MMAVu

UFC 95 is in the books, and here are some of the highlights. The Zuffa boys handed out $40k bonuses for their nightly awards:

Knockout of the Night: Really could have gone to several different guys, as there were KO’s a plenty on the show. However, it was Paulo Thiago who shocked the MMA world and did what no other fighter could in the UFC, (not even KO artist Thiago Alves) and that was knock out Josh Koscheck with a crushing uppercut, followed by a hook. Koscheck went limp after the uppercut, and the hook was unnecessary as he fell back and banged his head on the canvas. That blow to the back of the head knocked Koscheck back to his senses, but by then it was too late and the bout called off.

Submission of the Night: Went to Aemian Maia, who improved his UFC record to 5-0 with an awesome take down, followed by a fluid transition to a triangle choke. It was a thing of beauty for sure.

Fight of the Night: Went to the main event guys, Diego Sanchez and Joe Stevenson. The two noted ground fighters went toe-to-toe for three rounds, without letting up off the gas. Sanchez, with the slightly longer reach and more diverse attack, took the win by unanimous decision.

The loss puts Stevenson in a bit of a limbo, as he’s clearly in the top 5 Lightweights, but has come up short against the top guys like Penn, Florian and Sanchez. Sort of like Rich Franklin at 185lbs.

Wanderlei Silva is set to take on former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin at UFC 99, schedule to take place at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany on June 13.Sources state this bout could take place at a catch weight of 195lbs…though the UFC had rarely, if ever, contested a bout at a catch weight unless someone does not make weight. I tend to think it would rather take place at 205lbs, where both Franklin and Silva currently fight.

Silva has lost four out of his last five bouts, albeit to top competition. The most concerning factor however, is the method in which he is losing: Mirko Crocop knocked him silly with a head kick, Dan Henderson knocked him silly with a hook to the chin, and Quintin Jackson also knocked him silly with another hook to the chin. No shame losing to these guys, but it’s quite a slump and it’s hard to believe a 32 year old guy could be over the hill already.

Franklin recently lost a split decision to Dan Henderson last month at UFC 93, where suffered an eye injury due to an accidental eye poke. What’s with Franklin and eye injuries??