Tune in at 10:00 PM ET for coverage of UFC 155: Dos Santos vs. Velasquez II. Ryan Kelly will be liveblogging the main card for your enjoyment.
Hello and welcome to theScore's ongoing coverage of the UFC. Tonight we present UFC 155: Dos Santos vs. Velasquez II.
We have five fights on the main card tonight, highlighted, of course, by the heavyweight title tilt between Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez. It is a re-match of their November 2011 fight when dos Santos defeated Velasquez via first round TKO to claim the heavyweight championship.
Since then, dos Santos has defended his belt once -- a second round TKO over Frank Mir -- while Velasquez got back in the win column with a second round TKO of Antonio Silva.
@erik generik Thanks for joining. I would definitely have a lean to JDS in the title fight. Having said that, I'm interested in what kind of Cain we see knowing he wasn't 100 per cent in that first meeting. Junior's power is legit though.
The co-main event is a lightweight bout between Joe Lauzon and Jim Miller; with three middleweight fights -- Tim Boetsch/Costa Philippou; Alan Belcher/Yushin Okami; and Chris Leben/Derek Brunson.
@erik generik Sounds awesome. G'luck, man.
@The painter It's actually not clear. Apparently he's taking some time off.
@Aj That was the first report. Later clarified that he was taking time off. No timetable for a return.
Brunson will have a reach advantage of about 7 and 1/2 inches.
Just a heads up that I won't be posting many if any comments in round. Trying to focus on the action. Don't assume you're being ignored.
Herb Dean is the referee.
Brunson opens up with a kick to the body.
He goes for another and Leben catches it, tries to trip Brunson but is unsuccessful. Brunson then counters with a double-leg and scores the takedown.
Brunson out of the full guard, then gets side control briefly, but Leben scrambles and gets back to half guard.
Then all the way back to full guard.
Good defense on the ground from Leben.
Brunson postures up and throws a couple elbows.
Leben starts to look for a triangle, but Brunson pushes him away and then dives into side control.
Brunson then moves to mount, looks for an arm triangle, Leben pulls out of that. Brunson still with the mount though and lands a BIG elbow.
But Leben is back to half-guard.
About 90 seconds left in the round.
Leben now back to full guard.
Again he starts to look for a triangle, but Brunson gets out, postures up and lands some ground and pound. Brunson's top control is pretty solid right now.
Brunson with a big left hand, but it's while Leben is trying to get back to his feet, which he does.
Round ends. Definitely one for Brunson.
@Flashman Not sure what to you tell you, mate. Should probably call your cable or satellite provider.
Velasquez's striking is so underrated. #UFC155by Eric Cvetanovski via twitter 12/30/2012 3:06:40 AM
I am taking JDS tonight over Cain by KO. #UFC155by govtpeanutbutta via twitter 12/30/2012 3:06:42 AM
Its time! Main card picks are Lauzon, Leben, Belcher, Boetsch and Dos Santos! #UFC155by BrownSugarMMA via twitter 12/30/2012 3:06:46 AM
Seriously hope Leben MAULS Brunson. That being said, I picked Brunson to take a decision. #UFC155by JamesPinkham via twitter 12/30/2012 3:08:04 AM
