MMA-Freak began reporting at approximately 9:00pm CST with play-by-play and live results of UFC 155. The main event will be headlined by the current UFC heavy weight champion Junior Dos Santos vs. Cain Velasquez and saw the biggest upset of the year take place. Cain punished JDS over five grueling rounds.
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~Results from the prelims~
Cariaso vs Moraga: Moraga beat Cariaso via submission by guillotine choke in the third round.
Garcia vs Holloway: Holloway beat Garcia by split decision.
De Fries vs Duffee: Duffee beat De Fries by TKO strikes in the first round.
Johnson vs Jury: Jury beat Johnson by unanimous decision.
Guillard vs Varner: Varner beat Guillard by split decision.
Perez vs Bloodworth: Perez beat Bloodworth via TKO in the first round.
Pickett vs Wineland: Wineland defeats Pickett by unanimous decision.
~Main Card Play-by-Play Results~
~Leben vs. Brunson~
R1
Brunson opens with a high kick easily blocked by Leben. Leben catches a kick and Brunson counters and takes Leben to the mat where he is active with his guard and goes for an arm-bar but loses it. Fighters are back in Leben‘s guard, where Leben is throwing effortless short jabs. Fighters scramble and Brunson is able to obtain full guard and lands big elbows. With one minute left in the first round, the fighters are still battling on the ground. With :25 left in the first round and Leben is back to his feet. From there, he is able to land a big knee just before the round ends.
My Prediction: 10-9 Brunson
R2
The second round starts with Leben rushing to the center of the octagon. Brunson shoots in, Leben stuffs the shot but ends up in a body lock against the cage. The fighters are now toe to toe in the center of the octagon. Brunson shoots in and takes Leben down against the cage. Leben continues to throw the short jabs off his back in an attempt to wear down Brunson. Leben is back to his feet and lands a huge left uppercut. The fighters are exchanging in the center of the octagon, while both fighters seem to be slowing down. Brunson ties Leben up against the fence yet again, but they separate shortly after. The two fighters are exchanging in the center of the octagon. Brunson, despite his extreme fatigue, tries and fails to take Leben down but Leben presses forward to end the second frame.
My Prediction: 10-9 Leben
R3
Brunson is smiling as the third round begins. He shoots in and takes Leben to the cage. Leben counters with a short elbow but Brunson is able to take Leben down. Brunson lands a huge body shot to Leben as the fighters separate and get back on their feet. Leben is pressing the action, although Brunson has slowed his pace, he has gotten a second wind. The crowd starts to “Boo” with 1:22 left. The fighters continue to exchange on their feet. Leben lands a huge left hand followed by a strong takedown by Brunson. Both fighters are back on their feet and Leben swings for the fences. As the clock winds down, both fighters exchange punches until the horn.
My Prediction: 10-9 Brunson
My Final Prediction: 10-9 Brunson
OFFICIAL DECISION: BRUNSON defeats Leben by unanimous decision (29-28)
~Yushin Okami vs. Alan Belcher~
R1
Belcher moves right in as the aggressor. He lands a head kick and continues to throw a right leg low kick. Okami throws a combination but Belcher continues to press the action. He throws a head kick and after slipping is able to pop back up to his feet. Okami has an over-under against the cage and both fighters jockeying against the cage. Okami goes for a takedown but Belcher lands on top. They stand up and Belcher put Okami in a guillotine but shortly loses it. Belcher ends up on his back while Okami is working ground and pound. Okami is pushing the pressure on Belcher‘s shoulder by passing guard and Belcher‘s breathing is disrupted. Belcher scrambles to a knee against the fence as Okami hangs on to his neck.
My Prediction: 10-9 Okami
R2
Belcher seems to favor a left high kick to the head. Okami flurries with punches and presses Belcher back to the fence. Okami, with a body lock, goes for a takedown, but Belcher lands on top. Belcher throws a guillotine and falls to his back, but Okami escapes and is in side control and landing ground and pound. Okami continues to smother Belcher, he traps Belcher‘s arm for a brief moment. Okami passes to side control and there is a questionable standup by the referee. Belcher lands a strong right hand and wobbles Okami in the center of the octagon. Okami recovers and presses forward; he rushes in with a flurry and puts Belcher against the cage once again. Okami has a body lock around the hips of Belcher and is able to drag him to the mat. Okami lands in half guard and the smothering continues. Belcher seems to be completely exhausted but Okami’s grappling skills are some prominent. The referee stands them up again and both men press the action as the round closes. The fans are “booing” as the round ends.
