with a stiff jab. Koscheck's not letting his hands go, looking like he's gunning for one big shot. Somewhere along the way, Pierce got bloodied on the right side of his head. It's a lot of blood but it's not getting in his eye so should be no issue. Pierce forces a tie-up, and the two exchange punches from in tight. Koscheck shoots and takes Pierce down with one minute left. Koscheck lands only one hard left hand and Pierce gets back to his feet and free. A closer round, but again, MMA Fighting scores it for Pierce, 10-9.

Round 3: Pierce takes Koscheck down a minute in. Koscheck wall walks up and turns, putting Pierce into the fence. Koscheck lands a knee to the body, then an elbow as Pierce escapes. Koscheck lands a right. Pierce draws Koscheck in and throws elbows and knees that land. Nice lead left hook by Pierce. Koscheck shoots. Pierce defends well, and they stalemate until ref Herb Dean breaks them. A Koscheck jab pokes Pierce in the eye and forces a timeout. Pierce is OK and we continue. Koscheck with a hard left hook to the body. With the 30 second remaining, a Koscheck power double puts Pierce on his back, but he regains his footing in a flash. Pierce scores a spinning elbow. A very close round, but MMA Fighting scores it for Koscheck, 10-9.

Winner: Josh Koscheck via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)

LAS VEGAS -- This is the UFC 143 live blog for Renan Barão vs. Scott Jorgensen, a bantamweight bout on tonight's UFC pay-per-view at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Barão (27-1) is undefeated in the UFC, having defeated Cole Escovedo and Brad Pickett in 2011. Jorgensen (13-4) won both his fights last year as well, beating Ken Stone and Jeff Curran.

The live blog is below.

Round 1: Barao snaps off a head kick that Jorgensen partially blocks. Heavy leg kicks from Barao, and Jorgensen answers it back. Barao throws a spinning kick and then a flying knee. Jorgensen catches him and goes for the takedown but Barao flashes great balance by staying on his feet. Jorgensen with a right hand. He shoots from distance and Barao has no problem stopping him. Barao looking loose with his standup, mixing it up with punches and kicks. Jorgensen scores a thudding right hand, his best strike of the fight. Barao goes back to work with kicks, causing Jorgensen to try to get inside. Barao lands a spin kick. It's the Brazilian's round, 10-9.

Round 2: Jorgensen shoots early, and Barao sprawls. The two begin trading kicks in the middle of the cage. Barao's are a little crisper, faster. Barao lands a left hook/straight right combo. Barao pressing forward as he controls the standup. Jorgensen shoots and ends up on bottom as Barao stuffs him. Jorgensen thinks about a kimura but it's never close. Jorgensen returns to his feet with 1:45 left. He goes to the body. Both fighters still look relatively fresh. That said, the pace has slowed a little as the two trade momentum shifts in the late part of the round. Barao takes the round again, 10-9.

Round 3: Jorgensen pushes forward early but his one-strike attacks get countered by Barao most of the time. Jorgensen tries a flying knee but lands short of the target. Barao is still pumping out the jab and then going to more advanced techniques like spin kicks. Jorgensen can't get to him with any sustained attack. Barao's leg kicks are also taking their toll. Jorgensen must know he's behind but he never really lets it go as time runs low. Barao's jab and overhand right are too much to overcome. It's Barao's round again.

Winner: Renan Barao via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

LAS VEGAS -- This is the UFC 143 live blog for Ed Herman vs. Clifford Starks, a middleweight bout on tonight's UFC pay-per-view at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Herman (19-7) finished both his fights last year, stopping Tim Credeur and submitting Kyle Noke. Starks won his UFC debut last October, outpointing Dustin Jacoby in a unanimous decision.

The live blog is below.

Round 1: Herman firing off a series of uppercuts early. Starks closes the distance and pushes Herman against the cage. They break and Herman jumps out with a left hook that misses. Starks lands a right that buckles Herman. He wastes no time firing back. Another clinch against the fence as we reach the midway point. Herman continues to headhunt with the uppercut but Starks is avoiding it for the most part. Starks lands a left hook and straight right. Herman eats it but it's taking its toll. Herman takes Starks down with 1:00 left. Starks works from the bottom and reverses position, ending in Herman's guard. A close round but MMA Fighting scores it for Starks, 10-9.

