A Look At UFC 78: Validation

Many have heard me complain about the UFC's inability to give us a really high quality fight card, with multiple title fights, interesting matchups and serious contenders, I have to admit that UFC 78 isn't the worst card they could have put together.

While I hate to be the guy who says "It could be worse," I will admit that UFC 78 is not the worst card that they have put together of late. Though it lacks a title fight, or even a really interesting main card matchup, it has some interesting undercards and will show us some of the possibilities for the future, with good displays of the UFC's latest free agent aqcuisitions.

While the main card event of Rashad Evans vs Michael Bisping should end with an easy win for Evans, Rashad's ability to finish will show us whether he learned anything from his recent draw with Tito Ortiz. We can only hope so, otherwise, the fight will be a complete snooze fest.

Thiago Silva vs. Houston Alexander should be interesting, as Alexander has been on fire and Silva has the most substantial standup of any opponent Alexander has fought yet. While the fight may go half way through the first, I don't think that Silva, realistically, has the experience and counter striking ability to cope with Alexander's aggression. I'm predicting a first round win for Alexander.

Joe Doerksen vs. Ed Herman will be an interesting grappling matchup, but Herman has not been in top form recently and while Doerksen is coming off of a tough KO loss and is taking this fight on short notice, I think his submission skills and all around grappling game should deal with Herman and he should finish with either a solid decision or a submission late in the fight.

The much anticipated debut of Ryo Chonan, the last man to beat current UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, should be interesting, but his opponent, Karo Parisyan, presents alot of serious problem, and while both are unorthodox fighters, I think that Karo's understanding of the fundamentals and his ability to use takedowns, ground and pound and submission skills will give this fight to Parisyan.

Frank Edgar vs. Spencer Fisher should be a war, but I don't think that Fisher will have an answer to Edgar's explosive, much like he couldn't cope with the wild and powerful hands of Hermes Franca. I see Edgar continuing his trend of stopping opponents early.

Chris Lytle vs. Thiago Alves isn't too promising, but it could be a war. I think it will go to a decision in favor of Alves, but this fight is probably one of the closest on the card and Lytle's experience could give him an edge in this fight.

The remaining three bouts on this card look interesting also.

Joe Lauzon should make quick work of Jason Reinhardt, and after losing on The Ultimate Fighter reality show, Joe has made it clear that he has something to prove.

Luke Claudillo and Marcus Aurelio should make for an interesting matchup on the ground, though I think that Aurelio will take this one on the scorecards by maintain top position throughout the fight.

Japanese sensation Akihiro Gono will make his debut at the bottom of the card and, while Gono's entrace should be interesting, his fight with Tamden McCrory should be also. I think Gono will take this one, but it will really depend on how he adapts to fighting in the Octagon.

Hope you enjoy this event, some one has to.

The Complete UFC 78 Card (and a few thoughts on a mediocre product)

Honestly, the UFC monopoly of the MMA world seems to be making Joe Silva a little lazy. While I generally respect the dude and love what he has done for the sport, the UFC matchmaker (along with Dana White, the Fertittas and other UFC brass) have been handing us a lesser product than what I think we deserve, because they no longer have the Pride Fighting Championships to compete with.



While Rashad Evans is expected to be the savior of the card, as he headlines it in a fight with Michael "The Count" Bisping, it's not a title fight, and the winner of this matchup isn't even in line for them. After all, Evans is getting back on track after his first non-win (a draw with Tito Ortiz at UFC 73) and Bisping is coming off a lackluster win (that most people think should have been a loss) against Matt Hamill. Even if they are both undefeated, they are not at the height of an up-swing.

Here's the card so far:

Rashad Evans (10-0-1) vs. Michael Bisping (14-0-0)

Houston Alexander (8-1-0) vs. Thiago Silva (11-0-0)

Joe Doerksen (39-10-0) vs. Ed Herman (15-4-0)

Ryo Chonan (14-7-0) vs. Karo "The Heat" Parisyan (25-4-0)

Frankie "The Answer" Edgar (7-0-0) vs. Spencer "The King" Fisher (21-3-0)

Chris Lytle (34-14-4) vs. Thiago Alves (18-4-0)

Jason Reinhardt (18-0-0) vs. Joe Lauzon (14-3-0)

Luke Claudillo (15-8-0) vs. Marcus Aurelio (14-5-0)

Akihiro Gono (27-12-7) vs. Tamden McCrory (10-0-0)

The best fight on this card, by far, is Houston Alexander vs. Thiago Silva, both of whom have been on fire recently. Alexander has had some high profile knockouts of Keith Jardine and Alessio Sakara, and he's only spent about 2 minutes in the octagon the entire time. Silva's been in a little longer, but has showcased some patience and some technical muay thai skills. This fight will be a war, hopefully with some back and forth, and somebody is getting knocked out. My only hope is that Alexander doesn't end this one as quickly as the last 2, so that we actually get to see Silva throw a punch.

Besides Doerksen vs. Herman, which is a sad replacement for the return of the legendary middleweight Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu phenomenon of David "The Soul Assassin" Terrell (who was originally scheduled to fight Herman), I'm a little bit interested in seeing Ryo Chonan enter the UFC, as he holds a big win over current middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

The the second most explosive bout, behind Alexander and Silva, will probably be between Jason Reindhart and Joe Lauzon, who are both very good, very experienced fighters who should make for an interesting war, as Reindhart is making his debut with an 18-0 record (higher than anyone to make their debut in a long time) and Lauzon has looked very dangerous and very aggressive in his last few fights.

While those two bouts have potential and a few interesting and high profile names appear on the card, it's not the product that the UFC used to give us. I'll be watching, but I won't be paying $40 to watch it at my place. I may need a drink and some friends to help deal with the sting of a mediocre card.

That's all for now, more on this event and predictions as it draws near.