UFC Fight Night Results: ‘Barnett vs. Nelson’ Play-by-Play & Updates

Shinsho Anzai vs. Roger Zapata

Round 1

The southpaw Zapata takes the center of the cage and lobs a high kick at Anzai, who ducks under the next one. Anzai shoots in behind a left hook and puts Zapata on the fence with a single-leg attempt, then releases to throw a flurry of punches, landing one or two. The welterweights move back to the center, where Anzai attempts another single-leg and winds up holding Zapata on the fence again. Anzai switches to a double and manages to drag Zapata to the mat, where the Japanese “Animal” triangles his opponents legs as Zapata sits up against the cage. Anzai advances to half guard, then gives it up to stand over Zapata and throw a few punches. Zapata takes the opportunity to power back to his feet with just over two minutes remaining. Anzai holds Zapata on the cage, but it’s Zapata landing with punches to the body. Anzai gets him back with a knee to the gut after a failed trip attempt where Zapata was aided by a fence grab. Anzai leaps into range with a nice left hand and shoots again. He brings the fight back to the fence, where Zapata briefly considers a guillotine choke before releasing. Anzai spends the remainder of the round grinding Zapata against the fence, though Zapata gets in a few good body shots.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Anzai
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Anzai
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Anzai

Round 2

Zapata opens with a kick across Anzai’s body and a right hand upstairs. Anzai eats it and shoots for another takedown on the fence, but this one is shut down by Zapata with ease. Yet another single-leg attempt from Anzai ends in a stalemate on the fence, and the fighters split about one minute into the round. Anzai lands a hard right hand, eats one in return from Zapata and then ducks under a kick from the American to hit a takedown. Zapata is right back on his feet, but Anzai is tenacious and takes him down again, even with another cage grab. Anzai scores with a hard right hand on the ground and bears down on Zapata, who grabs Anzai’s head and squeezes hard on a guillotine choke which isn’t there. Anzai frees himself, stands and dives back to the ground, where Zapata is caught trying to scramble and nearly has his back taken. Zapata turns over and scrambles back up, catching Anzai along the way with a takedown attempt of his own. Anzai fends off the shot, turns Zapata against the cage and shoots for another single. The former Pancrase champ releases the leg for a few seconds, only to shoot back in and ride out the final minute of the round on the fence.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Anzai
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Anzai
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Anzai

Round 3

Anzai tries to keep the larger man at bay with flicky jabs, but when Zapata steps into the pocket, it’s Anzai scoring with a stinging right hand. Zapata walks straight at Anzai with hands by his sides but soon puts them back up when the “Animal” threatens to attack. Anzai swings forward on Zapata with a combination and Zapata turns his back, grabbing his hand. Referee Neil Swailes pauses the fight and calls the doctor to check on an apparent finger injury, even though Zapata says he wants to fight. It’s too late: the injury means the fight is over, and Shinsho Anzai is the winner by way of technical knockout. Video replay shows that Zapata suffered a dislocated finger when his left hand collided with one of Anzai’s punches.

The Official Result

Shinsho Anzai def. Roger Zapata via TKO (Hand Injury) R3 0:47

Naoyuki Kotani vs. Kajan Johnson

Round 1

Johnson takes the center of the cage as the southpaw Kotani circles to his left around the outside. Not much action to speak of in the opening 60 seconds, though Johnson gets through with a right hand and a kick to the body, while having a few high kicks deflected. A side kick catches Kotani on the ribs, causing him to circle away. Johnson goes high on the other side, but Kotani gets his glove up to block the left high kick. The Canadian is showing some unusual angles, wiggling his hips in front of his opponent. Suddenly, Johnson connects with a hard right hook to the cheek of Kotani, who blinks a few times as he stumbles backward. Johnson tries to finish with a high kick but it’s blocked. Kotani clinches for a few seconds, seemingly long enough to regain his wits. After separating, Kotani shoots for a high single-leg and nearly succeeds in tripping Johnson to the ground after a hop around the cage. Johnson pulls the other leg back and switches to the southpaw stance as he continues walking Kotani around the cage. Kotani is wearing some redness on the outside of his left eye from the big right hand earlier in the round. Johnson frustrates Kotani in the final 30 seconds by backpedaling and avoiding the minimal strikes thrown by the Japanese fighter.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Johnson
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Johnson
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Johnson

