Main Event

Georges “Rush” St. Pierre (16-2-0) Vs. Jon Fitch (21-2-0)

Undercard

Brock Lesnar (1-1-0) Vs. Heath “The Texas Crazy Horse” Herring (29-13-1)

Kenny “Ken-Flo” Florian (9-3-0) Vs. Roger “El Matador” Huerta (22-1-1)

Jason “The Athlete” McDonald (21-9-0) Vs. Demian Maia (8-0-0)

Cheick Kongo (21-5-1) Vs. Dan Evenson (10-2-0)

Manny “The Anvil” Gamburyan (9-3-0) Vs. Rob “The Saint” Emerson (9-6-1)

Plus 4 other fights that most likely will go untelevised.

The Gamburyan – Emerson fight is a match up of former TUF fighters that peeks no interest to me.  Cheick Kongo is coming of a loss to Heath Herring at UFC 82, so it’ll be interesting to see how he comes back after his second loss in the UFC.  Jason McDonald goes up against Brazilian Jiu Jitsu specialist ,and undefeated fighter, Demian Maia.  McDonald is a good fighter, with only 2 losses in the UFC at the hands of Yushin Okami and former Middleweight Champ Rich Franklin. 

Florian Vs. Huerta – “Could be the Fight of the Year.” – Dana White.  I tend to agree.  One word should sum up this fight…EXPLOSIVE!!!

Lesnar Vs. Herring – Determination VS. Experience is more like it.  Lesnar, after only one MMA fight, signed a huge contract with the UFC and took on former Heavyweight Champ Frank Mir.  Although Lesnar did loose in the first round, by way of leg lock, he displayed some great wrestling and ground and pound.  I also think the deduction of a point by referee Steve Mazagotti, without a warning, was really lame, and lost some momentum for Lesnar.  In Herring you have a fighter that could’ve had a shot at the Heavyweight title, against Tim Sylvia, if he had pounced on the oppurtunity of a huge leg kick he landed to the head of now champ Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira.  After landing the kick he went to the ground for a few seconds only to stand up and let Nogueira back up to his feet.  The time wasted let the clock run and eventually the round ended, giving ‘Minotauro” enough time to recover.

Q :What to watch for in this Fight?

A :Can Lesnar keep up the insane pace he sets at the beginning of the fight?  Can Herring be smart and pounce when necessary?  Can Lesnar take a kick from a really experienced MMA fighter?  Guess we’ll find out soon.

St. Pierre Vs. Fitch – This fight includes 2 absolutely amazing athletes.  Some may think that Fitch doesn’t stand a chance, or only a punchers chance.  Actually I think that he has more of a chance than that.  Check out his demolition of Thiago Alves and Diego Sanchez.  The main factor in this fight comes down to St. Pierre.  Will he have his head screwed on straight?  Because he didn’t the last time he defended his title, losing to Matt Serra.

Q :What to watch for in ths Fight?

A :Wrestling clininc!!!  Fitch was the team captain of his Purdue wrestling team, and Pierre’s best part of his game may also be his wrestling.  As is with most fights that have 2 good wrestlers, this one could be a slug fest.

Rank/ Name/ Organization

#1 – Fedor Emelianenko – Affliction

#2 – Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira – UFC

#3 – Randy Couture – UFC

#4 – Josh Barnett – Affliction

#5 – Tim Sylvia – Affliction

#6 – Andrei Arlovski – Affliction

#7 – Fabricio Werdum – UFC

#8 – Gabriel Gonzaga – UFC

#9 – Mircro Filipovic – UFC

#10 – Aleksander Emelianenko – Affliction

Before July 19th I may have questioned Fedor being the #1.  But after watching him demolish Tim Sylvia in less than a minute, I changed my mind.  Fedor finally fighting someone of quality was BIG.  His last two fights had been against virtual nobodies.  Nogueira is deserving of the #2 holding the interim title in the UFC.  But at the same time it’s frustrating to see “The Natural” Couture at #3, basically because of legal issues.  I do think that Frank Mir should’ve been on this list instead of Aleksander Emelianenko.

What to watch for?

Fedor and Couture want to fight each other, and according to Randy it could still happen in the UFC.  But we may have to wait way too long for his leagal issues with the UFC to be resolved.  But, before Couture would face Fedor, he would most likely have to face off against “Menatauro” Nogueira to resolve the UFC title.  Nogueira and Mir will fight most likely at the end of TUF 8.  Quite frankly, I could care less who the #4 – #6 fighters face next.  Honestly, all that shows is a lack of talent in this division.  But we may have hope on the horizon with Brock Lesnar and Heath Herring slugging it out at UFC 87.

