In the evening’s co-main event Junior dos Santos battered the legend Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic through out the first two rounds of the fight. Filipovic looked his best in the first round of the fight, but as the fight wore on dos Santos took over. In the third round, it was more of the same, and eventually dos Santos forced Filipovic verbally submit after landing a combination of knees and punches to his head.

UFC debutant Paul Daley made good on his debut, upsetting UFC veteran Martin Kampmann with a first round TKO. With the TKO loss for Kampann, any title hopes he had coming into the bout have been spoiled. Daley’s victory over Kampmann gives him a strong injection into the UFC’s welterweight division.

In Frank Trigg’s return to the UFC, Josh Koscheck played spoiler and ended his night in the first round with a series of strikes, beginning on the feet, and then finishing him on the ground.

Both bouts on the SpikeTV televised portion of the card ended early. In the first bout Drew McFedries did not look his usual self, and eventually succumbed to a rear naked choke at 1:03 of the second round. In the second of the scheduled SpikeTV bouts, Efrain Escudero ended Cole Miller’s night early, with a first round technical knock out, 3:30 in.

The official results for UFC 103 were:

• Vitor Belfort def. Rich Franklin via KO — 3:02 Round 1
• Junior Dos Santos def. Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic via verbal submission (strikes) — 2:00 Round 3
• Paul Daley def. Martin Kampmann via TKO — 2:31 Round 1
• Josh Koscheck def. Frank Trigg via TKO — 1:25 Round 1
• Tyson Griffin def. Hermes Franca via KO — 3:26 Round 2
• Efrain Escudero def. Cole Miller via TKO — 3:36 Round 1
• Tomasz Drwal def. Drew McFedries via submission (rear naked choke) — 1:03 Round 2
• Jim Miller def. Steve Lopez via TKO (shoulder injury) — 0:48 Round 2
• Nick Lentz def. Rafaello Oliveira via unanimous decision — 29-28 (2x), 30-27
• Rick Story def. Brian Foster via submission (arm triangle) — 1:09 Round 2
• Eliot Marshall def. Jason Brilz via split decision — 30-27 (2x), 27-30
• Vladimir Matyushenko def. Igor Pokrajac via unanimous decision — all three judges scored the bout 30-27
• Rafael dos Anjos def. Rob Emerson via unanimous decision — all three judges scored the bout 30-27

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view)
Vitor Belfort vs. Rich Franklin Prediction:
Belfort def. Rich Franklin via (T)KO — Round 2
I personally will be pulling for Rich Franklin to pick up another victory in this bout, as I’m sure many other fans will be as well. However, Vitor Belfort has been on a role lately and has devastating power in his speedy hands. If Franklin can avoid Belfort’s power, he has a chance at pulling this victory out with a decision, but I don’t think that’s going to happen. I think Belfort is going to be too quick and too strong for Franklin, and will pull off the TKO in the second round. Franklin will be smart, and careful enough to avoid Belfort’s power for a while, but eventually he will be too slow getting out of the way of Belfort’s hands and will get caught.

Junior Dos Santos vs. Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic Prediction:
Junior dos Santos def. Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic via (T)KO — Round 1
Like the last bout, I will likely be pulling for the fighter I see as the underdog, Cro Cop is a legend, and I really want him to do well this time around in the UFC. Cro Cop is a top level striker, and has knocked out some of the best fighters in the world, but in recent years he seems to have lost some of his speed and power. Junior dos Santos is a hungry young fighter, with dynamite in his hands, and impressive speed. Cro Cop’s ability to avoid damage recently has been suspect in m opinion, and I think that dos Santos will overwhelm him early and not let up, putting him down in the first round.

Martin Kampmann vs. Paul Daley Prediction:
Martin Kampmann def. Paul Daley via submission — Round 1
Paul Daley is making his UFC debut filling in for Mike Swick on short notice, though he was already slated to fight on the card. Kampmann is a top level fighter, who boasts heavy hands and a strong ground game. Daley is an outstanding stand up fighter, with knock out power, but Kampmann is no slouch in the striking department. The difference in this fight will likely be Daley’s relative lack of a ground game. I expect Kampmann to take Daley down early and ground and pound his way beyond Daley’s submission defense, and eventually lock in a fight ending submission.

Josh Koscheck vs. Frank Trigg Prediction:
Frank Trigg def. Josh Koscheck via unanimous decision
I think that Trigg and Koscheck are similar fighters, and I think that Trigg’s experience will pay dividends in this fight. Both fighters have good hands, and good wrestling and this fight could take place anywhere. Though both fighters are capable of ending fights, I don’t see it happening in this one, especially since I’m predicting Trigg for the win and his last few have come via decision. I will admit that I’m partly selected with my heart and not my head on this one, I just really like watching Koscheck lose.

