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UFC 121 live results (Lesnar vs. Velasquez)

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UFC 121 takes place in Anaheim, featuring a UFC heavyweight title match between Cain Velasquez and Brock Lesnar. Check back for results through the night.

Jon Madsen vs. Gilbert Yvel

Yvel has a reputation for being the dirtiest fighter in the sport, although he has behaved in recent years. Madsen is undefeated in UFC competition (aside from the Ultimate Fighter), but has had a series of dull performances.

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Round 1. Madsen and Yvel feel each other out standing up briefly. Madsen gets a takedown and stuns Yvel with ground and pound. He continues with punches and referee John McCarthy stops the contest.

Winner: Jon Madsen, TKO, round 1.

Dongi Yang vs. Chris Camozzi

Camozzi is a lightly regarded former competitor on the Ultimate Fighter. Yang is an undefeated South Korean prospect making his UFC debut. Yang comes out to what appears to be a Mexican techno song.

Round 1. Yang lands a pair of nice straight lefts and follows with a leg kick. Yang lands another nice leg kick, blocks Camozzi’s kick attempt and takes Camozzi down. Yang throws down some hard punches and swiftly ducks out of a heel hook attempt. Yang passes guard but Camozzi reverses and takes top position. Yang quickly stands up but Camozzi catches him with a knee to the body on the way up. Yang throws a few punches but Camozzi answers with a couple knees. Camozzi lands a couple kicks but gets caught with a stiff one two punch combination from Yang. Camozzi stuns Yang with a counter as Yang moves in. Good, competitive round. 10-9 Yang.

Round 2. Yang charges forward with punches and goes for a takedown. Camozzi resists and nearly ends up in a rear naked choke. Camozzi avoids the potential submission. Yang catches Camozzi with a nice punch but Camozzi recovers as Yang tries to follow that up. Camozzi connects with a good right hook. Camozzi throws a nice pair of knees to the body and clinches. Camozzi lands a solid punch and kick then shoots for a takedown but Yang easily defends. Yang hits Camozzi with a good hook as Camozzi is moving in and the round comes to a close. Another close round, not as fast paced as the first. 10-9 Camozzi.

Round 3. Yang lands a really hard straight punch to start the round. Moments later Camozzi connects with the hardest shot of the fight, a punch that drops Yang to a knee. Camozzi moves in but Yang quickly recovers. Yang is now bleeding from the nose and mouth. Camozzi gets Yang in the Thai Plum and tries to throw some knees but Yang defends well and gets out of the position. Yang grabs Camozzi’s back from the standing position. Camozzi works out using a kimura and Yang steps away. They trade punches as the fight ends and the crowd gives the fighters a nice ovation. Another close round. I’ve got it 10-9 Camozzi, 29-28 Camozzi but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the fight go either way.

Winner: Chris Camozzi, split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).

The crowd initially cheers the decision but then a bunch of boos come in from other members of the crowd.

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Sam Stout vs. Paul Taylor

Stout is an exciting action fighter from Canada who almost always has entertaining bouts. Taylor is an exciting action fighter from Britain who almost always has entertaining bouts. This should be good.

Round 1. Stout opens with a leg kick and Taylor throws one back that doesn’t land as well. Stout moves in with some punches but Taylor counters with a punch and leg kick. Stout is the one pressing the action. Taylor is bleeding from the nose. As Taylor has more success countering with kicks to the leg, body and head, Stout is becoming more measured moving in. Stout is landing the better punches for the most part but Taylor is having a lot of success with leg kicks. Stout shoots at the end of the round and gets a takedown to try to sway the judges. Really close, exciting round. 10-9 Stout. Not because of the takedown, though.

Round 2. The fight continues the same way, with Stout pressing the action and Taylor countering with a lot of leg kicks. It will be surprising if Stout doesn’t slow down to some degree by the end of the fight. Taylor lands a nice hook that bothers Stout. He continues firing in kicks and Stout isn’t landing as many punches. They exchange with a series of power punches from close range. Taylor shoots for a takedown with 45 seconds left but Stout easily avoids. Taylor lands a pair of nice straight punches as the round concludes. Another good close round. 10-9 Taylor.

