UFC on Versus 3 Fight Card: Live Play-by-Play and Results Slideshow Blog

While the MMA world is still deciding how to react to the draw between Jon Fitch and B.J. Penn that ended UFC 127, the organization is already getting set to hold its first event in the month of March. Tonight, UFC on Versus 3: Sanchez vs. Kampmann will be held at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

Because of its close proximity to UFC 127, this event hasn't exactly been one of the more highly anticipated fights of late. Still, UFC on Versus 3 possesses talent that fans wouldn't normally get too see without purchasing a pay-per-view event.

After surprising many with his close decision loss to Jake Shields, Martin Kampmann has become recognized as a true welterweight contender. Kampmann will fight Diego Sanchez at UFC on Versus 3 in a fight that could potentially have the winner a fight away from a title shot.

Former WEC Bantamweight Champion Brian Bowles will also make his return and debut in the Octagon for this event. Also, Mark Munoz and Rousimar Palhares will look to re-emerge as threats in the middleweight division.

Stay tuned as Bleacher Report brings you play-by-play results and analysis of the all the action from tonight's event. Coverage begins at approximately 6 P.M. EST. 

UFC on Versus 3: 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

Preliminary Card Results

Igor Pokrajac defeats Todd Brown by technical knockout at 5:00 of the first round.

A strong finish to the first round by Pokrajac renders Brown unable to continue. Pokrajac rebounds from a loss to Stephan Bonnar in his last fight. After losing to Tim Boetsch in his UFC debut, this is Brown's second loss in as many fights with the organization.

Rousimar Palhares defeats Dave Branch by submission at 1:44 of the second round.

For the fifth time in his career, Palhares won a fight with a heelhook. After an unfortunate end to his last fight, where he was caught off guard while accusing Nate Marquardt of greasing, this is an important win for Palhares as he attempts to climb the middleweight ladder all over again.

Dong Yi Yang defeats Rob Kimmons by technical knockout at 2:47 of the second round.

Yang dropped Kimmons in the first round. Although Kimmon scored a takedown in the second round, he was never able to fully recover. Yang quickly reversed position and finished the fight from Kimmons' back. Yang rebound from a narrow decision loss in his UFC debut against Chris Camozzi. 

Takeya Mizugaki defeats Rueben Duran by split decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28).

This was a close fight, where Mizugaki's takedowns appeared to make the difference on the scorecards. Both fighters made their UFC debuts in this fight. Of course, Mizugaki entered the UFC through the WEC merger. Meanwhile, Duran was signed after some impressive performances with King of the Cage.

Shane Roller defeats Thiago Tavares by knockout at 1:28 of the second round.

Tavares looked strong in the first round. However, Roller caught Tavares with a nice combination early in the second round. Tavares dropped to the canvas and Roller pounced on his opponent to finish the fight. Despite the slow start, an impressive finish in Roller's UFC debut.

Danny Castillo defeats Joe Stevenson by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).

This fight was a back-and-forth grappling match. After the first two rounds, it looked like the scoring could have gone either way. Castillo took over the fight in the third round, though. Another impressive debut for a former WEC lightweight as Castillo defeats the long-time UFC fighter. Stevenson has now lost in three consecutive fights.

Cyrille Diabate defeats Steve Cantwell by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-25, 30-26)

Cantwell was unable to take the fight to the ground, which is a recipe for disaster against Diabate. Toward the end of the round, Diabate drops Cantwell with an uppercut, but is unable to finish. Cantwell looks completely out of it and Diabate is picking him apart. Cantwell has nothing left in his takedown attempts. Really, it's amazing that this fight made it out of the second round. The fact that it went the distance is almost sad. Diabate was nonchalant and breathing heavy for the last ten minutes of the fight.  

Brian Bowles Vs. Damacio Page

Round 1

Damacio Page swings wildly and misses. Page lands a head kick and followed by a flying knee, though. Page is landing knees and leg kicks, but Brian Bowles looks comfortable still. Bowles hurts Page with an uppercut then walks through a head kick. Bowles takes the fight to the ground and puts Page to sleep with a guillotine choke. Deja vu from their first fight.

Bowles defeats Page by submission at 3:30 of the first round.

