Though the main event of UFC on Fox 1: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos features a Bay Area fighter in Cain Velasquez, the landmark event also featured multiple fighters on the night's undercard with Bay Area ties. Three fighters, to be exact: Cole Escovedo (born in Fresno, CA), Darren Uyenoyama (born in San Francisco, multiple fights in San Jose) and Cub Swanson (born and fighting out of Palm Springs, CA). The results for these guys were mixed, at best.
First, the good news: Uyenoyama (who fought three times in San Jose for the Strikeforce promotion) thoroughly dominated the highly-regarded and highly-favored Norifumi Yamamoto. Uyenoyama was dominant from the opening bell, and almost finished the fight with a rear naked choke late in the very first round, but Yamamoto survived the round until the bell. Aside from a monster left that opened up a big cut on Uyenoyama early in the second round, it was smooth sailing for the California native.
And now the bad news: Cub Swanson, who was born, lives and fights out of Palm Springs, CA was submitted by Ricardo Lamas via arm triangle choke at 2:16 of round 2. Swanson looked good to start the first and was super-aggressive in the second, and it ended up costing him, giving up the takedown and, ultimately, the submission.
Cole Escovedo, who was born in Fresno, was thoroughly outstruck on the feet and lost a unanimous decision to Alex Caceres. Nicknamed "Bruce Leroy," most figured that Caceres was destined for a loss and a boot out of the organization after this fight. It wouldn't be so, as the judges handed him three 30-27 cards to extend his UFC career.
Undercard Results
Dustin Poirier def. Pablo Garva (D'Arce choke, 1:32 of round 2)
Richardo Lamas def. Cub Swanson (arm triangle choke, 2:16 of round 2)
DaMarques Johnson def. Clay Harvison (TKO punches, 1:34 of round 1)
Darren Uyenoyama def. Norifumi Yamamoto (30-27, 30-26, 30-27)
Robert Peralta def. Mackens Semerzier (TKO punches, 1:54 of round 3)
Alex Caceres def. Cole Escovedo (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Mike Pierce def. Paul Bradley (29-28, 30-27, 28-29)
Aaron Rosa def. Mat Lucas (28-28, 30-26, 30-26)