My Prediction: 10-9 Okami
R3
The fighters come out aggressive in the final round. Belcher lands a strong right hand and puts Okami to the mat. He recovers and both fighters exchange on their feet before Okami takes Belcher back to the fence. The tables turn and Belcher takes Okami down landing in full mount. He works to the back of Okami and although Okami is able to stand against the fence, Belcher stays on his back. Okami spins, Belcher catches him in a guillotine and drops to his back. Okami is now working ground and pound and working to pass into half guard. The crowd is “booing” with 2:00 left in the round as Okami is working minimal ground and pound throwing a few small elbows. Belcher is able to get on his knees, but this leaves his back open to Okami, whom rides out the rest of the round on Belcher‘s back. The clock runs out while the fans are expressing their discontent with this fight.
My Prediction: 10-9 Okami
My Final Prediction: 10-9 Okami
OFFICIAL DECISION: OKAMI defeats Belcher by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
~Tim Boetsch vs. Constantino Philippou~
R1
Boetsch comes out and initiates the fight quickly. A takedown attempt by Boetsch puts Philippou against the cage. Boetsch is landing knees to the body against the cage while throwing knees. He gets the takedown but Philippou quickly pushes himself back to his feet using the cage. Boetsch continues to pressure Philippou against the cage. Philippou separates and the fighters meet back up in the center of the cage. Both fighters are active and Boetsch lands a nice inside leg kick. Both fighters are being very active in the fight, but Boetsch is stalking Philippou around the cage. The fighters exchange major shots and end up against the cage. Boetsch lands a big double-leg takedown in the center of the octagon. Boetsch is warned to “watch the back of the head”. Philippou is landing elbows from his back until the official stands them up. Philippou is denied a takedown and throws a combo to Boetsch whom lands a front kick seconds before the buzzer that knocks Philippou off his feet.
My Prediction: 10-9 Boetsch
R2
Before the second round, Joe Rogan is commentating about Boetsch‘s corner saying “I know it hurts, but take him down before it gets worse”. The injury is believed to be to Boetsch‘s hand. The fight is immediately pressed to the cage by Boetsch who lands a big knee to Philippou. Boetsch is bleeding as the result of an accidental head butt. Both fighters are exchanging, but Boetsch continues to be the aggressor. Boetsch attempted a takedown but Philippou was able to keep the fight standing. The fighters both seem to be holding back and once Philippou presses forward, the fight is delayed due to an accidental eye poke clearly evident on the video replay. When the fight resumes, Philippou is the one coming forward while Boetsch seems to be looking for a takedown. Boetsch pulls guard but Philippou is able to land a series of punches. Philippou is landing right punches and elbows from half guard and Boetsch is defenseless until the timer runs out.
My Prediction: 10-9 Philippou
R3
In between rounds, Boetsch tells his corner he does not want to stop the fight when asked. Both men touch gloves in the beginning of the round just before Boetsch lands a big right. Boetsch shoots from way out but the move is telegraphed and derailed by Philippou. Boetsch slips, lands on his back and Philippou lands a big shot leaving Boetsch bloody in the center of the octagon. Once Philippou backs off, the referee is telling Boetsch to stand back up. Boetsch goes for another takedown and Philippou stuffs it. From half guard, Philippou lands big right hands until the referee stops the fight 2:11 into the third round.
OFFICIAL DECISION: PHILIPPOU defeats Boetsch by TKO.
~Jim Miller vs. Joe Lauzon~
R1
The fighters race to the center of the octagon. Miller is throwing together combinations, but Lauzon is pressing forward as well. Miller lands a huge inside leg kick and the fighters strike all the way back to the fence. Miller continues with body kicks and pushes him back to the fence using dirty boxing. Lauzon fights his way back to the center of the octagon and presses forward. Miller is throwing punches and goes for a standing arm triangle against the fence. Lauzon escapes but is bloodied. The referee stops the fight and brings in the doctor to check Lauzon. The fight resumes and Miller opens with a combo. Lauzon goes for a takedown and Miller stuffs it. This is a war between fighters. Lauzon is showing a ton of resilience. He throws a huge knee to Miller‘s body but Miller continues to throw punches. Miller throws a body kick and both fighters end up on the floor but get back up. Miller is finding a home for a straight left hand. Lauzon is bleeding profusely but it doesn’t slow his pace at all. Miller backs Lauzon to the cage with his hands. He continues to pepper Lauzon with body shots and left punches alternating against the fence until the horn blows. The crowd expresses their excitement to see more of this tremendous fight.
