UFC 159 Results: ‘Jones vs. Sonnen’ Play-by-Play & Updates

• Jon Jones vs. Chael Sonnen LATEST UPDATE
• Alan Belcher vs. Michael Bisping
• Cheick Kongo vs. Roy Nelson
• Phil Davis vs. Vinny Magalhaes
• Pat Healy vs. Jim Miller
• Rustam Khabilov vs. Yancy Medeiros
• Ovince St. Preux vs. Gian Villante
• Sheila Gaff vs. Sara McMann
• Johnny Bedford vs. Bryan Caraway
• Leonard Garcia vs. Cody McKenzie
• Kurt Holobaugh vs. Steven Siler

Sherdog.com will report from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., with play-by-play and live results of UFC 159, which is headlined by Jon Jones vs. Chael Sonnen.

Check out the MMA Forums to discuss the card or enter your comments and predictions below. Have a question for Sherdog.com's medical expert? Tweet The Fight Doctor via @FightMedicine.

Kurt Holobaugh vs. Steven Siler

Round 1
Siler lands a quick leg inside, answered right away by Holobaugh. The featherweights trade blocked head kicks and begin to parry punches before Siler grabs the clinch and shoves Holobaugh against the cage. Holobaugh turns it around, but Siler keeps the Thai plum to score a pair of good knees to the body. They break and Siler lands an uppercut before being put back on the cage. Again, Siler gets the clinch and works the body with knees. Holobaugh tries to answer with punches to the body, gets dumped to the ground with a double-leg as Siler releases. Siler gets on the kneeling Holobaugh’s back and sinks in both hooks, then throws punches to soften up Holobaugh for a rear-naked choke. Siler sits back, but Holobaugh kneels again and eats more punches to the sides of his head. Siler stays glued in back control as Holobaugh stands. Holobaugh tries to shake him off the top; Siler rolls through, keeping back control and applying the RNC in the process with about one minute left. It looks deep, but Holobaugh guts it out. He still can’t get his back free from Siler, who finishes the round dropping punches with a body triangle locked on.

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Siler
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Siler
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-8 Siler

Round 2
Holobaugh gets hustled into the fence, but this time grabs a guillotine as he’s taken down. It’s not deep, and Siler waits it out to set up in Holobaugh’s guard about 40 seconds into the round. Holobaugh pushes him away, drives forward and hits a takedown of his own. Siler is instantly looking for a triangle choke, but Holobaugh gets loose and postures up to pop Siler with a punch. Siler kicks Holobaugh off and they’re back on their feet. Holobaugh catches Siler with a right and Siler shoots on wobbly legs. Holobaugh tries another guillotine attempt, this time from the top, and can’t find the finish. As he stands, Holobaugh is caught with an upkick; he answers with a hard right hand to Siler’s body. Another right to the face catches Siler as Holobaugh dives down into guard. Siler pulls rubber guard, loses it and eats a heavy elbow. Siler’s bleeding from his nose now, as Holobaugh was in the first round. A stalemate develops as Holobaugh tries to break Siler’s tight guard with 90 seconds left in the round. Holobaugh breaks free to land a few more elbows, then stands again. Siler pops him with an upkick, gets some space and stands. Holobaugh lands a right to the body, a left hook, but just as suddenly Siler is able to string together three or four punches. Good right hook from Siler is followed by a single-leg attempt that Holobaugh easily denies. Holobaugh shoves Siler to the ground and peppers with left hands to Siler’s thigh for the last 20 seconds.

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Holobaugh
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holobaugh
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Holobaugh

Round 3
Holobaugh opens up the final round with half a dozen hard leg kicks inside. Siler comes forward throwing to the body, gets shoved against the fence, where Holobaugh thuds Siler’s ribs with right hands. Siler turns it around, but Holobaugh reverses again and land a hard knee to the body. They exchange positions on the fence, trading knees inside. Holobaugh is attacking the body with punches until Siler shoves him off with just under three minutes left. Holobaugh botches a punch, tries to tie up and throw Siler, but gets stuffed and gives up his back as he kneels. Siler has his hooks in, dropping rights and then rolling through to his back. Unable to fully sink the RNC, Siler tries for a neck crank; Holobaugh won’t tap, instead trying to walk up the cage and escape. Siler finishes the round dropping punches from Holobaugh’s back.

