411’s UFC 198 Report 5.14.16

Hello and welcome to 411mania’s LIVE coverage of UFC 198. I’m Robert Winfree, your host for the evening, and I’d like to thank you all for clicking and reading along. If you don’t mind a quick plug, please check out the Radulich in Broadcasting Network, it’s home to a bunch of podcasts including the 411 Ground and Pound radio show every Sunday at 8pm eastern standard time. UFC 198 is a card heavy on nostalgia and features several Brazilian talents. The card took a hit earlier in the week when former middleweight champion, and arguably the best fighter in the sports history, Anderson Silva developed issues with his gallbladder and had to have surgery which understandably canceled his fight with Uriah Hall. Despite that this card has been relatively free from injuries to the main card, and features a title fight in the main event. UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum is going for his first title defense against Stipe Miocic, two of the top five middleweights in the world collide when Vitor Belfort takes on Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, and one of the most feared female fighters on the planet makes her UFC debut tonight as Invicta FC featherweight champion and former Strikeforce featherweight champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino takes on Leslie Smith. This event is the UFC’s first in Curitiba, Brazil and is coming to us from the Arena da Baixada with the commentary duo of Mike Goldberg and Joe Brian Stann. Interesting pairing, let’s see how Stann carries Goldberg.

The UFC has sold 45,000 tickets for this, or at least that’s how many people are showing up, and for the first fight there’s a pretty good portion of them there. Should be a good crowd.

Zubaira Tukhugov is is on a nine fight winning streak, including going 3-0 in the UFC, and a fourth consecutive win here would likely get him off of the Fight Pass prelims for his next opponent and get him closer to a top ranking. Renato Moicano had a successful UFC debut when he choked out Tom Niinimaki and another win here over the streaking prospect that is Tukhugov would be a big boost to his career and keep him marching up the featherweight ranks.

Featherweight Bout: Renato Moicano (9-0-1, 146 lbs.) vs. Zubaira Tukhugov (18-3, 146 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Moicano has three inches of height and four of reach on Tukhugov. Touch of gloves to get things going. Tukhugov circling early, Moicano misses a body kick. Tukhugov lands a good right, Moicano lands a leg kick. Tukhugov tries a blitz, thinks better of it after a few punches are blocked. They clash and trade punches in close. Moicano lands a leg kick. Tukhugov lands a left hook. Tukhugov trips Moicano down and lands in his guard. Moicano working a rubber guard, Tukhugov trying to get his posture up so he can land punches. Moicano thinks about a triangle choke, he’s got his legs in the right spot but not locked up properly yet. Moicano bails on the triangle position, Tukhugov lands an elbow. Tukhugov stands, eats an up kick, tries a jumping pass but Moicano gets the back, then they scramble to their feet. They circle the last seconds of the round away.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Tukhugov

ROUND TWO: Touch of gloves for the second round, Moicano just misses an overhand right. Tukhugov circling, misses a body kick. Tukhugov lands a left hook, Moicano lands a leg kick. Another leg kick from Moicano lands. Tukhugov slips a jab, just misses a left hook. Moicano stalking forward but he’s being judicious with his offense. Tukhugov takes a groin kick that the ref ignores, Tukhugov lands a couple of punches then a body kick. Tukhugov tries a low single leg, Moicano sprawls then Tukhugov avoids a front headlock position. Tukhugov just misses a spinning back fist. Moicano is missing a right uppercut after throwing a left hook, he’s got bad intentions but can’t find the range. Moicano lands a right, these two love their wide punches it seems. Moicano misses a couple of rights. Tukhugov misses a couple of blitz attacks, then misses a spinning back fist. Moicano lands a couple of leg kicks. Moicano misses a high kick and the round comes to a close.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Moicano, 19-19 overall

ROUND THREE: Moicano has a high kick blocked to start the third round. Tukhugov lands a left and gets a trip but Moicano back up almost immediately. They trade rights in close. If either of these guys straighten out their punches they’d probably land more. Tukhugov lands a right that cuts Moicano just under the left eye. Moicano lands a right hook. Tukhugov ducks a right and tries for a double leg, they scramble and wind up back on their feet. Tukhugov lands a right, he’s straightening his punches out. Moicano lands a jab. We get time so the doctor can check the cut on Moicano. The doctor has no issues, the cut is under the eyebrow but not large, and we’re back to fighting. They trade punches quickly then Tukhugov gets a takedown but Moicano is up immediately. Moicano lands a knee to the body in close after they miss. Tukhugov lands a hard one two combination. Moicano stuffs a double leg then lands a knee to the body. Moicano walking Tukhugov down, lands a leg kick but eats a counter right. Moicano lands a couple of punches, Tukhugov lands a right counter. Moicano misses a couple of kicks. Tukhugov tries a single leg, he can’t control Moicano though and they separate. Moicano lands a leg kick. They just stand and stare the final few seconds away.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Tukhugov, 29-28 Tukhugov overall but likely goes to Moicano because Brazil.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Renato Moicano via split decision (28-29, 29-28 x2)

I was worried about a 30-27 there, but that was a competitive fight so no real issues with the decision. Mic time for Moicano now. He says he got opened up and had to adjust his strategy but he’s Brazilian so he wont quit. Asked about the crowd influencing his performance he says he comes from a small team in Brasilia and just defeated a world traveled fighter from a big camp so he feels they need to be acknowledged. He thanks God and apologizes for losing the first round but promises to come back better.