Round 2

The lightweights go straight back to their routine from round one, with Johnson pushing forward and moving the passive Kotani around the edge of the cage. Kotani tries to shoot for a takedown but Johnson shuts it down with ease. Now it’s Kotani chasing after Johnson, looking to land a strike, but Johnson counters with a lovely right hand and Kotani hits the canvas. Kotani still has his wits, grabbing for Johnson’s legs, but after Johnson gets clear of submission danger, he begins unloading. Kotani eats a dozen or more hard shots as he slowly powers back up to his feet under a hailstorm of punches. Two minutes into the round, Kotani is back on his feet, back chasing Johnson with overhand lefts. Johnson eats a left hand, circles off and catches Kotani shooting in with a huge knee to the chest. Kotani collapses to the ground, still holding Johnson’s leg, only barely. Johnson smashes away with punches and elbows until Kotani gets up again. After a standing rear waistlock, Johnson releases the submission specialist and resets on his feet. Johnson counters a body shot from Kotani with a clubbing right hand that snaps back the head of the local favorite. To the credit of Kotani, he’s eating everything Johnson throws at him; on the other side, he’s given Johnson very little to worry about through two rounds.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-8 Johnson
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Johnson
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Johnson

Round 3

Johnson circles away from a left hand from Kotani and snipes back with a hard, straight right. Kotani comes back with a left hook, maybe his best punch of the fight so far, but moments later, his head is rocked by a hard jab from the Canadian. Kotani gets into the pocket with a combination; the punches are blocked by Johnson, but Kotani uses them to close the gap and clinch. Kotani scores a trip takedown one minute into the round and works to pass to full mount as he pins Johnson at the base of the fence. It’s slow moving on the ground, and referee Greg Kleynjans calls for action. After a minute, just when it looks like Kotani might mount, Johnson escapes danger by grabbing for a heel hook. The submission isn’t close, but it serves to force Kotani back to his feet. Not wanting to give up the position, Kotani comes back down into Johnson’s closed guard. Inside the final two minutes now, referee Kleynjans calls for work again. Johnson angles for an armbar, but Kotani defends it and socks his opponent in the face for the trouble. Kotani drops back to try a heel hook of his own; Johnson doesn’t look distressed and pulls his leg free after a short wait. Back on the feet, Kotani shoots for a single-leg and winds up face-down on the canvas as Johnson steps away. Twenty seconds left, Johnson shoves away another Kotani takedown attempt and then finishes the fight with a loud, straight right to Kotani’s jaw.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Kotani (29-27 Johnson)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Kotani (29-27 Johnson)
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Kotani (29-28 Johnson)

The Official Result

Kajan Johnson def. Naoyuki Kotani via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Nick Hein vs. Yusuke Kasuya

Round 1

Hein opens with a few leg kicks before his ankle is picked and he’s tripped to the ground. Kasuya launches a head kick as Hein stands, but the “Sergeant” goes under it and escapes to his feet. The lightweights clinch up and Hein lands a hard knee to the cup of Kasuya, who collapses to the ground in pain. Referee Steve Perceval pauses the action, and Kasuya takes the better part of five minutes to regain his composure and restart the fight. Hein deflects an uppercut and walks Kasuya toward the fence to swipe with a right hook. Hein connects with a jab and an overhand left, then slides out of the way of a high kick. Ninety seconds left and Kasuya is starting to find his rhythm with punches, but Hein is responding with more evasive movement. Hein sprawls on a late shot to finish the round on the feet.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Hein
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Hein
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Kasuya

Round 2

Hein swarms Kasuya with a bunch of punches, landing a right hand on the end of it, but Kasuya tags him back with a short right as they circle off the fence. Hein throws a hard uppercut-left straight, deflected by Kasuya, and the German shakes out both hands after the exchange. Kasuya sticks a long jab, answered by Hein with a left hook. Halfway through the round and the fight, it’s Kasuya pushing forward, Hein on his back foot looking to counter. Hein gets his head knocked by a headbutt as Kasuya charges in to clinch, then separates and scores with a left hook up top. An overhand left from Hein appears to sting Kasuya as the round enters its final minute, but Kasuya eats it and keeps walking forward. Kasuya grins wide after Hein whiffs on a spinning backfist. Kasuya is lunging with long punches but not finding the mark. Again, the Japanese fighter tries a late takedown, and again Hein denies him.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Hein
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Hein
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Hein