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Siler (29-28 Siler)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Siler (29-27 Siler)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Siler (29-27 Siler)

Official result: All three judges -- Sue Sanidad, Dave Tirelli and Cardo Urso -- score the bout 29-28 for the winner by unanimous decision, Steven Siler.

Leonard Garcia vs. Cody McKenzie

Round 1
McKenzie shoots a quick double and takes Garcia down at the base of the fence. Garcia posts and stands, but McKenzie takes his back in the process and dumps the “Bad Boy” back down to the floor. Now in back control with one hook in, McKenzie keeps a tight grip on Garcia’s upper body with his arms, hunting for a choke. Body triangle is sunk in for McKenzie now as he looks to sink his right arm under Garcia’s chin. Garcia is defending well, fending off the choke even as McKenzie tries to smother with his free hand. They’re sat against the cage now, McKenzie slugging with nice right hands in between choke attempts. McKenzie falls to his back, adjusts the body triangle and postures up as Garcia kneels. Two minutes left and Garcia just can’t get loose of McKenzie. Referee Dan Miragliotta warns one of the men about grabbing the gloves. Garcia tries to twist out of the body triangle and gets caught in an arm-triangle choke in the process. He’s able to slip out, but McKenzie remains on top with a minute left in the round. Garcia gets to his knees and McKenzie nearly catches him in a guillotine. Garcia falls to his back to defend the choke and gets caught in a mounted guillotine. It’s extremely deep, but Garcia is saved by the bell.

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 McKenzie
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 McKenzie
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-8 McKenzie

Round 2
McKenzie waits 30 seconds before shooting a single in the middle of the cage, but now Garcia easily steps out of it. A double-leg on the fence yields better results for McKenzie, who now tries to advance past Garcia’s half-guard as they work at the base of the fence. McKenzie is hunting for a guillotine but Garcia scrambles to his feet and circles out. McKenzie snaps off a jab, pushes Garcia to the fence and shoots another double. Garcia grabs a loose headlock, gives it up to defend the takedown. Rear waistlock for McKenzie now, and he pulls Garcia to the floor to lock on another body triangle from the back. McKenzie is back in the same position as last round with two minutes remaining. Garcia is warned again not to grab McKenzie’s gloves as he works to escape. McKenzie lands some more right hands as they roll, and Garcia is warned again for grabbing the gloves. Garcia spikes McKenzie onto his head, but McKenzie shakes it off and finishes the round in back mount.

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 McKenzie
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 McKenzie
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 McKenzie

Round 3
Garcia rushes out to meet McKenzie, who ducks a flurry of wild punches and blocks a head kick. A right straight gets through for Garcia and the follow-up left misses. McKenzie shoots a low single, can’t pick the ankle. Garcia is swinging for the fences with overhand punches and head kicks while McKenzie just defends and jabs; the jabs from McKenzie are the more effective strikes through the first half of the round. Garcia swings wildly with huge, looping lefts and rights that McKenzie has no problem dodging. A couple more stiff jabs from McKenzie and now Garcia is jawing. McKenzie lands a knee to the body and Garcia answers with a body kick. McKenzie lands some leg kicks inside and out as he slips more wild punches. McKenzie takes Garcia down with 45 seconds left on the clock, pins down Garcia’s left arm from half-guard and drops a couple elbows. Garcia tries to shove him off and winds up giving McKenzie his back for the final time just before the horn.

