At UFC 157 Ronda Rousey is going to defend her women's bantamweight championship for the first time as she meets MMA veteran Liz Carmouche. The Olympic Judoka, Rousey (6-0) and Carmouche (8-2) are not only the first female fighters to headline a UFC pay-per-view, they are also have the dubious honor of being the first female fighters to ever compete in the vaunted Octagon.
Talk about pressure.
Examiner.com is live and seated cageside for this momentous event and as always we're providing you with a live play-by-play and results page. Look for each match result in bold and the play-by-play above -- so if you don't want spoilers, don't look a the bold print.
[VIEW: UFC 157 pre-fight press conference photo gallery]
Also on the UFC 157 card is a stellar matchup that pits MMA legend and two-time Greco-Roman Olympian Dan Henderson against Brazilian karate master Lyoto Machida. For Henderson (29-8) this marks his first fight in well over a year. In his last fight, Henderson had what many fans and pundits consider the greatest fight in MMA history, in a unanimous decision victory over Mauricio "Shogun" Rua back at UFC 139.
UFC stars like Urijah Faber, Josh Koscheck and Robbie Lawler are also making appearances on tonight's card, so sit back, relax and enjoy UFC 157 with your mobile device or PC with Examiner.com.
First bout is expected at 3:30 p.m. PT and will air on Facebook, followed by the FX portion at 5 p.m. PT and the PPV portion at 7 p.m. PT.
Nah-Shon Burrell (8-2) vs. Yuri Villefort (6-1)
RD1: Two welterweights kick off the action tonight, and they're both UFC rookies as Burrell and Villefort are coming over from the Strikeforce promotion. Burrell went 3-1 in the company and Villefort suffered his only career loss going 0-1 in the promotion. Fun fact: Burrell puts in work with the legendary boxer, Bernard Hopkins. Fight is set to start soon. Fighters set to enter the cage as the lights dim -- any minute now. Burrell opens the fight with an effective left hook/right uppercut combo, twice, and backs Villefort up. Feeling the opening punches, Villefort goes for a takedown and is successful. Now Villefort has Burrell's back and is looking for the rear naked choke. After a minute or so on the mat, Burrell manages to get back to his feet, and they begin to engage in the standup. Villefort pressuring now with combos and superb leg kicks that Burrell is trying to time, but is unsuccessful at this point. Another snapping leg kick from Villefort. Burrell with a fancy left hook/right elbow combo -- that was new. Villefort pressuring and Burrell lands a right cross. Burrell drops Villefort as he gets too agressive. Villefort drops and goes for a leg lock, a scramble ensues and the fighters are back to their feet. As they rise from the mat they engage in a wicked back and forth that has the crowd amped up -- especially an opening match. The round ends, with a tough decision for the judges. I give it 10-9 Burrell.
RD2: Both fighters pick up this round where the last left off; with a lot of action. Big haymakers and combos being traded and a quickining pace -- this is impressive. Vilefort seems to be pressuring as Burrell looks to counter, but that formula is changing on a minute-by-minute basis. Thudding three-punch combo from Burrell backs up Villefort briefly. Leg kick off a combo buckles Villefort for a short time. Villefort pressures as Burrell pops his jab and backs him off. Villefort whiffs on an uppercut that could have won him the fight. Big right from Burrell starts Villefort's nose bleeding as the round closes. Another tough round to score, tons and tons of action. 10-9 Burrell
RD3: The fighters come out aggressive to start the final frame; lots of leg kicks and combos. Villefort times a Burrell leg kick and shoots a single-leg and is successful. A scramble ensues shortly after and both fighters are back to the feet exchanging. Burrell pops his jab as Villefort shoots under and brings Burrell too the mat with a body lock. Burrell lands on top as Villefort goes for a leg lock. As Burrell postures from the leg lock, Villefort leaves himself open to hammer fists and Burrell obliges. For a moment it looks as if Villefort is out and ref Jason Herzog looks on intently, but both fighters survive. After a brief scramble the fighters are now clinched against the cage exchanging thai shots. Villefort is bloody -- real bloody. Fron kick by Burrell backs up Villefort, and is followed quickly by a blitzing Burrell combo. The crowd roars in approval at this amazing contest. Supremely impressed. 10-9 Burrell
[Official Decision: Nah-Shon Burrell def. Yuri Villefort via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)]
Jon Manley (7-2) vs. Neil Magny (7-2)
RD1: Both open light on their toes and bouncing around. Manley shots for an early takedown and the fighters clinch against the cage. Magny turns him into the cage and the clinch battling for position. Manley with a body lock trying to drag Magny to the mat, but Magny is defending correctly, althought it's making for a boring opening frame thus far. Two minutes left and they haven't left the clinch against the cage, the crowd is getting restless. Finally at the 1:30 they separate and begin exchanging. Jabs from Magny back Manley up briefly. Solid lef kick from Magny. Magny with a stiff straight right and follows it with a body-lock clinch and they wrestle against thecage battling for position. The round ends 10-9 Magny.
