UFC 205 results and video: Carmouche, Miller both win by decision

The first two UFC fights on this historic night at Madison Square Garden in New York City are in the books. Thiago Alves badly missed weight for his lightweight debut vs. Jim Miller, but the fight went on as scheduled. Meanwhile, Liz Carmouche, who fought Ronda Rousey in the first ever women’s MMA bout in UFC history, opened the prelims against rising prospect Katlyn Chookagian. Here’s how those fights played out.

Jim Miller def. Thiago Alves by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27) - Catchweight

Alves connected early with a hard knee in the opening minute. A head kick by Alves seemed to tag Miller but Jim was able to catch it and take him down. Miller maintained control from Alves’ open guard, then landed a couple of strikes from half-guard. Alves tried to get back up but Miller moved to get his back. Thiago was aware of it and exploded back to his feet. Jim threw and landed a thudding body kick that hit Alves in the chest. Alves went to work with knees in a good striking exchange to end the 1st.

The 2nd round was not fought at a particularly quick pace. Alves seemed to land the better strikes, especially his kicks. A body kick seemed to bother Miller and he shot for a takedown that was stuffed. Miller beautifully changed levels and countered a flying knee with a takedown. Alves had the feet on the hips looking to push Miller off, but Miller controlled Thiago’s neck and made sure Thiago didn’t escape back up. Alves was able to get near the fence and stand up again, where he fired off some punches. Miller was cut below his left eye, although it’s unknown what caused it.

Alves ate a hard inside leg kick by Miller but he was very aggressive in the opening minute of the 3rd, backing Miller up and landing some decent strikes. As was the case in rounds 1 and 2, Miller beautifully timed Thiago again for another completed takedown. Miller looked to pass to mount but Alves had a window of space to wriggle free and back to his feet. They exchanged hard body kicks. Alves had another good outside leg kick but Miller countered with another takedown into half-guard. Thiago gave up his back and Miller went for the guillotine, but it wasn’t tight. Miller remained on top and again went for full mount. He wasn’t able to get it, nor the guillotine attempt again, and finished the fight on the bottom. Alves threw some ground-and-pound but it wasn’t enough for him to prevail. Miller has won 3 in a row, while Alves has dropped his 2nd consecutive bout.

Liz Carmouche def. Katlyn Chookagian by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) - Women’s Bantamweights

Carmouche was getting the better of Chookagian on the feet before taking her down midway through the opening round. Chookagian was able to get back up, but had to deal with the physical strength of Liz. After a couple of clinch strikes by Chookagian, Carmouche slammed her to the mat again and controller her for the rest of the round.

Carmouche got off another powerful slam takedown after catching a Chookagian kick, and this time was able to do damage from side control through hard elbows. As Chookagian scrambled, Carmouche grabbed and kept hold of her neck in search of a guillotine, but Chookagian escaped. Chookagian kept a high guard but otherwise had close to no offense. The Jersey native was able to get to her feet again but clearly struggled with Carmouche’s pressure and physicality. Chookagian did close the round nicely with leg kicks and counterpunches.

With Chookagian likely down 20-18 on the scorecards heading into round 3, she needed to do something to change the course of the fight. A combination and a head kick dropped Carmouche and hurt her badly. Carmouche held on for dear life and tried to limit Chookagian’s space to land big strikes. A couple of knees bashed Carmouche’s face even more. Chookagian broke free from Carmouche’s clinch and went to work in search of a tremendous come-from-behind finish. A series of punches landed on Carmouche’s bloodied nose and a head kick just whizzed by her face. Carmouche took Chookagian down, stemming the tide when she’d nearly been finished. Chookagian was able to get back to standing again, but with time running out. Carmouche survived the final minute, scored with some heavy leg kicks, and while she did get tagged a few times, avoided getting seriously rocked again like she did at the start of the 3rd. The judge who scored it for Chookagian was watching a very different fight than the rest of us.