Nate Diaz def. Josh Neer via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28).

Clay Guida def. Mac Danzig via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).

Alan Belcher def. Ed Herman via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).

Eric Schafer def. Houston Alexander via submission (arm-triangle choke) -- Round 1, 4:53.

Alessio Sakara def. Joe Vedepo via knockout (head kick) -- Round 1, 1:27.

Wilson Gouveia def. Ryan Jensen via submission (arm-bar) -- Round 2, 2:04.

Joe Lauzon def. Kyle Bradley via TKO (strikes) -- Round 2, 1:34

Jason Brilz def. Brad Morris via TKO (strikes) -- Round 2, 2:54.

Mike Massenzio def. Drew McFedries via submission (kimura) -- Round 1, 1:28.

Dan Miller def. Rob Kimmons via submission (rear-naked choke) -- Round 1, 1:27

Fight of the Night: Nate Diaz vs. Josh Neer
Submission of the Night: Wilson Gouveia.
Knockout of the Night: Alessio Sakara

Some promising developments coming out of the undercard for the UFC. Former IFL champ Dan Miller took his first step up the UFC middleweight ladder with a deconstruction of Xtreme Couture's Rob Kimmons. Kimmons was coming off a UFC win of his own so hopefully we'll see him back as well.

Mike Massenzio, another IFL vet and teammate of Jon Jones, is also on his way up after submitting Team Militech's Drew McFedries. Massenzio has a decision win over Dan Miller from their days on the smaller circuits. Perhaps a rematch is in order.

Jason Brilz showed he could hang at the UFC level with a win over Aussie Brad Morris. Brilz has a King of the Cage split decision win over Jason "Don't Call Me a Gatekeeper" MacDonald, could be the makings of a rematch there but I'd say let Brilz get a couple more wins first.

TUF veteran Joe Lauzon survived a scare in the first round (you could hear the bookies knees getting weak all over Vegas as the -600 favorite got rocked). Lauzon goes back into the just a couple wins out of contention pile in the packed UFC lightweight class.

And Wilson Gouveia and Alessio Sakara showed they can beat journeymen at 185. Maybe the two of them should be matched up to see if either can build up some steam at middleweight.

Nothing like free live fights on a Wednesday night to bust up the monotony of the working week.

BloodyElbow.com will be bringing you live results and play-by-play for the main card of UFC Fight Night 15. Be sure to join in and post your thoughts as the event (and the premiere of The Ultimate Fighter 8) unfolds, but as always please refrain from undercard spoilers. I'll be back at 8 PM EST for the beginning of the televised card. Check here for undercard results.

Okay, the Ewok party is over and we're minutes away from the start of the live telecast. Sounds like there were some exciting prelims, so hopefully we get one or two of those to pad out the evening.

As promised, the show is dedicated to the memory of Evan Tanner. R.I.P.

Goldberg informs us that "Houston Alexander bleeds Nebraska Cornhusker red." Eric Schafer is predictably booed but gives some respectful Muay Thai bows to the crowd anyway. Alexander is hamming it up, saluting and making his "X" for the hometown. Josh Rosenthal is our ref.

Houston Alexander vs. Eric Schafer

Round 1: Schafer looks to touch gloves, Houston says no thanks. Schafer shoots in for a leg and eats a huge knee that crumples him. At first glance, Schafer's knees appeared to be on the ground. Alexander can't capitalize as Schafer is able to neutralize the ground and pound from his back. Back to the feet and Eric is pressing Houston against the cage, but still eating some nasty knees. Schafer finally earns the takedown and takes side control, but Alexander uses his feet to walk up the cage and reverse... but he reverses right into a guillotine. Houston pops his head out but Schafer immediately mounts him and now rains down some sharp elbows and forearms. Houston is covering up and can't seem to solve the mount. Alexander looks like he's done as he gives up his back. Schafer doesn't want it and stays in mount, pummeling Alexander until moving into position for a beautiful arm triangle. Alexander taps with seconds remaining in the round. Schafer pops up and gives a mocking salute to "The Assassin's" hometown crowd. Very impressive win for Schafer, who weathered an early beating that many (myself included) thought might break his spirit. Eric Schafer def. Houston Alexander via Submission (Arm Triangle) - Round 1 - 4:53

After finishing the "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Replay" (yeesh...), Schafer yells out "That was for Evan Tanner, my hero!" Goldberg, in a rare display of self-control, simply says "Nice."

