UFC Fight Night 63 emanated live on Fox Sports 1 on Saturday afternoon from the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia. The event was headlined by top featherweight contenders Chad Mendes and Ricardo Lamas, and also featured TUF veterans Julianna Pena, Michael Chiesa and Al Iaquinta. Below are the UFC Fight Night 63 results:
Chad Mendes def. Ricardo Lamas via TKO – punches (Round 1, 2:45)
The main event between former featherweight title challengers Chad Mendes and Ricardo Lamas did not last long. After nearly two minutes of exchanging leg kicks and feeling each other out, Mendes dropped Lamas with a wicked right hand. A stunned Lamas managed to scramble back to his feet, but Mendes dropped him again, this time with a left. Mendes pounced and, after defending a few desperation takedowns from Lamas, he finished Lamas off with some ground-and-pound from behind. It was an impressive performance from Mendes, who remains undefeated against any man not named Jose Aldo.
Al Iaquinta def. Jorge Masvial via split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
In the co-main event, Al Iaquinta picked up a contentious split decision win over Jorge Masvidal in a razor close fight. Most of the fifteen minutes had Iaquinta controlling the center of the octagon, winging overhand rights and not landing much, feinting takedown attempts, and landing leg kicks. Masvidal would circle around, counter fairly effectively, and pepper Iaquinta with his jab. The only real action of note came in the final thirty seconds of the opening frame. Masvidal stunned Iaquinta with a punch, and Iaquinta went for a takedown. Masvidal defended, but Iaquinta pulled guard and quickly locked in a heel hook. Masvidal was able to defend, and when he returned to his feet, he clipped Iaquinta again. Iaquinta tried for another takedown, but Masvidal defended again, and blasted Iaquinta with ground-and-pound to finish the round, opening a cut under Iaquinta’s right eye. In the end, the judges sided with Iaquinta and his control of the pace of the fight over Masvidal’s strong end to round one and his countering.
Michael Chiesa def. Mitch Clarke via unanimous decision (29-26, 29-26, 29-28)
Nearly one year ago, Mitch Clarke was able to upset the TUF 15 runner-up. Michael Chiesa made sure Clarke wouldn’t upset the TUF 15 winner though. Chiesa picked up a unanimous decision win over Clarke. Rounds one and two were all Chiesa, as he landed multiple takedowns and controlled Clarke’s back for the majority of the rounds. Clarke showed good submission defense though, and was able to survive to round three. There, Clarke tried to turn it up with his hands and feet, but it was too little too late, and Chiesa got the easy nod from the judges.
Julianna Pena def. Milana Dudieva via TKO – punches and elbows (Round 1, 3:59)
After nearly two years out of action, the first ever female TUF winner Julianna Pena made her return to the octagon in emphatic fashion. Pena was taken down early in her fight by Milana Dudieva, but the TUF 18 champion was able to get back to her feet and follow it up with a takedown of her own. From there, Pena swiftly moved to full mount, and proceeded to pound out Dudieva with a steady stream of hammerfists. The win was a long time coming for Pena, and a strong return from injury.
Clay Guida def. Robbie Peralta via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Clay Guida returned to the win column with a vintage performance against Robbie Peralta. For three rounds, Guida constantly took down Peralta and controlled him on the mat. Peralta mustered up little in the way of offense throughout the bout, and the fifteen minutes was all Guida. Post-fight, Guida hinted at a return to the lightweight division when he called out UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael dos Anjos, a man Guida holds a victory over.
Dustin Poirier def. Diego Ferreira via KO – punches (Round 1, 3:45)
The opening fight of the main card saw Dustin Poirier make a successful return to the lightweight division. His opponent, Diego Ferreira, pushed the pace right away, attempting takedowns and controlling the center of the octagon with his strikes. But with just under two minutes left in the opening round, a patient Poirier finally tagged Ferreira with a stinging left hand, dropping the Brazilian to the mat. Ferreira recovered, but it wasn’t long before Poirier dropped Ferreira again, this time with a clipping right hand. From there, Poirier poured on some ground-and-pound on his fallen foe, and the stoppage win followed right after.
Preliminary Card Results:
Liz Carmouche def. Lauren Murphy via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Alexander Yakovlev def. Gray Maynard via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Timothy Johnson def. Shamil Abdurakhimov via TKO – punches (Round 1, 4:57)
Ron Stallings def. Justin Jones via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