RD2: Manley opens much more aggressive in round two and pressures Magny against the cage. Manley shoots a single leg and eventually secures the takedown. Now in side-control, Manley is looking to land elbows and hammerfists. Magny manages to sweep Manley and he now has dominant position. A scramble ensues and the fighters are back to their feet, once again clinched against the cage. Magny is now working hard on Magny and lands a couple crisp combos while backing away from the cage that sends Manley reeling. Manley tries to recover, but he's tierd and Magny drags him to the canvas. Magny lands a few solid shots from the ground, but somehow Manley manages a switch and the fighters scramble back to their feet. Manley now has Magny clinched against the cage as he looks for a takedown. Magny separates and hits him with some quality shots coming off a combo. Manley shoots, Magny sprawls and is now in dominant position postured over his opponent as the round comes to and end. 10-9 Magny.
RD3: More standup in this round as they exchange to start the frame. A more spirited effort, no doubt, but much of the same. Manley on the mat now as Magny isin his guard landing shots. Manley throws up a triangle and has Magny in a spot of trouble as he looks to end the fight. The fighters are still battling as Manley looks to secure the armbar, but not alot is happening. Magny escapes and lands some punches for his troubles. Magny postures and begins to land power shots. Manley scrambles and tries to secure the body lock, but Magny sprawls once again. Ref Herb Dean separates the two from against the cage for the first time all fight with :30 left in the fight. Round over, fight over. 10-9 Magny.
[Official Decision: Neil Magny def. Jon Manley via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)]
Kenny Robertson (11-2) vs. Brock Jardine (9-2)
RD1: Jardine opens calmly stalking as Robertson tries to sneak a few high kicks by him. Robertson shoots but Jardine snags a guillotine and brings it to the mat. Robertson is struggling to escape as he finally postures out -- that was close it seemed. Robertson is now goes from side control to back position and is looking to RNC Jardine. Jardine tucks his chin and fights of the attempt but Robertson flattens him out with punches and is putting in work from back mount. Jardine tries to roll out, Robertson rolls with him and the struggle continues. Robertson secures a leg lock that seems to poke the leg bone of Jardine's leg through the skin. That was uncomfortable to watch. Fight is over in spectacular fashion
[Official Decision: Kenny Robertson def. Brock Jardine via submission at 2:57 Round 1]
Sam Stout (19-8-1) vs. Caros Fodor (7-2)
RD1: Round one is a punch-fest hus far as the two exchange flurries of well-timed counters and combos. Stout getting the best on the feet when he decides to take it to the mat where he dominates the remainder of the round and almost pulls off a submission to end the fight as the round closed. 10-9 Stout.
RD2: Fodor getting through moreinto round two as he's countering Stout as the Canadian gets a bit wild and slows a tad. Stout staying busy snapping off combos and leg kicks Stout using good lateral movement now and is ripping shots to the body, keeping Fodor guessing. Fodor stalking as we close in on one minute left in the second round. Fodor shoots for a late takedown but Stout is all over it and sprawls accordingly. The round ends with the fighters laying against the cage as Fodor secured a brief body lock takedown. 10-9 Stout.
RD3: Early clinch by the fighters as they work against the cage. They keep coming together after rushing in from aggressive striking. Fodor pressing as Stout uses lateral movement and keeps countering with effective combination striking. Fodor uses a trip takedown to briefly drag Stout to the floor, but Stout postures and is back to his feet almost instantly. Now they clinch against the cage looking to separate. Fodor drops levels trying for the takedown but Stout pops his hips and fends it off with textbook precision, despite being winded. The crowd boos as the fighters continue to clinch -- they separate and the crowd cheers. Fodor with a pressuring approach looking to 'range find' on his hook. Stout looks at press row through the cage and he looks tired, for sure. He's not clock watching, but he's not going all out either. This fight is his either way, round over. 10-9 Fodor.
[Official Decision: Sam Stout def. Caros Fodor via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)]
Dennis Bermudez (10-3) vs. Matt Grice (15-4)
RD1: Fodor opens with a kick and Bermudez goes immediately for the lead leg looking for a takedown. Grice sprawls and turns him into the cage. Grice tries to use a hip toss but Bermudez falls on top of him in full mount and is reigning down punches to the face of Grice as his opponent wiggles helplessly beneath. Grice manages to post and the fighters are back to standing. Grice with a body lock now as they clinch against the cage looking to improve. Frice goes to body and Bermudez counters with a crisp left hook that counters the body shot with perfection. Solid standing elbow from Grice lands after separation from a clinch. Huge right hook from Bermudez sends off a flurry of combos as Grice backs away dazed. Grice lands a huge hook that drops Bermudez and the crowd erupts! Bermudez tries a leg kick, Grice catches it and drills a straight right down the pipe that rocks Bermudez. Bermudez is hurt no doubt, but he fires back with crisp combos as they continue to exchange. This fight is picking up momentum, and fast. Grice ends with a flurry and the crowd erupts. 10-9 Grice, but too close to call, so much action.
RD2: Both fighters open round two as fresh as can be -- which is insane considering the last round. Counter straight right from Grice lands and drops Bermudez briefly. Grice popping his jab as he tries to keep a pressuring Bermudez at bay. Bermudez tries a superman punch but Grice counters with a sneaky jab. The fighters clinch as Grice works Bermudez back against the cage. More clinch work as the fighters scramble. Grice gets loopy as the round ends and almost falls into a submission but the round ends. Another tough round to score. 10-9 Grice.
RD3: Early in the final frame Bermudez catches Grice with a sneaky uppercut that drops Grice. Bermudez follows with a flurry of ground and pound that has ref Herb Dean looking closely. However, Grice manages to weather the storm and gets back to his feet. Now on his feet, Bermudez starts drilling Grice with combos -- a TON! The crowd is going insane, this is a scrap! Grice weathers the flurry and the two clinch, exhausted. After a brief resting period Bermudez starts teeing off again and the crowd goes crazy! This is a memorable fight to say the least. More punches from Bermudez and he backs away completely exhausted -- I can't imagine how Grice feels. Grice fires back with a stiff straight right! The fight is over, wow, what a scrap. 10-9 Bermudez.
[Official Decision: Dennis Bermudez def. Matt Grice via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)]
Michael Chiesa (8-0) vs. Anton Kuivanen (17-5)
RD1: Kuivanen opens being the aggressor as he moves forward on Chiesa. Body kick from Kuivanen lands. Slow pace as the two move in and out trying to find their range and pockets to do damage. Kuivanen gets a bit wild and leaves himself open for a Chiesa clinch, in where he eats a few knees and is now in the body lock against the cage with Chiesa doing damage. The fighters separate and it seems as if Kuivanen is looking to counter Chiesa's less-than-tight striking. Kuivanen rushes in and Chiesa shoots a double and takes it to the mat. Kuivanen sweeps and scrambles simultaneously and the round comes to an end. 10-9 Kuivanen.
RD2: Chiesa shoots a takedown early in this round and Kuivanen sprawls as the fighters now clinch agains the cage. In a scramble Chiesa drags Kuivanen to the floor and secures back position. Chiesa looks for the RNC as Kuivanen tucks his chin and begins to hand fight. It's successful for a moment, but eventually Kuivanen taps and Chiesa is victorious!
[Official Decision: Michael Chiesa def. Anton Kuivanen via submission at 2:29 of round two]
Brendan Schaub (9-3) def. Lavar Johnson (17-6)
RD1: We cageside are not expecting this fight to go very long, so get ready. The fighters touch gloves and we're off for the main event of the FX UFC 157 broadcast. Early trip takedown from Schaub as he now lays in side-control. Johnson doesn't have a very good ground game so this may be slow and long, or over quick. Johnson tries to stand up and Schaub secures a guillotine that he turns into a gator roll. He's cinching it up as Johnson pummels with side punches trying to escape. Schaub lets go and repositions himself for control and base. Deep side control now for Schaub as he continues to work. Brief scrambles for position as Johnson briefly has control, but he's now on his back again, lookingo to survive. Johnson attempts to get back to his feet as the round ends but Schaub brings him back down. 10-9 Schaub.
