Two light heavyweight challengers in Corey Anderson and Jan Blachowicz will battle on Saturday evening, when UFC heads to the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, USA. The card features 12 other bouts, with the festivities beginning at 5:00PM EST. Follow along the blog for live coverage throughout the evening.
Quick Results – Click a fight to skip to its part:
Prelims (5:00PM EST)
Bout 1: Raulian Paiva def. Mark De La Rosa via KO, Strikes (RD 2, 4:42)
Bout 2: Macy Chiasson def. Shanna Young via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 3: Merab Dvalishvili def. Casey Kenney via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 4: Devin Clark def. Dequan Townsend via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 5: Scott Holtzman def. Jim Miller via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 6: John Dodson def. Nathaniel Wood via TKO, Strikes (RD 3, 0:16)
Bout 7: Daniel Rodriguez def. Tim Means via Submission, Guillotine Choke (RD 2, 3:37)
Main Card (8:00PM EST)
Bout 8: Lando Vannata def. Yancy Medeiros via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 9: Ray Borg def. Rogerio Bontorin via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 10: Brok Weaver def. Rodrigo Vargas via DQ, Illegal Knee (RD 1, 4:02)
Bout 11: Montana De La Rosa def. Mara Romero Borella via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 12: Diego Sanchez def.. Michel Pereira via DQ, Illegal Knee (RD 3, 3:09)
Bout 13: Jan Blachowicz def. Corey Anderson via KO, Punches (RD 1, 3:08)
Live Coverage:
Bout 1: Mark De La Rosa (11-3) (#13) vs. Raulian Paiva (18-3) (#14) (Flyweight)
Kicking off the preliminary card was Mark De La Rosa and Raulian Paiva battling. Paiva landed some good strikes in the first minute. De La Rosa tried for a takedown a minute into the fight, with Paiva stopping it and putting them in a clinch against the cage. They returned to striking a minute later, where Paiva continued to land fists, although De La Rosa was answering back with some. They clinched up again in the fourth minute, although went back to striking seconds later.
Paiva put De La Rosa up against the cage early in the second round. When they went back to stand-up, Paiva landed more punches. The damage started to show on De La Rosa’s face. De La Rosa got dropped by a right hook in the final minute of the round. The referee came in to stop the fight almost immediately. Earning his first UFC win, Raulian Paiva showed success with his fists.
My Scorecard:
| Fighter | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Total |
| De La Rosa | 9 | |||
| Paiva | 10 |
Bout 2: Macy Chiasson (5-1) (#12) vs. Shanna Young (7-2) (Bantamweight)
In the next fight, Macy Chiasson attempted to bounce back from her first pro loss, fighting Shanna Young, who is making her UFC debut. Chiasson was landing hard punches from the start. Young was throwing lots of side kicks. Young landed a head kick which seemingly hurt Chiasson. Young got a takedown in the second minute, although they got back up in a clinch immediately. Both of them landed knees to the body in the clinch. The fast flurry of striking slowed down halfway through the round. Chiasson landed lots of the knees in the clinch, some to the head. Chiasson got a trip takedown in the final minute of the first round. She landed lots of punches to the head. The round ended with Chiasson on Young’s back.
Chiasson got a takedown in the first minute of the second round. They got back up in a clinch, although Young got a trip takedown moments later. They stood up again, but went back down in the second minute with Chiasson in top position. Chiasson a few strikes from the top. She kept with the strikes until the round ended.
Chiasson caught an axe kick for a takedown early in the third round. Chiasson smothered Young on the ground for the entire round, keeping with strikes and trying for some submission attempts. Going to the scorecards, Macy Chiasson got a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27 & 30-27).