Sergio Moraes is on a four fight winning streak while going 4-1 in the UFC including a win over top contender Neil Magny, a fifth consecutive win here would move him closer to the top fifteen of the division and keep his momentum going. Luan Chagas is taking this fight on two weeks notice when Moraes’ original opponent, Kamaru Usman, dropped out with an injury and looks to keep an eight fight winning streak alive and get the all important first UFC win here tonight.

Welterweight Bout: Luan Chagas (14-1, 169 lbs.) vs. Sergio Moraes (10-2, 171 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Chagas has three inches of reach on Moraes and is eleven years younger, the height is identical. Touch of gloves to get things going. Chagas moving forward, Moraes backing up and Chagas switches to the southpaw stance. Moraes lands a knee to the body in close. Moraes misses a wild right. Chagas changing his stance at will here, seems good from either side. Chagas misses a couple of punches then lands a leg kick. Chagas misses a wheel kick. Chagas tries a high kick that’s blocked but he put some power into it. Inside leg kicks traded. Moraes lands a long right uppercut. They’re starting to trade but both men being blocked a lot. Chagas lands an inside leg kick. Chagas lands a couple of leg kicks, Moraes lands an inside leg kick. Chagas lands a left high kick that drops Moraes, he tries to follow up but Moraes has his wits about him so Chagas makes him stand. Moraes has some swelling around the right eye from that kick but he seems to have recovered quickly. Chagas lands a front kick to the body. Chagas lands a hard left that drops Moraes again, and again he makes Moraes stand back up. Moraes backing up, Chagas patiently stalking him. Chagas lands a bit of a right as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Chagas, borderline 10-8 with two knockdowns to his credit.

ROUND TWO: Chagas comes out southpaw, lands a quick jab. Moraes lands a glancing right hand. They trade lead hands, Chagas throws a couple of high kick that are blocked then lands an inside leg kick. Another inside leg kick lands for Chagas. Chagas lands a spinning back kick to the body. Moraes misses another wild right. Chagas lands a couple of knees in close but Moraes is pressing the action now with punches. Chagas has a combination blocked. Moraes lands a right and pushes to the clinch but misses a couple of wild punches as they break. Moraes lands a right to the body, Chagas is slowing down here. Chagas lands a couple of front kicks, Moraes blocks a takedown and jumps guard for a guillotine choke. He’s pretty deep, Chagas guts through it and pulls his head free. Moraes ties up the right arm of Chagas from his guard, he’s landing some short rights while trying to get Chagas to move and make a mistake. The ref stands them up after they stall out. Chagas lands a lef kick. MOraes grabs a single leg, winds up giving up his back as they scramble then Moraes just kind of tosses him over his should and lands a right as he goes into the guard of Chagas. Moraes ends the round on top.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Moraes, 19-19 overall

ROUND THREE: Touch of gloves for the last round. Chagas misses a couple of lefts. Moraes misses a wild right then lands a knee to the body. Chagas lands a glancing right but in the clinch gets pushed over by Moraes who basically lands in half guard. Chagas able to get to full guard. Moraes working some short rights to the body and head, he stands while trying to pass and lands a right then goes into the guard again. Moraes able to pass to half guard, now looking to pass again. Moraes passes to side control, then spins to the back as Chagas rolled to his knees. Moraes in the ride position, Chagas tries to roll for a kneebar but Moraes keeping safe and gets his leg free and again threatens to take the back. Moraes has the ride position again, Chagas doing a good job of keeping his hooks out. Moraes takes the back but Chagas is standing and working to shake him off as Moraes is very high on the back. Chagas winds up in the guard of Moraes, he lands a couple of punches as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Moraes, 29-28 Moraes overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – DRAW, Split (28-29, 29-28, 28-28)

Huh, not sure which of the second or third rounds could go to Chagas, but no issue with 28-28 if you give Chagas a 10-8 first round.

Patrick Cummins is just 1-2 in his last three fights with losses to Ovince Saint Preux and Glover Teixeira, despite that the state of the division is such that he warrants a top fifteen spot and will be looking to move up the ranks tonight. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira is on a two fight losing streak and last defeated Rashad Evans, yet his name value and the rather poor state of light heavyweight keeps him in the top ten of the division and he’s in a must win situation here if he wants to remain relevant in the sport.

