UFC 185: Pettis Vs. Dos Anjos Results: Pettis Gets Upset, Two New World Champions, Overeem In Action
Welcome to Wrestling Inc's live coverage of UFC 185! We have two big championship fights scheduled for tonight, in addition to #1-ranked Welterweight Johny Hendricks taking on #5 Matt Brown, and two top heavyweights clashing, in Alistair Overeem and Roy Nelson. CM Punk will also be appearing, walking teammate and UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony "Showtime" Pettis to the cage.
Preliminary Card
Germaine De Randamie (#15) defeats Larissa Pacheco via TKO (strikes), Round 2, 2:02
Joseph Duffy defeated Jake Lindsey via TKO (head kick and punched), Round 1, 1:47
Ryan Benoit defeated Sergio Pettis via TKO (punches), Round 2, 1:34
Jared Rosholt defeated Josh Copeland via TKO, Round 2, 3:12
Beneil Dariush defeats Daron Cruickshank via submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 2:48
Elias Theodorou defeats Roger Narvaez via TKO (punches), Round 2, 4:07
Ross Pearson defeats Sam Stout via TKO (punches), Round 2, 1:33
Pay-Per-View
We kick off the PPV with former Flyweight title challenger Chris Cariaso taking on Olympic Gold Medalist Henry Cejudo.
Chris Cariaso (#10) vs. Henry Cejudo
Round 1: Cariaso misses a head kick and gets taken down right out of the gate. Cejudo's wrestling is overbearing, as he lands a knee and lets Cariaso up. Cariaso hits a body kick, but eats a big hook and gets pushed against the cage. Cejudo lands a Superman punch and a head kick, and takes Cariaso down again. Cariaso works back up, but takes two more knees. Cariaso goes to the body again to close the round
Wrestling Inc scores the round 10-9 for Cejudo.
Round 2: The two slug it out shortly to start, until Cejudo stumbles Cariaso with a jab and takes him down. Cariaso gets back up and pushes Cejudo up against the cage. Cejudo breaks free and lands a couple of good punches, body kicks and another takedown. Cejudo works for a crucifix, but can't get it. They get back to the feet where they trade body kicks to end the round.
Wrestling Inc scores the round 10-9 for Cejudo, making it 20-18
Round 3: An early takedown for Cejudo gets the fight right where he wants it. He moves into a side-half guard mix and lands elbows. Cejudo takes Cariaso down and almost locks on a double underhook neck crank, but can't get it. Cariaso goes for a heel hook, but Cejudo slips out to end the round.
Wrestling Inc scores the round 10-9 for Henry Cejudo, making it 30-27.
Result: Henry Cejudo defeats Chris Cariaso (#10) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
A big win for Henry Cejudo. He'll likely get hotshotted to a big title shot after another win.
Roy Nelson (#8) vs. Alistair Overeem (#9)
Round 1: The two fighters barely touch for the first minute until Overeem hits a nice flying knee to the body and blocks a big overhand right. Overeem spins Nelson around with two leg kicks, but Nelson comes back with a good left hook. Another couple of knees to the body from Overeem set up a big one to the face. Overeem rope-a-dopes Nelson and lands a big punch and knee before nearly dropping Nelson with a leg kick. Overeem punishes Nelson with body kicks, knees and oblique kicks.
Wrestling Inc scores round 1 for Alistair Overeem, 10-9.
Round 2: Overeem opens the round with a stiff straight and two good knees. Nelson drills Overeem with an overhand, but Overeem fires back with a body kick and a front kick to the face. Nelson hits another good punch, and it appears Overeem has lost his mouth piece. Overeem goes back to the body again, but isn't landing with the same frequency as before. Nelson works Overeem against the cage and lands two big body punches, but Overeem breaks free. Overeem connects with another big knee to the head followed by a wild punch that finds a home.
Wrestling Inc scores the round 10-9 for Overeeem, making it 20-18
Round 3: The two can't connect until a minute in, when a groin kick drops Nelson. Herb Dean calls a break to the action as Nelson recovers. Overeem missed a spinning elbow, as he tried to turn and run at one point. A left kick to the body by Overeem is countered by a huge uppercut by Nelson that he follows up with another big punch. Nelson tries to take Overeem down, but no dice. Overeem hits a huge high kick and starts destroying Nelson with kicks. Nelson drops Overeem with a huge punch that drops Overeem, but he can't follow up! Wow, Overeem looked in trouble.
Wrestling Inc scores the round 10-9 for Alistair Overeem, making it 30-27
Results: Alistair Overeem (#9) defeats Roy Nelson (#8) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
This was a fantastic performance by Overeem. He's been training with Jon Jones and it shows.
Johny Hendricks (#1) vs. Matt Brown (#5)
Round 1: The two come out swinging, but Hendricks quickly scoops up Brown and puts him on his back. Brown gets right back up and pushes forward, stopping a takedown out of a body lock, before getting tripped up. Hendricks is in Brown's guard and working strikes. Brown tries to set up a triangle, but Hendricks postures. Brown switches to a leg lock, Hendricks break free and they're back on their feet. Brown hits a head kick, knee to the face and a straight, but is taken down yet again. Brown blatantly grabbed the fence, but the ref said nothing. Hendricks works the top game to end the round.
Wrestling Inc scores the round 10-9 for Johny Hendricks.
