Carlos Condit celebrates winning the interim UFC welterweight championship. (Photo - Adam Metcalf/MMADieHards.com)

143 took place Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, and a welterweight interim champion was crowned.

Carlos Condit beat Nick Diaz in a five round war, and Fabricio Werdum battered Roy Nelson en route to a decision victory.

Josh Koscheck out-worked Mike Pierce, Ed Herman ended Clifford Starks’ chances at back-to-back UFC victories, and Renan Barao advanced his win streak to 18 with a win over Scott Jorgensen.

Diaz, as usual, did not back away from his opponent’s punches.  The former Strikeforce welterweight champion threw punches in bunches, although so did Condit.  The two mixed martial artists kept the fight standing for the majority of five rounds, blasting each other with shots.

In a razor close match, Diaz dragged Condit to the ground, took his back and tried to catch the “Natural Born Killer” in a rear-naked choke.  Condit fought off the submission attempt and went on to defeat Diaz via decision.

Condit is now the welterweight interim champion and will face Georges St-Pierre for the belt.

Condit was humble in victory, but Diaz made a shocking announcement following the UFC 143 main event.

“I’m not going to accept the fact that this was a loss,” Diaz stated.  ”I’ve lost fights before, where, uh, ya know, like, I’m not going to accept that either. That ain’t right. I pushed him back the whole fight. I walked him down. I got the take down. I’m the guy who went out on top. Had I thought I wasn’t ahead, I’d have chinned in and finished that arm lock. Hey Carlos is a great guy, I’m happy for him and his family. I think I’m done with this MMA. It’s been great out here. I’ve had a good career. You guys pay me way too much. But I don’t think I’m going to get enough to keep going in this. It’s been a good time.”

After a grueling beginning that had Werdum smashing Nelson with knees in the clinch position, “Big Country” dropped the Brazilian with a single punch.  Not much came from the downed Werdum, but the action continued.  Nelson was bloodied and checked by doctors, but was granted permission to keep fighting.  Nelson used boxing and attempted to turn the tide, but Werdum was the combatant completing the more damaging assault.

Surprisingly, the contest lasted 15 minutes and went to the judges’ scorecards.  Werdum was awarded a unanimous decision in the tough-fought match.

Herman was fond of the uppercut in the opening frame, but Starks punished “Short Fuse” with powerful straight right punches.  Herman had some success with takedowns in the first round, although it was clearly Starks’ round in the judges’ eyes.  Round 2 began and Herman resorted to the uppercut again, but ended up in a clinch with Starks.  Herman grappled Starks to the canvas and went for the finish.  The TUF 3 cast member worked for the rear naked-choke on the mat and eventually sunk it in, defeating Starks in the second round.

In a battle of wrestlers, Koscheck was the better striker.

Pierce used a left jab to keep Koscheck at bay, but The Ultimate Fighter season 1 participant connected with heavier punches throughout the bout.  Koscheck accomplished two takedowns to Pierce’s one, but the wrestling was null and void in the contest.  Koscheck did just enough to squeak out a split-decision, but the outcome could have gone either way, as Pierce was never out of the fight or overwhelmed.

Barao beat Jorgensen up on the feet and on the ground for the duration of the bout.  Jorgensen could not get an offensive attack going in the contest, as Barao had a reach advantage in the striking department, an edge on the ground and a noticeable size difference.   Barao stopped Jorgensen’s takedown attempts, which evidently frustrated the WEC veteran, and kept the fight standing where he was having great success.

Barao and Jorgensen swung it out until the judges deemed the Brazilian the winner.

Matt Brown victorious against Chris Cope at UFC 143

The UFC 143 preliminary card took place Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, and a UFC newcomer stole the show.

Stephen Thompson would have made Lyoto Machida proud with his victory against Dan Stittgen.  Rafael Natal spoiled Michael Kuiper’s Octagon debut, Matt Brown has returned to old form with a knockout win over Chris Cope, and Matt Riddle beat Henry Martinez in an exciting three-round contest.

Edwin Figueroa won a decision over Alex Caceres after a few point deductions, and Dustin Poirier put away Max Holloway in the first round.

Thompson stood awkwardly with his hands down as he engaged in battle with Stittgen, leaving his face open for attack.  It was an Octagon debut for both combatants, but Thompson appeared comfortable in the UFC immediately after the fight began.  Stittgen could barely attempt an offence due to the onslaught of karate strikes Thompson was initiating.  After four minutes of Thompson landing body and head shots at will, the undefeated kickboxer shut Stittgen’s lights off with a head kick in Round 1.

