Anderson Silva vs Dan Henderson Fight Review UFC 82

I thought this would be a good match up. Henderson was definitely Silva's best challenger. He definitely does better against the bigger fighters I am kind of surprised to see that he moved down to fight Anderson Silva. Apparently, this was the only way he would move down. Dana White was urging Henderson to make the move.

Round one heavily favored Dan Henderson he got Silva in side control and he was doing really well. I thought Silva had met his match. Silva then came out in round two and proved me wrong.

In round two Henderson caught Silva with a knee and Silva came right back with one of his own. Henderson almost went down right there. It was enough to damage Henderson and Silva went to work on the ground. Henderson had to have been really dazed. It was like he didn't know what Silva was doing. It was obvious to everyone else. Silva caught Henderson with a rear naked choke and finished Henderson right before the bell in round two.

Nobody, knows he will be Silva's next big challenge. It certainly doesn't appear that there is one on the horizon. I disagree, I think if Yushi Okami can withstand the initial onslaught of Anderson Silva he will present a good challenge. I really view Okami as a championship round fighter. For some reason it just takes him a while to get going and I think with more rounds he would have beat Rick Franklin.

The last word is that Henderson has had to fight two champions. I definitely think Henderson will fight in more chapionship bouts, but Dana is going to have to throw him a chump. Henderson might need a confidence booster after these last two losses.

Josh Koscheck vs Dustin Hazelett Fight Review UFC 82

Dustin wants to let you know that he is not Jon Fitch and stop asking him. At least that is what his t-shirt said I thought it was hilarious.

This one started off as a brawl. These guys came out of the fence swinging. Hazelett caught Koscheck in a standing guillotine but Koscheck was able to pull him off and Hazelett wisely gave up the submission attempt. Another highlight was Koscheck mowing through Hazelett and somehow Hazelett went right into a triangle choke. His Jujitsu is definitely solid.

Shortly into Round 2 Koscheck caught Hazelett with a kick and immediately pounced on Hazelett delivering a few shots on the ground. Kosckeck was definitely revved up and the ref had to move in quick to pull him off of Hazelett. Koscheck has come a long way fro the Ultimate Fighter and I don't see him doing anything but moving up. He is definitely a strong contender.

Cheick Kongo vs Heith Herring Fight Review UFC 82

Herring got this one started of with a big punch that definitely caught Cheick Kongo off guard. Surprisingly after that Kongo took Herring to the ground twice. Herring also suffered a cut some where while they were skirmishing along the fence. Kongo definitely delivered some good blows in round one and I had Kongo winning the first round.

The second round was kind of strange as well Kongo took Herring to the ground hard. I definitely wasn't expecting to see Kongo go to the ground at all. Kongo was caught buy one of Herrings upkicks and decided to toy with Herring on the ground a bit invoking a few boos from the crowd. Mid way through the round Kongo found himself on his back and Herring literally spent the rest of the round taking knees to the ribs and shoulders.

Round 3 again started off with some big shots coming from Kongo. Kongo went for a porr submission attempt and then before you knew it he was on his back again. The rest of the round was a replay of round two at two minutes fifteen seconds into the round Cheick was getting his ribs eaten up. Kongo is currently putting out a red stream into the urinal. Nobody should take that mean knees to the ribs.

This fight shows a gaping hole in Kongo's game. Kongo had Herring's back and gave it up to stand. Then he missed an easy submission when he had Henderson's back. Fighters are not going to be afraid to give up their back to avoid any ground impound being given by Kongo. They have an easy way out. In addition, Kongo is like a turtle on his back. He simply has no way out once he is pinned. Kongo appears to be naturally athletic and I believe he will fix these flaws in his game.

I scored this for Tanner as did two of the judges. Cecil Peoples called it for Kongo. Again, causing me to hope he has that stroke.

Alessio Sakara vs Chris Leben Fight Review UFC 82

It always amazes me how Leben just walks into punches this is pretty much how he began the fight. Guys really take it to him and Chris Leben just stands there and throws hay makers. One of these days he is going to come up with some real brain damage. I don't think you won't your M.O. to be that you can take a punch to the head. Well that apparently doesn't bother Leben. Maybe Leben will talk to Matt Hughes and get straightened out.

Well basically my view of what Matt Leben does is that he makes himself and easy target. Draws fighters in and just delivers a real punch instead of a haymaker that allows him to move in for the kill. He always cripples his opponent with a sharp shot and then delivers those monster shots.

Well that is basically how Sakara's fight with Leben. He was punishing Leben and even drew blood. Leben appeared to be slowing down and the next thing you know Sakara goes down. There was a bit of controversy but the ref definitely made the right call. Sakara was done.

Evan Tanner vs Yushin Okami Fight Review UFC 82

This was one of the slower fights. The first round was still good. It was also almost really short. Okami came right out and jacked Tanner with a straight left and ended the fight in a hurry. Fortunately Tanner recovered and didn't become a ten second knock out. The rest of the round was a bit slow.

Round 2 was real slow. They were standing for most of it and were pinning each other against the fist. Okami kept getting Tanner in that Muay Thai clinch and delivering a few knees. Then the fight ended in a hurry. Okami delivered a crushing knee right into Tanner's chin. He went down and Okami delivered one more blow for good measure before the ref jumped in. Fortunately that last punch just skimmed Tanner's head. I don't like seeing guys get beat on when they are out.

I really think Silva's next test should be Okami. For some reason I think he will bring something to the table that Okami's other opponents haven't. It always takes Okami awhile to get started and I think he would do better in fights with championship rounds. Hopefully, we'll find out.