Sherk (32-3-1), a former UFC lightweight champion, was stripped of his title following a July 2007 victory over Hermes Franca after testing positive for steroids. The positive test, which was appealed, was ultimately upheld and Sherk returned from his six-month suspension in May to take on lightweight champ BJ Penn. Penn topped Sherk via third-round TKO and now the former UFC 155-pound champion, whose lone losses have come against Penn, Georges St. Pierre, and Matt Hughes, will look to rebound against Griffin.

Griffin (12-1) opened his MMA career with eight-straight victories, including a win over urijah Faber and a UFC debut victory against David Lee, but sufered his first career loss to Frank Edgar at UFC 67 in early-2007. He’s since bounced back with four straight victories inside the octagon over Clay Guida, Thiago Tavares, Gleison Tibau, and Marcus Aurelio.

The UFC also confirmed that Hermes Franca will take on Gleison Tibay and Josh Burkman will face Pete Sell at UFC 90.

“Earlier in the evening, former UFC heavyweight champ Ricco Rodriguez lost in a split decision. Ricco tipped the scales at 270 pounds. He had Xtreme Couture boxing coach Ron Frazier in his corner and wore a pair of trunks with a Throwdown logo in a homage to MMA.

Mike Tyson made fun of the fight. “Are you going to throw some punches or what?” he asked in the first round. Ricco’s opponent, Chad Davis, from Phoenix, taunted the former UFC champ at the end of the first with a little hip gyration maneuver. “Come on,” Tyson implored. “Try to hurt each other.”

Though Tyson was clearly dissatisfied with the fight, he did not reportedly threaten to eat any of Ricco’s children or extended family members.

Among coach Frank MIr’s assistants are jiu jitsu champion Robert Drysdale, who won the famed open weight Abu Dhabi Submission Wrestling World Championship in 2007, and conditioning coach Rafael Alejarra, who has recently served as Wanderlei Silva’s conditioning coach.

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira’s assistants include UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva and top UFC light heavyweight Lyoto Machida.

The Ultimate Fighter 8 will debut in September following UFC Fight Night 14 and will feature lightweight and light heavyweight fighters. Nogueria and Mir will then clash following the season in a UFC heavuyweight championship bout.

MMAFrenzy.com (www.mmafrenzy.com) is your source for round-by-round results from all 10 fights.

During the event it was officially announced that former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia will face Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in February at UFC 81 for the Vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship.

The full fight card included:

Main Card

• Matt Hughes vs. Georges St. Pierre
• Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva
• Soa Palalei vs. Eddie Sanchez
• Lyoto Machida vs. Rameau Sokoudjou
• Rich Clementi vs. Melvin Guillard

Preliminary Bouts

• Luis Cane vs. James Irvin
• Nate Mohr vs. Manny Gamburyan
• Jordan Radev vs. Dean Lister
• Roan Carneiro vs. Tony DeSouza
• Mark Bocek vs. Doug Evans

To discuss the event with fellow fight fans check out the OFFICIAL MMAFrenzy.com UFC 79 discussion thread or stop by the MMAFrenzy.com chat room for live discussion.

For quick results, round-by-round recaps, and news from the event click the “READ MORE” link below.

QUICK RESULTS

• Georges St. Pierre def. Matt Hughes via submission – Round 2, 4:54
• Chuck Liddell def. Wanderlei Silva via unanimous decision
• Eddie Sanchez def. Soa Palalei via TKO – Round 3, 3:24
• Lyoto Machida def. Rameau Sokoudjou via submission – Round 2, 4:20
• Rich Clementi def. Melvin Guillard via submission – Round 1, 4:40
• James Irvin def. Luis Cane via disqualification – Round 1, 1:51
• Manny Gamburyan def. Nate Mohr via submission – Round 1, 1:31
• Dean Lister def. Jordan Radev via unanimous decision
• Roan Carneiro def. Tony DeSouza via TKO – Round 2, 3:30
• Mark Bocek def. Doug Evans via unanimous decision

NEWS

• During the event it was officially confirmed that former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia will face Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in February at UFC 81 for the Vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship.

