“UFC 141: Lesnar vs. Overeem” takes place tonight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. In the main event, former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar welcomes former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem to the UFC Octagon for the very first time in a number one contender’s bout to determine who will get the next shot at Junior Dos Santos‘ heavyweight title.

In the co-main event, TUF 5 winner Nate Diaz tires to halt the meteoric UFC rise of Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in a battle of lightweight contenders, and top welterweight contender Jon Fitch takes on former Oklahoma State NCAA  Division 1 champion Johny Hendricks in a 170 pound match-up with serious title implications.

It is the last UFC card of 2011 and the action kicks off at 7:15 p.m. ET (4:15 p.m. PT) with four preliminary card bouts on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ufc), moves to Spike TV at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT) with two more preliminary bouts and then moves to the Pay-Per-View at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT).

Join us as ProMMAnow.com (www.prommanow.com) as we provide LIVE results and play-by-play commentary of all the action. — While waiting for the fights to start, why not hop on over and enter our UFC 141 pick ’em contest sponsored by RYU, check out our UFC 141 staff picks and the rest of our exclusive UFC 141 coverage.

NOTE: Matt Riddle reportedly became ill prior to tonight’s fight and his bout with Luis Ramos was cancelled.

UFC 141 quick results:

PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook)

• Diego Nunes def. Manny Gamburyan by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Rd 3 (5:00)
• Jacob Volkmann def. Efrain Escudero by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Rd 3 (5:00)
  
• Dong Hyun Kim def. Sean Pierson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Rd 3 (5:00)
  
• Welterweight bout: Matt Riddle vs. Luis Ramos  fight cancelled

PRELIMINARY CARD (Spike TV)

• Danny Castillo def. Anthony Njokuani by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Rd 3 (5:00)
• Ross Pearson def. Junior Assuncao by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) Rd 3 (5:00)

MAIN CARD (Pay-Per-View)

• Jimy Hettes def. Nam Phan by unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-26) Rd 3 (5:00)
• Alexander Gustafsson def. Vladimir Matyushenko by TKO (punches) Rd 1 (2:13)
• Johny Hendricks def. Jon Fitch by knockout (punch) Rd 1 (:12)
• Nate Diaz def. Donald Cerrone by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) Rd 3 (5:00)
• Alistair Overeem def. Brock Lesnar by TKO (strikes) Rd 1 (2:26)

UFC 141 quick results:

(145) Manvel Gamburyan vs. Diego Nunes

Round 1 – Leg kick from Nunes. Manny hunting. Big leg kick from Nunes, right hook from Manny. Leg kick from Nunes. Manny moves back from a leg kick. He dodges a spinning back kick. Leg kick from Nunes. Manny shoots, stuffed, shoots again, stuffed. Leg kick from Nunes. Leg kick Nunes. Goes for another leg kick and Manny shoots, Nunes sprawls. Manny pushes him to the cage. Drops levels for a double leg, Manny picks him up and dumps him on his back. Manny on top in half guard. Nunes gets up as Manny still holds on. Nunes breaks free and moves to the center. One minute to go. Left hook, leg kick from Nunes. Manny shoots, sprawl by Nunes. Leg kick from Nunes, spinning back kick. PMN scores the round 10-9 Nunes.

Round 2 – Manny closes the distance. Leg kick from Nunes. Big right rocks Nunes. Manny pushes him to the cage as Nunes misses a jumping knee. They struggle in the clinch. Manny has a body lock from behind, knee to the head from Manny. Manny drops levels looking for a single, Nunes escapes. Spinning back kick from Nunes. Another one. Manny puts him on his back. On top in half guard. Left, left, body shot from Manny using some ground and pound. Manny wraps up Nunes’ neck, still in half guard. Manny lets the neck go. Nunes gets to his feet. Manny pushing him into the cage. Nunes turns him around. Knee to the body from Nunes. Manny goes for a judo throw but Nunes lands a right and escapes. They square up. Head kick from Nunes is blocked, both swing and miss. PMN scores the round 10-9 Manny.