Hermes Franca vs. Tyson Griffin Prediction:
Tyson Griffin def. Hermes Franca via unanimous decision
Tyson Griffin is a top level fighter from Sacramento with a strong wrestling base. He has won multiple “Fight of the Night” honors and will definitely be pushing the action against Hermes Franca tonight. Franca has shown a past weakness against strong wrestlers and I expect more of the same here. I believe Griffin will grind out a decision with crisper striking on the feet, and some quality take downs and top control.

PRELIMINARY CARD (Spike TV)

Erain Escudero vs. Cole Miller Prediction:
Cole Miller def. Efrain Escudero via submission — Round 2
Escudero is a strong wrestler with capable ground and pound, but I think Miller is the more complete fighter and will catch Escudero in the second, possibly set up by rocking him standing.

Tomasz Drwal vs. Drew McFedries Prediction:
Drew McFedries def. Tomasz Drwal via (T)KO — Round 1
This bout will probably be over quick. Both men have won “Knockout of the Night” honors in previous outings, and will likely come out swinging for the fences. In some ways I think the outcome of this fight depends on who connects first, and I think that will be McFedries, who I also believe possesses more power.

PRELIMINARY CARD (Non-Televised)
Predictions:

• Jim Miller def. Steve Lopez via submission — Round 1
• Rafaello Oliveira def. Nick Lentz via split decision
• Rick Story def. Brian Foster via unanimous decision
• Elliot Marshall def. Jason Brilz via submission — Round 2
• Vladimir Matyushenko def. Igor Pokrajac via (T)KO — Round 3
• Rob Emerson def. Rafael dos Anjos via (T)KO — Round 1

KRIS KARKOSKI’s UFC 103 QUICK PREDICTIONS

• Vitor Belfort def. Rich Franklin via (T)KO — Round 2
• Junior Dos Santos def. Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic via (T)KO — Round 2
• Martin Kampmann def. Paul Daley via (T)KO — Round 3
• Josh Koscheck def. Frank Trigg via unanimous decision
• Tyson Griffin def. Hermes Franca via unanimous decision
• Cole Miller def. Efrain Escudero via submission — Round 2
• Tomasz Drwal def. Drew McFedries via (T)KO — Round 1
• Jim Miller def. Steve Lopez via unanimous decision
• Rafaello Oliveira def. Nick Lentz via unanimous decision
• Rick Story def. Brian Foster via submission — Round 2
• Jason Brilz def. Eliot Marshall via (T)KO — Round 3
• Vladimir Matyushenko def. Igor Pokrajac via unanimous decision
• Rob Emerson def. Rafael dos Anjos via (T)KO — Round 2

FR702’s UFC 103 PREDICTIONS

• Rich Franklin def. Vitor Belfort via unanimous decision
  I honestly believe that Rich will win this via UD, and stay just a step ahead of Vitor… Belfort isn’t going to run straight out and attack wildly but for some reason I just see Rich being the victor in this bout… Watchout for the left Rich because if you get touched you might go down…
• Junior dos Santos def. Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic via (T)KO — round 1
  As much as I personally want to see the Left High Kick ko from Cro Cop, I have to admit that I see dos Santos winning this bout in first via (t)ko.
• Martin Kampmann def. Paul Daley via submission — Round 2
  Paul Daley stepping up and face a very tough guy on short notice, I was seriously looking forward to seeing Swick v Kampmann but hey this will do. No doubt that Daley holds power, and really needs to work on his ground technique I just see Martin overwhelming him with speed and takedowns and Kampmann wins this via submission in round 2. I see this fight being very similar to Kampmann v McFedries.
• Josh Koscheck def. Frank Trigg via unanimous decision
  Welcome back Trigg, for your first fight you have to face a guy that is just as good as you in wrestling someone who has better submission technique than you do and perhaps has faster more powerful hands. Plus you dissed me and Eric at the Loews in Philly, I do however believe that this fight will go to a decision and it will be unanimous for Koscheck.
• Tyson Griffin def. Hermes Franca via unanimous decision
  I see this being a battle of wills and I can’t bring myself to give Franca the win by any means. Sure he hits hard and has great subs but Griffin can take a punch and we all know that he DOES NOT TAP. Franca has his own issues with strong wrestlers, so in this fight I’m going with Griffin via unanimous decision.
• Cole Miller def. Efrain Escudero via unanimous decision
• Drew McFedries def. Tomasz Drawl via unanimous decision
• Jim Miller def. Steve Lopez via (T)KO — round 2
• Rafaello Oliveira def. Nick Lentz via submission — Round 2
• Brian Foster def. Rick Story via unanimous decision
• Elliot Marshall def. Jason Brilz via submission — Round 2
• Vladimir Matyushenko def. Igo Pokrajac via (T)KO — Round 2
• Rafael dos Anjos def. Rob Emerson via unanimous decision

