UFC 167 Live Blog

TIM ELLIOT vs ALI BAGAUTINOV
UFC 167 underway! Tim moves forward first, leading with his head, he keeps his hand down bravely and Ali is the first to throw. A left jab and front kick keeps Tim at bay, he continues to stalk however, eventually shooting for the takedown, Bagautinov stuffs it and we continue. A very slow start here with both guys trying too get a feel for one another. Ali has suddenly come to life, he moves in with some good striking and throws a nice knee in the clinch that catches Elliot. Tim for some strange reason continues to lead with his head and hands by his side. Baugautinov lands a great right, left combo followed by a head kick to end the round, Ali probably pinched the round at the end.
Second round starts a bit different with Tim now looking more aggressive, Ali shoots for the takedown and Tim grabs him in a 'arm in guillotine', it looks tight. Somehow Baugautinov survives and it's back to the feet. Ali is the one throwing the harder and wilder strikes, he's definitely enjoying the better striking. Tim looks composed though and he continues with his hands down, Anderson Silva style. Elliot shoots for the takedown, but its brilliantly stuffed by Baugautinov, back to their feet and Ali again is cleaner on the feet. Should be 2 rounds to nil to Ali.
Time is now looking more desperate as we begin the third, pressing Ali and stalking him around the octagon. He's attempting to leap in with the jab and catch Bagautinov off guard. Ali continues to be the cleaner on the feet though, his superior striking is getting the better of Tim. Elliot refuses to back down though, he lands some nice jabs and a lovely front leg kick. Tim gets Ali to the ground with a beautiful Judo throw and a nice knee as Bagautinov gets to his feet. Tim may have got the third round, but we should see Ali get the decision 2 rounds to 1.

Ali Bagautinov wins by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

JOSH KOSCHECK vs TYRONE WOODLEY
Koscheck charges to the center of the octagon, but Tyrone lands the first strike and its a big on Josh is rocked, he slumps to his knees as Woodley moves for the kill, Josh recovers. These guys are really trading now, both are throwing wild over hand rights, ooohhhh Woodley lands and Koscheck is down, he looked out there but he's back and alert, he pulls Tyrone into his guard and Woodley begins to ground and pound from there. The ref doesn't take long to step in and we're back on the feet. Josh again controls the center of the octagon, BOOOOMMMM!!!!!.Tyrone Woodley goes whack! A right hand cross and Josh Koscheck is out! Huge win for Tyrone Woodley.

Tyrone Woodley wins by KNOCKOUT

RORY MacDONALD vs ROBBIE LAWLER
'Ruthless' Robbie Lawler has the chance her to really make a statement in the Welterweight division. He begins brightly, with some nice leg kicks and jabs to keep Rory at a distance. Rory throws his first strike, with a lovely jab the definitely catches Robbie's attention. Still a very tentative start, especially from Rory, Robbie is continuously landing good leg and body kicks, but Rory is controlling the center of the octagon. Rory is throwing a nice front kick that seems to be keeping 'Ruthless' out of range. A slow but entertaining first round, will be very close in scoring. I'll give it to Robbie, for more strikes landed.
Lawler begins nicely again with front leg kicks, but Rory is the one that shoots, Robbie semi stuffs it however and lands a nice right on exiting. Robbie is beginning to look the more relaxed here, pressing MacDonald to the outside. Both guys are really landing some nice blows now, Robbie with the right cross and Rory with the front kick. Lawler is doing a good job of staying out of range here. Just as I say that Rory shoot and gets the takedown. He lays in Robbie's guard, not moving at all, Lawler tries to hip escape eventually and Rory moves to side control. Not a lot happening from there, and Robbie gets it back to guard. 1 round a piece heading into the third.
Robbie begins the third landing kicks and then a beautiful right cross that looks to have rocked Rory. MacDonald shoots but its not there for long, as the ref stands it up. Back to the feet and huge shots from Robbie, Rory is rocked again, Lawler ends up in guard but let's Roryback to his feet. Huge shit from 'Ruthless', Rory goes down. He's not out, but Robbie is on top and landing good elbows. Big strikes on the ground from Lawler. Robbie eventually backs away and its back on the feet. Rory gets the takedown as the right closes, but Robbie should have the win 2 rounds to 1.

Robbie Lawler wins by Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

RASHAD EVANS vs CHAEL SONNEN
Both guys charge to the venture, but it's Chael who gets there first. He shoots for the takedown which is stuffed by Rash ad, then presses him up against the cage. It's back and forth with both guys sweeping each other off the cage and exchanging good body shots. Evans is the one who eventually gets the takedown and quickly moves to half guard, he lands some good ground and pound from there as Chael attempts to sweep. Rashad is all over Sonnen here transitioning from back mount to side control, he gets back into back mount and unleashes, huge bombs from the back. Chael can't move and Herb Dean (the ref) steps in and stops the fight, in the replay it's shown that it was a big elbow from Rashad that really shook Sonnen up.

Rashad Evans wins by TKO

GEORGES ST-PIERRE vs JOHNY HENDRICKS
The time for talk is over, the beard and GSP square of in the 'GON', an electric crowd is creating the feeling of Silva V Weidman.
GSP looking focused as always, Johny embracing the moment as Buffer plays his infamous role.
They take of towards each other , GSP lands early takedown.
Johnny back up and has GSP against the cage. A missed uppercut from John opens a attempt for takedown from George.
Johny defends and lands a double leg of his own.
A feeling out as they both make it to their feet, Johny getting comfortable early.
Johny likely to take the round 10-9.

Round 2 continues the same, GSP looking to establish the jab with Johny pushing forward with a barrage of bombs slightly rocking George.
GSP very placid allowing Johny to hold him against the cage, Until pushing off and landing the damaging jab.
A comfortable distance for both with Johny continuously looking for the home run swing.
Johny completely unfazed by GSP attack although looking like fatigue will become an issue soon.
Could go either way but GSP needs to get a move on.

R3 GSP wants to punish Hendricks with that jab, can not seem to find consistency in what he usually displays.
Johny landing the combos has the corner of GSP Calling for attack, he pushes forward but Johny backing up with confidence.
A well placed body shot lands on GSP but seemingly ineffective, Johny takes down George late which should secure the round.
Johny well placed heading in to the championship rounds.

Round 4 this is where the Champion will rally, keeping it standing early and even strikes landed.
A swing from johny slightly lands but a miss footing is the cause of George heading to the mat.
Working strong from half guard Hendricks is control until allowing the stand up, George face tells the story with battle scars all round.
GSP lands quick combos and has Johnny against the fence, a quick reversal from Hendricks and another from George has an even scrap to close out the 4th.
In good position for Johny to grind out the last and easily take the GOLD

5th and final Round looks too be heading to crown a new welterweight champion. George attempting takedown but Hendricks continues to out wrestle and stop the attempts.
A snap attempt at a standing kimura has the crowd electric before the champ rallys and takes Hendricks down looking for a submission.
Johnny makes it back to his feet with 2 Minutes left a new Welterweight champion looks to be crowned.
A bloody GSP is in desperate mode but again in able to Hendricks. Cage control from John ends out the fight with GSP Attempting a kimura but the buzzer ends any chance.
An untouched face if Hendricks is sure to secure the GOLD around his waist.

Official Decision GSP By Split Decision, Terrible terrible decision!