Here’s a recap of the co-main events from MMA Weekly:

For the first ever MMA event in the city of Pittsburgh, the crowd of 5,109 in attendance were treated to an exciting event overall, but disappointed after the main event between Rich Clementi and Kyle Jensen ended prematurely when Clementi suffered a broken clavicle at just :45 seconds in the first round.

Clementi and Jensen came after each other early, and after a clinch it was Clementi who went for a throw, but ended up crashing on the mat himself as Jensen reversed the move. As Jensen worked to improve his position, Clementi yelled up to referee Mark Matheny that he broke his collarbone, and immediately the fight was stopped.

Jensen commented after the win how hard he trained for the fight with Clementi, and the former WEC fighter will now look to make his mark at 155lbs after this event.

American Top Team product, Micah Miller, put on a show for the Pittsburgh crowd looking very impressive, submitting J.C. Pennington in the 2nd round of their co-main event fight.

Miller used his reach to light Pennington up when the fight stayed standing, and once on the mat he showed his superior ground game, opening up shots, and moving to a rear naked choke forcing the tap out. Miller, a top featherweight prospect, will now head back home to Florida where he will have another fight on August 1st.

Also on the card, TUF 7 cast member Paul Bradley successfully made his welterweight debut with a decision win over Leonardo Pecahana and 2008 NCAA Division I wrestling champion Phil Davis improved to 4-0 with a first-round rear naked choke submission of David Baggett.

[Pictured: Micah Miller]

UFC veterans Rich Clementi and Jeremy Horn both picked up first-round submission victories on the Adrenaline III undercard.

A video of Mercer’s knockout of Sylvia is embedded below…

Sylvia weighed 263 pounds for his most-recent bout at Affliction: Banned last July, adding nearly 50 pounds to his 6-foot 8-inch frame over the past 11 months. He’ll need to shed the additional weigh in just under two months to reach the 265-pound heavyweight limit for his Affliction: Trilogy matchup with Paul Buentello.

Sylvia and Mercer were originally scheduled for a boxing match in New Jersey, before the state declined to approve the contest, forcing it to be moved to Alabama where it was changed on Thursday to MMA rules after the boxing bout was deemed illegal.

Notables Jeremy Horn (204.8) and Rich Clementi (170.2), both UFC veterans, were on weight for their respective matchups.

[Pictured: Tim Sylvia]

(HT: MMA Weekly)

Details on the switch from Sherdog:

Association of Boxing Commissions President Tim Lueckenhoff told Sherdog.com that neither he nor the ABC organization had been approached directly to regulate the bout. Further, Lueckenhoff said he’d thought Sylvia-Mercer would be an MMA contest and not a boxing bout. Lueckenhoff said federal law currently has no jurisdiction over MMA bouts, but laws are in place over boxing under the Professional Boxing Safety Act.

In a press release issued by the ABC on Thursday, the organization denounced the “unwarranted and illegal” boxing match. The release also noted that the River Cree commission, as well as referee John McCarthy, had withdrawn their involvement from the bout and event.

“Canadian boxing commissions are not authorized to supervise boxing matches in the U.S.; and, patently, it is wholly inappropriate for one representative from a Canadian boxing commission, together with an MMA referee, to supervise a boxing match,” said Bruce C. Spizler, chairman of the ABC legal committee in the release.

“Everyone thinks I came to Alabama because it’s unsanctioned here,” said Cox, “but why would I go to so much trouble to try and get this event regulated if that were the case?”

The last-minute rules switch is just the latest snag for the fight, which was originally to take place on May 30th in Atlantic City, New Jersey before the state’s athletic commission declined to regulate the contest. It was then moved to Alabama, which lacks a commission to sanction the bout, where it was scheduled to take place under boxing rules in an MMA cage before being forced to take place under MMA rules just two days before the fight.

UFC veterans Rich Clementi and Jeremy Horn will also be in action on the card.

[Pictured: Tim Sylvia]

Rich Clementi

The UFC is continuing to shrink their roster, cutting a hand full of fighters in recent days, according to Five Ounces of Pain, including Rich Clementi, Luigi Fioravanti, Derek Downey, Christian Wellisch, and Eddie Sanchez. This move not only downsizes the UFC’s massive roster, but will also put the fear of being cut on the minds of many struggling UFC fighters.

