By Jonathan King The Clinch Report
MARK HOMINICK VS. PABLO GARZA
Pablo Garza was able to withstand some vicious Mark Hominick flurries early, and was able to establish his jab frustrating Hominick into lunging assaults. Off balance Garza was able to take Hominick to the ground in the second and third rounds. Once in position continuously landed the more significant strikes, although Hominick did provide great resistance.
Winner: PABLO GARZA (29-27, 30-26, 29-28)
MARK BOCEK VS. RAFAEL dOS ANJOS
Originally set to be on the preliminary card, this fight was moved up to replace the loss of the Nick Ring v Costantinos Philippou, bout was scrapped after Ring fell ill and was unable to pass pre-fight medical exams. Bocek stated that he would use his superior take-downs to control Dos Anjos, however the exact opposite is what occurred. Dos Anjos systematically broke down Mark Bocek with excellent wrestling, and ground and pound. Dos Anjos never lost control of the fight cruising to a unanimous decision.
Winner: Rafael dos Anjos via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
TOM LAWLOR VS. FRANCIS CARMONT
Francis Carmont was able to withstand a relentless grappling attack of Tom Lawlor, by utilizing effective range-establishing strikes, and excellent wrestling defense. Lawlor was able to control Carmont for most of the fight, consistently pressuring the big middleweight up against the fence. Carmont was able to survive two guillotine attempts that appeared to be locked in tight towards the end of the first and second rounds. Very close fight. When the decision was read for the hometown favorite, the crowd began to boo, obviously thinking that Lawlor had won the fight.
Winner: Francis Carmont via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
JOHNY HENDRIKS VS. MARTIN KAMPMANN (#1 Contender spot on the line)
After a few seconds of pawing and feeling each other out, Hendriks led with a right hook that was followed immediately by his notorious left hand. Kampman was out instantly, falling backwards Hendriks followed with a vicious shot on the ground that was hardly necessary. The entire bout lasted only .46 seconds, as Johny Hendriks cemented his position as the #1 contender in the Welterweight division.
Winner: John Hendriks via Knockout (0:46) Rd 1
GEORGES ST. PIERRE VS. CARLOS CONDIT (Welterweight Title Unification Bout)
In one of the most memorable matches in UFC history, Georges St. Pierre was able to utilize his superior wrestling skills to ground the versatile attack of Carlos Condit. Even though Condit was on his back for most of the fight, he was able to give St. Pierre all he could handle. Condit used effective striking from the bottom to soften up the champion. In the third frame Condit ducked under a hook, angled out and landed a kick to the head of the champion that sent him to the canvas. Valiantly Condit tried to finish the fight with tactical ground and pound striking, however St.Pierre was able to recover, reestablish position, and then spent the remainder of the round in control on top. The rest of the fight went pretty much the same way. George St. Pierre has now become the most dominate Welterweight Champion in UFC history. (Moving ahead of Matt Hughes in title fight victories)
Winner: Georges St. Pierre via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45)
THE CLINCH REPORT 