RECOMMENDATION:  Check out this section at the end of the event to see my final thoughts on the show and whether it's worth the replay.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *

Alright, I'm a little late getting here, and I just fired up the DVR.  Am I the only one getting the Spanish broadcast in my left speaker?  What's going on here, DirecTV?

Fast-forward a few minutes, and finally I have English only.  And here we go with the first fight.

FIRST FIGHT: SPENCER “THE KING” FISHER vs. FRANKIE “THE ANSWER” EDGAR

I’m just guessing here, but I’m thinking Fisher is going to get booed out of the building, despite how much fun he is to watch.  Here comes Edgar, and I’m not hearing the kind of ovation I was expecting, quite honestly.  It may be that they’re muting the crowd like they did for the Cincy show (I watched the broadcast after attending live, and it was WAY quieter, my friends).  If that’s the case, I don’t get it, because a hot crowd makes an event a lot more enjoyable.

I was expecting Fisher to get killed out here, but I’m hearing nothing.  It sounds like they’re piping the entrance music louder on the broadcast than the crowd.  If that’s a conscious decision, it is mind-numbingly stupid (even though Fisher is entering to Johnny Cash, which is awesome). 

Okay, Goldberg just mentioned that Joe Stevenson and BJ Penn will fight for the interim title in January, and said Sean Sherk is “still in the mix”.  If you’re a casual fan who doesn’t follow the sport on the Internet, you’ve got to be baffled between the Couture situation and the Sherk situation.

So anyway, I’m thinking Fisher here by decision, unless Edgar controls it with wrestling.  On the feet, though, it’s all Fisher.  And as I say this, we finally get the crowd reactions.  Edgar is loved, and Fisher is greeted with a mixed reaction.  To the fight!

ROUND ONE:  “Frankie” chants break out early as they exchange quick shots.  Edgar gets a takedown 30 seconds in, and this is where he wants to be for sure.  Edgar is in Fisher’s guard, and Edgar stands and looks to drop bombs.  Fisher is neutralizing the position, and gets back up against the fence.  Fisher lands a strike, and is taken down again.  Fisher looks to strike from the bottom, and is controlling Edgar well.  Edgar backs up and throws some elbows.  They stall a bit in this position as Edgar continues trying to land shots.  He passes to half guard, but Fisher reels him back into full guard.  Edgar lands a few shots from the guard, but nothing damaging.  Hammer fist by Edgar, and Fisher looks for a crazy-looking armbar before standing up.  Fisher looks for a  high kick and slips, and we’re back to the guard.  Edgar postures up and lands some punches to the arms of Fisher as Spencer covers up.  Edgar gets into half guard and lands some elbows.  He looks for better position as the round ends.  Edgar takes round one.

ROUND TWO:  Fisher charges out, then looks for a high knee, but Edgar catches him and takes him down.  Edgar looks to pass and moves into half guard.  Fisher puts him back into full guard and closes it.  Edgar stands up and Fisher throws an upkick, looking for distance, but Edgar charges back into side control.  Fisher looks to stand and escapes a guillotine.  He makes it back to the feet but is brought back down after stuffing only one takedown by Edgar.  Fisher’s wrestling is really hurting him right now.  Edgar gets into side control, but Fisher puts him right back into full guard.  Edgar lands punches from the top and moves to half guard, but Spencer pulls him back in as Edgar lands a stiff right to the chin.  Edgar continues to try to improve position, but Fisher is able to keep him where he wants him.  Unfortunately for Fisher, Edgar continues to rack up the points by landing punches.  Edgar gets into side control and Fisher gives up his back.  Edgar wants to capitalize, but Fisher gets him back in the guard as the second round ends.  The round goes to Edgar again.

ROUND THREE:  Fisher throws a leg kick, Edgar catches it, and guess what?  Edgar gets the takedown.  Fisher looks to escape by giving up his back, but Edgar is able to get the hooks in.  Fisher escapes and they get to the feet.  Edgar gets another takedown, however, and we’re back on the ground.  They work back to the feet against the fence, and Fisher looks for knees.  Fisher looks for strikes, but is taken down again.  Edgar does what he’s been doing—staying busy, but he’s unable to do any real damage.  Fisher looks for a triangle, but Edgar escapes and looks for his back.  Fisher pulls him back into the guard and we’re back where we were.  Edgar moves into side control and lands some strikes as the final round ends, and Edgar takes your final round.

WINNER:  Edgar by unanimous decision

STAR RATING: (**)  Not as boring as it could have been considering the description, but not exactly fireworks either.  Edgar got the takedowns at will, but Fisher defended well despite the relentless pace set by Edgar.

