UFC on FOX: Undercard Results And Discussion

Hello Head Kickers!

The UFC on FOX undercard begins on Fuel TV at 5:00 PM EST. Join me here for up-to-the-minute results and discussion throughout the event. This is my first time doing one of these, so there won't be any play-by-play, but I will be posting up all my thoughts on the happenings inside (and outside) the ring.

There are six fights on the docket, with two fights in each of the following divisions: Heavyweight, featherweight and lightweight.

The two most relevant fights on the card are the battle between Evan Dunham and Nik Lentz, which could see Dunham return to the division's top 10 with a win. Meanwhile, Jon Olav Einemo and Mike Russow will see the winner likely get a step up in competition in the relatively weak 265 division.

FIGHTS

Heavyweight: Joey Beltran vs Lavar Johnson

Johnson wins by KO at 4:24 of the first round. Johnson came out and established a good jab, using his reach advantage to get Beltran backing up. Johnson dropped Beltran with a hook to the body and Beltran was never really in the fight from that point on. Johnson finished the job with a combination of straight rights and straight uppercuts. A very impressive victory.

Lightweight: Michael Johnson vs Shane Roller

Johnson wins by UD. Roller came out looking for the take down but was unable to get it. Johnson looked like he has improved his stand up since his time on TUF. Roller finally succeeded in getting the fight to the mat in the third round and managed to get Johnson's back and secure a body triangle. Unable to get the choke, Johnson escaped with about a minute left on the clock, nullifying the only offense Roller had in the fight. The Johnsons start the night with Impressive performances.

Featherweight: Charles Oliveira vs Eric Wisely

Oliveira wins by Submission at 1:43 of the first round. Oliveira looked entirely dominant in this quick fight, getting Wisely to the ground and attempting a heel hook that looked like it might be locked in. Wisely did escape but Oliveira transitioned beautifully from the heel hook to a calf slicer, forcing the tap out. I'm not sure there has ever been a calf slicer in the UFC before. Very nice.

Featherweight: Cub Swanson vs George Roop

Swanson wins by KO at 2:22 of the second round. After struggling with injuries for the last year or so, Cub Swanson gets back on the winning track here. From the start it was clear that Swanson was the faster fighter; the action was reminiscent of the Hominick/Roop fight. Roop did start to find his groove towards the end of the first round but Swanson got back on track at the start of the second, was able to land a jab-overhand right combination that dropped Roop and finished the fight with cursory ground and pound.

Heavyweight: Jon Olav Einemo vs Mike Russow

Russow wins by UD. The fight was yet another example of a grappler being content to be on bottom while they are losing the fight in the eyes of the judges. Russow scored a handful of take downs but was not very successful at anything but positional control once the fight hit the mat. Einemo had multiple chances to return to his feet but stayed on his back. A well timed sweep earned him mount at the end of the second round but the time ran out before he could do any damage. By the third round both fighters had tired significantly. Not a great fight but I give Russow full value for controlling a dangerous grappler on the mat en route to his fourth straight win in the UFC.

Lightweight: Evan Dunham vs Nik Lentz

Dunham wins by TKO at 5:00 of the second round. Easily the best fight of the undercard. The pace was high throughout and both men found success getting into top position and working ground and pound. Dunham began to take control of the fight at the end of the first round and pulled further away when he got Lentz up against the cage and landed a lengthy combination of punches, battering Lentz, leading into a take down. Once on the ground, Dunham used elbows to open up a large cut underneath the left eye of Lentz. By the time the round was over, the eye was swollen shut. It is likely that Lentz broke his orbital, which would be the second time he has done so in three fights. Dunham should be in line for a big fight now.