SAITAMA -- This is the UFC 144 live blog for Cheick Kongo vs. Mark Hunt, a heavyweight bout on tonight's UFC pay-per-view from the Saitama Super Arena.
Kongo (17-6-2) won both his fights last year, beating Pat Barry and Matt Mitrione. Hunt (7-7) also went 2-0 in 2011, defeating Chris Tuchscherer and Ben Rothwell.
Follow the live blog below.
Round 1: Hunt slips on a kick right away, and Kongo takes the opportunity to charge in for a clinch. Hunt quickly turns him around and gets away. Kongo pumps out the jab, but Hunt seems to be loading up for one big one. Kongo charges in with a punch and Hunt counters with a left hook that staggers Kongo. Moments later, Hunt moves in close after a right hand gets through Kongo’s guard. He fires off several more rights and Kongo drops. Hunt jumps on him and finishes it with a couple extra punches before Herb Dean is forced to move in. This one is over.
Mark Hunt def. Cheick Kongo at 2:11 of round one
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- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Frankie Edgar collides with Ben Henderson at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Frankie Edgar kicks Ben Henderson at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
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- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Ben Henderson punches Frankie Edgar at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
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- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Frankie Edgar tries to catch a kick from Ben Henderson at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Ben Henderson and Frankie Edgar walks to their corners at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Ben Henderson yells out at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Ben Henderson tries a guillotine on Frankie Edgar at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Ben Henderson rushes Frankie Edgar at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Ben Henderson knees Frankie Edgar at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Frankie Edgar gets kicked low by Ben Henderson at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Frankie Edgar raises his arms at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Frankie Edgar is carried by his corner at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
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- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Ben Henderson's mother watches the fights at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Ben Henderson celebrates with his team at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
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- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Ben Henderson greets his family and friends at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Frankie Edgar exits the cage at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
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- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Rampage Jackson gives a mean look to Ryan Bader at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Rampage Jackson throws a punch at Ryan Bader at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Ryan Bader charges forward at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
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- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Rampage Jackson shows his fatigue after his fight at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Ryan Bader rests after beating Rampage Jackson at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Ryan Bader beats Rampage Jackson at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Rampage Jackson greets fans at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Mark Hunt stretches before his fight at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Mark Hunt punches Cheick Kongo at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Mark Hunt punches Cheick Kongo at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Mark Hunt walks off after finishing Cheick Kongo at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Mark Hunt beats Cheick Kongo at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
- UFC 144 Fight Night Photos Mark Hunt talks to Joe Rogan at UFC 144 on Feb. 25, 2012 in Saitama, Japan.
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In This Stream
UFC 144 Live Play-By-Play
- UFC 144 Live Blog: Frankie Edgar vs. Ben Henderson Updates
- UFC 144 Live Blog: Cheick Kongo vs. Mark Hunt Updates
- UFC 144 Live Blog: Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Jake Shields Updates
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