UFC 153 Live Results and Play by Play

There should never have been any question that Anderson Silva is the best fighter on the planet. He's proven throughout his UFC career that he is without peer and tonight against Stephan Bonnar, he continued his reign of terror. 

He allowed Bonnar to work his game plan for over three minutes, working with his back against the fence. Bonnar had every opportunity to land punches yet was unable to find his target. Anderson decided that enough was enough and took Bonnar down within seconds. 

The ending sequence can only be described as "horrifying". Silva landed a massive knee to the solar plexus that sent Bonnar fetal. Punches on the ground and referee Marc Goddard was forced to call the fight. 

After the bout he claimed he only fought at light heavyweight to save the event and that he's still a middleweight fighter. 

The co-main event had just as much drama as Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira made his UFC return with a successful submission victory over Dave Herman. Herman claimed that Jiu Jitsu doesn't work in the lead up to the fight. 

It took Big Nog less than 10 minutes to force the submission by armbar. The victory was emotional for the MMA legend who proved that he has more to offer the sport. 

The rest of the card was just as entertaining and the Brazilian crowd was electric the entire night. There's a reason that many claim that Brazil has the best atmosphere and a big part of it is the fan interaction. 

It was a great night of fights and one to remember. 

Stephan Bonnar vs Anderson Silva

Official Result: Anderson Silva defeats Stephan Bonnar by TKO. The stoppage came at 4:40 in the first round.

Stephan Bonnar vs Anderson Silva

Round 1: Bonnar takes the center of the cage early. He chases Silva who slips as he retreats. Bonnar clinches up and lands a knee to the thigh. They fight for position and Bonnar lands short punches to the side of the head. Knee to the head from Silva. Bonnar working for a takedown but Anderson does well to defend. Bonnar has double under hooks and is working hard for this takedown. Anderson Silva lands some knees to the body. Short punches from the clinch from Bonnar and Anderson just takes them on the chin. Anderson locks in a thai plum and Bonnar drops for a takedown. Anderson controls Bonnar's body and lands knees to the body. Bonnar tacks up a bit and they exchange punches. Bonnar backs away and Anderson stays on the cage. He's taunting Bonnar. He's showing absolutely zero respect for Bonnar's skill set. Bonnar looks for a single and Anderson lands an elbow to the head. Anderson allowing Bonnar to throw punches and defending them with ridiculous head movement. Anderson hits a takedown and then a massive knee to the solar plexus as Bonnar stands up. Bonnar is in the fetal position and Silva lands ridiculous punches from the top. Best fighter on the planet folks. 

Stephan Bonnar just walked out to "Eminence Front" by the Who. As far as walkouts go, he had one of the best ones in UFC history. Stoic is a word that comes to mind. I'm geeked for this fight.

The camera quickly cut to Anderson Silva crying backstage. Super emotional night for the UFC middleweight champion as he just watched his friend Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira make a successful UFC return. 

Hopefully he can regain his composure as he's about to enter the cage to fight Stephan Bonnar. 

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Dave Herman

Official Result: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira defeats Dave Herman by armbar. The submission came at 4:31 in the second round. 

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Dave Herman

Round 2: Nogueira clips Dave Herman with a left hook as he runs forward with punches. That punch dropped Herman and Nog swarms, taking top control. Nog is working for an americana from mount and Nog drops punches. Herman gives up his back and Nog uses it to lock up an armbar. Herman is fighting it off but is able to escape to his feet. Great submission defense by Daver Herman. Dave Herman hits a big takedown and Nog has double underhooks.Nog again looks for that high half-guard sweep but Herman stands and backs away. Nog again lands that left hook but Herman stay standing. As Herman comes forward Nog connects on a short left and then takes Herman to the ground. Nog has fallen into an armbar and looking to finish the submission. Herman is defending well but Nog rolls to belly down. He rolls back and it forces the tap. Beautiful ending sequence. 

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Dave Herman

Round 1: Body kick from Herman. Nog clinches up and Herman hits a big throw. Nog is on his back and attempting a sweep from deep in half guard. Nog comes forward with punches but herman aoids most. Herman lands a short right hook. Knees to the head from Herman when they clinch. Herman lands a kick to the body and Nog rushes for a takedown. They clinch up against the fence and Nog is working hard with short punches to the head and body. Herman creates space and lanes a knee to the head on the break. Herman lands a kick to Nog's leg and Nog responds with a straight right. Two punches land for Nog as Herman slowly comes forward. Nog clinches and again works short punches inside. Nog lands a straight right. Nog again lands a right hand. Body kick from Herman. And another. Nog coms forward and lands a right before clinching against the fence. Wizzar from Herman to escape the takedown attempt. Herman lands a kick to Nog's arm. 10-9 Antonio Rodrigo Nogeuira

Fabio Maldonado's face is gonna hurt so much in about 10 minutes. YIKES! He looks like Rocky Dennis. Only a handful of you will get that reference. 

