The positive test was today confirmed to MMAFrenzy.com by Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer.

Both methadone and oxymorphone are commonly prescribed pain killers for moderate to severe pain.

The banned substances, which are considered “Drugs of Abuse” by the NSAC, were detected on a urinalysis drug test conducted by the NSAC following the bout.

Irvin has up to 20 days to request a formal hearing and faces up to a $20,000 fine and suspension.

The NSAC previously announced that all eleven fighters that were tested following the event had tested negative for steroids.

The eleven-bout Spike TV event took place on Saturday, July 19th, at The Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada. According to the NSAC, the event drew a paid attendance of 1,690 (2,071 total) for a live gate of $590,000.

The tested fighters were Anderson Silva, James Irvin, Tim Credeur, Cale Yarbrough, Hermes Franca, Frank Edgar, Cain Velasquez, Brandon Vera, CB Dollaway, Nate Loughran, and Shannon Gugerty.

The UFC fight card also drew more viewers than FOX’s coverage of MLB (3,072,000) earlier in the day and nearly tripled its reach of Men 18-34 (369,000) and doubled the Men 18-49 (879,000).

Overall, the three-hour live UFC event averaged a 2.1 household rating, a 2.8 with Men 18-49, a 3.2 with Men 18-34, a 2.0 with P18-49 and 3.1 million total viewers. Comparing to other marquee weekend events, Spike’s UFC telecast also drew more Men 18-49 than ESPN’s coverage of “The ESPY Awards” (1,127,000) and Men 18-34 (689,000).

Compared to the time period a year ago, the “UFC Fight Night” was up +229% in household rating, +451% in M18-49, +463% in M18-34, +470% in M25-34 and +266% in average audience.

The “UFC Fight Night,” emanating from The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, NV, was headlined by arguably the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter in any combat sport, “The Spider” Silva, as he moved up a weight class to fight “The Sandman” Irvin in the light heavyweight division. It was Silva who brought the “Sandman” a dream, dispatching Irvin just over a minute into the first round of their matchup with a barrage of punches that resulted in a referee stoppage. In other action, Frankie Edgar spoiled Hermes Franca’s return to the Octagon™ by controlling the fight with his strong wrestling and ground and pound style, earning a unanimous decision from the judges and Brandon Vera won a decision over Reese Andy.

The eleven-bout Spike TV event took place on Saturday, July 19th, at The Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The tested fighters were Anderson Silva, James Irvin, Tim Credeur, Cale Yarbrough, Hermes Franca, Frank Edgar, Cain Velasquez, Brandon Vera, CB Dollaway, Nate Loughran, and Shannon Gugerty.

Stay tuned to MMAFrenzy.com for results of the drug tests as soon as they are released.

The eleven-bout Spike TV event took place on Saturday, July 19th, at The Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Main event winner Anderson Silva took home $200,000 for his 61-second knockout of James Irvin in his light heavyweight debut and co-main event winner Brandon Vera also earned $200,000 for his unanimous decision victory over Reese Andy.

The disclosed payroll for the event was $623,000.

The salaries listed below represent the official fighter salaries as reported by the promoter to the NSAC and do not include some bonuses, fees, or sponsorships.

Anderson Silva def. James Irvin
Silva — $200,000 (No win bonus)
Irvin — $20,000

Brandon Vera def. Reese Andy
Vera — $200,000 (includes $100,000 win bonus)
Andy — $15,000

Frank Edgar def. Hermes Franca
Edgar — $26,000 (includes $13,000 win bonus)
Franca — $17,000

Cain Velasquez def. Jake O’Brien
Velasquez — $14,000 (includes $7,000 win bonus)
O’Brien — $11,000

Kevin Burns def. Anthony Johnson
Burns — $10,000 (includes $5,000 win bonus)
Johnson — $9,000

CB Dollaway def. Jesse Taylor
Dollaway — $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
Taylor — $8,000