Round 3 – Right hand from Manny. Leg kick from Nunes and a knee. Right to the body from Manny. Leg kick inside from Nunes. Again. Again. Leg kick from Nunes. Manny shoots, stuffed. Knee from Nunes to the body. Leg kick from Nunes. Manny shoots, stuffed. Knee from Nunes. Head kick from Nunes is blocked. Right from Manny. Leg kick, head kick, leg kick from Nunes. Manny misses a big right, shoots from outside and misses. Manny ducks a spinning backfist, shoots, stuffed. Left from Nunes. Left jab from Manny. Nunes lands a low blow and gets time to recover. Left right from Manny, body kick from Nunes. Manny shoots, grabs a single, switches to a body lock but it’s over and PMN scores the round for Nunes 10-9 and the fight for Nunes 29-28.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Diego Nunes def. Manny Gamburyan by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Rd 3 (5:00)

 (155) Jacob Volkmann vs. Efrain Escudero

Round 1 – Leg kick from Escudero. Volkmann misses a leg kick. Escudero with a leg kick, Volkmann shoots and Escudero locks on a guillotine. Volkmann ends up in side control and free of the guillotine. Volkmann stands up, Escudero grabs his right leg, Volkmann gets back on top in half guard. A couple left hands from Volkmann, still on top. A couple short elbows from Volkmann. Under two minutes to go. Light body shot from Volkmann, laying on Escudero who is trapping Volkmann’s leg preventing him from advancing. Ref warns Vokmann to work. He lands a few body shots. Boos from the crowd. Volkmann has Escudero’s neck, lets it go. Volkmann postures up with a couple punches but nothing really lands. PMN scores the round 10-9 for Volkmann.

Round 2 – Volkmann shoots, Escudero drops down for a guillotine and Volkmann is back in side control and now half guard just like round one. Escudero gets full guard. Volkmann landing a few light body shots and ref stands them up. Volkmann shoots, has a body lock and gets Escudero down and has his back with one hook, now two hooks in. One minute to go and Volkmann locks on the choke. Escudero gets free of the choke but Volkmann still on his back with one hook in. PMN scores the round 10-9 for Volkmann.

Round 3 – Knee to the body as Volkmann comes in. Escudero once again goes for the guillotine and we have a repeat of round one and two. Volkmann is on top now in side control. Escudero gives up side mount. Volkmann landing some punches from top. Ref stands them up. Rogan hates the stand up. Calls it a gift for Efrain. Volkmann shoots for a single. Escudero gives him some elbows. Volkmann has a body lock from behind, trying to drag him down, drops levels for a single. Escudero trying to fight him off, locks on a D’arce, Volkmann squirming, it’s tight. Escudero readjusts to a power guillotine then a North-South choke as Volkmann gets up. Escudero finally lets go but is sitting on Volkmann’s face. Escudero came very close to turning this thing around. PMN scores the round 10-9 for Escudero and the fight 29-28 for Volkmann.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Jacob Volkmann def. Efrain Escudero by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Rd 3 (5:00)

Talking to Rogan after the fight, Volkmann said Obama needs to call him to schedule a “glassectomy” — and explained that is when you surgically place a piece of glass in your belly button so when you have your head up your butt you can see what’s happening. Could this prompt another visit from the Secret Service? Probably…

(170) Dong Hyun Kim vs. Sean Pierson

Round 1 – Touch gloves. Southpaw vs. Southpaw. Leg kick from Kim. Leg kick from Pierson. They tie up, Pierson pushes Kim to the cage. Left to the body from Pierson, again. Kim backs out. Right jab from Kim, leg kick. Pierson with a leg kick and a one two. Right from Kim. Leg kick from Kim, Pierson catches it, lets it go. Leg kick from Pierson. Inside leg kick. Misses a punch combo. Nice left from Kim. He dodges a one two from Pierson. Right from Kim, leg kick, right jab. Pierson counters a crane kick with a punch. Lands a left. Kim ducks a punch, ties up, lets go. Pierson catches a kick, misses a counter punch. They tie up. Kim locks on a front headlock, gives him a knee to the noggin’. Kim gives him a judo throw but Pierson ends up taking his back with both hooks in and landing punches. Time is out though. PMN scores the round 10-9 for Kim.

