UFC 189 Results: ‘Mendes vs. McGregor’ Play-by-Play & Updates

Yosdenis Cedeno vs. Cody Pfister

Round 1

Cedeno rushes to meet Pfister in the center of the cage and launches a hard kick at his lead leg, then one upstairs which is blocked. Pfister paws with long punches but pulls up short and takes a few more chops to the left leg. Pfister keeps coming forward, feinting and flicking out jabs, moving Cedeno around the edge of the cage. Two minutes in, Cedeno shoots for Pfister’s hips, then gets reversed and dragged to the ground with a single-leg. Cedeno scrambles back to his feet immediately and backs up Pfister with a high kick. An inside leg kick from Cedeno draws a reaction from Pfister, but the American keeps coming, trying to work his way inside with punches. Another hard kick scores for Cedeno, who points down at Pfister’s leg and then uncorks another. Cedeno switches stances, evades another combination from Pfister and returns fire with a pair of leg kicks. Just before the round runs out, Pfister switches to southpaw to protect his lead leg.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cedeno
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cedeno
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Cedeno

Round 2

Pfister closes the gap quickly, moving Cedeno toward the fence, and after nearly a minute of pawing with punches, he changes levels to floor “The Pink Panther” with a takedown. Soon after they hit the ground, Pfister scores with some ground-and-pound, slips around to take the back of Cedeno and begins working for a rear-naked choke. Cedeno explodes out of danger, twisting around to wind up on top. Pfister closes his guard and wraps up Cedeno with both arms, neutralizing the Cuban’s offense while referee Chris Tognoni calls for action. The ref stands them up with just about two minutes remaining in the round, and a few seconds later, Pfister has another takedown. Cedeno absorbs some more short ground-and-pound before rolling to his knees; once he does, Pfister moves to take the back again. Cedeno flips over, and now Pfister has full mount with about 30 seconds left in the round. Cedeno gets a knee in and escapes Pfister’s mount, then gets back to his feet just before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Pfister
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Pfister
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Pfister

Round 3

Pfister charges in behind a wild combination, drops levels and grabs for Cedeno’s legs. Cedeno takes a seat at the base of the fence, Pfister wrapped around his legs, still trying to post and stand. Referee Tognoni issues a quick stand-up command, but it doesn’t last long, as Pfister is soon shooting for another takedown. Cedeno tries a guillotine on the way down but winds up with only loose headlock and opts to release. Pfister is on top in Cedeno’s closed guard with three minutes left in the fight, tenderizing the Cuban’s ribs with left hands. Cedeno turns and rolls to his knees, allowing Pfister to take his back once again. Cedeno tries to twist around to take top position again, but this time Pfister catches him in a scramble and pushes him against the fence. Cedeno pulls guard with a guillotine but it’s not there and he releases after a few seconds. Down to the final 30 seconds, Cedeno gives up his back one more time, spins over to top position and lands a couple punches just before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Pfister (29-28 Pfister)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Pfister (29-28 Pfister)
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Pfister (29-28 Pfister)

The Official Result

Cody Pfister def. Yosdenis Cedeno via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Neil Seery vs. Louis Smolka

Round 1

Smolka flashes a few high and front kicks, keeping Seery out of the pocket, then clinches up and delivers a couple knees up the center to the shorter man. After consecutive exchanges see the flyweights clash heads, referee Marc Goddard pauses the action to warn both fighters. Seery catches a kick and dumps Smolka to the ground, then jumps on top and tries to pound out the Hawaiian, but Smolka threatens with an armbar from underneath and uses it to sweep. Seery takes a few hard shots to the face, cutting him open near the left eye, and now the Irishman tries a guillotine from guard. Smolka works out of the choke, postures up, lifts Seery and slams him on his back. Passing to half guard, Smolka works for a one-armed topside guillotine with his left arm, wrenching Seery’s neck toward the mat. Seery peels away the hand and escapes the guillotine, only to be threatened with a brabo choke from Smolka seconds later. Seery keeps Smolka in deep half guard until the 40-second mark, when Smolka passes to mount. Seery gives up his back and eats a few more punches, but the horn sounds just as Smolka is securing the position with a body triangle.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Smolka
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Smolka
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Smolka

