UFC 158: GSP vs. Diaz full play-by-play/results

MONTREAL – Here is a complete play-by-play recap with results and cageside analysis from what went down at UFC 158 in the Bell Centre in Montreal Saturday night.

– GEORGES ST-PIERRE vs. NICK DIAZ  (for UFC welterweight title)

The energy in the Bell Centre right now is extremely intense. Both fighters look extremely focused. Diaz is pacing back and forth staring as GSP. I’ve never been to a Game 7 of a Stanley Cup final, but I assume the atmosphere would be similar if that game was in overtime. All the talk is over. Here we go!

Round 1: GSP gets a takedown right off the bat. St-Pierre works some ground-and-pound as the crowd chants “GSP.” The champ lands two big elbows from inside Diaz’s guard. GSP takes Diaz’s back briefly as the crowd screams profanities at Diaz.

@MikeyJ_MMA scores the round 10-9 GSP.

Round 2: The two exchange jabs before GSP again lands a takedown at will. GSP lands a big knee to the body like he did against Matt Serra at UFC 83. He controls Diaz and lands a few more elbows. The two finish the round on the feet and when the horn sounds Diaz starts talking to GSP.

@MikeyJ_MMA scores the round 10-9 GSP.

Round 3: Diaz starts the round by yelling at St-Pierre as the two exchange strikes and Diaz lands a solid 1-2 then defends a takedown. GSP takes the fight down again but back on the feet Diaz has landed some decent shots. St-Pierre still controls the round.

@MikeyJ_MMA scores the round 10-9 GSP.

Round 4: Diaz and GSP stand for the first three minutes of the rounds with Diaz stuffing a few takedowns along the way. With a minute left, GSP slams Diaz to the ground and controls him the remainder of the frame. This has become your typical dominant GSP performance, but can he get the stoppage in the fifth?

@MikeyJ_MMA scores the round 10-9 GSP.

Round 5: Diaz comes forward and GSP lands a counter left. The two clinch and exchange knees to the body. Diaz attempts a head kick but GSP kicks out his other leg and Diaz takes a tumble. Less than a miunte left and GSP picks up the pace while the crowd roars. As the horn sounds, the two fighters shake hands and Diaz raises GSP’s hand.

@MikeyJ_MMA scores the round 10-9 and the fight 50-45 for GSP.

Result: St-Pierre wins by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)

After the fight Nick Diaz says he really doesn’t know what his future holds. “I think I’m done with mixed martial arts.”

– CARLOS CONDIT vs. JOHNY HENDRICKS

Round 1: Hendricks immediately lands a big left followed by some more punches and Condit answers. Both guys have bad intentions and Hendricks lands a takedown. After being controlled Condit gets back to his feet where Hendricks attempts a triple left hook. Condit lands two good leg kicks and is taken down again. On the feet again the two exchange big shots. Condit lands a front kicks and takes Hendricks’ back. What a round.

@MikeyJ_MMA scores the round 10-9 Hendricks.

Round 2: Hendricks uses his wrestling again as Condit is having trouble defending his takedowns. Hendricks lands a big left and Condit lands a flying knee. He attempts another but Hendricks takes him down again. More big punches from Hencdricks followed by another takedown. Crowd is loving the action.

@MikeyJ_MMA scores the round 10-9 Hendricks.

Round 3: Hendricks shoots for a takedown, Condit looks for a kimura but down to the ground they go again. Condit gets back up every time and he lands a big right hand with less than two minutes to go, but Hendricks is being very smart with the takedowns. On the feet Condit is now getting the better of the striking exchanges now. As the fight ends, the crowd is again on its feet.

@MikeyJ_MMA scores the round 10-9 Condit but the fight 29-28 for Hendricks.

Result: Hendricks wins by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

– JAKE ELLENBERGER vs. NATE MARQUARDT

Round 1: After the two measure their distance there’s no more fooling around and they start looking for the knockout blow. Ellenberger lands a big right hand that sends Marquardt to the ground and one more punch puts him away. Marquardt did not know what happened and was confused afterwards while watching the replay.

Result: Ellenberger wins by KO at 3:00 of round one.

– CHRIS CAMOZZI vs. NICK RING

Round 1: Ring moving quickly early, using some improved footwork but he is keeping his hands low as Camozzi throws punches. Ring landing a lot of leg kicks and decent jabs as Camozzi looks to press forward. Ring then lands two solid lead right hooks before Camozzi counters with a solid left of his own.

@MikeyJ_MMA scores the round 10-9 Ring.

