UFC 93 Live Blog: Main Events, Franklin-Henderson, Coleman-Rua

Welcome to our FanHouse UFC 93 main event live blog, where we'll have live, round-by-round updates of the main event, featuring Rich Franklin vs. Dan Henderson, and the co-main event, featuring Mark Coleman vs. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.

The undercard is over and the Coleman-Rua fight will begin around 5 PM. The Franklin-Henderson fight begins immediately after that. If you just want to know who won and how, check our UFC 93 results page. If you want live, round-by-round coverage of the two main events, that begins below.


Rich Franklin vs. Dan Henderson
Henderson is on his way to the Octagon. Henderson is in the Octagon.
Franklin is on his way to the Octagon. Franklin is in the Octagon.
Round 1: This fight is underway. Franklin has the southpaw stance and Henderson throws a leg kick. Nice kick from Franklin, Henderson misses a punch. They go to the ground on a slip, Henderson is on top. Henderson is going for some ground and pound against the cage. Henderson is doing a good job of damaging Franklin against the fence. Henderson is totally controlling this fight. Franklin gets back up. He took a lot of punishment but got up looking OK. Henderson landed a right hand that stunned Franklin. Franklin lands a good kick using his left leg to the body. Franklin moved inside for a leg kick and then back outside. Nice left hand from Franklin. Henderson grabs Franklin and lands a solid right uppercut. Franklin has a cut on his head from what appeared to be an accidental head butt. A close first round that I'll give to Henderson, 10-9.

Round 2: The gash on Franklin's forehead is nasty. It was an accidental head butt and it could be hard for Franklin to make it for 10 more minutes. Henderson has missed with a couple of punches and Franklin has responded with a couple of jabs. Dan is going for some kicks and Rich throws a hook. Henderson goes for another kick, he's trying to do more damage with his legs than he did in the first round. They're in a clinch, which should be to Henderson's advantage, but Franklin is doing a good job of warding Henderson off. They're now on the ground, with Henderson in Franklin's guard. Dan is trying to control things on top. Rich has done a pretty good job of controlling Dan in guard. That cut on Rich's forehead is bothering him. The second round was a little tougher to score, but I'd give it to Henderson, 10-9.

Round 3: They slap hands and show respect at the start of the third. Franklin is trying to push the pace here, but Henderson takes him down. Henderson is doing a pretty good job of controlling on the ground. Franklin gets back up and then Henderson grabs his leg. Now Franklin is on top and is in one of his best positions so far. Henderson is looking a little worn out, Franklin is the fresher of the two. This has been a close fight and a tough one to score. Franklin tried a foot stomp against the cage, and they separated. Big kick from Franklin, then Henderson tries a kick and slips. And now there's a poke in the eye and Franklin goes down in a lot of pain. Henderson went foreward with his left hand open and landed a finger right in Franklin's eye. Franklin went down in a lot of pain. Henderson backed off. They shook hands and Franklin seemed to be acknowledging that he knew the poke was accidental. The final 30 seconds are ticking off the clock, and this round is just about impossible to judge. I'll give it to Franklin, 10-9. I'll tell you what the judges say as soon as it's announced.
Dan Henderson beats Rich Franklin by split decision.

Mark Coleman vs. Shogun Rua
Rua is on his way to the Octagon. Rua is in the Octagon.
Coleman is on his way to the Octagon. Coleman is in the Octagon.
Round 1: They shook hands in the middle of the Octagon, despite their personal animosity. This fight is underway. No touch of gloves. Coleman goes to the inside, takes a kick and a knee but takes Shogun down. Coleman has Rua in trouble. But Rua gets back up. For a moment Coleman appeared to have Rua hurt but I think Rua has recovered. Rua wanted a knee bar but Coleman got out. Rua landed a right hand and then a knee. Coleman lands a punch on the ground. Rua goes for a triangle. Coleman is now on his back with Rua on top on the ground. Rua is trying to get side control. Rua has side control but so far isn't doing a lot on the ground. They're back on their feet and Rua lands a very strong kick. Coleman lands a nice kick but Rua is using his Muay Thai. Coleman looks like he's running out of steam and the first round isn't even over. Rua lands a solid punch and floors Coleman. Good first round, Rua 10-9.

Round 2: Coleman's corner told him he's winning the fight, but they're lying to him. Shogun misses with a kick. Shogun lands a couple of kicks and is going for the Muay Thai clinch. A Coleman jab backs Rua off a bit, and then he tries to shoot and gets the takedown. But they're back up. Rua's Muay Thai is outstanding. Coleman just doesn't look like he has enough energy to go on offense. Rua isn't being very aggressive here, it's like he thinks he can jsut wait for Coleman to totally run out of energy. They go to the ground with Coleman on top. Rua is going for an omoplata on the ground. Rua is in total control with 30 seconds left. Dominant round for Rua, 10-8.

Round 3: A body shot for Coleman actually hurt Rua for a moment. This goes to the ground with Coleman on top. Nice elbow from Coleman. Coleman is finally showing some energy on top. Big elbow from Coleman! Rua is not looking impressive at all in this round. Rua wants a knee bar here. With two minutes left in the round, Rua tried the knee bar but couldn't finish it. A couple of solid punches from Coleman. Coleman is now hammering Rua. Coleman is hurting Rua. Rua landed what the ref thought was a knee to the head on the ground, and the ref gave him a warning and put a halt to the fight. But the knee actually connected to the body. Coleman lands an uppercut! It's over! Shogun Rua beats Mark Coleman by third-round TKO.