Poirier met Holloway at UFC 143, and the newcomer did not back down.  Holloway was throwing punches and flying-knees at Poirier from the opening bell, but the WEC veteran used his veteran Octagon experience and outgrappled the Zuffa recruit.  Poirier latched on a mounted triangle-choke, forcing Holloway to tapout.

Poirier spoke to Joe Rogan following the bout and let everybody know what he wants to be.

“That’s four UFC victories, come on guys,” Poirier said.  “I’m here to be a champion.”

Riddle and Martinez provided a three-round war fit for any fan.  Riddle punished Martinez with body kicks throughout the match, but that didn’t stop the Jackson’s MMA prospect from firing back.  No matter what Riddle hit Martinez with, the Mexican stayed in the fight, throwing back strikes of his own.  Both athletes sustained shots that would have put away the majority of opponents in the welterweight division, but the bout ran its full course.

In the end, Riddle managed a split-decision victory, but Martinez can hold his head high after coming in on short notice and fighting a tough battle its full duration.

Brown attacked Cope and it was clear that it was just a matter of time before the bout was finished.  Brown had the edge in the standup department and it showed with ever punch he landed and evaded.  Cope was outclassed on his feet and was unsuccessful in the clinch or with takedowns.

Brown finished Cope in the second round with a brutal punch, followed by ground strikes until the referee stopped the match.

“That’s exactly what I need to do,” Brown said in a post-fight interview.  ”I got away from what I need to do, but I’m back.”

Figueroa withstood Caceres’ offence and two painful kicks that landed where the sun don’t shine.

Following a first round that saw Caceres rocked from a high kick to almost submitting Figueroa by the time the round finalized- and a groin shot- Round 2 involved another kick to the cup from “Bruce Leroy”.  Figueroa recuperated, once again, and the bout continued after a five minute break.  Caceres was deducted two points for the fouls, and he went for the kill from there on out.

Caceres controlled Figueroa for the remainder of the round with intelligent ground grappling and a barrage of strikes to soften up his opponent.  Figueroa did all he could in Round 3, but Caceres dominated the Texas native until the bell rand.

Figueroa was awarded a split-decision from the judges, most likely due to the points Caceres lost from the illegal groin strikes.

Natal was expected to manhandle Kuiper on the ground in this contest, but things played out differently than most fans projected.  Kuiper did well defending Natal’s takedowns, though the Brazilian garnered five in the opening frame, and the Dutchman showed he could take a punch.  Natal won the first round decisively with five takedowns, but he did not dominate Kuiper when the fight hit the mat.  Round 2 displayed Natal hitting Kuiper, but the European would not back down and the bout eventuated to a final round.

Kuiper came out of his corner and tagged Natal, dropping the Brazilian.  Kuiper pounced on Natal and hit him with a flurry of punches, however the BJJ black-belt wrapped up the Judoka and regained composure.  Natal got back to his feet and slammed Kuiper, granting him top-position.  Once Natal accomplished the mount he sunk in an arm-triangle and finished the bout in that position.

Natal earned a unanimous decision victory and commented on Kuiper hurting him in the third round.

“It was bad because it was the beginning of the round, everything went dark,” Natal said.  “I used my sweep to stand him up again.”

Roy Nelson (L) faces off with Fabricio Werdum (R) at UFC 143 weigh-ins.

MMA DieHards Counterpunch takes on UFC 143, which takes place Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

UFC 143 features a welterweight interim championship bout between Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit in the main event.  Heavyweights Roy Nelson and Fabricio Werdum do battle in the co-main event, and Josh Koscheck faces Mike Pierce.

MMADieHards.com put together a team of our finest writers to bring you Counterpunch for the event.  The group independently makes its selections for each fight. Minority picks will be defended by one of the panelists making that selection.

Joining us this week will be Mark Hensch, Shawn Baran, Robert G. Reynolds, Joe Rizzo and Jason Kelly.

Matt Brown,  Matt Riddle, Dustin Poirier and  Scott Jorgensen are not covered below, as they were unanimously selected.

Below we list the match, the fighter being defended and the author of the defence.

