Live Now! UFC Vegas 98 ‘Royval vs. Taira’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

The
Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to its homebase of Las
Vegas Saturday at 4 p.m. ET with
UFC Vegas 98. The event is also known as
UFC Fight Night 244.

BETTING
PREVIEW | SCOUTING
REPORT | ODDS: Carpenter (-192), Rocha (+160)

Round 1

It’s fight time again. The Apex plays host to a dozen matchups of
varied intrigue, with little in the way of immediate title stakes
outside of the main attraction. That does not preclude plenty of
frenzied violence and thrilling action, as anything is possible
tonight. Combat commences in the flyweight division, as unbeaten
Carpenter (7-0, 1-0 UFC) looks to stave off surging newcomer Rocha
(17-1, 0-0 UFC) in what should be a wild one. Referee Mark Smith is
prepped and ready to handle the speedy combatants, who come
together to bump fists. Rocha moves straight to the driver’s seat,
pressuring forward only to dodge a pair of jabs flying at his face.
Rocha jabs out with a foot, and he wings a right hand over the top.
When Carpenter kicks low, Rocha rails the body with a kick. Smith
calls time to warn Rocha for his outstretched fingers, and they get
back to quick one-after-another striking. Carpenter rushes into a
brawl, and the Brazilian obliges him as the two trade hands,
absorbing clean strikes and giving them back in volume. Rocha slows
things down by hunting for a jump knee, and Carpenter backs off and
suddenly blitzes forward to tackle Rocha to the mat. Carpenter
lands in half guard, and Rocha scrambles madly but cannot get the
American off of him. Carpenter lashes out with an elbow that rips
Rocha’s left eyebrow wide open, and he gets pulled back to the
guard briefly. Blood leaks down Rocha’s face and into his eye, and
he remains nullified with Carpenter’s effective heavy shoulder
pressure. Carpenter postures up again to bean Rocha again with
another powerful elbow, and the mat around the fighters is quickly
gaining stains that will never be cleaned. “Fenomeno” fights off an
arm-triangle setup and bucks his hips at the right time to sit up,
and Carpenter meets him every step of the way and keeps him stuck
thanks to a front choke. Carpenter bowls Rocha to his back again,
where he claims full mount briefly. Rocha shifts his hips to pull
Carpenter to half guard, but he absorbs another elbow or two in the
process. Rocha thinks about a leglock off his back, and Carpenter
sees it coming and rains down offense to break it up. The unbeaten
fighter keeps jackhammering elbows down, causing additional damage
on Rocha’s nose, and the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Carpenter
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Carpenter
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Carpenter

Round 2

The doctors are able to temporarily stifle the bleeding of Rocha’s
eyebrow between rounds, but a few strikes may restart the flow.
Rocha, knowing a trigger-happy doctor might wave things off, starts
out even more aggressively than the last round. Rocha walks through
several jabs that open him up further, rushing after Carpenter to
throw wild strikes and tag the unbeaten man with a knee. Carpenter
sweeps the leg with a kick, and he catches Rocha coming in with a
few body kicks. Carpenter mixes in a takedown, crashing through the
hips with a double-leg takedown to plant Rocha on his seat. As
Rocha tries to recover, Carpenter spins around to take the
Brazilian’s back and hook in a body triangle. Rocha pushes off the
fence with his foot, but Carpenter is more occupied with hunting
down a rear-naked choke.
The forearm slides beneath the chin and is immediately tight, but
Rocha is insanely tough and grits it out. Rocha fights the hands,
even landing a few strikes from behind his own head, but the choke
is not going anywhere. As Carpenter sits up slightly to squeeze
with all his might, Rocha’s hands go limp and he loses
consciousness. Smith recognizes this instantly and
breaks them up, with Carpenter standing up triumphantly to check
his hair. This is a solid win for the still-unbeaten Carpenter, who
becomes the first man to submit his opponent.