Light Heavyweight Bout: #11 Patrick Cummins (8-3, 206 lbs.) vs. #10 Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (21-7, 205 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Cummins has an inch and a half of reach on Nogueira but the height is identical. Nogueira fighting southpaw. Both men using feints early, looking for reactions and openings. Cummins lands a weak inside leg kick. Nogueira misses a left then avoids a double leg from Cummins. Cummins lands an inside leg kick. Nogueira lands a left, Cummins lands a right uppercut counter. Cummins has a high kick blocked then lands a leg kick. Cummins lands another inside leg kick. Nogueira misses a couple of lefts. Nogueira lands a left, then a right and a left but Cummins grabs a single and forces the clinch to buy time. They separate without incident after a second or two in the clinch. Cummins lands an inside leg kick. Cummins lands a counter uppercut, Nogueira lands an uppercut of his own in close. Cummins lands another inside leg kick, those are starting to add up. Nogueira lands a wicked right hook that wobbles Cummins, Nogueira starting to pour on the offense. A series of punches drops Cummins, Nogueira lands some rights while Cummins holds a leg and regains his feet. NOgueira lands another series of three lefts to the jaw of Cummins and ears the standing TKO victory.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Antonio Rogerio Nogueira via TKO, punches, at 4:52 of Round 1

The First Round Finish Club thanks Mr. Nogueira for his efforts this evening. He thanks the crowd for coming out, puts over his team as being home to several up and coming fighters, he talks about improving his wrestling and that it helped him impose his game plan tonight. Asked who he’d like next he just says whoever Dana White puts in front of him.

That wraps up the Fight Pass fights, now to Fox Sports 1 for the rest of the preliminary fights.

John Lineker is riding a three fight winning streak, two of those were fights he missed weight at flyweight for but his official bantamweight debut was a wildly entertaining first round win over Francisco Rivera and he’s looking to keep climbing the ranks at bantamweight with another win here. Rob Font is riding an eleven fight winning streak including being 2-0 in the UFC, both of which were finishes and a win over the number twelve guy in the division would almost certainly move Font into the top fifteen and set him up to make a run towards the top.

Bantamweight Bout: Rob Font (12-1, 135 lbs.) vs. #12 John Lineker (26-7, 135 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Font has five inches of height and four and a half of reach on Lineker. Touch of gloves to get things going. Font lands a front kick to the body. Lineker backing up early, Font trying to keep this fight long. Font lands a side kick to the body, Lineker lands a couple of body shots. Font just misses an uppercut but he’s staying out of range of Lineker’s counters. Lineker just misses a right. Lineker lands a right to the body then a left hook. Font now starting to get his jab working, and lands a leg kick. Lineker lands a left hook to the body. Lineker lands a right to the body then a left to the head. Font lands a couple of jabs. Lineker lands a leg kick, Font went down but got up quickly from that sweep. Font lands another jab, Lineker misses a couple of hooks. Lineker lands a couple of hooks to the body as Font circles. Lineker gets a takedown after reversing Font’s attempted double leg and lands in his half guard. Font able to kick him off and get up but he ate a couple of punches as he did so. Lineker lands a couple of more body shots. Font lands a knee in close but he’s letting Lineker close and land to his body with a bit too much regularity. Round ends with some circling.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Lineker

ROUND TWO: Font moving forward this round, Lineker lands a leg kick. Lineker lands a lunging left hook then another couple of leg kicks. Another leg kick from Lineker. Font lands a couple of jabs. Lineker lands a left to the body and Font has to circle away. Lineker still pushing forward, his aggression is starting to pay off. Font lands a leg kick. Font lands an uppercut, Lineker lands a bit of a right. Font lands another leg kick, Lineker wings a right to the body then a left to the head. He’s somewhat predictable with that combination but he’s landing more often than not when he throws it. Font lands a knee to the body. Font lands a leg kick. Lineker lands a left to the body. Lineker tries for a single leg, Font defends well and they separate. Font ducks a left and tries a double leg, Lineker able to get back up immediately. Font lands an uppercut after ducking a right. Lineker lands a leg kick. Font lands a hook kick to close the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Font, 19-19 overall

ROUND THREE: Touch of gloves for the last round. Lineker lands a couple of quick leg kicks. Font moving forward, lands a jab. Lineker lands a right to the body. Lineker lands another right to the body. Lineker lands a leg kick. Font succumbing to the pressure a little, he lands a quick combination. Lineker lands a couple of lefts, his punches are a little slower though. Lineker lands a left, Font slips and Lineker gets on top in his guard. Lineker lands a couple of lefts then passes to half guard. Lineker with a couple of knees to the chest of Font, Font able to kick him off and regain his feet. Font lands a leg kick but eats a right counter and Font drops to his butt, mostly off balance and Lineker is on top again. Lineker lands a couple of elbows. Lineker passes to half guard then to side control. Font able to get back to his feet and separate. Lineker lands a right to the body and a left and Font drops. Lineker on top again, lands a couple of blows from top position but he can’t get anything too damaging before time expires.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Lineker, 29-28 Lineker overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – John Lineker via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-26)

I can see a 10-8 third round, he did technically drop Font a few times. No interview for Lineker though.

