The second Facebook fight of UFC on Versus 3 is Steve Cantwell vs. Cyrille Diabate. Cantwell was entering this bout after a very long layoff. Diabate is coming in after a drubbing at the hands of Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 120. They have a common opponent in Luiz Cane.
The referee in charge of the action is
ROUND 1 - Diabate is standing southpaw, Cantwell orthodox. Middle kick twice by Diabate. Leg kicks and an uppercut land for Diabate. Left hand lead now for the Snake. Double jab with a right hand misses. Two more middle kicks for Diabate find the mark before Cantwell takes Diabate to the ground. Working from half guard, Cantwell tries to pass using his instep, but Diabate recaptures full buttefly guard. Left knee and left hand land for Cantwell as Diabate stands. Diabate landing almost at will as he switches stances. Inside left knees to the body continue to find the mark for Diabate. Uppercut from Diabate drops Cantwell to the matt and he's struggling to stay in the fight. A combination with hooks and uppercuts lands from Diabate as the round ends.
SBNation.com scores this round 10-9 Diabate.
ROUND 2 - Another middle kick for Diabate. Leg kicks from Cantwell are checked. Diabate appears to be timing an uppercut. Off a failed shot from Cantwell, Diabate lands an outside trip. Both fighters stand. Cantwell continues to stand at the end of Diabate's range. Failed shot from Cantwell forces him to turtle up and Diabate lands strikes to Cantwell's body. Against the fence uppercuts and right hands all land for Diabate. Diabate switches stance and lands a hard inside leg kick to Cantwell's lead leg. Cantwell's leg wobbles as he tries to shot and ends up on full guard on his back. A failed armbar goes nowhere.
SBNation.com scores this round 10-9 Diabate.
ROUND 3 - Inside leg kick for Diabate. Cantwell tries a head kick and misses. Lunging elbows for Diabate land as do more inside leg kicks. Another deep middle kick for Diabate. This is turning into target practice. Lead knee for Diabate also lands on Cantwell's right side. Right hand for Diabate crushes Cantwell as the Robot charges in with his head up straight. Knee, left hand, right hand all land in succession for Diabate. Fans booing now, but Diabate is teeing off on Cantwell against the fence. Diabate lands a few more strikes, but can't put Cantwell away.
SBNation.com scores this round 10-9 Diabate and the fight 30-27 Diabate.
The judges score this bout 30-27, 30-25, 30-26.
UFC on Versus 3 results: Cyrille Diabate defeats Steve Cantwell by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-25, 30-26).