ROUND-BY-ROUND RESULTS

Georges St. Pierre def. Matt Hughes via submission – Round 2

Round 1: They touch gloves and we’re underway. Hughes shoots for an early takedown but St. Pierre just backs away. Attempted kick by GSP misses. Kick to the leg by Georges who is still feeling out the fight after the first minute passes. Another big kick attempt by St. Pierre misses. The clinch and St. Pierre works a few knees before he’s able to take Hughes down. GSP falls into Hughes’ guard as Matt prevents GSP from posturing up. The move against the cage which allows GSP an attempt to pass but Hughes reclaims guard. GSP moves to half guard and Hughes nearly gives up his back. St. Pierre gets some ground and pound in against the fence. Hughes controls St. Pierre’s body but GSP is able to pass Hughes’ guard. Hughes holds tight riding out the final seconds of the first round. St. Pierre reigns down punches onto Hughes before taking his back just before the bell sounds. St. Pierre receives several warnings for punches to the back of Hughes’ head. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 St. Pierre.

Round 2: St. Pierre opens with kick attempts that miss. They lock up and St. Pierre immediately puts Hughes on the mat. GSP quickly passes to half guard though Hughes recaptures his guard just moments later. All Hughes can do is control St. Pierre’s head from the bottom. St. Pierre remains active trying to pass the guard of Hughes and he’s eventually successful and captures Hughes’ back. He quickly works for a rear naked choke but Hughes is able to power out and GSP sprawls. Both fighters return to their feet. Hughes attempts a single leg and GSP stuffs it. Now it’s St. Pierre’s turn and he immediately flips Hughes to the ground. St. Pierre is in side control immediately and quickly works on submission attempts on both arms. GSP locks in an armbar and Hughes verbally submits.

Georges St. Pierre defeats Matt Hughes via submission (Round 2, 4:54) to become the Interim UFC Welterweight Champion.

Chuck Liddell def. Wanderlei Silva via unanimous decision

Round 1: As expected both are looking for an early finish and are swinging for the fences from the open of the round. Liddell is successful in counter-punching many of Wanderlei’s attempts and rocks Silva several times in the opening frame. Liddell escapes major damage in the round while Silva is bleeding as the round comes to a close. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Liddell.

Round 2: Silva opens strong but Liddell continues his strong counter-punching. Liddell with a leg kick before a good Silva combo. They continue the brisk trading of punches before Liddell slips. He is quickly back up. Liddell connects again before they clinch for the first time in the fight. Solid left by Liddell cuts Silva. They turn up the action and both are landing back and forth shots including a long combo from Silva. They head to the ground for the first time in the fight but the brawling continues on the ground. MMAFrenzy.com scores the very, very close round 10-9 for Liddell.

Round 3: Liddell opens the final frame with a takedown of Silva. Wanderlei is able to scramble back to his feet before connecting on a left but gets nailed by Chuck. Spinning backfist attempt by Liddell as we near the half-way mark of the final round. Liddell connects with a vicious series of punches that send Silva reeling to the cage. They trade shots back and forth as we near the final minute of the fight. In the waning seconds Liddell gets another takedown to lockdown the unanimous decision win. The horn sounds and the most anticipated fight in MMA history is in the books. MMAFrenzy.com scores the final round 10-9 Liddell.

Chuck Liddell defeats Wanderlei Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Eddie Sanchez def. Soa Palalei via TKO – Round 3

Round 1: Palalei is the aggressor early in the round taking big shots at Sanchez. They lock up and Palalei takes Sanchez to the ground. Sanchez is able to get back to his feet but catches Palalei with an accidental knee in the groin. The fight is halted to give Palalei time to recover from the accidental blow. After recovering they resume the clinch and Sanchez landing some good shots to the face. Palalei reverses and lands some shots on Sanchez before they’re separated after a lack of action. They quickly resume their previous position but there’s little landed for either fighter. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Sanchez.

