Anderson Silva
Silva looked sharp in his title defense and won a first round TKO.
I’d love to see a rematch with former champ Rich Franklin. In their first fight Silva exposed a major Franklin weakness, dominating in the Muay Thai clinch. But Franklin is a great striker, putting aside Silva’s clinch superiority, I think Franklin has superior power in his hands and feet. A Silva/Franklin rematch would have me salivating.
Nogueria and Herring Controversy
I’m still confused at this fight. Herring knocks Nog down and out with a high kick, then he lands 5-6 bombs on a semi-conscious, arguably unconscious Nog. I’ve seen many a fight stopped under less extreme circumstances. Even more bizarre the ref sort of stops the fight and lets Nog stand up as if the UFC suddenly has standing 8 counts, then he resumes the fight!
The UFC has been recently stung after signing high profile Pride fighters to big contracts then had them upset in their debuts. Cro Cop and Herring both were shocked by nobodys in their first fights. The fact that Nog was given a high profile rematch with Herring in his first UFC appearance indicates to me that the UFC didn’t want to risk another disappointment.
Herring got screwed tonight and frankly it came across almost as badly as some of the freak boxing decisions favoring big name fighters.
Rashad Evans vs. Tito Ortiz
Surprisingly, noted ground and pound specialist Tito Ortiz had a lot of difficulty getting the take downs and maintaining top position. I was impressed by Rashad’s wrestling, and his striking looks better each fight. Rashad seemed to be winning the standing exchanges, but in a bizarre strategy continually went for failed take down attempts. The fight is scored a draw but if Tito wasn’t docked a point for grabbing the cage he brings home the victory.
Sean Sherk
Sherk wins his title defense but disappoints the fans with a boring performance. Sherk is a dominant wrestler and always gets the takedown and maintains top position. Yet as long as I remember him he never seems to finish opponents. If he wants fan approval he’s going to have get more pound to go with his ground, or bring along his submission game.
Kenny Florian
Florian dominated his opponent getting a TKO via strikes from the top position. His post fight comment about consistently finishing his opponents was obviously a taunt aimed at Sherk. Despite his submission prowess and blossoming ground and pound skills, I just don’t see Florian beating Sherk in a rematch, Sherk is just too good of a wrestler.
Chris Lytle
I was disappointed they didn’t show the Lytle fight. Lytle won via triangle choke at about the 2 minute mark, but I had to read about it online.
Stephan Bonnar
Bonnar won via first round submission. Unfortunately this fight also didn’t get shown.
