Chad “Money” Mendes (#1) vs. Ricardo Lamas (#4)
Featherweight (145) Main Event Bout
Round 1
Lamas looks antsy to begin the round throwing low and high kicks. Mendes stays outside Lamas range before being hit flush with an uppercut that wobbles him. Lamas remains on the outside of Mendes range popping in and out with leg kicks. Mendes presses forward but can’t land anything as Lamas displays nice footwork. With just over three minutes left in the round Mendes lands a brutal right that drops Lamas. Lamas attempts a shot to recover before standing back up but Mendes swarms on Lamas and drops him with a left. Lamas gets back to his feet but is dazed and trips back to the canvas. Mendes takes Lamas back and peppers him with shots. An uppercut by Mendes from underneath Lamas arm drops Lamas’ face flat to the canvas and Mendes looks over at Referee Dan Miragliotta who seemingly concedes to Mendes’ suggestion to stop the fight with just over two minutes remaining.
Mendes displayed awesome punching power and assured a quick finish in this main event.
Chad Mendes (17-2) def. Ricardo Lamas (15-4) by technical knockout at 2:45 of Round 1
Jorge Masvidal vs. Al Iaquinta
Lightweight (155) Co-Main Event Bout
Round 1
The fighters touch gloves and take the center of the octagon. Patient feeling-out by both for the first minute of the fight. Iaquinta attempts a singe leg but Masvidal shrugs him off landing a knee to his body on his way out. Iaquinta stays aggressive but Masvidal displays good defense. After Iaquinta lands a side kick to Masvidal’s leg Masvidal answers with a flying knee and body kick. Both men remain on their feet with two and a half minutes left in the round. The crowd grows restless as both men respect one another’s range. Iaquinta mixes in leg kicks and whiffs a hay maker but Masvidal remains cool and squared up in front of his opponent. After avoiding an over hand right Masvidal unleashes a spinning axe kick and follows it up with a nice left right punching combination. Iaquinta staggers and pulls guard, attempting a heel hook. Masvidal rolls out and both men hop to their feet. Masvidal lands a flying knee and another punching combination. Iaquinta trips against the cage and Masvidal follows and tries to land blows from his guard. A pair of elbows cut Iaquinta’s right eye just before the buzzer sounds.
Masvidal was in command of the round even if not the aggressor throughout.
Edson scores the first round 10-9 Masvidal
Round 2
Both men take center octagon and begin the feeling out process again. Masvidal attempts a nice looking crescent kick while pressing forward. With four minutes left in the round blood drips from underneath Iaquintas right eye. Masvidal momentarily loses his footing after attempting a high kick but Iaquinta is unable to take advantage. No meaningful offense from either fighter with under three minutes left in the round. The men exchange legs kicks and Iaquinta lands a nice right hand. Masvidal lands a body kick and attempts another crescent kick, the fighters continue to exchange in the center of the octagon. Iaquinta trips up and regains his footing. Masvidal looks to be trying to counter but Iaquinta seems to be hampering his timing by remaining aggressive. The round comes to an end with both men on their feet.
Iaquinta bounced back from a tough first with aggressive striking in the second.
Edson scores the second round 10-9 Iaquinta
Round 3
The fighters touch gloves and take center octagon. Iaquinta busy with leg kicks to start. Masvidal attempts a flying knee and follows it up a body kick that lands. Masviadal faints kick and Iaquinta lands another leg kick. Iaquinta lands a right with under four minutes left in the round. Iaquinta presses forward and lands a nice right that Masvidal mocks, dropping his hands. Masvidal begins to counter and put a combination together but Iaquinta continues to strike in flurries. Masvidal turns it on momentarily but doesn’t press too strongly. The crowd grows restless and Iaquinta nails Masvidal with a nice right. Masvidal, not phased trips Iaquinta momentarily. Iaquinta hops back up and continues to press forward, getting tagged by quick jabs from Masvidal. Iaquinta ends the round strong backing Masvidal up as the buzzer sounds.
Masvidal definitely displayed sounder technique but I give the round and fight to Iaquinta based on his aggression in the third.