Round 2 – Leg kick from Kim. Left hand. Leg kick from Kim. Pierson backs him up with a couple punches. Leg kick from Kim, counter right from Pierson. Kim misses a head kick. Leg kick from Kim. Again. They tie up. Pierson pushes him against the cage. Pierson backs out and they square up in the center. Leg kick from Kim. Again, inside. Again. Left hand from Kim. Pierson clinches, Kim moves out to the center. Big leg kick from Kim. Leg kick from Pierson. Kim lands a counter right. Pierson ties up with a body lock. Kim pushes him off and they square up in the center. Jab from Pierson. Leg kick from Kim and follows it up with a left. They tie up. Knee from Pierson. Nice left from Kim. Lazy leg kick from Pierson. Pierson shoots, stuffed. Kim rocks Pierson with a crane kick, it wobbles Pierson and he stumbles around the cage. Kim follows it up with a couple punches but Pierson is saved by the bell before Kim can finish him. He staggers back to his corner. PMN scores the round 10-9 for Kim.

Round 3 – Big leg kick from Pierson. Nice left from Kim. They tie up against the cage. Pierson leaning on him. Kim backs out. Leg kick. Straight left from Kim, leg kick. Kim ducks under a punch and puts Pierson on his back. Kim passes but Pierson gets right up to his feet. Kim grabs a body lock and gets the takedown. Kim on top inside full guard. Pierson holding on as Kim tries to posture up. Kim stands over Pierson, passes to half guard, trying to advance but ref stands them up. Leg kick from Kim, misses a crane kick. Front kick from Kim. Leg kick from Kim. Nice Superman punch from Pierson and a left. PMN scores the round 10-9 for Kim and the fight 30-27 for Kim.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Dong Hyun Kim def. Sean Pierson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Rd 3 (5:00)

(155) Anthony Njokuani vs. Danny Castillo

Round 1 – Castillo shoots, Njokuani dodges. One two from Njokuani. Leg kick from Castillo, left. Castillo shoots, gets the takedown but Njokuani gets right up, goes right back down, right back up. Castillo has a body lock from behind, gives some knees to Njokuani, over and over. Knees to the thighs from Castillo, more of them. He straightens Njokuani’s legs out and mounts his legs as Njokuani’s back is to the cage. Njokuani gets up but gets dragged down, gets up again. Castillo still holding onto him from behind with a body lock, he goes down again, again. This is extremely tiring. Castillo has both hooks in and has Njokuani’s back. Njokuani spins around and has top position. Castillo is on his feet, Njokuani locks on a guillotine. Castillo slams him hard and is free of the choke.  They are back up, knee from Njokuani. They square up. Too late for Njokuani to get anything going. PMN scores round one 10-9 for Castillo.

Round 2 – Castillo shoots, stuffed. Castillo gets the takedown but Njokuani is right back up. They trade a couple shots, nothing lands. Nice jab from Njokuani. Left hook to the body from Njokuani. Castillo shoots, stuffed. Two knees, three, four to the body and a big elbow from Njokuani, beautiful Muay Thai. Castillo slowing down. He took this fight on short notice, could be tiring. Nice short left stuns Castill. Njokuani has a Thai clinch, lands a knee to the face but Castillo puts him down on his back, inside full guard. Njokuani hanging on looking for a stand up. Elbow from off his back from Njokuani. Castillo staying busy trying to punch. Njokuani gets up to his feet. Castillo gets him back down before the bell. PMN scores the round 10-9 for Njokuani.