Rank/ Name/ Organization

#1 – Forrest Griffin – UFC

#2 – Quinton Jackson – UFC

#3 – Mauricio Rua – UFC

#4 – Chuck Liddell – UFC

#5 – Lyoto Machida – UFC

#6 – Wanderlai Silva – UFC

#7 – Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou – UFC

#8 – Antonio Rogerio Nogueira – Affliction

#9 – Keith Jardine – UFC

#10 – Thiago Silva – UFC

We all should be giving props for Griffin’s incredible game planning against “Rampage” Jackson.  He deserves the #1 spot.  With Jackson’s legal issues we may see his rank drop, being unable to enter the ring until all is sorted out.  I am confused how Mauricio “Shogun” Rua is ranked so high, especially after his terrible performance against Griffin, last year.  “The Iceman” is coming off a win, in an absolute war, against Wanderlai Silva, and should be ranked higher.

What to watch for?

Middleweights will be coming up to fight, to get away from Anderson Silva, only to possibly have to face him again.  Lyoto Machida and Thiago Silva square off at UFC89, for a battle of the undefeated (both 13-0-0).  Will we see Liddell Vs. Silva 2?  Or will Liddell and “Shogun” fight for a chance at the title (Not likely).  But Liddell will have to beat undefeated Rashad Evans at UFC 88 first.  Why isn’t Evans ranked in the top ten?  Yes, Forrest is the champ, and looking at this list, he’s going to have some great fights coming up to defend his title. 

Rank/ Name/ Organization

#1 – Anderson Silva – UFC

#2 – Paulo Filho – WEC

#3 – Rich Franklin – UFC

#4 – Robbie Lawler – EliteXC

#5 – Kazuo Masaki – Sengoku

#6 – Yushin Okami – UFC

#7 – Nate Marquardt – UFC

#8 – Dan Henderson – UFC

#9 – Gegard Mousasi – Dream

#10 – Denis Kang – Dream

I don’t think there’s any doubt about this #1.  Anderson “The Spider” Silva is the best fighter in the world.  His next fight will be against, un-ranked UFC fighter, Patrick Cote.  Rich Franklin’s agent was recently quoted in Fighters Only magazine, saying that Rich doesn’t desire a rematch anytime soon hence his move to light heavyweight.  I am curious as to how Cote gets a title shot and not Yushin Okami.  Robbie Lawler is a good fighter, but ranking him at #4 seems a bit high for me.  The only real shocker on this list is that Dan Henderson is so low on it.

What to watch for?

With Silva, and others, moving up a weight class watch for changes in the ranks in both divisions.  Within a year we may see “The Spider” holding both belts.

Rank/ Name/ Organization

#1 – Georges St. Pierre – UFC

#2 – Jon Fitch – UFC

#3 – Thiago Alves – UFC

#4 – Josh Koscheck – UFC

#5 – Matt Hughes – UFC

#6 – Matt Serra – UFC

#7 – Jake Shields – Elite XC

#8 – Diego Sanchez – UFC

#9 – Carlos Condit – WEC

#10 – Karo Parisyan – UFC

If Anderson Silva is the pound for pound best fighter in the world, than GSP isn’t too far behind.  He may be considered to be the best athlete in the world.  He has only two losses on his record, 16-2-0, one to Matt Hughes, and one to Matt Serra, and both were avenged.  Probably his only weakness to point out would be his focus, or at times lack there of.  Great boxing, Great wrestling, and Amazing ground and pound make up some of his skills.  GSP will be tested against, who he calls his greatest test, Jon Fitch.  The #2 ranked fighter, Fitch, is 21-2-0 in his MMA career and undefeated since entering the octagon.

Q: What to watch for in the future?

A: Obvious, GSP VS. Fitch results.  Possible Alves Vs. Koscheck fight for possible title fight.  Hughes Vs. Serra?  Jake Shields and Carlos Condit will soon defend their titles in their respective organizations.  And Karo Parisyan fights Japan’s Yoshiyuki Yoshida at UFC 88.  In other words, in the coming months there will be some movement in the ranks.

         GSP (Top) tries to finish off Serra

Here’s the top 10 ranked lightweight fighters, as posted by MMAWeekly on their site on 7/9/08.

