“UFC 121: Lesnar vs. Velasquez” takes place tonight, Saturday, Oct. 23, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. The main event features a heavyweight title fight between champion Brock Lesnar and number one contender Cain Velasquez. Lesnar will attempt to defend his title for the second time this year and Velasquez will try to become the first Mexican heavyweight combat sports champion.

Also on the card, former Strikeforce middleweight champ Jake Shields moves to welterweight as he makes his long-awaited UFC debut against top-10 ranked Martin Kampmann, and UFC legend Tito Ortiz makes his much anticipated return to the Octagon to face his former Ultimate Fighter student Matt “The Hammer” Hamill.

“UFC 121: Lesnar vs. Velasquez” will air live on Pay-Per-View at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Prior to the Pay-Per-View, Spike TV will air two preliminary card bouts live starting at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Join us right here as ProMMAnow.com provides LIVE results and play-by-play commentary on all the action!

Remember, there is still time to enter our UFC 121 pick em’ contest to win a pair of tickets to WEC 52. Also, for our predictions on each fight see our ProMMAnow.com UFC 121 staff picks. And be sure to check out archive video of the UFC 121 weigh-ins and pre-fight press conference, as well as the UFC 121 post-fight press conference in a LIVE stream following tonight’s event in our UFC ROOM.

UFC 121 quick results:

MAIN CARD (Televised – Pay-Per-View)

• Cain Velasquez def. Brock Lesnar by TKO (punches) Rd 1 4:12
• Jake Shields def. Martin Kampmann by split decision (28-29,30-27,29-28) Rd 3 (5:00)
• Diego Sanchez def. Paulo Thiago by unanimous decision (30-26,29-28,29-28) Rd 3 (5:00)
• Matt Hamill def. Tito Ortiz by unanimous decision (29-28,29-28,30-27) Rd 3 (5:00)
• Brendan Schaub def. Gabriel Gonzaga by unanimous decision (30-27,30-27,30-27) Rd 3 (5:00)

PRELIMINARY CARD (Televised – Spike TV)

• Court McGee def. Ryan Jensen by submission (arm triangle) Rd 3 (1:21)
• Tom Lawlor def. Patrick Cote by unanimous decision (30-27,30-27,30-27) Rd 3 (5:00)

PRELIMINARY CARD (Not Televised)

• Daniel Roberts def. Michael Guymon by submission (anaconda choke) Rd 1 (1:13)
• Sam Stout def. Paul Taylor by split decision (29-28,30-27,28-29) Rd 3 (5:00)
• Chris Camozzi def. Dongi Yang by split decision (28-29,29-28,29-28) Rd 3 (5:00)
• Gilbert Yvel def. Jon Madsen by KO (punches) Rd 1 (1:48)

UFC 121 play-by-play:

Patrick Cote vs. Tom Lawlor

Round 1 – Cote looks intense, pacing back and forth waiting for the bell. Big John McCarthy is the referee. Let’s get it on. They clinch, Lawlor puts him against the cage and drops levels looking for the takedown, puts some knees in Coe’s thighs. Foot stomp from Lawlor. Cote defending well. But Lawlor finally gets him down and Cote has full guard. Lawlor’s offense stifled for the most part as Cote hangs on tight and is defending well. Boo’s from the crowd as Big John calls for action. Lawlor stands, up kick from Cote but Lawlor passes guard to side control. Cote recovers half guard. Lawlor with body shots and punches to the face and some elbows, no real damage though, but absolute control from Lawlor. Lawlor locks on an arm triangle, steps over and sinks it tight but Cote rolls out perfectly. Cote gets to his knees, trying to get up but leaves his neck open and Lawlor tries to lock on a choke. Cote reverses position and ends up on top landing shots before the bell sounds. Cote used the fence to roll position, they show it in the replay and Big John warns him. ProMMAnow.com gives the round to Lawlor 10-9.

Round 2 – Leg kick from Lawlor. Lawlor with a quick left then shoots and puts Cote against the cage. Cote holds a guillotine position briefly but Lawlor pops out. Lawlor eventually puts Cote down once again with Cote’s back against the cage. Lawlor pulls him all the way down and settles into his full guard. Cote attempts a triangle briefly but Lawlor keeps throwing punches and lands an elbow. Cote has half guard. A couple of nice punches from Lawlor score and Cote gets full guard briefly but Cote gets out and to his feet, still clinched though. Lawlor with knees to the thighs and Big John calls for action. Knee to the head by Lawlor and takes Cote right back down. Cote has not been able to do ANYTHING and is getting smothered by Lawlor. Cote looks for a kimura but eats a few pretty big shots. The crowd boos and Big John stands them up much to the delight of the crowd. Cote with a Superman punch that misses, he throws a kick and gets some distance, throws an uppercut and gets caught with a nice right. ProMMAnow.com scores the round for Lawlor 10-9.