Round 3 – Jab from Castillo, shoots, pushed aside. Jab from Njokuani. Nice right from Njokuani. Castillo shoots from outside, stuffed. He pushes Njokuani to the cage, picks him up and puts him down. Njokuani with his back to the cage, trying to get up. Castillo hanging on trying to hold him down. Njokuani is up but Castillo is hanging on him. Njokuani rolls for a leg lock, misses and gets to his feet. Leg kick. Knee to the body. Jab. Leg kick. Front kick. Castillo shoots and scoops his legs to put him back down with his back to the cage. Njokuani gets up with just over a minute to go. Knee to the thigh from Castillo who has a body lock from behind. Njokuani gets free, leg kick, leg kick, jab, leg kick, leg kick, leg kick. Lands a one two, misses a flying knee. PMN scores the round 10-9 for Castillo and the fight 29-28 for Castillo. — Njokuani thinks he has won and maybe he did… I almost want to score it a draw, giving the last round a 10-10. It could go either way, and all comes down to this round.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Danny Castillo def. Anthony Njokuani by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Rd 3 (5:00)

(145) Ross Pearson vs. Junior Assunção

Round 1 –  Leg kicks from both guys. This is Pearson’s 145 debut. Assuncao gets the takedown. Pearson’s back is to the cage. He gets to a knee. Assuncao takes his back with one hook in. Left hook from Pearson. Inside leg kick from Assuncao. Leg kick from Pearson, he ducks a left. Blocks a head kick. Stalking. Stops a takedown lands a knee to the body.  Assuncao shoots, pushes Pearson to the cage. Elbow on the break from Assuncao. Pearson stalking, leg kick. Assuncao using a Machida stance and style of movement. Knee from Pearson stops the takedown. Leg kick from Assuncao, counter right from Pearson. Right from Assuncao. Big leg kick from Pearson. Body kick from Assuncao. PMN scores the round 10-9 Pearson.

Round 2 – Inside leg kick from Pearson. Pearson chasing Assuncao, shoots, gets a trip takedown but Pearson gets right up. Knee from Pearson. Front kick and right to the chin from Assuncao. Inside leg kick from Pearson. Assuncao answers with a right. Assuncao shoots, Pearson stuffs it and lands a nice right hand. Straight left from Assuncao after going to the ground briefly. Assuncao pushes him to the cage. Pearson grabs a Thai clinch but Assuncao gets free and Pearson chases him down with a kick that misses. Big body shot from Pearson. He lands another shot then a punch that staggers Assuncao. Pearson gets a hold of him and pushes him to the cage. Knee to the body from Pearson. Assuncao with a punch on the break. He shoots for a single against the cage. Pearson gets free and turns Assuncao to the cage, Pearson trips him to the ground. But Assuncao gets up. Pearson lands and elbow but Assuncao trips him to the ground. Elbows from the bottom from Pearson and he gets up without taking damage before the bell. PMN scores the round 10-9 Pearson.

Round 3 – Leg kick from Pearson. Assuncao gets a takedown, he gets on his back with one hook in. Pearson tries to escape and gets to his feet. Turns Assuncao to the cage. Elbow from Assuncao on the break, he shoots, gets the takedown. Pearson bounces right up, Assuncao with a knee as he leans on Pearson against the cage, he drops levels. Pearson goes down briefly bounces right up. Right hand from Assuncao, goes for a single, lets it go, elbow on the break. Big leg kick from Pearson, jab. Assuncao shoots, eats a big knee to the face that busts up his face. Pearson turns him to the cage. They trade elbows. Head kick and knee to the face from Pearson with under a minute to go. They struggle in the clinch. Left hook from Pearson. Nice hook to the body and face from Pearson. He stuffs one final takedown before the bell. Fun round. PMN scores the round 10-9 for Pearson and the fight 30-27 for Pearson.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Ross Pearson def. Junior Assuncao by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) Rd 3 (5:00)

(145) Nam Phan vs. Jimy Hettes

Round 1 – Head kick blocked by Phan. Hettes shoots, trips Phan to the ground. Phan tries to get up and succeeds. Hettes trips him back down. Phan on the bottom as Hettes in quarter mount. Phan gets right up. Hettes hanging on him, trips him down again. He jumps on a guillotine with one arm, he lets it go but hurts Phan with some big punches. Phan is hurt and turns face down trying to survive. Hettes takes his back with one hook in, still landing shots. Hettes lands more big punches but Phan gets to his feet. Phan is in a fight my friends. He gets free and backs out. Left from Phan, uppercut. Hettes shoots pushes Phan to the cage. Hip tosses Phan right into side control. He mounts the black belt. Hettes with a big elbow, goes for an armbar. Hettes is only a purple belt but elbows and punches make black belts turn into white belts. Hettes going for the armbar as Phan holds on tight with his other hand to prevent it. Hettes softening Phan up with punches trying to free the other arm. Phan bleeding pretty badly. Hettes gets full mount and pounds him until the bell. He helps Phan with a hand to his feet. PMN scores the round 10-8 for Hettes. Wow!

