Welcome to the FanHouse UFC 97 live blog of Saturday night's undercard fights, where we'll have live results and round-by-round updates of the three undercard fights on the pay-per-view show: Cheick Kongo vs. Antoni Hardonk, Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Brian Stann and Luiz Cane vs. Steve Cantwell.
The fights are underway and the live blog begins below.
Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Brian Stann
Stann is on his way to the Octagon. Stann is in the Octagon.
Soszynski is on his way to the Octagon. Soszynski is in the Octagon.
Round 1: This fight is underway. They trade strikes in the early going. Stann with a good inside leg kick. Soszynski has landed a couple of knees. Stann throws a couple of punches but Soszynski dodges them and then takes Stann down. Soszynski has Stann on the ground against the cage. Soszynski has Stann mounted, and Stann is in big trouble. Stann shows some great strength bucking up to get Soszynski off him. But Soszynski gets into side control. Stann got back up to his feet and then Soszynski slammed him back down. Soszynski is going for the kimura, but Stann broke free. And then Soszynski got the kimura again and Stann tapped! Soszynski beats Stann by first-round submission.
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Cheick Kongo vs. Antoni Hardonk
Hardonk is on his way to the Octagon. Hardonk is in the Octagon.
Kongo is on his way to the Octagon. Kongo is in the Octagon.
Round 1: This fight is underway. They trade kicks in the early going. Big kick from Hardonk. Hardonk has been controlling the early pace. Now Kongo lands a counterpunch. The fans are chanting "Let's go Kongo!" They clinch against the fence and the ref separates them. Kongo catches a kick, lands a punch and floors Hardonk. Now Kongo is landing some kicks while Hardonk stays on his back. The ref stands them up and Kongo goes back to work. Good uppercut from Kongo. Kongo wants to get a takedown but Hardonk is doing a good job of stopping him. And now they go to the ground, with Kongo in Hardonk's guard. Kongo lands a couple of elbows on the ground. Kongo is landing hammerfists on the ground. Lots of strikes on the ground for Kongo at the end of the round, which goes to Kongo, 10-9.
Round 2: Kongo with a good kick to start the round. Kongo catches a Hardonk kick and takes him to the ground. Kongo is in Hardonk's guard and is landing strikes. Lots of hammerfists from Kongo. Kongo is pushing his forearm down on Hardonk's throat. Could be a foul if it's pressure directly on the trachea. Now Kongo goes back to the hammerfists. A dominant round for Kongo. And it's over! Kongo beats Hardonk by TKO.
Luiz Cane vs. Steve Cantwell
Cane is making his way to the Octagon. Cane is in the Octagon.
Cantwell is making his way to the Octagon. Cantwell is in the Octagon.
Round 1: This fight is underway. Cane with a nice uppercut. Nice high kick from Cantwell. Good combinations from Cane. Cantwell is landing some leg kicks, but Cane is landing much more powerful strikes. Cane is really chasing Cantwell around the Octagon. Outstanding first half of the first round for Cane. Cantwell with his best combination of the night, but Cane blocks them with his arms. Cane has given Cantwell a bloody nose and has controlled the pace of the first round, which has all been on the feet. Very good first round for Cane, 10-9.
Round 2: Cane with a very good punch, snapping Cantwell's head back. Cane is just completely controlling the pace of this fight. Cantwell needs to do something, maybe shoot for a takedown. Good kick to the body from Cane, followed by a leg kick. The fans are starting to boo because it hasn't been a particularly active round. Cantwell lands a few punches and kicks midway through the round. Now Cantwell is backing Cane off, and Cantwell is landing his best combinations of the fight. Cantwell with a big kick. Now Cantwell has Cane in trouble. Cane comes back with some solid punches right to the nose. Cane lands a big kick. It's been a back-and-forth round that is starting to grow more active. It's a very close second round, but I still give it to Cane, 10-9.
Round 3: Cantwell throws a head kick to start the round. Cane with a good left hand. Cane with a very good combination and now Cantwell is backing away. Cane lands a solid punch. Cantwell with an excellent combination of punches followed by a head kick. Good knee from Cane, and both fighters are getting a little fatigued. Cane is definitely landing more powerful, aggressive strikes. But just as I say that Cantwell landed a good combination. This fight has still not been on the ground at all. Good combination from Cane finishes with a power punch to the head. Cantwell has connected with some head kicks, but Cane has done a good job of shaking them off. The third round is over and I give it to Cane, 10-9. I'll tell you what the judges say. Luiz Cane beats Steve Cantwell by unanimous decision.
When the three undercard fights are over you'll want to head over to our co-main event live blog, where we'll have round-by-round updates of Chuck Liddell vs. Shogun Rua, and then to the main event live blog, where we'll have round-by-round updates of Anderson Silva vs.Thales Leites. You can also get updates by following me on Twitter.
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