Sport review 12 nov 2014

The card, which features a grudge match between former Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold and Michael Bisping, takes place at Allphones Arena in Sydney. The entire card streams on UFC Fight Pass.

Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT) for the preliminary card and 10 p.m. ET for the main card.

To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFC Fight Night 55 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporter Mike Spencer (@MikeSpencerMMA) on Twitter.

Enjoy the fights, everyone.

Marcus Brimage (7-3 MMA, 4-2 UFC) vs. Jumabieke Tuerxun (14-3 MMA, 0-3 UFC)

Round 1 – No touch of the gloves for the opening fight. Brimage kicks low, but misses, but 30 seconds in he lands a straight left. Brimage scurries in the middle, then just misses a spinning kick up high that draws a big gasp from the crowd. Still in the feeling-out process, the two land body kicks simultaneously, then back away to see what’s what again. Tuerxun throws a right, but Brimage drills him with a counter body kick. Brimage looks to put something together and pressures Tuerxun to the fence, but he can’t land much in the combination. Out of nowhere, Brimage throws a left kick to the head, and it’s on the money. It takes just a beat, but Tuerxun falls straight back. Referee John Sharp rushes to get over there, as Brimage lands two big punches on the ground. It’s a stunning head kick knockout.

Result: Marcus Brimage def. Jumabieke Tuerxun via knockout (head kick) – Round 1, 2:58
Recap: Marcus Brimage KOs Jumabieke Tuerxun with massive head kick
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: John Sharp

Daniel Kelly (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) vs. Luke Zachrich (14-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC)

Round 1 – No touch of gloves brings a boo from the crowd, and Kelly closes to a meet a leg kick. Zachrich tests out his hands as Kelly continues to press. Inside leg kick from Kelly, who’s walking down Zachrich. A few hands to the midsection from Zachrich, who’s circling away. A few punches land clean for the “TUF” vet, but Kelly can’t corner his man against the cage. He presses nonetheless and lands a few punches of his own, prompting Zachrich to reset. Nice hook leg kick combo from Kelly, and Zachrich fires back. A straight left catches Zachrich clean, but he’s still firing back with his straight right. Kelly defends a takedown attempt and repays with a knee. The two trade in close and both catch punches. Zachrich gets caught with a right heading out, and Kelly’s accuracy is looking better. Zachrich’s face is wearing the damage. Kelly shoots and presses for a takedown against the fence, but gives up the attempt. Zachrich escapes, but Kelly presses again and lands a nice combo before tossing Zachrich to the mat with a throw. And now, the judoka has Zachrich on the mat in half-guard, where he attacks with a kimura. Zachrich rolls to his side, but Kelly simply adjusts and cranks his opponent’s right arm, prompting a tapout.

Result: Daniel Kelly def. Luke Zachrich via submission (kimura) – Round 1, 4:27
Recap: Daniel Kelly beats up, then taps Luke Zachrich
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Leon Roberts

Chris Clements (12-5 MMA, 2-1 UFC) vs. Vik Grujic (7-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC)

Round 1 – The two charge right into a clinch, and Grujic trips Clements to the mat, landing in half-guard. Instantly, he puts his elbows to use, and Clements tries to sweep. He spins up to his feet, and Grujic has him against the fence, looking for a leg. Punches from Grujic as Clements tries to squirm free. Another trip attempt from Grujic, but he’s not having an easy time getting the takedown. Clements using a wide base to stay upright. Short shots from Grujic, and another trip attempt. Finally, he breaks off. Clements lands a big right hand but eats a big punch trying to follow up, and now he’s pressing to the cage. Clements with elbows over the top, and Clements lands a knee that clearly wobbles Grujic. Clements smells blood and chases his opponent, unloading a combination that has Grujic out on his feet. A right hand seals the deal, sending Grujic to the mat, and Herb Dean steps in to save him. Impressive finish.