The Official Result

Clayton Carpenter def. Lucas Rocha R2 2:12 via Technical Submission
(Rear-Naked Choke)

BETTING
PREVIEW | SCOUTING
REPORT | ODDS: Haddon (-185), Argueta (+154)

Round 1

Shifting gears to what was supposed to be a bantamweight contest,
Argueta (9-2, 2 NC; 1-2, 2 NC UFC) failed to make weight and
surrendered 20% of his purse to Australian debutant Haddon (7-1,
0-0 UFC). The 139-pound catchweight contest will be overseen by
referee Jason Herzog, who clocks the fighters in as there is no
plan for a glove tough. It takes the fighters mere seconds to get
after it, with Argueta hoping to impose his will by getting right
in Haddon’s face throwing hands. Haddon obliges the slugfest, and
they swing for the fences early. As Argueta lands cleanly, he sets
up a takedown perfectly, stripping Haddon’s legs out and putting
him on his seat. Haddon slowly, calmly works his way up, and he
engages further with the heavy American. Argueta tags his man on
the temple with a right hand, and he crashes forward to change
levels. Haddon turns to lean against the fencing to remain upright,
and Argueta wrenches him down to his knees momentarily. Haddon
climbs back upright using the wall to force his way up, and Argueta
is doggedly determined to get him down. Haddon wants nothing to do
with it, and he opens up with a long combination of punches as
Argueta swings his way into level changes. Haddon clips Argueta
with a left hand, forcing Argueta to shoot in deep. Haddon defends
the attempt and snaps off several sharp jabs and leg kicks to back
Argueta up against the fence. Argueta loads up on power strikes,
and he stumbles Haddon with an overhand right. Haddon shakes it off
and comes back with clubbing strikes that sting Argueta. Argueta
lands cleanly and jumps guard with a guillotine choke, and Haddon
squirms his way free and stands up. They resume their ill-advised
strategy of standing and banging, and Haddon picks his shots
carefully to rip a left to the body and a right to the head. Haddon
rings Argueta’s bell, meeting Argueta’s attempts to take the fight
down with crisp uppercuts. Haddon shoves Argueta against the wall
to knee him with big blows, and Argueta works his way out but
cannot dodge the jabs coming en masse. Argueta slips one and
counters with a right hand over the top, and the two are simply
hammering each other with no regard to conditioning. The
frenetic-paced round ends with both men throwing hands.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Haddon
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Haddon
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Haddon

Round 2

It is right back to the races for these fighters, who continue to
fight as if the match is five minutes long. Haddon is the more
accurate of the two but by no means avoiding power strikes hurled
back his direction. A glancing right hand from Argueta opens a cut
on the hairline of the Australian, and he pays it no mind as he
strikes his way into a takedown. “The Determined” is filled with
determination, muscling his way back to his feet, turning Haddon
around and depositing him on his back. Argueta starts to get some
ground-and-pound going while Haddon looks for a kimura sweep or
other kind of escape. As Haddon looks to work his way up, Argueta
stays on him, never allowing the newcomer a moment to breathe or
reset. Haddon stands, and Argueta lifts him up from behind to drop
him to his hands. Argueta lifts Haddon up with a mighty single and
throws him to the mat, but Haddon is a man possessed and he wants
to keep trading. Exploding back to striking range, Haddon pays his
man back with a series of punches. Argueta dives low for a
takedown, and Haddon blasts him in the face with a knee that is
about as clean as it can be. Argueta somehow tanks it, and he goes
after a takedown that transitions into a low-percentage front
choke. Haddon shucks out of it and clubs Argueta with combinations.
Argueta aims several to the body, and Haddon gives him a knee back
to the chest to think about. A solid leg kick from Argueta sweeps
the leg, and Haddon frowns and lines up a right hand to stun
Argueta. With Argueta backed against the wall, Haddon comes at him
with fists and a knee before the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Haddon
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Haddon
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Haddon

Round 3

When the round begins, Argueta slugs Haddon in the face with a huge
left hand. Haddon does not even blink, instead releasing his own
heavy right hand that slams into the side of Argueta’s melon. The
two batter one another with power blows, and Haddon flicks out two
jabs, uses his head movement to dodge the counters and stonewalls a
takedown. Haddon spins with a back fist that bounces off the raised
guard, and Argueta says “two can play that game” and answers with a
spinning back elbow that partially connects. Argueta lumbers
forward, flailing big strikes, and Haddon picks him off and tags
him with accurate blows. Haddon measures an elbow up top, fighting
off a tie-up from the New Mexican so he can rip combinations.
Argueta stumbles to the side, but he keeps throwing heat. Haddon
lets Argueta overswing so he can ding him with single counters,
until Argueta boots him in the front leg and drops him. Argueta
pulls back right before unleashing what would have been an illegal
soccer kick, and Haddon stands back up. Argueta uses Haddon’s
forward momentum against him to land power strikes, but Haddon is
right in his face popping him again and again. Argueta’s blows
become more labored and telegraphed as he fatigues, and Haddon is
still on point with strikes but unable to stop Argueta from taking
him down. Haddon crawls his way back up, scoring two quick punches
before Argueta rushes after him to re-engage a clinch. Argueta
drops low for a takedown, fails and transitions into another
attempt, and then one more. Haddon remains upright for all of them,
pushing Argueta to the center of the cage and breaking. Haddon jabs
and lumps Argueta up with straight strikes, not exposing himself
with too much power to throw himself off-balance. The Aussie turns
the tables on the charging Argueta, putting Argueta on his back
after an attempt. Argueta scrambles to his feet and pursues a few
more that come up short before the final bell rings.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Haddon (30-27 Haddon)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Haddon (30-27 Haddon)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Haddon (30-27
Haddon)

The Official Result

Cody Haddon def. Dan Argueta via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27,
30-27)

BETTING
PREVIEW | SCOUTING
REPORT | ODDS: Polastri (-125), McKenna (+105)

Round 1

Pushing right along, ladies take center stage as Polastri (12-4,
0-1 UFC) tries to make good on her second chance to make a first
impression. She collides with fellow diminutive strawweight McKenna
(8-3, 3-2 UFC), with the two measuring about 10’5” combined. The
115ers will carry on with referee Chris Tognoni taking charge of
the cage, and they gladly clap hands before commencing combat.
McKenna moves to the center of the cage, stutter-stepping her way
in to disrupt her opponent as she advances to initiate some
wrestling. Polastri intercepts her with a few punches on the way
in, and she frames off McKenna in the clinch to knee her in the
head and midsection. McKenna uses her own shoulder pressure to keep
grinding the Brazilian, but Polastri turns her around with a
bouquet of knees. Polastri looks for a few knees to the dome, and
McKenna spins her around and cracks her with a short but effective
right hand. McKenna drops down for a double, and Polastri keeps her
balance as the commentary booth drifts off into a conversation of
taking down tables. Polastri dirty boxes with knees, elbows and
short shots to the head and ribs, and she stands McKenna up with an
uppercut and uses a right hand to break. Polastri beats McKenna to
the punch with a long jab, only for McKenna to come back over the
top with a one-two. Polastri leaps forward with a flying knee that
crashes into McKenna’s jaw, and she fearlessly stalks her down to
throw hands and feet. McKenna draws some swelling around Polastri’s
right eye thanks to a few solid left hands, and she loops a left
hook and a right around the guard while Polastri hunts for elbows.
Polastri jabs with a front kick, and a second is met with an
overhand right. Two one-twos from McKenna find their home as she
backs away, and she cannot get out of the way of heavy right over
the top. Polastri chains a body kick into a right hand, and she
ties McKenna up and knees her repeatedly. A knee on the button
makes McKenna think twice about engaging like this, and Polastri
walks her down and knees her a few times before the horn
sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Polastri
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Polastri
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Polastri

