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Fans were not disappointed as a stacked card brought plenty of action to the first UFC Live on Versus. Only two of the eleven fights ended with a judge’s decision. KO’s and TKO’s were the highlight of the evening. The top fighters brought their ‘A’ games and fought as most betters predicted. UFC Live on Versus 1 was a big hit!
Action was called by Referee Tom Johnson. Fighters touched gloves. Brilz opened with a 1-2 as the two circle the octagon. After a brief exchange, the two clinched and Brilz pushed the action to the cage. Eric ‘Red’ Schafer landed a knee inside as both fighters attempt under hooks. Brilz threw a few knees inside, and Schafer tried to spin off. Schafer landed one jab, followed by another. Brilz clinched and pushed Schafer to the cage with two minutes into the round. Brilz dropped for a single, spinned and dragged Schafer to the floor. Schafer landed on his butt and reached around to control the body before standing. A flurry of wild punches and blows were exchanged through to the end of the round. Round 1 ended with both fighters looking very exhausted.
In Round 2 Schafer landed an early right, Brilz answered left. Brilz clinched on the outside pushing Schafer to the cage. Brilz kneed the thigh repeatedly, but Schafer managed to maintain position. They scrambled away while both punched from the inside. ‘Red’ Schafer jabbed, but Brilz landed another right and moved in to clinch. Schafer slid – got the trip, moved into half-mount. Schafer got on top and threw right hands to the face. Brilz worked free, but Schafer was immediately on him. Schafer worked for the arm, but Brilz stood up. Brilz landed a flurry of punches that knocked Schafer against the cage. ‘Red’ Schafer’s tank was EMPTY! Brilz dropped for a takedown, Schafer grabbed a choke and rolled. Brilz worked free, attempted a guillotine from the top. ‘Red’ survived and rolled out at the end of the round.
The 3rd Round began with both fighters grinning like cats. Brilz landed a jab and Schafer fell back. Brilz continued with a flurry of jabs and punches. Schafer retreated and survived, but Brilz delivered punch after punch. It looked like Brilz was conducting a clinic of left and right hooks. Brilz tried for a single-leg, then Schafer tried for a guillotine as he fell. Unsuccessful! Schafer attempted a kimura, but took the sweep. Both fighters ended up on their knees. Schafer gained top position, but Brilz was able to stand. The fighters ‘duke’ out the last minute of the round with both lying on the canvas fighting for a dominate position. Jason Brilz defeated Eric Schafer via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
Action was called by referee Tim Mills. The fighters touched gloves. Pierce immediately got a single-leg take down. Pierce gained side control and Paulino scrambled to regain guard. Pierce threw knees to Paulino’s body and managed to work his head free. Pierce scrambled for mount, but Paulino retained half-guard. Paulino then gained full guard. Pierce landed a left elbow from inside. More elbows from top, and Pierce briefly trapped the left arm. At the one minute remaining mark, the ref called for the fighters to stand and re-start. Paulino landed a jab. Pierce shot for a single, Paulino held his stance. Pierce wrapped him up, elevated and landed a powerful slam. Pierce rode the half-mount for the final few seconds of a round.
In Round 2 Paulino began with jabs and missed with a low kick. Pierce attempted a right punch but missed. At this point, Paulino’s foot got caught between the mat and the cage and the fight had be re-started by the referee. A low kick was executed by Pierce. Paulino’s jab causes Pierce’s nose to begin bleeding. Pierce shoots. Paulino sprawls, but Pierce wrapped him up and takes him up for SLAM! Paulino went into half-guard with his back against the cage. Pierce landed a few short shots, and then attempted to isolate the right arm. Paulino was able to defend it, and Pierce backed away and adjusted his position. Paulino maintained half-guard as the ref called for action and stood up the fighters. With a minute remaining, the two ended the round with a few knees and a brief flurry of punches.
Round 3 began with a touch of gloves. Paulino jabbed as Pierce went in for a low kick. Paulino circled and punched while Pierce covered. Pierce shot in and Paulino got slammed AGAIN! Paulino took half-guard; Pierce shook it and took him to the cage. Big shot from the top. Pierce tried to advance to mount, but Paulino defended. He could not escape. Pierce punished Paulino relentlessly! Elbows, Hammerfists, Punches… Two minutes were left in the round. Paulino made it back to his feet, but Pierce pulled him back down. With one minute left, the ref announced a re-start. Paulino threw a right and landed a front kick. Pierce answered with a jab. Paulino threw and landed a right. Pierce shot in and took Paulino to the mat. 3rd Round ended. Mike Pierce defeated Julio Paulino via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Brendan Schaub vs. Chase Gormley
Action was called by Adam Martinez. Gormley moved in for action and immediately ate a right punch from Schaub. Gormley went down but was quickly back to his feet. Schaub continued to punish. Gromley took another right punch to the face. Schaub landed an upper cut and three straight rights. Gormley hit the mat as Schaub delivered six more rights. I doubt Gormley felt those last punches. HE WAS OUT! Brendan Schaub defeated Chase Gormley via TKO (punches) at 0:47 of round 1.
