MMA Fighting - UFC 196 play-by-playhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52789/mma_minimal_navy..jpg2016-03-06T00:31:03-05:00http://www.mmafighting.com/rss/stream/109315892016-03-06T00:31:03-05:002016-03-06T00:31:03-05:00UFC 196 live blog: Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz
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<img alt="Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz will collide in the UFC 196 main event Saturday night in Las Vegas." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/K1WtPFYd0FtCpiY1uUPITAw_Tt8=/0x0:1920x1280/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49004275/044_Conor_McGregor_and_Nate_Diaz.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz will collide in the UFC 196 main event Saturday night in Las Vegas. | Esther Lin, MMA Fighting</figcaption>
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<p>This is the <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/fight-card/759/ufc-196-conor-mcgregor-nate-diaz" class="sbn-auto-link">UFC 196</a> live blog for Conor McGregor vs. <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/365/nate-diaz" class="sbn-auto-link">Nate Diaz</a>, a welterweight bout at Saturday night's UFC event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.<br><br>McGregor, who has won 15 straight fights, will face Diaz, who has two wins in his past five fights, in the main event.<br><br>Check out the UFC 196 live blog below.</p>
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<p class="non-primary"><b>More Coverage:</b> <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/2016/3/5/11164526/ufc-196-results-mcgregor-vs-diaz">UFC 196 Results</a> | <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/ufc">UFC news</a></p>
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<p><br><b>Round 1:</b> Herb Dean is the referee. No touch of gloves at the staredown. Both fighters are southpaw. McGregor lunges on a punch, but misses. McGregor lands a left,but Diaz clinches with him and presses him against the fence. McGregor eats a jab, but responds with a left. Good jab again from Diaz, but McGregor scores with a huge left. Diaz conitnues with the jab, but McGregor has center control. Diaz eats a left and an uppercut. Diaz lands a right, but eats another left for his efforts. Another left lands for McGregor and Diaz is bleeding. Diaz catches a kick and puts McGregor on the ground, but McGregor captures Diaz's ankles and reverses him. The round ends there without many strikes landing on the ground.</p>
<p><b>MMA Fighting scores this round 10-9 McGregor<br></b><br><b>Round 2:</b> McGregor spins, but hits nothing. Solid left to the body scores for McGregor. And now a left upstairs twice for the Irish fighter. Diaz clinches, but McGregor pummels in right away and they separate. McGregor is picking Diaz apart here and now they flurry. Diaz scores a left. Lead uppercut scores for McGregor now. DIAZ WOBBLES McGregor and McGregor looks hurt. Diaz is pouring it on as he pressures McGregor against the fence. They separate and McGregor lands a hard left, but McGregor is hurt and SHOOTS. Diaz stuffs it and takes mount. He pounds on McGregor, flattens him, takes his back and secures a choke. That's it. McGregor loses.</p>
<p><b>Nate Diaz def. Conor McGregor via submission (rear naked choke) at 4:12 of round 2</b></p>
https://www.mmafighting.com/2016/3/6/11166710/ufc-196-live-blog-conor-mcgregor-vs-nate-diazLuke Thomas2016-03-05T23:44:27-05:002016-03-05T23:44:27-05:00UFC 196 live blog: Holly Holm vs. Miesha Tate
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<img alt="Holly Holm and Miesha Tate will square off at the UFC 196 co-main event Saturday night." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xLF9KmjilqoNRLKxz98i7VsGIes=/0x0:1920x1280/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49004253/035_Holly_Holm_and_Miesha_Tate.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Holly Holm and Miesha Tate will square off at the UFC 196 co-main event Saturday night. | Esther Lin, MMA Fighting</figcaption>
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<p>This is the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.mmafighting.com/fight-card/759/ufc-196-conor-mcgregor-nate-diaz">UFC 196</a> live blog for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.mmafighting.com/fight/5675/holly-holm-vs-miesha-tate">Holly Holm vs. Miesha Tate</a>, a bantamweight bout at Saturday night's UFC event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.<br><br>Holm, who is 10-0 in her career, will face Tate, who has four wins in her past five fights, on the main card.<br><br>Check out the UFC 196 live blog below.</p>
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<p class="non-primary"><b>More Coverage:</b> <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/2016/3/5/11164526/ufc-196-results-mcgregor-vs-diaz">UFC 196 Results</a> | <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/ufc">UFC news</a></p>
