Welcome to Fightline.com's live, round-by-round coverage of UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida. Tonight's fight card comes to us live from Las Vegas, NV.
Now, on to the action! We'll have quick match results available for you after each preliminary fight followed by live round-by round coverage of all main card bouts. Remember to keep refreshing this page for the most up to date results.
Preliminary Card
George Roop defeated Dave Kaplan via Split Decision (scores of 30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
Yoshiyuki Yoshida defeated Brandon Wolff via submission at 2:24 of Round 1.
Krzysztof Soszynski defeated Andre Gusmao via KO at 3:17 of Round 1.
Kyle Bradley defeated Phillipe Nover via TKO at 1:03 in Round 1.
Tim Hague defeated Patrick Barry via submission (guillotine) at 1:42 of Round 1.
Brock Larson defeated Mike Pyle via Submission (choke) at 3:06 of Round 1.
Main Card
Sean Sherk vs. Frankie Edgar Round 1: Edgar started off right away with a high kick. Edgar landed some good combinations before getting stuffed when going for a takedown. Sherk hit a leg kick, but Edgar was able to score a takedown with it and secured a front facelock. Sherk was able to shake it off and they were both back up to their feet and continued to exchange until the round ended. FightLine.com scores it 10-9 for Edgar.
Round 2: Sean Sherk kept coming forward. Edgar landed some good body shots. Edgar confused Sherk with his switching between punches and kicks. Edgar landed a good combination before hitting Sherk with an accidental low blow, which paused the action for a few seconds. Sherk quick recovered, and it was more of the same, with Edgar confusing Sherk with kicks and punches. Another 10-9 round for Edgar.
Round 3: Sherk came out swinging. It's probably a good idea for Sherk to try and take the fight to the ground at this point. Just as I wrote that, Sherk shot and took Edgar to the ground, but Edgar was able to get up to his feet. Sherk went for another takedown, but got a kick to the body for his effort. Edgar landed a couple more good combinations late in the round. Sherk shot again, and Edgar got Sherk in a guillotine but didn't get all of it as the round ended. Another 10-9 round for Edgar.
Winner via unanimous decision (all judges score it 30-27): Frankie Edgar
After the fight, Joe Rogan noted that it was the best performance of Edgar's career. Edgar said he wants a shot at the title.
BJ Penn was shows at ringside and was booed by the crowd.
Rashad Evans and Lyoto Machida were shown arriving to the arena earlier in the day.
A promo for 'UFC 99: The Comback' aired.
Dan Miller Vs. Chael Sonnen
Referee Yves Lavigne got booed during the introductions for his early stoppage in the Bradley - Nover fight.
Round 1: Miller got Sonnen in a tight guillotine early, but Sonnen was able to power out and took side control, landing a series of strikes and elbows. Sonnen stayed aggressive, dominating Miller with ground and pound. Miller kept trying to throw his legs up to catch Sonnen in a triangle, leaving himself open to punches from Sonnen. Good first round for Sonnen after a tough start. FightLine.com scores it 10-9 for Sonnen, almost 10-8 except for the early guillotine attempt.
Round 2: Miller went for a guillotine again early, but couldn't secure it. Sonnen got Miller up and hit a big slam, but landed in a guillotine, however was able to power out. Sonnen continued to maintain the advantage landing punches from the top in Miller's guard. Miller attempted an armbar, but Sonnen was able to work out of it and keep control. Crowd started booing towards the end, but Sonnen was doing a good job of winning the round. Another 10-9 round for Sonnen.
Round 3: Miller landed a good combination to start the round. Sonnen was able to take Miller to the ground. Miller is exhausted at this point and isn't able to do much. Sonnen kept dropping elbows and punches from the top. Another 10-9 round for Sonnen. The crowd booed at the end of the fight.
Winner via unanimous decision (all judges score it 30-27): Chael Sonnen
Instead of a post fight interview, the did a 'UFC Undisputed 2009' plug.
Drew McFedries Vs. Xavier Foupa-Pokam
Referee Yves Lavigne really got it again from the crowd during the intros.
Round 1: McFedries caught Foupa-Pokam with a big right early and connected with a string of punches to finish Foupa-Pokam off in just 37 seconds.
Winner via TKO at 0:37 of Round 1: Drew McFedries
Mike Tyson was shown at ringside.
Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra
Matt Serra came to the cage to the Rocky theme, which got a good response from the crowd. He was booed a little during the ring introductions though. Matt Hughes got a standing ovation when he was introduced.
Round 1: No touch of the gloves at the start of this one, to the surprise of no one. Serra landed a big shot early that took Hughes down. Serra kept pounding away, and it almost looked like it was going to be over early. Hughes was able to regain his composure and pushed Serra against the cage. Serra was finally able to break away at the midway point of the round and they were back to the center of the cage. Hughes got a big takedown into side control and got Serra's back. Serra was able to block a rear naked choke and got back to his feet. FightLine.com scores the round 10-9 for Serra.
In between rounds, it's apparent that Hughes is hurt as he asked his corner if he was knocked down during the round.
Round 2: Hughes was able to take Serra down early in the round and landed some shots from the top, but wasn't able to do much damage. Serra rolled his eyes as Hughes was dropping some of his shots. With ten seconds left in the round, they were stood up but weren't able to do much as the round came to a close. 10-9 for Hughes.
Round 3: Hughes landed a good right hand early and got another takedown. Serra was trying to go for a triangle, but couldn't secure it. Hughes stayed in control of the round by laying on top, but wasn't able to do much and they were stood up again. Serra came out swinging and landed a right hand. Hughes went for a takedown, but Serra was able to reverse it and take Hughes down. Serra dropped some big punches from the top and went for a kimura. They hugged after the fight and Matt Hughes raised Matt Serra's arm. Serra finished strong, but I still give it to Hughes, 10-9.
Winner via unanimous decision (all judges scored it 29-28): Matt Hughes
After the fight, Hughes said he's a free agent now and isn't ready to hang it up. He did say he wants to stay with the UFC.
Serra gave Hughes props for his win and noted that he was upset about the loss. Joe Rogan asked Serra is he wanted to go back down to lightweight, but Serra said that it would be tough because he loves his pasta.
With the UFC poll, 64% think Lyoto Machida will win tonight's championship fight.
UFC Light Heavyweight Championship Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida Round 1: No real contact in the first minute of the fight, which is what a lot of people were fearing. Finally about two minutes in, Machida landed a kick to land the first significant blow of the round, but they went back to circling each other around the cage. Machida landed another kick. Machida decked Evans with a hard right that knocked Evans down and landed a flurry of punches, but Evans was able to recover. Machida hit a couple of more kicks as the round came to a close. 10-9 for Machida.
Round 2: A 'Machida' chant broke out. I can't remember the last time I heard that. Machida went for a takedown but was blocked by the cage. Evans missed with a punch and Machida went to capitalize, but Evans came right back at him with strikes of his own. Evans landed a leg kick of his own. Machida nailed Evans with a big straight left and started wailing away with a huge flurry before finally knocking him out cold with a big left. The light heavyweight championship continues to be a hot potato, but it looks like it might stay put for awhile.
Winner via KO and NEW UFC Light Heavyweight Champion: Lyoto Machida
After the fight, Machida thanked the fans and said he wants to keep the belt for a long time. He said karate's back and that if you have a dream, to go for it.
Evans said he was dizzy after the fight and said he had to take his hat off to Machida.
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