Wow...this card was everything I thought it would be and more. We as MMA fans were treated to just about everything we love about this sport wrapped in to one PPV.


Junior dos Santos def. Roy Nelson via unanimous decision
I picked Roy Nelson to win this fight. He doesn't walk, talk or look like a "fighter" but he definitely showed that he is a fighter...and a great fighter at that. He took so many big shots that I lost count. The man is a warrior and if you didn't respect him prior, you have to now. Dos Santos has very fast hands for a HW in my opinion. It seems as if no one is able to see that right uppercut because of how fast he throws it and the angles he is able to throw it from. I was really impressed by both of the fighters will and determination. They were both tested like neither had been tested before and "Cigano" prevailed. I'm looking forward to watching both guys fight again.



Matt Hughes def. Ricardo Almeida via submission
Matt Hughes still has it. The man is beyond strong and he proved it again last night with his "East Illinois" choke. I don't know if he has the durability to make it back to the top but he can still take care of business. He is in the UFC HOF and still takes on some of the best his Welterweight division has to offer. I'm partial to wrestlers because as we all witnessed last night, wrestling is a huge part of MMA. Hughes is the all-time leader in victories in the UFC. He claims he wont fight again until next year. I'm hoping to see him fight in person one more time before he decides to call it quits.



Clay Guida def. Rafael Dos Anjos via submission
The Carpenter...another bad ass from my home state of Illinois defeated Dos Anjos...(not to be confused with Dos Santos) via submission. Clay's cardio is second to none as he proved again last night. Any fight Clay is in is worth watching...the dude doesn't stop. Curious to see who Joe Silva puts in front of him next. Clay is having a good year thus far with his 2-0 record in 2010.



Jon Fitch def. Thiago Alves via unanimous decision
Jon Fitch improved his record to 23-3-1 with a UD over Thiago "I have a hard time making weight" Alves. Not busting Alves' balls because dude is a monster but this is the second time he has missed weight for a big fight. Fitch on the other hand did what he always does and grinded another UD out which was his fifth in a row. Dana White wouldn't acknowledge the fact that Fitch should face the winner of GSP vs. Koscheck because of the fact that Jake Shields is in the mix now.



Anderson Silva def. Chael Sonnen via submission
First off...unlike my guy FQD1911, I don't think this was fight of the year. In my mind..a great fight is a close fight where both fighters go back and forth but the better man wins that night. This was a one sided fight in my opinion up until about 1:50 left in the fifth round. Anderson Silva proved he is the best Middleweight in the world...again. I picked Sonnen to win this fight and he did exactly what he said he was going to do up until he got caught in a triangle. There is no question that he tapped. Anderson Silva can take an ass whoopin...no question. I have to think there will be an immediate rematch for these guys just like Shogun was granted with Machida. Sonnen did his best to retire the Spider but in the end Silva showed why he gets to wear the belt. The best striker in the world pulled off a text book submission with less than two minutes left in the fifth. I couldn't help but think he was going to come up with something during the fight while watching it with a few friends. I was the only pro Sonnen guy there and things were looking good for 23 minutes plus. I can't wait for the rematch. If there is one guy that can take Silva's belt I think we all know who he is.

Once again the UFC proved why they are the best in the MMA biz. Every fight on the main card could have been a main event in any other promotion. UFC 118 is right around the corner. Make sure you hit us up prior to check out Chokewho's prediction video.

Check out Ariel Helwani's post UFC 117 interview with Dana White.

UFC 117. Is a stacked card from top to bottom. From the main event..(Silva-Sonnen) to the opening bout..(Saunders vs Hallman).

The main even features Silva vs Sonnen is a highly anticipated matchup. Can Sonnen and all his smack talk stop the spider?? What Silva will show up?? Silva that destroyed Irvin, Forrest?? Cant wait for this...
Im going to give my picks for this event and how I will see the fights ending. Again these are just my picks(predictions).

Main Event
Anderson Silva vs Chael Sonnen
Anderson Silva tko RD 2. Chael has awoke the monster. I dont think this fight will even go to the second round. But im giving Sonnen the benefit of doubt here that he may be able to get Silva to the ground in rd 1. Even if he does...Silva may submit him in round 1.

Co-main event...For a title shot at the winner of GSP vs KOS.
Jon Fitch vs Thiago Alves
Jon Fitch UD.
I was leaning toward Alves in this fight. But once it was announced winner gets a title shot, I turned to Fitch. Also worried about Alves weight and ring rust after being off for 1 year.

Clay Guida vs Rafeal dos Anjos
Possible FOTN right here!!
Guida Unanimous Dec.

Matt Hughes vs Ricardo Almeida
Almeida Sub 2RD.
How much does Hughes left in the take?? Almeida has shown great improvement.

Roy Nelson vs Junior dos Santos
Junior TKO rd 2
I lke Roy alot in this fight...But I think Junior's standup is too good. If Roy can get Junior on his back...may be a huge upset.

Hazelett vs Rick Story.
Hazelett Sub 2rd.

Phil Davis vs Rodney Wallace
Phil Davis Sub rd2
This is a tuff luck replacement for wallace. Davis is a beast and should make this look easy.

Boetsch vs Brown
Boetsch KO rd 1

Hendricks vs Brenneman
another possible FOTN.
Hendricks Unanimous Dec.

Struve vs Morecraft
Struve sub 2 rd.

Saunders vs Hallman
Saunders TKO rd 1.

These are my predictions....what are yours!!

What a great night of fights on Versus!!


First lets start off with the main event.


John "Bones" Jones vs Vladimir "The Janitor" Matyushanko


Well, what can you say here. John Jones proved that he is ready for a step up in competition as he dismantled Vladimir via first rd. tko. Jones looked very comfortable against a very seasoned vet in Matyushanko. He showed some patience and his desire to finish fights.


This win puts Jones according to Dana White, In the top 8 of the LHW division. Who and what is next for Jones?? Winner of Rampage/Machida?? Forrest Griffin?? We shall soon see.....



Next up..Mark Munoz vs Yushin Okami

Okami wins this matchup via Split Decision, Okami displayed great take down defense in this matchup. Basically stopping Munoz every attempt at a take down, Okami kept Munoz off balance with the staight left hand all evening, not letting Munoz get inside him to utilize the clinch or dirty boxing. The continued take down defense seemed to frustrate Munoz, and also took a lot of energy from Munoz as he seemed to gas in the 3rd round. This victory put Okami right back into the 185lb title picture.


Jake Ellenberger vs John Howard.
Ellenberger wins via 3rd rd. tko...doctor stoppage


This was a great fight...Both fighters came to throw bombs. Each trading off early. With Howard in my opinion getting the better of the standup the entire fight.. In the end it was the repeated takedowns and GNP from Ellenberger that was too much for Howard. Eventually closing the left eye of Howard and eventually leading to the doctor stoppage.


Takanori Gomi vs Tyson Griffin
Gomi wins via KO rd 1.
The fireball kid is back!! Griffin actually was looking good in this fight, as he stayed close to Gomi and pestered him with punches and low kicks, it was one attempted low kick that led to Tyson leaving an opening for a right hand from Gomi that put Tyson face first on the canvas. The referee immediately stepped in and stopped the fight. Tyson was not happy with this...but you can clearly see it was a good stoppage as Tyson was out.



Great night of Fights!!