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Credit – MMAJunkie.com

FELIPE ARANTES (@SertanejoUFC)VS. ANTONIO “PATO” CARVALHO

Round 1 – Referee Leon Roberts in the cage for the night’s first fight, a featherweight feature. Arantes takes the center and just misses on a big right. Carvalho fires in a kick that sends Arantes to the floor, and jumps quickly on top, settling into half-mount. Carvalho fires in a few short right hands, and Arantes tries and work to his knees. As he does, Carvalho takes a front headlock. Carvalho briefly takes the back on a slick roll, but Arantes turns in to escape. Arantes works to his feet, but Carvalho refuses to let go of the headlock and throws a few knees to the body. Arantes tries to drive in, but Carvalho falls on top and moves immediately into mount. Arantes bucks him off and escapes to his feet, and we reset. Arantes again takes the center and jabs. Carvalho keeps his defense tight and answers with a few shots of his own. Both mix in a few high kicks that are largely blocked. Arantes continues to press forward on the feet, but he hasn’t landed anything flush. Final minute of the round. Carvalho content to counter on the feet. Arantes works the legs with a few slapping kicks. Leaping knee lands clean for Arantes, but Carvalho grabs the leg and tries for a takedown. Won’t come. Better finish for Arantes, but MMAjunkie.com awards the round to Carvalho for the early work, 10-9.

Round 2 – Touch of gloves to open. Arantes works kicks early, and Carvalho again goes into a defensive shell. Arantes lands a slick knee-punch combination. Carvalho looking to counter, but he is losing this fight on the feet. Carvalho lands to the body and scores a high kick up top. Still, Arantes moves forward. Arantes is the busier fighter, the faster fighter and perhaps the more powerful fighter on the feet, but Carvalho looks willing to trade with him early. Carvalho finally gets close enough to clinch and grabs underhooks, circling and pressing his opponent into the cage. Arantes defends well and circles off, eventually breaking free. Arantes walks into a stiff jab, but he immediately rushes forward with a combination. Carvalho threatens a takedown, but Arantes capable in defense. Flurry from both, but Arantes ends it with a headkick. Arantes looks to be tiring a bit as he takes a deep breath. Still, he pushes forward with strikes and lands a crisp jab before returning to the knees. Inside leg kick for Arantes. Carvalho firing back in the pocket, but it’s Arantes who takes the round on the MMAjunkie.com card.

Round 3 – Arantes takes the center again, but it’s Carvalho who lands an early right. Carvalho first to the punch as round three opens, but Arantes moves quickly back to the kicking strategy. Carvalho ducks in for a takedown, but Arantes sees it a mile away and sprawls out, eventually settling on top in Carvalho’s guard. Carvalho pulls his left leg up on the shoulder, but nothing is there, and he lets it go. Arantes punches away from the top. Most are blocked, but the crowd still punctuates every strikes. Halfway into the round, and Carvalho is cut under his left eye. Arantes picks up the pace with punching as Carvalho looks for options underneath. There aren’t many, as Arantes picks his spots to throw punches and elbows. Time running out for Carvalho. He’s on his back, rolling from side to side, but there’s nothing there. With one minute remaining, Carvalho does scramble up to his feet. The gash on his cheek is big, but it’s not bothering his vision. Carvalho fires off a spinning heel kick, looking for a homerun blow. Instead, Arantes presses in and knees him to the body. Carvalho pushes forward but eats a big right hand. Flying knee from Carvalho misses, and the round ends. Arantes scales the wall to celebrate what he thinks is a win. MMAjunkie.com agrees, giving him the final round, 10-9, and the fight 29-28. Felipe Arantes def. Antonio Carvalho via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

RICARDO FUNCH VS. MIKE PYLE (@mike_pyle)

Round 1 – Referee Mario Yamasaki oversees this welterweight contest. Pyle presses forward as Funch defends the opening punches. THe southpaw slips a punch and works into the clinch. The two trade knees before pulling away. Pyle looks very relaxed as the two trade in the pocket. Pyle lands a clean right hand up the middle. Knee scores on the chin, and Funch is hurt. Second one lands, and Funch hits the deck. Pyle pounces with punches, and that’s the fight. Crowd is dead silent, so Pyle motions to bring the heat. They do, but Pyle could care less.Mike Pyle def. Ricardo Funch via TKO (knees and punches) – Round 1, 1:22.