Round 3. Both men are standing in the pocket with neither man backing up. They continue to exchange punches and kicks, with Stout throwing more kicks in this round than he was in the second. Taylor in contrast is concentrating more with punches and mixing in some body kicks. Stout drops Taylor with a leg kick but Taylor gets back up. They trade some nice punches with 30 seconds left in the round. The crowd loudly applauds both men as the fight comes to a close. Great fight. 10-9 Stout, 29-28 Stout but all three rounds are debatable.

Winner: Sam Stout, split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28).

The score gets a mixture of cheers and boos.

Daniel Roberts vs. Mike Guymon

Both fighters are 1-1 in the UFC. Roberts had a memorable knockout loss to John Howard while Guymon received attention for a suicide attempt a little over a year ago.

Round 1. Guymon appears to slip but Roberts sees it as an opportunity and charges in with punches. Guymon is able to defend the punches but Roberts sinks in an anaconda choke for the submission.

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Winner: Daniel Roberts, round 1, submission.

Patrick Cote vs. Tom Lawlor

Cote is a former UFC middleweight title challenger from Quebec. Tom Lawlor has some of the most entertaining entrances in the sport but desperately needs a win following two straight losses.

Round 1. Lawlor clinches immediately and looks for a takedown. Cote defends well but Lawlor gets him down a minute into the fight. Lawlor works some ground and pound. He isn’t doing much damage and the crowd begins to boo. Lawlor passes guard but Cote gets him back in half guard. Lawlor drops a few punches and elbows. Lawlor looks to have a tight head and arm choke but Cote nicely rolls out of danger. Lawlor looks to grab another choke late in the round but Cote again avoids. Clearly 10-9 Lawlor.

Round 2. Lawlor lands a nice straight punch and looks for another takedown. Cote threatens a guillotine choke but Lawlor avoids that and continues to press for the takedown. Lawlor gets the takedown and again moves to ground and pound. Cote has never threatened much in the way of submissions from the bottom. Cote stands back up with two minutes left in the round. Lawlor throws a knee then switches levels and takes Cote back down. Lawlor throws some punches but John McCarthy stands them up following some booing by the crowd. They trade punches for the final 20 seconds of the round. Lawlor lands the best blow. Another clear round for Lawlor. 10-9, 20-18.

Round 3. Lawlor does exactly what he did the previous two rounds. He throws some punches to leave Cote off balance for a takedown defense and then he takes Cote down. Lawlor again looks for the head and arm choke but Cote gets out. Lawlor then moves into mount. Cote gets half guard. Lawlor throws some punches and hammerfists. He looks for a kimura but Cote avoids that. Lawlor is working ground and pound but they are stood back up. Lawlor again shoots for the takedown. Lawlor gets it with 90 seconds remaining in the fight. Lawlor controls Cote with light ground and pound for the rest of the round. 10-9 Lawlor.

Winner: Tom Lawlor, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Lawlor knew that he needed a win and he executed a conservative gameplan to secure it.

Court McGee vs. Ryan Jensen

McGee was the most recent winner of the Ultimate Fighter television show. Jensen is a solid veteran fighter, underrated by many. McGee comes out to ‘What It’s Like’ and gets a nice response from the crowd.

Round 1. McGee presses forwaard with punches and looks for a takedown. Jensen avoids that and drops McGee with a punch. McGee clinches but Jensen uses a trip takedown to bring McGee down to the mat. Jensen throws a few nice punches from top position and a knee as McGee stands up. On the feet Jensen connects with a pair of strong hooks. McGee throws some wild punches but Jensen is connecting much better. Jensen throws a nice leg kick and body punch. Jensen is bleeding from the nose. He also looks like the superior fighter. 10-9 Jensen.