Luigi Fioravanti is an American Top Team member that has fought to a .500 record by going 2-2 in his last four fights. He was defeated by 170-pound up and comer Anthony Johnson via first round TKO at UFC Fight Night 17 last Saturday. Although this didn’t appear to be a terrible loss, it does appear to be the one that cost Luigi his Job.

The magic number to be worried about being released seems to be two-straight as Clementi, Wellisch, and Sanchez all had two-straight losses.

Rich Clementi is not far off from a 3 fight win streak that had him starting to climb the lightweight rankings. That streak came to a crashing halt as he then lost his next two bouts. Fresh off of losses to Gray Maynard and Gleison Tibau he is now on the outside looking in.

Christian Wellisch’s string of bad luck started with a loss to Shane Carwin and continued against Jake O’Brien while Eddie Sanchez suffered losses to Justin McCully and Antoni Hardonk.

Downey lost his UFC debut at UFN 17 last weekend against fellow newcomer Nick Catone and will not get another chance to prove to the UFC brass that he is worth keeping.

The UFC is known for having the best fighters in the world and one way to make sure they live up to this reputation is to drop fighters that may be struggling or have not shown signs of being a true contender. Luigi Fioravanti and Rich Clementi have both shown signs of being at least a mid-tier fighter, but the UFC didn’t agree. Other fighters that could be on the way out in the future could be Pete Sell (lost 4 out of last 5), Kendall Grove (lost 2 out of last 3), and Jorge Rivera (lost 5 out of last 9).

Joe Lauzon Submits Jeremy Stephens at UFC Fight Night 17

After a close first-round, lightweight Joe Lauzon forced late-replacement Jeremy Stephens to submit to an armbar late in the second-round of their headlining matchup, which capped off UFC Fight Night 17 on Saturday at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida.

Heavyweight prospect Cain Velasquez, veteran Josh Neer, and knockout artist Anthony Johnson also picked up main card victories.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT 17 RESULTS

• Joe Lauzon def. Jeremy Stephens via submission (armbar) — Round 2, 4:43
• Cain Velasquez def. Denis Stojnic via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 2:34
• Josh Neer def. Mac Danzig via submission (triangle choke) — Round 2, 3:36
• Anthony Johnson def. Luigi Fioravanti via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 4:39
• Kurt Pellegrino def. Rob Emerson via submission (rear-naked choke) — Round 2, 3:14
• Dan Miller def. Jake Rosholt via submission (guillotine choke) — Round 1, 1:03
• Matt Veach def. Matt Grice via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 4:34
• Gleison Tibau def. Rich Clementi via submission (guillotine choke) — Round 1, 4:35
• Nick Catone def. Derek Downey via submission (keylock) — Round 2, 1:15
• Matthew Riddle def. Steve Bruno via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

The matchup headlined UFC 90 “Silva vs. Cote” at the sold-out Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois just outside of Chicago.

After a close first round that saw Silva do the most damage with a kick to the head in the final minute, the fight went to the ground in the second. Though Silva again did more damage Cote challenged Silva and went toe-to-toe with him on the feet.

But in the third round, Cote, who became the first fighter to make it past two rounds with Silva in the UFC, suffered a fight ending knee injury just 39-seconds into the frame and the bout was immediately halted, awarding the TKO victory to Silva.

Despite a close start to the fight, the crowd was displeased with both main event fighters and the anti-climactic finish. Silva showboated throughout the matchup, bowing to Cote at the end of the first round, offering to help him up off the ground, and playing games throughout, while Cote was booed for being unable to continue, despite doing his best to keep fighting.

After the fight, Silva apologized to the crowd for his performance and asked the fans not to boo, while Cote revealed that he likely tore his meniscus, re-aggravating a prior injury.

The disappointing main event finish dampened an otherwise solid night of fights that saw Thiago Alves top Josh Koscheck via unanimous decision, effectively assuring him of a welterweight title shot in his next bout, Gray Maynard wrestle his way to a unanimous decision victory over Rich Clementi, Junior Dos Santos upset heavyweight contender with a highlight reel uppercut knockout, and Sean Sherk and Tyson Griffin go toe-to-toe in an exciting bout to kick off the UFC 90 broadcast.