Alessio Sakara Vs. Chris Weidman

Round 1

Chris Weidman throws a grazing head kick early. Alessio Sakara seems to be thinking more about takedown defense than mounting offense early. Sakara finishes a combination with a right leg kick. Then, Weidman clinches, but Sakara is able to separate. Sakara lands another three-punch and leg kick combination. Weidman shoots in for a double leg, but Sakara defends well again. Sakara unloads again and lands to the body and head. Impressive takedown defense again from Sakara. Weidman puts together a combination as blood runs down the right side of Sakara's face. The fighters trade blows at the bell.

Bleacher Report scores the round 10-9 for Sakara. 

Round 2

Left jab from Weidman to start the round. Sakara answers with a jab of his his own, but Weidman takes him down with a high single leg. Weidman lands an elbow that opens another cut on the other side of Sakara's face. Weidman transitions to side control and is looking for the crucifix. Weidman continues to land left hands from the side control. Sakara regains half guard and escapes. Weidman takes the fight right back to the ground, though. Sakara uses the cage to stand. The referee calls a break for the doctor to check out Sakara's cut. Sakara wipes his blood on the referee's shirt in a humorous moment. Sakara lands a knee to the body on the restart. Sakara lands a nice left hook to the body and ends the round with another combination to the body.

Bleacher Report scores the round 10-9 for Weidman.  

Round 3

Sakara comes out agressive, but Weidman takes him down directly into side control. Weidman lands some short elbows. Sakara regains half guard, but Weidman continues to work his ground-and-pound. The referee breaks the fighters and stands them up. Weidman takes Sakara down yet again and pulls him away from the fence. Again, Weidman transitions to side control. Sakara regains half guard, but he is running out of time to score in this round. Sakara escapes, but is taken back down with another double leg. The fight ends with Weidman in Sakara's half guard.

Bleacher Report scores the round 10-9 for Weidman. (29-28 Weidman)

Weidman defeats Sakara by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

C.B. Dollaway Vs. Mark Munoz

Round 1

Solid right leg kick from C.B. Dollaway early. Dollaway takes Mark Munoz down, but is unable to take advantage. A straight right hurts Dollaway and Munoz finishes Dollway with two heavy hammerfists. Dollaway is upset with the stoppage, but he looks dazed as he stands.

Munoz defeats Dollaway by knockout at 0:54 of the first round.

Diego Sanchez Vs. Martin Kampmann

Round 1

Martin Kampmann follows two jabs with a nice combination. Kampmann drops Diego Sanchez with a left and latches on to Sanchez's neck. Sanchez drops for a double leg takedown, but Kampmann denies him. Kampmann is picking Sanchez apart on his feet. Sanchez lands a right rook, but Kampmann looks unaffected. Kampmann lands anothe jab and stuffs a takedown. Kampmann knees Sanchez as the fighters separate.

Bleacher Report scores the round 10-9 for Kampmann. 

Round 2

Sanchez is bleeding badly. He looks to be recovered from the punch that rocked him in the first round, though. Sanchez attempts another takedown, but Kampmann shuts it down again. The fighters swing wildy and Sanchez clips Kampmann. Kampmann definitely does not want to get into a brawl with Sanchez. Kampmann is now bleeding badly as well. Sanchez presses forward, but Kampmann stops him in his tracks with a left hand. Sanchez unloads on Kampmann at the end of the round. This is turning into a slugfest.

Bleacher Report scores the round 10-9 for Sanchez. 

Round 3

Sanchez lands a right to the body and shoots in for Kampmann's right leg. Again, Kampmann denis Sanchez and lands a knee. Kampmann is hesitant to throw his jab as Sanchez is countering well now. Kampmann stuffs another takedown and lands a left leg kick. Sanchez feints a right hook and presses Kampmann against the cage. Sanchez secures a takedown, but does nothing with it.  Sanchez walks through a Kampmann right and presses. Kampmann answers with another knee. Sanchez lands an excellent combination against the fence. Kampmann appears to have hurt his right hand. Sanchez has Kampmann backpedaling at the end of the round. Close round and a close fight.

Bleacher Report scores the round 10-9 for Sanchez. (Sanchez 29-28)

Sanchez defeats Kampmann by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

As Joe Rogan interviews Sanchez, I'm not sure he can even see out of his eyes. What a warrior these guys were. 

UFC on Versus 3: 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