UFC 99: As it happened

Rich Franklin simply could not afford to lose. His middleweight days are over and, if he had tasted canvas on Saturday, his light-heavyweight prospects would have been too.

Wanderlei Silva has put his 205 days behind him. It was time for him to lay down a marker as the biggest threat to Anderson Silva's middleweight crown, but was he outwitted by Franklin?

Also on the main card, Wolf's Lair fighter Cheick Kongo bidded for a title shot against Cain Velasquez, Mirko Cro Cop made his hugely-anticipated return to the heavyweight scene, and Dan Hardy led a team of six Brits on a quest for success against Marcus Davis.

Relive all the action here...

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 RICH FRANKLIN vs WANDERLEI SILVA (Rich Franklin wins via unanimous decision)

Third round: Good straight left Franklin, more exchanges, Wanderlei stumbles, low blow by Franklin. Franklin rocks Wanderlei, Wanderlei rocks Franklin, the crowd go wild, head kick Silva. Wanderlei misses with a haymaker. Body kick Franklin, jabbing away, Wanderlei launches in to finish but Franklin takes him down - that takedown could be the deciding factor.
Who knows! Decision pending...

Second round: Head kick blocked by Franklin, jab/straight left combo by Franklin, he's connecting right now, leg kick, Wanderlei almost lands a right hook on the counter, the combos are Franklin's but Silva only needs one punch. Great left counter by Franklin, Wanderlei looks tired and eats a jab, Silva almost connects with a big right, the danger is still there. This time he does connect and Franklin wobbles. Another big one rocks Franklin but Silva can't finish. Franklin rocks Wanderlei! This is mega!
Franklin's round...just

First round: Leg kick Wanderlei, this is cagey, big right by Wanderlei lands. Good left Franklin, reddies the nose, Muay Thai kick to the head by Silva, Franklin kicks to the body, Silva catches and sweeps for the takedown. Silva's in Franklin's guard - how's his BJJ? Franklin dodges a big right and escapes, now he's on top and attempting to pound out of half guard. Controlling Silvas bacl now but Wanderlei is back up, great left to finish by Franklin. Good round.
Even round

IT'S TIME! Stand by for our first round update...

Wanderlei lights up the place as he arrives to Darude "Sandstorm", Franklin gets a few boos - it's clear who the crowd want to win this one...

This is the big one. Brute force against sheer technique....

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 CAIN VELASQUEZ vs CHEICK KONGO (Velasquez wins via unanimous decision)

Third round: Another big right by Kongo at the start of the round but Velasquez eats it. This time Kongo gets the two-leg takedown but Velasquez is far too good. Back to controlling the Frenchman's back, both men bleeding from the mouth but it is Velasquez doing all the pounding. Even if Kongo pulls out a miraculous win, you have to feel Lesnar would destroy him on this evidence. Back to the feet, Kongo clinching and kneeing to the midsection, much better as he rocks Velasquez again but the AKA man is so good at taking the fight down. Side control for Velasquez, now mount, pounding away with elbows and punches, another minute and Kongo would have been gone.
Velasquez's all the way

Second round: Kongo drops Velasquez again but Velasquez just takes the fight straight back down! This is unreal. Standing, it's Kongo's, horizontal it's all Velasquez. Another takedown to the All American, he's controlling Kongo's back again. Velasquez is basically just picking the Frenchman up and placing him where he wants him. Superb wrestling, another takedown into side control, more pounding, Kongo is helpless. Huge knees to the ribs by Velasquez as he continues to control Kongo's back, these are rib-breakers.
Velasquez's round

First round: Kongo comes out jabbing, rocks Velasquez with a right but the AKA man takes it straight to the deck. They scramble and Velasquez has Kongo's back, switching to side control. Now to mount and now taking Kongo's back, the rear naked choke is in but Kongo escapes and stands up. Huge takedown Velasquez! Pounding away from half guard, then controlling Kongo from his back, Velasquez is all over him like a rash. Big slam takedown by Velasquez! Into mount, he takes Kongo's back, pounding away, short choke, Kongo is being manhandled.
Velasquez's round

THIS IS THE CO-MAIN EVENT...stand by...