Tim Credeur def. Cale Yarbrough
Credeur — $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus)
Yarbrough — $8,000

Rory Markham def. Brodie Farber
Markham — $12,000 (includes $6,000 win bonus)
Farber — $3,000

Nate Loughran def. Johnny Rees
Loughran — $8,000 (includes $4,000 win bonus)
Rees– $4,000

Brad Blackburn def. James Giboo
Blackburn — $10,000 (includes $5,000 win bonus)
Giboo — $3,000

Shannon Gugerty def. Dale Hartt
Gugerty — $6,000 (includes $2,000 win bonus)
Hartt — $3,000

For a complete recap of UFC Fight Night 14 click here.

The eleven-bout event took place on Saturday, July 19th, at The Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“I’m a Muay Thai fighter. I’ve been doing it since I was a kid,” said Silva after the fight. “I didn’t come up to the 205-pound division to disrespect any fighters, but if you stand up and exchange Muay Thai, this is what happens.”

Silva connected first in the fight with a low kick then dodged a head kick by Irvin. After landing several more punches Silva caught an Irvin leg kick and landed a straight right that sent Irvin to the canvas. Silva followed his opponent to the ground and pounded away, eventually landing a pair of punches flush on Irvin’s chin to finish off the contest.

“This was my first time coming up here and it was a good experience,” added Silva. “But my responsibility is to defend the 185-pound title.”

Though Brandon Vera emerged victorious in the co-main event of the evening, he failed to impress with his unanimous decision victory against outmatched IFL veteran Reese Andy. With both height and reach advantages Vera was able to handle Andy in the clinch and win the majority of the striking. Andy was persistent and peppered Vera with shots and takedown attempts but it wasn’t enough to win the bout.

The cut down from heavyweight to light heavyweight was at least partly to blame for Vera’s performance on Saturday.

“The 205 cut was tougher than I thought,” said Vera. “I didn’t think it affected me until me and Reese walked up and I was like ‘Woo, I’m tired’.”

In the “Fight of the Night”, Frank Edgar rebounded from his first career loss in April to defeat fellow-lightweight contender Hermes Franca via unanimous decision. Though the contest failed to feature much standup Edgar, a collegiate wrestler, and Franca, a submission specialist, tussled for position on the ground. Edgar worked ground and pound from the top while Franca looked for submissions from the bottom. Though Franca nearly ended the fight with a tight armbar in the opening round, Edgar’s ability to take Franca to the ground and keep him there while peppering him with punches and elbows from the top was enough to claim the unanimous decision victory.

Cain Velasquez proved his first win, a first-round TKO of Brad Morris in April, was no fluke with a first-round TKO victory over fellow heavyweight up-and-comer Jake O’Brien. After briefly exchanging on their feet O’Brien looked for the takedown but it was Velasquez who claimed the dominant position, pinning O’Brien to the ground in crucifix control. Despite his best efforts, O’Brien was unable to escape from the bottom and Velasquez threw punch after punch until the referee eventually stepped in to halt the fight at 2:02 of the first.

In the most controversial bout of the evening, Kevin Burns posted his second victory inside the octagon with an accidental eye poke TKO of knockout artist Anthony Johnson. After two close rounds of back-and-forth action both on their feet and on the ground, Burns threw an open jab the deeply poked Johnson in his right eye. Johnson screamed and fell to the mat in pain then covered up as the bout was not immediately halted. With no referee intervention Burns followed up and jumped on Johnson to throw more strikes but the referee stepped in and waived off the bout before any more serious damage was done. Johnson explained to the referee that he was gouged in the eye but the referee had already waived off the contest and the controversial win was awarded to Burns.

Despite an illegal knee in the opening bout of the main card, “The Ultimate Fighter 7″ runner-up CB Dollaway submitted fellow cast member Jesse Taylor via Peruvian necktie at the 3:58 mark of the first round to earn “Submission of the Night” honors.