Round 3

Kasuya continues to press the action at the start of round three, though he’s mostly just walking forward on Hein without throwing much. Hein rocks Kasuya’s head with a blasting overhand left, and Kasuya gives him a high-five for the effort. Kasuya lands an inside leg kick, touches Hein with a jab and puts a kick under his armpit. Kasuya misses with a combination, eats a jab from Hein and whiffs on another bunch of punches. Hein scores again with the uppercut-left hook combo. Halfway through the final round, Hein nearly chops out Kasuya’s lead leg with a hard kick. The “Sergeant” puts a few more kicks on Kasuya’s left leg as he circles away from the Japanese fighter in the ensuing 30 seconds. Kasuya manages to keep his balance as his lead leg buckles again. Inside the final minute now, and Kasuya catches a leg kick and drives Hein to the ground. Hein sweeps immediately, but the lightweights scramble back to their feet, Hein complains of an eye poke. Referee Perceval clears him to continue right away and the fight resumes with 35 seconds on the clock. Kasuya gets his guard up to block an overhand right and puts a hard kick in Hein’s breadbasket. Kasuya shouts at Hein as he chases him down in the final seconds and Hein screams back, but they slap hands after the final bell.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Hein (30-27 Hein)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Hein (30-27 Hein)
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Hein (29-28 Hein)

The Official Result

Nick Hein def. Yusuke Kasuya via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Keita Nakamura vs. Jingliang Li

Round 1

Nakamura charges straight in to clinch with Li, who pushes him back out of range with uppercuts. “K-Taro” resets and drops Li with a short left hook to the jaw, then stands over his fallen opponent as Li grabs for a triangle or an armbar. Nakamura stays standing inside Li’s closed guard, then drops down to his knees with a hammerfist. Li keeps Nakamura wrapped up tight in guard, neutralizing any possible offense from the veteran. Nakamura gets busy with hammerfists, and after eating four or five shots to the face, Li’s grip tightens up again. Halfway through the round, the welterweights are inactive on the ground as referee Neil Swailes calls for action. Nakamura responds with a few peppering right hands to the side of Li’s head, while “The Leech” continues to cling on underneath. Finally, with 35 seconds left in the round, referee Swailes brings the fighters back to their feet. Li puts a kick inside Nakamura’s lead leg but gets caught with a right hook and a knee from “K-Taro.” Li steps out to the center of the cage and gets the last word in the round with a right hook to Nakamura’s temple.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Nakamura
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Nakamura
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Nakamura

Round 2

Nakamura lands a left hand, presses forward and has to cover up as Li throws a hard combination back his way. Li goes to the body of Nakamura with a hard right hook on the ribs, tries a left hook up top but he’s blocked. A jab sneaks through for Li, who’s suddenly found his range on the feet and is completely neutralizing Nakamura. Ninety seconds in, it’s all Li so far in round two. Nakamura’s striking has dropped off to single jabs and the occasional step-in knee to the body. Meanwhile, Li is turning up the volume, keeping busy so as not to let the southpaw inside. Nakamura lands a single right hook, takes a kick to the lead leg. Li goes back to the body, digging into Nakamura’s ribs with hard, fast hooks. A left hook up top forces Nakamura to try and clinch. Li pushes him away and comes across the center with a right hand, then another left hook. Nakamura hits the deck and rolls for a kneebar, but Li postures up and drills him with elbows to the face. Li can’t get the finish, so he stands and asks referee Swailes to order Nakamura back up as well. Nakamura’s nose is bloodied, his face swollen from the beating he’s taken in this round, but he continues to press forward as the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Li
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Li
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Li

Round 3

Nakamura tries to get into range for a clinch or takedown, but Li zaps him with a left hook and sprawls all over a long shot from the Japanese fighter. Li’s jab snaps back the head of Nakamura, who answers with a sneaky left hook around the outside. Li changes levels to try a takedown, forces Nakamura down at the base of the fence but can’t hold him there. Nakamura posts and works back to his feet, where he’s held against the cage for 30 seconds until referee Swailes separates the fighters. Nakamura shoots a high double-leg but it’s sprawled on by Li near the fence. In a flash, Nakamura scrambles up and jumps on the back of Li, then latches on a rear-naked choke. Li tries to fight off the choke, but it’s extremely tight and the Chinese fighter slowly slumps to the ground. Referee Swailes waves off the bout, and Keita Nakamura racks up a spectacular comeback win.