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The crowd begins loudly booing between rounds. Eventually GSP chants break out, so evidently Josh Koscheck just arrived.

Round 2. They trade punches and McGee lands a strong hook. Jensen looks for a takedown but can’t get it. McGee throws a series of punches to the head and body. He clinches and looks for a takedown but Jensen throws him down. Undeterred, McGee presses forward with more punches. Jensen catches him with a couple of jabs moving in. In the middle of this fight Josh Koscheck is getting an amazing negative reaction and playing to the crowd. The entire arena is now chanting ‘GSP.’ Jensen catches McGee with a nice punch and leg kick coming in. McGee gets a takedown at the end of the round. Close round, 10-9 McGee.

Round 3. McGee drives in with a punches and slams Jensen down. He quickly moves into mount and fires down big elbows. He sinks in an arm triangle choke and Jensen taps. That was a great comeback win for McGee, who wasn’t looking good in round 1 at all.

Winner: Court McGee, round 3, submission.

Brendan Schaub vs. Gabriel Gonzaga

Schaub is a knockout artist prospect stepping up in competition to face Gonzaga. Gonzaga has faced many of the heavyweight division’s best fighters and has excellent standup and ground games.

Round 1. They feel each other out early. Schaub catches a leg kick and throws a few punches at Gonzaga. He lands a nice overhand right that lands well. Schaub continues to load up the big overhand right. Gonzaga hits Schaub with a left high kick. Gonzaga goes for a takedown but Schaub defends without much difficulty. Schaub opens up with some hooks, one of which appears to connect. Schaub presses forward and drops Gonzaga with very little time left. He follows with punches on the ground and the referee steps in, but it is to signal the end of the round. 10-9 Schaub.

Round 2. Schaub presses forward with punches. Gonzaga slips and Schaub fires a bunch of punches to try to take advantage but Gonzaga moves out of danger. As the round progresses, Schaub begins to take over. he is throwing more and landing more but Gonzaga isn’t in too much trouble. Gonzaga’s best shots are leg kicks. 10-9 Schaub.

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Round 3. Schaub shoots for a takedown. Gonzaga defends and throws a big high kick that misses Schaub. Gonzaga lands a few nice punches from inside. Schaub counters with a solid right hook. Schaub isn’t throwing as much this round, perhaps because he feels he has the fight as long as he doesn’t get knocked out. Gonzaga is moving forward more while Schaub answers with his jab. The crowd boos down the stretch of the fight. They trade at the very end. Schaub shoots for a takedown. Gonzaga moves around for a rear naked choke at the close. 10-9 Gonzaga, 29-28 Schaub.

Winner: Brendan Schaub, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Tito Ortiz vs. Matt Hamill

Ortiz is one of the biggest stars and box office attractions in the history of the sport, but his career has plummeted following a tremendous 2006. Hamill is a popular hearing impaired fighter with a wrestling background. Ortiz coached Hamill on the Ultimate Fighter. Ortiz desperately needs a win here. Ortiz is badly booed coming out and this is hometown. He is accompanied by longtime training partner Ricco Rodriguez, who looks in great shape. While Ortiz has been fighting forever and Hamill is viewed as a young fighter, Ortiz is actually only one year older than Hamill.

Round 1. Ortiz opens really strong, throwing a head kick and following with punches. The crowd chants ‘Tito.’ Some of the crowd then chants for Hamill. Hamill gets the takedown. Ortiz stands back up and avoids a guillotine attempt in the process. Ortiz lands a nice leg kick. Ortiz is bleeding from under one of his eyes. Ortiz is throwing plenty of punches but Hamill is mostly covering up to defend them. Ortiz throws a spinning backfist. Hamill lands a nice uppercut. Close round. The blood on Ortiz isn’t going to help him, but I give him the round based on more activity in large part. 10-9 Ortiz.

