Recommendation:  Two fights broke the 4-star barrier, and this was a newsworthy event.  It’s definitely worth getting the replay.

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Alright people.  It’s 10:00 eastern time on September 22, which means it’s time to get our sepia on.  So fire up that gladiator montage, check the b&w interviews, and get ready for a night of what looks to be outstanding fights.

The first thing out of Goldberg’s mouth is that Chuck Liddell will fight Wanderlei Silva in December should he get past Keith Jardine tonight.  For the record, I picked Jardine to win, and not because of any rationale I can justify.  It’s just a gut thing.  Knowing what I know now, I’m rooting hard for Chuck to pull it off, which he really should.  But anyway, let’s skip the hyperbole and get to the fights, eh?  We’re starting off with what could be fight of the night (along with Fitch-Sanchez).

FIRST FIGHT:  THIAGO TAVARES vs. TYSON GRIFFIN (Lightweight)

Tyson Griffin was in two absolutely fantastic fights in his last two trips to the Octagon—they’re both at the top of my list for Fight of the Year—so I’m really looking forward to this.  Tavares looks very focused and energized as he makes his way to the ring.  Griffin, accompanied by Randy Couture, looks cool, calm and collected.  Jay Hieron is also in Griffin’s corner, and he needs to get back into the UFC.  I’m just sayin.  Also, Griffin enters the Octagon to the strains of “Eye of the Tiger”, which is excellent.  Same music he used against Clay Guida, so perhaps that’s a trend.  We can only hope, right?

ROUND ONE:  They circle to start out, each looking for an opening.  Griffin wings a haymaker that misses.  They trade jabs, and Tavares throws a high kick.  Left-right combo lands for Griffin.  The crowd gets restless during the feeling out process, because they suck.  Nice leg kick lands for Griffin.  Right hand lands, and Griffin shoots for a takedown.  He looks for an advantage in Tavares’ guard as he has the Brazilian against the fence.  Tavares grabs a leg, but Griffin spins out of trouble and they stand back up.  Punching combo lands for Griffin, and they clinch against the fence.  Nice knee to the body by Tavares.  Tavares looks for a sweep takedown, but Griffin reverses position.  Tavares is on the ground and looks for some big upkicks, but Griffin avoids and wades in with punches.  Tavares grabs a leg once more, and Griffin gets out of trouble.  Tavares takes Griffin’s back briefly in the scramble, but Griffin escapes and lands a big downward punch.  Grffin in the guard now.  Tavares looks for a triangle as Griffin stands, but Griffin stands and lands some big strikes.  Tavares gets to the feet and takes some knees to the inside of his leg.  Round one ends as they clinch.  First round goes to Griffin.  Great pace so far, and I get the feeling they’re just getting warmed up.

ROUND TWO:  After Rogan and Goldberg slurp Griffin’s corner for a minute, the round begins.  Griffin looks for a combo and eats a perfectly timed flying knee as he shoots for the takedown.  Griffin is wobbled but lands a looping overhand right as Tavares looks to capitalize.  Tavares succeeds in taking it to the ground, pushing Griffin against the fence.  Griffin is undaunted and looks to stand, but Tavares drags him back down and easily passes guard into the mount.  Griffin bucks out, but gives up his back in the process.  Tavares looks for the choke as Griffin stands, but Griffin defends very well.  Tavares has Griffin in the body triangle, but somehow as Griffin is defending the choke, he’s able to shake Tavares off and almost get into top position on the ground.  In the process, however, Tavares almost sinks a deep armbar, but Griffin is ridiculously strong and escapes.  Griffin is in top position now and looks to rain down strikes.  Tavares rolls into an armbar attempt, then sweeps into half-guard.  Griffin looks for a guillotine, but Tavares takes side control.  Tavares looks for the mount again and it’s almost a replay of earlier in the round as Griffin bucks him off and gives up his back, allowing Tavares to look for the hooks as he stands.  As Tavares is on Griffin’s back, Griffin almost pulls an Alan Belcher and drops Tavares on his head while standing, cutting Thiago under the eyebrow.  Tavares looks for another armbar, but it’s no use.  Griffin gets into the guard again as round two ends.  Fantastic round goes to Tavares by just a hair, but Griffin was masterful in defending.  Also, after watching the replays, I have determined that it’s nearly impossible to knock out Tyson Griffin.