Spike TV-televised combatant Efrain Escudero failed to make weight on his first attempt, weighing in at 157 pounds, one pound over the the non-title lightweight limit of 156. He, like Belfort, was given time to shed the extra weight and did so, weighing in at 156 pounds on a subsequent attempt.

The rest of the fighters on the 13-bout card, including main card fighters Josh Koscheck and Frank Trigg, successfully made weight on their first attempts for the Spike and pay-per-view televised event.

The official weigh-in results for UFC 103 were:

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view)

• Vitor Belfort (196) vs. Rich Franklin (195)
• Junior Dos Santos (236) vs. Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic (226)
• Martin Kampmann (169.5) vs. Paul Daley (170)
• Josh Koscheck (170) vs. Frank Trigg (170.25)
• Hermes Franca (159) vs. Tyson Griffin (155.5)^

PRELIMINARY CARD (Spike TV)

• Efrain Escudero (156) vs. Cole Miller (155)
• Tomasz Drwal (185) vs. Drew McFedries (185.25)

PRELIMINARY CARD

• Steve Lopez (154.5) vs. Jim Miller (154.5)
• Nick Lentz (155) vs. Rafaello Oliveira (155.25)
• Brian Foster (170.75) vs. Rick Story (170)
• Jason Brilz (205.25) vs. Elliot Marshall (204.75)
• Vladimir Matyushenko (205) vs. Igor Pokrajac (203)
• Rafael dos Anjos (155.5) vs. Rob Emerson (155.5)

*Belfort and Escudero each weighed-in over the limit for their bouts and have been given additional time to lose the additional weight.
^ These fighters agreed prior to the weigh-ins to meet at a catchweight of 159 pounds.

Stop back tomorrow for live UFC 103 coverage, as well as MMAFrenzy.com’s fight night recap and post-event news.

Click here for more UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort Coverage.

Spike TV announced on Friday that it will air Efrain Escudero vs. Cole Miller and Drew McFedries vs. Tomasz Drwal from the UFC 103 undercard during a live, one-hour, commercial-free broadcast beginning at 9pm ET on September 19 leading up to the UFC 103 pay-per-view.

Pictured: Anderson Silva

After having his 13-fight win streak that spanned more than 3 years ended by Thiago Silva in his Octagon debut in September 2007, Drwal (16-2, 2-1 UFC) rebounded to earn back-to-back knockout wins over Ivan Serati and Mike Ciesnolevicz in 2009.

Regarded for his knockout power, McFedries (8-5, 4-4 UFC) had lost two-straight fights to Mike Massenzio and Thales Leites before knocking out Xavier Foupa-Pokam in just 37-seconds in his most-recent fight in May. He had previously defeated Marvin Eastman, Jordan Radev, and Alessio Sakara in the UFC, while suffering losses to Martin Kampmann and Patrick Cote.

Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic vs. Junior dos Santos is expected to co-headline UFC 103 alongside a main event featuring Rich Franklin against an opponent to-be-announced. Mike Swick vs. Martin Kampmann, Josh Koscheck vs. Frank Trigg, Sean Sherk vs. Gleison Tibau, and Efrain Escudero vs. Cole Miller are also rumored for the card.

For the latest UFC rumors check out the MMAFrenzy.com MMA rumors section.

[Pictured: Drew McFedries]