In preliminary action middleweight contender Thales Leites submitted Drew McFedries early in the opening round, Spencer Fisher earned “Submission of the Night” honors for his third-round triangle choke submission of Shannon Gugerty, Dan Miller bested Matt Horwich via unanimous decision, Hermes Franca topped Marcus Aurelio via unanimous decision, and Pete Sell took out Josh Burkman via unanimous decision.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Anderson Silva def. Patrick Cote via TKO (injury) — Round 3, 0:39
  UFC Middleweight Championship
• Thiago Alves def. Josh Koscheck via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
• Gray Maynard def. Rich Clementi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Junior Dos Santos def. Fabricio Werdum via KO (punch) — Round 1, 1:20
• Sean Sherk def. Tyson Griffin via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
• Thales Leites def. Drew McFedries via submission (read naked choke) — Round 1, 1:18
• Spencer Fisher def. Shannon Gugerty via submission (triangle choke) — Round 3, 3:56
• Dan Miller def. Matt Horwich via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Hermes Franca def. Marcus Aurelio via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
• Pete Sell def. Josh Burkman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

UFC 90 is headlined by a middleweight title clash as 185-pound king Anderson Silva battles challenger Patrick Cote. Josh Koscheck vs. Thiago Alves and Fabricio Werdum vs. Junior dos Santos are also slated for the PPV main card.

QUICK RESULTS

• Anderson Silva def. Patrick Cote via TKO (injury) — Round 3, 0:39
  UFC Middleweight Championship
• Thiago Alves def. Josh Koscheck via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
• Gray Maynard def. Rich Clementi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Junior Dos Santos def. Fabricio Werdum via KO (punch) — Round 1, 1:20
• Sean Sherk def. Tyson Griffin via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
• Thales Leites def. Drew McFedries via submission (read naked choke) — Round 1, 1:18
• Spencer Fisher def. Shannon Gugerty via submission (triangle choke) — Round 3, 3:56
• Dan Miller def. Matt Horwich via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Hermes Franca def. Marcus Aurelio via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
• Pete Sell def. Josh Burkman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

NEWS AND NOTES

• After their entrances Hermes Franca shoved Marcus Aurelio as he was circling the cage but the altercation was quickly broken up. The blood blood was very evident at the end of the matchup as Franca went to shake hands with Aurelio, but was rebuked and retaliated by flipping Aurelio off.
• There’s a minor lineup change as Tyson Griffin vs. Sean Sherk kicks off the UFC 90 PPV broadcast in place of Gray Maynard vs. Rich Clementi, which will presumably be the second televised bout.
• Though many predicted a boring decision for Sean Sherk vs. Tyson Griffin it was quite the opposite, as the lightweight wrestling specialists engaged in an exciting standup war to kick off the UFC 90 main card.
• Fabricio Werdum vs. Junior dos Santos has also been pushed ahead of Gray Maynard vs. Rich Clementi and is up next. The relatively-unknown Dos Santos is definitely capable of an upset in this matchup, training alongside Anderson Silva and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira among others. Wedum, though, is considerably larger than we’ve seen him in the past and has a distinct advantage if the fight goes to the ground.
• As predicted Junior Dos Santos earns a stunning upset, knocking out heavyweight contender Fabricio Werdum just over a minute into their matchup. As expected, Dos Santos avoided going to the ground with Werdum and it paid off as he connected with a highlight reel uppercut knockout that bloodied his opponent and forced the referee to step in and halt the contest.
• As the pace picked up late in the third round between Thiago Alves and Josh Koscheck and both fighters traded punches both Alves and the referee failed to hear the final bell and Alves got a late takedown as Koscheck eased up but Alves continued to fight.
• After his bout against Josh Koscheck, Thiago Alves was overheard saying that he likely suffered a broken thumb in the bout. With the win Alves has now won seven-straight bouts, including recent wins over fellow-contenders Karo Parisyan, Matt Hughes, and Josh Koscheck, and is likely next in line for a welterweight title shot.

ROUND-BY-ROUND COVERAGE

ANDERSON SILVA VS. PATRICK COTE
UFC Middleweight Championship

ROUND 1 — Little action in the first as both fighters look for opening. Silva throws several big low kicks early. Closing in on the final minute of the opening round both fighters open up and Silva connects first with a kick to the chin  but Cote weathers and fires back with a solid combination of his own. Another nice leg kick by Silva as Cote remain active. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Silva.

ROUND 2 — Anderson Silva claims the second round with better striking, but Cote is holding his own against the champion. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Silva.

ROUND 3 — Cote makes UFC history by making it to the third round with Silva. Silva misses with a jab and Cote moves forward but falls to the canvas in pain. Cote’s blown out his knee and the fight is immediately waved off.