RAMIFICATIONS:  Edgar takes a big step forward with this win.  Fisher is a tough guy, but had nothing for Edgar’s wrestling.  I thought perhaps that Fisher would be able to work some submissions from the bottom, but it didn’t work out that way.  Very impressive performance by Edgar.  Fisher is really going to have to polish his takedown defense if he wants to get any further in the lightweight division.  The weight class is full of good wrestlers.

We get previews and ads as I try to get caught up, so I’m not really listening as I fast forward.  Do I need to complain about ads on a show I’m paying for?  Would it do any good anyway?  Alright.

SECOND FIGHT:  ED “SHORT FUSE” HERMAN vs. JOE “EL DIRTE” DOERKSEN

Doerksen (who will be henceforth referred to as “Joe” so as to save my fingers from having to memorize that last name) holds a win over Ed Herman from a fight three years ago, and was most recently trounced by WEC champ Paulo Filho, who should be in the UFC.  I’m just sayin.

Both guys enter to little reaction (or so it sounds), and I’m reminded that I would rather have seen the Alves-Lytle fight on the main card than this one, since Dave Terrell pulled out.

ROUND ONE:  Herman misses a jab, and Joe throws a body kick, followed by a nice punching combo.  Herman stops a takedown and a throw by Joe, and works Joe to the ground with a trip.  Herman is in the guard and looks to pass, but Joe defends.  They work their way back to the feet, and they clinch against the fence until they’re separated.  Big right hook by Herman and a standing elbow land, and Herman sprawls beautifully to avoid a takedown by Joe.  Herman is able to get top position and Joe is cut.  Herman continues with elbows inside the guard, and Joe is able to get back to the feet, albeit only briefly.  Herman falls into side control, but Joe is able to pull him into the full guard.  An awkward silence ensues as Rogan and Goldberg discuss UFC on Demand after mentioning an unnamed preliminary bout that was stopped due to cuts.  Herman continues to grind Joe against the fence, landing elbows as the round ends.  Round one goes to Herman, but Joe’s not hurt outside being cut.

ROUND TWO:  Joe hits an inside leg kick, and Herman comes forward with a flurry.  They clinch, and Herman gets the trip takedown.  Herman lands punches from the guard as he postures up.  Herman moves to half guard and lands a knee to the body, and the ref stands them up (although that wasn’t really needed).  They feel each other out with strikes, and Herman looks for some knees from the inside.  Herman looks for a trip as he did before, but Joe is able to reverse position and get Herman’s back.  Herman weathers, but Joe pulls him into position for a rear naked choke.  He doesn’t secure a body triangle, however, and Herman is able to reverse position and take Joe’s back.  During the transition, Joe grabs a leg and almost sinks in a kneebar, but Herman escapes.  Herman still has the top position from behind Joe, and he’s able to land some strikes.  He looks for knees to the body, and Joe rolls and gets Herman into half guard.  Herman lands strikes, and Joe locks a tight armbar triangle out of nowhere.  If there were more time in the round, the fight would be over.  Unfortunately for Joe, however, the round ends.  If there ever was a round to call a draw, that’s it.  I call it a draw.

ROUND THREE:  They feel each other out to start, and Herman lands a huge left hook to Joe’s chin, putting him on his back and ending the fight.

RESULT:  Herman by KO at 0:39 of round 3.

STAR RATING:  (***-)  Good, close fight with a nice decisive finish. 

RAMIFICATIONS:  Doerksen was brought in as a replacement, and is a journeyman in general, so he has as good a chance of being back in the Octagon as not.  Herman picks up a big win after some lackluster performances

We get a preview of an upcoming episode of Law & Order SVU (featuring Forrest Griffin), and the sound is WAY out of sync with the video.  It’s almost comical. 

THIRD FIGHT: KARO “THE HEAT” PARISYAN vs. RYO “THE PIRANHA” CHONAN

I’m looking forward to this one, and I’m thrilled that they showed my favorite submission ever, with Chonan’s flying scissor heel hook over Anderson Silva.  They mentioned a couple of times how Karo has been boned over in his quest for a title shot.  If he doesn’t get one soon, he’s got every right to be royally pissed.  In fact, he should be next in line, simply because of how quiet he’s been about said boning when he could have complained loudly.

Karo enters the Octagon to the strains of “Bad to the Bone”, by Delaware native George Thorogood.  Awesome.  And he’s accompanied by none other than the Heavyweight Champion, Randy Couture.  Also Shawn Tompkins, but mostly Couture. 

