The Ultimate Fighting Championship returned to MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada tonight for UFC 170: “Rousey vs McMann.” The event featured a UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship bout between undefeated Olympic medallists “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey and Sara McMann.
In tonight’s co-feature, Daniel “D.C.” Cormier made his light heavyweight debut against late-replacement opponent Patrick “Durkin” Cummins in a second clash of unbeaten fighters. Rory “Ares” MacDonald faced Demian Maia at welterweight. MMARising.com has live play-by-play for the card.
UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship
“Rowdy” Ronda Rousey vs Sara McMann
Round 1:
McMann began the fight with hard right hooks that prevented Rousey from closing the distance. Rousey clinched and the fighters battled for position against the cage. Rousey landed two knees to the liver and short elbows while pinning McMann up against the fence. She dropped McMann with another knee to the liver and the fight was stopped.
Winner: Ronda Rousey by TKO (Knee To The Body) at 1:06 of round one. She improves to 9-0-0 and remains the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion.
Daniel “D.C.” Cormier vs Patrick “Durkin” Cummins
Round 1:
Cummins landed short left and right hooks in the opening seconds, but Cormier hurt him with an uppercut. He wobbled him again with a right hand and dropped him with follow-up punches. Cummins briefly stood and Cormier knocked him down for a third time. Cummins fell face-first and Cormier landed punches to the side of his head until the fight was stopped.
Winner: Daniel Cormier by TKO (Punches) at 1:19 of round one. He improves to 14-0-0.
Rory “Ares” MacDonald vs Demian Maia
Round 1:
Maia jumped in with a left hook right away and took MacDonald down. He passed from butterfly guard to full mount and landed some decent punches from the top. MacDonald got back to half-guard, but Maia landed short punches and elbows. MacDonald tried to buck him off, but he could not. He finally landed a hammerfist from the bottom and got back to his feet. Maia landed a big combination and MacDonald fired back with a right hook. He just missed with a front kick. 10-9 Maia.
Round 2:
MacDonald landed right hands and a front kick in the second round. He stuffed a takedown and landed one-twos, but Maia snapped his head back with a jab. Maia shot in, but he could not get MacDonald down and MacDonald began to land more strikes on the feet. He hurt Maia with a body kick and peppered him with punches. Maia ducked into a kick and he began to slow way down. MacDonald scored with more punches and body kicks. Maia caught a kick and tried for a takedown, but MacDonald easily stayed up. 10-9 MacDonald.
Round 3:
Maia tried in vain to get the fight to the ground in the final round, but MacDonald remained on his feet. MacDonald landed punches, but Maia clinched and slammed him to the mat. MacDonald used a butterfly sweep to elevate Maia and the fighters stood. MacDonald stuffed Maia’s takedowns and landed a front kick and a right hand. He landed two more hard right hooks and followed with a combination just as time expired. 10-9 MacDonald.
Winner: Rory MacDonald by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) after three rounds. He improves to 16-2-0.
Mike “Quicksand” Pyle vs T.J. “The Dark Horse” Waldburger
Round 1:
Leg kicks were exchanged in the opening minute and Waldburger clinched in search of a takedown. The fighters separated and Waldburger fell while throwing a head kick. He got back to his feet and landed a left hook and an uppercut. He punched over the top, but Pyle used a leg sweep to get him down. Waldburger rolled to prevent his back from being taken, but Pyle passed to side control. Waldburger scrambled up and countered a knee with a takedown attempt. Pyle stayed on his feet and landed another knee. He tripped Waldburger at the bell. 10-9 Pyle.
Round 2:
Waldburger landed some nice leg kicks in the second round and both men scored with stiff jabs. Pyle caught a kick and took Waldburger down. He punched from the top and tried to pass to side control to escape a guillotine choke. He did so, then worked to get to mount. Waldburger used the cage to get back to his feet and both men landed hooks.
Pyle scored with a knee and Waldburger answered back with punches. A spinning back kick partially landed for Pyle and he tried for a standing kimura after Waldburger initiated a clinch. Pyle took Waldburger’s back and dragged him to the mat, but a bloodied Waldburger spun free and stood up. Waldburger kicked to the body before the bell. 10-9 Pyle.
Round 3:
Waldburger landed a hard counter right hand early in the final round. Pyle caught a kick and answered with a powerful right hook of his own. A left hook backed Pyle up, but he regained his footing and cracked Waldburger with an overhand right. Pyle stunned Waldburger with more punches and stuffed a takedown. Pyle dropped Waldburger with a spinning back elbow and landed a knee on the way up.
Waldburger clinched and landed knees, but Pyle responded with knees of his own and standing elbows. Waldburger was hurt and Pyle dropped him with a knee. Waldburger attempted to pull Pyle to the mat, but Pyle used a guillotine choke to set up a move to mount. Pyle rained down elbows and punches and a dazed Waldburger was finally saved by referee Herb Dean.
Winner: Mike Pyle by TKO (Punches & Elbows) at 4:03 of round three. He improves to 26-9-1.
Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson vs Robert Whittaker
Round 1:
Thompson was very active in the opening minute and he landed kicks to the lead leg and body. An axe kick grazed Whittaker’s jaw and Thompson darted in and out with three-punch combos. He threw more front kicks and combinations and easily avoided most of Whittaker’s counters. Whittaker finally connected with a one-two, but Thompson hurt and dropped him with a right hand. Whittaker stood up and Thompson dropped him again. A badly dazed Whittaker struggled to hold on as Thompson battered him with punches until the fight was stopped.
Winner: Stephen Thompson by TKO (Punches) at 3:43 of round one. He improves to 9-1-0.
(Undercard results and play-by-play on Page Two.)