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UFC 145: Jones vs. Evans Live Coverage

Submitted by Fred Richani on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 01:21

The wait is over. 

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UFC 145: Jones vs. Evans 

Phillips Arena in Atlanta, GA 

April 21, 2012

All fights made weight except for John Makdessi, who will give up 20-percent of his purse. Keep in mind, Makdessi felt disrespect when his last opponent, Dennis Hallman, came in overweight. #Irony

Preliminary card (Facebook)

Featherweight bout: Marcus Brimage def. Maximo Blanco via split decision.

Decent opener. Crowd booed decision, but I think they would've booed either way. Brimage, the crazy Dragon Ball Z-loving TUF 14 alum is now 2-0 in the UFC. Blanco, the former Sengoku fighter, is now 0-2 under the Zuffa banner. 

Welterweight bout: Chris Clements def. Keith Wisniewski via split decision. 

Don't be fooled by split decision. This was a very good fight and an early fight of the night candidate.

Preliminary card (FX)

Lightweight bout: Mac Danzig vs. Efrain Escudero

This is the battle of former Ultimate Fighter winners.

Round One: 

We interviewed Escudero earlier in the month, who said he knew Danzig would throw down unlike Volkmann. We'll see. They touch gloves. Goldberg notes this is the six meeting between TUF alums. Clinch and knees to the body by Danzig. Escudero pressed up against the cage. Escudero presses Danzig now/ Danzig trying to control the head. Escudero briefly attempts a takedown. Nice short elbow by Escudero. Danzig takes Escudero down. Heel hook by Escudero. Danzig escapes and nearly takes the back. Escudero does a good defensive job by tucking his chin. They get back to their feet after Danzig lets him up. 

Leg kick by Escudero. Big swing and miss by Escudero. His back is close to the fence. He's gotta be careful of Danzig, who keeps coming forward. They trade combos. Thai clinch by Escudero. Break. Leg kick by Escudero. Body shot by Danzig. Escudero should've tried to use his wrestling and take him down. Danzig tries to take Escudero down with a waistlock, but maintains his balance. Danzig clinches Escudero and they break. Crowd does a mild USA chant. Escudero is Mexican-American, ATL. UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson is in Escudero's corner. Escudero drops down for a takedown. Stuffed. They break. Leg kick by Esucdero. End of round. Tough round to call. 

10-9 Danzig 

Round Two: