NEWARK, N.J. – The UFC Welterweight Title is on the line tonight as the champion Georges “Rush” St. Pierre (19-2, 13-2 UFC) takes on British challenger, and number one contender, Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy (23-6-0, 1NC, 4-0 UFC) at “UFC 111: St. Pierre vs. Hardy”.

In the co-main event, former heavyweight champion Frank Mir (13-4, 11-4 UFC) takes on big Shane Carwin (11-0, 4-0 UFC) for the UFC Interim Heavyweight Championship. The winner of the bout will move on to face champion Brock Lesnar for the heavyweight title.

“UFC 111: St. Pierre vs. Hardy” takes place at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. and will air live on pay-per-view beginning at 10pm ET/7pm PT tonight. Spike TV will air two live preliminary card bouts beginning at 9pm ET/6pm PT. Beginning at approximately 8pm ET/5pm PT, ProMMAnow.com will provide live results and play-by-play commentary of “UFC 111: St. Pierre vs. Hardy”.

Following tonight’s fights, there will be a “UFC 111: St. Pierre vs. Hardy” post-fight press conference which will air in a live stream in our UFC Room beginning at 1pm ET/10pm PT.

Quick Results:

Pay-Per-View

• Welterweight Championship – Georges St. Pierre def. Dan Hardy by unanimous decision (50-43, 50-44, 50-45)
• Interim Heavyweight Championship – Shane Carwin def. Frank Mir by knockout (punches) Rd 1 (3:48)
• Kurt Pellegrino def. Fabricio Canoes by submission (rear-naked choke) Rd 2 (4:20)
• Jon Fitch def. Ben Saunders by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Jim Miller def. Mark Bocek by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Spike TV

• Nate Diaz def. Rory Markham by TKO (strikes) Rd 1 (2:47)
• Ricardo Almeida def. Matt Brown by submission (rear-naked choke) Rd 2 (3:30)

Prelims (may not be televised)

• Rousimar Palhares def. Tomasz Drwal by submission (heel hook) Rd (0:45)
• Jared Hamman def. Rodney Wallace by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Matthew Riddle def. Greg Soto by disqualification (illegal upkick) Rd 3 (1:30)

Play-by-play Commentary:

Ricardo Almeida (11-3) vs. Matt Brown (13-7)

Round 1 – Here we go. Brown throws the first kick. Almeida shoots grabs a body clinch. Brown defends it well. Almeida trips him down and is in half guard. Brown has wrist control and trying to get to his feet. He makes it up oh so briefly before he’s tripped right back down. Brown fighting to get up and he makes it. Almeida still fighting for control, lands a big left elbow from the clinch. Almeida pressing Brown against the cage, struggling. Ref separates them, Almeida shoots immediately, Brown stuffs it. Crowd boos at the clinch game. Brown with a knee to the body. Almeida still working for the takedown. Elbows by Almeida from the clinch. 40 seconds left in round. Two elbow shots from Big Dog. Almeida with some punches. ProMMAnow scores the round 10-9 for Almeida.

Round 2 – Between rounds Renzo Gracie told Almeida he was fighting perfectly. Leg kick by Brown, and again, but Almeida catches it and puts Brown down. Brown scoots back to the cage and gets to his feet with a wall walk. Back to the clinch game, and Almeida trips Brown but he bounces right up again. Ref separates them. Big leg kick by Brown and Almeida lands a counter elbow that puts him down. Almeida takes his back, Brown scrambles, Almeida locks on a body triangle. Big Dog sinks in a rear=naked choke and Brown taps out. Big win for Almeida in his hometown with his first fight at 170. He’s a ginormous welterweight.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Ricardo Almeida def. Matt Brown by submission (rear-naked choke) Rd 2 (3:30)

Nate Diaz (11-5) vs. Rory Markham (16-5)

Round 1 – Diaz makes his first appearance at 170 lbs… sort of. The bout was actually moved to middleweight because Markham came in at 177 lbs. Nate should have more power in his punches at this weight. No touch of gloves. Nate lands the first jab. Markham lands a leg kick. Right hook by Diaz. Diaz with a leg kick. Markham misses a head kick. Diaz with a counter right. Nice left by Diaz scores, lands a few rights. Another right hook by Diaz. Diaz teeing off and lands a knee to the face that drops Markham. Diaz takes his back, locks in the hooks. Puts on a body triangle. Diaz softening him up, flattens him out. It’s all Diaz, he pounds away and Markham is finished. It looks like he taps, and the ref stops it. Utter domination by Diaz, the best we’ve ever seen him.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Nate Diaz def. Rory Markham by TKO (strikes) Rd 1 (2:47)

Jim Miller (16-2) vs. Mark Bocek (8-2)

Notes: BJJ black belt Bocek should have the grappling advantage. Bocek was born in Canada. He used to train the Fertitta brothers and Dana White in BJJ. Miller was born and raised in New Jersey. Miller is a brown belt in BJJ. Men who Stare at Goats is my new favorite movie. Someone should try “sparkly eyes technique” in the Octagon.