Round 2

Seery catches a kick and tries to counter with a pair of punches, but Smolka covers up and yanks the leg back as the Irishman throws hands. Now, it’s Smolka working for a takedown, using a single-leg to pull Seery to the mat after a brief struggle. Seery closes his guard and throws a few elbows at Smolka’s face, then swings his legs around to try an armbar, but the lengthy Smolka stacks him up to escape. The Hawaiian jumps on the back of the kneeling Seery and goes hunting for a rear-naked choke with half a round still remaining. Smolka gets his right arm around Seery’s throat, but Seery has the left arm locked down to prevent Smolka from cinching the RNC. It’s a body triangle for Smolka now, locking Seery in place. Seery throws right hands over his shoulder, further slowing Smolka’s progress on the choke. Seery twists free in the closing seconds, but it’s Smolka finishing the round on top, landing shots on the ground.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Smolka
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Smolka
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Smolka

Round 3

Seery connects with a pair of punches to open the final round, but Smolka changes levels and puts the Irishman on his back again in the first 30 seconds. When Smolka passes to the side, Seery catches an omoplata and uses it to escape back to his feet. Smolka shoots a double-leg in the center of the cage, gets sprawled on and comes back up to try a Thai clinch. Smolka goes low again, shooting for a takedown, and this time Seery pulls guard with a good-looking guillotine. Smolka steps over Seery’s body, loosening the guillotine, and now Seery has to release as he’s in danger of a shoulder choke. An arm-triangle choke from Smolka is defended by Seery, so the “Last Samurai” releases to take Seery’s back again. Seery stands, gets dumped back to the ground, stands again and jumps guard with another guillotine attempt. This one does not look as tight, and Smolka postures up in Seery’s guard with 70 seconds left in the bout. Seery gives up on the choke, rolls to his knees and tries to stand, but Smolka ragdolls him right back to the mat. Smolka lands in perfect position for an arm-triangle, and Seery spends the final 30 seconds of the bout withstanding the choke.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Smolka (30-26 Smolka)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Smolka (30-27 Smolka)
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Smolka (30-27 Smolka)

The Official Result

Louis Smolka def. Neil Seery via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Cody Garbrandt vs. Enrique Briones

Round 1

The bantamweights largely keep their distance through the opening minute, with Garbrandt sneaking through a few speedy right hands and Briones countering with a good left hook. Briones ducks under a right hand and tries to wrap up Garbrandt, but the Team Alpha Male fighter slips away. Two minutes in, there’s still not much happening, lots of feinting and range-testing from both fighters. Briones tries a huge overhand right, whiffs and eats a counter right hook for his trouble. Garbrandt changes levels for a quick takedown and drops a few hammer fists on Briones’ face before the Mexican scrambles up. Again, Garbrandt lands a right hand and Briones counters with a left hook. Garbrandt comes inside behind the punch, wraps up Briones and tosses him to the ground. The final 20 seconds see Garbrandt mount Briones and finish the frame with ground-and-pound.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Garbrandt
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Garbrandt
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Garbrandt

Round 2

Round two begins with another minute of sparse standup; Garbrandt continues to land the occasional combination, while Briones continues to do his best work with the counter left hook. Garbrandt is starting to get busier with his hands now, but many shots are still bouncing off Briones’ arms. Halfway through the round, Garbrandt unloads with a vicious left hook-right uppercut combination, and Briones hits the deck near the fence. Briones recovers quickly and scrambles back up, eating a knee from Garbrandt along the way. The action slows again, more feinting and circling, Briones now bleeding from a cut on his nose. Garbrandt catches the Mexican coming in with a left and counters with a left hook of his own. “No Love” ducks a hook from Briones, comes back upstairs and lands the left again. Briones blocks a high kick and slugs Garbrandt with an overhand left just before time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Garbrandt
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Garbrandt
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Garbrandt

