UFC 144 Wrap-Up: Edgar, Henderson, Pettis, Lee take home $65k
Posted on February 26, 2012, 01:23 AM by Joey SantosusThe UFC returned to the Land of the Rising Sun tonight, delivering an exciting line-up from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Ben Henderson won a decision to become the Lightweight Champion in the headlining bout, while Ryan Bader defeated Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in the co-main event. Mark Hunt picked up his third straight octagon victory, knocking out Cheick Kongo in the opening-round, and Jake Shields outworked Yoshihiro Akiyama to win on the scorecards. Also picking up important main card victories were Tim Boetsch and Anthony Pettis, each scoring impressive knockout wins, while Hatsu Hioki solidified his place as a contender, taking a decision over Bart Palaszewski.
The UFC awarded generous $65,000 bonuses to the night's top performers, who were announced by Dana White immediately following the event.
Fight of the Night: Frankie Edgar vs. Ben Henderson
Submission of the Night: Vaughan Lee
Knockout of the Night: Anthony Pettis
Full Results (via FightoftheNight.com):
Main Card
Ben Henderson defeats Frankie Edgar by unanimous decision (49-46 x2, 48-47)
Ryan Bader defeats Quinton Jackson by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Mark Hunt defeats Cheick Kongo by TKO at 2.11mins of Rd1
Jake Shields defeats Yoshihiro Akiyama by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Tim Boetsch defeats Yushin Okami by TKO at 0.54mins of Rd3
Hatsu Hioki defeats Bart Palaszewski by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
Anthony Pettis defeats Joe Lauzon by KO at 1.21mins of Rd1
Prelims
Takanori Gomi defeats Eiji Mitsuoka by TKO at 2.21mins of Rd2
Vaughan Lee defeats Norifumi Yamamoto by submission (armbar) at 4.29mins of Rd1
Riki Fukuda defeats Steve Cantwell by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27 x2)
Chris Cariaso defeats Takeya Mizugaki by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Issei Tamura defeats Tiequan Zhang by KO at 0.32mins of Rd2
Comments
It definetly seemed to bid well for the japanese fighters to fight at home. Hatsu Hioki was amazing! Joe was humbled by Pettis.
A damn good night of fights.
The Bendo-Edgar fight was amazing!
I missed the Pettis knockout---but I saw a brief replay later--dang.
I definitely think Tim Boetsch deserved KO of the night for treating Okami like that. Other than that it seemed right on with the bonuses. This was a night of upsets!
agree Tim should have had ko of the night with a comeback. Although mark hunts ko was also a nasty one
I had akiyama win at least 1 round judges gave shields all 3..
Akiyama really didn't do much in that fight
Tim Boetch shud have got a bonus that was a savage beating
I'll be the third to say that Tim Boetsch deserved the KO of the night.... really there should of been 3 KO of the nights awarded, and the prize just split. Tamura, Hunt and Boetsch all deserved them over Pettis.
Cheick Kongo should have lost hes a load of shit!!!!!
disagree with fotn.
so what fight was your FOTN?
Ben looked as good as ever and was very dominant, felt really bad for Okami that lost so suddenly after dominating the fight.
Its good to see Gomi get a win.
Dana time to cut the following BUMS: Cantwell,he's gotta go! that fighting robotic gorilla that goes by the of Kongo,he sucks!!! and you gave one too many chances to Mr.Bumiyama,he nickname should be: Mr.No game plan! my goodness tell him he can stay home but that you guys are leaving! =D
keep kongo he's at least a good gatekeeper