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This is the UFC on FOX 3 undercard live blog for the UFC on FOX 3 prelims from IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J.
There will be six fights on the undercard. Tony Ferguson vs. Michael Johnson, John Dodson vs. Tim Elliott, John Hathaway vs. Pascal Krauss, Louis Gaudinot vs. John Lineker, Danny Castillo vs. John Cholish, and Dennis Bermudez vs. Pablo Garza will be featured on FUEL. Roland Delorme vs. Nick Denis and Mike Massenzio vs. Karlos Vemola won't be featured live.
Check out the live blog below.
Mike Massenzio vs. Karlos Vemola
Round 1: Dan Miragliotta is your referee. Massenzio goes for a single-leg, but Vemola defends. They clinch along the cage, Massenzio throws an below and scampers to saety. Greco clinch in center Octagon, Massenzio hits a knee and unloads a couple shots. They wind up standing along the fence, Vemola goes for a choke as they hit the ground, but Massenzio escapes and he ends up in top position. They're up with about two minutes left and clinching along the fence. Vemola goes for a takedown, doesn't get it, and the end up on the ground with Massenzio holding a front face lock on Vemola. Massenzio gets side control and tries to work a North-South choke, but Vemola spins out of it and back to his feet. Veloma scores a slam as the horn sounds. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Massenzio.
Round 2: Massenzio gets Vemola in a guillotine on the ground early, but Vemola escapes, lands seven left hands to the side of Massenzio's head, gets his back and sinks in a rear-naked choke. Massenzio taps.
Karlos Vemola wins by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:07 of round two.
Roland Delorme vs. Nick Denis
Round 1: Keith Peterson is your referee for this bout between two Canadian fighters. A burst of early action sees both guys attempt takedowns, and they end up in a Greco clinch. Delorme attempts a trip, but Denis resists and turns it into a judo throw. Denis follows him to the ground and nearly walks into an arm triangle for his troubles. The two work their way back to their feet two minutes into the round, and after some work in close along the fence they re-set in the middle of the cage. Denis gets the best of the standup, connecting with a big left, a big uppercut and a knee. They go to the ground and Denis ends up in Delorme's guard. Delorme works for a sub, but Denis slithers out and wants to bring it standing again. They're up, Delorme opens up with a flurry of punches and sinks in a rear-naked choke. Denis taps just before the horn sounds. Solid comeback win for Delorme. Denis was winning the round when he brought it back standing and paid the price.
Roland Delorme wins by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:59 of round one.
Dennis Bermudez vs. Pablo Garza
Round 1: Kevin Muhall is the third man in the Octagon for this fight between TUF 14 finalist Bermudez and Garza, who is looking to rebound from a loss to Dustin Poirier. Crowd is strongly behind Bermudez, a Long Island native. Bermudez misses with a left, grabs a leg, and scores a slam. Garza up, Bermudez hangs on to a standing guillotine along the fence. Garza breaks it and hits a knee. Mulhall warns them to get busy and Bermudez responds with another slam. Both guys active on the ground as Bermudez ends up in Garza's guard. Bermudez creates some space, gets up, and basically walks into several upkicks. Garza winds up on his back again and is working for subs from the bottom, but Bermudez stays busy in the top position. Both fighters back to their feet with about a minute left. Bermudez, who appears to be bleeding from the nose, takes a front kick to the face. Bermudez scores a late takedown as the round ends. MMA Fighting scores round one for Bermudez, 10-9.
Round 2: Early action finds the two clinched and working for position along the fence. That lasts until Bermudez scores another seemingly effortless slam. Bermudez connects with several looping lefts and Garza lands several elbows from the bottom. Still on the ground with about two minutes left, Bermudez the busier of the two but neither fighter doing much damage. Both fighters back up with a minute and a half left, but that doesn't last long, as Bermudez scores a pro-wrestling-esque slam. Garza trying to find an opening for a sub but there's nothing. They're up late and Bermudez scores a last-second trip. MMA Fighting scores round two for Bermudez, 10-9 (20-18 overall).
Round 3: Twice Bermudez appeared to be going for a Superman punch and twice Garza stopped him. Garza looked to be going for either a flying triangle or arm bar, but Bermudez caught him and slammed him to the mat. Ground work is a repeat of the first two rounds, Bermudez more active but not doing a ton of damage. Mulhall stands them up midway through the round. Bermudez gets him to the mat and tries to take Garza's back, but can't. Bermudez stands, Garza threatens upkicks. Bermudez positions himself back on top of Garza and starts to open up with punches as Garza covers up. Bermudez gets his back and gets a rear-naked choke with 30 seconds left. Garza holds on for dear life and makes it to the final horn. Should be a clear-cut victory for the local favorite. MMA Fighting scores round three for Bermudez, 10-9 (30-27 overall).
