Sensei SporTV, a show on the Brazilian cable channel SporTV interviewed UFC Middleweight champion Anderson Silva recently. The feature will air on September 27th, but the editors released an incredible excerpt from the interview.

“I’ll retire next year, I already gave my all and don’t need to prove anything to anyone. Within a year, I will put my gloves aside.” – said Silva.

Silva, who is at the peak of his career and is undefeated in his UFC career is considered one of the top fighters of all time, featuring in almost all pound-for-pound lists. This is a shocking revelation seeing as how the future seems to be cross-weight class superfights for the champion, including fights against greats like Chuck Liddel.

Silva or his camp have received quiet throughout.

Right from the start of the match, Evans was not only show boating but also showing great prescence of mind and cage awareness by bobbing in to strike Liddell and moving out immediately. Every time Liddell tried to press Evans in to a compromising position, Evans would circle out and get a few nice strikes in as well. Many people thought Evans might try and take Liddell down, but credit to Evans and Greg Jackson for their gameplan, Evans used his speed to hit and move. The only time Evans got cornered towards the end of the first round, Evans showed that he had some really good striking by tagging Liddell with some nice right hand strikes. Every strike that landed increased Evans’ confidence in himself.

As the second round started, it was evident that Liddell was not able to get his game plan going against Evans’ excellent game plan. When the final seconds finally came, Liddell was going for an uppercut at the same time as Evans went for the overhand right (Liddell’s favorite strike) and caught him straight on the button/ on his chin and knocked Liddell out cold!

Evans shows with this victory that not only is he a legit threat in the 205 pound division, but he is ready for his shot at the title. Evans also silences critics who doubted his ablity when faced with a big name opponent, someone who was a proven top 10 fighter.

The way I see it, Evans should be next in line for the title fight. The only other contender at the same level is Lyoto Machida and although he has been really impressive in his victories, has not really had such a dominant performance against such a big name.

My feeling is that the next fights in the Light Heavyweight division would be
Rashad Evans vs Forrest Griffin and
Lyoto Machida vs the winner of a possible Rampage – Wanderlei or Rampage – Shogun fight.

Quick Results:

Main Card
Rashad Evans defeats Chuck Liddell by KO – Round 2
Rich “Ace” Franklin defeats Matt Hammil by TKO (Liver Kick) – Round 3
Dan Henderson defeats Rousimar Palhares by Unanimous Decision
Nate Marquardt defeats Martin Kampmann by TKO – Round 1
Dong Hyun Kim defeats Matt Brown by split decision (29-28)

Undercard:
Jason McDonald defeats Jason Lambert by Submission – Rear Naked Choke: Round 2
Tim “The Barbarian” Boetsch defeats Michael Patt by TKO – Round 1

Submission Of The Night: Jason McDonald

Full Recap

Match 1: Matt Brown vs Dong yum Kim

Round 1:

Round 2:

Brown with a leg kick immediately. Brown trying to get a takedown but cannot do so. Kim with a flying knee but is now on the ground. Brown lets him stand. Brown with knees to the body. Kim with a straight leg and immediately looks for a single leg. Kim struggling for a takedown but Brown has beautiful defence. Brown now on top and gets some punches in. Brown has Kim on the cage.  Brown has Kim on the ground and on the cage.Brown moves away as Kim looks for a submission from a high guard. Brown with a spinningguard pass and now rains in some shots on KIm. Brown lets Kim back on the feet and immediately gets some knees from the clinch. Brown defends another takedown attempt and continues to press the action on Kim.  Brown with a nice combination. Kim looks for a superman punch but is taken down by Brown and Brown gets some big punches on a tired Kim. Brown continues to pummel Kim as the round comes to an end.

Round 3:

Matt gets some crowd support. Brown seems to have forgotten his mouth piece!!

Kim trying to get brown down, Brown with a nice leg kick. Brown misses with a superman. Kim gets Brown down with a double leg and immediately moves to side control. Brown moves out and immediately gets some knees from the clinch. Brown keeps Kim on the cage as Kim looks for a throw. Brown looking for a leg trip.  Brown has been defending the Judo throws easily. Kim with a takedown attempt again and Brown defends but not for long.

Kim in Brown’s half guard. Brown gets Kim in his full guard now. Good elbows by Kim. Brown is cut pretty bad over the eye. 20 seconds left. Brown trying to avoid too much damage now as he holds on to Kim. The round is over. Matt Brown just might be able to give Kim his first defeat!