Round 2. They trade punches. Hamill throws a nice head kick. Ortiz lands a pair of crisp jabs. They clinch but neither man gets a takedown. Hamill hits a nice body punch and Ortiz answers with one of his own. Hamill gets a clean takedown halfway through the round. Hamill is active with punches from the top. Ortiz throws up his hips for a potential armbar but Hamill is in no danger. Ortiz looks for a knee bar but Hamill ends up in side control in the process. The crowd chants ‘Tito sucks.’ 10-9 Hamill.

Round 3. Hamill throws the first combination of punches and lands the last right well. Ortiz throws some punches that are again blocked by Hamill. Hamill lunges in with a nice uppercut. He catches Ortiz with a jab as Ortiz is moving in and Ortiz’s face is becoming a mess. Hamill is getting the best of the exchanges and he takes Ortiz down with a minute and a half left in the fight. Hamill drops down punches and Ortiz throws up punches of his own. Hamill is controlling Ortiz with elbows as the fight comes to an end. 10-9 Hamill. I’ve got it 29-28 Hamill, and no way Hamill isn’t getting the decision. Ortiz raises Hamill’s hand.

Winner: Matt Hamill, unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28).

Hamill thanked Ortiz after the fight and they shook hands.

Diego Sanchez vs. Paulo Thiago

Thiago is a welterweight contender with wins over Josh Koscheck and Mike Swick. Sanchez is a former lightweight title challenger and is coming off a terrible performance against John Hathaway earlier this year. There are tons of Mexican flags in the audience as Sanchez comes out to Mariachi music.

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Round 1. They trade punches. Sanchez shoots for a takedown. Thiago blocks it, looks for a choke, and throws some knees. Sanchez gets out but Thiago then looks for a takedown of his own. Sanchez defends. After some tentative standup, Thiago grabs a bodylock and takes Sanchez down. Thiago looks for a D’Arce choke but Sanchez gets out of trouble. Sanchez moves in with punches and lands a couple nice ones on Thiago. Sanchez tries for another takedown but can’t get it. Thiago fires in some punches to close the round. Close round. 10-9 Thiago.

Round 2. Thiago connects with some strong punches on Sanchez against the cage. Sanchez moves in swinging but misses every punch. He then looks for a takedown. It ends up in a wild scramble with Sanchez looking for an ankle lock. He doesn’t get it but does end up on top. Thiago looks for a kimura from the bottom. Sanchez avoids that and looks to pass guard. Thiago looks to crank Sanchez’s arm but Sanchez gets out. After a crazy scramble Sanchez lifts Thiago up high and throws him down with a highlight reel slam. The crowd chants for Diego. Sanchez aggressively throws a bunch of punches with Thiago covering up. Thiago then gets up and throws some punches on his feet at the close of the round. Between rounds, Sanchez gets in the middle of the Octagon to encourage the fans to cheer while Thiago staggers back and collapses on his stool in exhaustion. Phenomenal round. 10-9 Sanchez.

Round 3. Thiago looks for a takedown but Sanchez takes down Thiago and ends up on top. Thiago gets Sanchez’s arm extended for a kimura but Sanchez gets out of trouble. Sanchez takes Thiago’s back and looks to sink in a choke. Sanchez controls Thiago’s back and alternates between punches and attempts to sink in a choke. Thiago finally gets out but Sanchez charges in to regain top position. Thiago throws an upkick but Sanchez takes top position. He gets Thiago’s back again and looks for an RNC but Thiago slips out. Thiago looks for the D’Arce but can’t get it. Sanchez ends up on top and throws some hard punches. He goes crazy with punches from mount to close the fight. Sanchez’s renowned cardio really paid dividends here. This was a great fight and Sanchez will unquestionably pick up the decision. 29-28 Sanchez.

Winner: Diego Sanchez, unanimous decision (29-28, 30-26, 29-28).

Jake Shields vs. Martin Kampmann

Shields is the former Strikeforce middleweight champion, and he never lost the title. He is riding a long unbeaten streak and defeated Dan Henderson in his last fight. Martin Kampmann is a highly skilled, well rounded welterweight star looking for the upset. If Shields wins, he will likely fight for the UFC welterweight title in his next fight.