RD2: A quick flurry from both fighters open round two and Schaub clinches looking to earn another round-defining takedown but Johnson is working better this round and turns him into the cage. As the fighters pummel, Schaub earns a trip takedown and lands in half-guard. Schaub in half-guard looking to secure his base and improve position. Schaub is in half-guard for a about :90 seconds and ref Jason Herzog stands the fighters up to the crowd's approval. Schaub earns another takedown and more of the same ensues. The crowd boos and the round is closing in on its end. Round ends, 10-9 Schaub.
RD3: Schuab opens the round with a takedown and the crowd erupts with boos. The fight stays on the ground for a little over a minute and the action is stood up by ref Jason Herzog. Within seconds of the standup Schaub takes down and over zealous Johnson -- and guess what -- the crowd boos. It's starting to look like a sprarring session as these two roll around now. The fight ends, the crowd boos. 10-9 Schaub.
[Official Decision: Brendan Schaub def. Lavar Johnson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)]
Josh Koscheck (19-6) vs. Robbie Lawler ( 19-9-0, 1NC)
RD1: It's been almost a decade since Robbie Lawler stepped in the cage -- this should be interesting. Koscheck shoots early and Lawler sprawls. However after a second attempt Koscheck earns the takedown with ease. Koscheck now in Lawler's guard and is posturing, looking for the power shots. Now Koscheck looks to pass and Lawler scrambles back to his feet. Koscheck keeps control and drags him back to the mat. Koscheck controlling Lawler with three minutes left -- the crowd boos. During a scramble Koscheck goes for a takedown and Lawler sprawls hitting him with punches from the guard and Koscheck goes out! The fight is stopped! Lawler wins in a big upset!
[Official Decision: Robbie Lawler def. Josh Koscheck via TKO at 3:57 of round one]
Court McGee (13-3) vs. Josh Neer (33-12-1)
RD1: Stiff hook from Neer opens the action. Both fighters standing tall and in the pocket, this may be a striking battle. McGee with a thudding 1-2 combo followed with a crisp three-punch combo. Neer bleeding a bit above his left eye as he starts to open up. These two are swinging now as they stay in the pocket. McGee with a slicing leg kick. Neer's corner screams, "I need more technique Josh!" McGee coming in with this stiff combo flurries, and he may get caught, Neer is just waiting to counter that. McGee pops Neer with a combo and skillfully moves away with lateral movement. Right hook lands for McGee followed by a body kick and leg kick and he's turning it up. McGee's confidence increasing as he peppers Neer with more strikes to the face. Stiff jab from McGee stops Neer in his tracks. Knee to the body from McGee in the clinch. Uppercuts from McGee as he continues to work fast -- this is going quick. McGee with the collar tie as he lands uppercuts to Neer's jaw. Hooks to the body drop Neer against the cage as McGee closes in with authority. Neer is on his back looking for some leg lock that he won't get. McGee takes his back as the round ends. 10-9 McGee.
RD2: Both fighters open with stiff punches but Neer is still taking a pounding. McGee drops Neer and the Iowa native stumbles back to his feet trying to gain some balance. Popping jabs from McGee now as Neer looks for a kill-shot. McGee in and out, left and right, popping combos. Neer just misses with a big uppercut. Neer's corner yells, "Cut him off! Stop chasing him!!' And briefly he does just that. However, McGee regains control after getting peppered for a small window. McGee with an effective hook to the body of Neer that lowers his hands a bit. Neer, while plenty tired, is doing his best to hunt McGee down, but McGee is doing a great job of staying active and giving Neer little time to breathe. 10-9 McGee
RD3: Neer seems upset at the start of round three, but he's getting beat, McGee isn't doing anything out of the ordinary. McGee shoots for a double and is now in a body lock clinched against the cage. Slower pace in round three as we close in on three minutes left in the round. Stiff jab from McGee snaps Neer's head back. Neer getting more bloody as the fight drags on. McGee trips Neer to the ground and is now in the process of trying to take his back as Neer looks to stand up. Fighters back to their feet now as Neer looks exhausted as he clinches McGee. Two minutes left in the final frame. The fight remains on the ground the rest of the round as McGee dominates. 10-9 McGee.