Round 2

Polastri comes out of her corner to take the center of the cage,
and she calmly walks McKenna down before leaping at her with a jump
knee. The knee bounces off the Welshwoman’s chest, and she keeps
her guard up to block a long left hand and retaliate with a body
kick. Polastri absorbs a jab to come out swinging with a
combination of punches and a knee before shoving McKenna to the
wall in a clinch. As Polastri works the body with knees, McKenna
tries to respond with a head-and-arm throw that fails miserably.
Polastri lines up knee after knee to the midsection, ignoring what
McKenna gives back at her. McKenna breaks away and fires off a
one-two, and she follows it with a right to the body as she dances
out of the way of a counter. Polastri shrugs off the offense aimed
at her so she can keep McKenna on her back foot, and she shoots in
for a double and uses it to take McKenna’s back standing. Polastri
winds up with big knees to the back of the thigh as she makes
McKenna’s life miserable in the clinch, jumping over to get a hook
in on the side in hopes of dragging McKenna down. McKenna fights
off the hook, but the arms of the Brazilian are locked around
McKenna’s waist. McKenna breaks up a seatbelt position around her
chest so she can spin around and pay Polastri back for a few of
those knees before splitting off. Polastri follows her along and
kicks her upside the head. McKenna swings frantically as Polastri
gives chase, and Polastri does damage to the body as McKenna throws
with anything she has while strafing. McKenna lands a few shots,
but Polastri knees her in the noodle twice as the round wraps.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Polastri
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Polastri
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Polastri

Round 3

The Brazilian offers a clap of hands to start the final round, and
McKenna gladly accepts only to get kicked in the ribs as she backs
off. Polastri tees off on her opponent with punches and body kicks,
and she allows McKenna to get in close so she can knee her in the
guts. McKenna backs off and dips out with two shovel uppercuts, and
Polastri completely no-sells them to chase the woman from Wales.
They land at the same time, and Polastri’s left hook lands harder
as she races after McKenna and swings an elbow at her. McKenna
escapes from getting backed to the wall momentarily, but it does
not take more than a high kick and a jab from “Psycho” to put
McKenna on her back foot. As Polastri lines up several punches, she
connects at the end of a combo to stagger McKenna back. McKenna
gets pushed to the wall and absorbs a slashing elbow before she is
able to turn around and shoot for a double. Polastri sprawls to
defend the shot and even scores a knee from up close, pressing on
the back of McKenna’s head to keep her from succeeding. McKenna
finally manages to clasp her hands around Polastri’s backside,
dumping the Brazilian to her back in a big moment. Polastri throws
her legs up to defend with either a high guard or a triangle choke
setup, and the Team Alpha Male export shrugs it off and opens up
with a few punches while hunting for a guard pass. Polastri times
this by attempting a sweep, and McKenna keeps heavy to maintain top
position. Polastri attempts another triangle, and settles for using
her feet to push off McKenna’s hips to make her adjust. Polastri
closes the guard when McKenna lowers herself down, and her strikes
from the back may be more powerful than McKenna’s that are hitting
her back. McKenna rains down punches until Polastri kicks her foe
in the chest, and McKenna gets off one diving punch before the
final horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Polastri (30-27 Polastri)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Polastri (30-27 Polastri)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Polastri (30-27
Polastri)

The Official Result

Julia Polastri def. Cory McKenna via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29,
30-27)

BETTING
PREVIEW | SCOUTING
REPORT | ODDS: ODDS: Tafa (-400), Sharaf (+250)

Round 1

The UFC nearly went two months without staging a heavyweight fight,
with the last one between Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Tai Tuivasa in
the middle of August. Tafa (5-3, 1-3 UFC), one of the other hefty
participants that night, will try to get back in the win column at
the expense of relative neophyte Sharaf (4-0, 0-0 UFC). Referee
Mark Smith will be keeping his head on a swivel, as these two
sluggers combine for nine knockouts across their nine wins. Gloves
are briefly touched, and Sharaf does not waste time and winds up a
low kick and look for a big right hand. Sharaf backs Tafa against
the fence and swings for the bleachers, forcing Tafa to bounce off
the wall. Tafa jabs to the body, and Sharaf comes up top with a
one-two. Tafa splits the guard with long punches, and Sharaf thumps
the front leg with a kick. Tafa winds up with a counter right hand
to nail the newcomer on the side of the head, and Sharaf dives
after him for a takedown. Tafa grabs the fence to keep himself on
his feet, and Smith is not happy about that and calls time to warn
him of his foul. When they resume, it does not take more than a few
seconds for Sharaf to charge his foe and get the takedown he was
seeking. Tafa does not stay on his back for long before getting
back to his feet, and they stand in the center of the cage and
trade single strikes. The ferocity between the two is not nearly as
intense as before, but Tafa breaks this up by blasting Sharaf in
the side of the head and shaking him up. Tafa showboats by pointing
at Sharaf’s corner, and Sharaf surges into action with thunderous
punches that back “The Juggernaut” to the wall again. Tafa strafes
away in part due to a successful takedown defense, and he scores a
few leg kicks and follows one with a left hook. Sharaf keeps a
decent poker face but is stung from the blow, and Tafa winds up and
nails him on the temple to further shake him up. Tafa marches him
down, walking through wild counters while picking his shots that
are landing cleaner and heavier. Tafa backs off to adjust his
shorts, and he checks a calf kick and leans back as a left hook
comes his way. Tafa slips two lefts around the guard and unloads
haymakers, only for Sharaf to stand form and rock him with two
hooks and drag him to the mat with a double. Tafa turns to his side
as Sharaf claims full mount, and Sharaf beats on him with punches
and elbows. Sharaf swarms his man with elbows until the horn saves
an exhausted Tafa.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sharaf
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sharaf
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sharaf