My Scorecard:
| Fighter | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Total |
| Chiasson | 10 | 10 | 10 | 30 |
| Young | 9 | 9 | 9 | 27 |
Bout 3: Casey Kenney (13-1-1) (#15) vs. Merab Dvalishvili (9-4) (Bantamweight)
Georgian fighter Merab Dvalishvili fought Casey Kenney in the next matchup. The first round started with both fighters throwing multiple types of strikes. Dvalishvili tried for a takedown in the second minute but couldn’t land it. He got a takedown in the third minute of the round. Kenney kept getting up, although Dvalishvili would throw him back down from the body lock. Kenney got slammed down and hit with some strikes, although they returned to striking seconds after. Kenney landed some good punches in the final minute that had Dvalishvili retreating.
At the start of the second round, both fighters scored strikes in stand-up. Dvalishvili tried for a takedown in the second minute of the second round, however did not get it. He got a takedown in the fourth minute of the fight. Dvalishvili controlled Kenney for the rest of the round.
Dvalishvili brought it to the ground again halfway through the final round. He got with 10th takedown moments later. Matt Serra was very vocal throughout the fight from Dvalishvili’s corner. Kenney had Dvalishvili on his back in the final minute. The fight went all three rounds, with Merab Dvalishvili getting the win (30-27, 30-25 & 29-28).
My Scorecard:
| Fighter | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Total |
| Kenney | 9 | 9 | 9 | 27 |
| Dvalishvili | 10 | 10 | 10 | 30 |
Bout 4: Devin Clark (10-4) vs. Dequan Townsend (21-10) (Light Heavyweight)
Dequan Townsend, who fought on a card just a few weeks ago, returned this evening to face Devin Clark. Clark tried for a takedown in the second minute of the fight. They were brought back to the centre of the cage after Clark couldn’t do much up against the cage. When they separated, Clark landed a takedown immediately. Clark landed a few strikes before the round ended.
In-between rounds, Jon Jones was shown in attendance at this event. Townsend had a good start to the second round, coming forward with punches. Clark got a double leg takedown in the second minute of the fight. Landing strikes periodically, Clark stayed in top position until the round ended.
To open the third round, Townsend was throwing wailing strikes. Clark got another takedown in the second minute of the final round. Clark kept Townsend down until the fight ended. When going to the scores, there was no doubt that Devin Clark did enough to earn the win (30-27, 30-26 & 30-26).
My Scorecard:
| Fighter | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Total |
| Clark | 10 | 10 | 10 | 30 |
| Townsend | 9 | 9 | 9 | 27 |
Bout 5: Scott Holtzman (13-3) vs. Jim Miller (31-13) (Lightweight)
In the next fight, UFC veteran Jim Miller fought Scott Holtzman. Holtzman slipped after a leg kick in the first minute. Miller landed some good strikes early in the first round. Miller tried for a takedown in the third minute, although Holtzman limited it to a clinch. In the final few minutes of the first round, both fighters were connecting with hard punches.
Holtzman put Miller in a clinch in the first minute of the second round. Both fighters were showing damage on their faces from strikes in the second round. Holtzman got a trip takedown in the fourth minute. Holtzman threw a lot of strikes in the final moments of the round.
As the final round started, Holtzman was the more active fighter and looked fresher. Holtzman put Miller against the take in the second minute, but they went back to striking moments later. Holtzman put Miller against the cage many more times in the fight. Miller got rocked in the final 10 seconds of the fight. All three judges sided with Scott Holtzman after three rounds (30-27, 29-28 & 29-28).
My Scorecard:
| Fighter | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Total |
| Holtzman | 9 | 10 | 10 | 29 |
| Miller | 10 | 9 | 9 | 28 |
Bout 6: John Dodson (20-11) (#13) vs. Nathaniel Wood (16-3) (Bantamweight)
In the next fight, hometown fighter John Dodson had the crowd behind him when he fought Nathaniel Wood. The first round was a close striking battle. Both fighters had their moments where they landed good strikes. Wood got a trip takedown in the final minute of the round, however Dodson got back to his feet quickly.
Dodson was kicked in the groin early in the second round, causing a pause in the fight. It didn’t take long for the fight to resume. He was kicked in the groin again a minute later. When they resumed, Dodson charged forward with punches until Wood was put up against the cage. A cut above the left eye of Wood caused a third pause in the fight. A doctor said he was good to go, and they went back to it.
