Despite entering the bout in his best physical and mental shape of his career, Leben pressed forward but was unable to connect with his knockout power, while Bisping employed a perfect strategy to top Leben on the judge’s scorecards, avoiding Leben’s power while countering with precision strikes.

Leben opened the bout aggressively with leg kicks but Bisping took control midway through the close opening round, countering with punches and bloodying the nose of his opponent. In the second it was all Bisping, who dodged Leben’s attacks while carefully countering with punches. In the close final round (which MMAFrenzy.com scored in favor of Leben), a desperate Leben was again aggressive, chasing Bisping down with wild strikes, but was unable to score a knockout.

The judges rendered a unanimous decision victory in favor of Bisping with scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28 in favor of the English fighter.

With the win Bisping improved to 17-1 on his career, including a perfect 3-0 record at 185-pounds, and moved closer to a middleweight title shot, though when questioned on a potential title fight after the victory, Bisping said he feels he needs several more wins over quality opponents before he’d be prepared for the middleweight title holder.

Up next for Bisping is a stint as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter 9 with a key middleweight matchup against Dan Henderson or Rich Franklin looming in 2009.

The obviously-improved Leben dropped to 18-5 in the loss, but was gracious in defeat, thanking the UK fans and Bisping for a fight he called the most-enjoyable of his career, despite being a losing effort.

In the co-main event of the evening, Keith Jardine defeated Brandon Vera via split decision after three close rounds. After a exchanging early, Jardine captured the first round with a takedown and ground and pound, escaping a near-submission by the Jiu Jitsu brown belt to punctuate the round with a late-flurry of strikes. Vera countered by winning the second with a knee-buckling kick and better striking, but Jardine rebounded to win the final frame on two of the judge’s scorecards to take the split decision with scores of 29-28, 29-28, and 28-29.

Despite losses in two of his last five fights, the win moves Jardine, now 14-4-1 on his career, back into the light heavyweight title picture with wins over current light heavyweight title-holder Forrest Griffin, former champion Chuck Liddell, and now the former heavyweight contender Vera in three of his last five.

Vera, suffering his third loss in his last four bouts inside the octagon, saw his record drop to 9-3 in the loss, including a 1-1 mark at 205-pounds.

In other main card action, Luiz Cane stopped Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou for the “Knockout of the Night” with strikes late in the second round, Chris Lytle and Paul Taylor went toe-to-toe in the “Fight of the Night” with Lytle walking away with a controversial unanimous decision win (29-28, 30-27, 29-28), and Marcus Davis submitted Paul Kelly via guillotine choke midway through the second round in the first televised bout of the evening.

The wins likely line up Davis and Lytle for an early-2009 meeting at UFC 93 in Ireland.

Lytle, Taylor, Cane, and Davis each took home an extra $40,000 bonus for their efforts.

On the preliminary card, Dan Hardy topped Akihiro Gono via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), Shane Carwin pounded out Neil Wain early in the first round, David Bielkheden defeated Jess Liaudin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27), Terry Etim topped Sam Stout via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27), Jim Miller earned “Submission of the Night” honors by choking out David Baron with a rear naked choke midway through the third round, and Per Eklund forced Samy Schiavo to submit to a rear naked choke early in the third round of the opening bout of the evening.

The UFC’s next event is just one week away as the promotion returns to the US and heads to Chicago, Illinois for UFC 90 “Silva vs. Cote”. The middleweight title will be on the line in the main event as UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva battles top contender Patrick Cote. Welterweights Josh Koscheck and Yoshiyuki Yoshida are set to clash in the evening’s co-main event.

As always, MMAFrenzy.com will have extensive live coverage of UFC 90 “Silva vs. Cote” on Saturday, October 25th.

