Photo: Josh Hedges via Getty Images/Zuffa LLC

By default, Renan Barao will win Submission of the Night and Tom Watson will take home Knockout of the Night honors.

Fight of the Night is up in the air. I think Tom Watson vs. Stanislav Nedkov deserves the bonus, however, Te Huna vs Jimmo, Barao vs. McDonald and Poirier vs. Swanson might have a claim to the award also.

Photo: UFC.com

Official Result:

Renan Barao defeats Michael McDonald via arm-triangle choke at 3:57 of Round 4.

This was a great fight between two evenly matched fighters. In the end, Barao was just too much found the younger, less-experienced fighter.

Renan Barao vs. Michael McDonald - Round 4

Michael McDonald has a huge grin on his face entering this round and Renan is looking to get creative with a leaping left hook. 

Each man looks fairly tentative, but McDonald's counter punches look solid. In addition, the American stuffs a takedown that allows his confidence to continue building.

They trade in an excellent exchange and Barao wants a takedown, but McDonald shrugs him off once again.

Barao is looking to land kicks once again, as he displays them repeatedly before throwing a spinning back kick to the chest.

Halfway through the round, the pair exchanges body punches in the center of the cage and McDonald wants to slip punches and throw counter hooks, but they just aren't connecting the way that he wants.

Barao gets a body lock against the cage and while trying to wrestling McDonald to the ground, he lands a few knees. 

Barao throws his opponent to the canvas and is able to take his back. When Michael tries to improve position, Renan locks in an arm-triangle choke and earns the submission victory.

Renan Barao vs. Michael McDonald - Round 3

Barao wants to kick as we enter the third round, however, he gets aggressive during the punching exchanges. 

The fighters stay active, but it is Renan who is getting the better of these exchanges.

McDonald is doing a great job of handling the takedowns as he is able to return to his feet without absorbing any damage. 

With two minutes left in the round, Barao lands a stunning right hand that wobbles his opponent. 

McDonald lands a nice uppercut that scores and shortly after, Barao hits a spinning back kick that sends Michael backwards.

I feel like this is a very close fight, but I've got Barao with a slight edge in each of the rounds so far. 30-27 Barao as we enter championship rounds.

Renan Barao vs. Michael McDonald - Round 2

It's a standup battle in the second frame and McDonald looks to start his combinations with a left hand. In the meantime, Barao begins throwing his kicks more often.

McDonald nearly stuffs a takedown at the two-minute mark, but lands a nice upkick and immediately returns to his feet.

There is an eye poke that occurred from Barao to McDonald and gives us a brief break in the action. The first exchange after the restart shows both men eat a heavy punch.

Barao pushes forward and is utilizing good kicks, but McDonald is able to score a solid counter punch.

As the round comes to conclusion, Barao lands a nice shot in the final exchange before attempting a wheel kick that misses by a mile.

Another close round, but I give it to Barao. My scorecard is 20-18 at this point, but both rounds have been close enough that it could go either way right now.

Renan Barao vs. Michael McDonald - Round 1

Here we go! The fight that we've all been waiting for is finally upon us!

Both men come out patient, and each winds up for a knockout shot for their first attempt in the contest. McDonald threw a haymaker, while Barao went for a spinning back kick.

Shortly after, Barao scored a takedown and quickly moved to side control, but McDonald was able to recover guard. 

McDonald was able to neutralize the takedown by pushing away and returning to his feet with three minutes left in the round.

Barao catches McDonald with a combination of hooks when the youngster pushes forward and McDonald then stuffs a takedown.

Barao's hands are high and tight while looking to avoid the shot, but McDonald hurts him with a big series of punches on the temple. However, Barao recovers quickly and hunts for a takedown against the cage.

McDonald was stuck with one hand posted on the mat while Barao landed a series of short strikes that did big damage. Michael got to his feet, but Renan quickly scored another takedown in the final minute of the round.

Barao can't do much on the ground as McDonald does a great job of tying up the arms as the round comes to a close.

McDonald landed the good combo, but it was Barao who was the better fighter in this round. The takedowns are enough to earn him this round 10-9.

Photo: UFC.com

Official Result: 

Cub Swanson defeats Dustin Poirier via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Dustin Poirier is a tough dude. The fact that Swanson performed so admirably against an opponent of this caliber for his fourth consecutive win shows us that he is ready for a big step up in competition.

Cub Swanson vs. Dustin Poirier - Round 3

The final round begins with a boxing exchange that is evenly matched. Swanson once again looked for the Capoeira kick, but Poirier countered the strike and knocked an off-balance Swanson to the mat.

