UFC 168 Prelims Results: Uriah Hall and Michael Johnson Score Big Knockouts

Fox Sports 1 Preliminary results

Uriah Hall def. Chris Leben by TKO (retirement)

Michael Johnson def. Glieson Tibau by knockout (punches) round 2

John Howard def. Siyar Bahadurzada by unanimous decision

Denis Siver def. Manny Gamburyan by unanimous decision

UFC 168 is underway and already we’ve been treated to two great fights on the Facebook card. On to the Fox Sports 1 section of the prelims and first up was Siyar Bahadurzada vs. John ‘Doomsday’ Howard. Two tough Welterweights with knockout power should surely equate to an awesome scrap.

The first round was quite a tentative affair, with both fighters trying to gauge their distance. Siyar used good jabs and powerful hooks to keep Howard at range. ‘Doomsday’ was able to land a few good counters, and did take the back mount momentarily after a big takedown. It was a razor tight round.

Round two started like the barn burner we wanted to see; both guys landing vicious hooks in crazy exchanges. Siyar tried to keep Howard at range with a good jab, as ‘Doomsday’ looked for the one punch KO. Both fighters looked slightly gassed half way through the round, as Siyar controls the clinch game. WOW! Howard lands a ridiculous over head slam that plants Siyar on his nugget. Another very close round, possibly 10-9 Howard

The final round opens with some good hooks by Howard, and Siyar is looking very tired now. SB has his hands at his waist and Howard is just landing bombs in combination. Another nice take down for Howard, and he lands some brutal right hands to the jaw. Howard worked well in the half guard and took full mount, then the back. The round finished up with Howard looking for a rear naked choke. I’d pick Howard to win, as do the judges.

Next up was a Featherweight battle between Manny Gamburyan and Dennis Siver. Round one started with some serious exchanges on the feet, lots of big hooks before Siver scored a big takedown. A great armbar attempt by MG on the mat, the WEC veteran came close there. Back on the feet and Siver lands unorthodox striking, but Gamburyan is game on the counter. ‘Anvil’ looked for a leglock at the end of the round, but ended up being swept as Siver took his back. 10-9 Siver in my book

Round two kicked off and Manny got ripped with a huge right hand, he managed to recover well but was obviously wobbled. A good takedown by ‘The Anvil’ and he cuts Siver on the forehead with vicious elbows. They scrambled and Siver is bleeding pretty bad. Spinning head kick from Gamburyan, but Siver lands good counters against the fence. Another takedown secures the round 10-9 for Manny IMO

They rock each other with head kicks and punches early in the last round, but Siver lands a gnarly kick to the ball sack. They touch up and Siver scores a quick takedown now, looking to land some ground and pound. Manny looking to lock up a kimura from his back, they scramble and now Siver has Gamburyan’s back with a body triangle. He looks for a rear naked choke, but ‘The Anvil’ defends well. Decisive final round for Siver, who should take the win. Siver by UD

Lightweights Michael Johnson and Glieson Tibau went at it next, and a rare all-southpaw match up here. Johnson opens with hard body jabs, keeping the shorter man at range. Tibau lands a nice left to the head, but Johnson has very sharp boxing. WOW Johnson is tagged by huge hooks to the chin, but he recovers well. Tibau appears to have the power advantage while Johnson has the speed. Johnson wobbles Tibau with a right to the dome, and this is a great fight. Tight round

Round two opens with an exchange of low kicks and slick boxing by Johnson. Tibau wings hooks but is being caught with Johnson’s tighter jabs and straights. A HUGE straight left by Johnson and Tibau is planked out cold. Beautiful knockout

Last up on the prelims is a Middleweight tilt between Uriah Hall and Chris Leben, with both likely fighting for their jobs. Hall lands a huge front kick to the body that drops Leben off the bat. Leben is up and stalking Hall, wingin big hooks. Hall peppers Leben from the outside and ‘The Crippler’ is cut already. Hall is just picking Leben apart at long range and mixes it up with elbows. Wheel kick attempt by Hall then he lands a huge right hand and Leben is out! No the buzzer ends the round! WOW 10-8 for Hall. No wait Mazzagatti waves it off after Leben says he can’t continue, it’s a TKO win for Hall. Great job!