John Howard vs. Daniel Roberts
Action was called by Tom Johnson. Howard wanted to touch gloves, Roberts did not. Low kick from Howard. Roberts shot in. Howard scrambled and regained footing. Roberts took a kimura and rolled Howard. Roberts gained top position and delivered punches. Howard got butterfly guard and rose to his knees. Howard threw Roberts to the mat. Roberts looked for an omo plata from bottom, but Howard broke away and got to his feet. Howard punched forward with a left and Roberts fell out cold from the punch! KO – EYES WIDE OPEN! Howard landed a second punch while Roberts was OUT on the mat, but the ref caught Howard before he was able to deliver the third punch. John Howard defeated Daniel Roberts via KO (punch) 2:01 of round 1.
Darren Elkins vs. Duane “Bang” Ludwig
Action was called by Tim Mills. Ludwig faked a few punches. Elkins moved in but caught a left hand. Elkins shot in while Ludwig sprawled. Elkins remained persistent with the takedown and got Ludwig to the mat. Ludwig began to show signs that something was WRONG. Elkins moved out as the ref came in to wave off the fight. Ludwig’s left leg was doubled under as he fell to the mat, his ankle was twisted. Darren Elkins defeated Duane Ludwig via TKO (ankle injury) at 0:44 of round 1.
Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Eliot Marshall
Action was called by Adam Martinez. Fighters touched gloves. Marshall took to the the center and jabbed as Matyushenko moved away. Matyushenko moved forward with a left that got blocked by Marshall. Matyushenko landed a left, Marshall followed with a low kick. Marshall threw multiple punches but Matyushenko was able to avoid the punishment. Matyushenko landed a low kick. Marshall landed a jab but missed an overhand right. Matyushenko moved in to hit Marshall with a right punch. Marshall went in for the clinch and tried to regain composure. They broke as Matyushenko landed a combination. Marshall looked SPENT! The round ended with Marshall trying for a high kick but it missed.
Round 2 – The fighters touched gloves to open the round. Marshall landed a right and moved away. Marshall blocked a jab then delivered one of his own. Matyushenko landed one overhand right but missed a second. Marshall moved away from the cage. A flurry of kicks and punches were exchanged between the two fighters. Eventually, Matyushenko was able to take Marshall to the canvas. Matyushenko got in a few small shots then stands over Marshall. Marshall made it to his feet. Marshall connected with a right as Marshall got the jab. Matyushenko missed the counter punch. The round ended with Marshall stalking and Matyushenko avoiding damage.
Round 3 opened with Marshall coming in with much aggression. Matyushenko landed one punch and a low kick and clinches briefly. Matyushenko held to the center of the cage and the two exchanged jabs. Matyushenko delivered a low kick. Matyushenko continued to deliver punches as Marshall attempted to answer. Matyushenko grabbed a single leg, but Marshall got back to his feet. They traded kicks. Matyushenko’s kicks seemed to deliver the most damage. Matyushenko got a takedown but stood back up and allowed Marshall to get to his feet as well. The round ended with the two fighters trading lefts punches. Vladimir Matyushenko defeated Eliot Marshall via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27).
Clay Guida vs. Shannon Gugerty
Action was called by Herb Dean. Guida took to the center of the cage. He flurried, clinched and shot but got stuck in a guillotine and then a triangle choke. Gugerty wasn’t able to secure either one. Guida passed to half guard and threw shoulder strikes, moved to side control. Guida did his usual ‘Hair flying Brawling’ and stifled Gugerty. Guida flurried to end the round on the mat.
In round 2 Guida attacked early and hip-tossed Gugerty to the floor from the clinch. Gugerty quickly went to butterfly guard. Guida drove through and pressed Gugerty’s back to the cage. Gugerty grabbed the neck and tries to squeeze an arm-in guillotine, but Guida was able to escape. Guida mounted and locked in an arm-triangle choke for the finish. Gugerty TAPPED at 3:40 into round 2. Guida took the win. Clay Guida defeated Shannon Gugerty via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:40 of round 2.
Alessio Sakara vs. James Irvin
Action was called by Josh Rosenthal. If you weren’t aware, James Irvin was fighting his first UFC fight as a Middle Weight – 185 lbs. At the weigh-ins on Saturday he looked like the skeleton character from the SCREAM! Movies. Irvin came out punching but missed his jab as Sakara countered. Sakara connected with a spinning back fist followed by kicks to Irvin’s legs. The two fighters traded hard punches as they showed their desire to BANG. Sakara delivered a left to the body then a left to Irvin’s face. Irvin grabs his eye as he fell to the mat. Sakara moved in to finish the fight. The ref jumped in to call time. Irvin believed he was poked in the eye. The replay showed that the punch connected to the eye, but the hand was closed and the thumb was down. Doc looked at Irvin. Officials agree – there was NO Poke in the eye! Josh Rosenthal ends the fight. Alessio Sakara defeated James Irvin via TKO (punch) at 3:01 of round 1.