UFC 89 “BISPING VS. LEBEN” OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Michael Bisping def. Chris Leben via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Keith Jardine def. Brandon Vera via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
• Luiz Cane def. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 4:15
• Chris Lytle def. Paul Taylor via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
• Marcus Davis def. Paul Kelly via submission (guillotine choke) — Round 2, 2:16
• Dan Hardy def. Akihiro Gono via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Shane Carwin def. Neil Wain via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 1:31
• David Bielkheden def. Jess Liaudin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Terry Etim def. Sam Stout via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Jim Miller def. David Baron via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 3, 3:19
• Per Eklund def. Sammy Schiavo via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 3, 1:47

England’s own Michael Bisping topped fellow middleweight contender Chris Leben via unanimous decision to headline the the eleven-bout UFC 89 card.

• Michael Bisping def. Chris Leben via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Keith Jardine def. Brandon Vera via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
• Luiz Cane def. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 4:15
• Chris Lytle def. Paul Taylor via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
• Marcus Davis def. Paul Kelly via submission (guillotine choke) — Round 2, 2:16
• Dan Hardy def. Akihiro Gono via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Shane Carwin def. Neil Wain via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 1:31
• David Bielkheden def. Jess Liaudin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Terry Etim def. Sam Stout via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Jim Miller def. David Baron via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 3, 3:19
• Per Eklund def. Sammy Schiavo via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 3, 1:47

Today’s event, which will air for free tonight on Spike TV, takes place at The NIA in Birmingham, England and features a middleweight main event clash between former “Ultimate Fighter” cast members Michael Bisping and Chris Leben. The UFC 89 main card also includes Brandon Vera vs. Keith Jardine, Luiz Cane vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou, Chris Lytle vs. Paul Taylor, and Marcus Davis vs. Paul Kelly.

QUICK RESULTS

• Michael Bisping def. Chris Leben via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Keith Jardine def. Brandon Vera via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
• Luiz Cane def. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 4:15
• Chris Lytle def. Paul Taylor via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
• Marcus Davis def. Paul Kelly via submission (guillotine choke) — Round 2, 2:16
• Dan Hardy def. Akihiro Gono via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Shane Carwin def. Neil Wain via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 1:31
• David Bielkheden def. Jess Liaudin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Terry Etim def. Sam Stout via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Jim Miller def. David Baron via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 3, 3:19
• Per Eklund def. Sammy Schiavo via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 3, 1:47

ROUND-BY-ROUND

MICHAEL BISPING VS. CHRIS LEBEN (In progress…)

Round 1 — Leben is agresive early working hard leg kicks. More kicks from “The Crippler” then Bisping fires back but Leben counters. Solid left by Bisping followed by a knee to the body. Leben fires back with more leg kicks. Bisping catches a kick and returns a kick to the body. Hard left by Leben but Bisping connects with a combo. Leben is bleeding from his nose but connects with a good combo against the fence. A pair of rights by Bisping connects. Leben connects late with a left. It’s a very close round, but MMAFrenzy.com scores it 10-9 Bisping.

Round 2 — Bisping is more aggressive to start the second, but Leben tags him with a left and knee. Bisping continues to avoid and counter. Accidental low kick by Leben temporarily halts the bout. They touch gloves and we’re back underway. Leben and Bisping trading punches. Solid leg kicks from Leben. Bisping catches a kick and counters with a punch. Bisping connects with some jabs but Leben finishes strong with punches and has Bisping on his toes. MMAFrenzy.com scores another close round 10-9 Bisping.

Round 3 — Big left by Leben connects in the opening seconds, but Bisping has to take a break after getting sweat in his eyes. It’s momentary and we quickly resume. Bisping and Leben trade kicks. Good left by Leben followed by a kick to the body. Leben catches a kick and throws another left. Surprisingly, Leben takes Bisping to the mat and connects with punches. They get back to their feet and Bisping fires back. Bisping continues to successfully evade and counter, avoiding Leben’s knockout power. Leben pours it on late and taunts Bisping to engage but its likely too little, too late. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Leben, but the fight goes to Bisping 29-28.

