UFC 143 Live Blog: Roy Nelson vs. Fabricio Werdum Updates

LAS VEGAS -- This is the UFC 143 live blog for Roy Nelson vs. Fabricio Werdum, a heavyweight bout on tonight's UFC pay-per-view at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Nelson (16-6) ended a two-fight losing streak at UFC 137 in October when he stopped Mirko Cro Cop with punches. Werdum (14-5-1) returns to the UFC after spending his last two years with Strikeforce. The two-time ADCC champ is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Alistair Overeem.

The live blog is below.

Round 1: Werdum opens with a push kick. Nelson fakes a takedown and Werdum nearly beheads him with a knee. Werdum takes Nelson's back in a flash. Nelson gets back to his feet. Werdum gets the clinch and lands a pair of knees. Nelson fires back uppercuts but Werdum keeps on landing knees. Nelson reverses position and puts Werdum against the fence. Nelson is bleeding from the nose. Werdum with more knees to the face as he's owning the clinch. This isn't a great idea for Nelson's chances. Nelson has a body clinch, but the ref breaks them up. Referee Josh Rosenthal calls a doctor to check Nelson's nose, but the doc lets them continue. Werdum with a left hand. Nelson drills Werdum with a right hand. Nelson follows him to the ground and Nelson tries an arm bar. Nelson defends it. Nelson backs out of his guard and they're back to their feet. Werdum with another knee. Huge round for Werdum, 10-9.

Round 2: Another Werdum knee briefly drops Nelson. Werdum is just moving forward whenever he wants, with little regard for what Nelson is doing. Werdum is certainly a different fighter than he was a few years ago. He lands a head kick to Nelson, who is taking an incredible amount of punishment but still continuing on. Werdum kicks to the body. Nelson caught Werdum with an overhand but Werdum kept circling away and didn't allow any sustained offense. This was a much better round for Nelson, but it was still Werdum's round, 10-9.

Round 3: Werdum shoots early. Nelson goes for a standing guillotine, adding a knee to the face. An angered Werdum punishes him with another knee to the face, then a straight right. Werdum sends Nelson staggering backwards with a combination. Werdum lands a front kick to the face. Nelson just eats it and moves forward. Werdum puts together another combo, landing several strikes. Nelson is reduced to looking for the KO shot as time runs low. It's another Werdum round, 10-9.

Winner: Fabricio Werdum via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

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• UFC 143 Fight Night Photos Fabricio Werdum knees Roy Nelson at UFC 143 on Feb. 4, 2012 in Las Vegas.
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