UFC 188: Werdum submits Velasquez; Alvarez outlasts Melendez

Heavy underdog Fabricio Werdum claimed the undisputed UFC heavyweight title with a spectacular submission victory over Cain Velasquez at UFC 188 in Mexico City on Saturday night.

In the co-main event, Eddie Alvarez survived an early onslaught (and a completely swollen eye) to take a split-decision victory from Gilbert Melendez.

See below for complete results from the event.

Fabricio Werdum def. Cain Velasquez via third-round submission

It was a career defining performance for Fabricio Werdum, as he violently wrecked Cain Velasquez with vicious punches and knees before finishing the long-time champion with a third round guillotine choke. After completely dominating the second round, Werdum wobbled a completely gassed Velasquez with heavy shots, before sinking in the fight-ending choke when the now former champ desperately dove for a double-leg two minutes into the third stanza. Incredible.

Eddie Alvarez def. Gilbert Melendez via split-decision

It wasn't a world destroying barn-burner, but Eddie Alvarez survived an early first round blitz to take a split-decision victory over Gilbert Melendez. Melendez dominated the opening round, landing a stiff jab and massive elbows, rendering Alvarez's left eye useless with a vicious, perfectly-placed elbow. Undaunted, Alvarez quite simply outworked Melendez over the final 10 minutes, landing multiple takedowns, while generally controlling the pace on the feet.

Kelvin Gastelum def. Nate Marquardt via second-round TKO

Kelvin Gastelum ran roughshod over Nate Marquardt over 10 minutes, forcing Marquardt's corner to put a merciful end to the beating between the second and third rounds. Gastelum wrecked Marquardt with blistering combinations on the feet, and almost finished the former King of Pancrase with a violent flurry on the floor in the later stages of the second stanza. Just a spectacular performance for Gastelum, who will likely try to move back down to welterweight for his next bout.

Yair Rodriguez def. Charles Rosa via split-decision

Yair Rodriguez and Charles Rosa gave the crowd a much-needed shot in the arm, engaging in a spectacular back-and-forth battle with Rodriguez emerging via razor-close split-decision. Rodriguez was the better fighter on the feet, unleashing an impressive array of kicks while coming close to finishing Rosa with a tight triangle choke during the first round. Rosa finished strong, out-wrestling Rodriguez and landing heavy ground-and-pound in the final round, but it was a classic example of too little, too late for Boston Strong.

Tecia Torres def. Angela Hill via unanimous decision

It wasn't pretty - actually, it was downright ugly - but Tecia Torres used her superior grappling to outwork Angela Hill and earn a unanimous decision victory. Torres frequently outlanded Hill on the feet, and was downright dominant once the fight hit the floor, easily controlling position with heavy top control. The Tiny Tornado didn't inflict much damage once on the mat, though, allowing Hill to eventually escape unscathed.

Henry Cejudo def. Chico Camus via unanimous decision

It wasn't a division-shaking performance, but Henry Cejudo did just enough to squeak by crafty veteran Chico Camus. Camus gave Cejudo the stiffest test of his career, landing crisp shots while mostly avoiding Cejudo's world-class wrestling. Cejudo landed some blistering shots of his own, simply outworking Camus on the feet for long stretches of the 15-minute affair once he realized he couldn't rely on his vaunted wrestling and heavy top control.

Efrain Escudero def. Drew Dober via first-round guillotine choke

Another fight, another warp-speed guillotine choke. This time it was Efrain Escudero, taking a mere 54 seconds to tap out Drew Dober. Dober opened the bout by throwing a head kick but had his legs swept out from under him by Escudero, who immediately pounced with the fight-ending choke.

Patrick Williams def. Alejandro Perez via first-round guillotine choke

It was almost over before it even started. Mere seconds into the opening round, Williams sent Perez backpedaling across the cage with a big right hand. When Perez tried to regain his bearings by going for Williams's legs, he was immediately met with a dangerously tight guillotine choke. Perez tried to fight off the submission, but was eventually choked into unconsciousness just 23 seconds into the bout.

Johnny Case def. Francisco Trevino via unanimous decision

Johnny Case's superior grappling was the difference Saturday night, dominating Francisco Trevino on the floor for the better part of 15 minutes en route to a unanimous decision victory. Case survived an early eye poke, and essentially fought much of the bout one-eyed. That mattered not, though - even with poor depth perception, he was able to outpoint Trevino on the feet, and took the fight to the mat seemingly at will.

Cathal Pendred def. Augusto Montano via unanimous decision

This. Fight. Sucked. In one of the most agonizingly boring bouts in UFC history, Cathal Pendred's sheer pressure and willingness to engage were enough to earn him a victory over Augusto Montano. Montano put on his running shoes for long stretches of the bout, while Pendred dominated with his strength, wrestling, and blanket-like top control whenever he was able to get his hands on the aptly nicknamed Dodger.

Gabriel Benitez def. Clay Collard via unanimous decision

Gabriel Benitez viciously punished Clay Collard with rib-roasting, knee-buckling kicks for 15 minutes en route to a lopsided unanimous decision. Collard had almost nothing for Benitez on the feet, as the Mexican picked Cassius apart with a steady diet of thumping body kicks, crumbling Collard to the mat more than once with debilitating shots.

Main Card

Cain Velasquez (242) vs. Fabricio Werdum (236)
Eddie Alvarez (156) vs. Gilbert Melendez (156)
Kelvin Gastelum (185) vs. Nate Marquardt (184)
Yair Rodriguez (145) vs. Charles Rosa (145)
Angela Hill (115) vs. Tecia Torres (114)

Prelim Card

Chico Camus (126) vs. Henry Cejudo (125)
Drew Dober (155) vs. Efrain Escudero (156)
Alejandro Perez (136) vs. Patrick Williams (136)
Johnny Case (155) vs. Francisco Trevino (154)

Fight Pass Prelims

Augusto Montano (170) vs. Cathal Pendred (170)
Gabriel Benitez (145) vs. Clay Collard (146)