Round 1 – Bocek scores first with a right hand to the chin. Bocek shoots, presses Miller against the cage, holding a single leg. Miller defending well, drops into a guillotine, but Bocek pops out. Miller stands, they are still clinched and trading knees. They separate and exchange kicks. Right hand by Bocek again, scoops Miller up and slams him. Miller pulls a high guard and Bocek pops out, moves to half guard. Miller grabs a kimura and uses it to sweep. Bocek almost tapped, but he gets out of the submission. Miller opened a cut on Bocek’s forehead. Miller postures up in Bocek’s guard, lands some body blows. Good first round. ProMMAnow.com scores the round 10-9 for Miller.

Round 2 – Bocek gets another big takedown. Bocek is in half guard, transitions to side control. Miller gets it back to half guard. Bocek stands up in Miller’s guard and attacks with a punch. Bocek puts on an arm triangle but Miller escapes. Miller goes for a heel hook but Bocek spins out. Bocek moves to full mount. Miller gives up his back. 1:40 left in the round. Bocek gets a body triangle and traps one of his arms in the triangle. Terrible position for Miller. 1:00 left in the round. Bocek trying to get the choke but Miller spins over stands and dives to the mat. The bell sounds. Great defense by Miller. Miller defended that choke with one arm for almost two minutes. ProMMAnow scores the round 10-9 for Bocek.

Round 3 – Nice uppercut by Miller scores. Leg kick to the inside by Miller. Bocek scores with a right. Leg kick from Miller. Bocek shoots, gets stuffed. Body shot and a leg kick from Miller. Miller seems tentative here. Bocek shoots, grabs a single, pressing Miller against the cage. Miller grabs Bocek’s head and lands a couple of knees to the head. Bocek grabs that leg again, fighting for the takedown. 40 seconds left in the round and match. Bocek controlling Miller, Miller escapes and takes his back just before the bell sounds. Very close fight. ProMMAnow scores the round 10-9 for Bocek and the fight 29-28 for Bocek. — I got it backwards, and I wouldn’t argue with the decision. It was too close.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Jim Miller def. Mark Bocek by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Jon Fitch (24-3, 1 NC) vs. Ben Saunders (8-1-2)

Notes: Fitch has moved to an all organic diet. He said it has made the cut easier. This is a huge fight for “Killer B”. If he can pull off a victory, it will be the biggest of his career. Saunders moved up from the prelims to replace Thiago Alves just a few days prior. Alves had a problem with his CAT Scan. Arianny is absent. Rachelle Leah is present. What’s funny is prior to this fight, to hype it up, Dana White said Ben Saunders may have the best knees in the game… whoa Dana… easy there buddy…

Round 1 –  They clinch. Knees to the body by Saunders. Fitch fires back with knees. Fitch has double underhooks, tries to take Saunders down, finally gets it. Saudners with butterfly guard. Fitch tries to pass to side control but Saunders keeps butterfly guard. Fitch pounds the body, and lands some shots to the head. Knee to the ribs. Fitch keeping on the pressure. Saunders lands some punches from the bottom. Fitch in full guard. Elbows from the bottom by Saunders. Fitch keeping on the pressure with pure grit. Up kick lands by Saunders and we see Fitch’s head snap back from behind, but he’s okay it seems. It’s all Fitch. ProMMAnow scores the round 10-9 Fitch.

Round 2 – Saunders’ corner said Fitch “laid and prayed” the first round. Leg kick by Fitch, then a high kick. Saunders light on his toes, he grabs a Thai clinch but Fitch grabs a single leg, lets it go, grabs a double, lifts him high, big slam. Fitch back to the ground and pound from inside Saunders’ guard. Crowd boos. Fitch pounding and pounding. Big right hand to the chin by Fitch. Elbows scoring. Saunders asked for this fight. Hopefully this will show him where he really is, and where he needs to improve. The ref stands them up, and Rogan is pissed the ref is appeasing the crowd. Saunders attacks but Fitch locks him up with a body clinch. Knees to the body from Fitch. ProMMAnow scores the round 10-9 for Fitch.

