Welcome to Fightful.com's live viewing party of UFC 201: Lawler vs. Woodley. We'll be bringing you quick reviews of the preliminary fights, and full, round-by-round coverage of the PPV. You can also send in your feedback on our Disqus boards below! We'll also be bringing you a live, post-show Podcast which you'll be able to watch above.
You can see the full card below.
MAIN CARD (Pay-Per-View, 10 pm EST)
UFC Welterweight Championship
Tyron Woodley (#4) defeated Robbie Lawler (c) via KO (punch) Round 1, 2:12 to become UFC Welterweight Champion
Karolina Kowalkiewicz (#5) defeated Rose Namajunas (#3) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Jake Ellenberger defeated Matt Brown (#9) via TKO (liver kick and punches), Round 1, 1:46
Erik Perez defeated Francisco Rivera via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-28)
Ryan Benoit defeats Fredy Serrano via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
PRELIM CARD (Fox Sports 2, 8 PM EST)
Nikita Krylov (#11) defeated Ed Herman via KO (head kick), Round 2, 0:40
Jorge Masvidal defeated Ross Pearson via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
Anthony Hamilton defeated Damian Grabowski via KO (punches), Round 1, 0:14
Wilson Reis (#7) defeated Hector Sandoval via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 1, 1:49
EARLY PRELIMS (UFC Fight Pass)
Michael Graves drew with Bojan Velickovic (30-27, 28-28, 28-28)
Damien Brown defeated Cesar Arzamendia via TKO (punches), Round 1, 2:27
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PRELIMINARY FIGHTS
Damien Brown defeated Cesar Arzamendia via TKO (punches), Round 1, 2:27- This one was short, but sweet. Brown hurt Arzamendia early, but got put in a heel hook, and managed to escape. Brown looked heavy on his feet after that, but still caught and finished Arzamendia with big punches. He tried to do gymnastics after the fight, but that knee didn't seem too hot after the heel hook.
Michael Graves drew with Bojan Velickovic (30-27, 28-28, 28-28)- This certaintly won't make any "top fights of the year" lists. Graves was a pretty big favorite in this one, and looked like he took the victory.
Wilson Reis (#7) defeated Hector Sandoval via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 1, 1:49 - Wilson Reis, who was supposed to compete for a title tonight, did exactly what he was supposed to do in this fight. This was the fastest submission in UFC Flyweight history. After the fight, Reis threw out the idea of fighting Ian McCall.
Anthony Hamilton defeated Damian Grabowski via KO (punches), Round 1, 0:14 - Over on our Twitter, we asked if this would be quick and painless, or long and tortuous. It was quick and painless (for us). A fourteen second, scary destruction for Anthony Hamilton. He's now 3-3 in the UFC.
Jorge Masvidal defeated Ross Pearson via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)- Masvidal dominated this fight, almost stopping it in the second. Pearson was so out of it that he went to the wrong corner before round 3 and raised his hands like he won. The fight probably should have been stopped at that point on principle alone.
Nikita Krylov (#11) defeated Ed Herman via KO (head kick), Round 2, 0:40- This was probably the best Krylov has looked from a technical aspect in the UFC. He finished the fight with a disgusting left high kick. He really needs a top-15 opponent now.
MAIN CARD
Ryan Benoit vs. Fredy Serrano
Round 1: Benoit lands a low kick and Serrano fires a big shot, then an axe kick. Serrano with a giant slam into side control. Benoit gets up and lands a punch, but is taken down again. Benoit has tried to hold on to the head twice while his opponent was in side control, but Serrano makes no effort for the Von Flue choke. Benoit pushes forward, and eats a body kick, but clubs Serrano. Benoit strikes Serrano after the bell and apologizes.
Fightful scores round 1 for Serrano 10-9
Round 2: Serrano goes for another axe kick, and pushes Benoit against the cage. Serrano lands the takedown, but Benoit escapes and catches Serrano with a hook. Serrano shoots a low single, but eats a bunch of punches. Serrano manages another big takedown to end the round.
Fightful scores round 2 for Serrano, 10-9
Round 3: Serrano with another takedown, but the fight get stood up. Serrano rolls into a guard, which was really weird. Serrano fails on a takedown attempt and throws a body kick. Benoit throws a head kick and a series of punches to take the round.
Fightful scores round 3 for Benoit, 10-9, making it 29-28 Serrano
Official Result: Ryan Benoit defeats Fredy Serrano via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
That was a really weird, close fight. Ryan Benoit has made an unsual habit of hitting his opponents after the bell.
Francisco Rivera vs. Erik Perez
Round 1: Rivera is really stationary and stiff, and Perez has been making him pay. Rivera starts countering, and the two are trading in the middle of the cage. Perez catches a kick and lands a bunch, then comes out the better with a good hook combo. Perez takes Rivera down, who gets right back up. Perez finds a home for a knee and an inside leg kick.
Fightful scores round 1 for Perez 10-9
Round 2: Perez gets another inside leg kick and catches Rivera with a punch as he tries to make it to his feet. Perez goes for a spinning back fist, but Rivera doesn't care and lands a punch. Perez was successful in the first round, but has really switched it up in the second, and lands a brief takedown. Rivera catches Perez mid-flying knee with a couple of punches. Perez pushes Rivera up against the cage, takes him down and throws several punches.
Fightful scores round 2 for Perez 10-9
Round 3: Perez meet in the middle and start swinging, and it's psycho. Rivera swings so hard he falls down. He gets up, but Perez takes him down. Perez keeps working over the body of Rivera. This goes on for several minutes until Rivera gets back up. He can't do anything, and that's a wrap.
Fightful scores round 3 for Perez 10-9, giving him a 30-27 victory
Official Result: Erik Perez defeated Francisco Rivera via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-28)
That's likely it for Rivera, who has lost five of his last six fights. The beginning of round 3 was about as crazy as it gets.
Matt Brown (#9) vs. Jake Ellenberger
Round 1: Ellenberger immediately drops Brown with a big punch! Brown works to get up, but catches a knee to the body. Ellenberger looks tired, and is briefly tripped. Ellenberger destroys Brown with a liver kick and finishes him with punches.
Official Result: Jake Ellenberger defeated Matt Brown (#9) via TKO (liver kick and punches), Round 1, 1:46
See the full post-fight story at this link.
Rose Namajunas (#3) vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz (#5)
Round 1: Namajunas counters a Kowalkiewicz leg kick with a punch. Another solid right lands from Namajunas, then another as Kowalkiewicz throws a leg kick without setting it up. Namajunas is popping Kowalkiewicz with punches as Kowalkiewicz has her chin up. Namajunas slips after a leg kick, and Kowalkiewicz lands a punch. Namajunas eats a couple of knees but ends up landing a takedown.
Fightful scores Round 1 for Namjunas 10-9
Round 2: Namajunas opens with punches, but Karolina scores with more big knees to the body in the clinch. Kowalkiewicz and Rose battle in the clinch, trading elbows and knees. This goes on for a while, then Namajunas separates and catches Kowalkiewicz with several punches and a front kick that sits Kowalkiewicz down. Kowalkiewicz gets leg kicks, then knees in the clinch, but Namajunas returns with knees. Kowalkiewicz with a right hand and eats two for her effort. Kowalkiewicz goes back to the knees in the clinch, including one to the head.
Fightful scores Round 2 for Kowalkiewicz 10-9
Round 3: Kowalkiewicz opens with more knees to the body. Rose's striking isn't as crisp, she's abandoning technique. Either way, she gets a couple of punches and a leg kick. Another right hand lands for Namajunas, but knees and a punch in the clinch drops her. Kowalkiewicz is in Rose's guard. Namajunas threatens with an armbar and a leglock, but can't get it done. Both women throw elbows, and Namajunas scores with an upkick. Namajunas eats a few punches while turtled up after an unsuccessul armbar and omoplata attempt. They slug it out to end the fight.
Fightful scores Round 3 for Kowalkiewicz, 10-9, giving her a 29-28 win
Official Result: Karolina Kowalkiewicz (#5) defeated Rose Namajunas (#3) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
See the full post-fight story at this link
UFC Welterweight Championship
Robbie Lawler (c) vs. Tyron Woodley (#4)
Round 1: A clinch against the cage is quickly broken up by the ref. Tyron Woodley catches Lawler! That's it! New champion!
Official Result: Tyron Woodley (#4) defeated Robbie Lawler (c) via KO (punch) Round 1, 2:12 to become UFC Welterweight Champion
