Fight #1 – Nate Diaz vs Alvin Robinson
The fight hit the ground quickly with Diaz on top. Robinson tried a Guillotine from his back but Nate fought through it. Nate then tried to get to mount but Robinson bucked him off, and ended up on top. Moments later Nate slapped on a triangle choke and Robinson tapped out.
Winner: Nate Diaz by tapout (Triangle Choke) at 3:39 of rd 1
Fight #2 – Thiago Tavares vs Michihiro Omigawa
Rd 1 – Tavares owned rpund one. He scored several takedowns and controlled Omigawa’s back while going for a choke. In the last minute Omigawa reversed Tavares and did his best work standing up and striking Tavares while he was down.
Rd 2 – The action slowed in this round. Omigawa stuffed several takedown attempts and kept the fight standing. Unfortunately there was not much striking.
Rd 3 – Thiago managed a takedown early and was able to keep Omigawa down for the first two minutes. Once Omigawa took top position he spent a minute doing what he did earlier; standing and striking Tavares while he was down. During this phase, an upkick from Tavares opened a huge cut between Omigawa’s eyes.
Winner: Thiago Tavares by unanimous decision (3) 30-27, 30-27, 29-28
Fight #3 – Patrick Cote vs Drew McFedries
After a few minutes of composed, back and forth standup, Cote landed a left-right combo that hurt McFedries. McFedries wanted no more so he covered up, sat down against the cage in a tight ball, and waited for referee Herb Dean to stop it as Patrick punched his arms.
Winner: Patrick Cote by TKO at 1:44 of rd 1
Fight #4 – Kurt Pellegrino vs Alberto Crane
Rd 1 – Seconds into the bout Crane landed a sick kick to the head that buckled Pellegrino. From there he nearly sunk a Guillotine followed by a Shoulder lock. After Kurt began to neutralize his ground attack, Crane stood back up. Once Kurt’s head cleared he began to lay a beating on Crane, opening a cut and rag-dolling him to the mat.
Rd 2 – Crane was determined to take Pellegrino down. He spent a minute against the cage trying to complete it but Kurt escaped to his feet and began to punch Crane while he was on his laying on his back. After one particularly solid right to the face, Crane closed his eyes and turned, forcing referee Herb Dean to stop the fight.
* The opening kick caused Kurt’s tooth to fully puncture his lower lip.
Winner: Kurt Pellegrino by TKO at 1:55 of rd 2
Fight #5 – Mike Swick vs Josh Burkman
Rd 1 – Swick looked gaunt as hell at 170. Burkman rushed him and pinned him against the fence where they swapped knees until referee Steve Mazzagatti broke them. Seconds later they were in the same position and after Guillotine attempt by Swick Mazzagatti broke them again. Finally there was some sustained standup with Burkman attempting a 360 degree flying roundhouse kick that sailed over Swick’s head.
Rd 2 – The fighters continued to alternate between standup and the fence clinch. Swick landed the most effective blow when he hurt Burkman with a left kick to the head.
Rd 3 – With the fight seemingly up for grabs Burkman came out aggressively. Unfortunately it merely sent both fighters into the uneventful clinch against the fence. There was more striking followed by more fence clinches. This round was very boring and very even. I gave it to Swick by the slightest margin based on his impressive takedown defense.
Winner: Mike Swick by majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-29)
