Well another UFC has come and gone… UFC 77 won’t be remembered for any shocking upsets nor any seat of your pants wars, but it may be the event where Anderson Silva served notice (If he hadn’t already) that his reign over the UFC middleweight division will be long and spectacular.

Now keep reading for my breakdown of the event, an accounting of my picks, and a short rant or two!

Tim Sylvia vs. Brandon Vera

This fight was the “anti-seat of your pants” how it began set the pace for the entire bout, (Vera charging out… no not to kick or punch, but to clinch) while Vera may have initiated the clinch, the big man Tim Sylvia was more than willing to oblige pushing his smaller opponent to the cage and holding him there for the bulk of the round. Both fighters got off some knees & elbows but nothing noteworthy.

The second round was much the same, though we did get a little more trading outside the clinch and a take down by Vera in which he got in a few knees to the ribs but mostly Tim was able to neutralize Vera on the ground and stall for a stand up, when that fails to materialize (despite some mighty fine acting on Sylvia’s part) Tim tried to stand up and ate an illegal knee for his trouble. After getting time to recover the fight resumes with a flurry of attacks from Vera to end the round.

The last round round was basically like the first round just interspersed with a few non-clinch exchanges in which Sylvia clearly gets the best of Vera, and a glimpse of what Tim Sylvia is truly capable of shines through as he finishes the round by peppering Vera with rapid shots, Vera can do little besides cover up.

I hope I manged to convey the dullness of the fight, I had money on Sylvia and even as it became clear that I would win my bet I couldn’t help but think what an opportunity Sylvia had missed to put on a exciting show. Clearly his striking was superior whenever they were out of the clinch (not often) but he chose to play it safe. As for Vera he has nothing to smile about, his performance was worse than Sylvia’s… nuff said.

Pre-fight Prediction:

“I expect Sylvia to win it on the feet either through a decisive decision or a late TKO.”

Fight Outcome: Unanimous Decision

Pretty accurate if I do say so myself, Sylvia might have even gotten that late TKO had he turned it on earlier in round three.

Franklin vs. Silva

I defiantly wouldn’t call this an exciting bout either, unless you find trains wrecks exciting. Silva truly made it look easy as he again dismantled Rich Franklin and added several more scenes to his highlight reel. No the fight defiantly wasn’t boring either, I just feel for a fight to be exciting both fighters must seem to be in some jeopardy at one point or another during a match and this fight was all Silva.

That said, like a train wreck it was impossible to avert your eyes as “The Spider” put on what some have described as a “Ballet of Violence”, as I said in my opening paragraph I think we’ll be seeing the “Spider” reign over the UFC middleweight division for a long time to come.

As for Rich Franklin… MMA fans/pundits really need to stop trying to retire former champs after they suffer a loss. Rich will be back to his winning ways (well after his now repeatedly broken nose heals again) he’ll probably never beat Silva, but if that’s the standard for being in the UFC middleweight division, it’s going to be a Very lonely place for “The Spider”.

Pre-fight Prediction:

“It will go longer than the first bout but Silva’s superior striking will win out in the end.”

Fight Outcome: Round Two – TKO (Strikes)

It went longer than there first match and Silva’s superior striking did indeed win it in the end.

Bonnar vs. Schafer

Schafer had a good first round as he got Bonnar on the ground and into peril as he worked for a rear-naked choke, but Bonnar defended well and was able to escape at the end of the round.

In the second round Schafer pulled Bonnar down but ended up on his back. After a little guard postion work, Bonnar postured up and ground & pounded his way to victory.

Pre-fight Prediction:

“Bonnar who trained BJJ under Carlson Gracie and who has won most of his fights via submission shouldn’t have to much trouble finishing “Ravishing Red” with a round two submission especially if he inflicts some damage on the feet first.”