Dan Stittgen vs. Stephen Thompson
Defending  Stittgen: Joe Rizzo

Stittgen (7-1) and Thompson (5-0) make their respective UFC debuts on the undercard, and it’s a case of a couple of unfamiliar names looking to gain a win and some notice.  Stittgen has the best chance of doing it in one writer’s opinion, despite his status as a solid betting underdog.  Stittgen will have a huge advantage on the ground in this fight, but getting down the kickboxing champion without getting knocked out will be the trick.  If it remains standing Thomson will have his way, but this prediction says the fight — and Thomson — are going down.

Michael Kuiper vs. Rafael Natal
Defending Kuiper: Robert G. Reynolds

Meeting Kuiper for his inaugural event with the UFC will be Brazilian, Rafael Natal.  Making his third appearance with the organization, Natal earned his first win in his last outing at UFC 133 over Paul Bradley.

While Natal got the win, it was not in impressive fashion and in my opinion, has yet to standout within the UFC.  With the UFC restocking their shelves with new product to replace the old, Kuiper brings a style of fighting favorable with fans- he finishes them.  Expect Kuiper to stop Natal midway into the first round with strikes, extending his undefeated win streak to 12.

Alex Caceres vs. Edwin Figueroa
Defending Caceres: Jason Kelly

Picking Caceres may not have been the safest bet, but he showed maturity in his last bout that gives me hope.

Caceres was a spectacle on The Ultimate Fighter 12 that was more of a sideshow than a mixed martial artist.  After a UFC start that found “Bruce Leroy” 0-2, he rebounded with a decision victory against Cole Escovedo.  Caceres always had the skills competent enough to compete in the Octagon, but they didn’t shine through until his most recent outing.  His improvement on the ground and in the striking department since dropping to bantamweight division proved Caceres is capable of using technique to defeat tough opponents.  And we can’t forget the triangle-choke the TUF 14 cast member defeated Jeff Lentz with that he is so fond of.

Figueroa is Caceres’ toughest opponent to date, but if “Bruce Leroy” continues that style of fighting that helped him defeat Escovedo, he can most definitely win a unanimous decision at UFC 143.

Ed Herman vs.  Clifford Starks
Defending Herman: Shawn Baran

After losing to Aaron Simpson back in 2009, Herman came back with a vengeance in 2011. With a TKO victory and a submission finish, both coming in round one and within a two month span, Herman seems to have found his form.  To make things even more intriguing, the victories came against Tim Credeur and Kyle Noke, two of the tougher opponents in the middleweight division.  Herman seems a little more focused now and may not be the “short fuse” that we are used to seeing.  Herman’s clinch work has drastically improved, as has his ground and pound. If this fight gets to the ground, watch out.

Not taking anything away from Starks. Starks is a tough dude and he is undefeated at 8-0, but he has yet to face an opponent as dynamic as Herman. Starks is a fairly well rounded fighter, but we will have to see what he has when he is really put to the test.  Starks has some good striking, but his wrestling could use some improvement.  I am confident this fight will end up on the ground and Herman has the edge there.  Starks will not have an answer for what Herman brings to the table.  Time will tell and we will find out on Saturday night, but if I were a betting man, I would put a little money down on Herman in this one.  I think Herman will be a little too much for Starks to handle.

Mike Pierce vs. Josh Koscheck
Defending Pierce: Joe Rizzo

Sleep on Pierce at your own peril.  Pierce is trying to become what Koscheck already is, and this is the chance to vault into the top realm at welterweight in the UFC.  Like Stittgen, Pierce is a solid underdog.  When considering Koscheck’s record and reputation, the odds (Pierce is around plus-200) ought to be significantly more lopsided.  Oftentimes that means Las Vegas has an inclination of something others are not seeing.  Koscheck has fought higher profile names, but with the exception of his losses to Georges St-Pierre, the level of opponents is about equal.  Koscheck rebounded from his injury to take on Matt Hughes on short notice and took care of the aging former champion in September, but you have to go back to the Paul Daley fight in May 2010 to find another win.

Pierce came up agonizingly short against Johny Hendricks and Jon Fitch, back when Fitch was virtually untouchable.  He’ll get over the hump this time, as he is one of the few who have enough to hinder Koshcheck’s incredible wrestling.

Fabricio Werdum  vs. Roy Nelson
Defending Werdum: Mark Hensch

This one will end closer that I probably expect, but I just don’t see Nelson negating the strengths Werdum brings to the Octagon. I love “Big Country” as much as the next guy, but Werdum is simply much more dangerous on the ground while still packing some serious striking power.