Rank/ Name/ Organization

#1 – BJ Penn – UFC

#2 – Takanori Gomi – Sengoku

#3 – Shinya Aoki – Dream

#4 – Tatsuya Kawajiri – Dream

#5 – Gesias Calvancante – Dream

#6 – Vitor Ribeiro – K-1

#7 – Mitsuhiro Ishida – Dream

#8 – Josh Thomson – Strikeforce

#9 – Joe Stevenson – UFC

#10 – Sean Sherk – UFC

I was actually surprised that there weren’t some names on this list.

Clay “The Carpenter” Guida (22-6-0)

Roger “El Matador” Huerta (22-1-0)

Kenny “Ken-Flo” Florian (9-3-0)

Tyson Griffin (12-1-0)

Huerta and Florian will fight at the up coming UFC 87 event, and we may see a title fight for the winner.  Guida, Griffin, and Edgar are fighters to watch as they possibly move up the ranks.

Rank/ Name/ Organization

#1 - Urijah Faber – WEC

#2 - Akitoshi Tamura – Shooto

#3 - Hideki Kadowaki – Shooto

#4 – Hatsu Hioki – Shooto

#5 – Takeshi Inoue – Shooto

#6 - Masakazu Imanari – Deep

#7 - Mike Brown – WEC

#8 - Jeff Curran – WEC

#9 - Rafael Assuncao – AFL

#10 - Wagnney Fabiano – IFL

To be honest this isn’t a division that I know a whole lot about.  Mainly because there is no Feather weight Div. in the UFC.  But after getting the VS. channel, I have become well aware of Sacromento Native, Urijah Faber.  One word…WOW!!!  Or two words…HOLY CRAP!!!  Lightning fast hands, great kicks, extremely good wrestler, never ending motor (the list goes on and on).  His current record is 20-1-0, with a recent win over longtime UFC fighter, Jens Pulver, in a five round battle, getting a unanimous decision.  His next fight pits him against fellow top ten ranked fighter Mike Brown on Sept 10th.  Watch out world, Urijah is the next MMA SUPERSTAR!!!!  Only question is, when can we see him in the UFC?  And will he have to move up to the lightweight division?  Never seen him in action?  Better do your research so you can say, “I knew him way back when.”

                          Faber (Right) lands a kick

Here’s the results!!

Televised Fights on Undercard

C.B. DallowayDEF. Jesse Taylor (Choke – 1st Round)

Kevin Burns DEF. Anthony Johnson (TKO – 3rd Round)

Cain Velasquez DEF. Jake O’Brien (TKO – 1st Round)

Frankie Edgar DEF. Hermes Franca ( Unanimous Decision)

Brandon Vera DEF. Reese Andy (Unanimous Decision)

Main Event Results

Anderson Silva DEF. James Irvin (TKO – 1st Round)

Looking at the wins and losses in any sport, won’t tell you the full story.  And each fight had a story.

C.B. Dalloway submitted Jesse Taylor with a Peruvian neck tie (choke).  But in the middle of the first round he kneed Taylor to the head while he was on the ground.  Regardless of whether Taylor said he was O.K., he was visibly shaken.  So, yes, C.B. got the win but it was kind of cheapened.  IMPRESSIVE CHOKE THOUGH!!!!

At first glance it looked as though Kevin Burns landed a left jab, right uppercut combo that sent Johnson to the ground with a loud yelp.  But replay showed that Burns stuck his fingers out on his left jab, going in knuckle deep in Johnson’s eye, and his right only glaced across his face.  Burns had already received a warning for sticking out his fingers on his jab in the 2nd Round, and Johnson had complained of it three previous times.  Johnson did have a number of take downs, but did no damage, didn’t try to pass guard, and was subsequently stood up on each take down.  LAME WIN!!!

The Velasquez – O’Brien fight showed some impressive wrestling skills that Cain would control.  Velasquez landed a number of unanswered punches ,in his ground and pound, after trapping O’Brien’s left arm with his legs.  DOMINANT PERFORMANCE!!!!!!

I personally picked the Franca – Edgar fight to have the opportunity to be the fight of the night.  Andthey didn’t disappoint.  According to my personal scoring, the 1st Round I gave to Edgar (Very close round – Franca almost had an arm bar from the bottom, but Edgar had a take down and got the better of Franca in strikes.).  2nd and 3rd round both went to Edgar also.  Franca was constantly looking for submissions, and trying to landbig shots in the standup.  But all were thwarted by Edgar’s superior stand up and wrestling.  GREAT FIGHT!!!