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<p><br><b>Round 1:</b> The referee is charge of the action is John McCarthy. Holm is southpaw while Tate is orthodox. Both fighters doing lots of feinting and moving, but no one has landed anything yet. Then Holm lands a side kick to the body. Tate catches a kick from Holm, but Holm stuffs the takedown and eats a punch for that. One-two scores for Tate and Holm shoves her backwards. Both fighters exchange punches. Lunging one-two partially lands for Holm. Side kick again scores for Holm. Decent left hook manages to score for Tate. Head kick is blocked by Tate. Another side kick scores for Holm.</p>
<p><b>MMA Fighting scores this round 10-9 Holm<br><br>Round 2:</b> Tate is more aggressive and charging forward, but Holm is moving out of the way. Tate times a double and gets it and now is working from a modified half guard. Tate's landing elbows on top. Holm tries to move to the fence and is making progress, but still struggling. Hard elbows from Tate. Holm spins to her base, but Tate takes her back. Tate snatches Holm off of her base and nearly submits her, but Holm hangs on.</p>
<p><b>MMA Fighting scores this round 10-9 Tate<br></b><br><b>Round 3:</b> Tate's feinting and moving forward, but so far hasn't landed anything. Left hand from Holm just grazes. Solid right hand snaps Tate's head back. Tate attempts the clinch again, but Holm stuffs it. and quickly separates. Holm whiffs on a hook kick, but is controlling the center. Left hand from Holm sticks Tate. Oblique kick from Holm also continues to land. The two flurry, but Holm lands a side kick to back up Tate. Tate shoots from outside, but Holm stuffs is pretty easily.</p>
<p><b>MMA Fighting scores this round 10-9 Holm<br></b><br><b>Round 4:</b> The two exchange jabs to open the round. Holm scores with a left and a side kick as she pressures. Tate catches a Holm kick, but can't get the takedown and Tate is being pressed into the fence. Holm whips Tate in a semi circle and they separate. Tate eats another left hand and is pushed back. Tate tries to pressure Holm, but Holm is evasive. Tate shoots and is stuffed and lands a shot on the exit. Holm times Tate coming in with a right hook and circles way. Front kick to the face and a one-two score for Holm.</p>
<p><b>MMA Fighting scores this round 10-9 Holm<br></b><br><b>Round 5:</b> Tate is pressuring hard and manages to sneak in a left hook. Holm scores with an oblique kick in response, plus a left hand. Tate shoots again from the outside, but can get nowhere. Tate backs Holm into the fence for a takedown, but Holm stuffs it and separates. Holm lands a side kick and Tate rushes in for a takedown, but no dice. Tate spins on a takedown attempt to the back and secures a choke. Holm stands and tries to throw Tate off of her, but they roll forward and the choke is still in. That's it. Tate puts Holm to sleep in a fight she was surely losing.</p>
<p><b>Miesha Tate def. Holly Holm via submission (rear naked choke) at 3:30 of round 5</b></p>
https://www.mmafighting.com/2016/3/5/11166674/ufc-196-live-blog-holly-holm-vs-miesha-tateLuke Thomas2016-03-05T23:13:07-05:002016-03-05T23:13:07-05:00UFC 196 live blog: Gian Villante vs. Ilir Latifi
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<img alt="Gian Villante and Ilir Latifi will square off on the UFC 196 main card Saturday night in Las Vegas." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9VyxpzN4_b0E3vWBPUPfz4oR2KY=/0x0:1920x1280/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49004233/031_Gian_Villante_and_Ilir_Latifi.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Gian Villante and Ilir Latifi will square off on the UFC 196 main card Saturday night in Las Vegas. | Esther Lin, MMA Fighting</figcaption>
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<p>This is the <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/fight-card/759/ufc-196-conor-mcgregor-nate-diaz" class="sbn-auto-link">UFC 196</a> live blog for <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/385/gian-villante" class="sbn-auto-link">Gian Villante</a> vs. <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/2265/ilir-latifi" class="sbn-auto-link">Ilir Latifi</a>, a light heavyweight bout at Saturday night's UFC event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.<br><br>Villante, who has three wins in his past five fights, will face Latifi, who has four wins in his past five fights, on the main card.<br><br>Check out the UFC 196 live blog below.</p>
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<p class="non-primary"><b>More Coverage:</b> <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/2016/3/5/11164526/ufc-196-results-mcgregor-vs-diaz">UFC 196 Results</a> | <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/ufc">UFC news</a></p>
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<p><br><b>Round 1:</b> The referee in charge is Yves Lavigne. Villante is opening up with high, probing kicks. Latifi powers Villante back to the fence, but so far can't make progress on a takedown. They separate from the clinch. Hard leg kick scores for Villante. Latifi catches a kick and Latifi lands a big overhand left, which backs up Villante. Latifi tries to pursue a takedown, but can't get it. Latifi breaks the clinch with ripping shots to the body. Latifi clinches with Villante again, pressing him back into the fence, but fires an elbow that barely lands as they break. Latifi is trying to land a monster shot, but is short and now stuffed again on the takedown attempt. Hard kick lands to the legs from Villante.</p>