Round 2: Herman's left eye has some swelling from the right hands he's taken. Herman slips on a leg kick and falls to the ground, but Starks lets him up. From a clinch, Herman trips Starks to the ground and quickly takes full mount. Herman takes his back and look for the rear naked choke. Starks tries to break his grip and does so. Herman tenaciously re-grips and this time has it in deep. Starks taps and it's over.

Winner: Ed Herman via submission (rear naked choke), Rd. 1 (1:43)

LAS VEGAS -- This is the UFC 143 live blog for all the preliminary bouts in support of tonight's UFC pay-per-view at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

On the FX portion of the card are Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier, Jorge Lopez vs. Matt Riddle, Alex Caceres vs. Edwin Figueroa and Matt Brown vs. Chris Cope. Featured on Facebook are Rafael Natal vs. Michael Kuiper and Dan Stittgen vs. Stephen Thompson.

The live blog is below.

Dan Stittgen vs. Stephen Thompson

Round 1: Slow pace early. Thompson switching stances frequently and throwing out occasional kicks. Stittgen hasn't done much in the first two minutes, trying to figure out Thompson. FInally, he bull-rushes forward but Thompson easily side-steps him. Thompson looks very comfortable in the standup, no surprise given his kickboxing pedigree. Stittgen is a deer in headlights. With 45 seconds left, Thompson lands a one-shot headkick knockout.The kick was the back end of a combination, preceded by a right hook, and Stittgen never saw it coming.

Winner: Stephen Thompson via knockout, Rd. 1 (4:13)

Rafael Natal vs. Michael Kuiper

Round 1: Natal takes Kuiper down quickly and into full mount. Kuiper scrambles free quickly, and they're back to their feet. Kuiper tries to open up with his strikes, but Natal drives forward for another takedown. Kuiper wall walks back to his feet. Natal is determined to keep the fight down, though, and takes him down again. Natal isn't able to do much with the position. These two are up and down repeatedly. Natal can't hold him down, but Kuiper can't stop the takedown, either. Natal tried an arm bar but Kuiper pulled out and ended up on top. Kuiper landed a couple elbows as the round expired. It's Natal's round, 10-9.

Round 2: Kuiper looks more confident to start the second round. He's stalking Natal around. Kuiper lands a nice uppercut. Natal wants to take it to the ground but Kuiper's on to his game. Natal looks to be tiring. Natal lands a hard right hand but Kuiper looks unphased. Natal clinches as we near midway through the round. Natal lands a spinning back fist. Kuiper just eats it. He certainly has a chin, as he continues to walk Natal down. Natal stays active, keeping Kuiper off him by firing first and often. Natal manages a takedown with :20 left. There's little time to work, and the round expires. It's Natal again, 10-9.

Round 3: Kuiper hurts Natal with a right hand early. Natal falls against the fence. Kuiper lands a pair of hammerfists. More heavy blows from the top as Natal tries to sweep. Kuiper with another smashing right from the top. Natal finally closes his guard, but there's still lots of time to work. Natal works his way back up and slams Kuiper down with two minutes left. Natal quickly into side control. He tries to set up a crucifix. Kuiper defends but Natal lands some elbows, then takes full mount. He attacks with an arm triangle. Kuiper's in some trouble but hangs on for the last 20 seconds. A roller coaster round. I'll call it a 10-10 as both had dominant moments and it was very even.

Winner: Rafael Natal via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Matt Riddle vs. Henry Martinez

Round 1: Riddle has a big size advantage on Martinez, who opens with a hard left hand. Martinez is countering well, using a speed advantage to connect as Riddle moves forward. Martinez with a good right hook. Riddle may be a little surprised here, as Martinez is taking the fight on short notice. Riddle comes forward and Martinez again lands with the counter. Martinez is very comfortable in the pocket. He doesn't give ground and fires off combinations. Riddle throws a rare kick, taking advantage of his size. Riddle just misses with a short knee as the round ends. Martinez's activity takes the round, 10-9.

Round 2: Martinez is fearless in their, that's for sure. No octagon jitters as he continues to take it to Riddle, who is content to slug it out with a fighter who is much quicker than him. Martinez clocks him with a lead left again. Riddle has never made any real adjustments to capitalize on his size advantages, which is quite puzzling. Riddle has a touch of blood coming from near his left eye. Martinez still not slowing down or backing off. Riddle lands his best shot of the fight with a left hand. Riddle flurries late and bloodies Martinez's nose but it's not enough. Martinez 10-9.