Ed Herman vs. Alan Belcher

Round 1: Herman catches an eye poke early but doesn't seem too fazed. They clinch against the fence and are almost immediately broken up by "Big Dan" Miragliotta. (Who let him out of Jersey?) Belcher is keeping his distance, lunging in occasionally with stiff left jabs and crisp leg kicks. They clinch again, and again are broken up almost instantly. Herman finds himself with his back to the cage once more, but this time reverses and hits a neat double leg. Herman in his foe's guard, then moves to side control, working for a D'arce choke but Belcher gets back to his feet. Just as quickly, another takedown from Herman with :20 remaining and he goes back to looking for the D'arce. The round expires and Spike cuts to commercials just as the squeak of the horn become audible. BloodyElbow.com scores the round 10-9 for Ed Herman.

Round 2: Belcher connects with a hard left jab to open the round. Herman looking confident in his stand-up, moves in with a nice left hook-overhand right combo. Belcher lunges in with a vicious looping right that sends Herman stumbling back into the cage, where they clinch again. Herman seems to have regained his composure, but his combinations are coming slower and sloppier now. The corner of Belcher implores him to "tighten up" as his hands are at his sides, taunting Herman who grabs hold of a leg on a kick attempt and scores another takedown. Herman can't pass Belcher's guard and Belcher scrambles to his feet, hands still down and now looking decidedly more tired. With :10 remaining, Rich Clementi screams "Superman!" from the corner and Belcher obliges, to little effect. BloodyElbow.com scores the round 10-9 for Alan Belcher.

Round 3: The fighters embrace as the final stanza begins and both seem content to play Rock Em Sock Em Robots for the first minute of the round, snapping one another's heads back with traded jabs. They clinch with Herman's back to the fence and Belcher is working some foot stomps. Nice. Belcher is landing some hard straight rights but Herman has a chin of granite. Herman charges with a knee and Belcher flops back into the cage, but he's playing possum and Herman knows it. Belcher stuffs one takedown attempt but can't fight off the second. Herman in half guard but just can't pass and Belcher stands back up. Belcher with a nice right high kick / right hook combo. Herman looks exhausted but Belcher just can't finish him. Herman charges in for another double leg and immediately moves to mount this time, landing some hard strikes to Belcher's head which is pressed against the cage. Herman closes out the bout from the mount with some weak ground and pound, clearly drained. Very close fight. BloodyElbow.com scores the round 10-9 for Ed Herman.

BloodyElbow.com scores the bout 29-28 for Ed Herman.

Alan Belcher def. Ed Herman via Split Decision
The judges score the bout 29-28 Belcher (twice) and 29-28 Herman.

Cecil Peoples was one of the two judges who scored it for Belcher. Didn't catch the other names. I gave it to Herman off the takedowns and sub attempts, but Belcher's striking was far more crisp and accurate throughout the match and I could easily understand giving him the second round. Okay, I went back and watched R2 again during this extended commercial break and it belonged to Belcher. I still give the match to Herman though. Ah well. Guida time!

Mac Danzig vs. Clay Guida

Round 1: The crowd chants "Guida!" right off the bat. Danzig's strikes are looking tight in the first minute of the round, but he's not connecting very soundly. Great leg kicks from Danzig to Guida's thighs seem to hurt, but Danzig comes rushing in throwing punches and gets taken down immediately. Danzig looking from a kimura from the bottom but can't secure it and works his way back to his feet. Guida with another takedown, Danzig's back to the fence where he stands once more. This time Guida lifts him up high for a slam and Danzig sinks in a guillotine which appears tight, but which Clay soon escapes from. Guida dropping some nice body shots from the guard, but Danzig is able to stand again as the round ends. Very close round but I've gotta give it to Guida for the plethora of takedowns and positional control. Danzig's striking didn't appear to hurt Guida all that much. BloodyElbow.com scores the round 10-9 for Clay Guida.