Michael Bisping def. Chris Leben via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

The showdown between two of the UFC’s top welterweight contenders was the main event of the eleven-bout pay-per-view event.

Just one day removed from failing to make weight for the bout, which was contested at a catchweight of 175-pounds, Alves stuffed several first-round takedown attempts by Hughes and delivered the majority of the damage in the opening round. Early in the second, Alves caught Hughes with a flying knee that dropped him to the mat and quickly followed with several hard punches to the head to force the referee stoppage 62 seconds into the second round.

After the bout, Alves promptly apologized for failing to make weight the day before, adding that he had sprained an ankle leading up to the bout and was unable to run or train to drop the additional weight.

With the win, the biggest of his young career and his sixth straight in the octagon, the 24-year-old Brazilian, who trains out of American Top Team, now has his eyes set on a welterweight title shot. “Mr. Dana White, I’ve been a good boy. Please give me a title shot,” said Alves.

“He’s a good fighter, he got me, no doubt,” said Hughes following the decisive loss. However, the former UFC champion promised at least one more bout before he finishes his career, calling out longtime rival and fellow former champion Matt Serra.

In the co-main event, England-native Michael Bisping dominated Jason Day, defeating his middleweight foe off with strikes midway through the first round. Bisping dominated from the onset, securing an early trip takedown then unleashing a flurry of ground and pound from side mount. Day was able to scramble away twice but Bisping quickly picked up where he left off, pounding on Day until the bout was halted at the 3:42 mark of the opening frame due to overwhelming strikes.

Mike Swick secured his second-straight welterweight win on the main card, posting a unanimous decision victory over Marcus Davis marred only by a one-point deduction for grabbing the fence. Though Davis was able to connect with some shots in the clinch, Swick too was able to connect while the pair were locked up and dominated the ground, controlling Davis and opening up several cuts on his opponent’s face, to win all three rounds. All three judges rendered scores of 29-27 after taking the penalty into account.

In a fast-paced middleweight bout Thales Leites topped Nate Marquardt via split decision. Though Marquardt clearly won the bout based on the established judging credentials, two one-point deductions by referee Herb Dean cost the former middleweight challenger the bout.

Leites captured the opening round after dropping Marquardt to the canvas with a hard right and mounting his opponent, who was eventually able to escape and survive to round two. Early in the second, Marquardt landed a knee to Leites’ head while his opponent remained on the ground, an illegal strike that caused the bout to be temporarily halted while Leites recovered and a point to be deducted from Marquardt. After resuming, Marquardt quickly picked up where he left off, bloodying Leites with hard ground and pound that was just short of stopping the bout. Despite Marquardt dominating the second, the round is a 9-9 draw due to the point deduction. It’s a similar storyline in the third as Marquardt again lands a hard series of ground and pound, as well as a late piledriver, but has a point deducted for strikes to the back of the head and round three is another 9-9 draw.

After accounting for the two deductions, Leites won a close split decision on the judge’s scorecards securing two cards of 28-27 in his favor. The other judge ruled 28-27 in favor of Marquardt.

In a controversial opening bout to the pay-per-view broadcast, Fabricio Werdum defeated Brandon Vera via late-first round technical knockout.

Vera had the upper hand early in the fight, staggering Werdum with a hard combination though Werdum was able to survive and take Vera to the ground. Once on the canvas, Werdum was able to mount Vera and deliver a string of ground and pound. With just seconds remaining in the round and Vera seemingly defending himself from the blows, referee Dan Miragliotta, the same referee from last weekend’s controversial early stoppage of James Thompson versus Kimbo Slice at EliteXC “Primetime”, stopped the bout in favor of Werdum.

Uninjured from the ground and pound assault, Vera immediately returned to his feet to protest the controversial early stoppage. “There was 15 seconds left. Let me take my ass whupping and go to the second round,” said Vera.