Result: Chris Clements def. Vik Grujic via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:06
Recap: Chris Clements returns, brutalizes Vik Grujic in first round
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Herb Dean

Louis Smolka (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) vs. Richie Vaculik (10-3 MMA, 1-2 UFC)

Round 1 – Touch of gloves, and Vaculik is first to strike. The two straight straight rights, and Vaculik presses with a jab. Smolka kicks him off, but in the next exchange, Vaculik sneaks in a knee and a few punches. Then another, and Smolka front kicks him away. Vaculik is back on him, though, landing a great body shot and sneaking in a knee again. Smolka defensive, and Vaculik charges again and lands an overhand right. Smolka being beat to the punch. He looks for a clinch, and Vaculik shrugs him off and connects with a few punches. Smolka backs him off for a second, but Vaculik continues to fire off with a jab and right hook, and Smolka is bleeding from his nose. Great jab from Vaculik, and Smoka lands an uppercut. Big inside kick takes Smolka off his feet, but he’s back up, and the two are going toe-to-toe and slugging away. Hook kick leads to clinch for Smolka, and Vaculik resets and then nabs a takedown off a kick. Vaculik passes to half-guard. Smolka elevates with a leg and tries to escape, but winds up defending a guillotine choke before reversing position. He ends the round in half-guard after five minutes of near constant action. MMAjunkie.com scores the frame 10-9 for Vaculik.

Round 2 – Vaculik ducks in a Smolka immediately tries to pick him off. Smolka catches a big jab, but lands his own shots as Vaculik comes in low. Smolka presses forward, and Vaculik counters well. Body kick from Smolka, and Vaculik indicates a low blow, but Smolka turns up the pressure. Smolka tries a jump knee, and Vaculik goes with a Superman punch. Grabbing for a plumb, Smolka takea punches inside. Vaculik takes a kick and uses it to deposit Smolka to the mat. As Smolka rolls to escape, Vaculik takes his back and tries for a rear-naked choke, but Smolka defends and reverses to guard. Vaculik gets up and gets slammed back to the mat. He kicks Smolka off and escapes to center cage, where he continues his low-slung attack. Smolka working lead hooks as Vaculik jabs in. Leg kicks from Smolka get counter straights from Vaculik, and the two are slinging leather. Nice combo from Vaculik, and he lands with a follow up knee. Vaculik closes the rounds with a decisive takedown, and he wins the second frame on MMAjunkie.com’s scorecard, putting him up 20-18.

Round 3 – Vaculik presses witha a jab gain as Smolka tries to intercepts him. Then, out of nowhere, Smolka plants a side kick to the jaw of Vaculik, who drops to the canvas. Smolka swarms with punches at his opponent’s back, and Vaculik is unable to recover before referee Sharp is forced to intervene.

Result: Louis Smolka def. Richie Vaculik via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 0:18
Recap: Louis Smolka stuns Richie Vaculik with third-round head kick
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: John Sharp

Sam Alvey (24-6 MMA, 1-1 UFC) vs. Dylan Andrews (17-6 MMA, 2-2 UFC)

Round 1 – Andrews opens with a leg kick, which gets no reaction from Alvey. Another one gets a feint, but Andrews keeps chopping. Attacks to the body from Andrews. Something said in the crowd makes both fighters smile, but they resume their work. Alvey overcommits to a punch, and Andrews picks him up and slams him to the mat. Working in side control, the action isn’t moving too fast, though Andrews is applying shoulder pressure. Suddenly, Andrews explodes into mount, and Alvey is forced to respond in kind, popping back to his feet. Andrews stays at his back, however, and a suplex attempt doesn’t work too well. In fact, it appears Andrews choice leads to his demise: Alvey turns and faces his opponent, unloads a few punches, knocking Andrews out cleanly. Replays show Andrews was hurt when he his the mat, allowing Alvey to turn and deliver the concussive knockout.