<p><b>MMA Fighting scores this round 10-9 Villante<br></b><br><b>Round 2:</b> The two open the frame exchanging leg kicks, Villante throwing and landing more. Left hand sneaks through for Latifi, but he's still backing up. Latifi ducks a punch and works to Villante's back and lands a belly-to-back suplex. Hard outside leg kick scores from Villante after he returns to his feet. Latifi attempts a takedown, but can't get it. Villante trying to land a right hand, but just missing. Latifi spins twice, partially landing both times. Latifi blocks a head kick and tries to bully Villante into the fence again. Latifi picks Villante up and drives him down, defense hammerfist. Villante stands before the final bell.</p>
<p><b>MMA Fighting scores this round 10-9 Latifi<br><br>Round 3:</b> Latifi blitzes with a shot to the body, but he' still backing up. Latifi pushes Villante into the fence and tries to secure a double, but misses, so he switches directions and still can't get it. Leaning left hook from Latifi almost lands. Spinning heel kick from Latifi whiffs. Punishing right hand lands for Latifi, but Villante seems unfazed. Left hand crushes Villante again. Good body kick scores for Villante. Latifi goes back to the left hand, but can't get it. Despite a blatant fence grab, Villante is taken down. Villante stands and reverses Latifi, but the round ends.</p>
<p><b>MMA Fighting scores this round 10-9 Latifi and the fight 29-28 Latifi</b></p>
<p><b>Ilir Latifi def. Gian Villante via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)</b></p>
https://www.mmafighting.com/2016/3/5/11166666/ufc-196-live-blog-gian-villante-vs-ilir-latifiLuke Thomas2016-03-05T22:44:21-05:002016-03-05T22:44:21-05:00UFC 196 live blog: Anderson vs. Lawlor
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<img alt="Corey Anderson and Tom Lalwor will square off on the UFC 196 main card Saturday night." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vEeeL3socxaJc2RF26a2xY8iSQo=/0x0:1920x1280/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49004205/028_Corey_Anderson_and_Tom_Lawlor.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Corey Anderson and Tom Lalwor will square off on the UFC 196 main card Saturday night. | Esther Lin, MMA Fighting</figcaption>
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<p>This is the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.mmafighting.com/fight-card/759/ufc-196-conor-mcgregor-nate-diaz">UFC 196</a> live blog for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.mmafighting.com/fight/5678/corey-anderson-vs-tom-lawlor">Corey Anderson vs. Tom Lawlor</a>, a light heavyweight bout at Saturday night's UFC event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.<br><br>Anderson, who has four wins in his past five fights, will face Lawlor, who has three wins in his past five fights, on the main card.<br><br>Check out the UFC 196 live blog below.</p>
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<p class="non-primary"><b>More Coverage:</b> <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/2016/3/5/11164526/ufc-196-results-mcgregor-vs-diaz">UFC 196 Results</a> | <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/ufc">UFC news</a></p>
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<p><br><b>Round 1: John McCarthy is the referee. </b>Lawlor is doing the pressureing and lands hard punches as he presses Anderson against the fence. Anderson is hurt, but moving. The two are wildly exchanging, but Anderson's still in the fight. Anderson shoots, but is stuffed, but lands an inside leg kick. Inside leg kick from Anderson allows him to move away while off balancing Lawlor. Anderson lands a right, but Lawlor continues to press forward. Two right hooks score for Lawlor in tight quarters. Good right scores for Anderson now. Anderson ducks a punch and lands a left. Better second half than first half for Anderson.</p>
<p><b>MMA Fighting scores this round 10-9 Lawlor <br></b><br><b>Round 2:</b> Anderson slips and falls backwards, but manages to scramble back to his feet. Lawlor continues to hold center and press. Solid right hand lands for Anderson, but Lawlor lands a left in return. Anderson scores a right as Lawlor moves inside. Anderson sneaks another right through and another. Outside leg kick scores for Anderson. The right hand lands again for Anderson and he's looking much better this round. Anderson is tagged with a knee as he leans in for a feint. Good left lands for Lawlor, but the two flurry and it appears Lawlor stumbles a bit. Anderson whizzers to avoid being taken down and backs up Lawlor with strikes.</p>
<p><b>MMA Fighting scores this round 10-9 Anderson<br><br>Round 3:</b> Lawlor lands a right hook to kick things off. Anderson responds with a big takedown that puts him in side control on top. Anderson scores with a right on top. Lawlor tries to scramble to his base, but is flattened back out. Lawlor using a knee shield to create space and is reaching for a kimura, but can't get it. Lawlor is hanging on with double underhooks, but referee McCarthy stands them up for inactivity. Both fighters are still moving well. Inside leg kick scores for Anderson. Hard counter right scores for Anderson to end the frame.</p>