Winner: Dong Hyun Kim by Split Decision (29-28)

Very close decision. I would have given it to Matt Brown.

81% of fans online think that Chuck Liddel will win …

Match #2:  Martin “Hitman” Kampmann vs Nate “The Great” Marquardt

Marquardt makes his way to the cage. Marquardt, a former king of pancrase is on the path to a rematch against Anderson Silva and this fight is crucial to his chances. Next in the octagon is Martin Kampmann who coming back from an injury and a long lay off is on a 9 fight win streak. Kampmann is an amazing kick boxer! and has really got some good takedown defence.

We are ready to go. I can’t wait for this match

Round 1:

The first round starts with Marquardt tries to come in close immediately but Kampmann sends him back. Both kick at the same time. Kampmann closing in on Marquardt. Marquardty with a high kick and gets Kampmann staggered. Marquardt with some good knees and uppercuts. Marquardt continues to hit Kampmann with some big punches and uppercuts. Kampmann tries to cover up but is getting hit big!

Kampmann goes down!! Kampmann goes down!!

Winner: Nate “The Great” Marquard by TKO – Round 1

Fight #3: “Dangerous” Dan Henderson vs Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares

This is one of the most anticipated fights on this great card. The hardcore fans are totally split in their assessment of the fight with half going for Henderson whereas the other half thinks Palhares will win. Let’s see how this goes:

First in to the cage is Rousimar Palhares, who is cornered by Murilo Bustamante. Palhares is walking out to “Time for War” by LL Cool J.  Next in is MMA veteran and all round tough guy Dan Henderson. One of the best grapplers in the business, Hendo also has that amazing right hand that has knocked almost all of his opponents down. Will Hendo get the right hand on Palhares and get the win?

Round 1

Both men touch gloves. Henderson setting up a big right. Henderson slowly stalking Palhares to the cage. PAlhares looks for a takedown but gets hit by the right. Both men are back in the centre. Palhares looks for a double but Henderson sprawls successfully. Palhares with a weak high kick. Palhares coming in south paw. Palhares with a body kick and tries to shoot and again Hendo defends and gets a nice right in again. Palhares is not able to get Hendo down. Hendo throws the big right but misses as Palhares moves. Palhares trying the same kick to set up the takedown. Palhares eats a big shot as Palhares tries for a takedown. Palhares has  a rock solid chin. Palhares with wild kicks. Hendo with a nice left jab. Palhares goes for a single rolls overand gets side control after a brief struggle. Palhares moves to half guard. Palhares gets his head free. Palhares looks for a knee bar as the round ends. Amazing round!!

Round 2

Palhares takes the center as both men move to the side. Hendo moving back as Palhares looks for a takedown again. Hendo defends another single leg . Palhares with a huge slam. Palhares in Hendo’s full guard. Hendo with punches and elbows from the bottom. Palhares looking for a heel hook. Palhares loses the heel hookand now Hendo moves out and back to his feet. Hendo sprawls. Both men are back on their feet. Hendo with some big punches. Palhares goes for a takedown but now Hendo is on his back as Hendo throws elbows.Hendo with his hand on Palhares mouth! Herb Dean stands the fight back up.

Hendo with a big right hand. Palhares looks to throw a low kick. Henderson looking for a knee and Palhares has his back as the round ends.

Round 3

Hendo slips but no offence. Palhares with a heel kick attempt. Hendo keeps Palhares away with jabs. Hendo sprawls away from the takedown again. Hendo with a right. Palhares with a overhand right. Both men trying to get something going. Round is half over. Palhares with a low kick. The audience boos. Hendo with a big right left combo. Palhares changes stance again! Hendo with a big right. Palhares looking for a takedown. Hendo rolls away again! Hendo is jabbing away as the last minute of the round is slowly ebbing away. Palhares gets a leglock and Hendo pulls out again. Hendo gets another sprawl going and the match is almost over as Hendo gets some big punches going as the round ends.

Winner: Dan Henderson by Unanimous Decision

Randy Couture is being interviewed by Joe Rogan who is relieved that he can talk about Randy without thinking twice. They talk about the fight with Brock Lesnar as Randy talks about the threats that Lesnar poses. He talks about the fact that he doesn’t need any motivation except the competition and the sport itself.