Result: Sam Alvey def. Dylan Andrews via KO (punches) – Round 1, 2:16
Recap: Sam Alvey shocks Dylan Andrews in odd knockout finish
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Leon Roberts

Guto Inocente (6-4 MMA, 0-2 UFC) vs. Anthony Perosh (15-8 MMA, 5-5 UFC)

Round 1 – Touch of gloves, and we’re underway. Perosh closes aggressively, and Inocente circles. Feints from Inocente. Both commit to crosses, and Inocente tries to follow with a high kick. Perosh again closes, and Inocente circles. Inocente loading up for something. Perosh lands a quick straight right and gets a clinch. It looks solid, but Inocente fights it to the cage. Perosh commits, and gets his man down. Big right hands overhead for Perosh in open guard. Inocente not doing much to defend his face. Perosh passes to half-guard, then mount, and Inocente is in trouble. Perosh thinks about taking the back, or an arm triangle, but ultimately settles for top position. Inocente can’t squirm free, and Perosh again advances to mount. Inocente turns, and Perosh flattens him out, unleashing heavy punches. Inocente turns to escape, and Perosh settles into quarter mount. He’s still thinking about an arm-triangle, but takes the back and sinks his arm under the neck, squeezing for a rear-naked choke win. Dominant performance from the Australian.

Result: Anthony Perosh def. Guto Inocente via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:46
Recap: Anthony Perosh chokes out Guto Inocente for home Sydney fans
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Herb Dean

Jake Matthews (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) vs. Vagner Rocha (11-4 MMA, 1-3 UFC)

Round 1 – Rocha leads with a whiffed leg kick, and Matthews jabs. Feints from both, and Rocha connects with a jab as Matthews leaps in. Big punch misses for Matthews, and a subsequent combo whiffs. Rocha with a leg kick, and Matthews repays. Matthews charges into another leg attack. Nothing huge happening at the moment. Two-punch combo misses for Matthews, who’s having a tough time finding his range. Rocha, of course, is moving away from the strikes. Mostly, the strikes landed are to the legs. Rocha runs from a flurry, and Matthews presses to the cage. Matthews pushes his opponent off, and we’re back to center cage. Rocha with nice leg kick. Matthews claps along with a crowd cheer for him, and why not. Lead uppercut connects for the Aussie. He pursues with a kick, and there’s a tie-up that hits the cage. Rocha lands a punch on the exit. Leg kick from Rocha, and Matthews wings a combo that just misses. Leg kick goes south for Matthews, but only a short break. Rocha leaps into a punch, and Matthews shoots for a takedown. Off the cage, Rocha grabs a kimura and cranks it until the bell sounds. MMAjunkie scores the frame 10-9 for Rocha, who was just a bit more accurate with the minimal number of strikes.

Round 2 – Matthews thinks about a leg kick and withdraws. He lets go another combo punctuated by a leg kick. His next combo sees a big right land cleanly, but Rocha is still there. The two trade leg kicks. Matthews tries to sneak in an uppercut. Rocha defusing his attacks with a jab and leg kick. Matthews is coming in swinging, but his head is down and he isn’t getting much. Then, out of nowhere, a superman punch sets Rocha reeling, and Matthews swarms. As Rocha tries to regain his wits on his butt against the cage, Matthews takes his neck and cranks. Despite not having the hooks, Matthews squeezes until Rocha goes limp and forces referee Sharp to stop the bout.

Result: Jake Matthews def. Vagner Rocha via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:52
Recap: Jake Matthews chokes out black belt Vagner Rocha
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: John Sharp

Walt Harris (7-4 MMA, 0-3 UFC) vs. Soa Palelei (22-4 MMA, 4-2 UFC)

Round 1 – Touch of gloves, and Palelei measures his opponent. Harris closes slowly. Both men with low hands.  Palelei suddenly shoots and hits the fence. He has a leg, but Harris is fighting it.  Palelei misses a trip, and Harris escapes. The plan has been revealed. Harris with a leg kick. Pawing hands.  Palelei trying to go over the top with a jab, charges again with a takedown and nearly eats a head kick in the process. Center-cage, we’re back to the game of cat and mouse.  Palelei commits to a cross, and Harris returns. It’s clear, though, he’s a bit cautious, and for good reason.  Palelei flicks a cross. Harris goes high with a kick that’s blocked. They trade front kicks. Harris with a nice straight left. He misses his next attempt.  Palelei tries to get inside for a clinch, and no dice.  Palelei goes high with a kick that’s blocked. Harris lands a nice body kick, then backs up  Palelei with a left. A lot of pawing hands. Kick from Harris blocked.  Palelei’s high kick is very telegraphed. Staring match concludes the frame, which Harris takes 10-9 for more effective striking.

