ufc 149 poster

The interim bantamweight title was up for grabs last night at UFC 149, as Urijah Faber took on Renan Barao for the belt and the chance at meeting Dominick Cruz at a later date. Here are the results.

Urijah Faber vs. Renan Barao

The interim title fight saw Renan Barao turn himself from challenger to interim champion after twenty five minutes of action between himself and former WEC champion Urijah Faber. A much better striker than his opponent, Barao continued to land solid leg kicks throughout the fight and punches to the head to boot.

Faber did try to get the fight to the ground, but his takedowns were stuffed and he was forced to stad and trade. Neither man really close to being finished though and it went to the judges who scored it for Barao, who was celebrating before the scorecards were read by Bruce Buffer.

Hector Lombard vs. Tim Boetsch

The highly anticipated debut of Hector Lombard turned out to be a frustrating affair for the fans in attendance as both men didn’t engage as much as initially thought. Boetsch fought very smart, by not getting into any wild exchanges with the debutante and striking to the legs and head from the outside – if Lombard moved close with some swinging punches – he would then move out of danger.

Lombard did well in stuffing takedowns but the octagon jitters may have played a big part in his performance. The judges gave a split decision win for Tim Boetsch who now moves to 4-0-0 in the middleweight division. Lombard, who was thought to be Anderson Silva’s next big challenge, sees his huge winning streak snapped.

Cheick Kongo vs. Shawn Jordan

A heavyweight bout between Cheick Kongo and Shawn Jordan saw the Frenchman utilize his reach, striking skills and improved wrestling to earn himself a decision win. Kongo moved close to Jordan on numerous occasions by striking on the outside and moving in. Jordan attempted many times to get the fight to the ground yet Kongo did well to keep it upright for the majority of the fight – even taking Jordan’s back a few times.

A good win for Kongo.

Brian Ebersole vs. James Head

The entertaining and unorthodox ways of Brian Ebersole failed to gain him a win at UFC 149. Standing in at late notice to take on the much larger James Head, Ebersole had a lot of success on the ground and the feet throughout – yet it was his opponent who earned a split decision win.

Head did manage to stuff most of his opponent’s takedown attempts and look for a couple of chokes in the three rounds. Yet the decision was close and could have gone to either man.

Matt Riddle vs. Chris Clements

A welterweight fight between Riddle and Clements turned out to be a very entertaining battle. Riddle could have finished the fight in the first round after a liver kick left Clements wincing in pain, unfortunately though, Riddle wasn’t able to finish at that instance because Josh Rosenthal (UFC referee) intervened – believing that the kick was low and to the groin.

The finish came in the third, after an exchange on the feet; Clements moved close but was caught in a standing arm-triangle choke. Riddle then took the fight to the floor to finish off the submission and get the tap. A great end to a great fight.

Full UFC 149 results

Renan Barao def. Urijah Faber via unanimous decision (UFC interim bantamweight title fight)

Tim Boetsch def. Hector Lombard via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Cheick Kongo def. Shawn Jordan via unanimous decision (30-28, 30-27, 30-27)

James Head def. Brian Ebersole via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Matt Riddle def. Chris Clements via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 3, 2:02

Nick Ring def. Court McGee via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Francisco Rivera def. Roland Delorme via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 4:19

Ryan Jimmo def. Anthony Perosh via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:07

Bryan Caraway def. Mitch Gagnon via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 1:39

Antonio Carvalho def. Daniel Pineda via KO (punches) – Round 1, 1:11

Anton Kuivanen def. Mitch Clarke via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

By Mike Clarke (@fightelounge)