Round 2: Guida catches a Danzig high kick and lights him up with a right hand that puts Mac on his bike. Guida hits another takedown but Danzig is back up to his feet almost instantly. Some tentative striking through the middle of the round, no clear advantage to either fighter. Guida with the takedown... Danzig backs up to the fence and gets to his feet. Guida can't keep him down. But he takes him down yet again, this time with a very nice single leg. Both fighters back up now, 1:00 remaining. Danzig lands a couple crisp right hands but leaves a follow-up leg kick out too long and is taken down again. Clay ends the round having taken Mac's back after a belly-to-back suplex. BloodyElbow.com scores the round 10-9 for Clay Guida.

Round 3: Guida catches a leg kick from Danzig and tries for a takedown against the fence for the first minute of the round. Danzig staves it off, breaks and scores a takedown of his own! Mac looking to isolate an arm for an armbar or kimura, but Guida works his way out and Danzig is suddenly looking exhausted. Guida still looking for a takedown against the cage, now wrestles Danzig down. Danzig looks extremely frustrated, throwing his hands up to his corner and peppering Guida with ineffective shots from guard. Guida moves to the side, now with one hook sunk in, trying to secure the back. The switch levels a few more times, Danzig looking for an amen submission but it's all under control for Guida who is gonna take this handily on the cards. BloodyElbow.com scores the round 10-9 for Clay Guida.

BloodyElbow.com scores the bout 30-27 for Clay Guida.

Clay Guida def. Mac Danzig via Unanimous Decision
The judges score the bout 28-29 (twice) and 30-27.

Dana formally announces the rumored December card which will be called "UFC Fights For The Troops" and will be held at Fort Bragg. It's going to be live on Spike, and folks can call in during the show to pledge donations for some Army hospital. Interesting. They're going SUPER-DRAMATIC for the Couture/Lesnar promos. This is over-the-top even by UFC standards.

Josh Neer vs. Nate Diaz

Round 1: Leg kicks early on from Neer, who then surprisingly bodyslams Diaz to the floor. Neer has a D'arce choke but quickly relenquishes as Diaz gets to his feet. Standing, Neer has Diaz' back but Nate is controlling Neer's right arm and twists around into a whizzer. Some neat technical back-and-forth on the ground, before both fighters stand and continue the exchange with their hands. Nate's working the famous Diaz family boxing style, peppering Neer with light but effective shots. A beautiful judo throw from Nate Diaz puts Neer on his back! Diaz looks for a kneebar, then steps over and momentarily takes Neer's back as time runs out. BloodyElbow.com scores the round 10-9 for Nate Diaz.

Round 2: Diaz with some stiff body shots and jumping knees from the clinch to begin the round. Neer scores the takedown but he can't keep Diaz pinned. Diaz is showing fantastic BJJ, transitioning over the top of Neer with ease. Neer on his back now, Diaz stacking him up against the fence and landing some middling blows. Neer works back to his feet and hits a takedown, and now he's on Diaz' back with both hooks in, looking for the rear naked. Diaz escapes and now finds himself on his back, angling for a triangle. Neer senses it and stands above Diaz, moving in with an axe kick which Nate neutralizes. Diaz back to his feet, but not before eating some hard rights from Neer. They close out the round in the clinch. BloodyElbow.com scores the round 10-9 for Josh Neer.

Round 3: Neer takes Diaz' back standing in the first minute but botches a suplex, allowing Nate to turn around and get a takedown of his own. Diaz can't pass guard and Neer works back to his feet, but he's soon back down. Neer grabs for an omoplata but Diaz again shows a very slick step-over escape. The fighters clinch against the cage with a minute remaining, Neer looking for an armbar but Diaz shakes it off. Another judo throw secures the round and most likely the victory for Diaz. BloodyElbow.com scores the round 10-9 for Nate Diaz.

BloodyElbow.com scores the bout 29-28 for Nate Diaz.

Nate Diaz def. Josh Neer via Split Decision
The judges score the bout 28-29 Diaz (twice) and 29-28 Neer.

