UFC 78 Post Fight News & Notes

By Gary Herman

The biggest news from UFC 78 did not take place in the cage. The news took place shortly after the show when UFC President Dana White talked about the upcoming middleweight title fight among other interesting items.

Anderson Silva vs. Dan Henderson

Coming off a long stretch of impressive stoppages that includes victories over Rich Franklin (twice), Nathan Marquardt, and Travis Lutter, UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva may very well be taking on his biggest test to date.

Shortly after UFC 78, Dana White confirmed that Silva would be defending the title against reigning Pride FC middleweight champion, Dan Henderson.

“Dan Henderson’s next fight will be on March 1 against Anderson Silva,” White said.

For Henderson, the fight marks his second straight opportunity to unify Pride and UFC gold. In early September, Henderson lost a decision victory to Quinton “Rampage” Jackson for the light heavyweight championship. Henderson was a two-belt holder with Pride at the time UFC purchased it.

When asked if will be difficult to make the 185 lb weight limit, Henderson said, “I am ready to compete in two weight classes.”

Although Henderson will be fighting Silva at middleweight, he made it clear that he is not done campaigning at light heavyweight.

“I have some unfinished business in 205,” Henderson said, “I would definitely like the belt there.”

The Forrest not Ortiz

The original main event for UFC 78 was planned to be a rematch between Rashad Evans and Tito Ortiz. Ortiz and Evans fought to a draw back in July at UFC 75. Unfortunately, Ortiz could not come to terms with the UFC on a contract for the rematch.

Evans is not prepared to wait around for Ortiz any longer.

“If the fight happens, it happens,” said Evans, “I mean Tito is super Hollywood now. He’s doing the Apprentice. It really doesn’t seem like it would be the same to fight him anymore.”

After defeating one former Ultimate Fighter champion is Bisping, Evans was quick to call out another former TUF champion.

“I want to fight somebody else now – like Forrest Griffin,” said Evans.

New York, New York

Despite UFC 78 taking place in nearby Newark, NJ, the UFC is not content that they have reached the goal of having a card take place in New York City.

“Getting licensed in New York is very important to us,” White said, “We are focusing on it. We’d like to be there in 2009.”

Will there be a rematch?

The Prudential Center crowd let Michael Bisping know what they though about him. The audience booed Bisping vociferously as he approached the cage. The negative reaction was a holdover stemming from Bisping’s controversial decision victory over Matt Hamill in September.

Bisping, however, took the negativity in stride.

“Somebody is always going to be booed. I heard the crowd, but I don’t take it to heart,” said Bisping.

When asked the question if another fight with Hamill in his sights, Bisping quickly said, “I’m definitely up for a rematch with him.”

No quit

In preparation for his upcoming welterweight title shot against Matt Serra, Matt Hughes predicted the fight would end via armbar submission.

Serra, however, stated there is no way the grudge match would go down like that.

“There’s absolutely no way I would tap out. Hughes would have to snap my arm.”

Birthday present

Coming up in December, Roger Huerta takes a step-up in competition as he takes on Clay Guida in a lightweight battle.

But for Guida, the bout has extra significance.

“I’m ready to fight on my birthday, December 8th,” Guida said, “It will be my 26th birthday, and I’ll have 22 victories.”

If he is successful over Huerta, Guida may find himself near a championship opportunity.

“I think a victory there gets me that much closer to fighting for the title.”

UFC 78 Awards

Following the show, White handed out awards for the best fight, the best knockout, and the best submission. More importantly, the award comes with a 55k bonus (recently raised from 40k). Here are the winners:

Best fight: Thiago Alves and Chris Lytle. Alves won the exciting slugfest when the referee stopped the fight after the second round due to a deep cut over Lytle’s left eye. The welterweight match-up took place off television.

Best knockout: Ed Herman. Herman’s picture perfect left hand to Joe Doerksen’s chin abruptly stopped the fight at 39 seconds of the third round. The win for Herman evened his record against Doerksen at 1-1. It also marked the first knockout of Herman’s career.

Best submission: Akihiro Gono. In his first fight with the UFC, Gono locked Tamdan McCrory in a well-executed armbar during the second round to gain the victory. The fight also occurred off television in the opening bout of the show.