Folks, I'm settled in here at the Patriot Center on the campus of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia (just outside Washington, DC.) I'm literally next to the cage (which is the closest I've ever been at an MMA event -- it may be the first event I walk away with blood and/or sweat stains...)

First, I just wanted to thank the UWC again for donating the two VIP tickets to FightTicker.com (I'm sure Zygote and his buddies are enjoying themselves.) As with UWC 3, the food was superb and there's quite a nice roster of MMA celebs walking around the VIP room. I bumped into John Rallo and Binky Jones inside the arena. Binky looks calm and collected, ready to bring home his fourth win of the year. I also passed Lloyd Irvin on the way in as well as Mario Yamasaki. Carlos Condit is around too. There are more and I'll let you know who I spot as I see them.

Anyway, I'll be sharing some quick notes from three feet away from the action throughout the night.

I've been told that the organizers are expecting about 3,000-5,000 people in the arena (which is configured for 12,000). I'll post an exact attendance when I have it.

As FightTicker.com member EERS_1_Fan pointed out, Sherdog.com will be carrying a live stream of the event free. You can find that here.

Fights start at 7 PM. (Click refresh in your browser or hit F5 for constant updates.)

Enjoy!

185 lbs: Joey Kirwan vs. Kris McCray

I'm not going to lie -- it's almost terrifying being this close to the fight. McCray starts with a power (POWER) slam, ends it quickly with a rear naked choke, and finishes with a celebratory back flip.

Result: McCray wins by tap out due to RNC submission at 1:00 of Round 1.

205 lbs: Cody Donovan vs. Wade Drake

That didn't take long either. Donovan hits Drake with a right that floors him and finishes the job on the ground. Special treat: Eliot Marshall (FightTicker.com's TUF 8 blogger) was cornering Donovan. I was able to get his attention as he passed me in the cage. Makes sense to see Eliot since Donovan fights out of Denver. Maybe I can catch up with Eliot after the event.

Result: Donovan wins by TKO at 0:15 of Round 1.

Turns out Eliot stopped by to say hi after the fight. I gave him an awkward handshake/half-hearted attempt at a man-hug. He's a cool guy and he's cornering other fighters tonight so he had to jet. Very cool to meet him in person.

170 lbs: Levon Maynard vs. Toby Johnson

Carlos Condit is cornering Johnson and Mario Yamasaki is refing the fight. Maynard takes Johnson down, secures top position in Johnson's half-guard and works the body with his right before teeing off on Johnson's face and forcing Yamasaki to end the fight. Maynard does some comical poses for the camera after the fight. Smile!

Result: Maynard wins by TKO (strikes) at 3:40 of Round 1.

185 lbs: Tony Sousa vs. Ron Stallings

Stallings is cornered by Lloyd Irvin. Sousa is an ATT product. Stallings absolutely dominates the first round with knees, some well-placed lefts, and some nice ground-and-pound. Sousa proves his jaw is not made of glass but not much else.

Stallings continues where he left off in the first round. Another knee finds its target and Sousa turtles up on the ground. Stallings throws some punches from Sousa's back and the ref ends the fight.

Even though this fight actually made it to the second round, it was just as lopsided as the first three.

Result: Stallings wins by TKO (strikes) at 1:02 of Round 2.

265 lbs: Brendan Schaub vs. Johnny Curtis

Eliot is in Schaub's corner. This is the second time I've seen Curtis fight and I have to say, he has not looked good in the cage either time. A much-hyped local wrestler, Curtis looks very awkward going for takedowns and his stand-up is not good at all. Curtis just does not look comfortable in the cage. The two grapple a bit with Curtis landing on top briefly before being reversed by Schaub. Back standing, Curtis twists awkwardly for some reason and falls to the canvas and Schaub pounces for the win.

Result: Schaub wins by TKO (strikes) at 1:07 of Round 1

Intermission: Carlos Candit does an awkward interview inside the cage, only to be rescued by the ring card girls. Urijah Faber does an interview before he too joins Condit with the ladies. It's a very cozy bunch in that corner of the cage.

185 lbs: Chris Reedy vs. Marcus Foran

Foran is the brother of the promoter and is cornered by Condit. Reedy took this fight on last minute notice. Foran slams Reedy and works some ground-and-pound. Back on their feet, Foran gets Reedy in a guillotine and Reedy taps and falls face-first into the mat after Foran lets go of him.

Result: Foran wins by tapout due to guillotine submission at 0:58 of Round 1.

155 lbs: Kyle Baker vs. Binky Jones

This is the fight I'm here for and Binky seems to have brought a nice Baltimore contingent with him to fight the Virginia fighter on enemy territory. Of course, Binky's gotten bigger than Baltimore now and the crowd reaction proves that. Baker trains at Amir Sadollah's former camp -- MMA Institute.

This is the best fight so far. Baker controls the stand up from the clinch although Binky was a little better on the ground. I'd have to give the round to Baker based on how he ended it, controlling the fight standing up against the cage. Binky's in his first war of the year.

The crowd appreciates this battle. This is top-notch action. Unfortunately for Baltimore fans, Baker dominates the second round standing up against the cage much in the same fashion as he won round one. Binky lands a nice flying knee just as the round ends but that was the only highlight for him. Even his one takedown early in the round was awkward and resulted in an advantage for Baker. Baker is probably up two rounds now.

Both fighters are gased going into the third and Binky is cut up. The third round is the least active of the three and was punctuated by strong Baker leg kicks and a Baker knockdown of Binky. By the end of the round, Baker is clearly the more confident fighter, trying and landing an assortment of kicks. This should be Binky's first loss of the year. Binky showed a lot of heart but Baker was very strong standing up and his equal on the ground.

The crowd seems to agree that this is the fight of the night.

Result: Baker wins by unanimous decision (30-25, 30-27, 30-25)

132 lbs: John Dodson vs. Mike Easton

Easton is an up-and-coming all-around bantamweight out of Lloyd Irvin's gym. Dodson trains with Greg Jackson (Eliot's in his corner for this fight since Eliot also trains with Jackson.) So, this has all the makings of a great fight as well. Easton comes in wearing his traditional tighties and is clearly the bigger fighter. Dodson was on the tapout show and is apparently quite athletic.

Easton is explosive but Dodson is quick enough to hold his own. The two trade a variety of kicks standing up. I'd give the first round to Easton but barely.

Dodson seems much more comfortable in the second round and he's effectively employing a dodge and dart tactic, only coming in when there's an opening. Dodson also catches a few of Easton kicks and scores at least one takedown off that maneuver. I give Dodson the second round.

Another kick-catch trip takedown for Dodson in the third round. Easton simply has not figured out what to do with Dodson. Dodson may look like he's running but he's being tactical and he's being smart given the size disparity. Easton does nothing of note in this round. I'd give it to Dodson.

I have it 29-28 for Dodson but don't underestimate home cooking.

Result: Easton wins by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 28-29).

205 lbs: Terry Cohen vs. Antwain Britt

Britt is the TUF 8 fighter who won his fight-in bout but hurt his hand and was not allowed in the house.

Simply put, Britt overwhelms Cohen, finishing this on the ground with some strong punches. Another quick one.

Result: Britt wins by TKO (strikes) at 0:31 of Round 1.

A great night of fights. Another good event for the nation's capital.

Announced attendance: 5, 228