Yancy Medeiros is 3-1 in his last four with that loss coming to Dustin Poirier and he’s coming off of a win over John Makdessi, a second consecutive win here would help him as he keeps trying to move up in the lightweight division. Francisco Trinaldo is riding a five fight winning streak and a sixth win here could see him crack the top fifteen for the first time in his career.

Lightweight Bout: Yancy Medeiros (12-3 1 NC, 156 lbs.) vs. Francisco Trinaldo (19-4, 156 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Medeiros has an inch of height but five and a half inches of reach on Trinaldo. Trinaldo fighting southpaw, Medeiros lands a body kick. Trinaldo grabs a quick takedown, gets the back standing then settles for a chest to chest clinch against the fence. Trinaldo fighting for a body lock takedown, Medeiros has an underhook and they start jockeying for position. Medeiros able to spin Trinaldo to the fence and starts looking for a single leg. Trinaldo able to spin Medeiros, lots of close fighting. They trade knees to the body as they keep battling for position. They separate without incident. Trinaldo lands an inside leg kick. Trinaldo lands a left and they clinch again. They break without incident. Medeiros misses a spinning kick. Trinaldo thinks about a takedown, bails and lands a right. Trinaldo lands a body kick. Trinaldo lands a left, then a left and a right. Counter right hook then a left land for Trinaldo. Trinaldo lands an inside leg kick and a left. Trinaldo lands a couple of hard lefts to the chin of Medeiros, Medeiros is rocked. Trinaldo lands another couple of lefts, Medeiros firing back but he’s eating a lot of punches as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Trinaldo

ROUND TWO: Touch of gloves for the second round. Trinaldo lands a body kick. Medeiros lands a body kick, Trinaldo lands a counter right. Trinaldo lands a counter left then a right hook and they clinch then break. Medeiros lands a couple of rights. Trinaldo lands a bit of a right but he’s tired, he may have punched himself out at the end of the first round. Trinaldo lands a couple of rights then a body kick. Trinaldo lands another left but Medeiros is starting to get going. They clinch again, Trinaldo lands a knee to the body then sprawls out of a takedown attempt, Trinaldo has the front headlock position. They stand and Trinaldo lands a head kick. Trinaldo lands another left, Medeiros has a heck of a chin because he’s been hit hard. Medeiros lands a right to the body. Trinaldo lands a body kick. Trinaldo lands a left to the body but he’s breathing heavily. Medeiros lands a right to the body. Medeiros lands a right, Trinaldo’s technique has basically gone out the window. Medeiros lands a right that drops Trinaldo but he wont be able to get any follow up before the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Medeiros, 19-19 overall

ROUND THREE: Touch of gloves for the final round. Medeiros moving forward, eats a counter right. Medeiros lands a jab. Trinaldo lands an inside leg kick. Trinaldo lands a left in close. Medeiros catches a kick and lands a left to the body. Trinaldo lands a left to the body then a left to the head. Trinaldo lands an overhand left. Hard body kick from Trinaldo lands. Trinaldo lands an overhand left that wobbles Medeiros. Trinaldo lands another couple of lefts and a big combination, Medeiros drops to a knee but fights back up and eats a hard left to the body. Trinaldo has a high kick blocked, Trinaldo lands another left and a right. Medeiros falls over again, Trinaldo lands in north/south position and lands some elbows and hammer fists. Medeiros trying to get a guard, Trinaldo keeps hitting him as he staggers to his feet. Medeiros still staggered, Trinaldo lands a left then a knee, another left. I don’t know how Medeiros is standing, Trinaldo pushes him over and lands in half guard and lands some more lefts. Medeiros back to his feet, I don’t know how he’s still in this. Trinaldo takes him down again and lands some more lefts from half guard. Trinaldo tries for an arm triangle but Medeiros able to roll to top position in the half guard of Trinaldo. Trinaldo to full guard, Medeiros lands an elbow. Medeiros ends the round by landing a few lefts from top position.

SCORECARD: 10-8 Trinaldo, 29-27 Trinaldo overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Francisco Trinaldo via unanimous decision (29-26, 30-27, 30-26)

Wait, 29-26 means Trinaldo got 10-8’s for both rounds 1 and 3. Huh, guess we’re rating knock downs heavily tonight and I don’t agree with Trinaldo getting all three rounds but a really fun fight. No interview for Trinaldo.

Nate Marquardt is a longtime MMA veteran but is just 2-5 in his last seven, and while he’s coming off of a win over CB Dollaway he needs a win here to remain relevant and avoid more talk of retirement. Thiago Santos is riding a three fight winning streak and a win here would be big as Marquardt is the most experienced fighter he’s faced and a finish would set him up nicely to move further up the middleweight ranks.