Kongo is inside The Octagon...man that guy is huge. This could be a case of whoever connects first...

This is arguably the most exciting fight on the card. Two heavyweights who know victory could spell a title shot. Who's your money with?

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 MIRKO CRO COP vs MOSTAPHA AL TURK (Cro Cop wins by TKO)

First round:  Al Turk comes out swinging and looks dangerous. Cro Cop seems slow, Al Turk lands a left hook but cannot clinch successfully. Al Turk is making all the first moves, Cro Cop stalking, looking for the counter, good left by Cro Cop - the first he's landed. Cro Cop rocks Al Turk and drops him with a straight left...he pounds away but Al Turk resists. CONTROVERSY, back to the feet and Cro Cop appears to catch Al Turk in the eye with a finger, it's clear but the ref doesn't stop it and Cro Cop smashes his way to victory against a defenceless Al Turk.

Marcus Davis is not happy with the Hardy decision. Go to our UFC homepage for more...

Here we go, this place is going beserk for Cro Cop!

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 BEN SAUNDERS vs MIKE SWICK (Swick wins by TKO)

Second round: Both fighters try to make things happen at the start of the second, throwing knees and head kicks, but the first telling moment is a Swick takedown. Nothing doing so the ref stands them up, Swick attempts some Muay Thai knees, good leg kick Saunders, massive right Swick! Another and another, on onslaught...Saunders is down and out - it's over!

First round: Saunders clinches immediately and attempts to pull Swick down, but only succeeds in pulling Swick into his guard. Swick postures up and then stands up altogether, attempting to drop some bombs but Saunders' defence is solid. The ref stands them. Great knee to the ribs by Saunders, the fighters trade punches, this is better, they clinch against the fence, Saunders using that 6ft 3 frame to work those knees into the midsection.
Even round

This could be over quickly. Cannot wait for this, two seriously good welterweights...

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SPENCER FISHER vs CAEL UNO (Spencer takes a unanimous decision - what do we know!)

Third round: More clinching, more boredom. We've had a strong right from Fisher but nothing to write home about. Uno goes for a leg kick but only succeeds in unbalancing himself enough to topple over. Fisher looks like he could do something with uppercuts from the clinch, Uno finishes with some ground and pound from on top, but it's a snoozefest and neither man deserves the W.
Uno's round. Decision pending...we think Uno's got it

Second round: Uno changes levels to get an early takedown, but there's nothing more forthcoming as the crowd boo again. Good leg kick Fisher, Uno responds with two of his own before he shoots again...only to see Fisher stuff it. Transitions lead to Uno securing top position, but they're quickly back to their feet, Fisher uppercutting well again. Uno lands another takedown but Fisher is straight back up. This is dull as dishwater.
Uno's round

First round: Uno looks comfortable, waiting for his moment to pounce, but the first three minutes give way to a whole lot of clinching as the crowd show their disapproval. Fisher lands a leg kick and then a powerful uppercut, Uno suddenly not looking so comfortable.
Fisher's round

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 MARCUS DAVIS vs DAN HARDY (Hardy wins via split decision 28-29, 29-28, 28-29)

Third round: Davis drops Hardy from the off with a straight left and instantly tries to pound away from guard. Bad news for Hardy, Davis gets to half guard, still pounding, and then goes fo the heel hook! Hardy escapes back to his feet but Davis is clinching again, Hardy gets the takedown now into Davis' guard. Davis is cut, by an elbow to the nose we think, the ref has the cut checked and now we return to Hardy being in Davis' guard. Good shots by Hardy, one minute left as the ref stands them. Great left hook Hardy, good body kick answered by a left from Davis as the rounds ends.
Hardy's...just. Decision pending...

