UFC 128 Results: Shogun Vs. Jones Live Play-by-Play Slideshow Blog

UFC 128 is drawing near, which means we are now only hours away from the most highly anticipated fight of 2011. In the main event, the young and extremely talented Jon Jones will attempt to validate the hype that has surrounded him since his UFC debut. Standing in Jones' way of realizing the goal of becoming UFC Light Heavyweight Champion is Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.

Urijah Faber also adds to the intrigue of this event as he will make his UFC debut against Eddie Wineland. Also, Jim Miller will attempt to finally prove that he is ready to compete for the title with a win over Kamal Shalorus.

Bleacher Report will be following all of the night's action and you can follow along with us right here. Coverage begins around 7:00 pm ET as the preliminary fights begin at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

UFC 128: Results, News and More

Sean Smith is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. For the latest insight and updates on everything MMA, you can follow Sean on Twitter @BR_Sean_Smith

Erik Koch Vs. Raphael Assuncao

Erik Koch defeated Rafael Assuncao by knockout at 2:32 of the first round.

Koch landed a hard right hand that had Assuncao out before he hit the ground. Both fighters were making the UFC debuts after previously competing in the WEC. Koch has now won three straight, while Assuncao has dropped three of his last four fights.

Nick Catone Vs. Constantinos Phillippou

Nick Catone defeated Constantinos Phillippou by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Catone put on a strong performance at UFC 128 by defeating UFC newcomer Phillippou. Catone has now won two in a row after losing in a split decision to middleweight contender Mark Munoz.

Joseph Benavidez Vs. Ian Loveland

Joseph Benavidez defeated Ian Loveland by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

In his first UFC fight, Benavidez took control of the bout after a close first round. Benavidez has now won two fights in a row after dropping a split decision to Dominick Cruz. Loveland's loss brought an end to a 7-fight winning streak.

Kurt Pellegrino Vs. Gleison Tibau

Round 1

An uneventful round, but Tibau did enough to take it on the cards by clinching against the cage and scoring a brief takedown.

B/R scores the round 10-9 for Tibau.

Round 2

After unsuccessful attempts to take the fight to the ground in the first round, Pellegrino was able to secure a takedown in the second round. Some good top control and methodical ground-and-pound earns Pellegrino the round on the cards.

B/R scores the round 10-9 for Pellegrino. 

Round 3

Pellegrino worked hard for a takedown, but was eventually taken down by Tibau near the end of the fight. The late takedown earned Tibau the round and possiibly the fight.

B/R scores the round 10-9 for Tibau. (29-28 Tibau)

Tibau defeated Pellegrino by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Ricardo Almeida Vs. Mike Pyle

Round 1

A back-and-forth round that saw Ricardo Almeida score a takedown and Mike Pyle land a bruising knee at the end of the round.

B/R scores the round 10-9 for Pyle.

Round 2

Another close round, but Almeida closed the round with some solid combinations and leg kicks. Almeida followed that up with a takedown and ended the round on top of Pyle. 

B/R scores the round 10-9 for Almeida.

Round 3

With two takedowns and multiple knees, Pyle got the better of Almeida in the third round. 

B/R scores the round 10-9 for Pyle. (29-28 Pyle)

Pyle defeats Almeida by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28). 

Edson Barboza Vs. Anthony Njokuani

Round 1

Anthony Njokuani lands two leg kicks early. Edson Barboza answers by dropping Njokuani with a right. Barboza lands multiple times as Njokuani is against the fence. The fighters serparate and Barboza lands a right leg kick. A Barboza right misses and Njokuani counters with a left. Barboza is lands a series of jabs. Njokuani asks for time because of an eye poke, but the referee forces the action to continue. The fighters trade leg kicks and the round come to an uneventful close.

B/R scores the round 10-9 Barboza.

Round 2

Njokuani lands a slick spinning-back elbow. Njokuani catches a Barboza kick and floors him. Njokuani is looking to land a head kick, but Barboza is ready for them. Barboza lands a front kick and Njokuani answers with a hard leg kick. Njokuani presses Barboza against the cage, but takes a knee to the body. Barboza ends the round with a double-leg takedown.