BloodyElbow.com Staff Predictions for UFC Fight Night 15

MAIN CARD

Nate Diaz vs. Josh Neer 

Luke Thomas: For Nate to submit Neer, he’s going to need to work from side control. It’s not that Diaz can’t pass Neer’s guard, it’s that he’s comfortable playing an extended guard game, something Neer is praying Diaz does. While Nick is more aggressive and larger, Nate is not. I often call fights against Nate and live to regret it, but Diaz doesn’t have the wrestling to put Neer on his back and Neer’s base is terribly underrated. Neer by decision.

Kid Nate: This is a tough test for Diaz, Neer's grinding ground and pound style is tailor made to push Nate to the limit. Neer's big for 155 too. Luke reminds me that Nick Diaz kimura'd Neer so maybe Nate has the recipe to win. He's clearly being pushed here. I'll go with Nate by submission.

Brent Brookhouse: Nate has the benefit of being able to work with his brother Nick, who beat Neer back in '06.  One of the most overlooked aspects of the fight game is the benefit of training with a camp and partners who have not only fought, but beat your opponent in the past.  So this could be a huge boost.  However, Nick is much more aggressive than Nate and if Nate allows himself to get taken down and take punishment while looking for the submission again he is going to make things harder on himself.  Both guys are finishers...but I just can't get past Nate's willingness to sit on the bottom.  A guy like Neer will let his hands and elbows go and as long as he doesn't get too sloppy he can win a decision here.  Josh Neer by close decision.

Mike Rome: Very odd to me that they are promoting this as the main event, I guess they are really starting to get behind Diaz.  I expect Diaz to win again here via submission, but Neer is tough, and an upset would not shock me.  Diaz via submission, round 2.

Nick Thomas: Neer will be Diaz toughest opponent yet. Diaz impressed me with his win over Pellegrino. But I still think Neer will wear Diaz out with the better stand up and be stronger on the ground. Neer by decision.

Michael Fagan: Diaz by submission.

Chris Nelson: Diaz via Submission, round 2.

Clay Guida vs. Mac Danzig 

Luke Thomas: Guida is a very unreliable finisher and Danzig’s has underrated boxing. I see Guida stealing a round or even two but ultimately finding a way to lose this fight. Danzig by TKO, round 3.

Kid Nate: I'm sensing a pattern here. Guida is the gatekeeper's gatekeeper and like Nate Diaz, Danzig is a TUF champ. Guida of course is a nails tough wrestler who's probably too small for the division. Danzig is a well rounded BJJ based guy who cut down from 170. I expect Danzig to be pushed hard here but ultimately prevail. Danzig by submission.

Brent Brookhouse: Guida is a gatekeeper at this point.  At 3-3 in the UFC he isn't on the fast track to the top of the pile.  That isn't to take anything away from Guida, as he is more than capable of beating Danzig here.  I just don't see it happening.  I think Guida will look to push the pace and make a mistake that gets him submitted.  Mac Danzig by submission in round 2.

Mike Rome: This should be a real good fight.  It's no mystery what Clay is going to do when he fights, so it is up to Danzig to survive the wrestling onslaught and catch Guida along the way.  If this goes to a decision it is Guida's fight, Danzig needs to find an opening and finish him.  We saw him do it to Bocek, but Guida is considerably tougher.  I think Guida will get this to the ground over and over, and I suspect he will win on points.  Guida via decision.

Nick Thomas: Guida is non-stop and a top competitor. Will Danzig go in panic mode or stay clam under pressure and be able to pull a submission off. I say Guida by TKO.

Michael Fagan: Danzig by decision.

Chris Nelson: Guida via Decision.

Ed Herman vs. Alan Belcher 

Luke Thomas: A very tough call, but ultimately I see Herman here. The difference for me is that rather than sprawl and brawl, I see Belcher being willing to clinch with Herman. That will provide the opportunity for Herman to take Belcher down and pound on him. Herman via TKO, round 2.

Kid Nate: This is a loser leaves town match if I've ever seen one. Herman should prevail by ground and pound ala his match with Scott Smith. Maybe Alan Belcher will find himself challenging Robbie Lawler on CBS soon. Herman by TKO.

