by: Jonathan King The Clinch Report
Derek Brunson (10-2 MMA) WINS via Decision Chris Leben (26-9 MMA)
Recap: Derek Brunson was able to utilize his superior wrestling skills to keep the oft dangerous Chris Leben at bay for the better part of three rounds. Brunson’s smothering grappling prevented Leben from every mounting any significant offensive flurries. The grinding style served Brunson well, as Leben began to show signs of gassing in the first round.
Yushin Okami (28-7 MMA) WINS via Decision Alan Belcher (18-8 MMA)
Recap:The second time was not a charm as Alan Belcher fell to Yushin Okami much the way he did the first time. Using his tremendous grappling and size, Okami took a page from the Chael Sonnen book of MMA. For three rounds the most successful Japanese fighter in the history of the UFC thwarted every effort Belcher made. The loss will keep Okami in contention, and move Belcher out of the very crowded title mix!
Constantinos Philippou (12-2 MMA) Tim Boetsch (16-5 MMA) v
Recap: Tim Boetsch is an absolute warrior. Even though he was injured early on, and nearly blinded by his own blood he never quit coming. Constantinos Philippou threw ever thing he had at the immobile and prone warrior, and eventually in the third round the referee saw enough. The win catapults Philippou right into title contention alongside fellow Long Islander Chris Weidman, and a few others in the very crowded middleweight division.
Jim Miller (22-4 MMA) WINS via Decsison Joe Lauzon (22-8 MMA)
Recap: This is quite possibly the best fight of the year. Early on Jim Miller utilized an extremely aggressive offense to land an assortment of strikes to the face of Joe Lauzon as he coiled in response to the repeated assault. In the second round Lauzon seemed to come on strong, until another flurry by Miller had him on the run and covering up. Miller fought off several late slick submission attempts by Lauzon to get the nod unanimously in a very bloody affair!
MAIN EVENT
Cain Velasquez (11-1 MMA) WINS via Decision over Junior Dos Santos (15-2 MMA)
Recap: Cain Velasquez came charging at the man who knocked him out in under a minute last time they fought. This time, the charge last five full rounds. Right from the start the champion was on his heels, as a huge right hand from Velasquez rattled Junior Dos Santos. The punch seemed to leave JDS without his wits for several rounds. Only toward the end of the fourth round did he seem to regain any sort of steam behind his punches. Cain looked tremendous, as he consistently dragged Dos Santos to the mat, wearing him down with consistent pressure, and grinding elbows.
THE CLINCH REPORT 