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411’s UFC 202: Diaz vs. McGregor Report 8.20.16

August 21, 2016 | Posted by Robert Winfree

Hello everyone and welcome to 411mania’s LIVE coverage of UFC 202. I’m Robert Winfree and I’ll be your host for the evening. While you’re here please check out the Radulich in Broadcasting Network as it’s home to a variety of podcasts including the 411 Ground and Pound radio show Sunday’s at 8pm eastern standard time. Well UFC 202 is an interesting card, the main event is a rematch from an unexpected fight earlier this year between perennial top fifteen lightweight Nate Diaz and featherweight champion Conor McGregor that took place at welterweight and saw Diaz hand McGregor his first UFC loss. McGregor decided he wanted an immediate rematch under the same conditions and the UFC wasn’t about to turn down the chance to run one of their most commercially successful main events of all time a second time. McGregor is taking a real chance here as a second consecutive loss would do serious damage to his aspirations towards a second UFC title. Conversely Diaz has very little to lose as he’s not exactly in title contention based on merit and while a loss could hurt his drawing power he’s unlikely to lose out on a substantial payday further down the road because of it. The co-main event is incredibly relevant in the light heavyweight division as the number one and two contenders square off, both Anthony Johnson and Glover Teixeira are trying to get a second shot at the title and with the firepower those two bring this should be an action packed fight. Also fan favorite Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone tries to remain perfect at welterweight as he takes on top contender Rick Story. All in all not a bad night of fights. This event comes to us from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada with the usual PPV commentary team of Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan on commentary.

Alberto “Uda” Pereira lost his UFC debut but was undefeated before that fight and is looking to bounce back here and get his first UFC win. Marvin Vettori is making his UFC debut here and brings a five fight winning streak with him, a win here would naturally be the ideal way to get his UFC run going. Vegas odds have this one pretty close but favor the debutante Vettori at -170 with Pereira a +140 underdog.

Middleweight Bout: Alberto Uda (9-1, 185.5 lbs.) vs. Marvin Vettori (10-2, 185.5 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Uda has three inches of height as well as three and a half of reach on Vettori, he’s also a full decade older. Vettori fighting southpaw, and they touch gloves to get things going. Vettori lands a good left body kick and a bit of a left behind it. Uda lands a body kick of his own. Vettori lands another left and this time pushes into the clinch against the fence. Uda spins Vettori to the fence and hits a trip takedown into the seated position. Vettori immediately able to reverse that position and get on top and Uda gets a body triangle from the bottom. Vettori lands a couple of rights. Uda doing a good job defensively, Vettori doesn’t know how to posture through the body triangle and really get power into these strikes. Uda lands a couple of elbows from the bottom, one of those opened up Vettori. Vettori works the body a little, Uda bails on the body triangle and goes with a traditional guard now. Vettori stands and lands a couple of good lefts as he goes back into the guard. Hard left from Vettori, Uda tries to roll but Vettori grabs a guillotine choke in that transition and Uda has to tap out. That was the same side arm in variant of the guillotine, I’ve heard it called the bulldog variation.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Marvin Vettori via Submission, guillotine choke, at 4:30 of Round 1

The First Round Finish Club thanks Mr. Vettori for his work this evening. Buffer called that a head and arm guillotine during the announcement, I suppose we’ll go with that for now. I’m happy to know of any other names for that. Vettori has an interview now. He talks about his MMA grappling and puts over his sparring partners. He mentions working on that specific choke for the whole camp, and talks us through the sequence then finishes by speaking Italian then does his own translation saying he asked for a UFC event in Italy.

Colby Covington has an impressive 4-1 UFC record and is coming off of a win, he’s looking to build his second UFC winning streak here and possibly signal that he’s ready for a step up in competition next. Max Griffin is riding a two fight winning streak coming into his UFC debut here, a win over a recognized prospect like Covington would be a big announcement to the rest of the division about his potential and intentions. Covington is a substantial favorite at -325 while the comeback on Griffin stands at +250.

Welterweight Bout: Colby Covington (9-1, 171 lbs.) vs. Max Griffin (12-2, 170.5 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: These two are the same height but Griffin has a substantial four inch reach advantage. Covington fighting southpaw. Griffin flashing the jab early, Covington misses a high kick. Griffin lands a bit of a right, Covington lands a couple of body kicks. Covington and Griffin both land rights, these two are swinging early. Covington lands a body kick and Griffin then blocks a takedown attempt. Covington drops for a single leg and spins Griffin down and lands in side control. Griffin trying to hip sweep him, Covington moves into half guard to shut down his hips. Griffin to full guard now, eats a couple of punches along the way. Covington moves back to half guard, now side control but Griffin uses a kimura grip to roll and regain his feet. Covington still has the clinch and looks for a single leg against the fence, Griffin gets the double wrist lock for a moment but bails on that to try and stay upright. Covington pulls him down and quickly gets full mount. Griffin able to get to half guard, Covington mostly grappling, now lands a couple of short elbows. Covington lands a couple of lefts and an elbow. Covington passes to side control. Covington with some more blows, Griffin trying again to get back to guard but Covington is keeping the dominant position this time. Griffin able to get to half guard again, they trade elbows then Covington passe to side control again. Covington lands a couple of short elbows, Griffin is cut on the bridge of his nose. Griffin to half guard, Covington passes to full mount and lands a couple of elbows then tries to jump for an arm triangle choke as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Covington

