Main Card set to begin at 10 p.m. ET.
Randy Couture vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (W)
ROUND 1 – Both fighters come out aggressive and get into a striking match in the center of the Octagon. Couture looks to be landing the more powerful shots. Nogueira tries to pull guard but Couture backs off and lets him stand back up. Nogueira hits Couture hard with a right and drops him. Nogueira goes for a choke but can’t get Couture in tight. Both fighters stand and deliver a war of strikes as the round expires. (10-9 Nogueira)
ROUND 2 – Nogueira lands a hard combo to start the second round. Nogueira tries to get Couture with a guillotine, but the former UFC Heavyweight Champion defends. Couture lands some elbows from the guard. Nogueira sweeps and mounts Couture in one motion. Couture fights to claim half guard but Nogueira works back to mount. Couture gets to his feet after taking some punches. Couture scores with a left hook near the end of the round and Nogueira knees the body. (10-9 Nogueira)
ROUND 3 – After a brief exchange, Nogueira knocks Couture down for the second time with a right hand. Nogueira landing punches on a downed Couture. Nogueira gets side control. Nogueira takes Couture’s back against the cage. Couture escapes a choke attempt and gets on top of Nogueira. Couture with some elbows. Nogueira sweeps and takes mount as the final bell rings. (10-9 Nogueira)
Steven Kelliher of PFF scores the bout 30-27 for Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira def. Randy Couture by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Keith Jardine vs. Thiago Silva (W)
ROUND 1 – Jardine starts aggressive as he attacks Silva with a straight left and a leg kick. Jardine lands a body kick but is tripped to the canvas when Silva catches his foot. Jardine attacks after he gets up but Silva counters with a left hand that puts Jardine down. Silva pnches on top until the bout is halted 1:35 into the first round.
Thiago Silva def. Keith Jardine by TKO at 1:35 of Round 1
Chris Leben vs. Jake Rosholt (W)
ROUND 1 – Rosholt with a leg kick to start the fight. Rosholt with a solid right hand to Leben’s chin. Leben gets the trip takedown, but Rosholt gets back up not long after. Rosholt with another solid punch, this one a left. Rosholt with a takedown straight into the mount. Rosholt with some solid punches before Leben tries answering with a flurry of his own. (10-9 Rosholt)
ROUND 2 – Leben comes out aggresive to start the second and hurts Rosholt with a left hook. Rosholt is down, absorbing some punishing body shots from inside his guard. Yves Lavigne stands the fighters up after some inactivity. Leben scores with a leg kick and a straight right hand. Rosholt hits a takedown and scores with some punches before standing at the end of the round. (10-9 Leben)
ROUND 3 – Rosholt with another takedown to start the third. He goes for an arm triangle that is unsuccessful. Leben squirms and Rosholt cinches in the same chokehold, but much tighter this time. Leben is out and Yves Lavigne steps in to stop the fight at 1:20 of the third and final round.
Jake Rosholt def. Chris Leben by Submision (Arm Triangle) at 1:20 of Round 3
Nate Marquardt (W) vs. Demian Maia
ROUND 1 – Maia comes out aggresive and attempts a head kick that is blocked. Marquardt times a second kick and floors Maia with a counter right hand. The ref steps in at 0:21 of the very first round.
Marquardt could be the next to face Silva with this impressive performance.
Nate Marquardt def. Demian Maia by KO at :21 of Round 1
Brandon Vera (W) vs. Krzysztof Soszynski
ROUND 1 – Soszynski comes out swinging and catches Vera with a good punch. Vera answers with a hard body kick. Vera punishes the body with another kick and a knee. Soszynski pushes Vera into the fence, but Vera breaks away. Soszynski blocks a head kick. Vera stuffs a takedown and lands a standing elbow at the bell. (10-9 Vera)
ROUND 2 – Soszynski clinches up with Vera to start the second. Vera dodges some punches and lands a solid jab. Soszynski charges and the fighters clash heads, knocking Vera’s mouthpiece out. Vera goes for a standing guillotine but lets it go. Soszynski briefy gets Vera down but his opponent struggles back to his feet and they clinch before the bell. (10-9 Vera)
ROUND 3 – Vera lands some hard leg kicks at the start of round 3. Soszynski goes for another takedown but Vera stops him and trips him to the floor. Vera accidentally clips Soszynski in the cup and the action is halted briefly. Vera with more body kicks and leg kicks. (10-9 Vera)
Steven Kelliher of PFF scored the bout 30-27 for Brandon Vera
Brandon Vera def. Krzysztof Soszynski by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Quick Results from the UFC 102 Preliminary card
Aaron Simpson def. Ed Herman by Submission (Injury) at :17 of Round 2
Gabriel Gonzaga def. Chris Tuchscherer by TKO at 2:27 of Round 1
Michael Russow def. Justin McCully by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-26, 30-27)
Todd Duffee def. Tim Hague by KO at :07 of Round 1
Mark Munoz def. Nick Catone by Split Decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29)
Evan Dunham def. Marcus Aurelio by Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)