Nick Ring wrapping his hands before fighting Tim Boetsch on the Spike TV broadcast of UFC 135's preliminary card
Nate Diaz warming up with Gilbert Melendez for his bout with PRIDE superstar Takanori Gomi
Rob Broughton ready to go for his main card heavyweight tilt with Travis Browne
Eddie Yagin all wrapped up for his featherweight scrap with Junior Assuncao
James Te Huna having his hands wrapped ahead of his opening bout with Ricardo Romero
Aaron Riley backstage with his trainer Greg Jackson waiting for his bout with TUF 13 winner Tony Ferguson on Spike TV
Ricardo Romero ready to go to battle with James Te Huna
Junior Assuncao in the locker room waiting for his return to the UFC against Eddie Yagin
Packed house in Denver, CO!
The Ultimate Fighter 10 finalist Brendan Schaub in attendance
Mark Hunt walking out for his bout with Ben Rothwell
Josh Koscheck sits out back with cornerman Justin Wilcox while waiting for his bout with legendary Matt Hughes
"Big" Ben Rothwell about to walk out to face K-1 and PRIDE veteran Mark Hunt
TUF alumni Cole Miller and Ed Herman in attendance
James Te Huna in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan after knocking out Ricardo Romero
Cole Escovedo ready to go against Takeya Mizugaki
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Ricardo Romero about to walkout for his UFC 135 bout with James Te Huna
First up on Facebook is light heavyweight action between James Te Huna and Ricardo Romero!
-Te Huna fends off early takedowns from Romero and uses some brutal ground and pound for the early knockout!
Takeya Mizugaki warming up backstage for his UFC 135 bout with Cole Escovedo
Coming up next on Facebook is a bantamweight showdown between formerly top-ten ranked Takeya Mizugaki and former WEC featherweight champion Cole Escovedo!
-Exciting round one with great exchanges on the feet and in the clinch! Escovedo tried a triangle after pulling guard, but great escape by Mizugaki. Big shots traded from the clinch, but Mizugaki lands more effectively throughout, scoring 10-9 on PDG's scorecard.
-Round two sees Escovedo land a pair of nice headkicks, but Mizugaki begins to pick apart the WEC's first featherweight champion. Mizugaki lands power shots, dropping Escovedo. Mizugaki continued to land big shots, buckling Escovedo against the fence, and dropping him once more for the second round TKO!
Junior Assuncao prior to his UFC 135 bout
The final preliminary bout on Facebook features former TPF champion Eddie Yagin against Junior Assuncao!
-Lackluster round one in the featherweight division. Both fighters were tentative until Assuncao scored a nice takedown. Beautiful jiu-jitsu before a couple hard shots from Assuncao. Back to the feet before another Assuncao takedown, and a flurry of elbows from Yagin. Close round one, but PDG scores it 10-9 for Assuncao.
-Another lackluster round with both fighters tentative. Assuncao briefly takes Yagin's back, but they separate quickly after. Assuncao shoots into a guillotine, but escapes. Not much action on the ground, but back to the feet. PDG scores round two 10-9 for Assuncao.
-Round three starts slow until Assuncao shoots and is nearly submitted. From top half-guard Assuncao rides out half of the round with great ground and pound. PDG scores round three 10-9 and the bout 30-27 for Assuncao. The judges agree, but two 30-26 scorecards are called.
Tim Boetsch about to wrap his hands before his UFC 135 bout with Nick Ring
Next we go to Spike TV to see TUF alum Nick Ring take on Tim Boetsch!
-Not too much action in round one. Ring using strikes from a distance and fending off takedowns to take round one on PDG's scorecard 10-9.
-Round two is much closer. Ring keeps working strikes from the outside, but Boetsch lands the bigger shots, even buckling Ring. During a clinch Boetsch times a knee from Ring to score a takedown and goes for a guillotine in the ensuing scramble. Boetsch continues to land big and ends the round with a beautiful trip and nearly locks in a kimura. PDG scores round two 10-9 for Boetsch.
-Round three is more of Ring trying to counter, and landing precise shots, but Boetsch pushing forward. Boetsch scores a trip but is unable to work from guard. After a stand-up Boetsch lands a beautiful throw and lands in the crucifix where he lands shots. Transition to mount, then to side control with Boetsch ending the bout with ground and pound. PDG scores round three 10-9 and the fight 29-28 for Boetsch. The judges score the bout 29-28, 29-28, and 30-27 for Boetsch.