Glover Teixeira vs Fabio Maldonado

Official Result: Glover Teixeira defeats Fabio Maldonado by doctor stoppage. It came in between the second and third rounds. 

Glover Teixeira vs Fabio Maldonado

Round 2: Glover takes the fight immediately to the ground with a double leg and then takes Maldonado's back. He's manhandling him on the ground. Maldonado gets back to his feet and they are trading punches on the feet. Body shot from Maldonado. Glover drops and gets another takedown. He has full back mount and Maldonado rolls and gives up mount. Glover lands some nasty elbows from the top. Maldonado gets back to half guard but Glover passes back to side control. Glover is doing work but his pace has slowed considerably. Those elbows are nasty but the referee stands them. He takes a moment to inspect the face of Fabio Maldonado. Looks like the doctor is coming in to check out Fabio Maldonado. Doc gives the OK and we're back. Teixeira lands a left hook and then a right hand over the top. Fabio is out on his feet. How is this fight still going? 10-9 Glover Teixeira

Glover Teixeira vs Fabio Maldonado

Round 1: Teixeira lands a big hook early. Another hook and Fabio is down. Glover is just pouring it on. He has Maldonado mounted and is landing elbows from the top. Maldonado is defending but Teixeira is landing a ton. Huge shots to the face and Maldonado has a heck of a chin but he's taking a ton of punishment. Glover is working for an arm-triangle and he's passed to side control. Oh that's tight. Maldonado shows crazy heart and survives but Teixeira has mount again. More punches and elbows from the top. Maldonado's face is a mess. Maldonado is able to escape and get back to his feet. Maldonado connects with a left hook. Major punches from Teixeira. This should be stopped! Wait! Maldonado rocks Teixeira with hoks! He's on wobbly legs. This is insane! Glover takes him down as the round ends. 10-9 Glover Teixeira

Erick Silva vs Jon Fitch

Official Result: Jon Fitch defeats Erick Silva by Unanimous Decision. The judges scored the bout 30-27, 29-28, 29-28.

Erick Silva vs Jon Fitch

Round 3: Jon Fitch is fired up. He lands a straight punch and then clinches up. Erick Silva is super gassed. Fitch is just outworking him. Fitch has Silva down and landing huge uppercuts from his back. Fitch is setting up a rear naked choke with punches and he's just dominating Erick Silva. Fitch tries to finish and Silva gets the sweep. Silva has a guillotine but Fitch survives and Silva gives it up. This is a great fight. Fitch is showing that he's still a fighter to fear in the welterweight division. Fitch going back to the rear naked choke but he still can't get it. Fitch has the clinch and gets another takedown and has Silva's back. Silva is flattened out and Fitch is throwing punches to finish the fight. Silva is getting battered as Fitch lands from mount. Fitch is working for the finish and I imagine the referee is close to stopping the fight. Insane output from Fitch. Silva is still trying to escape and he does! Final seconds and Fitch is working for a front choke. 10-8 Jon Fitch

Erick Silva vs Jon Fitch

Round 2: Erick attempts a spinning back fist but misses. They get into a striking exchange and Fitch is landing clean to the head. Silva hits a sweep trip and Ftich is face down on the mat. Silva is landing some big punches from the top. Fitch gets back to his feet and they separate. Silva looks to have gassed out on that flurry. Knees traded in the clinch. Grinding pace now as they fight for position in the clinch against the cage. Fitch attempts a takedown and Silva takes his back. Silva drags him to the mat and is working for a rear naked choke. This is tight and but Fitch is able to survive. Jon is throwing punches to take top position. Jon turns and takes Silva's back. Erick Silva is exhausted. Jon Fitch has an arm bar but Silva spins and avoids the submission! 10-9 Erick Silva WHAT A GREAT FIGHT!