The Official Result

Keita Nakamura def. Jingliang Li via Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R3 2:17

Mizuto Hirota vs. Teruto Ishihara

Round 1

Ishihara sticks out a hand to touch gloves, then whips a kick into Hirota’s body. Hirota takes his time before swinging forward with a long right hand that turns Ishihara’s head and sends him backpedaling. Ishihara bounces on his toes and gives Hirota a few kicks to the body, then a hard chop to the lead leg. Hirota tries to work his way inside on the southpaw, but Ishihara’s quick kicks keep him at bay. Ishihara catches Hirota off balance and shoves him to the ground, then catches him with a left hand on the way back up. The featherweights circle with three minutes left in the round, Ishihara evading the offensive bursts of his opponent. Hirota catches Ishihara with a nice straight right near the fence, but “Yashabo” bounces off the cage and cracks back with a hard left hand. Hirota denies a half-hearted takedown attempt, so Ishihara circles off and waits to score with a speedy combination. Leg kicks and straight lefts continue to score for Ishihara late in the round as he repeatedly beats Hirota to the punch. Hirota gets one back with a bombing left hand as he chases down Ishihara near the fence. Ishihara sticks a jab, then comes over the top with a big left hand that smashes Hirota’s face. Hirota tags him with a quick right hand, but Ishihara turns around and scores a knockdown with a left hook at the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Ishihara
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Ishihara
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Ishihara

Round 2

Hirota hits the deck again in the first 30 seconds of the round courtesy of a short Ishihara left hand on the jaw. Ishihara bombs him with an overhand left after “Pugnus” powers back to his feet. Hirota continues to eat shots and walk forward on Ishihara, but almost every time he swings into range, Ishihara counters and circles away. Ishihara is grazed with a right straight near the fence and slips to the mat; it looks like a slip, but Ishihara nods at the older man as he stands. Halfway through round two, Ishihara continues to find a home for his jab and left hand, and Hirota just keeps coming forward. Hirota scores with a pair of punches and shoots a double, dragging Ishihara to the mat near the fence. Ishihara struggles back to his feet and separates himself with 80 seconds left in the round. Ishihara looks to be fading late in the round as Hirota stays in the pocket and starts to turn up the volume with combinations.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Hirota
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Hirota
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Hirota

Round 3

Hirota goes to the body with a left hand and tries to come over the top with a right, but Ishihara is waiting with a perfect left-handed counter that puts the veteran on his seat. Hirota gets back up and walks into another blasting left hand. Ishihara circles away and pumps his jab, then ducks and weaves as Hirota chases him to the other side of the cage. Hirota is having much more success now, tagging the tired Ishihara with hard shots on the fence. He drags Ishihara to the ground midway through the round and socks him with a few right hands to the face. Ishihara gets back to his feet at the 90-second mark, but Hirota pins him against the cage. Thirty seconds later, Ishihara escapes, only to be clubbed by more right hands. Hirota keeps Ishihara in close quarters for the final 30 seconds, up against the fence where Hirota can land inside.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Hirota (29-28 Hirota)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Hirota (29-28 Hirota)
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Hirota (29-28 Hirota)

The Official Result

Mizuto Hirota vs. Teruto Ishihara is declared a Split Draw (29-29, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Katsunori Kikuno vs. Diego Brandao

Round 1

Brandao floors Kikuno in the opening 20 seconds with a huge overhand right to the jaw. Kikuno backs up to the fence, where Brandao pours on the right hands as the Japanese fighter works back up to his feet. Kikuno tries to clinch, but Brandao ragdolls him into the fence and back to the floor. With Kikuno kneeling and facing the fence, Brandao unloads with more punches until referee Steve Perceval intervenes.

