Brian Stann - new WEC light heavyweight champ

I, unfortunately have not had the opportunity to see Brian Stann fight. From what I read about last night's fight, it sure sounds like he's a pretty well rounded. I don't know a lot about his previous opponents nor do I know anything about Doug Marshall, but Stann's background and current training provide that he is an outstanding striker and probably pretty good on that mat. I may have to check out some of his fights to get a better understanding of his abilities and it should be interesting to see who the WEC puts him up against next.

Liddell vs. Nogueira ?

Well, in a recent post, Liddell said he would fight Nogueira if given the opportunity but he first wants his light heavyweight title back. I thought it was interesting that he would be willing to step up into the heavyweight class. It makes me wonder what weight he normally stays at. He's a big boy, but I wonder if bigger guys would take him down? Who knows...but in any case I thought it was interesting.

Mish Mash

Well, there hasn't been much to talk about lately so I figured I would just throw a couple of things out there. 1 - Evans will fight Liddell...that's good because I don't know if there would be anyone else who could step up and take on Liddell. 2. The Shamrocks debuted last night at a ShoXC event and both lost. Ken lost to Buzz Perry via TKO and from what I hear, he looked old. Ryan lost because he broke his hand. Ryan probably has a future, but Ken should probably hang it up. Other than those two topics, there isn't much more for me to discuss...hopefully some more news sill surface and I can put my opinion down!!!

Shogun out vs Liddell with knee injury

Well, it looks like Shogun has hurt his knee again and had to pull out of UFC 85's main event with Chuck Liddell. The big question is who will replace Shogun? Who is main event worthy? What about Rashad Evans? I think that would be a good fight. Other than Rashad, I can't really think of someone else who could step up and take on a main event.

Anderson Silva the best?

After Silva's victory on Saturday night, many have been tagging him as the greatest pound for pound fighter to date. Do you agree?

In my opinion, I feel that Silva, at this point in his career, is the best fighter we have seen for a while. I understand that middleweight is not the best division right now, but it was sure something when Silva came a long and beat Franklin. Before Franklin, he beat up Leban who was on the rise. He then beat Lutter and Nate. Now, those might not be considered the best, but who else is he going to fight right now? I'm interested to see who the UFC has next for Silva. Also, the other fighter that people toss up there as the greatest pound for pound is GSP. I agree that GSP is outstanding, but he showed that he was human against Serra. After their rematch, we will see how things end up.

EliteXC and CBS - thoughts?

Well, as we've heard, EliteXC announced a partnership with CBS that will bring 4 events per year to prime time television. This is obviously a huge announcement considering the UFC was trying to do the exact same thing. There are rumblings that the UFC may sign a deal with FOX while also keeping things on SPIKE. In any case, having EliteXC on primetime will be great. This could really draw some big names to the EliteXC name. With Tim Silvia and Andrei Arlovski possibly leaving the UFC, the EliteXC might be a home for them if they thing they will be fighting on prime time. This could also possibly give Kimbo some future competition. In any case, I will be watching these EliteXC promotions on Saturday nights.

My Take on UFC 82

MAIN CARD
• Anderson Silva vs. Dan Henderson (for the UFC Middleweight Title)

As always, these two will start feeling each other out with Henderson taking on a late surge in the first round and ending on top of Silva. The second round, Silva will try and clinch but Henderson will continue to take the fight to the ground. Silva will try some submissions and eventually both will stand. The third round is where Silva will break out and connect on a series of punches and kicks and bring Dan Henderson down. I say Silva will win in round three via TKO to retain the UFC Middleweight Title!

• Heath Herring vs. Cheick Kongo

This is a very intriguing match up. Kongo is very strong and fights very well standing up being that he is a former kickboxer. Now, Herring is a jack of all trades and loves to punch it out as well. Early on, Herring looked good against Nogueira as Kongo looked good against Cro Cop. This really could be a toss up but I'm going to go with Herring winning via Unanimous Decision.

• Alessio Sakara vs. Chris Leben

This is Sakara's first fight at middleweight so it should be interesting to see how Leben reacts. I believe that round 1 will be a feel out process with Leben almost giving away to Sakara...but in round 2, Leben comes together and catches Sakara with a combo and drops him to the mat. Leben wins in round 2 via KO and ruins Sakara's debut at middleweight.

• Yushin Okami vs. Evan Tanner

I really like Evan Tanner. From what I've read, he's really changed his ways and I would love to see him come out ahead. I've read quite a bit about his training at evantanner.net and just learned more and more about him. Now, Yushin Okami we know is very strong. We've heard it from multiple fighters. I'm thinking that Okami will come out on top here in round 2. He will be way too strong, won't get caught in any of Tanner's submissions and will win via referee stoppage. Okami via TKO round 2.

• Chris Wilson vs. Jon Fitch

Fitch is too strong. He's on a roll and I don't see him losing to Chris Wilson. Wilson is a sub so we should see how well he prepared for someone like Jon Fitch. I'm going to go with Jon Fitch via rear naked choke in round 1.

PRELIMINARY CARD

• Jake O’Brien vs. Andrei Arlovski

Arlovski's last fight was in April of 2007. He's had a long layoff, but I don't think it will hurt him too much. I think the two will feel each other out for the first round with the crowd giving plenty of boos but then in the second round Arlovski will come alive and beat O'Brien via GNP with the referee stepping in and giving him his first loss.

• Luigi Fioravanti vs. Luke Cummo

Fioravanti is a tough kid, but after a promising fight against Menne, he lost back to back against Jon Fitch and Forrest Petz. He went outside the UFC and won via TKO however I think that Cummo will be too much and will win via Unanimous Decision.

• Dustin Hazelett vs. Josh Koscheck

Like I said in my earlier post, KOS by TKO in round 1.

• John Halverson vs. Jorge Gurgel

I'm thinking that Halverson is going to upset Gurgel's homecoming. Gurgel lost the last time he was in Ohio and I don't see him beating Halverson. I sure hope it doesn't end this way but I'm thinking Halverson by Unanimous Decision

• David Bielkheden vs. Diego Sanchez

Sanchez won't lose three in a row. I think he comes out a little tentative, but ultimately he will pull it together. I see it as a unanimous decision with Sanchez winning.