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 McKenzie (30-27 McKenzie)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 McKenzie (30-26 McKenzie)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 McKenzie (30-26 McKenzie)

Official result: Judge Michael Depasquale Jr. scores the bout 29-28, while judges Sue Sanidad and Tony Tamburrino have it 30-27 for the winner by unanimous decision, Cody McKenzie.

Johnny Bedford vs. Bryan Caraway

Round 1
Caraway pops Bedford with a left hook and Bedford misses with a counter uppercut. Bedford looks to clinch up after about 35 seconds and gets shoved off. A finger catches Bedford in his right eye; he backs up momentarily but waves off ref Keith Peterson and continues to fight. Another clinch is denied by Caraway, who keeps the rangy Bedford at bay with a push kick. Bedford changes levels and Caraway whips around the back to grab a waistlock. Caraway pulls Bedford to the ground and sinks in both hooks to secure back control. Good left hands from Caraway as they lay on their left sides, Bedford using his hands to defend a choke. Caraway loses the hooks and Bedford scrambles up. It’s Bedford pushing forward now, swinging big punches and landing a couple as he moves Caraway toward the fence. Caraway circles out, tries to tie up and gets pushed away. He tries it again and Bedford lands a knee to the body, followed by a clipping right hook. Caraway hits a takedown at the 10-second warning and finishes the round on top.

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Caraway
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Caraway
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Caraway

Round 2
Caraway shoots twice in the opening seconds and gets turned away both times. Bedford returns the favor and Caraway pushes him off. After a minute, Bedford gets Caraway on the fence to land a right hook and a knee to the body. A cracking outside leg kick lands for Bedford before the bantamweights clinch and trade body punches. Both men look wary of takedowns as they throw tentative punches. Caraway scores with a pair of left hooks midway through the round and Beford ties up. Caraway shoves him off and hits a double-leg of his own against the cage with two minutes remaining. Bedford gets off a couple elbows from his back before Caraway sets up in a deep half, working for side control on the left. Now it’s Caraway landing good elbows as he leans left to right in side control. Bedford scrambles and regains his guard with seconds to go, forcing Caraway to dodge upkicks at the end of the round.

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Caraway
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Caraway
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Caraway

Round 3
Caraway circles the outside while Bedford stalks out from the middle in the opening minute, both men grazing with punches. Bedford sends a hard right down the middle and a left behind it. Caraway shoots once, gets sprawled on, shoots again and almost has his back taken. Instead, Caraway turns the corner and gets Bedford down in the middle of the cage. Bedford throws up a triangle, Caraway rolls and Bedford switches to an armbar which Caraway is able to pull out of. Half the round to go and it’s Caraway on top, moving to half-guard as Bedford shrimps underneath. Caraway lands some short lefts as Bedford lays on his side, still holding Caraway in a deep half-guard. Caraway frames up a topside guillotine with 45 seconds left and pulls guard with 25 on the clock. Caraway goes back to mount and squeezes the choke, and Bedford is forced to tap out at 4:44 of round three.

Sheila Gaff vs. Sara McMann

Round 1
Gaff charges on McMann and runs straight into a double-leg takedown. McMann pushes the German over to the fence while Gaff wraps up with a tight, closed guard. Sporadic punches to the body get through for McMann, who is struggling to create space on top. Gaff kicks the wrestler away and McMann rushes straight back in to her opponent’s guard. More right hands to the ribs from McMann, then she lifts Gaff and tries to slam her off. Boos come from the New Jersey crowd midway through the round, followed shortly by a stand-up from referee Gasper Oliver. McMann rushes right back to the clinch and this time Gaff is ready, scoring with knees as they tie up on the fence. McMann hits a single-leg and Gaff nearly sweeps, but McMann shoves her to the floor and traps Gaff’s left arm between her legs for a mounted crucifix. McMann blasts away with heavy right hands and elbows to Gaff’s unprotected face, forcing referee Gasper Oliver to intervene. Sarah McMann wins her UFC debut via TKO at 4:06 of round one.