<p><b>MMA Fighting scores this round 10-9 Anderson and the fight 29-28 Anderson</b></p>
<p><b>Corey Anderson def. Tom Lawlor via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)</b></p>
https://www.mmafighting.com/2016/3/5/11166650/ufc-196-live-blog-corey-anderson-vs-tom-lawlorLuke Thomas2016-03-05T22:06:41-05:002016-03-05T22:06:41-05:00UFC 196 live blog: Nunes vs. Shevchenko
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<img alt="Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko will kick things off on the UFC 196 main card Saturday." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/olgXeiZoJLWEvjKm2e7VXmB27FQ=/0x0:1920x1280/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49004183/025_Amanda_Nunes_and_Valentina_Shevchenko.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko will kick things off on the UFC 196 main card Saturday. | Esther Lin, MMA Fighting</figcaption>
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<p>This is the <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/fight-card/759/ufc-196-conor-mcgregor-nate-diaz" class="sbn-auto-link">UFC 196</a> live blog for <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/fight/5734/amanda-nunes-vs-valentina-shevchenko" class="sbn-auto-link">Amanda Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko</a>, a bantamweight bout at Saturday night's UFC event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.<br><br>Nunes, who has four wins in her past five fights, will face Shevchenko, who has five straight wins, on the main card.<br><br>Check out the UFC 196 live blog below.</p>
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<p class="non-primary"><b>More Coverage:</b> <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/2016/3/5/11164526/ufc-196-results-mcgregor-vs-diaz">UFC 196 Results</a> | <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/ufc">UFC news</a></p>
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<p><br><b>Round 1:</b> The referee is Herb Dean. Shevchenko is southpaw, Nunes is orthodox and moving quite a bit more. Shevchenko appears to trying to counter early, which is having a stalling effect on the action. Nunes partially lands a head kick, but eats a right hand for her efforts. Shevchenko counters Nunes as she moves in, but doesn't land with authority. Hard outside leg kick scores for Nunes. And another. Shevchenko throws hooks from both sides, but they miss. Nunes plants her opponent on the canvas with a trip and now works from Shevchenko's guard. Shevchecko grabs an ankle and stands, but the round ends.</p>
<p><b>MMA Fighting scores this round 10-9 Nunes<br></b><br><b>Round 2:</b> The two open up early with Nunes landing a body kick and dodging Shevchenko's punch. Shevchenko catches a kick and plants Nunes on the canvas, but ends up underneath herself when Shevchenko over commits on a kick and slips. Strong hammerfists now by the Brazilian. Shevchenko is working knee shield, but she's getting worked on. Shevchenko spins to her feet briefly, but is taken down again. Nunes pounds on her some more before Nunes passes to mount, then back mount. Nunes is working a rear naked choke and nearly gets it, but Shevchenko is on top after slipping out of back control.</p>
<p><b>MMA Fighting scores this round 10-9 Nunes<br></b><br><b>Round 3:</b> Nunes is cracked by an elbow and tries to trip Shevchenko, but is reversed, so Shevchenko is on top. Nunes is in a crucifix and nearly gets Americana'd, but avoids it and reverses to her feet. Nunes leans in for a takedown and eats two hard knees from Shevchenko. Shevchenko stuffs another takedown, but isn't pouring on the offense. Shevchenko is trying to score with knees from the clinch and is, but it's not doing enough. Superman punch to the body lands for Shevchenko. Snapdown from Shevchenko dumps Nuns face first to the mat. She wins the round, but it's likely too little, too late.</p>
<p><b>MMA Fighting scores this round 10-9 Shevchenko and the fight 29-28 Nunes</b></p>
<p><b>Amanda Nunes def. Valentina Shevchenko via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)</b></p>
https://www.mmafighting.com/2016/3/5/11166640/ufc-196-live-blog-amanda-nunes-vs-valentina-shevchenkoLuke Thomas2016-03-05T18:24:15-05:002016-03-05T18:24:15-05:00UFC 196 undercard live blog
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<img alt="Brandon Thatch and Siyar Bahadurzada will headline the UFC 196 undercard Saturday night." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4m-pRgr7dtJzNGPLRDaZRCIlfYI=/0x0:1920x1280/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49004111/022_Brandon_Thatch_and_Siyar_Bahadurzada.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brandon Thatch and Siyar Bahadurzada will headline the UFC 196 undercard Saturday night. | Esther Lin, MMA Fighting</figcaption>
