The following is MMANews.com's own Chris Howie's in-depth breakdown of the UFC 79 main-card bouts for tonight's pay-per view.
Chuck Liddell VS Wanderlei Silva
You know, just typing Liddell VS Silva made me kind of giggle a little. Before Randy Couture VS Fedor was even a wet dream of die hard MMA fans, there was MMA fan out cry to make Chuck Liddell VS Wanerlei Silva happen. Hell, Dana White even took Chuck over to Japan to fight in the 2003 Pride Middleweight tournament with the intention of facing off against Silva in the finals, voluntarily giving his main rival company the chance to host the most-anticipated cross-promotional fight in history. With Liddell losing to Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in the semi's it was there, that the first initial signs that this fight may be doomed reared their ugly heads. So here we are, four years later and after countless attempts and failures to make this fight go down, we are two days away from one of the most talked about possible match-ups in MMA history. Chuck Liddel VS Wanderlei Silva. Wanderlei Silva VS Chuck Liddell. And for some, the one fight that meant the most in terms of Pride VS UFC. Yes….Chuck Liddell VS Wanderlei Silva. Go ahead and say it to yourself.
Now the question is: who takes it? Silva's aggressive, take-no-prisoners style could provide for a vicious KO or Liddell's sit-back-and-counter-punch style could set just the trap to let Silva walk into one of those devastating rights. There is no point in really thinking this fight is going to the ground so that aspect is pointless to even think about. This is going to stay standing and someone will be going to sleep. It's not going three rounds either and you can expect a highlight finish.
That is of course if both fighters come out with the same kind of plan they have in the past. Both fighters are coming off two consecutive losses and with a third – both could fall far down the ladder and not make it back up. Will that lead to a slow-paced fight where either guy wants to stay protected and not mix it up? No.
These guys are going to bang it out.
Prediction: Wanderlei Silva VIA KO in round 2.
Georges St. Pierre VS Matt Hughes – Interim UFC Welterweight Title
Here's another fight that just makes my mouth water. The rubber match that I figured I would have to wait forever to see but instead a little over a month out from one of the UFC's biggest grudge matches to date between Hughes and Matt Serra, Serra gets hurt, GSP steps up, and we're set for GSP/Hughes 3.
It's hard to say what could happen in this fight. Hughes has said that he has gone back to his roots of wrestling but every shot he took on GSP in the second fight was stuffed and GSP worked his stand up beautifully while setting Hughes up for a big KO. Josh Koscheck, who is considered to be right up there in terms of wrestling with Hughes in MMA (some will say Josh's is even better) couldn't do a thing with GSP when they fought in August. Basically, I think Hughes is going to need a stellar gameplan if he plans on wrestling GSP down.
The one thing that always comes up is: where is GSP's head? If the performace he had in the Koscheck fight is any indication I think everyone should know by now it's in the right place. Taking the fight on short notice could effect his performace but why take the fight on short notice if you weren't ready to and thought you could win in one of the biggest fights of your career? Where is Hughes' head at for this one? He was ready to go against Serra and for that fight emotions were probably running high in training. Could his emotions get the best of him in this one? Whose to say?
At the end of the day GSP more or less had his way in the last fight and at a young age is only learning more and getting better. Hughes has been around the block and everyone knows what they say about teaching old dogs new tricks. I'm thinking Hughes finally passes the torch in this one.
Prediction: George St. Pierre VIA KO in round 1.
Thierry Sokoudjou VS Lyoto Machida
Sokoudjou makes his Octagon debut against the undefeated Machida who will look to continue his streak. The year started off with a bang for Sokoudjou with two back-to-back wins against top ranked LHW fighters: Rogerio Noguiera and Ricardo Arona. Machida, who has wins over former UFC champs Rich Franklin and BJ Penn, will be trying to go 4-0 in the UFC since making his debut back in February of this year. This should be an interesting match up and should also be another big test for the 23 year old Camroonian. Machida's style is in some ways similiar to that of Sokoudjou's last opponent, Ricardo Arona, so if that is any indication, the “African Assassin” could continue on with his impressive year. Machida could slow the pace though and give everyone a chance to see what Sokoudjou's weak spots may be. Could be an eye opener for everyone and the winner will most likely be very close to a title shot.
Prediction: Sokoudjou VIA Rd. 2 TKO.
Rich Clementi VS Melvin Guillard
After testing positive for cocaine after a lackluster performance against Joe Stevenson back in April, Guillard will look to put the stamp on Clementi. “No Love” is on a little three fight win streak and is 2-2 in the UFC since his stint on the Ultimate Fighter 4. With a loss in this fight either fighter could find themselves on the outside looking in and may need to go get some wins before making a return to the big show.
Prediction: Melvin Guillard VIA Split Decision
Eddie Sanchez VS Sao Palalei
Sanchez is coming off a win at UFC 72 after being the piece of meat thrown to Mirko Cro-Cop when Mirko made his UFC debut. Palalei is making his debut UFC and the Team Quest fighter will be looking to enter the Octagon and make a splash in the Heavyweight division. It's a safe bet that this one will stay standing and an excellent chance of it ending with a big KO. Palelei is a big big boy weighing in at the 265 limit and stands 6'4''. I think he'll use his size and power to overwhelm the smaller Sanchez leading up to the BIG KO
Prediction: Palalei VIA KO in round 2
Enjoy the fights tonight and make sure to check out our live coverage (located HERE tonight) of the entire show – preliminary fights included.