Ovince St. Preux vs. Gian Villante

Round 1
Villante opens with a hard leg kick inside, answered by a left high kick from OSP. A single-leg from Villante nearly brings St. Preux to the floor, but he pops back up and Villante has to work for the takedown on the fence. St. Preux loops his arm over the top of the fence to defend, wards off the high single and gets off the cage. St. Preux comes forward with a three-piece and lands a left hook. He blocks a high kick from Villante and lands another hook. This one sends Villante staggering back into the cage, where St. Preux tries to finish with punches, then ties up with an underhook. OSP holds Villante on the fence for 20 seconds in the middle of the round and splits with a knee. A thumping left hook sneaks around for St. Preux. He rushes on Villante, who changes levels and wraps up a double-leg, eating a knee in the process. St. Preux defends another near-takedown and they’re back to striking with 90 seconds left. Villante asks for a piece of tape to be cut from his glove and they resume with 60 seconds on the clock. St. Preux puts his man on the fence and Villante turns it around to exit with a nice standing elbow. OSP lands a right in a three-punch combo and has a high kick blocked.

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 St. Preux
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 St. Preux
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 St. Preux

Round 2
Villante kicks the leg out from under St. Preux, who scrambles back to his feet before Villante can capitalize. St. Preux tags Villante with a left and checks a pair of leg kicks. They trade kicks low and St. Preux throws a long left to the body. Villante is racking up the leg kicks, tags St. Preux with a nice right hook and then catches a front headlock after a tired shot from St. Preux. They work on the fence momentarily until St. Preux pops his head loose and dashes off the fence. Two minutes left in the round and Villante keeps piling on leg kicks. St. Preux backs him off with a left, but Villante comes right back to continue his kicking attack. St. Preux says he caught a finger in the eye, but ref Kevin Mulhall tells them to fight on. They do, and Villante lands a right over the top in the final 10 seconds.

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Villante
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Villante
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Villante

Round 3
St. Preux lands a left cross and Villante gives him a trio of hard leg kicks in return. Villante rushes forward to strike, catches a left hook to the side of his head and gets St. Preux’s thumb in his left eye. Villante takes a knee and tells ref Kevin Mulhall that he cannot see, prompting Mulhall to immediately halt the fight. Villante is furious and immediately begins pleading with the ref to continue, but it’s too late. With two rounds in the books, this will go to the judges for a technical decision.

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-10 (29-29 Draw)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-10 (29-29 Draw)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-10 (29-29 Draw)

Official result: Judge Michael Depasquale Jr. scores the bout a 29-29 draw, while Eric Colon sees it 30-28 and Jose Tabora has it 30-29 for the winner by majority technical decision, Ovince St. Preux.

Rustam Khabilov vs. Yancy Medeiros

Round 1
Medeiros throws out a long, backhanded left and moves around the outside, making Khabilov walk him down. A good right hand lands over the top for Medeiros, but the Superman punch behind it does now. Two minutes into the round, Khabilov catches a kick and spins Medeiros to the ground. He suplexes Medeiros and they land in a scramble, with Medeiros nearly taking his Khabilov’s back in the scramble. Just after, Medeiros motions to referee Dan Miragliotta, who calls in the cageside physician. Medeiros seriously injured his right thumb during the scramble and is unable continue, so Rustam Khabilov gets the win via TKO at 2:32 of round one.

Pat Healy vs. Jim Miller

Round 1
The southpaw Miller pops Miller with a quick jab, a left to the body a moment later and then a chopping leg kick. Healy keeps coming forward, ducking a punch to tie up and landing a short elbow as they break. Miller lands a good leg kick and tries to wrap up, gets pushed off. The next clinch has Miller throwing Healy to the ground, then setting up in Healy’s active guard to elbow the body. Healy throws his legs up for an armbar, but he’s on the wrong side and Miller slips out. Healy kneels and Miller goes for a crucifix. When he can’t roll Healy, Miller switches to an armbar on the left arm. Miller trying to go belly-down on the armbar, can’t pry the limb loose and Healy slips out. Back on the feet, Healy lands a knee to the body and takes a leg kick in return before hitting a double-leg on the fence. Miller swings his legs up, maybe thinking armbar, but it’ll be tough with the fence in the position it is. Healy shucks the legs and punches away with rights as Miller kneels. Miller works back up and is immediately slammed down by Healy, who takes Miller’s back with 20 seconds left. Miller spins around to drop an elbow on Healy, then bloodies up the Strikeforce vet with a series of heavy punches in the final seconds.