Anderson Silva def. Patrick Cote via TKO (injury) — Round 3, 0:39

JOSH KOSCHECK VS. THIAGO ALVES

ROUND 1 — They touch gloves and both fighters open with punches. Alves stuns Koscheck with a punch and he continues to pour it on with strikes, but Koscheck quickly recovers. Head kick by Alves. Right by Koscheck. Low kick and punch combo by Alves. Koscheck counters with another combo led by a big right. Another leg kick by Alves. Yet another right by Koscheck. Alves throws a kick to the body but Koscheck catches it and pushes Alves against the fence but he escapes and they separate. More leg kicks by Alves to close out the first. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Alves.

ROUND 2 — Koscheck misses an early uppercut but he continues to push forward and lands an overhand right and leg kick. Alves counters with more leg kicks. Head kick by Koscheck followed by a pair of knees. They clinch against the cage but Alves backs out. More kicks for Alves but Koscheck returns a kick to the body. Uppercut by Alves followed by an inside leg kick. They exchange strikes then Koscheck shoots in for a takedown but Alves defends well, remaining on his feet and clinching against the fence. They tussle for position against the cage to round out the second. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Alves.

ROUND 3 — Alves staggers Koscheck early with an extended series of strikes, including a big knee, but he again recovers and clinches with Alves. Alves accidentally pokes Koscheck in the eye as they separate from the clinch, but they quickly resume. Alves continues to connect with kicks. Koscheck accidentally pokes Alves in the eye and the fight is again halted, but quickly restarts. Leg kick after leg kick connects for Alves. Huge leg kick nearly knocks Koscheck to the canvas. Another big kick for Alves. Both fighters trade punch combos in the waning seconds and the final bell sounds. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Alves.

Thiago Alves def. Josh Koscheck via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

GRAY MAYNARD VS. RICH CLEMENTI

ROUND 1 — They touch gloves and it’s a tenuous start as both fighters get a feel for one another. Both start to open up a minute in with Maynard connecting first. Clementi comes back with kicks to the body. Good right by Maynard connects. Takedown attempt is stuffed by Clementi. Maynard throwing big punches but little connects. Clementi keeps the pressure on and looks for an opening but Maynard secures a takedown and works from Clementi’s half guard. Punches and elbows from the top by Maynard as Clementi looks for submissions and escapes. They exchange on the ground to close out the first round. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Maynard.

ROUND 2 — Maynard opens up with punches. Low kick by Clementi. Maynard presses Clementi to the cage but they separate. They trade punches. Maynard shoots and secures another takedown. Maynard gets a guillotine and Clementi gets back to his feet but the submission is still in place. Clementi escapes but Maynard puts him back on the ground and avoids a triangle attempt. Clementi continues to work for a submission but Maynard escapes. Maynard attempts ground and pound from half guard but Clementi does a good job neutralizing him. Body shots from Maynard. Clementi does his best to escape but Maynard maintains control on the ground for the remainder of the round. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Maynard.

ROUND 3 — Another quick takedown for Maynard to open the final round as he slams Clementi to the canvas. Clementi attempts to escape but Maynard is too strong and skilled and keeps him on the bottom. Maynard passes to side control then Clementi escapes back to his feet underneath, but Maynard qickly puts him back on the ground. Clementi transitions to the top and nearly takes Maynard’s back, but Maynard shrugs him off and puts Clementi on his back again before the bout comes to a close. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Maynard and the bout 30-27 Maynard.

Gray Maynard def. Rich Clementi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

JUNIOR DOS SANTOS VS. FABRICIO WERDUM

ROUND 1 — Tentative strikes from both fighters to open the bout. Werdum throws kicks to the body early and Dos Santos fires back a low kick of his own. Wedum closes and tries to clinch, but Dos Santos backs away, preferring to strike. It’s a highlight reel knockout as Dos Santos floors Werdum with a huge uppercut and finishes him off with punches on the ground to force the referee to intervene.

