Updated Aug 18, 2013 7:45 AM ET
Chael Sonnen forces Mauricio “Shogun” Rua to tap out to a guillotine choke.
For its opening night, FOX Sports 1 chose the UFC. For the sport, it was the chance for a showcase. At its best, athleticism, action, and unpredictability are common threads that weave through it in equal measure, though those are not always givens. The last time mixed martial arts saw this kind of opportunity was in 2011, when the UFC and FOX smashed the champagne on their maiden voyage to mixed reviews. This time around, there was nothing to criticize. It was all there on full display, highlighted by a stunner of a headliner, which saw Chael Sonnen force Mauricio “Shogun” Rua to tap out to a guillotine choke.
Yes, Sonnen, the man who had been criticized for his problems with submissions, the man who had never beaten a former UFC champion, and who had spent most of the last seven years as a middleweight, tapped out a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and the last fighter to hold the light-heavyweight belt prior to the Jon Jones era.
The official time of the finish came at 4:47 of the first round, snapping Sonnen’s losing streak at two.
Full Results:
Chael Sonnen def. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua via guillotine choke, Rd. 1 (4:27)
Travis Browne def. Alistair Overeem via knockout, Rd. 1 (4:08)
Urijah Faber def. Iuri Alcantara via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
Matt Brown def. Mike Pyle via knockout, Rd. 1 (0:29)
John Howard def. Uriah Hall via split-decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29)
Michael Johnson def. Joe Lauzon via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-25)
Michael McDonald def. Brad Pickett via triangle choke submission, Rd. 2 (3:43)
Conor McGregor def. Max Holloway via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Steven Siler def. Mike Brown via knockout, Rd. 1 (0:50)
Diego Brandao def. Daniel Pineda via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Manny Gamburyan def. Cole Miller via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Ovince St. Preux def. Cody Donovan via knockout, Rd. 1 (2:07)
James Vick def. Ramsey Nijem via guillotine choke submission, Rd. 1 (0:58)
Awards - $50,000 each
Knockout of the Night - Matt Brown, Travis Browne
Submission of the Night - Chael Sonnen, Michael McDonald
Fight of the Night - Michael McDonald vs. Brad Pickett
Attendance: 12,539
Gate: $1.53 million