411's UFC 82: Pride Of A Champion Report 03.01.08

Posted by Michael Huckaby on 03.01.2008

Anderson Silva and Dan Henderson battle for the UFC Middleweight Title.

Jon Fitch vs Chris Wilson

Jon Fitch looks to tie Royce Gracie's UFC record with his 8th straight victory.

Round 1: They feel each other out with Fitch taking the center of the Octagon. Fitch comes in and grabs ahold but Wilson spins out and we're still on our feet. Wilson commits to a punch and Fitch chases him into the cage but Wilson is able to get free and back to the middle. Front kick by Wilson as Fitch continues to look for an opening to get a takedown. Great right hand by Wilson looks to rock Fitch but he shows a great chin and continues to stand. Knee by Wilson as Fitch is in trouble and grabs on against the fence where he finally lands his first takedown. Wilson is slowly inching away on the ground looking to stand back up but Fitch is holding on like a pitbull. With no action on the ground the fight is restarted on the feet, Fitch is not pleased with this decision. Some standup as the men feel each other out and nothing really lands. Fitch shoots in and gets his second takedown into Wilson's full guard. Fitch lands a couple short elbows but nothing really damaging as the round ends. 411 scores it 10-9 for Chris Wilson for his couple strong strikes.

Round 2: They're both being cautious as Fitch doesn't want to eat a strike and Wilson doesn't want to commit and get taken down. Fitch goes down and as Wilson escapes he gets tripped and Fitch jumps on top of him and into his guard. Fitch can't improve his position and settles for landing several punches to the side. Wilson with an active guard but Fitch keeps control and gets into halfguard, immediately moving into side control. Wilson showing good defense but as I say that Fitch hops into full mount for the first time. Wilson does a great job and pushes him right back to half guard as he continues to deny Fitch of any damaging blows. Wilson tries to scramble but Fitch maintains control as the round comes to an end. 411 scores it 10-9 for Jon Fitch as he was in control all five minutes.

Round 3: Leg kick by Fitch to begin and he looks to have more in the gas tank for this final round. Aggressive kicks and combos by Wilson but Fitch nonchalantly backs away from the danger. Nice one-two combo by Fitch are his best landed strikes of the fight. Nice kick by Wilson but he's not being nearly aggressive enough if this goes to a decision. Nice right hand by Fitch knocks Wilson back into the cage as Wilson looks completely spent. Another multi-strike combo by Fitch but little to no damage is done. The crowd is booing the lack of action as Fitch comes in and easily gets a takedown, a testament to how tired Wilson has become. The ref calls for action as little is happening but Fitch is in complete control and will win this decision unless Wilson does something in the final 60 seconds. With 15 seconds left it looks like Wilson has on a strong triangle choke but will there be enough time? The bell rings and Fitch survives. 411 scores it 10-9 for Jon Fitch and the fight 29-28 for Fitch.

Winner: Jon Fitch, unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

- Mark Coleman, inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame tonight, announces he'll be fighting Brock Lesnar in his return to the Octagon.

Yushin Okami vs Evan Tanner

Round 1: They touch gloves and we're underway. They feel each other out until Tanner lands a nice one-two combo that sends Okami backwards. Head kick is blocked by Tanner and then he lands a nice right hand. Okami lands a straight left that sends Tanner down to the mat. Okami chases to end the fight but Tanner recovers quickly and they begin a wrestling match that ends up back on their feet against the cage. We're clinched and Tanner lands knees to the thigh, still looking for a takedown. Okami is just massive in size compared to Tanner. We're back in the center as both men have landed crisp strikes early in the fight. Okami clinches and lands a knee to the body before Tanner is able to push him off. The crowd is beginning to grow restless with the sparse striking and delays as the ref yells action. They exchange right hands and continue to circle as the first round comes to an end. 411 scores it 10-9 for Yushin Okami based on his hard strike that sent Tanner down.

Round 2: Nice left by Okami as they're both getting a little more aggressive on the feet. Nice kick to the body by Okami counters Tanner's jabs. Another Thai clinch by Okami that Tanner fights out of, Tanner responds with a strong left hook. Nice jab by Okami and it looks as though both men are okay with the fight standing. Combo by Okami sends Tanner back a couple of steps. They clinch up and Tanner gets Okami up against the cage looking for a takedown. In the clinch, Okami lands a massive knee which drops Tanner completely unconscious.

