On paper, UFC 79 looked like one of the top MMA events of 2007. Featuring the final installment in the Matt Hughes – Georges St. Pierre trilogy, a long awaited meeting between Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva, as well as the collision between two of the fastest rising light heavyweight stars in Lyoto Machida and Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou, this event had a lot of hype to live up to. Let’s take a look at how it turned out.
Rich Clementi vs. Melvin Guillard
The card starts out with a “grudge match” between two Louisiana natives. Clementi has defeated Guillard in a kickboxing match; apparently the two also had an altercation outside of a combat sports arena. Guillard is ready to go and being held back by security before the fight begins. Guillard lands good shots early; Clementi slams him to the canvas and quickly gains back control but Melvin manages to escape. They are back on the ground and it’s only a matter of time before Clementi once again has back mount and forces a tap with a rear naked choke. Clementi performs a celebratory “crotch chop” over his fallen opponent. Guillard apparently isn’t done, and is being held back by Herb Dean while screaming “this isn’t over”. Newsflash: it is quite over, but stay tuned as we may experience another bedpan-swinging hospital brawl before the end of the night.
The aftermath: Clementi earns another chance at stardom in the packed 170 division. I would be surprised to see Guillard back in the Octagon any time soon until he stacks up some wins in the smaller promotions and significantly improves his ground game.
Fight grade: 4/5
Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou vs. Lyoto Machida
Undefeated in MMA, Machida puts his record on the line against the dangerous Sokoudjou (who seems to have lost his first & middle names somewhere en route to Vegas). The beginning looks eerily similar to Sokoudjou’s Pride fights, as he rocks Machida with an uppercut and follows up with a takedown. Lyoto quickly sweeps and ends up in guard; there is little action for the next couple of minutes and the ref calls for a stand up just as Machida is working an arm triangle. Not much happens in the rest of the round.
In Round 2, Sokoudjou tries to work his standup but Machida is elusive. Machida drops Sokoudjou with a straight left, and finishes with an arm triangle.
The aftermath: Machida is now 4-0 in the UFC and finally finished an opponent. He is not far from a shot at the coveted 205 title. Sokoudjou’s career has so far followed a similar route to Houston Alexander – it’s only logical to pit them against each other next.
Fight grade: 4/5
Soa Palelei vs. Eddie Sanchez
Once again, UFC looks for the next big thing in HW division. Unfortunately Palelei is not it. The big man doesn’t show much in the way of offense, other than an occasional telegraphed haymaker and pushing his smaller opponent up against the fence. Sanchez utilizes his brawling standup to slowly break down Soa, until he swells his eye shut with an uppercut in the third round. Soa complains to the ref about his vision, and the fight is called.
The aftermath: UFC should really learn the lesson here: Do not put unproven heavyweights on the main card! More often than not, this does not result in an exciting fight. Sanchez racks up another win but I don’t see him getting past most of the UFC’s top heavies; he is a gatekeeper at best. Palelei has shown to be a completely failed experiment, though I won’t be surprised if he is given another chance. Next time, on the untelevised undercard, for goodness sake!
Fight grade: 1/5
Wanderlei Silva vs. Chuck Liddell
This battle of the former champions has been years in the making. In Round 1, both fighters throw heavy leather, with Liddell winning most exchanges but Silva more than holding his own.
In Round 2, Silva comes out with more aggression. Liddell slips and pops right back up, only to be knocked down by Silva. Silva is unable to capitalize as Chuck gets back to his feet. They clinch against the fence and Liddell splits Silva open with elbows. Liddell finishes the very close round with a takedown.
Round 3 begins with another takedown from Liddell but Silva quickly escapes. Liddell rocks Silva with combinations; Wanderlei has his back against the cage and is eating heavy blows but does not go down, and fires back with flurries of his own. Liddell finishes the round with another takedown and walks away with his hands raised. All judges agree, with a 30-27, 30-27, 29-28 unanimous decision for Chuck Liddell.
The aftermath: While Silva is now on a 3-fight losing streak, he showed that he is anything but washed up. Vitor Belfort has been clamoring for another shot in the octagon; a rematch with Silva would be epic. Chuck Liddell is poised to make another run at the title – how about Liddell vs. Machida for the #1 contender?
Fight grade: 5/5
Georges St. Pierre vs. Matt Hughes
In the main event of the evening, St. Pierre faces Hughes for the third time. This bout is for the interim welterweight title. Hughes is unable to secure a takedown early; St. Pierre is successful with a takedown of his own. St. Pierre dominates Hughes on the ground, getting a full mount then a back mount. Hughes survives the round.
In the second round, St. Pierre takes Hughes to the canvas with a beautiful throw. He again quickly passes guard and secures an armbar that forces Hughes to verbally submit.
The aftermath: Though Hughes did not officially announce his retirement, all signs point towards the end of the road for MMA’s most decorated champion. George St. Pierre is once again on top of the 170 heap and will look to replace his interim title with a real one, and avenge his TKO loss once Matt Serra recovers from the back injury that forced him to pull out of this event.
Fight grade: 4/5
Nate Mohr vs. Manvel Gamburyan
In an preliminary bout that was televised after the main event, Gamburyan made quick work of Mohr with a quick takedown followed by an ankle lock. Mohr is not able to get up off the canvas after the fight; the submission appears to have injured his knee.
The aftermath: Mohr looks to have suffered a serious injury – likely a torn ACL and/or MCL – and will be out for a while. Gamburyan put on a great performance; it will be interesting to see how he stacks up in the always exciting LW division.
Fight grade: 3/5
UFC 79 had a lot of hype to live up to, and it did all that and more. Silva – Liddell was a war that could have only been better if there were 2 more rounds and a title on the line. The only blemish on this card was the godawful Palelei-Sanchez bout.