Round 3

It’s another slow start in the final round, lots of single strikes and deflected punches, now with Briones trying to close in on Garbrandt near the fence. Garbrandt circles away and points to the center of the cage, and Briones follows him there as referee Tognoni calls for the bantamweights to engage. Briones whiffs on a left hand and gets caught leaning over by Garbrandt with a leaping knee. Garbrandt sends a jab down the middle, takes a left hand to the body and cracks Briones with a hook upstairs. “Bure” finds the target with a pair of left hooks to the head, then chases after Garbrandt and gives him a follow-up right. With 65 seconds remaining, Garbrandt grabs hold of the charging Briones and drags him to the ground. Garbrandt lands in side control but stands up and allows Briones to do the same. Briones misses with a big overhand right and stuffs a takedown attempt. Garbrandt stands up and unloads with a seven- or eight-punch combination to finish the fight, rattling Briones’ head with three or four clean shots in the bunch.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Garbrandt (30-27 Garbrandt)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Garbrandt (30-27 Garbrandt)
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Garbrandt (30-27 Garbrandt)

The Official Result

Cody Garbrandt def. Enrique Briones via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Cathal Pendred vs. John Howard

Round 1

Pendred tries a flying knee to open the fight but misses by a wide margin. The Irishman gives Howard an inside leg kick, and “Doomsday” responds with a harder chop to Pendred’s lead leg. Howard catches a kick under his right arm and pushes Pendred to the fence, where Pendred reverses and throws a couple knees at Howard’s legs before releasing. Pendred goes to grab for a single-leg, but Howard slides backward out of range. Howard tries to catch the next body kick from Pendred, but this time the Irish fighter pulls the leg back and shoves Howard against the fence instead. The welterweights split and go back to striking with just under two minutes remaining in round one. Howard scores with a quick pair of clinch uppercuts, releases and inches forward on Pendred. The fighters trade low kicks, then Howard sticks a jab and follows with a right hand over the top. Pendred opts to clinch again and tries to trip Howard to the mat, but the Bostonian keeps his balance to finish the round on his feet.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Howard
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Howard
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Howard

Round 2

Howard clinches up but encounters resistance and has to release, socking Pendred with an uppercut and a right hand on the split. The 170-pounders clinch again a moment later, and now Howard gets busy with more uppercuts and punches in the tie-up, mixing up the offense to Pendred’s body and head. Two minutes in, Pendred shoots on Howard’s hips, gets stood up and eats a couple more shots in the clinch. They work from over-under position in the center of the cage until Pendred tilts Howard toward the fence. The welterweights jockey for position, Pendred landing a few knees to the body of Howard as they exchange spots on the outside. They break with two minutes on the clock, Howard denies a level change from Pendred but whiffs on a big right hand. A hard leg kick from Howard lands clean and spins Pendred around. Howard’s confidence seems to be growing as the fight wears on, as “Doomsday” drops his hands and walks straight ahead with little regard for Pendred, whose offense is nearly nonexistent in the closing minute. Just before the bell, Howard zaps Pendred with a nice left hook in a burst of punches.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Howard
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Howard
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Howard

Round 3

Howard lands a leg kick, snuffs out a high double-leg attempt from Pendred and zaps the Irishman with a right hand as he stands. Another chopping low kick has Pendred limping as he circles near the fence, Howard continuing to walk him down. Pendred initiates a clinch and scores with a trio of knees to Howard’s gut, then pushes him against the cage. The clinch doesn’t last long, and Pendred releases with 3:30 on the clock. Howard resumes his forward progress, but Pendred ducks under a hook and clinches again. They fight in the center of the cage, trading knees in the clinch, and now Howard drops low for a single-leg takedown attempt. Pushed against the cage, Pendred opts to jump guard with a guillotine, but Howard doesn’t seem to be in danger and soon slips his head free. Howard stands over Pendred, who sits up and powers back to his feet with just under two minutes remaining. Pendred tries to shoot, gets stood up and tries to clinch with Howard, who makes him pay with a flurry of uppercuts and right hook in the phone booth. Howard finishes the round and the fight walking after Pendred, landing a series of cracking overhand rights before time runs out.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Howard (30-27 Howard)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Howard (30-27 Howard)
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Howard (30-27 Howard)

The Official Result

John Howard def. Cathal Pendred via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Mike Swick vs. Alex Garcia