ROUND ONE:  Chonan comes out with leg kicks, and Karo catches another leg kick, then lands a big left hook and takes Chonan down.  Very impressive.  He then moves into half guard, where they exchange punches.  Karo lands a right to the body and the head, and Chonan brings him into full guard.  Elbow lands for Karo.  The action stalls a bit, and they stand up.  Karo lands a left hand, and takes a kick to the body.  Uppercut misses for Chonan and Karo lands a punch, then lifts Chonan and slams him.  He postures up and lands some punches, then Chonan stands and they clinch.  They separate, and Karo lands a jab, ducking a counter by Chonan.  Nice kick by Parisyan, and he catches Chonan’s leg kick and jumps into his guard.  Karo pours on the pressure from inside the guard with punches and elbows.  They work to the feet and clinch. Karo looks for the hip toss as the round ends.  The round goes to Karo.

ROUND TWO:Leg kick lands for Karo, and he lands a hook, then shoots for a takedown, but lets it go.  Left jab lands for Karo, and chonan lands a leg kick.  They clinch, and Karo separates.  Chonan looks for a big right hand, but he wraps it around Karo’s neck.  Chonan throws a kick to the body, but Karo ducks into it and catches it.  That stung, though.  Karo grabs a hold of Chonan, and he landsa  standing elbow and separates as Chonan lands a punch.  Jab by karo.  Combo misses for Chonan, and Karo wings a jab.  More strikes go sailing for both fighters, and Karo grabs another kick and flips Chonan onto his back.  Karo goes to work from the guard, landing some elbows.  They stand, and Chonan grabs a leg.  Karo gets a far side standing kimura, but lets it go.  He loves that position when someone grabs a single leg.  Chonan throws a knee, and Karo catches it and trips him.  He lands some elbows from the half guard.  Body shot by Karo, and more punches land for Karo as the round ends.  Round two goes to Parisyan, but he’s frustrated and wants to finish the fight.

ROUND THREE:  Karo comes out and lands an inside leg kick but catches Chonan in the marbles.  It must not have been too bad, though, because Chonan recovers quickly and the action resumes.  They clinch against the fence, and the crowd gets restless.  Front kick lands for Karo.  Big left hand for Karo, and Chonan lands a combo.  They clinch on the fence, and Karo gets the trip.  He lands elbows from the half guard.  Karo gets the mount, but Chonan sweeps and gets into Karo’s guard.  Karo scrambles and they get back to the feet.  Knee to the body by Chonan.  They exchange jabs.  They jockey for wrist control, and Chonan lands a knee and misses a spinning backfist.  Karo lands a nice right cross, and Chonan whiffs an uppercut.  Karo lands a backfist, but not flush.  Karo looks for the trip, but misses it, and he throws an elbow.  Standing combo by Karo, and Chonan misses a right hand.  They exchange shots at the end of the third, but nothing spectacular, and the round goes to Karo again. 

RESULT:  Parisyan by unanimous decision

STAR RATING:  (**)  Disappointingly pedestrian, considering what this could have been, but even Karo Parisyan can’t have the fight of the night every time.

RAMIFICATIONS:  Parisyan needs to be on the short list of title contenders, and he should have gotten a shot before Matt Hughes.  But such is the UFC marketing machine.  Chonan weathered well and he does belong in the UFC, so it’ll be interesting to see whom he fights next. 

FOURTH FIGHT:  HOUSTON “THE ASSASSIN” ALEXANDER vs. THIAGO SILVA

No way this one is boring.  I just don’t see it.  We’re getting full entrances for this fight, which is interesting.  Two guys about to fight for the third time in the UFC, and they’re the co-main event.  This is a weird card.  I’ve got Silva winning this one, for the record, but this is one of those fights that’s almost impossible to predict because it could be a slugfest from the beginning, and you never know when those ones will end.  Also, Houston Alexander is entering to the strains of “Bawitdaba”, by Kid Rock, which is fantastic.  Alexander is an intriguing guy for sure.

ROUND ONE:  Alexander comes out and walks Silva down, and he grabs a hold of him.  Knees in the clinch by both men.  The ref separates them, and Silva lands a big left hand.  Leg kick lands for Silva.  Alexander looks to close the gap, and Silva throws a front kick, which Alexander catches.  Knee to the body by Silva, and Alexander gets a big takedown.  Silva stands right back up and grabs a leg, taking Alexander down.  Silva is I the half guard, but quickly transitions to mount.  Alexander covers up and Silva throws an elbow.  Alexander grabs a hold of Silva nd tries to bring him close, but Silva throws some big shots, including a double hammer fist.  Silva starts dropping bombs to the head of Alexander, and the fight is stopped.  It’s hard to tell if that was an early stoppage on first glance.   -    Okay, on second glance, that was not an early stoppage.  Alexander had his arms extended, defending the punches, and then he went out for a second with his arms still straight.  Good job by the ref.

