The Ultimate Fighting Championship came to the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia today for UFC Fight Night 63: “Mendes vs Lamas.” This afternoon’s event was headlined by a five-round featherweight contender’s bout between standouts Chad “Money” Mendes and Ricardo “The Bully” Lamas.
In the lightweight co-feature, Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal battled “Raging” Al Iaquinta. “Maverick” Michael Chiesa took on Mitch “Danger Zone” Clarke, and TUF 18 winner Julianna “The Venezuelan Vixen” Peña returned against Milana Dudieva. MMARising.com has live play-by-play for the card.
Chad “Money” Mendes vs Ricardo “The Bully” Lamas
Round 1:
Lamas landed an uppercut early on and Mendes answered back with quick leg kicks. He dropped Lamas with a big right hook and rocked him with a knee after Lamas stood. Mendes floored Lamas two more times with punches, but Lamas held on. He tried for a desperation takedown and Mendes landed punches until the brief bout was waved off.
Winner: Chad Mendes by TKO (Punches) at 2:45 of round one. He improves to 17-2-0.
“Raging” Al Iaquinta vs Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal
Round 1:
Masvidal jabbed in round one and Iaquinta looked to put together punch-kick combinations. A flying knee scored for Masvidal, but Iaquinta appeared to be unfazed. More jabs landed for Masvidal and Iaquinta kicked to the body. Both men landed leg kicks and Masvidal followed with a nice spinning back kick to the body. Another spinning back kick grazed Iaquinta’s face and Masvidal stunned him with a power hook. Iaquinta attempted a kneebar on the mat, but Masvidal stood and floored him with punches before the bell. He cut Iaquinta badly below the right eye in the process. 10-9 Masvidal.
Round 2:
Masvidal attempted an axe kick in round two and he followed with stiff jabs and a jumping knee. The severe cut on Iaquinta’s right cheek opened up again and bled everywhere. Iaquinta connected with an overhand right and a series of leg kicks. Masvidal kicked to the body and narrowly missed with another axe kick. He fought off a takedown attempt and stuffed another one late in the close round. 10-9 Masvidal.
Round 3:
Masvidal continued to target Iaquinta’s liver with kicks in the final round. He jabbed and avoided a standing elbow from Iaquinta, but Iaquinta connected with a nice right hand. Masvidal kept Iaquinta at bay with jabs, but Iaquinta still managed to land kicks to Masvidal’s now-purple left leg. A big right hand landed for Iaquinta and he attempted a flying scissor heel hook. Masvidal jabbed and Iaquinta landed another right hook. Iaquinta remained aggressive, but Masvidal landed jabs and a knee. Another close round. 10-9 Masvidal, barely.
Winner: Al Iaquinta by Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 27-30) after three rounds. He improves to 12-3-1.
“Maverick” Michael Chiesa vs Mitch “Danger Zone” Clarke
Round 1:
The fighters battled in the clinch early on and Chiesa threw Clarke to the ground. Clarke stood and he landed knees to the thighs until Chiesa tripped him again. The fight returned to the feet and Chiesa stunned a retreating Clarke with a series of hooks. He took him down and quickly transitioned to back control. Chiesa worked for a rear-naked choke and an armbar, but Clarke made it to the bell. 10-9 Chiesa, if not a 10-8.
Round 2:
Knees were exchanged in round two and Clarke stomped on Chiesa’s feet in a clinch. The fighters were separated and Chiesa attempted a head kick. He clinched and tried for a throw, but Clarke defended. Chiesa got him down on his second try and immediately took back control. He landed punches and slashing elbows from the back while working for a rear-naked choke. Clarke stood with Chiesa on his back, but Chiesa dragged him down again. 10-9 Chiesa.
Round 3:
Lead hooks landed for both fighters in the final round and Clarke finally found some success with punching combinations and body kicks. Chiesa fired back with a flurry and the fighters continued to trade powerful hooks. A jumping switch knee scored for Chiesa, but Clarke backed him up with another combination. Chiesa stunned Clarke with a counter one-two and he followed with a left cross. Two vicious body kicks scored for Chiesa late in the fight and he attempted a spinning wheel kick. 10-9 Chiesa.
Winner: Michael Chiesa by Unanimous Decision (29-26, 29-26, 29-28) after three rounds. He improves to 12-2-0.