They return to their feet and Porier is landing combinations against the cage as well as a big left hand on the exit. This is the best that he has landed in the entire fight. 

Swanson turns the tables by scoring a takedown of his own and looking to land elbows. 

Poirier has a high guard and Swanson is able to transition to the back with half of the round remaining.

Diamond gets to a four-point stance and tries to shake Poirier off. When he rolls, Swanson is able to reverse and end in mount, where he decides to pose for the crowd.

Swanson returns to his feet when he lands a great knee to the head when Poirier lands. When the two get to the center of the cage, Swanson is successful in landing a judo throw that sets up an armbar attempt.

Poirier escapes with only seconds left in the fight and attempts to throw a flying strike to end the fight, but it's too little, too late.

I gave this round to Swanson also, which would award him the fight 30-27.

Cub Swanson vs. Dustin Poirier - Round 2

The technical striking of Swanson looks scary in the second round as the shots are both accurate and powerful. Looking for an uppercut and body hook, Swanson is following the advice of his corner.

Poirier continues to utilize the multi-jab as a start to his combinations and he lands a nice body punch.

Dustin hunts for a double leg against the fence but it is unsuccessful. 

They head to the center of the cage and Swanson is unloading with a series of power strikes, including another Capoeira kick.

When Swanson looked for a spinning back fist, Poirier was able to duck under and score a beautiful double leg. However, Swanson used an omo plata to return to his feet in a brilliant display of jiu-jitsu.

Poirier looks for the takedown once again up against the fence, but Swanson is threatening with a kimura to escape.

Swanson feints and Poirier begins throwing combinations, but the round will come to an end.

Swanson earns another round on my scorecard and is up 20-18.

Cub Swanson vs. Dustin Poirier - Round 1

The lackluster card is about to get an injection of excitement when two of the most entertaining featherweight alive square off.

Cub Swanson is active early with some powerful striking that he throws with tremendous confidence. That confidence only grew when Poirier shot for a single leg that Swanson was able to hop away from before keeping the fight standing.

Poirier throws a triple jab and is looking to end combos with a outside leg kick to the calf muscle. 

"Diamond" likes the multi-jab, as he goes for a double before throwing a big left hand. The constant in his attack is the low kick on the way out.

Swanson threw a Capoeira kick to the head, but Poirier was able to block it before pressuring his opponent against the fence with little more than two minutes left in the round. 

Swanson has Poirier hurt with a wicked uppercut  and knee combination but Poirier is able to survive and even score a trip takedown. Swanson keeps a tight guard but Poirier is landing some body punches while looking to pass.

Cub was able to return to his feet although Poirier didn't give up on the single. Swanson threw a flying knee with the other left and the round comes to a close.

10-9 in favor of Swanson for the uppercut/knee combo. It was the most effective moment of the fight so far.

Photo: UFC.com

Official Result:

Jimi Manuwa defeats Cyrille Diabate via TKO (injury) at the conclusion of Round 1.

Cyrille Diabate told ringside officials between rounds that he was unable to continue after an apparent injury to his calf muscle. 

Jimi Manuwa vs. Cyrille Dibate - Round 1

The tale of the tape shows us that Cyrille comes into this fight with a five-inch height advantage as well as five and a half inches in reach.

Manuwa presses forward as this fight starts, while a conservative Diabate circles and looks to counter. Jimi scores a couple of leg kicks before Diabate grabs hold of a clinch.

Manuwa grabbed a hold of Diabate's leg for a slam takedown and from half guard, the Frenchman unsuccessfully looked for a reversal with an underhook.

Cyrille returned to his feet and Manuwa pressures him against the fence. Not exactly what you would expect from two tremendous kickboxers.

Diabate blocks a high kicks and counters an overhand right with a big knee to the body. However, Manuwa catches another knee that puts Diabate on his butt.

Manuwa scores a leaping hook and punctuates it with a solid leg kick.

Diabate continues to look for a long knee counter to Manuwa's punches. It scores, but Manuwa is also scoring with his own strike.

Cyrille scores a huge knee to the body and Manuwa responded with a quick takedown. 

Round 1 goes to Manuwa for his well-rounded game.

Photo: UFC.com

Official Result:

Gunnar Nelson defeats Jorge Santiago via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

It would have been interesting to see what would have come if this contest had an extra 30 seconds on the clock. However, Santiago's rally came way too late and he didn't have time to finish his younger opponent.

This is the sixth straight decision on this card, and eighth overall. Thankfully the judges got the scores right this time around, but anyone on this card should be wary about letting their fight go the distance.