YURI ALCANTARA VS. MICHIHIRO OMIGAWA (@micci1219judo)

Round 1 – Referee Leon Roberts in the cage for this featherweight bout. Touch of gloves in the center, and Omigawa walks into a knee in the body. He backs away and is staggered but a right hand. Southpaw Alcantara holds the center. Omigawa tries to clinch, but Alcantara pushes him a way. Omigawa moving in odd angles, but Alcantara is finding him with punches early. Omigawa switching staces as he moves inside. He just misses a spinning backfist. Omigawa starting to land a little more frequently, but Alcantara is answering every blow. Alcantara very patient on the outside. He just misses on a few flashy high kicks. Omigawa rushes in but gets caught bu a knee. Spinning elbow lands shortly after, and Omigawa is hurt. Alcantara pounces and drags the fight to the floor. He takes the back and punches away rather than looking for the choke. Omigawa absorbs it and turns in, sweeping to top position. One minute remains. Omigawa advances out to half-mount, but Alcantara quickly regains guard. Omigawa not doing much on top, but he does get to catch his wits. Deep armbar but Alcantara in the closing seconds. Brilliant transition. Round ends as Roberts moves in. Alcantara thinks the fight is over, but it’s not. Looked like a possible tap, but Alcantara will have to settle for the round, 10-9 on the MMAjunkie.com card.

Round 2 – Early knee from Alcantara. He’s aggressive with his strikes early on, but Omigawa continues to press forward, even launching a spinning backfist. Omigawa stunned with two punches, and he wobbles to the deck. Alcantara thinks choke, but Omigawa turns to his back and keeps his opponent on top. Omigawa turns for a leg, but Alcantara takes mount and then the back on a spin. Omigawa uses the cage to prevent full back control and rolls over to the mat. Credit to Omigawa for his durability, but he is being manhandled. Alcantara looks for the choke, delivering occasional elbows, as well, when the opportunity arises. Omigawa again spins to his back and gets full guard. Alcantara tries for a few athletic guard passes, but he settles for keeping positional control. Omigawa looks to roll for submissions, but nothing is there. Alcantara pounds away, and Omigawa’s ear is bleeding terrible. Round ends, and it’s all Alcantara, 10-9 on the MMAjunkie.com card.

Round 3 – Omigawa somehow still has some spring in his legs. He’s shuffling his feet, working those odd, hooking angles. Meanwhile, Alcantara stands almost stationary and wait to unleash. First minute passes with little action. Alcantara wings a few wold hooks that miss. He looks comfortable just riding out the round. Crowd boos get both guys moving a bit. Alcantara landing with straighter punches. Still, a gritty Omigawa is pushing forward and looking to land something special. Alcantara works in four punches, including one to the ear. Two minutes remain, and Alcantara tries a takedown and is stuffed. He looks exhausted. Omigawa sees that and brings him to the floor. Alcantara takes a closed guard and looks like he wants to simply ties things up until the final bell. Omigawa elevates and lands a few punches from the top, but he’s going to need to get very busy. Roberts calls for action, and Alcantara responds slightly. Standup with just seconds remaining. Alcantara lands two punches and defends a throw, whizzing into mount. Bell sounds, and it’s all Alcantara. MMAjunkie.com gives him the third, 10-9, as well as the fight, 30-27. Third was close, so 29-28 would be no surprise. Yuri Alcantara def. Michihiro Omigawa via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27).

GABRIEL GONZAGA (@gonzagabjj) VS. EDNALDO OLIVEIRA (@Ednaldolula)

Round 1 – Referee Dan Miragliotta in the cage for this heavyweight matchup. Orthodox stance from both as Oliveira tries to keep distance early. Gonzaga stalking and fakes a few punches but doesn’t pull the trigger. Opening minute passes with no action. Oliveira has a right hand blocked and flicks in a jab. Two minutes in not, and Gonzaga shoots for a takedown. Big slam to side control, but Oliveira works quickly to his knees and then feet. Gonzaga keeps the body locked and is able to bring it back to the floor. Halfway into the round, and Gonzaga is in half-mount. Oliveira again gets to a knee, but Gonzaga leaps over to his back and works in a rear-naked coke. It looks deep, but Gonzaga needs to adjust his position. Oliveira trues to use the cage to prevent the move, but no dice. Choke is in, and Oliveira taps. Gabriel Gonzaga def. Ednaldo Oliveira via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:22.