Julianna “The Venezuelan Vixen” Peña vs Milana Dudieva
Round 1:
Peña rushed forward with punches right away and she fought off a slam takedown attempt from Dudieva. The fighters clinched and Peña landed knees, but Dudieva swiftly threw her to the ground. She secured a front headlock on the way up, but Peña countered with a takedown into mount. She postured up with punches and elbows as Dudieva tried to buck and escape. Peña rained down punches, elbows and double hammerfist strikes until Dudieva gave up her back. Dudieva rolled over again and Peña unloaded with punches and elbows until the fight was stopped.
Winner: Julianna Peña by TKO (Punches & Elbows) at 3:59 of round one. She improves to 6-2-0.
Clay “The Carpenter” Guida vs Robbie “Problems” Peralta
Round 1:
Guida scored a slam takedown in the opening 75 seconds of the fight and he threw Peralta down to the mat again after Peralta briefly returned to his feet. He smothered Peralta and landed short punches from back control as the round progressed. Peralta stood and Guida maintained back control until the bell. 10-9 Guida.
Round 2:
Guida took Peralta back down in round two and he pinned him against the cage after the fight returned to the feet. Both fighters were cut by short strikes in the clinch and Guida prevented Peralta from breaking free from his grasp. Late in the round, the fighters separated and both landed combinations. 10-9 Guida.
Round 3:
Peralta flurried with punches in the final round and Guida responded with a head kick. He attempted another one and slammed Peralta down to the mat. Peralta stood and Guida elevated him for another slam. He locked on an arm-triangle choke that had Peralta in some trouble, but Peralta escaped and Guida worked from the top in half-guard. Peralta got back to his feet and Guida slammed him down into side control. 10-9 Guida.
Winner: Clay Guida by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) after three rounds. He improves to 32-15-0.
Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier vs Carlos Diego Ferreira
Round 1:
Big punches were exchanged in the opening minute and both fighters landed knees in a clinch. Time was briefly called after Poirier was kicked in the groin, but action resumed and Poirier landed a combination of punches and a body kick. He dropped Ferreira with a left cross and followed with another right hand on the mat. He allowed Ferreira to stand and floored him with more punches. A final barrage turned Ferreira’s lights out and the fight was stopped.
Winner: Dustin Poirier by KO (Punches) at 3:45 of round one. He improves to 17-4-0.
Liz “Girl-Rilla” Carmouche vs Lauren Murphy
Round 1:
Murphy initiated an early clinch against the cage and tried for a takedown as Carmouche punished her with elbows. A stalemate ensued and the fighters were eventually separated. Murphy pressed the action with punches and Carmouche countered with a front kick to the body. She landed a short right hook and followed with a leg kick. Murphy clinched again and she got Carmouche down just before the bell. Close opening round. 10-10.
Round 2:
Murphy walked forward with punches in round two and she tried for a takedown after Carmouche lost her balance throwing a spinning back kick. The fighters clinched and Murphy pinned Carmouche against the fence. Referee Keith Peterson called for a break after a lull in the action and Carmouche attempted a flashy cartwheel kick. Murphy easily blocked it and clinched once more. She reversed a throw attempt from Carmouche and settled into her guard. 10-9 Murphy.
Round 3:
The final round began with an exchange of punches and Carmouche scored a big takedown. Murphy battled back to her feet and secured a rear waist-lock while landing knees to the thighs. Carmouche hip tossed her to the mat, but Murphy escaped to her feet again. She got Carmouche down and tried to take her back as Carmouche stood up. Carmouche threw Murphy to the canvas in the final 15 seconds and she landed short punches and elbows from side control until the bell. 10-9 Carmouche.
Winner: Liz Carmouche by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) after three rounds. She improves to 10-5-0.
Undercard Fights:
– Alexander “Thunder of the North” Yakovlev defeated Gray “The Bully” Maynard by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) after three rounds. He improves to 22-6-1 with the win.
– Timothy Johnson defeated Shamil “Abrek” Abdurakhimov by TKO (Punches) at 4:57 of round one. He improves to 9-1-0 with the win.
– Ron “Choir Boy” Stallings defeated Justin “Lazybones” Jones by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) after three rounds. He improves to 13-7-0, 1 NC with the win.