UFC 109 under card results: Gracie falters, Davis shines, and Danzig survives

Las Vegas, NV-- At UFC 109 tonight in Las Vegas, the night began with the Gracie name returning to the world famous Octagon--as heavyweight jiu-jitsu specialist Rolles Gracie (4-0) made his UFC debut.

Unfortunately for Gracie, "The Mexicutioner" was in top form as Joey Beltran (10-3) dismantled Gracie and forced a TKO stoppage at 1:31 of the second round. Beltran was able to stifle Gracie's take down attempts early and forced Rolles into a striking battle.

In the end, conditioning seemed to be a major factor as Gracie was visibly gassed and seemed to already be beaten coming into the second round. A big win for Beltran and no doubt, a very humbling loss for the now, 3-1 Gracie.

The second fight of the night saw another heavyweight prospect enter the cage as Chris Tuchscherer (17-2) took on Tim Hague (10-2). In a fight that saw the highly touted wrestler, Tuchsherer, implement his game plan of effective striking and control early on his way to a unanimous decision win.

Although the decision was met with boo's from the crowd, as Hague finished the fight strong, Tuchsherer evidently took the two rounds it needed to make it a unanimous 29-28 decision for the Minnesota native.

Speaking of top notch wrestling, "Mr. Wonderful" Phil Davis (4-0) officially arrived in the UFC tonight as he handily disposed of former WEC light heavyweight Champion, Brian Stann (8-2).

Davis, who has created quite a buzz in the MMA underground as a real threat to the UFC's light heavyweight division, officially put his next opponent's on notice. This wrestler is more than single leg’s and cauliflower ear--he is danger personified.

With a physique reserved for G.I. Joe figures and a wingspan like a Boeing 747, this young prospect is going to be a handful for anyone who steps in the cage with him.

His striking was crisp, he was calm and confident, and he won. Three things that every wrestler would love to be able to say about their UFC debut. Add to that two judges scored the fight 30-26, and you have the definition of the word 'prospect'.

If anything, Davis was the under card. He is someone you watch and you just know that one day he will be a champion. However you want to put it--a young GSP, Jon Jones one year ago-- this guy has unlimited potential. Without crowning him king of the world just yet, Davis truly is the next evolution of MMA. The complete mixed martial artist. And after only 5 fights, the sky truly is the limit for this Penn State National Champion.

The next two fights both went to decision as Rob Emerson (17-8-1) defeated Philipe Nover (9-2-1) and Melvin Guillard (22-8-2) dispatched of Ronnys Torres (14-1).

Both fights were very similar as both Emerson and Guillard implemented a strong game plan of effective striking and ground control while earning their respective wins. That goes without saying however, as both Torres and Nover put up valiant efforts and made the fights action packed and by no means were they your stereotypical 'boring decision'.

The last fight on the under card was certainly the best, as Ultimate Fighter 6 winner, Mac Danzig (18-7-1) was fighting for his UFC career. After suffering three consecutive losses in the UFC, Danzig was in danger of being cut.

And UFC matchmaker, Joe Silva, did Danzig no favors by matching him up against Team Alpha Male's, Justin Buchholz (8-4).

The match was back and forth as both fighters looked to establish dominance in the striking department. Danzig pressured Buchholz with a combination of crisp striking and the threat of take down's.

Buchholz however, didn't back down, and he had plenty of combos and heart to match Danzig right up until the final bell. In the end the judges awarded Danzig a unanimous decision with the scores of 29-28, 29-28, and 29-28, in what may very well be fight of the night.