Early in the third round, Wood got dropped by punches. Dodson kept with punches for a few more moments until the referee saw enough. Starting fast in the third round, John Dodson picked up a win in his home state.
My Scorecard:
| Fighter | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Total |
| Dodson | 9 | 10 | ||
| Wood | 10 | 9 |
Bout 7: Tim Means (29-11-1) vs. Daniel Rodriguez (10-1) (Welterweight)
Finishing off the preliminary card was Tim Means facing Daniel Rodriguez. Means got a double leg takedown in the first few seconds of the fight. They got up immediately and went back to striking. Means landed a good counter-punch after catching a kick from Rodriguez. Means was the fighter who was advancing throughout the first round. In the final second of the first round, Rodriguez landed a hook which dropped Means. Possibly saved by the bell, Means stumbled to his corner.
Rodriguez was more active as the second round started, putting together lots of punches that were hurting Means. In the second minute of the round, Means’ legs went weak after getting hit with a punch. Means got hurt again in the fourth minute, and was put in a guillotine while trying to recover. Means tapped quickly to the guillotine choke. Daniel Rodriguez moved to 11-1 after closing out this fight against Tim Means.
My Scorecard:
| Fighter | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Total |
| Means | 9 | |||
| Rodriguez | 10 |
Bout 8: Yancy Medeiros (15-6) vs. Lando Vannata (10-4-2) (Lightweight)
Starting the main card was Yancy Medeiros and Lando Vannata fighting in a lightweight match. Vannata was almost hopping around the octagon at the start of the fight. Vannata was the first fighter to land good combinations in the fight.
Vannata threw Medeiros to the ground for a moment at the start of the second round, but didn’t fully get a takedown. Vannata’s odd footwork continued to help him score shots.
While Medeiros had his moments, Vannata continued to put on a striking clinic in the third round. Medeiros was bleeding from the nose. Vannata tried, but did not achieve a takedown in the final minute of the fight. After three rounds, Lando Vannata got the victory (30-27, 30-27 & 30-27).
My Scorecard:
| Fighter | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Total |
| Medeiros | 9 | 9 | 9 | 27 |
| Vannata | 10 | 10 | 10 | 30 |
Bout 9: Ray Borg (12-4) vs. Rogerio Bontorin (16-1) (#7) (Flyweight)
The next fight saw long-time UFC fighter Ray Borg face ranked Rogerio Bontorin. Borg came in over the weight limit for this fight, coming in at 128 pounds. Borg shot for a takedown in the first minute, although Bontorin kept it in a clinch. Bontorin tried for a takedown up against the cage, although it was Borg that ended up bringing it to the ground in the third minute. They got back in the final minute of the round, where Borg got another takedown.
Borg tried for another takedown as the second round opened. He got it, getting on the back of Bontorin and trying for a rear naked choke. Bontorin got on his feet, although Borg was still on his back. Borg got another takedown in the fourth minute of the round. In top position, Borg landed a couple of elbows. Bontorin rolled over, letting Borg hop on his back as the round wound down.
To start the final round, Borg brought the fight to the floor yet again. Bontorin stood up quickly three times, getting thrown down every time. Bontorin got up again, but this time Borg stayed attached to him in the clinch. Borg got another takedown in the fourth minute. The fight went to the scorecards, with Ray Borg getting the victory (30-27, 30-27 & 30-25). In the post-fight interview, Borg was very apologetic about missing weight for his fight.
My Scorecard:
| Fighter | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Total |
| Borg | 10 | 10 | 10 | 30 |
| Bontorin | 9 | 9 | 9 | 27 |
Bout 10: Brok Weaver (14-4) vs. Rodrigo Vargas (11-3) (Middleweight)
The next fight saw Dana White’s Contender Series winner Brok Weaver make his UFC debut against Rodrigo Vargas. Vargas caught a leg kick in the first minute, then let some strikes go to Weaver, who was up against the cage. Vargas got a takedown a minute into the fight. Weaver kept trying for a guillotine choke from the bottom. In the third minute the choke seemingly caught Vargas, although he slipped out moments later. They got back to their feet in a clinch, where Weaver pulled guard. Vargas landed a knee to the head of Weaver, which is not allowed as he was grounded. The fight was ruled a disqualification. Brok Weaver likely didn’t want to get his first win via DQ, although that’s how he got it.
