last year and Nik won the same weight class at white belt (they have since both been promoted). Nik also has a strong kickboxing background. The crowd is live for this one, probably the louder cheers for Luke.

Round 1

Fighters touch gloves. Luke looks for a big punch which grazes the chin of Nik, Nike shoots and gets a guillotine. Nik pulls guard and looks tight, but Luke's head pops out and he begins to pound away. Nik defends well pulling Luke's head down and after some inactivity Luke pushes the fight into the fence. Luke attempts to pass, Nik turtles, Luke keeps moving and takes the back, getting the rear naked choke for the tap!

Official Decision: Luke Rockhold by RNC in 3'06 in round 1

If you're watching on TV, I'm sure you see Gina Carano being interviewed. Wonder what she's doing in San Jose?


Joe "Diesel" Riggs vs Luke Stewart
3x5 rounds 170 pounds

Again, Luke Stewart is an OTM sponsored fighter, training partner and good friend of many years. Joe Riggs looks positively angry at the weigh ins yesterday. This should be a great fight, maybe a throwback to the classic striker vs grappler match ups (although both are obviously more well rounded than that).

Round 1

The referee is none other than Big John McCarthy!

Fighters touch gloves and circle. Luke pushes the action and takes Riggs to the ground, landing in Riggs ful guard against the fence. Riggs doing a good job of holding Luke's head and the fight goes back to the feet. Now Riggs circles Luke to the fence but the two break up and stand in the center of the cage. Kick by Luke to the takedown, but Riggs tries to get to his feet. Joe looks like he is trying a wizzer, Luke goes for the back but Riggs gets put on his back to half guard. The fighters are against the fence and looks to pas, nearly gaining the mount. Luke shifts to side control. Luke tries to mont but winds up back in Rigg's half guard. Luke finally passes to mount, Riggs revcovers quickly however. Time expires.

Gumby's score: 10-9 for Luke Stewart

Round 2

Fighters circle, Luke tries a few kicks and goes to the clinch right away. This time Riggs gets the takedown to Luke's full guard. Luke manages to spin his back off the cage and prevents Riggs from getting much damage from here. Big right from Riggs stuns Luke, back to the feet but Riggs is relentless. Luke drops for a single leg but Riggs contines to hammer away forcing referee Bg John McCarthy to stop the bout.

Official decision:

Joe Riggs by referee stoppage (strikes) 2:05 of the second round.


Line Kvokov vs Kim Couture
3x3 minute rounds 130 pounds

Kim Couture gets a loud ovation from the San Jose crowd. Maybe I'm missing it, but I haven't seen her husband Randy Couture around. In Kim's corner is Gina Carano.

Round 1

The ladies waste no time throwing hay makers at each other and Kim is definitely getting the better of the exchange. Line actually turns her back at points and walks away to avoid damage. The fighters clinch but once they break Kim continues to land bombs, Line turning her back to avoid damage and finally the ref steps in. Oh, and Randy was there the entire time, a little more incognito in his cap.

Official Decision: Kim Couture by referee stoppage 1:44 (strikes)

Yves Edwards vs Duane Ludwig
3x5 minute Rounds 164 pounds

This was originally scheduled to be the main event, with Yves Edwards taking on Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thompson. A toe injury forced Josh off the card and Duane Ludwig stepped up on short notice to take the bout. This should be a fun one, both fighters have been around a long time in the MMA game, and although they have been rounding out their games they are based on striking.

Round 1

Surprise! Yves goes immediately for the takedown and lands in the center of the cage inside Duane's butterfly guard. Yves attempts to pass but lands into the half guard. Yves continues to pressure and passes to side control. Duane rolls to his side and as Yves strikes manages to establish half guard again, and then butterfly guard, then to full guard. Yves uses his striking to set up his passing, it looks like he's REALLY been improving on his ground work. Duane looks like he might be trying to set up a submission from high guard, Yves responds with a flurry of punches. Yves continuing to try to pressure moves to half guard again as the crowd begins to boo, time expires on the round.

Gumby's score: 10-9 Yves Edwards

Round 2

Fighters exchange jabs then Yves lands a nice uppercut. Does nothing to Duane however, Yves attepts to grab the head and throw knees, Duane gets out. Takedown by Yves, Duane gets back up and begins to initiate his own offense from the feet. An exchange and Yves goes for the the takedown again. Center of the cage with Edwards in half guard, nearly passing, but Duane manages to hold him there. Edwards to side control but Ludwig recovers to half guard again, then regains his feet. Ludwig briefly gets the takedown but Edwards recovers and scores his own takedown, to Ludwig's closed guard. Crowd very restless now, the Arena looks mostly full by now.

Edwards tries to ground and pound but Ludwig gets it back to the feet. The two clinch and exchange knees, but time runs out on the round again.

Gumby's score: 10-9 Yves Edwards

Round 3

Some tentative exchanges on the feet,