Round 1. Shields closes in quickly and looks for a takedown. Kampmann blocks momentarily but Shields then gets him down. Shields throws some punches and works to pass guard. Shields eventually works into mount. Kampmann manages to scramble back to his feet. Shields goes for a takedown again with Kampmann defending. Kampmann prevents the takedown. Kampmann throws a couple knees from the clinch. Shields throws a few kicks to the leg and body. Shields shoots but Kampmann defends. Kampmann catches Shields with a decent bunch and blocks another takedown attempt. It has always bothers me giving rounds to a guy who is mostly failing, but I can’t justify giving the round to Kampmann. Kampmann did a great job neutralizing Shields’ game, but Shields was still on offense the whole time and got a dominant position. 10-9 Shields.

Round 2. Shields again clinches and looks for a takedown. Kampmann defends and drops Shields with a knee from the clinch. Shields goes for the takedown while Kampmann looks for a guillotine choke. Shields eventually gets out by gaining side control position. Kampmann then stands back up. Kampmann backs Shields against the cage and drops him again with a knee. Shields takes Kampmann down. Shields gets mount but Kampmann regains half guard. Shields throws a few punches from top position and moves into mount. Kampmann bucks off Shields and stands back up. Close round. Shields did have the dominant position but never threatened Kampmann with submissions and Kampmann easily landed the best blows of the round. 10-9 Kampmann.

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Round 3. Shields shoots for a takedown but Kampmann defends. He throws a high kick that connects lightly. Shields shoots again and Kampmann defends again. Shields tries again. Kampmann grabs his back this time and throws some punches. Shields again struggles for a takedown but Kampmann sprawls and defends. Kampmann looks for a choke of his own and takes top position. With Shields, he’s going to continually shoot from a standing position so you’re probably better off just taking top position on him. Kampmann looks for a choke but Shields avoids and gains top position. He works into side mount and throws a few punches. Kampmann stands back up. Shields pulls him back down and gets Kampmann’s back. This will be a very interesting fight to score. Not to watch, but to score. I’ve got it 10-9 Kampmann, 29-28 Kampmann. I can’t imagine them giving Shields an immediate title shot after this performance. The crowd at the end of the bout was more interested in a fight in the stands.

Winner: Jake Shields, split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27).

The crowd really, really hates this decision. They don’t even bother interviewing Shields after the fight. He turned in a terrible performance.

UFC Heavyweight Title: Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez

The UFC is marketing this fight heavily to the Hispanic market, with the hook that Velasquez can become the first Mexican-American heavyweight MMA champion. Lesnar is the biggest box office attraction in the sport. Cain gets a big positive reaction from the live crowd and Lesnar a mixture of boos and cheers with it appearing to be more boos. He is getting a thunderous, superstar reaction. Tons of cheers mixed in too.

Round 1. Lesnar immediately shoots. Cain opens up with huge punches from the inside and holds off the shot. Cain charges in with punches and Lesnar takes him down. Cain stands right back up. Lesnar pushes Cain up against the cage. Lesnar briefly gets him down but Cain gets right back up and breaks. Cain opens up Lesnar’s face with a punch. Cain then takes Lesnar down and throws punches to the side of the head. Lesnar stands back up. Cain goes for a takedown but Lesnar holds him off. Lesnar moves in for a shot and Cain drops him with a punch. Cain follows with a big knee, punches on the ground and the crowd erupts. Lesnar is in huge trouble. Cain is landing big punches from the top and Lesnar is just holding on. Cain is dropping bombs. Lesnar stands up but he immediately collapses on his own. Cain follows with punches and referee Herb Dean finally steps in. The crowd goes crazy and Cain Velasquez is the new champion.

Winner: Cain Velasquez, TKO, round 1.

A humble Lesnar congratulates Velasquez after the fight and puts over his ability and performance.

--Todd Martin

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