Round 1

Garcia scores a quick takedown and postures up in Swick’s guard; from his back, Swick lands some solid right hands to the side of Garcia’s head. When Garcia stands, Swick jumps back to his feet, but the Dominican catches him against the fence and drags the veteran right back to the mat. Swick works his way back up midway through the round and sticks Garcia with a few jabs. Garcia repeatedly tries to come over the top with punches, but he can’t reach the mark on the taller man and Swick catches him coming inside with knees on a few occasions. Swick is still backing up at the horn, but his front kicks and counters are keeping Garcia out of range for another takedown attempt.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Garcia
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Garcia
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Garcia

Round 2

Same as in round one, Garcia closes the distance and brings Swick to the ground in less than 30 seconds. This time, Garcia shoves “Quick” against the fence and sits down on Swick’s butterfly guard to keep him on the mat. Swick explodes back to his feet about 90 seconds into the round and resumes circling. Garcia is able to get into the pocket to connect with a few power punches this time, but Swick soon rectifies this and regains enough distance to keep Garcia out of striking range. A clubbing overhand right scores for Garcia, answered by a front kick to the body. With one minute left, Garcia gets in on a single-leg, lifts Swick and dumps him to the mat. Garcia lands in side control but Swick recovers a half guard, where he rides out the final seconds of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Garcia
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Garcia
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Garcia

Round 3

The welterweights stay standing in the opening minute of the final frame, Swick on his back foot, trying to pick off Garcia with jabs and doing well to keep him out of range. Garcia keeps coming, eating jabs but continually pressing forward. Two minutes in, Garcia finally shoots, lifts Swick and slams him down. Swick grabs the fence on the way down and is warned by referee Herb Dean for the infraction. Garcia passes from side control to mount and flattens out Swick, then briefly postures up to swing punches. Swick tries to buck him off; Garcia stays heavy on top but is pushed back to half guard. It’s full mount again for Garcia with 30 seconds left. He peels off to try an armbar, allowing Swick to escape and stand, but time expires before the veteran can do anything.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Garcia (30-27 Garcia)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Garcia (30-27 Garcia)
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Garcia (30-27 Garcia)

The Official Result

Alex Garcia def. Mike Swick via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) R3 5:00

Matt Brown vs. Tim Means

Round 1

Means scores first with a left hand down the center, then takes a high kick from Brown on the forearm. Another straight left from Means finds the target, then another, and now Brown is wheeling around on his back foot, looking stung. Means tries to close the gap and gets a finger in the eye from Brown’s outstretched left hand. Referee Marc Goddard pauses the action, but Means only needs 15 or 20 seconds to recover and get back to work. A clubbing right hand from Brown hits Means on the temple, momentarily buckling the legs of the “Dirty Bird.” Means bounces back up and is pushed against the fence by Brown with an underhook. Brown works for a body-lock takedown but is stifled and spun around by Means, who releases and steps back to the center of the cage. Brown comes charging with a pair of hard right hands, just misses on a head kick and then threatens to snare Means in a guillotine when the taller man comes shooting. Brown releases the guillotine and converts it to a takedown, though Means springs right back up. Brown keeps him on the fence with 90 seconds left in the round, but Means shoves him away 25 seconds later. Brown’s right hand continues to find its mark, but means turns the tables with a huge standing elbow. The strike cuts Brown between the eyes, and now Means presses him against the cage. Brown breaks the clinch with a level elbow of his own, then catches Means changing levels and pulls guard with a tight, arm-in guillotine. Means is trapped with nowhere to go and taps out almost as soon as they hit the canvas.

The Official Result

Matt Brown def. Tim Means via Submission (Guillotine Choke) R1 4:44

Brad Pickett vs. Thomas Almeida

Round 1

Pickett tries a few jabs and hooks in the opening minute but they’re deflected and sidestepped by Almeida, who gives the Englishman a kick on the lead leg. Almeida whiffs on a combination and gets caught with a body-head combination from Pickett, finished with a left hook up top. Almeida ducks under a left hook, comes back up and gets zapped with Pickett’s next left hand, and now the Brazilian is wearing some redness on his right eye. Pickett tries for a takedown, can’t get it, but hits Almeida with a clinch knee on the break. Almeida drops to the ground and grabs for a heel hook, forcing Pickett to bail out and allowing “Thominhas” to stand. When Almeida gets back on his feet, he’s dripping blood from his hairline, but he seems to have recovered as he begins to find his mark with combinations. An overhand right from Almeida turns into a huge standing elbow strike, and Pickett hits the ground in the center of the cage. “One Punch” is quickly back on his feet, where he finds Almeida’s face with another clean left hook. Almeida is wearing it now, but he keeps ducking into the pocket to deliver uppercuts, hooks, another standing elbow. Almeida finishes the round strong with a left hook-right cross combination.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Pickett
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Pickett
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Pickett