“Knockout of the Night” went to IFL veteran Rory Markham, who overcame several hard combinations to knock Brodie Farber out cold early in the first round.

In a bout originally scheduled for The Ultimate Fighter 7 Finale, cast members Tim Credeur and Cale Yarbrough went head-to-head at UFN 14 and Credeur emerged victorious with a first-round TKO.

Despite securing an early takedown Johnny Rees was submitted by Nate Loughran via triangle choke late in the opening round.

Brad Blackburn topped James Giboo with a technical knockout midway through the second round of their preliminary bout.

In the event’s opening contest Dale Hartt submitted Shannon Gugerty via rear naked choke midway through the first round.

QUICK RESULTS

UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva moved up to the 205-pound light heavyweight division in the main event to take on knockout artist James “The Sandman” Irvin. Brandon Vera vs. Reese Andy, Hermes Franca vs. Frank Edgar, Cain Velasquez vs. Jake O’Brien, Anthony Johnson vs. Kevin Burns, and Jesse Taylor vs. CB Dollaway were also featured on the main card.

MMAFrenzy.com’s live, round-by-round results and coverage of the entire eleven-bout event is currently in progress.

Continue reading for live coverage of UFC Fight Night 14…

REFRESH OFTEN FOR THE LATEST RESULTS

QUICK RESULTS

• Anderson Silva def. James Irvin via KO – Round 1, 1:01
• Brandon Vera def. Reese Andy via unanimous decision
• Frank Edgar def. Hermes Franca via unanimous decision
• Cain Velasquez def. Jake O’Brien via TKO – Round 1, 2:02
• Kevin Burns def. Anthony Johnson via TKO – Round 3, 3:35
• CB Dollaway def. Jesse Taylor via submission – Round 1, 3:58
• Tim Credeur def. Cale Yarbrough via TKO – Round 1, 1:54
• Rory Markham def. Brodie Farber via KO – Round 1, 1:37
• Nate Loughran def. Johnny Rees via submission – Round 1, 4:21
• Brad Blackburn def. James Giboo via TKO – Round 2, 2:29
• Shannon Gugerty def. Dale Hartt via submission – Round 1, 3:33

ROUND-BY-ROUND RESULTS

ANDERSON SILVA VS. JAMES IRVIN

ROUND 1 -Silva and Irvin touch gloves and we’re underway. Irvin misses with a head kick. Leg kick by Silva followed up by a hard punch combo. Irvin throws a kick but Silva catches it and sends Irvin to the ground with a right. Silva follows up and connects with a barrage of shots that knock Irvin out cold. An impressive debut for the middleweight champion.

Anderson Silva defeats James Irvin via KO – Round 1, 1:01

BRANDON VERA VS. REESE ANDY

ROUND 1 – Vera towers over Andy and nearly knocks him over with an opening head kick but Andy quickly takes Vera to the ground. They return to their feet and briefly clinch against the cage before Vera connects and sends Andy staggering backwards. Andy ducks under a kick by Vera but then misses a kick of his own. Vera knocks Andy to the ground with a kick to the body but allows him to return to his feet. They clinch against the cage and Andy works knees to the inside of Vera’s leg. Vera gets a takedown from the clinch and lands in side control. Vera does little from the position and eventually returns to his feet but not before Andy connects with up kicks. Vera misses a big kick on his feet and Andy shoots in but Vera fends him off until the horn sounds on the opening round. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Vera.

ROUND 2 – Vera quickly looks for a takedown but Andy avoids and they clinch and trade knees. Vera persists and takes Andy to the ground and nearly takes Andy’s back but instead goes into side-control. They get back to their feet and Andy throws leg kicks. Vera clinches and throws knees then separates. More kicks to the leg and body by Andy. Andy and Vera trade punches to the head. They clinch and Vera connects with a hard punch and knee. They split and Andy connects with a straight punch. Hard kick to the leg by Vera to close out the second. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Vera.