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Miller
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Miller
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Miller

Round 2
They doctor takes a look at Healy’s swollen right eye between rounds, but “Bam Bam” is allowed to fight on. The lightweights clinch on the fence early in round two, Miller being tripped to the ground and then popping back up to push Healy against the cage. Good elbow from Healy as they split and he moves forward. Miller puts Healy on the fence and Healy scores with a couple uppercuts inside, then a knee. Miller hits an elbow, but Healy goes underneath and hits a double-leg. Healy stands over Miller for a moment, controlling the legs, then comes down with a right hand to the body. Miller is looking for a triangle or an armbar, so Healy backs out and stacks up. Healy comes down with a hard right and an elbow, then keeps the right hands coming. Some big shots are getting through for Healy as Miller is unable to escape from the foot of the cage. Still nearly two minutes left when Healy hops on Miller’s back and sinks in one hook. Healy softens him up with punches and loops his arm under Miller’s throat for an RNC attempt. Miller scrapes him off with the help of the cage, then pushes Healy out of full mount. Miller looks for a headlock in the final scramble of the round, but Healy gets to his feet and blasts Miller with a hard knee to the gut before the horn.

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Healy
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Healy
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Healy

Round 3
Healy slips a clinch attempt and mugs Miller with uppercuts and a right hook on the way out. Miller connects with a left hand and they grapple on the fence momentarily. Miller with an uppercut to the body, and he’s pushed against the cage, where Healy lands a couple good knees to the body. Miller kicks the leg out from under Healy, but Healy is right back up with a hard left. Healy digs an underhook and slugs Miller with lefts as they clinch on the cage. Healy trips Miller to the ground and quickly starts dropping punches from half-guard. A headlock from Healy keeps Miller down, and Healy keeps busy with elbows before being put back in guard at the midway point of the final frame. Miller tries rubber guard, broken up by more elbows and punches from Healy. One hook in on the bloodied Miller, Healy throws punches until he’s able to roll Miller onto his back. There, Healy sinks in the rear-naked choke and squeezes until Miller goes unconscious. Referee Herb Dean recognizes that Miller is out cold and waves it off at 4:02 of round three.

Phil Davis vs. Vinny Magalhaes

Round 1
No touch of gloves with the light heavyweights as they go straight to throwing punches and head kicks. Davis has some hard kicks go off his forearms, and he gives Magalhaes a solid hook to the body. Magalhaes clinches up and gets turned around on the fence, where Davis slugs with body punches before disengaging. Davis is connecting with right hands, one of which has Magalhaes bouncing off the fence. A partially blocked head kick seems to hurt Magalhaes further. Davis tries to capitalize, ripping punches to the body and head, but Magalhaes does well to minimize the damage as he moves backwards. A close-quarters elbow and a left hand from Davis prompt Magalhaes to shoot. He gets Davis down and works to secure back control, but Davis slips out and wants Magalhaes back up, too. Davis feeds Magalhaes a steady diet of straight punches as they move around the outside. Davis with an uppercut and a right straight, answered by a Magalhaes leg kick. Magalhaes hops backward after a punch, claiming he caught a finger in the eye, but ref Dan Miragliotta tells them to fight on. Davis smells blood and closes in with punches on his injured opponent. Magalhaes covers up and backs Davis off with kicks, but “Mr. Wonderful” finishes strong, stinging Davis with punches to the horn.

