UFC 123 Live Blog: Mark Munoz vs. Aaron Simpson Updates

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- This is the UFC 123 live blog for Mark Munoz vs. Aaron Simpson, a middleweight bout on tonight's Spike TV portion of the card at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Munoz (8-2)'s three-fight win streak was ended in August when he lost to Yushin Okami in a split decision. Simpson (7-1) suffered his first career loss in June in a TKO loss to Chris Leben.

The live blog is below.

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Round 1: Clinch early between the two former collegiate wrestlers. It ends in a stalemate and they break up. Munoz throws a wild overhand right that misses. Simpson fires off a hook. Munoz shoots in and Simpson sprawls and tries to take his back. No dice. Simpson scoops Munoz up for a slam takedown but Munoz is back to his feet in seconds. The pair swing at each other with Simpson's back against the cage. Neither makes real solid contact. Finally, Munoz connects with a combo, but then Simpson turns him around and answers. Excellent pace from the middleweights. Simpson throws a knee off a break, then a switch kick that misses. Close first round. Simpson 10-9.

Round 2: Simpson catches a kick and takes Munoz down. Munoz works upright and throws a back elbow on the way up. Munoz lets his hands go and the two throw bombs at each other. What they lack in technique, they makeup for in intensity. Munoz changes levels and takes Simpson down. Simpson's back up in a flash. A Simpson knee lands low and we get a timeout. Munoz is bleeding from the forehead. The two touch gloves and restart. Munoz lands a head kick and Simpson somehow shrugs it off. Another headkick moments later. This one was not as flush and again Simpson walks through it. Simpson takes Munoz down. All this has gone on and half the round is still to go. The ref is quick with a standup. Another low blow, this time Simpson is the not-so-fortunate recipient; another timeout. Simpson takes Munoz down after a leg kick. Munoz back up quickly. Munoz with a hard right. He's had the harder strikes this round, Simpson the takedowns. This will be a rough one to score. I'll say 10-9 Munoz.

Round 3: Crazy scramble sequence ends with Munoz on top and on Simpson's back. He throws a hammering right hand. Simpson gets out of there in a hurry. On their feet and a Munoz punch scrapes Simpson across the eye. Another timeout. This fight has had a little bit of everything. Munoz lands against the fence until they restart in the middle. Munoz bulls Simpson to the fence again and scores with hard rights as we near the midway point. Munoz gets some space and scores with combination strikes. Simpson needs to respond. Simpson takes Munoz down with inside of a minute to go but he can't hold him. A wild exchange ensues with both landing bombs. They close with a flurry and the crowd gives them an ovation for a great effort. Munoz 10-9.

Winner: Mark Munoz by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-29)




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