ROUND 3 – Strong stikes by Vera to open the final frame. Andy closes the distance and lands a nice jab then clinches. Knees to the leg by Andy in the clinch. The fighters trade knees to the body. They stall in the clinch and are restarted. Jab combination by Andy. They clinch again and tussle for position. More knees to the body by both fighters. They split then re-clinch. Good knee by Vera. They separate and Andy connects with a good combination before Vera locks him up. Andy continues to press but Vera ties him up. Knee to the head by Vera but Andy is unphased. Andy shoots in but Vera stuffs in and throws more knees in the clinch to close out the bout. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Vera.

Brandon Vera defeats Reese Andy via unanimous decision

HERMES FRANCA VS. FRANK EDGAR

ROUND 1 – Edgar takes Franca to the mat and carefully works into Franca’s guard. Edgar stands out and delivers kicks while Franca tries to keeps him away with kicks from the bottom. Edgar moves back into Franca’s guard and tries to drop punches from the top but Franca does a good job of controlling his hands and body. Edgar again backs away and works outside offense before jumping back into Franca’s guard. Franca again does a good job of preventing Edgar from posturing up then quickly rolls into a tight armbar. Edgar is able to escape and returns to Franca’s guard. They reurn to their feet and trade punches then Edgar takes him back to the mat. Edgar works ground and pound from the top but Franca stays active looking for submissions. More elbows from the top by Edgar to close out the opening round. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Edgar.

ROUND 2 – They trade kicks to open the second then go back-and-forth with punches. Edgar staggers Franca with a punch then secures another takedown. Edgar connects with ground and pound from the top as Franca looks for submissions. Franca closes his guard but Edgar continues to land ground and pound from the top. Edgar backs away and lands a hard kick. Up kick by Franca from the bottom. Edgar goes back into Franca’s guard briefly and throws more ground and pound before returning to his feet. Franca gives up his back but Edgar is unable to capitalize and Franca rolls back into guard.  They’re back on their feet momentarily but head back to the ground to close out the round. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Edgar.

ROUND 3 – Franca opens with final round with a big uppercut during a takedown attempt by Edgar. Franca follows up with a knee that forces Edgar to take Franca down. Edgar briefly connects with ground and pound before they return to their feet. Edgar throws a head kick but it doesn’t connect. Edgar secures another takedown but Franca works for an omoplata. Edgar escapes and takes Franca’s back. Franca works back to his feet but Edgar secures yet another takedown. On the ground Franca looks for an armbar but Edgar avoids. They again go back to their feet where Franca connects with a series of punches and a huge knee that wobbles his opponent. Edgar takes Franca down out of desperation and rides out the remaining seconds of the contest. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Edgar and the fight 30-27 Edgar

Frank Edgar defeats Hermes Franca via unanimous decision

CAIN VELASQUEZ VS. JAKE O’BRIEN

ROUND 1 – O’Brien and Velasquez trade punches to open the bout. O’Brien shoots in for a takedown but Velasquez sees an opening and Velasquez takes his back. O’Brien rolls and gives up side control and Velasquez secures crucifix control. Velasquez lands a series of punches to O’Brien’s head from crucifix. O’Brien attempts to escape but Velasquez keeps him pinned to the ground and connects with punch-after-punch. The referee eventually steps in and stops the bout in favor of Velasquez at 2:02 of the first.

Cain Velasquez defeats Jake O’Brien via TKO – Round 1, 2:02

ANTHONY JOHNSON VS. KEVIN BURNS

ROUND 1 – Johnson and Burns trade kicks then Burns connects with the first punch of the bout. They clinch and trade knees. Johnson working for a takedown but Burns defends then they separate. They trade blows but both avoid. Burns presses the pace and throws punches. Johnson lands a kick to the groin of Johnson that momentarily stops the bout but they quickly resume and Jhnson scores a takedown. Burns works strikes from the bottom while Johnson works punches to the body from Burns’ guard. High guard from Burns as he looks to setup a triangle. The pair continue to trade punches back-and-forth as the ref encourages action. They continue to trade strikes onthe ground but they aren’t effective and the referee stands them up. Johnson connects with several good strikes before they clinch to close out the opening round. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Burns.

