Welcome to MMAFrenzy.com’s LIVE coverage of UFC 88 “Breakthrough”.

In the main event former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell returned to the octagon to earn a shot at the 205-pound belt currently held by Forrest Griffin against Rashad Evans, the undefeated winner of The Ultimate Fighter 2 who looked to take out the promotion’s former light heavyweight king for his own potential shot at glory.

In other main card bouts former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin returned to the 205-pound light heavyweight division to meet Matt Hamill, former PRIDE dual champion Dan Henderson took on Rousimar Palhares, middleweights Martin Kampmann and Nate Marquardt clashed to further climb the middleweight ladded, and Dong Hyun Kim looked to keep his undefeated record intact against Matt Brown.

The UFC 88 preliminary card featured Thiago Tavares vs. Kurt Pellegrino, Tim Boetsch vs. Mike Patt, Roan Carneiro vs. Ryo Chonan, and Jason Lambert vs. Jason MacDonald.

UFC 88 “Breakthrough” took place on Saturday, September 6th, at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia and aired live on pay-per-view.

Continue reading for MMAFrenzy.com’s LIVE coverage of UFC 88 “Breakthrough”…

QUICK RESULTS

• Rashad Evans def. Chuck Liddell via KO - Round 2, 1:51
• Rich Franklin def. Matt Hamill via TKO - Round 3, 0:39
• Dan Henderson def. Rousimar Palhares via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Nate Marquardt def. Martin Kampmann via TKO - Round 1, 1:22
• Dong Hyun Kim def. Matt Brown via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Kurt Pellegrino def. Thiago Tavares via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-28)
• Tim Boetsch def. Mike Patt via TKO - Round 1, 2:03
• Jason MacDonald def. Jason Lambert via submission (rear naked choke) - Round 2, 1:20
• Ryo Chonan def. Roan Carneiro via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)

RESULTS

CHUCK LIDDELL VS. RASHAD EVANS

In tonight’s UFC 88 main event former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell looks to knock off the undefeated winner of The Ultimate Fighter 2 Rashad Evans and earn a shot at the 205-pound title. Liddell has a 3-inch height and one-inch reach advantage over Evans. Rashad enters the fight undefeated with a 16-0-1 record while Liddell is 21-5 in his career.

ROUND 1 — They touch gloves and circle. Liddell unleashes a combo and continues to circle Evans looking for openings. Evans connects with a right and Liddell fires back with a big right. Body kick by Evans. Evans avoids a big right. Jab by Rashad followed by a leg kick. Evans continues to change stances but Liddell is stalking and lands a jab as we enter the final minute of the opening round. Overhand by Liddell is countered by a leg kick. Evans opens up a cut under Liddell’s right eye. Liddell lands some punches late and just misses with a last-second kick. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Liddell.

ROUND 2 –Liddell connects with a right and Evans counters with a left. Another right by Liddell, who keeps Evans near the fence. Left hook by Evans. Both fighters throw big punches and Liddell just misses with an uppercut while Evans knocks Liddell out cold with an overhand.

Rashad Evans def. Chuck Liddell via KO - Round 2, 1:51

RICH FRANKLIN VS. MATT HAMILL

In the co-main event of the evening former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin moves up to the 205-pound light heavyweight division to take on wrestler Matt Hamill in a clash of styles. The height and reach are identical in this matchup, though Franklin holds a distinct experience advantage with a 25-3 record compared to Hamill’s 6-1 mark.

ROUND 1 — Hamill and Franklin touch gloves and we’re underway. They circle and Franklin opens with a leg kick. Another leg kick by Franklin followed by another. Hamill closes and throws a knee but Franklin counters with a punch. Right by Hamill followed by a kick to the body by Franklin. Another exchange punctuated by a body kick by Franklin. Leg kick from Franklin followed by a body shot. Hamill opens a cut up above Franklin’s right eye but Franklin continues to punish Hamill with leg kicks. We have yet to see Hamill go for a takedown as Franklin picks him apart on the feet. Hamill finally secures a takedown in the final minute but Franklin works for an armbar on the ground before returning to his feet and opening a cut above Hamill’s eye with a knee just before the end of the first round. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Franklin.