Round 2 – Jabs from both fighters to open the frame. They trade front kicks. Feints from both, and Harris lets a one-two go. Leg kick takes Harris briefly off his feet. Palelei finally lets his hands go, and it looks like Harris complained of a poke. Palelei going over the top again with a jab. The fight settles again in to a rhythm. Palelei breaks it with a right hand, and he tries to double up, but a subsequent takedown fails. Nice body kick from Harris. Palelei finds a home for his straight right. He’s getting looser on his feet, finding his range. Harris ducks a punch and shrugs off a clinch against the cage. He cracks with a left hand and follows up with a combo, but Palelei is blocking attacks. High kick blocked from Palelei. He misses follow ups, ducks under a punch and shoots against the cage. Harris sprawls out, but Palelei gets the single-leg and takes half-guard. Harris trying to get up as Palelei tries to work his left hand. Palelei climbs into mount and lets his punches go. Although it looks like the shots aren’t that hard, Harris fails to defend them, and Palelei pulls out the TKO in the waning seconds of the round.

Result: Soa Palelei def. Walt Harris via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 4:49
Recap: Soa Palelei pounds out Walt Harris, then sings
Division: Heavyweight
Rankings: Palelei honorable mention
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Leon Roberts

Clint Hester (11-4 MMA, 4-1 UFC) vs. Robert Whittaker (13-4 MMA, 4-2 UFC)

Round 1 – Whittaker takes a stiff jab to open up and responds with a leg kick. Hester unloads with a hook, but Whittaker repays him with a heavy shot that forces him to back off. Whittaker lands clean again, and Hester is diving for a takedown shot. He still looks wobbly. A leg kick and jab pushes him back. He’s firing back with big winging shots, but not much doing. Then, he backs Whittaker to the cage and unloads with a spinning elbow that cracks. Whittaker, though, looks no worse for the wear. Whittaker attacks the legs and bobs out of the way. They trade shots, but it’s Whittaker that lands a hard right hand. Whittaker swarms as Hester rolls to his back and tries to survive. He gets a brief reprieve against the cage as Whittaker inexpicably shoots for a takedown. He gets it and lands in half-guard, where he places his forearm across Hester’s throat. Hester tries to scoot up. One minute to go. Whittaker working a short elbow. Not much time to work. A right hand lands from overhead, and Hester is sitting against the cage. Whittaker tries to trap the arm and climbs into mount. Hester pushes off the cage and reverses into guard, where he wails away with punches at the end of the round. MMAjunkie.com scores the frame 10-9 for Whittaker.

Round 2 – Whittaker tries a few kicks to start, then a jab. Lateral kicks from Hester. Whittaker counters inside, then uses leg kick to set up another combination. Hester swings for the fences, but Whittaker is more accurate inside, landing the shots that are doing damage. Hester is still coming forward, battering Whittaker with mostly blocked shots. Whittaker trying lead elbows. Jabs from both. Hester presses into a tie-up, and they stall against the cage. Whittaker bleeding from his nose. Hester works knees and drops for a single. Whittaker hangs tight and they start throwing again. Punch-knee combo lands for Whittaker, and Hester looks on wobbly legs. Whittaker smells blood and pursues with a follow-up combo, then a knee that drops Hester to the mat. Follow-up punches force Sharp to intervene. Fantastic action.