Second round: Leg kick Hardy to open the second stanza, Davis launches for the takedown but eats a left hook. Hardy is hooking well, jabbing well, nice leg kick by Hardy too, another left hook and then a big Muay Thai knee drops Davis! Hardy looks to finish but Davis puts up a strong guard, elbowing well from bottom position. Davis looks for the armbar and it's deep but Hardy pulls out, continuing to pound from Davis' guard. The ref stands them up and Davis immediately clinches, but Hardy sends him packing with a knee to the body. Davis lands a powerful right jab/straight left combo and gets the takedown, pounding away from Hardy's guard as the round ends.
Hardy's round

First round: A predictably cagey opening, Davis kicking and then clinching against the fence, looking for the sweep and eventually getting it. Davis begins to pound and secures the mount, Hardy spins away but Davis is still in The Outlaw's guard. Davis is controlling Hardy's back, pounding the side of the head, looking for the rear naked choke, but Hardy gets back to his feet, landing a huge right that hurts Davis! Muay Thai knees but Davis clinches and gets a hiptoss takedown as the round closes.
Davis' round

We are ready to go...this is gonna be HUGE...

Hardy enters to "England belongs to me", now it's the House of Pain "Jump Around" as Davis enters...

We tell a lie! It's not Spencer Fisher vs Cael Uno, it's the big grudge match. Here's comes The Outlaw, the Lanxess Arena is pumping, as is my blood...

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WE ARE LIVE! Five phenomenal fights to come and, after the Lanxess Arena got their internet supply sorted, we should be able to bring you uninterrupted coverage right here!...

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We now await the live show, apologies for losing connection, we should be good for the rest of the night! Updates to appear from 8pm BST...

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TERRY ETIM vs JUSTIN BUCHHOLZ (Etim wins via Darce choke)

Second round: Leg kick Etim, huge leg kick Etim, he’s taking his time now. Buchholz catches a kick but Etim responds with multiple Muay Thai knees, Anderson Silva-like stuff from the Liverpudlian! He looks for the darce choke– and gets it!

First round: Huge round for Buchholz who rocks Etim with a big right hand, before raining down bombs that has the ref moving in to stop it. Just before he does, Etim attempts and armbar, but Buchholz slams out. Etim finishes strongly, looking for a heel hook, but the first round is Buchholz’s.
Buchholz's round

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DENNIS SIVER vs DALE HARTT: (Siver wins via rear naked choke)

First round: Siver shin blocks an early kick from Hartt – there’s a message. Siver catches Hartt with a low one but they fight on, Siver lands a big right than visibly hurts Hartt, but the American responds with a takedown. Siver attempts the armbar but Hartt slams out of it, but all the good work is coming from the German who moves into half guard. Siver works some ground and pound, taking Hartt’s back and then locking on the rear naked choke! Huge win and what a response from the crowd! They love it! Superb display by Siver!

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PAUL TAYLOR vs PETER SOBOTTA (Taylo wins by unanimous decision)

Third round: Great body kick by Sobotta, but Taylor replies with a charging flurry that hurts Sobotta, although the German takes his man down on the counter. Taylor forces his way back up against the cage, and then stuffs another takedown to move into side control. Sobotta manages to return Taylor to half guard, but he’s not winning the fight from here. It’s Taylor in control, now from full guard, he postures up to rain down some bombs, and then stands the fight back up. This is Taylor’s fight to lose with a minute remaining, more leg kicks and then a big high kick, and then lands with a huge flurry at the death! Superbly dominant display!
Taylor’s round

Second round: Taylor opens with a solid leg kick but Sobotta lands his first takedown, but Taylor’s comfortable – forcing back up to the feet. More leg kicks by the Brit who is cut under his right eye, followed by a big head kick, and then changing levels back to the legs. Massive right Taylor and then a head kick rocks the German, Taylor’s stand-up is different class. Great leg kick floors Sobotta, who is now moving extremely slowly. Another big left/right combo by Taylor, two more leg kicks, these are thudding into Sobotta’s thighs. Huge body kick by Taylor, who tosses his man to the floor and lets him stand again. More leg kicks, it’s all one-way traffic, Taylor fires forward but then the round comes to a premature end when the ref responds to a hooter in the crowd! Bizarre scenes!
Taylor’s round

First round: Taylor controls the Octagon, snapping out leg kicks before taking a low blow from the German. Sobotta shoots by Taylor stuffs and returns to striking. Sobotta lands a head kick but Taylor comes forward with more leg kicks, low blow Taylor this time – the crowd go beserk! Good jab Taylor but this time Sobotta catches him with a low one. Great leg kick by Taylor unbalances Sobotta who instantly looks for the takedown, resisted by Taylor who falls into Sobotta’s half guard. Taylor enquires with an arm triangle but then allows Sobotta back to his feet. Sobotta gets the two-leg takedown only for Taylor to reverse into half guard – fine work by the Brit as the round closes.
Taylor’s round

Sobotta's the big crowd favourite - Taylor's not used to being the enemy...

