UFC 173 Main Card: Play By Play

Jaime Varner vs. James Krause

Jaime Varner comes out to AWOLNation's "Sail" which isn't bad for an entrance song.

Rd.1 Krause is landing leg kicks early and a front kick to the face backs up Varner. Something is wrong with Jaime who falls to the ground inexplicably. It looked like a leg kick earlier may have caused an injury. Varner has an obvious injury to his left leg or foot and he goes for the takedown and gets it. James sweeps into mount but doesn't get much done and then Varner reverses into top position. Back to the feet the men throw but Varner just falls down again as something is badly wrong with his left foot. James makes Jaime stand back up and Krause kicks the wounded leg. This is hard to watch as Jaime just falls down again. Somebody needs to throw in the towel but mercifully the round ends. Jaime says his ankle is broken and the fight is over as doctors attend to Varner.

The replay gruesomely shows the ankle give way multiple times as the crowd winces in pain for Jaime.
Fight Grade: C

James Krause defeats Jaime Varner via TKO (Injury) after the 1st round.

MMA Fight Fallout
Hey, give all props to Krause who threw the low ankle kicks that snapped the former WEC Lightweight Champion's bones. Blue Springs, Missouri is in the house bitches!

Takeya Mizugaki vs Francisco Rivera

Its time for the "Miz" ladies and germs! Franny comes out to RHCP's and the "Miz" enters to Linkin Park which says both men have tin ears.

Rd.1 The men begin trading a minute and a half into the bout and Rivera is rocked with a short overhand right. Rivera goes down and the "Miz" is all over him! Things slow down quickly on the ground as Fran hangs on for dear life. We go back to the feet they grapple against the cage until Rivera trips "Miz" to the mat. Both men are instantly back up and "Cisco" lands a one two. Some takedowns for Francisco late to end the round. (10-9 Mizugaki)

Rd.2 The men trade a bit and "Miz" gets tagged by some big shots. A left hook for "Cisco" and then pulls Takeya down with a guillotine. Mizugaki gets out and is now in top position. The Japanese fighter is doing a little work but Fran is breathing hard. "Miz" pulls the arm out and then takes the back looking for the RNC. Takyea's left eye is showing a little blood and he is not being very aggressive with the submission attempt, content to just hang on in dominant position. No chance at the finish as Takeya didn't adjust the move at all. (10-9 Mizugaki)

Rd.3 The fighters trade early and a left lands solid for "Miz." Tak catches a kick and throws a straight right following Francisco to the mat. Mizugaki takes top position and is punching down but without much success. Rivera doesn't seem to be able to get out from under but Takeya is coasting on top. Rivera throws his hands up in frustration hoping the referee will save him. It works and the ref stands them up and both men are winging punches now! The two fighters put their heads down and throw to finish the fight. (10-9 Mizugaki)
Fight Grade: C

Takeya Mizugaki defeats Francisco Rivera by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27).

* BJ Penn and then Ronda Rousey are shown in the crowd to some nice applause.

Robbie Lawler vs. Jake Ellenberger

Jake comes out to Coolio's "Gangsta's Paradise." Really? What a horrible music choice. How does that song get you pumped up? Is he just thinking of Michelle Pfeiffer? You just can't root for Ellenberger now. Rob comes out to some crap we don't know. Jesus guys, listen to shit music much?

Rd.1 Our totally legal feed is turning into shit now. They hit the Bud Light symbol and Lawler unleashes a big head kick followed by another. A left body kick hits solid and then lets a combination go. Jake has done nothing two minutes into the fight (shades of the Rory MacDonald fight?). Ellen finally lands a right that doesn’t even move Rob’s head. Both men whiff on some shots Jake lands a straight right. Neither man is doing anything now not committing to their punches. Finally, a left hand from Lawler lands. Body shot from Jake but a rather weak round overall. (10-9 Lawler)

Rd.2 This is not the barnburner fight we all wanted. The men are not doing much until the 2:50 mark when Robbie starts getting going. A solid 1-2 from Lawler and Jake moves away. Joe Rogan is talking like Ellenberger is getting blown out but neither man is doing much. Jake gets a takedown but Rob spins out and hits a knee to Ellenberger’s body. Robbie spins to the back and punishes his foe more. Jake eats a shot standing up and then hits another takedown on Lawler. The “Ruthless” one gets back up and a 1-2 lands for Lawler again. They clinch against the cage to end another bad round. (10-9 Lawler)

Between rounds Jake is heard saying he is exhausted and Rogan continues to say Lawler is out classing Ellenberger though its just not a good fight so far from either man.

Rd.3 Now we have a fight as Jake has decided to finally let the hands go and seems to have hurt Robbie for a moment. Lawler now lands two big punches and Ellen ducks into two more. Jake's hand may be broken and neither man is throwing. Jake lands one right but isn't following up. A straight left from Lawler and then a right hurts Jake. A big knee drops Ellenberger and then Lawler puts on the ground and pound as the referee halts the fight. 
Fight Grade: C-

Robbie Lawler TKO's Jake Ellenberger with Knees and Punches at 3:06 of the 3rd and final round.

Daniel Cormier vs. Dan Henderson

Anyone else worried for the physical safety of "Hendo?" Dan comes out to some Toby Keith sounding bullshit. "DC" runs to the cage ready to get this massacre started.