SAM STOUT (@sammyjstout) VS. THIAGO TAVARES (@TavaresMMA)

Round 1 – Referee Mario Yamasaki in charge of the evening’s final preliminary card matchup. Pawing jabs early as the two set range. Tavares pushes into an early clinch and nails a slick outside trip. Stout quickly works to his butt and puts his back ti the cage. Tavares keeps the body wrapped to prevent the escape and nearly takes the back. Instead, Stout readjusts and scrambles up to his feet. Stout catches a kick and throws Tavares off-balance but doesn’t charge. Tavares shoots in again and lands another trip. Stout again works to the cage and to his feet. Tavares elevates him and slams Stout back to the floor. Halfway into the round. Stout works to his feet again, and Tavares latches onto a guillotine choke and rolls to top position. Crowd comes alive, but Stout pulls free. Another scramble sees Stout escape a leglock and move back to the feet. He looks tentative once there, conscious of the takedown. Crowd chant’s Tavares’ name, and the two trade punches. Tavares lands the best punch with a powerful left. Stout breathing deep. Tavares tries another takedown, but aborts and lands a nice left up top Ound ends, and MMAjunkie.com sees it for Tavares, 10-9.

Round 2 – Stout comes out firing in the second. Tavares ready to return fire, but he eats two crisp punches early. Stout not reaching, and he defends a takedown attempt from Tavares. Good start for Stout. Tavares does work in a clean right hand. Stout holding the center and throwing in punches. He’s not kicking at all, and he defends another takedown. Two minutes in. Tavares lands another big right. A second follows, along with a jab. Takedown attempt from Tavares, but it’s not there. Stout looked sharp early, but Tavares’ power caught his attention. Tavares misses over the top with a kick. Another right hand from Tavares. Stout has blood trickling down his neck and onto his chest. Crowd comes very much alive for the final minute. Tavares now starting to press on the feet. Stout kicks to the body. Punches traded in the pocket. Round ends, and it’s a close one. Stout did a lot of good work, but Tavares was the one landing the power shots. Add in the blood and repeated takedown attempts, and MMAjunkie.com going to lean toward Tavares, 10-9.

Round 3 – Fight may hang in the balance here. Stout again comes out lively. Still, Tavares is not afraid to trade. Stout kicks to the cup, and he immediately apologizes for the infraction. Tavares is in real pain and stomps a few times to try and reset everything into its proper place. He’ll start back after a brief delay. Quick pace to open. Stout lands with his hands while Tavares mixes in a few kicks. Tavares ducks for a takedown, but Stout defends and throws in a knee. Stout counters well to the body. Stout sprawls well on another deep takedown and punches to the head before pulling away. Halfway into the round. Best frame this far for Stout, who isn’t eating those counter rights. Tavares does land to the leg. Stout holding the center and working the body well. Tavares nose also bleeding from Stout’s jab. Tavares does sneak in that overhand right. Final minute. Tavares not landing with as much frequency as in previous rounds. Jabs land for Stout, who seems to have his timing down very well now. Power shots from Stout in the closing seconds. Tavares shoots in, but he misses. Good round for Stout, and MMAjunkie.com gives the round to him, 10-9. However, the fight is awarded to Tavares, 29-28. Second round will be key in result. Thiago Tavares def. Sam Stout via unanimous decision.

EDSON BARBOZA (@EdsonBarbozaJR) VS. TERRY ETIM (@Terry_Etim)

Round 1 – Referee Dan Miragliotta in the cage for the start of the evening’s main card. Etim in the center to open, and he immediately looks for a takedown. Barboza scrambles well and pulls away. Etim high kicks glances over Barboza’s head. The randy Etim jabbing well to open, but Barboza is answering with sharp kicks to the legs. Diving takedown for Etim, but Barboza quickly sweeps and escapes. Barboza chopping the legs. Etim still working the jab. Halfway into the round. Crisp punches traded up top. Etim thinks takedown but pulls away. He tries again and is kneed in the gut. Crisp combination from Barboza. Final minute. Still a close round. Etim goes to the low kicks. Etim has spent a lot of time in the center of the octagon. Round ends with a crisp kick from Barboza. Not a lot between the two, but MMAjunkie.com leans toward Barboza, 10-9.

Round 2 – Similar feel to open. Both fighters look ready to uncoi. Barboza starting to mix in straight punches with his chopping kicks. Etim pushes into the clinch but can’t get the fight to the floor. Barboza punches the body and again kicks the legs. Etim checking the shots to some degree and his mobility still looks fine. Barboza moving backward, looking to counter. Pace slowing a bit, but both fighters finding success in spurts. Two minutes remain. Etim with a few flashy kicks that are blocked. Takedown for Etim, but Barboza refuses to stay on the floor. He pops up instantly and pulls away. Barboza’s output lessening, but he does land a crisp right hand over the top. Bell sounds. Close round again. MMAjunkie.com leans slightly toward Barboza again, 10-9.

