This is the UFC 116 live blog for Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Chris Leben, the co-headlining bout on tonight's UFC pay-per-view from the MGM Grand Garden Arena.Leben (20-6) fights for the second time in two weeks as a replacement for the injured Wanderlei Silva against the returning Akiyama (13-1).
The live blog is below.
Round 1: Akiyama with a trip takedown but Leben right back to his feet. Leben testing his range with some leg kicks early. He then backs Akiyama up with a looping left. A low blow from Akiyama leads to a timeout. Out of the break, a nice right from Akiyama. Another takedown from Akiyama has Leben on his back. Leben goes for an arm bar, but it's never too close. Another arm bar try from Leben a minute later. Akiyama pulls free. Beautiful transition from Akiyama as he tries an arm bar of his own, and he eventually pins Leben's head. Leben pulls free but is still on his back, Akiyama in his half-guard. Leben back to his feet with :30 left. Leben lands a strong left but Akiyama takes him down to end the round. MMA Fighting scores it for Akiyama 10-9.
Round 2: Leben scores with a left and then shucks off Akiyama's trip try, so a better start for him in round two. Akiyama lands a straight right, Leben misses a left. Akiyama's punches are straight, Leben's looping. A wild, wild exchange ensues, both men landing bombs but Leben looking the worse for wear. Akiyama ends the barrage with a takedown midway through. Leben up again a minute later, trying to work free. Back to the center of the cage with :50 left. Akiyama's right eye is sweling. Leben swarms with howitzers down the middle. Akiyama somehow stays upright. Crowd explodes as the round ends. Great action. MMA Fighting scores it for Leben, 10-9.
Round 3: The two touch gloves to start the round. Akiyama catches a Leben kick and lands a right that puts him down. One minute in. Leben tries another arm bar. Akiyama stacks him up. It looked like Akiyama tapped but away from Herb Dean's line of vision. Akiyama ended up on top and in full mount. Leben worked back to guard and the two exchanged from that position, Leben with elbows from the bottom, Akiyama with elbows from the top. Leben keeps firing off offense from the bottom and goes for a triangle. He gets it as the clock runs out on him. Amazing fight, amazing finish.
Winner: Chris Leben by triangle submission, Rd. 3, 4:43
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