ROUND 2 – Johnson connects with a knee the hurts Burns and follows it up with more punches and knees but Burns survives and grabs onto Johnson to survive the flurry. Johnson connects with a leg kick and follows it up with a hard left hook. Another left by Johnson connects. And another. Burns continues to come forward but his hands are low opening himself up for a knockout. Another punch by Johnson followed by a head kick that is partially blocked. Burns connects with a kick. Johnson lands a kick then secures a takedown into Burns’ guard. Johnson throws punches and elbows from the top, opening up another but on Burns’ face. The pace slows and they are stood up. Johnson swings and misses and Burns lands several kicks to the body. Johnson secures another takedown just before the end of the round. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Johnson.

ROUND 3 – Kicks from Burns to open the final round. Johnson secures a takedown but does little from Burn’s guard and they are stood up. Johnson quickly secures another takedown. Burns traps an arm and remains active but Johnson again does little from the top position. They are again stood up and Burns quickly lands a combination that sends Johnson to the mat screaming in pain. The referee doesn’t immediately halt the bout and Burns jumps in but the fight is then waived off. Replays show Burns poked Johnson hard in the eye which caused Johnson to stop fighting due to the pain. Despite multiple warnings for keeping his fist open and poking Johnson, Burns is not disqualified. The stoppage stands and Burns is declared the winner via TKO at 3:35.

Kevin Burns defeats Anthony Johnson via TKO – Round 3, 3:35

JESSE TAYLOR VS. CB DOLLAWAY

ROUND 1 – Taylor quickly looks for a takedown but Dollaway avoids. They clinch against the cage then head to the ground with Taylor landing on top. They scramble and Dollaway lands an illegal knee while Taylor is still on the ground. The bout is momentarily halted as Dollaway is warned and Teylor is given time to recover but we quickly resume. Taylor shoots for another takedown but Dollaway reverses then takes Taylor’s back and works for a rear naked choke. Taylor escapes and gets back to his feet then secures a takedown of his own.Taylor throws occasional punches from the top as the pace slows but makes a mistake and Dollaway takes his back again. Dollaway locks in a Peruvian necktie that forces Taylor to tap out at 3:58 of the first.

CB Dollaway defeats Jesse Taylor via submission (Peruvian necktie) – Round 1, 3:58

TIM CREDEUR VS. CALE YARBROUGH

ROUND 1 – Yarbrough connects first with a leg kick and punch. Cale connects with another punch but Credeur counters with a two-punch combo. Hard right by Credeur sends Yarbrough backpeddling into the cage. Credur closes in and connects with an uppercut that drops Yarbrough. Credeur follows up with more strikes and the bout is halted at 1:54 of the first.

Tim Credeur defeats Cale Yarbrough via TKO – Round 1, 1:54

BRODIE FARBER VS. RORY MARKHAM

ROUND 1 -Farber and Markham come out swinging. Markham connects with a hard right to open the fight. Farber counters with a right of his own that hurts Markham. Farber closes the distance and connects with more punches. Markham recovers and connects with right head kick that knocks Farber out cold at 1:37 of the opening frame.

Rory Markahm defeats Brodie Farber via KO – Round 1, 1:37

NATE LOUGHRAN VS. JOHNNY REES

ROUND 1 – Rees secures a trip takedown early. Rees stays active from Loughran’s guard, throwing elbows and punches. Loughran works for a triangle but Rees defends. Loughran attempts another triangle and this time it’s deep, forcing Rees to tap out at 4:21 of the first.

Nate Loughran defeats Johnny Rees via submission – Round 1, 4:21

JAMES GIBOO VS. BRAD BLACKBURN

ROUND 1 – Blackburn dominates the standup. Giboo takes Blackburn to the ground to escape the damage but is unable to keep Blackburn down. Giboo works for another takedown but Blackburn defends and connects.

