UFC Fight Night 11 Live Recap: Thomas vs. Florian

We're covering all of the UFC Fight Night results from The Pearl in Las Vegas, so refresh or hit F5 as often as you like for the results! The live show starts in five minutes. If you want the dark match results they can be found here.

The smack talking has begun! Kenny Florian promises he'll prove something to everybody in UFC by defeating Din Thomas. Thomas responds that the referee is going to have to stop the fight to save him or words to that effect. UFC Fight Night is LIVE! Goldberg previews the new season of Ultimate Fighter and throws to Rogan, who talks about how both of tonight's main eventers are "natural" at 155 pounds. Rogan puts over how skilled Florian's jiu jitsu is but says that Thomas is no slouch either and has excellent boxing to go with it, and calls them both top 10 contenders in the lightweight division. If Sherk gets stripped, one of these two men may indeed wind up holding the belt. We get some footage of Nate Diaz and Junior Assuancao, more of Chris Leven and Terry Martin, and then back to the Fight Night logo. There seems to be some audio problem as they are showing us the rules of the Octagon but Goldberg is not narrating as usual.

* Nate Quarry v. Pete Sell

The audio problems continue as we only get footage of the two men's previous fights with no comments from Goldberg on either man. Pete Sell talks about wanting to "beat his ass" in this fight. He tells us Serra is at the top of the world and he wants to be there too, but Quarry promises his hand will be raised and everybody will see he's back. It's kind of cool to see and hear this without the commentary but at the same time it's a little bit weird. Quarry: "People said I would never compete in professional sports again but I chose not to believe them. Now it's time for me to do what I do best."

Joe Rogan is showing us a cross section of a spinal column and what they did to fix Nate Quarry up, but we can't hear a word of his explanation. In fact it's obvious at this point the commentators are oblivious to the fact there's any problem with the audio. The tale of the tape shows 35 to 25, Quarry to Sell in age. Quarry is six feet even and Sell is an inch shorter. Sell weighs 184, Quarry weighs two more. Sell has a one inch reach advantage at 73". Here's Bruce Buffer with the fighter introductions, LIVE ON SPIKE TV, three rounds in the middleweight division. Pete 'Drago' Sell is 7-4 and fights out of Westbury, New York. Nate 'Rock' Quarry fights out of Griisham, Oregon and his record is 14-2. Mario Yamasaki is the ref.

STILL no commentary from Rogan or Goldberg as we get underway. Quarry and Sell circle and feel each other out with punches. Quarry looks for the double underhooks and Sell sprawls. They end up pushed into the cage wall where Sell tries to unload on his head with right hands. Sell goes for a single leg and his corner screams "HE'S DYING ALREADY DRAGO, BEAUTIFUL!" I can only assume that's Serra, nobody's louder than him as a cornerman. Quarry gets back to his feet. The two jockey for position and Quarry's corner screams "You know where you wanna go Nate!" Yamasaki comes over to break up the standstill. Quarry seems to be on the offensive now with strikes. Quarry throws a knee that does nothing. Sell circles. 2:30 to go in the round and it's dead silent other than the fighers and their corners. Quarry and Sell seem more than content to have a stand up war. Sell pushes Quarry into the cage wall again, Quarry counters and now Sell has his back to the cage. Yamasaki gives one of them a warning not to hold onto the shorts. Sell gets hit with a knee as he goes for a single leg then abandons it. 1:20 left in the round. They break away from the cage wall and throw leather again. Quarry's corner screams at him to keep his hands up. Sell seems to be connecting effectively with the jab and may have bloodied him slightly. Quarry keeps backing up as the round comes to a close. I'll give this one to Sell 10-9 since he seemed to be doing more and controlling the pace of the fight.

Goldberg and Rogan's mics are finally back on as we start R2. Rogan also gives a slight edge to Pete Sell (good man) for R1. Goldberg notes that Sell is continuing to push forard. Quarry comes back with a right leg kick looking to do some damage. Sell seems unfazed but the kick is landing repeatedly. Sell conects with a body shot and a BIG RIGHT but Quarry quickly got back to his feet so I don't know if you can even call that a flash knockout. Nonetheless Sell has to be feeling good that he rocked Quarry. The right hand is landing almost at will, Quarry's boxing defense seems non-existant. The crowd is chanting DRA-GO, DRA-GO. Sell shoots in for a takedown. Sell has a bleeder on his cheek under the left eye. A little bit of dirty boxing and elbows along the cage wall before the two seperate. Quarry keeps dropping the left hand and Sell is clearly aware of it. 2:00 left to go. Quarry tries to come in and just puts himself in Sell's range for another shot. Sell is setting up with the left and then coming in heavy with the right. Rogan notes just one good punch in the right place could drop Quarry and that he's not an "elusive target" right now. Serra is screaming "HIS BODY'S OPEN" and Rogan notes that you learn to yell loudly in Long Island. 40 seconds left. Goldberg apologizes for the audio difficulties earlier (I didn't mind, it was kind of fun, but thanks Mike). Quarry throws a couple of limp leg kicks but I'd still say Sell dominated R2. Right now on my card he's ahead on both rounds 10-9.

We're back for R3 with replay footage of the right that dropped Quarry. Yamasaki signals both fighters to start. Quarry comes right in with more leg kicks. Everytime Quarry wants a kick Sell answers him with a big punch. Quarry rocks Sell with a hand! IT'S OVER!!!! Quarry screams something that immediately gets bleeped out. Sell missed with a punch and Quarry UNLOADED with a right. Wow! That's it. We'll get the official decision after this commercial break!

Here's the announcement. Yamasaki stops the fight at 0:44 of R3 for the winner by knockout Nate 'Rock' Quarry! Quarry says he and Rogan should get an apartment together as he gives him a hug. Rogan: "You must have really got hit hard in that second round." Quarry: "Dude he hit me hard at the weigh-in!" Rogan talks about Quarry's spinal surgery and Quarry shows the scars under his shirt. "I told the doctor, doc I need this surgery so if I get dropped on my head I'm not paralyzed. I'm here not only to provide food for my family, but to show people that you can make your life whatever you want to be if you believe in yourself." Rogan says to talk us through the knockout. Quarry: "Right hand, right on the jaw. Knock him down. I paused for a second to give him a chance to stand up." Rogan congratulates him and the crowd applauds. Quarry: "So many people I can't thank them all, Mr. Burke, Leonard Trigg, everybody at Human Performance Specialist. Supporters like my friend Katie, without any of them this road would have been ten times harder. I thank you all!" Quarry gets down to kiss the canvas as we get a preview for the next UFC PPV this Saturday featuring Liddell v. Jardine. They seem to be having audio trouble again as well only hear one track and not the voice of the Octagon until near the very end.

After a Halo 3 trailer (HELL YEAH) we're back for Nate Diaz v. Junior Assuncao (say it ah-sun-sow). Diaz says his game plan is "whoop his ass" but Junior says not to worry it won't go to the judges. They show us footage of Junior getting his first win in UFC. "I don't stop until somebody stops me. I'm coming out with my hands up or unconcious." Diaz is hyped up for winning season 5 of Ultimate Fighter. "I'm trying to get me a title shot, but I gotta get me some wins first and it starts right here." Here's the tale of the tape. Both have a 72" reach and weigh 155. Junior is 5'9" and Diaz is an inch taller at six feet even. Diaz is 22. Junior is 4 years older.

* Nate Diaz v. Junior Assuncao

Bruce Buffer is here for the official introductions. In the blue corner Assuncao has six wins, just two losses, and fights out of Atlanta. Diaz fights out of the red corner, his record is the same, and he fights out of Stockton, California. The referee in charge for this fight is Steve Mazzagatti. Assuncao goes for stiff leg kicks early and at least one of them rattled Diaz a little. Diaz takes it up against the fence and works position. Assuncao gets double underhooks. Rogan notes Diaz is a Cesar Gracie disciple, much like his older brother Nick. The two fighters jockey for position. Diaz tries to sweep and drop down but Junior has his back. Diaz rolls but Assuncao maintains control of the positioning even as they get to their feet. Nate goes for a kimura but can't get enough leverage on it as they go to the ground. 2:25 left to go. To be honest this fight is pretty boring so far, and the lack of reaction from the live crowd reflects it. Junior keeps rolling looking for Nate's back but Nate stands up. 90 seconds left. The fight turns into a stand-up war out of nowhere and Nate gets the better of it. Nate can't finish and when it goes to the ground he's trapped mometarily, but Diaz breaks free of it and ends the fight lightning quick with a submission. Diaz is the unofficial winner. The replay shows Diaz going for a guillotine by putting a leg over Junior and locking his hands together to prevent an escape. Commercial.