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<p>This is the <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/fight-card/759/ufc-196-conor-mcgregor-nate-diaz" class="sbn-auto-link">UFC 196</a> undercard blog for the UFC 196 event at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev. on Saturday night.<br><br>There will be seven fights on the UFC 196 undercard. <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/1554/brandon-thatch" class="sbn-auto-link">Brandon Thatch</a> vs. <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/920/siyar-bahadurzada" class="sbn-auto-link">Siyar Bahadurzada</a>, <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/fight/5687/erick-silva-vs-nordine-taleb" class="sbn-auto-link">Erick Silva vs. Nordine Taleb</a>, <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/2914/vitor-miranda" class="sbn-auto-link">Vitor Miranda</a> vs. <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/1575/marcelo-guimaraes" class="sbn-auto-link">Marcelo Guimaraes</a>, <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/fight/5711/darren-elkins-vs-chas-skelly" class="sbn-auto-link">Darren Elkins vs. Chas Skelly</a>, <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/121/diego-sanchez" class="sbn-auto-link">Diego Sanchez</a> vs. <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/153/jim-miller" class="sbn-auto-link">Jim Miller</a>, <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/1548/justin-salas" class="sbn-auto-link">Justin Salas</a> vs. <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/2902/jason-saggo" class="sbn-auto-link">Jason Saggo</a>, and <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/fight/5777/julian-erosa-vs-teruto-ishihara" class="sbn-auto-link">Julian Erosa vs. Teruto Ishihara</a> will be featured.<br><br>Check out the UFC 196 undercard live blog below.</p>
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<p class="non-primary"><b>More Coverage:</b> <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/2016/3/5/11164526/ufc-196-results-mcgregor-vs-diaz">UFC 196 Results</a> | <a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/ufc">UFC news</a></p>
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<p><b>Julian Erosa vs. Teruto Ishihara</b><br><b>Round 1: </b>And we're rolling. The McGregor show is back in Las Vegas, and this time it's got a little 209 flavor. But first things first: we have an undercard to cover. These first three contests are on UFC Fight Pass. TUF veterans kicking things off in the featherweight division. Chris Tognoni is the third man in the cage. They touch 'em up and we're off. Quick high kick from Ishihara off the glove touch. Erosa, the much larger man, lands a push kick. Big one-two from Ishihara drops Erosa! Erosa recovers and stands. Ishihara connects with a hard inside leg kick. And another. This time Ishihara fakes low then goes high with his kick. Erosa rushes inside and eats a looping left. Erosa catches a leg but can't do anything with it. Nice push kick from Erosa, which puts Ishihara's butt on the mat. He pops back up but Erosa clinches then drives Ishihara to the fence. Tognoni breaks it up. Ishihara opens up immediately and cracks Erosa, only to get dumped onto his back. <b>MMA Fighting scores it 10-9 Ishihara.</b><br><br><b>Round 2: </b>They're taking their time, throwing out a few soft kicks. Erosa abruptly rushes inside and gets clipped with a huge counter left hook! Erosa drops! Ishihara follows with another crushing left hand and hammerfists. That's all she wrote! Out cold. Ishihara, who can't speak a lick of English, proceeds to tell Las Vegas: "I love you, my bitches!" Excellent.</p>
<p><b>UFC 196 official results: Teruto Ishihara def. Julian Erosa via KO (strikes) at :34 of round two</b></p>
<p><b>Justin Salas vs. Jason Saggo</b><br><b>Round 1:</b> Lightweights up next. Yves Lavigne is the referee in charge of the action. Saggo blocks a high kick, then goes low with an inside leg kick. So far we're seeing a feeling out process as both men find their range. Salas rushes inside and dumps Saggo onto his back, landing inside his full guard. Saggo uses an omoplata to reverse into top control. Slick stuff there. Saggo is working from side control. Saggo goes knee-on-belly then takes Salas' back. One hook in for Saggo, and there's the second. He flattens Salas out and this could be the end. Saggo just unloading with heavy punches. It's over. Tremendous show of patience and grappling technique from Saggo.</p>
<p><b>UFC 196 official results: Jason Saggo def. Justin Salas via TKO (punches) at 4:31 of round one</b></p>
<p><b>Diego Sanchez vs. Jim Miller</b><br><b>Round 1: </b>Experience galore inside this cage right now. I have no clue how these two haven't fought sooner. Sanchez is back to being the "Nightmare," finally. Chris Tognoni is the third man in the cage. Let's do it. Sanchez rushes inside and hunts for a single leg! They're already trading! Miller creates some distance then misses with a left. Miller goes to his outside leg kick. Nice one-two from Miller. Miller pressures Sanchez into the fence and lets loose. Sanchez circles out, then changes levels for a double. He gets it. Sanchez is in top position but he can't generate any space from Miller's closed guard. Sanchez finally stands, then throws Miller's leg aside and settles into half guard. Short punches and elbows from Sanchez. Surprisingly disciplined round for the Nightmare. <b>MMA Fighting scores it 10-9 Sanchez.