Result: Robert Whittaker def. Clint Hester via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 2:43
Recap: Robert Whittaker upsets Clint Hester in middleweight debut
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: John Sharp

Al Iaquinta (10-3-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC) vs. Ross Pearson (16-8 MMA, 8-5 UFC)

Round 1 – Pearson immediately closes on Iaquinta, who circles and pushes back with a side kick. Pearson paws and then connects with a right hand. Iaquinta repays with a front kick to the chops. Pearson continues forward and fires off a shot before retreating. he’s in and out. Iaquinta fakes a shot after taking a body shot. Pearson with a right hand, then a low kick. He’s faster inside at the moment. Iaquinta circles away as Pearson paws. He catches a kick but can’t land a punch to counter. Nice jab from Pearson. Iaquinta can’t connect inside, but a lead right finds its mark. Pearson chases him down, landing a kick. Level-changes from Iaquinta, who blocks a stiff hook. Inside leg kick from Pearson. Uppercut from Iaquinta, but right hands from Pearson land. Chopping leg kick from Pearson misses. Iaquinta still circling, with Pearson trying to catch him on the way in. Lead right for Iaquinta. Body jab prompts a big right from Pearson. Head kick catches Iaquinta, and the two trade inside. Iaquinta jabbing, then in on a takedown before his jab closes the round. MMAjunkie.com scores the frame 10-9 for Pearson.

Round 2 – Iaquinta circles back and fires off a leg kick. Pearson chasing his man down. Jab meets cross from the Brit. Iaquinta tries to lead to elbow, no dice. Iaquinta with a nice leg kick counter. He goes with an uppercut to Pearson’s combo, then jabs away the next combo. A high kick from Pearson is blocked, and Iaquinta retaliates with a right hand that drops Pearson. The Brit gets up, but he’s on wobbly legs. Iaquinta closes and starts headhunting. Pearson dodges a few shots, but one eventually drops him to the canvas, and Roberts intervenes.

Result: Al Iaquinta def. Ross Pearson via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 1:39
Recap: Al Iaquinta shuts down Ross Pearson in second
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Leon Roberts

Michael Bisping (25-7 MMA, 15-7 UFC) vs. Luke Rockhold (13-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC)

Round 1 – Southpaw Rockhold inches in to meet a pawing jab from Bisping, who advances with a few right hands. Rockhold resumes, and Bisping kicks the leg. Bisping interrupting Rockhold’s advance with jabs and a cross. Feints from Bisping. Rockhold tries a counter left hand, and it misses. Bisping goes high with a kick and then tries a straight right, but Rockhold is out of range. Rockhold leads with a left and then they clinch against the cage. Bisping complains of a headbutt, and Dean stops the action. After a doctor check, it starts again, and the two trade words. Then they argue about the position, and finally, they start. They trade places for a few seconds, and Bisping escapes to a kick. Bisping throws and then looks to Dean for something. Rockhold with a body kick that lands. Bisping meets a counter, and the two miss with power punches. Kick to the legs for Rockhold, who’s still looking patient. He catches Bisping coming in with a hook, and then a kick that’s partially caught. Another kick from Rockhold, and Bisping is circling away from the power. Rockhold misses wide with a hook, and Bisping misses on the counter. A quick in for Bisping nets a jab. A body hook prompts Rockhold to chase Bisping, looking for a finishing blow, but Bisping escapes. Rockhold landing kicks to the legs. Right hand and leg kick brings a smile to Rockhold’s face, but they landed. Rockhold waves him in and fires off at the end of the round, which goes to him, 10-9, on MMAjunkie.com’s scorecard.

Round 2 – Bisping still bouncing, but he charges in to take a counter. Straight left answer’s Bisping’s body kick, but he resets. Rockhold with a question-mark quick and a follow up head kick drops Bisping, who rolls to his back, but a left hand catches him clean. Rockhold grabs a guillotine as Bisping tries to recover and rolls to mount, where the Brit is forced to tap.

Result: Luke Rockhold def. Michael Bisping via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 0:57
Recap: Luke Rockhold taps Michael Bisping with one-armed guillotine
Division: Middleweight
Rankings: Rockhold No. 6, Bisping No. 12
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Herb Dean