Round 2

The big men are sucking wind after five minutes of brawling, and
they get back to it and tap their large hands together. Tafa fights
behind his jab, tripling up on it and following with a right hand.
Sharaf tries a labored shot, and he gets caught with a right hand.
Sharaf steps out with a left hand, and Tafa intercepts him with an
uppercut while stopping a shot. Sharaf digs a left to the body and
a right to the head, and Tafa surges into action. Tafa winds up a
massive right hand, and Sharaf don’t like it. His casbah is rocked.
Tafa throws hammers until he runs out of steam, and he has no
choice but to disengage as Sharaf is still in the fight albeit
bloodied from his left eye. Tafa unloads a right hand around the
guard of his opponent, and he marches forward and rifles off three
uppercuts. Sharaf is barely on his feet, taking a deep breath and
leaning back to avoid a haymaker. Tafa laughs off a possible shot
and walks Sharaf from one side of the cage to the other.

The spent Kiwi summons all his energy into one final punch, in the
form of a booming right hand that clips Sharaf on the temple.
Sharaf stumbles away, hanging on tightly to consciousness, and
Smith sees he is not intelligently defending himself and waves the
fight off. Taking the fight earlier this week, Sharaf
showed off several solid moments and about five minutes of cardio,
and Tafa had just a little more in the tank to get his hand raised.
The victorious “Juggernaut” retains his 100% knockout rate, and he
drops to his seat in exhaustion.

The Official Result

Junior Tafa def. Sean Sharaf R2 2:15 via TKO (Punches)

BETTING
PREVIEW | SCOUTING
REPORT | ODDS: Gorimbo (-278), Price (+225)

Round 1

One of two entries tonight in the “welterweight action fight club”
will play out next, as Gorimbo (13-4, 3-1 UFC) is entering that
category while Price (16-7, 2 NC; 8-7, 2 NC UFC) has been a member
practically since day one. Any matchup in that section of 170-pound
fighters seems to have a greater likelihood—anecdotally, with those
numbers not officially tracked right now—of receiving some sort of
“of the night” bonus. Both fighters could use it, as Gorimbo is
famous for having seven dollars in his bank account while Price has
six kids to feed. Referee Herb Dean will serve as the Octagon
ranger, and when he calls for them to fight, they touch gloves.
Price walks directly into a front kick when he moves to the center
of the cage, and he further gets his bell rung by flying punches
from Gorimbo. The Zimbabwe native lets his hands fly, and Price has
to reset as he gets clipped with a left hand. Gorimbo aims two
thudding leg kicks to the front leg of his foe, and when Price
tries to counter with a third, Gorimbo dodges and connects with it.
Gorimbo further does damage with his calf kick, and he strings
together a pair of straight punches with a step-in knee to the
belly. Price takes another chopping kick as he slowly advances, and
Gorimbo sticks him with a right hand. Price attempts a body kick,
and he gets caught with a fastball of a right hand. Price still
marches ever onward, through a low kick and a one-two without
flinching. Price squares up, opening him up to three punches, a leg
kick and a takedown shot. “The Answer” deposits Price on his back,
where he starts working with elbows and punches. Price gets stacked
up when attempting an armbar, as Gorimbo punches through it to stop
it from materializing. Gorimbo steps over to half guard as Price
defends with a kimura sweep, and Gorimbo breaks out of it to open
Price up with punches and effective elbows. Price looks to sit up,
and Gorimbo hops around to take his back and get both hooks in.
Price stands up, and Gorimbo hangs on his foe’s back and grips hold
of a neck crank. Price responds by slamming Gorimbo on his head,
and Gorimbo rides it out to secure a body triangle. From an awkward
angle, the two punch one another until the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo

Round 2

Price starts out the second round marching Gorimbo down, putting a
jab and a front kick in his face early. Gorimbo chains punches
together in response, with two up top and then a few to the body.
Price retaliates with a body kick, and he catches Gorimbo coming in
but still eats a few back. Gorimbo winds up with his power calf
kick, and he plants the ball of his foot on Price’s sternum. Price
punches his way into a clinch, and Gorimbo shakes him up with left
hooks and uppercuts up close before tackling Price to the mat.
Price turns to his stomach to survive and stand back up, all while
eating clubbing left hands. Price gets to his knees and then back
upright, and Gorimbo hurriedly mat returns him. Price once more
stands, and Gorimbo is imposing his full weight on him, kneeing him
in the breadbasket. They trade knees from close proximity, and
Gorimbo tries for a trip on the inside but does not land it. Price
turns him around as they dirty box with one another, and Price
attacks a double that is easily stifled. Price goes after another
double, transitioning to a single as Gorimbo’s hips are wide.
Gorimbo turns the corner and knees Price in the chest, and they get
back upright and split up. Price stalks a potentially tiring
Gorimbo down and slugs him in the chops, getting his attention with
power punches until they get clinched. Gorimbo responds with a knee
on the break, and Price is out of range. Price marches forward to
connect with a one-two, and Gorimbo slaps his front leg and then
jabs him to the body with a front kick. Price meanders forward,
left eye bloodied, and he walks into a takedown shot. Gorimbo
pushes through his hips, tosses aside a leglock and starts smacking
Price upside the head. Price stands up, and Gorimbo wrenches him
down by imposing his body weight on him. As Price defends with a
kimura, the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo

Round 3

The welterweights reach Round 3, tired and beat up but still ready
for another five minutes. Gorimbo leads off with two chopping
kicks, hits a third and then goes up top with his other leg. Price
sees it coming in the nick of time and defends a subsequent shot
with a guillotine choke. Gorimbo powers through the choke to slam
Price on his back, opening up with ground-and-pound as Price tries
to push off the fence with his foot. Gorimbo controls his man while
slinging short right hands, keeping Price trapped between the
corner of the floor and the wall. Price again tries to push off the
fence, this time tugging on the links with his toes. Dean calls him
on this, and Price stops. Price explodes to sit up, only for
Gorimbo grind him back down while keeping Price’s right leg laced
to stop him from escaping. Price kicks his foe off his chest, and
Gorimbo stands and backs up. Price throws a hard kick to the calf
from his back, and Gorimbo allows him to do this so he can dive in
to reclaim top position. Gorimbo draws further blood with slow but
methodical strikes, stepping over to half guard on the other side.
Price times this guard pass to burst upright with 55 seconds left
in the round. Gorimbo cinches his hands around the waist to dump
Price to the floor. Price stands up again through sheer force of
will, and Gorimbo hangs on from his back and slides off. Gorimbo
looks for an unorthodox banana split, Suloev stretch or kneebar,
and time expires before he can get anything.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo (30-27 Gorimbo)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo (30-27 Gorimbo)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gorimbo (30-27
Gorimbo)

The Official Result

Themba Gorimbo def. Niko Price via Unanimous Decision (30-27,
30-27, 30-27)

BETTING
PREVIEW | SCOUTING
REPORT | ODDS: Pearce (-130), Sabatini (+110)