Round 2: Sanchez opens with a big uppercut. Palelei is mounting little offense thus far. They trade brief standup before clinching yet again. Very slow round as Sanchez lands several more uppercuts in the clinch before the end of the frame. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Sanchez.

Round 3: Palelei and Sanchez clinch again and Sanchez continues the one-sided fight with more uppercuts. Palelei is bloodied and his eye is swollen. Sanchez continues to land solid punches and the referee calls a stop to the fight.

Eddie Sanchez defeats Soa Palelei via TKO – Round 3, 3:24

Lyoto Machida def. Rameau Sokoudjou via submission – Round 2

Round 1: Sokoudjou connects early with a solid right that connects. He then took Machida to the ground but was quickly flipped over by Machida. He passed to half guard and looked for a kimura but Sokoudjou escaped the submission attempt. Machida worked on some offense from the top but didn’t land anything major before they were stood up. Machida with a body kick in the stand up. Sokoudjou gets a trip takedown but Machida gets back to his feet quickly. The round ends. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Machida.

Round 2: Standup trades to start round two before Machida connects and sends Sokoudjou to the ground. Machida works an arm-triangle attempt before passing Sokoudjou’s guard. He works another arm-triangle from the mount but it was again unsuccessful. Machida then transitions to side control and again gets an arm-triangle. This time the move succeeds forcing Sokoudjou to tap out at the 4:20 mark of round number two.

Lyoto Machida defeats Rameau Sokoudjou via submission (arm-triangle) – Round 2, 4:20

Rich Clementi def. Melvin Guillard via submission – Round 1

Round 1: Clementi opens with a good inside leg kick. Guillad counters with a good right but Clementi comes back with a pair of good kicks. Guilard with another good punch but Clementi picks up his opponent and slams him to the ground. He takes Guillard’s back and works a full-nelson before Guillard rolls out. Guillard attempted a kick but slipped on the the attempt and Clementi followed him to the ground. Guillard is momentarily on top before Clementi transitions and takes Guillard’s back. He sinks in a rear naked choke from the position and forces the tap out from Guillard. After the end of the fight security entered the ring to keep the fighters separated after Guillard looked to go after Clementi following the disappointing loss.

Rich Clementi defeats Melvin Guillard via submission (rear naked choke) – Round 1, 4:40

James Irvin def. Luis Cane via disqualification – Round 1

Round 1: Cane connects first with aseries of punches rocking his opponent. Irvin counters with a solid uppercut that staggers Cane who backs to the fence. Irvin rushes in to attempt a guillotine before throwing a kick that’s caught by Cane sending Irvin to the ground. Irvin tries to scramble up but Cane throws an illegal knee that rocks the fighter. Irvin is unable to continue following the illegal knee and the fight is ruled a disqualification win for Irvin.

James Irvin defeats Luis Cane via disqualification (illegal knee) – Round 1, 1:51

Manny Gamburyan def. Nate Mohr via submission – Round 1

Round 1: The Ultimate Fighter 5 runner-up starts quickly looking for a takedown but Mohr stops the initial attempt. Gamburyan continues the pressure and finally gets Mohr to the ground. Manny immediately secures an ankle lock and Mohr is forced to tap out.

Manny Gamburyan defeats Nate Mohr via submission (ankle lock) – Round 1, 1:31

Dean Lister def. Jordan Radev via unanimous decision

Round 1: They trade leg kicks to start the fight before Lister changes the pace and attempts a takedown. Radev defends well avoiding the attempt. Lister remains the aggressor landing several kicks but very little damage is being done by either fighter. Takedown attempts continue by Lister though Radev is able to sprawl and shake them off. Radev connects late in the round with a solid punch but it’s not enough to win him the slow opening round. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Lister.