OFFICIAL UFC 85 RESULTS

• Thiago Alves def. Matt Hughes via TKO – Round 2, 1:02
• Michael Bisping def. Jason Day via TKO – Round 1, 3:42
• Mike Swick def. Marcus Davis via unanimous decision
• Thales Leites def. Nate Marquardt via split decision
• Fabricio Werdum def. Brandon Vera via TKO – Round 1, 4:40
• Martin Kampmann def. Jorge Rivera via submission – Round 1, 2:44
• Matt Wiman def. Thiago Tavares via KO – Round 2, 1:57
• Kevin Burns def. Roan Carneiro via submission – Round 2, 2:53
• Luiz Cane def. Jason Lambert via TKO – Round 1, 2:07
• Paul Taylor def. Jess Liaudin via split decision
• Antoni Hardonk def. Eddie Sanchez via TKO – Round 2, 4:15

• Thiago Alves def. Matt Hughes via TKO – Round 2, 1:02
• Michael Bisping def. Jason Day via TKO – Round 1, 3:42
• Mike Swick def. Marcus Davis via unanimous decision
• Thales Leites def. Nate Marquardt via split decision
• Fabricio Werdum def. Brandon Vera via TKO – Round 1, 4:40
• Martin Kampmann def. Jorge Rivera via submission – Round 1, 2:44
• Matt Wiman def. Thiago Tavares via KO – Round 2, 1:57
• Kevin Burns def. Roan Carneiro via submission – Round 2, 2:53
• Luiz Cane def. Jason Lambert via TKO – Round 1, 2:07
• Paul Taylor def. Jess Liaudin via split decision
• Antoni Hardonk def. Eddie Sanchez via TKO – Round 2, 4:15

• Thiago Alves def. Matt Hughes via TKO – Round 2, 1:02
• Michael Bisping def. Jason Day via TKO – Round 1, 3:42
• Mike Swick def. Marcus Davis via unanimous decision
• Thales Leites def. Nate Marquardt via split decision
• Fabricio Werdum def. Brandon Vera via TKO – Round 1, 4:40
• Martin Kampmann def. Jorge Rivera via submission – Round 1, 2:44
• Matt Wiman def. Thiago Tavares via KO – Round 2, 1:57
• Kevin Burns def. Roan Carneiro via submission – Round 2, 2:53
• Luiz Cane def. Jason Lambert via TKO – Round 1, 2:07
• Paul Taylor def. Jess Liaudin via split decision
• Antoni Hardonk def. Eddie Sanchez via TKO – Round 2, 4:15

ROUND-BY-ROUND RESULTS

MATT HUGHES VS. THIAGO ALVES

ROUND 1 – Hughes comes out in southpaw position and there’s a brief feeling out period before Hughes shoots for a takedown but he’s stuffed by Alves and they standup. Hughes again shoots for a takedown and Alves again defends but Hughes pulls guard. Alves connects with some solid strikes on the ground before returning to his feet where he lands a solid knee in the clinch. They return to the ground Hughes moves to side control and throws shots to the body. The crowd boos the slow pace as neither fighter is doing much on the ground. Referee Herd Dean threatens to standup the bout but Alves reclaims half guard. Hughes looks to move into mount but Alves escapes and gets back to his feet. Alves takes Hughes down and lands several solid blows before round one ends. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Alves.

ROUND 2 – Hughes shoots in but Alves catches him with a knee and Hughes pulls guard. They return to their feet and Alves lands a flying knee that knocks Hughes to the ground. Alves follows his opponent to the ground and delivers several hard punches that force referee Herb Dean to stop the bout.

Hughes appeared to injure his left knee while falling to the ground following the flying knee.

Thiago Alves defeats Matt Hughes via TKO – Round 2, 1:02

After the bout, Alves begged UFC President Dana White for a title shot while Hughes stated that he has at least one bout left in him and he wants to fight Matt Serra before he would retire.

