Report del PPV 82
Anderson Silva is the best 185-pound fighter in the world.
The Brazilian UFC champion proved that definitively Saturday in Columbus, Ohio, with a second-round submission over the last man to hold the Pride belt in that division, Dan Henderson.
Henderson, veteran of many battles throughout his career, faired well early in the UFC 82 main event inside a sold-out Nationwide Arena. After deflecting kicks and dancing around the Octagon, the former Greco-Roman U.S. Olympian locked his arms around Silva, 32, and forced him to the canvas.
Henderson landed chopping hammerfists before eventually passing into side-control. The opening five-minute frame marked the first round Silva had lost in six UFC contests, a testament to the kind of opponent Henderson was.
In Round 2, however, Silva showed why he sits atop most pound-for-pound lists in the sport.
The lanky striker found Henderson's stout chin with a knee and made the American scramble. Silva landed on top, where he delivered power punches that forced Henderson to give up his back.
Henderson, 37, never recovered.
Silva gave up striking in favor of submissions. Showing just how well rounded a mixed martial artist he has become, Silva (21-4) locked in a modified rear-naked choke that caused Henderson to tap with just eight seconds remaining in Round 2.
In the center of the cage after his victory, Silva knelt, taking a moment to soak in what he just accomplished. Henderson, now 22-7, walked over to greet him, took a knee and offered the highest compliment he could: "You're a true champion."
Herring conquers Kongo
Heavyweights Heath Herring and Cheick Kongo engaged in a sloppy clash during which both fighters gave away positions and landed ineffectual strikes in their three rounds together.
Kongo (11-4-1), to some surprise, wrestled Herring early.
As he's done throughout his career, Herring scrambled into controlling positions, especially during the second and third rounds.
After 15 minutes, Herring (28-13, 1 NC) took a split decision victory in part because he scored with ground-and-pound from side-control, keeping himself alive for a title shot in the wide-open UFC heavyweight division.
Leben cripples Sakara
Chris Leben came to brawl a boxer and that's exactly what he did against Italian middleweight Alessio Sakara. "The Crippler" traded shots with Sakara (12-7, 1 NC) before connecting two big left hooks behind the ear.
The assault ended when referee Herb Dean intervened at the 3:16 mark of Round 1 while Leben (18-4) unloaded punches to his downed foe.
Tough night for Tanner
Former UFC middleweight champion Evan Tanner showed the negative consequence of a two-year layoff in his round-and-a-half with Japan's Yushin Okami.
Taking hard punches to the face, Tanner (32-7) was put down in Round 1. Okami (21-4) punctuated his impressive effort with a beautiful knockout with a knee to the head at 3:00 of Round 2.
Okami appears the likely candidate to be next in line to fight for Silva's belt.
Fitch overcomes stiff test from Wilson
Jon Fitch moved to 8-0 in the UFC with a hard-fought unanimous decision win over Octagon newcomer Chris Wilson. A tight first frame gave way to controlling rounds for Fitch (16-2, 1 NC), sealing the victory and keeping him in contention for being next in line to challenge for the UFC welterweight title.
Preliminary action
Relegated to off-TV action in what could be the last UFC bout of his career, former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski (12-6) outclassed Jake O'Brien (10-1) to win by technical knockout at 4:17 of Round 2.
Luigi Fioravanti (12-3) implemented a conservative game plan that stifled Luke Cummo (6-5) over three rounds in a welterweight affair. Fioravanti's takedowns and subsequent control on the canvas were reason enough for him to sweep the cards (30-27 three times) en route to a unanimous decision victory.
Fulfilling the final bout on his current UFC contract, welterweight Josh Koscheck (10-2) went back-and-forth with submission specialist Dustin Hazelett (10-4) before stopping the Ohio native at 1:24 of Round 2.
Welterweight star Diego Sanchez (18-2) ended a two-fight losing streak by forcing Swedish import David Bielkheden (12-6) to tap from strikes at 4:43 of the opening round.
Jorge Gurgel (12-3) earned a unanimous decision victory (30-27 and 29-28 twice) over John Halverson (16-6, 1 NC) in a lightweight bout.
Mark Coleman was officially inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.