ROUND THREE:  Steve Mustache gets the final round started as we see a big mouse under Tavares’ eye.  Tavares shoots and Griffin thwarts him beautifully.  Tavares lands a knee to the body on the way back up.  Griffin presses Tavares against the cage, using shoulder strikes.  Tavares remarkably rides the momentum of one of the shoulder strikes and takes Griffin down into an omoplata attempt.  Fantastic.  Griffin thinks for a second, then spins out of the submission and almost takes Tavares’ back.  Wow.  They stand back up and Griffin pushes against the fence, doing his best Randy Couture impression.  Tavares looks for a trip takedown, but they stand back up.  Griffin pushes back against the fence and lands some knees to the legs.  He reaches down and looks to lift up Tavares, but the Brazilian has none of it.  Griffin lands an elbow, then backs up and lands a big punch.  They get back to the middle, and Tavares wings a punch then takes Griffin down.  Griffin stands back up and gets his Couture on, holding Tavares against the fence.  Joe Rogan then does his best impression of me, trashing the 10-point must system as an inferior way of scoring MMA.  If you’ve listened to the podcasts, we’ve brought that up numerous times.  But self-promotion aside, Griffin lands a big knee from the clinch, but Tavares drives him into the mat.  Tavares looks to take Griffin’s back again, but Griffin masterfully escapes once again.  Side control for Griffin.  More superb back-and-forth grappling ensues as the third round ends.  I give Griffin a razor­-thin decision on this one.

RESULT:  Griffin by unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 30-27).

STAR RATING:  (****)  Another barnburner and another incredible fight by Griffin.  He’s shown that any card he’s on is worth buying.

RAMIFICATIONS:  Griffin takes another step up the ladder with a win over a guy who was 16-0.  He’s not quite ready for a title shot yet, but this tier of the lightweight division, full of young guys like Tavares and Griffin, is just so exciting.  Tavares showed that he’s definitely for real with this effort.  He had multiple submission attempts and matched Griffin’s frenetic pace.  Great stuff.

Wanderlei Silva is a beast, and he is cageside tonight.

Also, UFC 77 is next month, and I’ll be cageside there along with our good friend Mike Jarsulic.  And by cageside, I mean far away from the cage.  But in the arena.

SECOND FIGHT:  KAZUHIRO NAKAMURA vs. RYOTO MACHIDA (Light Heavyweight)

If there was ever a clash of personalities, it’s here.  Nakamura is flamboyant and goofy, and Machida is straightforward and slick.  This is an intriguing fight.  Nakamura comes to the cage with a gi and a parasol, which is awesome.  Nakamura gets his weirdo on when he gets to the Octagon, much to the chagrin of the straight-faced suits in the athletic commission.  Lighten up guys.  In a moment of hilarity, one of Nakamura’s cornermen holds the parasol over Nakamura’s head as he disrobes (until he’s pushed away by one of the killjoys in a monkey suit..  Awesome.  Kaz feels out the fence as he enters the cage.  Machida is no-nonsense as he enters the Octagon.

ROUND ONE:  Nakamura dances around the cage, then takes a leg kick and some punches from Machida.  They clinch, and Machida throws some quick knees to the body.  This might be the closest Machida has been to any of his opponents so far.  Leg kick lands for Machida.  Big body kick lands for Machdia, and they clinch again.  Nakamura tries a judo throw, but Machida counters and lands in half-guard.  Machida looks for a kimura, but isn’t in position for it.  They stand, and Machida lands a knee to the body, then to the jewels.  Elbow lands for Nakamura, and he tries another judo throw, which is wholly unsuccessful.  Machida lands a nasty inside leg kick, then has a high kick blocked.  More work from the clinch, and Machida is landing all the shots.  They separate and go to the middle.  Machida gets a trip takedown and looks to pass Nakamura’s half guard.  Nakamura holds, and Machida looks for elbows.  Nakamura bucks Machida off, but Machida gets back into half guard, then looks to land some downward punches.  Nakamura scrambles as the round ends.  Machida takes the first.