Round 3 – They exchange shots and Lawlor immediately gets the takedown, he locks on the arm triangle, lets go of it and gets to side control. Cote gets half guard. Lawlor warned for hitting the back of the head and gets a final warning. Lawlor gets full mount. Cote gives up his back but quickly rolls back on his back. Cote has half guard but is clearly out-matched and out-classed on the ground. Lawlor with a nice hammerfist. Lawlor attempts a kimura, Cote explodes and tries to get out but Lawlor puts him right back on his back. Big elbow from Lawlor, body shots. Big John tells him to improve his position. He does not and the ref stands them up. Rogan says he completely disagrees with the stand up because he was working and I agree. Lawlor gets the takedown again, basically at will. Lawlor in side control. One minute to go. Cote gets half guard. Lawlor finishes out the fight raining down punches from top position. Complete domination. ProMMAnow.com scores the round 10-9 and 30-27 for Lawlor.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Tom Lawlor def. Patrick Cote by unanimous decision (30-27,30-27,30-27) Rd 3 (5:00)

Court McGee vs. Ryan Jensen

Round 1 – McGee’s first fight since becoming the Ultimate Fighter and he gets popped with a right hand. Jensen using angles, Court goes for a takedown but no dice. Court gets dropped with a left but gets right up. McGee goes for another takedown but nope and Jensen gets the takedown and is on top in half guard. Jensen stands up and lands a few punches as McGee tries to get up, he lands a big knee to the body. McGee is up. They square up. Nice left to McGee’s chin. Head kick from Jensen, then a leg kick. Straight left from McGee. Jensen lands a shot behind the head then another on the chin. Jab to the chin from Jensen. Huge right from Jensen, then a head kick that’s blocked. McGee swings and misses. Nice feint then a right by Jensen, his stand up looks very good. Head kick from Jensen and McGee ducks it. Leg kick from McGee but eats a combo of punches. Nice straight right from McGee then eats a huge inside leg kick, he responds with his own leg kick. Big body shot from Jensen. Jensen’s nose bleeding. Jensen lands a one-two and wobbles McGee’s head. ProMMAnow.com scores the round 10-9 for Jensen.

Round 2 – McGee’s corner says he’s going to get him on conditioning now. Hackleman was the one who said that. Leg kick from McGee. Right hand from McGee then a leg kick. Jensen seems to have slowed. Leg kick from McGee. Nice left hook from McGee stops him in his tracks briefly. Jensen goes for a takedown after that so you know it hurt. Superman punch from Jensen, does not land. Inside leg kick and a left hook from McGee. Jensen throws McGee down but he pops right up. Jensen lands a nice right hand that rocks McGee’s head. Leg kick from Jensen, then a nice body shot. McGee with a body shot and a nice right hand. The whole place is booing at Josh Koscheck as he walks into the arena. Right hand from McGee. One minute to go. Nice left from Jensen, he has slowed tremendously though. Leg kick from both guys. Both guys are throwing a lot of punches. McGee gets a takedown at the end of the round. ProMMAnow.com scores the round 10-9 for McGee. Hackleman tells him 1-1.

Round 3 – Nice big left hook from McGee then throws Jensen down with a big takedown. McGee on top inside the open guard. McGee gets to full mount and is landing some nice elbows. Jensen tries to escape but McGee maintains mount. McGee locks on the arm triangle and Jensen taps out. He has a huge mouse under his eye and is very frustrated. Great win for the TUF 11 champion.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Court McGee def. Ryan Jensen by submission (arm triangle) Rd 3 (1:21)

Mike Guymon vs. Daniel Roberts

Round 1 – Leg kick from Roberts drops Guymon and Roberts attacks with a flurry. Guymon drops level to look for the takedown but Roberts locks on an anaconda and takes Guymon to the ground, they roll to the ground and Guymon is forced to tap out. Guymon sits on his knees in disappointment.

OFFICIAL RESULT:  Daniel Roberts def. Michael Guymon by submission (anacodna choke) Rd 1 (1:13)

Brendan Schaub vs. Gabriel Gonzaga

Round 1 – I expect this fight to last about two minutes at the very most. Gonzaga looking focused and hairy. They touch gloves. Schaub swings first and misses. Gonzaga with a leg kick. Left jab scores from Schaub, he catches a leg kick of Gonzaga’s and lands a counter right on the chin. Schaub lands another right hand and throws a combo as Gonz throws a leg kick. Right hand from Schaub. Right hand from Schaub. Gonz is not using much foot movement. Schaub with a couple of ncie punches. Gonz plodding flat footed says Rogan. Gonzaga with a big kick that Schaub blocks. Big leg kick from Gonzaga. nice left jab from Schaub on the chin. Gonzaga shoots but gets stuffed. They exchange punches. Left jab from Schaub. Left punch from Gonzaga. Leg kick from Gonzaga. Gonzaga throws a head kick but gets countered with a punch. Nice left by Gonzaga but Schaub counters and Gonzaga gets rubber legged. Schaub pours on the heat with a flurry of punches and drops Gonzaga at the bell. ProMMAnow.com scores the round 10-9 for Schaub.

Round 2 – Schaub lands a right. Leg kick from Gonzaga. Big leg kick from Gonzaga. Schaub limping just a little. Another big leg kick from Gonzaga, he lands a couple body shots. He lands another big leg kick and falls down with a slip. Schaub takes advantages and lands some punches and Gonzaga lands another leg kick as he gets up. Left jab scores for Schaub. Schaub attacks with a nice combo and Gonzaga backs up. This is the strangest crowd. They just roar out with boss for no apparent reason now and then. Big leg kick from Gonzaga. Again. and Schaub pours on the heat with punches and a body shot and a knee. Gonzaga covers up and eats it all. Right hands land by both. They both swing big at the same time. More boos from this ridiculous crowd. Head kick misses from Gonzaga. Leg kick misses from Gonzaga. Schaub comes in swinging and Gonzaga fires back but misses. ProMMAnow.com scores that round 10-9 for Schaub.

Round 3 – It seems like this crowd wants these guys to just stay in the pocket and swing away until someone falls down with no technique or anything. Ridiculous. Right hand from Schaub. Left jab from Schaub. Exchange of punches and Schaub shoots, Gonzaga sprawls and they get back up. Left jab from Schaub. Left jab from Schaub. Gonzaga’s punches are being anticipated and just seems too slow for Schaub. Nice left jab from Schaub and Gonzaga lands a leg kick. He throws a head kick and it’s blocked. Two minutes to go. Huge inside leg kick from Gonzaga. Left jab from Schaub. Right hand from Gonzaga. Leg kick from Gonzaga. Schaub limping a little. Jabs land from both. Left hand from Gonzaga. Thirty seconds left and Gonzaga’s corner is screaming at him. Both guys swing away, Schaub shoots and Gonzaga tries to take his back as the bell sounds. Gonzaga raises his hands like he won. ProMMAnow.com scores the round 10-9 and the fight 30-27 for Schaub.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Brendan Schaub def. Gabriel Gonzaga by unanimous decision (30-27,30-27,30-27) Rd 3 (5:00)

Tito Ortiz vs. Matt Hamill

Round 1 – This is going to be very interesting. Big John is reffing. Head kick by Ortiz lands right in the face of Hamill. Big chants for Tito. Head kick again but Hamill catches it and takes him down. Tito gets up and throws another head kick. Big inside leg kick from Ortiz. Leg kick checked by Tito. Punch, kick from Tito. Nice right from Hamill. Leg kick punch from Hamill and a leg kick from Tito. Inside leg kick from Tito. He blocks a high kick. Tito tagged with a  punch. Lands a inside leg kick. Left straight from Tito. Tito’s face is busted up a bit. Right hand from Tito as Hamill cover sup. Left hand from Hamill after the bell. I give the round to Tito 10-9.

Round 2 – Ricco Rodriguez in Tito’s corner. Inside leg kick from Tito. Inside leg kick from Hamill and a right hand. Head kick from Hamill. Inside leg kick from Tito. Hamill taunting a bit and they exchange punches. Big leg kick from Hamill. Hamill stuffs a shot from Tito. Right hand from Tito. Knee to the body from Tito. Inside leg kick from Tito and a body shot from Hamill. Big knee from Tito. Big leg kick from Hamill. Big leg kick from Tito. Hamill gets the takedown. Hamill with elbows and Tito with elbows from the bottom. Toto throws his legs up looking for a submission. Hamill lands some punches and the crowd roars. Hamill postures up and Tito goes for the leg. Tito rolls and Hamill gets side control. 30 seconds left in the round. Elbows from Hamill. Hamill gets that round 10-9.