Winner: Yushin Okami, KO (knee), 2nd Rd

Chris Leben vs Alessio Sakara

Round 1: They touch gloves and Leben immediately closes the distance. Leben continues to chance and throws some kicks which are mostly blocked. They clinch up again with some dirty boxing and Sakara lands a couple of hard shots but Leben has a granite chin. Sakara with two more great punches which don't seem to hurt Leben at all. Leben with another kick and Sakara lands a couple more cleanly which again don't wobble Leben. Leben is brawling and they're exchanging pretty decent shots, entertaining as advertised. Two knees by Leben as they continue to scrap in the center. Body kick and clinch by Leben against the cage as Sakara fights the takedown successfully. More aggression by Leben as he lands a couple huge shots, Sakara responds with a shot of his own but then eats a Leben left hook and drops to the ground. The ref gives Sakara a chance but Leben rains down two or three clean shots and Dean stops the fight.

Sakara argues the stoppage but he ate several clean shots from his back.

Winner: Chris Leben, TKO (punches), Rd1

Cheick Kongo vs Heath Herring

Round 1: Herring charges with a huge punch that drops Kongo but Kongo recovers quickly and grapples against the cage, avoiding a quick KO loss. Kongo switches position and gets control against the cage before slamming Herring to the ground. Herring gives up his back and looks for a kimura but Kongo spins out and we're standing again. Another nice shot by Herring but Kongo is now stalking and gets another takedown. Herring flips the position and we're standing against the cage again with Herring hold onto Kongo's neck. Kongo working hard for a third takedown and he gets it up against the cage. Herring is in a sitting position against the cage but he transitions and gets on top before Kongo hops back up himself. This is a very high octane fight. Herring takes Kongo down but Kongo transitions to the top and gets Herring's back. Kongo moves to north-south position as we're stalled on the mat as the round comes to an end. 411 scores it 10-9 for Kongo based on Octagon control.

Round 2: Herring looks for another big shot to start the round but Kongo takes him down again. No action on the ground until Herring nails a nice upkick to Kongo's face. Kongo stalks a grounded Herring and throws a couple of leg kicks. The ref restarts the fighters and again Herring throws an immediate punch. Kongo clinches Herring against the cage as they exchange knees to the legs and body. Kongo with a hard slam in the corner and we're back in north-south position. Herring again giving up his back and looking for a kimura but instead uses the leverage to flip position and get on top for his own north-south. Herring into side control with knees to the body. Kongo is wincing as the big knees slam into his rib cage one after another. The round ends with Herring continuing to rain down knees. 411 scores it 10-9 for Heath Herring in a razor thin round.

Round 3: They both come out with big kicks and falls to the ground. On a scramble, Kongo again gets Herring's back and Herring again looks for a kimura. Rinse and repeat. Kongo gives it up and we're back on the feet. Herring bumrushes Kongo into the cage but Kongo uses the momentum to get him down and take his back again. Heath spins out and gets top position again in side control. This is like watching the same scene over and over. Two minutes remaining and this fight is dead even. Kongo tries to get up but Herring keeps control and might win this fight if there isn't a restart. Fifty seconds and Kongo is unable to get back to his feet and you can feel a judges' decision leaving for him. Herring moves into full mount with 20 seconds left, perhaps solidifying a decision. The fight ends in the same position. 411 scores it 10-9 for Heath Herring and the fight 29-28 for Heath Herring. Should be a draw in a perfect world.

Winner: Heath Herring, split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

MW Title: Anderson Silva vs Dan Henderson

Round 1: Anderson Silva wouldn't touch gloves when Henderson offered. They feel each other out with Henderson throwing a couple of leg kicks. Still feeling each other out with nothing major being thrown. Silva with a leg kick and Henderson misses with his signature crazy overhand right. Great front kick to the head by Silva. Henderson grabs him and takes him down in the center of the Octagon. Henderson is in Silva's half guard, covering his mouth to restrict airflow. Henderson with hammerfists but not much else as he's just keeping Silva controlled on the ground. Still no action as we're under a minute, Henderson trying to pass and gets into side control, raining down hammerfists. The round ends with Henderson still in control. 411 scores it 10-9 for Dan Henderson.

Round 2: They both throw a right hand as we circle in the center. Nice jab by Anderson Silva as Dan is looking to close the distance and Silva isn't interested. Overhand right by Henderson lands and Silva does a "bring it on" motion. Silva finally gets close enough and Dan grabs him, going down to his back with Silva on his knees over him. They're back on the feet with Henderson clinching him against the cage, kneeing Silva's thighs. Henderson trying to walk him around the cage and trip him but Silva is staying on his feet. Knee by Dan Henderson and we're exchanging. Henderson is throwing wildly and gets caught, going down to his back with Silva hopping on top of him with an elbow. Henderson is trying to regroup as he has Silva in his half guard. Silva is now the one dominating the position as he's just using all of his time and strength to keep Dan on his back. Dan gives up his back and tries to throw an elbow but Anderson is all over him with the hooks in. Henderson flips but Silva keeps his back and gets the hooks in with 30 seconds remaining in the round. Silva puts the choke on with only a couple of seconds left and Henderson is forced to tap.

Winner: Anderson Silva, submission (RNC), Rd2