ROUND TWO:  Nakamura charges, and Machida goes nuts on him.  Machida lands punches and sends Nakamura to the ground, then Machida rains down strikes.  Machida stands, and Nakamura invites him back down.  Machida obliges and gets the mount.  Nakamura spins and gives up his back.  He spins again and is mounted by Machida.  Machida lands a big nasty elbow, and Nakamura spins again, giving up his back.  Machida almost sinks a rear naked choke, but loses it.  Nakamura scrambles and grabs a hold of the now-upright Machida’s leg.  He loses his grip and winds up mounted yet again.  Machida looks for short elbows, then opts for punches.  Nakamura doesn’t appreciate that and is able to stand back up.  They clinch again, then separate with a flurry.  Leg kick by Nakamura as he eats a punch.  He wanders in and eats more punches from Machida.  He sweeps Machida from the clinch and takes him down, but Machida is able to avoid damage from the guard.  Nakamura passes into half guard as the round ends.  Big round for Machida.

ROUND THREE:  Georges St. Pierre gets a rousing ovation on the big screen, despite being seated close to David Spade.  Nakamura comes out with a  Superman punch and a goofy high kick.  Machida misses a spinning back kick and lands a leg kick.  Nakamura lands a left cross and takes Machida down.  Machida stands back up and they clinch.  Nakamura looks for a judo throw and is unable to do it.  Machida gets a trip and ends up in half guard.  Punches to the guts by Machida.  Machida transitions to mount and Nakamura spins out.  They stand and Nakamura lands a punch, then eats a knee to the chin.  Machida throws a perfectly timed left hand that connects, but Nakamura is unfazed.  Nakamura is bleeding from the nose.  Standing elbows from the clinch by Machida.  Knees to the body and chin land for Machida.  He’s admirably looking to finish the fight despite being way ahead on the cards.  Big elbow lands for Nakamura, and the crowd boos as the fight ends.  I’m not a fan of the booing here.  The fight is a bit of a letdown after the hugely entertaining Griffin-Tavares, but it was hardly unwatchable.  Machida takes round three.

RESULT:  Machida by unanimous decision.

STAR RATING:  (**)  A pretty one-sided affair, and probably Machida’s most entertaining fight yet.  He really went after Nakamura here.  Nice performance.  Not quite in the 2-plus range, but almost.

RAMIFICATIONS:  Nakamura has enough personality to get an invite back.  Machida is an interesting prospect here, because I don’t know who they’re going to give him next.  Will he eke out a boring decision over a top guy, or will he finish anyone?  Will they give him a debuting fighter that he can overwhelm, so that he can get a showcase?  Time will tell.  In this stacked division, though, he’s not anywhere close to a title fight yet.

THIRD FIGHT:  DIEGO “NIGHTMARE” SANCHEZ vs. JON FITCH (Welterweight)

I am pumped for this fight, people.  Fitch is a freaking monster.  If you haven’t seen him yet, buckle up.  I’m a Sanchez fan as well, even though I’m pretty sure that he’s insane.  Goldberg calls Sanchez’s staph infection during the Koscheck fight a “medical malfunction”.  Good grief.  We get a nice staredown and some chatter before the fight, and I’m getting more excited by the second.  Fitch gets a nice reception from the crowd, which makes me happy.  They’ve had their moments so far, this crowd.  Fitch wears his crazy person smile and Sanchez wears his crazy person sneer during the staredown. 

ROUND ONE:  Diego charges headlong into a takedown attempt, and Fitch tells him to go home with that.  Sanchez holds on to the leg, and Fitch isn’t moving.  Sanchez lets go and Fitch lands a punch to the face.  Leg kick by Fitch, and he punishes Sanchez as Diego looks for another takedown.  Diego looks for inside knees from the clinch, then transitions into another takedown attempt, which Fitch thwarts.  More clinching on the fence.  Fitch lands a left hand as they separate.  Diego grabs a leg and gets Fitch down, if only briefly.  Fitch charges in with a takedown from the ground and takes Sanchez down.  Fitch working from the guard.  Sanchez looks for a triangle, then an armbar, but Fitch rolls him up so that he can’t straighten the arm, and Sanchez lets it go.  Fitch back in the guard, landing punches to the body and face.  Sanchez looks to stand, and Fitch does not oblige him.  Sanchez looks for another armbar, and Fitch doesn’t allow it.  Goldberg asserts that Sanchez is the more popular fighter, which is belied by the ovation Fitch gets for every offensive maneuver he pulls off.  Round one ends, and it belongs to Fitch.

