UFC 157 results: Matt Grice and Dennis Bermudez go to war, Bermudez takes split decision

Dennis Bermudez and Matt Grice came into UFC 157 known as wrestlers with some decent standup. They left the octagon as stars after engaging in one of the best fights I've ever seen. Grice almost finished Bermudez with a monster counter left in the first. Bermudez almost stopped Grice about 12 times in the third round. But both men persevered to the final bell, and continued to attack for the entire 15 minutes. The judges gave Bermudez the split decision win, but the real winners were the fans that tuned in for the bout.

After a few seconds of clinching to start the fight, Grice looked for a takedown but Bermudez reversed it and landed directly in mount. After hammering Grice with elbows for a while, Grice found a way out the back door to his feet. Grice got his striking going with some solid punches and a big standing elbow. Bermudez came back with a bunch of nice jabs though. Grice dropped Bermudez with a vicious counter left but Bermudez got right back up. Grice brought the striking for the rest of the round.

They went back to striking early in round 2, with Grice landing his counter left again. Grice was getting the better of the first half of the round with his hands, then got a takedown against the cage. Bermudez popped up quickly though. Grice scooped a leg but ate an elbow. Bermudez stuffed a takedown and looked for a choke late, but the clock expired.

Bermudez came out aggressive in the third and immediately hurt Grice with an uppercut. Grice went down and Bermudez swarmed, but Grice stayed in it. Bermudez tied up one arm and continued to drop elbows and punches. Grice got up though and fought off another takedown. Bermudez just unloaded on him and landed a ton, but Grice just wouldn't quit and kept coming back. Grice ate shots that would have knocked out half the roster, and it didn't even faze him. Grice was visibly exhausted but there was no quit in him and he made it to the final bell.