Nelson’s no slouch, but Werdum has convincingly beaten some bigger names too. At day’s end, not many can say they’ve defeated Alistair Overeem and both Emelianenko brothers. Once one remembers this match marks Werdum’s UFC re-debut, it seems likely he’ll win given he has something to prove.

Carlos Condit vs. Nick Diaz
Defending Condit: Joe Rizzo

It’s almost like there are three belts on the line here, as Condit is the WEC welterweight champion emeritus, Diaz forcibly walked away from the Strikeforce 170-pound gold and St-Pierre’s injury has left this a battle for the UFC interim welterweight title.  Diaz comes in as the favorite, but has given Condit respect he does not often afford his opponents.

Anyone who thinks they know what is going to happen in this fight is misinformed.  While both fighters figure to have some sort of game plan, they both have shown in their many fights that the pace will be very fast, there will be a lot of early action and neither fighter can tell you under oath whether that action will be standing or on the mat.

Perhaps Condit’s biggest strength is that he can get beaten to a pulp but goes harder and harder as fights linger on.  He has enjoyed epic third-round rallies, most notably against Rory McDonald, and with this being a five-round main event, that might figure to be an advantage to the ridiculously conditioned Diaz.  But it’s not just about how well you’re conditioned, it’s about how you perform in those later rounds.  Both fighters have finishes littered all over their records, and this one is destined to end in one of the championship rounds, with Condit earning the belt.

Max Holloway hopes to get his hand raised in the octagon. (photo courtesy of Greg Honda/ /www.greghonda.com)

UFC 143 is headlined by Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit and it takes place Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

Along with Diaz and Condit meeting for the UFC interim welterweight championship will be five newcomers to the Octagon.  Find out about an undefeated kickboxer, a product of Greg Jackson, a fast-rising featherweight, and a combatant also making their N. America debut in this week’s Fresh Faces.

Name: Stephen Thompson

Weight class: Welterweight

Record: 5-0 (2 (T)KO’s, 1 submission)

Recent body of work: Defeated Patrick Mandio at Fight Party: “Masquerade Fight Party” in October 2011.

Who he is: Thompson owns an impressive kickboxing record of 56-0, with 46 knockouts and 13 titles.  He grew up in a family of martial artists and has trained in Kenpo Karate since the age of 3.  Thompson trains with the Tristar team and Pitch Black MMA, as well as with his brother-in-law and BJJ legend Carlos Machado.  Thompson is undefeated in his young MMA career, compiling a 5-0 record fighting in regional shows in his native state of South Carolina and his most recent bout in Georgia.

Name: Michael Kuiper

Weight class: Middleweight

Record: 11-0 (6 (T)KO’s, 4 submissions)

Recent body of work: Defeated Morris Cilfoni via TKO (punches) at MitC: “Milano in the Cage” in May 2011.

Who he is: Hailing from the Netherlands, Kuiper holds a black-belt in Judo and made the transition to MMA in 2009, producing a 7-0 record in his first year.  Training with Gracie Barra NL, the undefeated Dutch fighter has cleared all competition he faced in Europe, finishing all but one of his opponents.  Kuiper has won various titles in Belgium and was awarded “Fighter of the Year” in 2009.  UFC 143 marks Kuipers’ first trip to N. America for a professional MMA bout.

Name: Henry Martinez

Weight class: Welterweight

Record: 8-1 (2 (T)KO’s, 4 submissions)

Recent body of work: Defeated Ali Hanjani via submission (reverse triangle-choke) at JMMAS: “Jackson’s MMA Series 7” on Jan. 21.

Who he is: A product from Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts, Martinez typically fights within the lightweight division, but made a permanent switch to welterweight at the new opportunity to fight in the UFC.  Martinez has also fought at featherweight, where he suffered the first and only loss of his career at Bellator 2 to Wilson Reis.  Martinez has been undefeated since the slight setback, riding a four-fight win streak heading into the Octagon.  Martinez’s current win streak have all end via submission, two of which in he finished in Round 1.

Name: Max Holloway

Weight class: Featerweight

Record: 4-0 (1 (T)KO, 0 submissions)

Recent body of work: Defeated Eddie Rincon via decision at UIC 4: “War on the Valley Isle”

Who he is: Turning professional in 2010, Holloway has compiled an unblemished 4-0 record and has rapidly advanced within the sport.  Holloway was originally brought into Jeremy Stephens’ training camp to assist “Lil Heathen” prepare for Anthony “Showtime” Pettis because of the similar fighting style.  In March 2011, Holloway won the X-1 lightweight championship with a split-decision victory over WEC/Strikeforce veteran Harris Sarmiento. It was only his third fight as a professional.

Name: Dan Stittgen

Weight class: Welterweight

Record: 7-1 (1 (T)KO, 5 submissions)

Recent body of work: Defeated Mark Stoddard via decision at KOTC: “Interference” in August 2011.

Who he is: Stittgen is a 31-year-old prospect fighting out of Midwest Training Center in Schaumburg, Ill.  He begins his UFC career riding the momentum of a three-fight win streak and he has not been defeated since January 2010.  Ironically, Stittgen was called in to replace the fighter to ever beat him, Justin Edwards.

UFC newcomer and welterweight Stephen Thompson

Having connections to Carlos Machado and Chuck Norris, coupled with growing up in a family of martial artists made it inevitable that Stephen Thompson would one day make his UFC debut.

Thompson (Twitter: @WonderboyMMA) is set to make his UFC debut at UFC 143 on Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.  Thompson’s Octagon debut will have him matched up with fellow UFC newcomer Dan Stittgen.

Thompson’s career as a professional fighter was mapped out before he began kindergarten.   Submerged into martial arts from a young age, Thompson has won 13 kickboxing titles and compiled a record that consists of 56 wins and zero losses.

“I’ve been in martial arts since I was 3-years-old,” Thompson told MMA Beatdown Radio on the MMA DieHards Radio Network.  “Growing up in a family of martial artists, I got two brothers and two sisters, and we all started at the age of 3.  My dad owned a martial arts school in Simpsonville, South Carolina, and it’s just a lifestyle.

“I had my first fight at 15-years-old and it’s been going on since then.  It just kind of added up- 56-0 with 46 knockouts.”

Thompson’s MMA career resembles his kickboxing achievements, as he is 5-0.

Even though Thompson was only competing in kickboxing tournaments prior to MMA, he had always trained as a mixed martial artist.  Thompson said his base is Kenpo Karate, a form of martial arts that incorporates all disciplines, and that allowed him to learn more than just striking.  It just so happened when Thompson was beginning to compete, MMA was not the global phenomenon it is today.

“We do the striking, we do the wrestling, and we do the jiu-jitsu,” Thompson explained.  “It’s just that when I started fighting, kickboxing was so much bigger then, so that’s what I competed in.  And you know I had my dad and my older sister who competed in kickboxing before, so they were kind of like my inspiration to start kickboxing.”

Thompson’s evolution on the ground had some doing with an extended-family member, as well.

“It helps to have a brother-in-law, Carlos Machado, who is a ninth degree black-belt in jiu-jitsu,” Thompson said.  “People think all I have is striking, and that’s good, that’s what I want them to think.  Carlos is the actually the oldest brother.  I’ve done some work with him and Jacque (Machado).”

Training with a BJJ icon is a momentous occasion, but Thompson has also been in the presence of the man, the myth, the legend: Chuck Norris.

Thompson was victorious in the Chuck Norris World Combat League, which earned him the honor of meeting the Walker, Texas Ranger star.  Thompson said he has never had the opportunity to train with Norris, nor does he want to, but the South Carolina native speaks highly of the man who’s name is synonymous with corny jokes.

“I have never sparred or grappled with Chuck Norris,” Thompson said.  “I guess you have to be high on his list to actually do anything with Chuck Norris.  It’s cool though, because Carlos (Machado) actually trains Chuck Norris.  Chuck Norris has his black-belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.  I got to meet him there and at the World Combat League.  He’s a very nice guy.  I’ve got to have a chat with him and go out for dinner with him.  He’s awesome.”

If not for misfortune, Thompson may have never made the crossover from kickboxing to MMA.

Thompson said he always contemplated competing in MMA, but he was having success in kickboxing and it was more popular.  It wasn’t until about six years ago when he injured his left knee and was sidelined for three years that Thompson decided he would embark on a career as a mixed martial artist.

Thompson said his knee feels better than it did before the surgeries.  There is evidence that he can perform in MMA bouts at a high level, given his undefeated record in the sport thus far.  Now that he is out of the regional shows and on the big stage, Thompson is ecstatic to achieve a lifelong goal that was discussed over many childhood dinners.

“The UFC is it, they’re the best,” Thompson said.  “Just to fight for them is an honor and a privilege.  This is something I have been working for my entire life.  At home, growing up, sitting at the kitchen table, that’s what we talked about.  We talked about the fight sport and UFC.  Now that I’m here, it’s awesome.”