UFC 143 Live Blog: Ed Herman vs. Clifford Starks Updates

Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

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.

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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)