Total Pro Sports – WEC:42 was yet another great card put on by Zuffa, showcasing their lighter weight-classes. Headlining the card was consensus top 5 pound for pound fighter (GSP is still the Pound For Pond King), Miguel Torres facing off against an impressive up and comer by the name of Brian Bowles in a bantamweight title fight. Coming into this fight Torres was considered by many to be the cream of the crop in the 135 pound division, so much so that talks of a move up in weight to entertain super-fights with Urijah Faber and Mike Brown were being suggested.

It seems no one told Brian Bowles about this as the scrappy wrestler came out in stunning fashion to earn the winner over the heavily favoured Torres. About half way into the first round Bowles scores with a take down and is able to do some damage from the top. The fight is eventually stood up and after Torres catches Bowles with a  crisp one, two combo. Bowles back peddles in retreat but manages to catch Torres and then the rest is just classic ground and pound. Reminds me how Anderson Silva caught Forrest Griffin for the KO during UFC 101.

This ended an absolute terror of a streak put on by Torres, not having lost in well over 5 years. Bowles is also the first fighter to ever KO or TKO Torres, and it really marks the first time that Torres has ever really been in trouble in the WEC during any fight.

Bowles is no pushover in his own right having finished all his fights in the WEC, and was the consensus number 2 bantamweight in the world heading into the fight. But you can’t understate just how much of an underdog he was, because of how good Torres looks amongst his peers. Miguel Torres will be back, and given his unbelievable run it isn’t out of the question for him to get an immediate rematch.

Want to see more crazy knock Outs?

• A Crazy Head Kick

• Unreal Capoeira Kick

• A Vicious Knee KO

• A Flying Knee KO

The much anticipated fight that many thought would provide Silva with his toughest test yet turned out to be the complete opposite.  “The Spider” used the first minute to feel Forrest out, then took over the fight, landing a couple of significant shots.  Seemingly playing with Griffin, Silva connected with his shots while dodging anything that came his way.  It would eventually become too much for Forrest and after getting clipped in the face with a jab which knocked him to the ground, he would wave his arms signaling the end of his night.

Joe Rogan would go on to say “I love Forrest Griffin, but this is one of the most embarrassing knockouts I think we’ve ever seen.”  Forrest may have felt the same way as he exited the ring immidiately after and ran for teh dressing room.  It may not be a Yahir Reyes spinning backfist, a Marcus Aurelio Capoeira kick, or even a Dan Henderson overhand right, but I guess even Silva’s jabs have incredible knockout power.

This fight helped further illustrate why Silva should be considered the best pound for pound fighter in MMA.  So who is next?  It may be hard for find fights for Anderson should he continue to run right through his opponents like this.  I can help but imagine the prospects of a Silva vs. Geroges St.Pierre battle.  It may be far fetched, but if Rocky Balboa can come back and fight, than I guess anything is possible.

Anderson Silva’s Celebration After Knockout

B.J. Penn vs. Ken Florian - Lightweight Championship Bout

Florian got his shot at the belt before and failed, but he will not want to let that opportunity slip away again.  Ken is a different fighter this time around and he will want to prove that against Penn, who is widely considered the best lightweight fighter around.

Result: Florian by 4th round TKO

Anderson Silva vs. Forest Griffin

In this co-main event, Silva will test his strength in a higher weight class as he looks for some more competition.  Griffin will give him a tough battle and it may take more than one of those devastating strikes to keep him down.  He will also have to watch out for Forest’s submissions

Result: Silva by 2nd round KO

Johnny Hendricks vs. Amir Sadollah

Since winning The Ultimate Fighter Season 7, Sadollah has been plagued with ionjuries.  He will finally be given the opportunity to step into the octagon for the first time under contract with the UFC.  He will be ready to go, but the rust may be too much for him against Hendricks.

Result: Hendricks by 2nd round TKO

Kendall Grove Vs. Ricardo Almeida

Result: Grove by split decision.

Josh Neer vs. Kurt Pellegrino

Result: Pellegrino by unanimous decision.

Let’s take a look at the match-ups.

UFC 92 – Light Heavyweight Championship Bout

Forrest Griffin (16–4-0) vs. Rashad Evans (12–0–1)

Who saw this one coming? Didn’t think so. Dana White’s marketing dream. The winner of the first ultimate fighter, pegged against the winner of the second edition. After a stunning string of wins against Mauricio Shogun Rua and Quinton Rampage Jackson, Forrest Griffin is sitting on top of the MMA world. Crowned champion in arguably the UFC’s most stacked division, and being unanimously ranked as the number 1 light heavyweight in world, Griffin is well on his way to super stardom. Rashad Evans shocked the world at UFC 88, knocking out the most recognizable figure in UFC history, Chuck Lidell. Primarily known as a wrestler early on in his career, Evans has evolved under the tutelage of Greg Jackson in New Mexico, to become a fighter with a strong wrestling base with explosive power in both hands.

When looking at this fight strictly based on styles the advantage has to go to Griffin. Entering the octagon on fight day, Griffin weighs in at about 230 lbs and towers over Evans with his 6’3 frame. This size difference will make it hard for Evans’ to get inside and deliver that knockout blow. With his obvious reach and size advantage, along with his experience of going five rounds with Jackson.

I’ll take Griffin via unanimous decision.

UFC 92 – Interim Heavyweight Championship Bout

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (31–4-1) vs. Frank Mir (11–3-0)

I know this is MMA, and anything can happen, but let’s just say Mir has no chance. Nogueira, the heavily decorated Brazilian, known for his granite chin, boxing prowess, and arguably the best submission artist heavyweight history, should walk right through Mir. Nogueria’s only losses in the last 5 years have come at the hands of Fedor Emalienko, and Josh Barnett. Both world class fighters that possess tools that Frank Mir clearly does not have. I guess that’s enough Mir bashing.

I’ll take Nogueira by 2nd Round (T)KO.

UFC 92 – Light Heavyweight Bout

Quinton Jackson (28 – 7 – 0) vs. Wanderlei Silva (32 – 8 – 1)

Arguably the most intriguing fight on the card, Jackson vs. Silva III should deliver the goods. When a wrestler with the strength and striking of Jackson climbs in a cage with the relentless stalking of an Axe Murderer, your in for a treat. With two decisive TKO wins over Jackson, Silva should come into this fight as a clear favorite. Jackson has shown with the previous two fights that he is unable to defend the Muay Thai clinch of Silva, and in turn spends a few minutes eating knees until he crumbles to the mat. This fight is different then there previous two meetings as Silva is 1-3 in his previous three fights, while Jackson has just surrendered the UFC championship to Forrest Griffin. The winner of this fight should climb right back into title contention.

I believe Jackson will have no answer for Silva’s clinch, so I’ll take Silva via TKO in round 3.


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