Vera Vs. Andy had potential for some fireworks.  Vera came out in the 1st Round with a lot of speed, but slowed in the 2nd and 3rd.  It was very noticeable that it was harder to cut weight than he thought, with a visible drain in energy.  Andy wasn’t a very impressive opponent either.  All in all, for what was titled as a co-main event, it was a very lackluster performance from both.  LAME FIGHT!!!

“One mistake and he makes you pay.”, exclaimed Joe Rogan after an amazingly fast barrage of punches by Anderson Silva.  Irvin had time to landa couple of kicks, choosing to make this a stand up Muay-Thai fight.  BAD CHOICE!!!!  The decision announcement revealed a HUGE cut under the right eye of Irvin, that at the time the fight was called Rogan said was, “Leaking like a faucet!”  WOW!!!!

Q: Can anyone beat Anderson “The Spider” Silva in either weight class?  Anyone?

I don’t see anyone with the skills, or striking ability to be able to compete with him.  Here in the near future we may have a fighter with both titles.  I’m not disrespecting current, and new, Light Heavyweight Champ Forrest Griffin, but Silva is a whole other level of fighter, almost freakish.  AWESOME FIGHTER!!!!!

As amazing as a knockout to Irvin was, the best K.O. went to Rory Markham.  In a pre-lim. fight, aired after the Silva fight, Markham landed a leg kick to the head of Brodie Farber knocking him out cold.  AWESOME KICK!!!!!!!

That wasn’t a comment from Dana White or Joe Rogan.  That was a direct quote from Silva’s newest opponent, James “The Sandman” Irvin.  My #1 fight pick, for Saturdays UFC Fight Night, couldn’t be any more obvious.

Anderson “The Spider” Silva (22-4-0) Vs. James “The Sandman” Irvin (14-4-0)

Q: Why is this a fight to watch?

A: For those of you who don’t know, Anderson Silva is already the UFC “Undisputed” Middleweight champion.  Having unified the middleweight belt with a win over Pride FC champ Dan Henderson in the second round via choke.  He is also a MECA Champion, Cage Rage Champion, with victories in Pride, Shooto, and Minotauro Fight, and a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt.  But Silva is well known, in large part, for his Muay Thai skills that include a very strong clinch, and vicious knees.  Silva has won six straight fights in the UFC starting with a knockout of Chris Leben on June 28, 2006.  His next fight was an absolute domination of then champ, Rich Franklin, followed by wins over Travis Lutter, Nate Marquardt, Franklin again, and Dan Henderson.  But now Silva looks for a new challenge in the already stacked, UFC Light heavyweight division.  That’s a twenty pound difference in weight classes (Middleweight = 185 lbs., Light Heavy = 205 lbs.).

James Irvin is no slouch himself.  He displayed highlight reel K.O.s over Terry Martin, with a flying knee, and over Houston Alexander, with a Superman punch.  The Alexander knockout was the fastest in UFC history recorded as a .08 second bout time, but from bell to punch it was 5.6 seconds. 

 He is a hard working Sacromento native, that trains in everything from Muay Thai, Jui-Jitsu, wrestling, and boxing.  His most recent loss came from the hands of Thiago Silva at UFC 71, an undefeated and world ranked fighter.

Q: Who will win?

A: Anyone who says that Anderson Silva is going to lose has probably had too much to drink.  But…And that’s a big BUT, Irvin does have a chance.  A small one but it’s a chance.  Don’t think so?  Watch his fight with Alexander (Above).  All I gotta say is PUNCHERS CHANCE.  Silva does have to deal with carrying 20 lbs. of extra muscle, that may slow down his world renowned speed.

What to watch for?

How will Silva respond to being punched by a heavier opponent?  Will he have the speed we are used to seeing?  Can Irvin do damage in the clinch, like he thinks he can?  If it goes past the first round, will Irvin have the gas in his tank to keep going?  What ever the outcome, it’s gonna be an awesome fight.

After his close friends told authorities that he was exhibiting some strange behavior, Jackson was detained for mental health evaluation.  Due to privacy issues, no further information has been given.

What is going on in Rampage’s head?

Jackson is nearly two weeks removed from losing his LightHeavy weight title to Forrest Griffin.  We’re in the middle of witnessing one of the scariest downward spirals in current sports history.

Has he ever shown this behavior before?  Are drugs and alcohol involved?  No one seems to know.  No reports, or comments, from long time trainer Juanito Ibarra, who would probably know him better than anyone.

Right now all we can do is pray that he’ll be alright.

      Quinton “Rampage” Jackson

               at better times.