Round 2: Ring’s speed is becoming a factor with him usually being the first to land his shots. Camozzi lands a big knee and looks for a choke but Ring separates. Camozzi now getting the better of the punches before landing yet another big knee.

@MikeyJ_MMA scores the round 10-9 Camozzi.

Round 3: If this goes the distance it should come down to who wins this round. Camozzi pressing forward and finding a home for his left hand. Camozzi grabs a hold of Ring but the Canadian separates. This is very reminiscent of many of Ring’s recent fights in the UFC. Ring has slowed down and Camozzi finishes strong with more punches. Ring has won decisions like this in the past but Camozzi should take this one.

@MikeyJ_MMA scores the round 10-9 Camozzi.

Result: Camozzi wins by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

– COLIN FLETCHER vs. MIKE RICCI

Round 1: Ricci attempts a head kick early as both tall lightweights gauge their distance. Both guys seem to have a similar attack with lots of kicks, footwork and rangy punches. Ricci is the fighter pressing forward more often but he gets a kick to the groin for his efforts and the action is paused. Fletcher attempts a takedown late but Ricci defends.

@MikeyJ_MMA scores the round 10-9 Ricci.

Round 2: Fletcher comes out aggressive but Ricci catches a kick and takes the fight to the ground. Fletcher wraps his legs around Ricci in an awkward position along the cage. Back on the feet Ricci lands a good right hand but the crowd is booing as not much else happens.

@MikeyJ_MMA scores the round 10-9 Ricci.

Round 3: Fletcher looks for a single-leg takedown early and pins Ricci against the cage for a while as he lands some small shots. Fletchebackr also goes for a quick guillotine and lands a spinning backfist. With 90 seconds left in the round Ricci gets a takedown and takes Fletcher’s back. He couldn’t lock in a rear-naked choke so he goes for an armbar. Fletcher escapes and lands a couple elbows but it’s too late as the fight ends.

@MikeyJ_MMA scores the round 10-9 and the fight 30-27 Ricci.

Result: Ricci win by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

– PATRICK COTE vs. BOBBY VOELKER

Round 1: With chants of “oh-lay!” and “Cote!” this place is rockin’ as the two exchange punches. Cote, in his welterweight debut, lands a big right hand but Voelker isn’t deterred. The two clinch for a while and Voelker lands a beautiful trip takedown. While on the ground Cote locks in an armbar but Voelker escapes. Cote is being busy, but Voelker is remaining in top position.

@MikeyJ_MMA scores the round 10-9 Voelker.

Round 2: Both guys come out swinging some hard leather and kicks. Cote lands several big right hands and uppercuts but Voelker’s chin holds up and then he lands some big shots on Cote. This is a very technical brawl. Cote’s forehead is cut open as he lands a brief takedown when the round expires. This is a toss-up.

@MikeyJ_MMA scores the round 10-9 Cote.

Round 3: Cote and Voelker come out throwing bombs again and it’s clear this is the early favourite for Fight of the Night. Voelker lands a solid combo and finishes with a huge knee. Cote shoots for a takedown but Voelker ends up on top. Cote goes for a triangle but Voelker slips out and he’s back to his feet briefly before getting taken down again.

@MikeyJ_MMA scores the round 10-9 and the fight 29-28 for Voelker.

Result: Cote wins by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

– ANTONIO CARVALHO vs. DARREN ELKINS

Elkins is 4-0 in the UFC’s featherweight division and with a win tonight he will become the first fighter to pick up five wins in the UFC’s 145-pound division.

Round 1: Elkins quickly looks for a takedown but Carvalho defends well. Carvalho landing some solids strikes as Elkins looks to make this a grinding-style war. Elkins lands a big right hand that has Carvalho rocked and staggered. He looks like he’s out on his feet. One more big right hand from Elkins that drops Carvalho. The ref steps in even though Carvalho bounces back to his feet. Safety first employed by referee Yves Lavigne. The crowd boos the stoppage mercilessly.

Result: Elkins wins by TKO at 3:06 of round one.

– JORDAN MEIN  vs. DAN MILLER

Round 1: Mein stocks Miller early and flicks his jab but Miller ducks under for a takedown. On the ground Miller locks in an armbar and looks to have Mein beat, but Mein escapes with brilliant technique. Back on the feet Mein lands a huge straight left that drops Miller. Instead of going to the ground he lets Miller up. He then lands a flurry of punches and a liver shot that drops Miller. He jumps on Miller for some finishing blows and the ref steps in.

