The final four preliminary bouts of UFC Fight Night 31 aired on Fox Sports 1 and Bobby Green defeated James Krause in the first round after a controversial stoppage.
During the opening minutes of the first round, Green landed two unintentional kicks to the groin, and was deducted a point by referee John McCarthy.
Krause would be able to continue following the second illegal kick and they continued to have their striking battle.
Green would land a kick to the belt line of Krause that may have been an illegal strike. However, McCarthy ruled that the kick was legal and stopped the fight since Krause fell to the mat.
Green (21-5) is now on a six fight winning streak and it’s likely that the UFC will re-schedule this fight due to the controversial ending. Krause (20-5) entered the fight on an eight fight winning streak, and this is his first defeat by TKO.
Rivera wins second straight in the UFC by TKO in second round
Francisco Rivera won his second straight fight by TKO in the second round as he defeated UFC veteran George Roop.
Rivera landed a big combination in the opening moments of the fight and Roop was able to use the cage to stay on the feet. After weathering the storm, Roop was able to use his grappling and take the fight to the ground. The fight would end up back on the feet and Rivera ended the round by landing a couple of short punches.
In what would be the final round, Rivera landed a combination that hurt Roop and went for the finish by throwing everything he had. Roop would end up dropping to the ground and referee Mario Yamasaki stepped in to call the fight.
Rivera (10-2, 1NC) has gone unbeaten in the UFC since returning to the organization last year. Seven of his ten career wins have come by TKO/KO and his last two wins have come by TKO in the second round. The defeat snapped a two fight winning streak for Roop (14-10-1) as a bantamweight, and this is his third defeat by TKO/KO.
Bermudez defeats Siler for fifth straight victory
In what may end up being the fight of the night bonus winner, Dennis Bermudez won his fifth straight fight in the UFC with a decision victory over Steven Siler.
In the opening round, the fighters went back and fourth with each fighter coming close to a guillotine choke submission victory. Siler would attempt the first of several guillotine choke submissions by both fighters, but Bermudez escaped and he locked in a guillotine choke late in the round. Siler would be able to escape and make it to the second round.
They continued to have a back and fourth fight in the second and third round with Bermudez landing the bigger strikes and getting close to a submission victory in both rounds. Siler would be able to survive, but Bermudez would get the victory on the judges scorecards.
Bermudez (12-3) has now won five fights in a row since losing the TUF 14 Featherweight Finale, and four of his five victories in the UFC have come by decision. Siler (23-11) is now 5-2 in the UFC and both of his defeats have come by unanimous decision.
Nunes wins second straight by TKO in first round
The opening bout of the UFC Fight Night 31 preliminary card on Fox Sports 1 was a women’s bantamweight bout as Amanda Nunes stopped Germaine de Randamie by TKO in the first round.
Nunes was able to get the fight to the ground earlier in the fight. Once on the mat, she was able to achieve the full mount position and work her top strikes. After throwing multiple strikes from the full mount position, referee Herb Dean came in to call the fight.
Nunes (9-3) has now won back to back fights since making her UFC debut earlier this year and both wins have come TKO in the first round. The defeat for Randamie (4-3) snaps a two fight winning streak and this is her first defeat by TKO.
UFC Fight Night 31 Results:
Bobby Green def. James Krause via TKO (kick) – Round 1, 3:50
Francisco Rivera def. George Roop via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 2:20
Dennis Bermudez def. Steven Siler via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Amanda Nunes def. Germaine de Randamie via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:56
Lorenz Larkin def. Chris Camozzi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Yancy Medeiros def. Yves Edwards via KO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:47
Seth Baczynski def. Neil Magny via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Derek Brunson def. Brian Houston via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, :48