ROUND TWO:  Fitch looks to strike, and Diego tries a takedown.  Fitch defends and lands on top in the half guard.  Diego looks to stand, and Fitch allows it.  Fitch throws a kick, which is caught by Diego, and Sanchez takes him down.  Sanchez works from the half guard, and Fitch transitions into a sweep, looking to stand.  Sanchez sprawls, but Fitch picks him up and transitions to take Sanchez’s back.  Fitch looking for the rear naked choke, but Sanchez defends.  Sanchez sweeps and ends up on top.  Fitch scrambles and picks up Sanchez, who has a bit of an upside-down triangle choke.  Fitch slams Sanchez to the mat, then the pattern repeats itself.  They scramble again and Fitch controls Sanchez, keeping him pinned to the mat.  Sanchez continues to look for the triangle choke, but Fitch defends, punishing Sanchez with hammer fists.  Diego is cut, and the round ends.  I’m giving it to Fitch again, but Sanchez is certainly putting in a good showing. 

ROUND THREE:  They circle to begin, and Diego may have a bit more gas than Fitch.  High kick misses for Fitch, and he looks for a takedown, but is caught in a guillotine.  Diego doesn’t have an arm in, and Fitch doesn’t appear to be in trouble, giving the thumbs up.  Fitch works his way out of the choke, much to the delight of the crowd.  Fitch lands shots to the body from the guard.  Sanchez looks for a kimura from the bottom, and Fitch escapes.  Sanchez pulls his leg up, looking for perhaps an omoplata, which would make Joe Rogan a happy man, but he gives up on that.  Fitch remains in the guard, punishing Sanchez on occasion.  The action stalls, and the fickle crowd boos.  Elbows by Fitch as he looks to pass.  Fitch continues to punish, and Sanchez catches him in a triangle.  Fitch escapes once again.  Great submission defense by Fitch.  The fight ends, and Fitch takes the third as well.  Great fight.

RESULT:  Fitch by split decision.  I have no idea what the hell Marcos Rosales was watching, giving Sanchez the nod.  Cecil Peoples was ironically the only one that got it right, giving Fitch all three rounds.

STAR RATING:  (***+)  Not quite the barnburner it could have been, but still really good stuff.  Fitch controlled the action, and the crowd loved it.  Sanchez certainly showed his mettle against a superior grappler, though.  The crowd booed Sanchez after the fight and before the decision, which I thought was pretty dumb.  They also booed him during the post-fight interview, which was even dumber.

RAMIFICATIONS:  Say hello to your new superstar at welterweight, Jon Fitch.  Sanchez isn’t going anywhere, of course, but this fight will win Fitch some more marquis fights.  The remarkable thing about this fight was that Fitch let Diego take the fight wherever he wanted to, and was still able to dominate the action.  I’m excited to see both of these guys fight again, and that’s exactly the kind of fights you want to have.  One thing to keep in mind is that Sanchez just barely switched from Greg Jackson’s camp, where he’s been his whole career, to a camp in California which escapes me at the moment.  He’ll be back.

A side note:  Great pacing during this event.  They seemed to anticipate the possibility of a lot of decisions, and they’re pacing the event accordingly. 

FOURTH FIGHT:  MAURICIO “SHOGUN” RUA vs. FORREST GRIFFIN (Light Heavyweight)

Shogun looks nice and loose as he heads to the Octagon for the first time.  Meanwhile, I wipe away a tear of joy for how fantastic the light heavyweight division is right now.  We’re in for a treat over the next couple years, folks.  Rua gets a very nice ovation.  This is the most back-and-forth crowd ever.  Griffin gets the ovation you would expect.  I might point out that Randy Couture is picking Griffin to win this fight.  I can’t see it happening, but we’ll see, won’t we?  Griffin is training with Couture after all.

ROUND ONE:  Leg kick lands for Griffin, and Shogun misses a big overhand right, then shoots for a takedown.  Griffin defends nicely and looks to strike from the top.  Shogun rolls a couple times and stands back up.  Griffin lands a leg kick and a straight punch.  Shogun answers with a leg kick.  Shogun takes Griffin down and works from the guard. Big elbow from Shogun.  Dueling chants of “Shogun” and “Forrest” from the crowd.  Shogun postures up but Griffin defends.  Shogun looks to pass, but Griffin closes up the guard.  They stand, and Griffin lands an uppercut on the way up.  Big right hand by Rua, and he pushes forward, but Griffin weathers.  Griffin gets the takedown and Shogun rolls out to avoid Griffin taking his back.  They exchange strikes with Shogun on the bottom.  Shogun stands.  They exchange body kicks.  Big jab by Shogun is answered with a hook by Griffin, and Shogun is breathing from the mouth.  Shogun looks for the takedown, but Griffin pops back up.  Shogun keeps at it, though, and works Griffin to the ground.  Shogun looks to strike, but Griffin spins out and almost takes Shogun’s back.  He ends up in Rua’s guard and lands a big shot as the round ends.  Griffin takes round one, and Rua has a huge knot on his forehead.