Round 2

Pickett tries a leaping knee, can’t find the mark and it bounces off Almeida’s body. Seconds later, Almeida tries one of his own, and this one lands flush. The Brazilian’s left knee collides with Pickett’s jaw, putting the Englishman flat on his back in the middle of the cage. Before Almeida can follow up, referee John McCarthy stands over Pickett’s unconscious body and waves off the fight.

The Official Result

Thomas Almeida def. Brad Pickett via KO (Knee) R2 0:29

Gunnar Nelson vs. Brandon Thatch

Round 1

Thatch opens the fight with low kicks, picking at the lead leg of Nelson, who works from his wide karate stance. Nelson grabs Thatch’s head and uses the Thai clinch to deliver a few knees to the body. When the Icelandic fighter tries for a takedown, Thatch snuffs it out and switches to orthodox stance. A huge overhand right from Nelson sends Thatch to the canvas in a daze; instead of trying to pound out the American, Nelson comes down on top with an arm-triangle setup. Nelson abandons the choke and passes to side control on Thatch’s left side, then steps over effortlessly into full mount. Thatch turns over, giving up his back, and Nelson wastes no time attaching himself to the larger man. Nelson has a body triangle locked up as he fishes for a rear-naked choke. Nelson snakes his right arm underneath Thatch’s chin and squeezes until Thatch taps out.

The Official Result

Gunnar Nelson def. Brandon Thatch via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 2:54

Dennis Bermudez vs. Jeremy Stephens

Round 1

Bermudez shoots straight for a takedown and winds up shoving Stephens against the fence. Stephens quickly separates and gets down to throwing punches, and a right hand seems to sting Bermudez. At the same time, a clash of heads cuts Stephens near the right eye. Bermudez drops to his knees, can’t get the takedown and stands to up to crack Stephens with a right hook. Bermudez pins “Lil Heathen” against the fence with an underhook. Two minutes into the round, Bermudez finally drags Stephens to the mat and then tries to sneak around to take the back. Bermudez is blocked by the fence, so he stays on Stephens’ back with one hook in, dropping left hands. The cut on Stephens’ right eyebrow is leaking again, pooling blood on the floor underneath the fighters. When Stephens rolls to his knees, Bermudez tries to jump on his back, but he goes too high and Stephens is able to slip out the back door. The featherweights are back on their feet with 90 seconds remaining, and Bermudez draws Stephens forward to land a stiff left hand. Stephens answers with a left-handed haymaker, but Bermudez eats it and then waits a few seconds before diving for a takedown. Stephens stuffs the shot, and again they wind up clinching on the fence. Stephens tries to whip around with a spinning elbow, but Bermudez goes underneath it and holds his man on the fence until the round’s end.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Bermudez
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Bermudez
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Bermudez

Round 2

Stephens opens the round with a few hard leg kicks, but Bermudez closes the gap with a straight right hand. Bermudez keeps coming, trying to bomb Stephens near the fence with a combination, but he’s caught and dropped with a counter uppercut. Stephens tries to polish off his kneeling opponent with big punches from the standing position, only Bermudez shoots on the veteran’s legs and uses the shot to regain his wits. Bermudez gets back to his feet and continues walking forward on Stephens, who chops out the wrestler’s lead leg with a hard kick. A clubbing left hook from Stephens knocks Bermudez back to the mat; Bermudez stands and returns the favor with a push kick to the body which puts Stephens on his seat. Halfway through the round, Bermudez muscles Stephens against the cage. Stephens breaks out to deliver a right hand and a clinch knee, but Bermudez circles off the fence and comes back with a Superman punch which catches Stephens off balance and puts him back on the mat. Stephens scrambles up, gets a kick in the gut and has to defend as Bermudez shoots for a double-leg takedown against the fence. Referee Marc Goddard calls for work as the pace slows for the first time in the hectic, back-and-forth fight. The featherweights split with 40 seconds remaining, and Bermudez finds the mark with another Superman punch. Bermudez lands a leg kick, stuffs a takedown attempt from Stephens and shoves him against the fence to finish the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Stephens
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Stephens
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Stephens