Junior Dos Santos def. Fabricio Werdum via KO (punch) — Round 1, 1:20

SEAN SHERK VS. TYSON GRIFFIN

ROUND 1 –Sherk and Griffin touch gloves and both fighters trade punches. Sherk immediately shoots for a takedown and presses Griffin against the fence. Sherk quickly takes his back and gets both hooks in but Griffin shakes him off. Hard low kick by Griffin. Sherk counters with a right and uppercut then shoots and secures another takedown. Griffin gets back to his feet and works knees to the body of Sherk from the clinch. They separate and Griffin lands a right. Sherk with an uppercut, then they trade kicks. Crisp and accurate striking from both fighters. Griffin misses with a head kick. Griffin shoots for a takedown and Sherk stuffs it. Griffin appears tired and Sherk again takes his back but gives it up and returns to striking. Big left by Griffin is countered by a combo from Sherk as the exciting first round concludes. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Sherk.

ROUND 2 — They pick up where they left off and trade punches then Sherk gets another quick takedown but Griffin works back to his feet but gets punished by Sherk. Combo by Sherk has Griffin backpeddling. Both fighters working solid combinations with Sherk seemingly getting the better of the exchanges. Body shots by Griffin followed by a pair of leg kicks. Griffin fades as the round wears on and Sherk senses it and goes for a takedown but backs away and fires punches. Griffin counters, missing another head kick. Griffin drops his hands and Sherk connects with single punches late. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Sherk.

ROUND 3 — Griffin swings for the fences early and surprises Sherk, but he recovers and counters with a hard combo of his own. They settle in and trade more wild punches. Combination after combination for Sherk connect and Griffin offers little in return. Griffin with a kick and body shot. Sherk misses with a knee. More combinations for Sherk as the bout enters the final minute. Griffin lands another leg kick but Sherk has him backpeddling with a last-second combo. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Sherk and the bout 30-27 Sherk, though the fight is much closer than the score indicates and is a definite "Fight of the Night" candidate.

Sean Sherk def. Tyson Griffin via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

THALES LEITES VS. DREW MCFEDRIES

ROUND 1 — Leites quickly gets McFedries to the ground, takes his back, and locks in a rear naked choke that forces McFedries to tap early in the opening round.

Thales Leites def. Drew McFedries via submission (read naked choke) — Round 1, 1:18

SPENCER FISHER VS. SHANNON GUGERTY

ROUND 1 — Low kicks from Gugerty to open the fight. They clinch and Gugerty secures an early takedown. Fisher works back to his feet and connects with an elbow in the clinch. Another hard elbow by Fisher. Fisher takes control and works strikes, while Gugerty looks for another takedown. Fisher drops Gugerty with a right late and Gugerty unsuccessfully works for another takedown. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Fisher.

A large cut over Gugerty’s left eye is checked between rounds, but he’s cleared to continue.

ROUND 2 — More kicks from Gugerty to start the second, but he slips to the canvas then gets back to his feet and clinches with Fisher. They separate and Fishers gets a takedown and works a guillotine, but Gugerty escapes. Back on their feet, Gugerty throws high kicks, but Fisher gets another takedown and ends the round on top in Gugerty’s guard. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Fisher.

ROUND 3 — Fisher and Gugerty clinch early, then separate. More kicks from Gugerty, who eventually gets Fisher back to the canvas. Fisher locks on a triangle choke from the bottom and Gugerty initially survives, but Fisher repositions and Gugerty is forced to tap late in the third.

Spencer Fisher def. Shannon Gugerty via submission (triangle choke) — Round 3, 3:56

DAN MILLER VS. MATT HORWICH

ROUND 1 –Miller gets an early takedown and tees off with rights on the ground. Up kick by Horwich connects, then Miller escapes an omoplata attempt. Horwich works back to his feet and lands knees in the clinch, but Miller gets him back to the canvas. Miller works short punchs from the top while Horwich looks for submissions. They again return to their feet and clinch. Miller connects with a combo then gets another takedown. Horwich again secures an omoplata, but Miller escapes before the first round comes to a close. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Miller.

ROUND 2 — Miller is stunned by an early left, but recovers and secures another takedown. They quickly return to their feet and Horwich attempts an armbar but Miller escapes into Horwich’s guard. Horwich transitions to the top then takes Miller’s back and attempts a rear naked choke, but Miller defends. Horwich claims full mount and Miller is again forced to give up his back. The round comes to a close as Horwich is working for another rear naked choke. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Horwich.

ROUND 3 — A takedown by Miller opens up the third. Another attempted omoplata by Horwich is escaped by Miller. From Horwich’s rubber guard Miller presses Horwich against the fence, but he initially shows little offense. Upon the crowd’s urging Miller picks up the pace and works sone ground and pound opening a cut up under Horwich’s eye before the final bell sounds. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Miller and the bout 29-28 Miller.