Round 3 – The two again meet in the center and trade punches and kicks. Etim has been unable to get the fight to the floor and is being picked apart by his opponent’s powerful leg strikes. Etim tries again for a takedown that won’t come, and even when the fight has hit the floor, Etim has been unabe to hold him down. Spinning heel kick from Barboza shocks Etim, and he is out before he hits the floor. Write that “Knockout of the Night” check now. Edson Barboza def. Terry Etim via knockout (spinning heel kick) – Round 3, 2:02.

CARLO PRATER (@TheOneMMA) VS. ERICK SILVA (@ErickSilvaMMA)

Round 1 – Referee Mario Yamasaki in the cage for this welterweight affair. Prater takes the center as Silva measures him from distance. Silva slips an early punch and lands a knee to a ducking Prater. Silva then unloads a barrage of right hands and hammerfists. Prater does briefly try and scramble up, but he is done, and Yamasaki steps in to halt the assault. It looks initially like a TKO finish, but Yamasaki deems the blows illegal, and the fight is ruled a disqualification win for Prater. Carlo Prater def. Erick Silva via disqualification (illegal punches) – Round 1, 0:29.

MIKE MASSENZIO (@MikeMassenzio) VS. ROUSIMAR PALHARES (@ToquinhoMMA)

Round 1 – Referee Leon Roberts in the cage. Southpaw Massenzio takes the center, and Palhares opens with a few powerful low kicks. One hits the cup, and Massenzio takes a quick breather. Touch of gloves on the restart. Massenzio fakes a shot and delivers an overhand right. He shoots again and goes to guard, immediately latching onto a leg, his signature move. Submission is instantly in place, and Massenzio is forced to tap on the heel hook. Impressive. Rousimar Palhares def. Mike Massenzio via submission (heel hook) – Round 1, 1:03.

VITOR BELFORT (@vitorbelfort) VS. ANTHONY JOHNSON (@anthony_rumble)

Round 1 – Referee Dan Miragliotta in the cage for the night’s co-main event, a 197-pound catchweight bout due to Johnson’s failure to make the middleweight limit. Both guys bounce in their corner waiting for the opening bell. They touch gloves to open, and Johnson misses an early kick. Johnson misses a right but lands a left. Belfort kicks, but Johnson catches it and pushes him to the floor. Tense moments to open. Johnson stands and dives through Belfort’s guard with a right hand. Crowd comes alive for Belfort as he works from the bottom. Slow moving, and Miragliotta stands them. Johnson misses a front kick and slips tow rights. Johnson shoots in, but Belfort sprawl against the cage. The building is absolutely rocking as the crowd urges on Belfort. Stalemate against the cage and another restart. Johnson misses a wild punch and dives into a knee. Belfort grabs his neck and thinks choke, but Johnson sweeps to top position. Johnson very slow in advancing on the ground. Miragliotta stands them up again. They trade on the restart. Johnson dives in again, but Belfort sprawls out. He moves to the back and looks for the choke. He decides to let it go in favor of punches. Johnson looks trapped with Belfort on the back, and Miragliotta watches extremely close. Another choke attempt. Johnson is trapped and taps. Building goes absolutely bananas. Vitor Belfort def. Anthony Johnson via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:45.

CHAMP JOSE ALDO (@josealdoUFC) VS. CHAD MENDES (@chadmendes)

Round 1 – Referee Mario Yamasaki in the cage for the night’s main event, a featherweight title fight. Aldo waves his left arm waiting for the start. Touch of gloves to open. Mendes opens with a low kick. Mendes moving his head, faking the shot and throwing more low kicks. Aldo patient in the center and fires a heavy low kick that spins Mendes. Aldo stalks and pulls away from a Mendes shot. Aldo in the center, comfortable and patient. He fires another low kick that buckles Mendes. Mendes kicks the cup, but it’s a quick return. Aldo lands a clean right uppercut, and Mendes tried to shoot in, but he can’t get the takedown.Halfway in. Patient work from both. Mendes avoiding leg kicks well bt has yet to get inside. He narrowly avoids another uppercut and does get a leg, but Aldo pulls away. Mendes with a low kick. Mendes times a low kicks and looks for a takedown, but a quick Aldo defends well. Mendes gets to the back and tries for a slam, but Aldo grabs the cage and receives a warning. Mendes tries again but Aldo stays upright. Aldo fires a few elbows backward. He breaks Mendes grip and turns and delivers a crushing knee. Mendes is down, and Aldo follows with crushing right hands. Devastating finish, and Aldo charges into the crowd. Amazing scene.

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