'UFC 105: Couture vs. Vera' — Blow-by-Blow

(When Logan saw the scarf, a chill went through her body. The beaten, bloodied man she saw in the alley — suddenly it all made sense. / Photo courtesy of the UFC 105: Weigh in Pics set on CombatLifestyle.)

By now, Randy Couture and Brandon Vera have already headlined UFC 105 in Manchester, England. Either Mike Swick or Dan Hardy has earned a title shot against Georges St. Pierre. Michael Bisping could have put on a heroic performance against Denis Kang in front of his fellow Brits, or he could have been exposed again. Maybe I already know what happened in these fights; if so, I'm not telling, at least not yet. Maybe you know as well, in which case we're flattered that you're here, but we're a little curious as to what you're doing on CagePotato on a Saturday night, reading descriptions of fights that you've already seen live in England or via an Internet feed, or at the very least spoiled for yourself on another website, especially when they're being shown right now on Spike TV, though if you live on the West Coast, the show won't even begin for another three hours. It's all a little mind-bending when you stop to think about it, so don't. Don't think. Simply flow, and flow simply. Exist only in this moment. Round-by-round updates from the UFC 105 Spike TV broadcast are after the jump. Refresh the page every few minutes to see the latest, and please leave your thoughts in the comments section. Now, let us watch fights...

My God this Manchester sausage-fest. Where the ladies at, fellas? Rogan says that if Couture wins tonight, it puts him in a position where he can challenge Machida. (Ed. note: Or Rua.) Talk about a fast-track. Hey, nobody told me the Super Dave Spectacular was after this! All right!

Ross Pearson vs. Aaron Riley

Round 1: Both men start feeling out with jabs. Leg kick Pearson. Short right from Pearson, and another. Leg kick Pearson. And a high kick off Riley's glove. Pearson grabs the Thai clinch and works the knees. He puts Riley against the fence and unloads some punches. More knees to Riley's head, and dirty boxing. A knee to the body. Riley escapes. Pearson tries a body kick. Pearson clinches again and gets in a knee and elbow before Riley gets out. Big body kick from Pearson. Stuff superman punch from Pearson. Riley comes forward with punches. Pearson tries the clinch again and gets in some shots. Left and a right from Pearson. Riley tries for a single leg and is rebuffed. Right to the body from Pearson, and a high kick. More knees in the clinch from Riley. And the horn. Dominant first frame from Pearson.

Round 2: Leg kick Riley. Pearson charges when he tries it again and beats Riley up in a clinch. Riley pushes off and throws a high kick, but they soon get back to brawling in the clinch. They separate. Awesome left/right/right from Pearson, all landing cleanly. Pearson blocks a high kick.Left hook from Pearson. They clinch and trade knees. Pearson snaps a right straight. He dashes in with two rights and moves out. Body kick Pearson. Knee and two punches from Pearson. And a hard body kick. They clinch and Pearson slips in an uppercut. Hard right from Pearson. Riley misses a superman punch. Leg kick Pearson. They clinch, and Pearson drives a jumping knee into Riley's face. Riley is cut badly. Blood is cascading from the top of his nose, and the ref pauses the fight to get it checked out. It ain't good. He can't see through that mess, and the win is awarded to Ross Pearson after a very impressive striking performance.
Ross Pearson def. Aaron Riley via TKO (doctor's stoppage), 4:38 of round 2
Pearson says he went through a 15 week training camp preparing for Aaron Riley. It certainly paid off. After his plodding performance against Andre Winner at the TUF 9 finale, Ross Pearson is one to watch again.

James Wilks vs. Matt Brown

Round 1: They warm up with leg kicks, then clinch. Brown has Wilks against the fence, but Wilks turns him around. Wilks creates some distance and lands some punches. Brown moves out and Wilks jumps on his back after trying for a takedown. The choke attempt doesn't pan out, and they're back to clinching. The ref breaks 'em up and Brown comes in throwing fire. Wilks shoots in to slow him down, pressing him against the fence. Wilks with some dirty boxing, and the ref breaks them again. Now Wilks is the aggresor, landing a head kick and pushing Brown against the fence again. Brown with a knee to the ribs. Wilks tries for a takedown, and Brown tries to lock in a guillotine. Wilks frees himself and finishes the takedown. Brown gets up and tries a standing kimura. They separate and the round ends.

