Mike Swick vs Josh Burkman

Welterweight bout

Mike Swick came into this fight after suffering his first UFC defeat after being bullied by Yushin Okami in UFC 69: Shootout. His rocket start since participating in the Ultimate Fighter (TUF 1) competition was finally derailed after five straight UFC victories. This is Swick’s first fight at welterweight. He faces the highly regarded Josh Burkman, a TUF 2 alumni with a 5-2 UFC record. Burkman is coming off a split-decision victory over Forrest Petz on the UFC 77: Hostile Territory undercard. Swick entered the Octagon to the old-school sounds of Tupac.

Though round one was spent standing, most of it was against the fence in a clinch. The ref had to break ‘em up twice. Burkman was the busier of the two landing a nice left hook to the face, a nice body-shot and some entertaining karate-kid kicks. Swick didn’t launch much offense besides a failed "swick-atine" submission attempt.

More standing and clinching in the second. Ref again broke ‘em up twice. Swick completely surprised Burkman with a nice leg kick to the head but failed to follow it up with further damage. Swick landed a few leg kicks. This round was close due to inactivity but probably went to Swick for the leg kicks.

With the fight up for grabs in the third, neither fighter seemed willing to press the attack and go nuts. Both fighters were content to dance around the Octagon and clinch. Swick landed a good knee. But later the crowd started to boo this slow main event. Referee Mazagatti split them up two more times. Swick landed another good knee with 30 seconds left in the fight. That could be the decision maker.

Not exactly the action-packed brawl we were promised. One judge scored the bout a draw. Swick earned the majority decision. Burkman’s MMA record falls to. Crowd booed their displeasure during the decision and the post-fight interviews.

Andrew McFedries vs Patrick Cote

Middleweight bout

Hard-hitting Andrew McFedries’ last fight was a knockout win over Jordan Radev in UFC: Ultimate Fight Night 10, which improved his UFC record to 2-1. He faces an experienced Octagon fighter in Patrick Cote, who holds a 2-3 record in the UFC. Cote is on a 3-fight win streak, his last win a stunning TKO victory over highly-regarded Kendall Grove in UFC 74: Respect.

These two strikers wanted to stand and bang. A minute thirty-four into the round, McFedries landed a punishing left hook which seemed to wake up Cote because 4 seconds later, he landed a right uppercut that wobbled McFedries. Cote pounced and grabbed the back of McFedries’ head and pounded him with his free hand until McFedries slumped to the canvas and assumed the pillbug position. Cote didn’t stop punching until the ref mercifully stepped in.

First round TKO victory for Cote who wins his fourth fight in a row (3 in UFC).

Thiago Tavares vs Michihiro Omigawa

Lightweight bout

Previously undefeated Thiago Tavares suffered his first professional loss to Tyson Griffin in UFC 76: Knockout. He squares off against Michihiro Omigawa, a man who has lost more MMA fights than he won, the last one being a unanimous decision loss to Matt Wiman in UFC 76. On the surface, it looks like a tune-up fight for Tavares, but the great thing about MMA is there are many ways to win or lose a fight.

Though hardly any damage was done in the first round, Tavares was the aggressor, slamming Omigawa to the mat, working him from the back and keeping the fight on the ground. In the last minute, Omigawa got his chance to work from the top position but Tavares escaped unscathed.

In the second, Omigawa got better at the takedown defense and Tavares was forced to stand and fight. Tavares got the better of Omigawa, sporadically landing kicks and punches. Nothing damaging but enough to score points. Omigawa was all but inactive and the crowd began to boo. With a minute left, Tavares took Omigawa down momentarily which clinched his second round.

It went back to the ground for the third round. Omigawa got another chance to fight from the top position but then stood up and received a cut over the eyes when Tavares, laying on his back, kicked him in the face. However, Omigawa was able to keep Tavares on his back the last three minutes of the round.

Tavares wins the unanimous decision. Omigawa drops to 4-6. Overall, not an impressive performance by Tavares. On the other hand, getting a win on an off-night is still a job well done.

Alvin Robinson vs Nathan Diaz

Lightweight bout

Nathan Diaz, is 2-0 in the Octagon since winning the TUF 5 competition. He is coming off a submission win over Junior Assuncao in Fight Night 11 last September. He faces Alvin Robinson, 1-1 in the UFC but coming off a unanimous decision win over Jorge Gurgel in UFC 77. The winner will improve his standing as a UFC lightweight contender.

Nate dominated the first round, slamming Alvin on his back twice but both times falling into a guillotine, which he escaped. Then Alvin got a chance to be on the top position in Nate’s guard. Nate’s long legs were swinging around like antennae trying to wrap around Alvin’s head. Eventually Nate secured a very tight triangle choke which force Alvin to tap with 1:22 left in the round.

Very impressive performance for Nathan Diaz with a first round submission. He remains undefeated in the Octagon and sent a message to the lightweight community; take Diaz to the ground and you’re asking for trouble. A disappointed Robinson falls to 10-3.

Alberto Crane vs Kurt Pelligrino

Lightweight bout

Alberto Crane was TKO’d in his UFC debut by Roger Huerta at UFC 74. He squares off against Kurt Pelligrino, 2-2 in the UFC coming off a unanimous decision loss to Joe Stevenson, also in UFC 74.

Cranes started off the fight by putting Pellegrino on the canvas with a kick to the face. Kurt survived but sustained a bad cut when his bottom teeth poked a big hole though his skin. Kurt managed to keep the fight standing, much to Crane’s disadvantage, but probably lost the round.

In the second, Kurt managed some good ground and pound from the top position. With Crane on his back and bleeding from the nose, Kurt landed a beautiful right cross to Crane’s face which seemed to suck the fight right out of him. Crane immediately covered his face and rolled over. Kurt took the opportunity to reign down right-handed bombs until referee Herb Dean called an end to the fight

The victory was especially sweet to Pellegrino (17-3) since he was almost knocked out in the first seconds of the fight. He came back from the brink of unconsciousness to win the fight. Crane falls to 8-2.

OTHER FIGHTS

Gray Maynard beats Dennis Siver by unanimous decision.

Jeremy Stevens beats Cole Miller by Technical Knock Out at 4:44 in the 2nd round.

In his second professional fight, TUF 5 member Corey Hill beats Joe Veres by Technical Knock Out at 0:37 of the 2nd round.

Matt Wiman beats Justin Bucholz by rear naked choke at 2:50.