ufc 146 poster

One of the most exciting mixed martial arts cards took place in the early hours of this morning, as the UFC held their 146 event. Here are the results.

Junior Dos Santos vs. Frank Mir

The heavyweight title was up for grabs in the main-event and it was the champion Junior Dos Santos who managed to keep his belt.

Mir attempted one takedown early in the first round, but once it was shrugged off by Dos Santos, Mir refused to try again, and continued to fight Dos Santos’ fight – striking. Dos Santos landed many punches to the face and body badly rocking Mir before the end of the first; but the bell rang before he could finish.

Frank Mir tried to utilise more leg kicks in the second round, but when he did he was met with hooks and straights from the champion. Dropping him for a second time in the round, JDS followed Mir to the floor to land some more punches before backing away and allowing Mir to stand. Only, Mir couldn’t stand back up and the fight was waved off.

Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio Silva

In an absolutely dominating performance, former champion Cain Velasquez showed everybody that he is still one of the greatest heavyweights in the world. Immediately catching a Silva kick, Velasquez took the fight to the ground and kept it there with a relentless attack of punches and elbows to badly cut the Brazilian. Claret flowed all over the mat ad into Silva’s eyes, making it hard for him to see.

More and more strikes came and Silva covered up before the referee stepped in. A title shot most likely looms for Velasquez again.

Roy Nelson vs. Dave Herman

“Big Country” got an emphatic win against “Pee Wee” in this fight. Herman started off fighting smart by utilising his height and reach to keep Nelson at bay, until the former TUF winner moved forward and landed a big overhand right to knock Herman out in just under a minute.

Stipe Miocic vs. Shane Del Rosario

After a rough first round, in which Del Rosario battered his ribs and liver with kicks, Stipe Miocic returned fire in the second to force the referee stoppage.

Del Rosario used his excellent Muay Thai skills to hurt his opponent many times during the first round. If Miocic moved forward, he would send a kick straight to his body, leg or head, rocking him a few times.

Miocic changed his game-plan for the second round, coming out and getting the takedown to control the UFC newcomer. On the mat, the former champion wrestler landed numerous elbows and hammer-fists to cut Del Rosario badly, before the referee stopped the destruction.

Stefan Struve vs. Lavar Johnson

Technique beat power in this fight. Johnson moved forward to land some big punches immediately and clinched with Struve against the cage. Struve got an over-hook and jumped into guard. Once there he immediately transitioned to an armbar and forced the tap.

In other fights from the card, Dan Hardy finally got a win after losing his last four fights. After being rocked near the start by Duane Ludwig, “The Outlaw” landed a nice stepping left-hook to send the American crashing to the floor.

UK submission machine, Paul Sass continued his unbeaten streak by submitting Jacob Volkmann with a tight triangle choke/armbar. Following the bout, Dana White described Sass as “nasty”.

Jason Miller cemented his status as an entertainer, but he was controlled by C.B. Dolloway for the majority of their fight and dropped a decision. Dollaway was rocked a couple of times by “mayhem”, yet he managed to get takedowns to neutralise the offence.

The Barboza freight train came to a halt as a returning Jamie Varner shocked everybody by landing some big punches after eating many leg kicks. The former WEC champion looked excellent.

Full UFC 146 results

Junior Dos Santos def. Frank Mir via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:04 (UFC heavyweight title fight)

Cain Velasquez def. Antonio Silva via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:36

Roy Nelson def. Dave Herman via knockout (punch) – 0:51

Stipe Miocic def. Shane Del Rosario via TKO (elbows) – Round 2, 3:14

Stefan Struve def. Lavar Johnson via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 1:05

Darren Elkins def. Diego Brandao via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Jamie Varner def. Edson Barboza via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:23

C.B. Dollaway def. Jason “Mayhem” Miller via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-26, 29-28)

Dan Hardy def. Duane “Bang” Ludwig via knockout (strikes) – Round 1, 3:51

Paul Sass def. Jacob Volkmann via submission (triangle choke/armbar) – Round 1, 1:54

Glover Teixeira def. Kyle Kingsbury via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 1, 1:53

Mike Brown def. Daniel Pineda via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

By Mike Clarke (@fightlounge)