ROUND TWO:  They exchange and Forrest gets the best of it.  Rua looks for a leg and gets it, taking Griffin down.  Griffin wants a guillotine but doesn’t get it.  Rua working from the closed guard.  Big elbow by Shogun, and Forrest is cut.  Shogun stands, and so does Griffin.  Griffin sweeps the leg and gets Rua to the ground, pounding on Shogun.  They get back to the feet, and Shogun misses a knee. Rua grabs another single leg, and Griffin stuffs it, punishing Rua in the process.  Rua is winded, dropping the hands.  They exchange strikes, and Rua is gassed.  He grabs a leg and Griffin spins out.  They continue tot hrow heavy leather, with Griffin probably taking the better of the strikes.  Rua looks for a leg, and Griffin spins out again, punishing Rua in the process.  They go to the ground, and Griffin lands big elbows from the top.  Griffin lands strikes to the side of Rua’s head as the round ends, and Griffin takes the second.  Shogun will have to finish to win this one, and I never thought I’d type that.

ROUND THREE:  That is one huge cut over Griffin’s eye.  Griffin comes out swinging, and Rua reminds him that he’s not done yet with a kick.  He belies that notion, however, with a lackluster takedown.  Griffin looks for a triangle, but Rua escapes.  Rua stalls, and Griffin wants the ref to stand them up.  Elbows land for Rua, but he is exhausted.  Rua spins, and Griffin looks for an omoplata.  Griffin takes Rua’s back and lands punches to the head and knees to the body.  Rua grabs a leg again and is punished by Griffin.  Griffin lands more shots on the ground, and transitions into half guard.  He looks to mount in the final minute.  Rua spins, and Griffin takes his back.  Griffin sinks a rear naked choke and taps Rua in the last 30 seconds.  Holy frick.  I don’t even know what else to say.  Forrest Griffin just took out the top light heavyweight in the world, and it wasn’t even close.  Couture didn’t even flinch from Griffin’s corner.  And now Randy Couture has proven that not only can you not pick against him, but you can’t even pick against his picks.  Ridiculous.

RESULT:  Griffin by submission at 4:45 of Round 3.

STAR RATING:  (****)  Unbelievable fight.  No one outside the heavyweight champ and Griffin saw that one coming.  Huge upset here. 

RAMIFICATIONS:  This shakes up the light heavyweight division.  Griffin makes a huge jump here, and it’ll be intriguing to see whom he gets matched up with next.  Shogun is still Shogun, and he’ll be back.  Losses make a fighter better, and I’m still excited to see what he does next.  Meanwhile, the fall of Pride fighters that come to the Octagon continues.  Just amazing.  I’ve got to wonder how different it would be if the UFC fighters had gone to Pride.

FIFTH FIGHT:  KEITH “THE DEAN OF MEAN” JARDINE vs. CHUCK “THE ICEMAN” LIDDELL (Light Heavyweight)

Both men look nasty coming to the cage tonight, though Jardine has a few more butterflies to be sure.  Liddell looks about ready to murder someone.  Buffer goes through the intros, and isn’t it time that we quit announcing what discipline these fighters excel in?  They’re all mixed martial artists.  Everything else is moot, at least for the intros.  Wanderlei Silva looks on, and he’s pumped.  Me too.

ROUND ONE:  Jardine is jittery and throws a leg kick and a left hook, and both land.  He is extremely wary of Liddell’s punches.  Jardine looks to make Liddell chase him.  Body kick by Jardine, and Liddell walks him down.  Left hook lands, and another.  Overhand right misses for Liddell.  This is the craziest striking ever by both guys.  Leg kicks by Jardine.  Right cross by Liddell, and Jardine lands a kick to the body, then looks for punches.  He continues to charge in at Liddell, which can’t be a good strategy.  Leg kick by Jazrdine again.  Right hook lands for Jardine.  Liddell seems to be looking for his opening, and he eats a jab, then wings a right hand.  Big right by Liddell is answered with a left by Jardine.  They’re throwing big shots here.  Front kick by Jardine backs up Liddell.  Left hook lands fro Jardine, and another front kick.  High kick misses for Jardine.  Punching combo by Liddell, and Jardine weathers and escapes.  Jardine looks to cut off the Octagon for Liddell as The Iceman stalks.  Uppercut by Liddell.  Straight left and an overhand right by Jardine, and Liddell catches him with a  left, then chases him down with a combo.  Jardine goes backwards and escapes.  Smart movement by Jardine.  They end with a flurry, and I have no idea how to score that round.  I’d give it to Jardine for quantity, and possibly Liddell for quality.  I think the fight ends in the second, though.