Round 3 – Saunders needs a knockout or submission to win this fight. Right hand scores for Fitch, then he clinches. Lets go. Leg kick from Fitch. Fitch grabs a Thai clinch lands a couple knees then grabs a single leg. Saunders grabs a kimura, but Fitch gets out before it really began. Back to the clinch game and the ref separates them again. Rogan hates it. Fitch lands a combo and grabs a body lock. Saunders trying for a standing kimura. Fitch punches him in the face, lands a knee and a big uppercut. Right hand scores for Fitch and Saunders drops to his back. Fitch puts on the ground and pound attack, relentless, moves to half guard. It’s a non-stop assault with elbows and punches. 30 seconds left in the match. Fitch finishes with about 10 elbows. ProMMAnow scores the round 10-9 and the fight 30-27 for Fitch.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Jon Fitch def. Ben Saunders by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Kurt Pellegrino (20-4) vs. Fabricio Canoes (10-4-1)

Round 1 – Canoes locks up a clinch right away and presses Kurt against the cage. Canoes throws Kurt slowly to the ground and takes his back. Kurt stands with Canoes on his back, presses him back against the cage for support. Kurt let go of his wrist for some reason and Canoes immediately pulls the choke tight. Kurt head plants him, spikes him to the mat. Kurt takes his back, goes for a choke, Canoes spins and is in his full guard. Canoes puts on a triangle then an omoplata, Kurt escapes and moves to side control. Elbows from Kurt. Canoes looks for a D’arce briefly. Very fast pace. Kurt in Canoes’ full guard, lands some elbows, moves to half guard. 40 seconds left in the round. Kurt continues the attack from half guard the rest of the round. ProMMAnow scores the round 10-9 for Kurt Pellegrino.

Round 2 – They show a slow-mo of the head spike and it is SICK. Can’t wait for that Gif. Canoes throws a few hooks then shoots.. It goes to the ground briefly, then back up. Canoes swings wildly, misses, Kurt puts him on his back with a takedown. Kurt scores with some elbows from inside the full guard. Pellegrino gets full mount, lands punches right to the face and some elbows. Canoes escapes to half guard. Pellegrino wearing him down slowly but surely. Canoes explodes, tries to get up but Pellegrino puts him back down against the cage. Canoes tries to use the cage to stand, gets up and eats some knees for his trouble. Canoes explodes as Kurt throws the knee, tries to take top position but Kurt takes his back, locks in a rear naked choke and Fabricio Canoes is forced to tap out or go to sleep. Beautiful performance by “Batman”, Rogan says it’s the best he’s ever looked (but he always says that).

OFFICIAL RESULT: Kurt Pellegrino def. Fabricio Canoes by submission (rear-naked choke) Rd 2 (4:20)

Interim Heavyweight Title Fight – Frank Mir (13-4) vs. Shane Carwin (11-0)

Notes: This is the fight I’m most looking forward to. These guys are so big, and so powerful. So much is on the line here and both guys are so capable. We’ve never seen Carwin out of the first round. Can Mir take him out of round one. If Mir wins this, the sky is the limit for him. This is the kind of fight I get nervous for. So much is on the line here. Epic battles like this is what makes MMA so damn great. Those certain points in a fighter’s career that can never be duplicated.

Round 1 – Here we go. Don’t blink bitches. Mir throws some punches and Shane shoots in. Clinched against the cage and Carwin throws some short shots from the clinch. Carwin pressing against the cage. Carwin with knees to the leg and a few punches to the face. The ref separates them. Mir looks a bit tentative but then throws a combo, back to the clinch with Carwin pressing against the cage. Knees to the thighs by Carwin. Knee by Mir. Carwin lands some big punches from the clinch and Mir goes down. Mir is trying to fight back and grabs Carwin’s arm. Carwin keeps pounding and hits Mir about 20 times before the referee steps in. Carwin’s power from those short punches in the clinch are so dangerous. Dan Miragliotta let him take way too much damage in my opinion and Rogan agrees.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Shane Carwin def. Frank Mir by knockout (punches) Rd 1 (3:48)

Brock Lesnar comes into the cage and says it was a good fight but Carwin has a make believe belt. Shane says he couldn’t agree more and that’s why he’s coming after the real one.

