Although the main card fights really stole the show with their unusual number of finishes and great stories they told, the prelims still contained a lot of solid, quality action. After starting the show with four straight decisions, they picked it up at the end with two explosive, quick finishes. Here's how it all went down.
Melvin Guillard def Shane Roller via KO (Punches), Rd 1
What Happened: Guillard proved too fast for Guillard, as he easily avoided shots and easily landed his own. It was just a matter of time before Guillard landed something big, and he did. dropping Roller to the canvas twice before removing him from consciousness with hammerfists.
Thoughts: Guillard looked like he was fighting Roller in bullet-time out there. This is what happens when you put a relatively slow fighter like Roller in there with one of the fastest, and without a doubt most physically gifted fighter in the division. Some people actually believed Roller had a chance after his knockout of Thiago Tavares in his last fight; I had no doubts Guillard would walk over him.
Next for Guillard: There's no good excuse for putting Guillard on the prelims in this event when in his last fight he knocked out a former top 10 lightweight in the headlining bout (even if it wasn't pay-per-view). Guillard deserves a top guy and a spot on the main card. He should either get Clay Guida or the winner of Jim Miller/Ben Henderson, possibly in a title eliminator. Period.
Next for Roller: In my eyes that's two very poor performances in a row for roller, and he needs a win to get on track. Curt Warburton or Maciej Jewtuszko may be more manageable for him.
Rafael dos Anjos def George Sotiropoulos via KO (Punch), Rd 1
What Happened: After a brief feeling out process, the two entered an exchange and only dos Anjos made it out with his senses intact. A looping right hook counter right on the chin put Sotiropoulos down, and although dos Anjos didn't feel it was enough the ref certainly did. The end came only 59 seconds into the first round.
Thoughts: Can't really say too much about this one; Sotiropoulos had a momentary defensive lapse and paid dearly for it. It was funny that Joe Rogan was right in the process of raving about how Sotiropoulos had started varying up his attacks more when the knockout happened. Apparently it didn't help. Sotiropoulos was a favorite in this one, but I didn't think it was wise for people to sleep on dos Anjos' skill set. His stand up is capable and his BJJ is solid. He just needs to learn to stop with the ref tries to pry him off his opponent.
Next for dos Anjos: He was doing well against Guida before tapping to a broken jaw, and did the job here. Personally I'd like to see him against Gleison Tibau.
Next for Sotirpoulos: Tough outing for Sotiropoulos, who has dropped two straight for the first time in his career. Mark Bocek or Nik Lentz would make good opponents for him.
Brian Bowles def Takeya Mizugaki via Decision (Unanimous)
What Happened: It wasn't dominant, but Bowles just managed to stay a step ahead of Mizugaki down the stretch. After apparently re-injuring hand in the second round, his performance dropped-off a bit in the 3rd, but he did enough to pull it off.
Thoughts: I wasn't too impressed with either guy after this fight. Bowles' oft injured hand played a significant part in his drop-off, but Mizugaki had no real excuse that I know of. He didn't seem hungry for the win, and after landing some good shots in the first looked tepid in the latter two rounds. He's alternated wins and losses in his last 8 bouts, and I've noticed that all of those losses except the first (a rousing 5 round decision loss to then-WEC champ Miguel Torres) were against guys that could out-wrestle him.
Next for Bowles: He could be next in line for a title rematch with Dominick Cruz, but I'm not so sure he's done much to convince anyone it'd go any differently than it did the first time. If he can beat Urijah Faber, he may stand a chance.
Next for Mizugaki: He's looked a bit flat in his last few fights, and really needs step up his game if he wants to keep competing at this level. Perhaps he could take on the winner of Kid Yamamoto/Damacio Page. The upside of him facing Kid is that we'll finally have a Japanese winner in the octagon one way or another.
Aaron Simpson def Brad Tavares via Decision (Unanimous)
What Happened: There were a few rough moments on the feet for him, but Simpson's wrestling pedigree carried him through it, as he expertly controlled and grinded his way to a victory.
Thoughts: Wasn't the prettiest victory but Simpson got it done, not that he was so impressive in doing so. Tavares on the other hand was very impressive with his takedown defense, and managed to score the biggest takedown of the fight, a big slam in the 3rd round. However, Simson's wrestling know-how was a little too much, and he managed to get back to his feet and reverse to a favorable position immediately. Good learning experience for Tavares, workmanlike performance for Simpson.
Next for Simpson: Simpson has rebounded nicely from back-to-back losses to pick up a couple wins against game opponents. Demian Maia would be a nice step up for him, and a potentially entertaining wrestler vs grappler match-up.
Next for Tavares: Tavares has been looking more impressive with every outing, even with this defeat. He might look to get back in the win column against the loser of Court McGee/Dongi Yang.
Anthony Njokuani def Andre Winner via Decision (Unanimous)
What Happened: In a boxing vs Muay Thai match-up, the latter won by a landslide. Njokuani battered Winner with punches, kicks, knees, and elbows, almost finishing him in the first round, and instead settling for an utterly dominant decision win.
Thoughts: I thought Njokuani might have edge with his more diverse attack style, but I had no idea it was going to be that one-sided. Winner simply had no answer for Njokuani's reach and kicks. He was a hair from finishing Winner in the first, but credit should go to Winner for remaining standing the entire time and showing tremendous heart. He's tough as nails, getting battered throughout the fight, but he clearly needs to work on incorporating more kicks into his game, or at least learn some wrestling; this straight boxing thing is causing him to waste his considerable talent. When he first came to the UFC I thought he'd make a nice splash, but against mid and upper-mid level competition he has disappointed. Njokuani on the other hand looked great in a losing effort against Edson Barbosa, and even better here.
Next for Njokuani: He looks great in kickboxing matches, but he's shown major weaknesses against guys who can take him down. It's time to see if he's improved; it's also time to see if Kamal Shalorus finally realizes he should use his wrestling. It could be a fun match-up.
Next for Winner: After losing three straight and going just 2-5-1 in his last 8, I would be shocked if he didn't get released. If by some miracle he doesn't, and they want him to pick up a win, Vagner Rocha may be the man for him.
Jeff Hougland def Donny Walker via Decision (Unanimous)
What Happened: A highly competitive bout with lots of grappling saw Hougland a step above Walker most of the time. He threatened with multiple submissions when he was on the bottom and controlled the action when he was on top.
Thougts: I had never heard of these guys before this fight, so I don't have to much to say about them. The fight was entertaining, and both showed some slick ground work, but neither of them have any notable wins (Walker has 3rd round losses to Jeff Curran and Cub Swanson, while Hougland has a 2nd round loss to current Strikeforce Lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez), so who knows how good they really are?
Next for Hougland: The bantamweight division isn't too densly populated, so he may find his next fight against Ruben Duran or Edwin Figueroa.
Next for Walker: Chris Cariaso or Cole Escovedo.
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