Round 2: Leg kick Brown. Jabs from Wilks. Head kick Brown. Brown throws a flying knee and knocks Wilks down. Brown pounces and starts throwing down punches, but Wilks grabs a leg and almost nails the submission. Brown escapes and they're back to their feet, clinching. They separate briefly, before going back to the tie-up and trading knees. Wilks working for a takedown and Brown defends it. Punches in the clinch from Wilks. The ref separates them.  Wilks lands a high kick and punches, but Brown fires back and rocks Wilks, who then shoots for Brown's legs. Brown jumps on and starts punching, but Wilks reverses him, getting into side control. Brown attacking with elbows from his back. Wilks moves into Brown's guard and Brown kicks him off. Wilks dives in with a punch and Brown immediately sets up a triangle, but Wilks is saved by the bell.

Round 3: Leg kick Wilks. Body kick Brown. Wilks comes in for another clinch, but fails the takedown attempt. Jab Wilks, who clinches again. Brown tries some knees. Wilks sets up a standing kimura and takes Brown to the mat with it. Brown desperately trying to defend it, and he escapes after a scary moment. Brown tries a guillotine after he's free, then manages to transition into full mount on Wilks. He rains down bombs until Wilks gives up his back and turtles. The ref stops it. Great win for Brown, overcoming Wilks's dull, clinchy antics.
Matt Brown def. James Wilks via TKO, 2:27 of round 3.

Randy Couture rolls in with...good Lord, is that his new, 21-year-old blonde girlfriend? This man is a freak of nature.

Andre Winner vs. Rolando Delgado (from the undercard)

Round 1: Delgado shoots in with a knee, but Winner brushes him off. Sharp leg kick from Winner. Winner floors Delgado with a massive right, but backs off after a moment spent on the ground. Winner misses a right. They clinch briefly. Roli gets in a knee and a leg kick. Roli with some jabs. Winner lands a left hook. Winner with a right, and then another. Leg kick Winner. Winner lands the big right hand again and Delgado goes to sleep against the fence.
Andre Winner def. Rolando Delgado via KO, 3:22 of round 1

Joe Rogan is interviewing Tito Ortiz via satellite from Big Bear. Ortiz is wearing dark sunglasses, either to hide a black eye that he got from campmate Cris Cyborg, or to accentuate his doucheyness. Ortiz thought he would get an easier fight for his return bout, but he's ready for Forrest. 

Michael Bisping vs. Denis Kang
Miragliotta is back? Uh-oh.

Round 1: Leg kick Kang. He throws another and Bisping almost catches it. Bisping swings and misses. Kang lands a right, dropping Bisping on the way in. Kang gets on top, in half-guard. He passes to side-control, but Bisping re-establishes half-guard. Kang throwing down shots where he can. Kang tries to score mount, but Bisping defends. Kang with some punches from the top. Bisping tries to roll Kang, but Kang gets mount. Bisping escapes again, and soon establishes guard. Bisping looking for an armbar. Kang goes to half-guard after a failed armbar attempt, but Bisping regains guard. There's the horn. 10-9 Kang, but Bisping impresses with his ability to stay out of serious trouble.

Round 2: Bisping asks "what happened?" in his corner, but he comes out throwing kicks with confidence. Bisping lands a couple short punches. Leg kick Bisping. Kang with a looping right that lands. Kang with another right. Bisping shoots and works Kang to the mat. He stands up and throws punches down from high altitude. Bisping pouring on the damage, but Kang uses the distance to get to his feet. Bisping scores a slick takedown and it's back to ground and pound. A bloodied Kang escapes to his feet, very wobbly. Kang comes forward with punches. Bisping returns. Bisping shoots for the double-leg and starts bashing. Kang rolls and Bisping throws knees to his ribs and jackhammers some punches until the ref stops it. Bisping is back, and Kang's formerly fearsome reputation is officially six feet under.

Michael Bisping def. Denis Kang via TKO, 4:24 of round 2. Bisping's son Caleb comes in to share in the glory, while Kang is still on the mat being tended to. Holy shit, Caleb starts throwing high kicks and armbars his dad in the center of the Octagon! Future champion!