Round 1 - Jason Herzog oversees the action for tonight's opening bout, which features a couple of Strikeforce welterweight crossovers making their UFC debuts. It's a fight that was scheduled to happen at Strikeforce's September show, which was canceled. Burrell jumps into a right hand, then follows it with a combo. But Villefort catches a Burrell kick and uses it for a trip takedown. Villefort quickly goes after Burrell's back and gets it. He gets a rear-naked choke and it looks good, though Burrell defends initially and slips out of it for the time being. But with a lot of time left and Villefort draped all over his back, he's got some trouble to get out of. Burrell tries to get back to his feet and does nicely, then just misses with a right hand as Villefort tries to get it back to the ground. Villefort wants it on the ground, but Herzog stands him up when Burrell won't jump back into jiu-jitsu dangerland. Burrell lands a good body kick, then one to the outside leg. But Villefort answers with a whipping leg kick of his own. Right hand from Burrell is partially blocked, but a left sneaks through. Body-head from Burrell is good, and the two soon trade a couple punches each. But right after, Burrell lands a big right hand that drops Villefort. He has him in trouble with punches, but Villefort is going after a leg lock. Somehow, Burrell escapes it and gets out, and the two soon trade furiously on the feet with Burrell landing the bigger punches and some elbows. It's a close first round that Burrell may have had the striking edge in, but MMAjunkie.com will score a tight one for Villefort, 10-9.
Round 2 - Burrell opens up with a good left hand, then counters Villefort with a right. Villefort lands a left to the body and follows behind it with a leg kick, then another. He looks for it again, but then backs out when Burrell looks like he's about to throw a bomb of a counter. Burrell soon after lands nicely again and Villefort is on the canvas for a moment. Back up, Villefort just misses a front kick, then eats a big uppercut from Burrell. High kick from Villefort is blocked, but he throws a left to the body. Then Burrell comes forward and lands a jab and uppercut midway through the round. Villefort continues to work to the body, and the two tie up and trade knees in the first real clinch of the fight. Good leg kick from Burrell nearly takes Villefort's lead leg out from under him. Villefort again tries to punish Burrell's left leg. Burrell ducks nicely away from a pair of uppercuts, then catches a kick and lands a good jab. Villefort's nose is bloodied up as the round ticks down. It's another close one, but MMAjunkie.com sees the second for Burrell, 10-9.
Round 3 - Villefort opens with a leg kick, then ducks under a punch – but right into Villefort taking him down. He goes right after a rear-naked choke, but loses it. Burrell gets on top for just a moment, but Villefort tries to regain control too late, and Burrell is back to his feet. Burrell misses a right hand and again Villefort takes him down. He works around to Burrell's back and holds on to him, and Burrell pops back to his feet for a moment. Then he goes after a heel hook – but eats more than a dozen punches to the face from Burrell. Herzog looks in closely. Villefort has to let off, and he's taken a lot of punishment for nothing. Burrell grabs hold of a guillotine, but Villefort slips out. But back on the feet, Burrell again goes after the choke. He can't keep it, but he looks exhausted against the fence as Burrell tries to wear him down with 90 seconds left. The break apart with about a minute left. Villefort again tries to go to the ground, but Burrell won't stay there – and back on the feet, Burrell lands a front kick to the face, then a right hand. But Villefort is cominb forward like a zombie, and looks a little like one too with blood all over his face. Again Villefort wants to go the ground late, but can't get it there. They'll slug it out for the last 10 seconds. MMAjunkie.com scores the last round for Burrell 10-9 and sees the fight for him 29-28. Nah-Shon Burrell def. Yuri Villefort via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
UFC 157: Nah-Shon Burrell vs Yuri Villefort
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