Here's Bruce Buffer with the announcement. Ladies and gentlemen this fight was stopped at 4:10 of the first round to a tap to guillotine choke for the winner, Nathan Diaz! Diaz: "I've got a lot of good training partners and I'm not afraid to be in the scramble. I'm landing some punches, there you go. My brother is a fantastic boxer, I train with a lot of good boxers. He landed in the guillotine it came out good for me tonight. Thanks to Junior though he's a great fighter. Ecko Unlimited, Stockton California, all my training partners, thanks everybody!" Up later a live interview with Chuck Liddell but first another preview of Thomas v. Florian as we go to commercial.

Chris Leben is rolling and practicing his mount backstage while Terry Martin is shadowboxing as we come back from commercial. Ken Florian is warming up and Din Thomas is punching with a training partner in pads. Goldberg reminds us that the next UFC PPV is in just a few days and throws to Joe Rogan, who has Chuck Liddell and Forrest Griffin both live via satellite. Chuck's up first. Liddell: "I don't underestimate anybody. I give every respect to everybody. I'll be prepared for a tough fight. Jardine's a heavy hitter, he hits hard, he'll get in there and bang. It will be exciting and fun to watch. I'll fight whoever they want, but I want my title back, and I want another fight with Quinton - if he's still got the belt I can kill two birds with one stone." Rogan thanks him. Now here's Forrest Griffin: "I'm here what's goin on bro! Shogan's a great fighter and all that good stuff but I was here first." Griffin has his head cocked way to the left for some reason. Griffin: "He's kinda good, that sucks, but what'cha gonna do there's no easy guys to fight so you might as well fight the guys at the top. There's a long line and I'm happy to fight anybody but yeah it puts me up there." We go back to the Octagon at The Pearl and Goldberg says up next is Leben v. Martin, but first these commercial messages.

Back from commercial and it's time for the hype package for Chris Leben and Terry Martin. Leben: "When I step into the Octagon tonight you're going to see a leaner, faster Chris Leben." Marin: "I'm gonna hurt this guy. Seriously. If he stands with me, and expects to bang with me, he's gonna get hurt. TRUST ME." Leben has lost in three of his last four fights. Leben: "I know I've been training real hard, both hands are heavy, and one of those shots is gonna put him down." Martin: "Watch his facial expression. He's gonna know he's really been hit!" Tale of the tape - Leben is 27, Martin is one year younger. Leben stands 5'11" and his opponent two inches less. They each weighed in at 185 but Leben has a four inch reach advantage at 73". Martin's record is 18-2 and he fights out of Chicago. Leben has two less wins and two more losses and fights out of Oahu. The ref in charge is Herb Dean.

* Chris Leben v. Terry Martin

Leben comes out with his hands up. Martin responds with a flurry of punches. Leben works the inside leg kick and circles away from Martin. Martin keeps pushing forward throwing bombs and gets the takedown. The fight stalls out a bit as Martin takes control in the full mount. Leben wants an armbar. 3:30 left to go in R1. Leben is trying to control Martin's body from the ground and does it effectively, getting back to his feet when he wants to. Leben takes a couple of left hands on the feet but attacks Martin's head with the knee. Rogan: "I like Leben's composure here. He's not getting too excited." Martin continues to chase after a big shot and may be expending too much energy in the process. Leben pushes him up against the cage. Martin tries to hook his heel into a leg sweep but Leben sprawls away from it. Martin has his back to the cage with 1:50 left. Leben works knees. Martin goes for double underhooks and picks Martin up for a slam, and Leben is penalized 1 point for grabbing the fence. Martin lets him stand up and the two exchange blows again. Leben throws knees and punches in close. Martin pushes him up against the cage again. Both jockey for a takedown to no avail. Leben goes for stomps to the left foot and Martin breaks away. Round one comes to a close. With the point deduction I'm actually leaning towards this being a 9-9 round.

We're back for round two with a replay of Leben being penalized one point for grabbing the cage. As the round starts Leben works knees to the body. Rogan: "I think Martin is a little shocked Leben is still here!" I may be too. Leben boxes him against the cage wall and seems totally unafraid of Martin. They end up in the middle and Leben keeps working the knee, then up against the cage he's getting more foot stomps. They break away and Leben lands a big punch. Martin lands a body shot and tries to push him up against the cage but it looks like he's gassing out. Leben reverses and gets knees to the midsection. They break away and there's 2:20 left to go. Leben lands a leg kick and keeps on punching. Martin gets a takedown. Martin has a mount but Leben has full guard and is working his legs up the back. Chris gets his legs into the cage so he can push off. Martin is doing almost nothing from the mount. Leben got his legs up high enough for a triangle choke and he's looking to finish! 40 seconds left. Leben keeps trying to cinch it up but can't quite put enough pressure on it to finish and Martin survives. If you call it 9-9 and 10-9 that puts Leben up one round. That's not in any way what I expected going into this fight.