Round 2 – Hettes is no joke guys. Phan better do something here. Hettes shoots, Phan stops the takedown, they tie up briefly. Hettes backs out, jumping knee. They tie up, drags Phan down with a single. Phan goes for a leg lock. Hettes pulls out and lays on top. Lands a big right. Hettes goes for a choke but loses it, goes for a guillotine. Phan on top now, lands a couple elbows. Phan hovering, Hettes gets up, tries to trip Phan. Landing punches, knee to the body, again. Tries to trip but Phan backs out. Hettes is relentless and puts Phan down again. Phan gets his back to the cage, eats a couple punches. Knee from Phan, he moves to the center. Knee to the body from Phan. Hettes is relentless, won’e let him breathe. Drags Phan down, he pops up then hip tosses Phan to the ground. Hettes in side control, lands some nice punches. Phan gets up for about a split second until he drags Phan down again. Phan gets up. Hettes pushes him to the cage. PMN scores the round 10-9.

Round 3 – Hettes is looking so impressive I can’t believe it. He shoots, stuffed. They are trading some punches. Nam lands a couple jabs but gets put on his back easily. Phan bleeding trying to use the cage to get up. He’s up, Hettes drops levels and double legs him once again. Just amazing how he’s dominating the veteran. Couple of right hands as Phan works his way back up. Phan gets out of the clinch, lands a right. Hettes looks exhausted. Body shot from Phan. Hettes ties him up, drags him down and is on top in half guard landing punches. Hettes locks on a deep arm triangle. Hettes mounts and lets go the submission. Hettes landing several right hands, elbow. Phan scrambles. Nice elbows from Hettes. Phan recovers full guard. Big right hand from Hettes as he postures up. With 10 seconds left he blitzes with punches as the bell sounds. PMN scores the round 10-8 for Hettes and the fight 30-25 for Hettes.  Jimy Hettes just raised his stock by a mile my friends! No doubt. That’s one hell of a New Year’s performance for this young man and a great way to close out 2011. Go celebrate young man, you deserve it.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Jimy Hettes def. Nam Phan by unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-26) Rd 3 (5:00)

(205) Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Alexander Gustafsson

Round 1 – Alex throws up a front kick from far away. Vlad misses with a big swinging punch. Leg kick from Alex. Left from Vlad but eats a one two counter. Front kick from Alex, Vlad catches it, lets it go. Front kick from Alex. Big leg kick. Vlad with a pushing left punch but runs right into a simple left jab but it’s right on the chin and Vladdy goes down. Alex finishes him off with a flurry and it’s over.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Alexander Gustafsson def. Vladimir Matyushenko by TKO (punches) Rd 1 (2:13)

(170) Jon Fitch vs. Johny Hendricks

Round 1 – I hope you played our Pick ‘Em contest sponsored by RYU for this fight. Good luck. OMG —– OMG, one punch by Johny Hendricks and this fight is over. Fitch got stretched out flat in just 12 seconds. Fitch missed with a couple little punches and Hendricks landed a big left that dropped him flat and landed one more shot and Steve Mazzagatti saved Fitch. Fitch started wrestling Mazzagatti. Rogan said, “Welcome to the big time Johny Hendricks”.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Johny Hendricks def. Jon Fitch by knockout (punch) Rd 1 (:12)