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Davis
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Davis
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Davis

Round 2
Magalhaes gets Davis moving backward with a right hand, can’t capitalize but does follow up with a hard leg kick. Davis comes in behind a one-two, changes levels and almost hops on Magalhaes’ back. Magalhaes pulls guard; Davis wants none of it and ref Miragliotta orders Magalhaes back up. Davis sticks the Brazilian with a right down the middle, then another. Magalhaes is getting some leg kicks going midway through the round, though it’s still Davis moving forward, piling on the jabs which have bloodied Magalhaes’ mouth. Davis catches a lazy low kick and trips Magalhaes down, but again won’t follow to the ground. Davis rips a nice right straight to the body, takes a couple hard leg kicks in return. More jabs from Davis as the round enters its final minute; he’s throwing combinations, but those are mostly pulling up short. Magalhaes gets denied on a shot and slugged with a right as he stands. Davis sticks another pair of jabs before the end of the round.

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Davis
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Davis
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Davis

Round 3
Magalhaes looks to grab hold of Davis, who easily slips out and sticks his hand in his opponent’s face. A couple leg kicks connect for Magalhaes, answered by a few more jabs from Davis. A guard-pull attempt from Magalhaes yields nothing. Magalhaes is covering up under fire from Davis on the fence, but Davis gets an uppercut through. Davis keeps jabbing, gets pushed back by an outside leg kick midway through the final round. More leg kicks connect for Magalhaes, who then eats a hard right over the top as he’s inched toward the fence. The right hand keeps getting through for Davis, who turns away two takedown attempts and orders Magalhaes back up when the BJJ player tries to pull guard. Down to the final 30 seconds and Davis comes up short on a Superman punch. He tags Magalhaes with two more jabs and blocks a head kick before time runs out.

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Davis (30-27 Davis)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Davis (30-27 Davis)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Davis (30-27 Davis)

Official result: Judge Dave Tirelli scores the bout 29-28, while Eric Colon and Tony Tamburrino see it 30-27 for the winner by unanimous decision, Phil Davis.

Cheick Kongo vs. Roy Nelson

Round 1
Both big men look to jab early, Nelson in the center and Kongo on the outside. Kongo lands a leg kick and Nelson is quick to clinch up, pressing the larger man against the fence. A knee to the body lands for Kongo, who moves off the fence momentarily before being pushed back. Nelson is controlling with the bodylock, but ref Kevin Mulhall breaks them up for inactivity about 90 seconds into the round. Kongo throws a leg kick and Nelson counters perfectly, slamming Kongo with an overhand right behind the ear. Kongo falls to his seat at the base of the cage, goes to drive on a leg and moves right into another right hand that puts him out cold. Kongo wakes up a moment later and tries to grapple with the ref, but this one is done. Roy Nelson wins via knockout at 2:03 of the first round.

Alan Belcher vs. Michael Bisping

Round 1
Belcher has his foot wraps cut off by an official before the start of the bout. Bisping catches a kick on the cup early in the bout, but he waves ref Herb Dean away to continue fighting. The Brit is trying to move in on Belcher, who bounces around the outside and keeps Bisping at bay with kicks. Bisping moves in to stick a short right hook, moves out and takes a pair of kicks to the midsection. He lands a body kick on Belcher and dodges a left high kick. More kicks coming from Belcher, pushing Bisping away with a side kick, feinting one to the knee and landing a low kick outside on Bisping’s lead leg. Two minutes left in an opening round which still appears up for grabs. Belcher connects with a strong right hand, looks for another and can’t find Bisping’s chin. A lead uppercut just misses for Belcher, who is keeping on the move and switching stances constantly. Bisping catches another finger in his right eye, takes a few seconds to recover and gets back to work with 40 seconds to go. A straight punch catches Belcher off-balance and puts him on the ground; he hops right back up, smiling. Bisping gets off one last right hand in close quarters before the end of the round.