Undercard Fight: Tim “The Barbarian” Boetsch vs Mike Patt

Michael Patt is a stablemate of Rich Franklin and is a BJJ black belt with 15 wins and 11 first round submissions. He goes up against Tim Boetsch, who got everyone’s attention in his fight against David Heath but was not able to do too much against Matt Hammil will be looking for another dominant performance to get his UFC career going.

Round 1

Patt with a low kick to start things out. Boetsch with a big right. Patt gets a overunder. Boetsch moves out. Boetsch with a big combination but from a little far. Both men looking for position. Boetsch moves out again. Boetsch with a nice kick to the body. Patt with a right jab. Both men move away from the cage and try and exchange strikes. Patt gets hit by a right! Boetsch immediately pounces on a fallen Patt. Boetsch with some big unanswered punches. Herb Dean has stopped the fight. Boetsch wins!! Michael Patt is not happy but the decision was a solid one.

Winner: Tim “The Barbarian” Boetsch by TKO – Round 1

Fight #4: Matt “The Hammer” Hammil vs Rich “Ace” Franklin

Rich Franklin moves back to the 205 division to fight Matt Hammil who is probably the worst match to start back with. Hammil is a powerful wrestler who is constantly improving. Hammil is also a huge 205er. Franklin is a great striker and has some good takedown defence. The question in this match is whether Hammil can take Franklin down, cause if he does, the fight is his.

First in the cage is Matt Hammil who walks out to Freebird by Lynrd Skynrd to take on the former UFC Middleweight champion Rich Franklin. Hammil has always been better than his last appearance. Lets see if his striking has improved from what we saw the last two times. Next in is Rich Franklin, who makes his return to the 205 division after a long time (3 years). No change in his entrance music We can see Matt Hume in his corner again.

Round  1

Hammil takes the center immediately. Franklin is moving a lot better now. Franklin with low kicks. Franklin has some nice angles coming in this time. Hammil trying to move in. Hammil changes stances. Hammil with a nice uppercut. Franklin replies with a leg kick. Hammil with another nice punch. Franklin trying to get some strikes going but Hammil has some nice defence. Hammil looking for the uppercut again. Franklin with some nice leg kicks.  Franklin with some nice punches to Hammil’s body. Hammil looking for the uppercut again. One minute remaining.Hammil gets a takedown, Hammil gets stuck in a armbar but Hammil breaks free. Hammil gets cut with a knee from Franklin . Franklin with a attempted high kick as the round comes to a close. Franklin takes the round as per me.

Round 2

Hammil catches a leg kick but is not able to capitalize. Franklin is totally dominating the stand up. Franklin gets a kick to Hammil’s head as Hammil tries for a single leg. Yamasaki stops the fight to check the cut on Franklin’s eye. The fight is restarted. Franklin seems to have lost a lot of skin. Hammil looking for a single but Franklin makes him pay with nice strikes. Hammil trying to get some uppercuts but Franklin is easily getting out. Hammil gets hit in the groin by accident with an inadvertent low kick.

The fight continues and Hammil still struggling against Franklin who is easily getting the better of this. Franklin again to the mid section. Franklin is really working on Hammil’s legs. Hammil seems like he has still not found his way in the cage in this fight. Hammil looks out of it. Hammil tries for a single leg again but Franklin just moves out. The round is almost over and Franklin gets a nice knee to Hammil’s body. The second round is over and Hammil looks gassed and out of place.

Round 3

Franklin with a body kick. Franklin with a knee to Hammil’s body. Franklin with a body kick and Hammil is hurt. The referee stops the fight!

Winner: Rich “Ace” Franklin by TKO -Round 3

We go in to the lockerroom of Chuck Liddel who is going through final preparations for the main event of the evening.

Fight #5: Chuck “The Iceman” Liddel vs “Sugar” Rashad Evans

First in the cage is Rashad Evans who looks composed,a little nervous but ready. Next in is the “bouncing again” Chuck Liddel. Liddel looks really focused, confident and ready to get another win in the Octagon on his road back to the title fight.

Round 1

Liddel looking to loop around Evans and get strikes in. Evans stands in the center and looking to get his distance. Liddel looks a lot bigger than Rashad. Chuck is stalking Rashad. Evans almost teasing Liddel. Evans with a overhand. Liddel with a good right hand setup with a left jab. Evans with a nice kick. Liddel has the right cocked and throws it but Evans moves out. Rashad trying to cut the ring off but that is exactly what Liddel wants. Evans with a kick to Chuck’s leg. Rashad changes stance. Rashad eats a jab. Liddel moving in and gets a punch but Evans moves out. 30 seconds left in the first round. Liddel with a nice punch that makes Evans lose balance. Evans keeps moving out. Liddel is bleeding from under his right eye. The first round is over.