ROUND 2 — A less tentative start to the second as Franklin quickly fires a good kick that Hamill catches but releases. Good combination by Franklin connects but time is called to check the cut near Franklin’s eye. It’s a nasty gash but the doctor okays him to continue. Another combination by Franklin includes a kick to the body. Hamill counters but Franklin continues to land hard body kicks and inside leg kicks. One kick hit Hamill in the groin and we take a brief hiatus as Hamill recovers before we get back underway. Another good combination by Franklin. Hamill shoots in and tries for a takedown but Franklin keeps the fight on their feet. Pair of good lefts by Hamill but Franklin fires back with another kick to the body. Both fighter throw combos. Leg and body kicks from Franklin as we approach the final minute of the round. Hamill grabs a kick but Franklin escapes and connects with punches. Franklin throws another kick and it’s again caught by Hamill but he again keeps the fight standing where he’s picking Hamill apart. The second round comes to an end with Franklin dominating the standup and Hamill doing little to get Franklin to the ground. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Franklin.

ROUND 3 — Franklin has cuts in the corners of both eyes but they’re not bleeding and shouldn’t a factor in this one. Body kick by Franklin sets up a right. Knee to the body by Franklin. Franklin drops Hamill to the canvas with a kick to the ribs and the fight is immediately halted by the referee and Hamill taps.

Rich Franklin def. Matt Hamill via TKO - Round 3, 0:39

DAN HENDERSON VS. ROUSIMAR PALHARES

Henderson is 10 years older than Palhares but holds a three-inch height and reach advantage over his opponent. Palhares, a jiu jitsu fighters, enters with just a single loss to accompany his 17 professional victories. Henderson, a wrestler, has 22 wins on his record along with 7 defeats.

ROUND 1 — The fighters size one another up as there’s little action in the opening seconds. Palhares shoots in and Henderson hits him with a big right and tries to finish him off but Palhares recovers and looks for submissions so Henderson backs away and Palhares gets back to his feet. Another takedown attempt by Palhares is stuffed. Palhares connects with a body kick but Henderson sends Palhares to the mat with another big right. Henderson defends another attempted takedown. Slow kick to the body by Palhares is blocked. Another right by Henderson. A barrage of rights by Henderson floors Palhares and Henderson attempts to finish the fight but he’s hesitant to enter his guard and they return to their feet. Palhares connects with several wild kicks before both fighters recover and trade. Palhares finally gets Henderson to the ground and he lands in side control but Henderson regains half guard and neutralizes Palhares. Palhares secures a knee bar late but the round concludes. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Henderson.

ROUND 2 –Another tentative opening sees both fighters circle before Henderson unloads another big right. Palhares closes but Henderson tosses him to the ground and avoids. Palhares goes for the takedown and slams Henderson to the canvas. Both fighters are active on the ground as Henderson works elbows and Palhares looks for submissions. Palhares works a heel hook and kneebar but Henderson escapes to his feet and Palhares follows. Palhares shoots but Henderson sprawls and secures a choke. Palhares rolls out and they both get back to their feet. Another right by Henderson. Henderson stuffs a takedown attempt and works from Palhares’ guard. Henderson uses his wrestling to neutralize Palhares from the top. Elbows by Henderson. Referee Herb Dean stands the fighters up and they resume. Another right by Henderson finds its mark. The final seconds of the round tick away as both fighters fire kicks to close out the frame. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Palhares.

