MMAVu

If I had to choose the winner based on mean-lookin' faces, I'd choose Thiago Silva, by way of "Pulverizing th' Bum"

Some people are complaining about this line-up, but really, what could the UFC have done? Several main event guys had to drop out, and there’s only so many guys around that are “true” headliners. Rashad Evans is one, and Thiago Silva is getting there. With a clean win over Evans however, Silva will be a main eventer. There are a bunch of solid bouts here though, just like how last year’s “Fight for the Troops” turned out to be an incredible card, with “b-level” fighters.

Main Bouts (On Pay-Per-View):

Rashad Evans (205) vs. Thiago Silva (205)

Evans will have picked the brain of teammate Keith Jardine, whose brains were scrambled by Silva a few months back. I say Evans takes it by TKO, but it will be a close fight.

Paul Daley (172) vs. Dustin Hazelett (168)

The one-dimensional Daley will get taken down and submitted by Dustin “McLovin’” Hazelett in short order, or Hazelett will be staring at the lights. I’m betting Hazelett is smarter than that, and will take Daley down fast.

Joe Lauzon (155) vs. Sam Stout (155)

I like Stout, a fellow Canuck, but Lauzon is too much on the ground for him. Joe by sub.

Duane Ludwig (156) vs. Jim Miller (155)

Bang.

Junior Dos Santos (237) vs. Gilbert Yvel (239)

Junior takes the duke, and puts himself in the short list for guys to fight for the heavyweight strap.

Preliminary Bouts (On Spike TV):

Martin Kampmann (171) vs. Jacob Volkmann (171)

Kampmann has sure fallen down the charts after a single loss, from a welterweight title eliminator against Mike Swick at UFC 103 to the prelims here. Sounds like he has Jon Fitch-itus. Why no love for Marty?

Dan Lauzon (155) vs. Cole Miller (155)

J-Lau Jr. (pronounced Jay-Low) takes on the wiry pipe cleaner of an excuse for a fighter, Cole Miller. I think Dan is still too young, and will get taken out by Miller, who has had more big show experience.

Preliminary Bouts (Non-Televised):

Mark Munoz (185) vs. Ryan Jensen (186)

Munoz. Because he has a better last name.

Mike Pyle (171) vs. Jake Ellenberger (170)

What a Pyle of…Jake takes this, after improving his cardio after the loss to Condit. Jake was doing great until he gassed. Hopefully that problem has been fixed.

Rafaello Oliveira (156) vs. John Gunderson (155)

This is the first of the un-televised prelims for a reason. Not much of an idea who these guys are, but I’m taking Oliveira, because I like that pasta.

Quinton Pities YOU!!

The UFC brass can’t be too happy about this one. After lamenting about Quinton Jackson’s role in the upcoming A-Team movie, Dana White and the boys apparently have no choice but to re-schedule the fight to another time, likely after the new year. This is another reason why I dislike using the Ultimate Fighter to build fights. It takes forever, and something comes up (like this) and you have two of your main draws, in their prime, sit idle for up to a year!! What sense does that make? Jackson last fought March 09, and Evans May 09.

Personally, unless they’re injured, I think guys should be fighting every 5-6 months. That gives them 2-3 months to heal up any nagging injuries, and gives them 2-3 months for a training camp.

The UFC had booked Memphis, TN on Dec 12 for the Jackson-Evans bout, hoping to cash in on the fact that it is Jackson’s home town. Double d’oh!! Again, how does this happen? It’s like the UFC plans to go to England, spends months (and millions $$$) building up Michael Bisping vs Fighter X, and have Bisping pull the rug out from under them to do a side project. Lame.

The UFC has offered up another very good main event however, as BJ Penn will defend his 155lb title against Diego “YES” Sanchez.