B/R scores the round 10-9 Njokuani. 

Round 3

Njokuani is pressing the action and landing. Barboza's leg kicks were the story heading into the fight, but it is Njokuani who is scoring with them more often. Barboza lands a spinning-back kick to the head of Njokuani and then another one to the body. Njokuani lands a knee as Barboza shoots for a double leg. Barboza finishes the takedown and ends the round on top.

B/R scores the round 10-9 Barboza (29-28 Barboza).

Barboza defeats Njokuani by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

Eliot Marshall Vs. Luiz Cane

Round 1

Luiz Cane is controlling the center of the Octagon at the beginning of the fight, but Eliot Marshall is the first to strike with a straight right. A weak single-leg takedown attempt is stopped by Cane. Cane corners Marshall and rocks him with a combination. Marshall drops to the canvas and covers up until the referee calls a stop to the fight.

Cane defeats Marshall by technical knockout at 2:15 of the first round.

Brendan Schaub Vs. Mirko Filipovic

Round 1

Mirko Filipovic blocks a Brendan Schaub head kick. Schaub clinches and lands two uppercuts. Filipovic separates, but Schaub presses him against the cage. Schaub takes Filipovic down and eats an upkick as he attempts to transition to side control. Schaub dives back into Filipovic's guard and starts working his ground-and-pound. Filipovic sweeps and stands. Schaub clinches and runs Filipovic across the OCtagon as he tries to take the fight back down to the ground. 

B/R scores the round 10-9 for Schaub.

Round 2

Filipovic lands a left head kick, but Schaub is unaffected and takes the fight to the ground. Schaub postures up and drops right hands before Filipovic lands an illegal upkick. On the restart, Filipovic presses Schaub against the fence, but Schaub quickly reverses position. Schaub lands knees to the body from the clinch. Still against the fence, Filipovic lands a left hook and Schaub's nose is bleeding. Schaub lands a strike to the back of Filipovic's head after being warned and a point is deducted.

B/R scores the round 9-9. 

Round 3

Filipovic lands a hard left kick to the groin of Schaub and action is stopped. Schaub takes Filipovic down. Filipovic stands quickly, but is put right back down on the ground by Schaub. Schaub passes to half guard, but then allows Filipovic to stand. Schaub blocks a left head kick and then is pressed agaisnt the cage by Filipovic. Filipovic stuffs a takedown, but is drilled by a right hook. Herb Dean rushes in to prevent further damage.

Schaub defeats Filipovic by knockout at 3:44 of the third round.

Nate Marquardt Vs. Dan Miller

Round 1

Nate Marquardt pushes the fight to the fence and Dan Miller drops for a single leg. Marquardt defends on one leg before finally being taken down. Marquardt uses the fense to stand and takes Miller down, but is forced to defend a guillotine choke. Marquardt slips his head out and winds up in Millers guard. Marquardt lands short elbows as Miller is looking to work from the rubber guard. The fighters are stood up after a short period of inactivity. Marquardt secures a double leg and slams Miller in the center of the Octagon. Miller is looking for a kimura, but Marquardt is having none of it.

B/R scores the round 10-9 for Marquardt.

Round 2

Marquardt lands a hard leg kick to start the round and just misses with a head kick. Marquardt attempts a flying knee, but Miller uses it to take him down. Marquardt stands without taking any damage, though. Marquardt misses on a straight right and eats a left hook from Miller. Marquardt takes Miller down, but is in trouble with another deep Miller guillotine choke. Somehow, Marquardt escapes and lands some elbows before the round ends.

B/R scores the round 10-9 for Marquardt.

Round 3

Marquardt lands a righ leg kick and is loading up his right hand. Marquardt lands on a right leg kick and straight right combination. Miller shoots, but is stuffed by Marquardt, who uses the poor takedown attempt to put Miller on his back. Marquardt is landing some hard elbows from Miller's guard. Miller attempts a triangle as the final round comes to an end.

B/R scores the round 10-9 for Marquardt (30-27 Marquardt).