Middleweight Bout: Nate Marquardt (34-15-2, 186 lbs.) vs. Thiago “Marreta” Santos (12-3, 185 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Santos has two inches of reachon Marquardt though they are the same height. Santos will switch his stance frequently. Santos feinting and moving forward, lands an outside leg kick. Santos has a high kick blocked but that’s got a lot of power behind it. Santos misses a wheel kick. Santos lands a left body kick. Marquardt lands a leg kick. Santos lands an inside leg kick, Marquardt lands one of his own. Santos lands a left body kick. Santos lands a hard left when Marquardt missed a takedown attempt and Marquardt falls to his back, Santos on top now in Marquardt’s half guard. Santos lands a left as Marquardt regains his feet and they separate with a left to the body from Marquardt. Santos lands a left body kick that wobbled Marquardt and Santos is able to flurry until he falls and this one is over.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Thiago Santos via KO, body kick and punches, at 3:39 of Round 1

The First Round Finish Club thanks Mr. Santos for his contributions to the evening. Santos gets an interview along with the UFC’s translator. He congratulates the fans for getting this kind of event, says this is the land of Muay Thai and he had to win with a knockout here. Asked who he’d like next he mentions Michael Bisping and Derek Brunson along with Robert Whittaker but says he’ll fight whoever the fans want him to.

Matt Brown just broke a two fight losing streak but those losses were to Robbie Lawler and Johny Hendricks and he’s looking to move up the welterweight rankings here as unseating a man ranked above him here would certainly get him back towards title contention. Demian Maia is riding a four fight winning streak including wins over Neil Magny and Gunnar Nelson and a fifth consecutive win here would keep his name at the front of the logjam at the top of the welterweight division while a loss could set him back for the rest of the year.

Welterweight Bout: #8 Matt Brown (20-13, 171 lbs.) vs. #6 Demian Maia (22-6, 171 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Maia has an inch of height on Brown but Brown has three inches of reach on Maia. Maia fighting southpaw. Brown lands a right, Maia trying to back him into the fence. Maia reaches for a low single and Brown avoids it. Maia grabs a single leg and transitions to a double leg then gets Brown down against the fence. Brown trying to wall walk but gives up the back and Maia has one hook in and is looking for the second while Brown is leaning on the cage. Maia has the second hook in now and he’s in the backpack position. Brown being patient and hand fighting but he falls over and Maia has a body triangle now. Maia going for the choke, Brown keeping his arm from going under the chin. Maia using some punches now, just trying to open up the choke. Maia punching to open up the choke, Brown is stuck here but he’s defending well. Maia thinks about switching to an armbar, Brown reads it and is able to get on top in the guard of Maia. The round ends before Brown can do anything.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Maia

ROUND TWO: Brown misses a couple of punches, Maia tries a single leg but Brown defends and separates. Maia tries another single leg and drives Brown to the fence while looking for that takedown and trips Brown to the mat. Maia has the back again, just one hook though. Now both hooks in as Brown stands and Maia is a human backpack again. Maia has the body triangle and is looking for the choke. Maia bails on the body triangle and goes to hooks again then drops to standing an trips Brown down and has the back again. Maia has the body triangle again and is landing some punches. Brown is now looking for the ref to stand them up, not gonna happen from full back mount. Maia looking for the choke, Brown defending well so far. Brown to his knees, Maia rides him back to the mat. Maia still working short blows while working for the choke. Maia got an arm under the chin but Brown peeled it away quickly. Maia working some elbows now, he tries to go for an armbar with ten seconds left, Brown defends and the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-8 Maia, 20-17 Maia overall

ROUND THREE: Brown pushes forward early, sprawls on a couple of takedown attempts from Maia. Brown sprawls on another weak takedown, then has a high kick blocked. Maia lands a jab but fails on a takedown attempt and eats a left but as Brown tries to get on top Maia is able to get the clinch on the fence and pulls guard and hits a sweep to top position. Maia’s jiu-jitsu is so good. Maia has the legs mounted while Brown sits against the cage. Maia able to rotate Brown from the fence and flatten him out, Brown has double butterfly guard and tries to wall walk again. Brown back to his feet but Maia is on his back again with both hooks in. Maia with the body triangle again. Maia using lefts, still trying to open up the choke. Brown to a knee now, Maia digging for the choke but Brown survives again as he falls back to the mat. Maia lands some rights. Maia gets an arm under the chin and starts squeezing, Brown has to tap out.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Demian Maia via Submission, rear naked choke, at 4:31 of Round 3

That’s five in a row for Maia, who has the best jiu-jitsu at welterweight. Mic time for Maia. He says he’s ready to fight for the title, asks the jiu-jitsu community to send messages to the Zuffa brass letting them know they want to see him fight for the belt.

That wraps up the prelims, now to PPV for the main card. And because the UFC hates its fans we’ve got “Face the Pain” back. Seriously, get rid of that entirely. Don’t replace it with a crappy dub step remix, just pay someone to do good voice over narration for your opening video packages instead of this noise.

Bryan Barberena is 2-1 in the UFC and is coming off of a second round submission win over Sage Northcutt and tonight has a chance to build a UFC winning streak if he can unseat Warlley Alves. Warlley Alves is undefeated as a professional fighter including being 4-0 in the UFC and if he can get a fifth win tonight he’ll be set up for bigger things later this year.