Round 2: Brown starts with a nice left hook, but gets taken down. A quick scramble gets him back to his feet as Hendricks complains Brown held his shorts. A good combo by Hendricks leads to him ragdolling Brown, who has no answer for Hendricks' wrestling. Hendricks works strikes out of half guard, smothering Brown. The ref stands the two up, and Hendricks lands several shots to Brown, who fires back with a few of his own. Brown is taken down again to end the round.
Wrestling Inc scores the round 10-9 for Johny Hendricks, making it 20-18
Round 3: Hendricks comes out swinging and slips, but Brown can't capitalize. Hendricks scores another easy takedown, and Brown works an inverted triangle, but can't lock it up. Brown clinches and connects with an elbow, but gets taken down again. The ref finally warns Brown for grabbing the cage. Hendricks works to side control, but Brown tries to go back to the inverted triangle. It doesn't work and Hendricks gets back on top. Brown starts getting really offensive from the bottom, landing shot after shot. Brown unsuccessfully goes for a triangle to end the round.
Wrestling Inc scores the round 10-9 for Hendricks, making it 30-27 Hendricks.
Result: Johny Hendricks (#1) defeats Matt Brown (#5) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Hendricks was dominant, and will likely be put on stand by in case Rory MacDonald or Robbie Lawler get hurt.
UFC Women's Strawweight Championship
Carla Esparza (c) vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (#1)
Round 1: JJ stuffs a takedown early, and valiantly fights off another. JJ is briefly put on her back but fights up and eats a right hand by Esparza. Carla Esparza is relentless, in trying to drag JJ down, but JJ staggers her with a big punch. JJ jabs Esparza and stuffs two more takedowns before landing two good punches. JJ is using her range and landing at will. JJ is handling Esparza with knees and big punches. She ends the round with a big combo.
Wrestling Inc scores round 1 10-9 for Jedrzejczyk.
Round 2: Esparza comes out desperately shooting for takedowns, but can't land one and gets caught with punches. JJ blasts Esparza. JJ is stalking Esparza around the cage, landing at will. Really all Esparza has going for her is her cool singley. JJ is dominating. Esparza isn't landing anything. A straight right hand wobbles Esparza. Huge combo! The ref steps in. It's over!
Result: Joanna Jedrzejczyk (#1) defeats Carla Esparza (c) via TKO (strikes) at 4:12 of Round 2 to win the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship.
That was a huge upset, and it shouldn't have been. What a fantastic performance. The women's 115 pound division has delivered so far.
UFC Lightweight Championship
Anthony "Showtime" Pettis (c) vs. Rafael dos Anjos
Round 1: Pettis comes up empty on a combo and head kick, but RDA catches Pettis with a body kick. RDA is tagging Pettis. They're trading back and forth, with RDA getting the better of it. RDA is landing more and more, connecting with a big body punch, but Pettis hits an overhand right. RDa is probably landing at a 2 to 1 ratio at this point. They are slugging it out, and dos Anjos looks fantastic. A RDA takedown for the final minute of the round, landing several elbows.
Wrestling Inc scores the round 10-9 for Rafael dos Anjos
Round 2: RDA opens with a body kick, and follows up with two big overhand rights that put Pettis against the cage. Duke Roufus had just instructed Pettis to stay off the cage, but he's right back there. Pettis lands a big body kick, but RDA answers with a left. RDA secures another takedown, ending up in the guard of Pettis. He controls Pettis from the top, landing a plethora of punches for the last three minutes to end the round.
Wrestling Inc scores the round 10-9 for Rafael dos Anjos, making it 20-18.
Round 3: RDA opens with kicks once again, as he controls the pace early. Dos Anjos also lands a good left, but gets poked in the eye. After the brief break Pettis hit a head kick, but RDA ate it and landed a left. Another RDA takedown puts Pettis on his back. RDA works some strikes, but Pettis works back up against the cage, and has his legs attacked with knees. Pettis separates and throws a head kick, and gets taken down again. Dos Anjos takes Pettis' back and lands strikes to end the round.
Wrestling Inc scores round 3 for Rafael dos Anjos 10-9, to make it 30-27 RDA
Round 4: Pettis will need a finish to win, but comes out jabbing. This is the most active Pettis has been, landing several good body kicks. RDA is landing shots of his own, but not at the same pace as earlier. Even though he's slows down a little, he easily takes down Pettis and rolls into side control after a quick scramble. RDA is working for a double wristlock and Pettis has his hands clutched to fight it. RDA finally gives it up and takes Pettis' back. Pettis escapes and briefly takes RDA down, but he's right back up against the cage. Dos Anjos reverses momentum and lands an inside leg trip and body kick to end the round.
Wrestling Inc scores round 4 for Rafael dos Anjos 10-9, making it 40-36 RDA.
Round 5: RDA and Pettis trade light strikes, but dos Anjos pressures Pettis against the cage. RDA separates, lands a body kick and takes Pettis down, moving into side control. Pettis struggles to get out of side control. He does, and the two have a brief exchange before RDA takes Pettis down again. RDA takes Pettis' back and locks on a body triangle, throwing big punches to end the fight.
Wrestling Inc scores round 5 for Rafael dos Anjos 10-9, making it 50-45
Result: Rafael dos Anjos (#1) defeats Anthony Pettis (c) via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) to become UFC Lightweight Champion.
That was an insanely dominant performance by RDA. He's improved so much since fighting Khabib Nurmagomedov, but I'll bet Khabib is chomping at the bit to get at him.