Round 2

Both men looking for a shot. Liddel throws a left. Liddel with a low kick. Both men exchange. Evans lands a few left hooks as Liddel gets some nice punches. Liddel with the right, Evans with a left overhand. Liddel with a nice left. Chuck gets caught with a right hook again. Liddel trying to pin Evans against the cage. Rashad with a right hand and Liddel is out cold!!

Evans Knocks out Chuck Liddel!!!

Winner: Rashad Evans by KO – Round 2

Chuck Liddel is still out! He is hurt bad! Chuck Liddel is finally back on his feet.

Undercard fight: Jason McDonald vs Jason Lambert

Round 1

Jason McDonal takes Lambert down. Lambert has a guillotine with an arm in. McDonald looks to move out as Lambert tries to get to full guard . McDonald escapes the guillotine but Lambert still has his head. McDonald finallys moves out and tries to pass his guard but is now in Lambert’s full guard. McDonald with strikes but Lambert can take a shot. Lambert has McDonald really close in the close guard. McDonald is not able move out but lands some nice elbows on Lambert. McDonald is landing a lot of strikes on Lambert’s face. Lambert seems to be looking for a kimura but is getting hit a lot by McDonald. Lambert has McDonald in the guillotine again. That was a really tight guillotine as the round comes to a close.

Round 2

Lambert with a big right. McDonald gets Lambert down immediately. McDonald in Lambert’s half guard. McDonald trying to pass. McDonal passes to full mount. Lambert gives up his back. McDonald gets the body triangle. McDonald gets a rear naked choke on Lambert. Lambert taps!!

Winner: Jason McDonald by rear naked choke – Round 2

Fight #1: Rousimar Palhares vs Dan Henderson

For a detailed breakdown, check out my breakdown of the fight.

Here’s the quick recap: Rousimar has really strong BJJ from the guard and from the top. Henderson has a tendency to be taken down. If Hendo cannot keep the fight standing and bang Palhares out in the first minute or two, Palhares by decision. Palhares has the better ground skills. I see him sweeping Hendo from top position and showcasing his strong BJJ skills to either get a late tapout or get a grinding decision against the former PRIDE champion.

Prediction: Rousimar Palhares by decision

Fight #2: Yushiyuki Yoshida vs Karo Parisyan

This fight has been scrapped.

Fight #3: Rich “Ace” Franklin vs Matt “The Hammer” Hammil

This is another fight that is interesting. Rich Franklin is coming back to the 205 division after a long time. What made Franklin a dominant champion in the 185 pound division was his strength and size advantage. At 205, Franklin gives up the strength advantage to Hammil. Look for Franklin to utilize leg kicks to keep Hammil at bay and try to tee off on Hammil.

No one knows how good Hammil now is on his feet. He has a track record that shows that he might come in as good as he has ever been. Hammil’s game plan seems to be pretty simple. He will stand with Franklin, move around and get a few power punches in. Hammil will then move Franklin around, get a double leg and let go with his patented ground and pound.

Prediction: Matt Hammil by TKO – Round 3.

Fight #4: Rashad Evans vs Chuck Liddel

This one seems like it is tailor made for a showdown. Chuck Liddel is coming off a long layoff due to injury after his decision win over Wanderlei Silva. Rashad seems to have taken even longer to finally fight Liddel.

Rashad has the speed advantage in this fight. He is lighter, smaller and faster than Liddel. With Greg Jackson’s planning, the gameplan I see them having thought up is simple. Hit and move, create angles in a way that mimicks Liddel’s style. Throw a few good punches and leg kicks in and immediately try and capitalize with either a leg kick or take the fight to the ground.

Here is the problem: Liddel has probably the best sprawl and takedown defence in the game. You can tag Liddel a few times, but without getting tagged yourself. Liddel will definitely look to come in a fresher fighter and similar to his last fight, will draw on his arsenal of tricks again after a long time. Look for a quick second round KO from Liddel. Rashad seems headed towards his first ever loss in MMA.

Prediction: Chuck Liddel by KO – Round 2