MICHAEL BISPING DEF. JASON DAY

ROUND 1 – Both fighters miss with punches to open the fight. Bisping clinches with Day and secures a trip takedown. Bisping unleashes a ground and pound assault on Day. Day tries to grab a leg and return to his feet but he’s unable to. Bisping moves to side control and delivers more punishment but Day escapes and they return to their feet. Bisping takes Day back to the ground and goes back into side control then mount. Day escapes but Bisping is able to again reclaim side position and delivers a final series of ground and pound that forces referee Dan Miragliotta to halt the bout.

Michael Bisping def. Jason Day via TKO – Round 1, 3:42

MIKE SWICK DEF. MARCUS DAVIS

ROUND 1 – Davis and Swick trade stikes to open the bout before Davis clinches with Swick against the cage. Swick breaks free but Davis clinches again and drops to the ground in an attempt for a guillotine but it’s unsuccessful. Swick moves from Davis’ guard to side control but Davis regains guard. They trade some strikes on the ground and Swick opens up a cut with some elbows. The pace slows but Swick does enough to avoid a standup. Davis tries to flip Swick onto his back as the round winds down but Swick defends. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Swick.

ROUND 2 -Swick misses on an early kick attempt and Davis lands a left. Swick next lands a kick and a knee. They go to the ground and Swick is in Davis’ guard. The pace slows and they are urged to remain active. Swick transitions to side control. The pace again slows and they return to their feet. Davis connects with a short combination before clinching. He connects with uppercuts in the clinch. Each lands a knee. Davis gets a trip takedown but Swick nearly secures a triangle choke before they return to their feet. Swick gets another takedown before the round ends. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Swick.

ROUND 3 -Swick connects with a knee. They clinch briefly then separate before trading strikes. They lock up again, break, then clinch again before again separating. Neither fighter is able to land much. UFC commentator Joe Rogan spots a UFC first: the crowd at the 02 Arena in London is doing the wave. Davis’ cuts have worsened and he is now very bloodied and battered. They clinch and referee Mario Yamasaki halts the bout to deduct a point from Swick for grabbing the fence. The deduction presents an opening for Davis but he’s unable to capitalize and Swick continues to do just enough to win the round on the judge’s scorecard. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 9-9 and the bout 29-27 Swick.

Mike Swick defeats Marcus Davis via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)

THALES LEITES DEF. NATE MARQUARDT

ROUND 1 – They touch gloves. Leites connects with a superman punch. Marquardt connects with a combo. Leites counters with a solid combination that presses Marquardt to the cage. Leites knocks Marquardt to the ground with a hard right and mounts Marquardt. Marquardt is stunned and nearly gives up his back but recovers and ties Leites up to avoid damage. Leites into side control but Marquardt scrambles back to his feet and lands a knee. Hard body shot by Marquardt finds its mark. They clinch against the cage. Knees to the body by both fighters. They separate. Spinning back kick by Leites connects to the body. Marquardt connects with an uppercut that rocks Leites and sends him staggering to the fence. Marquardt follows with more stikes but he’s unable to finish Leites off before the round concludes. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Leites.

ROUND 2 – They again touch gloves and Marquardt immediately lands a body shot and overhand right. They clinch and trade knees against the cage. They scramble and Marquardt is on top. Marquardt lands an illegal knee while Leites is still on the ground and the bout is momentarily halted. Leites wants to continue and takes a few moments to recover while Marquardt has one point deducted for the illegal strike. We quickly resume and Marquardt connects and takes Leites to the ground. Marquardt is warned for striking the back of the head and grabbing the gloves. Marquardt delivers some hard ground and pound and bloodies Leites but he’s unable to finish off his opponent.Referee Herb Dean restarts the fighters and Marquardt attempts a takedown but Leites claims the top position and lands some strikes to finish up the round. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 9-9.