RESULT:  Silva by TKO at 3:25 of round one.

STAR RATING:  (**+)  Dominating performance by Silva as he took out the juggernaut. 

RAMIFICATIONS:  Neither guy is going anywhere.  Alexander is still tough, and can be used as a gatekeeper in the light heavyweight division.  Not to mention the guy has a great story.  Silva is nasty, and he’ll get a good hard look to start moving up the ranks.  I’d like to see him fight the winner of the main event, quite honestly.

FIFTH FIGHT:  MICHAEL “THE COUNT” BISPING vs. RASHAD “SUGAR” EVANS

We get a commercial for TUF for some reason, and then we get way too much analysis into a fight that is pretty meaningless, regardless of what Dana White says.  And now we get some insight into the title of the event:  Validation.  Seriously?  We get all this instead of seeing some prelims?  Come on.

ROUND ONE:  Evans peppers Bisping to start out, and shoots in for a takedown.  Bisping stuffs it well.  Evans is relentless, however, and Evans gets hi to the mat.  Bisping looks to stand back up, and does so.  We get “USA” chants, which is annoying, but whatever.  They clinch agains the fence for a  while, and they’re separated.  Evans comes in with a flurry, and they’re against the fence again.  Inside knees by Bisping.  Evans throws some haymakers but misses.  Bisping tries a kick, which is caught by Evans, and Evans takes him down.  He passes guard into side control.  Bisping powers up and escapes nicely, working his way back to the feet.  Nice work by Bisping.  Bisping grabs a Thai clinch, but can’t pull it down, and lands an uppercut.  Standing elbow by Evans, and he takes the Brit down.  Short elbow by Rashad.  Bisping continues to look to roll out from under Evans, and Evans lands in the full guard as the round ends.  Round one goes to Evans, but Bisping looked good in defending.

ROUND THREE:  Evans throws a hook to start out.  Bisping answers with some snapping jabs.  Evans grabs a takedown, but he has to work for it.  Evans looks to punish Bisping on the ground, but Bisping looks to get against the cage in order to stand up.  He gets leverage on Rashad and turns around the takedown.  He gets Evans’ back and looks to take him down, but Evans shakes him off.  Clinch against the fence, and Bisping lands an elbow.  Big left hook for Bisping, and Evans misses a haymaker.  Evans lands a right cross, and then takes Bisping down again, and the pendulum swings back to Evans for the round.  Bisping is able to stand back up, and lands a knee.  Body kick by Bisping, but he’s not pushing the pace enough.  Evans lands a right hand.  Evans can’t get a takedown, and not having knees to the head saves him from being knocked out.  They stand, and punches are exchanged.  Knee to the body by Bisping.  Evans gets a takedown at the end, and that probably seals the round for him, though it was close.  Dana White comes in and congratulates both fighters on a great fight, but it really would have been a better fight if it wasn’t the main event of a PPV.  Honestly, that took a lot of the wind out of the sails for me.  This would have been a really good UFC Fight Night main event.

RESULT:  Evans by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)

STAR RATING:  (**+)  It was fine.  If it wasn’t a main event, it would have been better. 

RAMIFICATIONS:  I think Jason Lambert is better than Bisping, and Evans beat him a few fights back, so I don’t think this means much for either guy.  In fact, I’d like to see Lambert fight Bisping to see if I’m right.  Did I mention that the crowd has absolutely no juice right now?  Because they’ve been dead almost all night.  I think the fights (outside of the fact that there was a throwaway main event) looked a lot better on paper than they turned out to be, and you can’t really fault the UFC for that.  Every now and then you’re going to have a card that looks better than it is.

SIXTH FIGHT:  JOE “J-LAU” LAUZON vs. JASON REINHARDT (Prelim)

I think Lauzon takes this one pretty easily, and that’s because he’s a large lightweight and Reinhardt is a natural Bantamweight (135 lbs).  My next prediction is that Reinhardt makes his way to the WEC.

ROUND ONE:  Both men come out with some frenetic striking to start out, and Lauzon lands some big knees.  They clinch against the fence and they both go to their knees before Lauzon pressures Reinhardt to the ground.  Reinhardt attempts to scramble out, but Lauzon takes his back and gets a textbook rear naked choke to end the fight.  Very nice, but too easy.

RESULT:  Lauzon by submission at 1:14 of round one.

STAR RATING: (*+)  Fun while it lasted, but Reinhardt was way overmatched here.