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UFC 78: Validation went down in Newark, NJ last night and goodness me, was I ever taken for a loop in some of those bouts. It goes without saying that while I generally do fairly well when making my picks, it’s the ones that I do not get right that make me shake my head. But this time, it was one I did get correct that has me looking in the mirror and saying ‘What was I thinking?’

I had the pleasure of watching this bout with UFC Middleweight Sensation Kendall ‘Da Spyder’ Grove, and both of us were watching in awe as time and time again, Michael Bisping made believers out of naysayers, while frustrating Rashad Evans into an unexpected split decision victory. What I thought would be a cake walk for Evans turned out to be a war for the Michigan State University grad and one he will never forget.

Bout by Bout Results

Rashad Evans def. Michael Bisping via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
I firmly believed that Rashad Evans would have his way with Bisping but wow, was I ever mistaken. Bisping obviously did his homework, working his wrestling takedown defence and frustrating Evans during every one of his takedown attempts. To make things even worse for his opponent, Bisping was able to easily defend Evans’ ground and pound efforts while working himself back to his feet after some very strategic hip movements and perfectly executed positional escapes.

When it was all said and done, Bisping narrowly lost a split decision to Evans, proving to everyone that he not only showed that he belongs in the Light Heavyweight division but the underdog status he carried into the octagon (courtesy of many of us in the media) was not only incorrect but flat out wrong.

Thiago Silva def. Houston Alexander via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 3:25
Thiago Silva proved once again that next to the Lightweight division, the UFC’s Light Heavyweight division is stacked with talent and it appears the matchmaking combinations are limitless. With his stunning first round victory over Houston Alexander, a bout many MMA fans had going the other way, Silva has placed himself in the same breath as Keith Jardine, Forrest Griffin, Mauricio Shogun Rua, Rashad Evans, Chuck Liddell and Vanderlai Silva.

In 2008, all of these fighters will have to battle each other to figure out who will be the #1 contender to Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson’s UFC LHW Championship.

Karo Parisyan def. Ryo Chonan via unanimous decision
This was a very technical bout between to great takedown artists who also did not shy away from banging away on their feet. Parisyan landed a variety of double leg takedowns and a sensational judo sweep in the third round, making the task look easy against an opponent who has quite the acumen in the Japanese art himself.

Sadly, it was truely disgusting to hear the fans boo in the third round as both fighters were exhausted as the bout was coming to an end. While Parisyan apologized to the crowd during his post fight interview, it should be those fans who were booing who should be issuing out the apologies.

Ed Herman def. Joe Doerksen via KO (punch) — Round 3, 0:39
It was difficult to see my friend go down like that, but Doerksen should be commended for taking this bout on short notice and nearly pulling it off at the end of the second round. If Doersksen would have been able to set up that triangle choke only five seconds earlier, the end result (arm bar) would have forced Herman to tap out. Lucky time ran out for Herman, who was very close to submitting to Doerksen’s arm bar attempt. It was on so tight that the referee was standing over both fighters ready to halt the bout for fear that Herman was about to have his arm broken.

Thankfully for Herman, Doerksen came out of his corner in the third round exhausted, hands down but willing to go to war. The war started quickly as both fighters started trading bombs but it was Doerksen who left his right hand down giving Herman the avenue he needed to land the finishing blow.

Frank Edgar def. Spencer Fisher via unanimous decision
What do you get when you pit an All American wrestler, who is relentless in his attack against a knockout artist who wants to stand and bang? You get Frankie ‘The Answer’ Edgar dominating Spencer ‘The King’ Fisher in a three round technical war proving once again why the 155 lbs lightweight division is the most exciting division in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts today. With this victory, Edgar climbs the LW ladder and looks for another exciting bout in hopes to get a title shot in a division jam packed with star studded talent.

Joe Lauzon def. Jason Reinhardt via submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 1:14
Joe Lauzon put on an MMA clinic against Jason Reinhardt, one that looked like something out of a standard MMA class. Anyone that has ever trained in the sport surely saw this bout as not only something they have practiced dozens of times in the gym, but truly awe inspiring to see it executed with such perfection . If you have yet to see this bout, it is worth an online search or ordering the ppv.

From closing the distance, stuffing his opponent’s takedown offence, then taking the bout down to the ground, Lauzon then executed an exceptional ground and pound setup to take his opponents back, while finishing it off with a perfect rear naked choke.

Undercard Results

• Thiago Alves def. Chris Lytle via TKO (doctor’s stoppage — cut) — Round 2, 5:00
• Marcus Aurelio def. Luke Caudillo via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 4:29  
• Akihiro Gono def. Tamden McCrory via submission (arm bar) — Round 2, 3:19

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 18th, 2007 at 11:36 am and is filed under MMA. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.