Notes: They are showing the Rousimar Palhares vs. Tomasz Drwal fight which we already saw on Spike. How about one we haven’t seen guys?

Georges St. Pierre (19-2) vs. Dan Hardy (23-6, 1 NC)

Round 1 –  Here we go. Can Hardy do it? He’s smiling at GSP. They shake hands. GSP shoots after one punch and puts Hardy right on his back. Hardy has half guard, now full guard. GSP moves back to half guard. GSP moves to side control. Hardy gets to aknee and GSP takes his back, with hooks in. Hardy gets to his feet and GSP takes him right back down. Has full guard, GSP moves to half guard. This is the first time we’ve see Hardy on the mat. GSP gets full mount. Hardy gives up his back, GSP is high up. One minute left in the round. No damage done by GSP, but full control. GSP goes for an armbar. Hardy escapes and gets to his feet with a big smile. WOW!! ProMMAnow scores the round 10-9 for GSP.

Round 2 – If Hardy’s arm is hurt, you can’t tell it. Hardy with a left jab. Leg kick by GSP. Hardy swings with a big right hook but misses. GSP grabs a single and puts him on the mat in a split second. GSP gets side control. GSP takes his back again, and Hardy trying to get out the back door. Hardy escapes and is in GSP’s full guard. GSP is back to his feet. Side kick by GSP. Right hand by Hardy grazes. High kick by Hardy blocked. Right hand by GSP. Inside leg kick by GSP. GSP shoots and dumps him big. 30 seconds left in the round. ProMMAnow scores the round 10-9 for GSP.

Round 3 – Hardy looks incredibly calm. GSP shoots immediately and puts Hardy down with ease. He moves to half guard. Hardy gets full guard. GSP postures up, drops an elbow. GSP drops another one. Hardy hanging on and throwing elbows from the bottom. GSP scores with a couple of big elbows, then postures up and lands a punch. Hardy got poked in the eye but the ref didn’t see it. Hardy tries to throw up a triangle or armbar and GSP moves to side control. GSP grabs Hardy’s wrist and tries to explode it into a kimura but Hardy escapes it. Hardy gets to his feet for about a second, GSP grabs a single and whips him back down.GSP takes Hardy’s back, he’s high up again. Hardy gets out but GSP trips him with a leg and lands a punch. ProMMAnow scores the round 10-9 for GSP.

Round 4 – Hardy swings two punches before he is right back down on his back. GSP has full mount. Hardy gives up his back. Hardy stands, but GSP drags him back down. Hardy grabs GSP’s leg, GSP reverses and lands in Hardy’s full guard. Hardy lands a couple of punches from the bottom. GSP moves to side control. GSP is doing no damage though. GSP locks on a kimura and Hardy raises his arm like he may tap, but he hasn’t yet. GSP has him trapped. Somehow Hardy gets out of it. Amazing. GSP lands some elbows from half guard. 30 seconds left in the round. ProMMAnow scores the round 10-9 for GSP.

Round 5 – Hardy looks frustrated, he also may have two f*cked up arms. Leg kick by Hardy. GSP lands a leg kick then takes him down again. The crowd boos at GSP’s strategy. Hardy has GSP’s leg briefly. GSP locks his body ass Hardy turtles. Knees to the body by GSP, he rolls Hardy to his back and has GSP in half guard. GSP locks on a kimura but Hardy muscles it free. GSP has side control. GSP looks at the clock apparently. He goes for another kimura. No dice. Hardy gets back to his feet and GSP slams him. Elbows from GSP. GSP goes for a knee bar as the bell sounds.Hardy tries to lift GSP’s hand by GSP says, “No no no,” and shakes his hand. Dan Hardy is tough as nails but he had no answer whatsoever for GSP’s technical superiority. Not even in the same universe.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Georges St. Pierre def. Dan Hardy by unanimous decision (50-43, 50-44, 50-45)

Notes: GSP said he was a lot better than he thought he was. He wanted to exploit Hardy’s weaknesses. GSP apologized to his fans. He congratulated Dan Hardy and said Hardy did a lot better than he did when he had his first title shot against Matt Hughes.

Hardy said he understands now why he is champ. Hardy said he doesn’t know the meaning of tap. He won a lot of fans I think for his heart.