Mike Pierce vs. David Mitchell
Pierce is one of the more underappreciated fighters in the UFC welterweight division due in part to his style of fighting. He has won three straight fights and has only lost in the UFC to elite opponents. Mitchell is a submission oriented fighter with a 1 2 record.
Round 1. Pierce closes the distance early and pushes Mitchell against the cage. He grabs a double leg but isn t able to take Mitchell to the ground. They remain in the clinch and exchange body shots. They separate and Pierce connects with a nice hook before looking again for the takedown. Neither fighter is able to gain an advantage so they remain tied up in the clinch. Mitchell lands a pair of nice knees to the body and Pierce responds with one of his own. They separate briefly and Pierce lands a nice straight punch and leg kick. Very dull first round. 10 9 Pierce.
Round 2. Pierce again instigates a clinch and again neither fighter is able to gain much of an advantage. Upon the break Pierce connects with a few punches. This time Mitchell goes for the clinch and throws a series of knees to the body. Upon a break from the clinch Pierce lands a hard looping punch. Mitchell goes down and Pierce pursues him to the ground with a series of hammerfists that force the referee to stop the bout. That was a typical Pierce performance grinding and unexciting but effective.
Winner Mike Pierce TKO round 2.
Seth Baczynski vs. Brian Melancon
Baczynski has been successful in the UFC following his stint on the Ultimate Fighter television show. He won four fights in a row with submissions and a knockout before dropping his last contest to Mike Pierce. Melancon is making his UFC debut transferring over to the UFC from Strikeforce. He is only 6 2 in MMA but has fought for a number of prominent organizations including Strikeforce Bellator Legacy and now the UFC.
Round 1. Baczynski has a big length and reach advantage but Melancon has no trouble closing the distance and landing the shots early. He lands a hard left hook early. Moments later he drops Baczynszki with another big shot and looks to finish the fight on the ground. He isn't able to close so he lets Baczynski back up. He then takes Melancon down. Very late in the round Melancon drops down a bomb from his feet to the grounded Baczynski and a few additional punches as the bell sounds to signal the end of the round. Baczynski can't continue and the fight is called with a second left. That was a great performance by Melancon in his UFC debut.
Winner Brian Melancon TKO round 1.
Edson Barboza vs. Rafaello Oliveira
Barboza is considered one of the top Brazilian prospects in any weight class with a 11 1 record and wins over high quality fighters like Ross Pearson Terry Etim and Anthony Njokuani. He suffered his only setback last year in a shocking TKO upset by Jamie Varner. Oliveira is 15 5 in MMA competition but 2 4 in the UFC. He isn t considered at Barboza s level and was an injury replacement for John Makdessi here.
Round 1. Oliveira immediately moves to close the distance but eats a couple counters in the process. Barboza rips a fast kick to the body that elicits an ooh from the crowd. Oliveira shoots for a takedown but is easily stuffed. Barboza then turns Oliveira around with one of his vicious leg kicks. Oliveira goes for another takedown but Barboza avoids it. Oliveira connects with a straight left punch and goes for another takedown. It is blocked once more and Barboza goes back to work with leg kicks. Oliveira has another takedown attempt blocked. Barboza mixes kicks to the body and legs. He circles around and is light on his feet attempting to avoid providing an easy target for a takedown. After another hard leg kick Oliveira begins noticeably limping. Oliveira's leg is bleeding from multiple spots. 10 8 Barboza.
Round 2. Barboza goes back to work with a kick to the body and kick to the leg. He catches Oliveira off balance with a punch but lets him back up. Oliveira then catches Barboza off balance with a punch and tries to use it to get a takedown. Barboza works his way back up to the feet and goes back to the kicks. Oliveira goes down twice from leg kicks and after two more Oliveira goes down again and Herb Dean calls off the fight. Oliveira is in great pain. That was a good stoppage.
Winner Edson Barboza TKO round 2.
Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Dave Herman
Gonzaga is one of the more experienced fighters inside the UFC s Octagon. 15 of his 21 MMA fights have taken place in the UFC. His most famous fight was a main event heavyweight title loss to Randy Couture at UFC 74. He has excellent jiu jitsu but has increasingly relied on his striking in recent years. Dave Herman is a unique character who starts fights fast but has a tendency to fade. He needs a win here after losing his last 3 fights albeit to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira Stefan Struve and Roy Nelson.
Round 1. Herman opens with a couple front kicks to the body. Gonzaga responds with a right hook that Herman doesn't see coming. Herman goes down hard and Gonzaga follows with a few punches on the ground to cement the ending.
Winner Gabriel Gonzaga TKO round 1.
Norman Parke vs. Kazuki Tokudome
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