Marquardt defeats Miller by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Jim Miller Vs. Kamal Shalorus

Round 1

Both fighters are swinging aggressively in the early moments of the first round. Miller lands a slapping leg kick. Shalorus answers with a leg kick of his own. Shalorus catches a kick and lands with a left hand. Shalorus takes a leg and puts Miller on his back, but allows him to stand. Miller clinches and lands a knee. Shalorus eats a hard left head kick, but doesn't appear to be hurt. Miller lands a knee to the body and commits to a guillotine choke. Shalorus slips out of the submission attempt and lands in Miller's full guard. The referee stands the fighters up with 20 seconds remaining in the round. Miller attempts another guillotine choke, but Shalorus slips out of it again.

B/R scores the round 10-9 for Miller.

Round 2

The round starts off with Shalorus landing a left leg kick. Shalorus attempts a single leg takedown and Miller throws his legs up for a flying triangle attempt. The attempt fails and Miller stands. With an outstanding scramble, Miller takes Shalorus' back and is looking to secure a rear-naked choke. Miller locks up a body triangle, but Shalorus is doing a good job of controlling Miller's hands. 

B/R scores the round 10-9 for Miller.

Round 3

Miller scores with an uppercut and left hook. Miller lands a knee to the groin of Shalorus and action is stopped briefly. Miller hits Shalorus with a hard left uppercut. Shalorus is hurt and Miller uses the opportunity to drop his opponent with a knee. Hammerfists from Miller force an end to the fight.

Miller defeats Shalorus by technical knockout at 2:50 of the third round.

Urijah Faber Vs. Eddie Wineland

Round 1

The fighters clinch and Urijah Faber attempts a hip toss with double overhooks. Eddie Wineland defends and presses Faber against the fence. Wineland is attempting to trip Faber. Wineland takes Faber's back and slams him to the canvas. Faber eats a right hand as he stands. Faber throws a short left hook to the head of Wineland and then lands a left hook. Faber clinches and attempts a throw, but Wineland defends well. Faber scores on an overhand right and short right hook.

B/R scores the round 10-10. 

Round 2

Faber misses with a left head kickand Wineland lands a leg kick. Faber finally secures a takedown and start dropping elbows. Faber postures up and drops some hard right hands. Wineland pushes off and nearly escapes, but Faber smothers him. Faber lifts Wineland and slams him from knee-height.

B/R scores the round 10-9 Faber.

Round 3

Faber shoots in half-speed and is denied by Wineland. Wineland clinches and presses Faber to the fence, but Faber is able to free himself. Faber bodylocks before dropping to a double leg. Faber lifts Wineland and slams him from waist-height. Faber seems content to stay in Wineland's full guard and drop elbows. The round ends in that position.

B/R scores the round 10-9 Faber (30-28 Faber).

Faber defeats Wineland by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). 

Mauricio Rua Vs. Jon Jones

Round 1

Jon Jones attempts a flying knee, but it doesn't land. Jones clinches and takes Maurico Rua down. Jones drops a left elbow and moves into the half guard. Jones takes Rua's back and lands a knee to the body. Jones scores on multiple punches as Rua stands. Jones lands a left to the body and knees Rua. Jones tries a spinning-back elbow and Rua takes his back. Rua drops for a kneebar attempt, but Jones recognizes it immediately.

B/R scores the round 10-9 Jones.  

Round 2

Jones ducks a left hook and presses Rua against the cage. Jones separates and lands a spinning-back elbow. Jones lands a straight left that backs Rua up. Jones takes Rua down and is looking like the dominant fighter in this fight. Jones tries a kneebar as the round expires. 

B/R scores the round 10-9 Jones.

Round 3

Rua takes Jones' back and drops down for another leg lock attempt. Jones spins out of it and lands in Rua's full guard. Jones blasts Rua with elbows and looks to finish the fight. Jones knees Rua's body as the champion stands. Rua is extremely wobbly. Jones follows a punch to the body with a knee that drops Rua. The fight is over and Jones is the new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.

Jones defeats Rua by technical knockout at 2:37 of the third round.