The first night of the night on the pay-per-view portion of the UFC 137 fight card is Hatsu Hioki vs. George Roop. This is a featherweight bout, meaning 145 pounds. This is Hioki's UFC debut. The referee in charge of the action is Josh Rosenthal.
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ROUND 1 - Both fighters come out orthodox. Right hand from Roop glances off the chin of Hioki. Inadvertent groin kick from Roop temporarily stops the action. Roop nearly eats a left after defending a caught kick himself. Hioki reaches from a double and now both fighters clinch along the fence. Beautiful outside trip from Hioki sends Roop to the canvas and now Hioki is in side control. Roop tries to escape and in the scramble captured full guard. Now both fighters stand in a scramble.
MMA Nation scores this round 10-9 Hioki.
ROUND 2 - Roop lands a left and partial head kick to start the round, but Hioki is fine. Right hand to the body by Roop. And another. Hioki body locks off an extended punch and achieves mount off of a trip. Hioki moves to side control and now back to mount. Roop manages to shrimp out and upkick to get back to his feet. Nothing significant lands.
MMA Nation scores this round 10-9 Hioki.
ROUND 3 - Flying knee from Roop misses the mark. Hioki shoots with no set-up and Roop easily defends. Hioki presses Roop into the cage now looking for a striking or takedown opening. After a stalemate in the clinch, Roop and Hioki are separated. Roop gets an outside trip takedown and is now in Hioki's full guard. Hioki using the rubber guard, but it does nothing. Fight ends there.
MMA Nation scores this round 10-9 Hioki and the fight 30-27 Hioki.
UFC 137 results: Hatsu Hioki defeats George Roop by split decision (29-28 Hioki, 29-28 Roop, 29-28 Hatsu Hioki).