Main Card:

Ben Henderson def. Nate Diaz by unanimous decision (50-43, 50-45, 50-45)

Alexander Gustafsson def. Mauricio Shogun Rua by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

Rory MacDonald def. B.J. Penn by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)

Matt Brown def. Mike Swick by knockout (punches) Round 2 (2:31)

Preliminary Card:

Yves Edwards def. Jeremy Stephens by knockout (punch and elbows) Round 1 (1:55)

Raphael Assuncao def. Mike Easton by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Ramsey Nijem def. Joe Proctor by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Daron Cruickshank def. Henry Martinez by knockout (kick) Round 2 (2:57)

Abel Trujillo def. Marcus LeVesseur by TKO (knees) Round 2 (3:56)

Dennis Siver def. Nam Phan by unanimous decision (30-24, 30-25, 30-26)

Scott Jorgensen def. John Albert by submission (rear-naked choke) Round 1 (4:59)

Main Card Breakdown:

Mike Swick meets Matt Brown in our opening bout in the main card. It should be an exciting stand up fight from the opening bell, and this one won’t last the three rounds. Swick who made his long awaited return to octagon was able weather the storm and knock out Demetrious Johnson. Swick had been injured for two years, so ring rust obviously showed, but he did find a way to get back to his winning ways. Brown is enjoying his longest win streak since three years ago, and with a win here, he will have gone from almost cut to a top 25 fighter in MMA. This should be an awesome fight, and I believe both guys will trade shots but Swick will utilize his wrestling to get this one to the ground at some point, where he will submit Brown. 

Our next fight is going to fireworks, and I can’t wait. There is legit beef in the air, and blood to spill in this one. Rory MacDonald looks to continue his rise in the welterweight division, as he pulled B.J Penn out of retirement to challenge him. Penn accepted, and it’s been a war of words since. MacDonald at only 23, is already 4-1 in the UFC with some big wins. His wrestling mixed in with one of the most accurate ground and pounds games, is a big reason why will be a future champ one day. Penn is a complete fighter, and something I don’t think MacDonald has ever faced. Given the age difference, and MacDonald with the edge in cardio, this could be a tough one for Penn. BUT, I think Penn can stuff MacDonald’s takedowns, and even if Penn succumbs to one, his BJJ will get him back on the feet unlike MacDonald’s other opponents in the past. I honestly don’t think MacDonald will want any part standing up with Penn once he gets cracked, but it will be too late to decide otherwise when Penn lays him out early. Penn via KO early!

Our co-main event has big implications because the winner will be the next contender to the light heavyweight belt. This fight is so interesting because on one hand, Alexander Gustafsson‘s rise has been so quick, and everyone thinks he is the one to challenge Jon Jones given his long limbs as well. For Mauricio Shogun Rua, it’s a chance at regain his glory, and getting that belt back. Although Shogun looked lackluster in his last fight, although for us fans it was a war, if you were to really access that fight, it was sloppy. But, make no mistake, Shogun did what he needed to do, and delivered for the fans. Now, Shogun needs to be technical because Gustafsson has the ability to pick you apart on the feet, that of a similar fight style like guerilla warefare. This is a tough one to call, but I think Shogun can hang around the entire fight, and with that I believe Shogun will find a way to get this one to the ground, where he will finish Gustafsson via strikes. 

What an exciting main event between two guys who always bring it! Ben Henderson will look to defend his belt for the second time, and it’s hard to believe that given his quick accension in the UFC. Nate Diaz on the other hand since returning to lightweight has been a monster, picking apart some title contenders in his path to the belt. This one is tough to call as well because Diaz is so good everywhere except I think Henderson might be the right man to beat him. Henderson has some powerful leg kicks, and his wrestling, especially his top game has the potential to pin Diaz and beat him up. But, if Henderson keeps this one standing, I don’t see him winning the encounters because Diaz utilizes his reach so well, and it really throws off his opponents. I’m up in the air with this one because I think these guys match up so well, each have there strengths but not by much to overpower each other totally. I’m going to go with Diaz to edge out a decision, but I tell you what I would not be surprised to see it go the other way like in the Edgar fights.