ROUND 3 -Marquardt catches a flying knee attempt and takes Leites to the ground. Leites attempts a triangle but Marquardt escapes. Marquardt counters with strikes but Herb Dead declares them to be on the back of the head on deducts another point from Marquardt. They resume and head back to the ground where Marquardt connects with more ground and pound while Leites works elbows from the bottom. Leites’ cut reopens. Marquardt piledrives Leites with 10-seconds remaining. MMAFrenzy.com scores the final round 9-9 and the bout 28-27 for Leites.

The third-round point deduction from Marquardt by Herb Dean due to strikes to the back of the head is rather controversial as replays show the strike appeared to connect to the side, and not the back, of Leites’ head. The two point deductions will likely cost Marquardt a bout he clearly won.

Thales Leites defeats Nate Marquardt via split decision (28-27, 28-27, 27-28)

FABRICIO WERDUM DEF. BRANDON VERA

ROUND 1 – Werdum secures a quick takedown but they return to their feet. They clinch and Werdum presses Vera against the cage. Vera reverses then they separate and Vera lands a solid left before they lock up again. Werdum secures a takedown and lands in Vera’s full guard. Vera escapes and returns to his feet. He throws a knee that is caught by Werdum but he’s unable to secure the takedown and they return to their feet. Vera lands a left that stuns Werdum. They clinch again against the cage but are quickly separated. Werdum takes the fight back to the groun, mounts Vera, and starts dropping punches. Vera defends the punches as the round winds down and referee Dan Miragliotta surprisingly steps in and halts the bout.

Vera, unphased by the strikes, immediately returns to his feet and complains about the controversial and premature stoppage. It’s a questionable and poor ending to the opening bout of the pay-per-view.

Fabricio Wedum def. Brandon Vera via TKO – Round 1, 4:40

MARTIN KAMPMANN DEF. JORGE RIVERA

ROUND 1 – Kampann quickly takes Rivera down and lands some punches before taking Rivera’s back. Rivera rolls into an arm triangle bu manages to escape. Kampmann transitions to mount then finishes Rivera off with a guillotine midway through the opening round.

Martin Kampmann defeats Jorge Rivera via submission – Round 1, 2:44

MATT WIMAN DEF. THIAGO TAVARES

ROUND 1 – The fighters quickly hit the mat and scamble for the top position and submission attempts. Tavares eventually claims the top, staying there and delivering punches for the rest of the first round. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Tavares.

ROUND 2 – The pair stand and trade hard punches to open up the second round. Tavares takes Wiman to the ground but they quickly return back to their feet. Wiman connects with a hard right that rocks Tavares and follows it up with another right that knocks Tavares out.

Matt Wiman defeats Thiago Tavares via KO – Round 2, 1:57

KEVIN BURNS DEF. ROAN CARNEIRO

ROUND 1 – Carneiro quickly secures a takedown and stays in the position top for the length of the round throwing punches. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Carneiro.

ROUND 2 – Burns stuffs a takedown but Carneiro is eventually successful in again taking Burns to the ground. Carneiro stays in the top position and throws punches but Burns secures a triangle choke that forces Carneiro to tapout midway through the bout.

Kevin Burns defeats Roan Carneiro via submission – Round 2, 2:53

LUIZ CANE DEF. JASON LAMBERT

ROUND 1 – Lambert looks to clinch but Cane wants to stand and trade and avoids Lambert early. Cane then lands a right that knocks Lambert down. Lambert returns to his feet but is again dropped by Cain. Lambert once again stands up but Cain knocks him down for the third time and the referee stops the fight.

Luiz Cane defeats Jason Lambert via TKO – Round 1, 2:07

PAUL TAYLOR DEF. JESS LIAUDIN

ROUND 1 – The fighters trade blows to open the round before Liaudin secures a takedown and moves into side control. The pace on the ground slows and they’re restarted by the referee. Liaudin connects with a flying knee then Taylor lands a punch that knocks Liaudin down. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Taylor.