The Official Result

Diego Brandao def. Katsunori Kikuno via TKO (Punches) R1 0:28

Takeya Mizugaki vs. George Roop

Round 1

Mizugaki sticks a straight right hand and dodges a high kick from the 6-foot-1 American. The bantamweights tie up on the fence and Roop takes the outside position, but neither man is able to produce much offense in the clinch before they separate. Mizugaki tags Roop with a left hook to the liver and follows a straight right upstairs as he catches the big man leaning over. Roop wants to clinch again, but he’s reversed by Mizugaki and shoved against a cage post. They separate momentarily and Mizugaki finds an opening for a quick burst of punches. Back to the fence they go until the 90-second mark, when Roop breaks away. Seconds later, Roop is back to tie up and Mizugaki cracks him with a short right hand.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Mizugaki
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Mizugaki
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Mizugaki

Round 2

Roop catches Mizugaki with a kick to the cup in the opening seconds, but Mizugaki motions that he’s OK and wants to fight on. The right hand connects for Mizugaki again as he’s pushed against the fence. Another short right appears to drop Roop to his knees, but the American bounces back up and continues to pressure against the cage. Mizugaki is scoring with the right hand whenever he finds the space, so Roop wants to keep it close. Mizugaki begins to control the clinch with over-unders, while Roop receives a warning from referee Neil Swailes for grabbing the fence. Halfway through the round, the 135ers fight off the fence and Mizugaki knocks an off-balance Roop to the ground. Roop jumps up again, lands a leg kick and finds Mizugaki’s face with a right hook. Mizugaki answers with yet another right hand and then gets wrapped up on the fence again with 90 seconds to go. Roop releases 30 seconds later and walks at Mizugaki with combinations, connecting with a right hand on the end of one. Mizugaki tags him back with a straight right and the offense slows again at the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Mizugaki
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Mizugaki
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Mizugaki

Round 3

Roop steps into range with a corkscrew right hand, landing on Mizugaki’s jaw before clinching on the fence again. Mizugaki breaks away after 20 seconds and lands his right hand again, prompting Roop to return to the clinch. The bantamweights separate to swing hands, neither connects, and Mizugaki takes the outside position when they lock up again. Roop turns him around and the stalemate in the clinch continues. With two minutes on the clock, Mizugaki gets some separation and tries to connect, but Roop grabs hold of him and pushes him to the other side of the cage. Twenty seconds later, Mizugaki breaks off again and hits Roop with a hard jab that sends the tall man back to his knees, trying for a takedown. Mizugaki stands him up and the clinching continues, now drawing scattered boos from the crowd inside Saitama Super Arena. They separate, clinch again, exchanging positions a few times and then split with 20 ticks left on the clock. Mizugaki connects with a body shot, then a clinch knee as Roop runs him to the fence one more time.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Mizugaki (30-27 Mizugaki)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Mizugaki (30-27 Mizugaki)
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Mizugaki (30-27 Mizugaki)

The Official Result

Takeya Mizugaki def. George Roop via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Chico Camus

Round 1

Horiguchi cuts angles on the outside and throws a leg kick, then a body shot at Camus in the center. Camus eats a right hand upstairs and tries to grab hold of Horiguchi, but the Japanese prospect slips free and moves back to the outside. Horiguchi scores with a lunging overhand right, shoots for a takedown and has to fight his way out of Camus’ Thai clinch. From his back foot, Horiguchi catches Camus with a counter right hook. Camus stuffs another high double-leg attempt and then grabs a standing rear waistlock as he catching Horiguchi missing a spinning backfist. Horiguchi turns around, but Camus lands a knee in the clinch before Horiguchi can get away. Lots of circling from both guys as the round hits the final 90 seconds. Camus is keeping control of the center and catching Horiguchi with sporadic right hands down the stretch.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Camus

Round 2

The flyweights get straight to business with a punching exchange in the center, and Horiguchi comes away with the hardest shot, a big right hand on the cheek that has Camus backing up. Another shot lands on top of Camus’ head, and as he turns to sprint away, Horiguchi tries to jump on his back. Camus blocks the back-take and escapes, but Horiguchi continues to tag him from range, rocking Camus with one-twos and mixing in a few hard kicks to the body. Camus is finding a counter right hand here and there, but Horiguchi is starting to overwhelm the American with volume in the first half. The pace slows a bit near the middle of the round, but now Horiguchi comes alive with another combination and a left hook behind it that worsens Camus’ already cut right cheek. Camus returns the favor by bloodying Horiguchi’s nose with a jab, but Horiguchi gets him back with a short left hook. Camus answers with a right cross, backs up to the center and takes a plunging left hand on the chin. Horiguchi finishes the round by knocking Camus’ head back with a straight right.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi

Round 3

Horiguchi ducks under a right hand from Camus and presses the American against the cage, but Camus breaks away after only a few seconds. Camus is chasing Horiguchi around the outside until he’s forced to back off when Horiguchi slaps his face with a left high kick. Backpedaling away from Camus’ quick jabs, Horiguchi continues to find a home for his counter hook. The flyweights circle and parry punches in the last two minutes, but there’s not much landing cleanly. With 30 seconds left, Horiguchi has a shot stuffed and comes back to crack Camus with a blistering right hand. Camus staggers back to the fence, Horiguchi tries to polish him off but can’t find the mark. Camus recovers within a few seconds and comes off the fence swinging just as time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi (30-27 Horiguchi)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi (30-27 Horiguchi)
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Horiguchi (29-28 Horiguchi)

The Official Result

Kyoji Horiguchi def. Chico Camus via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Gegard Mousasi vs. Uriah Hall

Round 1

Mousasi walks straight forward on Hall, catches a kick and hustles the striker to the ground. The Dutchman immediately gets to work with ground-and-pound, stacking up Hall and then passing to side control on Hall’s right side. Mousasi works for a mounted crucifix, then nearly steps into mount before Hall gets a knee inside and clears him out. Mousasi is back in Hall’s guard with 3:30 on the clock, but 30 seconds later he’s advancing back up Hall’s body, framing up an arm-triangle choke. Hall breaks loose of the choke but can’t prevent Mousasi from mounting him midway through the round. Again, Hall is able to push Mousasi out of mount, and now the former “Ultimate Fighter” cast member grabs for a leglock. Mousasi easily defends the leg but gets caught in a kimura which Hall converts into an armbar attempt. After a scary moment, Mousasi frees the arm and moves straight back to full mount. Hall rolls to his stomach, then back over, and now Mousasi is fully established in back mount with a body triangle. Mousasi gets under the chin of Hall but can’t finish the RNC before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Mousasi
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Mousasi
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-8 Mousasi

Round 2

Mousasi stalks forward on Hall, who leaps into the air and catches the “Dreamcatcher” with a beautiful spinning back-kick to the face. Mousasi staggers backward and Hall launches himself into the air, colliding with Mousasi’s chin with a clean flying knee. Mousasi is in a heap at the base of the fence, barely clinging to consciousness as Hall pounds away from the standing position. Referee Greg Kleynjans tells Mousasi to fight back and gives him every opportunity to recover, but Hall’s punches are nonstop and the ref steps in to save Mousasi from more punishment.

The Official Result

Uriah Hall def. Gegard Mousasi via TKO (Flying Knee and Punches) R2 0:25

Josh Barnett vs. Roy Nelson

Round 1

Steve Perceval is the referee for tonight’s heavyweight main event, with judges Mark Craig, Evan Field and Charlie Keech scoring at cageside. Barnett pushes Nelson backward with a jab to open, ducks under a right hand from “Big Country” and gives him a kick to the lead leg. Nelson tries the right hand again and Barnett goes underneath it. Nelson rushes Barnett and plows him to the ground, landing in position for an arm-triangle choke. Barnett receives three warnings from referee Perceval for grabbing the fence as he tries to escape from underneath the heavier man. Two minutes into the round, Nelson works from half guard on Barnett’s right side. The ref calls for work and Nelson tries to swing punches but can’t get through. Perceval brings the fighters back to their feet midway through the round and Barnett immediately hits Nelson with a high knee. A body shot backs up Nelson, followed by Barnett careening into him with a knee to the gut. Last 90 seconds of round one, Barnett is doing work on the fence, bullying Nelson in the clinch with more hard knees. Nelson tries to use underhooks for another trip takedown, can’t get it but winds up taking the outside position in the clinch. Nelson gets the takedown with 45 seconds left and spends the remainder of the round trying to advance past half guard.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Barnett
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Barnett
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Barnett