Round 2: Another lackluster round with more of the same from the first. Lister continues to look for takedowns but Radev defends the attempts. The crowd boos the fighters. Lister continues to throw leg kicks and Radev lands a right but neither do much damage. In the waning seconds Lister finally succeeds on a takedown and is able to pass Radev’s guard and ground and pound to end the frame. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Lister.

Round 3: The final round includes numerous takedown attempts by Lister that are continually defended by Radev. He finally gets a takedown at the midway point of the last round. Lister transitioned into half guard before the final round ended. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Lister.

Dean Lister defeats Jordan Radev via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Roan Carneiro def. Tony DeSouza via TKO – Round 2

Round 1: The pair clinch to open the fight with DeSouza throwing knees at Carneiro. Shortly after Carneiro secures a takedown. DeSouza attempts an armbar but Carneiro escapes. Carneiro transitions and takes the back of DeSouza as we near the midway point of the round. He works for a rear naked choke but DeSouza is able to roll back into Carneiro’s guard. DeSouza lands some ground and pound while Carneiro counters with strikes from the bottom. The first round ends. MMAFrenzy.com scores the opening round 10-9 Carneiro.

Round 2: They clinch again to open the second round but they stall against the fence and are separated. Carneiro takes advantage and slams DeSouza to the mat. He is again able to transition onto his opponents back. DeSouza stands up briefly with Carneiro on his back but is taken back to the ground. Carneiro starts reigning down strikes, landing blow after blow to DeSouza’s head. With DeSouza unable to escape the position or defend himself the referee steps in and stops the fight.

Roan Carneiro defeats Tony DeSouza via TKO – Round 2, 3:30

Mark Bocek def. Doug Evans via unanimous decision

Round 1: Bocek is the aggressor early looking to take Evans to the ground. Bocek throws a headkick that misses and is countered with a solid combo by Evans. The pair go back and forth trying to gain a dominant position before Bocek secures a takedown and moves into side-control. Despite the position Bocek is unable to capitalized as the bell sounds on round 1. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 in favor of Evans for the solid combo.

Round 2: Bocek opens with more takedown attepts to open the second but Evans defends and sprawls well to avoid them. Finally Bocek gets a double-leg but Evans is able to return to his feet. Bocek slams him back down and transitions to half guard. He’s able to get his first real damage on Evans by using elbows from the position. The barrage of elbows cuts Evans over his eye before the end of the round. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Bocek.

Round 3: The final frame opens with Bocek again looking to take the fight to the ground. This time he succeeds in taking Evans down with a single-leg but is unable to do anything on the ground and they are returned to their feet. Another takedown by Bocek was followed by a few submission attempts by Evans none of which succeeded. They stalled again and were returned to their feet before the final horn sounded. MMAFrenzy.com scores the final round 10-9 Bocek in what should be a 29-28 unanimous decision win for the Canadian.

Mark Bocek defeats Doug Evans via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

“[It’s] not true. No other comment is needed.”

Liddell’s preparation (and health) have come into question since he lost so quickly on May 26th at UFC 71. Most reports surrounded accounts of “The Iceman� hanging out in clubs prior to the fight with Liddell responding that it was not out of the ordinary although a recent video of Liddell receiving a lap dance from two women may raise concerns over the UFC star yet again.

This story seems to just be getting started and although the above quote completely denies the report I think we will be hearing more about this very soon.

Here is the quote from former UFC fighter Vernon White that sparked the resurgence of questions over Liddell’s health and mental focus leading into UFC 71:

“I can’t bad mouth Chuck. He just came off a hard loss. Chuck just got out of rehab, but I do have to say it was stupid for him to come out of rehab and fight Quinton the way he fought him. He should have fought a smarter fight. Quinton’s my boy, I love you, and hold that belt forever.”

Lots of fans and media have questioned Liddell’s preparation for the fight which had no win bonus on the line. Most reports surrounded accounts of “The Iceman” hanging out in clubs prior to the fight. Liddell responded by saying it was not out of the ordinary although a recent video of Liddell receiving a lap dance from two women may raise concerns over the UFC star yet again.

