UFC 92:
Forrest Griffin vs. Rashad Evans

Update: Click here for the UFC 92 Fight Results

On December 27th, Forrest Griffin’s first title defense against Evans has bumped the original headliner main event, Mir vs. Nogueira. But still, after watching what will hopefully be an entertaining season of The Ultimate Fighter we get to see the two coaches battle it out for the interim heavyweight title. Plus, Rampage gets a chance for revenge against Wanderlei Silva, the man who beat him twice in PRIDE. This is a stacked deck!

Main Card Bouts:
Forrest Griffin vs. Rashad Evans
This is the first time that two Ultimate Fighter winners have provided a legitimate PPV main event. Forrest has tons of fans ever since he won the first season a few years ago. However he’s only just recently garnered the respect of hardcore MMA fans with his wins over Shogun and Rampage. Not that will stop him from being a self-deprecating underdog! Luckily for him his opponent is coming in with tons of momentum. Rashad may not be the clear-cut favorite here but he is coming off a big KO over Chuck Liddell. Forrest had to grind out a very tough decision over the man immune from lawsuits (“Rampage” Jackson). I had previously doubted both of these men in their last fights. But they can’t both be favorites here.

Forrest has developed a very disciplined fighting style that allows him to beat opponents with more impressive resumes. Rashad demonstrated a flashier knockout-friendly style and defeated the man thought to be a much better striker. Forrest has a decided reach and height advantage that he can exploit. However Forrest has been knocked out by Rashad’s teammate, Keith Jardine. On the other hand, Rashad has had fights where he hasn’t lived up to his potential. Is this sounding like I’m sitting on the fence? If forced to pick a winner, go with the guy trained by Randy Couture. Forrest will be keen to put on a good show after seeing his mentor fall in combat to the gargantuan Brock Lesnar. Couture’s days as champion might be over but Forrest Griffin’s are just beginning…I think.

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Frank Mir
Those who got upset watching “The Next Big Thing” win the “Real” Heavyweight Title will be very interested in this match. Brock Lesnar may lose yet! This fight was booked before the return of Randy Couture, when Antonio Rodrigo Nogueria’s title was the only one acknowledged by the UFC. Things have changed quite a bit since then. After watching the mixed bag of bodily fluids that was the Ultimate Fighter Season 8 the coaches go to war. Frank Mir should request the fight be changed to a Call of Duty death match but of course he’s “one hundred times” the athlete that Nogueira is so that may not be fair. Now Frank Mir can gladly put aside the coaching and soccer matches and go back to what he does best: hoping to God he pulls off a submission. Unfortunately for him he’s facing another grappling wizard. We’re going to find out just how good Frank’s overall MMA game is.

Big Nog doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses. He’s also got a face made of silly putty, though Frank can take a good beating himself. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira has better stand-up but he’s not known for being a finisher on the feet. The old cliché “the winner will be whoever wants it more” is quite apt here. Frank Mir was entertaining to watch the past few months but also a little too brash. Nogueira on the other hand could run for office and make Obama look like a heel. For that reason, I pick Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira to retain the belt. I can’t pick against a winning smile like his.

C.B. Dollaway vs. Mike Massenzio
CB Dollaway, in contrast to Nogueria, has a smile that you want to see get wiped off his face. Mike Massenzio is a relative unknown but he’ll get some cheers if he wins this fight. I get the sense that this is merely a test for the better-known fighter. The UFC has a habit of putting new comers in against fighters they want to succeed. CB Dollaway will win this fight if he can bring the same level of aggression that he showcased on the Ultimate Fighter 7. CB Dollaway is now a more seasoned fighter than he was on the show. So, I must finally hang-up that handshake joke much like I tearfully said goodbye to my Sarah Palin references. In the spirit of giving him the benefit of the doubt I pick CB to win against the UFC newcomer. As a side note, I wish Mike Massenzio the best of luck in scoring the upset.

Wanderlei Silva vs. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson
Some of you may not know that Mr. Jackson was involved in a silly little incident on the highway some months ago. It may have involved injuries and a pregnant woman losing her baby. Don’t remember it? Don’t worry, it may as well never have happened. The man’s good enough in the UFC’s eyes to put on the main card of a PPV and that’s all you need to know. I’m still bitter about seeing this man on television so soon after the afore-mentioned imaginary incident. I whole-heartedly wish to see Wanderlei Silva smash him like he did in their last two fights in PRIDE. Thankfully this is the UFC, where they encourage us fans to think violent thoughts. Their marketing of Quinton “Rampage” Jackson might be more clever than they realize. Nonetheless he still has tons of talent and fans howling to see him back in the octagon. Wanderlei Silva himself is known for his ruthless head-hunting fighting style that has garnered him his own legion of fans. In the past, these two have expressed their mutual disregard for each other. This will be an emotionally charged fight. Heads are going to fly. For the love of God don’t miss this event!

Cheick Kongo vs. Mustapha Al-Turk
Cheick Kongo’s claim to fame is his decision victory over Mirko Crocop. However he hasn’t become a title contender because of his subsequent loss to Brock's favorite riding horse - Heath Herring. It remains to be seen if he can ever become a true heavyweight contender. At this point he’s content to beat up on UFC newcomers. That’s a shame because he’s not going to get any better unless he takes on stiffer competition.

Mustapha Al-Turk looks to prove to everyone that he’s not just a stepping-stone for Cheick Kongo. He’s hasn’t showed up on the mainstream radar until now. The UFC must have a lot of confidence in him if they feel he can give Kongo a run for his money.

While Mustapha Al-Turk’s strengths have yet to be displayed, Cheick Kongo’s are quite apparent. He has great striking. His tentativeness is something that Al-Turk should try to exploit. It will be very difficult for him because Kongo is great at avoiding damage. Although, Heath Herring did manage to catch him off-guard early in their fight. Kongo has improved since then (new training at the Wolf’s Lair) and will be very tough to beat now. He should have the tools needed to avoid an upset by the rookie. If he does win then UFC should upgrade him for opening match duties to a semi-main event.

Preliminary Bouts:
Yushin Okami vs. Dean Lister
Antoni Hardonk vs. Mark Burch
Matt Hamill vs. Reese Andy
Ryo Chonan vs. Brad Blackburn
Dan Evensen vs. Pat Barry

So, you should perhaps, I don’t know…watch this show if you’ve got nothing else to do. It’s a bunch of nobodies fighting for peanuts but that’s what you get with a fledging promotion. I’m sure the next show will have a main event worth promoting.

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