Welterweight Bout: Warlley Alves (10-0, 170 lbs.) vs. Bryan Barberena (11-3, 170 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Barberena has an inch of height and half an inch of reach on Alves. Barberena fighting southpaw, they touch gloves to get things going. Alves lands a body kick then jumps for a guillotine quickly in the clinch, Barberena giving the thumbs up from the arm in guillotine position. Alves still holding the choke but Barberena seems comfortable and gets his head out then lands an elbow. Alves tries for the guillotine again, Barberena gets his head out and land some more punches while Alves wall walks to his feet and they’re in the clinch. Barberena working some knees to the thigh and Alves spins free then misses a wheel kick. Alves lands a right. Barberena lands an inside leg kick. Alves lands a body kick then a right and pushes into the clinch. Barberena lands a couple of short elbows as they break. Alves lands a right to the body and clinches again. Barberena lands an elbow and Alves lands a left to the body as they break. Barberena lands a short right. Alves misses a body kick. Alves lands a body kick, then another one. Alves really going after the body of Barberena. Alves lands a right and they clinch. Barberena defends a takedown and lands an elbow as they break. Barberena lands a hard inside leg kick. Barberena lands a body kick. Alves lands a right to the body and pushes into the clinch. Barberena lands some elbows before Alves pulls free of the clinch. Barberena lands a body kick then an inside leg kick. Alves might be a little gassed here. Barberena lands a knee and an elbow as they break then circle the last seconds away.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Barberena

ROUND TWO: Barbernea lands a leg kick, Alves lands a body kick but eats a counter right from Barberena. Alves lands a right but he’s slowing down visibly. Alves lands a body kick then lands a right as he gets to the clinch. Alves lands another body kick as they break. Alves lands a right. Alves lands another body kick. Barberena lands a leg kick. Alves lands a right, Barberena lands an inside leg kick. Barberena lands a stepping knee to the body. Alves lands a couple of jabs. Alves lands a right in close and gets the clinch. They break without incident. Alves lands a jab and another body kick. Barberena lands a body kick then jumps into the clinch with a missed flying knee. Barberena lands an elbow as they break. Barberena lands another body kick. Barberena lands a high kick, Alves just kind of standing against the fence. Barberena lands a couple of punches, he tags Alves with an uppercut then a hook and Alves is moving again. Alves lands a right, Barberena trying to suck him into a brawl and lands a left then they clinch. Barberena lands a couple of elbows as they break. Barberena lands another body kick. Barberena checks a leg kick as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Alves, 19-19 overall

ROUND THREE: Touch of gloves for the last round. Alves lands a body kick but eats a counter left. Alves misses a high kick, Barberena seems content to let him tire himself out early in the round. Barberena lands an inside leg kick. Barberena tries a jumping kick but slips, Alves has a front head lock as Barberena regains his feet against the fence and we’re in the clinch again. Barberena lands a couple of elbows and spins Alves to the cage. Barberena lands a couple of punches as they break. Alves plodding now. Barberena lands a body kick. Barberena lands a body to head combination of punches. Alves tries a flying knee but just lands in the clinch and Barberena lands a series of elbows. Alves lands a knee to the body. Barberena lands an elbow as they break. Alves lands a right, Barberena lands a couple of counters. Barberena lands a hard combination and they clinch then break. These two are just swinging at each other. Barberena lands a right to the body, he’s pushing forward on Alves. Barberena lands a left and a right, then another left. Alves lands a body kick. Barberena lands a couple of uppercuts, Alves lands a left then misses a wheel kick. Barberena lands a prolonged combination but Alves circles off of the cage. They just keep throwing to the finish of the fight.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Barberena, 29-28 Barberena overall, might go to Alves because Brazil though.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Bryan Barberena via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Good fight to kick off the PPV, mic time for Barberena now. He says he’s used to being the underdog but knows one of these times they’ll get it right and put him on top. He says he knew he’d outwork Alves and hopes the crowd liked the fight, thanks his camp, wife, and his kids. He mentions knowing he needed to go out there in the third round and work for it, he stumbles over pronouncing Curitiba and thanks the crowd for being supportive and for coming out to enjoy the fights.

Corey Anderson is riding a thee fight winning streak and on the back of that momentum has cracked the top fifteen, well that and the division being very weak right now, and tonight faces the biggest test of his young career. If Anderson can unseat a former champion and one of the greatest light heavyweights of all time he’ll move from prospect to contender. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua is a former light heavyweight champion in the UFC and a PRIDE Grand Prix winner, he’s universally regarded as one of the greatest fighters in that division but he’s just 2-4 in his last six fights and while he’s coming off of a win over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira he needs a win here to remain in the top of the division and relevant in the sport.