[Official Decision: Court McGee def. Josh Neer via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)]
Urijah Faber (26-6) vs. Ivan Menjivar (25-9)
RD1: Faber comes out light on his feet and Menjivar is looking calm. Menjivar earns a nice hip toss on Faber and flips him to the canvas! Faber quickly pulls a switch and is now in side-control. The crowd chants, "Faber! Faber! Faber!" Menjivar on his back as Faber sits in his guard going body-body-head. Menjivar looking for a triangle but Faber shrugs it off and falls back into guard. More ground and pound from Faber. Menjivar scrambles from bottom and Faber snags his back with a nifty move as he crawls around the torso of Menjivar and secures a rear naked choke from standing position. It's over!
[Official Decision: Urijah Faber def. Ivan Menjivar via submission at 4:34 of round one]
Dan Henderson (29-8) vs. Lyoto Machida (18-3)
RD1: This match pits the greatest American fighter to ever live versus one of the most complex and dangerous fighters to ever live. I full expect something legendary. The fighters touch gloves and we're off! Hendo stalks with a cocked right hand. Henderson snaps a leg kick remaning patient. Big overhand right from Henderson just misses. Machida looking confusing as he paws and side steps away, doing a great job of keeping his distance from that deadly "H-Bomb." Henderson goes back to the leg kick followed by an overhand right -- the same combo that floored Bisping at UFC 100. Approaching the midway point of the fight and it's back and forth up until now, with not a lot happening. Henderson tries to get inside to clinch but Machida shrugs him off and steps away. Machida pawing with his hands per usual.Machida misses with a front kick that he's already tried a few times. Machida with a straight counter left that just misses Henderson. Overhand right from Henderson gets through Machida's guard and rattles him briefly. Henderson tries to get inside to clinch again, but Machida shrugs him off. The round ends with Machida tripping Henderson and leveling him with ground and pound that almost had him out. I had that round for Henderson until that ending. 10-9 Machida.
RD2: More stalking from Henderson as Machida opens the round in the same tentative fashion he started round one. Henderson rushing in looking for the big right hand, but Machida is avoiding it up until this point. Henderson ducks his head for a moment and eats a combo from Machida while he looked for the counter right hook. Machida getting precise now with his counters as Henderson is slowing down and becoming more predictable. Body kick from Machida lands with a thud. Machida once again tries that front kick to the face and it just misses Henderson. Henderson with a ducking overhand right that just misses. It seems to be a game of one-shot power versus effective striking and control. Henderson grazes Machida with the right and it was one of the first times it got through. Henderson stalking trying to pin Machida against the cage. Henderson throws a leaping superman punch trying to break Machida's defense and is mildly successful, as he does gain some ground. The round ends. 10-9 Machida.
RD3: Slow pace to start the final frame. Finally Henderson rushes in with a combo trying to land that right. Slicing body kick that snapped Henderson's ribcage from Machida. Henderson finally stops Machida in his tracks, clinches, and secures a takedown. Henderson now in Machida's guard going body-body-head. Henderson continues to work as we close in on two minutes left in the final frame. Machida working to stand up and he does. Now back to their feet, Henderson stalks. Leg kick from Machida clips Henderson and he shows a bit of discomfort. Machida switching stances on the fly, and tries another front kick. Machida dances around, pawing at the air and backing Henderson up. Machida tries a jumping front kick and just misses. Now Machida follows up with a high kick that is blocked by Henderson's wrist. 10-9 Machida
Official Decision: Lyoto Machida def. Dan Henderson via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Ronda Rousey (6-0) vs. Liz Carmouche (7-2)
RD1: Carmouche tries to weather Rousey's early push but Rousey gets ahold of her and drags her to the mat. In a scramble Carmouche takes Rousey's back and is looking to sink in the rear naked choke It's a standing guilloting and Rousey is tiring out. Somehow Rousey flips her off her back and the crowd goes nuts. Folks, that was insanely close to being over. Carmouche goes for an ankle lock from bottom and Rousey sits into her and spins into a side headlock and is now in side control as she pummels her with punches while still in the headlock. Think Robin Venture/Nolan Ryan, just on the ground, and with female fighters. Crowd chants "Ronda! Ronda! Ronda!" Two minutes left, and wow, what a first three minutes. Still in this side headlock and Rousey keeps landing punches. Rousey switches to the armbar and it's tight! She's trying to separate the arm, it's real close! Rousey gets it with three minutes left, she retains the belt via first round armbar with :11 seconds left in round one! Amazing fight!
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