Dan Miller def. Matt Horwich via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

HERMES FRANCA VS. MARCUS AURELIO

ROUND 1 — Franca connects early with kicks, while Aurelio counters with jabs. Franca continues with kicks and wild punches. Aurelio continues with jabs. Straight right, low kick combo by Franca connects. Franca is more effective and aggressive as the slow opening round comes to a close. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Franca.

ROUND 2 — More kicks from Franca to start the second, who changes things up with a mixture of high and low kicks. Aurelio attempts a takedown, but Franca defends and counters. Aurelio returns to the jab, but Franca continues to cause damage to Aurelio’s legs with kicks. Right by Aurelio connects, but Franca counters with yet another kick. The crowd gets restless as the ground fighters continue to stand and exchange. The fighters trade late, but little lands until Franca scores another low kick just before the bell. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Franca.

ROUND 3 — Franca is aggressive early with more kicks, but Aurelio gets a takedown into half guard and works ground and pound from the top. Franca tries to return to his feet but Aurelio connects with an accidental-but-illegal knee while he’s on his way up and the bout’s temporarily halted to allow Franca time to recover. Aurelio has a takedown stuffed once the action resumes and the fighters separate. Franca attempts a late combo but misses and the final bell sounds. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Franca and the bout 30-27 Franca.

Hermes Franca def. Marcus Aurelio via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

PETE SELL VS. JOSH BURKMAN

ROUND 1 — Burkman and Sell circle early and get a feeling for the fight. They trade kicks then clinch against the fence. They quickly separate and Burkman connects with a big right then secures a takedown. Burkman throws elbows from half guard then allows Sell to return to his feet. Another takedown by Burkman, but Sell has full guard and Burkman again allows him back up. Foot stomps from Burkman as the fighters clinch again. The fighters exchange briefly before the close of the first round. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Burkman.

ROUND 2 — The fighters trade punches with Burkman getting the better of the exchange. Sell looks for a takedown but Burkman fends it off. Burkman counters Sell with a left and connects, but Sell quickly recovers. Sell fires back and Burkman trips backwards, then they clinch. Sell starts to connect with more frequency as Burkman begins to gas. More offense from Sell late, but Burkman closes out the round with a late takedown. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Sell.

ROUND 3 — Burkman lands an early knee then Sell looks for a takedown but Sell stuffs it again. After a brief exchange Sell again tries for a takedown but it unsuccessful. Neither fighter is able to connect but Sell is agressive. Another knee from Burkman following an unsuccessful takedown attempt. Sell connecting with the jab. Burkman is gassed and backs away from Sell, who finally secures a takedown late in the fight and works a neck crank as the fight concludes. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Sell and the bout 29-28 Sell.

Pete Sell def. Josh Burkman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

All other fighters, including headliners Anderson Silva (184) and Patrick Cote (183), successfully made weight.

• 185: Anderson Silva (184) vs. Patrick Cote (183)
  UFC Middleweight Championship
• 170: Josh Koscheck (170) vs. Thiago Alves (171)
• HWT: Junior dos Santos (234) vs. Fabricio Werdum (256)
• 155: Tyson Griffin (155) vs. Sean Sherk (156)
• 155: Gray Maynard (155) vs. Rich Clementi (156)
• 185: Drew McFedries (186) vs. Thales Leites (186)
• 155: Shannon Gugerty (156) vs. Spencer Fisher (155)
• 185: Matt Horwich (186) vs. Dan Miller (185)
• 155: Marcus Aurelio (156) vs. Hermes Franca (156)
• 170: Pete Sell (170) vs. Josh Burkman (171)*

* Burkman initially weighed in at 173 pounds, two pounds over the 171 pound welterweight limit, but successfully weighed in at 171 pounds on his second attempt and will not be subject to any penalties.

UFC Fights for the Troops, also known as UFC Fight Night 16, will air live on Spike TV and will serve as a special telethon to raise money for the non-profit organization that supports the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families.

Though no bouts have yet been officially announced the card is expected to include Mike Swick vs. Jonathan Goulet, Josh Koscheck vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida, Corey Hill vs. Dale Hartt, and Rich Clementi vs. TBD.

For more on UFC Fights for the Troops check out the MMAFrenzy.com MMA rumors section.