Fight Outcome: Round Two – TKO (Strikes)

Well I had the correct fighter and the round but was off on the method, when I made my prediction I figured after taking abuse on the feet and some G&P on the floor Schafer would roll-over and give up his back for an easy RNC for Bonner. Schafer did start to role at the end but by that point he had take so many blows that fight was stopped.

Starnes vs. Belcher

After getting worked over with some nice Muay Thai delivered by Alan Belcher, Starnes was bloody and in big trouble, he did manage to survive the round though. As his corner worked on him during the break a huge gash was revealed but miraculously he was still aloud to continue. It was all for not though as early in the second round despite the fact that the cut was no longer bleeding badly a doctor was brought in to check it out. The doctor called it.

Pre-fight Prediction:

“Bit of a toss up fight here but I’ll go with Kalib Starnes, …taking this fight by decision, though a late submission wouldn’t surprise me either.”

Fight Outcome: Round Two – TKO (Doctor Stoppage – Cut)

WRONG… I won’t even use the stoppage as an excuse, as Starnes looked set to lose the fight by TKO. Still I can’t say I’m really surprised, I wasn’t really enthused with either fighter going into the bout but props to Belcher for some impressive stand up work.

Okami vs. MacDonald

(Not televised and I’m sure not going to pay for it at UFC.com just to see Okami reel off another decision)

Pre-fight Prediction:

“I like Yushin in this fight, he’s only been finished once in his fight career and his other three losses come by decision, all to respectable opposition. Speaking of decisions that also how I think he’ll win this fight. His G&P will be enough to hurt “The Athlete” but not to stop him ala the Franklin fight.”

Fight Outcome: Unanimous Decision

Right on the money, not that picking Okami by decision is some Amazing Kreskin like feat.

Black vs. Grice

(Not televised)

Pre-fight Prediction:

“So unless he (Black) shows up at the UFC 77 weigh-ins in costume-less holiday attire (like a skeleton again), I think he’ll keep taking this to ground and get the decision or a late submission.”

Fight Outcome: Decision

Wrong again, not about the decision, just about who would take it. Black did come close to a round 1 Kimura though but Grice was saved by the clock, he also got a triangle-choke and pounded away at Grice as round 2 closed but the referee wouldn’t stop it & Grice wouldn’t tap.

Also while Black didn’t look as bad at the weigh-ins as he did the previous time, he still didn’t look great. I think lightweight might just be to big of a cut for Black to make in a healthy fashion.

Burkman vs. Petz

(Not televised)

Pre-fight Prediction:

“I’m taking “The People’s Warrior” in this one by decision, if he’s smart he’ll look to get the fight to the ground and keep it there as long as possible. Where his wrestling will win the day.”

Fight Outcome: Decision (Split)

Burkman wins by split decision

Gurgel vs. Robinson

Pre-fight Prediction:

“I struggled with this one but I see frequently injured Jorge Gurgel (he says he healthy for this fight and hope springs eternal that he is) taking it. To escape the decision train I seem to be on I’ll say Gurgel by round two Submission. Gurgel and Robinson will trade on the feet then the fight will go to the ground where I see him subbing the “Kid” in a battle between two quality BJJ practitioners of whom I give the edge to Gurgel.”

Fight Outcome: Unanimous Decision

Good thing this isn’t baseball (three strikes and your out!), actually after watching round one, in which Jorge put on a dominate grappling display I was certain I’d be right on this one. But instead of a getting a submission in round two, Jorge got a beat down as he tried again & again for a predictable armbar. Round three was much the same as Robinson blasted away at Gurgel who did little more than attempt to swat Robinson’s strikes away & continue to try for the armbar (Jorge’s credo must be: If at first you don’t succeed try, try again.).

Maia vs. Jensen

Pre-fight Prediction:

“…I still feel he’ll take this by a round one submission so long as he doesn’t decide to trade with Jensen.”

Fight Outcome: Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Maia quickly took it to the ground and got the submission.

UFC 77 rating

Overall an OK event salvaged by the skill of Anderson Silva I give it a (C+).