Round 1

Grapplers enter the Octagon in what should be a fun stylistic
clash. On a rare losing streak, Pearce (14-6, 5-3 UFC) has his back
against the wall, but the same might be said for Sabatini (18-5,
5-2 UFC), who has dropped two of three. Someone will turn things
around in the next 15 minutes or less, and referee Chris Tognoni
will follow them every step of the way. Before throwing hands,
“JSP” walks over to the other corner to deliver a friendly fist
bump. Pearce takes to the center of the cage, and they clash body
kicks at the same time. As they tangle up, Sabatini manages to
sneak around and grab Pearce from behind, where he hops on his back
to take the form of a mean-spirited backpack. Sabatini locks a body
triangle around the waist, slugging his left hand around the raised
guard of his foe. Pearce leans against the wall to relieve himself
of some of the extra weight, and he turns his shoulder to sling
Sabatini off of him. The Pennsylvanian turns the corner to get his
arms around Pearce once more, and “JSP” is warned for fence grabs
to keep himself on his feet. Rules are mere suggestions in the
sport of MMA. Sabatini scoops up Pearce’s legs and steps over him
to ground him, and Pearce is warned for elbowing the spine and
attempting 12-6 elbows—these will be allowed next month. Pearce
uses a butterfly guard to keep Sabatini from establishing a more
traditional top position, only for Sabatini to smother him and move
to half guard. Sabatini steps over to three-quarter mount, hunting
for a choke when Pearce turns the wrong direction. Sabatini looks
for another submission as Pearce gets to his knees, and Sabatini’s
body triangle is wrapped firmly around the ribs. Pearce stands up
and elbows Sabatini’s thigh to try to break up the body lock.

Sabatini leans to add his weight to different places on the back,
and he slithers his forearm beneath the chin and fastens a nasty
rear-naked choke. Pearce’s head turns a brilliant shade of red, and
he thinks about going out on his shield but elects to fight another
day and taps out. Sabatini releases the lock and walks
to the center of the cage, letting out one triumphant shout before
calming himself. Sabatini tries his best to stay cool, but cannot
help but flip around the cage, bellowing and fist-pumping in
celebration.

The Official Result

Pat Sabatini def. Jonathan Pearce R1 4:06 via Submission
(Rear-Naked Choke)

BETTING
PREVIEW | SCOUTING
REPORT | ODDS: Temirov (-265), Vergara (+215)

Round 1

Capping off the prelims is a flyweight contest pitting a UFC vet of
six fights against a promotional newcomer. Vergara (12-5-1, 3-3
UFC) will be searching for his first win in over a year, while
Temirov (15-2-1, 0-0 UFC) and his slightly sketchy fight record is
hoping to make Uzbekistan proud. With 15 knockouts and one
submission between them, referee Jason Herzog will need to be
prepared for fast hands to fly. Before they aim those fists at one
another, they meet them in the middle to seal the cage. Vergara
looks to establish a long distance, and Temirov introduces himself
to his opponent and the UFC with a spinning back kick to the body.
Vergara dodges the strike and walks through a low kick, but a left
hook from the Uzbek gets Vergara’s attention. Temirov spins again
with a kick, and this one is checked as Vergara slides out of the
way. Temirov swings hard with another right hand, and Vergara lets
it graze his cheek as he resets. Temirov whips three punches at his
foe, and Vergara dodges them all but absorbs a left to the head and
one to the body on the way out. Temirov is hunting the knockout,
coiling back his right hand like a snake ready to strike. Temirov
spins past his target with another kick, and Vergara lets him fly
past him and keep going. Vergara gets off a short low kick, and he
backs off with his hands down. Temirov unleashes hell with a huge
right hand that whiffs and a massive left that sends Vergara
flying, and Vergara gets back to his feet and is cracked a second
time. Vergara turns tail and runs away from his opponent to
survive, trying for vicious counters that largely miss the mark as
Temirov is measuring him well. Vergara keeps moving from side to
side while holding his guard high.
As Vergara’s arms are up, Temirov sets up a combination with two
thudding shots up high and a lethal left to the liver that would
make Bas Rutten blush. Vergara drops to his knees and is down for
good this time, with Temirov needing only one more punch before
Herzog gets between them. This is a statement for
“Temurlan,” who lets the promotion know that he can crack as a
flyweight. His mighty fists make him the first fighter to stop
Vergara with strikes as a pro.