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Bisping
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Bisping
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Bisping

Round 2
Bisping sticks a right hand, lands a leg kick inside. Belcher responds with a jab and goes back to circling just outside of Bisping’s range. Belcher’s hands are by his sides, but Bisping is attacking the legs with more low kicks. “The Count” goes high with a head kick that just misses, then throws a right hand which doesn’t. Bisping catches his man coming forward with a counter left, then moves forward himself to tap Belcher with a right hook. Bisping slaps with an outside leg kick and moves out of the way of Belcher’s counter. Belcher pulls up short on a jab, leaves his hands down and takes a right on the cheek. Combinations are coming together for Bisping now, while Belcher stays on the outside, landing a couple leg kicks. The crowd starts to boo with 90 seconds left in the round, but quickly changes its tune as Bisping strings together a couple good right hands. Bisping catches Belcher with his hands down again, this time with a left hook. Belcher shoots a high double-leg which Bisping shoves off easily. Belcher lands a pair of good punches in the last 20 seconds, but Bisping gets them back with a combination just before the end.

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Bisping
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Bisping
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Bisping

Round 3
Belcher comes out swinging and runs right into a Bisping counter. A jab from Bisping is followed by a good right cross, then another. Belcher has a smile on his face as he moves around the perimeter; a couple more jabs from Bisping have “The Talent” looking a little more serious. Belcher takes a left high kick to the head, nearly catches it and can’t hold on. Bisping is doing well to keep Belcher on the end of his punches as the final round hits the midway mark. Belcher responds with a kick to the body but he’s pulling up short on his punches. Bisping, meanwhile, is still connecting and coming forward, throwing combos and slugging with right hands when Belcher’s hands drop to his hips. Belcher shoots a double with 1:15 remaining and gets shoved against the cage. Bisping exits the clinch with an elbow. They’re back to striking inside the final minute when Belcher catches a finger in his right eye. Belcher drops to the ground immediately and it doesn’t look good, with blood leaking from his right eye. For the second time tonight, a fight is waved off due to an eye poke and will go to a technical decision.

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Bisping (30-27 Bisping)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Bisping (30-27 Bisping)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Bisping (30-27 Bisping)

Official result: The judges score the bout 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28 for the winner by unanimous technical decision, Michael Bisping.

UFC Light Heavyweight Championship:
Jon Jones vs. Chael Sonnen

Round 1
Referee Keith Peterson is in charge of tonight’s main event, with judges Eric Colon, Dave Tirelli and Cardo Urso scoring at cageside. Sonnen rushes to meet Jones across the cage and is met with a quick takedown. The challenger posts, sits and stands back up, where the fighters clinch and Sonnen lands uppercuts. They disengage and Jones moves in to hold Sonnen on the fence. Now it’s Jones ripping shots to the body and double-legging Sonnen to the ground. The challenger keeps busy with strikes from his back, but Jones postures up and slows it with a heavy elbow. Sonnen stands with 90 seconds down and is held on the cage again. Sonnen loops punches around the head of Jones, who goes for a single and abandons it when Sonnen threatens with a guillotine. The sequence repeats and Jones lands a good uppercut in the clinch. A spinning elbow from Jones before they tie up again, now with Sonnen grabbing the Thai plum. Jones works hooks to the body and takes a knee from Sonnen before hitting another takedown. Sonnen is shifting his hips but can’t escape from the bigger man on top. The pace finally slows as Jones moves Sonnen around the outside, zapping the challenger with elbows. Jones giftwraps Sonnen’s left arm and lands shots. Sonnen tries to roll through and gets caught underneath a barrage of elbows and punches which quickly bloody his face. Ref Peterson has seen enough, and though Sonnen gets up to protest, his left eye is nearly swollen shut. Jon Jones retains his UFC light heavyweight championship via TKO at 4:33 of the first round; the post-fight interview reveals that Jones sustained a gruesome injury to the big toe on his left foot.