This is really all there is to go on at the point but if the account gains steam (which it already appears to be doing) a response from the UFC or Liddell is to be expected. I will continue to monitor the situation and will report any news I come across as soon as possible.

• Chuck Liddell – Suspended until 7/12; No contact until 6/26.
• Ivan Salaverry – Suspended until 11/23 unless right shoulder is cleared by orthopedic doctor; Minimum suspension until 6/26; No contact until 6/17.
• Karo Parisyan – Suspended until 11/23 due to left thumb injury unless cleared by orthopedic doctor.
• Keith Jardine – Suspended until 7/26; No contact until 7/12.
• Chris Leben – Suspended until 6/26; No contact until 6/17 (right eyebrow laceration).
• Kalib Starnes – Suspended until 6/26; No contact until 6/17 (left cheek laceration)
• James Irvin -Suspended until 11/23 unless cleared by orthopedic doctor (ACL tear).
• Carmelo Marrero – Suspended until 7/12; No contact until 6/26.

Here is a list of all the PPV main events from the start of 2006 and how long they lasted:

UFC 57: Liddell KOs Randy Couture, Round 2
UFC 58: Rich Franklin decisions David Loiseau after five rounds
UFC 59: Tim Sylvia TKOs Andrei Arlovski, Round 1
UFC 60: Matt Hughes TKOs Royce Gracie, Round 1
UFC 61: Sylvia decisions Andrei Arlovski after five rounds
UFC 62: Liddell TKO’s Renato Sobral, Round 1
UFC 63: Hughes TKOs B.J. Penn, Round 3
UFC 64: Anderson Silva KOs Franklin, Round 1
UFC 65: Georges St. Pierre TKOs Hughes Round 2
UFC 66: Liddell TKOs Tito Ortiz, Round 3
UFC 67: Silva TKOs Travis Lutter, Round 2
UFC 68: Couture decisions Sylvia, five rounds
UFC 69: Matt Serra TKOs St. Pierre, Round 1
UFC 70: Gabriel Gonzaga KOs Mirko Cro Cop, Round 1
UFC 71: Jackson TKOs Liddell, Round 1

I think this might be a concern for the UFC in the immediate future because, with the UFC getting major media exposure, it wants events that follow through on hype. UFC 71 fulfilled the hype for me although I am sure a lot of first time and casual fans felt shorted when the main event lasted under 2 minutes.

As the above list expresses only 3 UFC main events have gone past the 3rd round providing a lot of concern for the UFC. On one hand they can market the action the UFC provides over other sports, such as boxing. On the other, however, this presents a serious concern with perceived value for customers. People who buy (or are thinking about buying a PPV) want to “get their moneys worth” and when a fight lasts mere minutes casual fans will feel shortchanged and “ripped off” more often than not.

While most fans will agree that quick KOs, submissions, and stoppages are a part of the sport, will casual fans ultimately be turned off by the quick main events?

The following numbers represent only what the base salaries and win bonuses paid to the fighters as reported to the Nevada State Athletic Commission. These numbers do not include other undisclosed bonuses the UFC is not required to report or a share of PPV revenues main event fighter typically receive.

• Quinton Jackson ($225,000) def. Chuck Liddell ($500,000)
• Karo Parisyan ($32,000) def. Josh Burkman ($7,000)
• Terry Martin ($12,000) def. Ivan Salaverry ($17,500)
• Houston Alexander ($8,000) def. Keith Jardine ($7,000)
  
• Kalib Starnes ($10,000) def. Chris Leben ($10,000)
  
• Thiago Silva ($16,000) def. James Irvin ($7,000)
• Alan Belcher ($14,000) def. Sean Salmon ($3,000)
• Din Thomas ($28,000) def. Jeremy Stephens ($3,000)
• Wilson Gouveia ($16,000) def. Carmelo Marrero ($5,000)

Total payroll for UFC 71: $920,500