UNDERCARD
Igor Pokrajac vs James TeHuna
James TeHuna secured his first UFC victory after defeating Igor Pokrajac late in the 3rd round by ground and pound stoppage. Pokrajac dominated the standup and managed to knock TeHuna down in the second round, but Tehuna was fortunately saved by the bell. Despite Pokrajac winning the standup battle, TeHuna was having great success with the single leg takedown and maintaining top position on the ground with consistent elbows and strikes.
Goran Reljic vs CB Dollaway
The Reljic and Dollaway fight was a good battle with plenty of standup action and ground game. Reljic managed to strike early with some whipping leg kicks, but Dollaway kept his composure and responded well with his much improved striking. In the end Dollaway's superior wrestling proved too much for Reljic who was unable to stop his takedowns, and despite showing a dangerous guard and almost locking in a couple of arm bars, the decision went to the clear victor CB Dollaway.
Brian Foster vs Chris Lytle
In the shortest fight of the night, popular fighter Chris Lytle managed to end the bout early in the first round by knee-bar. Although showing some impressive standup with high-kicks and a roundhouse, Foster was endangered when the fight went to the ground as he found himself in a vicious knee-bar from the experienced BJJ blackbelt Lytle.
Stephan Bonnar vs Christoph Soszynski
Probably the bloodiest fight of the night, Soszynski vs Bonnar was an all out war. Soszynski showed early dominance in the striking department, managing to land several clean shots on Bonnar. The durable Bonnar however seemed to warm up as the fight progressed and he managed to even up the ledger. Unfortunately midway during the third the ringside Doctor called for a stoppage due to an accidental headbut against Bonnar, leaving him with a nasty cut on his forehead.
Keith Jardine vs Ryan Bader
Initially the fight was lack lustre, almost as though both fighters' styles were cancelling each other out. Bader however awoke the crowd when he managed to land a clean shot on Jardine and quickly pounced on his dazed opponent to finish the fight with a spectacular KO that left Jardine reeling.
MAIN CARD
Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic vs Anthony Perosh
Cro Cop returned to the Octagon with renewed vigor after undergoing an intensive training camp in the Netherlands. Cro Cop's striking looked crisp and clean, and his takedown defence was at it's brilliant best as he managed to thwart at least 10 takedown attempts by the overmatched Perosh.
Perosh to his credit had taken the fight on barely two days notice, as Cro Cop's previous opponent Ben Rothwell pulled out last minute due to the flu. Although Cro Cop only threw one high kick, his unanswered strikes and takedown stoppages bewildered and exhausted Perosh until the fight was eventually stopped due to a cut on Perosh's forehead sustained from an elbow strike while on the ground.
George Sotiropolous vs Joe 'Daddy' Stevens
The fight of the night belonged to local hero George Sotiropolous who put on a ground clinic against his highly regarded opponent Joe Stevens. Sotiropolous spent most of the fight demonstrating his slick ground game as he controlled Stevens via his smooth transitions from back control, to side control and mount. Even when Stevens managed to take Sots to ground, he was quickly neutralised by George's highly effective rubber-guard. The most danger George appeared to be in was when Stevenson attempted an ankle lock, but even then Sotiropolous seemed to have plenty of wiggle room and was safely out of the hold in a matter of seconds. The judges awarded a unanimous victory to the crowd favourite, as he moves one step closer to a possible title shot.
Wanderlei Silva vs Michael Bisping
The much anticipated matchup between Silva and Bisping did not disappoint. Although Wanderlei appeared to be uncharacteristically reserved in his approach, he managed to control the centre of the Octagon for the majority of the bought, landing punches and leg kicks as the opportunities presented themselves. Bisping showed great movement and footwork throughout the contest, but nothing was seen of the "knockout power" that he promised. Although Bisping didn't have any real answers for Wanderlei, he was successful in several takedown attempts, although Silva quickly got back up to his feet and continued to impose his will. The fight went the distance, but luckily for Bisping the clock ran out just after he'd been knocked down by Silva in the third, who was about to pounce and finish him off. The judges scored the bout unanimously in favour of the clear victor Silva.
Cain Velasquez vs Antonio Rodrigo Nogeuira
Nobody was sure which way this fight would go. Both talented fighters, seemingly setup as a battle of the young and powerful, against the older and more exprienced. It didn't take long however to get an answer, as the tenacious Velasquez suprisingly dispatched of Noguiera with an awesome 3 punch combo in the first round, followed by a flurry of fists to the face of the fallen Nogeuira.
Although having a flawless record, Velasquez had previously been criticized for his inability to finish Cheick Kongo, some even referring to him as "Pillow Hands". We're pretty sure Nogeuira wouldn't agree with such a comment, as Velasquez has now put the heavyweight division on notice.