Round 2

Nelson comes out swinging the overhand right and may have clipped Barnett on the chin. Barnett is fighting from an awkward southpaw stance, walking forward on Nelson but not letting his hands go. Barnett backs him up to the fence with a leg kick and a straight right. Nelson comes back to the center, where Barnett feeds him an uppercut, a knee to the body and more left hands up against the fence. Nelson is sucking deep breaths as Barnett pushes him across the cage and lands more knees on the other side. Nelson loses his mouthpiece, leans over to pick it up and eats a knee for his troubles. Barnett is bleeding from his nose but suddenly taking control of the fight in the clinch, now working Nelson’s midsection with short punches. Nelson gets off a knee to the body inside the last two minutes; Barnett keeps Nelson on the fence and stomps his feet. An uppercut, a knee and a horizontal elbow score for Barnett, now inside the final minute of the round. Barnett just gets his arm up to block a right high kick from Nelson, then pushes him back against the cage for more foot stomps at the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Barnett
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Barnett
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Barnett

Round 3

Nelson grabs double underhooks and tries to trip Barnett to the ground. Barnett nearly reverses, but Nelson stands his ground and winds up pressing “The Warmaster” against the fence. The big men spend the first two minutes of the round in this position, Nelson kneeing Barnett’s knees while Barnett just clings on. Referee Perceval splits them up and Barnett tags Nelson with a combination before clinching up again. Barnett lands a knee to the body as he’s turned around, then escapes the clinch when Nelson drops for a single-leg. Barnett walks down Nelson on the other side of the cage, blasts him with an uppercut and lands a short knee to the body. Nelson slides out the side and catches Barnett coming forward with a short right hook. Nelson tries a single-leg but Barnett hops around on one leg until he’s able to put his back against the fence. Not much action at the end of the round, just Nelson working for the single on the cage. The ref breaks up the heavyweights with 20 seconds left and Barnett hits Nelson with a punch to the gut and a clinch knee.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Nelson
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Barnett
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Barnett

Round 4

Barnett comes in behind a left hand to pin Nelson against the fence in the first 30 seconds of the round. Referee Perceval immediately begins calling for work, and Barnett obliges by thudding Nelson’s body with a couple knees. An exhausted Nelson hits a takedown but is swept right away by Barnett. They scramble up and Barnett takes the outside position in the clinch, then decks Nelson with a big elbow to the face. Barnett releases and steps back to unload on Nelson with uppercuts, hooks and elbows, but nothing is putting down “Big Country.” Nelson breaks out of the clinch with an elbow and a backfist, then takes down Barnett with a tired takedown. Barnett easily gets back to his feet, Nelson still holding on to his back. Nelson pulls his arm clear of a brief kimura attempt and goes back to clinging to a single-leg with 90 seconds on the clock. The ref restarts them with 50 seconds left and Barnett slugs Nelson with a pair of punches before tying up once more to ride out the rest of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Barnett
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Barnett
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Barnett

Round 5

Barnett opens with a spinning back kick to the body, tags Nelson with a hard left hand and gets a body kick in return. Back to the clinch they go, first with Barnett on the outside and then Nelson. They trade places again, both men completely exhausted, just leaning on one another at the fence. Barnett throws a few knees up the center and takes an elbow on the face in return. Barnett tries to hold Nelson against the cage with one arm, so Nelson socks him in the face with three or four jabs in what looks like a comedy routine. Halfway through the round, Nelson gets the outside position, stomps Barnett’s feet and then drags him to the ground. Barnett rolls underneath for a kimura until Nelson stumbles back to his feet and rumbles over to the fence. Barnett follows and the heavyweights go back to working in close quarters, running out the final 90 seconds of the fight. The ref breaks them up one last time with 40 seconds remaining. Nelson barges forward with a right hand to the body, then one upstairs. Barnett is backed up but retaliates with a body kick of his own. Nelson is still looking for the homerun shot when the final horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Barnett (49-46 Barnett)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Barnett (50-45 Barnett)
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Barnett (50-45 Barnett)

The Official Result

Josh Barnett def. Roy Nelson via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 48-47, 48-47) R5 5:00