Rd.1 The crowd is chanting for "Hendo" early and "DC" just tosses Dan to the mat like he was a child. Henderson has Daniel in a reverse cradle but Cormier pulls himself free. Daniel has side control and almost takes full mount. Cormier is working some body punches as Dan throws an upkick. "DC" takes the back for a moment and then back into side control doing as he pleases. They separate and stand up and an overhand grazes Henderson's head. The round ends in the clinch. (10-9 Cormier)

Rd.2  "Hendo" swings big but misses. "DC" uses a single leg to easily take Dan down as the crowd boo's. Cormier lands some punches and a nice elbow from top. Big rights hands as Cormier rides Dan's back. Lefts now from Daniel and Dan is doing nothing from his back. Some elbows and left hands and Henderson cannot get away. Henderson gives his back and eats punches for it. This looks like a man fighting a child as "DC" moves when and where he feels like until the round expires. (10-9 Cormier)

Henderson looks very tired now and is bleeding from the bridge of the nose between rounds.

Rd.3 They shake hands to start the final round and a front kick lands for Cormier before he flip/slams Dan to the mat! A stern couple of elbows land on Dan's face and Daniel takes full mount again. "DC" works over Dan from his back now and this is just getting silly. "Emelianegro" takes the back and chokes Henderson unconscious! Fight over. 
Fight Grade: B-

Daniel Cormier defeats Dan Henderson by Rear Naked Choke in the 3rd round.

"DC" calls out Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones, calls him "boy," and accuses him of running which is quite funny. 

Bantamweight Champion Renan Barao vs. TJ Dillashaw

And TJ comes out to RHCP and nobody wants to win "Entrance Music of the Night" this evening. No idea what Barao entered with. There is a large contingency of Brazilians making themselves known in the crowd tonight. 

Rd.1 A leg kick starts things off for TJ and later a light head kick. It sounds like we are in Brazil as the crowd screams multiple chants for the "Baron." An uppercut hits Barao hard. TJ is avoiding the leg kicks and a left hits Barao this time. A counter straight right lands for Renan and TJ is shifting stances a lot. A 1-2 lands for TJ and the high kick is blocked. Renan lands a left jab then a huge overhand right drops Barao. Dillashaw is pouring on the punishment and Rena grabs a leg in desperation. TJ lands another big punch and looks for the RNC. TJ tries for a neck crank but Barao escapes  as the epic 1st round ends. (10-9 Dillashaw)

Rd.2  A 1-2 starts things off for Renan and they trade a few. TJ is cut on the right temple and Renan lands the left jab. Barao lands a left hook to the temple and TJ doubles up on the jab. Barao blocks two head kicks and now the crowd is chanting for "TJ." A spin kick misses but the 1-2 lands for Barao. TJ looks for a takedown but cannot get it. A kick lands low and TJ takes a few moments as referee Herb Dean allows him time to recover. An overhand right lands for TJ and then the 1-2. Barao lands a left hand and a big right rocks Renan. TJ's hands a Roy Jones Jr. low but the movement is great. They trade punches and Renan lands a combination. A body shot from TJ and then the left over the top. This is a great fight! (10-9 Dillashaw)

Rd.3 A right catches Renan and both men are throwing in volume early. A right hook hits the mark for Dillashaw. Barao catches a kick and follows with a good punch. A body kick from TJ a leg kick followed by body shot. Overhand right for TJ and then a right hook, now 1,2,3 rights in a row! A body kick for Barao and a reverse hook kick land. Hard leg kick from TJ who presses forward with strikes. A left to the nose of Barao and again as blood pours from Renan's nose. Renan complains about an eye poke and TJ attacks landing some shots and pushing Pegado against the cage. (10-9 Dillashaw)

* Barao looks concerned in his corner and his coaches are actually telling him to take TJ down!

Rd.4 We are in the championship rounds and a left kick to the body from TJ to the champ. a 4 punch combo from TJ and a left snaps back the head of Renan. A weak kick from Barao comes in slow motion and is blocked. A doubled up right hand from TJ but Barao lands a good one as well. 2 lefts from TJ and the Team Alpha Male puts Barao against the cage wall. Short right hands from Dillashaw and some knees to the body. TJ is dancing and showing off the footwork growing more and more confident. They trip to the ground and TJ is on top though Barao looks for a leg lock but can't find it. Dillashaw ends the round on top and is blowing out the champion. (10-9 Dillashaw)

* Coach Duane Ludwig is saying "thank you," to TJ and Urijah Faber is asking the crowd to cheer for Dillashaw.

Rd.5 Its the final round but its the challenger landing a hard knee to Renan's body. A short left for TJ and he backs away doing the "Ali Shuffle." Tj lands some jabs and then a big kick hurts Renan. Two left hands crush Barao who goes down and TJ attacks as Renan turtles up and the referee halts the assault. Winning the fight 4-0, TJ attacks as if he needs the finish and gets it! Oh, my, God, what a fight! Amazing stuff and Dillashaw became a star tonight! "Fight of the Night"

TJ Dillashaw TKO's Renan Barao with a Head Kick and Punches to become the new UFC Bantamweight Champion!