TUF 13 winner Tony Ferguson waiting for his UFC 135 bout on Spike TV against Aaron Riley
Next up on Spike TV is The Ultimate Fighter 13 winner Tony Ferguson against the always tough Aaron Riley!
-Round one sees Ferguson as the aggressor, landing heavy shots while not taking many damaging strikes from Riley. The two made it through the first round in a fairly entertaining bout with PDG scoring it for Ferguson 10-9, but that is irrelevant as Riley tells his corner between rounds that his jaw is broken, resulting in a TKO stoppage.
Nate Diaz and Takanori Gomi face off at the weigh-ins prior to their UFC 135 showdown
Takanori Gomi and Nate Diaz backstage warming up to kick things off on the UFC 135 pay-per-view
Next up is the pay-per-view which will kick off with PDG's Match-Up of the Night between TUF 5 winner Nate Diaz and former PRIDE champion and superstar Takanori Gomi!
-Diaz picks Gomi apart throughout round one, hurting his Japanese opponent with punches before using beautiful submission transitions to submit him with an armbar!
Travis Browne warming up for his UFC 135 fight with Rob Broughton
Coming up is a great heavyweight match-up between Travis Browne and former Cage Rage British heavyweight champion Rob Broughton!
-Slow round but Browne controls the first round with better striking and a late-round takedown, prompting PDG to score the bout 10-9 in his favor.
-Round two is more of the same, but Browne begins to slow with Broughton closing the gap slightly. Another late-round takedown by Browne. PDG scores round two 10-9 for Browne.
-Browne scores an early takedown and rides out the round on top of Broughton. Broughton threatens with a kimura once, but the round is all Browne otherwise. PDG scores the round 10-9 and the fight 30-27 for Browne. The judges agree.
Ben Rothwell before the UFC 135 weigh-ins before his bout with Mark Hunt
Another heavyweight match-up is coming up next on pay-per-view between IFL stand-out Ben Rothwell and former K-1 champion and PRIDE veteran Mark Hunt!
-Round one is slow paced with Hunt landing good shots while working to avoid Rothwell takedowns. Rothwell scores a few takedowns but Hunt is able to get back up quickly. A short elbow cuts Rothwell's eyebrow. Close round that PDG scores 10-9 for Rothwell.
-Round two is a different story. Hunt ends up on top and grinds on Rothwell with good ground and pound. Hunt eventually works to mount and tries to finish with an armbar, but the round ends. PDG scores round two 10-8 for Hunt.
-Round three is like slow motion. Hunt gets better of the striking by far and defends takedowns. Hunt gets a takedown of his own and works from side control before a horrible stand-up from the referee. The round ends with Rothwell on top, but PDG scores round three 10-9 and the fight 29-27 for Hunt.
Matt Hughes hitting mitts to warm-up for his bout with TUF alum Josh Koscheck
Next up is the co-main event between former UFC champion Matt Hughes and TUF alum Josh Koscheck!
-Entertaining stand-up bout between two wrestlers, but Koscheck lands a right hand that is the beginning of the end. Ground and pound knocks out Hughes moments before the bell.
Champion Jon Jones and challenger Quinton Jackson taking verbal jabs at the UFC 135 weigh-ins ahead of their fight
Champion Jon Jones ready for his title defense against Quinton Jackson at UFC 135
Challenger Quinton "Rampage" Jackson ready to challenge Jon Jones in the main event of UFC 135
Up next is the UFC light heavyweight championship between titleholder Jon "Bones" Jones and former champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson!
-Round one sees Jones use his superior reach to edge out the round 10-9 on PDG's scorecard.
-"Rampage" is tentative throughout round two as Jones picks up the pace and picks apart the challenger with an incredibly varied attack. The round ends with a Jones pulling guard and throwing up a last second triangle. PDG scores round two 10-9 for the champion, Jones.
-Jones continues to pick apart Jackson in the third round. Jones scores a takedown and moves to mount, cutting Jackson with an elbow. Back on the feet Jones continues to score with strikes. PDG scores round three 10-9 for Jones.
-Jones drags "Rampage" to the mat by his head and quickly transitions to the challenger's back where he sinks in a fight ending rear naked choke in his first title defense.
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Jon Jones vs. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson - Light Heavyweight Championship
The big weakness we have seen in "Rampage" lately has been leg kicks. Forrest Griffin used them to steal the title, while Lyoto Machida was just short on a split decision with his use. Jones is a smart, explosive fighter with a good variety of strikes and solid kicks. Teaming up with Greg Jackson, it is likely the gameplan involves blasting Jackson's lead leg with kicks, and finishing combinations with kicks. Jones has unbelievable range on his strikes and will likely avoid Jackson's defensive counter style to earn a late round TKO.
Matt Hughes vs. Josh Koscheck - Co-Main Event
The co-main event pits a fading legend against one of the welterweight division's gatekeepers - although this particular gatekeeper could potentially be a champion if not for teammate Jon Fitch and reigning champion Georges St. Pierre. Hughes' major deficit has always been his striking. He is a powerful wrestler though with excellent submission skills. Koscheck on the other hand is a fantastic wrestler who has evolved a competent kickboxing attack. Despite relying heavily on his over-hand right, look for Koscheck to keep the fight standing and pick apart Hughes into a 30-27 unanimous decision.
Ben Rothwell vs. Mark Hunt - Main Card
The UFC added some heavy-hitting bouts to the main card, including one between former IFL stand-out Ben Rothwell and Mark Hunt. Hunt is a talented, heavy-handed kickboxer with a solid chin and an abysmal ground game. Rothwell is a competent striker, but knows a takedown is key here. This bout is definitely a coin toss. Rothwell will hunt for the takedown and work ground and pound to set up a submission, while Hunt will look to keep the fight standing and blast Rothwell into unconsciousness. Either possibility is realistic and unsurprising, but look for Hunt to pull off the upset and move his record to even.
Travis Browne vs. Rob Broughton - Main Card
The other main card heavyweight bout features former Cage Rage British champion Rob Broughton and heavyweight prospect Travis Browne. Broughton has had the tougher road to this point, having faced solid competition on more than one occasion, but Browne has proved his worth by lasting against Cheick Kongo and stopping Stefan Struve. Browne is going to look to explode on Broughton early and often. Look for a second round TKO stoppage.
Nate Diaz vs. Takanori Gomi - PDG's Match-Up of the Night
In PDG's Match-Up of the Night, former PRIDE champion Takanori Gomi looks to remain relevant after losing to Clay Guida while Nate Diaz tries to snap a two-fight losing streak at welterweight by returning to the 155-pound division. Look for Diaz to use his unusual boxing and length to keep Gomi at bay, while the Japanese fighter headhunts. Diaz look look for takedowns and struggle for the most part, but will eventually get his opponent to the mat and control. Look for a close decision ending in Diaz's favor.
Tony Ferguson vs. Aaron Riley - Spike TV
Tony Ferguson is riding high after winning The Ultimate Fighter, but in front of him stands a big challenge in Aaron Riley. Ferguson is a strong wrestler who likes to throw his hands. Riley however has faced bigger challenges and eaten bigger shots. Look for a competitive match where Riley's experience shines, but ultimately Ferguson's youth and power prevail in a unanimous decision.
Nick Ring vs. Tim Boetsch - Spike TV
Nick Ring has successfully used a varied counter attack to pick apart opponents and will aim to do so against Boetsch, who has heavy hands and a wrestling background. Expect a fifteen minute bout with Ring getting a better of the exchanges, but Boetsch showing signs of life from the clinch. I don't expect this bout to be too close though, with Ring taking a clear cut unanimous decision.
Junior Assuncao vs. Eddie Yagin - Facebook
In one of the most overlooked bouts of the card former TPF champion Eddie Yagin will look to make his mark against Junior Assuncao. Assuncao brings a unique offensive attack into his striking, and with a Brazilian jiu-jitsu background is dangerous on the mat. Assuncao has truly evolved over the last few years and will control the action on the feet and on the mat, edging out a close decision against the hungry newcomer.
Takeya Mizugaki vs. Cole Escovedo - Facebook
The bantamweight showdown between Mizugaki and Escovedo has fireworks written all over it. Escovedo is experienced and exciting, and anyone who witnessed Mizugaki against Miguel Torres knows the Japanese fighter has an entertaining striking game. The bout however will likely see Escovedo score an early takedown and work ground and pound throughout rounds one and two, until finally scoring a fight-ending submission mid-way through round three.
James Te Huna vs. Ricardo Romero - Facebook
The opening bout of the night looks to start off with a bang. The UFC's match-making is intentionally eyeing a knockout from get-go. Both fighters throw hard, but look for Te Huna to land big first and finish with a ground and pound flurry to score a TKO.
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