Team GSP's Kyle Watson (13-6-1) vs. Team Koscheck's Andy Main (4-1)
Dana White does the intros, and referee Josh Rosenthal gets the action started.
The fighters trade some low kicks, and punches soon follow. Both quickly return to their fighter stances, and Kyle lands a nice right to the chin and then a left. Kyle then moves in with a Superman punch but eats a counter-shot, and after the nice exchange, they clinch against the cage as Kyle pushes his opponent into the cage. Andy quickly reverses the position and then takes his opponent's back, secures a body lock while Kyle is in the standing position, and tries to throw some punches. Kyle remains patient and controls his wrists to avoid a choke. A minute into the piggyback position, Andy lands a steady stream of short but fairly ineffective punches. Kyle is more worried about the choke than the punches and defends, and as Andy slips off and to the mat, Kyle fights him for position on the ground. Andy tries to cling to the back, but he's far too high, and he instead looks for an arm. Kyle escapes, stands over his opponent, avoids upkicks, and then looks to improve his top position. Kyle stands again and delivers some punches while diving into guard. Andy does a good job initially avoiding punishment, but because of his butterfly guard, he allows Kyle the distance he needs to delivers some punches. Kyle, though, can't get through much until a quick burst of short forearm strikes find their mark and allow him side control, where he delivers more.
It's a close round, and with the judges, it'll depend on how much value they give Andy's back position and failed submission attempt early in the round.
After some mid-round instructions from each corner, the fighters return for round two.
Kyle looks a bit exhausted, and Andy throws kicks to keep him at distance. Andy moves in with a flying knee that misses, but the follow-up punch lands. Andy keeps swinging, but Kyle controls his hips and forces the takedown. Andy works butterfly guard and looks to escape, but Kyle lands in side control and delivers more elbows and forearm strikes. The coaches tell Andy to give up his back to get to his feet, but Kyle presses him back to the mat and works from half guard. Kyle delivers short punches to the head, but the ref warns him to get busy. Kyle postures up, avoids an upkick, and then lands a nice right hand to the head. Andy is warned about throwing upkicks once Kyle is back on the mat. Andy rolls to his knees, and Kyle takes his back, secures a body lock, and then rolls to his own back to throw punches while looking for the rear-naked choke. Team Koscheck barks out instructions, but Andy clearly is in survival mode while in the vulnerable position. After some effort, Kyle finally gets his arm under his opponent's chin, and a few moments later, Andy reluctantly taps out from the submission.
Team GSP celebrates as Josh complains that Andy didn't listen to him and threw out their game plan. Josh storms out of the gym as the official decision is read.
"A lot of people counted out Kyle because he's old," Georges says. "But he kept his composure."
Kyle thinks the performance isn't remarkable by any means, but he's satisfied to move on in the tournament.
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