Round 3 – Hamill’s corner wants him to take Tito down again. Hamill lands a heavy jab. Big left hook from Hamill and he opens his arms to Tito taunting him to come in. Right hand by Tito scores. Tito’s corner tells him he needs to knock him out. Hamill lands an uppercut. Again a nice uppercut. Left jab rocks Tito’s head back. A double jab from Hamill. Neither guy is fighting with a sense of desperation. Inside leg kick from Hamill. Two minutes to go. Tito shoots, gets stuffed. Hamill with a big takedown as Tito throws a sloppy lazy leg kick. Hamill grinding with elbows. Hamill looks like the old Tito, now in half guard raining down elbows and punches. Tito’s blonde hair comes off the mat and there’s a big blood stain. That’s it. Hamill puts his hands up, Tito raises Hamill’s hand. Tito’s face is busted up pretty bad. I give the round 10-9 to and the fight 29-28 to Hamill.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Matt Hamill def. Tito Ortiz by unanimous decision (29-28,29-28,30-27) Rd 3 (5:00)

Paulo Thiago vs. Diego Sanchez

Round 1 – Will the old Diego show up tonight? Diego swings and misses, again. Diego lands a right. Thiago kicks and is blocked. Nice left from Thiago. Diego shoots and gets caught in a front headlock where he eats some knees. Thiago clinched against the cage. Thiago changes levels for the takedown, can’t get it. They separate and square up. Leg kick from Diego. Thiago ducks under Diego’s punches and puts him on his back. Thiago in half guard lands some nice punches to the face and body. Diego scrambles and Thiago attempts a D’arce, Diego escapes the first one, he locks it back on again but Diego is free, they stand up and face off again. One minute to go in the round. Right hand by Diego, he swings again and they clinch. Diego drops levels looking for a takedown. Thiago stops it and they exchange shots before the bell. I have to give that round to Thiago 10-9.

Round 2 – diego switches stances, lands a leg kick. Thiago fires off a combo and lands a solid left on the chin. Diego meets him in the center, he swings, then shoots. Diego grabs a single leg and finally gets him down. Diego is in mount but in a north-south position. Diego spins around and lands on top of Thiago in half guard. Thiago looking for a kimura. Diego tries to yank his arm free but can’t. Now he’s free. Diego  tries to advance position. Thiago hits him in the back of the head with an elbow and gets warned. Thiago goes for the kimura again. Diego stands up and gets out. Diego gets on top now in guard and lands some punches. Thiago kicks Diego off and over in a flip straight up in the air. They scramble and Diego picks him high up in the air screaming and slams him hard and the crowd goes wild. They scramble and Diego landing some punches as Thiago gets on all fours. Nice hammerfist from Diego. Diego takes his back , Thiago comes out the back door and throws a head kick as the bell sounds. Thiago looks exhausted and Diego is pumped up and flexes and screams to the crowd. Diego gets the round 10-9.

Round 3 – Thiago tries to shoot but Diego pushes him onto his back and is on top in half guard. Diego lands some shots from side control. Thiago goes for another kimura but Diego pulls out. Thiago turtles and Diego takes his back, has the hooks in. Diego with a body triangle looking for a rear naked choke. Thiago goes to his knees and Diego beating him up still locked on his back. The crowd cheers for Diego. Now in full mount, Diego punches him in the back. Thiago rolls to his knees and stands up and Diego falls off. Thiago lands a big up kick to the face but Diego gets back on top in half guard and lands some elbows. Thiago goes for a leg lock but Diego gets free and lands some big punches to the face. Diego slides off his back from turtle position. Thiago attempts a D’arce. Diego on top with big ground and pound with 30 seconds to go. Diego dominating and with ten seconds to go Diego from full mount rains down punches and Thiago swings back from the bottom. Thiago sits with his back against the fence and is completely spent. Diego jumps up and raises his hands, he knows he has won this fight. 10-9 round and 29-28 fight for Diego as I see it.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Diego Sanchez def. Paulo Thiago by unanimous decision (30-26,29-28,29-28) Rd 3 (5:00)

Jake Shields vs. Martin Kampmann

Round 1 – Well let’s see how Shields makes the transition. Shields immediately looks for the takedown after throwing a kick and get gets Kampmann to the ground. Kampmann holding onto Jake’s body. Shields in side control, now in half guard. Shields locks his arms around Kampman”s neck and is looking to pass from half guard. Kampmann holding that leg tight but Shields gets to full mount. Kampmann gets to his feet somehow though. Very impressive. Knee to the body from Kampmann and Shields pursuing him still has a hold of him with a single leg. Shields has him against the cage. Kampmann reverses position. Kampmann gets some distance now and squares up. Shields with a kick then a left jab. Leg kick by Shields. Kampmann hesitant to strike but lands a jab. Shields shoots and Kampmann sprawls. Left jab from Kampmann. Inside leg kick from Shields. Again. Shields shoots and grabs a single. Gotta give the round to Shields 10-9.