ROUND 2 – Blackburn again connects early with punches. Giboo shots in for a takedown but Blakcburn connects with a flying knee that sends Giboo to the canvas. Blackburn follows up and finishes Giboo off with several more strikes before the referee stops the bout at 2:29 of the second.

Brad Blackburn defeats James Giboo via TKO – Round 2, 2:29

DALE HARTT VS. SHANNON GUGERTY

ROUND 1 – Gugerty opens the first bout of the evening with leg kicks. Hartt closes the distance and secures a takedown. Hartt tries for a guillotine but Gugerty defends. Gugerty secures mount then Hartt gives up his back. Gugerty works for a rear naked choke and eventually forces Hartt to submit at 3:33 of the opening round.

Shannon Gugerty defeats Dale Hartt via submission (rear naked choke) – Round 1, 3:33

Fedor Emelianenko vs. Tim Sylvia
Emelianenko via submission, round 3.

To me this is a pretty simple pick. Fedor will definitely have respect for Sylvia’s punching power, and will likely only stand and trade with the much taller opponent for a short while. Fedor will shoot for a takedown here and there but will probably get stuffed while Sylvia is still at full strength in the opening rounds. Ultimately, however, Fedor will be able to secure the takedown and from there, will keep Sylvia neutralized until he inevitably makes just the smallest mistake on the ground which will leave him open for who knows, maybe an armbar, choke, knee bar, heel hook- your choice. I see Fedor locking in the sub somewhere in the third round.

Andrei Arlovski vs. Ben Rothwell
Arlovski via TKO, round 2.

Ben Rothwell has size and some good power but has never faced anyone the likes of Andrei Arlovski, and I doubt it will take long for the Belarusian to take Rothwell out of his comfort zone. Rothwell does have decent stand up but it’s not nearly as fine tuned as Arlovski’s, and I really can’t see Rothwell finishing this fight on the ground either, despite his wrestling pedigree. Basically, I just don’t see a big advantage for Rothwell anywhere in this fight. Normally I’d say Arlovski would look for a submission but since he’s so taken with striking these days, I’m going to say TKO in the second round.

Josh Barnett vs. Pedro Rizzo
Barnett via submission, round 2.

A long time rematch in the making, Josh Barnett and Pedro Rizzo met over seven years ago at UFC 30 when Rizzo knocked “The Babyface Assassin” out cold. Of course Barnett was only 23 years old at the time and now Rizzo, 34, is but a mere shadow of his former self. Rizzo still has some good fight in him and I don’t want to count him out completely, but I think Barnett is too smart to lose this one. As much as I suspect Barnett would like to K.O. Rizzo, I’m sure he will respect Pedro’s greatest strength, which is still his striking, and take things to the ground as fast as humanly possible. Rizzo is by no means defenseless on the ground but he is facing Josh Barnett, a man famous for using his strength and expertise to keep opponents in a bad position until a sub ultimately sinks in- which is exactly how I see it happening to Rizzo some time in the second round.

Mike Whitehead vs. Renato “Babalu” Sobral
Sobral via unanimous decision

I don’t see either fighter being able to finish this fight. Whitehead might look for a knockout punch early on but Sobral will inevitably take it to the ground in hopes of a submission. Sobral has top notch jiujitsu but Whitehead, in addition to being physically strong, is wise to the submission game as well, and will likely be able to stay out of harms way for the duration of the bout. I see Sobral maintaining top position for a while and grinding out a decision victory.

Matt Lindland vs. Fabio Negao
Lindland via submission, round 2

Quite the mismatch here. Negao might be ready for a guy like Lindland some day, but not this Saturday. Lindland just has worlds more experience and we’ve seen how easily he can control opponents on the ground. Negao’s wrestling and submissions are decent, but I doubt it will be enough to handle a seasoned grappling veteran like Lindland. Unless Lindland gets caught with a well timed shot to the button, I forsee him securing some kind of choke in the second round.