Erick Silva vs Jon Fitch

Round 1: Fitch lands an early leg kick. Silva lands to the body and Fitch takes Silva to the ground. Silva does well to scramble but Fitch has his back and drags him back to the mat. Fitch is doing well to maintain position though Silva has gotten back to his feet. Fitch is landing punches to the head but they aren't landing with much power. Fitch drags him back to the mat and Silva is right back to to his feet. Fitch sets up an arm-triangle but Silva escapes. Silva lands a front kick and then connects with a big right hand. They clinch against the fence and Fitch chases as they separate. Silva lands an elbow on the break. Spinning back kick for Silva. They fight in the clinch and Silva is landing knees to the body and head. Fitch drives forward and gets another takedown. Silva back to his feet and Fitch has his back. Very good round as Silva has done more damage but Fitch has controlled the pace. Fitch has Silva down and the round ends with Fitch landing punches from up top. 10-9 Jon Fitch

Phil Davis vs Wagner Prado

Official Result: Phil Davis defeats Wagner Prado by anaconda choke. The submission came at 4:29 in the second round. 

Phil Davis vs Wagner Prado

Round 2: Prado fires off a front kick but it comes up short. Slow takedown from Davis is shucked off easily. Davis tries again and hits a takedown. Phil is landing punches from the top but Wagner gets back to his feet. This is a concern that Phil Davis can't keep the fight grounded. They separate and Phil hits another really telegraphed takedown. Phil doesn't set anything up, he's just a really talented wrestler. Phil is in side control and working elbows from the top. Phil is setting up an arm-triangle and Prado is doing his best to defend. Prado escapes but Davis locks in an anaconda choke and gator rolls to victory! AMAZING FINISH! 

Phil Davis vs Wagner Prado

Round 1: They are measuring distance to open the fight, trying to find range. Both fighters are moving well. Prado misses with the high kick. Davis closes the distance and clinches up but Wagner escapes. Head kick from Prado is blocked. Davis times a takedown perfectly and puts Prado on his back. Phis has pinned down Prado's legs. Prado is using the fence to try and get back to his feet. Prado gets his legs back and is working up to his feet. Davis has taken Prado's back and has a single hook in. Prado escapes but Davis puts him right back on his back. Phil lands a big knee to the body as Prado does everything he can to defend the strikes. Prado stands and then gets taken down again. That's pure domination by Phil Davis. 10-9 Phil Davis

Demian Maia vs Rick Story

Official Result: Demian Maia defeats Rick Story by Rear Naked Choke. The submission came at 2:30 in the first round. 

Demian Maia vs Rick Story

Round 1: Story lands a hook to open the round. Maia is working for a single leg. Maia lifts and slams Rick Story to the mat. Story is giving up his back as he stands. Maia drags him back to the mat and is working his way to mount. Story gives his back and Demian has both hooks in. Demian is slowly working his way to a finish. Story is getting outclassed on the mat. Maia gets an arm across the neck and gets the tap. That wasn't so much a choke as it was a neck crank. Either way, it was totally nasty. 

Rony Jason vs Sam Sicillia

Official Result: Rony Jason defeats Sam Sicillia by TKO. The stoppage came at 4:16 in the first round. 

Rony Jason vs Sam Sicillia

Round 2: Upper cut from Jason as Sicillia charges forward. Sicillia drives forward again and Jason lands another counter. Sicillia is really doing a pour job at hiding what he's planing to throw. Jason is just one step ahead of him the whole fight. Sicillia lands a body kick and then follows up with punches. Rony Jason is definitely tired. Sicillia is really pushing the pace. Rony lands a knee to the head but is caught with an uppercut and rocked. Jason is getting chipped up and Sicillia is landing a lot of what he's throwing. Jason lands a shot to the body and then gets a single leg trip. Rony Jason lands hammerfists from the top and the referee calls it. That's a bit pre-mature but what can you do?

Rony Jason vs. Sam Sicilia

Round 1: Rony Jason misses a huge head kick but then connects with a knee that hurts Sicillia. Jason is pushing the pace and looking for a finish. He lands a knee to the chin as Sicillia drives forward for a takedown. Big punches from the top from Sicillia who stands up and dives back down with a monster of a shot. Jason has a chin but he's losing this round. Jason threatens with a triangle but Sicillia defends well. The referee stands them up again? What is going on? Body kick from Jason and he follows up with a knee to the body. Jason lands a counter left as Sicillian runs in. Another exchange and Rony Jason is just landing power. This is crazy the pace they're keeping. Jason lands an uppercut and then a left to close the round. 10-9 Rony Jason

Francisco Trinaldo vs Gleison Tibau

Official Result: Gleison Tibau defeats Francisco Trinaldo by Unanimous Decision. The judges scored the bout 29-28.