(155) Nate Diaz vs. Donald Cerrone

Round 1 – Hold onto your hats friends, we about to get nasty. I can’t even believe this fight is happening. Consider yourselves damn lucky. Herb Dean said, “You can touch gloves… or not.” Cowboy runs out quickly and Nate body locks him, lets it go. Street fight we have here guys. Nate with a knee. Punches from Nate, counter right from Cowboy. Leg kick from Cowboy. He tosses Nate to the side. Big combo from Nate. Nate is landing lots of punches. Cowboy trying to get his distance but Nate is roughing him up with great boxing, picking him apart. Nate outboxing him. Leg kick from Cowboy. Nice leg kick from Cerrone. One two from Nate on the chin. Head kick from Cerrone, leg kick. Nate in his face with punches. More and more combos from Nate. Cowboy falls with a head kick. Nate rocks his head back, body shot. Leg kick from Cowboy. Rogan thinks Cowboy may have a broken jaw. Big left from Nate. Cowboy’s jaw is wide open. Nate’s gameplan has worked perfectly getting in Cowboy’s head. So far anyway. PMN scores the round 10-8 for Diaz. Greg Jackson is trying to calm Cowboy down.

Round 2 – Leg kick knocks Diaz down. He gets up lands a combo. One to the chin. Big knee to chin, leg kick and another leg kick drops Diaz. Diaz looking for a judo throw, they grapple for a second. Then square up. They go back to boxing. Body shot from Diaz, one two. One two. Head kick from Cerrone and Nate goes down. Nate gets up. Cerrone sweeps the leg again. One two from Diaz. Street fight as they slug it out. Nate lands more combos, elbow. Lots and lots of strikes being thrown by both guys. High pace. Diaz gets tripped but is back up. Uppercut from Cerrone. Cowboy sweeps him again to the ground. Nate hurts him with a punch and he wobbles. Nate still in his face. PMN scores the round 10-9 for Diaz. Greg Jackson was yelling at him. Nate Diaz flips Cerrone off before the bell.

Round 3 -Big right hook from Nate. Straight right. Leg kick from Cerrone. Combo from Nate. Combo from Nate. Big body shot and a right to the face. Cerrone falls. Body kick from Nate. Jab. He’s looking very good this round. He’s picking Cerrone apart badly. Knee to the body from Cowboy. Leg kick checked. Again. Jab Diaz. So many combos from Diaz. Sweep from Cowboy drops Diaz but that doesn’t do damage. Nate’s boxing is just outclassing Cowboy. Big knee from Cowboy to the body. Nate overwhelming with punches. Two minutes to go. Nate looks fresher. Jab. Another sweep from Cerrone drops Nate. Two hooks from Nate. Combo. I can’t keep up with this punch pace it’s so fast. Front kick from Nate. Big right from Nate, they box it out and shake hands. OMG!!! Fight of the year candidate but Nate wins it.  PMN scores the round 10-9 for Diaz and the fight 30-26 for Diaz.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Nate Diaz def. Donald Cerrone by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) Rd 3 (5:00)

(HW) Brock Lesnar vs. Alistair Overeem

Round 1 – I honestly can’t believe this fight is happening. This is why there is no sport that compares to MMA, there is nothing as raw and as real as this in the world of sports. He shakes hands with Pat Barry. He takes his shirt of f and does a dance. Country music is playing as they put vaseline on his face. He takes a couple laps around the cage and raises his right hand. Overeem watches. .. Overeem looks a little soft in the mid-section. The stare down… eye to eye. Brock bounces. Fakes a leg kick. Leg kick. Jab. Overhand right from Overeem misses. Brock misses a right. Feints a hook grabs a single lets it go. Misses a right, leg kick from Brock. Overeem is cut. Big knee from Overeem to the body. Big knee from Overeem. Again. Kick from Overeem. Brock is standing with this guy. Crazy. Big kick to the body and Brock goes down — kicked him in that colon on the back end of those big knees. Brock blocked most of the punches but it was a punch to the body that hurt him. Overeem promised a first or second round KO and he delivered.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Alistair Overeem def. Brock Lesnar by TKO (strikes) Rd 1 (2:26)

Junior Dos Santos is in the Octagon — he will face Overeem next.

Lesnar just retired… he said he promised his wife and kids. If he won, he would have fought for the title and then retire. Dana gave him a bro hug with a very shocked look on his face.