Georges “Rush” St-Pierre scored his 20th professional victory by defeating Dan Hardy in the main event of UFC 111 tonight in Newark, New Jersey. St-Pierre defeated Dan Hardy via unanimous decision in another dominant performance for the Québecois mixed-martial-artist. GSP almost finished the fight in the first and fourth rounds with arm-bars but the valiant Hardy refused to tap out. St-Pierre used his superior wrestling ability to overpower Hardy and make his fourth consecutive successful defence of the UFC welterweight title. GSP told Joe Rogan that he was “very sorry,” for not finishing the fight and congratulated Dan Hardy for a courageous performance. Hardy told Rogan “I don’t know the meaning of tap,” when asked about the near-fight finish arm-bars.
Shane Carwin delivered the knockout of the night with huge uppercuts that dropped Frank Mir. Carwin continued the assault with huge right hands on the ground that knocked Mir unconscious long before referee Dan Miragliotta intervened to stop the bout. UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar entered the ocatagon after the fight and called Carwin’s interim title a “make believe belt,” they are expected to collide on July 3.
Kurt Pellegrino and Fabricio Camoes had an exciting fight that displayed both competitors tremendous grappling abilities. Pellegrino did not disappoint his home-state New Jersey crowd and finished Camoes in the second round with a rear-naked choke.
Jim Miller won a unanimous decision over Mark Bocek (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) in a very close fight that could have easily gone the other way. Jon Fitch beat Ben Saunders, using his wrestling to control the action and cruise to a unanimous decision victory. Saunders had stepped in on Thursday after Thiago Alves was unable to pass pre-fight medical exams.
Nate Diaz took care of Rory Markham in a bout that was officially in the middleweight division after Markham failed to cut to 170lbs. Diaz was able to land more strikes on Markham and finished him with some ground and pound. Ricardo Almeida and Matt Brown battled through the first round but Almeida was able to expertly apply a rear-naked choke to force the second round submission.
Main Card Results
Georges St-Pierre def. Dan Hardy via unanimous decision (50-43, 50-44, 50-45) to retain his UFC welterweight championship
Shane Carwin def. Frank Mir via TKO (strikes) after 3:48 in Round 1 to win the UFC interim heavyweight championship
Kurt Pellegrino def. Fabricio Camoes via submission (rear-naked choke) after 4:20 in Round 2
Jon Fitch def. Ben Saunders via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Jim Miller def. Mark Bocek via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Televised Preliminary Results
Ricardo Almeida def. Matt Brown via submission (rear-naked choke) after 3:30 in Round 2
Nate Diaz def. Rory Markham via TKO (strikes) after 2:47 in Round 1
Preliminary Results
Matthew Riddle def. Greg Soto via disqualification (illegal upkick) at 1:30 in Round 1
Jared Hamman def. Rodney Wallace via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Rousimar Palhares def. Tomasz Drwal via submission (heel hook) after 0:45 in round 1