ROUND TWO: Griffin flashing the jab again, Covington has a high kick blocked. Griffin lands a right, and sprawls out of a double leg then eats a left. They trade in close and Covington switches levels and gets a double leg takedown into side control. Covington has mount, now the ride position and he’s landing lefts while Griffin tries to wall walk but Covington smothers him. Griffin turtles up, Covington takes the ride position and lands some rights. Griffin trying to wall walk, Covington is all over him and landing short blows. Covington has one hook in, he’s just riding Griffin and beating him up here. Covington into full mount now and lands an elbow that immediately opens up a cut on the forehead of Griffin. Covington trying to set up the arm triangle choke, Griffin able to explode and get Covington out of mount but Covington is still on him and still working him over. Lefts from Covington, he’s in the ride position again and mauling Griffin. Griffin back up, Covington drags him back down immediately. Covington has one hook in form the back, more lefts. Griffin is just hanging on here but Covington is just abusing him. Covington lands some rights as he lets Griffin get back up. Covington lands a left as the round ends.

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

ROUND THREE: That cut was just above the right eyebrow of Griffin. Covington fires a couple of left high kicks that are blocked. Covington lands a left, Griffin defends the takedown attempt. Covington catches a leg kick and takes Griffin down. Covington has the back while Griffin is on a knee against the fence. Covington landing some lefts from the ride position. Covington with more lefts, Griffin just kind of laying there. If Covington puts a flurry together here he’ll get a finish but his lefts are very weak thus far. A few more arm punches from Covington and Griffin’s lack of movement finally prompts the stoppage.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Colby Covington via TKO, punches, at 2:18 of Round 3

Extremely one sided affair there. Mic time for Covington now. He says no one in the division can stay with his pace and that he’ll get the belt sooner or later. Asked about the animosity between the two of them, he says he just had to let Griffin know who the boss was. He puts over American Top Team and predicts that he’ll become the most well rounded fighter in the entire division.

This was originally set to be Neil Magny taking on Dong Hyun Kim, but Kim pulled out of the bout on July 12th with an injury and was replaced with Lorenz Larkin. Neil Magny is on a heck of a hot streak recently, going 10-1 in his last eleven fights with that lone loss being to contender Demian Maia and he’s coming off of an impressive stoppage win over Hector Lombard and is riding a three fight winning streak. A fourth consecutive win here, and over a fighter the caliber of Larkin, would virtually necessitate a top five opponent for him next. Lorenz Larkin is 3-1 in his last four, that loss to the skilled Albert Tumenov, and is coming off of a win over Jorge Masvidal. A win over the seventh ranked contender would be massive for Larkin, arguably the biggest of his career, and would likely get him into the top fifteen rankings. Vegas sees this fight as very close, Magny is a slight -135 favorite with Larkin a slight dog at +105.

Welterweight Bout: Lorenz Larkin (17-5 1 NC, 170.75 lbs.) vs. #7 Neil Magny (18-4, 171 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Magny has four inches of height and a massive seven and a half inches of reach on Larkin. Touch of gloves to start us off. Magny lands an inside leg kick and is flashing the jab. Both men will switch stances if necessary. Magny lands a jab, Larkin lands a leg kick. Larkin lands a straight right. Larkin lands a body kick that pushes Magny into the fence but Magny gets the clinch and they start jockeying for position. Magny misses an elbow as Larkin pulls free. Larkin again with a front kick to the body that puts Magny on his back for a moment. Larkin lands a right as they clinch, and an elbow. Larkin lands another elbow as they break, Magny just dodges a right. Magny lands a bit of a right, Larkin lands a couple of leg kicks. Larkin lands another couple of leg kicks, Magny is limping hard on that left leg now. Magny is actually bleeding from the calf from those kicks. Magny tries a takedown that fails miserably. Another leg kick from Larkin. They clinch again, minor correction that blood is from the shin of Larkin not his own. Magny tries to pull guard, Larkin able to get free quickly. Yeah that’s a massive gash on the shin of Larkin. Magny tries a single leg that stalls on the fence, Larkin with hard elbows to the head, Magny drops and the ref stops this one.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Lorenz Larkin via TKO, elbows, at 4:08 of Round 1

The First Round Finish Club thanks Mr. Larkin for his effort this evening. Larkin gets an interview now. Larkin says he’s happy with the win, he says he’s been fighting hard to prove himself in the UFC and this is the result. He thanks the fans for their support, and to those who don’t know who he is he’s here and “what’s up”. That wraps up Fight Pass fights, now to Fox Sports 1 for the remainder of the prelims.

Randa Markos has been trading wins and losses during her UFC tenure, going 2-2, but she’s coming off of a win over Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger and is looking to get her first UFC winning streak going. Cortney Casey has been talked about as a prospect in the division but just got her first UFC win her last time out, a win over a top fifteen opponent here would indicate she’s finally found her footing in the UFC and could be a player in the developing division. The odds here are again close, Markos favored by a slim margin at -145 while Casey’s comeback is set at +115.

Women’s Strawweight Bout: Cortney Casey (5-3, 116 lbs.) vs. #13 Randa Markos (6-3, 116 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Casey has three inches of height and three and a half of reach on Markos. Touch of gloves to start things off. Casey lands an inside leg kick. Casey circling a lot, lands a leg kick. Markos moving forward, both women trying to find the range with their punches. In the interest of full disclosure Comcast has been working in my area recently so my internet might flash on and off. And there it goes. Ugh, this is deeply frustrating. And as my internet returns I see Casey get an armbar from her back that forced the submission. Apologies for that guys.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Cortney Casey via Submission, armbar, at 4:34 of Round 1

The First Round Finish Club thanks Mrs. Casey for her work this evening. Mic time for Casey now. She puts over her husband as her jiu-jitsu coach for getting her ready and mentions she likes transitions. She mentions Markos is a little predictable with her head and arm throw and she was ready for that. She says she’s just happy to be here win or lose as long as the fans and management are happy.

If you missed it the first time, here’s the finish to that fight.

Artem Lobov made it all the way to the finals of The Ultimate Fighter‘s 22nd season where he lost to Ryan Hall. He then followed that up by losing to Alex White and is now hoping to get his first UFC win, avoid a three fight losing streak, and likely preserve his job. Chris Avila brings a three fight winning streak into his UFC debut and could extend that streak to four and get the all important first UFC win here. The odds makers are calling this one pretty close, Lobov stands at a -130 favorite while the return currently sits with Avila at +100.

Featherweight Bout: Chris Avila (5-2, 146 lbs.) vs. Artem Lobov (11-12-1 1 NC, 144.5 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Avila has an inch of height and seven of reach on Lobov. Lobov fighting southpaw. Avila circling early, Lobov trying to walk him down. Lobov misses a couple of punches and they clinch. Lobov breaks free and wings a left to the body. Avila lands a body kick. Lobov switches to orthodox and lands a couple of leg kicks and returns to southpaw. Lobov lands a hard body kick. Avila seems a little out of sorts here. They clinch and break without incident. Avila misses a right, they clinch again and break without anything happening. Lobov lands a bit of a left. Lobov lands a leg kick. Avila lands a jab. Lobov with another leg kick, he seems to like the orthodox stance now. Another leg kick from Lobov lands, those are starting to add up. Another leg kick from Lobov, he’s hammering that leg and Avila is doing nothing about it. Avila just slips a left. They both miss a couple of punches. Avila really struggling to accomplish anything. Lobov lands a couple more leg kicks. They clinch again and break without anything happening. Lobov lands a left body kick. They clinch again, Avila with some short rights in the clinch as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Lobov

ROUND TWO: Lobov lands another leg kick to start the second round. Lobov with more leg kicks. Lobov backing Avila up, they clinch again and Lobov gets Avila on the fence. They break without incident. Lobov lands a left to the body. Avila pushes into the clinch, Lobov breaks free. Avila lands a one two combination and an inside leg kick. Lobov lands a leg kick. Avila lands a bit of a jab. Lobov lands a leg kick but really, this fight is putting the crowd to sleep. They clinch again, and break as Lobov avoids a right. Avila misses an overhand right, and they clinch then separate. Avila reaches for a takedown, Lobov avoids it easily and lands a leg kick. Another leg kick from Lobov. Avila misses a right after dodging a left. Lobov with another leg kick. Lobov lands a left. They’re insulting each other now, and clinch again then break with a left from Avila. Avila ducks a left, lands a bit of a right to the body. Lobov lands another leg kick. Lobov clinches Avila, eats a knee to the body to close the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Lobov, 20-18 Lobov overall

ROUND THREE: Lobov moving forward again, eats a leg kick but lands a bit of a left hook. Lobov lands a leg kick. Avila avoids a side kick and lands a right. Lobov lands another leg kick. Lobov with another leg kick. They clinch briefly, jockey for position then separate. Avila misses a right. Avila misses a right, Lobov lands a left to the body. They clashed heads during that exchange and Lobov is cut on the hairline. The doctor is in to check the cut, it’s a nothing cut and we’re back to fighting but Lobov is bleeding now. Avila lands a right to the body. Lobov lands a leg kick. Avila has a high kick blocked. Lobov lands a knee to the body and another leg kick. Avila with a weak inside leg kick. Lobov tries a high kick but slips to his back and Avila is on top now. Lobov uses the threat of a leg attack to regain his feet. Lobov lands a left body kick. And they’re clinched again, and they break without anything happening. Avila lands a bit of a right. Lobov ducks a left, and misses a right, then misses a wheel kick as time expires.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Lobov, 30-27 Lobov overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Artem Lobov via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

Why couldn’t my internet have died during that fight instead? For some reason Lobov gets an interview, I’m assuming it’s just because he trains with McGregor because that fight sucked. He says that in times of war his brothers never let him down. He mentions that Nate Diaz has said before he doesn’t like fighting on the same card as his teammates so he was happy to give that team a loss then predicts McGregor over Diaz in the third round. I want the last 18 minutes of my life back.

Raquel Pennington has a two fight winning streak going, her first in the UFC, and is trying to climb the ranks of the bantamweight division despite her somewhat uneven start in the promotion. A three fight winning streak for Pennington here would likely get her a more recognizable opponent next and continue her ascent up the rankings. Elizabeth Phillips is 1-2 in the UFC, she last fought in July of last year when she defeated Jessamyn Duke and is trying to pull her UFC record to an even 2-2 here and knock off a top ten opponent. Phillips is a pretty hefty underdog though at +210 while Pennington is favored at -270.

Women’s Bantamweight Bout: #8 Raquel Pennington (7-5, 135.5 lbs.) vs. Elizabeth Phillips (5-3, 134 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Pennington has an inch of height and two and a half of reach on Phillips. Pennington moving forward early, Phillips lands a leg kick. Both women also flashing the jab, looking to get a feel for the range. Phillips lands another leg kick. Phillips circling a lot early, misses a one two combination. Phillips lands a leg kick. Pennington lands a jab and they clinch with Pennington on the fence. Phillips lands a knee to the body, Pennington returns it. Phillips lands an elbow. Pennington lands a right to the body. They’re still jockeying for position, Pennington lands a knee to the body. Phillips lands a knee to the body, Pennington lands one as well. More knees going back and forth. They separate with a knee from Pennington. Pennington resumes moving forward, they trade jabs. Phillips just misses a right, they clinch again on the cage. Pennington hits a double leg against the cage. Phillips sitting on the fence and wall walks, she’s holding a guillotine position and jumps to standing guard and squeezes for a few seconds, she bails on that and they trade briefly in the clinch to close the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Pennington

ROUND TWO: Pennington moving forward again, eats a leg kick but lands a bit of a counter right. They clinch again and Pennington gets Phillips on the fence. Phillips spins Pennington to the cage, eats a knee for her trouble then lands a knee to the body. Phillips drops for a single leg, Pennington goes to her butt but has a bit of a guillotine grip. That grip is around the jaw not around the neck and Phillips is on top in half guard against the fence. Pennington trying to adjust her grip, Phillips passes to side control and Pennington bails on that. Pennington back up against the fence but still in the clinch. Pennington lands a knee to the body, Phillips trying for another takedown but Pennington defends and gets Phillips on the fence. Pennington lands a bit of an elbow. Pennington lands a knee to the body. Phillips goes for another single leg takedown but Pennington stays upright. Phillips switches to a double leg, she just can’t finish these attempts. Phillips finally gets Pennington to a knee but Pennington is back up immediately and lands a knee to the body. Pennington gets the back standing, lands a right and hits a suplex into side control. Pennington lands short elbows as the clock runs down.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Pennington, 20-18 Pennington overall

ROUND THREE: Phillips tries a jab that’s blocked. Pennington lands an inside leg kicks and resumes walking Phillips down. Phillips lands a front kick to the body. They both land jabs, Pennington follows up with another jab and a right then they clinch again. Pennington lands a knee to the body as she pushes Phillips into the cage. Pennington hits a double leg and quickly mounts the legs while Phillips sits on the fence. Phillips rolls to her knees and Pennington has the back now without hooks. Pennington gets one hook in. Pennington looking for the second hook, Phillips is fighting that off but Pennington gets it in. Pennington now digging for the choke, Phillips trying to defend. Pennington transitions to full mount and lands a couple of punches then grabs an arm triangle as Phillips spins into top position but Pennington doesn’t have the necessary physical squeeze and Phillips is in her guard now. Phillips lands a couple of rights. Pennington goes for a triangle choke, Phillips postures out of it and lands a right. Pennington up to a knee against the fence, Phillips can’t keep her down and we’re in the clinch again. Pennington lands a knee to the body. Pennington drops for another double leg, Phillips remains upright and they trade some short blows in the clinch as time expires.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Pennington, 30-27 Pennington overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Raquel Pennington via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

Well that was certainly a fight. No interview for Pennington.

Cody Garbrandt is unbeaten as a professional, including being 4-0 in the UFC with three of those wins coming via stoppage due to strikes. Garbrandt earned a top ten berth after his first round knockout win over Thomas Almeida and tonight he’s looking to continue that impressive run and potentially stake a claim for a title shot in the immediate future. Takeya Mizugaki is a longtime veteran of the sport but he just recently snapped a two fight losing streak when he defeated George Roop, a win over the newly minted contender Garbrandt would be huge for his career and be very timely as if he wants to make another run towards the title he’s rapidly running out of time to do so at age 32. Garbrandt is a massive -500 favorite while Mizugaki’s comeback is set at +350.

Bantamweight Bout: #8 Cody Garbrandt (9-0, 136 lbs.) vs. #11 Takeya Mizugaki (21-9-2, 136 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Garbrandt is an inch taller but Mizugaki has a three inch reach advantage. And my internet goes out again, great. I’d love to call Comcast and complain, but my phone line is with them too so I can’t. I come back and the fight is over after just 48 seconds.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Cody Garbrandt via TKO, punches, at :48 of Round 1

Mic time for Garbrandt who says he respects Mizugaki as a veteran and knew he had to get him out of the way early. Garbrandt talks us through the finish, which looks nice on replay. He’s asked about fight Dominick Cruz for the belt, he says he beat Mizugaki faster than Cruz did and wants to break Cruz’s jaw. That’s going to wrap up preliminary action, now to PPV. Oh, we’re reviving the old tradition of Joe Rogan and UFC President Dana White yelling into the camera to puy the PPV before we leave FS1.

Here’s the finish, which I appreciate since I freaking missed the entire fight.

This fight is another replacement as Tim Means was originally set to fight Sean Strickland but Strickland pulled out of the fight on the 5th of this month and Means now faces a promotional new comer. Tim Means is 6-2 in his last eight fights, those losses coming to top contenders Neil Magny and Matt Brown, and is coming off of a win over John Howard and will be looking to build a new UFC winning streak and climb back towards a top fifteen ranking. Sabah Homasi is making his UFC debut here and brings wins in his last three fights with him, an impressive win over the UFC veteran Means would easily be the biggest win of his career and would make an immediate impression on the fans. Vegas doesn’t like his chances though, Means is a whopping -400 favorite with Homasi’s comeback set at +300.

Welterweight Bout: Sabah Homasi (11-5, 170.5 lbs.) vs. Tim Means (25-7-1, 171 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Means has two inches of height and three of reach on Homasi. Means fighting southpaw, he’s backing up Homasi early. Means lands a counter left after eating a body kick. Homasi lands an outside leg kick. Means lands another left, Homasi lands another leg kick. Means lands a left in close and a knee to the head, Homasi gets a takedown though and lands in the guard of Means. Means trying to wall walk, eats a couple of short lefts but is up and breaks free of the clinch. Means lands a body kick. Homasi avoids a left and lands a bit of a right uppercut. Means still the aggressor. They clinch again, Means gets Homasi on the cage. Means lands an elbow as they separate. They trade in close, both men are swinging but Means is landing more and Homasi is already breathing heavy. Means lands a body kick. Homasi hits a double leg against the fence but Means starts elbowing his arm and regains his feet and lands another elbow that opens up Homasi. Means lands a stiff jab. Means lands another elbow in close, and a body kick as Homasi tries to circle away. Means still walking him down, he’s really starting to open up with his offense. Means digs hard shots to the body against the fence, and a knee and an elbow to close out the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Means

ROUND TWO: Means back to offense quickly, he’s got Homasi on the fence yet again. Means lands a couple of jabs. Means lands an elbow in close, he’s just waiting for his opening. Means lands a front kick to the body. Means lands another body kick, Homasi is in full on survival mode and lands a body kick. Means lands a body kick and starts teeing off along the fence. Homasi still trying to move. Means lands a couple of knees to the body and a right. Means lands a hard right in combination against the fence. Means lands a left. Hard combination lands for Means, Homasi’s face is a bloddy mess. Means lands another combination and gets the standing TKO win.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Tim Means via TKO, punches, at 2:56 of Round 2

Nice way to get the PPV going. Mic time for Means now. He says he’s thankful for Homasi taking the fight on short notice and he’s just happy to have had that fight come about. He says he’s both proud and happy to be in the UFC, mentions the full time job he took recently while he had issues with USADA and is just happy to be back in the UFC.

Hyun Gyu Lim was supposed to fight Sultan Aliev in the next fight, but Aliev got injured and withdrew from the fight on August 3rd and was replaced by the debuting Mike Perry. Hyun Gyu Lim is 3-2 in the UFC but is coming off of a loss to Neil Magny and needs to get a win here to avoid his first UFC losing streak and reestablish himself as a top shelf fighter. Mike Perry is unbeaten as a professional fighter and has a big opportunity here, if he can knock off a recognizable fighter like Lim in his debut appearance he’ll announce himself as a prospect that deserves attention in a stacked division. The odds are with the UFC veteran Lim at -260 with the debuting Perry’s underdog status set at +200.

Welterweight Bout: Hyun Gyu Lim (13-5-1, 171 lbs.) vs. Mike Perry (6-0, 169 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Lim has five inches of height and six of reach on Perry. Lim looks a full weight class larger than Perry. Lim lands a jab, Perry just misses a right. Perry lands a leg kick but eats a counter right. Perry lands a leg kick, Lim content to close distance. Perry lands another leg kick. Lim lands a counter right. Lim catches a leg kick and lands a right uppercut. Perry clearly trying to stick and move on the larger fighter. Lim lands a right uppercut but gets dropped with a wide left hook and Perry drops into Lim’s half guard. Lim tries to sweep but Perry gets to side control and has the mounted crucifix now. Perry with short rights, Lim trying to buck and is able to roll to his knees and regain his feet. Perry lands a leg kick, Lim lands a right uppercut cut, another uppercut but again Perry reads it and lands a counter left that drops Lim. Perry on top trying to swarm for the finish, Lim trying to control his posture but Perry is in side control again. Lim able to regain his feet, Perry lands another left that drops Lim and a couple more follow up blows on the mat prompts the stoppage.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Mike Perry via TKO, punches, at 3:38 of Round 1

The First Round Finish Club thanks Mr. Perry for his work this evening. Mic time for Perry, who just cashed in big time. He says he’s not here to make friends but he’s here to win. He puts over Lim and says “God bless America”. He talks us through some of those left hooks, he says he was reaching too far back on those and needs to clean that up then says his left felt like Mike Tyson’s, who is sitting cage side. He closes by telling the rest of the welterweight division he’s coming for them.

Top fifteen welterweights clash next. Rick Story is riding a three fight winning streak that seems to indicate he’s finally found consistency after struggling to get wins in a row and remain injury free plagued him over the last few years. Story is looking to extend that streak and beat arguably the biggest name he’s faced to date as a win over Donald Cerrone would likely secure him a higher ranked opponent next as he tries to get into title contention. Donald Cerrone has looked great since moving up to welterweight having won both of his fights there, in fact his only losses dating all the way back to 2013 are to Rafael dos Anjos, and if he can take out a top ten contender like Story he’ll have to be considered not just an exciting addition to the division but a potential title contender as well. The odds favor Cerrone by a slim margin, just -130 while Story stands at +100.

Welterweight Bout: #14 Donald Cerrone (30-7 1 NC, 170 lbs.) vs. #9 Rick Story (19-8, 171 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Cerrone has four inches of height and two of reach on Story. Touch of gloves, Story fighting southapw. Story just misses a left, Cerrone circling and lands a leg kick. Cerrone hits a double leg into the guard of Story. Story has half rubber guard, bails on that and sweeps to his feet then looks for a takedown against the cage. Story bails on the takedown attempt and settles for the clinch. Story hits a trip takedown into the guard of Cerrone. Cerrone tries an omo plata, tries to switch to a triangle choke but Story postures out of it and passes to side control. Cerrone rolls to his knees, Story in the ride position now. Story lands a right. Story lands a hard knee to the body. Cerrone to his feet and they separate. Story lands a bit of a body kick. Story lands an inside leg kick, Cerrone lands a knee to the body. Story lands a body kick and a left. Cerrone lands a leg kick. Story lands an inside leg kick. Story lands a left to the body but eats a couple of counters from Cerrone. Cerrone lands a body kick. And a leg kick from Cerrone. Story lands a body shot, they trade body kicks. Story lands a counter left and a body kick, Cerrone hits a one two combination to close the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Cerrone but a close round

ROUND TWO: Story misses a one two combination to start the round. Cerrone has a high kick blocked. They trade in close after Cerrone avoids a takedown. Cerrone lands a knee to the body. Story lands a left to the body. Cerrone lands a couple of rights in close quarters. Story isn’t closing distance here, and Cerrone is starting to pick him apart from the outside. Cerrone lands a leg kick. Inside leg kick from Cerrone, Story just seems stuck in second gear. Cerrone lands a leg kick. Hard couple of punches and a head kick land for Cerrone, he’s got Story hurt and swarms him for the finish.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Donald Cerrone via TKO, head kick and punches, at 2:02 of Round 2

Give me Cerrone vs. Robbie Lawler next. You know you want to see it. Cerrone on the mic now. He says he performed well because Dana White let him ride his motorcycle all week. He puts over his coaches, then jokes that he’s got a date at lightweight with Eddie Alvarez, a man he beat, who’s holding something for him. He assures us all he can make lightweight without issue and that he wants his title shot.

The top two contenders in the light heavyweight division square off next. Anthony Johnson is 4-1 since returning to the UFC, that loss was a late notice change of opponents against Daniel Cormier for the title, and he’s riding a two fight winning streak. A third win here, over the man immediately below him in ranking no less, should guarantee a title shot for him pending the resolution of the Jon Jones situation. Glover Teixeira is looking to take that top contender spot from Johnson, he’s on a three fight winning streak and has fought for the title in the past. If Teixeira can take out Johnson he’ll all but secure another crack at the light heavyweight title next. Johnson is the favorite at -200 while Teixeira’s comeback is set at +160.

Light Heavyweight Bout: #1 Anthony Johnson (21-5, 205.5 lbs.) vs. #2 Glover Teixeira (25-4, 205.5 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: These two are the same height but Johnson has two inches of reach on Teixeira. Touch of gloves to get things going. Both men throw rights, Johnson lands an uppercut, Teixeira flops to his back and loses math.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Anthony Johnson via KO, punch, at :13 of Round 1

Boom! Light Heavyweights! The First Round Finish Club thanks Mr. Johnson for his work this evening. Teixeira was out cold for several seconds, came too and tried to take down the referee. That was violent and fast. Mic time for Johnson now. He thanks Teixeira for being a professional and showing the world what professional athletes are like. He says professionals don’t need trash talk or bottles being thrown, they just come out and do the damn thing. He walks us through the finish, joking that “damn, I can fight”. Rogan sets up a call out of the champion, he says he’s working hard to get to the title then finds Cormier in the crowd and points him out and says “you the man, but I’m coming for you”. He gets on the crowd for booing Cormier, they respond with cheers, and reiterates he’s coming for the belt.

Here’s that finish, if you’d like to revisit it.

Conor McGregor is the UFC featherweight champion, though this fight is at welterweight, and is coming off of his first loss in over six years when he was choked out by Nate Diaz earlier this year. McGregor is looking to rebound from that setback here and even the score with Diaz. Nate Diaz is riding a two fight winning streak, his first in the UFC since 2012, and coming off of the highest profile win of his career when he defeated McGregor. If Diaz can duplicate that result here he’ll have made himself one of the premier attraction fighters in the UFC and will be able to virtually call his next shot. Despite coming off of that loss to Diaz McGregor is the slight favorite at -135 while the odds on Diaz repeating are set at +100.

Welterweight Bout: Conor McGregor (19-3, 168 lbs.) vs. Nate Diaz (19-10, 170.5 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Diaz has three inches of height and two of reach on McGregor. Both men are southpaws, McGregor will likely switch his stance. McGregor lands a couple of leg kicks. McGregor slowly backing Diaz up along the fence. McGregor lands a leg kick. Another leg kick from McGregor. Another leg kick, McGregor actually has a game plan this time it seems. Diaz checks a leg kick. Diaz lands an inside leg kick. McGregor lands a right to the body and a left to the head. McGregor lands a left that drops Diaz for a moment, Diaz back up quickly. McGregor lands a leg kick. Diaz jabs the body. Another leg kick from McGregor. Another leg kick from McGregor. McGregor lands a left and a leg kick. McGregor doing a good job of sticking and moving. McGregor with another leg kick, Diaz backing up towards the fence and circling. McGregor lands a body shot and a leg kick. Diaz lands a bit of a jab but he’s struggling with the kicks. Another leg kick from McGregor. McGregor just misses a left after landing a jab, settles for a leg kick. Diaz misses a right. McGregor lands another leg kick. Diaz tries a slow wheel kick that misses. McGregor lands a counter left and a follow up right. They trade jabs then McGregor lands a left to close the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 McGregor

ROUND TWO: McGregor back on offense, Diaz checks a leg kick. McGregor lands a leg kick. Diaz gets dropped with a left, McGregor makes him stand again. Another leg kick from McGregor. Diaz lands a jab, McGregor lands a counter left. A straight left from McGregor drops Diaz, Diaz back up again. Diaz bleeding from what looks like the bridge of his nose. McGregor making Diaz miss now, avoid the one two combinations. Another leg kick from McGregor. Diaz lands a bit of a jab. McGregor misses a left and eats a counter jab. McGregor goes back to the leg kick. Diaz moving forward now, lands a jab and eats a right to the body. McGregor dodges a hook and lands a left. McGregor’s technical game looks on point here and he’s out working Diaz. Diaz jabs the body. Another leg kick from McGregor, and another one. Diaz moving forward now, lands a hook. Diaz lands a left in close, McGregor tries to circle away from him. Diaz lands an uppercut in close. McGregor lands to the body. Diaz starting to come on strong, lands a couple of good punches and gets the clinch. Diaz lands some lefts to the body and head and they trade in the clinch. They finally separate, Diaz lands a jab and fades a counter left. Diaz pushes into the clinch again where the round will come to a close.

SCORECARD: 10-9 McGregor, 20-18 McGregor overall

ROUND THREE: McGregor lands a leg kick to start the third round. McGregor might be fading, Diaz moving forward now. Diaz lands a hard one two combination and gets the clinch. Diaz with knees to the thigh, McGregor able to spin him into the fence. They jockey for position again, Diaz has McGregor on the fence. McGregor lands an elbow, Diaz lands a right hook as they break. McGregor lands a left and a leg kick. Another left from McGregor lands. Diaz backing up now. McGregor with a right to the body. Diaz pushing in on McGregor now, eats a left but doesn’t care. Diaz catches a kick and gets the clinch on the fence. Diaz working the body while he’s got McGregor on the fence. Diaz drops for a double leg, McGregor defends and lands an elbow then spins Diaz into the cage. Diaz spins McGregor but McGregor separates and eats a combination. McGregor walking away, Diaz walking him down and still throwing. McGregor lands a couple of leg kicks. Diaz lands a jab. McGregor lands a leg kick but eats a counter right hook. Diaz lands a couple of jabs. Diaz lands a good one two combination and gets the clinch again. Diaz lands a combination to the body, and up stairs as well, he’s trying to flurry this fight out. Diaz to the body again, he’s trying for the finish but McGregor survives until the end of the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Diaz, borderline 10-8, 29-28 McGregor overall

ROUND FOUR: Diaz jabs the body to start things off. McGregor lands a good one two combination. McGregor lands a leg kick, Diaz lands a couple of jabs. Diaz bleeding from the cheek now on his right side. They both land in close, Diaz using volume as they get close. McGregor lands a leg kick, those might finally be paying off for him. McGregor lands a right to the body. Diaz lands a left and a jab, McGregor lands a left. McGregor might have found his second wind. They clinch on the fence, Diaz tries a double leg but McGregor defends it. Diaz with some body work in the clinch and now lefts to the head. McGregor lands an elbow, Diaz fires one of his own. Diaz with more body work, McGregor able to spin Diaz into the cage. McGregor lands a couple of punches as they break. Diaz lands a left. Diaz lands a jab. McGregor lands a leg kick and they clinch then separate. They both miss jabs then clinch again. They break, McGregor lands a left to the body. McGregor lands a counter left. Diaz slips a left. McGregor slips a jab, they both hit the body in close and Diaz slips to the mat as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 McGregor, 39-37 McGregor overall

ROUND FIVE: McGregor lands a leg kick and starts circling. They both land, McGregor lands a knee to the body then Diaz gets the clinch on the fence. Diaz with some body shots, McGregor able to spin him and land some rights as they break. Diaz’s face is a mess but he’s still walking forward. McGregor lands a leg kick. They clinch again, Diaz gets McGregor on the fence. Diaz drops for a double leg, he tries but can’t complete it. They break with a combination from Diaz. McGregor walking away from Diaz, he’s tired but still fighting. They trade body shots, Diaz misses a left. Diaz gets McGregor on the fence, lands a couple of punches and some hard body shots. Diaz lands an elbow. Diaz with more body work, tries another double leg but still can’t finish it. Diaz still has McGregor on the fence and is working him at every opportunity. Diaz misses an elbow and McGregor is able to spin him into the cage. McGregor tries a trip, Diaz back up immediately and spins McGregor into the cage. Diaz with some rights to the body and head. Diaz finally hits a takedown into the guard of McGregor. Diaz lands some ground and pound as time runs down and we’re going to the score cards.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Diaz, 48-47 McGregor overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Conor McGregor via majority decision (47-47, 48-47 x2)

Round 3 could have been 10-8 for Diaz, no issues with the scoring really. McGregor says he’s not surprised, aping Diaz from the first time. He says he proved he was a class above Diaz but Diaz’s toughness and competitiveness let him stick around. He talks about having to be smart in the third round and let the blows roll off of him, he says it’s 1-1 with Diaz now and he wants the rubber match at lightweight.

Diaz on the mic now. He says he thought he won the fight but he’s too real for the sport so they can’t have him win. He says McGregor should have finished him as he was injured and wants the third fight with McGregor. He says good job to McGregor but he wants the third fight. He says he wont fight until he gets McGregor again, puts over his coaches and his older brother who wasn’t allowed in the building by the NSAC.

Alright everyone, that was a pretty entertaining way to close out the night. Thanks for being here guys, I appreciate it and know you’ve got all kinds of choices when it comes to MMA coverage and am perpetually humbled by your patronage. As mentioned above this is the first of nine consecutive weeks of action, so I’ll be back next week for UFC on FOX 21: Condit vs. Maia. We’ll be talking about tonight’s action and previewing that FOX card this Sunday at 8pm eastern standard time on the 411 Ground and Pound radio show which takes callers at (323) 657-0901 if you’ve got a question or comment you’d like on the air. I’ll see you all next week, thanks again for being here, and until next time keep checking 411mania for all your pop culture needs.