My Scorecard:
| Fighter | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Total |
| Weaver | ||||
| Vargas |
Bout 11: Montana De La Rosa (10-5) (#12) vs. Mara Romero Borella (12-6) (#13) (Flyweight)
Ranked flyweights Montana De La Rosa and Mara Romero Borella fought in the next fight. Earlier in the card, Montana’s significant other, Mark De La Rosa, lost via knockout. Borella got a takedown in under a minute of the first round. They got up with two minutes to go, with De La Rosa throwing Borella down. Borella got back up, but had De La Rosa on her back. The round ended in this position.
They went to the ground again in the second round, with De La Rosa on Borella’s back again. De La Rosa stayed on Borella’s back for the entire round.
Borella got dropped by a punch halfway through the final round. From that knockdown, De La Rosa took top position on the ground. She stayed in top position until the fight ended. Needing scorecards to find a winner, it was determined that Montana De La Rosa won the fight (30-27, 30-27 & 30-27)
My Scorecard:
| Fighter | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Total |
| De La Rosa | 10 | 10 | 10 | 30 |
| Borella | 9 | 9 | 9 | 27 |
Bout 12: Diego Sanchez (29-12) vs. Michel Pereira (23-10) (Welterweight)
In the co-main event of the evening, flashy fighter Michel Pereira fought The Ultimate Fighter Season 1 winner Diego Sanchez. Sanchez had quite the extended dance routine during his walkout. The crowd was booing heavily. He also did breakdancing while his name was announced. Sanchez had a warm welcome from his home-state crowd. Just like his last fight, Sanchez had one person in his corner. Sanchez opened the fight with a front flip axe kick, or something. Pereira clinched up, and they both landed knees before going back to striking. Sanchez had his right arm extended at Pereira. Sanchez landed a leg kick in the second minute. Pereira tried for a showtime kick which didn’t fully connect. Pereira didn’t connect with a flying knee, and Sanchez failed to score a single leg takedown following that. Sanchez was constantly the one backing up against the cage. Sanchez shot for another takedown that was stopped. Pereira came in with a good combination that ended with a knee to the body.
Sanchez tried for another takedown early in the second round but couldn’t get it. Like the last round, Pereira was walking down Sanchez and throwing strikes. Pereira landed a superman punch off of the cage and then a knee to the head as a follow-up in the final minute of the round. Pereira got a takedown in the final seconds of the round.
Pereira got a takedown after Sanchez missed a spinning backfist. Pereira did his famous backflip onto Sanchez, not hitting him as that would be a grounded stomp. Pereira got some ground and pound in on the ground before they got back up. Pereira landed more knees in the clinch, but the last of the knees hit Sanchez, who was grounded. Sanchez was bleeding quite a bit after, it was hard to tell if the illegal knee was the one that caused the cut. When asked if he could continue, Sanchez said he could not. The fight was ruled a disqualification loss for Michel Pereira.
My Scorecard:
| Fighter | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Total |
| Sanchez | 9 | 9 | ||
| Pereira | 10 | 10 |
Bout 13: Corey Anderson (13-4) (#5) vs. Jan Blachowicz (25-8) (#6) (Light Heavyweight)
Finally, the main event of the evening was between light heavyweight title contenders Corey “Overtime” Anderson and Jan Blachowicz. This was the second time they have faced eachother, with Anderson winning the first time they met. The fight was slow paced until the fourth minute, where Blachowicz landed an overhand right that dropped Anderson. He landed one more punch as referee Herb Dean rushed in to end the fight. With UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones in attendance, Jan Blachowicz might be next for a title shot.
My Scorecard:
| Fighter | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Round 5 | Total |
| Anderson | ||||||
| Blachowicz |
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