The Official Result

Ramazonbek Temirov def. C.J. Vergara R1 2:50 via TKO
(Punches)

BETTING
PREVIEW | SCOUTING
REPORT | ODDS: Rodriguez (-198), Morono (+164)

Round 1

Action is on the menu with this welterweight main card opener.
Recent middleweight Rodriguez (17-5, 7-4 UFC) realized after his
last outing that he is better suited for 170 pounds, and Morono
(24-10, 1 NC; 13-7, 1 NC UFC) will serve as a more-than-willing
dance partner. Referee Herb Dean will have his hands full as long
as this one goes, and the fighters elect not to touch ‘em up.
Morono stays on the outside chipping with low kicks, and Rodriguez
marches forward looking for left hands. Morono loads up with a
right, and he gets Rodriguez’ attention and is forced to parry a
response. Morono reaches out with two punches, and he catches
Rodriguez ducking in to score a right. The Texan keeps moving,
absorbing a low kick and firing off a right over the top. Rodriguez
eats a pair of punches when coming forward, and he shines up
Morono’s right eye with a counter. Morono pursues a high kick, and
he chambers and fires a right hand on the counter. Morono backs
Rodriguez up with another right, and they trade kicks. Morono’s
head kick comes up short, and Rodriguez tries and fail to land his
own. Morono bounces his way in and out to attack, not absorbing
much back from “D-Rod.” Morono lets off a right hand, and he gets
clipped on the way turning himself around after spinning for a back
fist. Morono sits down on a thudding right hand that forces
Rodriguez to blink it out, and Rodriguez escapes and pushes out a
jab to the belly. Morono absorbs a flush body kick and throws back
with three punches up top. Morono jabs, flicks out a low kick and
releases a trio of fists high. Rodriguez snaps the head back with a
sharp jab, and he gets knocked back a few steps from a winging
right hand. Morono keeps him guessing with a wide variety of
strikes, but his short right hands do as well as anything he puts
out. Morono whiffs on another high kick, and he slips a punch to
fire off a haymaker that misses by a whisker. Morono kicks low and
is met with a pair of heavy punches, and Rodriguez smiles. They
trade low kicks, and Morono connects with three big overhand
rights. Rodriguez wears them well, blocks a spin and the round
ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Morono
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Morono
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Morono

Round 2

The welterweight strikers pick up where they left off, trading
blows without fear. Rodriguez fight behind his jab, and Morono
looks for counters. One heavy right sends Rodriguez careening back,
and Rodriguez gathers his thoughts and wades forward to re-engage.
Morono takes a right hook on the chin and reloads to slug it out
with Rodriguez. A right from Morono glides off the shiny head of
his opponent, and Rodriguez keeps jabbing away. Morono’s face is
marked up from the jabs, and he jumps forward with a Superman punch
that misses the mark. Rodriguez jabs the body with his foot, and
Morono meets him with a step-in right hand. Morono puts a jab on
Rodriguez’s face when Rodriguez resets, and he scores a right over
the top. Rodriguez fires off a high kick, and Morono comes up short
on another Superman punch. Morono jabs his way into a right hand,
and his subsequent haymaker bounces off the guard. When Morono
slings another, it gets through. Rodriguez barely flinches when
taking it flush, and he retaliates with counters on counters.
Rodriguez lines up a body kick and swats his way into action, only
to walk face-first into a home run punch. Rodriguez again does not
waver as he takes the power strike cleanly, and Morono strings
three more together over the top before getting out. Morono ducks a
jab and releases a right hand, and Rodriguez’ jaw hangs open
slightly as if it sustained some damage. Rodriguez’ job stays busy,
and he uses it to cut off the looping striker. Morono still gets
off a thudding right hand, and he goes to the body with a kick and
follows with a right hook. Rodriguez scores to back Morono off, and
Morono rushes back at him throwing fire. Rodriguez goes after a
one-two to the body, and the two trade furiously until the
bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Morono
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez