Silva Unifies Titles in Columbus!
UFC Announces Lesnar-Coleman

March 1, 2008 - Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Octagonside Report: Brady Crytzer and Rob Kravantka
Photos: Ed Mulholland

One year after the Nationwide Arena witnessed Randy Couture win his third UFC heavyweight championship, fans in Columbus, Ohio saw history made before their eyes yet again as the world's first undisputed middleweight champion was crowned. Anderson "The Spider" Silva submitted Dan Henderson in the second round of their championship contest to become the first unified 185 pound champion in mixed martial arts history.

It will go down as one of the true 50/50 bouts of all time as UFC world middleweight champion Anderson Silva's redefinition of striking in mixed martial arts met head on with Dan Henderson's dominate Olympic wrestling style. Each man has used his said skillset to chisel out their respective places in the pantheon of MMA history...and they couldn't be more different.

American vs. Brazilian.
Striker vs. Wrestler.
UFC vs. Pride.

Round one of the 185 pound unification bout began with a sportsmanlike glove touch offered by Henderson which was not answered by the determine Silva. After a minute-long feeling out process, Henderson rushed forward with two right hands that did not connect answered by two Silva headkicks that did. Silva moved fluidly around the cage peppering Henderson with kicks until the Olympian went to work. Closing the distance, Henderson grasped onto his opponent and slammed him down to the mat.

In the half guard of Silva, Henderson landed hammerfists with little effect. While Silva held onto his stronger opponents, Henderson's hammerfists became more frequent and soon turned into elbows. With referee Herb Dean looking closely, Henderson's sole mission was to stay busy. In a flash Henderson switch to side control and was reversed by Silva. With Henderson in his guard, Silva proved that there would be no mismatch on the ground. With that switch, the tense round one came to a close.

The second round continued with Silva blasting kicks into the midsection of Henderson. Not to be bullied, Henderson answered with overhand rights that were countered by the faster fisted Silva. Henderson fell to the floor but quickly stood up and pressed his leaner opponent into the cage. The fighter's jockeyed for position until Silva broke up the monotony with a hard knee that started a firestorm. Silva landed and knee. Henderson countered with a right.

Silva's laser like straight punches ran Henderson to the floor where Silva quickly assumed the top position.

On all fours, Henderson ate knees to the ribs until Silva took his back. From that point the fight took on a whole new phase. With ten seconds left Silva snuck his arm under the neck of Henderson. Time was ticking away but not fast enough. Henderson conceded defeat with just eight seconds remaining. The official time was 4:52 of the second round.

"I do not want to take anything away from Dan Henderson," Silva said. "But I believe that the real champion that I fought has been Rich Franklin. As a champion I train to fight. I want to fight the best so I train to fight against the best."

With this win Anderson Silva becomes the unified UFC and Pride FC middleweight champion. His record improves to 21-4.

"My hats off to Anderson Silva," Dan Henderson said. "He dazed me a little bit in the second round. I wanted to control the stand up a little bit more. I didn't pressure him like I should've."

Dan Henderson drops now to 22-7 in his UFC middleweight debut. -- Brady Crytzer

Silva vs Henderson Photos

Herring Rumbles to Split Decision over Kongo!

In what can be considered an unofficial heavyweight title eliminator, MMA veteran Heath "The Texas Crazy Horse" Herring earned the biggest win of his career over France's Cheick Kongo via split decision.

With the uncertain circumstances of the UFC's heavyweight division, it was widely accepted that a hero could rise on any given night. In today's day and age, one fight could truly change the world. Though Heath Herring had lost four of his last six and Cheick Kongo was riding a momentous wave after defeating Mirko "Cop Cop," their co-feature at UFC 82 felt like that kind of fight.

The heavy hitters of the night squared off in short order when Herring unleashed a devastating right hand that staggered Kongo. After pressing Kongo against the fence the fighters fell to the floor and scrambled back to their feet. When Kongo pressured Herring he backed into the cage and was taken down by the Parisian. Famous for his tremendous heart, Herring worked back to his feet where he was taken down again. The muay thai kickboxer Kongo worked Herring over with hard punches but was quickly reversed to his back.

Following another scramble Kongo assumed the mount position and began to unload. Herring once again worked out of the position and escaped danger. Round one ended in a grappling stalemate.

The second round began with Kongo getting the takedown and taking Herring's back. After an escape by "The Texas Crazy Horse," Kongo began to work with hard punches from the half guard. Kongo rose to his feet and pounded the legs of his still prone opponent with heavy kicks.

Referee Dan Mirgliotta restarted the fighters and they clinched immediately into the fence. As the fighters stood in limbo, Kongo exploded with a thunderous takedown. Herring swept Kongo to his back and began to land hard punches but was not in complete control. With the second ticking away Herring slammed hard knees into the ribs of Kongo from the side mount and received an ovation from the crowd.

The final round began with a bang as Kongo and Herring launched consecutive attacks. Kongo's ripping body kick shuddered Herring who sailed through mid air with a superman right cross. The combined weight of over five hundred pounds met the Octagon floor with tremendous impact. The heavyweight warriors rose to their feet where Herring swung away with right hands but landed none.

"The Texas Crazy Horse" then bull rushed his opponent into the cage walls and took him to the floor. Herring continued to work from the side position with knees and punches. As the seconds ticked away Herring continued to pound and mounted Kongo with only twenty seconds remaining. The bell sounded ending the fight soon after.

Scorecards read 29-28 Herring, 29-28 Kongo, and 29-28 in favor of "The Texas Crazy Horse" Heath Herring.

"I wanted to duke it out with this guy," Herring said. "I didn't think he was going to take me down. I didn't train the ground work for AT ALL for this fight."

Heath Herring improves to 28-13 while Kongo falls to 21-4-1. -- Brady Crytzer

Kongo vs Herring Photos

Leben Crushes Sakara in Barnburner!

In a stylistically pleasing match up, middleweight Chris "The Crippler" Leben scored a heavy handed knockout over former professional boxer Alessio "Legionarius" Sakara in the opening round.

A highly anticipated battle between two very different strikers, both Chris Leben, a certified brawler, and the slick boxing Alessio Sakara were anxious to meet in the center of the cage.

The fight began as anticipated with Leben pressing the action. Looking to land with hard punches, Leben was countered by the faster Sakara. "The Crippler" grabbed the Italian boxing champion and roughed him up with wild haymakers and knees. After creating some space, "Legionarius" slammed a cross into the famously thick skull of his opponent.

There was no doubt about it...these boys came to Columbus looking for a fight. With his back against the fence, Sakara ran out of real estate as Leben delivered a hard left hook that crumpled him into a heap. Referee Herb Dean waved off the bout immediately. The official time was 3:16.

Chris Leben improves to 18-4 while his opponent Alessio Sakara falls to 16-7.

"This is why people come to the UFC," said the jubilant Leben. "People want to see sluggin' baby. With me that's what you get!" -- Brady Crytzer

Sakara vs Leben Photos

Tanner Falls Victim to "Thunder" Okami!

After nearly a two year layoff, a rusty and slow Evan Tanner suffered a violent knockout at the hands of the highly versatile Yushin "Thunder" Okami in the second round.

While Tanner hasn't fought in the Octagon since 2005, Yushin Okami has developed an all action style that has earned him the label of the best Japanese fighter over 155 pounds.

In a battle of two grapplers, Tanner and Okami spent much of round one exchanging barbs on the feet. While Tanner looked to close the distance with punches, Okami worked kicks up and down the veteran. After taking a step backwards, Tanner was stunned and dropped by an Okami right hand. With his opponent hurt Okami jumped in to finish but was taken down. After getting back to his feet, Okami continued to work with hard straight punches. Following a partially blocked high kick by Okami at the bell, Tanner awkwardly walked back to his corner.

The rusty Tanner opened round two with a series of hard low kicks. Displaying faster handspeed, Okami timed a southpaw left cross on the forehead on Tanner. As the round continued "Thunder" Okami began to pepper his aging opponent with a variety of muay thai knees and kicks. While Tanner plodded on unsure footing, Okami blasted him with three left straights that opened up a cut. Tanner swung wildly with punches that were grossly off target. After clinching against the fence, Tanner finally appeared to have closed the distance until Okami blasted a knee up the middle knocking Tanner unconscious immediately.

The official time was 3:00.

Yushin Okami has now won five of his last six UFC bouts and improves to 23-4 while the former middleweight champion Evan Tanner drops to 34-7. -- Brady Crytzer

Okami vs Tanner Photos

Fitch Gains Momentum Against Unknown Wilson!

In an evenly matched welterweight battle Jon Fitch outworked newcomer Chris "The Professor" Wilson to win a three round unanimous decision.

Thought to be one of the rising stars of the welterweight division, Fitch may have felt the most pressure of any fighter on the card as he battled the unknown Wilson. While the fighters were mirror images of each other, Wilson showed no fear in engaging Fitch with hard shots. As Fitch stalked, Wilson landed hard kicks to the legs and body. In a flash Wilson caught his much more experienced opponent with a right cross. As Fitch backed into the cage, the overanxious Wilson allowed himself to be slammed to the mat by the Division I wrestler Fitch.

Following a stand up due to inactivity, the fighters traded shots again. Fitch quickly shot on his opponent and slammed him to the mat. Round one expired with Fitch in the top position.

Round two was all action as Wilson caught Fitch on the chin again with a straight right. After Fitch dropped for a takedown, Wilson escaped only to be tripped by his determined opponent. From inside his opponent's guard Fitch pounded away with hard punches and elbows. After passing to side control, a botched Fitch side choke allowed Wilson to reassume half guard control. Known for his aggressive style, Fitch passed the guard again to finish out the round in North/South control.

The final round was a firefight as Fitch and Wilson exchanged blows early. After a throw attempt by "The Professor," Fitch countered with a high kick that just missed its mark. While Fitch's kick landed off target, Wilson's was a direct hit. The arena shuddered as a Wilson body kick thundered throughout the arena. Showing championship guts, Fitch continued to battle though the pain and landed a hard cross of his own. With Wilson stunned, Fitch took him to the mat yet again. In anticlimactic fashion the bout ended with Wilson attempting a hopeless triangle choke on Fitch.

The judges scorecards read 29-28 and 30-27 twice. Jon Fitch improves to 21-2 while Chris Wilson loses his UFC debut falling to 11-4. -- Brady Crytzer

Fitch vs Wilson Photos

Arlovski Stops O'Brien via Strikes!

Andrei "Pit Bull" Arlovski returned to the octagon, after almost a year's hiatus and delivered the first blemish to the record of Jake O'Brien via TKO in the second round. The fans at the Nationwide Arena greeted Arlovski much like they did the previous day at the weigh-in, with raucous cheers for the fan favorite.

The first round began with a feeling-out process that saw several attempts from O'Brien to shoot on Arlovski, however Arlovski was able to sprawl very effectively and keep O'Brien tied up. O'Brien finally managed to take Arlovski to the mat late in the first, but the "Pit Bull" was able to hold guard and absorbed no damage in a lackluster round one.

Round two began much the same with O'Brien looking to take the match to the ground and Arlovski fending off his frequent takedown attempts. The match moved against the cage late in the round, and Arlovski tripped the tiring O'Brien and landed in a full mount position. The "Pit Bull" quickly pounced, landing numerous unanswered strikes to a defenseless O'Brien forcing the stoppage at 4:17 of the second round. -- Rob Kravantka

Arlovski vs O'Brien Photos

Tenacious Fioravanti Too Much for Cummo!

In a welterweight showdown former United States Marine Luigi Fioravanti outworked and outmuscled opponent Luke Cummo to win a three round unanimous decision.

While both fighters were known for their affinity for punching power, Cummo used his reach advantage to land a diverse variety of kicks until he was taken down by his opponent. Fioravanti continued to pressure Cummo with hard punches and slams for much of the round.

Cummo was taken to the mat repeatedly through round two. As the period came to an end, Cummo reversed a Fioravanti takedown was nearly caught in an armbar. The final round saw more of the same as the affable Cummo was unable to overcome the strength of the shorter Fioravanti.

Judges scored the bout 30-27 in favor of Luigi Fioravanti. -- Brady Crytzer

Cummo vs Fioravanti Photos

Koscheck Stands and Stops Hazelett!

Josh "Kos" Koscheck improved to 12-2 with a 2nd round TKO over crowd favorite Dustin "McLovin" Hazelett, who dropped to 12-4.

The two fighters started out with a bang, trading blows in the middle of the Octogan. Hazelett scored first, landing a high kick, and following up with a knee. The two grapplers clinch, and Hazelett jumped into a standing guillotine attempt. Koscheck remained standing and Hazelett, unable to lock it in, gave up the position. In the last 20 seconds of the round, Koscheck shot for a takedown, and ended up in a triangle choke from Hazelett. Koscheck remained calm and was able to ride out the last moments of the round.

The second round began with Koscheck and Hazelett exchanging blows, Koscheck threw a big right hand, that was partially blocked by Hazelett, but followed with a high left leg kick, landing clean across the side of Hazelett's head. A stunned Hazelett fell backwards to the Octagon floor, and was quickly pounded out, forcing referee Herb Dean to call a stop to the action at 1:24 of the second round. After the fight, Koscheck stated, "I threw a nice little combination, and just tried to get an angle and throw the leg kick." -- Rob Kravantka

Koscheck vs Hazelett Photos

Sanchez Overpowers Newcomer Bielkheden!

The Ultimate Fighter I winner Diego "Nightmare" Sanchez overwhelmed Daniel Bielkheden in the first round stopping his opponent with just 17 seconds remaining in the first round.

Sanchez wasted no time taking the newcomer Bielkheden to the mat as round one began. The winner of original season of The Ultimate Fighter maneuvered around his opponent with ease dropping hard bombs along the way. The visibly stronger Sanchez nearly locked a kimura on his opponent but transitioned to the mount position after the attempt. With all the momentum in his favor Sanchez pounded away until the fight was stopped at 4: 43 of the round.

With this win Diego "Nightmare" Sanchez returns to his winning ways after losing his last two fights.

Sanchez vs Bielkheden Photos

Gurgel Earns Victory in Home State!

In a lightweight contest, The Ultimate Fighter II Jorge Gurgel won an exciting three round unanimous decision over John "The Hurricane" Halverson.

Round one was primarily a striking contest which Gurgel controlled with snapping leg kicks. Following a scoring combination by Halverson, Gurgel pressed his opponent into the fence. After failing to secure a guillotine choke, "The Hurricane" found himself absorbing punishment from beneath Gurgel.

Round two came to a screeching halt after the Brazilian Gurgel kicked his opponent low. Halverson used his allotted period to recover. Once action resumed, Gurgel connected with a well placed head kick that stunned his opponent. From the top, The Ultimate Fighter II veteran hammered away with hard punches. Gurgel nearly locked in an armbar that was reversed beautifully by his opponent. The round came to a close with Halverson in control.

The final round saw the fighters jockey for position early. As the round continued on the contestants threw caution to the wind and began to unload. After Gurgel landed another headkick, the Cincinnati based fighter executed a swift double leg takedown. Following a referee stand up, the winded Halverson scored time and again with winging shots. The final round ended with the fighters clinched against the fence.

Official scorecards read 30-27 and 29-28 twice all in favor of Jorge Gurgel. -- Brady Crytzer

Gurgel vs Halverson Photos

Coleman Inducted, Calls Out Lesnar!

While the crowd was pleased with the night's action, a true mixed martial arts legend was honored in his hometown as Mark "The Hammer" Coleman was officially inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. To cap off an induction to the prestigious club, Coleman announced publicly that he will be facing Brock Lesnar in the near future.

"Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is a great honor," Coleman said. "But my ultimate goal is to get back in that cage. I've been asking Dana (White) for a fight for a long time. He has finally given me the chance to fight and he has given me five months notice to train."

"I am going to fight Brock Lesnar in Minnesota. The guy is a monster but I want a crack at him."

"Don't bet the house against me just yet."

The bout is proposed to be held in Lesnar's adopted home state of Minnesota with a five month time frame. -- Brady Crytzer

Visit Brady Crytzer's Official Blog "From Ringside to Cageside..." at www.BradyCrytzer.blogspot.com