SECOND ROUND:  Liddell wants nothing to do with the break between rounds, and stands up almost immediately after sitting on his stool.  Jardine is likely relieved he’s still awake.  They trade leg kicks to start.  Jardine misses a combo and Liddell misses the left hook.  Body kick lands for Jardine.  Liddell’s side is turning red.  Jardine lands a big right hand that floors Liddell, but Chuck pops back up.  Jardine doesn’t pounce, which is probably wise.  Big body kick by Jardine.  Big right hook by Jardine.  He’s getting more confident, but he’ll need to be careful.  Right and left land for Jardine, and Liddell counters.  Jardine lands another lg kick.  Jardine lands a left, and Liddell counters with an uppercut.  Leg kick by Jardine.  He’s bleeding from the ear.  Leg kick again by Jardine, and a left hook lands.  High kick misses for Liddell.  They echaange punches, and Jardine is stunned.  Liddell looks for a knee and a spinning backfist, but can’t capitalize.  Two more leg kicks for Jardine.  Jardine is slowing down.  More kicks by Jardine land every time Chuck comes in.  Jardine catches him with a hook and another leg kick.  Another body kick lands.  Left hook to the chin of Liddell.  The round ends, and it’s Jardine’s.  I’d say they’re even after two.  Good stuff.

ROUND THREE:  Liddell sits a bit longer this time, and his side has got to be on fire after Jardine has peppered him.  Right hook by Jardine, and a leg kick buckle’s Liddell’s knee.  Another leg kick.  Liddell closees the distance, and Jardine punishes the leg again.  Left hook by Jardine.  Right hand by Jardine, and Liddell throws a left.  More leg kicks and a straight left by Jardine.  Another lefg kick and a body kick land for Jardine.  Jardine continues to punish the legs.  He can’t come in because Jardine keeps kicking him.  Liddell charges and Jardine dodges most of the punishment.  He lands more leg kicks and a big left hook.  Jab lands for Liddell.  More leg kicks setting up more punches for Jardine.  Liddell lands a right and Jardine counters with a combo.  Big body kick by Jardine.  Right hand lands for Jardine, and Liddell has no answer.  Leg kick and a left by Jardine.  Another big left hook by Keith.  Superman punch by Jardine.  Liddell looks to finish strong in the last 30 seconds, but Jardine continues to pepper him.  Right hand by Jardine and more leg kicks.  The last round ends, and I have Jardine taking it.  Liddell throws up his arms, and the crowd boos. 

RESULT:  Keith Jardine by Split Decision.  Marcos Rosales comes in with another ridiculous score of 29-28 for Liddell. 

STAR RATING:  (***+)  Not a classic, but it’s got to get points for the upset.  Jardine stepped up big and took the win.  I’m just sayin’, I called this one.  So I guess I can pick against Couture’s picks, but just not very often.

RAMIFICATIONS:  Obviously Jardine takes a huge leap up the ladder as well, felling yet another top ten light heavyweight fighter.  I wonder if they’ll go ahead and make the Silva-Liddell fight anyway, because it needs to happen, and Liddell wasn’t knocked out or anything.  I hope so.  The big question now has to be who gets the next title shot.  You almost wonder if we’ll see Jardine-Griffin II to see who gets it.  And does Houston Alexander fit in somewhere?  We should learn a lot over the next few months. 

Overall, I’d say this was a great event.  It’s one of the few times you can have an event where almost every fight goes the distance, but it was still tremendously enjoyable.  I’m looking forward to seeing the prelims, which by all accounts were pretty good.  Stay tuned for more this week.  I’ll be working on a lay of the land for the LHW’s, which just got a lot more difficult.

To contact me, Shawn Ennis, shoot me an email at ennistorch@sbcglobal.net or visit my zone on the forums.