</b><br><br><b>Round 2: </b>Miller goes back to his inside leg kick and takes the legs out from underneath Sanchez. And another. Sanchez lunges inside with a knee to the dome. Miler answers by cracking a right into the body of Sanchez. Sanchez storms forward and takes Miller to the canvas, landing in half guard. This is a bad spot for Miller. Miller looks to stand, connects with a few slicing elbows to the head, then retakes his feet. Miller hangs back and lands a nice counter knee to the body. Miller staggers Sanchez with a high kick! Miller rushes inside with an elbow but slips! Sanchez gives him a swift knee to the body on the way up. Sanchez eats another right hand, then hunts for a double. Miller stuffs it and locks up a front choke! Hard knees to the body from Miller! Sanchez escapes and continues to pursue a single leg. Miller reverses and takes the back! Great scrambling there. <b>MMA Fighting scores it 10-9 Miller. (19-19 overall.)</b><br><br><b>Round 3: </b>Sanchez rushes out and immediately eats a hard left. Sanchez catches a leg but can't get the takedown. Miller lands a sharp right. Another left hand lands for Miller. Sanchez misses badly on a spinning back kick. Sanchez continues to walk forward. He's starting to open up a bit now. The crowd swells behind Sanchez. Miller dodges a spinning back kick, then lunges inside and whiffs on a right. Sanchez shoots but can't complete the takedown. This round is still up for grabs. Both fighters jab. Sanchez goes over the top with a right. Miller dives low for a double but can't get it. Thirty seconds left. Miller rushes in and briefly gets taken off his feet. Miller is back up and he lands a heavy left! Man, that was a super close round. <b>MMA Fighting scores it 10-9 Sanchez. (29-28 Sanchez.)</b></p>
<p><b>UFC 196 official results: Diego Sanchez def. Jim Miller via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)<br></b><br><b>Darren Elkins vs. Chas Skelly</b><br><b>Round 1: </b>Chuck Mindenhall here taking over. Referee for this one is Yves Lavigne. They touch them up. Elkins steps in first, trying to connect with a couple. Body shot from Skelly, and for a moment Elkins took a knee. Now he's pushing the action to the fence, and he has Skelly up on the links. Knees to the body, and Elkins doing what he do — landing gritty stuff inside. They break. Nice stiff left from Skelly as Elkins came in. Now they exchange on the fence, and Skelly lands several big shots in a rude exchange there. A couple of those were big shots that hurt Elkins. Now Elkins trips Skelly and takes him down, and Skelly looking for a leg lock. Elkins spinning, and the heel hook in play! Elkins defends, and now Skelly trying for the other leg. Elkins is still trying desperately to spin out of them, but Skelly is relentless. Now he's free, and Elkins landing shots from his knee. They are up. Elkins with a headlock, and he lands from inside. Now they separate. Elkins surges forward with a combo, but lands only the last shot. So far Skelly the more effective. They clinch in the middle of the cage, and Elkins lands a series of uppercuts. Nice sequence for Elkins. They clinch again, and this time Skelly moves the action to the fence, and lands some nice knees to the body — and takes a couple too. They rotate. Elkins pushes the action off the fence, and they come clean. Nice long right hand there from Elkins, who again ducks his head and grinds Skelly into the fence. Round ends there. <b>MMA Fighting scores R1 for Skelly, 10-9.</b><br><br><b>Round 2: </b>Elkins comes in on a missed high kick and tries to take Skelly's head off with a combo. They clinch in the middle, and there's a pretty good exchange. Elkins ducks and puts Skelly on the fence, then dumps him there where he stood. Now Elkins is trying to get some G&P going, yet again Skelly attacks the leg. Can't get anything, and there's a scramble attempt — Elkins coolly controls it and ends up back on top. He's back to work, as Skelly raises his hips off the canvas for leverage. Side control for Elkins, who has Skelly's arm trapped. Big shots from Elkins. Relentless. He's just hammering away. Skelly now turtled for a second. Skelly struggling back to his feet, and Elkins right on top of him — just slamming his fists into Skelly, and now knees. Skelly on his feet on fence, but he's practically wearing Elkins on his back. Elkins drops back to his knees, lifts Skelly up to drop him down. All Elkins, who is back on top and in side control. Pressure, pressure, pressure. Skelly now waving his hand out there hoping to deflect the blows that Elkins is raining down. Big hammerfists from Elkins. Elkins flirting with a head and arm choke. Can't get it. Instead he goes back to the G&P, big shots — now working the body. All Elkins that round. <b>MMA Fighting scores R2 for Elkins, 10-9 (19-19 overall) </b><br><br><b>Round 3: </b>Skelly's corner told him not to allow takedowns. Body kick from Elkins, and now a big shot as he immediately takes Skelly's back on his feet, and swerves the action to the fence There he drags him to the canvas. He's all over Skelly again. Skelly stands up, but Elkins