My Prediction: 10-9 Miller
R2
The second round opens with the fighters immediately exchanging punches. Miller is teeing off on Lauzon pushing him against the fence. Miller pulls off a strong, double-leg takedown and is working strong shots with the body with elbows to the head while in Lauzon‘s guard. Miller tries to pass into half guard and is able to transition there. Lauzon is bleeding again from the head and Miller is able to obtain full mount for a brief time before Lauzon gets him back to half guard. Miller enforces ground and pound but Lauzon has tremendous heart. Miller goes for a choke but Lauzon is able to reverse it. Miller ends up on his back against the cage and Lauzon is active on top. The referee stops the fight to take tape off of Lauzon‘s glove but resumes the fight in the previous position. Lauzon is in Miller‘s guard. Miller is working rubber guard while Lauzon is working ground and pound. With 1:00 left in the round, Lauzon passes into half guard and is applying left elbows to Miller‘s face. Lauzon goes for a leg lock but he is too high and Miller escapes. Miller goes for a takedown from his knees but Lauzon starts working ground and pound until the buzzer goes off. This was a great action round for both of these fighters.
My Prediction: 9-9
R3
Both fighters exchange early. Lauzon slips but regains footing and the fighters are toe to toe. Miller seems to be slowing down but is able to land a leg kick taking Lauzon off of his feet. Miller allows Lauzon back up and both fighters are showing tremendous heart in this final round. Miller lands a knee to the body from the clench. Lauzon is showing tremendous determination even through all the blood loss by continuing to press forward. Miller keeps attacking with left hands and low kicks. Lauzon lands a knee to the body and it seems to have rattled Miller a bit. Lauzon lands his own low-leg kick answered by Miller whom seems to connect repeatedly with his left hand. Both fighters have drastically slowed down in the final frame of the third round. Lauzon is pressing forward in this round and dives for an ankle lock but can’t finish. He goes for a guillotine in the last few seconds but is unable to finish Miller before the bell.
My Prediction: 10-9 Miller
My Final Prediction: 10-9 Miller
OFFICIAL DECISION: MILLER defeats Lauzon by unanimous decision (29-28).
~Junior Dos Santos vs. Cain Velasquez~
R1
The fighters come out and do not touch gloves. Velasquez comes out aggressive. He takes JDS down and it is quickly reversed. The fight stands up and Velasquez continuously looks for a takedown. Velasquez goes for another takedown and JDS steps out of it. JDS is picking him apart with boxing and derailing his takedown attempts. Velasquez isn’t letting up on his takedown attempts but JDS is keeping the fight on their feet. Velasquez is going for high kicks but misses and lands a sharp shot to JDS. Velasquez goes for another takedown and JDS looked for an overhand right. JDS has started to slow down and Velasquez lands a right hand and ties JDS up against the cage and lands big left hands before JDS frees himself from the fence. The fighters trade shots and Velasquez lands a left hand that knocks JDS to the ground. JDS is crouched against the fence while Velasquez delivers ground and pound. JDS gets back on his feet before taking Velasquez down. Velasquez gains side control and peppers the face of JDS. Round one ends with Velasquez on the back of JDS pounding away.
My Prediction: 10-9 Velasquez
R2
The fighters come out trading big shots. Velasquez takes JDS down and JDS gives up his back. Velasquez is working ground and pound from half guard. After a huge scramble, Velasquez has JDS‘s back again. The fight stands up and Velasquez shoots in for another takedown and gets JDS‘s back. JDS is back to his feet pressing Velasquez back to the cage. Velasquez takes JDS down and is manhandling the current heavyweight champion. Velasquez is working ground and pound from the side of JDS‘s back. Velasquez doesn’t go light on the pressure and JDS is completely gassed. Velasquez stands up and puts JDS to the fence where he lands two big shots. Velasquez takes JDS down again and the punches continue. Velasquez is completely dominating JDS. Velasquez has the BJJ black belt in an arm-bar but JDS is able to slip out of the position. The fighters are back on their feet and Velasquez is working to take the fight to the ground again. JDS is providing no offense at this point in the fight. He has no guard up as Velasquez lands a combination. The round ends with Velasquez holding JDS against the cage.