We're back for R3. Martin and Leben exchange a courtesy punch as we get underway before Martin lands an uppercut. More boxing on the feet for both men. Rogan hints that we might end up with a draw and Goldberg reminds us of Ortiz v. Evans. Martin lands a few good pucnches but so does Leben. Both men are letting their fists hand down a little. Leben pulls Martin into his guard on the ground. Leben works elbows and body punches. 2:45 left to go. Martin is not trying to pass the guard. The two men stand up. This fight is now more or less a slugfest. Martin might be throwing more but they aren't doing enough damage. Goldberg: "It's a very close fight." I have to agree. 1:40 left. Martin can't do anything once he gets the mount, which he does again here. Leben needs to do more though to assure the win given he's already one point down. Martin lands a few big hands but Leben lands an EVEN BIGGER ONE TO DROP MARTIN. It's all over! Replay shows the combo rocking Leben but Leben gets an even bigger left hand to KO him, and we go to commercial.

Here's the official announcement from Bruce Buffer. Ladies and gentlemen Herb Dean stops it at 3:56 of R3 for the winner Chris Leben. Leben dedicates it to all the young fighters who train with him. "He hit me, that turned it on. I'm rocked, it's time to get after it. Nothing you can do but let it fly. Like I said I got a magic button on my head, any time somebody pushes it my arm goes out like that." Leben instructs the camera guy to point at his corner so he can thank all the guys who helped him. We get a promo for Ultimate Fighter with Hughes and Serra talking trash about each other. A promo for the next UFC PPV follows and this time we can hear the Voice of UFC describing the matches. Ken Florian v. Din Thomas is up next!

Back from the break and once again we see Ken Florian and Din Thomas preparing for the main event at The Pearl. The graphic goes up and even though it's 9:35 ... well no they're not giving us the fight yet, Goldberg and Rogan are going to preview why both fighters are top ten and Rogan says it's a "dream match." When they're done hyping the fight Din Thomas is the first one to come out to the ring, and Goldberg reminds us that Thomas holds a victory over Matt Serra. The tale of the tape is so even it's ridiculous other than the fact Thomas has a four inch reach advantage. Buffer gives us the full commissioner and doctor introductions since this is the main event. Mario Yamasaki is the referee in charge.

* Kenny Florian v. Din Thomas

Round one is underway! Ken goes for leg kicks earlier. Rogan tells us that Thomas grew his hair out just so Ken couldn't cut the top of his head so easily. The two dance around but not much goes on in the first minute. Thomas does seem to be dominating the positional war, backing Florian up a lot, but that may be Florian's strategy to let him gas out. Florian lans a kick straight to the groin and Din goes down hard. Florian immediately apologizes as the ref delays the fight. Thomas takes about a minute to recover and Florian seems to slip when the fight starts, which causes Thomas to immediately jump into the guard. Both men say F it and stand back up. Somebody near ringside screams "PUT HIM IN A BODY BAG!!!" Not too classy dude. Florian bull rushes Thomas into the cage wall and tries to get on top in a takedown. Thomas throws him off but Florian jumps right back on. Both men stand up and Florian gets another takedown. Thomas tries to shoot but Florian ends up with his back. Thomas is turtling up as Florian is reigning down punches. The ref is telling him to fight back intelligently. Florian keeps reigning down blows and Thomas is doing little to nothing to stop them. Florian hooks the RNC and it's all over! FLORIAN DOMINATES AND FINISHES THOMAS. We'll be back with the official decision shortly. Thomas may have blown his knee when he shot in for a takedown but it hardly matters now.

Here's Bruce Buffer with the official decision. Ladies and gentlemen Yamasaki stops the fight at 4:31 of the first round via tapout to rear naked choke for the winner Kenny 'KenFlo' Florian. Florian: "I'm not gonna promise that I'll finish every fight but I'll try to finish every fight for you guys. He went to shoot in, I sprawled real quick, just worried about what I needed to do. Hopefully he's alright. Din's an unbelievable competitor. He was fighting before I was even training so give it up for Din Thomas. I'm going right back on Monday, representing Boston as always, right back to work and hopefully it's another top contender. If the UFC calls, Joe Silva's on the phone, you better hope and pray it's not Kenny Florian."