An incredible UFC debut for the young Alberta native. He is the best young Canadian fighter next to Rory MacDonald.

Result: Mein wins by TKO at 4:42 of round one.

– DARON CRUICKSHANK vs. JOHN MAKDESSI

Round 1: Expect some wild action in this one between two dynamic strikers. As the two feel one another out the crowd starts booing 30 seconds into the fight. Cruickshank is throwing kicks while Makdessi is looking to set up his punches, but both guys are showing each other a lot of respect. The first solid strike Makdessi lands is an inadvertent groin strike. Makdessi looks for a spinning backfist but doesn’t pull the trigger. Not a lot of strikes landed so it will be difficult to score.

@MikeyJ_MMA scores the round 10-9 Cruickshank.

Round 2: Both men seem to know the other man’s power which is why they’re tentative, but midway through the round they start opening up. Both men throw spinning kicks in a thrilling exchange and the crowd acknowledges. Makdessi started to find his range that round and landed some big shots at the end of the round.

@MikeyJ_MMA scores the round 10-9 Makdessi.

Round 3: Makdessi’s counter left is finding the mark and he sends Cruickshank to the mat after catching a kick and landing a punch. Cruickshank goes for a takedown but Makdessi sprawls beautifully and lands some good punches. As Makdessi presses forward Cruickshank pokes him in the eye. Makdessi blinks it out and charges forward as the action resumes. The crowd began the fight booing but they finish it cheering.

@MikeyJ_MMA scores the round 10-9 and the fight 29-28 for Makdessi.

Result: Makdessi wins by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

– QUINN MULHERN vs. RICK STORY

According to Wikipedia, Rick Story has already won a unanimous decision over Quinn Mulhern. Impressive considering he’s not in the cage yet.

Round 1: Story moves forward early as he usually does and quickly lands some big punches but Mulhern is staying in there and landing some decent shots of his own. Story attacks the body with punches like few can. He backs Mulhern up and lands a big combination. Mulhern goes down and the ref steps in. Turns out Wikipedia was wrong.

Result: Story win by TKO at 3:05 of round one.

– TJ DILLASHAW vs. ISSEI TAMURA

Tamura enters the cage to Bob Marley’s ‘Could you be Loved’ and has the crowd rockin’. Thank you Issei!

Round 1: Dillashaw comes out confident and lands a solid leg kick. He secures a takedown and controls the majority of the round. After a few head-kick attempts from Dillashaw the two end the round exchanging.

@MikeyJ_MMA scores the round 10-9 Dillashaw.

Round 2: Dillashaw comes out looking to finish. He throws a head kick and his knee connects with Tamura’s head. Tamura goes down and the Team Alpha Male product follows up with a few punches but that’s it.

Result: Dillashaw wins by KO at 0:26 of round two.

– REUBAN DURAN vs. GEORGE ROOP

Round 1: Roop comes out aggressive with a kick-heavy attack, while Duran looks for an overhand right. He lands one that has Roop back peddle. Duran land a takedown when Roop closes the distance. Duran is on top but Roop is controlling him well in his guard. Roop briefly attempts a triangle and lands a few solid elbows from his back.

@MikeyJ_MMA scores the round 10-9 Duran.

Round 2: Roop goes for a takedown early and nearly takes Duran’s back as he defends. They are trapped along the cage so Roop is  unable to fully attempt a rear-naked choke and Duran is back to his feet. As Duran attempts a takedown, Roop goes for a guillotine but to no avail. Roop gets back to his feet and the crowd applauds.

@MikeyJ_MMA scores the round 10-9 Roop.

Round 3: This round should decide the winner of the bout. The two begin by fighting for position along the fence with Roop getting the upper hand and earning a takedown halfway through the round. At 6-foot-1 Roop is extremely tall for the bantamweight division and is using his leverage well. The round ends with the two exchanging haymakers. Close round. Close fight.

@MikeyJ_MMA scores the round 10-9 and fight 29-28 Roop.

Result: Roop wins by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)


NOTES:

— I crossed paths with UFC president Dana White backstage (at about 9:20pm ET). He said, “Those Strikeforce guys are good,” referring to Jordan Mein’s big win tonight.

— White just named Ronda Rousey and the winner of Miesha Tate vs. Cat Zingano winner as coaches for The Ultimate Fighter (just before 10pm ET). It will be the first season with female coaches and the first that features both male and female fighters competing in two separate tournaments.

— There are reports coming from backstage that suggest Nate Diaz and Mike Ricci exchanged some heated words after Ricci’s fight.

 

 

 

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