• Joining Kimbo Slice and the previously rumored fighters on The Ultimate Fighter 10: Heavyweights, according to a rumored list of cast members that has circulated in recent days, will be Jim York, Justin Wren, Mike Wessel, Scott Junk, Zak Jensen, Darrill Schoonover, Jon Madsen, Tom Blackledge, and Abe Wagner.
• Andrei Arlovski has received a 60-day medical suspension following his first-round knockout loss to Brett Rogers at Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields on June 6, which has forced his boxing debut, which was to take place on June 27, to be postponed. Rafael Calvacante, who suffered a second-round TKO loss to Mike Kyle on the event’s preliminary card, was also suspended for 60 days.
• The first UFC Gym, whose features will include an “Arm Bar” with snacks and drinks, is set to open in Concord, California.
• After making critical remarks about Miletich Fighting Systems following his UFC 98 wins, Drew McFedries has been kicked out of the gym.
• Urijah Faber has been medically suspended until December 4th after suffering a broken right hand in his WEC 41 loss to Mike Brown on June 7.
• Lightweight contenders Ricardo Lamas and Danny Castillo will meet at WEC 42 in August.
• Randy Couture will train and corner Gina Carano for her Strikeforce 145-pound title bout against Cris Cyborg on August 15 in San Jose. Tickets for the event went on sale today and start at just $30.
• During a Q&A session before the UFC 99 weigh-ins, UFC President Dana White said he’s interested in signing Josh Barnett if he beats Fedor Emelianenko at Affliction: Trilogy in August.
• At the post-UFC 99 press conference on Saturday, Wanderlei Silva called for a rematch with Rich Franklin after suffering a close unanimous decision loss in the UFC 99 headliner. Dana White, meanwhile, wants Franklin to move back up to light heavyweight for a run at the 205-pound title.
• The UFC will host an event in the UK in October and the promotion is planning to hold 2 events in Canada in 2010, Dana White announced during the UFC 99 Q&A.
• At the post-UFC 99 press conference, welterweight contender Mike Swick said he’d “love to fight Matt Hughes”.
• A UFC 100 viewing party will be held at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall on July 11 with Frankie Edgar and Matt Hamill scheduled as special guests.
• Weigh-ins for The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale will take place this Friday at 4pm PT (7pm ET) at the Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas.
• Heavyweights Todd Duffee and Mike Russow are likely to fight at UFC 102 on August 29 in Portland, Oregon.
• Despite a planned appeal from Mostapha Al-Turk over his TKO loss to Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 99 on Saturday that was setup by an accidental eye poke, UFC Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner announced on Monday that an appeal was not possible as it was a judgment call made by referee Dan Mirgliotta.
• Weigh-ins for Friday’s Showtime-televised Strikeforce Challengers event at the ShoWare Center in Kent, Washington will take place on Thursday at the venue’s Club Lounge and are free and open to the public.

[Pictured: Josh Barnett and Fedor Emelianenko]

Main event loser Rashad Evans, who suffered a second-round knockout to Lyoto Machida, is suspended until July 23rd for precautionary reasons.

The longest suspensions were issued to winners Drew McFedries and Kyle Bradley as well as loser Pat Berry, who must be x-rayed and cleared by doctors or be suspended until December 10.

Receiving medical suspensions were:

• Rashad Evans (defeated by Lyoto Machida via R2 KO) — Suspended until July 23 with no contact until July 8 for precautionary reasons.
• Drew McFedries (defeated Xavier Foupa-Pokam via R1 KO) — Right wrist must be X-rayed and cleared by a doctor or suspended until December 10.
• Xavier Foupa-Pokam (defeated by Drew McFedries via R1 KO)  — Suspended until July 8 with no contact until June 23 for precautionary reasons.
• Sean Sherk (defeated by Frankie Edgar via unanimous decision) — Suspended until July 8 with no contact until June 23 for precautionary reasons.
• Pat Barry (defeated by Tim Hague via R1 guillotine submission) — Right foot must be X-rayed and cleared by a doctor or suspended until December 10. Minimum suspension until June 23 with no contact until June 14.
• Phillipe Nover (defeated by Kyle Bradley via R1 TKO) — Suspended until June 23 with no contact until June 14 for precautionary reasons.
• Kyle Bradley (defeated Phillipe Nover via R1 TKO) — Right hand must be X-rayed and cleared by a doctor or suspended until December 10.
• Andre Gusmao (defeated by Krzysztof Soszynski via R1 TKO) — Suspended until July 23 with no contact until July 8 for precautionary reasons.
• Dave Kaplan (defeated by George Roop via split decision) — Suspended until June 23 with no contact until June 14 for a nose laceration.

[Pictured: Drew McFedries punches Xavier Foupa-Pokam at UFC 98]

Evans, the former UFC light heavyweight champion who was defeated via second-round knockout by Machida, earned $200,000 for the bout. Machida received $140,000 for his main event victory.

Rivals Matt Hughes and Matt Serra took home $200,000 and $75,000 respectively for their matchup, which Hughes won by unanimous decision.