Edson scores the third and final round 10-9 Iaquinta (29-28 Iaquinta)
The judges score the bout 29-28, 29-28 Iaquinta and 30-27 for Masvidal for a split decision for Al Iaquinta
Al Iaquinta (12-3-1) def. Jorge Masvidal (28-9) by split decision
Michael Chiesa vs. Mitch Clarke
Lightweight (155) Bout
Round 1
Chiesa presses immediately, closing distance and taking the middle of the octagon. The two men tie up after some quick trading. The fighters back off the cage and exchange punches before wrapping back up against the fence. With about three minutes and a half left in the round Chiesa whiffs a spinning elbow after creating some space off of the cage and manages on taking Clarke down with a clean judo trip. Clarke gets back to his feet quickly and after some more grappling against the ring Chiesa lands another take down with two minutes forty seconds left in the first. Clarke gets his to his feet after securing a single leg and the men begin to exhange on the feet. Chiesa tees off on Clarke landing lefts and rights at will, chasing Clarke around the ring. Gasps are heard from the crowd as Clarke hangs on and the men tie up against the cage yet again. With a minute and a half left in the round Chiesa gets Clarke back down to the canvas and takes his back. Chiesa looks for a choke and Clarke shakes him off. Chiesa softens Clarke up with some elbows while mainting a body lock and quickly attempts to transition into an armbar. Chiesa sits up and lands some hammer fists but Clarke is able to escape the submission and survives the round in Chiesa’s body lock until the buzzer sounds.
Chiesa put the screws to Clarke in every way from the moment Referee Dan Miragliotta called a start to the bout, keeping him on defense both on his feet and on the mat the entire round.
Edson scores the first round 10-8 for Chiesa
Round 2
Clarke is busy with leg kicks to start the round and Chiesa takes center octagon. Chiesa attempts an ill timed flying knee and Clarke shoots for a double leg tying Chiesa against the cage. Miragliotta calls for the fighters to seperate with just under four minutes left in the round. Chiesa gets double underhooks on Clarke and pushes him against the fence. Clarke rotates Chiesa against the cage but Chiesa sweeps Clarke to the mat and transitions right into a body look. With under two minutes left in the round Clarke looks to avoid a rear naked choke as Chiesa lands punches and elbows freely. Chiesa is in control and has body lock secured tight before Clarke works his way to his feet with the full weight of Chiesa hanging from his back. Chiesa can’t lock in a choke and Clarke tumbles to the canvas, Chiesa still in control of his back. Chiesa continues to batter Clarke with punches and elbows as the buzzer sounds.
Another completely lopsided round in favor of Chiesa, who spent the majority of the round with Clarke secure in a body lock.
Edson scores the second round 10-8 for Chiesa
Round 3
Clarke takes center octagon to start the third. Clarke presses forward with a front kick and follows it up with a nicely timed superman punch. Clarke continues forward landing some punches and avoiding a shot from Chiesa. Chiesa lands a left and Clarke backs off momentarily. Clarke lands another front kick and remains aggressive poking in and out of Chiesa’s range. Chiesa’s timing is off and he looks off balance. With a little more than three minutes left in the round Clarke continues to beat Chiesa to the punch. Clarke throws in a nice high kick mixing in with two and three punch combos. Chiesa lands a nice right and backs Clarke off again before landing another right. Chiesa looks as though he’s finding his range as Clarke retreats. The men go toe to toe but look as though their tanks are running low. Chisea times a flying knee well landing it to counter a right. Clarke presses forward and connects with a left, he continues to stand square in front of Chiesa landing another left. Chiesa lands a nice one two on Clarke and after some back and forth lands a left that snaps Clarkes head back. With just under a minute to go Chiesa smirks after Clarke lands a jab. The men trade kicks and punches and Chiesa goes for a judo throw but the buzzer sounds and the round is over.
Clarke showed definite improvement after two lackluster rounds, but unfortunately it might’ve been too late.
Edson scores the third and final round 10-9 Clarke (29-26 Chisea)
The judges score the contest 29-26, 29-26, 29-28 for the winner by unanimous decision Michael Chiesa
Michael Chiesa (12-2) def. Mitch Clarke (11-3) by unanimous decision
Julianna “The Venezuelan Vixen” Peña vs. Milana Dudieva
Women’s Bantamweight (135) Bout
Round 1
Peña is out swinging and narrowly avoids a take down. Peña holds Dudieva against the cage and peppers her with knees to her legs. Dudieva takes down Peña nicely with a judo sweep. Both scramble and Peña presses Dudieva against the ring before executing a single leg. Dudieva tries to stave off the aggressive Venezuelan but Peña gains a full mount and rains down blows. With two and a half minutes left in the round Peña is unleashing blow after blow while in a high full mount. After about a minute Dudieva briefly rolls over giving up her rear before slinking onto her back allowing Peña a full mount for the second time. Julianna resumes her onslaught and with a bit over a minute left in the round referee Keith Peterson has seen enough and calls an end to the bout.
Peña looked in great form in her first fight since winning The Ultimate Fighter: Rousey vs Tate over a year ago.
Julianna Peña (6-2) def. Milana Dudieva (11-4) by technical knockout at 3:59 of Round 1
Clay “The Carpenter” Guida vs. Robbie Peralta
Featherweight (145) Bout
Round 1
Guida and Peralta both very active in the center of the octogon to start. Guida looks spry and energetic. About a minute in The Carpenter attempts a double leg and eventually lands a big slam. Peralta works to scoot back to the cage and leverages it to stand up for a moment but Guida quickly lands another big slam. Guida lands in side control and about two and a half minutes remain in the round. Peralta is able to get back to the cage but Guida is all over him. Guida transitions to Peraltas back and harasses the Brazilian fighter. With about a minute left, Peralta tries to stand on his feet but Guida doesn’t allow it. Guida attempts a rear choke but Peralta is never in any real danger. The round ends with Guida in control of Peralta.
Guida pressed the action and remained in control for the duration of the round.
Edson scores the first round 10-9 for Guida
Round 2
Both men directly to center again and Guida gets a take down within the first twenty seconds. Peralta slowly works his way to the cage but Guida keeps his legs tied up. With about a minute passed, Peralta stands but Guida holds on tight his left leg. Guida works for the take down but can’t find it. Referee Mike King calls for the men to break with just under three minutes left in the round, Guida apparently doesn’t hear him and momentarily lifts Peralta off his feet before King forces them to seperate. Guida presses Peralta against the cage again after a few seconds in the center of the ring but Peralta continues to stifle the Albuquerque based fighters take down attempts. With about a minute left, the fighters are forced to break and engage on the feet. They trade punches and Peralta lands a nice lead leg kick. Guida ties Peralta up in the center of the octagon and the buzzer sounds.
Peralta displayed some promising striking in the last minute but the round belonged to Guida
Edson scores the second round 10-9 for Guida
Round 3
The final round begins and the men are center octagon again. Thirty seconds in Guida lands a nice head kick but Peralta isn’t phased. The men exchange on the feet and Guida presses the action. Guida shoots for a double leg and gets it as both men land against the cage. Guida lifts Peralta high into the air, walks him over to the middle of the octagon, slamming him down hard. The crowd roars and Peralta begins a long trip back to the cage. Guida gains a full mount with just under three minutes to go and attempts to lock in an arm triangle. Guida threatens with the choke but Peralta survives and Guida releases his grip. Just over two minutes left in the round and Guida passes Peraltas guard but the Brazilian quickly works his way back to his feet. Peralta lands elbows to Guidas head as Guida holds on to a double leg against the cage. The Carpenter lands another slam with thirty seconds left and goes to work from side guard. Guida is all over Peralta until the buzzer sounds ending the bout.
Guida dominated completely from beginning to end and Peralta never put forth any meaningful offense.
Edson scores the third and final round 10-9 for Guida (30-27 Guida)
All three judges score the contest 30-27 for the winner by unanimous decision Clay Guida
Clay Guida (32-15) def. Robbie Peralta (18-6-1)
Dustin “The Diamond” Porier (#6) vs. Diego Ferreira
Lightweight (155) Bout
Round 1
Porier in the south paw stance, the two feel each other out on the feet for the first twenty seconds. Ferreira attempts an arm drag and Porier spins out. Ferreira presses Porier against the cage. Not much action from Ferreira and they remain tied up for about a minute before Porier spins around. The Diamond presses Ferreira against the cage momentarily before engaging on the feet. The two tango and trade punches and kicks until an accidental low kick by Ferreira halts the action. After a very brief break the match resumes and the men tie up against the cage again after some quick back and forth. Ferreira presses Porier against the cage but the Louisiana born fighter creates some space with about two and a half minutes left in the round. Both fighters engage in some serious striking. After landing a stiff left straight, Porier lands a quick flurry to Ferreiras skull and drops him with another left. Ferreira gains his wits about him and successfully wrestles Porier to the canvas but ends up underneath the Diamond. Almost immediately, and with about a minute and a half remaining, Portier backs off the Brazilians guard forcing a reluctant stand up for Ferreira. Big punches landing for Porier and Fereirra is stunned. The Brazilian tumbles to the canvas Porier raining down blows. Referee Tom McGovern, after a patient few seconds, stops the bout after Porier lands a brutal left that leaves the Brazilian limp on the mat.
Poriers striking looked sharp and he out-grappled the Brazilian every step of the way, handing Ferreira his second loss.
Dustin Porier (17-4) def. Diego Ferreira (11-2) by knockout at 3:45 of Round 1