Light Heavyweight Bout: #12 Corey Anderson (8-1, 204 lbs.) vs. #8 Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (23-10, 205 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Anderson has two inches of height and three of reach on Rua. Anderson circling early, Rua misses a couple of leg kicks. Rua lands a leg kick. Anderson misses a right. Rua lands another leg kick then a bit of a counter uppercut. Anderson struggling to find the target here. Rua lands an overhand right and a left hook. Rua lands an uppercut then a leg kick. Another leg kick from Rua lands, Anderson is really unsettled. They clash and Rua covers up and defends a combination but they’re clinched now. Rua lands a knee to the body, Anderson lands one of his own. They break with a right from Anderson. Anderson lands a jab. Rua lands a left hook. Anderson lands a couple of hooks, these two are throwing some serious leather. Anderson lands a leg kick after missing a couple of punches. Anderson lands a good right. Rua lands a leg kick. Rua lands a left hook that wobbles Anderson, Anderson on his back but he’ll defend the hammerfists of Rua for the final couple of seconds.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Rua

ROUND TWO: Anderson looks to have recovered, and avoids a leg kick from Rua. They both swing wild hooks in close but none of them land clean. Rua lands a hard leg kick. Anderson has a couple of hooks blocked then lands a body kick. Anderson hits a double leg after ducking a punch from Rua and lands in his half guard. Rua gets to full guard, Anderson stands and tries to pass but Rua back to his feet against the fence and now defending a takedown from Anderson. They wind up in the clinch, Rua lands a knee to the body. Anderson lands a short left as they break. Anderson tries a double leg, switches to a single leg and gets Rua to the cage where they settle into the clinch. Rua lands a knee to the body. Anderson drops for a single leg, nothing doing and they break with Rua blocking a couple of punches. Rua lands an uppercut in close. Anderson lands a body kick. Both men miss rights. Anderson tries a double leg and finishes it but Rua wall walks immediately and they resume fighting in the clinch. They break without incident. Anderson lands a right in close. Rua stalking forward, lands a leg kick. Anderson lands a leg kick but Rua lands a counter right and Anderson slips, the round ends with Rua in the guard of Anderson.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Anderson, 19-19 overall

ROUND THREE: Anderson flashing the jab early in this round. Rua lands a leg kick. Anderson lands a bit of a left hook but Rua lands a counter right. Anderson shoots a double leg that stalls out on the fence. Anderson still trying for the takedown and is able to muscle Rua down and land in half guard. Rua able to get to full guard, Anderson lands an elbow. Rua to the fence and trying to wall walk, Anderson to the ride position and lands a knee to the thigh as Rua regains his feet and they separate. Anderson tries another double leg that hits the cage, Rua defends and Anderson drops for an ankle pick but Rua is back up immediately. Anderson trying for another takedown, Rua defending better now. Anderson just holding a single leg, Rua lands a knee to the body as Anderson comes back to the clinch. Anderson breaks free and lands a body kick. Anderson dives back into the clinch as time expires.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Anderson, 29-28 Anderson overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Mauricio Rua via split decision (28-29, 29-28 x2)

I don’t think that slip at the end of the second was enough for Rua to steal the second round, but that was the deciding round and I can see giving it to Rua based on that knockdown. Mic time for Rua. He says he knew Anderson would be tough but he’s here representing Curitiba and the tradition of fighting there. He puts over the city and fans again. Asked about what’s next for him, he says he’s a fulfilled man as he’s a twice over champion and keeps fighting because he loves it. He closes out the interview by dedicating the win to a couple of friends who recently passed away.

The UFC announces Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira as the first inductee in the UFC Hall of Fame this year. Well deserved.

Leslie Smith is coming off of a win over Rin Nakai but has been trading wins and losses in the UFC. Tonight Smith has a chance to score the biggest win of her career when she takes on a wrecking machine tonight, unseating one of the baddest women on the planet here would easily be the biggest win her life. Her opponent is Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino. Justino hasn’t lost since her pro debut in 2005, she was the Strikeforce featherweight champion and the current Invicta FC featherweight champion, she’s finished her last ten opponents, and finally makes her UFC debut tonight. A win here, despite it being a catchweight affair, would set her up for more super fights in the UFC in the future.

Catchweight (140 lbs.) Bout: Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino (15-1 1 NC, 139 lbs.) vs. Leslie Smith (8-6-1, 139 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Smith has an inch of height on Justino, but Justino has two inches of reach on Smith. Some circling to start, Justino probing with the jab then lands a right hand. Justino lands a couple of hooks in close. Justino lands a leg kick and a left. Justino lands a right to the body. Hard right to the body lands for Justino. Justino lands a couple of hooks, a body kick, then a right that drops Smith. Justino on top landing some rights, a few right hammer fists as Smith tried to roll and the ref waves this one off.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino via TKO, punches, at 1:21 of Round 1

The First Round Finish Club thanks Ms. Justino for her work this evening. Smith seems upset about the stoppage, seemed OK to me as she was getting pummeled. Mic time for Justino. She thanks everyone for coming out and that this is a dream come true then thanks Smith for taking the fight. Asked about what’s next for her she says she’s the Invicta champ and plans to defend that belt but is also free to take catchweight bouts in the UFC and she does plan to do both.