Round 3

Bermudez opens the round with a leg kick, then gets one in return. Stephens denies a clinch attempt from Bermudez and backs up to the fence. Bermudez comes in throwing a punch with his head down, and Stephens lands a perfectly placed knee on the temple. Bermudez is in trouble when he hits the mat, and Stephens finishes him off with a series of heavy left hands before referee Goddard intervenes.

The Official Result

Jeremy Stephens def. Dennis Bermudez via TKO (Knee and Punches) R3 0:32

UFC Welterweight TItle Fight:
Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald

Round 1

Veteran referee “Big” John McCarthy is the third man in the cage for this 170-pound title fight. MacDonald touches the southpaw champion with a long, straight right hand, but Lawler keeps inching forward and returns fire with a straight left. The welterweights trade leg kicks, Lawler’s seeming to have a little more steam on it. They continue to circle in the center, MacDonald flicking out jabs and then a front kick which clips Lawler on the cup. Referee McCarthy tells the challenger to keep his kicks clean, and the fight goes on without a break. MacDonald continues to land his jab through the middle of the round, mixing in some body kicks, while Lawler has yet to let his hands fly. With 90 seconds left in the round, Lawler sprawls on a shot from MacDonald and catches him with a knee on the way up. MacDonald tries to come over the top with an elbow, but Lawler dodges it and counters with an uppercut to the body. Another kick from MacDonald strays to the cup, and again McCarthy issues a verbal warning. Lawler sends a straight left down the pipe to finish the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 MacDonald
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 MacDonald
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 MacDonald

Round 2

The welterweights trade jabs in the center of the cage, then Lawler follows up with a right hand to the reddening left eye of the challenger. MacDonald is doing well to keep Lawler out of the pocket, repeatedly putting his jab on the champion’s nose. MacDonald has some swelling around his left eye now, and Lawler is sporting some redness on his grill. Lawler blocks a big right high kick, but MacDonald’s front kick to the gut is still getting through. A right hook-left straight combo connects for Lawler, then again, and now MacDonald is bleeding from the bridge of his nose. Lawler is coming alive in the last two minutes of the round, tagging MacDonald with his best combinations so far. MacDonald’s face is streaked with blood as Lawler continues to zap him with the one-two in the final minute.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Lawler
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Lawler
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Lawler

Round 3

MacDonald gets back to jabbing at the start of the third, faking a level change on a few occasions but not getting the champ to bite. Lawler presses into the pocket and rocks MacDonald’s head with a big left hand. Lawler’s got his jab pumping, too, and MacDonald’s cuts are quickly opened up again. MacDonald shoots for a single-leg, but Lawler hops backward on one leg to defend and sprawl. Midway through the round, the 170-pounders are toe-to-toe in the center of the cage. MacDonald goes up top with a right high kick, partially deflected by the champion. Lawler responds with a right hook, then jabs MacDonald backward toward the fence. Lawler blocks another right high kick, but this one seems to have hut the champion, as he wobbles backward to the fence. MacDonald catches up with him on the cage and begins unloading with elbows, uppercuts, but Lawler is saved by the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 MacDonald
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 MacDonald
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 MacDonald

Round 4

MacDonald goes back upstairs with the right high kick, and it backs up Lawler to the fence despite being blocked. MacDonald blitzes the champ on the cage, delivering knees and uppercuts while referee McCarthy takes a close look from a few feet away. Lawler tells the ref he’s fine, and indeed it looks like the American Top Team fighter has regained his footing as he steps back to the center. The tide has turned in MacDonald’s favor, as Lawler’s offense has dropped off, allowing the longer man to land power shots and jabs with less fear of reprisal. MacDonald shoots a long shot, gets sprawled on and stands back up. Both men are bloody messes as they enter the final 90 seconds of round four. MacDonald has a right high kick blocked, tries to step into the pocket with a level elbow but is pushed away. Lawler deflects another right high kick before the horn and spits blood on the ground, then glares at the challenger after the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Lawler
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 MacDonald
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 MacDonald