My Prediction: 10-9 Velasquez
R3
Velasquez looks fresh coming into this round while JDS is showing a ton of damage to his face. JDS lands a good combination to start the round. JDS lands a few good body shots before Velasquez shoots in and takes JDS down. JDS gets back to his feet and the fighters are battling for a position against the cage. Velasquez looks for another takedown and is denied by JDS whom separates but Velasquez pins him against the fence briefly. JDS works a left to the body but Velasquez is able to keep him against the fence. JDS offered a big right hand against the fence, JDS prevails against a takedown attempt by Velasquez. The fighters return to the center of the octagon and JDS works his left hand to the body of Velasquez. Velasquez throws combos to the head of JDS against the cage. Velasquez continues to attack the body and head of the current champion. JDS presses Velasquez against the cage and lays on him. Velasquez still seems to have plenty of gas and JDS is waiting on the clock to run out. The crowd begins to chant and JDS lands a thunderous uppercut to Velasquez but is too tired to capitalize.
My Prediction: 10-9 Velasquez
R4
Coming into the fourth round, JDS throws a big right hand but doesn’t connect. The two are trading punches and JDS lands a hard left against Velasquez. They stand toe to toe and JDS lands another left hand to the head of Velasquez before he is pushed to the fence by Velasquez. JDS seems fresher this round which would be a phenomenal comeback. Velasquez is denied another takedown. JDS goes for a takedown but is unsuccessful. The fighters separate and Velasquez successfully takes JDS down. JDS is able to work his way back to his feet, showing the heart of a true champion. Velasquez is pouring the punishment on JDS and JDS does little to avoid absorbing the punches. JDS throws a wild right hand and misses. JDS has the Muay Thai clench but it was disrupted by Velasquez whom is holding JDS on the fence. The fighters separate and both throw hard punches. JDS backs Velasquez to the fence and JDS avoids another takedown attempt. JDS works the body and head of Velasquez.
My Prediction: 10-9 Velasquez
R5
The two come out and touch gloves in the final round. Velasquez goes for a takedown but it is eluded by JDS. JDS lands a huge left to the body of Velasquez and the fighters circle each other around the octagon. Velasquez goes for another takedown and JDS is able to defend well. JDS lands a massive right hand to the head of Velasquez. JDS lands an uppercut and Velasquez clearly wants this fight to return to the ground as several takedown attempts have been denied. JDS is starting to pick up the pace in this round. Velasquez takes JDS down and Velasquez lands major elbows and punches with his right arm. JDS stands with Velasquez on his back and JDS turns his back to the fence. JDS lands a solid left shot and they are working from against the cage. Velasquez continues to smother JDS against the cage and lands a huge leg kick against JDS. Velasquez is holding JDS on the cage landing small shots and waiting on the timer to run out.
My Prediction: 10-9 Velasquez
My Final Prediction: 10-9 Velasquez
OFFICIAL DECISION: VELASQUEZ defeats Dos Santos for the UFC Heavyweight Championship Title (50-45, 50-43, 50-44).
Final Thoughts:
What a way to end the year. UFC 155 started off slow with Leben and Brunson kicking off the night with a back and forth battle that left Brunson as the victor. The action progressed when Okami proved himself to be a top contender in the middleweight division with his dominant victory over Alan Belcher. Boetsche’s winning streak came to an end at the hands of Philippou, whom is now on a five-fight winning streak. Where will that lead him in the 185# division? The co-main event between Miller and Lauzon was a bloody battle ’til the end. Miller now holds the record for most wins in the lightweight division in the history of the UFC. That fight could be fight of the night or possibly fight of the year. Velasquez snapped Dos Santos’ undefeated winning streak to win back the UFC heavyweight champion title he once held. After 5 rounds of prevailing over Dos Santos, Velasquez is able to secure the victory and pave the road for the UFC in 2013.
Please stay tuned. I will update this page with the post-fight interviews. #mmadocket
Watch the UFC 155 post fight presser in the video below.
Video courtesy of mmafighting.com and the UFC