You really have to love MMA to cover a non-local show, otherwise, wading through airports and the people who inhabit them will surely churn your brain matter into a Slurpee-like goo. Hit the jump for the rest of my Nashville story…

It goes without saying that the 50-45 scorecard is a bit absurd, however if we’re being completely honest, I don’t believe either party really “won” in the lightweight case of Penn v. Edgar. Frankie Edgar didn’t take the coveted gold plated leather strap so much as Penn let it slowly slip away. And a guy like Frankie Edgar is simply too skilled and hungry to leave anything on the table.

There’s no denying it. Fedor Emelianenko, Josh Barnett, Dana White, Scott Coker and many, many more have made these past few weeks some of the most newsworthy in recent MMA history. And yet, yours truly neglected to comment on any of it. Not a word. So what’s my excuse? You see, the UFC was finally coming to Philadelphia, my Philadelphia, and honestly, I couldn’t focus on much else while cloaked in such thick layers of anticipation and anxiousness. I even declined to write up my standard predictions this time around, and I’ll tell you why: No expectations.

Now that the air has at least somewhat cleared around Brock Lesnar, it’s time to turn the spotlight over to who else but Georges St. Pierre. My thoughts on GSP and other mildly interesting topics after the jump.

The dust and remnants following the uber-hyped UFC 100 have finally settled and as one might imagine, quite a few storylines have emerged from the bloody rubble. At the center of the most hotly debated topic in town is none other than former WWE superstar turned failed NFL lineman turned UFC heel, Brock Lesnar.

Rest of the videos after the jump.

In honor of UFC 100, I have decided to completely ignore the possibility of a decision outcome for my predictions, even when one would seem inexplicably logical. That’s right, I’m only picking finishes and that’s just the way it’s going to be. Here’s to you, UFC 100.

Picks after the jump.

Kevin Ferguson, aka Kimbo Slice, one of the most talked about, loved to be hated fighters on the planet, has finally found a home after his previous one very publicly collapsed under shoddy foundation. Kimbo’s new home? The Ultimate Fighter 10: Heavyweights. Believe it.

Regardless of who you picked to win UFC 98′s final showdown, it remains a fairly unspoken yet obvious possibility that Rashad Evans and Lyoto Machida turn in an epic disaster of a main event. A poor showing should never be expected, however preparing for the worst might be a good idea regarding this particular match up.

If you thought Roy Jones Jr. would give up on competing in mixed martial arts just because the UFC (rightly) turned down his offer to tangle with Anderson Silva, you were wrong. However It seems there really isn't much room in MMA for Jones Jr., at least not yet.

After getting wind of John Hackleman's thoughts on Chuck Liddell retiring (or not retiring rather), UFC president Dana White, in typical Dana White fashion, held back little in response to the Iceman's longtime trainer. The war of words continues...

What’s that? You say you’re not that hyped for UFC 100 yet? Well this poster should help that out. As for the UFC 99 headliner of Rich Franklin vs. Wanderlei Silva…well if nothing else Franklin might show us some new muay thai tricks. Or pop n’ lock moves. It’s really too early to tell. Pics after the jump.

Despite all logic and sanctioning blockades, it appears that the boxing contest between former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia and 48 year old pugilist Ray Mercer will indeed take place on June 13th as part of Adrenaline MMA’s “Bragging Rights In Birmingham.”

I’ve said my piece on Chuck Liddell and Anderson Silva in the wake of UFC 97, but have yet to discuss the counterpart in Saturday nights co-main event who absolutely deserves a mention. That person is Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, the man who literally knocked Chuck Liddell into retirement at the Bell Centre last weekend.

Once is bad, twice is disgraceful. Anderson Silva has no business wasting our pay-per-view dollars with slack performances. The fact that he is arguably the pound for pound best only makes it worse, not acceptable. My dissection after the jump.