UFC 82

The night of the Middleweights. They all had a story. The best story was in the Chris Leben/Alessio Sakara bout, which was a major slugfest--you're just waiting for one of these punches to connect to see who the winner will be. The big news--Leben finally stopped dying his hair stupid colors. He also, apparently, went through a life/training change--cleaned up on his drinking and eating and seems to be getting his head on straight. Did anyone see him in season 1 of The Ultimate Fighter? You alternately hated him and felt sorry for him. With his TKO (referee stoppage) of Sakara last night and his natural hair color, I'm starting to look forward to his next fight...

The other Middleweight story could have been a tear-filled comeback story. Evan Tanner coming back into the ring two years after purging some alcholic devil inside. Unfortunately, he had to fight Yushin Okami who had too many sweet punches, kicks, and that final knee that KO'd Tanner and his great comeback story, which I, underdog-rooter that I am, was hoping for. Buzz is that Okami may be next in line for Anderson Silva...

The Welterweight fight between Jon Fitch and Chris Wilson--Jon Fitch continued his undefeated record in UFC fights with a unanimous decision. What I wouldn't give for him to stop with that stupid "grr! face" he makes to the camera. I do have to say that Wilson was technically amazing with his defense--he avoided takedowns and chokes like he was reading Fitch's mind. Unfortunately his offense wasn't nearly on par with his defense, save for that last triangle which was too little, too late.

And finally, the surprise of the night--Heath Herring winning (by split decision) over Cheick Kongo. Herring had the best entrance music (Ennio Morricone's The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly theme) and the worst hair (semi-mohawk with stars stencil-shaved into the sides). Herring was expecting a slugfest but was surprised by Kongo's ground game. Both managed to have some ooo and aah moments but Herring eked out a split decision win.

The title fight between Anderson Silva and Dan Henderson: that fight went as expected with Silva submitting Henderson. Though a lot of us were rooting for Hendo, as he's symbolic for that toughness of age and experience and frankly, he's great. The predictions were even-keeled though I'm sure it would have been bigger news if Henderson won that fight.

Also Paul thought Dan Henderson had the best entrance music with Red Rider's Lunatic Fringe from...anybody? anybody? VisionQuest. Oh yes, that gem of a wrestling movie with Matthew Modine and Linda Fiorentino as the girl from Trenton, NJ. Trenton's in the house!