My Prediction: Condit by Decision
Fight Rating: $$$1/2
What Happened:
1st Round
Condit starts early with what would be the major plot line of the fight as he landed 3 straight leg kicks on Diaz. Diaz stalked Condit looking to get him backed against the cage but Condit was moving well and would move to the left and out of harms way while counter with kicks or punches. 2 minutes left in the round and the trash talk starts from Diaz after Condit attempted a spinning back fist, Condit though is unfazed and kept with the game plan always slipping to his left when Diaz closes in on him. Diaz did briefly get a clinch whiched allowed him to land some body shots but Condit was again able to escape. Close first round which would be the story through every round but Knuckle saMMAch would give Condit the round 10-9
2nd Round
Early part of the 2nd say Condit try and mix it up again with a flying knee and spinning back elbow attempt but Diaz was ready for both. Diaz continued to stalk and look to clinch Condit up against the cage. 90 seconds in and Diaz is in classic form at least with the trash talk but his did manage to land a few strikes on Condit who still ignores the taunts from Diaz. and the 3 minute mark Diaz was against able to land a few strikes but Condit continued to escape before suffering any significant damage that Diaz is used to giving his opponents. Again just a minute later Diaz had the opportunity to go to work as he gets Condit up against the cage but Condit escapes by throwing a knee. Another close round to score with neither fighter landing any significant strikes but based on his aggression by Diaz Knuckle saMMAch gives the round to Diaz 10-9
3rd Round
Condit was able to get back to his gameplan much better in the 3rd by keeping Diaz back with kicks, alot of movement while letting off his own combos. Diaz as usual kept coming forward but could never catch up to Condit and get his hands on him. A minute left in the round saw Diaz with more trash talk but all it got him was a nice front kick right left combo that was ended with a leg kick as well. Yet another close round by Knuckle saMMAch gave it to Condit 10-9
4th Round
The 4th round could be described as the most dominate round by either fighter as Condit not only stuck with his game plan but also landed perhaps his most significant strikes of the fight. At this point Diaz was starting to attempt his own kicks and the clinch wasn't working for him so he looked for takedowns and catching Condit's kicks but that strategy proved to be unsuccessful as well. Kicks were the main attack for Condit but did mix in some punches and at this point the strategy is surely frustrating Diaz as Knuckle saMMAch scores the round for Condit 10-9 and in control of the fight going into the final round.
5th Round
The final round saw 2 different plotlines as the first 4 minutes of the round saw Condit staying busy with leg kicks while using continued movement which allowed him to escape Diaz's pressure. The halfway point saw Condit land a very good headkick but Diaz kept pushing forward and looking for the clinch. The 2nd plotline saw Diaz get the fight to the mat with just over a minute left in the round, he was able to get Condit's back and looking for chokes and arm bars but Condit defended well and was able to escape as the round and fight ended. Perhaps the hardest round to score, does Condit get it as the majority of the round was contested on the feet and he one that battle, but Diaz did secure position on the ground and had the submission attempt but Knuckle saMMAch did end up scoring the round for Condit 10-9 and the fight 49-46
My Prediction: Werdum by Decision
Fight Rating: $$$
What Happened: Werdum displayed the best striking display of his career as he dominated every round to get the decision victory. Nelson's incredible durability taking Werdum's punishment should be noted but Werdum's performance throwing knees in the clinch, kicks as well as punches was entertaining to watch. Werdum had Nelson bloodied and in zombie mode by the 2nd round and was tiring himself but Nelson was far to fatigued by the 3rd to capitalize on it.
My Prediction: Koscheck by Decision
Fight Rating: $1/2
What Happened: In a razor close fight it was Koscheck would did just enough to come away with the split decision. As expected the fight was pretty much decided on the feet between the 2 great wrestlers and it was Koscheck controlling the action with his hands. The fight did see some wrestling and clinch work at times though and it was a late takedown in the 3rd by Koscheck that could of sealed the round and fight for him.
My Prediction: Barao by Submission 2nd Round
Fight Rating: $$
What Happened: Barao did a great job using his reach to his best advantage keeping Jorgensen off his game in the standup and handled Jorgensen's takedown attempts with ease as well. Barao's leg kicks were also a factor and it did slow Jorgensen's pace as the fight went on.
My Prediction: Herman by Decision
Fight Rating: $$1/2
What Happened: Starks fought a competitive 1st round as he landed a good straight right on Herman at times that Herman really didn't have an answer for. Herman did score a takedown late in the round but Starks was able to sweep and end up in top position and take the round. The 2nd round saw Herman score a great trip takedown which saw him land in side control and he quickly went to full mount. From there Starks turned and gave up his back which allowed Herman to start looking for a rear naked choke which he eventually got the tap after a brief hand battle.
Prelims
Dustin Poirier defeated Max Holloway by Submission 3:23 1st Round
My Prediction: Poirier by TKO 1st Round
Edwin Figueroa defeated Alex Caceres by Split Decision (28-27, 28-27, 27-28)
My Prediction: Caceres by Decision
Matt Brown defeated Chris Cope by TKO 1:19 2nd Round
My Prediction: Brown by Decision
Matt Riddle defeated Henry Martinez by Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
My Prediction: Riddle by Decision
Rafael Natal defeated Michael Kuiper by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
My Prediction: Kuiper by Decision
Stephen Thompson defeated Dan Stittgen by TKO 4:13 1st Round
My Prediction: Thompson by TKO 2nd Round
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