LAS VEGAS – This is the UFC 130 live blog for Frank Mir vs. Roy Nelson, a heavyweight bout on tonight's pay-per-view at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Mir (14-5, 12-5 UFC), a former UFC heavyweight champion, knocked out Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic at UFC 119 last September. Nelson (15-5, 2-1 UFC), the Season 10 winner of "The Ultimate Fighter" and the former IFL heavyweight champ, went the distance with Junior dos Santos at UFC 117 last August, losing a unanimous decision. He returns following knee surgery.
Mir and Nelson are both native Las Vegans and sometimes training partners. They faced each other in a submission grappling tournament eight years ago, won by Nelson.
Round 1: At long last, after lots of friend vs. friend buildup, Mir-Nelson has arrived. Nelson pushes in early, but Mir reverses and pushes Nelson against the cage in the clinch. Mir looks for knees as Nelson reverses. As tehy break, Mir lands a glancing knee to Nelson's chin, then lands another decent knee at center cage. A left high kick from Mir just misses, and another knee is also close. Nelson pushes Mir to the cage and Mir again lands some big knees. Nelson stays standing, but the crowd is wondering for how long. Nelson survives the barrage and again pushes Mir to the fence. Mir struggles to keep Nelson's mop of mulletness out of his face, and the two break with a couple nice shots from Nelson. Mir ducks under another one, then lands a couple more knees. Out of nowhere, though, a beautiful trip takedown from Mir has Nelson on his back with Mir up top in mount. Nelson gives his back, but gets back to his feet and muscles Mir to the fence. It's a solid round for Mir, the former heavyweight champ, 10-9 on the MMA Fighting card, and a really fun fight so far. Round 2: They high five for Round 2, and Nelson throws a haymaker early. But Mir follows with a huge left kick to Nelson's gut, and then another. The fight moves back to the fence, this time with Mir in control. HE manages to bully his way to another takedown, though not nearly as impressive as his first, and starts to work on wearing Nelson down. But Nelson again muscles his way back up, and the crowd says it is happy by yelling and clapping. Both men look to be tired midway through the fight. They clinch up, but Mir goes low and lands another takedown. Mir tries to work out of half guard, but once again Nelson starts to muscle his way back to standing. He then looks to bully his way to a takedown of his own, but has to throw a sloppy and tired-looking haymaker. He lands a straight right after Mir lands a kick, though. He looks gassed, but Mir looks a little tired, too. The two tired 260-pounders end the round with nothing much but a stalemated clinch. MMA Fighting gives Round 2 to Mir, 10-9. Round 3: Round 3 starts with one last touch of gloves and a smile from the two Las Vegans, who share many mutual best friends and sometimes train together. Sweat flies from Nelson's hair, and his ponytail is now gone, as Mir lands a left. The crowd is quickly restless as the two lumbering heavyweights' apparent fatigue. A minute in, Mir gets the fight to the cage, then goes low again for an easy double-leg takedown. Mir passes out to half guard and pins Nelson's right arm down for a moment. But again Nelson earns the crowd's love by fighting back to his feet. But he's not there long, as Mir again drops down, grabs the legs and lifts Nelson for a quick and easy slam. When Nelson again fights back up, Mir again takes him down. He lands two big elbows on the ground. Then a third as Nelson tries to wriggle out. Nelson again gets back up, but with 20 seconds left this fight has been over for a while. Nelson has no steam. The third goes to Mir 10-9, and the fight should go to him 30-27.
Result: Frank Mir def. Roy Nelson, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Gleison Tibau def. Rafaello Oliveira
Gleison Tibau at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Gleison Tibau def. Rafaello Oliveira
Gleison Tibau throws punches against Rafaello Oliveira at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Gleison Tibau def. Rafaello Oliveira
Gleison Tibau throws a punch against Rafaello Oliveira at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Gleison Tibau def. Rafaello Oliveira
Rafaello Oliveira is ready to face Gleison Tibau at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Michael McDonald def. Chris Cariaso
Michael McDonald def. Chris Cariaso at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Michael McDonald def. Chris Cariaso
Michael McDonald def. Chris Cariaso at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Michael McDonald def. Chris Cariaso
Michael McDonald gets kicked by Chris Cariaso at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Michael McDonald def. Chris Cariaso
Michael McDonald (right) punches Chris Cariaso at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Renan Barao def. Cole Escovedo
Renan Barao def. Cole Escovedo at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011. Esther Lin for MMA Fighting
Renan Barao def. Cole Escovedo
Renan Barao punches Cole Escovedo at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Renan Barao def. Cole Escovedo
Renan Barao readies to face Cole Escovedo at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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UFC 130 Photos
Brian Stann celebrates his second-round knockout win at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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UFC 130 Photos
Jorge Santiago is checked out at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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UFC 130 Photos
Brian Stann punches Jorge Santiago at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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UFC 130 Photos
Brian Stann punches Jorge Santiago at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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UFC 130 Photos
Brian Stann punches Jorge Santiago at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Brian Stann def. Jorge Santiago
Jorge Santiago punches Brian Stann at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Brian Stann def. Jorge Santiago
Jorge Santiago throws a head kick at Brian Stann at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Demetrious Johnson def. Miguel Torres
Demetrious Johnson def. Miguel Torres at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Demetrious Johnson def. Miguel Torres
Demetrious Johnson paces around the cage at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Demetrious Johnson def. Miguel Torres
Miguel Torres on top of Demetrious Johnson at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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UFC 130 Photos
Miguel Torres gets ready for his UFC 130 fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Tim Boetsch def. Kendall Grove
Tim Boetsch punches Kendall Grove at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Tim Boetsch def. Kendall Grove
Tim Boetsch takes down Kendall Grove at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Travis Browne def. Stefan Struve
Travis Browne def. Stefan Struve at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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UFC 130 photos
Travis Browne knocks out Stefan Struve at UFC 130. Check out all our photos from Saturday's event by clicking view gallery.
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Travis Browne def. Stefan Struve
Travis Browne def. Stefan Struve at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Rick Story def. Thiago Alves
Rick Story def. Thiago Alves at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Rick Story def. Thiago Alves
Rick Story takes a knee from Thiago Alves at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Rick Story def. Thiago Alves
Rick Story takes down Thiago Alves at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Rick Story def. Thiago Alves
Thiago Alves throws a punch at Rick Story at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Rick Story def. Thiago Alves
Thiago Alves throws a punch at Rick Story at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Rampage Jackson def. Matt Hamill
Rampage Jackson def. Matt Hamill at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Rampage Jackson def. Matt Hamill
Rampage Jackson def. Matt Hamill at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Rampage Jackson def. Matt Hamill
Matt Hamill showing signs of fatigue at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Rampage Jackson def. Matt Hamill
Matt Hamill ties up with Rampage Jackson at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Rampage Jackson def. Matt Hamill
Rampage Jackson punches Matt Hamill at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Rampage Jackson def. Matt Hamill
Rampage Jackson punches Matt Hamill at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Rampage Jackson def. Matt Hamill
Rampage Jackson punches Matt Hamill at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Rampage Jackson def. Matt Hamill
Matt Hamill takes a breather against the fence at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Rampage Jackson def. Matt Hamill
Rampage Jackson makes his entrance to face Matt Hamill at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Rampage Jackson def. Matt Hamill
Matt Hamill supporters hold up signs at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Frank Mir def. Roy Nelson
Roy Nelson returns to his locker room after losing to Frank Mir at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Frank Mir def. Roy Nelson
Frank Mir def. Roy Nelson at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Frank Mir def. Roy Nelson
Frank Mir on top of Roy Nelson at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Frank Mir def. Roy Nelson
Roy Nelson battles Frank Mir at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Frank Mir def. Roy Nelson
Roy Nelson is tired at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Frank Mir def. Roy Nelson
Frank Mir strikes Roy Nelson at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Frank Mir def. Roy Nelson
Roy Nelson and Frank Mir touch gloves at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Frank Mir def. Roy Nelson
Roy Nelson is ready to face Frank Mir at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Frank Mir def. Roy Nelson
Frank Mir makes his entrance against Roy Nelson at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Brian Stann def. Jorge Santiago
Brian Stann def. Jorge Santiago at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Brian Stann def. Jorge Santiago
Brian Stann def. Jorge Santiago at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Brian Stann def. Jorge Santiago
Brian Stann punches Jorge Santiago at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Brian Stann def. Jorge Santiago
Brian Stann def. Jorge Santiago at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Brian Stann vs. Jorge Santiago
Brian Stann def. Jorge Santiago at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Brian Stann def. Jorge Santiago
Brian Stann def. Jorge Santiago at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Brian Stann def. Jorge Santiago
Brian Stann def. Jorge Santiago at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
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Brian Stann def. Jorge Santiago at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
Brian Stann def. Jorge Santiago
Brian Stann def. Jorge Santiago at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 28, 2011.