posted into his chest, and has him working from suffocation. All Elkins again early in this one, as he again drops Skelly. Elkins now landing brutal elbows. Now as Skelly tries to roll out, Elkins looks for a rear naked — can't get it, and that allows Skelly to scramble back up to his feet. They reset. Elkins at center, and throws a wild combo from there. Nothing lands. Skelly definitely has been fading since midway through R2. Elkins lands a nice punch and rolls around. Again, he comes in with a barrage of punches, and then used the aggression to take Skelly down by the fence — his fifth takedown. He's fishing out Skelly's neck, looking for a choke. Skelly keeping his head down to limit his neck. Now he turns around and gets back to his feet. It's Skelly who has the pressure for the moment, leaning into Elkins on fence. They break. Skelly backs Elkins down, and throws some punches there — not much mustard on them. Nice right hand from the Indiana native. They trade towards the end, but Elkins really made this his fight. <b>MMA Fighting scores R3 for Elkins, 10-9 (29-28 for Elkins overall)</b></p>
<p><b>UFC 196 official results: Darren Elkins def. Chas Skelly via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-27, 30-26)</b><br><br><b>Vitor Miranda vs. Marcelo Guimaraes</b><br><b>Round 1: </b>Referee for this middleweight bout is Chris Tognoni. They touch gloves. High kick from Miranda his forearms, but the follow-up push kick nearly cleans a clock. Now Guimaraes leans in and pushes Miranda straight back to fence, and from there goes to work. Miranda trying to pry loose. Guimaraes working for a take down with the underhooks. He drops to his knees and Miranda sprawls, and lands elbows as he does. They scramble as Miranda's legs go skyward, but Guimaraes ends up on top of Miranda on fence. Miranda, his back to the links, able to scoot up to his feet, but Guimaraes is right there on him. Finally the referee steps in and separates them. Nice trade in the middle, as the jabs come furious. Nice head kick from Miranda, but it doesn't land clean. Body kick now. Miranda on his bike, but Guimaraes comes flying in winging punches, and Miranda finds himself once again on the fence under siege. Guimaraes toiling there again. Ref warns Guimaraes to not grab fence. Guimaraes dropping knees into Miranda's thighs. He drops low, but can't get the takedown as Miranda slams downward elbows into his crown. Those were landing. Damn. But Guimaraes takes them and stays on, toiling on the fence. Miranda sprawling when necessary. The referee again separates them, and Miranda waves a high kick right by Guimaraes' chin. Guimaraes is handling himself pretty well in space, too, and he lands a leg kick. <b>MMA Fighting scores R1 for Guimaraes, 10-9. </b><br><br><b>Round 2: </b>They touch gloves again. Front kick from Guimaraes, who continues to pressure. Now he moves in with a couple of wild shots, and back to the fence we go. Guimaraes pressuring, trying to once again put Miranda on his back. Some inside punches from Guimaraes, dirty boxing, but Miranda lands a series of elbows that seem to hurt him there. Could see him buckle. They break, and Miranda lands a head kick! Now he follows up with a couple of big shots and the referee stops the fight. Wow. Miranda had him hurt from the elbows, and then when he got back up, in space, hit him with a couple of punches and then just blasted him with a head kick, right leg. Damn nice finish for Lex Luthor. <br><br><b>UFC 196 official results: Vitor Miranda def. Marcelo Guimaraes via TKO (</b><b><b>strikes)</b> at 1:09 of R2</b><br><br><b>Erick Silva vs. Nordine Taleb</b><br><b>Round 1: </b>Referee for this one is Herb Dean. They touch gloves. Taleb lands first, as he goes into herky-jerky motion. Very unique switching of stances for Taleb. Sliva dekes like he wants to come in, but doesn't — trying to figure out his timing. He swings big with a right hand but doesn't connect. There's Taleb with a switch kick, and then a nice shot to the head. Big leg kick from Silva. Taleb continues to shift, and Silva tries to slam a spinning kick to the body home. Got through a little bit. Silva misses again. He's throwing heat, just not connecting. Taleb looks like he might have rolled his ankle a bit...Taleb waving his jab, and then goes high with a kick that glances off of Silva's head. Now Silva throws a body kick and Taleb catches it and throws him to the ground. Things heating up now. Silva back up, and Taleb waves him forward. Left jab from Taleb. Silva comes in and wildly throws, can't connect. Taleb coolly lets him pass and punishes him with a counter. Taleb giving Silva ton to think about with each shot set up. Nice jab there from Taleb lands, and Silva rushes in for a takedown but goes careening into the fence. Round ends. <b>MMA Fighting scores R1 for Taleb, 10-9. </b><br><br><b>Round 2: </b>Leg kick from Taleb. He's the more methodical/technical of the two. Silva with a push kick. He wants to get this thing into a brawl; so far Taleb not accommodating. Push kick again from Silva, and he's trying to push the action. Body kick from Taleb, Body kick from Silva, and then on the followup kick he catches it and slams a HUGE