ROUND 2 – Liaudin secures another early takedown. Taylor scrambles back to his feet but is again taken down by Liaudin. Liaudin controls Taylor on the ground for the remainder of the round and lands strikes from the top. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Liaudin.

ROUND 3 – The pair trade kicks to open the third. Taylor defends a takedown attempt but Liaudin tries again and takes his opponent to the ground but he’s unable to keep him there and Taylor returns to his feet. Another successful takedown by Liaudin but they’re quickly restarted by the referee. Liaudin pulls guard as the bout concludes. MMAFrenzy.com scores the final round 10-9 Liaudin and the bout 29-28 Liaudin.

Paul Taylor defeats Jess Liaudin via split decision

ANTONI HARDONK DEF. EDDIE SANCHEZ

ROUND 1 – Sanchez is the aggressor early and gets an early knockdown of Hardonk. He follows him to the mat but they stall and are restarted by the referee. They lock up and Hardonk lands some solid knees but Sanchez takes Hardonk back to the ground where they again stall and are restarted. Sanchez again takes Hardonk to the ground before the opening round concludes. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Sanchez.

Round 2 – Hardonk connects early in round two with a solid knee and several hard shots to the body. Following a knockdown by Sanchez, the pair exchange a series of wild strikes. Hardonk gets the better of the exchange and lands a strong combination finished with a left hook to force the referee to halt the bout.

Antoni Hardonk defeats Eddie Sanchez via TKO – Round 2, 4:15

UFC 85 “BEDLAM” BETTING ODDS

• Matt Hughes (-200) vs. Thiago Alves (+160)
• Michael Bisping (-340) vs. Jason Day (+260)
• Mike Swick (-120) vs. Marcus Davis (-110)
• Nate Marquardt (-225) vs. Thales Leites (+185)
• Brandon Vera (-170) vs. Fabricio Werdum (+130)
• Martin Kampmann (-260) vs. Jorge Rivera (+200)
• Thiago Tavares (-500) vs. Matt Wiman (+300)
• Roan Carneiro (-) vs. Kevin Burns (-)
• Jason Lambert (-155) vs. Luiz Cane (+125)
• Paul Taylor (-260) vs. Jess Liaudin (+200)
• Eddie Sanchez (-) vs. Antoni Hardonk (-)

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MMAFrenzy.com (www.mmafrenzy.com) will have live coverage of UFC 85 “Bedlam” tomorrow afternoon beginning at 1pm ET.

OFFICIAL UFC 85 WEIGH-IN RESULTS

• Thiago Alves (174) vs. Matt Hughes (170)
• Jason Day (184) vs. Michael Bisping (184)
• Mike Swick (170) vs. Marcus Davis (170)
• Thales Leites (185) vs. Nate Marquardt (185)
• Fabricio Werdum (247) vs. Brandon Vera (228)
• Martin Kampmann (186) vs. Jorge Rivera (185)
• Thiago Tavares (154.5) vs. Matt Wiman (155)
• Roan Carneiro (171) vs. Kevin Burns (170)
• Luiz Cane (204) vs. Jason Lambert (205)
• Jess Liaudin (169) vs. Paul Taylor (169)
• Eddie Sanchez (244) vs. Antoni Hardonk (247)

• Chuck Liddell vs. Rashad Evans
• Fabricio Werdum vs. Brandon Vera

Preliminary Bouts

• Matt Wiman vs. Thiago Tavares

Rumored Bouts

• Marcus Davis vs. Mike Swick
• Nate Marquardt vs. Thales Leites
• Martin Kampmann vs. Jorge Rivera
• Roan Carneiro vs. Ryo Chonan
• Jess Liaudin vs. Paul Taylor
• Luis Arthur Cain vs. Jason Lambert
• Neil Wain vs. Antoni Hardonk

For more on UFC 85 “Liddell vs. Evans” check out the MMAFrenzy.com rumors section.