ROUND 3 –Palhares lands a couple solid kicks to open the final round and Henderson is patient and looks for an opening. Another kick by Palhares is blocked. Jab by Henderson. Palhares looks for a takedown but Henderson sprawls and tags Palhares for the effort. A pair of rights by Henderson. Henderson uses his reach advantage to avoid Palhares’ punches and looks to land punches of his own. Henderson connects with a one-two combo. Henderson connects with more punches then Palhares tries for another takedown but Henderson gets back to his feet. Palhares secures a leg but Henderson escapes yet again. Henderson pours it on late with a big right and some ground and pound to close out the bout. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Henderson and the fight 29-28 Henderson.

Dan Henderson def. Rousimar Palhares via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

MARTIN KAMPMANN VS. NATE MARQUARDT

ROUND 1 –Both fighters fire punches and kicks early but nothing connects. Marquardt hurts Kampann with a kick then tags him with a combo. Kampmann survives briefly but Marquardt pours it on and finishes Kampann off with a flurry of punches that force the referee to step in and stop the bout.

Nate Marquardt def. Martin Kampmann via TKO - Round 1, 1:22

DONG HYUN KIM VS. MATT BROWN

Brown enters to “The Devil Went Down To Georgia” while Kim plays to the crowd as just the second South Korean to fight in the UFC. Brown, 10-6, is an even 6′ 0″ tall and fights out of Cincinnati while “Stun Gun” is undefeated at 10-0-1 with a slight, one-inch reach advantage over Brown.

ROUND 1 — They touch gloves and Brown looks very aggressive. Kim tags him with a left than takes Brown to the ground. Brown tries to return to his feet but gives up his back. Kim tries to capitalize but Brown gets back to his feet. Kim again takes his back and locks in a deep rear naked choke but Brown narrowly escapes. Kim gets his back again but Brown defends and gets into Kim’s guard on the ground. Both fighters return to their feet and they separate. Good body punch by Brown is countered by a head kick from Kim. Brown ducks a punch and connects with a punch to the body. Spinning backfist by Brown misses. Brown avoids a takedown attempt and delivers a good knee to the body as they clinch against the fence. Kim scores a trip takedown but Brown ends up on top and locks in a choke. Kim escapes and immediately takes Brown’s back yet again. Brown gets back on his feet with Kim on his back as the round comes to a close. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Kim.

ROUND 2 –Another touch of the gloves and Brown fires kicks. They trade punches. Brown connects with a solid shot to the body. Brown avoids another takedown then puts Kim onto the ground but he’s quickly back on his feet. Brown is all over Kim with punches and kicks in the opening minute of the round but Kim grabs a leg and the fighters briefly go to the ground. Back on their feet they clinch against the cage and Brown works strikes to Kim’s body. Brown takes Kim to the ground and works from his guard then backs away and works power punches from his feet to the downed Kim. Brown lets Kim return to his feet and immediately lands a knee to the body before they clinch. More shots to the body by Brown before they separate and Brown lands a hard combo. Brown is the fresher fighter in the final seconds of the round and dodges a punch then takes Kim to the ground. Brown briefly works for an arm triangle on the ground then throws ground and pound on Kim for the final seconds. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Brown.

ROUND 3 –Brown is aggressive and quickly throws a kick and more shots to the body. They stop the fight to a couple moments as Brown forgot his mouthpiece but we’re quickly back underway. Kim tries to catch a kick from Brown but he escapes. Superman punch by Brown misses and Kim shoots in and scores a takedown. Kim is right into side control and tries to mount Brown but Brown escapes back onto his feet and works more knees to the body of Kim. They clinch against the cage and Brown keeps the fight on their feet despite takedown attempts by Kim. Kim connects with a big left hook then goes and tries for a takedown but a whizzer by Brown keeps the fight on the feet. Kim eventually succeeds in getting Brown to the mat and works from his opponent’s guard. Brown keeps him from posturing up or passing and they exchange elbows on the ground. Kim has opened a cut on Brown’s cheek but it shouldn’t be an issue as the final seconds tick away. More elbows from the top by Kim in the closing seconds of the fight. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Kim and the fight 29-28 Kim.

Dong Hyun Kim def. Matt Brown via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

KURT PELLEGRINO VS. THIAGO TAVARES

ROUND 1 — Pellegrino drops Tavares to the canvas in the opening seconds but Tavares narrowly survives and returns to his feet. Pellegrino lands another big punch that sends Tavares to the ground and Pellegrino follows. Pellegrino mounts Tavares and drops shots from the top but Tavares survives and gets back into half guard. Tavares works back to his feet but Pellegrino gets him back to the ground before the round ends. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-8 Pellegrino.

ROUND 2 — Tavares and Pellegrino exchange punches early then Tavares accidentally pokes Pellegrino in the eye and they stop the fight to allow time to recover. They resume and continue to exchange with Pellegrino getting the better of the standup. Tavares looks for takedowns, eventually putting Pellegrino on the mat and working ground and pound before Pellegrino secures and armbar. Tavares appears to tap but he eventually escapes and the fight continues. Tavares closes out the round with more ground and pound. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Tavares.

ROUND 3 — Tavares shoots early for a takedown but Pellegrino temporarily locks in a guillotine before forcing Tavares to the ground. They return to their feet and Tavares tosses Pellegrino but it’s reversed nicely by Pellegrino. They tussle for position on the ground for the remainder of the fight. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Pellegrino and the fight 29-27 Pellegrino.

Kurt Pellegrino def. Thiago Tavares via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-28)

TIM BOETSCH VS. MIKE PATT

ROUND 1 — Both fighters throw wild punches early but nothing finds its mark. Boetsch lands a stiff jab and Patt shoots for a takedown. Boetsch dodges then locks up with Patt. They separate and both fighters throw more punches. Boetsch drops Patt to the canvas with a big right and finishes him off with more punches on the ground that force the referee to intervene.

Tim Boetsch def. Mike Matt via TKO - Round 1, 2:03

JASON LAMBERT VS. JASON MACDONALD

ROUND 1 –MacDonald connects with punches early than takes Lambert to the ground. Lambert briefly has a guillotine choke but MacDonald escapes and works ground and pound from Lambert’s guard. MacDonald continues to connect with a mix of strikes from the top. Lambert secures a deep guillotine late in the round but MacDonald holds on. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 MacDonald.

ROUND 2 — MacDonald and Lambert exchange big punches to open the second then MacDonald again takes Lambert to the ground. MacDonald moves to mount and Lambert gives up his back. MacDonald gets a body triangle then secures a rear naked choke that forces Lambert to tap out at 1:20 of the second.

Jason MacDonald def. Jason Lambert via submission (rear naked choke) - Round 2, 1:20

ROAN CARNEIRO VS. RYO CHONAN

ROUND 1 — Carneiro tries to take Chonan down early but he sprawls and avoids the takedown. Carneiro pulls guard and they exchange on the ground. Carneiro tries for a triangle then transitions to an omoplata but Chonan escapes. Carneiro passes to side control and works ground and pound before Chonan gets back to his feet. They trade punches before the opening round comes to an end. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Carneiro.

ROUND 2 — The fighters trade shots then Carneiro trips to the canvas and Chonan moves into his guard. Chonan works ground and pound from the top and presses his opponent against the cage but Carneiro limits the damage as Chonan holds on to the position for the majority of the frame. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Chonan.

ROUND 3 — Carneiro shoots in for a takedown but Chonan remains on his feet. Carneiro again pulls guard but quickly tries to return to his feet. Chonan connects with a knee to the body then Carneiro stands back up. Carneiro gets Chonan to the mat and starts to work from his guard. There’s little action on the ground and the fighters eventually return to their feet. Another takedown attempt by Carneiro is stuffed by Chonan, who reverses Carneiro to the mat. Chonan closes out the round with some late punches. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Chonan and the fight 29-28 Chonan.

Ryo Chonan def. Roan Carneiro via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)