Gunnar Nelson vs. Jorge Santiago - Round 3

In the final round, Santiago is finding success with his big right hand, but Nelson's chin is proving to be a valuable asset. 

Nelson lands a leaping right hand that snuck up on Santiago. The Brazilian then grabs a clinch and delivers some strong knees to the body. On the way out, Nelson lands a nice elbow.

The striking in this final frame is a little wild from two jiu-jitsu specialists. 

Santiago lands a nice combination halfway through the round, but Nelson hurts him with a big uppercut.

Nelson grabs a Thai clinch against the cage and wants to land knees but can't get them off.

After they break, Nelson wobbles his opponent with another uppercut but can't seem to score the takedown.

With 45 seconds left in the fight, both men are breathing deeply but not doing much else.

Santiago hears the 10 second clapper and starts going crazy with strikes. Gunnar got clipped bad by the last punch, but the horn sounds before Santiago can capitalize.

I give Jorge the final round based on the final flurry, but he still loses this fight 29-28.

Gunnar Nelson vs. Jorge Santiago - Round 2

Santiago pushes forward at the start of the next frame and Nelson throws looping hooks in hopes of setting up a takedown that is unsuccessful.

Those same hooks land solid a few moments later and Nelson follows it up with a nice double-leg takedown.

Santiago lands a nice upkick, but Nelson has half guard with plenty of time to work. Gunnar jumps to his feet and lands some short punches to his downed opponent before dropping back into guard.

Nelson transitions into mount in the final minute of the round. After scoring some quality elbow strikes, the round comes to an end.

Nelson is up 20-18 heading into the final frame. It will be interesting to see how much desperation Santiago brings into Round 3.

Gunnar Nelson vs. Jorge Santiago - Round 1

The fight starts fairly quickly with Santiago looking to score punches. Nelson stays very calm and counters, but soon eats a knee from his opponent.

Santiago blocks a switch kick before throwing one of his own that also misses. These men aren't utilizing combinations, but rather throwing one strike at a time as to not over-commit. 

They clinch and Santiago lands a nice knee to the body and right hook on exit.

Nelson scores a takedown that sees him immediately in half guard. However, Santiago uses butterfly guard to keep the Icelandic sensation at enough of a distance to return to his feet.

Santiago looks very comfortable in the cage and looks loose on his toes.

The two can't seem to commit to their striking, so the dance around one another for much of the last 90 seconds.

Nelson clinches up against the cage but nothing comes of it and the round ends. 

Strange round and I'm leaning towards Nelson only because of the takedown. He didn't do much else, though.

Photo: UFC.com

Official Result:

James Te Huna defeats Ryan Jimmo via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28)

This is one of the best comebacks to take place inside the Octagon as Te Huna looked to be finished in Round 1. However, he survived, regrouped and displayed his solid top game to win the final two rounds.

The 29-27 score means that one judges actually gave James Te Huna a 10-8 round, which is absolutely ridiculous. Jimmo's Round 1 performance was more dominant than either round that Te Huna won.

Something needs to be done about these judges because this is two fights in a row where we are left puzzled.

James Te Huna vs. Ryan Jimmo - Round 3

Once again, Te Huna looks for a takedown in the final round, but Jimmo once again reverses him and puts his opponent's back against the fence.

Referee Leon Roberts warns the fighters that they need to work and Jimmo temporarily looks for a single leg to prevent the break. However, it is clear that Jimmo is exhausted and stalling.

Te Huna spins position and lands some punches against the cage before Jimmo circles out. Te Huna uses a combo to get into a clinch against the cage and Jimmo turns him around yet again. Ryan isn't doing any damage here but it controlling position until Te Huna scores a surprise takedown with his back on the wall.

With 90 seconds left in the fight, Jimmo is trying to prevent Te Huna from having enough distance to put power into his shots. It's mostly working, however, Te Huna has been in top position for a large portion of the final round and will end the fight on top.

I scored the final round 10-9 for Te Huna, which gives him the fight 29-28. Announcers Kenny Florian and Jon Anik talk about the possibility of a draw after Round 1 potentially being scored 10-8 for Jimmo but I just don't see it.

James Te Huna vs. Ryan Jimmo - Round 2

Te Huna doesn't seem to want any part of the striking game, as he once again looks to clinch and drag this fight to the floor. However, it is Jimmo who turns his opponent up against the cage.

Te Huna switches position and gets a slam takedown to earn side control. Jimmo tries to explode and turn onto his hip, although it does not work. 

The New Zealander threw punches from side control before moving to full mount, although he was unable to keep the position. Jimmo recovered half guard and Te Huna is throwing short elbows and hammer fists that are doing damage.