right hand home on Silva. That's it! He knocked him out. What a punch. He caught the kick and just let loose with a right hand, right down the hatch. Silva was out on impact, it looked like. Taleb with a follow-up, but it's academic. That's it. <br><br><b>UFC 196 official results: Nordine Taleb def. Erick Silva via KO (punch) at 1:34 of R2</b><br><br><br><b>Brandon Thatch vs. Siyar Bahadurzada</b><br><b>Round 1: </b>Big fight for Thatch here, with his two-fight skid after the initial hype. John McCarthy is the third man. Brittney blows the kisses...and here we go. They touch gloves. Bahadurzada holding center, just pivoting around as Thatch circles. Thatch with an early kick, and now a leg kick. Another one, and this time Bahadurzada catches it and throws him off balance. Nothing happening. Thatch switching stances and circling, throwing the odd kick. He's long. There's a leg kick, and then a body kick. So far Bahadurzada standing still, until then — he comes forward winging, and he lands a couple of those shots. Big wide punches from Bahadurzada, this time Thatch wheels out of harm's way. Quick hands from Bahadurzada, and they clinch. Thatch backs Bahadurzada up to the fence, and they trade knees to the body. They break. Bahadurzada keeping his chin tucked down. Nice exchange from Bahadurzada as Thatch comes in, he slams him with several big shots, including an uppercut. Thatch responds wit ha couple of beautiful shots in close himself. He tries a spinning elbow. Now he tackles Bahadurzada, and that sets up a roar from the crowd. Now as he tries to advance, Bahadurzada reverses and he's in side control. Now full guard, and Thatch is fishing for a triangle. Not there, can't get it. Elbows from the bottom from Thatch, as Bahadurzada tries to posture up and get space. Now Thatch scrambles to get to his feet, and Bahadurzada snatches up his legs and keeps him supine. Baby punches from Thatch, as he has his back against the fence still on his butt. Bahadurzada keeping the pressure. Thatch can't get up...until the very end, and as he does Bahadurzada is on his back. <b>MMA Fighting scores R1 for Bahadurzada, 10-9</b><br><b><br>Round 2: </b>A little swelling under Bahadurzada's eye. They touch them up. Front kick lands to Bahadurzada's face, and now he opens fire with a straight left that lands. Early trouble for Bahadurzada, who then takes Thatch down. That'll kill some momentum. Bahadurzada in Thatch's guard, trying to straighten up. He does, and comes down with a couple of left hammerfists. McCarthy warns Bahadurzada to keep busy. Thatch scrambles, but the New Mexico fighter keeps him reined in. Hammerfists from Bahadurzada, as Thatch begins throwing back from bottom — he's landing, too. Bahadurzada postures up and lands a clean left, but Thatch snugs him back in. McCarthy sees the stall, and stands them up. Leg kick by Thatch back on the feet, and then a right hand lands flush. He tries a high kick, but that's errant. Thatch comes in with the clinch, and there's a knee from Bahadurzada — who then takes Thatch back down. Thatch sucking wind, somewhat surprising coming from Colorado. This time Bahadurzada trying to be busier, landing from Thatch's guard. Elbow lands. Hammerfists, too. Thatch looking for an armbar, and he's getting blasted as he does. All Bahadurzada here. Thatch trying to unload from the bottom as he can, but not affecting Bahadurzada. Big hammerfists from Bahadurzada as Thatch wiggles backwards. He isn't going anywhere. Round ends in just that way. <b>MMA Fighting scores R2 for Bahadurzada, 10-9 (20-18 overall)</b><br><b><br>Round 3: </b>Final round. They touch gloves again; Thatch's corner was asking him to keep the fight standing and to knock him out. Thatch comes in and Bahadurzada throws wild punches, one of them landing. The right hand, which he hammers home again. Thatch coming in, and he ends up falling backwards with Bahadurzada on top of him. Bahadurzada comes to life landing huge shots, in succession, as Thatch takes them. He recovers just enough to keep the fight going. Still, Bahadurzada is relentlessly going about taking the will from Thatch. He has nothing for him from the bottom, and that's where he's spent the bulk of the fight. Bahadurzada with his head planted into Thatch's chest, and he easily postures up and slams him with a couple of right hands. As the action stifles, McCarthy stands them. Midway through the round. Thatch going to need a knockout. Thatch pursuing, as Bahadurzada rolls around. Just as Thatch looks in, Bahadurzada easily takes him down right in the middle of the cage. Fourth takedown for Bahadurzada. Thatch really huffing from bottom, but at this point he doesn't have much hope. Bahadurzada in Thatch's guard, and landing shots. A minute to go. What a frustrating fight for Thatch. Siyar now working on a side choke — arm triangle — and he's locking it up...and there's the tap. Thatch taps out! He was out of the fight, and finally gets caught in the end.</p>
<p><b>UFC 196 official results: Siyar Bahadurzada def. Brandon Thatch via submission (arm-triangle) at 4:11 of R3</b></p>
https://www.mmafighting.com/2016/3/5/11166584/ufc-196-undercard-live-blog-thatch-vs-bahadurzada-moreShaun Al-Shatti