UFC 116 Live Blog: George Sotiropoulos vs. Kurt Pellegrino Updates

This is the UFC 116 live blog for George Sotiropoulos vs. Kurt Pellegrino, a lightweight bout on tonight's UFC pay-per-view from the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Sotiropoulos (12-2) takes his 10th Planet jiu-jitsu game against another tough ground fighter in Pellegrino (21-4).

The live blog is below.

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Round 1: Sotiropoulos looks a bit quicker on the draw early as they settle into the center of the cage. Pellegrino scores with a left but Sotiropoulos hammers him, knocking Pellegrino on to the canvas. They quickly scramble before Pellegrino gets to his feet. Sotiropoulos tags him with another left, but Pellegrino ducks down and takes Sotiropoulos down. They stay there only for a few seconds before Pellegrino lets him up. Sotiropoulos is establishing he's the harder puncher, but he had a tough weight cut yesterday so we'll see if he can keep it up for three rounds if necessary. Pellegrino takes him down again with 45 seconds left. Sotiropoulos ties him up and Pellegrino only manages a stray elbow or two before the round closes. MMA Fighting scores it for Sotiropoulos for his superior striking.

Round 2: Sotiropoulos goes for a single leg early. Pellegrino defends for a while but Sotiropoulos remains tenacious and gets him on his back. Sotiropoulos to half-guard but Pellegrino quickly re-establishes guard. Pellegrino with nice elbows from the bottom. Sotiropoulos slickly passes, nearly to full mount, but Pellegrino manages to lock down one of his legs to half-guard. Sotiropoulos with powerful elbows from the top. Pellegrino scrambles and tries to wall-walk free, but no dice. Eventually, he succeeds. Sotiropoulos smothers him against the cage. Pellegrino works free after an eternity. Pellegrino lands a hard knee, but Sotiropoulos barely flinches. Another round for Sotiropoulos 10-9.

Round 3: Sotiropoulos backs Pellegrino up over and over with a sharp jab. Pellegrino winced after throwing a punch, looked like he might have hurt his hand. He drops down and puts Sotiropoulos on his back. Needs a finish as we near the halfway point. Pellegrino tries to pass but is denied. Sotiropoulos ties him up effectively. Pellegrino finally breaks free but it gives Sotiropoulos enough time to get up. Back to stand-up and Sotiropoulos' jab. They clinch as time ticks away. Pellegrino floors Sotiropoulos with a knee just before time expires but he doesn't have time to try and finish. That might have won him the round 10-9, and we'll go to the judges.

Winner: George Sotiropoulos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

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