Vitor Belfort is 2-1 in his last three fights, both of those wins are over Dan Henderson and that loss was a title fight against then champion Chris Weidman. Belfort is fighting to keep his top ranking as well as get towards another title shot, and a definitive win here would make him nearly impossible to deny. Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza is coming off of a controversial split decision loss to Yoel Romero but had an eight fight winning streak going before that, and much like Belfort if he’s able to get a rebound win here he’d nearly be a shoe in for the next middleweight title shot.

Middleweight Bout: #3 Vitor Belfort (25-11, 185 lbs.) vs. #2 Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (22-4 1 NC, 186 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Souza is an inch taller than Belfort but Belfort has two inches of reach on Souza. Belfort fighting southpaw. They touch gloves to get us going. Souza moving forward early, Belfort circling. Souza lands a body kick. Souza tries to grab a leg but Belfort sprawls out of the attempt and they’re at distance again. Souza pushes into the clinch along the cage. They break without incident. Belfort still circling. Souza misses a right and tries a double leg, Souza able to pick an ankle and get Belfort down and land in half guard. Souza lands a couple of short elbows. More elbows and punches from Souza, Belfort is bleeding from what looks like the bridge of the nose. We get time for the doctor to check the cut. The cut isn’t bad and we’re good to continue, the ref restarts them on the ground in the correct position. Souza passes to side control Belfort scrambles, Souza misses an armbar attempt but Souza gets him on the fence again and lands a couple of short lefts from the clinch. Souza goes for another double leg and pulls Belfor tdown. Souza postures and lands some punches, eats an up kick then goes into the guard again. Souza passes to half guard, Souza’s in half guard and landing punches, now he’s in the mount and starting to tee off. Hard rights from Souza, he’s looking at the ref while landing punches and the ref decides he’s seen Belfort get punched enough.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza via TKO, strikes, at 4:38 of Round 1

The First Round Finish Club thanks Mr. Souza for his effort this evening. Mic time for Souza now. He thanks God for the win and says that anytime the UFC gives him a challenge he rises to it and improves on himself. Asked if he wants a title shot next he says he deserves a title shot, that he’s earned one. Asked what he’d do differently against Luke Rockhold, who beat him in Strikeforce, he says he’ll finish Luke Rockhold then mentions that one of the judges in that Rockhold fight was making his first ever appearance as a judge and gave Rockhold all five rounds which he call ridiculous, incidentally I concur with that sentiment.

Stipe Miocic is on a two fight winning streak and is 5-1 in his last six with that loss being a contested decision to Junior dos Santos, he rebounded by finishing Mark Hunt and Andrei Arlovski to earn this title opportunity tonight. Miocic has been touted as a top heavyweight for some time and tonight has his chance to claim the title. Fabricio Werdum is on a pretty great streak having won his last six fights including submitting Cain Velasquez to become the heavyweight champion, tonight is his first title defense and an absolutely critical one if he wants to continue to make his case as the best heavyweight in the history of the sport.

UFC Heavyweight Title Bout: (c) Fabricio Werdum (20-5-1, 240 lbs.) vs. #3 Stipe Miocic (14-2, 241 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Miocic has three inches of reach on Werdum despite both men being the same height. Touch of gloves to get things going. Miocic lands an inside leg kick then eats a left body kick from Werdum. Werdum lands a leg kick. Miocic lands a short right. Werdum lands a leg kick. Werdum lands a right then just slips a right from Miocic. Miocic lands a leg kick. Werdum lands a right then a body kick. Werdum grabs a single leg, Miocic defends and they separate. Miocic lands a right hand. Werdum lands a couple of weaker leg kicks. They trade leg kicks. They trade rights, Werdum rushes forward but Miocic lands a short counter right to the jaw and Werdum drops face first out cold!

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER and NEW UFC Heavyweight Champion – Stipe Miocic via KO, punch, at 2:47 of Round 1

The First Round Finish Club thanks Mr. Miocic for his effort, also BOOM… heavyweights. Mic time for the new champ, and that stadium is darn near silent. He thanks the fans for coming out, despite them rooting against him he says they’re amazing. He says Werdum is tough and puts him over but says he’s got a hell of a right hand and thanks God Werdum went down. He walks us through the finish, says Werdum was quicker than he expected but he practiced going backwards and doesn’t throw everything with power he just practices landing and that was a good shot. He says his family, his fiance, his coaches, they’re the reason he wanted to be a champion not for himself. He says those people sacrificed time and money on him and he’s happy it was worth it. He closes by saying he brought a title home to Cleveland.

Mic time for Werdum now. He says that tonight Miocic was the better man but he’ll be back and better than ever.

Alright everyone, that wraps up UFC 198. Thank you for being here and reading along, I know you’ve got choices about where to go for live coverage or reports and you choose this one. This event is going to be talked about tomorrow at 8pm eastern standard time on the 411 Ground and Pound radio show on the Radulich in Broadcasting Network. That show takes live callers at [phone] if you’ve got a question or comment you’d like to get addressed on the air. I’ll be back in two weeks for UFC Fight Night 88 on the 29th. I hope you’ll all be back for that, and until next time keep checking 411mania for all your pop culture needs.