Round 2 – Gilber Melendez in Shields corner. Nick Diaz was just outside the cage behind Shields listening in on the corner. Leg kick from Shields. Shields shoots and Kampmann sprawls. Shhields gets a body lock. Kampmann gets underhooks and drops Jake with a knee to the face. Kampmann locks on a choke but Shields gets out and gets the takedown. Shhields moves to side control but Kampmann gets up and lands a few big knees. Shields is bleeding and may be hurt. Kampmann lands another big knee to Shields face and he falls to his knees. Shields gets the takedown and is on top in half guard. Shields warned for holding the shorts. Shields gets full mount with almost two minutes left. Shields now in half guard. The crowd boos and Big John calls for work. Shields gets full mount and Kampmann bucks out and gets to his feet. It’s a clinch war and Big John separated them. Big right from Kampmann. He looks exhausted and slow. Big John tells Shields he will take a point from him if he holds shorts one more time. Kampmann gets the round as I see it 10-9.

Round 3 – I think this weight cut really hurt Jake. He looks very tired. Leg kicks from Shields. Head kick from Kampmann. Left jab from Shields and a double jab from Kampmann. Shields shoots and gets stuffed. Shields gets stuffed and Kampmann lands some shots. Shields going on pure instinct here and Kampmann goes for a D’arce. It’s very tight but Shields gets free. Kampmann gets top position with 2:20 left in the fight. Kampmann in half guard landing elbows. Kampmann goes for a choke and Shields ends up on top in side control. Shiels just laying on Kampmann. Tries to go to full mount but can’t get it yet. Kampmann turtles up and gets to his feet. Shields drags him down and takes his back with a body lock with 30 seconds to go. Shields has  a body triangle and he won the round because of this. Great comeback from a completely spent Jake Shields. You have to remember, this guy was fighting at 185 just a few months ago and the dude had basically NO fat on him. So who knows how he even cut the weight to start with. I give the fight 29-28 to Shields.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Jake Shields def. Martin Kampmann by split decision (28-29,30-27,29-28) Rd 3 (5:00)

NOTES: The question will be if White thinks Shields deserves the title shot still after that performance. I say yes he does because clearly it was the drastic drop in weight that was the factor in this fight. Had to be. By the time a title fight gets here he will be well adjusted to the weight.

Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez

Round 1 – Why do I always get nervous before these big fights? It’s nuts… Lesnar rocking the beard. He might need that little extra padding tonight. Everyone is on their feet! Both fighters look very calm. Here we go. Lesnar shoots lands a knee after getting stuffed. Flying knee from Lesnar. They exchange and Brock gets the takedown. Cain gets up but Lesnar still has his leg. Cain with a couple elbows from the clinch. Lesnar pressing Cain against the cage leaning on him. Lesnar drops levels and puts him down but Cain like a rubber duck bounces up and escapes the clinch. Big exchanges. Cain shoots and takes Lesnar down. Lesnar turtled and Cain landing shots. Lesnar gets up they exchange and Lesnar falls to the ground Cain hits him with a huge knee and Brock goes down. Cain attacks and has side control. Cain postures up but Cain is smashing him with elbows and punches. Cain has knee on belly and is picking his shots. Lesnar grabs a leg and gets up. Cain drops him with punches and Lesnar turtles up covering his face. It’s over! Cain Velasquez pounds him out. Brock Lesnar’s face is a bloody pulp. An ugly boody pulp and Cain looks completely fine. Herb Dean stopped it no riding it out like Shane Carwin this time Brock. They have tried to stop Brock’s cut but the blood drips down his cheek as he still sits on his stool. He can’t get up for the announcement of the winner.

OFFICIAL RESULT:  Cain Velasquez def. Brock Lesnar by TKO (punches) Rd 1 4:12

We have entered the Cain Velasquez era folks…. we’ve heard that before, but this time I think it’s for real.

Rogan speaks with Brock and the crowd boos. He’s smiling big. He says “I expected nothing less. He’s a great fighter. I expected nothing less. I had a great training camp. He was the better fighter than me tonight.”

Rogan says, “I’m sure you’ll go back and learn from this and come back stronger right?”

Brock says, “That’s what a champion does right?”