The official salaries for UFC 98, as reported to the Nevada State Athletic Commission, were:

• Lyoto Machida ($140,000 – includes $70,000 win bonus) def. Rashad Evans ($200,000)
• Matt Hughes ($200,000 – $100,000 win bonus) def. Matt Serra ($75,000)
• Drew McFedries ($34,000 – $17,000 win bonus) def. Xavier Foupa-Pokam ($6,000)
• Chael Sonnen ($50,000 – $25,000 win bonus) def. Dan Miller ($15,000)
• Frankie Edgar ($40,000 – $20,000 win bonus) def. Sean Sherk ($40,000)
• Brock Larson ($42,000 – $21,000 win bonus) def. Mike Pyle ($15,000)
• Tim Hague ($10,000 – $5,000 win bonus) def. Pat Barry ($7,000)
• Kyle Bradley ($8,000 – $4,000 win bonus) def. Phillipe Nover ($10,000)
• Krzysztof Soszynski ($16,000 – $8,000 win bonus) def. Andre Gusmao ($5,000)
• Yoshiyuki Yoshida ($16,000 – $8,000 win bonus) def. Brandon Wolff ($3,000)
• George Roop ($16,000 – $8,000 win bonus) def. David Kaplan ($8,000)

In addition to the above salaries, Machida, Hughes, Serra, and Larson each took home $60,000 fight night bonuses.

[Pictured: Rashad Evans knocked out by Lyoto Machida at UFC 98]

Evans offered little offense in the bout, while Machida controlled the fight throughout, using his famous (or perhaps infamous) unorthodox style to score a knockdown late in the first round before eventually connecting with a barrage of punches midway through the second that first staggered Evans before ultimately collapsing him cold to the canvas.

Evans falls to 18-1-1 with the first loss of his career, while Machida remains undefeated, upping his perfect record to 15-0.

In the UFC 98 co-main event Matt Hughes picked up a controversial unanimous decision victory over Matt Serra in the highly-anticipated bout between the welterweight rivals.

Hughes survived an early onslaught by Serra in the opening frame to take both the second and third rounds en route to the decision victory. Despite the judge’s views on the bout, most spectators scored the third frame in favor of Serra following a surprising takedown and outburst of offense in the closing minute. Even Hughes was apparently swayed in favor of Serra, raising his opponent’s arm following the conclusion of the contest. However, when the only scores that matter were handed down the judges awarded the close, albeit controversial decision to Hughes with 29-28 scores across the board.

The future hall of famer Hughes improves to 43-7 on his career after bouncing back from back-to-back defeats, while Serra goes to 9-6 following two-straight losses.

Drew McFedries rebounded from back-to-back losses with a 37-second knockout of Xaview Foupa-Pokam that could send “Professor X” packing from the UFC, while Chael Connen topped Dan Miller and Frankie Edgar scored a unanimous decision over Sean Sherk in other main card bouts.

Brock Larson, Tim Hague, Kyle Bradley, Krzysztof Soszynski, Yoshiyuki Yoshida, and George Roop were victorious on the evening’s preliminary card.

The official results for UFC 98 were:

• Lyoto Machida def. Rashad Evans (c) via KO (punches) — Round 2, 3:57
  UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
• Matt Hughes def. Matt Serra via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Drew McFedries def. Xavier Foupa-Pokam via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 0:37
• Chael Sonnen def. Dan Miller via unanimous decision(30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Frankie Edgar def. Sean Sherk via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Brock Larson def. Mike Pyle via submission (arm-triangle choke) — Round 1, 3:06
• Tim Hague def. Pat Barry via submission (guillotine choke) — Round 1, 1:43
• Kyle Bradley def. Phillipe Nover via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 1:03
• Krzysztof Soszynski def. Andre Gusmao via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 3:17
• Yoshiyuki Yoshida def. Brandon Wolff via submission (guillotine choke) — Round 1, 2:24
• George Roop def. Dave Kaplan via split decision (29-28, 27-30, 30-27)

The official weigh-in results were:

• Lyoto Machida (204) vs. Rashad Evans (c) (205)
  UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
• Matt Serra (171) vs. Matt Hughes (170)
• Drew McFedries (185) vs. Xavier Foupa-Pokam (186)
• Dan Miller (185) vs. Chael Sonnen (186)
• Frank Edgar (155) vs. Sean Sherk (156)
• Mike Pyle (172*) vs. Brock Larson (171)
• Tim Hague (263) vs. Pat Barry (237)
• Kyle Bradley (156) vs. Phillipe Nover (156)
• Andre Gusmao (206) vs. Krzysztof Soszynski (206)
• Brandon Wolff (170) vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida (171)
• George Roop (154) vs. Dave Kaplan (156)

*Due to the late notice replacement of Chris Wilson by Pyle, Pyle was allowed an extra pound at the weigh-in.

[Pictured: Rashad Evans (left) and Lyoto Machida]