With 10 seconds left in the round, Te Huna is hunting for a finish, but Jimmo does a good job of fending him off, despite being hurt by the earlier shots.

Te Huna evens up this score by winning this round. We are at 19-19 heading into the final frame.

James Te Huna vs. Ryan Jimmo - Round 1

Te Huna enters this contest with a two-inch reach advantage.

Early in the action, Te Huna grabs a double underhook and bullies Jimmo up against the cage. Referee Leon Roberts warns the fighters that they need to be active or he will separate them, and then he does.

Immediately after the break, Jimmo scores a huge head kick that floors Te Huna and immediately follows it up with huge ground-and-pound. I'm shocked that Roberts didn't stop it.

Te Huna is bloodied and holding guard as tight as he can in hopes of recovering from the massive shot he just took.

Jimmo inches Te Huna up against the cage, but the New Zealander wall walks and threatens with a guillotine choke that Jimmo escapes.

Up against the cage, Jimmo uses heavy pressure and throws strikes at a much more conservative pace. Te Huna throws a lot of elbows from the bottom in hopes of softening up his opponent for the next round. 

The round ends with Jimmo still on top, who takes the round 10-9.

Photo: UFC.com

Official Result:

Matthew Riddle defeats Che Mills via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

The fact that any judge was able to score the fight for Che Mills is absolutely appalling. There is no excuse for giving two of the three frames to Mills after that sort of performance. Riddle controlled where this fight took place, landed takedowns and controlled the action.

Che Mills vs. Matt Riddle - Round 3

The third round opens with Mills looking hesitant to commit in fear of the takedown. However, the two quickly abandon that in exchange for a brief brawl that Riddle was once famous for.

Riddle apparently realized that he had deviated from the gameplan and shot in for a single leg against the cage. Mills got his leg free, but Riddle continued to use pressure against the cage.

Riddle dropped down for a double leg against the cage, although Mills defended it well and displayed a solid sprawl and whizzer.

Mills was unable to avoid it in the end, as a persistent Riddle earned his way to guard halfway through the round.

Che scores a reversal and ends up in top position with little more than a minute on the clock. Mills stands and threw punches to his downed opponent in hopes of a TKO and Riddle remains on his butt in hopes of running out the clock.

Riddle was slow to his feet after the referee called for a standup and there was only 20 seconds left in the fight for Mills to make something happen.

Matt shot in for one last takedown, but was unsuccessful in getting it before the final bell sounded.

This fight was certainly not the slugfest that we expected, but Riddle should see his arm raised 30-27 after outgrappling his opponent in all three rounds.

Che Mills vs. Matt Riddle - Round 2

The action started early with Mills looking to do damage before Riddle inevitably shoots for a takedown. When a body kick was caught, Mills threw his other foot over in a flashy maneuver rarely seen in MMA.

Fans of pro wrestling recognized the kick attempted by Che Mills as an enzuguri. Had it finished the fight, it would have been one of the most glorious finishes in MMA history, however, it left Mills in bottom position.

Riddle threatened with a north-south choke, but was unable to secure it, so he moved to side control.

The American threw some strikes from top position, but it was nothing significant. Mills was able to return to half guard, but Riddle used a great pass to move into mount. Mills rolls over and Riddle takes his back.

Mills locks in a body triangle while looking for the rear-naked choke, however, Mills aptly fends it off. Riddle rolls into mount where he throws some body punches until the horn sounds.

Riddle is up 20-18 heading into the third and final round.

Che Mills vs. Matt Riddle - Round 1

I love how this fight was preceded by a commercial for Hooters. Ironically, that's where many of today's fight fans are tuning in due to Comcast not carrying Fuel TV in time for this card. 

Riddle has a one-inch height advantage, but the other stats are identical heading into this welterweight bout.

Riddle shot in for a single leg early, but was unsuccessful. The American presses Mills up against the cage and was able to score the takedown 90 seconds into the round. However, Che returned to his feet without absorbing any damage and was able to separate.

Che found himself on the floor once again when Riddle scored another single leg, although the Brit got back on his feet and broke away.

Each man landed a big punch before Riddle once again clinched against the cage. The American earned a takedown and stayed on top before the bell sounded.

10-9 Riddle heading into Round 2.

Photo: UFC.com

Preliminary Card Recap:

Renee Forte defeats Terry Etim via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Danny Castillo defeats Paul Sass via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Angle Ogle defeats Josh Grispi via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Tom Watson defeats Stanislav Nedkov via TKO in Round 2.

Vaughan Lee defeats Motonobu Tezuka via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Phil Harris defeats Ulysses Gomez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)