Time to keep the British momentum going - it's Paul Taylor - Mr Fight of the Night so often, but will he win one for once?

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PAUL KELLY vs ROLANDO DELGADO (Kelly wins by decision - that is a close one!)

Third round: Delgado lands an axe kick that only puts fire in Kelly's belly, the scouser sweeps to the deck but then allows his man back up. Delgado looks for the takedown but Kelly reverses into full mount, smashing down on his opponent before allowing him to stand again. This is one way traffic although Delgado threatens the armbar. They're back to their feet, Delgado shoots but Kelly stuffs to move into half guard, pounding some more before standing again. Another stuffed takedown has Kelly on top again but he cannot fire off his trademark ground and pound.
Kelly's round, but did he lose the first two? Decision pending...

Second round: Kelly once again finds himself fighting off the rear naked choke after initially rocking Delgado with a big right. The Liverpudlian resists the choke once again and a later kneebar to land some blows from Delgado’s guard.
Even round

First round: Apologies, we lost connection for the first round. All you need to know is that Delgado won it and so nearly had Kelly in a rear naked choke.

Here he comes, cornered by Bisping. This commentary might sound biased, and that's because it is! Come on Tellyz!

You've gotta love Paul Kelly. Fist of fury! He would love to be in a fight that sparks as much blood as that last one - that's just the way the man rolls!

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DENIS STOJNIC vs STEFAN STRUVE (Struve wins by rear naked choke)

Second round: Struve opens big with a knee to the body but Stojnic sees him to the mat. This looks like a horror movie - there's so much blood - it's pouring from Struve's scalp! Struve attempts the heel hook, no joy, secures mount and now takes Stojnic's back, tries the body triangle and a rear naked choke - forcing the tap!

First round: Stojnic comes out with a low stance and swings that hefty right at his 6ft 11 opponent. Struve replies with a big knee to the midsection and tries to take it to the mat but Stojnic ends up in Struve's guard. Struve attempts an armbar but Stojnic postures up and drops some hammer fists. Struve locks on a triangle from bottom position but Stojnic rips out, remaining in guard. Struve looks for the kimura as Stojnic reigns down more big blows - great round! - here comes the triangle from Struve again and now a kimura but Stojnic rips clear for more hammer fists - cutting Struve badly on the scalp. The ref stops the fight to have the cut looked at, but we're back in action, Stojnic firing more blows from standing guard as the round reaches an end. Superb fight.
Stojnic's round

Struve is in town and he looks pumped! Remember his defeat to Junior Dos Santos? Where he got slapped silly? He'll want to erase that here...

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JOHN HATHAWAY vs RICK STORY (Hathaway wins by unanimous decision - big call!)

Third round: Hathaway launches the first attack of the final stanza, backing Story to the deck, although the American looks for a kimura, it looks locked but Hathaway holds on to force him to give it up. Story drops a big bomb from standing guard, Hathaway attempts the triangle but Story stands and drops another bomb. This is Story's round with two minutes remaining, Story gets the takedown and attempts more ground and pound but it's all over.
Decision pending, we think Story's got it by split decision...

Second round: Hathaway comes out with some fine Muay Thai knees, and then lands a rush takedown, only to land straight in Story's guillotine. IT LOOKS TIGHT but Hathaway forces his head out of danger, establishing top control. Story looks for another guillotine but it's Hathaway landing elbows from inside the guard. The ref stands them up with a minute remaining, this is Story's best hope but Hathaway shoots, only to be stuffed as Stoy gains top control on the buzzer.
Hathaway's round

First round: Hathaway is first to score with a high-crotch takedown, but he loses mount instantly as Story bursts to safety. Slam takedown this time by Story - he knows what he's doing in there, looking for the kimura, but Hathaway resists. Story lands a sharp right hook, Hathaway clinches against the fence and looks for his own kimura, but he never quite has it as the round reaches a close.
Even round