Denny Burkholder

Since three of the five main card fights were finished 45-50 minutes into the broadcast, the UFC aired the Paul Kelly-Paul Taylor fight to kill time. I must say, it was an entertaining scrap.

The first round in particular started with both guys throwing bombs. Kelly opened a nasty cut on Taylor's forehead in the second round with an elbow, and from that point on, Kelly had Taylor in control for the unanimous decision. Nice debut for Kelly, who will certainly pop up again on the next UFC stop in England.

The heavyweights are up next: Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Fabricio Werdum.

Round 1: Firmly Gonzaga's round as he starts by controlling Werdum on the ground, then lets him up to punish him with leg kicks. Gonzaga threw right leg kicks on two occasions that were powerful enough to buckle Werdum to the ground. Gonzaga went for a head kick and Werdum was able to capitalize and get Gonzaga to the mat. Werdum worked from Gonzaga's half guard. Gonzaga tried for a kneebar and Werdum clenched his hands to defend the move as the round ended. I have it 10-9 for Gonzaga, although Werdum was giving him some headaches at the end of the round.


Round 2: Werdum threw some punches but got stuffed on a takedown attempt. Gonzaga would't follow Werdum to the mat, so they stood again. I missed a minute or so of the fight due to satellite problems. When the signal is back, Gonzaga was still throwing leg kicks and Werdum's left thigh was turning purple. Werdum began to do some damage with punch combinations and a pair of knees. Werdum held Gonzaga against the cage and forced him to the ground. Gonzaga started to look really tired. Werdum began pounding Gonzaga's right ear with fists and Gonzaga couldn't defend, so the referee stopped it. Gonzaga is now 0-2 against Werdum.

Winner: Fabricio Werdum defeated Gabriel Gonzaga via TKO due to strikes at 4:34 of Round 2.