Brent Brookhouse: I'm going to go with Belcher here, even though my brain is saying that this is Herman's fight to lose.  Alan Belcher with a big shot in the first round for the KO.

Mike Rome: This should be a pretty fun fight.  I think Belcher will recover and take this one in the first round standing.  Herman seems to throw strategy to the wind when he fights, and I expect that he will fight Belcher's fight...and lose.  Belcher via TKO, round 1.

Nick Thomas: Both decent fighters, but I see a sharp, focused Herman taking this. Herman by submission.

Michael Fagan: Herman by TKO.

Chris Nelson: Belcher via Submission, round 1.

Houston Alexander vs. Eric Schafer 

Luke Thomas: I’m torn on this one. Ordinarily I’d say just about any BJJ black belt would tear through Alexander and Schafer could. He’s a tough guy, but it takes a serious will power to wade through Alexander’s punches. And can he finish this in the first round like he needs to? Does Schafer have that ability? We’ll find out. Schafer via submission, round 1.

Kid Nate: Houston better win this one, he just signed a five fight contract. But I'm not feeling it. Schafer by submission.

Brent Brookhouse: Houston has rare power.  The thing is...does he have anything more?  I'm really hoping that he has learned a lot in the last 5 months.  At the very least Alexander has to learn to keep his head, look for openings and don't force anything.  I'm going to pick Alexander here, but I do so with very large reservations.  Houston Alexander by KO round 1.

Mike Rome:  This is such a tough fight to pick.  Schafer tends to quit as soon as things don't go well for him, and if Alexander lands a big shot I know Schafer will fold.  However, we haven't seen Houston land a single punch since his fight with Alessio Sakara.  Schafer also has done a good job getting guys like Stephan Bonnar and Michael Bisping into compromising positions, the kinds of positions that I don't know if Houston Alexander can escape from.  All that being said, I am going to pick Houston.  

Nick Thomas: I think Alexander will over power Schafer and control him. Alexander by TKO.

Michael Fagan: Alexander by TKO.

Chris Nelson: Alexander via TKO, round 1.

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All fighters make weight for the contest:

Josh Neer 155 VS Nate Diaz 155
Clay Guida 155 VS Mac Danzig 155
Alan Belcher 185 VS Ed Herman 185
Eric Schafer 205 VS Houston Alexander 205

Joe Vedepo 185 VS Alessio Sakara 185
Wilson Gouveia 185 VS Ryan Jensen 185
Kyle Bradley 155 VS Joe Lauzon 155
Jason Brilz 205 VS Brad Morris 205
Mike Massenzio 185 VS Drew McFedries 185
Dan Miller 185 VS Rob Kimmons 185

Hear what Guida thinks about Danzing and about the loss to Roger Huerta, as well as why he refuses to cut his hair.

Catch what Herman thinks about Belcher as well as the other 185-pound fighters in the UFC.

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It's rare for Dana White to come out and make it clear that a fighter will get cut if he loses, but he comes out and says it today to Kevin Iole:

UFC president Dana White, who isn’t shy about releasing a fighter, was adamant that Alexander needs to turn things around.

“There’s no doubt about that,” White said. “He needs a way. He desperately needs a win. Another loss and he’s going to have to go out and start working his way back up to the UFC.”

I think a lot of people suspected this, and it shows that even though the guy just signed a 5 fight contract, he still needs to win.  The UFC is very high on him if he can get a few wins, because he is popular and explosive.  If he gets a big KO or two they will really get behind him.

"Josh Neer is a less technical person, but with that [and] getting into the UFC, he’s had a bunch of tough fights. He’s not a guy to come out and quit. He’s a guy to go out there and go hard the whole time because he’s had it rough the whole time. He’s had to fight these technical guys his whole career. With all these fights he’s had, he’s learning the technical points. It’s definitely a tough fight, but I train with tough guys all the time.

If he doesn’t [finish], it’s just gonna get worse off on him. If I had my way, I would not have time on these fights or make more rounds. Sometimes I’m a slow starter, but that’s what helped me get through [Pellegrino in April]. I had to wake my ass up."

-- Nate Diaz talking to Sherdog about tomorrow night's fight with Josh Neer.

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