Round 3: Riddle starting to incorporate more kicks now. Martinez counters with a straight left hand. Riddle with a series of kicks, increasing the distance. A smart change for Riddle. Kicks are starting to add up. Martinez throws a kick and Riddle catches it, taking him down. Riddle gets his hooks in but Martinez starts getting to his feet and Riddle gives up the position, leaving with a head kick. Martinez looks a bit winded now, and Riddle sees it, taking him down. Riddle with a series of left hands that all find their target. Riddle with elbows now. Trying to finish as time runs short. He hammers away as the round ends. It's Riddle's round, 10-9.

Winner: Matt Riddle def. Henry Martinez via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)

Matt Brown vs. Chris Cope

Round 1: A fairly evenly matched fight early as the two trade. A clinch stalemates against the fence. Brown drives for a takedown midway through the round, but Cope bounces back up to his feet. Brown continues working him against the cage. Brown lands a knee from in close, then an elbow from inside. Cope with a nice combination that ends with a hard leg kick. Brown answers with a pair of right hands as the round ends. Close round, but Brown takes it 10-9.

Round 2: Brown catches a kick and fires off a right hand. He follows it up with a combo as Cope backs up. Cope is OK but bleeding. Or maybe he isn't. Seconds later, Brown staggers him with a right hand behind the ear, drops him with a left hook and follows with hammerfists for the finish.

Winner: Matt Brown via TKO, Rd. 2 (1:19)

Alex Caceres vs. Edwin Figueroa

Round 1: Caceres doubling up on the jab early. Caceres with a kick that lands low, and Figueroa falls to the ground, writhing around in pain. Timeout is called to let him recover for the accidental but illegal strike. Figueroa says he's OK three minutes later and we restart. Figueroa fires off a blistering right hand that misses. Caceres lands a left kick that just misses. Figueroa shows him how it's done moments later, flooring Caceres with a right high kick. Figueroa goes for the finish but Caceres blocks some shots. Caceres finds a way back to his feet, and takes Figueroa's back. He tries a choke, but Figueroa slips out the back door. Wild sequences. Caceres works to his back again, looking for a rear naked choke. He has the body lock on Figueroa trying to finish. Figueroa defends well. Caceres lands strikes from the back as the see-saw round finishes.

Round 2: Caceres scores with a couple of early high kicks. Figueroa comes over the top of a lazy left with a right hand. Caceres throwing a series of kicks. Caceres is getting the better of the standup now. During an exchange, he lands another low blow. Referee Herb Dean deducts two points from Caceres for the infraction. Caceres pouring it on as he knows he may need a finish to win. Caceres drags him down and takes his back with plenty of time to work. Caceres body locks Figueroa and digs in the choke, but Figueroa tucks his chin and breaks Caceres' grip. Caceres is going over and over to the rear naked choke. Figueroa pulls free but Caceres tries the triangle. Figueroa pulls free. Because of the point deduction, it's going to be a 9-8 round for Figueroa.

Round 3: Figueroa comes out for round three looking low on gas. Caceres still looks pretty fresh, dancing on the balls of his feet. Caceres with jabs. Figueroa slipped and Caceres jumped to his back. Caceres is hellbent on a rear naked choke, but Figueroa's not having it. Figueroa turns in and gets top position, looking for punches from the top. The pair spend the final 60 seconds exchanging position. Figueroa drops for a kneebar, but it never gets close, and Caceres takes his back again as the horn sounds. Caceres 10-9.

Winner: Edwin Figueroa via split decision (28-27, 28-27, 27-28)

Dustin Poirier vs. Max Holloway

Round 1: Holloway comes out firing with fast, tight striking. Holloway looks for a flying knee and Poirier looks for the takedown. Holloway stops the first one but Poirier re-loads and slams Holloway down, quickly moving to full mount. Poirier with heavy right hands as Holloway tries to work free. Poirier goes for an arm bar and Holloway defends. Poirier transitions to a triangle and gets the mount by rolling him over. He has the triangle/arm bar combo and Holloway has no choice but to tap.

Winner: Dustin Poirier via submission (triangle/arm bar), Rd. 1 (3:23)