Round 5

Lawler presses the action at the start of the final frame, walking down the challenger with his left hand cocked. A jab snaps back MacDonald’s head, then another. MacDonald is off balance, smeared with blood, eating more jabs. A straight left hand on the nose gets a delayed reaction from MacDonald, who covers his face and drops backward to the mat. Lawler stands over his cowering opponent and drops a few more punches. When McCarthy sees that MacDonald is out of the fight, the ref calls it. Robbie Lawler retains his UFC welterweight title in thrilling fashion with a fifth-round stoppage.

The Official Result

Robbie Lawler def. Rory MacDonald via TKO (Punches) R5 1:00

UFC Interim Featherweight Title Fight:
Chad Mendes vs. Conor McGregor

Round 1

Herb Dean is the referee for tonight’s 145-pound interim title main event, with judges Junichiro Kamijo, Chris Lee and Marcos Rosales scoring at cageside. McGregor rushes across the cage to attack with a leaping knee, which is caught by Mendes and converted to a quick takedown. McGregor scrambles up, then eats a left hand from Mendes on the end of a combination. Mendes scores with a leg kick, sends a right hand over the top, then takes a spinning back kick to the body. McGregor walks Mendes toward the fence, touches the American with a straight left, another spinning kick to the gut. Mendes blocks a left high kick and continues to move in angles around the outside, grinning at McGregor. Now it’s Mendes’ turn to go up top with a right high kick which is blocked by McGregor, then a pair of punches which are not. McGregor puts a front kick in Mendes’ breadbasket, answered by a jab from Mendes. The wrestler shoots for a double-leg and takes down McGregor, landing in full guard. Mendes stands, holds McGregor’s leg and then clips the Irishman with a left hand as he stands. The punch opens up a cut and starts some swelling on the outsie of McGregor’s right eye. But, with two minutes left in the round, Mendes is slowing, perhaps showing the results of McGregor’s body work. Straight left hands are landing for McGregor until Mendes goes for another quick takedown. Mendes tries to take McGregor’s back, but McGregor puts his back to the canvas and Mendes winds up in half guard on the right side. Mendes tries a topside guillotine, can’t get it. Just before time runs out, referee Dean warns Mendes for sticking his fingers in McGregor’s eye while trying to smother.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Mendes
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Mendes
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Mendes

Round 2

McGregor backs up Mendes with a few front kicks, then tries a spinning kick and comes up with air as “Money” moves off center. Mendes tries a takedown, gets sprawled on, and then misses with a guillotine attempt as McGregor scrambles back up. The wrestler ducks under a straight left from McGregor and plants the Irishman on the mat in the center of the cage with a double-leg takedown. McGregor peppers with wrap-around punches from his back and gets a warning from the referee to mind the back of Mendes’ head. Mendes slams through McGregor’s guard with a hard elbow to the face, then goes back to smothering the face of “The Notorious.” McGregor begins throwing elbows to the top of Mendes’ head, and despite the American’s complaints, referee Dean says the strikes are legal. Mendes gets back to fighting and drops another big elbow on McGregor’s face, followed by a right hand to the body and a forearm to the mouth. McGregor is looking for a stand-up order, but Dean tells him to keep fighting. Down to the final minute of the round, Mendes passes to the side and goes again for the topside guillotine. Mendes pulls guard to try and finish the choke, but McGregor rolls to his knees and then escapes to his feet. When they get up, McGregor rushes Mendes against the fence and attacks with uppercuts and body kicks. A blistering left cross sends Mendes crumbling to the base of the fence, and after McGregor slugs the turtling American with a few more punches, referee Dean stops the bout. Conor McGregor is the new UFC interim featherweight champion.

The Official Result

Conor McGregor def. Chad Mendes via TKO (Punches) R2 4:57