The judges score the bout 30-27 across the board for the winner, Dennis Bermudez.
Danny Castillo vs. John Cholish
Round 1: Kevin Mulhall is your referee for this lightweight bout. Cholish has won eight in a row and Castillo five out of six. Not much action in the first minute. They clinch and Castillo backs Cholish into the fence. Cholish breaks free, heads to center Octagon. Goes for a big head kick and just misses. Cholish catches Castillo with a single leg, gets a takedown, but Castillo gets right back up. Halfway through and they're back standing in the middle of the cage. Not much action, a few in the crowd boo. Round's still open for either to win with a minute left. A standing grappling match more or less ends in a stalemate. Kind of a pick 'em round, Cholish was a bit more active. MMA Fighting scores round one for Cholish, 10-9.
Round 2: Cholish scores a takedown 25 seconds in. They're back on their feet, Castillo connects with an overhand but still not much action. Crowd booing. Still circling midway through the round. Cholish lands a jab. Cholish shoots for a takedown and doesn't quite land it. Back to their feet. Still circling and sizing each other up. Castillo lands a left. Castillo has Cholish backpedaling. This will not go down as one of the greatest rounds in MMA history. Castillo with a big slam at the horn. MMA Fighting scores round two for Castillo, 10-9 (19-19 overall).
Round 3: Some of the crowd boos before the round even starts. Castillo with a slam 45 seconds in, but Cholish pops back up. Castillo has him pinned against the fence. Cholish hits the mat and tries to work a leg lock, but there's no opening. Two minutes in. Cholish back to his feet, and we're back standing in the middle of the cage. Neither guy engaging much, Cholish with an occasional jab. One minute left. Crowd jeers. Still a general lack of action. Cholish needs to do something to take the round, and he dives at Castillo and tries to wrap up a leg but can't. Round ends to the jeers of the crowd. Probably fair to say this won't end up being shown during the FOX broadcast. MMA Fighting scores round three 10-9, Castillo (29-28 for Castillo overall).
The judges score the bout 30-27 across the board for Danny Castillo.
Louis Gaudinot vs. John Lineker
Round 1: A catchweight, 127-pound matchup here. Keith Peterson is your ref. Gaudinot, a green-haired Hoboken resident, is the crowd favorite. Lineker comes out swinging and Gaudinot answers. Wild flurries get a rise from the crowd. Lineker the more active striker. Gaudinot goes for a spinning back fist. Two minutes in, both guys throwing combos and Lineker starts to connect. The two play rock 'em sock 'em robots with about two minutes left and then pause to high five. Fight hits the ground with 1:30 left, Lineker on the bottom. Lineker lands three elbows from the bottom. Lineker works for what appears a heel hook from my vantage point, but Gaudinot escapes and gets side control. Lineker back to his feet as the horn sounds. MMA Fighting scores round one 10-9, Lineker.
Round 2: Gaudinot kicks high and low in the early going. Lineker with a left, Gaudinot counters with a combo. They start trading and Lineker has Gaudinot backed up against the fence, doing damage. Gaudinot clears his head and we're back to center Octagon. Lineker with body shots. Gaudinot connects with a spinning back fist. Gaudinot scores a takedown. Two minutes left. More or less a stalemate on the ground. One minute left. Gaudinot connects with a series of lefts to the face. More ground and pound. Lineker up. Gaudinot leaps up and grabs a guillotine. They hit the mat and Gaudinot holds on for the victory. Lineker was put deeply out and took a couple minutes to get back to his feet.
Louis Gaudinot wins by submission (guillotine choke) at 4:54 of round two.
John Hathaway vs. Pascal Krauss
Round 1: Both fighters open orthodox with Krauss doing the early stalking. Krauss appears to be more chasing and not cutting off the cage. Hathaway shucks off a takedown and follows it up with a right knee that drops Krauss to the mat quickly. He's recovered somewhat and now has Hathaway in full guard. Hathaway stands back and lets Krauss up. A flying switch kick from the Brit misses, but now he's doing the stalking. Outside leg kick from Krauss finds the mark. Another knee from Hathaway nearly finds the mark, but Krauss manages a body lock trip and he's on top in Hathaway's half guard. Krauss appears to have mostly recovered.
MMA Fighting scores this round 10-9 Hathaway
Round 2: Hathaway manages to run down a double against the fence and he's starting to unload. Nothing major landing so far, but Krauss can't seem to do much with his butterfly guard. Hathaway stands back and Krauss gets up. Nice inside leg kick from Hathaway. Both fighters exchanging, but Hathaway seems to be getting the better of the exchanges as they seem to be at the end of his reach. Pascal working on a double and can't seem to get it. He also appears to be a bit more desperate.