Terry Martin vs. Vitor Belfort
Belfort via knock out, round 3.

This is a tough pick with so many variables. Years ago I would say Belfort wins via total annihilation, but who knows if we will see the Belfort of old or the new and unimproved Vitor. We also don’t really know how well Belfort will perform in his new weight class. Will the drop to 185 hurt his power? Will he go to the ground or remain confident in his stand up? It’s anyone’s guess. I speculate Martin will look to out-box Belfort and in doing so, over extends himself on a power shot that gets countered big time. I say Vitor scores the knock out in the third round.

UFC Fight Night 14

Anderson Silva vs. James Irvin
Silva via TKO, round 3.

Silva should win this one but it won’t be as easy as some are speculating. Irvin is very strong and if timed correctly, could really hurt Silva with a nice power shot. But Silva is a technician and will likely be too smart for all that. Silva moves very well and should be able to avoid any bombs Irvin tosses out, while slipping in his own pesky counter shots. I see James Irvin getting frustrated after missing with his punches, and I feel it will only be a matter of time before Silva catches him in the plum and unloads his patented brand of knees, elbows and punches that fans have come to know so well. I have Silva scoring the TKO in the third round.

Brandon Vera vs. Reese Andy
Vera via knock out, round 1.

Bit of a squash match here. I ask you, who is Reese Andy? I have found one clip of him online from an IFL fight and it didn’t really help me all that much. Looking at his record, I can’t say Andy is more likely to strike or grapple since most of his bouts have gone to a decision. This has to be a convincing win for Vera, he doesn’t have a choice. If Vera loses or even wins a boring decision against a UFC newcomer known only to few, if any, his credibility, popularity and ranking will shoot even further down the proverbial ladder. I’m picking Vera via knock out in the first round because it’s such a must win for “The Truth.”

Hermes Franca vs. Frank Edgar
Franca via submission, round 3.

This is the match I speculate will be fight of the night. Edgar is a very talented wrestler but Hermes Franca is bigger, stronger, and better versed in submissions. Edgar however is mighty quick and has the crisper stand up, so he could look to drop his opponent before Hermes decides to shoot for the takedown. Unfortunately for Edgar, I don’t think he will be able to hold off the ground attack forever and will ultimately succumb to a submission some time in the third round.

Cain Velasquez vs. Jake O’Brien
Velasquez via TKO, round 2.

Another tough one to pick due to the fact that Velasquez has only had three professional fights, and O’Brien has never defeated anyone terribly notable, save for a decision win over Heath Herring back in ’07. This match is a real wild card, but if I had to choose I would say Velasquez via TKO simply because that’s how he’s managed to win all three of his other bouts thus far.

CB Dollaway vs. Jesse Taylor
Taylor via TKO, round 2.

I don’t see this one staying on the feet very long, as both of these guys feel most confident in the wrestling department. Sooner than later the fight hits the ground where the stronger Jesse Taylor obtains mount and begins throwing down some ground and pound. Let’s say…round 2.

UFC Fight Night 14 “Silva vs. Irvin” Betting Odds

• Anderson Silva (-420) vs. James Irvin (+320)
• Brandon Vera (-500) vs. Reese Andy (+350)
• Frank Edgar (-160) vs. Hermes Franca (+130)
• Cain Velasquez (-325) vs. Jake O’Brien (+250)
• Anthony Johnson (-295) vs. Kevin Burns (+235)
• CB Dollaway (-160) vs. Jesse Taylor (+130)
• Tim Credeur (-450) vs. Cale Yarbrough (+300)
• Rory Markham (-270) vs. Brodie Farber (+210)
• Nate Loughran (-165) vs. Johnny Rees (+135)
• Brad Blackburn (-245) vs. James Giboo (+195)
• Shannon Gugerty (-220) vs. Dale Hartt (+180)

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