BKFC 6 live blog: Chris Leben vs. Dakota Cochrane

This is the BKFC 6 live blog for Chris Leben vs. Dakota Cochrane, a bare-knuckle bout at Saturday’s BKFC event at Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall in Tampa, Florida.

Leben, who made a successful BKFC debut in April with a 25-second knockout of Justin Baesman, faces Cochrane, who is coming off of his own bare-knuckle knockout win against former UFC welterweight champion Johny Hendricks, in the co-main event.

Check out the BKFC 6 live blog below.

Round 1: Lots of dirty boxing early on between both men. Cochrane pushing the pace. He cracks Leben with a right, but Leben is quick to tie him up. Not much action from either man, though Cochrane is doing the damage inside. Leben just can’t seem to get out of the gates.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Cochrane.

Round 2: More dirty boxing in the second, though Cochrane looks to be the fresher fighter. About a minute in he lands a nice uppercut and Leben is busted open. It’s Cochrane pushing the pace just like in round one, Leben unable to time his counters effectively. Short shots inside land for Cochrane and he’s looking to be up on the scorecards through two rounds.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Cochrane. Overall 20-18, Cochrane.

Round 3: Cochrane looking to get in and out with his punches. Leben taking damage, but he starts swinging in classic fashion and he’s able to get Cochrane back against the ropes. It doesn’t look like Cochrane is getting caught clean. However, he’s turtling up and there’s a cut over his right eye now. Leben lands a big left. He’s slowing down and eats a counter left hook from Cochrane. Another left hand by Cochrane, then one to the body.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Leben. Overall 29-28, Cochrane.

Round 4: Cochrane misses with a straight right and they tie up. He’s looking like he has a lot more spring than Leben, who is conserving his energy. 1-2 combo by Leben scores, not much behind it. Cochrane again with a shot to the body and an uppercut. Referee quick to break up the clinches. Cochrane pressing forward, but he’s showing some fatigue. Sloppy round for both fighters.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Cochrane. Overall 39-37, Cochrane.

Round 5: Cochrane sticking with the body work. He backs Leben up with a right hand. Leben throws a wild left hook. Lunging left by Cochrane and Leben ducks it before tying up. Neither man looking too fresh. Short punch to the body and a left hook by Leben. Cochrane rips one to Leben’s mid-section. They tie up and Cochrane is getting the better of the dirty boxing.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Cochrane. Overall 49-46, Cochrane.

Official result: Dakota Cochrane def. Chris Leben via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)