Cheick Kongo vs. Paul Buentello
Action was called by Herb Dean. The fighters touched gloves to start the fight. Buentello bounced in as Kongo landed a low kick. The fighters traded multiple punches. Kongo got the take down. Something went wrong as Buentello pulled up, stood and backed away. The ref called TIME OUT and says that there is some sort of an ‘equipment’ related problem. Buentello ran over to a doctor and gets his finger popped back into place before the fight is re-started. Buentello lands a jab. Kongo lands a right and leaps in for a takedown. Buentello stopped him. Kongo is successful with his second takedown attempt. Buentello managed to work to a knee, but Herb Dean called for a restart on the stall. Buentello missed a right punch to Kongo and fell to the canvas. He tried to land an up-kick as Kongo falls in, but it missed. The round ends.
Round 2 began with the fighters touching gloves. Kongo kicked Buentello’s body and legs before clipping him with both hands against the fence. Buentello returned fire but Kongo was able to get an easy single leg takedown. Kongo flurried with rights and lefts. Buentello attempted a kimura to gain footing but is stuffed by Kongo. During the exchange, the ref noticed that Kongo had delivered a knee to a downed Buentello. ILLEGAL SHOT! Buentello was given time to recover and the fight was re-started. One point deducted from Kongo. Kongo got a single and rains down knees as Buentello tried to stand. The ref warns Buentello for holding the trunks of Kongo. Buentello is kneed to the head AGAIN. This time, the ref calls time, but Kongo is not penalized since the knee was delivered before Buentello’s knee was on the mat. The round ends.
Round 3 began with Buentello dodging punches from Kongo. Kongo got the takedown. Buentello rolled to his back and against the cage. Kongo landed elbows to Buentello’s body and legs. Buentello crawled to his knees and covered his head. It was very obvious that Buentello had ENOUGH as he taps the canvas. Major YAWNER! Buentello looked like he was in the cage for a pie eating contest. Cheick Kongo defeated Paul Buentello via submission (strikes) at 1:16 of Round 3.
Junior dos Santos vs. Gabriel Gonzaga
Action was called by Josh Rosenthal. The stare down said; ‘This is going to be a BURNER!’ The fighters touched gloves. Dos Santos circled as Gonzaga went for a low kick. Dos Santos hit a couple jabs to Gonzaga’s body. Gonzaga fired kicks to the leg. Gonzaga shot in and worked Dos Santos to the canvas, but Dos Santos was right back up to his feet. A few punches were exchanged with no real consequence. Gonzaga attempted a high kick but missed. Dos Santos answered with a high kick of his own – Nothing. Dos Santos delivered a jab to Gonzaga’s midsection. Gonzaga answered by kicking low. Dos Santos came back with an overhand right. Gonzaga kicked high again but his time Dos Santos landed an overhand left that dropped Gonzaga. Dos Santos pounced with a flurry of punches. Gonzaga seemed to be defending, but then Dos Santos turned it up and connected with another flurry of punches. Gonzaga wasn’t able to recover and goes limp. He was OUT! The ref jumped in to stop Dos Santos from delivering any more punches. Jon Jones defeated Brandon Vera via TKO (elbow) at 3:19 of round 1.
The action called by Herb Dean. Jones immediately tossed Vera to the mat and Vera set Jones up in guard. Jones postured and rained down a few punches on the ground but Vera was able to scramble up. Jones immediately tripped Vera to the floor. Jones punched the body with his left hand from Vera’s guard. Vera knocked Jones off and stood to his feet. Jones pushed Vera up against the cage and took a single. Vera landed an elbow from his back in guard. Jones elbowed the head while Vera tried to control both wrists. Vera threw an up-kick with his left foot as Jones’ knee is on the canvas. The ref called TIME and took one point from Vera. He asked Jones if he wanted his position back on the floor. Jones said; ‘Yes sir.’ The fight was restarted back in Vera’s closed guard. Jones was warned for thumbing Vera in the throat. Jones landed a very audible left elbow that ROCKED the side of Vera’s head. Vera grabbed his head as more shots followed. Vera gave up his defense. Jones continued to punish Vera until Herb Dean called an end to the fight. Jon Jones defeated Brandon Vera via TKO (elbow) at 3:19 of round 1.
Clay Guida was awarded a bonus of $50,000 for Submission of the Night. Jon Jones, Junior dos Santos and John Howard were all awarded $50,000 bonuses for Knockout of the Night. There were no Fight of the Night bonuses.