MMA Fighting scores this round 10-9 Hathaway (20-18 total)
Round 3: We're back to where we left off as Hathaway gets a trip takedown and is controlling position on top. From there it's a fair amount of ground and pound, but nothing significant. Hathaway lets Krauss stand and nearly lands a flying knee. Hathaway seemingly in total control. Krauss still chasing and eats a spinning back first for his efforts. Another flying knee from Hathaway and the two clinch. Hathaway lands a nice knee as they clinch break and Krauss looks hurt.
MMA Fighting scores this round 10-9 Hathaway (30-27 total)
The judges score it 29-28, 30-27, 30-27 in a unanimous decision for John Hathaway.
John Dodson vs. Tim Elliott
Round 1: TUF 14 winner Dodson goes back to flyweight to meet Elliott, who has won eight straight fights. Keith Peterson is your referee. Elliott really wants to hit a spinning kick early, but has yet to find a home. Dodson goes for a high kick, both hit the ground, they scramble to their feet and the crowd gives the two an ovation. Pace slows a bit a couple minutes in, Dodson seems wary of a big kick. Dodson catches Elliott's leg on a kick and takes Elliott to the mat, but the two are quickly back up. Dodson gets poked in the eye and they call timeout. Doctor is in to check Elliott. Dodson plays to the crowd while this is going on. Elliott is cleared to continue. Both come out swinging after the restart and Dodson gets the better of it. Dodson goes for a flying knee late but doesn't connect. Close round. MMA Fighting scores round one 10-9, Dodson.
Round 2: Dodson drops Elliott early, Elliott gets up and attempts a cartwheel kick and then feigns a couple more kicks, getting a rise out of the crowd. The two continue to stalk each other center Octagon, Dodson respecting Elliott's kicks and Elliott respecting Dodson's punching power. Elliott sends Dodson backpedaling with a few wild swings, Dodson tumbles backwards to the mat and scrambles back to his feet. Elliott connects with a low blow of a punch and is warned. They restart, but not before Dodson hugs Elliott, which Elliott didn't seem to want. Dodson takes down Elliott, but they're right back up. Another close round. MMA Fighting scores round two 10-9, Elliott (19-19 overall).
Round 3: Not a ton of action over the first 90 seconds. Elliott hits a jab and Dodson responds with a couple elbows. Elliott mainly initiating and Dodson countering. Dodson grabs a leg but can't score the takedown. Elliott catches a Dodson kick but can't turn it into a takedown. Two minutes left, sill anyone's round. Elliott registers with a combo. and pushes Dodson back toward the fence, but Dodson escapes to safety. Eillott grabs Dodson's leg with his right hand and unloads with a couple big lopping left hands. Fight ends and the two embrace as the crowd applauds. Decision could go either way. MMAFighting scores round three 10-9, Elliott (29-28 Elliott overall).
The judges score the bout 29-28 across the board for the winner, John Dodson.
Tony Ferguson vs. Michael Johnson
Round 1: Dan Miragliotta is the ref for this lightweight bout, the final fight of the undercard. Johnson throws a leg kick that has the crowd buzzing. Two minutes in, neither guy finding their range yet. Johnson catches Ferguson with a left to the jaw that sends him backwards. Johnson with another leg kick. Johnson mixing up his kicks, going high and low, Ferguson keeping his distance. One minute left. Crowd gets a bit restless. Johnson connects with a couple left hands and a kick. Ferguson with a couple wild, late punches. MMA Fighting scores round one for Johnson, 10-9.
Round 2: Not a heck of a lot happening over the first two minutes. Ferguson connects with an uppercut. Johnson throws two kicks, the second of which lands to the torso. Midway through the round. Crowd's restless. One minute left. They appear to be attempting a remake of Sylvia-Arlovski III. Ferguson connects with an uppercut. Ferguson with a spinning back fist. Not much to go on here, but Ferguson attempted to engage a bit more often. MMA Fighting scores round two for Ferguson, 10-9 (19-19 overall).
Round 3: Johnson combo one minute in. Still very little action two minutes in. Halfway through the round, they finally exchange, trade combos. Crowd not happy. An action-free round. One minute. Johnson goes for a takedown but gets nothing. Johnson shows more urgency in the final minute, connects with a right and a left. Also connects with a big left to the face. Strong final flurry seals the round for Johnson. MMA Fighting scores round three for Johnson, 10-9 (29-28 overall).
The judges score the bout 30-27 across the board for the winner, Michael Johnson.